#also it looks like this season will be darker than the first? maybe? the tone seems a lot more serious than the original season

[fashnotfound]

[holodecks-and-hennins]

TNG Original Costume Tests: Deanna Troi

I don’t have the actual documentary, just the Trekcore caps, so forgive me if I miss anything, and feel free to add on if you have more info!

Deanna had some great cut hairstyles, as well as some different contacts! Let’s dive in!

I really like this style! I love the little curls around the face. Also, I’m fascinated by that hair clip thing— it’s kinda unclear what it’s made of. If anyone has any info, pipe up! Her lipstick seems to get progressively darker over the first two seasons; it’s pretty close to this in Farpoint, but by Naked Now it’s already darker to go with her blue jumpsuit, and it changes again to even darker when the burgundy jumpsuit arrives in the second season. Contrariwise, her blue eyeshadow is a lot more prominent here than even in Farpoint. Channeling Spock and matching her department colour, I suppose.

I think I like the side view a lot more than the front view— that sparkly accent kind of gets lost in the hair in this view. The curls are still cute though! It’s also clearer in this picture the options for the Betazoid eyes. I didn’t notice it until someone pointed it out on Lon Suder, and now I can’t unsee it: Betazoids tend to have very large, very dark irises. Marina Sirtis’s actual eyes are a lot lighter than either option here.

The next hair option is this sleek bun. I think the decorations here are really pretty from the side, and again, less so from the front. I love the naturalistic design of those gold leafy patterns!

It looks a bit awkward from the front because of where the ends of the hair ornament fall. I think it might be nice if the top ones came over the front a bit more; I think the design would be clearer from all angles that way.

It looks like there’s a cool twisted or braided aspect to the bun, which I wish was easier to see! The side view also shows how far back the eyeshadow goes on this style. I think it looks pretty nice! It's a little closer to the style she gets later in the season, though more pulled back.

And this test is basically what made it on screen at Farpoint. This isn’t my favourite Troi hairstyle; the sparkly braided headband is cute, but maybe a little chunky and I think it has too many colours. I prefer the more defined loose curls she gets later to the loose frizz here. 

Including this last picture mainly for the smile! Though you can also see how the eyeshadow was toned down from the other tests.

[kojitheopossum]

this is about the siren’s song au

Theory: siren’s have some sort of obvious sexually dimorphism traits. You mentioned that sirens are highly territorial, so I think it would make sense for the species to develop some sort of sexual dimorphism to help differentiate between siren-that-is-trying-to-kill-me and siren-that-is-trying-to-mate-with-me. The two options that come to mind are different coloring (like cardinals) or a size different (like angler fish). There could also be some sort of different fin pattern maybe?

Alternative option is that they do the thing salmon do during mating seasons and look completely different.

Second Theory: the temperature of the water a siren is living in, especially or exclusively during childhood, affects their coloring. This may be a fact that I missed/was heavily implied tbh. I know Eeltho cannonically lived in deeper and colder waters than most sirens, and is also paler than most sirens, so it would make sense that warmer water temperatures create darker coloring/markings in the skin of sirens.

for ur first theory, I'd definitely agree there's some elements of sexual dimorphism. Coloring, while interesting, probably wouldn't work because of how varied the colors they come in, I also absolutely love the angler fish comparison. I will say that female sirens fins tend to be much longer while the males have basic stretched oval shaped fins. They also mimick the human sexual dimorphism trait of chest size. The salmon idea is also rlly interesting but siren don't die after mating (unless killed by partner lmao). I know the fish changing shape doesn't directly kill it, but it still feels too much like an "end stage." The main conclusion I've come to regarding the issues of telling whether another siren wants to fuck or fight is a combination of body language and the hormones released into the water by both siren during mating season which draw the two together.

For your second theory, yes that's 100% true!! While siren can dive very deep, they'll spend time at the surface too. Etho, however, did not get much sunlight at all. The warmer the water the more vibrant the siren will be, however the coloring is first and foremost determined by their surroundings, many deep sea fish are red because it absorbed so much light, similar to etho. Sirens in the artic while often be darker and grayscale to match the surroundings. Siren who frequent the open ocean might be deep blue and green tones. Siren who spend time in reefs will match the coral backdrop etc etc.

[maulfucker]

Ok so. This is less concrete thoughts and more scattered ideas but.

Dathomirian Zabrak biology speculations/thoughts!

While at first glance it looks like males are the only ones who have different skin colors and the females are all pale, we do see at least one Nightsister with darker skin (the one whose facial markings are white and resemble a skull), meaning skin pigmentation is present in both but manifests differently in males vs females!

(This is much like birds where the females are the neutral-colored ones while the males have more vibrant colorations and are expected to impress the females to be picked as a mate)

And it's very curious to me that iridonians have very human-like skin tones, while dathomirians ended up having two extremes, either having very vibrant skin ranging from yellow to red, or very pale skin ranging from white to dark gray, both outside the human (and iridonian) range

I think if a transgender dathomirian had HRT their skin color would gradually change with it (much like how birds can change coloration depending on their hormones)

The fact that males have no hair and females have no horns seems very random to me and I will not be thinking about the hair thing but I will say:

Have you looked at Mother Talzin's head shape. Have you seen how strangely tall it looks. What if. What if females "lack" horns because instead of growing at just a few specific points their entire skulls grow and elongate over their lifetimes.

This makes sense if you consider that they live in a "dense jungle" type environment where things (fruits, branches, predators..) can fall on their heads all the time. Having a thicker skull would probably help avoid a cracked skull from constantly getting hit in the head by falling stuff

(No idea what about the hair thing though. Maybe it's something to do with gene interactions. Like whatever gene makes their skin so saturated also deactivates the "have hair" genes. or maybe nightsisters are all wearing wigs and none of them actually grow hair)

Speaking of the geography of the planet, I think it's pretty sad that we never really get a good look of what the Nightbrothers' region looks like outside the village and some mountain terrain around it. Is it more sunny than the Nightsisters' side and that's why their skin adapted to have more color while the females' adapted to lose color? Or is it a seasonal thing and we just never got to see another season in the shows? Or is the village just built in a place that's so high the mist doesn't reach it? We get the sense that it's cold, at least at night, so why are they dressed in such light clothes? In fact, is it hot where the Nightsisters live, or is the entire species more adapted to colder temperatures and that's why they all wear so little?

What would happen if you crossed a dathomirian zabrak with a species that also has non-human skin tones but not linked to sexual dimorphism. Like what if you had a pantoran-zabrak cross, since pantorans are on the opposite side of the color wheel. Do you think they'd be an extremely vibrant blue or yellow-orange-red, or a middle ground, like green? Or perhaps an extreme outside both species' range, like purple? Do you think the "no saturation" gene would take over and make them gray no matter the gender?

[too-many-rooks]

Spoiler warning: Long rambly notes I took while watching season 3, disclaimer that a lot of this is just character moments/lines I found interesting and initial bones of an au idea for a burgeoning, extremely self indulgent slightly-darker-Alex in season 3 wip I’ve started.

Also it was the middle of the night and I was very tired and wired out of my gourd on some mix of cheap white wine and floods of hyperfixation-sourced dopamine. Also also I only started taking notes at ep 3?

Episode 3

Alex is SUCH a better spy this season than when he began even in the first few episodes prior to SCORPIA training he’s more careful and precise and the team feels better organised - he did so well on that boat I’m so proud of my baby

I’m actually enjoying Tom and Kyra fucking about more than I expected. Tom pulling Kyra together after the boat explosion suprised me by how emotive it was. But I do want them to.. go away. Alex should more isolated/desperate/have NO other choices than SCORPIA.

Everything in Malagosto seems so staged to just see how Alex will react to it all - here’s an unlocked door, here’s an Alex sized vent and a dead spot in the cameras, what are you gonna do about it? +Alex absolutely speaks French I think he’s just not giving that away yet

Oh yes yes lingering bad touch from Julia Rothman hitting the right notes even though that costume is a WILD kaftan moment. Evil carmen sandiago/noir femme fatale aesthetic where are you I miss you so much

Ohhhh Julia saying Ian walked away and abandoned him and that was what hit him worst oh my goooooooooood

(Outfit change from julie mean day change or is she just a multiple outfits a day kinda person. Believable, I guess)

Julia’s gaslighting I ssoooo crazy ‘we trust you. We want you.’ After having his closest people not trust him, and now maybe questioning if Ian even wanted him!

Julia fucking loved this, she’s totally thrilled by her own power. Queen 👸🏻.

God Jones and the department is going THROUGH IT THIS SEASON, just suddenly surrounded by corpses

Julia : offers irrefutable proof, upsets him, then presses him to continue believing what he did before and belittling his objections - very subtle but more firm tone of voice, less motherly/accepting, very clear that the noose around Alex’s neck is always there.

She’s so delighted at the prospect of making Alex into the perfect soldier

Julia: “I want you to meet your tutor”

Me: ‘here he here he comes here he comes.’ And then I threw of my blanket, pushed myself onto my knees, and started bouncing and palm clapping in sheer delight. I basically never happy stim like this but MY GOD the flood of dopamine is IMMENSE.

More manic laughter at the start of episode 4 realising I’m about to see John and young Yassen. Nicuragua! 18 years ago!

God nervous baby Yassen with a gun

HES!! SO!!! BABY!!!

Baby boy already got his colour scheme locked down

Baby Yassen has curls - is it just the humidity or maybe does he have naturally curly hair that he straightens so he looks less cute?

Johns actor has a real resemblance to Ian (and Jack Lowden) but less so to otto

Ohoho scar moment scar moment bc Yassen was nervous and fucked up two people one bullet

“Close your eyes” as I tell these people I’m going to shoot you and have faith

God cut to adult Yassen WATCHING ALEX SLEEP LOOKING SO INTENSE

“Leave the past behind us.” “Ian rider was a professional. It was not personal it was my job.” “Think of this as a school and your dead by the end of the day” (actual honesty for the first time)

Alex not committing to being able to work with Yassen is perfect

Yassen taking Alex TO HIS KNEES so easily besties not been slowed down too much by a bullet to the chest

Soaking wet!!!!!!!!

Alex shooting scene amazing, as was Yassen bursting into his room immediately after for a murder pep talk. Alex has no privacy privileges from Yassen

Yassen removing the humanity from his targets, names/faces/lives are irrelevant, they are just blank targets. “One day you’ll have to murder them.”

“That’s not gonna happen”

Yassen *be so ffr rn face*

Really interesting to see the other side of the department covering up an agent death and lying to the family - I like the department with more humanity/emotional resonance than pure ruthlessness

Shitty Malagosto communal dorm room and matching drab grey hoodies my beloved

Shame there’s no ‘your not afraid of a little prick are you?’ ‘I wouldn’t call you that’ line. (But switching out the ‘getting vaccinated will implant you with secret nano tech that will kill you’ plottline probs a good idea)

Ooooh Julia creepily poisoning him so excited making me think of her delighting in drugging him in a cocktail of ‘let me take care of you’ ways

Yassen pulling rank to break up the fight!!

Ooh Nile wants to take down Yassen so bad.

Toms film skills coming in clutch recording/ documenting things so Alex will be taken seriously, glad to see him be… less of a dead weight to the team

Begrudgingly-impressed-at-Alex Yassen, even with the “come on that’s a bad idea”, “yeah, but!” Teenagerisms

Yassen’s core (suppressed) emotions: fear, doubt, panic

Alex: love, hope, friendship (okay dear, 🙄 but remember you’re literally becoming an assassin why are you so niave all of a sudden?)

Alex insisting John saved him bc he had compassion and was his friend and that Yassen’s rejection of that makes him lonely oh oh my heart my heart

I LOVE how much fun Nile has being evil at his job of threatening children.

Episode 5

Oh my god HIT HIM ALEX where do you think you are? How do you think you’ll actually manage to get those trainees to trust you? Stop whining and hit the man with a wooden sword, christ

Smithers (in reference to Alex) “he’s out there being a teenager because of us” *cut to Alex, very much in danger, contemplating his capacity to kill*

Julia: “no one leaves,” [scorpia, me, interchangeable to her]

mission with Yassen!

Packing for the mission with Yassen!!!

Yassen can’t read his handwriting!!!

“You’ve put… lockpick?”

“I left my last one in Nile. “

Alex bitching about his meagre gadgets at point Blanc 💯

Matching tactical turtlenecks!!!

“I don’t want you to fail. I don’t want you to die.”

Alex and Yassen are a team but Yassen gives Alex command of them oh boysieeeee

Again glad they dropped the vaccine bit: vaccines aren’t dangerous, but vaping is!!

Of on a road trip with Yassen!!

A murder road trip!

Love Kyra seeing the shot and the body - I know why it didn’t happen but I do kinda wish for a more corrupted violent Alex coerced/bargained into firing it himself

That Tom confrontation was great - I do want to see it as like a ‘your getting in my way’ intentional cruelty to push him away and keep him safe when Alex is too deep in SCORPIA to be deluded about thinking he can go home

Alex rejects intimacy with Julia and she cracks down her authority ‘no one leaves’

Ep 6

Love Alex spooky in the cemetery, SCORPIA hot on his heels

Sharing a grotty safe house together god SO GOOD

“We trust each other. You should try it sometime.”

