#Campaigning has never been his thing and it can be frustrating as a fan seeing him be overlooked

[dynamics-of-an-asteroid]

do you think andrew could have been nominated for an oscar?

I honestly think he had a solid chance before award season started. His name was top five of everyone's lists, and he even did some of the pre-award show press gigs like the roundtable discussion and the actors on actors series. Then as the award season progressed after the Golden Globes and he didn't make the Emmys or the Critic's Choice awards, that's when he went from definite top five to a strong alternate to the top five with Barry Keoghan and Leonardo DiCaprio thrown in the mix with him.

The nail in the coffin was the lack of a BAFTA nomination, though. If the market (British) his movie should ideally do the best in didn't stand up for him and go "Listen - we know the movie is limited run and even that's not officially out everywhere yet - but he is that good and one of the best we have to offer", then who else was? I was telling some other people on here the day the nominations dropped that was the one award I wasn't even worried about because I thought that was a no brainer. Like, the night before the announcement I actually checked the website because they're a few hours ahead of me to see if the names were listed yet. Instead I found some pictures, posted those, and went to bed saying I'd just reblog the news when I woke up. So imagine my confusion in the morning when I saw the ENTIRE internet was scratching its head about what happened.

After that, there was a slight chance the academy would do a 'passion pick' of sorts since his performance was so universally adored from fans and critics alike. But the best actor race was tight this year, and the little extra nugget of Oscar bait he carried with him (being the first gay person to win best actor for playing a gay person) wasn't going to be enough to push him across the line. It felt very much like all the voting bodies said "we enjoyed your performance immensely, buuuut we already have who we want (and truth be told had since the start of the season)", and he was kept in the conversation that long because it would have been dubious not to have him in it to begin with.

I wasn't deluding myself to think he could have won (this was always gonna be Cillian's to lose), I just wanted him nominated. He deserved at least that. But this will not be the last time he's in the running - trust and believe.

[f0point5]

Lando Norris x reader Masterlist

Only rumours ‘bout my hips and thighs - News of Y/N and Lando’s budding “relationship” hits F1 news

It’s blue, the feeling I’ve got - Rumours about Lando and Y/N heat up. Meanwhile, Y/N is skeptical about Lando’s friendly overtures

You will take the long way - Y/N discusses her secret, and Lando lets out his frustrations with Max

At least I’m trying - Y/N catches up on the new season of Drive to Survive, while Lando makes another effort to befriend her

Gain the weight of you - Y/N ties up loose ends as the stage is set for the relationship to go public

You told your family for a reason - Y/N arrives in Bahrain, and the deception deepens

The jury’s out - Y/N meets more people in Lando’s life with mixed reception, and attends her first race

(They) find something to wrap (their) noose around - Lando is subject to some controversy, which means Y/N has to step in, whole fighting to stay in her comfort zone

You don’t know how nice that is…but I do - Y/N attends the race where she makes an immediate connection with Oscar, and Lando makes an ill-advised move to impress her

You don’t feel pretty, you just feel used - Y/N finds herself in high demand, much to her dismay, as she heads to Australia for the next race

I’m feeling like I don’t know you - Lando’s feelings about how Y/N is spending her time in Australia bubble over

New to town with a made up name - Y/N does a Q&A

Every time you shine, I’ll shine for you - Lando secures an amazing result at the Australian Grand Prix, while neitzens discuss his new relationship.

That old familiar body ache - Y/N is forced to get back to work, which includes seeing Lando

The rust that grew between telephones - Y/N’s campaign debuts while she and Lando are in Japan. Lando searches for answers for what happened in Monaco

It’s hard to be at a party when I feel like an open wound - Y/N skips the Japanese Grand Prix and puts her job in jeopardy

Did you see the photos? No, I didn’t but thanks though - Y/N is forced to defend Lando from gossip, while her position as his girlfriend remains precarious

They say what doesn’t kill you makes you aware - Max F weighs in on Lando’s troubles, while Lando finds he and Y/N have a common interest

Lights, camera, bitch smile - Y/N puts on an impressive show at the Grand Prix. Lando’s jealousy gets the better of him, leading to a frank conversation

Don’t you worry your pretty little mind - Y/N reaches out to Lando when he is the subject of online trolling to offer support

I did my best to lay to rest - Y/N and Lando get closer in Miami, but the increased publicity may lead to things being unearthed that Y/N would like to stay buried

I was grinning like (he’s) winning - Y/N watches Lando become a Grand Prix winner

You can’t talk to me when I’m like this - Lando wins the Miami Grand Prix, but a misstep means Y/N is not part of the celebration

I never grew up, it’s getting so old - Oscar steps in to help when Y/N and Lando aren’t speaking

Can (he) see right through me? (I) see right through me - Y/N takes Oscar’s advice and opens up to Lando

Our secret moments, in a crowded room - Y/N and Lando spend time together while Monaco hosts the Historic Grand Prix

They’ll be chasing their tails trying to track us down - Fans speculate when Y/N and Lando are not seen together and she misses the Imola Grand Prix

It’s nice to have a friend - Y/N has a busy week in the South of France, and Lando tries to be supportive as the two plan to keep the rouse going when his family comes to town

I spy with my tired little eye - Y/N attends the Monaco Grand Prix

We might just get away with it - Y/N remains in Monaco with Lando to keep up pretences

Telling me to punish you for things you never did - Lando arrives alone in Canada while the internet finds out Y/N has been spending time with Freddie…and so does Lando.

Love’s a show, but I would die for you in secret - Father’s Day brings Y/N closer to understanding Lando, and letting Lando understand her

Braced myself for the goodbye, (…) but you took me by surprise - Y/N attends the Spanish Grand Prix. After a disappointment, Lando receives some tough love

But God, I love the English - Y/N accompanies Lando to the UK, and he supports her as the quadrant collaboration goes live

[momochanners]

After a good night's sleep, I think I can better solidify my thoughts in regards to the Dragon Age trailer.

First, let's start with the positives:

- Companion diversity: This has always been part of the series' DNA that has been clearly depicted with every iteration, so those who cry foul over "Asian & Black elves", prosthethics, etc etc...I really don't get that, because values and sensibilities evolve over time. Even the series itself has course corrected when needed, eg. Player character creation influencing the family ethnicity of the Couslands in DA:O vs the Hawkes in DA2.

- Unlocked romances: Letting players choose whoever they want to romance regardless of their sexuality and race has always been a positive for me. Allowing everyone to enjoy the experience equally is great (and I'm sure the nuances of player race & gender will be addressed through dialogue and banter). Moreover, CRPGs are long and time-consuming, so to be locked out of character romances mid-way through is never going to be a good time (from personal experience and observing fandom in the past).

Now the negatives:

- Maybe it's me being on the older side of the Bioware fandom (15 years in Dragon Age, 20 years if you count older games like KotOR and Jade Empire), but I cringed very hard watching the trailer. If you followed the development of this game in the past decade, the cancelled live service element that was to be DA4 in one of its iterations was so all over the way the companions were introduced that it brought out a visceral reaction in me. The tonal whiplash from how foreboding Dreadwolf was presented in the past to the patronising happy quippy MEET OUR LITTLE GUYS YOU'RE SURE TO LOVE also did not help as a first concrete look of what to expect after all this time (also poor anachronistic choice of soundtrack when you already have Trevor Morris' compositions right there). I was so dismayed when they went with a looter-shooter-esque lighthearted vibe when they could've leaned hard on the foreboding established mood and momentum they've already got going with Dreadwolf. 

- The branding switch this late in the game that comes with it, especially one as drastic as this will always come with questions and ambivalence. I feel that mitigating uncertainty from announced changes (party number, combat mechanics, setting and environment, etc) should've have been prioritised to reassure existing and lapsed fans before appealing to new ones in such a jarring way.

-  I'm simply baffled at the marketing suit who signed off on whatever this is to be their "best foot forward" at reintroducing the final form of this game? If only there were confident with the world they've already built instead of relying on trendy gimmicks, the amount of damage control I'm seeing prior to the gameplay reveal tonight was so avoidable. Controlling the narrative from the get go is so very important especially now as opinions can easily snowball overnight into behemoth-like proportions especially from bad faith actors. You would think that lessons were learned from DA:O's "THIS IS THE NEW SHIT" and DA2's "Press a button, something AWESOME happens" debacles.

(The thing is, despite it being my least favourite DA out of the three, imho Inquisition has the best marketing campaign in the franchise despite the developmental troubles going on in the background. So it has been pulled off successfully before!)

- I think the Bioware layoffs, especially the recent extensive gutting of senior staff in September 2023, significantly depleted my goodwill as a fan. To see Varric being paraded as a mascot in the trailer, game promotion and supplementary media while having his creator unceremoniously let go after years of building the franchise we love left me so very cold. And it's a me problem, but seeing many other fans barely acknowledging that save for few hollow words before getting back into the fun frustrated me so much. I get being excited to finally get something solid after years of false starts, but with what was lost along the way...I personally don't feel right to approach this installment without cynicism.

Idk, I'm just a bundle of conflicted feelings over this series I guess? When it's so good, it's really good and stays with you as memorable gaming experiences that stays with you for life, but when it stumbles and fumbles the bag...it hurts to see.

[archiveikemen]

Ellis Twilight 2nd Birthday Campaign: Story

Chapters 1 — 3

This is a fan-made translation solely for entertainment purposes with no guaranteed perfection; expect mistakes, grammatical errors, and some creative liberties. All original content and media used belongs to Cybird. Please support the game by buying their stories and playing their games. Reblogs appreciated.

Warnings and FAQ

Sometimes, when I see him basked in the morning sunlight, I feel uneasy for no reason.

Kate: Ellis, Ellis.

But his long arms and legs wrapped around my body restricting my freedom of movement felt like proof of his presence today.

Kate: It’s morning already.

Ellis: … I want to hold you a little longer.

With the temperatures of early summer rising, just holding each other was enough to make us sweat buckets.

(Feeling his warmth makes me happy, but is he really fine with this…?)

Kate: Ellis, don’t you feel hot?

Ellis: I do, but I’d hate being separated from you.

Ellis: Although, I’ll move if you don’t like it.

Kate: I do! It’s just, we’re getting sweaty…

I reached my hand out to wipe the beads of sweat trickling down his neck.

Ellis’ facial expression grew serious as I wiped his sweat.

Ellis: … Let’s buy a negligee suitable for summer. The kind that's made with a thin material.

Ellis: Then I can cling to you without getting sweaty.

Kate: Fufu… shall we head out to buy it together next time?

I got out of bed to tidy my appearance and noticed his eyes twinkling,

He was definitely waiting for the words I was about to say to leave my lips.

Kate: Happy birthday, Ellis.

Ellis: Thanks. I’m so glad you’re the first person to wish me.

We shared a brief kiss that ended with a sound.

Ellis: I want to kiss you more, but I'll hold it back because I’m looking forward to today.

The way he rubbed his head against my shoulder made him look like a cat asking for affection.

(I’m glad he’s been showing me his adorable side since we started dating.)

My chest tightened while watching the sight that only I knew existed.

(My heart overflows with love for him whenever I witness the adorable side of Ellis who always appears so cool.)

While stroking his soft hair, I outlined today’s plans in my head.

(Today will surely be enjoyable.)

…

Kate: … Train service has been suspended?

I stared at the sign on the platform with “SUSPENDED” written in large letters.

Ellis: There was a landslide in a town along the railway track.

Ellis: Fortunately, there weren't any casualties, but the heavy rainfall makes it dangerous for the train to run.

Ellis returned from speaking to the station staff.

Ellis: It just started raining here.

Kate: Looks like it’ll get heavier.

(But…)

The plans I pictured us doing this morning instantly crumbled away.

(We were supposed to visit the fields of lavenders in the suburbs and experience all sorts of things.)

We recently planned this outing after hearing that the famous lavender fields were at full bloom…

(I thought it’d be a fun opportunity to make new happy memories together… I guess it can’t be helped.)

I tried to change my mindset and make myself feel better, but my slumped shoulders didn’t escape his sight—

Ellis: Hey, how can I cheer you up?

Kate: Huh?

Ellis: I don’t like seeing you sad.

He gently caressed my cheek with his hand, slightly cold from the rain.

Kate: I’m not sad, but I’m a little troubled.

Ellis: What for?

Kate: … I didn’t think of a back-up plan for today.

(I never thought train service would be suspended, so I didn't prepare any alternative plans…)

(I should've thought of one.)

Ellis: In that case, shall we return to the castle?

Kate: … If things are just going to get worse from here, we should.

When I pressed my lips together in frustration, he traced them with his thumb—

Ellis: … I’m sorry. That was a little unkind thing to say.

Kate: Huh?

Ellis: I don't want to go back to the castle yet.

Kate: Ellis…

The sound of rainfall hitting the train station's roof grew louder.

Ellis: I want to do enjoyable things with you on my birthday.

I reflexively pouted when he poked at my upper lip and flashed me a cheeky smile—

Ellis: Shall we go on a date in rainy London?

Ignoring the eyes of others, he stole my lips in a kiss.

…

Kate: The rain turned into a downpour in no time, huh.

The usually bustling city was quietened by the heavy rain.

Ellis: Is the rainwater getting onto you, Kate? Are you okay?

