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the-blind-assassin-12 · 4 years ago

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Point of No Return - Part One

A/N: Hi. So I have not been able to stop thinking about Ezra and Cee and the world that they inhabit in the film Prospect since I first watched it a few months back. My initial reaction to the movie was that I craved more from that world. There is so much rich detail and background for the story to take root in and the characters (and what they have been through) were so compelling to me that it left me with so many questions. Who was Ezra before he runs into Cee? What did he leave behind to peruse his goals on the Green? Who could Cee become without the constant shadow of her father looming over her? With someone supportive in her life instead? What other types of prospecting or harvesting jobs are there out there and what drove Ezra to Aurelac? What other kinds of weird food items and technology exist in this world?! So... I let my imagination go a little off the rails and this was the result.

This story is honestly a blast for me to write so I truly hope that if you read it you enjoy it. Please feel free to ask me any questions or let me know what you think. If you would like to be added to this taglist just send me a message or leave me a comment and I will gladly add you! :)

Warnings: discussion of death, injuries, illness, loss

Summary: It’s been five long years since Clara last saw Ezra, the man she loved with more of herself than she ever thought possible, the two falling apart under the weight of a heavy loss in the family. Most of the time she has enough work on her Thulian farm to keep her thoughts from him, but the harvest season always dredges up memories both precious and painful. She tries to push the emotions away to focus on her work, but when she receives a message from a mysterious caller it becomes clear that that will simply be impossible this time.

Word Count: 5.8k

It wasn’t quite morning yet.

Only a sliver of the harvest star was visible over the horizon, its bright amber light muted by the lingering vestiges of night. Soon it would rise fully, igniting the landscape with its burning orange glow and seemingly setting the Thulian Grass ablaze. Dawn cracked quickly into day during the harvest season, giving farmers longer hours to cut back the stalks and collect the ripened pollen. For now though, the fields that surrounded the small house still appeared to be a soft dusty rose color, the tops of the tall grass ruffling in the cool breeze.

Clara stifled a yawn against the backs of her bent fingers as she headed down the creaky stairs. It was dark and quiet in the house and there was no reason other than habit for her to be hiding her sleepiness. Abe didn’t care if she was tired so long as his bowl was full, and it would be hours before the grumpy old cat would move from his preferred nesting spot in the bedroom’s window seat. Lazy beast. The farm hands stayed in a loft over the barn that her father had converted into living quarters years ago, when the farm was in its prime and they’d needed extra help almost year round. It comfortably housed up to ten, though now only half that many workers occupied the space for just a few weeks at a time. Aside from Clara and the cat, the rest of the house was empty.

She let another yawn slip out, this one unhindered as she brought both hands up to scoop her hair back, fingers deftly winding an elastic band around it. Securing her shoulder length chocolate brown waves in a ponytail, she pulled it tight as she descended the last few steps. A few strays got wound around and between her ring and middle fingers and she pulled them loose with a sigh. What’s a few more grays gone? Wiggling her digits she let the strands fall free and reached the bottom of the staircase, immediately turning left into the small kitchen.

Through the circular window above the sink she could see the light on in the loft, a pinprick of golden yellow across the sea of pink in the pre-dawn. Siggi’s got ‘em up already. She smiled and flicked the wall switch to light up the room. Good. The lost and confused 19 year old college dropout who had turned up looking for work during the harvest season seven years ago and had never so much as held a shovel let alone swung a sickle had developed into quite the farmer, proving to himself and everyone that the scholastic route had never been for him. Even when her father had to retire and they had to downsize the operation, Clara kept Siggi on as the full time manager- the only other full timer apart from herself. While he still stayed in the loft for the three weeks during harvest, he had moved into an apartment over the hill in town with his girlfriend, making the forty five minute commute for the rest of the year by hovercar.

He didn’t know it yet, but at the close of the current season Clara planned on talking to him about his interest in buying the farm from her one day. It’s gotta go to someone. She couldn’t think of anyone else she’d want her family’s property to go to. She had a cousin with two kids on Central but his only interest in the land would be in selling it, the man telling her so point blank. It didn’t surprise her since he had never actually set foot there, but keeping the farm within the family was less important to Clara than making sure it went to someone who would continue to care for it as she had. With Seth gone and no children of her own, she couldn’t think of anyone she’d rather it go to than Siggi. It won’t be for another nine or ten years at least but… She sighed, opening the cabinet above the sink and pulling down the large white canister of high-caf tea. But it would give him time to save if he is interested and- she peeled the lid off the canister, spooning three heaping scoops of the dried leaf powder into the brew pouch on the counter kettle. And it would make me feel better knowing it was going to him and not developers or contractors.

Frowning, she was reminded of what happened with Briggs’ farm, just a few miles from her own front door, when the man became too old and sick to work and couldn’t keep up the payments. With no one to take the reins from him, the land had gone up for auction, ending up in the hands of some rich Central asshole like her cousin. Last year, for the entire three week harvest while she and Siggi and the other seasonal hires toiled in the Thulian fields, they were treated to the constant grinding and pounding of construction machinery as it ripped up Briggs’ once fruitful farm and readied it to be built up into luxury condominiums. I won’t let that happen. Not to my fields. Not… Clara jammed the start button on the kettle, swallowing a lump of emotion before shaking her head. Stop it, Clara, it’s too damn early for that.

With the Aurelac rush drying up though, prospectors, freighter captains, jewelers, investors and anyone else who had made their money in the rare root gems were cashing out and looking for places to spend their wealth in comfort. Kamrea was a first choice for many of them, and for many reasons. It was a temperate planet with only a few weeks of what could be considered winter weather, the air was breathable, the water potable, and the ground exceptionally fertile, Thulian, Crater-Apples, Potatoes, countless herbs and a cornucopia of other produce grew in abundance there. Its close proximity to Central, where most of the galaxy’s Aurelac crews took off for the Bakhroma System, also meant that a large Kamrean population worked in the industry. It was why finding seasonal help on the farm was never a problem during the height of the rush- men and women from all over the galaxy had made the planet their temporary home between runs to the Green Moon, finding themselves in need of work between digs.

Like Ezra.

The kettle hissed, steam beginning to rise as the dark purple liquid started dripping into the waiting thermos, and though the air that came through the open windows was warm Clara shivered. She placed her hands on the countertop and closed her eyes. If she took a deep breath and tuned out all but the sound of the tea brewing, she could call back a memory that was almost strong enough to feel- His arms winding around her from behind, lips brushing first along her shoulder whether she was wearing a shirt with sleeves or not, then landing close to her ear as he pressed his body to hers. His scent, like the forest and the fields, the stream and clean sweat mixing with the herbal smell of the tea and completely intoxicating her as she leaned back into his broad chest. “You know, you make it exceedingly difficult for me sometimes, Huckleberry”. The tip of his nose tracing the edge of her ear before his patchy beard raked along the skin behind it as she, breathless, struggled to ask him what it was she made so difficult. “Determining whether I am awake-“ A kiss to her temple, his arms tightening around her. “-Or still only dreaming of having you in my embrace.”

Opening her eyes she felt the warmth that steeping in the memory had given her leave in a rush. It always did, always hurting more than the ache she’d used it to soothe. This season would mark five years since the last time she’d stood on the porch and watched him go. Since he left. Since I… The kettle finished brewing, clicking as the drip stopped abruptly. Since I told him not to come back until he was done with… She could feel the sting of tears forming in the corners of her eyes and forcibly blinked them back. It was without a doubt her biggest, heaviest regret and it weighed on her heart most ruthlessly at this time of year, the season that had brought him to her and that had also become the annual reminder of his departure from her life.

Pulling the first thermos from the kettle, she twisted the cover on before any of the heat could escape. She went on autopilot then, setting it aside and replacing it with a second, going about the process and scooping more powder into the brew pouch. She had two more to fill after after that to ensure the whole crew had enough energy to get through the long shift. Clara had very few rules on the farm, but one that she was adamant about was that stim chew was not allowed on the premises. She was happy to provide as much high-caf tea as her crew could drink though, the natural substance working just as well to invigorate without giving the user shakes and headaches. And it wasn’t addictive.

She used the time to pull herself together. Stupid. She knew the risk that came with thinking about him, giving in to such a powerful memory about the man she still loved so powerfully no matter how they’d both let each other down in those last few months before he left. Her pain, her anger, the things she felt when she had told him not to come back if he was going on the path he had laid out for her, they were real and she didn’t blame herself for feeling them. She was grieving, not just for Seth, but for Ezra, too. He wasn’t the same after… And then that next trip, when he- An uneven breath burst from her lips, the next few coming out the same way. I never should have let him go back after we lost Seth.

She sniffed, wiping at her eyes with the heels of her palms, blotting the rest of that thought from her mind. His decisions were clouded by grief then, too. She saw that now, understood it. He loved her brother just as much as she did, and he had taken that loss extremely hard. So hard that he couldn’t be there for her, or at least that’s what he had convinced himself of. I wasn’t there the way he needed me to be either though. I… pushed him away. And I never pulled him back.

She switched out the thermos again, twisting the lid on, setting it down, the grainy sound of the scoop moving through the tea powder punctuating the silence as she refilled the brew pouch a third time. Outside the sky was lightening to a pale whitish blue, roughly one third of the harvest Star peeking over the curve of the planet. She’d lived there all her life but it was still breathtaking how quickly the enormous orb appeared in the sky this time of year, how with each blink it rose higher and got brighter until suddenly your eyes couldn’t drink the vivid colors in quickly enough, everything as bright as it had ever been intended to be. It was beautiful and it made her thankful to call the place her home.

Though without Ezra, without Seth, could she really call it that?

Yes. The thought came swiftly as she watched the fields come alive in vibrant hues of pink, flecks of pollen starting to shine in the first rays of light. She felt it in her chest, a swelling that made her take a breath. It made her conscious of her own heartbeat. This is where she and Seth grew up, running through the hollow Thulian stems in the winter or collecting smooth stones from the stream after the rainy season. This is where she learned everything she knew about farming and hard work from her father, the man also teaching her to save time for joy and celebration. This is where she met Ezra, where they spent three years so deeply and fully in love that she could still feel him after more than that much time apart. If this wasn’t her home, filled with all of that, then she never had one.

By the time she placed the fourth thermos under the kettle the kitchen was bathed in radiant harvest light. A slight orange tinge touched everything as the Star finally rose completely over the horizon. Clara turned back towards the doorway and reached out to click the light switch off. Artificial light was only necessary a few hours a day during the harvest weeks. It would still be light out when they finished work for the day, all of them likely falling into bed before needing to turn on a lamp once it finally got dark at night. Turning back around she saw that Siggi had doused the loft light, too. They’re probably heading down now. She gave herself until the final thermos was full to finish composing her emotions, closing them off as she twisted the lid on.

There was hard work to be done, and it required her full attention and awareness. The tools they used to harvest the puffy pink pollen sacks were sharp and she’d seen with her own eyes what they could do in the hands of someone who wasn’t thinking clearly. For her own safety and for that of her fellow harvesters, she couldn’t bring those feelings- the way she ached with regret and how badly she missed him and how thoroughly terrified it made her to wonder why he had still not come back- into the fields. There was no place for it there, not now.

She packed the four thermoses of tea and a few reusable cups into a large satchel along with a small case of Bits Bars. They weren’t her first choice but they were fast, available nutrition for the long day. Full of flavor, the package boasted. Kevva knows that’s a lie. She rolled her eyes. As soon as the season was wrapped up she always cooked a huge meal for the whole team, and anyone who had ever worked for Clara or her father knew that they had a place at her table for any and all holidays. But no one complained about the provided rations during the season, so she tried not to feel guilty about the offering.

Adding a first aid field kit to the bag, she closed it and set it down on the small table before stooping to open the lower cabinet. Most importantly… Pulling out the bag of kibble, she filled Abe’s bowl in the corner of the kitchen and refreshed his water. Alright, your highness, you’re all set. She smiled to herself as she stowed the kibble. Though the rotund striped orange cat spent most of his time snoozing in the window and typically couldn’t be bothered with the goings on of daily life on the farm, he was affectionate towards Clara, jumping into her lap at the end of the day, rubbing his chin on her knuckles and generally giving her something to look forward to. Ezra used to joke about the cat’s laziness, citing the one occasion when Abe had actually stood by and allowed a family of channel rats to move into the basement, but Clara knew that the man had a soft spot for her pet, even as he grumbled about having to deal with the pests himself. Though he’d been born feral, Clara finding him as a kitten, yowling alone in the barn, Abe had never been a hunter. Without his bowl of kibble he would be completely lost. But despite his pacifist, helpless nature meaning that she could never count on him to keep rodents out, Clara would be lost without the little furry lump, too.

Abe taken care of for the day and the necessary supplies packed, she slung the bag over her shoulder and headed out the back door onto the porch that wrapped around the old farmhouse. The field directly to the right of the house had already been processed, the pink pollen stored in the silver silo attached to the barn, ready to be tumbled and bagged as soon as the other two fields had been harvested. The sweet smelling powder was used in a number of products ranging from paint to perfume either to add fragrance or color, and because Clara kept with her father’s method of only using natural fertilizers, the Thulian farmed on her property was even rated for use in food and drink. Though the field that was finished was the smallest, she and the team had made good time with it, getting it squared away in only four days and giving themselves a bit of a cushion when it came to getting the other two larger fields done. The time crunch really only applied while the pollen was still on the stalk, the ripening process halting as soon as the sacks were sliced from the tops. But having a little bit of leeway took some of the pressure off and that made keeping morale up much easier.

Once Clara had turned the corner, coming around to the front of the house, she saw Siggi striding across the field, dragging harvesting equipment behind him. He raised one arm over his head, the bright light glinting off his flaxen hair as he waved to her. She returned the gesture, then pulled the bandana that was tied around her neck up over her mouth and nose. The Thulian wasn’t toxic, but it made your nostrils and throat tickle if inhaled in large quantities. It also stained skin and hair and clothing, especially when mixed with sweat, but there wasn’t much to be done about that aside from much needed showers at the day’s end. Ready for work, she walked down off the porch and made her way towards where her team was setting up at the far side of the middle field.

Had she waited just a second or two longer she may have heard the beep coming from the communicator screen that hung next to the light switch near the door in the kitchen. The call that came through then might have been answered instead of being directed to her inbox, continuing to beep every thirty seconds until the message was retrieved and played.

Eight hours later, Clara trudged back up to the house to refill two of the tea thermoses, this time with cold water. Wiping the back of her hand across her sweat slicked forehead, she could feel the pink powder leaving a rosy streak across her skin. Yanking the bandana down off her face, she licked her dry lips and opened the door to the kitchen. The air cooling system whirred gently and the conditioned air hit her face instantly as she stepped inside, drying the smudge of pollen on both her face and over her knuckles. It was a hot one, and she was glad to step inside for water and for the reprieve. She’d told Siggi and the others to take a break in the shade until she returned, and peering out the circular window she could see them sprawled out in the open doorway of the barn. Good.

As soon as she placed the thermoses in the sink to rinse them out, Abe came scuttling into the kitchen, meowing loudly and circling her ankles. She bent down to stroke his hunched back as he continued to cry out. “Hey Mister, what’s got you all in a-”

But the beep of the message indicator on the communication screen cut off the rest of her question, and she rose, turning in the direction of the machine. Abe didn’t like the sound that the machine made when there was a message waiting, she knew that. “Sorry, little guy,” she muttered to the cat as she walked over to the wall to stop the sound. He meowed back and she had to laugh at how animated he was. “I know, I know, I’m the worst, leaving you alone with the big bad beep.” He headbutted her calf as she started entering her passcode to play the message, and as soon as he heard the automated voice of the inbox menu, he trotted happily out of the kitchen. Clara shook her head, still chuckling at the cat, his heavy footsteps still audible from the next room.

Sighing, she pressed the play button, ready to hear some recording pertaining to new market guidelines or offers from developers looking to purchase her land. She leaned casually against the doorframe, finger hovering over the delete button, ready to press it if her assumptions were correct. Who else would it be anyway? The machine beeped, and the message played.

There was a pause, only a shaky breath coming through the speaker, but already enough to tell her that the message was not a recording. Dropping her hand away from the screen, she looked more closely at the number, the three digit code at the beginning making her forehead crease with confusion. 763? That’s… Double checking the chart that was installed on the screen, she confirmed what she had thought. That’s the Med Center on Central.

She had no time to process that information though, the caller finally speaking, the young female voice sounding thin and anxious. “H-hello? This...this message is for Clara.”

Who is that? Her heart pounded at the fear and uncertainty in this girl’s voice- this girl who knew her name and where to reach her. She stood up straight then, but kept her hold on the doorframe, a strange dizziness striking her as the message continued.

“Clara? I’m,” she took another shuddering breath and cleared her throat, “My name is Cee and I’m… I’m here on Central at the Med Center w-with,” a sharp inhale, a stunted release of air, “With a man named Ezra and-”

All the air in the room was gone as she heard his name, the walls falling away and the ceiling tumbling to the floor. Ezra. She heard the gasp that fell from her lungs as she tightened her grip on the frame, her knees buckling slightly. Ezra. He’s alive, he’s- She realized then that the message was still playing but the rushing in her ears had drowned it out and she couldn’t hear the rest of the girl’s trembling words. Wait. She blinked rapidly to clear her vision and brought a quivering hand up to the control panel to punch in the code that would restart the message. If she’s calling from the Med Center that means… Her blood ran cold as she stared at the machine intently this time, waiting to hear the rest of it.

“H-hello? This...this message is for Clara. Clara? I’m- my name is Cee and I’m… I’m here on Central at the Med Center w-with...with a man named Ezra and I- he...he needs your help.” There was another pause and Clara heard a sniff followed by a soft whine before the girl spoke again. “Please, I don’t know… there’s no one else for me to call. He’s...he’s hurt and...and sick and all I have is your contact information and-” Clara’s chest clenched as the girl’s words started coming more rapidly, the adrenaline that was shaking her voice causing the speed at which she spoke to double. “Please, if you don’t help him they’ll just...they’ll put him in the system and…” Clara shivered at the thought of Ezra or anyone she cared about being shoved off into the poorly run social system of healthcare. “Please, Clara, call this number back, please. He… the only thing he’s said in the last twenty four hours has been your name.”

Tears ran down her cheeks freely then despite not knowing when they started. She knew that they were leaving painted streaks of Thulian dye where they trailed but there was no stopping them. A small sob fought it’s way free even as she tried to silence it to take down the number that the girl, Cee, had given her. Ezra. She could feel his warm breath on the crest of her shoulder, his strong arms flexing around her, her heart absolutely jubilant to know that he was alive. But in the next beat she clenched her eyes closed as the message played again in her mind. He’s hurt and sick. A sudden terrible twisting sensation started up in her stomach then, and she was helpless against the thought that those words conjured- that the cruelty of the universe was about to rear its hideous head again and steal him from her the second she got him back. Another sob, this one more ragged, ripped itself free. Ezra…

There was no doubt in her mind or in her heart or her soul that she would be calling back. She knew without hesitation that she would do whatever was asked of her in order to provide what she could for the man. But even though she spent years wishing she could take back the last things she had said to him, his reemergence in her life, so shrouded with danger and darkness left her paralyzed. Once she had the number copied, she turned and slid her back down the wall until she plopped onto the ground, the room still spinning behind her closed eyes. Ezra.

She knew the man she met back when her father hired him, the man she had gotten to know throughout that season. She knew the man that she fell hard and fast in love with, and she knew the man who had come back broken once before. She knew the man she had loved and lost but she had no idea who this man was now. Would there be anything left of the Ezra she’d known? Was there anything left of her that he would recognize?

She didn’t know how long she had been sitting there, tears silently running down her face in pink streams, her eyes focused on the far wall, but it had been long enough to draw Siggi’s curiosity, Clara coming out of her stupor only when she registered the man kneeling in front of her and snapping his fingers.

“Clara? Hey, Clara, c’mon look at me, will ya?” There was concern in his voice, and as she blinked back to reality she saw it swirling in his eyes, too, their dark blue depths clearing only when he noticed that she seemed to notice him. “Hey,” she sighed in relief, placing a hand on her shoulder. “You scared me for a minute, thought you overheated there, boss.” Clara tried to respond but could only swallow the lump that formed in lieu of words. “Boss?” Siggi’s brow furrowed again, smudges of Thulian powder drying in the creases there. “Hey, Clara, what h-”

“It’s Ezra, Sig.” She was finally able to summon up enough vocal strength to respond, and even then her voice came out in a thin whisper, like the girl on the message. “He’s… he’s alive and I-” That was as much as she could get out before her eyes swam and tears clogged up her throat again. It was as much as he needed- Siggi had been there for most of their relationship. Ezra had even contributed quite a bit to his training on the farm the first year he was there, Siggi developing a sort of mentorship with the man for the short while they worked together. And he knew how it had wrecked Clara when he had left five years ago.

“Oh, shit, Clara…” She felt his hand squeeze the top of her shoulder as he sat next to her before opening his arm for her to lean into him, transitioning from employee to friend- family- in that moment. He let her cry into his shirt, not caring that it was soaking pink stains into the collar. After a few hefty sobs left her empty for the time being, he spoke again. “Listen, I’m gonna go back out with the guys and finish up for the day.” He pulled back and made her look him in the eye as he continued. “You take all the time you need, call whoever you have to call and… if you haveta go anywhere, Clara, you go, hear me?” He nodded confidently and she tearfully nodded back. “Me’an the team’ll take care of whatever we have to.”

I know you will, Sig. She leaned forward and hugged the young man who reminded her so much of Seth in so many ways, but who was so much himself in just as many. “Thank you,” she managed, knowing that he’d hear everything those two words really meant. He helped her up off the floor then, and she waited until he had refilled the two water thermoses and left, the screen door swinging shut on its hinges behind him.

The air filtration system hummed and the screen on the wall, though no longer beeping, still flashed with the message that she hadn’t deleted yet. Clara played it one last time before calling back the number that this unknown girl had given her, trying to see if there were any clues she had missed that would tell her what to expect about Ezra’s current state. There were none, just the frightened, desperate way that Cee’s voice made her think of the sparrows that hopped and flitted among the branches of the crater-oak out back. Who are you, Cee?

Taking one final deep breath, Clara entered the combination of numbers that connected her to the Med Center on Central, and the case worker that had been assigned to Ezra.

Extensive bodily trauma resulting in field amputation and infection. A shallow chest wound that had also become infected. Damage to his lungs from the volume of toxic spores he had inhaled while on the Green Moon. She felt herself go numb as the woman on the other end of the phone rattled off the list of things that he was battling. He’d been put into a medically induced coma so that they could focus on bringing the fevers down and getting the infections under control, and as long as that happened within the next day, he would be released from Intensive Care. The case worker explained that Ezra had no other contact, no one else to come for him, and that if Clara couldn’t, or chose not to, he would be turned over to the social system… and so would the girl that had come in with him. She was a minor, and not his biological child, and unless Clara wanted to collect her as well, she’d go into foster care in one of the cities there on Central.

