#Brennan I fucking see you don’t even stop

[jaztice]

[clownjacket]

If Kipperlilly DOES end up betraying Porter/Jace as part of a secret other scheme she has (whether good or evil) and it has to do with saving Lucy, I just know she’s going to be a bitch about it and pull a ‘sorry, I only save High Five Heroes’ before leaving her other friends to die or some shit. And then she will take her final form: Magic Betty from Adventure Time, betraying her allies and saving her frost gf at the expense of the world. It would also parallel what Ankarna is going through (‘your girlfriend’s out of town, it sucks’, becoming a little imperialist rage machine under the influence of Porter/Sunstone but not being able to fully turn on Lucy despite going against her values and turning into a violent weirdo). This is my wish. My dream. I am manifesting it. Magic Betty Kipperlilly I believe in you.

[spence-whore]

Hii!! I don’t know if you take requests but if you do can you do a enemies to lovers fic with spencer? I would love if the person was best friends with Courtney too!

Summer Games

Spencer Agnew x Reader

A/N please keep in mind while reading this, I have no fucking clue how far things are in California from their office. I was just writing this as if they were traveling to somewheres that’s a good six to seven hours from where they usually locate for work. They wanted to pick up supplies and outfits for the videos but the shopping outlet that had everything they wanted was hours from where they were headed to. Also, I do not see Spencer as a dick lmao this honestly doesn’t match his personality from what we see. I don’t know if this is really an enemies to lovers but i hope this did your request justice <3 this one is a lil spicy, it alludes to smut but there isn’t smut.

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It was that time of year again that everyone loved. The entire office would make a trip out to a certain location and film the most out of pocket challenges for the Summer Games. This year they were all headed out to Bonnie Springs Ranch. Before heading there, they were all making a pit stop for the night and staying at a hotel because they all didn’t have the time to get some stuff from the stores. Their idea was that it would be easier to stay somewhere close to a shopping outlet than to go there then have to travel far the next day, to go to the store. You thought maybe, just maybe, you would get lucky and get to ride with Courtney, Olivia, Shayne, and Keith but nope. You were currently in the process of getting your stuff together, to be stuck in a car with Spencer and only Spencer.

“This will give you two the chance to talk everything out, you know?” You heard a voice say from behind you. You glanced around to see Courtney standing there, arms crossed, staring at you. You knew she was right but you did not want to admit that.

“I just don’t understand how I got stuck with him.” You said, turning around to face her. “Why couldn’t we have taken a car with someone else? Why do I have to get stuck with him and nothing else but camera equipment.”

Courtney just laughed and shook her head, “Why do you hate him so badly? He genuinely is not a bad guy. He is actually really funny and really sweet.” You just snorted and shook your head right back at her. “Okay, Court, I love you to death but you gotta remember, everyone loves you. You are such a sweetheart and so nice to everyone. So, of course, you have nothing but positive experiences with him. He just hates me and is rude towards me. I don’t know what it is.”

Little did you know, Trevor and Damien were currently having a similar conversation with Spencer.

“Dude, just admit that you have feelings for them. If you do, it will make your life so much easier.” Trevor said while spinning around in an office chair.

“I don’t have feelings for them. I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Spencer said while gathering his stuff into his bookbag.

Damien scoffed and in a mocking tone said, “I don’t have feelings for them. Spencer, Brennan literally sat and showed me like five photos where you were looking at her like you were a child in a Lego store.”

“I just don’t understand how I got stuck with them. I literally said I would help with the vlogs on the way there.” Spencer explained, ignoring what Damien said.

“You’re gonna be real pissed whenever you hear the sleeping arrangements at the hotel.” Spencer heard from Shayne, who was approaching the conversation. No one knew who booked the rooms exactly but Spencer had a feeling that it was Ian. Ian had been on his back about admitting his feelings towards a certain someone. He had knew before Shayne had even said it.

“Please tell me you’re fucking kidding me.” Spencer said, flopping down into his office chair.

Back at your desk, Courtney and Angela, who had now joined the mix, were helping you grab your bags to put into your car. Angela was going on about how excited her and Amanda were to be apart of one of the summer games that the fans love so much.

The three of you were walking down the hall as you approach an elevator, you heard talking coming from the hall to the left of you. You glance over to see Trevor and Spencer walking and talking with bags in their hands.

“Can I please just get one break before this long car ride?” You mumbled to yourself as they got closer.

“Oh, uh, I’ll just another elevator.” You heard Spencer tell Trevor before they turned around and walked off.

“Y/N. You and him just need to make out and get it over with already.” Angela blurted out. This comment caught you so off guard and caused Courtney to lose it while walking into the elevator.

The three of you made it out of the building and made it over to your car before Spencer and Trevor arrived. The three of you were loading stuff into the car while making small talk before two cars pulled around to pick up Angela and Courtney.

“Please don’t kill each other.” Courtney whispered as she pulled you into a hug and gave you a soft smile.

You just went ahead and got into the car and waited on Spencer to get down there. A few minutes passed by and you hear two voices going on about some video game that was coming out soon.

“And yeah, they are supposed to have-“ One of the voice cut off and you realized it was because they noticed you were in the car and were waiting for you to pop the trunk.

“Oh, sorry.” You yelled back to the guys behind the car.

Spencer, Trevor, and Damien stood there putting a couple of bags into the trunk then filled the back seat with different bags of camera stuff, different laptops, and random supplies that had already been bought.

“Well, I suppose this is where we leave you two. Please don’t murder each other. Become like best friends or something at the end of this car ride.” You heard Damien say as he approached your window. He placed his hand on your shoulder and gave you a soft smile. “Drive safe, remember text if you have to make any stops or if there is anything wrong.”

Spencer got into the passenger seat and didn’t say anything to you. He just buckled in and sat back.

“Uh, you can play music if you want.” You whispered, awkwardly nodding towards his phone.

An hour passed by and the car ride was not that bad. The two of you had listened to some music till Spencer had fallen asleep. You were in an area where there wasn’t any traffic. You decided to grab Spencer’s phone to pause the music then turn on The Basement Yard’s new episode on Spotify. You glanced over at Spencer and he honestly looks kind of cute.

“What the fuck am I thinking?” You whispered to yourself and took a sip of your monster. “I’m just getting tired.”

The Basement Yard was only ten minutes in before you were losing it. You were having to constantly cover your mouth, trying to not laugh really loudly.

You heard stirring from beside you and could see Spencer sitting up slowly in his seat. “What are we listening to?” Spencer asked while rubbing at his eyes.

“Oh, I’m sorry if I woke you up. It’s the Basement Yard,” You tapped your phone and held it up to show him. ���If you want, I can disconnect this and you can go back to playing music.”

He shook his head no while grabbing his Mountain Dew Kickstart. “It’s okay, you didn’t wake me up. We can listen to the rest of this episode. I don’t think I’ve ever heard of them before.”

There was something lingering in the air once he woke up. It went from really relaxing to really tense and awkward. It’s like the elephant of the two of yours relationship was sitting in the backseat.

Thirty more minutes had passed by and you couldn’t handle it. You just wanted to ask the question that had been lying on your chest. You just leaned forward, grabbed your phone, and paused the episode.

“Why do you hate me?” You asked bluntly before glancing over at Spencer.

Spencer looked like he had been shot at and was just staring at you blankly. He was quiet for a minute before speaking up, “I don’t hate you.”

All you could do was laugh. “That’s pretty funny because you are so nice to everyone else at the office. You crack jokes with everyone and everyone has nothing but nice things to say about you. You avoid me at all costs.”

Spencer took a big chug of his Mountain Dew Kickstart before turning in his seat to face you. “It’s because you honestly infuriate the shit out of me sometimes.” He says while staring at you, again with a blank expression.

“Please, tell me how I make you mad. If I’m being quite honest, I have been nothing polite to you till I got tired of your shit.” You said with a scoff and turning your head to make sure there was no traffic coming before making a turn.

“How in the hell could you not make me angry?” Spencer said before laughing. “You’re little miss perfect. Everyone in the office loves you. You could never do anything wrong. Hell, even the fans are absolutely obsessed with you.”

You were on a straight shot road, so you just turned your head to stare at him for a few seconds before shaking your head. “Little miss perfect? Seriously? Do I need to tell you how many times I hear about how much everyone loves you at the office? Don’t get me wrong, you are good at your job but oh my fucking god. It is praise after praise from everyone.”

Spencer just laughed before shaking his head and grabbing your phone. “I don’t want to talk about it anymore. Just keep driving.” He said and continues to podcast episode.

A few hours passed by and finally, you were approaching the hotel you all were staying at for the night. The second you pulled in, you jumped out of the car to see Courtney and Shayne standing by their car talking.

“Oh my god, hey you two didn’t kill each other!” You hear Courtney shout from across the parking lot. You just grabbed your bags and quickly walked towards them to head inside.

“Yeah, well I’m about to fucking wring his neck.”

You got inside and grabbed your key to your head then headed up the elevator. Before the door could close, Tommy and Ian were stepping in.

“How was your car ride?” Tommy asked with an innocent smile on his face.

“Oh, me and him are just absolutely besties now!” You said in a sarcastic tone and gave Tommy and Ian a fake smile.

“Hopefully it wasn’t too bad because you two share a room.” Ian said before giving you a soft smile and stepping out on his floor.

It was just you and Tommy left in the elevator as it went up a few more floors. “If it gets bad between you two tonight, you can always come to my room.” Tommy offered and placed his hand on your arm, giving it a soft squeeze.

“It’s just so tiring because I don’t understand why he hates me.” You said giving him a frown.

“Sweetheart, maybe you need to take a moment to think about why it bothers you so much.” He said before giving you a knowing look.

You would never admit it out loud but you had feelings for the person he is whenever he isn’t around you. How could you not? You see how he is with everyone whenever you aren’t in the room. He is always so happy and laughing. God, his laugh was like music to your ears. He is such a beautiful man. He is just so nice to look at. Whenever you enter the room, it’s like seeing a little kid who had their favorite toy taken away.

You and Tommy stepped out on the hotel floor and gave each other polite goodbyes before heading towards your rooms on the opposite sides of the hall.

You entered the room, looked around, then decided to get settled in for the night. There were two seperate beds and a bathroom. You placed your bags onto the bed you planned on sleeping on then grabbed your stuff you needed to shower. You figured Spencer wouldn’t be there for a while, so you would just grab your clothes whenever you were finished. You were wrong though.

A few minutes into you showering, Spencer entered the room and just flopped down on his bed. He laid there for a few minutes before sitting up and scooting to the top of the bed and got on his phone. Neither you or him knew the kind of night that was ahead.

You turned the shower off and dried off, standing there for a few minutes to see if you ever heard anything. “I guess he’s sleeping in another room or staying with someone till late as possible.” You whispered to yourself while wrapping your towel around you. You grabbed the door handle and swung the door open to see Spencer sitting on his bed, scrolling through an app.

“Oh shit, I’m sorry. I didn’t think to grab my clothes cause I didn’t think you would come straight here.” You said awkwardly apologizing while stepping out of the bathroom. You quickly shuffled to your bag to grab your pajamas for the night.

“Why did you think I wasn’t coming here? This is my room too, you know.” Spencer said, glaring over at you.

All you could do was laugh, “I’m not arguing with you while I’m naked Spencer. Can we actually have a civil conversation for once and figure this the fuck out?” You were so tired of him throwing hateful comments your way.

He didn’t say anything, so you went back into the bathroom to change into your clothes.

Little did you know, Spencer wasn’t saying anything because he was fighting not telling you why he couldn’t stand being in a room with you for more than a minute.

“Okay, can we please just talk about this?” You said turning the corner and sitting atop your bed.

Spencer felt like he couldn’t breathe. You irritated the shit out of him but god, there was something about the way you looked right now that was making him melt. The way your hair looked pushed back out of your face, the way your sweatpants hugged your hips yet were so baggy, the way your shirt was so baggy. You just looked so soft and comfortable. He was fucked.

“I’m really not in the mood to talk about this right now, Y/N.” Spencer said before rolling over and turning the light off that was sat on the table beside his bed.

Something just snapped in you and you started tearing up. You don’t know why but god, it made you feel like an idiot. “I just want to know what I did to you, Spencer.” You whispered trying to not start sobbing. You noticed whenever you said this, his entire body tensed up. “It’s so stupid but I have this thing where I want everyone’s approval. I know I shouldn’t care if someone doesn’t like me. I guess it’s just tied to my trauma or whatever.”

