#I mean they can't possibly think that at this point the audience stays for the day-to-day cases

[alicepao13]

Dear Hudson and Rex cast and crew,

please go to Ontario every year if it means that the production and storyline value are upped.

Sincerely,

everyone who likes good tv (I hope)

[redvelvetcupcakes21]

Part 1. Part 2 Part 3

Ngl, watching Lou's character on hymym look so down after his failed proposal basically inspired this.

Tommy was thankful that the weather was nice and cool on Catalina Island.

Tommy and Evan were enjoying a nice dinner on the beach, complete with a blanket, a shared bottle of red wine, and a lovely seafood dinner.

Tommy had successfully set the mood and setting, granted they weren't alone at the beach. It was still crowded with folks still swimming or enjoying the sun starting to set on the horizon.

The two had gotten to the island yesterday and had spent day one relaxing and taking in the water and enjoying a long stroll with no aim or direction. Just casually getting lost in Avalon.

Today was a little more hectic, Tommy had planned for them to go zip lining and then take a hike through the moutains.

They even went surfing for a bit and enjoyed lazily basking in the sun till they decided to take a nap and shower back at their hotel room.

Tommy couldn't believe how it was only two days in and was already thinking of their honeymoon.

....

But first...

"Hey Evan." Tommy forced himself to sound unwavering and made sure to keep his hands on his knees since he could already feel the nerves turn into adrenaline.

"Hmm."

Tommy moved to get up, Evan had been using his shoulder to rest his head. He grabbed the younger man and pulled him up as well.

"You ready to go already?" Evan asked, frowning a bit since they had decided to stay to watch the sunset.

"Uh no. Not just yet." Tommy rubbed his hands down his pants, he couldn't look at Evan directly. He knew one look at Evan and he would unravel and just blurt out the question he had been wanting to ask for months now.

"You know I love you, like I -" He couldn't help it, he felt himself giggle as he watched Evan's face light up at that, hearing Evan laugh along made Tommy's heart jump. "Like I can't imagine loving anyone else like I love you. You came into my life and I- I don't want to go back to a life where you're not right besides me, where we aren't right besides each other for the long haul."

He felt along his pocket and got down on one knee.

If he hadn't been so focused on watching Evan and controlling his nerves, he would have realized he had garnered an audience. The crowd around them started to gasp and a few let out a shouts in excitement.

"So Evan Buckley, will you do me the honor of marrying me?" He pulled out the box and was surprised when he heard Evan nearly shouted ecstatically. "No way!"

Tommy froze.

And his heart cracked.

He figured, despite what others have said, that there was a possibility that Evan would say no or not yet.

He just didn't think the "No" would hurt like this, the way Evan had shouted it felt like the idea of a proposal was way too left field for Evan.

"Uh. Oh -"

Evan covered Tommy's hands with his, a bashful and excited smile on his face. "Not like "No way" like "no" I- I just mean, just- just hold on! Give me like 10 minutes! Don't move!" Evan started to jump hop into a run towards their hotel, "Just don't move! I'll be right back!" Evan shouted behind him.

Tommy could feel his face heat up and his eyes begin to sting as he slowly got up, he could hear the whispers around him now.

Some folks were looking at him with confusion while some others looked weirdly excited.

"He said he would be back!" One woman with curly hair yelled out, her blond friend giving Tommy a hopeful grin and thumbs up.

Another person yelled out, "You got this dude!"

Tommy was unsure what to do. Or how to feel.

Evan hadn't said no.

Right?

He saw Evan running back towards him now, a even more excited smile on his face.

But Tommys nerves were too frayed, he stumbled to get the words out as he tried to stuff the ring box back into his pocket. "Evan, I'm so-"

"You moved!" Evan pointed out, nearly buzzing with excitement. "I said not to move!"

"You said-"

"I said I'll be right back so I could do this."

The crowd erupted into cheers and wolf whistles as Evan got down on one knee.

"Oh my God." Tommy huffed out a wet laugh as he covered his face, he knew he was shaking- partly in relief and mostly in shock. "Oh God."

Evan reach for his hand and pulled towards him, "Tommy, I love you and I refuse to believe that there is anyone else for me. I know you're it for me and I've known that since the first time you kissed me." Tommy spluttered a relief laugh as he saw Evan’s eyes become watery as well. "You've been the person I've wanted and waited for, Tommy. And while I did plan to ask this tomorrow morning during a breakfast at sunrise- Tommy Kinard, will you marry me?"

"You brat! I asked first!" Tommy laughed, not missing Evan’s devious grin. "You hijacked my proposal!"

"You can go first with our vows " Evan chuckled, opening the ring box to expose a two tone gold and platinum ring. Tommy felt his breath hitch as he realized the ring was the perfect match to the ring he bought Evan.

Despite the audience around them, Tommy felt as though it was just them at the beach as Evan kissed the back of his hand. "What do you say? Marry me?"

Seeing all the love in Evan's eyes, how Evan's thumb brushed the spot on the back of Tommy's hand where he was just kissed, and having their future right in front of them made Tommy feel overwhelmed with emotions.

While he knew he had always wanted to be in a relationship and to be loved, there was a part of him that felt like he didn't deserve it. That he was risking his heart breaking into pieces by even daring to propose to Evan

Beautiful sweet, charming, and kind Evan who was now proposing to him.

Evan picked him to love.

Tommy let out a choked sob as he nodded yes. "Yes. Yes. Yes." He cried, pulling in Evan for a kiss as the crowc erupted into cheers and loud wolf whistles yet again. "Yes." He repeated for good measure as Evan slipped the ring on his finger. They both laughed as Tommy finally opened the ring box meant for Evan, showing Evan the two tone gold and platinum ring he got for Evan. There were obvious differences between the rings but they complimented each other, much like the newly engaged couple.

It was later when they realized that Maddie had been made aware of their plans to propose to each other.

"So what are the chances that your sister didn't already tell everyone that we somehow planned to propose to each other?" Tommy asked as the two curled around each other in bed, holding each others left hand and sharing soft kisses.

Tommy shivered as Evan kissed his temple and neck. "Knowing them, they probably already have a pool going on who asked first." Evan chuckled, brushing back Tommy's curl as he kissed his chin this time.

"They wouldn't!"

Evan raised a brow, only giving his fiance a haughty smile before going back to kissing Tommy's neck.

Tommy rolled his eyes, "What am I saying, of course they would." He shook his head and rolled towards Evan, they could talk about the betting pool later.

He wanted to celebrate their engagement now.

Part 5

[matchadobo]

KIDD; wedding headcanons

warning/s: partial nsfw but no occurrence of the actual thing, super fluff i died and alived

i'll fix the formatting lateeeerr >:) red ones are individual bullets while white ones are subheadings of the previous red one (hope that makes sense)

* when you bring the question to him he'll be like:

* "me? you wanna marry me?" he'd point to himself.

* "yes, silly! who else?!"

* "i-i mean," he'll instantly become red and start fumbling over his words. "i-i was supposed to pop the damn question out..."

* you best bet it'll be a full blown steampunk wedding! he'd want it to be in the victoria but it's also fine with him if you'd want a beach or garden wedding so long as the theme stays. this i what i think he'll be wearing, the aesthetic of the event, and what your gown'll be.

* during preparations, he'd mostly leave it up to you so long as you follow his color palette: red and blacks. but when it comes to foods, he'd be keen on having an attendance while you taste test and choose out stuff.

his and your fits

* before your wedding day, he'd be soooo anxious. i have this thought that when you two are individually out on your bachelor/ette parties, he'd be calling you by the end of it just cuz he can't sleep.

* "it's pretty late, kidd. did your party just finished?"

* "yeah, every one's knocked out of their damn minds. and apparently, i can't fuckin' sleep."

* "hmm, nervous?"

* "like the fuck i am." he'd try to deny it but eventually give in. "i wanna see you before i sleep."

* "but you know the superstition-"

* "fuck that shi-"

* "no! i don't want any bad luck!"

* "luck? baby, we defy all odds, don't we?"