Ezra had only told her some of the stories of his childhood, he and his brother growing up bouncing from home to home, city to city, sometimes even to other planets and once, spending an entire year aboard a freighter without ever setting foot on solid soil. She shivered knowing that no matter who this child was to him, he wouldn’t want her being shoved off on someone else- not when she knew that he hadn’t even told her the worst of his memories. The ones he had shared were bleak enough.

“No, I’ll… I’ll come. For both of them I’ll…” She cleared her throat to speak more clearly, the woman asking her to repeat herself and confirm what she’d just said. “I’ll come.” She said evenly, somehow. “I’ll… tell me where to be and I...I’ll come.”

The woman responded positively, letting her know that she would need to be at the local Med Center there on Kamrea late afternoon the following day. If for some reason his condition worsened overnight and he was unfit for transport, they would give her a call in the morning with new information. If everything went well, the medical team would keep Ezra sedated long enough to get him to Kamrea and back to Clara’s home, the case worker ensuring that they would set her up with whatever medications and dressings she would need to continue to care for him. Her heart pounded in her ears as she agreed to it all, the woman finally asking Clara if she had any further questions.

“The girl?” She heard her own breathless voice ask. “Is… was she hurt at all? Is she sick, too?”

The case worker quickly answered that while the girl, 14, Cee, had also suffered some minor lung irritation from the toxins on the Green, and was slightly underweight and dehydrated upon arrival at the Med Center, she was otherwise in good health with no major injuries. Clara allowed herself a moment of calm, thankful that the girl, this scared, stranger, was alright.

“D-do you know how she...how they came to be traveling together?”

The woman only knew that the girl said her father had been killed on the Green, and that Ezra had protected her and helped her get off of the moon in time to catch the last slingback to the BG-Central freighter. Apparently she was in shock herself and wasn’t willing to say much to anyone, only that she wanted to stay with the unconscious man she arrived with. As there were no missing persons reports out for the girl, and the Med Center had dealt with teens orphaned on the Green before, they didn’t press her for questions, looking only for someone they could pass the problem along to.

“I’ll be there,” Clara stated again before hanging up.

Abe came sauntering back into the kitchen just as Clara entered the code that erased the message, the blinking light going dark. His gentle nudge with the top of his fuzzy head against her ankle was accompanied by a soft meow, as though he’d heard the entire conversation and knew what Clara was feeling at that moment. She let her breath out slowly as she stooped down to scoop the cat up, cuddling him close to her chest, careful not to get too much of the pink powder that coated her clothing on his fur.

“He’s coming home, Abe.” The cat purred at that. “Ezra. He’s coming home.”

Thank you for reading! If you would like to be added to or removed from the tags, please feel free to let me know! :)

Tags: @something-tofightfor @alraedesigns @pheedraws @shoopidly

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nerdythebard · 4 years ago

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#3: Ah Muzen Cab, God of Bees

Hello again, gods and goddesses!

This time, we focus on a very unusual figure. I'll be(e) honest, I had no idea there was a separate function as the God of Bees, but apparently, several ancient religions do have somebody for that specific task. Plus, there is surprisingly very little information on Ah Muzen Cab, who holds that position in the Maya pantheon, but when you think about it, it actually makes sense: honey was believed to have medicinal properties, it has an almost infinite shelf life, and is used as the main ingredient for mead... no wonder people would think of bees as divine creatures and honey as a sacred food. Sure, why not. Let's see what all the buzz is about!

Next time: When there's no more room in hell...

Now, let's set up some goals for this build. What do we need to make Ah Muzen Cab sting:

Bees: Goes without saying, what's a god without his minions? We gotta get those lil' buzzers somehow;

High Movement Speed: Pretty obvious, you're a bee god, you gotta zoom around;

High Attack Speed: Your sting stings and many stings sting even better. Let's make sure we can get a few extra hits on our turn;

Honey: Bees are cute and their puke is delicious. We have to include it somehow.

When it comes to Ah Muzen Cab's race, there were several options. I could've made him a Simic Hybrid for the nice carapace feature; or maybe a Gith, to reference his mysterious origins; at some point, I believe I even considered a winged Tiefling... but luckily, Wizards of the Coast came to my rescue with their latest Unearthed Arcana 2021: Folk of the Feywild.

Ah Muzen Cab is a Fairy. He's not the largest of gods in SMITE, so making him a size Small shouldn't be an issue. Fairies get a ground speed AND flying speed of 30 feet each, and a +2 and +1 to two stats of your choice; let's go with +2 Wisdom and +1 Dexterity. Instead of humanoid, we're now considered Fey creature type, and we have innate, unlimited flight ability (with hovering). We know Common language and one more of our choice (I suggest Sylvan) and we get the Fairy Magic feature, which gives us two spells from the start: Druidcraft, a cantrip that lets us interact with nature in one way or another (by for example opening flower pods, making them bloom, creating harmless sensory effects, etc.), and Faerie Fire, which marks everything in a 20-foot cube range with a bright aura, essentially preventing invisibility if a creature fails the saving throw (it's normally Dexterity, but we can pick Wisdom here, and so we shall). Another curious ability is Fey Passage, which allows us to squeeze through an opening even 1 inch wide.

For Ah Muzen Cab's background, to reflect his solitude and mystery around his very being, we're gonna pick the Hermit. We get proficiency in Medicine and Religion skills, proficiency in Herbalism Kit and we get to learn one language of our choice. We're now prepared to gather pollen and make our own honey. We also get the Discovery feature, which means we possess a particularly important piece of information. It honestly can be anything, from a crucial part of the campaign's plot to something more personal (for example 1001 recipes involving honey).

ABILITY SCORES

For the quick and nimble Ah Muzen Cab, Dexterity will be our first stat. We will be a caster in some degree, and our casting ability is going to be Wisdom. Follow that up with Constitution, for some Hit Points, then Strength and Charisma, and finally we'll dump Intelligence.

CLASS

We have yet another no-multiclass build. Ah Muzen Cab is going to be(e) nature-themed, quick, and ready to deal a plethora of ranged damage. He's a Ranger (Revised) start-to-finish.

As a Ranger, our Hit Dice is a d10. We start with Hit Points of 10 + our CON modifier, proficiency with light armour, medium armour and shields, as well as simple weapons and martial weapons. For Ah Muzen Cab, I think we should go with studded leather armour and a hand crossbow to mimic his carapace and stinger. We don't get proficiencies with any tools, and our saving throws are Strength and Dexterity. We get to choose three class skills, I'd say Animal Handling, Perception, and Survival fit Ah Muzen Cab's personality best.

---

Level 1: We start this build by choosing our Favoured Enemy. That's right, using the power of fantasy racism we can select a type of creature we are most effective against. We have an option of being the natural enemy of beasts, fey, humanoids, monstrosities, or undead. I'd say to choose either humanoids or fey, but this is to be adjusted to the campaign played. What's important is that we gain +2 damage against the chosen enemy type, we have an advantage on Survival checks related to tracking an enemy of said type, and Intelligence checks to recall any information about that type. We also get another language of our choice.

Another 1st-level feature we get is called Natural Explorer. As a master of the wilderness, we receive various benefits:

We can ignore any difficult terrain;

We have an advantage on initiative rolls;

On our first turn of combat, we have an advantage against enemies that hadn't acted yet.

Additionally, we grant the following benefits if we travel for an hour or more:

Difficult terrain doesn't slow our group's travel;

The group cannot be lost (unless by magic);

Even if we're engaged in some activity while travelling (foraging, tracking, etc.), we cannot be surprised by enemies;

If we're travelling alone, we can move stealthily at a regular pace;

We find twice as much food while foraging;

While tracking creatures, we learn their exact size, numbers, and how long ago they were at our current location.

Level 2: At this level, we get to learn some spells. Although we don't get any cantrips, nor can we cast ritual spells, there are a few tricks that will enhance our build. Wisdom is our spellcasting ability and we begin with two 1st-level spell slots and we learn two 1st-level spells: Alarm lets us put a 20-foot cube under magical surveillance for 8 hours. If any undesignated creature enters the cube, we are notified of the intrusion. We can flavour this spell by creating a small hive with bees buzzing around the perimeter. Hunter's Mark puts a target on one enemy for 1 hour (or until our concentration is broken); until the spell ends, the marked enemy receives extra 1d6 damage and we get an advantage on any Perception or Survival checks we roll in order to find it. If the enemy dies while marked, we can spend a bonus action to mark another creature.

At this level, we also get to pick our Fighting Style and Close Quarters Shooter lets us eliminate the disadvantage while shooting at a target that's within our melee range. We also ignore half-covers and three-quarters covers within 30 feet, and we get +1 to our ranged attack rolls.

Level 3: Our bond with nature deepens at this level. We get the Primeval Awareness feature; we can establish some basic-level communication with a non-hostile beast - we can learn of its emotional state, or if it's under any magical influence. Additionally, we can spend a minute of concentration to detect our Favoured Enemy within 5 miles of our current position.

This is also the level at which we pick our subclass and the Swarmkeeper Conclave finally lets us get our bees!

Our Gathered Swarm is a buzzing bundle of bees, which stays with us until we die. On each of our turns in combat, the Swarm can assist us in various ways. After we successfully hit the enemy:

The enemy receives additional 1d6 piercing damage;

The enemy has to succeed on a Strength saving throw, or be moved by our Swarm up to 15 feet horizontally in any direction;

We can be moved by our Swarm up to 5 feet horizontally in any direction.

We also gain access to Swarmkeeper's Magic feature, which grants us extra spells when reaching specific levels. At the 3rd level, we'd get Faerie Fire but we already know it because of our racial features. So we either forget about it or ask our DM if we could replace it with an extra 1st-level Ranger spell.

We also get another spell: Ensnaring Strike is applied to our ranged attack. On a successful hit, the enemy has to make a Strength saving throw or be restrained up to 1 minute (or until the concentration is broken) by magical thorny vines sprouting from the ground... or perhaps a puddle of extra-sticky honey? While restrained by the spell, suffers 1d6 piercing damage at the beginning of their turn (perhaps some bees hide within the honey and sting them).

Level 4: We get our first Ability Score Improvement! Let's raise our Constitution by 2 points, to get some more Hit Points later on. Survivability is important for the quick and nimble ones.

Level 5: At this level, we get our first subclass upgrade and it's... Extra Attack. We can now attack twice instead of once during a single action. It helps with our target goals, so it's good.

We also gain access to 2nd-level spell slots. Animal Messenger lets you select a critter and charm it to act as your courier for the next 24 hours. You speak a short message (up to 25 words) and describe a target and the creature does its best to deliver your words. I don't need to tell you what kind of creature to use, right?

Your Swarmkeeper's Magic feature also gives you an extra spell: Web fills a 20-foot cube space with sticky webbing. Creatures caught in the web must succeed on a Dexterity saving throw or be restrained. Once again, we flavour web as honey and we're good to go.

Level 6: Our power of Fantasy Racism grows even stronger with Greater Favoured Enemy. We can pick another type of creatures to gain advantages against. This time, we get to choose from aberrations, celestials, constructs, dragons, elementals, fiends, or giants. We once again learn another language, and our bonus damage against both types of Favoured Enemies changes to a +4. Once again, choose whatever suits the campaign best.

Level 7: Time for another subclass upgrade. Writhing Tide lets our Swarm form a pair of wings around us, giving us flying speed of 10 feet for 1 minute. This ability seems a bit pointless, since we have a much better one from our racial background, so I would consider asking the DM if we can apply this for our party members and give them some slow flight instead.

For this level's spell, I think we should get Healing Spirit - we call upon a nature spirit (gee, I wonder what form it would take) to reside in a 5-foot space. If we or our allies movie into that space, or start our turn there, we get 1d6 points of healing. The spirit can heal only 1 + [our spellcasting modifier] number of times and disappears after the final healing. As a bonus action, we can move the spirit up to 30 feet to a space we can see.

Level 8: Another ASI! Let's put one point in Constitution and one in Wisdom.

At this level we also get Fleet of Foot, which lets us use the Dash action as a bonus action.

Level 9: We get access to 3rd-level spells: Conjure Barrage lets us magically multiply a projectile we shot. Each creature in a 60-foot cone must make a Dexterity saving throw or take 3d8 points of damage (half on a successful save), the type of which is the same as the projectile used.

We get another spell from our Swarmkeeper's Magic feature: Gaseous Form transforms us or whoever we touch into a cloud of smoke (or perhaps pollen). While in cloud form:

We have flying speed of 10 feet;

We can occupy another creature's space;

We have advantage on non-magical damage;

We have advantage on Strength, Dexterity, and Constitution saving throws;

We can slip through cracks and narrow openings;

If we're stunned or incapacitated mid-air, we don't fall.

While in this form, we cannot speak, use items, attack, or cast spells.

Level 10: At the midway point we get Hide in Plain Sight, which helps us hide so well we reach Drax levels of invisibility

When we choose to Hide, we can decide to not use any movement on our turn. If we do so, any creature that attempts to detect us receives a -10 to their Perception check until the end of our next turn. As long as we do not move, we can use this feature indefinitely.

Level 11: Another subclass feature! The Mighty Swarm feature gives us more bees than before. The damage dealt by our Swarm increases from d6 to d8; if a target fails their saving throw against being moved by our Swarm, they are also knocked prone; when we are moved by our Swarm, we get the benefit of half-cover until the start of our next turn.

We also get another 3rd-level spell: Protection from Energy gives us, or any creature we touch, resistance to one damage type of choice - acid, cold, fire, lightning, or thunder - for up to 1 hour (or until our concentration is broken).

Level 12: Time for another ASI! Let's raise our Dexterity by two points.

Level 13: We don't get new class features, but we do unlock 4th-level spells; Grasping Vine creates a wiggly plant tendril in a point within 30 feet from you, which can be directed to lash at a target within 30 feet from it. The target has to make a Dexterity saving throw or be pulled 20 feet towards the vine.

We also get another Swarmkeeper spell: Arcane Eye creates an invisible magical beacon that we can use to scout our surroundings for up to 1 hour (or until our concentration is broken). As an action we can move the Eye up to 30 feet without any distance limit; although it cannot enter other planes of existence, or pass through solid barriers, it can enter through an opening even 1 inch wide.

Level 14: We get to put a little extra sneaky to our build with Vanish. This allows us to take the Hide action as a bonus action (which pairs really well with our Hide in Plain Sight).

Level 15: For our final subclass upgrade, we get Swarming Dispersal. When we take damage, we can use a reaction to transform our body into a swarm of bees for the best representation of Naruto's Substitution Jutsu.

We gain resistance to the damage dealt to us and we teleport into an unoccupied space within 30 feet of where we started. We can use this ability the number of times equal to our proficiency bonus and we regain all uses when finishing a long rest.

We get to pick another 4th-level spell: we use Locate Creature to name a creature familiar to us and learn their location as long as they're within 1.000 feet from us. If the creature is moving, we will detect that as long as they don't live that range.

Level 16: We get another ASI! Let's cap our Dexterity with those two extra points.

Level 17: Here we unlock our spellcasting limit - 5th-level spells: Swift Quiver is a bonus action spell that turns our ammo supply into the infinite quiver of Legolas. For 1 minute (or until concentration is broken) on each of our turns, we can take a bonus action to make two additional attacks with ammo from our quiver. Combined with our Extra Attack, this lets us attack one target four times during our turn for 1d6+5 piercing damage.

Level 18: We get a feature called Feral Senses, which helps when fighting invisible enemies; when we attack something we cannot see we no longer get disadvantage on attack rolls. We are also aware of any invisible creatures within 30 feet of us, provided we're not blinded or deafened and the creature isn't using its Hide action.

Level 19: Final ASI of the build. Let's round-up our Wisdom into 18, and with one point to spare we can't do much so allocate it wherever.

We also learn our final spell for the build: Steel Wind Strike lets us do a flourish with our melee weapon, and turn it into an invisible blade of slashiness. Up to five creatures within 30 feet of us have to make a Dexterity saving throw or take 6d10 force damage. Additionally, we can choose to teleport within 5 feet of one of the targets that we hit or miss.

Level 20: For our capstone we get Foe Slayer: once on each of our turns, we can add our Wisdom modifier to the attack roll or the damage roll of an attack we make.

---

Now, let's see what came out from this build for Ah Muzen Cab.

I think we've reached all of our goals. We got our bees, we've got honey-flavour in some abilities, we get extra Movement Speed with Dash as a bonus action... we even get a good Attack Speed with Extra Attack and Swift Quiver.

Our Spell Save DC is 18, AC is 17 if paired with the studded leather armour, and we've on average 164 Hit Points.

Unfortunately, our Intelligence and Charisma scores are pretty low so any checks and saving throws involving those might give us trouble. We are also pretty much range-oriented, with just +1 in Strength.

But that's it! Hopefully you guys enjoyed this ride, and I'll see you for the next one!

Nerdy out!

#ah muzen cab #SMITE #ranger #d&d 5e #dungeons and dragons #fairy #dnd 5e

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inmyownlittlecorner5 · 5 years ago

Text

Moonlight Chapter 22: Sânziene

A fanfic Novel by la-topolina

Rated for Mature Audiences

Warnings: Language, Violence, Sexual Content

Chapter 22/26

Moonlight Masterpost+

<< Chapter 21+

Chapter 23+ >>

“You’re sure you didn’t bring anything besides the bag and the harvesting knife? No wand? No guns? No potions?” Charlie asked again.

“Yes, I’m sure,” Miranda answered patiently. “But I did bring a rope. Doamnă Lupul gave me permission for that.”

They were standing in the foothills of Moldoveanu Peak, studying its tree-spiked slopes and waiting for the first rays of dawn to come creeping over the horizon. Miranda had returned just in time for Sânziene, or St. John’s Day, as she knew it, and the second task. Although she’d spoken of it flippantly to Severus, the sight of the mountain towering above her made her shift from foot to foot in a buzz of nervous excitement. As she gazed up at the the mountain in all its mist-crowned glory, it was clear that the time for practicing was past. If she fell today, she wouldn’t have Charlie nearby to put her back together again.

“You ate, right?” Charlie was sounding more and more like a nervous hen.

“Yes, I did. And I brought one loaf of sweet bread and a wedge of fresh cheese, just as I’m allowed. Do you think there will be any water up there, though?” Miranda asked.

“I honestly don’t know. But if there is, make sure you ask the fairy folk before you go grabbing any of it. I don’t want you thrown off the mountain before you get a chance to gather anything.”

“I’ll be on my best behavior.”

“And you’ve got the list memorized?”

“Loosestrife, Shooting Star, Alpine Avens, Alpine Bistort, Alpine Sainfoin, Lady's Bedstraw, do you need me to keep going?”

“No, that’s fine. I know you’re ready. But stay calm on the way up. Balour likes you now, but if you act nervous he’ll get frustrated and toss you.”

She gave her coach a pat on the shoulder. “You’re not really helping me relax, Charlie.”

He finally cracked a smile at that. “I’m just trying to be nervous enough for the both of us.”

“Sounds like a plan. You worry, and I’ll stay calm.”

As the sky turned pink, the pair of them were shrouded by Balour’s shadow as he swooped overhead. He circled them thrice and landed more lightly than a creature of his size should have been able to manage. Charlie gave Miranda an encouraging slug in the arm and backed away slowly. He had done everything in his power to prepare her; she would have to do the rest on her own.

When Charlie had withdrawn, Miranda turned to face Balour with a stance both respectful and relaxed. She went down on her knees and touched her head to the ground before the mighty beast, and she could see approval in his massive golden eyes when she came back to her feet. With a firm step, she approached, giving him a good hard scratch just behind his scaly ears. When he was snorting smoke with pleasure, she gave him a final pat, and bounded up onto his back in two jumps, the way he liked. He gave her just enough time to hook her hands and feet into the chinks between his purple scales before tensing his fearsome muscles and launching them both into the sky.

The morning air brought tears to her eyes as they sped up into the atmosphere. Before Miranda’s stomach had time to settle, they were above the tree line, leaving Charlie a tiny speck below them. Miranda kept her eyes on the horizon and her attention on moving with her mount. As long as she stayed in sync with the undulating rhythm of his flight, all would be well. He knew exactly where they were going and how to get there. All she had to do was stay out of his way and go along for the ride.

The moment she relaxed, she felt a ripple of what could only be reptilian laughter go through her companion, and he teased her with a barrel roll mid-flight. She let out a breathless laugh at the danger and the joy of it. Balour must be in a good mood today to make with such tricks. He indulged in a few more loop the loops, buzzing around the base of the mountain. Miranda had to mind her breath to keep herself steady as they flew. To her, a mere mortal, it seemed they were coming at the wall of rock far too quickly; but she did not want Balour to know that. Dragons were jealous beings, hoarding respect and trust as surely as they hoarded food and jewels. It would not do to have him think that she was lacking in trust for him today.

She needn’t have worried, for a hair’s breadth from impact, Balour shifted direction to bring them shooting up the sheer rock face in front of them. The wind was so loud on the ascent that all she could hear was its roaring, and the morning sun broke forth behind them, warming her back as they flew. While Balour expertly dodged the pines clinging to the mountainside, Miranda registered that a dark green streak was keeping pace with them on their flight, smaller than Balour, but quickly outstripping them. She didn’t have to look twice to know that Doamnă Dragnea was aboard, and she could not help but admire the other woman’s skill. Doamnă Dragnea appeared to have been born on the back of a dragon. Miranda might have learned enough to get by in the few months granted her for study, but Catalina and her beast moved with the type of synergy that only years of experience could bring.

The mountainside that they were chasing upwards abruptly dropped away, and Balour snorted in anger as he was obliged to circle the summit to allow his speedier rival pride of place. Catalina slipped gracefully off her dragon’s back, giving the creature a pat and sending him on his way. Balour growled and, as though the entire incident were Miranda’s fault, he landed barely long enough to buck her off his back before flying off, leaving a trail of black smoke behind him.

Miranda had not been prepared for this unceremonious leave-taking. She rolled over the ground, gaining speed as she crashed into Catalina and sent the two of them hurtling over the edge of the cliff. They bounced along the rocks, unfortunately tangled together, until they came to a halt on a narrow outcropping of stone; where they lay winded and motionless, dangling high above the forest floor.

*****

“{Doamnă Dragnea, are you awake?” Miranda asked, perhaps half an hour later. The younger woman was sprawled out on top of her, and the ledge that held them so precariously was far too small for its task.

“{Yes,}” Catalina whispered.

“{Did you break anything?}”

“{I don’t think so.}”

Miranda raised her head and shoulders off the rock in order to get a better look at Catalina. As she did so, she became acutely aware of the ledge shifting under them. By the way that Catalina’s lower lip was trembling, Miranda suspected that the younger woman had also noticed their plight.

“{What do we do?}” Catalina asked in a small voice, so unlike her usual, confident tone.

“{Well,}” Miranda blew out a breath, trying to harness her racing mind. “{I have a rope. We can use it to climb back up to the top.}”

“{No!}” Catalina’s answer was vehement enough that it shook a few more stones from their perch.

