#also it’s the only reason he and Siobhan are friends

[cullenssapphic]

“Merry Christmas, Esme”

This is set just before carlesme are married in December 1921 - Carlisle tries to recreate what he did for Edward’s first Christmas as a newborn with Esme however he is faced with a small dilemma when he finds mistletoe Esme has made whilst decorating

they are engaged but you know Carlisle and his touch starved self

please enjoy and reblog <3

Esme adored the snow. In her human life, she spent those snowy Decembers wrapped up in stifling fabrics, trying to appreciate its trancing beauty of white yet not daring to encounter the cool bite of its touch. Her new life helped her to appreciate its beauty wholly. She loved the new sensation of snowflakes hitting her unbothered skin, running barefoot amongst the ground and laying for hours, watching the haze fall softly.

It was at Carlisle’s eager suggestion Edward take Esme out hunting for the day. Edward was very much aware of Carlisle’s plans for the evening - his thoughts were loud with elation as he pictured what her reaction would be like - lost in the reverie of every possible outcome.

Esme had stepped outside leaving the two to talk alone whilst she waited for Edward. Carlisle spoke in his mind, the surprise was sacred.

‘Please Edward, I want this to be special,’ He wanted to carry on the tradition he had done for Edward - making sure their human experiences were maintained and unforgotten. Although, It was different for Esme; it felt more important, more intimate. She was his guiding light and he longed to follow, to make sure she shone brightly. Her happiness was his priority.

‘Take her out in the snow. Perhaps she should bring her sketchbook? I know she loves to draw that lake nearby the little creek you know the one with the irises.’ The boy couldn’t help but scoff a little, they were not married quite yet but he had noticed how absolutely entwined they were with one another. The little details that were so obvious, their thoughts mirrored with saccharine positivity, their faces both reacted in unison as if rehearsed. It was heart-warming - even for a vampire. “Alright.” he nodded shifting to the door.

‘Good lad, be back around five I should be done by then’ he gently patted his shoulder ‘and please, keep her safe’ his warning was sincere yet stern.

“Of course I wouldn’t want to spoil this for her.” a smirk tugged the corner of his mouth, remembering the time Carlisle had done this for him. He wisped upstairs grabbing Esme’s sketchbook and shook his head wryly as he went, meeting her outside to go on a much prolonged hunt.

Carlisle was overwrought - he needed this to be perfect. She deserved perfection. He shuffled through the boxes of tinsel, string and nitid ornaments when he noticed a separate box underneath he couldn’t recall from the prior years. This was Esme’s.

He lay the small box on his lap, pulling out a wooden sphere painted with elements of rich carmine and artichoke. It was decadent despite its simplicity. The words ‘Cullen’ with ‘C.E.E’ underneath painted delicately in her handwriting. Carlisle held it gently to his chest in a sentimental fashion and sighed. Once the tree was brought in, he placed it on one of the centre branches. perfect he smiled.

When he had strung up the fruit he searched for items to put on the fireplace. There was a small item wrapped in linen enlaced with a knotted string. Carlisle’s name had been painted on it and curiosity bested him. He unravelled it to reveal the fresh mistletoe leaves tied neatly with ribbon. Oh. She was planning her own surprise for him then. His smile beamed, Edward was right - they truly were connected.

It was a symbolic custom; one he knew would be important to her. Lucent berries and leaves rested in his palm ‘What should I do?’ contemplating if he should spoil her own surprise and replace it with his own, Carlisle was reluctant to suggest it to her. They had kissed many times over the course of their engagement but he was still timid with his affections. Besides, it was Esme who had kissed him first. He placed it to the side and struck a match. They would be back soon.

The smell of candle wax thickened as he lit each wick - Since Esme had arrived, their house felt homely and affable. The mellow tones sunken in their living room along with the seasonal attributes made him realise that perhaps for the first time he was apart of a family, his family.

“We’re back.” the door twisted open, Edward came in and Esme followed; her swaying caramel curls decorated with the snowy confetti from outside. Her golden eyes lit up as she took in the new surroundings and her mouth was perched open slightly in awestruck.

Their living room had been masked floor to ceiling in gaudy decor - dashed with blotches of aureate that if they were human, their eyes would irritate greatly. When Carlisle had decorated the inn at the harbour he and Edward shared in 1919, it was never more than a tree and a couple items for their bedside tables; this was far too excessive.

‘How ostentatious’ Edward thought to himself, amused by Carlisle’s desperate need to go overboard for the woman he loved.

“Merry Christmas, Esme.” Carlisle made his way towards her

“Oh Carlisle this is- it’s just wonderful, thank you.” she was now admiring the tree and noticed her ornament had been strung up along with the others.

She pointed to it “you weren’t supposed to see that yet you know.”

“Well you didn’t really hide it that well,” he joked “and besides it’s very beautiful.”

Her smile was coy, “Did you happen to find anything else?”

“As a matter of fact I found something rather intriguing.” he turned to the fireplace to retrieve her spoilt surprise.

“mhm go on.”

he grabbed the mistletoe, motioning it towards her with one eyebrow cocked upwards for an explanation.

“I was saving that for Christmas Day!”

“You made this yourself?”

Her eyes dropped to the floor in a shy humour “Well it’s quite easy you just tie it all together.”

“So you made me a Christmas present and I foolishly found it and now am flaunting it about everywhere.” he scoffed

“I made you two Christmas presents and I didn’t even get to see your reaction,” her playful tone dropped ever so slightly “Do you like them?”

“I love them, angel.” his heart would have burst if it could beat.

“I’m glad.”

“So about this mistletoe, what were you planning on asking me?”

“Well, you’re the one that found it so I think it is only fair you ask darling.” she prodded, Esme knew that he was still nervous with affection; one reason was he did not want to frighten her and the other was that he was alone for so long. The starved intimacy he had craved centuries for - it was all so new to him.

“Oh.” he muttered then flashing an equanimous smile “well then Miss Platt,”

“I’ll be Mrs Cullen soon.” she added

“Then, Mrs Cullen.. would you do me the honour of kissing me underneath the mistletoe.”

“Of course, my husband.” she teased, leaning forward as he held the mistletoe above their heads with his free hand.

Edward coughed sheepishly “And on that note i think I’ll head out and enjoy the weather a little longer.” he had stood watching them, unnoticed, their love was mesmerising to watch but he’d give them their privacy.

‘Poor lad’ Carlisle thought as he went out the door but soon returned his thoughts back to Esme.

She pulled him close, tugging his shirt slightly “you know Carlisle we don’t need this as an excuse to kiss.” She grabbed the mistletoe from his hand and they kissed sweetly, both cherishing the closeness of one another.

“Thank you for doing this.” She murmured, resting her head against his shoulder.

“Of course,” he pressed his lips to her forehead. “Again, Merry Christmas angel.”

“Merry Christmas, Carlisle.”

[crownofconvergencerp]

𝐒𝐈𝐌𝐎𝐍𝐄 𝐋𝐎𝐕𝐄 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐋𝐄𝐀𝐍𝐀𝐍-𝐒𝐈𝐃𝐇𝐄 𝐕𝐀𝐌𝐏𝐈𝐑𝐄 𝐀𝐋𝐂𝐇𝐄𝐌𝐈𝐒𝐓

simone is a leanan-sidhe vampire and goes by she/her pronouns. She is physically 27 but technically 38 years old. she originally grew up among the court in withermore, and only recently moved to destarin to get away from unfounded accusations against her..

TW: sacrifice, death, attempted murder.

Born the youngest child to an eccentric viscount in Withermore, Simone grew up around all manner of persons from within Withermore's court and from without. A naturally shy and sweet girl, the viscount delighted in showing off his sole red-haired child to the masses, and possibly delighted more in the social blunders of his youngest. As the young girl grew, many within the court took to calling her "Lady Love" - a misnomer to mock the both name and her atypical wallflower nature that haunted her upon her debut into society.

The years that passed were barely any better for the so-called Lady Love, as her eccentric father began to invite even more odd characters into his home. And whatever friends Simone hoped to have began to distance themselves as rumors swirled around court. The most heinous rumor, however, was that the viscount had raised his sole redhead child for slaughter, as a means of paying off debts to some alleged being. Unfortunately, that rumor also proved correct, though not in the way people thought.

It was the first night of the new year, and moonless sky at that. The viscount, alongside his "friends," marched his youngest child out to the middle of the wood, where a wooden altar had been erected. Simone, half asleep and half afraid, dared not speak out against her father as they chanted over her. But when he brought out a flaming scimitar, the young girl screamed for her life, that it be spared, that her father remember that she is his child. All for naught, as the flames licked her flesh while the blade entered her body.

