#a visit from little Sven

[rachelkaser]

Stay Golden Sunday: A Visit from Little Sven

Rose’s handsome, younger cousin Sven visits and catches feelings for Blanche, who uses him to get back at her boyfriend. Sophia relearns how to drive.

Picture It...

Sophia tells Dorothy she wants to renew her driver’s license after a tiff at the senior center. Dorothy is initially resistant, given Sophia’s age, but agrees to teach her again under the condition that they stop if anything goes wrong. Blanche storms in, saying that her new boyfriend Floyd canceled their date for the night. Rose enters -- her cousin Sven is visiting and she picked up a cake for him. Blanche spots that it’s from an erotic bake shop.

SOPHIA: Dorothy, I want a driver’s license. DOROTHY: What for? SOPHIA: I’m doing a lot of stunt work in the new Burt Reynolds movie. Why do you think?

Dorothy reacts about how you’d expect when seeing the “Florida-shaped” cake. Rose explains that Sven will be staying with them for a couple of days, as he’s supposed to fly on to St. Olaf to meet his fiancée, with whom his marriage is arranged. The doorbell rings and it’s cousin Sven, a big, handsome Swedish man whom Rose introduces to Blanche and Dorothy. He’s somehow even dimmer than Rose, almost leaving the house at a teasing remark from Blanche.

The next morning, Sophia tries to convince Dorothy to take her out for a drive, but Dorothy wants to read the manual first. Rose and Sven come home with groceries for breakfast. Blanche enters, ecstatic that Floyd is apparently going to take her out on a yacht, until Dorothy says Floyd canceled again. The phone rings: Rose has to go into work. Dorothy tells Blanche to use her now-free day to take Sven sightseeing, saying it’ll do her good. She agrees and escorts him out.

ROSE: We just stopped to pick up breakfast before we started on our big day. SVEN: Will you ladies join us? SOPHIA: What are you making? SVEN: Flenderheuven. SOPHIA: What’s that? SVEN: Oatmeal. It’s usually served with a cracker made from yak intestine. DOROTHY: Of course! Yak snacks!

Later that day, Blanche is having lunch with Sven when Floyd enters their restaurant with a younger woman. Blanche, with only a cursory explanation to Sven, grabs him and kisses him where Floyd can see. Floyd comes over and tries to apologize to Blanche for canceling their date, but she ignores him and leaves with Sven, who seems to have no idea what’s going on.

Back at the house, Dorothy enters in a fury and refuses to drive with Sophia, as she nearly ran over their elderly neighbor. Sophia unsuccessfully tries to convince Rose to teach her how to drive instead. Sven enters and tells Rose that he’s going to call off the wedding. He doesn’t want to marry a fiancée he’s never met and he can’t love her, as he’s already in love with someone else: Blanche, who’s very flustered.

ROSE: There is a sweet, innocent man in there whose heart is going to get broken because you decided to use him in one of your little petty games. BLANCHE: Rose, that’s only one side of it. Look at the other side. He did get to kiss me! DOROTHY: Big deal! More people get to kiss you than the Pope’s ring.

Rose is, naturally, furious over this turn of events. Rose and Dorothy ask Blanche what happened, and Sven tells them about her kissing him. Rose storms into the kitchen and Blanche tries to explain it was just to make Floyd jealous, but Dorothy points out she didn’t tell Sven that. Blanche and Dorothy both tell their stories about how they failed at telling men “no.” Rose demands that Blanche tell Sven the truth and let him down, and Blanche reluctantly complies.

In Rose’s room, Blanche enters and Sven apologizes for blurting out his feelings without talking to her. But he tells her that he does like her and that he knew she kissed him to make Floyd jealous, and that Floyd deserved it. He earnestly asks her for a chance and Blanche agrees to consider it. The next day, Sophia enters and presents Dorothy with a new driver’s license. Dorothy forbids her from driving, but Sophia says she only wants it to feel more independent, not to use -- though Dorothy shreds it when Sophia reveals it’s fake.

ROSE: I’m supposed to get Sven on a plane today. That’s why I called Big Sven early this morning to ask him what to do. I knew he’d be up. He gets up with the cows. I know he gets up with the cows ‘cause he sleeps with the cows.

Rose enters, still distressed about Sven, who is supposed to get on a plane to St. Olaf today. She called his father, Big Sven, to ask for advice, and he angrily told her he’d handle everything. Blanche enters and, as Rose is still hostile, says she plans to let Sven down softly. Sven comes in, and there’s a ring of the bell. A gorgeous blonde woman enters: She’s Olga, Sven’s arranged fiancée.

Rose excitedly points him out and Olga tells the awestruck Sven that she’s come to take him to St. Olaf. He immediately turns to Blanche and drops her, leaving happily with Olga. Blanche is upset -- not because she liked Sven, but because this is the second time she’s been rejected in favor of a younger woman. As she’s pouting, the phone rings: It’s Floyd, inviting her to sail on his yacht. Blanche is immediately back to her usual self.

“Did you have an angry Viking yelling Scandinavian swear words at you on the phone this morning?”

We all have those episodes in our Golden Girls rotation that we fast-forward through with the exception of one or two scenes. This one, unfortunately, is one of mine, as Blanche and Sven’s A-plot is not particularly interesting to watch. That said, it does have some great quips, and possibly the most epic Dorothy reaction of all time. Sophia’s B-plot is also one of the weaker ones, but more Sophia always makes for a good episode.

DOROTHY: I told you last night, we don’t do any driving until we’ve gone over all the rules in the driving manual. SOPHIA: What’s to go over? DOROTHY: “How much distance should there be between you and a fire hydrant?” SOPHIA: What am I, a poodle?

I’ve noticed, rewatching these episodes in chronological order, that Blanche is having a weird slump this season. So far, we’ve only heard about three beaus, and all three of them have been rather cool towards her -- Norman in “The Housekeeper,” Ted in “Brotherly Love,” and now Floyd in this episode. Blanche is supposed to be sex on legs, and I know no one has a perfect track record, but it’s bizarre to me that she’s so hung up on these men who clearly aren’t that into her. She most assuredly has the numbers of any number of men who would take that slot, no problem.

Her dating issues reach their nadir in this episode, where she fails to keep Floyd’s attention for more than a few minutes, and accidentally sends poor Sven into a tailspin. Big, handsome Sven is not the brightest bulb in the box, but he’s able to pick up that, while he feels for Blanche, she may not feel the same way. Given how many jackasses we’ve seen so far this season, Sven comes across as rather sweet, if completely inexperienced when it comes to women.

BLANCHE: Oh my lord, look who just walked in! SVEN: Who? BLANCHE: Floyd. And look at that young thing with him! Why, she’s half his age! SVEN: She’s half your age.

If Sven comes across as genuine, Blanche comes across not so great here. Even before she uses a baffled Sven to try and get back at Floyd, it’s implied that she took Sven -- whom she was supposed to be showing the sights -- on a tour of all the women’s shoe stores in town. And by the end of the episode she’s learned nothing, eagerly ready to board a yacht with the same man who’s stood her up twice in two days.

And for that matter, what is going on with Floyd? Blanche mentions that, on the first cancellation, he said he had to go visit his sick mother in the hospital. She says that his mother is, indeed, sick in the hospital. Next he cancels on Blanche and turns up at a restaurant with a much-younger woman who doesn’t seem at all perturbed at being referred to as a “friend.” So is he running around on Blanche or not? Is he a scumbag?? Can I hate him?? Tell me, show!

DOROTHY: Did you explain any of this to Sven? BLANCHE: I assumed he knew. DOROTHY: Blanche, how could you assume anything? The man offered to kill dinner for us last night.

This is the episode where we discover that, for all her naivete, Rose is on the smarter side for St. Olafians -- though I will add that Big Sven’s tactic of sending Sven’s incredibly beautiful fiancée to fetch him was a stroke of genius on his part, so maybe he’s bringing some fresh brain cells to the town. It is odd that, considering this is an episode about Rose’s family, we don’t get a proper St. Olaf Story. There’s only the bit at the beginning where Rose briefly describes the dynamics of Little Sven, Big Sven, and Big Sven II.

The B-plot, about Sophia trying (and epically failing) to re-learn how to drive, is also not really one of the better ones. But it’s still not a bad one! Her reason for wanting one -- embarrassment that her license has expired -- is completely understandable. I’m curious as to what kind of driver Sophia was in her prime, if she’s such a terror on the roads as an older woman. The only time we actually hear about her driving, she almost runs over a neighbor in a wheelchair.

BLANCHE: Hi Dorothy. Why is your lipstick all smeared? DOROTHY: I just kissed our driveway.

Though I will give the episode this much credit: It gives every one of the Girls a role to play. Blanche and Rose are part of the A-plot, obviously. Dorothy and Sophia hold down the B-plot, with Dorothy also providing tertiary support to the A-plot. Her reaction to the “Florida-shaped” cake is one of her greatest of all time, and if anyone doubts that Bea Arthur was the queen of reactions, just show them the below clip.

By the way, I admit I had no idea erotic bakeries existed until I rewatched this episode as an adult. Then I did a Google search (which was a bit of a risk) and found there is at least one in every major city in my area. Let’s just say, from what I was able to find, that a “Florida-shaped” cake is not at all outside of their area of expertise. The more you know, I guess? Now I just want to be a fly on the wall to see if Sven even realized anything was odd about the cake when he saw it -- to quote Dorothy in this episode, “My guess would be no.”

Episode rating: 🍰🍰🍰 (three cheesecake slices out of five)

Favorite part of the episode:

“I thought it was in the shape of Florida!”

[witchybitchybisexual]

P1 of my many favourite episodes

Golden Girls mutuals!!! My brother agreed to watch one (1) episode of Golden Girls tonight after dinner!! What do I show him!!!!

[cloudberriesforaqueen]

Frohana Birthday Parties! 🎂

The birthday parties were always one of my favorite plots from the storybooks. I'm glad all of them got one!

Olaf, of course, had a summer party! After many "failed" attempts, that is. You know how animes have a mandatory "beach episode"? I guess this is Frozen's version of that 🤭 (Well, depending on which storybook you read...)

This story also had some of my most favorite illustrations of the Frohana too! It's always a treat to see them decorated with flowers.

"It's my birthday?" Olaf grinned, "That must be why it's been the best day ever!" Aaaw 🥹

It was also very sweet to see the kinds gifts the Frohana planned to give Sven. I like it when Olaf uses the snowflakes from his flurry as a plot device. R.I.P. Olaf's flurry. And, of course, Sven gets a... carrot cake! 😆

For young Kristoff, he got to celebrate his first "human" birthday party with the Trolls! He says he's never been to one, so they wanted to "surprise" him (with his knowledge lol). Little Kristoff saying he doesn't know when his real birthday is because he doesn't have a family to keep track of it was... 🥺

Elsa's was very interesting. She already knew Anna would be planning for her (because it takes one to know one! And also 'cause the Frohana wasnt very discreet either). So, like the introvert that she is, she sort of "dreaded" the party all day as she finished her daily royal duties. She thought they had planned a huge party with a reindeer-sized cake and invited five hundred guests (her words, not mine!) To her surprise, they threw a "quiet little party with family and friends"—exactly what Elsa wanted! 😁

Little Anna's was my favorite! It was also nice seeing a young Anna with messy bed hair too. Some things never change. Come to think of it, her birthday is probably one of the most celebrated events in the storybooks—Not to mention, Frozen Fever! I think there's also another birthday of hers where Elsa creates a winter wonderland for Anna in the castle? Correct me if I'm wrong 😅

Important guests from neighboring kingdoms were invited, so Anna acted as formal and as proper as she could to please her parents. Every single time she thought she messed up, Agnarr and Iduna played along to reassure her it's okay 🥹

That night, Elsa, of course, showed her what a "real party" looked like without the pressure of acting formal! ♡

+ BONUS BIRTHDAY PARTY!

