#The Other Adversary's Books of... Stuff

[theotheradversary]

Oh.

Just remembered something just as on the spooks scale as demons/daemons. But first and foremost, a paragraph forward of this particular "book" light novel style. Then a rough subject paragraph on the current topic... Then.... I dunno. There's the rambling. Just cope ok? I can't research beyond my own mind atm. But that'll be fixed soon.

I think we need to think about the current state of affairs to provide us with modern thinking, before we can examine the past. So, the things current Christians are suppose to believe in. So that means we get to talk Angels! They're in the currently accepted old and new testament after all. Some descriptions are rather... Descriptive? Heh. So i think we should look at them first. The named and the types. Not to mention ask artists to either draw their idea or ask artists that have drawn stuff if I can use their images. <There's drawings/digital art/romance era paintings etc by some great artists and Limited Artificial Intelligence artists. Fuck you! They're artists! It's just a medium man, you try and get what they create. You can't. Because you can't work in that medium and make what they do!>... Now. The rambling begins.

Modern Christianity eh? Always holding reverence for the holy, but scary af entities but completely ignore the "other side" that actually have some more less scary beings. I guess they go for "shock and awe" method rather than talk about the causes of the pain and suffering or the occupants of Hell that fight in the "Eternal War". (Pretty certain that's still referred to in current Cannon).. But they only mention Lucy.

All the forces of heaven cannot pummel a single entity? Bullshit. You know it, i know it but they never question why Lucy and especially Hell, still exists.

Limbo? Yup. They're on mostly the same page on that. A "no man's" zone where those not baptised but not condemned to Hell are deprived from the glory of heaven.... Aka christened belief is this: you may be a good person but you're going to suffering in solitude, without love, hate, pain nor light/darkness... Just no reason for being with no way to change your situation. For "The Eternity". Ultimately, to be condemned to be swallowed by the "nothing". Leaving a husk that has no thought, no memory, no ego or id.

Pretty much a worse fate than suffering in the depths of Hell where the self still exist.

Better to join the flock and be evil than not to believe in their cruel deity it seems.

Anyways. I'm rambling. I've got stuff to do. I so desperately need a station to do research, draw, weave tales of holy and unholy horror, joy, love, hate and neutrality. Currently everything is done on my phone. Not suitable at all! These fun topics require a proper place to be written and not have autocorrect mess with it. Nor me accidentally dragging paragraphs. Stupid app.

Later fellow freaks! Ghost fans will like this first subject i think. It's why they condemn us. Why we don't deserve love or a moral compass.... Crazy people, yeah?

....

Oh! Wait! Hey! Don't go! Not yet! I just remembered something crazy! A little morsel that Ghost fans and fun people will love!... and to finalise my crazed ranting.

Some interpretations by highly regarded Christian scholars have legit reasoning to believe that "Baʿal Zebub" is calling Lucy, "Of dung", aka calling Lucy a piece of shit. It seems the words of holy inspiration isn't below digging deep with their insults towards The Adversary.

Ok. Rambling mode off. I'm gonna still annoy Ghost fans more and tag stuff inappropriately. Heh

I hope the app hasn't screwed this up or i wrote something wrong... Bloody phones.

[talentforlying]

father grimaldi: forgive me, lord, for i have sinned. constantine: — understatement of the bloody century, that is. father grimaldi: the chapel is closed to the public! who are you? how did you get in here . . .? constantine: did you know vatican city has the highest per-capita crime rate of any nation state in the world? i'd have thought a touch of breaking and entering's pretty much par for the course around here.

so #1, an undeniable slay.

#2, how long do we think he was sitting in the confessional booth waiting for the guy to wake up from ellie's fake vision quest. like an hour? checking his light, practicing his Big Reveal Pose TM? he probably brought a book with him and just shoved it underneath the seat cushion when it was time to show off.

#3, knowing how intensely he studied & continues to study in order to teach himself magic at such an absurdly advanced level without any teachers to formally guide him? and how that level of dedication would absolutely carry over into researching a mark / making sure he had every corner of a confidence scheme nailed down pat? i like to imagine that the day before this meeting was spent with his severely under-caffeinated ass parked at a public library computer, squinting at articles for 'most important things to know about vatican city before you travel' or 'top 10 little-known facts about vatican city' and using the back of his boarding pass to take notes on what would be the best throwaway line to blow off all the usual questions with.

also, he probably woke up still in his travel clothes less than two hours before this scene and had to hustle to get suited up in time for his Dramatic Apparition. the demon blood was boiling so bad in that chapel that it was giving him a killer migraine. he didn't get breakfast so his stomach was growling the ENTIRE time. but all that meant was he had plenty of room to eat UP the runway and that's EXACTLY what the fuck he did.i'm

[minimomoe]

How to Train your Demon

Pairing: trueform! Sukuna x Fem Reader

Summary: Life has all kinds of wins and losses. You don't know which category to put your new demon husband in though.

Tags: MDNI!, red string of fate trope, true form sukuna, librarian reader, soul mates, reincarnation, accidental summoning, love at first sight (but it's one-sided (until it's not)), Sukuna is demon, but he's v much in love, smut and stuff eventually i guess....

Part: I. II. III. IV. V. VI. VII. VIII. IX. X. XI. XII. XIII. (completed)

Rule no. 4: Introduce new people slowly

“Toji, I need you to be as open minded as possible,” you warned.

Your ex-boyfriend stared down at you with a single thin eyebrow raised and his arms crossed over his chest. You had him standing outside your front door after calling him on the phone last night with a strange request to come in this morning. You had cut things off with him and while it was not a messy breakup, it was still a surprise for you to reach out to him. You told him that your feelings for him were more platonic than anything else, and while it was hard for him to understand how he had gotten the short end of the stick after reflection he realized that you two were much better as friends like you stated. He got your back because you had his.

It didn’t make meeting Sukuna any easier. 

Toji wasn’t sure who, or what, exactly he was looking at when he stood in front of your living room. It looked like a man with way too many limbs and strange black tattoos all over his face and body. You frantically waved your hands around as you talked to explain what you were doing with him in your house to Toji. 

“There was this weird book donated to the library and the pages were falling out so obviously I was going to fix it because I was drawn to it but now looking back I was probably under some spell because the next thing I knew he was on my bed telling me that we’re married soulmates and his stomach talks and I don’t think it’s fair to keep him hidden but I don’t know how I can take him anywhere when he looks like that.” You took a deep breath after exposing the past few days to Toji and instantly felt a little better. Keeping such a big secret to yourself was taking a toll on your mental and you were glad to share the burden with another person. Toji and Sukuna glared at each other harshly. Sukuna sensed a powerful adversary, someone who had the ability to oppose him while Toji saw that you had chosen the strangest rebound of all time. 

“Was I that bad that you had to get married right after me?” 

“No!”

“That’s precisely what happened,” the demon butted in. 

You threw daggers at Sukuna and tried to quickly explain but he continued to talk over you as well.

“You broke her heart—“

“Sukuna is a demon that I summoned—“

“—and now I must kill you.”

“—who is not going to be killing anyone!” You reminded Sukuna before Toji could react to the threat. “And Toji didn’t break my heart!” You could feel the tension rising from both sides and dragged Sukuna away from Toji before he actually tried to tear his head off. “Look— Toji, I did some shit that I can’t fully explain without sounding like a crazy person—“

“You don’t sound like a crazy person. You’re already there,” Toji said.

“Do not call my wife mad,” Sukuna snarled. He took a step forward and you threw your arm across his chest to stop him. He simply pushed your arm out of his way, careful not to hurt you but not letting you get in the way of a disrespectful human. 

“Stop throwing that word around,” you growled, dragging Sukuna’s shoulder back with enough strength to actually make him stumble back. “I’m not your wife and you don’t get to hurt any of my friends. What’s going on in that ancient block head of yours doesn’t matter right now. And you ,” you squinted at Toji, “have to be nice. I’m sure this is a major culture shock to Sukuna right now.” 

“So let me get this straight,” Toji sighed. He pointed at Sukuna who swatted his finger out of his face. “That’s your…”

“Guest,” you offered. Toji gave you a doubtful look but continued. 

“Right. Guest , who is also some evil spirit that you found in a book and you want me to do what exactly?”

“Well for starters, take us to the mall? My car is too tiny to fit him,” you complained. You didn’t need to try to see that Sukuna’s frame was much too large for your small sedan that wouldn’t hold anyone over the height of 5’10” comfortably. 

“You’re so smart. Taking my car solves that issue and when we get to the mall we won’t have any problems with the fucking big red giant stomping behind us.”

You scowled at Toji’s sarcasm but he was right. Getting Sukuna in a car was only half of your problem. 

“Sukuna, is there anything you can do about your appearance? Y’know, try to look a little more human?”

Sukuna’s jaw tightened. You asking was not a problem but Toji being around really grinned his gears. You gave him big brown pleading eyes and Sukuna pinched the bridge of his nose.

He started with the easiest one, which was his stomach, focusing energy to seal it off until his abs had no interruption. Then it was the lower pair of arms. Morphing them into his ribs wasn't nearly as painful as it sounded but bone crunching sounds filled the room.  You gasped, throwing your hand over your mouth as your eyes widened at his transformation. Lastly was his face. Sukuna could smooth the skin out as much as hume could but the discoloration remained the same. The additional eyes were reduced to slits, appearing like scars instead of orifices. When Sukuna opened his eyes again the changes were finished. You shakily reached out to touch his arms that remained.

“Did that hurt? I don’t want you to be in pain,” you whispered. 

Sukuna placed his hand over yours and smiled. “There’s nothing for you to worry about.”

From Toji’s perspective you were already a doting wife to the monster in your living room. You inspected the rest of his body like he had fallen off a building and not magically changed because you asked him to.

“Okay, you really do look alright. Toji, do you think you can give him something to wear? Nothing of mine will fit him.”

Toji flat out disagreed. “I’m not doing that. Can’t he conjure up some shit to wear?” 

“He can’t walk around like this! The pants are… okay, but he really needs a top. You don’t even have a jacket to lend?” 

“Fuck. No.”

“Asshole,” you grumbled. You looked back at Sukuna. Sure men could get away with not wearing shirts in public areas, especially in the summer heat, but Sukuna was still freakishly tall with intricate tattoos lining his body. You wanted to lessen the attention brought to him as much as you could.

“I wouldn’t want to put on your robes,” Sukuna said pointedly to Toji. Just like he suggested, Sukuna suddenly had on a white kimono with blue lining on, covering most of his body. 

“That—that works too,” you stuttered. His powers confused you. The idea that there are really higher beings was really fucking with your mind but you tried not to apply your human logic to it. It clearly couldn’t hold a candle next to Sukuna. 

After arguing who sits where in Toji’s much larger SUV, you watched from the back seat as both men sat in the front. Sukuna was intrigued by the buttons that littered the dashboard and Toji wanted him to do anything but touch.

“Go easy on him, Toji. Culture shock, remember?”

“Just because you pulled somebody out from a biblical time period does not mean they get to fuck with my shit.” He scowled at you through the rear view mirror but you pretended not to see him. 

Loud music charged the car and vibrated in your chest, making you all scream out in shock. Sukuna had turned the dial for the stereo as loud as it could go and Toji swerved into another lane. You reached over from the backseat to shut the radio off and Toji gained control of the car once again. You all sat in silence but you could hear the boiling anger in Toji. You were worried, not only for Toji’s outburst but Sukuna’s as well. You knew that he was keeping calm for your sake, but you were afraid that Toji would push him over the edge. You weren’t sure what Sukuna was capable of, but you did know it would lead to mass destruction. 

“He can walk to the goddamn mall. Get out. Now,’ he barked. 

“Toji don’t do that to him.”

“You’re making excuses for him!” “I’m being sympathetic! Sukuna, baby, listen. Please just sit there. I know I’ve been asking a lot of you lately but I would really like for us to get to our destination safely.” 

The term of endearment slipped out of your mouth by accident, and Sukuna perked up at the use of it as well. He was your baby, something that you looked at with affection. He stared at you and you gave him a hopeful smile. 

“I’ll keep to myself,” he promised.Toji muttered some insult under his breath that you pinched him for before sagging back into your seat. 

“We’ll buy you new clothes and get something to eat. Simple, normal tasks. We should be in and out.” 

You could only hope. 

Thanks for reading loves!! lemme know what ya think xx

Part: I. II. III. IV. V. VI. VII. VIII. IX. X. XI. XII. XIII.

M.list || Twitter || Ao3

[noheteroexplanation]

Compilation post of the Rhaenicent Quotes in the House of the Dragon Season 2 Companion Book

The Companion Book discusses various aspects of the making of season 2, such as production, set design, costuming, writing and acting. In this post I will compile all the quotes that make reference to Rhaenicent. The quotes are below the cut.

Quotes on Rhaenicent in season 1

Expertly crafted, the first season breathed visceral life into an essential chapter in the history of Westeros by foregrounding the experiences of childhood friends turned reluctant adversaries Rhaenyra Targaryen and Alicent Hightower.

Hess was keen to explore the ways in which the patriarchy impacted the world of Westeros, and how circumstances conspired to drive an ever-greater wedge between the show's central protagonists, Rhaenyra and Alicent.

As the scripts came together, the two characters became the principal lens through which the episodes unfolded. Alicent and Viserys's marriage leaves Rhaenyra feeling betrayed, while Rhaenyra's brazen indifference to societal dictates infuriates Alicent.

Quote on Rhaenicent at the start of season 2

Both sides, too, appear largely determined to ignore the wisdom of the women in their midst. Despite having been crowned queen in an impromptu ceremony at Dragonstone, Rhaenyra struggles to fully assert her authority over the men who serve on her Black Council, many of whom simply wish for her to step aside so they might enact their own plans. At the Red Keep, Alicent, too, is ignored and dismissed by her sons and her father, who disregard her considerable political savvy and her years of experience serving on Viserys's Small Council.

Quotes on Rhaenyra and Alicent's arcs in season 2

For the writers, the characters' arcs were a means to continue their exploration of House of the Dragon's powerful central theme—that the patriarchy would rather destroy itself than see woman on the throne. "Rhaenyra is beginning to understand that even though she's the queen, it doesn't really matter," Hess says. "Because she's a woman, she's seen as a figurehead, not somebody who's actually in control. Alicent is realizing, Oh, I'm entirely disposable once the men are in charge. The season is about them coming to active reckoning with the patriarchy."

Adds Condal: "Alicent and Rhaenyra were doing much better in a time of peace and prosperity, when you could have more nuanced arguments about what power is and who should be in power. But once it becomes a real war, the men who trained their entire life for this expect to step up to the front of the table and say, 'Thank you very much, but this is what we're going to do now.'"

Quote on set design

In the second season, the young queen (Helaena) moves into Alicent's former chambers, while Alicent, now Queen Dowager, takes over Rhaenyra's former living quarters.

Quote on Rhaenyra and Mysaria that makes reference to Alicent

"Rhaenyra hasn't had a friend that she can be real with in a long time," Hess says.

Introduction to the Sept scene

"The Burning Mill" also afforded D'Arcy and Cooke a rare opportunity to work together, as the hour concludes with a confrontation between Rhaenyra and Alicent, one of only two scenes between the characters in the second season. The scene unfolds inside King's Landing's Grand Sept, where the Queen Dowager has gone to pray. Rhaenyra disguised as a septa, kneels next to her, and their tense exchange begins.

On writing the Sept scene

As he was writing the episode, Hancock, knowing the import of the sequence, worked in concert with Hess on the conversation in which the women finally express to one another their feelings of anger, suspicion, and resentment. "'It's not that either has betrayed the other,"' Hess says. "It's that all this stuff has happened that the men around them have facilitated, and now they don't know what to think about each other. There's this displaced fury, and they end up trying to fight it out with each other. That's often how women in high-powered positions are made to feel about each other—to be suspicious of each other and to struggle with one another over things that they should be [in agreement on]."

