#Honest Insights

[nolitethoughts]

Unveiling the Soul: A Journey Through Alan Rickman's Diaries

I’m putting a mild spoiler warning because I plan to be honest, raw, and from the gut in my review. Without any constraints so if you thought about picking up the book but you don’t want to know anything about it, please read forward keeping this in mind. Photo by: NOLITETHOUGHTS I want to do it in an unrefined way to honour his memory and to reach back to the part in me who was living and…

[shaykai]

Still thinking about Gortash’s coronation and how smoothly he cuts a Durge off from their companions (and wishing we had a follow up with that)

The first words out of his mouth are that he cares about them- anybody else who remembers Durge has only distain for them, but not him- he’s happy to see them, he missed them, they’re his favorite assassin and he’s only glad to see them alive

And then he takes it a step further by providing insight into their past, something Ketheric refused to do for them- and Gortash isn’t dumb. He knows exactly how Durge’s companions will react, knows that he’s effectively outing Durge when he so easily could have pulled them to the side instead

And when their companions snap at them and refuse to look at them, Gortash is still smiling. Suddenly, he’s the nicest person in the room. Suddenly, everything is unstable and dangerous- but he likes you. He’s sitting there with open arms while the companions are rightfully so mad with Durge, but Gortash is more than happy to resume their alliance

He’s more than happy to be their sole source of comfort again, and isn’t he just so sweet for that?

[poorly-drawn-mdzs]

Kiss Kiss Fallen Tree!

[First] Prev <–-> Next

[swan2swan]

I'm going to chew cardboard and cement and concrete and anything else we could have had this for the past decade plus we could have had this look at this all three word bubbles are exact and perfect.

[invidiatechdemo]

did you forget?

that your sister is a human being?

that she's capable of being mad? mad at You, even?

[larimar]

violadavis

Thank you for your bravery @kamalaharris. Thank you for loving America's promise. I am and will forever be proud 💙💙💙

[miirshroom]

Reading between the lines on a narrative (Realm of the Elderlings)

Speculating on some possibilities that are hinted at, but that don't get explored because FitzChivalry is not an omnipotent narrator and sometimes makes observations without grasping the meaning. Mostly involving the way that the magic system interacts with the psychology of various characters in the Farseer trilogy, and that there isn't really enough context for a reader to understand until after also reading the Tawny Man Trilogy. One example involving the Wit, and one involving the Skill.

1. Duke Brawndy of Bearns knew that Fitz was Witted (and saw that as a favourable trait)

Brawndy met Fitz only once and afterwards had a surprising interest in marrying him into the family. In the second trilogy it is discussed how the Wit is a secret kept in the nobility and implied that Brawndy's daughter Faith might be Witted herself. At the end of Royal Assassin Brawndy speaks on behalf of Fitz and has very specific terms: "Prove to us...that FitzChivalry is Witted, and that he used the Wit to kill King Shrewd, and we will let you put him to death as you see fit". And if Regal cannot prove that Fitz used the Wit to kill King Shrewd then Fitz shall have the stewardship of Buckkeep. Brawndy tacitly declared that Fitz having the Wit alone is not a dealbreaker. If Brawndy knows the Wit including its powers and limitations then he believes that he has set Regal an impossible task - a Wit Beast might kill a person but the Wit itself can't kill and leave no mark as was done with King Shrewd. There is also the implication that the Dukes are paying attention to the physical damage done to Fitz, thinking that should provide him a measure of protection.

But still Fitz is a pawn and though the most desirable outcome is that 1) Regal gets impatient and just goes away to Tradeford, which leaves FitzChivalry effectively the leader of the Coastal Duchies, it is more likely that 2) Regal kills Fitz against their wishes and the Dukes get what they wanted anyways - confirmation that Regal will not follow due process and is no true king to the coastal duchies. It's a win-win for the Coastal Dukes - the schism between the Coastal and Inland Duchies was an inevitability anyways. In that case, Brawndy's blindspot would be that he doesn't count on the 3rd option from Regal's use of the Skill. He doesn't know what Fitz knows - that Regal can and will use the Skill to make him speak lies naming Brawndy's own daughter a traitor and more. Brawndy sees Regal as a creature of the Inland Duchies and a coward. He doesn't understand Regal's special brand of selfish insanity that leads him to actively sabotage the Coastal Duchies chances for survival. If Brawndy is familiar with the ways of the Old Blood then he understands how a healthy predator might cede territory to a rival rather than waste the effort to hold onto it, but doesn't comprehend that Regal has more in common with the Forged Ones who are more like rabid beasts. And so Fitz's options are narrowed to requiring his death.

As for how Brawndy could know that Fitz was Witted, that is fairly straightforwards - it's a much more open secret than Fitz thinks that it is. Black Rolf explains to Fitz that he doesn't guard his thoughts to Nighteyes in the way that is taught among the Old Blood. It follows that Fitz has been doing this for all his life and so any Witted person in his proximity is picking up on signals that he doesn't even realize. Fitz recalls and records the ways that he screwed up in keeping his secret of having the Wit, such as when wolf tracks were found in places where he had been fighting Forged Ones with Nighteyes, the time when Nighteyes attacked Justin with the Skill through him, and the time when the girl in Neatbay saw him in the company of a wolf and believed him to have transformed. He can't record what he doesn't know, and the volatility of his status as a royal bastard could have been such that none of the Old Blood nobility were willing to make him aware of themselves in the way that they later would with Prince Dutiful.

2. Chade was Skill-imprinted with a command to be loyal to King Shrewd (and the hidden mechanics of skill-imprinting are one of the most understated drivers of conflict)

Skill imprinting a command seems to be such an intuitive use of the Skill that at least 3 characters have done it accidentally - Chivalry to Galen, Verity to Fitz, and Fitz to Dutiful. Fitz speculates that Galen's coterie must have been Skill-imprinted to serve Regal so completely as they do, in place of the true King Verity. It takes Fitz a long time to break Galen's imprinted command that he has no Skill ability and should kill himself. If he ever truely broke it - considering that he never describes a moment like Dutiful had where he found the command and deliberately severed it. And then Fitz himself incepts it into Regal's mind that he should be loyal to Kettricken and her heir, which seems to bookend the skill-imprinting sub-arc.

King Shrewd was once strong in the Skill, and the only fully trained Skill user in the narrative other than Kettle. Chade always laments not being trained in the Skill, but he does have the ability to learn it, and it is often shown that Skill users have the easiest time reaching the minds of other Skill users. There is nothing stopping Shrewd from long ago using the Skill to subtly command Chade to never even think of doing harm to Shrewd or his offspring. Creating a councillor and assassin with absolute loyalty to Shrewd - but only as long as he remains ignorant of the true power of the Skill. It could explain how Fitz has such a hard time getting his usually sharp mentor to pay attention to the threat presented by Regal. It's only after the death of Shrewd that Chade starts being a more active force in the world. It could be that such Skill commands quietly dissipate once the originator dies, but that echoes of them remain in mental pathways. And would persist unless directly confronted. There's a hint of this near the end of Fool's Fate where Chade is eager to carry out the command of the dragon and Fitz notes that it is normal of Chade to justify a reason for why he's not following an order but instead doing something that he wanted to do anyways. As if such thinking is a habit for him.