“If it’s not emotional why do you do it?”

“Because it’s my job. (Identity/life/personal connections/sacrificed everything for) I work for SCORPIA. I’m good at it. You could be too.” Olive branch of intimacy - wants alex to be more like him, so they can be equals, can share this life that he apparently finds satisfaction in, not thinking or making decisions beyond how best to achieve his goal/finish the task(/order)assigned to him/subject himself to feeling emotions/thinking about his life beyond his attempts to depersonalise himself as just a weapon - just a professional with no emotions, and that that is fundamentally who he is. Evidently having some inconvenient feelies about Alex tho.

Oh no his delivery disguise makes him look like a caveman. Glad he took off the accessories for the Jones confrontation, his hair actually looks great there all tousled. (Beginning to realise how important characters hair is to me bc I still hate Julia’s I want some dark perfect waves this Bob is ough)

I’m really glad they settled on Yassen NOT knowing about John - he twists it that John didn’t betray him bc he had nothing to gain from being kind to him, so it wasn’t false, but he is so 100% loyal to John, eager to twist any criticism. I do wish we’d seen more of their relationship, but expecting some Russian roulette bits was overly optimistic

“I know my place” he’s IMMEDIATELY off to rescue his boy (actually, where did he go? All of that last episode I was just WHAT ABOUT YASSEN? Was he just plotting a rescue that didn’t need to happen and waiting for his boy to show up?)

Dare I say… good for blunt? Stephen dillane is just so charming I can’t help but like him. And you see some flashes of his ruthlessness like when he talks to Greif but he’s not a 24/7 conniving monster. Also Jones in charge and Alex possibly (definitely) returning to spy work in a couple of years? I like that. Totally abandoning it would have felt unsatisfying.

Loved that moment on the roof - missed opportunity for them to awkwardly wave at each other, but I’m so happy I predicted wrongly and Yassen gets to live and walk away and put down his weapons. There’s so much space for how they can reconnect in that.

[cidthesquid]

Animal Crossing: New Horizons | Character Creator Chat

[Previous Post]              [First Post]              [Next Post] It's been a long and tough week, so I don't think I'll have the energy for the weekly style savvy post. But hopefully you enjoy this instead. Welcome back to CCC, (Formerly Character Creator Critique) where I just kinda yap a bit while working through a character creator.

Here's a new entry in my 'Character Creator Critique' Series Where I live-blog working through the creator in various games. So I have played this game and created a character previously. However, that was about a year ago, and I don't remember much, So let's start fresh, new character new island!

So the game starts out asking for your same and birthday. And I must say, I really love the UI in this game, the color/textures, really make it look just so inviting! Next you get to start making your character,

I have noticed that some more recent Nintendo games, (like splatoon) Have done away with specific gender labels, and they don't use any cryptic working like "Body Type A", I think this is nice, you just choose how you want to look. As soon as you select your style, you'll be randomly assigned one of the staring outfits, here's a few that I saw when restarting the game a few times:

Next up is skin tone:

(Your starting outfit is picked at random, when you reach this point) And, I think they offer a good selection, it may not be the most realistic, but I think they cover a good range, without breaking the game's art style. Next, you can pick one of the starting hairstyles:

Honestly, I find this a little disappointing. Yes, I'm aware you can get more later, But only four starting options tailored towards each gender feels slim There's not much in the way of variety, especially considering you'll probably be stuck with this look for a few real-time days or weeks. I do like the hair color options though! That shade of orange, and the pale yellow options are nice lesser seen presets. Next is Eyes:

They have a TON f options for these, it looks like the options even span a few different art styles, as I recognize some from the Gamecube entry. Some can look a little odd, in the modern art style, But I feel they all fit well enough that you could get used to them with time, and it means you could probably care over your (basic) look from previous games. I could have gone for a few more eye colors, maybe a brighter blue, or something that offers a warmer brown color, but I think the selection sticks to the AC color pallet well enough Next up, nose & mouth in one combined screen:

And wow, that's... pretty sparse. I get that eyes are important, But it feels like there are more eye options than hair, skin, nose and mouth combined! I kinda wish the nose color adjusted with the skin tone, it looks a little 'clown like'. imo. Also, what's with the mouth choices, Smile, and slightly wider smile take up half the choices. oh well, I like 'option 3', it seems like a a happier version of the standard neutral face. Next is makeup options:

And I did not expect much from this, but I'm surprised they only offer two blush colors. Neither option or color really shows super up well on darker skin in my opinion, so I'll go without. So here's the final product:

Yeah, Animal Crossing does not really cater towards the 'Rock' look, But I think it's a decent enough reimagining. (Why do I always do these comparisons at the end, lol) They then ask more details about where you live, so seasons will work properly, (it's just for norther vs Southern Hemisphere)

Next You get to pick your starting island shape:

And you're asked a question to decide your starting items:

And now we've made it to the island!

My starting villagers were Muffy and Sampson:

If you're unhappy with your starting outfit, villagers, or your island's starting fruit, you can just close the game and try again. And I think the randomness for how your island starts is pretty cool, But I really think, the starting outfit could be something we choose, Even if they only give us a few randomly generated choices, or just let us pick a favorite color. But it's not a huge deal.

My starting island had apples, (same as my main island) so I restarted the game a few times, and eventually found a good mix. Peaches and the sailor style shirt. (and villagers 'Reneigh' and 'Rowan' --- ...And in retrospect... maybe I should have waited a while before making this post. This probably came off as fairy negative, as I was just picking on the lack of options this game starts with. That was not my intention, I've missed most the AC entries, but I know the character builder as still come a LONG way. (Especially from the 'quiz based' character creator on GameCube)

But regardless, I feel this serves as a decent "Part 1" coverage of this game. If I stick with the game I'll come back for a "Part 2" when I've unlocked more stuff. I've always though animal crossing was "neat", But the linear progression the “nook miles” system offers, may be enough to keep me interested for longer. I dropped the game previously because I found it a little confusing how to unlock stuff, but after watching a few youtube video to get me started, I'm ready to give the game a second chance! -----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Next CCC: Fashion Dreamer Thanks for reading! I had a lot of fun making this, so I hope you had fun reading it as well!

As always, all comments, questions, and suggestions are welcome! (I'm also looking for feedback on this new style, how's the formatting)

You literally can't bother me, (unless you go out of your way to be a jerk), so post whatever you need to say!

[where-theres-smoak-2]

S+B Season 2 Trailer Thoughts

I just watched the shadow and bone season 2 trailer and I have some thoughts about it, a bit of speculation and theories too. I am going to be talking about spoilers from the books in these speculations so beware if you don’t want any spoilers. But anyway I figured the best way to start this was by starting from the beginning of the trailer. 

The Opening Scene

 The opening shot of the trailer showing Alina watching the fold rush towards the village she is standing in and the darkling stepping out of the fold. 

At first I thought maybe this was Alina seeing the darkling’s return through their connection but then I remembered that we’ve technically already seen the moment the darkling returns and exits the fold in season 1 and he is not wearing the same clothing in this scene. However I do still think this has some connection to the darklina bond. My theory is that Alina is going to have recurring nightmares about what happened to Novokribirsk and in those nightmares she is going to see the darkling return over and over. I think this is going to cause her to become really paranoid that Aleksander is still alive which is where the bond comes in because I think Alina can sense Aleksander through that bond they have but as of yet doesn’t understand it so these dreams or rather nightmares she is having of Novokribirsk are being invaded by the bond version of Aleksander who I think is trying to reform a connection with her and communicate with her. I could see a situation though where Alina feels like she’s losing it a bit and that everyone around her doesn’t believe her when she tells them she thinks the darkling has returned. If it is that she is having nightmares about the events at the end of season 1 then I think that could be interesting as one of my main complaints about the book was that it seemed like these traumatic events that were happening to Alina didn’t have much of an effect on her and I don’t think hers, or anyone else’s, mental health was really properly explored in the books. So if they are going to give some attention to that in season 2 then I think that is a good thing. 

Alina’s Powers

Something that did catch my attention in the trailer was the difference in Alina’s powers. In season one they were a more golden colour but occasionally would turn a pure white colour in those bigger more powerful moments like when she was protecting the stag or when she breaks free from the darkling’s control in the fold. In the trailer we see one moment when she is with Nikolai where her powers are that golden colour: 

But the rest of the time her powers have this blue tone to them almost more like lightning than sunlight. My theory is that her powers take on this change when she gets the second amplifier. There is this shot of Alina using her powers on a boat which I think could be the scene where she gets the sea whip amplifier and uses her powers for the first time with it:

As her powers burst out from her in pulses you can see those golden wisps that are very reminiscent of her season 1 powers but there is also this blue electric like light. After that we only see her using this more electric blue light like when she is practising the cut or fighting against Aleksander. I think they’ve done this so the audience has that visual representation that her powers have changed and grown stronger with the new amplifier but I do think its interesting that they have gone for a much colder colour maybe its a sign that Alina is being drawn more to her darker/ colder side?  I did get the sense that Alina is feeling very angry in this trailer and I think it could be interesting if they decide to explore her more darker impulses. Either way I do think this scene looks pretty damn epic and I can’t wait to see it. 

Genya and Baghra 

So I can not be the only book reader that side eyed when both Baghra and Genya appeared in the trailer unharmed and looking perfectly healthy. It was one of the first things that caught my attention. With genya when I saw this scene with her and david:

My first reaction was to squeal like a shipper, I feel like this is going to be a great emotional scene between them both. But then I noticed that, and big spoiler for non book readers incoming, she has no scars. But then I figured well maybe they’ve changed things from the books and she reunites with david briefly before getting her scars as there is this scene that shows genya backing away looking terrified from a Nichevo’ya:

Which could be the scene where she gets her scars, its the first thing that popped into my head when I saw this moment in the trailer. But then I saw another image that got me scratching my head again. This one is a still that was released and not in the trailer:

I’m 100% sure this scene is where Genya confronts the Queen and King from book 3 which results in Nikolai banishing his parents. Unless all of the scars are on the other side of her face then it doesn’t look like she is scarred and this scene in the books takes place way after she is scarred, so whilst I could kind of see them changing things so that Genya and David reunite sooner I don’t think they would have changed the timeline to this extent where they are at the events of the third book and she still hasn’t got them. Which makes me wonder if they just removed that plot point altogether? 

There is also a couple of shots of Baghra and like genya she doesn’t seem to be injured in anyway, again book spoilers, but when Alina sees Baghra again in book 2 she learns that Aleksander has blinded her as punishment for helping Alina escape. Alina is horrified by this because she realises that not even his own mother is spared his wrath. It makes Alina see him as even more of a monster. Yet from the shots in the trailer it looks like Baghra has 20/20 vision. So I can see this being one of two scenarios. Either they decided to cut those plot points out, whether that was because they didn’t have time for them or because they want the audience to still have some sympathy for the darkling and thought those two plots would make that impossible for the audience to do is up for debate. I do think they tried to make Aleksander more sympathetic in season 1 than he was in the books so I could see them doing that in season 2 as well. Personally I am kind of hoping that they have cut them out because I personally felt these actions didn’t make much sense in the books. Particularly when it comes to genya because he made it clear that Alina was not to be harmed yet when Genya didn’t shoot her leading to Alina getting away the Darkling punishes her by letting the Nichevo’ya feed on her. Which doesn’t make sense given the don’t harm order. Whilst punishing Baghra makes a little more sense it still seemed like an overly brutal reaction from Aleksander towards his own mother, maybe I am alone in this but I did feel like it was a case of making him evil just because ya know he’s evil. Both these actions gave very 2d villain with no depth vibes.  

However there is another possibility and that is simply that the scenes have been edited for the trailer so as not to give away spoilers to non book readers. I’ve known of other shows and films where they have edited scenes in the trailer to hide certain plot points, an example could be Marvel’s Eternals (mild spoilers for eternals) in the trailer we see this shot:

But the actual footage in the movie was this (sorry about the crappy image quality). 

As you can see they deliberately edited out the clouded, blanked out look to her eyes to hid a particular plot point and its possible they have done this here with the shadow and bone trailer too. 

Darklina Tether Bond Scenes

So one thing I am really excited for being a darklina fan is seeing their tether bond scenes. We got a glimpse of one of the scenes in the teaser trailer we got and it looks like we have another in this trailer and once again there were a few things that caught my attention. The first was that they were in the war room and wearing the same clothes that they were in episode 5 which oh the flashbacks. But what I am curious about is what this model on the table is supposed to show?

I recognise the black structure as being the model of the fold from the war room but it looks like it is now surrounding some kind of model of a building. So is this like the Darkling's war plans or is this suppose to represent Novokribirsk and showing where the fold is currently? 