He turned around slowly on his side and he had some hesitation in his movement. He just pushed himself up and stared at you. The look on his face just made you ramble even more.

“I have never felt good enough for people. So, I put on this huge persona. I guess you could compare it to masking. I feel like I have to be this upbeat, perfect person that is never allowed to be tired or depressed. I always think maybe my personality will make up for my looks because I absolutely hate myself. Maybe if I always make others laugh or smilie, they’ll overlook my weight or my hair or-“ Spencer cut you off by laughing and you felt like a complete idiot.

“Do you realize how stupid you are?” Whenever he said this, it felt like someone stuck a knife into your chest. “Shit, I worded that so badly. You are not stupid. You’re actually one of the smartest people I know.” He started to stand up from his spot and come towards you, “Is it okay if I sit here?” He said softly, pointing to a spot beside you.

At this point, it was like the damn in you broke. You couldn’t stop crying. It was like seeing you cry made that spot soften up so much for you in him.

“I don’t hate you. I should’ve just swallowed my pride and just talked to you.” Spencer whispered before laughing.

“You don’t have to lie, Spencer. I don’t blame you for avoiding me and never talking to me. I’m literally the most obnoxious person. I’m just always so ov-“

Spencer didn’t think. He just grabbed your face and kissed you. You didn’t kiss him back, you just froze. You never thought there was at any point in this world he would do something like that.

“Fuck, I’m so sorry I shouldn’t have done that.” Spencer said standing up really quickly and grabbing his jacket off his bed.

You jumped up really fast and grabbed his wrist before he could run. “Please don’t leave me.” You whispered. You couldn’t get any other word out than that. He just stared at you for a minute before talking. “I think I’ve avoided you all of this time because I never wanted to admit to myself how in love I am with you, you know? I thought maybe if I avoided you, I wouldn’t have to face these feelings and deal with the potential heartbreak of getting rejected.” He said as he sat slowly on his bed with you still holding onto his wrist.

“Wait, what did you just say?” It was like your brain shut off the second you heard him say, “how in love I am with you.”

He started to repeat himself but he stopped talking because you couldn’t stop laughing. He was just staring at you like you were crazy. You were stood in front of him, just cracking up, still holding onto his wrist. You let it go and just stepped closer to him, between his thighs. He stared up at you with this confused look.

“Spencer?” You asked, still giggling.

“Yes?” He responded, scared of where this conversation was about to go.

“You’re telling me, we have avoided each other for years because we both started to develop feelings for each other. We acted like literal school children and became hateful towards each other because we have feelings for each other.” You explained still chuckling over the situation.

“Wait, excuse me?” Spencer asked leaning back a little to look up at you with this bewildered look.

You just did the only thing you could think of and that you wanted to do. You slowly tested the waters, placing one knee on one side of his thigh and looked at him. He realized what you were doing and his hand immediately went to the side of your thigh. You placed your hand on his chest and pushed him back on the bed before placing your other knee on the other side of his thigh.

“Say the word and I’ll stop.” You whispered looking down at him.

“Please don’t.” He responded, leaning upwards to wrap his hands around your neck and pulled you down on top of him.

Hours passed by and before you knew it, it was morning.

You were woke up to your alarm going off and you slowly sat up in your bed. “Noooo.” You hear a voice groggily say beside you before you pulled back down.

Spencer was immediately glued to your side and stuck his face onto the side of your neck, placing soft kisses down your neck and down to your collarbone.

You reached over to your phone while giggling, trying to push him on. The second your phone hit your hand, it started blowing up with notifications.

It flashed and all you saw was a text from Courtney

Courtbort

when i said become friends, i didn’t mean keep us up all night banging LMAO

[clarionglass]

gang,,,,, gang. i am honestly still reeling from The game changer account reblogging the comic,,,, my god. my god.

for newcomers: welcome! thank you for being here!! for those who may have only seen the part of the fic linked to the comic, this is part 6 in the series (because truly i cannot stop myself). all the other parts are linked in the lil game master cinematic universe blurb i've got down the bottom of the post, and the whole thing is now on ao3!

and speaking of my lil blurby thing, if anyone else wants to play around in the game master cinematic universe, tag me so i don't miss it and i'll add whatever you make to the list!! and if you just want to chat about the crossover, hit me up! truly i am so happy to have as many people playing in this sandbox as want to be here :D

but anyway, without further ado:

a selection of correspondence (game master cinematic universe, part 6) | read on ao3

From: Sam Reich (@dropout.tv) To: Group <Dropout cast and crew> Subject: Announcements and info

Hi all,

Just a quick announcement that we have a new member of the team joining us at Dropout! Some of you have met him already, although you may not have realised it—he worked on A Game Most Changed and Escape the Greenroom in season 5, and Bingo, Deja Vu, Beat the Buzzer and Sam Says 4 in season 6, doing some of the hosting in my place.

And before you ask how that can be, this man is my exact doppelganger! He’s a time traveling alien who, for the moment, we are calling Other Sam, because we’ve agreed that the name he’s chosen is not exactly appropriate in a workplace setting. He’s here on a kind of rehabilitation program, as shows like Game Changer provide the sort of enrichment that he needs, without him having to resort to things like planetary conquest and murder. We also have him to thank for our new studio—he has kindly allowed us to use his (currently grounded) spacetime machine to record in, seeing as he did blow up our original studio. On an operational basis, nothing should have changed with the studio, but I do recommend you don’t go poking around in cupboards, just in case.

I promise on everything dear to me that this is not a joke.

I hope you’ll all make Other Sam feel welcome! So there’s minimal confusion between the two of us, he and I will be taking care to differentiate ourselves (he says he will try and look, in his words, “more evil”, although I’ll admit I’m not quite sure how that will work).

Series leads and producers, if you would like to include Other Sam in one of your shows, please let me know. He’s a lot of fun to work with, and he’s promised us his best behaviour, so I can guarantee there will be none of the aforementioned planetary conquest and murder. Of course, the wellbeing of all Dropout cast and crew is my highest priority, so if any of you are not comfortable working with him, please let me know as well, and production and I will ensure you are not cast in the same episodes. In future seasons of Game Changer, we will be sharing the hosting duties, so if you’re on an episode, it’ll be made clear which of us you’ll be working with.

On a related note, you know I hate being the bearer of bad news about mandatory seminars, but there is a training seminar next Monday on psychic defence techniques. This seminar is a requirement if you’re going to be working with him, and even if you’re not planning on that, I’d strongly advise coming along anyway.

As always, if you’ve got any questions, don’t hesitate to get in touch!

Cheers, Sam

---

[Note: many responses with the general sentiment of “what the fuck?!” have not been included in the selection of return correspondence.]

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From: Brennan Lee Mulligan (@gmail.com) To: Sam Reich (@droput.tv) Subject: Re: Announcements and info

I need this man in the dome immediately. 

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From: Siobhan Thompson (@gmail.com) To: Sam Reich (@droput.tv) Subject: Re: Announcements and info

Hi Sam,

Many thanks for your email, and for letting us know about Other Sam. You don’t need to confirm or deny this, but I’m assuming he did something to us during the Deja Vu recording. I haven’t felt entirely comfortable around you since then, and until now I haven’t been able to find a logical reason why. You mentioned psychic defence techniques in your email, so I take it that there was some kind of mental fuckery involved—perhaps a memory wipe? 

I don’t know what he did, and I’m not sure I want to know, but whatever it is, I don’t think it’s good. I would very much appreciate it if I don’t have to work with him.

Best wishes, Siobhan

---

From: Grant O’Brien (@gmail.com) To: Sam Reich (@droput.tv) Subject: Re: Announcements and info

Hey Sam,

I’m already digging up info for a Breaking News segment. There’s someone on reddit called scarfytwin who says they might be able to give us some good info, but I might need to sign a few things first? Looks like it’s tangled up in some British government stuff, which is wild. Sounds juicy, whatever it is, and I reckon it would be good payback…

Best, Grant

---

From: Lou Wilson (@gmail.com) To: Sam Reich (@droput.tv) Subject: Re: Announcements and info

Man, are you telling me that Samuel Dalton was kind of a real fucking thing?? No way. If you let me punch him *hard* one time I’ll go on any show with him.

Cheers, Lou

---

From: Brian David Gilbert (@gmail.com) To: Sam Reich (@droput.tv) Subject: Re: Announcements and info

Hi Sam,

This explains a lot about the weird feelings I’ve been having since Deja Vu! I know something terrible probably happened during that recording, but I’d love to just sit down with Other Sam and have a chat. Do you recommend we just meet in a professional context, or would that be something you’re able to organize?

Thanks, Brian

---

From: Zac Oyama (@gmail.com) To: Sam Reich (@droput.tv) Subject: Re: Announcements and info

Cool.

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From: Ally Beardsley (@gmail.com) To: Sam Reich (@droput.tv) Subject: Re: Announcements and info

Absolute freak behavior and i love this for you, sign me up for anything!

---

From: Mike Trapp (@gmail.com) To: Sam Reich (@droput.tv) Subject: Re: Announcements and info

Hi Sam,

Huh, that sure explains some things. This will probably be cool in future, but for right now, I think I need to do a bit of processing. I’ll let you know!

Cheers, Trapp

---

From: Vic Michaelis (@gmail.com) To: Sam Reich (@droput.tv) Subject: Re: Announcements and info

Hi Sam,

Intriguing! If you think he’d be up for the prosthetics, I’d love to have either of you on Very Important People next season. Both of you together would be even better!

Vic

---

From: Lily Du (@gmail.com) To: Sam Reich (@droput.tv) Subject: Re: Announcements and info

Hey Sam,

I’ve had a chat to Grant, and I would love to put this guy on Dirty Laundry. Grant says he’ll share what he finds out from the reddit person with me, and we might be able to make a good episode happen.

Cheers, Lily

---

From: Sam Reich (@dropout.tv) To: Other Sam Reich (@dropout.tv) Subject: Fwd: Announcements and info

Well, most people seem to have taken it well! Looks like we’ll be having some fun…

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From: Other Sam Reich (@dropout.tv) To: Sam Reich (@dropout.tv) Subject: Re: Fwd: Announcements and info

“Not exactly appropriate in a workplace setting”?

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From: Sam Reich (@dropout.tv) To: Other Sam Reich (@dropout.tv) Subject: Re: Re: Fwd: Announcements and info

We discussed this. You agreed.

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From: Other Sam Reich (@dropout.tv) To: Sam Reich (@dropout.tv) Subject: Re: Re: Re: Fwd: Announcements and info

I most certainly did not. I said “hm”. “Hm” does not count as agreement.

---

From: Sam Reich (@dropout.tv) To: Other Sam Reich (@dropout.tv) Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Fwd: Announcements and info

You do know this is a group of people who I can guarantee, on hearing the word “Master”, would react the exact same way Grant did?

---

From: Other Sam Reich (@dropout.tv) To: Sam Reich (@dropout.tv) Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Fwd: Announcements and info

Fine. “Other Sam” it is.

---

missed an installment of the game master cinematic universe?

original idea by @ace-whovian-neuroscientist: x

art by @northernfireart concept: x scissor sisters sketch: x sam and his doppelganger: x escape the death beam: x

by @bloopdydooooo drawing collection: x

writing by me (!) part one (escape the greenroom): x part two (deja vu): x part three (sam says 4): x part four (you think you know someone): x part five (point and counterpoint): x part six (a selection of correspondence): you are here!

[fiapartridge]

catching fire au | the underdog

jack hughes x hockey!player

summary: training camp

warning(s): cursing, jack's an asshole!!

a/n: send in some asks for the au <3 i kinda hate this, but hey im done w/ college apps and am ready to write woo

taglist (send in an ask or dm me if u wanna be on the taglist for this au!): @hockeyboysarehot

THERE’S A REASON no one takes a chance on the underdog. “She’s not fast enough, she’s not strong enough, she’ll get hurt.” But they don’t know Riley Dell. No one knew Riley Dell; of her capabilities, her strengths, her weaknesses. 

But this year, she was going to make a name of herself—no matter what, or who, stood in her way. 

SECT. I: TRAINING CAMP.

Media day was a living hell. The interviews consisted of the same tasteless questions: “How do you feel being the first female player in the NHL?” and “How are you going to measure up to the physicality of the other players in the league?” While everyone else was getting questions about their actual gameplay; how they’ll navigate their weaknesses and hone in on their strengths, Riley was getting compared to every single player imaginable.

