#I feel like the institution is clearly in reference to the magnus institute

[r0semultiverse]

Negative experiences with a childhood educational institution okayyy lmao

These questions are fascinating... the blood part made me think of vampires.

"Viability as subject – none" "Viability as agent – low" "Viability as catalyst – Medium" Compatibility ratings to be an avatar, cryptid hunter, or avatar's henchman maybe?? 👀👀👀

Gerry?!?! Again??? Or different guy? Also cursed objects???

Bro doesn't like dungeons & dragons? L

Is this dungeons & dragons game about to turn real like Jumanji???

Okay different Gerry I guess. Woahhh cursed dice???

Wtf kinda game uses two d6s? 👀

Oh this piece of shit just pawned off cursed dice on you & asked you to leave. Rude. 😩

Yes, tell me the next bit please, I'm curious.

You roll them & stuff happens?? Wait, do the dice rolling around in your pocket count as rolling them? I can see how that would be bad.

Gambling on life jfc.

Wait it's not random?? That's wackyyy.

Dice rolling is really fun. I'd probably roll them too just once to see what happens, especially if I didn't have the insight into them being cursed.

Uh oh.... what's gonna happen to Gary? 👀

Oh shit-

Bro said "one more game."

Hmm what are you up to, Lena? 👀 Why is this Nigel guy so important? Why are his companions important?

"Try to keep calm while you're there?" 😶 why?

"Bigfoot’s a good lay"

Adventures with Alice?! 👀 Oh Hell yeah!

Anyone else suddenly worried about Alice's safety? 👀

[thewiglesswonder]

You know the TFA Decepticons aren’t an oppressed minority right? DJW even said their Rise Up rhetoric was a jab at how conservatives preach about Protecting Freedoms, and in the Allspark Almanac it’s explained they wanted to colonize other planets and the Autobots objected to that. The Decepticons were exiled for being military fascists.

I'd really, really love to know where I've ever said that on this blog, but since you seem very convinced that I did, let's look at the lore again. I don't feel like trawling the internet for this specific tweet/whatever form this DJW evidence has, so if you have that, I'd love to see it.

This timeline from the Allspark Almanac II pretty clearly states that the entire crux of Cybertronian society as a whole has rested on colonization, very early on in their species' history. Their "Golden Age" 8 billion stellar cycles ago is characterized by expansion that led to the colonization (!!!) of their solar system, further colonization only prevented by isolationism.

The earliest indications of the factional split that mark their history exist within the ruling class Guardians and the Malignus, defined as a "military caste". This implies that Golden Age Cybertron existed as a caste system. Which I would take a guess as not being particularly great.

And when we get to the first (again, quoted from the text here,) "military coup", it's executed by the political ancestors of the Autobots. Not a peep about the Malignus while that was going on.

This faction eventually becomes the Protectobots, and the most notable thing about them is that their leader attempted a Great Purge of "undesirable elements" from their society. I'd be hard pressed to think I'm wrong in thinking that's kinda fucked up. We're not given explicit reasons for this 17 million year war, but wars don't happen without someone to oppose someone else, and we get this in the form of the Destrons.

As for the point about colonization: my point is not that the Decepticon's motivations are not what we see in canon. Not at all. My point is that the Autobots have the same fucking motivation.

The Age of Expansion literally begins when the Autobots take power! It only ends when they butt heads with the Quintessons! Colonization, militarism, and facism, as you put it, are not traits that are unique to Decepticons.

And, according to this timeline and historical reasoning given, there is no mention of either faction's position on further expansion. The formation of the Decepticons is rooted in the divide between labor and military aligned Cybertronians. Both sections are equally responsible for the imperialistic efforts of their Empire/Commonwealth/whatever you want to call it, and make no mistake, this does continue into the present day! From both factions!

Assuming you're referring to my hefty lean towards the Cons in terms of character/exploration interest in the gist of your message, my goal here is not to elevate them to the same Good Guy Status the Autobots have by virtue of being the protagonists. I am fully and completely aware that they are a group of insane zealots that have rallied under a guy who was described by his own VA as an "elegant bully". Rather, I think what you're picking up on is my focus on the fact that the Autobots in Animated have more than their fair share of insidious shit going on.

They retain what is essentially a military dictatorship, with the position of Magnus being only theoretically beholden to the will of the Council and Guilds, as seen when Sentinel was able to fire Fortress Maximus with no approval from the Council and got nothing more than a disapproving sentence from Alpha Trion. We have no word on how their schooling institutions work, but all of it seems heavily centered on their version of the military they've concocted in the absence of warbuilds. And, just in case we forgot about Sentinel's proposed budget...

And that's not even getting into how fucked up Autobot culture is! They're unspeakably xenophobic, throw around propagandistic phrases like they're nothing ("Cogs in the Great Autobot Machine", anyone?), have an incredibly questionable justice system if Wasp is anything to go by, and this only seems to be getting worse at the end of Season 3, if Sentinel's curfews and public service announcements are anything to go by.

I'm not trying to make the Decepticons look better. I'm trying to make the Autobots look worse.

[mita-vittua-olivia]

Why I think Klaus the IT guy is behind everything.

i just came up with this theory while relistening (… again) and i feel like i might be onto something here. bear with me, i don’t know how long this post is going to be.

i have several pieces of evidence for this theory.

1. the emails

the mysterious emails coming from a gibberish email address have appeared quite a few times now; sam and gwen have both received several emails with information they were looking for. sam got info on the magnus institute, gwen got incriminating accounts of things lena did. someone is definitely trying to … help them (the emails eventually led to sam’s downfall, and i’m sure gwen won’t be very okay in season 2 either.)

i think the working theory most of the fandom seems to have about the emails is that it’s jon and martin (and perhaps jonah) sending the emails from inside of the computer, but i’m not too sure (partially because i don’t even know if i still believe it’s them in there, but that’s something for another post). i think there is a real chance it could be him; he’s an IT guy after all and i guess he could have a way to find compromising data? i don’t know but i believe it would make sense.

2. colin

this is an excerpt from episode 19, and while the mercury/sulfur/alchemy references are, again, something for another post, i found two things in particular very striking.

firstly, “he sees too much already.” colin is clearly talking about someone in particular, one person who presumably has control of the cameras, computers, and phones. not an organisation, not multiple people, he. singular.

while this could be anyone, the next sentence does make it clear to me who he is talking about (if my theory is correct, at least). “doing mummy and daddy stasi proud, i’m sure”.

for anyone who doesn’t know, the stasi (or Staatssicherheitsdienst = state security service) was the secret police of east germany who would spy on people by, among other things, wiretapping them and going through their mail - and the wiretapping part obviously reminds me a LOT of what’s going on at the oiar. now, this reference would make a lot of sense if it was in fact klaus who is behind things because, as we remember, he is in fact german. so the “mummy and daddy” part makes an awful lot of sense for colin to say.

and again, klaus is an IT guy, so i think he would definitely be able to hack the cameras and phones to spy on the oiar crew.

3. the lena video

the first (and last) appearance klaus had so far was in the video that was sent to gwen (by a gibberish email address; possibly one he made himself) where lena attempts to shoot him. while we don’t know the reasoning behind the attempted assassination, we know that lena is not an evil woman, we know she wouldn’t kill anyone without proper reason. as of episode 30, we know she only does the things she deems necessary, and if she felt like she had to get rid of klaus, something probably did happen with him; something that made her believe he could be dangerous.

i don’t know why klaus would spy on them, i don’t know what his motives or ulterior intentions could be, but i think it is likely he has something to do with it. let me know what you think of my theory or if you have any additional evidence :D

[s1i9d]

Alright, here’s my thoughts on Magnus Protocol’s first season as someone who hasn’t listened to Archives.

[No Archives Spoilers. Spoilers for Magnus Protocol Season 1 Finale.]

Initially I was unsatisfied with the ending. At first I was engaged with everything, but I felt a lot of questions I wanted to know weren’t answered. Like “What is the Archivist and their deal?” or “What is FR3-D1 up to? Why is Colin so afraid?” So that felt a little bit of a downer.

But after thinking about it, it was a really big and amazing finale that leaves me wanting more.

I got to admit The Custodian was the biggest surprise but also not really. Magnus Protocol has kept this formula of having a statement in the episode, and a lot of my IRL friends were doubtful there would be one but I knew there would be one.

What really surprised me about The Custodian was how he was turning to stone after he finished his statement. Every non-main character statement The Archivist took ended in death, but the death was a result of resisting the Archivist (25) or they were already dead (15/18). So to see what happens to someone in perfect health from start to finish of the Statement.

Celia was a big star in this finale, and it feels like this was the “secrets revealed” moment for her. Unclear if she has more secrets, but it feels like her biggest ones are out there now. Explains her reaction to the Doppelgänger case (17), why The Hilltop Centre has been so prominent in a variety of cases, and why she’s been teleporting to Oxford.

The only question I really have about Celia is how much does she actually remember? Throughout the season we’ve clearly seen her reference things from what I’m assuming is Archives, but in the finale she says “The Fearless One” tore her who from her what and “left her story to fall like autumn leaves.”

Is her name actually Celia in Archives? Who is “The Fearless One”? Feels like her memory is blurry, but she remembers vague details of people instead of story events in Archives (my Doylist answer is this is a way to make the story accessible to viewers who haven’t listened to Archives) and that’s why she remembers Jon and Martin?

Overall, really great work from Celia this season.

Sam wouldn’t think so though.

Sam is an interesting case. He’s been dying to know what happened with The Magnus Institute and when we finally found out (28) it made a whole lot of sense why he’s so adamant about the institute.

Initially when Sam exploded at Celia for her secrets I was like “Sam! Buddy! Now’s NOT the time.” But actually, that was the right time.

He’s been really patient with Celia not feeling ready to explain her backstory, and consistently reassuring her she doesn’t need to reveal anything until she’s ready and actively reassuring yet making her aware it’s important to share at some point. Here he is, in front of what is potentially the biggest supernatural secret he’s ever seen, and Celia has turned out to know this was here the entire time!

And Celia (in his perspective) determined to sacrifice Sam to the Rift was a really big twist I didn’t see coming. The idea that Celia has disrupted the rift between the two worlds is incredibly devastating and she wants to stay in the Protocolverse for Jack makes it heartbreaking that she has her own selfless/selfish motivation for sacrificing Sam.

Then Alice-

Oh, Alice.

I think this finale was the hardest on her. She had Teddy trying to bring something up (29) and she rushed to Sam. She had Colin terrified asking for help while she was trying to get the last train to Sam and Celia. She’s been the most connective person in their whole group trying to look out for everyone, and then everyone desperately asking for help at essentially the same time is heartbreaking.

It’s incredibly fascinating that out of the three groups (Sam/Celia, Colin, Teddy) she chose Sam every time there was a chance. It does make sense. She’s fully aware Sam and Celia are going to be encountering something supernatural, and she needs to make sure she’s there to either stop or help them. Teddy and Colin might vaguely have something affecting them, but the urgency for Sam clouds her vision so Teddy and Colin were turned away. Who knows if they’ll even be alive when they get back?

And speaking of when they get back!

Gwen, my love, you have girlbossed far too close to the sun.

There’s no way she’s surviving this. She’s assumed this whole time that Lena was trying to keep responsibility from her because maybe Lena didn’t believe in her or because of her nepotism, and Trevor Herbert was the one calling all the shots. But she found out too little too late that Lena was the one in charge and she’s been the one focused on keeping the Externals at bay. Trevor Herbert has no fucking clue what happens at the OIAR as long as it gets the job done.

I do wonder why Gwen got those files. I’m assuming it’s Jon/FR3-D1 after Sam got that email (7) but why did FR3-D1 decide to give it to her? What’s the purpose of getting Lena out? Is it for the Externals to be loose? What’s FR3-D1’s goal here? Is it somehow tied to being set free?

After this finale, I have so many questions, and while I am still kinda unsatisfied with how it ended I do have to admit this season was such good fucking food. The workplace dramadey combined with horror statements and the slow merging of the two storylines was so seamless I almost didn’t notice until the end. I’m really excited for season 2.

[slow-writer]

TMAGP Episodes 7 & 8 Reactions

That was totally my face during both episodes, I swear.

Spoilers below!

Okay, I'm freaking out on a cellular level, it feels like.

Episode 6 had the introduction of new OIAR employee, Celia Ripley, who is voiced by Lowri Ann Davies. Those of us from the TMA fandom recognize her as the voice of Lynne Hammond who later became Celia because her name was taken from her after the Change. There have been speculations on whether she is playing the same Celia (even though this is a separate universe) or if this is just a little wink from Jonny and Alex behind the scenes. But then came the next 2 episodes.

The sheer amount of lore that was dropped in these 2 episodes has the fandom REELING. So, let's get into what we've heard!!

EPISODE 7: Right off the bat, Celia not only references that the dated computer system is basically better than "wrestling with tape recorders and manila folders." This feels like a TARGETED MISSILE at the TMA fandom. But right after that, she asks if any of the spoken cases have anything in common, and if there's a way to search the cases that have common threads, like, "Oh I don’t know. Every case about being buried alive or meat or… whatever." And if that wasn't enough, she recognizes the voice that Alice calls Chester (AKA, John!).

Those statements alone have me thinking with 99.99999999% certainty that this is the SAME Celia from TMA (or at least, she's tapped into her memories in some way).

Apart from Celia, we have Hilltop being referenced in a case, which could very well mean that it's a similar situation from TMA. Very possibly a rift in space-time or whatever. Some nexus of power or something.

