#and it's so obvious that nate is turning over a new leaf and is gonna be his normal self again

[hearteyedpup]

I take back what I said a couple weeks ago.....I'm ok with Nate getting a redemption arc now......

[clove-teasdale]

change of scenery

*:･ﾟ✧ *:･ﾟ✧ *:･ﾟ✧ *:･ﾟ✧ *:･ﾟ✧ *:･ﾟ✧ *:･ﾟ✧ *:･ﾟ✧ *:･ﾟ✧ *:･ﾟ✧ *:･ﾟ✧ *:･ﾟ✧ *:･ﾟ✧

A/N: super late practice challenge two! just posting because it’s kinda relevant to character backstory. i hate my new schedule :) hopefully, this isn’t too big of a mess, sorry if it is <3 Thanks, @claraeclair @phaniecastello and @ladyallegrahannon for the plane rp.There’s also a tease for an rp with @brooks-schreave at the end, but the full rp will be in a separate fic later. 

*:･ﾟ✧ *:･ﾟ✧ *:･ﾟ✧ *:･ﾟ✧ *:･ﾟ✧ *:･ﾟ✧ *:･ﾟ✧ *:･ﾟ✧ *:･ﾟ✧ *:･ﾟ✧ *:･ﾟ✧ *:･ﾟ✧ *:･ﾟ✧

When I tried going downstairs for water I heard my parents’ voices in the dining room. It might seem stupid to assume an argument was happening without even understanding the words being said, but by this point, I just know. Otherwise, I would have heard the rustle of utensils against plates or mugs. The occasional laughter. My dad’s amused voice. My mom's soft chuckle. 

Lately, they’ve been arguing more and it kind of makes sense considering I will be leaving soon, no longer to be a part of the family trio we are. Whether it be to become a film student or a possible future lady, only time will tell. I considered eavesdropping, slowly making my way down the staircase, but after the palace was mentioned alongside my name I realized I was somehow weaved into the whole discussion and headed back upstairs as fast as silent steps enabled me. 

Now I lie on my bed staring at the ceiling, music flooding my ears, but it's not enough to drown my thoughts away. That means it’s time to let out some steam. I sit up and cautiously glance at the door like someone will barge in any second. As usual, the door remains unopened and I walk to my closet to grab a jacket. My cell phone is carefully placed in a zipper inside it as I lock the door, ensuring no one will be able to come in while I'm gone. The last thing to do is turn off the lights and whoever passes by will assume I'm asleep and keep walking 

Then I go to my balcony, taking in some fresh air as I watch autumn leafs fall gracefully. Seems like a perfect night...would be a pity to spend it in my room sulking. 

Better sulking with the stars.

I let my hand trace the railway around the balcony, feeling the cool of the metal under my grip before pushing myself up and swinging my legs past it to jump into the night.

The wind is cold against my skin when I’ve been running for a while, but I welcome it with a smile. The heat of going around the province jumping over dumpsters and climbing fences makes the air refreshing. Eventually, I reach the abandoned building I usually go to and make my way up the fire escape ladder. On the roof, the adrenaline slips away and sit in my spot, legs dangling over the darkness of the streets below as I stare at the darkness of the sky above.  

It is well known the less populated areas of the city are the best for stargazing, especially past curfew when everyone’s supposed to be in their houses. I’ve had an encounter with policemen only once for being out after hours and running away from them into alleyways was both thrilling and horrifying. If word of that had gotten out, however, every magazine would’ve talked about it. Thankfully I’d kept enough distance not to be recognized with a hoodie as I ran.

After I finally catch my breath and my thoughts settle, the overwhelming feeling comes. A few years ago I thought I’d never want to leave Columbia. That I’d miss the comfort of home, of what I knew, what I was used to...even my family as fragmented as it was sometimes. The past few months that has changed. Not because there aren’t still good moments, but because I’m done with it all. I need a break. 

Today I wish I could just leave.

I steal some popcorn from Wilson as he sits on the floor. He's trying to pick the movie we’ll watch when "The Report" is over. Meanwhile, Mrs. Grayson, aka Wilson’s grandmother, is chatting it up with my parents in the living room. It's always nice to be invited to dinner at her house. It has that comfy feel to it and it's where I get to call Wilson by his first name. According to him, his dad was an even bigger nerd than himself, hence the Star Trek reference on it. Sometimes he seems embarrassed by the fact, but I know he's fond of the memory he has of his dad.

On screen, Nate is starting to pick out envelopes with names, but even though his smile is on point, it’s pretty obvious he’s not really focused on what he’s saying. It's good to see even he gets hit by nerves on camera.

“He’s on C’s now,” Wilson points out as he spares me a glance.

I flip over a CD box in my hand to read the synopsis and pretend not to care that Colombia’s Selected will be announced soon. “I know the alphabet, Geordi.”

He rolls his eyes with a sigh but focuses on reading a synopsis of his own. I stare back at the TV then. I can’t believe how much I want this now. I want to be Selected.

Soon enough they’re in our province and Nate takes out a card from the chosen envelope. I’m not sure if I see recognition on his face, but the name that comes out of his mouth is unmistakable.

“Clove Teasdale.”

Wilson yells a “WHAT?” as he looks back at the screen and my photograph appears. A grin spreads across my face as my head wraps itself around the news.

“I’m in.”

Humanity is stupid and cruel, that’s a fact. A fact only some manage to avoid and yet it's not avoidable for long. You slip up. You mess up. You suck sometimes. I suck sometimes. Thing is if you notice it. If you change it. My dad? He’s probably never going to be able to change and become prince charming for my mom. Do I think that’s good? No. Will I shut him down for that? No. Will I accept the “I’m being nice today because I was an idiot with your mom earlier and started a discussion” tea? Also no.

