#2x10 i see a darkness

[thegirlwhowatchedeverything]

The conversation about the death of Sydney's mom in 2x9 is so unhinged. At first we're made to think Carmy's responding the way 99.9% of people would to hearing about someone's dead loved one - "I'm sorry" - but no, before his mind arrives at that automatic human response, his first thought is to apologize for not knowing this deeply personal fact about his girlfriend business partner: I'm sorry...I feel like I should have known that. The writers know what they we doing. Especially in the context of the next part of the conversation. Syd immediately shuts down what she thinks is the token apology she's been on the receiving end of for 20+ years. I honestly don't think she even hears what he says after "I'm sorry". It's only after she shuts him down for what she thinks is the token apology that Carmy actually gives said token apology. For whhyyy did they write I feel like I should have known that. I mean we know why but let's do a quick Claire comparison. After creepily getting Carmy's number from Fak, this exchange happens in 2x3:

Claire: Okay can you just, can you just not make this weird? (the cognitive dissonance of this statement, Claire, babe...) Like I just need a favor. My cousin bailed on me.

Carmy: What, Big Denny?

Claire: No, Mac. Denny's dead.

Carmy: Oh. Damn, Denny.

Claire: Yeah, totally sucks, but I have to move all this shit for my mom who is not dead. She's absolutely thriving...(rest of convo is irrelevant to my point)

There was no narrative need to emphasize the fact that Claire's mom is alive (and thriving!) other than to directly contrast Sydney. You can't even say oh it's a throwback to the dark humor of S1 with the two "I'm not dead, my brother's dead" conversations Carmy has with the health inspector lady (1x2) and Mr. Szorski at Cicero's catering gig (1x4) because those scenes are dark and sad and funny because we know and care about Carmy and Mikey whereas we do not know or care about Big Denny or Claire's mom. Carmy and Mikey are the absolute driving forces of the show, especially in S1 whereas we never see or hear about those two other characters. But, interestingly, Carmy clearly knew Big Denny and didn't even respond with the (as established) token "I'm sorry." Whereas he looks absolutely anguished over Sydney's mom, a woman he's never met and knows absolutely nothing about. But he plays it like he's finding out about the death of his mother in law because he feels like he should have known. And yes, granted in this context dead mom > dead cousin on the emotional scale but still. Carmy's two reactions are so starkly opposite.

It's just so pointed to have Carmy react to the deaths of his girlfriend's and girl-who-is-a friend's relatives, no? We knew the reveal of Sydney's mom was coming because it's narratively relevant, it's such a formative part of Sydney (hence why it hits Carmy like a gut punch). But to unnecessarily bring up Claire's mom for what other reason than contrast with Sydney, right?

Okay, to bring it back to the scene in question - this man is able to pull the biggest smile and laugh from Syd all season by matching her energy and making a deadpan joke about her deceased mom. But it's fine because he doesn't think he's funny (1x8). He doesn't need to bring pleasure or amusement to others (2x10). I can't.

[harveyguilleniconodelamoda]

Costume Spotlight: Guillermo's Sweaters in Season 2

At long last, I'm returning to the sweater pile to do a deep dive on our favorite knit-clad vampire slayer, Guillermo de la Cruz. In season one, Guillermo wore sixteen different sweaters across the season's ten episodes. In my first post I did an overview of the different types of knits and some of the little character nods I noticed in the later episodes.

Guillermo wears fourteen different sweaters across season 2, with roughly half of those being new sweaters for the season--there's one I can't quite decide if it's a new sweater or the same one he wore in 1x02 to the city council meeting, but in different lighting. That being said, someone give me his thrifting skills (and storage skills)! This is also the season where he debuts his iconic slayer trench coat and stake bandolier, but I'll do a separate post on those.

Season two's sweaters are heavy on the Fair Isle knits and cardigans, with many appearances of a new fuzzy red striped cardigan that debuts in 2x01 (pictured above). I almost think of this as Guillermo's character development cardigan, because of when he wears it throughout the season:

2x01- Just before he slays his first vampire assassin of the season.

2x08 - When he tells Nandor about Celeste's offer and then leaves.

2x09 - Throughout the episode, where we see him taking a break for the first time and refusing to listen to Nadja trying to get him to end it early, when he finds a way out of the room of doors for himself, Nadja, and Colin Robinson, and when he comes up with a compromise to save Laszlo, Colin Robinson, and Nandor from the witches.

2x10 - At his mom's apartment when he's talking about why he left, and to the Theatre when he slays all the vampires and rescues Nandor, Laszlo, Nadja, and Colin Robinson.

He also debuts a fourth Coogi sweater in 2x01, this one a vertical striped pattern with dark navy and turquoise elements.

Yet another new addition to the sweater collection is this gorgeous brown and red Fair Isle v-neck pullover with a solid brown collar and cuffs. It's similar to a sweater he wears in season 1, but better fitted and with a nicer pattern.

Another noticeable new addition is this blue and gold Fair Isle v-neck from 2x06:

I want to see if there are more appearances of this one in later seasons, as it only appears in this one episode of season 2 as far as I can tell.

There's this geometric gray and black mosaic knit cardigan he wears in 2x07 to consider:

And of course, the iconic yellow cardigan and rainbow turtleneck combo from 2x08:

This sweater is such a departure from everything else he wears! So much brighter, while also being less dated. Most of Guillermo's sweaters (the fuzzy cardigan that screams 2013 aside) look like something from the 80s or 90s found in a vintage shop...or a grandparent's attic. This cardigan stands out as a very clearly modern take on a retro style (I'd say late 60s/early 70s), like something you'd get from ModCloth, and is a thinner material than most of his others as well.

Is he dressing to fit into his new household? Or is this the kind of thing Guillermo would rather wear, in an environment where he feels more comfortable and supported? We never see this sweater again, even as Guillermo gains more power and respect in Nandor's household, and we never see him wear anything like it again, either, so it's hard to say.

Lastly, there's this Intarsia knit cardigan in brown and green that appears for this hilarious brief moment in 2x10:

Season 1 Sweater Appearances

In addition to his new sweaters, Guillermo reprises several sweaters from season 1. His gray Fair Isle cardigan from 1x05 and 1x10:

This heavily textured Coogi cardigan from 1x06-1x08, as well as 1x10:

The first Coogi (or Coogi-esque) sweater from season 1, with the horizontal pattern and red accents:

The lovely bird-patterned Fair Isle from 1x02 that will continue to show up all the way through season 5, and even in a promo photo from season 6:

And this thing, which I still can't decide if it's a brand-new sweater in different lighting, or the sweater Guillermo wore to the city council meeting in 1x02:

I don't have a ton of information on knitting styles to include this time, but I do think it's interesting that Guillermo in this season wears some more vivid colors (the addition of more reds for him this season is especially intriguing), better fitting sweaters, and higher quality ones. While of course this could simply be due to a bigger budget for the show's sophomore season, I also think it's part of an ongoing evolution of Guillermo's style over the course of the show.

As he gains more confidence, it begins to show in his wardrobe. He even unbuttons that top button on his shirt a few times this season! And as he comes into his own more and more as a powerful vampire slayer, I think his clothes echo that as well.

What's your favorite season 2 Guillermo sweater? And would you be interested in a chart showing all the appearance of each sweater over the course of the show? Or is that just me.

[damn-stark]

Chapter 17 Kill of the night

Chapter 17 of Sugar

A/N- ITS TIMEEEE!!!

Warning- Swearing, ANGST, light fluff, violence, blood, spoilers, SLOW BURN, long chapter.

Pairing- Choso x fem!reader, Suguru Geto x Gojo!fem-reader

Takes place during- 2x08, 2x09, and the beginning of 2x10

(Let me know if you want to be tagged)

————

“What do you think of Satoru Gojo?”

You move your chess piece first and then look at the camera to answer honestly. “Well, he’s my older brother and my clan leader. And he’s a good brother because he didn’t cut me off my inheritance.” You grin brightly and shift in your seat to face the camera better. “And I think he’s great with my daughter. He’s a good uncle. And…” you sigh softly. “I wouldn’t be here if it weren't for him.”

You nod with content but then realize. “Wait,” you interject with a slight panic. “Is he going to see this?” You stand up to get closer to the camera, but the camera person gets startled and steps back nonetheless.

“Because if he is then he’s annoying,” you try to backtrack what you just spilled so he doesn’t get all smug about it. “And,” you add. “He's not as funny as he thinks he is.” You hum and shoot the camera a tightlipped smile.

“What else?” The camera person asks.

You slowly knit your eyebrows in confusion and probe. “What do you mean, what else?”

You stuff your hands in your oversized blazer coat pockets and continue. “That’s what I think…unless you want this to become some kind of video diary.” You laugh softly. “But I’m afraid that’d boost his already high ego, so that’s all I'm saying.”

“Do you think he’s strong?”

You scoff. “Obviously,” you sass as if that wasn’t already an obvious fact everyone knew. “He’s the strongest.”

——

“You’re late,” Satoru complains.

You finally pull your eyes away from the man with the two buns and see the attention of the two curses span over to you.

“About time,” a gravelly voice that belongs to Volcano Head interjects with a menacing smile. You ignore him though and drift your gaze back to your brother to offer him an unapologetic smile.

“Sorry I was dealing with stuff,” you announce nonchalantly and slowly make your way towards the two curses and the man who looks like he doesn’t want to be here whatsoever; he looks like he got dragged along by his friends there.

“You’re always giving me crap about being late,” Satoru argues back with a bit of spite.

You stop a few feet away from the opposing side and find yourself looking back at that cute man from before. And much to your surprise he actually meets your gaze, and the moment he does he slowly straightens out his shoulders and raises his chest as he draws in a deep breath. And it's now as you’re taking a deeper look that you realize that his eyes are that perfect shade of brown. Not too dark and not too light, they’re that rich color like when the sun hits them, only the sun isn’t shining inside. It’s like he’s carrying the sun in his eyes.

It’s a silly observation perhaps, but that color is one you can easily find in a sea of dullness and blandness, it’s your favorite color after all.

“Hello?” Your brother snaps your attention back to him. “I said 8:40.”

You put your hand on your hip and counter Satoru. “You’re always late! Not just occasionally, always! Like this morning, ‘Oh let’s go eat breakfast for your birthday at 9.’.” You mock him and roll your head to the side as you grow annoyed all over again by this morning's predicament. “You got there at 11! Eleven! Two hours later!”

You both know full well what's lying in front of you, you know they’re a threat and want something, but you’re practically teasing them, acting like this is above you as you try to gather intel on what's around you.

“Yeah,” Satoru breathes out and nods slowly. “Well I’m your older brother and your clan leader, so I get an excuse.”

You glare at him and step forward. “So what?” You sass him. “I have daughters, I was dealing with my daughters, that’s an excuse, not whatever bs you just muttered.”

Satoru tilts his head and presses on that with slight concern. “Oh? Is everything okay?”

You sigh and nod. “It’s Nanako and Mimiko, they're fine. They’re just testing this rebel phase.”

Satoru scoffs in amusement. “Well, perhaps they get that from you, you ran away with—”

“Hey!” Volcano Head cuts in loudly. “I’ve had enough. Are you two going to continue yapping or face what’s in front of you? Because we can find some entertainment if you don’t care about us.” He chuckles and looks up.

You follow his line of gaze and take note of how many people are looking down at the scene, you see some of them point at you as they begin to recognize you, but rather than seeming star-struck, they seem confused and afraid. And you can’t blame them, for some people, there’s only three of you down here and some kind of barrier keeping them in, while others see the two curses and their terrifying complexion whilst knowing that something isn’t right.

Nevertheless, you look back at your brother, and even if you can’t see his eyes through his mask, you both share a taunting laugh over Volcano head’s comment. And that only works to piss him off.

“Well,” you rebuttal and point at him. “You guys called us over here, so the question is what do you want?”

Suddenly as if to answer your question branches cover the ceiling gap overhead to block an exit strategy that neither of you were going to take.

“You don’t need to do this,” Satoru says after a sigh. “We won’t run. I mean if we ran, you guys would kill every human here, right?”

Rather than answering, the curses and the guy stay quiet, making you share a confused look with Satoru considering this is why you’re down here in the first place, for them! And now they’re quiet.

“If you ran, huh?” Volcano Head speaks again, which is a real pity because you want to hear what the guy's voice sounds like.

Just out of curiosity.

“…the correct answer is…the correct answer is…” Volcano Head trails off and raises the wooden cane he was carrying to burn it to ash just as the gates over the tracks open and spill humans inside, causing your vision on the targets and your brother to obscure.

“Whether you run or not,” Volcano head finally finishes.

You stay where you are and ignore the chaos beginning to ensue around you as the people begin to get annoying and start to get in the way and continue to make commotion.

“Y/N!” Some civilian shouts before they throw themselves on you. “What’s going on?!”

They look at you as some savior, as a comfort in this chaos, but you can’t give them that with two special-grade curses and an unknown curse-user beginning their move against your brother and you. Thus, you rip their arm off your shoulder without looking at them and gently push them aside.

“Stick to the sides or get up, or you’ll die,” you say bluntly and meet Volcano Head’s threatening gaze as he glances at you and then back at your brother before he basks his hands with cursed energy.