It was then that an almost ethereal woman appeared, drawn by the scent of blood. Simone's father seemed absolutely enthralled with the woman, who placed a kiss upon his head before turning to the bleeding girl.

All the young girl remembered was a searing, white-hot pain, and then blackness. She awoke the following night in the crypts below her ancestral home, that same ethereal woman beside her. The woman, her sire, introduced herself as Siobhan, who hailed from a small hamlet somewhere off the coast of the continent. Siobhan went on to explain that she was a vampire known as a leanan-sidhe, seductresses who grant boons to men in exchange for their blood. The ritual was to continue on Siobhan's own vampiric line.

Simone's father only lived another three years after the ritual he'd thrust his own child into. And after the funeral rites had been performed and the viscount laid to rest, she ran. Where and for how long, she did not know. She did not even tell anyone of her condition, though that apparently wasn't enough to keep people from knowing. Starved and delirious was how she was found by a witch that came to claim her life.

Simone begged, just as she had at that wooden altar, pleading to not have to deal with the horror of a second death. She was no horrid creature, just a scared girl who had never been freed from her own home until she'd been given a chance. The witch, for some reason, seemed to take pity on her. He had granted her mercy, allowed her to drink from his veins. She had been so scared to drink, but the kindness in his eyes made her bold. He warned her, told her to run. Told her he belonged to a coven of witches known as Ahnci, and to avoid any that bore their crest like the one on his ring.

Years passed like sand through fingers, as she learned to control the abilities that her life as a leanan-sidhe, and years spent fearing the very same crest of the man that had granted her life, such as it was. Simone wondered if her family ever missed her. If they had even noticed her flight from their home. Likely not, as she had never seen even a "MISSING" poster hanging in any of the villages she skirted through. But her atypical life had to end at some point, when a run in with the mayor of some small village she had been near ended with an accusation of corruption. So she fled to Destarin, the one place where she might finally be left alone.

Taking a job at the first available place she could, Simone tries her best not to be too much of a burden. And, thankfully, her landlord doesn't care much when her waking hours are, so long as she pays rent every month.

WHAT ARE YOU...?

species: leanan-sidhe vampire. weaknesses: direct sunlight, beheading, iron is lethal, requires blood to live, cannot access holy ground without invitation. strengths: enhanced senses, can offer endless inspiration to artists in exchange for blood, can appear in dreams, immortality, ability to seduce male-aligned prey for ease of feeding physical description: mostly mortal appearance, she has fangs and round blue eyes that draw people in, long, curly red hair, and is generally a very curvy woman. she also has a scar that runs vertically along her ribs from the ritual her father performed. additional info: simone has had no contact with her sire, siobhan, outside of receiving little notes aiding her in learning her abilities as a leanan-sidhe. she purposefully does not disclose her identity as a vampire, though people find out eventually anyway.

simone love is played by greenie and their fc is nicola coughlan

[skittykitty300]

🖊️

// thank you whomever you may be! :D

//long slew of misalious fun facts about Siobhan are below!

//Originally, Siobhan was supposed to be my trainersona, but I scrapped it because I thought that'd be too confusing and just turned her into an oc

//Those bleach blonde highlights in her hair are natural! Without the pink hair dye, it's blonde! She gets it from her mom's side

//Her mom's side of the family is on the bigger side and mostly from Unova, and her dad's side is smaller and all in Hoenn

//She used to have a Stunky, who she tried to train, but they never really listened and was a little air-headed but overall very sweet. She found her under her porch, thinking it was a Purloin. (Congrats if you knew that already from reading my rambling in the tags on some post!)

//She traded that Stunky to an old friend for their Shuppet, which was Sweeney, because he was wayyyy too dramatic for them.

//she will probably never trade with somebody over the internet ever again after the "Aloan Raichu" incident

// Siobhan has really bad social anxiety and is generally awkward towards people because I am generally socially awkward towards people and have bad social anxiety :]

//Siobhan is also queer because i am queer :3

//Siobhan's first pokemon was supposed to be Sylvestor when she turned 10, but she couldn't wait and took home Silly by hand and caught Spike

//speaking of Sylvestor, he was a gift from Siobhan's great aunt from Kalos

//Originally, Siobhan was trying going to evolve her Eevee into an Umbreon or Espeon, she really didn't care which.

//Siobhan isn't as truthful as you think when talking about her past when she lived in Hoenn.

//She hates the stereotypes dark-type and ghost types get. She used to advocate for them in pokecontests, trying to show they aren't "evil"

//She strongly believes that there is no bad pokemon, only bad trainers

//her Absol, Sybil, highest Stat is speed! (:

//Speaking of Sybil, Siobhan found her near Flannery's gym, thanks to somebody dumping her there

// After receiving her third pokemon, she decided to just name all her pokemon with names that start with S since she thought it would be cool.

//She thinks she's pretty good at naming pokemon

//Her family had to move for a reason.

//Siobhan only has three gym badges from Hoenn and two from Kalos. She wishes she had more time to battle more.

//She grooms dog and cat pokemon for a living in Kalos!

//and due to the fact above, she's grown a hatred for furfrous thanks to many irresponsible furfrou owners

//she keeps a box of old pictures and memories that she can't seem to get rid of from back then

//I hope you liked my facts about my ocs :]

//I try to post some ooc stuff on my ooc blog, @kittyskitty-pokehub like doodles of my ocs or silly things related to pokemon

[daybreakrising]

HEADCANONS - G.ALLAGHER & SIOBHAN

as always, these are simply my opinions on the subject, and i don't expect everyone to agree with them (particularly not any writers of said characters). however, there is one thing i will not budge on when it comes to this dynamic for a very specific reason, which i will highlight at the end for extra clarification. until then-

HISTORIC RELATIONSHIP

and no, i don't mean romantic-

of everyone we speak to in p.enacony with regards to g.allagher, only siobhan seems to actually... know him. most people haven't heard of him at all (understandably, given who/what he is), but not only does siobhan know of him, she knows him. he's not just a name or someone she's met in passing, he's someone that shares a certain degree of history with her.

when we first meet siobhan, it's obvious they're already familiar with each other. they talk like old friends (though i would concede to acquaintances at a push), there's a degree of banter between them ("you're not over the hill yet"), and she speaks like she has experience around him:

siobhan: and let me tell you, don't underestimate the bartenders of p.enacony, especially not g.allagher. this guy is pure magic... he can satisfy even the pickiest of customers.  siobhan: don't go easy on this old man. give him a real challenge.

she also honours his memory specifically in farewell, p.enacony, as one might say a final farewell to a lost friend. so i believe siobhan is one of the few people within p.enacony that g.allagher has actively forged connections with. on the surface, he has no obvious reason to do so-

A SLIVER OF THE TRUTH

-except for the fact that i believe siobhan knows more about g.allagher than one might assume.

just as a reminder, my main verse for g.allagher has him being the 'human' form of dormancy, aka, something unto death. both forms were created specifically for p.enacony, and he can be both g.allagher & dormancy at the same time to further conceal the truth of his identity.

with that being said, given siobhan's knowledge and experience with the dreamjolt troupe, i hc that she sensed something different about g.allagher from the start, though she never pried. what did it matter if he wasn't completely human, as she suspected? monsters are welcome in her bar, after all. it makes no difference to her.

because of this, i believe g.allagher trusted her enough to let a little of the truth slip. whilst he couldn't reveal his actual identity, surely it could only benefit him to have someone know he is tied to dormancy - and not in the way most believe. how siobhan came to learn that he is dormancy and not simply in control of it, i leave open for now - did g.allagher tell her outright, or did he simply leave enough clues for her to work it out for herself? if so, did she approach him about it, or simply acknowledge it silently?

regardless, revealing this "truth" is a deliberate act: both as one of trust for one of the few people he has forged a bond with, and to further cover the actual truth to ensure he could continue to carry out the plan as intended.

IMPORTANT NOTE

as i mentioned at the start, there is an aspect to this dynamic that i will not budge on, and that this is for a very good reason. and that is:

siobhan cannot know that g.allagher, in either form, is an avatar of the e.nigmata.

and the reason should be fairly obvious: if she knows, his identity is discovered, and he will cease to exist. he says it himself: "once something fictional is seen through, it ceases to exist" - therefore, she cannot know anything more than what he has allowed her to know / believe, otherwise it would disrupt everything.

to that extent, she also only knows the g.allagher that exists in p.enacony. whether or not she comes to know the g.allagher that comes after (as per my verse), or the original pathstrider who created him... well, that's another story.