I take a sip of it though. “Why are you offering me yours?”

“You said you’re not going for yours until later...and the water might get cold again if you wait. I can go for more right now,” he states with a shrug.

Usually, my dad is the kind of person that would ask me to get him his tea. Especially if I’m ‘not busy’.

“So you’re actually saying you’re gonna give me yours, go back to the kitchen, and then serve yourself another cup?” I ask. He doesn’t notice my hidden skepticism.

“Yeah, your mom heated water for herself. I heated what remained in the teapot after washing the dishes.”

And there it is. “You washed the dishes, huh?”

“Yeah.” He says it like it’s not a big deal. Either he doesn’t know I notice his biggest guilt-tell or he doesn’t realize it’s a major tell. Or maybe he denies it to himself. “There’s more water so you can keep my cup.”

Okay, fact about myself: I’m a lazy teen sometimes. But then again, aren’t we all? I don’t really want to get up for a tea I never planned to have, however, tea is nice. Now I want it and here’s my dad standing in front of me, offering me one that’s already prepared. I’m sort of in the middle of watching a movie. A major bad guy just turned out to be one step ahead of everyone so this might not be a bland one after all. Forgive me if I don’t want to go all the way to the kitchen for a drink right now.

That line of logic makes me want to accept his tea, but it’s prepared like he likes it and it’s an ‘I’m-compensating-out-of-guilt’ tea. After a silent debate that takes a matter of seconds I offer him the cup back. “I’ll just go in a few minutes to get my own, but thanks.”

He takes it and reminds me the water will get cold. I point out I don’t really mind if my drink isn’t burning with the intensity of a thousand suns like he and mom like theirs to be and he leaves.

My farewell was fun with how flashy Columbia decided to be with its parade and I managed to pull off the “inspirational, I’ll be amazing at this and make you proud” speech, but saying goodbye was probably the hardest part. Going on trips with my parents wasn’t the same as going alone. Still, even with the nostalgic feeling of leaving, there was excitement. The kind of excitement that makes you nervous at the same time.

Dad seemed a bit sad to watch me leave but smiled all around. Mom gave me a long pep talk, but I know I’ll miss those long conversations. Even Wilson surprised me with a hug out of nowhere yet for once I didn’t mind. I’d miss him too. Now it was time to actually interact with people I don’t know.

A blonde girl is standing alone at the airport with a plate I realize is filled with cookies when I arrive. Usual greetings happen except they involve skeptically staring at cookies. It turns out she actually made them for us and I can’t help but hesitate to take one. Even if she looks like the living personification of a cupcake, taking food from strangers seems inadvisable. The cookies look okay, don’t get me wrong, but Dad’s attempts at cooking look pretty good too until you taste them. I stare at the cream frosting for a while before taking a small bite, feeling the sugar pretty quickly. “Oh, they're not bad.”

I keep eating as she talks. Turns out her name is Clara Èclair so either her parents were really into tongue twisters or they were obsessed with alliteration. She almost gets my name right, but I decide to laugh at the mistake.

“It's Clove actually, but close enough.”

“Oh no! Guess my flashcards didn't work as well as I thought.” She giggles at her own words but I wouldn’t put it past her to be serious about flashcards hid somewhere in her clothes. I’m almost sure the third girl that arrives is Stephanie Loretta, the daughter of an old, infamous Selected. 

She’s more eager than I was to accept the offered cookie and the fact that Clara gets her name right on the first try further strengthens my suspicion that she made actual flashcards. The exchange of greetings, cookies, praise, and gratitude go too fast for me to follow so I just wave at Stephanie and contribute to the conversation when I’m able to. When we’re finally done waiting for the last girl--that turns out to be named Allegra--we board the plane.

As interesting as the clouds outside the plane window are it’s hard to ignore the sick look on Clara’s face once we take off, so I remove my headphones again and mumble, “You okay?” That gets the attention of the other girls, who quickly get concerned for some reason.

“I've just never been on a plane before,” Clara admits. “I’m a little nervous.”

Allegra goes with the “it’ll be okay” attempt at comfort while Stephanie goes to the extreme of... maybe getting medicine for some reason? I wave the suggestion aside and lean closer to the edge of my seat. “She just needs to calm down.”

Clara seems to agree with me on that, but when Allegra suggests water she declines, saying maybe a cookie will be better since sugar might calm her down. I don’t think Clara was the best at chemistry class.

“This is a nicer tin can than you think, don't worry too much about it,” I say, reaching for another cookie and leaning back on my seat. “Think of it as a means of transport. Like a car per say. You're not scared of cars, are you? Sure, things can go wrong in both, but the probabilities of it are slim so you don't worry about it when you get in a car. Why should you worry about it on a plane?”

My words seem to work and she goes into a ramble that boils down to “There's nothing to actually worry about.”

I take a bite of my cookie with a “Mhmm” as Stephanie tells her the first time is the hardest one. Somehow that leads to Clara realizing she’s a Three now and yet again her scattered thoughts lead to her complimenting each of us. 

Apparently, I could be an excellent queen because I’m level-headed. Also, Allegra is regal and Stephanie sweet enough for all the people to love. I can’t help but blink a couple of times at her sudden praise for each of us and swallow the piece of cookie I was chewing on. “Glad you think so..”

They chat for a while after that about how their nerves got a better hand over their sleep. That makes Allegra mention we have a couple of hours as she looks down at her wrist, but there is nothing to look at. “Darn I forgot my watch.”

