#Finding an immediate connection with Marco

[otkuhotgirl]

─── 𝐇𝐎𝐓𝐒𝐓𝐔𝐅𝐅 .

# with portgas d. ace.

the mera mera no mi had a dozen benefits — setting your walls alight was but one of them.

⎰ & KINKTOBER, (late) day five. smut (mdni!). temperature play. devil-fruit usage. oral (reader!receiving). fingering. afab!reader. no y/n used.

WC: 2.4k.

portgas d. ace had fed himself with a fruit that granted him particularities similar to those of a furnace. fire coursed through his veins — oftentimes he mused the thought that it had burned whichever cells connected him to his father still. heat gave him a reputation; an untouchable anatomical state. fire fist ace, the fearsome second-in-command. flames and warmth were but a weapon and he never thought of it beyond that. until he found that the feelings labored for you burned brighter than whatever spark his fingers conjured.

lust first settled during the search for akagami no shanks — the man who had saved his younger brother’s life. amidst ice and torrid snow, you stood: a single thread of life with a clear distaste for the cold. hunched, trembling figure whose knees were pressed to one’s chest, cursing through parted lips, at the corner in an attempt to disappear from sight. when ace sat by your side, heat emanating from his flesh, you immediately pressed yourself against him, hiding your face as you clung to his arm. he had laughed then, hugging you until the trembling ceased, growing hotter at the sound of your relieved sigh.

the second time had been during a sudden — yet common — change in the weather at the approach of a winter island. ace had no intentions of lingering there whatsoever, and briefly instructed his crew to be swift in their business. you opted to remain on the ship, covered in tides of blankets with a lukewarm cup of untouched coffee in hand. ace wordlessly set a place behind you, nervous, yet smooth, as he pressed his palms over your shoulders and began an amateurish massage. he feared the prospect of his physical strength causing you pain, yet you merely leaned into his touch, moaning with your eyes closed as the shared warmth coursed through your body. ace thought himself vicious; disgusting; for he had felt a sudden twitch in his cock at the sounds.

at last, the snap came once he mingled with the whitebeard pirates, his past crewmates choosing to linger; accepting the shift in captains. you were bedridden, and marco had commented that heat could increase the comfort during menstrual cramps. ace caught on the words left unsaid, and offered, once again, to be your soothing warmth; your healing flame. you sounded grateful altogether, and had no problems falling asleep in his arms whatsoever, allowing his hands to be placed on the external root of your pain. sharing the bed had been enough for you to claim one another; to officiate the clear-as-day relationship born from reciprocal love.

although things had changed ever-since — from endless travels to foreign lands, to the survival of a terrible war —, ace’s hidden desire regarding his devil-fruit persevered. it was shown regardless of the weather, twitching erection even in alabasta, when sweat pooled on your cleavage; when he’d see you swimming, sea-salt clinging to your flesh; or the particular instances of quietness, when his fingers would travel through your body until they found your clit. oftentimes, when his cock was lost amidst your warm walls, perhaps out of sheer instinct, he’d find himself increasing the temperature of it, if only to access your reaction. a complicated gamble; the fear of maiming, alight fire born from his excitement. yet, you remained restless, as though understanding that he had a fair share of thoughts unshared. ace feared the moment in which you’d corner him, for he’d cave to your every desire.

he sighed, clicking his tongue in deep thought. the second thereafter, ace all but choked on his food, punching his chest with certain strength. he half-noted the glass of water placed on the table, and spat a final chunk of meat at a particularly harsh slap on his back. ace’s hand gripped the cup and he chugged the liquid, tear-filled eyes observing your figure — sitting on the other side of the small table, an interested expression on your face.

“careful now, hotstuff,” you scolded, and he flushed at the name. “where have you gone this time?”

the question had increased in frequency since the death of whitebeard — his chosen father. ace was unused to the idea of sharing his pain, rather preferring to bottle it up. you respected said decision, yet, more often than not, his prolonged quietness proved itself to be obnoxious. you stated that his thoughts traveled to a place you could not reach, and in said instants, you were forced to scratch the surface of his mind and tether it to the present at hand.

“nowhere important,” ace answered, clearing his throat. you merely raised an eyebrow, well aware of the poor-crafted lie. he gave in, unable to withstand the expectating — borderline disappointed — look on your face. “promise not to be creeped out?”

“by you?” the question posed itself as though a joke; incredulous. “ace—”

“i know,” he interrupted through a sigh. ��still, i would hate to leave you uncomfortable.”

“try me,” you encouraged, nothing but love explicit through your features.

ace stretched his hand, palm facing you. he coaxed your approach with a movement of his index, tensing once your wrist was pressed against his skin. he was hesitant — fearful, even — when he activated his devil-fruit, a tempting and gradual increase in his temperature. you hummed, circling your wrist on his palm, testing the waters.

“warm,” you stated matter-of-factly, tapping your fingers on his arm. ace repeated the previous action, multiplying the valor of warmth; recoiling the flames that threatened to lick your flesh. “warmer.”

ace closed his fingers around your wrist, caressing the tender inches of skin. “is it distressing? painful?”

you chuckled, moving your head in denial. “it’s soothing, ace. it’s you.”

he smiled softly, breathing in order to gather further courage. “would you mind if i tried it elsewhere?”

you blinked, growing quiet for the briefest instance, although that had been enough to bloom certain insecurities within him. ace’s lips parted, tongue prepared to spill a dozen apologies — until your hand pushed the plates and cups aside and you sat on the table, sliding towards him. ace was aghast at your willingness; your excitement.

“now?” you inquired softly, gripping the hem of your dress, legs already crossed.

“you want it now?” a stupid question, truly, when one considered the blown state of your pupils.

“please,” you pleaded, already tugging at the edges of your clothing, raising it over your head.

ace’s hands groped your breasts, cock twitching at the sight and perspective of what could be done with them. his tongue lurked out, swiping a streak of saliva up your chest. you shuddered, to which ace smirked, twitching one of your hardening nipples. his digits grew brighter as a consequence of the shift in his temperature, offering a direct source of warmth to your flesh. he tested the length of his devil-fruit, internal fire reaching the tip of his tongue. ace latched his mouth around the bud, a pathetic rut of his hips following-in-suit as a consequence of your moaning.

he grew hotter, the gradual warmthness of your own skin teasing his nose. when your fingers tugged at his hair, ace’s tongue flicked; mouth applying pressure as he sucked on the flesh of your breast, well-aware of the consecutive loss of control on his powers. it felt as though entering a forest-fire to meet its god in the center, an ever-growing heat embracing your every nerve.

your nipple grew swollen at the attention — heated and pained —, whereas his saliva was a river of liquid flames, setting you alight. his unused hand traveled down your stomach, emerging goosebumps at its temperature. he pushed your back against the table, adoration poured into each featherlight touch. you heard the sound of his knees meeting the ground; felt his palm settling on your hip-bone. a pair of heated fingers traveled through your folds, spreading your essence through the extension of it. you whimpered, for your own pre-cum had its temperature shifted; fire reaching your very core.

ace sucked on your thigh, experienced thumb drawing fast-paced circles on your once neglected clit; bright digit behaving as though the teasing of a lighter. you squirmed, and he needed but a single hand to cage your figure. his lips left a trail of sensitive bruises, before they replaced his thumb, wrapping them around the swollen bud. the tip of his burning index teased your entrance, before he shoved three fingers inside — knuckle-deep — invading your walls with unthought suddenness. you mewled, unused — however excited — with the heat; dripping cunt close to boiling.

he moaned, sending vibrations through your body. his fingers curled inside you, teasing the gummy walls; igniting your g-spot. ace rutted against the air, erection caged in between the fabric of his clothes. regardless, he neglected his own needs for the sake of your own, observing, through his eyelashes, your face contorting in pleasure. ace gripped a fistful of your thighs, the warmth of it enough to burn lonesome inches of hair. when he made a sudden worried move, intending to retreat altogether, you gripped his hair yet again, shoving his face deeper into your cunt.

“d-don’t stop,” you pleaded, trembling legs threatening to close themselves around his head.

he moaned, setting a vigorous pace. his tongue ventured through your folds, nose buried deep; teasing your clit. ace moved his head to the sides, dragging your warm essence through his chin and mouth. his tongue drew a luscious, famished stripe before he sucked on the swollen, burning clit, nearly tearing up at the saltiness coating his palate.

“fuck, babe, you taste so good,” he groaned, voice coming out muffled, for the ministrations of his mouth remained. you moaned at the compliment, arching your back at the retreat of his fingers — nails at your entrance — before he shoved them inside yet again, a relentless pace that had your cunt squeezing the digits, dripping down his palm.

your entire figure trembled, thighs caging him, feet sliding down his muscular back. ace’s tongue was molten-fire against your clit, zigzagging around it, his face covered in specks of burning pre-cum — growing reddish at the prolonged contact. curling toes; ruthless tug at his hair. he drowned on your cunt, mouth claiming every drop of your essence while his fingers abused your g-spot.

your voice was a broken choir whose words were all but variations of his name. it flared up his ego, had him switching to shove a burning tongue inside your clenching cunt; fingers parting your folds open as a set of two circled around your clit. he all but slurped; humped the air. a wet patch stained his pants, and one could smell the stench of burning fabric as he pre-cum escaped past his tip, a tide of wild flames.

“ace, ‘m close,” you mewled, breathing out heavily, eyes tethered to the sight of his soaked face.

he retreated his lips for the briefest second to press a searing, burning kiss on your entrance, smirking at your drawn-out moan. the pace of his fingers on your clit increased, and ace bit on your outer labia, his other hand pinching on your trembling thigh.

“cum for me, love,” he encouraged, yet again shoving a warm tongue inside, his chin and nose buried in your cunt.

the knot unraveled itself, and your orgasm tore you from inside-out, drowning his face. ace chased it, famished mouth claiming every droplet of cum that fell on his awaiting tongue, his fingers working still as he stimulated the tides of your high. with a final stripe of the warm muscle, ace leaned his face backwards, licking his lips and tracing the cum that lingered on his chin. he shoved a thumb inside his mouth, sucking the rest of it; removing the finger with a pop. his flesh had a shade pale pink where your essence had touched.

ace spread your legs and got on his feet, eyes tethered to the sight of your bare body on the table, sweat-etched skin glistening under the natural light. “it was a delicious appetizer.”

you laughed then, opening your arms — a solace, whose walls he could rest within. ace’s glance softened ever-so-slightly at the sound, and his chest leaned forward, drawn by your sentence. “come and get the main course, hotstuff.”

his fingers fidgeted with buttons, zippers and straps, a loud groan following-in-suit when his erection slapped against his stomach. swollen, leaking tip sensitive enough to make him hiss due to the merest brush of the wind. ace buried his face on your neck, licking the sweat off your flesh as his hand blindly aligned his shaft with your entrance. the girth slid in with fair easiness, the reminiscing drops of your previous orgasm mingling; enveloping the neglected head.

when ace bottomed out, the pair of you moaned in unison. your nails dug on his back as his hips set a languid pace, flushed tip reaching deep into your g-spot. his cock was a conflagration, forcing your walls to match the absurd temperature, shared heat enhancing both of your senses; increasing the sensitivity. the legs of the table complained at every harsh, wild thrust, balls slapping your ass as he hammered himself inside — sudden retreat of the tip; aggressive shove of the base until he had you filled with his girth. you babbled a sequence of compliments that had him twitching; drooling inside.

your legs wrapped around his waist, and both his hands settled themselves on the back of your thighs. his mouth sang luscious moans as his tongue and teeth bruised the skin of your neck — visible marks; explicit claim of what was his. ace’s pace grew erratic at the approach of his orgasm, the warmth leaving him sensitive to the point of embarrassment. your walls sucked him in, a famished, selfish lover that wished for nothing but to milk him dry.

when he pressed his forehead against yours, the act itself held an intimacy he once could ever dream of having with another, and the act itself soothed the once miserable soul of a child unwanted. ace breathed out into your mouth, words failing him as you nodded, increasing the strength of your legs around him.

“cum inside,” you cried out, raking your nails down his tattooed back. “want it—want you, all of you.”

ace struggled to keep his eyes open as he shot his load into you. it was of an alarming heat, leaving a lingering burning sensation on his tip. you mewled, sobbing as fire incarnated smeared your sensitive walls, leaving but a trail of metaphorical ashes in its wake. ace pressed butterfly-kisses on your face, lips claiming dried tears and accumulated sweat. his thrusts assumed a slower pace, a final chase of his high until the both of you were left a frail, exhausted mingle of bodies. his hands left your thighs; your legs fell, limp, dangling from the table.

the merest glance at your lover’s face had your eyes widening, hands pushing his chest. “don’t you dare, ace! the table will break—”

he collapsed into you, shifting your bodies at the last second. wood gave in to his weight, and his back all but met the ground, arms encircling your figure as your side was pressed to his chest. ace caressed your ass, mumbling about how he needed to clean you properly — and snoring thereafter.

you snorted, caressing his cheek. “sleep well, hotstuff.”

— 🐈‍⬛ : happy late kinktober, time is a concept!

[gatitties]

Hello I love your writing! I had an idea of a scenario that would be the teenager (13 years old) reader ends up connecting with something and ends up having a seizure (like Kiri in Avatar 2) and all of the crew are worried it could do with the Straw Hats, Whitebeard's crew, Shanks and Law please!

—Strawhats, Whitebeard Pirates, Shanks & Law x teen!reader (platonic)

—Summary: you have a strange blackout, despite not feeling anything wrong with you, your friends care about you

—Warnings: none

You swing the shopping bags so they wouldn't hit your legs again, trying to catch up with Sanji who was a few steps ahead of you. You had offered to help him with errands and here you were carrying more bags than you should have because there was no way you were going to make more than one trip to carry everything.

You felt your fingers go numb for a few seconds, your vision blurred and you fainted out of nowhere, the sound of your body hitting the ground alarmed the blonde. He let everything he was carrying fall to the ground to attend to you immediately, panicking when he saw that you only trembled and didn't react to his voice.

He carefully carried you running towards the ship, it was so loud that he woke Zoro up, though he didn't start a fight because he heard Sanji's desperate voice calling for Chopper.

"I need help over here!"

Everyone got anxious at the cook's explanation as they waited for Chopper to come out of the room where he was checking that everything was okay.

Nami and Robin had interrupted their coffee and gossip session, Luffy was pounding on the door impatiently while Jinbe was trying to push him away, Franky, Usopp and Brook diverted their slight concern with small talk.

