#and I think he loved Bix on some level

[colleybri]

It’s not what it looks like!

Well, ok - it kind of is but it also kind of isn’t.

I didn’t watch Andor when it came out but apparently this scene (link at the end) caused a bit of a stir at the time as the ‘first sex scene in Star Wars’. Hmm. Well, you don’t actually see the sex bit so it’s more accurate to say that it’s a scene where sex is ‘very heavily implied to be about to happen’ as someone put it, a little demurely, on X.

So yes, in that sense - it’s exactly what it looks like. But there’s so much more to it than that, because this scene is absolutely packed with story-telling richness in a way that just can’t be appreciated from seeing it out of context. Which is why I am kind of promising myself that I’m no longer going to try and predict anything about Season 2 based on trailers etc.

The storytelling richness turns a ‘sex scene’ into something so much more, and this explains why it’s here at all - Tony Gilroy seems to be the last person to indulge in ‘fan-service’ of this kind. It’s all about what it’s telling us about these characters and this situation. Two things feed into that - the background information that we’ve gathered so far and what’s actually unfolding in the narrative.

Background: Timm and Bix are co-workers, but she’s his boss. They’ve been dating for an unspecified period of time, but it’s implied to be pretty recent: they have apparently agreed to do something together ‘one night a week’ and Timm earlier suggested ‘starting the week tonight’ with dinner in a way that almost implies that they haven’t gone further than that. More speculatively, this very cautious approach seems to come entirely from Bix and suggests a cautiousness about committing too hard, too soon. Meanwhile, Bix has a secretive working arrangement with Cassian, a man who is one of her oldest friends, a kind of sibling figure and also - crucially - something of a serial ex. Gilroy tells us that she’s ‘done with him’ by this time because he’s ‘burned every last bridge’ even though they’re ‘meant to be together’. Cassian turns up to conduct some kind of business with Bix (and we know it’s about providing stolen parts for her to sell on to contacts such as Luthen) from which Timm is deliberately and pointedly excluded. We don’t know if Timm and Bix have even discussed it, but what we do is that Timm is both jealous and suspicious, noticing that Bix “seems upset…” and that this “always seems to happen whenever you come around”. Add to all that, Cassian seems to have a low opinion of Timm anyway, as revealed by their brief confrontation in Ep1 (‘you need to find yourself a less complicated woman… good luck with that!’ - all adding to the shady-ex vibe). Cassian also has a reputation as a womaniser, with a particular predilection for those already in a relationship (Bix’s quip about his ‘fall’ being on a ‘jealous husband’).

Timm thinks his suspicion is justified as soon as he sees what Bix had been reading

Then there’s the actual plot as it stands at this stage. Cassian, desperate to get enough credits to flee from Ferrix, meets up with Bix in a bar. She’s done him yet another huge favour, and has called Luthen ahead of her usual schedule. By this time, the Pre-Mor bulletin asking for information on a ‘Kenari Human Male’ has been issued and Bix knows Cassian is yet again a wanted man. She doesn’t know when or if she will ever see him again, even if he manages to get safely away. In gratitude, he puts his hand on hers. Timm, drinking hard and spying on them, sees this and jumps to a final conclusion. We will find out in the next episode that Bix had told him Cassian was born on Kenari.

Just after Timm leaves, Bix pushes Cassian’s hand from her own. Perfect ironic timing.

If only he’d stayed in the bar another ten seconds… bad timing, Timm With Two Ms :(

Timm betrays Cassian - and by extension Bix - by calling PreMor. He then goes home, sits in moody silence and broods. Bix apparently continues drinking for a while offscreen and then comes to Timm’s door.

So to the sex scene. The obvious immediate point is that as soon as he sees her Timm must on some level realise his mistake. In his typical love of irony, Gilroy even has Bix say “Is it too late?”… oh boy, yes it certainly is for Timm. And he obviously knows it. He knows the relationship is doomed. The end result of that is that he looks so unenthusiastic at the sight of her that Bix picks up on it immediately and looks hurt and depressed at a perceived rejection. ‘No it’s just … I’m surprised!’ Timm tries to cover. Which is also true, but not in the way he wants her to take it.

The obvious irony is that he’s probably been dreaming about this moment for weeks, maybe months, but it’s all just so … disappointing, because of what he’s just done to betray her trust. As for Bix, she doesn’t want sex for the ‘usual’ reasons. And she’s not particularly enthusiastic about Timm or making any real effort here to make him feel genuinely like he’s the man for her. Her whole attitude smacks of ‘having to make do with the consolation prize’ in combination with ‘looking for comfort’. In other words, Bix seems to be using Timm to ease her depressed mood in a way that’s genuinely unusual in these gender roles.