You don’t bat an eye and watch him as begins to charge towards your brother whilst also lighting people in the way on fire. The white and tall curse follows after him, leaving you and the guy to face each other a lot closer.

“Blood Manipulation,” you hear the guy say in a deep and husky voice as he crouches down and crosses his arm over his chest. “Slicing Exorcism.”

A blood manipulation technique? So is he a Kamo? Only the Kamo clan inherits that technique. Unless this is some different variation of it?

But now that you’re looking at him closer he can pass as a Kamo. One you haven’t heard about or met before though.

Regardless, you know some weaknesses of a blood manipulator thanks to your family. Which is why, just as blood spills out from the mark across his nose and forms a red blood orb, you lift your chin and watch as one blood orb shoots out towards you in the shape of a sharp line, while the other shoots towards your brother. You proceed to wait for it to get close to you, and just before it can hit you, you hastily maneuver through the crowd and stand on a different side.

“Smart,” you throw at him and catch him by surprise.

The guy shifts around and takes a moment before he finds you hiding behind people. “I could say the same for you,” he snaps back.

You smile faintly, place your hand on your hip, and tilt your head slightly as your curiosity gets the best of you. “I haven’t heard about you in any of the reports, who are you?”

The guy puts his hands together and counters nonchalantly. “No one you need to know.”

“Aw shucks,” you quickly quip with a feigned smile. “You’re breakin’ my heart, honey,” you lull out, making his dark eyebrows furrow and the corner of his lips twitch. He then proceeds to mumble something and another blood orb appears.

Once again you wait and just before it can hit you, you move out of the way. This time though you use the air to boost you up so you can sit on top of the gates and look down at the guy. Plus from higher ground you can see Volcano Head and the other curse try to amplify their domain and neutralize your brother's technique. However, of course, it doesn’t work, and Satoru zips up with ease, causing both curses to crash with each other and send out a wave of dust and dirt that you manipulate to swerve past you.

“I’ll tell you my name if you tell me yours,” you direct at the guy, making him twist around on his feet to find you sitting ever so calmly on the gate above the tracks.

“Leave him alone,” Satoru cuts in, and when you look over at where his voice comes from you see him landing on one of the gates further down the line. “You’re annoying.”

You pout and roll your eyes away, noticing the guy narrow his eyes on your brother as if he were annoyed by what Satoru just told you.

“Makes sense,” Satoru addresses your rivals. “I suppose you would think of that after allying with curse users.”

You swing your leg over the other and rest your hands on the gate so you can sit back while you wait for a response.

However, instead of hearing something come out of their mouths, Volcano Head suddenly rams his hand through a random man’s chest. And normally you don’t care whether non-sorcerers live or die, but today it bothers you that they’re killing them because you don’t know what they’re after exactly. It’s getting on your nerves.

“I thought I told you not to run. Can you not understand unless I do this?” Volcano Head retorts and then burns the body to ash.

“Man,” Satoru mutters with a smirk playing on his face. “Honestly, I’m shocked.”

“What?” Volcano Head asks with a menacing grin that lets you see his black teeth. “Making excuses?”

“Not at all, baldy” your brother counters as he reaches for his blindfold to pull it off and show off how scary his eyes get when he’s pissed off. “I’m saying I’m shocked that you ever thought you could beat me if this is all you got.”

You begin to smirk and lean forward.

“Hey there, Weed.” Satoru points at the tall white curse. “This is the third time we’ve met, right?” He asks rhetorically. “And you still underestimate the hell out of me. I’ll kill you first.”

“Do that,” Volcano Head interjects and looks over at you. “And I’ll kill your sister in front of you.”

You scoff only because you're being dragged into this for no reason. This is the first time you’ve ever met them!

“I’d like to see you try,” Satoru says without sounding affected by the sudden threat to your life. “Anyway, come on,” he taunts the white curse before he hops down on the tracks to be at their level. “Bring it. What’s your problem? You’re the ones who said not to run, right?” He mutters and walks over to stand in between them.

And the moment he stops walking, Volcano Head and the white curse throw their fists at Satoru. However, just before they can hit his barrier, Satoru captures Volcano Head’s wrist and flips him over his back with one strong yank.

The white curse thought it was going to hit your brother, but it manages to swing its leg over Volcano Head’s face instead. And rather than letting Volcano Head’s wrist go, your brother straddles his arm.

Albeit, you don’t get to see the outcome because, from the corner of your eye, you see a blood-made arrow shooting toward you. You only barely miss it by jumping down to the tracks.

Even then, the arrow follows you and swings at your side, but before it can hit you, you manage to gather water from the sweat rolling off the people standing around, and the water specks in the air, and use that as a shield. And just as you predicted the blood arrow flops to the ground and pools around your feet.

“You know,” you jab at the stranger coming to view as people begin to clear a path towards him to try and avoid him. “I was not going to bother fighting you, but,” you scoff softly. “If you want to play. I’ll play along. Just a warning,” you say in a sweet and threatening voice as you slide a foot back. “I like to play a little rough.”

The guy glares at you and puts his hands together again. “Well then,” he utters in a low voice that suddenly sends chills down your spine. “I won’t hold back. For your sake, I hope you can keep up.”

You smirk and to avoid wasting too much energy you reach for your pocket to pull out a blade from the worm hidden in your pocket. This makes the guy blink with surprise, and you smirk before you begin to stride over to him.

“It’s okay,” you interject teasingly. “Don’t worry, you won’t hurt me.”

The guy huffs and rather than shooting another arrow at you, he pulls his hands away and fists one hand to grow two claws out from in between his knuckles before he also begins to stride over to you.

When you meet halfway you both swing at each other, but you end up clashing your blade against his blood claws.

“Do you always talk this much?” He sneers.

You avert your gaze and shake your head. “Only to the people I like.” You glance back at him to flash him a smile, and the gesture ends up making him falter for a second because he glances at your smile and swallows thickly.

You take advantage of this moment and fist your other hand to quickly use your air technique to punch his throat and knock all the air out of him before you make him fly back. Before he can hit the floor though, you travel your cursed energy down through the dirt and rip off a piece of the wall to hurl at him and throw him across the platform so he can land at the other train tracks where your brother went while you were dealing with this guy.

When you jump onto the platform and run over to the other side you’re impressed by the fact that the guy was quick to recover and was faster to attack your brother.

Albeit your brother obviously blocks his blood attack, and the following one made by Volcano head. However, the hit Volcano Head made was powerful because it makes the lights flicker off.

“Are you sure about this?” Your brother asks through the darkness.

The hue from the Curse’s cursed energy they use to try and attack your brother brightens up the tunnel, letting you see them, but not the guy you were previously fighting.

“The more you try to neutralize my technique with your domain amplification,” your brother explains. “The stronger I have to maintain my technique. I don’t think this asparagus has the energy left to withstand that, do you?”

Volcano Head begins to get pushed back by your brother's utter strength before he turns to begin shoving the white curse back. Not with hands, he doesn't even strain himself whatsoever, he just uses his technique to begin squishing the white curse against the wall so hard it begins to bleed out.

Yeah you know he's strong, you know what he can do, but it never fails to amaze you. You have to admire it for a second and let the awe pass before you try to go in search of the guy to at least knock him out and have him stop being in the way.

However, before you can walk off, Volcano Head suddenly zooms to you and plants his palm on your torso. “Satoru Gojo! Look over here!” He yells

Before you can blink or breathe, fire engulfs you from your torso up. The bright flames blind your vision and don’t let you catch a glimpse of Satoru’s finishing act.

Yet the flames are not painful, they don’t burn your skin or turn you or your belongings to ash. You’ve worked hard to make your fighting attire resistant to some degrees of fire, and your technique protects you from burning to a certain point, so the flames unraveling over your flesh are like kitten licks.

Volcano Head is so focused on his dying friend though, that he doesn’t see you putting your blade away to manipulate his own flames and have them crawl over your body and gather in your palms.

“Was that light show supposed to impress me?” You break your silence sassily.

Volcano Head straightens out and just as he turns his head to face you, Satoru exorcizes the white curse with a bright explosion of his technique that returns the pitch darkness for a second before all the lights finally flicker back on.

“How?” Volcano Head gasps as he sees you’re unscathed.

Your eyebrows knit together and you hum in confusion. “Hm? You mean you didn’t know?” You inquire. “You invited me here, aren't you supposed to know?” You tilt your head and look at him with a fake pitiful look.

“Next?” Satoru seethes as he looks back with a menacing glare.

“Tell me,” you taunt and hold Volcano Head’s gaze. “Should I let my brother handle you, or should you and I give it a shot? I like to play with fire too. Albeit,” you mutter and grab his wrist. “You’re not my type, so it won’t be much fun.”

Volcano Head’s eyes narrow and he begins to scowl so hard that steam begins to come out of his volcano head.

“LIAR!” He bellows and actually gets you confused for a moment.

“Huh?”

Volcano Head then proceeds to grow another fire orb on his palm, making you smirk and begin to consume those flames as you still hold his cold wrist.

“What,” he sneers and looks down at your hand and catches your flesh and veins glow as the fire he summons seeps into you. “What are you doing?!”

You narrow your gaze and he adds more fuel to his fire, but you keep stealing his flames. And this time the flames begin to wrap around your arm, making Volcano Head look at you with bewilderment.

“Impossible,” he mumbles.

You glare at him and snicker. “Oh, honey, you have no idea.” You begin to grow a fire orb on your other palm using his own flames and yours. You also mix in the air around you and the fire grows more wild.

Volcano Head tries to pull back, but fire begins to spill out of your fingertips and burns his flesh, leaving marks before smoke rises as his blood and his flesh begins to boil and melt, letting out his horrendous stench.

Albeit that doesn't stop Volcano Head from continuing to try and outmatch you, something you can’t allow to happen. So, you clench your jaw and flick your hand off his wrist to blast the fire orb out through his stomach.

And since he can control fire like you he’s more resistant to your technique and ends up flying back as your fire grows wild and untamed and blasts him back, missing all the non-sorcerers in the way by mere inches. But when Volcano Head catches his footing he manages to dig his heels in the ground and slides back. Yet you're not done, your fire suddenly roars out before it explodes and creates a gap through Volcano Head’s chest.

“Underestimate me again,” you sneer and storm over to him whilst you make both of your arms glow as the flames lick your flesh underneath your skin. “Please.”

Rather than standing his ground, Volcano Head runs away, hiding between the crowd and throwing random civilians at Satoru and you as he runs past to jump back on the platform.

“Handle the other one,” Satoru tells you as you both stalk after Volcano Head like a ravenous wolf pack hunting their prey—“I’ll handle this jackass,” he finishes in a threatening voice he only uses when he’s really pissed off.

“Understood,” you agree without protest because the truth is you do want to face the mystery man. You were promised a fight after all weren't you?

Which is why you jump back on the platform and maneuver through the crowd to try and find that mystery guy.

Volcano Head hurls people at you thinking they’d be an inconvenience, but you just swerve them and continue to stalk through the bodies with the fire racing through your veins dying out. He then shouts, but you don’t hear what he says because someone grabs your arm, causing you to look over with disgust and shock.

“What’s going on?” The non-sorcerers voice quivers.

You glance at their hand and grab their wrist as if it was toxic and drop their arm to back up. “Just…” you struggle to keep up appearances. “Hide.”

The non-sorcerer nods rapidly and stumbles back to try and shift around. However, before they can move away, you see a blood arrow shoot out of its head, causing you to snap your head to the side.

Alas, the edge of the blood arrow still skids inches away from the corner of your eye, cutting the side of your head like a sharp blade would. Yet you don’t let it affect you, it stings, but it doesn’t hurt terribly. You feel blood trickling out of your wound and his blood mixing with yours, but the wound itself doesn’t feel too deep. Now you know that he isn’t far away from you though, and thanks to the clear path left by the people he killed to reach you, you know exactly where he is.

Not only that but thankfully, the people around you try to avoid Satoru and you, so they leave more of an open field, but not a clear one. Albeit you don’t want a clear path, nor do you take it, you continue to hide between the bodies still polluting the platform to try and get to the mystery guy.

“An eight-car train is pulling in,” the announcements overhead startle you and make you freeze where you are. “Please wait behind the yellow line.”

Your eyes widen with disbelief and confusion, and you quickly search for your brother through the crowd. Luckily he’s as tall as an overgrown beanstock, so you find his unique blue eyes amongst the crowd.

“Satoru,” you mouth and hear the train sound its horn in the distance before you hear its screeching tires against the metal tracks.

Your brother points his eyes across from him, so you follow his line of gaze and catch the guy's buns sticking out between the bodies of people. Which means your brother wants you to keep going to him.

Perhaps somewhere less crowded though, right?

You look back at Satoru and see exactly that; he points his eyes up, telling you speechlessly that he wants you to move your fight away from this floor. Or as far as you can without hitting the veil.

Albeit just as you take one step towards the mystery guy you hear the train screech to a halt so you stop again and slowly peer back. And of course, what you see isn’t surprising considering what’s currently unfolding.

Happy fucking birthday to you! Of course, there’s curses overfilling the train.

Some of the non-sorcerers don’t realize what’s waiting for them though, not until it’s too late and the door opens and spills out all the horrifying curses like something out of a nightmare.