You didn't wake up until a few hours later, pacing the deck as if nothing had happened.

"Stop right now!"

You fell backwards, Luffy's arms wrapping around your body.

"Uff- Luffy, you're crushing me."

"What the hell are you doing!?"

Nami hit him immediately making him let go, Usopp helped you up, patting you on the shoulder.

"What's happening? You look at me as if I had grown a third eye."

"You do not remeber anything? That could be troublesome! what should I do!?" the poor reindeer began to murmur "Rest! You need to rest, one day at least."

"But I don't feel sick."

"Doctor's orders, you have to comply."

Zoro gave you a little push with a sly smile, you rolled your eyes.

"You're not the best person to talk about it..."

You were running after Ace because he had stolen your food, until your body felt weak and you fell to the ground. Ace laughed thinking that you had stumbled because it wasn't the first time you've stumbled while trying to catch up. However he became concerned when you didn't react, picking you up when he got close to do one of your 'surprise attacks'.

"Come on, get up, it's not funny..."

His hands began to sweat when he saw that your body began to convulse, he held you in his arms to keep you firm and not hit yourself.

"Shit, shit, shit… Marco!? Where is Marco!?"

Several of the guys that were out there started looking for the doctor, luckily he was on the ship, although Whitebeard was out since you just arrived a few hours ago.

"What happened-yoi?"

Marco started to ask what had happened while Ace answered him, the blonde doing a quick check, he didn't find anything unusual so he let you rest while he went to report to Whitebeard. In that short time Izo stayed by your side to watch if you woke up or not since Ace needed to calm down, he wouldn't help being tense.

You woke up a while later, Izo smiled at you as he offered you a glass of water.

"I don't notice any discomfort, maybe it was a heat stroke?"

You swore and swore that you didn't feel any pain or discomfort when Marco came to ask, even though your vital signs were stable, Whitebeard didn't let you leave the ship for a couple of days or at least be accompanied in case it happen again.

"I can't risk someone young not receiving proper medical treatment, your health is more important than that of an old man like me."

You nodded at your father's words, despite the fact that you respect him a lot, you were still a teenager and you will probably end up running away, you need a little privacy and nothing has happened to you again, you would be fine on your own sometimes.

You went looking for Shanks because you should disembark now, but knowing him he would surely be drinking in the town bar, you actually found him there.

"I invite one more round! come on kid, you can order whatever you want, as long as it's non-alcoholic."

"I don't want anything, the ship is going to set sail without you, again..."

"Oh come on, come on, don't worry so much and enjoy the night!"

You sighed, shaking your head, there was no point, you had already tried to take him back, if he didn't want to it wasn't your problem, after all he is a Yonko and he knows how to take care of himself. You decided to get out of there, however, before you could go out the door, your body vanished from one moment to the next. Your body hit the ground at the same time as Shanks's beer mug, he ran towards you trying to make you react, his screams cut through the jovial atmosphere in just seconds, the customers being intimidated by the redhead's intense gaze.

"I need a doctor, someone get a doctor!"

The urgency in his voice, his posture, his gaze... no one could just ignore his presence and keep drinking, some people even fainted from the power in his voice, a brave little man ventured to your side, his palms sweating as he was inspecting you before Shanks's eyes.

It didn't take long for you to come to, confused by the situation, despite clarifying that you felt fine, besides the fact that the doctor didn't find anything serious at first sight, it was enough for your captain.

"We'll go immediately to find the best doctor in the whole world, don't worry."

"Maybe you're exaggerating a bit... there are a lot of people who faint from some discomfort, and I don't feel bad right now"

"No, you need to go to the doctor a couple more times to make sure it's not due to a disease."

"Okay, can I at least walk on my own?"

"No."

He held your body like you were a bag, you sighed looking up at the starry sky, hoping you wouldn't be treated like glass because of a little accident, you were in the crew of a yonko for a reason, despite being young you were strong enough.

It was quite late when both of you were playing cards, Law's bad habits got mixed up with yours, even though he always scolded you because you were still too young to mess up your sleep schedule, you just ignored him.

"I won again!"

"I'm sure you're cheating."

"Of course not, who do you take me for?"

You laughed at Law's scowl, moving the cards you had hidden, he dealt again, you looked at your cards, planning your next play, though before you could put the card on the table a big puncture to your head caused you to pass out, Law put his hand between the table and your head so you wouldn't hit it.

Immediately laying you on the floor, checking your breathing and pulse instantly, clicking his tongue as he saw you have little convulsions, he put you in a better position so you wouldn't hurt yourself with your little spasms, waiting for them to subside. He used his power to check you out as quickly as possible, getting frustrated that he couldn't find anything that was causing your current situation. He decided that for now it was better to let you rest since you had stopped moving.

You woke up the next day, verifying on your own that you had no discomfort, since you did not feel any pain or discomfort, you simply got up from the patient's bed. You were very hungry so you went to have breakfast with the others. No one was alarmed because no one knew what happened to you last night so they were surprised when they saw you disappear, in your seat a pen instead of you, they shrugged their shoulders thinking that Law was going to scold you for one of your pranks.

"No one has given you permission to get out of bed, I still need to check that it's nothing serious."

"I don't feel bad, maybe it was tiredness."

"I'm not sure, that's why I need you to stay in bed and not make too much physical effort."

"But-"

"No buts, now, did you feel something strange yesterday?"

"Now that you mention it..."

You lay on the bed, answering all the questions your captain asked you, you knew you had nowhere to run when he went all 'father' and doctor, ignoring him would only make the situation worse, so you hoped it was just a little accident and not worse, but you would have Law on top of you every day to take your medicine if you had to.

[bengiyo]

Marahuyo Project Eps 7 & 8 (Finale) Stray Thoughts

Last time, the kids struggled to pick a name for their LGBTQIA+ organization while discussing their strategy before the school board. They eventually decided to focus on connecting their hopes for the island's future with its past, and set about researching. Archie gave Venice some files from the church, Lorie looked through files her dad had, and Ino suggested interviewing people after providing equipment. We learned that Archie is struggling with the path to holy orders (manifested in his neck scratching), Ino said aloud that he was gay and kissed King, and Lili is probably intersex. Each of our our kids is holding confidence about this. Lili read Marco for filth, read him for blood, but unfortunately we left at Marco outing her.

Episode 7: Aswang

You know King isn't the violent type, because some of my people would have curb stomped his ass by now.

Oh, Ino. I understand.

Okay, Lili's story is so sad and lonely. I'm glad she told Lili before this.

Oof, Lorie was not ready for the friends to lovers kiss.

That was difficult, but King is right. He shouldn't ask Ino to come out, but it doesn't stop him from getting hurt.

King's grandmother is great. It's making me sad that Ino has no one else to talk to after that.

Wow, Marco is really doubling down on being an asshole.

I appreciate this show now disguising the kinds of casual homophobia you run into.

It's hard to recognize when you need to give someone you love space when you want to help.

I do like the idea of them reclaiming the balagtasan as a way to present their ideas to the island.

I knew it was Ino who graffitied the mural.

Gay people really will turn their relationship problems into a public spectacle.

This poetry is beautiful.

Oh, Ino, I'm proud of you.

My boy is bleeding!! Marco, it's on sight!!

Man, what a concise breakdown of how it feels to know your truth and have your caregivers try to stifle that in you for the sake of appearances.

Episode 8: Babaylan

Ino and King opening up old wounds.

Yes, King, tell your mom. Shame is learned at home. A kid can face the world if they're safe at home.

I love King so much for not sugarcoating how bad public scorn can get.

Swimming at night is very dangerous, but I'm always happy to receive an underwater kiss BECAUSE IT STILL BELONGS TO THE GAYS.

Oh good. Lorie and Lili are finally talking.

See, this is the thing about doing queer media versus making QL sometimes. Apologizing for loving someone is such a queer experience. Your love isn't something that you should be ashamed of, and you shouldn't have to apologize for caring a lot about someone.

This feels like the right place for these two as friends to possibly more.

Oh shit Lili got me when she held back tears at getting best friends.

It really is exhausting how hard authority works constantly to police and enforce heteronormativity. There are so few of us. Why is it always this constant bullshit?

Oof, I actually like this choice to have Archie vote to impeach Ino, become the new president, and then immediately return to the site where they honored Christina to cry about it. Venice understands that taking care of other queers is a long term project. At least Archie said her name.

Many of my beloved elders have passed. I wish I could talk to them sometimes. Especially Barry.

I love that Venice is eating in almost every scene.

Hey! They finally picked a name!

I love how homophobes talk about history, and then storm out when confronted with uncomfortable truths.

Crying over these outfits. They're so right. Formal acceptance by the status quo doesn't erase our existence, or the bonds between us. We will make space for ourselves and those like us.

Oh, Archie. I understand you, too. I hope you find peace with yourself and others.

I love Sue Prado, but does the mom really deserve to be here? I'll accept them trying to extend grace to struggling parents since Grandma has been with them the whole time.

This march works though. Before it was only three of them. Now look at them.

A post credits scene! Wait, I love the idea of Juvy and Jose going to visit them!

Final Verdict: 9.5, Finally Some Good Fucking Food. I am just so relieved to have another show from JP Habac. It's clear he and his friends have such strong ideas about where queer people fit in our society today, and I love that his work is never about defeating homophobia and is instead about connecting others to queer joy. Despite how this show stirred up all sorts of old hurts in me, I feel so much love for these characters, and I'm so thankful that I can point to a show with a wide spectrum of queer experiences delivered in such a beautiful package. It's so rare to see a show treat the closet seriously, and I will be thinking about this show forever, alongside JP's previous work: Gaya sa Pelikula (aka Like in the Movies).

[sayitaliano]

Sanremo 2024 - the post!

Hello everyone! Here you’ll find this year’s Sanremo’s stuff and news (I’ll be uploading this post through all the week). The Festival will start on Tuesday February 6th at 8:30 pm (it’ll probably have a 5 minutes “anteprima = preview” every night), and end on Saturday February 10th, when the final will be broadcasted.

/ Official website / you can find loads of videos and interviews here + the latest news. You can already find the presentation videos of the songs made by the artists.

Rai’s website dedicated section (here) | youtube playlist | spotify playlist

TikTok official channel: @/sanremorai; @/sanremoesc Instagram official: @/sanremorai Twitter official: @/SanremoRAI; @/SanremoESC Facebook: festivaldisanremo

Also this year we’ll have the PrimaFestival, the small show broadcasted on Rai1 at around 8:30 p.m. (February 4th - February 10th). The hosts are Paola & Chiara (singers), Mattia Stanga and Daniele Cabras (tiktokers).

There's gonna be some kind of Dopofestival, with Fiorello and Alessia Marcuzzi (tv/radio host) called “Viva Rai2!… Viva Sanremo” (jingle/sigla) right after the end of each Sanremo's night (6th-9th Feb.). Gli Autogol (comedians soccer-related) will complete some missions for Amadeus on Raiplay.

CasaSanremo- A website about Sanremo and all the artists who will take part, with more infos and interviews (also Italian places and food specialties will be shown). Follow them also on their Social Media Channels, usually they make live video/interviews/shows on FB for example.

On Sorrisi&Canzoni you will find also other infos about Sanremo and every lyrics’s explanation (ofc ask me if you need a translation)

The # on this blog is #sanremo 2024, #sanremo, #sanremo2024 you can black any of these (the first one in particular) if you want.

To watch it live:

Raiuno -> just click on the first video on the left, or here, to open the Raiuno streaming immediately (I added the whole Rai channels things in case you had troubles connecting directly and wanted to try from there). The RAI’s geoblock is usually removed for Sanremo’s week, no need to create accounts or whatsoever to enjoy Sanremo online!! Remember you can rewatch the whole event and each performance on Raiplay few minutes after it has happened (and the whole week will be avaiable as well for basically the whole following year).

FESTIVAL LIS - songs and whole exhibition explained in signs language

FANTASANREMO - this year as well you can play while enjoying your Sanremo! How does it work? Every person “buys” 5 artisti and marks one of them as a captain. As in the last years, artists will have to do or say something while on stage to help you gain points (and also classification will have a say).

I’ll try to write down some more infos/links through the week.

——-

Hosts & Guests + Other Stuff

This years’ host will still be Amadeus (who choose the songs taking part into this Sanremo), a TV and radio host. He will be accompanied by a different co-host each night: Marco Mengoni (singer; first night); Giorgia (singer; second night); Teresa Mannino (actress, comedian; third night); Lorella Cuccarini (actress, tv host, dancer, dance teacher in AMICI tv show; fourth night); Fiorello (tv and radio host, comedian, singer; last night).

Some of the one-night guests during the week will be: John Travolta (actor, dancer); Giovanni Allevi (musician); Marco Mengoni (singer); Sabrina Ferilli (actress); Giorgia (singer) will celebrate her song "E poi"'s 30th anniversary; Russel Crowe (actor, singer); Eros Ramazzotti (singer) will celebrate his song "Una terra promessa"'s 40th anniversary; Roberto Bolle (dancer); the cast of "Mameli" (new serie about the guy who wrote our National anthem); Leo Gassman (actor, singer); the cast of "Il Mare fuori" (Raiplay serie); The Nuova Orchestra Santa Balera to celebrate "Romagna Mia"'s 70th anniversary; Gigliola Cinquetti (singer) will celebrate her song "Non ho l'età"'s 60th anniversary.

How it works

There will be 30 singers in the ARTISTI (artists) section. It will be the only section, as last year. 27 artists were chosen by Amadeus, while the other 3 are the winners of Sanremo Giovani (held in December 2023). The winner of the competition will represent Italy at the Eurovision Song Contest: if he/she/they won’t accept, the choice will be another artist, usually the 2nd classified or the next (the first one accepting). This year we're gonna listen to all the 30 songs on the first night. The 2nd and 3rd night, we'll get to listen to 15 songs each night. The artisti that are not performing during the 2nd night will introduce the performing ones and vice versa on the 3rd night. The artisti introducing the performing artisti will be decided by a public draw during the Sanremo's press conferences on the 2nd and 3rd day. On the 4th night, there will be the usual “covers” night: the artisti this year can choose any song, national or international, from any year (until December 2023) and by anyone (even themselves).