* he'd insist but you'll also insist. so he just settled on an overnight call where you two slept in.

* during the wedding day, you two'll be tired as fuck because the only sleep you guys got was 2-3 hours because of talking and comforting each other until 5 😭. while getting ready, kidd will be more impatient and irritated than usual. but it's just due to the combination of weariness and anxiety. mostly anxiety. he never felt this anxious when it comes to you, he'd always be confident about how you two felt about each other. but right now, all he thinks if he's sure or not. if you're sure with him. eustass kidd never doubts, but he feels so deeply for you he'd never want to hurt you and that brings him to a wall. the people involve with him that day had a hard time working with him because his attitude is extraaa mean 😔

* but when he sees you at the end of the aisle as you donned a dress that looked way too good on you it was insane to him, all his worries left his body through a tear that cascaded down his eye.

* "you crying?" killer nudged kidd, noticing the taller to reach over his breast pocket to fish out the hanky.

* "shut up, you ain't the one doing the marryin'."

* i imagine his vows to reflect the kind of person he is, passionate and brute about it. he'll be soooo poetic it'd surprise you.

* "where do i even start fuck-" you'd giggle along with the audience. "i do lotsa damn declarations but this is makin' me shy, jeez."

* "name," he'd sheepishly look at you. "you are my dream and i honestly curse the seas that i'd only found you nos and not at the time i needed you the most. and now i, for the life of me, can't imagine how i'd live without you."

* "i, eustass kid, will put hands on anyone who mess with my wife, if those fuckers think they're so big, well so am i, aye?! if she cries i'll cry with her, and trust me when i say i will kill any bastard who dares do her wrong, because that's my wife, they better not look at her cuz she's taken, she's mine. got it?"

* "you've learned to love me, an insufferable asshole, in ways i never thought possible. you've seen the worst and the best, the weak and the strong, the ugly and somehow the pretty in me. you make me a better man."

* "you conquered all my fears, seized my pride, and built my strength. you are the reason i became the way i am today. you crawled your way in 'ere and took control over my heart, you little monster."

* "from the start, i haven't exactly been kind to you. i mean, i've been rude, and disrespectful; but you grew on me, you were patient and measured up to my irritated ass... so much that I don't know what happened, you really snuck up on me... so may you forgive me my past dumb mistakes. because even if I am stupid and mean, and I may not show my love properly, I love you and will do anything to give you what you fuckin' deserve. you know that."

* "name is a great woman, one who stands and always fights for what she wants, and I want the honor of being your husband. we'll conquer anything, yeah?"

* "okay i'm very fucking embrassed now so i'll just come out and say it... I need to marry you, not because I love you, not because I like you, but because I have to to... yeah, I said it, I don't like you or love you, i need you in my fucking life."

* man he'd end up crying while saying them. but his voice wouldn't waver, it's eustass kidd come ooooon

* he'd be dramatic and give you the bridal kiss where you kind of hang mid air and he supports your back.

* reception would be firrrreee it'd be an absolute rave! you'd have your wedding dress be modified where you can discard the tulle or some shit to make the dress shorter.

* your guests and dearest friends each made a speech about your craziness with each other

* "kidd was so damn insane for this girl. one time, he asked me if he should get her an otter or dung beetle as a christmas present. bro doesn't even celebrate christmas until she came along!"

* "kidd stood out as one of name's partners, he was the first jackass she fell for that was actually a keeper."

* "i'm telling you, kidd became so self-conscious when he met name! he started worrying if his lipstick was the right shade or if his eyeliner looked neat!"

* "what confuses me was whenever they talked to me about each other, the word 'i hate' always comes first and them being whipped follows after. it was annoying."

* drinking games come after, trivias about the couple and between you two after. and as expected, it was competitive because neither of you wanted to lose and give way 🤣. kidd as a man, will never go easy and let you win tho. he respects you like that.

* but what prompted me to make this hc is the wedding garter tradition 🫦. this will be his favorite part. he'd be very extra tho,

* he'll take off his suit jacket and roll up his sleeves when you two are in front for the act.

* he'd maintain reaaaally strong eye contact and will be feeling himself while you burn red and start fanning yourself from laughing or actually feeling flustered under his gaze.

* he'd get under your dress, have a long whiff of that 🐱 and his breath'll tickle you bc he nasty like that, lick your thigh a little, give the flesh on your hips a squeeze, and drag the garter off with his teeth very very languidly

* he'll be very pouty when it's time to give it to the bestman tho

* then the actual rave comesss! blasting music and lights at the victoria, it didn't seem like a wedding reception. but you and kidd were in the center of it all, dancing with each other the same way you two met in a bar.

* "wanna get out of here?" he whispered with his hands on your hips, bending down to your ear due to the deafening beats.

* "hmm, ain't this familiar?" you giggled.

* "aye. this is the part where you come with me and we kiss at the back."

* "eh? that's different from what i remember. your mean ass was angry at me for stepping on your shoe." you poked at his nose while he laughed subtly.

* "shh shh, we both know how bad that ended. bar got fucked up real good." you two broke out in laughter, reminiscing at old times.

* kidd would inevitably drag you to his quarters, man's hungrryyyyy

* he'd be so desperate to take off your clothes, with how beautiful you look today and how he was deprived of you for a couple of nights

* you'd leave the deck making out, walkign sideways, backwards, u name it

* "it'd be pretty weird if the bride and groom's gone on their reception, right?" you broke out of the kiss.

* "and we don't give a shit about it, don't we?" he'd grin, tugging at your lips

* aaaand stuff thst happens in the honeymoon happened 😏

been in the works foR WAY TOO LONG

[i-heart-hxh]

I just want to say I appreciate you for staying positive about killugon. Admittedly, I’ve given up on them. Maybe it’s too many angsty fanfics or metas I’ve seen that basically make it seem like they’ll never be close again but it’s nice to see some people still going strong with this ship! Hopefully one day I can enjoy this ship again the way I used to. Currently everything I read about them in fandom just depresses me.

Hi anon!

I'm sad to hear the negativity has gotten to you to this degree! It actually surprises me how much the fandom seems to think what happened between them can't be fixed. I've been into HxH for almost 8 years now and as time has gone on and I've revisited the series and analyzed it deeply and discussed it with others, I've only grown more certain that things between them will be okay--assuming Togashi can reach that point in the series. And right now is a great time to be hopeful about the future of HxH, with Togashi working so actively on the series the past few months.

Sooo many of the messages in my inbox amount to "Is there really hope? Are Gon and Killua really going to reunite and reconcile? Or is their relationship hopelessly broken?" so even though I feel like a bit of a broken record addressing this topic so much, it seems like it's a topic people really want addressed, so here's some more of my thoughts. (Trying to make my answers on this topic at least a little different each time even if some repetition is inevitable...!)

Here's this post I made of some of the reasons I anticipate a Gon and Killua reunion and fixing their relationship. And here's this eye-opening analysis post of the separation, yet again, which also offers hope.

So much of HxH is about second chances. It's about how love and human connections transform people and make life worth living, no matter how painful and difficult it may be. At the end of Chimera Ant Arc, Meruem and Komugi (who are, by the way, absolutely parallels for Gon and Killua) find their meaning for living in each other, and decide to stay together even knowing the only way they can be together is in the afterlife. If you trace back this scene to all the factors and character moments that made it possible, it goes all the way back to Gon extending kindness to Killua and changing his life. I believe Gon and Killua are on a path wherein they will ultimately find their meaning in each other and vow to stay together again (albeit without the dying part).

Gon and Killua are the protagonists of the series, and they are emblematic of the themes of HxH. Looking at the themes of HxH and the worldview it presents, it doesn't make sense for Gon and Killua to experience this horrible traumatic incident as the young teens they are, then never ever get to fix and resolve it even though they're both clearly upset to have to leave each other and they definitely have more to say to each other. Why show them feeling dissatisfied and unhappy to separate if they'll never get a chance to fix things and be happy together again? Do you really think that's the direction Togashi wants to go in, with the focus of the series and the repeated emphasis on how the hope we can find in a cruel, painful world rests in the connections we have with the people around us?

