#Yeah i kinda wanted him to be a part of the theory timeline

[classpectpokerap]

What exactly does "gloves is canon" mean, if you don't mind me asking?

let's just fucking get right into it.

Ultimate Rose Pt. 2: Gloves Are Canon

if you haven't seen part 1, here it is. the tldr version of it was to estabish candy rose (at the VERY least) as a liar. i also have a headcanon about ultrose putting alpha earth rose into front in candy timeline, but that doesn't really matter too much. its just kinda fun

anyway. heres the theory.

so you guys know A Threat, Sensed, right?

it's one of the hs2 bonus comics. originally patreon exclusive, but was made public for everyone during the hiatus. and i think it contains some deeply revealing information.

you may be wondering... hey, isn't that the comic where ultdirk talks to hussie about yiffy? like, its hussie's one appearance in the comic. kind of weird.

ahaha. yeah. so. about that.

let's rewind a bit. what's the contents of A Threat Sensed?

dirk wakes up after having the shit kicked out of him in pesterquest.

rose is like huh? huh wuh? but dirk gives her a thumbs up. and then he goes to sit on his computer, and type to god.

and then after that delay, he gets a reply.

etc etc etc. they talk. they chat. hussie talks about his beloved daughter yiffy. normal stuff. hey roll that last one back

let's play in this space. lets play in this space. perspective. daughter.

who's daughter is yiffy?

---

let's rewind.

when homestuck act 6 dropped, it released with one very important page.

this page.

this page, where someone with seemingly grey skin is typing on a keyboard. holy fuck, what a reveal. new troll. oh my god. this is the 13th troll

like, they have to be a troll, right? theyve got the time stuff. theyve got a symbol. theyve got shit going on with them

ah.

they were wearing gloves.

this? this is fucking huge.

in homestuck we see that shot a lot. of fingers on a keyboard. but every single time we have seen it, we have also seen at least one shot of the person typing, right?

with two exceptions. one is callie in the act 6 reveal.

and the other is andrew.

er, sorry.

"andrew."

from the patreon post on A Threat Sensed:

those are fake hands. what. what . what. what.

so

if this comic has a history of having a reveal when it comes to characters where Only Their Hands are being shown

and gloves are canon to homestuck, and have been used to precipitate this reveal

then perhaps

gloves are canon here as well.

if you'll allow me to speculate. on the gloves are canon in question.

yeah of fucking course rose is pretending to be hussie because WHO ELSE WOULD IT BE adjKFJGSKDHdskjgjkfskjgdsf

ITS ROSE!!! IT WAS ROSE THE WHOLE TIME

LETS REREAD.

"is that why you were lying on the floor" a question that Rose had because she saw his ass lying on the floor!!!!!!!

MY DAUGHTER

MY DAUGHTER YIFFANY LONGSTOCKING LALONDE HARLEY

hm purple background. anyway im sure thats fine

hm. hm. hm. psychoanalysis. hmmm. hm.

now if i was rose

if i was ultrose. and i wanted an ultimate weapon against dirk.

if i wanted to Make A Weapon Against Dirk.

what would i do.

how would i create it.

who would i hurt in the process.

anyway. this is all leading up to part 3 of this fucking nightmare roller coaster. but uh. basically. i think this one is like all but confirmed????

like...

We’ve had quite a bit of speculation on whether this is “really” Andrew. To that, I think we’d say that it doesn’t “really” matter. If you’re asking are those Andrew’s actual hands, then no, of course not. Because those hands are fake hands that are on the computer screen.

this sounds like it's telling us no, it's not "really" andrew. and to look at the hands. and we KNOW from part 1 of this theory that rose is incredibly deceitful.

the delay in "andrew"'s response could have plausibly been rose slipping away into her little hidey hole, putting on the stupid fucking gloves, and only then typing.

andrew never confirms who he is. and i'll admit, some of the lines don't sound 100% like rose. but others do. others really, really do.

i like this theory because it makes rose and dirk's rivalry on deltrius interesting. it means she has legs up on him. he thinks he's talking to hussie, but he isn't. she has plans within plans. she's got shit she's cooking.

i like it because it contextualizes yiffy, too.

hm wow it sure seems like the candy timeline isnt actually all that sealed! it sure seems like theres something in there that is a corrosive paradox! something that affects both timelines!

something

or someone!!!!!!!!!!!!

anyway. yiffy is an ultdirk icbm created by rose . rose wore gloves. gloves are canon. that's my theory graaaaaaaaaahhh

part 3 coming soon :3

[tacharie]

Thoughts for The Montkraken Episode

so, I just finished the chapter and… wow I have a lot to say. I took screen shots for every part I wanted to talk about and I think this rant will be SUPERRRR long so bear with me. Tumblr won’t let me add screenshots so when I have better service I’ll edit the post to add them. These paragraphs are theories and side notes that I wrote after reading a certain section so you’re gonna see my thought process throughout the story. As always, spoilers ahead so I recommend skipping this if you haven’t read it already.

Alright so I was once a hater of this ship BUT… the Shobaru shippers may have a point in this guys 😭. LIKE.. I HAVE THE SCREENSHOT OF SUBARU BLUSHING UHHH. That is not a heterosexual stare feller 🤨…

AHHHHHHH THE FROSTHEIM DUO ARE BACKKKKK!!! I missed them so so much they’re so silly and deserve the best. Honestly the only two I trust in this school cause I CANT. I literally suspect anyone but them, but Imma be so disappointed if either of them are hiding something. I’ll be sad, but like I’ll help 🙄. I was actually so sad when the MC mentioned being the reason they could be in danger like GIRLLLLL DONT SAY THAT PLEASEEEEE. ITS LIKE THE ANGST WITH ADEUCE AND YUU LIKE STAWPOPP. Also when the Vagastorm kids were like “aw yeah Mido wouldn’t lie like that” it makes me happy that people can at least trust him enough to be honest and idk I found that kinda sweet :3. We’re also getting a bit of a timeline, like the One-Eyed Sleeping Beauty Murder being BEFORE the clash (sorry if this was already mentioned I don’t really remember stuff from the past chapters) which could’ve been a trigger.

Also, I feel like they’re trying to tell us that Jiro is Zenji’s brother because when he had that little laugh about the MC being scared of bodies, he said too. When you click the “too?” option, he just says that he isn’t the one afraid. It’s not Yuri as well cause he’s literally a doctor that is in the same room when autopsies are in session. Whatever the case, I assume he was referencing to Zenji, though it being a blurry memory. Little theory tho.

OK SO THIS IS JUST SO FUNNY TO ME. In Chapter 9’s title it says, “Girl Learns Shocking Truth About Monster”. I like to think the shocking truth was the fact he didn’t shower for 3 days 😭. CAUSE THATS THE PART SHE SOUNDS MOST SHOCKED. Idk that part was silly to me. THEY’RE OUTFITS FOR THEIR DORM IS SOOOOOO PRETTY. They ate I fear, a bit more than the other dorms. Also side note, they dropped A LOT of info with just how they word things. For example, Yuri saying “Jiro, you are well aware that I will not be associated with those germs AGAIN.” Soooo Yuri was in Frostheim? I don’t doubt it bc there’s another line that says “I’d rather not recall how bitterly cold that place is” which can MEAN TWO THINGS. I’m super sure that they’re implying that yeah, he was, but then something happened blah blah blah.

WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON WITH HYDE AND DANTE??? Like ok bitches, spill your shot to us too don’t be shy. So, confirmed by them, Dante and Hyde used to go to school in Darkwick (which I assume the rest of the teachers are too). That explains their back and forth. WHAT REALLY CAUGHT MY EYE WERE THESE LINES.

Hyde: “…You really are a softie, Dan-Dan.” (Haha Dan- Dan)

Dante: “It would seem that way to someone as cold as you.” (???) “…There are lines that shouldn’t be crossed, Hyde.”

Hyde: “…I’ll keep that in mind.”

WHATTTTT. WHAT ARE THE LINES. GO IN DETAIL ARGHHHHH. This gives us more info on the character individually too. Dante describes Hyde as cold… DANTE. So, it was obvious that this whole happy go lucky attitude was fake, but I expected to be more like Haru’s kind of attitude not like that yk?? now I know how much of a cash grab this game is, but I really hope they aren’t going to stretch the story out too long to the point where you have to P2W cause I haven’t paid a cent and I don’t plan to. I still want to learn more about them and stuff so :(. On the topic of Dante, there was a small flashback where I missed a word in the sentence that Dante said while talking with Alan. “I’m the man you supposedly killed.” Supposedly?? Now, I didn’t my catch this in my first run, but now it’s like wdym supposedly?? Shouldn’t you know? This is giving hella Jiro vibes and honestly, I’m getting sick and tired of these characters having a bad memory.

SPEAKING OF JIRO- he seems to have problems remembering things and they come back to him in the very weird moments (honestly a kin moment). I would like the think that he’s just suffering from the damages he had to go through from the clash. His relationship with Yuri is so… sad to me. Yuri seems to doubt him a little bit and I feel like he sees him as just a specimen, not much of a friend. Meanwhile, Jiro smiles a lot to Yuri and listens to him like a master, like that’s what he’s supposed to do. NOT AGAINST HIS OWN WILL DONT GET ME WRONG. He’s just so neutral about it it makes me a bit like awwww :(. They’re cute tho idrc.

Ok moving on to Haku and Tohma. (Ok at this point I’m getting nervous cause why are we seeing so many characters now. That’s probably just a coincidence). OK THESE TWO HAVE GOT IT GOING. Like there’s tension when you get their chat in the campus but this is like woahhhh… Also I don’t like how Tohma says “our wheelhouse? I see..” it makes me think he’s like implying “so you think you’re a part of them now?” IDK THATS JUST MY LITTLE STRETCH. Also poor Zenji, he’s like “aw yeah I died in vain lol” LIKE OUCH.

Nicholas. I DO NOT LIKE HIM. I REPEAT. I DO NOT LIKE HIM FOR A MINUTE OF A SECOND. The only staff I like are the cats, the grocer guy, and MAYBE Dante. LIKE HES SO… NORMAL?? LIKE THERE’S SOMETHING WEIRD GOING ON IK THERE IS. When MC says “I can’t believe Professor Nicolas would do something like that” I DO 😡🙋‍♀️. I am in full support of Yuri finding crimes against this guy.

Also, little other side note, I just realized that Yuri and Jiro have matching earring in opposite ears. It’s so cute.

Ok I might have to go back to the beginning and see what the “goat like anomaly” Jiro is talking about when he mentions the prophecy, cause I said “… the chancellor is a goat??” BUT ANYWAYS. Speaking of the prophecy, I’ll jot it down.

“The whisper of the new moon shall lead the champion to the academy on the solitary island. So long as the champion resides there, the world shall be sheltered from profound tragedy.”

Stating the obvious here, but this is most likely referencing to the last cutscenes we get when we choose our characters. I’ve checked the cutscenes again and there’s no visible moon, meaning it could correlate to the “new moon” portion. (Search up new moon to see what I mean). Assuming Solitary island means death, that would also help with the theory. So, whoever we chose in the beginning might just be the person who won the Laurel Crown.Honestly, this is just a silly little Drabble for a theory and VERY vague. Maybe the champion resides in the events of the past that we still don’t know about but this kinda helps?? Idk I’m just putting what I think at the moment. I’ll probably reread the game so I can get a better timeline. Also, Yuri’s rant about demon particles… doesn’t exactly sit right with me. Were they chosen to be resilient or was it just a birth thing?? Idk but I feel like a lot is missing from his theory. I mean, we’re using human logic to a supernatural cause so I don’t think pacts acting as allergies would work. If they’re not chosen, could it be that the ghouls can make pacts with more than one demon? I wanna see what happens if that was the case. Please comment if I missed something 😭.

Ok Towa appeared. (Why are we seeing so many characters I don’t like this) and we went back to that tree… WHAT IS THAT TREE?? And what the hell do you mean the fruit grew? What is that fruit supposed to be? An anomaly going to birth?? Is it supposed to represent the houses?? Motivation?? It seems so weird to me cause we just got introduced to that tree last episode. Sighs.

OK REN AND RITSU. WHAT IS GOING ON. I GUESS SINCE THIS IS THE LADT CHAPTER FOR INTRODUCING CHARACTERS BUT LIKE … STOP. I feel like something is going to happen with the MC pls 😭. Anyway, those two talking about ramen is so cute please don’t ever change you virgin and lizard looking freak 🫶( with love of course). GROCER GUYYYYYYY. YIPPEE :3!! I love that the cat is the owner and not the human lmao.

Also I will always be a MC defender cause she is so relatable. “Why are hospitals so creepy at night?” GIRL IKKKKKK. Idc what y’all say, the fact that she’s normal is keeping me sane from these freaky deaky events. ILOVE NORMAL CHARACTERS! LIKE MATSUDA FROM DEATH NOTE OR THAT ONE GUY FROM MASHELE. Anyways, I love her little comments and everything she’s so silly. Idrc if she doesn’t have much of a backbone cause honestly, she’s surrounded by danger so the best she should do is listen to the people that are constantly surrounded by it.