Olaf's pet rock, Rocky— probably the one Elsa and the Earth Giants gave him during a solo visit to the Enchanted Forest! I love his complete 180° where he treats Rocky like an actual living being all day and then he ends with a "Rocky's just a rock, remember?" 😭

[eunchancorner]

The Truth Behind 'Loyalty' (TTT)

Sven is a little shit. Henry hates leading. Carol's a good friend. That's all you need to know :3c

-

“Sven, please, have a seat,” Henry greeted the Head of Finances coldly, motioning to the chair across from his desk. Behind his own seat, Carol stood guard, her eyes trained on the blonde and her expression one of thinly-veiled anger. Silently, Sven sat, keeping his face calm and neutral.

“Why have I been called up, exactly? I’m assuming to discuss the finances over the canceled rocket project,” he guessed, resting his head in one hand, crossing his legs idly.

“Actually, Sven, this is a lot more serious,” Henry explained, “We have reason to believe you were aware of the traitor’s plot to kill me. Do you have anything to say to that?”

Sven froze. It was clear this wasn’t what he was expecting, making Henry think that he genuinely did believe he was just in here to talk finances. It also made Henry suspicious of him.

“What… gives you that idea…?” the blonde asked cautiously, straightening into a more tense position in his seat.

“We received an anonymous tip that you were complicit in the plot of my overthrow. You also seemed to be keeping well in contact with the traitor while I was in the Wall. Now, given the traitor’s identity, that, alone, isn’t evidence enough. What’s interesting, though, is the identity of the person who tipped us off. However, for their own safety, they’re going to remain anonymous.”

“I…” the blonde trailed off. His eyes were wide, he looked nervous, caught up in his own lies. It was clear as day to Henry that he’d obviously been colluding with Reginald the whole time. He just wanted to hear him admit it. 

After he was silent for too long, Henry began to grow impatient.

“Sven,” Henry warned, “If you don’t give me a clear answer on whether or not you helped the traitor, then not only will you be demoted, but you will be stripped of your Toppat status completely and locked in the brig, understood?”

“So hurry up and answer, shark boy,” Carol snarled in addition.

“Fine,” he conceded, “I knew what Pa and Dad were doing. And yes, I helped them. Pa’s a better leader than you and you know it. You don’t deserve this position.”

“And you don’t deserve to be a Toppat if you’re going to keep talking like that,” Carol warned, stepping forward before Henry stopped her.

“Sven, I was going to be nice about punishing you before you decided to use your admission of guilt to insult me,” Henry told him as he stood, “But that was completely uncalled for. Come with me to communications, I want you to hear the announcement I’m about to make personally.”

Henry led the way to the door, watching as Sven stood and followed, tailed by Carol, who kept a close eye on the blonde and a hand on the pistol holstered at her hip. The trio walked to the communications room, earning the confused and concerned gazes of several Toppats. Unluckily enough for Sven, two of those just so happened to be Reginald and his Right Hand Man, both of whom looked like they knew what was going on.

As they reached the room, Carol motioned for Sven to sit in a chair in the corner, while Henry walked up to the microphone that went to the PA system. He cleared his throat, and with a click of the button, began his announcement.

“Attention all Toppats, we have once again found a traitor in our midst. However, since this one was on the rocket when I made the original warning announcement, I won’t fault him for not stepping forward sooner. This being said, I will not award him the same anonymity I did his ‘partner in crime.’ Sven Svensson is being demoted from Head of Finances and his VIP status in the clan, effective immediately, for plotting with the traitor to kill me and take over. He is also being given restroom cleanup duty for one week for being a little shit while admitting this. I will warn you all again, now that the rocket crew has returned home; If any of you are also colluding with the traitors, come visit me in communications immediately, so proper punishment can be given. Failure to do so will result in being stripped of your Toppat status and imprisonment in the brig. Remember we do not take threats like this lightly. Thank you, and as always, keep your eyes up and your ears open.”

Henry turned to the blonde, who looked about ready to attack him. As a matter of fact, he made an attempt to do so, standing and running at Henry only to be caught by the back of his shirt by Carol.

“You prick! You can’t do this! I’ve been nothing but a loyal Toppat from the day I joined!” he roared, tears pricking his eyes as he attempted to swing at the leader, who stood just a few feet away.

“‘Loyal’ Toppats don’t plot to kill people just because they hate the power they have. You’re not loyal to the Toppats, you’re only loyal to your father. And as admirable as that is, it’s the worst argument you could possibly make right now…” Henry began walking towards the blonde, who’s movements seemed to slow as he drew closer. Finally, he stopped, towering over him. 

“So I’d advise you go take care of your new duty, before I decide to be less merciful with your punishment. Understood?”

“Yes… sir…” the blonde nearly squeaked, before being released with a shove towards the door. Henry watched closely as he stepped out and the door slid closed behind him.

He sighed, letting his tough demeanor fall away as the guilt weighed on his shoulders, putting his head in his hands.

“I hate being so mean to people… Is this really what I have to do for people to take me seriously?” he asked, glancing at Carol, who let out a sigh of her own.

“Unfortunately,” she told him, “They respond best to aggression… Actually, most of them only respond to aggression… It’s how they know you’re actually serious.”

“I just…” he trailed off, before sitting in the same chair Sven had been in, crossing his arms. “I just wish it didn’t have to be like this… Oh, and, uh… I guess you know who the traitor is now…”

“I… kind of… already… knew…” she admitted awkwardly, earning a shocked stare from Henry, so she elaborated. “You told me when you were drunk, though you probably don’t remember…”

“... Fuck…” he mumbled, putting his head in his hands once again.

“It’s alright, I haven’t told anyone,” she assured him, “Everything you said is staying between me and you. Even if I… really think people should know, just so they know not to let him sway them. He has a way with people, y’know…”

“I know, but… I don’t want to ruin his life the same way I had to for Sven… I’ve… I’ve done enough damage to it already…”

He was referring to what he’d done to Right Hand Man. He knew personally how it felt to have someone he loved be so hurt, not knowing if they’d make it out or not, and yet he still did it again. But Carol would never know that, not in this lifetime. All she’s ever known was Henry felt guilty. That’s all she needed to know, anyway.

“I know… and I know I can’t sway you on this, so I’m not going to try… Just know I’ll be keeping an especially close eye on him. It’s my job to keep you safe, after all,” she told him.

“Yeah… and it’s… Just… thanks…” he managed, finding it hard to work up something to say. He was a little overwhelmed by the combination of everything that had happened, and everything he’d remembered.

He felt her gently pat his back, prompting him to look up at her, before sitting up.

“Right, yeah… sorry you have to keep seeing me like this… I’ve been pretty emotional lately, huh…?” he asked, taking a deep breath.

“If anything, I’m just glad you feel safe enough to be like this around me,” she assured him. “Remember, Henry, I’m not just your Right Hand, I’m your friend… and frankly with everything being so terrifying, I’m glad you can be like this around anyone. And I’m proud to be that person.”

He managed a small smile as she helped him up from the chair.

“And I want you to remember something Henry, since it seems like damn near no one’s told you this in a long time,” she said, patting his shoulder. “Despite your mistakes, I’m proud of you, and I think you’re a really good leader.”

God, you never realize how much you need to hear something until you hear it, he realized, feeling like he was about to cry. He had to keep himself from hugging her immediately, instead trying to ask.

“I- can- can I- I-” he stammered, earning a small chuckle from her as he struggled to string the question together. 

“I know. You want to hug me. And I’m going to let you just because you need it, okay? Don’t make it a habit,” she warned lightheartedly, opening her arms and letting him hug her tightly, patting his back as she hugged back.

“Thank you… so much…” he managed, pulling away after a few seconds and wiping away the tears that had escaped him.

“You’re welcome, chief. Now, c’mon, let’s get back to the office.”

[mybabygirlelsa]

Elsa in Frozen III / IV

I've been thinking about Frozen 3 and 4 a lot lately (surprise, surprise) and while I am beyond excited about the epicness we're promised, what I really want to see (and hope they will show us) is Elsa being the dork we all know she is. Don't get me wrong, Frozen 2 did have such moments; but now Elsa is truly, actually, properly, fully free to be herself. And just thinking about it makes my heart burst.

Like, I imagine this idiot being absolutely unhinged.

She does competitive swimming against the Nokk, and cannonballs into piles of snow/leaves with Bruni. She takes naps with the Giants, and dances with Gale. She goes around the Enchanted Forest singing songs and having snowball fights, which she loses because she plays fair. She races barefoot against Honeymaren and Ryder while they're riding their reindeer. She makes horrible puns that she delivers with winks and finger guns, she sets up silly pranks that everyone finds twice as amusing because of her blissful maniacal gremlin giggles. She plays hide-and-seek with the Spirits, and climbs trees just to land cat-like behind Anna to spook her when she visits the Forest. She makes snow slides for the children, and they have so much fun with it, that she joins in the game, too. She sends thousands of letters to her sister to tell her about all the new fish and birds and animals she's encountered, and then makes forts in the Castle Library to read all about them. She brings new flowers for Anna's study every week, which she spent days picking because she wanted only the best for her little sister. She's still terrible at charades but now she jokes about it. She talks to Kristoff about reindeer endlessly, mentioning the names that she assigned to those in the Forest, leaving him confused but happy to converse with his sister-in-law about something that he loves. She brings the Northuldra chocolate. She gets up every morning to watch the sunrise, and stops whatever she's doing to watch the sunset. She hides little snowmen all around the castle for Anna to find when she's having a bad day. She counts how many leaves fall from Olaf's favorite tree to help him keep track. She sneaks carrots to Sven. She randomly lies on the ground to sunbathe. She makes bets with Anna about where it will snow first, and whoever wins gets to put the carrot on the snowman they build wherever it snowed.

She's this sweet, fun-loving, mischievous, and happy person that everyone wants to be around, because she's so fucking interesting and fun and smart and kind. She's the person she was forced to hide. She's having the fun she missed all those years, and she does childish things just because she can, because she's finally free; free to explore the world and learn new things, free to feel her emotions. She's finally free to show herself.

And she's overjoyed to be alive.

[ashrillvenheim]

Awakening Past

Chapter 25

pairing: Ashley Graham x Leon S Kennedy.

Content: (+18) romance, angst, gore, erotic/suggestive themes at some point, slow burn, violence, action, self-harm, death talk,

If you're a MINOR DON'T keep reading, thank you.

Archive of our own / WORK LIST / Awakening Past Masterlist

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He never liked goodbyes.

“ Remember the way back.” Helga said, giving Ashley and the rest of the group a hug, almost strangling them.

“ You are invited to the next winter solstice celebration, don't even think of skipping it.” Gunnar warned them with a firm but affectionate tone.

“ We've done you little good as guides in the end.” laughed Einar and Sven when they were paid for the end of the trip. 

Enma sighed heavily looking out the window of the military cargo plane they had sent for them and their discovery.

Her eyes were still puffy from crying. 

Gunnar with his wife, Helga with her children and husband, Einar and Sven and almost the entire village went to say goodbye to them at the small airstrip on the shore.

It was painful for everyone, though more for some than others. Ashley and Narsson promised that they would visit again in the not too distant future and come for the winter holidays. Einar and Sven had ended up winning a little corner of their hearts as well. Although Ashley seemed a little...weird when she said goodbye to the Norwegian, he promised her that he would go with Sven to the US someday and that they would need guides there. That boy made Narsson laugh and she was grateful to have met them.

They were paid what they were owed for the trip and after saying goodbye to dozens of people, they sailed back home. But they knew they would always have a home there too. Maybe she would propose to Ashley to make an annual trip there.

She turned her head toward the large boulder that loomed at the back of the hangar, bound and covered by dozens of chains, ropes and tarps.

Thanks to the locator Ashley placed on the fossil, the team that was sent on the plane managed to get it out. They had to fragment it and surprisingly, having to split the creature was something Ashley proposed in order to get it out. That was something that went against the grain for a paleontologist, who usually looked for any way to preserve the specimen in one piece. 

