#also i still will never not find it funny that the team bring sophie to a museum to steal something liek they're window shopping

[androgymagnus]

YES!!! they're both so immediately all-in and thriving in the whole crime found family environment

kinda soft for how at the end of the panamanian monkeys job hardison goes up to harry and says "i need you to help me with something, man" and harry--two episodes into knowing these people, who have not been shy of their opinion of him (at this point, sort of affectionately disdainful?? this isn't a criticism i'm just pointing out they've literally talked about bonking him on the head, wiping his accounts/credit score/whatever, and dumping him in venezuela in front of him lol) and his immediate response--all soft, too--is a completely earnest and sincere "anything, anytime". like. a) i love harry and hardison's interactions SO so so much. i think they're probably my two favorite leverage characters and i also just love every interaction they have, even though it's not a lot. b) harry is SO ride or die SO fast. and like i get it, in many ways--especially in his eyes--they saved him. but like also. he's so funny. he got adopted/stolen by a group of thieves and he rolls with everything SO fast. he's just like yeah okay this happening now! yay! :) dflkjgglkhjh

[octaviasdread]

any girls! dark academia movie recs? i really struggle to find anything not about a group of boys (as much as I love them)

SO MANY!!! This is probably a far more detailed answer than you were expecting but this is a popular question and I want to keep a list for myself and others.

Feel free to add to it/give opinions. I've tried to give a tw for anything I can remember

Girls! Dark Academia Movies/TV Shows

Mona Lisa Smile (2003)

1950s Women’s college

Art professor! Julia Roberts

She’s legit the female Mr Keating of the art & college world

Feminism vs. Tradition

Maggie Gyllenhall x Ginnifer Goodwin; their characters were more than friends. Fight me.

Does not end how you expect

Strike!/All I Wanna Do/The Hairy Bird (1998)

MY FAVOURITE!!!

Free on YouTube under one of its various names

Comedy

1960s all girls boarding school

Young Kirsten Dunst

Group of girls plot to sabotage a merger with a boys school less prestigious than their own

Secret attic clubhouse meetings of the D.A.R aka Daughters of the American Ravioli (eaten cold, ew)

girls get political & advocate for their rights using ANY elaborate and chaotic scheme

TW: eating disorder, vomiting & creepy male teacher but the girls plot against him too

The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie (1969)

based on a short book I read for uni by Muriel Spark

1930s girls school in Edinburgh

Scottish teacher! Maggie Smith, controversial with a focus on romantic ideals

Spoiler alert, the liberal teacher is actually a fascist

Her group of fave students has cult- vibes and it’s fascinating

Picnic at Hanging Rock

1970s movie or 2018 mini series

Never watched either but I plan to

Wild Child (2008)

00s romcom every UK teen girl loves

Emma Roberts as the spoiled rich American teenager sent to a strict English boarding school

Plots to get herself expelled but oh no she’s making friends with the girls who help her

And the headmistress has a hot son, and he’s nice??? Double oh no

ICONIC SCENES

Everything! Goes! Wrong!

omg she burns the school down

Feel good, comfort, nostalgia

St Trinians (2007)

English girls boarding school

The kids are all criminals, no joke

So are the teachers

CHAOTIC

gay awakening for british girls

Art heist pulled off by school girls

Government tries to shut them down but oh no, the education minister & the headmistress are ex-lovers

Colin Firth x Rupert Everett in drag

Superior cast: Jodie Whittaker, Gemma Arterton, Juno Temple, Stephen Fry, Colin Firth, etc...

embodies the phrase 'problematic fave'

St Trinians 2: The Legend of Fritton’s Gold (2009)

Mystery, pirate ancestors, hidden treasure

omg Shakespeare was a woman

girls disguised as boys to infiltrate and rob the posh boys school

Villain! David Tennant in that ICONIC boat scene

Teen girls vs. ancient misogynist brotherhood

like the first film but MORE chaotic and BETTER!???

The Falling (2014)

1960s all girls school

best friends! but its unrequited love

Agoraphobic + distant mother aka mommy issues

Sudden death and the school suppresses/ignores the students grief, sparking mass hysteria & a fainting epidemic in the girls

Cast: Maisie Williams (GoT) & Florence Pugh (Little Women) & Joe Cole (Peaky Blinders)

TW: teen pregnancy, death, vomiting, underage s*x, sibling inc*st, past s*xual assault

READ THE PLOT SUMMARY FIRST

The Book Thief (2013)

Based on an amazing book by Markus Zusak

set in 1940s Nazi Germany

Daughter of a communist whose family were taken by the Nazis/died is fostered by an older couple who teach her to read & she paints a dictionary on the basement walls

Coming of age story about a compulsive book thief. No joke, this kid steals books from banned book burnings and breaks into the mayor's library through the window

Family hides the Jewish son of an old friend in their basement and he helps her to start writing about her experiences in the war

TW: death, bombings, WW2 anti-semitism

Mary Shelley (2017)

Overall good & roughly biographical

Pretty costumes and aesthetic

Modern feminist take on Mary Shelly in her own time period

So many INACCURACIES for the drama so don’t take it as truth

Percy Shelley slander and not all of it is justified

Cast: Elle Fanning, Douglas Booth, and Maisie Williams

The Secret Garden (1993)

Based on a fave childhood book

1901 colonial India & Yorkshire, England

Orphaned, spoilt & neglected girl sent to live with her reclusive Uncle in the English countryside

Gothic elements, mysteries, secret doors/passages/locked gardens

local boy with a flock of animals, magic, kids chanting around a fire and all around immaculate vibes

Happy ending!!!

Hidden Figures (2016)

African-American women as mathematicians for NASA

1960s space project

Women balancing a career and family obligations

Deals with racial & gender discrimination

Loosely based on the lives of Katherine Johnson, Mary Jackson, and Dorothy Vaughan who worked for NASA as engineers & mathematicians

Anne of Green Gables (1985) & sequel (1987)

Adaptation L.M. Montgomery’s ‘Anne of Green Gables’ books

Canada (late 1890s/early 1900s)

Highly imaginative & bookworm orphan is adopted by a reclusive elderly brother and sister duo

Small town & school years comedic drama

Unrequited Enemies -> Friends -> lovers

Inspiring new woman teacher

Girls re-enact Tennyson’s poem and nearly drown for the aesthetic™

Dramatic poetry reading with INTENSE 👀eye contact👀

Writer! Anne & English teacher! Anne dealing with unruly girls school antics

Collette (2018)

biographical drama on french writer Sidonie-Gabrielle Collette

Victorian & Edwardian era France

More talented than her husband so she ghostwrites for him

Fight for creative ownership of her wildly successful novels

Affairs with a woman called Georgie and also with Missy, born female but masculine presenting

Cast: Keira Knightly, Dominic West, Eleanor Tomlinson (Poldark)

Enola Holmes (2020)

Netflix book adaptation

Younger sister of Sherlock Holmes

Victorian era! feminism/suffragettes

Mother-daughter focus

Mystery, adventure, secret codes, teens running away & escaping from (and eventually fighting) assassins

Cast: Helena Bonham Carter, Henry Cavill, Sam Claflin, Fiona Shaw, Millie Bobby Brown

Ginger & Rosa (2012)

1960s England

best friends since literal birth navigating troubled teen years

poet & anti-nuclear activist! Ginger

off the rails but also catholic! Rosa

Shout out to Mark & Mark the gay godfathers we all want

family troubles 

TW: older man has an affair with a 17 yr old

Testament of Youth (2014)

based on WW1 memoir by Vera Brittain

young woman (writer & poetry lover) escapes traditional family & goes to study at Oxford University

abandons to become a war nurse

romance, tragedy and war trauma

Cast: Alicia Vikander, Kit Harrington (GoT), Taron Edgerton (Rocketman), Colin Morgan (Merlin)

Little Women (2019)

Writer! Jo & Artist! Amy

Mother/daughter focus and sister dynamics

the March sisters’ theatre club is *chefs kiss*

champagne problems edits of Jo x Laurie are a mood

Ambivalent ending perfectly captures Louisa May Alcott’s dilemma with the book the movie is based on

set in 1860s America

ALL STAR CAST and a Greta Gerwig masterpeice

Lady Bird (2017)

coming of age in early 2002/2003 Sacramento, California

all girls catholic school

writer! Christine aka Lady Bird wants to get outta town and start her life again at college 'in a city with culture'

Mother/daughter dynamics - so realistic!

I live for that Jesus car stunt & the nun's reaction

school theatre program

Cast: Saoirse Ronan, Timothee Chalamet, Beanie Feldstein

Another Greta Gerwig gem

Beguiled (2017)

Virginia, civil war era

Girls school with only five students and two teachers left

Find an injured Union army soldier & bring him inside

Women & teenagers want his attention (v. problematic) before uniting against him

(tbh you'll either love it, hate it, or watch once & forget it)

Sofia Coppola film so its very feminine gaze

TW: violence, death, underage

Legally Blonde (2001)

No questions will be taken

Elle Woods was the blue print

TV series:

House of Anubis (2011-2013)

I know it’s a kids/young teen show but I still unironically love it

ANCIENT EGYPT!!!!

Modern day with Victorian era links to treasure hunters & Egyptian research expeditions (stealing from tombs)

Chosen one plot lines, curses, kidnapping, mysteries, secret tunnels under the school, elixir of life

Teens have investigate & protect themselves cus oh no the TEACHERS are involved in some shady stuff

new American kid at British boarding school is the actual premise not just a fanfic au

Nostalgic, light-hearted, funny, and kinda cheesy but I will accept no criticism

The Alienist (2018 -now)

Mid 1890s, New York

Woman’s private detective agency (Season 2)

Serial killer mystery

Woman secretary turns detective and teams up with a criminal psychiatrist and a newspaper editor to solve crime

TW: violence, child pr*stit*tion

Cast: Dakota Fanning, Luke Evans, Daniel Bruhl

The Queen’s Gambit (2020)

Woman chess prodigy

1950s & 1960s

TW: drug & alcohol abuse

Gentleman Jack (2019 - now)

Based on the diaries of Anne Lister

Victorian Yorkshire, England

Upper-class lesbians

Confident, suit wearing! Anne Lister x shy! Ann Walker

Business woman! Anne running the family mines

Cast: Suranne Jones (Doctor Foster) & Sophie Rundle (Peaky Blinders)

TW: violence

Gilmore Girls (2000-2007)

bubbly/ambitious single mom + intelligent daughter

bookworm! Rory Gilmore gets into a prestigious private school and then an Ivy League college

Small town drama is comedic gold

Fast dialogue packed with pop culture and literary references

Comforting & nostalgic

TEAM JESS

Anne with an E (2017-2019)

Loose adaptation of L.M. Montgomery’s ‘Anne of Green Gables’ books

they completely change the plot lines but it’s still very good content!

Orphan girl with trauma and a love of books/poetry is adopted by an elderly brother & sister duo, bringing light and fresh ideas to a rural community

Feminism, girls writing club, lgbtq safe spaces, girls eduction, black/indigenous representation

Miss Stacy as THAT inspiring teacher

Aunt Josephine’s lavish gay parties have my heart

TW: creepy male teacher tries to marry a student, racial discrimination, indigenous assimilation school

Victoria (2016-2019)

Adaption of Queen Victoria’s life

Victoria navigating her political, royal, and personal life

Albert’s involvement with The Great Exhibition, 1851 (on cultural + industrial innovations)

Alfred Paget x Edward Drummond is exquisite

Gorgeous costumes and aesthetics

TW: bury your gays trope

Derry Girls (2018-now)

1990s Northern Ireland during the troubles

Comedy, episodes 20-25 mins long

English boy sent to an all girls Catholic school with his cousin

✨Dead Poets Society parody episode ✨with a free-spirited female teacher

Sister Michael, the sarcastic nun who hates her job & reads the exorcist for giggles

Wee anxious lesbian! Clare Devlin (plus her friends wearing rainbow pins)

Badass with bad ideas! Michelle Mallon

Main Character! Erin Quinn

Lovable weirdo who would fight a polar bear! Orla McCool

Wee English fella & honorary Derry girl! James Maguire

Dickinson (2019-now)

Loose adaption of the poet Emily Dickinson’s life

Set in 19th century Massachusetts, US

Historical drama with modern dialogue & music that works SEAMLESSLY

gives a great understanding of Emily Dickinson’s poems

💕Vintage gays! Emily x Sue💕

Theatre club, writing, poetry, dressing as men to sneak into lectures, love letters, teen drama, feminism, and an underground abolitionist journal as a brief side plot in season 2

Wiz Khalifa plays death in a horse drawn carriage

TW: opium use

A Series of Unfortunate Events (2017-2019)

Based on great childhood books

Bookworm! brother, Inventor! sister, and baby sister with sharp teeth

Mystery, secret organisations, orphaned siblings figuring things out & fending for themselves against the villain after their fortune

Adults either cartoon evil, comedically incompetent, or SPIES

Boarding school, library owner, scientific researcher, and theatre episodes

Ambiguous time period which is really fun to try and pin point

Killing Eve (2018-now)

Classic detective who has homoerotic tension with the assassin she is tracking down

British Detective! Eve Polastri figures out the notorious assassin MI5 are investigating is a woman, is fired & then put on a secret MI6 case with a small team

Assassin! Villanelle, a psychopath with a tragic past and a mastery of both accents & fashion

Woman MI6 boss! Carolyn Martens, head of Russian section

Travel Europe following Villanelle’s killings and escaping the assassins sent by Villanelle’s organisation

‘You’re supposed to be my enemy and moral opposite but omg you’re the only one smart enough to get me and why am I obsessed with you????'

🚨 GO IN FOR A KISS AND THEN STAB YOUR ENEMY 🚨

Cable Girls/Las chicas del cable (2017-2020)

Spanish drama set in 1920s Madrid

Four young women at a telecommunications company form a group of friends and help navigate the difficult situations they are all in

Secret identities, dangerous pasts, murder, crime, lgbtq couple & throuple, trans man character, feminism/suffragists

girls commit crimes for humanitarian reasons and cover! it! up!

UNDERRATED SHOW!!!!

Gorgeous costumes and set

Haven’t finished it yet and I’m catching up

TW: abuse, violence, death

Outlander (2014 - now)

haven’t watched yet but plan to

Woman time travels to Scotland, 1743

Rebel highlanders, pirates, British colonies, American revolutionary war

Time jumps between 18th & 20th century

[simonsrosebud]

the one where someone doesn’t know who kevin day is, pt. 3

part one two four five

kevin has a talk with them the next morning before practice.  or more of just him storming into the lounge and going off.  the four freshman are there, too, but he doesn’t quite care.

“dalton isn’t fucked up like the rest of us!  there’s a reason i didn’t want any of you meeting or even knowing about him and it’s not because i hadn’t fucking come out yet.  he’s not a fox, and he’s not even thea.  he’s not involved with exy, he doesn’t know about riko and me and the moriyama’s and the rest!  there’s a lot of shit he doesn’t know about yet and none of you had the right throwing it all out in the air last night just to have a fucking laugh.  tell me, was it funny?  was it fucking funny getting him shitfaced just to get some answers and take the piss?!”

dan stands, and kevin holds a hand out.  she looks to andrew, but his silence sides him with kevin.  “kevin, we were just trying to-“

“you have no excuses, dan.  none of you do.  you were trying to make a fool of me and my boyfriend for nothing.  and now, i have to go cure his curiosity of the things you all said.”  and he storms out.

wymack doesn’t stop him.  if anything, he looks mad at those left.  “the fuck did you do to him to make him skip practice?!  you realize that’s never happened so long as he’s lived, right?!  we don’t have protocol for the day kevin skips exy.”

meanwhile, dalton doesn’t actually have that many questions.  the numbing of alcohol for a face tattoo is understandable, especially knowing that kevin’s sober and therefore must have had a problem.  the cracker dust he asks about just because he doesn’t know what it is- he doesn’t like it, but trusts kevin that he’s done with it.  he’s seen the scar along kevin’s hand, he already assumed it was from a surgery.  the edgar allen thing was too vague for him to be curious about, but he does ask- not about, the father comment, but if he’s okay about it.  kevin tells him this much;  that he transferred from edgar allen to palmetto because he’d known for a few years that wymack was his father, and that he didn’t have the courage to tell him until last year.

kevin thanks the gods that dalton doesn’t ask about or seem to remember any mention of the yakuza.

they’re at kevin’s suite because he knows they’ll have a few hours by themselves with everyone at the stadium, but only an hour in there’s knocking on the door.  dalton has his lips on kevin’s- he’d just said how he likes having access to his “real smile”.  “gonna get it?”  kevin shakes his head.  the knocking starts again.

“come on, kevin!  we’re sorry!  just open up for a second!”

kevin knows dalton likes when he speaks french, so he sighs and kisses him before whispering, “i hate them all.”

dan is at his door with matt and allison in tow.  “what do you want?”

“to apologize.”  kevin raises his eyebrows.  “look, we take the piss a lot and you never seemed to be visibly affected by it, so we didn’t realize that last night was upsetting you until you left.”

“you said never have i ever seen kevin have a meltdown.  why do you think you’ve seen that?  because i’m a toddler?  you know what i’ve had my reasons.”  riko.  the moriyamas.

“i know.  look, we don’t want to give you excuses.  i-i don’t have an explanation.  you’ve always kind of let us take the piss without saying anything, and we took it too far, especially last night.  andrew looked like he wanted to kill nicky for the yakuza comment, but neil talked to him about it before we went to the stadium this morning,” she whispers the last part because she’s not stupid, and kevin huffs.

matt jumps in.  “we wanna make it up to you, man.  you’ve obviously hid him from us for a reason and we proved you right.”  kevin honestly wants to get back to dalton and he wants it to just be over with.  “bring him to the winter banquet, we’ll be nice.  if anyone says anything i’ll punch em.  neil will chew em out.”

kevin grimaces.  the ravens will be at the banquet.  it’s in just over a month, the second week of december.  he’ll have to tell dalton some things by then.  and he might have to say something to the public.

he doesn’t tell him anything.  not yet, at least.  he still has three weeks until the banquet- he hasn’t even asked dalton yet.  he starts to like away games a little more than before, though.  he gets dalton a little postcard from every new state they go to.  he tapes them all to one of the walls of his room.

he’s on the phone with dalton at an airport general store, even, when he gets interrupted by two girls.  he puts on his press smile before he even notices.  “hold on, d.”

he doesn’t love fan interactions.

when they leave, dalton asks him with amusement if he’s got fans now, and kevin kind of decides he should probably tell him some more about his life because jesus, does he have fans.  he needs to tell him about he and riko.  what they were, what they were to fans of exy, what kevin was to fans of exy.  what kevin was to riko- without involving the yakuza.

but he doesn’t, because dalton never brings up the topic of “fans” again.

he doesn’t tell him until a week later, when he wakes up from a nightmare.

dalton’s leaning over him, speaking, but all kevin sees is riko riko riko.  it takes all of two seconds for dalton to back off.