Then Sam received a supposedly internal email from someone called "John" that contained an address and a name. Does this mean that John is truly trapped in the computer system like we've all been theorizing? Is this his attempt at making contact and warning Sam not to follow in his footsteps? AGH!

And then we have poor Colin, driven mad by whatever's corrupting the code he's been trying to maintain, taped over his webcam, and full on refusing any electronics to enter his office (that weren't already there, and he must have clearly tampered with them so they cannot spy on him). He even attacks Sam when he pulls out his phone. That man has a lifetime subscription to Paranoia Plus, if you ask me, poor thing.

Lastly, we get confirmation that Lena at least tried to kill Klaus, but may not have succeeded, and Gwen's blackmail of her puts her in a new role of "External Liaison," whatever that may be. (Oh boy, oh boy.)

And if that wasn't enough, we have today's episode....

EPISODE 8: No preamble on this one, just straight into a case. And man, are we having fun with the whole liminal horror plus Stranger vibes in this one! But the GOOD SH*T comes after the case ends.

Poor Colin's been put on Mental Health Leave, so I'm really hoping that wasn't the last we'll 'see' of him. And the banter between Gwen and Alice has much more of an edge now that Gwen's been promoted. But!!!

Sam and Celia went off together after they ended their shifts early (ooooh), and who did they meet?

GERRY EFFING KEAY AND HIS 'GEE-GEE' GERTRUDE!!!!

And I checked, yes, they are 100% voiced by their TMA counterparts, Jon Gracey and Sue Sims (Jonny's mom).

Gertrude calls Gerry her grandson (though I'm curious if this means Gerry's actual mother is dead here too, and when Gertrude stepped in as a surrogate, or if she's actually his grandmother).

When Sam and Celia ask about the Magnus Institute, they both kind of go quiet, like they don't know what they're allowed to say or if they can trust these strangers who randomly showed up to their house. Sam reveals that he was part of their "gifted kids" program (hello, ARG info!) and saw Gerry was also listed and wanted to "swap stories." Gertrude seems to want to push them away, all protective, but Gerry just says he doesn't remember much.

Did Gertrude blow up the Magnus Institute in this universe and adopt Gerry after she found him there?!?

And finally, after Gertrude kind of rushes them out, Celia makes a deal with Sam. They agree to keep track of anything that falls under each other's mystery interests. Because she's "doing a favor for Georgie" (HFGJHFD!), she needs to look into "Weird physics stuff: time travel, other dimensions, teleportation, all that good stuff."

Was Celia sent here from the TMA dimension to do recon?!?

Anyway, there's so much more to dive into, but those are the things that are currently making my brain buzz. How has your Thursday been?

[hazel0159]

A theory as to how the CAT component of the OIAR’s categorization system works:

Each case is given a CAT (category) ranking. The most common are 1, 2, and 3, though 12, 13, 23 are also possible and 123 is theoretically possible. In each case, the supernatural weirdness can be traced back to an origin, and CAT refers to the form that origin takes. 1 is an avatar or humanoid monster. 2 is a location. 3 is an object.

Reanimation (Partial) -/- Regret and Injury (needles) -/- intimidation are both 1. The cases were caused by Arthur's reanimated corpse and Needles respectively.

Architecture (liminal) -/-hunger is 2. While there were humanoid manifestations, it is all clearly caused by the location. I mean, it's literally classified under Architecture.

Disappearance (undetermined) -/- Invitation is 2. The movie theater was described in an unusually high amount of detail, making me think it could definitely have been the origin point. Also, if this case was caused by a stationary location, it would explain why the victim had to be drawn to it, rather than it just going to him.

Infection (full body) -/- arboreal is 2. While Webber did turn into an avatar/monster, the source of the manifestations was the garden, which is a location.

Collection (blood) -/- musical and Dice (bone) -/- fate being 3 makes perfect sense. It refers to the violin and dice respectively.

Transformation (eyes) -/- Trespass is 23 and the only dual CAT case we’ve gotten so far. The 2 refers to the Magnus Institute. However, going to the ruin wasn’t what cursed RedCanary, it was stealing the symbol-covered box that likely sealed his fate, hence the 3 as well.

EXCEPTIONS:

Dolls (watching) is a 2, although it feels like it should be a 3.

Agglomeration (miscellany) -/- congregation is a 2. I suppose the charity shop could be the source of what happened in that case, and the volunteers and objects were just manifestations it conjured, but that feels like a stretch.

Transformation (full) -/- dysmorphic is a 3. I suppose a tattoo could be considered an object? Though I don’t know why the origin was considered to be the tattoo instead of Ink5oul

[pixeljade]

Okay im CAUGHT UP with the magnus protocol now! Some thoughts:

Obviously we know who Norris and Chester are, and its almost certain that leaves Augustus as Jonah Magnus. The question is, are they really "them"? Or have they simply manifested in this universe as voices, echoes of who they were beyond? If they do have agency on any level, what level would that be?

Everyone seems to be trying to categorize the new statements with the entities from before. And while we see fragments of them, let us not forget: the entities are more like colors, blending into eachother. Its entirely possible this world has a different set of obvious colors, based on the fears of its inhabitants

We've heard the Magnus Institute namedropped, as well as obvious references to Grifter's Bone. Are these statements confirming that both entities exist in this world as well? Or perhaps these statements arent actually from this world, but leftovers from World A? We never did get confirmation that all the statements back there got read, and thus far the only confirmed supernatural thing in World B is the bizarre nature of FR3-d1.

There's no way that Gwen Bouchard's last name is a coincidence, nor is her desire to climb to the top of this bureaucratic structure. That said, reminder that Elias Bouchard before his possession by Jonah Magnus was described as "something of a stoner", so the characterization of Gwen doesnt match TRUE Elias, but the possessed version of him. Still possible it is truly Elias unpossessed, but the harrowing experience he went through made him more serious. And also somehow forcefemmed him? That or its someone just related otherwise to Elias.

If the Magnus Institute and Grifter's Bone DO exist in World B, how much else exists here? Clearly there's SOME similarities, but are there perhaps alternate versions of people here? The hints toward Grifter's Bone in particular would seem to hint precisely that fact.

The Magnus "Protocol" makes it sound like a contingent plan Jonah Magnus came up with in the event that someone would do exactly what happened at the end of TMA, and if so, that scares me immensely. If Jonah Magnus can see all, even with the blindspot and secrecy, he likely knew that the blindspot could be a way to another world. This could be all according to keikaku for him.

Sam's connection to the Magnus Institute has me worried. It reminds me of how Tim became so fixated on the Stranger because of past trauma. And Tim...well. We remember how that story ended.

Alice says this shit doesnt get to her, and yet she's afraid, constantly. I dont think she's being completely honest, she KNOWS there's a darkness there. She may refuse to look directly into the abyss but the very fact that she sticks with a job where she knows the abyss lives...I think she saw something she can't walk away from. She also reminds me of Tim, hiding behind jokes and pretending to be fine.

Colin clearly knows the most about the truth. Maybe he's pulling a Gertrude, trying to keep it disorganized to prevent what he views as an evil plot? Or maybe he's just a bid mad because of it all. But I think he's got interesting character potential.

Anyways thats my thoughts so far. God its good, feels like the original series never ended! When the reveal that the painter in episode 2 was editing *her own flesh* instead of the artwork with her palette knife I gasped audibly. Great stuff

[im-out-of-it]

season 1, episode 11 continued

25. this is cutting towards Alec asking Magnus for help.

26. Magnus: you literally told me you’re getting married alec and here you are asking for help. whatever, I’ll do it 😭 FUCKING HELL HE IS SO FINE HERE

27. “it’s not about me or any of THAT (you mean you having an attraction to Magnus, alec) but it’s about my sister”

28. “are you referring to how your adorable fiancé is having Isabelle on trial for treason?”- ok Magnus is here to help but he needs to sort his mood out on Alec first 😭

29. but also can we talk about how this must make Magnus feel? it’s not Alec’s fault if he isn’t ready but Magnus just started opening his heart after centuries and he is basically just getting hurt all over again. no one is at fault here. Alec isn’t trying to hurt Magnus and Magnus understands that Alec is a traditional man who is trying to save his family’s honor

30. honestly funny how shadowhunters were so prejudiced (I mean it’s not but) against downworlders they would never have dreamed of a shadowhunter asking a downworlder for help. I just love how Magnus says this 💀

31. Magnus: you may be getting married but I have one more flirtation left in me

32. also Magnus makes literally everyone pay so heavily for his services but anytime alec needs his help, he’s like well it’s free of course. the only time Magnus didn’t want to help Alec was when he was “Magnus” (YALL know if you’ve seen the show)

33. Magnus at it with his flirting once more 🔥

34. Alec: I’m straight I’m straight I’m straight I can marry Lydia I can do this all I have to do it not look at Magnus that long and think of him and I will be fine (Alec’s internalized thoughts probably)

35. Magnus is like how the fuck did that not work? I’m clearly telling Alexander I like him but he’s just?????? he’s denying me again?????? in this attire?????

36. Magnus: fine. can’t say I didn’t try 🥹 “what else is important to you? what else tells me that your sister means enough for you to make a real sacrifice? oh I know” 😌

37. honestly though, give Magnus the A at least. he’s out here trying. he’s never getting angry with Alec for not being ready (cough cough book Magnus) and he’s never making Alec feel ashamed or that he has to come out (cough cough book Magnus) which I admire. this is why I’m glad they didn’t start “secretly dating” before they got together. I like this mouse and cat game a lot better. (and yes, I like the wedding scene alot better because it’s better than not even having a pov in the books and having it like one sentence. the wedding scene will always be more iconic in my rightful opinion)

38. because 1. you shouldn’t get into a relationship if you’re not ready. 2. Alec clearly has priorities he has to handle. and 3. it’s not fair on magnus if Alec dates him and makes him hide if he’s not ready and it’s not fair on Alec if Magnus makes him feel that he needs to come out

39. so yes, I will always shit on the books because they did Malec dirty

40. there is like one occasion where Magnus gives it one last effort but I don’t think he ever pushes Alec too far. he’s not saying shit like (I don’t remember the exact wording) but you have to come out alec because if you don’t, then you don’t love me and our love isn’t real” or whatever

41. I’m glad the show gave Alec the time and space to decide if he was ready to come out, be with Magnus, and also be with a downworlder

42. because there’s a difference between being a shadowhunter and dating a shadowhunter and dating a downworlder and also dating a vastly powerful warlock who can be a lothario. (Roberts words, not mine)

43. when you’re head of an institute and dating a powerful warlock, you’re obviously going to have issues that come up (cough cough season two)

44. and I’m happy the show was like: let’s give Alec time to decide if he’s ready to do this. but let’s not make him feel that he has to come out

[mllemaenad]

Tim provided his statement to Martin and not the Archivist and used the same grammar and tone that people typically use when speaking to John. Maybe it's a tiny plot hole, like why Georgie is able to be compelled by John even though she's incapable of feeling fear, but maybe you have a point

I ... don't feel like that's a plot hole, though? At least, it's not inconsistent with the way I think it works.

For one thing, the process of drawing out a story is more about presence and intent than it is about the Archivist looming over someone and turning on the static. For another, as you say, Tim's talking to Martin and the Martin situation is complicated.

For a not insignificant portion of Gertrude's tenure, people mostly sat in a room by themselves and wrote out the statements. They even reference it, sometimes.

John/"Antonio Blake" But I recognise you. As I write these words I can see you in the other room, eyes locked on whatever book you’re diverting yourself with; I recognise you from my dreams. They said at the front desk that you review all the written statements, so I can only hope that you take the time to read through this one fully. – The Magnus Archives: Dreamer

But that works too: it produces the same fluid, descriptive style that you get from the spoken statements. Everyone who walks into The Magnus Institute immediately transforms into a capable writer of late 19th to early 20th century style ghost stories.

The Doylist explanation for that is that the creator enjoys that style. The Watsonian explanation is that the presence of the Archivist produces it.

While I Guess You Had to Be There is mostly played for humour, there are more serious examples of how this works.

Martin/Adelard Dekker I do envy you your gifts sometimes, Gertrude. His account of their pursuit through the mirror-maze was honestly so disjoint that I was unable to follow it. Even after he tried to take me through it two, or even three times. Without the Eye’s clarifying influence, panic can make details… difficult to remember. – The Magnus Archives: Reflection

Dekker is intelligent and knowledgeable, and dealing with a willing interview subject. But none of that allows him to draw a coherent description from a guy who is just too terrified to be a reliable witness. Get Gertrude to stand next to him while he does this and the problem goes away.

The Archivist doesn't actually have to take the statement, but something about their presence or influence greases the wheels.

Sneak Preview takes place during one of those rare moments in season three when they actually know where John is. He's in China, sure, but he's in contact and not kidnapped right this second. Things go off the rails for the assistants specifically when he has been taken, and is under the power of other avatars.

And yeah – it's Martin. Martin spends a lot of the story inhabiting a weird grey area between Archivist and not-Archivist. The question of whether someone is an avatar or not is clearly more than a simple binary. There's a process here. John is "the Archivist" from day one, but he can't do most of the stuff he can by season four at that point.

Everyone who reads statements does that thing where they lapse into a kind of trance and take on the persona of the storyteller. It happens with Melanie and Basira too. But only Martin consistently reads the statements, and reads them explicitly with the intent of "filling in" for John. He takes other statements in person too, intentionally and otherwise – the unnamed woman in Scrutiny, Simon Fairchild in Big Picture, and Simon calls out the fact that Martin has the same ability to draw out a tale.