Day 1 - co-hosts: Marco Mengoni Prob. guests: Marco Mengoni; Zlatan Ibrahimovic; Federica Brignone; omaggio a Toto Cutugno; Banda dei Carabinieri + on the Costa Cruise: Tedua and in the square: Lazza We’ll listen to all the 30 songs (in order of performance: Clara, Sangiovanni, Fiorella Mannoia, La Sad, Irama, Ghali, Negramaro, annalisa, Mahmood, Diodato, Loredana Bertè, Geolier, Alessandra Amoroso, The Kolors, Angelina Mango, Il Volo, BigMama, Ricchie Poveri, Emma, RengaNek, Mr. Rain, Bnkr44, Gazzelle, Dargen D'Amico, Rose Villain, Santi Francesi, Fred De Palma, Maninni, Alfa, Il Tre). We'll have a first top5 rank (the whole list will be presented only Saturday):

Day 2 - co-hosts: Giorgia Prob. guests: the non-performing 15 artists; Giovanni Allevi; Giorgia; John Travolta; Nuova Orchestra Santa Balera; Leo Gassman; Cast "Mare fuori"; Ruggero del Vecchio + on the Costra Cruise: Bob Sinclair and in the square: Rosa Chemical We'll listen to 15 artisti (artist presenting -> artist singing in order of appearance: ghali -> fred de palma; la sad -> renganek; mr.rain -> alfa; diodato -> dargen d'amico; rose villain -> il volo; bnkr44 -> gazzelle; santi francesi -> emma; alessandra amoroso -> mahmood; il tre -> bigmama; angelina mango -> the kolors; fiorella mannoia -> geolier; sangiovanni -> loredana bertè; mannini -> annalisa; ricchi e poveri -> irama; negramaro -> clara) We’ll have an updated rank:

Day 3 - co-hosts: Teresa Mannino Prob. guests: the non-performing 15 artists; Russel Crowe and his band; Eros Ramazzotti; Sabrina Ferilli; coro Arena di Verona; Gianni Morandi; Stefano Massini e Paolo Jannacci + on the Costa Cruise: Bresh and in the square: Paola & Chiara The 15 artisti that didn't perform yesterday will perform their entry to the contest (artist presenting -> artist singing in order of appearance: loredana bertè -> il tre; alfa -> maninni; fred de palma -> bnkr44; clara -> santi francesi; il volo -> mr rain; gazzelle -> rose villain; dargen d'amico -> alessandra amoroso; bigmama -> ricchi e poveri; irama -> angelina mango; the kolors -> diodato; mahmood -> ghali; emma -> negramaro; annalisa -> fiorella mannoia; renganek -> sangiovanni; geolier -> la sad) Classification after tonight:

Day 4 - co-hosts: Lorella Cuccarini Prob. guests: Cast "Mameli"; principe Alberto di Monaco; Pecco Bagnaia; Elena Sofia Ricci e Margherita Buy; i Jalisse; il maestro Beppe Vessicchio + on the Costa Cruise: Gigi D'Agostino and in the square: Arisa The 30 artists will present a song’s cover, each of them will perform together with a guest or more, unless they're already a band/group and will decide otherwise.

Covers’ list (in order of appearance):

Sangiovanni con Aitana - Medley di "Farfalle" e "Mariposas" (Sangiovanni)

Annalisa con La Rappresentante di Lista e il coro Artemia - "Sweet dreams (Are made of this)" (Eurythmics)

Rose Villain con Gianna Nannini - Medley

Gazzelle con Fulminacci - "Notte prima degli esami" (Antonello Venditti)

The Kolors con Umberto Tozzi - Medley dei successi di Umberto Tozzi

Alfa con Roberto Vecchioni - "Sogna ragazzo sogna" (Roberto Vecchioni)

Bnkr44 con Pino D'Angiò - "Ma quale idea" (Pino D'Angiò)

Irama con Riccardo Cocciante - "Quando finisce un amore" (Riccardo Cocciante)

Fiorella Mannoia con Francesco Gabbani - "Che sia benedetta" (Fiorella Mannoia -Saremo 2017) e "Occidentali's karma" (Francesco Gabbani -Sanremo 2017)

Santi Francesi con Skin - "Hallelujah" (Leonard Cohen)

Ricchi e Poveri con Paola & Chiara - Medley di "Sarà perché ti amo" e "Mamma Maria" (Ricchi e Poveri)

Ghali con Ratchopper - Medley dal titolo "Italiano vero"

Clara con Ivana Spagna e il Coro di voci bianche del Teatro Regio di Torino - "Il cerchio della vita" (Ivana Spagna -Lion King's ST)

Loredana Bertè con Venerus - "Ragazzo mio" (Luigi Tenco con l'arrangiamento di Ivano Fossati)

Geolier con Guè, Luchè e Gigi D'Alessio - Medley dal titolo "Strade"

Angelina Mango con il quartetto d'archi dell'orchestra di Roma - "La rondine" (Mango)

Alessandra Amoroso con i BoomDaBash - Medley

Dargen D'Amico con BabelNova Orchestra - Omaggio a Ennio Morricone: “Modigliani” (sulle note di The Crisis)

Mahmood con i Tenores di Bitti - "Come è profondo il mare" (Lucio Dalla)

Mr.Rain con i Gemelli Diversi - "Mary" (Gemelli Diversi)

Negramaro con Malika Ayane - "La canzone del sole" (Lucio Battisti)

Emma con Bresh - Medley di Tiziano Ferro

Il Volo con Stef Burns - "Who wants to live forever" (Queen)

Diodato con Jack Savoretti - "Amore che vieni, amore che vai" (Fabrizio De André)

La Sad con Donatella Rettore - "Lamette" (Donatella Rettore)

Il Tre con Fabrizio Moro - Medley di Fabrizio Moro

BigMama con Gaia, La Niña e Sissi - "Lady Marmalade" (Labelle)

Maninni con Ermal Meta - "Non mi avete fatto niente" (Ermal Meta, Fabrizio Moro -Saremo 2018)

Fred De Palma con gli Eiffel 65 - Medley degli Eiffel 65

Renga Nek - Medley dei loro successi

Top 5 covers (all the other entries are considered as 6th):

We’ll also have a new general rank.

Day 5 - co-hosts: Fiorello Prob. guests: Roberto Bolle (dancer); Gigliola Cinquetti; Luca Argentero, Claudio Gioè (actors-Màkari 3) + on the Costa Cruise: Tedua and in the square: Tananai All the 30 artisti will perform again their songs (in order of appearance: renganek, bigmama, gazzelle, dargen d'amico, il volo, loredana bertè, negramaro, mahmood, santi francesi, diodato, fiorella mannoia, alessandra amoroso, alfa, irama, ghali, annalisa, angelina mango, geolier, emma, il tre, ricchi e poveri, the kolors, maninni, la sad, mr.rain, fred de palma, sangiovanni, clara, bnkr44, rose villain) and after midnight (prob. more like 1:30-2:30 am.) we’ll know the competition’s first 5 classified and all the special awards winners. The first 5 classified will perform again and get new votes to decide the final standings. The winner will go to the #ESC2024.

And the winner is: Angelina Mango!

Final standing:

Angelina Mango - "La noia"

Geolier - "I p' me tu p' te"

Annalisa - "Sinceramente"

Ghali - "Casa mia"

Irama - "Tu no"

Mahmood - "Tuta gold"

Loredana Bertè - "Pazza"

Il Volo - "Capolavoro"

Alessandra Amoroso - "Fino a qui"

Alfa - "Vai!"

Gazzelle - "Tutto qui"

Il Tre - "Fragili"

Diodato - "Ti muovi"

Emma - "Apnea"

Fiorella Mannoia - "Mariposa"

The Kolors - "Un ragazzo una ragazza"

Mr.Rain - "Due altalene"

Santi Francesi - "L'amore in bocca"

Negramaro - "Ricominciamo tutto"

Dargen D'Amico - "Onda alta"

Ricchi e Poveri - "Ma non tutta la vita"

BigMama - "La rabbia non ti basta"

Rose Villain - "Click boom!"

Clara - "Diamanti grezzi"

Renga Nek - "Pazzo di te"

Maninni - "Spettacolare"

La Sad - "Autodistruttivo"

Bnkr44 - "Governo punk"

Sangiovanni - "Finiscimi"

Fred De Palma - "Il cielo non ci vuole"

ANGELINA MANGO will take part at the ESC 2024! Other Awards: - Premio della critica “Mia Martini” : Loredana Bertè "Pazza" - Premio della sala stampa “Lucio Dalla” : Angelina Mango "La noia" - Premio miglior testo “Sergio Bardotti” : Fiorella Mannoia "Mariposa" - Premio miglior composizione musicale “Giancarlo Bigazzi” : Angelina Mango "La noia"

————————

Artists (+ lyrics):

Alessandra Amoroso - "Fino a qui"

Alfa - "Vai!"

Angelina Mango - "La noia"

Annalisa - "Sinceramente"

BigMama - "La rabbia non ti basta"

Bnkr44 - "Governo Punk"

Clara - "Diamanti grezzi"

Dargen D'Amico - "Onda alta"

Diodato - "Ti muovi"

Emma - "Apnea"

Fiorella Mannoia - "Mariposa"

Fred De Palma - "Il cielo non ci vuole"

Gazzelle - "Tutto qui"

Geolier - "I p' me, tu p' te"

Ghali - "Casa mia"

Il Tre - "Fragili"

Il Volo - "Capolavoro"

Irama - "Tu no"

La Sad - "Autodistruttivo"

Loredana Berté - "Pazza"

Mahmood - "Tuta gold"

Maninni - "Spettacolare"

Mr.Rain - "Due altalene"

Negramaro - "Ricominciamo tutto"

Renga e Nek - "Pazzo di te"

Ricchi e Poveri - "Ma non tutta la vita"

Rose Villain - "Click boom!"

Sangiovanni - "Finiscimi"

Santi Francesi - "L'amore in bocca"

The Kolors - "Un ragazzo una ragazza"

[all the lyrics can be found on this page]

(will edit with more updates, corrections and links as we get closer to the event)

[analogwriting]

Star-Crossed

Chapter 3: Calon

Donquixote Rosinante x gn!reader

word count: 2.4k

a/n: happy valentines day! i wanted to get something out on heart day related to our heart man! i have, like, half an hour to spare so i made it (barely) have some flirting

next

After crying to Marco for a good while, you were finally able to collect yourself. He listened as you sobbed incoherently before finally able to tell him what you were trying to say the whole time. Hell, it even almost brought a tear to his own eye. The kid you saved all those years ago just happened to come back? That he had become a doctor somewhat because of you? Wanted to work here because of you? If that wasn’t the sweetest thing, he wouldn’t know what was.

All of the dots were connecting. To what? You had no idea, but things were connecting. Now to just go with the flow and find out what happens. 

Once you gathered yourself back up, you went back to work. You didn’t have time to wallow or really dwell on emotions for too long. Hospitals didn’t run themselves…maybe this is what Marco meant by you work way too much. 

Law didn’t ask who saved him again, seemingly respecting their decision to remain anonymous. You knew you’d tell him one day, you just weren’t ready for that bag of worms right now. You were already in enough of a tizzy with them coming back here. And there you were, using the word tizzy. Dammit Marco.

The weeks flew by and, before you knew it, it was time for quarterly reviews. Naturally, the two nearly had perfect marks. You had a couple of critiques here and there, but you would coach them through it as did Marco. This was still part of their learning process, after all. They both took well to the criticism, so that was also good. You had far too many people who just couldn’t take such comments. They never lasted long. Hell, you still received criticism from others to this day. It was a constant learning process.

You had made sure to check in on Law and Robin at least once a week. Marco kept you updated of course, but you liked to be able to talk to the interns themselves and get their feedback on their programs.The two of them didn’t seem to have any complaints. They were adjusting well and were enjoying their time. Well, with Law you couldn’t tell. He still didn’t say a whole lot, but he didn’t seem unhappy, so there was that. 

Today, some new nurses were starting. There were three of them. Two regular nurses and one that was going to be working in the pediatric unit. When you went to the conference room to meet them, you noticed Law with them. He saw you and immediately went white.

“You know them? Why didn’t you say anything?” You tilted your head to the side, folding your arms across your chest. You had mentioned some new nurses and he never once said anything. Why?

Law’s face darkened as if he was a child that had gotten his hand caught in the cookie jar. “Uh, it never came up?” You narrowed your eyes at him for a moment. The trip suddenly threw their arms around Law and his face grew more red, but he didn’t seem to fight them.

You just shook your head, amused by the scene. “Aw, c’mon, boss! Don’t be like that! We’ve been friends since we were kids!” One of them chimed. “We all wanted to also help people, but we weren’t sure if we had what it took to be doctors…so we went with the next best thing!” Another chimed.

You laughed, nodding. “I see that. Well, nurses are just as important as doctors. They are the face of the hospital. They are the first people that patients see and do a lot of things to help doctors.” 

They just stared at you, shocked by your answer. “What?” 

“A lot of people usually laughed at us for wanting to be nurses. Saying that we’re too stupid to be doctors and that’s why we’re nurses.”

You frowned, shaking your head. “That’s not true. Nurses have to memorize a lot. It isn’t easy and they work just as hard. And from your marks, you all scored really high, so clearly you’re not lacking in the brain department. Just because you don’t have the title of doctor or don’t go to school as long doesn’t mean you’re any less important.”

The three nurses looked at you. It almost seemed like they wanted to cry. “Law, why didn’t you tell us your boss was so cool!” They all cried. “Ah, get off of me!” Still, he didn’t exactly fight them off either.

“What���s going on here?” You look over, seeing Marco join your side as he watches the scene before him. “Would you look at that, he does have a heart,” he mumbled to you, making you elbow him in the ribs. “Be nice.”

You watched the scene for a moment more before you spoke up. “Alright, let’s let Law get back to work. We have some introductions, yeah?” The quartet all split up, Law quickly beelining for the exit once he was free. It truly was nice to see this softer side of him. That was always incredibly important when it came to being a doctor - in your opinion. Some would argue and say otherwise, but you knew what you were about. There was a reason your hospital was one of the top in the region.

Introductions began and you learned their names were Bepo, Shachi, and Penguin. They had grown up with Law, meeting him shortly after he left your hospital. They all grew up in the same town and all moved here along with him. Friends for life they had said. It was truly heartwarming. 

You had known Marco in the same way. You knew him before you had become a doctor, but you weren’t really friends. You knew each other in passing because your fathers used to be friends, but you didn’t really start becoming friends until college. Now you were basically attached at the hip. 

