#Don't think about how Glinda was left alone

[thatiranianphantom]

the wicked's lives are lonely

In the end, Glinda Upland lifts gracefully into the sky, the sun gleaming a gentle rainbow around her bubble. The ride is smooth, the palace she arrives at is opulent, and maids dust her off carefully, changing her out of her magnificent dress and dressing her in a soft silk nightgown. She sits down to a full feast of the best Oz can offer, looks over letters from adoring fans and listens to the maids gushing over how perfect she looks and how happy they are that the dark shadow of the Wicked Witch was finally lifted thanks to her heroism. 

They speak about the meetings of the next few days, the ceremonies to officially swear her into power, the punishments sure to come down on the likes of Morrible and the disgraced Wizard. They, like everyone she meets, thank her profusely, awed by her magic and beauty and kindness. 

Aren’t you just so happy, Glinda? 

That’s what they ask her, and Glinda smiles her perfect, beautiful smile and assures them that she is, that’s she’s so happy, that this is all she ever wanted, her dreams coming true. 

Forever, this is all she’s wanted. A beautiful life, a beautiful palace, people falling at her feet in adoration. She’s in charge now. Morrible’s in prison, where Glinda will make sure she stays, the Wizard is gone, and it’s on her now. It’s everything, all she’s ever wanted. It’s forever.

And at night, she sleeps in a grand, soft bed, and it is the coldest thing she has ever felt. And then, the dreams begin. 

A whip of black hair, of green skin, of screams of pain, screams for her. 

Of rope digging into his wrists, his agonized cries, begging, pleading, please no. 

Of a puddle on the ground, a life dismissed, forgotten, unimportant. 

Of a smudge of blood in a cornfield, a life revered and then dismissed, taken at the hands of the very people she has just sworn to protect. 

Of two people who died, calling for her, alone. 

They died alone. 

Sometimes the dreams are softer, too. Sometimes it’s a giggle as the light turns out, a whispered promise of “see you tomorrow, best friend” and it feels warm, like love. 

Sometimes she dreams of how Nessa used to squeal in laughter as someone would whip with her around a dance floor. 

Or how Fiyero used to make it a competition to charm the librarian with the most pinched, angry look on their faces, to make everyone smile. 

How Boq used to keep a small pen and paper in his pocket and tally the times that Glinda would come weeping into the quad because of something trivial like her favorite highlighter being discontinued, and when he got to 20, they would all go for a picnic to festivate. Glinda would roll her eyes but accept an invitation anyway, and they’d lie on the blanket and watch the sun set. 

Those dreams, she thinks, are worse. 

That life feels a million years behind her, that warmth replaced with a cold sterility, the love gone as soon as she wakes up, fighting to hold onto the embers of a dream that slips through her fingers every time. 

And as soon as she opens her eyes, it’s replaced by empty-headed maids still speaking in hushed tones about the wickedness of the only real friend she’s ever had, the betrayal of the man who stood up for what she wouldn’t, the tragedy of a tin man and a witch so evil it’s like they were carved away on the inside. 

It’s like a vice gripping her throat, a vice she has to smile through, a duty she has to perform to a people who stripped away everything she has ever cared about. Forever. 

They died alone. 

And it’s fitting, really, because wherever they are now - and Glinda refuses, refuses to think of an afterlife where the best person she ever knew doesn’t get every bit of the happiness she deserves - they have each other. She imagines them at that picnic, on that hill at sunset, her absence barely felt. 

They died alone, and now, and forever, alone is all Glinda will ever be. 

It just shows, when you’re wicked you’re left only

On your own

[moghedien]

their friendship in the book is so… like, Elphaba is the one who considers herself Galinda’s friend first before Galinda returns the sentiment. That’s why Caprice-in-the-Pines hurts her (and me) so much. Platonically at least, Elphaba fell first but Glinda fell much, much harder. TBH, reading the later books I sometimes wanna go “girl, get up!” when Glinda is horrendously down bad for someone she literally only knew for less than 2 years

you gotta remember that book Galinda like never left her hometown until she came to Shiz and is putting on airs to make herself seem better off socially than she actually is. like girl was trying SO HARD to make connections and friends of the proper sort right off the bat to elevate her situation, right?

but then she gets stuck with a scrangly green girl who is either ignoring her entirely or who just plops herself into Galinda's lap and is like "we're hanging out now." Like very vulgar, very frustrating, very much not what Galinda wants. Plus she's green and weird and tries to make Galinda talk about philosophy and religion and rhetoric and have like actual deep conversations with her that require her to actually think and not just say what she thinks is proper.

then this weird vulgar girl is the Thropp Third Descending and heir apparent to about a fourth of Oz. Some of the proper, well titled girls that Galinda is trying to befriend are the future subjects of this girl, actually. This girl has also been all over Oz and has lived in three of the four provinces and she's the exact same age as Galinda, who hasn't been farther than a carriage ride from where she was born and has never seen a city before she came to Shiz.

So that alone is a mind fuck to Galinda who is trying so hard to better her social standing and the actual best way to do that might actually be to befriend her weird roommate who's going to inherit all of fucking Munchkinland but doing that actually goes counter to all of the presumed ways she's supposed to elevate herself.

and then her weird roommate also looks weirdly compelling in Galinda's hats to the point where it makes Galinda feel uncomfortable to think about for too long or bring up with her friends

like Elphaba just existing around her fucked up all of Galinda's very sheltered views on how things work and what she should be doing and that's BEFORE they get wrapped up in conspiracies and murders

And flashforward to when Elphaba left her, which is weirdly the moment when Glinda seems maybe the happiest and maybe like she's reflecting on how she's grown and how Elphaba made her grow and changed the way she thought about things. Like her proper friends didn't make Glinda think about the nature of evil or religion or Animal rights, but Elphaba did. Elphaba MADE her talk about it and made her realize that she could and was leaning her in directions to at least be sympathetic toward the people affected by the Wizard's rule. Elphaba is the first person to make Glinda feel like she could do things and that her actual thoughts and actions mattered.

and then Elphaba left her

The one person that changed everything about how she thought about the world and who was like "we can do this shit" and dragged her to the fucking Emerald City in the middle of the night so that they could do some shit together turned around and was like "Actually, I can't do this with you here" and sent her home.

maybe Elphaba was protecting her. maybe Elphaba didn't trust that she could take the risks she needed to take if Glinda was there. We don't know. And Glinda doesn't know. She just knows that the person who affected everything about her worldview and who made her think that she could do better things than just social climb just told her that she can't do what needs to be done and then abandoned her. Abandoned her right when Glinda was accepting just how much Elphaba changed her and right when Glinda was accepted how much Elphaba meant to her and maybe right after she was extremely intimate with Elphaba and understanding what that actually meant

and the only thing Glinda knows about why is that somehow she wasn't enough for Elphaba to take along with her or for Elphaba to stay with.

Of course that fucked her up for the rest of her life and of course she never got over Elphie.