Yikes. Really not what you want to see when you wake up… your lover fully dressed and staring at you.

So it’s a sex scene that is not particularly sexy, beyond the obvious visual image of Adria Arjona starting to undress. OK, yeah, that’s kind of attractive by default I suppose if she floats your boat, but if you’ve seen her in ‘Hit Man’ you’ll know what she’s capable of when her characters choose to really crank up the sensuality dial. Honestly, there’s absolutely no chemistry between Bix and Timm at all in this scene. Her two conversations thus far with Cassian were about a stolen piece of equipment but there was so much sexual tension and angsty subtext between them I vaguely remember indulging my occasional childish habit of yelling ‘Get a room!’ at the screen the first time I watched them.

In summary, it’s a very unsexy sex scene, where ‘going through the motions’ barely begins to cover it. But the broader point is - there’s absolutely nothing on the screen in this series that is not there for a meaningful story-telling purpose. And I will try and keep that promise not to attempt to glean anything from Season 2 trailers. Yeah, I know - ‘good luck with that’.

[galaxymagick]

231121 realvixx🐦

@realvixx

[📜NEWS] "빅스의 무한한 여정, 멤버들끼리 약속한 것 있어요" ▶️ https://naver.me/GkkB5r8g ▶️ https://naver.me/5v42ZON3 #빅스 #VIXX #CONTINUUM #Amnesia #20231121_6PM

*web translated articles undercut

📜"VIXX's boundless journey. We promised each other." [MD interview] (Roundup)

VIXX released his 5th mini album "Continue" today (21st). As "VIXX", we'll show you our constant connection and endless journey. Explain 'Bix' with the words root, whole, brother.

VIXX recently met with MyDaily at a cafe in Seocho-dong, Seocho-gu, Seoul, and held an interview to commemorate the release of its fifth mini album, "CONTINUUM."

"CONTINUUM" unravels the major theme of "continuity" in various concepts and contains an infinite journey that is constantly connected as "Bix."It is also the first time in four years and two months since the digital single "PARALLEL" released in 2019.

"It's an album that I'm trying to meet my fans after 4 years and 2 months."It's been a long time since we've done this album as VIXX, so I felt a lot of pressure and pressure.Now that I think about meeting my fans at concerts and on stage, I think there's no happier moment than that for a singer, so I'm working hard on it." (Leo)

"Although we are 'concept idols', the biggest thing was what song we wanted to convey was authenticity and world view rather than creating a character or character by embodying the concept or doing it in the form of cosplay," he said. "There are members who write, compose, and produce, but we have received a lot of songs, went through blind tests, and went through a lot of processes."It's a song that everyone can be most satisfied with, and all the working-level staff, including the members, decided on the song, "I think we can make this song freely once."

VIXX, who debuted on May 24, 2012, celebrated its 11th anniversary this year.CONTINUUM contains the "bixiness" they thought at this point.I was curious about the identity of "I," "We," and "Bix," which contained music, performances, especially concepts, through this album.

"We've done so many of those processes, so I think this time, rather than acting on stage by setting a concept, we focused on the values in the album called 'Continuum' to capture music, stage, and worldview," he said. "Continuum is 'continuity'.More than any value, the infinite possibility or VIXX's infinite journey continues to be connected, and it contains the value of showing more."

"When I heard the song, I thought it was VIXX that we could make our own voice, the range that only VIXX can do, and the feeling of a movie." (Ken)

The album includes a total of five songs, including the title song "Amnesia," "Chemical," "LILAC," "SAVAGE" and "If You Come Tonight."Among them, Leo participated in writing "Chemical" and "If You Come Tonight," and Hyuk participated in writing and composing "LILAC."

"From the beginning of the album, track 1 was the title track of the members' complete form and present form, and track 5 was a fan song for the fans.So, there was a lot of issue about tracks 2, 3, and 4.By melting the worldview and concept, Leo's, Hyuk's, and Ken's colors, growth, and identity were included, respectively, to differentiate "We are VIXX" by genre and track.I think it'll be fun if you listen to the album with that in mind." (Hyuk)

In response, Hyuk said, "I wanted to do lyrics and concepts that are not the youngest based on what I saw and learned from my brothers during my long life as the youngest member of the team," adding, "In a way, it could be a day that loved ones dreamed of and were ecstatic, or it could be a metaphorical poetic expression of having an unforgettable day."I'm telling you for the first time, but the intention is yes," he said, drawing attention.