It's meaningful that they make each other so happy and transformed each others' lives. It's meaningful that even now in merch and artwork and such, they're portrayed as a pair. It's meaningful that a huge chunk of the audience so desperately wants to see them together again, and I'm certain Togashi is well aware of that. These two are at the heart of what makes HxH so wonderful and moving.

It's okay to take a break from the ship if it's not bringing you joy. Sometimes I get frustrated by takes and interpretations I see about it, too, trust me. Ultimately, it's here for you whenever you want to revisit it, and there are plenty of fanworks with happy endings and reconciliation between them if you need something to tide you over until canon hopefully resolves things between them. But do what feels right for yourself--it's okay to focus on something fluffier and less complex if that's what you need for now. I hope eventually you can come to see it with more hope, as I have lots of hope for their future--and I don't think it's unwarranted at all. 💖

[mayashesfly]

I know touched on this before in this post and a few others

But it's truly fascinating to me how Alastor and Vox are visualizes as being beside each other instead of being against each other.

In my previous post I already pointed out that these two scenes portray the two as being beside each other but with a definite line between the two of them

And near the end of the song, this pattern still keeps itself until Alastor ended it (we'll touch on that)

An interesting thing at the start of Stayed Gone when Alastor entered the picture is that Alastor, oddly enough, kept his eyes closed at first.

Before he opened them to quite literally, poke fun at Vox

And even "pushed" his boundaries quite literally as Alastor moved the distinct line between them that keeps them separated.

This caused the line between them to quite literally be pushed around

And, while it can't be seen in this screenshot because it's been cropped down below, Alastor's cane has now quite literally crossed that line.

In both of these cases, they haven't actually physically looked at each other in the eyes since this was done through broadcasting instead of an actual physical confrontation together.

It's been merely visualized that way for us the audience.

Also, the distinct line between them is still in place.

However, this pushing around between them have caused that line to be breached as in the next scene briefly

And we see Alastor's eyes dilate.

The scene ends with Vox only being able to successfully reenter the picture/push Alastor away when he's shown to be below him before he surrounded Alastor.

This is interesting since it took Vox two tries of trying to cover up Alastor to successfully take his place.

While Alastor was easily able to reenter the picture all by himself without a struggle and Vox didn't even attempt to push him away anymore.

Note how yet again, Alastor has his eyes closed for the most part while Vox is the only one keeping his eyes open.

Interestingly enough, the line between them is back yet again, even if it moves slightly from the sound of Alastor's voice.

Moreover, the line itself is red now instead of it being a merely separation between red and blue. Showing that, alongside it responding to Alastor's voice, it seems like this line is under Alastor's control.

(I made a previous post before where I think some of the sequence of events that happened in Stayed Gone showcase that Alastor has somehow hijacked the speaker towers and got into Vox's office which is why he knows of Vox's unbroadcasted lines. I didn't notice this red line before but it seems to be a tie in/another possible evidence to that post. However, I won't elaborate on that even more in this post since it's getting quite long.)

All of these things and the way things were visualized makes the audience think that Alastor is more in control. After all, he rather effortlessly moved the line between them around and easily reenters the picture when Vox pushes him away. However, on Vox's side of things he only successfully reenters the picture when he's below Alastor and had to make two attempts so he could successfully cover up Alastor. And even then, Alastor reenters the scene yet again, now with the line between them being in his control.

I can't say for certain what all of this means (Sorry guys, the autism decided to overanalyze that entire scene)

However we'll finally get to the point that made me do write this post in the first place.

The idea that they're visualized as being beside each other even when there's a line between them instead of being visualized as against each other similarly to Alastor and Lucifer.

I already shown the other examples of this from Stayed Gone, so we'll move onto the other examples of this idea.

Canonically, this is the other instance of the two of them being visualized as being beside each other. In the actual photo, they're physically beside each other.

However, just like in Stayed Gone, there is now a line between them since the picture has been quite literally torn apart.

There has also been some speculation that the vacant seat on Rosie's left in the Overlord Meeting is Vox's.

Once again, while Vox and Alastor are beside each other, or well in this case on the same side instead of the opposite, there's a line between them with Rosie.

What exactly is the significance of Alastor and Vox being visualized on the same side instead of opposition? Well, I think this shows how the two of them had previously worked together and maybe even well together since they slotted perfectly together.

Obviously, this doesn't seem to be the case anymore but the visuals of them being beside each other is still there even when there is now a definite line that divides them.

The only times we see Alastor and Vox looking at each other at the opposite side instead of the same side is when there's a screen between them.

But even then it's not shown in the same way as Lucifer and Alastor's as we can only see their faces separately instead of being directly shown at the same time on screen.

This decision of not visualizing the two of them directly being on the opposite side compared to how we physically saw Alastor and Lucifer directly being in opposition is an interesting decision on the team's part.

Only time and Season 2 will tell if this decision to visualize Alastor and Vox as being beside each other with a definite line between them instead of in direct opposition will change or not alongside their current dynamic.

[lemotmo]

I completely understand everyone wanting multiple episodes of focus but that never did feel realistic. So this is a very good point.

Q. I'm sorry but they can't tell queer/gay Eddie in one or two episodes that just wouldn't be realistic in any way. Don't you agree?

A. They told bi Buck in ONE episode. The actual realization of him being bisexual happened in a single episode. And it absolutely worked. It didn't feel rushed or incomplete or unsatisfactory, I mean it feels unsatisfactory now but that's for different reasons, they made it believable. The reason it worked was because, like Eddie, Buck has always been queer coded. So it wasn't this impossible surprise for anyone but the bigots who were never going to approve anyway. They can absolutely tell queer/gay Eddie in one or two episodes. And they can tell it well. The problem is way too many people took a photo of a lamppost and convinced themselves it was definitive proof that Buck and Eddie were going to be together by the end of episode 6. That was what was never going to happen. That is the story they will not rush through. That is the story they will allow, purposeful build up. We had all these little moments and nods of bi possibility throughout Buck's history on the show, and we have the same kind of coded history for Eddie. Oliver, Ryan, Aisha, Kenny and Jen are all mains but Peter and Angela are the stars. They're always going to get more screen time. Everyone else will get episodic focus now and then but not multiple back to back episodes. The show flat out does not have the time to do that. I would imagine episode 6 will work much like Buck Bothered and Bewildered, and Eddie will get the majority of the story. But realistically the show has 15-20 scenes to tell this Eddie story. Lots of people have to recalibrate their timetable. But nothing else has changed. The characters don't function in real world timetables, anon. They function in television timetables and those are not the same. They can tell a very good story in one or two episodes. The Buck episode was beautiful and his OH moment felt realistic and worth it, the stuff that came after is what changed that episode, but the episode by itself was beautifully done.

Thank you Nonny! As always much appreciated!

Ali makes some good points here. Buck's coming out only took one single episode, so why not for Eddie?

If they are going the queer Eddie route, which I'm pretty positive about at this point, they might be aiming for queer Eddie in 8a and eventually Buddie in 8b.

This will give them 10 episodes to play with, because while I do think they'll get Eddie out of that closet relatively fast, I don't think that Buddie will happen that quickly.

Oliver talked about that slow burn element, that 'will they, won't they' quality to keep the audience guessing. You can't do that in 1 or 2 episodes. So I'm thinking they'll make good use of those 10 episodes to give us that slow burn we've all been craving. Even ending it all with a Buddie cliffhanger, so we can all go through hiatus high on Buddie pheromones. 🤣

It'll all depend on the next 3 episodes now. So let's stay calm and focus on what we'll get. Whatever happens with Eddie in episode 6 will help set the tone for the other 2 episodes of 8a. Then we'll know once and for all where this story is going. 🤞🤞🤞

IMPORTANT! Please don't repost this ask and/or a link that leads straight to my Tumblr account on Twitter or any other social media. Thank you!

Heads up! For anyone who is giving me the shifty eyes for reposting Ali's updates instead of reblogging. Read this.