[lily-onher-grave]

okay okay okay thoughts/excited ramblings about the wicked movie under the cut bc i've seen it and now i'm insane about it again

let's be real it's kinda hard to fumble the opening number of a musical especially when that opening number is no one mourns the wicked and yet i was still absolutely blown away it was SO GOOD

the lil munchkins running, the singing in the streets, the posters of the witch (side note all the artwork was insanely good and just added so much to the style of oz i feel like) it was all so awesome

NOMTW becomes so sinister and they nailed it

obligatory emotional babbling about glinda standing alone in the crowd as everyone sings 'the wicked's lives are lonely'

before i left for the theater i was like 'take your bets on if i'll cry' and my roommate and i agreed that yeah obviously i would. but what i didn't expect is for ariana's sad face to knock me out in five minutes flat. i was done for

the effigy. holy shit. and handing the torch to glinda. i want to go see the whole thing again just so i can rewatch that scene. my heart still hurts

(also nanny! sort of not really. but i liked the childhood scenes i liked that elphaba had one (1) good thing in her life before shiz)

SHIZ okay shiz honestly shiz was the thing i was most excited for bc c'mon, we don't write about our gothic magic school all the time in fic for nothing. and honestly it was so good. the shots of the whole castle! the library design! the balcony moments and the stairways and just like the layers of architecture and the way morrible could kind of be anywhere at any time. the way it felt so grand and yet so small at the same time. idk man the vibes were good and the set was beautiful

glinda arriving by boat was magical that's all

the way everything dillamond had was tailored to him was fantastic it was so good

actually i want to shout out the library set design again and how it tied into the clockwork theme that never gets fully called out even in the musical but it's still so good

where's my time dragon clock tho

also back up the scene where elphaba loses her temper in the courtyard--when she breaks the relief of the wizard, there's old artwork of Animals behind it and i gasped out loud when i saw it

and that was the first moment i thought 'this is brilliant but i still want an hbo dark fantasy political drama tv show based on the book'

speaking of the dark fantasy political drama tv shows, the Animal meeting!! i'm so glad they put more stuff like that in there

actually as a whole the movie felt more grounded and less comedic than the musical. i think they did a fantastic job of keeping the magic and silliness and charm and wonder of the show while still adding those extra bits of drama and dire circumstances

anyway gelphie fic prank wars trope is officially canon great work everybody handshakes all around. i was cackling (silently. i promise i'm a respectful moviegoer)

the ozdust ballroom being illegal makes so much sense. it being underwater was fucking cool. boq and nessa were actually really great and i usually don't care about them at all during this scene

also i love love love nessa and i cannot wait to see more of her. but showing her multiple times on the sidelines when elphie was being humiliated was such a good choice. the tension between nessa obviously caring for her sister yet always caring for herself more is so delicious and i always want to see it fleshed out more, and i think they did such a good job with her? her and elphaba have sweet moments which i love, and her wanting to be independent and only elphaba really understanding that is so so good. and having her just watching elphaba for so long before finally saying she can't watch. god i can't wait to see her be desperate and selfish and cold in act 2, it's gonna be so good

side note boq also looking upset by elphie being bullied. i miss my brotp man

but let's talk about what's most important: the gelphie dance. because oh my god i started crying all over again. so did elphaba. and glinda wiping her tears i'm dying i've died oh my god

i always get a little bit surprised when glinda seems more head over heels than elphaba. idk why. but ariana's glinda is absolutely more head over heels than cynthia's elphaba and i loved it

(they just. freaking LEFT the party. just zipped out of there as soon as they hugged. glinda was like hmmm i just realized some things and grabbed elphaba's hand and ran off while the night was young. and fiyero stared after them knowing that he stood no chance whatsoever)

also i'm like 72% sure the guys sitting next to me were a couple? and they both cried during the gelphie dance too and it was a very unexpected but very funny moment of solidarity

i say ariana's glinda is more head over heels and i stand by it but elphaba's fond little smile when glinda was pouting about sharing secrets almost made me start sobbing again they're so GOOD they're so CUTE and she is SO heart eyes for glinda immediately!!!

i need to be sedated i swear

popular was adorable 10/10 no notes absolutely nailed it i loved every second

also glinda sitting next to elphaba in class now. my heart <3

after dillamond gets hauled away (again with this being more violent and dark and those moments of drama coming through more in the movie i loveeee) glinda doesn't sit down until elphaba does

also they had several little moments of elphaba looking to glinda and glinda either shaking her head or nodding. they've been friends for 2 days and they're already having silent conversations i love them <3

the poppy spell? was sick as hell????

another seeing of wicked, another complete sense of bafflement as to why fiyero is there

i say this jokingly but the fiyero and elphaba romance really does feel like a product of the early 2000s especially now that it's on screen rather than on stage. idk maybe that's just the lesbian in me talking though

the train design is also sick but we knew that from the trailers

okay look logically yes i knew idina and kristin would have cameos. but i'd been crying on and off and one short day's magic had already taken hold so they caught me completely off guard. it was great

the wizard stuff was really sweet. and while i was hoping for more time put toward shiz and stuff, i do think those moments did a great job of 1) showing how much elphaba just wants to be loved 2) foreshadowing the wizard being her father and 3) laying the groundwork for her briefly considering working with the wizard in act 2, which is a decision that never quiteee feels right in the show

i love that they put more lore into the grimmerie btw. very cool

the hot air balloon was random but fun. i wonder if it'll come up again in act 2

every time. every damn time glinda starts singing in defying gravity i just want someone to end it right there. glinda grabs the broom, it fades to black, and they both lived happily ever after

fuck

defying gravity taking place at sunset because it's at the end of their one short day of happiness

also UM morrible coming up and hugging glinda when she's crying. exquisite emotional manipulation i'm screaming

elphie! seeing! her! inner! child! i loved the baby elphie scenes even though i prefer creepy 'horrors' elphaba always. but seeing her come back was sooooo fucking good

elphaba only ever relying on herself, in the end

glinda's final 'i hope you're happy' took me out, as it always does, as it always should. and reaching out from the balcony? i'm sobbing again

morrible dragging glinda into the darkness while elphaba flies into the sun! someone fucking help me i'm already wrecked by these two

honestly my biggest complaint is that now i have to wait for part two, i want to see the rest nowwwww

[a-couple-of-notes]

i've really enjoyed your perspectives and meta and nuance about glinda! i wanted to ask--what do you make of glinda telling the wizard and morrible to spread a rumor about nessa in order to capture elphaba?

Hi anon! Thank you very much--I adore Glinda and her flaws and complications and changes with all my heart, and I fear this may be a full year of Wicked. I mean, we'll see, but I'm pretty sure as soon as I'm ready to let it go they'll roll out the For Good press tour.

To your question: at this moment in the show, Glinda is at her absolute lowest point (yes, the ending--but I actually mean narratively. After this, she starts to progress kicking and screaming toward the better person she ends the show as.) From her perspective, Elphaba has left her behind twice, the guy she's in love with (according to the show, I guess) and functionally her only real ally in a very dangerous political court has also left, and she's just found out that Elphaba and That Guy have been in a sort of emotional affair with each other for years??

Glinda is angry and hurt, and it makes her the worst (most wicked?) version of herself--someone who uses her social perception and influence to perpetrate harm. In some ways (probably not intentionally) it is a much darker, higher-stakes parallel to when Glinda redirects Boq toward Nessa in Dancing Through Life, with Nessa in both as collateral damage.

Of course, in reality, the one Glinda is most hurt and angry toward is herself. I think at this point in the show--after Thank Goodness, after Fiyero and Elphaba leave her, after she's truly alone in this political hellscape--she knows why Elphaba and Fiyero have left. She knows that they're right. She's furious at herself for...well, not being that girl. Not being the person who can follow them.

I also waffle back and forth on how much Glinda actually suspects about what the Wizard and Morrible will do. (This also, of course, depends on the actress.) Glinda is intelligent, especially when it comes to people and politics; there may be a part of her that does know it'll turn out worse, but the moment comes and goes too quickly for her to process it or take it back, a kind of numb, knee-jerk lashing out that Glinda forgets about until the consequences hit. Or she does actually believe that the Wizard and Morrible would only start a rumor, and it's one last strand of naiveté that gets stripped away before the ending.

tl;dr: Glinda siccing the baddies on Nessa is her at her absolute worst. She's extremely angry, hurt, and alone, mostly furious at herself, and as always (at this point in her arc) a little too wrapped up in herself to recognize/remember how much fallout this will have.

And don't get it twisted, I still love my girl. I don't know if or how they will shift this in the movie, but either way I know people are going to come for Glinda about it, and I'll be here waving my "Glinda Defense Squad" foam finger. Yes, she did do some things wrong, and?

