#Tyrell’s just footing the bill until then

[arlo-venn]

Who is Ottile? I thought you had two cats and one was named Dinova??? Where did a third one come from..🤨

You’re correct! It was originally Rory and Dinova. There’s still only two, but here’s the story:

Chapter One:

When Rory and Dinova came to live with me here after the surrender prevention program they were in, Dinova became severely depressed. Worse than I’d ever seen her; she’d always struggled with Arlo, but even with medication and time to adjust, she wasn’t coping— she would not leave from her shelf in the tool room/basement cat room, stopped eating, stopped grooming. So even though it was one of the hardest decisions I’ve ever had to make, I had to allow the people from the surrender prevention program to find her a more suitable home. They did, and although I’m not allowed to know the details of where she is or who she’s with, I do know that she’s happier and healthier now, and she’s in a home with no dogs. I know it may seem terrible to rehome my eldest child for being unable to cope with my youngest, but Arlo would not be okay without me (and I wouldn’t be okay without him), whereas Dinova can be taken care of by anyone so long as they’re loving and are able to provide a space that she feels comfortable in. I wasn’t able to provide that for her.

Before we lost our home, I’d moved us into a larger, two bedroom home for the same reason— she wasn’t coping in a smaller space with Arlo, even after a few years. Unfortunately, even once I’m approved for disability, I will never realistically be able to afford a home large enough to accommodate the space she needs to comfortably live with a dog again. It would have been selfish of me to keep her with us just because I loved her.

Chapter Two:

Rory had never been an only cat before, not ever in her life. She’d also gone through the trauma of losing her home and her parent for a whole year without being able to understand why, only to lose her sister not long after being reunited with her parent in a bizarre new environment. So, after Dinova left, Rory became incredibly depressed. My silly goofy silky wind ferret alien thing was confused and lethargic and wouldn’t play, not even with her buddy Arlo. This lasted for some time with no improvement.

Eventually, Tyrell adopted Ottilie for Rory. How I came to find and select Ottilie is a whole story in itself, for another day maybe, but— Tyrell paid for Ottilie to be adopted and agreed to cover any emergency vet costs that may arise until we’re back on our feet (and cat food when I am unable to cover it myself). Once we brought her home, Rory was back to normal almost instantaneously. Not only that, but— while Dinova did love Rory, she was still always very standoffish with other pets and had trained Rory not to engage in play with her. Ottilie is the exact opposite— she’s brave and bold, playful and silly, and not shy with any animal, so over time Ottilie re-taught Rory how to play with her own species. It was very sweet watching Rory figure it all out.

Tyrell was also okay with adopting Ottilie because she and Thom had recently lost their 18+ year old gray cat, Winky, which was very very hard on them both. So on top of filling the Dinova shaped hole for Rory (and me), it also filled the little gray cat shaped hole in their hearts, too. Rory is happier than I’ve ever seen her. Ottilie has a home. Wherever she is, Dinova is happy and thriving for the first time in almost 7 years. Tyrell and Thom’s hearts are a little more soothed. My guilt is practically cured.

[lovelylanden]

Safe House

Where Elliot and Tyrell are being followed and take refuge in Darlene’s old safe house. Things heat up quickly. 

Note: This description sucks but hopefully you enjoy regardless. Much love. 

Word count: 2.6k --- 

“900 watt or 1100?” Tyrell asks with a raised eyebrow as he watches Elliot scan the shelves with a sort of ambition and he can’t help but grin. 

“900,” Elliot says, nearly under his breath as he crouches to inspect the bottom shelf. “They break down the SIM cards better and they don’t explode like the higher watts do. We want to destroy the card but also don’t want to set my apartment on fire,” He mutters as he wiggles one of the microwaves out, reading the back of the box, nodding with approval and putting it into their shopping cart.

Elliot hadn’t initially planned for Tyrell to tag along on his trip to the store but after his last wipe down, his microwave was shot and the CTO had a car that would make his commute to and from his apartment much smoother. So despite the discomfort of the man watching him, Elliot had offered up the opportunity to which Tyrell had quickly accepted. He had hacked into another small business, an in-home soap shop that was cooking meth in their basement and had left an anonymous tip for the police before bolting. 

“I don’t know why you do this,” Mr. Robot says, arms crossed as he stood at Elliot’s side. “Hacking into small businesses is useless,”

“Surely much better than hacking into the largest conglomerate in the United States,” Elliot mutters before standing up straight and pushing the cart off to find Tyrell. He found a sort of comfort in hacking into small businesses; it was easy and Elliot could do it in his sleep with little to no consequences as long as he was smart about it. 

Wellick has disappeared within the aisles and if he hadn’t, Elliot wouldn’t have given Mr. Robot the time of day. He was able to recognize that his father was that of his imagination and nothing else yet had opted to speaking to him only when he was sure they were alone.

“Tyrell,” Elliot calls, shifting quickly between the lanes. “Tyrell where are you?” 

He could feel eyes on him and adrenaline rushes through his veins when Mr. Robot says, “Those men in suits are trailing you. You need to get out of here. With or without Wellick. Otherwise you’re screwed,” 

“I can’t just leave him,” Elliot hisses. “They’ll kill him if I do,” 

“Who cares?” Mr. Robot counters, annoyed. “He’s useless to us now. Just—“ 

“I’m not leaving him,” Elliot repeats, gripping the cart with white knuckles. “I’ll find him and then we’ll go,” He’s walking quickly down the aisles now, almost at a jog and it’s then that he finds Wellick in the next lane being held up against the shelves by his throat, choked by one of the suited men. Shit. So this wasn’t a delusion, then.

Elliot takes a final deep breath, balls his hands into fists and connects them to the man’s face until Tyrell is free from his grasp. “C’mon,” Elliot says as Tyrell gasps for breath. “We need to go,” 

All Tyrell can manage is a nod and follows Elliot on unsure footing as he sprints to the emergency exit. The alarm would sound but Elliot couldn’t be bothered, this exit was closer to the parking lot and if they were quick enough, they could make it to Tyrell’s car. Elliot risks a look back, finding the men not far off and he’s nearly dragging Tyrell to the car, snatching the keys from him and taking the driver’s seat as Tyrell stumbles over to the passenger’s. 