Miranda’s voice became very smooth, the sort of timbre she used to soothe frightened horses. “{I’m afraid that’s what we have to do.}”

“{I can’t.}”

“{The dragons won’t be back until tomorrow morning and I expect that at least one of us will have to go to the bathroom before then. Besides, you just rode a dragon up here. If you can do that, you can do this.}”

Catalina’s lips twitched in spite of her terror. “{Dragon riding is easy. This is different.}”

“{I know it’s different,}” Miranda went on, taking the risk of moving enough to stroke Catalina’s cheek. “{But we’re going to do it, and we’re going to do it together. I’ll be with you the whole time. I promise.}”

Catalina swallowed hard, but acquiesced to the inevitable. “{I guess we have to try. Just…just tell me what to do.}”

“{I can do that. We’re going to take this nice and slow. In a minute, you’re going to scoot yourself off of me and as close to the mountain as you can get. And before you start, I want you to think of a poem or a prayer or a story or something. Make it a long one.}”

“{Why?}” It was almost funny how suspicious Catalina sounded. She must be getting her spirit back.

“{Because you’re going to recite it on the way up so you don’t have time to think about what you’re doing.}”

“{That’s the silliest thing I’ve ever heard!}”

“{Maybe, but it’s what you’re going to do. Are you ready?}” Catalina glared at Miranda, but nodded once. Miranda paused for the space of a breath and ordered, “{Scoot!}”

If she had been able to stand, Catalina would have reached the face of the mountain in less than a dozen steps. As it was, it took her more than a quarter of an hour to reach it. Fear restrained her movements to a snail’s pace, but that was just as well. Any time that Catalina made a larger motion, Miranda felt more of the ledge crumble away. When Catalina finally reached her goal, she leapt up to grip the rock until her knuckles turned white with the effort.

“{Good work,}” Miranda soothed. “{I’m coming after you. When I get to you, I’m going to tie my rope around both of us. I’ll have to work slowly, so why don’t you start reciting. It’ll help pass the time.}”

Catalina glanced over her shoulder, and Miranda thought the younger woman was going to vomit when she saw how small the ledge was. Snapping her head back to the rock face, Catalina muttered, “{I can’t believe I’m doing this.}”

“{Recite,}” Miranda ordered.

“{Fine,}” Catalina snapped back. She inhaled deliberately and began, through gritted teeth,

“{Where a mountain valley lies Beautiful as Paradise To a pasture green and deep Came three shepherds with their sheep.}”

By the end of the verse, Catalina’s voice was angry, hopping from dark vowel to dark vowel in an irritated sing-song. Moving inch by painstaking inch, Miranda started to ease her rope from its place around her waist. Every time she shifted, she could hear bits of rock sliding into oblivion, and she hoped that the ominous sound was not reaching Catalina’s ears. She had no idea how long it took her to get the full length of the freezing rope in her hands, and she tried not to think about how much of the ledge was still underneath her. Closing her eyes, she gathered her magic into her hands and pulled a section of the rope away. She set the longer length on her belly and quickly tied the shorter part into a harness, and then she looped one end of the longer rope into a lasso. These tasks took long enough that she had to discipline herself to listen to Catalina’s ballad rather than let her thoughts spiral into the abyss.

With the harness and the rope firmly in hand, Miranda eased herself into a sitting position, only to feel the ground shift beneath her. Catalina stopped reciting immediately, and her eyes turned back to Miranda, wide and full of fear.

“{Keep on, you’re doing fine,}” Miranda reassured her.

Catalina’s voice came out in a squeak as she continued,

“{Whitest little lamb of mine Tell to me that pain of thine For three days, so mournfully Crying, thou hast followed me}”

While Catalina tortured the verses, Miranda inched her way over and wrapped the harness around the smaller woman’s thin body. She deftly attached the harness to the climbing rope, and tied the free end of the rope around her own waist. When all was secure, she gazed up at the summit above them, looking for a likely tree branch. There weren’t many options and, before she could think over much about the decision, she took aim and hurled the lassoed end of the rope into the air. A sickening amount of ledge slid away while Miranda was willing the rope to catch its mark. It caught, she pulled it tight, and heaved a sigh of relief when she was at last able to roll to her feet and crowd Catalina against the rock face. Catalina’s breath washed over Miranda’s cheek in hot puffs, but the Romanian bravely kept reciting,

“{Shepherd, O my shepherd dear!}”

”{Alright,}” Miranda said, calmly interrupting the recitation. “{the next thing you have to do is take hold of the rope. Then you’re going to put your feet on the rock and start walking up the mountain. Use your hands and your magic to pull you along and keep your eyes on what’s in front of you.}” Catalina glared at Miranda, who quickly suggested, “{Pretend it’s the ground. I’ll be right here, holding the rope steady for you and I’ll climb up when you get to the top. And, whatever else you do, keep reciting.}”

Catalina nodded shortly and did as she was told, gripping the rope with white hands and laboriously dragging herself upwards. Her recitation continued, punctuated by gasps for air as she ascended.

“{If Fate wills I die today In this meadow, thou must say Bold to him of Hungary Boldly to the mountaineer That they lay my body here.}”

“Cheerful selection,” Miranda muttered at her post below. For someone who had presumably never climbed a mountain before, Catalina did well, tenaciously moving, hand over hand, foot over foot, not once looking up nor down. Miranda held the rope as still as she could and let herself follow the words of the ballad now, doing her best to ignore the shifting rock under her feet.

“{Say I wed a royal bride Wooed of all the world beside. Say that when our faith was given A bright star fell out of Heaven. Sun and moon stood holding there A Marriage-wreath above my hair Mountains tall were priests to me Guests were pine and alder-tree Torches were the flaming stars Thousand birds my lute-players.}”

Catalina’s voice transmuted the final word into a whoop of joy as she gained the top. For a moment, she disappeared from Miranda’s sight completely, collapsing on the solid ground. When she lifted her head to peer over the edge and call down to Miranda, her voice was shaking with relief.

“{What do I do now?}” she cried.

“{Unhook yourself and get away from the edge so you don’t fall again. I’ll be right up after you,}” Miranda called back.

“{Me fall? You’re the one who fell!}” Catalina protested as she disconnected her harness from the rope and disappeared again.

Miranda felt the new slack in the rope, and she put her foot up to kick off the ledge. Before she could get clear of her treacherous perch, the rock gave way completely. The rope slipped from Miranda’s hands, and she plummeted down, letting out an involuntary shriek.

“{Miranda!}” Catalina shouted.

“{I’m fine!}” Miranda yelled back.

And oh, she was fine. She was phenomenal! The rope around her waist had prevented her from being impaled on the the trees below, and she was suspended in mid-air, arms and legs outspread, the closest to unaided flight that she’d ever been. Brooms and dragons had their good points but this—this was like nothing she’d ever experienced. She laughed gaily as she caught hold of the rope again and swung herself back towards the mountainside. It had never been easier to gather her magic together, and as her feet hit the rock, she bounded upwards like a hind. In no time at all she had reached the top, still laughing, and wondering what she would have to do to convince Severus to let her try that flying potion.

“{You are insane!}” Catalina said as Miranda dropped down beside her.

“{You’re not the first person to tell me that,}” Miranda observed, impulsively throwing her arms around her companion. “{I knew you could do it! Well done, Catalina. I mean, Doamnă Dragnea,}” she corrected, quickly letting the other woman go.

Catalina gave her a hard look before breaking into a grin. “{Enough of that. After what just happened it’s Catalina and Miranda. There’s no help for it.}”

“{I’m so glad,}” Miranda replied happily.

“{I am too. But I’m still going to win, remember that.}”

“{I will. Do you think there’s any water up here? I could use a drink after all that…}”

Miranda’s voice trailed off as she finally gave her attention to the place they had fought so hard to reach. A meadow filled with a riot of color spread out beneath the trees, winding in all directions. The rich verdure grew close enough to kiss the snow that clung to the highest parts of the peak, and Miranda had to shade her eyes against the sun’s bright reflection even as she struggled to drink in the sight. Catalina pushed herself off the ground and shyly extended a hand to Miranda, who took it without hesitation. There was a hush over the peak, even the birdsongs were muted, and the women walked reverently through the green, unwilling to disturb the silence. It was evident that they were in a holy place.

Remembering Charlie’s words, Miranda inwardly begged leave of the Sânziană to partake of their bounty before dipping her hand into the snow. Her hand did not wither, and she thought this was answer enough. When she tipped a frozen handful into her mouth, it melted instantly, flowing into her and healing all the pains and anxieties of the morning. That one drink quenched her thirst so completely that she wondered if she would ever need to drink again. She felt ready to take on a pack of pricolici all by herself, let alone spend the rest of the day in this Eden gathering wildflowers.

“{Come,}” said Catalina, when the ladies had had their fill. “{Let’s finish what we came here to do.}”

******

“{I haven’t seen my brother since he was five years old. He was in the first group of children that we sent to the Iele,} Catalina said.

She and Miranda were sitting along the edge of the meadow, watching the sun set while they wove extra flowers into crowns to pass the time. Since their bags were full and their meals shared and eaten, there wasn’t much else to do but stall until it was late enough to fall asleep.

“{Why was he sent so young? I thought only the school-aged children were in danger of being taken to Russia.}” Miranda asked, twining the flowers together.

“{He was the boyar’s son. They were going to send him to Russia in order to punish my father. My father…he was a different man before my brother went away. He and my mother had wanted a large family, but they lost all their babies except for Gabi and me. Mother knew that sending Gabi to the Iele was the only way to keep him in Romania, but her heart never accepted the separation. She wasted away, longing for him. At the end, she couldn’t even do magic anymore. After she died, Father went crazy with hate. He was a good man before. Maybe not a nice one, but a good one.}”

“{My Papa went crazy for awhile when my brother Columba died.}”

“{He was young?}”

“{Seventeen. He died in the river, saving a little boy who had fallen in when it was in flood. The boy lived, but Columba didn’t make it. Papa didn’t say a word; not one word all through the wake or the funeral. When Columba was in the ground, Papa disappeared for two months. When he finally came home, he walked into the parlor and said ‘The river giveth and the river taketh away.’ Then he went out in the barn and started doing the chores, like he’d made peace with everything.}” She bit a flower stem to cut it and went on quietly, “{I was at school when it happened, but I should have been home. I had stayed behind to study for some stupid tests that seemed so awfully important at the time. I wish I had gone home. If I’d been there, my brother would still be here today.}”

“{You don’t know that. We never know what would have happened. It’s one of God’s mercies, I think.}”

Catalina finished her crown and set it on Miranda’s head, her lips closed in a soft little smile. Miranda returned the smile, but her fingers became clumsy at her work as she thought of her favorite brother.

“{Miranda, I have something to say to you, but I will deny it to the end of my days if you tell anyone that I said it,}” Catalina said, breaking through Miranda’s reverie.

“{For some reason I’m getting a strong sense of déjà vu, but please go on.}”

Catalina’s forehead furrowed, but she did not press further. “{I want us to work together to complete the final task and to rescue my brother and the rest of the children. If we bring them home at the same time, the competition will be a draw. Then we can duel each other to determine the winner, the way it should have been in the first place.}”

“{That’s a wonderful idea,}” Miranda said warmly, setting her completed crown on Catalina’s brow. “{I agree.}”

“{We will have to keep acting as though we are rivals,}” Catalina stipulated.

“{Understood.}” The last rays of the sun were mingling with the first light of the stars, but the air was still warm and comfortable. Miranda wondered how cold it was going to get and hoped that Catalina was proficient at wandless warming charms, as she wasn’t sure she could keep enough going to cover the two of them throughout the night. By way of broaching the subject, she asked, “{What are we going to do now? It’s too early to sleep and we can’t light a fire.}”

Catalina’s eyes were sparkling mischievously. “{Shhh. If you’re quiet and watch, you’ll see.}”

Twilight enveloped them, and again Miranda was struck by the silence in the place. The women sat, shoulder to shoulder, watching the atmosphere turn from gray to blue to black. Then, in the space of a blink, they were no longer alone on the mountaintop. Perhaps they had never been alone, all that long day. First two, then a dozen, then a score drifted down over the snow. More followed the train, but Miranda was so enraptured by the wonderful beings that she forgot to count. They were tall and lithe, glowing with a rainbow colored light that warmed the meadow more surely than any fire could ever do. Their silvery robes and the feathery locks of their hair trailed behind them, floating like they were submerged in some unseen river. Miranda forgot to breathe until her chest hurt with the omission. Barring unicorns, she had never seen creatures so unearthly, or so lovely.

“{What…}” Miranda whispered, but her voice trailed off before she could finish the thought.

“{The Sânziane,}” Catalina whispered back. “{We must have pleased them.}”

The fairy beings were busy forming circles around the meadow, and two of them broke ranks to glide across to the witches. Miranda followed Catalina’s lead, bowing before the Sânziane even reached them and, when they stood, they found that the fairies held out golden cups as an offering. When Catalina did not hesitate to take the cup and drain it, Miranda followed suit. The liquid inside tasted of spring water and moonlight, and it quelled the hunger pains that had begun to gnaw at Miranda’s insides.

“{Thank you,}” Miranda said, handing the cup back to the Sânziană before her.

The cup vanished before her eyes, and the fairy extended a long-fingered hand to her. This time, Miranda did not hesitate, grasping the Sânziană’s warm hand in hers and following her into the circle. By the time they reached the ring, the sound of the drums and the pipes were clearly discernible, and Miranda joined hands with another Sânziană as well. Catalina’s smiling face mirrored her own from across the meadow, the only other human in the fairy ring tonight.

Somehow, Miranda was not surprised in the least when the dance began and she glanced down to see that she floated above the earth as lightly as the fairies did. And when Balour came to fetch her in the morning she, unlike the famous dancing princesses, was not tired in the least.

*****

End Notes:

Sânziene is a Romanian festival held on June 24th, or St. John’s Day. One of the traditions of the day is for maidens to go picking flowers, one of which should be Lady’s Bedstraw. The day even has it’s own set of gentle fairies, called the Sânziane (singular: Sânziană) .

Catalina is reciting the Miorita, which is the Romanian folk ballad. It is a dialogue between a shepherd and a magical sheep, who warns him that he is going to be murdered by rival shepherds. Rather than try to escape, the shepherd calmly accepts his fate and instructs the sheep how he wishes to be buried while comparing Death to a beautiful bride. It is traditional in Romania to bury unmarried people in wedding clothes because they are marrying Death just like the shepherd in the story. The version quoted here was Englished by Sophie Jewett in 1913.

******

Moonlight Masterpost+

<< Chapter 21+

Chapter 23+ >>

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snkpolls · 6 years ago

Text

SnK Chapter 115 Poll Results

The chapter poll closed with 1,585 responses. Thank you to everyone who participated!

RATE THE CHAPTER 1,471 responses

Isayama’s winning streak continues. Overall chapter satisfaction was up almost 10% over last month with the majority of fans (57.2%) giving it a 5 rating. Less than 5% viewed the chapter unfavorably.

Isayama is ruthless, my god.

We got an amazing chapter this month which came out of the blue, in my opinion. So many answers were given as well as many more shocking questions. Definitely one of the best

It was definitely more eye opening and you could just feel the tension through the different scenes.

I loved this chapter, it was definitely one of the most compelling

This is a candidate for the greatest chapter of the manga, the last candidate was chapter 112 followed by 104 and there are a lot of them. Isayama-sensei is killing it. Every single chapter is either great, or a candidate for the greatest chapter.

Honestly, just incredible. Everything I could've possibly wanted. These kinds of chapters are why attack on titan will be my favorite for a long time.

It was an interesting chapter. We got to learn more about the PATHS and some parallels to older chapters were cool.

A bit of a rollercoster of emotions but, I’m putting my faith in Isayama he’ll do what’s best

Loved it, everything's insane and pulling at nerves. Eren is the best, hands down. He's got to have the best poker face. Neither side even knows what he's up to!

Masterpiece. Wanna know more about the girl who seems to be ymir, and Pieck’s intentions as well. Cuz idt she can even stand a chance against eren, imo.

THIS CHAPTER WAS LOADED WITH FLASHBACKS. WHICH WERE YOU MOST EXCITED TO SEE?

1,457 responses

Perhaps unsurprisingly, the Yeagerbro conversation was the most desired flashback and nearly 60% of the fandom were excited to see it. In second comes Zeke’s reaction to learning his father survived and continued on. The third place spot goes to Reiner and Bertolt as fans of the warriors were happy to see them again, even if for only a couple panels.

I'm a simple stan, I see Reiner and Bert, and I cry. 10/10 scene its about time we got more uprising arc warriors scenes but Isayama pls give us Reiner outside of a flashback again thanks

Finally, Jaeger Bros talk.

While flashbacks are nice, I feel like a lot of it was filler-esque and had hopped for more progress on what happened to Levi and Zeke.

WHAT WAS THE MOST DISTURBING IMAGERY OF THE CHAPTER? 1,492 responses

Attack on Titan is known for its plethora of disturbing imagery, and this chapter was no exception. The majority of readers, at 32.3%, thought that a titan shoving Zeke into its stomach was rather unsettling. 16.5% were especially grossed out by Levi’s fingers being several yards from the rest of him. Coming in third, 15.4% were disturbed by Levi’s face.

It might be the most disturbing chapter of the manga to date.

Floch, his presence and face is rather disturbing.

Yelena rape face

Ymir's soulless voids for eyes

The titan that vored Zeke was made of Flex Tape

I dont think you know what mpreg means...

The behaviour of the yeagerists towards levi which was once considered the hero of humanity

As a big Levi fan, everything that just happened to him in general.

Is everything an option? Because I am going with All Of The Above.

All of the above, tbh

all of them

Yes

OF THE FOLLOWING, WHICH WAS THE MOST MEMORABLE MOMENT OF THE CHAPTER? 1,495 responses

Zeke’s rebirth wins by a small margin with the mystery girl coming at a very close second. At an equally close third, people were happy to see Hange find Levi and protect him from the Yeagerists. Following these was Pieck’s sudden reappearance, and Hange taking Levi and diving into the water to escape.

i honestly can't choose one. everything in this chapter was A++, one of my favorite ones in a while.

that path thing that ymir seemed to be experiencing too

Eren looking at pieck blankly 0.1 seconds after being shocked by her pointing a gun at him

Zeke's grief when considering the pain his younger brother must have suffered.

Levi’s wrecked face

Titan putting zeke into its belly

For myself personally, I found most memorable two events. Firstly, was the revelation of paths as being a physical plane on which one can percieve and exist, as opposed to a merely transcendental metaphysical force. Secondly, most memorable alongside that for me was the whole scene of Hange protecting Levi from Floch's band of Jägerists, in no small part due to my lowkey shipping of Levi and Hange.

Zeke's flashbacks + Zeke's rebirth + Pieck appearance

P A T H S

WHO WAS THE LITTLE GIRL THAT … TURNED ZEKE INTO A SANDCASTLE? 1,456 responses

While most people (almost 90%) agree that the mysterious little girl Zeke encountered is somehow Ymir Fritz, there’s no shortage of other creative possibilities regarding her identity:

I wonder if this girl could be Maria Fritz, the hair and hairband are similar.

It’s P A T H S, whose power is even more immense than that of the Devil of All Earth and Ymir Fritz. Paths can take the form of anything. Paths just happened to take the form of a little girl during that moment.

A new important character

The titan that resurrected Zeke was originally that girl. Because the titan was closest to Zeke, Paths compelled that titan to save Zeke, whether it wanted to or not.

Original inheritor of the beast titan

An asspull

I'm not sure maybe but it can be the girl "Christa" from Frieda's & Historia's storybook too

It seems clear enough to me that this is at least outwardly Ymir Fritz. As for it being I wonder perhaps if this girl being Ymir Fritz and the Devil of the Earth isn't mutually exclusive. I have no evidence to substantiate such a claim, but recently acknowledged the possibility on part of the historical misinformation in regards to her origins.

HOW SATISFIED WERE YOU WITH THE NEWLY SCULPTED ZEKE BOD, FROM “THE SAND WAS MORE APPEALING”, TO “GET THAT CENSORSHIP STEAM OUT OF THE WAY” 1,455 responses

We got a pretty full view of Zeke’s new bod this chapter, and it garnered love, hate, and apathy; as only Zeke’s body could. Most of you wanted to get a full view of that Eldian ass at 34.7%. On the opposite end, 22.3% would rather get freaky with the sand that turned into the bod in question; and 25.1% don’t have a strong preference either way. 6.4% aren’t in love with either the sand or Zeke, and 11.5% enjoyed the view but would like that titan smoke to stay right where it’s at.

A complete chapter, with brand new information coming to us... and lots of monkey nudes. Zeke is the fanservice character of snk.

Thicc thighs won't make me forgive his sins

Everyone is seeing zeke’s dick but me

@ isayama: release zeke's n00ds.

No more naked Zeke plz.

I feel for him and but he's a seriously underwhelming antagonist. He's really nice to look at though.

I love him as a character; his motives, his history, his personality and his character design (not just because he is a sexy hunk of Edlian ass).

I know only three things

1. Levi is not dead. 2. Eren does not agree with Zeke. 3. Zeke is hot as hell.

I suddenly feel very sorry for the SC uniform - it’s being worn by absolute pricks. Please don’t let them cover Zeke’s ass with the cape.

my heart goes to THAT DUDE WHO CAN'T STOP STARING at Zeke's nekkid crotch. i feel ya man. that shit is weird.

Zeke has the big PP. Pieck has the biggest PP.

I don't like him because of sexualization and shipps.

Zeke's abs tho

So much Zeke nudes, we need more chad Eren (don't even need to be Eren nudes, just him shirtless is ok).

I wanted to see Zeke's beastly c-ck.

Zeke is pure. Pure SLUT

WHICH OF THE FOLLOWING STATEMENTS REGARDING ZEKE’S “REBIRTH” DO YOU THINK ARE TRUE? 1,441 responses

A slight majority of the fandom believes Zeke’s rebirth is evidence that Ymir Fritz needs Zeke alive. Close to 50% believe Zeke will see it as divine approval. While a quarter of the fandom thinks this experience has changed him, only 7% believe he’s changed for the better.

Zeke's reincarnation is bs but if Ymir does have more plans for him, I'd like to see how it all turns out for the best.

I hope Zeke learns that genocide is never the answer.

I just hope we get some specific answers soon regarding how Zeke was reincarnated like that. Felt pretty off seeing Zeke revived like that, but I can understand the theory that perhaps Ymir Fritz wants him to live to save the Eldians (and perhaps this is where the "To you, 2000 years in the future" comes into play).

WE’VE WAITED A LONG TIME FOR THE YEAGERBRO TALK. WAS IT WHAT YOU EXPECTED? 1,483 responses

The largest portion of replies indicate that the conversation between Eren and Zeke overall went as expected. But there were also many who didn’t care how it went and were simply glad to finally see their first talk together. Smaller portions were either more than happy with the conversation or found it a total disappointment. Certainly that couldn’t be all they talked about, right?

I knew they wouldn't be on the same side but didn't expect it to be so obvious Eren is lying to and manipulating Zeke. Zeke tearing up when Eren called him "brother" is the saddest shit, but also kinda hilarious considering how many people Zeke betrayed. Also, I wonder if we'll get more since Eren talked about how he learned a lot from Zeke.

Finally got confirmation that Eren played Zeke like a fiddle. Happy to see that lil bro backstab.