[zalrb]

I Took My Mom to See Gladiator II so, she took me to see Wicked. My Review:

OK. I'll start with the obvious: epic way to end Part I. They closed out on a complete banger. Cynthia was phenomenal, her rendition of "Defying Gravity" was stunning (I say this like I'm an expert when I saw the musical once years ago). I had chills. I can totally understand how and why some people ended up crying/teary-eyed. The direction, the cinematography, it all worked together for a flawless ending. That was 10/10, no notes.

Elphaba and Glinda's dance was also very touching, and was the second most emotionally resonant part of the movie for me (no, I didn't record the movie, it's just already on streaming sites with relatively not-too-shitty quality and horrible subtitles)

(honestly, subtext was basically text)

Now, if those two sequences + Popular were the entire movie then I would be like, it was brilliant as a whole. As it is, they're not. So, I left the theatre being like, those were three really great moments in an otherwise pretty standard movie that, for me, teetered on being boring, but that is to be expected when, for the most part, I'm not a person who likes musicals onscreen (I kind of ended up chuckling to myself during "The Wizard and I" because I was like, you sang all of that, ran around and now look, you're in a field how far outside of Shiz, and you have to run back to school, Elphaba).

But, I know, I know, it needed to be epic! Larger than life! We need to see the scope and scale of what she was feeling! I get it.

An anon said Wicked was like Barbie but stuck the landing better when it came to the messaging. I can see that. Was the messaging easily digestible? Yes. Is that a bad thing? Not necessarily. With everything that's going on in, you know, society, and Elphaba also being played by a Black actress, I can understand why the movie would strike a chord with people. Elphaba, who genuinely wants to enact change and Glinda, who, well...

It's timely.

Writing-wise, I still struggled with her as a character, though.

In my opinion, Glinda is the more dynamically written character, while Elphaba carries the emotional weight --- which honestly, I think is more a testament to Cynthia than the writing. Obviously, we get interiority with Elphaba through her songs, but "Defying Gravity", as much as Cynthia really made us feel what Elphaba would be feeling in that moment, it illuminated, why for me, it felt like writing-wise, Elphaba got lost in her own movie.

Something has changed within me Something is not the same

Like yes, technically, there is a shift and a change. We see that emotionally, like with these lyrics:

And if I'm flying solo At least I'm flying free

Because, we see at the party, when she's "flying solo", how alone she feels and how sad that makes her

compared to the end where she's celebratory about being on her own side

However, do I feel like we actually see in the writing how she got from Point A to Point B? Mmm, I don't know.

At the beginning, "The Wizard and I" is about her personal stakes, it's about wanting to be loved, wanting to fit in and then when she reaches the Emerald City for her heart's desire to be granted, it's not about her personal stakes, it's about the greater good i.e. the animals because she learns of their subjugation.

And yes, in the beginning of the movie, when Madame Morrible is encouraging of her power and says it's a pathway to The Wizard, it's the first time she's felt like her power can be a source of hope and good, only to realize at the end of the movie, that the wizard wants to instrumentalize this power to further the oppression of animals, which is a heartbreaking realization; believing that a system is there to help only to realize it's corrupt and then choosing to stand against the corruption is an arc, I get that, but this all feels thematic and conceptual, and ironically, Elphaba feels like a tool for the message rather than a character, and I think it's because she's written as pretty passive and fairly consistent.

I'm through with playing by the rules of someone else's game

Like I don't think we ever see her play by the rules of someone else's game?

The only thing I can think of is when Morrible tells her to harness her emotion so it can translate to power and the end she chooses to unleash her emotion because it's the source of her power; that doesn't really work for me though because harnessing something isn't the same thing as suppressing it, it's making use of it.

With the exception of her unwittingly creating the flying monkeys when she's already in the Emerald City, it's not as if she's learning that what she's been taught at Shiz has been used, from Day One, to further the wizard's agenda and she had an inkling that something was off but didn't quite question it because she's finally being accepted only to learn why everything felt off and choosing to stand against it.

Maybe it's because when Dr. Dillamond is arrested and she asks if they're going to be silent and when she's told to sit down, she does, but again, once she sits down, she isn't silent,

and then her powers put everyone to sleep and she helps Fiyero free the lion cub.

And I'm not saying that Elphaba should've done all of the things I mentioned above, I'm just not really sure what the shift in perspective is meant to be. No one thought that when she learns the truth in the Emerald City that she would waver even for a second because she never has wavered her

Too long I've been afraid of Losing love I guess I've lost Well, if that's love, it comes at much too high a cost

OK, and the thing with this, is we see that Elphaba is put upon; we see her father berate her, we see her classmates scorn her, we see her sister shun her, and we see that she's unhappy but it's not like we see an active desperation to be liked or loved --- Glinda wants to be a sorceress and she stalks Morrible, she sees Elphaba hold her textbooks, which prompts jealousy. With Elphaba, for these lyrics to be in a song that indicates a significant shift in perspective for her, I'm still unclear on what the shift is, what point A was to get to point B. Is it that she allowed her father to mistreat her for so long in an effort to entreat the possibility of his love and now she is no longer afraid of being unloved? That doesn't quite work for me because that's still quite passive (it would work better in a book and this kind of made me want to read the book, which I've heard is quite different from the musical). Like, when she dances alone, it's through a conversation between Fiyero and Glinda that we get Elphaba's interiority i.e. "She doesn't care what anyone else thinks." "Of course she does, she's just pretends not to" (paraphrasing) whereas Glinda is active.

She is also fairly consistent but there are various points throughout the movie where she is presented with a crossroads, whether big or small; she could knowingly humiliate Elphaba with the hat or she could let it go,

she chooses to humiliate her;

she could let Elphaba weather the humiliation alone or she can stand beside her,

she chooses to befriend her -- that feels like the beginning of change;

she is friends with Elphaba, vowing to make her popular, which feels like a genuine albeit misguided attempt to be a friend, going down the path she started at the party:

and then, when alone --- "But just not quite as popular as me", so that complicates the growth we think we saw in her.

She could let Elphaba have her moment when the wizard invites her to the city, she kind of does, but when Elphaba invites her to join, we aren't sure how genuine her support is but it is genuine support!

Until it really matters.

Because she could choose to help fight the system with Elphaba or uphold the system with the wizard, she chooses the latter.

She is a character who is presented with various moral dilemmas and makes a series of choices, which then makes her active, and that makes her feel like she's written as a lead character and not simply as a central main idea or theme.

I don't know if I'm making sense and I'm sure anons will let me know, so I'll move on.

Besides "Defying Gravity", my favourite Cynthia moment is definitely her crying at the dance, she exuded such emotion during that scene. Outside of those two moments, I'm not going to lie, I wasn't particularly moved because it just felt like this face

all the time? That isn't to suggest that Cynthia didn't communicate emotion throughout the movie. As I said, she breathed life into the writing, but I think I expected more because I know she can do more and in the scenes mentioned she does do more. And the response could be that Elphaba plays things close to her chest and she has few moments of genuine expression, which is also why "Defying Gravity" is pivotal because, as Cynthia says, she gets bigger and bigger and comes more and more into her own, but rather than feeling as though Elphaba was playing things close to her chest and suppressing her emotions, it kind of just felt pouty.

I think Ariana was competent. I didn't think she was bad but I didn't think she was great either, she was believable, she did her job. I think my favourite comedic moment of hers is when she dramatically collapses onto the bed.

It was cool seeing Kristin Chenoweth and Idina Menzel do their cameos.

My favourite character was Pfannee.

Fiyero was funny to me because he literally did not need to be there since his romantic entanglements with Glinda and Elphaba seem perfunctory and almost shoehorned in, because I found that the movie put more weight in the romantic subtext between Glinda and Elphaba. It is funny that as of late, Jonathan Bailey finds himself in a love triangle in which he is obnoxiously terrible at concealing his true feelings.

