#Episode 26

[deathnotewiki]

November 5, 2004:

Watari and L are killed by the power of Rem’s Death Note.

Rem is punished with death for breaking an important Shinigami Rule.

Misa Amane’s lifespan is extended.

Light Yagami gains Rem’s Death Note.

[lingi-15]

Redraws 06  - episodes 26 - Identity Crisis (05) (04) (03) (02) (01)

[221bnassau]

I'm pretty sure this conversation is the only time Flint and Anne acknowledge each other in the entire series. I think there's actually a few important characters that don't talk to each other at all or maybe just once in 38 episodes.

edit: The conversation is longer than this, I just posted one image of them looking at each other to ilustrate my point.

[dailynichijou]

Episode 26, 16:50

[yahoo201027]

Day in Fandom History: September 25…

Following the events of "Mirror Gem", the world's ocean is completely drained from Beach City and the Gems know who's responsible and decide to head over to where the Gem known as Lapis Lazuli is located. “Ocean Gem” premiered on this day, 10 Years Ago.

[a-forbidden-detective]

‘It’s between lovers’

RonToto shippers, we have our own version of Gojo-Geto off JJK0 or the Whisper scene from “Lost in Translation.”

I admit that plot-based voice cancellation is the least favorite trope of mine. But, what is it exactly?

Sometimes, one line can change everything — for the characters as well as the audience. So, often, if that line has to come up early on, it will be cancelled out by some other noise, such as a truck passing or a plane taking off, or, in the case of dream worlds and other special cases, for no obvious reason whatsoever.

After being annoyed trying to find out from the mouth of Sofia Coppola what actually could Bob mean when he whispered something to Charlotte , she had this to say on the film’s 15th anniversary,

Just acknowledging that week meant something to both of them and it affects them going back to their lives. People always ask me what’s said. I always like Bill’s answer: that it’s between lovers – so I’ll leave it at that.”

Or Gojo’s words that made Geto say “You should at least curse me at the end.”

The only thing that was definite and official is that Ron says“thank you” to Toto, courtesy of Crunchyroll.

But Ron’s speech was long and if you look at Toto’s reaction it would be a life-altering moment. This isn’t the simple declaration of comradeship. This is something more intimate thinking that the anime crew knows the implications of these scenes to the viewers. They understand what are we going to say after we watch the scenes unfold. The effects, the way the story will evolve after this arc.

Toto’s pupils are dilated for one. His mouth is a complete O. These appearances are not part of the manga. These are anime exclusive.

What did Sherlock say about dilated pupils?

Irene Adler: Oh, dear God. Look at the poor man. You don't actually think I was interested in you? Why? Because you're the great Sherlock Holmes, the clever detective in the funny hat?

Sherlock Holmes: No... because I took your pulse: elevated; your pupils: dilated. I imagine John Watson thinks love's a mystery to me, but the chemistry is incredibly simple and very destructive. When we first met, you told me that disguise is always a self-portrait; how true of you. The combination to your safe: your measurements - but this… [taking her cell phone] ... this is far more intimate. This is your heart, and you should never let it rule your head.

How about the scientific side of it :

Why Eyes Dilate: Increased Oxytocin

Oxytocin is the warm and fuzzy love hormone released after intimate connection. In empathic, healthy people (i.e. not psychopaths), oxytocin gets released after a hug, a sweet conversation, seeing a baby, or connecting strongly with someone. When oxytocin releases, pupils often dilate too.

The censored dialogue might irritate me along with the non-announcement of season 3. But, I still keep optimistic bc for the meantime we have these chapters animated. It is in our power to reinterpret it through fan fiction and fan arts. I just hope that this is not the end of interpreting Akira Amano’s work to our TV or handy screens.

[thefeastandthefast]

So talking with @elderflowergin a few days ago got me thinking about the theme of debt in this show... In Chinese, the language of indebtedness is often used to characterize interpersonal relationships- one of my favorite examples is describing a difficult child as their parents' unpaid creditor from a past life!

The language reflects the accepted moral expectation of both kindness and treachery requiring repayment in kind. I'll leave it to someone with more expertise than me to dissect how the origins of these linguistic conventions arose from a culture shaped by both Confucian philosophy (which emphasizes the social obligations of individuals within their family, community, and country) and Buddhism (particularly the part about karmic debt).

