#No mother? No scene? all it takes is confidence and attitude? can't look in a mirror without thinking yeah. They were right for it.

[sirenemale]

SCARED BEING A DRAG MONSTER WILL FIX YOU?! YOU SHOULD BE

[hikennosabo]

random knives thoughts (trimax vol 7)

my vol 7 post is getting long and i have so much to say about knives that i think he deserves his own post, lol. and this got way longer than i expected it would.

not sure how to structure this though. i guess i'll just... go in chapter order.

this volume is a LOT to take in, in general, but also with regards to knives specifically. we see past and present versions, and the difference is night and day.

^ i love this scene of rem scolding knives so much, because it's just so... normal. a normal mother and son interaction. he was just a normal kid.

i also love this next scene, and i want to go through it slowly.

knives is so worried about conrad's reaction to them. he can't make eye contact. his face is red. he's trying to talk politely. he's trembling and sweating. compared to vash, who looks a little concerned, but relatively nonplussed.

i love how this is the only question conrad asks, and the two of them immediately answer. that's all that's needed.

i love the panel of knives crying so much. i can't imagine him crying like this as an adult... he's so emotional about all this. and i love vash comforting him by putting his arm around him. vash has to say "thank you" because knives is crying so much he can't even speak. knives was such a sweet kid, y'all.

and then there's this. now conrad is scolding knives like a parent, too. it's just. everything about this interaction is so sweet. it almost paints a picture of what could have been. things could have been different in another timeline. ugh ugh ugh

knives being the sensitive one, and the one with so much hope and confidence that plants and humans can get along, it hurts. it's almost hard to believe that the twins basically swapped in their outlooks and attitudes from being kids to adults.

^ that being said, put a pin in this.

^ not posting this one for any particular reason other than i think that knives being a little hackerman is so cute

^ i NEED to include these panels, though, because it's such a sibling moment. if you couldn't tell (lol), i love the bits of normal familial interactions we see, and the twins' scenes specifically just serve to emphasize how wrong everything is in the present day.

"since when have we been so different?" ...the line in tristamp which kills me the most. (if this line appears in a future volume i might actually just climb right into the microwave.)

and then we get the tesla scene. it's already been discussed at length, but knives being so traumatized that he passed out is just. so much. it broke him. it broke him!! and he slept through everything after that. it seems like a small mercy, compared to vash's self-starvation and suicide attempt, but in the long run... it wasn't. he wasn't able to work through his emotions with rem like vash did. he didn't hear the blank ticket story, or see rem cry.

aaand then he wakes up and immediately pretends to have amnesia. i'm gonna be honest, i wasn't actually sure at first if he was lying or not. but his anger and grief and fear are too extreme for it to be a reaction to simply "rem calmly explaining what happened." although i also thought the twins Forgetting Traumatic Events could be like. a running thing here. maybe.

also his "?" face is so cute. (somehow i forgot to include this one in my knives baby pictures post...)

the chapter 3 title kills me btw.

"i thought it would be better if he still knew the truth." i wonder if vash blames himself for knives's breakdown because of this. (he would've had a breakdown anyway...) and there's something to be said here about vash thinking this when he's the one who ends up blocking out traumatic memories in the future. thanks to knives, no less.

his conversation with rem kills me, also. "are you trying to bear all of this by yourself?" "yeah. i am." he just. admits it. and his expressions are so muted now compared to previous chapters. rem is trying but unfortunately she didn't try hard enough.

the mom-son hug... :( the way he clings to her. he's thinking about revenge, but it's so clear that he still loves his mom.

and that leads right into this. it's still a little while in between this and knives making the ships fall, but, i don't know, with the way he breaks out of the hug, then turns away, then turns back to say thank you, it feels like this is knives's goodbye to rem. like this is when he steels his resolve, almost. maybe i'm reading too much into it, idk. plus he looks so tired. he looks more like his adult self now.

it's more like he's telling himself this, rather than telling vash. he's choosing to be angry instead of afraid. (or acting like it, at least.) and with his face in shadow like in the flashbacks earlier in the story...

^ PAGES THAT KILL ME. the last sense of normalcy right before disaster. knives's expressions don't seem insincere here. maybe he was allowing himself some happiness before the execution of his plan.

and then, of course, we see him having a fucking breakdown.

they hurt to look at, but i love these pages so much. his face divided in two by shadow, tears on one side, blood on the other... he's. conflicted about his actions, to say the least.

but when he succeeds, he has no choice but to lean into it, yknow? no time for regrets.

^ me when i lie. honey, you don't look rational.

and then we smash cut to the present day.

i love this panel. knives looks so small here.

and i ADORE this page so much. it's gorgeous; poignant, even. and we've never seen knives kneel like this before. man, this volume has such good knives images. (also i was rereading this chapter with my music on shuffle and 'take me to church' started playing while i was looking at this page. interesting experience)

there is. so much in this scene. knives expresses regret for killing plants in the big fall. knives saying - STILL saying - that he's angry rather than afraid.

a lot has been said about knives's hypocrisy already, but there's something to be said about knives criticizing humanity, and saying that humans will selfishly consume plants "like parasites"... and then essentially doing that himself. absorbing other plants so he can use their energy instead of his own.

i think the phrasing he uses is interesting, though. it's almost as if he's asking the plant rather than using force. the gentle way he puts his hand on the glass, too. showing more respect to her than to his own brother. i mean, i guess it doesn't really matter because non-independent plants don't have free will anyway(?), and maybe that's exactly why he's acting like this(??), but. idk. it's interesting.

^ including this page for no reason other than it fucks severely.

and then finishing the chapter and seeing the chapter title again is just. ugh. like, so much happens in between the start and the end that you kinda forget what the title is and then it hits you like a truck. king of loneliness.

^ another page i'm including for the sole reason that it fucks severely.

^ yet ANOTHER spread that i absolutely adore, but i have more to say about it this time lol. i'm obsessed with how beautiful this page is, it's a renaissance painting to me. it's just the contrast of it all. knives, the villain, in a delicate pose, juxtaposed against the body horror, sleeping peacefully with fabric draped all around. the majority of the spread being white creates a sense of purity and also contrasts beautifully with the use of black in the other two knives spreads i posted above. instantly one of my favorite pages in the manga. and he's absorbed, what, three or four plants by now? making his aura so powerful even when he's asleep. which makes this image of him snoozing even more uncanny in context.

...now that i think about it, knives sleeps a lot, doesn't he? he's essentially "asleep" at the beginning of the manga until he gets resurrected, he passed out from trauma as a child, there was that time in volume 4 when he was soooo eepy and yawned in legato's face, and now this...

:( it's been said already, but knives has turned tesla into a symbol, much like vash with rem. if tesla had this power, what would she have done? we'll never know.

"i won't let you," he says. knives. honey. some self-reflection, please. whose fault was it that he ever used those powers at all. i'm begging you. LOOK INWARD.

^ more like millions guns lol. but actually i just wanted to point out he manifests 13 guns! thirteen, like the ghg! or it's just a coincidence.

knives insisting that this is a war... things to say when you're definitely not afraid of humans you swear. and then we get the dialogue from tristamp episode 12 from the scene that kills me the most.

at this point i said to myself (which isn't the first time i've had this thought reading trigun, and won't be the last), "why can't they just talk to each other like normal people?" LOL yeah so we're taking that pin out from way earlier in this post: "we can work through a few little differences if we just talk to each other." but if knives was capable of doing that, well the story wouldn't be happening at all, now would it? the concept of talking it out became impossible to him the moment he and vash discovered tesla.

also damn that post about knives seeing vash as an extension of himself wasn't kidding! i don't think i can add anything else to that, just. yep, it's literal!

aaaand anything else i have to say will have to be in my volume 7 post proper because i've hit the image limit LMAO. i just. wow. knives. what a character. what a villain. i'm rotating him in my mind like a rotisserie chicken.

[michellesmusing]

Blue Pearl - Chapter 2

Oh god, I can't post this on my Goran website... The Shame hahaahah! Here we are..

********

Chapter 2 Father Figure

Willem did remember that one night in December 1996 with Elizabeth on the set of “Speed 2: Cruise Control” in Saint-Martin. He was trapped in his hotel room with her and the night was quite stormy and Windy… He had worked the whole day filming the scenes where he kidnaps Sandra Bullock from the Cruise Ship, and even though he was exhausted after a long day on that ship, the scenes with Sandra Bullock had turned him on for some odd reason… Elizabeth and him ended up under the covers that night, endlessly making love to her like no tomorrow… He liked to joke about Michelle’s temper, blaming it on the weather during the night she was conceived!

Back in 1997, Willem was already the father of a teenager named Jake and wasn’t sure if he was ready to be once again a father… It’s only later during the release of “Speed 2” in Theaters, June 13th, 1997 to be exact that Willem learned the sex of his baby… A Girl! He did remember the overwhelming feeling that took him off his feet, as he would be a father for the second time at the age of 42 years old.

9 Months later his torrid night with Elizabeth in Saint-Martin, he welcomed Michelle into this world and swore he’d be a better father than he was with Jake.. This is where Willem went over the edge for Michelle. She was his precious blonde haired baby girl, it even cost him his marriage as his wife from that time realized that Willem didn’t really care about her, but Michelle.

Willem only did worse by Spoiling Michelle to no end when she was a child and the young woman grew with the idea of taking everything for granted. He couldn’t help it, giving her everything she wanted. She was as cute as a button with her blonde light hair and her baby blue eyes back in her toddler days… Willem was never capable of saying no to his daughter when she was a child.. He was blaming himself for her attitude, but now, it needed to stop, Michelle had to grow up a bit and become a responsible woman.

Michelle had learned at a young age that she was easily attracting the attention of people with her good looks and smart approach. When Willem brought her on the Stage of Spiderman in 2002, Michelle who was five at this time grew easily on everybody’s heart… One of the actresses on Stage once joked in front of Willem and Michelle about kidnapping Michelle, because she was too cute. The young blonde child didn’t find Kirsten's joke amusing at all and ended up in heavy tears in front of them. Willem had to take her in his arms and reassured her that no one would kidnap her and that he was keeping her at his side.

She was indeed Daddy’s lil girl and if Willem had to leave during months for filming, it was hard for Michelle to cope with the absence of her father. Willem was indeed missing the days that his daughter was just a small child, crying for him. How easy it was back in those days… All he needed to do was to take her in his arms and dry her tears…

These days were history as Michelle had grown up into a beautiful and uncontrollable woman. Her father’s fame had gone to her head, and she was enjoying it way too much… She could be despicable toward people that didn’t please her… But there was one person that Michelle always did respect, and it was Miranda the housekeeper. She had known her since she was a teenage girl, and never Michelle mistreated her as Miranda came from a toxic relationship, where she had been inflicted physical abuse for so many years.