Ken also chose the 4th track "SAVAGE," which contains Ken's color, Ken's growth, and Ken's identity.He said, "I was really into this song when I selected the song because it was so good when I sang it, and I thought I could tell my fans some stories while singing it."

Leo, who didn't choose his track alone, asked him to talk about "Chemical."Then Leo said, "It's a song that I pushed until the end with the title."I think the addictive melody of the chorus stimulated me a little," he said. "In the end, I'm satisfied because 'Amnesia' came out so well, but it's a good song."It's a song that expresses the feelings of falling in love between a man and a woman," he explained.

Leo said, "Yes," and said, "I'm actually sharing it.Just because we want it doesn't mean we can do it all the time.However, there is a part that the members promised or talked about.I can't give you any explanation or words exactly, but there are parts that we are continuing to discuss," he declared.

When asked again if his desire to work with VIXX was agreed upon, Hyuk also said, "Without that, the album would not have come out with such a concept and message as 'CONTINUUM,'" adding, "I've actually been talking since 'Gonna Be Alight'.I knew that the fans wanted it and waited for a long time.While performing on "M Countdown," I thought, "I can do this."Then, little by little, the temperature gradually rose to the surface of the water," he said.

"I don't want you to go through it, I think everyone feels the same way.I think I'm just thinking about doing well like this.There are too many things open when you think about what you won't go through.In fact, rather than achieving something and making achievements, I want to become a player who communicates and performs like seniors in 10 or 20 years.My dream is to become singers who sing and communicate with fans for a long time with their know-how and skills." (Leo)

Ken also said, "In one word, that's all.I think it's all.Because of VIXX, I think there are Lee Jae-hwan and Ken because of Starlight.It's such an unforgettable word.I think the members are everything, and I think VIXX is everything.Of course, individuals are important, but it's always that mindset," he expressed his affection for the team.

Leo said, "There have been a lot of things, laughing and crying over the past 12 years, but when I think about the happiest time, I want to continue VIXX because I was with them.That's why I tried to keep the team called Biggs," he said. "We are brothers.The moment I stood on stage with them, it was the happiest moment of my life when I looked at them on stage," he said with a smile.

📜VIXX "The trio's comeback, the performance was heavy...I'm most concerned and most confident. [Interview 1]

In an interview with Spotify News, Biggs said, "It's a moment that fans have been looking forward to as long as we've been waiting for," adding, "I was most concerned, but it's the album I'm most confident about."

VIXX will release its fifth mini-album "Continuity" on the 21st under the three members of Leo, Ken, and Hyuk.It is the first time in four years and two months that they have released an official album as a team since their digital single "Ferrill" in 2019.VIXX, who led the conceptualization of K-pop with "concept idol," returns with upgraded high-level music and performance.

Hyuk said, "I think it's a moment that fans have been looking forward to as much as we've been waiting for.I hope it can be an activity that can be a good memory for each other," Ken said, adding, "I feel new about the comeback after four years.""There are three of us, but we did our best to prepare with a new heart, and the fans want to see it soon."

Leo said, "It's an album that I'm meeting my fans in four years and two months, and it's been a long time since I've said hello as VIXX, so I felt a lot of pressure and I personally felt a lot of pressure.Thinking about meeting fans on the concert stage, I don't think there's anything happier than being a singer.I'm preparing hard," he said.

N, who is active as an actor under the real name of Cha Hak-yeon, does not participate in team activities due to filming dramas.Following the announcement of "Gona Bi-Olleit" in January to mark its 10th anniversary, VIXX will form a team as a trio as N is absent from team activities once again.

Leo said, "I think I was most worried about the three of us making a comeback.VIXX's name, steps, and achievements seem to have been heavy for us."I think I can say hello with good content or performance," he said. "I was most concerned about it, but I think it's the album I'm most confident in."

Hyuk said, "The album can produce the best output with the current version in the composition of the part or member," adding, "The most important focus was how to perform the most VIXX-like and cooler performance than the existing VIXX."

Then, "Concept idol".However, rather than embodying a concept and symbolizing a person or character, I thought about what could best utilize the colors and advantages that we can express in the version that contains the theme, authenticity, and our worldview.Through many processes, including blind testing, we made an album that we could be most satisfied with," he said.

Regarding the identity of "VIXX," Leo said, "I think it was a 'concept idol' when it comes to the identity of VIXX.""I think we have met such a concept every album by playing a role that members can play in the team," he said, adding, "This time, we wanted to show how we do well."There are no teams in K-pop that don't have a concept now, he said.