The tires squeal as Elliot backs out of the parking lot and onto the road and he grips the steering wheel a bit tighter to hide the trembling of his hands. “Where are we going?” Tyrell asks, voice raspy but breathing more even. 

“Darlene’s old FBI safe house,” Elliot says, not bothering to look over at Tyrell. “I disconnected the cameras a few days ago. I had a bad feeling something like this would happen,” His words ring true; it had been far too long since something like this happened, too quiet and Elliot was glad he had thought to do this. He wasn’t sure what he would’ve done otherwise. But what did Whiterose want from him now? Elliot had done his part. 

“What do we do now?” Tyrell asks quietly as he watches Elliot pick the lock and Elliot shrugs, sighing with relief once the lock clicks open. He had parked the car two blocks down in case the men had gotten the license plate and knew now that they were as safe as they could be. 

“Lay low for a while,” He says eventually, shutting the blinds and locking the door. “We need to stay here for a day or two. Then we should be alright,”

“Are you sure?” Tyrell asks and there’s the slightest twinge of paranoia lying in his tone. 

“This isn’t my first encounter with these people. I think I know what I’m talking about,” Elliot says almost sarcastically before frowning at Tyrell who winced each time he swallowed. “Are you alright?” He sighs. “Did they hurt you anywhere else?”

“No,” Tyrell says, relieved. 

“Go try to find something in the fridge you can ice that with,” Elliot orders, jerking his chin at the red handprint around Tyrell’s throat. “That should help if there’s any swelling,”

Tyrell nods, looking thankful before walking over to the fridge and does as he’s told. “We forgot about your microwave,” Tyrell says as he comes back out into the living room, holding a bag of frozen peas to his throat. 

“Fuck the microwave,” Elliot says with a roll of his eyes, propping his feet up on the coffee table as he lounges on the couch. “We’ll be just fine,”

Tyrell hesitates before him, nodding but looks uncertain. “Alright,” He whispers, taking a seat beside him. “Thank you for... saving me,” Tyrell says at last and Elliot shrugs, unable to hold his gaze.

“No need to thank me,” He says eventually. “I did what I had to do to keep us both alive,” Elliot had never done anything to show he had even an inkling of fondness for Tyrell so the fact that he risked getting captured by Whiterose in order to save him meant more to Tyrell than he could ever imagine. He takes a seat beside him on the couch, finally allowing himself to relax as he shifts the peas on his neck, wincing. “It’ll feel better by tomorrow or the next,” Elliot promises. 

Tyrell says nothing, only stares down at the chipped nails of his free hand and sighs shakily. “This isn’t exactly how I planned on spending my Sunday afternoon,” He says with a small smile as he sets the bag of peas on the table and Elliot can’t help but mimic it, amused. 

“You and me both,” He looks down at his hands, rough and calloused with bruising knuckles and Tyrell swears under his breath with surprise at the sight of it. Elliot looks up at him then, smirking and says, “What? Never seen bruised knuckles before? If they catch us, you’ve got a lot more to worry about than bruised knuckles, Princess,” 

“But you said—“ 

“They won’t catch us, Tyrell,” Elliot cuts in yet doesn’t feel very bad for spooking him. “Everything will be fine, you watch. If it would really make you feel better we can take turns staying up in case we run into trouble but I doubt it,”

Tyrell nods but his hands shook violently with nerves and Elliot tries hard to keep his irritation at bay as he says, “Jesus Christ, you need to smoke a bowl or two and chill out,” 

“I don’t do drugs,” Tyrell says quickly and Elliot can’t help but roll his eyes this time. 

“Right. Strangling people seems to be more your speed,” Tyrell flinches back, surprised at the jab and curls his hands into fists, anger bubbling up in his chest. 

“Fuck off, Alderson,” He snaps and Elliot scoffs with a raised eyebrow. 

“Last time I checked,” He begins, voice low. “If I’d have done that, you’d be dead,” Elliot was being a dick and he knew it but anxiety of his own rose up in his throat, wanting desperately to find it’s way out and the only way Elliot knew how to stuff it back down was to be hostile, to hurt people before he could get hurt himself. 

“Do whatever you want,” Elliot continues, standing up. “Leave or don’t, I don’t give a shit,” He moves toward what must be the bedroom and shuts the door, not looking back. 

***

“You’re gonna make me take the couch?” Tyrell asks through the opposite side of the bedroom door with a raised eyebrow.

“Well we’re sure as hell not going to share a bed,” Elliot says from the mattress, skimming through a discarded book, a classic but something Elliot hadn’t read on his own accord. “You can last two days on the sofa, your highness,” He snorts, grinning.

Tyrell wanted to complain, explain all the reasons why they should share a bed but huffs with annoyance and walks off instead. He takes a seat on the couch, the cushions feeling much firmer than before and groans. This would be a difficult two days but it was better than being wherever Whiterose had planned to do to him. He runs a hand through his hair, knowing he should be grateful. Elliot had saved his life after all so he supposed that meant he could take the bedroom.

The night was long; neither of them could sleep and Elliot lies awake, staring at the ceiling and wondering what in the fuck would happen next. Would the top 1% of the 1% find him? Kill him? Torture him? He couldn’t be sure and despite the front he put up, Elliot was terrified. He had undone the hack, yes but that had nothing to do with Whiterose. She had said so herself; 5/9 meant nothing to her so why was he being followed? Why had they attacked Tyrell? Was Tyrell keeping something from him? Did he know something Elliot didn’t? 

Elliot merely watches the time pass, hour by hour yet sleep doesn’t come. He could hear Tyrell snoring in the living room and tries his best to keep quiet as he rummages the kitchen cabinets for a mortar and pestle. After minutes of searching, he finally finds one and takes a baggy from his jeans, drops a precious pill into the mortar and grinds it to a powder. Once he’s satisfied with the consistency, he lines the morphine and snorts it through a dollar bill. “What’re you doing?” 