Like something out of your nightmare more like, you swear you’ve had nightmares like these when you were younger.

“Shit, shit,” your panicked gasps mix with the yelling and storming of the curses as they run out and chase after people. You proceed to pick up your pace and push people aside to reach this fucking guy. And luckily, thanks to everyone running away you come face to face again.

“I was promised a fight, yeah?” You raise your voice to be heard over the commotion. “So why don't we give each other another shot?” You taunt him because in order for you to give him all you got he needs to be more threatening. He looks intimidating, and his cursed technique and his fighting so far are impressive, but he can’t be above a first-grade sorcerer.

You can’t waste your precious energy on him, no matter how hard he fights, who knows what you might need it for after all. Because something tells you this is going to be a long night, so again happy fucking birthday!

“I thought you wouldn't care,” the guy rebuttals.

Your lips tug to a smirk and you manage to mess around with him. “So you’ve been thinking about me?” You touch your chest and bat your lashes. “I’m glad.” You actually smile.

The guy swallows thickly, and you see his chest rise once again.

Nevertheless, before you can walk to each other, people run past you, and your attention gets stolen by the branch ceiling from before, breaking and dropping a dozen more people on the platform.

And you usually have no remorse for non-sorcerers, but right now you feel a flicker of pity. Yet you can’t say you think too much about it because you quickly look back at the mystery guy and see him trying to make another attack. So just as he’s about to throw his blood out to cut through people and to try to hit Satoru and you, you quickly summon air to your palm and throw your arm out to lash the air at him.

Your technique slices his side as if cut by sharp razor blades and interrupts his actions before he can execute it, making him scowl and dart his gaze around the platform for the cause until he finds you.

You don’t shy away, nor do you try to hide right away, you shoot him a smirk before you lean over on one leg and then spin around to strut over to the stairs, hoping he’s tempted and pissed off enough to go after you.

You don’t look back to check though, not until you reach the stairs. And just as you hoped, you see him take the bait and follow after you. So, you flash him a flirty smile before you pick up your pace to reach the top of the stairs first and then run and hide in the shadows to make him come find you.

At first, you thought he wouldn’t follow and try to find you when he saw the platform empty, but you soon hear the heels of his boots hitting the ground.

That’s all you have, the sound of his footsteps. It’s not enough to catch him off guard, so you push yourself out to creep towards the sound of his footsteps. When you spot a glimpse of him your lips tug to a smirk, and you slow down to follow at his side without him noticing.

And rather than giving yourself away at that moment, you first interject quietly so it seems like you’re far away, but loud enough so he can hear. “You know I can tell that you’re a new guy with this…insidious group, so I’ll give you an offer.” You smack your lips and stop as he stops to try and locate you by your voice alone.

“I help people,” you continue with sincerity. “People like you. I have a community for sorcerers, I can help you. It’s not too late.”

The guy's eyebrows furrow deeper and you see his nose scrunch while his eyes falter in their search for you to glance at his hands as if debating.

That’s what you want, debate. Think deeply about it. Consider it.

Nevertheless, you know better, the guy quickly snaps his eyes up and turns his head in your direction. You quickly hide behind a screen advertisement and flow your cursed energy to the ground to shake the ground on the guy's other side.

“I can feel the ground tremble beneath my feet,” he says in that nonchalant voice. “It’s a matter of time.”

You smile as you manage to trick him, and when you peek out you see his back to you so you rip off a piece of the ground and hurl it at him.

However, he’s more prepared this time, his reflexes are fast and he quickly manages to throw his arm up to shield himself, managing to break the piece of dirt and cement with just the raw strength of his blood-covered arm. Which is super fascinating. It’s impressive.

“Answer me this,” he breaks his silence and slowly stretches his arms out to meet his palms together. “Where is Yuji Itadori? I will not rest until I kill him.”

So he’s after Itadori too, huh?

You might just have to kill him or immobilize him. At least until you find Yuji Itadori.

“Well then I hope you have high stamina,” you retort and begin to slowly stalk forward as he keeps his back facing you. “You’ll have to be waiting for a lifetime before I give that away.”

The guy huffs before suddenly his blood that you don’t even see slices through the space ahead of him, causing the ceiling to crumble, the wall to break, and the ground to crack and fill with debris. When he sees that you aren’t hiding ahead of him he slowly shifts on his feet, so you quickly charge at him. And just as he turns his head to look at you, you reach him and jump up on his shoulders.

And just before he can reach back, you swing around his shoulders to face him.

“Gotcha,” you whisper and secure your legs around his neck before you begin to elbow his head with hard thrusts.

“Tsk,” the guy groans and then slaps his hands on your waist and embeds his fingers so hard on your flesh that you know it’ll bruise.

You ignore the stinging though and keep slamming your elbows on his head hoping this will paralyze him.

However, you quickly find out that your hope is pointless, he's resilient, and he begins to stumble forward until he reaches a wall and slams you against it, making you falter and groan in pain.

The guy then backpedals and tries to repeat his actions, but you grab the buns on his head and yank his head to the side so hard his buns come undone and his brown hair cascades down to his shoulders, making you falter and blink repeatedly whilst you feel something hot beginning to brew in the pit of your stomach.

“I thought we said to give each other all we got,” he says through gritted teeth. “Do it or kill you.”

You hum softly, and can’t help but offer him a cocky smile before you slap your hands on the sides of his head and summon fire to your palms, causing the flesh and veins protected under your skin to glow. You then start to burn him with fire, making him seeth, and slither one hand to your throat before he slams you against the ground so hard that the air in your lungs is knocked out, making it hard to catch your breath and to react any other way.

Not only that but your back is throbbing now, it hurts like a fucking bitch, it feels like he broke the damn thing and not in a good way. That or you’re getting too old for all this shit.

Nevertheless, when you have some sense in your body, you scratch your nails across his face so hard it cuts his flesh and makes his grip on your throat falter, letting you pull your leg back to kick him back.

The guy doesn’t end up far, but he’s far enough that you can flip around and finally gasp for air.

Was it enough though? No, because he quickly strides over and grabs you by your ankles, and drags you back. And that action, that simple action, slams you with panic as an old fear rams through and triggers what you had suppressed a long time ago.

“No, no,” you mumble between pants as a memory from 12 years ago flashes in your head about that non-sorcerer that tried to gut you like a fish, and have you turn to curse.

“Don’t fucking touch me,” you sneer, but not at the guy really, you’re more talking to the man who only lives in your memories and nightmares now.

Regardless, footsteps approach you so you flip around rapidly and imbue your flesh with flames whilst you also wrap your arm with the air in the room. As the guy gets close you throw him a powerful right hook over his jaw so powerful that he goes flying back, and crashes against the wall so hard that his body creates a crater behind him.

You don’t think it’ll keep him down. It hurt him, but it didn’t kill him. Yet you’re still a bit frazzled so you push yourself to your knees and grab your chest as you take deep breaths for a moment.

Deep breath. Deep breath. You’re not there. It happened 12 years ago. He’s dead and can’t hurt you anymore. He’s dead, breathe. Breathe.

You swallow thickly and force yourself to get over it to get up and keep going as if nothing. And the moment you find the guy, you see him pushing himself off the wall with a dislocated jaw, blood running out of the corner of his mouth and his nose, while strands of his hair stick to his skin glistening with sweat. And you try not to, but your heart skips a beat.

“I’ve got to admit,” you interject and slowly lick your lips. “It’s been a while since someone’s kept me on my toes.” You scoff softly.

The guy holds your gaze and rolls his jaw back to place in such a cool way that you nervously swallow back.

“I’m impressed,” the guy says in a less threatening and nonchalant voice. He actually sounds sincere, so you take it to heart even as you break into a stride towards him.

The guy doesn’t falter and heads to you too. When you get close enough you throw the first punch, but he blocks you with his forearm and immediately rebuttals with his own swing.

Albeit you mirror his previous action and block him with your arm. And so you don’t lose traction you swing again, but he manages to block you again.

That should make you change your next move, but you keep it the same and he doesn’t change either so it ends up being a small cycle; you swing and he blocks, and then he swings and you block, almost as if you’re coordinated with each other. It’s not until you swing for his face that you trick him and swing your other fist to punch him in the gut.

The guy groans and stumbles back, so you go over to actually swing at his face, but he catches your fist with his hand and swiftly pulls you to him before he twists you around and wraps his arm around your throat, making you reach over to grab his arm as he squeezes his grip.

And in reality, the entire action sequence should bother you, but again you feel a warmth in your stomach while your heart skips a beat again.

“I have to say,” you mutter with a soft laugh. “You’ve got my heart skipping a beat.”

You feel the guy's chest rise as he draws in a deep breath after your comment. You feel his breath unfurl over the tip of your ear as he exhales, you feel his warmth as you grab onto his toned forearm, and barely manage to feel the rapid thumps of his heart beneath his chest as he presses you against him. He parts his lips, but he doesn’t say anything, you just hear his lips smack.

Now you should get out of his grip, it would be easy to do so, but you feel a bit mischievous so you take the long way out and first roll your head back to meet his gaze with a soft smirk.

The guy doesn’t falter and holds your gaze as you stand closer than ever before. He doesn’t attempt to move either, you look into each other's eyes and for some reason, just for a moment, it feels as if you finally found something you didn’t know you lost. You feel that satisfaction that you get after finding what was lost. It’s odd, but good at the same time.

What might he be thinking you wonder now too as your own mind runs with weird feelings. He’s not moving and he’s holding your gaze, so maybe you should move first. After all, you don’t have all day, you need to go back to Satoru, and then get out of these veils to check what’s going on before going to find Itadori.

Thus you ball your hand to a fist and slowly raise it to catch him off guard. However, you quickly freeze as you see the guy's eyes widen, and notice that his nonchalance turns to shock. He proceeds to gasp before he slowly slips his arm off your neck, letting you take advantage of this opportunity and slam your fist against his face.

The guy flies back with the power of your swing, but he quickly finds his footing and slides back on his feet.

Now you expect him to react and counter, but he just looks at you with his eyes widened and his lips slightly parted in shock, as if he just saw something unbelievable.

“Honey,” you say in a silky voice that makes him blink and causes his eyes to slowly soften which makes that sun in his eyes brighten. And it all only confuses you more, but you don’t question it, you continue. “I didn’t even hit you that hard.”

The guy's usually clenched fists fall, and his tense shoulders ease.

“Okay,” you whisper. “Uh, well, I’ll say this, no hard feelings for what’s about to happen. I need to go back to my brother and I have shit to do, so,” you sigh and rub your aching throat, whilst you fist your other hand and summon air to gather under your fist. “If you change your mind about my offer, call me or text me.”

You nod and see the guy part his lips but nothing comes out again, so you throw your fist out to blast the air at him.

The moment he gets smacked by the blast of air he knocks out before he slams against a wall.

Now you can finally leave.

Yet before that, you pull out a contact card from the worm hidden in your pocket and walk over to the unconscious guy to tuck it into his pants pocket. “Maybe we’ll see each other again,” you murmur to him as you study his pale and calm-looking face. “I—”

You cut yourself off as you’re suddenly hit with a realization about who he might be…a Cursed Womb—no the only Cursed Womb currently living, Satoru says Itadori killed the other two, so is this Choso? Or one of the other two after him, 2 or 3? You didn’t catch the other cursed wombs' names so you can’t name them, you’re sorry for that. You only know the first one, Choso. So is this him?

If it is, he turned out to be…a very beautiful man; very muscular, with nice hair, and pretty eyes. Still, albeit, you can’t say it would change anything as long as he keeps wanting to kill Yuji Itadori. So you'll leave him be and hope he changes his mind soon or else you’ll have to kill him.

As for now though, back to Satoru.

The station hasn’t exploded so he hasn’t needed to go to extreme measures. You can't hear any loud commotion either no matter how close you get…which is actually concerning, it’s a bit too quiet for your liking.

But maybe it's quiet because he’s handled the situation? He said he almost killed Volcano Head before so it shouldn’t have been so hard. Patch face was there though, he’s tougher.

But Satoru probably has it under control. Hopefully. You don’t want to deal with that thing, he sounds creepy and annoying…

Alas, when you slowly start climbing down the stairs you begin to see people not moving from where they stand. You can hear chatter from a voice that sounds oddly familiar but it’s not Satoru’s.

When you get further down you notice that people are in fact frozen with their eyes mindlessly looking at the ceiling, and drool trickling down their chins.

There’s many reasons why this could be happening, but there’s only one actual hard possibility, and that is that this happened because of Satoru’s domain. The curses are all gone too, so it was probably because of his domain.

Oh, well.

You climb down to the last couple flight of stairs and search for any sign of your brother. And luckily you catch a glimpse of him right away, along with…

No…

It can’t be…He’s dead. You heard Satoru impale that knife through his chest. You heard him take his last breath. This can’t be him….

But your eyes nor your mind can deceive you from recognizing that dark, long, and soft hair you’d brush and run your fingers through. And Satori inherited that same beautiful hair, you can’t ever forget that. And that Gojogesa? He’d wear that almost every day to pass as a Buddhist. You’d recognize that gold-colored kasaya garment anywhere. You still have that stupid thing, you cling onto it like a security blanket when you miss him or when you feel lonely.