Kate: I’m okay, but you’ll get drenched if you keep tilting the umbrella like that…

I stopped his hand from tilting the large umbrella towards me and looked at this soaking wet shoulder.

(I was glad he wanted to share an umbrella, but…)

(Ellis is going to catch a cold if he keeps this up.)

We walked closely next to each other to stay dry, but—

Ellis: Kate, be careful of the puddle.

Kate: Whoa

He pulled me close by the waist and I clung to him in response.

I looked up to see the satisfied look on his face—

(Being this close is bad for my heart…!)

Ellis: … Your face is red. So cute.

He gave me a quick kiss, making my heart beat even faster.

Kate: E-Ellis! We're in public.

I hastily glanced around at our surroundings as he stole my lips once more.

Ellis: It’s fine. Barely anyone comes outside in this rain.

Ellis: … Besides us.

Kate: Mmph.

Changing angles, he pecked my lips and took my breath away.

Ellis: Are you getting breathless? You’re cute too when you're trying to catch your breath.

Kate: — G-Geez!

His proactivity left me bewildered, but my joy outweighed that feeling.

(Ellis is being sweeter than usual today…)

Ellis: There’s somewhere I want to go. Is that okay?

Kate: Of course, anywhere is fine.

(I never thought there would come a day when Ellis has a place he wants to go.)

Little by little, he grew more comfortable expressing his wants and pleading for things, and I always felt the natural urge to indulge him in everything he wanted.

Ellis: Then let’s go to that store and buy you a negligee.

Ellis: Next, we’ll head to that accessories shop to pick out a few pieces that suit you.

Ellis: Afterwards, we'll get whatever you want from that gelato shop.

Kate: … Hold on, isn’t it your birthday today?

Ellis: That’s right.

He cocked his head to the side innocently without questioning the things he just said…

Kate: This feels like it’s my birthday instead.

Ellis: Seeing you happy is my greatest joy in life.

Ellis: For my sake, I want to make you happy.

Ellis: Can’t I?

(Ellis has been acting a little cunning lately.)

He intentionally put on a worried facial expression, knowing very well that I was weak to his self-indulgence and pleas.

Kate: … I guess I should celebrate my birthday by gifting you tons of presents.

Ellis: I’ll be happy with anything as long as it’s from you, but now that just gives me something more to look forward to.

Ellis: So starting with that store…

We startled walking around the quiet streets of London.

It felt as though the two of us were the only people left on earth.

…

Ellis: I’m glad the rain stopped.

He held many paper bags in his hands with a smile.

Kate: Me too, but I feel guilty for having you buy so many things for me.

Ellis: Whenever I’m walking around outside for work, I spot many things that I think would suit you.

Ellis: But I’m unsure if you’d like them, so I’ve been wanting to go shopping for them when we’re out together.

Kate: I’m happy with anything if it’s from you, Ellis.

Looks like the clothes, accessories, and shoes he bought for me were all I’ll be wearing this summer.

Ellis: I can’t wait to see you wear the stuff I picked out.

He happily glanced at the paper bag I was holding.

Ellis: By the way, what did you buy?

Kate: This is a present for you.

(He told me there was nothing he needed, but…)

It caught my eye while we were shopping and I couldn't resist getting it for him.

Kate: But I’ll give it to you later on because you have so many bags to carry.

Ellis: Fufu…

As we were nearing a bridge, I noticed that he wasn’t next to me and turned around.

Kate: Ellis?

He stood a little behind me painted in the colours of the twilight sky and smiling, his eyes sparkling.

The expression on Ellis’ face covered by his large palm was sweet like jam.

It was almost poisonous.

Ellis: Say, Kate.

Ellis: How happy are you right now?

The words spoken with a look of ecstasy felt new to me, despite having heard them countless times before.

Ellis: I’m happy.

Ellis: Being together with you, dressing you up in things I bought, devoting all my desires to you… they make me so happy.

There was no doubt that he'd do the same for anyone if it’d make them happy, but this was the first time he gave me so many gifts out of his own will.

Kate: … I’m happy too, and definitely much happier than you think.

Ellis: Nope, I’m happier than that. Because right now, I’m so relieved you're alive.

Step by step, he walked towards me, the sun setting in the background.

Ellis: The thought of killing you in the happiest moment of your life to make it last an eternity hasn't changed, but I feel the happiest when I realise that you’re alive.

Ellis: Surely, it's because my happiness can’t exist without you.

His hand caressing my cheek was tender and warm, and yet it somehow made me feel uneasy.

Ellis: … I wish we could stay like this in a place where no one can find us, forever.

As nighttime approached, the shadows in his eyes grew darker.

Kate: That would mean we'll never see Jude and the other members of Crown again, you know?

Ellis: I'll feel a little sad, but I'll be fine with just having you there.

Sometimes, I feel uneasy for no reason.

Ellis: Whenever I hear you talking to other people, I want to interrupt the conversation.

Ellis: I want to be the only person you look at. I want you to enjoy talking to no one else but me.

Ellis: How I wish I could be the only person who hurts you, and the only person you hurt.

(We care so deeply about each other that it feels somewhat dangerous…)

It’s because I’m so happy right now, I feel uneasy about the fact that this would someday come to an end.

Perhaps this was what I’ve been fearing all along.

Ellis: … Kate?

The sudden smell of lavender made me look up.

Down the path, I saw a bed of purple flowers swaying in the wind.

Kate: Lavender…

Ellis: It really is here.

The light from the setting sun reflecting off the wet flowers, making them twinkle like stars, was a beautiful sight that only existed in that very moment.

Kate: … Like you said, I think it'd make us happy to go somewhere we could be alone.

(But…)

I took my eyes off the lavenders and looked at him.

The colour of the sky growing dark matched the colour of his hair, making it look as though he was about to be washed away by the twilight.

Kate: Ellis, I love watching you at work.

Kate: I love watching you enjoy talking to the other members of Crown too.

Kate: Therefore, I don't want us to go to that place where it’s only the two of us just yet.

Kate: Because then, I won’t be able to see the sides of you that I love.

I took over one of the paper bags he held in his hand, and gave him mine.

He tilted his head curiously and I urged him to open the bag.

Inside the bag was a bottle filled with a clear liquid.

Ellis: … A storm glass?

Kate: The rain caused a change in our plans for the day and although we still had fun nevertheless, I thought it’d be great if we could know the weather when we go out again in the future.

A storm glass was a tool that told the weather through the crystallisation or freezing of the liquid inside.

Kate: I thought that this will help us plan our outings.

Tiny snowflake-like crystals formed in the bottle, they were traces of the rainfall from earlier.

Kate: I understand that you feel like you want to make this moment last forever, but I’m looking forward to spending tomorrow with you.

Kate: Even if it were to hurt, I don't want to end without knowing the happiness that comes after the pain.

He held the storm glass with both hands and muttered.

Ellis: … The reason why I cling to you when I sleep is because I feel like you might vanish somewhere.

Kate: Eh…

Ellis: I know I should really look forward to tomorrow. But,

Ellis: I have this constant uneasy feeling that you’ll be gone when I wake up.

Ellis: That’s why I have the thoughts of wanting to put an end to this quickly.

(Ellis feels the same way…)

I always thought that his long limbs wrapped around me like thorny vines purely out of possessiveness, but turns out that he feels the same way I do.

Kate: I’ve been thinking the same thing.

I wrapped my hands around his slightly trembling hands and the crystals in the storm glass shook.

Ellis: … You’re amazing, Kate.

Kate: Am I?

Ellis: You are, because you easily put into words the feelings I couldn't express.

It was the first time I saw his shy smile.

Ellis: I just fell in love with you all over again.

Simultaneously, our lips came together.

…

Kate: Nn…

I woke up to the feeling of the morning sun.

(We fell asleep last night without putting our clothes back on…)

Kate: Ah…

I felt a tug and our skin touched.

Kate: Ellis?

Ellis: …

The early summer breeze blew into the room, our curtains swaying in the wind.

In the quiet morning, I hugged him back tightly.

Kate: I love you, Ellis.

Kate: Stay by my side forever.

Perhaps feeling comforted by the sight of the slight smile on his lips, sleepiness washed over me again.

(It’s still early, I’ll sleep a little more.)

As I closed my eyes, I caught a glimpse of the storm glass indicating that the weather was good and I pictured us spending a day of simple joy.

[chalkrevelations]

There are things I say to my partner in the privacy of our living room when I’m blowing off steam that I would never in my life say to friends or other family members or bosses or work colleagues or fellow community members. I do this not because I’m two-faced but because I’m human. I get frustrated, but I’m also a grownup who realizes that my frustrations and fears in that moment are not the entirety of who I am. I have a right to express them, but I do not have the right to inflict them on the people who would be hurt by them. That’s why those conversations happen in private, in a safe space of trust, where my relationship allows me to show my partner parts of me that aren’t perfect and allows my partner to show me that I don’t have to be perfect in order to deserve to be cared about. I get support through my petty moments until I can be a better person.

This latest attack on Build is a horrifying violation of privacy and trust that leaves me feeling literally nauseated. I once again reiterate that I don’t trust third-hand amateur fan translation to be accurate and contextual, particularly given the provenance of the material, but Build himself is apparently distressed enough by at least some part of the material to make a public apology. So, that being out there, I will say: This was a private matter that should have stayed private, out of respect for everyone involved. Whatever was actually said is nobody’s business except Build’s and now, unfortunately, any named individuals who this was inflicted on and who may have been hurt by it. Which, rest assured, was the intention - to hurt not only Build with this, but also, particularly, Apo and Bible, both of whom Poi has shown her dislike of and ill-will toward in the past. I suspect some people also don’t know how abuse works, and it shows, given that what was purportedly said is a reflection of Poi’s own views back at her.

Whatever the context, I see that purity cancel culture still insists on freezing people in amber in their worst moments - without recognition of any capacity for change or growth - as long as it provides ammunition for a smug, gleeful Particicution. You’re stuck on some unkind things Build supposedly said more than a year ago? Let me tell you what I’ll remember for the rest of my life: The small, broken sound of Build’s voice just a few months ago as he tried to protect Bible and Bible’s career from a sociopath, in a telephone call that he felt he needed to secretly record as evidence of how he was being manipulated and abused.

Meanwhile, I see that swathes of KP fandom continue to be complicit in Poi’s campaign of public and dehumanizing abuse of him, which now includes not only borderline revenge porn, but separating him from his friends and isolating him. This is what abuse looks like. It’s happening in front of your eyes. Do you even care? Do you actually, legitimately care about abuse, or is it just a tool for you to use to win petty shipwars and make yourself feel righteous? Because here it is. Take a good look. This is a textbook play. And if you’re participating in reposting those screenshots of private conversations and mocking Build’s relationships and spreading vituperative language about him and acting like he deserves to have his life and career destroyed, you’re enabling an abuser. You are aiding and abetting her, as the very scenario she threatened him with - in order to maintain access to him, to keep him under control and compliant - continues to get spun out. YOU are a bully and a hypocrite and an abuser, helping to prove that the most dangerous time for an abuse victim is when they leave.

But I guess some victims do have to be perfect, huh?

.

(ETA: 7/18/23, 1520 - This post is being linked on Twitter by @cherryluminary with my permission. I'm not over there, but I increasingly feel like it's important to name what's happened, and continues to happen, to Build online as what it is - abuse. Similar to to my last post that breached containment, I'm going to ask people to remember that the behavior of Build's fans reflects on him - however fair that may or may not be - and should remain above reproach. I understand being angry - I'm angry, and at more people than I've discussed publicly, at this point. But if I find out you've been descending anywhere near the level of the ugly little sociopath in my inbox who openly admitted they want Build to kill himself, I'll block you.)

[witsserviceablesubstitute]

I don’t think the harassment is acceptable. I think people are really out of pocket doing that, but I do think him establishing what is and isn’t part of his job is fine. And maybe did need to be said, because clearly people didn’t know.

As for using Buddie as promo… idk. The marketing team is gonna do whatever ABC feels will garner the most viewers, and right now it’s Buck being bi and the long held desire to see him and Eddie become canon. They’re gonna milk it however they can, which falls back on Tim, thus him feelings like he needed to explain himself, presumably.

I do agree it could be toned down though, because Buck is now canonically dating someone else, and I don’t recall them teasing Buddie for real when he was with women. So doing it now the way they are is purely because they’re banking on Buddie fans, while also currently not committing.

Plus, everything Buddie related from before has to now be assumed not canon, so it’s putting everyone in a messy spot. Because we have canon, fanon, show runner confirmed but not on screen, and canon jokes that are now floating in the in between because no one knows if the they’ll be acknowledged in canon or get scrapped.

I think people should just calm down and wait to see what the season brings, anyway. Once it’s over and we get an idea of where all the characters are at, then start asking bigger questions or letting out the more angry frustrations.

Hi! Sorry for the late reply. The sheer amount of work that goes into television hasn't often been well realized in fan spaces. The writing, how it translates to screen, the process of acting, all the work by the crew, the pressures from moneymen, managing the expectations of the audience, the long hours and repetition of scenes. How multiple people working on a creative project means multiple interpretations— all of which bleed through. The showrunner has every right to protect himself and the people who work for him. I was mainly trying to draw on my own experiences in how these harassment campaigns happen, how they continue, and how they can be mitigated.