“hey, hey, it’s me, it’s dalton.  you’re safe, you’re in my apartment.  no one else is here, i promise.”

kevin’s breathing so hard, dalton flicks the lamp on and he just crumbles.  he sits up and presses his hands over his eyes, “i’m sorry.”

“can i touch you?” he nods.  dalton’s sitting at his side, cross legged, and gently pulls kevin’s hands off his eyes.  “you don’t have to be sorry.  i know there’s shit in here,” he lightly lifts his hands to hold kevin’s face and taps his temple with a finger, “i don’t need to know what it is, just know you don’t have to apologize for it, and know you’re safe.”

kevin nods and twists to hug him.  and dalton wraps his arms securely around kevin’s back.  he presses a kiss to the top of his head and mumbles “c’mere” to prompt kevin into climbing into his lap.

dalton slides his fingers through kevin’s hair and it’s just so soothing, it nearly puts him to sleep.  and when dalton lays back down kevin stays wrapped around him with his cheek pressed to his chest.

when kevin wakes up it’s to find they’ve switched positions overnight.  dalton’s got his arm lazily draped over kevin’s waist, almost holding him close like a pillow.  his ankle is thrown over kevin’s, and his head is pressed into the back of kevin’s neck.

kevin doesn’t want to move.  in fact, he stays so still so as to not wake dalton, that when he stirs kevin just shushes him and pulls dalton’s arm back around him.  he holds his hand close to his chest.

dalton’s not stupid.  he knows kevin’s awake and nuzzles himself closer.  “you like being cuddled.”

“you’re the one doing it, not me.”  but he definitely tilts further into the pillow to expose his neck when dalton starts kissing up the side.

“you like being the little spoon.”  and pushes himself up over kevin.  “you like when you’re on the bottom, kev.” he kisses him deep into the mattress despite morning breath, and noses down his neck.  “i like it.”

kevin tugs at dalton’s hair.  “and what… what about it?”

ahaha.  aha.  sex.

anyway.

he tells dalton everything afterwards.  he leaves out the yakuza part, and the fact of neil’s past, because that’s another monster.  but he tells him the rest.  who his mother is and why he’s such a big deal in the exy world;  why he really left edgar allen and came to the foxes;  the tattoo that’s buried under his chess piece and what it meant.  what his relationship with riko was really like, and everything about their past and the abuse he endured.

and he fills him in on what triggers him because of that: small pitch black rooms, confined spaces without an easy way out, holding his hand too tight, the mention of riko moriyama, a lot of other things.

and dalton stays. 

so kevin asks him to the banquet.  when he says yes, he asks wymack for help arranging an interview.  there are enough people and press lingering outside the exy banquets, and he’d like to hold his boyfriend’s hand on the way in this year.

it’s scheduled to be live the morning before the banquet.  it’s with sophie silletti for espn college exy, and she posts about it as soon as it’s booked.

kevin sits with her.  it’s nothing like kathy ferdinand.  they talk strictly about exy and eventually, with his pre-approved questions, she brings up thea’s team’s most recent game.  “and forgive me if i’m wrong, but you and thea muldani split recently, yes?”

kevin nods.  “back in may, i’d say.  we’re still friendly, i have the utmost respect towards her.  in the end it just didn’t work out.”  i haven’t talked to her in months.

sophie nods.  “everything happens for a reason, i’d like to think.”

“of course.  it wouldn’t have led me elsewhere.”

“is that hinting at something?  i feel we don’t normally talk about this, but does kevin day have someone new in his love life?”  

kevin palms are sweating.  he hopes his face isn’t red with nerves.  “i do, actually.  i won’t say anything about him for his own privacy” i don’t want the public’s prying eyes “but we’ve been together for a bit, now.”

sophie is grinning, she feigns surprise.  “i heard you say him, did i not?  anything else to tell us?”

he keeps his smile easy, but he can feel the worry in the back of his head telling himself they can see right through it.  “if you’re asking, then sure.  i’m a bisexual man, so yes, my partner is also a man.  this is the first time i’ve ever announced it to the public, actually.”  as if that wasn’t the whole point of today.

“at least your fangirls can keep their hopes up, then, yeah?  still got a 50/50 shot!  and i’ve got to say, i feel honored you trusted me and my show with a milestone like this.  coming out certainly is a big deal, or at least nerve wracking!  how do you feel?” she laughs.  “is it like a weight lifted from your shoulders?”

“i was never too stressed about it.”  lies.  “some will hate, sure, but my job is the game.  if my fans are true then this won’t change that.  speaking of,” and then it’s back to exy.

wymack drives them back to palmetto, and when they’re close enough he says, “i’m proud of you for doing that.”

“thanks.”

“where am i dropping you off?”

kevin knows andrew and neil probably watched the interview, and he doesn’t feel like dealing with whatever they’ve got to say about it.  so wymack drops him at dalton’s who hugs him as soon as he opens the door.

“you watched?”

“of course.”  he kisses his cheek.

all posts/updates relating to this au can be found in the “OC: dalton miller” tag!

extra content

[thatgirlwithtoomanyships]

my favorite sophitz hcs for ur daily dose of the best ship in kotlc

sophie has a designated napping chair in fitzs room that she sleeps on after school

they have telepathic conversations whenever theyre bored in class which turns into competitions on who can distract the other the most or fitz trying to make sophie blush as much as possible

telepathy classes are both their favorite time of the day because they basically just talk for an hour straight

every five minutes one of them will burst into laughter or start blushing to which tiergan just rolls his eyes and shakes his head at

sophie finds out fitz can paint nails very well because biana and makes him paint her nails all the time

splotching matches become so competitive like very competitive

the gym has to be absolutely covered in mattresses in case of another brain push incident and elwin is there on standby

keefe collects bets from prodigies on who will win, biana sells pins that kids replace their family crests with for the entire day, and dex records the match so they can mock the loser by playing the video many, many times

they usually end up in a tie until one of them says something funny/distracting and they lose focus

the best match will always be when fitz teasingly calls her sweetheart and the splotch instantly hits sophie in the arm

she calls him a cheater and he laughs at her blushing face but its okay because when theyre about to kiss, sophie takes another splotch and dunks it on his head

OH AND fitz stands by her locker everyday since shes always late and hands her a baked good or a jug or coffee

speaking of baked goods, sophie cannot bake at all, at least in the elvin world (that one time she did was w Edaline and she mostly just watched her conjure things up)

apparently their deep connection and trust and them being the most powerful cognates, does not help them in baking

“What did you do?!!” “Nothing! I just put it in the oven at 350 degrees-“ “350?!? Are you insane, Soph?!” “What is it meant to be?” “Fifty!” “FIFTY?!”

even verdi would not eat it

but when theyre not burning the house down- i mean baking, they usually hang-out in fitz or sophies room, but most often they’re out by calla’s tree

fitz would be reading a book while sophie would be listening to music from her ipod

when they start having dancing classes for their school gala, sophie is her usual clumsy self so fitz offers to teach her while they sit outside

sophie would play music and they’d dance with their books scattered around them until the sun started to set and when she would laugh, fitz would spin her around and they realized that it wasn’t just the leaves from the tree that were falling anymore

the first time edaline spotted them she nearly fainted and quickly called grady to come over

he was just about to barge out of the house and get all over-protective when sophie leaned her head against fitz’s chest and closed her eyes. fitz just looked down at her adoringly, his teal eyes sparkling in the sunlight

Grady sighed and decided maybe it wasnt so bad that his daughter had another boy in her life that made her happy, even if the boy might make her happier than he did

THAT STILL DIDN’T STOP HIS DAD SPEECH FROM BEING VERY THREATENING THO

GRADY WAS SURE TO BRING IN THE FACT THAT HE WAS A MESMER MANY TIMES

sophie had never laughed harder than when she saw fitz come into her room after he talked with grady

“It’s not funny! I’m honestly shocked my echo didn’t start up again!” “You’re so pale you look faded!”

one funny day, sophie was so sleepy that she somehow accidentally put on fitz’s crest that he had forgotten at her house and she didn’t notice until he saw her and broke out into a grin

“So that’s where my other crest went.”

ALSO after many games and very quick wins, they are officially banned from playing base quest together on the same team

when shes serious or wants to annoy him, sophie uses fitz’s full name

“You wouldn’t, Sophie.” “You never know, Fitzroy.”

it leads to a lot of tickle fights but hey what can you do

fitzs favorite color is red because sophie looks very pretty in red and also because mr snuggles is red and mr snuggles reminds him of sophie who looks very pretty in red

[takaraphoenix]

Leverage: Redemption Thoughts

Okay so I finished all episodes we got this far and I wanted to put my thoughts into a more coherent post.

I admit, I was scared of this revival for multiple reasons.

Nowadays, when something old is brought back, it is for the money and without the heart usually. This has all the heart, this is peak Leverage, it lives up to everything the show has always been. Completely... fluently fitting into the canon.

The actors all still got the characters in their hearts and you can feel that.

I was a bit scared when I heard Sophie would be back but Nate wouldn’t. What, a break-up? She couldn’t live without crime after all? Admittedly, dead Nate is... sad and upsetting, but it fits the narrative, it also explains why they get back together now, after all these years.

I was also skeptical about Noah Wyle - I love the man, I was incredibly excited to read he joins the crew, but I thought with the lack of Nate, that he would fill in that role. Be a mastermind who gathers the team and takes it over. That he’s the new guy who has to learn the ropes is great. (It is also just great to see Noah and Christian reunited and playing off each other again, even if their roles are so vastly different here.)

It’s sad that Hardison is only in the first two episodes and I do hope that he will play a bigger role again in the second half of the season, but at least they explain his absence well and give him a replacement with his sister.

Now, Breanna. I have to admit, I do find it inherently weird that TV shows more often don’t have a problem with casting dark-skinned black men but when casting women, they choose the lightest skinned black women. I know that Alec and Breanna aren’t blood-related, but it still stands out that Hardison leaves and his role is filled by a woman, but they cast her incredibly light-skinned. It’s something I find myself noticing more and more in TV shows, particularly in those that include both black women and black men in contrast to each other.

That being said, I think the actress does a tremendous job, she fits into the team very easily as a little sister type, the character is very lovable and funny and snarky and also brings some fresh air with the voice of a younger generation.

However, I am a little put out that her queerness is only dropped in one line and then never addressed again so far. Yes, the moment was very raw and authentic, but that there was no follow-up at all so far - and yes, eight episodes aren’t that much, but they are also still eight whole episodes. There could have been a scene at the end of the episode where any of the team members take her aside and have a heart-to-heart with her where she could have come out properly. I do hope the second half of the season rectifies this and perhaps gives her the time opportunity to have a crush on a girl or even potentially a girlfriend. Fingers crossed. (I am very pleased that the show updates itself in including some queerness at all.)

I was honestly expecting us to meet at least one of the Leverage teams though. Again, these were eight whole episodes after all and the first one already set it up that there is a whole international network of Leverage teams that our trio coordinates. Really thought at least one team would pop up in this half already, but definitely expecting it in the second half then.

I would like to see the marshall again, she seemed like an interesting character to maybe pop up occasionally - like our dear, slightly useless FBI agents from the original run. (Though, wondering if Agent Mcsweeten might cameo at one point? I always had a soft spot for the occasionally recurring characters.)

At which point I am wondering if the show is going to bring Mark Sheppard back too, but I think I’m starting to lose myself in wishful, hopeful thinking. Still, it would be nice to have a few more callbacks to the original run in the future. I also hope there is a future. I see this referred to as season 1 a lot on listings, so I am hoping that this isn’t just a one-season revival.

Speculations aside, I think this is brilliant. It’s everything I could have hoped for in a revival, it continues in the tradition and spirit of the old show, with nearly the full cast returned, the writing is just as funny, suspenseful and engaging as it has ever been and I love these characters so much that just seeing them again makes me incredibly happy.

If you ever enjoyed Leverage, you should definitely give this a try and not be scared off by fears of potential failure. And if you haven’t watched Leverage - go and watch it and then continue on with Leverage: Redemption.

[fiction-boys-rule]

Imagine...joining the Leverage team and liking Eliot.

Pairing: Eliot Spencer/(Y/N)

Warnings: slight violence, fluff

Word Count: 2,200

Boring real life has been very stressful lately so writing has been non existent. If any of you have any ideas or requests, I am happy to take them. The characters I write for are very limited and this year I’m working on changing that, so my apologies. Hope you enjoy :)

You blow out the candles, smiling as the team claps and cheers. Nate holds up his glass from his position on the couch, making you roll your eyes and smile. 

“Did you make a wish?” Parker asks, gazing up at you. 

“Yeah.” 

“What was it?” Hardison asks. 

Parker quickly slaps his forearm, making him protest and glare over at her. 

“What the-“

“You know that if you say a birthday wish out loud it doesn’t count!”

“Why not? That’s kids stuff.” He frowns.

“It doesn’t come true! And it’s not kids stuff!” Parker glares at him. 

“Alright, guys. I won’t say my wish, okay? Let’s just have some cake.” You intervene.

Sophie smiles over at you before you cut the cake and serve everyone. Later, you gratefully take a glass of whiskey from Nate and enjoy the silence of the apartment. Everyone else has gone off to do other things while Nate and you  decided to stay behind. 

“I know I promised I wouldn’t say my wish, but can I still say it?”

Nate leans back in his chair, lazily looking over at you.

“Well, I don’t believe in those things. If you don’t put it out there and chase it, how will you get it? I guess you can consider me the devils advocate here.”

“Alright. I’ll indulge you. My wish was to finally be able to go out and help you guys.”

“Help us?” He eyes you warily.

“Yeah. I mean I know I do already in my own way but I just really want to see what it’s like out there. Even if it’s just being in the background.”

“You’re already in the background. With Hardison. Safe background.”

You roll your eyes.

“Not what I meant. Don’t you want me to see how this works? I mean you always complain that I don’t get it. So let me get it. Come on. I promise I’ll listen to you and play it safe. But let me have some fun, please!”

“That’s the problem. It’s not ‘fun’ out there, kid. It’s a job. I don’t know if you can handle it.”

“Handle it? You know what I can’t handle? Hardison for one more day! No offense to him but I can’t stand another day stuck with him in that hot van! I can’t, Nate! I’m going crazy! Stir crazy! Can you at least let me do this once? Please!”

“What’s so bad with Hardison?”

“Parker this, Parker that. He’s always talking about her and I wouldn’t mind it if he actually went and told her how he feels! He reminds me of someone I know and I can’t stand it!”

“That person you know is that bad?”

“Yes, he is! And he’s not granting me my birthday wish!”

You lean back and sigh, glaring at him. He sighs, holding his face in his hands. 

“Bad enough I have to accommodate everyone else and now you? You’re the one I like because you never ask for anything!”

“I’m asking for one thing and suddenly you don’t like me?”

He grumbles, sighing heavily and rubbing his face. 

“The alcohols not going to kill me, it’s going to be you or Sophie.”

“Oh, I guarantee you that. We’re already planning your murder. We have plans A to C done. How much does your ex hate you by the way?”

He suddenly looks up and sends you an annoyed glare. You laugh softly, running your fingertips on the rim of your glass. 

“You remember how I had that friend whose dad owns a whiskey company? Well, they offer care packages for people they know and the discounts are so good. But it’s not my favorite and I don’t want it to go to waste. Don’t want my friend to think I’m taking advantage of them. But they did offer me a full tour of their distillery. Full of test tasting, complimentary dinner, drinks-“

“Sophie is going to kill me.” He groans, shaking his head side to side.

“Well that was going to happen either way.”

He groans, taking a bigger swig. 

“Just listen to everyone and don’t get in the way of them doing their job. I’m pairing you with Eliot. So far you’ve been getting along. I think he likes you.”

“Likes me?” You stutter. 

How would Nate know about your crush on Eliot? How would anyone know?

“Yeah, well he brings you your favorite drink every day and he got you that gift.”

“He doesn’t like me.”

“I’m not doing this right now. Leave me in peace and regret and I’ll update the team later.”

You slowly get up and smile as soon as you close his office door. Checkmate.

Time Skip

"While I'm proud of you, we don't know who we are dealing with exactly. You've seen it before. Us, the professionals, even get in trouble sometimes. But we trust Nate to make a plan to bail us out." 

You frown as you see all of the orange soda in the fridge. Choosing to just grab bottled water, you close it and turn to a very worried looking Sophie. 

"I'm going with Eliot. It'll be fine. I’ll be fine." 

"By any chance, did you have a say in who you were joining?" 

She peers innocently at you. 

"No. Nate just said and I went along with it." 

You take a swig and watch as she looks away. 

"Ah, I see.” 

“Why?" 

"It's nothing." 

She gives you one last undecipherable look before heading to the couch and sitting next to Parker. You frown. Even being with the team almost a year, you didn't know everyone that well yet. When you had applied for a “secretary title with a concoction of ever changing duties” position working alongside Nate, this was the last thing you expected. You’re glad you took a risk and gave them the benefit of the doubt. It took a while to gain their trust, but they eventually liked you and included you more and more in what they actually did. It was probably because they liked the extra manpower and variety than their already established and constant team members. You sit on the couch and wait for Nate to come reveal the big plan. 

"So, you're tagging along with Eliot?" Hardison asks while typing away at his laptop. 

"Uh, yeah." 

He clicks his tongue while shaking his head. 

"You're going to regret it. Eliot isn't the best or easiest to work with." 

“Then who is?" 

He looks over at you with a “really?” look.

"Obviously me. I would love to teach someone my skills." 

You nod slowly and laugh. 

“What's so funny?" 

"Eliot also said that about you, remember?" 

"You mean the Denzel case?" 

"Yeah." 

"He doesn't know what he's talking about." 

You laugh and look over at the door opening. You see Eliot and he comes in, sitting next to you. 

"Hey." You smile. 

"Hey. Where's Nate?" 

"Probably getting drunk in his office. Want me to go get him?" 

"You shouldn't. He'll come out eventually. Probably thinking about his big plan." Sophie says. 

"Alright! Is the whole team here?" 

You all turn your heads towards Nate. 

Time Skip

"A basement is a pretty bad place to hide a bunch of cash. Just saying." You mumble as you follow Eliot through a hallway. 

“Yeah, well some people aren't as smart as others." 

You quickly turn your head around a corner to check for any guards. 

"You know, I thought you would be mad, or even annoyed, that Nate let me tag along." 

He turns his head around a corner. 