[inquisimer]

MER MER MER POLITICAL MARRIAGE! POLITICAL MARRIAGE! Siobhan x Sebastian + ❛ it’s not for you. it’s not a favor. it’s the cruelest thing i could do. ❜ from the hero x villain prompts? 👀👀👀

POLITICAL MARRIAGE yeah I knew I would get you with that one hehehe

so like, they're rivals but they're friends? because I like to add a bit of nuance to the da2 companion approval mechanics lol

also this went a bit somfter than I intended whoops ;-;

for @dadrunkwriting and an honorary mention to @melisusthewee who sent me the same prompt for the same ship uwu

~~~

“If we do this—“ Siobhan began, and then stopped. She wasn’t sure where the sentence would end, and she didn’t care to continue like that.

“If?” Sebastian echoed. “You seemed quite certain a few days ago.”

“I am certain, it’s just” —she pursed her lips and pulled aside the curtains to gaze out at Hightown— “are you?”

His armor rasped a familiar cadence as he came to stand beside her. “And why would I not be?”

“Don’t do that.”

“Do what?”

“Act like I’m not clearly getting the better end of this deal.” Siobhan scowled. Her breath fogged against the glass, obscuring the servants and couriers in the square below. “The most valuable part of Kirkwall is her port. And Starkhaven hardly needs marine access.”

“The most valuable part of Kirkwall is her leader. And there is nothing more precious than one who cares for her entirety."

He leaned sideways, one shoulder against the glass, and regarded her with those damnable eyes that always pierced her soul. “As you do.”

“I’m not even guaranteed the throne,” she countered.

“Oh please, Champion.” Sebastian chuckled. “It’s only a matter of time before Elthina sees reason and restrains the Knight-Commander. Who else do you suppose the nobility will turn to when that happens?”

“You never know who’s lurking in the shadows.”

The prince sobered. “True enough. Although, in all fairness, I’m hardly guaranteed Starkhaven either. That makes us rather even, no?”

“Starkhaven is your birthright!” Her armor smacked against his as one arm snapped out to whack his chest. “The only thing standing between you and it is your damn self.”

“While I would gladly leave Kirkwall in your very capable hands” —he cupped them as he spoke, rubbing comforting circles over callouses and scars— “I would not abandon you in this hour of need.”

“Starkhaven—“

“—has not yet fallen under the incompetent rule of my cousin. I very much doubt those who pull his strings are angling for the city’s destruction.”

“Must be nice,” Siobhan muttered darkly.

Sebastian’s fingers curled around her fist and she did not stop him as he pried her fingers open. In her palm was a ring, warmed from her skin and glinting in the torchlight. The design was custom, silver chains entwined with the furred dragons of Starkhaven.

Symbolic and beautiful and—

“But that’s not your only concern, is it?” Sebastian murmured.

Her hand clenched around the ring once more and she pressed it to her mouth. “Of course not.”

With the patience of a brother who has sat through many a stilted, awkward confession, Sebastian waited, giving Siobhan the space to find her meaning.

“I am…new…to nobility,” she began, slowly and methodically choosing each word. “I know that you do not always expect to marry for love. But I—my mother gave up everything for that chance.”

She took a deep breath and forced herself to look the prince dead on. “I’m not in love with you, Sebastian. I don’t know that I will ever be. I would not ask you to share your throne with someone who cannot give you her heart.”

“Ah, I see.” Sebastian hummed and she steeled herself for his anger, his lashing out with bitter pain.

“Hawke.” One gloved hand caught the underside of her chin. They were nearly the same height, so rather than tilting back, his hand traced the line of her jaw with gentle reverence. “There is love between us, but no romance. I have always known that and I brought this to you regardless.”

“Love is hardly so simple as to be a flat coin with only two sides,” he snorted and the tension Siobhan had imagined between them snapped like a cord under a blade. “The both of us would give anything for our cities. There is connection enough in that, and more in mutual respect, for this to flourish.”

“But what if—“

“As you said, you are new to nobility. And you know nothing of royalty.” Sebastian leaned back, a bit of a cocky smirk pulling at the corner of his mouth. “Should I find a lady who could turn my attention from both you and Starkhaven, there is always room at a prince’s elbow for a consort.”

Siobhan rolled her eyes, but relief was a warm buzz through her veins. “It doesn’t bother you? To close that path forever?”

“No.” Certainty reverberated in a way that shouldn’t have been possible with just one syllable. “Don’t forget—I was to give up such earthly pleasures regardless. I have not thought of my own personal future in some time.”

“Of course,” Siobhan murmured. “But now—“

“Now I have a duty to Starkhaven,” he said firmly. “Anything beyond that is in the Maker’s hands. I will look to Him when that time comes, if it comes.”

He was so sure. It was enviable and unobtainable and Siobhan resented it as much as she loved it for him.

“Very well,” she opened her fist again and Sebastian threaded a thin leather cord through the ring. His breath ghosted over her skin as he lifted it over her head. The ring settled below the hollow of her throat and he fastened the cord with a strong knot behind her neck.

“You have walked beside me, down the paths where a thousand arrows sought my flesh,” he quoted softly. His accent shaped the Chant into something almost palatable; it pulled at the weary edges of Siobhan’s faith. “You have stood with me when all others have forsaken me.”

Her fingers found the foreign metal and played with it, staring out the window. She leaned back against Sebastian’s chest, solid, sturdy, supporting. Her rock. She was, as always, a fool to doubt.

“Though I bear scars beyond counting,” she murmured. “Nothing can break me except your absence.”

[almea]

I thought the 2.3 story would be longer than it was because of the trailer, but I think it was a good length, especially after the monster that was 2.2.

I fucking CRIED that Dan Heng's dream was just for the five of them to continue travelling on the Express together forever. Between this and his line in 2.2 about his companions being "once-in-a-lifetime treasures" he is truly the softest boy. I read a fic where I think Himeko told Dan Heng that he could travel with the Express for as long as he wanted, and he thought to himself that he wanted to stay forever, but "forever" means something different to him than it does to the others, and that line has lived in my heart ever since and these last two versions have really shown how that author really nailed the part of Dan Heng that loves the crew so much.

I love the jokes about how trigger happy Dan Heng is with the Jade Abacus in 2.2, but I do also think it's very sweet and a little sad because it feels like his desire to keep the crew safe can get very desperate and frantic. It's also feels like the only reason Dan Heng seems so cool and levelheaded all the time is because he usually has to keep March and Stelle from going too crazy, but when they're gone he's just like. No thoughts, head empty, if I get even an inkling that they're in trouble I am going to make the most reckless choices I can in the moment to protect them and it's all anyone can do to try to stop me.

It's so fucking sad???? That no one knows what exactly happened with Gallagher. Like, Siobhan doesn't know what happened to her friend. This is a crime!! I don't know if we're ever going to see him again in the future, but if we do, I will cry. I didn't really have any thoughts about Misha or Gallagher in 2.0 or 2.1, and then 2.2 happened and now I'm in tears every time either of them are mentioned in the story lmao.

Seeing Stelle be an absolute gremlin who's being babysat by March and Dan Heng from Firefly's perspective was such a treat. She's so unhinged and it was like. Ah yes. This is exactly how I act when I'm playing the game. Opening every chest I see, looking for birds, breaking every destructible item. Getting to hear more of Stelle's voice was also a blessing and a gift.

The last cutscene was soooo beautiful. I loved the shots of everyone in Penacony. It just feels like such a nice way to wrap things up.

And the Firefly and Stelle parts, oh my god. Stelle praying for Firefly's to be okay was so cute. I wasn't expecting that and they just hit me with Stelle looking so adorable. And then Firefly princess carrying Stelle?? First with Sam and then without it?? In that moment Firefly really decided she was the hero of the story and Stelle was the heroine. I just love them so much. Seeing them so happy and relieved together made me so happy too.

There is something there about Stelle first entering the dream by falling from the sky and crash landing, and then ending the story flying through the sky and going even higher with Firefly.

And then they go from that to stabbing me in the heart with the final goodbyes in Penacony. I just. I'm so fond of the Penacony Trailblazers and seeing how the crew honours them was so sweet. I love that Razalina was the one writing those messages in the Dreamscape Pass because that means she's kind of been with us since the beginning. I want to believe we'll get to learn more about her one day, maybe in a Penacony Trailblaze Continuance. I saw a theory that she's Black Swan that was pretty compelling, so Black Swan temporarily travelling with the crew has potential.