That's all for my review, of course I am open to discussions and to answering questions any of you may have :)

[outlanderfandomfollies]

Once again, in an attempt at a "gotcha" moment, a shipper overlooks an important detail, resulting in a total fail!🤦🏻‍♀️

Someone sent me a screencap of shipper SD's weird commentary on me** and my most recent fandom post. I know I shouldn't bother responding, but the insulting tone of her comments was particularly annoying--especially because SD had so cluelessly overlooked an important detail in coming to at least one of her conclusions.

Which Old Witch?

But first things first, SD said I was one of the "Witches of Mordor."🧙🏻‍♀️😱

How dare she! I'm not a "Witch of Mordor!"

I'm from Oz.😉

Hasn't she seen the header on my Outlander Fandom Follies Blog?

Hasn't she noticed my avatar? It's not just any old witch--it's Glinda, the Good Witch of the North. 🧙🏻‍♀️🪄😉

(Want to bet that some shipper takes what I said above literally, and claims that I admitted that I am a witch? 🙄😂)

When "Gotcha!" Backfires

Now that the "witch" stuff is out of the way, let's talk about the quote from my recent fandom post that made SD think she had found a reason to say "gotcha":

And so once again, I am saying "Really?" Not just for me, but for the small contingent of Tumblr Outlander fans who are not living in an "alternate reality," and who perhaps need to know they are not alone.

SD took this to mean that I was somehow "clumsy" in "inadvertently admitting" that "Shippers are the quiet majority of this fandom, or what is left of it."

It seems that in her "gotcha" excitement, SD overlooked one very important word in my comment: "TUMBLR." Specifically, I wrote: "the small contingent of Tumblr Outlander fans who are not living in an 'alternate reality.'"

I purposely limited my comment about reality-based Outlander fans to those on Tumblr, because hey, I was posting on my Tumblr blog--which is the only place I post about Outlander. And Tumblr is where most conspiracy theorists in the fandom (which includes the shippers***) hang out. Consequently, those of us who are on Tumblr and who aren't involved in conspiratorial thinking are in a minority. But that is NOT the case in the larger Outlander community outside of Tumblr.

Tumblr Outlander Fans Are "Special"

Unfortunately, because so many fandom conspiracy theorists are on Tumblr, the Outlander Tumblr community has a reputation in the larger fandom of being completely out in left field.

I'm not saying that there aren't any SC shippers or closet crew folks on other social media platforms, but I am saying that Tumblr has a reputation for being a place where "alternate reality" fans congregate.

Outside of Tumblr, the vast majority of Outlander fans aren't shippers, nor do they believe that S is gay.

Most Outlander fans don't even know what shippers are--and when they find out, they typically consider SC shipper beliefs to be very strange.

But don't take my word for it, take Diana Gabaldon's...

[Below the cut are some of Diana's spot on observations about SC shippers and Tumblr. In addition, you will find my rebuttal to the following SD insults comments--shown in the screencap below.]

"A Closed Circle of Positive Reinforcement"

Diana wrote some interesting comments on TheLitForum.com in Jan. 2018, after she was attacked on her Facebook page by shippers for having congratulated Cait on her engagement.

Can you imagine being so far down the rabbit hole of SC shipping as to directly accuse Diana of "creating fake news for money"? Can you imagine telling Diana that her congratulating Cait on her engagement "discredits" her?😳

Someone in TheLitForum then asked Diana if she had deleted the awful comments she had received. Diana said that most likely the comments were deleted by the person(s) who posted them, after some of her "700,000 followers" did not take kindly to the comments. 

I love Diana's description of Tumblr:

(I don’t go on tumblr—life is Much Too Short—but I saw a few of the first shipper discussions when they started a couple of years ago; it’s a closed circle of positive reinforcement)

Diana underscores how when shippers venture outside of their "closed circle of positive reinforcement" on Tumblr, they are often surprised and dismayed by the fact that most Outlander fans don't support their views. Consequently, they often have to run back to their Tumblr "closed circle" to get the reassurance they need to keep on shipping.

An absurd SC "narrative" is compared to--"Slavery"?😳

I'm honestly astounded by this part of SD's commentary:

I assume the "Ten (but soon to be 12) Years a Slave" is a reference to the shipper's absurd belief that S & C are being "forced" by TPTB to "hide" their love and their "family" for at least the past 10 years--12 years by the time the series ends.

Besides the fact that this absurd shipper "narrative" would be illegal if it actually happened in this day and age, it is beyond the pale to compare this fan-invented SC "narrative" to the horrific institution of slavery.

Please. Try having a little perspective here.

The "Orc Army" and "Normalcy" in Shipperville

SD went from her inappropriate "Slave" comments to complaining about the threat of the "Orc Army."

MAKE UP YOUR MIND: On the one hand, SD is claiming that "Shippers are the quiet majority of this fandom," and those who don't buy into the conspiracy theories are a "small contingent"; yet, on the other hand, she is suggesting there is a whole "Orc Army" out there determined to "fuck up every single shred of normality."

How can a "small contingent" also be an "Orc Army"?

Well, beside the "Orc" insult, in case she hasn't noticed, most of us who used to take time to debunk SC shipper nonsense have moved on. So where is this "Army"?

For instance, aside from my recent "Really?" post, It's been a long time since I've posted a stand alone critique about the fandom, or a conspiracy debunk. As a matter of fact, going back over my archive, except for my occasionally reblogging others' posts and commenting about them, or once in a while reblogging one of my old stand alone posts on the fandom, it appears that the last time (before the "Really" post) that I wrote a new stand alone fandom critique/ conspiracy debunk was NEARLY A YEAR AGO on August 13, 2023.

But even if there are still some fans on Tumblr who are actively critiquing the fandom or debunking SC "receipts" and conspiracies, they weren't the ones "to fuck up every single shred of normality" in Shipperville.

THE "NORMALITY" WAS MESSED UP BY "TINHATTING": Whatever "normality" existed in Shipperville was messed up after Cait became engaged to Tony in 2018. At that time, whoever remained of the SC "wishful shippers" (i.e., the shippers who were reality-based and just wished that SC might be a couple someday) pretty much were replaced or driven out by hardcore "tinhat" shippers.

And although tinhat shipping is ubiquitous, it is the bane of every fandom in which it takes root, because the tinhatters won't see reason, and some even attack other fans, the SOs of the celebrities they ship, and sometimes the celebrities themselves. This is why lots of celebrities don't appreciate tinhat shippers or tinhat stans.

In other words, the tinhat shippers were the ones "to fuck up every single shred of normality" in Shipperville. They're the ones who drove out any wishful shippers who didn't buy into the SC conspiracy "narrative." They're the ones who created block lists so that newbies couldn't learn about different perspectives. They're the ones who went and looked at blurry video footage of events like C's father's FUNERAL to try to prove that SC are still a couple.🙄

On Manipulation

And then we have this comment by SD:

Well, I'm glad SD thinks I'm "not an idiot." However, what on earth is she talking about by calling me "a Manipulator-in-Cheap"?

I have no idea what the "Cheap" is about, but I am NOT trying to "manipulate" anyone. I just post my opinion on my own blog from time to time. I don't go to shipper blogs and comment. The only reason I saw SD's post at all is that someone sent me a screencap.

I figured out back in 2015 that S & C weren't a couple, but that C and T were a couple. I had lightly shipped S & C for two months in Feb. and March of 2015, and I was heartbroken when I figured it out. But it was what it was, and I didn't try to rationalize it all away.

After C married T in 2019, and the MC was later obtained by a number of Outlander fans (including some shippers), it seemed to me that one would really would have to work hard to dismiss all the accumulated information over the years that does not support the ship.

That's what I believe, and that's what I say every once in a while when I post about some shipper nonsense that is brought to my attention. When I choose to post, it is usually just out of frustration with the fact that so many adult women keep fooling themselves.

MY ATTENTION IS ELSEWHERE: But I am NOT very invested in this fandom anymore, so why would I bother to manipulate anyone?