"Rather than acting on a certain concept on the stage, we focused more on putting values in the album called 'Continuity' and capturing our worldview with music and stage.""Continue" is an album that tells us infinite possibilities like the band of Mobius.He explained, "The infinite journey of VIXX is being connected."

[buckybarnesss]

BixCassian has so much more history and chemistry than JynCassian would ever have even if they lived. It’s not about “ship wars” as some of you people say, is about seeing the obvious that many of you just choose to ignore. You can’t compare his first love, the girl that has known him for all his life, the one that he sneaked in the late night to see when they were young, the one that knows all his secrets and the one that he loved with all his heart with some girl he knew for a day or two and never showed any sign of affection to him. JynCassian shippers need to deal with this fact

i could ignore this but i'm just petty enough not to. you came into my ask box after all and i'm assuming you've been the one sending this kind of nonsense to other rebelcaptain shippers as well.

you want attention. you want us to get baited and be all oh my god i never saw it that way you are so right anon. you want a little ship war.

you are expecting a level of care about other other people's shipping preferences i just don't have.

i have tumblr savior and i know how to close a tab. anon, you know why i have tumblr savior and the good sense cultivated multiple decades on the internet?

i was there gandolf. i was there 3000 years ago in the trenches of harmony versus the good ship you will never be on that level.

but you should look into using tools to cultivate your online experience rather than leaving anon messages trying to bait people.

anyway

it's funny you say shit like this because bix caleen was created for andor she did not exist as a concept for rogue one. so i don't know what you want me to do about that? is this something that you, perhaps are mad about? that jyn erso existed first and the narrative of rogue one positions cassian and jyn as mirrors and foils to each other? that there's a lot of parallels and soulmatism surrounding jyn and cassian's relationship? and your preferred ship exists in canon as exes?

anon, what i really think is that you have a narrow idea of love and a romanization of first loves.

i think bix and cassian as first loves is sweet and the care they have for each other remains but lol that relationship is a hot mess and unsustainable.

they are exes for a reason and it's because bix values herself as a person and not only expects better from cassian but deserves better from him. the cassian we meet on ferrix is a hot mess and is so emotionally unavailable he might as well be located in another sector.

i'm not even gonna address how you think cassian had no affection for jyn because lol home boy is straight up obsessed with her from the jump. also cassian and jyn wanted to fuck realllllllll bad. sorry.

[imogenkol]

waking up in the other’s arms for Imogen/Bix please?

didn't intend for this to be so angsty, but I kept thinking about Bix having bad dreams and Imogen being there to comfort her

waking up in other's arms:

Ferrix’s bell tolled and the noise was vicious to Bix’s injured head. Blood had stopped rolling down her temple, but every full-bodied gong made the world sway worse than a late night at Cavo’s. She tugged and tugged at the cuffs that trapped her against the wall. They refused to relent. She knew they wouldn’t, but she couldn’t stop herself from trying to reach Timm where he lay unmoving on the stone steps before her. Why had he been so foolish? Why had she been?

It must be the fate of everyone to die for nothing. 

The bell rang again. Its resonance sounded strange. Distorted. The high-pitched melody lingered, getting louder and louder after each hammer strike. Bix fought her restraints once more. She could almost reach the body. If only she tried harder. 

As the bell continued to sing, Bix realized it hadn’t been struck again. The tune had simply changed to something hauntingly familiar. This bell – this symbol of her home – the mechanic had heard every single day, twice a day, for the entirety of her life keened so violently that she clutched at her throbbing head and prayed for something to silence it. Anything. An explosion that leveled the entire tower. An asteroid. A stray blaster bolt that would end her. Nothing came. The bell only screamed. Bix couldn’t even call it a scream. Screaming is what she did. The noise that ripped through her vocal cords could not rival the wail of the bell, but Bix was utterly desperate to drown the horrific noise out. 

She remembered Timm and searched for his face, hoping that even in death, his familiar features might offer some reprieve. 

But the body on the steps was no longer his.

The blaster bolts burnt holes in the woman’s chest that still sent tendrils of smoke into the air. Half-lidded gray eyes were devoid of any life. Her brunette hair flowed gracefully over the stone like water, blowing ever so gently in the cold breeze. A limp arm extended towards Bix as if she had tried to reach for her in those final moments before her heart ceased to beat.  

“Imogen,” Bix shrieked. 

The mechanic yanked against the cuffs with a new purpose. She poured out every ounce of her strength to free herself until she was sure something had to give – either the cuffs or her wrist, she didn’t care which. All Bix knew was that she needed to get to her.  