But the fact that Graham had had it cut up without looking for other options...brought it home to her that there were things he knew, but didn't share with her. Even when he asked her about it, she only received a vague response of “It's for the best, trust me.”

By now she was finding it harder and harder to believe.

Enma's greenish eyes traveled to the other side of the hangar, where Ashley was sitting alone with her notes. She'd looked strange since the night she'd sung.

And Narsson was right, because even though Ashley seemed to be concentrating on her notes, her mind was not there, but lost in memory.

Every time she stopped reading a line from her notes, she felt her lips tingling again and unconsciously raised her eyes to the back of the plane, where Leon and Chris seemed to be amused talking to Hunnigan.

She turned her attention back to the notes and her memories flashed back to that night in the hot springs.

Of their bodies pressed together, her arms around Leon's shoulders and him, gripping her waist and neck with an almost visceral need. In how they lost themselves in each other between shy moans of passion and desperation. 

Until someone called out to Ashley.

She remembered the way Leon went static and his reddened lips parted at the voice. His gasps were agitated and his cheeks were flushed to his ears.

It was that moment when their eyes finally met and they were aware of what they had done. It was as if Leon got a reality check and went to utter something, but when Ashley was called again, and they both turned to the distant voice, he sank into the water to swim the other therm behind.

As if running away.

Ashley sighed and put the notes aside to close her eyes and try to fall asleep, though she knew she wouldn't sleep a wink the entire trip.

*

Leon was a mess. His mind kept going back and thinking about what he had done. He left after kissing her so they wouldn't be seen together. Ashley had to be either very hurt or terribly angry, but when he glanced at her from time to time, he only felt...confusion in her eyes.

Because they were both aware that they had overstepped that line they always put between them.

It disappeared as their tongues danced between the gasps of desire.

“ Leon” Chris's deep voice brought him out of his thoughts. “We're here, what the fuck is wrong with you?”

The agent fell silent and got up from his seat.

“ It's nothing, I hate flying.” he replied shrugging his shoulders and taking off the thick jacket he had had to buy in Iceland. 

Chris watched him pass toward the hangar ramp, but didn't inquire further. He just wondered if he had talked things over with Ashley.

When they arrived in Washington, the five of them had a terrible headache. The contrast between the cold of Iceland and the summer heat of the capital knocked them out like nothing else, so much so that they had to sit for a while in the military hangars at the airport.

“ Would you like an ice cream?” sighed Jill, who was lying on the ground with a wet towel on her head.

“ After all the snow we've seen?” scoffed Chris, drinking some water.

“ You can't eat snow, Redfield.”

“ You don’t say, Valentine.”

“ Shut up for a while for God's sake…” Leon was lying on the bench with his legs up against the wall and his head hanging off.

“ Don't you think you're exaggerating, Kennedy?” asked Chris with arched eyebrows.

“ I invite you to take a 7 hour trip with the propellers of a military plane drilling your eardrums, it's an experience.”

Chris and Jill looked at each other and Jill sighed.

“ You and Ashley have a hell with your sense of smell and your hearing, my goodness.”

Leon stared at the back of the inverted hangar, silent and thoughtful. At times his heart skipped a beat, remembering the softness of Graham's lips against his.

He watched the aforementioned woman talking in the corner on her cell phone. She was pale from the trip and there she reeked of machine oils and welding fumes, so she was probably holding back the urge to vomit.

He watched her pull the cell phone away from her ear and walk back toward them. 

“ Victor wants to test us today.” said the woman addressing Leon, but unable to look at him and pretending to be looking at something on her cell phone.

“ Really? Can't it wait until tomorrow? You look like you're going to faint.” he told her in a tone somewhat irritated by the doctor's insistence, but also concerned at how pale she looked.

Ashley couldn't stop her eyes from darting to him, and in the brief moment their gazes met, they both cleared their throats to turn again.

“ He wants to rule out us being a danger to others.” she replied, sitting down next to Chris with a heavy sigh. “My father will be there.”

“You should go, there has to be an explanation for what happened to you.” Redfield advised them. 

The two young ones were aware that he was right, but going back to the usual, neither of them were good with needles, scanners, x-rays... anything that implied doing a complete and exhaustive test.

Leon and Ashley grunted at the same time in discontent.

*

They wanted the earth to swallow them up.

They had never felt that horrible tension between them, not even when they argued. There were other workers in the elevator, but Leon and Ashley were side by side.

Leon could hear her heartbeat and Ashley could smell his nerves. There were a couple of times she tried to comment on something, only to shut her mouth a second later, and he wasn't capable of much else either.

“ They were very nice, the people from the village.” Leon managed to articulate in a whisper at the end.

Ashley was surprised as she watched the elevator numbers go up slower than she would have liked.

“ Yes, indeed.” she didn't know how to continue that banal conversation. “The food at the celebration was very good.”

“ The breads were amazing, Helga gave me a recipe.”

“ She gave me the recipe for her Snúdur, I'll have to try it.”

Leon had to stop the words that were about to come out of his mouth, wanting to ask her to share it with him. He cleared his throat nervously.

“ Let me know how they turn out.”

“Yeah.”

They were silent again, and this time it was even worse.

They couldn't look at each other or barely have a conversation. Ashley felt horrible about it, but she couldn't find a way to deal with what happened at the hot springs. She still still didn't understand why she did it. Plus, right after rejecting Einar. Her head was a mess, just like Leon's, but she felt it had been her fault, even if neither knew who had kissed the other before.

They could almost feel each other's nerves.

They breathed again as the doors opened and they finally stepped out into the hallway. They walked to Victor's office and Leon knocked on the door before opening it.

“ Dad…”

William stood up from" his seat with a wide smile and in two strides wrapped his arms around his daughter in a hug, almost lifting her off the floor.

“ My God, you've had me on the verge of a heart attack.” he whispered and she responded to his gesture with strength, so much so that even her father asked him not to break her. They both laughed and Leon couldn't hold back a soft smile, but what he didn't expect was Graham to let go of his daughter and then give him another hug.

“ I'm glad to see you both well, Hunnigan told me about the accident in Norway before we lost contact with you.” he pulled away from the agent, still with his hands on his broad shoulders and looking him in the eye. “How are you doing?”

From the tone of voice, Leon and Ashley could understand that they were aware of Wesker's soldiers and the infection they carried with them.

“ Perfectly, really.” replied the agent with a soft smile, happy, although also surprised by William's concern for him.

“ We'll see about that now.” Viktor's deep voice echoed from the back of the room as he rose from his seat. “Get undressed.”

They both froze at the doctor's dryness.

“- Now? Here? Man, um... I'd like to give Ashley some privacy.” Leon said in a more nervous tone than he would have liked and avoiding looking at Ashley, a gesture William noticed.

“ I don't think we're at a time for your chivalry. I want to see the wounds. Get undressed.” Viktor didn't seem angry. Leon had known him longer and knew it was concern that was making him act that way.

Ashley and Leon both cleared their throats slightly uncomfortably and it was Ashley who was the first to take off her shirt. The two avoided meeting eyes with each other, unable to stop thinking about how hot their skin felt in that hot tub.

When the two found themselves in nothing but their underwear, Viktor asked William to stand to the side and witness whatever they discovered. Graham nodded, but froze when he saw the soft bite scar between Ashley's neck and shoulder and... a misshapen mark on her other shoulder, as if some object had been ripped out from under her that had been thrust into her. But he also saw the ugly mark Leon now bore on his waist, perhaps from the stabbing Hunnigan told him he suffered.

“How did it happen?” Viktor asked as he felt Ashley's shoulder.

“ Leon was stabbed and after neutralizing the enemy, I managed to make a makeshift IV for him so he wouldn't bleed out, but while I was doing that, that soldier...came back to life and attacked me.”

“While you still had the IV.” finished the doctor passing Leon and pressing gently on the scar on his waist.

“Yes.” Ashley nodded and fell silent. Her eyes made the occasional gesture to look at Leon, but she quickly turned her head away to avoid doing so.

William was puzzled by these small gestures they had not made to each other until now.

What had happened on the trip?

“ Did you notice anything different?”

“ We heal faster.” Leon said, remembering the cut Ashley had made in front of Gunnar and how quickly it had stopped bleeding, only for it to be almost closed by the next day.

“ More than you were already doing?” the doctor arched his eyebrows. He paused to look at the two of them carefully. “You can get dressed, I'm going to do a blood test.”

Viktor opened his cabinet to take out several glass vials. Leon and Ashley hurried to get dressed, unable to stand any longer, almost naked, next to each other. Viktor had them sit down and gently stuck them each with a needle to draw blood.

“How long did it take for your stab wound to close?” he asked Leon first.

“ I'd say about 5 days for full healing.”

“ And you Ashley?”

“ 2 days, maybe 3 until I stopped feeling the skin pull.” she pointed to the shoulder where she suffered her deepest wound in the confrontation with Ada, but gave no further information.

Viktor finished drawing their blood with a sigh and took the vials.

“Come with me to the lab.”

The three followed the doctor without complaint.

The ride to the subway labs was silent and Ashley and Leon stood on either side of William, as if they were avoiding being near each other. But Graham could see that they didn't look angry with each other, but nervous. He couldn't help but wonder and the gears in his head started to work, trying to fit the pieces together.

Viktor swiped his card through the reader on the armored door and they walked down the white corridors. He entered one of the rooms where different machines beeped or whirred and inserted the vials into a small centrifuge. He asked them to take a seat and wait.

For several minutes they just watched Viktor fill different items with the blood from the vials to run various tests or so it seemed to the three of them who watched every move. Ashley chatted a bit with her father about the dogs and his work, nothing relevant other than catching up a bit and probably trying to focus on anything else.

When a few small beeps echoed and Viktor stood up, they all turned their attention back to the man, who sent them over to the computer.

The doctor stared at the screen in disbelief at what he saw and dropped into the seat with a soft chuckle of surrender.

“ You're really going to delay my retirement.”

The three of them looked at him without understanding either what he was saying or what the graphics on the screen represented.

“ Have you found anything?” William asked with a concerned tone.

“ Oh, definitely.” he pointed to some parameters protruding from a lower horizontal line. “Your daughter and your employee have mutated cells that make them immune to... practically every virus.”

Ashley and Leon blinked.

“ What?” they said in unison.

Viktor turned his chair toward them.

“ The Plaga you had inside you messed with not only your physical capabilities, but at the cellular level by the looks of it, and if these tests don't lie, coming in contact with that new virus that soldier was carrying has set off a chain effect that has activated those mutations that seemed to be half dormant and basically eaten the virus.”

William blinked.

“ I'm sorry, what do you mean it ate the virus?”

“ The mutated Plaga cells have eaten the cells that entered Ashley and Leon's bloodstream. She has more of these cells, which explains why she heals faster, but the immunity is shared by both of them. It seems that that parasite you had is not a big fan of external agents.”

The three of them were silent, still processing what they had just heard. In part they were very relieved that they carried no trace of the virus Wesker had developed, but on the other hand, it made them even more aware of how much the Plaga had changed them.

“ And...are we safe for people?” Ashley then asked in a still confused tone.

“ For now I would recommend no more home transfusions or donations until I do more tests on it. I wouldn't want your cells to eat up the recipient's immune system. Leon probably accepted it because he was infected too, but better not to risk it.”

She nodded and kept quiet, as did the other two. They didn't know for how long and Viktor escorted them out. In the elevator they didn't say a word, deep in thought and when they reached the outside of the DSO, a car was waiting for William to take him back to the white house. Graham turned to his daughter and Leon, only to hear Ashley laugh before smiling at him.

“ Well, at least now you don't have to worry about colds.”

The sudden comment took the president by surprise and the agent as well, who couldn't help but smile at something he too had hopelessly thought. William sighed with a soft laugh and was glad that he was now aware of the things that were happening to Ashley.