But it’s that voice. This person talking is not Suguru Geto. It can’t be Suguru Geto. It can’t be your husband and the father of your daughters. You’ve grieved him for the past year, you stopped crying for him every night only a couple of weeks back. And even though it’s hard to admit… you’ve moved on because you had to. Sure sometimes—a lot of the times you reminisce about your past with him, but he was in your life for 12 years. 12 years! How can you not?

It’s why you know something is wrong now as you hear him speak, and especially as you see your brother trapped by some flesh-made restraints in front of him. Because after all, no matter what, they loved each other. Do you think they’d hurt each other? Yes, but only for a good reason. So this?

What reason is this? Suguru wanted to rid the world of non-sorcerers. Okkotsu is with Miguel in Africa, and there’s nothing here he’d want, not even Sukuna. So having Satoru restrained and on his knees is for what exactly?

Plus…Suguru would’ve come back home. If not for you, for Satori and the twins, right? If not for you, for them, right?

Oh god….

Your head hurts, and your heart aches all over again. This can’t be him….no, no, no, no!

It’s getting hard to breathe again…you can’t breathe.

You grab onto your chest and take deep breaths. You continue to look at…Suguru, or whoever this is you see, but it makes breathing harder, so you take a moment and find yourself looking at your brother.

Satoru quickly finds your eyes past the crowd of limp corpses, whilst Suguru yaps away with Patchface standing next to him, and Satoru very lightly shakes his head with a hardened and serious look in his bright blue eyes.

There’s only one thing he can mean by that, but how can you leave him like that? Him! He’s strong, the strongest there is so to succumb to whatever has him restrained must be tough, so he needs you. He needs you and you need him. Now more than ever because you feel that fear you’d feel when you were little, it’s back again as you see the man standing before him, that man who looks like Suguru Geto but doesn’t talk just as softly as he did.

You need your brother, so you ignore him as he shakes his head again, and quietly climb down the stairs. When your feet hit the floor you don’t hesitate to push past the limp bodies in the way. Yet when you get past them and stand behind Suguru, you freeze slightly and begin to feel relief beside your disbelief. You feel joy slowly start creeping in.

Your heart and your mind flash warnings to not let yourself feel any kind of warm feelings, but you can’t help it. You love him.

“Suguru?” You whisper softly.

Patch face peers back first, and the man before you straightens up and hesitates a little before he slowly turns and faces you with a wide, close-mouthed smile that makes his eyes tiny. A smile that he’d never give you in a moment like this, not after being apart for so long.

“My love,” he greets sweetly, and that’s when that blinding bliss you were just feeling comes crumbling down because he’s never called you that. Never in your 11 years of dating did he ever call you that. Not even after you got married, or after you had Satori.

So who is this man disguising himself as Suguru Geto?

.

.

.

.

.

A/N- Kenjaku really thought he’d fool the Gojo’s.

Tagged- @deniseabad1928 @secondary-character-25 @starlightanyaaa @notsaelty @d4rno @moonnime @kodzukein @yozora7154

[imminent-danger-came]

Plans & the Plan Man

Buckle in, this is going to be a long one!

Princess Iron Fan: "Oh! So you're plan, didn't go according to plan, hm?"

(1x00 A Hero is Born)

-

Sandy: "Alright, so what's the plan?" MK: "Uh...I dunno, I was just gonna wing it?" Sandy: "Sound's great, let's go!" MK: "What!? No! I didn't mean you guys too!"

(1x10 The End is Here!)

-

MK: "....Let's help him." Everyone: "Huh!?" MK: "What other choice do we have? Look, Spider Queen won't see this coming, it's the best plan we got. So I say, let's help a demon rob the celestial realm."

(2x00 Revenge of the Spider Queen)

-

MK: "What kind of villain are you!?" Huntsman: "The kind who's got bigger plans than getting boiled to death by dumpling soup."

(2x02 Dumpling Destruction)

-

Lady Bone Demon: "Whatever she's planning...it's all to do with that. I- I've seen you use your staff, surely, you could use it to smash that thing?"

(2x05 Minor Scale)

-

Pigsy: "Yeah, yeah, destiny-shemestiny. You saw how fast the kid dismantled your little bone toy, right?" Lady Bone Demon: "That was part of the plan. I do apologize for what comes next."

(2x10 This is the End!)

-

MK: "We have a plan! You could help! We could stop her together." Macaque: "*laugh* You can't even stop me!"

(3x04 The Winning Side)

-

Mei: "Ai-ight, then, what's the plan, Monkey Man?" MK: "Under cover of darkness, I'll infiltrate DBK's fortress, bypass his security systems, sneak into his bedroom and snatch that nose ring! Meanwhile, Mei, Sandy, you'll find us a getaway vehicle and we'll be home free, ring in hand- then, find the other two, beat the Lady Bone Demon and save the world from total destruction! Okay, any questions?" Mei: "Nope! Sounds like a good plan, MK." Sandy: "Flawless!"

(3x06 The First Ring)

-

MK: "I'm okay with rushing him! What's the plan, Monkey King? We got all three Rings of Samadhi, so how do we use 'em to make the Lady Bone Demon go boom!? Is there a switch or...?" Sun Wukong: "It's a bit more complicated than that. In order to reforge the Samadhi Fire, we'll need to reach the summit of that mountain."

[...]

Pigsy: "Maybe Monkey King's not as trustworthy as you think, MK." MK: "Wha... what do you mean?" Pigsy: "Think about it. He told us he had a plan, but we don't know what it is; he told us there were three rings, but maybe there's a fourth; he told us that map was so important, but it hasn't been useful once this whole trip!"

[...]

Sun Wukong: "Stop! If you hurt that kid, I'll-" Macaque: "What? Make things worse for MK?" Sun Wukong: "Stop! I have a plan!"

[...]

Macaque: "So this was the Monkey King's great plan? How do you still not see that he has no idea what he's doing! How about this for a plan—stay down, MK, or I will put you down."

(3x09 The King, the Prince, and the Shadow)

-

Sun Wukong: "This wasn't supposed to happen. I thought if I could somehow get the Samadhi Fire out of you—without hurting you of course—then I could put it inside myself! Then, I don't know, use it to burn up the Lady Bone Demon or something? I was kinda making this up as-" Ne Zha: "-that was your plan?" MK: "That's not a good plan!" Sun Wukong: "Yeah, to be honest, this is the first time I've said it out loud, so..."

Mei: "We trusted you. All of us! How could you lead us into this fight without a real plan?"

(3x10 The Samadhi Fire)

-

Lady Bone Demon: "It appears your quest to use the power of the Samadhi Fire to destroy me hasn't quite gone according to plan? Why else would you show up unarmed with none of your friends for back up." Sun Wukong: "I didn't need The Samadhi Fire to put you away last time, figured I could make do without it. Lady Bone Demon: "Oh, my power has far surpassed what it was when we last met in battle. Even now, I sense you do not have what it takes to defeat me. Sun Wukong: "Hmph. That won't stop me from trying." Mayor: "A hero to the end! How delightful."

Lady Bone Demon: "*laughs* No back up and no weapon. So your plan is to...fist fight a child?"

(3x11 This Imperfect World)

-

Red Son: "Dragon Girl! We have to go after them!" MK: "No! What we need is a plan. If we go after them now, there's no way we win." Red Son: "But our only chance to beat the Lady Bone Demon just teleported away! The Dragon girl was our last hope." MK: "As long as we're still standing, there's always hope! Mei is more stubborn than anyone I know—between that and your training, she's not gonna give up the Samadhi Fire without a fight! Red Son: I can't tell if you're being heroic or moronic. But alright, let's make a plan."

[...]

MK: "That's why we're gonna formulate a plan!....I'm open to suggestions, what we got?" Tang: "Uh...Die with dignity?" Pigsy: "What kind of plan is that!?"

[...]

Pigsy: "We're just doing the same thing over and over again! I'm losing my mind over here!" Macaque: "I hope I'm not interrupting—but, if you're making a plan to defeat the Lady Bone Demon, I know a guy who might be able to help."

(3x12 The Corrupted King)

-

Emperor: "You- you've been planning this from the beginning, haven't you? To work your way to the top, to overthrow me?"

[...]

Mayor: "That information won't help you now. My Lady has corrected the one mistake in her previous plan. [...] The Samadhi fire is the one thing strong enough to cleanse not only the mortal plane, but the celestial realm and everything beyond even that! A fresh start, a clean slate—just as she had planned."

[...]

Sandy: "Alright! So, what's the plan, Monkey man?" MK: "Well, if the Lady Bone Demon needs her Mech to use the Samadhi Fire, then all we gotta do is destroy that Mech before she gets the chance!"

(3x13 Time to Be Warriors)

-

Sandy: "And now you're thinking Mr. Tang's gonna use his newfound powers to free our mystic monkey. Right?" Pigsy: "And if that amazing plan doesn't work?

(4x02 New Adventures)

-

Scroll Subodhi: "Without question, you were not born from the stone as he was! Who or what you are, even I do not know the answer—but of one thing, I am certain: fate has plans for you! Great plans or foul? Time will tell." MK: "I- I can't be! I'm just- I'm just MK!" Scroll Subodhi: "The Monkie Kid?"

(4x06 Show Me the Monster)

-

Tang: "I saw it. Here. Wherever this place is, him, plotting to take down Monkey King. That was his plan all along, to trap Monkey King inside that scroll and do something sinister, something bad, probably!"

(4x08 The Brotherhood)

-

Sun Wukong: "So we all know I'm the greatest teacher in all of history." Macaque: "Ugh, this guy." Sun Wukong: "But my plan making..." Mei: "Is the worst!" Sun Wukong: "Okay, hurtful, I was gonna say "needs improvement". Either way, Imma hand this over to a pro! -You're up, kiddo!"

MK: "-Wha...Wh-Why me? Sun Wukong: "'Cause you're the Plan Man, man!" Pigsy: "Oh yeah, give us one "MK master plan special", to go." MK: "Hmm...Okay. Ne Zha's right. While Azure's got the Jade Emperor's power and the scroll, there's no way we could beat him head-on."

(4x12 The Plan Man)

-

Sun Wukong: "Hey, Lieutenant Monkey! How's the plan going?"

[...]

MK: "Huh! This planning thing is really working out, huh?" Sun Wukong: "Yeah! Who'da thunk?"

[...]

Mei: "Every time we've gone into a final fight, we've basically winged it without a real plan. But it's like Subodhi said: that won't be enough this time. We need to wait for the moment to strike!" Pigsy: "But Azure ain't gonna just wait around for us to attack. If he's got as much of a grudge against Monkey King as Macaque says he does, he's just gonna come and attack us first!" Mei: "Exactly! By not attacking, he'll think we're not ready for him, but he'll be wrong! The plan is to make it look like there is no plan at all, when really, we're already doing the plan! MK's plan!"

(4x13 Rip and Tear)

-

I reached the image limit but we did it! We're done!

[jaynovz]

John Silver Recovery and Hurt/Comfort Rec List

Hi there! Another rec list? -surprised Pikachu face-

These deal specifically with Silver’s post-amputation struggles and recovery. Often deep character study, heavy on hurt/comfort, wound care/medical discussion, wrestling with his disability and body image type stuff, so mind the tags on individual works. 

These are all Silverflint because, well, you know why you follow this blog.

--

What It Feels Like Not To Hurt by robotboy

Summary: So. This is a 9k slow burn watersports fic. That's a thing that now exists in this fandom. But it's mostly about Silver recovering in the warship cabin and working out how much of his humanity is tied to humiliation. To echo my esteemed colleague purplecelery: 'I'm gonna gently suggest that anyone who's not usually into this take a gander anyway because you might be surprised.'

The Salt and the Sea by x_etoile_x

Summary: John Silver was always able to make the best of a situation. If this particular situation had started to feel complicated, well, a vast fortune ought to prove clarifying. Whatever he might have imagined he'd seen in Flint, the reality was they had used each other. And he had been set to walk away on top.

Except now he couldn't. Now he was trapped.

_______

The gap between the end of s2 and the start of the raids - Silver's early recovery and eventual decision to stay.

i’m discarding pieces of myself in the dark by coffeeandchemicals

Summary: Silver swallows and fights the urge to run his tongue along his dry, chapped lips. It’s been awhile since they were in the Doldrums, but they were in cages after that, and Silver still feels stretched too thin over his bones. He knows his eyes are shadowed and cheeks are hollow; he can see the same in Flint’s visage, and on the faces of the remaining crew – he can’t let himself think of the ones they’d lost. They all bear more than just the physical scars of their most recent misfortunes. Silver’s are just the most evident.

Or: Flint tries to help Silver during the events of 3x07

His Heart Is Already Mine by queerpyrate

Summary: When Silver collapses aboard the deck of the Walrus, overcome with fever from an infection in his leg, Flint immediately alters their course to return to Maroon Island.

after the winnowing by princesskay

Summary: After Charles Town, Silver convalesces at the governor's mansion in Nassau while Flint chooses what happens to the gold - and their futures. Flint tries to take care of him, but are the kind gestures what they seem?

The Soft Animal of Your Body by x_etoile_x

Summary: Silver has a problem. Flint has an interest, as it turns out, and tells a story.

no daylight between you and i by inwardphae

Summary: What’s it all for, anyway? They’ll take and take and take until there’s nothing left of him. Not his leg, not his name, not his life. And there’s nothing he can do about it.