This was Bix’s fault. She asked Imogen to be here. She should have let her go. Why couldn’t she just let her go?

The strain on her wrist neared the breaking point. She was so close. Imogen’s hand rested a mere few inches from Bix’s outstretched fingers. So close. The agonized cacophony of a slaughtered people never stopped. The whole awful thing filled Bix’s head with nothing but all encompassing despair. 

So close. Yet far too late. 

Consciousness shattered the nightmare and sent a jolt through Bix’s form. As soon as her eyes blinked open, she recognized her surroundings. The familiar walls of the Crimson Huntress enclosed her and she felt the cot beneath her. More importantly, she felt herself enveloped in sturdy arms. 

“Be still, my love,” Imogen murmured, her voice as soft as silk. 

Those simple words filled Bix with profound relief. Not too late. Her trembling hand found Imogen’s and she laced their fingers together tightly, cradling them preciously against her chest. Not real at all, she silently reassured herself. Some of it had been very real, but Imogen remained safe. She remained alive. And that was all the mechanic cared about at that moment. 

Please don’t go. 

“I won’t.”

Bix wasn’t entirely certain if she had accidentally voiced her plea aloud or if Imogen somehow heard her thoughts. Maybe she had even seen the mechanic’s dreams. The true extent of her abilities were an utter mystery to Bix, but she supposed it didn’t matter so long as she had the comfort of Imogen’s embrace. 

She carefully turned around. Imogen watched her closely with an almost serene expression. Bix drank in the light in those gray eyes to banish the image of the limp body laying on the steps. As if to taunt Bix with what could have been, her gaze landed on the scars that delicately crawled across Imogen’s cheek. While the marks from the electrostaff had faded since the skirmish on Ferrix, they remained easily noticeable to anyone close enough. She knew Imogen didn’t like having her scars touched, but Bix couldn’t stop herself from trailing her thumb over them.

Bix felt Imogen’s jaw stiffen, but she did not flinch away or protest. “Did I wake you?”

“My dreams were nothing important,” Imogen replied dismissively.

“I’m getting sick and tired of mine,” Bix said with a heavy sigh. 

Imogen nodded and pressed her lips right between Bix’s eyebrows. Everything about Imogen was so cold. From her hands to her disposition, Bix often wondered if she had sprouted up from some Outer Rim ice planet. Apart from her lips. They had always been warm against Bix’s skin.

“They will leave you in time.”

Bix softly scoffed as she nuzzled against her. “Will they?” 

“They will leave you,” Imogen repeated more insistently. It sounded vaguely like a threat. As if she intended to ignite her lightsaber to fend off the nightmares herself if she must. 

The mechanic found it endearing despite not fully believing the sentiment. Like a smitten teenager, she hid her bashful smile in the crook of Imogen’s neck and placed a kiss where her pulse was the strongest. Where her scarring was the most sensitive. Imogen’s body tensed, but again, she allowed the contact to linger. 

“I like you like this,” Bix whispered against her skin. Who I need.

It took a moment, but she felt the rigid arms around her slowly relax before Imogen replied with a simple "Then I will continue to be this."

[jyndor]

Do you think they will still try to ‘fix’ Bix and Cassian’s romance? Idk why but feel they will do a damsel in distress trope with Bix and I personally hate it. I hate the way she has been treated in the show in general to be honest. She deserved so much more and if they try to reduce all the things she have been through as “she does that because she loves Cassian” I’ll be so pissed. Of course female characters can have love interests but when they exist just as a love interest or the writers use their suffering as a tool to deepen the male characters it’s just not nice… and at this point I feel that’s exactly what they are doing with Bix

anon I'm sorry I've been trying to answer this all day lol a potential spoiler from the trailer under the cut

no I do not think they will go full damsel in distress but I do think cassian will likely rescue bix - he's in that tunnel under the hotel in the trailer idk.

but that being said I am really not cool with how bix was treated this season. I know I know, that's the point, she would be victimized by fascism and okay coooool but there's a level of discretion that sometimes the show chooses to take when showing potentially re-traumatizing, triggering shit. I mean I've got my Problems with how clem was treated too but at least thank fuck we didn't see him be executed jfc.

but they zoomed in on bix's trauma. and ultimately she got tortured because she didn't want to give up her friend and ex.

but WHY bix? why choose one of the couple of major women of color characters in the show to be brutalized for the sake of the lead (a white Latino man)? and if you're gonna do it, why do we need to see it happening at all? thank GOD we didn't hear it, but we see the devastation in bix. we see how fucked up she looks.