It would beg the question of why the Skill coterie would remain loyal to Regal past the death of Galen, if Galen did indeed command them to be loyal to Regal. Probably a few factors. Firstly - Verity burned out the ability of their leader, and then proceeded to hold the remains of Galen's coterie at a distance. Verity had not the time or the ability to undo what Galen had done to break them to his will, just as he and Chivalry hadn't known how to undo the skill command on Galen. Even if the coterie was imperfect, it was thought to be better to have any amount of far distance communication than to have none. Verity gave them reason to hate and fear him and then never made any attempt to reclaim their loyalty. Fitz was given the attention by Verity needed to work through the block created by Galen's Skill command, and it's the Skill link to Verity as much as the kindness that keeps his loyalty to Verity strong.

Secondly, Galen had time and opportunity to master the ability to imprint commands. He had no students for many years so he had little more to do than think about the command implanted in his mind by Chivalry. Consider from every angle how that kind of magic may work, and find ways to close or open loopholes. Fitz understands that skill imprinting can be used in obvious ways like Verity's "Come to me" or his own "Stop fighting me" to Dutiful, but he never seems to unpack that it could be done more subtly. Even Galen's hasty commands to Fitz were more subtle than either of those examples, and Galen could probably do much better if given time and a pliable subject. Extrapolating further, it may even be that failing all other methods Galen realized that Chivalry's death was the last element required to break his Skill command to Galen, and managed to convey to Queen Desire that her ambitions for Regal could proceed after Chivalry's assassination.

Lastly, by the time that the coterie was whittled down to Will, Burl and Carrod they despised Fitz for their own reasons that could only reinforce any prior imprinting by Galen. Fitz has attacked Justin and had killed Justin and Serene. Fitz is an enemy and Fitz is loyal to Verity (who they still hold a grudge towards), therefore they were right to stick with Regal. Regal feeds their hate of Fitz and in return they serve him despite all evidence that he is a cruel and abusive person. They make up their own logic to justify why Regal deserves to have their loyalty. Probably even on some level realizing that they crossed a moral line long ago, and fearing what Verity will visit upon them in retribution if he succeeds in rousing the Elderlings.

[torchickentacos]

pokeani where everything is the exact same but Zoey was allowed to be even more butch

[lennies-blog]

Helmut Marko describing Daniel's Qualifying as incredible, a remarkable comeback after his wrist incident and a great outlook for the future ���

[ancha-aus]

Gifted Drabble - NewAgeAu - Q&A

As I said! I totally wasn't scheming :3 @spotaus

But i had to wait until you uploaded your drabble about very sneaky Cross to make sure I got more references and a better idea about his character :D

So... here we are :3 Also yes the name of the drabble is a very bad joke but i thought of it and it was too funny.

*------------------------------------------*

Cross just sits there... He is such an idiot!

Getting caught?! As quickly as he did? that must be a record on how incapable he was.

It wasn't as if Cross had an excuse. Dream and Blue warned him! Warned him that the Knights were very skilled and watchful. That he had to leave as soon as he got the information and plans. Do not linger!

That had been the mission!

Instead he was a coward and just. Took too long. He spend too much time trying to form a plan instead of just acting. And then He tried to solve mysteries himself instead of just grabbing and leaving as soon as he could!

But he just... Cross groans.

He hadn't found anything fitting the brief. He hadn't been able to find anything that spoke about hurting people or raising taxes to hurt the poor or anything!

In matter of fact.

All he found was plans to improve the infra structure. To tax the nobels more and lower the taxes on people who earned less. He found information on how the king had contact with farmers to work on more structures and installations to help farmers recover from the change in weather and to fully utilise the land without exhausting it.

Projects on testing mixed crop planting and stricts rotation schedules to make sure the soil itself wasn't exhausted from nutrients or risks infections or fungi growing which would hurt the soil and specific crops.

There was even this whole program about apprentices!! something about orphans and children and teens on the straights and a way to offer them schooling and housing and even training with the people helping them! That the crown would pay these people for helping those who don't have family to count on!

It is still in draft clearly as it had been covered with sidenotes in this very elegant and curve handwriting. notes about how to pay for it. where to start it. which people to ask for posibilities. but also notes about how to check the children. how to make sure the children and teens weren't use or abused or even worse!

And... well... not too shortly after that one of the Knights just... Sat in the chair and spoke casually... Scared the shit out of him at the time.

How was that dude so quiet?! or so strong for that matter?

How could his magic had backfired so badly?

Cross sighs as he turns to his side. He is an IDIOT. How could he have gotten so reckless?

Drema and Blue would have already been happy with him getting anything back from the king's plans... maybe he just couldnt see the danger in them clearly? Hell if he knows what the state in the country is. He knows nothing about this place.

Maybe the things he saw was a bad thing? Maybe there was some... weird way to make them look bad?

Like.

Maybe there was already little nature? Sure Cross saw a lot of it on his way here but hell if he knows? maybe there is little in the cities or soemthing?

Maybe the nobels are already being taxed a lot? maybe this will make the nobels all poor? and euh.... Cross isn't sure how taxing the poor less could be bad but maybe there is some way?

the farming thing... Well... Cross isn't sure... maybe the farmers don't want him to micro manage or soemthing? maybe the king is being too controlling about it? that works...

The children are obvious. those are vulnerable kids and teens! Who are being used and exploited!! Well... he would have to ignore all the sidenotes about the kids wellbeing... and the notes about banning child labor...

Cross groans. Why is it so hard to see the things he is doing as bad?! Dream told him that Nightmare is corrupted and the thing ruling now is evil and terrible and needs to be removed to save his twin!!

Then why are the plans good? Maybe he is faking it? But why? XGaster never bothered to fake anything... He was just rightfully the king and people should respect him.

Cross frowns as he turns on his side. Ignoring the guard standing well guard outside of his cell. He tugs on the magical blocker on his arm. Making him unable to use his magic to summon any weapon or try to take control over someone elses magic again.

Well... Not like he can try that with the guard guarding him again anyway. Seeing as it is Dust guarding him...

Cross tugs on it again and Dust speaks "Don't bother. Those things can't be removed by the wearer."

Cross freezes and looks over. He thought he had been sneaky enough. The one with the panther mask stares back.

Cross frowns as he turns back to the wall.

The Knight goes quiet again.

Cross tugs on the band one more time. Just to be spiteful. Before laying back and staring at the wall.

Fuck... He is going to die here? Isn't he?

Maybe they will just starve him...

Or maybe they will first torture him to figure out who he works for.

Cross is going to have to withstand it until he dies. He can't give up Dream and the fact he is planning a revolution.