But then, something happens that surprises him, even in his frantic state, even as he feels his grip on himself slide away. And as it always happens as of late, he finds that the edges of his world begin and end with James Flint.

missing moments during and after charles town

Taut by Thiebes

Summary: Silver did not make it to dinner.

He awoke with a jolt to a dark room. How did he get on the floor? He didn't remember sinking down any more than he remembers falling asleep. The noise outside his door had faded, only a few distant laughs punctuated the sound of crickets in the night.

Let me try to pull you free by ember_firedrake

Summary: Following the loss of his leg, Silver can't stop thinking about the last night he spent with Flint before Charlestown, and what will happen when Flint learns the truth of the gold.

Follows "My heart is under arrest again." 

Set between 2x10 and 3x01.

Forestay by Farasha

Summary: Forestay: A line of rigging which keeps the mast from falling backward.

After Charleston, certain truths come to light that have Flint and Silver's relationship hanging by a thread.

Truce by lostinafictionalworld

Summary: “Would you like me to do it?” Flint offered quietly.

Silver’s head snapped up to glare at him, his usually warm eyes icy. He would have been shocked by the offer if he weren’t so busy being furious.

“I am painfully aware that I can scarcely take a piss without assistance,” he snarled, “but I am perfectly capable of brushing my own hair.”

After returning to Nassau following the events of Charlestown, Silver and Flint manage to set aside their differences for an evening.

vigia by doomcountry

Summary: That’s his talent. That’s what he offers him. That’s what he is, before he is quartermaster or lover or friend: the tempering flame, the relief.

A Holier Thing Than Hell or Highwater by swampslip

Summary: “This is… A difficult thing,” Flint says slowly.

“I’m not saying this to be-”

“I know.”

“I just can’t seem to… Move on.”

“Why should you?”

“What?”

“Why should you move on?” Flint asks quietly, gestures at the pinking, slowly healing end of Silver’s thigh, “This isn’t a moment that will fade into the oblivion of living. You won’t forget this, nor should you.”

--

As always, hit me up if you feel I’ve missed a vital inclusion, and I will give it a read. Mwah.

[cherryblossomshadow]

The scene in question

Excerpt from "The Family Treasure" NBC Quantum Leap (2024) 2x10

Transcript:

Sarah Malek: Oh my god, are you okay? Are those bandages? Are you hurt? Dean Malek: Not exactly. *takes off shirt to reveal chest bindings* It is a bandage, but that’s not why I wear it.

.

Ian Wright: Wow. Transmasculine in the ‘50s. I mean, I had a hunch. But this is … Jenn Chu: Isn’t that dangerous though, binding with elastic bandages? Ian: Good eye. Look at you. But there weren’t exactly a lot of options back then. Dean must feel so alone.

.

Sarah: I don’t understand. Dean: When I wear this, I feel more like myself. Sarah: So do you want to be a man? Dean: No. That’s not it. Sarah: Do you think it’s shameful to be a woman? Dean: No! Being a woman is great … for some people. But I’m not really one or the other. I’m just Dean.

…

Ben Song as Nadia Malek: You look badass. Dean: You two like the whole “miss” and “ma’am” thing, but that’s not me. And I’m … I don’t want to be “sir,” necessarily. I wish I had better words for it. Ben: You know, my best friend b-back at, um, finishing school- Ian: *laughs* Ben: They also feel the same way. So they ask us to use “they” and “them” instead of “he” or “she,” which is really binary. Dean: Binary like spy code? Ben: Yes, and also, a binary is anything with only two possibilities. A light switch is either on or off. A person is either good or bad. Sarah: But I don’t think that’s true. Ben: Exactly. So we need more possibilities than binary, right? Ian: *tears up* Ben: My friend identifies as nonbinary. Dean: I like that. Sarah: So that’s what you are, nonbinary? Dean: I mean, I’m not ONLY that. But yeah. Feels like me. Sarah: But you’re still my sister? Dean: I’m your sibling. Sarah: Okay. I can live with that. Come here *hugs them* I love you, Dean. Dean: I love you, too. Thank you for listening to me when I tell you who I am. Ian: Well done, Ben Song

.

See also:

[ouatsqincorrect]

ok once upon a time failed in many regards but one thing they continuously did right were the scenes of sq on regina’s front porch (whether we’re talking about shipping them or not, it doesn’t matter)

anyway i’m gonna rant so.

in 1x01, regina starts off on the porch, being higher than emma and showing the audience that she has the power but she comes down when she’s threatening her, which is interesting because now they’re on the same level. which i’m guessing is supposed to give us some sort of moment of clarity for emma or maybe regina doesn’t really believe what she’s saying. they’re suddenly on the same level though which means in this moment their power is equal. regina has the ability to fuck up emma’s life and emma has the ability to fuck up hers. but then regina steps back onto the porch and emma doubts regina’s love for henry, telling us she’s doubting regina and that doubt actually gives regina some of the power back (because she actually really does love henry)

also the coloring of this scene is perfection. it’s meant to make us feel threatened and misled. and show that regina is being intimating. (the color of their outfits is also so important)

OH and that arc shot!! when the camera does a 360 around emma and we’re suddenly facing regina, this is meant to make us feel a little lost but keep those power dynamics between them

honeslty this is one of my favorite scenes in the entire show because it’s actually really well thought out, directed and edited. plus jmo and lana acted their asses off

THEN, in 1x18, we have this other moment of them on the porch where emma’s accusing regina of having framed mary margaret (not in so many words but the point is there). in this scene, there is literally not one moment where the two of them are on a different level. emma has gained some power, she has figured regina out, and regina no longer has the upper hand. (their outfits being almost the exact same also proves that point)

in 2x10, they’re back on the porch again when emma confronts regina about archie’s death. they start off at equal height, and then when emma steps off the porch, we literally see regina step down too. regina may be getting confronted and accused of something horrible, but they’re still equal here. regina even knocks emma down, but emma gets right back up.

not to mention, they’re outfits in this scene are SO important because they literally are the exact opposite of what they wore in 1x01.

and then finally, in 5x05, we have another scene with them on the porch when emma’s the dark one and regina confronts her about camelot and what happened with the dreamcatcher. (again, it’s all about confronting. these two only have scenes on this porch when it’s about one of them confronting the other)

they start off with the same level of power. they’re at each others height, until regina leaves and emma walks off the step. she literally has that power taken away from her in this moment because, arguably, she’s just lost her son and regina and even though she’s the dark one, that loss takes something from her.

and AGAIN—their outfits. regina is wearing red (shes pissed, has the power, we’re being encouraged to focus on her and maybe even relate) and emma’s wearing black (she’s depressed, and has power, even if that power gets taken form her just a little in this scene)

the fact that this scene happens at night (when all the other ones happened during the day) i think is also really important. we as the audience feel a little uneasy here and that’s done on purpose.

these scenes just really get to me because they genuinely get the job done. they do exactly what television is supposed to do, which is affect the audience without actually saying something. we don’t need to hear what emma and regina are saying in these scenes to understand their roles, their power, and the way they feel about that particular moment

[thoughtfulchaos773]

Sydney & Carmy-Certain Of Nothing-

I'm still inspired by this thread on Syd and Carmy's(yet to be revealed) shoulder tattoos.

I know Carmy's tattoo is inspired by Anthony Bourdain's certain-of-nothing. The CON inside of the snake- and this is so fitting for what Carmy and Syd experience in their everyday lives.

I'll leave the interview of Anthony Bourdain getting the tattoo here. But I'll also leave a quote as he discusses the meaning of the tattoo.

"Epoche: I suspend judgment. I hold back; it conquers all enemies, it undoes them so they disintegrate into atoms before your eye," Anthony reads from his iPad. He adds more commentary,

"Basically, if you live according to this notion of epoche- uncertainty, you reach ataraxia, which is to be unperturbed, happy in your life"

There's more info on the state of ataraxia here-

Carmy's tattoo- The Snake and The Rope

I experienced a small sense of dread today and decided to do some meditation. I reached a state of ataraxia halfway through it? Now that I can reflect, I can see another reason why I love the Bear and it's fun, cool theories.

Today, I take lessons in Carmy and Syd's need to live in the past or future - the lessons of anxiety. But what does this mean with judgment and uncertainty? Typically that sense of dread is worrying about the future- something that's so uncertain. It's hard to understand the notion that it does not exist- this is like the snake & rope analogy from Indian philosophy- in a nutshell.

"Our perception of reality can be clouded by darkness, which is ignorance of reality. This ignorance sometimes manifests as rapid judgment or fear, and we react solely based on senses or emotions... Expecting the worst is seeing the snake." -link

Carmy always sees a snake instead of the rope. He sees the worst in things, and dreads the future, and that could be one of the triggers for his panic attacks.

Carmy's panic attacks in 2x09 and 2x10 showed that he dwells in the past and the future(Claire). We see he reaches this state of ataraxia when he thinks of Sydney- he lets go of judgment of what was before or what could be after and focuses on what is now- which is Sydney being in his life. It does not matter if he or she may stay or leave- what matters is that she's bringing him peace because he's free of judging his thoughts.

I tend to go over Carmy's feelings for Sydney a lot, but Sydney feels the same thing for Carmy, and he returns the favor in Sydney staying present.

Sydney- Future Perfect.

There was an interview with Ayo, and she mentions a conversation she had with Storer on worrying about the future, and she has a hard time staying present; it's funny that the song for her character in 2x03 sings-"Don't Live in the Future, tell me your story."

To me, this song represents getting out of our heads and being vulnerable with someone- telling them our past and future- our story- our worries, and being free from the fear of being judged. Instead of worrying about a past and future filled with heartbreak- we can use our past as a way to connect rather than staying in pain and avoiding it- tell me your story.

Wasn't this something Carmy was trying to do in 2x02 Pasta? He asked her questions about her dad, and he was on the verge of hearing about her mother. But Sydney dodges the question until it hits her again in 2x09 Omelette- though she's clearly dismissive of Carmy's compassion- she still opens herself up to her biggest fear- vulnerability and heartbreak.

Sydney avoids talking about past heartbreaks because she fears it's going to come back- the failure of business- death. She's waiting for the other shoe to drop. In spite of that dread- Sydney still expresses her need for Carmy because he helps her feel in the moment. Carmy gets closer to opening Sydney's heart completely, and she's no longer dwelling on the uncertainty of the future; instead, her fears are a source to connect with Carmy- he pulls the swords from her heart and helps mend it so she can be vulnerable and open to life's possibilities. Carmy teaches Syd to be present in the healing, he teaches Sydney patience and to no longer rush in making up for the past that's no longer there.

But like Carmy, at times, Sydney is not ready to embrace and let go of what was before or what's after, but for a moment, we see she experiences that state of ataraxia with Carmy in the 2x09 Omelette. Sydney tells her dad she doesn't know if she can take another one (dread of possible heartbreak in the future). Another way to confront that dread is to live in the moment and expose herself to her fears. Sydney avoids doing this with her dad, but with Carmy, she sits with the feeling and nervousness of failing, and such vulnerability brings her closer to Carmy.

So the tattoos could represent Syd and Carmy always looking over their shoulder, dreading what the future entails. The fear of uncertainty. Of life itself.

But if Carmy and Syd stick together - living in the - they experience ataraxia and live fully. Because nothing is certain - not even heartbreak, even though it's always over our shoulders and could be a possibility. It's a rule I can take in life - Submit to the uncertainty - submit to the person who opens you up to the feeling of being present. Submit to that someone who makes you feel ataraxia.

If that's not the most beautiful love story- I don't know what is- really, I don't, for I'm certain of nothing.

[spacemagicandlaserswords]

The Clone Wars 4.07 ‘Darkness on Umbara’ Reaction Take 2

I’m doing this post and the rest of these second watch reaction posts to the Umbara arc in the more live-blogging style reaction posts I’ve done for other episodes like 1x5 ‘Rookies’, 2x10 ‘The Deserter’ and 4x5 'Mercy Mission'. So much happens in these episodes and I feel like I missed a lot of it in my first reaction posts because I was going through all the emotions.

“Just like old times, Rex” WHY AM I SAD ALREADY

That is some very cool looking nose cone art on the 501st LAAT/i behind Fives. Can’t quite tell what it is but it certainly looks cool.

More Anakin and Obi Wan snark. Excellent. Business as usual then.

Well that’s not ominous at all

Naw, Rex checking in on Tup. I read somewhere that Tup was a shiny on Umbara but I can’t remember if this is canon or fanon.

The clone piloting the LAAT/i is named Hawk! Or at least he is according to the captions. Hey Hawk! More named clones! :D 

“Time to lock and load” CACKLING

The walkers just leap backwards out the back of the low flying LAAT/i’s? How is this a good idea? 

BOING. Yeet the walker.

I think this is the first time we actually hear what the clones are saying on a battlefield. Usually it’s just dialogue between the main characters but now there’s so many of them shouting and cheering and screaming and dying.

Rip the poor clone that jumped out of the LAAT/i and didn’t even make it onto the ground before being shot.

“The enemy could have the whole place rigged with traps.” Dammit Anakin you jinxed it.