“That's probably going to be the most annoying thing of being here,” Clara mutters, though it’s unclear if that was only meant for herself to hear. “Slowly noticing we forgot little things like watches.” She has some pretty weird concerns.

As if we haven’t had enough 180 degree changes in our conversation, Allegra suddenly mentions, “It’s scary to think we might not be the same people at the end of this.”

“Now I’m not feeling as better,“ Clara mumbles.

Well, this is getting deep. “At least you didn't forget your watch like Allegra. True tragedy there.”

Make overs were done as soon as we got to the palace but with my hair already short and well kept, there wasn’t much of a drastic change for me. 

The next day I decide to wake up early to scout the palace with no one around, only a few maids or butlers to be seen and none of my own maids in my new room making suggestions of what I should wear. 

When I arrived yesterday I realized I barely remember this place. Though it has been a while since I’ve visited. Being too busy with school work was the excuse I came up with to avoid trips to the palace as I got older--when arguing in front of me became less of a problem for my parents. 

The years haven’t made this building any less admirable fortunatly, so I walk in silence across the halls until I find the library. Even if you’re not an avid reader it’s one of the nicest areas here. It’s peaceful and there are books about basically everything you can think of.

My fingers glide over the old hardcovers, but I stop when I see a leather one with golden letters on it’s spine. I know you’re not supposed to judge books by their exterior, but every now and then I find it fun to judge covers as something completely seperate of their story. The empty spot the book leaves on the bookshelf, however, reveals something I was not expecting to see yet. Someone.

I can’t help but gasp at the sight of Brooks standing on the other side, flipping through a book casually. I duck before he gets a chance to see me, then roll my eyes at the luck I’m having. Why is he even up so early?

I don’t move for a while, hoping he will find it odd, but won’t question it. A few seconds go by and I start walking away, careful with my footsteps. I don’t need an encounter with Mr. snobby-pants right now. 

Why couldn’t I bump into Nate or Quinn? Heck, even Max would’ve been better than him. Just when I think I’ve been saved from having a meet up with the second prince, my back hits a stack of books on a desk and they fall to the ground. 

Shoot.

[sammythedominant]

Another Call Home

What: Sam calls home to tell his dad that there’s an identical clone of Sam on campus. With the amazing A playing Dwight.

Who: Sam, Dwight, mentions @sunnysky-evans, @summerxevans and of course @alexcooperdom

Dwight was just settling down on the couch. The smells of something delicious were wafting in from kitchen. Stevie was out with friends and Stacie was at her Future Business Women meeting. He was already rolling some ideas he could do with his submissive around in his head when his phone buzzed.

Sam was pretty sure the nervousness he was feeling right now even topped how he'd felt when he'd talked to his parents about his past as a stripper, and the abusive atmosphere that had entailed. This was going to rock their world, and Sam hated that he couldn't be there to help them through it. He called his Dad, and sighed nervously.

Dwight's lipped turned up in a smile. "Hey there sport. Wasn't expecting to hear from you today."

"Hey, Dad," Sam smiled. No matter how nervous he was, it always felt good to hear his dad's voice. "How's everyone? Are they all around?" he asked, quietly hoping that he'd managed to catch either Dwight or Dwight and Mary, alone.

"Nope. Your brother and sister are out. You know those two... social butterflies. Think your momma's already startin' to feel empty nest syndrome. Better warn you. She's been talkin' about grandbabies with the church ladies." He chuckled. "It's just your mom and me tonight."

Sam laughed softly. "Tell her it'll happen, it's just a way off still," he smiled. "With Nate and everything...planning for the future feels kinda weird right now," he admitted, with a little sigh, before shaking his head. "But that's not why I called."

"It better be," Dwight assured with a laugh. They had started so young and while he wouldn't change that because his children were his life, but he wanted them to have the chance to do and have everything they wanted. He sighed. He knew how hard things had been since Nate had moved. "How you doin' with that sport? Missin' your fella something awful I imagine." He frowned sitting up straight, feeling the hairs on the back of his neck stand up. "Everything alright?"

"It's not easy," Sam said softly. "But its exactly what he and Silas need, and it won't be long before we're all living in New York like nothing happened," Sam said, trying to sound like he fully believed that. He took a deep breath. "Everyone's okay, nobody's hurt," Sam said firstly, feeling sure it would be one of the first thing on his dad's mind. "But something happened, and it's something that...god, dad, I don't even know where to start. It's insane."

"Seems like they didn't have much choice with that new headmaster havin' something against them." He didn't want to acknowledge what they all knew. Long distance relationships were hard. But if anyone could do it, it was those boys. Dwight let out the breathe he was holding. "Alright... alright... kinda got me on sittin' on nails here kiddo. How 'bout you start at the start. Might seem crazy, but if we talk it out bet we can work it out."

"Yeah. I'm on board with the reason they had to go, it's just...hard, I guess, after three years of living next door to him," Sam sighed, before shaking his head. He really hadn't meant to get into this, but there was always something about talking to his parents that helped him be honest, sometimes. "Okay, so, I was out jogging, and I met this guy. His name is Alex Cooper," Sam started, pausing to gauge whether or not Dwight reacted to that name or not. He was very relieved when he didn't. "He, uh...well, he's my identical br.....he's identical to me, dad. It was like looking in a mirror."