US TV production has a long and rocky history when it comes to queer narratives. That doesn't really end now that there are canonically queer characters on screen and this fallout is part of the response to that tension.

For example, if I engage in the whole Buddie vs. Bucktommy thing (sorry), I'd say both perspectives have a point they don't realize they're making about queerness in television storytelling.

The thesis I feel like Buddie fans are making is there are two queer coded main characters who love each other, who have seasons of build up in their individual characters and in their relationship. Why can't they be together? Because they're two male main characters on network television? Be bold, be brave. Wouldn't it be amazing if they did commit to that story? Wouldn't it be game changing? Sexuality and friendship and love is not set in stone, it's okay to be flexible. M/F relationships are allowed that space to develop within a story and you know if one of them were a woman they probably would be together already.

The thesis I feel like BuckTommy fans are making is that Buddie was never going to happen, realistically, and it's amazing enough that they committed to Buck being canonically bisexual. Why do you want to rock the boat? Don't you see that if you can't embrace this development it could be snatched away at any moment. The show is its own thing within its own context and not the blinkered interpretation you have of two characters. This queerness is canon.

Those two thesis's (thesi?) are rubbing up against each other and building straw men of the other to attack and tear down. A showrunner wading in was only ever going to combust that tension further and that's what happened. What keeps happening.

[ciaossu-imagines]

Hi! I was wondering if I could ask for a Class of the Titans Pirate AU? Thank you!! :))

Of course you can get this, anon dear! Thank you so much for the request and I hope you'll enjoy the headcanons, late as they are!

Okay, so I had a lot of conflicting ideas for this one. There was so much temptation to take it into traditional pirate territory, adventures on the high sea, Pirates of the Caribbean and One Piece inspiration, peg legs, etc. And I did have a lot of ideas of what I could do with that one.

But hear me out, guys…SPACE PIRATES! I've been a fan of Firefly, of Treasure Planet, and things along those lines for so very, very long, and in the end I thought that was a more fitting and fun Pirate! AU, plus kind of a fun twist on it.

So, we're setting this in a place far into the future. Space travel, between multiple planets and even between different galaxies, is not only a reality but quite commonplace. The world we're stepping into is also so much more technologically advanced. Oh, and Cronus? In this AU, he's this huge power. An alien lifeform that seems to possess immortality, Cronus has established a dictatorship after a war in which he took over multiple planets. With an army on his side, still waging a campaign to extend his reign of power, his government is ruthless and brutal. He and his army rule with an iron fist, with the people subjugated but with little opportunity to do much more than survive, and with no power to rise up against him. Besides, any uprising against him (and there was one, a major one) was quashed and struck down hard.

That uprising that was quashed. A lot of the major players were either killed or they scattered, fled and hid out in the furthest reaches of space. Seven of them in particular, the main source of the uprising and the real face of the attempted revolution, good people who fought hard to end Cronus' dictatorship, who helped people wherever and in whatever ways they could while fighting him and recruiting, were given extremely public executions, broadcast to all the planets and all the galaxies. It was a clear message - 'there is no possibility of escape. There is no possibility of resistance. Submit or die.'

Cronus' only real regret from that? The crew's ship, the Argonaut, could never be tracked down and destroyed along with its crew.

And maybe it's good that it couldn't be. Because fourteen years later, Amalthea, who was the wife of Jason, Captain of the original crew of the Argonaut, sent her now teenaged son on a dangerous mission, to the deepest reaches of their planet, through nasty and treacherous territory, to the location of the Argonaut.

Jay, Jason and Amalthea's son, finds the Argonaut. It's not in great condition, barely functioning at first, but he finds it. And once he boards it, he tries powering it on. But it doesn't really work…not until he gets frustrated at his lack of success and, when slamming his hand against a wall, ends up cutting himself, deeply enough to make him bleed.

See, The Argonaut is a ship, yes, a mechnical and technological thing…but it's also a sentient being and, upon Jay's blood being spilled on it, it reawakened as it was programmed to do. At first, I had thought of the idea of a holographic video popping up, but after thinking some more on it, I developed the idea a bit more…it's more a video that plays inside of Jay's head. It's his father talking to him. The crew had known they weren't going to survive, that they were boxed in and would be captured…and each did their part before they were, preparing their families, hiding the Argonaut and doing these videos. Jay's father tells him everything, from fatherly, personal, and sentimental stuff down to the solid facts and the plan - recruit the children of the passed crew members. Each of them has a role to play. Complete the reawakening of the Argonaut and follow the plan; battle Cronus and his army, small at first. Gather your forces and find allies. Then bring the uprising again…there's a plan that, for some reason, Jason and his crew are sure will work. Not for them though but for their children. Cronus will fall; the uprising will conquer.

And so Jay follows the plan. Dedicates himself to honouring his father and the fallen members of the crew and to bringing peace back to the various planets. And I will tell you, as with the video that plays in Jay's head, as each new crew member comes on, as their blood (just the tiniest bit) helps rewaken the sentient being part of the Argonaut, they each get their own video, which nobody but them can see, playing in their head, with messages from their own parent who passed. And Jay himself, while unsure how well he could do as Captain, proves himself to be a natural leader and gains the trust of not only his crew, but the many allies they make along the way.

The first member that Jason recruits is Atlanta. He finds her on a planet, thick in forests and dangerous wildlife. She joins his crew readily - she loves nature, her planet, her father, stepmother, and step-siblings, but she's always yearned for adventure. And hearing her mother's will and words…how could she refuse? Atlanta follows in her mother's footsteps, becoming the crew's tracker and bounty hunter, a role she grows into with a great deal of ease and quickness.

The next companion to be gathered? Herry was left in the care of his grandmother, as both of his parents were part of the crew. He doesn't really even remember them, to be honest, and the memories he has of them are hazy. Herry is part of an alien race known for their giant, beefy bodies, superhuman strength and berserker rages…however, Herry honestly seems to be a gentle giant, for all accounts and purposes. It's only at his grandmother's urging that he follows Jay and Atlanta to the Argonaut, where he gets to really see and have a solid memory with his parents through their holographic video. He won't discuss everything they said but, through his tears, he willingly and happily joined the crew and the cause and, though he's still gentle overall, if his crew are in danger or if he must fight to fulfill the crew's destiny to overthrow Cronus and his forces, Herry can and will enter that berserker rage his race is known for and can slaughter entire battlefields of enemies single-handly.

The crew finds Theresa next, in a surprising place. Her father, who had taken residence on his wife's planet, as she was the planet's princess and future ruler and he her consort, abandoned that planet when his wife died. He blamed the crew harshly and not only moved to a planet and grew his own influence, but became high level in Cronus' army. Theresa is spoiled, far safer and wealthier and better off than 99% of the population on any planet Cronus had conquered. And it's not that she hates it, but her father is gone so much, she's raised by servants, and to be honest, she's rebellious and bored. While the crew taking her is technically a 'kidnapping', she honestly kind of helps them kidnap her, even if she doesn't really show it. She becomes the ship's navigator and one part of a tactician duo, due to her excellent sense of direction, knowledge of various mapping techniques and the layout of several galaxies, and knowledge of how Cronus' army and infrastructure works.

That second half of the tactician duo? It's found in Archie. Archie is a child prodigy, and he's one of the few, thanks to the way his brain works, to really remember much about his lost parent. His father, Achilles, had actually raised his son aboard the Argonaut. He had had little choice, honestly, what with Archie's mother dying in childbirth. He'd raised his son with a love of the history of the cosmos, cut his teeth on bed-time stories of tactics, war, and battle wisdom. Had encouraged a love of learning, of literature, of facts and knowledge. And when Archie was left abandoned on the doorsteps of a university on one of the more obscure planets, his love of learning served him well. He becomes the crew's main tactician, the man who not only knows most of the facts, but isn't too bad in a physical fight either, thanks to some bad childhood bullying that forced him to toughen up and learn to fight for himself.

Another genius the crew gains? Odie, son of Odysseus, the man responsible for the mechanical ship that houses the sentient being that is the Argonaut. He build it from scratch, knew it better than anyone else and his son seems to have inherited that trait. Odie joined the crew mostly due to his extreme interest in the Argonaut and, like his father before him, he seems to almost bond with the ship. He can fix anything to do with the ship, improve it, add to it as his brain is always coming up with ways to make the Argonaut better, to not only fortify it but make it more comfortable. He's a mechanical wizard…but even more so, he's the one to pilot the ship and honestly, he has a bond with the Argonaut itself that none of the others do and the ship would not sail as gracefully and faithfully as it does without him.

Not going to lie, unlike Theresa, where her kidnapping was really helped along by her, the last member of the crew was just plain out kidnapped. Neil is the prince of his father's planet, a spoiled brat who only thinks of himself and has the highest opinion of himself. The inhabitants of his planet are expected to worship him and exalt him and he's a dictator in his own right. None of the crew understand why it's so important that they find him and none of them really want him as part of their crew at first. Until they find out that Neil was, as all members of the royal family are, blessed with God's own luck and the ability to vaguely warp reality to favour them. He does it without even realizing he's doing it either, making him rather a genius at the technique. Though things are rocky with Neil at first, and it takes him the longest before he sees his father's video, once he does, things kind of change. He stays with the crew willingly for one, and though his kind of spoiled attitude never fully changes, the longer he serves on the crew and becomes a part of them, the more adventures they embark on and the more of the cosmos he sees, the more he starts to not only genuinely care about his crew-mates, but about all life in the universe. Not as much as he cares about himself, but he definitely starts to really hate Cronus for what he's done to people and the more he genuinely wants to help bring peace to people.

And the story is really just the adventures of the crew, various bits and bobs of them not only having amazing battle scenes but also helping people out as they go along, discovering the beauty in the vast expanses of space, but also the horrors that Cronus has truly brought about, and their efforts to gain allies and lead that uprising to the successful completion their parents could not.

[daughterofluthien]

I’ve seen a lot of opinions going around about That scene—The Titling Scene—and how it differed from canon, and I wanted to offer my two cents.

First off, I was absolutely in the camp of folks initially being mildly disappointed by the way this was adapted. It was sort of an ‘oh. That’s it?’ reaction for me—which makes sense, since the titling scene is THEE scene for me in the original stream. Like, I was anticipating it so much, that it would almost be impossible for me not to be disappointed.

I do think the wording could’ve been stronger—I’m not sure why the changed the line to “do watch your manners towards a noble” rather than just “regardless of your relationship with her, do watch your manners,” unless they were worried that an audience wouldn’t understand the implication/why Percy chose to title her in that moment. But honestly, while it lessens the impact a little, that’s a minor quibble at the end of the day.

The bigger thing that I had an issue with—and what I’ve seen a lot of other folks have issue with as well—is that it isn’t the mic drop moment that it was on stream. Syldor doesn’t back down, he verbally attacks Percy over it instead. And that was… definitely frustrating, on a first watch. However, on a rewatch and some contemplation, here’s a couple thoughts about why I think they made the decision they did, and why I think it was the right one (even if I do still prefer the stream version akskfkkd).

1). Rather than talking over Vex, Percy empowers Vex to defend herself.

look, the titling is an incredible moment. Iconique. *chef’s kiss* Especially in the context of an improvised scene. But in a scripted show I can see how there would be something that might not sit right about having Vex essentially remain passive for the entire encounter.

In stream iirc she talks back to syldor more in the initial conversation, which makes the titling scene Percy backing her up. But in the show, in what I assume was an attempt to both show continuity to vex as a kid trying to gain Syldor’s approval and so that Saundor can reaaaaalllly focus in on the daddy issues stuff, Vex kinda shuts down for the first third of this ep. She reverts to how she was as a kid—where Vax has already yelled at him, she’s still trying to earn his approval. Which means, when it comes to the titling scene, if it played as is on stream, Vex would essentially remain passive the entire time, which… is less than ideal, honestly.

Instead, seeing Syldor berate Percy is the catalyst she needs to stand up to her father—to defend Percy, but also to, finally, defend herself. This is Vex’s arc—it needs to be fully about her an her decisions.

2). The titling is for Vex’s benefit, not Syldor’s.

Obviously, Percy wouldn’t just title anybody to make a point to a shitty dad, so this was very clearly always a gift to Vex. But on stream, in the moment, it does play as if the purpose is mainly to embarrass Syldor. (Which it does, spectacularly and gloriously.)

However, with the title being a complete no sell in the show, that means that the purpose it does have is on Vex—which their follow up conversation proved.

Which, honestly, I can get behind. Fuck Syldor, this was never about him anyways. Who cares what he thinks.

3). Economy of mic-drops

The Feywild arc in campaign 1 occurred over 5 episodes of critical role and nearly 17 hours of gameplay. TLOVM is telling that same story in less than an hour. In order to set up the feywild and Garmelie/Artagan (as well as leave a little time for some breathing room and character moments, after the breakneck pace of the first half of the season), they decided to pack two memorable, fan-favorite Perc’ahlia moments into 30 min.

In order for “My heart is someone else’s” to have the impact that it needed to, the previous mic drop moment needed to set it up, not overshadow it.