“I can’t even see the enemy” Oh that’s going to come back and bite everyone in the arse really badly.

“It’s just a vine” Oh dear.

It’s the Umbaran sarlacc!

Fives being a badass and taking out the monster like it’s nothing. That was quite clever thinking in terrifying circumstances for him to keep his head and figure out he needs to get the monster to eat the explosive.

That shot of the trenches definitely reminds me of WWI and II. They’ve even got the troopers leaning against the sides with their blasters poking above the top.

“Maybe… back in the day” Dayum Rex, there a lot of feeling in that one. 

Surely an ambush and skittering assassin bugs would be something that Anakin would sense in the Force?

Lmao @ Hardcase trying to take out the bug with the blaster equivalent of a rotary canon. That’s like taking a flamethrower to a spider.

Fives have you been gargling gravel or something?

Well at least Anakin got rid of the assassin bug. Again.

That shot of the bombers and Odd Ball bombing the ridge and the ensuing explosion definitely felt like a reference to the Vietnam war.

Ah great, fuck face has arrived. Fuck off Krell.

Lol the ominous music at Krell’s arrival was definitely not foreboding at aaaaaaaaall.

“You won’t find a finer or more loyal trooper anywhere.” DAMN STRAIGHT

How dare you impune Rex’s honour. How dare.

Cackling at Fives look at Rex immediately after Krell buggered off. He is so unimpressed.

Something about Fives’ voice is very… husky. 

“The men don’t need rest” ah fuck off

Oh you did not just address Rex by his fucking number

Is this where Rex got his dramatic flair for disappearing into the fog like he did in ‘Battle Scars’ in The Bad Batch?

I just had a heartbreaking thought. Is Fives here because Echo is gone and he doesn’t have an ARC partner (and twin) anymore? So Rex is doubling as his ARC partner for now until Jesse ends up as the other ARC in Torrent and the 501st? Do ARCs have partners and come in pairs? More angst for this already angst riddled arc (in more ways than one). Yay.

Is this Phase 2 clone armour? I think it is.

Poor Rex is trying to be diplomatic and balance dealing with Krell while also showing his men that he understands their concerns as well. I do like Fives’ view on this. He’s very ‘wear your heart on your sleeve’. I also loved that little exchange, you can really tell all of their different personalities just from that conversation. Hardcase is so gung ho, bless him.

“It’s too quiet out there.” Tup you precious anxious little bean

Rip Oz and Ringo

“You wanna piece of this” Hardcase living his best ‘blast everything’ life 

“I think Hardcase made ‘em mad.” CACKLING

Damn, Tup just taking out that Umbaran with a flip and a point blank blaster rifle shot to the face

“Make ‘em eat heat!” Hardcase is definitely in same vein as an 80s action hero

Rex just casually dual wielding with a horizontal grip like it’s nothing. Sir, you are showing off.

I would let Fives flip me over his shoulder and pound me into the ground. And then thank him for it. I have watched that part multiple times and it does not stop being hot. And the way he just casually stands up all cool and deadly and puts multiple blaster shots into the Umbaran. Sir, please contain your badassery. @nobie also has a fantastic gifset of this moment

Rex’s little flippy roll straight after this made me realise that he and Fives are fighting together. Oh Echo.

It’s almost jarring how noticeable it is that there isn’t a Jedi fighting alongside the clones. I couldn’t quite pick what felt off the first time until someone (Fives, I think?) mentions it later but it’s so obvious now. 

“Ha, ha, ha! Where ya goin’?” Hardcase is having the time of his life atm

Did Krell just shoulder check Fives?!

You can't jab Captain Rex in the shoulder like that!

Fives saying what everyone is thinking there. Also, what kind of Jedi threatens a clone with a lightsaber? Oh that’s right, a Sith.

Rex being an absolute badass

“I think he almost complimented you.” CACKLING

Fives and Rex just casually snarking while in the middle of a battlefield

[marcmarcmomarc]

For NSAF’s RWBY reactions, I am looking forward to seeing her reactions to…

Volume 2

2x5: “Extracurricular”

Pyrrha vs. CRDL

Blake’s exhausted eyes.

Jaune’s serenade.

Jaune and Pyrrha’s talk.

Cinder. Just Cinder.

2x6: “Burning the Candle”

Yang luring Blake with a laser pointer.

Jaune talking to an undressed Ren.

“Practice what you preach, Pyrrha.”

Yang’s backstory.

Yang’s wink at Blake.

Everyone’s dance clothes.

2x7: “Dance Dance Infiltration”

Jaune’s talk with Neptune.

Jaune in a dress.

Cinder. Just Cinder. And her infiltration disguise.

2x8: “Field Trip”

Zwei’s debut.

First look at Team CFVY and the return of Velvet.

2x9: “Search and Destroy”

Oobleck’s talk with RWBY.

2x10: “Mountain Glenn”

RWBY’s tent talk.

2x11: “No Brakes”

Yang vs. Neo/Neo being mute.

Weiss vs. the White Fang lieutenant.

Blake vs. Torchwick.

2x12: “Breach”

Team CFVY’s introduction.

Coco. Just Coco.

Cinder. Just Cinder.

Ironwood stealing tournament security from Ozpin. What a friend, right?

Volume 3

3x1: “Round One”

Ruby’s talk with Summer.

RWBY vs. ABRN.

Cinder. Just Cinder. And her Vytal Festival disguise.

Ren’s new voice.

3x2: “New Challengers...”

JNPR vs. BRNZ.

SSSN vs. NDGO/Neptune’s fear of water.

3x3: “It’s Brawl in the Family”

Winter’s debut, and recognizing Elizabeth Maxwell as her voice.

Qrow’s introduction.

Qrow vs. Winter.

Cinder. Just Cinder.

3x4: “Lessons Learned”

Coco. Just Coco.

Emerald and Mercury vs. Coco and Yatsuhashi.

3x5: “Never Miss a Beat”

Penny. Just Penny.

Weiss and Yang vs. Flynt and Neon.

3x6: “Fall”

The revelation of Amber.

Yang taking Ruby’s encouragement too literally, and the first sign of the show’s darker tone starting to show through.

3x7: “Beginning of the End”

Cinder. Just Cinder.

Amber vs. Cinder’s faction

3x8: “Destiny”

Jaune and Pyrrha’s talk.

3x9: “PvP”

Penny’s death, and the show’s dark tone finally revealing itself.

Cinder. Just Cinder.

3x10: “Battle of Beacon”

The students banding together.

3x11: “Heroes and Monsters”

Velvet vs. the Paladins.

Torchwick’s rant and death.

Blake getting stabbed and Yang losing her arm.

3x12: “End of the Beginning”

Cinder. Just Cinder.

Arkos getting their kiss.

Pyrrha vs. Cinder.

Pyrrha’s death.

More Silver Eyed Warrior information.

Reveal of Salem.

Volume 4 (after binging Chibi Season 1)

4x1: “The Next Step”

Watts, Tyrian, and Hazel’s debut. Maybe she’ll recognize Christopher Sabat as Watts?

Cinder. Just Cinder. And her new hair.

Oscar’s introduction.

Jaune’s Pumpkin Pete hoodie and new shield.

4x2: “Remembrance”

Whitley’s debut.

The destroyed Shion and the dying Huntsman.

Ironwood being sus.

Jacques’ debut and the reminders of Odalia Blight.

Klein being wholesome.

Jaune training with Pyrrha’s video.

4x3: “Of Runaways and Stowaways”

Blake’s new clothes.

Cinder. Just Cinder.

4x4: “Family”

The return of Oobleck and Port.

“I guess you’ve lost some brain cells along with that arm.”

The Higanbana waitress flirting with Qrow.

Raven’s introduction.

4x5: “Menagerie”

Kali, Ghira, Corsac, and Fennec’s debut.

“She’s got some moves.”

4x6: “Tipping Point”

Weiss’ performance.

RNJR vs. Tyrian.

4x7: “Punished”

Ozpin being revealed to be in Oscar’s head.

Jacques and Weiss’ talk.

Qrow vs. Tyrian.

4x8: “A Much Needed Talk”

Blake and Ghira’s talk.

4x9: “Two Steps Forward, Two Steps Back”

Yang training with Tai.

Weiss going rogue.

Ilia’s debut.

4x10: “Kuroyuri”

Hazel Fonzie-ing an ATM.

Young Ren and Nora flashback.

The Nuckelavee’s roar.

4x11: “Taking Control”

The Nuckelavee’s revelation.

4x12: “No Safe Haven”

Cinder. Just Cinder.

Ren and Nora’s moment.

Volume 5

5x1: “Welcome to Haven”

Lionheart’s debut.

Shay D. Mann’s debut.

5x2: “Dread in the Air”

Cinder. Just Cinder.

Weiss vs. the Lancers.

Khan’s debut and death.

Hazel being a more reasonable villain.

5x3: “Unforeseen Complications”

Ghira’s speech interrupted by Ilia

Oscar’s “parlor trick”.

Vernal’s debut.

“Little Cute Boy Ozpin”.

5x4: “Lighting the Fire”

Yang vs. the Branwen Tribe Bandits.

Yang and Raven’s talk.

Freezerburn reunion.

5x5: “Necessary Sacrifice”

Poor Mata.

The aquatic Faunus.

Ruby’s speech to Oscar.

Yuma’s debut.

5x6: “Known by its Song”

Freezerburn and Raven’s talk.

Strawberry Sunrise’s reunion.

5x7: “Rest and Resolutions”

Just this entire wholesome episode.

Cinder. Just Cinder.

5x8: “Alone Together”

Trifa’s debut.

“I was jealous of the way you looked at Adam. I wanted you to look at me that way.”

5x9: “A Perfect Storm”

Cinder. Just Cinder.

5x10: “True Colors”

The battle of Kuo Kuana.

Ilia’s redemption.

5x11: “The More the Merrier”

Cinder. Just Cinder.

Weiss getting skewered.

5x12: “Vault of the Spring Maiden”

Raven revealing herself as the Spring Maiden.

5x13: “Downfall”

The New White Fang’s arrival.

5x14: “Haven’s Fate”

Yang and Raven’s talk.

Lionheart’s death.

Volume 6

6x1: “Argus Limited”

Adam being an incel.

Dee and Dudley’s debut.

Ilia’s new clothes.

The brief return of Neptune.

Maria’s debut.

6x2: “Uncovered”

Cinder. Just Cinder. And her being revealed to be alive.

Jinn’s debut, new character to simp for, definitely (Giving “Ambessa Medarda sauntering out of her bathtub” vibes).

Lil’ Miss Malachite’s debut, new lady to simp for, maybe?

6x3: “The Lost Fable”

Just the whole episode.

6x4: “So That’s How It Is”

Qrow punching Oscar.

The return of Tyrian.

Hazel, Emerald, and Mercury needing to GTFO.

6x5: “The Coming Storm”

Cinder. Just Cinder.

The return of Neo.

Cinder vs. Neo.

Neo wearing Torchwick’s hat.

6x6: “Alone in the Woods”

The reveal of the Apathy Grimm.

6x7: “The Grimm Reaper”

Cinder. Just Cinder.

Young Maria.

Tock’s debut.

Young Maria vs. Tock.

Jaune’s family’s debut.

6x8: “Dead End”

Cordovin’s debut and similarities to Kikimora, even down to the having the same voice actor.

More Oscar suffering.

6x9: “Lost”

Emerald and Mercury’s talk, causing confliction over how to feel about them.

Pyrrha’s memorial and the red haired woman.

Oscar’s new clothes.

6x10: “Stealing from the Elderly”

Adrian fake-crying.

Adam’s return.

6x11: “The Lady in the Shoe”

Ruby’s Group vs. Cordovin.

“You get back here with my man!”

Blake’s jacket being sliced off.

Adam revealing his scar.

6x12: “Seeing Red”

Bumbleby vs. Adam.

Adam’s death.

6x13: “Our Way”

Cinder. Just Cinder. Plus her and Neo’s new clothes.

Ruby’s memories.

Summer’s revelation.

Volume 7

7x1: “The Greatest Kingdom”

Qrow’s new voice.

Ironwood and Winter’s return.

Pietro’s debut.

The return of Penny.

7x2: “A New Approach”

The Ace-Ops’ introduction, and maybe starting to simp for Hare and Elm.

7x3: “Ace Operatives”

The heroes’ new clothes.

7x4: “Pomp and Circumstance”

Fi. Just Fi.

Thunder Thighs.

Heartbreaking news: The person you hate the most just made a good point (It’s Jacques making a point about Ironwood for the wrong reasons).

The impromptu license graduation.

7x5: “Sparks”

Real. Thirsty. Moms.

The return of Flint and Neon.

Robyn’s debut, yet another lady to simp for, and clocking that Cristina Vee is her voice.

7x6: “A Night Off”

Renora becoming canon.

The rally massacre.

7x7: “Worst Case Scenario”

Nora talking down Ironwood.

7x8: “Cordially Invited”

Willow’s debut.

“Hey, Mom, it’s snowing.”

7x9: “As Above, So Below”

Jacques finally getting his just desserts.

Cinder. Just Cinder.

7x10: “Out in the Open”

“Ouch.” - Penny, after being launched by the Megoliath.

Cinder. Just Cinder.