That’s why when Michelle went to Vegas, she demanded Miranda to follow her and the housekeeper accepted her offer. She was the only person Michelle could count on, even seeing her as a mother. Michelle didn’t know how many hours she had spent confiding her most private secrets to Miranda.. She knew that with her, her secrets and confidences were kept safe, she never doubted Miranda’s trust at all.

Michelle knew that it was THE day, as Antun was on his way back to Las Vegas. It’s not as if she had the choice to begin with, she would be trapped with this man and had no idea who he was. She could only remember that he once was George Clooney’s bodyguard. She couldn’t remember where she had seen this, but she remembered it well.

Michelle sighed deeply as she sat on the cement floor alongside the pool, her legs slowly sliding down in the pool water, fluttering her small feet against the crystal clear water. Her blue eyes were gazing down at the two drains found at the bottom on the deep end, thinking about her father and Antun. She could kiss her freedom goodbye as she would have this man glued to her like flies on shit…

Miranda approached Michelle as she came out of the house by the patio door. She could tell the young woman was lost in her thoughts, Miranda had known Michelle for over ten years and she knew when something was wrong with the young woman.

“It’s going to be alright Michelle, don’t let it bring you down… Go, get your bathing suit and swim!!” As Miranda encouraged her to dress into her bathing suit, Michelle snorted in amusement at her housekeeper.

“I can’t, it’s my first day and I’m bleeding like crazy! I’d rather stay in my clothes and just dip my feet..”

Plus Michelle wasn’t in the mood at all to swim. She couldn’t help thinking about her ex boyfriend, wondering about the day where she’d wake up and not even the mere thoughts about him would pop up… One day, perhaps, but it wouldn’t be today for sure.

“Oh, I see! No worries, there are days like this. Say, I have prepared the bedroom on the second floor for our guest!” Miranda thought it would be nice to inform Michelle that Antun’s bedroom was ready on the second floor. Miranda was having her bedroom, and bathroom on the first floor as Miranda was living with Michelle… Thus since all the other bedrooms were located upstairs, Michelle wouldn’t really have the choice to live on the same floor as Antun at night.

The young woman rolled her eyes at the brief image of Antun popping in her mind.

“It’s ok Miranda, thank you… Thank you for everything you’re doing for me!!” Michelle was appreciating all the work done by Miranda in the house, and it’s at this precise moment that Miranda caught Dafoe’s daughter in tears by the side of the pool.

“Oh no, don’t cry like this Michelle!!” Miranda got closer to Michelle and sat down next to her on the concrete ground, wrapping an arm around her neck, knowing that she was saddened by many things in her life.

“It’s going to be ok!! Don’t cry like this…” Miranda tried her best to comfort Michelle, she hated seeing the young woman in tears like this.

“My father thinks I can't be an adult at all, he’s sending me this guy to babysit me, as if I was too stupid to take care of myself!!” Michelle angrily cried out to Miranda about what was bothering her.

Miranda secretly thought that Willem had made the right decision by sending Antun. Michelle was left by herself and she was indeed in need of a guide in her life by now, Antun seemed like a good choice, thought Miranda. He was tall, and had this calm aura and he wasn’t an eye sore either… He could only be beneficial for Michelle…Miranda thought he could be some sort of a father figure for the young woman, as it was obvious that Michelle always did seek this kind of figure from men. Perhaps it was explaining how her last relationship went down the drain like this.

“Come on, dry those tears and enjoy the day ok! Would you like some tacos for lunch, Michelle?” The young woman dried her tears from her cheeks and shook her head at Miranda.

“Nope! I’m just cranky I think! I will relax near the side of the pool. I’ll just eat the leftovers from last night… Don’t cook anything for lunch Miranda, I’ll be fine… I swear, I’m ok!!”

The housekeeper returned to her full height and left Michelle by herself as her cries slowly diminished.

“Alright, I’ll be inside if you need me, ok?” Michelle nodded at Miranda and watched her returning inside her house…

Meanwhile in Los Angeles, Willem made sure for Antun to be driven to his private jet as the Croatian man was ready to leave for Las Vegas. Willem had taken the short ride between his mansion and the airport with Antun, just to make sure that everything had been well explained for Antun.

“She’s sometimes not easy and you will see it rapidly. I want her to take her responsibilities, I don’t want her to go out every night and pay treats to everybody, they don't care about her. To them, she’s just the ungrateful daughter of Willem Dafoe, that’s all. If possible, I want her to invest more time in her dance studio and less time clubbing.”

That was easier said than done, thought Antun as he took place on the backseat of the spacious BMW owned by Willem, taking off his dark sunglasses, revealing his green eyes. Antun had already seen that Miss Dafoe wasn’t easy to deal with, but that didn’t really stress him at all. Michelle couldn’t be worse than all those Mega Stars a la Miley Cyrus, or Madonna… Not that Antun had been a Bodyguard for Madonna, but he could only imagine. She was just a young woman yearning for attention, and the way she treated people badly was just a shield she was using to protect herself.

“Don’t worry Willem, I’ll be there for her and I will make sure that she behaves well.” Willem had already planned everything, even stealing Michelle’s SUV keys, so Antun would be the only one authorized to drive her, oh wait, Willem’s SUV, because once again Willem was the one who had bought Michelle the Blue Lexus RX 350 to his daughter when she moved to Vegas.

Willem rummaged through his pants pocket and handed the set of Key Fobs to Antun.

“There you go, she’s not authorized to drive without you by her side… You’re old enough to know how to deal with her, but if she wanna drive, it’s with you, or she ain’t going anywhere. Keep the keys with you at all times, no exception.”

Willem was indeed crystal clear with Antun’s tasks. The 51 years old man nodded his head and agreed with Willem. He was being paid for a job, and Antun would do as Willem wished, no discussion needed at this point.

“What else can I say? I think I’ve said everything I wanted… And don’t hesitate, if Michelle ever gives you a hard time and I really mean it, you’re calling me right away, ok? I really mean it Antun!!”

Willem was completely stressed out, he had the feeling he had forgotten everything he wanted to tell Antun and the dark haired man ended up chuckling in amusement at Willem.

“Come on, take it easy Willem. I’m going to be fine…” He patted in a friendly manner Willem’s shoulder, hoping to reassure the man. Even though Antun sounded 100% confident, he didn’t really know Michelle. His first encounter with him had left a cold trace between them, as Michelle displayed her lack of enchantment toward him. Of course, she didn’t know him as well and Antun would allow her to get to know him, unless she wouldn’t want to.

The BMW soon arrived at the airport and pulled over on the tarmac near Willem’s private jet. Both men exited the Series 7 BMW and Antun was helped by the driver with bringing his suitcases in Willem’s jet.

“One more thing Antun, be gentle with her… I love her, she’s my daughter, she’s my flesh and blood. I don’t deserve an award for best father of the year, I know I’ve been absent for a major part of her life, but I will always love her and I don’t want anything bad to happen to her.”

Antun briefly smiled at Willem, capable of feeling what Willem was asking. Antun would give everything in his life to get 3 more minutes with his son Josh, who passed away when he was 8 years old.. So he perfectly fathomed the way Willem felt toward Michelle.

“No worries, I’ll take care of her!” These were the last words said by Antun before Willem hugged him and returned back to the BMW. Antun climbed into the Private Jet and installed himself in a seat, while the pilot was taking care of boarding his suitcases inside the private jet.

The flight went pretty well from Los Angeles to Las Vegas, almost no turbulence and Antun was quickly driven from the Harry Reid International airport to Michelle’s mansion in less than 40 minutes. To be honest, Antun wasn’t that thrilled about that job offered by Willem, and there were many reasons why… He had accepted to do this job, because he had known Willem for Decades, way before Michelle’s birth. It was also paying well, and he knew it was just a 5 month contract. Once Willem would be done with filming his new movie in Japan, his contract would expire.

A man working for Willem, picked up Antun at the Airport and drove it to Michelle’s mansion. The tall man stepped out of the car and retrieved his suitcases from the trunk of the car, he then tipped the driver and headed toward the large entrance of the luxurious house. Antun stepped on the porch nervously and rang the bell several times, before Miranda showed up at the door.

“Oh, hello sir!!” Miranda, who was as short as Michelle, had to lean back her head to have a complete look at Antun.

“Please come in! Let me take care of your luggage!” Miranda rushed to help Antun with his luggage and the Croatian man flashed her a smile.

“No worries, don’t, please Ma’am. I’m fine!” He didn’t want Miranda to help him with the suitcases, he was ok and he thought she already had enough to deal with..” Miranda nervously laughed in Antun’s presence and still didn’t want him to be worried about his luggage, she’d make sure to store them in his bedroom.

“Your bedroom will be upstairs, and if you wish I can give you a tour of the place in a few!” Antun nodded his head, and accepted Miranda’s offer for the tour of the house. Even though he had seen a bit of the place 24 hours ago, he still had no idea where his bedroom was located.

“Ok, how about going outside, to the pool huh, would you like a beer?” Miranda proposed to Antun to drink a beer by the side of the pool and he agreed. It’s not as if he would refuse this offer, on this hot and dry day typical of Las Vegas.

Miranda was extremely nervous around Antun for different reasons, the main being that Antun was an attractive man, but Miranda had to stay professional… She was also stressed, because she was frightened by Michelle’s reaction once she would meet him for real, Antun. Miranda pointed out the backyard and explained to him that Michelle was outside by the pool.

“Be careful though, she’s very cranky…” Miranda bit the inside of her cheek before revealing why Michelle was cranky.

“It’s that time of the month!” She giggled after revealing Michelle’s mood.

“Oh, I see.. Alright, I’ll be careful!” He said in a playful manner, not really scared of a woman on her period… He found it more amusing than frightening at this point.

There she was, sitting up on her sun chair with a Baseball cap covering her head and keeping her face in the shadow. She was wearing the same pinkish overall cotton as yesterday, but this time she was barefoot and she had rolled to her knees the bottom of her legs sleeve.

He slowly walked to her, dark sunglasses covering his green eyes. As soon as he got close enough to her, he caught the soft sunscreen scent emanating from her warm skin. She had a fair complexion due to the fact that she was blonde, and sunscreen wasn’t even an option for Michelle, she absolutely needed to apply layers of sunscreen on her skin, or else she would get sunburns.

“Hello, Miss Dafoe!” He flashed her a smile and the next thing he knew, Michelle looked up at him and quickly stood away from her sun chair and left the pool yard in a hurry, not even greeting him, which left Antun quite perplexed. He pushed his tongue against his cheek, a bit surprised by her reaction, but not really surprised to be exact. He snorted as the young woman disappeared from his sight.