Four years ago, I turned my main CO blog into a general blog, with a progressive American politics emphasis. I also created my Outlander Fandom Follies side blog, which I use when I occasionally post about the fandom or Outlander and its stars (although I also use it to reblog posts for "romance" shows like Bridgerton).

Since I changed the topics on my main CO blog, I have gained tens of thousands new followers (granted, about a third of them are probably bots 🤖😉).

As you can see from this post, I like to make or edit gifs. But I prefer to make gifs about politics these days. You can see an example of the kind of political post I like to make here.

In addition, unlike the Outlander Tumblr community, the Tumblr progressive political community is very supportive, and has zero drama.

I have a busy schedule in my real life, but in my limited time off, I prefer to post about American politics. The Outlander fandom is rarely on my mind. So why on earth would I want to manipulate anyone?

Oh Please!

Finally, we have this little gem from SA's rant:

Like a good conspiracy theorist, SD uses any reaction others have to shipper nonsense to confirm her conspiracy theory.

When I heard about "Kissgate," I rolled my eyes and posted about it because I was flabbergasted that after all these years shippers were still finding videos, enlarging small details, and misinterpreting the resulting fuzzy gifs/ photos, in order to keep their ship afloat.

If any of my nerves were activated when I was told about Kissgate, it was the ones that cued me to roll my eyes.

Sometimes, unfortunately, the truth hurts.

I'm sorry SD if I have offended you by just stating what to me is clearly the truth.

I don't believe SC shippers are "crazy," but I do believe they have succumbed to a very "addictive" conspiracy theory, and to the community that supports that theory.

Good luck to you if you choose to continue to stay on the ship. My fear for you is how you will feel when you finally figure out that you have wasted years on the ship to nowhere.

[edited]

__________ Video sources for my gifs/ my edited gifs: Glinda gif; Gotcha! gif; Pizza Delivery & Fire gif; Orc army gif; Manipulation gif, "Oh, please" gif: 01 + 02 Closed circle/ echo chamber/ bubble manipulated image sources: 01 + 02 Other gif sources: "Wait, What?" gif; "I can't" gif; Eye roll gif; "I've moved on" gif; "The truth hurts" gif Outlander Fandom Follies blog header*and avatar image: The sources for these can be found here; note that the header is a manipulated image with multiple sources. Other image sources: "The Australia Brief" conspiracy wall image NOTE: All gifs/images above (except for "The Australia Brief") were modified from their sources. **SD referred to me with my old "CO" moniker, which is odd for a relative newbie to do. I turned my CO blog into largely an American politics blog 4 years ago. When I write about the fandom now, I do so on my outlanderfandomfollies side blog. ***I'm using the generic "shippers" in this post to refer to "tinhat"/ "extreme" shippers, who actually believe their conspiracy theories. I've generally left off the "tinhat"/ "extreme" qualifiers in this post (except for the section that deals with "tinhatting") because I don't think that "wishful shippers" exist anymore in this fandom. I've never had any quarrel with shippers who just wish that S & C were a couple, but know they're not.

[writingsofwesteros]

King's Landing Daily- Wicked takes Westeros!

Daella Targaryen at the King's Landing Premiere of Wicked

The musical phenomena, Wicked, has taken over King's Landing, with the movie's premiere and theatrical debut breaking box office records and garnering high praise for its lead actors. Daella Targaryen since primarily known for her talent in the art of classical ballet, was a shock to most when she was cast as one of the female leads, Glinda the Good. Indeed, while there was never any doubt of her dancing abilities, her singing chops were called into question leading up to the film's release. But the youngest Targtower sibling has been studying performing arts since her days at the very exclusive, elusive private school Oldtown Girl's Prep. When she returned to King's Landing, she worked at a ballet studio while she obtained a degree in Performing Arts. As per her preference for a quiet life, she's stuck to performing at the ballet, and teaching classes to the children of Westeros's Elite, and so a foray into the film industry surprised many- but she hasn't been a disappointment, rather, her performance has left us all, including her harshest critics, struck silent. She attended the premiere with much of her family in tow, it seems that if it's one thing the Targaryens are going to do, it's show up for each other. Much like with the premiere of Baela Targaryen's film on Old Valyria, the family showed up in full force to support Daella. She arrived with her four siblings Aegon, Daenora, Helaena and Aemond, but walked the carpet alone so as to talk to press and greet fans, and take pictures with her cast members. Her mother, Alicent Hightower, attended with her spouses Rhaenyra and Daemon, and to the shock of many, the elusive Hightower patriarch, and Daella's grandfather Otto Hightower, attended with his wife Stevonna. Gwayne Hightower and his girlfriend Sienna arrived not long after them, the family speaking to few members of the press, all of them singing Daella's praises.

Alicent Hightower attending the Wicked Premiere

Alicent answered a few questions for us, and said, "I'm just attending tonight as a proud mother- exceedingly proud. I haven't even seen it yet but I already know it'll be amazing, that my girl will be amazing. She's so talented, and there's nowhere else I'd rather be tonight." She and her spouses didn't linger, Daemon ushering his wives inside quickly.

Helaena Targaryen, sporting her baby bump at the premiere.

Aegon Targaryen with his siblings

Aemond Targaryen making a rare red carpet appearance

Daenora Targaryen

The Targtower siblings graciously stopped and answered some questions, Daenora speaking for the four of them whilst Aegon and Aemond stood with a very pregnant Helaena Targaryen between them. "My sister's been working insanely hard for this, and we're so proud of her. She deserves her moment in the spotlight, for people to see how talented she is and how hard she's worked. I don't care about people who thinks she was wrong for this role, because the minute she opens her mouth to sing, I can say with certainty that those people are gonna shut up pretty quick." She told us. When we asked about Daella's two sons, Baelon and Aenar, and the other young Targtower children, Aegon told us that there'd be a private at-home screening for the kids to see, but Aemond cut our interview short when more questions were prodded about Helaena's latest pregnancy.

Rare public appearance of Gwayne Hightower, Daella's Uncle and Alicent Hightower's brother, CFO of Hightower Banking.

Otto Hightower, CEO of Hightower Banking, Daella's Grandfather, making an appearance to support his granddaughter, he had little comments to the press, except to say, "I'm already exceedingly proud of her."

OTTO MAKING HIS ENTRANCE I AM ON MY KNEES

Aegon looking as delicious as ever, that might be my favourite outfit of his !

Daella looking every inch like a Princess and so soft, you know she smells so good!

Alicent looking as sassy as ever; those doe eyes are just too much!

Helaena looks like a fairy! So sweet and soft, the children loved her dress thats for sure

[aparticularbandit]

I don't think Agatha, Jen, or Lilia are dead.

We don't know what happens when someone steps off the Road and gets absorbed into things, and I think - based on trailers - it will spit them back up.

More below the cut on that if you've been avoiding those.

There's something that shows Jen crawling up through the earth similar to the way Rio did when she appeared, only it shows her crawling up into a world that looks normal. Not the Road.

I originally imagined this was the way they would leave the Road at the end, but I feel it fits better here. They couldn't follow the rules, so the Road spat them back out. (Maybe.)

We know that there is at least one more Trial we haven't seen, one that looks like it references Wizard of Oz - Lilia is dressed as Glinda, and I think Agatha's got Elphaba's green skin (she wouldn't be Elphaba because this is WoO and not Wicked, but you know what I mean) - so I don't think they're done with the Road yet.

Lilia brought up that their summoning left the Road open, which is how the Salem Seven got in. If this is the Road spitting them out, they could use that same backdoor to get back in - and as much as Agatha and Billy are not besties right now, I don't think she will leave him to face the Seven alone.

For all that Agatha jokes about eating babies, she left the Salem Seven alive. I think she'll go back for Billy, and that choice of "goodness" will convince Jen to go with her. Maybe.

Depends on if Jen is still bound or not. Her Trial's done, and I don't think she's truly bound anymore.