"Whole hell of a lot different when you can't hold 'em or talk to 'em whenever you want huh? It's gonna be alright sport. Only way to the other side is to keep on keepin' on. You got your boys and you're doing right by them. Stay proud and whatever happens, your mom and I have your back." He knew this wasn't what his son wanted to talk about right then so he hoped that would be enough for now. He settled back against the couch as he listened. He wondered if this had to do with Nate. Was Sam having feelings for someone new? He decided to just keep listening though and hear him out. It wasn't that he couldn't hear the anxiety in his son's voice, but he just wasn't sure exaclty what he was saying. "Well, you know what they say... we all have a doubleganger out there somewhere right?" he said mangling the correct term into something that would be funny under other circumstances. He just wasn't understanding the extent to which this other boy looked like Sam.

"Yeah, I don't think I really thought about how different it would be. I just wanted to be supportive," Sam said quietly. "I know, Dad. You guys always have my back, and I love you for it," he said earnestly. He was always grateful for the support he got from his parents, and he knew he wouldn't be half as successful as he was without their love and care over the years. He took another deep breath. "No, dad. I mean, he's literally identical to me. He looks more like me than Nate's identical brothers look like him. He's my twin," Sam explained tenatively.

"Of course you did. That's the way you're built champ. You're a nurturer through and through. Some people think Sky is the most like your mom, but I gotta say it might be you." He was proud to say that he saw a lot of himself in his son too. At least he saw qualities that he hoped he had. Dwight was quiet for a long time. For a moment he wondered if his kids were starting an elaborate prank on him. "You don't have an identical twin Sammy. I was there when y'all came into this world." He was getting that hair standing up thing again and he didn't like it.

"Well, that's a really big compliment, dad," Sam said, after a quiet moment. Personally, he thought the title of who was most like their mom still belonged to Sky, but he had no problem with being a close runner-up. It really felt like Dwight had been quiet for an eternity, before the man finally spoke. Sam was sure he could hear his own heartbeat, and for the thousandth time, he wished he was back home telling Dwight this face to face. "Dad," he said quietly. "I don't know if...you're thinking the same thing I did, but I'm not, you know, uh, having a breakdown again. I promise," Sam practically whispered. "I promise, I talked to this guy, I sat down opposite him. He's...he's real, dad. He's got my face, my build, and I don't know how or if his parents have answers, but...he's real."

If he was honest that was exactly what he was thinking. That was what that prickle running down his spine was. It was worry and fear for his son. And he should have been watching out for this. There had been so much upheaval in the last six months. But if Sam said that wasn't it that, then he would believe him. "Okay Sammy. I believe you. I believe you. Always will." He let that sink in before continuing. "But I just don't know... I don't know how this can be." He was suddenly on edge. He looked toward the kitchen where he could hear his wife, his submissive humming hymns. "Champ, I'm telling you. You, Sky, and Summer are ours and it was just the three of you. I was there." But that wasn't strictly true was it. There had been complications. Terrifying complications. He'd been shoved out into the hallway and Mary had been wheeled away, barely breathing and bleeding out. It's a story they've never shared with them because it's one Mary doesn't really remember well and Dwight would like to keep it that way. Trauma was better forgotten. "What does this boy have to say?"

Sam let out a quiet sigh of relief when Dwight told him he believed him. He was always grateful for the belief his dad always had in him, even when he wasn't totally sure he'd earned it. "Thanks, dad," he murmured into the phone. "I...I believe you, dad. But something happened, somewhere, somehow," Sam said, still speaking quietly. It was a horrible, frightening thought, but it was looking more and more obvious that something had gone wrong. "He says he has parents and family in Chicago, and that he's gonna talk to them about this," Sam said. "Dad, I know...I know I'm yours, but Alex is just as sure that he's his parents son. What if I'm....what if I'm not an Evans?" he whispered in a downright terrified voice.

Dwight opened his mouth, closed it, and opened it again. He couldn't talk because his heart was in his throat. What if I'm not an Evans?" He couldn't actually bare the thought of it. "Hold on a second son." He put down his phone and went to the kitchen. "Hey babe, I'mma bring Frank back his leaf blower." Mary made sure that he knew dinner would be ready in less than an hour and not to get too caught up talking to Frank because he knew how much Frank could talk. He assured her he'd be back soon and kissed her head. He scooped up his phone and stepped outside, the small lie gnawing at his stomach. He didn't want Mary to overhear this conversation though. Not yet. "Alright, I'm here champ. Listen, I don't know what's going on but one thing can never ever... ever change. You are an Evans. You are my son."

Sam waited quietly and anxiously, for Dwight to come back onto the phone. He hadn't realised how terrified he was of the truth until he'd started talking about it, and now it was the only thing he could think about. What would he do if he wasn't biologically an Evans? He sucked in a breath as Dwight came back on the line, and as his dad spoke, Sam felt a few tears beginning to flow. "Okay, dad," he said quietly, as he wiped at his cheek. "I don't know what to do. Summer's talking about DNA tests, but I'm just freaking out."

DNA? Well, Summer always was his practical and thoughtful child. But the thought of a DNA test made a ball of fear form in his stomach. "Do me a favor alright son. I want you to take a deep breath. I don't know what's going on or who this other boy is, but..." He took a deep breath and tried to squash down his own urge to run away from this. "seems to me you're going to need to know the truth now. Can't unmeet this other boy right? We Evans have faced a whole hell of a lotta trouble in this life but we always make it through to the other side. You know why?"

Sam closed his eyes as Dwight agreed with taking the test. He'd really hoped there would some simple answer for all of this when he phoned home, even if he couldn't think of what that answer could possibly be. "Because we're a family, and we can get through anything," Sam said, his voice a little firmer. He was quiet for a few, long moments as his mind worked overtime. "Dad, if we do a DNA test, and I'm physically your son, that means Alex is too. And it means...uh, well, it means Summer or Sky..."