Another thing I thought was interesting is that it shows as a shot of the darkling’s hand where the stag amplifier used to be:

It looks like there are wisps of the sun summoner powers coming out of the wound on his hand. When I first watched this scene I thought it was the same scene as the tether bond scene but when re-watching it (because obviously I couldn’t just watch the trailer once) I realised that when it pans out the darkling is wearing different clothes and his face is scarred so they are either two separate scenes or the, what is the writers said they called it the mind palace I think, shifts and we see the darkling with the scars. Either way you can see that the darkling actually looks somewhat frightened at what is happening:

I think this is when Aleksander finds out that he and Alina are still linked and that some of her power still exists within him. I think at first this will frighten him somewhat but as time goes on he’ll begin to use it and learn to control it.

I also didn’t miss the fact that in that first pic of his hand in the background you can see he was looking at a poster depicting him and Alina standing together. I am assuming this was some kind of propaganda that was made before the events of the fold. I do wonder if it is him looking at this poster and thinking about Alina and what could have been, how he planned for them to rule together, to change the world together that triggers Alina’s powers to manifest in him for the first time. 

The Palace Attack and The Chapel 

So one of my favourite scenes in the 2nd book was the darkling’s attack on the Palace and the resulting chapel scene between Alina and Aleksander.  I think we get some shots from those scenes too. Namely I think this shot of Nichevo’ya crashing through a glass dome ceiling and attacking people at a dinner is the attack on the Palace:

There are also images of a Nichevo’ya in front of a stained glass window depicting the sun summoner which I think is from the chapel scene:

I also think this shot is from the same scene and it looks like the crows will be part of those scenes:

I actually think this bottom shot will be where Alina tells everyone to leave her and run and Mal is arguing with her trying to convince her to come too. If I am right then this is a scene that I am really looking forward too because it is a great moment in the book and I think it will be visually epic too. I definitely think the whole attack scene will be action packed and have you on the edge of your seat. I was a little worried that they might cut the scene so seeing these images has given me a bit of hope back.  

But it does lead me to some more confusion and questions as if you’ve read the book you know that after the chapel scene Alina’s hair turns white yet there are scenes that seem like they happen post chapel scene but where Alina still has dark hair so it looks like maybe they cut that too or like with Genya and Baghra it could be editing to hide the plot point?  

The Destruction of The Fold

So we have had some interviews that have caused me a bit of confusion as to where exactly they are going with the plot in season 2 because we have had some say that they are moving away from the books but they have also said that they have adapted some things from both book 2 and 3. It looks like the destruction of the fold might be one of them, possibly. We have this shot of Alina and Aleksander going at each other with their powers and it does kind of look like they might be in the fold:

So I think this might be the final showdown in the fold from book 3 that results in the destruction of the fold, lord please let it play out differently from the books though and Alina doesn’t lose her powers because I will be so mad I hated that plot point with a fiery passion. But interestingly there is also this scene of Zoya and Inej which is what first made me think hey wait are they getting rid of the fold in this season:

To me it looks like they are standing next to the ruins where the fold was created but clearly the fold is gone and all that remains is a desert wasteland. However what is interesting is the presence of the Nichevo’ya. So I am wondering one of two things, is this them fading away or are they going to do a cop out where you think Aleksander is dead but then these Nichevo’ya appear as like the cliff-hanger or something and you are left wondering if he really is gone or whether someone else is controlling the Nichevo’ya. 

Alina’s Agency and Possible Dark Side

This one is a small one but a couple of lines I noticed from Alina raised some interesting possibilities to me. One was where she is talking about how she needs all three amplifiers. Its a simple line but what I found interesting was it seems like Alina is taking a more active role in searching for the amplifiers for herself. In the books one of my criticisms was that Alina very much seemed to be dragged through the plot by other characters rather than making any decisions or plans for herself. It was something I found really frustrating. One example was that Alina doesn’t make the decision to go after the stag herself it is Mal who says they need to do this, what I liked about season 1 of the show was that they changed this so that Alina is the one who comes up with the plan and tells Mal they have to go find the stag before Aleksander finds it first. This gave Alina alot more of her own agency and it looks like that will continue in season 2. 

But another line that had me raising my eyebrows a bit and really did intrigue me was when Alina tells, I am assuming Aleksander though I can’t be sure, ‘I’ll destroy the only thing you have left’. Now I don’t know if Alina said this in the book, if she did I don’t recall it, but I couldn’t help but notice how similar this line is to one that the darkling said in the book ‘I will strip away all that you know, all that you love, until you have no shelter but mine.’ Maybe its just me but these two lines just seem so similar to me. They have that same idea of taking something precious away from another and leaving them with nothing. It does make me wonder if the writers put this line in deliberately to draw that comparison between darklina. Is this another hint that maybe Alina is being drawn to a darker path because if that is the case honestly I’d be down for it, I’ve always said it could be interesting to explore those darker impulses that are half hinted at in the books but never really committed to. Of course I could just be looking too deeply into the line. 

Wardrobe Change 

I couldn’t do a post on my thoughts and speculation on the trailer without talking about the new costumes. I couldn’t help but notice some interesting changes to some of the characters outfits. Lets start with something I noticed about the grisha. We have this pretty cool looking shot of Aleksander with his grisha: 

I couldn’t help but notice that his grisha are now dressed in different outfits. The colours of their Keftas are much darker but they’ve also got this interesting aesthetic to them where they look like they’ve been stained with shadow. It gives quite gothic vibes and it is an interesting change. Which got me thinking why they changed the grisha’s keftas was it just to show how much darker Aleksander has become? But I think the real reason is a much more practical one. I mentioned above that we see scenes of Zoya with Inej well I noticed that Zoya is still wearing the old style of Kefta that we saw in season 1:

There is also this shot of who I think is nadia and another grisha running away from flames and again they seem to be dressed in that old grisha style:

The previous shot shows an inferni throwing flames and they are dressed in the new grisha style:

So I think the show’s team gave the darkling’s grisha new uniforms so that when Alina’s grisha and the darkling’s grisha get into conflicts the viewer can clearly see which grisha is on which side, which makes alot of sense from a practical point as you don’t want your audience distracted from action scenes because they are trying to figure out who’s on which side, now we can all go well those guys are wearing gothic couture so they must be the darkling’s guys. Still I kind of love the change, the new costumes are fun to look at. 

Alina also gets an interesting costume change as we see her dressed in a more militant look. In the books when she chooses new kefta she goes for a gold kefta if I remember rightly but they seem to have ditched that idea and gone for a different look and its kind of intriguing: 

It kept wondering what it was reminding me of and then it finally hit me:

It’s a more decorative version of her first army uniform from season 1. It is an interesting choice to put her in a first army uniform and honestly I am not sure how I feel about it. On one hand it is an interesting way of showing the difference between Alina and Aleks. Alina has that connection to the first army as she grew up as an Otkazat'sya serving in the first army so it is a interesting call back to her roots. Whereas Aleks grew up as grisha and has a strong connection to the second army as he is it’s founder so it makes sense that we see him in the Kefta look. However one of my biggest issues with Alina’s character was I never felt like she cared enough about the grisha so, I don’t know it feels a bit off, seeing her dressed in the uniform of the first army who I’ve always seen as the soldiers of the king who oppressed and used the grisha. I mean I could 100% be looking too deeply into it and I’m sure it wasn’t their intention but I just don’t know if it was a good idea to have someone who is claiming to be fighting for the betterment of grisha to be dressed in the uniform of their oppressors. But like I said that could be just me. It does look like a cool outfit and it does make her look like a general or badass military leader I think I just wish it looked more like a Kefta seeing as Alina is grisha and is suppose to be their chosen one or whatever. It’s an interesting choice for sure but I think I am going to have to see the context of why she chose it as opposed to a kefta before I decide on how I feel about the choice. Context matters after all. 

Finally I want to touch real quick on the changes to the darkling’s kefta. I’m not going to talk in too much detail about it as I already talked about it in another post but I do like how they have added the gold to his kefta. I do wonder if Aleks did this to mock alina a little, like as a reminder that they are still connected and little piece of her power still resides in him. Or it could just be that he is that much of a simp that he has to wear her colour too in an attempt to convince her and the world that they are meant to rule together. Or maybe he just find’s it comforting to wear her colour like putting on your ex’s jumper when you miss them lol. Either way I do like the look of the new kefta. 

Little Moments. 

So just some final little thoughts I had throughout the trailer that weren’t deep enough to go into, the crows look as badass as ever and I can’t wait to see what shenanigans they get up to this season. Speaking of badass Tolya and Tamar also look really cool and I am excited to get to know their characters in the show as well as Wylan and Nikolai. I haven’t read the Six of Crows books so I don’t know much about Wylan but it looks like Jesper just got his demolitions expert from that shot of him blowing something up in the trailer. I am again really interested to get to know his character more. I loved Nikolai’s line about ‘adventure, danger, now you’re speaking my language.’ I do think Nikolai is going to be one of those characters that relieves the tension and we’ll get some good comic lines from him. I also think the flying boats look really cool. From the quick glimpse of it I think the sea whip also looks great but I don’t want to think about its fate, I don’t think I am going to enjoy that scene at all. 

Concerns 

Ok so I will say that I am slightly more excited about the season after this trailer than I was after the teaser. However I would be lying if I said I didn’t have some concerns about this season. I have seen rumours that the season is bad but I don’t tend to put much stock in rumours I much prefer to watch it myself and then decide whether I agree that it was bad or not and I will still definitely be watching the season the moment it drops on Netflix. However my main concern is around this blending of both books into one season. I feel like they have got way way too much to fit in. Both books have some pretty big moments in them and I feel like if there are too many big moments in the show its going to feel too cluttered and rushed. Then there is whatever is going to be going on with the crows and I am just a tad bit concerned they’ve made a mistake here and bit off more than they can chew. I think I am mostly worried that they are trying to rush through the events of the grisha books to get to the six of crows plotline and don’t get me wrong I love the crows but as I mentioned before I haven’t read the six of crows books so whilst I do enjoy them they aren’t the main reason I watch the show, I am much more interested in the grisha story and darklina and the darkling as a character. That’s just my preference though I am sure there are people out there who prefer the crows and would like them to get to that plotline faster. I just really don’t want them to make a bad season because they have rushed through it and added too many elements to it and then that resulting in the show getting cancelled. I am still going to try and reserve my judgement though until I’ve seen the season for all I know it could be absolutely amazing and I could be blown away. 

Anyway think I have rambled on enough, what did everyone else think of the trailer? Are you excited for the new season? 

[akechiguro]

to see you again.

oneshot | shuichi saihara x kokichi ouma

alternate universe - postgame, simulation

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Synopsis | Shuichi Saihara and Kokichi Ouma meet again after the events of the 53rd season of Danganronpa.

Word Count | 3.0k.

Author’s Note | i don’t usually write in first person so this is a change of speed ^^ this is also from january so it’s pretty old, i feel bad for not posting :,D

also posted on ao3! (with minor changes)

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I still remember our last conversation. It rings like a fucking melody in my ears every time I go to sleep and I hate it. Every time the ear worm starts replaying in my head, it makes me forget about her, she’s the reason I even put myself out there and yet I find myself thinking about his and I’s last conversation rather than hers and mine.

“But, y’know…I…wasn’t boring, right?”

He wasn’t. He never was. He kept me on my feet like a real detective and pushed my limits so far over the edge I was sure I’d come crashing down at some point, but I didn’t. In a way, he saved me from doing that— or did she? Both of them? It doesn’t matter. One way or the other, I’m a better man because of them. Better, sure, but whipped out of my damn mind because of that little scumbag who preferred to play the devil’s advocate in serious situations rather than actually being of some real use.

I thought— no— I knew he died. Investigated his own death with my own eyes, forced another one of my best friends to his execution because of it, and found myself becoming a sobbing mess all over again. Not just for him, but her as well, even if she was some number of months between the two cases. I wasted too much of my time crying over someone I swore up and down I hated. Was it for nothing?

It had to have been. He’s sitting right in front of me right now.

There’s an awkward silence to the room, an unresolved tension lingering in the air so thick you could cut it with a knife. His hair is still the same shade of purple, if not a bit darker, maybe a little longer, and he looks taller since we last talked. Ironic. The outfit is near unrecognizable— the strangest feeling of deja vu, and yet, neither of us can remember where we’d seen each other in these clothes.

“So,” he started, taking the liberty of starting our conversation. God knows I can’t. Not after everything I’ve seen, argued for, cried over. He leaned his head against his hand with that certain admiration in his eye I could never quite figure out during the game. I’m glad he’s casual. It helped me calm down a little bit.

“So?” I retort shakily. My hands are trembling, fiddling with the hem of my school uniform’s jacket. I know I said Kaede helped me grow as a person, be more confident, but for some reason I can’t meet his eye.

“How’d you do? You know, after I was gone?” He asked. His tone is more…calm? It’s different from the game’s, whatever persona he took on. He doesn’t seem like a malicious person anymore. Or at least, not acting like he is. But he doesn’t seem totally different, either.