(I also think based on a trailer image that Agatha opened the Road alone last time, but that's a different thing.)

Trying to think about where the next episode could possibly go from here.

So, Sharon's dead. Alice is dead. Billy just killed Agatha, Lilia, and Jen. Rio is conspicuously absent.

Obviously Agatha's not going to remain dead. It's her show. She's the title character. So they're going somewhere with Billy killing her and the others.

...

Mephisto?

I hate to suggest that. I hate it. I had to sit through all the "Who is secretly Mephisto?" theorizing back in WandaVision and never bought into it for a second.

...

But. Everybody's dead except Rio and Billy. And Billy's soul in the comics is owned by Mephisto until he and Tommy break free. And Rio might be associated with death itself or something?

It kinda.

Feels like.

We might be fucking going to meet goddamn Mephisto.

...

But that could just be what the show wants us to think because the showrunner has been playing 4-D chess with audience expectations for these last five episodes.

[lesbiten]

Been a while but I'm thinking about how Elphaba and Glinda were literally meant to be together but made to fall apart

Once again thinking about how Elphaba always runs and Glinda always lets her I'm just

Also the contrast between Glinda letting Elphaba go because she believes Elphaba would be happier vs Fiyero chasing her down because he loves the idea of Elphaba

I genuinely do think the contrast is actually really interesting because like. I don't know there's something there but I don't know what 😭😭

Anyways I need to rewatch Wicked

OIGUFGHFGUH NO BECAUSE LITERALLY ALL OF IT!!!!!! like glinda just kind of accepting that elphaba is going to leave her because! clearly elphaba will be happier without her why chase her down! what if glinda finds her and elphaba doesnt want to see her! best to just leave her alone i fucking guess!!!!!!!

and fiyero sitting here being the complete opposite. he has no real reason to believe that elphaba cares about him in any way shape or form. its been years and they were barely friends before she left. he thinks about her constantly he is obsessive over her but none of it is based on her real self!!!! he just has an image of her in his head!! and its like!!

so does glinda!!!!!!!!!!! glinda has an image in her head of this elphaba who is strong and independent and doesn't need and/or want her and would be happier alone. it's just as warped of an image of elphaba as fiyeros! but glinda's perception of her is formed to protect her own feelings while fiyero's perception of her is formed to justify his own feelings

[hellotvshowtrash]

Angel

Requested by @elijahs-wife​ : Hi Ashlee!! Could you write a fic using the prompt "I think I'm in love with you and I'm terrified"? Sending love 💗💗

A/N: TEHANI THANK YOU FOR THE REQUEST ily 💗 I’m sorry this took me a little bit!! I wanted it to be something worth posting! I’m still iffy on it. 

I don’t think I will never NOT be terrified to send something out into the void, so please like/reblog if you enjoyed!! and if you want to read any more from me, feel free to send me a request! I love all our mikaelson boys (except Finn tbh sorry) so i’m down to write for more than just Elijah!

Elijah Mikaelson x female!reader

Word count: 2,970

tw: kind of sad, mentions of being an orphan, not a whole lot!

credit to the gif creator!!

Elijah stood in the crowd, absentmindedly sipping his champagne while listening in on different conversations. Laughter bubbled throughout the compound at another Mikaelson ball. He sighed and made his way to find his brother. He heard Klaus from far off, bickering with Hope about the dress she had chosen for the night.

"Dad, it's my birthday ball. I should be able to wear what I want!" She huffed. Elijah turned the corner into one of the various hallways of the compound, coming around to see the father and daughter facing off.

He chuckled, "Children, please," he said, eyeing Hope's admittedly short dress. Her hair was curled and she sported a sky blue cocktail dress. "Although your father may have a point," Elijah stated, raising an eyebrow.

Klaus gestured to Elijah, "Thank you, brother!" He exclaimed.

"I'm 18! I'm going to wear whatever I want," Hope said, storming into the party with finality. Elijah walked closer to his brother, putting a hand on his shoulder, stifling a laugh.

"She is very strong-willed, like her father," He said, raising his champagne flute to his lips. Klaus glared at his brother and sighed. "She has a point though. She is a young woman now. Just give her this one night to do and wear what she wants." The men turned and departed the hallway, heading back into the party. Klaus grabbed a champagne flute and headed to stand on a flight of stairs. Elijah stood at the base, looking into the crowd again.

"May I have your attention!" Klaus called out into the large room, "I would like to say a few words about my daughter, Hope." Klaus smiled down at her as he began his speech. Elijah continued to scan the room. His brother's voice faded from his ears when his eyes landed on a woman amongst the crowd, standing with his sister Freya. She was beautiful, wearing a blush coloured, floor-length dress. Her Y/C/H hair flowing down her back in an elegantly curled braid. She beamed up at Klaus as he gave his heartfelt speech about Hope. Elijah felt an unfamiliar sensation in his chest, a feeling he hadn't felt in a very, very long time.

In unison, the crowd lifted their glasses and cheered, "To Hope!" The woman put her glass to her full, pink lips. The room erupted into conversation and movement, and Elijah lost sight of her. As if jogged from a trance, Elijah put his champagne on the nearest surface and began searching the crowd once more. He pushed passed strangers and friends alike to get to where he had spotted her. He broke through the other side of the crowd, looking around for her or Freya. He found the two making their way around the outskirts of the party, talking and laughing together. He took a second to compose himself, putting his left hand in his suit pants pocket. Taking a deep breath, he followed after her.

"Good evening," he said casually, coming up behind the two women. They turned and Freya greeted him with a smile and a warm hug. The stranger stood by with a polite smile on her face.

"Elijah! I was wondering when I'd see you," she pulled away and turned to the woman next to her. "Y/N, this is my brother, Elijah." Freya smiled at Y/N.

"Hello, Elijah," She greeted, extending her hand. Rather than shaking it, Elijah took her hand and raised it to his lips, kissing it softly. Blush crept up Y/N's cheeks as Freya's eyebrows raised.

"It's a pleasure to meet you," Elijah said, not taking his eyes off her Y/E/C ones. "May I have this dance?" He heard her heartbeat quicken as she gave a small nod, letting Elijah gently tug her to the dance floor.

"I guess I'll just hang out here! By myself!" Freya called after them, huffing to herself.

--

Y/N was a New Orleans French Quarter witch. That was how she and Freya had met and became friends. Y/N had started coming around the compound more and more frequently over the following weeks, becoming closer to the Original family. Rosie cheeks and stolen glances at Elijah filled her visits under the excuse of hanging out with Freya. She loved her friend, truly, but she couldn't get her mind off of the oldest Mikaelson brother. He, on the other hand, seemed to distance himself from her after his first introduction. She had hoped that she didn't offend him in some way. “Maybe I’m just not his type,“ She thought to herself.

"Y/N?" Freya's voice sounded in Y/N's head, jogging her from her thoughts.

"What, I'm sorry?" She looked at her friend, confused. They were sitting on a couch located in the library of the compound, pulling a late-night together. Her thoughts of Elijah had distracted her mid-conversation.

Freya rolled her eyes. "I asked if you'd like to come to the Halloween party we're throwing here this weekend. Hope wants it to be a big event, and you know Klaus would do anything to keep her happy." Freya smiled at Y/N.

Y/N nodded, thinking about the father/daughter relationship Hope and Klaus had brought a sad smile to her face. She was glad Hope would have the love of family throughout her life. Y/N was alone in New Orleans, growing up in different foster homes and halfway houses. Her real family unknown to her, she had been tossed from house to house because of the unexplainable things that happened around her. Until she met Vincent, back when he was still married to Eva Sinclair. He taught Y/N about what living in New Orleans really meant for people like her. He made her feel like she belonged.

"I'd love to come! Costume party?" Y/N asked, sipping tea from her mug.

Freya nodded, "Hope wouldn't have it any other way."