"Yeah, well I think it's a good way to learn something. I like to teach. Just don’t make Hardison my student.” he grumbles.

You run towards a door. He opens it and you squeeze in. 

"Alright. That's the control room. See a metal box?" Hardison says. 

You tune out Hardison's orders to Eliot while you look for any guards. 

“Hey, I'm going to go check the other door. That should be the door to the basement. If it's a basement." You whisper. 

Eliot nods, cutting a cord. 

"Yeah, go. Tell me if you see anything." 

"Y/N, be careful. Just because there haven't been any guards yet, doesn't mean you should get confident." Nate says. 

"I'll be fine. The door is right here." You whisper.

You open it and look in. 

"It's just a big room with nothing in it. Just some vaults. There could be something in here.“ 

You hear footsteps behind you and turn to greet Eliot before a fist comes at you and you feel pain before darkness greets you.

"Y/N, hey. Hey. It's okay. How you feeling?" 

You groan, adjusting your eyes to a bright light. Your head is pounding and your jaw is feeling sore.

"What? Where am I?" 

"She's alive!" Parker yells, making you grimace.

"You okay, Y/N?" Nate asks. 

Eliot clears his throat forcefully. 

"A guard found you. Knocked you out pretty good. The guard blew us. We're going to have to find another way out. You okay? Not feeling dizzy? You might have a concussion."

"Yeah, I'm fine. What about the basement?" 

"Forget about it. We just need to get out of here." 

“We could use the window in the basement. It's small, but I bet we could fit. It leads to the backyard. All we have to do is run across the yard in the blind spot of the cameras, climb the fence and we're out of here." 

"You remember all of that? Damn, Nate. She deserves a promotion." Hardison says. 

"Thanks." You say softly.

Eliot shakes his head, "Lets get out of here, then." 

The moon is bright after you had escaped the house and were waiting for the team to pick you up. You were leaning against a wall next to Eliot, letting the cool night breeze hit your face. You were listening to Hardison and Nate bicker about something. 

"Thanks for uh-saving me, I guess." You say suddenly, breaking the silence. 

Eliot looks over at you. He motions for you to take out the ear pieces and you do. He takes yours and his, and puts them in his pockets. 

"What was that for?" You ask. 

“We don't need to hear Hardison complaining. We get that enough already." He says. 

You both laugh. 

“But seriously. Thanks for helping me. But I just want you know for the future I would rather get caught than risk-" 

He shakes his head, frowning. 

"I don't like to think about that. Point is, it didn't happen." 

You nod, looking at the moon. 

"I think you did good. For your first time. I wouldn't mind having you tag along again." He says. 

You smile, looking into his beautiful blue eyes. "Thanks. I enjoyed myself. And I think I’ll have a bump on my head to remind me about this little adventure." 

“Well, at least you’ll still have a head, darlin’.” 

You both laugh softly. He moves to stand in front of you and lays a hand on the wall.

"Just be more careful next time, alright? I don't want anything bad happening to you." 

"What, I worry Big Bad Eliot?" You tease. 

“Yes, you do." He says. 

His low voice sends shivers down your spine. He slowly starts to lean in until his face is inches from yours. His eyes gaze at you softly. You move a hand up to his neck and gently move him closer. You both close your eyes as his lips place a small kiss on yours. Soft and slow. You shiver from an incoming gust of wind and pull him closer. You kiss him back harder as his other arm hugs your waist. He grips your waist harder and pushes you more against the wall. You moan, gently scratching at his neck. As he pulls away slowly, he bites your lower lip. He moves back and nuzzles his face in your neck. His lips press against your shoulder blade and his facial hair tickles your skin. 

“Happy Birthday, Y/N.” He whispers. 

You bite your lip and your arms surround his back. 

“Two gifts in one day. Wow.” 

You both laugh softly and he kisses your neck, holding you and comforting you with his warmth.

"So...." you whisper. 

He pulls back to look down at your face and smiles.

"So...the team is here." 

You quickly look over and see the van waiting at the end of the alley. Eliot grabs your hand and motions with his head. You smile and walk beside him as he leads you to the curb. He opens the van door and Hardison's shocked face greets you. 

"One time. One time. And Eliot's stupid charm overtakes you. Unbelievable." 

You laugh and hide your blush as you get in the van, sitting next to Eliot. 

"So, I take that it went well?" Nate asks, looking at you with a knowing look.

“Yeah. Perfect." Eliot says, looking over at you with a smile. 

You blush and lay your head on his shoulder. 

“Surprising but it worked out in the end.” You chuckle.

Nate laughs, shaking his head as Hardison mumbles rapidly, driving all of you away.

[kareofbears]

persona 5 strikers thoughts and feelings

This is going to be a long post. Like, the type of post you’d only really have time to read when you’re trying to sleep but you’re not ready to be unconscious yet so you’re just looking for something to do to spend your time with minimal effort. 

So in 2018, a masterpiece was born into the world: Into the Spider-verse was released and it was amazing—it’s honestly the best spiderman movie we have without a doubt, and it’ll be very far into the future before Spider-verse is beaten as the best spiderman movie. Them’s the facts. Then in 2019, Spider-man: Far From Home was dropped. It’s a great movie! Great characters, great continuation of who these characters are and works fantastic as a continuation of a story. It’s really hard trying to take the torch of a previous movie (or in Marvel’s case, juggling twenty something movies) and come up with a new movie that both works on its own, as well as being the next step in this series of films. Thus, with that idea in mind, I think it’s kind of unfair to judge into the spiderverse and far from home, because these are two movies with two completely different objectives in mind. 

Okay, so this is still a persona 5 strikers post, I promise, but the idea is the same: Persona 5 could basically do whatever it wanted—new story, new characters, new everything, and it’s just plain old awesome. However, Persona 5 strikers did not have that sort of freedom. It was bound to the original game, and it had its own rules and stuff it had to keep intact, characters they had to work with, and on top of that, it had to justify its existence as a sequel (lets pretend money doesnt exist lmfao). 

SO, the big question is: did it do that? Did it justify its existence? 

And my answer: holy fuck did it ever do that

I came into this game knowing the extreme bare minimum. I knew there was someone named Sophia, and i knew there was roadtrip, and i knew there were Personas. That’s my knowledge of it before i played it on the Switch.  I should also clarify like, early on, that i was not expecting anything from this game. At all. I was the world’s biggest cynic of this game—if you scroll down my p5s tag far enough, youll just see me complaining about a game that hasn’t even come out yet. I was fully expecting to have this be a Waifu show, and any male character that isn’t Akira to just be shoved aside like some kind of nerd in a high school hallway, and i have never been more pleased to be wrong. In fact, i actually owe it an apology, because of how fucking rude i was for no reason!!! Because this game deserves everything to be honest. 

Persona 5 strikers is, frankly, insane. Insane in the sense that it got to pull shit off that just would never have existed in the original game, because the original game is scared. It had to be as impressive as possible and garner as much attention as possible. Strikers does not have that problem—every single person who bought that game does not need to be convinced that persona 5 is a good game. They already played it. That means Atlus can just fuck around and have a good time, and man did they have a good time. There’s still scenes that still shock me if i think about it too hard, because i’m used to atlus having to follow this sort of rule set when it comes to persona 5 (or any of the main games im assuming, but i havent played them.) And on top of that, there’s still shit that’s Atlus Trademarked Branded in a good way. The style of story of story telling, and revealing the mystery that is so integral to what p5 is, is still there. 

So, to make this even a little bit comprehensible, i will make a list! 

First of all, What is this game?

In short, this game is an OVA of an anime. It’s bonus side content that has one thing in mind: to showcase these lovable characters more by putting them in fun situations. That’s it, and it is just phenomenal. That was the main point of, i’d say, like forty hours of the game. It’s just fun times with fun characters. 

But to get deeper of what i think is happening, or what they were thinking during the development, is that this is a second opportunity. Persona 5 (as we all know) had a lot of problems, and we were not quiet about those problems. We yelled it all out, made posts, made complaints on every social media platform ever. And Atlus heard all of them, and Strikers is a way to mitigate those mistakes. Aside from being a fun OVA, Strikers also works to be a deeper exploration of these characters—more specifically, the characters that did not receive much in the original game. Creating this sequel is having the ability to redo what they felt (or to be more specific, we felt) in the original game while adding new ones. I will get to that in a second.  

The format of the game 

Absolutely brilliant to throw them on a road trip. P5V already forced us to experience Shibuya for 200+ hours, and im so glad that they didn’t do that again. Going from town to town, making us experience these new places alongside our favorite characters is so good, and it just makes sense. It’s fun, it’s lighthearted, and it’s actually shockingly good. But one thing i do want to talk about early on is the way the story unfolds and the villains that they use, and what they do with it because it’s very interesting. 

So as we explore japan and stuff, we encounter jails, and with those jails comes an antagonist. This antagonist works to be a parallel to one of our characters. That character will find it in their hearts to feel bad for the antagonist, because the antagonist could have been them had the original game not happen. At first I thought all of the thieves were gonna get an antagonist, and i was really hyped for the ryuji one. And then came to hour forty of the game where i realized “yeah that’s not gonna happen. There’s just not enough time.” And i was right, and the game ended. But i am not salty at all, honestly, because the people who got a direct antagonist were: Ann, Yusuke, and Haru. (we wont count zen and sophie). 

Is there a trend??? Yes. these are all characters in the original game that have received the worst treatment by atlus. The three of them are basically cast aside the minute they finished their original arc, and its horrible! BUT that’s why this is the path that atlus chose for them—to give them more depth, and screentime, and a way to show their inner self. That isn’t to say that the ones who aren’t those three (makoto, futaba, mona, akira, ryuji) didn’t get anything. Futaba still has her thing at the end with ichinose, and she was very prevalent and animated during the rest of the game. Mona and Akira have to be a focal points, that’s just the nature of the game. The other two though, I will talk about in depth in a second.  

Makoto

Y’all i poke fun at shumako fans sometimes cause its kind of easy and fun, but i honestly love makoto. In my very first playthrough of p5 (my first ever jrpg game, first persona game, i had no idea what i was doing), i had only maxed out two characters: ryuji and makoto. And i know she had a lot of screentime and love in the original game which is great, but i truly felt like she was dissed in this game. Her only roles were

A driver

Someone to tell them “we don’t have a choice. Let’s keep going and see where this takes us.” (seriously, if you replay this game, you will see how much she does this)

Idk, i just wish she had more to do, especially compared to how much love they gave the other characters. 

But let’s talk about some of the new characters! 

Zenkichi

Damn you atlus. Damn you and your insistence at bringing in cop characters. I was fully on board with hating zenkichi, i was fucking ready for it. I was convinced that there was nothing they could do convince to like zenkichi. I was immune to their copaganda. 

And then i ended up loving him, which makes me sad a little bit. I didn’t realize how desperate i was to have an adult who has a persona. Someone who wants the world to change just as much as they do, while still having that aspect of them that makes them adult. Like??? As someone who is technically an adult, its a breath of fresh air. An adult. Who fights. For justice. Using a persona. And god i love akane so much, and her obsession with the thieves (that scene is probably in my top ten fave scenes of the game). Also what i loved about zenkichi is that he fucking hates the cops!! He hates the system of the cops!! And thats why i actually really started to love him!! Because i thought it was atlus saying that the systematic problem of the police cannot be solved by one person, and zenkichi threw away his badge. I actually cried at that part!! 

But then he became a cop again, and i was just :/ but as a character, i really love him to bits and would love to do a study on him, or at least use him as an outside pov. But! i absolutely love his persona, since im a les miserables fan hehe

Sophia 

she’s probably my favorite new aspect of the game. I was ready to not like her—again, i just suck like that, lmfao—and when i saw her, i was scared that she was just another waifu. I mean, she was very cute after all. But then as the game went on, i thought she was a little too cute. And even further into the game, i finally slapped myself in the face and realized oh my god shes not a waifu. Shes a sister. 

That blew my mind, im ngl to you. A female character that isn’t supposed to be romanced? By jove, what a miracle! 

And she…is an amazing character. Im sorry, i just love her so much. I love her so much that she  probably ranks as my fifth or sixth favorite character which is surprising even to me. Everything about her is delightful and invigorating. She’s funny??? Her comedic timing is amazing, and she has such chemistry with the rest of the team. She’s actually useful to the plot, and while her character design is a little too on the nose for me in terms of cuteness (i mean, good god she’s wearing oversized sweater to show how cute and tiny she is, and her hair has literal hearts in it), she is absolutely lovable. 

But what i actually really wanna gush about for a second is sophia at the last stage of the game. You get the idea, i dont really like to get excited over things, so at this point i figured that there was nothing this game could do to shock me. 

And then sophia had a persona awakening. 

Like. holy fuck did i yell. I didnt realize what was happening until the music had already kicked in. and its just so fucking smart!!! Sophia??? The ai?? With no heart?? gOT A PERSONA???? AWAKENING??? BECAUSE SHE LEARNED WHAT THE HEART IS AND THE PASSION THAT YOU NEED IN ORDER TO GET A PERSONA??? I started crying honestly, because it was just so smart. And looking back on it now, its obvious!! Of course it would lead to this, it only made sense that the culmination of her character arc leads to her getting a persona, nothing else would have been as good. Also, her voice actor is just amazing?? When she was talking to ichinose at the end, i actually got incredibly emotional because of the line reads. Its just so spot on and it really captures the essence of sophia.

Muah. five stars Atlus. You got me. 

Ryuji <3!!!!

Oh man. Oh boy. Okay. so where do i start. 

Yall know i love him. Hes probably my favorite fictional male character of all time, and he is the one i was the absolute most cynical about in this game. I was expecting literally nothing. Nothing. Like. nothing. I thought he was just gonna keep being used as a joke, or a gag, and he’s gonna be super horny all the time for the other girls and it was gonna make me mad and there was gonna be some insane homophobic/queerphobic jokes in every other scene and i know i was being unfair, but i cant help it. 

And then i played the first two hours of the game, and i cried the entire time. Because ryuji has never been better than he is in this game. Its crazy. 

The ryuji in persona 5 strikers is who ryuji should have been/how he should have been treated this entire time. From the actual funny jokes (for example, the gold bar joke + his reaction to it in the beginning of the game), defending his female friends instead of being the one people need to defend from (natsume arc), and the fact that he was the one to be there with morgana and akira in the very beginning of the game. Its such a small thing that they didnt even need to do, but it was such an integral part of the original game for me, that i just was convinced that nothing like this was going to happen. But then it happened. Its just small stuff like that that could have been overlooked but it wasn’t because this game? Persona 5 strikers? Fucking loves ryuji. 

The actual respect they gave this boy is insane and i wasn't ready for it. Like, they gave the shujin trio lunch, they gave the little charm of the katana when they were in natsume’s jail, and, in my opinion this is the second-best thing that they could have given ryuji is sophia. Ryuji and sophia are the pinnacle of a brother & sister bonding relationship in the game that isn’t akira & futaba. And its really prevalent too?? Small stuff from the beginning of the game (pulling her out of a jail, calling her shorty), but then you have the iconic “shut the fuck up” scene, and that scene was so well characterized and written and voice acted, that somehow him saying “fuck” was the least exciting part of that scene to me. Ryuji is an older brother to her, like its undoubtable, and its only further cemented at the end of the game where Ryuji helps out ichinose because he knows how much sophia cares about her. This game. Love ryuji. And i love. This game. 

You know what else i love? Akiryu. 

Guys. i was fully prepared to starve in terms of akiryu. But theres just. So much of it. I wont get too deep into it, because i think this aspect of the game for me still needs marinate a little bit. Like, what was that last shot when EMMA died and Ryuji walked to approach Akira so they could relish in their victory together?? And the smile from both of them??? What the fuck. That was amazing. Also Joker being saved by Ryuji when he was about to fall from the cliff to save sophia??? WHAT. The LEADER AND HIS RIGHT HAND MAN? WHAT. anyway. If theres anything i want to keep for myself in my own brain, its the akiryu aspect of this game, so i wont talk too much about that part of things (instead, itll probably manifest in fic lmfaooo). 

Sure, there’s tidbits of stuff i dont like that they gave ryuji: sexualizing ann in that one cut scene and making him touch the jails even though it hurts, and i recognize those and frown at them, but for the most part, i am blown away with how they treated him.

Basically, Ryuji has never been better. From the opening of the game with him being the first text message and the one to sling his arm around akira, to the very last cut scene where it was ryuji wordlessly leaving because he’s so confident that they would never be separated for long, this game adores Ryuji and i am so so happy to say that.

The Royal aspect of things

Yeah, i had to talk about this, but itll be a short thing i just wanted to point out. Because the last part of this game...is persona 5 royal. Which is curious. Like taking reality and giving that power to someone else so you dont have to experience suffering anymore? And even like, the final section just looked a lot like the top half of maruki’s palace?? And whats even crazier is that we had a boss fight with sophia, just like how we had a boss fight with sumire? Royal and Strikers have like, the same thesis statement. It’s kind of uncanny.It’s interesting, it’s like atlus came up with these two ideas, and then just decided they liked both of them so much that they just did it twice. I don’t mind though—actually, in terms of how the last Palace/Jails go, i probably like them both about equally. 

Though i did love the final battle in this one more than i did in royal. Splitting into teams?? Thats cool as fuck, and really innovative and i didnt see it coming. It also kicked my ass. A lot. 

Now for the last stretch: the small stuff!

The music — bomb as fuck. In my heart, Daredevil is ranked the same as Rivers. Axe to grind is also amazing, but Daredevil owns me

Akechi — i really debated whether or not to talk about him, but i figured a bullet point should be enough. Im really shocked that he wasnt in this at all. Like not even a name drop. If this is an OVA, and the point of the game is to please the fans, and akechi is arguably the fan favorite character, i was really ready for something. But there was nothing, except for the pancake hallway if that even counts as a reference. Thats it. Thats all i wanted to say about him.

The humour — FUCKING HILARIOUS im convinced that in my fifty hour playtime, five of that is dedicated to me laughing and unable to continue the game 

Akira — so much personality! His lines of dialogue are crazy sometimes (like. Whats up with him saying Ryuji has ‘nice abs’ when they were in bath? Im crazy and even i dont know what the fuck that could mean) 

Battle system — oh my god i almost forgot to talk about this. I love it! I kind of miss the turn based aspect just because i found it very comforting for some reason, but this hack and slash style of gameplay is so invigorating because i do feel like it justifies shit like the baton pass and huge attacks.  This battle system fully encompases how the Phantom Thieves are supposed to fight, you know what i mean?

Anyway, thats my thoughts on strikers. Loved it. Amazing. 9.3/10, wouldve been higher but Konoe’s Jail almost bored me to death. Also im a monster and i didnt do any requests that isn’t a fun one, teehee. As if i play persona 5 for the persona aspect of things.