Remember, no hate in comments, reblogs or inboxes. Let's keep it civil and respectful. Thank you.

If you are interested in more of Ali’s posts, you can find all of her posts so far under the tag: anonymous blog I love.

[nogenderbee]

♡˗ˏ✎*ೃ˚ 𝕄𝕚𝕤𝕤𝕖𝕕 𝕚𝕥 𝕒𝕘𝕒𝕚𝕟 ₊˚ˑ༄

*ੈ✩‧₊˚ @bl4cktourmaline request: yahoo~ bee! it's me again:33 I saw the requests are open? If it is and I'm not tripping then may I request for Lyney with an oblivious reader who is a big fan of his and they are like... mutual pining for each other but they aren't even aware of it that it's become annoyingly sweet lol

Words can't describe how I love this man

*ੈ✩‧₊˚ Hey hey! You're not tripping don't worry I see our mental state is similar lol But omg help I love it!! Down for Lyney too won't lie-

But omg, I kinda wanna write part 2 of this!! If I'll still feel like doing this after my requests are all done and I don't forget, I'll def be continuing this!

Anyway tho... I hope you enjoy! I personally kinda like it so I really hope you do too ^^

*ੈ✩‧₊˚ platonic/fluff

At this point Lynette and Freminet were watching you two. Even if they were 2km afar, they could still see you two and could only sigh about the view.

Lyney gave you another rainbow rose. It was like... 24 day strike by now! He gave you one every day, and every single time in a different time. First time it magically appeared in his hand, yesterday he pulled it out from ear your ear and today he "found it" in your tea!! How's even that possible?!

"For you, mon cherie~"

"Awh, thank you! I actually got something for you as well!"

"Oh really? Now what could it be... maybe you got me a reward for my latest magic show?"

"Well... yeah you could think so! Though I actually mean it as a gift for being such an amazing person for me!"

He could only chuckle as he took small box from you. His cheeks flushed gently but somehow, it just didn't got through his scalp what you really meant...

"Well isn't that sweet! Now what could we... ah- that's my favorite cake! How did you know?"

"I just happened to remember it. It's the least I could do for all the gifts you gave me recently."

But maybe it wasn't just him who was being a bit blunt here. You were as well, he was giving you rainbow roses every day, flowers meaning he loves you and yet, you just couldn't notice that special meaning...

"Should we finally help them?"

"Let them be for a bit longer."

2 siblings were now considering just coming up to you two and hitting you in the head, maybe then you'd notice how you both have obvious feelings for each other!

They know their brother has a crush on you because after every meeting with you, he's kicking his feet like highschool girl with crush in his bed. And you? You admitted yourself to Lynette while asking for advice because you thought he hated you when in reality, he was a tomato and had to run away from emberassment.

But both eventually decided to stay back and watch. They don't want to take this special moment away from you... But maybe the can at least do some backstage work at helping you with confessions?

"You see... I got something just for you! I have very important snow this weekend and naturally, I reserved a seat in front row just for you!"

Lyney smiled as he hands you the ticket with small bow, his eyes never leaving yours but not in a creepy way, he just couldn't help but admire you a bit.

"Oh you didn't had to really! But I do appreciate it. I'll definitely show up, thank you!"

"No need to thank me! It'll be enough for me if you come and let me see your smile~"

"What?"

Finally realizing what he said, his cheeks became red and began stuttering even tho he's usually smooth with his words.

"I meant- naturally I'd want to make... my audience happy! That's... just natural... magician's instinct! Yeah."

"Oh that's understandable! Well knowing you, your abilities and charms, I'm sure it won't be hard at all."

But he wasn't any better. You were clearly trying to compliment him, but he thought it's just you saying it as audience and not as someone with a crush...

"Actually... let's maybe make a plan. We can start tomorrow."

Freminet nodded on his sister's statement and entered their hous, leaving the two of you be and prepared the great plan with simple goal: getting you two together!

﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌

@bleachtheidiot - come get your charming magician~

[britt-kageryuu]

Donnie and Leo are streaming together, but Leo is playing the game. Their masks with lightly glowing stars, models are in matching starry hoodies, black legging shorts that showed off their leg marking, and leg wraps/socks.

Leo is replaying Skyrim w/DLC,(not the new update) but without any mods. Because there was an issue with something in their modded game, and Donnie couldn't tell if it was a mod, or a base game w/DLC. They bought a version of the game that had the DLC pre installed into the game, and they already know base game is held together with ductape and the Will of the Devine Beings.

Leo was messing with the character customization, "All these options, but the only thing I can make Blue is my Eyes! I miss the Terrapin mod already. Well can't do much more, now what do I name my Argonian?" Leo rambles on engaging with chat while Donnie is looking over the active running code in real time with his laptop.