“ I guess not, but cold from going out in the winter with wet hair isn't viruses, so don't forget to dry it, I know you.”

Ashley laughed, happy that her father wasn't alarmed by the situation. He would probably be worried, but he didn't seem as alarmist as before. She smiled at him and gave him one last hug before watching him drive away in the security car.

Leon and Ashley stood there in silence, not knowing how to break it, until Ashley took a step to go downstairs.

“ I'm going to go pay Dana a visit and then go back for the dogs at Narsson's house.”

Leon turned to her, watching her back as she descended. His heart shrank and he took a step as well.

“ I'll be back then, Hunnigan will want the reports.” He felt the subtle nerves that tinged both their words.

“ I'll fill mine in when I get there.”

“ Good.” He took the keys off the bike and hesitated before adding. “I'll see you later.”

Ashley felt her heart skip a beat and hoped Leon didn't hear.

“ See you later.” She gave him a fleeting smile before getting into the car and starting it.

*

The next few days were tense.

Ashley went to the museum lab the day after the consultation with Viktor. She took the dogs with her and focused on the work together with Narsson.

The rock with the Mother Plaga fossil was moved to her lab and they got to work. Ashley took it upon herself to disassemble the fossil and look for anything else that might be inside, other than the eggs that she managed to keep Ada from taking.

She didn't find it funny at all to see that creature day in and day out, but at the same time it seemed incredible that nature had created something like that. Or maybe it was one of these bugs that wasn't thought to survive and made it to the top of the food chain, although, that she didn't know.

While Ashley was busy chipping away at the stone to expose the fossil, Narsson took charge of taking samples for analysis and sorting, as well as being the one studying the eggs.

Ashley had forbidden her to open them, though. So she was limiting herself to x-raying them and trying to get something out of them. She didn't understand why it upset Graham so much to open a fossilized egg from the Jurassic. She had found out more about what they were looking for, but she still felt there were things hiding from her. She knew it was a parasite that attached itself to the spines of animals, something that modern day creatures did. So what was it about this particular one that made it so special that it didn't even walk among them anymore? They acted as if there were still such things running around among humans, something that was impossible.

Narsson couldn't stop thinking about it, but from the second day of working, she noticed that Leon always arrived later and that their departures and breaks never coincided. Maria, who came with her every day, noticed it too, but unlike Enma, she didn't ask about it, or rather, she didn't insist again when she mentioned it to Ashley and she simply ignored her.

They were weird, really weird.

Leon would arrive on his bike much later, after staring at the ceiling of the room for an hour, usually, thinking.

Thinking about what to do, how to react or what to say. He didn't know how to bring it up to Ashley when she didn't seem to know either.

He heard her in the mornings, getting ready to leave first thing. Probably the last thing she wanted was to be alone with him in the car. 

 He felt terribly nervous just being in the same room with her and what to say when he had no choice but to tell her something or have her bring something up too. Generally, so that she would bring him some material or about the dogs.

The days went by and Leon saw Ashley working on the stone of the fossil to get to the inside and every day he wore headphones to listen to music. She knew perfectly well that he was there, even on those rare occasions when they were alone for a moment.

But neither could bring it up.

Neither could talk about the kiss.

Ashley kept going over and over the way Leon looked at her when their lips parted, only to then avoid seeing them together. She wondered if he regretted it, if he did that because he was aware of what they had just done. Of how they had thrown away their friendship.

Leon felt guilty about what he did. He was so confused when he came to that he wanted to talk about it, but at the same time he didn't want to put Ashley in a worse predicament. She was the president's daughter and he worked for her father, at what point did they lose their minds and end up kissing?

In the mornings, Leon would wake up with tingles on his lips and at night, Ashley would feel chills on her bare skin as she showered. Why had they done that when everything was fine between them? They didn't need more, they kept telling themselves that over and over again and only ended up remembering everything they had been through together.

What Ashley sang in Iceland. A song that spoke of togetherness. A bond they both shared and wore tied around their wrists, on their bracelets.

But Ada's words were taking their toll on Ashley. She was definitely inept. Even Emily was worried about the same thing Ada told her.

That she was chasing Leon.

She didn't want to. She didn't want to be that for him. She wanted to help him, to accompany him on the path she herself had chosen. But then she doubted whether she had really been herself. She didn't want to cause Leon trouble, she didn't want to lose his friendship, but they had crossed a line that couldn't be undone.

And she just thought, would she have done the same if they were in a different situation?

As the days passed, Narsson continued her work in silence, fascinated by that creature that came into existence. It was a real discovery and she couldn't wait for them to finish all the research so she could develop a complete thesis.

She took a bathroom break when her cell phone vibrated while she was washing her hands.

He pulled the device out of his pocket and arched an eyebrow when he didn't recognize the number. Was it to sell him something? He slid his finger across the screen and his body froze as he began to read the message.

“Hello, Professor, have you figured out what that creature is, or have they destroyed it yet? Because if they haven't yet, tik, tak, Professor, it won't be long now.”

Narsson blanched at the message. She didn't know the number, but she knew those words came from this Ada. She looked around, even though she knew she was alone in the bathroom, but she couldn't help feeling terribly uneasy. 

She locked her cell phone and put it away again. She was lying...they couldn't destroy something so important, Ashley wouldn't be able to. She studied this career to discover the secrets of the earth, not to eradicate them, right?

Enma shook her head. That woman was lying again, for sure. She took some more time in the bathroom before leaving and decided that was enough work for the day. She announced her end of shift and Ashley went with her, not wanting to be left alone with Leon.

Over the next two days, now almost two weeks since they returned from Iceland, Ashley managed to disengage all the rock from the fossil and found a hole in the central area of the creature, close to where she found the eggs. While Enma finished sorting and jotting down the results of the previous samples, Ashley formed a hole to see what the creature was hiding and found small fossils, crushed or half-hatched eggs.

Plaga larvae.

A terrible feeling of disgust washed over her, but she struggled to get on with the job. There were silhouettes of tentacles among all that interior, perhaps from another, larger plaga that was still in the womb of the mother Plaga? She didn't know, but she would find out shortly. 

In the process she extracted other, smaller eggs and undeveloped Plagas between the tentacles, though they almost looked as if...if they had absorbed them? Maybe it was just her imagination.

She picked up a glass vial into which she poured the smaller shards of her extraction. Then her watch chimed to tell her it was time to rest. She sighed heavily.

“ My hands are going to fall off at this rate.” the blonde joked, swiping a soft brush to remove the dust.

Enma laughed softly.

“ I thought that too the first few times, but you get used to it. I can't wait to see the clean fossils displayed in a nice display case with your name on it.” added the teacher with an excited tone.

*

Leon walked down the hallway toward the lab. He had taken the dogs for a walk and left them with Chris and Jill in the park next to the museum.

He was about to turn at the end of the corridor when he heard some more raised voices.

*

“ This isn't going on display anywhere.”

Enma remained static in her seat and gently turned around with a puzzled expression.

“ What?”

Ashley followed with the brush and glass jar.

“ As you heard Enma. Once we know where this thing originated from, we send it to the crusher.”

The doctor looked at the fossil and then at her former student.

“ How can you say that in the face of this discovery? It could be one of the oldest new creatures on earth, it could shed light on an era we know very little about.”

Ashley frowned in an attempt to remain calm.

“ Discovery? Professor, it is a parasite that attaches itself to other living things.”

Enma thought that Ashley speaking in the present tense about that creature was a mistake.

“ They are dead and fossilized, they are harmless.”

Graham clenched her fists, remembering the bloodshot red eyes of all the villagers in that village.

“ Enma, believe me when I tell you that some things are better not dug up.” she put the brush down on the metal table.

Ada was right. She had been lied to all this time.

“ Are you out of your mind? They're fossils, for God's sake, you talk as if they were alive.”

“ There are things you don't know Enma and that's why I'm telling you that this can't come out.” Ashley's voice got deeper.

“ I don't know because you won't tell me! You've kept me out of it from the beginning!” Enma clenched her fists in fury and helplessness.

“ It's for your own good Enma.”

“ Bullshit.” she paused, her tone of voice deepening. “You're taking that “it's personal” too far Ashley. You're letting your emotions come before your judgment.”

The glass jar shattered between Ashley's fingers.

The woman's amber eyes turned to her teacher, darkened and menacing along with her deep, almost growl-like voice.

“ My emotions?”

Enma froze. She had never heard Ashley speak in that dark tone. Violent.

“ You have the audacity to tell me I'm putting my emotions first when you don't know what this thing can do?”

Blood slid onto the table, staining the shards and the base of the stone she'd been cleaning.

“ They're dea-”

Ashley pounded the table with her bloody fist.

“ You don't know what a bug like that can do. You don't know what it's like to feel the teeth of a parasite, biting your intestines and its tentacles spreading through your veins every minute, until sometimes you move without wanting to.” her voice became a menacing growl “tell me what are my emotions when you smell blood and feel a bug squirming between your organs, asking you to tear the flesh from the bodies and devour it. What are my emotions when you dream and wish to rape and disembowel the person who comes to save you as you kill him, slowly, drinking his blood and taking his body.” her fingers twitched and her hair stood on end. “when you know you're succumbing to the darkness and you don't know if the next thing you're going to see is his guts in your hands and his heart ripped open.”

Narsson blanched and shrieked as Ashley grabbed her by the collar of the robe, pulling her dangerously close.

“ Tell me they are harmless when you hear their screeching in your brain and their impulses in your body, until you can't tell friend from foe and watch helplessly as you stab the person you love while something inside you screams for you to keep going until you kill and gut him.”

She pushed Narsson and she fell back into the chair, trembling. She looked at her in horror and fear. Ashley watched her with fury, but also with pain, and before she did anything stupid she headed for the door with long strides.

*

Leon remained static.

His eyes were lost in the distance as Ashley's words echoed through him like a force he felt a shiver.

He'd never told her he felt that way. He understood what she was referring to, as he felt those same symptoms, but the other thing she had mentioned...was she referring to him? Was that what she had referred to months ago, when she had a nightmare in which she was hurting him?

Even when they were in confinement she never told him about it, and now that she had heard him mention something like that, she wondered if he still felt guilty about it. She wondered if that was what made her want to kill herself when Saddler ordered her to kill him.

She'd always been afraid of hurting him, of losing control.

The door to the lab burst open and Ashley stormed out. 

Their eyes met for an instant, but said nothing. Leon could see in those amber irises a terrible fury, but also...fear. He sensed the solid of droplets and looked down to see her bloody hand clenched into a tight fist.

His heart shrank and he took a step toward her with a worried expression.

But Ashley stepped back and walked away in the opposite direction, holding back her emotions and not wanting to explode. Leon watched her go silently, wanting to go after her, but he knew she needed to be alone now. He was sure she knew he had heard her and he had a hunch she still felt bad about it, even if it had never been her fault.

He looked at the open door of the lab several feet away, where he could hear Enma's agitated breathing. It took him a while to calm down and then he thought maybe he should go check on her.

*

Enma didn't know that Ashley, what had happened to her, when did she become so paranoid? She gripped her chair in fear of falling over as she tried to catch her breath. She looked at the table a couple of feet away, with the broken glass and blood soaking the stones. He smelled the iron on the collar of the robe.

Had she lost her mind? How could she talk to him about ancient fossils as if she'd had them inside her? Had she suffered a concussion in Iceland? Or maybe Norway fever?

It couldn't be real. What she was saying to him had no basis in fact. She had trusted her, only to find that she wasn't thinking clearly. 

All that she had risked to find that very fossil, now resting on the table, and she was telling him she was going to destroy it after analyzing it? I couldn't let her do that.

She couldn't let him destroy something so important. It was a unique fossil and it spoke as if it were alive. Ashley was not in her right mind.

Narsson reached out with a trembling hand toward the table where the cell phone rested.