Again, you weren’t able to stay for long past introductions as you had meetings to attend to, but you were glad to have been able to witness the cute scene earlier. It also provided some insight on some other things. 

When lunch rolled around, you needed to get out of the office. Meetings made you want to bash your head into the wall already, but with the board of doctors from other hospitals, it was worse. Most of the time it wasn’t even important. They all just wanted to fluff their own egos and brag about whatever they did that week. You couldn’t care less and you were never one to brag, but you had to attend the meetings for a reason you’d long forgotten.

You decided you’d treat the newcomers and your interns to lunch. The nurses were fresh off the press and the interns had glowing reviews for their quarterlies, so you thought you’d treat them to something nice. A welcome and a celebration.

You picked out a nice restaurant, told them to pick out what they wanted, and you’d go get it. The trio of nurses were more than excited to receive free food, so you kept that in mind. Robin had initially declined, saying that her boyfriend was going to come and visit, but you told her to pick something out for him as well. You had met him a few times before and he was…well…super. Fantastic guy. He was full of energy and always treated Robin with the utmost respect. He was her fanboy and she was his fangirl. You could tell they were in love - it was cute.

After grabbing all the food, you started heading back. It wasn’t far from the hospital and you could use the fresh air; you decided to just walk there and back. On your way back, however, you had that feeling again. Ah, shit. How were you supposed to do this with your hands full? Your body moved and you braced yourself for everything crashing to the ground, but your foot stuck out instead, catching someone - everyone knows who - on your leg like a clothesline.

“Again?” you grumbled, rolling your eyes. Rosinante quickly straightened himself out and you stood back up. He looked at you with amazement. “Not only is it you saving me again, but you did it with no hands!” He seemed completely and totally flabbergasted. 

Though, you’re not sure how you always miss him. How do you never see him before the moment of impact? It’s not like he’s exactly the type of person to blend into a crowd. He was insanely tall. Sure, there were other people who were also just as tall, if not taller. You knew of a pastor downtown who was like a skyscraper, and a lot of the Charlotte family had incredibly tall people in their family tree.

But still, how? Especially with how observant you are. Nothing usually slips past you, but he somehow does every single time.

“How do you always show up at the most convenient times?” he asked, still staring at you. You shrugged, giving him a lazy smile. “Maybe it’s fate bringing us together,” you teased, winking at him. You had no idea why you did that, you started mentally scolding yourself. Maybe Marco was getting to you - or at least influencing you.

You watched as his eyes widened and his entire face turned a bright red color. You couldn’t help but laugh at his reaction, shaking your head. “Chill out, I’m only kidding.” You mused, turning to leave. “Alright, be careful!” 

You didn’t want to be around him too long in fear of saying the wrong thing and him finding out everything. It was always a constant fear in the back of your mind. That he’d make all the connections. Who you were in relation to what happened but also being who you were and then things going belly up. What would he even do? You had no idea. Logically nothing, but you couldn’t help but worry in that overthinking brain of yours.

“Wait!” You stopped, mentally cursing. Of course. Fate and her games. “Where are you going with all that food? I could help you!”

You narrowed your eyes, looking him up and down. “I don’t know if I trust you.” He was an incredibly clumsy person and you really didn’t want to have to come back for more food. You already almost lost everything once. You didn’t want to lose it for real.

He shrugged, looking you dead in the eyes. “I think I’ll be fine with you by my side.” 

You weren’t sure if it was the eye contact or with the way he phrased it but now you were the one turning red and he was the one that was smirking. You sputtered for a moment, quickly recovering. “F-Fine.” You let him take some of the food, relaxing a bit more as you weren’t struggling as much. 

On the walk back, you made some small talk. Mostly about his clumsiness since that’s how the two of you kept running into each other. You had to catch him a couple of times so he didn’t end up ruining the food. Then you smelled something…burning?

“What’s that smell?” You stopped, sniffing the air before looking at Rosinante. Your eyes bulged out of your head as you saw that the man was on fire. “What?!” You were floored. Who the hell just caught on fire like that? What the hell? You set your things on the ground before ripping off your jacket and trying to beat the flame.

After it was put out and you were over your initial shock, you picked up your things and continued walking. “Does that happen often?” you asked, referring to the literal roast that Rosinante just received. “Ah, sometimes. Not sure how it happens.”

“Well, when you figure it out, let me know because that’s not normal but it’s also kind of fascinating.” 

The both of you laughed and next thing you knew, you were at the hospital. “Oh, we’re here.”

Rosinante stopped, staring at the building. “Oh, you work here?” There was a mixture of emotions on his face but he pushed those aside to look at you. You nodded at him. “It’s my hospital, actually. I run it.” You grinned widely at him.

His jaw dropped. “That means you know my son! He works here!” You feigned ignorance, pretending to not know. “Oh? Who’s your son?”

“Law! He wanted to be a doctor and he wanted to come here after they saved his life! It’s the whole reason we moved back.” His face softened. “We were also hoping we’d be able to meet our savior if they were still around, but it seems like they want to remain anonymous, just like back then. Which is understandable considering…” He trailed off, looking at you as he realized he was probably saying too much.

You shook your head. “It’s okay, you don’t have to disclose everything to me.” You smirked, winking at him. “But, patient confidentiality and all that, I wouldn’t tell a soul.”

“I’m not a patient though.”

“Did I not treat your wounds the last time I saw you?”

“That…is a good point. I can see why you’re a doctor.”

“Thank you, thank you. My sharp mind is what got me to where I am.” You bowed ostentatiously, making him laugh. A grin spread across your own face.

“Doctor!” You looked over, seeing one of your underground nurses running towards the both of you. “We have an emergency!” You could only imagine what could’ve been happening. With the underground hospital, it could be anything. But, usually, you weren’t exactly needed, so if someone was looking for you, it had to be bad.

You immediately tensed, looking at the man next to you. “Can I ask you for a huge favor?”

“I mean, you’ve saved my ass more than once, I think I can spare a favor or two for you.” He smiled lopsidedly and you offered a small one in return.

“Can you please take the food inside to the front desk so I can deal with this emergency? Just tell them that I told you to drop it off. The receptionist will take it from there.” The man nodded, taking the rest of the food.

“Leave it to me.”

You smiled, thanking him. “You’re a lifesaver. And be careful!” Then you ran off with the nurse, hoping that whatever the emergency was, it wasn’t too awful.

[idealisticrealism]

TCL 3x05 thoughts

The main things:

This ep starts literally immediately after last ep ended, and then takes place over 2 full days

Looks like Thony and Jorge swapped numbers at some point lol; I guess Dante got tired of being the go-between haha. But for a guy that was so concerned yesterday about Thony missing her interview, he sure seems chill about pulling her away today… only to have nothing for her but an unintentionally murdered guy and an uncomfortable fight with his sister lol. That’s a bit embarrassing for you there, Jorge! I like that he later ended the business call about Nadia’s payout to be able to answer her, and then followed through on her request to talk to Ramona on her behalf. And then she shows up at his office– did she google him or did he actually tell her where to find him??-- and tries to convince him to nullify the Amber Alert, and ngl I enjoy the fact that much of their dynamic so far is basically Thony either ordering or begging him to do something, and him being like “No” and making some mocking remark to her about it… and then later doing exactly what she asked/suggested lol. Thony (and especially the potent combination of Thony and Luca) really does have some kind of magic power over the men of this family… though Arman seemed to accept it far more quickly and eagerly than Jorge, who’s still half-heartedly trying to resist haha. But then again, the man still showed up at her court hearing and not only provided the exact thing she asked for, but he also stayed to see the outcome and her reaction?? Like I’m absolutely hearing Nadia’s words to Arman rn: “You love the way she looks at you when you do these things for her. When you are her hero”... Jorge got his first real taste of that during the last ep, and looks like he already wants more haha

Thony and Ramona are clashing more and more which is potentially going to be very problematic for Thony when they lose Arman and she is no longer shielded by her connection to him… but I guess that’s when Jorge’s growing regard for her is going to come into play, and create an interesting divide with the siblings…

Poor Thony reliving the trauma of losing Luca, only even more terrifying this time because instead of Marco (who sucked but was at least relatively safe), he could be with someone who intends to hurt him. “We’ve been down this road before” yeah in more ways than one

“You and Armando will work together, so when I’m gone…(etc)” okay this is a very odd statement for a 50-something to make??? And she later says something about bringing Arman home ‘while there’s still time’-- time for him, or her?? Like is Ramona secretly dying and that’s why she’s so determined to get Arman back, so Jorge will still have family watching over him? Surely the writers wouldn’t use a plotline like that though, not given how we lost Adan…….? 

Okay let’s all pretend that we believe that a 6 year old kid, who had barely experienced the world outside his own bedroom before a few months ago, managed to navigate the streets of a major city on foot to a location that’s a 10 minute drive away, and then also somehow snuck into a large public facility undetected and didn't raise red flags as an unaccompanied kid hanging there for hours lol

Ugh so much love for the courtroom scene and the fam all giving their testimony. I love that they were all clearly ready to commit perjury if needed (eg by covering up Thony’s shady activities if asked about it) and that they also said such beautiful, heartfelt things, because god did Thony need to hear those things. After everything she has gone through, and everything that her actions to protect Luca put the rest of the family through, she’d clearly started to question (like we saw in the kitchen earlier with Fi)  whether she is actually truly good– a good mother, a good family member, and a good person in general– or if she only brings pain to those around her.  The forgiveness and support of her family doesn’t erase what she’s done, but it is going to be a huge part of how she moves forward and grows as a person, and I’m really looking forward to seeing more of that journey.

I also loved that the people trying to take Luca away were two crusty old guys, while Thony’s lawyer (who looked like she was trying not to cry when Thony did her big speech), and the judge, and of course Susan (who, while on the CPS side, is actually fairly impartial and in some ways shows a lot of regard for Thony, and didn’t raise an objection even though she could have) are all women. It feels like a subtle nod to the themes of both motherhood and women supporting other women in this show, and that’s really cool. 

Other stuff:

Congrats to Fi for finally getting to have her own Traumatised Showering Scene haha, I think Thony has had at least 2 or 3 by this point. But I did feel for Fi and Chris that they barely even got to begin to unpack what happened to them because things were just immediately about Luca. Also ngl that music/voiceover combo right at the start with the abrupt fadeout was a bit weird lol

“Sometimes I wish I was a turtle, so I could hide in my shell” #relatable

Love the sweet JD/Fi stuff, though this dude needs to recognise his place in the family hierarchy and not make calls that aren’t his to make lol. Leave the dealing with big important stuff to the women, buddy, you’re out of your depth!  

Speaking of dudes messing things up… seriously Dante? Accidentally killing the best lead your bosses have to getting their relative back? That’s embarrassingly amateurish. Unless there’s actually more going on here than we realise, and he did it deliberately to keep the guy from talking??

Ok seriously how many doors lead outside from Luca’s room?? I know it’s a converted sun-room and not a proper bedroom, but still, they should at least be locked if not also securely barricaded. Geez.

Ah the many facets of Jorge, comfortable in a homeless camp and while torturing a guy in a warehouse, but also in a courtroom and a fancy corner office, and also while kneeling in a kitchen doorway to earnestly accept a gift of a cupcake from a 5 year old lol

Thony always tells Luca she’s never going to let anything bad happen to him… but uhhh, a little too late there, don’t you think Thony? Poor kid has been through more ‘bad things’ than most adults, and most of them have happened within the last 6 months lol

Lol at Thony trying to tell the officer to drop the charges against Dante and he’s just like ‘nope’ haha. I bet she really misses her surgeon days when she could just give orders and people would follow them without question

No Nadia this week! Honestly it felt weird not to see her; it really feels like she is part of the family now, and I’m looking forward to more of her and Thony working together

Goddamn I really gotta learn Spanish.

[count-alucard-tepes]

Tragedy strikes! OP Hottie is separated from their pregnant S/O and has been searching for them for five years!

After so much time, dead ends, and nearly giving up, OP Hottie is finally reunited with their S/O and meets their smol child for the first time.

Kizaru ✨: he would be nervous to try and connect with the child as he never really got along with kids but he tries his best.

Akainu🌋: he immediately wants to know everything about his child. He missed out on too much already.

Ryokugyu 🌱: for him, it’s a lot to deal with since he didn’t even know that he’s a father so it’s taking him a long time to process that first.

Fujitora 🐅: he finds it challenging at first to connect but immediately he feels like it comes natural with him to be a dad.

Sir Crocodile 🐊: it’s a lot for him to deal with but he’s just happy they’re safe and now he can try to be the best dad he can be. He wants to learn more about the kid so he often spends a lot of time just chatting and bonding.

Doflamingo Donquixote ����: he definitely takes on his daddy role and takes his child wherever he goes as he doesn’t want to miss another moment…even to warlord meetings so the baby can meet daddy’s special ‘friends’.

Benn Beckman 🔫: he always felt like it was in his fate to be a dad so it comes natural to him and him and the child bond immediately.

Katakuri Charlotte 🍡: he has always been a father figure to his siblings so when it comes to caring for his child, he’s ready though he is nervous that they would get scared of him.

Killer🔪: he is so excited to be a dad as he always wanted that in his future and now that it’s happening, he wants to be the best he can by spending quality time with the kid.

Kaido🐉: he immediately sobers up because he doesn’t want to be like that around his kid and wants to shower them with love.

King 👑: he’s taken back by it all but quickly understands that he needs to get to know his kid and even teach them how to fly.

Queen👑: he is not overly thrilled but he tries his best by singing them a song and trying to get them to sing with him.

Izou🔫🔫: he loves children and knows how to bond easily with them so he talks to his child gently and cooks for them before spending quality time.

Dragon D Monkey 🐉🐒: he doesn’t know what to do, he knows he looks intimidating and that his kid is gonna hide for a while but he tries his best to talk with them so they get comfortable.

Oven Charlotte 🍞: he bakes all the chocolate smothered goodies he can think of and then bonds over them with his child.

Buggy🤡: he is nervous because he hasn’t been around children and he doesn’t know what would be the best way so he just cracks some awkward jokes.

Marco the Phoenix 🦅: he immediately wants to hug and love on the kid but he knows it takes time for the child to warm up so he tries to bond with them on walks or even takes them to the skies.

Eustass Kidd🤘🎸: he tries to figure the child out first by not coming too strong or scary, he wants them to like him.

Rosinantè Donquixote aka Cora-San💕: he is over the moon to be a dad and becomes smothering at times but he has good intentions.