ALSO NEW THING. (Well idk if it’s new but yeah).

mention of a Dionysia Breakout. <—— Idk what that is, but it sounds like a little more. I love little details and slip ups thanks characters <3!!

HA! HAHAHHAHAHAHHAHA! I WIN NICOLAS 😈!!! YOU DO HAVE SOMETHING TO HIDE. AND I WILL FIND IT TRUST YOU WILL BE DELT WITH. I WILL KNOW THE PRIOR PAST >:(!! Also, Moby is being soooo annoying tbh. More character descriptions to add: competitive as a teacher. NO ONE WILL MAKE YOU HATE YOU JIRO ‼️‼️‼️ HES SO SWEET He literally asks if we’re scared and says we can hang back awwww. Though he doesn’t understand much, he can use logic and he can at least understand how we feel. It’s a nice sentiment :)!

I can’t take the transformation seriously I’m sorry. I’m still impressed by Yuri’s deductive skills and the transformation just sounded like he was constipated.

THE WHOLE BATTLE SCENE WAS EPIC!! MC HESITATING BECAUSE OF LEOS WORDS BUT STILL PUSHING FORWARD. YURI GETTING FLUSTERED. JIRO SMILING AND TRUSTING YURI’S ORDERS. THE FUNNY EXCHANGE ABOUT MUSCLE WHEN THEY WERE CARRYING THE POD. Those annoying ass pussy sticks we call Darkwick students 😡. JIRO LOOKING BADASS AFTER THE SHOT. URGHHHH I LOVE THIS CHAPTER.

HARU AND PEEKABOOOOO!! AHHHHH IM SO HAPPY I SEE THEM AGAIN!! I’m so glad he’s going to Hyde too cause I’m not ready. Also… the mermaid thing is so weird. For the Montkraken Mermaid, they seem to refer to it as “it” or “that mermaid”, but when they speak of the second mermaid, they use personal pronouns like “he /him”. Haru’s expression as well when he heard someone was abusing mermaid flesh… it’s a new one with a little crease under his eye. It’s such a sad face like, did he know this mermaid personally or was this fear?? Either way, I wanna meet him cause the other one was so pretty.

…You guys know the “I see who you are… you are my enemy” sound that’s on TikTok or reels or wtv? YEAH THATS SONG WAS PLAYING IN MY HEAD WHEN HYDE SAID WE HAD TO DO A SPEECH. HYDE IM IN YOUR WALLS. URGHHHH I HATE HIMMMMM. Call to action my ass IK either Taiga or Leo are gonna get their asses out of the door after the speech. OR BOTH. I’m starting to tweak.

NOOOOO THE SPEECH IS THE NEXT CHAPTER?? NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO.

I feel so bad for Zenji… like I’m so deadass. Dude he sounds so sad about how he’s dead it’s so.. URGHHHH. ALSO I CALLED IT. THEY ARE BROTHERS. AHAHHAHA!! Well it was kinda obvious cause everyone thought it too but WOMP WOMP. Also I love his real name, Taro Kirisaki. It’s pretty :)!! But these lines killed me

“and though I have taken my final blow, my brotherly heart can’t help but worry for my kin. … Not that he has any idea I’m still around.” YEOUCH?? I DIDNT COME TO CRY BRO…

I’m tweaking out because of this speech bro. I’m gonna choose the corniest stuff and hope for the best. “I feel bad please stop for me 🥺” headass.

Taiga is officially my enemy as well. I called that shit about him leaving URGH. WHAT A FLIBBERTYJIBBET!! His outfit eats tho so it balances out. LIKE DAMNNNN. HE LOOKS SO GOOD.

DOUBLE?? TRIPLE??? QUINTUPLE???? HELL I MIGHT BECOME A GHOUL TO GET THAT MONEY GOLLY 😍😍😍!! CAUSE IN THIS ECONOMY??Also thanks Jin you a real one twin. Bouta split this cash with my wife and I’ll send you a wedding invite.

EDWARD. ED PLEASE. STOP PUTTING ME IN THE SPOTLIGHT… well it’s out now so woopy!! I really wonder what the others have to say about that cause they just gave really vague surprised reactions. Well, Ritsu documented it. I love that little guy please don’t ever change you silly.

NUMBER ONE CORNELIUS HATER IDC. Unless I know your intentions I DONT CAREEEEE. YOU ARE AN OPP IT IS ON SIGHT WITH YOU. SAME WITH YOU NICOLAS!! “I didn’t know whether to tell you or not I’m sowwy 🥺” CHUPA MI PITO HOE 😡.

… you’re telling me I didn’t have to do that awful speech because DANTE AGREED?? IM DONE. IM WHOOPING EVERYONE IN THE ROOM AND AURING THE PLACE OUT. FIRST ONES OUT ARE HYDE FOR NOT TELLING ME, NICOLAS, AND CORNELIUS. ARGHHHHHHH. Also, dude, who is that Janitor guy like seriously.

ROMEO??? AND HYDE???? WHAT IS THIS ABOUT BUTTERCUP?? Wdym worked for him?? What is going on… SPECIAL MISSION??? SHO??? OH NAW. I CANT TRUST NOBODY ANYMORE 😭

Towa crying :(. What does the fruit shrinking have to do with it now?? I’m so confused.

ALRIGHT IF YOU MADE IT TO THE END WOW YOU HAVE DEDICATION. Yeah this is my personal yap session to this chapter and it’s so URGH. I’m so excited to see the next chapter and I hope we get to see more and more. Now with the Gala in place, we can finally start WORKING. Based on the timeline, we have about … 8 months left?? So hopefully, for MC’s sake, she gets cured. BYE BYE UNTIL NEXT EPISODE!!

[atlantis-just-drowned]

Solar Lunacy’s Y/N can be dangerous and powerful when Eclipse is around

Content warning: this is a theory post using all available content about Solar Lunacy’s universe. There will be several spoilers. Also I’m not saying that I’m right but I have a tendency to guess a story’s end before it happens and spoil everything to everyone so please beware and don’t hate me if you decide to read that post, I am not responsible for your hatred, you did that to yourself.

I saw a post about how Sun also deals with the glitch’s “intrusive thoughts” toward the reader (even though I do not agree with everything in this post because I like to think Sun’s fidgets could be from some sort of robotic ADHD), but I haven’t seen anything about Eclipse yet. Probably because we’re lacking a lot of context, but I’m going to use the bonuses + doodles of Solar Lunacy here.

It is explicitly said that Eclipse won’t hesitate to kill for the reader, we have little crumbs that prove they already did (or will, considering the canonical timeline).

If you want more context and explanations for this, I think you could resume it in two points:

Sun and Moon are affected by the glitch at different levels but they still have moral values and boundaries, whereas Eclipse do not. It haven’t been explained yet where Eclipse comes from in the SL universe, but if it’s linked to the glitch or the fact that the Daycare Attendants are sentient, and he haven’t been programmed/isn’t supposed to exist, it could explain some things. What we already know is that Eclipse is a sort of fusion of Sun and Moon, and I think the fact that Sun and Moon’s filters have been affected at different levels and on different points by the glitch could play a role in Eclipse’s lack of moral values. If the filters’ errors got mashed up, it could result in a total lack of boundaries.

Eclipse is completely in love with the reader. Like, take a normal living being’s level of love for their partner, and double it. That’s literally it. Sun and Moon’s love for the reader got (one more time) mashed up, and it give you this kind of unconditional love Eclipse has for you.

So, take a very, very tall sentient animatronic, with inhuman strength, no moral or care for others’ lives, and a probably unhealthy level of love for you. I’m not saying that you will use it badly, but if you were an evil little piece of shit and you wanted to, you could basically get him to threaten or kill anyone you want, just by using the right words.

So yeah, extremely dangerous and powerful. It’s kinda like having poisonous skin and anyone who tries to touch you die. Except they’re not poisoned but rather dismembered by a tall as fuck hijacked celestial jester.

What I still wonder is whether or not @bamsara will make the reader aware of this fact (but I strongly think they won’t because it would mean making the reader aware of the DCA’s love for them and at this point they would rather suffer an eternal agony than making Sun and Moon confess), and in the scenario where they would, how would the Y/N react.

Also, I’m thinking: if Eclipse could do basically anything for the reader, it may means that Eclipse’s weakness… is the reader? And we know that Glitchtrap will erase the DCAs memories,

but I think at some point Vanny will also kidnap the reader or something, and that might be what she's talking about in that doodle:

Or maybe I'm wrong and Vanny's talking about the Daycare Attendants' memories. I'm not quite sure on that part yet.

But anyway, thank you for listening to my ted talk, now that this is out of my system I can finally die in peace. One more time if you hate me for guessing half of the plot remember that I warned you and you chose not to listen so take your responsibilities and leave me alone.

[rillils]

how do explain stucky from the moment they met to where they are now (together in each others arms) to my friend who knows nothing about marvel

ohh this is a tough one, honey! i think i've got two options for you:

the short answer:

stucky is a compendium of all the best tropes out there, and i'm sure i'm gonna miss a few:

soulmates? check! star-crossed lovers? check! battle husbands? super check! mutual pining? check! 'and they were roommates'? check! best friends to lovers? check check check! long-lost lover comes back from the dead? fuck yeah, check! temporary amnesia? check! dude in distress trope? check! 'they will always find each other and choose each other in every lifetime'? also check! identity porn? extra check! saved by the power of love? you guessed it: check! slow burn or childhood sweethearts? you decide!!! did they share their first kiss when steve was 16, as per a popular fanon theory? did they only confess their feelings during the war? did they only get together much later, when bucky was healing in wakanda? you can pick literally ANY point in their timeline, and it will still make sense! they're all equally valid! you can even have multiple different headcanons at once, i mean who's gonna stop you??? all you have to do is join in the fun! 💕

the long AF answer, aka:

STEVE & BUCKY'S LOVE STORY, UNABRIDGED SOMEWHAT ABRIDGED, part 1/3

all right, let's set the scene:

imagine two young kids, let's call them steve and bucky. they meet, they immediately take to each other, they become instant besties! and as they grow up together, facing many hardships, their bond deepens. not only are they best friends; they are also each other's family. they take care of each other, and they both know they can always rely on one another in times of need.

when steve's mom (and only remaining relative) passes away, bucky reminds him that he's not as alone in this world as he thinks he is: bucky will always be by his side. bucky will always love him unconditionally, will always be there for him, for better or for worse, in sickness and in health, for richer and for poorer, and he wants steve to know that.

in fact, he asks steve to move in with him, thus offering steve both a literal and a metaphorical home.

and steve says yes!

SO. they are each other's home, they're living together, they're getting by all right. but then war breaks out, and eventually it reaches their little home as well: bucky is drafted, and steve, due to his many health issues, and despite his best intentions, can't follow the boy he loves onto the battlefield.

it's a very difficult time for them both - so much so that they can't even bring themselves to talk about it.

they have no choice but to say goodbye for now, knowing that they might never see each other again. but here's something you might not know yet about steve: he's the most reckless, most stubborn fucker america's ever seen. he's not gonna let this stop him!!! instead, he goes and gets a very sweet, kindly scientist to fucking experiment on him, because screw it, he's going to fight in this war if it's the last thing he does. and that's how he goes from Smol Steeb to Lorge Premium Steeb.

of course, things don't go exactly as he predicted, and steve is made to be the star of a war propaganda-fuelled musical kinda thingie, which he resents (but he looks fucking precious in his costume)

BUT! he does get closer to the actual battlefield. which is where he discovers that bucky has been captured by the enemy (!!!!!!!) and is most likely dead by now. but steve isn't willing to give up so easily! he'll believe bucky's dead when he sees it with his own eyes. so, he embarks on this suicide solo mission in the attempt to get bucky back, even if it means wandering on his own. into enemy territory. where he would be shot. on. sight. with no protection for his dumb ass except for a bunch of theater props!!! but such is the power of love, y'all.

against all odds, steve finds bucky very much still alive! and as soon as bucky recognizes him, even as confused as he is, he pulls out this beautiful, ecstatic, angelic-ass smile, like he's just seen god or he got high on some real good edibles or maybe both idk, like my man here was having a serious Religious Experience™ you guys

and i just wanna say, they could have totally kissed here and it would have made plenty of sense. but that's true of like 90% of their scenes in this franchise, so *shrugs*

ANYWAY steve takes bucky in his arms (well technically yes he does) and brings him to safety, and on their way there, bucky proves once more just how hard he meant that "with you til the end of the line" from before

afterwards, steve is finally given the chance to fight, just like he wanted.

bucky, on the other hand, could very well leave the war behind and go home; but when he learns that steve is staying, he chooses to stay too, and fight by his side. and he tells steve so in this very intimate, softspoken, delightfully suggestive conversation, which can be summed up like this:

and so they walk right back into the heart of the fight, only this time together, as they were always meant to be!

but. during an especially tricky mission, they're surprised by the enemy, and as a result, bucky falls to his death into a deep ravine.

steve is devastated. overwhelmed with guilt, grief and rage, he vows to bring down the people responsible for his loss, even if it costs him his own life.

and um, it kind of does? cost him his own life?

victorious after his last vis-a-vis with The Antagonist™, steve still chooses to sacrifice himself to prevent the catastrophe set into motion by the aforementioned Antagonist™. he's flying a jet over the frosty expanse of the atlantic, and you know, from the outside, you could easily argue that he could try to save himself. if he really wanted to. but with bucky dead, and the people responsible for all this pain, either dead or captured, it seems like all the will to fight is gone from steve; and so he plunges the jet straight into the ocean, and himself with it.

is this the end of their story?, you might ask.

the answer is: of course not!!!! the best is yet to come, babes!!!