He can't ruin another revolution that could save and help so many people.

He will have to be strong. Not give in. Not even an inch.

"I apologise I took so long Dust. Thank you for keeping watch."

Cross freezes at the new but familiar voice. Cross had heard the voice before. He had seen the owner walk around and had been getting information on him.

The king.

The fucking king.

Nightmare himself!

Why was the king here?!

Sure Cross had been spying and stealing information. But was that really such a big deal to get the king himself to interrogate him?!

Then again... Shed's tail had aparently been removed and used for cat toys...

He is so dead.

A click and the door to his cell slowly creaks open.

Cross's pulse is beating so fast.

Footsteps walking closer. before the door creaks closed. and is relocked.

He is so dead.

A few more steps and then silence for a moment as Cross tries to keep his panic at bay. He regrets staring at the wall.

"I know you are awake. Speaking will be a lot easier if we face each other."

Cross keeps laying there. What does he do?! He can't ignore him. Come on Cross. Be brave. You faced down scarier threats!

'But you had magic back then.' his mind whispers 'You had a way to defend yourself.'

Still. Cross sits up and turns around. Making sure he is glaring. He is not going to give in. "What is there to tell?" His voice holds the challange. He isn't afraid. He will not give in. He is not going to give this so-called king anything!

Nightmare tilts his skull slightly. intrigue clearly. Cross doesn't like the fact that he seems just so... unbothered by Cross. Cross is the enemy! He is sitting in the cell after Nightmare's forces found him snooping around, trying to steal information.

So why is this king staring at him with just intrigued! No rage? No disgust?!

Nightmare speaks again. Seemingly taking his time to think about his answers. trying to be actually truthful? or trying to think of an answer that Cross wants to hear? Wait... Is the king already in cross's head and mind? is Cross already being tricked?

Nightmare's voice breaks him out of his spiralled thinking "I think I disagree. there is a lot to talk about."

Cross tilts his skull upwards. stubborn energy in his soul "I won't tell you anything about who send me or why. No matter what!"

Nightmare looks slightly amused "I don't exactly care about who send you or why."

... what?

Nightmare continues, at his aparently obvious confusion, as he explains "I know there are people who wish to know what I am doing. I know people are scheming against me. It is nothing new. Even a spy as yourself is nothing new." he looks amused "The fact they even send you implies they know close to nothign about me, my land or my home. Or, that they don't care about you at all."

That.. that doesn't make any sense?!

Ngihtmare nods "I do apologise you swore your loyalty to those who know nothing of the target they send you to spy on. Otherwise they would have known that I am aware of what goes on in my castle and land." he smiles "they would have known that my Knights are everywhere and good at their jobs." he shoots Cross a look "They would know that i am aware of who is suposed to work where at which moment."

Cross feels his mind lock up as the information filters in... How... how hadn't Dream known this?

Ngihtmare waves a hand casually "You are a rather inexperienced spy. Not that it matters. As there is very little any type of skill could have done against me and those of mine. Either your employers know nothing of me which means they aren't much of a threat quite yet. Or they were willing to throw you away as some sort of test against me or you. Which just makes me unimpressed with them overall."

Cross just stares at the ground.

The Knight speaks softly "Way to ruin his worldview my king."

a moment of silence before "I apologise. I shouldn't have said those things. You did not deserve to hear those or have to worry about which case is true."

Cross snaps "Why am i not dead yet?!" He had heard about the terrible punishment this parasite of a king does. How he hurts people for jsut the hell of it... From Dream... form the guards working here... It makes no sense that Cross is still alive. Unless he wants to torture him of course...

A moment of silence.

Ngihtmare speaks a bit softer but still sure and confident "You meant no harm. You were here for a few days and no one was attacked. Neither myself, my knights, my servants or my people in the city. I do not see why i would punish you with death if you did not do a crime earning such a thing."

Cross glares up "And if i had hurt someone?" So he was just doing this own test?! this is just a test. That Cross can deal with. Cross can deal with someone trying to trick and test him!

The king chuckles and shakes his skull "It is very bold of you to assume you would have been able to hurt anyone. Just because we aren't obvious you were not walking around unnoticed or unwatched. If you had made a single move to hurt someone you would have been stopped and caught right away. I must admit however if you had tried that this conversation would be going very differently."

Cross frowns, wait... "If i moved to hurt someone? Anyone?"

Nightmare nods "Of course. The people who work for me are people who's safety i take very seriously. They are willing to work for me. in trade for their servitude i make sure they have what they need and want and more importantly. That they are safe to live their lifes." He sounds so certain and the answer is instantly.

He didn't even need to think about it.

Cross's mind is swimming as he tries to focus. This makes no sense... Why is he implying that he only punishes those who deserve it? That isn't waht others said. This... this is weird. This is the weirdest interrogation he has ever been part of. But he manages to find his voice again "What do you then even want to know?" It isn't like he knows anything.

Nightmare watches him "I am curious about the Lost Kingdom."

Cross flinches as he looks away. "It isn't called lost..." it isn't lost... it isn't! His... his brother- Nine is trying so hard to fix the mess Cross left behind. the mess Cross helped cause. It may be broken and a bit of a mess but it isn't lost. Lost implies there is nothing that can be saved from it.

A soft hum before he speaks again "I apologise. It is a name i took over from others." a moment of silence "I supose I am just curious what made the most loyal of knights of that land leave the country he was working on protecting."

Cross freezes. huh?

Nightmare waits for a moment but when Cross doens't answer he continues "It doesn't make sense to me. Your every move and motivation was from trying to protect the country you served. Yet here you are. Instead of there."

Cross looks to the side. He... he had tried to protect but he failed everyone. He always failed... He made the most terrible mistake of mistakes... How could he stay? they didn't want him to stay. He didn't deserve to stay after that.

Cross looks to the side and speaks "No one wanted the loyal dog of the tyrant to stay. so i left." there.

a moment of silence. "Seems a bit of a harsh name for someone who was loyal to the country."

Cross glares "I wasn't! I just did what the old tyrant wanted!" Like an idiot who can't think for himself. He just did whatever his father told him. Too blind and too stupid to see that XGaster was hurting others.

Nightmare continues to look at him "And you believed in him to make the right choices for the country. That is the job of a king. Make sure that what is done is done to improve the land. improve the country. improve life for the people. It is not your fault that XGaster didn't honour his rule. That he did not do what he was suposed to. What he was sworn into."

Cross can't hear this. Not form sometone who is suposed to be eveil but seems to know so much. Who seems to know what it means to be king yet who isn't suposed to care. Why is this thing who is possessing an innocent acting as it he cares? How would this thing know what makes a good king?!

Cross asks him as much. "Why do you care!?" it is more of a snap than a question.

Is it... Is it Nightmare? Influencing the thing brainwashing him and controlling him? Fighting back?

Dream would be happy to hear that.

Nightmare still thinks about the question. He looks ahead of himself with a tiny frown. Seemingly thinking.