[theheightofdishonor]

Top 10 Battles in the Metal Saga (in no particular order)

Kyoya-Ryuga 

There aren’t many battles that are just about raw power the way this one is. The whole thing is just so extra, from ruining the stadium before the battle even begins to ending with Ryuga’s possession and Kyoya passing out with a dragon’s tail going through his chest. The power-play between these two is riveting. And on top of that, it’s the closest anyone but Gingka and Nemesis ever gets to beating Ryuga. However, it does annoy me that Kyoya is the only one of Ryuga’s opponents in Battle Bladers who comes out unaffected in the long-term. After their respective battles, Hikaru retires from Beyblade, Tsubasa suffers with possession, and both experience a healthy dose of PTSD but apparently, Kyoya gets away with no signs of it? I call bullshit. 

2.Da Xian - Julian 

If you didn’t love Da Xiang before, you had to after this battle. It did a brilliant job of highlighting how good Dashan is at manipulating people, and doing so “coolly, and brilliantly”. Dashan sees the scene as the opportunity it is and coaxes Julian from a disheartened shell of his former self to someone who’s willing to try again without the man even knowing. Oh, and he gets Julian to appreciate the value of his friends too. And beats him in battle easily. And delivers, “You think you and I are alike? That’s an insult, ” decimating Julian’s remaining pride. Talk about being cool. (Chao Xin should definitely take pointers)

3. Gingka vs 100 (supposedly) Face Hunters 

I had a hard time choosing between this and the battle earlier in the episode where Gingka first saves Kenta from Face Hunters, but I think this holds more impact and the one Kenta thinks is more notable. As a fight itself, it’s short compared to some of the other more epic battles on this list, and its placement is more about the consequences of it than the contents of the actual battle itself.  It’s the moment where Kenta’s admiration for Gingka really cements, and the moment that Kyoya takes a serious interest in him, shaping his relationship with two people who will be monumental in his life. Also, Gingka looks super cool and baby Kenta is adorable. 

 4.  Excalibur-Gan Gan Galaxy 

This battle has one of my favourite scenes of ALL TIME- Masamune single-handedly cutting through Sophie and Wales’s joint special move. Let me just take a second to gush about how powerful he is and how much I love him and how he deserves so much more love and did I mention he stopped the twins in their track with ONE MOVE. Your fave could never but if I don’t stop now, i’ll be talking about Masamune all day. 

The visual of Pegasus and Striker moving as one force, with the music crescendoing only for Destroyer to cut them down at the climax, is breathtaking. Seriously, I’ve watched that one scene on repeat and my breath catches. 

I love to see Masamune and Gingka work together as a team, especially because it’s not their preferred dynamic and it doesn’t always come easily to them. But when they try, they’re magic together, partially because they’re so alike. This is the only battle where we get the full force of the Y-Masamune-Gingka dynamic, a god-tier trio who can only possess one brain cell when they’re together because otherwise, they’d be way too strong. Let’s be real. If these morons actually combined their intelligence, they would have crushed Excalibur to dust. We need more scenes with them tbh

As a side note, it was not at all ok��for these guys to crash the festival or for Yu to ruin a culturally important arena. It’s played off way to lightheartedly for my tastes.  It’s not even the only time they’re insensitive- in Fury, Yu and Kyoya damage ancient ruins and Gingka’s group explicitly disobeys orders to not step on a sacred volcano. The whole thing is kinda gross and the Metal Saga should address its serious disregard for other cultures. Sophie losing her shit on a literal 12 year old was funny though. 

5. The Legendary Bladers-Nemesis part 2 

This is a pretty long battle, I linked it to where the battle begins but it doesn’t end until the end of the next episode. There’s a lot about this battle that drives me crazy- like why are you people just letting Kenta destroy himself, why are the strongest bladers in the world who were specifically chosen for this battle unable to withstand for more than two hits, etc  BUT- this is when Ryuga hands over the Star Fragment which is cool and emotional enough to let everything else slide. It’s a pretty satisfying conclusion to the Kenta-Ryuga arc and rings parallel to Metal Fusion down to Ryuga pulling a Storm Pegasus and disappearing into thin air.Which talking about, I will forever be mad Storm Pegasus doesn’t ever come into play after Metal Fusion. Shogun Steel would have been such a perfect time to bring Storm Pegasus back to play and assure in a new era- such wasted potential, but I digress. 

Oh, and friendly reminder that Yu’s Inferno Blast breaks through Rago’s barrier while 8 Legendary Bladers combined couldn’t leave a dent on Nemesis. 

6. Kenta-Reiji

Talking about emotional, if you didn’t cry during this battle, you’re a liar- it’s painful to watch. The entire thing with Kenta using Libra’s performance tip and his insistence that he has to win for Yu- it breaks your heart. Reiji is such a great villain because he does exactly what he’s meant to do- make the audience be invested in him. He’s so unnecessarily cruel, so irredeamable, and this episode drills that into your skull. Even the spectators of the match can’t look on as Reiji tortured Kenta well after Sagittario has stopped spinning. 

7. Easter Island

It would take too long to name everyone involved in this, so i’m not going to. But boy is it a ride You’ve got King starting it off with Chris for insulting/defeating/humiliating Masamune- a noble cause if there ever was one. His impassioned defense of his boyfriend is one of the best speeches/declarations in the Saga and is also 80% of the reason this battle is on the list. The guy has his priorities straight, ok. Gingka says it’s either Masamune’s feelings or the world and King chooses Masamune, no questions, no hesitations. Can’t say I blame him. Especially after seeing the heartbreak on Masamune’s face when Chris insults him. But of course, the world is actually more important so 

 Gingka jumps in to stop King which as Benkai mentions, you can’t stop him from battling by actually battling him, so I don’t know what Gingka was thinking. Johannes’s lackies, including Aguma and the Beylin Fist, joins the battle, prompting Zeo, Toby, etc to also join. Then Ryuga appears and starts draining Chris’s power before Kenta stops him (thus publically revealing their affiliation to the world) and the two disappear. Literally everyone is involved, Johannes tells Chris to “man up” when he dares to show pain that Ryuga is literally stealing his power away but then vanishes because he doesn’t want to face Gingka head on yet. Can you say hypocrite? And while this was all happening, Johannes somehow managed to buy Chris’s loyalties.

It’s insane and so much fun. 

8.Tsubasa-Jack

I didn’t expect to put this on the list but I watched it recently and had a newfound appreciation for it so here it is. While the team battle with Excalibur was the climax of Tsubasa’s arc, this was the resolution. It is arguably Tsubasa’s best battle of the series. He made his recovery with Excalibur, had a practice run with the Garcias, and by this battle, Tsubasa is better than ever. There’s a satisfaction in watching Tsubasa beat Jack with ease. After struggling the entire season, it's very cathartic. There’s this one bit where Jack is complaining about battling Ryuga and how Tsubasa can’t possibly know the disappointment he felt  and Tsubasa snaps, because how fucking dare he, who the fuck did Jack think he is. Again, very cathartic.

Irrelevant, but this episode has some of the best quotes including gems like

 “What is this? A bunch of creepy pictures”; 

“Oh dear Tsubasa” queue Jack asking for a battle; 

“You’re really lacking in the culture department” - Jack to Madoka,  “

The rest of Gan-Gan Galaxy are common, unrefined types”.

 The list never ends. Do yourself a favour and watch the episode.

9. Zoe-Toby-Masamune

This is the only season where there’s no one Final Battle but instead two separate climactic moments- Ryuga and Gingka working together to stop Hades City from melting down(?) and Toby and Zeo  fighting to bring Toby back to normal. 

Unlike the Finales in Fusion and Fury, this one’s private, personal. Not only were Ryuga-Gingka battle and the Battle against Nemesis attended by a lot of people, they were also widely broadcasted across the world. In comparison, Toby, Zeo and Masamune (and Ziggurat at one point) are the only ones to witness the Finale in Masters. It’s a very intimate moment. Their friendship is fractured-Toby's brainwashed,  Zeo was manipulated, and there’s still tension because Masamune left them in a time of need. The two of them are finally confronting just how much their friendship has strained: Masamune never imagined Zeo would resent him when he only ever wanted to fulfill Toby’s wish; he’s almost offended Zeo would think so badly of him. On the other hand, Zeo wrestles between accepting Ziggurat manipulated him but also his very valid resentment towards Masamune. They both hurt each other but get past it and forgive each other for the sake of their best friend. Bey battles are when bladers communicate through each other and in this one, these three use it to find their way back to each other. 

10.  

Gingka-Kyoya

Of course, the list wouldn’t be complete without a Gingka-Kyoya battle. Despite Kyoya being Gingka’s second biggest rival, they only have 3 complete battles with a clear winner. (Kyoya is disqualified in Survival Battle, and neither won in the Championships Team battle or the one in Fury). Despite there being so few options, it was still hard for me to choose because they’re all brilliant and my opinion changes every other day. 

Honestly, I didn’t remember why I chose this battle, so I went back in and re-watched it- SO many thoughts. For one thing, Kyoya sounds like a cheesy bat man villain.  Seriously though, the battle feels so off to me because in this episode, Kyoya is more or less just another evil villain; a pale foreshadow of what Ryuga will become in the Final Battle. I’m not even kidding. This hits almost the exact beats that the Gingka-Ryuga battle will.  I didn’t like this battle when I re-watched it for this post. Gingka and Kyoya’s battles are important because of the history and bond they share and in this battle, neither of those are solidified and it’s just not as satisfying. 

I will admit though that this battle was important for them, mostly Kyoya who was headed towards unhinged-Ryuga territory before Gingka saved him. It kickstarts Kyoya into being the lovable grump we know he’s capable of being and creates a debt towards Gingka which in turn develops into an actual friendship. It’s an important step of their journey and I can’t begrudge it too much ig. If you really want to watch a Gingka-Kyoya battle for non-thematic reasons, though, I recommend the World Championships or the one in Metal Fury Ep 1

[deviant-reads-stuff]

Books I Read Throughout 2020-Part One

For many of us this year has been incredibly stressful and difficult. There were times throughout this year that my mental health had suffered, but there were also times where I couldn't have been happier. If I were to make any comparison to what the year was like, I would say that it was like the scariest and exciting roller coaster that anyone has ever been on. During the year, while the world seemed to burn around us and everything terrible happened, I managed to surpass my reading goal for the year. Something I did not expect to do, especially since I had months where it seemed that I couldn't finish anything. In times like this, I think it's important to take a step back and look to the positive things, even if they are small.

Here I am going to give a brief description of the first 10 books that I read, with a small snippet of what I thought of the books at the time.  

Book One - The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

Finished Reading on January 4, 2020

"It is 1939. Nazi Germany. The country is holding its breath. Death has never been busier, and will be busier still.

By her brother's graveside, Liesel's life is changed when she picks up a single object, partially hidden in the snow. It is The Gravedigger's Handbook, left behind there by accident, and it is her first act of book thievery. So begins a love affair with books and words, as Liesel, with the help of her accordian-playing foster father, learns to read. Soon she is stealing books from Nazi book-burnings, the mayor's wife's library, wherever there are books to be found.

But these are dangerous times. When Liesel's foster family hides a Jew in their basement, Liesel's world is both opened up, and closed down.

In superbly crafted writing that burns with intensity, award-winning author Markus Zusak has given us one of the most enduring stories of our time."

For years I have heard good things about this book and for many, this is an all time favorite. I was excited to pick this one up, especially since I had read

I am the messenger

by this author and loved it.  While I do not view this book as an all time favorite for myself, I do think it was beautifully written. I just personally wished that it was a bit shorter at times as it seemed to drag on. Despite feeling that it was a little long, my favorite part of this book was the role in which Death plays. I won't mention anything more in case some of you are still contemplating picking this one up.

Book Two - All Systems Red (The Murderbot Diaries #1) By Martha Wells

Finished Reading on January 5, 2020

"In a corporate-dominated spacefaring future, planetary missions must be approved and supplied by the Company. Exploratory teams are accompanied by Company-supplied security androids, for their own safety.

But in a society where contracts are awarded to the lowest bidder, safety isn't a primary concern.

On a distant planet, a team of scientists are conducting surface tests, shadowed by their Company-supplied 'droid—a self-aware SecUnit that has hacked its own governor module, and refers to itself (though never out loud) as "Murderbot." Scornful of humans, all it really wants is to be left alone long enough to figure out who it is.

But when a neighboring mission goes dark, it's up to the scientists and their Murderbot to get to the truth."

This was a novella that I greatly enjoyed, but unfortunately I have not kept up with the series. I believe my library did not have the rest of the books and at the time I didn't want to purchase them. As my library continues to get the rest of the series, I will gladly continue to read them. I thought the story was unique, and at times funny. I would highly recommend this series to anyone who wants a science fiction book that is quick and easy read.

Book Three - Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them By Newt Scamander

Finished listening to an Audiobook on January 7,2020

"An approved textbook at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry since publication, Newt Scamander's masterpiece has entertained wizarding families through the generations. Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them is an indispensable introduction to the magical beasts of the Wizarding World. Scamander's years of travel and research have created a tome of unparalleled importance. Some of the beasts will be familiar to readers of the Harry Potter books - the Hippogriff, the Basilisk, the Hungarian Horntail ... Others will surprise even the most ardent amateur Magizoologist. This is an essential companion to the Harry Potter stories, and includes a new foreword from J.K. Rowling (writing as Newt Scamander) and six new beasts!"

I am not one who will usually listen to audio books. I have an incredibly difficult time listening to anything that is over 3 hours because it's hard for me to really concentrate on the storyline. On occasion, though I will listen to them, depending on the length of the title and if the general consensus is that the audiobook is better. Fantastic Beast was a great audio book to listen to when I took my daily walks. I was able to delve a bit deeper into the wizarding world and learn more about the creatures briefly mentioned in Harry Potter.

Now, I do want to briefly bring into attention that I will no longer purchase anything written by JK Rowling. I have always distanced myself from creators as I use books and music to escape, but it has come to my attention that JK Rowling has repeatedly done harm to the trans community. That's not something I agree with or can support in any way shape or form. For those who do continue to purchase and read JK Rowlings work, that is your choice and I will not say anything about it (unless it is actively causing harm here). This is my own personal choice and opinions on JK Rowling.  

Book Four - The Near Witch

Finished Reading on January 9, 2020f

"The Near Witch is only an old story told to frighten children.If the wind calls at night, you must not listen. The wind is lonely, and always looking for company.And there are no strangers in the town of Near.These are the truths that Lexi has heard all her life.

But when an actual stranger-a boy who seems to fade like smoke-appears outside her home on the moor at night, she knows that at least one of these sayings is no longer true.

The next night, the children of Near start disappearing from their beds, and the mysterious boy falls under suspicion. Still, he insists on helping Lexi search for them. Something tells her she can trust him.

As the hunt for the children intensifies, so does Lexi's need to know-about the witch that just might be more than a bedtime story, about the wind that seems to speak through the walls at night, and about the history of this nameless boy.

Part fairy tale, part love story, Victoria Schwab's debut novel is entirely original yet achingly familiar: a song you heard long ago, a whisper carried by the wind, and a dream you won't soon forget."

I am going to be perfectly honest. I will pick up everything that V.E Schwab writes eventually. Including this book, I have read 10 of her books and I have enjoyed every single one of them. The Near Witch is one of V.E Schwab's earlier works that had previously gone out print. Recently, the book has gone back into print and received a cover change. The story takes you to another world with superstitions, magic, and adventures. While it is apparent that this is an early work of V.E Schwab that does not mean that it's not a great book to pick up. This book brought me back to the type of books that I read when I was younger and it was an overall great experience.

Book Five - How's Moving Castle By Diana Wynne Jones

Finished Reading on January 12, 2020

"Sophie has the great misfortune of being the eldest of three daughters, destined to fail miserably should she ever leave home to seek her fate. But when she unwittingly attracts the ire of the Witch of the Waste, Sophie finds herself under a horrid spell that transforms her into an old lady. Her only chance at breaking it lies in the ever-moving castle in the hills: the Wizard Howl's castle.

To untangle the enchantment, Sophie must handle the heartless Howl, strike a bargain with a fire demon, and meet the Witch of the Waste head-on. Along the way, she discovers that there's far more to Howl—and herself—than first meets the eye."

Howl's Moving Castle is probably one of my favorite stories of all time. I first watched the animated film by Studio Ghibli. In all honesty, I have a hard time determining which version is my favorite. The movie and novel do have some differences, but I think both can be enjoyed. Howl's Moving Castle shows how the pressures placed upon us and how we view ourselves can have a negative impact on ourselves, but only if we let it. Sophie struggles with being eldest daughter, and struggles with seeing her worth, but as the story progresses, we see how resilient and strong she is.

Book Six - Bird Box By Josh Malerman

Finished Reading on January 21, 2020

"Something is out there, something terrifying that must not be seen. One glimpse of it, and a person is driven to deadly violence. No one knows what it is or where it came from.

Five years after it began, a handful of scattered survivors remains, including Malorie and her two young children. Living in an abandoned house near the river, she has dreamed of fleeing to a place where they might be safe. Now that the boy and girl are four, it's time to go, but the journey ahead will be terrifying: twenty miles downriver in a rowboat—blindfolded—with nothing to rely on but her wits and the children's trained ears. One wrong choice and they will die. Something is following them all the while, but is it man, animal, or monster?"

I had originally watched the Netflix movie before listening to the audio book. I was curious about the book as I noticed a lot of people was divided on whether or not the movie was better than the book. Although I thought the audio book was great, I definitely enjoyed the movie more. Normally this is never the case, but I thought the book was adapted well onto the screen. What are your thoughts on it? Was the movie better than the book?

Book Seven - Skyward By Brandon Sanderson

Finished Reading on January 25, 2020

"Defeated, crushed, and driven almost to extinction, the remnants of the human race are trapped on a planet that is constantly attacked by mysterious alien starfighters. Spensa, a teenage girl living among them, longs to be a pilot. When she discovers the wreckage of an ancient ship, she realizes this dream might be possible—assuming she can repair the ship, navigate flight school, and (perhaps most importantly) persuade the strange machine to help her. Because this ship, uniquely, appears to have a soul."

Skyward was the first Bandon Sanderson book that I've ever picked up, shocking I know. I was not disappointed at all. Skyward brought me out this world and I found myself rooting for the girl who fought for everything that she's ever had. If you haven't picked this ne up yet, what are you waiting for?

Book Eight - The Name of the Wind By Patrick Rothfuss

Finished Reading on January 30, 2020

"My name is Kvothe.I have stolen princesses back from sleeping barrow kings. I burned down the town of Trebon. I have spent the night with Felurian and left with both my sanity and my life. I was expelled from the University at a younger age than most people are allowed in. I tread paths by moonlight that others fear to speak of during day. I have talked to Gods, loved women, and written songs that make the minstrels weep. You may have heard of me.