“What do you mean?” I mumbled, and I felt like an idiot. You know what he meant. How’d we figure out it was Kaito, who survived and how we did it, stuff like that. I clenched my teeth and averted my gaze to a wall— plain white with a bit of grime. Well, can’t expect every room in this facility to be squeaky clean.

Kokichi laughed, softly, a strange unfamiliarity striking right through my ears. It’s nothing like how it was in the game. It’s intriguing. “You know what I mean! How did you figure out my plan and all that? Who was the mastermind you and Kaede tried so hard to uncover? I want all the details!”

I blinked. “Oh, uh— right. Well, it took, uh…a lot of probing, I guess, to figure out it was Kaito in the exisal and not you,” I started, gazing off in a random direction to gather my thoughts. “I…well, neither Maki or I could really handle the aftermath of that. For two different reasons, I think,” I chuckled nervously, and this caught his attention.

“Two different reasons? Maki was affected? I didn’t think she cared about anybody!” He laughed again and my heart started beating faster. Why did I have to catch feelings for someone who purposefully made themself out to be a bad person in a game of life and death?

“Yeah, believe it or not,” I smiled, catching his eyes for no longer than a second before deciding the painting behind him was a lot more interesting. Some sort of wave, I think the picture was. “She had a crush on him I guess, ended up threatening Monokuma and all that. Kaito didn’t actually die in his execution, either, it was his sickness that ended up killing him. Had he not had it…” I trailed off, feeling my features soften, “…he would’ve survived with the rest of us. Maki, Himiko, and I.”

“Woah, woah. Slow down,” Kokichi grinned. “Himiko survived with you but not Kiibo? What, did he kill Tsumugi or something? And an execution failed?”

“Yep. His execution failed and that, uh…really pissed off Monokuma,” I smiled. Enough time has passed where names don’t make me flinch anymore, they don’t send my lunch up my throat like they used to. “…You’re not far off from your theory about Kiibo, though. I guess Miu installed lasers and stuff inside of him and he ended up destroying the End Wall so we could escape. The final trial was a redo of the first one, and we figured out Kaede’s plan…”

No. You swore you wouldn’t cry to him when you found out this opportunity was something that could happen. Stay strong.

“…Kaede’s plan failed. Her shot put ball missed,” I explained, voice shaking with each new word. “It was Tsumugi who actually killed him, and who ended up being the mastermind. It…it wasn’t an easy trial,” I laughed bitterly, staring down at the table. I know Kaede is still alive. I know it was a simulation. But that means Tsumugi also lives; the one who orchestrated all of their deaths, left a far deeper cut in my core than any murder attempt ever could, is still walking and breathing. Something about that made it worse.

Kokichi fell back in his chair with a look of shock. “Dang. So how did her and Kiibo end up dead while you, Maki, and Himiko didn’t? Wouldn’t Kiibo’s lasers have killed you, too?”

“Nope. He destroyed the Ultimate Academy while breaking the End Wall, and a piece of rubble ended up falling on Tsumugi. Kiibo, he…he made sure we were safe and protected before self-destructing.”

“So a robot did have some humanity after all,” Kokichi giggled, crossing his arms on the table and letting his head follow. He still looked just as childish as he did in the simulation, yet there was more of a sense of…maturity, maybe? Was that the word? I don’t know. When it comes to him, it feels like no words even come close to describing him.

There’s awkward tension in the air again. There’s so much I wanna tell him and yet none of it is coming out. So much I wanna ask; why put on such an…interesting front? Why sacrifice himself the way he did, especially with the show he’d put on just before his death? Was everything he’d told me about hating me true?

I can’t get anything to come out. I’m just staring at him like an idiot, or maybe admiring, I can’t really tell, myself. I think he notices, too, because he seems totally comfortable in the silence. At least he seems like he does. If I’m not in tune with my own emotions, then I don’t think I ever will be with Kokichi’s, even outside of the game.

“You’re still insecure, aren’t you?” He asks suddenly.

I blinked. “What?”

“I can see it in your eyes, y’know. I may not have the same confidence I did in the game, but I can still read you like a book, Shuichi,” he smiled, something soft in his gaze while he stared at me. Maybe even sincerity. I fully believe him, too. Even the tone of his voice is softer, meeker, and his eyes don’t hold the same mischief and judgment they used to. Is this the real him? What he truly feels? No, not that— he’s not done anything out of emotion. He’s just…talking. And yet somehow my assumption seems correct. “I thought you got over your emo phase,”

I want to counter that. But he’s right. I guess I don’t really have the same confidence I had in Danganronpa, either. “I, uh…I thought I did, at least. Why bring that up?”

“I dunno. You look like you wanna say something.”

“Oh,” I breathed, mentally beating myself up. At the very least I thought I was better at speaking my mind. Well- this meeting should’ve made it obvious to myself that I’m not. “I guess I’m kind of just wondering…how to word this…why? Why were you the way you were? You seem so…” I trailed off, not letting myself finish that. That’s not the only thing I want to ask. Not why I contacted Danganronpa asking for this meeting. But it’s all I can get out right now.

He laughed. “You’re not the first to ask, y’know? I thought my favorite might be more original, but you’re asking such a boring question.”

So others got to him before I did…somehow that’s not surprising. “You’re surprised? I thought you could read me like a book,” I smirked, “I thought you of all people should know why I’m the most interested,”

“Fine, you’re right,” He smiled, adjusting so his cheek laid against a fist. “Welp! I don’t have a good answer to that. I wanted to be the antagonist. Nagito was my favorite in all 52 seasons I saw before applying to Danganronpa,” He laughed.

“Is that…it?” I asked, mentally cringing. That came out rude.

“Yep.”

“I don’t…really believe you,”

He barked out a laugh. It’s the most familiar thing he’s done this whole time. “Wow! A whole couple months after we last talked and you still don’t fully trust me?” He’s weirdly amused, I noticed. Was his in-game personality the real thing? No— somehow this feels like an act.

I shook my head quickly, flustered. “No, no! It’s not that! It’s just, well- it’s not just your attitude I was referring to. You seemed to have it out for me specifically. And Kaito and Miu, I guess, though I can probably assume for them…”

He hums, leaning back in his chair. His arms rested comfortably behind his head, the darkness of his uniform making his hair pop to a lighter purple than it actually is. “Yeah, those two are idiots. I’m surprised Kaito lasted so long,” he giggled quietly to himself, “but as for you…I don’t really wanna tell you that.”

“Huh?” Now that actually surprised me.

“I didn’t hate you or anything if that’s the answer you’re after,” he continued, averting his gaze elsewhere, “but the exact reason..eh,”

I can’t complain, that is the answer I was after. But now I’m just more curious. “Is there a, uh…a reason you can’t tell me the reason?”

Kokichi shrugged. “Nope! Maybe I’m lying though, huh?” He smiled. That itself was a lie. I could tell, somehow.

Another moment of awkward silence.

“Well, what did you think of me?” He asked, adjusting his position back to resting his head on his arms again. Could he always not sit still for this long? Or had I just never noticed in the game?

“Do you not know?” I asked, cautiously. “I…I told you that you’ll always be alone. I- I don’t mean it now, in fact I wanted to apologize for that-“

“Don’t worry about it, Shumai,” He laughed. “It was easy to hate me in the game, y’know? I hated myself!”

“Er…” I glanced down, picking at my nail beds.

“Oh, not to traumadump or whatever the word is,” Kokichi shook his head quickly, “I already knew, actually. I just wanted to hear it come from your own mouth.”

“But I still want to apologize! That was- that was rude of me. What you did was horrible, but it was still uncalled for on my part.” Plenty of people had murdered in the game. Too many, far too many. Was I justified to say that to someone who, more or less, did what he did in self defense?

“But is that all you felt about me?” Kokichi asked, the same cautious tone I’d used earlier. Like he’d said it accidentally, almost.

It kinda shocked me, to hear him ask that. He’s right. That’s not all. It’s the safe answer, the one I’d assumed everyone else had told him. But should I even admit to that other feeling? The one still eating at me, the one I can’t get out of my head no matter how hard I try? He can’t feel the same. Not him.

I took a second to think of a response, holding unsteady eye contact. It was Kokichi who’s eyes darted away momentarily, only to return with the same hesitation. “…No. It’s..it’s not.”

Why not come clean? What are the chances I ever see him again after this? We both will become just another face in the crowd, going about our school lives as though we hadn’t gone through someone so horribly traumatic.

I don’t think Kokichi was expecting my response. His eyes widened slightly, the micro movements of his mouth and eyebrows revealing to me a sort of surprise. I know I’m not a detective anymore, but I’m still attentive. He definitely wasn’t expecting it.

He licked his lips, ever so slightly. They’d gone dry. “What’s that other feeling, then?” He leaned forward, slightly, his eyes falling somewhere else. Lower to my face. The tension’s changed.

My breath caught in my throat, mimicking his actions. “I’m…sure you can guess.” I mumbled, meeting his eyes again. I feel like I’m running a fever, I feel lightheaded, this is a horrible idea…I shouldn’t have said that, I should’ve lied, I should’ve…

…His hand sliding gently over mine, his body to lean further across the table… Should I?

What other chance would I get?

I stood, cupping his face gently and closing the distance. His skin is just as smooth as I remember it being, so strangely soft, yet I can still feel the bones in his cheeks. He’s thin, sure, but it doesn’t seem too unhealthy. His lips are chapped, dry, almost uncomfortable. He chews at his lips, a nervous habit. It’s more endearing than I should think of it being.

He’s quick to kiss back. He tugged at my uniform’s collar, almost needily- hungrily?- like he’d been waiting for this. None of this explains anything that happened in the game. I think it just raises more questions, if anything. But my mind’s too fogged and my face is too hot to think of anything else but our proximity.

It’s only when he starts to fidget with the buttons on my jacket that I pull away, and I can think of absolutely nothing except how much I’m going to regret that. Not because I don’t like Kokichi, honestly, it’s the opposite. I refused it for so long that I think I’m actually in love with him. But I thought it earlier; what are the chances I’m going to see him again after this? I don’t think I can handle a long distance relationship, but I don’t think I’m ever going to get over him. No, no, I don’t think, I know I’m never gonna get over him.

He looked nervous, hand lingering on my clothes for a moment longer before he brought them to his chest nervously. He looked so out of character from what I remembered of him in the game…that Kokichi would probably keep going. This one looks like he’s on the brink of tears. “Pausing for air, or..?” He asked, trying to laugh it off.

I shook my head. “We can’t do this, Kokichi.”

“Why not? You kissed me!” He’s getting defensive. I should’ve seen this coming.

“I know! I know, that was…my mistake. It’s not that I don’t want this,” I started, grabbing his hand and slinking my fingers through his, “I…I’ve been denying how much I’ve wanted to do that for entirely too long. But it’s…I don’t know where you live. We don’t go to the same school, hell, we might not even live in the same part of Japan. I don’t…want to commit to something I can’t maintain.”

He looks defeated, for far longer than I would’ve liked. I feel horrible. But quickly perks up. “Well, where do you live?”

“Huh?”

“You can’t just kiss me and then go on this whole rant about why we can’t be together and then expect me not to ask where you live!” He smiled. “Where you from?”

“Oh.” I take a second to think. Are we even allowed to tell each other that? Fuck, of course we are- why wouldn’t we be? “Uh, Okinawa. I wear…probably too many layers for how warm it is compared to the rest of Japan,”

He smiled. A lot brighter than I would’ve imagined. “And you’re not lying?”

“No! Why would I?”

“I’m from there, too! No way that’s a coincidence!” He giggled like a child, freeing his hand to wrap them around mine. “I don’t live with my parents, they’re from Aichi. Just my older brother. But it’s crazy lucky I do, right?”

I stood there, dumbfounded. I was worrying for nothing? “So…so that means—“

“If you break my heart, Shumai, DICE is a real organization. They’ll kick your ass!” He laughed, dropping my hands to grab me in a hug. It’s so unfamiliar. In game Kokichi…no, I need to stop thinking about him.

“Y-yeah..! Yeah, I’m sure Kaede or Kaito will have your head in seconds if you, uh..break mine, too.” I laughed, awkwardly returning the action.

I still don’t know a lot about Kokichi. I don’t know about his family or how his school is or even if this version of him is the real one. There’s still so much I need to learn about him, that he needs to learn about me, but somehow, I know it’s going to be easier with us. I don’t think I’ll ever forget our last conversation as characters in a television show. The game, I think, forever changed who we are as people. But it’ll work out. We’ll be okay.

We’re gonna be great.

[anjumbai]

Kaguya-sama: Love is War - Thoughts

"Even among sweethearts, there exists a distinct power relationship!  A side that exploits and a side that’s exploited, a side that’s devoted, a side receiving devotion, a winner and a loser!  If you’re trying to live a noble life, then you mustn’t become a loser.  Love is war!”