Cross however can't help that notice how blue the cyan eye is. Clearly unnatural. Toxic even... Yet calm. There is no rage hidden that Dream warned him about. No edge of insanity or madness. Just calm and insightful thoughts. Control over his mind? but that makes no sense if he is brainwashed...

The body is not at all what Cross even expected to once see. Ngihtmare had this imposing presence. The fact his form was covered with a goop that had melted over one of his sockets didn't help. The way those tentacles on his back moved and idled. Seemingly without a single thought- wait... didn't octopusses have like... brains in each tentacle. Did that mean that Nightmare had five brains working and thinking for him?

Still... The corruption is so clearly... strange. Dream had told him that the powers given by the ritual was suposed to make a king and warrior of light. Of good. This form is proof that Nightmare wasn't suposed to gain this power. It is dark and moving and changing... But Cross can't help but think it doesn't look that bad, that the name corruption doesn't quite fit. It doesn't radiate any harm in anyway. Not like that time in the hall... Is... Nightmare able to control the presence it gives off? Why wouldn't he use it now? The slight magic he can still feel is potent and strong and unlike anything Cross ever felt before... But it isn't like other poisonous magics Cross had learned about. That he had trained to recognise. It is strange...

Cross decides to focus on the clothes he is wearing. It is clearly high quality stuff. not to forget the golden accents and actual bands around the tentacles. the clips with apple motifs. the detailing of branches like swirls in the same cyan colour as that eye, just less obvious because the fabric is slightly see through.

It makes for one intimidating image. One that the king carries with confidence and familiarity.

Nightmare speaks "I care because i wish to understand. We learn by understanding others. Even if i don't agree with someone doesn't mean i don't have to understand them. In matter of fact. the only way to truly disagree and be against something is to understand or at least know about the concept. When it is about why people do certain actions it is important to learn their motives and reasons. to understand why they did what they did before casting out judgement."

Cross can't deal with him... how is this suposed evil tyrant so understanding?

He is nothing like XGaster.

Nothing at all.

Cross can see that so clearly and so easily. This is someone who knows what he is talking about and who doesn't just say what you want to hear. Cross thought he knew what he was going into. He thought he would meet a man simular to XGaster.

Someone who manipulates. Someone who lies. Someone who turns every answer into a small insult. Someone who tells you how to think and why you are an idiot for not thinkinf like that from the start. Someone who believes himself to be perfect and not capable of fault.

Cross believed his father to be rightful in being this way and thinking that way for so long. It wasn't until after the revolution Cross finally noticed the cracks in the facade.

Cross thought... he figured he would be able to see through whatever mask Ngihtmare is wearing. Metaphorical of course. But he can't... he is failing. He can't figure this out.

Is... is cross being an idiot again? is Nightmare lying to him and is Cross still just unable to see it?

Or is there no mask to see through? no mask to spot the cracks in?

What does he do?

Nightmare waits and remains quiet until Cross actually focusses on him. When he does Nightmare speaks again "I wish to know what happened there. In your home."

His home...

"It isn't my home..." not anymore...

Nightmare nods and speaks again "Then what happened to the country that you used to serve and protect. What caused the downfall?"

Cross looks to the side "A revolution obviously..."

Ngihtmare nods and waits.

Cross glares "I was an idiot and could not pick a side. I couldn't fight my brother who lead the revolution but i could also not betray my lord. I ended up trying to help both yet messed everything up." he glares at the king "I made everything worse." all because he just couldn't pick.

Ngihtmare tilts his skull "Rather extreme. Thinking just one person can make or break a revolution."

Cross blinks.

Nightmare nods calmly "I am not saying that you couldn't have made it go better. That is always an option. However. A revolution... a rebellion. It is the same thing, and it is messy. it is dangerous. One person can not make things go perfect. that is impossible."

Dust coughs lightly into his hand. The king shoots him a look but nothing else happens.

The king turns back to him "You are not responsible for everything that happened. could you have helped? Yes. But... the choice that you made also enabled you to do the few things you could. the little bits you did to help your brother. If you had picked to defend the old tyrant. You would have had to hurt others."

Cross glares down "I know i should have helped."

Ngihtmare shakes his skull "That isn't what i am saying. the point i am trying to make is. You never know what you would have done in the other two situations. You could have joined your brother. but then you would have had to fight the very people you trained and fought beside before. The same people who know you through and through. who know how you fight and move." and he looks at him. "You helping them. either side of the conflict. would have meant you would have been at a different position at any given point. The things that happened wouldn't and couldn't have happened because your actions in this... neutral choice also had consequences and effect. It meant that XGaster stationed you as a guard. if you hadn't been available he would maybe have used two others to gain the same protection you gave him. You didn't stop the revolution when they got to you. instead there would have been two guards guarding the door." And nightmare give shim a moment to let that information sink in.

Cross stops... he... hadn't thought about... all he could think about is how he could have made things different. Thinking about how his skills could have helped specific moments... he hadn't considered that... him helping them from the start would have chanced everything...

and the moment where he could have helped... may never have even happened.

Cross shakes his skull "Things would have been better if i had picked a side."

The king considers it "Maybe it would have. Maybe it wouldn't. Maybe by not picking a side you were able to do enough damage control for both sides that enabled it to even be successful. Maybe not picking a side made it last longer. You can not know which choice would ahve been better as you never saw the options."

Cross isn't sure what is even going on anymore. He had believed... He had been sure that him not making a choice just made everythign worse. Everyone agreed. Everyone must have agreed or else they wouldn't have made sure to remind him about his mistake each moment they could...

right?

Nightmare nods before getting up. Cross only now notices that Nightmare had been using his own tentacles as a chair "But I think I have pushed you too far already with my questions. You need rest and time to process and calm down. Food will be brought to you later." he turns towards the cell door and exits.

The king nods to the guard and starts to walk away.

Wait...

Wait!

Cross jumps up and rushes to the bars "Wait!"

The king stops and turns back to him "yes?" and he waits.

Cross pants "You said... Way before... at the start... There had been others like me. other spies. Where are they now?" Dream said others had been send before right? Or maybe even other forces. That Nightmare killed them?

Nightmare tilts his skull "My knights or I myself spoke to them. Much like I am doing wiht you. Those who meant no harm and held no wish to hurt those here... They were offered a change of scenery. They mentioned they couldn't and didn't want to return a failure to their old leaders. There is always room and a need for people willing to work and help."

Cross frowns "And those who did wish to return home?"

Nightmare looks unbothered "After making sure they were no threat they were released at the border. With a warning to not return. Once is an happening after all, one people can learn from. However if it turns out they lied or wished to return to do harm after all they were punished for their crimes."

Cross looks down as his mind spins "Oh..."

Nightmare waits for a moment longer before nodding "Rest up. I will come back either tomorrow or the day after to continue our conversation." he turns and leaves.

Cross slowly lets go of the bars and goes back to the bed in the cell... He can't help but notice that it is actually rather comfortable here.