I expected something more grandiose tbh, when i saw the panel of zeke standing in front of eren, i thought that was a perfect tease to just end it there

It feels like Eren has Zeke eating out of the palm of his hand and it hurt more than expected

People who latch onto the belief that Eren's goal differs from Zeke are in for a disappointment

I am disappointed that zeke cares for eren and eren doesn't seem to reciprocate those feelings, and that he was trying to play the tough guy, it's annoying and i want wholesome jeagerbros!!!!

I didn't expect to be so short, and I assume we'll get more in the future, but this time from Eren's perspective.

I think it is too early to say one way or the other. We only truly got one side of the conversation.

It was good, but I hope it's not the only thing we see. I get the impression it was merely an appetizer. When I think about the brothers talking I always imagined it will be a full chapter. This was just their first conversation. Eren said Zeke told him many things, like the info about the Ackermans, so I am expecting a hell of a lot more dialogues between them.

it wasn't what I had expected. I also can't say yet if it is better or worse cause so much about Eren's true motives is still up in the air. Like originally I had expected Zeke to be the one to convince Eren of something, but clearly that is not what is happening here. Which, on the face of it, doesn't have to be a bad thing, I just need more info.

DO YOU BELIEVE THAT EREN TRULY AGREES WITH ZEKE’S PLAN? 1,490 responses

Over half of respondents agree that there’s no way in hell that Eren is on board with Zeke’s euthanasia plan. 23% believe that he is in partial agreement with Zeke’s plan, while 10% don’t want to say confidently either way whether Eren is on Zeke’s side. A small sliver of the fandom are certain that Eren is in favor of wiping out Eldia.

He just said what Zeke wanted to hear from 'his brother'. From the start of his speech Eren expressed clearly his purpose, bonus showing sympathy toward Zeke. The way that Eren said some of his points of view and plan fits to me in what he truly thinks about, but the way he said it was molded in orden to manipulate Zeke and get his confidence

Eren is getting influenced and this 'external influencer' is manipulating Zeke. Double manipulation.

He agreed with Zekes ideology at some point before Historia saved him

Zeke told him about his plan to euthanize eldians, Eren agreed that not being born into the world is salvation itself. We all know Eren thinks the EXACT opposite of that. he's manipulating zeke, only wanting his royal blood. Zeke might be the KEY to Eren's own secret plan.

I don't think eren is the kind of person to blatantly lie to someone, especially about the force that has driven him his entire life. There are some truth to his words, yes, but i think eren is going to use the fact that he thinks he shouldn't have been born to try and change the world into a safer place for his people, whereas zeke will use that same reason to eradicate his people, not giving them a chance to feel a sense of belonging in the world

He's using Zeke for some goal of his, but has gone way too far. Both of them are twisted, and perhaps share some points of their goals.

He understands and agrees with Zeke on a basic ideological level, insofar as the suffering that Eldia, and by extension Titans, bring to both the world and themselves by inherent virtue of being born. I believe, however, that this is where the agreement in actuality ends. What Eren disagrees with is the method to solve this problem. Whatever other solution Eren may have thought of, it entails the end of the titans and the elimination of paths, while sparing Eldian's lives and allowing them to continue on and have families. How this would be achieved, I do not know; this is merely my conjecture on where the story might go next.

I think he agrees with Zeke's goal of not having any Eldians born into the circumstances they are, but not his methodology of euthanasia. I think he has his own plan which will somehow stop/rewind/erase the Curse of Ymir/titanisation, possibly through altering Eldian DNA to make them unable to be turned into titans.

He's being brainwashed/manipulated by having so many memories that belong to other people, he's not being himself; not his true self

I don't believe he agrees, but I like to believe he isn't simply using his brother without any regard for him...though I can't really tell anymore with 'this' Eren :\

If Eren truly agreed with Zeke, all his development will be for nothing.

Maybe eren does actually agree that the best salvation is to never have been born, but when has eren ever wanted "salvation"?

WITH ALL THE RECENT FOCUS ON ZEKE, HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT HIM NOW? 1,487 responses

Zeke’s been getting a lot of focus lately, and this chapter was no exception. 45.7% of you enjoy his character but don’t support his schemes, and 21.9% don’t like the man but can sympathize with him at this point. Not all are as warm however, as 19% would like to see him burn. 8.9% love monkey boi and want to protect him with all you’ve got.

He's a perfect Grey character a villain and a hero depending on view point.

I’ve always loved him. Now I love him more

His plan is batshit and I don't really like him but I think he's an interesting character but he needs to burn

His plan is unethical & impractical, his methods consist of war crimes. I hope he's taken down *ideologically* & realizes he was wrong b4 he dies

I'm not for Zeke's plan but I want him to go out feeling like his life wasn't a complete waste.

I feel sorry for all kids who have shitty childhoods, but I don't then excuse them when they project their own hatred for life onto an entire race and try to take away their right to life. It doesn't matter how righteous or merciful he believes he's being, it's undeniable arrogance to decide you know whether another person's life is worth living or not.

I hate him as a character but his plan makes him more interesting/sympathetic

I like him but don't agree with him. I'm going to be depressed when he is inevitably stabbed in the back by his beloved little brother. I am also extremely hype for that to happen.

I like his recent character development, however I don’t really like him. Very interesting character though!

Interesting, complex character. I can understand his plan too. Overall a well crafted character.

I'm so so sad for Zeke, the way he genuinely cares for Eren and trusts him, how he tears up when he called him "brother"...It will be heartbreaking when he'll realize Eren's just using him (because there's no way Eren agree with his plan), this guy's been used and craved affection and understanding all his life.

I feel like I'm crazy one here but I'm actually on Zeke's side and not at all mad at what he did to Levi

He is cancelled to me since Erwin's death.

WAS GRISHA IN THE RIGHT TO SLAUGHTER THE REISS CHILDREN? 1,475 responses

Eren recalled back to a disturbing action is father took, and gave his thoughts on it, but does the fanbase agree? 44.7% feel Grisha made the right choice, as without it things would have gone as Eren laid out for Paradis. 37.8% were unsure, and only 14.4% agreed with Eren’s conclusion that it was wrong regardless.

I acknowledge it as a necessary evil. It goes against many of my moral principles, but it was a necessary evil in the face of the worst case scenario.

He could have found another way to keep the children alive. He was lazy and chose the most convenient option.

He was neither right nor wrong, as in he had little choice.

I don't think there's a right or wrong in this scenario. Grisha did what he thought was for the greater good. No matter what decision he made, though, people still would have died.

It was a necessary evil, both logically right and morally wrong at the same time

Immoral but beneficial in the long run

there are two sides to the moral scale! For the survival of his people, of course! Every threat needs to be eliminated, but it is quite painful to know that in reality, regardless of the bigger picture, he still killed children.

For me, this is a much too complex topic to be reduced to a categorical choice of right and wrong. I can't choose between this two options ("I'm not sure" neither because it's in the same line of though) because I can't think his action in that terms.

It was not nice

WAS HANGE BEING TRUTHFUL WHEN SHE INFORMED FLOCH OF LEVI’S DEATH? 1,497 responses

Nice try, Hange. 91% of us are pretty sure that Levi still lives, and that he was only pronounced dead in the hope that his life would be spared. Not even 2% of us think that he is actually dead.

Oh, please. It doesn't take a Levi fan to know that Hange would immediately let Floch feel Levi's pulse if he was indeed dead - it was only worth potentially upsetting her guards if she thought there was a chance of his survival. Hange is one of the smartest characters in this series - she wouldn't act that way for any other reason.

Well wouldn't be reasonable to jump on a river with a corpse so i guess is the second option

I think he's alive, but it feels like Levi is being milked for popularity at this point. If he truly did survive, then I hope Levi will somehow maybe fulfill his promise!

IF LEVI IS ALIVE, DO YOU THINK HIS INJURIES WILL PROVE TO BE FATAL? 1,491 responses

In contrast to the widely-held belief that Levi still lives for the time being, there is less agreement about whether that will continue to be true. Almost half of respondents think that he will survive his wounds. The remaining half is split between thinking Levi’s days are numbered (25.4%) and being completely unsure of his fate (25.9%).

Man, seeing Levi suffering really got me, but I hope hange manages to bring him to safety, cause I think his injuries aren't fatal and the only threat to his life now are the yeagerists

he's still barely alive, but he'll die in her hands once they're safe and have swam the river, the death was slightly delayed since this chapter was focused on other things, levi will give his last little speech to hange next chapter and die

I think Levi survived his injuries and Hange is lying about him being dead, but I don’t think he will survive. Part of me hopes (for his sake) that he doesn’t survive

probably but I'm in denial so i want to believe he's fine

Levi is on the edge of death, he will die next chapter after revealing Zeke's true intentions to Hange, which will ruin Eren's plan for the moment. At least, that's what I hope happens. Levi surviving and coming back to fight doesn't make sense and Levi surviving only to be out of commission for the next of the manga and to open a tea shop is disappointing, I would rather have him die now.

IF LEVI IS ALIVE, DO YOU THINK HE WILL BE ABLE TO PARTICIPATE IN FUTURE BATTLES? 1,490 responses

41% of respondents believe that Levi is permanently on the sidelines due to his condition while 37% are feeling optimistic that he will find a way to keep fighting. ⅕ of the fandom don’t want to say confidently either way. Will Levi surprise us in upcoming chapters?

Dead my ass! I can't wait for Levi to appear again out of nowhere with a badass face scar and kick Zeke's ass AGAIN

I hope we still see Levi in action, even if just once, cause removing him leaves everything in the hands of ‘god-like’ characters who can control people. Now it’s just like humanity’s doomed cause the ‘gods’ decided so and I don’t like it. There is still Mikasa, but with Levi humanity had a better chance in this ever so uneven battle.

I think Levi is out of the fight (thanks to those godawful fingers on the ground ugh) BUT I think he'll have one last move, one last action in the final battle that will somehow deeply affect the plot, before dying (think Erwin cutting off Eren from Bertholdt after his arm was eaten). I want to be wrong because Levi has always deserved better, but I also want to be right because he needs to rest and the ignominy of humanity's strongest taken out of the fight like that is just. Too much.

Levi has to live and fight bc he needs to show off his new badass battle scar duh

I really love Levi, but I don't want him to be disabled so I prefer him to be dead. If Isayama can make him okay as before, I hope the story wont become weak.

I want Levi' s scarred face to be the last thing that Zeke ever sees.

I'm wondering what's worse, Levi dead or Levi hobbled and injured so badly that he can't fight anymore. Robbing him of his identity is perhaps even crueler than death. How awful, to linger and watch the rest of the battle unfold, knowing he can't even help because of his own careless actions.

WHETHER IT’S PLOT ARMOR OR A MEDICAL MIRACLE, WHICH CHARACTER’S ESCAPE FROM DEATH HAVE YOU FOUND LEAST BELIEVABLE? 1,551 responses

We heard from several sources that this was the most difficult question on the poll. Maybe that’s why it had dozens more responses than any other question. It turns out that Zeke getting shoved into a titan tummy and having a sandcastle body sculpted by a mystery child isn’t the most unrealistic save in this manga. “Reiner surviving everything” followed by “Armin surviving his fall and burns” were the top choices.

Zeke's resurrection is the most bullshit ass pull of all.

Erwin and Armin were the two less believable survivors. I can turn a blind eye on plot-armors when it involve Shifters or even Ackermans, but Armin and Erwin were simple humans.

Erwin surviving all the way through serumbowl with a partly missing abdomen while bleeding out is just as worthy of being there, no one mentions it because he eventually died but it's almost if not on the same level as Armin living long enough through serumbowl.

I feel tired of the whole plot armor some characters have. Reiner, Armin (even if he is one of my favorites), Levi and now Zeke. I just feel tired of seeing them dying and then being magically saved. Yes, some dots are connecting together, but the whole armor plot makes the story boring and unnatural. A lot of great and interesting characters died, but there are some blessed ones who will not die even if a large bomb will fall straight at their heads.

maybe Zeke transferred his consciousness to other parts of his body like Reiner did in the Return to Shingashina arc? That's the only other idea I can think of how Zeke survived in the end.

I can't believe Levi narrowly escaped death because the monkey dingdong was too shiny and hypnotizing

I can't believe it, but Isyama finally topped the plot armor Reiner had back in RTS. Holy shit. The first thought was no one could have more plot armor than Eren did back in Shiganshina, then it was when Rod Riese became that hideous nightmare enduing faceless titan and didn't try and eat Eren, then it was Reiner's plot armor in RTS that stole it with notable mention from Armin, then it was Levi as a notable mention. This resurrected bullshit that saved Zeke can't be outdone. There is just no way in hell. Like, you just can't out do it. No one does plot armor better than Zeke!!!

HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT YELENA INSTITUTING ARMBANDS ON PARADIS? 1,484 responses

The irony of Yelena immediately instituting armbands as a classification system wasn’t lost on it. 44% thought is was horrible and a wrong choice, 28% recognized it as gross but understood the need to organize, while 22% had no opinion

As a sociologist, it’s interesting. The reality is that society/social classes often create symbols to communicate their social status so if it’s not armbands it’d be something else.

As expected of Yeagerists they are true organized shits! Congrats!!

Isayama is very big on the 'history repeating itself' thing and without a doubt this is one of those things.

I feel as if he is being kept out of the loop by the Volunteers, due to his befriending and fraternising with Eldian's (Hange especially), in much the same way as Niccolo was. This makes me inclined to think that Onyankonpon would side with the established Survey Corps if/when he learns the full plan, and that Yelena knows this.

it's ironic and though it's wrong, i think it's also clever how no matter how hard the yelena is trying to break free from marley traditions, those traditions still come naturally to her them whether she realizes it or not

I have a problem with how she's using people, not how she's doing it

People make a mountain out of a molehill, it's not something bad, it's just practical. They need to know who drank the wine and who didn't. Their actions are bad, but not their way of organizing.

Regardless of anything, I'd let Yelena tie me up any way she likes and I think deep down Pixis totally agrees

You boors know nothing of fashion.

IS ONYANKOPON ON PARADIS’ SIDE OR IS HE IN CAHOOTS WITH YELENA? 1,480 responses

Only 12.4% of the fandom believe Onyankopon is fully aligned with Yelena, A percentage more (13.9%) believe he’s on the Survey Corps side. The remainder of the fandom is either undecided or think that he is.

boi is lookin mad confused every time he appears now tbh

He might be on Yellena's side but I wouldn't be surprised if he decided to play a different game.

His arms are crossed and he's literally side-eyeing Yelena. He is not all-in with Yelena.

He said that he dedicated himself for "Eldia". I don't know why, but I have that weird feeling that he would help Eren and his group (Floch etc.) to make the new Eldia empire great again

I think he will help Hanji, he was always showed with them more than with any other person

Maybe he is working for someone else entirely. We still don't know if we have all the chess pieces on the damned board.

I really want an insight into Onyakopon's motives at this point. You can see he's not as enthusiastic about the situation, and I thought he genuinely bonded with Hanji.

WHY DO YOU THINK EREN WANTS TO LURE IN THE WARRIORS? 1,473 responses

Nearly half of the fandom believes that Eren’s goal is to eat the remaining warriors and gain their powers. About ⅓ of respondents think his goal is to negotiate with them, while smaller portions of the fandom think he may just want to get them out of the way or fully ally with them. Hopefully his chat with Pieck enlightens us! Meanwhile here are some write-in thoughts:

That boy is an enigma wrapped in a riddle, i have no idea what he is doing

Either to unlock a new ability with the Founding Titan that might require all the other Titan Shifters to be present or to kill them for the eventual rumbling.

I dunno but he clearly needs them for something. I'm leaning towards him needing to collect all their titans to do some sort of Curse Reset.

I am not sure whether he wants to eat every single warrior, especially regarding the convo he had with Reiner in the Marley arc. He wanted to chomp Porco tho, so I am not sure.

he can only do so much by himself, he has gained reiner's sympathy so having him as an ally seems like an option

I'd like to believe that Eren is luring the warriors so he can ally with them but realistically, he's probably going to eat 'em all. It started with the warhammer titan and he was about to do the same to Porco back in Marley for his jaws (which he would need to crack Annie's crystal open) but I digress. It'll probably happen in that order. He'll get annie after eating porco and pieck. Fuck. That part's gonna suck

I'm not sure, but he definitely doesn't want them trying to stop him doing whatever he's planning to do.

Like he said, he'll keep moving forward until his enemies are destroyed.

He wants them to connect and give the 9 elements to original Ymir. Maybe this way eldians will be free.

I laughed at the negotiation option, because if Eren ever was capable of comunicate with anyone in Paradise this mess wouldn't be happening. Actually if any character comunicated this wouldn't be happening.

Eren playing 4d chess

WHAT DO YOU THINK PIECK’S INTENTIONS WITH EREN ARE? 1,477 responses

The big chapter cliffhanger this month was Pieck pulling a sneaky on Eren, as expected of her. About two thirds of you, at 65.9% are guessing she’s there to talk with him; while 31.2% think she has more aggressive options in mind with that gun.

Pieck is smart. If she wanted to kill or capture Eren, she would've shot him without a warning. Clearly she wants something out of Eren, probably information, before neutralizing him

For the moment she's probably more interested in rescuing Gabi than doing anything with Eren.

Get information from him then kill him

Pieck most likely would want to talk about the jaegerbros sudden "alliance" She wants to know why Zeke used and betrayed her and their comrades.

Idk for sure, but I'm 120% sure she has a plan. Everyone is underestimating Pikku.

No clue. I don't hate her, but she's still complicit in war crimes, so whatever she's up to, it can't be good

To talk, Pieck is smart and if she wanted to kill Eren she should know that she had to do so earlier.

Probably a battle of wits, since Pieck is always exactly right and 19 yo Eren became very manipulative

Something tells me she's going to want Eren to direct her to Annie first. I mean, it's the final arc, and they still haven't resolved the Annie situation. I feel like this how Annie's supposed return will kick in: One of the reasons Pieck is in Paradis on reconnaissance is because she want to retrieve Annie from Paradis and bring her back to Marley. Maybe, she wants to do it with minimal bloodshed without making a scene.

Have a baby with him to cuck Zeke

EREN & PIECK - WHO HAS THE UPPER HAND? 1,480 responses

About ¾ of the fanbase at 76.3% lean towards Eren and his three titans having the upper hand here, and 23.7% think Pieck’s planning will pay off exactly as planned.

Pieck isn't stupid and it's quite obvious to anyone that she CANNOT kill eren. She isn't very strong as a titan compared to him, nor in human form. She doesn't stand a chance.

She knows he is powerful, I doubt she'd be stupid to try to have a fight with a man who holds three titans.

Pieck will fix everything

Pieck knows Zeke best of the current batch of warriors- I HOPE TO GOD THAT SHE IS NEVER WRONG WITH PLANS.

Pieck certainty cannot beat Eren in her titan form without her men and big guns, and doesn't seem to be in great form physically, as she was on crutches until a short while ago.

Kinda want Eren to absolutely demolish Pieck, whether it be Titan-form or not, just so Gabi can freak out even more.

I want Pieck to beat the shit out of Eren, but I know it won’t happen

I fear for Pieck's life :( Eren's gonna Warhammer her ass against the ceiling before she can say 'Wuh'

WHO’S WITH PIECK? 1,443 responses

Is Pieck alone, or does she have support? The majority seem to think Reiner and Porco are accompanying her, with 64.9% and 63.5% respectively. 34% think Colt tagged along to help find his brother, and 18.7% think General Magath is there as well. 2.1% of you are holding out hope that our Ymir is still alive, and with the warriors in fact. Pieck might be by her lonesome though, with 18.5% of you choosing that option.

It's been a while since we've seen any of the Warriors besides Pieck and it is the perfect time for Eren and Reiner to meet again.

I presume Reiner and the others are close by, but I still cannot see how all of them would be able to subdue or beat Eren, as he beat them all almost single- handily before he consumed the War hammer titan.

I have a strong feeling that Reiner's going to be the one to find the 104th and the Braus family in the cell. It will make for an interesting meeting, especially with Armin.

Freckled Ymir keeps getting indirectly referenced while highlighting her absence.

OwO best waifu Pieck returns all is well.

I JUST WANT TO SEE REINER ALREADY!!!

HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT THE FOLLOWING CHARACTERS AFTER THIS CHAPTER?

Hange’s heroics netted them a giant surge in popularity (1004↑) while Yelena (755↓) and Floch (898↓) each took a hit. Pieck’s confrontation with Eren was appreciated (737↑). Despite being unconscious, Levi’s approval was likewise up (701↑). The debut of Ymir Fritz had the majority holding off on judgment, although 514 respondents where inclined to view her favorably.

Hange is the best human in this manga

Hange, a real champ. Zeke is a dumbass. The more I see douchebag Eren, the more I want to kick him in the balls. Floch, Yelena & Co (exclude Oyankapon, he is a good boi) can go shove fucking thunderspears up their arses...the deeper their devotion, the deeper the penetration.

hange's great - zeke's wack - eren's angsty - press f for levi

AT THIS POINT, AROUND WHICH CHAPTER DO EXPECT THE MANGA WILL CONCLUDE? 1,396 responses

We have a lot of differing opinions regarding how much of this story remains to be told! The most popular option for the final chapter of the manga is chapter 130 with 35% of respondents selecting that option. More striking perhaps, is that 86% of respondents think that the manga will continue to at least chapter 130. 50% believe that 134 is the earliest possible chapter for the story’s conclusion.

WHY is 118 an option for the conclusion of the manga? No fucking way we've only got three more chapters, surely? Don't fucking do this to me y'all

WHO DO YOU MOST HOPE TO SEE NEXT CHAPTER? 1,493 responses

The majority of the fandom seem to have had their fill of Zeke and the Yeagerists and are ready to focus on other characters. Topping our wishlist is a continuation of Eren, Pieck and Gabi’s confrontation (70%), followed by the seeing more of Levi and Hange (60%). Armin Mikasa and the 104th (45%) and Historia (40.4%) are also on many minds.

Can't wait to hear what Pieck and Eren have to say. I think this chapter has allowed for some development between them.

I have been waiting years to learn all that was in this chapter and the end has me dying cause I’ve been wanting to know what it’d be like if Eren and Pieck met. So awesome chapter! Can’t wait for next month!

I really fucking miss Historia.

after having so much mikasa since 102 i’ve realised that i miss her presence a lot in the last three chapters... so i hope she’s in 116

I hope mikasa and armin are ok and Levi I feel so bad for 😢

Annie day now

I miss Reiner ;___;

WHERE DO YOU NORMALLY DISCUSS THE SERIES? 1,427 responses

Thank you Reddit 😘

ADDITIONAL THOUGHTS ON THE CHAPTER?

Loved the realisation that we’ve already been shown a paths “dimension” preciously in the manga and anime.

Fucking crazy, on one hand is like Yams, please, slow down and on the other hand is like, yes, keep it going, you crazy bastard.

It had a lot of emotional impact. I hated it and loved it at the same time.

Needed more Floch, I live for Floch.