"Let's Go, Lord Scaly Butt! On through the tutorials, then the place we keep crashing!" Leo shouts almost knocking Donnie over with his enthusiasm.

~~~~A bit of relearning the basics and 1 dead dragon later~~~~

Once they finished with the beginning quests, bought the Whiterun house to drop off the dragon parts, and returned the Golden Claw, Leo started to mess with simple tasks that quickly raise your levels.

"Alright Dee, what requirements are needed to replicate this crash scenario? Also this took over an hour! Did the game always take this long in the beginning?" Leo is once again rambling, looking back and forth between chat and Donnie.

This is causing the audience to wonder what kind of energy drinks or something he had, or what might've been added to his tea/coffee today.

Donnie in the mean time is reading over a list, ignoring his twin while scrolling, "The build according to your last save, you had the light dragon armor, not enchanted, you had finished this list of quest," they lean over to show Leo the list, "and as you can see, a long list of negligible variables that I have already tested out of possible crach sources. And while this may take a long time, I will try to keep you on track."

Leo's eyes go wide at the list as he reads it over, "How long have I been playing on that save! How long is this going to take!?!" He says slowly getting loader.

Donnie just leans away, "Give me a moment, I forgot to cull the quests that are not important to this process." They show the new list, "It might take a few dozen hours, it might not. You will need to fast travel occasionally to the crash point to help narrow down the possible source."

Leo stares at Donnie for a moment thinking over what he just said.

"But wouldn't that also mess up the results, since it might've been a combo of more things, not less?"

Donnie pauses, turns to Leo, then back at his laptop.

"Dee, how long have you been awake?" Leo asks with a look of disappointment.

Donnie was about to make their argument, but then let out a loud, long yawn. They shake their head before looking a bit panicked, "Wait, I'm fine, I've stayed up for longer, plus don't you want to replay Skyrim? And explore, fight dragons, try to complete those glitched quests?!" Donnie rambles, trying to justify his tiredness.

Leo still looked at him with suspicion, but goes back to the game. He is very much not convinced. He just knows is he fights Donnie on this, he might get bit.

The audience is making some jokes about Leo stealing Donnies energy, some are trying to justify Donnies argument, and some kinda want to see Leo force Donnie to go take a nap.

Leo continues to play, chatting with the audience, meanwhile Donnie at some point passed out, and started to let out snores, chuurs, a hiss or two, and some slight growls.

Either way the audience was enjoying themselves.

---------------

Masterpost

This was originally just an them replaying without mods, then I remembered how Stupidly Long the beginning of Skyrim is, then I remembered that the Skyrim background music makes me sleepy, thus we end up with the above.

I could not stick to my original plan since I was also replaying the beginning of Skyrim.

[greatqueenanna]

What do you think of the theory that Honeymaren was made especially to please fans of #GiveElsaAGirlfriend and that initially there would be more moments made to shipp the two until Disney decided to reduce these moments? I'm not saying that they would actually be a couple, but that all of this was meticulously planned to please these fans who wanted her to have a girlfriend without confirming anything.

I always thought it was very naive to think that after years of Disney avoiding the question: “Will Elsa have a girlfriend in Frozen 2?” and they release the film which, despite not being romantic, still shows her talking near a campfire (a moment used in many romance films) with a girl of the same age while they caress a reindeer calf, sing a small duet and they talk about magic and traditions when it would have made much more sense for Elsa to have that conversation with Yelana, but the plot made the older woman stay away from there.

According to most sources I’ve seen (but I need to do more research regarding this, if I'm being honest) the reason Honey (and Ryder) were created was to simply have characters that helped the audience empathize with the Northuldra. They used to have a bit more story content in earlier drafts, which is a shame they got rid of chunks of their story because there wasn't enough screen-time for everything.

This is one of the reasons I feel Frozen 2 would've made an amazing series instead of a film, and why Frozen 3 being separated into two films is such a great idea, even if the initial intention was for more profit. Because let's face it, both the first and second films suffer from the 'too much stuff, not enough space' plot issues so having a show and double film will do wonders for the story going forward.

They also needed characters to help gear the story in the right direction. Honey tells Elsa about the Fifth Spirit, and Ryder helps get Kristoff out of the way so that Elsa and Anna could be alone during the boat scene.

The reason I think Yelena was probably not used, is because her original role was to be a villain along side Runeard, but they scrapped the idea after heavy criticism. Since they had already made Honey and Ryder, there was no point I suppose in giving Yelena a different role other than a leader type to mirror Mattias, especially since they had to shrink down the Northuldra's stories to begin with.

Now, in terms of Honey being created specifically to please fans who want Elsa to be with another woman, I can't say for certain.

I do know that there was a tweet that Jen Lee liked during a Frozen QandA on Twitter (X) where a user begged her to keep Elsa single so that people can imagine her to be with another woman if they wanted. I will see if I can find this tweet for you, but as Jen Lee deleted her Twitter, I’ve lost a lot of sources.

Unless her sentiments have changed, I think Jen Lee will try to keep Elsa single for as long as possible so that fans can decide for themselves what Elsa's sexuality is. Elsa means so much for fans of all sexual orientations, leaving her sexuality open lets fans have freedom with her character. Jen Lee was always about leaving things open for fans, so this concept is not a stretch.

Thus, the possibility that Honey was introduced so that Elsa can have a strong relationship with another woman that is not Anna, but is left open so that fans can interpret the relationship as romantic or platonic, could be a thing.

However, as said, there is no evidence for it other than speculation.

This is also the reason that I pretty confident that Elsa will never be paired off with a man either. They want to leave it open for fans to decide for themselves. Again, unless their thoughts have changed on the subject.

[flonbowe]

So I was thinking about Mettaton, and something hit me

Mettaton Neo has a very angelic design. I may be stretching it, but considering what a certain other angel looks like

The resemblance is very much there. Mettaton's Ex and Neo forms look far more human than anything or anyone in the underground, including Frisk themselves during the Genocide run. Mettaton Neo is specifically a form used in a last case scenario to stop you. Now depending on how you view the Neo form, this can probably mean a few things. My two cents is that its Mettaton trying to keep himself and you fooled. Mettaton first and foremost is a showman. He's a TV star, and even if he may no longer have an audience, there's no way he's going off air lying down.

Now why would this relate to his Neo form resembling the Angel? Well he's bluffing, whether intentionally or not he is bluffing. He can't beat you, and deep down I think he knows too. The best he can do is stall for time to get as many people out and evacuated as possible, to inspire hope. Its why he stays in the underground, and its what he's good at: inspiring. So he fights you and blocks your path, in the face of a demon he uses the visage of an Angel as the last line of defense for Monster kind. Undyne has fallen, the Asgore will fall too, but Mtt cannot let the monsters hopes die too. I know this isn't in game, but this kind of idea is even further expanded with this cover of Power of Neo https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uI0CxTgpA6Q

It uses a bunch of leitmotifs, and one of which is Bergentrückung, the other theme of someone who tried to bring hope to the Monsters, and the theme of who will fall after Mtt. This is also apparent with how Power of Neo is a more techno Mtt themed version of BAATH to begin with. At every point in the Mettaton Neo fight, from design to music to personality: Mettaton is stalling and pulling an intimidation act as a last ditch effort, since he doesn't know Sans is waiting in his church to play ball with Frisk. https://www.tumblr.com/dn-838/738700806141952000/how-aborted-genocide-affects-the-mettaton-neo?source=share This post goes more in detail on other aspects and Is generally just really interesting. But what I want to point out is what this means for Spamton Neo. By this logic, Spamton ALSO uses the visage of an Angel. Just for funnies, lets compare sprites too!

I know im using fan made content again but after UTY, that really isn't too bad I think, especially for a more for fun exploration like this. Speaking of fan made content, lets see where that sprite came from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BkDjXdp2Ayc&t=69s