Sure there are bars and he is locked in and unable to use magic...

But there is fresh air. Some natural sunlight comes in through the barred windows. It isn't cold or wet. There are warm blankets and soft places to sit...

Even if it is a jailcell. It is comfortable at least.

Cross rolls back up on the bed and thinks.

His mind going over the past conversation and thinking about what he learned. For it having been suposed to be a way for the king to learn about Cross it was just Cross learning about Nightmare.

What had the king even wanted to learn? All Cross told him was how he thought about things and experienced it. Not even how the revolution happened or what events took place.

If Nightmare had wished to know those it would make sense. Then it would gain Nightmare insight to how the revolution managed to be successfull and what to defend against.

And yet...

and yet...

He didn't. All Nightmare wished to know was what Cross did.

It doesn't make sense.

None of it does.

It doesn't take long but eventually a maid comes along. a human and she bows in respect to the Knight before turning towards Cross with a smile "Hello there. I brought you some food. It are roasted potatoes and a salad." she puts it on the little opening to push it into his cell "Once you are done please place it back in this same area. Makes us able to clean it up which will leave your area a bit cleaner!" she smiles happily before nodding once she sees Cross paying her attention.

After that she turns away, bows to the Knight again,before leaving.

Cross makes his way to the food slowly but the Knight standing guard doesn't make a single move to take or mess with it.

Cross grabs his food and takes a seat on his bed again. He eats it slowly and feels his hand shake once he realises it is actually good.

It is taste and warm and filled with nutrients.

Why are they treating him so nicely?

Cross just... doesn't get it...

Maybe he can ask the next time Nightmare comes to him to talk?

Maybe he can get some answers after all...

*------------------------*

In case you guys don't get the title name. It is a joke. Because Cross is being interrogated but it is more a mutual Q&A...

I will leave now.

[evelynpr]

For the character ask game can I pick toga :)

I'm gonna be very honest in these, and I might disappoint, but here it is-

My first impression - I started watching BNHA around 5 years ago? It's hard for me to remember what exactly was my first impression of Toga, but back then I really didn't care for her much. Honestly, I just found it quite problematic that the only main female villain in BNHA is an overly cute school girl who fits the "cute yandere" trop to a t when the rest of the male villains look a lot more serious and scary.

My impression now - Perfectly honest- I really only started paying attention to her because of Ochako. I was, and still am, a massive Ochako fan, and when I heard that she suddenly had a massive romantic and tragic battle and narrative with Toga after leaving the fandom for 3-4 years, I was immediately deadly curious. - Even with how much I resonate with her story and character, I generally have a big ick for blood as a whole (surprising for a very loud tgck fan I know). Right now, she's my poor desperate little baby who really really needs love and therapy (affectionate). I wish we got to see more of her regular girly side, like caring for the LOV especially Magne and Twice.

Favorite thing about that character - That her entire story is a mentally ill and queer narrative. Like I said earlier, I actually have a big ick for blood and the cutesy yandere trope. But the thing that gets me about Toga is that she is the most openly bisexual/pansexual character in the series, very clearly mentally struggling, and both thrives and suffers because of her choices and circumstances. - She's such a tragic and hopeful character that represents so many weird people like me that I can't help but be attached. She makes me want to embrace my more girly and selfish side, and screams at me that I should live my life how I want to. - I can't leave out Ochako from this part. Holy shit the themes and story about their relationship makes my heart both break and soar so bad it genuinely hurts. Save people by understanding them, helping them, listening to them. Show someone you can be selfish, that they deserve love, that she deserve a chance. It's so much it punches me to a million sobbing pieces.

Least favorite thing - For the 3rd time now...not into blood. I don't like its taste, look, and the mere thought of bleeding genuinely grosses me out. - You probably think "How in the world are you attached to her then?" well its because I understand that Toga's "blood" is also a representation of her violent tendencies and love. I see it much more as a narrative device for her character and themes.

Favorite line/scene - Shocking, but I actually have not read the manga. I can't say what my favorite scene is just yet because I want to truly witness it animated, when the time comes. - If you want an answer well, from the anime so far, it probably is when she gets her quirk awakening in MVA, or when she confesses to Izuku in the final war (mostly because that scene is so damn hilarious, tragic, and important).

Favorite interaction that character has with another - ...I mean obviously it's Ochako lmao? Every interaction is a fight of ideals and love- which suddenly morphs into a way of challenging each other- then growing into understanding and loving each other. That is. Just insane. How the fuck did BNHA's writers come up with this.

A character that I wish that character would interact with more - For the sake of my Tgck Bkdk square, I really wished for her to have interacted with Bakugou at least once. Just see how one person's violence and power was praised, while the other was abandoned and shamed. How they both have a strong squishy-faced freak they're obsessed with, and also obsessed with them, even if they don't feel like they deserve it. - Oh and, definitely more LOV random shenanigans and bonding time. I wish I was able to get more into them ngl, but I never really felt that sadly. Man...

Another character from another fandom that reminds me of that character - UHHH??? I genuinely have no idea. I am drawing at a blank I am so sorry T__T This is the firsts time I have ever been interested in this kind of character??? Really sorry-

A headcanon about that character - This is kind dark so be warned - I got this idea from a fic and now I can't stop thinking about it. Toga always wanted her love to be reciprocated or understood by someone. Anyone. I feel that she was taken advantage of and abused by horrible people in her earlier days of running away...especially since she's a young teenage girl in a cute school uniform. I am so sorry...

A song that reminds of that character - I am working on a Togachako playlist! It's about both of their characters respectively and also their story and relationship, but here's the ones about Toga specifically! - Hayloft II (THIS ANIMATIC), The Red Means I Love You (obviously lol), Butcher Vanity, Hero (Charlie Puth, mostly tgck), Pink Pony Club (Chappell Roan, early Toga)

An unpopular opinion about that character - She's not the possessive type, and she's really very open to people she loves loving other people at the same time, polymarous kind. This is probably a pretty common hc already tho since she says this repeatedly? - Her most common form of love is a very impulsive/sexual/admiration/attracted kind. You could even relate this to hypersexuality (something I struggle with) where the moment you find something you're into on someone, you body and brain genuinely go kinda out of control. I project onto her my own inability to hold and control these kinds of feelings at times, but Toga is quite the manifestation of my fears.

Favorite picture - I love it when a character's mask peels off. Toga genuinely angry, upset, and just not smiling is so fascinating and beautiful to me in a "It's okay my dear, show all of you, stop hiding" (Ochako might disagree with me on this tho, since she loves her smile lmao-)

[nukacourier]

I'm just gonna say it. Ulysses is a far better written ex-Legion character than Joshua Graham is

[iwritenarrativesandstuff]

Hello Trigun fans. I am back with. A doodle I did with the new pens I just got for my birthday to celebrate the soon-to-be-start of my Trigun book club posting. Have a him

[ittybittybumblebee]

i want to see exactly how many people actually have thought i am for research because ive gotten this quite a few times from different people i just wanna see how far it goes

[ssruis]

A good sekai can’t be made alone.