And the pictures and videos weren’t any better. The photographers suggested that she layed off on the gloves and stick and instead held makeup—fucking makeup. Why the the fuck would she be holding a mascara wand on the ice? The entire day felt pointless. Not a single person took her seriously, and if she called them out, they would accuse her of complaining. She already got the “privilege” of being drafted, and now she wants to complain? Doesn’t look too great. 

The day after, everyone hit the ice for actual training. Finally, a time where she could prove that she deserved to be there; that she earned her spot; that Riley Dell was a force to be reckoned with.

The training camp roster was split into three groups: A, B, and C. Throughout the weekend, the groups were to scrimmage, playing each team once. Group A was the one to keep your eye on. The goaltenders consisted of Tyler Brennan and Vitek Vanecek; defenseman being Brendan Smith, Colin Miller, Luke Hughes, Cal Foote, Michael Vukojevic, Kevin Bahl, and Joe Gambardella; and forwards being Tyce Thompson, Michael McLeod, Curtis Lazar, Max Willman, Jesper Bratt, Tyler Toffoli, Flip Engras, Tomas Nosek, Jack Hughes, and Riley Dell.

“Lindy fucking hates us,” Jack groaned upon seeing Riley tying her laces on the bench as groups A and B skated around the practice facility, getting ready to battle in their first scrimmage of the training camp. “That’s why he gave us Riley, right? To get back at us for not winning in the playoffs.”

Luke skated around his older brother, watching as Jack eyes Riley. “I don’t know why you hate her so much. She hasn’t even stepped foot on the ice yet, Jacky.”

“It’s more than the ice, Luke,” Jack turned to the younger boy, annoyance laced in his voice. “Once she joins the team, the entire dynamic will be off. What will happen to the locker room, Luke, or what will happen when we celebrate our wins? Is she gonna come to the bars with us? It’s stupid, Luke.”

“It’s one girl, Jack. The locker room will be fine, and what’s wrong with her coming to the bars? If anything’s stupid, it’s you, man,” Luke scoffed. “Now come on, being an asshole isn’t gonna win us this game,” Luke said, skating towards the rest of the team.

Once Riley’s laces were tired, she jetted off towards the ice, landing in front of their star player. “Hi, I’m Riley. You must be Jack,” she smiled softly, hand out for him to shake, but when he never stuck out his, she retracted it quickly. “So, I heard you had a career-high last season. Sounds like a dream.”

“Yeah,” Jack grumbled, skating beside her. 

“Um,” Riley bit her cheek, thinking up things to say. Jack wasn’t much of a conversationalist, she thought. “Are you more of a toe-to-heel guy or heel-to-toe?”

Tired of hearing her voice, Jack spun around, stopping Riley in her tracks. “I don’t care that you got drafted to this team. Fitzgerald, and Lindy, and everyone else in this organization are going to realize they made a mistake and send you back to wherever you came from.” Venom pricked his tongue as the words smacked Riley one by one. Even the team didn’t like her. Driving his shoulder into hers, Jack watched her face turn from shock to complete anger. “Hope you didn’t unpack your bags, rookie.”

Swallowing the lump in her throat, Riley stood there, unmoveable. She wasn’t going to cry. She wasn’t going to give him the satisfaction, prove everything he assumed about her. She wasn’t going to let him win. Closing her eyes, she breathed in, out, and thought about every way she could make Jack Hughes’ life a living hell. Dramatic, but who knew there were real devils on this team?

“Nice job out there, Dell,” Nico smiled at Riley, nudging her shoulder as they bounded into the locker room. “Don’t worry about Hughesy, he’s a softie once you get to know him.”

“If he ever gives me the chance to know him,” Riley sighed. 

The game was a total train-wreck. I mean, their team won, but Riley was practically fighting for her life out there. Every single time she made it on the ice, Jack smashed her into the boards, or stole the puck from her, or never gave her the puck at all. His hate was evident and the entire team, not just team A but the entire Devils organization, could see it. How were they supposed to play an entire season together, when they could barely play one scrimmage?

“Don’t let that asshole win, Ri,” Luke stumbled into the conversation, placing his gear down by hers. Luke’s been playing with Riley for the past two years at the University of Michigan, and while they lost against Quinnipiac at the Frozen Four semifinals and Luke immediately left for the Devils after, their bond never deterred. Coming to the Devils felt like coming home (if home consisted of an egotistical jerk and a sexist media team).

Shaking her head, Riley held her practice jersey in her hands. “Promise me, that’ll be the last thing I do.”

[callsign-rogueone]

I don't know if I'm the only one wondering, but I wanted to know what you think about it in your girlfriendverse or in canon.

How do dragons handle childbirth? Since riders and dragons can sense each other's feelings and pain, I wonder what they think or how they react to the whole pregnancy and childbirth thing, because no offense, but I doubt you can block your dragon properly while you give birth to a human being.

Thank you in advance and btw, I love the way you think.🩵

Take care, beautiful.✨️

ooh interesting. I hadn’t thought about that before! we need Aimsir to call in since he’s been through this three times with Lilith lol

naturally, this question raises several more questions for me about the magic system 😅

I’d imagine that if at all possible, you should have a mender on standby to block the pain, to fix you up in case of emergency, and help you recover physically afterward. but when Brennan says he “blocks” someone’s pain, it sounds like he’s just stopping them from feeling it, and not taking it away or stopping the physiological process of it, so can the dragon still sense it?

and re: dragon and rider being able to “feel” each other’s pain… does the dragon actually feel the human’s pain at the same level / location, like it’s happening to them? or is it more of a “something is very wrong with your human, go save them!” impending-doom feeling?

I think it’s implied that the dragon is better at blocking out the rider, since they’re the ones who have the magic, they’re just sharing it with their human, and they’re older and have more practice using shields etc. so they’d likely be able to muffle the pain, at least, but I imagine it would still be distressing to feel the pain + be worried about the rider dying in the process, since this is a fantasy world without modern medicine, and even for us these days, it’s still risky.

I have so many questions about the level of medical tech in FW… I don’t know how much prenatal care and tracking they can do. I imagine that it’s always a surprise if you’re having a boy or a girl, and you don’t really know much about the baby’s health until they’re born.

also… imagine how much more protective your dragon would be if you’re expecting 🥺

they reproduce differently than us but they still understand — my human is making a tiny new human inside themself. this is a long, delicate process for them and they must be protected at all costs!

Cosa and Cath are not letting anyone “suspicious” get close to Love. Dain gets a pass obviously, and so do Brennan, Duchess, Darling, and Bodhi, since that’s her inner circle. the other marked ones are thoroughly sniffed and watched closely to check their vibes, but any fliers or non-Tyrrish better back the fuck up. Cosa is gonna be extra careful on flights (a little seat belt, like Tairn did for Vi at first) and maybe even reduce the strength of Love’s signet a little bit so she doesn’t strain herself.

and heaven help everyone when Duchess has her babies. the entire riot is going to be guarding her, and even Brennan isn’t safe. she’d have to reassure some of them that he’s her mate / the father of her child, and he’s not going to hurt her. and if she had to be on bed rest, Marbh would absolutely snitch to Brennan if she tried to climb up the hill to see the riot.

“I love the way you think” is the compliment of the century. I spend way too long on ask answers and I usually cut them down about 50% every time, believe it or not. it’s a jungle in here. but I’m glad it makes sense to people lol

love ya! stay hydrated 💗

[sipsandfables]

Unfiltered Thoughts While Reading: Iron Flame by Rebecca Yarros

⚠️⚠️⚠️ BEWARE! SPOILERS AHEAD ⚠️⚠️⚠️

Chapter 1

If I were Violet, I’d be like “Forget these biscuits and EXPLAIN YOURSELF SIR” 😂

If Brennan survived, then why did Tairn’s old rider die? 

“Stop bringing logic into an emotional argument.” Hahaha love Violet

I will say though that if she’s going to be mad at Xaden, she can be mad at Brennan for the same thing

Chapter 2

is this foreshadowing? Will Violet or someone else learn the art of ward building to save them all?

“Weapons are the only things that can win this war” for someone so intelligent, I’ve never heard Brennan say anything more foolish than that 

Andarna is a teen 😂

will she go through an emo phase? Hahaha

At least it sounds like her mom wasn’t in on this murder plot 

“Fucking Dain.”

Lol agreed

Chapter 4

I love how Dain acts like nothing happened. Like, wtf? Why are you surprised Violet hates you?!

Unless he didn’t know about the plan somehow and we all just assumed he did.

Also, maybe another mind reader read his mind and he didn’t actually tattle? But even if that’s the case, he still read Violet’s memories without her permission this whole school year

Chapter 5

“I’m pleasantly fuddled but not entirely sloshed.”

Lol I’m using that the next time I get drunk

Chapter 6

Violet has more self-control than me. She should have let Xaden stay the night lol

Chapter 7

I knew it! So, less dragons are bonding because of the war and the venin. I wonder if they are bonding with the rebels or just staying out of it completely 

Chapter 8

so Aaric is the kings son?! Bold move 

And now Liam’s little sister?! This series is going to kill me 😭😭😭

oh shes angry lol 

“What in the angry-Mairi was that about?”

Lol I love Rhiannon

“I've danced with Malek more than my fair share over this last year and told him to fuck right off every single time. ”

LOL

Fuck this dragon and fuck Varrish. What. The. Hell.

I’d be so pissed if someone ran after that because that stupid dragon is killing people in the way anyways. Hide ya kids, hide ya wife, they’re flaming everyone up in here.

“If Solas comes near you again, he knows I will devour his human whole and let him rot within me while his heart still beats, and then I'll take the eye I so graciously left him." "That's...graphic."

Tairn has the best threats lol he and Violet were made for each other

Chapter 9

I knew Imogen would grow on me!

Omg I bet the person they’re interrogating is Xaden. He never made it out to his post and it’s why he hasn’t come to see Violet. I just don’t know how they can keep the dragons from each other 

“"I can take her," Sloane fires back, white-knuckling her knife, "From what your letter said last year, her joints pop right out. How hard can it be?" "Seriously?" I shoot a reproachful look at Imogen. "I can explain." Imogen puts her hand over her heart, "You see, I didn't like you last year, remember? You're kind of an acquired taste."”

hahahaha I love the banter in this series

OMG!!! Nadine!!! I am NOT okay with how fast characters be dying in this damn series!! 😭😭😭

Chapter 10

I knew this dude was sent by Aetos. So freaking sloppy! And the more this book goes on, the more I think Dain didn’t know about the War Games thing. He’s an annoying prick but I don’t see him being malicious enough to let Violet walk to her death. Plus, I actually don’t recall him shitting on people with a relic. He just seems to hate Xaden lol 

Welp, there goes my theory about Xaden being tortured lol

I find it hilarious that Xaden is so obsessed with Violet’s hair lol

Chapter 11

“Coconspirators with a vested interest in keeping each other alive.”

Lol love Imogen. She’s giving me Ron Swanson vibes here with his “work proximity associates” speech 😂😂😂

Banning people from knowledge in order to keep their corrupt secrets from the public is not sustainable. Sure, it drastically slows the distribution of information but the truth always comes out - it’s just a matter of when!

I wonder if the Scribes are translating everything from the old language in order to hide more lies

 Varrish grinning at Violet saying “dragons don’t take orders from humans” does not bode well. Has he found a way to control dragons? Or at least influence them with blackmail or something else?

Varrish is such a dick. Like, get a life dude. 

Chapter 12

That comment about a blade of grass sticking to Violet was so random. 

Chapter 13

This Varrish guy is the worst. He’s like Miss Umbridge from the Harry Potter series

“You wish you were my type. I’m phenomenal in bed.”

Hahahaha I love Imogen. SHE BETTER NOT DIE

Oh no, I bet it’s that freaking survival class test! They’re getting kidnapped!

Chapter 14

Tairn is so sassy and I love it

Obviously, the water is drugged! Have they never read a fantasy novel?! 

I adore Ridoc 😍

HE BETTER NOT DIE

You would think there would be more crossover activities and exercises between riders and infantry if they have to work together so much and infantry are expected to work alongside dragons

Chapter 15

Rhiannon is responding to Violet keeping secrets way better than Violet is to Xaden lol She’s like “hey, you’re hiding something and that’s fine but don’t lie about lying” with Violet. And Xaden is like “Honestly, I have secrets I can’t tell but here are all of the intimate details of my life.” Come on Violet! Quit trippin' and get back with Xaden lol

I don’t like the rift going on between Rhiannon and Violet this book. They need each other and it’s annoying lol

Alright 2 things that annoy me about this book so far:

1. The lack of Xaden and Violet scenes  2. Violet being mad at Xaden for keeping secrets from her in order to protect others

 Chapter 16

Yesssss, Imogen is spitting facts!!! Hopefully this will convince Violet to let him back in

“I’m still speaking.”