Input from Emma and Olivia on the Sept scene

During the period of rehearsals prior to the beginning of the shoot, D'Arcy and Cooke weighed in on the emotions their characters would likely be experiencing, and Hess made a point to reshape the sequence based on their feedback. "They both felt they could get more visceral and angrier," she says, "like, if they weren't who they were and in a sept, they would be punching each other."

The importance of the Sept for Rhaenicent

Setting the meeting inside the Grand Sept gave the scenes additional weight, as the characters had been present in the space together only once before: In the first season, a teenage Alicent brings her best friend there to help her process her grief over her mother's death.

Rhaenyra's point of view on the Sept scene

The fact that Rhaenyra makes the trip to the capital at all is a dangerous gamble, "It's quite a chaotic choice," says D'Arcy. "There's some slight irrational thinking going on and maybe a little bit of self-destructive tendency as well. I have this sense that part of her wants forgiveness. I think she also wants to look the person who's caused her such pain in the face and to declare it. I really loved that scene because while trying to negotiate as an adult on behalf of the kingdom, you also watch two children try to reconcile so much painful feeling."

Alicent's point of view on the Sept scene

Cooke played the scene as though Alicent still feels a deep and abiding love for her childhood best friend, despite all the pain and tragedy they've both experienced. "They grew up pretty much as sisters, and that is hard to break," Cooke says. "I think they both can tell when the other is lying or postulating. This feels like a complete breakdown of any pretense. They are showing each other their most honest and vulnerable side. They have this back-and-forth about what Viserys's intentions were and this discovery of what he wanted."

Aftermath of the Sept scene for Rhaenyra and Alicent

Each woman leaves the encounter in the Grand Sept fundamentally changed. Rhaenyra arrives harboring doubts that Viserys had indeed wished for his son, Aegon, to follow him onto the Iron Throne. But hearing Alicent allude to the prophecy of the Prince That Was Promised she feels newfound surety about the path forward. "For the first time, she has to choose it for herself," D'Arcy says of Rhaenyra's destiny. "Suddenly, there's this decision to kill the possibility that anyone else truly has the heirdom, and that causes her to reckon finally with going to war. She chooses her title. She doesn't just inherit it."

Alicent, meanwhile, is confused and confounded to discover that Viserys might have been referring to Aegon the Conqueror as he drew his last breath. "This throws Alicent's world into complete chaos," Cooke says. "She's been so solid in what she heard. That story, and what she's told herself, has given her such strength, even in the eyes of people that think she's completely out for her own gain."

Quote from Olivia on shooting scenes with Emma

During the shoot, Cooke found herself wishing she and D'Arcy could perform together more often, "It was great working with Emma," Cooke says. "lt's too few and far between [our scenes]. I get stolen snippets with them, but it's always so wonderful and juicy."

Rhaenicent parallel storylines in episode 2x05

As Alicent is undermined in the Red Keep, Rhaenyra is faring little better on Dragonstone.

Alicent's decision at the Lake to go to Dragonstone

"Alicent has lost pretty much everything—any power, any legitimacy that she held—and war is afoot," Cooke says. "I genuinely don't think she believes that [the Greens] can win, and I think she believes that they shouldn't win. She wholeheartedly believes that she got it wrong. Her need to escape King's Landing is to get some clarity on the situation and try to figure out what she needs to do."

Quote on the Dragonstone meeting

In the episode's final moments, Rhaenyra has a second fateful encounter: She returns to Dragonstone and, to her surprise, finds Alicent proposing an arrangement by which the Blacks could take the throne with minimal bloodshed. Set inside the Valyrian scroll library in Dragonstone, the sequence finds Alicent advising Rhaenyra that Aemond will leave the Red Keep to join Cole in the Riverlands on the march to Harrenhal. At that point, Helaena as Queen Regent could command the guards to lay down their arms, allowing Rhaenyra to take the castle. In return, Alicent asks that Rhaenyra allow her to live out her days with Helaena in the countryside. Aegon will need to be executed, Alicent acknowledges, but she believes his sacrifice is necessary to avoid war.

Alicent's decision to petition Rhaenyra

"It's massive that Alicent travels to Rhaenyra," Cooke says. "It's treason. If Aemond found out that she'd gone, [her] head [would be] on a spike. But it's to petition the friendship that she and Rhaenyra once had. It's to look Rhaenyra in the eye and be like, 'I'm not lying. This is me as my rawest self. This is me shedding whatever power or queenly status I had. It's yours. I was wrong. I don't want anything to do with it. I'm done. I'm tired, I'm so exhausted. Let me and Helaena go off and live in the countryside with a couple of chickens and a cow."

Ryan Condal on the decision to end the season on the Dragonstone meeting

For Condal, bringing Rhaenyra and Alicent together one last time was an ideal way to conclude the season, to remind viewers of the women's role in the narrative and their inextricable links to each other.

On Rhaenyra and Alicent's contrasting character arcs in season 2

"You have two characters who have these wildly divergent arcs [and they] come back around at the end to again find themselves on one another's doorstep," Condal says. "Rhaenyra has seen this meteoric ascent over the course of the season. She's gone from somewhat of a beggar queen, who is crowned on a hill, to a leader of an army of dragons and of men. Alicent began the season having put her blood on the throne, the thing that she sacrificed her youth and body to do. But she comes to a place where she is now looking at the cost of the choices that she's made and wondering what it was all for. She's realizing that neither of her sons is suited to rule the realm, and she wants to stop the spinning wheel that is the game of thrones."

On the filming of the Dragonstone meeting

Two days near the end of the production schedule were set aside to film the weighty scene, so that D'Arcy and Cooke would have enough time to thoroughly explore how their characters might react to such an unexpected turn of events. "The way we prepared for it was, they both came to the scene without a rehearsal so that they would be able to start fresh and feel things in the moment," Patel says.

On Alicent's choice to sacrifice Aegon

The trio agreed that for the scene to work, the audience would need to truly understand Alicent's motivations for risking so much in reaching out to Rhaenyra. "Alicent found herself in Episode 7, and who she found is someone who is honorable," Patel says. "Her honor lies in being responsible for her actions, and she knew that she had misunderstood Viserys on his deathbed, and because of that Aegon was now king. She needed to set the record straight and do the right thing."

On Alicent's love for her son Aegon

They also set about finding ways to convey that despite how deeply disappointed Alicent is in Aegon, how turbulent their relationship has been, deep down, she still loves him. Thus, the idea of offering his life to Rhaenyra was unimaginably fraught. "The entire season was going to end on this hinge, so for that to be effective, we needed to believe that she loved her son and that it was truly high stakes," Patel says, "It was important to feel that unconditional love of a mother that is hard to describe."

The aftermath of Alicent's choice in season 3

"The entire season finale hangs on the cliff of Alicent telling Rhaenyra, 'I'm going to give you son for a son,'" Patel adds. "But what she doesn't realize is that the son she has promised has escaped."

Hints for Rhaenicent in season 3

Amid the beautifully realized fantasy trappings, the family drama—grounded in themes of love, loyalty, and betrayal—remained the central focus, with Rhaenyra and Alicent continuing to serve as the fulcrum of the narrative. "They still have quite a bit to learn about who they are as people, and how far they're willing to go for their goals, whether those are personal goals or familial goals in either pursuing the throne and ambition, or protecting their blood," says showrunner Ryan J. Condal. "They both realize, certainly, that they are living through a historical period in this world."

Miscellaneous:

Picture descriptions

Olivia Cooke (left) and Emma D'Arcy filming Alicent and Rhaenyra's confrontation. (2x03)

A suspicious Rhaenyra (D'Arcy) greets her estranged best friend (Cooke). (2x08)

A quote from Sara Hess comparing Rhaenyra and Alicent to Sharako Lohar

"She's operating outside the system. Rhaenyra and Alicent are so much struggling with the patriarchy, it was super refreshing to have a woman who's like, Fuck everything."

[beaniegaebie]

i don't really have any solid conclusions about this yet but i noticed A Thing in a rewatch and i haven't found it mentioned elsewhere yet so here we go

(apologies for the appalling image quality you're about to see, i can't screenshot easily rn pls bear with)

OKAY so in the scene where crowley confronts gabriel about "shut up and die", something about the arrangement of book stacks caught my eye a little

the majority of the books are angled so that we mostly just see the page edges and not the spines clearly, EXCEPT for a particularly shiny and familiar colour combo right here-

but nothing too weird going on there, i thought, crowley coloured books in a bookshop so what? right up until i registered crowley's line when we get a closer look-

hhhhmmmmMMmmmm yes yes "everything just the way you wanted" huh, very interesting considering that we know how much thought goes into props huh

and for most of the shots we get of crowley in this position those freaking books are just quietly nestled right there in the corner-

look at that god damn framing i fuckin see you, you glorious bastards

so i paused to see if i could figure out what the hell was up with those fuckers and this is when i absolutely lost my mind, your honour

A and C you say?? in crowley colours???? framed like this?????? localised entirely within your kitchen???

anyway long story short they're two books from an Agatha Christie Crime Collection set (24 volumes, three stories per volume) and guess whats on the mfing front covers I'm-

(its a rant for another post but when paired with this other set of initials spotted in s2 i want to scream actually)

ANYWAY back to the books, through an absolutely unhinged comparison of the formatting of gold text blobs i reckon the two we have here are:

(on top) The Pale Horse; The Big Four, The Secret Adversary

(on bottom) 4:50 From Paddington, Lord Edgeware Dies, Murder in Mesopotamia

(I'm fairly confident but if anyone has a better image to confirm/correct this pls do)

now here is where I'll need a bunch of help from some Christie-heads out there bc I haven't read any of these and I've only seen the tv adaptation of one of them, so i dont know for sure if these are like A Clue, or A Cool Thing, or if I've just fully brainrotted myself into a fun lil corner here? wa-hoo

but here's some initial stuff that jumped out at me after skimming the basics:

(some of) the titles: Pale Horse/Big Four - death's horse ofc, the four horsemen mayb? the them+adam?? ; Mesopotamia is a very biblical choice bbz ; 4:50 From Paddington- azi likes trains i guess? idk that one's tenuous lmao ; honestly no idea with the other two but Secret Adversary feels a tad ominous

iirc Big Four just has kind of an unusual history, it was initially twelve short stories that she later compiled into one, and it was published fairly soon after christie's mysterious disappearance/reappearance

in Big Four, poirot fakes his death at one point and doesnt even let hastings in on it and I'm hoping sure its totally irrelevant to the ineffable bois

part of the Pale Horse story is a group of assassins that basically try to pass off all their murders as being actually caused by like ✨satanic powers✨ which is interesting

christie knew a fUCkton about poisonings thats why she wrote so many into her work and, while i don't believe the poison coffee theory myself, it sure is an interesting link with how cyanide is associated with almond smell/flavour and that metatron chooses almond syrup in particular

(ALSO random side note that is mostly meaningless but I've worked in a good few uk coffee shops and have never worked anywhere that stocks almond syrup; almond milk yes, hazelnut syrup yes, but never almond syrup...? prob just the places i worked though lmao)

EDIT forgotten point: I've seen some speculation that the bently's plate reading "CURTAIN" could be a reference to poirot's last story, along side that alternate scene of crowley ordering the sherry for "miss marple", its just one too many agatha christie references for my melted brain to handle and I'm SUS

so this is where i run out of idea steam and hand it over to you lot because i have no clue what this could mean, if it even means anything other than a cool set feature

is there something here actually or am i yelling into the void just for fun?

who knows, who cares!

[thinkingaboutbetterdays]

kindred spirits. ( zack addy x reader )

gif belongs to me

The psychiatric west wing was a chaotic place to be tossed into. The dysfunction surrounding him was overwhelming. Zack had no sense of routine for a long time in the adversarial asylum. The pain in his hands was loosely relieved with medication that he kept a close eye on. His arms were left bruised from the forceful nature with which the doctors or nurses administered the medication. Haloperidol was administered to keep him calm to avoid outbursts of aggression that he was never prone to, but after observing some of the other patients it appeared to be a drug given to everyone as a precaution.

Zack spent most of his first week in the new wing in his room, wanting to drown out the shouting with books Hodgins had given him, but on his eighth day he was ushered into what the bold lettering above the doorway spelled out the day room. Due to the high volume of patients, there were three, and Zack was shown all of them to decide which one he wanted to be in. Room number two was quieter, more promising so he agreed to stay there and the doctor informed him that he would check on him later, but Zack knew it was less to do with his wellbeing and more to do with ensuring he was still there.

A round white table was empty on the right side of the window and Zack made a beeline for the chair, narrowly avoiding colliding with a woman who was looking around as if she had gotten lost in a train station, tugging on her hair so hard that some strands snapped. His back faced the room and as he opened his book he tried to drown out the noise as he turned to the page he had left off. A short while later, he estimated seventeen minutes, he grew aware of someone's stare and resisted the urge to turn around and shifted in his seat, his eyes scanning the page instead of absorbing the information.

The book was taken from his hands and he lifted his head, watching as you took a seat across the table, sitting in the corner with a clear view of every aspect of the room.

"Ooh, Advanced Topics in Forensic DNA Typing Methodology."

"Give it back."

You flashed a smirk as your eyes scanned the cover, raising an eyebrow, "What are you? A murderer looking to mask his crimes or something?"

"Or something." Zack reached for the book and your smirk widened as you leaned back in your seat.

"You're a cop."

"Scientist." 

"Ooh," You rested your arms on the table, "do you blow stuff up?"

"Sometimes." He admitted, moving his glove-covered hands below the table, and action that was subconscious and did not go unnoticed. You studied him for a moment before handing him the book and looked at his hands, seeing the burn marks peeking out from beneath his gloves. Two patients had started arguing about a chess piece and you knew it had been removed after someone had used the King to stab another patient in the thigh after losing a round.

You opened your mouth to speak when they grew louder until one bumped into the table, knocking the book out of Zack's hands. He turned to Zack and glared at the scientist who moved away slightly.

"Do we have a problem?" The patient shouted.

"No problem."

"Yes, we do." You replied, earning a stunned look from Zack and an incredulous look from the other patient. "You made him drop his book."

"So?"

"Pick it up."

"I can get it if you just step aside a little -" Zack anxiously glanced between you and the towering male.

"Make me."

"Oh, I'll make you." You stood up, but before he could grab you, you twisted his arm, holding the back of his neck, forcing him to kneel and he shakily picked up the book. "Now set it down." When the patient set it down you gave another order, "Say sorry."

"I'm sorry," 

You shoved the man away and occupied the seat across from Zack with a smile, not caring to comment on the way he glanced at you and the patient who swiftly put distance between you. "So what is the book about?"

Zack didn't respond immediately, still processing how quickly you shifted from hostile to friendly, but your smile didn't falter for a second, patiently waiting for his answer. "DNA Typing Methodology." 

"Which is...blowing someone's capillaries open?"

"No." Zack began to list the topics covered in the book and seeing you were trying to understand, but not grasping the meaning or how important it was, he stayed at the table and listed the reasons why it was important and why each topic was considered advanced, even using the book to demonstrate. You smiled softly at the scientist while he closed the book and Zack turned around before looking back when he saw no one was behind him and your smile was directed at him. "Why are you looking at me like that?"

"I only have a thirty percent understanding of everything you just said, but you explained it to me. I enjoy talking to you."

When his name was called by a doctor, Zack stood up and picked up the book, walking a few paces before turning to you, unable to fend off his curiosity. "What's your name?"

"Y/N."