The wonderland sekai was obviously manifested by Tsukasa alone, there’s no arguing against that. However I think a lot of people understate the connection the rest of WxS has on it - whether it’s due to Tsukasa’s strong bonds with emu/nene/rui or them actually influencing the sekai, they do have an impact on it. After all:

Rui: (For Tsukasa-kun, his friends’ happiness is his own happiness.)

(Pandemonium - TL Tsukasa’s #3 fan)

Additionally, the first time Tsukasa experiences anything to do with the sekai (that we know of), Miku appears to already know of emu/nene/rui despite Tsukasa having never met any of them before.

KAITO: Also, if you ever find this SEKAI somewhat nostalgic, please...hold on to those feelings.

Tsukasa: Nostalgic? Why would I find it nostalgic?

Miku: Come with everyone else next time, Tsukasa! Let's all sing and dance in a show together☆

Miku: I'm sure everyone else has the same feelings as you too!

(WxS Main story - Opening)

Rui:

Rui’s impact is probably the easiest to see, given that the wonderlands sekai has to spoonfeed him his own emotions in the form of an easily digestible conflict one of the plushies is experiencing.

There’s the disagreement between the kitty and doggie plushie in Wonder Halloween:

Len: I organized a show for the plushies, but they all started fighting again!

Doggie Plushie: I want to make the show better! Why aren’t you letting me?!

Kitty Plushie: But you’ll get hurt if you do something like that!

(Wonder Halloween)

Kitty Plushie: I want to be friends, but I'm worried that I'll say something weird and end up being an outcast... That would hurt me more than being alone...

Kitty Plushie: That's why I...I just can't bring myself to speak my mind...

KAITO: Ah… you’re afraid of being alone.

KAITO: But you shouldn’t worry, because you already have a friend right here, don’t you?

Kitty Plushie: I do?

Doggie Plushie: …

KAITO: Doggie's always trying to get you to speak up because it wants to know what's on your mind. This means that doggie is concerned about you.

KAITO: That also means that it wants to get to know you better, don't you agree?

(Wonder Halloween)

The fact that Tsukasa had no idea why Rui was holding back in Wonder Halloween but the concerns of the kitty plushie mirror emotions Rui himself wasn’t even aware he was feeling is probably the strongest case for “yes wxs themselves impact the sekai as opposed to it being a result of their impact on Tsukasa and his feelings about it. KAITO even mentions this connection:

KAITO: Yes. At the time, I felt like Rui’s solitude was somewhat connected to the kitty plushie.

KAITO: That’s why I wanted kitty to realize that it had a friend who was concerned about it.

(Kaito’s Wonder Halloween 4*)

The situation with the birdie plushie could have just been a coincidence, given that its struggles aren’t too similar to Rui’s, but I think that with the context of Wonder Halloween you could make the case that it’s another instance of Rui influencing the sekai.

Birdie Plushie: But I can do it!

Birdie Plushie: I don’t care if no one else can! I’ll do it by myself!

[…]

Rui: As much as they want to do a show, no one else is willing to participate…

Rui: That sounds like the old me. I wish I could help out somehow…

(Curtain Call)

On the surface that doesn’t seem to have much to do with Rui + the Arkland offer, however:

Birdie Plushie: *Sob* If only someone would help me...

Miku: Bird…

Birdie Plushie: No! Now's not the time for that!!

Miku: …!

Birdie Plushie: I said I'm gonna do this show! And only I can do it because it's too dangerous for the others!

Birdie Plushie: I have to do it! I have to show everyone just how much fun it is to fly!

Birdie Plushie: It's so sad that only I know what it's like to fly. So, I'm gonna show everyone how great it is!

Birdie Plushie: I wanna show them how great it feels to rip through the air! I wanna tell them about how fun it is when you become so light as you fly really high into the air!

(Miku’s Curtain Call 2*)

I think there’s probably some parallels that can be drawn between the birdie plushie’s mindset and Rui’s mindset as a kid in RMD and the mindset he probably carried with him when he began doing solo shows.

Little Rui: Everyone, what’s the matter?

Classmate A: Rui, doing such dangerous things all of a sudden is really strange, you know…

Little Rui: Eh?

Classmate B: That’s right! We can’t do those kind of things!

Little Rui: B-but…!

[flashback]

Nene’s Mom: H…hold on, what are the two of you doing!? You’re dripping wet!

Rui’s Mom: Just when I was wondering what you wanted to do with a vinyl pool… Hey, Rui! Don’t put Nene in danger!

[end flashback]

Little Rui: (Certainly, it might be dangerous, but…!)

[flashback]

Little Nene: It’s fine! I want to do it!

Little Nene: I’m the little mermaid, so in order to meet the prince, I have to swim!

[end flashback]

Little Rui: (The scene I came up with that time, it really improved because of that… and Nene was super pleased too!)

Little Rui: (Together, with everyone, just like that—)

Classmate A: Rui, why do you want to do something that dangerous?

Little Rui: — I want to create an interesting show!

Little Rui: If we made an interesting show together, I’m sure everyone will—!

Classmate A: I can’t do that just because it looks interesting!

(RMD - TL Arvon Oven)

Regardless of how connected the birdie plushie’s issues and Rui’s issues in Curtain Call are, the birdie plushie’s situation still leads to him having a realization:

Birdie Plushie: And… it was kinda lonely.

Rui: What?

Miku: Yeah, I bet…

Miku: Putting on fun shows is a really wonderful thing…

Miku: But it’s gotta feel so lonely when the people you care about aren’t there with you.

Rui: Oh.

Rui: (That’s it…)

Rui: (Despite already having an answer ready, the reason I’m still dwelling on this is because…)

Rui: (I still want to…)

Rui: (I still want to keep doing shows with them.)

(Curtain Call)

Also, for a lack of anywhere better to put it, Luka is sleepiest when everyone around her is happy:

MEIKO: This is somewhat unrelated, but I think I've figured out when Luka tends to fall asleep...!

KAITO: You have?

MEIKO: I think so. She seems to feel sleepiest when everyone around her is smiling.

MEIKO: When they're having fun or enjoying themselves, she starts falling asleep.

Rui: I see...

MEIKO: The opposite seems to be true as well since she's almost never sleepy when something is bothering someone.

MEIKO: She'll attentively listen to what someone has to say.

(Luka’s doll festival 3*)

And one of the first instances we see that confirms this is when Rui is struggling in the cheer squad event.

Luka: The thing is... I haven't been able to sleep much lately.

Luka: Zzz... See? I just can't seem to fall asleep.

MEIKO: What?! But you've always been able to fall into a deep slumber given ten seconds!

MEIKO: Why didn't you tell me this sooner? Are you okay? Do you not feel well?

Luka: No, I don't think I'm sick or anything.

Luka: However... I've been getting this strange feeling in my chest whenever I try to fall asleep.

