#(Probably one of the best moments from last nights ep)

[aph-japan]

{Digi-G.G. Ep. 56}

(by Me) {DO NOT Copy} {DO NOT re-post} (Please ASK to Use)

[melrosing]

MBO Robert's Rebellion: Season 2 Episode 2

what the fuck is this: it's me drafting a fake robert's rebellion tv show through a series of bullet points. there will be two seasons of ten episodes each

i figured actually this one is basically done so im posting it. the rest should come prettyyyy quickly now, it's just a couple story strains where i'm making the last few edits to get everything in across the ten eps. anyway this 'season' is probably a wholeass exercise for me in trying to make sense of Rhaegar Targaryen so welcome, pls come along for the ride.

SEASON ONE: Episode 1, Episode 2, Episode 3, Episode 4, Episode 5, Episode 6, Episode 7, Episode 8, Episode 9, Episode 10

SEASON TWO: Episode 1, Episode 2, Episode 3

title for this one: rhaegar breaks everything

Lyanna wakes in her tent to the sound a baby’s desperate screams. Perplexed, she dresses hurriedly and saddles her horse, riding off at pace to where she thinks they seem to come from. She grows more frustrated the further she rides, never seeming to get any closer. Suddenly, she hears a voice scream her name - it’s Ned’s. She sends her horse to a gallop, and reaches a familiar clearing: she met Rhaegar here a year ago, during the tourney of Harrenhal. Distracted, Lyanna regards the place a moment in silence, then reaches inside her cloak to find the flower crown Rhaegar gave her back then. It’s dried out now. A voice whispers ‘Lyanna’ more quietly, and Lyanna, alarmed, turns to see Rhaegar, leading a horse of his own. She asks if he heard a child; Rhaegar says he didn’t. Lyanna says she’d thought she’d heard Ned too, but he’s in the Vale. She supposes she must’ve been dreaming. Rhaegar asks if she dreams often, Lyanna says she dreams sometimes. Rhaegar asks of what, Lyanna says of this place, of blue roses, and of - she looks at him, stops. But Rhaegar knows already. He says, ‘I dream, too.’

Opening creds

Brandon riding for the Stark camp with Edmure, who chatters beside him about how he’s never ridden this far before. They meet Benjen at the outpost, who looks anxious; Brandon asks what the matter is, Benjen tells him it’s Lyanna. Together, they ride hard for camp

Ned and Robert at the Eyrie. Robert is bouncing a toddler in his lap, whilst Ned looks miserable. Robert makes reference to Brandon’s wedding, says Ned might have gone; Ned replies that he doubts Brandon will miss him. Rickard neither for that matter - Ned suspects he had always favoured his brothers. Robert laughs at that, assuring Ned that he’s the best of them - but for a man unbetrothed he could afford to have a little more fun. Ned says sceptically that betrothal has never kept Robert from fun, and Robert laughs, making the toddler (Mya) in his lap laugh too. Robert laughs the harder

Brandon and Edmure meet Rickard in the woods, searching for Lyanna. Rickard tells them that he and Lyanna had fought, and he suspects Lyanna may be sulking somewhere - but these woods are too dangerous for that, and she must be found. The rumours are already abound, too, that she is wild and loose, and he fears for their betrothal if Robert were to find out about this. He rides off, vexed 

Benjen asks Brandon if everything will be alright; Brandon isn’t sure, says he suspects Rickard is more worried than he’s letting on  

Jaime guarding Rhaella in the godswood; he has seen little of her since he took up his post, and notices bruises about her neck - the only part of her uncovered. Rhaella tells Jaime she remembers his mother, talks fondly about her as though talking to herself. She was such a child: giggled a lot, had plenty of daydreams, a sweet girl in her way, before she became lofty Lady Lannister. Jaime isn’t really listening, distracted by her injuries - he asks if she’s alright. Rhaella’s face clouds over; she tells Jaime it’s nothing, and speaks no more

Cut to Aerys in the throne room. Where is his goddamn son??? Rhaegar has not been seen for several nights. Aerys airs the suspicion that Rhaegar rides for Casterly Rock to plot against him with Tywin Lannister. Varys says he shudders to think… but it is said that Rhaegar did not take the Goldroad. Aerys wonders if Jaime Lannister knows something. Gerold Hightower says he’s sure the boy knows nothing. Varys says they can’t know that. Either way - Hightower changing the subject - for all his strength, Rhaegar is vulnerable when riding alone, and should be found. He says he will send two of his own men to find the Prince. Arthur Dayne knows him well, and will doubtless find him in good time 

Elia alone in her rooms, with her children playing at her feet. Rhaenys asks where father is; Elia, feeling too tired to comfort her daughter, simply tells her she doesn’t know. Rhaenys, weepy now, asks if he’s coming back. Elia says she doesn’t know that either. Rhaenys starts to cry, and Elia, looking dead inside, does nothing for several moments before reaching down to pick her up and comfort her. She tells Rhaenys about Dorne, says if father can run away then so can they. They’ll go to the Water Gardens, and Rhaenys can play with her cousin Arianne. Rhaenys asks if father will be sad if they go. Elia says no, she doesn’t think he’d be sad at all

Arthur Dayne in the WST, packing bags. Jaime watches on, asks where he is going. Arthur says to find the Prince. Jaime says he’ll go with him, Arthur says no. Jaime tries to argue, Arthur remains steadfast. Upset, Jaime says that he knows Arthur regrets knighting him, thinks it was a mistake to ever place him in the KG to begin with. Arthur says that isn’t so, it is simply that the King needs him here. For what?? Jaime says the King hates him. Arthur does not deny it, but states simply that there will come a time when the King will have great need of him. Jaime stares at him, perplexed. Ser Gerold Hightower walks in, and says he has an errand for Arthur, yet is startled to see Arthur is packing already. Jaime even more perplexed 

Ned running errands for Jon Arryn in a small town in the Vale. In a tavern, he attracts the notice of a black-haired girl, who flirts with him. Ned is uncomfortable, buts feels some attraction himself. She says she’s noticed him before with his friend, but she’s always liked Ned better. Ned feels himself being drawn in, doesn’t altogether like it - but likes it a little. The girl suggests they go somewhere quieter, and Ned tentatively agrees. As he follows her to the back rooms, she kisses him. Ned is shocked despite himself, and just as they reach the door he declines after all and turns back, embarrassed

Searching the woods for Lyanna. Benjen finds her dried flower crown on the forest floor where she had been the night previous, and runs to deliver it to his father and brother. Rickard and Brandon look at it horrified, till a local arrives with guards to tell them what he saw: Rhaegar rode past their village last night, and he had a girl with him. Rickard in crisis mode: he orders Benjen to return North to hold Winterfell. Benjen tells his father he doesn’t want to leave; he wants to find his sister. Brandon tells him there must always be a Stark in Winterfell (doesn’t explain why there wasn’t one this whole time but I digress), and Rickard tells him that they will return in good time - but not without Lyanna

Cat and Lysa waiting on the parapets for Brandon. Cat wonders why Lysa seems in such a good mood today, and asks her - but Lysa won’t reveal, hums smugly to herself

Suddenly they see Edmure on the horizon, but there’s no sign of Brandon??? The sisters race to the gates and find their father is there already. Edmure, both panicked and confused, tells their father that Brandon has ridden for KL - wtf???

Ned returns to the Eyrie, is told Jon Arryn wants him urgently. Ned bizarrely feels like he’s in trouble, enters Jon Arryn’s solar nervously - finds Robert pacing in rage, and Jon looking sorrowful. There’s been raven etc

Rhaegar and Lyanna riding together. Rhaegar is very quiet, and Lyanna doesn’t quite know where she’s following him to - but follows nonetheless. She asks lots of questions, doesn’t get many clear answers, till Rhaegar reveals he believes they were meant to meet that day at Harrenhal. Had she felt it, too? Lyanna frowns, intrigued, but a little frightened, too. Perhaps she had felt that, too. Rhaegar looks at her, knowingly

[its-time-to-write]

ch. 1 - hustling for the good life

please never let me write a series again. if I say i’m going to, please remind me that it’s the worst and i’ll hate myself for it. anyway, here it is and yeah, i got self conscious about it. uhh also Jamie doesn’t show up till chapter 2.

table of contents

cowboy like me

Getting from the car to the hotel lobby should not be this challenging. It’s not even that far a distance, but the moment your car pulls up to the doors, you understand that this is going to take a lot of pushing, shoving, and flashing cameras.

“How’d they even know I was going to be here?” you ask your assistant-turned-best-friend Natalie.

She grimaces. “I was kind of trying to keep this from you, but your new makeup artist has been leaking your location. That’s why it’s been hell the past week or so.”

You groan and say, “Shit, and she was so nice, too! Who would’ve thought?”

Natalie shrugs. “I had my suspicions from the beginning. Gotta tell you, it was hard fucking work catching her in the act without you knowing.”

You smile and pinch Natalie’s arm affectionately. “This is why you’re the best, Nat. You’re always fighting a losing battle against my anxiety.”

She grins back and says, “You ready to brave the paps? Be warned, they’re going to be particularly vicious.”

“Obviously,” you reply. “They’re probably all wondering why I don’t have a ring on my finger.”

Natalie makes an ick noise and says, “I, for one, am glad you don’t. I think I’d have to quit if you married him.”

You laugh as your door opens and your bodyguard begins to usher you inside. You’re glad you’re not marrying him either.

—

Fame is weird because it pretty much means your entire job is based on other people’s perception of you. They never have any idea what’s actually going on, and if the people decide they don��t like you, you’re done. You like to keep your personal life, well, pretty personal. That means social media accounts run by a publicist, a secret apartment, large sunglasses, tinted windows, and a fuck-ton of coffee.

Your last three relationships had all been for publicity and you didn’t mind so much, but it was odd. There was an actor, a guitarist, and (most recently) a model. They were all incredibly sweet, which you understand is a rarity. Fake relationships have the tendency to run sour, but they were just genuinely kind people. 

The last one, the model, had commented on your ability to detach one night. He specifically noted how you could fake a sparkle in your eyes, the kind that you’re only supposed to have when you’re really in love. You had laughed and patted his cheek, and told him that you didn’t want to be in love. It’s easy to fake something you don’t truly desire because there’s no underlying pain in your eyes.

The actor and guitarist had said similar things, the actor in particular telling you that you should consider switching which business you were in. You just grinned and told him some lyrics for a the song you’d release when you two broke up.

Love is a hassle. You don’t need it. You’ll take your nice car over an open heart any day.

—

It’s late but not too late as you and Natalie lay on the giant bed in your room, face masks on and glass of wine in hand.

“I still don’t understand why you won’t even keep ten percent of your new EP,” she says as you absently watch the show on the TV. “You’re making so much off it, that it wouldn’t make a difference.”