Anyway, the way indebtedness plays out within the relationships of Mudan and Jiang Changyang compared to Mudan and Shengyi is so interesting (and in the latter case, totally heartbreaking) to me.

I’m a little obsessed with how Jiang Changyang and Mudan are increasingly playful and casual in the way they talk about their debtor/creditor relationship and all the big and small ways they owe each other. There’s a relaxed sort of intimacy in the giving and taking and a sense of stability and safety in the owing. To these two, the owing means continued opportunity for reciprocity and mutual indebtedness.

They are taking their sweet time with the accounting. To fully clear the balance would end the nominal reason for further entanglement. The indebtedness allows them cover to discover each other as two people on equitable footing.

It also allows Jiang Changyang to show Mudan over and over again that he will never bargain or scheme to take her autonomy. Mudan will happily owe that which can be calculated in cash and paid in full. But she will not be induced to take on the emotional and psychological debt used to trap women with the creditors patriarchal feudal Chinese society has designated for them. That kind of intangible debt can never be cleared, forever remaining a burden.

She refused that debt to her father, when she left behind without a backward glance the dowry she took from his house into her marriage. She refused that debt to her male cousin, turning away from the soft landing of his protection in Chang’an.

It’s only possible for Mudan to find pleasure and delight in her emotional entanglement and no fear in her indebtedness to JCY because she is not at the mercy of his generosity, in the way Liu Chang is with the County Princess and the Prince of Ning. As fucked up as it is that she had to ask him to literally buy her to get her out of the military camp, she, and we viewers, feel only relief and not discomfort when we find that he had already done so.

But in Mudan and Shengyi's relationship, we see that Shengyi was never able to see herself as being on equitable footing with Mudan. Shengyi's deep chasm of insecurity and self loathing made it so that every moment of real warmth and love and success felt bestowed upon her out of charity, not something she was an equal partner in creating.

She couldn't see her friendship with Mudan as continued opportunity for the pleasure of reciprocity and mutual indebtedness. Instead she saw it as a growing pile of debt exchanged for the illusion of happiness and safety. She tried her best to keep up her end of this deal she thought she was making- redeeming Mudan's mother's necklace as soon as she was financially able, buying her new clothes, guarding her from what seemed like the threat of the flower guild's spy, etc. But when Mudan lost almost everything because of Shengyi's vulnerability to Wang Qing's deception, in Shengyi's mind that debt became crushingly impossible to ever repay.

That's why she refused to return, even after Mudan made it clear she was still a beloved friend and valued partner. That's why she collapsed in broken sobs when Mudan asked if the price for seeing the truth wasn't too costly. My heart ached watching that scene knowing Shengyi would never go home after that. Shengyi's first big decision that she made on her own after a lifetime of coerced transactions was a terrible deal that figuratively speaking bankrupted herself and her dearest friend.

What is bleakest about Shengyi's end is that I think she killed Wang Qing more as a way to resolve her and Mudan's unfinished business, rather than as justice for herself. She stayed and took the abuse as a form of penance, until she figured out a way to clear her balance and her conscience.

Her last words were, more fully translated than what was on Viki: 无法选择如何生，却可以选择干干净净得走 (Though I can't choose how to live, I can choose to go, clean and tidy.) Of course clean and tidy can mean the manner of her suicide, but I feel it refers more to Shengyi finally feeling like she's able to fully repay Mudan for her kindness and compensate her for her pain, owing nothing. The tragedy is that Mudan never wanted such clean and meticulous accounting- she only wanted Shengyi to live well and be free.

[alipeeps]

Episode 26

"We've caught the demon". Pretty fucking sure you haven't cos uhhh... she literally rocked up with an umbrella for Li Lun at the end of the last episode...

Mmm and if that *isn't* Ao Yin... is it another of Wen Zongyu's demon hybrids, that's been given the shapeshifting power?

(Ooooh and if that's the case, was that even Ao Yin that they went chasing after - that Chongwu camp pointed out? Or was it just their pet shapeshifter pretending to be her? And pointing her out was designed to make the gang chase off after her. Just another part of their plan to make sure Zhuo Yichen/Demon Hunting Bureau got villified/distrusted by the populace.

Called it.

Is she sitting up waiting for Zhuo Yichen to come home?

Oh give him a hug ffs, you both need it...

Meanwhile Zhao Yuanzhou is roaming the halls like a restless, lonely ghost...