“Alright!? I almost feel like at home” He said in a joking tone as Miranda stepped outside after seeing Michelle strolling back inside in a hurry.

“Oh no, so sorry!” Miranda sighed, disappointed in Michelle’s attitude.

“She can be a pest sometime. Really… Please enjoy your beer, and would you like some Tacos?” Antun agreed to eat some Tacos cooked by Miranda. She came back outside with the Tacos Plate and an bottle of Corona topped with a lime for Antun that was sitting at the patio table nearby the pool

“She’s quite cranky, I think you were right!” Antun once again joked about Michelle’s cranky attitude. Miranda tried to apologize as she thought it was an awkward situation.

“I’ll talk to her in a few. I don’t know why she’s acting like this with you sir!” For some reasons, Antun had a precise idea why Michelle was being this obnoxious with him.

“No, it’s ok… Let her alone. Give her time…” Antun knew better than going after Michelle, she was angry and it would only aggravate things by going after her, trying to change her mind.

The day passed by and Antun texted Willem to tell him that everything was alright with Michelle. He wanted to reassure her old man, because Antun was aware that saying the truth would’ve enraged Willem and caused havoc between him and Michelle…

Antun went to bed early that night, he was exhausted with the last two days that had drained him mentally and physically. He had eaten a good dinner with Miranda tonight, and Michelle had locked herself in her bedroom since the minute she left the pool this afternoon, so everybody in the large mansion was asleep by 11 eleven pm.

Antun wasn’t anxious at all concerning Michelle’s temper. She was indeed intense, but hey, that’s what happens when you conceive a child on the set of an Explosive Movie like “Speed 2: Cruise Control”… Antun knew the whole story about Willem and his torrid night in Saint-Martin, Willem once told the whole story after drinking too many mimosas..

6:48 AM, Las Vegas Time

The gentle notes of the piano awakened Antun from his deep sleep, to say that he had needed this sleep badly was an understatement… He slowly sat up in his bed and rubbed his sleepy eyes as he tried to recognize the song played by Miranda through the instrument downstairs… It was Orinoco Flow by Enya, at least this is what he concluded. Curious, the 6’4” man stepped out of the bed and dressed into a pair of sweatpants and a dark gray t-shirt before coming out of his bedroom, because by now, he wasn’t living alone anymore, but trapped with two women… He just couldn’t wander in his underwear in front of them.

He discreetly descended the spiral staircase and as he reached the middle of the staircase, he caught Miranda standing on the hall of the first floor. Her index finger straight up in front of her lips, motioning at Antun to stay quiet as Michelle was playing on her piano. Antun continued his descent at the bottom of the staircase, making sure not to disturb Michelle, who was indeed deeply focused on the instrument.

Antun’s green eyes widened as he reached the bottom of the staircase and caught sight of Willem’s daughter covering this famous song by Enya on a piano.. It was simply perfect, her fingers were running on the piano notes as if she had played the piano her whole life… He made sure not to interrupt her, both standing in awe a few feet away from Michelle.

Her short blonde hair was a mess as Michelle had fallen asleep with wet hair last night and she was wearing a Smurf Pajamas, which amused Antun. Under her harsh behavior, was trapped a little girl that was yearning for affection and kindness, but Michelle didn’t know how to cope with all of this, which was the reason she was putting on that shield. Antun was no Psychologist, but it was quite easy to interpret her behavior and the reasons behind it…

An hour later, Miranda cooked breakfast for Antun and Michelle. The temps were already high at 8 in the morning, Michelle had taken place by the pool a few minutes after playing the piano, dipping her feet again in the water of the deep end of the pool. No words have escaped Michelle’s lips yet toward Antun, she was still going on with ignoring him, but Antun knew that she would have to speak someday, or else it wouldn’t work between them. He knew she didn’t have the choice, and she was irritated by all of this, because for once in her life, Michelle had been told NO by Daddy…

Dressed in a black swimwear trunk, Antun entered the pool and swam toward Michelle who was sitting on the concrete ground near the end of the pool. Only her small feet were visible underneath the water and as Antun approached her, he caught the annoyance plastered all over her face. He knew how to deal with that, she was used to being complimented, and this is what he was going to do to break the ice. At least, he’d try!

“That piano riff was beautiful…” He said, smiling at her while having an arm resting on the side of the pool, keeping his head out of the water. That’s when Michelle snorted at Antun.

“I’ve played better…” She retorted. The reflection of the crystal clear water in her eyes had turned them into an intense shade of blue, she had dried traces of the sunscreen on her face, and a baseball cap covering her messy hair.

“No, I assure you, it was good!” He kept on complimenting her, and there it was, the faint of a smile finally brushing her delicate lips. She couldn’t say she wasn’t enjoying being complimented by Antun, at least nobody would’ve believed her. There he was, standing at 6’4” tall, dark haired, with a firm muscular shape, and a voice to die for… and Bonus as he was in his 50’s…

Michelle then kicked the water with her feet, lightly splashing Antun in the face, sending water against his dark sunglasses. She giggled as Antun acted surprised.

“Oh! You’re playing a dangerous game, Miss Dafoe!” He warned her with an amusing tone, only teasing her, and Michelle did it again, a mischievous smile growing on her lips.

Antun approached her and his large hands gently grabbed her by the waist and he lifted her up effortlessly in the air as if she was a ragdoll.

Michelle screamed and ended up laughing as Antun threw her in the water, while she was still fully clothed. She rubbed her eyes from the chlorine and swam away from Antun as he was seen laughing, proud of his little prank on the young woman. Her short hair was all wet and she had lost her cap in the water. Antun retrieved it and gave it back to her. At least he had broken the ice, she was by now speaking to him, which was a big step taken for both of them.

“Urghhh!!” She groaned at Antun, splashing him with water.

“I’m all wet now!!” She tried to appear angry in front of him, but Anton could clearly see her lil game, she still had this little smile stuck to her lips… He laughed goodly as Michelle exited the pool with her drenched clothes and entered her house to change.

Miranda was seen coming back outside when she caught Michelle in her wet clothes.

“Oh my, what happened?” Miranda was flabbergasted as she caught Antun, laughing in the middle of the pool.

“I gave her the attention she was craving for… Now she’s talking to me…” Antun smiled, proud of what he had achieved so far with the young woman.

[mimisempai]

Missing you comes in waves and tonight I'm drowning

Summary:

After seeing Loki disappear before his eyes and confined to the TVA because of the failed mission, Mobius decides to still believe in Loki and search for him. He witnesses the discussion between Sylvie and Loki on the train

Notes:

My theories on the method used by Mobius to locate Loki is probably very far-fetched and lacks technical truth, but that's not the most important point here, so I hope you'll forgive me for my short cuts. (I miss them together!)

https://archiveofourown.org/works/32162878

2008 words - Rating G

"Loki! Wait!"

Loki looked at him for a moment before stepping through the portal.

By the time they got there, it was too late Loki and the portal was gone.

"I knew he would betray us as soon as he could!" said one of the hunters right next to Mobius.

"Shut up!" shouted Mobius at him before returning to the TVA.

As he walked toward Ravonna's office, the same thoughts swirled over and over in his head.

Had Loki betrayed him! What were his plans? But worst of all, was he in danger?

He tried to think rationally.

Loki always said he was one step ahead, but Mobius knew that wasn't true. Loki was improvising. Loki was adapting. So reason told Mobius that this is what he had done.

That's when Mobius decided to do something he'd never done in his life at the TVA, he was going to bet on chaos. On the fact that Loki had chosen to follow the variant not only for his own sake but also because it was his mission.

Because Mobius could not imagine that what they had shared was nothing in the eyes of the god.

"Mobius! In my office!"

Ravonna... he was already imagining her reprimands, "I warned you" "he can't be trusted"...

As soon as he entered her office, she showed him a screen and just said, "Look!"

A scene showing the variant fighting in a hallway with the guards and Loki in the locker room retrieving his daggers then arriving at the place where the guards were eliminated.

Next scene Loki and the variant fighting, Loki trying to convince her to team up, at this point, despite the faith he has in him, Mobius could not determine if this is a way to stop her or get what he wants.

Then Rovenna arrives and the variant uses Loki as a hostage.

Mobius could not prevent a gasp.

Still on the screen, seeing that Rovenna is not persuaded, Loki grabs an object that opens a portal above them and he and the Variant disappear.

Mobius tried not to show his relief, but he saw that Rovenna was not fooled.

"So you still trust him?"

Mobius looked at her defiantly, "As long as I don't have concrete, real proof that he betrayed us, yes I’ll trust him!"

"Always the idealistic dreamer huh?"

Mobius didn't answer, Rovenna continued, "You're grounded here until I tell you otherwise. You can get out."

Once out, Mobius sat in a chair, held his head in his hands, and began to think. He was grounded, but there was nothing to stop him from trying to figure out where Loki was.

He just had to figure out how to locate him.

The difference was that now, thanks to Loki, he knew to look in the apocalypses, what he had to find now was the equivalent of that candy, something out of the ordinary, something anachronistic.

He stood up suddenly, he had found it!

He went to the office, where the screen that displayed all the nexuses was located.

"Casey! Come here!"

The younger man got up and joined him. Mobius spoke more softly, "Will you help me with a secret project?"

Casey, who had great respect for the man, nodded.

"Follow me."

They headed into the archive room. Mobius chose a table a little out of the way.

"You sit here. I'll be right back."

A few minutes later, he returned with a stack of files that he separated into two piles.

"In all these apocalypses, we need to find one where it mentions two Lokis variants and unusual magical acts."

"Got it!"

Mobius didn't know if his smoky theory would work out, but he didn't have much choice.

He couldn't help but think back to a similar scene a few days earlier, when Loki had fallen asleep. He had let his guard down in the presence of Mobius, so that meant something, didn't it?

He started to flip through the files.

"M-Mobius! I think I've got it!"

Casey was showing him a file, Lamentis-1 - 2077, a woman reports that two demons tried to attack her. One even allegedly posed as her deceased husband in order to get information.

Mobius could feel it in his bones. It was Loki and the Variant.

He was going to have to gamble on someone again.

"Casey. I need you to keep this a secret for a while longer. If Ravonna gets wind of this, I'm afraid she'll launch an assault and won't hesitate to eliminate Loki."

Casey nodded without taking time to think, "As long as you need Mobius."

Mobius was surprised that he didn't have to persuade Casey more than that.

After all, he seemed to be the good, loyal employee who never disobeyed.

Casey, seeing his reaction, added with a knowing smile, "You know, I like Loki too. He promised me he'd show me what a fish is and you know? The drink he took from me the other day, he bought me another one and apologized. A villain wouldn't take the time to do something like that right?"