Who’s Who ❤️‍🔥👹: it takes him sometime to register that he’s a dad and that he needs to step up and be there for his kid. He wants to have no regrets.

Gecko Moria🦇: he accepts his child with open arms and jumps onto his dad-mode.

Iceburg💜: he wants to treat his child like an animal he just found…like making a new friend. He doesn’t know how to properly be a dad, but he’s gonna try.

Gild Tesoro⚜️🏅: he feels odd to all of a sudden to be a dad but he isn’t going to be a dead beat, he wants his heir to have everything they need and loves on the child endlessly.

Rob Lucci🐆: he is taken back that he is a father now but he knows he needs to take responsibility so he dives head first to be involved in the child’s life and care for them.

[heats-lover-girl]

The Doctors Valentine

This was an ask from another artist on here named @kazenomegaminowanpisu ! Please enjoy!

Marco (The Phoenix) x wife!reader

Warnings: slightly suggestive at the end, but no smutt

☁️fluff☁️

To be the wife of the famous phoenix of the Whitebeard Pirates was no easy task, but it was nights like these that made it so worth it. Marco had set up a nice picnic dinner on the island that you where docked on (you'll have to thank Thatch later), with blue flamed candles, and a beautiful view of the ocean. " Wow Marco this is beautiful, we only got here yesterday, how did you find this place?" You asked, Marco poured some wine in one of the glasses he was holding and smirked. "Well, we docked here a few weeks back and I found this spot while patrolling the area yoi. It immediately made me think of you, so I made sure to keep it in mind for my surprise yoi." "Aww Marco!" You pecked him on the lips, "Your so sweet, I feel bad that I dont have anything for you though..." you frowned. The phoenix softly reached over and cups your cheek, "You dont need to yoi, you've already given me the best gift I could ever have." "Huh?" "(Y/N), your my wife yoi. And your the best gift a pirate doctor could ever have." he smiles as you felt your face heat up. "But, I do have another present for you yoi." Marco reached into the basket and pulls out a thin, long rectangular box wrapped in ribbon, and hands it to you. "For you, my sweet nurse." You gently grab the box and untie the ribbon and open the box. "*Gasp!* Marco, this is beautiful! Where did you get this?" In the box was a simple gold chained necklace, and at the center was a silver feather charm with a sapphire in the middle. "Its the other reason we docked back on this island, I found a jeweler and made the order while getting supplies with Ace yoi. I went and got it yesterday, you want to put it on?" Marco asks, you nod and turn around so he could connect the clasps. You turn back around to look at him, "How does it look?" you ask. "It looks gorgeous on you yoi." Marco leans over and captures your lips in another sweet kiss, then another, and another before you pulled back. "I wonder..." "Wonder what yoi?" "If Whitebeard is ready for some grandkids, do you think so?" Marco's cheeks flared red, "(Y/N) yoi!"

[calyxthenerd]

Tales and Secrets

“So” Leon started “You all may be wondering why we brought you all here” Marco continued “the thing is, we wanted all of our friend groups to meet, so we arranged this little reunion, since we all live in BA, but somehow, outside of a few connections” Simón picks up, looking at his girlfriend, who’s sitting with Marco, his arm around her shoulder and her head laying on his, taking a deep breath and averting his gaze to Luna, who didn’t want to be excluded from the little gathering of mexicans, was on León’s back, her chin on her shoulder, then turning to look at Marco’s cousin, who he had just met

“Anyways, we thought, that, so you guys can get to know each other, we’d play a little old school party game” Mara continued, making some eyes roll “called never have I ever” and several people protest “Shut up and let them speak!” Ámbar and Ludmila say at the same time, then stare at each other for a little while, before silently agreeing to never speak of it again

“So, first things first, everyone grab a nametag and pen, stick them in a visible spot on your chest, so everyone knows who’s speaking, and some rules, if you have done the thing, you raise your hand, and if it’s something you do not wish to talk about it, you don’t have to, but telling the story is encouraged” Leon explained, gesturing to two baskets on the table in front of him with one hand, the other still holding Luna up, everyone immediately went over and crowded the table, making him have to take a few steps back, before grabbing the items for himself, once everyone goes back to their seats and tapping Luna’s tigh so she comes down, soon everyone that was presenting this whole thing had one filled up and were sat down

Thiago piped in “So, as the oldest person in the room, I think I should start” when no one objects, he continues “Starting off strong, never have I ever been legally dead” he smirks at Helena, who glares at him, without any real venom behind it, and raises her hand, and sees Luna raise hers too, from the corner of her eye

“Okay, I need both stories, like, right now” Jazmin, the one person who sorta knows both of them, and a serial gossip, demanded, looking between the two of them

“Kidnapped during a fire” Luna said, not giving further context, from her seat between Simón and Matteo, they both wrapped their arms around her after she spoke, glaring at anyone who looked in her direction, even after six years, she didn’t really like talking about those events

“Car accident, lost my memory and didn’t really know who I was for like ten years, then, well, the rest is history” she smiles at the two guys on either side of her, and her younger sister, who decided to sit between her legs, with her boyfriend resting against her chest

“Okay, that was kinda dark, I’m sorry, I guess I’ll go now” Helena continues, looking around and thinking, before an idea sparks in her head “Never have I ever been straight” that gets a few hands up around the room, Gastón, Broduey, Jhon, Bia, Manuel, Alex, but silence, after all, that’s not exactly a story that you can tell, but Bia speaks up “wow, I really am the only non-sapphic around here” making all the girls and Pixie laugh

“My turn then” Victor chuckles, putting a thinking face on, before saying “Never have I ever fallen in love with someone before meeting them face to face” that makes Gastón, Marco and Manuel raise their hands, looking at their respective girlfriends with heart eyes

“So, as the oldest of the trio, I guess I’ll start, I had just gotten to BA, and I was at my apartment, just trying to get acquainted with the local music scene, then I see a site called youmix, that promised to show you the newest rising stars in Argentina, and I clicked on it, scrolled down a bit, and I saw her” he squeezes Fran’s hand “she looked like an angel, I had to click on it, and then I heard her sing, it was the greatest voice I’ve ever heard, and in that moment, I promised myself that I’d find that girl and try my best to get her to go out with me, and well, eleven years later, here we are” he pecks her lips

“It’ll be hard to top that one, but i guess I’ll try, so, I was on my second year of high school, and there was this girl that kept commenting on the YouTube channel of two girls I knew, and her words, her words just lured me in, and then she started her own blog to write her beautiful words, so I dusted up my old account on that platform, and we started chatting, then there was the time she stood me up on a date, that one epic phone call, the whole ordeal with her mom’s girlfriend disguising herself as her, and finally, I saw her for who she really was, the love of my life” he kisses the top of her head

“Well, we were at a party at our usual hang out spot, man I miss that place, anyways, I stepped away from my annoying cousin” he looks pointedly at Alex, who’s a few chairs away from them “to go use the bathroom, and then I heard her, she was singing, I don’t even remember what song it was, I was so distracted by her voice, and when I was playing the piano a few days later and ended up finding out who it was, I was in the clouds, being able to feel what I felt for her freely was the best thing I’ve ever experience, obviously we didn’t get together immediately, we were kids, we made a lot of mistakes, there were some obstacles, but we made it, I mean, look at the position I’m sitting in, it’s our favorite, isn’t it?” He looks up at her, and she just nods, kissing the tip of his nose

“Okay, I’m all for cheesy displays of affection and public declarations of love, I mean, just ask my wife, but we need to keep the game moving, so I’m going next” León declares, thinking for a few seconds before completing with “ never have I ever dressed up in a pink wig to see the guy I was in love with” while grinning at his wife, who glowers back at him, raising her hand, followed by one Nina Simonetti, who’s becoming Perida in a under a year, not that she knows it “mi sueño, you wanna tell the story?” León asks, still grinning

“Fine, so, I was a kid, and pretty stupid, didn’t have much experience with being an actual person back then, so I was broken up with the love of my life, and I realized I couldn’t bare to be away from him, so I was talking to my best friend about it, and we were just digging through her closet, for no apparent reason, so we found these old wigs from when she was a kid, and I had the wonderful idea to dress up as someone else so I could go see him, and well, it worked a little bit, until he fell for me all over again, since I’m irresistible, but then he ended up finding out it was, and we fell out for a while, until we couldn’t take it anymore and got back together, and now here we are, the only married ones in our friend group, your turn now, Nina, was it?”

“Yes, that’s correct, so, my dear boyfriend pretty much told the story already, so, I had this whole other identity only, but then we set up a video chat, so I put on that wig, that my best friend had lying around for some reason, and some clothes that I’d never wear as myself, and so that adventure began, until I was with my disguise, performing onstage, and in a moment of bravery, I revealed myself, and that was the end of that”

“So as not to start a war on who’s older than who, I’m going now” Celeste said from her spot, her girlfriend resting against her legs “Never have I ever done what’s consider an extreme sport” at that, the entire roller team, plus León, raised their hands

“Is freestyle skating actually an extreme sport?” Marco asked Ámbar “It is, but it’s actually pretty chill once you get the hang of it” she answers, before addressing the rest of the room “most of us who raised our hands were in the same roller skating team as teenagers” and León complemented “I did motocross when I was younger”

“Me now” Luna demands “never have I ever publicly dedicated a song to get a girl to forgive me” Matteo and Manuel raised their hands “pretty self explanatory, I screwed up, don’t even remember what I did, but I wanted her back, so I enlisted my best bro’s help to get me onstage to sing a song I wrote for her” Matteo explained, squeezing Luna’s shoulder

“Pretty much the same, but switch the “don’t remember” with “was partly responsible for a private video of her getting leaked”” a few people grimaced “not that kind of video, get your minds out of the gutter, she was just singing, anyways, and switch the “best bro” with “resident tech genius”” he smiled at Pixie “and the “stage” with “streaming platform” and you’ll have my story” he leaned up, kissing Bia’s chin

“Okay, so, this has gone on for quite a while, and since I’m one of the most organized people here, I scheduled it, and our time is almost running out, so we’ll do the last one and then we all part ways to whatever we have to do, because I know we’re all very busy people” Mara concluded

“So, since, as my dear cousin said, we’re closing up this little get-together, I’ll go now” Marco said, with his hand already up “never have I ever been personally victimized by a media-centered company” everyone’s hands went up, except Pietro, Thiago, Helena and Victor

“Youmix” Violetta said, and they all grimaced, since it had some pretty viral scandals

“Vidia” the whole roller team spat out the name, like it tasted sour to them, Simón and Matteo with an extra amount of venom in their voice, no one wanted to give an explanation and stir up those memories

“Laix” Bia said, a frown on her face, and a vague look in her eyes, clearly recalling what they put her and her friends through

“O-kay” León clapped, bringing everyone back to reality “that was quite a trip down memory lane, but I think everyone wants to go home and relax after this emotionally challenging afternoon, but to the people I don’t deal with constantly, I hope I can meet you again, in an environment where we can talk better, bye” and he grabs his wife’s hand, starting to walk to one of the exits, followed by Luna, Simón, Matteo and Ámbar, they’re going to have a cousins and s/o’s dinner

Marco, Francesca and Diego invited Mara to their place, with her boyfriend that was not invited to the function because he’s not relevant enough

The Urquiza girls and their boyfriends are going out dancing

Pedro and Nico have a sound test for a concert in a few days, Simón is doing his separately the next day, Delfi and Jazmin invited themselves to tag along

Pietro is going to make dinner for Daisy, Chiara and Celeste

Pixie is going to eat instant noodles and edit videos all night

Gastón and Nina are going to eat takeout and just enjoy each other’s company

Andrés, Maxi, Broduey, Fede and Cami are going out clubbing, they have a thing where they like to try every drink in the menu and see who gets drunk first

Naty is taking Ludmila shopping

Ramiro, Jim & Yam are going to the movies (it was a date but he invited himself)

And so, one by one, they leave the giant conference room, going to their other scheduled plans,

Right after the last group left, a group of adults very familiar to some of them entered, and a man, also familiar to a more select few, stepped up to the front “This is the support group for parents who’s children have strange occurrences happening in their lives, I am Doctor Dufré and I’m here to listen”

[marconavarro]

Closed Starter for @santiagoxflores Where: Enchantments Salon

*****

There's a form of exhilaration inherent in the thrill of discovering new places, and it's something Marco has always found enjoyable. Not for the first time since he got into town, however, he is beginning to wonder if he might have been just a little bit hasty about picking up his whole life and moving to the sleepy little corner of Colorado known as Greywood; sight unseen. It's gorgeous here, picturesque and quaint and all the things Mexico City is not...but the residents seem on edge, and no one he's met thus far has been keen on explaining why. Perhaps this is merely part of being a 'stranger' in town. Marco decides not to take it personally. The best way to lose the label is to make friends, and find connections. He's got a head start--distant relatives of the Navarros were founding members of Greywood--and old familial ties run deep in circles like theirs.

He's holding a business card in his hand as he steps through the door of the salon; a friendly smile on his face as he peers around at the place. It's early, and they've only just opened for the day so there aren't any customers yet filling the stylist's chairs. It's been several years since they met one another at a family gala back home, and Marco doesn't immediately recognize the man he's come here to see. "Pardon me," he asks the receptionist, his Spanish accent only mildly peeking through, "I'm looking for Santiago Flores. Do you know if he will be in today?"

[darkmasterofcupcakes]

Maybe a controversial opinion, but if Star and Marco had been forced to chose to live in one, non-cleaved, world and leave everything behind from the other (maybe have a slightly alternative situation where maybe their immediate family comes to, but let’s play the worst case scenario and say only one person can go through the portal to either side)...I think I’d ultimately say Marco should go to Mewni to be with Star instead of the other way around?

Because, really, neither of them has all that much to give them a connection to Earth? Outside of Janna, who would probably find a way to Mewni even without portals, they didn’t really seem to make any friendships that felt important enough to either of them that, if they couldn’t reconnect, I don’t see any hearts being broken for long? Heck, in the case of Star, it seems like nobody cared when she went back to Mewni with basically no warning and then they didn’t see her again for about a year? 

And even when it comes to Marco’s family....while in the early seasons, it did seem like Marco’s parents considered Star part of the family, I really did not get the feeling that they still felt the same way in the later half? I genuinely can’t remember any time they even mention Star directly, much less interact with her, outside of one instance of Rafael being a passive-aggressive jerk to her about Marco’s choice to go to Mewni to be with her. And Marco’s basically always been shown to not be all that close to his parents? Like, he cares about their safety, but the show makes it pretty clear that Marco is left alone the vast majority of the time, so I can’t imagine him being too bothered if he had to cut things off between them? 