Notice how it only uses the first part of the loop, it doesn't go on and doesn't continue Power of Neo fully. It doesn't have the full meaning of Mettaton's heroic sacrifice to help people, as instead of an Angel to save the Underground, Spamton is that Angel of Death in Undertale's prophecy (in the Snowgrave route anyway). Like Mettaton, Spamton also uses the visage of an Angel to achieve a goal, but no matter what route it is its a dark perversion of Mettaton's goals. Mettaton wanted to inspire the Underground and achieve his dreams, trying to stall and kill Frisk to either save them from Asgore, or save the survivors from You. Spamton wanted his freedom and attacks and tries to kill Kris for their soul so he can be free. He also assists in the Snowgrave route, being an accomplice to many many deaths for 15 minutes of fame. This idea is more properly conveyed in the last parts of Big Shot with the use of Power of Neo. Oh yeah this was a Mettaton analysis whoopsie Ok so I know this was a Mettaton Neo thing at the start but man I just wanted to gush and gush about Mettaton cuz man I really can't get enough of him. He's the only one of two characters in Undertale to directly have connections with the Angel prophecy when it isn't just the Delta Rune itself, he inadvertantly saved the Underground because he's what made Alphys get the Royal Scientist posi--OH WAIT YEAH THATS SOMETHING I CAN TALK ABOUT OK SO SIDE TANGENT METTATON UNINTENTIONALLY SAVED THE UNDERGROUND AND I FIND THAT REALLY REALLY COOL! Because Alphys used Mettaton as a project to show to Asgore to become the Royal Scientist, this let Alphys work on the amalgamates and also create Flowey. Without Flowey, the barrier wouldn't have broken and no one would have been freed. Yes I know this isn't all solid since Mettaton didn't somehow cause 6 random kids fall down but you get the idea. Mettaton transitioning saved the world totally I NEED MORE METTATON AUS GRHEYCGDHWUDYGHJWYDH IM GOING TO GO FERAL!!! HE'S NEEDS IT AHHHHHHH!! Ts!Underswap is honestly amazing for Mettaton. I mean Mettacrit. He doesn't get his JoJo body, but is that going to stop him? OF COURSE NOT!

HE'S METTACRIT! AIN'T NO ONE STOPPING HIS DREAMS! He's also a wonderful little gist of Mettaton's whole character, just get rid of Alphys (sadly). Someone who wants to achieve their dreams, wanting to share the love and kindness around, with of course the sassy show stealing charm he needs.

But what if that wasn't so easy

SURPRISE! UNDERFELL TOO! We got the whole holy trinity of Undertale au's, specificallyyyyy

I MAY BE READING TOO FAR INTO THIS BUT I LOVE METTATON GAMMA SO MUCHHHH Its still our same ol Mettaton, but now his dreams are falling on deaf ears. He's Spamton in nature instead of Fabulous. Everyone is violent and blood hungry, so a simple cooking show with a touch of murder won't be enough, or another beautiful rendition of Oh My Love~! Its clear (to me anyway) that Mettaton in this au is nowhere near as big a star as he is in the normal Undertale continuity. In his intro monologue he brags about the audience he brought in, and during the fight he's much more focused on what the Audience wants rather than the show HE wants. Something OUR Mettaton just wouldn't do. This is the same sexy rectangle who basically just broadcasts whatever he wants. I forgot the exact dialogue and screenshot but its just not something Undertale Mettaton really does. Underfell though? A different story. He's bound to his viewers in a bad way till Frisk comes along. He's even more bound to Alphys in this AU as her little science fair project. GOD I LOVE THIS GAME ITS WHAT I'D WANT FROM AN ACTUAL UNDERFELL GAME! Oh my god I haven't even talked about Deltarune Mettaton and Mike and how that works OK SO THIS IS ENTERING MY PERSONAL FANON BUT Y'know how Spamton and Mettaton have their parallels? Y'know how the internet has been down in Deltarune?

Chapter 3's dark world is definitely TV themed, there's no way it can't. I know Tenna is the big TV related baddie now, but Im using Mike in this take. If Spamton is the more passive parallel to Mettaton, Mike in this chapter 3 take would be the darker direct parallel. Instead of the dreamer from humble beginnings who, even if he can be vain and self centered at times, still means well deep down like Mettaton is, Mike would be the cynical producer type who's fueling problems in the industry to make it big on top. A dark Mettaton if you will. Basically like this

https://www.tumblr.com/paintedhen/703948707502145536/determinators-determinators-mettaton-has?source=share

WHICH SIDE NOTE METTATON IN DELTARUNE IS DEPRESSING IM SO SORRY FOR HIM

https://www.tumblr.com/everysongineverykey/691083816166686720?source=share

I KNOW I KEEP LINKING OTHER POSTS BUT ITS NOT MY FAULT EVERYONE IS COOKING! GRAHHH Mettaton's such a character man. He makes me think lots of things and I wish I could gather my thoughts more clearly

[nofomogirl]

Metatron's manipulation step by step

Part 6: Divide and conquer

Part 1 - where I discuss the significance of the coffee.

Part 2 - where I take a look back at season 1

Part 3 - from Metatron's arrival on Earth to sending the Archangels away

Part 4 - inside the bookshop after sending the Archangels away

Part 5 - at the table in the street

In the previous part, I discussed the fragments of conversation in which Metatron made his offer.

This is how the conversation ends:

"Well, you don't have to answer immediately. Take all the time you need." "I... I don't know what to say." "Well then, go and tell your friend the good news."

Doesn't it seem weird to you?

I was never offered a job as a Supreme Archangel, obviously, but I was offered a few things in my life. I also made other people various offers. And I've been part of the talks where someone made somebody else an offer. And in my experience, you don't normally say "You don't have to answer immediately" to someone who has already said "yes".

That's what I meant by all those asterisks in Part 5 - we never see Aziraphale actually agree to go to Heaven!

Crowley asked Aziraphale if he said no, and Aziraphale answered first with a stunned "Not at all" and then choked silence. And both Crowley and us as an audience, in the heat of the moment assumed that it meant Aziraphale said the opposite. But it doesn't! The fact that Aziraphale didn't say no doesn't automatically mean he said yes!

Then we see Metatron acting as if it was all settled. He just comes into the bookshop and asks Aziraphale if he's ready to start. We see Aziraphale go to Heaven. So it only seems logical that he agreed to it right after it was offered, during that conversation outside, at the coffee table.

But here's the thing - I really truly doubt he did. The possibility of pardoning Crowley made him very open to it, yes, but it was not a done deal. He expected to take it after Crowley was on board, and he expected Crowley would be on board. But he didn't give Metatron any definite answer.

And working around it was, in my personal opinion, the evilest part of Metatron's scheme. He basically tricked Aziraphale into acting on a choice he didn't actually make.

Just look at the scene after Crowley leaves the bookshop. It's all Metatron just rushing Aziraphale, and very purposefully not giving him a single second to think and process.

He said "Take all the time you need." but then he was inside the bookshop the second Crowley was gone. Like honestly, if he tried to enter any earlier, he and Crowley would bump into each other in the doorway.

He said "Take all the time you need." but then when Aziraphale mentioned his bookshop he just announced he had already entrusted it to Muriel. He doesn't even ask beforehand, he just makes those plans for Aziraphale.

He said "Take all the time you need." but when Aziraphale falters, he just pressures him with "Anything you need to take with you?" uttered in a borderline condescending tone.

Throughout the entire scene, he acts as if Aziraphale was trying his patience by unnecessarily delaying their departure and he's clearly desperate to lead Aziraphale out of the bookshop immediately.

I can't think of another reason for his behavior, for putting this fake time pressure on Aziraphale, other than the fact that for Metatron's plan to work Aziraphale cannot be allowed to just stop and think. If Aziraphale manages to gather his thoughts and calm down, the chances are very high that he will turn Metatron down and stay.

Because why would he go?

We clearly saw he wasn't interested in the offer until it was extended to Crowley. That was the hook. But now that Crowley had refused, what was the point of going again?

If you think it's illogical and far-fetched, I assure you it's a common trick used in real-life manipulations. If you want someone to do something they don't really need or want, just act as if it was already decided. Speak quickly, rush them into acting, and preferably trigger their emotions somehow, so that they aren't 100% rational.

Aziraphale right after his argument with Crowley was a perfect target for this strategy. He was very VERY emotional and incapable of thinking straight. Putting him under just a little external pressure was enough to make him go along with pretty much anything.

The question is how could Metatron know he would have Aziraphale in such a vulnerable state, to push him where he needed him?

The answer is, sadly, Crowley.

We all focus on how Metatron fooled Aziraphale, and rightly so. But it's time we start talking about how he played Crowley. Because play him he did, like a bloody fiddle.

In fact, Crowley did most of his work for him.

Metatron could get only so far in convincing Aziraphale Heaven is not that bad. But Crowley attacking Heaven AND simultaneously lashing at Aziraphale? That, unfortunately, was bound to push Aziraphale towards Heaven.

It's really a tragic irony that Aziraphale approached Crowley with the intention to only take Metatron's offer if Crowley took it too, but was left to take the offer because Crowley rejected it so vehemently.

Metatron could bank on Crolwey's and Aziraphale's interaction to turn into the communication disaster that it was for a very simple reason - he knew what the offer would do to Crowley, and he knew Aziraphale wouldn't be able to understand what was happening.

In short: Metatron knew what Crowley's triggers were, and Aziraphale didn't.

Add to that the fact that, in case you didn't notice, Crowley has some serious anger issues this season. The best (and one of the very few) takes on the topic I've seen so far is this post, originally by @weirdgirlcore, with insightful comments by @ineffable-aurelia. And during his outbursts, Crowley is NOT rational - which I've mentioned here.

Metatron knows this. He knows because even if he hadn't been paying attention earlier, Crowley's lightning fit was pretty conspicuous...

He knows Crowley is a ticking bomb right then and he knows how to set it off. He didn't need to know how exactly the shards would fly. He just needed to know the explosion would happen so that he could stroll into the crater afterward to wisk away the shell-shocked angel who had no mental capacity to resist.

So he does just that.

He enters the bookshop and pushes Aziraphale.

Continued in: Part 7: Finishing touches

[chameleonsallinvermillion]

I can't stop thinking about how insane The Trial must be if you're just a random citizen buying a ticket to a theatrical event. Imagine if you're some sort of local journalist writing up a review for the arts column. How do you even discuss that?