I can't believe they made Acheron's farewell skippable. I can't believe there was an option to just go back to the train without saying goodbye to her. I picked the second option first because I thought the sentiment of "If that was the first time we met, then the next time we meet will be a reunion" was very sweet, but I went back and picked the first option afterwards because I figured it was going to be an Impact 3rd reference and I wanted to see it even if I wouldn't really Get It. I wasn't expecting the scene to be so much longer and so touching, with not one but two absolutely beautiful CGs of Acheron. And they made it skippable.

All the new visitor unlocks popping up one after the other after finishing the story was so funny. Especially Sparkle because, girl, you just gave everyone a heart attack because of your bomb threat and then you invited yourself onto the train???? And then I read her text messages, cried hysterically, and was like, okay, you can come visit whenever you want.

When Sparkle created the illusions of the Stellaron Hunters in Acheron's trailer, I had the thought that maybe my dumb theory that they were the ones who hired her to come to Penacony had a chance of being true, but I assumed it was Elio who hired her because she had a part in the script, but no! It was Silver Wolf! Silver Wolf, who was just worried about her friend and wanted to take measures to keep her as safe as possible! I always believed Silver Wolf was secretly very soft for the people she loves beneath all her attitude and I was right!

Silver Wolf and Sparkle being gaming friends is so random and I love it. It's this version's "Blade has a driver's license" for me. I can't believe they dropped this lore on me without adding new voice lines for them about each other. I'm holding out hope for the future…

My mono-Quantum team is Qingque, her boss, Silver Wolf, and her gaming buddy. It's so perfect.

[lonelier-version-of-you]

I, as it happens, have been having a bit of a rubbish day. So what a cheer-up moment it was for Jacob to be the first character I saw in Casualty tonight! I needed that.

Charles Venn is an incredible actor. I feel like I say that every time Jacob is at all the focus, but it's always relevant! There was a lot of excellent character work for Jacob tonight. Even the scenes at the beginning with him running into the building were great - it's amazing how much more I like those kinds of scenes when Jacob has them than when Iain does. (On that note, I kind of like that we seem to be getting more stunts again. I didn't really miss them that much, but it's still nice to go "wow, look at those special effects" every now and again.)

The bit when he went to apologise to Danielle was also really good. Great writing, great acting.

Also, I got yet another reminder of why I like Iain a lot more when he's Jacob's supportive best friend than when he's doing anything else. He bounces off Jacob in their scenes really well, it makes him so much more likeable. Jacob being the focus and Iain as a supporting character > Iain being the focus and Jacob as a supporting character, any day.

I've been wanting a Dylan and Stevie friendship for a long, long while. I think I'm finally getting it, so yay!! Like Jacob and Iain (on a good day when Jacob is at the centre), Dylan and Stevie bounce off each other really well. Tonight, with Stevie going to Dylan's boat, reminded me of Jac's trip to find out why Henrik had been absent from Holby. Like Henrik and Jac, I think Dylan and Stevie see a lot of themselves in one another, which initially led them to dislike each other but can now become a friendship.

Also, it'll be hilarious and gleeful if Faith has unintentionally caused Stevie - who Faith has been able to control for a long time due to being like her only friend - to make another, better friend in Dylan.

I felt really sorry for Dylan and how sad he was. William Beck was great. Tonight did seem to verge closer to a retcon, but I'm not assuming this will go into a "Dylan doesn't know he's autistic" rewrite yet - if we get even one line where he's like "I've thought I am for a long time, but I never saw the point in getting a diagnosis" and that now because of Patrick using it against him, he's thinking again, I'll be fine with it and won't say it's a retcon.

Rash's story was very good. Neet Mohan was great once again. And I think this isn't the last we, or Rash, will see of his therapist Uma. If that means Rash does get more therapy after all, good.

Siobhan mentioning "the CEO" without naming a name (unless I didn't hear it; my auditory processing hasn't been great)... that feels either like building up to a new CEO of Holby or to Henrik coming back. I really hope it's the former. I don't want Henrik appearing. His character has been wrecked too much. Besides, we already have a substitute for Henrik who can do anything Henrik would when it comes to management...

Patrick really reminded me of Henrik tonight. His management style is very similar. For some reason, tonight also reminded me that Patrick's actor, Jamie Glover, also played Angus Ferrell on Holby. Lol.

I love Nicole, still. She can light up any moment of the show. What a great character.

I'm kind of surprised with myself for not being able to think of much more to say, I must just be tired. But yeah, it's great to see Jacob, Dylan and Rash at the centre - three wonderful characters!

[unsleepingtales]

Guys I’m gonna be real I am Not ready for this episode. But we press on!

Are you kidding me the episode is literally called Baron’s Game 😭😭😭 we’re so screwed

Love the spiritual possession warning in the description.

Mordred manor and cravencroft on the table!

They care about each other so much!!

Why does he keep calling her Figueroth

BITCH BARON

Whooooo

Riz now is your time to come out as aroace. This is it.

I never realized that Baron’s stark father was the nightmare king

Fucked upppppp

Brennan what is this.

Cait May I’m forever in your debt for Riz and Gorgug’s art <3 I love them more every time

Fingers out of his elbows?????

God I’m so aware that Kristen’s room is the chapel because of fics but it fucks me up every time

Also Fig sleeps under the piano. I know that’s not really feasible for the mechanics of this fight but Fig’s ‘room’ is the hollow under the piano in the living room

I like to spread it out 💀

KALINA!!!

I would 100% believe that Brennan is just having them roll dice for shits and giggles and to heighten the tension

WOOOOO canon Fig’s room mention. So she is still under the piano! It’s just not the way we were visualizing!

Spring break! I believe in you!

I love Riz’s theme music

I was right!!!!!! When I said that room looked like a chapel in my original battle set breakdown I was right!!!

Edgar!! Does this mean we’ll get to see my best friend Zayn???

Adaine’s room reveal :D

Fabian you have been in Adaine’s room before. You were there last week.

OH OK THAT’S WHY

NOOOOOOOOOOO

PVPPPPPP

Oh my god oh my god oh my god

You’re sick for this

ONLY a 20.

Lou is having SO much fun with this

Oh my GOD the unrequited fabriz vibes.

LOU. STOP.

Oooooh the Adaine’s room backdrop is so pretty. Cait please show us the full thing later? Please? I want to buy prints of the girl’s rooms as a fun fucked up triptych

Oh my GOD Adaine

Adaine crying ‘Fabian hit me’ got me in the emotions. Ouch.

Lay on Hands baby!!

Edgar :D

Is this a tongs situation 😬

We need an Edgar plushie. Please. Little ethereal ghost rat plushie

HATE that face from Zac.

Ally. Allyyyyyy

That’s definitely how that works yeah

Oh no.

Staircase!

ZARA?????

ZAYN MY BEST FRIEND ZAYN DARKSHADOW WHAT HAVE THEY DONE TO YOU

I still love that Gorgug cast warding bond on Fig <3

Noooooooooo

Whomst

‘Why do you attempt to fly with just a ribbon’ is a reasonable question. Following that up with ‘do you not think your friends would take you more seriously if you didn’t make bad ideas’ is INSANE

Oh my GOD.

No. Don’t do this to me man.

Love Emily’s creamy yellow Life Sucks Then You Die shirt. Feels very appropriate.

Sometimes your ex’s playlists slap ok!!

Fabian was generally menacing, Adaine is going directly for the throat with her Baronisms and it’s upsetting.

There is math to being mad!!! That’s my boy!!!

We go way back 😭

Turncoat!

I fucking love sneak attack man

Why is there wolfsbane in Adaine’s room?

Sexyyyyy

Do NOT do that????? That’s a cursed item that you should not touch???

Awww there’s a Vote for Kristen poster in Adaine’s room!

I love the long holding of the shot on Lou doing that dance

Zayn I know this isn’t you this isn’t what you want <3

Make him do a little dance??

Siobhan Thompson you’re brilliant

Oh god the clock

LIVE LAUGH WOLF

Awww little picture of Fig and Sandra Lynn and Baxter

WHAT ARE THE D8 ROLLS

GET FUCKED BRENNAN

Ask him bc he’ll tell you to do it and 😈

Them’s the breaks!

Adaineeeeee I love you

Jawbone nooooo

Does Ally fully just have a carton of raspberries back there

Devastating honestly

‘Don’t tell Fig she’ll be jealous’ I know they meant jealous of Gorgug getting to kiss Zara but. What if. I pushed the figgorgug agenda just a little further.

Reliable talent is soooo good

Zayn :(

I know it’s not really him but I miss my bestie

Baby Kalina 🥺

HELLO???

Conspirator??? Lydia Barkrock might be the other conspirator??? Have we ever heard Lydia talk about Kalina??

YEAH BABYYYYYYYY

I fucking rule at sucking!!!! I suck ass!!!!!

Ooooooh beautiful cravencroft background

Nooooooo last week was so long and this was like half the length so it feels so short lmao

[bobfloydsbabe]

⌨️ - I think you know what I'm going to ask... MOB BOSS BOBBY!

I also hope you are doing well and having a lovely day 🥰

My darling Beth, I'm not the least bit surprised. MBB is a reader favorite and for good reason. I hope you're having a wonderful day too! Let's carry on from the snippet I shared with Siobhan 😉