Mobius's throat tightened. Casey was the first person other than himself to acknowledge that there was good in Loki.

"Thanks."

Casey nodded and returned to his desk.

Mobius headed straight for the video archive room. The advantage of being an agent of his rank was that he had unrestricted access to this section of the archives.

He searched through the shelves until he found the videos of Lamentis 1 in 2077.

He sat down in front of one of the small projectors provided for this purpose. He was going to start from the described scene that Casey had shown him.

After entering a few parameters, the screen lit up with Loki being blasted by an old woman.

The noise of the meteors that rained down around

Loki and the one who accompanied him, prevented Mobius from hearing what was being said.He pressed the fast-forward button until Loki and the girl, after some trouble to enter the train, found themselves in a box in the dining car.

He turned up the volume to hear their conversation.

He was amazed at how easily they seemed to converse, despite the jabs on both sides, and couldn't help a twinge of annoyance that he refused to recognize as jealousy.

The variant said to Loki, mockingly, "FYI, that wasn't even a plan."

"Oh, really?"

God how Mobius missed that cheeky attitude. Even when unmasked, Loki still had that irritating confidence.

The variant replied, "Plans have multiple steps. Dressing as a guard and getting on a train is just doing a thing."

She couldn't hold back a yawn.

Loki responded, "Oh, are you a bit tired? Feel free to, you know, get some rest."

One thing Mobius had realized and Casey had confirmed to him just before was that Loki cared more about others than he let on if you paid attention.

The variant grunted and replied, "I can't sleep in a place like this."

"You can't sleep on a train?"

The variant retorted, irritated, "No. I can't sleep around untrustworthy people."

Loki replied, still cheeky, "Oh, right. That's me?"

Fearing he might misinterpret what had been said, Mobius pressed rewind and let the scene play out before him.

The image of Loki nodding in agreement about not being able to sleep near people he couldn't trust was superimposed on the image of Loki sound asleep in his company.

He could not suppress the pang of his heart.

Loki trusted him, Loki considered him trustworthy.

While he was thinking, the video had continued and Loki was now talking about his mother.

Mobius had witnessed Loki's relationship with his mother and his devastation at the news of her death.

Loki's voice had become more hushed, with that hint of fragility he had whenever he spoke of her.

"She was, um... A Queen of Asgard. She was good. Purely decent."

Then the variant and Loki respectively provoked each other about the fact that they were adopted and Loki continued, "You know, when I was young, she'd do these little bits of magic for me. Like turn a flower into a frog or cast fireworks over the water. It all seemed impossible. But she told me that I'd be able to do it too because... Because I could do anything. You wanna see?"

Loki sets off tiny fireworks over his hand.

Mobius could not deny his feelings at that moment.

The sight of magic coming from Loki's hands, pure magic, was enchanting.

Loki continued, "She was the kinda person you'd want to believe in you."

Mobius could not help but whisper, "Loki, I believe in you."

For a few moments he didn't catch the conversation until it was audible again. Apparently they were talking about their love interests.

The variant asked Loki, "How about you? You're a prince. Must've been would-be-princesses or perhaps, another prince." She finished with a wink.

Loki, replied with a serious look, "A bit of both. I suspect the same as you. But, nothing ever..."

The variant finished his sentence, "real."

"Let me find you and I'll prove to you how real it is." Mobius didn't realize he was speaking aloud. He pushed fast-forward again.

The Variant had fallen asleep and Loki looked a little giddy.

Loki waved his hand and was back in his TVA agent costume.

He could wear the illusion of any outfit, and he chose this one. Why stay in these clothes?

Mobius really didn't want to be under any illusions, because how could he imagine that someone like Loki, a prince, a god, would want to claim a belonging to something like the TVA... to someone like Mobius?

Loki had started to dance and sing.

Mobius could not help but laugh. Then his laughter died down as Loki's song became more melancholic,

I stormsvarte fjell, jeg vandrer alene

Over isbreen tar jeg meg frem

I eplehagen står møyen den vene

og synger "når kommer du hjem?"

Men traner danser og fossene stanser

når hun synger, hun synger "kom hjem"

Then seeming to regain his spirits, Loki began to dance and sing happily again as if trying to prevent nostalgia from invading him.

When the music stopped, he joined the Variant and resumed his seat in front of him. Mobius managed to understand what they were saying to each other.

"What did you just sing to look so disturbed?"

Loki looked a little moved and answered him with the voice Mobius knew well, the one he used when he was serious, when he was sincere.

"It's Asgardian, it says:

In storm-black mountains, I wander alone

Over the glacier I make my way

In the apple garden stands the maiden fair and sings,

"When will you come home?"

Loki stopped, apparently moved, and the Variant simply said, "So there's a would-be-princess somewhere..."

Loki chuckled looking so sad before answering her, "I like metaphors you know, it's not a princess it's a prince, and I don't know if he's waiting for me or hoping to see me again, it's not even really my home, but..."

"But you'd like to believe that right?"

Loki nodded.

Mobius, didn't dare to believe that it was him that Loki was talking about, even though he couldn't stop the hope from rising up inside him.

The video continued, much more animated, after a wild fight, both jumped off the moving train and found themselves walking through a kind of desert towards the energy source they apparently needed to reactivate the tempad.

Mobius saw Loki suddenly stop, looking shocked. But Mobius was unable to hear what they were saying, the sound of the meteors again covering their voices.

Suddenly, Loki shouted louder, "But they don't know that!"

And they began to run.

Mobius could see that Loki was repeating something as he ran, an expression that Mobius had never seen on his face. Like he was worried. But he couldn't hear him. He zoomed in closer to try to read Loki's lips and finally succeeded.

Mobius.

_________

The whole serie here : The story of Loki and Mobius

Not beta'd I hope you enjoyed it 🥰

[createandconstruct]

My fav scene in FF9, is right at the end of burmecia when Beatrix party wipes you. Up until that point you felt like a hero (through Zidane generally) who is galavanting through a fantasy world. Yeah there are dark aspects like in the village of Dali, the war, and why the black waltz exist. But they are all things you could overcome with enough grit, can do attitude, and a bit of luck. But in Burmecia things are different, the devestation already happened, the heroes weren't there. And throughout this Freya is struggling between her guilt and pain at leaving to chase after her love, only to come back to the place she once protected covered in death and destruction. Even Zidane can't pull a brave face, its bleak and clearly so.

And then we finally see Beatrix, the woman who stole Fratley from Freya, standing and taking orders from the queen and her assistany as if she was some common knave. And I think that thought is what spurred Freya on, the fact the woman who turned Freya's world grey was just a lapdog to the queen.

During the fight proper, I imagine Freya being filled with too much fury to think logically. Zidane knows Beatrix, everyone does, and he's only fighting to stop his friend from killing herself upon Beatrix's sword. And then, all of that didn't matter.

Thats the most amazing, and horrific part. None of it mattered to Kuja, Brahne, or Beatrix, just another interruption (obviously Kuja was enjoying the show, but it wasn't pivotal to him.) And we as the player feel just as helpless, as powerless, and in some cases just as weak was Freya was feeling. It is such a good and poignant way to get the players to emphasize with the characters and doesn't feel heavy handed/forced.

This is such an absolutely perfect analysis of why Burmecia is such a potent part of FFIX. The only thing I can add to this phenomenal breakdown is my own experience which I think reflects how well the game forces the player to feel the tonal shift that comes from Burmecia. And how it does so using Garnet and Zidane's argument after the Harvest Festival.

I remember playing the game for the first time and during Disc 1, when the Burmecia soldier crawls his way into the royal chambers to inform Cid and Lindblum of the attack on Burmeica, and absolutely not jiving with Zidane's perspective and attitude towards Garnet. Garnet demands to come with him and Freya to Burmecia so that she can confront her mother and hopefully stop the war that has already begun. We've been given small hints that Brahne's plans for Garnet are maybe not entirely good-natured and motherly (calling her 'wretched girl' not great mothering) but there isn't any true evidence of malice, yet. The Black Waltzes that came before also all spared Garnet of any harm and so as a player (at least for me) its possible to think that Garnet could be the one person to stop Brahne.

Also, at this point, Garnet has been an integral member of the party as a healer and she's been struggling with her own shortcomings that you want to see her overcome. Despite her work and effort, her own planning and consideration for Alexandria and her mother weren't as original as she thought. Cid was steps ahead of her, already planning to evacuate her from Alexandria (and it was not for plans of collaboration with her on how to stop war but instead to keep her safe from it). And so Garnet argues to come along so she doesn't get left behind and anyone who doesn't want to lose their healer would agree. As Brahne's daughter she could be the one person who can talk sense into the war-bound woman. The tone of the game at this point makes it seem like a possible card that could be played.

Yet for the first time Zidane says no. And as the player I found the way he spoke to her condensing and his argument lacking. And you're exactly right: with enough grit what can't the party face? They've done it thus far after all. That's what's running through the players ahead. Instead Zidane doesn't exude that confidence. He simply asks Garnet how she felt seeing the soldier die and questions her attitude in the face of war, which she has never experienced. Even freaking Steiner agrees with Zidane, after Garnet has knocked out the party, telling her its not her battle to join, and one he would never wish her to. Without Ultimania's added info to Steiner's character you could interpret it that Steiner once served as a solider for Alexandria in the previous Gaian wars however it makes sense that now (with Ultimania) he was speaking of his experience as a child orphaned by war. We later see that Garnet does take some of this heart as she doesn't venture to Burmecia but instead to Alexandira so she can directly face the source of the problem and avoid the battlefield.

During this whole scene I was on Garnet's side and I think the game intends you to be. At this point Zidane has been swinging and missing with her because of his own developing feelings and insecurities (he pulls a line on her that he used on another girl, uses a date with her as a reward for Vivi, and then seemingly looks down on her) all while Garnet has been faced with the limits of her title and her own power as person. By the start of the war, Garnet and Zidane aren't on the same page and as a player you can feel that, it just depends on who you side with. Though tonally, it feels right to side with Garnet. Her view of war (or specifically her mother) and your ability to overcome it as the player are in tune.

And so you have the original core party splitting in half. It's awesome to watch Garnet declare and fight for her own agency in this conflict, doing all she can to save her mother, kingdom, and others from this brewing war. It's refreshing to see a female character fight back when male characters stress her naivety and ignorance, and there's expectation that the characters will all reach Burmecia together and Garnet will prove Zidane and the others wrong.

But... then you reach Gizmaluke's Grotto. Bodies litter the entrance and your path. You make your way through and hit Disc 2 and after we learn that Garnet and Steiner have aimed their path towards Alexandria (unbeknownst to Zidane and co.) the fun lighthearted fantasy world ends. The battles you could take single-handedly are over. You find North Gate which Freya declares smells of blood and smoke and you walk your way to the gates of Burmecia....