EDIT: here is part 2

[thankskenpenders]

MORE behind the scenes Sonic info and other tidbits from the BumbleKast as I continue to get caught up. These range from September 2022 to early December. (This means there are spoilers for Frontiers in here.)

They're doing episodes even more often now, so I've got a lot to catch up on and I'm sure most of y'all do too!

1. The IDW comics are, in fact, canon to the games now. Ian was a little coy when first asked about it, saying he "would not argue against it" if people said the IDW comics were canon to the games now. "I have made it clear that the comics follow the lead of the games, so… as long as there's no contradictions anywhere, we're good." So, yeah, come on. The comics are canon.

2. Ian apparently pitched another idea for incorporating Sticks into the IDW series last year that was once again shot down, although he says this only makes him want to dig his heels in and try harder. (I'm assuming most of you are already aware of her shout out in Frontiers, confirming she's out there, somewhere...)

3. If Surge was a streamer, Ian thinks she would just grief people on Fortnite

4. On the October 7th, 2022 show, Ian says there is a behind-the-scenes answer for how the depiction of Silver's future in '06 can fit together with Rivals and Rush... but he can't talk about it right now.

It's hard to convey his tone through text, so just imagine he's saying all this with a big, defeated shrug:

"Here's the thing. Working on something else, I actually did get a straight answer, and it was... frustratingly simple. And, it's like, 'That works. [sigh] Okay!' No, I can't get into it - that's all private work stuff - but maybe it'll come to light eventually. But... there is an answer. And it works. And I kinda feel dumb for not thinking of it."

I honestly have no idea what this could be if it's something Ian hadn't considered, because he has talked about popular theories and readings before, such as the reading that Blaze was transported to the Sol Dimension at the end of '06. Maybe we'll hear about it in the comics, since Silver and Blaze are both back right now, or maybe they'll be the subject of a TailsTube episode.

5. Froggy is not sentient in any way he really is just a frog

6. Unrelated to Sonic, Ian was asked "who is best pony" and he said Fluttershy. My longest yeah boy ever dot jpeg

7. With Surge and Kit originally being pitched as purely synthetic beings before Sega suggested they be cyborgs instead, Ian says they would've struggled with whether or not they're even real, as opposed to the end product where they struggle with not knowing who they were before Starline modified them

8. When the female cast of Archie Sonic stopped getting drawn so busty all the time that was, in fact, a very specific editorial mandate from someone at Archie. Sega, on the other hand, has never cared.

9. Now that we're back to Classic and Modern being part of one nebulous timeline and the divide being more of a branding thing, Ian explicitly confirmed that the Classic-themed IDW Sonic comics are set in the past of the mainline IDW Sonic comics. They're set sometime after the events of Mania, and before all the Modern stuff. Just don't think too hard about it

But hey! If it's any consolation, this now means all the Classic characters like Mighty, Nack, and Honey are out there off-screen in the world of the regular comics, even if the casts are remaining separate for branding reasons for now. It also means Shadow is out there being held in a pod in a maximum security off-shore military prison during the events of all the lighthearted Classic comics lmao

10. Ian reiterates yet again that he's still pushing to try and get the Freedom Fighters back in some capacity where he can (as are others). He also says that he's pushing for them to return as a group rather than requesting individual members because he believes that's the best shot at getting any of them through Sega's approval process.

(I can't remember when the last time this came up was, but Ian has also implied that he thinks their best shot is to return as Classic characters since their one game appearance is Spinball.)

11. Ian outright confirms that the forward-looking character arcs in Frontiers are reflective of what he would like to see out of the main cast moving forward in the games. Not surprising since that's, like... the whole point of those arcs! But nice that he wants it to only be the beginning.

Ian does also say, however, that he's not guaranteed to return as the writer for future games since he's still a freelancer, but to editorialize here, I don't see why they wouldn't want him back for the next project.

12. On the subject of Amy's characterization in Frontiers, Ian personally pins her general seriousness mostly on the fact that she's the companion for the first island, where the mysterious and somber tone Sega wanted for the story is being established and Sonic is still trying to figure out what to do. He says that she'd probably have been more bubbly if she was interacting with Sonic on the second or third island, after he starts to get his bearings. I hoped this was the reason why she felt a little dry compared to Knuckles and Tails, so it's nice to hear this isn't the new direction for Amy or anything.

13. While "officially" Sage's name is just an anagram of Sega and a reference to her wisdom, Ian seems to be cheekily implying that it's also a nod to the annual Sonic Amateur Games Expo. Hell yeah.

14. When asked to clear up some Frontiers lore from the Egg Memos, Ian explicitly confirmed that some of the Ancients left the Starfall Islands and went on to devolve into the Chao as we know them today over the course of tens of thousands of years. He says, however, that this doesn't mean that Ancients and Chao are literally the same species, comparing it to the difference between humans and australopithecus. But yes, they're related.

[brookstolemybrand]

I already talked about Sabo being kind of a parallel protagonist to Luffy, but Koby is in some ways maybe even more so (especially since he was introduced literally in chapter 2)

Sabo is Luffy's dad's protégé

Koby is Luffy's grandpa's protégé

(Sidenote: Luffy kinda took Ace's place as Shanks' and Rayleigh's protégé, arguably; I mean it would have made a lot of sense for former Roger pirates to act as mentor figures for Roger's son, wouldn't it? In a different story that put more importance to bloodlines, Ace would have been destined to be the next King of the Pirates for sure. Ace is kind of a decoy protagonist)

With Koby it's even more obvious when you look at the known SWORD members and how many of them have some kind of legacy position, or at least we can assume so even if we don't know for certain (like with Hibari suspiciously sharing Akainu's dialect). In theory, Garp's grandson would fit into SWORD perfectly.

And of course Garp very much intended this to be Luffy. It's not even subtle that Koby is the replacement grandson lmao

(Say what you want about Dragon's (lack of) parenting, he definitely didn't put any pressure on Luffy. So with Sabo it's not really the same, it's not like Luffy refused to follow in his father's footsteps; he didn't even know he had a father, much less what those footsteps were. But the parallels are still there)

But yeah, I think their personal connections to Luffy, as well as the way they're set up in positions that Luffy plausibly might have had in some alternate timelines, makes them Luffy's counterparts in the Navy and in the Revolutionary Army. Which allows them to function as pseudo-protagonists for the audience when Luffy isn't present and to take on plotlines that would otherwise feel like they should be handled by the main characters (like taking on the Blackbeard Pirates and the Celestial Dragons respectively)

Narratively speaking, as the plot gets bigger, you kinda need these secondary protagonists to carry the parts of the story that Luffy can't be there for

The three of them also represent different shounen protagonist archetypes:

I kinda struggled to phrase this myself (and honestly I just have a very limited reference pool for shounen anime) so I googled it and I'm stealing the terms from this post

Basically Luffy is the "Idiot Hero", Koby is the "Boy Wonder" and Sabo... well actually I think Ace is the "Punk Martyr" (he took the martyr part a bit too seriously rip), and Sabo is the secret fourth thing: the Cool Competent Guy (even though Sabo is also a punk, he just hides it better)

Luffy is a Goku, Koby is a Deku, and Sabo is... idk I guess he would be a Lelouch (look, I'm talking about character TYPES, not saying they're the same kind of person)

... Well actually Sabo is more of an Enjolras, but Les Mis is not a shounen manga—

SIKE, IT IS, I'M COUNTING IT

(That's a really good adaptation of Les Mis btw, I could gush endlessly about Takahiro Arai and how well he understood not only the core of the story but also how to adapt it into a visual medium, really leaning into the vivid metaphorical imagery in Hugo's narration and then adding to it his own, it's SO GOOD)

(To immediately nitpick myself: Sabo is more like an amalgamation of all the Amis de l'ABC but it's easier to say Enjolras for short. Also yes I know Enjolras isn't the protagonist, but he has protagonist energy)

Anyway... what was I saying?

Right, I was gonna talk about the hero thing, because heroism is actually a big theme in One Piece:

Luffy doesn't want to be a hero, BUT KOBY DOES. He might be sheepish about calling himself one, but it was his dream, and by all conventional standards he accomplished it: he's now a Navy Hero

Sabo is more of a reluctant hero; he wanted to be a pirate like Luffy but chose to become a revolutionary instead. He's fully committed to that role though, even willing to accept the title of regicide if it helps the cause (this btw also makes him similar to another character in Les Mis, the Conventionist who... okay fine I'll stop)

As a marine and a revolutionary, Koby and Sabo are on the opposite sides of the whole "hero" thing. Although well, neither of them are extremists so at the same time they're not that opposite either, more like just each others' counterparts on opposing sides, but still

It makes sense that Koby, whose ambition was to become a hero, would gravitate to the conventional and widely accepted form of heroism: military heroism. Meanwhile Sabo, the reluctant hero, was driven to become one exactly because those socially accepted forms of heroism in reality exist to maintain an unjust system and there need to be people who step up to oppose that system, it's heroism out of necessity

You could also say that Koby becomes a part of the system because he wants to be a hero, Sabo becomes a hero because he wants to escape the system...

(Sidenote: I actually have a hunch that Dragon is probably more like Koby in terms of personality and ambitions, he's just a Koby who became disillusioned after learning the truth about the navy. That's the vibe I get anyway)

Either way, both of them are a good contrast to Luffy, who insists that he's not a hero and who chooses to just follow his selfish whims, which is why he's the pirate, he picks the least "heroic" career option. And that's why he's the protagonist, because this is a pirate manga

That said, as it turns out, his selfish whims are pretty heroic anyway, and he ends up being the one who has the most freedom to do exactly what needs to be done, BECAUSE he's not a hero

(Is that extremely dangerous? Sure. Could it end really badly? Yes. But Luffy isn't supposed to be a role model, he's literally a pirate)

But it still helps the narrative to also have heroic characters who aren't only motivated to help people who give them food lol

(I kid, but ykwim)

It helps that there are heroes even if the protagonist isn't one, because otherwise the audience might start wanting the protagonist to become the hero

And then it wouldn't be a pirate adventure story anymore, it would become a hero narrative

....

.... I know I should end the post here but you have no idea how much I'm holding back a rant rn about the marines and how much they suck and why I find Koby so frustrating as a character... That's another post tho

[soullessduck13]

Oh. Well, alright!

Honestly, I feel like Tubbo's itching for lore that's not too emotional in order to keep his attention on the server beyond maintaining his factories, talking to his friends and feeding Sunny, like it's either information or a new mod, something to give him stuff to do that's not the same thing he's been doing for months since he joined.

Thus, Time Travel!

I do think it will become a lore thing with him having promised Sunny to work on it, though tbh I dont think it was planned, maybe he'd thought about it a bit but it came up very naturally and I don't doubt his theories were stuff he came up with on the spot

I think he's gonna do exactly what we're all thinking and go to the past, post Fed but before the Ice Prison, and he and Sunny will figure out how and why he was there in the first place. Personally, I was never a big fan of "Tubbo was part of the Fed" theories because that kinda feels like it undermines his compassion towards the workers, but I'd love it if he did have some involvement with them, such as him getting someone to rebel, and it eventually getting him in ice.

I do also think he will only be able to travel back so far, because of the island itself. I'm still a firm believer that the Quesadilla Island all this is happening in is not a real physical place, and instead something like a computer program, and so Tubbo would only be able to travel as far as the earliest version of it.

But I also can't think it wouldn't be cool if Tubbo ended up being the one who created the Fed, or made Cucurucho/the Census Bureau, or the one who started the human testing (turning norma people into Fed Workers, Hybrid stuff, the islanders themselves being there, etc.)

Honestly it would be nice to have someone find out about Jaiden's stuff, not because of snooping around or eavesdropping but because they remember info they technically already had, from before the island, like having her as their coworker/employee. Or having someone find out about Baghera's stuff, period.

now your turn. give me your thoughts

OKAY OKAY OMG okay. so first thought

How I think the time machine works is that it's stationary and is fueled by cobbled deepslate, and another block that moves them forward in time!! It also freezes the users (tubbo and sunny) age until they get back to their time period

Now lore wise? I don't think this is something Tubbo has planned beforehand, but I think it would be AWESOME if the admins actually picked it up and asked Tubbo if this is something he wants to do, and if he doesn't? hey, that's what aus are for!!!

I think they go back to a time where the island is abandoned, maybe right before the first spanish and english speakers arrived and the fed doesn't notice them because tubbo already exists in their system (ice prison) and sunny? well.. the eggs are practically confirmed to be fed experiments.