I do not write about light hearted anime like this. Romance, slice of life, comedy have become my comfort genre and I enjoy the ride more than I enjoy writing about them. But seriously, this show has given me quite a lot of peace in the past few weeks. I watched no more than 2 episodes a day and savored it. The combination would simply go like this: I'd finish a task, sit down with my breakfast or lunch (which I have at 7 pm now coz college) and start watching Kaguya-sama. And by the time the episode is half-complete, my precious mother provides me with some milk tea to relax with. Really calmed my nerves after a long day at college, or just helped me prepare for one.

The show is hilarious. I always have such a blast with cute romance anime. Cute romance anime instantly brings Toradora and Tsuki ga Kirei to my mind but this wasn't only cute, it was soo funny. It tried to take on a serious tone by the latest season and I'll be honest, that's when I least enjoyed it because the comedic drama in Kaguya and the President trying to make each other confess their feelings and their absolute miscomprehension of each other's minds were the highlight of the show. The darker undertones didn't go that well for me because I felt like it just wasn't properly built up. Chika Fujiwara also got annoying as time went by and I just felt like she has become a completely ignored character. Which I don't mind cause she annoys me now, despite finding her comedic timing to be spot on in the first season.

My favorite season had to be the 3rd season. The whole built up to the ultra romantic confession, the kiss, the fanservice- I dig all that. High school romances just make you think about the wonderful school life you have left behind and I'd be lying if I said it didn't make me sad sometimes.

I'm eagerly waiting for another season. The manga has ended but I don't think I could enjoy it without witnessing every single face twitch, every scream, every frame of absolute comedy in an animated form. So for the first time, maybe I won't read the manga even though I really wanna know what happens. I mean it's a romance. We all know how it ends and we're still eager to see them make it work.

An 8.5/10. Had an amazing time watching it.

It's cool how I've slowly retracted from investing time in serious anime. Anime that took work to finish like the likes of SEL, Monster, Texhnolyze were something I'd finish no matter how boring or taxing it got because I wanted to write about it, I wanted to look into it, I wanted to understand. Now my google search has become "comedy anime 2024" as if my brain can't even register anything but instant dopamine. Maybe I've gotten busier, or more distracted, or both. Maybe I'll get that passion back for serious anime again. Or maybe I should just keep entertainment as entertainment and not research.

[snarky-art]

Alrighty I’ve finally finished season 5

I hate how obvious it is they’re trying to tone the show down completely to even lower audience demographic. The first 3 seasons were for kids but there was actual peril and darker concepts and stuff that were much more interesting damn you Nickelodeon and your desperate attempt to keep the most squeaky clean image ever not only does it not work it’s costing stories and plot

I REFUSE to believe Stella would be a bad fashion designer with how much she loves fashion (I know it was a joke in s1 too but I still refuse). Plus, avant-garde is a thing and she would serve

That boat that was sent from Andros was def made exclusively for the winx there is NO WAY that style exists anywhere else on that planet for land related peoples with all of its hard lines and industrial style architecture with its limited color palettes

The nautical themed outfits are cute but Bloom’s looks SO overdone to me and Stella,, my sweet babygorl,, wtf did you do to your own fit?? Aisha’s poodle puff braid ftw also

Harmonix was totally useless BUT I still like the flower petal aesthetic vibe (even tho only Flora is a nature floral lady) and some of the color combos. Bloom in pink is still a no tho, which is something I mainly hate because of how obvious it is they started integrating it into her more to make her more marketable for toy lines and shit

Where did the gems that were already on the starfish thing for sirenix come from?

The amount of times the girls all gasp or ooo or ahh and go like “wow!” “so cool!” “amazing!”,, I will kill I feel like I’m watching a 1990s or early 2000s anime dub I hate it I hate it I hate it

Icy would NOT simp like this (shoutout to her leaving Valtor when he got ugly and telling him that’s why she’s leaving him)

The relationship drama was just as stupid and hamfisted as I thought it was from an outside skim of the season based off of secondhand knowledge ie posts and gifs. Also, Krystal did nothing wrong, she’s just autistic and Helia would NOT introduce Flora as anything other than the love of his life.

Timmy and Tecna also have one of the healthiest relationships why tf is everyone trying to give them advice like this they’ve all been dating for YEARS why are all of y’all so insecure like this? The writers really said fuck everyone’s character development even more than they already had

I continue to not give a shit about skoom also this was just exhausting I can’t do it

Also that is NOT Luna and Radius. That “he wouldn’t say that!” meme is ME SOOOO MUCH during this season at so many people but I actually started YELLING about Luna being some sort of soft gorl while Radius is this prideful ignoramus

Sirenix giving Aisha that blonde hair while knowing about the insane white washing to come in the future is something I Think About

The sirenix song does bop also, although I’m so sorry to say I don’t think I’m as big of a fan of it as a lot of people are but maybe that’ll change as I hear it more please forgive me

Also, Musa’s little coffee grinder move during her sirenix transformation? So cute, wish we actually got to see it more than like 2 times. Damn you shortened sirenix transformarion sequence

Im convinced Tecna doesn’t actually know karate, she just thinks it looks cool so she mimics it. Same with Flora and her ballet/lyrical looking poses she does during her sirenix transformation sequence. She doesn’t actually know those styles of dance, she just thinks they looks neat and tries to copy it.

Dark sirenix, you’re slaying thank you for your service

Bloom, you can’t insult Diaspro and remind her you’re a princess in that fucking dress while she’s serving cunt like that

The combat is soooo slow compared to previous seasons I hate it

The rigging throughout this season was a MESS

They should go after the handful of companies that are actually responsible for the majority of pollution and destroy them and their ceos a la Flora season 1 core

Where did they put all of that trash they got out of the ocean? They went to the pacific trash island and cleaned it up. Where did it go? I’m so curious

All of the kings are so STUPID too the whole meetup thing was so dumb like just fucking,, help each other you know it makes more sense

AND PUT SOME MF RESPECT ON THE WINX’S NAMES, ALL OF THEM. They are GUARDIAN FARIES who have saved the magical world HOW MANY TIMES NOW??? Bites the writers bites the writers bites the writers

Their little dance workout outfits? Hatred. I miss the old ones so much. All of these outfits from this season,, it’s so clear cishet people were the main ones designing the clothes I hate it so much it’s not the same kind of tacky and camp that the first 3 seasons had. The only good things I can say about the dance outfits is that Flora’s purple leg warmers were cute, Aisha’s color palette was nice, and Bloom’s was very Bloom core

Icy: you guys are helping me??

Darcy and Stormy: I mean, yeah, we aren’t talking to you rn, but you’re still out sister

Me: OUGH🥺🥺🥺😭😭😭

I forgot Roy existed🥲

Daphne being brought back like this still seems so bleh to me knowing how they don’t really do shit with it and about how it was done only because they retconned all the og stuff from canon and to continue to milk the franchise until it’s teats are dry and chapped BUT I’m glad she does a little spinny at the end of the season with Bloom so at least I got that

that’s all I got for now

Shout out to @charmixpower for suffering through this all with me.

We watched the first half of the series in like 2 or 3 sittings that took place months apart, and then did the last half in one 8 hour sitting

I couldn’t have gotten through it without yelling at each other and making shitty jokes.

The psychic damage you inflicted on me throughout this was awful but I would do it all again in a heartbeat (but not really because good lird this was EXCRUCIATING sorry bestie💕💕💕)

Anyway onto season 6 now I GUESS

[ladyfromaspookyforest]

Wheeler/Byers Wardrobe Analysis

Season 1 Part 2

Part 1 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5

Hello, hello, hi. Continuing this journey through Stranger Things attire. And I want to preface quickly that I don’t have an agenda. I’m just examining the clothes as I go and seeing what I think they tell me. I'm not digging for evidence of anything.

Anyway, Episode 3! Nancy gets home from Steve’s house and is confronted by Karen in her lil PJs. Do these PJs seem familiar? Oh yeah. They look like Nancy’s.

The next day at school, post red-stripe-shirt-at-the-pool-party, Nancy’s wearing another light sweater, a common Nancy top choice. But this one’s intriguing to me because while it contains the same two colors she usually wears, they’re darker. Darker blue and more of a brick red, but they’re small stripes on this delicate sweater. We also saw her wear stripes for the first time in the aforementioned red shirt. So this outfit here feels like a compromise between what she chose for Steve for the party and what she usually chooses for herself because of the stripes. The darker colors I think are not intended to reflect Steve in any way, but Nancy's state of mind. She's worried about Barb and feeling conflicted about the whole experience of losing her virginity. She's paranoid right off the bat when she walks into school that people are looking at her differently. She's feeling weighed down and the shades of her colors are reflecting that.

I was also immediately into Steve’s shirt here because Steve, for the entirety of this season, wears blue. But here, and only here, the blue has shrunken down to a few stripes on this shirt. This shirt which also contains pastel pink, a color Nancy is often wearing or surrounded by, but not wearing in this scene. Both Nancy and Steve are wearing clothes that reflect one another more than usual, and yet they don't quite match. This is the most I can recall Steve ever reflecting the Wheeler color palette (I'll find out if I'm wrong later). This is also the day after he slept with Nancy. So I think his choice to wear Wheeler colors afterwards shows that he feels closer to Nancy while her choice to wear darkened colors shows that she's feeling hesitant and unsure.

Here, Karen has dressed Holly up in light pink and blue (as per usual), but she herself is wearing a navy and teal plaid dress with black tights. She wears plaid a lot, but in order to bring a casserole to Joyce (a mourning behavior), she’s donned darker colors than usual. This scene already felt uncomfortable to me, like Karen doesn’t know how to behave because she’s giving Joyce a casserole (like when someone in the family has died) even though Will is not yet believed to be dead. Maybe this isn't unusual. I apologize for my ignorance on casserole etiquette, but it’s an awkward moment there at the door. And Karen’s wardrobe choice here makes me feel even MORE like she doesn’t know how to behave. She’s intentionally dressing less light and happy than usual but not in the official mourning color. And dressing Holly the way she usually does really shows this juxtaposition because Karen often matches Holly to herself. So this is like looking right at how Karen usually presents herself next to how she's choosing to now.

This episode puts Mike in this green and blue striped shirt. In the first photo, he’s talking with El before he goes to school. El is dressed in Mike’s clothes, a navy pullover and grey sweatpants. Blue is Mike’s color and grey is a neutral he (and Nancy) is often seen in. For example, in earlier episodes, both Mike and Will wore shirts with blue and yellow stripes, but Mike’s was also grey and Will’s was also brown. Grey is a cool toned color, a Wheeler neutral, while brown is a warm, earthy Byers neutral. So El’s outfit is screaming I BORROWED THIS FROM MIKE WHEELER in every way. She then spends the day wandering the Wheeler house and examining everything. She’s basically trying to figure out what it means to live like a Wheeler, to have grown up in this home with these parents and with blood siblings. She’s trying to put herself figuratively in Mike’s shoes while literally wearing his clothes.

And back to the Wheeler vs Byers neutrals, I really love that Mike is wearing this tan jacket when he goes to school. It’s a very Byers jacket. It’s got corduroy on the collar and brick accents on the inside. In the screenshot here, Mike, Dustin, and Lucas are being harassed by the bullies making fun of Will. They also trip Mike despite the fact that it’s Will they’re mocking. Basically, they���re treating Mike as a proxy Will while Mike is wearing this Byers-esque jacket. He’s also wearing the jacket for the remainder of the episode as the party hunts for Will (and as they witness his "body" being pulled from the quarry), but he was not wearing at home with El while his attention was on her.

I forgot to mention this jacket in my last post, but Mike also wore it in episode 1 while the bullies were harassing him. And he leant the jacket to El after they found her in episode 2.

She's wearing this big yellow shirt (Will's color) and Mike puts her in this Byers-y jacket. El isn't really El to him yet in this scene. She's some strange girl they found while looking for Will who Mike keeps around in hopes of her helping him find Will. So in addition to El wearing Mike's clothes in episode 3 and acting like Mike, in episode 2, she's wearing a Will-coded outfit and being valued for her connection to Will. The wardrobe for El this season has no reflection whatsoever on who she is as a person because she doesn't know yet nor do the other characters. So when Mike was at home with her in the red shirt, no jacket (episode 2), that moment felt more about the two of them getting to know each other outside of how she can help him find Will.

Joyce has been wearing this same outfit since late episode 1. Jonathan also wore the same outfit during both episodes 1 and 2, but now he’s changed his clothes and what he has changed into…is the same shirt he was wearing in the flashback in episode 2. Obviously, the episodes that go by without Joyce or Jonathan changing their clothes speak to how panicked by Will’s disappearance they are. But once he does change his clothes, the choice for Jonathan to put on the same shirt he was wearing in a memory he was just reflecting on is really curious. And by “choice,” I mean on a grander, show-level. Not Jonathan’s choice. He’s seen snagging this shirt up without even glancing at it and tossing it on as he gets out of bed. The costume department chose to put Jonathan back in this shirt we’d just seen him in via flashback for a reason. I find it notable that Jonathan changes his shirt again before going to school. He just spent two days in the same outfit and now he cares enough to change twice in the same morning? Weird. That’s all I’m saying. Maybe it reminded him of that same moment just like Should I Stay or Should I Go coming on in the car did, and maybe it was too hard for him to think about it again. So he changed. Or maybe it felt too light for the mood he was in.