Even better, imagine you're a tourist. Just an innocent tourist, you've got an afternoon free, let's go to a matinee. How do you explain that afterwards to your friend who stayed in the hotel room with a headache? How do you even process that?

You show up to a theatre. Half the audience seems to already know what's going on. They're making a big deal about it being their first ever matinee but you don't really understand why. There's a lot of talking and not a lot of anything happening. Everybody sort of acts like you should already know who the characters on trial are. The make-up and blood effects are disturbingly realistic but for some reason whenever the defendants try to speak, they have this weird fake fit and act like there's mind-readers trying to stop them talking. You don't know what to make of this.

It's all talking and no events. Everyone is excited when one guy shows up and you don't know why. Possibly he's a fan favourite actor or something for the regulars. You can't tell whether the animosity and going-off-script moments from him and the guy playing the judge are part of the play or happening for real.

How do you process the moment with Lestat's brilliant "magic trick" where he reappears at the back of the theatre to argue with an audience member? Only the soldiers themselves know that they're not part of the script but to everyone else, surely that looks like an audience plant. How do you rationalise this break in the action? Sure, you're impressed by the disappearing trick but what does this have to do with anything? Is it a "let he who is without sin" kind of thing?

At no point do you fully understand what the relationship is meant to be between this vampire child they keep talking about and the other woman on trial. You keep expecting some sort of dramatic twist, or for the defendants to speak and the play to head in a new direction, but apparently this isn't that kind of theatre.

There's a moment when you find your mouth moving without you being in control of it. When you find yourself shouting for banishment of that one man without really understanding why you're doing it. What happened there? How do you make sense of that later, looking back on it? Why is there suddenly a comedy beat about Belgium in the middle of this tense dramatic moment? Are you just not cultured enough to get it?

You appreciate the melodrama of the girl threatening to kill you but it's disconcerting how convincing she is. You'll spend the rest of your life wondering how they pulled off that burning-alive effect. You'll never figure it out. Whilst she's burning, the little girl starts singing some sort of song which you, as a non-local, do not recognise. You have absolutely no idea what it's supposed to mean.

And then the play just ends. There's no wrap up, there's no conclusion, there's no scene that gives you some idea of what happened to the other man in Belgium or where we go from here. There's no message. There's just dust on the stage and presumably another version of the costumes the characters were wearing? It's the most impressive magic trick you've ever seen. Are the actors not going to come out and take their bows? Is there no applause? Is this some kind of French arty thing that you don't understand?

Imagine trying to make sense of this play later. Imagine trying to explain it to anybody.

[zukazukazuka]

Serika Toa to Retire on April 27, 2025

Long reflective navel-gazing and emotional processing under the cut.

tl;dr: If I had a nickel for every time I inadvertently planned a trip during a Soragumi taidan, I'd have two nickels.

Second nickel hurts way worse.

Inevitably, living on the opposite side of the world means I usually wake up to messages about these things before I actually see them for myself. I remember waking up on July 7, 2017 to things like "wow...hope you like Soragumi!" when her transfer was announced. It feels oddly prophetic that that year we inadvertently planned our trip to catch Asaka Manato's taidan show as well as Kiki's last Grand Theater show with Hanagumi. I cried a lot on that trip, honestly.

Once you start to immerse yourself, it's easy to get attached to your first round of top stars. We'd gotten to see Maasama and Soragumi in Elisabeth the year before, and I was sad she was leaving. Hanagumi was our home troupe, and my favorite actress was transferring. Both shows were incredible, and to this day SANTE!! remains my favorite revue of all time. I think we saw it some ridiculous amount of eight times, back when it was possible to have the privilege of satisfying your brainrot by waiting outside the Tokyo Theater at 5 AM in hopes of getting same-day tickets. I remember the utter devastation of seeing that show from the 4th row, of getting arrowed with a Kukochihiko stare from the silver bridge during her duet with Mirio that made me squirm in my seat. I remember how loud the audience was on senshuuraku in Tokyo, it felt like we were at a rock concert rather than a Takarazuka show, and how satisfying that was, despite the tears.

It's hard to believe that was seven years ago, which feels both so close (literally to a degree, as you don't have to scroll very far down this blog to get my live reaction posts lol) and somehow yet so far away (thanks COVID).

Two months ago, we bought tickets to go back to Japan in January, our first trip since 2019.

This morning I woke up to messages again.

And now apparently I've stumbled yet again into a Soragumi taidan, "my" taidan, which of course I knew ultimately was on the nearer horizon since June 2023, but could never have guessed how fraught everything in between would become.

I can't help but feel exceptionally, heartbreakingly sad.

I fell in love with Kiki from the very first time I set foot in Quatre Reves and saw her photo as Rudolf in 2014. She has always been my favorite since that day, and by the time she goes it will have been effectively 10 and a half years. 10 years, nibante under two long-running top stars, through pandemic closures and changes, and effectively 1.5 GT shows as top. In truth, I'd always prepared myself for a short run. 3 shows would've been just enough to give her 'decent' time without really feeling like they were just shoveling her off after so long as #2, although I would've been cranky about it. 4 or 5 would have been an ideal sweet spot. At this point, I'm sure 3 was always the initial plan, and I hope that had been satisfying for her going into things.

It just extra fucking sucks now.

Today I can't help but feel regret for falling off as much as I did after her transfer. I was able to see her in both of those 2019 trips, thankfully at least once on stage, but the double whammy of Mirio leaving and COVID closures made it feel a lot hard to stay connected to Takarazuka in general - which is ironic, given that I will never, ever not find it surreal to watch a raku livestream on my fucking couch at 12 AM. But I didn't watch as many as I could have. One of my favorite things had always been seeing iride photos on twitter, and it made me feel like even if I couldn't be there, I could still "keep up" with what was happening day to day. Unfortunately (or rather fortunately, given this last year) I am famously too lazy to make a lot of effort to read things in Japanese, even if Takarazuka helped improve it for a time. I have limited space and desire to buy dozens of GRAPHs or other magazines for interviews. I moved on to other interests, but always kept one finger on the pulse of things. At one point, as things went on longer and longer, I thought so many times "hey girl, if you wanna pull a MiyaRuri and bounce without making top, I fully respect and support that, even if I won't get to see you one last time."

Well.

I don't have much I want to say here about what happened last year, except that I hope such a horrendous tragedy does ultimately lead to a lot of reform at the revue. Unlike apparently most everyone, I didn't go digging around the internet for names and 'what really' happened (see: lazy, also not my fucking business). I don't know, I don't want to know, and at this point frankly I don't really care about anyone's particular opinion about the people involved, or whatever outcome they think should have happened.

But we are where we are, now.

Last week, in my naive hope that after we got through Escalier's break with no taidan announcement, I was guessing that she might yet go later next year. I'd been reading the schedule wrong and complaining about the possibility of a late summer taidan, because Japan is fucking horrendous in summer, only to realize that it would've really been October, which would be ideal, although truthfully I'm not sure I could have swung a second trip in one year. I'd been sad about not getting to see her possible ohirome during my favorite time of year, since I couldn't swing a trip last year. In hindsight, I'm glad it turned out as "lucking" into actually seeing taidan rather than potentially have booking a trip last fall and "wasting" it, and that I no longer have to worry about whether or not I get to see it. But it still really fucking sucks.

Part of what helps offset the hurt of an actress retiring, especially your actress, especially a top star, is the celebration of all that's come before. Coming in as a fan in 2014, I saw all of the photos and videos of the last day festivities of Teru and Chie, which continued through all of the others that left in subsequent years. I felt devastated for the top stars who left during the height of pandemic closures, who couldn't have that, and for fans who couldn't get to see it. I'm not even sure what taidans look like these days, as I'm sorry to say a consequence of only trailing vaguely along on the hype train for the past several years is that I haven't seen any taidan shows or bothered with social media to know if they do even a semblance of those last day activities, even for the troupe. It makes me sad to think that maybe those sorts of things are perhaps long gone, just generally. Even if they aren't, though, I doubt we'd get any of that, anyway.

So in absence of that element or really any other joy, all I can really feel is bitterly sad.

In truth, I have a lot of complex feelings about her whole run, and have for many years, but those aren't things I care to lay out here. Suffice it to say, this whole situation feels like icing on that whole cake, I guess.

As I was writing all of this, I realized that just because of timing and that we usually prioritized seeing grand theater shows over small ones, the only time I will have seen Kiki live in a lead show will be her last one. I realize that compared to many people I'm privileged to go at all, let alone the number of times I've already done so in the past, but I'm still utterly heartbroken.