"She should have told Warlock all my secrets. She has the information to destroy me and this organization, but so far nothing's happened. Why?" Natasha face softens, and she uncrosses her legs, leaning forward in her seat. "Maybe because the idea of hurting the man she loves more than she already has is worse than whatever Warlock might do to her for keeping quiet." He raises the glass of bourbon to his lips and finishes the drink in one go. He looks at his friend and right hand woman with an expression that can only be described as somber. "You think she's protecting me?"

Send me ⌨ + title to one of my fics and I’ll write a sentence for that fic!

[negative-speedforce]

detailed oc questions for Siv, Jay, Gina, Hailey, and E-2002 Eobard #s 1, 2, 6, 10, 11, 40, & 41 :)

1. What’s their full name? Why was that chosen? Does it mean anything?

Sivonne Alessandra Thawne; Sivonne- misspelled version of Siobhan, I thought it worked so I kept it. Alessandra- Defender of men (it's more ironic than accurate).

Jason Luca Barron; Jason- means "healer", also mythological hero. Luca- form of Luke, means "Light". Name chosen because it fits Jay to a 'T'.

Regina Maria Rivera; Regina + Maria = Queen of Bitterness/Suffering, fits Gina's story arc.

Hailey Tuyet Laurence; Hailey- means "Hay's Meadow" in old English, Tuyet- means "snow" in Vietnamese. Names were chosen based on vibes.

Eobard Claudius Thawne; "Eobard" and "Thawne" are from canon, but I added the name "Claudius" as a reference to Hamlet's murderous stepdad from Shakespeare's Hamlet.

2: Do they have any titles? How did they get them?

Siv: Dark Streak: Their hero title, named for the black blur that people see because of her suit. Euphoria: The name that she uses when they're half-Siv half-Negative Speed Force, from the drug-like high that "going Eldritch" gives them.

Jay: Zephyr, named for his ability to control wind.

Gina: N/A, but would have gone by "Psyche" if she lived long enough to unlock her full abilities.

Hailey: Phantom, because, y'know, she's a ghost?

Eo-2002: "Reverse-Flash" for obvious reasons, but he's also been referred to as "Thanatos" by Cassandra's team before they knew his identity, as a reference to the Greek god of death. (we all know which name is better)

6. What were they like at school? Did they enjoy it? Did they finish? What level of higher education did they reach? What subjects did they enjoy? Which did they hate?

Siv: Only managed not to get expelled for fighting because her dad gave some VERY generous donations to the school. They excelled in all forms of Math, Science, and History, but they had trouble with Ethics and English. Unfortunately, she was erased from existence the week before her graduation, and therefore did not receive their diploma.

Gina: Was known as the "good girl" at St. Florian's, because she got good grades, never tried to sneak out of Mass, didn't get in trouble, etc. She died a few months before graduation, but she excelled in Language Arts, Choir, and Art, but Math and Science were her weak spots. She loved school, and her friends there, and most of the other students loved her just as much. If she hadn't died early, it is likely that she would have had a chance for Valedictorian or Salatutorian.

Jay: You went to high school? Jay went to school high. Somehow, he managed to graduate with A's and B's (no one knows how- he didn't even cheat!). He graduated high school, and went to college for an accelerated Engineering program, which he graduated from with his Bachelor's in less than two years. Jay excelled in all his classes except P.E. and Music.

Hailey: Hailey went to an extremely strict, extremely upper-crust military school. She did not have a good time, being bullied for her feminine mannerisms and personality (spoiler alert: she's a girl). After graduating, she went straight into the Marines, mostly to get away from her strict family. In school, Hailey excelled in History, Political Science, and all/any foreign languages she took, but she struggled when it came to writing.

Eo-2002: Excelled at everything to a creepy extent. Was the weird quiet kid who everyone's kinda scared is going to become a serial killer. Graduated with high honors from High School, College, and Grad School, where he recieved dual doctorates in physics and biology.

10. Do they like children? Do children like them? Do they have or want any children? What would they be like as a parent? Or as a godparent/babysitter/ect?

Siv: Despises children, probably because they pretty much skipped the early childhood phase. Kids are usually kinda scared of her. However, if they were to be in charge of a child, the kid would probably go home with knowing about 50 new curse words, a stomach full of absolute junk, and having seen movies that were VERY age-appropriate.

Gina: LOVES children, and they love her. Would be the best mom, kinda strict but not overbearing, and would sing the prettiest lullabyes.

Jay: Loves children, but they usually think he's kinda stupid. He would love to have kids, and him and Cassandra do eventually have a kid, Reggie. He's a really good dad, really into "gentle parenting" and other such techniques.

Hailey: Is good with kids, but doesn't really like or want them. If she was put in charge of a child, they'd probably be sent home just as healthy as when they left, though Hailey would probably just park them in front of the TV playing PBS Kids all day because she doesn't know what to do with a kid.

Eo-2002: Doesn't like children, terrifies children, doesn't want children. Somehow, he ended up with two. With his own kid being a speedster and him having a "Jessica Wells", he assumed that he could have a small army of speedsters to take down Barry if he kept them both alive until adulthood. As a parent, Eobard was very detatched, chosing to let Esme raise Siv rather than actually doing that much parenting himself.

11. Do they have any special diet requirements? Are they a vegetarian? Vegan? Have any allergies?

Siv: Is lactose intolerant

Gina: None

Jay: Vegetarian, unless it's free food.

Hailey: Lactose intolerant

Eo-2002: None

40. Do they like energy drinks? Coffee? Sugary food? Or can they naturally stay awake and alert?

Siv: Drinks energy drinks because she likes the taste, not because they affect them in any way.

Gina: Enjoys coffee and green tea

Jay: Drinks energy drinks, is a sugar addict

Hailey: Is British. She drinks a cup of black tea with cream and sugar every day.

Eo-2002: Drinks coffee, it doesn't affect him.

41. What’s their sexuality? What do they find attractive? Physically and mentally? What do they like/need in a relationship?

Siv: Is a lesbian. She likes girls who are taller than her, curvy, and are both competent and confident. What they mostly need in a relationship is someone who can both match their wit and comfort them when they break down.

Gina: Is a lesbian. She likes feminine and androgynous women, with athletic body types, though that's more a preference than a definite "type". She likes someone who is brave, protective, and has a big heart, and in a relationship, she mostly just needs a friend, someone to share all her thoughts and ideas with.

Jay: Is pansexual. He doesn't really have a physical preference, but he likes people who have strong morals and are brave in the face of danger. In a relationship, Jay needs someone who can back him up, and can confirm that he's doing the right thing.

Hailey: Is asexual and biromantic. She's pretty much exclusively attracted to masculinity (masc women and enbies and masculine men), and she likes someone protective, confident, and open about their emotions. In a relationship, she needs someone supportive, who can make her feel alive even though she technically isn't.

Eo-2002: Is gay. He likes men who challenge him, both mentally and physically. His type is Barry Allen, but he'd never say that out loud. In a relationship, he needs someone who can hold him back from doing something hasty and irrational, and who can support him through... whatever the fuck's going on in his head.

[goldenchildminmin]

|| Minho & Siobhan ||

“It’s so loud!” Minho shouted out into the young woman’s ear over the sound of booming music as he leaned over, a large class of a colorful cocktail in his hand. It looked sugary and sweet and he sipped on it occasionally through a bright pink straw. Minho had been to his fair share of night clubs and parties but never for personal reasons, mostly for work. This meant that what he did and how long he stayed was more often than not very limited and even then, he had to be at his best behavior, lest someone took a candid photo of him in unflattering circumstances. This, naturally, also limited the levels of fun he had, never being let to fully relax and just enjoy the night.

In Opulence though, he was mostly off work (though never completely because being in the music industry was not a nine to five job) and rarely recognized as the celebrity that he was in the eastern Pacific region of Asia, so he could afford certain experiences that he couldn’t possibly indulge in back home. He did still keep some habits even here, reserving a VIP section of the club way ahead of time so him and his friend who kept him company tonight could retreat there and be undisturbed during their rest from dancing and be served drinks rather than having to get across the club through crowds to order something at the bar. Minho was spoiled and he made it his lifestyle, making sure that he was comfortable and catered to in every situation. He did not drive here, he was driven, he did not wait in line, he was let through upon arrival, he did not mingle and got pushed and shoved by others, he had his own corner reserved only for him and only the people coming in with him had the privilege to share these benefits and enjoy them. 