Simon No wonder I’m so sympathetic to the Lonely! You know, this really is a place for self-discovery, isn’t it? (chuckles) Statement ends, I suppose. Martin Er – I’m sorry? Simon Oh, nothing, just my own hubris. I should have known. When I came here, I said to myself, “Simon,” I said, “You’re going to answer this young man’s questions, but you’re not going to give the Watcher a statement. You’re better than that.” But it’s a hard one to resist, isn’t it? You get in the flow of talking about yourself, and it all just… tumbles out! – The Magnus Archives: Big Picture

Obviously the path Martin walks is not the same as John's, but one of the prerequisites of that path was that he be a little bit Archivist.

And in Sneak Preview, Martin is very much encouraging Tim to tell his story to John.

Martin Please, Tim. Tim No. Martin He needs to hear it. Tim I don’t care. Martin He can’t help if he doesn’t know. Tim I don’t want his help, Martin. – The Magnus Archives: Sneak Preview

So yeah – Tim is very much telling his story to the Archivist. It's just that it's better if he doesn't do that when said Archivist is physically present, in order to avoid unnecessary bouts of fisticuffs in the break room. And Martin is deliberately acting as John's proxy here, a role that he also grows into over time.

There's a lot of stuff going on with the tech in The Magnus Protocol, to the point where I'm reasonably convinced that "network protocols" is an important interpretation of the name.

The Magnus Archives dealt largely with stories that had been written down with pen and paper, and it was a significant plot point that they actually couldn't use anything more advanced than a tape recorder. The laptop failed to produce useful recordings.

In The Magnus Protocol everything is online, either because it was created as such originally, or because Freddy has packaged it up and delivered it to the OIAR. It's the tech that produces the stories and thus I would contend that it is also the tech that produces the style of those stories.

The characters talk like that because their apps, their phones, that bloody tape recorder, produce the same effect as the presence of the Archivist.

[necromancers-incorporated]

Magnus Protocol Thoughts So Far (by episode)

EPISODE ONE: FIRST SHIFT

1. Alice and Teddy obviously quite close

2. Reference to app — Colin outright angry at someone

3. Alice created them???

4. Alice spoken about Sam a lot

5. WHATS WITH THE FOOD LENA

6. Lena on about importance of organisation

7. Never getting out of here Colin?

8. Gwen vs Lena go go go

9. Alice accusing Gwen of nepotism

10. Pub name is Steward

11. DID THE WORK STATION TURN ON BY ITSELF LIKE THE TAPE RECORDERS

12. Response one to one? Hm? Old response department??

13. Colin what do you know about Freddy!?

14. Norris = Martin's voice – strangely human

15. Figure in cemetery = stranger and/or flesh?

16. Email from H? Who is H? Suspicious.

17. Gwen likes her job? Hates it?

18. Enemies to lovers Gwen and Alice go go go

19. Gwen vs Lena again go go go

20. Get her ass Gwen go get that job girlboss

21. What does climbing the ladder entail Lena? Hm?

22. Camera zooming noises!!!

23. Colin does not sound pleased about the app

24. Colin and Alice clearly close

25. Colin speaks German and is vegetarian funsies

26. AWFUL TERRIBLE THINGS LAND PEOPLE THERE WHAT WAS GWEN'S HELP

27. RED CANARY RED CANARY GET OUT GET OUT GET OUT

28. Mag Institute in Manchester?

29. PICTURES DONT WORK AND PARANOIA

30. Burnt down 20 years ago hmmmm

31. ASYLUM OR PRISON HM?

32. Brutal pipe murder stains?

33. Camera not working? Distorted?

34. Got doxed hm interesting interesting

35. Yes. Yes they should. Keep canaries above ground please.

36. EYES

37. Aw Gwen checking on Sam

38. Chester = Jon's voice saying GET THE FUCK OUT

39. What do you know about the institute Sam?

40. Hah! Gwendolyn

41. Hmmm Alice talking about having victims...

42. Colin talking to the fucking computers who are you trying to find

43. GWEN BOUCHARD FUCKING *BOUCHARD

**EPISODE TWO: MAKING ADJUSTMENTS

1. Gwen why do you know all this shit

2. Hm how long have you been there Gwen?

3. Obsession with perfectionism

4. What the fuck do you mean Lena is firing people!?

5. Why isn't Gwen respected? Hm? Nepotism reference again?

6. Alice's brother in a band?? Dredgerman?

7. Sam why are you so curious hm!?

8. DO NOT FUCK AROUND AND FIND OUT DO NOT

9. Ink5soul definitely going to come back, love them for that

**EPISODE THREE: PUTTING DOWN ROOTS

1. A dot jmj error? Hm? Colin thinks it's sentient?

2. Alice and Colin buddies love that

3. Colin doesn't like central IT hm I wonder why

4. Why is he so against giving the computer a personality?

5. Colin is so fucking Scottish istg

6. Dr. Samuel Webber has a grief counsellor

7. 13 Marigold Drive (Webber's address), 12 Castle Hill Avenue (Gerald Andrews), Madie Webber is deceased

8. More paranoia nice

9. Community watch you say?

10. Hmmm corruption vibes...

11. I feel like the garden might come back later like Ink5oul

12. ALICE STOP PREDICTING YOUR OWN DEATH PLEASE

**EPISODE FOUR: TAKING NOTES

1. Sam what are you looking into hm!?

2. MAGNUS AND PROTOCOL WHAT DOES THAT MEAN

3. Why were other people looking into it?

4. Alice what do you know about the Magnus Institute!? WHAT IS STARKWALL!? MASSACRE? PRIVATE MILITARY SHIT!? WHAT

5. Why is Gwen so against naming the voices too? She knows something I'm sure of it

6. Augustus hmmm who are you

7. Go old man go, go murder your teacher slay

8. STRANGE MUSIC YOU SAY HMM LIKE THE CALLIOPE

9. BEING PUPPETED ABOUT HM? WEB MUCH!

10. Evil violin man in the woods he will return again

11. The face of fortune? Is Fortune a new entity or something?

12. Player and instrument roles are blurred hmmmm

13. Hmmm murdering students HOW

14. Violin = ye old Grifter's Bone

15. Violin more like violence (aka mass murder)

16. Ooh yay more eye gore FUN

17. I wonder what the nephew did with the violin

18. WHAT OTHER STORIES HAS AUGUSTUS READ

19. Gwen and Alice's vibes I eat that shit up

20. LENA WHAT THE FUCK DID YOU KILL KLAUS!?

**EPISODE FIVE: PERSONAL SCREENING

1. What the fuck is wrong with you Colin (affectionate)

2. CAMERAS CAMERAS CAMERAS PARANOIA EYES EYES BEING WATCHED LENA IM WATCHING YOU

3. WHY ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT KEEPING SECRETS LENA HM?

4. Sam what have we said about fucking around and finding out. Just gonna fill it out anyway ffs goddammit

5. Lonely you say? Interesting.

6. ONE MAN'S TRASH IS ANOTHER MAN'S TRERROR TMA EP 5 REFERENCE

7. Why are all the posts deleted?

8. Voyeur? Hm. Ha. Eyes.

9. 2009? The same year you started your horror blog?

10. Oh they just found your address did they? Not raising any suspicions?

11. HA ITS THE SAME CINEMA THAT YOU THOUGHT WAS CLOSED HOW NORMAL

12. Adding "getting babadooked" to my vocabulary now

13. My guy is just insulting the cinema alright pal

14. Oh haha unintelligible hmmm. No.

15. ITS WHATS ON THE INSIDE THAT MATTERS IS IT

16. SAME OLD GUY DOING EVERYTHING

17. Stop it with the fucking "unintelligible"

18. SOUNDS FAMILIAR DOES IT HM I WONDER WHY

19. YES YOU FUCKING KNOW THAT ROOM OF COURSE YOU DO

20. Fuck off who is there watching you. I'll put money on the fact that it's Lena or smth

21. Oh, definitely not him posting that last message

22. More Alice and Luke, giving some real Tim vibes now. Living jn FEAR

23. Gwen stop lurking and being secretive

24. You're right Alice, something is very wrong.

**EPISODE SIX: INTRODUCTIONS

1. Aww sleepy Sam

2. Why are you warning him against the coffee Alice?

3. WORKED THERE FOR ALMOST A DECADE ALICE? SERIOUSLY?

4. Ah yes. The true enemy is the sun. Of course.

5. Sam is a cat confirmed (mlem)

6. NEW HIRE NEW HIRE NEW HIRE

7. Haha eating people. Fun. Christmas party episode?

8. Gwen is not pleased by the new hire, who is shocked

9. I've decided that Gwen = Jon, Alice = Tim, Sam = Martin

10. Fuck me I hate needles so much they freak me out god (haha phobias being played on now)

11. Needles is such a funky little guy he is trying his best and is so calm and chilled

12. Creepy creepy creepy

13. HOLES AND NEEDLES STOP PLEASE

14. Oh you grew up there? Are we gonna get some lore?

15. Ah. You are the reason it is unsafe.

16. WHAT DO YOU MEAN MARKED? MARKED BY WHAT?

17. Definitely feeding on something. Hahahaha. Stop.

18. STOP WITH THE NEEDLES IN EYES I FEEL SICK

19. Poor Needles no fear for you to eat :(

20. Needles is going to fuck me up

21. "You're clearly not well" STOP

22. This man has fear maths

23. Ha. Cuddles. No.

24. I feel very unwell

25. "Maybe they'll kill again" ALICE PLEASE STOP

26. IS THAT SCARY ALICE? HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN THERE?

27. Ha. Lena the big bird.

28. CELIA FROM THE CULT WITH MELANIE AND GEORGIE

29. WHAT'S WITH THE FUCKING FOOD LENA WHY MUST THEY BEEN EATEN ON SITE

30. Why do you know what's in the interviews Alice? Why do you know it changed?

31. Nightmares?

32. Gwen is so fucking mean I love her

33. "Four weirdos in a basement reading scary stories" my my isn't that familiar

34. Celia = Sasha

35. Hm yeah sure you won't get attached Alice

36. Food as a love language Sam

37. ALICE WHY DO YOU HAVE YOUR OWN HIDDEN FOOD

38. Sam with a crush on Celia funsies

39. Tall Alice confirmed

**EPISODE SEVEN: GIVE AND TAKE

1. Celia why are you asking so many questions about the voices?

2. REFERENCING THE FUCKING FEARS ALREADY OKAY (defo tma Celia)

3. Big sister Alice

4. HILLTOP HILLTOP HILLTOP

5. WHAT HAPPENED AT HILLTOP

6. This one is reading a lot like the old statements

7. No name? Hm? A...stranger?

8. Another stranger? Interesting.

9. Weird fucking donations. OK.

10. Ha! Teeth.

11. Are these the kids from Dr. Elliott's class?

12. Haha. No keys. That's not disturbing at all.

13. All for a good cause? I think the fuck not.

14. MOULDY FOOD PLEASE NO

15. Okay. Stop. Freaking out with this claustrophobia.

16. Gunshots? Excuse me?

17. Very very much like the old statements. Celia, want to tell us something?

18. HILLTOP ON FIRE IS IT? OH. I WONDER WHY.

19. OH MY GOD WAS IT STARKWELL IS THIS THE STARKWELL GROUP

20. YOU RECOGNISE CHESTER'S VOICE!? FUCK OFF

21. NOBODY IMORTANT NOBODY FUCKING IMPORTANT

22. JON! WHY ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT JON, SAM!?

23. GWEN WHAT DO YOU HAVE!?

24. OH YOU ARE SHOWING ALL YOUR CARDS RIGHT HERE RIGHT NOW BITCH

25. LENA WHAT THE FUCK

26. Okay so she killed him in self defence.

27. WHAT SOURCE GWEN!?

28. Ah. Of course. It's all for the job.

29. Oh, Gwen. Don't get involved. Please don't.

30. EXTERNAL LIASON? REAL WORK?

[ladyhindsight]

Hello! I just finished rereading The Lost Book of The White and I'm back on full force from the Stuff That Nobody Else Cares About department. I agree a lot with your general opinions on the book, I'm just clinging to some details now. Warning: Robert-adjacent rant (+ Maryse). Again.

A few years ago, The Land I Lost came out and it made a reference to the occasion of this book mentioning a time that Alec and Magnus let Max under the care of Maryse and her boyfriend, but the boyfriend part was edited out.

SRB is the co-author of that novella, and she was asked about it. Honestly, being the way I am, I was waiting for this book to see 1) Robert, because CC had said on her tumblr that he would show up to be cute with Max and 2) clarification on the Maryse's boyfriend thing.

Was I sad that I didn't get anything? Yes, while at the same time understanding that if Robert did show up it would be just fanservice for like 4 people in the world instead of anything actually meaningful. Just like Maryse's presence was: they could have let Max under the care of anyone else and wouldn't make a difference.

I suppose this is the part I'm upset about, as one of those 4 people in the world, I understand that Robert's character is done, in the sense that there's pretty much nothing else CC has to say about him, (take this with a lot of salt) and everything else about him from now on is just blatent fanservice. Like, CC gave CJ thumbs up to include in the graphic novel adaptation that when Clary used the rune that made people see in her their most loved one, Robert sees Michael, and CJ even included it with the whole page divided between Luke seeing Jocelyn/Robert seeing Michael, which, you know, gives all that vibe.