...and you understand Zidane's words. When that soldier crawled his way to Lindblum, only to die at everyone's feet, war had already begun. While the party waits for the gate of Burmecia to open innocent people have already been killed and are being killed. When you visit North Gate before the Ice Cavern Alexandria has raised its war banner, and now they have attacked. There is no matter of convincing Brahne of anything, at this point, she must be stopped. Yet when you arrive at Burmecia you're already far too late. A kingdom and its people have been decimated. The corpses of citizens are strewn about in the city streets. Zidane only prays Garnet hadn't come this way.

At some point when reflecting on the game I realized the weight behind Zidane's original words I had found condescending towards Garnet. He questions her feeling of sadness towards war because he knows his own. He's afraid. At the prospect of war even Zidane is scared and by walking through the ruins of Freya's home, you know why. Watching Beatrix, Brahne, and Kuja think nothing of the loss and destruction they've caused you know why. The game shows you the true colors of war and while Garnet knows the significance she does not know (or rather cannot yet remember) the experience of it which is why she can still face her mother, the perpetrator, with hope of change and pacifism. Such a realization hit me hard. Add it to the list of why FFIX is incredible.

[karenwilson]

Buck and his romantic relationships

Honestly there is so much to dig into when it comes to Buck and his romantic relationships. There are some constants that can be found in nearly all of his relationships and some things that are constantly changing and evolving.

One think that strikes me about the women he has dated were strong and independent or arrived there at the end. Abby, Ali, Taylor, even Veronica they all stood their ground and were their own champions. They put their needs and mental & physical well-being first, something that society always expects women not to do. It's something I actually really appreciate about their storylines even if it comes with Buck being unhappy. None of the women set out to hurt him, they just didn't want to put themselves second. And that is perfectly okay.

But let's dive deeper into each of his relationships. Bear with me, it's a long one.

Abby Clark

Abby was his first serious relationship and now we know why. Due to his upbringing and his parents' abusive behaviour he never really forged any important relationships apart from Maddie. I think it got even worse when he got the jeep as he skipped from place to place, never staying for long anywhere. He didn't have ties anywhere and that made him restless and only seek out sex to forge some intimacy because that was all he thought he could get and something that would hurt him the least.

Anyway with Abby he was able to connect with a woman (one he wasn't working with anyway) on a deeper level. It only worked because it didn't start out as something physical. He didn't know what she looked, only knew her voice and good heart. I doubt they even would've met had it not been for the 911 calls, because they have so little in common.

Buck is actually pretty self-aware when it comes to his behaviour around women but hasn't really faced it before. That's why he tells her that he thinks it isn't a good idea if they meet, because he's worried he'll revert back to his usual coping strategies and it'll end up with him losing their connection.

But we also see that he's inexperienced and that although he knows how to seduce women he's lacking self-confidence in other aspects. He doesn't know unconditional love apart from Maddie and even that trust was broken when she didn't leave with him, when she left him behind. So he often worries he'll do something wrong and put her off; he goes over the top to get her attention - which he has done before in his life. Remember, he could only ever get his parents' attention when he did something big and reckless.

Abby has her own shit to deal with and Buck doesn't really know what to do with that in the beginning. It's not the light-hearted, sweet relationship he might have been hoping for but instead serious and heavy. But helped by Bobby's advice he works through his doubts and puts himself out there, puts Abby first. He always puts other people first, because that's who he is (and lbr, it's not healthy). Sadly to his own detriment because he is more invested than she is; Abby has her sick mother to take care of and is drawn in several directions at once. That's a heavy burden for anyone, especially someone working fulltime. She doesn't want to put her mother in a home as it wouldn't feel right but I also think it comes from a place of societal pressure for women to take care of other people. When her mother dies I actually thought it was a very real and important step for Abby to take put herself first, to take care of her own needs and do something that's vital to her claiming herself again.

I think Buck understands why she has to go but it still leaves him with the impression that he's never good enough, that people always leave. Because that's the experience he's made in life and nothing has changed that for him yet. And I totally get where he is coming from, that he believes it's his fault that she leaves, that he isn't good enough, that she doesn't love him enough. I do believe Abby never felt as deeply for Buck as he did for her but even if she did, sometimes love doesn't fix people. Abby was broken and exhausted and that's something Buck couldn't help with but that doesn't mean he wasn't enough.

She definitely did him dirty by leaving him in the dark and not giving him a clean break when she knew she was ready to move on.

Thanks to Maddie and the 118 he was able to partly work through those issues and put himself out there again.

Ali Martin

To be honest, Buck dating Ali came out of nowhere for me. Yes, they did connect a bit at the beginning of season two but I honestly didn't see her coming back as a love interest for Buck.

(And is it just me or do I just not remember it but Bobby stopped giving Buck relationship advice after Abby???)

But I thought they were really cute when they were together; the show just didn't make a very good job of establishing their relationship. They had to few scenes on the show but that was by design. I think the show never intended to keep Ali around, she was (sadly) just a plot device for the show to propel Buck's development. It established Buck's behaviours and the patterns in his romantic relationships. He years for deeper connections and a serious romantic relationship that he gets in too deep too fast. Buck doesn't do shit halfway, he gives it his all.

With Ali he was able to go the next steps of moving on from Abby, he had someone who made him happy for a while but of course the show had to reassert that people leave Buck, further damaging his self-esteem. I think it's perfectly understandable for her wanting to end their relationship at this point, when remaining in it would cause her too much pain and grief by always being worried about Buck and whether he would come home that night, would still be alive. That's a lot for anyone to deal with. So it was better for her to get out at that point instead of dragging it out and therefore making it more painful for both of them when it eventually ended.

But Buck doesn't view it as her leaving because of the dangers of his job but because of him. So yet another person leaves him because he's not enough, not right. Being a firefighter is important to Buck, he sees it as his calling, something he is good at and feels right. He defines himself by his job and that ends up doing damage, especially after the bombing and his subsequent leg injury. Buck feels lost when he can't do his job anymore because he feels like he IS his job. That's why Maddie telling him he's good enough and is worth everything even without his job was so important. His job is an important part of who he is but he isn't his job.

Taylor Kelly

I think with Taylor we saw the mere-exposure effect. Buck has a bit of a thing for voices as we first saw with Abby. With Taylor he knew her voice, heard her whenever he drove to work and obviously liked what he was hearing. And when he met her during that accident he was attracted to her not just by voice but by her looks as well.

Because of his dating experience with Abby and Ali and generally just trying to be a good person, he doesn't want Taylor to get the wrong idea. He likes her, possibly wants to get to know her more and doesn't want to leave her with the wrong impression. Taylor isn't having any of it, because she knows what she wants and what she wants isn't a relationship with him when they first meet. She's young, confident, successful and takes what she needs.

For Buck he has to cut the cord before he gets in too deep. He knows what he wants now and he doesn't want to fall back into his old habits of having sex and not having a meaningful connection. And if he doesn't get out he might fall too fast too hard already knowing it won't go anywere. Plus Taylor tries to expose secrets about his work family and quasi-dad and that would never work. Even if Buck wants romantic love he's not going to step on his 118 family to get it.

When they meet again more than a year later there are no hard feelings (whether that's amnesia on the writers' part or Buck has come to terms with her behaviour we don't know [yet]). Due to their previous actions Buck seems to think Taylor isn't a human being with feelings and hasn't been changed by the pandemic as well. I love Buck but it's ironic that he didn't want to hurt her in season two but inadvertently does so by using her as a shield in season four without her consent. I don't like what he did at all and Taylor was absolutely right on hanging him out to dry on that "double date" and calling him out on him using her like this, by not telling her what she was about to walk into. From her reaction we know he presented the situation differently because he (rightly) figured she might not come otherwise.

It'll be interesting for me to see where their relationship is going. I'd love for them to become friends and see where it takes them from there.

Veronica

I'm only including her for two reasons: She was Buck's first step to dipping his toe back into the dating pool again and acted as a catalyst to rekindle/change Buck and Taylor's relationship. Plus she also fits the strong woman type Buck goes for (although she additionally has a no-fucks-given attitude and isn't here to coddle anyone and their feelings).

To be honest, looking back on it Buck felt a bit OOC to me during their date. I mean yeah, he's just starting to date again and isn't used to doing it anymore and people change but... He didn't have a problem talking to Ali, Abby, Taylor or any of the women he chatted up with at bars and other places before. Why would he suddenly get so flustered? Even if they started on the wrong foot and he put his foot in his mouth... it just like it was put by the writers there for the laughs and not because it's how Buck would (re)act?? It just feels weird to me now. What did feel real to me was his need to impress her and makes sure she likes him, because Buck needs to be liked and he's really uncomfortable with somone not liking him and not knowing where he stands. He needs to clear the air now, to know what's going on so he can move on. After Abby and being left to doubt himself and being left in the dark about where they stand has left a mark on him (see also him making sure to talk it out with the 118 and especially Eddie after the lawsuit).

Well, that's it for now.

[boomstyle]

Sonic Boom: Friend or Foe

Disclaimer: I don’t own the characters and settings of Sonic boom. Oh, watch out for OCs!

Roboken War

(Force field cage)

Well, that was just as quick as it's. Now, where are we?

Tails and I reach the cage in just a zip. I thought Lyric will just put mind control device or at least send them far away from our reach. Well, I guess Lyric may not be as smart and cunning as I thought after all.

Speaking of cunning and smart, I can't stand a breathe anymore. I wish we can get out of here. Wait! We can't. Lyric closed the entrance of the central power station with a force field. I guess he's smart and cunning after all. Ugh...

While I was desperate to get out of the room, Tails was busy tinkering on the force field cage. Hurry up Tails, the gas is getting stronger. Now, I feel nauseous.

"Tails, would you mind speed it up a little?", I asked Tails politely.

"Sorry, Sonic. This may take a while. I can't find the key just yet. It must be somewhere up here.", Tails explain the technical thing but I am not sure what. What I really know is that I am gonna vomit for real.

(45 minutes later)

Ugh... What's taking Tails so long?

"Aha... I found it. The key to the force field was at the upper edge. Just gonna rotate it to the right and here it goes.", Tails was busy tinkering.

"Once I open the secret key, it will be easier to disable the force field."

"Yeah, Tails. Just pretend I don't hear it!", I replied in a cool manner. Not exactly a cool manner though, I was being slightly rude. If Amy heard me saying this, she might just taichi me or whip me or worse hit me with her so-called "legendary hammer". What's so legendary about her hammer? It's just a regular oversized hammer.  Sometimes, I don't understand why she's super obsessive about her hammer. If she loses her hammer, she could have just fought in hand to hand or use her enerbeam whip or sword. I mean, she's athletic and has amazing martial art skills to top it off so she didn't really have to bother the whole team to search for her hammer or be like "My hammer is my whole identity. It's a gift from fate.". Tsk...whatever.