(And holy shit did it have an impact. The music, the realization, the determination in her voice. Percy’s lil eyebrow raise reaction shot… Let me tell you, I immediately ascended out of the material plane)

To go back to my original point, this needed to be Vex’s story arc, not Percy’s. Especially in such a short form media, the titling needed to serve her arc of overcoming her insecurities and not being emotionally trapped by the shitty relationships in her past. And I think they definitely adapted the scene in a way that served that purpose.

Do I like the original moment better, still? Yes. Yes I do. But I also really like how they decided to adapt it, changes and all.

[starryjkoo]

https://www.tumblr.com/starryjkoo/764070968826200064/why-did-you-delete-your-post-about-the-protect?source=share

Nah you don't even post that much about Fandom stuff so no idt you're being chronically online for saying that in fact these kinda things don't see light if people don't comment on it. One actually doesn't even need to be chronically online to see how things work in fandom. I was actually going to reply to it cause i agreed but when i tried to find it later it was already gone. so just Letting you know that i agreed with your post.

They have suspended Multiple tae antis but all jm antis are getting more followers and engagements. If these accounts can suspend dispatch account I'm pretty sure they can get rid off jm antis too but it comes to the will to do it and seems like there isn't much in that protect GC when it comes to jimin. Just saw how they didn't ask to report solos on a tweet regarding jm and Sabrina where Tkkrs and KTHs were dragging jm and the post was up for 4 days but they made one immediately for tae when same happened with him (posts regarding both solos should have been made but it came ONLY after op made tweet for Sabrina and tae), then yesterday all tkkrs were dragging jm because jin wished him happy bday and because he mentioned jkk calling him together but all this acct did first was post all jm solos who were dragging jm and Only made post for Tkkr after multiple ppl tagging them regarding Tkkrs dragging jm.

Few days ago an admin for the FB acct @Bts_beyond_army or something like that was the name got exposed for being a Tkkr who follows vile jm antis, interacts with all NSFW tkkrs even asked if humanlouvre needs any help because one of her account got suspended and then people wonder why humanlouvre ain't getting suspended like why would she when most of her followers are in fact armys? Like imagine running a BTS FB that makes tags and helps in other projects for boys, who's in a group with 200+ FBS or something being a vile tkkr as well?

A few days ago everyone was like"They're painting tae as villain" when jimin called the guest but as soon as jin teased jimin yesterday it's "Solos don't understand jokes" but no one said the same thing for jm. Even armys made tweets Saying how they're making tae look like he's unwanted and let everyone drag jm.

This is what goes on in Fandom but when you try to voice it out all you get in return is lectures about how those people are not armys those are antis lol. Idk when people are going to be upfront about what goes on in Fandom like every single time when there's a hate campaign against jm it always comes to light because his solo fans report on it. I never got any reports regarding jm first from armys it's always his solo FB (the 3-4 i follow) and then hrs or days later armys make tweet regarding it.

Won't lie but as a jimin bias it definitely feels suffocating in the Fandom. it feels the same as how you always have to trend tags or tag hybe to give jimim bare minimum when he releases music while hybe gives them easily to others. Same with armys you always have to ask them again and again, tag them and then once in a while you'll get them move for jm

Sorry for my rant as well but it really feels helpless there 😔

Helpless is exactly how I feel too, that’s the perfect way to put it. It’s just so frustrating because I tried REALLY hard to be involved in the ARMY community and just ended up being filled with so much bitterness and resentment. I have no idea how any Jimin biased can stand it there. And I agree with everything you said 100%, always feel free to send me long paragraphs or fandom vents 😭 Going to apologize for this whole essay, but yeah, this last year especially has really killed most of the goodwill I felt towards this fandom.

The last BTS report account was run by a group of TH biased tkkrs and that YoongiPD account who is a YG-diet and JM anti (they “left” being admin at one point, but they were involved) that “Bocia” person if you know who I’m talking about was also involved and they’re a JK-diet and tkkr (idk if they’re still around tbh). This report page followed like seven or so focused report accounts for TH, several for YG and other members and NONE for JM. They ended up setting JM up from info they got from tkkrs on IG and doubled down (after initially apologizing) and all the shooter accounts got super defensive and were backing up this fake info too, it was ridiculous.

I politely asked why they weren’t following any JM protect pages and I got blocked by several of these people and I promise you my account was fully ARMY, no shippers, no diets, no weird victimization posts. It really ticked me off. They had posted who some of the admins were before this and they were literally all just TH diets/tkkrs so it was easy to tell what was going on.

One of them was in a GC where someone was bragging about getting people to drop all the charting songs except for THs and JH’s, they insulted CTT, and were complaining about LC in the US. Again, an admin of that report account was in this GC, but their friends didn’t cancel them. These people always defend each other while being the first to point their fingers at JM biased and jkkrs.

They were all friends with that random tkkr account too who was called out for following a bunch of JM antis and then they were like, “using a unit name doesn’t make you a shipper!” and they and their moots proceeded to spam tkk moments and joke about it. Meanwhile they were spouting tkk narratives and reading tkk fanfic and following actual shippers, making a thousand defense posts for tkk (ofc none for jkk), following and interacting with JM antis, but apparently they’re not a shipper?

This group runs report accounts, shooter accounts, big accounts, chart accounts, meme accounts, update accounts, just whatever, they’re everywhere. And when one of them gets called out they just back each other up. And THAT’S why JM related accounts always face the most scrutiny, because who gets called out is just based on whichever faction is currently running most of the shooter/report accounts and it’s never jkkrs/JM biased.

IDK what happened to that account, it got suspended by boycotters and they remade but I never kept up with them (I just blocked most of those people and moved on tbh). But I KNOW these same people are all over that current protect accounts GCs because if you notice ANY time they call out a tkkr they HAVE to make a report on jkkrs even if it doesn’t make sense, and they always add shady captions. Like what is this lmao???? 😭

They just made up a whole new sentence, the shady admin note, the “TH snatching JK from JM” which is a tkkrs wet dream, pretending that jkkrs are threatened by tkk or something. They deleted the post, and this isn’t the first time they’ve done something super weird like this. And if you want my conspiracy on this, I think it’s because that account had several hit tweets on “why I believe jkk are real” and I fully believe that’s why they were targeted lol. Because choosing that account was so random?

I talked about this in another post but the best way to gain a bunch of followers quickly on ARMYtwt is to get very involved in whatever fandom crisis/drama is going on at the time, such as MHJ/the cult stuff/YG situation/boycott situation. That’s exactly what this report account did, they’re clearly YG biased and suddenly gained 20k followers in a month because they were providing helpful info about that situation. I don’t think they ever revealed their main account and that’s why I’ll never trust these accounts that pop up out of nowhere and suddenly gain mass followings (and they were constantly interacting with a well known problematic YG biased account too). IDK if that account admin is entirely bad or anything, and I appreciated some of their helpful stuff for YG, but I know what their GC is full of at the very least.

Anyways, I sat and watched especially the last few weeks leading up to AYS (and after the first two eps) how the hate for Jimin and Jikook just got SO out of control, just insane, and there were hardly ANY ARMY report tweets for it. The Jimin hate is just so normalized in this fandom, they never move, they’re never surprised or outraged by it anymore. Suddenly TH joins the show and is getting hated on by jkkrs and it was ALL over ARMY twitter. Like my moots who never talk about shipping drama were ratio-ing jkkrs (some of whom were just being shady about him being a guest which is hardly as bad as what they were saying about JM/Jikook). And the fact they were freaking out about flop jkkr tweets with like 500 likes while ignoring all the tkk tweets that had thousands of likes? It was just really frustrating to see the different responses.

And omg yes, the fact that “ARMYs” were literally talking about BH editing the show to be shady towards TH and make him look unwanted was INSANE! They were literally backing up tkk narratives, narratives that have done untold damage towards Jimin for years, and these weren’t tkkrs, these were ARMY accounts! Some that are very active in the community. Why weren’t ARMYs clocking these people? Do they ACTUALLY buy into the whole BH pushes Jikook thing? It’s just so tiring, you’re right. I see BS like this allllllll the time.

But it’s why I just got so mad when ARMYs a few months ago were talking about being BTS’s shield and how they have to protect BTS. It’s this obsession with MHJ or other fandoms, going on and on about how ARMYs are their shield and all this self-righteousness. But the audacity to claim that when the call is coming from inside the house, when the rot and the worst damage has come from INSIDE the fandom for years now?

If they protected BTS then tk-lives wouldn’t have 500k followers. The massive platforms tkkrs have are INSANE and they were just left to grow that big while spewing insane things about Jimin/Jikook (JK too, even TH) for years and years and ARMYs didn’t want to do anything about it, even when their insanity has actually impacted offline, real life stuff. That is the BIGGEST source of danger and damage to the fandom and to the BTS members, not MHJ, not kmedia, not Tokki’s! It’s akgaes and shippers (especially tkkrs). But ARMYs have literally just ignored it for years now?

One example is just straight up how they ignored the role that akages and shippers played in the way Jimin was harassed during FACE era and how all the drags that now get regularly thrown around (SA insults, sleeping with PDs for remixes, tagging Spotify etc) came from SOLOS during FACE era, because they just wanted to blame it entirely on kpop stans. They acted like it came out of nowhere during Seven era and not just that PJMs were parroting exactly what JJKs were saying about JM during FACE era (and I’m NOT justifying PJMs being vile back towards JK. It's just bizarre how many ARMYs were entirely oblivious during FACE era).

Then there’s the whole situation with Jimin’s dad. Literally akgaes and tkkrs started spreading that whole narrative attacking him because of AYS and Who. Kmedia picked up on it, and maybe because of the ongoing smear campaign on BTS they were looking for things to write about, but WHERE do they think that journalist got that info? The way that ARMYs were getting hit tweets blaming it ENTIRELY on MHJ was insanity. They LOVE themselves an easy villain they can rally against, but it almost feels like they straight up cover up for tkkrs and solos sometimes?

If they actually cared about protecting Jimin, wouldn’t they want to go after the original source of that? But no, just wanted hit tweets on MHJ and sensationalizing that because they are OBSESSED with her right now (don’t get me wrong, I obviously hate her too). They’re just so drama addicted, but they never actually care about the BTS members or they would do something about a HUGE source of hurt that’s been there for years. They don’t want to put in the hard work to clean up our fandom, they just want to fight with other fandoms or be loud and feel important, or bury their heads in the sand because they don’t want to deal with this mess.

And you’re right, it pisses me off so bad when you call this out and they’re like “they’re not part of our fandom!”. That's SUCH BS 😭 they ARE part of our fandom, you can’t just wash your hands from the things you don’t like. Literally most of those tkkrs have little sevens, or a lot of solos are ex-ARMYs, or ARMYS follow and interact with them or are diets. How many ARMYs are shippers and read fanfic and AUs and follow duo accounts that are clearly run by shippers? It was ARMYs in line buying that tk fanfiction in Paris. ARMYs make up the following for most of these accounts too. I mean, damn, a big shooter account I saw was exposed for interacting with that Jay/Mina person last year, someone we’ve been asking to report NONSTOP, but no, shippers are totally not part of our fandom right?

I swear I’m not even THAT chronically online lol 😭 but it’s just… hard not to witness this stuff if you’re active in the fandom at all? I mean, maybe it’s just my algorithm on my priv, but it doesn’t take much to see all this going on ESPECIALLY if you’re Jimin biased or a jkkr, if you follow any report accounts at all, so I’ll never understand how some of them are so content in this fandom when to me it’s mostly trash 😭

There are a handful of ARMY accounts I super respect, and I know the twt community and all of this is not always representative of the majority, but pretty much any fandom space you walk into is just full of this kind of stuff and it’s exhausting. You can build yourself a nice little community to have fun and retain your sanity, but if you want to be part of the larger ARMY fanbase? It’s just so toxic and biased. And I’m not even getting into the drama about their solo releases because that is ANOTHER whole thing 😭 there’s also probably a thousand more examples of ARMYs being hypocritical on top of everything you listed too (just remembered the whole situation with that k-fanbase ugh).

Sorry this is so long, just going to quickly throw out that I know ARMYs can be weird to ALL the members, every bias has something legit to complain about, but I just firmly believe that for a few reasons (some of which I’ve talked about here before, like seeing JM as a goalpost, shippers and so on) the fandom has the weirdest attitude towards Jimin. And that’s not to say I don’t call out when ARMYs are being awful to the others either, like it was actually insane and very sad how they treated JK over that post about NewJean’s, the way they hyped up those dating “rumors” about Namjoon and gave hit tweets on that while not supporting his music and so on.

I try not to let all this get to me TOO often because these people spend all their time being manipulative in stan spaces and trying to cosplay and whatever, but look at the actual charts 😭 Jimin has a LOT of support and a LOT of people who love him. Jimin lovers might not be great at cosplaying and manipulating and running ARMY big accounts, but damn they are at least good at streaming and supporting music, and that’s about a thousand times more valuable at the end of the day. Lots of ARMYs just passively interact with fandom and don't see any of this either. And all this stuff just kind of disappears when you logoff, sometimes I give it more importance than it actually holds, but I do find it annoying lol.