Zack expected to see you every day thereafter, however he learned that your altercation with another patient landed you isolated time in your room for a week. So he returned to the table, finding, that while he was first wary of your intentions, he missed discussing scientific matters, and no one else was bothered or interested like you were. So when you returned, he was surprised to see you at the table playing solitaire.

You looked up when he walked over and sent him a smile. "Morning."

"It's two in the afternoon." 

"Oh. Well, it's bound to be morning somewhere." 

"Can I?" He motioned to the empty chair across from you.

You sighed, "I'm sorry but Walden is here and he doesn't like guests." You appeared apologetic and for a moment Zack was concerned you did believe someone was sitting there, relaxing only when he saw the way your lips twitched in amusement. "I'm kidding!" You laughed. "Sit! I'll make some room." You gestured to your cards and Zack shook his head, taking a seat across from you.

"You have three of spades."

You added it to the pile and thanked him. "You've got a sharp eye."

"I prefer to see every viewpoint in an analysis."

"So...are you psychic or super smart?"

"I don't believe in psychics." 

"So super smart. Got it."

"After Tuesday, they got overexcited putting me back in my room."

Zack opened his book and you returned to playing solitaire with a deck of cards, falling into a sense of contentment despite the patients yelling at the television. Zack looked over at you, noticing you were quieter today, his gaze falling to your arm where a bruise had formed, fingerprints visible. Sensing his stare, you answered his silent question, not lifting your eyes from the cards.

"I'm sorry."

"Why? It wasn't your fault."

"Why did you grab him like that?" Zack asked.

With a nonchalant shrug, you replied, "He wasn't nice to you. I don't like people who aren't nice to my friends."

"We met a week ago, for an hour," Zack stated.

"So? I know everything I need to know about you Doctor Zachary Uriah Addy." You lifted your head once all the cards were organized, flashing a grin. "Would you like to hear what I gathered so far?" Zack was silent and you decided to list everything you learned. "You work - sorry worked - at the Jeffersonian with Temperance Brennan, Jack Hodgins, Angela Montenegro, Seeley Booth, and Camille Saroyan. Forensic Anthropology is only one field that you study, Engineering is the second. Your IQ is well over 163. And you killed a man. Allegedly."

"Why did you say allegedly like that?"

"No reason." You nodded to his book, "Can you tell me more about Anthropology? Have you always wanted to get a doctorate? Ooh -"

"Do you want me to answer these?" He asked.

You nodded. "I have a list of questions I wrote." You took out a piece of paper and held it out to Zack who was surprised by the amount of questions. Ranging from his favorite color to his former colleagues.

"How did you find out so much about me?" He asked tentatively.

You shrugged. "I know people who are good with computers, and since I don't have anyone else to call, I thought I'd ask about you. You're different than everyone else in here. I like that."

Zack looked at the list of questions but before he could answer you handed him a pencil.

"So I don't forget." 

With a nod, he quietly responded to the questions and you smiled softly as you watched him ponder his answers, taking the quiz seriously. Your break ended before he was done and you sighed when your name was called along with two others. "But I haven't finished the -" Zack turned, picking up the paper from the table.

"Keep it!" You called over your shoulder before leaving the room.

Zack noticed the stares aimed his way and returned to the quiz, drowning them out. A few minutes later he realized how quiet it was without you, how the hour seemed longer, and as he looked at the patients arguing over a chair before being escorted out, he assessed that while you had proven your strength and likely fatal ability, you were intelligent. However the 'friend' researching his past did unnerve him, but rather than worry for his safety, he worried about the safety of his friends.

Another week passed and Zack learned on the third day that you had argued with another patient, resulting in a time-out. He finished his book and had a visit from Jack who provided a riddle he solved easily. The distance forced him to admit he was intrigued by you.

When you entered the cafeteria, Zack was in line when you joined a few people behind him. You chose two sandwiches instead of taking fruit and when Zack took a seat, he was joined by a towering male who took his sandwich. You joined him when the man left and held out the sandwiches you brought for him, the same ones he had chosen.

"Thank you."

"You should kick his ass." You suggested. "Or I could -"

"No!" Zack stood up when you moved to stand and you both sat down across from each other. "I heard you were caught fighting."

"It was self-defense." You shrugged. "She wanted my stuff and tried to take it, so I kicked her ass."

"You know, if you quit fighting people, you wouldn't be confined to your room," Zack explained.

"They'd do it anyway. Hasn't stopped them before."

Your tone was nonchalant although your gaze was heavy as you prodded your sandwich with your finger before setting it aside.

"Why?" He asked.

"I'm not...good people." You grimaced at your word choice before gesturing to him. "You, you are good people. Me? I've been here for two years next month. Very bad."

"What did you do?" He enquired.

You shook your head, "Not today, okay?" You sighed. "I like talking to you and once you find out, you won't want to talk to me."

Zack merely nodded, trusting that you would tell him why you ended up here and continued with his lunch. For the rest of the week, you kept out of trouble, and Zack quickly found that you liked riddles and wrote some down for you to solve. You would work quietly while he reread his book and it was almost peaceful, enough to drown out everyone else.

A routine formed after that day and it brought Zack some comfort to form something familiar. You stayed out of trouble and still got locked away for days on end. Zack walked by your room on the way to his every evening and would slip a riddle beneath your door. When you were let out you would show him and stop him from putting the papers in the trash. He found out later that you kept them in a shoebox with other keepsakes. Every day, when you weren't locked away, you sat together at the same table by the window. You would quiz him on his book and when Jack brought more, you repeated the cycle. Zack would discuss interesting points made in his books and you would smile as you played with a deck of cards, sometimes stacking them, other times playing solitaire. By the end of his first month, he was surprised by how much you were listening and appreciated the interest you took.

During his second month, he recognized the patterns that formed in your day-to-day life. You would return with bruises on your knuckles and arms sometimes, and others with broken ribs. Zack stood up when he saw you enter with a bruised cheek and you shook your head when he asked what happened.

"I don't want to talk about it."

On days like this Zack filled the suffocating silence with random facts he knew, or learned from his books. He was told many times that he lacked emotional intelligence, and that's why he spouted random facts to try and distance himself from emotions. Your expression did not reveal whether you were listening or not, but Zack knew that you were. The first days out of a lock-in were tense. The slightest thing could set you off and Zack had seen more than once you ended bickering, and physical fighting and defended another patient from another who tried to intimidate them. You were a protective figure and Zack learned he wasn't the only one smuggling you things during lock-ins. One woman gave you a specific candy bar each time during check-in when everyone stood outside and they were accounted for. The woman had the room beside yours and easily slipped the candy into your hand when you stood next to each other during routine head counts.

By his fourth month, Zack could see clearly. The bruises weren't from fighting patients, not always at least, and it was the staff at the hospital when they got you alone. It wasn't until he was swapped with the woman, who he later learned was called Kathy after she had been caught giving you candy, that he realized this. And after the first night, Zack felt like he had forgotten how to interact with you when you stood side by side for a morning head count.

That night he waited long after the lights were out and the feeling that you would reach out to him was proven correct when he heard a light tap on the wall.

"It's a long story."

"I've got plenty of time."

As Zack listened to your past, he was both fascinated and horrified, but his trust only grew as while not great at reading people, you were an open book then, and you were anxious about telling him everything. You finished your story in the early hours of the morning and Zach realized he had been quiet for a while when you spoke. "I understand if you don't want to talk anymore." You waited a few seconds before adding, "Are you asleep?"

"I'm awake."

You sighed, resting your head against the wall, and closing your eyes. You were exhausted after unloading your history but when Zach began to talk about his siblings, his co-workers, and Gormogon, you were wide awake, memorizing every detail. Having a great memory was a blessing and sometimes a curse.

"I'm an assassin." You giggled, hugging your legs to your chest, sitting with your body leaning against the wall. "You are outnumbered by hundreds."

"Former assassin." He corrected. "In the time that you have been here, you haven't killed anyone. Have you?"

"No."

"Therefore it's similar to a retirement."

"Hardly. Once I'm back out there it'll be like I never left...and I-I prefer it in here. Especially with you." You rested your left temple on the cold wall.

Zack rested his right temple on the wall and while he didn't say it aloud, he felt it. Being here, when you were around, was marginally more bearable than the days he was forced to spend without you.

You had been given time outside on the grounds, surrounded of course in case someone tried to make a break for the wall, but it was easy to pretend you and Zack were alone, walking side by side. "Like someone is stupid enough to run away."

"Perhaps not right now, but it is possible to break out." He admitted casually, and you raised an eyebrow at him.

"Dude, lower your voice unless you want to get locked in." You giggled, grabbing his arm gently, and leaning into him.

"It is possible that -" You both stopped walking when a middle-aged woman sprinted away from the group and orderly's chased after her, others barking at the group to stand still.

"Oh look I was wrong." You turned your head, following the woman as she ran, only to be tackled onto the ground. "And she's down."

Zack looked down at you, his lips twitching in amusement at your commentary. He used his arm to gain your attention but didn't pull it away from your grasp. You walked inside the hospital together and as you stood side by side waiting to go into your rooms you looked at the scientist. "See you on the other side, babe." You spoke with a Jersey accent and Zack shook his head, an eyebrow raised in question as a chuckle left his lips.

"Y/N...are you there?"

You were stunned when Zack escaped the hospital. But also heartbroken. He was gone for a short time however and when he was brought back by an FBI agent you knew he had to be Seeley Booth, and you realized where he had gone. You looked at the ceiling of your room, hearing Zack being brought back to his room next to yours. A few minutes later you heard a knock on the wall.

You turn away from the wall, and after trying one more time Zack gives up. You closed your eyes as you ignored the ache in your side. You had handled worse but piled on top of feeling abandoned by Zack when he left, it hurt so much more.

You are in lock-in for almost two weeks and Zack still tried every night to talk to you, resuming his routine of slipping riddles under your door. At first, you were determined to ignore them but it was quickly tossed aside and you solved the riddles. Two weeks go by until he sees you again in the lunch room and he hesitates, unsure how you would react, before joining you.

You don't acknowledge his presence and he debates whether to ask why.

"Are you angry at me?"

"Should I be?"

Zack considers the question before shrugging. "You were gone for two weeks."

"I was ill." You lied, and he saw through it. You didn't look up from the label you were trying to peel off perfectly.

"I'm sorry."

When you didn't speak Zach decided that you weren't in a talkative mood and ate his lunch while you peeled off all the labels, leaving the food untouched. He was in the day room when Kathy approached him, bumping shoulders on her way to a table. Zack looked back at her in confusion, seeing the glare sent his way. He took his usual seat at the table and waited for you to arrive, beginning the new book Hodgins had given him.

He was on page two when three people approached his table and Zack realized you still hadn't shown up. "We don't like you." 

"Why?"

"You hurt Y/N." One of them answered before knocking his book out of his hands. Zack watched them go as he slowly picked up the book, sighing when he saw a page was folded in the fall.

He was walking to his room when he saw Kathy and decided to confront the middle-aged woman when she continued to glare at him. "Where is Y/N?"

"Sulking I imagine." She replied.

"Why?"

"Because of the bruises and because you ran off."

"What bruises?"

"The bruises because you ran off." She stated like it was obvious and Zack frowned when she walked away.

When he entered his room, the door closed soon after and he took a seat on his bed, looking at the white wall across from him. He knocked on the wall connecting your rooms and when you didn't respond he sighed and looked down at his book.

He was reading page thirteen when he heard it. He lifted his head, believing he had been hearing things when he heard the sound again. He leaned against the wall and frowned when he heard the sound of crying coming from your room. He knocked on the wall, "Y/N?" He knocked again when you didn't reply, "Y/N?" He tried again, "Are you okay?"

When you didn't answer Zach sighed, slouching on the bed. He rested his head on the wall and closed his eyes when he could still hear the cries.

Three days passed without seeing you or hearing from you through the wall. Noticing Zack was distracted, Hodgins asked what was wrong and Zack pitched his dilemma about you. He was never great with emotions, facts were his preference and his specialty. So to give him the full scope, Zack briefly mentioned your past and Hodgins shook his head immediately when he was finished.

"Uh-uh. You do not want to get caught up in this. Just keep your head down and stay out of it."

Zack noticed he was not giving his full opinion. "If she wasn't in here, what would you say?"

"I'd say she was pretty bummed that you left." Hodgins could see the cogs turning in his brain and sighed, knowing Zack would not take his advice when it came to avoiding you. "Abandonment. If you became close then to have you run off suddenly, yeah, she'd feel pretty abandoned."

Zack thanked him for his advice.

"She is an assassin," Hodgins whispered. "In here, Booth can't watch out for you. Trust me, you do not want to get caught up in something like that."

When Zack returned to his room half an hour later, he knocked on the wall and you turned beneath the duvet, hearing another tap several seconds later. "I'm sorry." His voice broke through the wall. "When I realized I could help, I didn't think it through. I just knew I needed to get to the Jeffersonian. I didn't mean to hurt you."

You closed your eyes, hearing him sigh and just before he could give up completely, you spoke, "Did you get him?"

Zack smiled behind the wall and you listened as he explained what happened from the moment he left to his return. You smiled softly when you heard the excitement in his voice. You knew he would go back there, and you knew that your friendship was only temporary. He would leave again soon and you would be alone. You were getting used to it before he came along, and while a part of you deep down wanted to plot a way to keep him in the hospital longer you knew you couldn't hurt him like that. He belonged out there. He had an important job to do. A team and dozens of friends waiting for his return. So you decided to enjoy it while it lasted.

You walked out of your rooms at the same time and Zack saw the bruise around your lip and left temple. His frown was instantaneous and you would've playfully rolled your eyes if it wasn't painful. "I'm fine. I've had worse."

From what you told him about your past, Zack wouldn't be surprised if that was true. You walked together to the day room and began your usual routine. Zack read while you played with a deck of cards. He would speak up now and then about something he found interesting, and you hummed and said, "I should really get you to help with crossword puzzles."

During Sweet's latest visit, Zack asked him to send a book filled with crossword puzzles and the psychiatrist didn't have to ask to know if it had something to do with the mysterious woman Hodgins had mentioned, and after asking Zack began to discuss you frequently with Lance who was intrigued by the relationship that had formed between you and delivered the book to Zack a few days later. When he received the book, you began to work on the puzzles, asking Zack when you got stuck, and the anthropologist would glance up at you now and then his lips would twitch as he watched you try to figure it out. Your life before was isolated and when it came to pop culture references, Zack sifted through everything Hodgins or Angela had told him over the years. Together you never left a puzzle unfinished.

"Zack, what was that thing you did before joining the land of psychos?"

He raised an eyebrow as he lifted his gaze from his book. "Forensic anthropology."

"And who invented it?"

"Clyde Snow."

"Snow." You were writing the last letter when a patient approached your table and you raised an eyebrow when he gestured to the crossword book. Zack knew you didn't like interruptions. In a facility housing thousands, you only liked two people, himself and Kathy who you rarely saw after she moved to another wing. Your smile was forced, your voice sickly sweet as you asked, "How may I help you on this fine day?"

"I want it."

"Aw, that sucks 'cause it's mine and you can't have it. Germs and all." Your smile dropped, as did your tone, and you shot to your feet when the man snatched the book. "Hey!"

Sensing the brawl about to break out, Zack stood up and held you back, turning his head when he heard the patient ripping the book.

"Now, no one gets it!"

You tried to get past Zack who held you back. "Let me go!" 

"No, you'll get confined to your room again. I'll get another one."

"I want that one!"

Zack shook his head and you took a deep breath, holding your hands up in surrender. Zack released you and you turned, raising an eyebrow. "What?" He asked. "I'm stronger than I look."

Zack struggled to catch you when you ducked under his arms and turned, wrapping his arms around your waist and lifting you away from the male patient who walked to two people playing checkers and knocked the board off their table. You stopped struggling, realizing it was futile.