"That's right. We have each other no matter what." His brain was slowly making those connections. "Have talked to Summer about that possibility?" He frowned. "I... I think we keep this from Sky for the moment."

"Yeah, we do. Blood or no blood," he said firmly. He knew it, in his heart, but it helped a lot to heart Dwight say it. "Not really. I'm only just working out all the different possibilities, I guess," he admitted. "I've gotta tell him something, dad. He's gonna see Alex sooner or later."

"Damn straight," he assured. He ran a hand down his face. "Okay. I trust you son. And you can have him call me if he gives a hard time. But let's talk about you right now. Do you want to do the DNA test?"

Sam took a breath, as he thought about having to tell Sky about all of this. He knew that was going to be hard, especially if Sky realised there was a possibility he wasn't biologically related to them. "I will. I guess I do. Do I do one with you? Or with Summer and Sky?"

That was a good question. "I have to talk to you mom about all of this so I won't be able to do anything until tomorrow, but I'll get a test tomorrow. Let's start there and decide what we do next when we get to it. Your sister can make a choice if she wants to get tested, but we'll wait on Sky, okay?" He was quiet for a long while. "Sam. Listen very carefully. This is scary. No doubt about it but a family isn't made by DNA. It's built on love and this can't change that."

Oh God, I'm sorry you've gotta talk Mom through all this," Sam sighed. "Tell her I love her?" Sam asked, knowing his dad would. "Okay. Let me know what company you're using, and I'll get it all set up," Sam said. "Okay. If Summer gets tested too, there's no reason for Sky to get tested, right? We'll know one way or another if at least two of us get tested," Sam said, scrunching his face a little. All the different possibilities of this was giving him a headache. "This could never change that, dad. This is...hard, but...I don't know, maybe this leads to a good place. Maybe our family is about to grow, in a really, really weird way."

"Got nothing to be sorry about. I will and so will you when she calls you later." He chuckled. They both knew she would need to check in with him. Dwight laughed again. "Well you know us Evans. We're nothing if not weird and dramatic right?" Mostly he thought they were very ordinary. However out of the ordinary things did seem to happen to them. "You sound tired kiddo. You gotta take care of yourself through all'a this right?"

"I'll keep my phone with me," Sam laughed softly. He had no problem with his mom needing to call him, and he also knew he'd want to hear from her as soon as she knew what was going on. "Yeah, that's the truth," he smiled into the phone. "I'm feeling it, but I've got Blaine here right now, taking care of me. I think my boys would be pretty mad if I didn't look after myself."

"Good. You let them take good care of you. You're strong Sam and I know you take care of them. Let them do the same for you. They are your family now and no matter what happens with this test you'll all have each other's strength to lean on." He nodded. "And maybe we're all over reacting. No sense borrowing trouble from the future eh?"

"I learnt that lesson the hard way. I always let my guys take care of me now, dad. Promise," Sam swore. "I guess so. No matter what happens, we're still a family. This is just...finding out about some biology stuff I don't really understand."

"I'm glad to hear it." He'd been pacing up and down their street and finally came to a stop on their stoop. "Don't reckon I understand it either son. We'll let science and God if they're up there figure that stuff out and we'll just worry about taking care of each other. Reckon this other boy might be feeling pretty scared too. Does he got someone to talk to there? Siblings or whatnot?"

"Sounds like a good plan, dad," Sam nodded. Blaine was kneeling at his feet by now, and he was idly playing with his boy's hair. "He says he has a sister here, I'm not really sure if me and her are...something to each other. I don't know if he's talked to anyone yet," Sam admitted.

I'm not really sure if me and her are...something to each other. Good lord the ripples of this revelation were going to be far reaching weren't they. It had the chance of up-ending a lot of lives. Dwight rubbed at his brow worriedly and then sucked in a breath. No, no he wouldn't let that happen. They'd get some answers and then they'd move on from there with love. It was the only option. He felt the urge to want to help the other young man and wondered what that meant... if anything. "Hope he talks to his folks like you did champ. This is a big thing to do all on your lonesome."

[recentanimenews]

FEATURE: Crunchyroll Favorites 2016, Part Three: Everything Else!

Superhero friendships ended, the Death Star plans were stolen, we experienced more reboots than you could possibly imagine (although really, that's every year), and Emily cooked a lot of food. After looking at our favorite anime and manga in Part One, and our favorite games in Part Two, we're gonna close up Crunchyroll Favorites 2016 with our favorite EVERYTHING ELSE--movies, books, comics, and more! Let's get started!

  NATE MING (@NateMing)

Voltron: Legendary Defender- I think it's safe to say that Voltron--the US edit of Beast King GoLion--was what got me into anime in the first place, so I was pretty skeptical of this new take on the story by the creators of The Legend of Korra. Thankfully, I had absolutely nothing to worry about, as this is a really fun reboot that not only keeps the high-energy feel of the original, but also pays homage to both Voltron and GoLion. I can't wait for the next season (also, Shiro's totally gonna die).

    Ip Man 3- The first Ip Man was a cool quasi-historical beat-em-up with some great setpieces, but the second was only okay despite bringing in the legendary Sammo Hung. We're back to the good stuff with the third go-around--the Donnie Yen vs. Mike Tyson headliner is pretty awesome, but the real star is a rival Wing Chun instructor, played by Max Zhang.