The only thing that would kind of keep Marco personally tied to Earth is Mariposa, and, sorry to say, realistically I don’t think it’s all that likely that they’ll be anywhere near as close when Mariposa is Marco current age in canon as I think a lot of people like to imagine they’d be? I mean, there’s almost sixteen years between them; by the time Marco is probably going to be old enough that he’s moving out and possibly starting a family of his own, Mariposa is likely going to still be very young. And while I don’t think Marco would ignore her by any means, his main focus would be on his own life - which it should be, since it’s not like he was the one who asked to get  younger sibling when he was basically a legal adult? Obviously I do think Marco would miss Mariposa the most, and honestly, their relationship as siblings even when she’s a baby is the only reason I included the possible caveat of him or Star being able to have their immediate families with them. 

Meanwhile on Mewni, they both have friends that they’re actually close to, most notably Tom, Buff Frog and his family, and to a lesser extent, Ponyhead. And maybe it’s just me, but while Star’s relationship with her parents, especially her mom, could be...complicated, even before the events of the finale, it always did kind of feel like both Star and Marco were ultimately closer to Star’s family than they were to Marco’s? Particularly if you include Eclipsa (and baby Meteora) as part of the family. 

And even potential dangers wouldn’t really be that much of an issue, since we know that both Star and Marco can handle themselves well enough even if neither of them has access to magic. 

Again, I am happy that ultimately they didn’t have to leave everything behind to be together, but if they’d been actually forced to choose....I think Mewni would have ultimately been the better choice for both of them. 

[darkwithasharpenededge]

A Pretentious Bitch's Review of Magician: Apprentice by Raymond E. Feist

Rating: 65/100

Summary: A tropey high fantasy journey through a DND-esque, LOTOR-adjacent fantasy world.

I have actually read this book before, as a kid. I don't remember how old I was at the time, but I was much newer to fantasy and much less critical. I remember liking this book pretty well, but getting bored after the first sequel, and honestly that's an assessment I kind of stand by as an adult. Be warned, my review contains spoilers.

Plot: The central plot of the story is an invasion of the fantasy world of Midkemia by another world through "rift portals" by an empire known as the Tsurani. The majority of the story centers around the journey that the central party makes to the capitol in order to ask the king for aid in repelling the invaders, with a pivot towards the end to being about the warfare between the main characters and the invaders. It's also a coming of age for the main character, Pug, who, through several time skips, changes and develops. At the beginning I thought that the story was going to revolve around Pug's development as a magician, since he starts the story a poor magician, then has an incident where he accidentally uses magic to save the princess. Then he proceeds to never use magic again or really learn anything more about magic.

Some aspects of the plot are straight out of Lord of the Rings, especially the sequence where the party goes down into dangerous old unused Dwarven mines in order to pass under the mountains, where they face a dangerous enemy and are forced to leave one of their party behind. Also speaking of that incident, the author set up some tension where Pug was meant to believe that Tomas was lost, then immediately undercut it by showing the reader in the very next chapter that Tomas was alive. Additionally, Pug's reaction to finding out later on that Tomas was alive was never shown.

The early portions of the book that take place at the castle are enjoyable, and so is the journey that the main party makes. However, the war scenes at the end of the book become dull quickly, and I felt bogged down while reading them. The broadening of the story and the loss of connection with Pug and Kulgan, my two favorite characters, bored me.

Prose Quality: Nothing spectacular. It's fairly serviceable fantasy prose, with some decent scenery descriptions, a tendency towards the simplistic, and some moments of hilariously bad writing that I feel any competent editor should have noticed. A standout illustration is "waving aside Tully's comments with a dismissive wave." The author, when he choses to foreshadow something, is also typically VERY heavy-handed with it.

**Characters: **I enjoy Kulgan (the magician) quite a lot, along with Tully, the priest. In my note as I was writing I kept writing "I love Kulgan" over and over again. I'm decently fond of Pug as a character, and I don't mind Tomas. Every single other character I could quite frankly take or leave.

I will also use the space to talk about the names. The names are SO funny, in that way that names in older works of fantasy tend to be. They range from extremely common real world names to comical fantasy names. The great wizard is named Marcos. The main character is named Pug. The king is named Rodric.

I also commend the author for his willingness to let his male characters cry and be immature. Pug is, at the start of the story, a very young man, and he acts like it for the vast majority of the book, in a way that is endearing rather than insufferable. He also cries, over his friend Tomas when he is lost in the mine, and over several other things throughout the story.

Worldbuilding: The worldbuilding, especially when it comes to magic, has some genuinely interesting bits, and I was enjoying the segments with Tomas' armor that he gets from the dragon that he finds in the mine as well (although of course some of the concepts there, especially the idea of a long dead civilization that had control over the dragons, is done to death [although to be fair it likely wasn't done to death at the time of publication]). The worldbuilding on elves, dwarves, and the kingdom in general is pretty typical stuff. This book was based on the author's dungeons and dragons game and it shows. I will say that the medieval aspect of medieval fantasy is REALLY well-handled in this book. Travel times seem relatively realistic, they use carrier pigeons for messages traveling long distances, the characters typically wear tunics and leggings, which, can I just say that most fantasy series don't have the balls to put their characters in leggings, and most of the clothes of the nobility are in garishly bright colors by modern standards, which is, once again, realistic. There is a lot of death in the course of battles, although all deaths are nameless soldiers, no named characters die. (Once again, this is the author's Dungeons and Dragons campaign). There is some genuinely interesting political stuff that pops up midway through the book, with suggestions that in order to repel the invasion the characters involved may have to commit treason, but nothing comes of it.

Action Sequences: Most of the action sequences don't feel very tense. The style is, in my opinion, a bit dry, and especially some of the later scenes while the war is ongoing felt a bit dry and were a slog to get through. Additionally, they felt as though they had very little stakes. All the combat was quite bloody (in a very early sequence in the forest with the Dark Brotherhood [Drow], the party loses more than half of the soldiers they were traveling with) but no named characters ever died, and any time the fate of a main character was in question, that character's fate was IMMEDIATELY shown to leave the reader in no doubt of their survival, which cuts any tension rather brutally.

Romance: Worse than Sanderson by a long shot. And Sanderson's got the excuse of being Mormon! I will give this book that it no longer appears that Carline (the princess) will be getting with Pug at the end of the story.

Female Characters: Carline is the only notable woman in the entire book. She is pretty cool to be honest and has a couple of good moments, but we only see Carline from her own perspective towards the end of the book. I hate her plotline with Roland, like so much, but I'm glad she got her chance to do some fighting towards the end. At about halfway through the book I found myself really missing the presence of women.

Gay?: Nope. Laughed a lot at the use of the term "glory hole" in a mining context though.

Racism?: I'm hesitant to be critical of the book on this front because I don't necessarily think holding a piece of 80s fantasy to a modern standard is a particularly useful activity, especially when there are MUCH worse books in the genre than this one, but I feel the need to put this out there: The Tsurani are pretty clearly Asian-coded. It's a bit sketchy.

Was It Worth It?: I got this book for a dollar at Goodwill, so I'd say I got my money's worth, and the hardback will look nice on my shelf so there's that. As for the time cost... I'd say yeah, I got a kick out of revisiting the early scenes of the book.

Will I Continue The Series?: This book is the first in a VERY long series. I have the hardback copy that contains both Magician: Apprentice and Magician: Master so I probably will read Magician: Master eventually, just because I have it already. As for the rest of the series after that, I'm going to say no.

Final Verdict: It's a bit derivative and a bit dated and a bit slow. I suspect that although I was once, I no longer am the target audience. Here's to hoping the rest of my 2024 reads score higher.

Review Word Count: 1367

[whatisonthemoon]

The WACL and CAUSA’s Role in the Ruthless Violence of US-Philippines Counterinsurgency

On the role of WACL and CAUSA in the “anti-communist” counterinsurgency tactics used in the Philippines 

Excerpts from "Revolutionary Struggle in the Philippines" by Leonard Davis

pg. 16

A broader fact-finding mission, headed by former US Attorney General Ramsey Clark, took place from 20 to 30 May 1987. The group visited the provinces of Davao, Cebu, Negros, and Central Luzon in what was the most thorough investigation of vigilantes under the Aquino administration.

Several recommendations were made to the government of the United States:

-The CIA's role in advising, organizing, arming, financing, or otherwise supporting vigilante violence in the Philippines is nothing less than a massive campaign of murder, deceit, and manipulation attempting to protect narrowly defined US interests in a policy that is doomed to fail! The US Congress should garner all its resources to put an immediate end to this cruel and absolutely unconscionable activity. -The US government should put an immediate end to all efforts to whip up anti-communist hysteria in the Philippines, whether through the direct distribution of rightist materials, as the US Information Service (USIS) is doing in Cebu, through the activities of "private citizens" such as Causa, or through funding, advising, and providing technical assistance to the Philippine military and vigilante movement. -The US Congress should cut off all military aid to the Philippines pending an investigation into the use of US military aid and hardware in supporting vigilante violence in the Philippines. -The US should withdraw its military facilities from the Philippines, which are of questionable strategic necessity and which were used as a reason to back the ruthless Marcos dictatorship, and are currently being used as a rationale for suppressing the freedom of those who support fundamental social and political changes in their own country.

pg. 163:

In this group are found those who supported Marcos to the bitter end, many of whom were agents of or close collaborators with the CIA or the military. They identify the present status quo as an order ordained by God, and all means - including right wing terrorism - are justified in defending the system against threats which are perceived as the work of Satan. The main actors here include Causa International, which is an arm of the Unification Church of the Reverend Moon. This is closely connected with WACL - the organisation referred to in Chapter 1 - with which a retired US general, John Singlaub, is associated.

pg. 164

. . . the ultra-conservatives launch anti-communist campaigns designed to scare people and induce hysteria. This was particularly so when the ceasefire was being proposed in 1986. In March 1987, VicePresident Salvador Laurel addressed the first national convention of Causa International. He said: We must reject communism as an unmitigated evil ... Causa is conducting the convention, to arouse and galvanise the will and determination of all good men to strengthen freedom and democracy so that the country can resist and prevail over the forces of materialism and godlessness that seek to conquer it. In May 1987, an international fact-finding mission, led by former US attorney-general, Ramsey Clarke, reported that it had evidence to prove that there was 'high prob ability of a link between the CIA and vigilante groups'. One of the members, Gerald Horne, linked Causa in the same way, pointing out that Causa leaders have close connections with the Korean Central Intelligence Agency; and that, in South Korea, they own munitions fcetories. 

p. 183:

In May 1986, NDF spokesman Antonio Zummel wamed that the Philippines would be tumed into 'an Asian graveyard for American servicemen if the US persisted In meddling in the insurgency'. This was in response to W ACL visits to the Philippines by Singlaub in his efforts to organise anti-communist vigilantes. Since then, nearly 200 CIA agents have slipped into the country, while US special advisors are involved in instructing Philippine troops in counter-insurgency warfare. American combat patrols operate with local police as far as 20 kilometres from the perimeter fence around Clark Air Base in search of NP A guerrillas, with Filipino fears in some quarters that this could trigger a wider conflict in the countryside. Warning of an escalation in US interference in domestic affairs, Senator Neptali Gonzales is reported as saying: 'History teils us that just one encounter between the dissidents will lead to escalation and this might lead to further the polarisation of the people.' In his reference to 'just one encounter', perhaps Gonzales was thinking of the San Juan Bridge incident which started the Philippine-American War in 1899.  There is no doubt that the country will first move further to the right, with or without US support. With US support, the AFP will build up a supply of sophisticated weaponry and techniques and use more 'subtle' ways of repression; without US support, the AFP will immediately move into full-scale crude and brutal terrorising of the people, more on a Chilean model. Either way, a 'second' revolution will eventually take place - whether as a brief civil war in which the US plays little part (because it has acknowledged its need to seek other venues for its bases and has disappeared), or in the manner of another Vietnam. In either case, the next change will not be without bloodshed, perhaps massive bloodshed. While heartened by the Nicaraguan experience, Filipinos do not expect an early resolution of their problems. Most people believe that it will take at least three generations to overcome the legacy of more than 400 years of domination, Spanish and American.

Related links below

Death Squads in the Philippines by Doug Cunningham

Those Spared in Duterte’s “War on Drugs” May Go to Moonie Rehabilitation

Korean ���moonies’ leave the Philippines (1996)

Right-Wing Vigilantes Spreading in Philippines (1987)

Unification Church, WACL and CAUSA Were Involved In CIA Operations

Moonies Were Brainwashed by The CIA As Soldiers In The Cold War

Missing Pieces of the Story of Sun Myung Moon by Frederick Clarkson

On the Filipina “Migrant Wives”

The Unification Church’s Role in the FBI’s Cointelpro-style Campaign Against CISPES

“The Moonies Target Europe” (1986) - on CAUSA and right-wing Moonie activity in Europe

Korean UC Reverend takes $10,000 from a farmer for finding him a Filipina wife.

Moonies Support Vigilante Violence in the Philippines Around 1986/1987

On the Post-Marcos Unification Church’s Counterinsurgency Work in the Philippines

Cardinal Sin, the Catholic Church, & the Unification Church: Partners in Organized Anti-Communist Violence

Paraguay ‘Archives of Terror’ Yield New Horrors – and links to the Unification Church of Sun Myung Moon

The Unification Church and the KCIA – ‘Privatizing’ covert action: the case of the UC

“Moon’s Law: God Is Phasing Out Democracy”

The CIA’s Secret Global War Against the Left

Sun Myung Moon organization activities in Central & South America

CIA, Moonies Cooperate in Sandinista War (1984)

Covert Operations and the CIA’s Hidden History in the Philippines

Moon’s Vision: A New Pan-Asianism - on Headwing thought, Pan-Asianism, and counterinsurgency

On the Fascist International, and WACL

CounterSpy: Moonies Move on Honduras (1983)

CounterSpy: Moonies - CARP (1981)

The U.S. is complicit in war crimes in the Philippines

US Aid Privatized

On Yamashita’s Gold, Singlaub, and the Events Following Marcos’ Departure

On How the Moonies Take Advantage of Imperialist Crises in Today’s Philippines

The Moons and the Marcoses

Biden courts son of Philippine dictator he once opposed

Harris Visit to Philippines another Example of US Prioritization of Power over Human Rights

On the UC links to intelligence

Private Groups Step Up Aid to ‘Contras’ (1985)

The Rev. Moon, the Unification Church, and the KCIA

[independentartistbuzz]

Laura Baron's New Album Release "Beauty in the Broken" Offers Music that is an Intimate Celebration of Life

Laura Baron’s latest album release Beauty in the Broken is a deeply moving exploration of life’s fragility, resilience, and beauty.