"Who is going to miss him?"

"You do realize that I have nothing to keep me occupied for the next twenty minutes and I will spend it torturing you, don't you?"

Zack mirrored your expression, raising an eyebrow. "Are you suggesting you have been pleasant until now?"

"Yes."

Zack sighed. "Very well."

You sat at the table and Zack picked up his book, trying to focus when he saw you drawing on your arm with the pen you had stolen from a nurse. You drew squares and wrote D E A D in the gaps before drawing a hanged man underneath it. He set his book down and sent you an exasperated look.

"Really?"

"You wouldn't let me do it. You want to stop my dreams too?" You lifted your eyes from your artwork, sending him a smirk.

Zack shook his head, feeling his lips twitch upwards as he picked up his book and for a few minutes he managed to finish the chapter he was reading when you took his hand. He began to pull away, worried you were going to remove the glove but you drew on his exposed forearm and Zack was amused by the skull-wearing sunglasses. You sent him a toothy grin and quickly hid the pen when your names were called with two others. Zack didn't register your hand holding his until you were walking out of the room together, heading down the winding hallway to your rooms. He glanced at your hands before looking at you but you were admiring the hanged man on your arm, and Zack was torn between feeling repulsed at the scars on his hands, wanting to pull away, and wanting to hold your hand tighter. And he realized then how much you were starting to mean to him.

"We should get tattoos." You announced the next day, joining him for lunch.

Zack paused as he took a bite of the apple, and tilted his head, his brows furrowing as he tried to figure out when you got inspired to get permanent ink. "Tattoos?"

You nodded, eyeing your sandwich before opening a sealed bag and eating the carrot slices. "I saw a guy on the North Wing with a whole upper body covered in tattoos. And I was thinking 'Hey wouldn't it be cool if I got a skull tattoo on my face'?"

Zack shook his head, "You are not getting a skull tattoo on your face."

"Yes, I am."

"No, you are not. And that man was probably in a gang before being brought here. Not exactly the kind of lifestyle choices you want to be emulating."

"I'd look cute! But threatening." You grinned devilishly.

"You already look cute and threatening." He said matter-of-factly.

It was the first compliment he had ever given you and made it sound like he was stating a fact in one of his books. You tilted your head at the forensic anthropologist who continued eating his apple.

"Really?"

Zack nodded, "It's like a bunny suddenly shifting into a lion."

You couldn't help but giggle at his example, as it sounded more like something you would say than he would. "You spend too much time with me, you're starting to sound like me."

His brow furrowed, "I like spending time with you."

You smiled softly, "I like spending time with you too."

Appeased, he nodded slowly, allowing silence to fall for a few moments before he said, "You are not getting a skull tattoo."

You tossed your straw at his chest and he chuckled. You drowned out your surroundings, imagining him somewhere he deserved to be. A small café where they played smooth jazz and the people didn't squish their food in their hands and lick their trays. He didn't deserve to be stuck with you, but for a moment you allowed yourself not to feel guilty that he was.

Zack was asleep when he heard the sound of your door hitting the wall connecting your rooms, causing it to tremble, and got out of bed when he heard the screech and crash of furniture. "Y/N?" He rushed to his door and tried to open it, hitting it in a burst of frustration and rage. He was looking around his room for something to pick the lock with when the door opened, and Zack saw two nurses and a doctor entering.

"Restrain him." The doctor ordered.

"No! Something is happening to her!" Zack fought off the nurses and the doctor shoved him against the wall. He held his arm away from his neck as the needle got closer and closer and brought his knee up as hard as he could, winding the doctor before shoving him away. Zack called out your name as he entered the hallway, finding your door was open, and burst inside, seeing you curled up on the floor. "Y/N!"

You turned your head when you felt a hand on your cheek and blinked away the tears in your eyes to find Zack's concerned gaze taking stock of your injuries and the damage in the room. You noticed a doctor entering the room and coughed when you tried to speak, wincing from the pain in your ribs. "Zack..."

"I'm here. Hold on."

"Turn..." You trailed off as you coughed and Zack felt an arm wind around his neck, and the sharp pain of a needle seconds later. He covered the spot with his hand and you began to murmur something he couldn't understand. He quickly began to feel drowsy and reached for you, and you rolled onto your stomach, inching closer to him when he fell beside you. "Z-Zack..."

You felt a needle enter your neck and the room began to spin. You closed your eyes, struggling to open them again, falling asleep next to an unconscious Zack.

When you woke up in the morning you felt awful, your movements sluggish as you sat up in bed, taking in your trashed room, and as the events from last night gradually returned you smacked your hand against the wall, calling out to Zack. He swayed as he got out of bed, trying to open his door to find it was locked. He held his head, groaning when the room seemed to spin at the speed of the Earth revolving around the sun. He glanced around the room and realized everything had been moved. His bed was no longer against the wall connecting your rooms, but on the opposite side, and his books were tossed haphazardly on the ground next to his dresser that was clearly searched. Concerned for you, Zack knocked on the wall.

"Are you okay?" He hit his hand against the wall when he heard you groan in pain. "Y/N?"

"I'm fine." It was a poor attempt at lying. "Are you locked in too?"

"Yes."

"I'm sorry." You sighed heavily, regretting it when a sharp pain spread through your ribcage. "Because of me, you've been brought into this."

"Into what?" Zack asked, slouching against the wall as he sat on the floor.

That night Zack learned about your ex-boyfriend whom you met while you were turning seventeen. He was in his late twenties at the time and you later learned that you were not the first teenager he had broken down and rebuilt in his image. He had charmed your parents, and when you realized his true personality it was too late. No one believed you when you told them what he was capable of - the things he made you do because he craved the power and the sexual thrill.

"He has people inside the hospital. Now and then they report back and he never likes what he hears. He must've found out that we're spending time together."

Zack shook his head when you apologized, but was unsure of how to comfort you. He wasn't good with emotions and his intelligence was his way of protecting himself. But at that moment he wanted to be able to be vulnerable, to let you know you weren't alone. That he believed you.

You recounted a vacation getaway your ex had taken you on when you were eighteen, the night you tortured and killed for the first time. And Zack rested his head on the cold wall, closing his eyes when he heard you cry, a gasp of pain following. Every time your body shook with muffled sobs, your body ached and it was a vicious cycle as the tears never stopped so neither did the pain.

"I won't talk to you anymore." You told him. "Now that he knows, nights like last night will happen to you too."

"We're already confined to our rooms? What difference does it make now?"

You hated that he was right. "I'm sorry."

"Stop apologizing."

You bit your tongue as you moved into a new position, your back against the wall, and covered your bruised body with the duvet. "You don't deserve to be stuck here with me."

"You were seventeen. You were hardly an expert on the human experience. Anyone would have fallen for it. Myself included."

You closed your eyes as a tear fell down your cheek, silent for a moment before you made a request. "Zack? Can you read to me?"

Zack agreed, crossing the room to his books and after tidying them he chose a book to read to you, before settling back on the floor next to the wall. He believed Sweets would be intrigued to know that you found listening to the tales of forensic anthropologists comforting, not knowing you just liked hearing his voice.

For twelve days Zack was confined to his room. He was finding the solitude peaceful, conversing with you through the wall passed the time and he could hear your laughter when he voiced his displeasure when you brought up getting the skull tattoo again.

"Hey, if I got a tattoo would it show up on the bones when I die?"

"Don't be ridiculous."

Zack was released after Sweets found out about his confinement and the FBI psychiatrist had pulled more than a few strings to get him out. When he was escorted to the meeting room where Sweets was waiting, the psychiatrist was keen to know what happened and Zack retold the story you had shared with him to Lance who listened with rapt attention.

"Sociopathy." He stated.

"She's a sociopath?"

"Yes." Lance nodded, "Psychopaths are born, but sociopaths are created. She was at a crucial stage in her development when she met him and it warped her views. She thought it was normal. Now, from what you told me, she doesn't."

"Is there something you can do? She shouldn't be locked away." Zack asked.

Lance eyed him for a moment, slowly nodding, "Leave it with me."

You were released from your room the next day and Booth had arrested the group involved in the attack. The doctors and nurses would lose their license to practice medicine and spend over twenty-five years behind bars for their mistreatment of patients. Unbeknown to you, Sweets and Booth were looking into your history further, finding that your ex had early signs of psychopathy that went ignored. Animal cruelty, missing kids in his neighborhood when he was a child, and run-ins with the law when he was a teenager.

At Zack's request, Lance brought a new puzzle book at his next weekly visit and you found life inside the hospital to gradually improve. You were allowed more time in the day room. Patients were allowed outside under close monitoring and you had a feeling Zack had something to do with it.

You looked at the forensic anthropologist with a smile and Zack didn't lift his gaze from his new book as he said, "Please don't mention getting a tattoo."

"You have connections to make it happen." Zack turned his head, raising an eyebrow. "Please, I'm crazy but observant. You told your friends at the FBI, didn't you?"

Zack nodded slowly, "Are you mad at me?"

"A little. I told you under the guise of confidentiality...although I'm sitting outside doing crossword puzzles." You scrunched your nose, "It's a hard call."

You looked at the crossword you were working on and Zack smiled softly as he returned his gaze to his book. "The answer to four down is Conundrum."

You filled in the blanks and looked over at him, "Do you ever get tired of being right?"

"Not yet."

A smile formed on your lips, growing wider when you noticed his lips twitch. "Feeling sassy today, are we?"

"I spend too much time with you apparently." He replied, meeting your gaze with a matching smile.

You bumped your shoulder with his and while your attention returned to your crossword, his focus was on you. Your mood had significantly improved since Lance had improved conditions in the hospital and Zack slept a little easier knowing he wouldn't wake up at night unable to help you again. While he had drawn attention to the mistreatment in the hospital which improved the lives of all the patients, he had done it for you. Seeing you lying on the floor, bloody, in pain with each breath, just because you were charmed by a psychopath when you were younger - he never wanted to see you get hurt. Never again.

One day, almost a week after the attacks, you were walking outside and Zack was taken aback when you argued that it was only fair that he told you what happened with Gormogon and his hands. Zack agreed, and the two of you kept your distance from the other patients as he told his story, ending with the experiment that left his hands scarred.

"Will you show me? I'll show you mine if you show me yours."

Zack couldn't deny he was intrigued, but the thought of someone seeing the scars made him feel queasy. He didn't like to see the scars, so he always wore black gloves. To show you meant overcoming this discomfort and being more vulnerable than he had ever been with anyone else.

You never mentioned it again, and Zack was the one who brought it up a few days later. You were heading to your rooms one night and he closed your door, and your confusion became a brief surprise that turned into curiosity when he slowly began to remove his gloves. You moved closer, reaching out for his hands but he pulled away, and looked from your hands to your eyes, finding your expression unreadable. And in this moment of vulnerability he wanted, needed, to know what you were thinking. Were you as repulsed by the scars as he was?

You met his gaze after a few moments and reached out to take his left hand, lifting it as you pressed your palms together. Zack closed his eyes and you reached out to wipe away a tear that fell down his cheek.

"Did you know each hand has twenty-seven bones?"

Zack opened his eyes, tilting his head slightly. "Yes. I told you that."

"No, you didn't."

"Yes, I did. You were asking me how many bones the body has as a whole, and then per body part."

"I was trying to make you feel less awkward." You admitted. "I don't know any other hand facts. Except yours are bigger than mine."

"Statistically speaking, the average male hand is 7.6 inches and a female hand is 6.8 inches."

You smiled softly, "I like it."

Zack returned the smile as you intertwined your fingers with his, holding his gaze. "So do I."

That night, you kept true to your word and Zack thought the shock of you taking your shirt off would kill him. You didn't notice the way his eyes widened at your actions or how casual you were about it, pointing to each scar and explaining what caused it. Zack stepped forward when he noticed a scar above your left ribcage.

"There are two scars here."

"He carved his initials into my skin. When I ran away, I heated a knife and held the blade over it." You had successfully covered the branding and explained how much relief you felt when it healed and no longer showed the jagged initials. Zack's eyes lingered on the scar and you could see from the slight furrow of his brow that his mind was ticking away. "What?"

"You went through something horrible and make it sound like you came back from the grocery store, telling a story about how you couldn't find something on the list. All that pain...it shouldn't be discussed so casually, but for you it was normal."

"I did my fair share of hurting." You admitted. "That's how I ended up here. My dumbass got caught."

"Or did you let yourself get caught?" Zack's eyes darted up to meet your gaze and your lips formed a weak smile.

"Has anyone ever told you that you're really smart?"

His lips twitched upwards, "Once or twice."

You giggled, shaking your head, "Well, it's annoying. Especially when I try to maintain some mystery."

"Why?" He asked.

"Once people solve mysteries they move on to the next one."

Zack shook his head, "You'll always be a mystery to me. I'm emotionally stunted, remember?"

A smile formed on your lips, "A sociopath and an emotionally stunted genius walk into the bar...sounds like the setup for a bad joke."

"Hodgins would think of one."

From what he had told you about his best friend who visited him every week come sun, hail, or snow, you knew he probably would.

The weeks went by quickly without the threat of violence hanging over your head. While you still had a confrontation now and then with other patients Zack was there to lead you away and you would take a walk outside to cool off while he listed random facts he knew to take your mind off of it.

When you were brought into a room reserved for meetings with family or friends, you weren't entirely surprised when Sweets introduced himself. After Zack had told him about your past you were surprised the psychiatrist hadn't jumped at the opportunity sooner to study you.

"Let me guess, we play twenty questions and you decide whether I'm criminally retarded or a mastermind."

Lance shook his head, "Not at all."

You eyed him for a moment before sighing heavily as you sat across from him. "I don't want to play guess what the squiggly line represents. It gives me a headache."

"Actually I just wanted to check in on you. After everything that's happened it is perfectly natural to feel -"

"Homicidal?" You smirked.

"Angry. Betrayed. Abandoned."

"I gave up on anger a long time ago." You crossed your arms, "And I'm not alone. Zack is here."

Lance would dive into that later. "But you do feel betrayed?" You raised an eyebrow at the psychiatrist who observed you for a moment, realizing you were testing his capabilities and weren't going to offer any information. "You feel betrayed by your parents because you felt they should have seen the signs and protected you."

You shifted in your chair, looking at your fingernails in an attempt to appear disinterested, but it proved to him that he had hit the nail right on the head. "He was charming." You shrugged. "But he was also an idiot. I didn't realize how stupid he was until I met Zack."

It was the opening he wanted, and when Lance began to ask you questions about Zack you replied easily, much more comfortable with the direction of the conversation.

"Is that why you're here? To make sure I don't cut his head off?"

When Lance relayed his meeting with you to Booth and the Squints, he could see the varying reactions, everyone was concerned that Zack was bonding with a sociopath. Hodgins admitted that Zack mentioned you a lot when talking about his day.

"They spend every waking minute together."

"Can't you transfer him to another Wing or something?" Angela suggested.

Lance shook his head, "I believe that would cause a significant blow to Zack's outlook. He's not in any danger." Lance paused, trying to think of a way to explain it to the group, "Think of them like kindred spirits. They form a strong bond and connect immediately. They can share common interests, opinions, and values. They are extremely comfortable around each other and are supportive due to their understanding of each other's perspectives. It's someone who understands you the most. Given their past, trusting the wrong person, it fits."

"Are you implying that Zack found his kindred spirit?" Bones asked.

"That's exactly what I'm saying." Lance said, "And trying to keep them apart would lead to a rapid deterioration from both sides. She isn't a threat to him, and she trusts him. Take that bond away and it could destroy them."

Ever since you showed each other your scars, you grew more bolder and it became less of a shock when you would hold his hand. He always wore his gloves outside of his bedroom but when you were alone, he would remove them sometimes as he grew more comfortable and you would trace patterns on his palm as he balanced his book on his lap and turned the pages with his free hand. You realized that Zack would do anything just to see you smile. Except one thing.