During the Steve Hulk Camera Smash scene, Jonathan is wearing black and a dark grey or dark denim button-down. Dark colors. Darker than usual. The polar opposite of the first shirt he put on that morning. He usually has more earth tones in his wardrobe than this and I think this choice is less about mourning, as the dark colors could indicate, as it is about guilt. This is because even after he believes Will to be dead, Jonathan doesn’t start wearing blacks. This scene, instead, takes place after he does his stalker photo shoot of Steve’s party. So the dark colors are very likely a reflection of how he feels inside, having done something dark. He took photos of other people, including Nancy undressing, without consent and despite the fact that we know this is not what he set out to do, he did do it, spur of the moment. Now in the aftermath, he feels guilty and ashamed.

EPISODE FOUR

I had to lighten this one a lot to really see what the colors are. Karen is still wearing the dark plaid dress from the last episode while Ted is wearing what appears to be a white button down with red and blue checkprint. Very Wheeler. He’s continuing to present himself in the Wheeler fashion while Karen is struggling with figuring out how to present herself. When she got dressed, Will was missing. Now, in this screenshot, Will has been declared dead and Barb is missing. Karen doesn’t know how to be there for her children (or for Joyce earlier) and the way she dresses in this episode reflects that she feels like she can’t continue on the way she has been. (side note: check out the couch and throw pillow. Wheeler pastels)

Here’s Karen later (sorry I don't have a full body shot). She’s wearing a cream turtleneck, a dark grey vest, and black pants (out of the shot). Her prints, her checks, and her pastels are gone.

Nancy and Steve fight. She’s wearing pink (just pink) and he’s wearing blue with maroon stripes. Going back to what I said about their outfits in the previous episode, it looks like Steve is still sporting Nancy’s influence while she has dropped his. This is the first time we’ve seen Nancy in a solid color with no prints or detailing, her PJs aside. Even her purple sweater from E2 contained threads of other colors. So she’s in solid pink, she says to Steve, “I can’t believe you,” then she walks away and leaves him in the alley. And WHAT DOES THIS PARALLEL?

I’ll get to that scene later, but for now, I’m intrigued by the fact that both Steve and Nancy are wearing grey in the season 2 fight whereas in this season 1 fight, they’re wearing opposing colors, though Steve’s shirt contains bits of Nancy’s coloring, which shows that he’s more invested in Nancy than she is in him. This is probably a contentious point to make for season 1 considering he’s being a douche in this scene and making Barb’s disappearance about himself. BUT I stand by the fact this his feelings for Nancy are stronger than her feelings for him, even here, despite the fact that he’s lousy at showing it and his mind is in the wrong place.

In season 2, they’re actually on a lot more common ground. Maybe this is why they’re wearing the same color. There’s no more I’m-right-you’re-wrong. There’s only this-isn’t-working. But back to season 1.

I hate to say this, but this shot here is giving me hella “It’s twins and one’s a boy and one’s a girl!” vibes. Which is kind of irrelevant. What actually matters is that El is wearing Nancy’s clothes. She’s wearing a wig and yet another article of Wheeler clothing, presenting herself as a different Wheeler. She even had short hair when dressed in Mike’s clothes and long hair here dressed in Nancy’s. It’s kind of like she’s trying out the Wheeler life from both angles.

Guys, I don’t know HOW I never realized how much pink and baby blue the Wheelers are surrounded by. LOOK AT THIS WALLPAPER!!! Plus, with El in pink and Mike in blue and the greenery in front of the mirror, they basically ARE the wallpaper. It’s pink, blue, and green leaves. What is the reason. It basically tells us that this (Mike and this version of El) together equals Wheeler conformity. And by “this version of El” I mean her dressing like someone else and trying to behave like someone else. This version of El is still trying to find herself, trying to fit in (a theme that returns later). Basically Mike + dishonest El or confused El = unhappy couple pretending to be in love (Ted + Karen). Eleven is spending this season trying on other people’s clothes and other people’s lives because she never got to have one. And this image is a big red flag right here because I can’t imagine anyone looking at this shot and thinking “awe cute.” It’s so newborn baby-colored and domestic it makes me gag. This screams that El needs to find herself in order to avoid THIS. This nuclear nightmare.

This also feels weirdy similar to what we just witnessed of Steve and Nancy, what with the baby pink and blue solid colored costuming. Almost like a MIRROR IMAGE WOULDN’T YOU SAY? No, I’m stretching. I’m actually reaching blindly. I have no idea where I’m going with that. But the mirror shot is interesting. If anything, I’d say it ties back to them being a mirror of Mike’s parents BUT I can’t help but think there’s subtext here for both couples about gender roles what with these colors being, as I mentioned, the ones assigned to babies at birth. El will later go on to find that she’s the fighter. Steve will go on to be the babysitter. Defying gender role expectations. Both of these characters are trying to figure out who they are and who they want to be this season while both Mike and Nancy are trying to find their lost friends.

Basically, I’m getting identity crises and Don't Become Your Parents.

And to finish off with the Byers...Joyce is still wearing the same outfit she’s been in since episode 1. Clearly collapsing. And Jonathan Show's-Over Byers is wearing this cozy lil sweater fit to the morgue, which I find especially interesting in this scene here:

Jonathan, in his lil beige sweater, is matching Hopper's uniform. And this is the first time these two characters really connect. Prior to this, Hopper has shot Jonathan down and told him to let Hop do his job. Here, they're talking openly and calmly, and they're talking about Joyce. They are speaking on even footing about someone they both care about (though at this point in time, we aren't sure the extent of Hopper's feelings for or history with Joyce) and they are matching. This feels especially intentional when you watch moments before, when Jonathan was looking at "Will's" body and see that he was wearing a jacket and then the scene after when they're leaving (above) and he's wearing the jacket again. He didn't take it off to come inside, but specifically for this sit-down moment with Hopper.

[pensbridge]

Just For Fun: My outline of episode 1 (Polin edition), but I'm not sure if I wanna post more (or finish) -

I started this awhile back and got motivated to add more after the update w/the date announcement. (it might not be completely in line after the new interview)

Season 3, Episode 1: Out of the Shadows ☆

Colin/Penelope return. We see Colin arriving home. The Featherington household is going through revisions as Portia is instructing for downsizing/majority of their stuff to be sold due to the recent financial crisis. As Colin pulls up to the family, we see 'welcome backs' & teasing exchanged. He looks on to the Featherington estate. Portia is on a quest with a new scheme/seems suspicious-ABC brothers look on in bewilderment/curiosity; C looks up and sees Pen from the window, who steps back and ignores when he waves.

Francesca debuts. (Colin questioning most of the ep). We see them back at the house; family plays catch up w/lots of set up for sibling dynamics (inc El-Colin exchanges re: her current status w/Pen & him trying to relate it to Pen's dismissal of him & a mention of the letters). also some talk about Colin's travels & an exterior look at what could be deeper to his internal change (he'll boast a lot & seemingly have found his purpose/worth). We'll get references and hints to his new 'hobby' and we'll get a shot or 2 of some things he brought back including a book (journal), while he maybe struggles with some of the intricacies of family living together after being alone on his travels.

We get Pen avoiding him at all costs [the ball is where things get awkward-Pen attempts flirting (more on that later) // she probably has some solo attempts in random moments we don't expect, where she is not actively in the position to be seeking, but tries to strike up a convo with random men].. We get the 1st confrontation in some private area after she walks off from one of her solo attempts, where Colin pops up- (Colin will be very confused, and in the dark of Pen's quest/frustration; Pen very standoffish/comes off rude to him).

Pen goes through makeover. Earlier in the episode we get Madame Delacroix interaction & foreshadowing to her physical change + LW updates & we'll see a tonal change of Pen's mission regarding it (aka girl=enraged).

Later, at the ball, we get things like small notices of Penelope's new look, Pen-Lady D. interaction, and an awkward El-Pen encounter [as well, we'll probably get onlooking disapproval from Eloise when she notices her exterior change]. Francesca probably meets John. Again, Penelope will try to flirt (this time with a man with great prestige) and somehow in her nervousness (or unknowingness, at the time to his status), she will go on to stumble through her interaction or unintentionally offend him in some way, feeling embarrassed at the witness of a group of surrounding people. So she runs off.

Meanwhile, Colin will notice a change, but be more confused than anything at her new shift/demeanor and, seemingly, personality; he spends the ball trying to speak with her again/worried if something had happened and of the correlation of her not responding to letters. (They have 1 more little encounter involving him trying to talk with her in the commotion of the ballroom, but it is interrupted by Cressida when she attempts to throw a dig at Pen, taking notice of her new wardrobe).

When he notices her run off, he follows..

They get into a tense & heightened exchange, where she admits her desire to find a husband. He is shocked and thrown off by her words, but offers to help her in his quick-thinking, desperate attempt, just hoping to get back on her good side. She instantly refuses at first, but he persists about it. She may not even accept at his first proposal due to her determination to forget him and/or the general timing at the ball with all the things going on close by them. The episode ends with a Lady Whistledown paper, setting the tone for a much darker figure with some foreshadowing of what's to come later.

[epicnessunfolds]

Maybe not all is lost

Fandom: Castlevania (cartoon 2017-2021) Pairing: Alucard x Greta (foreshadowed) Rating: G Word count: 1988

Summary: Retelling Alucard and Greta's first meeting. Based on the script of Season 4 Episode 4, having added Alucard's inner thoughts and feelings.

Damn his blasted heart and mind for still holding on to a shred of decency and going to the aid of the people of Danesti. A bunch of villagers in need of a champion to fend off nightcreatures - Alucard kept thinking while riding hard that it was an act for himself more so than for those poor people. He’d help them out shortly, leave them with a little bit more defense and be on his merry way back to his pisspoor wine and enormous deserted castle. With rotten creatures on stakes as sentries. What a prosperous life!

Alucard saw the nightcreatures pounding at the wooden gate of Danesti and allowing his body to take control, he flung himself off the horse, his loyal sword by his side, and smashed the creatures to smithereens. It all happened fast, the rush of the fight fueling the fire in Alucard’s veins. He felt alive for the first time in a long time - being in action, doing something that was helpful (maybe not only for himself), cutting down nightcreatures like they were nothing. It was all done too soon. Not even winded, he stepped off the head of the last slaughtered Hell-spun demon.

He met the eyes of the woman at the front who had held the gate. A beautiful darker-skinned woman with amber eyes and angular features and chestnut hair. Disarmed on the inside by the woman’s appeal, he forced his tone and body language to remain cool and aloof.

“You sent me a letter?” The awed expression on the woman’s face didn’t pass unnoticed. However, it lasted the briefest of moments. Almost like it had never been there. Alucard felt a shock down his spine. It’s been so long since someone gazed at him with naked wonder. And back then it hadn’t ended up pleasantly. The woman’s words drew Alucard back to the present.

At his nonchalance her brow furrowed and without hesitations, she replied, “Yes. Welcome to Danesti.”

“I presume it’s seen better days,” he said, casting a look around.

“Quieter ones,” she added and in the next breath, she introduced herself. “I’m Greta, the village headwoman.”

“Call me Alucard. No ‘the’.” Even to himself, the tone of his voice sounded distant, half-dead.

Greta couldn’t have possibly been older than 25, a young woman as head of the village, not something usual around Wallachia. Or other parts of Europe, for that matter. Either the village recognised her as justly being worthy of leading and chose her or she had inherited the position. The former seemed to be closer to the truth based on the way the people around looked at her. With pride. And also considering the unmasked concern that showed on the young woman’s face when she inquired about Marius, the dead messenger whose steed carried his dead body all the way to Alucard’s front door.

At Greta’s display of true feelings, Alucard allowed himself to feel sorry for the boy. He said as much.

“Well, he’s not the only one we’ve lost. But he was the last of his family, which is why he risked the journey. Still, I’d hoped...,” for a second Greta had a faraway look, her posture ever so slightly slumped by a pang of grief. “Well, that’s what hoping gets you, I suppose.”

Her rapid regain of control over her emotions stumped Alucard. How much death had she seen that she could set the grief and burden of leading a village for later, for when there’d be time to mourn and process?

“I have a lot more people to save, Alucard.”

He chose to ignore the people around them eyeing Alucard with a mix of awe and fear. As if sensing the turmoil of the sparse crowd, Greta addressed them kindly.

“Get some rest, everybody, while you can.”

Alucard refocused on their conversation, inquiring about the times the village had been attacked. He still didn’t really know why he’d agreed to come and talk. It was obvious the village needed help and him being so close to it... a part of Alucard had to admit there was something comforting knowing there were people some miles away from the castle. That he wasn’t truly alone in the world. It would be a shame for them to die and desert him, too.

Greta had no hesitation on putting Alucard on the spot. “Will you help us?”

He couldn’t say Yes outright. He took a moment to will his sword into its scabbard, thinking of a way to answer in a way that wouldn’t give her or himself too much hope. “I’m sure I can do something for you.”