Okay Imogen 👀 She could get it 😏

Oh man, I really hope nothing happens to Rhi’s family and she blames Violet for keeping her in the dark

Of course she misses the interrogation technique class!!! Bad move man

Chapter 18

Theory time: Omg is death what’s powering the wards??? Is that why so many more people are dying at an alarming rate? They need more students to die to power up the wards? And maybe daggers work because they are an instrument for causing death?

“I want you.” All day. Every day.

LOLLL

Omg I love how ride or die Rhiannon is about Violet lol 

Who’s soul is Nolon mending?!

Chapter 19

Theory time: Solas’ orange is off and Dain’s dragon's breath stinks because they’re giving the dragons some concoction. Maybe it’s to control them? 

“Humans have the memories of gnats. Dragons hold grudges.”

Pearls of wisdom from Tairn lol

Damn it Tairn lol while I love that he put Varrish and Solas in their place, things just got a whole lot worse for Violet 😬

Chapter 20

“Ugh. Let’s go throw knives at shit.”

😂

Has Mira met Imogen? They’d be two peas in a pod lol

I’m also shook that they kill civilians. Wowwwww

Chapter 21

Man, this is starting to feel like Final Destination since all the Resson survivors are dying one by one

“History and current events are tied because one influences the other.”

Interesting foreshadowing 

I like Devera and I feel like she’s trying to do the right thing while the rest of leadership goes to shit. Like Professor McGonagall does when Dumbledore is no longer headmaster 

“That’s what we’re not going to do.”

You tell em, Devera!

I bet Varrish will be in charge of the torture lessons given his background and he’s going to try to kill Violet 

I was JUST wondering where Dain has been. Haven’t heard his holier than thou whining in a while lol

omg I called it in the last book! Her mom gave Xaden those scars! I also still think I’m right about Dain being guilty of being a prick but not of sending his best friend to get murdered 

Rhiannon is so smart! She reminds me of Bree from Legendborn 😍

I knew I liked Aaroc/Cam for a reason! Hope he doesn’t die….

Chapter 22

It’s strange that Violet is so bad at remembering names when she studied to be a Scribe her whole life lol

Chapter 23

For some reason, book 2 reads a little more like a YA novel than the first book

HAVE THEY LEARNED NOTHING?! Don’t  eat or drink anything!!!

Okay, you didn’t drink but did you eat the jam?!

Ridoc and his snake confession had me cackling

lol I totally thought Ridoc broke first but he was lying haha

I knew fucking Varrish would somehow weasel himself into this training

They’re using Dain? Well hell.

Also, isn’t his signet supposed to be a secret???

Chapter 24

Wait, they’re practicing on civilians?!?! At what point do people wake up and think “hmmm, we’re the bad guys”?

"We should consider quitting the quadrant." Ridoc jokes as we walk over the door and out of the chamber, "We'd be kickass thieves." "With dragons," Sawyer agrees. "Unstoppable," Ridoc says with a grin.

This is giving Six of Crows and I. Am. Here. For. It.

Unlocking doors? hmmmm interesting 

Chapter 25

I know exactly who did this! A scribe! It was the person walking in the hood earlier that Violet noticed. I wonder if it’s her friend or someone else

Those statements have to be true - Markham is acting too squirrelly about them

FUCKING JACK IS BACK?!

Idk how I feel about this book now lol like really? 

Hundreds of cadets die every year and they spent valuable resources and time to mend him?! What happened to “we let the weak die”?! This is utter bull

Also, Nolon mentioned how hard mending a soul is….it doesn’t sound like Jack has a soul 

Chapter 26

I love the nonchalant way Sawyer and Ridoc are ready to murder Jack lol

Chapter 27

Territorial Xaden is the best lollll he’s like who the hell's jacket is that and why isn’t it mine?! 😂

Well, that escalated quickly 👀🔥

Chapter 28

Oh that has to be his ex. The one that Bodhi mentioned

I knew it!

Chapter 29

“Pull yourself together”

Tairn with the tough love 😂😂😂

“I will already know, as I am continuously with you,” he grumbles. “Forced to bear witness to the awkwardness that is twenty one year old humans.”

💀💀💀

I forgot who Professor Kaori is but I love them!!

Chapter 30

FINALLY Violet realizes how hypocritical she was being about Xaden when she tells her friends part of the truth

I bet Andarna is sleeping longer than expected because she’s going to be powerful as hell lol

Holy shit. Too many people die too often in this series. I don’t even remember who Eya is!

Ridoc better not die

Chapter 31

Freaking JACK saved her?!?! What is this rouse?!

I 👏🏾 don’t 👏🏾 trust 👏🏾 him 👏🏾 

Let’s go Aaric! Sidebar, I need a novella about him. He sounds hot

Chapter 32

I thought Aaric ‘s brother died in Threshing! Well I guess Xaden could have killed him then lol

There’s no way Nasya sleeps through his post every time. I bet he’s spying on them

Oh Imogen has it taken care of lol good. Also, that’s a badass signet!

Chapter 34

“The birth of iron rain” !?

That sounds ominous

OMG LADY STOP DRINKING THINGS FROM OTHER PEOPLE

Fucking hell. I honestly can’t even feel anger for Nolon’s betrayal because I’m too annoyed with Violet rn lol

Chapter 36

So Dain is finally choosing the right side!

I’m so glad Varrish is dead! He’s the worst lol. Violet will definitely have to watch her back from Solas

Yay! Devera came through!

The secret is out! Finally!

Chapter 37

🌶️🌶️🌶️

Chapter 38

Andarna is back!!! Yayyy!

I bet this “blood magic” means sacrifice! they have to kill people to build a new ward

I knew Mira would punch Brennan after seeing him for the first time haha

Chapter 39

The 6 strongest riders: Caden, Felix, suri, bodhi, violet, Brennan - I’m surprised Mira isn’t one

Chapter 40

I do think Violet is a little slow on the uptake when it comes to understanding her power which is surprising since she’s so smart

I’m excited about this sibling trip lol

Chapter 41

“Fuck it. We don’t need a luminary.”

Mira is a whole vibe lol

Cat is the worst and Violet is annoying me by listening to her lol Xaden is obsessed with you girl - ignore this jelly belly lady

Well that explains why Violet was trippin' hahaha wasn’t her fault

Chapter 43

yeah I agree - allowing people to die on the parapet is unnecessary lol

Holy shit ! This entire hike is stressful as fuck!

RIDOC!!!

Chapter 45

“The problem with mankind is we too often find our souls to be a fair price for power.”

Chapter 47

I hope Violet kicks Cat’s ass and makes it embarrassing for her lol

Chapter 48

Well that was hawt lol

Xaden talking shit about Dain will never get old lol

The way Xaden feels about Violet reminds me of Rowan to Aelin because his love isn’t conditional and based on if she’s “good” - “If you’re a monster, I’m a monster” (Queen of Shadows)

Xaden is very swoon-worthy lol

Chapter 49

I feel like it’s always Sawyer pitching the idea to just kill an annoying enemy (Cat, Jack, Varrish) and I’m here for it 😂

HE BETTER NOT DIE

oh no….am I starting to find Dain not so bad? Lollll

Chapter 52

Theory time: I really think these nightmares are real - somehow the Sage is communicating with Violet through her dreams Theory Time: I bet she gets captured or agrees to go to the head Sage by the end of this book to set up the next book

Oh god, I really hope an attack doesn’t occur while they’re on this training mission and then Violet feels responsible for not putting up the wards sooner 😬

Chapter 53

Violet must be thinking of Xaden and how he might go mad since his dragon was previously bonded with someone in his direct line

Fucking Solas. I almost forgot about this enemy!

Chapter 54

Honestly I’m surprised she doesn’t have more enemies since if you kill her, you essentially kill 4 beings in one swoop

Andarna is a badass

Chapter 55

No lie, this fight between Xaden and Violet is a little silly and getting exhausting

Ah, I came to the wrong conclusion about Xaden and his bond with Sgaeyl 

Chapter 56

Omg is Xadens second signet mind reading? That would explain a lot. It would also explain why he’s scared to share since they execute people with that signet

Called it!!! I’m glad her response was not immediately “I don’t love you anymore”

Now I need to reread these books to see when he reads her mind. Oh man, I hate to say it but it kind of sounds like what Dain did to her last year

hmmmm, that was too easy lol

Ugh, we’ve been here before - Violet discovers a big secret about Xaden right before some war conflict and they’re fighting in the midst of chaos. Not sure I’m a fan that it’s a repeat of the last book lol

Chapter 57

well I’m glad Cat has stopped being a twat and decided that focusing on saving the continent is the way to go over petty squabbles over an ex lol She reminds me of Lysandra but in a good way lol 

I think the trouble with the writing of their relationship is that Xaden is so amazing and their relationship is so magnetic that their conflicts feel forced. The obstacles they face within their relationship are hard to develop when Xaden is always saying the right things after they fight lol Not that I’d want it any other way - but I think that’s why I’m struggling with not rolling my eyes when they get into arguments. Violet deserves to be angry about the betrayal but then it just feels like her decision on what she’ll do next about them takes FOREVER and it feels like it’s dragged out across a whole ass book.

Omg did Brennan come?! Is he announcing his “undeadness”?!

Violet immediately wants Xaden to use his secret signet on the others? I don’t disapprove at all but that better mean she will forgive him swiftly lol

It isn’t in Violet to NOT help innocent civilians if she can.

“I love you enough to bear the weight of your disappointment.”

Total mom sacrifice right there!

I need a novella of their mom and dad and how they got together lol

Chapter 58

If I were with the Rebellion, I’d agree to help Navarre on the condition that they make it public knowledge that Venin are real and they’ve been lying to citizens for centuries in order to keep a specific amount of citizens safe - that way, they’re not leaving innocents to die AND if they all survive the battle at Solstice, the rebels will walk away with an additional win (the entire continent knowing the truth)

am I the only one who visualize white walkers from GOT when I read about the venin in this book? Lol

Alright let’s go!!! Way to not turn into the enemies! 

Chapter 59

What is with Andarna’s scale colors?! Their changing colors have been mentioned all book - I wonder what’s the significance? Is she a rainbow dragon?! That would be dope lol

Jack's dragon's eyes are weird? Another reference to dragons seeming off! I bet they’re controlling it! But who would want the wards to fail? Who is Jack in league with if Varish is dead? IS Varish even dead?! Did freaking Nolon bring him back to life like he did with Jack?!

What the heck?! Did Jack become venin?! Why did he slaughter his own dragon?!?

Chapter 60

I knew he became venin! But didn’t realize it was for SO LONG!

Well, everything is going to hell in a hand basket 

“Fucking Jack.”

Ain’t that the truth lol

There’s no way this battle is in this book, there’s not enough pages left!!!!

Chapter 61

Can Andarna turn invisible??!

I’m so stressed lol

Chapter 62

Omg is Andarna a chameleon?!

Chapter 63

Theory time: Andarna is head of the seventh den of dragons! This is why she’s so unique. She’s not actually black like Tairn . I bet she’s one of one making her the head of her den. It would make sense since she’s an orphan 

Add-on to the theory: I think both journals are right but describe it differently. Warrick says six AND the one that combines all which must be what Andarna is since she’s always changing colors. Lyra’s journal says seven because it combines the six and the one

Good thing Andarna can make fire now!

Chapter 64

Not a Liam letter 😭😭😭

This heartfelt moment between Andarna and Violet is everything. 

The way that Andarna looks up to Tairn gives me all the feels

What about Sloane?! Can she somehow reverse her power and GIVE instead of siphon?

Ah yep, apparently she can.

Her mom is going to sacrifice herself! 😭😭😭😭😭😭

Chapter 65

I’m honestly surprised Xaden killed the main sage. I figured he’d be a bigger part of the storyline 

Don’t tell me Xaden is also now Venin?! 😭

NOOOOO 😭😭😭

Sgaeyl is pissedddd

Chapter 66

OMG WERE THOSE XADENS DREAMS THE WHOLE TIME?! 

I can’t recall if Violet only had the nightmares when she slept near Xaden 😭😭😭😭😭😭

I am unwell.