"You are not getting angel wings tattooed on your back."

You groaned when he walked away, catching up to him. "I'd look so cool! Why do you hate me?" You rested your head on his back and he looked over his shoulder at you with a smile. "Ooh! We could get a matching tattoo?"

Zack pursed his lips and raised an eyebrow at you as you moved to walk next to him, taking his hand.

You sighed dramatically. "Fine, but we'd look hot."

He shook his head, suppressing a smile. Your good mood was ruined when another patient bumped shoulders with you as they left the day room as you walked in. Zack caught your hand before you could get too far, and put another hand on your back, leading you to your table that he quickly realized was always empty because people feared your wrath. And since he spent all of his time with you, no one had bothered him since that first day. "Let it go."

"It hurt!"

Zack shook his head, pinching your arm. You glared at the forensic anthropologist who calmly took his seat. "No, that hurt."

You grabbed the book from his hands, holding it close to his head threateningly, but it only made him chuckle and his eyes followed you as you took your seat across from him. "Let's see..." Your eyes flickered across the page before you closed the book and slid it across the table. Zack put his hand on the cover, stopping it in time. "You need to find a different genre. Or a hobby." You caught sight of a new stack of board games the hospital had brought in last week.

Zack turned, watching as you walked over to pick up a box from the floor and held it behind your back as you approached him. He raised an eyebrow, lips twitching upwards in amusement at your choice. "Operation? Really?"

"You study bones, don't you? Think of it as practice before you get back into the field."

You brought your chair closer for the first time and unpacked the buzzer game. "If you want to get really creative, pretend the buzzer is a landmine."

Zack shook his head but set his book aside to play the game with you. Your first attempts went well, but every try afterward ended in the buzzer sounding.

"How many times have I died now?" You asked a few minutes later.

"Twenty-seven." He replied. "Twenty-eight." He corrected when you set the buzzer off.

You turned your head to argue that he wasn't far behind when you noticed how close you were sitting as he reached over to take his turn. Zack noticed your staring and glanced at you before focusing on the game to avoid setting off the buzzer.

"Why are you staring at me?"

You shrugged, "I like the view."

Zack turned his head and you grinned when the buzzer was set off during his distraction.

"Oops. Now your leg has been blown off and you're bald."

Zack tilted his head, "I'm bald?"

"Like an egg."

He shook his head, and you smiled over at him when he chuckled. It was rare when he smiled or laughed, but you noticed it was becoming more common even if you were around other people. You had no idea what a Vulcan was, but after Zack explained the typical Vulcan characteristics that Hodgins claimed fitted his personality, you knew Zack felt more than most people and had learned to bury it down.

Your attention was drawn to Sweets when he approached and you glanced at Zack to see he was equally surprised to see him. "Dr. Candy Corn, want to play?"

Ever since your first meeting, Lance had cleared time in his schedule to have a session with you every week, and while you knew he had ulterior motives, wanting to learn more about you because of how close you were to Zack, you learned that it was simpler to talk to him because he would sit in silence for an hour quite happily. It became common for you to change his last name to a different candy every time but Lance knew it wasn't malicious, it was just your way of trying to hide how unnerved you were that two people knew so much about your past.

"Not today. I need to speak to Zack alone for a minute."

"Why can't she hear it?" Zack asked.

You stood up, shaking your head. "Forget it. I don't want to learn any more about Space Prawns than I already have."

Zack turned to you as you walked away, "That doesn't even sound remotely like Star Wars."

You flashed a grin over your shoulder before sitting in front of the television, crossing your legs and your arms as you stared at the screen with disinterest in the movie that was playing. Zack looked away from you with a shake of his head and turned to Sweets who sat in your chair. You subtly glanced at the two who spoke in low tones. Lance appeared optimistic while Zack grew more troubled as the conversation continued. After a few minutes, Zack stood up, book in hand, and walked out of the room. You didn't attempt to hide the fact you had been watching them both and followed him out of the room, catching up in the hallway.

"What's wrong?"

"I don't want to talk about it." He went into his room and your steps halted when he closed the door.

"You mean Darth Vader?" Zack looked at you with a slight smirk. "I think you purposely say the names incorrectly because you enjoyed the movies."

You turned to head into your room, meeting Lance's gaze down the hallway before he walked away. You frowned, glancing at Zack's door before heading outside. From his room, the forensic anthropologist could see you walking around with Kathy who was recently moved back into the West Wing. She always plucked your aura, citing you carried a lot of negative energy.

When you talked about it, you replied with, "Well, I am evil. Maybe I should wear a cloak. The dark refrigerator always wears a cloak."

"No!" You scoffed, "The dark refrigerator is a character I'm working on. He cures hunger and hangovers."

Zack shook his head when you grinned. "That sounds terrible. Although, you would look good in a cloak."

You agreed, "We could wear matching cloaks and rob banks."

"Why does every one of your plans involve criminal activity?"

You walked ahead, turning to face him as you walked backward, "Hello? Sociopath."

"Still upset Dr. Sweets downgraded you?" He asked with a knowing smile.

"Hey, I'm pretty scary when I want to be."

"It's nothing to do with the fear you evoke. Sociopaths are -"

"created and not born that way." You sighed, looking at the sky as you fell into step beside him. "I feel like someone stole a cookie from me."

Zack shook his head, "It's a good thing. There are rehabilitation options that Dr. Sweets wants to explore." 

You stopped walking and he turned to you. "You still find me scary, right?"

"Terrifying."

"What did the good doctor say to you? Did he say you have parental issues too?"

You smiled, "Sweet talker." You looped your arm with his and fell into step beside him as you walked.

After his talk with Sweets, you didn't hear from Zack for several hours until it was almost time for the lights to go out. You were drawing on the wall with a pen you had stolen from Sweets after the last pen ran out of ink. You looked up when he knocked on the door and returned to your drawing as he entered.

"He said Hodgins found new evidence." Zack cleared his throat when your head snapped in his direction. "If presented in court my sentence would be changed and I will be leaving soon."

You looked at him, tilting your head. "You want to stay here? Why? The people are crazy." Your lips twitched upwards but Zack only sighed and you frowned when you saw how upset he was at the possibility of leaving. He changed the subject, and you allowed it. Your session with Sweets hadn't been cancelled and you would pry the answers from him.

"That's great news. So why so glum, chum?" You giggled, "Get it? It rhymes."

Zack stood behind you, looking at the scattered drawings on the wall, "I want to leave, but I don't want to go."

You expected his answer to be that after spending months inside a psychiatric facility, Zack was merely anxious about rejoining the world again but Sweets was blunt as he explained that the bond you had forged with Zack, made him not want to leave you behind. You would never get released. Your crimes were too heinous. But Zack had a chance to clear his name and live a normal life. And even if it meant not seeing him again, you wanted him to be happy.

After your session with Lance, you searched for Zack, finding him outside reading under a tree. Your body blocked the light and he lifted his head, eyebrows rising when you took his book and hit his shoulder with it. "What is the matter with you? I know you aren't stupid. So what is it?"

"I don't understand -"

"Sweets told me what you said. You don't want to go through with it because of me. Well, newsflash, genius, I never asked you to stay." You held his gaze as he stood up.

"I don't want to talk about it."

"I do. And what the sociopath says, goes." You hit his shoulder again and Zack rubbed his arm. "Now you listen to me, Zachary. You are going to let Hodgins present the evidence and you will appeal and be proven innocent, and you will go back into the world whether you like it or not."

"What about you?"

"I'm crazy. I'll invent a new friend."

Zack sighed, pressing his lips together in annoyance. "That's not what I meant."

You realized he was worried that he wouldn't be here if you got hurt again. "I can look after myself. I've done it for a while now."

Zack shook his head, "I'm not ready to go."

"Yes, you are." You replied immediately. "You are going to appeal, Zack. I have enough on my conscience. I don't need to trap you here because you'll miss my charming personality." You pushed his book into his chest and headed back inside.

After that day you never addressed the matter again, but in your next session with Lance, he revealed that Zack intended to go through with it. You nodded slowly and Lance could see the dread in your eyes for the day you would have to say goodbye to Zack Addy. When he was released, you had no place in his world anymore, and would go so far as to shun him to stop him from visiting. You wanted him to get his old life back before it all went to hell. It was an option you weren't awarded, and all you wanted was the best for him. And you knew that was never going to be you.

You spent your days as normal without bringing up the appeal. Zack didn't want to speak about it, and you hated thinking about it, unable to stop counting down the days. You did crossword puzzles while he read, lifting his head when providing you with the answer. You no longer sat across the table, your chair now pressing against his and as you filled in the squares you realized how much you had grown accustomed to having him around after a few short months.

When the day of his hearing arrived, Zach stepped out of his room wearing a suit Sweets had brought him and when Booth lingered, Lance moved him away, but the FBI agent kept a close eye as you wished Zack good luck.

"Thank you. I'll see you later?"

You nodded, smoothing his tie with a smile. "Where else am I gonna be?"

Zack almost cancelled the hearing but Booth and Sweets made him see reason. Sweets assured Zack that he could still visit you if he wanted to, but it was important that his name was cleared to avoid serving a life sentence. Given how close you were, Sweets wouldn't be surprised if he said he didn't mind because you would be there.

You were playing solitaire on your bed when he returned and Zack loosened his tie as he sat across from you. "The five of diamonds."

You thanked him, moved the card, and looked at him when he stared at the cards. "How did it go?"

"They'll know by the end of the week."

Your eyebrows raised, not expecting it to be so soon. "That's good news. You'll be in your old bed before you can say antelope."

Zack shook his head fondly, "You say the strangest things."

"I am a sociopath, babe." You spoke with a Jersey accent and his lips curved slightly. "Aren't you scared about getting back out there?"

Zack nodded, "I'm afraid no one will trust me. Therefore they won't work with me."

"Send me their address and I'll persuade them. I'm good at that." Zack couldn't suppress the chuckle that escaped his lips and you smiled at the sound. "I'm really happy for you, Zack."

He left shortly afterward and the lights went out for the night. For the remainder of the week, you both anxiously awaited the verdict of his hearing after Bones testified on his behalf. During your session with Lance, the psychiatrist noted that you were more pensive lately, and when he mentioned Zack he was surprised by how open you were about your feelings regarding the forensic anthropologist.

"I don't want him to leave. But I know he doesn't belong here." You crossed your arms as you sighed, eyes transfixed on the table. "Don't worry, I wouldn't dare ruin his chances to make him stay. I'd sooner hang myself."

After your session, Lance knew the transition was going to be difficult, not only for you but for Zack. You were protective over each other, never meeting anyone who took a look at all your scars and understood the way that pain weighed on the soul. You were never going to be offered a hearing. It never occurred to you to appeal, because you were guilty of all the crimes that earned you three life sentences.

You knew Zack was waiting in his room as he always was and he lifted his head when he saw you enter. You approached where he was reading on an armchair, his eyebrows hitting his hairline when you sat on his lap, catching him off guard. You released months of pent-up emotion with a kiss and he dropped his book, his gloved hands bringing you closer.

You pulled away after a few minutes, and he was disappointed that it ended, but relieved to catch his breath. "Don't you dare forget about me, Zachary."

He shook his head, "I couldn't." He replied instantly.

You placed a hand on his cheek, a bittersweet smile on your lips as you leaned in to reignite the kiss with more fervor.

Your days passed differently. You spent most of the hours in his or your bedroom, seeking solitude in what could be your final moments together. You completed your crosswords with your head on his lap as he read, and his free hand rested on your waist. He kept his gloves off behind the closed doors, writing the answers to a crossword with one hand while you played with the other. And Zack imagined mornings spent like this. Waking up every day to see you and start the day with coffee and a crossword. He hadn't realized how comfortable he had become with you, everything came naturally when it was you. As if you were two puzzle pieces finally clicking together.

One morning he was nowhere to be found. You spent the time in your room, awaiting his return by trying to pass the time. But the crosswords failed to hold your interest and you knew it was because Zack wasn't there. How were you going to survive without him when he was released?

There was a knock on the open door and you lifted your gaze from the doodle on your arm, sending him a smile when he entered. "How did it go?"

Zack explained what happened at the hearing, and the final decision. "I agreed to serve the remaining thirteen months for aiding a known killer."

You failed to mask your relief that he wasn't leaving so soon and although you knew you would have to say goodbye eventually, you were both relieved it wasn't immediate. You threw your arms around his neck and he smiled into your shoulder, closing his eyes as he memorized the moment for the days when he wouldn't be able to hold you this close.

After spending the remaining thirteen months in the psychiatric facility, Zack informed you when he was to be released the next day. When he entered the day room for the last time you threw up torn paper to make confetti and he smiled softly, appreciating the thought.

"You are a free man in two hours. How does it feel?"

"Odd." He thought for a moment. "Daunting, yet exciting."

You passed the time like you always did and when his name was called to gather his belongings, Zack looked at the male nurse before looking at you as he stood up. "I guess this is it." You smiled, "Time to go."

Zack looked at the book he had read to you dozens of times, before holding it out to you.

"I can't - I don't even know what half of it means."

"I want you to have it." He insisted.

You accepted the book and ran your hand over the cover. "I'll take care of it, I swear."

Zack looked at the nurse when he called him again and you watched, feeling your throat burn as he walked out of the room. You blinked away the tears in your eyes as you looked at the book he gave you, sitting down as you opened it. A piece of paper fell out and your smile returned when you saw the riddle.

You noticed writing on the back and a frown formed on your lips when you saw his note, telling you he would visit. While you didn't want to let him go, you didn't want to hinder his life as he got back to normalcy. There wasn't space in his life for someone like you, or so you figured, and you knew that you had to get out of the hospital before he stopped by in three days.

The next afternoon Zack was informed about your escape and Booth laid out your file the FBI had compiled since you were seventeen. With a final warning to contact him if he heard from you, Booth left and Zack read the file, seeing photos of your crimes.

When Zack arranged to meet with him before their session Sweets knew it was about Booth as the agent had mentioned the 'friend' Zack had made inside the hospital and urged the shrink to deter him from talking to you. But from his sessions with you, Sweets knew you once had a mentor, an ex-boyfriend, who led you down a dark path, which led to prison time before you were sent to the asylum.

Zack returned to his flat to see the book he had given you by the door and a note urging him not to find you. Which had the opposite effect. When Sweets enquired why he felt the need to find you, he knew Booth wouldn't like the answer. And he was right.

"He's what?" Booth exclaimed, hands on his hips in disbelief.

"What are you saying, Sweets?" Bones asked.

"During that time, Zack bonded with this woman. She listened to him talk about science and he felt like she was the only one who understood him."

"He's in love with an assassin?" Booth ran a hand down his face, "Oh my god, this kid is killing me!"

Bones decided to speak to Zack directly and while unnerved that Sweets had found a way around patient shrink confidentiality, he answered Brennan's questions about the time you spent together and what he knew about your past. "She was hurt when I escaped to solve the case. I don't understand why she left."

"The note said not to find her?" Bones asked, earning a nod. "Then maybe she's protecting you."

"You think she is in danger?"

"Well, no, I don't know I was making a -"

"I should talk to Booth."

She sighed when Zack left the office and shook her head, knowing she could've handled it better. Now, fearing you were running, Zack wouldn't be easily deterred. She decided the next step was Hodgins who quickly proved unhelpful.

"Oh, yeah. He's pretty interested in this woman. When he talks about that place she is in every detail."

Brennan knew Zack would only rest if he had proof you were okay and that meant a little investigating from Booth. For nearly two weeks the tracks had been cold when you suddenly resurfaced. You were across the street, seeing Zack enter with his friends and co-workers, a small smile on your lips before you turned to leave. Sweets caught your features before you turned and quickly got Booth's attention. When Booth called out, you took off running and the FBI agent left, while muttering under his breath.