So begins a tale unequaled in fantasy literature--the story of a hero told in his own voice. It is a tale of sorrow, a tale of survival, a tale of one man's search for meaning in his universe, and how that search, and the indomitable will that drove it, gave birth to a legend."

I first read this book in 2015 and picked it up again earlier in the year. I personally feel like I enjoyed the book more the second time around. It's a lengthy and often slow story of a man telling the story of his life. I have often described this book as having a similar ambiance to The Lord of The Rings and Harry Potter. Don't get me wrong though, this is a completely different story of those two series, but I couldn't help but draw a comparison.

Book Nine - Red, White, and Blue By Casey McQuiston

 Finished Reading on February 15, 2020

"First Son Alex Claremont-Diaz is the closest thing to a prince this side of the Atlantic. With his intrepid sister and the Veep’s genius granddaughter, they’re the White House Trio, a beautiful millennial marketing strategy for his mother, President Ellen Claremont. International socialite duties do have downsides—namely, when photos of a confrontation with his longtime nemesis Prince Henry at a royal wedding leak to the tabloids and threaten American/British relations.

The plan for damage control: staging a fake friendship between the First Son and the Prince. Alex is busy enough handling his mother’s bloodthirsty opponents and his own political ambitions without an uptight royal slowing him down. But beneath Henry’s Prince Charming veneer, there’s a soft-hearted eccentric with a dry sense of humor and more than one ghost haunting him.

As President Claremont kicks off her reelection bid, Alex finds himself hurtling into a secret relationship with Henry that could derail the campaign and upend two nations. And Henry throws everything into question for Alex, an impulsive, charming guy who thought he knew everything: What is worth the sacrifice? How do you do all the good you can do? And, most importantly, how will history remember you?"

I needed something lighter and easy to read after The Name of the Wind. Red, White, and  Blue did not disappoint, and I was whisked into the life of Alex Claremont-Diaz and Prince Henry. This LGBTQ+ book is full of entertainment, self-discovery, drama, and love.

Book Ten - Cress (The Lunar Chronicles, #3)

Finished Reading on February 17, 2020

"In this third book in the Lunar Chronicles, Cinder and Captain Thorne are fugitives on the run, now with Scarlet and Wolf in tow. Together, they're plotting to overthrow Queen Levana and her army.

Their best hope lies with Cress, a girl imprisoned on a satellite since childhood who's only ever had her netscreens as company. All that screen time has made Cress an excellent hacker. Unfortunately, she's just received orders from Levana to track down Cinder and her handsome accomplice.

When a daring rescue of Cress goes awry, the group is separated. Cress finally has her freedom, but it comes at a higher price. Meanwhile, Queen Levana will let nothing prevent her marriage to Emperor Kai. Cress, Scarlet, and Cinder may not have signed up to save the world, but they may be the only hope the world has."

The Lunar Chronicals is a guilty pleasure of mine. Each book in the series is a re-telling of famous fairy tales. Cress, the third book of the Lunar Chronicals, is a sci-fi/ fantasy re-telling of Rapunzel. While each book follows a different fairy tale, the whole series comes together and forms an epic story. As we follow a shy young girl, who spent her life locked away from everyone suddenly get swept into the resistance, we learn that hope is always possible even in hopeless situations.

[jq37]

i know you posted your thoughts on the big arguing scene in “we need to talk about pete” but i was wondering if you were going to post a full breakdown? that episode was a lot and i love hearing your thoughts on eps. ignore this if you have done a breakdown and i’m dumb and just missed it lol

**spoilers for the war of bugs and rats and we need to talk about pete**

What’s up denizens of Magic NYC? Now, I unfortunately live in normal NYC where I have to pay bills and stuff so I’ve been MIA with recaps for the past few eps but, no sweat. We’re gonna do a double feature of the above two eps and then I’ll group in the last battle episode with the upcoming episode. So lets catch up on what’s been going on in The Unsleeping City There’s a LOT to get through so vámanos y'all.

First up, we have our big bug fight in Queens, which Sophie enters with a camelback full of box wine because Emily is Emily.

“I’ve heard of gentrification but this is crazy!”

Brennan enjoys making those gross, chittering, bug noises way too much.

Have we talked about Pete’s cowboy hat? Because, for real, what is up with Pete’s cowboy hat? It seems absolutely apropos of nothing. Was he just like, “Sick,” and he decided to wear it everywhere? That seems to be how he makes all of his decisions.

“Butthole 2: Electric Boogaloo.”

Emily clocks the cat *immediately*. Like to the point where I’m almost thinking, “Did this cat exist before Emily mentioned looking for one?” And I want to say yes because La Gran Gata seems very fleshed out, specific, and intentional. But folks, we are living in a post-Avanash world so idk what to think. (Edit: The cat does have a mini now that I’ve gotten to that but idk, that insert shot could have been shot post ep so like, who knows?)

Anyway, Emily’s entire mission objective immediately becomes saving this cat she’s vaguely aware of.  

“5E you crazy.”

The Cast, Knowing Emily just rolled a 25 and still has a 1d8 Bless in Her Back Pocket if She Needs It: Brennan, Just Ask.

The horror on Emily’s face when she realizes that she just called an attack on the cat cocoon.

So Emily goes off on a very Emily side quest to rescue a random cat but happens to unlock a very cool NPC–La Gran Gata–who is like the spirit of all the bodega cats out there. Sophie immediately calls upon the entirety of her limited Spanish skills to try and make friends with the cat, and succeeds.

The, “To arms, to arms my brothers!” thing kills me every time. Are all rats just Like That? Is that what they’re like when they’re out and about too?

Kingston rolling a nat 20 to literally walk across the store is wild.

Oh also, Pete failed a wild magic surge roll which just lets him fly. So far, those wild magic surges have really been working out for him.

Anyway, Bug Boss Becky turns Ricky into a “buff-ass” dog.

Zac playing dog-Ricky with almost exactly the same self-awareness (or lack thereof) as normal-Ricky is so funny. He’s an Akita and I was expecting Dalmatian but that makes sense too. Ricky, the very good boy, attacks Becky and–as a Sentinel–stops her in her tracks.

Emily does a ton of damage and Brennan, about to describe her attack, is like, “Are you still drunk?” Emily shuts down the opportunity to look cooler and is like, “I am a messy, drunk bitch. Describe that.” Emily isn’t here to be cool. Emily is here to roleplay.

I had never heard the word brindled before now and Brennan uses it to describe two separate animals in this ep.

Siobhan rolls a nat 20 to dispel magic on Ricky which is objectively good but also I would have loved for him to be a dog a little longer. Also, this moment makes me really, really want to get some backstory on Misty. Like, clearly there are some serious Fae Shenanigans going on with her and I need specifics yesterday.

Also, Ricky comes back with pointier ears and wolfier senses and I’m just picturing Channing Tatum in Jupiter Ascending.

Before I forget, Sophie, Pete, and Misty yoink magical items from the magic bodega within the bodega La Gran Gata opened up. Sophie’s is a magic ring that amps up her punches. Misty took a mirror and Pete took a grill (like for your teeth). Not sure what those do yet.

The fact that this whole fight wasn’t under the Umbral Arcana and there are people out there that remember is a little concerning for me. I can’t quite tell if it’s the sort of thing that will come back or more of a warning of what can happen if the U.A. goes down again.

Post-fight, Sophie asks La Gran Gata for mismatched David Bowie eyes like the cat has. Siobahn goes, “That’s what you’re gonna ask? You drunk bitch.” But Sophie has her wish granted. I’m sure that won’t raise any questions with people who have known her her entire life. 

“She’s gonna fuck that cat.”

So the fight’s over and they realize that the Key to the City is missing which I can’t imagine is a good thing.

This brings us to the RP ep, We Need to Talk About Pete, which picks up directly where the previous ep ended.

Ally and Emily go for the exact same joke of getting Guinness’s post-fight. Kingston–as a medical professional, Vox Populi, and sanest adult of this troupe–loudly objects (smacking the beers out of Pete’s hands multiple times) and wants to know what the hell is going on with the bugs they just fought.

Sidenote: Sophie took a level in Warlock with La Gran Gata as her patron because of *course* she did. I wonder if this was the plan from the beginning or if Emily was watching all her friends spellcasting and started getting the jitters from magic user withdrawal.

Murph’s “What?” face when Emily says, “I’ll be waiting, but not in an impatient, desperate way,” is gold.

They search the bodega and find a thing of 1000 Hour Energy and Kugrash gives it to Ricky over Pete’s objections. They also find Holy Grail Laundry Detergent (Kingston pays for it), The Grill I mentioned earlier (Kingston hates this), and this bagel. 

All the magic users show up. Alejandro wants an explanation pronto and everyone points a finger at Pete who explains everything in his typical, nonchalant, vague, kinda spaced out way which Alejandro is not digging at all. He starts to go off on the enormity of the situation and Pete starts dropping acid.

I’m gonna stop here for a sec to talk about how Ally is playing Pete. There are moments when I feel like Ally is doing something as a comedian for a bit. And there’s kind of a sense of, is this funny? Obviously. But what are the in game implications of this move? Like the running joke of Pete constantly being high on something is funny, out of game. But,  in game, it’s massively concerning. And I’m really curious about where Ally is choosing to draw the line between doing the funny thing and doing the prudent thing. I almost said the in-character thing but Ally made a character so consistently bonkers that whatever he does could plausibly be the in-character thing. Pete is kind of a massive disaster.

Anyway, Alejandro drives home the point that Pete’s actions have consequences and have caused actual deaths at this point. Pete’s magic is internally going wonky as he gets more distressed (I really wanted to see a wild magic surge fail here but alas). But he’s still outwardly like a 4 on the giving a damn scale when the situation is a 13 out of 10. Pete is only half listening to this because he’s halfway out the door, smoking. Alejandro plans with Kingston to discuss Pete later.

Misty, always sowing seeds of chaos, suggests Alejandro stock up on Juul pods before they stop selling them completely. Kingston hates this (this is basically his mood for the episode).  

Outside, Pete gets a text from Priya which ends with them planning a meet up for later after leaving her on read for a while. Pete dips without saying anything to anyone but Kingston who ignores him (and also Sophie who Emily hilariously guilts Ally into including out of character). Dipping on the conversation about how to fix YOUR mess isn’t the wisest move but Pete isn’t the wisest guy.  

In the meantime, Ricky does the Twilight Bark to summon a dalmatian (yes!) to help him find the stolen key to the city. Kugrash turns into a busted ass dalmatian who has trouble keeping up.

Ricky doesn’t have the plate mail armor that usually makes a Paladin so unstealthy but he is so hot as to have the same lack of stealthiness which is one of my favorite adaptations of the game for this setting. Anyway, Ricky does the superhero thing of running through the city, helping everyone with a problem along the way, and loses the key in the Financial District which smells like death (feels about right).

Siobahn playing Misty as, “Oh, I can’t believe I didn’t realize it was Emma Lazarus,” when, in reality, she was the first person who made the connection was great. S/o to ppl who separate player and character knowledge. Misty partied w/ Emma of course because she partied with every historical figure that’s passed through NYC since she showed up.

Post adventure, people need to go to their day jobs. Misty has a +10 to performance but rolling a 3 is rolling a 3. It’s not her best work. Later, her assistant brings her holly, silver, and assorted other stuff which sounds like Fae BS if I’ve ever heard it. Misty cuts her off before she can elaborate more. I know we’re getting a secret spilling episode next time so I’m really hoping we get some Misty lore because she is being frustratingly cagey. She talks so much but says so little that means anything.

Kugrash sneaks into his son David’s house (while Emily learns a rat fact she clearly didn’t want to know) and Murph  and Brennan tag team go for the proverbial emotional jugular.

Murph rolls a nat 20 on his investigate and so he gets a lot of his old files and puts together that Robert is Robert Moses–a famous historical figure in NY who I actually heard about for the first time very recently. Or maybe I should say infamous. He did a lot with NY infrastructure–especially highways–(Emily connects this to the Highway Hex immediately) and he wasn’t exactly the warm and fuzzy type. His bread and butter was working the system. There’s a Pulitzer winning book called The Power Broker about how he was able to amass power and influence. I don’t know enough about NY history to run my mouth off about the guy but the little I do know is in character with his T.U.S. incarnation. Also, just FYI, irl this dude died in the 80s. So, you know. That’s interesting.

Brennan, I guess: Why invent new bad guys when history is full of terrible people I just have to give magic to?

Brennan, continuing his tradition of letting people get emotionally destroyed by nat 20s, has Murph find a crushing letter from David to Kug which was never mailed.

Note: So, as I was writing this, my video timed out right at the line, “I don’t expect this letter to find you before my funeral,” which is kinda good bc idk if this is what I need at 1 AM. Anyway, back to the pain.

The letter reveals that David has devoted his life to stopping crooks like him (Kug) and that he’s mostly upset about how his leaving has affected the younger, more fragile Wally.

“I leave the letter because I’ll remember it.” Yeah I bet you will.

It looks like Kug is gonna confront Wally next ep which I am now even more excited to see.

So let’s move onto the SECOND big gut-punch of the episode. Kingston goes down to the station to give a statement about the Santa Incident. He sees a shit elemental in a lineup which isn’t super relevant to the main events but I can’t not mention something like that.

Anyway, guess what? Kingston’s ex (Liz) isn’t dead! She’s an attorney for the justice system of The Unsleeping City and she’s pissed the hell off. During their interview, he stops the tape recorder to cuss out Kingston for going on a “date” with Misty and for getting her involved in all the magical junk which means she has to do things like fingerprint shit elementals instead of being on track to be D.A. like she originally was. The way she described it made it sound like she was press ganged into it which seems like it shouldn’t be how this works, you know? Is there no blue pill option here? Also, not to be all grass is greener but I actually am a lawyer in NY (closer to Kug’s job, minus the crime) and I would swap with Liz in a heartbeat.

The fact that anything Kingston says as Vox is per se admissible is a cool detail. 

Sophie fights an old man (Jackson) in a CVS and joins a monastery which sounds like a shitpost but it isn’t. With La Gran Gata’s blessing she is now a member of the Order of the Concrete Fist.

I saw the Staten Island joke coming the second Brennan started talking but it was still hysterical when it landed.

At the same time, Pete is getting knuckle tats because, sure. And he also goes to see Priya who I am baffled was with him for any length of time. Maybe it’s the artist thing?

Also, Sophie keeps postponing her meeting with Mario which is concerning to me. The story is still happening when you’re not interacting with it. Brennan specifically said when she texted him that she got no response which doesn’t make me feel good about what’s going on with him.

Ricky has three super jacked, fratty firefighter bros, all named John who are like woke as hell. I wish I could follow the dude around for a day because every single facet of his life is wild.

Well, this episode promised we were gonna talk about Pete so let’s talk about Pete.

The gang, sans Pete, meet up with the magical powers that be to discus the destruction the newest Vox his leaving in his wake.

Sidenote, wild that Sophie has been magic for like 15 minutes and got to go to this meeting.

Alejandro wants to know what the plan is for if Pete’s powers go off the rails again. Kingston, who has clearly seen Old Yeller, offers the most drastic solution immediately: if it comes to it, we take him out. (Cut to Ally’s “Yikes” face). Kug, Sophie, and Ricky push back on that.

Misty, hilariously (and also suspiciously), is mainly concerned about NY because she needs theater to keep happening. This woman is chaotic something and I’m not convinced it’s chaotic good yet.

Anyway, I already did my big write-up on this part of the episode, but I’ll say it again: Kingston is right. He’s harsh but he’s right. This is some Phoenix Force BS that’s happening and do you know how that arc ends (the OG one, not the million other Phoenix Sagas that have happened since)? It ends with Jean Grey killing herself so she doesn’t lose control and eat another planet. Ricky is too dangerous for his own good and he doesn’t seem to have the emotional maturity to care (or at least to care at the correct level). Like, he was a drug dealer when this started which is already not ideal. He caused a huge mess and then just bounced without trying to help fix it. He thought that a week was enough time for human casualties to be water under the bridge. Frankly, not considering the nuclear option and just having to figure out if killing him is something the group is willing to do on the fly would be the more irresponsible option.

And not including Pete in the discussion would bother me more if he hadn’t openly blown off every serious discussion people have tried to have with him so far. If he’s not going to take things seriously, it makes sense they don’t invite him to the serious discussions.

The version of this story where Pete accidentally gets a bunch of people killed, finds out what he did, cries about it for a full day, and then finds out they’re talking about possibly killing him is a story where Pete is more sympathetic imo. But still, finding out that people talked about killing you under any circumstances has got to be rough.

IMO, the order of things that should be done right now are (1) putting magical training wheels on Pete, (2a) getting Pete trained or his powers transferred if it’s possible/he wants out, (2b) either way, getting Pete into therapy (like, he needed therapy before he got magic. now it’s just a matter of life and death–besides just his own), (3) talking to Pete again about the stakes and telling him point blank but not in while heated that there’s the possibility of a scenario where his powers go out of control and you have to understand that at that point it’s a matter of saving as many lives as possible. Like, Kingston can say, with conviction, “If I go rogue, you should do the same to me.” They’re in the same boat. Kingston’s just been rowing longer. Well, similar boats anyway. I imagine the Vox Populi powers are less inherently chaotic. And maybe the knowledge that a nuclear option is on the table would make Pete not want the job or want him to have his powers muted or something. Cool. Then you have that discussion at that point. Just, these are the conversations that need to happen. And maybe his own mortality will be the thing that helps get Pete’s head in the game. 

What jewel did Ale take out of his pocket during this conversation? Taking note of that. (Juul, not jewel. Duh. Thx thethief )

Pete gets in touch w/ Alejandro’s granddaughters who tell him that Alejandro’s still pretty pissed (which is surprising to Pete but like, bro. People died). Then, Robert shows up to sweet talk Pete and show him the video (that he somehow has) of Kingston talking at the Pete Meeting. When I was watching this the first time I was like, “How long before this blows up in their face–oh, almost immediately. Cool.”

He takes Pete to his vampire nightclub and hits him with Pete’s own “I didn’t create the demand” line that you just know Brennan put a pin in to hit Pete with that Uno Reverse card.

Robert tries to get Pete to summon Nod and then just does it forcibly with some kind of blood magic when Pete is hesitant. Pete wild magic surges, kills a bunch of vamps, and Nod (super injured by being in the waking world) teleports them both to the subway.