You shake your head. “Mango was always going to be for that charity,” you reply. “It doesn’t make sense that I would tell their stories and then profit off it. It’s their album, I was just the execution.”

Natalie raises an eyebrow as she says, “But no one knows what it’s about. Or that you’re the one donating all that money. Honestly, I’m shocked that no one in that entire organization has figured out what’s happening yet.”

“Well, I think Christine probably has an idea,” you laugh. “She always could see right through me. And the girls I talked to promised to keep it to themselves. You know, they each get a percentage too.”

Natalie nods. “I know,” she says. “I understand your vision, I really do. I just need to check in with you every now and then, so I know you understand what you’re doing.”

“I do,” you reply. “I really do.”

—

Mango was a one-off EP you created after becoming financially involved with an organization specializing in helping women escape domestic violence. A little heavy for someone whose songs were best listened to on a sunny day, but you needed something real. You hated the way you felt separate from real people and Christine, your point of contact, had given you a lifeline. Your money now had use, beyond buying loved ones houses and cars and whatever else they could possibly want. You didn’t want to become publicly involved, and the whole company was great with keeping you anonymous. You’d talked to so many women who had stories of love turned rotten, and the hope they’d been able to find. 

You wrote a few songs about some of them, supposed to be a personal gift for those who had touched you.

It was Claire, the one who had told you the story that inspired Mango, who said you should release it.

You’d protested at first but the other girls caught wind of Claire’s vendetta and pushed you into it as well. 

Natalie helped you put your vision to paper, and contracts were written so the money Mango made would go to its true visionaries.

It was satisfying in a way that no other album had been.

It had depth, it was personal, it was upbeat but in a real way, and it had a strange sadness laced throughout each track.

You came across a tweet that said, I don’t know why I’m crying to Kitchen Epiphany, but it’s 3am and I can’t stop sobbing. 

That’s exactly what you wanted. Nothing is explicitly sad in the song, it’s actually one of the most sunny songs on the EP, but still. There was something that people could feel, could connect to.

You think that feeling is better than any type of love.

—

The trip to London is another PR thing. “Blue Glass singer/songwriter spotted in London on the heels of breakup with model ex,” said one newspaper. 

“Mango artist has let her man go,” said another.

“I think they could have done better with that pun,” Natalie remarks. You giggle. 

“I don’t give a shit, as long as they’re buying what I’m selling. It’s just nice to be out of America for a little bit.”

Natalie squints at her phone and says, “You know you’re here for work, right? You have that interview in an hour, plus we have a party tonight. You don’t have to pretend to be sad for this one, apparently you’re supposed to move on quick and act like you’re ‘happy, single, and unburdened.’”

You’re not sure who exactly she’s quoting, but you’re pretty sure she’s reading some message from someone in charge of your image. They don’t do a bad job, but they could do better.

—

The interview is good, done by a sweet girl who asks interesting questions about aesthetics and personal projects, things a little different from your normal interviews. 

You head back to the hotel and figure out what you’re going to wear to this party, some football thing, while Natalie laments her inability to wear slippers.

“I mean, don’t get me wrong,” she says as she rummages through her makeup bag, “I fucking love the way heels look. But my feet are absolutely ruined and I just want to wear something comfortable for once.”

You hold up an ice-blue dress to the mirror. “You should just do it, Nat. It’s not like anyone’s actually going to care. I sure as hell don’t give a shit.”

Natalie’s head shoots up to look at you. “Are you serious? Please tell me you are. If you say I can, I’m totally not wearing real shoes.”

You decide to wear the dress and say, “Natalie Herrera, you can do whatever your heart desires. I literally could not care less.”

She squeals and says, “Oh my god, ok, ok, I’m going to the shops right now and I’m going to buy a cute pair. Oh my god, I’m so excited.”

“If you find a really good pair, get me some too,” you call after her, “I want some to wear around the room.”

table of contents

[venus-is-thinking]

DRDT Chapter 2 Episode 12: Initial Thoughts

Hello everyone! I thought it'd be fun to do a post going over some of my first thoughts from the episode after each release. "Initial" is a bit of a stretch, considering I did watch it a second time while making this post, but it's more "initial" in the context of being before the next episode drops. It's sort of like my "initial thoughts" of the Milgram MVs, which are actually the result of, like, 3 hours of obsessing and research, lol.

(By the way, @accirax and I watched the episode together, so apologies if her initial thoughts end up being, like, the same as mine.)

SPOILER WARNING FOR DRDT CH 2 EP 12!

T/W: Body image issues/body dysmorphia, murder, suicide

The Reactions

Confirmation of what I think most of us already suspected! I do think it's a little weird that Nico didn't bring up their testimony about all of the fish being there at the last time they fed the fish. That probably means it's being saved for later in the Trial, I guess?

It's okay Teruko, I saw literally no one in the entire fanbase figure this one out either!

Why is everyone so mean to her though. Everyone here has been an idiot in the Trials at LEAST once

God I missed David

This was so funny. Get his ass.

(In all seriousness, though, I do wonder if we're going to come back to what J said. I don't currently (?) think Arei was drenched, unless the real purpose of the water WAS just to confuse the time of death, so if the water didn't connect with her enough to cool her down, it might be weird that the body isn't warm after all.)

This took me out. Who let you say that. What.

Okay, but Ace, outside of a killing game... why. Like, literally why would a plastic surgeon need to know how to do an autopsy. King.

Like Felicity...? /hj

All in all, though, this was a really interesting character moment for Arturo! And god, the fact that he started learning medical knowledge and spedrun plastic surgery specifically since age 12 HAS to mean something. My vague theories of Felicity having struggles with body image/dysmorphia (Arturo's section of this post) are... maybe real???

Honestly, I'm starting to wonder if Arturo is going to go farther in this game. I don't expect him to survive or anything, but I could see it taking him a surprisingly long time to die. He feels like he's got too much lore to unpack to die, like, next chapter. Unless he gets HELLA focused next chapter, which is definitely possible.

This is so silly. I love them.

(Note: I'm not a Whit mastermind truther, but if I were, I would point out that MonoTV sort of covering up a rules violation for Whit could be relevant. I'm not a Whit mastermind truther though, so I think this is just a very silly joke a la "no wifi! why live :(" )

Well you see Eden, the killer would have actually had all night to prepare. If, say, they mentioned that they could dial in and focus on their work for like 14 hours straight, they could have gotten a lot done before 7:30 AM!

I'll talk about this more later, but the fact that J, David, Veronika, Hu and Nico seemingly have alibis that actually matter is so iconic. I can't believe that many theories died that quick. I'll talk about that more in my theories section, though!

It's been said before, but. Funniest fucking reaction to being declared innocent of murder.

"David still has a family history of depression even if that isn't his secret" nation where you at?

This one made me laugh out loud. Who does it like him

How truthful do we think David is in this next section? I refuse to believe it's 100% a lie, just because he's cooking SO hard on SOMETHING, but I could also believe David thinks he's lying to an extent. I could definitely see a "the best lies are based on the truth" kind of thing?

Also, damn. Xanvid really is real. LGI got me to believe it but WOW David's just being gay on main now

This was a really good, succinct way to have Teruko show her opposition to David's ideas. Even if it is to end the killing game or do something "good' or whatever, Teruko is still hurt and betrayed by what Xander did. Xander tried to kill her, and presumably would have tried to kill everyone else. David is now doing the same thing.

It's going to be really interesting if, whether genuine or not, David is kinda taking on Xander's position. That's going to give Teruko a reason to (outwardly) hate him even more. I'm really looking forward to learning more about how both Teruko and David view Xander.

Also, it's so fucking funny that Teruko and David are literally fighting over Xander. Like, valid, but. Guys.

(Also, David soooo knows Teruko's secret is the killing game is all your fault. Idk if he specifically knows that Xander's plan was to kill Teruko no matter what, but he's definitely caught on to some extent.)

This was crazy. Is Xander famous? Why would everyone recognize him? Like, did David just take particular notice of Xander because he's a simp, or is there something else going on?

Notably, it's also extremely interesting that David says "Even if you all lost a year of memories for this killing game." It almost implies that David didn't? What do you know???

Also, if David DOES have weird memories about this that no one else does, it's a really interesting comparison to Teruko remembering the existence of a killing game in the area investigation when she was talking to Veronika. Are these two getting special memory privileges because they're important? Or does everyone have some kind of memory that they all should have, but only one person knows each thing?

At first I was confused when David said this, because I really don't know how dear anyone in DRDT's life to him was other than Xander. But then I realized, if David is talking about killing 15 others and yourself, he's definitely still talking about Xander's mindset. Xander had something worth the lives of 16 people that he was trying to do.

I don't know how much David cares about ending the killing game. I wonder if "belief in Xander" is the thing he's willing to kill 13 people plus himself for?

I'm starting to get REALLY curious what J's deal is. Between this and her voiced line earlier in the trial saying something along the lines of "it's like you all still haven't grasped just how serious murder is," she definitely seems to have strong opinions on specifically the morality of killing other people. WHY is she being singled out with these beliefs, what does it say about her, and where is her character headed?

(If she is the mastermind, does this couple with the "all murderers must be held accountable" rule?)

"Any answer" is so funny. I think she's looking for the truthful answer, David. This is why no one believes you when you say anything ever /aff

Notably, this is VERY similar to the plan Eden came up with that Veronika described: using the fact that TV shows need entertainment to continue to end the killing game. It's the same thing, but with a much more depressed "everyone should just give up" kind of flavor.

The level of similarity does make me think David is probably not being 100% truthful, and that he just repurposed Eden's escape plan to be something sort of similar to what he was going for.

I do think that he WAS trying to defeat the killing game by killing people through the class trial. I just think that, between Xander's actions and the motive secret he received, he was trying to kill Teruko specifically. Yet another way that David's unhinged behavior ties into the Chapter 2 secrets.

*Hu hopeless child looms in the distance*

I'm so glad that Hu gets to pop off though. She really hasn't gotten, like, any content in the series so far. Here's hoping this is kicking off her getting a bunch of time to shine!

Interesting that they had both Ace and Hu cut Nico off in this interaction. The staging definitely implies that they're trying to show that while Ace is wrong for talking over Nico and not letting them say anything, Hu is also wrong to an extent for not letting Nico defend themself and running to their rescue all the time.

I am begging you. Please discuss the murder method. I didn't realize until my rewatch of the trial that they have actually literally not talked about the murder method at ALL except for telling David that he doesn't know shit about it.

HUH?????????????

Theory Update/Analysis

Well, I'm gonna start this off by saying that I'm still pretty locked into Eden being the killer. We still need to address the tape, and I personally still found her to be decently shifty now behavior wise (she seemed nervous when we turned back to solving the trial, and she says something about "it's too hard to narrow down the killer :/" when people were talking about morning alibis). I just think it makes the most sense.