All this time she had been right. Ever since they had met in Iceland he had warned her of the group's intentions, but she had been blind. Wanting to trust her classmates and her own student, she had forgotten that they had never told her the whole truth from the beginning.

She had been deceived.

She slid her fingers across the screen and searched for the anonymous message. If she couldn't stop Ashley, someone else had to.

She typed in anguish and hit send.

“ Enma?”

Leon's sudden voice made Narsson freeze. 

The color left her face and a violent shiver ran down her spine. She realized she was holding her breath and sucked in a breath as she turned in her seat.

“ Leon, when did you get here?” she tried to hide the slight tremor in her voice, caused by her racing heart.

The agent heard the teacher's heart like a drum and thought the argument had left her worse off than she thought. 

“Just now, hey, are you all right? You look pale.” he took a concerned step toward her, but Narsson stepped back unconsciously, causing Leon to arch an eyebrow.

“ Did you hear us?” Enma asked in a nervous tone.

Leon hesitated, but they had been heard from the hallway.

“ Yes. You seem to disagree about something?” he added, playing dumb.

But that only made Narsson angrier.

“ You already know what we disagree on. You have lied to me from the beginning. You never told me you would destroy all the research, do you know what that is?”

Leon dropped his shoulders, aware that this could happen, but he had hoped that it wouldn't.

“ Enma, it's complicated.” he sighed heavily.

“ Complicated? It's the find of the century! How can you even consider destroying a creature that existed from the Jurassic to the Roman Empire?” The indignation in the woman's voice was palpable and Leon could understand it.

“ Narsson, you have to trust us, we know why we do it.”

Those words ended up breaking the thin hope that the teacher had tried to maintain.

“ I can't trust people who have deceived me from the beginning! I should have listened to her before!”

Leon remained static.

“ Enma, what are you talking about?” his tone became more serious and...alarmed.

The woman's eyes widened and she took another step back as Leon approached her.

“ I had no choice...” she whispered unable to contain the trembling in her voice and felt fear as Leon strided up to her and grabbed her by the shoulders.

She had never seen those blue eyes so dark and menacing. He looked like someone else when his voice came out in a deep growl.

“ Enma. What have you done?”

*

Her blood was still boiling when she reached the coffee machine. She sat down on the bench next to it and buried her face in her hands with a heavy sigh.

She had let herself get too carried away, but at the same time she couldn't help but still feel angry at Enma's words.

But at the end of the day, she didn't know the whole truth.

She didn't want to take her away from the investigation, it was thanks to her that they managed to get to Iceland by learning the origin of the shipwrecks.

But she didn't want to involve her in everything that concerned biological weapons, she already had enough worries without adding the existence of a danger, so it was mostly unknown.

But she couldn't let him publish the research either.

Ashley growled in despair, seeing how everything had gone wrong when it seemed to be near the end. Because something told her that fossil held the secret that would make them understand where the Plagas came from and why they were starting to wake up after so many millennia.

Chris talked about the heat that could affect the ones that were frozen underground, but that did not apply to the ones in Spain.

There they were not frozen and yet they found a way to awaken even while fossilized, like the Mother Plague they had in the lab.

Her amber eyes stared at the ground, thoughtful.

Something made them come back to life when they were petrified on the ground. She made a memory, recalling all the monsters they had encountered in that town from hell.

The Colmillos, which were still roaming the area. The villagers who were turned. The Novistadores and all the insects that looked like them. All the nutcases that created the Garradores and even the Verdugos.

But then she remembered the armor that hurt her. The one that left her with that huge scar for life.

Those weren't humans or animals that had been infected, but when she had to walk past them...she saw the jumble of flesh that moved the metal.

She stood still.

Even the armor had organic material inside, but it wasn't alive like the villagers, soldiers, or animals, so the fact that the host was alive didn't keep them alive too. And to top it off, she and Leon had eggs injected into their bodies and it wasn't-.

Ashley's eyes shot open and her heart stopped.

It wasn't until they had the eggs in their bloodstream that they woke up.

She got up overturning the bench violently as she ran out to the lab.

It was not spores that the villagers inhaled. In jobs like mining, there were always accidents or injuries.

All this time they fed on only one thing in order to keep living in whatever body they inhabited.

Blood.

*

“ Tell me you haven't done something stupid!”

Leon's voice echoed violently through the walls of the room, causing Narsson to stifle a shriek of anguish and terror.

“- You can't destroy it!” she exclaimed in panic, but Leon tightened his grip on her arms and shook her urgently.

“ What the fuck have you done Enma, tell me or I swear I'll-”

Something creaked.

Both he and Enma fell silent and the man turned back to the fossil. He saw the bloody table and then his eyes moved to the stone that had been stained with it. He arched his eyebrows as he sensed something he didn't sound like he had seen on his way in.

Had that crack been there before?

He heard a strange sound. Something...slithering? Wait, something had moved inside the crack?

The door burst open and Ashley shouted.

“ GET AWAY!!!”

She threw Narsson to the ground before one of the whips reached her, but Leon was out of luck.

One of the tentacles pierced his arm and slammed him against the shelves. He screamed in pain and pulled out his gun to shoot whatever was emerging from the stone, smashing it to pieces. Ashley shot one of the tentacles and Leon broke free. The agent roared in pain and grabbed Narsson tightly, dragging her away as he and Ashley fired in their escape.

“ RUN, Enma, GO!!!!” Leon shouted and Ashley ran towards them to help him. He felt her hands help him up as Enma shrieked in terror. The teacher managed to get up and Leon dragged her towards the exit.

That thing was getting bigger. Its whips were twitching hysterically. Just like those of the Spanish fangs. They managed to dodge the attacks, though one knocked them to the ground. Ashley kicked Narsson out of the doors and Leon grabbed her as the Plaga turned its attention back to them.

It was monstrous.

The beast shrieked and Leon screamed, feeling his eardrums burn, as if they were going to explode.

“ LEON!!! “

 Ashley shot at what looked like the critter's mouth, but she wasn't sure when all she saw were teeth from a huge variety of dinosaurs.

She grabbed Leon tightly and he held her by the waist to start running for the exit, hair a tentacle grabbed their legs and grabbed Ashley by the throat.

“ASHLEY!!!”

The tentacles dragged her under the monster as Leon cut off the one imprisoning her leg. He reached for her in desperation and saw her struggling with an amalgam of tiny tentacles.

Ashley pulled the knife and cut them off, but the grip on her throat tightened. She tensed and exclaimed taking a breath of air.

But it was a mistake.

One of the appendages burst into her mouth and without being able to react it inserted itself through her throat into her.

Ashley ran out of air and kicked to push the bug away, but it grabbed her legs and hands.

She couldn't even scream as she felt tears fill her eyes at the pain in her throat, tearing as it went even deeper.

It hurt. It burned. She couldn't breathe.

She could hear Leon screaming. Gunfire hissing at the shrieking beast, but he wouldn't let go.

She used all her strength to reach for the knife that had fallen to her side.

Her vision was blurring.

“ ASHLEY!!!”

The sides were beginning to darken and her body becoming heavy.

“ LET HER GO FUCKING BUG!!!!”

She could no longer hear the gunshots.

Nor his voice.

“ ASHLEY!!! FUCK!!! ASHLEY!!!!”

[mintazuii]

ok heres an explanation of my investigators au called the ever after au

its the future and all the suit agents have their own apartment. they are not retired yet, but they do not go to their jobs everyday, they stay at home unless its an emergency.

six and mango are now married and living in their own house, six is trans ftm, hes very hesitant and may easily get frightened, but he trusts his husband mango a lot. they would cuddle each other in their bed and have walks down a rainy sidewalk while mango carries an umbrella. mango is the big spoon, six is the little spoon. they also go out to visit their coworkers/friends.

brash and daryl live together, in this au daryl isnt dead, but he suffered an injury that he has a cast wrapped around his tail. brash was scared half to death that daryl couldve died from said injury, but he was very grateful that daryl is alive. they both have robobrash to help them clean up the kitchen when possible if they are busy doing other things. they treat robobrash as their own personal house assistant.

bongo and marsha are also married, and cilantro is living with them in an apartment. cilantro doesnt really like being called the "third wheel" of the married couple, she just likes living with them. bongo is more laid back when marsha does work from home, cilantro sometimes likes to help marsha with her work.

sven has retired and now works at a mall, more specifically in the fashion and clothing sections of the mall. it isnt known that he designs his own clothes. general inspector is now a judge, and monocle is now a nurse, daryl would go to her hospital so that she can check on his tail and how hes doing in general.

there are more characters but for now have these. i was thinking of doing zeb next but eh idk what role i should give him

[beastren]

∞ Arisen & Pawn Character Introductions

original template by @arisenreborn :D

♛ THE ARISEN:

NAME: Nimh AGE: 23 RACE: Half-elf PRONOUNS: She/her PREFERRED VOCATION: Warfarer FAVORED GIFTS: Gems, things to make food with, particularly (princess) harspuds. FAMILY: Elf father, human mother.

POSITIVE TRAITS: Brave, hard-working, largely unconcerned with things she deems trivial, so it helps her have a good sense of drive/focus, but can also make her some across as uncaring. NEGATIVE TRAITS: Rash, reckless, impulsive, particularly in high-pressure moments, like if Lir gets downed. Easily frustrated. LIKES: Goats, books, small creeks. DISLIKES: The cold. Glyndwr. She doesn't have the best impression of elves in general, but also not the worst. Medusas.

1. What was their life like before becoming Arisen?

She lived on a small farm with her parents until she was about 16, when she decided to start traveling and doing odd jobs around Vermund, which is how she ended up as a sell-sword in Melve when the dragon attacked. Her family lived a decent bit away from any settlement, although they would go into the nearest towns to shop and trade every so often. She didn't have many friends because of this, so she took up reading from a young age, and it was her main hobby, aside from helping on the farm, which she did genuinely love.

2. How do they handle being Arisen, and the responsibilities that come with it?

She handles it pretty well, at the beginning, after she's gotten her memories back. The point where she didn't have them was quite rough though, and of course it gets rough later on when more things start feeling at stake. In the AU where she brings about the Unmoored World it's a bit horrifying, it's the absolute worst thing she could've ever imagined and the only things that get her through are the urge to set thing's right and Lir's determination.

3. What are their thoughts on Pawns in general?

Just fine! Not good or bad, and both before and after becoming an arisen she was inclined to see them as Just People, albeit with a bit more nuance later on.

4. What's their relationship like with their main Pawn?

Complicated and simple at the same time. Due to her love of books as a child, particularly tales of knights and princes, Lir was born from an idealized image of those figures. While he was made for her to fall in love with and be a crutch/wish fulfillment in a way, she also always struggled with attachment and attraction to men. It's not that she wasn't, but it happened very rarely. So between that, and also how convoluted, intense and unique the bond between arisen and main pawn can be, she spends a lot of time figuring out what might be projection or miss-attributed feelings. She does come to very much genuinely love him for him though, throughout their journey. More on this in Lir's paragraph on his feelings for Nimh and how he's changed.

5. Do they have any interest in being Sovran? What are their opinions on the politics of the world in general?

No interest in it at all smh.... She's definitely just handing the responsibility off to Sven lol. She was happy in her late teens/early 20's to be away from home and the farm, but as she goes through her journey as Arisen she finds herself longing for it again more than anything. So she really hopes Sven would also be willing to fund her getting a little farm of her own somewhere.... Maybe she could renovate those couple destroyed buildings overrun by saurians by the fields of Vernworth.... As she'd also hate to be too far from people again.

6. Who are their love interest(s) and/or closest friends?

Wilhelmina is her love interest, aside from Lir.... Wilhelmina kissing her to save her from the guards was her bi awakening lol. As for close friends, she gets along well with Menella and Brant. She likes to visit Waldhar too, as he becomes a great supply of books and is someone she can talk about them to. She likes hanging out with Ulrika and Fyoran when she visits Harve as well. Beren as well, and although she doesn't spend much time with him, he's one of the only people she truly feels she won't be judged for being quiet around.