The group (including Alejandro) meets them there so they can catch the L train to Nod but Epona shows up. And you already know from Fantasy High that Brennan is on the ACAB train (or is that AFCAB?). Epona is now wearing a crooked badge–crooked badge for a crooked cop. She wants Nod. No can do. The gang gets ready to–to quote Mr. Cubby-make some bacon while Alejandro tries to cast a spell to summon a train to Nod (the place not the person).

So I’ll see y’all next time (whenever that is) for some subway fighting and some backstory unlocking! 

[scratchybeardsweetmouth]

Iain Glen Knows Why You're So Thirsty For Jorah Mormont on Game of Thrones

By Madison Vain April 29, 2019  Photography [and Videography] by Tyler Joe

Excerpt:

Ser Jorah Mormont crossing the wide terrains of Westeros on horseback is a familiar sight for fans of HBO's Game of Thrones. But for actor Iain Glen, who’s played the role now for seven-plus seasons, it’s hardly his favorite mode of transportation. “I always find a bicycle,” he says, sitting in a Midtown Manhattan green room, speaking about how he prefers to get around since the show catapulted its cast into the stardom stratosphere. It’s simply the most practical—not to mention safest—way to travel, these days. In some locations, especially Spain, he notes, fans don’t hold back when they spot the lovelorn lord. “They’ll attack you,” he says. “They’ll just grab you and start snogging you without invitation.” It's not exactly a violent response, but it does make getting around difficult. “They just want to hold you,” he continues. Cue: a set of wheels. “I don’t know what it is,” he admits, “They stop looking. They don’t associate actors with bicycles. So [I] just always sneak out the back, get a bicycle, and find a hickey restaurant on the outskirts of town. That’s my modus operandi.” New York is a bit easier, and he insisted on arriving at our April interview on foot even though a few blocks away fans have been camping outside of the hotel where the Thrones cast is staying for the premiere of Season Eight. Fans in the city recognize him, but let him get on his way. “It's lovely, actually,” he admits, laughing. “It reminds me of London.”  Historically, the attention has been confusing for Glen's younger children. (He has one son and two daughters.) His youngest is six and, as the actor says, frequently taken back by the approach of strangers. He chuckles, recalling her questions: Do you know that person? Why do people keep speaking to you? Why are they calling you Jorah? But for Glen, it's welcome. He says his wife actually put it best: “Who would not want someone to pat you on the back and tell you you're fantastic a few times every day?” For many of Glen’s young costars, Game of Thrones marked the very beginning of their careers. (Bella Ramsey, who plays Jorah’s cousin, the spunky Lyanna Mormont, hasn’t even seen most of the series on the account of only being 15 years old.) But the 57-year-old Scot has been working consistently across film, television, and theater for decades. One of his fondest memories of New York, he says, almost wistful, was when he and Nicole Kidman starred in Blue Room on Broadway in 1998. He lived near Central Park and spent his down time perusing the Met, freely.   “It’s a great deal to take on when you’re that young,” he says of co-stars like Maisie Williams and Sophie Turner who began filming as young teens. “But they all seem to be managing incredibly well.” And, as only an actor seasoned by years of rejection can, he quips, with a laugh: “And, if I’d been Kit’s age or Maisie’s age when I started, I certainly wouldn’t be complaining!” A wizened perspective actually made him more measured in his acceptance of the role, initially, he recalls. “When you accepted the job, you had to commit for, I think it was four years,” he says. “And they wouldn’t tell you if you were gonna die.” Glen said his team pressed HBO for details: “I asked for a breakdown, going forward, season by season.” His quest turned up few details, but something about the little he learned inspired him. “Listen, you go out for stuff, and there’s some things you really want and some things you don’t,” he says. “I really wanted this. I remember saying to my wife that I had a funny feeling about it. I felt like it was going somewhere.” As we all know now, he was right. The show is watched obsessively, by millions. (The Season Eight premiere drew a record 17.4 million viewers, making it HBO’s biggest night ever for streaming.) And in the age of Netflix binges where watching on your own time is the norm, it remains a can’t-miss, Sunday night event. That reality is a treat for the cast, as much as the viewers, assures Glen. A long career means the actor is exponentially more aware of how special it is to have been involved. “It’s very unusual to come back to something again and again and again,” he muses. “The life of an actor is very ephemeral. That’s what we’re used to; getting thrown with a bunch of strangers and getting to know each other really quickly and then saying, ‘Right, I’m gonna completely forget about that and now I’m going to jump into something else.’ Certainly, in my experience as an actor, I’ve never done anything like this. And to come back to something that everyone is saying is just going fantastic, that’s a very binding thing in itself. That was very winning.” much has been made over the years about some of the brutal shoots the cast has had to endure each season. (See: the Battle of Winterfell, which required 11 weeks of freezing, night shoots.) But for the most part, Glen was lucky. “In the early seasons, I was part of the Dothraki/Daenerys storyline,” he explains. “We were always on the move, always traveling. But we were always coming into rather fantastic, gorgeous, sunny warm spaces. We were filming the bit that the crew always looked forward to each season, before they went back to shitty, wet, cold weather.” And then came the greyscale. When the disease had gotten to its worst, Glen spent eight hours with the costume department, getting a full prosthetic outfitted on him before each shoot. “It was like coming in at midnight and being ready to shoot at eight, to then do the ten-hour day,” he recalls. “It reminded me of some of the drugs I’ve taken. At university, I was pretty spaced out—but in a nice, helpful, acting way.” It was also during this time that Glen thought his run on the notoriously deadly show was coming to an end. “I thought my number was up,” he admits. “[Creators] Dan [Weiss] and Dave [Benioff] really enjoy fucking with the actors—not giving them any sort of clues. So I asked them both individually, because I couldn’t get the answer.” He still came up short. “One of them said ‘I’m not saying.’ The other, when I said, ‘Do I survive the greyscale?’ said, ‘You do this season.’” (Turns out, the actors know just how you feel, wondering about their characters’ fates.) Ser Jorah is not Jon Snow. He doesn’t have a hero storyline and he's not a contender for the Throne, so it wasn’t a give-in that he’d earn such a passionate fanbase. And yet the Jorah fan accounts on social and thirsty fan fiction on the internet has run wild over the years. Glen attributes it to his devotion to Dany, the Mother of Dragons. (Even, yes, when he betrays her.) “In a chaotic, mad, dangerous, and violent world in which people are generally out for themselves,” he begins, “the purity of his desire to support her—to be there for her—is a nice contrast to the rest of the show. For the first two, three seasons, it was about this desire to express that from his point of view, but never doing it.” He follows up, “Do you know what I mean?” Um yeah. Jorah as the head of House Friendzone is the material that’s spawned, to be exact, a gajillion memes since the show’s 2011 debut. The way he looks at her, even now, oozes with a desperation that viewers can’t help but melt over. “I think they modulated their journey really beautifully throughout the seasons,” he says of the writer’s attention to Dany and Jorah. “I think they found a really compelling root through it, where for you, as an audience, it's hard to stand from the outside. And I'm not the best person to ask, but people tell me, that you have such a mixture of emotions watching. At first you think, ‘Oh please, go on and say it!’ But then very quickly it's, ‘Oh god! You shouldn’t have!’” On a show that has to divide time between so many characters each week, there’s an inevitable risk that some storylines will feel one-note or under-developed. Glen’s refuses this in his portrayal of the former slave owner mightily, instead bringing a weightiness as well as a readiness to recognize internal conflicts to his turns on screen. “It’s like real life,” he says of his careful approach. “Isn’t it? With people that we fall madly in love with, there’s always a moment of, ‘Fuck, I never realized you were such a shit when I fell in love with you.’” It’s been a delight, truly, for audiences. But Sunday night, the pensive stead’s run finally came to an end. After leading legions of troops into the Battle of Winterfell, near the end of the one-hour, twenty-two minute episode, he fulfilled his final mission: protect Dany with his life. He lasted as long as the battle and Dany held him as he drew his final breath. For the fans who've loved him, they know it's exactly how he'd have hoped to go. [...] “I feel very happy with his story arc,” Glen tells me. “When we read all six episodes before we started at the beginning, in a big room in Northern Ireland—Belfast—I thought the writers had managed it incredibly well and thoroughly, in terms of looking after everyone. It’s one of the hard things when you write big, sweeping, epic dramas like this. How do you look after everyone’s storyline, individually?” We’ll continue to see as Season Eight continues its March towards a May 19 series finale. Glen is adamant that the sheer scale of the production will stick in his memory bank forever. “I felt like a kid, coming into set and seeing some huge, monumental fucking castle—and arriving at bases with so many vehicles, so many extras, so many horses. There’s a side to that which is just really thrilling.” But the moment he’s actually most fond of a shoot from Season Five when Ser Jorah, following a brutal journey with Tyrion Lannister, offers his life to Dany in the Fighting Pits in Mereen. It took several days—and five or six other fighters—to film, something Glen loves, but it was what was going on behind the camera that he enjoyed most. “My family was there,” he recalls. The crew dressed his then seven-year-old up as a mini Ser Jorah and let her call the shots alongside director David Nutter. “They put her in the gear and put scars on her face. It was so, just great.” Looking ahead, Glen joins the DC Universe. Earlier this month, it was announced that the actor would take on the role of Gotham City’s most notorious billionaire, Bruce Wayne, on Titans. It’s unlikely that that show—or any role—could eclipse Jorah’s rabid fandom but that hardly bothers Glen. “I’m proud of the product and I’m proud of any association with that,” he explains. “You can walk around thinking, ‘Didn’t you see my Hamlet?’ or ‘Where were you when I did Henry VI at the Royal Theater Company?’ but you’re wasting your time. [Thrones] is kind of the Holy Grail, to be critically approved but have a massive following? That’s the ticket.”

[fanficshiddles]

I’m still breathing, Chapter 15

Sophie woke up one morning in Loki’s arms, in his bed. She snuggled up against him with a big smile on her face. Her head was resting on his chest and he had his arms around her.

They’d started actually going to sleep in bed instead of in the library or living room. Loki was respectful though and wore a loose t-shirt and boxers to sleep.

The conversation she had with Natasha kept ringing around in her mind. But she wasn’t entirely sure how to bring the subject up with Loki. She didn’t want him to think she would never be intimate with him, but she also wasn’t sure when she would feel comfortable to do so.

‘Shhh.’ One of Loki’s hands suddenly covered her face.

‘I didn’t say anything?’ She leaned back to look at him, he still had his eyes closed but he opened one to peek at her, smirking.

‘I can tell your mind is racing, love.’ He said knowingly.

‘How can you tell?’

‘I’m magic.’ He grinned.

‘Well, there is something I need to speak to you about.’ Sophie said anxiously and rolled onto her back, looking up at the roof instead of at him.

Loki opened both eyes and rolled onto his side, he reached out and gently cupped her cheek and moved her head round to look at him.

‘You can speak to me about anything, Sophie. I’m all ears.’ He smiled and rubbed his thumb over her cheek.

Sophie let out her breath before speaking. Her stomach was in knots. ‘I… I um. I know that now we are in a relationship, that intimacy is something that will be… Expected. I just…’ She paused, not entirely sure what to say and with Loki looking at her so intently, she started to stumble over her words a bit. ‘I’m scared.’ She blurted out quickly.

Then she went to continue, but Loki stopped her by putting a finger to her lips.

‘Don’t worry, poppet. I am not going to suddenly demand sex from you. I am more than happy to wait, or for it to never happen. As long as I can keep holding you and kissing you.’ Loki said softly.

Sophie felt her heart melt. ‘It will happen… I just… I don’t know when.’

‘We just go with the flow. If it happens, it will happen in time. If it doesn’t, it doesn’t.’ Loki shrugged.

‘You’d really not mind if we never ever did it?’ Sophie raised an eyebrow.

‘Nope. I’m a God, I am not driven by my penis like the other guys… Buuuut if you are ever ready, then I will be more than ready to show you the time of your life.’ Loki added in with a smirk and wiggle of his eyebrows, making her laugh.

‘In the meantime, if I ever feel rather rambunctious in that manner because you’re just so beautifully delicious looking, I shall just whack one out in the shower.’

Sophie snorted. ‘You started so eloquently there…’ She laughed.

‘You should know by now, I do have a wonderful way with words.’ Loki winked at her.

‘Indeed.’ She giggled.

‘You are so cute, especially when you giggle like that.’ Loki purred and stroked her cheek with the back of his hand.

She shuffled closer to him and hid her face against his chest, making him chuckle.

‘Serious question though…’ His tone changed and he suddenly sounded very serious all of a sudden, making Sophie slightly concerned.

‘What is it?’ She asked, leaning back again to look at him.

Loki sighed before asking. ‘You are just the most wonderful little thing in the entire Universe… Can I keep you?’ He smiled and gave her the biggest puppy dog eyes she’d ever seen.

‘Oh my god, Loki!’ She laughed and hit his chest playfully, making him laugh as he grabbed her wrist. ‘You’re such an ass!’

‘You love it!’

Sophie shook her head, but with a smile on her face. ‘Yes. I’m in love with the biggest ass here.’

‘You’ve been checking out my ass?’ He asked mischievously.

‘Loki, stop!’ She laughed.

‘I do have a great ass.’

‘Oh Jesus, give me strength.’ Sophie muttered and ran a hand down her face. After cuddling for a while, the two eventually got up and Sophie went to her room to get showered and dressed. When she came out of her en-suite Loki was waiting in her room, lounging on her bed.

‘You never answered my question.’ He sat up and swung his legs round and off the side of the bed, motioning her to him.

Sophie put her hair up in a towel and walked over to him. He wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her into him between his legs.

‘What question?’ Sophie asked, a little confused. She put her arms around his neck.

‘Can I keep you?’ Loki grinned.

‘Only if I can keep you, too?’ Sophie laughed.

‘I am sure that would be fine.’ Loki’s grin grew even larger.

Sophie leaned in and they kissed softly. Loki moved his hands up and down her back in soothing circles, making her feel like she was melting. She felt like a weight was lifted off her shoulders after their talk that morning, at least she knew Loki’s views on the subject now.

‘Close your eyes and try to focus on the energy inside of you.’ Loki told Sophie.

They were in the training hall, Natasha and Clint were holding up a mat between them. Sophie was trying to get her powers to work so she could go through it. But it wasn’t going very well yet.

‘How do you do that? I can’t feel any energy.’ Sophie grumbled, making Loki chuckle.

He walked over and stepped behind her, placing his hands on her shoulders. He leaned in close and whispered into her ear. ‘Relax, close your eyes and clear your mind. Focus on your breathing and reach deep inside of you to find and focus on what you want to do.’

Sophie closed her eyes and tried to do as Loki said, but she struggled to do it. Not even knowing what she should be reaching inside of herself to find. She found herself getting more and more frustrated than anything.

‘It’s useless. I’m never going to get it!’ She sighed, opening her eyes again.

Loki pressed a kiss to the top of her head. ‘You will, in time. Let’s call it a day for now and work on your dagger work instead.’

‘Loki’s right. It will take time, but you’ll get there.’ Clint assured her as he and Natasha put the mat away.

Loki and Sophie were in the midst of fighting with their daggers when the emergency alarm went off. They rushed to the helipad to see what was going on.

‘There’s an attack on New York. We’ve been asked to go.’ Tony said to Loki as all the Avengers suited up.

Loki’s full armour shimmered onto him, including his helmet. He turned to Sophie and cupped her cheek.

‘We won’t be long. Will you be alright?’

‘Of course. Be safe.’ She smiled up at him.

‘I will, love.’ Loki assured her and gave her a quick peck on the lips before getting on the helicarrier with the others.

The team arrived in New York within half an hour, there were explosions coming from various parts of the city. To start with, they couldn’t see what was causing it. Until they got closer and went to land. Large aliens went charging for them. They were giant, with four legs and four arms. Scaly, red and it didn’t look they had any eyes or a nose, just a mouth with a shit load of sharp teeth.

‘Ohhh… This could be challenging.’ Bruce sighed, but he got off the carrier first and instantly turned into Hulk, smashing one of the aliens into the ground.

The rest of them all jumped into action, doing what they did best.

Loki was swift and used his illusions and Seidr to get the job finished. Once he was close enough to one he stabbed them with his dagger, right where he assumed their heart was.

It took around an hour before they had the aliens all killed and the people were saved. Luckily there wasn’t many casualties before they’d arrived. Though the city was going to need quite a clean-up. But Stark called in for SHIELD reinforcements to do the job.

When the team were making their way back to the carrier, they passed a group of people being evacuated from a building. Some of them cheered, but some of them hissed at the hero’s.

‘Get that monster off our planet! He destroyed our home!’ One person shouted directly at Loki.

Loki shot the man a glare, but he kept walking as his nostrils flared. But while on the outside, he just seemed pissed, on the inside he felt hurt. He’d just helped save them from aliens and that’s how he was thanked?

‘Don’t sweat it, Loki. I get the same with Hulk.’ Bruce said and gave him a friendly pat on the back.

‘It’s fine.’ Loki said, his tone clipped.

On the journey back to base Loki was quiet and just glaring at one spot on the floor like it had offended him. Everyone knew he was effected by the person’s comment, but they also knew when he was in one of his moods it was best to leave him alone. Unless they wanted threatened or quite possibly stabbed.

When they returned home, Loki stormed off straight to his room. While the rest of the team went into the living room to see Sophie and Pepper there, Sophie looked scared as to where Loki was.

‘It’s alright.’ Natasha said quickly, noticing the panic on her face. She then filled her in with what happened and Sophie felt her heart break for Loki.

Sophie went along to Loki’s room and knocked on the door. ‘Loki? It’s me.’ She called through, but there was no response.

She tried the handle but it was locked.

‘Ugh. Come on, powers. This would be about the right time to work.’ She muttered to herself and put her hands to the door. She closed her eyes and tried to focus. But nothing happened.

‘God sake!’ She hissed.

It felt a bit like déjà vu. She slid down the door and leaned against it with a sigh. She would just wait there until Loki was ready to let her in.

But she hadn’t been sat there for long when she suddenly fell backwards straight through his door. Although not quite as smoothly this time, as she realised she was stuck half in his room and half through the door.

‘Shit! LOKI!’ She screamed, panicked.

Loki came rushing out of his en-suite to see his girlfriend’s top half of her body in his room while the bottom half of her was stuck outside.

His lips curled up in amusement as he folded his arms over his chest and leaned against the wall next to him. ‘Sophie, darling. You do realise you are supposed to move your whole body through and not just half?’

‘Loki, for fuck sake! This isn’t funny. I didn’t do it on purpose!’ Sophie snapped as she struggled to try and get free but she was literally stuck, somehow, in the door.

‘Alright, calm down. I’ll get you free.’ Loki knelt down beside her. ‘Somehow…’ He smoothed his hand through her hair, in an attempt to calm her down while he assessed the situation. The door was right through her abdomen.