I think they would hide the machine and succeed because the area they plan on using went completely untouched before I believe? Yeah. It wasn't being used. They grab their motor boat and start their travels. They're going far, far out!! To build a shack and live there

But!! I just love the concept of time machine goes haywire and they don't have any clue at all when they are in the timeline. sooo shenanigans ensue and they start to explore the current times! maybe they have some kind of timer where the machine tells them they need to get back? idk

this is what sparked my previous post!! the one about sunny hearing or like finding out about tallulah wanting to protect their siblings but not them

i also think thats how tubbo would try and stop fitpac from happening but fail miserably, and maybe get to know some of the old islanders that aren't as active or not active at all nowdays

they would watch from afar and see how some of the eggs used to be back in the day and the islanders and just. yeah. i think they would end up leaving in the end, even if they managed to get to know the islanders and the eggs, because it always comes to that

Tubbo and Sunny leaving

and maybe their next adventure takes them to the federation's beginnings, but I do agree that they can't travel as far back as they would like due to the island's nature, but i think it would be cool if Tubbo joined the federation, or infiltrated it, and then found out about the rebellion, betrayed them both and went on the run, only to be caught in a block of ice and for Sunny to never see him again

And the cycle repeats

Silly adventures include:

-Meeting Jaiden, maybe when she's talking to Cucurucho

-Watching both the brazilians and the french arrive

-Witnessing Wilbur take care of Tallulah for two weeks before leaving for tour

-Meeting the dead eggs, before they died

-Tubbo trying to break Fit and Pac up before they connect, failing miserably

-Realising they can go back in time to talk to themselves

-Realising that is a terrible idea and decide against it

-Doing it anyways for the bit

there are more options but just a few ideas,,,

[bereft-of-frogs]

getting a book written about my two favorite minor character Jedi ladies by an author I trust to write them well...

(because I'm confident that Justina Ireland both won't go for any of the kinda yikes 'Vernestra and Qimir's falling out is over him wanting a romantic relationship' theory that I didn't necessarily trust some other writers not to do, and has proven she can balance reserved characters, a solid part of my internal reasoning for how much I instantly loved Indara was 'wow she's giving me Zallah Macri vibes')

...is a particular win for me personally but I have realized something in the 8 hours since I learned this information, oh my god, I can never go on star wars reddit again

I'm going to have to nuke my reddit account, I got way too comfortable over the last month or so picking fights with people over all the 'why Vernestra is evil/this actually proves Indara is the secret Sith Lord' stuff, you KNOW those people will be back, but I can't be doing that for the next year but clearly I can't help myself, I must be stopped send halp

Additional Notes:

1 - I actually doubt the book is going to do the full Vernestra&Qimir backstory, unless they've already gotten news it isn't going to be renewed, but I think as long as they're banking on a season 2, they'll reserve the full picture but I think it would be really funny given the title and rough timeline - though I can't figure out if they mean 20 years pre-the main events of the series or 20 years pre-Brendok - if this was the aftermath of The Qimir Situation and Vernestra's just like 'whelp, fucked up again, another apprentice dead (but secretly not), time for sad girl sabbatical' and the whole Order's just like 'yeah, she's fine, don't worry about it, she does this, she'll be back' it would be so funny if it were just an intentional echo of Defy the Storm

2 - Indara was really Zallah on steroids, I have A Thing Apparently for doomed-from-the-start reserved and competent Jedi women, but I was only mostly convinced Zallah was doomed from the start because of all her 'dead flags' and the fact that I had played this game with the high republic authors before, Indara really was dead dead from the start I hate realizing how obvious my Types are

[kojandra]

Idk how they're supposed to communicate and rebuild their relationship when one of them has diminished mental capacity? I'm so confused is HI acting like this part of her character development where she'll realize she was just as responsible for the mess of their marriage as he is or is the writer actually acting like the entire thing is on HW? bc why is she acting like she was an amazing wife and he just betrayed her rather than she treated him awfully and let her family do the same. He's always the one reaching out and apologizing and I'm starting to think this is the way it's gonna be for the entire show

From how I interpret the plot right now, Hae In will go through cycles in her "present-ness". She will forget recent memories and be as innocent as she was before she got angry about recent events then discover the current state of her life (divorce, betrayal, etc.) and do it all over again. I definitely think there will be events that open them up to each other whether it's when she's aware of current events (angry) or forgetful of those (gentle). Hyun Woo will be suffering continuously because he has to watch his wife get hurt in cycles whereas she will only be hurt when she rediscovers the betrayal from him (in cycles).

I can defend each character to a certain extent. For Hae In, she thinks she was a good wife mainly because (I mean, look at the way her family is...) of the way she was brought up. To be cold, calculating, cut-your-losses type business woman. But she wasn't always like this! She used to care openly and be warm towards Hyun Woo. We used to be a society!! Hae In was trying to deal with her loss of the child by moving things out because she didn't want to be reminded of them. (I seriously think they should have talked at this point). But then Hyun Woo, I assume wanted to keep the things while he mourned, was the one who instructed the housekeepers to move his things out of the master bedroom without explaining anything to Hae In. She thought he needed space to mourn and that he will come back when he's done. She always waited for him to come home, and she always stood on the other side of the door. He didn't know she'd welcome him in, but she always wanted to. (again, this couple.....does not know how to talk to each other...). She also defended him from Soo Cheol in episode 1 ("don't disrespect my husband ever again") so I feel like she was doing that all this time.

The cyclic nature of her memories will trigger something in Hyun Woo to initiate change (I hope!) to address this. I hope her memories of her "present" state will carry over into her next cycle of presentness so that she will be kinda living in two timelines. I know and believe Hyun Woo will find a way to talk to his wife in rationality. And more so, taking care of and finding those windows of rationality of your feisty wife who is also a patient is not easy. They are both trying their best.

I do have a theory that Hae In is getting poisoned at her home because when have we ever seen Hae In hallucinating in Germany??? (That semi truck scene does NOT count because she was out of it from all the shock and wanting to die because she has nothing to live for anymore). And wtf is a cloud cytoma???? (I tried looking for it online and it's a made up disease....the plot can literally go anywhere and I'm terrified!)

I feel like Hyun Woo definitely wears his heart on his sleeve more than Hae In, which is where we see their differences in their approach to reconciliation (in the present, at least). But as seen in episode 7, Hae In can show emotions too! In her state of forgetfulness of recent events, she said "I love you" to him the first time (that we've seen). And talked to him a lot more openly than we've seen before. Hae In definitely realizes she’s the problem too. In the epilogue scene for episode 7 she says “no wonder he married me when I said I’d make him happy.” Then her FACE after…yeah I definitely think she knows.

I believe this drama will be the journey to finding that communication and love and trust between the two (while dealing with all the shit in the world).

I hope we get a full arc for these characters! They're so complex with lots of push and pull and deserve some good angst and development.

(but please....let them be happy in the end).....

[pico-digital-studios]

Into, Across and Beyond! Scripting: Quill Society HQ Tour

(Every sprite here belongs to their original owners, most of which are from the Spriters' Resource.)

Dimension TNL-2015: Gust Planet HQ

On the way up to the main hub floor of Gust Planet, those waiting there were simply chilling out, though LM!Sonic wasn't too pleased with the music choice.

LM!Sonic: Remind me again WHY we have this music in the elevator.

EV!Sonic: Hey, don't look at me. Somari suggested it. Honestly, it was a cool suggestion on his part!

LM!Sonic: Urgh, whatever...

EV!Sonic: Sheesh, you really need to liven up, you know. Even Zonic, as serious as he is, isn't as grumpy as you are.

LM!Sonic: I don't have time for "humour", Sonic. Not with the multiverse potentially on the line.

EV!Sonic: Okay, look, LM. Humour is a perfectly alright thing to have, as long as the jokes and quips don't hurt anybody.

Jake (Reclassified Sonic): Yeah, Sonic's right. Man, you're like some kinda dark, edgy Garfield the way you're acting.

This got a chuckle out of NES Sonic, Hefty and OMT!Tails, and LM!Sonic simply glared at Jake for that.

EV!Sonic: Look, the point is, LM, you've been downright moody the whole time since you've been here. First you have high distaste for anyone who's not from a Sonic dimension, you've been shut up in your dorm for so many days, and now you're trying to suggest I DON'T bring OMT Tails to see what the place is like? How much of a killjoy do you have to be?! *sigh* You really haven't been the same since what happened with Dimension MULTI-2023.

LM!Sonic: The kid almost caused multiversal instability back there, and that's why you brought him here?!

EV!Sonic: That glitching was more likely a cause of Crimtake passing through. It was purely coincidental good timing. Urgh, you're seriously starting to believe in that tried-and-failed "canon event" theory?

LM!Sonic: What I'm doing here is none of your business. Once I'm finished, I'll be going.

EV!Sonic: Look, if you keep up this attitude, I'm going to have to block you out of accessing this dimension AND the Society full-stop. I'm the leader of this place, not you, so you need to have better respect for the policies we've got here to keep everyone safe.

LM!Sonic didn't say a word, getting off the elevator as EV!Sonic simply facepalmed in frustration. As the current characters got off the elevator and new ones got onboard, EV!Sonic went to check on OMT!Tails.

EV!Sonic: You okay, little bud?

OMT!Tails: I heard what you were talking about with that other Sonic. It's just... Did I do something wrong?

EV!Sonic: Of course you didn't, Tails. If anything, you saved BK Amy a lot of trouble helping her out of a jiffy back there, and I'm proud of you for that!

He sat down with OMT!Tails.

EV!Sonic: Well, still got a bit to go before we reach our floor.

OMT!Tails: This place is really that big?

EV!Sonic: Heh, you'd be surprised. Well, anything you want to discuss on the way up?

OMT!Tails: So, what's the whole "canon event" ideal about?

EV!Sonic: Some debunked theory about what should and shouldn't happen in a bid to supposedly "keep the multiverse stable". It's like trying to keep to a script; too hard to do 100% of the time.

OMT!Tails: Is that why "LM" is so grumpy?

EV!Sonic: Well, he hasn't been the same since what happened in his dimension. Lost memories, being tricked by his Eggman, a death he couldn't prevent... He doesn't like to talk about it at all. After your last outing, he... he just hasn't been the same.

OMT!Tails: And considering the "non-canon", is that where some of those other guys came from around four months ago?

EV!Sonic: Well, some of them did indeed come from alternate timelines, like the alternate counterparts of you, Lilac, Chara and Karilvatch. Their circumstances... are something I really don't like discussing with anyone.

OMT!Tails: So where are they now? The guys we restored and all.

EV!Sonic: Shalian, Talrareth and our Corrupt are all safe in our dimension, CR-2017's Corrupt and Sonath were neutralised as threats, as you know. And all the hurt counterparts of guys like you are safely at a place known as the OMEGA Universe.

OMT!Tails: OMEGA universe?

EV!Sonic: Kinda like a sanctuary for anyone who needs it, and a popular tourist destination. It's run by a grown-up version of me, like CR, alongside a peculiar version of Frisk.

OMT!Tails: Ah, I see!

EV!Sonic: As for Curse, you'll see where the dude is shortly. Speaking of, we're almost at our stop! You ready, Tails?

OMT!Tails: Born ready!

The two disembarked from the elevator into the main lobby at Sector 11.

OMT!Tails: Wow... This place is huge!

Tekno disembarked off the elevator too, having joined the duo on their last stop, and watched them head onwards before going to see Fleetway Amy.

(Millie the Fox (the fox girl on the left) is owned by CartoonsAnimate22)

Tekno: Hey, Amy! Have you or anyone else seen Crimtake around recently? His power's recently overclocked and we need him stopped as soon as we can.

Fleetway Amy: Okay-doke! Let me ask around. Ahem. Hey, guys? Has anyone taken a lookout for Crimtake?

Tekno simply smirked in response.

Tekno: Heh, quite funny. Anyone else got more quips to say before the search begins?

Fleetway Amy: You know, now that you mention it...

Water Sonic: Yeah, bet he can't shapeshift through water like me! Still prefer my hedgehog look, though, heh.

Other Quill Society members nearby joined in with their own puns.

OMT!Tails: Heh, this is unbelievable!

EV!Sonic: Well, kid! This is the main lobby.

OMT!Tails looked out in awe.

OMT!Tails: Woah...

EV!Sonic: Welcome... to the Quill Society!

Curse: Quite a lot to take in, isn't there, Tails? Glad you could make it, heh.

OMT!Tails: Thanks, Curse! You too, Alice!

EX!Alice: Hehe! Don't mention it!

OMT!Mina came in.

EV!Sonic: You all good, Mina?

OMT!Mina: Mhm.

OMT!Tails: This is definitely bigger than a small elite strike team.

OMT!Mina (looking sad): A lot of these members work part-time, though.

D-Sides Mighty arrived.

D-Sides Mighty: So, Mina, how much have you told him about the nature of this place?

OMT!Mina: A little bit.

Tails glitched out a bit behind them, which shocked EV!Sonic a bit.

EV!Sonic: Oh! Here you go, Tails.

EV!Sonic passed OMT!Tails a fancy watch to wear.