    Star Trek Beyond- I've always liked Star Trek more than Star Wars, and while Rogue One was great, the real surprise for me was Star Trek Beyond--co-written by Simon Pegg--going back to the series' optimistic roots and giving every character a chance to shine. Justin Lin already has experience delivering with ensemble actioners, and the Enterprise herself has never looked cooler. Just goes to show you can't always judge a movie by its trailer.

    Shin Godzilla- This isn't the alpha predator from the 2014 US reboot--the King of the Monsters and reluctant, almost accidental protector of humanity. Hideaki Anno's Godzilla is a ruthless force of nature, death personified that leaves a trail of destruction and levels the heart of Tokyo in mere moments when pushed. Bureaucracy is the real enemy here, as the film constantly switches from meeting to meeting to planning session and back to another meeting to discuss the results of that planning session--sure, Godzilla's blowing stuff up, but nobody wants to take responsibility and act. I hope Anno gets another shot at the King, because this was fantastic.

    The VVitch- Low-key, creeping horror can be very hit or miss, but The VVitch wins by never letting you settle down or feel safe. Spot-on period presentation brings us into an American colonial family banished to the frontier for being too religious for settlement life, and how their fanaticism is just as destructive as the dark forces that are literally at their doorstep.

    Baskin- On the other hand, Baskin just goes all-out in its ferocity and surreal visuals, where five overly-macho cops investigate a cult and all hell breaks loose. Baskin is horror purity, almost like watching David Lynch join forces with Gareth Huw Evans--hold on tight, this one is absolutely not for the faint of heart.

    Batman vol. 2 (The New 52)- Western comics rarely end, or at least they very rarely have good stopping points, which is why I was so satisfied with Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo's New 52 run on Batman. From introducing new villains to really focusing on Batman's relationships with Alfred and Jim Gordon, this 50-issue run came to a close this year with an awesome, gigantic kaiju battle in the middle of Gotham. What's best, you barely need any background character knowledge to get started--just pick up Court of Owls and read all the way through to Superheavy. It's so damn good.

    Monstress- Gorgeous, mysterious, and part of an intricate and sometimes terrifying world, Monstress has me hooked. Marjorie Liu and Sana Takeda have crafted something that I try and show off every chance I get, something I want everyone to be a part of--a fantasy-horror story of revenge and intrigue set in an Asian-mythology-inspired world is just too good to pass up, especially when it looks this good.

  by 多無

  Fanart Friday comes to an end- After five years, I decided to close down my signature Crunchyroll column so I could focus on other projects. Fanart Friday - The Final Edition came on September 23, 2016, the exact fifth birthday of Fanart Friday, and it was great to say goodbye to the audience that was there every Friday for a half a decade. What's coming up next? Shaw City Strikers, a martial arts comic (and homage to shonen manga) I'm working on with some friends, and my new column BETTER NATE THAN NEVER. Stay tuned!

    That one tweet- It's nice to see this tweet still making the rounds. The initial explosion was a sight to behold--it just goes to show that 1) being in the right place at the right time is a real thing and 2) you know you've made good content when people brazenly steal it and claim it as their own. Also, 3) you know you did a good thing when it makes actual Nazis mad.

  PETER FOBIAN (@PeterFobian)

  Crunchyroll x Funimation- My personal favorite anime couple of 2016. The partnership between Crunchyroll and Funimation may just be the biggest news for western anime fans since Crunchyroll itself appeared. It’s one of those “everyone wins” situations that’s almost unbelievable. More free streaming anime, subbed and dubbed, for everyone.

    Westworld- I’m a die-hard Anthony Hopkins fan, love westerns, and love love love psychological thrillers with existential implications, so basically Westworld was made specifically for me and me alone. I’m extremely concerned with the direction the story is taking with the finale, but everything this season has been tremendous. Their use of a hybrid maintenance process/psychological evaluation to drive story is inspired.

    Monstress- I have a love/hate relationship with American comics, and often take refuge in independent works. Monstress has me more excited about a Western comic than I have been since I started reading Powers. The world, designs, and style alone are so gorgeous I feel like I bought an art book, and the story holds a lot of promise with a supernatural revenge mystery with a predominantly female cast and divine implications.

    Netflix Horror Serials: Stranger Things, Penny Dreadful, Hemlock Grove, Black Mirror- I’m not exactly a horror junky, but I’ve definitely spent a lot of time with the genre and couldn’t be happier about Netflix Originals diving in. After years of sitcoms, procedurals, and conspiracy shows dominating the environment it’s great to see some new blood (usually a lot of it) making its way out of cinema and into more available media. Not all of them are revolutionary works of art but they’re bringing in new ideas.

    Captain America: Civil War- Like almost everyone, I’m a fan of the Marvel movies and feel like the Avengers movies turned over a new leaf with Civil War. Where previously they were the campier, less-directed collaborations of the more interesting personal narratives of the heroes solo adventures, Civil War was just right, reigning in the theatrics of Age of Ultron with a much tighter, character-driven story. I’m eager to see what the Russo brothers do with the MCU.

  KARA DENNISON (@RubyCosmos)

  Working in the Crunchyroll Newsroom!- I've worked as a subtitle editor/QCer for Crunchyroll's anime side for a while now, but this year I made the switch to the newsroom and it's some of the most fun I've had in ages. The people I'm working with are awesome (and a couple are old friends) and our chats throughout the day are both informative and hilarious. And hey, I can put on my resume that I've written about Tezuka's mouse porn.

    (Re)Generation Who- This was my second year working with this awesome Doctor Who convention, and I was so pleased to be back with them again in Baltimore. I got to meet Peter Davison, Anneke Wills, Michael Troughton, and so many others who made the weekend amazing (not to mention re-meeting Colin Baker, Nicola Bryant, and even more). Hanging out with them -- whether during an interview or at the bar -- is a delight and a privilege, and I can't wait to see what year 3 will be like!