[thoughtswordsandnonsense]

Helping hand

Writing to deal with post-Iron Flame depression. This is a loose Idea I had while not feeling good. (I don’t have EDS, but I do have chronic pain + vertigo so bear with me if this isn’t 100% accurate.)

Concept: Tairn snitches to Xaden that Violet is bedridden from pain + dizziness when they thought she had recovered from almost dying. Takes place after the ending of Fourth Wing. 

Violet Pov: 

Opening my eyes was a mistake. After days of trying to take it easy (mostly due to Brennan’s hovering) you’d think I’d be fine, but no. A slight slip down some stairs yesterday and the events of the past week are finally catching up with me and my traitorous body.  

“Silver one, do you need assistance?” Tairn's voice rattles my brain as my eyes try to focus on the room I’ve been sleeping in. Attempting to sit up, pain lances down my arms and back as the room spins like I’m practicing barrel rolls on Tairn. “I’ll be fine.” I mentally shoot back, trying to throw my feet over the edge of the bed, but swaying back, steadying my breath I try to focus on getting on my feet, though it feels like the smallest breeze will have me falling. 

“You need not lie to me, I feel what you feel.” He all but grumbles back, his grumpy attitude only further annoying me. Standing I grimace, the contents in my stomach rolling as I sway. Biting my lip I make my way to the wardrobe on the other side of the room and grip the door of it tightly, trying to steady myself. “You should stay put,” Tairn demands and I roll my eyes. “I have things to do today, why don’t you go eat some sheep or something.” Taking some steady breaths and opening the wooden door shouldn’t take all my energy. I wasn’t this laid up when Barlow tried to kill me, so why my body decided a simple fall and almost dying yet again is too much to handle, is beyond me. Though it’s never predictable when I do get laid up, there’s no real pattern as to what injury or sickness will leave me bedridden and which one won’t.  

A small creak has me turning to the door, the one person I’ve been avoiding standing there with his beautiful eyes all concerned. Wearing black flight leathers and a tight lip, he gives me the look that says he knows something’s up. 

“Tairn told Sgaeyl you needed me.” I glare. “He’s just in a mood and being overbearing, I’m fine.” He leans against the door, leather-clad arms crossed over his chest. “Oh, really Violence? Then stop white-knuckling the wardrobe and come over here.” His cocky tone only irritates me further. “I’m sure whoever is walking the halls doesn’t want to see me in only my nightgown. Now leave.” 

Xaden shakes his head and pushes off the door, coming further into the room as he shuts the door. Now cockily leaning against the wall. “Come over here and then if you can manage that I’ll let you go back to ignoring me.” He huffs and I glare. “Fuck you.” I spit at him, though my wavering tone doesn’t make me look any better. “Maybe another time when you don’t look white as a sheet and I’ve earned your trust back.” He sighs, his tone not leaving room for questions. “I’m fine,” I say as I let go of the door, taking small steps as the room angrily spins around me, head pounding as I try to concentrate.

“Let the wing leader help you.” Tairn all but growls in my head as I stumble, throwing my hands out to try and catch myself, but warm hands grab onto my arms, standing me upright. “Violence, let me help you. Please.” His voice sounds soft, lulling me into a sense of calmness even if I’m still angry with him. Pulling me against his chest his arms circle my waist as I lean into him, his leather jacket cold against my exposed skin, goosebumps rising though it's more than the cold causing them. “Let me help you Violence, do you need Brennan? Are you hurt?” His soft words are laced with a slight edge of panic. “It’s just the my joints come out of place, bruise easily thing. Sometimes it’s this. It’ll pass, Brennan can’t do anything for me, I just have to wait it out.” One of his hands wanders up and down my back, softly tracing my spine as his other lies circled around my waist. My legs ache as we stand there, eyes fluttering shut as I inhale his scent to distract me from the nausea the dizziness is causing. 

Before I can say anything Xaden moves, one arm is under my legs and the other is sweeping under my arms. Quickly, I wrap them around his neck even though it hurts to do so but I still manage to swat at the back of his head. “I’ll be fine. You don’t need to do this, I can take care of myself.” I say as we move, softly he lays on the bed with me in his lap. Pulling back I do my best to stare him down, trying to get him to leave. He’s seen me weak enough as is, I don’t need him to see me like this. Tucking hair that’s fallen in front of my face gives a small smile, soft and tender as his now warm hand lays against my cheek. “Just because you’re used to taking care of it alone, doesn’t mean you have to do it alone, just let me take care of you.” He pleads, my head swims as I drop it back to his chest, adjusting myself to lie on top of him. Xaden’s hands move and then puts a blanket on top of us, tucking it closely. One arm going to rest on my waist as the other begins to wander through my hair. “How can I help?” He whispers softly as I let myself relax into him. My head still swimming but his gentle hold helping ground me in the ever-spinning room. “Just, stay for a bit please,” I mumble out and feel him squeeze my waist softly. “I’ll stay for as long as you need me Violet.” 

[lazerv4]

Thoughts on Game Changers Season 6

Just my raw thoughts not a review or anything We are back again with another season of Game Changer or maybe we’ve been here the whole time. Welcome to Game Changer Season 6 thoughts on which unlike the previous post covering 1-5 I hope is not 7 pages long but we’ll see as I’ve just started writing this.

One thing I mentioned in my previous thoughts on was that Game Changer started to be able to fully manifest it’s original concept around season 4 but now it has truly become a whole different beast, Season 6 includes one single game samer as well as the most ambitious episode to date but again like before we are gonna go through the episodes in order so on to the premier.

Game Changer Season 6 debuts with a very traditional episode in Second Place aka the let’s bully Brennan this episode, the concept is simple, second place always wins the point no matter what happens and this deeply upsets Brennan while Ally and Oscar find it incredibly funny as the monologues escalate and the ridiculousness of the episode escalates until it crescendos into a tie between Oscar and Ally which leaves Brennan in second place and thus the winner of the episode as he launches into another iconic mug monologue that I hope goes down in history as the I cannot win one did so many years before back in Season 4, this is pure unadulterated Brennan and one of the funniest Game Changer moments both on episode 1 of the season.

Episode 2 is The Newlyweb Game, a very Dropout take on The Newlywed game in which 3 couples all at different stages of their relationship as Ify and Emily are dating, Tao and Alexis are engaged and Raph and Haley who are actually newlywed compete to assert dominance and prove they know their partner the best. The prompts in this episode are out of control as a main source of the information is the participants phones and they take full advantage of this asking about selfies, search histories and really strange phone notes that lead to one of my favorite jokes in the entire season, it’s a very fun episode with some great (probably) one time participants that pull their weight and enhance the episode greatly.

While the finale of the season had the most hype and work put behind it, if I had to pick the crowning jewel of this season it would be Episode 3 aka Sam Says 3. This is it, since Game Samers don't repeat more than 3 times (stated by Sam in cut for time and bts) they pull all the stops with this one, the cast consisting of Vic Michaelis, Jacob Wysocki and Lou Wilson is the ultimate chaotic theme of maniacs perfect for how off the wall this episode gets, frankly this is the episode I want to talk about the most but also the one that benefits the most from going in blind so we are doing this again SPOILERS START you can tell the episode is going for the fences right of the bat with the “do something cringe” which then leads to the incredibly pointless and funny swear jar which through the episode makes for some of the most hilarious moments as well cursing is very much a part of the show and since it had never been restricted it leads to many points taken, Sam then begins to fuck with them as he stops saying Sam says and also adds the freeze rule to just make it even more confusing, then we have really bizarre prompts like the fetish challenge which leads to the new supreme insult they try to use constantly “cum” which also leads to some of the most unhinged moments increasing the ante before quickly going for some more normal prompts to chill out the contestants like the slow mo and the do something for the trailer or the traditional special effect insert as well as some less convencional stuff like the don’t look at the little pig with a hat, the dedications and the how big is the hog prompt which do keep some edge on the contestants while still having their guard lowered so that when Zam the puppet comes out it can just completely confuse the contestants before jumping into insanity with both the cowboy clothes and the call everyone daddy or you lose points rule that just makes everything terrible before finally paying off the predictions made early in the episode. The front is now fully united as they agree to equalize points to have more fun before the final prompt (take a shot every time I wrote prompts) which is just having fun in a party bus that is just a dupe to have them lose points to swears and calling people by their name instead of daddy, Vic suffers the most from this part as equalizing the points just completely murdered her chance at winning as Jacob’s control of the daddy prompt made him lose the least amount of points and gives him the win, Lou was a lost cause as soon as he got inside that van even with the points equalized. SPOILERS END The episode is just so much fun and it will probably be remembered as one of the best episodes in the history of Game Changer, let alone this season.

Episode 4 is rather experimental as it’s more of an art contest for artist to show their creativity and flexibility which is very fun but doesn’t quite engage with what makes Game Changer unique from in this case a random youtube challenge rather than a game show but it’s still a fun watch and has some great prompts like the designing a cereal mascot segment.

Episode 5 the Deja Vu episode is the pinnacle of Sam fucking with his contestants which is really surprising after Sam Says but it does get increasingly confusing as the episodes continues to repeat over and over in a weird puzzle concoction that takes the team of Trapp, Ify and Siobhan quite a while to figure out but the payoff is just so much fun and the wenis is a great bit.

Episode 6 is one of the most unique episodes in the series as the whole concept is challenges to even get a buzzer to well buzz in and answer the trivia questions, the places where the buzzers are hidden get increasingly ridiculous as the first couple easy ones are taken until we eventually end up with stuff like one hidden inside a cake, one you have to convince someone outside to press through an audio only set up and interrupting a very intense make out session to get the buzzer on the other side of the bed. The cast of this episode is also rather fun with Erika and Rekha bringing their usual strengths to the show as well as the return of Becca Scott with foot jokes included. Overall the episodes take full advantage of the strengths of Game Changer and is just great television and a fantastic conventional finale to this season before jumping into the two parter which actually ends the season.

Episodes 7 and 8 consist of a single show split into two parts, The Ratfish which I’m told is very similar to The Circle but I haven’t seen that show so bear with me on this. The episodes also come with the most stacked cast in Game Changer history as we get Ally, Jess, Grant, Brennan, Katie, Zac, Rekha and special guest Eric Wareheim (from Tim and Eric) all participating in this bizarre role play texting clue among us type game.

The premise of the episode is that everyone is playing a character in a group chat text and little by little as prompts happen each contestant has to figure out who is playing every other character while keeping their identity hidden, this makes for a fantastic first episode as the stakes are high and the game is very close from the looks of it and then the episode ends leaving you wanting more during that grueling two week wait between episodes which well kind of led to disappointment as the game begins to fall apparent quickly since unexpectedly Rekha figured out the game way earlier than anticipated which breaks the tension but then Katie also figures out everyone which just complicates things further as well as losing both Zac and Brennan which lead a lot of the funniest segments of the episodes it just sadly couldn’t work as well this time around but the concept is solid enough where a Game Samer with more experience could go incredibly hard and I wouldn’t mind it even if it came in season 7.

Overall Game Changer Season 6 is more of the same but taken to 11, things get really hectic in the best ways possible and it continues to be the pinnacle of Dropout as a show only they could produce and make as excellent as it is. It is such a massive L the Emmys didn’t accept the nomination but nominated the currently terrible season of Jeopardy. Game Changer deserves all the recognition as some of the best television of the streaming era and this season just keeps showing why the Dropout team is one of kind and why it’s so worth it to keep this subscription above all others.

[echoequinox]

So, Neverafter spoilers, but I feel like everyone is like... inordinately mad at either the princesses, Brennan for writing the princesses, or. Both? Like... I’m not sure what exactly people were hoping for?

You have to think of the options, especially to this group of people. Someone mentioned that it’s like “Oh the disenfranchised group is actually bad, Both Sides of the Argument Are Wrong” and that’s like. Not at all the takeaway from the princess reveal, I feel. These are people who have watched their lives stretch out over and over into eternity, and not even their deaths, but how they were abused in life. They are abuse survivors from the very real, terrestrial, physical sense, all the way up to cosmic, divine, and magically.

Their goals, the ends that specifically Cinderella and Snow seek, make sense to someone in that frame of mind. They don’t just want the fairies to lose, they want there to be no hope of ever being abused by the Authors again. They want an end to the cycle, even if that means the end of everything. For them, the entire world is wrong and fucked up. The entirety of the Neverafter exists as a torment engine, to take these people, chew them up for fucked up cosmic morals beyond understanding or sense, and spit them back out as examples. And that sucks! They want that to be OVER, forever.