7. What drew them to their preferred vocation? Do they have history with it?

She hates being limited (read: not being able to reach areas), so always being able to pull out a staff and levitate, or to pull out a magick bow to shoot enemies out of the sky or hit multiple targets is something she quickly finds she can't go back from once she has it. Though she usually equips all 4 of her skill slots with skills from one vocation anyway, mainly mystic spearhand and occasionally thief.

8. Do they have any hobbies? Any way of relaxing between all that monster-slaying and traveling?

Reading!! But also she at least does very much enjoy camping and making good food for everyone, especially finding ways to go above and beyond the default slab of meat. Maybe THIS is her secret to getting Lir to be so strong.... She also likes petting and playing with farm animals. She will often wander out into the fields outside of Vernworth to do this....

♟︎ THE PAWN:

NAME: Lir AGE: 24 RACE: Beastren PRONOUNS: He/him PREFERRED VOCATION: Warrior FAVORED GIFTS: Berries, delicately but pleasantly fragranced soaps. Handmade things and kind gestures in general. INCLINATION: Kindhearted

POSITIVE TRAITS: Kind, strong, loyal and sweet. NEGATIVE TRAITS: Self-sacrificing, can be a bit clueless. Clumsy around deep water. LIKES: Shallow water and baths, hot springs.... He enjoys traveling and seeing interesting sights but there's nothing better than a warm comfortable bed. DISLIKES: Deep water and the brine.... Dragonsplague....

1. What was their life like prior to being summoned by their Arisen?

Nothing much to note here! Just a foggy consciousness in the rift.... Nimh is his first and only arisen!

2. What is their opinion on the Arisen? How do they view their relationship?

He looks up to her a lot, before anything else. At first he's quite compelled by Nimh's will and her projection of it, as his arisen, onto him, and sort of loves her blindly for a while. But even at the start, part of his awe and wonder towards her is certainly genuine. More on this in the "how have they changed" section below.

3. Is there anything about the Arisen they find troublesome? Be it a small quirk or bad habit? (Or are they obviously flawless?)

He holds her in too high of a regard to think of any of her traits as too much of a flaw, but if he had to say some things, it'd be her recklessness when worrying over him, but also her difficulty at times with communication. Although they work together very well in battle, and there is a certain amount Lir can kind of just Sense off of her, there was a period in the middle of their journey (about the time they reached Battahl) where the two grew rather distant. Largely because Nimh was having difficulties sorting through her feelings for both Lir and Wilhelmina, and also just struggling as enemies got harsher in Battahl. This lead her to neglecting him a bit and just not talking to him about anything she was going through, which Lir would've absolutely preferred and believes would've saved them a lot of trouble. They do eventually have a breaking point where they work things out and grow closer than ever before.

4. What is their specialization and is there any story behind how they cultivated that skill set?

Chirurgeon!! He was a Logistician at first, but Nimh wold get frustrated at him crafting salubrious draught all the time before she could wait for fruit to ripen and dry to make roborant.... She decided to channel his affinity for curatives and his kindhearted nature into a specialization where he could look out for their party more directly.

5. Do they have any thoughts on the politics of the world and their place in it as a Pawn - or how Pawns are treated?

Lir can be very sensitive to it, feeling lots of grief at the ways pawns get mistreated in Battahl. It's extra odd for him being a beastren pawn as well.... But part of him does understand why they feel that way considering dragonsplauge, but it hurts nonetheless. He wants to be hopeful since Nadinia seems open-minded, but he wonders how much of what Phaesus does she truly knows about.

6. Does their journey with the Arisen change them in any significant way and how?

During the rough patch between Nimh and Lir, he starts to gain his own will bit by bit. At first this and the general circumstances do draw them apart, but Lir takes the time to ponder and sort out his own genuine, developing feelings. It's hard to sort out and get rid of Nimh's will completely, so things continue to be complicated, but Nimh is very wary of this and that isn't lost on Lir. He doesn't ever bring his feelings up directly for quite a long time because of this, although he does keep up his sweet manner of speech full of admiration as it is kind of second nature by now, albeit with a bit more Meaning. To keep the rest of this short, in one AU Lir, Nimh and Wilhelmina all end up happily together, retired at their farm with Sven as sovran. In another, they decide to bitter-sweetly part ways after everything so Lir can travel and become truly his own self. And there's also the unmoored world AU ofc.

7. Is there a reason they chose their preferred vocation?

In game he comments on this a lot lol, he loves being a warrior. Sometimes he even asks to be a warrior WHILE he's a warrior. Initially he was a fighter, influenced by Nimh's vision of a princely knight. But he felt a little stagnant after reaching max rank so they had him try out warrior and he just instantly thrived, he felt a lot more helpful/capable/powerful too, so it just stuck!!

8. Do they have any hobbies or preferred past-times?

Hmmm, that's hard.... He's rather go with the flow so he can be happy chilling and doing whatever, like watching the clouds or the stars.... But I could see him having a journal/scrapbook or something!! I'm sure he gets into a lot of stuff in the AU where he sets out on his own but i'd have to ponder it more.... Kind of related, but he would help re-braid Nimh's hair often and got quite good at it, on top of it being quite relaxing to him.... Hairstylist....

[puzzled-pegasus]

some christmassy wroef thoughts

Lewis lifting Edith up so she can put the star on the tree.

Dawn being an excellent gift giver.

Sam trying to organize his kids to take a family picture. And getting really frustrated lmao

Sam and Kay took baby (like 3 year old) Gus to see a mall Santa once and he bit Santa.

When Sam would come home for Christmas, he would always come down to visit Walter and give him a gift like a book or something.

Milton liked to wrap gifts in white paper and draw on it with markers to make his own pattern.

Calvin and Sam usually got something from their parents that they were supposed to share. Barbara would get a different one for each of them.

Walter tended to make nice little cards and things because he hardly ever had money to buy stuff.

Lewis would always get presents for the family pets.

Edie would always get art supplies for Milton, she wanted to encourage his interest in painting.

Sven gave Edie's first pet bird to her as a Christmas present.

Rick once stuck a bow on his shirt and said to Barbara, "I am the gift!" Barbara was not amused.

Molly always tried to catch Santa coming into the house. She also always left carrots and peppermints out for the reindeer.

Barbara loved to make and decorate cookies. Walter liked to help her. Calvin liked to steal them and eat them.

Sven's kids often made gingerbread houses, but hardly would they ever listen to his building advice. Because obviously they know more about structure than their father, who literally built the entire house that they live in.

Dawn really didn't try that hard to make her children believe in Santa, so it rather annoyed her when Edie would perpetuate the myth.

When someone died close to Christmas (Molly, Gregory, etc) the family would place their would-be Christmas gifts on their shrine.

Many of Walter's trains were a gift from Sven.

[ultravioletqueen]

LOGAN VELFAST WITH A BIG BROTHER HEACDANONS

(Character belongs to @drunkenfixx)

Being the oldest child is never easy, especially when your mother is dead and your father leaves you the responsibility of taking care of your younger brother while you are just a child/pre-adolescent.

I imagine that (Reader), unlike Logan, is very similar to Lysander in appearance and that is why he tends to change his style constantly or tries to look as little like him as possible (being a victim of comparisons of Lysander and Sven).

I think it wouldn't surprise anyone that most of Logan's upbringing was influenced by his brother, regardless of whether the age difference is 2-5 years or 10 years.

Being Lysander's eldest son it wasn't easy due to his lack of affection and attention, and Sven wasn't any better at being more of an authoritarian babysitter than a father, so (reader) didn't have very good examples about how to take care of a child.

But despite everything Logan clung to his older brother.

Even if there were problems because of Logan's attitude, he would always go with his brother, whether he feels bad or wants to tell him something, Logan will always go with his brotherf first, on the one hand because he has no one else in his family with whom he has a good relationship and because his brother is the person he trusts the most.

(Reader) whenever he could he helped Logan with his problems, defended him from his father and pampered him with trips to music concerts (he is grateful FOR LIFE that he taught him rock) or doing the activities logan likes the most.

Logan grows up seeing his brother as the only figure who really understands him and doesn't treat him as less with his bad attitudes and that's why he wants to impress him and be like him (even if it's not necessary).

Logan definitely tried to imitate his brother and tried to smoke as a child (he was stopped in time)😅 after that his brother stopped smoking in the house.

When Vana comes to the house this does not change and Vana joins Logan in admiring (reader), being with Logan her rock and someone who makes her happy (although Logan's brother will always be the best option for comfort and advice).

(Reader) spends his childhood and adolescence as a single mother of two hyperactive and disastrous children, but assures that he would do it a second time if necessary.

This didn't change as they grew up, you could say that (reader) just stayed at home even when he was older to take care of Logan and Vana until he started to have his own life.

The older Logan gets the more he realizes that (reader) basically did Lysander's job as a father and that never fails to make him even angrier, after all Lysander did such a bad job that his brother had to take his place as a father.

Logan is grateful that at least his brother has gotten away from Lysander completely, although he partly feels that he stayed so long because of him.

When Logan starts out in the world of music, he calls his brother his "unofficial manager," being the one in charge of keeping Logan away from contracts with companies that wanted to exploit him and being the one to talk to first before interacting with Logan.

Logan supports his brother in all his personal projects as he did with his own, even if it is not something related to music he helps his brother in any way he can (mainly financially).

If in adult life (reader) get married, Logan HAS to be the best man and Vana HAS to be the maid of honor, this is non-negotiable.

If (reader) has children? He is in cloud nine, Logan would definitely love to be an uncle because according to him "he has all the fun without any of the responsibility" but you can tell that he loves his brother's children from the beginning (he probably fought with a nurse to hold the baby a little more).

Vana also loves (reader) children! She's also not such a good influence but she tries to be more responsible with her medication when she knows the kids are coming to visit, she dosent want reader to think that she is a danger to the kids(and she is not!) Or that she dosen't care enough for them(again, she loves this kids!).

If (reader) children have a musical fixation, he encourages them a lot, if the children are patient enough he would even teach them how to play an instrument! He just wants to get these kids' creativity flowing.

When Tristan meets (reader), at first he doubts that they are even related because of how opposite they are in personalities and lifestyles (one is a metalhead without a job and the other is a responsible father of a family) but when he sees them interact, it is quite Moved, he can see that Logan got his best qualities from his brother.

Logan can brag about his brother when he wants, either to embarrass him (with love) in front of his friends with a funny anecdote or by telling some stunt that his brother did to help him (defending him from Lysander/Sven, saving his skin on several occasions , etc), in these moments you can see that no matter how many years pass Logan always holds his brother in high regard.

In conclusion: Logan will be a jerk at times but he will always watch his brother's back the same way he watched his.

(Reader) and his kids greeting logan(he dies of cuteness)

[pers-books]

Watch the First Trailer for Michelle Yeoh’s STAR TREK: SECTION 31

The big Star Trek Universe panel wrapped up today with a first look at the upcoming Michelle Yeoh-lead Star Trek: Section 31 movie — more than five years after the idea of a Emperor Georgiou spin-off project was first announced.   Section 31 director Olatunde Osunsanmi was joined on the Hall H stage by Trek franchise boss Alex Kurtzman and cast members Omari Hardwick, Sam Richardson and Kacey Rohl who spoke about the upcoming film set to hit Paramount+ in early 2025.   The teaser was introduced by the film’s star, Academy Award winner Michelle Yeoh, by way of a special video message for the assembled SDCC audience.

The teaser gives viewers a taste of one of the Section 31 team’s missions — an action-filled visit to some kind of space nightclub, with a spaceship chase sequence — along with a hint of some of the flashbacks to Emperor Georgiou’s initial rise to power, growing up in the Mirror Universe.