‘Are you in pain?’ He asked.

Sophie’s breathing was getting pretty rapid, but Loki being there did ease her a little.

‘No… It just feels odd.’

‘Alright. Your cells must be merging with the door. So I don’t want to just smash the door as you may still have that lower part of the door stuck in you… Or merged with you.’ Loki frowned and ran his fingers along her abdomen where the door was attached.

‘Not the time to be feeling me up, Loki.’ She grumbled.

‘Shhh.’ Loki smirked and kept petting her hair.

‘This might feel a little funny, but I think I can get you out.’ Loki warned her, then before she could ask what he was going to do, green energy came from his fingertips and onto her abdomen.

She let out a squeal from the feeling, it felt ticklish and strange, like not only her skin was vibrating but her bones and everything else in her abdomen. Loki then used his Seidr to physically pull her along the floor and fully into his room.

Sophie sat up quickly and looked down at her body, relieved to see she was all in one piece and the door was still intact.

‘Holy shit.’ She gasped, feeling relieved as the adrenaline started to calm down. But she was shaking.

Loki scooped her up and carried her to his bed. He sat her down and used his Seidr to summon a glass of water, making her drink it. Then he sat down on the edge of the bed next to her.

‘It’s alright. You’re safe and all in one piece.’ He said softly, yet with a very small hint of amusement there in his voice.

‘Thank you… Are you ok?’ Sophie asked, looking into his eyes.

Loki glanced down and started fiddling with her fingers as her hand was resting on the bed between them. ‘I’m fine. Just mortals not being very grateful after I saved their lives.’ He growled.

‘Natasha told me what that asshole said…’

‘Well, he’s right. I am a monster. I should expect it, it’s not like they will all bow to me like a hero. Unlike the others.’ He said bitterly.

‘They are not all innocent either. They have baggage too. And you are a hero, you are no monster. We’ve been through this. But look, I have more proof.’ Sophie slid off his bed and went to the laptop that was in his room. Everyone had a laptop.

She booted it up and went onto a website called Tumblr. Loki, intrigued as to what she was doing, went over and watched from over her shoulder. His eyebrows raised up when she typed his name into the search bar.

‘Look! There’s hundreds of people on here who worship you!’ She scrolled through and there was hundreds of posts all claiming to be fans, even blogs entirely for him.

Loki was in shock. Drawings, writings, ramblings, pictures that paparazzi had taken. He couldn’t believe it.

‘You even have an army.’ Sophie said with a grin as she went onto that tag and showed him how they were all claiming to be on his side.

‘Wow.’ Was all Loki managed to say. His heart feeling back together again and his mood definitely lifted.

[mattness]

Space Dementia

And here we go again))  Jennifer Wright/Robert Grey Genres: Romance, Angst, Drama, Detective, Psychology, Hurt/comfort, Humdrum, Horror, AU, Friendship Summary: She thought she had found salvation in him, but she didn’t know she was at the mercy of a horrible monster who had own plans for her. ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// Chapter II. 2017, ten years later New York, Brooklyn "I congratulate you on graduating from our Columbia University!" finished oration, the Director and all the students leaped from their seats. Happy Jennifer Wright tightly clutched in the hands of the diploma, simultaneously managing to cuddle almost all the classmates. Ahead was a long way in life, and from the realization of this literally ran goosebumps. Her girlfriends, Tyra and Margo was screaming beside joy, offered to bring all the most crazy ideas into reality. There was a whole day of graduation, which the whole faculty wanted to celebrate smartly. To be remembered for a lifetime.

First of all, a large group of students went to a rented club, where they had fun, remembered funny stories and drank a lot. Jen tried to be away from the center of all this madness, because a large amount of attention to his own person she never could stand. With her were Tyra, and the dance floor was already Margo. Adjusting their white-and-pink hair, a friend looked at Jen:

"Why so sad?"

"Nothing." Jennifer waved away, picking up a glass of wine and draining it with one sip. "We're got the whole evening and the night. I don't want to get drunk right now."

"That's right", Tyra smiled, shoving her gently into her shoulder.

Loudly playing music did not allow the girl to focus on her own thoughts, and forever screaming friends next to maddening. Her head was already splitting, although the clock showed only eight in the evening. Jen madly wanted to leave because graduation of students of one of the most prestigious universities in the USA turned into some farce. For several times some guys from a parallel group clashed with each other, and turn didn't end in the toilet.

Jennifer, without telling anyone, went to get some fresh air on the roof of the club.

Dusk fell on new York, lights were on everywhere. The noise didn't abate, and listen to it was a lot better than monotonous music in the club. A mouthful of evening air refreshed the girl's head, which came to the railing and leaning on them, sighed heavily.

Lately in her life everything was going wrong, and now, after graduating from University, she hoped to work things out. She wanted to get a job as a journalist in the New York Times or Forbes, to write articles that would become famous throughout the country. Wright aspired to his dream and was sure to get the long-awaited place under the sun.

Thoughts about the good work was distracted by a faint squeak of the iron door. Girl turned around to see who disturbed her temporary rest. But she didn't see anyone. The front door to the roof only slightly opened. Apparently, from the wind, thought Jen and she continued to think the various lights of New York. Because of the persistent creaking of thoughts began to rush in my head, and she could not concentrate. She began to boil from anger on those who from huge number of felony drunken students decided to over her to play a joke.

Jen turned and resolutely walked to the door and closed with a loud thud slamming it.

Suddenly to her left, something fell with a wild metallic ringing, forcing her to flinch from surprise. Wright swore out loud and boldly went to identify the source of the noise. Turning the corner of the wall, the girl irritably rolled his eyes. A loving and, it seems, drunk couple tried to enjoy directly on the roof, apparently, believing, that this romantic.

"Couldn't you have found a better place?" Jen grumbled, deciding to return back to her friends.

Fortunately, their long search was not necessary: the girls are still sitting all behind the same table where Jen left them. They greeted her joyfully, making room. The brunette grinned, noticing that Margo and Tyra was already drunk. Glancing at his watch, Wright smiled. It wasn't even eleven o'clock yet. * * *  This night is beginning to seem too long for Jennifer, but, lucky for her, prom had been going on in the street. Students who were still able to stand on their own two feet, went for a walk in New York. Among the boys the girl and then looked at Roy Gordon. A tall and thin young man with beautiful big blue eyes immediately attracted Jen's attention. He was a new when they were in their third year, and pretty quickly became the most popular and coveted guy on campus. So Wright never expected, just quietly watched and did not dare to come to meet with him. For all time of study they practically never spoke. Right now the dark-haired girl very sorry about the heap of missed opportunities and continued to do it, knowing that tomorrow they would never see each other again. "Are you going to stare at your beloved and to do nothing?" just burst out laughing Margot, drinking champagne straight from the neck of the bottle. "Approach him, Jen." "What's the point of that?" girl is angry with snort. Graduates quickly went to the Central Park of New York.    "You don't even know each other. Who knows, maybe he'll like you today." Jennifer frowned, knowing what that meant words drunk Margo. But she didn't want to deal with Roy, didn't want to spend one, maybe a wonderful night with him. She's like a little girl hoping that one day he still will notice a gray mouse and he will come. However, this did not happen. Roy was changing girls like gloves, and that really pushed Jen away. She didn't want to have even a simple friendship, afraid to be one from a huge list of who wanted to sleep with Gordon. "I would have long asked him to leave with me somewhere", Tyra stepped in, with a sly smile. "So come on, Tyra!" Jennifer snapped, starting to lag behind everyone. No one's been in the Park. The lights were turned off, and the milky fog enveloped the deserted streets of New York. The noise of the city died down for a few hours. Residents of a huge metropolis could prevent sleep only everywhere walking students celebrating the end of the University. Above the artificial pond was a fog, ducks slowly floated on the water and enjoyed the silence of the night. Jen sat down on an empty bench, peering into the distance and pondering. The enthusiasm and joy had disappeared. There was only one desire - to return home and fall on a soft bed, falling into a deep sleep. After closing her eyes for a moment, Jennifer immediately turned the events of the past ten years in her head. She perfectly remembered, when the father, to save money, gladly told her that they're moving to Brooklyn. Changing schools and circle of friends has greatly affected the girl. She was liberated, became more sociable, and deep resentment at her mother, coupled with depression, quickly faded into the background. Jennifer had enough problems in high school. At the Brooklyn school Wright first fell in love. The guy she liked was two years older and played on the school football team. He also drew attention to her, but the relationship don't went any further. Jennifer long was upset, and then since forgotten. He wasn't worth it because he was too narcissistic and arrogant. There she made her best friend, with whom she entered the same University. Jennifer and Sophie were inseparable. Wright believed, that they will are close always, but have been proved wrong. Enrolling in different faculties, friend practically ceased to see each other. Their interests changed, and it became difficult to find a common topic of conversation. After the second year of University, Sophie never greeted or approached Jen again. This greatly hurt the brunette, and the desire to make friends fell to hell. Soon, however, appeared a little blonde Tyra with brown eyes. She quickly achieved a good location Jennifer, then acquainted with the red-haired beauty Margot. Jennifer no longer complained about the lack of friends as well as the lack of attention from the stronger sex. Wright grown up, the face stretched out, children's bulk disappeared. Black hair she was still cut when they have already started to grow below the shoulders. Freckles on the face no longer confused, but, on the contrary, became very lovely. Jen considered them his little feature. There was a quacking of ducks, and the girl got up from the bench, deciding to come closer to the water. Ducks continued to make noise, as if they did not like something. Several birds soared into the air and flew away in an unknown direction. From the other side of the artificial pond there was a loud laughter of students. Jennifer instantly realized that classmates seem to have walked the whole Park, while she was sitting here and thinking about his life.    "Jen, where do you gone?" Tyra range to her, tightly hugging her friend by the shoulders. "We thought you went home." "I wanted to do, but I already go back" smiled the girl, along with Tyra catching up with the others. The clock showed four in the morning. The sun slowly rose from the horizon, and the city gradually woke up. Again lights were lit, cars began to appear on streets. Students continued their walk on the waterfront, which opened a view of the big and old Brooklyn bridge. The wind pleasantly blew in the face, refreshing the head. Jen again smiled, watching classmates who decided to play some stupid game. They invited everyone to participate. Roy ran up to Jen, first carefully examining and only then offering to participate. She shook her head negatively, determined to watch from the side. "You and I would never meet each other before, huh?" cautiously asked his assistant guy, he was smiling Jen. "Were in the same group from the third year, Gordon", snorted Wright, with her hands on the railing that separated the promenade and down to the river. "Just not talked." "That's how," he pursed. "I don't even know your name." "Jennifer", quietly introduced herself to the girl and looked gray-blue eyes at the picturesque landscape. “Roy.” "I know", said more to herself than to him, Jennifer. They never spoke again. Guy went to to the rest of the guys, which already began to play. Meanwhile, Wright took a breath, feeling like his cheeks treacherously burned after such a short and silly conversation. Heart pounding, literally screaming that her feelings were still as strong as before. Jen hoped, that over time this will pass, given the fact, that more they never see each other. As soon as the clock stopped at five, classmates decided to go home, spending everyone who lived in Brooklyn. First out students living on campus, and ten of the remaining people continued to walk. It was Jen's turn when there were four students left. The girl said goodbye to everyone, hugged Margot and went into the house. She quickly took the Elevator to the fifteenth floor, quietly opened the door to the spacious apartment. Jen put the keys on the counter near the mirror and went to her room. Father still slept, as and all people in this time. Quietly opened a white door in room, she smiled: finally she homes! The bright room with soft turquoise wallpaper, which were covered with various posters, was illuminated by sunlight. Light penetrated through the window overlooking the embankment. Nearby stood a single bed, opposite is a large wardrobe with clothes and other things. The opposite wall a desk with a computer and bookshelves. Taking off her prom suit and leaving the cap on the floor, Jennifer quickly reduced the distance to the bed and fell on it, instantly falling into a deep sleep. * * *  A strange fear for their own lives engulfed Jen in a dream. She wandered through the endless corridors of the empty hospital, trying to find a way out. She was the only one here. The hospital didn't look abandoned, on the contrary, it seemed completely new. Except that the constant noises very much alarmed girl. An unpleasant feeling that she was being watched, did not leave her head. She constantly looked around, but no one around not was. The girl frowned and picked up the pace, starting to get nervous. Turning left, she found herself in front of the wide doors that led into another infinitely long corridor. There was an impression that it is some hospital labyrinth. Jennifer was trying to figure out what it all meant. However, nothing came to mind. Panic has gripped the mind, not giving focus. "Is anybody here?" Jen asked into the void, which echoed through the corridor.  In the next moment, the light went out and hospital turned into a sinister bloody shade of emergency lamps. The girl's heart began to beat a furious rhythm, and her legs rushed forward. Jennifer again turned to the nearest corner and was glad when he saw before him the main exit from the hospital. She took a breath and calmly walked to the door and pulled the handle. Closed. "Shit!" Jen cursed, combing her hair back with her hand. "How…" "You want to leave, Jenny?" someone's unnaturally high voice could be heard. The girl shuddered in horror, turning around. But behind there was no one. She immediately began to look for the companion who had suddenly appeared. "Maybe we play?" A dark figure appeared around the corner. Jennifer immediately looked closely. In red light nothing could be seen. The only thing that is clear — it was a tall, thin man, squaring his broad shoulders, put your hands behind your back. His face was hidden in the shadows. It seemed that darkness enveloped him and did not want to let go as long as he didn't want too. The girl nervously gulped and took a step towards the mysterious person. "Who are you?" "You'll find out soon”, she literally heard him smile. Jennifer frowned and turned back to the door, again pulling the handle. This time it was open. The girl pushed the door, and bright sunlight hit her right in the eye. Squinting her eyes, she looked for the last time at the corridor of the hospital, at the place where the shadow stood. But now was no one there. Shrugging and not giving this meeting irrelevant, Jen calmly walked on the street. * * *  Slowly opening her eyes, she tried to comprehend what she saw. Endless corridors, locked doors, red light and a meeting with a strange man, and did not show himself. Too weird. Hardly an explanation for this could be found in any dream book or on the Internet. What did all this mean? And was it worth this stupid vision to attach importance at all? Jen couldn't understand. Steps outside the door of the room immediately brought her out of thought. Dad woke up and was going to work. The girl rolled over and looked at the wall clock: the hands stopped at twelve day. Jen was embarrassed and got out of bed. She slept without hind legs for almost half a day, and her father was still at home. Usually at this time he was already in the restaurant and prepared a bunch of lunches for visitors. Dressed in home clothes and washed, Wright wandered into the kitchen, where came a pleasant aroma. The girl smelled brand breakfast from his father. She was right. Chester stood at the stove cooking a late breakfast for his daughter. "Hi, dad," Jen said, sitting down at the kitchen table. "Hi, sweetheart", he smiled to her, for a moment distracted from the stove. "How was it?" "Perfectly. And at the same time sucks. In general, doesn't matter," she smiled. Father burst out laughing and has placed before her a plate of food. Jennifer gladly breathed in the delicious aroma immediately took up a fork and starting to eat. Chester poured himself a coffee, sitting down opposite his daughter. "Why aren't you at work yet?" "I'm on the night shift today." The brunette looked up at her father, noticing how serious he was. He was too lost in his own thoughts. This alarmed Jennifer, who even put the fork aside.  "Dad?" He was instantly distracted from his thoughts and gave a strained smile to her. "What's wrong?" "Today the mail came," began the man, and Jen shrugged, not understanding the reason for his concern. "As usual there were newspapers and my magazines and... Another letter for you. From Derry." Chester got up from the table, for a couple of minutes hiding in the hallway of the apartment. He came back with a stack of newspapers in one hand and a letter in the other. Jennifer silently took the sealed envelope on the reverse side of which was familiar address grandmother of Christi. "I didn't open." Jen nodded, all knowing, and carefully opened the envelope, pulling out the white and neatly folded sheet of paper. She unfolded it, starting to read the contents of the text printed on the computer: "Good day, miss Wright. I am a notary who public and addressed by Your relative, Christine Wheeler. I inform you that Mrs. Wheeler has transferred all her property in Derry to your name. The testament can be seen in our office. Now, after her death (I'm sorry for your loss), You have every right to dispose of the property as you wish. I recommend that you immediately come to the city, contact me, otherwise after a while the right to dispose of the property we will give the real estate company of the city of Derry. Sincerely, Mr. D. Robinson "Notary services", Derry, Kansas street, 34" The girl, not believing her own eyes, gave the letter to father. She put her hand to her mouth, feeling hot tears running down her cheeks. It was impossible to believe. Just three weeks ago, Jen was talking to her grandmother on the phone, who was feeling fine, and now she found out about sudden death.  After reading the letter, Chester sat down beside daughter and took her hand. Girl quietly sobbed, nervously biting her lips. "Why hasn't anyone called us before?" asked Jen hoarsely, wiping her tears. "Just yesterday, Mary called me", the girl immediately looked up at father, who for the first time in so many years, mentioned the name of her mother. "She told me. She said the funeral was over, she saw the testament." "But why didn't you tell me? she frowned, indignant. "I didn't mean to ruin your prom, Jen." The girl sobbed loudly, covering face with her hands. "Jen, your mother doesn't mind you getting this house. Grandma would love to have you..." he sat down close and dropped his hands gently on his daughter's shuddering shoulders, trying to calm her down. Jennifer shrugged it off, not wanting to listen father. He sighed and silently continued to sit next to until she herself calmed down. "And how long she..?" "A week ago" quietly gasped Chester. "Jen, I understand that you not be easy, but you need to accept this fact. Be strong." The girl heaved a sigh and wiped her tears, knowing that the dad is right. "You decide how to dispose of this house." Tears came flooding down girl's cheeks and she immediately jumped up from his chair, ran to the bathroom. Chester weary squeezed fingers the bridge of his nose, not knowing, that to do: here he was absolutely powerless.