That said, honestly neither side is fully... evil. It’s not a good vs evil dichotomy, it’s an order/safety vs chaos/freedom dichotomy. The idea isn’t that the fairies want this out of their own selfish needs (at least not all of them), and neither are the princesses. They’re both operating on separate moral frameworks - the fairies view their way of life as being safe, correct, and right. The princesses see their goals as being an end to a cycle of abuse, and the potential to never abuse anyone ever again. It’s killing your kidnapper, yes that means ending a life, but if that’s what it takes to stop it, they’re willing to make that sacrifice.

And that isn’t bad, or morally wrong, it’s just different. Scheherazade will likely side with the PCs, but Aesop is probably gonna side with the fairies! And that doesn’t make him “evil”, it’s just... a way of looking at things through a moral framework. And honestly, I’m hard pressed to find a way for the PCs to escape the narrative without picking one of the two sides, because it really does seem like if the stories continue, and if the cycle repeats, eventually either the fairies will win or the princesses will cut the cycle short. The only way out I could see is like... writing them OUT of a story, making it real, so there’s no more iterations, no more cycle, and only a single life to live, like real life. Which would be nice, but I’m not quite sure how much power Goose’s true book has in regards to making writing real.

TLDR the princesses aren’t evil. They aren’t wrong, they just have a very different way of looking at things due to their abuse and warped view of how dark reality is. And that’s GREAT that’s good writing! I’d hate it if they were boringly adorable princesses who just want everyone to be happy and safe, because that’s the exact story we’re trying to avoid. That’s like... the whole point. There is not going to be a happily ever after. And with a story like this, why would you want one?

[yourfavoritebookclub]

WINGLEADER: A Xaden Riorson POV Fanfiction

CHAPTER 12

What the fuck was that, Sgaeyl?” I bark as we climb into the sky, each beat of her wings turning the trees and fields into a blur of green.

The sound of Sgaeyl’s huff is her only response. She’s gone oddly silent in my mind. A fact that’s got me plummeting into a state of panic.

“I am TIED to her. WE are tied to her. That makes things very, very complicated.” I feel like I’m talking to myself.

“You are behaving poorly.”

“I’m–” I stutter at the accusation. “I’m behaving poorly? This changes things. This changes everything.” I clench my fists so hard my nails bite into my palms, knuckles scraping against Sgaeyl’s diamond-hard scales

I’m spiraling, fast, falling towards a bottom that has no end.

I close my eyes as I struggle to regain control of the torrent of emotions flooding my mind.

I know there’s not a damned thing I can do to change the circumstances now at play. Humans have very little sway in the goings-on of dragons, but it still doesn’t stop the anger and dread that’s drilling a hole in my chest.

“You are yelling, and it is irritating.” Sgaeyl bites back, and it’s an effort to keep my mouth shut.

Wordlessly, she banks left, taking us east of the Flight Field, a stream of air trailing behind her wingtips as she glides at a slow, easy speed.

She’s giving me time to process, cool off, and put the mask of the Wingleader on before we dropdown into the chaos of the Flight Field.

Every trace of frustration melts as I sit in the wholly unconditional, undeserved love that Sgaeyl grants me. Even when I am hard to love.

Violet is making things…complicated.

More than complicated. This is messy on so many levels. Brennan is her brother. I am keeping secrets. Secrets that she is far too intertwined in.

I was ready to break a lot of rules to keep Violet from harm today. I was willing to put a lot of people at risk for her, and that means something I don’t want to admit.

But if I’m being honest with myself, I know what it means. I also know that pursuing Violet will only cause problems, and it’s not worth the damage it would cause if I chose to act on it. She is still the daughter of the one person who is capable of thoroughly ruining me.

She is a liability.

She is dangerous.

And her life is now tied to mine.

Sgaeyl lets out a puff, “Tairn does not make bad judgments.”

That’s the other piece of it I can’t work out. Knowing what Violet is capable of, I’m not surprised that Tairn chose her, but his convictions place him firmly with Sgaeyl and I, and he’d never put us at risk. So what does their bond mean where her allegiance is concerned?

“I know.” I say curtly. I’ll feel guilty about my behavior with Sgaeyl later. Right now, I’m still trying to claw my way out of the pit of dread that I’ve been in since we landed in that clearing.

Sgaeyl takes us higher and higher into the sky until the air grows thin. I close my eyes, tipping my head back as we’re enveloped in a layer of misty cloud. The air goes cold for a moment as we break through the clouded barrier between the world below us and the open sky around us.

…

We land at the edge of the Flight field with the rest of the Wingleaders a few hours later, dusk cloaking the sky. The mage lights have been lit, casting everything in an otherworldly glow.

The dragons stand tall and proud next to their newly bonded riders, their bright eyes and shining scales glinting in the light. Tairn stands, a behemoth among the throng of dragons and people alike.

The arrival and bonding of the “unbondable” dragon to Violet Sorrengail no less, combined with the Feathertail in the crook of his wing, has piqued the Quadrant’s curiosity. All eyes are now fixed on the trio standing in the middle of the field.

On the dais, Melgren has his beady eyes on Tairn, a slither of venom in his gaze. I can practically see the wheels turning, and they are clearly assessing a threat.

On the far side of the field across from us are the unbonded, a dark cloud at the edge of the mage lights’ glow.

The unbonded always become particularly vicious in the weeks following Threshing. And this year will be no different.

Except it will be. Because Violet is target number one. And that means my life is on the line.

I was ready to break a lot of rules to keep Violet from harm today. I was willing to put a lot of people at risk for her, and that means something.

If I’m being honest with myself, I know what it means. I also know that pursuing Violet will only cause problems, and it’s not worth the damage it would cause if I chose to act on it.

Violet makes her way to the front of the dais, and General Sorrengail rises as Violet moves to stand before the roll-keeper who records today’s bonded pairs. As Violet waits in line. Professor Kaori bounds off the platform where the higher-ups are stationed and stares open-mouthed at Tairn.

As if Tairn’s ego could get any bigger.

“Quiet, my shadow.” Sgaeyl says quietly, and I know she’s right. Whether I like it or not, this is a moment in history. More than that, it’s a moment for Violet. A well deserved one.

My shadows pull away from my body in tendrils, weaving in and out of the crowd and melting into Violet’s shadow at her feet.

“Is that really—” Commandant Panchek blurts.

“Don’t say it,” General Sorrengail hisses, her hard gaze not so much as touching her daughter, wholly focused on the Tairn. “Not until she does.” Even from my spot at the edge of the field, I can see the way Violet’s whole body goes rigid at the implication.

An unexpected slice of fury strikes a hard line down my body. Violet has spent her whole life being underestimated and undervalued. She’s had every opportunity to quit. To escape to the comfortability of the Scribe Quadrant and leave this death camp behind.

And yet here she stands. Tall and strong despite the pain she seems to carry with her every day. Despite the target that’s been on her back since the day she put her feet on that parapet. Gods, no one sees it. How can they not see it?

And now they’re all witnessing something they can’t comprehend. Something that makes them question how and why a dragon chooses a rider.

“Violet Sorrengail,” the scribe announces as she scribbles in the Book of Riders. “Nice to see that you made it,” she says, a nervous smile lining her lips. “For the record, please tell me the name of the dragon who chose you.”

“Tairneanach.” She says quietly. The Scribe shakes her head in amazement as she writes down his name. “I can’t believe he bonded. Violet, he’s a legend.”

She opens her mouth to respond, but no words come out. The color leaches from her face as she stares out, seeing nothing, fully encased in her mind.

I narrow my eyes, trying to get a better read on her face.

And then I realize what’s happening a moment before she does.

Andarna has chosen her.

“Violet, are you all right?” the scribe asks. When Violet doesn’t provide an answer, she asks again, “Violet? Do you need a mender?”

Violet clears her throat and opens her mouth.

I brace for impact

“And Andarnaurram,” she whispers

Pure, unadulterated shock spreads throughout the Dias. “Both dragons?” she squawks. Violet gives a small nod and the crowd erupts. Leaders are already in heated debate, cadets shouting their discontent to anyone who will listen.

I take a seat atop the base of Sgaeyl’s tail, settling in as we wait for things to die down.

“They’ve stirred up quite a ruckus haven’t they?” I say to Sgaeyl.

“Indeed.” She says simply.

I heave a sigh. She deserves an apology, and it’s better I do this now rather than later.

“I’m sorry. You didn’t deserve that.” I whisper. I close my eyes and swallow the lump in my throat, struggling to get the words out. “I’m scared. My control is slipping and I cannot fail. I cannot condemn what’s left of my people to death.”

She turns to fix me with a stare and blinks a large, sapphire eye at me. “Hone your fear into a weapon Wingleader.” She swings her gaze to Tairn and Andarna. “I will not stand and watch the future of dragon-kind be slaughtered. She is a good female. A new being on this earth”

“I understand, Sgaeyl. I really do.”

“I know you do My Shadow.”

A few moments later, Liam finds me, a broad grin on his face.

I jump down, unable to hide my own smile, as his dragon Deigh, meanders over, stopping at a distance.

I wrap my arms around him tightly before pulling away, hands on both of his shoulders. Examining him for any signs of harm.

“You did so well. I might even say I’m proud.” Liam goes pink around the ears, and I give him an amused smirk. Liam Mairi, always humble.

“High praise, Xaden. Thank you. When Deigh chose me—” He pauses, shaking his head. “It just feels like we’re closer to everything we’ve been working toward.”

“We are. Day by day, and now I’ll actually get to see you. You can come with us,” I say. A subtle nod to our monthly activities.

“What are you going to do about Sorrengail?” He asks, nodding his head at Tairn.

While Bodhi is family, and Garrick might as well be, there’s a sense of relief settling over me now that Liam is here. Having one person who I can be honest with - no, who deserves my honesty - is an indescribable weight off of my shoulders.

“I don’t know,” I mumble,“protect myself I guess. Protect us both.” I pause, running my fingers through my hair. “I don’t know at all.”

“We are leaving,” Sgaeyl says simply. I assumed there would a meeting with the Empyrean. However, I have little doubt that Violet will still have two dragons at the end of this day.

“Tairn says to stay with Violet while we are gone.”

“Obviously.”

Sgaeyl brings her head down to give me a light thump on the head with the tip of her snout. I groan as her breath tousles my hair into a tangled mess. I scowl and bring my hands up to smooth my hair down.

She lets out a grumbling laugh from low in her chest, and I’m met with another gust of wind as she shoots skyward. Laughing softly I throw up my middle finger as she hovers above us, waiting for her mate.

Tairn stays planted on the ground for a moment and swings his head to look at me, “I expect the Silver one to be in one piece when we return, Wingleader.”

I cross my arms in front of my chest and give him a curt nod, glaring at him through lowered brows.

He narrows his eyes at me as an irritated growl fills my head. And then without a backwards glance, he flies off to meet his mate.

Liam and I take in the dusky sky, mottled with hues of orange and violet as the cluster of dragons become nothing more than small specks on the horizon.

He turns his gaze towards me with a joyous light in his eyes, and, for the first time in a while, I don’t hate myself completely for where I’ve put my people.

For a heartbeat, I can imagine what it might feel like to hope.

[elle-thereafter]

Druid and Barbarian for the ask game? :D

Druid - What is your favorite non-canon ship?

Oh boy this is a tough choice. I am an equal-opportunity ship-reader and sometimes there is great “what if” stuff buried just around the edges of canon. Fjord and Caleb have just so much chemistry and I absolutely love the idea of their early-mid C2 relationship going into the bedroom and getting deliciously complicated because I can’t see either of them wanting the rest of the party to know. Not because they’re ashamed but because they know they’re bad for each other at that point and using each other in ways that aren’t healthy and will not lead to anything good.

I also desperately want an Astrid/Essek exploration. I have no idea what it would look like, whether it’s an AU or maybe they met while Essek was doing the dirty with the Empire before the M9 waltzed into his world or maybe it’s post-Caleb because Astrid is absolutely the type to Clone herself. But I want it because in my head it is fabulously crunchy. So if anyone ever finds it please send it to me post haste.

Barbarian - Who is your favorite villain?

How dare you. How dare you make me pick between Raishan and Asmodeus.

I am a sucker for the “forced to work with the villain to stop something worse” trope, and Raishan ticks all the boxes. She outfoxed them so many times and nearly beat them the last time too, if that Feeblemind hadn’t worked I think they’d have been pretty fucked. But also! The Feeblemind was the perfect fucking way to end her. A great, poetic end is part of a great villain arc!