7x11: “Gravity”

Ironwood vs. Watts.

7x12: “With Friends Like These”

RWBY vs. the Ace-Ops.

Cinder. Just Cinder.

7x13: “The Enemy of Trust”

JNR + Oscar vs. Neo.

Cinder. Just Cinder.

Oscar getting shot.

Winter with her hair down.

Salem’s new look.

Volume 8

8x1: “Divide”

Cinder. Just Cinder.

Neo’s reaction to Cinder taking credit for stealing the lamp.

Emerald, Mercury, and Hazel’s new clothes.

Ironwood shooting Sleet.

8x2: “Refuge”

Robyn shutting Jacques up.

Yang shutting up the racist grandma.

Fi’s uncle. Just Fi’s uncle.

The Hound talking.

8x3: “Strings”

Nora trapping the soldiers in the elevator.

The poor Atlas technician getting scalded by Bill’s coffee.

Penny vs. the Ace-Ops.

8x4: “Fault”

More Oscar suffering.

Cinder. Just Cinder.

8x5: “Amity”

Cinder. Just Cinder.

Cinder vs. Penny.

Ruby’s worldwide message/the brief return of Saph, Terra, Sun, Neptune, Ilia, Shopkeep, Glynda, and Tai.

8x6: “Midnight”

Cinder. Just Cinder.

Cinder’s backstory.

Emerald still being conflicting.

Hazel being sympathetic to Oscar.

8x7: “War”

More Oscar suffering.

May revealing herself as trans.

“No one is replaceable.”

Klein’s return.

8x8: “Dark”

Willow starting to take more action.

The Hound’s revelation.

Cinder. Just Cinder.

8x9: “Witch”

Jinn’s return.

Hazel’s redemption.

8x10: “Ultimatum”

Neo skipping away with the Lamp.

Cinder. Just Cinder.

Watts’ hypocritical rant.

Bumbleby reunion.

Ruby ready to fight Emerald.

Ironwood’s ultimatum.

8x11: “Risk”

Fi crying.

Marrow and Winter’s defection.

More Renora.

Ruby and Yang’s talk.

Emerald’s redemption.

8x12: “Creation”

JNR + Oscar, Emerald, and Winter vs. Ironwood.

Ambrosius’ introduction.

Penny becoming a real girl.

Cinder. Just Cinder.

8x13: “Worthy”

Cinder. Just Cinder.

Jacques’ death.

Yang falling into the void.

8x14: “The Final Word”

Vine and Elm’s defection.

Cinder. Just Cinder.

Neo, Blake, and Ruby falling into the void.

Hare’s defection.

Vine’s death.

Penny’s death and passing of her powers to Winter.

Weiss and Jaune falling into the void.

Watts and Ironwood’s deaths.

The destruction of Solitas.

Volume 9

9x1: “A Place of Particular Concern”

Cinder. Just Cinder.

The pretty orange orbs flowing through Ruby’s hand- surprise Neo!

The strange Ever After beach shoreline.

Little’s debut.

The Jabberwalker’s debut.

Blake tackling Yang.

9x2: “Altercation at the Auspicious Auction”

Weiss’ brain-breaking tirades.

Little being wholesome.

Jinxy’s debut

Penny’s sword.

The toy soldiers’ debut.

“The greatest warrior to ever live.”

9x3: “Rude, Red, and Royal”

The Red Prince’s debut.

RWBY vs. the Chess Pawns.

The Curious Cat’s debut.

Little being bigger than the girls.

Neo summoning clones and attacking the Jabberwalker.

9x4: “A Cat Most Curious”

“Here, kitty! Here, kitty, kitty, kitty!”

Little being scared of the Cat.

The meta commentary with the Cat. “Did that Ciel girl from the Vytal Festival ever come back,” anyone?

Herb’s debut.

Herb’s hookah den and Herb drugging RWBY.

“I am a Huntress.”

9x5: “The Parfait Predicament”

The Cat’s talk about Ascension.

The Blacksmith’s debut.

WBY vs. the Jabberwalker.

The Rusted Knight’s reveal.

9x6: “Confessions Within Cumulonimbus Clouds”

“When did you get so…” “Mature.”

The Cat being sus.

Bumbleby becoming canon.

9x7: “The Perils of Paper Houses”

The Paper Pleasers’ debut.

Jaune and WBY vs. the Jabberwalkers.

The Paper Pleasers’ deaths.

Ruby and Jaune’s emotional breakdown.

9x8: “Tea Amidst Terrible Trouble”

The dead people tea party.

Ruby’s beating.

The Cat’s revealing their evil nature.

Little’s death.

Ruby’s attempted suicide.

Neo going numb and the Cat possessing her.

9x9: “A Tale Involving a Tree”

Summer’s reveal.

The Genial Gems’ debut.

Ruby’s Tree statue.

The Blacksmith’s introduction.

Alyx’s death.

9x10: “Of Solitude and Self”

Raven’s brief return.

The way the Cat is exorcised from Neo’s body.

Ruby’s Ascension.

RWBY vs. the Cat.

The Cat’s death.

Neo’s semi-redemption and Ascension.

Little’s Ascension.

The Brother Gods’ backstory.

The heroes’ return to Remnant and the worldwide airships over Vacuo.

[transmutationisms]

I apologize if there's something already on your blog about this and I didn't find it, but I was watching tailgate party and realized that Shiv had spent the entire episode pacing around one apartment complex 6000 steps over and that the Roys do this a lot.

My memory of the last few seasons is fuzzy (<- binged it before and now doesn't remember shit) but I feel like the Roys spend a lot of time in very large, usually open spaces, with wide walls and tall ceilings, and usually ones we've seen before or are expected to see again and that a lot of important scenes happen *outside* of these spaces. Important meaning either big moments or iconic ones or sometimes just transitonary. Kendall had his Next-Jesus moment out in the ocean, Tom started throwing water bottles in that cramped ass escape room or talked about his marriage out on the beach, the entirety of Kill List happens outside of ATN offices, Logan meets Mattson for the first time on a personal island, Roman went to a random one story office environment for a fucking business school and was never the same character (well. compared to S1 Roman) again, they have that reverse Jesus thing over cruises on a cruise ship, etc. I feel like plane scenes could both fit into this or break it depending on the season but at least for other scenes I feel like there's a pattern here.

Outdoor spaces or parts where they actually put their shoes outside onto sidewalk always feel semi important to me but it doesn't even have to be outdoors specifically. Like, even just the honeymoon suite was different enough from every other building we'd seen the show have, and that's when Shiv admitted to cheating!

Do you think there's something to this, or do you have your own thoughts? I'd be interested to hear more if only to appeal to my ego ;-). There's other things that could connect to this like the grey-white-brown-dark blue color palette damn near every scene is in vs. scenes with real color inside of them and Kendall's asking why Sophie was "on the street" being indicative of how he thinks she should be raised (based on how he was raised and also how he can recognize the manipulation and abusive inherent to his father's parenting but not the more subtle isolation and neglect) and the fact the Roys are literally running an actual rat race while trapped inside Waystair Rocyo 1/2 the time but I have to stay focused on one thing when I write shit down even if I'm connecting dots in my head or else this ask won't even be remotely legible.

[If you already wrote about this - sorry! I hope this makes sense. Either way, have a good night, and fingers crossed something fun happens at Logan's funeral. I still want Tom to fight someone. It won't happen but it'd be funny as hell lol]

yeah i haven't really written anything comprehensive on this, but i do think there are a few interesting points with regards to how the show uses the characters' environments. forgive me for bullet-pointing lol, maybe you can help string these things together into something more cohesive. but:

yes, the characters often spend most of an episode trapped in one location, even one building. in part i think this is a function of the presence of playwrights on the writing staff, and the way many episodes flirt with the three classical unities of tragedy writing (time / place / action). so, lots of episodes are 1 day only, or 2 or 3 max, and often a character will be mostly confined to one location during that span. in part this helps make each individual episode really tight internally, but it also contributes to that persistent sense that the characters are trapped (within their circumstances, company, family, etc)

indoor vs outdoor is an interesting thread. one thing that has always stood out to me is that the show has a tendency to use natural sunlight not as refreshing, enlightening, etc, but as blinding, overwhelming, and even dangerous. the sun almost kills logan in s3, there are those shots in 2x10 and 3x09 where everyone's squinting in the bright light, there's a similar effect in 'austerlitz', etc. this contributed to the overall sense of discomfort that the roys experience, despite all their material luxuries; it also contributes to the sense that nature and the natural world is an alien, external force that appears threatening—this sense also comes out in all of the animal metaphors they use, which emphasise the brutality they see in the animal kingdom and in nature generally

if we're talking places, i also must bring up the presence of bathrooms on the show. these are quotidian rooms, but also dangerous ones, in the sense that they exist to purge a civilised society of its filth, and the whole process tends to be marginalised and wilfuly ignored. so, i've always liked that succession has a lot of scenes set in bathrooms, and often characters are able to speak differently in the bathroom—sometimes more intimate (kendall and stewy, tom and logan in 3x05), or more direct (greg and logan in 2x08), or they're allowed to say things they couldn't elsewhere (roman and mencken). bathrooms are also sheltered personal spaces, where the characters can retreat and hide (kendall using them to do coke, shiv practicing a smile in 1x02, greg rehearsing his congressional testimony)

the waystar offices obviously have that very 21st-century glass-and-steel aesthetic that telegraphs new money, a certain neoliberal attempt at severance from systems of social and cultural meaning-making, etc. so, moving the characters to other locations is effective because, in contrast to the kind of soullessness of the waystar building, it makes the other places stand out and emphasises the meaning we can glean from the sets alone (like, the gut-punch of dodds's house in contrast to the sort of corporate default)

in regards to the idea of control and confinement within luxe spaces—yes, this is clearly something we see many of the environments convey (the ultimate expression of this being the anti-suicide wall that logan puts up to pen kendall in). this is really a discrete material expression of how waystar operates in a broader sense, constraining people whilst appearing to create more options and more freedom (also a basic characteristic of neoliberal modes of production, lol)

again i'm not sure i have a thesis statement here unifying all of these observations lol. but i do think the show does well at using its environments and settings to tell us a lot about the characters, the company, and the broader world they inhabit.

[stagefoureddiediaz]

What do you think it might mean to have Eddie wearing Buck's blue henley (or a copy of it at least) from 2x01 in the upcoming episode?

Hey Nonnie

I have a lot of thoughts and feelings about seeing Eddie in that blue Henley!! For starters it is definitely the same blue Henley Buck wears in 2x01! Eddie just doesn't wear blue all that often (18 times out of 140+ non uniform costumes!) so the fact that we have him wearing blue and not only blue but a blue Henley we've seen before on Buck is an interesting choice and hints at a couple of things. We of course need to remember we have no idea which scene/scenes this Henley is appearing in and who those scenes will be with and that may have an impact on why this particular Henley was chosen.

Firstly we have the scene we saw Buck wearing this blue Henley - in season 2 - he gets home to find Maddie in his shower having mistaken her for Abby, we have Buck cooking for Maddie and having a conversation about lying low/ hiding out before Buck shows her a picture of Abby.

The most interesting and probably important part of the conversation is the 'Eat, Pray, Love'  section. The idea that Abby is out exploring the world, but actually exploring herself and getting in touch with herself on a sexual level. Its especially interesting when we think about Buck comparing himself to Ana in season 5 because; Abby had a serious relationship which didn't end on her terms, she then dated Buck (having been pushed into it by Carla) to get herself back out there before leaving to escape and find herself. its implied that Abby slept around a bit before meeting Sam and finding her happily ever after with him.

Its interesting how that concept kind of ties in pretty well with Eddie's own dating trajectory - his relationship with Shannon didn't end on his terms, he dates Ana to get himself back out there (having been pushed into it by Bobby) and now we've got him going on a few dates as he figures himself and what he wants out, before in theory finding his version of Sam (cough Buck cough) and getting his own happily ever after.

Eddie dating around and actually discovering himself in a romantic and possibly sexual sense - something we've been give enough clues in canon to know hasn't really happened before now. Whatever his dating life is going to look like in the next couple of episodes (cough Marisol cough) its going to be about him exploring rather than settling down in a serious relationship - the settling down comes after the exploring in the same way it did for Abby.