    SPACE.- Curiosity's 360 view of Mars posted as an interactive Facebook video. Watching the Pegasus XL rocket launch live. And the fact that the rest of the world is enthusiastic about it. I'm a big space geek and I always love finding more big space geeks. The fact that the majority of the people I encounter are just as ready to freak out about how awesome space is as I am is... well, AWESOME.

  EVAN MINTO (@VamptVo)

  Chapo Trap House- In the US, politics defined 2016, for obvious reasons. And for many like me on the left side of the spectrum, the political comedy podcast Chapo Trap House has served as an unexpected but welcome guide through the past year. But don’t let me get TOO sincere on you; the hosts have got a penchant for the ironic and absurd, as you might expect from a podcast named after a drug cartel that started off with analysis of pundits’ sexual pathologies and satirical praise for the Turkish deep state. Then again, between the brilliant comedy, they’ve inspired a lot of listeners like myself to get more involved in local politics, a feat that’s likely as baffling to them as it is to the political establishment they love to hate.

    Zootopia- Who would have thought a talking animal Disney movie would steal the hearts of jaded adults like me in 2016? On charm alone, Zootopia is one of my favorite American animated movies of recent years, with its carefully observed and animated animal behavior. The diverse cast of animals allows the animators to portray a similarly diverse range of exaggerated personalities — the tiny, timid rabbit, the brawny, surly bison—and the breezy script puts them all to brilliant comedic effect. But what really impressed me was Zootopia’s social commentary, which uses a mess of stereotypes of both predators and prey to shine a surprisingly stark light on real-world issues of race relations and criminal justice. It’s classic Disney meets contemporary Disney!

    Captain America: Civil War- I’ve got a bad case of Marvel fatigue (you’ll notice Doctor Strange didn’t make my list), but sometimes the Marvel Cinematic Universe still surprises me. Directors Anthony and Joe Russo, back after the previous high point of the film series, The Winter Soldier, deliver a similarly gray portrait of the Avengers, with the character flaws of the famed superheroes laid bare. It’s not as political as I would have liked, but Civil War is a surprisingly personal film with a deliberately unsatisfying, morally ambiguous finale. And yes, though he feels like a bit of an afterthought, the movie also has the greatest on-screen Spider-Man yet. Homecoming couldn’t come any sooner.

    Rogue One: A Star Wars Story- We’re just one year into the new annual schedule of Star Wars movies, so I can still muster some excitement about Disney’s reimagining of one of my all-time favorite franchises. Rogue One stumbles a bit at the beginning, introducing too many characters and planets without justifying their presence, but once the team comes together and heads off to steal the Death Star plans, the movie really kicks into gear. Seeing a classic Return of the Jedi-style space battle is enough to awaken some strong nostalgia even from me, but it’s the thematic resonance with the later films that really makes it all work — the forgotten art of the force, the Rebels’ desperation in the face of the Empire, and of course, the sheer terror of facing Darth Vader.

  SAM WOLFE (@_Samtaro)

  Rogue One: A Star Wars Story- Despite the release of The Force Awakens last year, Disney has already released a new Star Wars movie this year, and it’s a breed apart from what we’re traditionally used to. Rogue One took risks, and while some die-hard fans may have left the theater conflicted, the movie succeeded in exploring a side of the Star Wars universe never before seen on the big screen. This is the first time in history that two Star Wars movies have been released theatrically in two years consecutively, and although some fear that the brand might suffer from overexposure, it certainly hasn’t gotten stale yet.

    Chris Niosi- A smaller story, but one that deserves recognition. Artist Chris Niosi, better known as “Kirbopher”, landed the role of Arataka Reigen in the English dub of Mob Psycho 100 this year. Niosi is known for numerous projects, including animation work on Skullgirls, lending his voice to several shows, and creating the web series TOME, a love letter to anime. This role, in my opinion, is significant because it cements Chris as an anime fan who made his dream of being an anime voice actor. Way to go, Chris.

    A Personal Note- Look, 2016 was a rough year for a lot of people for a lot of reasons. Without trying to sound too preachy, as we move into 2017, remember to be kind to one another. It’s very easy, and dare I say it, trendy, to be cynical and apathetic when the chips are down. Take time to recognize what you have to be happy about, and how you can make a positive difference in peoples’ lives around you. If anime has taught us anything, it’s that when somebody knocks you down, you stand right back up and look ‘em in the eyes. I hope everybody has a good 2017!

  NICK CREAMER (@B0bduh)

  Italy- I took a family trip to Italy this past spring, and visions of Venice’s nestled alleyways and Tuscany’s rolling hills have been dancing through my head ever since. The rural European aesthetic of shows like Kino’s Journey and Haibane Renmei has always been one of my favorite settings, and actually walking through cities that realized those majestic worlds felt like wandering through a dream. It was an inspiring trip, and I hope to one day return.

    Westworld- I haven’t really been making enough time for the big western TV dramas, but I was able to catch this year’s Westworld, and I’m glad I did. Though I found the show’s focus on mysteries at the expense of all else a little draining, the fundamental world it established was a fascinating place, and the show built up to some remarkable dramatic high points. It’s the kind of messy but ambitious narrative I always tend to root for, and the fact that it was populated by icons like Anthony Hopkins and Ed Harris certainly didn’t hurt, either.