While obviously my logic for why Levi would be the accomplice has to be at least somewhat flawed, given Levi's surprise confession (!!!), I still think it's possible that Levi is the accomplice here. He could be doing this to further confuse/complicate the state of things (hence why he calls it leading people astray), and it's possible he's not being 100% honest here.

Something that Levi could be doing here is taking control of the situation and spinning the truth in his favor. Hu mentioned earlier (e11, I think?) that the secrets are phrased dramatically. Similarly, Levi may be trying to offer an explanation for his secret that might be more tame, but still believable.

For example, if Levi says that he killed one of his parents because of the circumstances he grew up in, but it turned out that his parents were extremely abusive to him in some way (cough cough Amane Momose), wouldn't people be more willing to forgive the fact that he's a "murderer"? There are different levels to the culpability of murders.

So, it's definitely possible this is still an attempt by Levi to conceal the truth of his secret. It's true that, right now, no one's really trying to match all of the remaining secrets up with the remaining secret holders in-universe, but the entire fanbase pretty much slam dunked this one. Once the content of the secrets was revealed, it wasn't too difficult to track the origin of this secret to Levi. Levi might know that, and might be trying to spin it in a positive way while he can get everyone's attention and tell everyone the same narrative here in the class trial.

I don't think any Levi accomplice or killer truthers have to fully give up on the idea, or at least not until we see what Levi actually says after this. It's a WILD topic to reveal we're going to talk about, but we haven't actually talked about it yet. If we were told "we get David's motivations for trying to throw the trial," I doubt literally any of us would have locked in the prediction of "David is trying to follow in Xander's footsteps by killing everyone via the trial because he kind of remembers Xander." So, until next week, I'm keeping an open mind!

This was insane. I can't believe we actually got a new episode, and that we're gonna KEEP getting new episodes until the chapter finishes. What the fuck!!!

[slytherinshua]

RESERVED

genre. fluff. a bit of angst(?). mention of friends to lovers. warnings. brief mention of injuries. pairing. sieun x fem!reader. wc. 1.1k. request. no. a/n.  i've only watched 2 ep of whc1 but sieun is my baby so i needed to write for him 😭

You knew your boyfriend was trying to hide what was happening at school. You could see that he was stressed from how reserved he had been recently. He didn’t want to dump his problems on you, but not knowing exactly how he kept popping up with new cuts and scrapes or why he seemed so out of it was concerning. No matter how many times he passed it off as injuries from PE, you knew the boys at his school were jerks, and you knew in the back of your head how he kept getting injured, but you didn’t want to acknowledge it.

He hadn’t responded to your texts from this morning which was your last push to come over and check on him whether or not he wanted you to. He wasn’t home when you opened the door and you sighed, dropping your backpack on the couch and brushing off your school uniform a bit. You checked the fridge for things to cook, but of course, there was practically nothing. Microwave meals were plentiful and the odd non-perishables could be found in the cupboard, but there was no real food.

Given the empty state of the apartment, you figured he probably wouldn’t come home that soon. You should have time to rush out to the store and get enough veggies to make a spicy soup— Sieun’s favourite. You smiled, selecting the best looking produce and greeting the older ladies in the store politely.

You set some music on and started to get to work chopping the onion and celery. You had spent years in this apartment even before you started dating Sieun. His father was friends with your father, and until recently, you used to live next door. You remembered all the times that Sieun had helped you study or kept you company when you were going through a hard time. Everything had been strictly “just friends” back then.

You probably would still be friends if you hadn’t been bold that one night. Or maybe it was you being sleepy. Or both. It had been New Year’s Eve and you were staying up while Sieun studied. You tried to get his attention away from his laptop and notes, but you had been unsuccessful until you eventually fell asleep. Sieun had woken you up at 11:58, right before the turnover, knowing you would be upset if you had missed it.

When the clock struck midnight, it was like an instinct to pull your friend in for a kiss, and luckily, he reciprocated. He confessed he had harboured a crush on you since 7th grade. You had never seen him happier than back then.

You still made him smile more than anyone else, or you liked to think that. The way his face brightened when you came over was almost addictive. You wanted to see him smile brightly every day, and you savoured every time you were able to make him happy.

You got out your notebook and started to study while the soup simmered on the unused stove. You really needed to pester Sieun about healthy eating habits and remind him that those boxed meals didn’t hold much nutritional value compared to a home cooked meal.

The turn of the doorknob and the soft click made you look up from your pages filled with diagrams, formulas, and scribbled notes. Sieun froze when he saw you and you didn’t miss the way his Adam's apple ducked down in a gulp. He felt nervous.

“Hey,” You offered him a smile, one that you knew he would have trouble reciprocating.

“Hey,” He mumbled back, pulling his backpack off his shoulders slowly, setting it down on the floor with a thud. “I didn’t know you were… coming over.”

“I texted you.” You said awkwardly, hoping Sieun didn’t blame himself for not seeing it.

“Oh.” You saw the panic flash over his eyes slightly before they returned normal and you frowned. It was silent for a moment and you silently prayed that tonight would be relaxing for your boyfriend and not stressful.

“I should… go study.” He coughed out to break the silence.

“Sieun, wait-” You called out softly, hesitating a bit as soon as the words left your mouth. He turned around, waiting for you to talk. You were suddenly flooded with just how much you missed him. You couldn’t remember the last time you had hugged him, let alone kiss him. Neither of you needed a lot of physical touch in a relationship, and you knew better than anyone what was comfortable for Sieun. But it had been weeks, and you felt as if you didn’t hug him right now, you might combust.

“I don’t mean to be… annoying, or keep you from studying… but it’s been so long. And… I miss you? Even though you’re right here in front of me, I really… really miss you. I just thought, maybe… tonight we could…” You trailed off, finding it hard to choke out the words in the first place while he stared at you, listening intently.

“I’m sorry.” He murmured softly, wrapping his arms around you awkwardly. You felt relieved to be in his arms again and your arms circled his waist securely. “I missed you too.” He whispered so softly that you were sure he half didn’t want you to hear it.

You smiled, resting your head against his chest, so close that you could hear his heart thumping steadily. When you pulled out of the hug, his cheeks were pink and you laughed, only making them turn a brighter shade.

“Stop,” He mumbled shyly, and you felt like you fell in love with him all over again. Your body acted faster than your brain as you pulled him closer again, this time pressing your lips to his softly, sighing contentedly when he kissed you back.

You didn’t have to convince Sieun to stay by your side instead of studying. He spent the rest of the night with you, eating two bowls of your warm soup and thanking you over and over again. You knew that he was referencing more than just the dinner that you had made when he said it. You all but dragged him to the couch once you had both eaten, settling down and wrapping your arms around him again. He held all the comfort in the world to you, and if you could stay in his arms forever, you would.

↳ k-drama taglist: open!

[sourpatchys]

May I request France era Daryl? Reader sees how stressed he is and, though she is feeling the same way, she wants to take his mind off things. Cue some sexy times.

Title: The Theory of Touch

Rating: NSFW❤️‍🔥 18+

Word count: 1.6k

Time: Daryl Dixon ep 1

Summary: Daryl and Reader haven’t met eye to eye since they were in America, with Daryl’s guilt over the situation, reader can’t seem to get through to him— until finally, they do. FEMALE reader!

A/N— please ignore the fact that the reader didn’t have a bra or shoes on. Just pretend she took them off to dry or something idk. Also! I haven’t written smut in over a year so I do apologize if it’s not up to par with my other works!

France. You hated France.

You couldn’t read any of the signs, you couldn’t understand any of the labels, you didn’t know where you were, you didn’t know how to get home.

You were lost, in a vacuum of uncertainty.

Daryl wasn’t really helping. Once you’d washed to shore, it was as if a switch flipped and he turned into a shell of the man you knew. He wasn’t speaking to you— he couldn’t even look at you.

You knew— he felt guilty. He was the one who started the fight that got you here. He wouldn’t talk to you in the cell either, apart from a grunt or a nod— he even shrugged you off when you tried to hold his hand.

You missed the man you’d married. He’d had his moments in the past— but they’d never lasted this unbearably long— not with you— never with you.

Finding that little abandoned boat was probably the best thing that’s happened to either of you in weeks. Not only was the past owner English speaking, but he had laid out a map, and unknowingly gave you the strength to keep going.

Even so, the issue with Daryl persisted long into the night. His spark was gone.

“Daryl.” You called, scooting over to him on the creaky floorboards. His back was turned to you as he stared up towards the cloudless sky, picking at the bones from the fish you had shared earlier in the day.

Of course, he didn’t answer.

“Daryl talk to me.” You borderline begged, reaching your hand up to grasp at his shoulder, begging to whatever god may be listening that he wouldn’t shrug you off again.

He didn’t, though he didn’t seem to be paying you any mind either. His coastal blue eyes still staring up, a newfound gleam settling itself over them. He was fighting back the urge to cry.

“I love you.” He finally cracked out, his head falling as his body shook.

He just didn’t know what to do. He had promised you so many years ago, that he’d protect you, that he would keep you safe no matter the cost. All he’s managed to do is cause trouble. He didn’t deserve your kind words. He didn’t deserve your love.

But his love was all he had to give. Not salvation, not protection, not even a roof over your pretty little head.

Wrapping your arms around him, you held him close, peppering small kisses along his tear stained cheek.

“I know you do, I know you do— I love you too.” You repeated over and over again, begging him to see you, to see that you were okay, to see that you loved him just as much as you did yesterday, just as much as the day you’d met him. He was your life, your reason for living.

The kisses continued, soothing their way up and down his neck, behind his ear and along his hairline. You needed his touch— and he needed yours.

After what felt like hours, he finally turned your way, his calloused hand making its way up to cradle your soft cheek as he leaned in, his lips finally encapsulating your own.

This kiss— it felt just like the first kiss you had ever shared, the absolute desperation in your body’s screaming to be satisfied. You couldn’t live without each other’s touch.

You quickly became breathless as his body pushed into yours, his teeth dragging along your lower lip as he begged you for permission to deepen the kiss— you of course, complied.

His tongue felt like fire against yours as his hands ripped their way under your clothes, his cold fingers tracing the indentation under your breasts, warming themselves up before engulfing them whole, squeezing and twisting your malleable skin.

Soon you felt your own hands doing much the same, sneaking their way to the hem of his shirt, begging for him to rip it off.

The cold air of the night long gone between the friction of your bodies.

Soon both of your shirts were long gone as he pushed you to the floor, the freezing feeling of the damp wood bringing you down from your high as Daryl crawled his way between your parted legs, his head darling straight for your neck as his hands once more moved to cup your breasts.