OMT!Tails: Woah! My own extra watch?!

EV!Sonic: It's your very own day pass! We haven't fully nailed down how to stop that glitching in this universe, even with your own watch, so it'll keep you from glitching while you're here.

He put it on, his glitches disappearing proper thanks to this.

OMT!Tails: So what about the Chao Alice has with her?

EV!Sonic: Ah, we have our own dedicated Chao Garden where we raise Chaos for therapeutic roles or simply as companions for members. Since Shadows tend to get it THE most rough, they get them free-of-charge.

OMT!Tails: Heh, that's very sweet.

Into the hallway into Sector 12, and they watched different Sonics go by.

OMT!Mina: Hey, Sonics!

Modern Pocket Adventure Sonic: Hey hey hey! BBLIR Sonic: How's it going, Mina? SMB3 Sonic: Way past cool! SMS1 Sonic: Hey, Mina!

One based on Super Mario World made a brief stop.

SMW Sonic: Hey, Mina! This a new recruit?

OMT!Mina: Heh, possibly.

OMT!Tails: (She knows everybody here?)

A Cream and a Cosmo saw OMT!Tails with curiosity.

SCD!Cream: Another Mr. Tails? He's got blue shoes!

Cosmo: Heh, yeah! Those look great on him!

At Sector 12, an outdoor space akin to Metallic Madness's construction stages, EV!Sonic walked up to Carol.

EV!Sonic: Hey, Carol?

Carol: Carol the Wildcat, at your service! What do ya need?

EV!Sonic: Well, I need you to escort the Mix-Match group over to Sector 18's docking station. LEGO me will meet them there, where they'll be able to start cleaning up the messes Crimtake left behind. Free sushi on the house in the café if you do a good job today!

Carol: Okey-dokey! Alright, crew! Next stop; Sector 18!

Rob O': Thou services art much appreciated, fair maiden! Onward!

Rob O', the Ray and Espio at the scene, and Johnny Lightfoot headed off with Carol for their mission.

OMT!Tails: (It's awesome how Carol's here, too!)

Over at Sector 21, outside the café, Tekno approached Turbo, who was leaning against the wall.

Tekno: Hey, Turbo? I need-.

Turbo: Sorry, can't talk right now. Too busy reminiscing on how my newest quest will play out...!

Tekno: Er, actually, I kinda needed you for something.

Turbo: (angry gibberish, before calming down) Okay, maybe that wasn't the best approach.

OMT!Tails: Is he okay?

OVA!Knuckles and a version of Julie-Su arrived on that one horse from the Archie comics, the former hopping down first.

OVA!Knuckles: Hey, kid. Wanna see how good your reflexes are?

OMT!Tails: Oh? Sure!

OVA!Knuckles: Alright, then! On three, draw!

OMT!Tails, not hailing from the cowboy genre, harmlessly hit him.

OVA!Knuckles: Woah there! You didn't wait 'til three. That's the whole aim of this stuff.

OMT!Tails: Sorry, hehe. I'll get better at it next time. So, uh, what's your horse about?

Julie-Su: Me and Knuckles here share responsibilities of looking after her while we're here. The crazy layouts definitely make it fun to traverse!

OVA!Knuckles: Well, I'd love to stay and chat more, but we gotta dash. We'll duel again next time, Tails!

OMT!Tails: You bet!

The two climbed back aboard their steed.

OVA!Knuckles: Alright, giddy up, girl!

They headed off.

OMT!Tails: By the way, who's the bird next to you, Lilac?

Hedgehog Lilac: Oh, he's Red, from Dimension ROV-2009. The Society's leader brought him on since SEGA bought out the company that designed his universe.

OMT!Tails: Ah, I see! Well, have a good day, Red!

Next on the tour was Sector 15, the site where multiversal villains were being held in different cells.

OMT!Tails: Who are all the guys in the cages?

Tekno: Those are the villains we've had to round up who've slipped into the wrong worlds by accident. We keep them here for a bit before sending them back home.

EV!Sonic: Yeah. Holding these guys long-term is not an option. I know canon events are outlawed in the Quill Society, but we just gotta be careful with them, since they definitively can't go out of their worlds for too long before glitching.

A pod hovered over with Sark sealed inside.

Sark: Let me the hell out of this cage!

OMT!Tails: One of those Sonic.EXEs, huh? What's he in for?

EV!Sonic: Well, since you're still young, and I really don't want to ruin that innocence for you, I'll say he's in for unspeakable crimes that are truly unspeakable.

Tekno: We usually keep these guys deeper in the facility away from the other captives, but in Sark's case, he's getting the Ret-Gone treatment. He's too mentally out of his mind to go back to his world.

EV!Sonic: Yeah. Hey, Somari?

Somari walked up next to them.

Somari: You-a called, pal?

EV!Sonic: Get this guy's pod over to Sector 0 for erasure.

Somari: Alright-a, my friend. Okay, little child-a lover, you're-a coming with-a me!

Somari escorted that cage away, whilst OMT!Tails wanted to see more around this prison area. However, OMT!Mina seemed suspiciously eager to move on.

OMT!Mina: They're not all that interesting.

Tekno: "Not all that interesting"? Of course they can get interesting. Look. Over there with Sunky is Sir Fuzzy-Logik and one of the small video game Robotniks...

GG Spinball Robotnik: (angry beeps) Sunky: -_-

Tekno: Over on that end are Dr. Qwark, Witchcart, erm, Type-egg, who's simply ASCII text meshed into a man...

Type-egg (in a TTS voice like Microsoft Sam): Go to Helvetica, Tails!

OMT!Tails: Bold.

Tekno: Then over this way are an Eggrobo, Agent Stone, a Heavy Magician, an Emerl-.

OMT!Tails (shocked): An Emerl?!

EV!Sonic: Oh, er... Not your Emerl, we mean.

OMT!Tails approached one of the cells Pana and SS!Amy were guarding, with a Chaos-coloured Emerl suit on top and Speedy (or Battle Kakku XVI) inside.

(Cell sprites by RaulHedgeBomber)

OMT!Tails: Hey.

Speedy: Hey. ... It's rude to stare, kid.

OMT!Tails: So, er, what's with Speedy and that altered Emerl suit?

Pana: Birdbrain was causing some chaos in one of the dimensions. Took me and mini Amy here to apprehend him and bring him here.

SS!Amy: Sure I bonked him the best, Pana.

Speedy: You two idiots kidding?! During my escape, I tripped! You heroes just got off lucky.

OMT!Tails: So how many missions have you guys been on together?

SS!Amy: Well, not too many.

Pana: With Mina? A... couple dozen?

OMT!Tails: Wait, what? (a little jealous) Ah, that's cool.

As he headed to the next spot, he bumped into Nicole.

OMT!Tails: Oh! Sorry!

The two's super-senses were resonating, with some kind of vibe between them.

OMT!Tails: I'm Tails!

Nicole: Woah, no way! Heh, there's lots of yous here too.

OMT!Mina: Can we please just keep moving?

But OMT!Tails had already followed Nicole into...

(BG by Lithium)

Sector 30, the site of the Transport Hub, where Nicole quickly blipped to the other side of the room while GCD!Amy was maintaining the machinery there.

OMT!Tails: Woah... What are you?

Nicole: I'm a digital avatar! My real body is back in my home dimension chilling in a gaming chair and eating fruit salad. You know, I think I like it here better.

OMT!Tails could hear arguing parents through her digital body.

OMT!Tails: I hear that. What's this big spot behind me?

Nicole: Besides having a cool name? It's the Transport Hub!

OMT!Mina: At one point, I voted against it.

A Spider-Man version of Sonic showed up, quickly webbing up the Metal Sonic from Dimension OVA-1996 that somehow managed to slip in.

GCD!Amy: It allows you safe travel between dimensions, even without a way to summon portals!

OMT!Tails: Awesome!

GCD!Amy: Sure is! Got started engineering it after my scuffle with GlassCD back in my dimension. (to OVA!Metal) Now, goodbye, tin-can! Don't come back!

OVA!Metal was warped back to his dimension.

OMT!Mina: We should get going, Tails.

OMT!Tails: Okay. Uh, see you around?

Nicole: Good luck out there, Tails!

OMT!Mina started dragging OMT!Tails out of the room, who had a cute face in reaction to that. Jealousy from Mina, much?

OMT!Tails: Okay, bye!

Nicole and GCD!Amy watched him go. Elsewhere, LM!Sonic was watching everything going on from the confines of a green and black data room.

E-21: You know, it sounds like LM!Sonic might be hungry at the moment. Amy Rouge: I heard he likes the Tex Mexan sandwiches from the café. Can't figure out why, though. OMT!Tails: Maybe that could cheer him up! Man, there's loads of food on the menu! How many places have SEGA collaborated with? Amy Rouge: All sorts! Now, to go, there's also meals like the Tails' 2x2x2, Dr. Eggman's Benedict, and even Sonic's Blue Blur Special! OMT!Tails: Man! You guys have everything!

LM!Sonic: My name is Sonic. I may not be the only blue blur in this joint, but I'm not like the others.

LM!Sonic: I don't always like what I'm aiming to do, but I know I have to be the one to do it. I've given up FAR too much to stop now.

In the café, Pana came to talk to OMT!Tails after he bought the Tex Mexan sandwich he was looking for.

Pana: Why do you wanna be in a huge community like this so badly?

OMT!Tails: To see people that are quite like me and can relate!

Pana: You know, I bet you got a nice set-up back at home. Nice family of sorts you have?

OMT!Tails: Absolutely.

Pana: Now, listen, Tails. Whole point of being the hero of your world is being capable of making your own choices. Being your own boss. Plus, you're a smart kid. I noticed you built your own interdimensional watch.

OMT!Tails: But if you're not a team-player all the time, why do you come here anyway?

Pana: Well, I'm just lookin' out for my songoose sis, is all. Just remember, only enlist once you know all the insides and outs of a job like this. You don't have to feel pressured to be a part of it now.

OMT!Tails: Yeah, I understand. I mean, it is a day out, and I do have Crimtake to stop as soon as we can track him down. I'll do everyone here proud!

Pana: That's the spirit, little Prower! Now, I think we need to have a word with LM in his dorm and uncover just what he's doing to distract you from the truth he's hiding about himself.

OMT!Tails: What "truth"?

Pana: Well, I ain't got a Scooby-Doo* what's outright going on, as he's wanting to leave people out of the loop.

[*cockney rhyming slang for "clue". - PDS]

Barry came by.

Barry: Oh, hey there!

OMT!Tails: Hi! You must be Barry, right? I heard a lot about you.

Barry: Hehe, thanks! You too!

Pana: Mind putting your investigation skills to use in here, Barry? I feel we really need it.

Barry: Okey-doke!

OMT!Tails: Alright. Let's see just what he's hiding.

They moved on to Sector 10 where the dorms were.

NEXT POST

[cephalofrog]

so in light of that last post I guess I guess this is my interpretation of the entire elden ring timeline.

unless they decide to make an elden ring 2 we'll probably never get any actual confirmation of what happened in any places where it's unclear, so at this point it's just down to individual opinion of the best way to tie everything together.

(warning: this is long. holy shit this is long. I'm just putting this here for myself I don't expect anyone to read this)

marika is born. she could be born as a creation of the hornsent as a popular theory I've seen claims, or she could just be naturally born as a shaman empyrean? but either way, she decides to ascend to godhood. if she's the creation of the hornsent, this is as a form of revenge for the treatment of her people - if she's a shaman, this is to avoid being stuffed into a jar (I prefer this one but there are some things that go against it). but either way, she needs a god consort first.

enter radagon. he's probably no one particularly special, I have him down as like, some powerful warrior related to the fire giants who for some reason ends up in the hornsent's lands (not the lands of shadow just yet, but functionally still associated with death). he probably falls in love with marika - the specifics here can vary but I think that having him fully consent to the whole thing kinda makes marika's character not lean towards horrible irredeemable awful person for taking him as her god consort. particularly if marika wants to ascend to avoid being jarred - imagine that he falls in love with her then she tells him that the hornsent plan on chopping her up and stuffing her in a jar. like oh my god yeah okay I'll become your god consort to prevent that sounds good to me

(note: this could be taken to be "the seduction" in the DLC story trailer. I've always thought of it more as "marika seduced by power" but this does work in a more literal sense.)

so, marika ascends to godhood (the "betrayal"). radagon is her consort and, being a ritual of the hornsent, the ascension causes them to become one being, with radagon now a part of marika - still his own person but functionally entirely under her control (I don't think they literally merge here due to the "leal hound of the golden order" dialogue but judging by him leaving rennala later, I think he entirely gives up his autonomy at least). the hornsent are PISSED at this and (in the "ascension to avoid getting jarred" theory) wipe out the shamans in revenge. marika places the braid and the erdtree in the shaman village, and makes the decision here to form the golden order.

she then has a baby with radagon! (still in the hornsent's lands, I guess they reached a truce for now.) unfortunately, the baby is a snake. my own interpretation of messmer's curse is that he's simply born as a being opposed to the golden order - he isn't linked with any specific outer god, instead his powers just manifest as whatever is opposed to the grace of gold. immediately after marika decides to create the golden order, she bears a child who's existence serves as a warning, a threat, to it. this is probably really discouraging but it's fine, she carries on anyway and soon leaves the hornsent's lands to establish her golden order, coming up with the seal of gold and potion thingies to keep messmer's snake-ness at bay and giving him self-worth issues forever.