It’s definitely exhausting and suffocating though, and it does feel just super helpless in this fandom sometimes like you said. I definitely do not feel any loyalty towards ARMYs at this point. I’m here for Jimin, JK, BTS on my own terms and just follow who I like, I don’t really care about what the fandom at large thinks or any of their projects, and I’m beyond caring about backlash and I’ll just say what I think if people ask. It’s obvious to see why the fandom has deteriorated the way it has and ARMYs have no one to blame but themselves honestly. I just hope things improve when BTS returns.

[syncopation53]

Overall I think lightfall felt about the same as beyond light for me, maybe a little bit less so without eramis’ lore and the lack of (narrative) conflict when it comes to strand like stasis had. I know that we’re moving beyond the “light good, darkness bad” dogma, as drifter puts it, and it’s been three years at this point since stasis has been introduced and we’ve had time to get used to it, plus the fact that strand is more of a… I want to say “neutral force” than stasis, which had been an explicit gift from the witness as we now know. I’ve seen how it almost feels disjointed from the overall narrative, and I can sort of see where people are coming from. The missions with the meditation place and vex network almost seemed like adventures rather than a part of the campaign itself, which is a shame. I can see where they were going for the “secret power that the bad guys don’t know about but is hard to master so we only use it in Important Scenes and have a training montage about it,” but that’s me filling in the blanks after the fact, not an actual thought I had while running the campaign. I found osiris and ghost’s dialogue about the whole “perspective shift” thing to be laughable because I’d been doing the exact same things with strand I’d been doing from the beginning. There was no perspective shift for me just incessant banging on bungie’s door yelling to let me unlock strand in full already. Will be interested in getting more lore on the nature of darkness-based powers vs. light-based ones in the future. As you can tell by my recent posts, the ending was the true best thing story-wise. I felt completely dead inside after that 10/10 will be crying myself to sleep thinking oc thoughts for the next week.

The story was… alright, I’ll say. Somehow bungie made it feel like nothing was happening and simultaneously everything happened all at once. Definitely felt like I missed some stuff in my race to get to softcap so that the tormentors wouldn’t eat me for breakfast but I’ll definitely be doing the campaign again in full on my hunter to see if there’s anything I didn’t catch the first time. Titan… eh, I’m not usually a fan of video game microtransactions but if it’ll let me skip right to strand titan a bitch might just buy some silver.

I will say, I’ve never been a fan of calus’ lore. I didn’t actively dislike him or the cabal/uluran as a whole, and he is an interesting character in his own right, but I just never felt that personally interested in learning more about them like I had the hive and eliksni. However comma, his cutscenes with the witness were some of the highlights of the campaign for me. They carried, as the kids say. The other part being helmet-less cutscenes for lots of pretty screenshots of xira. Osiris was also a highlight for me. His character felt more in-line with that from curse of osiris than any other season I’ve played before (I know season of dawn was a huge hit but I’d been away for college at the time and thus couldn’t play for a while so I’m not familiar with the osiris lore from that). I liked his growth from pushing the guardian to master strand and getting frustrated when we failed to helping us hone our abilities and being proud and excited when we succeeded.

I’ll also throw in my two cents into the Nimbus Discourse as a non-binary person: they were fun. I liked them. I like that they’re not a 100% perfectly androgynous anime prettyboy and I know that’s caused people to misgender them but I enjoy their design overall. I can understand being annoyed with the voice modulations, but that’s about it. I understand their character, neomuna being a separate hidden colony on the second-to-last planet in the system whose last contact with earth was during the warlord era and all, and how blasé they were about things as this would probably be the first time they’re dealing with something other than the occasional vex incursion. I honestly didn’t feel that much when rohan died, but I’d originally thought what his “battle cry” was had come from nimbus as he sacrificed himself, and honestly I prefer to think of it that way because it’s clear in the following interlude and cutscene that nimbus is trying to deal with their grief through keeping themself busy with the legion, and also I’m guessing that cloud striders (and possibly neomuni in general) have different views on dying and the grieving process than earth-bound people do. I haven’t finished the quest for the void machine gun yet but I also hear the ending is pretty good as well.

Neomuna itself is a good location, maybe a little bit jarring compared to other destinations in destiny 2, but I’m sure that was intentional. Only thing I had a problem with is the patrol space being very unfriendly to little 1650 me when I tried doing some bounties and patrols for the first time. Even my arc buddy was struggling, we were in truly desperate times running around barely above the power floor trying not to get one-shot.

Season of defiance’s one (1) battleground is already getting on my nerves. I’m this close to turning off dialogue and subtitles whenever I’m waiting to load into it. The bosses were hell and I hate them, especially the last room. Not a fan of the activity but also excited for new things such as the seasonal exotic mission. I also liked the sort of minor update to the ascendant plane look, much easier to see where I’m going. I also like how open mara is with us now, as someone who used to have issues with her character her growth has been amazing to see.

Overall I’d give the lightfall campaign a solid “I mean, it wasn’t perfect, but still enjoyable at least.”

Season of defiance gets a “you tried” sticker for compensation.

[w0ls-den]

yeeeaaaahhhhh I'm gonna say a few things real quick, though it may never be really seen so here we go :]

I'll put it under Keep Reading so I don't drag on on anyone's dash

I've wanted to say this from the beginning; I do not use Tumblr for my news. I do not go here for political information, war updates, nor campaigns for anything in-between. I have proper sites that I use for that information. All the news on Tumblr provides is fear and anxiety. UNNECESSARILY SO. No hate to those who share their political views and findings though, I understand it comes from hearts who want to spread understanding and information/opinions. However, I personally end up only anxious, untrusting, and frustrated. But to reiterate; I don't go to Tumblr for my news. I come here for people's creativity, not their fears. So it's always been frustrating to open this up hoping for such and finding politics and people screaming at people about red vs blue... you can imagine why lol

2. I know it's a big day. Everyone is upset, scared, unsure, frustrated, some feel satisfied with this new election and others upset. I refuse to disclose my opinions on it (again, this isn't the site for that imo) and watching people make posts centered on comforting one another has been a beautiful display of community. And I want to remind anyone seeing this that it WILL be ok. It has always turned out ok in the past whenever shit hit the fan, and it will again. God's still got us and I trust Him and His decisions, regardless of how it SEEMS. It'll be ok I promise

Conclusively, all this to say I'll be taking a break from Tumblr and all other general sites. Just to wait for the flames to cool down. For the hate posts to die down, for the big red posts to die down. For the world to realize it isn't ending with a new president.

My mental and physical health simply cant shoulder reading hate and fear and fear and hate over and over again, so for my own sake I'm stepping back for a bit.

God's got us, don't ever doubt that, lovelies ❤️✝️

[lcndonboysstuff]

I’ll preface my thoughts on Joe booking roles to say, as someone who has been a film geek for years and is a fan of many actors, I think Joe is going to have to wait into his 40s and 50s and beyond to have what most people would consider success for an actor (knowing that is probably different than his definition of success) based on a number of factors and so nothing with his career right now is a surprise to me, but it is frustrating as a fan. Especially when it appears he’s not shrinking away and is doing media and events and networking like someone who doesn’t want to be known as just a British character actor who has small supporting roles and cameos in films and dated Taylor Swift. He’s working for it. Hard. We saw the numbers on his appearances just this year. I just think he has too many factors working against him right now to get the roles and work with the directors that he wants. *ducks*

The thing about Joe not being able to book something in over a year and a half is that it will be at least 2026 before he has anything new come out after Brutalist and Hamlet. For that reason alone, I hope both films or at least Hamlet wait to be released even though I know people are hoping for the Venice Film Festival. I would rather see both in 2025. Spread it out. Otherwise, we’re going to be relying on literal crumbs in 2025 and 2026. We’re not getting a 2025 KOK awards campaign as it’s completely off the radar, even for Jesse in Best Actor, for those that predict that sort of thing. (And just to twist the knife - Paul Mescal is predicted for another Best Actor nom for Gladiator 😂😬)

It will be interesting to see how he fills his time or how he keeps momentum after Hamlet if there is going to continue to be a large delay in booking something new. At least he’ll get himself invited to every men’s fashion brand’s show under the sun! I think he’s covered them all in 2024. His publicist is going to have to get creative to keep his name out there in a positive way.

I’m also curious what role he was focused on in Los Angeles for almost a month 4-5 months ago, plus the two other trips, that has not resulted in any announcements. Not a chance he was in LA just hanging out - three times. I’m curious who got it instead and what the project is. Based on the timing, I can think of a few projects and have a sneaking suspicion which one it is, but unless somebody names him as someone they were also looking at casting, we’ll never know!

how is he predicted for a film that isn’t even out yet😭

you’d have to think searchlight wasn’t banking on kok being a contender at all. with the march release.

on the films. i do really want the brutalist this year. but i under that line of thinking. i wouldn’t mind getting hamlet next year.

it would be interesting to find out. what do you think it was? i really have no clue

[chibigo-ma]

CHAPTER ONE of Freak [Stranger Things]

Notes: This has been in the drafts for a LONG TIME as I was an OG ST fan. There were a lot of changes and the last I wrote (a chapter of the entire S1 EP 1) has Eddie from Season 4. Pls don't hate me. There's a reason why this is still in the drafts (*ahem* I'm scared of the fandom) and I'm sharing it now bc why not. This OC, Rima, is the FIRST version of her until I changed them a bit for my SF FF. She's still the same but without the trauma. I never thought I would share this so I just reuse OCs :0

Filipino characters. 🇵🇭 This starts as a Gen FF with one established OCxCanon ship (I want to experiment with the MxM genre) and maybe or not there will be a love interest for the MC in this book. Depends on me. Although, it will take forever for that love to happen. Also depends on whether or not I give my character a love life, so far, staying single.

Also, pls be nice with the DND part. I'm so unknowledgeable with it and idk if what I wrote is fine in the DND sense.

TW. Bullying, Racist Remarks, Missing Child (Will Byers)

𝙽𝚘𝚟𝚎𝚖𝚋𝚎𝚛 𝟼𝚝𝚑, 𝟷𝟿𝟾𝟹 𝙷𝚊𝚠𝚔𝚒𝚗𝚜, 𝙸𝚗𝚍𝚒𝚊𝚗𝚊 𝙳𝚎𝚕𝚊 𝙲𝚛𝚞𝚣 𝙰𝚋𝚘𝚍𝚎

Late at night, a couple of teens played in the basement as a DnD campaign was going on. The aura was so thick and intense, that the members of the party were quiet as the dungeon master continued the campaign. "After your party settled for the night, one of you wasn't feeling too good at all," a younger Eddie Munson spoke as the others waited for him to continue. 

"That someone was none other than our Cleric herself," he pointed over to the only female and the youngest in the group, Rima Dela Cruz. 

"What the necromancer said to her before they died was bothering her a lot. 'A robot is amongst you.' What did that necromancer mean? But suddenly, she heard robot statics and looked over to the now awoken Tom to see that he had sharp teeth and a robotic body!" Eddie announced and the party groaned. 

"See! I told you we shouldn't let him come with us!" Sean exclaimed in anger. "Yeah, but he was THE perfect male wife as Eddie mentioned," Gareth had his hands up. "Let's not forget, he's rich," Jeff commented. "And he can make gourmet food," Rima pointed out and another one of their friends agreed with her. Sean groans in frustration as Eddie continues. 

"The others woke up and stood beside Rima as Tom stood up from his bed and went to attack Rima. Sean, what will you do?" Eddie asked. "Fireball!" Jeff exclaimed. "No, it's too risky, what if he hurts somebody that isn't Tom?" Gareth commented. "I'm about to throw this fireball at you two and shove it up your ass," Sean threatened the two. 

"What is the dexterity saving throw of the animatronic?" Rima asked Eddie, ignoring the bickering. "We're replacing them as Zombies so -2 Dex saves and remember DC is at thirteen," Eddie verifies. "Okay," she snaps at the bickering guys with her.

"We should use teleportation considering that it's Sean's turn, who knows, it could also be a distraction, and then we'll try to do Sacred Flame as it's my turn next. We simply have to hope our throw isn't lower than thirteen so we can deal damage and my spell damage is higher," Rima negotiated and everyone seemed to agree. 

Sean rolled a D100 and it rolled to 70. "To the field! To the field!" Everyone chanted and Eddie allowed it. "It would seem that the teleport distracted him," Eddie mentioned. "I cast Sacred Flame!" Rima exclaimed and was given a D20. "Please!" Sean exclaimed and everyone else pleaded as they watched Rima roll in anticipation. 

She let go of the die and it rolled to eighteen. "Yes!" Everyone exclaimed. "Minus 2 damage—leading to sixteen damage, it succeeds and Tom dealt so much damage!" Eddie shouts. "Aba! (Oh!)" Rima smirked as she felt satisfied. "Rima, Sean!" Everyone looked up the stairs to see Mrs. Dela Cruz standing by the door. 

"Ilang beses ko na kayong tinatawag! (I've been calling you two so many times!) It's a school night," Mrs. Dela Cruz, also known as Anna, scolds the siblings. 

"Opo, opo, ma! Mag-aayos na kami! (Okay, okay, ma! We'll fix up now!)," Sean stood up from his chair and the others sighed as they were getting to the good stuff. Rima stood up from her chair as the other guys grabbed trash and empty pizza boxes to throw out later. "Awesome that you made Fredbear's Family Diner inspire this campaign," Rima mentioned to Eddie as he helped Sean fix the D&D set. 