His mouth traced every vein and artery you had, sucking in perfectly round bruises as he skillfully made you lose your sanity.

The ache between your legs unable to be soothed as his hips were angled just perfectly to make it impossible to create friction.

“Baby please—“ you begged, silently groaning with half lidded eyes as you clawed your fingers down his spine, unable to take the sweet torture after weeks without it.

He didn’t listen to your begging however, he only moved his body downwards, making sure your legs had no chance of coming together. He wasn’t a sadist, but he did love to see you beg— to see you completely undone.

His tongue darted down your chest, leaving bitter kisses down its path, avoiding your nipples all together— he had a different craving that day.

He traced all the way down to the hem of your pants, tracing his fingers across the seams, sucking away at the spot right above where you needed him most.

You were almost in tears, feeling the hot building pressure begging for release. You dared not beg as you thrashed your body around, you needed him now, you couldn’t handle it any longer.

Ripping your hands from above your head, you threaded them into the archers hair, pushing his face where you needed it, almost growing as you did so.

He chuckled, his first real laugh in heaven knows how long, as he slowly undid your button and zipper, ripping down the rest of your clothing before sliding his hands under your thighs, pushing them up, refusing to give you the power you so desperately wanted.

With your body open to him fully, he took a glance at your beautiful wet folds, how they quivered in the newly chilly environment, as he brought his head down to you once more.

The first dart of his tongue was nothing but that— a tease to rile you up, purposefully missing all of the parts that needed attention.

“Daryl— Daryl please I can’t handle this— please!”

This time, he did listen to you, his tongue darting out once more, immediately circling your clit in a way that had you arching your body in utter relief.

His skillful tongue flicked and prodded, finding all of your weak spots using nothing but muscle memory, the hot boiling feeling building in the best way possible as you came closer and closer to your sweet release.

Soon his lips closed around your sensitive bud as he started sucking and lapping, his hand releasing your thigh as he slowly slid a finger into you, his calloused fingertip immediately finding the soft spot that drew you mad.

Your moan was quiet as you finally got your release, it came like hot boiling lava. You were positive you’d never had an orgasm so unbelievably blissful.

He rode you out throughout your high, slowing down his motions as your body began to twitch, your thighs quivering uncontrollably.

Soon his mouth and hand were removed, his eyes glancing into your own, both pairs half lidded.

A small laugh filled the space between the two of you, you were finally becoming yourselves again.

Daryl had planned on giving you time to recover, you were still heaving, your eyes completely glossed over— though you had other plans as you shoved your heel into his side, urging for him to continue.

You still needed his touch— you weren’t satisfied.

You watched as his beautifully crafted hands popped open his jeans, sliding them down to his knees.

He never was a guy who enjoyed underwear— and today was no different.

His cock sat firm between his legs, the tip already glistening with precum as he stroked himself, preparing his body for your warmth.

“I love you Daryl.” You whispered, looking him in the eyes as he began to trace the tip of his cock between your folds.

Instead of replying, he once again smashed your lips together as he slid himself inside you, the stretch once again igniting that soft burn between your legs.

The first few thrusts were deep and slow, his body colliding with yours over and over again as he began to create a blissful rhythm.

Your lips stayed connected as you once more fought for dominance, your tongues dancing with the melody of your body’s.

Daryl’s hands were gripping your hips so hard with every thrust, you knew you’d be sore, but just knowing he was touching you, that he was feeling you— it was worth it.

Every thrust lit a fire under your skin, constantly hitting that soft bundle inside of you— your head felt like static, all you could feel was him— his body— his breath. You were in heaven.

The build up of his vigorous hips happened much faster than before, your body was already beyond sensitive, as you felt the elastic band inside you snap, you once again spilled your high squeezing yourself around his cock as your warmth overtook him.

“Gnh—!” He growled, snapping his hips a few more times before ripping himself out of you and spilling all over your breathless, heaving body.

You stayed like that for a few minutes, catching your breath, listening for any change of sound around you. As quiet as you both tried to be, any noise is still noise.

Once the coast was deemed clear and the two of you had calmed down and gotten dressed, it seemed your relationship had been put back into place.

Lying on the floor, your head cradled into Daryl’s chest, you spoke one final time for that night,

“We can get through this, I know we can.”

[velvetjune]

Alan Wake Night Springs DLC spoilers and thoughts:

This is very vague, but this really was the most Remedy thing to ever exist. My brain exploded at some point from Everything. Good game—you can tell those developers had the time of their life making all this. looking forward to the Lake House as something more serious and similar to the main game/tone.

Episode one with Rose was the best! Stunning from the start until the end and had the funniest moments in any Remedy game. [Rose voice] “𝖎 𝖜𝖎𝖑𝖑 𝖕𝖗𝖔𝖙𝖊𝖈𝖙 𝖞𝖔𝖚”

That fanart was SO good and could’ve been drawn by any irl Alan Wake fan. I can’t even say another or act like it’s embarrassing because I also think Alan is hot. So. Same Rose.

Bad boy Scratch being a werewolf.. Cat boy Alan (and the fucking Nightmare on Elm Street crop top fanart of him) being comically weak and in distress.. Rose dipping him at the end was unbelievably hilarious. Reject alpha male Scratch and embrace wet cat Alan. Every few minutes I had to remind myself that Alan technically wrote this,, his mind,, his perception of himself is incredible

That episode also was fun all around to play. Endless ammo and fun effects with the automatic shotgun. Rose slowly getting covered in blood. She’s already one of my favorite characters after this—she’s cringey in the best (and scarily realistic) ways. I support her

Episode 2: wish this one was longer because I missed Jesse and her awkward and aggressive conversations with others. I thought Dylan would pop up at some point, but of course Alan wrote himself into this twist ending. Couldn’t stop laughing with that. It felt just like the Night Springs eps of Alan Wake 1 lol.

I had the most trouble with some of the sections of this game, but it was fun, mostly just felt like a fool for not initially understanding it. The secret agency and clear references to the Board and FBC were everything. It was just Control: Coffee edition.

Episode 3: Death Rally Tom !! I was beyond happy seeing this. Always nice to see more Zane.

I’m not very familiar with Quantum Break outside of the general story and beginning, so the last episode was So Much. Initial thought: Please no Jesse and Tim in Control 2. It’s almost certainly supposed to be because of Quantum Break, but that version of her waiting for Tim came out of nowhere for me lol (also 😔 because I either want her to be with Emily or not get with someone at all—Control Jesse is so far from Beth Quantum Break/Lisa imo). The “but maybe…” multiverse romance was. whatever. cheesy but in a more negative way.

Another thing that makes me somewhat relieved this is the whacky DLC is that it does address a lot of the vague unanswered questions of the game in the typical sci-fi way (and probably a big win for theorists), and I want to keep that away from most of the main games. I like not knowing things lmao. It’s not a huge deal and I love all the crossovers/realities, but I want future AW (if 3 happens) and Control games to still largely focus on the mysterious horror without anything too definitive or distracting. I’m mostly okay with it here because this is Also an episode written by Alan and hosted by Door, so it’s not reliable—even if I’m sure this is what Remedy envisions when writing these games.

^ something something “In a horror story the victim keeps asking why, but there can be no explanation and there shouldn't be one. The unanswered mystery is what stays with us the longest and is what we'll remember in the end.”

However looooved how the third episode changed the style of the game repeatedly. The very last scene where the words form the writers room and Alan before it abruptly ends was great and the standout of the ep.

I’m not going to try to unpack all this, but it’s interesting how Alan and Door present themselves as being these largely antagonistic forces in this DLC. They’re an underrated duo (the two Masters of Many Worlds). Everything felt like it was Alan purposefully trying to imprint on these realities and influence things in his writing, making certain things parallel his life and circumstances. Reminded me of him attempting to get the irl Koskela brothers to kill each other to get out of the Dark Place. Hard to tell what’s really the truth.

I like Door too much to be scared of him. The jump scares were nicely paced throughout and the echoes of Tim/Shawn/Jack fighting him were interesting.

The tribute for James McCaffrey at the end was emotional and lovely.

[he-is-lightning-in-a-bottle]

2023 Year in Review

In celebration of the coming New Year, I decided to do a re-watch of every drama I gave 3 or more stars in 2023. Only 15 made the cut, which given the number of dramas I watched (I started well over 200, although I dropped at least a third of those) is not that many.

(My rating system is pretty simple: 1 ⭐ = terrible/don't recommend/waste of time, 2 ⭐⭐ = pretty good/enjoyable/would recommend to others but probably never re-watch, 3 ⭐⭐⭐ = good/likely to re-watch, 4 ⭐⭐⭐⭐ = practically perfect/would re-watch frequently. As you can see, it's more about what I personally enjoy than what's objectively great. So some objectively good shows aren't on this list, like La Pluie or Wedding Plan or Our Dating Sim or Doctor Cha or King the Land or Call it Love, because they got a lower score from me because I'm not that likely to ever re-watch them even though I'm glad I watched them and I'll happily recommend them to others. Of course, my ratings are subject to change over time too because I often surprise myself with what I re-watch. Some shows that I originally gave 2.5 stars have eeked out 3.5 stars over the following year or two just because they grew on me and I kept re-watching them.)