And he extended them to Siobhan generously, simply for the virtue of her keeping him company tonight. She would drink the best alcohol with him, get everything she wanted tonight and also be kept safe from unpleasant encounters and awkward situations women usually had to deal with in clubs and on dancing floors. And perhaps, in turn, she could help Minho relax and show him how to be reckless in a fun way. “I believe I am a little tipsy! Are you tipsy? Or are the lights supposed to do that?” He asked with an amused giggle - there was nothing wrong with the flashing lights there to enhance the atmosphere of the club, those were supposed to do that. But maybe alcohol or fae sight made Minho see things that weren’t exactly there.

@shivthedoc​

[dzmoot]

In the wondrous land of Aaz, you never know what might be lurking around the corner. There's tiger bear hybrids, blue monkey people and fairies with fishy faces. You might find fields of fragrant flowers, cities made of green glass and sand-witches smushed into jelly by foreign farmhouses from far away.

There was also a group of friends, one made of hay, one made of tin, one made of porcelain and two who were fur and blood. They were on their way to see a mysterious wizard in the glass city to get the things they desperately wanted, a heart, a brain and some nerve. They danced, sang songs, skipped down the yellow stone road like they were in a musical and then.....

Zappy, Kruonch, Hampire, Siobhan and Zilch came soaring in from Namasis straight into the bodies of these misfit friends, their alternate counterparts. As Siobhan came to in her alternate body, she looked down at her getup and examined her pigtails. She wasn't too thrilled about her look but was excited and glad that everyone now knew that what she was telling them about the "manyverse" and Aiken Drum was true.

You didn't believe me, but here we are. I believe you owe me an apology, Zappy!

But Zappy just staggered around, unable to support himself with his wobbly, hay filled legs. Then he tried to talk, but he spoke in an unintelligible gibberish and slobbered from his mouth. Siobhan looked under his hat and to her shock saw a hole in his head revealing no brain inside!

What is this, Star Trek?

Kruonch just stood there like a statue, ironic considering that's basically what he was in this universe. Siobhan asked her father if he understood anything the scarecrow Zappy just said, but he spoke like a pompous dirtbag, appalling Siobhan.

Who cares about him, who cares about any of you! I have no feelings, no ticker in my chest. It's as hollow as Zappy's IQ!

Siobhan couldn't believe that her own father, physically and metaphorically had no heart and that Zappy had no brain to speak of, only straw and a broken broom handle as a spinal cord. As for Hampire, he stood still like Kruonch, but not for the same reason.

I have no magic in this universe! I haven't got anything. I'm a big, scared coward!

And he began to weep into his paws. Zilch, who for the first time in his life had legs to stand on, came up to Siobhan and whimpered.

THE LADLE! Where's the ladle?!

She and Zilch began searching enviously in the nearby woods and flower beds but had no luck. The stiff Kruonch pulled an can of oil off the nearby tree stump and began squirting himself with it, moving his joints around and getting in every crevice. Zappy collapsed on the yellow stone road and began squirming around trying to get back up. Hampire continued to sob buckets and wiped his eyes with his tail. As Siobhan and Zilch continued to search for the missing ladle, a large pink bubble approached them. As it dissolved, out came an odd looking good witch with fins, gills and a large wand. Her bulging, fishy eyes stared down at the baby doll and dog and she knew from the start they were in quite a dilemma.

You're not from around here, are you?

Siobhan's nerves were shot, but this magical mistress did seem friendly.

No, we're not. I'm Siobhan, this is my dog Zilch and those three doofuses over there are my friends. We came here via magic ladle but it's gone and we can't find it anywhere.

The fishy fairy, forming a large grin with her large rubbery lips waved her arms in the air.

Oh, my little dot, do not fret. Your ladle has been taken by Worthiggs the Bellow Bodied. He lives in a cottage not too far from here. I'm sure he'll gladly give you the ladle.

Siobhan smiled and ran up to give the fish fairy a big hug.

Thank you, you're a lifesaver!

The fishy fairy departed in her big pink bubble as Siobhan, Zilch and the others made their way to this Worthiggs' cottage.

Come on, you pickleheads! Get a move on!

Zappy once again spoke in his gibberish as the stuck up Kruonch pushed him out of the way to get to the front of the group. Hampire nearly scraped his leg on the walkway and, you guessed it, started crying. Siobhan was rolling her eyes at her friends' new personalities and hoped that the next dimension they'd go to, they would be back to their old selves or something pretty darn close to it. They slowly approached Worthiggs' house when from afar, in a dark castle atop of spooky mountain with a hundred or so winged lemurs swarming about, a wicked witch was spying on them through her bubbling brew, her eyes set on Siobhan's footwear.

That brat has my sister's scarlet shoes! I must have them!

She then summoned her lemurs, telling them to fly to Siobhan's location and bring her and her friends to the castle.

I have some fun things in store for those little pretties, and their little doggy too!

[kashilascorner]

Originally posted this as a comment on this video but I just finished The banshees of Inisherin and I have some thoughts I'd like to put here (obs spoilers for the film)

To be honest, the second half of the film made me quite uncomfortable due to the self m*tilation. I really don't "get" Colm other than he's probably depressed and for whatever reason he looks (by the beginning of the film) as unnecessarily mean to Padraic who is overall a nice guy. But is he really? It's interesting how Padraic becomes increasingly ''meaner'' as Colm becomes increasingly ''compassionate'' (taking as reference the beginning of the film), as shown by Padraic's lies to the visiting musician, his words to Dominic, his demands to his sister and his final actions, and shown in Colm helping Padraic after the policeman knocked him down, recognizing how interesting he can be after his drunken discourse at the pub, and feeling sorry for accidentally killing Jenny the donkey.

Colm felt more of a catalyst than a fully fleshed character, which is very interesting because by the end of the film I ended up with a vague impression that there were two banshees: the first banshee (allegorical or real) is obviously the old lady. But Colm himself is a bringer of death (though also because of Padraic's fault), a grim, bloody figure in his own right and most importantly, someone who seems to (unknowingly?) announce/bring upon calamities. Hell, he literally wrote a song called The Banshees of Inisherin. The most prominent one would be the end of his frienship with Padraic (a sort of death, arguably a "killing" of said relationship on Colm's part at the start), though the most obvious would be the donkey's death. But there's also his own demise. Colm is a musician, therefore cutting off his own fingers not only shows his unwillingness to compromise and reflects what the priest refers to as his "despair", it's beyond m*tilation. He's quite literally sealing his fate and writing his own death: without a livelihood, without his craft (and mind you, writing songs was at one point one of the arguments he had for cutting off ties with Padraic), his very self identity.

On a textual level, it's obvious that Colm needs help and though it's perfectly understandable people around him had no idea how to deal with that, it's frankly appalling that they just don't do anything at all (the scene of his hand bleeding all over the music sheets as the musicians play and he feasts in the pub being genuinely horrifying), no apparent attempt at talking about it, no doctor called, nothing --except fot the very mild attempt of the priest during both confessions... And Padraic's ultimately misled but headstrong attempt to understand and just be by his hide. The thing is Padraic wants his old friend (and perhaps most importantly, his routine) back, so to which point is he actually willing to accept an ill (mentally ill) Colm? He does discuss it with his sister Siobhan, so I think he tried to help in his own way, but by the end we see a lot of it was based on selfishness and his fear of loneliness. A fear that came true.

On a more subtextual level, Colm's mutilation is more of a metaphor and he is just someone who wants to let go. I have been in that situation too, having a friend go away and never return without any possible explanation. It just happens sometimes that people drift apart. And it hurts like hell, but we all do it. In this level of analysis, Colm is not destructively self isolating but just genuinely wants to cut ties and be on his own and with other people and move on while Padraic -desperate, needy, lonely and simple Padraic- won't let him. Colm hurts himself (or in other words, he suffers by being forced to stay in a relationship he wants to leave) in an attempt to drive him away but maybe Padraic doesn't care enough for his friend and instead cares more about his own feelings, his own loneliness, his confusion, his own fear. I think both layers interact, and in both Padraic's confusion and need for an explanation, refusal to accept the new situation and yearn for closure are central. Both Padraic and Colm sin in their blindness towards each other, and leave victims on the way (the victims being third parties, but also themselves).

While I tink the movie wasn't satisfying (not much happens and as pointed out in tbe video, nothing gets solved) it was definitely thought provoking, very well made and modt of all, stunning to look at.