I hate sand. It's coarse, rough, irritating and gets everywhere

Some interesting parallels that relate very well to the chapter's title "Support": Ymir Fritz puts Zeke back together, Eren "appears" to support Zeke's plan, Hanji grabs Levi and saves him from the "traitors" (how dare they use Eren's surname, they're not worthy!), and Pieck arrives to save Gabi and Falco!

I love Eren more with every chapter. He's so fucking cool. He was startled for two seconds, then went back to apathy and is just standing there with his hands in his pockets while Pieck holds a gun to him. What a chad.

With how many weird turns this manga is taking, you really don't know what to expect next. At this point, I wouldn't be surprised if in the next chapter, Eren asks Pieck to marry him, Zeke shoots himself to see if he'll get revived again (and doesn't), and Hange injects Levi with titan serum, but rather than helping him in any way, it just makes him 3 inches shorter.

Holy crap the art was on point 👌👌👌 plus I've been lowkey itching for some more supernatural elements so I'm pretty happy with this development

It made me more excited to see the conclusion and what everyone's true motives are.

I love the suspense each panel gives, I feeling of worry and excitement

Can Floch die? I mean seriously, can he just fall off a cliff and get impaled? Or get hit by a stray bullet? Because his superior attitude is grating on my nerves. I’m glad Hange escaped 👍🏿

Great to see how the different characters draw motivation for their different goals and I am hyped that the reader is not told what Eren is really planning.

I just want Armin to play a major role. He’s been put on the backburner for far too long and he actually needs to be using his brain to fix the situation that Eldia is in. Even now, I still have faith that Armin is going to be the one to save the people in the walls. I predict that Armin does have some hidden agenda up his sleeve that he hasn’t revealed yet that will change the game entirely. He’s as intelligent if not more so than Erwin is after all. I still believe that Armin is the true savior of Eldia and that he is someone that Marley and the world should fear.

Zeke's resurrection was probably one of the most bizarre moments I've ever witnessed in this manga and I've got so many questions now. The chapter as a whole, however, was still enjoyable and very thought-provoking. Seeing how close we are to the end, though, I hope we get all the important questions answered before it's over because I hate when things are left unanswered.

To me it's clear that Eren is playing Zeke, but I wonder how he knew exactly how to play him so well? This is basically their first face-to-face interaction, I don't think he took the idea from Yelena, because actually I doubt Yelena understands Zeke except through her own filter, and Grisha definitively didn't understand him, so he can't even have been relying on his memories. Not to mention Zeke is a notoriously closed off individual in general, so what gives, Eren?

I absolutely love the direction of the story even though so much is happening against the interests of the party I want to win. Exactly how Return to Shiganshina felt like. And similar to RtS, I feel we will have a lukewarm conclusion that'll make us feel all the emotions in existence all at once.

Can't believe there wasn't a question about Zeke's junk. Did he get his wish or not? I swear, the quality of this poll has gone down dramatically this month.

I honestly don't understand Eren in the Jeagerbro talk. He seems to be making contradictory statements - ""We'll keep moving forward... But only until we practically erase our race's existence in this world."" Zeke's plan isn't a move forward, isn't a step towards freedom the way we know Eren / Attack Titan crave freedom. It is tying and blindfolding the people of Ymir to metaphorical train tracks. Which is far from freeing them, and which is why I think Eren has his own agenda and is only pretending to go along with Zeke. Now I'm not saying Eren has some noble plan that will properly save all the Eldians, for all we know he still wants to go ahead with the rumbling. I'm just saying Zeke's plan does not seem to align with Eren or the Attack Titan's ideologies (and yes, I'm talking about post Ch 90 Eren).

I really love where this is going and in just 2 chapters he made Zeke become one of my favourite characters, - if not the No1. Poor boi, needs to be protected at all costs. Also it is so horrible to see that he was used by everyone around him, his father especially and now it looks like Eren is about to do the same. Poor fella just wants a family member who actually cares about him as a person and he never really got that. Also, showing a more human side to him when he worries about Eren and then tearing up when Eren calls him brother? Give me more please.

Floch is still my favorite character. Fucking fight me about it, try it, I've got a hairstylists' nightmare on my side who isn't afraid to shoot (don't worry he can't aim very well).

Floch you fuckin piece of shit. Such a good character but such a fucking bastard. I really love to hate him. Fuck you Floch, you magnificient bastard

Can we safely assume that Annie is actually in the paths realm?

Could Pieck be Kruger's daughter?

if Levi gets oofed I'll get oofed with him.

Thank you to everyone who participated. We’ll see you again next month!

#snk spoilers #snk polls #snk poll #poll results

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thecollegefootballguy · 5 years ago

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2019 Top Ten Active Coaches Power Ranking

So, I’ve looked at all of the Power conferences and the G5′s best. With all that said it’s time to mash it all up and see who are the best coaches in the nation.

Unlike the power rankings of the individual conferences, this ranking takes a much longer view of each coach’s career. I use slightly different metrics which have a big impact on where coaches place in the national rankings. Plus, I reserve the right to make judgement calls here.

The rankings have certainly changed a lot from 2018. Urban Meyer (last year’s #2 coach in the nation), Bill Snyder (#3), and Mark Richt (#8) retired, drastically altering the face of the coaching landscape in terms of career prestige. That doesn’t necessarily mean that new blood will flow into the top ten. Mack Brown and Les Miles, two of the most decorated coaches of the 2000′s, returned to the ranks. They’ve taken on difficult jobs, but men of that caliber should succeed given adequate time.

If you’d like to revisit the rankings from last year and see what’s changed, click here.

Here are a list of the honorable mentions: David Cutcliffe, Mike Gundy, Lincoln Riley, James Franklin, Pat Fitzgerald, Jim Harbaugh, David Shaw, Kyle Whittingham, Mike Leach, Gus Malzahn, Kirby Smart, Dan Mullen, and Frank Solich.

10. Les Miles

Overall Record: 142-55 National Championships: 1 (2007)*

*at LSU

Movement: N/A

The Mad Hatter is back and college football is better off for it. Les Miles has a great track record as one of the top coaches of the 2000′s. Miles built up Oklahoma State into a successful program before handing the reigns off to Mike Gundy when he moved to LSU. Miles inherited a very successful program in Baton Rouge and kept the ball rolling. The Tigers won the 2007 National Championship and came a rematch against Alabama short of a second title in 2011. Miles will have a big challenge ahead of him as he tries to turn around one of the most hopeless P5 programs in the nation. I doubt he can take Kansas to the heights he achieved at LSU, but here’s to hoping.

9. Jimbo Fisher

Record at Texas A&M: 9-4 Overall Record: 92-27 National Championships: 1 (2013)*

*at Florida State

Movement: N/A

I put Jimbo Fisher on timeout last year for so thoroughly mucking up Florida State in 2017. But, Fisher has to be seen as one of the better coaches in the game. He’s showing great promise after just one year at Texas A&M. We may be seeing the beginnings of something really big going on at College Station, the unlocking of the true potential latent in the Aggie program for decades that has so far never fully been realized. Time will tell, but with Jimbo they have as good a chance as any.

8. Mack Brown

Record at North Carolina: 69-46-1 Record Overall: 244-122-1 National Championships: 1 (2005)*

*with Texas

Movement: N/A

Our oldest throwback of the returning crew, but also the best of that group. Mack Brown is one of the most successful coaches of the last quarter century. Brown’s complete rebuild of North Carolina in the 1990′s is one of the more impressive feats from that decade. Brown’s run at Texas from 1998 to 2009 was legendary. The Longhorns were one of the fixtures of college football in the 2000′s and its pretty surprising that they only won one national championship in the span. Now, Brown returns to Chapel Hill with the expectation of returning the Tar Heels to glory. Who knows how quick or how completely he can achieve this goal, but he’s got the track record.

7. Kirk Ferentz

Record at Iowa: 152-101 Overall Record: 164-122 Division Championships: 1 (2015) Conference Championships: 2 (2002, 2004)

Movement: Up 2 spots

With Bill Snyder gone, we need to replace our immovable object and this guy fits the bill. Kirk Ferentz is one of the most consistent overachievers in the P5 relative to his team’s usual lot in life. Honestly it doesn’t get enough praise because most of us are used to the Hawkeyes playing well. Ferentz isn’t the same kind of coach that Mack Brown or Les Miles is, but for now, he’s ahead of those illustrious men for his steadfast dedication to winning in Iowa City.

6. Mark Dantonio

Record at Michigan State: 107-51 Overall Record: 125-68 Division Championships: 3 (2011, 2013, 2015) Conference Championships: 3 (2010, 2013, 2015)

Movement: Same

Mark Dantonio is well on his way to Bill Snyder-ing himself a permanent spot on this list as well. The Spartan head man has built a wrecking machine, capable of bruising even the most intimidating Big Ten opponents. He consistently punches above his weight class, even though the field has gotten very crowded with the resurgence of Ohio State, Michigan, and Penn State since the early 2010′s. I wonder how long he can sustain, but weaker men would have already cracked under the pressure. Dantonio isn’t that guy.

5. Chris Petersen

Record at Washington: 47-21 Overall Record: 139-33 Division Championships: 3 (2016, 2017, 2018) Conference Championships: 2 (2016, 2018)

Movement: Up 2 spots

Chris Petersen has been the best coach in the 11 Western States for some time now, at least since Pete Carroll moved on from the college ranks. Going back to his days at Boise State, Petersen is very used to doing more with less and building a successful machine that can compete year in and year out. The hype about Oregon and Washington State doesn’t feel as solid or as permanent as the beast Petersen has going in Seattle. The Huskies should be good, very very good, as long as Petersen is in charge. Just, please, win your bowl game for once.

4. Gary Patterson

Record at TCU: 167-63 Conference Championships: 6 (2002, 2005, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2014)*

*Won in Conference-USA, Mountain West, and Big 12

Movement: Same

The true inheritor of the mantle of Snyder is none other than best his protege: Gary Patterson. TCU moved from the WAC, to Conference USA, to the Mountain West, to the Big 12 during Patterson’s tenure in Fort Worth. It’s one of the best success stories in college football in the 2000′s and 2010′s. Patterson has been absolutely instrumental in crafting a winning program at a school with fewer resources than a Texas or Oklahoma, or a Texas Tech or Oklahoma State for that matter.

3. Brian Kelly

Record at Notre Dame: 81-35 Overall Record: 252-92-2

Movement: N/A

I’d like to issue a formal apology for not having Brian Kelly on this list sooner. With my metrics changing just a little bit, Kelly’s ranking shot up. Go figure, maybe I’m getting better at this. Kelly is a born winner; he’s won at Grand Valley State, at Central Michigan, at Cincinnati, and he’s had two 12-0 seasons at Notre Dame. I can forgive him for having not won a conference championship since 2009, I hope you can too.

2. Dabo Swinney

Record at Clemson: 116-30 Division Championships: 7 (2009, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018) Conference Championships: 5 (2011, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018) National Championships: 2 (2016, 2018)

Movement: Up 3 spots

Dabo Swinney wasn’t in my top ten when I first started doing this about 5 years ago, which really tells you something. Swinney’s unprecedented success at Clemson is going to go down as one of the biggest shifts in college football in the new millennium. The Tigers had been successful before, yes, but not like this. Clemson and Alabama are the teams of the 2010′s, and in the past four years they’ve traded national titles and have almost ignored basically every other program in the nation. He’s quite clearly one of the best coaches in the country, and what he’s done with in Death Valley is just insane. I still do a double take at the 30 career losses over the course of 10 (and a half) seasons. I mean, my god.

1. Nick Saban

Record at Alabama: 132-20 Record Overall: 223-62-1 Division Championships: 11 (2001, 2002, 2003, 2008, 2009, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017) Conference Championships: 7 (1990, 2001, 2003, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2016) National Championships: 6 (2003*, 2009, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2017)

*at LSU

Movement: Same

Look, I love praising Dabo, but his success will likely only be measured by how it stacks up to Nick Saban’s. Currently he’s still far away from the true pinnacle of success. Accept no substitutes. 20 losses in 12 years. JFC.

Also a fond farewell to Bill Snyder. No words can properly encapsulate what that man did for Kansas State. Enjoy a well earned retirement.

#college football #Alabama Crimson Tide #Clemson Tigers #Notre Dame Fighting Irish #TCU Horned Frogs #Washington Huskies #Michigan State Spartans #Iowa Hawkeyes #North Carolina Tar Heels #Texas A&M Aggies #Kansas Jayhawks

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homosociallyyours · 6 years ago

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getting to know me

I was tagged by @sukiandmuzzy, @always-aqua, and @jlf23tumble in this 21 question cavalcade--thank y’all so much!! These dumb things are my fave bc I’m basic af. So. here we go. the rules are...answer the questions. that’s all. i’ll tag people too, but not a set number, so if you love these things and wanna do this one, DO IT!!!

Nickname: Meggles, Beene, Beenie, Beener, Dottie, Milton. All but the last are variations of my name (middle, last, first, in that order). The last one came from my ex, who actually got it from Winter’s Bone, because it was the book he was reading when we got together. There’s a scene where the main character is naming all the Miltons in her family. Somehow it got into his head, and then it just stuck. I left it in Austin, but I still have a fondness for it.

Zodiac: Taurus sun/moon/mercury, Gemini rising, Venus in Cancer, Mars in Virgo. into it, obviously. I’m totally that guy who has gotten everyone in the office to do their natal chart and who follows 807 astrology meme accounts.

Height: 5′5″

Last movie I saw: I haven’t seen a movie in a theater for a hot second. That was the new Fantastic Beasts. At home, I rewatched Elf on Christmas Eve.

Last thing I googled: “williams console heater” -- we’re getting a new heater this week, and that’s the brand/model. I was showing my housemate.

Favorite musicians: The Indigo Girls, One Direction, Dolly Parton, Gretchen Phillips.

Song stuck in my head: She’s a Rainbow

Other blogs: @ohharrymylove is where I put 1d masterposts and history things as well as stunty stuff i don’t want on my main, @darlingdomesticbatch is the now defunct cumberbatch hey girl meme account i used to co-run with a friend, @heycheeselady is my oft-neglected cheese blog, and then there are 2 more blogs that are pretty empty but that i am kinda saving for a rainy day-- dirtbagharrie and sassymartinfreeman. i am also co-mod on a hypnokink blog with a pal but i never do anything with it, i’m sorry chu <3

Do I get asks: sometimes. I usually get a couple with ask games, and then every few weeks a random anon saying/asking something. it’s rare for me to get hate, though you wouldn’t know anyway bc i just delete it :)

Following: 1024...oops. i got it down a while ago, but tbh i enjoy following lots of people and am very gregarious. if you wanna be mutuals with me just send me a couple of asks or messages and i’ll probably add you back unless you reaaaally don’t tag and you post stuff i would normally blacklist (reylo or zombies)

Amount of sleep: 6-12. rebel rebel.

Lucky number: 5

What I’m wearing: lularoe leggings (listen they’re soft i can’t help it) and an old hoodie that i had kinda forgotten about but that i’m pleased to rediscover

Dream job: rn it’s being paid to exist. if i could make enough money to live just by being alive, it would take away a huge strain from my life. In general, though, my dream job is to be part of a team that goes into homes and schools and teaches cheese classes: developing palates and vocabularies, showing people how to care for cheese, providing knowledge and cool facts about cheesestuffs. I also kinda want this as a youtube channel. i do sorta have the goal to do that this year if i’m able.

Dream trip: I usually say France and other parts of Europe for a very specific cheese trip, but right now it’s one of these 2 places--either Hawaii with @statementlou for 2 weeks of being relaxed cryptid gal pals or 2 weeks in Tacoma with @pompomoffinland and his spouse and their kiddo for some superb cuddles and flaming rainbows.

Favorite food: I am contractually obligated to say cheese. It’s definitely the food I’m most passionate about, and I cannot think of my life without it in some form.

Play any instruments: I know how to strum a ukulele. I’m not great, but I am passable if nobody else knows how to play. I can also play the spoons decently and am a singer.

Languages: English, Spanish (un poco), the asl alphabet and some random words (coffee! tree! dance! I got a book from the library when I was 11 and have good retention). I also know the greek alphabet, so I can struggle through saying something that’s written in greek, but then have...no idea what it means. unless it’s obvious. Oh also I speak cheese (obviously), which means I can pronounce French town names sometimes and not sound like the uncultured American I truly am.

Favorite songs: “Three County Highway” (Indigo Girls); “Fireproof” (1D); “Ain’t Life a Brook” (Ferron); “The Weakness in Me” (Joan Armatrading); “The Luckiest” (Ben Folds); “I Spent My Last $10 on Birth Control and Beer” (Two Nice Girls); “She’s Amazing” (Team Dresch); “1950″ (King Princess) to name a few.

Random fact: “grassfed” is an empty term that can mean anything from cows grazing on fresh pasture year round to cows being kept in pens and fed a fermented grass product called silage that’s actually not much better for their stomachs than grain. so if you care about animals being pastured, know where your cheese is coming from and be prepared to pay a premium--grazing cattle is not cheap for a lot of reasons

Random fact about me? I didn’t date AT ALL in high school, partly because no boy ever expressed even the faintest interest and partly because I also wasn’t interested and honestly partly because I was actually queer and just didn’t have words for it. No regrets, tho, dang. I kinda think nobody should date in high school. UNPOPULAR OPINION, i know.

Describe yourself as aesthetic things: pale skin spilling out from the top of a cotton dress; firm jersey milk cheese wrapped in rustic brown cheese paper; a bouquet of ranunculus; milky tea in a sturdy ceramic mug; brown sugar cubes; tangled seaweeds and algaes drying on the beach; a stack of fat quarters in various solid and patterned pinks; a photograph of a single white cloud against a bright blue sky with just the edge of tree in frame; hugging a tree

hmmmm I’ll tag... @captiveharts @deaflock @livingrepetition @billiethepoet @thearrowsheart @harryincamp @harryisapackersfan @pennywhistle @la-paritalienne and @goldbootsandvans

no pressure, pals!

#tag games #21 questions #about me #i have done these before #but i do love them so #thanks for tagging me!!

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marybeatriceofmodena · 7 years ago

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The Last Jedi review - Part 2 of 284390890358 - On the topic of Gothic Heroines in space, Darth Darcy, and Inappropriate Uses of the Force (not that the Force minds)

WELCOME TO THE LONGEST PART OF MY I-DON’T-KNOW-HOW-LONG TLJ REVIEW NO ONE WILL CARE ABOUT

First off… Rey and Kylo were definitely dual protagonists in this movie… but for Rey, it was kind of a bait-and-switch thing, because TLJ is very much Kylo/Ben’s movie, because we really see things unfold from his perspective…

… which is probably the reason why I was honestly pretty angry when I came out of TLJ.

I think TLJ was meant to be Ben’s movie. I’ll explain why later, but we really see things unfold from his perspective, in this movie.

Starting out with Rey… the Heroine’s Journey coupled with the great big metaphors for sexual awakening are so in your face it hurts. I’m not going to expand on it too much because other people already did a great job explaining it, but that hole on the island on Ahch-To? The sexual metaphor was so blatant it managed to make me more uncomfortable than Courbet’s L’origine du monde (in the best way possible, of course). I’m not even going to post it because I’m telling ya, that painting is VERY NSFW, so you can just go and google it yourselves.

Also, am I the only one who LOVED the Mirror Scene? (And kudos for me for calling that when Rey would plunge in the water, she would be confronted to the fact her parents aren’t coming back.) Rey is confronted to her biggest fear, where the only thing surrounding her are a thousand copies of herself, which symbolizes the fact that the only thing that’s holding her imprisoned is her attachment to the past. When she asks to see her parents, there are two silhouettes coming towards her…

And GOOD CALL from people here saying the taller silhouette on the other side of the mirror was Ben. Because he’s her future, as she is his: but because they’re both fixated on something, when Rey tries to see who’s on the other side, she can only see herself.

The movie pretty much explains why Rey was so insistent on going back to Jakku in TFA: it’s not just because she thinks that *maybe* her parents will come back. It goes farther than that, because deep down, she knows they’ve abandoned her, and that she’s just in denial about it. Like, the movie actually spells that out and people still think Kylo is lying to her about it. Sigh.

But that abandonment and her life as a scavenger on Jakku have made her always want to stick to a routine, because in those moments, she feels in control and it’s reassuring. Of course, preferring a routine to run your life is not something that’s bad in itself: but the problem with Rey is that sticking to the same routine all the time stops her from moving forward as a person.

However, when she does try… she fails.

Her attempt at bringing Luke back fails, and that job is left to Yoda. She basically just rushes to the Finalizer to convince Ben to come back, because she’s naïve. Naïve, naïve, naïve, naïve, naïve. Did I say naïve? And a bit impulsive and selfish, too. She’s naïve because she thinks she’ll just go on the Finalizer and everything will be smooth from there and she arrives there like freaking Sleeping Beauty. She’s naïve because she genuinely thinks she’ll succeed. And because she’s naïve, and because she’s impulsive and a bit selfish too, she fails. But as for the « impulsive and selfish » part, I’ll come back to that.

Overall, her manner of thought is still pretty simplistic: that’s not to say that Rey is stupid, because she definitely is not, but she definitely lacks experience. And she’s impulsive. SO impulsive. But again, considering where she comes from, that isn’t too surprising.

Apart from that amazing storytelling for Rey, the problem is… after the Throne Room scene, the movie kind of drops the ball for Rey, until she becomes a Deus ex Machina by lifting all the rocks to help the Resistance escape. Aaand there’s more, but I’ll come back to that.

And then there’s Kylo. Or Ben. I don’t know what to call him anymore.

Poor kid. That poor, fucking, fucked up kid.

People are complaining about how bleak the movie feels, but… that’s the point. Kylo’s perspective is bleak af right now. And because we see things unfurl from his point of view, that’s why he’s basically the most pragmatic person in the movie, despite spending the last quarter of it throwing the biggest tantrum he’s ever done.

And I’ll tell you one thing: I am so, so, so, SO glad I knew about Renperor going in, because if I didn’t, I would have probably got out of the cinema in a Renperor-level rage. I got a week or so to get used to it, and my knee-jerk reaction pretty much came from the godawful Reddit “leaks” we got with Renperor in them. And now… I can sort of see that even if it’s not how I would have ended the movie, personally, it makes sense?

At first, I didn’t get it at all. For me, it made no sense that Ben would go from “my uncle tried to kill me and I hate him for that” to “I’ll become Renperor and bring peace and order to the galaxy by obtaining UNLIMITED POWAAAAAAH”.

It could have worked if Kylo had a greater goal, like—I don’t know, he knows that the galaxy needs to be united because a bigger threat is coming, like the Yuuzhan Vong but canon. With all the hints we got so far of something lurking in the Unknown Regions (which is pretty much the reason why Thrawn joined the Empire in the first place, back in the days), it would have been feasible. And it is basically the reason why Revan invaded the Galactic Republic in the first place, so it could be protected and ready against an potential invasion from the Sith Empire.

We get nothing of all this in the movie. Heck, if Kylo *really* wanted to convince Rey to stay with him, he could have told her about that greater threat and things would have perhaps gone differently. But there’s nothing of that.

So why does Kylo want to be Renperor so bad?

The reason is actually very sad.