"Hey, you're the one who mentioned it. The poor kid though," Eddie sadly remembers that detail she told him. "Yeah, I hope the family is doing alright," Rima comments, and she grabs a wet rag to clean up the table. "We're gonna go ahead," Gareth points up the stairs. 

"See you in school!" Their other friend waved goodbye as the three left the basement, leaving Sean, Rima, and Eddie. 

"Finally," Eddie exclaims as he kisses Sean on the lips. Sean smiles in the kiss and kisses his boyfriend back as Rima looks at them in disgust. "You do know I'm still here, right? At least do it in Sean's room," Rima sassed them as she grabbed her walkie-talkie. 

"No bitches?" Sean teases as Eddie kisses his cheek. "I get bitches, but I don't want them," she countered back with a smirk. 

"You're lucky I'm not a snitch," she waved them off as she left the basement. Rima turns on her walkie-talkie and starts to change the frequencies. "Jonathan, do you copy? This is Rima speaking, come in, Jonathan," she calls out, and static comes on her end. "This is Jonathan speaking, how was your DnD session? Over," Jonathan Byers spoke on his walkie-talkie. 

"It was great. I dealt so much damage to our last boss before we got interrupted by my mom," she grabbed a bottle of water from the fridge and took a drink. "Good night, anak (child)," Anna greets her goodnight. "G'night ma, night pa," she kissed her parents on the cheek and proceeded to go upstairs. 

"Besides that, I think I'm scarred for life. Just saw Sean kissing my best friend again for the tenth time today," she gagged as she got to her room. "You should get used to that by now. They've been together since, what? They were fifteen?" Jonathan chuckled. 

"True, but like ever since they came out to mom and dad, and they told the two that they were ok with it—as long as they do it in private, 'cuz you know, lots of close-minded people," she mentioned as she lay down on her bed. 

"They've been at it with one another for a year now! Probably some pent-up sexual feelings they have for one another. I still don't get it. At this point, I should tell them to use protection," she joked. "Your lack of sexual desire is showing," Jonathan chuckled. 

"And how was your day? You got home safely, right?" she asked and he went quiet. "Well, I'm at... work," Jonathan replied and Rima's eyes widened. "Dude, you know Joyce doesn't like you taking shifts when she's working. You also got to know if Will came home safely," she quietly exclaimed as she lay on her side. 

"Yes, yes. I know, but Eric asked if I could cover and I agreed. I thought we could use the extra cash," he told her and she sat on her bed. 

"Just stay safe and tell Will I said hi in the morning. He's probably on his way home now or is asleep already," she mentioned worriedly. "Alright, sweet dreams, Rim," he said softly. "Sweet dreams to you too, Jon," they turned their walkie-talkie off and turned off the lights.

👾🚲🛹🌗

"Aalis na kami! (We're going now!)" Rima and Sean shout by the front door. "Baon niyo?! (Your packed lunch?!)" Anna called out. "Nandito na! (It's here!)" They shout and Eddie looks over at Anna and smiles at her. "Thanks for the breakfast again, Anna. I'll look after these idiots for you," Eddie said the same thing every day as she laughed. 

"You'll always look after my babies. Have fun and don't get in trouble!" Anna exclaims as Eddie joins the siblings. "Love you, ma!" The siblings exclaimed once more as they closed the door behind them. "See ya!" Rima salutes the boys as she drops her skateboard and rides to school. She checks her watch to see that she has a lot of time left before her first class starts. 

She decides to check up on the Party since she knows that they get bullied a lot as well. As she walks over to the middle school, she spots the boys but rolls her eyes when she sees their bullies in front of them again. "I told you a million times, my teeth are coming in. It's called cleidocranial dysplasia," she heard Dustin say from afar as she got closer. 

"I told you a million times," one of their bullies imitated Dustin. Rima jogged over to them as she heard one of them say "Do it, freak!" "Oi!" Rima placed her hands on their shoulders as Lucas, Mike, and Dustin smiled after seeing their older friend. "What did I tell you about bullying them?" Rima glared at the bullies and they stayed quiet. 

"On the count of three, I want you two to get inside the school, out of my sight. Do I make myself," she pressed her fingers onto their collarbones lightly and they instantly wince despite how lightly she gripped them. "... clear?" She continued. She said that menacingly, the Party could notice their bullies shaking in fear. 

"Yes, ma'am!" They exclaimed as she let go of them. "One," she began to count and they quickly sprinted to the school's entrance. "Two," she stopped counting as they got inside in a panic. Rima sighed as she ruffled her hair but soon gasped as she felt arms wrapping around her. "Thank you, thank you, thank you so much, Rim!" Dustin exclaimed as that alone made Rima chuckle. 

"No problem," she patted his back and turned to the others but noticed someone missing. "Where's Will? He's always with you guys, it's practically weird not to see him with you three," they commented. "His mom said that he went to class early again and I think she's right," Lucas answered and Rima shrugged it off as a valid reason. 

"Alright, you boys take it easy now, alright? I don't want any of my little brothers getting hurt. Because remember," the Party began to smirk, "Freaks stick together," they finished her sentence. Rima ruffled Mike's and Lucas' hair and gave Dustin a huge hug before going back to Hawkins High School. "See you, Rim!" Dustin shouted and she held a hand up to acknowledge him. 

She dropped her skateboard and road down the slope. By the time she got to the entrance doors, she kicked off her skateboard and carried it as she walked the hallways of her school. She got to her locker to see the word ❝freak❞ written on her locker door. She huffs as they unlock her locker, grabs a spray bottle of rubbing alcohol and another old rug, and proceeds to remove it. 

"G'morning, Rima!" They looked behind them to see Barbara waving at her with Nancy to which she smiled. "Morning, girls," she greeted the two as she finished up cleaning. "To continue," Nancy began to speak. "We just," she proceeds to unlock her locker, "made out a couple of times." 

"We just... made out a couple of times," Barbara mimicked her and Rima giggled. "Nance, seriously?" Rima chuckled, but at the time same time felt worried for her friend. "You're gonna be so cool now, it's ridiculous," Barbara commented. "No, I'm not," Nance disagrees with her. 

"You better still hang out with us, that's all we're saying," Rima added to which Barbara nodded. "If you become friends with Tommy H. or Carol—" 

"Oh, that's gross!" "That's disgusting!" Both Nancy and Rima reacted negatively as Nancy opened her locker.  "Okay, I'm telling you, it was a one-time—" Nancy stopped talking as she watched her friends raise an eyebrow at her. "Two-time thing," she adds, and the other two chuckle as Nancy spots a note inside her locker. 

She opens it and it reads, "Meet me. Bathroom -Steve." "You were saying?" Barbara asked and Nancy bites her lips as she looks at her best friends. "Just go," Rima nudged her shoulder to encourage her friend and they watched her smile as she speed-walked to the bathroom. 

"She sure is in love with him," Barbara commented as the two watched Nancy and Steve meet with smiles and walk to the bathroom. "I don't get the whole... whatever they're having. Why is Nancy denying whatever her relationship is with Steve? Everyone can tell that they like each other," Rima mentions as she grabs her books. 

"If I got to be honest," the two looked at each other. "I'm not sure," Barbara continued and Rima shrugs. "Maybe it's because he had so many exes and possibly had sex with them. I think she's worried about it," 

"Well, I have to go to English class," Rima groans as she closes her locker and locks it. The two walked down the hallway as they spoke to one another. "I still don't get why you have to take that class. You're good at English. Better than me and Nancy," Barbara commented. 

"I don't know. It's just the whole system with immigrants needing to learn American English. The good part is I'm bilingual and I'll probably have my head explode if I learn another language," Rima placed both her hands near her forehead. "Pftshhh," she opened her fingers and moved her hands away in a "mind-blown" motion—Barbara giggled as they separated their ways. 

During school hours, she hasn't seen Jonathan or him going up to her. It was like he wasn't in school. Could something have happened at home? Rima thought about it as the bell rang for lunch. Rima stood up from her desk and grabbed her bag as she left the classroom. 

She was minding her business while walking to the cafeteria until she got pushed into a wall. 

"Hello, Ching-chong," Tommy Hagan smirked as Carole Perkins giggled. "Wrong type of Asian. We talked about this. Get it right next time," Rima sassed, and people who heard laughed. Tommy got pissed and slammed Rima again to the wall. "Don't you think this is getting old? Is this going to be our routine?" Rima asked and it was just making Tommy more frustrated. 

"Stop that!" Tommy demanded. "Hey!" The two looked over to the side to see Steve "the hair" Harrington and upon seeing him made Rima's eyes roll. "Hey, lover boy," this got Steve's attention, "can you tell your idiots to let go of me? At this point, I'm starting to think that these two are in love with me," after she said that, Tommy lets go of her and looks at her in disgust. 

"We are not in love with you," Carol answered. "Then why bother me every day? You can clearly see that I'm uninterested in whatever you guys are saying," Rima kicked Tommy in the crotch and he heaved as he dropped to the floor. She quickly got away from them and ran to the cafeteria. "Rim!" She looked over to see Eddie waving at her with Sean beside him.

She quickly went over to them and sat across from the two. "Were they holding you back again?" Sean asked to which Rima rolled her eyes. "They keep on bothering me when they can see that I'm uninterested in whatever they say about me," she pulled out her packed lunch and smiled to see that lumpia was her lunch for the day.

"They're quite annoying, not going to lie," Eddie answered but raised an eyebrow when he watched Rima looking around. "Who are you looking for?" Eddie asked and Rima looked more confused. "Jonathan didn't come to school today," she pointed out and the two boys raised an eyebrow. "Really?" Sean asked. 

"She's just sad that she isn't with her boyfriend, at the moment," Eddie joked and laughed.

"For the thousandth time, he's not and will not be my boyfriend. We see each other as siblings," she pointed out. "Walkie-talkie him later after school. Maybe something happened at home," Sean pointed out and Rima nodded. "Yeah, I'll do that later. I just hope those nasty lovebirds don't bother me again. It's getting so annoying," Rima mentioned and ate her lunch.

👾🚲🛹🌗

It was finally after school, and Rima quickly got on her skateboard with her walkie-talkie in hand. She turned it on and stopped riding her skateboard when she was far from her school. "Jonathan, do you copy? Jonathan Byers, do you copy?" She called for him and waited for a response. "Hey, Rima," she heard Jonathan sniff. 

"Hey, you doing alright? I was wondering why you weren't in school," she answered as she rode the way to her house. "Will's missing," Jonathan tells her, and she stands still as her skateboard keeps going. "What...?" Rima felt frozen and didn't realize a dip in the curb and fell off her board. She groaned in pain as she held her arm. 

"He... He's missing," Jonathan sobbed softly, "I should've been there for him," his voice broke. "Shit," she rolled slowly and looked to where her walkie was. As she tried to get her walkie, she was hit with her skateboard, and her walkie was taken. "Aww, little ching fell," Carol mocked her, Boo hoo!" Rima groaned more as Tommy was beside Carol and Steve was behind Rima. 

"Can you shut the fuck up? I've just been hit with bad news," Rima said as she stood up slowly, staggering back with Tommy pushing her. "What? Your boyfriend broke up with you?" Tommy smirked. "No, my little brother is missing," she glared and the two were stunned. They looked at one another and wondered what they would do next.

Steve sighed as he grabbed Rima's skateboard and took her walkie out of Carol's hand. "Here," Steve handed her her stuff. Rima looked between her stuff and at Steve as she didn't trust what he would do next. "I'm not going to do anything. Just get home safe," Steve stated and she slowly grabbed her stuff. "Get yourself patched as well," he told her and he watched her nod slowly.

She sped-walked away from them as she quickly turned the corner out of their sight. She inspected her walkie for damages before pushing the button. "Jonny, I can go to your house and help you and Joyce out. Sorry, I didn't reply quicker, I had some trouble kanina (a while ago)," she said on the walkie. "Hey, it's okay," he sniffed, "is it ok if you sleep over?" he asked.

"Yeah, I'll ask my mom. She deeply cares for you two and Joyce. We'll be with you guys every step of the way," she reassured him as she finally got home. "I'll update you soon. Over and out!" She turned off her walkie and got inside. 

"I'm home! Mama, nasan ka po? (Where are you?)" Rima called out to her home. "Nasa kitchen po ako! (I'm in the kitchen!)" Anna shouts and Rima goes over there. "Ma, may emergency tayo (We have an emergency.)," she tells her. "Ano nangyari? (What happened?)," Anna stopped what she was doing. "Will is missing," Rima states, and Anna's eyes widen. 

"Really?!" Anna looked heartbroken. "I contacted Jonny kanina and he told me the news. He also asked if it was ok for me to sleep over," Rima shared. 

"Oh, we will cook them dinner and eat with them. I'll call your father about it and tell Jon about it. Tell him that he'll sleep over with you two as well," Anna told her. "Noted," Rima saluted and went to fix her stuff while using her walkie to contact the two boys.

Night came and Anna finished cooking dinner. Sean Sr. was informed about the plan and is willing to go with the plan. Sean Jr. was also fine with the plan as he took Eddie home. "Are your bags ready? Papa is coming home soon na (now)," Anna informed her children as Rima watched TV with Sean going down the stairs. "Yup," he replied and sat beside Rima.