Ugh the soft almost smile as he looks as Zhao Yuanzhou...

He wasn't prepared for that. And he also didn't want that - for Zhuo Yichen to have to have the experiences that would make him understand what it has been like for Zhao Yuanzhou.

Oh dang..

My fucking heart...

When the drama straight up goes "Found family? Hell yes. Explicitly yes. Yes."

But he still wants to die of course...

"Wo men yi qi"

Scuse me, officer? I need to report a crime? Yes, this show is trying to murder me.

Oh dang, Zhao Yuanzhou is now putting his coat round every member of his polycule, one by one...

Zhao Yuanzhou you are such a git. I love you.

Yeah he did... but you cut him off.

Shitttt this is too fucking tender. This is killing me.

OMG the camera acting as her POV and her glance drifting down to his neck...

I am dead. This is my ghost typing this.

Oooh I was literally just thinking last night.. they've fixed the baize token, surely they should make it a priority to restore the wilderness?

OMG it that Bai Jiu mama coming back to life?!!!

Holy shit after all the angst and pain of the previous episode, this one is like a fucking warm bath of emotion.

(Which almost certainly means the show is going to rip my heart out again VERY soon, right? Like they're doing this just to make it all the more painful when they reach into my chest and crush my very soul...)

Oh what the fuck?!!

Don't you fucking hurt my boy Ying Lei!! Don't you DARE!!

I thought you said it wasn't easy to break a mountain god's barrier, Ying Lei?!

Oooh was that Xiao Jiu's powder that slows down/weakens demons?

So he's bought the gang some extra time by slowing Li Lun down...

Well that certainly doesn't bode well...

Ooooh so if you had one wish Yichen, what would it be? Turn yourself human again... or save Zhao Yuanzhou....

Well shit.

(However, if there is no need to pursue them into the Bingyi Clan's forbidden area, then why the fuck did you rock up to pursue them in the first place, Li Lun?)

That sounds like a REALLY FUCKING BAD IDEA, Zhuo Yichen!!

You tell him, Wen Xiao! It's found FAMILY, Zhuo Yichen, not found I'mma-nobly-do-this-shit-all-on-my-own!

Well said Sijing.

Oh fuuuuuck. Zhao Yuanzhou. You're fucking killing me here!

Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhh

Oh god, and the way Wen Xiao immediately looks at Zhao Yuanzhuo with hope... like please, please say yes Zhao Yuanzhou, please say you'll live...

FUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUCKKKK

He's spent so long seeking death... and he's willing to give that up.... because Zhuo Yuanzhou asked him to.

(Oh god, he's definitely going to die at the end, isn't he? It's going to destroy me)

Ha! Wen Xiao pulling rank on Zhuo Yichen! AND on Zhao Yuanzhou!

FUCK. FUCKFUCKFUCKFUCKFUCK.

Oh fuck, is it Ying Long?!!

Oh fuck, one of them has to stay there?

Oh dang, it's asking him to sacrifice one of the team...

This is Zhuo Yichen you're dealing with here. If the choice is sacrifice one of his team or die himself (due to not fixing the Cloud Light Sword), then he'll choose to die himself. Every time.

Uhoh, it's trying to freeze all of you!

Ohhh the way he just so calmly and casually wraps his hand around Zhao Yuanzhou's hand to forestall his one word spell.

What do you think he's gonna do? He's gonna choose to sacrifice himself.

What the FUCK? He has pre-written goodbye letters to Wen Xiao?!!

This episode is destroying me. They are just constantly fucking verbalising their care and feelings for one another and... how... how am I supposed to just sit here and survive that?

Yesssss Zhao Yuanzhou....

But what's the point if they both die? Or is he trying to take Zhuo Yichen's place?

The fuuuuuuck what a visual!!

And after all that... they still don't even have the way to mend the sword? And who's gonna mend it anyway?!

Holy SHIT this episode was incredible and I am emotionally exhausted.

[icy-watch]

her little cheer and knowing zane would catch her

[threebooksoneplot]

oops it kinda slaps actually

Episode 26 - "Not Sponsored by BetterHelp"

[rileygeekly]

Oh my god I’m glad I waited to listen to this weeks episode.

I would NOT keep my squeals to myself

JARROD our Jarrod? Still into fitness!

“AN” ARCHIVIST Not THE Archivist.

(I think AN archivist is going to break into the OIAR to become whole again at some point)

Helen! My beloved!