As such, my plan to ring in the New Year is to re-watch:

Lost/Human Disqualification - ⭐⭐⭐/⭐ - (IQIYI/Amazon Prime, kdrama, slice of life, healing journey, slight romance, a 42yo woman pushed to the breaking point by life crosses paths with a 27yo man who is mourning the loss of his friend, outstanding dialog, killer A+ acting, tw: infidelity, miscarriage, and suicide BUT DON'T LET THAT SCARE YOU AWAY)

Hit The Spot ⭐⭐⭐ (Viki, kdrama, romcom, 2 women begin hosting a sex advice podcast, funny, sex positive education, extraordinarily relatable, high heat, 8 30min eps)

The Glory ⭐⭐⭐/⭐ (Netflix, kdrama, 36yo woman patiently takes revenge on her childhood bullies, slight romance, incredible dialog, A+ acting, excellent pacing and powerful reveals, tw: the highschool bullies are evil little sociopaths who do some extremely horrific shit)

The Eighth Sense ⭐⭐⭐/⭐ (Viki, gay romance, kdrama, incoming freshman who is a rural-transplant to Seoul meets exiting senior and joins his surf club, gorgeous production, healing past trauma, A+ acting and insanely believable physical chemistry, good OST)

Love Tractor ⭐⭐⭐ (IQIYI, gay, short kbl, big city law student with musical ambitions hides from his responsibilities in the countryside and meets a younger himbo farmer with a heart of gold)

Sing My Crush ⭐⭐⭐/⭐ (IQIYI, kBL, a talented but heartbroken young man is about to give up on his musical dreams when he is adopted by an eager wannabe manager, best friends to lovers, cohabitation, pining, good plot and chemistry)

Moonlight Chicken ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (YouTube, Thai, gay romance + BL, one night stand between a struggling chicken diner owner and a recently promoted office worker turns into more, HS student and lonely deaf boy become the cutest couple to ever cute, A+ writing and acting, themes of: found family, making a home, love matters even when it doesn't end well, class inequality, queer generational divides, letting go of the past, a radically compassionate look at first love, last love, lost love, and unrequited love)

Bed Friend ⭐⭐⭐ (IQIYI, Thai, gay office romance, enemies to FWB to lovers, healing past trauma done right, ridiculously pretty leads, consent kings, high heat, A+ lead chemistry and acting, soft landing in the final 2 eps, tw: sexual assault)

My School President ⭐⭐⭐/⭐ (Viki, Thai, BL, high school boys singing their feelings [well!], wholesome, gentle, sweet and funny, A+ production values, peak low-heat BL with well-executed tropes)

Be My Favorite ⭐⭐⭐ (Youtube, Thai, BL, repressed and fearful boy travels back in time to his college days to woo his crush and falls in love with his supposed rival instead, themes: living each moment to the fullest so you won't have regrets, kindness as a catalyst for character growth and positive change, bravery in the face of uncertainty, telling people you love them can only be a good thing)

Laws of Attraction ⭐⭐⭐ (IQIYI, Thai, gay, mystery/romance lakorn, evil unhinged babygirl lawyer and the heroic idealistic taekwondo instructor who falls for him work together to solve the mystery of his niece's death, loveable granny, A+ lesbians, happy endings all around, great acting and lead chemistry)

Jack O'Frost ⭐⭐⭐ (Viki, Japan, gay, amnesiac young man and his co-habitating ex begin their relationship again, short 6 ep, A+ acting, excellent production values)

Hold my Hand at Twilight ⭐⭐⭐ (Viki, jdrama, twenty-something city mouse meets country mouse and they begin the journey towards making their dreams come true, cohabitation, warm-hearted, angsty 3rd act, A+ acting, excellent banter, post-credit epilogue)

Kiseki: Dear to Me ⭐⭐⭐ (Viki, Taiwan, gay, hardworking med student falls for the gang member he secretly treats, insane plot includes time skip and amnesia [2 tropes I usually hate, but actually done well in this case and not annoying], domesticity, cohabitation, hurt/comfort, friends to lovers, short total runtime)

Fake It Till You Make It ⭐⭐⭐/⭐ (Viki, China, romance, 🔥 lead chemistry, snappy banter, disarmingly honest and vulnerable leads, this couple wants to eat each other for dinner AND dessert but constantly chooses not to because of other life priorities and fears, friends with killer UST to lovers who communicate shockingly well, all the characters feel like real people instead of caricatures)

[milkteamoon]

My nonexhaustive list of protocol thoughts up to ep 20 since I've been relistening during the hiatus:

The protocol statements are pretty solid overall. I've seen some complaints comparing it to tma s1 and saying they aren't as memorable, but let's be real, we've been in the tma soup for eight-ish years now, so there's a reason for that. Not all of them hit the mark, but not all of them hit the mark in tma either

I think the deviation from standard statement format was a good choice for the series as it makes a lot of it feel fresher. The voicemail ones are especially fun to me

Alex's horror is oddly Wet

The Mr. Bonzo statements are really really good. They're good guys

Something I didn't notice initially is that the statement giver in ep 13 and the statement giver in ep 17 are both named Darrien. This could easily be a case of the michaels once again, but it seems a bit more...pointed, given the subject matter of ep 17

The Madam E episode isn't as cringe upon second listening as I remember it being made out to be. Kinda embarrassing and over the top? Yes, but it's not terrible. I actually found myself a bit disappointed at the end that Madam E is a character that allegedly dies, because she's someone I'd actually be interested from hearing from again with her relation to Ink5soul

I remember at the beginning seeing some posts attempting to categorize the types of statements that Chester and Norris (and Augustus) read, but with this many out now I feel like the categorization doesn't quite work. That being said, I do think it's interesting that compulsion plays a big role in the only two Augustus statements thus far

Things that I've been less enthused about during this first season: the romance subplot (though it seems to be moving away from that? I'm not sure). The guest episodes are a bit hit or miss (not bad, but I think that some of them fail to capture the right tone for the show) and I feel like front-loading the season with them probably wasn't the best choice. This is only season one, so I'm not expecting all the answers currently, but I'm hoping to get a bit more to chew on for these last ten episodes

As for things I'm looking for in the coming episodes: for now, the character I'm least interested in is Sam, which is kinda wild considering he's the protagonist. That said, I do think he's suffering a bit from protagonist syndrome at the moment, and I'm hoping that his motives and morals get a bit more messy in the future

Favorite episodes thus far: Saturday Night (10), Marked (11), Getting Off (12), Saved Copy (17)

[canonicallysoulmates]

Jacob was on the Graham Norton Show yesterday- I will say I had never seen a full episode of this show, I'd only ever seen clips, the vibe is very different from the US late-night programs I'm used to and I don't know if it was just the lineup for this ep or if this is the norm for this show but I found myself laughing through almost the whole thing it is very entertaining that being said I wish the time among the guests had been divided better because, at least to me, Jacob is the one who got the least amount of attention and talking time which was really disappointing. I wish he had gotten asked more questions and had the opportunity to talk more about the show, and just gotten more focus/attention in general.

Nonetheless, I'm glad I watched it, if you didn't get the chance to watch it live somebody uploaded it online I'll leave a link at the bottom of this post just in case anyone wants to check it out but if you're in the US you will need a VPN to access it. It will also be up eventually on AMC+ so if you're willing to wait just keep an eye out for when it's loaded. He doesn't talk about s2 but he does talk about iwtv in general. He mentioned how the last time he was on the show he was there as the musical guest and one of the regular guests was Kirsten Dunst who played Claudia in the IWTV movie!

He says that Rolin Jones was able to adapt all of the books so he could bring things in from later on so Lestat on the show is bad but there's a little bit more pathos in him while Louis has a bit more backbone.

On the Loustat relationship, he says: "They fall very much in love but they sort of hate each other and love each other at the same time. They have this like really intense love affair that destroys both of their lives. And they decide to have a child!" He understands them so well.

They show a clip of iwtv it's of the moment Louis kills the alderman's attorney in ep 2. Jacob comments that the line "it was both random and unfortunate the man picked that night to dabble in fuckery" is probably one of his favorite lines he's ever said.

He also reveals the sound when he shows the vampire fangs was not intentional. When they were shooting they were trying to figure it out how to reveal teeth in a good way and he figured out one day the best way to do it was to do like a cat sound, to hiss so they did it and everybody else got on board except for Sam who was a little more reticent and wanted it to be taken seriously which is hilarious to me but at the same time I would expect nothing less from Sam 'actual vampire' Reid. So now vampires hiss!

He also talks a bit about Louis accent, he initially worked with a dialect coach who wanted him to do a French Creole accent which was apparently popular at the time but he didn't think he could do it so he just listened to people in cabs and shops.

And he says there were a lot of different variations of blood some of which were just for aesthetic purposes like the human blood which is dark, the vampire one is sparkly, but they made him a drinkable "blood" that was made of hibiscus tea, and raspberry but it was awful, it was like sour patch kids. Somebody from the iwtv crew drop the recipe cause I love Sour Patch Kids.

As a random note, this man is so cute, I wanna hug him.

Like I said I'll leave a link here for anybody who is interested in watching the full thing, a reminder if you're in the US you'll need a VPN or alternatively you can download it to watch:

Jacob Anderson on the Graham Norton Show

[bobbys-not-that-small]

LW&Co Series Commentary - Ep 8: "Not The Eternal"

Here's the rewatch commentary that no one asked for! Take a shot every time I say "erasure". Context: my 2nd time watching the show, but first time post reading the books

Part: one, two, three, four & five, six, seven, eight

The last part!! Hope these weren’t too completely out-of-context, but it’s just an excuse for you to rewatch the show ;)

They really used the hell out of the ghost lamps for cinematic shots huh? Also it's literally probably the same single prop for all of them, so where's its credits then?

They must be FREEZING, at night, dripping wet, Lucy's literally in a dress with no jacket

"This doesn't feel like winning" oof really giving those death-wish Lockwood TEG vibes

Also just want to point out here in the last installment Lockwood's funny rectangular tie

OH MY GOSH YEAH little Lockwood pre LW&Co and George but also post-Jess?? BOY NEEDS A HUG

Why is it always "I forgive you" and never "Grenadier Guard or Policeman?"

Joplin's glittery silver scarf looks a bit like a silver net - wonder if it offers any ghost protection?

Joplin: "I need you" - exactly what George just needs one of the others to say to him 😭

I love that it's implied that Kipps is really really good at tailing people without them noticing (I guess this is book canon too, Mr fence-painter extraordinaire)

The catafalque is sooooo creepy but also kind of cool

YESS KIPPS but also no wonder he's terrified, he's starting to lose his sight (oops, beat George to it!)

Lucy: "stop glowing so much! that was to the skull btw" Lockwood: " yeah no kidding, I got that one"

In the first shot where Kat and Bobby square up to fight Lockwood, you can't see Bobby's rapier so it looks like he's just brought his fists to a swordfight hahaha

He does look suitably smol in that bit though, I approve (anyway he's not THAT small after all)

HI NED

REMEMBER, JUST RECKLESS ENOUGH, OK? *cue me sobbing*

Winkman's so funny "wait guys before we fight them I need to take off my jacket so I can fight them in my tank top and be all cool”

YES BOBBY!!! <3

NO BOBBY!!!!

Kipps hun, ru crying?

YES KAT

Oh wait guys, pay attention, we're about to be ROBBED of the no glasses George looking moment

ALSO Joplin and George glasses-less fight erasure

ALIIIIIIIIIIIIII

Oof good evil lighting on Lou (Joplin)

The Lucy/George friendship is the best (see La Belle Dame from TEG)

Lockwood's responses are literally me every time the Golden Blade shows up. He's just a less iconic version of Sir Rupert Gale - where's the unbearable aftershave and gaudy tweed suit? *Lockwood voice* BoRiNg!

Lol Kipps in the bag

I don't like the artistic choice of the "looking into the bone glass" SFX, but I do think it's cool to have Lucy falling and hanging from the skull

George saves the day obviously

Kipps: "...guys.... nice wholesome moment... still in the bag here..."