Known for her seamless blend of folk, jazz, and blues, here Baron expands her sound palette in this album as she brings together influences from chamber music, country, jazz and world traditions.

The result? An album that feels like an intimate celebration of life, expansive, yet also deeply personal.

The album opens with “Walking on Water,” a bright, buoyant track that celebrates freedom and emotional independence.

With its playful rhythm and textured instrumentation, the song immediately sets a tone of optimism and strength and is anchored by Baron’s warm and evocative vocals. It’s a compelling introduction.

The title track, “Beauty in the Broken,” is the emotional centerpiece of the album.

Inspired by a friend’s question about finding beauty in life’s imperfections, the song blends tender strings with acoustic guitar to create an atmosphere of quiet introspection. Baron’s lyrics reflect on the healing power of being seen and accepted in one of life's most vulnerable moments.

“Enchanté” offers a moment of romantic introspection, where Baron’s jazz influences shine. Her voice glides effortlessly over the gentle arrangement, creating a sense of intimacy that feels almost like a whispered conversation. In this song we see her The song we see her ability to capture complex emotions with simplicity and grace, drawing the listener further into her world.

Baron also delves into darker, more reflective territory with songs like “Heal Out Loud” where her chamber and classical influences come to the forefront. Here, she explores loss, longing, and the quiet strength it takes to move forward, reminding us that even in heartbreak, there is growth and grace.

The closing track on the album is a beautiful, re-imagined rendition of the classic "Dream a Little Dream."

But what sets Beauty in the Broken apart is its warm blend of genres and textures, all tied together by Baron’s vocal and lyrical depth. From the warmth of folk to the sophistication of jazz and the soulfulness of blues we have a rich sound that rewards repeated listens.

Production on the album was led by Marco Delmar, and it is equally impressive, creating a lush and organic sound. Each instrument feels perfectly placed, from the gentle strum of an acoustic guitar to the soaring strings that lift key moments into the sublime. This attention to detail ensures that every note serves the story Baron is telling.

A longtime staple of the DMV music scene, Laura Baron is an award-winning singer-songwriter who has spent her career bridging genres and connecting with audiences.

Her previous albums, including Heart of the Great Unknown, have earned Wammie Awards and critical acclaim while her live performances at venues like Bethesda Blues & Jazz Club and The Hamilton have left audiences captivated.

With Beauty in the Broken, she re-affirms her place as one of the most compelling voices in indie folk, bringing a deep understanding of the human experience.

For anyone seeking music that speaks to both heart and soul, Beauty in the Broken is not to be missed!

Keep up to date with Laura Baron on her Website.

[idealisticrealism]

TCL 2x11 recap

Ok so in honour of the S3 renewal (!!!! shut up I’m not crying YOU’RE crying aaaaaaahhhh!!!) here are a few very very belated TCL thoughts… and of course, many many many more thoughts still to come for 2x12 lol 

So I am already immediately needing to know how much time has passed between last ep and this one lol. Maybe a few days? I mean Luca is looking so much better, and he’s so excited to see Fi and his cousins. (Lol at the fact Marco doesn't even get mentioned, even though he only died like 2 months ago. Like yaasss everybody, Marco who???). Also I really like the way Thony asks “JD let you come?”, bc it’s not judgmental or snarky, it’s more acknowledging the difficult position Fi is in and her gratitude that she came. Also oooh we are definitely back in Vegas for the filming now– this is filmed at Adventuredome in LV. But ugh Thony going from smiling at Luca’s excitement to spotting Joseph :( poor woman just can’t even get 5 minutes of simple happiness before something drags her back down again. (Also I assume she still has her big bald shadow following her around and so that’s how Joseph knew where to find her?) 

Oooh Nadia definitely still has her shadow. And damn she’s in the fanciest of prisons rn, stuck in RK’s penthouse. Since this phone conversation is apparently the first time she and Arman have talked since she poisoned RK, and Arman isn’t looking completely panicked about where she's been, then I’m guessing not too much time could have passed since then– maybe it really has only been a few days? Also I really wanna know how much Arman was able to find out about what happened to RK? Like did he finally hurry into Fast Lane after his little excursion with Garrett, frantically looking around  to see if Nadia might still be there, only to find all the staff gossiping about how the boss was taken to hospital and how Ms Morales went with him??? And then he tries to call her but can’t get through– so what did he do??  Did he text her and risk it being seen by RK, or did he just go home and sit there waiting by his phone? Also ugh I wish we got to see his reaction to her saying that Thony saved RK, bc yasss to that drama lol.  And ugh yes to Nadia referring to Thony as ‘your cleaning lady’ again.  Idc that Nadia means it in a negative way, it’s still implying a connection between Armony and that’s what I’m all about lol. Anyway I did like that Arman was immediately down to rescue Nadia though. Oh my sweet brave yet somewhat stupid boy lol. Also goddammit I really gotta learn spanish bc while I very much respect them not using subtitles a lot of the time, I still always wanna know everything that's being said lol

Haha RK is Big Mad about his heart attack. “I had a full physical just a few months ago, there was nothing that indicated any issue with my heart” ok well I mean a ‘physical’ is a pretty basic check, so unless the doctor randomly decided to arrange an angiogram (a surgical procedure which is not done on people who don’t have symptoms), then there’s no way they could have definitively known the heart was fine… so maybe calm down a bit there buddy? Also again, we saw last ep that you’re on blood thinners, so there is definitely something wrong somewhere.  But lol the hot doctor guy saying “high potassium can cause hyperkalaemia” is so funny because hyperkalaemia is literally just the technical term for high potassium. But props to him for telling RK it could have been caused by stress lol– you’re a brave and potentially foolish man, Doc. Also loooolllll RK pouting in the bed like a petulant child and Nadia basically telling him to grow up. Poor woman is already a prisoner and now she has to deal with this giant baby too?? Now this is real torture

Oh the penthouse is at Caesar’s Palace?? Daaaamn, that’s gotta be pricey. (Also sigh,  looks like I’m gonna need to make another trip to Vegas this year to see these new locations haha). But oooohh at the meaningful eye contact between Nadia and Thony as Nadia hands her the medical file. Also he asks Thony her opinion within literally like 10 seconds of her opening the file– like give her a minute to actually read it before she gives her answer, maybe?? But oh man the tightrope she walks when she says that it could have been a drug interaction, but then follows it by saying there’s nothing in the report that indicates that that’s the case. And then ugh she immediately tries yet again to talk him into letting her and Arman handle the medication shipment. And when he tells her that the shipment has gone missing and his men are currently investigating to find out who is to blame? There’s no question for her that it was Arman, and ugh she’s trying so hard to keep her face neutral and not let the dread and anger and fear show. Because by stealing that shipment, Arman has put two of the people she loves most at risk: Luca, and himself. And even worse, she knows that in a way it’s her fault, because he did it for her. this is true love right here bitches

But ugh Nadia and Thony walking out together, and Thony’s grim expression, clearly hating that she had to tell the truth about the drug interaction because it was all a test– one that she needed to pass for the safety of her whole family– versus the fear in Nadia’s eyes and the cuttting edge to her voice as she tells Thony to tell Arman that she sold them both out?? And then the total tone change as she graciously thanks her for coming? Damn the relationship between these two is so engrossing, especially because as much as they are at odds, they do often have a lot of empathy towards one another and help each other out even when you might not expect them to. S3 please give me all the Thony and Nadia team ups please

Ooooh Garrett that was actually pretty smooth? Lucky no one was in the toilets though lol. Fair enough for him to be pretty pissed with her– she lied to him about Maya, and now she is being driven around by RK’s guys? It doesn’t look great. And aaaahh I have been waiting for this confrontation scene since the moment Maya died,  and tbh Oliver is doing a great job with expressing the hurt and anger and betrayal. And man the way Thony’s voice is so small as she tells him she’s sorry? And his “Or have you gotten so good at lying and covering up the truth that you don’t even recognise it?” like oooohhhh what a blow, and what an insightful statement. Honestly Thony needs someone to call her out like this, to make her see the path she is headed down and the ways that she has already changed. Not that I don’t want her to continue on this path haha, because getting to watch Mob Boss Thony is definitely the absolute dream (heck yeah bring on S3), but I want her to be a badass boss without losing her humanity. But tbh I love the fact that the moment she gets the call that Luca is at the hospital, it’s like the fight is immediately put on hold because it’s just understood that Luca comes before anything else.

Seriously though, Fi took him to a public hospital???? The woman who tried to stop Thony from doing the same thing in 1x02 because she was so scared she’d be deported??? Like if there was no other option, sure, but Fi literally has Dr Saroyan’s number (Thony gave it to her when she went to The Philippines) and she knows that Luca has been taken to Dr Saroyan’s clinic before? Why would she not try that first????????? Like ok tbh I would have been fine with it if there was even just a quick little throwaway line like “I tried calling Dr Saroyan but his receptionist said he’s away in Boston for a week” so it covered that plot hole. But whatevs, we need the drama I guess lol. But ugh honestly Jazz makes such a good suggestion about calling JD to take Luca inside instead– like even if he will take a little bit to get there, he could switch out with Fi so she’s not at any more risk than she needs to be? Ugh this is so dumb I don't need this stress in my life

“My nephew has a high fever and he started throwing up about an hour ago”  wait are you kidding me????  that’s all you’re going to say, Fi??? That makes it sound like simple gastroenteritis. You gotta lead with the fact that this is an immunocompromised child like 2 months post liver transplant?? Oh my god. Tbh I hate this scene for multiple reasons, partly because of the above, but also partly because of how uncomfortable it feels with the guards staring at her (though that's obviously the point), and also because it’s just a reminder of how terrible the US healthcare system is (which lbr is probably also the point). But ugh even this really lovely Filipina nurse is making me afraid that it’s all actually a trap and ICE is already on their way ughhhh I hate this

“I’m not hungry!” yep RK is definitely a child lol. But oh shit the backstory about his dad dying from a heart attack at 45 and then RK taking every possible precaution to avoid the same– like hell okay maybe he actually did get himself an angiogram and all the other fancy cardiac testing?? lol. In which case Nadia is really in trouble haha. When he had Joseph pour her the champagne (the same one she poisoned him with, naturally) I was so terrified for her ugh. Ngl I was unhappy about her throwing suspicion onto Thony about the shipment, but I mean it was pretty understandable— especially bc she felt that Thony had betrayed her first, and also tbh there was no other possible scapegoat for it except for herself or Arman. But ugh her shiny eyes as RK walks away, knowing that she is walking such a knife’s edge with him and that he might snap at any moment? Ugh my girl. Plus honestly I’d definitely like to think that she also felt at least a little bad about the fact that she may have just gotten Thony killed–  if circumstances were different, I honestly think these women could actually have been something almost like friends ugh

Ugh okay now Thony has arrived at the ER and finally someone is being made aware of Luca’s history and the urgency of the situation!!  Also damn she’s impressively persuasive given she manages to get that lady to call a code… this is making me want to fish out my old hospital ID to see whether we had a code white lol. It definitely didn't mean ‘medical emergency’ though, because naturally that one I did know, having responded to them often enough lol

Also lol I just noticed that there’s a pamphlet saying ‘stem cell therapy saves lives’ on it at the desk, and it has the initials/logo of the Institute of Stem Cell Medicine (the place where she took Luca in early S1) on it!! Like it’s probable that they were just recycling medical props from last season but I love this little easter egg omg

Ugghhhh I am still so uncomfortable about these guys being at this hospital at all. Like I get that it’s for plot reasons, creating the whole ‘what if we get noticed and deported’ tension, but it’s just so frustrating that everyone has forgotten about Dr Saroyan!! Like c'mon guys. Plus I just miss him lol, he was so softspoken and pretty. Though tbh this Dr Gonzalez is quite pretty too. In fact, pretty much every doctor that has appeared in this show has been rather attractive– seriously where were all these beautiful people during my training??? at acting school obviously lol

OOOH. Thony just said that Luca is 10 weeks post-transplant! Excellent, I’ve been meaning to put together a timeline of the TCL events, considering that the entire show literally happens over the course of like 4 months. So Luca was a week postop when he and Thony came back from Mexico (1x09) and then Marco kidnapped him like another week later (end of 1x10/start of 2x01), so looks like S2 has happened over the course of about 8 weeks. Which tbh actually seems a little long to be accurate, given that several of the eps happen literally the day after the previous ep’s events, but it could potentially work. Guess I’ll find out when I actually put the timeline together lol

Anyway is it weird that I felt proud when Dr Gonzalez said that (from the scans, I assume) Luca’s graft looks extremely clean and that a surgical complication definitely wasn’t the cause for his current condition? Like ugh damn straight my girl Thony did an incredible job on the surgery. And what a relief it must be for her to hear that she didn’t cause this, because you know that's been her greatest fear ever since she realised she was going to have to do the surgery in the first place

Stepping into the chapel to call her married(ish?) criminal boyfriend? I love it. Blaspheme away, girl, I support you wholeheartedly. I also love that she knows he was the one who took the shipment, knows he did this for her, to prove to her he meant it when he said he wouldn’t let his plan to kill Kamdar endanger Luca. But of course now that plan (along with Thony’s thwarting of it) has endangered all of them lol. Oops. Also dude I had been wondering why this ep hadn’t quite been doing it for me thus far (like of course I’m enjoying it, but just not as much as other eps) and I mean part of it is definitely the focus on Robert and also the borderline insanity of bringing Luca to this hospital, but mostly it’s because I’ve been like EXCUSE ME. WHERE IS MY BOY. WHERE IS MY PRECIOUS MURDER CUPCAKE. WHERE. Like seriously up until this point we have gotten a total of like 20 seconds of Arman onscreen and that is simply not enough for me to survive on lol. But ugh finally we are getting some good fucking food, as Gordon Ramsay would say, bc fuck yes to this entire phone exchange– Arman clearly angry and upset that she didn’t trust him enough to follow his plan (you just know he’s thinking back to their plan in 1x10 and how she trusted him then, but has since seemingly turned her back on him; dw so much more will be said on that in the next recap lol), then there’s Thony acknowledging that she made a mistake/that her choice endangered them all (aka maybe that she doesn’t always know better than everyone), and then there’s the way that all the fire immediately goes out of Arman the moment he hears how sick Luca has gotten. Ngl even though the ‘my son is dying!’ thing is getting a liiiiittle bit stale (I mean to be fair though, it is realistic for how a parent with a dying/chronically ill child would be), I do love that the two powerful men in Thony’s life will immediately put aside their own frustrations and agendas for Luca. (and, of course, for Thony herself)

“We’ll get those meds, but after that we’re done.” Honestly, I love this line, because you just know it’s not true; literally the emptiest threat my boy has ever made haha. But it’s important for it to be said anyway– considering that Arman has already established to Thony through both words and actions that he will do pretty much anything for her, the act of telling her that they’re done is one of the only ways he can express to her how much she has hurt him without literally saying those exact words aloud. (It’s probably also partly habit from his fights with Nadia, too; I don't doubt they've both threatened each other with divorce multiple times lol, which is extra funny now we know they were never married in the first place).  But anyway lbr here, he’s never going to follow through on this threat with Thony, just like he didn’t in 2x05 after he said it the first time. But the point is that there’s still just enough uncertainty there– the possibility that maybe this time he really does mean it– that it kinda forces Thony to examine her choices and face the idea that unless she trusts him and lets him be her equal partner in this, she might lose him. But ugghhh at him immediately grabbing all the money he has left in the world and coming out of hiding to help her save Luca. Just like she knew he would, before he even answered the phone– because like she told Fi: he always shows up when she needs him. 