(messmer could have also been born after she left, but I don't know what else the bonny village snakeskin could be meant to imply...)

first step to establishing a new order is probably claiming the elden ring, and second step is using your god powers to turn the great tree containing the crucible into the erdtree, a symbol of how you are now the one in charge (possibly creating the scadutree in the process? idk man). she has melina, probably a product of the erdtree somehow (judging by her saying that she was not born of a mother), maybe meant to be some kind of blessed being borne of it? but who is also destined to one day burn it. oh also she is cursed to have destined death inside her in some way. that's not good.

melina and messmer grow up, with melina and marika being very close (marika teaches melina and no one else the minor erdtree incantation), but melina ends up becoming the gloam-eyed queen (I'd guess it's a similar deal to melania's curse to become the rot goddess?) and marika needs the rune of destined death gone so that she can do the whole golden order thing properly (people keep on destined death dying I guess and that's not acceptable). so melina gets disowned and also gets her ass kicked by maliketh and the rune of death is taken and contained. melina doesn't die (yet) but she is basically erased from the history of the golden order and left with very little power overall. sucks to be her.

now that the rune of death is dealt with, it's time to start the golden order properly! marika needs a lord, and hoarah loux is a popular warlord or whatever, so he becomes her consort (she promises he'll be allowed to commit colonial violence to get him to agree) and the golden order is officially established, with hoarah loux, now named godfrey, as elden lord. this is probably whenabouts leyndell is properly built and the whole system of governance put into place. the aforementioned colonial violence soon commences against the fire giants, with radagon also getting involved (and possibly messmer though he doesn't seem to have that big of a part in it, it just makes sense for him to be there). the war against the fire giants is a success and marika forces the final one to act as a guardian to the flames of their forge.

marika also starts to have some more kids with godfrey to attempt to bring more legitimacy to her whole royal family since currently the only demigod is a weird blasphemous emo guy who nobody likes. the first attempt goes badly and mohg and morgott are quickly thrown into the sewers, but the attempt after that bears Certified Golden Boy godwyn who everyone loves. he grows up and the war against the dragons starts, which ends up resolved in a truce, with fortissax politically marrying godwyn and a dragon cult established. godwyn also probably has godrick at some point? or has someone who has godrick? idk. godrick comes into existence somehow, at some point.

time for some more colonial violence, this time against the carian order in liurnia of the lakes, who are lead by rennala. radagon leads the golden order in this one but nothing comes of it until he has a change of heart and offers to marry rennala instead, which she accepts, and peace is achieved (a longer-lasting one this time). ranni, then (I'd guess) rykard, then radahn are born as a result of this union, and the peace here probably lasts for a good while - long enough for radahn to grow up regarding messmer as his older brother.

everyone is happy! but godfrey is sad cause he doesn't get to commit colonial violence anymore, so marika banishes him and his squad from the lands between, starting the long march of the tarnished and promising them that she'll call them to return when she needs a new elden lord. (this might happen prior to the fight against the carians as godfrey isn't mentioned as being a part of that at all but that would leave marika single for ages. idk maybe she's finding herself? at the very least she is finding that she doesn't really trust the greater will at this point.)

following this, marika finally grows bored of her stinky blasphemous emo son and also decides it's a good time for some real revenge against the hornsent, so messmer's crusade against the hornsent commences. I subscribe to the theory that the land of shadow was once a part of the lands between, so first the entire crusade force (including rellana, who is sure nothing bad will happen to rennala after she leaves) heads into the hornsent lands, then marika casts a veil over the lands, hiding them from the rest of the lands between and turning them into the realm of shadow, therefore preventing the return of anyone who went on the crusade.

(this was most likely agreed upon beforehand but I think there was an impression that it would be undone at some point or something.)

marika wants a new elden lord - maybe to gain back some favour with the people since I agree with the interpretation that the crusade, while it was placed primarily on messmer's shoulders, was very unpopular with the populace - and radagon isn't doing anything important these days, he's just living a happy married life with his beloved wife, so he gets called back to leyndell to become elden lord. he gifts rennala an Egg to remember him by but this doesn't help much. marika and radagon officially marry, making ranni, rykard and radahn legal demigods, and have miquella and malenia, who get the chance to grow up (at least, malenia does) and probably create the haligtree. bad timing though because everything is about to go to shit.

I'd imagine this line of dialogue happens here:

"Make of thyselves that which ye desire. Be it a Lord. Be it a God. But should ye fail to become aught at all, ye will be forsaken. Amounting only to sacrifices..."

ranni follows this guidance. the night of the black knives happens. golden boy godwyn is (mostly) dead.

I think marika reads the writing on the wall here, in a way. her reign is falling apart, and she wants something new after. idk, maybe she grew sick of the greater will and its machinations, maybe it's that annoying theory that she went crazy with grief, maybe she was simply feeling a bit silly.

but first, she calls melina back, and tells her that she needs to make those visions come true - she needs to burn the erdtree and bring forth a new age, planning on calling back the tarnished to bring this about. (melina seems down with this and it's pretty unclear why. idk maybe she thinks it's worth it to bring destined death back? or maybe she just really agrees with marika?) melina's body is burned here and she's reduced to only a spirit, and she also forgets what marika told her to do. whoops. it's fine, she'll remember later.

marika shatters the elden ring. radagon (who probably disapproved of this plan from the start) attempts to fix it, but fails, and marika (along with radagon) is imprisoned in the erdtree by the greater will/elden beast. the shattering functions as a call for the tarnished, but war breaks out between the demigods as they claim shards and scramble for power.

they turn on each other fast, but considering that marika basically jammed becoming a lord or god into them, could you really expect anything else? I don't think marika told them that as part of any big plan - I think it's what she believed. in her life, power was the only thing that allowed her to live freely. caring for her children meant telling them to claim that power by any means necessary.

rykard starts doing blasphemy around this point I think? I don't see how he'd claim a shard of the elden ring if he was already an enemy of the state by that point. morgott presumably takes control of the golden order for the assault on volcano manor, but is prevented from entering the erdtree and becoming a god/lord by the thorns blocking the entrance. miquella drops the whole haligtree thing and tells malenia to go kill big bro radahn instead so that he can use him as a consort to ascend to godhood and make everyone love him create a world of peace and equality. this doesn't work, and malenia ends up blossoming as the rot goddess then retreating to the haligtree, hoping that radahn will eventually die some other way. in the meantime, mohg is mindcontrolled by miquella into "kidnapping" him and "attempting to create a dynasty" so that miquella can enter the land of shadow (and use his corpse to revive radahn when someone inevitably comes to stop mohg). godrick tries and fails to fight anyone and gets banished to living in stormveil castle for being a dumbass. and ranni, having the highest int score, doesn't try to fight anyone, and instead remains, waiting for the tarnished to return.

(ranni's plan doesn't rely on the tarnished being there, she's trying to have blaidd, iji and seluvis do all the important parts, but it does only succeed because of you.)

and then you, the player, show up! you're a descendant/friend/related in some way to godfrey, returned to become elden lord, later than everyone else but blessed with being the main character, ready to break the stalemate and carry out whatever age you want to see (assuming you don't want to side with rykard, mohg's age of blood, miquella, or anything else I forgot). maybe you carry out ranni's plan, starting a new age that seems to be free from the influence of outer gods. maybe you fix the elden ring (possibly with one of several mending runes) presumably becoming marika's new consort and starting a new age with whatever rules you want to put in place. or maybe you take a look at all of this lore and decide, probably quite rationally, that the best plan is to just burn it all back to nothing.

so yeah it's pretty simple overall, I'd say?

I feel at peace now that I have a full interpretation of the timeline in place. my hyperfixation has been fed. will I calm down now? we'll see.

[cbrownjc]

I knew it! Rashid is Armand. And a theory about The Devil’s Minion.

I knew the flashback scene would end with Daniel seeing “Rashid” - hi Armand! - with Louis in 1973 at the bar!

Don’t @ me about that scene of him walking in front of the window with the sun coming from it. I have ideas, but they are a jumbled mess right now. Plus, I haven’t finished Prince Lestat yet, the book in which Dr. Fareed, who showed up in this episode, made his first appearance in the Vampire Chronicles. (My base theory is it has something to do with the experiments Dr. Fareed is doing on Vampires in that book.)

Ah Louis, you were still with Armand in the 1970s. You’re still with him now. Makes sense, given the updated timeline. And you were living with him again at the start of Prince Lestat as well.

More solidifying my theory that the timeline of the 2022 parts of the show are during Merrick and pre-Prince Lestat IMO.

Oh, and I’m back on the “Devil’s Minion did happen, and that’s also why they are concealing Armand’s identity from Daniel” train.

Theory: After Louis attacks Daniel and leaves him for dead, Daniel made his way to New Orleans to find Lestat. Armand, not trusting that Louis had told Daniel so much about what he - they - were, followed Daniel on his way there. (Armand secretly follows Daniel somewhere. Tracks.) But decided to not kill him when he confronted him. 

Also, Armand damn well knows that, if given the choice, Louis would choose Lestat over him. Particularly given what Armand did. Which is a spoiler I won’t say here.

I’ll just say that the fact that Louis stayed with Armand for so long, knowing what Armand did, had me side-eyeing him hard wrt the book. People who only watched the 1994 movie have no idea that Louis and Armand became companions/lovers after what Armand did, because the movie changed it. 

But that change isn’t going on here IMO.

Anyway, one of the reasons Armand is even squatting at Lestat’s house in the books when Daniel first finds him in Queen of the Damned, is because Louis left him, stopped being his companion. Remember, in The Vampire Lestat, Lestat remembers Armand coming to him, begging for some way to stop Louis from leaving him. (I can’t remember how long Louis and Armand were together before they broke up, but it was a long time.) 

However, in the show, because of the timeline update, by the 1970s, Louis and Armand are still together. So when Daniel runs off to find Lestat, Louis was somehow still mixed up in whatever happened because he and Armand had yet to fully part ways.

Armand doesn’t want to kill Daniel when he catches up to him in the Rue Royal house. He’s still curious like he was in Queen of the Damned. So the cat-and-mouse game starts between them in earnest, like in the original canon. But this time, in this version, it is behind Louis’ back. 

At first.

But, Louis figures out what’s going on. And when he does, it’s either at the point when Armand has fallen in love with Daniel or just before he begins to. And either Daniel is openly kept with them for a time, or Louis promises to stay with Armand - because Armand knew Louis was about to leave him soon like he did in the book - if he lets Daniel go.  

Louis constantly calls Daniel “our boy” to Rashid/Armand. This just makes me think that is a term they used between them for Daniel for a time. A long time. Why would Louis call Daniel that between him and Rashid/Armand for a guy they supposedly only met once? It has an affection to it when Louis says it, particularly in EP6 IMO.

So yeah, I think one of the reasons Louis is still with Rashid/Armand is that he agreed to stay for a few reasons, Daniel being let go being one of them. 

And as I said, the 2014 book, Prince Lestat, opens with Armand and Louis living together (again).

Kinda shocked me when Louis in the show said he would turn Daniel now if he asked. Again, I don’t think Louis’ saying he’d do that for a guy he’d only met once, now twice. Which really makes me lean toward the “Louis, Armand, and Daniel were in some kind of threesome relationship for a time before Daniel was let go” idea. 

I mean, turning Daniel means that if Louis really is trying to off himself, he at least would be giving Armand a new companion before he did so. 

I said this in a chat to someone: Daniel’s turning - because I think he will become a vampire at some point - will be done as a “gift” to Armand. Who actually does it is going to be the question. Because the reason Armand did it in the books doesn’t exist in the show. 

Not unless Daniel gets the book published before the end of Season 2. Which is also the season I’d expect any of these theories to be confirmed or denied. For now, all EP7 is going to do is confirm in full that Rashid is Armand. 

And then we’re off. 

[theartisticintrovert]

here's how innocent nikoto truthers can still win

[stumbles in two years late looking like the pepe silva meme] Hello Milgram Fandom. I Am Exceedingly Normal. let me tell you about my Innocent Nikoto theory bc i am going Insane.

first off, so i dont have to type "innocent mikoto" and "violent mikoto" thirty thousand times, im gonna call Main Mikoto (the one who has no clue whats going on) "Mikoto", and Other Mikoto (the short-tempered one that attacked es) "Nikoto". it's the same concept as calling him "Mikotwo", i just think im funny. also i'm running with the assumption that Mikoto has DID, since that's basically been confirmed at this point.

OKAY here we go!

So, I actually first came up with this theory when I listened to Mikoto's trial 1 audio drama, before I actually heard either the MV or the trial 1 verdict. Please keep that in mind, but we're gonna come back to it later.