For a long time, Kylo has believed he can only rely on himself. He can’t count on anyone: his parents let him down, and yes, Han tried to reach out to him, but it was too little, too late (and there’s also something else, but I’ll talk about it later); his uncle wanted to kill him (well, at least from his point of view, but you see my point); his stand-in father figure is very thinly coded as a sexual predator and messed up with him since pretty much the crib. Snoke is to him the most reliable figure in his life, which is saying something: even Kylo himself knows that Snoke is eventually just going to chew him up and throw him away, and it’s so obvious even Han pointed that out to him.

In the end, it gives him a pretty big inferiority complex. Except his inferiority complex stems not from the fact he’s incompetent, but from the fact he probably believes he isn’t worthy of being loved or worst, being saved. Like, think about it: he didn’t even bother running back to Han and Leia after shit happened with Luke at Jedi Camp, which is already pretty telling in itself; for all he knows, his uncle tried to kill him, and we’re talking about the guy who thought Darth Motherfracking Vader could be saved, which means that he is worth even less than Vader himself; and I think it’s a pretty safe bet to say that Snoke only enhanced that complex, by giving him all those great speeches about Vader and all the yadayada (because courtesy of the Visual Dictionary, we all know Snoke is the ultimate Vader fanboy, and not so much Kylo) while simultaneously demeaning him whenever things didn’t go his way.

Poor kid. He never stood a chance.

And he tries reaching out to Rey. He thinks he can count on her, that she’s different from everyone else. He sees how compassionate she is, how she sees the best in people, how she is willing to do anything for the people she cares about. Apart from her powers in the Force and their shared loneliness, that’s what attracts Kylo to her.

That’s why Rey breaking his heart hits him so hard. He knows that she’s strong, but she’s vulnerable and she has been hurt, just like him. And he’s been so screwed over his entire life that he genuinely believes that the only way to never be hurt again is by becoming king of the mountain, where no one can reach him anymore and where he’s basically the most powerful motherfucker in the galaxy. And he applies the same logic to Rey as well.

That’s the tragedy of Ben Solo. He becomes Renperor: not a cackling, over-the-top megalomaniac like Palpatine was, but because like a frightened child who thinks that the only way of defeating the monsters he’s terrified of is by becoming the bigger monster himself. But even then, he fails, because while he’s in the position to be the bigger monster, he can’t bring himself to truly be one, no matter what. He’s still a boy, who just happens to scream louder than the others.

And this is… honestly a pretty dark take on the Beauty and the Beast trope.

Jean Cocteau would be proud.

Also, for all those people saying “Kylo Ren is a pussy”, he’s there telling Snoke his injuries are “nothing” and the minute he takes his mask off, you can clearly see that the dude looks like shit. Later on, you have droids treating his scar and he doesn’t even flinch once. Conclusion? Not only the dude ain’t a pussy, but he’s probably been used to dealing with far worse pain… hence why he was still standing after the bowcaster shot and why he actually managed to stand for a while fighting Finn and then Rey. So no, I don’t find it funny AT ALL, and not even on a meta level, when Snoke calls him a loser for Rey beating him, because he’s pretty much encouraging Kylo’s self-destructive tendencies.

And then there’s the Reylo.

For starters… considering Rian Johnson said he had three hours of film before the cut, I am GENUINELY curious to know how many Reylo scenes have been cut. And believe me, I’m not saying this as a shipper.

The Reylo scenes were good. Really good. The problem is, because the pacing was meh, as I explained above, I felt like I didn’t have enough? (Again, I probably need to see the movie again.) And honestly, it would have been better from a storytelling viewpoint to have more Reylo scenes than, I don’t know, knowing that Luke gets green milk from a giant beer sea chicken thing (like, I get the point is to have Rey being uncomfortable with the tities, but that scene was just gross). Basically, we had Resistance scenes that were way too long, Finn and Rose who were amazing but were on a timer to save the Resistance while not giving that vibe of urgency at all, and Reylo getting cut by those scenes made the movie feel choppy overall and kind of hard to follow.

Rian just BARELY gets into the Force lore, or what is Kylo and Rey’s role when it comes to the greater scheme of things. I suppose that if they talk about it at all, because I’m honestly kind of skeptical at this point, it will only be in IX, and all I’m gonna say is that if it’s the case, I can’t believe TPTB thought giving that story to someone like Colin Trevorrow was a good idea. At least JJ is back.

The first Force Bond scene was kind of adorable. They have no idea what’s going on, Rey is all “FIGHT ME” while Kylo is probably nerding out and trying to figure out how Force Skype works, he slips in the corridor in his socks and it’s the cutest thing ever, and of course, Rey shoots at him. So long story short, it’s basically “What if a Gryffindor and a Ravenclaw were sworn enemies and discovered they could communicate with each other telepathically”.

(For real, I think Kylo is more of a Gryffindor, but that was peak Ravenclaw behavior.

The shirtless scene was HILARIOUS. Not in a cringey sense though, because… come on guys. You all know Kylo noticed Rey’s elevator eyes in the interrogation scene. He wanted to get her attention, right? SO THAT *SSHOLE TOOK HIS SHIRT OFF, AND HE GOT IT.

He’s Han “Sometimes I amaze even myself” Solo’s son, why is anyone surprised?

Sure, it’s fanservice, and a lot of people are referring to it as the gold bikini moment of the ST. But I think it’s not only there for Kylo to show his Han Solo Jr. side, but it’s also there to show that Rey is becoming a young woman, so in consequence, she starts seeing Kylo differently. (And boy is she bad at hiding it: first thing she does is tell him to put something on) And sure, it’s very awkward, but in my opinion, it was 110% intentional, because they’re such high school horny teenagers in that scene.

But hormones put apart, Rey grows attached to Ben because… well, he listens. Just as much as you see the contrast between Finn interacting with Rey and Finn interacting with Rose (a very interesting topic I will tackle in another post), Rey’s interactions with Ben are different as well. With Finn (and other people as well), she’s very smiley, to the point some people will say she’s a bit… cutesy. With Ben… of course, at first, she hates his guts, but she comes to a point where she actually feels comfortable telling him how she REALLY feels. She doesn’t do that with anyone else – notice how she doesn’t tell Finn anything about the interrogation or how she doesn’t even mention to Leia at the end of TLJ about anything that happened between her and Kylo.

And that’s the big thing between the two of them, throughout TLJ: they are HONEST with each other. And that’s just another reason as to why the “breakup” hits Kylo so hard. But I’ll come back to that.

The fourth Force Bond scene was AMAZING. With Kylo taking off his glove (that’s significant, because come to think of it, he hasn’t had human contact with anyone for YEARS), and the two of them reaching to each other… just the way they’re placed, facing each other, their hands at the same level, the scene looks very mythical, and as I’ve said before on Tumblr, it probably had Dante Gabriel Rossetti’s ghost screaming. And somehow, they manage to make it sexual af as well.

And then you have Luke who barges in… on one hand, the scene is hysterical because you got Third-Wheel-Luke/Cockblocker-Luke, but the Adam-and-Eve scenery is there, with the Man and the Woman being each others’ temptation and biggest strength while Luke comes in like an angry god.

But Rey and Ben have touched hands, and by touching hands, they have eaten the forbidden fruit: and they’ve seen each other’s future.

We don’t know what Rey or Ben have seen, and we only hear snippets of it from the two of them. But what we do know that it’s at that moment Ben realizes that Rey is the one he wants to spend the rest of his life with; and it’s at that moment that Rey sees Ben Solo’s soul, and falls in love with him.

Because Ben Solo is a beautiful mess: he’s the best and the worst of the Skywalkers all at once. He’s brash, impulsive, and tactless like Han, reckless like Anakin, gullible like Luke and like Padmé, stubborn to the point of fanaticism like Leia… but he has Han’s heart of gold, Anakin’s straight-outta-Gryffindor fire, Padmé’s tenderness, Luke’s loyalty, and Leia’s strength of mind.

And most importantly, she has seen that the boy is in love. In love with her.

For me, it makes sense that Rey would get on Ben’s side and turn on Luke. Mainly because she was already angry with Luke to start with, and discovering that a) He wanted to kill Ben while defenseless, b) That’s what basically had him go straight to Snoke, and c) That’s what indirectly caused Han’s death, so, yeah, that gives Rey a pretty dang good reason to be pissed at Luke. She sees him as responsible for a family that has been torn apart, while not realizing (yet) that the root of the problem is Snoke.

Seriously, Rey, Luke, Leia and Han not realizing that the root of the problem is Snoke, and not anyone else is pretty much the reason why everything has gone to shit.

Continuing that thought, I also think that one of the reasons why she went all Save Ben Solo was probably because she believed she could bring a broken family back – basically, because she can’t give it to herself, she’s trying to indirectly get it for and from Ben and Leia. At that point, she’s still very much fixated on how families are the BEST THING EVAR. And that is SO not going to help later.

That’s where the root of her selfishness comes from: but it’s a weird kind of selfishness that parades as selflessness. Because sure, Rey wanting to reunite a broken family is a noble purpose, but I can’t help but think that it’s somewhat indirect gratification for herself: if she can’t get her own family back (because deep down, she is fully aware of that, she’s just in denial about it), she’ll build one of her own… but sadly enough, she doesn’t go for it in the right way.

There’s also the fact that she sees his future – a future where he becomes Ben Solo again and leaves the First Order. There are two problems with this, in the story itself, and from a storytelling perspective. Ben has also seen Rey’s future, and in that future, she leaves the Resistance. Obviously, because they’re both Galactic Idiots, they don’t realize that them leaving their respective factions is because THEY HAVE TO WORK TOGETHER AND RELY ON EACH OTHER.

What’s the problem from a storytelling perspective? Rey insisting on how she saw Ben’s future is a perfect case of why “show, don’t tell” is so important. We don’t see anything of Rey “seeing” Ben’s future. Not even a quick flash of Ben, or hearing his voice, nothing. Like, I get it that couldn’t be included because it would be too spoilery for IX and TPTB seems determined to have the fandom go for another two years of “Will Kylo Ren turn back to the light?”, but that still felt off.

Like, I get it the reason is probably that it’s an intimate moment between Rey and Ben. It’s the kind of thing that looks really nice on paper, and works amazingly well in a novel. In a movie, though… it’s a different matter.

(Why oh why does the novelization come out in March? I NEED IT NOW.)

Rey afterwards pretty much gets overwhelmed by her hero complex, and is convinced that going straight on a Save Ben Solo Mission is going to go well. Poor girl. She arrives on the Finalizer in a pod that looks like a glass coffin as if she was Sleeping Beauty… and that’s where TLJ brings in some FREAKING AMAZING subtext where the story gets turned into a dark fairy tale. Rey arrives, her hands are crossed on her chest with a rose… um, sorry, the lightsaber in her hand, but you get my point, complete with the purple eyeshadow (for real, did Chewie show her how to apply makeup?). When her prince comes, however, his face is indecipherable and there’s a pair of shackles waiting for her.

Seriously, Rey and Kylo’s story is Beauty and the Beast and Sleeping Beauty but really, really darker. And the Throne Room scene is pretty much a genderbent Snow White with Kylo fitting the Snow White physical appearance to a T, and Snoke as the Evil Queen who was once young and beautiful but is now threatened by someone surpassing him in beauty and power (in that case, Rey as well as Ben), complete with the magic mirror. They weren’t even being subtle at that point.

Thing is, Rey pretty much arrived on the Finalizer unannounced, and everyone saw her arriving. So, of course, Kylo has to take her to Snoke, because he knows he’s in big trouble otherwise. Then, in the elevator… we see Kylo look straight in front of him, his face blank… and he only warms up when Rey calls him Ben (yes, I died), and HE EVEN SMILES AT HER. Follows then some FREAKING AMAZING UST, where of course they forget all about each other’s personal space, but the elevator ride is way too short.

BUT he knows, somewhat, what’s to come. He tries shutting himself from Rey completely, so that way, Snoke can’t guess whether he might save Rey or not (because Snoke ain’t hurting his future baby mama, nope), but then she calls him Ben, and he melts a bit, because he’s Darth Puppydog and Rey’s a cute girl with a v-neck and eyeshadow and with her hair down.

The whole scene with Snoke manages to be… troubling, and horrifying, and awesome all at once. That’s because Ben actually gets to witness Snoke treating someone dear to him like he got treated for years, but of course probably not as bad… but it’s still enough to make him lose his cool. From the inside, at least. Rey until a certain point stays a Plucky Girl (because she’s a tough babe and she trusts Ben just that much *SOB*), and then you have that moment where they both stare Snoke down (JUST GIMME MY BADASS FORCE POWER COUPLE ALREADY).

About Snoke and the Force Bond… until proven otherwise, I’m going to believe Snoke was telling the truth… from a certain point of view. I think there was already a “connection” between Rey and Ben before TFA, for the simple and good reason that we know Rey dreamed of him before (and Ben probably dreamed of Rey as well). When I say “connection”, I do not mean “Force Bond”, but mostly the fact Rey and Ben are, let’s say, Force soulmates.

So… I think Snoke may have amplified their connection by creating a Force Bond as an attempt to manipulate Kylo, because as Andy Serkis put it so eloquently, Snoke sees Rey as a threat. So making Kylo believe the Force Bond was all a big masquerade is, for him, an effective way of gaslighting the kid.

So yeah, I can’t freaking believe Snoke’s greatest mistake in all his schemes was to underestimate the power of a Skywalker-Solo man’s boner. Of course, the Force Bond is still present, even after Snoke’s death, but it’s something that got out of his control, because Rey and Kylo together are stronger than him.

(And I’m just going to put a gold sticker on myself for correctly guessing that Snoke would want to kill Rey, not try to turn her to the DS and train her.)

And then, thanks to the Powah of Love, the thrall the evil wizard has on the cursed prince is broken, because the prince kills the wizard.

But, as Rose so eloquently said, the war cannot be won by killing those we hate, but by saving those we love. But I’ll come back on that point later.

The fight against the Praetorian Guards, though. Honestly one of the best fights in the entire saga. Just how it starts with how Rey looks at Ben when he kills Snoke and her face is all “MY HERO”. Seriously, those two idiots need to get their shit together, because that fight against the Praetorians is the very proof that they’re at their strongest when they work together. Like, Anakin and Obi-Wan didn’t even reach that level of battle chemistry. Kylo is constantly concerned whenever Rey is in trouble and she as well, and it’s just… pure teamwork.

Screw the Avengers and the Justice League, send those two.

My big complaint? THEY FREAKING CUT THAT FIGHT WHILE IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN ONE BIG SCENE ALL TOGETHER. Of all the pacing problems this movie had, this one was by far the most glaring and the worst.

Anywho… the scene where Kylo extends his hand for the second time? It’s… heartbreaking and cold all at once.

Like, I can buy Rey not accepting to become Reyempress and lead the FO with Kylo. Actually, that’s totally what I would expect. And Kylo is a Big Fracking Galactic Idiot, but I won’t rant about Renperor here since I did it above. But at this moment… you just can’t help but sympathize with Kylo?

Let’s face it, in Kylo’s point of view, he’s basically offering Rey all the stars and the moons of the galaxy. Heck, he killed his own father to get Snoke’s approval, but apparently, killing her was asking too much. He tells her that he literally doesn’t give a shit that she’s a nobody – aaaaand proceeds to look like a classist piece of shit and insults her parents, who were assholes, but still her parents, because he’s Mr. Darcy in space and he has zero social skills. And also because like his old man, he has no idea how to REALLY talk to a lady, no matter what they believe about themselves.

But Rey also keeps saying that she’s no one. She has no goal, and she desperately wants to be needed. That’s just one of the reasons why Luke’s rejection hits her so hard.

Then Kylo comes in, and he tells her: “You’re not no one to me. You’re the person I care the most about in all the galaxy, and I want to give you the best I can give you.”

But of course, Kylo has his head stuck so far his own ass that he thinks he can get the girl AND be king of the mountain. And then there’s Rey.

And this is where my issue with the scene comes in. Rey goes on the Finalizer, determined to show Kylo that it’s not too late for him, that he can come back, with her help. Shit happens, obviously… and when Kylo extends his hand, she extends it as well… and she tricks him.

She tricks him, and from his point of view, she’s making a surprise attack on him...

… just like Luke did.

Like, I get it she’s overwhelmed. I get it Kylo is a clutz with no game, like every man in his family, jfc. I get it she just went through a traumatic af event where she got tortured. I get it that her response is pretty much “OH HELL NAH”. But my reaction is still: “Rey, was that *really* necessary?”

(No, the Resistance getting gunned down makes her look just stupid to react that way. Because Kylo just committed high treason to save her butt – does she really expect him to get away with that AND telling the First Order to stop shooting on the Resistance? Not to mention that it’s Hux, not Kylo, who’s in charge of the military. Kylo’s pretty much saying the Resistance is screwed whatever happens (because, come on, Rey just jumps on the Falcon and tries to join them again, but by the time it took her to leave with Snoke’s shuttle, join Chewie on the Falcon again, and reach the Resistance, they could have very well been annihilated at that point) and that taking over the FO is their best chance to stop the fighting. Overall, for those of you who are Mass Effect fans, Rey’s reaction is the Paragon decision while Kylo’s the Renegade. Both with good and bad sides depending on the point of view you choose.)

Could it be because of what Kylo said about her parents that hurt her? But even then… Han gave her indirect hints that waiting for her parents was useless. Maz has given her the speech about her parents not coming back, albeit A LOT MORE NICELY. (Jeez, Kylo, you need to learn how to think before speaking. Then again, who am I kidding, look at EVERYONE in his family.) Kylo spent the entire movie repeating to her that her family abandoned her. He knows that, because he’s seen it during the interrogation scene: he knows Rey is in denial about it, even if deep down, she knows it, he knows that’s what’s holding her back, he knows that’s what’s been controlling her entire life, so the worst part in all this is that if you look at it from a pragmatic perspective, once again, KYLO REN IS RIGHT. Like, his methods are terrible, but he’s hands down the most pragmatic person in the entire movie, AND THAT’S SAYING SOMETHING. GAH.

And honestly, Rey was so thick-headed about her parents she probably needed someone giving her some tough love about it.

And again, it makes perfect sense for him to tell Rey: “Screw your family”. Because in his eyes, his own family screwed him his entire life. That’s why his motto in this movie is “Destroy the past”, because otherwise, it’s too painful. Rey, on the other hand? She just can’t let go of the past, because letting go is something way too terrifying for her.

So the point about balance is not just balance between the light and the dark, anger and peace, and so on and so forth… it’s also about remembering the past, cherishing it, yes, but also being able to move forward. And that’s something both Rey and Kylo NEED to learn.

But the point still stands that he’s right about what Rey needs to do about her parents and Jakku, at the very least.

So either it’s because of what he said about her family… either it’s because Rey is so impulsive and quick to attack she fucks it up big time.

But if that’s the reason… *how* am I supposed to think she did nothing wrong, here? Because, listen, guys, and this might just be the most important part of this freaking wall of text. I have no problem with Rey being a flawed heroine: heck, sign me the eff up for this. The problem I have (and I’ve seen it surface in fic already – no offense, fanfic is a way for everyone to give their point of view about the movie and it’s a-okay, just my personal opinion here) is that IX treats the whole thing as if Rey was a saint who did nothing wrong.

And again, it’s not so much her decision to say no to becoming Reyempress and joining the Resistance instead: it’s how she deals with the whole thing. Heck, the pill would have been way easier to swallow if Rey and Kylo had just started screaming at each other about how wrong the other is, then fought for the lightsaber for the whole thing to end like it did in the movie.

Seriously, from Rey’s side… it was really cold for me at first. She doesn’t even try telling him that “No, I am so not okay with this, you’re being a big human disaster, we need to talk, NOW.”

A sign that Rey was wrong somewhat is that the legacy lightsaber breaks in half, as perhaps a sign that neither of them is worthy of it… I hope so.

And because of that, after Rey runs off after thoroughly breaking his heart and betraying him the same way Luke did, it’s no bloody wonder Kylo’s reaction is to basically throw the tantrum of the century and go on a murderous rampage, because EVERYONE IN HIS LIFE, including the one person who actually showed a certain level of caring towards him, seemingly betrayed him.

For all Kylo knows, especially with Luke’s speech later on Crait, maybe Rey was sent by Luke to try and lure him back to the Resistance for whatever purpose they have in mind, and maybe even kill him if things didn’t go the way it was planned. There is *nothing* that proves the contrary.

If that was really the case, heck, Kylo wanting to burn everything down is not a good reaction to have at anything ever, but heck, I find it hard to blame him. I’d probably flip a shit myself if I learned my entire family was planning to potentially murder me.

Like, the BIG irony here is that Rey and Ben’s relationship throughout the movie is communicating (let me put a special emphasis on COMMUNICATING) through a Force Bond, and realizing that they’re not so different. And what basically sets them apart is yet another… communication problem?

SKYWALKERS NEED THERAPY WITH A SPECIAL EMPHASIS ON THE IMPORTANCE OF COMMUNICATION, JESUS FRACKING CHRIST ON CRACKERS, LUKE, LEIA, HAN, BEN, REY, ANAKIN, PADMÉ, ALL. OF. THEM.

The worst part in all of this? It comes straight after the FinnRose kiss, and straight after Rose says: “Winning is not destroying who you hate, it’s saving who you love.”

That is hands down the best line in all of TLJ. HANDS. DOWN. PLEASE TELL ME THIS IS POSITIVE FORESHADOWING FOR REYLO.

And after that, she pretty much leaves him for dead. Sure, she had a chance to kill him, right there, but I can just see a part in IX where an angry Kylo accuses Rey of being too nice to actually finish the job (Think “nice” in the sense of the Witch from Into the Woods saying “You’re not good, you’re just nice”).

Like, Kylo is damned lucky he woke up just before Hux shot him.

(And no, I will not fault Kylo for lying that Rey killed Snoke, for the simple and good reason that he was on survival mode AND on I-wanna-punch-a-thousand-kittens mode. Dick move, but I won’t blame him. Aaaand it’s probably going to come and bite him in the arse in IX)

So, I don’t know. The options are that either that turn from Rey was done for the Drama, either it was to show that Rey could eff up as well, but as I said, I don’t know how that’s going to be handled later. I don’t know if I’m supposed to side with Rey on this one or not, because if I have to come out believing that Rey did nothing wrong here, the movie didn’t do a good job at that.

Because of all this, Kylo yelling he’d kill Rey as well when he was confronting Luke shocked me at first, but it made sense to me afterwards, because to him, she just betrayed and let him down like everyone else. He told her that his uncle tried to kill him, and even then, she chooses Luke’s side, so she’s “a thief, a liar and a murderer” like everyone else. And then you have Luke who just goes on how Rey is the Last Jedi, which pretty much twists the knife in a fresh wound and confirms Kylo’s worst fears. (Or salt on the wounds… Crait’s salt surface is red underneath. GETTIT)

Also, the final Force Bond moment… I had trouble deciphering it, at first. But… judging by Kylo’s sad puppy face, how he picks up the golden dice only for them to disappear, it’s like… Rey feels that after all his anger, all that will he had to destroy everything that was on his way, even if it meant destroying himself… he’s the king of the mountain, and he’s still miserable. He still loathes himself, because deep down, he KNOWS he fucked up, big time. She can’t bring herself to hate him or have any kind of grudge against him (because honestly, that makes the development from TFA to TLJ pretty pointless otherwise), because he’s still very much a lost boy. And she knows what is to be lost and to be abandoned. Through the bond, she lets her compassion flow, despite herself… and he senses it.