–

Elijah rolled his eyes. "I will not be wearing a costume. I believe I may just stay behind and let you all enjoy the fun," He said to Hope and Klaus. Hope was trying on her little red riding hood costume for the party that night when she turned and glared at Elijah.

"Come on, Uncle Elijah. Auntie Bex is! I even got dad some devil horns that he's going to wear, right dad?" She looked over at Klaus who grimaced and looked at Elijah pleadingly.

"Yes, darling, I'll wear them," He said, defeated. Hope smiled and looked back at Elijah. Elijah shook his head again, turning to exit the room.

"Y/N will be there," Hope exclaimed as he walked toward the door. Elijah stopped in his tracks and closed his eyes, sighing. She knew that would get him to come. He wasn’t as good at hiding his feelings as he thought he was, or maybe Hope was just perceptive. Hope smiled triumphantly to herself as she turned back to the mirror to look at her costume once more, perfecting the details.

--

Y/N entered the compound, her dress flurrying around her as she was met by a large crowd of people. The sun had set and the party was in full swing. The Mikaelson’s sure know how to throw a rager, she thought to herself. She walked farther into the crowd, her dress and cloak billowing around her. She headed toward the bar, keeping her eyes peeled for Freya.

"There you are!" Freya's voice came from behind her, muffled by the music. Y/N turned and saw her friend dressed in a bright pink dress, star wand in hand with a large crown atop her head. Y/N stifled a laugh at the sight.

"And what are you supposed to be?" Y/N said over the music.

Freya frowned, "What, you don't get it? I'm Glinda! You know, from The Wizard Of Oz?" She flourished her wand in Y/N's face and laughed.  Freya was already a few drinks in. "Who are you supposed to be?" She asked, her words slightly slurred.

Y/N looked down at her costume, and back up to Freya. "I'm Sarah Sanderson! From Hocus Pocus," Y/N twirled in her spot. She and Freya giggled as Y/N spun. Mid-spin, she spotted Elijah coming down the stairs and her breath hitched in her throat. She didn't take Elijah for the costume type, so she hadn't expected him to be here tonight.

He looked absolutely regal in his black suit and tie. Large white angels wings sprouted from his back. He looked around the room while coming down the stairs, not yet seeing Y/N. Freya followed Y/N's gaze and saw Elijah.  She drunkenly put an arm around Y/N's shoulder.

"You know, I think you have a thing for my brother," She accused. Y/N blushed, turning away from the angel.

"I'm the last person he would be interested in if I was," Y/N cast one last look his way before turning back to the bar, ordering a drink. "Let's get this party started," She said to her friend, giving her a smile. She reminded herself to not get attached. Everyone leaves eventually.

--

Y/N and Freya were joined by Rebekah, but they couldn't quite tell who she was dressed as. All they could tell was that it was tight and it was spandex. The three danced and drank in the middle of the party, not a care in the world. Elijah watched from the bar protectively. Something about this woman was so magnetic, so charming. He couldn't bring himself to admit that there was a flame ignited in his heart at the sight of her. He doesn't let people in. She's a mortal witch, her life span was the blink of an eye compared to his. No, he wouldn't let himself get attached. She would see him for the monster he was. He turned to mingle with the crowd, although he never let the three women leave his line of sight.

Y/N was having the time of her life with her friends, drunkenly dancing the night away.

“I’m going to go grab more drinks!” She slurred to the other two girls. They cheered in response as she turned and stumbled toward the bar. She caught the bartender's attention and ordered. He returned with three shot glasses and she thanked him, turning to get back to dancing. Before she could take a step, she collided with someone.

“Oh my god, I’m so sorry!” She cried, slurring her words. She stumbled back to look at the person she collided with, finding the handsome angel she had been eyeing earlier. He pursed his lips, wiping the front of his suit with his handkerchief. “Elijah,” she gasped, “I am so sorry, let me he-”

“Do not bother, Y/N,” he said, holding his hand up. He glared in her direction, not looking in her eyes. She gulped at his response.

“Please, let me make it up to you,” She tried dipping her head to catch his eye. He turned and motioned to the bartender for more shots.

“Have a pleasant evening,” He nodded curtly at her and turned to walk away, leaving her standing there, unsure of what just happened. Anger flared in her chest as she watched the angel walk away. She grabbed one of the shots that the bartender had set out and downed it quickly. Taking the other two to her friends, she let the music take her away, continuing to party.

-

The night continued on and the party began to thin out, while the three girls in the center of the dance floor kept going, laughing and dancing. Elijah had kept his eyes on them, amazed at how the two witches could keep up with the vampire. Elijah looked around at the few stragglers left, sitting around drunkenly talking to one another. He made his way across the compound, heading towards the stairs to head up to his room for the night. The music was quieter now,  not as upbeat. Y/N saw him moving across the dance floor and stumbled as fast as she could to get in front of him.

“Elijah,” She slurred,  “Please let me apologize for earlier. Dance with me!” She scooped him away before he could object, wrapping her arms around his neck, not letting him leave.

“Y/N I-” He started, but she shushed him, swaying to the music.

“Elijah I know you don’t like me that much, and I don’t know why but I just want to let you know that I’m sorry for spilling those drinks on you and I’m sorry for making you hate me for whatever reason,” she drunkenly let her head fall on his chest while she spoke, her eyes fluttering shut.

Elijah’s eyes widened at her speech, his hands falling to rest on her back. She hummed at his touch and smiled, eyes still closed. “Y/N… I apologize for making you feel that way, that was not my intention.” He looked down at her, “I just wanted to keep you safe,” He whispered.

Suddenly Y/N slumped into him, dropping like dead weight. Elijah reacted quickly and scooped her up, seeing she had passed out. He looked toward Freya and Rebecca who had already fallen asleep on the couch, snuggling into each other. His heart warmed at the sight of his sisters together. He refocused on the beautiful woman in his arms and began to climb the stairs, heading toward his room. He gently opened the door and crossed the room, laying her in the bed and covering her up. She adjusted into the comfort of the bed, grabbing Elijah’s hand as he slid his arms out from underneath her.

“Stay with me?” she mumbled. His heart softened and he silently agreed, stripping out of his wings and suit jacket. He crossed to the other side of the bed and slid into it, careful not to touch her. She turned to him and opened her eyes slightly. “Will you hold me?” she asked quietly. Tears brimmed her eyes.

He nodded and opened his arms to her, confused and worried. “What’s wrong, darling?” He whispered.

She moved into his open arms and placed her head on his chest, wrapping one arm around the front of him tightly. He felt his shirt dampen where her head lay. He held her close, rubbing one hand up and down her back, waiting for a response. He felt her start to tremble next to him.

“I think I’m in love with you, and I’m terrified,” she whispered into him. She let out a small cry, scared of his reaction. “I’m terrified you’ll hate me for telling you. I’m terrified you’ll leave if we do end up together. I’m terrified of everything falling apart. I’m terrified of people leaving.”

Elijah’s heart cracked at her words.

“Y/N.. I think I’m terrified to admit the feelings I have for you. I wish nothing more than for your safety and happiness,” He kissed her hair and he felt her relax in his arms. She had fallen asleep on him, inebriated and vulnerable. Elijah held her for the rest of the night, stroking her hair and cherishing the moment.

-

When morning came, Y/N thought her head would explode. She groaned and rolled over, putting her hands over her face. The bed was empty beside her. How did she get in the bed? Her memory was fuzzy, but she remembered large white wings and strong arms carrying her. She sat up in bed, suddenly panicked, realizing who’s room she was in. What else had happened? She concentrated, squeezing her eyes shut.  “I wish nothing more than for your safety and happiness,“ She remembered hearing his deep voice whisper to her before she fell asleep. Her heart thudded heavily in her chest. Had she dreamt of this confession? Did her drunken subconscious trick her into hearing his voice?