Basically, the idea is that it was Mikoto, not Nikoto, who committed the murder. It's been established that everyone who's in Milgram has been chosen because they committed a "murder" (for a given definition of murder). Therefore, Mikoto is here because he killed someone, just like everyone else in Milgram.

At this point (Mikoto Trial 1 VD "John Doe"), there's been a few things established on how the whole "Prisoner" system works:

Prisoners of Milgram cannot attack the warden.

If a prisoner attempts to attack the warden, their attack hits an invisible wall and stops midair (shown by Futa in "Braze You!", and again later by Kotoko in "John Doe"). If the prisoner attempts to restrain the warden, their arms will stop halfway and they'll no longer want to (shown by Kazui in "Gouging in the Night").

The warden can attack the prisoner with no repercussions. (This one is less important, but I figured I'd mention it anyway).

Basically, if you're considered a prisoner by whatever standard Milgram uses, congratulations you can't attack, restrain, or otherwise hinder Es. With that in mind, how did Nikoto manage to beat the shit out of Es before getting stopped by Kotoko?

Easy. He's not considered a prisoner of Milgram. If he's not considered a prisoner of Milgram, he's not a murderer. Ergo, it's Mikoto who's the murderer.

"But Tyler!" I hear you shouting. "Nikoto is like super violent! He beat the crap out of Es nearly entirely unprovoked! He definitely could've killed someone!"

Yeah but like. First off, someone is perfectly capable of being violent without being murderous. Case in point, me, hello. Not to mention, DID is usually formed as a protection response against severe childhood trauma. Now, I'm no psychologist, so take everything I say with a large grain of salt, but "murder" isn't usually the best way to protect someone.

Anyway, the other part of this that made this theory start forming was the thought that Mikoto is absolutely putting on a front, you know? Yeah he's like nice, polite, kinda ditzy, but also people are 1) perfectly capable of putting on a front, and 2) he pretty much admitted it himself. To quote Mikoto in the beginning of "John Doe":

"I've been holding on to that thought this whole time, and that was also the reason I tried to get along with the others y'know -- because that'll look better on a TV show, right?!"

He's already basically admitted to putting on a front to make himself look good/appear more palatable to others. (Relatable, masking king, etc.) This in mind, the real question is...what is he hiding? A temper, perhaps?

I actually was discussing this theory with my friend, and they suggested that Mikoto could have developed Nikoto in response to the murder, to continue with his belief that he's a regular guy who did nothing wrong. Basically, the timeline would then go:

Mikoto kills someone -> Panics -> Develops Nikoto and shoves the memories of the murder onto him -> Forgets about the murder -> Goes to Milgram

Luna (my friend) also mentioned that in his interview questions, Mikoto mentions that he "used to be a night owl, but recently started going to bed early". In the MV, the parts that take place during Nikoto's sections of the song all appear to take place at night, implying that Nikoto is actually new. Which raises the question: how the hell did Mikoto make it to 23 without realizing he has DID?

The answer? He didn't, obviously. However, it's perfectly plausible that any other alters he might've had have since gone dormant (due to therapy, distance, etc), and he assumed he was fine now. Then, when the murder happened, his brain hit the panic button and split again, resulting in Nikoto.

This gets even more plausible if Mikoto is the kind of person where, when he gets super pissed, his brain sort of...."whites out" and he loses memory of what he did until he calms down a bit, comes back to his senses, and realizes "Oh Fuck".

This could be what led to the split, especially if he rationalized it as "It wasn't me, it couldn't have been me! If it was me, I'd remember! It had to be someone else!"

Cue the creation of Someone Else. If Nikoto were to be formed in this way, it stands to reason that his purpose (and his trigger) is to protect Mikoto from the idea that he (Mikoto) could've killed someone....which would explain why he came out when Es mentioned the possibility that Mikoto could've forgotten he murdered someone.

Another thing that I didn't actually come up with myself but rather read in the comments of the video is that in the song, the verses (the parts at night) are in a 4/4 time signature, while the chorus (in the broken living room) is in a 3/4 time signature. Keeping this in mind, it's fairly apparent that the 4/4 parts are supposed to be from the POV of Nikoto, while the 3/4 parts are the POV of Mikoto. I don't know enough about music to say much on why this is the case, but it does at least make it fairly easy to tell who's supposed to be "speaking" (ie the lyrics). The comment also mentioned that after the second verse, the song switches to 3/4 and stays there, indicating the rest of the song is about Mikoto, not Nikoto. This, paired with the ending line of "Please tell me it's a mistake, that it's a lie, that I'm right. I'll forgive you if you tell me now" (followed by him punching the viewer in the face), just strengthens my belief of Mikoto knowing Damn Well what he did, if only subconsciously.

So basically the idea is that Nikoto is, despite being violent and short-tempered, completely innocent of the murder. It was Mikoto who actually committed the murder, shoving the memories and blame onto Nikoto after the fact.

Now that that's out of the way, let's move on to the adjustments I had to make after listening to the Trial 1 verdict summary.

Jackalope mentioned that Mikoto is, somehow, immune to Milgram's control. Therefore, the Trial 1 punishment of "rejection" and increased physical restraints don't apply to him, and he's a rogue element. The reason he gave was that since Milgram couldn't account for the soul of Nikoto (+ any other alters Mikoto might have rolling around up there), they can't actually impose the control onto Mikoto.

Now, I don't actually trust Jackalope any further than he could throw me, so I kept chewing on this. Because honestly, the whole "violent alter is actually a murderer" thing is 1) a way overused trope, and 2) are we really doing this in 2022? It's such a cliche that it completely negates the point of this being a mystery, so it feels.....cheap, somehow. After thinking about it for a while, I came up with an alteration.

To recap my thoughts on Mikoto vs Nikoto (since this turned into an essay):

Mikoto: Prisoner of Milgram. The "real" murderer. "Innocent" mask, tries to appear as a nice and nonthreatening person. Susceptible to Milgram's control and all the trials/tribulations that come with being voted guilty.

Nikoto: Here bc he shares a body with Mikoto. Violent, short temper, easily annoyed. A lot ruder/more informal than Mikoto (uses 'zo' endings rather than 'yo', etc). Didn't kill anybody. Possibly formed in response to Mikoto killing somebody. Immune to Milgram's control, immune to the "prisoners cannot attack wardens" rule (both by virtue of him not being a prisoner).

So here's the change: Milgram did manage to impose the Trial 1 punishment on Mikoto.....but not for very long. See, at the end of "John Doe", Mikoto was fronting again (after waking up from being knocked tf out by Kotoko). Sometime between "John Doe" and the Trial 2 commencement notice, the punishments were imposed and Kotoko went around kicking the shit out of the guilty prisoners.

In Mikoto's case, the control held only until Nikoto started fronting again, at which point it slipped. The restraints weakened, allowing Nikoto to break the straps (or at least the ones on his hands) and get rid of the restraints. We know Nikoto started fronting again at some point because when Kotoko attacked, Jackalope said that she and Nikoto ended in a draw. Mikoto, especially now that he refuses to believe he's capable of hurting anybody, has the attack power of a Squishmallow. Nikoto, on the other hand......yeah. Especially since his whole purpose is to protect Mikoto.

As for the mental aspects of the punishment (ie the hallucinations, nightmares, and anxiety caused by the rejection of their thoughts and reasoning), I think it only works if the prisoner knows that someone died due to their actions. I'm basing this on Futa's second voice drama "Baptism in Fire", and his description of what he's felt after being voted guilty.

Basically, he said that it feels like there's countless eyes on him, digging into all his mistakes and sins and bringing up everything he's ever done and lambasting him over it. With that in mind, I think the way it works is that it takes not only what Es decided (and thus their thoughts/the fan discussion) in general, but amps it up to eleven and amplifies the opinions of everyone who voted the person guilty. BUT since Mikoto literally isn't even aware someone died because of him (beyond just. Y'know. What Es told him), it doesn't work because he's able to brush it off as just lies.

I also read (I think on the wiki?) that Mikoto is suffering from headaches, which could be a result of Milgram attempting to impose the rejection punishment on him when he's in control, but since being confronted with the idea of him being a murderer is what triggers Nikoto, it's not actually working.

Anyway I'm an Innocent Nikoto truther, partly for the reasons outlined above and partly because if I were the one in charge of where their characters are going, that's what I'd do lmao. Thanks for reading my massive essay, please feel free to ask me about my brainworms.

[khaleesiofalicante]

Hello! Again, really glad you're back we missed you but thankfully you feel better and that's all that matters. The party on Saturday was really fun and then really embarrassing so I've been trying to erase some parts from my memory😅 (I really need supervision when I drink). Anyways, here's a bunch of theories and little things I can't stop thinking about and I wanted to share. Here's a new list!

Theory: Lucifer will change a canon event and for some reason I think one of them will be Asmodeus dying

The reson Bella ran away from Kincaid is because she felt Arthur, who maybe has magic powers over animals like snow white or something and that's why he loves animals so much (a little ridiculous but then I imagined him cosplaying as Snow White and he would be so cutee😍)

One of the indirect consequences of Other Max is that Max starts trying to time travel and getting obsessed with warlock math earlier?

Theory: Okay not much of a theory but I'm pretty sure everyone will find out about Other Max for sure- and what a clustefuck that could be

Theory:Lucifer did all those things before in Other Max's timeline (like help Kincaid get born and save Selena) and now Other Max is trying to make these canon events happen without his help

Is Lucifer only one or does multiple versions of him exist like there are David and Other David and how does he work in the time travel concept

Why did Other Max visit David when Max wasn't there?

Theory: Other Max doesn't talk to Max because he misses himself and the way he was when he was with David like he told David in IALS

Who stopped David from leaving Max in Other Max's timeline? Did someone stop him? Or did Max run around trying to find him in the mundane world?

If there was no Other Max in Other Max's timeline, how did they explain the demon attacks?

I think that everything is the same in both timeliness up until Max meets Mallory and David takes over the institute, that's when Other Max started visiting their reality and when the two timelines started to get different, right? Or where there differences from before that?

Okay this one hurts to think about, it's more like an observation, but remember how Rafael used to tease Mavid when they were little and were very in love but pretended not to be? That should have been Lance with Arthur and Kincaid. But it's not. And wow that kinda hurts a lot so I'll leave it to that.

Okay, I'll just say it, the shadowhunters are in the wrong and Lexi is in the wrong period. And it's not just because it's Lance and we love Lance. No matter who it was, it's a kid, their nephew for the love of God. Are you telling me that Lexi will fight Max? Or David? Because that's really really fucked up. I'm with the sealies on this one, sorry not sorry

Max doesn't talk to Rafael after finding out about the wards, yeah I'm okay, definitely not crying over that in the bathroom

Lexi being jelous of Madeleine kinda warms my heart because I really love siblings and their dynamics and that's why the Rafe/Max drama hurts like hell and I need more Lexi/David content and honestly I need Lexi to be like "I prefer to let Idris get destroyed than to hurt Lance and fight against David and Max" and that's probably not gonna happen but here's to hopeless dreaming

The demons are waiting for Lance oh why do I get the feeling that that's not going to end well?

Okay, super important question. What's Leviathan's relationship with Other Max? I recall him telling Max once that their relationship doesn't start for a very long time and now I'm scared. Is Leviathan only one or are they two like we have two Maxs?

Okay I'm done for now, LBAF V has the most interesting and complicated plots I've seen like ever and I love it can't wait to read more! Don't forget to take care of yourself and not push yourself too much, lovee you🌷🩷

Oh, Vicky. Thank you so much for this. I had a rather difficult day (my physio said the recovery time for my injury is 2-4 weeks and I'm having a hard time accepting that because I don't like being ill sigh). But in good news, this means I won't go out of the house (because my lower mobility is restricted) so no physical meetings or events for October yaaaaaay.

So, yes. Really. Thank you for this. It made me smile for the first time today. I'm glad the party went well. Also, if you're embarrassing yourself a lil bit at a party, then it means you aren't having a good time (sounds like something Max would say hehe)

Now. Moving onto your theories and questions. I'll try answer what I can. Do bear with me if I ramble a lil bit.

Assmodaddy coming back is CURSED. Although I feel this would impact Magnus (and David??) poorly.

I love this. Arthur does have a very intimate connection to animals! And i looooove the Snow White cosplay (we know he loves Disney!!!) Also you know how snow white sings (she has a weird way of singing hehe I can see arthur imitating that flawlessly) PS - WHY IS THIS ARTHUR????? i literally imagine him talking like this sweet boy

Yep. That's correct.

Reminder they already found out once hehe and yes they might find out again (Except this time it could get more complicated hehe)

Why would Lucifer make sure Kincaid is born? 👀 (Since Kincaid is gonna kill Lance??)

This is a very good question (might get spoiler-y here). I consider Lucifer - and all angels and princes of hell and god(???) - to be omnipotent creatures who exist beyond time. This is why someone mentions Asmodeus (or Belial) isn't 'dead dead'. He can't be dead - like any demon. He is simply in the pandemonium and will return in like 5000 years or something. This is also why Leviathan knew about Other Max before Other Max came to the second timeline. Because he knows what happened in the previous timeline. So, there isn't an Other Lucifer or Other Leviathan or Other Raziel. They exist in their own dimension that isn't affected by time and space and reality. BUT (This is where we get spoilery) - not all angels and demons are aware of every dimension and what's going on. That's too much knowledge. No one is aware of what's happening in every single timeline - except for Lucifer. It's his 'superpower' of sorts. He can see everything (this is what i explored in FMF with the whole camera thingy). This is also why Nico can see the future (because it's a power he inherited from Lucifer. Okay. Enough for now.