I get that it's a reality, but it's a bit more than what other characters who have been harmed have been shown to go through.

as far as fixing their relationship, I hope the show resolves their issues.

obviously they love each other but it's clear at least to me they're over. like that was one of the points of timm being an idiot and misreading their relationship - to show just HOW over they really are in both their minds. but also it does take time to get over someone, especially when that person doesn't necessarily respect your boundaries or need for distance.

I want to see bix heal - not for cassian's story but for herself. I want to see her take an active role in the show. I don't know how true the rumors of a bix show are but im not sure how they could justify a bix show over a cinta and vel show right now given how little bix has done so far.

I want them to resolve their relationship issues and move on because I don't see how they can work things out at this point. and if she suffers for THAT lol that's cheap writing and I don't think these writers are cheap, even if they have made some missteps imo.

last thing: remember that this is a tragedy and very likely many of these characters are going to die so that the story can go on to the point where cassian has lost everything. there is a difference between that and fridging, which is gross and I hate LOL but I don't think we should expect most of the characters to live.

most of them will die. how and for what purpose is what matters most to me.

bix has sadly been the weakest link in the show which is a damn shame given how AMAZING adria arjona is and how much warmth and presence she brings on screen.

maybe she'll take her power back in some way.

[fairybond]

♡ + lisanna x bixlow ?

Send me a ♡ plus a ship // Accepting

𝚆𝙷𝙾 𝙰𝚂𝙺𝙴𝙳 𝚆𝙷𝙾 𝙾𝚄𝚃 𝙵𝙸𝚁𝚂𝚃? I think they would fall into the 'we end up becoming good friends that hang out a lot so it becomes difficult to distinguish whats a Friend thing and a Not Friend Thing' category and they're out together one day and someone asks "hey are you guys on a date??" and Lisanna is like "ahaha thats funny, no" and bix, at the same time is like "yeah we are". cue them looking at each other like ?? and lisanna is like wait what

𝚆𝙷𝙾 𝚆𝙴𝙽𝚃 𝙸𝙽 𝙵𝙾𝚁 𝚃𝙷𝙴 𝙵𝙸𝚁𝚂𝚃 𝙺𝙸𝚂𝚂? Hmm. I mean, as always, there's endless possibilities. I think Bix though? Maybe to shut her up when she's rambling about something or being Cute

𝚆𝙷𝙾 𝙶𝙸𝚅𝙴𝚂 𝚃𝙷𝙴 𝙾𝚃𝙷𝙴𝚁 𝙽𝙸𝙲𝙺𝙽𝙰𝙼𝙴𝚂? Bix comes up with increasingly random and silly nicknames to wind her up and amuse himself, and she doesnt really mind it and sometimes calls him random nicknames too. but i dont think theres any serious/actual nicknames, but that would be likely to change based on portrayal/interactions

𝚆𝙷𝙾 𝙲𝙾𝙾𝙺𝚂 𝚃𝙷𝙴 𝙼𝙴𝙰𝙻𝚂? they would take turns or help each other. or at least that's usually the intention, but bix is Distracting and Lisanna shoos him away or leaves him to it and hopes for the best

𝚆𝙷𝙾 𝙷𝙰𝚂 𝙱𝙴𝚃𝚃𝙴𝚁 𝚃𝙰𝚂𝚃𝙴 𝙸𝙽 𝙼𝚄𝚂𝙸𝙲? i'm not sure tbh, i dont think either has particularly Bad taste?

𝚆𝙷𝙾 𝙷𝙾𝙶𝚂 𝚃𝙷𝙴 𝙱𝙴𝙳? Bix, because he's tol, and she typically sleeps curled up like a cat. that being said, she does stretch out in her sleep and may or may not smack him in doing so. and she is definitely a blanket hogger.

𝚆𝙷𝙾 𝚆𝙰𝙺𝙴𝚂 𝚄𝙿 𝙵𝙸𝚁𝚂𝚃? i'm not sure about bix, but lisanna is an early riser, so it could be her.

𝚆𝙷𝙾 𝙼𝙰𝙺𝙴𝚂 𝚃𝙷𝙴 𝙲𝙾𝙵𝙵𝙴𝙴? lisanna probably but depends who's up first i think

𝚆𝙷𝙾'𝚂 𝚃𝙷𝙴 𝙱𝙸𝙶 𝚂𝙿𝙾𝙾𝙽? when they go to sleep, it's probably Bix, but I support the Big Spoon Lisanna agenda, so i say when they wake up or at some point during the night, Lisanna is the big spoon.