"I can't believe Will is missing. This feels surreal,"  he mentioned with a frown. "It is. Let's take note to be with someone when it's nighttime," Rima concluded as a car horn was heard. "That must be Papa," Anna quickly grabbed a few of the food as the two opened the door to leave their bags inside the car. "Hey, you two alright?" Sean Sr. asked as he popped the trunk.

"Yup! Mama made a lot of food so we have to try to fit them all in the back," Rima informed him. "I'll go help," he quickly got inside as the siblings fit their bags in the trunk. "Poor Jon," Sean sighed as he leaned on the car. "Let's try our best to help him, yeah?" Rima reassured him. "Let's help with the food for now," he said as they got inside after their parents came out.

After all the food was secured and safe, Sean Sr. backed up and drove to the Byers Abode. As they got there, Joyce quickly got out the front door and ran to her best friend. "Anna!" Joyce pounced on her friend as soon as Anna opened her door. "Will, he's there! It-It—" "It's ok. It's ok," Anna comforted Joyce as the remaining three took out the food.

"We got some goods!" Rima tried to get the mood up as she lifted two servings of food. "Rima Joy Dela Cruz, if you drop those," Anna threatened with a glare as Rima ran inside. "Rim," Jonathan helped her with the food. "Hey," she patted his back as they brought it to the table. 

"It's gonna be okay. I'll be right here. No matter what," she reassured as she still had her hand on his back. Jonathan looked like he wanted to say more, but kept it in. "This is all so very nice. Thank you so much, Anna," Joyce said as the two friends let go.

"I'll be with you throughout this investigation, no worries; I am a retired policewoman," Anna smiled. Anna Dela Cruz worked as a policewoman for years before she retired. It was only recently that she retired due to a case where it got her injured. It was issued to the doctor that exerting more than she usually has would earn her some permanent damages in the long run.

She reluctantly left her job, but it ended on a good note. "What is the update with everything?" Anna asked Joyce as the mothers stayed outside while the rest went inside to prepare the food and leave their bags inside. "He's close. I feel it in my heart," Joyce sniffled. "There was a call and...and it was his breathing," she broke down again as she held onto Anna.

It hurt Anna to see Joyce like this. She was like that when Ronnie was being an ass to her. "Don't worry. I'm here, I'm here," Anna reassured her friend as she felt a drizzle. "Shit, I think it's about to rain," Anna, who still held Joyce in her arms, ushered her inside before they got wet. 

"It's raining hard tonight," Sean Jr. mentions as plates and utensils are placed on the table. "Hey," Rima whispered to Jonathan as she got his attention. "Let's watch a movie later. I've brought tons of CDs," she tells him to try and cheer him up. "Alright," Jonathan smiled and felt his heart skipped a beat for the girl beside him. 

She has always been with him through the ups and downs of his life. He's grateful that she doesn't push him to express himself, which makes him more open to her than with anyone else, sometimes his mother. They've eaten their dinner and Rima went to change as soon as she finished her dinner. 

"Thank you Anna and Sean for letting Jon and Rima stay over," Jonathan thanked the two. "It's no problem. You and Joyce need support right now," Sean Sr. held Jonathan's shoulder. "Thank you, Sean," Jonathan smiled and nodded.

Finally, late at night, the parents decided to stay at the Byers to be there for their friend as the teens stayed in the living room. Sean Jr. had passed out earlier as the remaining two watched their fifth movie. Rima was invested in the movie while Jonathan was half listening and looking at the girl.

They had talked about Will before the movie marathon and Rima smiled at the picture he and his mom picked for the missing person poster. He had been reassured by his mother that it wasn't his fault, but the guilt still sinks in him. He's thankful that Rima doesn't push him to open up, but it makes him weirdly nervous to share on his own without her acknowledging it. 

Was it due to liking the girl for the past few years? Maybe, but he doesn't want to think about it. It still hurts to hear that she sees him as another brother and it makes him feel restricted to share the majority of his feelings with the girl. He sat still as he continued to watch the movie and his thoughts stayed put in his mind. 

:]

Translations & Pronunciations: Aba! (Ah-bah) - Oh! To express surprise, admiration, and proud expression.

Ilang beses ko na kayong tinatawag! School night pati. - I've been calling you two so many times! It's a school night.

Opo, opo, ma! Mag-aayos na kami! - Okay, okay, ma! We'll fix up now! Adding "po" and/or "opo" makes the sentence more polite and respectful. "Po" doesn't have any equivalent word in the English Language, but "Opo" usually means "Yes, Okay, etc." in a more formal and polite term. 

Anak (Ah-nak) -Son/Daughter/Child There are no specifics. "Anak" literally means "child" of any age and gender.  

Aalis na kami! (Ah-ah-lis nah kah-me) -We're going now!

Baon niyo?! (Bah-on knee-yo) -Your packed lunch/pocket money?! Depends on the context if it's either packed lunch or pocket money. In this case, it's a packed lunch.

Nandito na! (Nan-dee-toh) -It's here!

Kanina (Kah-knee-na) - A while ago.

Nasan ka po? (Nah-san kah poh) - Where are you?  "Nasan" is a shortened word from "Nasaan", which still means "Where is/are." Either "Nasan" or "Asan" works.

[astaroth1357]

Ok but like, what if MC's fandom starts to make ships with MC and the guys. Just think about the ship wars, the fancams, the fanarts, the absolute CHAOS when the brothers find out. It would be even worse if they start shipping MC with the undatables, one day everything is normal and the next day there are ship wars fighting over MC x Barbatos vs MC x Solomon (who are both very smug about it)

The MC's Fanclub are… Shippers?!

Perhaps… The italics blurb has been fulfilling its greater purpose all along…? Perhaps in its state of existential angst, it has in fact developed a plot of its own… An arc of introspection and self-discovery in which its own longing for purpose has forged a meaningful identity… It now has… a story…

Lucifer

As if they couldn't get any MORE frustrating…

He's not an otaku. He's not a part of ship culture. He's not even sure why anyone would care about who dates who around this school, but apparently it's a big deal to some people...

He only became aware of their interest in him and the MC's relationship through some very… subtle clues…

Like the groups that would follow them around in the hallways with their phones out.

Or the multitude of fan rumors about their relationship that Satan spams him with from time to time just to irritate him.

"MC refused hug from Luci in halls today!! Are they bout breakup??? 🥺"

"Tots got pic of kiss today!! Relationship upgrade??"

"IS ARE MC+LUCIFER SECET LVRS?!? PLEASE RESPOND"

It only got worse after he found out the MC gets shipped out a loooooot….

If he had to pick his least favorite ship, it'd be MC x Mammon. He can kind of see it with any of his other brothers (admittedly, Levi is also a little mystifying) but the idea of them ending up with Mammon makes his skin crawl...

He once found a drawing of the MC and Mammon in an… explicit position in one of the classrooms and he was so disgusted that he wouldn’t even touch it. He just set fire to the paper outright. Disgusting...

Mammon

Shipping, eh…? More money making opportunities!

Has some passing idea of what shipping is from Levi and, from what he knows of it, shippers eat cutesy couples stuff right up!! If all he's got to do to make bank is to look all couple-y around the MC then sounds like a win-win to him!

He'll happily pose for a photo or two (paid in advance) of him throwing his arm around the MC or something. Want him to hold their hand? Sure thing!

But since this is still Mammon we're talking about, the second MC actually starts getting into any of it he'll still turn into a blushy, stuttery mess...

For WEEKS the headline picture on so many of their fans' blogs was an image of him turning beet red while the MC kissed him on the cheek. (A fan really got their money's worth there... 😏)

Though he doesn’t exactly like the MC getting shipped with other people, he'll still totally sell pictures of any of them together. He almost paid off an entire credit card with the money he got from the t-shirt sales of the MC and Satan!

If he had to point to one ship he doesn't like it's either MC x Asmo or MC x Levi. His opinion, but Asmo won't treat them right and they could do waaay better than a shut-in. Like him. Ship the MC with just the Great Mammon, got it?

Leviathan

… Lowkey super active in the MC shipping community but is a self-shipper to the extreme.

Like, he never uses his real name on anything (and would probably die from embarrassment if anyone ever found out) but a lot of their fans probably know a couple of his aliases.

He does everything from mod forums, runs a couple blogs, even anonymously posts his own work of him and MC that are totally not his secret fantasy dates or AU versions of themselves, shaddup.

It’s a lot easier for him to keep his involvement secret because he’s hardly at RAD, but the few times he does show up he tries to keep an eye out for anybody prowling for pictures so he can get in a good pose and save the image later.

Mind you, his version of a “good pose” rarely gets more spicy than linking pinkies, but even then he’s still lit up a Christmas Tree throughout.

Naturally, he’s also not a big fan of any ships that aren’t just him and MC and he can find a reason to be jealous at almost anything. But he keeps a special corner of hate for MC x Mammon and MC x Diavolo. Like, the first one doesn’t even need an explanation but MC x Diavolo?? Really??? Do those two even talk?? (please, please, please make sure they never actually talk because a guy like him versus literal royalty? He’d lose MC for sure….!! 😫)

Satan

He hates to actually agree with Lucifer on something, but their fans are starting to get out of hand...

Knows what shipping is in concept, he may have done it once or twice to characters in his books, but he was kind of surprised how it could evolve into such a… group activity?

He was pretty quick to pick up that the MC’s fans had a bit more interest in them together than they did when they both were apart…

I mean, those hideous shirts that Mammon was pedaling were kind of a dead giveaway…

Considering he finds their fanclub all rather annoying, even without their bizarre interest in his love life, when they started actively meddling with him and the MC he was ready to smash some heads.

No. He will not stop for pictures. No. What things they do together is none of your business. No. He has zero interest in seeing your explicit fanart and if you don’t start running that will be the last question you ever ask.

He DOES, however, appreciate the cringy “annoy Lucifer” ammo. They could keep that up for a lifetime... 😏

He doesn’t have a least favorite ship because he doesn’t care about any of this, leave him alone. (That’s a lie, it’s MC x Lucifer. He pokes fun at Lucifer, but he can’t stand it either. Big shock, I know 🙄).

Asmodeus 

Oh he is shamelessly a part of the community, are you kidding?? 

He could practically call “Shipping the MC” one of his favorite pastimes. He’ll openly gossip with their fanclub about who they’ve been with, who they’re seeing, who’s got a chance, etc… He lives for this shit!

He’s the only person who knows that Levi is also in the community and what his aliases are (not because he told him, but because Levi’s not as subtle as he thinks he is… Who else would call themselves “SupremeRuri666” and speak mostly in outdated chat lingo?) but he doesn’t out him because he thinks his very obvious crush is kind of cute. 

Plus, Levi needs the outlet waaaay more than him…

Doesn’t stop him from constantly trolling him and getting into arguments over who the MC would be better with though (the two are “virtual nemeses” as far as Levi is concerned).

Appreciates all forms of expression that comes out of the community (especially the saucy kind 😏) and will happily feed into his own shippers without a care in the world.

Truthfully, Asmo will say that there isn’t a ship he doesn’t like but if someone mentions one that he thinks is kind of “eh,” he’ll just add himself into the mix. “Oh, you like MC x Barbatos? Well how about Asmo x MC x Barbatos? That sounds loads more interesting doesn’t it??”

Beelzebub 

Oh, Beel… Sweet, sweet Beel… Beel doesn’t even know what their club is doing…

Because Beel has a reputation of being pretty protective of MC - and against the fanclub in general - the club keeps a healthy distance… but that doesn’t mean they’re not going to sneak in some picture or make a SHITLOAD of fanwork about them.

Between classes and practice Beel is a busy guy, so sometimes he just doesn’t notice that there’s people hiding behind trees when he’s out with MC. 

Honestly, his complete ignorance of it all makes it even cuter because when he acts sweet, it’s not just for the camera. That’s the real deal.

Mammon was the one who eventually let it slip that there was even shipping happening and Beel was… kind of creeped out because isn’t this stalking? But also kind of weirdly happy(?) that MC x Beel was so popular… Very conflicted boy here.

He never actually acknowledges the community, though, and just keeps on being Beel (which still gave the fans more than enough material so all’s well that ends well?)

Beel genuinely doesn’t have a least favorite ship (because he believes the best ship is whoever makes the MC happy) but his second favorite under himself is probably MC x Belphie. They look very cute together...  😊

Belphegor 

Ride or die, Beel x MC x Belphie. 

Just kidding (kind of), Belphie isn’t into the shipping but if asked he’d be pretty okay with that one.

His campaign against the MC’s fanclub and their attention stealing ways means that he found out about their shipping thing only slightly ahead of Beel when Mammon was trying to get pictures of them napping together…

Honestly, he couldn’t care less if a bunch of weirdos were weirdly invested in their relationship, but he’s not about to let Mammon just make a quick Grimm off of it. Belphie makes sure that he gives him NOTHING to work with. 

Since Mammon is the main dealer, the shippers in both the MC fanclub and Belphie fanclub aren’t nearly as well fed and pretty desperate for anything... You best believe he plays that to his advantage (because it’s okay if he does. He’s not Mammon).