Also, catch me screaming over the fact that the man has no reason to have her motorbike helmet with him, but does anyway??? Like last we saw him, he was at La Habana on the phone with Nadia, finding out about Kamdar, and presumably he went right home and got the essentials to take into hiding– which apparently includes Thony’s motorbike helmet. Y’know, just in case she called, needing him. I’m so fine and normal about this I swear

Actually you know what, I'm not fine at all, because we were absolutely robbed of the scene where she manages to sneak out the back of the hospital and he pulls up to get her and just silently holds out the helmet, and then on the ride it really hits her that maybe he will  walk away after all this and that it will be all her fault, and between that terrible feeling of dread and her overwhelming fear for Luca she starts to cry silently, her arms clinging to him tighter than usual because she’s so terrified she’s about to lose two of the people she loves most, and then at one point they’re stopped at a traffic light and he covers one of her hands with his and squeezes, like he can sense that she’s barely keeping herself together, and she cries harder because if she still has him then maybe it will all be okay, maybe they will get the meds and get back to Luca in time and maybe she can stop trying to carry all this weight on her own and–

But anyhow, I digress lol. I love that Arman steps straight into the office and barely spares the guy a glance as he grabs the bolt cutters and the paper with the container number on it. Man is on a mission to save his future stepson lol, and god help anyone who gets in his way. And ugh I just love everything about his and Thony’s teamwork– she finds the container and he comes running with the bolt cutters; he starts cutting the inventory lists free and handing them off to her, letting her guide him to the right spot. They just work so naturally together without needing to discuss it and idk man I am just very into everything they do together lol (and boy i would sure love for them to do some ~other~ stuff together lol)

God the look of terror on her face when they hear the cars screech into the shipping yard, and the way he whispers a reassurance to her and touches her arm for just a second as he passes? And then he peeks around the corner and sees several of Kamdar’s men being pointed their way (damn that little rat bastard for selling them out) and ugh I want to hug him because he knows how bad these odds are, knows that he might be about to die right now but that doesn’t matter, all that matters is keeping them from getting to Thony. Like ughhhhhh “I’ll do what I can to hold them off” and then him locking her inside the container?? He knows she has her phone, knows that even if he dies taking all the men out then she will still be able to call for help, so he takes every measure he can to keep her safe and give her the best chance of survival. I also stupidly love that it’s his knife that she’s using to cut out and search the inventory lists, and his knife that is her only weapon/defense. Just another way he protects her ugh

Though lol at him choking the guy out in like 5 seconds while the guy doesn’t even fight it. Kamdar would be embarrassed to be associated with such a pathetic goon lol. Ngl tho I very much enjoy watching Arman getting beaten up and thrown into objects and still getting up and keeping fighting because this is a fight he simply cannot afford to lose ugh

Okay these writers definitely do not know how to write delirious kids lol, but I forgive them. However I don’t forgive the nurse guy who Fi goes to for help, considering he glances at the monitor for half a second and then says Luca is probably just tired. Like seriously how did this guy get through nursing school? And then lol the next minute Luca has a tiny bit of a nosebleed (not even actively dripping) and Dr Gonzalez gets someone running in with a procedure cart to shove unnecessary packing up his nose. Like hey guys can you maybe try to find a happy medium between under- and overreacting lol??

God Thony dropping the phone and not being able to reach it makes me feel so stressed, and then ugh her being found because Fi keeps calling her??? Reminds me of 1x01 and Fi’s call being the reason she gets found and thrown in front of Arman in the first place. The woman really needs to learn to put her ringer on silent lol. But god how badass that she literally climbs her way out and runs across the top of the container and makes a jump for it? Like damn Arman was right, she really has learned a few things lol. Also fucking love Arman seeing Thony getting cornered by two gunmen and responding by immediately taking out his own guy (by fighting dirty, throwing sand in his eyes and then kicking him in the balls, to which I say hell yeah) before diving for his gun and shooting the guy who was about to shoot Thony. And then taking out the other guy too, before yelling for her to get down and killing the guy who had just appeared out of the container behind her (what that guy was still doing in the container for so long when Thony had already escaped, who knows lol). And ugh when he signals for her to run over to him, she doesn’t hesitate, just knows that he will cover her and make sure she makes it safely, and then they make their escape together on the bike with him shooting the last two guys while racing out of there??? Like honestly this man needs to go straight back to jail because being this sexy is a goddamn CRIME

Ugh, yet again we were robbed of the possible Armony though– like excuse me, where is my scene of her clinging to him again as he races them back to the hospital, then the two of them frantically asking each other if they’re okay/uninjured before he reassures her he’s fine and sends her back in to save Luca, telling her to call him as soon as she has news?? Like seriously where is it, writers??? I need ALL the Armony ugh

Ngl I’m on Dr Gonzalez’s side here lol, bc what Thony is proposing to do is legit crazy– not to mention both illegal and unethical, which would be sOO MUCH LESS OF A PROBLEM IF Y’ALL HAD GONE TO MY BOY DR SAROYAN INSTEAD, BUT NOOOOOOOO. Like again, I know that they had to end up at a proper hospital for the plot, but ugh that doesn’t stop the plot from being annoying lol. Though tbh I do love that they can only achieve their plan of sneakily giving Luca the treatment he needs because of their little network of cleaning ladies haha. Who run the world???? 

Lbr tho this girl is taking a huge risk for them– I appreciate the writers at least giving the explanation that it’s in thanks for Thony delivering Nina’s baby, but still, can we at least try to minimise her involvement so she doesn’t go down with you??? In fact, get Fi the hell out of here too, you don’t need her! Especially since Luca apparently needs to be ventilated for 36 hours for the drug to work, which means it is literally impossible for them to NOT get caught doing this. Aaaaahhhh I am so stressed lol. Aaand yep they’ve been caught by Dr Gonzalez already, who actually kind of seems like he might go along with it– what is it about the Thony & Luca combo that men just can’t say no to lol?? lbr I would not say no either sooo

Like lol Garrett literally admits it to Russo, that he was right in the middle of yelling at Thony and then let her go the moment there was a call about Luca. He really does get too close to his CIs and tbh I love that about him because it’s both a flaw and one of his main redeeming attributes. And ugh when he tells her that he believed Arman when he said that it came down to a choice between Thony or Maya (love the fact that both Russo and Garrett are well aware just how much Thony means to Arman), and that Arman is a criminal who actually tells the truth? Which is ironic because Garrett is a law enforcement officer that will lie and manipulate people all day long if it serves his purpose. Like yesss this is what the show has been saying all along– people aren’t just black and white, good and bad. The world is complicated and grey and what’s ‘right’ isn’t always clear

Speaking of complicated though, oh god Garrett and Russo. What are you two doing. Like I appreciate that Garrett says he’s a mess and needs to figure himself out, that was very mature of him…… aaaaaand now they’re hooking up lol. I still can’t get over the fact that timeline-wise, it’s been like a week since Maya’s death, but hey I guess everyone copes in their own way or whatever lol

Uggghhhh god it is so hard to watch this scene with Dr Gonzalez bringing in the cops and child services, but tbh are you REALLY so shocked, Thony?? Honestly she has been just getting away with shit for far too long, and even when there’s repercussions (like Arman or Garrett getting pissed with her) she gets forgiven quickly enough that it seems she’s forgotten that she might actually have to face real, permanent consequences. (Again, Marco who?? lol) But I do kinda love how angry and disbelieving she is about them taking her away, because it is so fitting for her character, and fits with the way she deals with fear/panic. But again I’m just saying Thony, you could have been sipping coffee with Arman at Luca’s bedside in Dr Saroyan’s clinic rn, but instead Luca is being taken from you, and you and Fi are in handcuffs. Sigh why do these fictional characters never listen to me

Omg wtf RK is trying to drown Nadia?????? No fucking way will I allow this. Ok that’s it, I’ve been saying all along that this dude gotta die and now there’s no going back. KILL HIM NADIA. MAKE HIM REGRET BEING BORN

[cynic-spirit]

John in Jeans?

Yn often playfully teases Jonathan about his constant choice of suits. She’d notice that whether they're meeting for coffee, attending an event, or just spending time together, Jonathan always seems to be dressed in impeccably tailored suits.

One day, as they’re enjoying their usual morning coffee at the barista, Yn leans across the table, a mischievous smile on her lips. “You know, Jonathan, you could probably set a world record for the number of suits worn in a month. Do you ever take a break from looking like a model for a fashion magazine?”

Jonathan chuckles, his eyes twinkling with amusement as he adjusts his cufflinks. “It’s just my way of ensuring I’m always prepared to impress you.”

Yn raises an eyebrow playfully. “Impress me? Or impress everyone else? I swear, if I didn’t know better, I’d think you’re trying to compete with the mannequins at the tailor’s.”

Jonathan’s grin widens. “And what’s wrong with that? A gentleman must always be well-dressed, after all.”

Yn takes a sip of her coffee, still smirking. “Well, you’re certainly making it difficult for me to keep up with your style. Maybe I should start matching your wardrobe, just to keep things interesting.”

Jonathan’s gaze softens, his smile genuine. “You can tease me all you like, Yn, but I wouldn’t have it any other way. Your presence brightens my day, no matter what I’m wearing.”

Yn laughs, reaching across the table to give his hand a playful squeeze. “Just promise me one thing—every once in a while, wear something that doesn’t involve a suit. I’d love to see you in something a little more… relaxed.”

Jonathan’s eyes sparkle with affection as he nods. “Consider it done. For you, I’ll make an exception. But I promise, even in something more casual, I’ll still aim to impress.”

Their banter about his suits becomes a cherished part of their interactions, a lighthearted reminder of the ease and affection that defines their relationship. Jonathan’s willingness to play along with Yn’s teasing only deepens their connection, highlighting the joy they find in each other’s company.

In the bustling confines of Jonathan Pine’s office, his goons were gathered, discussing their usual matters. Their conversations were punctuated by the occasional clink of coffee cups and the hum of activity from outside.

"Did you see the boss today?" one of the goons, Mike, asked with a mix of surprise and amusement. "He’s wearing jeans and a shirt. I’ve never seen him out of a suit before."

Another goon, Tony, shook his head in disbelief. "I thought it was some kind of joke at first. Jonathan Pine in jeans? That’s like seeing a lion in a tutu."

“Yeah, and the shirt was just plain white,” added Marco, still in shock. “No tie, no cufflinks. Just a jacket and jeans. He looks like he’s going on a casual day out or something.”

Mike laughed. “It’s almost like he’s trying to blend in with the regular folks. I mean, I’ve seen him dressed down before, but this? This is something else.”

Tony raised an eyebrow. “You think something’s up? Maybe he’s trying a new approach or something?”

Marco shrugged. “Who knows? But whatever it is, he looks pretty damn relaxed. Even his demeanor was different today. Less… intense.”

The group exchanged glances, their curiosity piqued but their respect for Jonathan unwavering. They knew better than to question their boss’s choices, no matter how unorthodox.

When Yn met Jonathan that day, she was taken aback by his casual yet striking appearance. He greeted her at their usual spot with a relaxed smile, dressed in well-fitted jeans, a crisp white shirt, and a stylish jacket that complemented his look. The change from his usual suits was so dramatic that Yn couldn't help but be captivated.

“Oh my God, Jonathan! Is that really you?” Yn exclaimed, her eyes wide with surprise and delight. She immediately pulled out her phone and began snapping photos, capturing the rare, relaxed side of Jonathan.

Jonathan chuckled, his smile widening at her reaction. “Do you like it? I thought I’d surprise you with something a bit different today.”

Yn’s eyes sparkled as she clicked away. “You look amazing! I’ve never seen you like this before. It’s like a whole new side of you. I definitely need to remember this moment.”

Jonathan, clearly pleased by her reaction, struck a few playful poses, enjoying the attention. “Well, I’m glad you approve. I figured it was time for a change. And I must admit, it feels nice to be a bit more relaxed.”

Yn’s laughter filled the air as she continued to take pictures. “You look fantastic, Jonathan. I’m so glad I get to see this side of you. It’s a great look, and I’m going to make sure I have plenty of memories of it.”

As Yn continued to snap photos, Jonathan’s cheeks tinged with a faint blush. He laughed, trying to hide his embarrassment with a playful groan.

“Stop taking my pictures!” he said, his voice a mix of amusement and mild exasperation.

Yn grinned, lowering her phone but not without a last, approving look at him. “Sorry, Jonathan. I just couldn’t resist. You look so charming in this new look. It’s a nice change from the usual suits.”

Jonathan shook his head, smiling despite himself. “Well, I suppose I’ll have to get used to this then. If it makes you happy, I guess it’s worth the blush.”

Yn stepped closer, giving him a warm hug. “You’re perfect just the way you are, Jonathan. Suit or no suit.”