I love it so much, but you know, it's just fanservice that doesn't change anything. That's fine.

I wouldn't say the same about Maryse, though. I feel like her character is somehow simpler than Robert's, but that's also because the books are a mess and Robert's character was even more of a mess too before being loosely fixed in extra content/companion books etc. SRB's reply made me excited because I thought that the book would contain something that would be ABOUT Maryse, it didn't have to be a relationship, but if it's going to tell us something about her, I take it, as TSC is very romance-centered anyway.

Now I don't understand the thought process behind the change, and I had the idea of telling you about this after reading the extra story of the Jessa wedding that is included in my translated copy.

Maryse and Kadir were there too, already deep in conversation with Jocelyn and Luke. Kadir hadn’t been on the guest list Jem and Tessa had given Magnus, because they didn’t really know him, but Magnus had added him as Maryse’s plus-one. It never hurt to butter up your boyfriend’s mother, especially when she was willing to babysit for days at a time.

?

Being someone's plus-one in this sort of private occasion doesn't have many possible meanings, so I was like, Kadir is supposed to be Maryse's boyfriend, okay, but why anything about it couldn't be said in the book, as it was implied to be the plan according to SRB's reply? The whole trilogy exists to be a fanservice fest, and I'm very okay with that of all things, since clearly nothing that happens in books 1 and 2 so far changes anything in the main story, so it could be all 400 pages of fanservice for the hardcore fans and be it, I'm just upset because there was a setup for this book to have something about Maryse more than just her being there and Kadir standing beside her being there too, and it would have been so nice to have this universe remember non-immortal 25+ year old people exist too and that their story isn't "over." (I'm not even 25 by the way, I surprised myself getting so frustrated with these books)

Maryse is stepping down from the head of the institute position, which already doesn't make much sense to me (it's JUST so Jace can become the head of the institute in her place, I knooooow), and she is very connected with her family (I guess, since two of her children still live with her?) and seems to be in a relationship with Kadir, someone we are told to have been somehow close to the family for several years, and that includes several years before Maryse got divorced, and that's a interesting dynamic, as they've known each other for a pretty long time and Kadir certainly saw Maryse going through changes. I WANT TO KNOW ABOUT ALL OF THIS (cries)

And this book could perfectly have been the place for it. I hope you can figure out a coherent thought behind this word vomit I did, sorry.

Be well!

- R

Hope you've been well with me taking forever to answer your messages!!

I often feel like the Department of the Stuff That Nobody Else Cares About holds the most interesting things that are generally ignored, and we are lead to these discoveries by our obsessions over some side characters the author didn’t really intend to have this kind of scrutiny over.

After The Lost Book of the White in continuation with Queen of Air and Darkness, Maryse has become more or less a convenient baby sitter whenever it’s inconvenient for the kids to be around in the story. I didn’t actually know about that boyfriend line. I don’t mind Maryse having a boyfriend, her kids having a stepfather—I just hoped it would not be Kadir just for the sake of having one man-woman friendship that isn’t in any level romantic (though simultaneously he’d be an awesome, if not the best choice). Kit and Livvy didn’t even manage that and they were just friends.

I was similarly conflicted with the graphic novel. On the other hand, I felt really warm about Robert seeing Michael and Michael truly being the one he loved most (which is also weird because, Robert, you have children), and also on the other hand, like you said, it was just for fan service. I’ve said and will keep saying that there is nothing I trust about Clare as an author other than her infinite love for the Herondales. Everything else is questionable, and come to think of it, it’s tiring that there’s nothing else I can really trust as to her intentions with the narrative. The first time I read Born to Endless Night, I felt the major shift in Robert’s and Maryse’s characters. Though I now find it fun and a light piece of reading, I remember the distinct impression of how fan fiction-esque it all felt. It was surreal, to be offered all that but at the same time it felt like crap? Lol

Kadir has been such a constant at Maryse’s side, so I would not be surprised if Clare eventually did go for the romantic angle for them. If she doesn’t, I’m not saddened at all for the reason mentioned above. I don’t know, it could go either way, and I’d probably be fine with it.

As to Robert, I don’t get why authors make promises like that when the final story doesn’t even include them. The only time Robert is mentioned is this:

It was strange to walk into that same Institute, with a Lightwood next to him, holding their child. To have Maryse Lightwood as something more like family and less like a business partner he could never fully trust. He was glad that Robert, at least, was busy with Inquisitor business in Idris. Inquisiting some folks, he assumed.

He wasn’t even around. Where is my scene of Robert with Max, Clare? Where is it!!

[gammija]

How the Web helped Magnus mark his Archive

Have you ever seen people talk about how the Web was involved with getting Jon marked, but didn’t feel like going through every episode to find every little reference to spindly spidery legs? Well, worry no more! Because in this list I’m going to do just that. With quotes, ‘cause I never half-ass theories on tma

In chronological(ish) order, ranging from: - Undeniably Spider-involved - Suspiciously Web-adjacent - (and Web!Tapes propaganda) Let’s go!

- 22, 123: Prentiss being in Carlos Vittery’s basement

Martin may be the one who lead Prentiss to the Institute, but only because Prentiss was hanging out in Vittery’s cobwebbed basement, for an unknown reason: 

022 Colony Martin: “I turned on my torch and shone it around, but was disappointed to see that all those spider webs that I remembered seemed old and unremarkable. If there were spiders there, none were easily seen, and… for a second I thought that the only interesting part of my return trip was that it would land me in prison if I wasn’t careful. Then, I heard movement. From the other side of the basement.”

The same Vittery who had already told Annabelle about his experiences: 

123 Web Development Jon: “I-It’s apparently a list of people whose names appeared in the various pieces of text Mr. Cox was pasting into the code. It’s unclear if they were meant to be users or victims, but I cannot help but note that there seem to be the names of several statement givers who found their way to the Institute, including noted arachnophobe Carlos Vittery.”

Which might mean nothing if it weren’t for:

- 38, 40: A spider lets Prentiss be found

Not only does a spider cause Jon to knock down the wall to where Prentiss was hiding in the tunnels...

038 Lost and Found Sasha: “A spider?” Jon: “Yeah. I tried to kill it…. the shelf collapsed.”

...But according to Tim’s speculation:

040 Human Remains Tim: “I think they were almost all in the Archives. I have a theory, actually. I think they weren’t ready to attack when you found the tunnels.”

Which, if true, means that if the wall hadn’t been broken, Prentiss might’ve attacked with bigger force and killed Jon outright, instead of neatly marking him.

- 35, all of s2: A Web table lets a Stranger into the Institute

Although it’s never said who or what ordered the table to be delivered, the addition of the Web lighter with it makes it easy to guess. As Jonah says in 160:  the Not!Them mark turned out not to have been necessary because of the Unknowing, but this was certainly a nice back-up to have. 

- 80: Jon steps out for a smoke

Giving Jonah the opportunity to brutal pipe murder Jurgen.

080 The Librarian Jon: “I’m going to have a cigarette. Don’t… Don’t.” [...] [SOUNDS OF BRUTAL PIPE MURDER] [...] Jon: “Sorry, I’ve been quit for five years now, but th -”

While nothing in the actual text of the episode points to Web involvement, addictions like smoking fall under their domain. Add to that the recent gift of that lighter, and Jon saying he didn’t smoke anymore, it’s certainly suspicious.

- (91: Daisy only went to the Institute when she got the tapes

Okay, this one is mostly web!tapes propaganda, but I think it’s compelling web!tapes propaganda. I’d link the post I made about this earlier, but it has simply vanished from this universe, as far as tumblr is concerned... In any case: 

091 The Coming Storm Daisy: “You ask me to take a tape over to this murdering freak, and I’m all set to tear you a new one for it. But then I get the cassette in my hand, and suddenly all I want to do is deliver his tapes, and spill my guts.”

If it’s from Jon, not only would this be the furthest reaching compulsion by far, in only in season 2 no less, but it would also be the only one that is transmitted via the tapes/another person outside of the Institute(Basira) instead of just Jon speaking directly to the person. While, if it’s the Web’s doing, making someone want to do something they don’t realize is weird at the time, is totally in their wheelhouse! And it’d make them responsible for convincing Daisy that Jon’s a monster, ergo, his Hunt mark.)

- 121: Oliver was sent by the Web

121 Far Away Oliver Banks: “Honestly, I’m still not exactly sure why I’m here. But you know better than anyone how the spiders can get into your head. Easier to just do what she asks.” 

Aka, the man who told Jon what he needed to hear to wake up, nice and alive and marked by both the Stranger and the End, when he hadn’t been able to for 6 months.

- (130: The Web leads Jon to Jared)

130 Meat Jon: “I found this tape tucked in a corner of my desk drawer, covered in cobwebs. I suppose subtlety has gone out the window a bit, and the question is now simply… how much I trust the Spider to have my best interests at heart.”

Not only did this one tape lead Jon to get his Flesh mark, which Jonah had conked up by getting Jared to the Institute too soon, but arguably it also made Jon confident enough to go into the Buried. Which the rib didn’t even help with!  What did help though, was...

- (134: Tape recorders and Martin got Jon out of the Buried)

Even if you don’t believe that the tapes are from the Web, there’s still this conversation: 

134 Time of Revelation Peter: “What does – puzzle me though, and I mean that genuinely, is – why you were piling tape recorders onto the coffin while Jon was in there.” - Martin: “I don’t know. And I just – felt like it might help. He’s always recording, and I thought it – it might help him… find his way out.” Peter: “Interesting. Were you compelled?” - Martin: “I don’t know. Maybe? I-I, I definitely wanted to do it. [But] I’m not sure where the idea came from. Peter: “You should watch out for that. Could be something dangerous.”

Implanting ideas in someone’s mind, specifically making them want to do something, without them knowing that the idea is coming from outside, is something the Web isn’t a stranger to (056, 059). It might also be the Eye, but wouldn’t Martin know what an Eye compulsion would feel like, by now?  On a meta level, it’s a curious thing to point out. Would anyone have protested if Martin got the idea of the tapes on his own?

And there you have it! 8 instances of arachnid involvement.  There are more small mentions of Web-like interference with Jon here and there in other episodes, and of course his first Fear mark in 081, but these are the ones that seem to very clearly point towards the Mother of Puppets, or some of her avatars, having helped Jonah in bringing about the end of the world. There’s still the question of why, what their ‘plan’ is now, but I’m sure we’ll find out about that soon enough - Dare I say, March 25th or earlier, even

[nonbinaryeye]

The Death and the Funeral of Elias Bouchard

Written for @lonelyeyesweek

Day 7 - Death

Jonathan Sims and the rest of the archival crew really managed to do it. They prevented the apocalypse from happening and killed Elias Bouchard. They can now finally quit the institute and live happily ever after as far from London as they can. Happy to be gone they could not care less about Elias’ funeral taking place. Only one who really seems to care enough to show up is Peter Lukas…

Read on AO3

…

Funeral ceremony is about to start in a few minutes and Peter knows he should leave now because he really hates the “talking about the dead and remembering them” part but he simply cannot tear his look away from his husband. The lifeless body lying in the casket simply does not look like his Elias at all.

He knows that it is him. He can clearly recognize all his way too familiar features but there is something off about him and Peter cannot pinpoint what. The hair, the suit, the face… it all looks fine. More or less. As if some little yet important detail is missing. What is it? Maybe how peaceful he looks? Elias is was always quite restless and he looked tense even in his sleep. Or it might be the lack of facial expression? Elias is was very expressive; he could win the whole argument with just raised eyebrow. Or maybe this is the most obvious thing…

His eyes are closed.

Peter feels something weird happening inside him. Something that never happens at the funerals of his family. As if his chest was too tight and something was pushing on it. Could it be the feeling of grief he has heard so much about?

The servant of the Lonely is really glad that there are not many people. It is not really a surprise though. After Elias died he left a bit of a vacuum behind; there is no new head immediately stepping in as successor who would force all the employees to attend. Also lots of people working at the Magnus Institute left their jobs after the incident. Still in Peter’s taste it is starting to get crowded. At least in a close proximity to the coffin. So he retreats.

However, that proves to be a mistake. As soon as he moves to the more secluded part of the room he is approached by someone who apparently considers funerals a good place for starting a small talk.

“It is rather lovely. A bit small but it still has the atmosphere… don’t you think?”

“Hm.” The bits of fog start appearing around him. Maybe if he will simply ignore him…

“Ah, pardon my manners. Percival Knightly, pleasure to meet you,” the man offers him a hand. Peter does not even look at it.

“I am not in the mood.”

“Of course understandable. May I at least ask you how exactly did you know the deceased…?”

“No, you may not.”

“It was really such a tragedy. I have heard he was murdered in a quite brutal manner. Have you by any chance-”

“I mean it, Jonah. I am not in a mood for your games.” Peter sighs. He has really been quite enjoying the feeling of loss and grief but of course to enjoy it for too long would be asking too much.  He cannot be a mourning widower even one day.

Young man with way too familiar gray eyes sighs. “You are taking away my only source of entertainment these days.” He drops the façade of his charming innocence of someone still full of hopes, dreams and ambitions. Peter must admit he is surprised Elias Jonah can still slip into the role with such ease. Then again he used to know him as James too and it was strange at first to get used to Elias’ face after he switched bodies.

Back then Peter swore to himself he would not stick around long enough for Jonah to skip bodies again. Yet here they are…

“Are you sure it is wise to show up here?”