Really helps that MC x Belphie is legitimately a very cute looking couple, carried by Belphie’s cuteness alone if nothing else. Add an adorable MC and you reach levels so cute it could actually melt people into puddles of goo... They could be a registered weapon.

Least favorite MC ships are any that don’t involve him or Beel. Any others may as well just not exist, he won’t even acknowledge them. MC x Who? Yeah, that’s what he thought.

[louehvolution]

Is Capital still blacklisting Louis? As long as that's the case, what's the point of a promo campaign without performances? He's not a big enough celebrity that anyone outside fans wants to watch his interviews. And if you listen to them - they're just not going to entice anyone in. Fans, fans, fans. That's pretty boyband-y. And all these years giving interviews yet he's never really prepared an anecdote?? That's pretty basic for chat shows. How does he think SJ is going a good job??? And it's not just the English ones where the F mentions are tossed around - there was that Dutch one and the Italian one. Was SJ involved in those? I don't actually believe that the Dutch interviewer would have asked so much about the kid if he wasn't invited to. Like when we found out the radio stations in 2016 were encouraged to ask personal questions and we got stories about explosive diarrhea diaper changing and so on.

I still wonder at him not performing at BBC The One Show. From Manchester Evening News: The One Show viewers were left slightly baffled as Louis Tomlinson made a very laid back appearance on the programme. Though the interview was fine? Then again, why not couple it with a performance as with Walls. Were there any performances booked for UK? What a fucking time for the Queen to die :|

As far as I have seen Capital is not playing Louis—though they will write ten tabloid articles about him a month. TodayFM from Ireland didn’t play his song in full either—there is blacklisting and there is also probably years of learned… disrespect? But where was BMG?

It seemed a given that while Louis might no longer be under Sony, Sony would continue to have power over him. I never expected BMG to be able to work miracles, but considering years of artistic erasure to overcome and the time they had to prepare, I did hope for a re-launch to mean more and better promo than in the past. For the likes of NME and Official Charts features, and fun content like LADBible, to be the baseline, not the highest point of it. But it all seems, in essence, more or less the same. It’s good to see BTM's getting played on radio in US, but you still need positive associations and to maintain interest—let’s see what’s in store there.

I think Louis is very engaging in interviews, actually, thoughtful and articulate, showing his intelligence and his passion for music. And he gives good answers to any sort of question, like: “I wish it was less cliche, but I’ve always wanted to skydive. I planned to do it this year, but it didn't work out, for one reason or another. But that’s definitely on my bucket list. I suppose it’s like general advice, just good to be out of your comfort zone with things like that [and] that’s like the epitome of that idea.” But he needs to be given the chance with new and interesting talking points too. It’s so frustrating because he has so much to talk about. And he's funny as well, so he would do well with more fun content too.

I believe Louis genuinely cares about his fans, and even if it were advisable—and I don’t think it is—he wouldn’t turn his back on his loyal fanbase for anything. While in some aspects his fanbase as a whole will always be a double edged sword, arguably, maintaining ‘boy band’ levels of fan dedication and intensity all on his own could also be shown as a positive. Mainly I do worry about the sense of indebtedness Louis might have with fans, how much he feels the need to include and highlight us.

I do not believe anyone can think SJPR does a good job—the headline from The Sun when Louis released his MY mv was about how he ‘dances on tables and drinks’ a year from his mother’s death. Whatever you think about his sexuality or closet, the way his personal losses have been tabloid fodder for years should make every single fan hate SJPR. [But yes, it’s not like it's ever been limited to the UK.]

It’s been a week since release, and whatever you believe about his personal life, I would think comparing to previous promo, BMG has been… at least underwhelming. There have always been some good interviews and fun content, but it should all be good, and every opportunity and momentum maximized—bit weird to have his IG inactive a whole week after release and end of tour? Everything should be contributing toward the same goal: making Louis known as a credible [solo] artist—the last thing Louis needs is to be tied to 1D and to update people on his personal life; that has literally been one of the issues he’s faced ever since 1D [that powerpoint that had him defined by his ‘model girlfriend’]—creating interest and opportunities for his music to be heard. And it doesn’t feel like it.

[eponymous-rose]

Talks Machina Highlights - Critical Role C2E123 (Feb. 2, 2021)

After last week’s thoroughly relaxing and brief episode, tonight’s guests are Sam Riegel and Liam O’Brien!

Brian, to Sam: “You look like Tim Curry moved to Nantucket to become a sommelier.”

How did Caleb and Veth approach the ally-ship with the Tombtakers? Sam: “I mean, we got some information, and I think we got a little closer to Lucien and knowing whether he has any of Mollymauk inside of him, which is I think the most important knowledge that we’re seeking right now. Is there someone to be saved inside there? We got glimpses, and we got a little hint that Mollymauk is maybe still in there? Maybe? And we got a little more insight into their plans, so that was useful.” Liam: “We know why we were having that fucking dream.” Sam: “But other than that, it was just a road trip with assholes.” Liam: “All our plans have been ripped in a new direction, and it’s just been improvisation.” Sam notes that it feels like we’re always about to rip into Caleb’s backstory, but haven’t yet followed that thread all the way through. Liam: “It’s partially frustrating, to be sure, but also I like the idea that-- his whole shit has been selfish, it’s been dealing with the trauma that he’s been through and not the greater world, and that’s been shifting somewhat.”

Does Caleb think the book was worth it, and is he still interested in reading more? Sam: “How do you ask Caleb not to read a book?” Liam: “Caleb has spent enough time with the Nein to know you shouldn’t put a hand on a hot stove. After what happened with the book, he knows it’s a terrible idea. But maybe. But it’s a really bad idea. But reserve judgment, but it’s a really terrible idea. I think that Caleb is very aware that mages and people like him very easily fall prey to their curiosity and it can lead to bad places. But there is still that amount of scientific endeavor where you think there is value in knowing and learning, and maybe we can ride that line. He was True Neutral at the start of the campaign, and maybe he’s Chaotic Good now, but part of him is hubris, even if it’s a little bit, still.”

What about Otis has drawn Veth’s focus? Sam: “I mean, he’s a little shit. She was curious about Otis because he’s a small like she is, and in talking to him, he seemed to be real creepy, but he was just creepy and distant and didn’t value his past or family or anything like that. She sees someone who’s like her, but so not like her, and maybe that scares her a little bit more.”

How does Caleb feel about Beau being on this ride with him? Liam: “The dream is another example of how Caleb had very narrow vision of the things he wanted to do. It used to seem so massive to him, but now... To have Beauregard involved feels right. If anyone in the group is going to stop him from grabbing something he shouldn’t, it is probably Beauregard. She’ll punch him in the fucking face to stop him, which I think he needs, to a certain extent. They’re two different kinds of nerds, and I kind of like that, that this group of nine philosophers, they’ve reached out and somehow grabbed the two nerds in the party.”

How do Caleb and Veth see the Somnovum? Sam: “I mean, they seem real bad. Anything that’s a quorum of powerful entities heading towards your planet to unleash an energy of any kind, typically bad? I assume they’re bad, or at least the Tombtakers wish them to do ill.” Liam: “I think they want the kind of peace that comes from snapping your fingers and turning people to dust. Caleb sees them as a cautionary tale; they’re the worst-case scenario for arcane inquisitiveness.” He sees Allura Vysoren as the antidote to that.

Why the staunch refusal to use Halfling Luck? Sam: “I don’t like Luck! I just don’t like Luck. I think it’s cheap, I think it’s a cheat, I think it’s stupid. It just feels like a do-over.” Liam: “I am your antithesis! If I ever voice a halfling, I am going to hammer that feature!” Sam: “What I love about D&D is that you don’t know what’s going to happen. If you roll bad, okay, that’s it. If you roll well, it makes the success more enjoyable to know that it’s a pure success and don’t one where you’re like well actually... it’s so stupid. If someone was about to die, I would probably use the fuckin’ Luck feature. Well. It depends who. If it was Travis, yeah, no, he’s fucked, sorry.”

Liam drops that he’s picked Sam’s character class and race again for a hypothetical campaign three. Sam: “It’s not what I was thinking for future characters, but I’m excited to explore.”

Cosplay of the Week: an amazing Mollymauk by KatofValkyrie!

What was it like to bring the Tombtakers into the tower? Liam: “It is complicated, because he does not like him. Lucien’s just a fucking dick. But Caleb also knows that Molly’s in there somewhere. That tower’s only for the M9, and Lucien’s not in the M9. Their situation with these people is shitty, it’s terrible. Caleb doesn’t feel like they have the upper hand. He doesn’t like that they’re even going on this journey per se, because life is bigger than his bullshit. He feels like they’ve been losing over and over again, so it was a gamble to try to get on equal footing.

What spurred Veth into making sure she and Yasha have some one-on-one time? Sam: “Yasha hasn’t been getting a lot of moments to shine. Now that she’s back, I just got the impression that Yasha feels out of place sometimes, or timid, or unsure of herself. When Veth was Nott, Nott certainly had her share of those moments. I think she sees a kindred spirit and wants to make sure that she’s been giving all the opportunity she can to flourish and thrive. Dani, you’re just laughing at my mustache, aren’t you?” Dani: “Yes, that’s the only thing I’m laughing at through this whole bullshit.” Sam denies all knowledge of trolling, but eventually admits, on the topic of Yasha and Beau getting together: “They’ve made me wait this long... I’m going to make them wait a little bit longer!”

What was it like to show his friends the upper floors? Liam: “I kinda expected somebody to sneak up there before that. That being part of the tower is not even a conscious choice of his, it just is. The reason Caduceus has creeped Caleb out for a long time is because he talks about how-- Caduceus is a really kind person and wants Caleb to let go of the past. And in a really simplistic way, turn that frown upside-down. And that’s just not who Caleb is, and it’s not who everybody is. There is something to be said for trying to stay open and positivity, but thinking you can shut out the past, especially a traumatic one, is just not true. When things happen to us, we carry them. But to candy-coat it and say, ah, I’m free, or everything is good, or I’ve turned the corner... life is way messier than that. It’s not flipping a switch, it’s not bad-to-good, it is such a work in progress. Even when you make strides and start to get to a better place, you can backslide a lot. So the tower is who he is, and the tower is 7/9ths love for his friends, and 1/9th hope, but there’s still a percentage of him that carries everything from the past, and knows that he should, and knows that he should not go back to where he was. And the way to do that is not to say everything is rainbows, but to remember it. The tower is just like an extension of who he is. He’s never going to forget the past, and he’s never going to be like, I’m good, or I’ve turned a corner. He should remember the past, and he should do better, always.”

Does Veth still believe it’s possible to get Molly back? Sam: “Well, she was a person trapped in another body for many years, so has some experience there, and definitely believes that the spirit and soul of Molly is in there and just needs to be unlocked somehow.”

Fan Art of the Week: an amazing group shot by HarpySN!

How are Caleb and Veth dealing with their guilt and fear about being in the middle of this? Sam: “It definitely was a deep conversation that might have repercussions going forward. The problem with all of what we’re doing now is that we don’t have time to deal with our petty problems anymore. It’s all high tension all the time!” Liam: “It’s true; they’re not in control of their situation at all anymore.” Sam: “It’s good to have these check-ins, but it’s not like we can do anything about them. We’re reactive right now.” Liam: “He’s not happy with where they are, but they wouldn’t even be this far if the goblin hadn’t pulled him out of the mud. So part of it is, you saved me from where I was and got me on my feet again, and now it’s disconcerting to see it all just get knocked sideways by something he never could’ve predicted. I think Caleb felt nostalgic for when things were simpler, in a way, for them, when we’re both troubled drifters.”

What was it like to see Gelidon’s return? Liam: “I am the least superstitious person at the table. Ashley’s dice suck.” Sam: “It was fun fighting a dragon!” Liam: “Two massive battles in one episode, neither of which came away with a victory. I guess surviving is a victory.” Sam: “I’d forgotten about the dragon, honestly.” Liam: “I loved it. I was so upset at the idea that we were going to stealth and not get into it.”Sam: “Mercer doesn’t keep a live dragon around and not do something with it. That dragon’s coming back.”

How do Caleb and Veth feel about going to see Essek? Sam: “He can be very helpful, I believe, but as Sam Riegel, a player of D&D, I’m super suspicious. What the fuck is Essek doing up there, so close, now? I don’t trust him as far as I can throw him. And I can throw him pretty far because he floats.” Liam: “I 100% agree with you. I do not understand what Essek could bring to what we are going through. I know the audience loves him, I love him too. He’s a really cool character. But he’s fucking toxic. He out of curiosity caused a war between two nations. And Caleb has been changed for the good by the M9 from months of travel with them. Essek has had none of that. Caleb has changed for the good, but not because of people like Essek. Essek is where Caleb came from. We kept the lid on the pot during the whole treaty at sea and it almost all went fucking sideways, and only because we pressed him into a corner. I hope that guy finds some sort of balance and peace for himself, but I do not see how his input here would be helpful. There’s other heavy hitters that I would try to pull in.”

Liam notes that the Cloven Crystal is in the Bag of Holding. Sam: “Do I have Fluffernutter, or is Fluffernutter gone?” Liam: “Nope. 300 pounds of fireworks? Gone. A dead mage, a threshold crest, and fireworks.” Dani: “Your basic essentials.”