Greta’s face hardened, her eyes taking the wooden houses scattered around the field. His answer clearly displeased her.

“I’m not interested in magic tricks and one fight. These people are under my care. Will you stay and defend them for as long as it takes?”

Alucard wasn’t particularly fond of backing off, so he made a futile attempt at enforcing his position. “I said-,” he was cut off.

Greta crossed her arms. “You have to understand. I don’t know you. You’ve been 20-odd miles away for months. You creep around the forest. You’ve got bodies on stakes outside your weird castle. You’re obviously half-vampire and you stink of wine, and you appear to me to be at least half-crazy. But you were the only possible advantage I could think of. I don’t need to be impressed by low-key swagger. I need you to commit to saving these people. Because my life isn’t worth living if I can’t save theirs.”

The conviction with which Greta spoke, the way she determinately conveyed her trust in Alucard, admitting to not actually knowing him, the plan she came up with based on sheer proximity to seeing how he lived. She considered him an advantage. After living alone and having been through the trauma inflicted by those two siblings whose bare bones hung on spears, Alucard couldn’t allow himself to get close to anyone again. And yet, Greta’s words hit their mark. She didn’t need his trust, but she willingly gave hers. It was good enough for Alucard. Besides, he quite appreciated her response to his unplanned provocation.

In a split second Alucard made up his mind and sent a short prayer to the skies to not regret this later. He arched a surprisingly well-groomed eyebrow - well, he had cleaned up before riding, but he couldn’t help not indulging in a couple wine glasses before riding out.

“All done?” He sounded almost bored.

Greata’s lips twitched in withheld amusement. “Did it work?”

“Yes,” he replied lightly.

“Then I’m all done.” A full smile appeared on Greta’s lips, one that lit up her entire face. “Thank you.” As if holding on to not waste her chance, still grinning, she added, “And that was one hell of an entrance.”

Before Alucard could come up with a witty reply, a voice carried from the shabby latrine.

The new comer, Saint Germain, Greta was obviously not pleased with him, and his pompous way of acting put him instantly into the category of people Alucard had no care for getting to know better. Excentric man with a bit too much wit for his own good and a knack for already stepping on Alucard’s toes so soon.

When startled by noises coming from the forest causing Alucard and Greta to tense a prepare for another fight, a bunch of refugees arrived. Greta went their side to welcome them inside the barely defended village. Taking advantage of their solitude, Saint Germain whispered to Alucard.

“She’s very good, isn’t she? It’s a shame.”

Squaring his jaw, Alucard entertained the bearded man. “What is?”

“Well, such a talent with the common people, but it’s wasted out here, don’t you think?” The audacity of this eccentric traveller to throw shade at Greta’s standing when it was clear as day that she cared for these people. That she considered them kin. Saint Germain had dismissed her and Alucard’s growing disdain for the man.

“I think she’s probably right where she’s supposed to be.” Alucard was surprised at the chill in his voice, but Germain didn’t even flinch.

Greta came up to their side once more, informing them about the people seeking shelter. Putting all the pieces of information side by side, Alucard was troubled by the complexity of the situation - vampires and nightcreatures working together, unheard of.

“I am, of course, not a military man, although I have certainly advised generals and kings, but might I suggest that this village is inherently indefensible?” Saint Germain butted in, his question functioning as a point of focus.

Alucard and Greta took in their surroundings anew, the reality sinking in and twisting Greta’s features into pure worry and remorse. “It hasn’t worked out well, so far, has it?”

There was a hardness in her gaze, a hint of regret at not doing better, but also determination to do better. To take care of her people and have them somewhere safe.

“You may have a point, Saint Germain,” Alucard begrudgingly agreed. His frown hid a mind at work, trying to come up with a solution as fast as possible that would ensure the village to be better defended. A moat dug, perhaps, water from the river redirected towards it to fill the ditch, but that’d take weeks, maybe even months. And nightcreatures attacked nightly. It wasn’t a plausible defense method at all.

Alucard would’ve preferred to ignore Saint Germain, but his low tone and grating voice pushed through the half-human’s thoughts. “Perhaps, just until we all find out what’s going on, perhaps the remaining persons in your charge might be moved to a more secure location, like, um...,” the pause caused something to churn in Alucard’s stomach, dreading what was to come, “y-your castle...possibly.”

Alucard gasped, the words hitting him like a punch to his solar plexus, taking his breath away. That castle was his fortress, his home, his refuge, his prison. And the one place where he was safe by keeping everyone at bay. If he were to let the villagers to take refuge there, he’d have to give up on his peace of mind. He’d have to be on alert at all times, to guard his castle’s entrance, to enforce the windows, to do anything and everything to keep people out . And them... gathering and settling in his front yard... unimaginable.

Alucard growled at Saint Germain, reminding the old man who he was talking to. He took a moment to himself, muttering under his breath. “And God shits in my dinner once again.”

Only after the fact, registering what he said, Alucard groaned and hung his head. “Oh, no. I really am turning into Belmont.” Growing more desperate by the moment, he contemplated, “Is life even worth living now?”

With his thoughts drifting towards Belmont... and Sypha, and how he, Alucard, had felt in their company, not lonely, but content, considering Sypha a friend and Belmont... an acquaintance, a close one who could take Alucard’s shit and give more shit right back. A bond. Forged with people. And the memory of those two people reminded Alucard that people could be good, too, with the desire to the best they can to live. Like Greta did, like the villagers that called her ‘headwoman’, like the refugees whose fault lay in being in the path of vampires and nightcreatures.

Alucard really hoped he would not regret his decision later. Besides, Greta, she was interesting. He thought he wouldn’t mind to learn more about her. After all, Alucard had to face it - he almost didn’t recognise himself anymore. Maybe, just maybe, while keeping his guard up, he also let go of his humanity. Or so he thought. But Greta, first through her letter, then through her shrewdness proved to Alucard that a ray of humanity was still left in him. One that could grow back... in time.

[victorluvsalice]

Sims 4 Valicer Outfit Fun II -- CC Edition

We interrupt your regularly-scheduled Chill Valicer Save updates with another "watch me play dress-up with my OT3 in Sims 4" post, courtesy of me downloading a bunch of custom content outfits a few weeks ago and having period brain this past weekend. :p Sometimes you gotta keep it simple, you know? Anyway, here's some new outfits for Smiler, Victor, and Alice, all with a lovely CC bent --

First up, Smiler in an outfit from @the-crypt-o-club's 2022 Simblrween offering, Angsty Adolescence! The half-plain-black, half-black-and-yellow-checked pants were a MUST -- they remind me a bit of what Agent Joytide was wearing during the Smiler Takeover! The alternating yellow-and-black plastic bracelets also felt very appropriate to The Smiler's general theme, and of course I had to give them the yellow sneakers with the happy face and rainbow doodles and the cute Freezer Bunny t-shirt in yellow. XD I think Smiler's also sporting some custom eye make-up, though I don't know if that's from this particular pack or one of The Crypt-O-Club's other Simblrween offerings. Looks good, though -- great for a party outfit!

Next up, let's have a Victorian Smiler, courtesy of @simmerofthedawn and their Men's Day Wear set from Part One of their Victorian Collection! This is a great set of men's suits, in both darker colors for Autumn/Winter and lighter palettes for Spring/Summer, so you'll always have a suit appropriate to the season! Plus they made a copy of the Vampires top hat and gave it SO many more swatches -- "33 shades" as per their own post! Seriously, the set is worth downloading just for THAT ALONE in my opinion. I naturally had to put Smiler in the swatch that contained the most yellow, and that proved to be this particular outfit -- even if the colors are a tad more muted than I'd like. Still, they look snazzy, and it is SO NICE to have a top hat that matches their outfit perfectly! :D

We now move onto Victor's section, featuring him in his Crypt-O-Club outfit -- or, at least, one of their Freezer Bunny shirts from the Angsty Adolescence collection, in a kicky blue. I'm not 100% sure on the shorts and shoes, though I would GUESS they're also CC, as that's what I was mainly working with during this "playing dress-up in CAS" section. *shrug* Either way, he looks pretty nice -- I think this would be a good "workout" look for him!

Back to Simmer Of The Dawn's Men's Day Wear for this picture, with Victor showing off one of the darker swatches for his outfit. In fact, I chose this particular outfit because it's actually as close to a "canon" Victor outfit as I'll probably ever get! The top half isn't quite right -- wrong type of necktie, waistcoat fastens too low down, coat tails are too long -- but it's still good, and the pants are REALLY good. Maybe a BIT dark, but still REALLY close to Victor's canon trousers. I approve. :D

And while we're on the "Victor in actual Victorian clothes" train, here's Victor sporting a suit from Simmer Of The Dawn's Victorian Collection Part Four -- the Men's Day Suit collection! These also come in darker tones for Autumn/Winter and lighter ones for Spring/Summer, and feature higher waistcoats, slightly different tails on the coats, and bow ties. Victor's in a Spring/Summer light blue ensemble because I thought it looked nice on him and fit his usual color scheme, paired with a pretty gray top hat. Perfect for a promenade around town!

The top hat from Simmer Of the Dawn remains, but we move onto a different creator for this outfit (minus the gloves and shoes) -- Historical Sims Life on blogspot, with their Boldness Beckons outfit converted from Sims 3! This is a nice, more wintery look for Victor, bundled up with a thick neck scarf against the cold. :) He looks very smart indeed!

And finally, we end on a couple of Alice outfits, starting again with Crypt-O-Club's stuff! Alice here is sporting a dress from I believe the DIY Or Die fan pack -- what can I say, it looked really good on her! The shoes are another swatch of the Angsty Adolescence Converse (seriously, I love those, with all the fun doodles all over them -- you can customize them for any personality), while the stockings should ALSO be Angsty Adolescence, but might be from another pack -- I've downloaded ALL their "fan made stuff packs" at this point, so. . . XD Still, it's a great "punk princess" look for her I feel!

And as for the Victorian look, I found this by @vintagesimstress -- the 1890s Working Girl Mini-Set! A couple of blouses and a trio of skirts based off what working-class ladies wore in the 1890s, as indicated -- Alice is wearing the shortest of the three skirt lengths because I like being able to see her feet. XD The set also comes with an apron overlay that you can put on as an "accessory" (under the "tights/stocking" option), but I forgot to put that on ^^;. Still, it's nice to see Alice in a classic Victorian blouse and skirt! Even if it's a bit weird to see her in anything that long. XD

And there we have it! I hope you enjoyed this CAS post -- NEXT week, back to the Chill Valicer Save and the store!

[tuiyla]

Time for another Buffy and Angel retro

Sigh, so I really should have done a BtVS s5 and AtS s2 retro before watching the following seasons of both those shows but oops, here we are. For my own peace of mind I will write an unstructured random something so I can do a whole series (so far) summary for both shows before diving into Buffy season 7.

Buffy Season 5

Such a strong season that pretty much immediately became my favourite of the first 5. After the somewhat stumbling season 4 with its college storyline and, sigh, the Initiative, here was a show more confident in itself and feeling free to explore new things and lose dead weight (Riley). From the very start it wasn’t afraid to mix camp with the stronger storytelling that made previous seasons so successful. Season 5 just feels so sure of itself and no wonder, what with that finality that it was leading up to. And I did expect yet another Buffy death to feel kind of cheap but no, the impact was more than fully there (and appropriately heavy in season 6). Dawn’s introduction, while not seamless went a lot smoother than I think could be expected, and I personally like the character so it all worked for me. And I do have to admit, big sister Buffy became my favourite and I felt myself loving her much more throughout this season. It’s not like I wasn’t a fan of Buffy’s character before but this is when she really arrived of rme.

I don’t need to introduce any BtVS fan to the impact The Body can have on a person or how well Glory works as our Big Bad for the season. The stakes are so high this season, with Buffy herself risking and losing so much not only to the highest of forces but also the mundane, depressing realities of life. Despite this, season 5 is very much about family in a way I don’t think even previous seasons were. Sure, the Scoobies always have been a family but put into this much more suburban setting with a young girl to look after, plus our core characters growing up it’s hard for me to deny that this is where they’ve truly arrived for me as a unit. This setup of the Scoobies also just works rather well, with the core four being complemented by Anya, Tara and, well and truly now, Spike. Yes, they serve as love interests to the three main “kids” (well, Spike not quite yet, I suppose) but in their best moments they also stand on their own two feet. Even Tara, the only character not getting the main title treatment has come into her and arguably had a bigger arc than even her girlfriend, Willow.

Speaking of. The only “complaint” I would have about the season is a minor one, and then another, so far half-baked thought. Complaint one is that Willow didn’t have much of an arc this season, or at least less so than other main characters and I thought that was a shame. Sure, she’s become so powerful that she ended up taking on a god and that leads us nicely into season 6, but I would have expected at least one episode to have a decidedly Willow A plot and that never truly came. And then my half-baked thought is that, for all its confidence and standout episodes and overall strong arc, season 5 did miss something of a spark for me. Maybe that’s the curse of being consistently strong with very few subpar moments, I’m not sure. I think it might be that I just went with the flow so well I didn’t take the time to process everything, because the pieces were all there and it all led to a stunning conclusion. Maybe I’m just a messy bitch who likes the despair of season 6 just a little bit better. Speaking of.