"The things I do for you, Zack."

He caught up to you on a busy street but when you ran into traffic, narrowly avoiding cars, Booth fell behind and decided to look around for any signs that you were there. He sighed and decided to try another tactic in a few days, hoping to throw you off.

You knew he was trying to trick you and decided to go straight to the person who put the Feds onto your tail. Zack came home from work at his usual time, and Hodgins was almost inside the house when he heard Zack mention the door to his flat was unlocked. The two cautiously approached and Zack looked around, finding nothing was moved or taken. You closed the door when the two were inside and turned on the lights, aiming your gun.

Hodgins turned, quickly holding his hands in the air, "Crap."

Zack spun on his heels, "Y/N?"

"You need a better lock. Anyone could just walk in." You smirked.

"Wait? Y/N? As in the Y/N that broke out of the psychiatric hospital?" Hodgins looked at Zack who nodded.

"You sent an FBI agent looking for me." You began. "Tell him to back off. Or I'll be forced to handle it myself."

"You wouldn't," Zack replied with certainty.

"Don't antagonize the woman with a gun," Hodgins told him.

"I could wipe out every one of your friends very easily."

"Yes, you do indeed have the skills and resources to do so, but you wouldn't." Zack stepped forward and you raised an eyebrow, warning him not to move closer. "You liked the quiet life. Why are you running?"

Hodgins glanced between you and Zack rapidly. If he hadn't been so attentive to the way you and Zack looked at each other, he might've missed the way your hold on the gun loosened a little. For a brief moment, he could have sworn your eyes were torn, becoming teary as Zack refused to let you go without a fight.

You aimed the gun at Hodgins whose eyes widened and as your finger pressed the trigger, you moved your hand and the bullet narrowly missed his head. You looked at Zack when Hodgins ducked, seeing the shock in his eyes. "You don't know me. Next time, I will kill him."

You made a swift exit and Zack barely registered what Hodgins was saying as the two of them stood up. He looked around his flat and knew there had to be something hidden somewhere. Jack watched as Zack began taking books off his bookshelves and flipping through each book before dropping them to the floor. 

"You're not even listening, are you? What are you doing?"

"There has to be something here. She broke in for a reason. I have to find it."

"Yeah, the reason being to threaten to kill us!"

Zack ignored him as he continued his search and with a sigh Hodgins began to help. The duo spent over an hour scouring the whole flat, checking cupboards, and looking under rugs, and just when he was ready to give up, Zack found an envelope inside his pillowcase.

Hodgins called out to him and entered the bedroom when he got no reply, finding Zack sitting on the bed. "What does it say?"

Zack found himself struggling to say the words. "She's leaving. It's too dangerous to stay now that she is out."

"So why did she leave?"

Zack handed him the end of your note that detailed your planned suicide weeks after he arrived. Jack read as you described the influence your ex-fiancée had inside the hospital and the regular beatings you took. The reason you chose to stay was because of him.

We are similar, you and I. We were both young when someone came and took us under their wing and we both paid the price for it. The big difference is that you have a group of friends to help you at the other side of the doors. All I have is you, Zack. And no matter what happens I will always be thankful, and grateful that we met. 

I want you to forget about me. Lean on your friends and let me go. In a few weeks, I'll just be some wacko you met in a nuthouse. In a few months, you might not even think of me. And in a year you'll have forgotten me. And I need you to forget me, Zack.

Live a happy life for me.

Y/N

Hodgins looked at Zack who took out his cell phone, "What are you doing?"

"I'm calling Booth. He needs to see this letter. He can do something."

"Zack..." Jack began softly. "She said to let her go."

"Something is going to happen to her and I don't know what to do. Booth! Booth will know."

Days later, you were at the edge of town when Booth caught up to you in a gas station. You spotted him from a mile away but continued to your destination without letting him know you had seen him. You pulled into the gas station knowing he would follow and as you filled up your car, he approached you from behind.

"What do you want?"

"Just got a few questions for you."

"You've been looking for me." You stated.

"Zack was worried. You remember him, don't you?"

"Tell him to stay away from me. It's better for him this way." You turned to leave when he tried to grab your arm and take you back to his car but you swiftly took him down, leaving him groaning on the ground as you drove off.

"Booth! Booth!" Bones rushed out of the car and helped him off the ground. "What happened?"

"She really doesn't want to see him." He groaned. "She knows I've been looking around."

"What do we tell Zack?"

"He was right. She's running from something." Booth replied.

You kept tabs on Zack for several weeks, and almost six months later since your escape, you resurfaced again. You knew Booth had been delving further into your past, discovering your aliases which made you have to create new ones. But, as you suspected, you weren't the only one whose attention he had drawn and you knew he had no idea what he was up against, or rather who, and knew it was important to track the FBI agent.

The Jeffersonian was under siege when you arrived. The lab was locked down but you used the vents to find your way to where Zack and his friends were being held at gunpoint. You landed, swiftly disarming two of your ex's henchmen, and aimed one gun at your ex while emptying the bullets from the other gun with one hand, the sound echoing through the room.

You glanced at Booth who was bleeding from your ex's attempts to extort your location from him.

"Y/N!" He exclaimed. "How sweet of you to join us!" He turned with a smirk. "You've been hiding from me."

"Surprised?" 

"No. Annoyed? Yes. However, I knew the second I saw this FBI agent looking around that you were nearby."

You felt a gun on the back of your head and hands patting you down soon followed. Your brow twitched when his hand lingered a little too long and fought the urge to bash his head against the nearest wall. Something Sweets noticed.

"Can you believe it? I made her everything that she is." Your ex-boyfriend approached you while the other members of his organization kept their guns trained on the team. "And this is the thanks I get. You starve my project to feed your cause."

"The only thing I did was give those women their lives back." You gritted your teeth when he backhanded you and felt the gun leave the back of your head, seconds before your ex grabbed your neck.

"You dare to stand against me, you will find out what happened to the others who tried." He punched your stomach and stepped back when you knelt on the ground, catching your breath. "And you will die as they did. Such a waste of a pretty face."

"What did you just say?" He growled.

You rested a hand on the ground, another on your stomach, and began to laugh, growing louder which drew his attention as you sat up straight. "So they died? You know you spoiled the ending, right? God, you are such an idiot."

"I D I O T." You spelled out. "Idiot i.e. you."

"How dare you -"

"The sad part is? I used to think you were the smartest person I knew." You swiftly get to your feet when he storms over to you, and he pauses at the sudden movement. "You're going to regret the day you met me."

You grab his gun and aim it at the ceiling as he fires. After struggling for a few moments you manage to beat him to the ground and shoot his left thigh. You dart behind a wall when his henchmen fire at you and Booth manages to trip one of them up as he runs, causing him to misfire and shoot another henchman in the back, killing him instantly. You swing your elbow into a man's face when he reaches you and disarm him while he's stunned, using him as a shield when gunfire rings out. Booth is quick on his feet, disarming the nearest henchman and taking his gun, firing three shots into the shoulder of three men heading his way. You fire a bullet, taking down the fourth as you approach the FBI agent. An arm winds itself around your neck and a gun is pressed to your head but before Booth can aim, you have the man down on the floor, unconscious.

You roll your eyes when you see his expression, "Relax, he's still breathing. I know you Feds get antsy about things like that."

You fire a shot over his shoulder casually and he turns, seeing a henchman who had been guarding a door down the corridor fall to the ground clutching his shoulder.

Seeing the group was taken care of, Booth took the gun from you, and you rolled your eyes. "What? I shot his shoulder."

"Uh-huh." He looked away momentarily to unload the gun and you frowned when you began to see two of him.

"Woah," You felt a sharp pain in your abdomen and Booth looked up when he heard shouting, his eyes widening when he saw the bullet wounds. "Do you have a twin?"

Booth fired as you hit the ground and the FBI agent left you briefly before he returned. "Hey, hey, hey."

You opened your eyes to find yourself staring at the ceiling. "Call an ambulance!" Booth shouted over his shoulder at the stunned scientists before looking down at you.

You swallowed the lump in your throat, exhaling through the sharp pain. "Getting shot hurts more than I remember."

"Just hold on." He pressed his hands to the wounds and you winced.

"Y/N!" Zack knelt beside you and took off his lab coat, using it to put pressure on the wounds.

"Oh my god," Angela whispered when she saw the blood pooling through the material of Zack's coat.

"I'm sorry." You murmured so quietly that he barely heard it. "I tried to protect you but -"

"Save your strength." He interrupted.

You shook your head, "I knew the second I saw your note that I had to go. It's better this way."

Zack shook his head, "I'm not letting you die."

"I'm no good." You smiled weakly up at him. "If you were smart you'd forget about me."

"Then I'm not smart."

You smiled softly, "You're a genius." You spoke in a low murmur, swallowing the lump in your throat, finding it harder to breathe. "I'm better off alone." before your eyes slowly closed.

Zack looked up when Sweets ran in, announcing the ambulance had arrived, and reluctantly stepped aside when paramedics came to dress the wounds before loading you into the ambulance. He climbed into the ambulance and Hodgins agreed to meet him at the hospital. You looked at Zack when the doors closed and he sat next to you.

You listened as he started rambling about the process used to reconstruct a crushed skull and knew that he was trying to maintain your attention in the likelihood you would stay awake while simultaneously freaking out at the same time.

"So...how have you been?"

"Until now? Lonely. I spent every waking hour with you. I miss it. I missed you."

You swallowed the lump in your throat at the raw emotion in his gaze, "I didn't know someone who could be so kind. Then I met you..."

"Y/N -"

You turned your hand, looking down at your hand which drew his attention. He placed his gloved hand in yours and closed his eyes when he felt how weakly you squeezed it. The odds were low that you would survive. So Zack decided to make a desperate plea.

"You may think that I will be better off without you around, but I won't. I found something in you that I haven't with anyone else. A-And I'm not ready to let that go. I'm not ready to let you go."

He lifted his gaze from your hands to find your eyes were closed and his jaw fell slightly as the first wave of tears fell down his cheeks. While you were separated for the operation, Zack knew the odds of you surviving were slim. So that night, he was determined to ignore the statistics.

When Hodgins joined him, he silently sat down and patted his shoulder. A silent sign that he would stay beside him for however long it took. 

On the fourth hour, Zack felt an instant relief when he heard you had survived and were currently resting. He was advised to return home and he would be contacted when you woke up but Zack was adamant about staying, despite Hodgins trying to encourage him to leave.

"There's nothing you can do."

"I left her once. It was a mistake I do not wish to repeat."

Zack remained by your side throughout the night, waking now and then to check on you before drifting off to sleep. In the morning Hodgins dropped off clothes and books to keep him entertained while waiting for you to wake up. Zack was reading a new medical journal aloud when you first stirred and you expected the sun to be bursting through the windows but he had the foresight to close them. You turned your head when you registered his voice and your eyebrows furrowed when you saw him sitting in a chair next to you, the bag Hodgins had dropped off all the proof you needed to determine he had spent the night.

"I told you that you're better off without me. Did you take a bullet to the head?" You winced as you sat up, eyeing the scientist when he adjusted the pillows.

"No." He replied. "I chose to stay."

"After I told you to leave me alone?"

"And what would your alternative be? To bleed out on the floor?"

"You read my letter. You know the things I've done. We aren't the same. You could live a normal life, without a psychotic former assassin complicating it."

"You freed the women he was smuggling. You formed a group to continue your work while you were gone. The number of those you helped is larger than the number of those you killed."

"And I'm still here. With nothing but ghosts screaming in my ears, so yes, you need to go."

"I'm not leaving." He replied. You looked at your hands, feeling tears in your eyes. "I didn't think before about how it might affect you. Now I do. And before you say you don't need anyone, you're right." You met his gaze and swallowed the lump in your throat when you saw his expression. "You don't need anyone. You're strong enough on your own. But I need you. As long as I'm here, you're never going to be alone."

You shook your head and Zack rested a hand on your shoulder, grimacing as he believed his attempt to comfort you was poorly reflected, while it was enough to make the first wave of tears fall. "It's over."

Your ex was gone and the FBI was dedicating a task force to destroying his organization. You wouldn't return to the asylum and Booth wasn't reporting your presence in Washington meaning you wouldn't face jail time. Although Sweets was clearing blocks in his schedule for you.

Nearly two weeks later, you left the hospital with a bag over your shoulder, biting the inside of your cheek to mask the pain spreading through your body as you walked away from the hospital. Your steps faltered when a horn honked and turned to see Hodgins behind the wheel. Zack got out of the car, taking the bag from your shoulder. He listed all the setbacks you could've suffered as he opened the door for you and you smiled softly at the scientist which made him pause.

"I am trying to scold you."

"I know." You smiled brighter. "You're cute when you're worried."

When you arrived at their place, Hodgins left Zack to show you around and you looked at the 'bug man' as he began to walk away. "Thank you."

Jack turned back in surprise, "You're welcome. Who knows? Having an assassin around might come in handy."

You looked at Zack when he unlocked his apartment, "I thought Booth said I wasn't allowed to kill people anymore?"

"He did. I wrote the full extent of his conditions for you. Hodgins is trying to make you feel welcome with humor."

You nodded, looking around the apartment. Zack set your bag down near the door, closing it behind him, and placing the keys on a hook.

You stopped in front of a diagram of the human skeleton, muscle and nerves listed beside it. You crossed your arms, turning to Zack after a few moments and found he was already looking at you. You smiled softly, not knowing where to go from here, but when he began to explain the diagram was three drawings on top of each other, you knew he was just as nervous as you were.

You reached for his hand and stepped closer until you stood chest to chest, tilting your head slightly to hold his gaze.

"If I am going to be staying here, shouldn't you say welcome home?" 

Zack nodded slowly, "Welcome home."

A smile formed on your lips as you leaned in to kiss him tenderly. "I could get used to this."

"That's the idea."

You raised an eyebrow, giggling as you moved your hands to the nape of his neck. "Remember that time Jessie tried to take my pudding cup and you -" Knowing the incident in the lunch hall that you were referring to, Zack displayed his strength, lifting you and you rested your head on his shoulder as he carried you.

There were no more nurses watching your every move and Zack was as eager as you were to take full advantage of the privacy in his apartment to pick up where you left off. 

[rey-jake-therapist]

i will chirp in if i may 🙋‍♀️

from my perspective, since sauron = power for galadriel, i think her feelings will always be a bit contradictory for him even if she strongly rejects him all the time. that connection they share forever means always hungering for a shadow of him.

i do understand that some might dislike the idea of gal having a shaky marriage, but i think that's more interesting, idk? though yeah, after all is done and hopefully after the numenor sinking, teleporno can be like a supportive calming presence for gal, her trophy/reward by the end of the show.

as for her becoming a mormon caricature of feminine purity - that's not tolkien's galadriel. she is a powerful witch who leads her own kingdom as she wields power using nenya and is sauron's biggest adversary.

smn said that there is probably smtng unsettling about galadriel for humans since they are scared of her. and i agree bc while she is wiser and more at peace, it's bc she grows into smn rather unhuman. she embodies the light in the same way sauron embodies the dark - she is not a saint, she is this supernatural being possessing unimaginably strong power and high authority even for the elves such as her husband. the ring bearers are on the entirely different level.

and i want to see that transformation. i want to see her become someone interesting rather than simplistic, yk? i agree that maybe the mind-palace theory is hopeful thinking on our part, but i have my fingers crossed that morgoth's stab established a bond between them and the door is still not closed and that will play a central role in s3 🤞

(+ a reminder that the actors don't know where s3 is going. they were probably told how to react to certain questions but the details gotta be unknown for them yet.)

Yes, I agree wholeheartedly with everything you said!