Also to me it wasn't comedic almost at all (it is listed on verious sites as a "black tragicomedy") but it certainly felt absurdist. My favorite scenes were the one in which drunken Padraic confronts Colm and reflects on niceness vs leaving something "important" for posterity and the scene when Padraic finds the poor donkey (and since Siobhan had left, Dominic was presumably already dead, so Padraic is now really all by himself). The last scene is superb too, with the old woman taking Colm's chair and sitting to watch the pair's true breakup talk (here too, there are two chairs in the scene: one tumbled down which I presume Colm used to break the window and scape the fire, and a second chair besides. The old woman/banshee takes up one and the other one is left empty apparently for Colm, according to my opinion of Colm himself being sort of a banshee figure too)

[margoshansons]

I will say, Saccharina succeeds where Daenerys fails. 

TLDR: Saccharina Frostwhip is a fantastic character and everything I wish Daenerys Targaryen could’ve been, and her flaws and entitlement make her relationship with Ruby and Amethar so fucking interesting. I’m still Team Ruby when it comes down to it though.

Also Emily Axford and Siobhan Thompson I love you.

Because here is a woman I can actually see earning the respect of the people through her deeds and not just through name alone, especially because so much of the politics of Candia rely on the Sweetening Path vs the Bulbian Church, so rumor of a Witch Queen from the streets who can literally call storms with a wave of her hand would of course draw the attention of the common folk, especially if she had a legitimate claim.

But they both have the same flaw which is a lack of empathy and a sense of entitlement. Saccharina’s comes from a more noble place. She’s been denied love and family her whole life and was told there was a family out there who would always accept her, and her excitement overcame any sort of empathy she could offer in the moment she meets Ruby and Amethar. 

As a result, she’s hurt and upset that they don’t immediately accept her, especially because she has a constant echo chamber of marauders who worship her at every turn. And then Theo and Cumulous drop into that same level of worship almost immediately, because they see Lazuli, they see an answer to their problems. 

But that’s not the love she was promised, the love she wants, the love she was denied. And so she can’t fathom why these people won’t accept her and love her, especially since not only is she blood related to them, but she’s actively helping them out and saving their asses over and over again. 

But she can’t get out of her own wants and ambitions and entitlement to consider what Amethar and Ruby and everyone else are going through. Ruby lost her sister, Amethar lost his daughter. Their home has been taken from them, they were betrayed by one of their closest friends and the man that helped raise them. The man that put swords in Ruby and Jet’s hands and then tried to kill them when they thought they were safe. They do not have the emotional or mental capacity to entertain anything but political alliances at this point. 

When Amethar looks at Saccharina he doesn’t just see his oldest daughter. He sees the product of his biggest mistake, his biggest shame. He sees an endless reminder of the fact that he is not his sisters. That it was a mistake to have him on the throne. He sees a way out of his duty and a way to save what remains of his family. 

When Ruby looks at Saccharina she doesn’t see a sister. She sees a political rival playing chess with her family’s lives. Using the situation to exploit and manipulate them into giving her exactly what she wants. She sees someone trying to take the place of her OTHER HALF, someone trying to replace Jet. She sees exactly who Jet would’ve been and everything Ruby herself isn’t. Saccharina is a constant reminder of how much Ruby has lost and it infuriates her that Saccharina can’t be happy with either being Queen or being her Sister, she has to be both. 

“I understand that you lost everything, but I was born with nothing” 

That statement alone proves that while Saccharina may understand the hurt and pain that Ruby is going through, she cannot empathize with her family’s reactions or understand her own lack of awareness when it comes to the fact that she has everything to gain and her family has everything to lose. Yes, she was born with nothing, but she is actively taking everything away from Ruby. Her mom and by extension, herself, are the reason Ruby lost everything. From Ruby’s perspective anyway. 

I love all three of the House Rocks Princesses, but Saccharina’s inability to understand and empathize with Ruby and her constant expectation that Ruby should love her despite having only known her for three days makes me unable to like her and enjoy her as much as I originally would, although it makes her an incredibly compelling character.

[unsleepingtales]

Neverafter FINALE reactions! Strap in this is a long one.

I AM in fact looking for the Calvin and Hobbes comic books.

Death is hungry for everyone but Timothy 😢

Also can we think about how in AP Brennan said that there’s like one more level of fucked up Tim can get. Can we think about that please.

I love Tim and Baba Yaga interactions

We can still be married and about to be divorced and be friends. Cmon guys.

YLFA

I don’t know what your journey has been!

Mr steal ur girl

Shenanigans? Spare shenanigans sir?

Are you a scorpion or are you a cat? Keep it simpleeee

PREPPED ANIMATED BOOK MINIS Rick ily

Pinocchio wielding faerie magic is so wild

Flat William????? He needs lore.

Oh yeah tossing a cat a firework and saying Get up to something! Cannot possibly go wrong right? Right.

Everyone’s laughing at Pinocchio but he wants an older sister SO much.

Brennan is having so much fun as the baba yaga and it’s great to watch. PUT YOU IN THE SOUP.

INK HAND INK HAND INK HAND

This shit deals necrotic???? I wonder if it did necrotic before Snow White got involved…

Brennan’s face. You want the bird to fire the rocket? [cricket fired a rocket] Cricket was Brilliant. [the bird can speak]

Starts playing the fucking bird. Named beaky. Brennan let me get coffee with you I am begging.

Having a normal one here at dimension20

If you ask me for a stealth roll, you will find out.

You fucked around? You will find out.

Go ahead and roll your stealth roll *sweating buckets*

Also quick shoutout to Brennan for beating the only owning one shirt allegations that white henley fits Nicely.

The faerie is DEAD?

Jesus h christ

Ok shenanigans was fun back to what the fuck.

Never mind I guess we’re writing our own fables yall remember the famous story about the scorpionshark and the rabbit

It really wants to make Aesop proud???

I need to understand Cinderella’s mind

Strong con from my pond hopping princess 💚

Elody marry me please

Don’t look away from me. You see what happens?

Pretty reasonable compared to pibs turn right.

Scheherazade ily

Ngl forgot flat william existed oops

Horrifying! Horrifying.

I love dnd set design. I need to intern for the d20 design team next summer or something.

Turquina actually loves Pinocchio

Baba yaga flirting with Aesop?????

OCD BOYFRIEND ADD GIRLFRIEND TO DESCRIBE BABA YAGA X AESOP TOP FIVE MOST INSANE THINGS SIOBHAN THOMPSON HAS EVER SAID

Gerard just flat out defeating people is what he deserves. Fucked up Murph character my goddamn beloved.

WHAT

OKAY

Minerva’s here everyone!

Fuck your ass - and then beaky dies. Rip to a legend.

Elody looking out for Gerard <3

Zac is fully dead

I’m gonna leave if she does this. Murph is gonna leave his wife.

INSANE

ON AN ORANGE D8

WHAT

LEAVE YOUR TOP HAT

WHAT THE FUCK

Against the laws of god and man. In defiance of destiny. You get a cool orange hat.

Siobhan quietly going “shut the fuck up” to Ally

I feel insane.

Hat. On the mini. Zac quit but at least Death has a cool orange hat. We’ve gone full goofy movie but y’know. Death’s soul is gonna have a hat on when it’s violently ripped from her body.

Jesus christ Siobhan.

STEPMOTHER TOOK THE FUCKING BABA YAGA

What the fuck

Disadvantage for the rest of the fight?????

ZAC

ZAAAAC

INSANE INSANE I AM INSANE A CAT IS KILLING A GOD

Ok so when you hurt the hand. Ink goes places.

Alexa play everything ends from a very potter senior year

Shark! With me!

This feels like animal cruelty

TIM

Red ily so much you’re so cool

Rip flat William you were a real one

GERARD NO

Gerard. My love.

Spell time spell time spell time oh god oh fuck

GANDER MINI OH SHIT

Gem time?

Oh god oh fuck

Seven chances to roll

Oh my god.

YES ON THE FOURTH ROLL oh my GOD

The little hat label

RICK SIGHTING

Oh my god. Oh my god.

You’re christ, Tim!

Brennan has so much fun with his little effects board

Baba Yaga and Pib aaaaaaaaaaa a witch and a cat

ZAC

Baba yaga and Pib duo I never knew I needed

SEE YOU IN THE STORIES BRENNAN?

Cmon gerard 😢

DEATH HAS A LITTLE ORANGE HAT

ROSAMUND AND THE LITTLE GIRL LEFT AFTER DEATH MOVES PAST HER

Cinderella and Rosamund protecting Little Red. Elody and Gerard loving each other and accepting death.

Minerva and Pinocchio weirdly soft moment? Ok? Sure? Love that for them!

Village of Hapley. Crying.

Rosamund learning how to spin wool is actually so good

Brennan being visibly legitimately moved by their character choices!

Gander redemption <3

Oh my god. A real 21 year old boy has no right to make me emotional??

The meta in ‘I could have sounded like this the whole time’

I love Zac and Zac’s choices. The trickster prince!

Gerard my fucking beloved. Gerard of greenleigh I love you and I need you to be okay.

Snow White being okay!

Emily desperately wanted ylfa to be friends with baba yaga and she got it!!

Murph on the edge of the frame just Losing It

YLFA CRUSH ON PINOCCHIO

They play gin rummy together. They’re 21. They’ve saved the world together. The god of death approves. They live happily. Oh my god.

Emily sliding that in in the last ninety seconds of the season. Incredible.

Death with an orange hat and a rucksack walking on two feet into the sunset. Oh my god.