He senses it, and there’s that small glimmer of hope where we see that despite all the bad shit that went down… unlike in TFA, they don’t hate each other. Not anymore. Deep down, Rey still has compassion for him… but Kylo has work to do before.

And that flips the tables on the whole “It isn’t Rey’s job to save Kylo Ren”. Absolutely not. That’s something I’ve actually always insisted on: of course, a person will always need help from other people in difficult times (and that’s something Ben never had, in his entire life), but they need to have the will in themselves to change. And Kylo isn’t quite there yet, even if he is more than aware that he’s screwing up, again and again.

To be more optimistic, though, I think that with Snoke gone, that realization is going to be a lot easier.

This is a theory, though, because otherwise, it’s just cold from Rey’s part. She just brushed off the whole thing as if nothing happened, went to help Chewie, arrived on the Millennium Falcon in the gunner position with the big wide smile, meets the Resistance, hugs everyone, and that’s it. Zero acknowledgement from her from what just happened, not even with Leia (like, I get it it’d be kind of awkward to tell her that you and her son are Force married, but yeah). And after spending the entire movie with Reylo as the heart… it just feels very, very cold from Rey’s part (I’m not going to say cruel, but it’s almost a more accurate word than “cold”), to the point I almost want to tell Kylo: “Heh, don’t bother, she clearly doesn’t give a darn.”

I think what also helps me to believe my more optimistic scenario that is that we see Rey and Finn for a moment on the Falcon together, only for Finn to get up and go and care for Rose. And that shows that Finn and Rey will always care for each other… but Finn has changed, and he’s at a point where sibling love isn’t enough, because he has found a significant other. Rey sees that… and she wishes for a moment it could have been her and Ben.

Anyway, I really, REALLY hope Episode IX is not going to be Rey becomes the Perfect Jedi and Kylo Ren either makes the big beautiful sacrifice at the end and dies, either Jedi Goddess Rey has to take the Renperor down like a rabid dog.

What I’m actually hoping for is that in the end, we see that the whole theme of the SW saga is… destiny.

If you look at the PT, it was pretty much a Greek tragedy in space. You got the hero, Anakin, who’s destined to be the Chosen One. He gets visions of the future that his wife will die, and like every hero in a Greek tragedy, he tries to defy fate, but it comes and bites him back: he becomes a Sith instead of destroying them, and his wife dies anyway.

Still, Anakin *does* destroy the Sith in the end, but there is still no “balance”.

Enter Rey and Ben.

Yoda himself acknowledges that the Jedi were wrong, and that they were partially responsible for their downfall. So a new order of Force sensitives is coming: the ending of TLJ pretty much foreshadowed that. You have Rey and Ben who are equally Light and Dark, and who are Yin and Yang to each other. Put Yin and Yang together, and you get the ultimate power.

But what comes and thwarts everything once again are Luke and Snoke: Luke, because he wanted for a moment to kill one half of the Balance instead of going straight for the being that was corrupting it all; Snoke, because he’s basically an unnatural abomination that doesn’t get enough development.

And of course, we’ve got our two Galactic Idiots, and everything goes to shit because their heads are stuck up so far you know where they don’t realize that in order to restore peace to the Galaxy, THEY NEED TO WORK TOGETHER.

I think Ben has accepted the Light in Rey, and it’s actually what has seduced him in the first place: what he needs to work on is himself, to be worthy of her. But that doesn’t mean Rey doesn’t have a bit of development to do herself. Her perspective on the world is still pretty black and white, even if she has started to see the shades in between in this movie; and most especially, she has to do what everyone in Ben’s family has failed to: accept the darkness in him.

It’s not at all glossing over whatever bad deed Kylo Ren might have done: thing is, Ben Solo has an equal potential for Light and Darkness, and muffling either has always led to disastrous results. So it’s more a matter of accepting both sides of yourself: it’s something Ben has to do but has always been incapable of doing thanks to Snoke’s manipulation, and it’s something Rey has to do herself.

Unlike Anakin Skywalker and Darth Vader who were pretty much two separate personas, Ben Solo is still very much alive, and Kylo Ren is just a mask he wears. Rey, on the other hand, can’t expect the old Ben Solo to ever come back: because, let’s face it, poor kid is scarred for life and is probably going to have PTSD for years.

So overall, it’s a case of saying: “Yeah, I’m messed up, but you know what? That doesn’t mean I have to imprison myself in that and act in consequence, and it doesn’t mean I’m not worthy of love.”

And in the end, that’s what will save the galaxy: Rey and Ben selflessly loving each other and accepting themselves as they are, rather than the grand battle itself, because they are greater than that.

(Still, it’s a disappointment Rey didn’t agree to become Reyempress. Because I would have paid BIG MONEY to have Hux coming in the Throne Room after his Very Bad Day at Work, only to see Rey and Kylo making out on the floor with Snoke chopped-in-two body lying beside them.)

#star wars #rey #kylo ren #ben solo #reylo #reylo meta #the last jedi spoilers #tlj spoilers #rants and reviews

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geeky-elf · 8 years ago

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Major Graphic Novel Update on REFD

So I have been more motivated than usual this week and with a little more free time, I managed to write two more storyline snippets plus three character designs (third one submitting tomorrow). I'm still figuring out the best title for the whole thing. Right now the one that sticks to me is Rajin: Edge of Darkness, but I feel I can get more creative with it and pick something else, but I'll see. Honestly I need to stay focused with grad school for the time being, but I'm really hoping after graduating and I can start illustrating pages, or at least focus on my art in general just for the sake of improving. Just somethings that I can touch on now: Characters: Skyfyre: Main and first character in the story who becomes possessed with a dragon's soul and gains elemental magic throughout. Eldoron: A sky pirate with a bad history who decides to make his life around building an airship to travel the universe, exploring new worlds, meeting new faces, and ultimately with a goal of vengeance of the eminent dark powers that lie beyond. He is very tech savvy and has a strategic mind. Often combining technology with magic, which is what created Rajin in the first place. Jessie: A Wiccan whose expertise is in alchemy. She can concoct anything from a healing potion to a powerful bomb. Ian: A accident in his youth left him for dead if it wasn't for the help and sacrifice from others to aid in keeping him alive and converting him to a cyborg with super human capabilities. His main purpose is ensuring everything runs the way it's supposed to and inventing new and useful items. He has a geeky and outgoing persionality for the most part, but is plenty happy with himself and his inventions. Pixel: An insectoid like fairy who befriended Eldoron at an early age. She's become a useful companion and guide. Her sense of adventure and need to help others has ensured her to be a useful part of the team. She mainly helps Eldoron, but often aids in other tasks where her small stature is to her advantage Orion: A full blooded elf with a mysterious and rough exterior. Not too much is known about him or his past. He rarely talks and at times can be rather blunt. However the only other crew member that seems to break his barriers is Jessie. He is the knowledge base of the crew and reads during most of his time. He knows everything about every mystical or non mystical race and their history. Orion possesses telekinetic and limited time bending powers. Trish: A nature loving goblin who is almost ninja like with her amazing senses and quickness on her feet. She is sort of the rogue of the crew, and good on stealth related and missions requiring a quick in and out. She loves fantastical creatures of all sizes and often collects them and trains them as her own. She is knowledgeable in Phoenix falconry, gryphon riding, serpent taming, and even dire wolf domestication. The only creature that still remains out of her reach are dragons. They are just too smart and clever she says. She hopes to try to train a wyvern though, being more primitive, she might have more luck. Blaze: Skyfyre's dragon companion who possessed her from within his egg form. He is one of the more powerful fire dragons, but with his link to Sky's elemental magic, he can shift and change to accommodate those needs. (An eastern storm dragon, a fire drake, a furry tundra dragon, a sea serpent, and an earth wyvern). Acheron: One of the main antagonists of the story, but far from the ultimate one. He is elven in magic, but vampiric in it's very nature. He acts as a medium to the dark powers and becomes molded and shaped in their will turning him into a monster who possesses a sense of masochism. He likes making his victims suffer greatly and yearns for the destruction of worlds to spread his evil powers further. Plot synopsis: A mysterious force in the universe, whether its the ether that holds space together or it's more has made outlying planets in worry. As darkness spreads, many are forced to leave or become victims to its power leaving others to fend for themselves. As planets get consumed, parts break off and ricochet through its infinite vacuum. One the broken parts lands on Earth near a small village where an orphaned girl's curiousity takes the best of her. Upon further investigation, she becomes possessed by the mysterious being within it's shells. Turns out that being was a dragon, though starting out as a baby, has great potential for power. As she grows stronger and discovers magic powers of her own that would change her life forever and create many enemies along the way. It's not until a mysterious sky pirate comes to rescue her is when her journey and discovery of her destiny really begin. It's aboard the grand airship, Rajin, where Skyfyre learned about what her role is among many uniquely gifted crew members. The gang will travel to the far reaches of space discovering new planets and making new friends along the way whether they are elven or dwarfish. In the end the fate of the galaxy rests in the hands of these handful of mystical humanoids and beasts alike. Style: The style found in my character designs will be similar to what I hope to accomplish in the comic. Characters that aren't too realistic in nature, but I need to master anatomy still and improve on it overall so I can pull it off that much better especially since I'll be drawing different characters of different ages a lot. The style of the graphic novel itself, will be semi Ike a hero comic book, but it will read more like those such as How to Train you Dragon comics as well as the Last Airbender set. Not pop arting as I want to focus on the illustration side of it all. I want to make the backgrounds detailed while the foreground characters are simple (Miyazaki film like). Setting: About Rajin: Most of everything will take place on Rajin, which is almost a small city in itself. Rajin has everything one would need on long periods of inner space travel. The airship itself is self sustaining powered by magic and technology alike allowing it to fly and keep everyone comfortable. Food is grown on board along with places to train and work on combat and energy based abilities. Plenty of room for Blaze to stretch his wings on and roomy living quarters that can put a luxury apartment complex to shame. Everything is customized to one's own and plenty of rooms and living space on each and every one of the floors that will fit to everyone's needs. There are armor and weapon making and repair places along with those for recreation based use. The airship itself has many amenities that are found on Earth, but also many that are inspired from all over making way for a diverse community to live in harmony and make a home for themselves. Ian has even created robots and tech that make life easier especially to avoid having to walk all the way from one side to the other. About other Homeworlds: While a good chunk will occur on Earth as Sky and Blaze learn to get used to one another and try to find their place in the world without bringing unwanted attention to themselves, the graphic novel will go through many planets and homes to not only distant human related relatives like Eldoron's, but also many mythical beings from animal halflings, to orcs, dwarves, mermaids, centaurs,....you name it they will all appear one way or another. The worlds themselves, will be as unique as them holding an artistic beauty that I really hope to master backgrounds in general by this point because I want to capture the complexity of the natural and artificial side of it all. You will have worlds that aren't anything more than caves, deserts, oceans,...etc. and even those that are completely suburban. Sort of a Futurama/Star Wars feel as many of these outlying worlds are connected and many travel between them and beyond especially in the more advanced regions of tech and discovery you will see more of these connections, while others isolate themselves more. Artist Goals: I've been thinking so much on this project since I was a freshmen in college (almost 8 years ago). Often ideas came to me as I daydreamed in class or on the way to class, but now I've changed a lot of the aspects, but began fitting all the pieces together more and more. My main goal(s) as an artist is to try and master or at least be the best I can at all the mediums available to me whether its painting, colored pencils, sculpting clay or 3D models, animating, plush making,...I want to try them all in my lifetime. I also feel it would be cool even if it's a one time thing for me to publish a graphic novel and maybe a purely written book that goes with it. I'm not sure how long the novel will be, I want to extend it as far as a I can without milking anything to death. Might publish one or two or several depending on where it goes. My main focus now is grad school so I need another year to focus on that and get my degree, but I feel with whatever free time I have I can work towards improving and putting more pieces together. I want to perfect whatever style I can come up with before the illustration process begins. Things that I should focus on: Backgrounds, backgrounds, backgrounds, I need to practice backgrounds so much in terms of accuracy in detail and lighting as well as in perspective especially for big city scenes and such. This will definitely be the hardest goal because I need to improve a lot in terms of drawing and coloring and getting everything right with that. Airship tweaking. I feel the exterior design could use continued work to make it as interesting as I want it to be. I also need to do a floor by floor layout to show all the rooms and areas and even some concept art on how some said areas will look. Character Designs: Lots of thought still needed here, I need to improve on my human based style in terms of making sure anatomy is as accurate as possible while keeping it in almost a Disney-esque sort of way since realism won't be my focus with characters to keep them simple as I focus my time on backgrounds and such. Also figure out how many add on characters will occur as the story progresses and how that will ensure their uniqueness in terms of additional roles on board Rajin. Storyline: It's getting to the point where writting while it helps, I feel I need to start just doing and thinking of further story arcs as a go. Right now I feel I have a nice story idea that should extend for a good chunk of it, but antagonist development and how that leads to end game, is what will be tricky and i have to figure that out too. Right now, it's organized like this: Skyfyre's daily life as a homeless orphan prior to the meteor strike followed by possession of soul and continues forth as Sky trying to get used to her new situation (denial first step of course and avoidance). Blaze grows a little bit with her as they spend several months trying to make a home elsewhere before eventually getting captured by government agencies. Skyfyre is than experimented on and starved to the brink of death in the hands of corrupted people who wish to extract her power. During this time flashbacks to the meteor's origins should occur "The Rescue" (snippet in gallery) will occur as Sky is brought onboard the ship She has trouble adjusting at first "Slow Dance of a Sky Pirate". As she learns to adapt to the new changes and potential destiny gets to know the other crew members better, she begins training with them. Of course in time a relationship slowly builds between her and Eldoron. During the time on the airship spanning a few months, flashbacks to Eldoron's past "Attack of Vimera" will come into play. Several flashbacks for each character will come into play (not necessarily in chronological order where they will be the most significant, I want the reader to piece the parts together and the connections that were formed from beginning to present day). These will take place throughout at different parts, some towards the beginning and some other when Acheron is introduced. Something begins to happen to the airship where some outside force disrupts the magic within the elemental crystals that keep the ship running. It becomes an emergency and they must travel to each of the major elemental based planets to restore their powers one by one starting including a visit to the marine planet. "That Night". Where the relationship between the two grows a little more. It's at these different locations they meet and take on some of the inhabitants that will prove useful as they continue to learn about the growing threat of the darkness spreading Acheron will get introduced at one point followed by many failed fighting attempts including a major climax one "Sky's last Fight" So far this is what I have laid out mainly still a lot of things I hope to extend it upon and fill it with all leading up to a life versus death situation with the final battle. Well that's what I have laid out for now. Changes are bound to occur and will update accordingly. Thanks for reading. Hope you all like the ideas so far. Created at simplydevio.us

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chaospenelope · 8 years ago

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Dragon's Roar

On Her Own

"I told you no grand schemes or adventures!" A man behind a counter spoke to the woman across the room. The woman stared him down. "Well someone has to get those bandits! We can't just-." "Sh! Not in front of the customer." He heard the door close and noticed Neda. "Can I help you?" "Are you having problems with bandits?" "Oh, you heard that...We did, they came and stole something of ours. A golden claw statue. It's the name of the store so it was kinda important." "But your sign says Riverwood Trader..." "We've been meaning to change that..." He looked away awkwardly rubbing the back of his head. "And that's the only thing they took." His sister added. "It's suspicious for the usual brand of criminal we deal with but I know where they are." She said with a clenched fist. "And I will get it back!"

Neda noticed the woman was very frustrated, but she didn't seem equipped to battle. The shop appeared to own a few decent weapons and some average armor but she didn't believe it was enough to protect the shop keep's sister from ancestors knows how many bandits. "I can retrieve it for you. Do you know where they could be?" "I know exactly where they are." She said proudly. "I can point the road that leads right to them!" She rushed out the door with great enthusiasm, the wind from her dash causing Neda's scorched and bloodied skirt to swish. "I'll pay you a good amount of coin if you can come back with it." The brother offered after she left. "I really didn't want her going on a rampage. She doesn't think ahead." "Speaking of which, how many health and magica potions do you have? I'd also like to see the armor." She honestly wasn't hoping for much. There didn't appear to any other Nanooks or Orcs in the village but it was worth a look. She had to get out of these clothes and repair them as soon as possible. He nodded and pulled the strongest armor he had from behind the counter. It was decent iron chest plates and boots but was only sizable for a young cub. She shook her head and it told him to move on to the potions. He walked toward the shelf right behind him and pulled down five minor magicas and six minor healths. After purchasing them all she met up the sister. As she walked she put her potions on her belt. As she did there was something crinkling in her pocket. Taking it out she instantly realized it was a map. She slipped it back in as she approached the waiting woman. She stood at the edge of town facing a bridge. She didn't even glance at her as she stood next to her. "There, it leads to Bleak Falls Barrow." She pointed at a path across the bridge. "That's where those skeever lickers are hiding." "How long have they been there?" She looked at the roads carving up the mountain wilderness. An elk was peacefully grazing in the distance. A few mud crabs seemed to glare at them from the shore. She then shielded her eyes as she studied the sky. "They retreated there after they stole from us last night." Judging by the position of the sun Neda could tell it was almost noon. She could have enough time to warn Whiterun's Jarl about the dragon, then retrieve the gold. It was by a long shot less important. Neda had a feeling the group wouldn't move so early especially if they were camped in an seemingly abandoned structure. "I'll get you statue back, but I can't guarantee how long it'll take. I suggest you stay here in case they come back for more." She really didn't want the unarmed civilian tagging along, especially since her problem wasn't a priority. "They better not. I'll be ready the next time I catch them." She then marched back home. She breathed a sigh of relief before taking out the map. She suddenly felt a sharp pinch on her ankle. It was one of the mud crabs attempting to subdue her. She narrowed her eyes at the muck encrusted shellfish as it then proceeded to tug at her dress. She quickly stomped between the animal's eyes several times, each blow caused louder cracking until it gave way to a gross splotch splashing it's innards on her boot. She decided to make use what was left of it later. She stripped one of the wolf's pelts into a crude sack to wrap around the severed claw and legs. Finally she was on her own. She felt a brush of air that seemed to welcome her to the wild. A rabbit darted across the road ahead of her with a fox closing in. It even chased it's prey into the water as she passed. She watched the two until something bright in the corner of her eye caught her attention. A butterfly fluttered ahead of her until it landed on some mountain flowers. Something about it clicked in her mind. An image of an open book flickered on until it was as clear as if it was right in front of her. Each page was scrawled with recipes and intricate drawings, familiar drawings. The flowers and butterfly wings could make potions. She instinctively snatched up insect as soon as it landed and picked the blooms. She stored them in separate small satchels on her belt and continued on the trail. Bushes rustled and leaves crunched to her right. She stopped just as a deer crossed her path. It breathed a shaky breath as it ran. Blood trickled down it's hind quarters from punctures in it's flesh. It nearly stumbled right into her as it retreated behind the brush in a jagged pattern. There was a sharp pain in her side. She pulled her sword out and smashed the handle into the jaws clamped onto her flesh and fur. Another group of wolves had crossed her and was circling her. She summoned a flickering flame and cast the closest beast on fire. The other two leapt at her with gapping jaws. She managed to swat one of them away with her sword. Only landing a shallow cut on it's neck. The other chomped on the arm holding the blade. It held tightly trying to pull her to the ground. She yanked the wolf as hard as she could and slammed it onto the hard dirt. She engulfed the animal in flames before it could move. She turned to the final wolf. It snarled at her as it closed in. She waited for it to charge, let it get real close. Then moved at the last minute shoving her weapon deep in it's side. It snapped at her one last time before the life drained from it. She sat on the ground with a pained groan. The gash on her side was fairly deep. She winced as she pulled a tooth stuck in her tissue. When she was certain the wound was as clean as possible she took out one of her small potions. Her skin quickly weaved itself together and new bits of fur covered up her recovering skin. She remained for a moment to regain her strength, skinning the carcasses, and finding a silver ring in one of their stomachs. The road was more peaceful for some time. She collected a few more flowers, wings, and thistle. She came to a sign informing her she was on the right track. She heard bear in the distance so she quickened her pace on the left trail. She really couldn't spend much time fighting, she needed to warn people of the dragon. Besides, fighting that animal was a little more difficult than wolves and she didn't have powerful enough curatives or weapons for an unnecessary fight. She slowed down when she spotted a building in the distance. The was a sign hanging with nice writing that said Honningbrew Meadery. This wasn't a good time to get waisted so she decided to just rest outside for a few moments. She ate a pheasant after feeling her gut growl. There were a few people passing by, two soldiers patrolling and a man hauling supplies with a horse drawn cart. The soldiers were only ones that noticed her. They spotted her and drew their swords until they were close enough to see her clothes. Then they looked her up and down them spoke sternly with eyes narrowing through their metal masks. "Better not cause any trouble around here, Bear." Before they continued patrolling. Neda had a sudden inclination to channel her wilder, less tolerate kin and start mauling them just for the principal of it, but didn't want to lower herself to their close minded caricature. Instead, she walked away closer to her current goal. There was a small shaking feeling under her paws. It became more noticeable as did the shouting and clanging. She ran to see a giant standing in the middle of farmland fighting off three warriors in face paint. They were charging the monster head on screeching wild crys. She immediately burst into a sprint with sword in one hand and magic crackling to life in the other. She leapt over a few fences and attacked the back of it's leg with surge of lightning. To her surprise it crumbled up like a wet scrap of paper immediately. "Looks like we have everything under control." One of the warriors said triumphantly, then she glared at Neda. "No thanks to you." "Your kidding right? I came over because I thought you needed help." "What do want, a medal?" She snorted. The urge to maul was rising again. "You do look like you can hold your own in a fight..." The only male of the three observed her war torn appearance and ready stance. "If you really want to prove yourself come to Jorrvaskr and be a Companion!" Neda hesitated for a moment. She was taken aback by the suggestion. Did she stumble upon some sort of competition? Though, the name Companion suggested it was some sort of protection guild...A very competitive one... "I might just do that." It might serve as an interesting way to make friends in this foreign country. She glanced at the warrior with the displeased frown. She'd have to think about it, after she takes care of more pressing matters of course.

#Dragon's Roar #fnaf au #Neda Salmon #Neda NightShade #Skyrim #the elder scrolls #The next fight will be much more eventful I assure you...

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auburnfamilynews · 5 years ago

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Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images

Is it... looking up?