Elliot turns, anxiety flooding his system before the drugs have a chance to take over and finds Tyrell standing before him, rubbing his sleep heavy eyes. “Couldn’t sleep,” Elliot chokes out, eyes shifting quickly, anywhere but to Tyrell. “Was going to get some water,” He continues and watches Tyrell’s gaze lock on the mortar, then the dollar bill. 

“Right,” He says, unconvinced. “You’re doing drugs at one in the morning,” Tyrell says finally and Elliot cringes, staring down at his hands which shook slightly with the high.  

“What’s it matter to you?” Elliot asks lowly, wiping his nose and glaring at him. 

“If someone finds us I don’t want you to doped up on--” 

“I was high for the majority of the 5/9 hack,” Elliot cuts in quickly, too quickly, maybe and his tongue feels heavy in his mouth, twisted. “And yet I managed to take down the largest conglomerate in the United States. So I don’t think I have a problem with functioning when I’m doped up,” He sighs, running a hand through his hair and turns his back to Tyrell, cleaning up his mess. “Go back to bed,” He orders, frustrated. “I’m not in the mood to deal with this,” 

“If you wanted to keep things a secret you would’ve went off to the bedroom,” Tyrell points out and Elliot grits his teeth with annoyance but doesn’t turn toward him quite yet. “I think you wanted me to find you. You--” 

“You know nothing,” Elliot hisses, setting the bowl down with a hollow slam. “So I’d suggest you quit making assumptions,” He turns toward Tyrell then, taking the few steps between them before they’re nose to nose. “Bonsoir, Tyrell,” Elliot snaps with a sort of viciousness Tyrell had never heard from him before and watches as Elliot retreats toward the bedroom.

Tyrell groans and despite the fatigue, feels a growing sense of worry for Elliot. How long had he been getting high off morphine? How couldn’t he have noticed? When had Elliot gotten so good at hiding it?  

Elliot paces around the bedroom, morphine buzzing wildly through his veins but the anxiety of being caught still remained. Shit. I’m doing the one thing I promised myself I’d never do. Elliot thinks, wiping his sweaty palms on his jeans. I was revealing my source code, the one thing that kept me safe. Why was my self control crumbling? What made Tyrell so special? He was never supposed to know. No one was supposed to know. What happens now? Friend, could you help me?

The silence that follows is deafening. This person, this imaginary friend was just that. Imaginary and yet it gave Elliot some sort of unexplainable comfort. They were only there to listen, never to give advice or tell him that what he was doing was wrong or inhumane, just to lend an ear, let Elliot speak his mind without consequence and that was more helpful than Elliot would ever admit. 

When the darkness breaks into early morning, Elliot stumbles out of the bedroom, coming down from his high and in no mood to deal with whatever Tyrell was going to throw at him. He makes himself breakfast, whatever he could find in the safe house fridge and doesn’t offer Wellick any of it, sitting at the table with his back to the CTO with no intention on inviting him in. “Elliot,” Tyrell calls, watching the hacker’s stillness at the sound of his name. “Elliot, talk to me,” 

“Why should I?” Elliot replies, still not turning to meet him. “I have nothing to say to you,” 

Silence follows not long after that and Elliot doesn’t mind, only continues to eat his cereal dry while ignoring Tyrell the best he can. “This is childish,” Tyrell says finally, annoyed. “The least you can do is look at me,” 

Anger boils up inside Elliot and so he turns, eyes ablaze and snaps, “Is this good enough for you, Wellick?” 

Tyrell pinches the bridge of his nose with frustration and says, “I didn’t mean what I said last night. I don’t... I don’t want us to constantly be fighting,” 

Elliot can’t help but scowl at this, breakfast forgotten. “Isn’t that what we do?” He asks bitterly. “Fight? Seems to be all that happens when we’re together,” 

“It doesn’t have to be,” 

Elliot frowns at the softness of Tyrell’s voice, the light bruising on his throat and the trembling of his hands. “What the fuck does that mean? What else is there left for us to—“ He’s cut off by Tyrell’s lips on his own, caressing Elliot’s face in those large, deadly hands and yet... and yet, Elliot doesn’t mind one bit. 

“How about we share that bed instead?” Tyrell murmurs hoarsely once they pull apart. Elliot can only nod, pupils blown wide with lust and doesn’t complain when Tyrell shuts the door behind them and throws him down on the bed with a sort of hunger Elliot could get used to.

[howlinwolfwb]

WILL WE SEE A MARRIAGE BETWEEN JON AND SANSA IN GAME OF THRONES?

And will the pairing that a lot of fans already want be the one that we all need?

A few book readers speculated that a political marriage between Jon Snow and Sansa Stark would be not only possible, but the best thing for House Stark, and maybe even for each other. However, the idea of any kind of match between them was a quiet cult theory, until season 6 of Game Of Thrones, which set Twitter and Tumblr on fire with the idea of the “Jonsa” romance ship. In this article, I’m going to go through as many reasons as I have discovered for this potential pairing, the foreshadowing that a lot of people might have overlooked, and why readers and viewers should think twice before completely dismissing the idea.

As I am starting with the books, I’ll go ahead and start at the very beginning, before the books were written. In George R. R. Martin’s outline for the series, he had a love triangle in the works, between Jon, Tyrion, and Arya. Even before the first book was finished, he had plans for Jon to wed a Stark cousin. The outline states on the subject:

“Arya will be more forgiving... until she realizes, with terror, that she has fallen in love with Jon, who is not only her half-brother but a man of the Night's Watch, sworn to celibacy. Their passion will continue to torment Jon and Arya throughout the trilogy, until the secret of Jon's true parentage is finally revealed in the last book.”

Given what I am about to lay out in this article, there seems to be a strong chance of GRRM having kept the cousin love triangle, but switched at least the sister, if not the other man (Jon/Tyrion[Littlefinger]/Sansa).