Lucy: "this is not how you die" Lockwood: "how do you know?" Lucy: "because... we won't let you" IS THE HESISTATION BECAUSE SHE'S JUST SEEN THAT VISION OF FROZEN GHOST TOUCHED LOCKWOOD?!?!?! DONT HURT ME LIKE THAT

Kipps, my burnt out early 20s beloved <3

Stupid time to point this out but I kind of hate-love the little trouser stirrups of the Fittes uniforms

Barnes: "you guys are being suspiciously compliant but for once I'm going to ignore it"

Obviously the room! And Lockwood in orange socks (or are they pink? I guess I’ll never know)

K bye, hope you enjoyed!

[reviewinghiccup]

RIDERS OF BERK | HTTYD SERIES | BREAKING DOWN HICCUP

Blog Post Series: Breaking Down Hiccup

Title: When Lightning Strikes

Ep/Season: Episode 13, Season 1 (Riders of Berk)

Premise:

A strange and fierce lightning storm besets the village, and angry suspicions rouse claims that Toothless is to blame.

WHAT TO ENJOY:

HICCUPS HYPER-FIXATIONS He's so fixated on the new perches that he nearly drinks dragon poop infested water. Love how Stoick stops him, knowing that his son is so obsessed over the new developments, he ain't thinking.

Hiccup is an ideas man. In todays age, he could be anything. Software designer, architect, engineer, pilot? I mean, the list of career opportunities is endless.

We know that in the final instalment of the franchise, they set out to find New Berk. I feel like that was indicative of the kind of forward trajectory having a chief like Hiccup would cause. Playing to his strengths is what allowed Berk to modernise and who knows, maybe his style of village / town planning is the kind we see in the old Scandinavian Countryside.

It's possible, all the ideas he intended to build on Berk for the dragons he ended up doing at Dragon's Edge like the landing areas and stables. And it's such a clever way to learn and improve designs in their "mock" village during the RTTE season before implementing the same in Berk as we see in the opening of HTTYD 2.

STOICK'S CHIEFLY ADVISE

Maybe I'm looking too much into it, but I think a lot about what Stoick tells Hiccup are probably lessons on chief-ing he picks up as he goes along. Learning mostly through observation and spending time w his dad.

We know that Hiccup's decision in HTTYD: The Hidden World, i.e., to leave Berk to find new pasture, is because Berk is no longer a safe place for its people. The threat from enemies is endless.

This eminent danger is heightened if you watch the TV programmes. Because apart from Drago Bludvist and Grimmel the Grisley, we have Alvin the Treacherous, Dagger the Deranged, Ryker & Viggo Grimborn, Krogan and Johann. The other more treacherous than the last.

At the end of The Hidden World, Hiccup knows that he must let go of Toothless and all the other dragons for everyones safety.

Hiccup becomes a good chief by virtue of all these little moments w his dad. I can even recall a moment in Episode 7, Season 1 (Riders of Berk) : How to Pick your Dragon where Stoick releases this inner monologue. Maybe that's what caused Hiccup to put the village first in the end.

No doubt Hiccup becomes one of the best chiefs because he has learned from the best. Pick and chosen which lessons to keep and which to improve.

FALSE ACCUSATIONS

When a society lacks understanding, it is guided by fear. The village, after incessant accusations by Mildew, goes on a witch hunt for Toothless. They believe that keeping a Night Fury has angered Thor.

They are in a sense, a deeply religious society. And because they don't understand the science of nature i.e., that metal attracts lightning, they believe any explanation pitted against a certain cause.

HTTYD series conflicts go beyond bad guy v good guy. Sometimes, it is your own people you need to deal with.

AMAZING SENSE OF HUMOUR

I've said it before, I'll say it again. ROB has some of the best comedic lines of the franchise.

A MOMENT OF APPRECIATION FOR THESE TWO NUTT-CASES

AND SNOTLOUT & TUFFNUT'S PAYBACK

I know we've discussed Snotlout previously. I know we all agree he's not all that bad. Just a damaged viking really, with a lousy father. His relationship w Hiccup is very up and down. But, I love how he took revenge along w Tuffnutt, who in a sense are pretty mellow in terms of defending Hiccup, until the series progresses.

AND!!! STOICK'S PROTECTIVENESS OVER TOOTHLESS.

A real point of growth here for Stoick to stand between the village and Toothless.

He's a pretty great dad. Don't you think so?

[ria-writes-stories]

Falling in love?

Genre: Romance, Cotton Description: Since this is just ep 3, the romance is not yet there much, it's not that strong, it is sparkling, but not intensively, so I did my best to portrait that, my apologises if this is not what y'all expected. Plot: take this as a paralel to that Vizzy fic I wrote Ship: Nuzi

Note: Brought to you by me, requested by @esmalove2 (I am still nervous about requests, I have bad experiences with them, so please don't feel upset if there isn't an 'Requests open' button yet). ----------------------

(No one's pov) Uzi stood outside of the colony leaning against door one, holding herself as she sighed heavily. The prom was a disaster, I mean, it was a social gathering, of course it was a disaster! She was a social outcast after all! But… it hurt, in a way, to think that there was someone who could help her get a grasp of things, being right there in front of her and then slipping away from her fingers. It was really irritating and frustating.

Uzi sighed, the feeling of helplessness refusing to leave her, and yet, "Uzi? Are you ok?" There was still someone to remind her that she wasn't all that alone. "I'm fine. Stop asking!" The girl snapped in her usual manner, altough she was probably still angry with what has happened, as the last statement N heard from her before this was 'I HATE THIS PLACE!!!!' and yeah, she had all the reasons to, but let's not get depresso when we can have an expresso espresso.

"Why are you out here? Shouldn't you be inside? Dancing?" "N, the prom is over, the moment V got in, it was over, no one's gonna go back to that room, plus, it's in ruins, what's the point anyway? Besides, it sucks." Uzi said dismissively as she crossed her arms over her chest.

N didn't know what to do or help her in this case scenario, that night was…a lot for the both of them but, they finally got back together after so long, and he was afraid of loosing any more time by not spending it with her. "Well, we could maybe still go, I mean- If you want to that is, hahah, you know, as, dapper buddies." N said with his usual nervous laughter as he rubbed the back of his neck not knowing what else to do or say. It was a real shame, he was all dressed up and so was her, so why let it all go to waste? Uzi looked at him unsure of the proposal, but after a moment of hesitation she groaned and mumbled a quiet 'Fine.'

Initially the girl was thinking to just dismiss the idea along the way and just drag the boy to her room for an anime night but that was erased when N opened the door to the gym and the place was filled to the brim with all the students. The oil was cleaned, music was playing, and people were having fun. Was everyone just going to ignore the genocide that had just happened? I mean sure not THAT many died but still. Well, regardless of what has happened everyone seemed rather determined to go on with their little party, after all, it was their last year of highschool, and then they'll be official adults of the colony which in itself was a big thing.

As Uzi examined her surroundings she found a hand in front of her. "Would you like to dance Uzi?" N asked in his usual polite and soft voice as he gave out his hand with a soft smile on his face. Uzi was taken aback, and yet she didn't have the heart to say no, how could she? How could she say no to those perfect radiant joy filled orbs of his? To that charming smile, and his- 'Snap out of it!' Uzi yelled at herself within her mind before shaking her head and taking his hand without a sound more as she simply nodded and gave him a small smile.

Surprisingly, both knew how to dance rather well, however Uzi couldn't even enjoy it. The first few moments were memorable, but the following soon turned into nightmare as she began to slowly realise how many people are in the room…how many eyes are there…how many…people… Her face dropped, turning pale, her eyes widening in shock, staring emptily into space as all enjoyment had been drained from her being.

N noticed this, of course he did, how couldn't he? She was all that he had his eyes on, and seeing her whiter before him like that was alarming, so, in swift waltz moves he got her into a more quiet corner of the room, more spacious, less light, less color, more darkness, more silence, more calmness.

"Uzi." N said quietly in an attempt to snap her out of it, which worked, eventually, and when it did, Uzi was surprised to see that they weren't in the crowd anymore…how was that? He. That's how. Every twist and turn from her life was all because of him, and you know what? She wouldn't want it any other way. She lived for the thrill, for the danger, and somehow, this docile pure golden heart boy was everything that she ever wanted and needed.

"Thanks." Uzi said quietly as she looked away slightly embarrassed as she smiled like a fool, and she felt like one. Why was she smiling? Why was her heart racing? Why was she so happy just to be with him? Was it the separation between them that cause her to long him? Was it the time spent apart that made her desire him? What was it that made him want him so much in her life that it turned her whole system upside down, making her feel dizzy and light headed, making her feel unsteady on her own feet and making her feel as if she was falling apart? It was scary, it was so extremly scary yet it was so wonderful too. It was the best feeling in the world, and she hoped on all the stars that she ever whished upon that he was feeling the same thing. Why? Did she want him to hurt? Of course not! However this feeling felt…so good, she couldn't explain it, she simply wanted him to feel the same thing, but she knew that this wasn't going to happen anytime soon…but she would wait, she has the time to, right? N smiled softly while dancing with Uzi. He was more the energic type, and so was her, but for some reason it felt like he had to go a little bit more gentle this time around. He didn't want to hurt her, he never wanted to do such a thing, but he did want to make her feel as great as she made him feel. Uzi turned his life upside down, and that was the best thing to ever happen to him. Sure, many things were still a puzzle, a mystery, a fog, and quite terrifying, but it all felt less scary when he was with her.

The end

[sidecharactersdomatter]

Thoughts I had during TGCF S1 Ep 8

-Previously on TGCF…

-They got spotted

-Xie Lian’s snake bite has gotten worse

-Woah that was a really cool fireball and lightning fusion attack

-EXPLOSION!

-Thank you San Lang for protecting your man like a champ!

-Hi Nan Feng

-Ninja fast

-Fighting fire with fire people!  Pun count: 9

-More Camera shakes

-Nan Feng gave em time to escape the hooded women

-They nodded in sync!

-So that’s where Zhao was hiding (I find it weird that desert guide shares the same name as that admiral from the last airbender)

-Ooooh cool more Ban Yue lore!

-Behind you

-Seems like its a legend

-Oh it is relevant to the fern

-It sounds like a legend that belongs in the 1000 and 1 nights

-Oooh it looks like a palace found in the Levantine, Middle East, and Persia

-Hi Tian Sheng

-You can even see his silhouette as he moves through the grass

-Ooooh his poor, poor head

-He’s got a lot of uncles in the caravan

-Fu Yao is not the best at crowd control folks

-Well that was a coincidence

-Thank you San Lang now moment of truth people

-Oooh the crushed fern stung his hand a bit on impact, love that attention to detail!

-And San Lang’s expression, is worried if he hurt him, but it worked!

-Oh yeah the next scene, Xie Lian thanks San Lang for healing him but they didn’t animate his mouth moving,  did anyone else notice that animation error or is it just me?