That’s all, folks! Incredible season <3

I really and truly don’t know how to sum up what this story meant to me. Thank you to our storytellers.

[chaosbeetlefrontiers]

So the trio finally had their third major appearance and probably stole a good part of the show this time.

Let’s talk about Zero Day Part 1

Images from @beeclops

So Mist was cut from the opening for a reason. What I didn’t expect was it actually being in his character.

While Kyle managed to escape after episode 3, Siobhan and Albert weren’t so lucky. They were continuously tortured by the General and were about to be moved. So in a last ditch effort, Kyle does his best to get Superman’s attention to get him to free Siobhan and Albert, his sister and his best friend respectively. This ends up being a ruse as at the end, General managed to get to Mist at last and use him as bait to get Superman to engage in a fight with the Task Force.

What’s really interesting is that out of every member of Task Force X, Mist is easily the most scared which makes sense as he was just captured and then used as a hook, line and sinker. But even more important, this is the episode that gets him to open up about how much he not only cares for Siobhan but also Albert, both of whom slap Superman around along with Deathstroke, Livewire, Heat Wave and Parasite. I do genuinely feel like the potential for their characters is starting to open up more and I’m curious to see the role they play in the final two episodes.

Intergang: how MAWS can tap into its potential

We’re halfway through My Adventures With Superman and I love this show a lot so far. It’s easily one of my favorite Superman adaptations and I love talking about it with my friends every week. The characters are all charming and understandable, I find the story very interesting so far, its animation is mostly solid and is carried by an art style I absolutely love, I can recommend it to just about anyone.

I will say though, one thing that kinda frustrates me about the show currently is how centered discussion is on Clark and Lois. And I get it, they’re the two main characters of the mythos as well as the show and they’re both very cute and very good characters. That being said, I feel like the other characters deserve their time to shine. Jimmy is my favorite character in the show so far and he’s (ironically) been pretty shafted in terms of discussion. The villains get it the worst though. Imma be honest, even if I can see the complaints for the villains all currently being tech based (even though that’s in favor of the story), it’s the writing on a fundamental level that I’m concerned about. And yes, I think that MAWS handles its villains far better than STAS. While STAS’s villains are very inconsistent, MAWS’s villains are all in the same ballpark in terms of writing and each and every single one of them deserves exploration. And I wanna talk about the villains that I think have the most potential: Intergang.

So let’s get stuff cleared up first since the episode keeps it vague and as such most people and the wikis don’t take this into account.

Silver Banshee is Siobhan McDougal, that’s pretty clear in the episode. Mist in the episode is simply addressed to as Kyle, and a lot assume it’s Nimbus even though the episode never really states that, nor do the credits. However, he refers to Siobhan as his sister more than once, which Albert doesn’t do. And if we look at this promotional material, the article addresses Mist as Kyle McDougal. In MAWS, Siobhan and Kyle are biological siblings. Rough House isn’t biologically related to the two, rather a very good friend. This is another thing the episode doesn’t state but in MAWS, Rough House is Albert Donovan which references how Rough House is a clone working for Intergang in the comics and Dr. Dabney Donovan is a Superman rogue also from the comics who specializes in cloning. In fact, he made Rough House in the comics. So this lays out the dynamic of the group that a lot of people seem to miss: Siobhan and Kyle are biological siblings, Albert is found family. Pretty small potatoes compared to everyone else admittedly. Onto the main point: Intergang have the best dynamic out of any of the villains in the series so far.

I feel like the best way to put it is that Siobhan, Kyle and Albert sorta mirror Lois, Clark and Jimmy in a way. Given a lot of the drama in the later episodes, Intergang acts a reflection of the intern trio: not taken seriously and barely given opportunity to rise up. Main difference is that Intergang has been doing their schtick for a lot longer, and thus their bond is a lot closer. Let’s start with Siobhan:

Siobhan acts as in a leader role not too far off from Lois. Siobhan genuinely cares for both Kyle and Albert but serves as the middle ground for Kyle and Albert’s back and forths instead. She also contrasts well with Livewire from the last episode, as Siobhan is constantly positive with the trio and searches for an opportunity to grab respect. She’s also leans harder into the leadership role than Lois does. Kyle and Albert follow her a lot more than Jimmy and Clark follow Lois (which may also have to do with their different positions) and she doesn’t exclude them from the dynamic because they all have the same end goal. Heck, Kyle and Albert burst into Stryker’s just to free Siobhan. Also, Siobhan in general just has a lot of that same energy that makes Lois so fun, just with some more punkishness to her and her respect for the people she loves is probably above her pursuit for respect itself.

And next up we have Kyle:

This may surprise you but I think Kyle mirrors Clark the most for a few reasons. The biggest of which being caution. Siobhan and Albert share a LOT of the same energy together and Kyle basically acts as the straight man to their more active attitudes. Kyle acts pretty secretively compared to the other two with a big desire to hide their real names and is really critical of Albert especially. Their back and forths are basically that small crack in the trio as Kyle’s tolerance for the slip ups is not very high at all. It’s clear that he works with Albert for Siobhan’s sake but even then their first appearance shows that they’re willing to put aside a lot for the end goal and the trio functions well because of that. I’ve seen people push him aside and him getting cut from the opening does make me a little scared for the future but either way I love Kyle. He helps balance out the trio a lot and he’s very entertaining in general.

And finally, we have Albert:

I definitely see Albert as the Jimmy of the group for… a lot of reasons actually. Rough House is the most consistently enthusiastic in the group, he’s a bit of a goofball, he can come off as frustrating to Kyle especially (while Lois and Clark more so see Jimmy as more of an oddball), and Kyle and Siobhan already have a connection that Albert’s not in, this time being the biological kind. The big difference? Albert is consistently included in the group. He’s clearly Siobhan’s best friend and Kyle brings him along to free Siobhan even while being frustrated with him. It actually makes sense to me that people refer to both Kyle and Albert as Siobhan’s brothers since yeah, Albert’s basically family to them.

Now, Intergang’s only got one episode so far and Superman’s villains are notorious for being underutilized. Whether it be Parasite, Livewire, Toyman or even Silver Banshee, they could always have room for more expansion. My hope is that MAWS will actually expand on its villains this time so how do I think Intergang can be expanded on?

First idea: contrast them with other villains. Livewire and Heat Wave both have gangs much bigger than the trio but Leslie puts her gang down and Heat Wave’s gang ditches her. Intergang functions much better as a unit even if Livewire and Heat Wave have more experience. Plus, compared to those two we haven’t gotten any glimpses on their reactions to Task Force X, mainly because they were the first ones captured after Livewire. Maybe make the trio more interested in what Waller offers compared to the other criminals. Or at least write it in a way where Task Force X, whether they oblige or resist, are their rise to fame.

Second idea: include Jimmy. I love Jimmy’s relationship with Siobhan in the Williamson run. Do I think it can work here? Absolutely! Both of them bring their respective trios together and their personalities would compliment each other well. I see it as with Clark and Lois dealing with relationship stuff, Jimmy ends up forming one with Siobhan and as a result is welcomed into the trio as a friend. Kyle would be suspicious but at the end of the day he just wants what’s best for his sister.

Third idea: SUPERPOWERS!!! Kyle and Albert I think work fine with just their tech but Siobhan’s definitely the odd one out. I feel like a storyline involving her gaining them would be really interesting, especially since we have seen what it would be like is Siobhan didn’t have control over what she ended up being capable of. Plus it could give more of Kyle and Albert working together for Siobhan and I’d be down to see more of that. Or Siobhan going solo for Kyle and Albert’s safety. Or Mist getting powers and Jimmy trying to help him out and both of them gain mutual respect, the possibilities are endless!

I’ll reblog and update this whenever we get more significant appearances from the trio, I feel like it’s pretty guaranteed we’ll see them again before season 1 ends. I made this because I love this trio, I feel like I’m the only one who cares about them and I feel like I’m the only one who’ll care if the show somehow manages to screw their dynamic up. Either way, I’m holding out hope and I also hope this little study got you more interested in the trio. Whether its fanart, fanfics, edits, what have you, show your love for MAWS Intergang if you can! I know I will.