Jon and Sansa began their stories, and left Winterfell, with very similar ideas and worldviews, despite their differing personalities. Both were not just young, heady, and optimistic; both believed in the songs they were sung to as children, but in the heroes the songs described. Both had fantasies of a quieter life and family that, conspicuously, left each other out, and synchronized perfectly with each other.

I would need to steal her if I wanted her love, but she might give me children. I might someday hold a son of my own blood in my arms. A son was something Jon Snow had never dared dream of, since he decided to live his life on the Wall. I could name him Robb. Val would want to keep her sister’s son, but we could foster him at Winterfell, and Gilly’s boy as well. Sam would never need to tell his lie. We’d find a place for Gilly too, and Sam could come visit her once a year or so. Mance’s son and Craster’s would grow up brothers, as I once did with Robb. He wanted it, Jon knew then. He wanted it as much as he had ever wanted anything. I have always wanted it, he thought, guiltily. - A Storm Of Swords - Jon XII

This is a fantasy Jon had, ostensibly about Val, the Wildling sister of Mance Rayder’s wife, whom Jon was infatuated with, at the time. However, she does not feature at all after a cursory mention of stealing her away. He fantasized much more about the hypothetical family than her, and both that fact, and his fantasy-family makeup, is very telling, in three ways. 1.  This fantasy is a direct and near-perfect recreation of the Stark household that he remembers, with him as the new Neddish patriarch. 2. He is not fantasizing about a Wildling girl who walks through Walker territory like it ain’t no thang, or a warrior girl, or a highborn princess, or even a platinum-haired nude dragon queen. He is fantasizing about Val as a mother, and more importantly, as not only the mother he knew (Catelyn), but how he wished Catelyn to be. 3. Most women that we read about in aSoIaF or watch in GoT do not share this fantasy; Westerosi girls tend to be action girls. The only female character who had any kind of similar fantasy, let alone one that synchronizes nearly perfectly to Jon’s, is Sansa:

She pictured the two of them sitting together in a garden with puppies in their laps, or listening to a singer strum upon a lute while they floated down the Mander on a pleasure barge. If I give him sons, he may come to love me. She would name them Eddard and Brandon and Rickon, and raise them all to be as valiant as Ser Loras. And to hate Lannisters, too. In Sansa’s dreams, her children looked just like the brothers she had lost. Sometimes there was even a girl who looked like Arya. - A Storm Of Swords - Sansa

Although they fantasized about different people ostensibly (Jon-Val; Sansa-Willas/Loras Tyrell), both fantasies complete the other, and tell very similar stories about each of them. Both think that love is an addendum to marriage, and something that needs to be worked on. They both disregard the personalities of their interest for what they remember of their mother and father. They both recreate their dead and missing siblings, with exceptions. Robb, Arya, Bran and Rickon are noted, as well as even a Ned. The only figures missing are themselves and each other.

What makes this so extremely notable is not just that the fantasies click perfectly together. It’s not even that Jon’s always wanted exactly this, even from the start, when he dared not wish for his own family. What makes this truly meaningful, is that there is only one girl in all of Westeros who knows what growing up in Winterfell was like, and who wants the same thing as him, and is not yearning for adventure, vengeance, a throne, or power, let alone above this desire.

Just as Sansa is the only person who fits the bill for Jon, Jon is the only man who has lived up perfectly to Sansa’s fantasies and dreams of heroic knights in shining armor.

“Sweet one,” her father said gently, “listen to me. When you’re old enough, I will make you a match with a high lord who’s worthy of you, someone brave and gentle and strong. This match with Joffrey was a terrible mistake. That boy is no Prince Aemon, you must believe me.” - A Game Of Thrones - Sansa

Curiously, although Prince Aemon Targaryen is a historical character in the Ice & Fire/Thrones universe, Prince Aemon is also the role Jon would take in childhood mock jousts with Robb; judge for yourself if that’s a coincidence.

“I’m Prince Aemon the Dragonknight,” Jon would call out, and Robb would shout back, “Well, I’m Florian the Fool.” -A Storm of Swords – Jon XII

(Sidenote - foreshadowing with other foreshadowing: if you think about it, Robb literally died a fool. He got himself, and Cat, killed for love, when he could've married the Frey girl, gotten safe passage from the Freys, and marched towards Kings Landing to avenge his father and rescue Sansa. But we all know what he was thinking with instead of his brain…)

Jon is by every and all accounts the valiant and heroic knight Sansa wished and pined for, as a dreamy 11-year-old girl. Before I continue, I have to add that the men of the Night’s Watch are often referred to as The Black Knights.

Jon has all of the qualities of the kind of man Ned described to her, as well as all of the qualities of the kind of man she’d always wanted; both as a young, wistful girl dreaming of Aemon the Dragonknight making Queen Naerys his lady love, and the shattered, hardened, and disaffected woman she’s grown to become. She has discarded her fairy tales, because she has realized, through firsthand experience, that those fairytales are not nearly as pretty as they sound. The fairytales are horrifying; they are soaked in the blood and tears of the events and people they describe. Jon is the only character who can fulfill both the dreams and fantasies of 11-year-old Sansa, and the disillusioned young woman who’s never until now known a true hero. No other character in either aSoIaF or GoT can do the same:

Frog-faced Lord Slynt sat at the end of the council table wearing a black velvet doublet and a shiny cloth-of-gold cape, nodding with approval every time the king pronounced a sentence. Sansa stared hard at his ugly face, remembering how he had thrown down her father for Ser Ilyn to behead, wishing she could hurt him, wishing that some hero would throw him down and cut off his head. But a voice inside her whispered, There are no heroes, and she remembered what Lord Petyr had said to her, here in this very hall. "Life is not a song, sweetling," he'd told her. "You may learn that one day to your sorrow." In life, the monsters win, she told herself, and now it was the Hound's voice she heard, a cold rasp, metal on stone. "Save yourself some pain, girl, and give him what he wants." - A Game Of Thrones - Sansa VI