“It is fine. Besides… They are not here, are they? And even if they were… They never learnt the whole truth.” They is of course referring to Elias’ former Archivist, Martin and some other people from the Archives Jonah was surely telling him about as well but Peter never bothered to learn their names.

“Did you know they could do that? Quit?”

“I am surprised none of them show up to… I don’t know. Ruin the ceremony. Curse me in front of everyone. Spit on my grave. Just to make sure I am really dead…” It is funny because Elias Percival seems to be much more hurt that they have not arrived at his funeral than he is about the part when they murdered him.

“No… but I suppose it makes sense. I am not fully alive when the… switch is happening. And this time especially there was quite a big time window.” Elias Percival frowns, probably getting lost in his thoughts. Peter lets him. They stay together in the background but none of them really pay any attention to the silly words spoken, telling the lie the life of Elias Bouchard was.

“I’ve been to enough of my funerals to know you usually don’t meet there the people you expect. On the other hand you are sometimes surprised by the presence of some others you did not expect to be there...”

“How does it feel? That you are not worthy for them to even do that?” Peter cannot help himself but ask. Elias Percival shrugs.

“Like?”

“I did not think you would come.” Peter feels those bright gray eyes piercing through him in attempts to read his intentions. He honestly regrets a bit that he came right now. He was not ready to see him yet. Of course he does not plan to tell him that.

“I like funerals.”

“You’ve swore you won’t go to another one again after James’.” Yes, he indeed did. At the time Jonah had not introduced himself to him by his real name yet nor explained his body skipping trick to him. Peter was naturally quite upset when some new Head of the Institute tried to start a conversation while he wanted to mourn deceased partner. He was even angrier when he learnt for what a fool Jonah played him. But that all was ages ago…

“I guess I forgot.”

“That sounds a lot like you.” Elias Percival nods.

They stand next to each other in peaceful silence for a bit watching the priest giving a speech. The ceremony is at its end quickly as none of the people who bothered to show up really want to add anything more to the scripted generic summary. And so it is over soon and people start leaving.

“That certainly was one of my weaker funerals,” Jonah sighs as they leave the building side by side as Peter has not had any plans for the day anyway and so he lets his partner in yet another new body to choose their path. There seems to be something that is still bothering him as one can easily recognize by the fact that he is silent and not already informing him about his new plans or complaining about the state of his Institute.

He does not have to ask nor wait for too long to learn what is on his mind.

“I suppose I owe you now. For what you’ve done… There is quite a high chance I would die without your assistance.” There is no way Jonah would survive without his help. However he doesn’t bother to correct him. He is very grateful for the way he worded it.

“I guess you do…” The incident Elias Percival is referring to now… well… Peter is not sure what exactly happened that day as he is always trying to know as little as he can about his Institute. It probably started a few weeks back when Jonah’s precious Archivist woke up from coma and joined the tense situation in the Archives. They were still unhappy how they failed to frame Elias for murder.

Apparently they decided to take a different approach to removing Elias. They managed to find and hide away some artifact that could cut the connection between the avatar and the entity they serve. So naturally they decided to murder Elias with it – removing his usual regenerating powers and his tie to the institute. Peter does not know any details as he only found Elias’ body lying lifeless in his office when he came by later that day. He tried removing the artifact which he easily pinpointed as the cause. He assumed it might lead to his Eye regenerating powers activating again. But it did nothing. Elias was still very much dead. And it seemed so unreal to Peter that he could have really been caught off guard like this. That there is no backup plan this time. That this might be it? Elias- no, Jonah Magnus might really be dead…

Even though… his eyes were still there, opened in the terror of the attack he did not see coming for once and the eyes should be the only thing that really mattered right…?

It was probably stupid idea trying to save him. He really tried it just because he did not believe it could work. The body of the host, Elias, was dead. Jonah’s original body… well Peter could never find a way to panopticon on his own so no point in checking that one. So it was really almost just an experiment out of curiosity. So long story short and spared all the gory details, Peter grabbed the first employee that went around and performed the whole eye switching thing. It somehow worked as the man currently standing next to him is proof of that.

Even though curiosity is against Peter’s nature he wonders what was happening to Jonah in those hours his eyes were left in a dead body. Was he conscious in some weird way? Was he dead for a while? Peter may wonder but he will certainly not ask and so he will probably never learn the answer. He looks at Percival carefully trying to notice something off about Jonah he knows… Some signs left after his near death experience…

No there is nothing. Percival looks exactly as the same smug bastard as Elias and James before him.

“Actually I will give you a way to repay your debt immediately.” Percival looks like he would love to protest which is understandable. The man he took over used to be just some regular librarian. It will very likely require lots of arguing, blackmailing and maybe even help from the institutes main benefactor (so Peter again) for Jonah to get himself in the position of the Head of the institute. But debt is a debt. He nods.

“I am listening?”

“Don’t talk about it. Ever. It never happened and our relationship will continue as if I was not involved at all in your latest body skip.” Peter does not want to be reminded of this failure of his toward the Lonely. He had the perfect opportunity to abandon him and let die the only person he ever cared about yet… He just could not do that. He just had to save that annoying voyeur

“As you wish.” Elias Percival raises an eyebrow and licks his lips. He looks like there are many questions going through his head and that he is also drawing a lot of conclusions but Peter is content with that as long as all the thoughts stay in his head.

The awkward silence falls on them. Not for long though as Jonah still appears to be very much himself.

“Now with that thing solved… I will need to go with you over few things I might use your assistance for. First thing I will need you to withdraw Lukas family funding contribution so-”

Or maybe not because this does not sound as anything Jonah would request with a sane mind.

“What?  You want me to stop sending money to your institute?!”

“Oh no, not really. And don’t interrupt me! What I was getting to is that I need you to only pretend you and other benefactors are concerned about the future of the Magnus Institute, you know with all those ridiculous doubting the institutions and just because of a little murder,” Percival takes a deep breath as he is getting a bit aggravated, “Anyhow that is not the point. The important is the part where you proclaim that in the end you changed your mind after a talk with me. Percival is too young to be considered for a future Head otherwise. And since I do not have any documentation naming him prepared I need to do something to get myself into the spotlight. This little success might be enough to at least consider me for the position. Then I can deal with the concurrence through good old fashioned black mail… Any questions?”

“Uh… just… can you tell me just what exactly am I supposed to do without all the other information?” Percival smiles and takes his hand.

“Yes, yes I will walk you through it. Though it would be easier doing it over dinner… don’t you think?”

...

So this kind of overlap with the prompt new body and I originally wanted to post two fics yesterday but I didn’t manage to finish my afterlife fic so apologies this is falling in the rebirth category now! Though of course I claimed Death to be the official prompt in attempt to fool you and make you at least for a bit believe I would really just kill Jonah...

Also apologies to my dear friend Percy for stealing their name for Jonah's new body. It just sounded like a name he would like...

[visander]

Promises to Keep | Ao3.

When Alec adopted a warlock, he expected that people would be watching him closely. He didn't expect the High Warlock to follow him while he was running errands.

This is my ‘Spy AU’ square for @shadowhunterbingo.

Spying on a shadowhunter wasn’t exactly how Magnus intended to spend his evening but when you were the High Warlock, sometimes you found yourself doing things that you wished desperately you could pass off on someone else. Yet, there was no one to pass this off to. So, Magnus found himself dawning a glamour and following a shadowhunter around New York all evening.

See, the shadowhunter in question wasn’t just any shadowhunter. The shadowhunter was Alexander Lightwood, Head of the Institute and as of recently, caretaker to a baby who had only been discovered to be a warlock in the past week. Magnus offered to take the child as soon as the news reached him. It was part of his job after all to take any warlock children found in New York and relocate them to somewhere suitable but Alexander had declined.

He told Magnus that the child being a warlock didn’t change anything for him and that he had been caring for Max for months and he would continue to do so. Which was a lovely sentiment but a shadowhunter caring for a baby warlock? Even if Alexander himself was an abnormally strong ally to the downworld, which he was, a warlock growing up in an Institute tended to lead to problems. Malcolm had grown up in an Institute and that story had gone sideways, even if it had taken years for it to do so. Magnus wasn’t looking for a repeat of that situation with this tiny new warlock.

Now, Magnus liked Alexander and he was sure that the man had the best intentions but the child in his care being a warlock undoubtedly changed things, if not for him then for the people around him. Magnus was spying on Alec to make sure the child was being cared for and to make sure that none of Alec’s colleagues took it upon themselves to fix the warlock problem on their own. If he had any reason to think the child didn’t belong in Alec’s care, it was his duty to rectify the situation.

Magnus would feel bad about invading Alec’s privacy, if there was not a child involved. Because there was, Magnus was entirely guiltless as he followed behind Alec into the city. Alec had left the Institute a few minutes earlier with a bundle of blue skin curled onto his chest, attached rather carefully with a piece of fabric that Magnus had never quite understood how to wrap. Alec carried a small bag with him and even from where he was standing, Magnus could see a bottle peeking out of the zipper.

Magnus found himself a little impressed. Clearly, Alec was prepared but that didn’t exactly change anything. Even well prepared shadowhunters could fail, especially when they were doing something as impossible as raising a baby warlock.

The baby blabbered happily against Alec’s chest as he walked and Alec cooed softly to him, hushing quiet tender words that Magnus was too far away to hear. If it warmed his heart a little - well, no one needed to know that and it was certainly not something Magnus was going to be telling anyone.

Alec’s walk took them to a small store, where Alec bought baby food and other essentials that Magnus supposed the Institute did not stock for him. Outside, Alec took a moment to carefully put everything into the bag he was carrying. The food went into a specific pocket, the diapers into another, until everything was put away carefully and neatly.

The baby, Max as Alec had named him, chewed on the pacifier Alec had given him and watched what Alec was doing with a wide eyed interest that Magnus only associated with babies. When Alec finished, he shifted to push the bag onto his back, pull the baby closer and head off again. Magnus had expected Alec to go back to the Institute but he didn’t. Instead, he started walking towards a small park that Magnus had always been particularly fond of.

Magnus had never thought of shadowhunters enjoying simple pleasures like parks and he found it a little hard to believe that was where Alec was going but when they reached the park, Alec did stop. He settled at the base of a tree after peering around for a contemplative moment. He stretched out a small blanket next to him and then, he started to unwrap Max from his chest.

The moment Alec lifted the baby off him, the baby’s legs started kicking through the air at the newfound freedom he had. Alec laid the gleefully child onto the blanket next to him and then, he slipped a blade out of his back pocket and placed it down carefully on the opposite side of him, far out of the baby's reach. The discordance of seeing a deadly weapon on one of Alec’s sides and a baby on the other almost made Magnus laugh but Magnus wasn’t sure what else he was expecting from a shadowhunter.

Magnus was about to settle against a tree or decide to leave Alec to the privacy he thought he had for the rest of the night when Alec spoke without looking over.

“You can come sit, if you’d like,” Alec murmured.

Magnus froze and it took him too long of a moment to realize that Alec was in fact talking to him. He had to be. There was no one else in the park, besides the baby who he could not be referring to. Magnus shifted uncomfortably as Alec lifted his eyes and peered towards Magnus at last.

Magnus expected him to look angry but there was something in his eyes that was subdued and just a little amused. Alec held his hand idly over the baby, wiggling his fingers as Max reached his blue hands up to try to contain Alec’s fingers in his tiny grasp.

Magnus hesitantly took a step forward and when Alec said nothing further, Magnus took a few more steps until he was only a few feet away from the pair he’d been following. “I’m sorry to have invaded your privacy,” Magnus said finally. He and Alec had a strong professional relationship up until this point and if this ruined it… well, that would hardly be productive at all and it would certainly make it a lot harder for Magnus to keep an eye on Max.

But Alec didn’t seem exceptionally concerned by what Magnus had been doing. Instead, he waved his free hand vaguely in Magnus’ direction. “It’s fine. Come sit,” Alec said again, nodding his head to the spot across from Max, pointedly away from the weapon Alec had laid on the ground.

Knowing now that Alec had known he was there, Magnus wondered if he’d put the weapon down to make him more comfortable. Magnus didn’t ask. Instead, he walked around Alec and settled to the ground, watching Alec idly play with the baby who seemed so distracted by Alec’s hand that he hardly noticed Magnus’ arrival.

“I was trying to check on- '' Magnus had been about to go on and explain that he’d only been trying to keep an eye on Max, who was a warlock in his jurisdiction but Alec made a soft noise and Magnus fell silent before he could finish his sentence.

“I know what you were doing.” Alec looked up at Magnus and offered him a soft, bittersweet smile. “I expected someone to be checking up on us. Though, I didn’t quite expect to be followed running errands.”

Magnus swallowed a little uncomfortably. He wasn't embarrassed to have been following Alec. It was his job. He was making sure the child in his care was being cared for, something that was of grave concern in this odd situation. He was a little embarrassed to have been caught so easily and not even have known it but with a shadowhunter, Magnus wasn’t really sure what he expected.

“Well, I can’t exactly watch you while you’re in the Institute. My spying options were a bit limited.”

Alec shrugged. He had let Max grab his hand at last and the baby was happily chewing on one of Alec’s fingers. “You could,” Alec said simply. “You have the clearance to come in whenever you’d like. I don’t mind if you want to come watch.”

Magnus fell silent at that. Finally, he cocked his head, “I don’t know many people who would be so welcoming at the prospect of being observed.”