Yep, Archie Sonic Boom Issue 3 (HammerSpace). You got it. No need to beat the bush like that, Amy. I feel really bad for Sonic.

I was drowning in confusion until Tails snapped me out. He didn't exactly snap me out, more like bringing me to reality.

"Done it! I've taken out the force field from here.", Tails said in excitement. Team Cyborg is released from the cage. Now, time to open the forcefield!

"Oh, finally! Now, how do we open the forcefield barrier, Cyborg me?", I asked in desperation and relief at the same time.

"Right here!", Cyborg Sonic replied. What? The forcefield entrance key was literally close to us but I see nothing.

"Where? It's just a freaking wall?", I scolded him out of impatience. Ugh, I can't take it anymore. The gas...(cough)...

"Just do as I said!", Cyborg Sonic instructed.

"Fine! Just gonna touch this...(surprised) wall (slowly)", I am stunned. I can't believe it. They're right. Just gonna press the bottom and it's done.

"Yay, we did it! Teamwork rocks! Now, let's move it!"

Just as I thought our business is done from the moment we escape from the central power station filled with gas and traps. I was hell wrong. I heard an invisible siren tone with a beaming red background while we ran away. Talking about disco light, this is worse.

*Lol* (Remember when Dave fool himself in "Next Top Villian", Sonic Boom Series Season 1.)

(Siren Alarm Beam Tone)

"Ugh... Come one! We just escape from it.", I complained.

"Sonic, our escape caused the siren to beam. So this is expected.", Tails calmed me down.

"But we just get out like a few hours ago.", I argued. Technically, it's been 45 minutes but it feels like hours already.

"Are you guys done with your blabber, Sonic?", Cyborg Amy shouted. Ooo... She's just as scary and temperamental as Amy.

"Fine! I'll shut it."

"Good. Let's keep moving! We didn't have all day."

Okay, okay, Amy! Is it necessary for you to be so demanding? Just chill out, Cyborg Amy! Regardless, she's right. There's no time to waste. If we don't get out, we might as well got caught by Lyric. Yep, we did.

"Where are you going right now?", Lyric asked.

"You think you can escape from me, Sonic. Think again!"

"Rise my armies! I command you to finish them once and for all!"

"We can call your robot quit in just a zip, Snake-head.", I deride Lyric confidently.

The infected robots shoot lasers at us as instructed. Tails and I started off dodging their attacks while Team Cybonic launched their special attacks. Well, more like duplicates of our attacks. Hehe...

Just as the battle started, my gangs came to my aid. Oh, just in time but where's Shawn? I mean, the East bender faker. Yeah, he must be planning this whole thing. I bet but regardless, I am glad that my team to the rescue. As I dodge a laser, I spot FriendBot along with Amy, Knuckles and Sticks arrive at the scene and prepare for combat.

"Anyone need some backup?", Amy asked.

Amy, Knuckles, and Sticks charge down and destroy some robots. Sonic dashes towards Amy.

"Amy. I'm glad you're here.", I started a conversation but Amy just shrugged me off. I wonder what's bugging her. Surely, Shawn must have manipulated her. Now, that she ignored me as if I didn't exist. This is just not like her.

"Oh, so you're just gonna ignore me, your boyfriend. Alright, sure. Go ahead."

Oops, did I just said b-word out loud? Not that I care or whatever but we're totally busted right now.

"Hmph... Like I even have one...", Amy shrugged me off.

Oh, is that it? You're just going to going to act negatively out of character toward me. That's it, I had it enough of your rudeness. This is just not you. He's literally turning you into a cold-headed girl. I know she can get temperamental, snarky, rude, or slightly selfish at some point but this is way too far.

"That's it, Ames. I had it enough. If you want to break up, just say so. (punch and kick robot nearby) No need to buzz over me like that.", I confronted her.

"You're saying I got too far. Well, that describes you, Mr. Hedgehog. The way you treated Shawn was totally unacceptable. And besides, you're not so good after all. You're snarky, reckless, messy worker, impatient and impulsive.", Amy talked back.

"Like you have the best personality, I'm sick of your bossy, demanding, and overbearing attitude behind your mature act.", I argued her back.

"I was doing it for your good. You could get a little bit too far with your prank games, jokes or worse run head log in trouble. So I have to step in AS THE MOTHER FIGURE OF THE GROUP(shouted and smash the robot)", Amy defended.

"Yeah, like I need one.", I grunted.

"That's the problem with you. You act as if you're the coolest top speedy hedgehog ever but you're not thoughtful. The way you badmouth and suspect Shawn when you yourself were the one who introduced it to the whole team explains it. You're saying you're responsible for him but what I got is empty promises.", Amy berated me while she was busy beating robots near her just like I did. Speaking of which, what she said reminds me when I introduced Egg man's so called brother without even consulting the whole team. She's kinda right at this. I should have been more considerate and premediated next time. The way I just invite Shawn and Steve Eggman in the group without much consideration indicate my impulsiveness. Looks like I really realized how impulsive and unthoughtful I have been but still, she's literally overreacting just like usual. Thus, why should I be blamed for it?

"Oh come on, why do I get blamed for it? You're literally falling your heels over him anyway so why should I have to get the portion of the blame?", I threw the blame on her. I admitted I am being impulsive and inconsiderate considering how I just invite Shawn in without any consultation.

"Responsibility, Sonic! You can't just introduce someone and suddenly come up with a conclusion that his guy is bad when YOU CAN'T EVEN PROVE IT!", Amy reasoned with me. In some way, she's right but she just didn't understand the issue here. Shawn is...

"Yeah, you're right. I don't have proof but that doesn't mean I'm wrong. You know why? HERO!", I am enraged and boastful, yes and I don't care.

"That's it! I can't take it anymore. You, sir, are impetuously boastful and arrogant being. Have you even take my feeling into account when you said that? it's like you don't consider me a girlfriend anymore. You know what, let's break up!", Amy leashed out on me.

"You wanna break up. FINE! Who wants to be with a Bloodthirsty and indicative hedgehog in a cute and friendly package?", I said.

"And who wants an egomaniac, reckless and immature guy in a speedy hero PACKAGE?", Amy retaliated. She's going super angry and yep, this is good and bad at the same time.

"HAYAK(smash)... (spin hammer attack other robots)... (pull the further robot near her with enerbeam rope) HAYAK (smash, smash, smash until every infected robot disintegrated)... (stand in her ninja-style pose)Ha... Time to take on, Lyric."

Just as we broke up, Amy turned into a temperamental monster. Then, she started to crash all of the infected robots in just a zip. Sticks, Knuckles and Tails as well as our cyborg duplicates are unimpressed. Wow, I was surprised they're not shocked at our break up and Amy's sudden temperamental combat.

"What a lovely couple indeed? I suspect that the alien overlord must have spelled them apart.", Sticks said.

"To be frank, this robot apocalypse has sent Amy mad too.", Cyborg Sticks said. Well, she's partially right. The robot apocalypse really sent Amy crazy after the break-up. Not the best answer you've got, Cybonic Sticks but you sure have Sticks' paranoid DNA with you. Am I okay? Why do I agree with Sticks' paranoid statement now? Oh no, if this happens again, I might need to consider seeing a psychiatrist.

"I don't know Sticks but surely, the secretive skinny couple has finally come to a devastating breakup. If Sonic and Amy were the one, I may be gigging out in shame.", Cyborg Knuckles replied sadly.  

"Yeah. Not cool, Sonic. First, you deny that you dated Amy and now, you just let Amy cut off the relationship.", Knuckles said while holding his clenched fist.

"Well, this gets little it out of hand. let's just help Amy fight off Lyric!", Cyborg Sonic said.

"Yeah", Team Cybonic and my gangs except Knuckles and Amy agreed.

While they're battling Lyric, we're in the middle of a pointless argument because of Knuckles. This is the first time we ever battle each other in the middle of a war.

"Knuckles, don't get me started!", I ordered. What the heck is wrong with Knuckles? Sure we kept the relationship in secret and just broke up but this is not an excuse for Knuckles to just burst up like that.

"Do you think I'm not smart, Sonic?", Knuckles asked.

"What? Not, it's not that... It's just", I tried to persuade him but Knuckles cut me off.

"It's just that I'm not smart enough to figure it out that you're dating.", Knuckles straightened his point. What? I don't mean to hide our relationship just to shame you. It's just that it's not a good time yet. If Eggman and other villains know about our relationship, the worst scenario is that the whole team and anyone related to us would be in a threatening situation. Seriously, Eggman may not be you know the victorious one but he's surely dangerous when unexpected. And besides, the group will be awkward if everyone knows we date.

"What's up, Sonic? Scared of me?"

"Knuckles. this is madness. You got to snap out, man. That snakehead was literally your battle.", I persuaded while trying to dodge his punches. I don't want to attack him. He's my friend.

"I've heard you said enough already"

We battle with each other until we heard Amy, Tails, and Sticks as well as our duplicates got smacked down in the middle of battle.

"Guys! Oh no!", Knuckles and I gulped.

"At last, I finally got to end you after a thousand years.", Lyric smirked while approaching us.

"I guess it's the end of Team Knuckles", Knuckles said. Team? Oh, forget it! I'm not going to argue. Besides he's right. It's the end of Team Son...ic.

"Lyric, I said I will find you", Shadow appeared. Uuu... Looks like the edgelord will end the robot apocalypse. He must have a reason as to defeat Lyric. He will not just be here to save us but anyway, it's our lucky day.

Shadow punch out Lyric and take out his technopathy. As the result, everything was back to normal except that all Roboken's army got dismantled, and yeah, things get messed up when Shawn approached in.

ugh... Finally, it's nearly the end of the book chapter. Sorry, I got too personal with the Sonamy relationship and rivalry between Knuckles and Sonic but I just can't help it. Anyway, How do you think Shadow and Shawn were able to come in? What will be the consequences afterward? Find out in the next chapter.

[smartzelda]

(Wow, I wish I could kill tumblr for messing up and making me rewrite this whole thing from scratch)

Hi, bros! I've gotten so much of crit done this week, so there's a LOT to talk about

Let's start out where we left off in Toy Box.

So like, the Riku and Buzz parallels are so good, like, the Buzz being afraid of being taken over and hurting his friends. Buzz being more skeptical of people, but trusting of his friends and just trusting Woody a whole lot. I love how he just trusts Sora, Donald, and Goofy by the end and they're friends and stuff

The Sora and Woody parallels are so good too, like, Woody trusting Sora and friends right away because they seem to be good guys, fighting the enemies (it's such a Sora thing to trust people just cause they seem good) and really trusting Buzz. Woody doing the angry sassy while talking to YMX/the organization

And bro, like...the Soriku parallels...the softness...