That he did, albeit with poor grace, crossing his arms, scowling, and ignoring the naked steel in his lord commander's hands. Jon slid the oilcloth down his bastard sword, watching the play of morning light across the ripples, thinking how easily the blade would slide through skin and fat and sinew to part Slynt's ugly head from his body. All of a man's crimes were wiped away when he took the black, and all of his allegiances as well, yet he found it hard to think of Janos Slynt as a brother. There is blood between us. This man helped slay my father and did his best to have me killed as well. - A Dance With Dragons - Jon II

Not long after, in the same chapter, Jon does the deed:

Emmett kicked his legs out from under him. Dolorous Edd planted a foot on his back to keep him on his knees as Emmett shoved the block beneath his head. "This will go easier if you stay still," Jon Snow promised him. "Move to avoid the cut, and you will still die, but your dying will be uglier. Stretch out your neck, my lord." The pale morning sunlight ran up and down his blade as Jon clasped the hilt of the bastard sword with both hands and raised it high. "If you have any last words, now is the time to speak them," he said, expecting one last curse.

Janos Slynt twisted his neck around to stare up at him. "Please, my lord. Mercy. I'll … I'll go, I will, I …"

No, thought Jon. You closed that door. Longclaw descended.

Their geographic and psychological journeys are near-perfect mirrors of each other. Sansa heads south while Jon goes north. Sansa becomes Lady Lannister, then a bastard (an identity at least partially crafted on her ideas of Jon); then, in the show, Lady Bolton, and finally the Lady of Winterfell. Jon, meanwhile, goes from Bastard, to Jon Stark (in Robb’s will, which Jon hasn’t seen or heard about), to Lord Commander of the Night’s Watch, and in the show, finally, King in the North. Both have to pretend they want nothing to do with their previous lives (Sansa as a prisoner in KL, and Jon with the Wildlings). Both have to essentially fake it to make it, as Sansa tries to actively forget she is not Alayne Stone, and Jon is tempted to stay with the Wildlings. Through all of this, they both try to cling to certain things. Even after abandoning their childhood idealisms to make hard choices, and even through the processes of grieving for their family, as well as trying to become different people, they both have always held notions of justice, fairness, and even compassion close to their hearts and minds.

Also, out of all the surviving Starks, only Sansa sensed Jon’s death:

“There was ice underfoot, and broken stones just waiting to turn an ankle, and the wind was howling fiercely. It sounds like a wolf, thought Sansa. A ghost wolf, as big as mountains.” - A Feast For Crows - Sansa’s final chapter

As soon as news of Jon’s parentage comes out in the North, his claim to Winterfell will be, at the very least, heavily debated among and contested by the Northern lords. Although half Stark, he is not the son of Eddard, but of Lyanna. On top of that, he has a Targaryen father. Seeing as the Mad King killed Ned’s father Rickard Stark, and Ned's brother Brandon. The Northern lords will have no loyalty to a Targaryen. Jon/Sansa would be both an excellent twist of the kind that aSoIaF/Got are known for, and mutually beneficial for the both. Their marriage would secure Jon’s claim to the North, unite the North as it needs to be for the War for the Dawn, and secures the safety and place at Winterfell for both. Also, as she says in the books, “No one will ever marry me for love.” It’s a sad truth, but a truth nonetheless; every and all other Lords would want to marry her for her claim to Winterfell. Jon, though, would never force Sansa to marry anyone. He knows what she’s been through. He cares for her, and would never hurt her in any way. Sansa knows this, and it might just be what will drive her to suggest they marry. Jon needs a Queen either way, to keep the Stark bloodline going. I will even go so far as to say this: I think that the northern lords will want to make Sansa their Queen after they find out about Jon’s parentage, in which case, same thing; she’ll need to keep the Stark bloodline going. Add to that him being a Targaryen, and she a Stark, they would literally be uniting not only the North, but the South too. Soon, every person in the whole of at least Westeros will find out about the Night’s King and the White Walkers. It is this exact moment that the North will need stability, and hope. A union between Sansa and Jon would give the northerners nothing less or other than that. Jon is a great commander. He is brave, and honorable, and he will do all he can to keep Sansa and all the northerners safe. He’ll fight for them. The prospect, the reassurance, and after the battle is over and the war is won, Winterfell and the North will be rebuilt, by its people with the support and help of their King and Queen. Everything points to their union. The prospect, the reassurance, that after the battle is over, after the war is won, Winterfell, the North will be rebuilt, by its people with the support and help of their King and Queen. Everything that points to a good resolution for the stories of Ice & Fire, and Thrones, points to their union.

Even on Thrones, David Benioff and Dan Weiss have planted an insane amount of seeds for Jonsa. Not only for a political union, but in season 6 set the internet on fire with gooey Jonsa romantic tension, with gems such as this moment, from s6e5 (The Door):

Jon: New dress? Sansa: I made it myself, do you like it? Jon: Yeah, well, it’s—I like the wolf bit.

Brothers awkwardly fumbling for words to compliment their half-sister’s dress? Not something you see everyday. This scene was unnecessary, but D&D included it, I’ll allege for a reason. I'm not necessarily saying that Jon is in love with Sansa here, but the tension between them and their interactions are very awkward, and not how they should be between two people who think they are brother and sister. Also, this is not something a brother says to a sister in danger:

Jon: I won’t ever let him touch you again. I’ll protect you. I promise. (From s6e9 - Battle Of The Bastards)

Again, a bizarre choice of words, if Jonsa is not a component of the story. Brothers say things like “ I will never let him hurt you again”, or “tell me where he is”.  Let’s not forget most of their scenes have them speaking while being surrounded by warm candle light and with soft focus; quite a romantic atmosphere for two SIBLINGS. The way their scenes were shot, do not only mirror Ned’s and Cat’s, but also Robb’s and Talisa’s. I find it hard to believe D&D wrote and shot their scenes the way they did accidentally. They wanted to do one of either two things: either set Twitter and Tumblr on fire with Sophie and Kit’s chemistry; or, subtly, put this notion into our heads, have us talk about it, and speculate. Whichever they did, it obviously worked, thus introducing us to the idea, and actually preparing us for it.