Regarding her marriage being shaky, really I'm not sure right now how I feel. I think I'm not enough interested in the subject to hope or fear for anything tbh. I only know I don't want Galadriel to be sidelined in Lothlorien while "men" do all the cool stuff outside, that's all. For the rest... I trust the writers and will get along with pretty much everything they can come up with, really.

My idea about the bond, which I'm writing in my fic anyway, is that:

Sauron can mind talk to Galadriel now; if he can do it while she's next to him, he can probably do it even if she's on the other side of Middle-Earth as well.

Considering that he's able to cast an illusion built around a person's memories when they're next to him, I could see him do the same with Galadriel, even if she doesn't stand next to him, thanks to their connection.

It would be different from the Reylo bond, as 1) he could control it (and Galadriel could learn how to control it as well), 2)unlike Rey and Kylo, they would see their surrounding, but it would be an illusion based on memories, and not a real place, where they would be at the moment.

I keep reading that Sauron can read people's minds, but this is not at all my understanding of the scenes we saw. If he could really read people's minds, he wouldn't have had to torture Celebrimbor for the location of the rings, he would have just probed his mind for the information. So, I think it's rather a case where he has flashes and ideas of a person's true desires and fears popping up in his head, and only when this person is open to him, like it seems to be the case for Galadriel in LOTR. I think that regarding Galadriel, however, he may be able to read in her like in an open book, because of the bond. At least, up until she finds the way to resist him and shut that door for good. Anyway, they can make something really interesting.

And I don't seriously hope that they will do that, but I want to write it in my fic because it's fun: at some point, Galadriel could turn the tables, learn to cast illusions built around HIS memories, which she would have access to, and force him to confront memories of his past with Morgoth, the stuff he'd rather forget, if you see what I mean. Yeah, I really want Gal to make this bitch cry...

[emmitaaa4]

Getting exponentially tired of the “elriels want 👹” posts in the elain tags where they proceed to either A) outright invent stuff B) act holier than thou about how they care so much for Elain because they C) misconstrue the little they hear from our side in bad faith, or D) just completely miss the point they’re addressing.

it’s one thing to be bitter about a ship, but geez theyre getting mad at generalizations they made up about what we think. it has to be tiring. non?

small rant beneath, just to vent. yes i know i can (& should) block certain tags, but reading frustrating content is a hobby of sorts.

Im genuinely convinced all these “ewriel”-myths they keep talking about are a result of a bad game of telephone—they hear a random thing a gwynriel says, go “they’re all stupid/delusional/immature (insult of choice) so i don’t doubt what you’re saying”, then repeat it to others.

It’s obvious by the way they wholeheartedly believe that Elain is our puritanical-warrior-self-insert we use to vicariously F Azriel (😃✋). Doesn’t help that they usually don’t look as deeply into Elain as we do & tend to get stuck on obviously superficial statements about her: they cannot seem to fathom an Elain that isn’t just a once-bright socialite wilting away sans her sun-mate. So any hint of darkness/savviness we see in her is just us moulding her into Y/N. sigh

anyways.

I can say i’ve read their posts on here, a ton prior to being involved and some now. I’ve seen their tiktoks & video essays, their powerpoints & reddit posts. i’ve seen their comments all over insta/tiktok (kinda hard to miss, they jump on elriel content with their “um shadows and um pliable bones and mates!!” comments). I am WELL aware of what the general consensus is on that side—which is why I am generally unbothered by GA, don’t mind EL, and am just peacefully sailing aboard my ship waiting for it to reach destination.

And because I care about Elain’s journey, I try to see the story the way they do when i encounter certain elucien arguments. For if i am to even just privately engage in the sHip wArs, i know to remain ✨critical✨ and ✨open minded✨.

… there’s no point turning discussions into angry posts against imaginary adversaries.

EVERY elriel i’ve talked to would read an elucien book because it is Elain’s story we are most anticipating. It’s just very telling to me that very few would do the same; that there’s not a whiff of willingness from most of them to listen to the other side.

The funny thing is that all those anti eWrieL posts** i’ve read tend to address twisted versions of “the elriel narrative.” They take things out of context, or say we have the same 3 arguments—which is genuinely insane bc if you know our ship so well, how can you be off by like 2 orders of magnitude ??? (exaggerating if it wasn’t clear, we can’t know these days).

** Their pro GA content reads very anti-Az, used to be very anti-elain, and has a narrow scope ngl. While the bonus matters, it seems like that is ALL they’ve read. They don’t think much about Elain’s journey or powers or decisions, which is just logically not the best way to analyze the series given she IS what’s to come.

✨Just some common myths they believe✨:

they repeatedly claim that elriels want poor elain to be a kickass warrior torturer to fit Az because they A) don’t actually read our stuff B) enjoy thinking we hate elain, and C) can’t fanthom that spying isn’t 007 ninja activities.

apparently we ship elriel because we think they have this big great romance OFF PAGE 😭. how in the hell— i’ll make a post on this one istg it’s lowkey funny. quick, were nessian strangers and unfeeling towards each other at the start of SF ???? damnit i must’ve missed that.

En tout cas. End of rant the rest stays in the drafts lmao.

but istg one day i’ll cave in and unleash the essays of rebuttals and psychoanalyses of their arguments / thought processes just for shit and giggles.

[creature-wizard]

Manifestation Without Woo: People React To Your Projections, & Your Projections Affect Your Perceptions

Depending on what circles you travel in, you may have heard of a concept called "Everyone Is You Pushed Out," which claims that other people are actually just projections of your own mind and don't really have true agency and interiority. Supposedly, by changing your beliefs about other people, you can mold them into anything you want!

I'm going to be blunt here: that's some nasty dehumanizing bullshit.

Still, people can tell you from personal experience that other people really do behave differently depending on how you perceive them. So what's going on?

There's two things going on here. First, many people are responding to how you behave.

Here's an example: Let's say a teenager with blue hair and piercings walks up to a shopkeeper and asks her where to find something she's looking for. The shopkeeper decides that blue hair and piercings equals delinquent. Immediately, her whole demeanor changes. Her posture shifts to a defensive position. Her tone of voice becomes stiffer and more condescending. Her chin tilts up, her nostrils flare, and her smile fades into a slight frown, signaling contempt.

The teenager notices all of this, and knows from experience that adults who act like this are trouble. So her own nervous system prepares her for conflict. Her eyes narrow, her tone of voice tenses, and she leans back slightly, looking up at the shopkeeper with a distrustful gaze. Immediately, she seems to be exactly what the shopkeeper took her for.

But let's look at what might happen if the shopkeeper doesn't project a hostile assumption. Instead of tensing up, she smiles and warmly says, "How may I help you?"

This friendly behavior tells the teenager that she's dealing with a reasonably safe person, and she doesn't need to be on guard. So she smiles back and asks where she can find the book she wants in a friendly and polite tone.

Now to be clear, there are limitations to how far you can influence someone else's behavior by staying mindful of your projections. It's not going to do much on someone who's been fully radicalized into hating people like you, for example. But for most normal, everyday interactions, this can have a big effect.

Secondly, your projections make you interpret other people's behavior differently.

Let's say your roommate often leaves stuff out and doesn't put it away. If you believe that your roommate is doing this because they're malicious or because they think it's your job to clean up after them, then you're going to interpret your roommate as an adversarial entity, and interpret their behavior in general through an adversarial light. To you, they seem to be a selfish asshole.

But maybe they actually have ADHD, and maybe they think you're fine with cleaning up after them because you never told them otherwise.

Instead of trying to EIYPO them into cleaning up after themselves, you need to check your perceptions and talk to them, expressing your needs and listening to theirs. In this case it's a good idea to cultivate a charitable interpretation - don't just let yourself believe they're being selfish or mean.

Beware, however - charitable assumptions aren't always healthy. For example, interpreting a partner's controlling behavior as proof of their devotion rather than a sign of insecurity is not good. Try and be careful not to romanticize or excuse behaviors that are genuinely unhealthy or inappropriate.

[nalyra-dreaming]

Reading the S2 reviews (so beware spoilers ahead!). Wanted to get your take (and others’ if people have thoughts!), citing The Wrap’s review:

“Daniel might be the most radically different character from book to screen. He’s older, more pessimistic and utterly allergic to the allure of vampire life. Only now he is able to confront the deep-seated scars left behind after his night with Louis (although book fans might be disappointed to know that the show doesn’t tease out more of the romance he has with Armand in the books. Theirs is strictly an adversarial relationship in the series.)”

Other reviews confirm that S02E05/the episode about Daniel’s past is not romantic at all, rather a horror episode. Which I’m sure will be good (some describe it as the best episode), but I can’t help being a bit disappointed that they don’t seem to be doing DM - or at least not in this season at all. I think the reviews only cover episodes 1-6, but this reviewer seems so very sure… (also they seem to know the books so I’m guessing the episode won’t be too similar to the book either. Meaning it won’t end with “the chase” or will it?). So is there a real risk that no DM will play out?. The greatest hint of DM in my view was Zaman’s podcast appearance where he stated that Armand is curious about Daniel and that there is a history there. But this could just be referring to their horror-filled encounter in episode five. So I don’t know, I’m a little sad - was pretty excited for some f*cked up memory stuff (there is just something so compelling with the idea of discovering that there is a whole side of your life that you’ve lost - that this person you don’t know is someone you loved etc.). I wanted to see what it would do to Daniel and Armand respectively, and I wanted their dynamic to be as interesting as possible. Remember reading speculation that Daniel will remember more in the finale - maybe a romantic aspect but I think it was just pure speculation, no hints or comments from the cast/writers backing this up.

What do you think? Grateful to hear your thoughts! Also, I’m still psyched about this season of course, looking forward to the Armand/Louis romance, the Theatre! Hayles performance is supposedly going to be amazing, and I’m looking forward to more of Daniel’s snark obviously! It feels unreal that the season is around the corner!

It is!!! And I am also sooooo hyped, it's unreal *laughs*

Okay, so... first of all, it's always a thing of perspective with reviews. For example, there's this as well, after episode 1:

Now... that is no review, granted.

But it's perception. I... do not think that all of the "Devil's Minion" will be spelled out in the first episodes (nor do I think we will get all of it this season!). In fact, I think the horror that "he loved this monster" is part of the horror of it all, this realization. And that will very likely be in the last episodes, in whichever way.

So. With that in mind - btw, which review did confirm it's ep5? (I only saw that focused comment I think?) - I did not expect Devil's Minion to be "happy". In fact, I think it might have stalking, cages, attacks, and the beginning of the chase - and that chase does NOT start out as cute.

Daniel just gets used to it, over time. And then Armand falls in love.

Season 2 is going to be significantly darker. I bet it's also going to be a lot campier, if the comments to this hold true, with dark humor. But they're leaning fully into the horror aspects of this vampire world now, and the beginning of the Devil's Minion is exactly that - horrific.

The above review matches with what Jacob said about Louis and Daniel forming alliances... and I bet that alliance is indeed needed to drag the whole story out.

And when that whole story is out - that will lead to repercussions.

THAT in turn goes for Louis just as much as it goes for Daniel... because this second interview has just as much to do with him.

So... I would wait until you can see it with your own eyes?! :)

I mean... AMC's promotion(and pairing of the actors) speaks a very loud language? And Assad said he had chemistry read with "Daniel"... for reasons.

But it won't all be revealed in the screeners. I bet the last two episodes will pack a punch.

Maybe even literally. 😜

[myfavoritesstuff]

Crimson Hearts

Pairing: Matt Sturniolo x Reader

Prompt: The Sturniolo triplets are a part of the most feared mafia. They are ruthless, vicious, and cunning. But to you, they are so much more.

Or

Your father has made a deal with the Sturniolo triplets in order to save his company. What is this deal? An arranged marriage of course.

Warning(s): Mafia type stuff, mean words are said.

Note: please read all the way through, it gets better I promise. Also, I will make this into a series, and each chapter will be longer than this one.

Part 2

The triplets background

In the heart of the underworld, the Sturniolo triplets– Nick, Matt, and Chris– were born into a legacy of shadows and power. Their parents, Marylou and James Sturniolo, were revered leaders of the most formidable mafia known to the modern world. The Sturniolo name was always whispered with fear in every part of the city.

Marylou, the matriarch, was a master strategist, her mind a labyrinth of plots and secrets. She was the unseen hand guiding the gang’s moves, her decision always three steps ahead of any adversary. James, on the other hand, was the iron fist, ruling with a charismatic yet unyielding grip.

The triplets, each with their own distinct personality, were raised in a world where loyalty was the highest currency and betrayal was met with swift retribution. Nick, the eldest by mere minutes, possessed a natural charm and a sharp wit, often serving as the face of the younger Sturniolos’. Matt, the middle child, was the thinker, his analytical mind always finding the angle no one else saw. Chris, the youngest, was the wildcard, fearless and impulsive, with a penchant for finding trouble– and getting out of it. The three became symbols of a new era for the gang as their talents and skills honed to perfection.

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Your background:

In the quiet comfort of your suburban life, you had only heard whispers of the Sturniolo triplets through hushed conversations and sensational headlines. To you, they were figures of a distant, shadowy world, notorious for their ruthlessness and the power they wielded in the city’s underground. The stories painted them as merciless, with hearts of stone and wills of iron, commanding respect and fear in equal measure.

Your life, in stark contrast, was a portrait of tranquility. You lived in a wealthy neighborhood where the biggest concern was the occasional lost cat or late newspaper delivery. Your days were filled with the simple pleasures of coffee with friends, jogs in the park, and the comfort of a good book by the fireplace.

˚ ༘✶ ⋆｡˚ ⁀➷˚ ༘✶ ⋆｡˚ ⁀➷˚ ༘✶ ⋆｡˚ ⁀➷˚ ༘✶ ⋆｡˚ ⁀➷

It was supposed to be a simple deal. It really was. The deal: to give the Sturniolo gang any weapons or technology they required or needed in exchange to be kept alive and not be bothered. Nothing could possibly go wrong. So why did everything fall apart?

It was during a party when the Sturniolo triplets made their entrance. It didn’t take long to notice them, not that you could ignore them. They radiated a presence that screamed death. Each step measured. Nick, with his sharp suit and sharper gaze, had the air of a man who knew the weight of his charm and used it like a weapon. Matt’s eyes, analytical and piercing, seemed to take in every detail, calculating the potential of every interaction. Chris, with a mischievous smile playing on his lips, exuded a sense of danger and excitement that was almost palpable.

They made their way to your father. You couldn’t tell what they were talking about, and tried making your way over. But before you knew it, they had vanished. Turning your head around, you searched, but no luck. However you did manage to get a peak of your father's face. Cold sweat was running down his face.

Oh no, something must have happened. But surely that’s not possible. For years the Sturniolo gang has relied on your family’s company to supply them with weapons. And for years you have. What could have happened?

Confused, you made your way over to your father. “Dad, what happened? Is everything okay?” Immediately shaking his head, your father sighed and looked down, not being able to make eye contact.

“No. I’ve lost…” While he seemed to know what he was talking about, you surely didn’t.

“I don’t understand.”

“The Sturniolo’s have demanded that we supply them more weapons, since they have been having problems with rival gangs. It’s getting to a point where it will be hard to keep supplying them. They're asking for more than we can make. I told them this and now they have a proposal.”

“Which is…?” This seemed to peak your interest. What type of proposal could say your family and the company?

“It’s a deal where you are to be married to one of the sons, more specifically the middle child.”

“Matt Sturniolo?! That’s the deal?! Are you insane?!”

“No I’m not,” your father argued. “I’m thinking of the future. And if the future is being taken over by the mafia, then it may as well be in your interest to marry him.” You looked at your father astounded by what you just heard leaving his mouth.