Some of the cast featured in the teaser includes Kacey Rohl as Rachel Garrett (eventual captain of the Enterprise-C), Omari Hardwick, Sam Richardson (playing a Chameloid), Sven Ruygrok as a Vulcan, Humberly Gonzalez as a Deltan, and Robert Kazinsky as some sort of technologically-enhanced humanoid — perhaps an ex-Borg?

Kacey Rohl. (Paramount+)

Omari Hardwick. (Paramount+)

Sam Richardson. (Paramount+)

Sven Ruygrok. (Paramount+)

Humberly Gonzalez. (Paramount+)

Robert Kazinsky. (Paramount+)

Also joining the cast is actor Miku Martineau, who portrays the younger version of Philippa Georgiou.

Miku Martineau. (Paramount+)

What this teaser does not give us is a taste of when the movie is expected to be set — the early 24th century, in the years after Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country and several decades before the events of Star Trek: The Next Generation. Aside from Garrett’s mention of Starfleet and a few familiar Trek aliens, there’s little connection to the “Lost Era” time period we’ve been expecting since Kacey Rohl’s character was announced back in March.

More news and footage from the film will roll out in the next several months, so we’re likely to get a wider look at the world of Star Trek: Section 31 before its 2025 debut.

Star Trek: Section 31 is in post-production now.

Tagging @onaperduamedee

[plantcrazy]

Lost Children of the CCC - Comic Poll FINALISTS

Righty'o! I'm thinking I'd like to make a comic for one of the chapters from Lost Children of the CCC, and I'd like you guys to help me decide which!

These chapters are the finalists from the last 3 polls, choose wisely >:)

Chapter descriptions (as spoiler free as I can) below with a bit more detail to help you narrow down your choices :)

Ch.7 - Final Preparations [Carol/Macbeth] -> The Day before the rocket launch and Carol's day is going *great*.

Meanwhile, Macbeth thinks about his father son time with Sven, and wonders if his gun really will be the death of him. ALSO DON'T DO DRUGS KIDS! Especially the Chaos X kind.

Ch.2 - Compromised [Reginald] -> Ah! Leader & Right Hand, squabbling like an old married couple- oh wait. They ARE an old married couple, :P

A few hours after the Airship gets paid a visit by Henry.

Ch.4 - Leaderless [Carol] -> The Toppat Elites choose a new leader, featuring productive discussions! Plans! Problem-solving-

Wait...

What do you mean, "Kind of"?

OH! And Sven's less than pleased to find out he's THE CHOSEN ONE!

Ch.8 - The Triple Threat +[Henry] -> The plan talk. Go team take down the Toppats! What do you mean the CCC smell fishy?

That's literally it.

Lots of talking, without the drama of Ch.4. Henry's rubbing his hands together, thinking how great everything is going. Little does he know...

Ch.11 - The Rocket Launch [Ahnoldt] -> The Toppat Elite chapter :D

Everyone's favourite elites are here, all excitedly planning how they'll enjoy their time in space.

Then join Carol & Burt, chatting like best frie- Carol says they're not friends, but I think Ahnoldt will be that judge of that! (This is where shit hits the fan, and spying on a conversation Carol-DON'T-Cross is having might have been a mistake.)

Ch.16 - The Hunter & Hunted [RHM/ Ben] -> Ben Vs Right-Hand Man. You also know how that ends...

OH! And Finn texting with emoji's much to Ben's frustration :P

→ There's a big fight scene in this one, and I might have to do an additional poll for how we feel about copious amounts of blood...

Ch.21 - Epilogue - RESET [Henry/ Dr Thomas] -> Henry realizes he's fucked up his life too. And Dr T's here doing CCC stuff 🙃

It's an Epilogue, there's not much I can say that isn't a spoiler :P

[frozen-snowflakesandsunflowers]

Episode 2: Games and Questions 💬

Cover edited by me

This episode is where the drama begins! It picks up on Elsa's decisions made at the end of Frozen 2 and also on Anna's willingness to befriend anyone without knowing who they really are.

The episode picks up where the previous one left off, when Elsa arrives and extinguishes the fire. Disa is amazed upon seeing Elsa's powers in action for the first time. When Disa came to visit first, when they were little, Anna told her about Elsa's powers, making her the first to know about Elsa's powers. They thankfully see some of the artifacts and books are still fine despite the fire.

After setting off the fire Elsa takes Anna out of the room to talk about what just happened. Elsa tells Anna off gently for allowing anyone to the archive. Then suddenly a Sankerhus fellow pops in to ask something from Anna and Anna acts as if she knows who he is. After the stranger leaves Elsa is quick to point out that Anna doesn't know who he is. To prove her point she asks about his last name. Anna makes up a name hesitantly but Elsa again notices she's lying. Familiar? That's because it's a reference to Kristoff asking about Hans' last name to which Anna replied “Of the Southern Isles ”. Anna gives in and says she's just doing what Elsa told her to do and to let Elsa trust her as she knows what she's doing. Elsa does make a point that the castle feels like a never ending banquet given a while other kingdom is mixed in with Arendelle. But then my favourite part of the episode, Anna can see Elsa misses being Queen! Anna tells Elsa, “Come on Elsa, admit you miss this”, and Elsa replies “You know I actually do”. For a fan who was a little down when Elsa stepped down as Queen (but isn't much anymore - a coming post explains why) and who hates seeing people say Elsa hated being Queen etc, I am really happy they showed this side of Elsa. It's not that Elsa didn't want it to be Queen but rather she didn't expect to be Queen so soon. Not only because of her parents deaths but mostly because she had to focus on controlling her powers and most of all her fear. Her part in "For the first time in forever" says it all. She always feared hurting innocent people with these dangerous powers and to rule hiding them would be hard given you meet and greet a lot of people. Elsa stepped down because she couldn't rule and look after the forest at the same time and she knew Anna would do great as Queen and it would reward her for having saved Elsa, Northuldra and Arendelle. So you ask why does Northuldra need protecting now? Well it's been trapped years under mist so it needs support in regaining its strength and now that more magic is revealed to the world, she knows it can attract people who want to study it, use it, control it, kill it, etc, as she suspects Disa doing here. I didn't for a minute expect Elsa to ever recall her days as Queen, but deep down inside I did want it to happen. It puts a close to those who think she didn't like being Queen or didn't love Arendelle. Elsa continues to say she's just so used to doing this alone. By that she means she knew what decisions were to be made and how to do them. She never needs help with Queenly pressures. She's not saying Anna isn't a good ruler or she isn't capable of making good decisions but rather saying that she misses it, but despite that she gave Anna the crown for a reason and trusts her to do what's best for Arendelle. So if you can't tell already I really loved this conversation between them.

I don't know how this story will turn out but I don't expect Anna stepping down or anything as big or important as that anyway because those things wouldn't be in the podcast I don't think.

Moving on, Disa barges in and then Olaf takes her to dinner. Olaf is so Olaf here. I love it. At the dinner table Anna suggests playing a game where you ask Questions related to your partner's Question. Kristoff and Sven go first, again voice actors are doing a great job at capturing the characters and original voice actors essence. Elsa and Disa are up next and this is when the tables turn and my second favourite moment on the episode begins! Disa asks Elsa why she wanted to see Arendelle's material and Disa asks why she left Arendelle. Elsa asks back why she's so interested in Arendelle to which Disa replies, why aren't you Queen of Arendelle. Elsa asks what she's getting at. As tensions rise, thunders rage and rain pours. Kristoff asks if Elsa's been in touch with Gale today, to which she replies not lately. The episode ends there with tensions rising between a former and current Queen suspecting each other.

So what we can make out here is Elsa suspects Disa of stealing Arendelle's knowledge of magic and using it for her own good. Disa however seems to be accusing Elsa of treason or betraying her own kingdom.. I'm not too sure but I think she's trying to show Elsa's disloyalty to her kingdom. Disa is intrigued by Elsa's magic and the forest's too.. I have a feeling Disa will take some of what is saved from the fire and use it to experiment with her science skills which will cause some kind of chaos but that's just a guess. I could be completely wrong about Disa going full villain.

I predict that Disa is the one causing chaos in the enchanted forest with the machines. The machines are all scientific but they're built with copper which Wolfgang is obsessed with. It could be that Weselton's copper is advanced. She doesn't like magic, she fears it, finds it strange and hence studies it to see if this is a threat or a gift to society. So perhaps she's experimenting in the forest. But I could be totally wrong. But Wolfagang seems like a weird yet innocent man who is genuinely trying to rectify his uncle's actions.

On another note as much as I wanted and some have theorized I don't think Hans is Wolfgang. His voice is different, and he's so crazy about copper and has two pet magpies that apparently can talk plus he knits. He definitely sounds like the nephew of the Duke. I mean would Hans go all out with the magpies and obsession with copper? But I do hope he appears at some point. If not in this season, then the next otherwise than save it for the movie as I do have a bit of hope for his appearance in Frozen 3, but that's for another post.

These episodes have actually been more fun than I imagined. It's interesting, it's fun, it references the two movies, the voice actors nail the original voice actors*. If the story goes down well in the other episodes, then Disney is pulling it off with the podcasts, if not then Disney should reconsider what part of the story they tell through podcasts. I'm excited to see how these will lead up to Frozen 3. I'm not too focused on the supposed theme of Science Vs Nature because story wise it's going great so far. I like a bit of drama because out of that you get reveals which play a part in the story.

But here are the downers to it so far. It seems like it's focused on Disa and Wolfagang while the main characters just play other supporting roles in their journey. When it was being promoted, it was about Elsa, Anna and the lot so it was kinda misleading.

But then again, I think perhaps this event might change Elsa and Anna's perspective on strangers, royal or not. I think they are showing Elsa and Anna learning to trust the right way. And maybe this might help with Hans' redemption if he reappears in Frozen 3. Because if Wolfagang is a genuinely nice man, it may make Elsa and Anna slightly open to forgiving past enemies. I think that's why the Duke's nephew was introduced here and why they could be saving Hans for the movie.

* If you didn't know already, the original cast aren't voicing this I'm assuming because of prep for Frozen 3 or perhaps to give a different feel to the podcasts then the movies. So a new cast is voicing them.

When the other episodes release we'll get further information on what Frozen 3 could be about and where the story is heading.

[soloavengers]

Arisen & Pawn Info

Using @arisenreborn’s template, this was fun to fill out.

♛ THE ARISEN:

NAME: Sylvas AGE: 20 RACE: Human PRONOUNS: He/him ALIGNMENT: Chaotic good PREFERRED VOCATION: Mystic spearhand FAVORED GIFTS: Cloaks, curatives, anything interesting FAMILY: Deceased parents. (But Winterheart, really)

POSITIVE TRAITS: He’s helpful and kind, perhaps he has difficulty saying no when someone asks for help or a favor. It doesn’t mean he’s dependable, but he ALWAYS tries his very best. Ready to jump into the fray of any battle if someone needs a hand, like wandering pawns. He’s gentle, compassionate and easy to talk to. Very excitable, curious and energetic (would remind one of a Simple pawn). He’s friendly, in his own way.

NEGATIVE TRAITS: Overconfident and reckless, you’d often see him rushing into a fight by throwing himself in the middle of a group of enemies (much to Winnie’s dismay and careful planning). He doesn’t see the fault in himself when it comes to such flaws, even when he’s disheartened after a bad battle caused by these actions, while Winterheart gently scolds him. He can be too blunt and impulsive when interacting with people, breaking social norms despite how hard he tries not to. Easily distracted, too curious it gets him in awful situations. He’s awful at talking about his own feelings.

LIKES: Animals, adventuring, monster culling, heights, treasure, Winterheart’s paintings, forests and camping. The color green. Regentkin Sven.

DISLIKES: Rattlers. (& Disappointing others. The overwhelming uncertainty of what his future holds. The odd feeling he gets after defeating a drake. The empty feeling in his chest intensifies every day. Why?)