PS I thought that @castaliareed and @fedonciadale  would be interested in this meta; I hope it’s good for a 1st.

[junker-town]

Here’s our first 2020 NFL mock draft after the regular season

Joe Burrow will likely be 2020’s No. 1 pick, but Chase Young and Derrick Brown won’t be far behind.

Now that regular season is over and we know the order of the first 20 picks, here’s a first-round projection.

The regular season is now over, meaning the top 20 picks in the 2020 NFL Draft are set. With just over 100 days until the draft is here, teams are figuring out which players to target in the first round.

That includes a lot of receiving talent. This week’s mock draft features six wide receivers, two of whom are from Alabama. Speaking of the Crimson Tide, even though the team isn’t playing for a national title this year, seven Alabama players are in the first round of this mock.

But none of them will get picked higher than SEC nemesis Joe Burrow. The LSU quarterback has vaulted from Day 2 pick to the probable first overall selection by the Cincinnati Bengals. That pick is pretty well known, as is Chase Young of Ohio State going second overall. After that, the draft opens up.

Here’s one projection for how it could play out:

1. Cincinnati Bengals: Joe Burrow, QB, LSU

Unless something unexpected happens between now and the start of the draft on April 23, Burrow needs to be the pick for Cincinnati. That’s regardless of what the team decides to do with disappointing veteran Andy Dalton, who still has a year on his contract. Burrow, the Heisman Trophy winner who will play for the national title on Jan. 13, has ascended throughout the college season and can be the Bengals’ next franchise quarterback.

2. Washington: Chase Young, DE, Ohio State

Washington fell apart at the end of the season, losing the final four games of the season. In doing so, Washington won the Chase Young Bowl. There is no better player in the 2020 draft than Young, and he’s the obvious choice for any team that doesn’t need a quarterback. His fit in Washington will need to be figured out — he’s been a traditional 4-3 defensive end at Ohio State. But he’s the caliber of player where the defensive scheme is built around his talents.

3. Detroit Lions: Derrick Brown, DT, Auburn

If the Lions stay at No. 3 — and a trade down will be attractive — they have a multitude of options. An offensive tackle like Tristan Wirfs of Iowa or Andrew Thomas of Georgia, Ohio State cornerback Jeff Okudah, or Clemson linebacker Isaiah Simmons could be considered. However, Brown would give Detroit a player up the middle who can disrupt the pocket and help the pass rush.

4. New York Giants: Andrew Thomas, OT, Georgia

We’ve seen time and again in the NFL that a young quarterback struggles to develop when the offensive line is bad. If New York wants to fully maximize Daniel Jones’ potential, it has to do a better job of giving him a clean pocket. There is plenty debate about who the best offensive tackle in the 2020 draft is, but Thomas is tops for me right now. He’s a true left tackle who has good size and athleticism.

5. Miami Dolphins: Tua Tagovailoa, QB, Alabama

The Dolphins managed to mess up their tank season, but could still get the quarterback they’ve coveted all along. Of course with Tagovailoa, Miami and any other team looking for a quarterback will have to be comfortable with his long medical report. If teams are concerned about the serious hip injury he suffered this season, they could pass. But if Miami is fine with Tagovailoa’s injuries, he has to be the pick. Tagovailoa is arguably the most gifted passer in this draft, and Miami has been badly in need of a franchise signal caller.

6. Los Angeles Chargers: Justin Herbert, QB, Oregon

What the Chargers do in this draft will be fascinating. Generally, the Chargers are conservative team in the first round. Last year they took defensive lineman Jerry Tillery, a good but safe selection. If they want to be daring, the team could finally take Philip Rivers’ replacement. Herbert is a hot-and-cold player, but his talent is obvious.

7. Carolina Panthers: Jeff Okudah, CB, Ohio State

Okudah is among the elite players in the 2020 draft. While Carolina needs to bolster the offensive line — nothing new for the Panthers — Okudah’s skills can’t be overlooked. Teams actively avoided Okudah for much of the season, but he still managed three interceptions and seven pass breakups.

8. Arizona Cardinals: Jedrick Wills, OT, Alabama

Rookie quarterback Kyler Murray got knocked around this season, with the Cardinals finishing near the bottom of the league in the NFL in offensive sack percentage. Arizona needs to get better at both tackle spots, and a player like Wills could slot into either spot.

9. Jacksonville Jaguars: Isaiah Simmons, LB, Clemson

Jacksonville has taken a defender in four of the last five first rounds. It could be poised to again if Simmons lasts until the ninth pick. He’s a rangy defender who can play everywhere from deep safety to edge rusher. His most natural position will be at linebacker, but he can neutralize matchup problems.

10. Cleveland Browns: Tristan Wirfs, OT, Iowa

Both of Cleveland’s offensive tackles struggled this season, and the result was an inconsistent passing offense. Wirfs can take over the right tackle spot from Chris Hubbard and give the Browns the type of aggressive blocker they lack.

11. New York Jets: Jerry Jeudy, WR, Alabama

It is imperative that this offseason for the Jets revolve around finding weapons for quarterback Sam Darnold. Jeudy is the most sure thing at receiver in the draft thanks to his precise route running and stellar hands. He favorably compares to Marvin Harrison, and could be Darnold’s No. 1 option.

12. Las Vegas Raiders: Henry Ruggs III, WR, Alabama

The Raiders lack a true No. 1 receiving option, but have some nice pieces in wideouts Tyrell Williams and Hunter Renfrow, and tight end Darren Waller. Ruggs, arguably the fastest receiver in the draft, can stretch the field for the Raiders and keep safeties from stacking the box against running back Josh Jacobs.

13. Indianapolis Colts: CeeDee Lamb, WR, Oklahoma

It’s conceivable we see this run on wide receivers given how good the position is in 2020. It’s not some consolation for a team taking the third wide receiver in Lamb. He’s a big-play wideout with shades of DeAndre Hopkins to his game.

14. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Grant Delpit, S, LSU

Although the Buccaneers need offensive line help, they also have one of the worst pass defenses in the NFL. Delpit is the kind of safety who is comfortable in coverage and coming up to play the run.

15. Denver Broncos: Shaun Wade, CB, Ohio State

Ohio State’s “other” cornerback is pretty good in his own right. Chris Harris Jr. is a free agent, and Denver has few other good players at the position. Wade is a versatile cornerback who can play in the slot and has safety size at 6’1 and 194 pounds.

16. Atlanta Falcons: A.J. Epenesa, DE, Iowa

Epenesa had another standout season for Iowa with 11.5 sacks and 14.5 tackles for loss despite frequently facing multiple blockers. He’s an interesting prospect at 6’6 and 280 pounds because he can work from the outside, or be moved inside in nickel packages.

17. Dallas Cowboys: Javon Kinlaw, DT, South Carolina

If you didn’t watch much of the 4-8 South Carolina Gamecocks this season, you missed out on one of the more fun players to watch in Kinlaw. He’s a lean 310-pound interior defender who can rush the passer and stuff the run.

18. Miami Dolphins (via Pittsburgh Steelers): Yetur Gross-Matos, DE/OLB, Penn State

The Dolphins gave up the most sacks in the NFL this season, and registered the fewest on defense. That’s quite something. At least one of those has to be remedied in the first round. Gross-Matos is a player head coach Brian Flores can use rushing standing up or with his hand down.

19. Las Vegas Raiders (via Chicago Bears): Kenneth Murray, LB, Oklahoma

The Raiders need more talent at linebacker, and Murray is the type of player who would fit well on their defense. He’s a good athlete who closes on the run in a hurry, and he has some pass rush skills in his game.

20. Jacksonville Jaguars: (via Los Angeles Rams): Austin Jackson, OT, USC

The Jaguars are another team that seems to perpetually need help on the offensive line. Jackson started two seasons at left tackle for USC, and has the type of athleticism and foot quickness to stick at the position.

21. Philadelphia Eagles: Laviska Shenault, WR, Colorado

Philadelphia’s offense is light on playmakers, and Shenault showed with average quarterback play at Colorado that he can be a star.

22. Tennessee Titans: K’Lavon Chaisson, DE/OLB, LSU

Even after taking Harold Landry in the second round in 2018, the Titans still need a pass rusher. Chaisson has had a breakout 2019 for LSU after missing last season with an injury.

23. Buffalo Bills: Terrell Lewis, OLB, Alabama

Buffalo is another team that needs pass rush help, and Jerry Hughes will be 32 at the start of next season. Lewis is another player who has bounced back after missing the 2018 with injury.

24. Minnesota Vikings: Trevon Diggs, CB, Alabama

Xavier Rhodes has regressed, and the Vikings are in need of talent at cornerback. Diggs is a big corner, which head coach Mike Zimmer will like.

25. Miami Dolphins (via Houston Texans): Josh Jones, OT, Houston

With three first-round picks, the Dolphins have a great opportunity to complete re-shape their franchise. Jones is a little more of a developmental tackle, but his athleticism is probably the best of any tackle in this class.

26. Seattle Seahawks: Curtis Weaver, DE, Boise State

A year after taking L.J. Collier in the first round, the Seahawks still need playmakers on the defensive line. Weaver is a fringe first-round player who could see his draft stock rise if he looks good in the offseason process.

27. New England Patriots: Jordan Love, QB, Utah State

This would be wacky. But Love has high-end skills, but he’s coming off a bad final college season. If the Patriots think they can mold him into their version of Patrick Mahomes, he’d make for a savvy choice in the first round.

28. Kansas City Chiefs: Tyler Biadasz, C, Wisconsin

Protecting Patrick Mahomes needs to be the chief priority for Kansas City. A player like Biadasz can play all three interior positions, but he’s best at center.

29. New Orleans Saints: Justin Jefferson, WR, LSU

The Saints could get some help for Michael Thomas by staying instate and taking breakout LSU receiver Justin Jefferson. He’s an athletic pass catcher with decent size and a penchant for big plays.

30. Green Bay Packers: Tee Higgins, WR, Clemson

Aaron Rodgers has made do with a bunch of low-rate wide receivers except for Davante Adams, and as he approaches the final chapters of his career the Packers need to get him some weapons. Higgins has excellent size at 6’4 and 215 pounds, and he knows how to get to the end zone with 25 touchdowns the past two seasons.

31. San Francisco 49ers: Creed Humphrey, C, Oklahoma

It’s a far outside shot that Humphrey goes pro considering he’s just a redshirt sophomore. But if he does, he’ll garner first-round talk. He’s a technician with a nasty demeanor — exactly what you want in a center.

32. Baltimore Ravens: Zack Baun, LB, Wisconsin

The Ravens have not only had a great season, but they’ve positioned themselves smartly for the future. The only real thing to keep an eye on is if Matt Judon leaves in free agency. If he does, Baltimore could use a pass rusher. Baun fits the bill, and he can play linebacker.

[junker-town]

WGC-Mexico 2017: Tee times, TV schedule for Friday's round

Rory shakes off rust as DJ falters and Lefty shares the lead after 18 holes in Mexico.

The future of professional golf may be in the capable hands of Rory McIlroy, Dustin Johnson, and a plethora of other young guns, but a couple of 40-somethings — Phil Mickelson and Lee Westwood — share the lead after 18 holes of the WGC-Mexico Championship.

The short-game wizardry of Mickelson was on full display Thursday at Club de Golf Chapultepec in Mexico City, as the 46-year-old saved pars and birdies from trees, sand, here, there, and everywhere.

“Of course [he was in trouble on the 12th], but it’s nothing I haven’t seen before,” Mickelson told Golf Channel about his escape with a par after an errant tee shot.

Indeed, the ageless wonder finished off his round in style by drilling a 16-foot putt for birdie on his 18th hole to get to 4-under 67 and a share of the six-way tie at the top.