“But Dad, I’m your daughter! You can’t give me up like that! And how would they even agree to something like that?!”

“Be silent! I’m your father! I know what’s best for the future of this family and company.” You now were absolutely livid. How could your father just do that to you? You were about to say something, but he beat you to speaking.

“Now, I suggest you start packing your bags, since you're going to be living with them from now on.” You started walking past him, but before you left the room you spoke.

“For once in my entire life, I am ashamed that you are my father.” You then walked out the room not daring to look back.

How would Matt even agree to something like this? You laid on your bed questioning all the events that happened that evening. Oh well, I guess I’ll be able to ask these questions directly to him tomorrow. You soon fell asleep, holding onto hope that you would wake up tomorrow and it would all just be a dream.

[rei-ismyname]

X-Men #3 (From The Ashes)

At last, this book is starting to cook and show us where these people are at. Scott Summers enjoyers are eating well today, always good to see. Full coverage under the cut, and spoilers of course. TW discussion of violence, anxiety/PTSD mention.

Jed McKay hits the ground running with a bunch of goons called Shrikes having inserted into the Factory, the Alaskan X-Men's base. Shrike is Latin for 'butcher' and the eponymous bird is known for impaling stuff, so we can assume that they're not nice dudes. They caught a ride from the Vanisher (a 60s X-Men foe who has popped up here and there as a mercenary teleporter/unwilling X-Force asset. His aesthetic is much better these days) who's like 'damn y'all live like this' but objects to them using the term 'mutie.' Bro, you're dropping black ops goons into their house for an unnamed quid pro quo, you think their allies?

Implications...

- The Shrikes want to be inflicting casualties but they're deferring to Lundqvist, who doesn't. Not yet at least. We don't know if they're contractors or part of O*N*E (Office for National Emergency), a government agency I'm surprised still exists, given its abject failures in containing, protecting, or killing mutant schoolchildren.

- These jerks are Team One, clearly part of a larger group or organisation.

- They're professionals with quite advanced technology, and while one slur doesn't necessarily make them frothing racists, they're seemingly ideologically aligned with this mission.

Meanwhile, Scott ain't home right now. We don't get enough of his conversation with Rogue to see where their relationship is at, but we learn the Uncanny X-Men team are moving on Graymalkin and will not wait to synchronize plans or discuss it further.

- They're moving on Graymalkin? That name has been used quite a bit, so we can't be 100% sure if it's Cable's spaceship (unlikely), Xavier's 200 year old ancestor who was buried beneath the mansion for centuries (also unlikely), Graymalkin Industries, or a little house on Graymalkin Lane.

- Considering Scott's estimation that it'll escalate everything, I have to assume it's the X-Mansion. Rescuing Chuck? I don't see Logan wanting to do that. Killing him? That'd be a no from Rogue. Shutting down the torture prison that Chuck's in? Maybe. There's a lot of threads in the X-books and if the 'strays' came from there it'd tie a bunch together while inciting conflict. I guess we'll see.

- Of course Scott has plans. No clues here as to what they are.

- I've said it before, but I don't buy why these teams are separate or even in conflict with each other. It's going to feel inorganic for as long as we don't get an explanation. In UXM 1, Logan was acting like Schism Logan, which didn't even make sense back then. He's been living with Scott and Jean in a polycule for the last X years, and Scott/Rogue were on a Krakoan team together. These people trust and love each other, they've been family for decades. Everyone considers it a dark time for mutants and they have every reason to both want and need to work together. Show us why they're not! I beg you.

- The aforementioned Lundqvist has showed up with heavies to the diner, which the cop doesn't love. He says it's payback for embarrassing him, but considering what team one are doing that's almost certainly not the full reason.

- Looks like their relationship is adversarial. What's holding him back, though?

- Interesting. It was a government-owned Sentinel factory, and it was part of a settlement. I really want more information on Scott Summers v The United States. She-Hulk was his counsel too, I wonder if she was his trial lawyer on this. I'm assuming settlement has at least 3 meanings there, which is clever.

- I wonder if Scott got to choose. He likes Alaska, I could see him demanding it strategically. If the US chose it, ooof. A sentinel factory about as far as you can get from the Marvel hotspots while still being in the US. The whole 'implication' is ugly as hell too.

Is Scott Summers taking this shit?

As Colossus would say, nyet Tovarich, he is not taking it. Good to see he's not fucking around, though in that list of damages I'm very aware 'being forcibly deported from our nation' is not on it. Krakoa comes up, but it's being deprioritised and erased. It's a fist pump moment, but it still makes me sad.

- Shit yeah, get angry dude. You should be.

- Lundqvist is hard to read but he seems to be put in his place.

- Love the BLT power move.

Hahaha! Look at him chowing down with his mouth full. I just ordered a BLT, sometimes you forget how much you enjoy something until you read or hear about it, you know? Anyway, what does this dickhead want Scott to do about it? You know, aside from what he already is - trying to handle it. If he wasn't stalling for his goon squad I'd dismiss it completely.

- The ongoing mystery of the manifesting mutants gets a nod as national news. I can imagine Tucker Carlson or JK Rowling being the worst with this. The Truthseekers name feels very true to life. Right wing kooks are all about weaponising what is true and what is not.

- Scott not knowing what a thermobaric bomb is has some significance, but I think it tells us more about Lundqvist that he does. They're a fuel only type of explosive mostly associated with atrocities. Research indicates they're a very painful and comparatively slow way to die, bc the brain is still active while the body is torn apart or worse. Fuck this guy.

- I did wonder what those drone looking things were last issue. Seems the Truthseekers have some good technology, and may be looking to deny the X-Men theirs (if they're working with the government, which, come on. They always are.)

HAHAHA. EAT A DICK LUNDQVIST. Okay he's getting to the point. The X-Men make him look bad because they're doing his job and not covering it up.

- Either he doesn't know Scott very well or he's running out of shit to say. I really dig what's happening with body language here.

- X-factor are a joke in and out of universe. Sorry not sorry but Alex is too. I do wonder who has better intel on x-factor. Scott has always valued intelligence, though I wonder if he's more likely to get it from Warren or Alex. Warren is reliable AF, always has been. I can totally see him enduring that embarrassment to be the man on the inside. Alex could go either way tbh. He is not reliable at all. Most recently he moved to Limbo to be with Maddie and it was not a healthy relationship. It was codependent and Alex, at least was delusional. He also spent a while as a demon zombie.

- That's been brushed aside and for some reason he and Lorna seem to have regressed 15 years. They argued and the impression I got was Lorna was team mutant, Alex was team government/human? That kid's a mess so it's hard to tell. They could be running a long con - we'll see.

- But yeah, Scott's not having it. At all. Carrot or stick - choose! I do like the Brotherhood mention but I swear to god this better not be used to villainise Scott and fuel infighting with the Uncanny team.

Meanwhile... Shrike Team One are well prepared for the mission. They can't be sensed psychically or with any technology. Beast gets knocked out like a chump, but Ilyana can see souls.

See what I mean about technology denial? The last Cerebro unit too.

- Obviously it would be a loss but Beast could build another, right?

- Tumblr image limits being what they are I'm not including the action panels. I'll just say they're okay. Nothing amazing.

- Temper/Idie takes them out and laughs at their thermite (really not messing around, that stuff is wild) while getting off a few badass one liners.

- Magneto doesn't join the fray for some reason (He'd solve it instantly) and chats with Temper. Krakoa is mentioned, as is her imprisonment, but I'm not touching that further right now. When they actually show us where Magneto is I'll have lots to say, for now he's just sitting and saying lightweight stuff. Temper doesn't like or respect Mags though.

Wrapping up, the goons failed and the X-Men minus Mags and Beast drop them off.

- The official position is 'yes, we will fight America if you insist. Stop making threats and breaking into my house. Also, my wife is a God. You know that right? Now gtfoh.'

- It's really cool, though we've kinda been here before.

Something is wrong with Scott? It looks like an anxiety attack to me, tbh. Can't blame him, though I have a feeling it's more than that. Full on anxiety disorder/PTSD Cyclops would be new, I wonder if they'd do it. I guess we'll find out.

And to end on some... news... Trevor Fitzroy is back. yay 😮‍💨. Alive somehow, and resurrecting a ludicrous group from the 2000s. I wonder if Shinobi Shaw and Cortez will be there too. He's also killing mutants for ratings, something that's been done as recently as Krakoa. Not looking forward to it. MAKE UP NEW STUFF FFS.

At the end of the day I enjoyed the issue, mostly by virtue of something happening. Cyclops and Agent Lundqvist chatting in a diner carried it with moments that I'm sure we'll be seeing for years to come as 'fuck yeah' posts on Reddit. The art is competent, nothing really stands out for me besides the body language I mentioned. The art style and choices are probably a whole separate post, like why Cyclops looks 25.

Thanks for reading.

[jasonball34]

hey Noa/Mae fans

There is a romantic ship that exists in the realm of sci-fi/fantasy. It consists of 2 characters of different species, and the 2 characters could be considered adversaries at times. One of them has a disdain for the others' species because that species took over the planet Earth from the first species. The two species have different lifespans, and by virtue of this, it might seem questionable to ship them if you look too closely at their age numbers (but the real ones know otherwise).

I am 100% truthfully describing 2 ships here: Noa/Mae from Planet of the Apes, and Artemis/Holly from the book series Artemis Fowl.

If you are a fan of Noa/Mae, I invite you into the Artemis Fowl fandom! You'd love the Artemis/Holly ship. It's got that same interspecies enemies-to-allies thing going on. We need more people like you guys, people who are clearly extremely open-minded about ships!

The Noa/Mae troop is doing great stuff btw. You guys are writing and drawing amazing stuff for your ship and made me go from denier to believer.

And to any AF fandom folks who like to hate on the A/H ship... I invite you to go check out what they're doing over in Planet of the Apes land if you want a new ship to be judgmental about! (Edit: This last part is a joke!! I apologise if it was in poor taste. I'm not literally telling haters to go harass. I'm trying to open their eyes to the fact that this great ship exists and want them to see it's not just the AF ship that checks all the boxes I described so we're not crazy for shipping it. Haters, mute don't harass!)

[bookish-bi-mormon]

Feel like it's worth saying -- Tress is evidence that Sanderson is getting much better at writing and including female characters. Obviously The Stormlight Archive has a lot of good female characters too, but Tress is such a compact book, and comparing it to earlier stuff like Elantris and Mistborn -- where he was obviously going for "strong female character" and ended up falling into other harmful/annoying tropes -- Tress really stands out. I just really enjoyed Tress as a character, her ingenuity and compassion, and the fact that two of her main supporters were also women, as were her two main adversaries. I adored Salay and Ana so much. Additionally, Hoid's narration gives you the feeling that many of the "Dougs" are women. He created a world where you expect to find women wherever you go, even on the high seas.

[silvermoondarkening]

I saw some ppl doing name HCs for the STP princesses and wanted to hop on that!

Most of these are based on some Tupperbox RPs, where my friends played some of them and they gave each other names, but I liked them a lot so that's just their name now

(If I don't mention someone in chapter 3, they share a name with their chapter 2, also Shifty is just Shifty to me I'm sorry girlie)

So here we go!

The Princess: Millicent (sounds like a princess-y name idk, fancy fancy, friends can call her Millie)

The Stranger: Doremi (as in 'do re mi fa so la ti,' I normally name my Dodrios this when I play Pokémon (one note for each head) but the one I caught yesterday I named The Stranger, so I thought it would be cute if they swapped names)

The Damsel: Primrose (often shortened to Prim, got it from a fanfic that changed my brain chemistry)

The Prisoner: Jade (because she's jaded)

The Beast: Dinah (like Alice's cat from Alice in Wonderland, Prim named her once they got close otherwise she wouldn't have one)

The Adversary: Crimson (she named herself and it kinda shows lol /aff Nightmare was like 'yas girlie you're covered in the stuff')

The Razor: Talyn (like talon, sharp like she is)

The Tower: Destiny (no comment she's definitely a Destiny)

The Nightmare: Mary (a friend named her, could just be short for Nightmare but imagine if it was like Bloody Mary lol)

The Witch: Tabitha (Prim calls her Tabby, I named her after my second Toralei monster high doll but also it's a kinda witchy name to me)

The Spectre: Wisteria (or Wisty, got it from a book and thought it fit her)

The Burned Grey: Hestia (after the Greek goddess of the hearth)

The Drowned Grey: Ophelia (saw someone else use it and. Yeah that fits her)

The Den: Regina (another Prim name lmao, queen of the junjle /ref)

The Eye of the Needle: Topaz (I feel like a gem that changes color with heat would suit her)

The Fury: Malice (like Alice but Scary)

The Moment of Clarity: Claire (Mary and Claire sounded cute together lol, sister vibes)

The Thorn: Willow (saw an edit of her with red hair and thought of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, but also weeping willow because she's soooo soggy I adore her)

The Wild: Mercy (I feel like she'd have a virtue kinda name, she's either Mercy or Peace to me)

The Wraith: Belladonna (a poisonous plant, but more importantly it sounds like Beldam and my friends agree Wraith gives serious Other Mother energy)

The Cage: Anne (Head) and Boleyn (Body)

Happily Ever After: Antoinette (partially to parallel with Cage being Anne, partially because it's fancy)

The Princess and the Dragon: Angelina (No reasoning for this one, just think it's pretty)

[thecountesstribe]

Just saw your post about the Rhea and Liv situation. May I ask how would you go about fixing it from this point forward if you were given creative control?

Hey. So I'm just gonna address the biggest elephants in the storyline that I think could be fixed.

1) Get Dom out of the mix. Let him find some business and get him outta the women's stuff. The feud is already focused heavily on him whether we want to admit it or not instead of the history and WCC and that wasn't supposed to be. Especially since they're not gonna book that Rhea vs Dom match to squash their chapter in the story.

2) Let Liv start handling her stuff on her own. She's capable of it, they've shown she could do it before she was intertwined heavily with TNJD so I don't understand why they just let go of the plot like that. I'm not saying she can't have some interference here and there, she's a heel but having Dom do the heavy lifting since she's gotten her hands on the title is discrediting the shit out of her reign. For eg, she's in a predicament she knows she can't win let her rely on her craftiness, her being cunning and all the tactics that got her revenge against Rhea in the first place. That way it won't look like Dom is carrying her reign.

3) Lose the Raquel bodyguard plot immediately. This is gonna go the same way as the Dom interfering plot. I'd much have her come back as the enemy of my enemy is my friend. Raquel comes back and attacks Rhea cause she does owe her but do not have her align herself all the way with Liv. Let Liv immediately lock in on the fact that Raquel is indeed a threat to her instead of it going the predictable blindsiding route. Liv's character right now is a manipulator and a tactician so her blindly trusting Raquel just for Raquel to turn on her eventually is lame. If people think Liv can't beat Rhea credibly, she most definitely can't beat Raquel as well when that time eventually does come. Plus I think it would give some more spice to leading up to Wargames. After Rhea loses this Saturday, she and Raquel could settle their differences in the meantime and it opens up other contenders and other teammates/adversaries for the Wargames match and Liv's championship reign. Instead of it being locked in a stalemate between these 3.

4) Rhea doesn't need to win back the title so soon especially if they're gonna drag this out. The outcome is she's winning this feud eventually. Her path to redemption has started and she needs to focus on that and I'm only saying that because something needs to be done about Rhea's booking. She even said it was a problem. There are no contenders for her to match with realistically and everyone can't have the same gimmick. Especially if they wanna milk the hell out of her being a babyface cause she's over as hell right now.

5) Revamp the creative team who's writing this storyline if they're gonna continue on this path.

I have a hell of a lot more but that more entails stuff for the future but feel free to comment what you'll do with this storyline. I love reading different takes and opinions as long as they're respectful. 🩵