What was their life like before becoming Arisen?

His veteran father moved himself and little Syl out of their village in northern Vermund to a cottage in a forest nearby for a ranger job, after his mother’s death. He raised Sylvas and trained him in the use of melee weapons and archery, taught him hunting for sport and (after a certain age,) hunting monsters. He nursed a wolf pup with pale fur to health, she was their protector and Syl’s best friend growing up. He never allowed Syl to explore the forest without her. Monsters became more and more frequent as the dragon’s coming neared. He lost his father little over a year prior to becoming the Arisen, grief drove him away from the forest like it drove his father away from the village. He recovered his love for nature, exploring and battling monsters after losing his memories.

How do they handle being Arisen, and the responsibilities that come with it?

After remembering the events in Melve, he couldn’t deny it and grew quite interested in the Dragon and his connection to it (and the drakes). In a somewhat innocent way, he always longed to have some sort of connection to a beast, so he may be glorifying it. The responsibility, the charge… He doesn’t understand it, but suppose if he does what people he trusts want of him (to become Sovran), and leads the pawns well he’s doing alright. Surely this path will lead to getting his heart back. 

What are their thoughts on Pawns in general?

Syl grew up with Very little human contact outside of his father, making him shy and awkward when people visit. However he knew pawns, as there were times his father hired sellsword pawns to help with monster hunting. He found them easier to interact with than humans for some reason. Later, it’s the presence of his pawns that helped him come out of his shell. As they're less like the pawns he knew growing up and more like humans, that are still oddly easier to talk to. He’d always tell them he’s lucky to have them, and tends to rehire pawns he likes quite a lot.

What's their relationship like with their main Pawn?

He loves Winterheart, she’s become his family like Winterheart the wolf was. He’d often grumble and say she isn’t “a fun sort” for caring about silly things like strategy and planning, but he realizes that her strictness keeps him alive. He cares for her beyond words. A partner like her is what he needs to keep going, to put it simply. He tries his best to take her input before a fight despite that comment, and her opinion before a decision, and tries harder to keep to it. 

Do they have any interest in being Sovran? What are their opinions on the politics of the world in general?

Not at first, but early enough into the journey he remembered how he felt like he lost his life even before the Dragon, and he grew to accept that his path as the Arisen will lead to a new life as Sovran. He grew to understand that it’s a necessity and not simply a privilege he didn’t ask for, as well as feeling himself grow more and more responsible. Captain Brant and Sven’s help gives him a lot of confidence, and there’s little he wouldn’t do to make them proud. During his travels he began writing a journal to keep track of things he plans to take action against or in favor of as Sovran. He tries his best to understand the politics of the world, and he has gathered many historical books (though reading them is another matter.) So, suppose he does have interest, if only for the sake of Vermund and having something to live for. And, well… he can’t be worse than a false Sovran puppet of a tyrant, can he?

Who are their love interest(s) and/or closest friends?

His closest friend is his loyal pawn. He got better at making friends by way of helping, and when a couple of his new friendships seemed to develop into something more, he’d feel he isn’t good enough. Yet, oddly he didn’t feel that way with Sven, perhaps because he cannot be with him even if he wanted to. His feelings are known and returned, but it’s no more than little visits to the castle for quiet talks. Sven might have gone to his dwelling once or twice, as the rumor goes.

What drew them to their preferred vocation? Do they have history with it? 

His father trained him with regular spears, along with swords and bows. So before meeting Sigurd he preferred to be a fighter or an archer. Then learning the skills of a mystic spearhand he found, is a thrill. It’s the amount of magic he’s comfortable using, and it’s a weapon he was already a little familiar with. And despite Sigurd being a mystery, he feels kinship with the man and wishes to make him proud.

Do they have any hobbies? Any way of relaxing between all that monster-slaying and traveling?

Monster slaying and travel is his joy, but yes, he likes carving wood. He gifts them to friends and hired pawns, often a carving of their favorite animal or monster. He enjoys collecting little things that catch his eyes, and experimenting with ingredients more than necessary.

♟︎ THE PAWN:

NAME: Winterheart AGE: ??? RACE: Half-elf PRONOUNS: She/her ALIGNMENT: Neutral good PREFERRED VOCATION: Warrior FAVORED GIFTS: Flowers, swords, paint, and anything Syl gives her. INCLINATION: Calm.

POSITIVE TRAITS: She’s caring and gentle, she seems to always know the best thing to do or say when someone (especially her Arisen) is struggling in almost any situation. She’s observant and quick to act in battles, would rather she didn’t have to have to be, if only all their battles were carefully planned.

NEGATIVE TRAITS: Passive aggressive when in a bad mood. Overprotective of Sylvas even outside of battles, her opinion of a person would change entirely if they as much as made him frown, no matter the context. Too quiet (according to Syl). Too careful (also according to Syl). Overexerts herself often in fights, be it in defense of the Arisen and their companions or as she tries to take most foes down so they wouldn’t have to. 

LIKES: Her Gryphic Victory greatsword, beautiful sights, Vernworth, children, days spent in towns and villages, well planned battles. The lightest pink color. Ser Ulrika.

DISLIKES: Bandits. Syl’s inability to learn not to rush headfirst into battle. The emptiness of her past. Plans getting ignored, strategies overlooked. Raspberries. Rainy weather.

What was their life like prior to being summoned by their Arisen?

Long ago Winterheart was formed by an Arisen that didn’t live long enough for them to be well connected, she hardly remembers them. She wandered the rift and has done her duties in different worlds, often for humans as a sellsword. She was summoned for Sylvas for her similarity to the wolf his father had adopted, whose detachment to a pack was akin to her detachment to her Arisen. As well as her calm yet overprotective personality. In short, her past was a stretch of longing for what she finally has. 

What is their opinion on the Arisen? How do they view their relationship?

She’s very fond of Syl, she thinks the world of him, for all his flaws. Winnie thinks that as long as he has her, he will make it (really, there are no doubts anymore… only fear. Lots of fear.) It took her a while to accept that she was summoned, chosen again, and longer to believe that it might just last. At first she was bitter when she saw how reckless her Arisen is, believing this long awaited gift will be taken from her because he’s young and fearless, then she realized it doesn’t have to be that way if she protects him well. She helps him stay alive and he helps her feel alive, that’s how she views it.

Is there anything about the Arisen they find troublesome? Be it a small quirk or bad habit? (Or are they obviously flawless?)

Uhh. 

What is their specialization and is there any story behind how they cultivated that skill set? 

Chirurgeon. It was simply learned, and she’s glad of it. It’s what Syl needs most, even outside of battles (is it so hard to estimate a fall, or how hot the water is?) It’s a comfort for her to be specialized in healing, there were times where Sylvas didn’t notice he was poisoned!

Do they have any thoughts on the politics of the world and their place in it as a Pawn - or how Pawns are treated? 

It does put her down at times, and she would like to see anyone who’s wrongfully controlling pawns Dead. But she’s in the world to do her duty, politics don’t matter next to it. She’s however pleased her Arisen is doing something about it, and she’s there to help when she can.

Does their journey with the Arisen change them in any significant way and how? 

It got her out of the shell losing her former Arisen and wandering had shoved her in. She’s a lot more confident in her abilities and place, and in Sylvas as well. Winterheart is aware of more… integral changes, and while they make her feel alive, she instead feels dreadful when she notices Syl changing. But it’s the way of the Arisen and Pawn relationship, it’s out of her hands. She tries to remind him of who he is and what he loves most when it looks like his mind and soul is elsewhere.

Is there a reason they chose their preferred vocation? 

It was the vocation she used during her travels before Sylvas summoned her as an archer. In a distant past she was a mage, though she doesn’t remember having had enough time to perfect her skills as a mage. She misses being a warrior whenever she isn’t.

Do they have any hobbies or preferred past-times?

She likes painting scenery! Often while camping, she loses sleep just to stay up painting their surroundings on paper. When traveling with other Arisen, she likes for them to keep a painting. However if their world is so different, she would take one for Syl.

[roodllle]

I think Gortash probably had a lot of his intended content cut/altered when the Upper City wasn't included. (Sven still talked about visiting the Upper City very close to release) There aren't any Banite cultists either in the city, and Gortash's boss fight is very basic.

Answering this now that I've finally fought him!!

Omg was that fight underwhelming.

Kethric's is S tier for having multiple cutscenes, you get to have a conversation with him, his boss fight has 2-3 parts depending on how you talk to him. You also get to fight a god!!

Orin's was pretty good, the build up was nice and I loved getting her backstory from things/people around her rather than from her. And those details were not randomly thrown around, but a breadcrumb trail leading to her. The little murder notes, the talk with Sarevok, and her bedroom. She also has a cool cutscene and actually affects you by taking one of your teammates!! I'm not sure exactly what she turns into in her fight, but it looked cool!

Gortash....without those steel watchers his fight is pretty easy. And I'm pretty sure if I didn't bring Karlach with me that one cutscene we get would feel underwhelming.

Now unlike Kethric, you don't get to talk to Gortash about what you can find out about him through his parent's store or Raphael's house. With Orin I understand because she just wants to cut to the fight, but we don't really get to talk to Gortash. (Sidenote: I have only done the fight once, I did the route where you say I'll think about it bc I played paladin and then destroyed his Steel Watch, but killed Orin first) I know that there's more with another route you can take or with Durge but it honestly bothers me that we get multiple scenes talking with Ketheric and not the other two.

ALSO Myrkul's design is sick, whatever the fuck Orin turns into is cool looking. What does Gortash turn into?....he just gets bigger, unless my eyes were playing tricks on me with how many visual effects were going on in the fight. And then I tried talking to his corpse but there was no voice acting for it :( Unless it's bugged.

Anyways sorry to just vent on your ask anon lol, I agree with what you said. There are technically a few Banites in the city, but they're more hidden away than the Bhaal worshipers :/

Thanks for reading!

[renpimpiblog]

Hi there, long time no see, I was on vacation sorry

The next episode we'll be talking about iiiiiis......

Yep, this one, it's like the second most well known episode of the series? Alongside Stimpy's invention that is (also, the episode is """"double length""" since it's just a slightly longer episode with fake commercials on both ends..I never liked those tbh BUT ENOUGH OF THIS, ONTO THE ACTUAL EPISODE ALREADY!!!)

This episode is pretty fantastic ngl, it's about Ren's cousin, Sven höek (like the title of the episode hrmmmm how crazy!!!) visiting the duo while Ren goes completely insane due to Sven and Stimpy's shared stupidity, the episode is MOSTLY buildup to Ren's freakout, since he goes to work on the ""middle act"" of the episode meanwhile Sven and Stimpy wreck the whole house with dumb games,and it's all pretty nice looking with good visuals, pretty good scenes throughout "all" the episode, all good all nice etc etc.......

But....BUT.. while Ren's whole "I'm going to fking kill both of you" scene it's VERY memorable, I dunno, looking back at it, I think they spent a little too much time on not-so-memorable scenes, like, I watched this episode recently to jug my memory of it and I genuinely don't remember anything besides the very beginning and the ending part (Ren's freakout included of course), all the middle it's just mmmmmehh.

Also, I don't like how they ended up with this "not really double length" episode???, like, I have the feeling that they just went a little too over the time limit and instead of trimming off the boring, uninteresting parts OR going all out and adding more interesting or potentially good scenes, they just filled it up with the fake commercials and a goodbye scene of R&S, leaving the episode as is, I don't know if this is a just "me problem" or if I'm over reaching for problems, but I always felt like this about this episode.

Anyhow, this episodes gets a 9.5/10 from me, it's got amazing animation, pretty memorable scenes, but I just think it doesn't quite use all the runtime of the episode to it's fullest potential

Tune in next time where we'll be talking about "Haunted House", a shame that I didn't time it to talk about it on halloween times..it doesn't make much sense to talk about a spoooooky scaaaaary episode on the middle of fking summer but oh well