But Asmodeus probably wins for me, if only just. Brennan managed to infuse the Lord of the Hells with a perfect mix of mind manipulation and low-key uneasy hints at malevolence and outright unrepentant devilry. The interplay between Asmodeus and Zerxus is a masterpiece that I have watched a hundred times and will probably watch a hundred more times. There are so many moments during EXU Calamity where you seriously, genuinely doubt even just for a second that Asmodeus is a villain. Maybe he is just misunderstood. And while you think that you know that can’t be right but he’s just so convincing you can’t help but buy into it, even if it’s only just a little. Such delicious tension.

Also! Aabria and Travis and Lou and Marisha made the best faces during the Asmodeus scenes, I could watch their reactions all day. Pro tip: re-watch all the Asmodeus scenes, but take two post-it notes and cover Brennan and Luis so you don’t reflexively watch them while they’re talking and then you can feast on the rest of the player reactions without distraction.

[fangirlshrewt97]

D20 - Dungeons and Drag Queens Ep 2 Notes

Oh man, I am so far behind. I will try to finish the other two episodes within the next week if possible. Let’s see. 

---

I love Jujubee placing herself in the middle of the group. No one will come at her first

"But you're the oldest one here trying to die bitch" LOLOL

"But I'm not dead. [...] And since I'm not alive...Bitch!" That is Jujubee's second retraction after accidentally eating the magical seed. Love the table just falling over themselves at these antics. "What did you roll a one?  A one on steath?"

"If you roll a one, we are going to end up with a guppy.: Bob with the incredible quips once again.

"Did she lose her sense of fashion" Brennan just losing it while Monet just looks so done and disappointed.

Alaska's expression whenever she goes into character is top notch, that growling face

"Dinner is served!" "Is she going to fucking eat us...we're rotting?!" LOL

Monet jumping into the explanation before Brennan even asks her to. So excited, so cute.

Gertrude's attack was so cool.

Here we go with Brennan making all his players cry again. This man's storytelling abilities are awe-inspiring

"What the going gets tusk, the tusk gets going." All of these character taglines are so on point.

Awww this uncle is so sweet.

Lol Troyan forgeting the spell letting them take characters across the river is so perfect.

Them rushing to write down the name of the Goddess is also very nice. They are great first time DnD players!

Damn Nyruth is handsome too. The character artists for this season really went all out (But then again, they always do at D20).

Oh my god Jujubee is so chaotic, the others spend half the show just trailing behind trying to clean up their mess. Brennan must love her for it.

"I wanna get wet." Brennan stop! God why does it always make me blush when he just says stuff like that!

Jujubee is so proud of the Monet X Change pun lololol

"I can disguise myself as a flashlight" Lol, I don't know how much jujubee genuinely wants to play, and how much she just wants to cause chaos, but I love her for it.

I kind of wish we had gotten a chane to see Brennan's expression as the Queens are discussing this double crossing plan.

Unbelieve Brennan, oh my god. Just playing on the Paula Abdul bit.

I like the flash cuts to Alaska's reactions to the antics of Bob and Jujubee, where she is just mentally rolling her eyes, like what is happening right now?/are you serious?

Oh my god, "Dispel his Dispel Magic". So convoluted

Holy shit, three ones! Oh no that jack that is going to eat them.

Did Monet just try to trick Brennan the DM abut what dice to use? Lol

"D'Hamia - Snatched and Thirsty" the captions are superb

"I pour your tea in a bucket" Glad to see them all remembering Princess's size lol.

All of them playing out what's the best plan is actually so nice. Like they are really leaning into the RP this season, because for newbies, a ton of combat would be heard. And it's nice seeing the Queens trying to logic out what would be the best moves to do. Even if their dice don't always let them.

"4" "Hundred" Twyla is so chaotic, my god, she always just does the most insane choice. ...I really want her to play with Emily (RIP their poor DM)

Ooooh Troyan's mom is only saving herself...

"She sounds like an alcoholic" Brennan has been wheeze laughing so much this episode, it's delightful

Oof, brutal revelation

"It wasn't like 'Hey girl!'" Brennan's expression is so funny

D'Hamia interactions with Princess are great

"We are going to pimp out our orc friend." Bob is just killing it with the one liners.

---

Oh god this preview is so dramatic lol

---

That was a good episode! I can see the campaign will likely be very light in combat, which makes sense, the Queens are making the RP and character choices that are so entertaining and fun to watch. Excellent season so far.

[unsleepingtales]

Neverafter episode EIGHTEEN???? Reactions/freakouts/baba yaga fangirling etc.

Puss in Boots canonically wears lifts in his boots

She seems so gleeful to be followed by death and I really love it

YES I LOVE THAT. I LOVE THAT SHE’S WATCHED COUNTLESS AUTHORS DIE BUT SHE STILL EXISTS BECAUSE HER STORY AND THE POWER SHE HOLDS IN CULTURE IS SO MUCH GREATER THAN A SINGLE AUTHOR.

Baba Yaga absolutely shooting down a full bottle of whiskey and a whole wad of bubblegum is iconic

Brennan’s mannerisms as the baba yaga… no I shan’t say it.

How did I completely forget that the stepmother’s name is a plot point

Oh god the two children immediately wanting to offer the most important things in their lives for this thing that might not even be a solution but that they think might help? Too real.

Brennan fully and DIRECTLY referencing the avengers with that line. Fucking wild. That was an insane choice he made just then.

DROPOUT MERCH TEAM I NEED BABA YAGAS WORKOUT SHIRT NOW PLEASE I NEED A SHIRT THAT SAYS CANT STOP BEING DOMINANT

Oh my god oh my god they’re being given tasks. This is like. Baba yaga shit. Of course it is. Oh my god.

The fact that Pinocchio chose to ask Gerard for help and advice <3 adorable

DID SHE EAT DEATH

Ohhhhh Ylfa wearing the coat of death

Oh my god Death gave so much for her. Ylfa looks so shaken.

Awww Rosamund checking in on Ylfa is so sweet

Oh god not the heron

Murph and Brennan iconic duo not saying anything of substance while saying everything they need to

A FIVE?

W h a t

GERARD

GERARD STOP

Oh that was the meanest possible thing she could have said. But also. Gerard. That means she wanted to say something kind.

Gerard. Don’t rise to the bait. Please.

SHUT UP RAPS

It is simply not true. Because curses don’t FUCKING work like that and you know it. So go away with your creepy hair and your lies.

Gerard <3

Oh god Siobhan is such a good actor

Rosieeeeee

You got popcorned up!

Emily Axford’s speech patterns… fascinating

Ylfa’s defining deed on her way to becoming Death was to send the previous Death to his own demise and that is so cool

DoNt FrEaK oUt

Humor an old… preteen

Emily Axford crying at the table alert

I am so appreciative of the little flicker of Brennan checking in on Emily that came across their faces for a second in the scene. It’s so cool to see.

Brennan and Emily. Are so good together.

We went from somewhat wholesome to fucking terrifying SO fast

Oh god not the art again-

Name? Name? Name?

OHOHOHOHOHO THATS A GOOD NAME

Pulled. A little red cloak. Out of the ground. Right after everything with Red. Oh good god.

OH BOY OH BOY

Does he look… happy?

Brennannnnnnn

Oh god. Jack’s wishes. Oh god.

Ooooh Ally nice job

EVERYONE LEFT

(Zac realistically imitates a cat playing the harp)

Oh shit is the big bad wolf no longer ylfa

DAD

Tim and Henryyyyy

Oooh this episode is so cool

Henry was officially killed by bainbridge lmaooo

ARE WE GONNA GET A LINES BETWEEN BATTLE SET

MURPH

BRIAN MURPHY

I cast banishment on the actual man Murph.

Emily fighting tooth and nail for her mans rn

What happens if they die in the lines between??

LOU CRAWLING ONTO THE TABLE

Preview reactions:

I am so obsessed with this set holy shit

THIS is the horror pet of the campaign?????

This is the second to last episode oh god oh no

[runningwolf62]

Oh my God RODDY this is so good I am gonna go scream. Right. Right.

She exhales heavily, her breath a puff of condensation in the cold air. “Esti mentioned something the other day,” she says, and already, Brennan does not like the course of this conversation. The lead-in, rather than the direct question. I heard from Uncle Irvin - Evelyn mentioned - I recall Maxwell saying something - Mother and Father said that - this, too, is at home in Ostwick, from a noble human’s lips. 

I am so glad you understand my ramblings, that you get it, that Brennan's family doesn't ask, they give him the rope to hang himself and see what knot he ties. It's a statement, because they trust the other person more than him, they aren't asking for his side, they want him to correct it himself.

She doesn’t sigh, doesn’t shake her head and curse Brennan’s attention span, stupid distractible boy - she’s just looking at him like she’s trying to cut him open with her eyes. “Esti,” she says, putting some emphasis on the word, like she’s trying to make sure Brennan focuses this time, “said that you were here on the Conclave on behalf of your family.”

God you nailed that, the way his family doesn't understand how his mind wanders, the impulses (all my characters get my ADHD, as a treat.)

I'm gonna chew on this so read more

And I could be free of them. Brennan hasn’t dared think those words before. He could be free of his family, and then - what? Become a stablehand for the Inquisition? A messenger, maybe, ride a horse across Thedas and see all the lands beyond Ostwick, beyond this little piece of Ferelden he’s traversed? Jobs far below his station and status, but maybe it could keep you out of trouble, as if anything could, whispers the specter of Maxwell.

I have been playing with the idea that as Brennan was wandering around the Conclave it was occurring to him that he could run. He could just never go back from the Conclave (his family had assumed he wouldn't, that the lead would hold that far, but he was eyeing the fence and thinking he could jump it). Both of those are ideas I've had for him if he isn't Inquisitor (I can't kill him in the conclave, he's my boy)

Esti is what’s called a First, as in the first person to be heir if something happens to the clan’s leader, the Keeper. Dalish leaders are all mages, Brennan knows. The opposite of human noble families in the Free Marches, where any mages would be struck from the line of succession. Maybe it would’ve been better had Brennan been born a mage; he could have been cast out years ago, forfeit to the Circle, and that would be that. They couldn’t kick him out like he was kicked from Templar training. 

Okay Roddy, stop reading my mind because I was just mentally playing with Brennan reflecting on if it would've been better if he'd been a mage (and the horrifying question of would he have fucked up enough to get Tranquilized? Give him back to his family nice and well behaved?)

“I mean no disrespect,” Brennan says, and he hopes Ena understands that he does in fact mean it, that this is not a passive-aggressive game he’s playing, he’s not like that, not like Maxwell and Evelyn, “you don’t know my family.”

This is still so good. *chef's kiss*

This is - is this her not mad? Even if he knew what to say, Brennan’s mouth has gone so dry that he doesn’t think he could speak. She’s glad he was here. No one has ever said that, whether or not they even actually meant it.

True and painful.

therefore Brennan owes her the truth of how his presence will drag everything down

God, that line snuck up on me and hit like a truck.

“I–” Would they? They wouldn’t, because this is their unfavored son? - They would, because this is still the Trevelyan name? They would, because he is a liability running loose? - They wouldn’t, because he can be the Inquisition’s problem now?

They would like to be informed, though if the Inquisition truly believes him to be of aid to them, they may keep him until such time as his services are no longer useful. [Brennan is theirs, not as family as possession]

I really love Ena through all of this, because Brennan's so clearly on guard and uneasy because he's reading it through the lens he's always had to with his family, tolerated at best, brought out when expected, hidden when possible, double meanings, expectations they think he'll fail at, that he's being judged and found wanting. Not what Ena's actually doing, which is trying to figure out what is wrong with the Shem boy her sister brought back as a bestie. I love how she talks to him, she'd be getting a lot of little [Brennan slightly approves] in the corner as he realizes he's not being baited into a conversation to trap him.

@runningwolf62 I give Brennan a conversation to overanalyze because he’s not used to an older sibling who doesn't suck. Set extremely early on in Inquisition.

---

Even the outskirts of Haven are always filled with activity, a constant bustle that’s impossible to escape unless Brennan wants to get lost in the mountains. (He does not want to get lost and die in the Frostback Mountains.) It’s only gotten worse in the time they were away in the Hinterlands; Cassandra and Leliana’s Inquisition requires manpower, and it has arrived in spades to the site of the Divine’s death and the Herald of Andraste’s rise.