Alec lifted his eyes up to meet Magnus’ again and when he smiled this time, there was some genuine amusement on his face. “I don’t know many shadowhunters who adopt a warlock baby.” Again, Alec shrugged as he looked back down to the baby still clutching his hand. “I get why your people might be concerned. I’d rather you stop in and be able to assure everyone that I’m caring for my child.”

“Your child?” Magnus questioned. Magnus knew Alec’s intentions to keep the child but Magnus still found it hard to believe that a shadowhunter would so willingly accept a child into his life that was not a shadowhunter like they’d thought when they’d first found the baby on the steps of the Academy months before.

“My child,” Alec confirmed. There wasn’t an ounce of doubt in his tone and Magnus found himself pressing his lips to suppress the small smile that had threatened to come across his face.

“Well, perhaps I’ll see you tomorrow morning. If you’re not incredibly busy?”

Alec looked up and Magnus could see instantly that he was relieved. It took a second for Magnus to think over the conversation they’d just had and see why. Magnus’ question of Alec’s wording, to Alec, might not have seemed like an inquiry into Alec’s intentions like Magnus had meant it. It might have seemed like an attack on Alec’s claim on this child.

Alec had expected Magnus to try and take the baby, Magnus realized. He’d thought Magnus was going to challenge him and demand that he take the child to someone more suited to care for him.

“You can come even if I’m busy,” Alec insisted. “When I’m working, he stays with my siblings but you can come anyway. I’ll tell them to let you in.”

Magnus nodded and he could have left it at that but there was something about the hopeful, earnest way that Alec spoke that made Magnus frown. “I hope you’re not offended if I take you up on that,” Magnus said finally.

“Of course not,” Alec said instantly.

Magnus frowned a bit deeper. “Your situation is a little… unorthodox but if you are caring for him, I don’t see any reason why that would be a problem,” Magnus said at last. Truthfully, there were some who thought Magnus should go and take the child anyway. He would be well within his right to and Alec would be able to do nothing about it.

Some thought Magnus should do so before Alec could raise a warlock to do the Institute’s bidding. Some who had met Alec and like Magnus, had a professional respect for him, admired his intentions but still thought Magnus should take the child away. An Institute was not a kind place for a baby warlock and Magnus would be lying if he said that wasn’t a concern for him still but Magnus didn’t think taking the child away would be best.

Even if Magnus did take the child, finding someone to care for a young warlock was not easy. Few warlocks wanted the task themselves and few people besides a warlock could handle the uncontrollable magic that came with a warlock who was so small. It might not be the best situation but as long as Alec stepped in the moment any of his people thought it appropriate to bother the boy, Magnus didn’t really see a problem with it.

The Institute was warded and protected. If it wasn’t for the shadowhunters themselves, it might be one of the best places for the small warlock to be.

At his words, Alec’s hand fell still as the tiny baby continued to play with his fingers gleefully. “Lorenzo Rey doesn’t think I should be able to keep him,” Alec said simply.

Magnus almost scoffed. “It’s not up to Lorenzo to make that decision,” Magnus assured him quickly. “Lorenzo hasn’t been in New York long anyway. He’s not very well acquainted with you or your family. If he knew you a bit more, he might feel otherwise.” Truthfully, Magnus doubted that Lorenzo would feel otherwise. Lorenzo was an aggravating pest of a man and he’d probably protest to a warlock being cared for by a shadowhunter regardless of how progressive said shadowhunter was but Magnus didn’t think it would be helpful for him to tell Alec this.

“I’m not worried about Lorenzo specifically but I’d just like your people to know that I’m taking care of him.”

Magnus processed that for a moment before he spoke. Even knowing Alec, Magnus found himself a bit surprised by that sentiment. He didn’t know many shadowhunters who would be worried about what the warlock population thought about anything they did, especially when Magnus had already assured Alec that the child would stay in his care, unless Magnus was given a reason to think he shouldn’t.

“Show me that you’re taking care of him and I will tell them,” Magnus promised.

A moment later, Magnus rose to his feet, brushed his pants off and moved to turn away, intent on meeting Alec the next morning, like he’d said he would. It was only when Magnus had taken a few steps that Alec called out to him, making Magnus pause and turn back to look.

Alec had pulled the baby into his lap and was in the process of shoving the blanket back into the bag with one hand as he cradled the baby tenderly in the other. When Magnus looked back at him, Alec smiled soft and grateful. “Thank you,” he said. “I will take care of him,” Alec assured.

Magnus smiled himself and nodded. Magnus still had his doubts. One rather personal meeting with a charming shadowhunter who made grand promises was not enough for Magnus to feel assured of anything. Alec might think he could do this now, until the child’s magic started to manifest fully for the first time. Alec might think he could do this until his people started to protest at the presence of a warlock who was no longer a baby in their Institute.

Alec might just be lying to him. It wouldn’t be the first time a shadowhunter had hid their true intentions from Magnus but beyond his reasoning, Magnus found himself hoping that Alec meant it. He found himself hoping that Alec did intend to care for the baby like it was his own.

Alec would be a good father and Magnus knew more than most how much warlocks deserved and rarely got someone like that in their lives.

Magnus walked away and he hoped that Alec Lightwood would not come to disappoint him.

[imagination-is-key-in-my-world]

Trauma

Authors Note: I mixed in parts of the book series for the fun of it. I hope you like it!

Request: Could you possibly write a Jace x Reader fanfiction where the reader has been through some trauma and gets triggered when making out with Jace?

Pairing: Jace Wayland x Reader

Summary: Y/N and Jace were together for quite sometime before Clary came onto the scene. It had broken Y/N beyond relief when Jace had ended the relationship upon meeting this girl. Her whole world is then turned upside down when Clary destroyed the boat and possibly her entire life.

Warnings: Swearing, some references to incestuous behaviour and physical and mental triggers.

Word Count: 6,092

I was on the boat that day. The day where something suspicious happened with Clary and Jace while they were talking with Valentine. None of us Shadowhunters really know the true extent of what happened to shake up our entire world during that battle. No one other than those who were down in the bunker with Valentine.

It is not like I was meant to be there, on that boat. The morning of the battle, Jace had come to my room at the institute and was practically on his knees begging me not to attend. He knew something bad was going to go down and at that precise moment, I put it all down to the thought that possibly he was trying to protect me from getting caught in the crossfire. But there was something there, something unnerving niggling behind his eyes.

I had seen that look once before. The night that we broke up, when he swore to me that he had no feelings for Clary. Since that day we had remained civil to one another but things were not quite the same between us. I loved the boy but he had forgotten all about me now that he had his sister on the scene. Which is why it was so confusing when he came to my room that night to convince me to stay away from the battle. He pulled out all the stops, he even called me by the nickname he gave me when we were together, ‘Darling.’

Just like the day that I first heard the nickname, I was putty in his hands. He could manipulate me that well with one word. The worst part was, I knew it. I knew I was a pawn and yet I almost fell for it yet again. Almost.

That night I had waited until Jace and Clary had left to go and see Valentine on the ship. The inquisitor was busy talking to Maryse about what to expect tonight, which meant that I had a couple minutes to find Alec and convince him to let me join them. Everyone knew that Alec had a soft spot for me, I was like his baby sister. Isabelle was stricter with me, she always prevented me from going on the hunts mainly because she was terrified that I would either get myself hurt or her. She was not as convinced of my abilities as Alec were.

“Alec, please!” I pleaded as he tugged at the bow that was sliding down my shoulder. “Something is going on with Jace and there is a reason he is trying to keep me away tonight!” Just like me, Alec knew what Jace was really like.

“I can’t just defy the inquisitor and give her another body to protect.” The way that he said body made me shake with a small sense of irritation.

“Hey!” Smacking his shoulder with the back of my hand. “I am not just a body! I can protect myself and you know that.”

It took longer than I had imagined to get Alec on side but all my best efforts and manipulation techniques that I had picked up along the way worked a saint. “You better not make me wish I handcuffed you to the bed.” Alec huffed as he handed me back my weapon of choice with a wide range of arrows to complete the deadly device.

***

“Save those kinky thoughts for Magnus.” Quickly I pushed myself up onto the tips of my toes to place a soft peck on his cheek. Something I had picked up along the way while growing up with Alec. It was the kindest thing I could do after all the manipulation I had done over the years.

I had not realised how bad the battle was going to be until I was there. Dozens of Shadowhunters were slaughtered by the demons that Valentine had summoned using the Mortal Instruments. It was possibly the most haunting thing I had ever seen in my entire life. I had witnessed my friends and family die for one another while Valentine’s demons did not give a rat’s ass. They were truly monsters of Valentine’s own creation.

“Try and find Jace, Y/N!” Alec shouted over the grunts and groans on the top level of the boat. “We need to get out of here before anyone else dies! Be-” Before Alec could finish talking, he was thrown across the deck by one of the larger demons.

“Alec!” I screamed as I could no longer see him. Tears filled my eyes when I did not receive a response from him.

“Y/N do what he said. Go find the others. I will stay with him.” Isabelle was shaking my shoulder trying to get me to move from my frozen state. “Hurry!”  

I finally register and begin running for cover. There were bodies everywhere, some that I recognised and some who I had never seen before. However, that did not make me feel any less queasy than I did within that moment looking down on their lifeless bodies.

Across from me, I could see a doorway that must have led downstairs where Alec had just told me to search. Sucking in a long painful breath from the smoke above deck, I ducked my head in and began to calmly run towards the murmurs that I could hear down the other end of the ship.

“Jace, Clary, I am your father, your own flesh and blood. How could you think these dark things of me?” Valentine failed sincerity with every word that he spoke. “You should love me the way that you too love each other.”

There was a dark look in Valentine’s eyes. One of utter disgust and almost a niggle of amusement. “Although, the way that you two love one another is impure, isn’t it my children?” Valentine watched and so did I as his eyes flicked between Jace and Clary.

I should help them. Try and get them out of there alive. But what I was hearing was the one thing I felt that I needed to hear from the day that we found Clary at that club. “Any father’s dream is for his children to be full of love for the other. But I think that you two take the cake for the most devoted brother and sister that I have ever seen.”

“Shut up, Valentine!” Clary screamed as she brandished her weapon from her jeans pocket.

Clearly amused by the whole debacle, Valentine continued to torment his children as I stood by in the shadows. “It is true, isn’t it Jace. You love little Clarissa in a deeply tainted way. What would the Clave think of that?” He taunted further. “You even broke up with that feisty teen from the institute just so that you could sneak around with your sister when all the doors were closed.”

I saw that look in Jace’s eyes. The same look he gave me when I asked if there was something between the pair of them. Defeat. “Stop talking, Valentine.”

“No, I don’t think I will. I quite liked that, Y/N. She was spunky, wait what was the word I used before. Ah yes feisty. Your mother was feisty. A good quality for a successful Shadowhunter to have.” Valentine perched on the edge of a table as he continued to peruse the annoyance and irritation on his children’s faces.

“Admit your true feelings and I will let you go.” Valentine raised his hands as if he were offering a simple transaction and not one that was completely demoralising for everyone who took part. “Lie to me and I will send my demons to tear your sister apart limb from limb.”

“She is your daughter; you would not do that.” Jace screamed at his father grasping fiercely onto his Seraph blade.

Valentine sighed and all I could do was stand there and wait for the admission that I asked for months ago and failed to receive. “You are my son, and she is my daughter. But right now, both of you are in my way so do as I say or you will all die.”

Clary ran across to Jace and pulled him in for a hug. My stomach ached harder. She did the one thing that I feared. She locked her lips on top of his. That was all the confirmation that I needed before my legs gave way and I plummeted to the floor letting out a soft but vocal yelp.

All the eyes in that room darted towards my hiding place. At least my yelp had separated Jace and Clary from their make out session. It all happened so quickly. Within seconds, Valentine had grabbed me by my hair and dragged me into the room with the two incestuous love birds.

Pulling back my hair to force me to stare at the boy I had loved for years clutching the girl he only knew for a matter of months and yet somehow loved her more. “What do we have here?” Valentine mocked as he knew the agonising pain that was now soaring throughout my body. Both physical and mental.

Jace leaned towards me. For a second, I thought that he was fighting to reach me, to save me even, but then he pulled back and stood alongside Clary with what was almost regret in his eyes. Almost. “Now don’t you think that little Y/N would like a front row show of what she had just missed?” Valentine taunted digging his blade into the side of my ribs.

“Don’t hurt her!” Jace spoke through his gritted teeth. “Don’t you dare hurt her.” On the word ‘dare’ Jace’s voice broke, I could hear the pain within his voice. But it was too late. He might care for me, but not like he cared for her.

Clary had out her mother’s stele and she was leaning against the wooden floor. Valentine was too busy marvelling in the chaos that he had caused to give his daughter the slightest bit of attention.

Jace’s eyes found mine and locked onto them. I could barely see him through the tears that were pooling in my eyes. It was over. He loved her, and I was nothing more than a memory to him. She was his present, and what might be his future.

“Open!” Clary screamed which was all I heard before the whole boat began to disintegrate into shards of wood. From what I can remember from that night, I was thrown out of Valentine’s grasp where I hit a rock-hard iron anchor. The pain that I experienced was excruciating, although the mental pain was almost as strong. I have lost him.

There was a loud crash and a boisterous cry from Jace as that giant anchor dislodged itself from the wall and landed on top of me. “Y/N!” His voice was getting quieter while the world began to get darker.