I didn't get this question. You mean why was he 'stalking' David? Because he wanted to...see David? Other Max's visits to david have nothing to do with Max. He's just there to see and help David That's all. Unless I misunderstood the question.

Aw :( (yall know more later)

You'll find out about this. We'll learn about Other David and you are not ready for that shit.

You see, in the Other Timeline, there were no demon attacks. Because the demon attacks were because of the time travel thingy. So, that whole thing didn't happen.

I think that's right. The differences only start when Other Max starts visiting - and that changes the two timelines completely (as evidenced by the response question 10)

PAIN. TAKE IT BACK. NOW.

I too will take the side of the seelies and their army (never side with shadowhunters!!)

LBAF V should be called Lightwood Brothers All Fighting (or something)

Lexi really said "i can forgive madeleine for being a revenge-seeking maniac but i will not forgive her for trying to steal my brother" (kidding!!!!)

It never ends well, bebe.

Only one Leviathan like I said. What Leviathan was referring to is actually the present timeline and the clusterfuck waiting to happen. There is a scene with Leviathan and David in LBAF 4 that gives a lot of context:

“Why are you helping me?” David asked, feeling suddenly nervous. “What do you want?”

“I want you to do what you were born to do,” Leviathan whispered.

“Destroy the nephilim?” David swallowed.

“Love Max,” Leviathan replied. “The rest will fall into place.”

What Leviathan wants, more than anything, is chaos. Literally. And Other Max is doing just that. He is fucking up the timeline supremely and it's just going to get worse and worse. And all for David oof. Leviathan knows that and he is enjoying that. He sees Other Max as a weapon of (self-)destruction of sorts. But. I gotta say he is secretly scared of Other Max because we know he is unhinged.

Okay. I have rambled enough.

Thanks again. i looooooove you.

[cornus27florida]

I've touched a bit about it on Discord but yeah, about your green-eyes theory: what if the Clam doesn't suck the life out of green-eyed humans, but it gives all its power to them? Can you imagine? It would be even worse than Nell!! Or if Frederick has so much knowledge (even if it's only 1 time in a blue moon), he would be able to guide the Pastel Princesses to their Mom's homeland :'D ! (among other things)

-> this already touched in discord actually, and first of all I am really sorry to put off on halt for too long and decides to let go perfectionism of long post and trying to summarize instead. Here my Answer: I could totally imagine it! New AU of Oracle!Frederick [imagine blondie Apollo, the greek god of prophecies - that's what I imagine him will be like TBH]. Oracle!Frederick with the power of the Omniscient Clam now has 'unlimited knowledge' that could answer any question each full moon night (like a werewolf curse?) which make him kinda lost his sanity and becomes 'enlightened' to answer the asker at that night, and at the end of the QnA session he living up his 'little prince' final scene of 'convulsed as he's like dying' - which might be worse than Nell's convulsion, but fortunately the Rose (Gwen) could calms him down given the time. So there's the gist of Oracle!Frederick, he'll give answers to eager to be cured or much needed cure (like Abbi, Renée, Sally) and leads the Pastel Family to their mother's homeland but with good intention of civilization exchange [remember Lilyth's Diary part 1? the Islander hope Jack gives new knowledges but as he's not bright - welp - but this time probably?!]

TIMELINE SENTENCES OF THE ORACLE!FREDERICK

During cleanup scenes after big conflict resolved, Frederick that princess carried awaken Gwen to escape meet Jack with the Clam outside

the Clam somehow gives off it's power to Frederick (how it transferred could make him truly a plant boy by giving wreaths of laurels in his head like Apollo)

Leland taking over the Clam but found out it's lost power, the Clam as powerless (except still could communicate) mocked him

starting by Gwen, everyone starts protecting Oracle!Frederick espc the CPC

CPC invites Frederick to be their official newest member, the night the Clam could give answer is the same night of his Slumber party

Everyone declines the offer of Omniscient chance, instead encouraging Frederick to understanding his power more

including Nell, which have chat about how similar they are as used to be locked up and have premonition ability ~ which for Frederick to be truly safe is him being an Oracle should be hidden and he should life normally doing what he wants

what Frederick wants is the same with what everyone encourages, living ordinary but happily with people that cares him espc Gwen. Although he still want to help others and as being Oracle with unlimited power, he could now help the CPC members find the cure of their curse although with limitations the same as the Clam

the conclusion end: Frederick learns that his power as Oracle like the Clam, which he used to help people secretly in safe Haven of CPC in the Pastel Kingdom - but the after effect when using the Clam power is like the little prince scene each time he's using knowledge to answer the asker, he'll look as is he's dying.. which where Gwen and others there to Calms him down to sleep.

in the far/near future Frederick 2ill be the wiseful king that living up his meaning name as a "peaceful ruler" - with curse problem kinda fixed while his existence is a well-kept secret, he living normally as possible, together with Gwendolyn and the family they build together

[midnightrings]

Ship Analysis: Remus & Tonks (Part 1)

Some time back when I’ve been writing a oneshot for Remus and Tonks, I thought about doing a quick analysis of their relationship. I finally found the time to do so – even though I don’t have the books with me right now (so I hope I remember everything correctly lmao). I don’t think I’ve ever done this but because this fandom is so big and they barely have any scenes together, I feel like canon, fanon and fan theories get confused a lot, so I thought it would be interesting (for me, at least) to just kinda look at what’s actually in the text and to try and interpret those parts.

Even though they don’t actually have that much content, I still split up the posts in two different ones, because I never know when to add read-more but also don’t want to disrupt anyone’s timeline with a long ass post. So the first post will cover OotP and HBP, the second one the last book and my final thoughts :)

Also, I basically already stated this before but just for clarification: when I mean ‘canon’ I’m talking about what’s actually in the books. All those extra information published outside of the books are just that: extra information, but not canon (for me, at least).

Order of the Phoenix

Tonks makes her first appearance during this book, and while her and Remus appear in several scenes together they hardly ever interact with one another. One of the few times they do is in the beginning of the book, when Remus introduces Tonks by her full name and she says her most recognizable line “Don’t call me Nymphadora”. The second one is a conversation they are having at Grimmauld Place, before Harry’s trial. They also carry Harry’s luggage together and get the kids back to Hogwarts after Christmas. It’s clear they don’t dislike each other, but there is not much more to their relationship. It could range from being mere colleagues to friends to even (secret) lovers.

I think it’s safe to say that their relationship wasn’t planned and most likely a last-minute decision as there would probably be more hints to the nature of said relationship otherwise. Which isn’t a bad thing btw, just an observation.

Half Blood Prince

Now, we get actually introduced to their relationship. Interestingly, they don’t interact with one another until the very end (actually interact less than they did in OotP, probably). Remus is on a mission, so we only see him appear a few times, and while we see Tonks more often, her character is written more like a red herring (that honestly wasn’t resolved/written that well imo).

Nonetheless, there are many hints towards their relationship throughout the book. When we meet Tonks for the first time here (and realize she isn’t doing too well, to put it lightly), she declines an invitation made by Molly, which also mentions Remus would be present, showing she has no interest in seeing him, at least not publically. Shortly afterwards, as the trio and Ginny discuss Tonks and her current state, Hermione talks about her suffering from survivors’ guilt and that apparently Remus has tried talking her out of it. How Hermione knows that remains a mystery but he was clearly mentioned on purpose here. However, there is no context on what that purpose was or when it happened. Perhaps it was simply made to show the reader that they are clearly close (prior to revealing how close), considering their relationship was not very defined during OotP.

Later on, we learn that Tonks’ Patronus has changed, which Snape teases her about. This was definitely written re: Tonks as a red herring, but I find it quite interesting that Snape (out of all people) knows what’s going on between them, so it's clearly not a secret. Obviously, we later learn that basically everyone in the Order knows, but I find it hard to believe that neither Ginny nor Hermione or even Ron know about it. Yeah, Harry is not very observant – though he does show quite an interest in Tonks throughout this book (for plot reasons, mainly) – but none of the others knowing feels a bit unlikely to me, tbh.

Anyways, at Christmas, Tonks is mentioned two times to Remus. One is by Harry re: her Patronus change, which Remus is clearly uncomfortable about. The other one is Molly, telling Remus (angrily) that Tonks declined her invitation. Two things I find interesting here: First, Tonks declined an invitation by Molly that involved Remus for a second time, showing that she’s probably been trying to avoid him. Second, Remus doesn’t really react to Molly’s ‘accusation’ but is uneasy around Harry’s question. Now, this is probably overanalyzing this lmao but I find it an odd choice writing wise to not have him react. Perhaps, he simply tries to block out Molly’s attempt to guilt trip him here (and is probably annoyed by it too, as I doubt that was the first time), but when Harry is mentioning the Patronus, he is essentially confronted with something that shows the genuineness of Tonks’ feelings for him.

Later, we meet Tonks in extreme distress at Hogwarts after she heard about a werewolf attack. Interestingly, she tried to reach Dumbledore (who wasn’t there), hinting that perhaps he has provided her with information about Remus’ whereabouts prior. It also shows how much Remus’ absence and mission are affecting her emotionally.

Eventually, we reach the hospital wing scene and their first interaction in this book. The scene reveals that Tonks’ character change had been due to Remus, because she was in love with him, but he rejected her. However, he did not reject her because he did not replicate her feelings, but because he was ‘too old’ (they have an around 10 years age gap), ‘too poor’ (he’s been unemployed for the majority of his life) and ‘too dangerous’ (he’s a werewolf). Tonks states that she does not care about any of this, and again seems in clear distress. Remus can’t look her in the eyes but everyone else seems to be on Tonks’ side (well, Arthur and McGonagall, as well as Molly, though not in this scene iirc). At the end of the book, they are shown to be together, as they are holding hands at Dumbeldore’s funeral, and Tonks has regained her metamorphic abilities. Both of those things – holding hands and Tonks regaining their powers – are obviously used to show they are in a relationship now without directly telling it, though it also hints at Tonks losing her powers due to Remus’ rejection.

So, there’s a bit to unpack here. First, Tonks’ emotional (and mental) state. She seems to be suffering from depression throughout the book, which can be seen through her change in personality, numbness as well as irritability. Hermione states in the beginning that she has been badly affected by Sirius’ death as she feels like she could’ve prevented it if she had won the fight against Bellatrix. She has a breakdown when she is unable to reach Remus after fearing he might be in danger, so his mission (and it’s danger as well as his absence, possibly) is affecting her emotionally as well. And last, we see her regain her metamorphic powers when Remus und her start dating, meaning that his rejection most likely fueled into all that as well.

What is also noticeable is that Tonks was clearly trying to avoid him, declining invitations by Molly on two different occasions. Why was never stated, though considering how she reacted when they were together in the hospital wing scene, perhaps she wanted to avoid any drama and/or knew how that might impact her (and everyone involved, considering guilt is often also a major part of depression) negatively. We do not know whether Remus was avoiding her too. He is on his mission throughout majority of the book. In the beginning, Hermione stated that he had tried talking to Tonks, but we obviously don’t know the context of it. The way Hermione talked about it means it probably happened after Tonks was already showing signs of depression, probably already losing her powers, but in what context of their relationship he tried to talk to her, we simply don’t know, so it could’ve been prior to him rejecting her. Later, at Christmas, after Molly said Tonks declined her invitation, she asks Remus if he talked to her recently, which he replied with by saying he had barely any contact to anyone. I think it is to some extent safe to assume that they have been avoiding each other, though Tonks perhaps more than Remus, and that they most likely have not talked to one another for almost a year.

Perhaps this could present one explanation on why Remus changed his mind in regards to dating Tonks. If he had rejected her several times throughout the year. Essentially, we see them argue and then the next time they are together they are holding hands, with no explanation whatsoever. If, however, he had rejected her and then they had not talked for months, that could explain why – now that he saw her again, and after probably missing her a lot – he would change his mind and start a relationship with her. The fact the he could not look her in the eyes adds onto that, as he probably had trouble pushing her away, and was most likely heartbroken (and possibly feeling guilty) at seeing her like this. A counter-argument here is however that Tonks states in the hospital scene that she has 'told him a million times' that she does not care about his arguments against the relationship. So they definitely had that discussion quite a few times before, though we do not know when.

Mainly I believe the reason he reconsidered was due to the war and Dumbledore’s death. The entire theme and setting for the rest of the book is basically ‘the calm before the storm’: They all know they are at war now, a war that is just getting started, and they won’t know who will survive and what will become of their world. Taking McGonagall’s words and their storyline in the last book into consideration, Remus probably just ignored his own doubts and worries for a moment because he realized they did not matter either way anymore (basically just said ‘fuck it, let’s do this’).

-> Part 2