Buffy Season 6

In all fairness, season 5 was praised to me whereas I was warned to lower my expectations for season 6 so there was already a difference there. But season 6 came by swinging and I’m not saying it never missed, the “Big Bad” being a particular pain point for me, but it was messy in delicious ways and I enjoyed the darker tone the season set for our heroes. Buffy’s afterdeath was handled much better than I thought it would be, by which I mean it wasn’t just retconned and everyone on their merry way. Buffy’s death and the undoing of it at Willow’s hands sets not only the tone of the entire season but the very DNA of it. We’re also dealing with the harsh truths of life this season, from the financial reality of a(n officially) jobless orphan looking after her little sister to destructive relationships and, yes, addiction. And I know Willow’s storyline is a point of contention in the fandom - one day, I might even bring myself to try and stand in defense of it. But for now I’ll just say that the many metaphors of BtVS are versatile things and it was about time Willow’s journey hit a big milestone.

In fact, it’s that very fact of the season being primarily about Buffy’s and Willow’s struggles that I appreciate. They’re mirrors this season in all the ways they don’t see. If only they’d seen the director’s cut of Tara and Giles’ reprise of their solos, they’d see the parallels. Of course, I can’t praise season 6 without mentioning that Once More, With Feeling is indeed as great as everyone hypes it up to be. If it results in Buffy the Vampire Slayer Cast making it into my top 5 artists in this year’s Spotify Wrapped I’m gonna be mad, but only because the songs genuinely slap and the story is so well-handled through them. That said, I think it’d be a mistake to reduce season 6 to the one standout episode. While inarguably the most unique, it’s far from being the season’s only great episode. And even more than standouts, it’s the overall consistency that I appreciate. Some may frown upon episodes like Doublemeat Palace and the whole storyline of Buffy getting a fast food job, but I’m a seasoned ex-maccies worker who’s bene there and found odd catharsis in the show finally acknowledging financials. Call me Anya, but I care about money - some logistics of money in my shows, anyway.

All of this is not to say I think the season was perfect by any means. Some of the Spuffy shitshow was rough to watch, some of it really rough to the point of harrowing, and I’ll miss Tara as much as the next Sapphic. It’s in the Trio’s mere existence where you’ll find my reasons for potentially debating whether this really is the best season. It’s not that I hated them; you are generally supposed to hate villains. It’s that they’re annoying even at the best of times heinous at the worst, Warren in the lead of course but the two lackeys as well. I’ll say it, the show should have let Jonathan go. I don’t hate the concept inherently and I think the show does a fair enough deconstruction of why nerds aren’t always so innocuous but that doesn’t change the fact that was just plain unpleasant to watch them take up screentime in a season where Tara’s clock is ticking and our main characters are desperately trying to hold their lives together. No fun. I might rant about it later.

But that aside, I’ll proudly proclaim season 6 as my favourite and right now there are few questions about it. It’s the one that made me feel the most in any case and that’s what matters in my eyes. Dark Willow, I’ll never forget you, nor will I overlook Xander’s best moment in the entire series anytime soon. Unless he does something very stupid in season 7, which is entirely possible and in fact expected.

Angel Season 2

The two shows began diverging so much that it feels strange to even jump into Angel the Series here but let’s do so anyway. Not exactly sure what the reason is since I watched them parallel but for some reason, Angel season 2 feels even more distant now than Buffy season 5. Maybe it’s because of how much has changed in the series and how far it has come from its origins. Maybe it’s because I practically binged Angel season 3 and then Buffy season 6, so I’ve now spent more time away from AtS. Whatever it may be, I’ll have fond memories of Angel’s second season and how, just like BtVS season 5 felt so confident in itself, so too did the spin-off grow more sure of its own strengths and structure.

The big appeal of the season is the return of Darla, far too unceremoniously killed off back in BtVS season 1 Darla. Julie Benz is far too great in the role to be limited to just flashback and so, here she is in all her glory, tormenting Angel and then herself with the new-old soul she has. Darla has now had two human and two vampire lives and it’s fascinating to follow her progress through those lives and deaths. AtS season 2 did a great job at further establishing the messy but deep Angel and Darla relationship we only got a hint of previously. She was the perfect villain to elevate Angel the Series above what it was in its first season. Also in the antagonistic role the ever-present Wolfram & Hart and the delightful albeit short return of Drusilla, which together made for one heck of a challenge for Angel.

I’d even say that I enjoyed Angel’s momentary slip into lone wolf jerk territory because of course what Wolfram & Hart put him through landed him there, of course. Constantly atoning or not, Angel will never not be a flawed character and season 2 gave us so much of his ups and downs. Some highlights include his 50s flashback and the Darla episode glimpse at just how much of a pathetic meow meow he was even after first getting his soul. My only complaint about Angel’s arc is a self-indulgent one, that being that his should have continued his prison chats with Faith. Not just because I’m a slut for Faith first and foremost but because the two have developed such a beautiful connection and I would have loved to see that continue as a through-line in season 2 and beyond. Oh well, see you in season 4, Faith.

In terms of other characters, I think this season was most significant for Wesley, beyond Angel and Darla. He got to take a leadership role and prove how capable he can be when he believes in himself, and that was wonderful to witness after how far he’s come. I do feel like Cordelia got more to work with than the more lowkey development (up until the end) of season 1 but it still wasn’t quite there. Maybe at the very end, again, as she demonstrated her growth when refusing to give up the visions in Pylea. The girl who snogged every mouth she saw when first getting the visions from Doyle has come far indeed. Speaking of Pylea, let me just highlight the last four episodes’ adventure as an excellent way to end the season. So different for the Buffyverse, almost Doctor Who-like in its premise but a welcome change of pace after the heavy Darla stuff that the rest of the season covered.

I wish I had more to say about Gunn joining the team or even Lorne’s introduction and subsequent steady presence, but now that I’ve also seen season 3 I just feel like there’d be little point in me trying to force myself to gather thoughts on them in season 2. And not that they had an awful lot to work with, either. Like I said, apart from Angel it was mostly a Wesley season in my eyes.

Angel Season 3

Where there is more to say about Gunn, Lorne, and more is season 3, even more of a departure from BtVS than season 2 was. Part of that is the different network situation and I can’t pretend I didn’t feel baited and betrayed when a crossover post-Buffy resurrection was teased and then done with offscreen, but maybe that’s for the best. Angel’s life is now so distinct from the going ons of Sunnydale and that is okay. Imagine Angel telling Buffy about getting Darla pregnant who then gave birth by staking and poofing herself and the baby growing up in a hell dimension only to... do all of that to his bio daddy. Man, this season was wild. And no I won’t let them live the staking and poofing down.

If I’m honest, if season 2 was Darla’s well deserved chance to shine her return here felt lackluster and her second vampire death even more ridiculous and unworthy than her first. Yes, yes, she died for her son, a noble moment from a soulless vampire, blah blah. I wasn’t a huge fan of the pregnancy storyline and how sidelined Darla herself felt in it but anyway, let’s not get into that tangent. The point is, Angel’s suddenly a dad this season and that fundamentally changes the status quo. I feel like I’ll have more to say about Connor is later season and it is perhaps best if I don’t dwell on him as a character for now, and instead highlight that stakes have indeed been raised and, if nothing else, I appreciate the bold direction.

There’s much to say about the way Angel Investigations changes this season, particularly with Wesley’s well-intentioned but catastrophic betrayal but, again, maybe something I’ll return to later or in another post. I will say that Wesley’s clearly starting to go down a dark path and I would hope he finds redemption on a show all about atonement but you never know. In other AI team news, Fred is here! I had no idea Amy Acker would be more than a late season 2 guest star but I welcomed her addition to the main cast. Fred brings a different kind of dynamic to the team, even if love triangles can be tedious, and she’s a refreshing presence overall. I know I said Gunn has more to do in season 3 but I still don’t think there’s a ton to say about him. And that is a shame, but maybe now that Wesley’s gone and Angel’s at the bottom of the ocean he’ll step into more of a leader role.

The highlight of the season is Cordelia for me, which is something I’ve been waiting to be able to say since BtVS season 1. I’ve always had a feeling BtVS was never giving her her dues and I was warned AtS wouldn’t exactly be kind to the character either. Season 1 did take the piss on occasion and I mostly just wanted more of her in season 2, but now that she’s on her sixth Buffyverse season the Cordelia I always knew she could be is finally here. Not only does she have a solid arc, her moments of compassion are emotionally poignant and her relentless support of Angel in particular is heartwarming. Now, the romantic aspect of their relationship is just another one of those things you’ll have to ask me about later because... I don’t hate it, but I also don’t think it was necessary. The imagery of the season ending with Angel sinking to the bottom of the ocean and Cordelia ascending to the heavens is striking, though. But personally I do hope the whole higher being thing doesn’t last forever for Cordy. She’s needed right here on Earth.

I feel like I’ve strained far from the season overview style I started with BtVS now but Angel season 3 is just a lot to process. I haven’t even touched on Holtz, an overall underwhelming Big Bad if not for the Connor of it all, or Lilah’s increased role now that Lindsey’s gone. But season 3 feels less about the antagonistic forces Angel has to face than about the concept of family, found family and what we choose to do with it. And with the cliffhanger and so many relationships with question marks at their portmanteau's, I don’t think the season offers many answers, as such. Just that this is life, albeit to a heightened extreme and this is what you can make of it. Now, I’ve heard whispers about how badly the last two seasons drop the ball and I’m hoping that’s not true. All I can say for now is that season 3 was a wild ride and even though I think it had more issues for me than AtS s2, it still proved that this spin-off has more than earned its right to exist and continue on.

Aaaaand that is it for now, folks! I shall now reluctantly begin the end of BtVS and venture forward with Angel’s last two seasons. I’m scared and sad but shall savour it while I can.

[dinitride-art]

Lighting and El and Hopper - Full Analysis (pt.56)

Everything. Is bad.

S4:E9 - Reunions (#2) 

Shadows deepening, Vecna lighting, weird cabin stuff that doesn’t look right, curtains covering windows in frame- this is a concerning scene. And it’s got the same energy as the scene we just saw with Mike and Will. Bad energy.

Very. BAD. ENERGY. So the whole room just loses saturation when we’re looking at Hopper (or Vecna, who knows at this point). And he looks a bit menacing here. 

But the saturation comes back as he walks into the room, but the blue is still behind that door. Hopper’s also joined the “I’m wearing blue and yellow” crew. So, Will’s not alone now.

Then when they hug we don’t see Hopper’s face. And that’s weird. There’s a dark ring around the shot that’s got some sinister undertones as well. It’s also similar to when Max hugged her mom but it was actually just a vision. And her mom turned into Vecna. (Also weird that Hopper doesn’t hug El with both arms at first. i didn’t catch this at first bc it looks normal to me- but did something happen to Hopper’s arm? That I don’t remember? Anyways it’s relevant later- and Hopper might be the Hand of Vecna. Or using the hand of Vecna. The imagery matters more than the lore.)

I don’t think this is like. A whole different actor (I went down that rabbit hole. And I’m, 95% sure that’s David Harbor.) But I do think somethings going on here.

There’s just a lot of contrast between these shots. When we do get to see Hopper things look mostly normal but when his face is hidden shit gets weird.

(The vignette- that’s what the dark fading camera/picture thing is called. It’s also used a lot in the Umbrella Academy’s most recent season. To add sinister undertones and dark foreshadowing to specific rooms.) The vignette lessons when we’re looking at Hopper through El’s eyes. But when we see the opening in the curtain, we also see the darkness around them.

Hopper sees El in the light, crying. And El sees Hopper smiling.

But the curtains are only partially open. 

Also- Hopper’s hat. The way it was used to hide his face/his expression is similar to Mike’s California outfit. And the visor was used at the airport and at Rink O’ Mania to hide his reactions. 

The room is half light, half dark when El and Hopper sit down. In front of a partially closed set of curtains. 

The darkness follows Hopper. 

The contrast between Hopper and El reaching out is in the light. And how El is the light. And Hopper is the dark. 

Kinda evens out here though. Bu the shadows also begin to get a bit darker behind them, so maybe not.

And again, El’s in the light, while Hopper’s in cool tones, and has Vecna lighting surrounding him. 

It’s repeated and has grouped Mike and Hopper in the darkness/related to Vecna, and Will and El in the light. (although Will also has some relation to Vecna). The cabin scene with Mike and Will is at first glance a positive thing. Vecna’s alive, sure, but Mike and Will have each others backs. Looking a bit closer, everything about that scene is ominous. It’s the same with El and Hopper’s reunion. At first we see El and Hopper, and we’re happy that El knows Hoppers alive. But then it’s clear that something is deeply wrong. 

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