Auburn beat Texas A&M 28-20 yesterday, but the Aggies had to mount a huge fourth quarter comeback to even make it look respectable. The defense suffocated Kellen Mond and put Kyle Field on the verge of complete collapse at certain points, while the offense didn’t blow you up with numbers, but did everything it needed to do against a pretty good Aggie front. What did our contributors think of the win? See below —

Gus Malzhan outcoached Jimbo Fisher. That’s the biggest thing that jumps out to me. One coach came in with a gameplan to hide the gigantic warts on his offense & find a ways to generate big plays & put points on the board. The other decided to spend 3 quarters demanding his personnel bend its will to his devices. That’s the story of the game in my eyes. Defense was outstanding until Aggie went on an insane streak of completing back shoulder passes. It concerns me for LSU & Bama but those are worries for other days. They absolutely stuffed Aggies’ rushing attack. Offensively, Bo still ain’t there but he plays his best in the biggest moments. You can’t coach that, You either rise to the occasion or you don’t. Both Bo & Boobee appear to have that gifts. That’s AU’s team this season. An inconsistent but explosive offense capable of delivering when it matters most protected by an elite defense. You can win a lot of games with that combo.

-AU Nerd

Who cares about stats? We lined up and kicked A&M’s ass in College Station.

-James Jones

Auburn just went on the road and beat a Top 20 team. The game plan out of the gate was outstanding and good things happen when Anthony Schwartz gets to use his speed. In addition, you saw a lot more Shaun Shivers, Harold Joiner and others early and that allowed Boobee to be fresh going into the 4th Quarter where he took control on the last scoring drive. Bo Nix managed the game and other than a few overthrows, he had a really solid game. Didn’t do too much but enough and that’s good for a guy making his 1st SEC and ROAD start. Defensively, Derrick Brown was a beast!!! My biggest concern coming out of this game is his health after being helped off the field after one of A&M’s touchdowns late. KJ Britt, Christian Tutt and Javaris Davis also made several great plays in the open field as well! Next week is a night game and I expect Jordan-Hare to be ROCKING!!! War Eagle!

P.S. The Gus haters gotta go find something different to do in life.

-Will McLaughlin

Texas A&M paid Jimbo around 830k to lose to Auburn. That’s a lot of money to only have 13 yards rushing and 3 points at half. Auburn has the best defensive line in America, that much remains clear. Our little baby QB is growing up and is still inconsistent, but he’s gonna be a star. You don’t have to be the best team in the world each night, you just have to be better than the team you’re playing. Auburn has done that 4 times.

-Son of Crow

Auburn’s first real win of the season. It wasn’t always pretty, but Auburn made plays when it counted. It was refreshing to see a real running back rotation, as well. This is a game A&M probably thought they should have won, yet we are the ones celebrating. It was Auburn that had the explosive plays, Auburn who forced turnovers and key stops, Auburn that ran that ball successfully. It was Texas A&M that missed field goals, Texas A&M that couldn’t move the ball when it counted, Texas A&M that got outcoached. War eagle. On to vic’try.

-Josh Dub

This was a game a lot of Auburn fans circled as a “MUST WIN” for Auburn in the offseason. Win this, and you’re set up nicely to compete in the West. Lose it, and you’re hoping for 4th place. Well, the Tigers brought home the win today, and they were the better team from the word go. Not everything was pretty: the deep passing game needs work, the ground game has to establish itself earlier, and the 3rd down defense struggled at times. But honestly, I’m nitpicking. This Auburn team is IMPRESSIVE. The defense could be the best in the country (the line certainly is), and the offensive staff did a really good job of setting the offense up for success. I could rant for a couple of hundred words on this team right now, but I’m going just highlight a few big performances - Tyrone Truesdell, Derrick Brown, and the offensive line as a whole. War Damn 4-0 y’all.

-Ryan Sterritt

Man what a difference a true run threat at Quarterback means for the ground game! Overall this game was dictated up front and Auburn managed to control the line of scrimmage defensively and show more grit on the offensive side than I honestly thought they had in them. There will be tougher bridges to cross in this schedule, but winning against this team, at this point in the year where we clearly are showing we have the ability to get so much better, is absolutely huge. To see an offense only throw for 106 yards on the road and lead the whole way, and to put the game away with a TD and then milk the clock, were just perfect. Super proud of this football team for not just winning, but finding ways to get better through September, which is something we missed last season. If this team can enter Baton Rouge undefeated, look out.

-Josh Black

Consider me a lover of history, and it’s hard for me not to see this as a parallel to the true turning point of the 2013 season — the trip to College Station. Auburn took a new quarterback to a tough environment against a ranked team, and flat out beat them. Make no mistake, the stats don’t show how dismantled A&M was most of yesterday. Jimbo was thoroughly outcoached, and the Gus haters need to find something else to grasp after he ran circles around A&M’s $75M man.

The defense was out of control. Watching Derrick Brown’s blatant disregard for human well-being made me feel things, and we saw Marlon Davidson and Tyrone Truesdell make huge plays as well. Is Truesdell blossoming into the kind of guy that’ll hear his name in the NFL Draft? Yesterday would suggest so.

We haven’t lost any sort of noticeable step without Deshaun Davis. K.J. Britt is a man, and was just biding his time until he could start. He’s going to mess around and find himself on the All-SEC team at the end of the season.

Would you think that our offensive line would open up the kind of holes that they did after watching the Tulane game? I wasn’t positive. Last year we ran for 19 yards on A&M. Yesterday we far outpaced that. They’re starting to mesh and it couldn’t happen at a better time.

Gus found what works for Bo Nix and you could see him grow before your eyes. The short passing helped get him into a groove, and allowing him to run a little more took away any nerves of his first road start. His legs clinched the game in the end with the final touchdown drive and the last first down.

The running back rotation (apparently Cadillac’s idea) kept Boobee fresh, and FINALLY we’re hitting defenses with a bunch of different running styles.

Special teams was great. A&M had a threat returning punts, and he did nothing, while Christian Tutt and Iggy were both really close to taking kicks back for scores.

That’s two games away from Jordan-Hare against ranked opponents. 2-0. We’ve got Florida and LSU on the road (and Arkansas, but, well... yeah) and I’m fairly optimistic about Gainesville. Take care of business against the Mississippi States, Ole Misses, and Arkansasses, and Auburn will absolutely be a factor in the battle for the SEC West. It’s on.

-Jack Condon

from College and Magnolia - All Posts https://www.collegeandmagnolia.com/2019/9/22/20878097/snap-judgments-8-auburn-28-16-texas-a-m-20

#IFTTT #Blogger #auburn #auburn fast #wareagle #AuburnFamilyNews #war eagle #sec #football news #aubu

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kansascityhappenings · 5 years ago

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Will they be worth it? The strategy behind draft picks in a new season of FOX4 fantasy football

“Did you do it?”

“Yes.”

“What did it cost?”

“Everything.”

Much like Thanos in “Avengers: Infinity War,” I too paid a great price. Mine came in fantasy football.

I’m the commissioner of the FOX4 fantasy football league, which held its draft last weekend. It’s always fun to compete against my coworkers, especially since we do an auction league.

For those unfamiliar, an auction league works with a set budget for players ($200 in our case.) You bid against the other owners for players to fill out your team.

The positive is literally everyone has a shot at the players they want. In most standard leagues, Saquon Barkley is going first overall. If you draft 8th, he’s long gone.

Here, you just have to be willing to pay the most. If you wanted, you could even outbid everyone for Barkley and Christian McCaffrey to have the top two projected players on your team.

The downside: That’s going to cost you. A lot. That means a lot of sitting and waiting as other quality players go off the board with other owners easily able to outbid you.

As you might’ve guessed by my lead-in, you can tell something about my strategy.

I’m sharing with you my draft results, along with the dollar amount I spent on each player. I’m hoping to provide some insight into my thinking.

It’s also my goal to track this team as the season goes along, including any free agent acquisitions and/or trades along the way.

So let’s do it.

Saquon Barkley #26 of the New York Giants reacts after scoring during the fourth quarter of the game against the Dallas Cowboys at MetLife Stadium on December 30, 2018 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)

RB Saquon Barkley ($73): What can I say? There’s just something nice about having the likely best player in fantasy football on your squad.

Barkley is not only a strong runner but a good pass-catching back as well. That’s the single-most valuable asset in fantasy football.

The downside is obviously the cost. I spent more than 35% of my budget on a single player, and not surprisingly, this was the most anyone in the league spent to get someone.

WR Deandre Hopkins ($64): Not only did I get RB1, I’ve got WR1 too! That’s something that would never happen in a snake draft.

While wide receiver is suddenly the deepest position in the league, Hopkins is still the elite of the elite. His numbers have only grown since the Texans have given him Deshaun Watson at quarterback. But just like with Barkley, I had to go significantly over the Yahoo! dollar projections to make it happen.

It’s been my experience in these leagues that it’s better to err on the side of overly aggressive than too passive, particularly for top-flight players.

My team is probably sunk if these players get hurt, but I feel that’s the same for any team losing a first-round pick.

RB Dalvin Cook ($47): I wanted to get another bell cow running back to go with my team.

I honestly didn’t want Cook. It was at this point in the draft that my app acted up, so I closed it, and by the time I had it reopened, I had a new running back on my team. It’s still more than I wanted to spend for him, but was right in line with the Yahoo! spending.

If there’s one silver lining, it’s that Cook is no longer working in the offense of John Defilippo, who heavily skewed toward the pass for the Vikings. He should see an uptick in carries.

The downside: I’ve now spent 92% of my budget to fill 20% of my roster. Welp.

Carson Wentz #11 of the Philadelphia Eagles warms up prior to the preseason game against the Baltimore Ravens at Lincoln Financial Field on August 22, 2019 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)

QB Carson Wentz ($4): I feel fortunate to get such a high-upside QB here that didn’t kill me on cost.

By this point in the draft, I was mostly nominating players I had no interest in with the hopes my competitors would chew up some of their remaining budget. Quarterbacks are a good place to start.

Simply put, you can get very good production from the ones outside the elite tier at a small fraction of the cost. Wentz has top 5-upside when healthy, but that’s a big if. I still had to gamble on it here.

WR Corey Davis ($2): Woof. I know wide receiver is deep, but Davis as my second-best receiver is a long fall. The Titans haven’t exactly been lighting it up no matter whether it’s Marcus Mariota or Ryan Tannehill at the helm.

I have to hope Davis shows something here that explains why he was a top 5 draft pick long ago.

RB Austin Ekeler ($1): By far, this is the best value I have in this draft, and it probably came by chance.

Ekeler will slot in nicely into my flex position, especially since contract talks between the Chargers and Melvin Gordon seem to be going nowhere.

Ekeler will have to split duties with Justin Jackson, so it’s not like he has a firm grip on the job, but he’ll get enough carries that he’s more than worth the minimum. I’m lucky my competitors were either in a similar position as me and/or had already grabbed enough RBs.

TE Greg Olsen ($1): This is again gambling on health and upside. Olsen’s been extremely productive when he’s on the field, which hasn’t been much the last two seasons.

But once you get outside the tier of Travis Kelce, Zach Ertz and George Kittle, I don’t find it worth spending heavily on a position that really only provides a lot of value when they’re scoring touchdowns.

I’ll take a chance Olsen can stay healthy, and if he doesn’t, it’s not a lost cause.

Kicker Wil Lutz #3 of the New Orleans Saints kicks a field goal in the fourth quarter against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium on October 21, 2018 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)

K Wil Lutz ($1): He’s a steady kicker, which is really all I’m looking for.

One of my favorite strategies early in an auction league is to nominate a kicker you have rated somewhere around third to fifth. Early on, a lot of opponents will be reluctant to spend their budget on that position, and you get a reliable option for just a buck.

The alternative is probably even better—that someone uses more of their budget to take a kicker, which I can never justify. It worked for me when I nominated Harrison Butker, who ended up going for $5.

DEF Baltimore ($1): Similarly, I use this strategy with defenses as well, although the Ravens were probably closer to a mid-tier defense for me. I was hoping someone would bid me up here, but I can live with it.

They’ll take a step back in all likelihood, but I think are still worthy of weekly starts.

WR Michael Gallup ($1): All I can basically do at this point is to take a buckshot approach with wide receivers — draft plenty, hope one pans out.

Gallup will be the number two option in Dallas behind Amari Cooper. Dak Prescott isn’t a star quarterback, but he’s serviceable.

I’m hoping Gallup gets some chemistry here, though it’s also about at this point in the draft where I started questioning whether I should’ve nominated a second wide receiver earlier and hope someone with a bigger budget would be hesitant to spend.

WR Demaryius Thomas ($1): Every draft you find a guy or two that’s way down the Yahoo! rankings, hope no one else notices him, and you make a move. That was Thomas for me.

He’s coming off a lost season with Houston but played well in the preseason with New England. The Patriots initially cut him, but it appears to be a procedural move, and he’ll likely return to them.

I don’t think Thomas will see a lot of time at first, but I’m hoping he can build a rapport with Tom Brady and return to his status as a WR1. I’d even settle for anything resembling it.

TE Jimmy Graham ($1): Graham joins the ranks of my “what once was” tight end group with Olsen. He certainly wasn’t a superstar with Seattle like he was in New Orleans.

I’m hoping that there’s some magic he can find with Aaron Rodgers in Green Bay. Most likely, I’ll be playing the matchup game week-to-week with my tight ends.

QB Kirk Cousins ($1): There’s no reason to ever spend more than this on a backup QB. They’re all pretty similar to one another, but Cousins gives me a viable option should Wentz get hurt. Throwing to Adam Thielen and Stefon Diggs doesn’t hurt.

RB Justice Hill ($1): I feel this is a decent mid-upside pick for me. Hill will start the season behind Mark Ingram in the backfield in Baltimore, but he seemed to get rave reviews from the Ravens in the preseason (beware of falling for this too often.)

He’s also probably the better pass-catching/third down option as well. This may be a draft and stash for me, provided I can afford it.

WR Courtland Sutton ($1): Just adding to my pile of receivers at this point. Emmanuel Sanders isn’t what he once was, the Broncos have a new QB with Joe Flacco, and Sutton has promise.

15 players, $200 spent. This is about as “studs and duds” as a roster gets.

The best-case scenario for me?

Barkley and Hopkins prove why they’re the best at their positions, Cook gets a chance to show off more in Minnesota, Olsen stays healthy and reasserts himself as a top-5 tight end, one of my receivers pulls away from the pack to be a viable WR2, and I’ve got a beast to deal with in the playoffs.

The worst case?

Either of my top picks misses significant time, Wentz’s injuries hamper his production, neither of my tight ends win the battle with health and Father Time, my wide receivers never step up and leave a gaping hole in my roster, and I’m consolation bracket fodder.

Unlike Thanos, I’m as perfectly imbalanced as can be.

You can build a team like that, but it also means more than ever, you have to be diligent in scouring the waiver wire, keeping an eye out for trade possibilities and making the right calls on who to start and sit every week.

I look forward to doing that for you all season.

from FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports https://fox4kc.com/2019/09/02/will-they-be-worth-it-the-strategy-behind-draft-picks-in-a-new-season-of-fox4-fantasy-football/

from Kansas City Happenings https://kansascityhappenings.wordpress.com/2019/09/03/will-they-be-worth-it-the-strategy-behind-draft-picks-in-a-new-season-of-fox4-fantasy-football/

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thrashermaxey · 7 years ago

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Unwrapping Six Underrated Performers

Happy Holidays to all my North American counterparts! As I prepare to gorge myself on Christmas ham and knock back way too many Molson products let’s look at some fantasy assets that aren’t receiving the love they deserve for their contributions to both their actual real life squads and the fantasy teams where they’re rostered. Some of these names are more familiar and some have just come up on the radar in 2017-18 showing what they may be able to provide you the fantasy manager in years to come. If you have followed these writings throughout time you may know that I make it my job to give love to guys who really need more of it a la James van Riemsdyk.

Yanni Gourde

Honestly, I knew not a thing about Gourde prior to this season but boy do I love an undrafted success story anytime they arise. What is it with high scoring players in the QMJHL sometimes not being taken seriously? Anyone remember the 2006 draft when Bobby Clarke forgot Claude Giroux’s name at the podium? Here’s that for your viewing pleasure…

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Getting back to Gourde, in his final two seasons with the Victoriaville Tigres he scored 192 points in 136 games played. 124 of those points alone came in 2011-12 in 68 games played! Though his scoring translation took a few seasons after the completion of his junior career, eventually while part of the Tampa Bay Lightning affiliated Syracuse Crunch he turned it on starting in 2014-15. With 149 points in 197 games played from 2014-17 in the AHL, Gourde seemingly had what it takes to be a difference maker in the NHL. Nine points in his first 22 games in the NHL across two seasons suggested his abilities but 2017-18 has been his coming out party with him currently on pace for a 25-goal, 58-point season. With four goals and three assists in his past seven games played Gourde’s scoring capabilities are seemingly once again translating at the highest level.

Now 26 years of age Gourde is well in his prime and can be viewed somewhat differently than your typical newbie to the league because of his age. More physically and mentally developed alongside playing on a stacked Lightning squad, Gourde is starting to look a lot like a Brayden Point story. Not receiving top line minutes nor primary power play time it is easy to forget about Gourde with the arsenal of weapons on this team. Because of said arsenal it is entirely reasonable to expect him to maintain his scoring pace as he will never see top defensive pairs that are matching up with the top two lines every time. Boasting a 0.69 point-per-game pace in the second quarter through 13 games if you’re in need of some forward assistance give this guy a go.

Micheal Ferland

Ferland is going to contend for the hockey “Cy Young” award with a paltry showing in the assist department but he is on pace for 31 goals and is not receiving the exposure he should cast in the shadow of his more pedigree linemates Sean Monahan and Johnny Gaudreau. A relative nobody before the current campaign he is already two goals away from his total 15 scored in 76 games played last season. Outside of goals Ferland also holds value in leagues counting hits with 60 total so far putting him on pace for 143 by season’s end. His five power-play points are all goals, but again if you are in a league that differentiates between power play goals and assists he is on pace for 12.

Ferland has been lined up with Monahan and Gaudreau 90.5% of the time this season by Glen Gulutzan. You really cannot have a more assured deployment in hockey, only Mike Babcock rivals that type of linemate consistency. There is no denying Ferland’s fantasy relevance would cascade off a cliff if removed from the top line but that percentage tells us it’s a rare occurrence. Seeing time on the second power play coupled with his even strength deployment makes Ferland an option that should be taken more seriously.

Mathieu Perreault

Had Perreault never gone down to injury early on in the season the outlook for the Winnipeg Jets might’ve been very different. Kyle Connor’s arrival/emergence directly correlates to Perreault’s injury with him being called up to fill the void. As most of us know Connor seized the opportunity afforded to him with top line and top power play duty. Kudos to him on cementing his place alongside Mark Schiefele and Blake Wheeler at even strength but what’s unfortunate is how everyone has seemingly forgotten about Perreault’s production both before and after his injury.

In 19 games since his return from injury Perreault has racked up eight goals and eight assists. Not once in this stretch has he so much as even sniffed top six deployment. Like many teams, beyond the top two lines there is a significant drop-off in offensive ability when it comes to the bottom six. Perreault is playing with the likes of Matt Hendricks and Joel Armia these days, two players nobody will ever confuse for offensive dynamos. Yet despite this undesirable deployment Perreault is one of the best if not the best pts/60 player in the league (4.0). In a nutshell he is by a landslide the best fourth line player in the game today. For any league where time on ice is not counted he is an absolute must own while he is producing in the manner he is. Even if time on ice has to be accounted for, at this point he is worth the hit in this category as he provides consistent offense and his current pace of 57 points in 69 games played barring injury is nothing to laugh about; that is serious production. Any and all who drafted him kind of sort of despise Kye Connor (yours truly) but at least Perreault is still finding a way to be relevant and then some.

Danton Heinen

Another young player a la Gourde who I did not know much anything about prior to this season, Heinen is giving Bruins fans some serious excitement for the future alongside their other young guns. At the tender age of 22 Heinen has been a jack of all trades for head coach Bruce Cassidy. Regardless of the line he has been rolled out on he has been able to maintain consistent production and currently is on pace for a 22-goal, 61-point campaign. Quite the stat line for someone who quintessentially only finds himself in the NHL currently because of the injury torrent for the Bruins early on. Nonetheless Heinen has made the most of his opportunity since his call up in mid-October and it’s time people start taking more notice.

Though his overall shooting percentage is high at 16%, even with some goal scoring regression he would still be on pace for impressive numbers by season’s end. Boasting an impressive 55.25 CF% Heinen and Co. are really driving play when deployed on the ice. As stated earlier I am no expert on this kid but the numbers do not lie. Top six or bottom six this kid is producing solid offensive numbers so far throughout 28 games played and has every right to be rostered full-time. Once upon a time names like Daniel Paille were the face of the Bruins bottom-six but these days it looks like that is Heinen’s throne now.

Jake Muzzin

I feel everyone forgot about poor Jake Muzzin after a forgettable 2016-17 campaign. Two straight 40-point seasons in 2014-15/2015-16 were completely left in the rearview mirror after last year’s 28-point showing for Muzzin. But the past is the past and Muzzin the multi-cat beast is back in force. After four straight seasons with a PDO below 1000, 2017-18 sees him rocking a robust 1026 currently. Adversely his cf% is the lowest it’s been in several seasons but still remains above 50%. No stopping the production though as he has amassed 20 points in 35 games so far with 88 hits and 74 blocks. Pro-rate this over a full 82-game schedule and Muzzin is on pace for a seven goal, 46-point, 204-hit, 171-block season.

Riding shotgun with Drew Doughty a majority of the time at even strength and always together on the primary power play unit Muzzin is providing incredible value. Not one aspect of his stat line across all categories would negatively impact your squad and the best thing about him is that nobody talks about him. Forever in Doughty’s shadow he will never ever receive the love he should which makes him a desirable draft target year in and year out. Kudos to John Stevens for revitalizing this team’s offense all the while not abandoning their ability to prevent goals. It would certainly seem a regime change has reinvigorated this roster from the top down and Muzzin is prospering immensely.

Colin Miller

The Tampa Bay Lightning and Florida Panthers could only dream of the talent afforded to the Las Vegas Golden Knights in their expansion draft. Though nobody in their right mind could’ve ever anticipated the torrid start for them in their inaugural season there’s no doubt the pedigree of talent on this squad is far beyond the likes of expansion teams of the nineties. One of many players contributing to their success is Colin Miller on the back end. Miller possesses a booming slapshot, but his setup skills have been his primary source of points. On pace for a 12-goal, 47-point showing in 2017-18 this guy is providing barn burner value for someone who was not even drafted in a vast majority of 8 to 12-team leagues.

Though he does not receive top pair minutes on the blue line Miller is turning into a multi-cat asset as to go with his impressive points pace he is also on track for 65 PIM, 181 shots, 137 hits and 17 PPP. Miller starts 60% of his shifts in the offensive zone and his overall shooting percentage is of no cause for regression concerns sitting at 6.8% currently. Not to say the Golden Knights are ready to contend for a Stanley Cup but at this point in the season we have to at least somewhat buy into the notion that this team has the ability to give any team a run for its money any given night. With 19 points in 33 games played Miller’s playing his part in the success and should provide a steady source of points barring injury the rest of the way.

from All About Sports http://www.dobberhockey.com/hockey-home/frozen-pool-forensics/unwrapping-six-underrated-performers/

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