This has so many kh2 Soriku vibes

SAME PICTURE DIFFERENT ANGLE. YOU CAN'T TELL ME OTHERWISE.

*clears throat* Ahem, um...anyways... I was thinking about when YMX tosses Sora into the Verum Rex Gigas minigame. 1st off, I beat it a lot faster than I did my first play through the game on proud mode, so that's helpful. I'm glad that having done this before is helping me learn to be at least a little less stupid and do some things easier because of experience. 2nd, YMX's role in kh3 is very interesting. The hole time I get that he knows more than he's letting on. I feel like he, like Sora, can remember everything between the demon tornado, Riku's sacrifice, mass death, and Sora saving everyone's hearts before the timeline being rewritten and turned back to before everyone dies, and assuming the SRT holds up, he even seems to know the events of the first go around of timeline set before the kh3 we play. It's in the SRT too, but like, him saying "Not this time" and being able to dodge Sora's attacks like he already knows. Then there's YMX's line before the boss battle where he's like, "Find the hearts connected to yours." We could take it as him guiding Sora, getting him to find the seven guardians of light. I'm feeling like it might be foreshadowing or like YMX leading Sora to his end because it could be foreshadowing of remind (I mean, I won't know till I can play) or it's referring to the future of Sora saving all the hearts from the lich. Back to him knowing what's going on in the timelines somehow with that whole leading aspect, then there's during the lich segment where YMX is there somehow and tells Sora about how he'll pay the price, then YMX's "death" where he says that Sora's time in the world is over, indicating he knows what Sora's done and has to pay the price for

So, unlike the gigas thing that went surprisingly well, the possessed marionette and the flying saucer did not, and the flying saucer was the worst. I learned that, unlike in my proud run through, I couldn't just try to beat a gigas as just Sora that easily, considering a gigas could oneshot me (I kinda suck, so I honestly couldn't beat em at all without commanding a gigas myself on crit). So, it was very time consuming, considering I couldn't use a gigas to finish it off and shoot it from afar, and I had to evade all like four gigas and the scattered heartless (it was especially bad if I was about to die and needed to heal) while trying to attack it (needless to say, Donald and Goofy did most of the work in the final stretch while I was trying not to die and also attack the enemy that would warp away if you got too close). I did it though

Okay, final boss battle! Ngl, just...I enjoy the angry sassy of Woody when YMX is like, "See, look buzz fell to darkness blah blah" and Woody is like, "I don't care. Put buzz back the way he was." (Y'know, totally not a Sora attitude and totally not a parallel to CoM when Sora's telling Vexen "I don't care! Just put Riku back!") And YMX like talking about hearts and Woody like, "I don't think you've ever been loved before, because you know nothing about hearts and love." The final boss battle was easy compared to the other boss battles in Toy Box.

Also, I just...enjoy Buzz finally being friends with Sora, Donald, and Goofy and caring about and trusting them now

Now ownards to Corona!

So, starting in the forest just before getting to the tower, I opened a treasure chest with an item that gives sneeze protection (I got a shield for Goofy that does the same thing after I finished this world) which...I... Bro, I'm stupid I like didn't get this item my first run through nor did I know it existed, but playing through this world definitely was easier without sneezing Sora, especially the final boss (but we'll get to that later)

Gotta love that Flynn Rider charm.

"So, I've made the decision to trust you."

"A horrible decision, really."

Hi, I'm Flynn I hope you expect me to run away from battles and have Sora, Donald, and Goofy, who are totally my bodyguards, do all the work and make me look good Rider

Rapunzel after getting out of the tower and her enthusiasm is so Sora like, but ngl, I'd say she's a Riku parallel in this segment. Later in this world, they remark that the tower is a prison for Rapunzel. In this moment she has a lot of conflicting feelings.

"I'M SO FREE!"

"I'm such a terrible person..."

"This is so fun!"

"Oh, what would Mother think...? I should go back..."

"I'M NEVER GOING BACK!"

She's being pulled two ways. Part of her is excited to see the whole outside world and ready to live her dream, defying Mother Gothel, while the other part of her urges her to go back to her prison with Gothel where she'll be safe. This is much like in DDD with the Quasimodo and Riku parallel where Riku tells Quasi that it's not because of Frollo's rules or because Frollo said the outside world would harm him, it's because something in his heart holding him back. Most likely, it was from fear. In Riku's case, he said it from experience because he too is struggling with something where it's his heart holding him back, nothing else (probably his feelings for Sora are the thing he won't set free)

I like how kh3 is like, self aware or like, aware of the kh lore like when Donald and Goofy mention Data Sora, or in this case where Sora, Donald, and Goofy don't remember Marluxia because castle oblivion and he's like, "Such a pain. Whatever. It's not like you need to know." Kh3 shows that Nomura remembers the things he set up before.

Also, Goofy: "I think the 'has-been' prefers Marluxia" 😂😂😂

The heartless chariot was just as terrible and time consuming as always because of how much I died.

I did surprisingly well at the dancing section compared to past attempts, so that was cool. Rapunzel and Sora are just so adorable though and Rapunzel with the flowers in her hair is just😔👌

Okay, I like, I love the lantern scene because it's just so beautiful. Like, I just love those shots of all the lanterns and of Flynn and Rapunzel and of Sora, Donald, and Goofy watching them. Also...Flynn lowkey being given the choice between Rapunzel and the crown and basically choosing her

"I should've given it to you before, but I was just scared."

"I'm starting to." And Flynn pushes the satchel away, focusing on Rapunzel, choosing her.

Also, thinking that this part is a parallel to Riku in the RoD because Riku got the strength to protect the one he cherishes most (Sora) and now he's not afraid anymore, even in the RoD. He feels stronger and more confident. For Rapunzel, after spending time with Flynn and traveling, she's not afraid of the world anymore and she becomes more confident. She trusts Flynn and gives him the satchel (which in the movie I believe she originally withheld and hid out of fear of him going back on their promise)

So, then, Flynn and Rapunzel release their lanterns into the sky, and they twirl around each other as they fly up

Seem familiar? It's almost like...

HEARTS IN TUNE BAY BEE

SORIKU PARALLELS

Also, rip Sora, Donald, and Goofy. They just wanted to watch the scenery, but got interrupted by nobodies

Bro, it's really sad, like, I feel so sad for Rapunzel because she really trusted Flynn and Mother Gothel framed Flynn, breaking Rapunzel's heart because she thought it was all genuine, that Flynn really wasn't going to hurt her and meant the things he said. Then, Gothel takes her to the tower

Sora still being able to be awoken from a lick to the face from an animal like in kh1😂

In my first run through of the game, I got to this part with all the heartless and nobodies on the way to the tower and the section between everyone starting off towards the castle and reaching the castle I tried to go through as fast as possible and skipped fighting the heartless and nobodies I could. This time, I managed to clear the whole area after making it my goal for leveling up purposes, so that was cool👍

And now we reach the tower cutscenes and a very niiiiiiice Soriku parallel, which I'll have to put in the next post due to the photo limit

[newtxtinaforever]

My favorite parts

* since the video counts down from 10 to 1, I'll number my thoughts similarly so they correspond with the scene

10. The way Tina's voice wavers when she says Mr. Scamander. Also: "You didn't mention salamanders, did you?"

9. Tina's serious face as Newt tries to play it cool

8. Newt staring at Tina for the longest time. Like seriously, it's a long time. Then Tina's sudden turn of the head when Newt meets her gaze

7. THERE'S TOO MUCH TO LOVE. But if I had to be specific, I would say Newt's laugh as he tries to calm down the Zouwu as well as Tina's cute little smile when she shakes the toy

6. The slight attitude in Tina's voice as she says "Excuse me?". Newt's voice getting higher when he explains the expression, the way Tina says Mr. Scamander (so different than how she's said it before; there's no sass, only sweetness)

5 pt 1. I have too much to say about this scene, okay? First, there's Tina's look. She stares at Newt in disbelief. How dare he have her roleplay as Leta when Leta is the one Tina was suspicious of and (up until this point) has had her suspicions confirmed (she thinks Newt and Leta are engaged). Of course Newt doesn't know this because he's Newt but it doesn't mean it's not there. Then there's the way Newt's left eye twitches when he lies (pretending that Tina is Leta). It's just that one eye. THEN there's the way Tina turns her head when Newt goes to look at her. It's like she knows she can't face him because of all the emotions she's feeling in that moment. This also reminds me of the animated poster of the CoG cast: Newt looks at Tina when she's looking away and vice versa. I seriously plan on writing a one shot of this scene.

5 pt 2. Continuing on... Newt stumbling over his words while he's trying to come up with his relation to "Leta" aka Tina. Then the mother of all moments where Tina breathes that one small word: "fiancé". I literally want to curl up in a ball and cry at this part. So many things happen at once that it's hard to take in. After Tina says "fiancé", I imagine Newt forgetting that she is pretending to be Leta and thinking for one shining moment that Tina is Tina and she is Newt's fiancé. Is that too much to ask? Then Newt is probably racing to think of a single reason why in Merlin's beard Tina would think he were engaged to Leta. He has a lot of explaining to do. Not to mention all that's going through Tina's mind. The way she clears her throat after saying "fiancé" gets me every time. EVERY SINGLE TIME. She's keeping her eyes on the woman at the desk because she can't stand to look at Newt, not when she's hurting and wondering why he went back to Leta. Newt and Leta were old friends, sure, but he had seemed so genuine when he'd said goodbye to Tina in New York. In this moment in Paris, Tina is trying to be strong and I love her so much 😭😭😭😭

4. Another one of my favorite scenes! First of all, I'd like to point out Newt Says Goodbye to Tina/Salamander Eyes (the Newtina anthem) playing right as Tina sees Newt. Second, the way Newt says Tina's name and the way she says his: like a whisper. Oh, and let's not forget Jacob awkwardly third-wheeling until he is able to find Queenie 😂

3. Okay, here's when it gets even better. Tina is so upset with the fact that Newt is engaged to Leta (or so she thinks) that pretending to be happy goes out the window. Sure, she says she's happy for him, but her tone couldn't have said the opposite any clearer. What's more is Newt's reaction to her. He may not be able to pick up some things, but he can definitely tell that something is wrong with Tina when she begins to talk snidely towards him. This leads to him becoming more and more nervous as he tries to right whatever is wrong, dropping things and stumbling over his words in the process.