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[annashipper]

Showsie Submission

Hey Anna! Just thought I'd submit on recent events. Although I have not been vocal lately, I have still been paying attention to the land of shamwow. So...Ben goes to a concert in NYC? We get some pics of him solo, and a delightful lack of fuckery to accompany them. We also get some nice, high quality pics of IW filming...accompanied by some Fail articles that focus on his work, sans any fetch attempts from she who shall remain fetchless. I have to say, I find these recent events encouraging...not from any shamwow point of view...but from a good PR point of view. I'm with Ballsy...cookies where they are deserved, really. Granted...I've become so inured to the previous poor efforts of team BC in this respect that the bar of my expectations in this matter has been set quite low as a result...but kudos are given for this week's efforts regardless. I think I'm finally seeing the result of some sensible and grown-up PR strategy here, and I really hope it continues. I also wanted to address JT Anon's comments on the nan factor as pertains to PR strategy. I do think that you find groups like the nans in any fandom...they just happen to be more vehement and vocal in this one. I do believe that pandering to such a group is not a particularly good idea when it comes to a risk/benefit analysis, and that no effective or capable PR would do so, if they could possibly avoid it. But, I don't think that a capable PR is what we have here, given previous form. I think they use the nans for clicks, but without any thought as to the consequences. I've also seen people mentioning the Beatlemania type promo that was used in that Hollywood Reporter article in 2014. In my opinion...that was poor form. I'm sure the nans saw it as validation for their behaviour, but I just saw it as mocking, disrespectful and not good at all. Which brings me to my main point...I've often said that Ben's team have failed to understand his fandom. Let me clarify this point for you now (just in case the intern that is tasked with reading these blogs is paying attention). If I were in charge of Ben's image from the start...I would have aggressively marketed him as the 'thinking women's crumpet' from the start. Because I think my job as PR would have been to determine what demographic my client was most likely to appeal to, and to build a business plan in that direction. I think they had made some good steps in that direction...up until mid 2014...and then the wheels came off that particular train, for whatever reason (which I'm sure we'll never know the truth of), and we ended up with the mish-mash of contradictory messages we have now. Team BC have failed to appreciate the demographic they should have been aiming for. Ben was never going to be the classical Hollywood heartthrob material. He doesn't have the right look for that. Don't get me wrong...I still think he is pretty, in a striking and unusual way, but he's not got the archetypal good looks for such a thing. Instead of the Internet's Boyfriend with a bunch of squealing fans designed to appeal to the barely post-pubescent, they should have been aiming for slightly more mature woman as their target audience for this man. This is the audience I think a man like Ben would appeal to. Someone who isn't about the hype, and is looking for substance over style. And it would have had the added bonus of being directly aimed at where the money is. Because people forget...free thinking and more mature women are more likely to be professionals, established in their careers, with a considerable amount of disposable income to spend on movie tickets and the like. And such women don't require hearing awkward shoehorning and stuttering (and, quite frankly, unconvincing) affirmations about a personal life that should have been kept private, to spend money on their fave. They would have been more impressed by someone showing enough respect for their wife and children to not put it up for sale to the highest bidder in an attempt at generating cheap publicity. This is a vast and untapped market that they have failed to capitalise on, had they recognised it earlier. But...I do feel they have finally cottoned on to this, because we are now seeing a strategy from Team BC that accommodates this view of celebrity. Let's hope they continue their current good form and that they won't disappoint us in the future. Fingers crossed! Hugs to you, Anna

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Ben is definitely standing his ground, I’ll give him that.  And yes, I’m quite optimistic about where this seems to be going.  Cookies for PR though?  I’m withholding those until after Wimbledon (and I think everyone reading this blog knows the reasons why)

As far as Ben’s image is concerned, that’s something I’ve found fascinating since before I even became a fan of his.

I still remember reading through Empire and seeing he’d gotten their Sexiest Man Alive title for 2013 which, I have to be honest, baffled me at the time (but in my defence I hadn’t watched a single episode of Sherlock yet).  

I remember reading article upon article about him back then, all of them talking about legions of Cumberbitches, about him being the thinking woman’s crumpet and definitely seeing the potential for him to make it big in the industry.

When I finally watched Sherlock and couldn’t shut up about this magnificent actor everyone around me had to see in action, one of my colleagues even had a mug made for me that read “Proud Cumberbitch” with a screenshot of Sherlock in the sheet at Buckingham Palace, which I thought was hilarious and kept using at the office (because apparently I have no shame).

So yeah, as long as Ben was being adorable on red carpets, verbose and funny in interviews and wasn’t playing the same game everyone in Hollywood seems to be playing, I had no problem with the Cumberbitch title.  It was just a silly thing that I could find humour in.

Fast forward to the fall of 2014: There was certainly a shift in the way he was portrayed in the press during TIG promo, and they seemed to want to hold on to both aspects of his image at that point.  Having him give long winded interviews about Alan Turing and the way he was slighted by the system, while also having him do that cringe worthy photoshoot for Hollywood Reporter.  

To make matters worse, they kept jabbing at his fans with not only Beatlemania references, but also building him up like this bigger than life movie star who couldn’t run fast enough away from his screaming fans, as well as the paparazzi.

That would have been all fine and dandy, had Ben accustomed the world at large to such behaviour.  BUT, although anyone paying attention knew that lots of his fans were overly enthusiastic (a great number of them willing to go to great lengths to breathe the same air as he does for 5 seconds) and ready to throw themselves into battle to defend him against his critics, they also knew that he was a man who’d been in the industry for close to 20 years already and had managed to always guard his private life.

Therefore, when he kept talking about how fiercely private he was while obviously doing staged pap walks ... globally, he started looking disingenuous.  Something that was amplified by the fact that he kept talking about being happy to find love with Sophie Hunter, a woman who 9 out of 10 people think trapped him into marriage with a pregnancy, while he started looking more and more frustrated around her, the more we saw them together.

Let’s get one thing straight:  No one likes a liar.  No one thinks a liar is the thinking woman’s crumpet.  No one thinks a liar is adorable.

In order for Ben to turn his image around and go back to presenting himself the way that he has worked so long and hard to be regarded, I believe he has to stop lying.  Because let’s face it, he may be a gifted actor, but the poor guy can’t lie his way out of a paper bag.  Not about anything that matters at least...

When he stops lying, I’m prepared to bake heaps of cookies for everyone.  His PR, the poor intern who has to keep reading our ramblings to report back to Karon who then reports back to Ben, the people in Ben’s life who’ve stood by him through all of this adversity, the Skeptics, the Nans, even random people in the streets.  The only people not getting cookies will be the trolls who are posing as skeptics, as well as Shitty and her friends.  And let me tell you Ms Showsie, I make a mean cookie  :P

[sophie-nicktoonsverse]

Epilogue (Surprise!)

It’s the day after her birthday with The Vanguard and Sophie is feeling better than ever as she goes home to change and eat before hanging out with them again. However, she finds a new present has been placed on her bed for her as she starts to feel the love from her own world. ((Shorter than its predecessor but I still think it’s okay so I hope you enjoy it!))

Sophie stretched as she and Lion returned from the sleepover with The Vanguard. She did her usual morning routine of turning on her TV and making herself a bowl of cream of wheat for breakfast as she put away all her gifts she didn’t leave in Jimmy’s lab. While putting her box of notes from the team in her special things place she found a box nearly identical to hers, but her school emblem was on it, in its place. She looked confused as she opened it to see more notes. “Oh, wonderful more notes to make me cry,” Sophie said sarcastically.  She took her cream of wheat off the stove and sat down with it at the island as she started to read the notes. She picked up Alex’s first.  

Listen I didn’t like Sophie when she first came in as a new art prodigy. She seemed too sweet for me. Over the five years, she’s been here though she’s quickly become part of the group. She’s incredibly witty and tempered enough to stand up to others. Plus she’s Burr’s class pet and can get us out of anything. She’s actually pretty cool.

Sophie rolled her eyes playfully at the note. Yeah sure Alex says he hated her when she came to the program but she knows the truth. He loved her the moment she walked into that classroom with Burr and he knows it. Sophie picked up Lafayette’s note next.

Mon Amie Sophie what to say about you?~ She’s beautiful, kind, adventurous, incredibly witty, and a wonderful addition to the arts program. She doesn’t make fun of my accent and treats me like I’m a normal American boy. I dare say she’s one of the few to actually understand me 100% of the time and I thank her for that.

Sophie blushed at Lafayette calling her beautiful. She swears he’s like her universe’s version of Manny. She also thought it was sweet of him to mention how she treats him like another student. I mean just because he has an accent doesn’t mean he’s different, weird, or stupid right? She picked up Laurens’ note next.

Sophie is such a cutie! She’s so sweet to me and the boys and always makes us yummy treats for us to eat! Whenever she starts feeling sad over something I give a hug and she seems to cheer up instantly. Honestly the other are too “tough” to admit this but we see Sophie as our baby of the family.

She physically went ‘Aww” at Laurens note. He’s such a sweetie pie cinnamon roll of the group. Honestly, he’s one of the sweetest boys she ever met. He’s always supported her from day one and she’s grateful for that. Sophie picked up Hercules’ note next.

Sophie is a tough little miss. Especially if she’s survived this long with the four of us and Burr. She’s proved on more than one occasion that she can run with the boys and not only keep up but thrive. If anyone ever hurts her though the fellas and I would take care of it.

Sophie rolled her eyes once again. Of course, Mulligan would say something like this. Why wouldn’t he? He always was being protective over both her and Alex so why wouldn’t he say that in his note? She picked up Aaron’s note next.

Since Sophie’s arrived I’ve seen improvement in her skills both art and people skills. While I do think she needs to talk less and smile more I can’t deny that the boys bring out something special in her. Her drawings flow better when they are around and it shows. I feel like a proud father when saying this but she’s really come a long way.

Sophie’s heart swelled with pride after reading Aaron’s note. Burr really did put up with a lot of shit when it was her and her boys but he always did stay calm in the middle of it. She often looked to him for guidance and was grateful he could help her on her way to becoming an artist. After washing out her bowl from breakfast she sat down and picked up another note. Duncan’s note to be precise.

Look I’m not sounding soft or anything but Sophie is a great soccer captain. She’s kinda like our mom and I appreciate it since my parents aren't the best at parenting… I mean they have to deal with my siblings more than me and kinda forget my existence. It’s kinda nice I can go somewhere and Sophie cares what happens to me.

Sophie smiled at Duncan’s note. Of course, Duncan had given her trouble during soccer. He was Duncan. He was gonna rebel. It was just what he was going to do. However, Sophie has been patient with him and it paid off. He was now one of the best players she had. She picked up Alejandro’s note next.

Listen I may have been a teensy bit of a jerk when Sophie was the first girl to join the soccer team. Okay, maybe more than a teensy bit of a jerk. But really she’s a great player and I’m honored to be co-captain of the soccer team with her.

Sophie grinned at the note. Ha! After all these years he finally admits he was a jerk for her. Which took up an abundance of his own pride probably. She thought it was sweet of him to also say she was a great player and despite his arrogance, he was a pretty good co-captain. Sophie picked up Gwen’s note next.

Sophie is a great art buddy and teammate. I’m pretty indifferent to people but Sophie is actually really cool. If I don’t feel like participating then Sophie doesn’t make me. Not many people will do that for me and it’s pretty cool.

Sophie giggled a little at the note. Gwen was probably the most indifferent person she has ever met and yet that’s what she loved about her. Literally, she doesn’t give a shit what they do as long as it’s cool. Sophie picked up the final note from her soccer friends which was from Courtney.

Look Sophie isn’t the level of perfection I would like out of a soccer captain but I  for some reason don’t care. Sophie is a great person and does at least a decent job at leading us along with Alejandro. If anyone disagrees I will fight them.

Sophie was surprised with this note. With how much flack Courtney always gave her about her form she was surprised to get something this sincere from Courtney. Also the line of Courtney willing to fight someone for her kind of worried her. She started on the notes from her best friends starting with Fionna.

Sophie is so cool! Like I’ve never seen someone climb trees so fast in my life! She’s also a great adventurer! I love the places she takes us! They are always so cool! Sophie is an amazing friend!

Sophie giggled at the note. It was hyper just like Fionna. Fionna was cool even though they didn’t hang out much and weren’t very close. She could always count on Fi if she had nobody to go adventuring with. Sophie picked up Elyssa’s note next.

Sophie is pretty rad! Every time I see “Rawr XD” written anywhere I always think that she’s definitely the one who wrote it and I smile every time. She makes us smile and if anyone ever ruins her smile, I’ll handle that personally.

Sophie laughed the note at first. She still couldn’t believe that inside joke created all those years ago during second grade was still going strong. There was something else about the note. Why did it seem like all of her friends wanted to fight someone? She needed to discuss this with everyone later. She picked up  Allyssa’s (Elyssa’s twin sister) note next.

Hey. So just to say that this will be incredibly awkward but deal with it. Listen Sophie is a great friend that I can be awkward with and it’s great. I usually hate people so Sophie is special. So yeah… Sophie is great and everyone else sucks then.

Sophie let out a laugh at this. Yup. This was Allyssa’s note alright. Just as lovably awkward as she is. She’s glad that she’s on Allyssa’s list of people she likes instead of the list of people she’ll be dragging at her funeral someday. Man. That funeral is going to be the greatest thing she’ll ever witness one day. She moved on to Audrey’s note next.

I like Sophie because she's such a sweetheart. When we met in the third grade she was awkwardly funny just like me! That made for some interesting times in math honestly. Even if our teacher did hate us! I love Sophie she’s so sweet.

Sophie grinned widely at Audrey’s note. Audrey is honestly one of the cutest human beings she’s ever met. She’s also been so nice to her and it just made Sophie feel good inside knowing she had a true friend like Audrey. Even if there were moments that made Audrey groan at her exclaiming that she hates her. Audrey still cares for her. She picked up Caden’s note next.

Sophie has always been really sweet to me and Audrey ever since the third grade. I remember when I got my appendix out Sophie baked me all these muffins and sorta went overboard but they were REALLY good muffins. I’m glad she cares about us.

Sophie laughed as she remembered those muffins. She must have baked him 30+ pumpkin muffins for Caden and had given them to him. He must have thought they were good considering by the end of their classes for the day they were all almost gone. Caden has always been making Audrey and her laugh in math since third grade and she was thankful for that. She picked up McKenzie’s note next.

Sophie, I always remember her as an organizer. But not a stickler, she always had something planned in mind but it didn't always have to go that way which was cool. Down for anything but if there wasn't anything then she'd make something. She’s funny and cares for her friends and loves lions which are valuable traits. Her drawings were, and always will be, fun and charming to me. Your dedication to a fandom is an unbridled passion that few have and is an overlooked positive trait! I still have that robot shirt she gave me from all those years ago, too, it doesn't fit and it's peeling a bit but I could never part with it because it was something a true friend made.  

Sophie wanted to cry after reading McKenzie’s note. It was so sweet to hear words from her like that as one of her oldest and dearest friends. She felt good as she read all the positive things said about herself and realized that she is actually a really good person. She picked up Gabe’s note next.

I think I’m one of the only boys in the whole school that can actually tell Sophie and Skylar. On the one hand that should be really impressive on the other hand it’s really sad considering how different the two are. Sophie is far more adventurous, creative, and tomboyish then Skylar is. Even though I may be in love with Skylar I gotta give credit where credit is due. Sophie’s her own person and people gotta respect that.

YES! Thank you, Gabe, for finally understanding what she’s been telling people for years! She and her sister are separate entities and beings. They are not the same and she’s so glad Gabe can see that when few people can. She picked up Talia’s note next.

Sophie and I been friends for a long time. She and I are the original tomboys from kindergarten. We started a whole trend! I’ll always remember her as the tomboy queen and how she could show any boy that she could do what they do.

Sophie grinned at the note. She really did start a trend with the whole tomboy thing even if she didn’t mean to. She was just being herself. Soon enough Talia just jumped on the bandwagon of being a tomboy and all the others came running after. Sophie picked up Cerise’s note next.

She’s my best friend. My entirely weird, excitable, stupid best friend. She’s a great artist and she should always keep moving forward. If she doesn’t I’ll hit her with another book. Also, I’m planning Sophie and Xavier’s wedding and it will be amazing. So yeah she’s stupid but also my best friend.

She also noticed a lot of doodles on the note confirming that this was indeed Cerise’s note. Sophie rolled her eyes. Yeah, it had her signature bitterness alright but there was underlying sweetness to it as well. Cerise was her best friend. She had gotten Sophie through those rough years of her trying to raise her sibling and she was really thankful for that. She picked up Marshall’s note next.

Sophie is my favorite cousin! We’ve been best friends since we were two and she’s awesome! She always goes along with my schemes and… she got me through the divorce while she was still raising her siblings. We leaned on each other for the longest time and I hope we always will.

Sophie started to tear up at Marshall’s note. Those toddler years were really rough for the both of them. Sophie was trying to raise Olivia and Nate after their mother died and even though Skylar and Silas were kinda helping it sometimes felt like Sophie was raising them too. At the same time Marshall was going through his parent's divorce with them constantly fighting, his oldest siblings at each other's throats, trying to take care of his sisters, and worrying about his unborn sibling’s future it was a lot for him at once. However, they had each other and depended on each to get through it. Sophie picked up Skylar’s note next.

Sophie has always been an amazing older sister even if she’s only five minutes older than me I’ve looked up to her. I remember when Webkinz was considered status to our grade and you gave up some of your work money to help me out. While she doesn’t have as much class as the girls in dance or cheerleading and she still chooses to be a Tomboy after all this time my point is despite are clear differences. Sophie is a great sister and friend.

Sophie’s heart swelled with pride. She remembered the days of Webkinz fondly (She still 40 of them in her crawlspace) and waiting with her sister to get some for the both of them even though the coldest days and hottest days too. She and her sister were close as children but as they grew up their interests spread out and they grew apart. She was still her sister, though. She picked up Silas’s note next.  

Look I know anyone who reads this will be all “Oh you guys aren't real siblings. You’re just half siblings”. Shut up. I shared a womb for nine months with these two. I might as well be their full sibling. That being said both Sophie and Skylar have always been more outgoing than I could ever be. Sophie especially and I’m glad she can do something I never could.

Sophie started to tear up more at Silas’s note. She never considered Silas a half sibling. As far as she was concerned she, Skylar, and Silas were full siblings. That being said she never pushed Silas to be like her and Skylar going out to make friends as fast they did. He did things at his own pace and Sophie respected that. Sophie picked up the last note which was from her boyfriend. Xavier.

Oh where to even begin with Sophie? Ever since we were four we’ve been best friends. I showed her how to be normal and actually make friends and she showed me into her world where I can be a hero and do something with my life. When she first kissed when we were seven I knew there was something there though I never had to courage to say it. However, this past Valentine's Day something changed and suddenly we were a couple. I’ve been blessed with the best girlfriend the world created. I love her so much.~

Sophie blushed hard at the note. She always felt something special between her and Xavier as well but didn’t know how to address it until that fateful Valentine’s Day. Since then they had been a couple and she couldn't be happier with their relationship.

It was then Sophie realized something. Not only did she have a support system from The Vanguard but she also had a support team here. Her art friends, her soccer team, and her best friends new and old. She had found something special. So what if her family wasn’t the most put together? Who cares? She had two families one consisting of The Vanguard and the other consisting of her best friends. As she put her two boxes away in her special hiding place she realized this was all she needed.