***

That was all I could remember from that day on the boat. Clary had done something to literally break apart the chaos that was forming both up and below board and yet I was the one who ended up in the infirmary for 2 months. I sustained major injuries and a few minor ones that were quickly healed with runes. But for the most of it, I was locked to that bed just like Alec had promised. Completely and utterly bed ridden.

I am not going to lie, I had visitors now and then. Although, for the most part of it, I was desperately alone. I had not seen Jace since that night. Alec showed up every day. He was my one constant that wasn’t just the drugs and horrible food I was receiving. Isabelle would pop by to gossip about how Alec and Magnus were becoming official even though their parents were not thrilled by the idea initially.

All those days cooped up there and I had not seen Jace. The one person I may have been delighted to see 2 months ago, but now I was not too sure that he was.

“Guess what?” Alec quizzed me behind his book that was positioned just below his chin. He had made his very own home from home set up in the corner of the infirmary. “I am not going to continue until you say, ‘Oh my gosh Alec tell me, tell me, tell me!’” He feigned a girly voice as if to impersonate myself. Picking up one of the cushions from the side of the bed, I threw it directly at his face. “Hey! I come here every day to help bring you joy and this is how you repay me? A cushion to the face?”

I laughed. I could always depend on Alec. He truly was my best friend here at the institute. Some days it even feels as though he is my only friend that I have here. “One, I do not talk like that; two, you are a jerk; and three, oh my gosh tell me!” I lived up to the fake voice that Alec had prescribed me.

Holding his hands up in defeat, “Okay I will tell you! Did you know that Clary and Simon broke up?”

“Why would I know that, Alec. You and Isabelle are the only people I see and this is the first that I am hearing this.” You pause and sigh. Simon was supposed to be keeping Clary away from Jace, and now he has basically opened the door for them to be together as they clearly do not care about the brother/sister relationship that they have.

“Alec? I am feeling a little tired. Do you mind if I get some sleep?” This was always the excuse that I used for Alec to leave, which he did even if he did linger slightly longer than he would have done.

“Alright. Love you peanut.” He kissed my forehead and stroked back my hair the way a brother would do for his sister. Everyone knew that if Alec had tried to do this to Isabelle, she would have snapped his wrist for being soppy.

I cried for a couple of hours after Alec had left. No matter how mean it was of me, I wanted Clary to stay away from Jace. Every time that I saw them together after we broke up, it broke me more and more.

***

While I sleep, I cannot prevent my mind from going places that I did not want it to. I could hear Jace’s voice clear as day. There was a sadness to his voice. Almost as if he were fighting back the urge to cry. “I have been such a dick, Y/N. I fucked up. I fucked up bad.”

In my dream he was holding my hand and squeezing it tightly. It felt so real almost as if Jace was really in the room with me holding onto my hand and speaking directly to me.

I turned my head slowly and let my eyes flutter open. “Jace?” My voice cracked as my body began to wake up.

His head was facing down when I first saw him but as soon as I spoke, he shot up and turned his head away from me. Lifting his hands up to his own face and then quickly replacing them to his hips. “Sorry, um.” He coughed still avoiding any form of eye contact with me. “I thought you were asleep. I will go. Sorry again.”

“Jace?” I whispered.

His head turned to face me and that was when his eyes locked onto mine. Even with his badass and fearless exterior, something flipped inside of that blonde-haired assassin. Those tears that I could hear in his voice that I thought were from my dream, suddenly appeared in his eyes.

I had not seen Jace cry in a long time. It was my kryptonite. Every time that I had seen Jace cry growing up, I always folded and any disagreement we were having would become irrelevant as I hated seeing the boy become so broken.

He stood there; his eyes locked onto mine as his tears ran down his face. “This is my fault. This is all my fault. You were hurt because of me.” His voice cracked in places and it shook over every word. I wanted to hold him and to tell him it was okay, but I always wanted to scream at him and to show him how much he had hurt me.

When I did not move or say anything he reached for my hand and pulled it up to his chest. “I miss you Y/N and I hate seeing you this way. Seeing you hate me.”

“If you missed me, where have you been for the past 2 months?” I cried letting my own tears fall from my eyes. “If you really missed me, you would have come to see me every day like Alec.”

Jace fell to his knees but kept hold of my hand. “I was here every day.” He whispered back. “I couldn’t face you hating me or possibly turning me away so I only came here when you were sleeping. I was here every day and every night while you were in the coma for the first month. I didn’t want you to be alone.”

“Jace, you hurt me.” I squeaked. “More than that anchor did.”

“I know. I am sorry, really, I am. One day I hope that you can forgive me.” There was something else though. Something he was not telling me; I could feel it.

“Jace, what is going on?” I could feel my heart pounding in my chest. It was getting more and more painful with every beat and breathing was becoming more difficult.

“Clary and I. We are not actually related. Valentine lied; he is not my father.” Fear washed over me. Without Simon in the way and now without the brother and sister barrier in the way, Jace was free to be with her. They were probably together now and this was his way to break it to me. My mind started going into overdrive. Thoughts kept entering my head with same speed that my heart belted in my chest.

“Y/N?” Jace screamed as my whole body started to shake. Then similarly to the boat fiasco, everything went black.

***

“What happened!” I could hear all the voices in the room but I could not see anyone.

“I told her that Clary and I aren’t related.” Jace’s voice was shaky, panic was clearly rushing throughout his body.

“You did tell her everything though?” Alec’s voice was booming in my ears as his protective brotherly mode was now engaged.

“I couldn’t quite tell her everything, once I told her the first thing this started to happen.”

“You have to tell her Jace! She fucking loves you, can’t you see that!” Isabelle chimed in. Glad to know that I was not subtle enough to slide past Izzy.

“I know! I am doing my best okay.” Jace barked.

“Magnus can you fix her?” Isabelle asked as she was clearly barking orders again at her brother’s boyfriend.

“I can but I will need some space. Y/N’s body has not fully recovered from the damage that she sustained on the boat. It appears that when an intense heart rate is inflicted her body begins to fail. I can help her with this one and do my best to fix the damage, but I cannot be sure that it will minimise the risks of this happening again. It is going to be a complicated spell, and even then magic may not even be her best option.”

“Magnus please.” Jace pleaded. “Do whatever you need to. I will do anything. I cannot lose her.”

***

I woke up to Alec’s head leaning on my shoulder. At some point after Magnus worked his magic, Alec had worked his way into my bed. Instead of waking up in the infirmary, I woke up in the comfortable and familiar surroundings that were my bedroom. Alec was snoring away on my shoulder but it was comforting to have him here with me.

I wiggled around in my bed to find Jace protectively watching over me from his armchair that he branded his spot in my room. There were dark circles under his eyes. I could tell that he had been awake for a long time which only made me more nervous as to how long I was out for. “Jace? What happened?”

It took Jace only a second to register that I was awake and looking right at him. “Hey, shh.” He said softly as he tried to avoid waking up Alec beside me. “Are you okay?” I nodded but it hurt a little to do so. Everything in my head was buzzing since the moment that I woke up. “I need to tell you something.”

My mind flashed back to the conversation that I was able to pick up once I had passed out. Although, I was sort of hoping that I had imagined it. “Before you got sick, I was about to tell you something.” I did not want to hear it. Jace’s face was serious, he was rubbing his chest as if he had indigestion or was having some sort of irritation from his t-shirt. “I cannot help but blame myself for you getting sick earlier. The thing is, I want you to know that Clary and I are not together.” He let his hand fall from his chest so that he could fiddle with his ring. “I knew it was not the right thing to do. We got into a massive fight when she said she wanted me to move away with her. I could not leave you. When you were in that coma, all I could think about was how much I wanted you to be okay. You were on my mind constantly. After the fight, I told her I did not want to be with her so she decided to move to Idris with Luke.”

I did not know what to say. That was a lot of information to take in all at once. “I want you to know that what you did on the boat, coming when I asked you not to. You put the fear of god into me. When I saw that anchor come down on you, I thought I lost you. I ran over to you but it had already done it’s damage.” He began to tear up as he wiped a stray bit of hair away from my eyes.

“I carried you out of there like a rag doll in my arms. I did not even know if you were alive and I had never experience anything as painful as that in my whole life. Y/N I was a wreck, you were the only thing that I cared about when that boat came apart. I realised then that you are the only thing on this god forsaken earth that I give two shits about and I thought I had lost you.” A tear dropped onto my arm as he no longer fought back the tears.

“What about Clary, I thought you loved her?” I questioned as the tears ran down my face. “What about her, Jace?”

He shook his head vigorously. “No. I don’t love Clary. At the time I thought I did, but it has always been you. I love you Y/N, you are my person.” My heart melted as these were the words that I wanted to hear from the minute that I laid eyes of Jace Wayland. “If you would let me, I would like to show you that I can be the man you want me to be. If you give me the chance, I can be the type of boyfriend you want me to be.”

Of course, I love Jace. I always have. The tears soaked through the collar of his shirt which did help his cause. “Jace, that has all I have ever wanted. But you broke my heart when you ended things, how can I be sure you won’t do it again?” Throughout the whole conversation and sobbing, Alec nevertheless laid perfectly still while letting his snores reach new volumes.

“I won’t.” Jace’s beautiful eyes searched mine, “I will not do anything to hurt you ever again. I promise. Please Y/N, I need you.” Jace Wayland the mighty Shadowhunter was showing his true feelings and how could I turn him away after that. He laid one hand on my chest and the other on his own, “I love you.”

“I love you too Jace.” Jace picked himself up from kneeling beside my bed and led alongside me in the bed. His arms draped around my body as he pulled me into his chest. I have never felt as safe as I did in that moment.

***

I woke up during the night to find that Alec was no longer beside me. However, Jace was still cuddled up against me with his arm protectively placed over my hips. I turned to face him, my nose now up against his. “Training starts in an hour, Jace.” I whisper to him.

His body began to stir as he registered my words. Instead of opening his eyes and trying to get out of the bed, Jace grabbed me and pulled me closer to him. “No, I want to stay here.” He grumbled, nestling his head into the crook of my neck. “Plus, you will just end up kicking my ass if we go down to the combat room.”

I push him away slightly as I begin to get excited to get back into training. Magnus had told Jace that if I felt well enough, I could start training again today. The only downside was that I prohibited to go out in the field for possibly a long time yet. I am already out of bed and in the bathroom before Jace can even notice that I am no longer beside him.

“Jace come on, I need to get back into this. I have done nothing for a whole two months. I think my legs are starting to seize up from being led down all the time.” Another grumble from the bedroom. I pick up my toothbrush and begin to brush my teeth. I gazed up at the mirror to stare back at my reflection. I had not seen my own face in days, I had dark circles under my eyes regardless of the amount of sleep that I was getting.

However, that was not what caught my eyes the most. It was the mark on my chest that made me stop dead. The toothbrush that I was once holding was now lying in the sink as I leaned in closer to the mirror to examine the scar. On my chest there was a long pink scar residing between my breasts. I knew for a fact that it was not there before the accident.

“Everything okay in there?” Jace called from the bathroom after possibly hearing the toothbrush hit the porcelain. I quickly discard my clothes and jump into the shower before Jace could see me or the scar. I turned on the water and let my mind go crazy. ‘Where was it from? How did I get it? It is so fucking ugly! I can not let Jace see it, what would he think?’ I push the thoughts away as I grab the towel from the side.

Jace appeared in the doorway as I stepped out of the shower with the towel already draped around my body. His moth was left open when his eyes searched my body. I tried my best to keep the mark covered with the towel. My cheeks began to flush and I was suddenly aware that I was naked underneath the towel. “You are absolutely beautiful, Y/N.” He declared as he decreased the gap between us both.

Jace’s hands rested on my hips while his eyes locked onto mine to ensure that his actions were okay. They were. His head began to drop closer to mine and once again that morning, our noses were touching.

My head jerked back when there was a knock on the door. Alec stood in the doorway holding his seraph blade in one hand and his bow over his shoulder. “Are you coming or what Peanut?” He shouted into my room.

I wave to him and tell him that I just need to change and I will be right out. I know he saw what was happening or what was about to happen and I could not be 100% sure, but I think that he had a slight glint of a smile creeping on his lips.

I turn back to Jace to see that he is disappointed. “When we come back can I have that kiss?” He asked me. I could not help but smile in response.

***

Training was my favourite part of the day. The only problem was how competitive everyone got. Jace was the worst. But today it felt as though he was going a little too easy on me and I was unsure as to why.

I pulled him aside after the third spar that we had where he clearly let me win too easily. “Jace what is going on?”

“What do you mean what is going on?” Jace was a terrible liar and he knew that I knew it. “Fine, it is quite embarrassing okay.” I raise an eyebrow as he continues to talk his way out of this one. “I keep thinking back to this morning and I, well it is quite uncomfortable to fight you when I am having to fight something else forming downstairs.”

My eyes gaze down his body and I finally twig at what he was trying to decipher to me without everyone else in the room hearing about his dilemma. “It doesn’t help that you are wearing an extremely short pair of shorts that is making your arse look desirable?”

I laugh a little at seeing him at his weakest during training. “It isn’t funny okay?”

I stop laughing when I saw that Alec had caught us no longer completing our training during our allotted time in the combat room. “Come on Alec will get annoyed if we don’t try and use this time wisely.”

Jace picked up his blade and held it out to you. “Go easy on me, would you?”

***

“Well you didn’t exactly go easy on me, did you?” Jace whined as he pulled his sweaty shirt off and threw it into his hamper. “If I knew any better, I would think that you knew exactly how to manipulate the situation.” He kept his back to me as he through on another clean shirt from his drawer. It was my favourite light blue shirt that he only ever wore around me when we first got together.