But Brennan is nothing and no one, and even in the flurry he can go ignored. Maybe if he’s lucky, when the horsemaster arrives, Brennan can find some sort of work in the stables, and remain no one but have a purpose in being here. But for now he can stand and look out over the lake and be assured that no one but Esti will stop as they pass him by.

He doesn’t turn when he hears footsteps crunching past in the snow. Then a voice: “Brennan?”

That is not Esti, who, last she said, was going to ask Solas for help with her combat magic. That is Ena, her sister, Andraste’s alleged herald, escaping unnoticed from Haven because half a dozen incompatible rumors of her identity have still not been clarified to the majority of people. All those whispers: the Herald of Andraste is an elf, unless she might not be? Has those tattoos typical of the wild elves, unless she doesn’t? She’s blonde, or a redhead, or a mage - no, there, that’s her, yes I know she doesn’t look like you expect, I didn’t either–

Andraste’s herald is a Dalish warrior with bold red tattoos on her face and a placid smile on her face as she approaches Brennan. He finds it impressive how adept she is at keeping that smile up; it’s the perfect court-smile, one that would be at home in a ball in Ostwick on a noble’s human face. It doesn’t reach her eyes. Those smiles never do.

“Hey,” he says, failing to force his own version of one of those smiles. “Do you need something?”

She exhales heavily, her breath a puff of condensation in the cold air. “Esti mentioned something the other day,” she says, and already, Brennan does not like the course of this conversation. The lead-in, rather than the direct question. I heard from Uncle Irvin - Evelyn mentioned - I recall Maxwell saying something - Mother and Father said that - this, too, is at home in Ostwick, from a noble human’s lips. 

Ena’s tattoos stretch all the way across her cheeks, from her forehead to her chin, and the red ink that touches her lips is the same shade of red as the pigment she uses to color her lips. It’s striking. Brennan is sure his family would hate it. Shit, she finished saying something and he missed all of it, and she’s looking at him like–

“Sorry,” he says, and he is at least able to offer her a sheepish smile this time. “I missed - uh, you were saying?”

She doesn’t sigh, doesn’t shake her head and curse Brennan’s attention span, stupid distractible boy - she’s just looking at him like she’s trying to cut him open with her eyes. “Esti,” she says, putting some emphasis on the word, like she’s trying to make sure Brennan focuses this time, “said that you were here on the Conclave on behalf of your family.”

As if a cloud had covered the sun, the air grows colder. “I…” He’d told Esti that, when she said that she was here on behalf of her clan - she said that she and her sister had split up to cover more ground, that she was ending up down empty corridors because her sister told her to go the opposite way of any Templars that she saw - and Brennan said that he was here on behalf of his family, and he was hiding out of the way because he didn’t want to be here at all, because he was his family’s last resort, because he didn’t know what he was supposed to do, and if Esti wants him as backup so she can stick her nose where it isn’t wanted, he’s happy to provide - what else was he going to do.

He’d said a lot about his family to Esti - it was easy, when he thought they’d be going their separate ways at the end of a week, a month at most if he was forced back to Ostwick and they took the same road back toward Wycome. And Esti had said a lot about her clan, about her sister–

How much did Esti say to her sister?

“Brennan,” Ena says, softly but firmly, like standing calm and confident before a panicked horse. “Have you sent word to your family that you are alive?”

He wonders how cold it would be if she were to push him into the lake. “I - no. No, I - no.”

He told Esti he was from Ostwick, but he didn’t tell her his family name, because it was meaningless to her. Her clan traveled along the coast of the Waking Sea and Amaranthine Ocean, if they weren’t following the Minater River, but she’d never been to Ostwick. And even if she had, she would have left it soon enough, would not have cause or care to remember the names of the noble families situated there. Ena can’t tell House Trevelyan of their wayward son, because she does not know he is the son of House Trevelyan. 

“It’s - it’s better,” he adds, stumbling over his every word, “for everyone, if they think I’m dead. They don’t have to deal with me anymore. They - they can be free of me.”

And I could be free of them. Brennan hasn’t dared think those words before. He could be free of his family, and then - what? Become a stablehand for the Inquisition? A messenger, maybe, ride a horse across Thedas and see all the lands beyond Ostwick, beyond this little piece of Ferelden he’s traversed? Jobs far below his station and status, but maybe it could keep you out of trouble, as if anything could, whispers the specter of Maxwell.

Ena is no longer smiling. “Sometimes I think Esti would say the same,” she says. “That it would be easier for the clan if she weren’t around, or better if she weren’t in the line of succession.”

Esti is what’s called a First, as in the first person to be heir if something happens to the clan’s leader, the Keeper. Dalish leaders are all mages, Brennan knows. The opposite of human noble families in the Free Marches, where any mages would be struck from the line of succession. Maybe it would’ve been better had Brennan been born a mage; he could have been cast out years ago, forfeit to the Circle, and that would be that. They couldn’t kick him out like he was kicked from Templar training. 

“And that isn’t true,” Ena continues. She tilts her head slightly as she looks at him. Like studying him, trying to parse if he is like Esti. 

“I mean no disrespect,” Brennan says, and he hopes Ena understands that he does in fact mean it, that this is not a passive-aggressive game he’s playing, he’s not like that, not like Maxwell and Evelyn, “you don’t know my family.”

Her head straightens, her lips tighten. “No,” she concedes. “I suppose I don’t.”

She doesn’t seem to like that answer. But he’s not sure she understands, either. She teases Esti and Esti groans and tells her to knock it off and Ena just ruffles her hair, but in those moments there’s a smile on Ena’s face that reaches her eyes. And when there are demons, or Templars, or rogue mages, Ena plants her feet firmly in front of Esti, so that claws and blades and spells will strike her first. She grabs Brennan by the collar and yanks him away from a mage’s glyph on the ground and asks him, you okay? She checks on everyone that way, after every skirmish, turns to Solas and Varric and Brennan to make sure they’re all right, as if she isn’t the one bleeding.

Brennan tries to picture Maxwell or Evelyn, hands bloodied by the guts of a ram they felled themselves, so that some refugees wouldn’t go hunger. He tries to picture either of them telling a near-stranger that their family is better with Brennan in it.

“They’re probably just grateful I was the one to get blown up, not my brother,” Brennan says. Ena raises her eyebrows. “Maxwell - my older brother - he was supposed to attend. But he fell ill, and I was sent instead. They’d - they’d probably just be mad, if they knew I’m alive. Because that means I wasn’t even up at the Conclave, I was down here in Haven just…”

Just fucking around. Making jokes about how he didn’t believe in the Maker or Andraste, with a Dalish elf who he joked was a spy, and he helping legitimize her. He can only imagine what Maxwell would say about that.

Ena’s brow is creased, her frown deepening. “Well,” she says at last, “I’m glad your brother was sick, too. So that you were here, and Esti didn’t have to be alone for all those days she thought I was dead.”

This is - is this her not mad? Even if he knew what to say, Brennan’s mouth has gone so dry that he doesn’t think he could speak. She’s glad he was here. No one has ever said that, whether or not they even actually meant it.

“Are you coming to Val Royeaux?” Ena asks after another few moments.

Val Royeaux. Cassandra and Leliana and Josephine think they should go there - have the Herald of Andraste address the clerics who survived the explosion by being so unimportant that they weren’t invited to the Conclave. “Am I allowed?” Brennan asks. He hadn’t thought Cassandra was particularly happy when he and Esti attached themselves to the group going to the Hinterlands to seek out the Chantry mother, Giselle.

Ena shrugs. “Esti’s coming,” she says. “And so is Varric, and he was basically here because Cassandra kidnapped him, and now he’s decided he’s invaluable to the cause. I think Cassandra is more bothered by that than anything about you and Esti.”

“I don’t know that I wouldn’t just make things worse with the Chantry, somehow,” Brennan adds. “Failed Templar, you know.”

“You’re going to be in the company of three elves,” Ena says, “two of whom are mages, and two of whom have very obviously rejected the Chantry.” She taps her finger against her chin, and the red lines of ink there. “No one is going to be looking at you.”

He almost protests - he can hear Maxwell whispering over his shoulder, telling him that Ena is doing important work trying to close a hole in the sky and save Thedas, and therefore Brennan owes her the truth of how his presence will drag everything down. Then he decides that no, she would know better than him how humans are wont to stare, to treat elves like her. Orlais might not know a Trevelyan by sight, but they will know a Dalish elf.

“My hope is that Cassandra can do all the talking and I’ll only be needed as a prop,” she adds, waving her marked hand. That smile of hers, the bland, empty one with hollow eyes, returns to her face. It’s the smile she put on when they met with Mother Giselle. Brennan suspects he’ll be seeing a lot of it. “But you have until we leave to decide.”

Ena turns and takes a few steps to leave, before she abruptly stops short. “You,” she says slowly, “would know your family best to know - would they take great offense to learn that neither you, nor this Inquisition, informed them of your survival?”

“I–” Would they? They wouldn’t, because this is their unfavored son? - They would, because this is still the Trevelyan name? They would, because he is a liability running loose? - They wouldn’t, because he can be the Inquisition’s problem now?

“Think on it, at least,” she says. “If the pot will boil over if you ignore it. Or, tell them that you sent a messenger who never arrived because they were eaten by a demon.” Her lips quirk to the side in a playful smirk.

Brennan can’t help but chuckle. 

“You can hold onto that one,” Ena says, the smile growing wider for a moment before suddenly it is gone. “And if you think your family are the sort who would buy into this ‘Herald of Andraste’ nonsense, and that I might be able to smooth things over, you need but ask.” She dips low in a sarcastic sort of curtsy, her marked left hand flourishing in front of her, her right lifting imaginary skirts though she is dressed in practical woven leathers and furs. “And I will pretend I know the will of their prophet.”

Even if the words are only a token - less mocking than the physical gesture that she has paired with them - he appreciates it anyway. It’s more than he has cause to expect. “I’ll keep that in mind,” Brennan says. “But the messenger story might be better.”

“Mhm. Keep it simple.” She smiles wryly and then nods at him. “See you around.”

“Ah - y-yeah. See you.”

He watches the supposed Herald of Andraste, the will-be savior of the world, mender of the torn sky, make her way back towards Haven, and he wonders if she came out this way for another reason, or only to speak with him.

[ginger-canary]

Freckles watches Starstruck Odyssey #3 thoughts

Siobhan looks so good I’m obsessed

the brain slug ain't a problem it's a blessing

Skip has ONE thing and it's a book of carpet samples 

Fucking love how Sid can't see colours but Riva sees shrimp colours minus red 

The Margaret and Sid team is so powerful

"can we just change the name of the ship" i love it 

GUN FLUTE??? everyone's doing the help action cuz this is a TEAM

Mona's hot i should've seen this coming "

our life is bad? I like our life" Riva babey I love you. They get to tube around!! amazing.

"doomed by the lack of the business manager" STILL SITTING LIKE A CAT WITH RIVA OH MY GOD 

"what do humans eat" oh god. Health insurance covering minimums oh dear

THE WURST YOU GUYS 

 Riva go babey go you got this they're a UNION NOW 

Oh no Gunnie you have LOANS. Handy Annie freezing the card in a block of ice

Not the M&M store "in a world with no gravity the ball going up is unexceptional" oh my god "it's 5 am" "it's 11:55" Ally how dare you 

FOR DIFFERENT REASONS I ALSO NEED THAT INFO Ally forgetting their role in the group is so funny

Don't split up last time y'all fucked up so hard. shit the bride to be is so cool I never thought I'd be rooting for a multilevel marketing scheme 

emily axford why

BARRY

Brian Murphy I'm in pain why

Riva's first lie of omission OH NO THERE GOES THE SLUG

What is up with amercadia I’m so concerned

Ally's inspiring speech is back and it's so precious. This all just feels like a curse. 

 Barry how'd you even know the word Cabernet GUYS THIS ISNT A RESTAURANT Brennan what's this voice

Sid's fully malfunctioning UPDATED SUNDRY SIDNEY OH MY GOD did they not patent Sid? 

GUYS DON'T HURT THE DOG ALSO CAN SID GET DRUNK 

Go Riva Go 

Someone stop them

THE DOG EATS MONEY 

wow she really tried to pull a fast one I'm so worried about what they're doing oh my god 

NO I KNEW IT 

ooh Riva gets a special bed 

I've never been more stressed about Ally's rolls in my life ALLY WHAT ARE YOU DOING I've never been so stressed out in my life