𝚆𝙷𝙾 𝚂𝚃𝙰𝚈𝚂 𝚄𝙿 𝚃𝙷𝙴 𝙻𝙰𝚃𝙴𝚂𝚃? it can depend, but probably Bix

𝚆𝙷𝙾 𝚁𝙴𝙰𝙲𝙷𝙴𝚂 𝙵𝙾𝚁 𝚆𝙷𝙾'𝚂 𝙷𝙰𝙽𝙳? Lisanna and her abandonment issues are holding on tight, but i do think Bix reaches out equally so he doesn't lose her in the crowd and he Understands her issues

𝚆𝙷𝙾'𝚂 𝙰 𝙵𝙰𝙽 𝙾𝙵 𝙿𝙳𝙰? Lisanna, she is an affectionate sap, she loves to stay close and be touching in some way. But, with gossip magazines always hovering around, she's mindful. Plus she would keep in mind whatever Bix's level of comfort is with that sort of thing. I think he'd be chill with casual affection though

𝚆𝙷𝙾 𝚂𝙽𝙾𝚁𝙴𝚂? i'd say Bix, but Lisanna does purr in her sleep sometimes and its vaguely snore-like at times. which he of course exaggerates when telling people about it

𝚆𝙷𝙾 𝙶𝙴𝚃𝚂 𝙰𝙽𝙽𝙾𝚈𝙴𝙳 𝙼𝙾𝚁𝙴 𝙴𝙰𝚂𝙸𝙻𝚈? Lisanna, Bix is a chill dude.

𝚆𝙷𝙾 𝙸𝙽𝙸𝚃𝙸𝙰𝚃𝙴𝚂 𝚂𝙴𝚇? probably equal? but Lisanna more probably

𝚆𝙷𝙾 𝙰𝚂𝙺𝚂 𝚆𝙷𝙾 𝙵𝙾𝚁 𝚃𝙷𝙴𝙸𝚁 𝙷𝙰𝙽𝙳 𝙸𝙽 𝙼𝙰𝚁𝚁𝙸𝙰𝙶𝙴? Hmm. i think it could go either way but i do like the idea of Lisanna being the one to ask. And Bix proudly tells everyone the story at any opportunity, but the story changes each time and so no one but them and their closest friends actually knows how it went down.

𝙼𝚈 𝙼𝚄𝚂𝙴'𝚂 𝙵𝙰𝚅𝙾𝚁𝙸𝚃𝙴 𝙼𝙴𝙼𝙾𝚁𝚈 𝙾𝙵 𝚈𝙾𝚄𝚁𝚂: it would depend on portrayal/interactions/development and whatnot, but they're fun-loving types so likely they were doing some fun activity together and there was a moment of softness/connection.

𝙰 𝚁𝙴𝙶𝚁𝙴𝚃 𝙼𝚈 𝙼𝚄𝚂𝙴 𝙷𝙰𝚂 𝚁𝙴𝙶𝙰𝚁𝙳𝙸𝙽𝙶 𝚈𝙾𝚄𝚁𝚂: i can't really think of anything. maybe though, since my Lisanna joined and remained with BP, she regrets that she became closer to Bix primarily during the One Year and that he rejoined FT (not saying she wouldn't support him and the others returning, its more a case of "why did it take us this long to form this connection? why did it take us switching guilds and then you leaving?")

𝙸𝙵 𝚃𝙷𝙴𝚈 𝙲𝙾𝚄𝙻𝙳 𝙲𝙷𝙰𝙽𝙶𝙴 ��𝙽𝙴 𝚃𝙷𝙸𝙽𝙶: related to the above, probably that there's a lot of missed opportunities or something.

𝚃𝙷𝙴𝙸𝚁 𝙻𝙾𝚅𝙴 𝙻𝙰𝙽𝙶𝚄𝙰𝙶𝙴𝚂 𝙰𝙲𝙲𝙾𝚁𝙳𝙸𝙽𝙶 𝚃𝙾 𝙼𝚈 𝙼𝚄𝚂𝙴: Physical touch will always be a big one for Lisanna, she craves that sort of connection and grounding, and i think Bix is also comfortable with that sort of affection. Quality time and having fun together, or just chilling together, would also be a big one.