At the end of Escalier last weekend, I'd been so happy to see a semblance of her old self again. Her jokes, her smile, which has always felt like sunshine to me. I can't ever know her real feelings, but I hope that maybe there is some relief for her, knowing there's an end in sight. I hope that despite everything, she can find a satisfying life after the fact, that she'll still be able to perform, if she wishes. At the end of it all, I do feel thankful for the things we do have, the experiences I've had up to this point. My one tiny silver lining is that Sakura is (supposedly, maybe, fingers crossed) hanging around, hopefully for a while, because she's an incredible powerhouse and deserves the world. I'm grateful to her for being Kiki's partner and radiating love at her on stage, and terribly looking forward to seeing that in person.

Anyway, time to go cry some more, and eventually write a letter.

[panelshowsource]

i know people get a lil over-the-top with their line-up predictions

(i feel like i have so much to say about this but don't wanna get into it bc it's not nice to make fun of people for simply being excited about stuff?? but how are you gonna hear there's an "american comedy actor" on the upcoming series and sincerely suggest it's possibly let alone likely a-list hollywood star paul rudd... i love the enthusiasm but some of y'all gotta come back down to earth that's all i'm saying 😩)

but is it too much to ask for graham to just be on new year treat? 🥺 PLEASE? 🥺

omg so cute 💕 there are some people i just KNOW you guys are gonna go crazy for or fall in love with once you see them on something, she was like textbook tumblr crush hahaha

in case you didn't know she's one of the only co-writers of guy mont spelling bee so check that series out if you love her humour!! she is also on s01e01 of the nz ver :)

btw you didn't fall in love w her as hard as robbie did hehehe he is fan goals 🤭

sorry i am late to this ask — did you mean the last one laughing uk version? YES so excited especially because he's co-hosting with roisin and i love how funny he finds her! people have their predictions and i am gonna put it out there for a second time that i think joe lycett and judi love are underrated horses in this race. i know judi loves a laugh BUT she can hold her character with the best of them...👀

we need more new shows!!! i miss everyone ;;

THE REST IS ENTERTAINMENT OF COURSE!!!

wow i'd never heard of this channel (sorry i really don't know youtubers — but i'd like to! i keep saying i want to get into the history and zoology sectors of youtube essays (pls send if you have any you love lol)) but i'm glad to see the pod being used as a legitimate point of research!

bc casual listeners may not realise that when marina & richard address topics and answer audience questions, they're going to specialists in the industry — actors, writers, producers, showrunners, journalists, investors — and getting their input before coming on the pod for discussions. that's a major part of what gives the podcast the depth and authority we find so fascinating!

but was he wrong!! lmao he's so quick

ooo thanks i appreciate it! i listened to the sue perkins and nish kumar episodes and they were really fun — especially because i love goss and little personal life easter eggs. if you have a fave episode lmk!!

i can't say the format of the show blows my mind, but i do think with the right guests it can be fun — and elis is def one of my faves (he's such an underrated yapper)!! i loved alex, ivo, rose, sam as well. i do worry the show won't be worth a full episode listen with the wrong guest or chemistry, but for now i'm staying tuned in! i'll try to post some clips from it too

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[marithlizard]

Having gotten the "wow this episode was 500% more lighthearted than I expected" thoughts out of the way, there's still a LOT to unpack. 1. First off, who lied to Blitzo and Fizz to keep them apart? They obviously realized who and felt no need to say it aloud. I can only think of two possiblities so far: Cash, lashing out at his son, and Mammon, seeing a vulnerable talent to exploit. Both of them would want to keep Fizz isolated and dependent. (Did Barbie also get lied to? Is there more behind her anger at him? I hope so, it'd be more dramatically satisfying.)

2. I'm really impressed by how hard the creators tried to get the portrayal of Fizz's disability right. Very matter of fact, no lingering on painful details or inspirational bravery etc. Fizz has frankly awesome prosthetics and uses them with ease. He doesn't want his horns to be seen, even when he first wakes up and no one else is around, and that means the audience doesn't get to see them either except briefly during a flashback. Blitzo isn't the pitying type in any case but Fizz makes it clear to him that he's okay with himself as he is and happy with his life.

I can't say if the writers got it right, that's not my call to make, but it's obvious that they tried.

(Also the chihuahua on wheels is so cute as a low-key detail)\

3. Blitzo is more open and honest with Fizz than we've seen him with anyone else except Barbie. Even before they start to reconcile, he's only at a mild level of defensive hostility compared to how he was with Verosika, and once they're in the cage together it's obvious he still thinks of Fizz as his best friend at a gut level.

Thanks to that, we finally get to hear what his problem is with Stolas. He's interpreting every expression of care and interest as fake and trying to stay hostile and aloof to protect his heart, but he can't even keep his angry face on while he's ranting about how noble demons don't care about us plebes. He so obviously wants the affection to be real. But I still think he's going to take the crystal gift in the worst possible way.

4. Striker's "Why is it always a sex thing with you people?!" attitude amuses the heck out of me. I have to sympathize with him there. (Also loved Blitzo's "oh great, the supremacist is praising me" line, reinforcing that he knows everything he just said was him being in denial.) I'm getting the sense that we will find out why Striker hates royals so much at some point.

[melodramatic-orchestra]

you know what everyone struggles with, in 5x04? the episode where after maddie leaves, and esp the scene where chimney meets up with buck (and ends up punching him...)

it's no one's fault, and also everyone's fault.

1. Maddie : maddie's incident with jee yun makes her believe that she's a bad mother, when in actual fact, she's done the absolute best she can, especially when she wasn't with Chimney.

Maddie leaving jee yun at the firehouse with only ravi there, was a bad move, she left her with someone who she doesn't know, looked like he doesn't have any experience with taking care of a baby, unloaded that responsibility on him. She left with everyone in the dark, especially chimney. She only told Buck, which was also unfair because now he's in an awkward position as maddie's brother and chimney's friend.

She left to get treated for her postpartum in the end, after trying to her own life in the ocean. She left out of suicidal thoughts. She made sure to come back, getting herself treated the best she could with help.

Chimney: Chimney unravels after maddie leaving. Being left with only a short video that has undertones of her voice sounding like even she doesn't believe herself, he struggles with work, the house and jee yun.

Chimney wasn't there. That's something he knows, too. He did it once in the beginning of the pregnancy, and what the audience doesn't notice is that he repeats it. It's not on purpose, of course. The blackout was troublesome, having him leave days on end, maddie and jee yun alone. He should've stayed with them, that's it. It went on for days, and the minute it went on longer, he could've pit in a request to leave, something most of us knows bobby would've approved. But that didn't happen. This isn't really a fault, more of something he could've done. Which is probably what he overthinks and ends up lashing out on buck for. He punches buck and lashes out on him for being in the dark about maddie, even though Buck could've told him, which he eventually does only because Chimney figured out Buck already had known. He shouldn't have punched buck full stop. The relationship between them got strained from there even though Chimney has done something similar to buck as well in the past. But I'm not going into that.

Chimney's words when he was talking was right though, maddie is scared and alone, only because she's being led on by her own fear, which knows because she's opened up to Chimney about it, not buck (which chimney doesn't realise) coming to my next point.

Buck: Buck keeps a huge secret for maddie from Chimney because she asked him to. Possibility on him negating the entire thing the entire time, maddie is telling him this is high. My own prediction is that he was unable to do that also because he was on shift. Chances are that maddie told him on the phone, due to the long shift.

Buck should've told Chimney immediately. I mean, he does, because even he can't take it seeing his friend like this. But he does, and that'sonly because again Chimney figures it out, so he'll leave maddie alone, which isn't right. Buck's response to Maddie leaving as we all know is, she'll come back. Whether he's blinded by the relationship that's been set from how they grew up together or from wishful thinking is an unrelated story for later.

Buck does his best to help Chimney later by telling him where he thinks she is, from her phone call, where she asks him why he told Chimney. His own talk with Eddie helps him in realising that his sister isn't just his sister. She is someone with other faces and has flaws.

Maddie left in her own breakdown after her catalyst freak accident with Jee Yun but went to get treated for her and Chimney. Chimney punched Buck, but his own words after that say how scared he was his partner is out there alone, when she needs someone more than ever. Buck should've never kept this secret from Chimney, but he ended up doing that from his past experience with Maddie.

When i say no one's at fault and everyone's at fault, i mean, i can blame everyone, but i can't one person individually cause it's a ripple effect of faults from here and there. If i played the blame, I'll never get to the bottom of it and fail to see and support the characters' decision to do what's best for them.

Maddie Buckley, Howard Han, Evan Buckley, they could never make me hate you.