MEIKO: A strange feeling...? Hmm... You certainly don't seem sick or unwell…

MEIKO: Is something on your mind by chance?

Luka: On my mind?

Luka: Oh…

[flashback]

Luka: Hmm... Something you want to say, but can't... That's a tricky one...

Luka: But you told us about it, didn't you, Rui...?

Rui: Well…

[End flashback]

MEIKO: I see… You’re worried about Rui.

(Luka’s Cheer Squad 4*)

& then after everything goes well and Rui has a good time:

Luka: <Zzz...♪ Zzz...♪>

MEIKO: <Hey, Luka! Wake up!>

Luka: <Mhm?>

MEIKO: <Don't give me that... We were definitely about to lose you there. What happened to you having trouble falling asleep?>

Luka: <Hehe. But it looks like everyone’s having so much fun.>

[…]

KAITO: <Hehe. You have that look on your face, Rui. I'm looking forward to what you have in store for us during the cheering competition.>

MEIKO: <Hehe. You seem just as happy, Luka.>

Luka: <Yes, that's because...>

Luka: <It looks like Rui found a way to break that spell.>

(Luka’s Cheer Squad 4*)

Off the top of my head, Luka is also the one to speak to Nene when she’s thinking about having to leave WxS behind one day (Mermaid Admiration) and she helps Meiko comfort Rui during his gleaming stars card story - both instances occur at night (prime sleeping hours).

& then of course there’s his chapters in the WxS WLE, which includes a bunch of Zombie Plushies that mirror Rui’s conflicts in Wonder Halloween and RMD.

Zombie Plushies: We can tell you’re just pretending to be friends! Deep down, you’re probably scared and disgusted by us too!

[…]

Zombie Plushies: We’ll never fit in with them anyway…

Rui: …! (Never fit in with them, huh…)

[…]

Rui: When I look at them… I remember how things used to be.

(WxS WLE, Rui’s section - TL Haruka’s penguin)

Rui: I was the same a long time ago... I gave up on fitting in with anyone.

[...]

Rui: If they don't understand me, that just can't be helped, if they disagree with the way I think, that just can't be helped... I would think like that.

Rin: Rui-kun...

Rui: - in reality, I really did want to put on a show with someone else. But people didn't understand the shows I was making. On a subconscious level, I convinced myself it wasn't going to work out and gave up on the idea.

(WxS WLE, Rui’s section - TL Haruka’s penguin)

Nene:

As a disclaimer, emu and nene’s sections will be shorter because they have self awareness wrt their emotions & therefore don’t need the wxs sekai’s help to puzzle things out with plushies. said fondly. there are less examples to pull for them. For no specific reason.

The virtual singers all adore emu/nene/rui and I dislike the implication that they show blatant favoritism to Tsukasa just because he made the sekai (which is a take I’ve seen quite a few times.) Just look at Emu’s relationship with Miku, Nene’s relationship with Rin, or Rui’s relationship with Len.

One of the best examples that proves my point is this conversation between Nene and Miku:

Nene: Okay, well... I've been wondering about this for some time...

Nene: This world was created based on Tsukasa's feelings, right?

Nene: You and KAITO have been inviting us here to see your shows, so that Tsukasa would remember what his true feelings were, I guess...?

Miku: Yup, that’s correct.

Nene: So this is what I don't get...

Nene: Tsukasa's already discovered his true feelings, and I'm just performing in the same troupe as him so...

Nene: Why do you and KAITO care about me at all?

Miku: Hehe, that's simple! It's because we want to see you blossom as an actress!

Nene: Huh… that’s it?

Nene: But you do so much for me and encourage me every time I visit...

Nene: It's not that I'm worried about Tsukasa getting annoyed with me getting so much support from you, but I feel like you're spoiling me with this being his SEKAI and all...

Miku: We’re absolutely not, Nene!

Miku: And besides, you have a connection to SEKAI too!

Miku: Tsukasa's wish of bringing joy to everyone with your shows is also your wish!

Nene: Oh…

Miku: Tsukasa also needs you, Emu and Rui to create the shows he dreams about!

Miku: You can't make great shows alone after all!

Miku: Don't you think so too, Nene? Don't you need your friends to create really special performances?

(Miku’s On This Holy Night I Sing 4*)

Miku specifically points out that the rest of WxS *are* connected to the Wonderlands sekai, not just because of their relationship with Tsukasa, but also because they share the same dreams.

Her chapters in the WxS WLE have a Turtle Plushie that reflects her previous issues with stage fright, so there’s also a case to be made that Nene’s struggles are capable of being reflected in the plushies like Rui’s are:

Turtle plushie B: … That one’s always over there. Even though it’s afraid to get in the water… I guess it can’t seem to give up.

Nene: Can’t seem to give up… What do you mean?

Turtle plushie B: it always used to say “my dream is to carry someone on my back, but —

Turtle plushie B: A while ago, there was a terrible storm, and this river flooded over. After seeing that, it became completely terrified of going in the water.

Luka: Is that right…

Nene: (… It became terrified…)

[…]

Nenerobo: … Is something the matter, Nene?

Nene: Um… I was just thinking about that turtle.

Nene: Somehow, I can understand how it feels…

Nene: When I was too scared to do anything, I also had that feeling of being unable to give up.

(WxS WLE event, Nene’s section - TL haruka’s penguin)

Emu:

Notably, Emu has a lot of similarities to WxS Miku in both personality and speech. There’s also something to be said about the Wonderland’s Sekai being an amusement park - something Emu has always big connection with, but Tsukasa didn’t until he began working at PXL. I think that’s fitting. Emu was present when Tsukasa discovered Untitled on his phone, and she was also the one to actually press play.

In a grander sense, without Emu pulling him for the wonder stage after he flopped in his audition, Tsukasa not only would not have remembered his true feelings but also would not have had the many opportunities to grow closer to achieving his dream he’s had as a part of WxS.

Just like Nene and Rui, some of her issues are reflected in a plushie during the WxS WLE:

Emu: What’s the matter?

Leon: Ah, um… you might laugh at me, but…

Leon: One day… I’d like to fly in the sky with Phoenix.

[…]

Emu: That’s… a suuuuper wonderful dream!

Leon: Eh?

Emu: Flying in the sky with Phoenix… somehow, even listening about it makes me excited too!

Miku: Miku too, Miku too!

Leon: T… thank you very much.

Leon: But… a dream like that, it wouldn’t ever come true, huh

Emu: Eh? Why?

Leon: I mean, Phoenix is rarely seen… and I’m not a soft toy bird, so flying in the sky is impossible.

Leon: And besides — everyone around me tells me I can’t ever accomplish it.

Emu: Ah…

Leon: …Even I myself know that it won’t come true. I’m sorry, please forget everything I just said!

Emu: Leon-kun…

Emu: (…There was a time where I, too, thought “maybe it won’t come true,” huh)

[flashback]

Shousuke: Emu, if you want to look at dreams that much, then look at them yourself. Don’t involve us any further!