The other side of the coin is the Eddie wearing blue. Like I said, its not a colour we see him in often, In fact we only see him wearing blue (other than his uniform obviously) a few ties - I'm including denim shirts in this 

2x04 - dark denim shirt -Eddie is with Abeula in hospital - Carla comes in with Chris 2x07 - Navy blue suit - touring Durrand School - light blue denim shirt - Shannon comes round to discuss Christophers new school 2x10 - light blue marl tee - Eddie and Shannon have sex and Chris comes home 3x03 - light blue denim shirt - Eddie drops Chris back off at Bucks post tsunami 'Theres no one I trust more with my son than you' scene 3x04 - (more teal than blue but I'm including it) Chris wakes from a nightmare 3x09 - navy blue tee - Therapy with Frank - post fight club 3x12 - dark blue waffle sweater -Eddie gets called to Christophers school - meets Ana 3x18 - light blue button up shirt - Mays graduation party 4x08 - mid blue denim shirt - Eddie introduces Ana to Chris as his girlfriend 4x14 - navy blue tee - Hospital - the Will scene 5x10 - navy blue shirt with dot pattern - Chris wakes from a nightmare 5x14 - light blue/lavender long sleeve tee - dream sequence in kitchen with Chris 5x17 - white henley with a blue shirt over the top - Christophers bedroom - conversation with Buck and then in Texas seeing family 5x18 - navy blue shirt with dot pattern, blue blazer -HenRen vow renewal 6x08 - dark blue distressed tee - Eddie helping Chris get ready for his school dance 6x09 - dark blue shirt - Eddie asleep on his couch 6x13 - Blue check suit for the Poker game

The thing I hope you're picking up from these occurrences is how much they are tied to family. every single one of the scenes when Eddie is wearing blue represents a key moment in Eddie and Christophers family life and how it is developing. Central to it all is Chris as all of the scenes are connected to him in some way even when he isn't present (perhaps especially when he is not present) even the scene in Franks office in season 3 is about Eddie not wanting Chris to end up like him, while the shirt and blazer worn to HenRens vow renewal is very much focused on strong family dynamics - especially his dynamic with Chris as we see in the flash forward/back scene.

However, in season 6 we have started to see the blue break away from being quite so tied to Chris and family dynamics and be a bit more focused on Eddie from 6x09 - its interesting that we see this split happen when Bobbys voiceover is talking about the Santa Anas coming to an end and the city resting before the cycle starts again. Eddies arc in that episode is about Eddie 'separating' himself from Chris - becoming more than just a father (and firefighter) and because the editing ties that scene to Buck and the blue check suit worn to the poker date connecting so heavily to Buck seeing where this next blue shirt is worn is going to be interesting.

Its because of this use of blue on Eddie that I'm inclined to think that the reuse of this Henley is more to do with it being blue and therefore about some key moment in the Diaz family dynamic/ the Buck and Eddie dynamic than it being connected to potential eat pray love experiences, although its entirely possible that both concepts are valid and correct in this case as we do have Eddie wearing Blue in connection with Ana (and with Shannon although she was less of an eat pray love thing!).

Until we know more about which episode its is definitely for and who else is in the scene its impossible for me to parse out meaning as I haven't seen the script and so much of what I glean from the costumes the wardrobe team put the cast in is derived from the text - which is the same way the Costume designer would make the decisions they have about the costumes we see on screen. Without that text for context, I really am only guessing as to the meaning of a costume and I'll always lean more into colour theory than I would anything else which is why if pressed I'm more inclined to think that they are reusing the Henley for the simple reason that its a Henley in blue. Eddie wears a lot of Henley's - its a key part of his wardrobe - and if they needed a blue one, why spend more money when you already have one in stock (I would have different feelings if it was Buck rewearing it rather than Eddie being seen in it for the first time, then it would definitely be about connecting the scenes) especially when Buck doesn't wear Henleys any more, so I am more inclined to lean towards it being worn in a key moment for the Diaz family/ Eddie and Buck's dynamic in some way over the eat pray love connection because of the Eddie in blue of it all.

Sorry I can't really give you a more focused answer than that, I just really have so little context to go on because even the bts gives us no vague context to work with!!!

[gregoftom]

And also from the other day you were sososo right about them being the only people who actually like each other and enjoy each other’s company, even purely from a platonic sense nobody else in this show is consistently happy with anyone except for them two, at least not to the extent that they’d hold their relationship over any kind of business decision (especially with tom being willing to go to prison for Greg in 3x06 and shiv throwing tom under the bus in 2x10) and I know it’s because neither of them came from the same wealth as the Roys and didn’t have the trauma and childhood of living as a Roy, as one of Logan’s children, so it makes sense that they’re the ones with the least fucked up views of relationships and the capacity to enjoy the kinds of wealth they live in together and ahfkgfdhtksethksth I love them smmmmm <3333

OH AND ALSO off topic but I saw somewhere that the costume designer works so that Tom and Greg’s outfits always pair well together whereas his and Shiv’s deliberately contrast and now I CAN’T STOP THINKING ABOUT IT because holy shit it’s so true they match so well <333

LIKE LOOK AT THEM (<3)

AND THEN LOOK AT SHIV (<3)

YESSSSSSSS GAWD LIKE I ALWAYS SAY THIS BUT "i love you but i cannot fucking stomach you" IS SUCH A RAW ASS FUCKING LINE FROM SHIV AND WHAT HURTS IS HOW MUCH IT APPLIES TO LITERALLY EVERYBODY ON THE SHOW, save for. you guessed it! tom and greg! [and willa and connor]. like???? it just makes me OOF so much because their friendship is just so. it's so. they offer some light to the dark you know? there cannot be darkness without light and there cannot be light without darkness so they have to be there to offer some of the light to this bleak as fuck show. love is something you just do. like is something you don't work for like that... i dunno it just. the likeness comes to them so naturally you know? like after all the bullshit of meeting one another and their defence mechanisms and not knowing if it's real is out the way and they're still with each other, they start to see that they like and care for one another and it's NOT A JOB, ITS NOT HARD WORK. it just happens! loving is hard work! liking is not! at least in the context of this showwwwowoekwd like holy fuck.

AND ABOUT THE WEALTH YEAH. YEAH. those two are the only ones who seem to be able to spend their wealth on things that make them happy both alone and together. they do it for comfort. wealth in terms of the emotional and affectionate too, they give each other. just god. A. i love them tooooooo so much <333

AND AAAAAA THE COSTUMES YEAH. YEAH. YEAH. they specifically say they complimented the outfits with each other BUT I DIDNT KNOW ABOUT THE SHIV THING AH. god. help. BUT YES i do see here with the pics you senttttt oh mgyfuijkmewlfwef. PLUS the whole. tom wearing a suit called a gregory in 3.09 like what the fuck??????? what the fuck. what the fuck!!!! don't even SPEAK to me about this episode though with those mfs oh my god they were unhinged asf, ridiculous! moving their hips towards each other, greg acting the ever de-escalating spouse "he's a lovely guy", THE FUCKEN. PROVE IT. lord. loooord. i am Weak.

[imminent-danger-came]

MK+ Reflections

(1x00 A Hero is Born)

-

MK: “I just...I don’t want to let my friends down, you know? [...] But it’s too hard! I’m just one guy.” (1x02 Duplicatnation)

-

(2x00 Revenge of the Spider Queen)

-

Mirror MK: “Ugh, Stop that! Listen, every time we get in trouble we turn to Monkie King or our friends or someone—they tell us a story and we find that smidge of motivation we need. Well! Now we’re on our own. It’s just you.” (2x00 Revenge of the Spider Queen)

-

“I gained a new power!”

“The power...of self-reflection”

(2x00 Revenge of the Spider Queen) (This one is an honorary mention)

-

(2x00 Revenge of the Spider Queen)

-

(2x02 Dumpling Destruction)

-

Lady Bone Demon: “Whatever she’s planning, it’s all to do with that. I- I’ve seen you use your staff, surely you could use it to smash that thing?”

(2x05 Minor Scale)

-

Mirror MK: “No, stop! What are you doing!”

(2x05 Minor Scale)

-

MK: “This is the trigram furnace, from the celestial realm! How is this-”

“...Trust your instincts.”

(2x05 Minor Scale)

-

(2x05 Minor Scale)

-

Totally Not Macaque: “The Hero and the Warrior were like the sun and the moon, their light like a protective glow shining upon the world. As the hero’s light grew, so too did his shadow—and soon, the Warrior was cast into that shadow. In the darkness, the warrior was forgotten by the Hero.”

(2x07 Shadow Play)

-

(2x10 This is the End)

-

Lady Bone Demon: “This is your destiny.”

(2x10 This is the End) (This isn’t MK, however MK’s self reflection is so closely tied to the celestial furnace, and LBD appears in a trigram furnace reflection so many times with MK that I am obligated to include it)

-

Tang: “Um, MK? I get the feeling you aren’t telling us something.”

(2x10 This is the End)

-

Tang: “My mother was right! Associate with the wrong people and see where you end up.”

(3x02 Great Grand Dragon of the East)

-

MK: “It’s like a whole new me!”

(3x02 Great Grand Dragon of the East)

-

Sandy: “Are we sure we’re going in the right direction?” Tang: “Not a clue. All Monkey King said to do was head west, so-”

(3x03 Smartie Kid)

-

MK: “UGH. How am I meant to fight the lady bone demon?”

(3x04 The Winning Side)

-

(3x06 The First Ring)

-

(3x14 Destiny Fulfilled)

-

Sun Wukong: “You actually might have done more for this world than I ever have!”

(4x01 Familiar Tales)

-

(4x02 New Adventures)

-

MK: “Remind me how this ‘game’ is supposed to convince me I’m not destined to turn into an evil demon monkey thing again? Cause, EVERY option I pick brings me to this! Same! Screen!”

(4x10 The Jade Emperor)

-

Oh reflection motif, how I love you.

Interesting to note, MK’s reflection never shows up in the Demon Revealing Mirror (something that is actually, you know, a mirror). Very intriguing to think about, isn’t it?

[whateverthedragonswant]

Dany was always "Fire and Blood" - ever since Season 1

We kind of all know this at this point but I found something very interesting.

In 1x10, when Dany has Mirri Maz Dur executed, the latter is tied to her Drogo's pyre and set on fire. Mirri dies screaming (blood). The dragons were not yet born so there was no Dracarys. (justification/framing: Mirri murdered Drogo and Dany's unborn child)

In 2x10, when Dany is taken hostage alongside her dragons, the latter kill Pyat Pree (blood). Though the dragons are very young and small, Dany says "Dracarys" and Drogon sets Pyat on fire, with Rhaegal and Viserion following suit. (justification/framing: Dany and the dragons were being held hostage by Pyat Pree)

In 3x04, Dany commands "Dracarys" and Drogon sets Kraznys on fire (blood) which leads to the conquering of Astapor. Rhaegal and Viserion are not present. (justification/framing: Kraznys and Co were slavers)

In 5x05, Dany delivers one of the Nobles to Viserion and Rhaegal in response to Barristan Selmy's murder. Viserion (mind you, Viserion was the one the NK rode later on) sets the man on fire (blood) and then the dragons eat him. Drogon is not present and Dany does not say "Dracarys". (justification/framing: the Sons of the Harpy just murdered Barristan Selmy)

In 6x04, Dany has been taken by the Dothraki and she is being threatened by the Khals. The dragons are not present so she has no need to say "Dracarys" but she sets the Khals on fire and they die (blood). (justification/framing: the Khals were going to do worse to her had they lived)

In 6x09, Dany rides Drogon over Slavers' Bay towards the Masters' Fleet. On her way, Viserion and Rhaegal break out of their holding place and join them. When all three dragons are flying above a ship, Dany commands "Dracarys" and Drogon sets it aflame, killing all aboard (blood). The other two dragons join in. (justfication/framing: the Masters are attacking all of Mereen & trying to force her out)

In 7x05, Dany executes the Tarlys after the Battle of the Gold Road. She commands "Dracarys" and Drogon sets both of the men aflame (blood). The other dragons are not present. (justification/framing: neither Tarly would bend the knee to her after she defeated them in battle)

In 8x05, when Varys is executed for treason, Drogon is commanded by "Dracarys" from Dany and he sets Varys aflame (blood). The other dragons are gone at this point. (justification/framing: Varys turned on her and committed treason, after pleading with Dany not to massacre KL)

Later on in the same episode, we see Dany and Drogon take on the Greyjoy Fleet in Blackwater Bay, and then the Lannister army as well as the Gold Company. We never see or hear Dany commanding Drogon "Dracarys." (justification/framing: Euron killed Rhaegal, Cersei killed Missandei, this is the Last War who will determine who sits on the IT)

So it absolutely should have been no surprise that things would eventually lead to this (we don't see or hear Dany commanding "Dracarys", we don't see or hear her at all once the massacre begins & there is no justification/framing for this one):

They literally showed us Dany with all dragons, with Drogon solely (the dragon she was most bonded to & who represented her), without Drogon but with the other dragons, and by herself. They even showed us examples of her using the command verbally and not using the command verbally. To show us that this was always Dany. It wasn't the dragons. It wasn't the grief of losing those she loved. It wasn't bad writing (meaning this massacre not the timeline/execution of her dark turn) or an "incorrect" ending for her character. This part of her has always been there.

Just as "A dragon is not a slave" has always been about Dany herself (shown to us through some of these scenes above where Dany and/or the dragons were either locked up or she herself was being held prisoner - what frees/unleashes her/them? fire + blood), so was "fire and blood". It wasn't just the words of her house or the Targaryen legacy; it was foreshadowing for the choice she would make later on in the series. The choice that she has been itching to make for many years running but was always prevented (or talked down) from making in the name of the image of the benevolent queen and special savior she wanted to be seen as by all people.

So is it any wonder that her polar opposite as the other threat in the show represented ice & the undead (meaning the NK)? Who brought the storm with him? Not to mention that the NK (King in the very name) destroyed The Wall on a dragon; Dany (the Dragon Queen) destroyed KL on a dragon. Both wanted destruction and death but used different means of bringing that about.

It gives a whole new meaning to Dany's phrase of "Fire cannot kill a dragon", doesn't it?

It was always going to be Fire and Blood when it came to her.