-Aw he’s sitting next to Xie Lian

-Oh that scream’s a bad sign

-Oh that’s just gross

-Yeah but our faces don’t stick out of the ground dude

-At least it’s very different when Sokka got stuck in a hole while Toph was teaching Aang earthbending (Another great Last Airbender Ep folks)

-Ugh he licked his lips

-The sound made when he moved his eyes (bluck)

-Yeah I wouldn’t step on where that guy’s in the ground

-Yeah he would totally bite you

-Oh that traitor merchant is dead

-Thank you whoever that was

-Ok that sort of looks like peak character design

-Ok the general’s voice is cool

-Thank you for ending the sentient fertilizer general

-You tell him San Lang

-Ugh

-I hope the human fertilizer is dead, it is in the manhua though

-You’re looking right at him, I’m just going to call Millstone ‘Kemo’ like in the manhua

-More zombie soldiers

-Aw no they’re gonna need sacrifices

-There’s the perceptor

-That’s a deep pit

-Man Xie Lian’s so selfless

-Zhao’s fight response kicked in

-No unstoppable forces don’t defeat immovable objects

-Not Zhao!

-Eeenie meanie meinie that kid (probably Kemo)

-No not Tian Sheng!

-“Sully not thine honor on innocent blood” That almost sounded like a bible quote…?

-Oooh hints of Xie Lian’s pre 3rd ascension life again

-Dude Xie Lian was royalty

-No one not even the Ban Yue soldiers paid attention to San Lang

-He’s gonna jump into the pit

-Aw he told Xie Lian not to worry Ahhh!!!

-He’s jumping into the pit

-Trust fall!  (You’ll see next ep peeps!)

-You’ll find out what he said way later

-He jumped into the pit

-Ruoye returned emptyhanded

-Oh and Xie Lian’s scream!  Kind of needed more raw emotion though

4 EPS left of Season 1 people!

[thegeminisage]

ok, its time for a QUICK tng update before xm*s proceedings. saturday we did "best of both worlds part ii" and "family" and last night we did "brothers" and "suddenly human."

best of both worlds part ii: I LOOOOOVED THIS EPISODE. mwah. EVERYTHING i wanted. creepy little cyborg implants. brainwashed picard. his beautiful perfect cgi tear (which may or may not have been cgi, this is a point of debate, experts please weigh in). data bravely doing a robot mind meld. 1000000/10 more borg episodes please please PLEASE

can you imagine if the borg has ben in tos btw. what a thought experiment, except for how i quite literally can't think about it or i'll get so excited i'll pass out

did guinan imply she and picard were lovers in this ep...girl you can do better

my one nitpick with william riker was him promoting that lady he hated instead of someone who deserved it, like worf or data. it probably would have given worf ptsd but can you imagine that enterprise having a captain and first officer being gay on the bridge again...wonderful. except this time there would also be deanna <3

"how much do you remember" "everything" AHAHAHAHA GREAT. GOOD. WONDERFUL. anyway

family: extremely unusual episode but i loved it nonetheless. i was really shocked worf's parents were so sweet!!! i fucking loved them. they're like the cutest people on earth i can't believe they raised such a taciturn and stoic guy like worf...

picard's family i wasn't sure about at first until the wrestling match in the mud. sometimes you need to punch a guy and his brother stepped up to the job admirably. i kept thinking he looked like michael caine, which would have been an incredible choice.

WESLEY.....................................................we don't need to talk about it

everyone's accents in this ep were wack. why does picard have a totally different accent from his brother. why is worf's accent different from his parents. ik its not that deep but its making me crrrazzzyyy

brothers: i didnt even get a look at the title of this episode before we started bc vumoo (the shady site im using to watch) doesn't display them but it was SUCH an unexpected pleasure to get a data episode

absolutely scuh-reaming at the ease with which he hijacked an ENTIRE goddamn starship. he's so competent i love that. a real "glad he's on OUR side" moment, not unlike spock commandeering the enterprise in "the menagerie" (rip i wish that had been a better episode).

lore grew on me really fast. i was neutral on him during his last appearance, the meme aside, but in this episode he was really fun and unsettling. brent spiner can do horrible, horrible things with his face

this ep felt a little cut off? i expected another confrontation with lore, a getting back of the chip, or at least some kind of burial or funeral for dr soong, but we just quit like 3/4 through the episode. maybe less time spent on the opening section of the hijack could have fixed this

anyway i love the foil between data and lore...one has support and the other does not...but it doesn't make sense for lore to get the emotions chip because it seems like he already HAS them??

oh yeah and data repeating "i am not less perfect than lore" got funnier EVERY time he did it. little man was really going thru it i was cracking up genuinely <3

suddenly human: this episode was wack

ok, did you guys read face on the milk carton when you were in school? i did when i was way too young to be reading it and it fucked me up real bad and i completely forgot about it until i watched this episode and then i got to unlock that memory in real time

anyway, while it is obviously the correct choice to return a child to their family when they are kidnapped as babies, it is also hugely traumatic for an older child to be ripped away from a loving home* and transplanted with strangers, which those books explore in horrific detail. so the whole episode i found myself going "i KNOW it's bad politics but could they not just CONSIDER leaving him with the only family he's ever known as a possible choice" and then they DID THAT and i wanted to be ill because it was obviously the worst choice in the world

* this is a different scenario than the first tng episode involving kidnapped children, which strongly resembled the residential schools from real life. THIS particular situation, minus the method of kidnapping (during warfare), more closely resembled the crazy cult shit happening in those books, where the kidnapped girl was being raised by people who thought they really were her biological grandparents and weren't bad people and her biological family also weren't bad people. a "no fault" situation EXCEPT FOR HE KIDNAPPENED THAT BABY DURING WARFARE.

anyway this is the second time tng has dropped the ball on this subject so i think from now on they should not do episodes like this anymore. really really really really bad.

NEXT TIME: "remember me" and "legacy"

[ansbobcar]

EP 4. Compromises are the best if you do it right

WORD COUNT. 3208

Link to overview

_ _ _ _ _

The month was soon ending, soon bringing the summer season. Although there was barely any change between the seasons. However, that also indicated something important. Midterms were coming up and Darren had barely caught up with her work.

As if changing half her subjects wasn’t such a pain, scribbling notes onto another piece of paper late into the night. ‘I swear if these teachers add more last minute content, I’d rather burn this school down or go back to that shitty school again.’

If it wasn’t for her favourite subjects, Magical Geography and Magic Zoology, she would have quit on her first day. Along with the fact she actually wasn’t kicked out of every class for not using a wand. She should be grateful for this opportunity but it was really infuriating.

But if the school burnt down, there was no way in hell she’d ever encounter Rayne ever again, she cursed to herself at the predicament as she looked up to the window which seeped in the light of a full moon. As if the wind and walls played tricks on her senses, a faint howl echoed with woe and simply continued. It ruined her concentration, she sighed heavily, standing up in her cotton off-white collared nightgown and wore her uniform’s robe before taking a step outside in her bare feet.

The howls were from the hallways, she quietly began with a walking pace towards the voice, leading her down the stairs to the 10th floor. Although her feet was probably more than darkened, it wasn’t something she was foreign too. As if her complexion was already rather darker to begin with considering she lived in one of the great flat plane regions which witnessed the sun’s eyes constantly. 

But it’s the dead of the night, there was no need to talk about the sun. Something was off about the moon, she told herself. Alongside the constant swipes of sadness the howls brought. ‘If it’s what I think it is…’

Instinctively, she extinguished flames headed her way. Two boys in what she presumed was not the Adler uniform seemed more than startled at her appearance. “What?” She sighed. “Where’s her wand?”

“My name’s Darren Randel,” she uttered to be met with dead silence from the two. She could barely make out the complicated expressions they had drawn onto themselves but it was probably fear.

“That’s her! The one who defeated him!”

Without another moment to spare to her, they dashed away. Leaving her alone. The suspicious howls disappeared this time much to her confusion so she headed back to her room only to be greeted by the old man himself with a calm yet serious face at her door.

“What is it this time?” Almost rolling her eyes.

“Young Darren, would you mind wearing your uniform first?”

Here we go again.

Without a word, Darren had disappeared. Unlike last time, there was no food prepared when he had arrived to the bunnies who were just as shocked as him by her lacking presence. Just like before, the teachers were aware of her absence. 

The wolf sightings disappeared along with the full moon and suddenly things felt like when he was in his first year. With dwindling numbers of duel requests, he ended up following his friend for his excursion on her second day missing. Although midterms were coming up he was more than prepared to get decent grades in them, drowning his thoughts amidst the vicious gnawing of their teeth.

Maybe he was a bit too harsh on her last time. Apart from Max Land, she was the only one who approached him with no expectations. Bunbun and Bunaldo were weird, snuggling under each of his armpit like there was no tomorrow. The doe in particular was chomping harshly once again.

He exhaled.

They never slept on him. And he was sure Buns would jump back to the corner again once all the snacks disappeared. At least they weren’t like Bunster and Bunnykins who were more than just stuck at the hip when they were eating. Only Bunnelby stuck to him.

Apart from her, nobody else could truly tell them apart as much as he did. Unmoving from his position. He might as well get eaten alive at this point and prepare to be met with the disappointing voice Wahlberg sometimes carries.

“Unfortunately, Young Rayne,” he would begin. “Young Darren has been expelled due to the new report that she beat up…” and continued to list out her whole bad record. From stealing exam papers to bullying, he listed mountains upon mountains of reports for him to hear. “That was our conclusion as a school.”

But she barely duelled anyone apart from Wirth Madl.

He heard a knock on the door before it creaked open. “Rayne?” Max called out. “It’s getting late.” Slowly he stood up in response and locked up the house, making sure the headcount was 9.

“Still no sign of Darren?” the light brunette inquired as they walked back. He shook his head. “That’s odd. I hope we get some sort of news about her soon.”

That would be for the best.

_ _ _

On the third day of her absence, nothing changed. Some more last minute content was added, with certain teachers making them hold about 3 marks in their midterms and finals respectively. And then he swept the floors of the rabbit house a bit more and reorganised a few things, like their bedding and toys. Life was as usual.

Maybe he should go out tomorrow, having initially planned to drag along his friend and the girl. Maybe he just wasn’t supposed to meet her. How comical. Such a short lived person in his life who somehow made him a soup his own late mother had made, walking back to the dormitory alone.

Was he disappointed at how things turned out?

Yet something familiar slithered its way into his head in familiarity. Soup… spice… 

It’s her.

From the Adler Dorm’s kitchen no less, as he sprinted down to the door and prevented himself from bashing the door open. Catching his breath, he saw the familiar auburn head with blue tips in her hair. She didn’t have it up in her usual pigtails…

“What’s with the long face?” She faced him, turning down the stove’s fire, her face seemed heavier on one side with gauze on it.