Someone cleared their throat in the doorway, startling her. She looked up to see Elijah holding a tray with water, aspirin, eggs, and toast. She blushed intensely, trying to brush her hair down and make herself look decent. He smiled at her warmly. “Good morning. I apologize for startling you,” He said. He crossed the room to her, putting the tray on the nightstand and sitting on the bed next to her.

He stared into her eyes, warmth flooding his chest. “It wasn’t a dream,” he said quietly, confirming her silent hope. He heard her heart flutter at his words.

Tears brimmed her eyes again. She bit her lip and looked down at her hands. “What does this mean for us?” She whispered.

He reached out and moved her chin to look at him. “It means I love you.” He smiled at her. Tears spilled onto her cheeks as she smiled and leaned forward, closing the space between them. She kissed him with no regard for the world around them. Her hands moved to his neck, tangling in his chestnut hair. He pulled her close, deepening the kiss and laying her on the bed. The eggs and toast got cold before Y/N got to them.

-

“I’ve been wanting this since you asked me to dance that night.” Y/N said, playing with Elijah’s hand as they laid side by side. “I haven’t been able to get you out of my head.” She smiled.

He adjusted to put his arm around her and pulled her close, kissing her head. “You will never have to be terrified again. I am here and I’m not leaving you. You have my word.” He moved her chin with his free hand to gaze into her Y/E/C eyes. He kissed her again, hoping to convey his pent up love and lust in one kiss. He knew he’d never be able to make her understand the depths of his affection for her. Just as he knew he may never know the extent of hers for him.

She pulled away slightly and whispered, “I love you and I’m not terrified anymore.”

[angelofmusic22342]

Galinda "Glinda " Arduenna Uppland and Ayame Sohma simmilarities

Emma Hunton as Elphaba and Gina Beck as Glinda

Glinda Uppland is a young woman who is flamboyant,dramatic,funny,comic,a bit selfish and yet a good friend.Ayame Sohma is The Snake of the Chinese Zodiac and has a simmilar personality.Behind their funny and comic expressions beats a good heart .

The second we meet Glinda she presents an extremely funny personality.'It's good to see me,isn't it?No need to respond,that was rhetorical',she exclaims.The second Ayame is a human after his transformation,he jokes and laighs.That whole thing is there up untill he has a lunch with Tohru where he reveals that he was selfish and regrets not helping Yuki ,his younger brother.

'And goodness knows,that WICKED'S lives are lonely.Goodness knows that WICKED die alone.It just shows when you're WICKED,you're LEFT ONLY ON YOUR OWN'.Glinda's sadness and regret is choking her here,yet she needs to keep up a cheery front for the people of Oz who are celebrating her best friend's death

.The word wicked said three times is the biggest one here.Glinda is referring to herself.It is HER life that is lonely,not Elphaba's (Elphaba is unknowingly to Glinda still alive with her lover).It is Glinda herself who will die alone(Elphaba when she dies,it will at least be in Fiyero's arms).Glinda is left on her own,not Elphaba.I bet this is what Ayame feels about Yuki.

Another big simmilarity is that both Glinda and Ayame are lovers of beauty,especially fashion.Glinda believes that her beauty is her worth(explicitly stated by the narrator in the book).Ayame has a dress shop.During the party scene,where she gets a hiddeous hat sent by her grandmother,she is very unhappy and shocked.'Pretend you did not see that',she jokingly says to her friend and selfishly gives the hat to Elphaba,which causes Elphaba to be humiliated.Simmilar to how Ayame harmed a girl who had a crush on him.

After the dance,we get a big Glinda scene-Popular.One of the funniest scenes in the musical."Whenever I see someone less fortunate than I,and let's face it,who isn't less fortunate than I,my tender heart tends to start to bleed".The whole scene is just Glinda over the top .Though,there are lines where Glinda demonstrates her clever view on the world.

'When I see depressing creatures with an unreposessing features ,I remind them on their own behalf to think of celebrated heads of states or especially great communicators.Did they have brains or knowledge?Don't make me laugh!'She knows the world is a cruel place and that only people who are somehow charming and beautiful succed.Elphaba recognizes Glinda's intelligence.Simmilar to how Yuki does the same for Ayame during parent teacher conference.

Next big moment is Defying Gravity .Glinda is selfishly trying to persuade Elphaba to stay"Elphie,listen to me.Just say you're sorry,before it's too late."She is in complete agony and very unhappy.Ayame is also the kind of man who would do something like that.He has a good heart,but is a bit selfish.

Now we are of to Act 2 and Thank Goodness is another moment where Glinda's facade comes into place.She is again pretending she is happy while wanting to cry."I couldn't be happier today"..A complete and utter lie.And the optional high note sounds like a scream.

When Fiyero decides to leave with Elphaba,enraged Glinda decides to use Elphaba's sister against her.She is indirectly responsible for Nessa's death.The two friends are unhappy and they fight.

Glinda's last big scene is For Good,her duet with Elphaba and the most mature and beautiful moment we see of Glinda.She knows that there are people out there who were led to her and she to them.She is who she is because she knew them.Thanks to them she was changed for good,be it good or bad.

Simmilarly,Mine,his wife and Yuki,his brother, were led to Ayame and are part of Ayame.Same with Shigure and Hatori,his two best friends..Because he knew them,he has been changed for good.The stories of Ayame and Glinda are stories of growth,leadership,love,friendship.There might be things that frighten them,but they will be there when they do.

[sweetmusingss]

I smile softly at you when sitting across from you, nodding at you after taking a deep breath. "Yes, I know that you are right. I am definitely excited. I just want it to all go well and I really hope that I have a chance of getting it. It's one of my dream roles, honestly. I got to do Jenna and Glinda is definitely one of my dream roles. Playing a good witch who loves pink? It's perfect for me," I giggle softly before starting to eat with you. "Also, I got an offer to play a show in L.A if I am interested and I am thinking about it.. Kind of like what Hugh Jackman has done with his tour. Just getting to sing Broadway songs and I'd throw some Ariana Grande covers in there, of course. It'd be really small, obviously, but it sounds really fun. I, of course, went to the karaoke bar on my first night back in New York just for the hell of it. Although it's strange being recognized now and not just as the girl who was always in there doing karaoke," I laugh softly before looking back across the table at you.

"You do have a chance of getting it. If they're offering you an audition, that means that they are thinking about you in the first place, so you definitely have a chance. A very solid chance." He smiles at you, reaching over and taking your hand in his, chuckling as you talk about playing a good witch who loves pink. Seb's eyes widen as you mention that you got an offer to play a show. "That's amazing, babe! You should definitely do it! That's amazing!" He was so proud of all your success, knowing all of this was going to happen once Waitress hit Broadway and everyone got to see you in action. "You know I'll be first row at those shows, right?"

__

Emma sends you a text the moment that she got in her car. 'Henry is leaving tonight so I just want to say good-bye to him quick and then I will be right over. I am so sorry for the delay. I promise I will make it up to you though because tomorrow will be a snow day and I don't have any other plans than begging you to let me spend it with you. I promise I will be back over ASAP :)' She texts you, feeling slightly guilty but she hoped that you would understand how important her son was to her. She arrived to Regina's house, heading inside and going to see Henry, helping him pack and sneaking him a few pieces of candy when Regina left them alone. She said her good-byes to him, hugging him tight before finally heading back to your place and ringing your doorbell as she stood outside in the cold, hoping you were not upset with her.

I grab my phone as soon as I heard the ding, smiling when I saw her name. 'spend all the time you want/need with henry. i'll be here. and i cannot wait to see just how much you beg me to spend tomorrow with you :)' I smile to myself as I continue cooking, pouring us both a glass of wine. I end up finishing mine before Emma even shows up, pouring myself another right before I hear the doorbell ring. I set the glass down before walking over to the door, opening it and smiling at her. "Hi there, Sheriff." I had changed into some comfier clothes, wanting to be comfortable but also look cute. "How was your meeting?"