[end flashback]

Emu: (My big brothers, too, had said “don’t just keep spouting on about dreams”…)

(WxS WLE, Emu’s section - TL Arvon Oven)

But I think it’s especially interesting that the plushie that parallels her is the same plushie that parallels Tsukasa. Her importance to WxS is inarguable:

Rui: Indeed. If it weren't for you, Emu, none of us would be here today.

(SOAD)

Tsukasa: Emu, listen!

Tsukasa: Your “ability to dream” is an absolutely essential part of Wonderlands×Showtime!

Emu: huh?

Nene: H-He's right...! We've been able to do what we have because you never stop dreaming.

Rui: If anything, we wouldn't be here right now if it weren't for big dreamer, Emu.

Rui: Even when it was all run down, weren't you the one who wanted to bring smiles and laughter back to the Wonder Stage more than anybody else?

Rui: Your dream gave us a place where we could belong.

[…]

Rui: Simply put, Emu, you're the engine that drives us all. You have this remarkable ability to turn reality on its head...

(Popping in My Heart)

So I don’t think it would be a stretch to say she also had a massive impact on the way the Wonderlands Sekai.

Tsukasa*:

*Well. This part is sort of about Tsukasa. More so about his bond with his friends.

I think Tsukasa would be the first to say that Emu, Nene, and Rui are very connected to the Wonderlands sekai. Tsukasa even considers the sekai’s song as WxS’s song, not his own.

Tsukasa: That's why, Kaito, would you let us sing the song [The World Hasn’t Even Started Yet] that was born from our feelings once more?

Rui: Oh? I heard that song and Wonderland SEKAl were born from your feelings, though...

Tsukasa: Well, in truth, it seems to be that way, but...

Tsukasa: Even with the help of Miku, KAITO, and the others, I would not have been able to face SEKAl or remember my true feelings if I had not met all of you.

Tsukasa: That's why I think that song was born from our feelings and not just my own!

(JP sekai anniversary live show)

And it’s true that he wouldn’t have remembered his true feelings without WxS, although KAITO suggests that he was aware of them somewhere deep down.

Nene: This place is made from Tsukasa's feelings, right?

Nene: I would have expected a place like that to have a loud and conspicuous self-proclaimed star who's just like him...

Nene: Everyone here takes part in shows, but nobody tries to claim to be a star the way he does. I wonder why?

Emu: It must be because everyone in this SEKAI is a star♪

Nene: Everyone is a star? How does that work?

Nene: Remember how he was like before? Back then, it felt like he always wanted to be the one to stand out the most.

KAITO: Well... I would say that Emu's thinking is actually quite accurate.

[…]

KAITO: I'm sure that somewhere deep inside, Tsukasa always knew a lone star couldn't shine brightly or do a show by himself.

KAITO: A good show is the product of many people who work hard to fill different roles.

KAITO: Each one of them has to shine in their given positions.

KAITO: A real star can only shine brightly when his companions do the same with a smile. He must have felt that somehow.

(KAITO initial 3*)

Even if he was aware of his true feelings subconsciously, up until he actually remembers the origin of his dream, the only people who are consciously following something aligned with his true feelings are the rest of WxS.

Tsukasa: I only decided to become a star because I wanted to be like the stars there, who made me and Saki so happy.

Tsukasa: But at some point I forgot about all that, and all I cared about was making successful shows and becoming a star...

Tsukasa: How could I have…

[flashbacks]

[Nene through nenerobo]: I hope our audience enjoys the play.

Rui: Well then. Let's work together to put on some unbeatable shows!

Emu: It's my dream to have people come to see a show here at this stage and love it!

[End flashbacks]

Tsukasa: …

Tsukasa: They’re the real stars, not me…

(WxS Main story - the feeling that day)

You know how Tsukasa had to understand Torpe and Rio to recognize parts of himself? The main story is sort of like that, but instead of a character in a play it’s Emu/Nene/Rui, and instead of having a breakthrough that improves his acting it’s Tsukasa recognizing that he was being a huge dick. Anyways.

The sekai’s expansion in the WxS WLE is stated by KAITO to have some relation to Tsukasa’s own feelings:

Tsukasa: For sure. I mean, how is it even possible for such place to even show up here?

KAITO: … Indeed, I can't say for sure myself either.

KAITO: But I think it's somehow connected with Tsukasa-kun's feelings.

[…]

KAITO: That's right. This SEKAI is born from your feelings, right?

KAITO: That's why, if there is a change in those feelings, it's possible for the SEKAl to be influenced and changed as well.

(WxS WLE, Opening - TL Tsukasa’s #3 fan)

And I think it’s pretty clear that this shift in feelings involves the rest of WxS as well, given that

1) Their signature colors are all over the boat

2) Their quest to get to find the Phoenix (to get the map. so they can go to star island.) required WxS to encounter Plushies that were reflections of themselves. He needed the rest of WxS to find the Phoenix, just like he needs the rest of WxS with him to chase his dream.

Rui: I can't help but think there seems be a connection between that island and the show we were a part of.

Luka: That does seem to be the case~ But I wonder what all of that means~...?

KAITO: …This is just my guess, but...

KAITO: It's possible that this ship has made progress on its own journey as well.

KAITO: Just like Tsukasa-kun and everyone, navigating through each island, to steadily make your way towards Star Island.

Tsukasa: This ship...... is just like us?

KAITO: Yes. Perhaps this ship itself is a manifestation of Tsukasa-kun's current feelings and thoughts.

Tsukasa: My feelings…

Tsukasa: (This ship has traveled to numerous islands, forging its path towards the stars..... And surely, its journey will only continue from here on out.)

Tsukasa: (Indeed, it is just like me. I've come this far, and have been non-stop pursuing my dream of becoming a star.)

Tsukasa: (Has my desire to pursue my dream taken the form of a ship....?)

Tsukasa: (No, that's not quite right.... I couldn't have made it this far solely on my own)

Tsukasa: (It was thanks to meeting Emu and everyone, and putting on countless shows together. It's because everyone was by my side that I was able to make it this far)

Tsukasa: (If that’s the case…)

Tsukasa: … That’s it!

Emu: Wassup, Wassup!? Tsukasa-kun, did you figure something out?

Tsukasa: Yeah, this place is probably…

Tsukasa: It is my … "Aim for Stardom, and together with my friends, we will embark on our journey of growth to many places" aspiration.

(WxS WLE, Ending - TL Tsukasa’s #3 fan)

In conclusion:

[pratchettquotes]

"You are the...perpetrator?" said Vorbis.

"Indeed. Didactylos is my name."

"You are blind?"

"Only so far as vision is concerned, my lord."

"Yet you carry a lantern," said Vorbis. "Doubtless for some catchword reason. Probably you'll tell me you're looking for an honest man?"

"I don't know, my lord. Perhaps you could tell me what he looks like?"

Terry Pratchett, Small Gods