2. I love this! More Newtina running, which is always a joy to behold. Also, Theseus trying to be the responsible and authoritative ministry official while also silently begging Newt not to do whatever he's trying to do as his big brother. Then there's Tina, or should I say the Queen. She ties up Theseus Scamander LIKE A BOSS and smiles when Newt expresses his disbelief at what just happened. Auror Tina just did that to another Auror so they could do what needed to be done. This girl has won my heart and quite clearly won Newt's heart as well ☺️❤️❤️

1. And now, the mother of all scenes. *takes a deep breath* SALAMANDER EYES!!!! 😂😂 okay, so Tina's voice gets me because it's so small and weightless yet you can hear her loud and clear. "Are what?" she prompts Newt. Newt Scamander, the man who so desperately wants to compliment the girl he adores, Miss Porpentina Goldstein. "I'm not supposed to say" he says, basking in the silence as he internalizes the struggle to speak or not to speak. The last thing he wants is to push Tina away from him; what if his compliment does just that? On the other hand, he needs to find some way to tell her how he feels, especially after the whole misunderstanding concerning the engagement. Meanwhile, Tina begins to speak, knowing that Newt isn't always the best with words. She fills the gap right as Newt finds the words to say, and the two quickly realize what the other has said. "Wait, did you read-" "Did you..." These two break my heart as they slowly start to get back on the same page, second by second. Newt takes the chance, hoping that Tina will understand. If anyone can, it's her. As he begins to explain what he sees when he looks into her eyes, he can't help but glance at her as he does so. Those beautiful brown eyes remind him why he's risking so much just to be in her presence, to put himself out there the only way he knows how. Newt's gaze bounces from Tina's eyes to the picture of her in the paper. Either way, he's focused on her. Then there comes a moment where he stops glancing down at the paper and fixes his gaze on the Tina that's right in front of him. Newt gains confidence as he hopes with all his might that Tina will see how much he cares for her, even if his way of expressing it is a bit odd. This man wants nothing more than to show Tina how amazing and beautiful she is in his eyes. In his attempt to do so, Newt stutters, his voice resembling that of a tea kettle. Tina merely smiles and once more fills the gap. "Salamanders." The way Newt looks at her: speechless. No words. The scene ends beautifully with Tina's knowing smile. Despite the way Newt unintentionally hurt her, she can't help but love him. Nor can I

☺️❤️❤️

[reviewsbyracine]

I SAW AN EPISODE OF LAW AND ORDER: SVU: “Babes”

With everything crazy happening in the world, it is important that we still depend on the little things that make everything feel right. For me, I know that I can always depend on classic episodes of Law and Order: Special Victims Unit to help me feel at home. There's something strangely soothing about Benson and Stabler working together to solve a sex crime. (And yes, I know that Christopher Meloni left the show nine years ago - as far as I'm concerned, the Stabler episodes are the only episodes that matter.) When it comes to rewatchable episodes of SVU, I always come back to “Babes," a season ten episode. So with nothing better to do, let me tell you why it is possibly the best episode of SVU ever created.

"Babes" starts with our usual fake-out cold open: characters just trying to enjoy a night out before stumbling on a gruesome crime scene and then we never see them again. This time, it's the last diners at a restaurant. Despite holding holding up the kitchen staff from going home, the gentleman on the date asks to order desserts (despite the fact that they seem to be eating salads) and suggests flambé because it's "exciting." The irate waiter tells them that "the only thing that's flaming is the maître d'."

Just then, a man on fire can be seen screaming and waving around just outside the restaurant. Yes, that's right: SVU set a man on fire and made a visual gag out of it. A poor bus boy throws pitchers of water on the man as he collapses dead into the restaurant.

Stabler and Munch arrive at the scene (Benson is at a conference for… some reason) and meet up with M.E. Warner, who shows them that our John Doe is not only charred to a crisp but is also missing his private parts. When Munch asks where the victim came from, Warner tells them with a straight face to "Follow the bloody brick road."

Someone give SVU's joke writer a raise because John Doe's not the only one who's on fire tonight.

Back at the station, Warner rehydrates his fingerprints (what?) and discovers his identity is that of a homeless man named John Galli. They visit Galli's father, played by Michael Badalucco, a man who hates cows more than coppers. Mr. Galli informs them that his son had been targeted by "Street Cleaners," a vigilante group that runs around beating up homeless people and posting videos of their exploits online. Planning a sting to catch the Street Cleaners in action, Tutuola suggests they "introduce them to the laziest, filthiest bum they've ever seen."

Smash cut to: Munch pretending to be a homeless wacko screaming conspiracy theories into the night. No joke, this edit is hilarious.

Anyway, the Street Cleaners run out to beat up Munch and are quickly arrested. The detectives take off the perps' ski masks and one of them is a girl. The music treats this reveal like it is the most shocking thing that could ever happen. Obviously, they didn't kill Galli - SVU always throws a red herring at you in the first ten minutes and this episode is no different.

Returning to the station, Stabler and Munch find a blowtorch that was found at the scene and can be traced back to the science lab at Blessed Heart High School. Their guide at the school is Max, the president of the school's chastity club (remember this for later), who informs them that the only student who has access to the lab after hours is senior Alec Bernardi. Stabler and Munch spot Alec, who immediately looks guilty and tries to escape the cafeteria. Munch tells Alec that he looks like someone lit a fire under his ass.

"Fire?" Alec asks, sweating. "I don't know anything about a fire."

Smooth, Alec, real smooth.

He's got a burn on his hand so it's obviously him. They bring him to the station for interrogation, where Benson returns from her conference just in time for Alec's mother Peggy to burst in. Peggy is played by the incredible Debi Mazar, so even though the episode was cruising along at a comfortable seven or eight, the energy level has now been dialed up to eleven. Alec is proud of mutilating and immolating Galli and reveals that he did it because Galli raped his little sister Tina and got her pregnant.

Benson speaks with Tina, who vehemently denies being raped. However, she is pregnant. Turns out, she seduced Galli to get pregnant on purpose because she and her friends are in… you guessed it… a pregnancy pact! That's right, this episode's ripped-from-the-headlines story is the Gloucester High School pregnancy pact, where a bunch of teenaged girls got pregnant on purpose.

Benson tells the girls that they are stupid. "What's the big deal?" one girl asks. "That vice president lady's daughter is gonna have a baby. Why can't we?"

The pact's ringleader is Fidelia Vidal, who is excited that she and her friends are "totally gonna be the hottest MILFs on the block." Her father, Not-Bobby Canavale, wants Benson to leave because she is scaring Fidelia with some truth talk. Suddenly, her boyfriend bursts in, having just heard the news of her pregnancy - and it's Max, the chastity club president. Oops. Fidelia's baby daddy is not Max but is instead a twenty-two-year-old rapper named Dizzer.

Let's talk about Dizzer. In an otherwise perfect episode of SVU, Dizzer is a straight-up garbage character. Dizzer is a white rapper who works at a place called Skribble Skratch Records. His motto, airbrushed on his shirt, is "reckin' decks 'n' gettin' sex" and he attempts to get a fist bump from Tutuola, calling him a "brother." Again, this guy is white and he is trying way too hard.

Stabler hands him a court order for a DNA test and the detectives leave to let Not-Bobby Canavale know that they're actually getting stuff done this episode and everything's going to be alright. Not-Bobby Canavale goes to Fidelia's room so they can go get the amniocentesis done and make a DNA match, but her door is locked. Stabler shoulders the door open because he's an animal and the parents and detectives are met with a disturbing sight:

Fidelia, dead, having hanged herself on her ceiling fan.

Obviously everyone is distraught and it's a genuinely shocking moment. Not-Bobby Canavale comforts Max, and Michael Badalucco is spotted moping in the crowd to remind us that he is still in this episode. Fidelia's mother lets the detectives know that someone online was calling Felida names like "slut" and "whore." The email address leads them back to Dizzer, but he denies having sent the harassing emails. His alibi is that he was taking part in a threesome in Brooklyn and reminds the detectives of his motto/airbrushed shirt. Tutuola looks ready to punch this man. The detectives take his phone into evidence and thankfully we don't have to deal with Dizzer ever again.

Tech agent Morales proves that the IP address actually came from an internet cafe and holy shit the culprit turns out to be none other than Peggy Bernardi, seen in some seriously unflattering ATM camera angles. Peggy proudly shows off a onesie for her new grandbaby that says "My grandma is a GILF" and high-fives Tina. When Stabler and Munch confront her about her harassing emails, Peggy goes off on a warpath about how Fidelia ruined her kids' lives and kicks the detectives out of her house. ADA Greylek suggests that they hit Peggy with criminal impersonation and reckless endangerment, among other charges, and Munch reminds the group that Peggy only used words against Fidelia and to arrest her would go against the first amendment. Good ol’ Munch, always a voice of reason. Before they have time to commit to what exactly they're arresting Peggy for, word comes in that a mob has formed outside Peggy's apartment, led by Not-Bobby Canavale. Stabler and Munch arrive to rescue-arrest Peggy.

On the stand, Peggy says that sending harassing emails to a hormonal teenaged girl was "just a goof." A large television is presented so that Peggy can awkwardly read her fake-teenage bibble-babble to the courtroom. We get to learn what "OMFG" and "STFU" mean. In her last message to Peggy, Fidelia writes that her "fath is knocking," implying that their conversation was ended because Not-Bobby Canavale was at the door. However, Tina suddenly comes to a realization and informs the courtroom that "FATH" actually stands for "first and true husband" in some dumb chastity club lingo.

Stabler and Munch realize that Fidelia's "FATH" was Max, who comes clean: when he realized that Fidelia had cheated on him and didn't love him, he killed her and faked her suicide. Case closed.

Max and Alec are put away for their crimes and Peggy is let go. ADA Greylick gives Peggy some unnecessary attitude and Peggy goes fully ballistic, strangling Greylek and screaming "I'm a good mother!" Greylek tells Stabler to "collar that bitch for assault" but Stabler sees poor Tina in tears, having witnessed everyone she knows and loves fall apart in front of her. Mr. Galli offers to take Tina in, given that she is pregnant with his grandchild, and promises to help her raise the baby. The episode ends on a rare moment of kindness.

So what makes "Babes" the best episode of Law and Order: SVU? The episode features a lot of "ripped-from-the-headlines" moments, from the Gloucester pregnancy pact to the the suicide of Megan Meier. There are some genuinely funny moments in the episode and the performances are pretty great, especially Debi Mazar. And while Benson isn't featured all that much, it's a pretty heavy Munch episode, and he's always great. The episode starts with a homeless man on fire with his penis chopped off and still somehow finds a way to get more crazy by the end. "Babes" is a season ten episode, which means it's SVU in their bonkers prime, a few seasons before Stabler left but long enough into the show's run for them to feel blindly confident in what they were doing. If you are able to stream this episode, I highly recommend checking it out - it will almost definitely improve your day.