    The VVitch- I’d actually almost forgotten The VVitch came out this year, but it was likely the most gripping new film I’ve seen. In lieu of jump scares or gross-out violence, The VVitch constructed a breathing world that promised danger around every turn, where the fear and distrust of its human characters was every bit as terrifying as its supernatural predators. There’s something fundamentally ominous about the New England countryside - a sense of old secrets and old grudges, a place where humans are not meant to tread. By emphasizing the alien danger of the natural world and tethering it to a precise and claustrophobic moment in history, The VVitch stands as one of the most powerful horror films in years.

  EMILY BUSHMAN (@yumpenguinsnack)

  Personal Favorite Anime Food of 2016: Mushroom and Cheese Gyoza from Food Wars- This dish never made an anime appearance in this season of Food Wars! but, having read the manga, I really wanted to try this dish out. Soma teaches the gyoza folding method to a class of kids he's teaching, and he lets them fill the gyoza with whatever they want. One kid picked mushrooms and cheese, which at first seemed weird but in hindsight obviously worked out well. Chop the cheese and mushrooms finely and toss with some sauteed onion. Mix with salt and pepper. And simply wrap in gyoza wrappers. It's simple, it's fun to make with friends or on your own, and holy cow, is it amazing! Best of all, the ingredients are easily interchangeable with your own personal favorites, so it's a great recipe to experiment with. I told my housemates that they could eat all the extras I'd made...and sadly had nothing to show after an hour in the kitchen. I'd eaten them all.

    Fan-favorite Anime Food of 2016: Katsu Pirohzki from Yuri!! On ICE- This was a big surprise for me. First of all, it's not the easiest thing to make at all. It requires a lot of focus, lots of parts working together, and an ability to handle sticky dough, in excess. Second, it wasn't actually all that amazing tasting. It's an extremely hearty dish, like a lot of Russian foods, and left me feeling over-full after eating one. I also found that I had to dip it in a sauce to heighten the flavor pay-off. For a recipe designer, the ideal is to have a perfectly seasoned, delicious dish, which isn't exactly what happened. But the story behind the dish makes it all worth it, in my opinion. Who would have guessed that this show would be so popular? I love the character dynamics, and the plot was just charming. Best of all, it inspired lots of people to try making this dish, to recreate the magic for themselves. I got more hits on this recipe than anything else this year on Crunchyroll, which is why I designated it the fan-favorite dish of the year.

    Magical Roommate Favorite Anime Food of 2016: Sukiyaki from Princess Jellyfish- My roommate, Sarah, is my savior in times of crisis. When I have too much food, she always helps me eat it without a single complaint. So, I felt it was only right to give her a chance to choose her favorite recipe of the year. Princess Jellyfish is by no means a 2016 original, but I came across the recipe for this dish late 2016, and made it for my friends. We all love this show, and had all watched it together when it aired a few years ago. So, I had a hunch they'd enjoy a recipe from the anime, and I was right. It was an instant hit! My darling roommate, who I depend on to eat basically everything I make, elected this as her favorite dish of the year. According to her: "I like it cuz it was just as good as the one we had in Japan and I liked how interactive it was with not only the food but with our friends. I loved the veggies just as much as the meat and the sauce was to die for. It was super fun to eat with everyone and compete for the food with our friends."

    A Gathering of Shadows by V.E. Schwab- A brilliant sequel to a fantastic first book. The story focuses on a guy named Kell, one of the few remaining members of his kind of magic wielders, and his struggle to protect his adopted family from harm while also living free of their over-bearing protection. Along the way he makes friends with a cut throat thief who keeps him alive, mostly to suit her own desires, a prince who's too good at heart for his own good, and a dashingly dangerous ship's captain who's in the business for the keeping and collection of the deepest and darkest of secrets. I was startled to find that this book not only added onto the world building of the first novel, but did so in a way that skillfully integrated the events of the first book into the second. A heart-wrenching and gut-clasping read the entire way through. The first book in the series is called A Darker Shade of Magic. Not 100% necessary to enjoy the sequel, but it would definitely help.

    Morning Star by Pierce Brown- A great cap to a fantastic space opera-y series. This story follows the life of one man, Darrow, and his quest to overthrow a government that takes care of the best of society at the expense of a those considered the lowest. Racism at its worst. What else is new in a sci-fi novel? It's a familiar plot carried out with the elegance and grace of a particularly dangerous chess game. This book takes no prisoners, cuts your throat, and leaves you to die. And while you're busy trying to return from the dead, it carries on carving a savage path of friends loved and lost, lives risked and gambled away, dirty, secret games played in the dark, and an ending that eviscerates you, heart and soul. The first in the series is called Red Rising. I recommend you start there, unless you like working your way backwards.

----------

And that's a wrap for our three-part series! Be sure to check out Part One and Part Two if you missed them! If you're still in the mood for past CR Favorites, check out the previous years' features here:

  Crunchyroll Favorites 2015 Part One Part Two Part Three

Crunchyroll Favorites 2014 Part One Part Two Part Three

Crunchyroll Favorites 2013 Part One Part Two Part Three

Crunchyroll Favorites 2012 Part One Part Two Part Three

Crunchyroll News' Best of 2011 Part One Part Two

  What were your favorite "everything elses" of 2016? Remember, this is a FAVORITES list, not a BEST OF list, so there's no wrong answers--sound off in the comments and share your favorites with us!

-------

Nate Ming is the Features and Reviews Editor for Crunchyroll News, creator of the long-running Fanart Friday column, and the Customer Support Lead for Crunchyroll. You can follow him on Twitter at @NateMing.

By: news+feed@crunchyroll.com