“Are you part of some street gang?” He huffed, irritation evident on his face.

She chuckled at his assumption. “Life would be easier if I was. Why?”

He pointed at the bandaged cheek. She waved it off. "It could've been worse and a lot longer, it was settled well enough," she forced herself to keep it vague. Scooping up some soup for him to have. "What do you want tomorrow?”

“Something with carrots.”

_ _ _

Oh she can’t bear to look at the scores any longer, slumping down on her desk for everyone to see. Cheers for passes were heard from her cohort and maybe some snickers from people like Chloe. Thankfully, her parents couldn’t care less about her life at school. They just wanted her to pass. But who knew the passing marks were higher than the smarter school?

Turning her head towards the tallest of the three, she asked, “How much did you get Rayne?”

“Nothing much,” he stated, as the two peered over his shoulders to see the marks. Nearly full scores! What is this genius intellect? This rabbit hoarder???

“You’ve got a month to turn it around you know?” He pointed out as he saw her abysmal grades. His facial structure lacked emotion as she seemed on the cusps of wailing. “Midterms are just for the teachers but you’ll get expelled if you fail even a subject for the end of semester tests and that means…”

“You got a demerit!” Max chimed in much to her agony. “It’s alright Darren, I’m sure we can help you… right, Rayne?” Surely, they would be able to help raise her grades.

They in fact, did not.

“I’m sorry you guys,” she murmured, dropping her head onto the table. Papers with red circles were indicated. The two were the type to go through papers and questions instead of the content, which is what she needed help with if anything. “I’ll just study more…”

Oh well, that probably means they’ll get less food now.

“I’ll make sure to give you food guys food still, I’ll just be losing some sleep a bit,” she chuckled awkwardly, hiding her nails which dug into her palm.

‘It’s all his fault for messing it up.’

_ _ _

Etched in his soul was a wound that never ceased to burrow. Thriving through the nights, through the scent of the calming morning dew that escaped into his dorm room, through the hellish blank yet raging canvas his brother had abandoned him in each winter. Loneliness and wrath were only by products of it.

Outside of his grades, he served no self-fulfilling purpose. Stuck in the shadows of stars. Unfound.

That is, until he stumbled across the root of his recent nightmares, through the void of eternal emptiness, balancing stacks of books while eyeing another as she leaned onto the ladder. There was no way in hell this was real.

"Oi," he whispered to her. "Oi! Are you insane!?" he tried calling out to her, to no avail. She seemed to crane her head towards the shelf only. Those were at least 20 books in her hands! The fact there's no magic makes it so much worse! The school had centuries worth of knowledge, there was no way that she was about to ruin a bunch of them with her careless handling.

The rumours were true how useless she was in regards to mundane magic, ready to mutter a spell to elevate himself but she simply cursed. "Who? the. fuck. is down. there?"

"Wirth Madl."

Instantly, her chipper mood removed itself as she looked down at the Lang student. Disdain in her eyes. "What brings you here?" She crudely asked, still managing to balance her books with a single hand.

"It's a fucking library, for books obviously," he replied, increasingly getting agitated by the sight of her. 

"So why are you bothering me?"

"Because you're not using any spells for your books," he pointed at her. THE SIGHT OF HER WAS GONNA KILL HIM SOONER OR LATER, trying to maintain his composure. 

She arched her brow before she hummed at his words. "Good point," before she decided to slowly climb down. She took a minute with each step.

OH HOW WAS HE SUPPOSED TO KEEP CALM??? Who goes down without two hands on the ladder?

"You're gonna die if you don't levitate your books."

"It's fine," taking another step down. The books leaned side to side like a pancake tower. Her hand grew increasingly wobbly the longer she held it for. He could see her become more tense as she took longer once she was about 5 metres from the ground. 

"I... I can help if you want," he huffed, unable to stand the sight.

"No, I'm," she clutched tightly onto the side of the ladder. "I'm fine."

"No, you're not. You're getting more tired," astonished by her stubbornness, as she stayed in place. "If you fall, those books can't be replaced you know? You'll have to pay hefty fines for damaging school property."

"Then I'd rather fall than ask for help."

"What is your problem?"

"What is YOUR—"

Her hand and feet slipped as a loud growl revealed its presence towards the two. "Ruptu—" she covered her mouth before she could finish the spell.

Immediately, the Lang student chanted a levitation spell on the stack of books. ‘It would last long enough to catch this skinny girl,’ is what he told himself. Ready to catch her in his arms as he positioned himself right under her shadow. Yet his feet dug itself into the stone floor immediately as numbness enveloped his body and he felt a sharp stretch emerge from his arms as he breathed. Her eyes were struck with fear as if she knew what had just happened to the two of them.

He winced as she shifted herself and she seemed to hold back a wail. "I forgot to nullify it again. Ah," she gripped her hands into fists. "I'm sorry. You should've just let me fall to the ground. Now you're gonna get me kicked out."

As she seemed to woe her curses at him, the rather magically more adept student focused his efforts on gently placing the books down without ruining them.

"Why... don't you take us to the infirmary or something?"

_ _ _

After requesting—dare I say blackmailing—the head nurse, the two were given the most potent healing potions the school's supplies could concoct to ensure Wirth Madl, the 2nd Fang of the Magia Lupus, had never broken his arms in the first place trying to catch a girl from the Adler house.

"It's nice that there are some students who are taking care of each other," the nurse had stammered out before shooing them out of her office.

Awkwardly, still in the empty hall, he finally asked her, "So what were you doing with over 20 books in your hand?"

"Study material," she quipped. "I didn't pass enough of the midterm papers."

That's rather odd, he told himself. "What's your average score?"

"12 marks."

Oh god. That's actually bad.

"I usually get by enough not the get expelled," she murmured as they walked back to the library. "Can't believe Easton's grade boundaries are higher."

"Getting 50% to pass isn't that high."

"It's high to me, okay!"

"Chill will you? What were you tryna study anyways?"

He should've never asked. She had books about the history of and proof behind principle maths concepts down to the kiddie maths workbooks in her stack.

"Do you even know what you're studying?" He reiterated, noticing another pile with a pop up human physiology book and loads of rubbish notes and papers around it. "Like genuinely, do you?"

"Why does this matter to you specifically?" She countered, unable to look at him in the eye.

"Because I want a rematch, which obviously won't happen if you're gonna get expelled next month anyways."

She tried to speak a few times but was at a loss for words before she took a deep breath and continued.

"Good point. Then I'll," her heel pivoted as she pointed her hands towards him. "Ask you about your average score."

"100 marks."

Her jaw dropped. This guy's smarter than Rayne!! "I beg your pardon?"

"I get full marks for my tests," he shrugged.

"Okay, smartypants," she laughed awkwardly. "How about a deal." He eyed her sceptically, with his arms folded. "You tutor me so I can pass the terms and I feed you fresh meals."

"Feed?" He hawked. "What are you gonna feed me? Freshly grilled wagyu steak?" How absurd. She didn't even have a wand, how was he going to get a decent meal from her hands. Commoners nearby don’t even have access to those premium grade livestock.

Her eyes seemed to light up at his words as she fished out of her pocket, a plate of thinly sliced and marbled red meat. "I forgot this existed," she hummed. "I'll make beef noodles for dinner then."

"On another note, I'd prefer live octopus."

“Like this?” she pulled out one from her pocket without batting an eye.

"Foie gras?"

Again, she had it. "This is a delicacy amongst the elite isn't it?" she mused. "Never tried this variation though," putting it back.

"Nevermind... I want this type of delicacy known in the southeast region made with the manihot esculenta or tapioca," he rambled. "It's not too sweet and needs a certain firmness—"

"Tapioca huh?" She tapped her foot. "I remember making something like that a few years ago."

Now he was at a loss.

"You won't drop this until I accept this deal won't you?"

"I won't," she curtly replied. "I can't get deported back to the countryside," she stressed with some gestures. "Trust me, I make some pretty spectacular food. Let's find your dorm's kitchen first," she gestured him to lead the way.

"Fine."

_ _ _

The eyebags seemed to grow heavier on Darren’s face as the week continued on, she seemed to still be cheerful and ask questions in class but it seemed slightly less focused than before. “So that means there’s only 10 base formulas, right?”

The professor nodded at her words. “Yes, that is correct. Apart from Lethargy and Energy, there are also Physical Ailment, Mental Ailment, and Physical Enhancing base formulas which were studied before last year alongside their antidotes.”

“Does that mean we’ll be studying Augmentation and Curse next?

“Only Augmentation. Learning about the Curse base formula is rather complicated and has been delegated a 3rd year topic,” he explained; “Additionally, it will only be a topic for those placed in the advanced potionology class only just like learning normal curses is.” 

‘Ah. I need to do good for this class,’ she told herself. ‘Augmentation’s pretty useful for the future.’

Once classes finished, she waked goodbye to the two and immediately ran round the corner to transport herself at the meeting spot where lots of sunlight existed and cast a light shadow from the tree. The random spot nobody had found yet by sticking with the dorm lounge and library.

“Just calling it ‘the spot’ is a pretty lame name ya now, Mudkip,” she uttered as she walked to the middle with nobody present. Appearing from the ground, he spawned with an irked face.

“You did not just call me a Water-type Pokemon.”

“I did, Swampert,” she jeered.

“Let’s continue where we stopped from last time,” holding out his hand. Immediately, he received a boxed lunch. “I meant the papers. You didn’t forget then did you?”

She took them out without a hassle and placed them down for him to see. “I tried doing 2 more questions, can you look at them?”

“Alright.”

With a mere glance, his brows furrowed and quickly began to take out a clayboard. “You confused the formulas again. When you see this question type, you need to think about completing the square after expanding the equation. You’re already okay at expanding and simplifying.”

“Example?”

He took out another one of her older papers and showed it to her to overlook before explaining it. “The trick I learnt was…”

And after a solid session of completing Maths, they had moved on to History. “I suggest these comic books first as the foundation.”

He wouldn’t mention he stole them from his brother’s personal collection. ‘He lost that a decade ago anyways,’ he reminded himself watching as she read it quietly. ‘I doubt he’d care about anything in that household.’

“Are you sure this is a good way to get into the topic?”

“Trust me, it will.”

“Did they really do that?” Leaning over his shoulder as he stayed on the page with the assassination of a king.

“I learned that in school, so it must be pretty accurate, don’t ya think?”

If only things were the same.

“If you say so.”

_ _ _ _ _

I'll be taking a break from publishing after this episode/chapter because I haven't started the Summer Internship Arc. It's still in writing, updates will be much slowly too.

I also might modify things a bit for the future.

Oh right... PROPERLY INTRODUCING WIRTH MADL AS THE 2ND ML Y'ALL!!!!!

So where do you think Darren went off to now?