“Consider yourself lucky.” I protest as I discard my boots in the corner of his room. “At least I let you win once. That was generous of me.” I scrunch up my nose, the way I know he likes. Apparently, it makes me look all cute and innocent. When we first met, Jace told me that when I smile, I scrunch up my nose. He found it adorable and I caught his attention from an early age.

I felt the light touch of his hands slide around my stomach and laid delicately on top of my skin. His head rested on my shoulder. “I love you, Y/N.” He whispered into my ear. I do not think that I will ever get used to hearing him say those words to me. I turned around in his arms and hooked my own around his neck. Just like that morning, his head started to close the distance between our faces.

The feeling I got when his lips touched mine was almost as if someone had put the whole world on pause. We were the only two people in the entire universe within that moment. Do not get me wrong, Jace and I have kissed before. But this time it felt different. When our lips met I felt as though my heart was finally whole again. My whole body ached to be close to him.

It was not long before the kisses became more heated. I felt Jace’s hands become firmer on my hips as if he were holding me desperately close to him. Did he feel the exact same need that I did? I folded up in his arms and allowed him to direct me over to the bed where he gently laid me down onto the mattress without breaking the kiss once.

Between every other breathless kiss, he broke away to moan the words ‘I love you’ repeatedly as if he were trying to convince himself that this was happening. His hand locked onto the side of my face where he began to caress my cheek and his lips connected and disconnected with my own. While his other hand held onto both of my own above my head.

Jace’s kisses were smooth and tender and they were the one thing that I wanted more than anything in this entire world. His lips started to relocate down my chin and onto my neck. His sweet lips sucked at the skin just below my jaw which made my breath get caught in my throat. My heart was beating rapidly as I could not believe that Jace and I were finally in a place where this was possible.

It was not until his lips reached my chest where I started to panic. My mind flashed back to the discovery that I made that morning before the shower. My head started pounding as my heart rate started to beat faster than I thought was possible.

“Stop!” I cried as I attempted to push Jace off me. I clutched my shirt together and brought my knees up to my chest. My breathing was rapid and the world started to blur again.

Jace rushed over to my side and held onto my arms. “Breathe Y/N. Slowly, come on you can do it, copy me okay?” I watched as he tried to guide me through each breath. “Good, now slowly drop your legs for me. It will make it easier.” I did as he said and continued to mimic the breathing techniques that he was demonstrating to me.

After 5 minutes I managed to get my breathing back down and my heartbeat back to a regular rhythm. Jace was sat down beside me holding onto my right hand. “Do you want to tell me what happened?” He asked calmly.  

At first, I thought about lying to him, hiding the truth from him. But I could not do it. “I have a scar.” I manage to squeak. It sounds stupid but it really was hard for me to say. “I have a scar on my chest and I didn’t want you to see it because you might think that I am ugly.”

Jace squeezed onto my hand and pulled me into his chest to comfort me. “Don’t be silly. I think that you are beautiful and nothing is going to change that.” He moved from my side to kneel on the floor between my knees. “Will you show me?”

He raised his hands up to where I was holding my hand over the exposed area. Slowly and gently he guided my hand away from my chest. When he saw the scar, his expression did not change. Almost as if he had seen it before. His thumb stroked over the scarred tissue of skin. Tracing the line from the beginning to the end. “See it is disgusting.” I whimpered at his touch.

He slowly shook his head and placed his hand over the top of it. “No, this is a constant reminder that I can never hurt you ever again. Your heart is now protected.”

I let him hold me tight as I cried. “My heart is yours.” I sobbed into his arms.

“And so is mine.” He placed a kiss on my forehead. I never really knew how true that was until I saw that Jace had the same scar on his chest. When Jace told Magnus that he would do anything, he really did mean it. I owned half of his heart. “I told you Y/N, you are my person.” His lips connected sweetly with my forehead as he held me closer to him.

[cloudyskywars]

The Magnus Archives, Season 2

Hello again. I’ve now finished listening to Season 2 of TMA and have lost my mind. @reese-haleth can confirm. After Season 1 I wrote my “statement” regarding my thoughts on the season. I’ve done it again, even though no one asked lol. Listen, I just love this podcast a lot, okay? Enjoy my 2,000 word report on Season 2 of The Magnus Archives. 

Statement below the cut.

Continued statement of CloudySkyWars and her experiences listening to the second season of The Magnus Archives. Statement originally given 28th April, 2021. 

I… don’t really know where to begin. It has now been a full day since I finished Season 2, and I still don’t quite know what to think. So many things were revealed in the season finale, and throughout the season in general. I don’t quite know what to do with all the new information I have now. In rereading my previous statement, I was right to be nervous for Jon. I didn’t think it was possible, but his situation got worse.

Let’s start with an easier- well, not easier- but more approachable topic I suppose? Sasha is gone. I think I’ve known that from the end of last season, when her voice changed abruptly and no one seemed to notice. Her scream as she was eaten, or taken, or whatever it was, was terrible. I suppose I shouldn’t have expected her to come back from something like that. Still, it hurts me to know that she’s truly gone. 

We now know more about the being that took Sasha. I’m still not sure what it is called exactly, but for now I shall refer to it as the Not Being. It has apparently been around for ages; hundreds, possibly thousands of years. As it said itself, it wears the person that it chooses as its victim. It transforms into them, for lack of better word, except it changes its appearance, yet somehow tricks everyone into believing that that is how the person has always appeared. Well, almost everyone. It is odd how there always appear to be one or two people that the being cannot fool. In the case of Graham, it was his neighbor across the street. In the case of Sasha, it was Melanie, the ghost hunter. As Gerturde Robinson said, it is strange that a being that has the power to assume someone’s identity and change pictures and hundreds of people’s memories somehow misses just a few people that remember who the person was at first. I do not know for sure, but perhaps those that it cannot fool are somehow protected by another one of the Beings. 

That’s another difficult topic. The Beings. I don’t know exactly what to call them yet. Jon has slowly been putting the pieces together, and with the statement of the now late Jurgen Leitner, the pieces form an almost complete puzzle. From my understanding, there are 10 Beings so far that we are aware of at this time.

Here is my understanding of the Beings so far. I don’t know how correct any of this is, but I know I still have much to learn.

Being 1: Darkness. The form of darkness incarnate, responsible for the founding of the cult The People’s Church of the Divine Host. It can dim lights, and also affect the water when it is near. The head of the cult in the 1990s was one Maxwell Reiner. 

Being 2: Michael, aka The Spiral. It lies. This Being appears to be a master of deception and trickery, and has no regard to others except to watch them in its tortured games. I will discuss Michael further, but right now we know the appearance it chooses to take at this time: a tall man with curly blonde hair and bulbous, swollen hands. 

Being 3: Meat. I do not know much about this being at this time. It appears to be vicious, and quite literally thirsts for blood and meat. 

Being 4: Fire. Again, my knowledge on this particular being is limited. I believe it to be closely tied to Agnes Montague, and perhaps be an enemy of the Not.

Being 5: Not. As I stated before, this being takes the identity of its victim and warps it, manipulating almost everyone’s minds to forget the original form of the person ever existed. It always seems to miss a few though. Its one weakness seems to be the wooden table that Jon has now destroyed. Jon was under the impression that the Not got its power from the table, but the opposite was true. The table was binding it, and for a bit it seemed as though the Not had almost unlimited power, taunting Jon in the tunnels. But I’m getting ahead of myself. The Not can trick photos and people’s minds, but appears to be unable to alter voice recordings of the victim as long as it is recorded on magnetic tape. This is how Jon realized that Sasha was indeed Not Sasha, as he found the tapes from Season 1 where her voice was recorded. It also seems to be unable to alter polaroid photos.

Being 6: Abyss. We don’t know much about this one yet, either. It takes the form of some abyss or another, whether it be the sky or the deep blue ocean. I am not ashamed to say that this Being is one of the scariest for me.

Being 7: Giant- I feel this is a poor descriptor for this being, but it is the best I can come up with at the moment. It is exactly as it sounds; a giant. So far we have primarily seen it manifest as a giant hand. Perhaps that would be a better name for it. Hand. 

Being 8: Thin- This is, I fear, not an accurate description of this Being. It is described as being tall and thin, with limbs like knives. Not much is known about him at the moment, however we believe that his “brother” of sorts was the werewolf creature from a previous statement. 

Being 9: The End- The Being of death and disease. I strongly suspect that this is the being responsible for Jane Prentiss, as well as John Amehurst, who has shown up multiple times so far in the series. 

Being 10: Eye, aka the Beholder- This Being is in control of The Magnus Institute, and ‘owns’ all those who work there. The Eye watches people, as its name suggests. It also apparently protects those it owns from the other beings, and the protections are strongest in The Institute itself. 

I hope that the Darkness has mostly gone away, for now. Basira claims that Maxwell Reiner, the head of The People’s Church of the Divine Host, is now dead. Hopefully this means that the Darkness will have less influence over this world for the time being. At least until it can find another host.

And that’s another thing. Basira. We were just introduced to the character this season, and already I am very attached to her. It disappoints me that she has left the police force and will no longer be able to help Jon, but I do not believe we have seen the last of her. Her leaving the police opens the door for her to help Jon more in the future, especially now that he is on the run for murder. I will… discuss that more deeply later. Basira’s introduction also caused us to meet Daisy, who I quite like at the moment, but I feel that will change quickly as she is the one investigating Leitner’s murder and will most likely be leading the manhunt for Jon. For the moment though, she is in my good graces. 

Daisy’s first statement talked about her first encounter with a paranormal experience. It dealt with the coffin from the statement of Joshua Gillespe. The moving company, Breekon and Hope, is not gone. I don’t think it ever will be. I do not yet know which Being they are associated with, if any, but they have caused problems in the past and I have cause to believe they will continue to cause problems in the future.

Now for the difficult part: Jon. He is in quite the predicament right now, and I am scared to see what will happen to him. He is on the run for murder, because Elias Bouchard brutally murdered Jurgen Leitner and has now framed Jon for it. Elias had me fooled. I thought he cared about Jon, about all of them. But he is clearly dedicated to the Eye, and anything that threatens the Beholder and what it watches, holds, and owns- Elias will stop at nothing to protect it. I do not know if Elias is a paranormal being himself or is simply an instrument of the Eye. 

I desperately hope that Jon will be alright. I think, (though I could be wrong), that he will reach out to Basira and ask for her help. Season 2 has developed outside characters more so than Season 1, and I believe it is so that Jon has connections that he can reach out to. With Basira leaving the police force, it opens the possibility that he can go to her for help. The same is true with Melanie. She and Jon have something that could almost be considered a friendship, though most of their conversations end in a verbal sparring match or fight. Nonetheless, Melanie was heading to India, and Jon was aware of that. Perhaps he will go to her for assistance, or maybe he will wise up and realize that Martin actually cares about him and ask him for help. We shall see. 

Gerturde Robinson is another character we have learned more about this season. She is hardly the absent minded old woman we were led to believe she was. In the beginning, Jon complained about her lack of organization in the Archives, but now I think there was a reason for it. She put the pieces together, and was murdered for it. She was trying to separate the pieces, to make it safe for whoever took her place, as well as attempting to fool Elias into thinking she didn’t know what was going on. She failed at that, as he discovered her knowledge and murdered her in the tunnels beneath the Archives. It was also revealed that she was working with Jurgen Leitner.

Leitner has been mentioned since the beginning, though we heard from him for the first and last time in the final two episodes of Season 2. Contrary to my assumptions, he was not making his books evil, simply trying to harness the power they already possessed. I am thankful that he saved Jon from the Not Being, as Jon would have surely died had Leitner not interfered. He is very knowledgeable in paranormal matters, and did his best to explain it to Jon. However he was murdered by Elias before he had a chance to explain all he wished to. Leitner claims that the books are the Beings in their purest form, and I am certain we have not seen the last of the books from Leitner’s extensive library. 

Martin and Tim surely think that Jon murdered Leitner. I hope that Martin at least will continue to have faith in Jon, and that he will possibly find the supplemental tapes that Jon had been recording and realize what was actually happening. Only time will tell, though. 

Another Being that we learned more about this season was Michael. He was first introduced to us by Sasha (the real one), back in season 1. At the time, it was portrayed as either a passive or helpful Being, showing Sasha how to kill the worms that came from the thing once known as Jane Prentiss, but this season has proved that not to be the case. Michael has trapped people multiple times, (notably Helen Richardson), and has since shown more aggression than before. It stabbed Jon, who then proceeded to lie about his wound because he didn’t trust his coworkers. To its credit, in the second to last episode of Season 2, Michael helps Jon get a head start from the Not Being after Jon accidentally sets it free. However it then proceeds to trap Martin and Tim in one of its corridor labyrinths for days in some sort of sick game for its enjoyment, and comments that it may also kill them. Luckily it either failed or changed its mind. Time will tell whether or not the Being that calls itself Michael will be more of a friend or foe. 

I suppose that’s it, really. There are surely many things that I have forgotten, but I have done the best I can to document my thoughts and my knowledge of The Magnus Archives at this time. I don’t know all that is going on, I don’t know how things will be resolved. I don’t even know if the mystery will be fully solved. But I desperately hope that things will be explained, that we will receive answers, and that the mystery will be solved. It has to be. I don’t know what I’ll do if it’s not.

Statement ends.