Phil Mickelson: 21st round of 67 or better in WGC stroke play career, 2nd-most all-time. 1st: Tiger.... with 44

— Justin Ray (@JustinRayGC) March 2, 2017

Westwood, now a member of the European and not the PGA Tour, was making his 56th start in a WGC event — an all-time record. Though he finished bogey-bogey, the 43-year-old Englishman will still begin Friday’s second round tied for the lead.

As for the members of the marquee threesome, McIlroy (68) outplayed Johnson (70) and Hideki Matsuyama (72). Though he earned bragging rights for a day, the four-time major champion got off to a meh start, carding one birdie and eight pars on his front nine.

But an eagle on the par-5 sixth hole (his 15th of the day) launched the former world No. 1 up the leaderboard and squarely into contention in his first competitive start since a fractured rib sidelined him in mid-January.

McIlroy showed little rust with the big dog. He drained a 28-foot one-putt on the 615-yard sixth after absolutely hammering his drive 368 yards and reaching the green in two.

Rory’s drive on the sixth, by the way, was the longest to that point of the day, with big hitters J.B. Holmes (340 yards) and Bubba Watson (335) lagging seriously behind.

Rory's 1st 4 drives today: 342 330 367 353 Chapultepec GC is more than 7,600 feet above sea level. @WGCMexico

— Justin Ray (@JustinRayGC) March 2, 2017

While his rib was “fine, great actually,” McIlroy was a bit under the weather, suffering with symptoms reportedly similar to the sour stomach that forced Henrik Stenson to withdraw midway through his first round.

Henrik Stenson, making his first U.S. start of 2017, was +3 thru 11 when he withdrew with a stomach virus. #WGCMexico

— Bob Harig (@BobHarig) March 2, 2017

Playing alongside McIlroy, DJ sizzled at the outset, with two quick birdies. The recently installed world No. 1, however, could get nothing going with his putter.

Kicking off his tenure atop the world golf rankings on the par-4 10th hole, Johnson was errant off the tee, but that was nothing that couldn’t be cured by a punch shot from the trees 176 yards out to within 10 feet of the pin.

Another birdie at the par-5 11th and Johnson was on a major roll — until he dropped both shots with back-to-back bogeys on his fourth and fifth holes. He made four more birdies, but an OB and subsequent double-bogey on the par-4 first, along with seven missed putts from within 10 feet, derailed what could have been a stellar round.

“I missed so many putts, short ones. Six of those seven were inside five feet, so I hit pretty good putts; I just lipped out a bunch today,” Johnson said after the round. “But that's the difference between being 1-under and shooting 6- or 7-under.”

McIlroy, Johnson, and Matsuyama will go at it again on Friday starting at 12:53 p.m. local time off the first tee.

Here’s the full tee sheet for Friday’s second round (all times ET):

Off No. 1 tee:

12:03 p.m.: Scott Hend, Johnattan Vegas, Si Woo Kim

12:14 p.m.: Roberto Castro, Joost Luiten, Andy Sullivan

12:25 p.m.: Lee Westwood, Kevin Na, Marcus Fraser

12:36 p.m.: Hideto Tanihara, Richard Sterne, Scott Piercy

12:47 p.m.: Zach Johnson, Bernd Wiesberger, Byeong Hun An

12:58 p.m.: Yuta Ikeda, Ryan Moore, Fabrizio Zanotti

1:09 p.m.: Will McGirt, David Lipsky, Sean O’Hair

1:20 p.m.: Emiliano Grillo, Brandon Stone, Bill Haas

1:31 p.m.: Matt Kuchar, Jimmy Walker, Brookes Koepka

1:42 p.m.: Danny Willett, Bubba Watson, Paul Casey

1:53 p.m.: Dustin Johnson, Rory McIlroy, Hideki Matsuyama

2:04 p.m.: Justin Thomas, Rickie Fowler, Sergio Garcia

2:15 p.m.: Jon Rahm, Martin Kaymer, Gary Woodland

Off No. 10 tee:

12:03 p.m.: Kevin Kisner, Matthew Fitzpatrick, Rafa Cabrera Bello

12:14 p.m.: Charl Schwartzel, Roberto Diaz, J.B. Holmes

12:25 p.m.: Phil Mickelson, Brandt Snedeker, Louis Oosthuizen

12:36 p.m.: Tyrell Hatton, Branden Grace, Russell Knox

12:47 p.m.: Henrik Stenson, Jordan Spieth, Adam Scott

12:58 p.m.: Alex Noren, Patrick Reed, Justin Rose

1:09 p.m.: Francesco Molinari, Jim Furyk, Thomas Pieters

1:20 p.m.: Mackenzie Hughes, Brendan Steele

1:31 p.m.: Ross Fisher, K.T. Kim, Matthew Griffin

1:42 p.m.: Thorbjorn Olesen, Daniel Berger, Sam Brazel

1:53 p.m.: Jason Dufner, Soren Kjeldsen, Jeunghun Wang

2:04 p.m.: Tommy Fleetwood, Pat Perez, Mike Hendry

2:15 p.m.: Pablo Larrazabal, Chris Wood, Kevin Chappell

And here’s your full media schedule for the second round in Mexico City (all times ET):

Friday’s second-round coverage

Television:

2 to 7 p.m. ET — Golf Channel

8 p.m. to Midnight — Golf Channel replay

Online streams:

11:30 a.m. -- PGA Tour Live starts with coverage from range and opening holes

11:30 a.m. to ~1:15 p.m. ET — Free PGA Tour live stream on Twitter

Featured Groups (PGA Tour Live subscription required)

12:47 p.m. -- Henrik Stenson / Jordan Spieth / Adam Scott

12:58 p.m. -- Alexander Noren / Patrick Reed / Justin Rose

2 to 7 p.m. -- PGA Tour Live featured holes coverage (No subscription required)

2 to 7 p.m. -- Golf Channel simulcast stream

Radio:

1 to 7 p.m. — PGA Tour Radio on Sirius-XM (Ch. 92/208 and streamed here)