We know Jack isn’t some monster baby…. At least not all the time.

SAM AND CELIA KISSED THIS IS AN OFFICE ROMANCE THANK YOU ALEXANDER AND JONNY

[deathnotewiki]

December 5, 2004:

Roger, the director of Wammy’s house, confirms L and Watari’s deaths.

Mello and Near are told of L’s death by Roger.

Refusing to work alongside Near, Mello leaves the Wammy’s House.

December 5, 2009:

NHN reporter Kiyomi Takada is chosen as Kira’s spokesperson.

Light Yagami suggests the task force should head back to Japan in order to investigate Kiyomi Takada.

[bobauthorman]

One of the best moments in Digimon Adventure 02 was Wormmon playing secretary for Ken.

"Are you the operator?"

"No, I'm the Digimon."

[ginsoakedgirl80]

The struggle of getting rooster blocked by a fantasy affliction.

[dailynichijou]

Episode 26, 11:15

[terapsina]

fury that melts the ice - zyc/zyz/wx short fic

---

ao3

---

Thoughts whirled through his mind in synch with the snow that would kill him. Memories and truths he'd tried to suppress.

Zhuo Yichen had always known love to be the first warm rays of springtime sunlight, melting the white snow sorrow into the beautiful pink blossoms of a cherry tree in bloom.

That was his love for Wen Xiao.

She was the melody at the edge of his heart; the soft smile that caught his breath; and the clever quip warming his cheek.

Zhuo Yichen had not known that this love was destined to own only half his heart. He had not known that he should guard himself against a love like the storm at sea.

Inescapable and unassailable.

But how did one guard against someone who would love the springtime in his heart with the same devotion as could be found in Zhuo Yichen himself? How did one protect oneself from a soul that was mate to itself?

His love for Zhao Yuanzhou was the tears wetting the earth into a new life, the blood that burned its brand over his heart like a hot ember pressed into his chest.

The ancient demon was the innuendo that caught Zhuo Yichen's tongue into a mortified trip; he was the lecherous monkey whose eyes sparked with faux guilelessness; most of all, he was the seamless dance over a calm pool of water transforming their every battle into poetry that promised one day to shred his heart into crimson mist.

He had known he would love Wen Xiao until his last breath from the moment he'd cradled the tiny blue wildflowers between his palms.

He had thought he would hate Zhu Yan until the last beat of his heart from the moment his brother's sword dropped from his numb fingers.

What agony to know that he was destined to be right about one and so wrong about the other. What cruelty that he was fated to pierce his family sword through the heart of the demon who was not the monster from his absent nightmares, after all, but instead the man who in the catching of Wen Xiao's heart had snagged Zhuo Yichen's too.

He did not even know which pain would have proved greater.

The sight of Zhao Yuanzhou transformed into golden starlight and blown away by the wind?

Or the scream in Zhuo Yichen's ear as Wen Xiao fell to her knees and wept until all that might maybe make her move were the pleas from Pei Sijing.

Zhuo Yichen would certainly not have dared burden her sight with the blood of her beloved on the hands of her friend for longer than a brief goodbye.

Was it not kinder for Zhuo Yichen to take this unexpected opportunity to cut that destined ending short? If he was the sacrifice that gave a future to the spring sunlight and the storm bringing life back to the frozen earth under their feet... was that not only right?

Was it not better to entomb himself in ice and break only his own heart? His heart would break anyway, why not let it be for something useful?

Ice spun around and around him. White across vision, the cold biting into his skin and numbing Zhuo Yichen to the reality taking shape behind him.

Behind him, Wen Xiao screamed.

Behind him, Zhao Yuanzhou raged with the cold fury of a storm at sea. Relentless and unyielding.

Even Pei Sijing loosed arrow after arrow in the vain hope of saving him - because she cared, yes, but also because to save him was to save Wen Xiao.

Behind him, he was breaking hearts anyway; hearts that refused to be broken; hearts that howled in denial and battered against his choice with the seething frenzy of heated iron.

His head turned with painful slowness until finally Zhuo Yichen's eyes were caught like a rabbit in a snare. For the first time, it felt as if the Great Demon truly did wish to rend the flesh from his bone.

His voice gone, Zhuo Yichen pleaded through his eyes. 'Let it be me.'

'No!' Zhao Yuanzhou stared back with the look carved into the face of a mountain.