[atamascolily]

Book Review: “Dinotopia #1: Windchaser” by Scott Cienein

Windchaser was the first of the juvenile Dinotopia spin-offs, and it shows. The premise is pretty much a midde-grade version of the first Dinotopia book, down to being set in 1863, right when Will and Arthur are there. Instead of a boy and his father, we have Raymond, son of the ship’s surgeon on a prison transport, and Hugh, one of the prisoners, who get shipwrecked during the prison uprising that kills Raymond’s father, and wash up on Dinotopia.

It’s the standard “Dolphinbacks Adjust to Dinotopia - Hijinks Ensue” + “Skybax” plot, which is overused and hits all the predictable beats, but still has some fun world-building bits that keep it interesting. The skeptical, cynical Hugh eventually comes around thanks to the Power of Friendship; Raymond helps a traumatized Skybax named Windchase with the Power of Friendship, and Windchaser’s ability to speak human languages because Windchaser is special like that (sigh).

Other notes:

Apparently Bix’s job is to just wander around the beaches in case a Dolphinback shows up? Seems legit.

The boys’ tutor is an Edmontosaurus named Sollis who is pretty cool, actually.

Hugh learns to read so he can decipher a scroll on how to make gold and become a millionaire in the outside world, lol

Hugh getting frustrated by the Dinotopians’ lack of response to his deliberate thievery is hilarious

After they leave Waterfall City, they go to Skybax Camp, which is knock-off Canyon City, but nowhere near it?? idek

Raymond sneaks out to try to find Windchaser, and they end up bonding over their lost loved ones.

obligatory misunderstanding means the boys chase after Windchaser, complicated rescue ensues

Everyone else is astonished that Skybaxes can talk (I really loathe this particular plot point.)

Hugh ends up becoming a philosopher, lol

You’d think the protagonists would run into Will and Arthur while in Waterfall City, because those two were living there from August 1863-April 1865, and Waterfall City can’t be that big, but no luck.

This book is at its best when it’s showing us how Dinotopians respond to Hugh’s shenanigans, and you can see how utopia and post-scarcity work on a granular level. Hugh is definitely the more interesting of the two co-protagonists, honestly, even if he’s also so obnoxious sometimes I want to smack him. 

(tbh, I’m surprised Lee Crab didn’t try to recruit him or something because Disaffected Dolphinbacks are his thing, but this book is too short to handle a complex storyline like that)

[bixisarusher]

Bix Reviews: Call Me Kat (Season 1, FOX 2021)

I thought a lot about how I feel about this show, and there are lots of words, so it’s gonna go under the cut.

In summary: I didn’t enjoy it quite as much as I hoped to, and i discuss why I think that was. BUT there are great things in this remake, and I want to name them as well!

There are two ways to look at Call Me Kat: As it’s own thing, and as a Miranda remake. As a Miranda Hart stan, I’ll have a lot more to say about the latter, so let’s start with the show itself.

On It’s Own

That felt appropriate, nvm me

It’s a cute show. It’s not a groundbreaking concept, and it’s not re-inventing the genre, but it has some really good things going for it:

Kat is happy and confident in her quirks, but doesn’t have it all together - so she has room to grow and is very sympathetic, all the while encouraging the viewer to celebrate their own quirks. Lovely! Also Mayim is a treasure and it’s great to watch her perform.

The show openly discusses “taboo” topics, like using anti-depressants and their side-effects, freezing your eggs, comparing yourself to a hallucinated version of your crush’s ex...  The show isn’t a trailblazer, (partly because there have been many great shows in the last couple years) but I thinks it’s awesome to see them further treading out the ground and normalizing these topics.

It has a nice set of characters that go through their indepent stories, I found myself excited for any new episode and enjoying the varying storylines. (Most of them Randi.)

And, although the last episode dragged it right back into the romantic territory, Kat has a genuine friendship with Max and I value that a lot. Neither of them harbours secret feelings, instead they are open and honest about it. The only thing they overdid here was to have an exchange of “Do you remember, when we were in college together and [blank] happened?” in at least every other episode.

Another thing on the down side: Neither the writers nor Mayim seem to fully know what to do with the fourth wall breaks. I don’t mind the thing, it just doesn’t feel fully rounded out - like how much they want to use it, what purpose it really has, ...

I think it’s due to the circumstances of the filming (pandemic restrictions and all), but more on that later. So much for the show itself.

As a remake

First of all: Do I love Jim Parsons for looking at this absurd british gem of a TV show and deciding “the world needs more stuff like this”? Absolutely! Because I agree! There were two or three moments that leaned on Miranda a little too much for their own good, but overall: it is content inspired by Miranda, but neither correcting, it nor copying it. More power to this concept.

More power to celebrating the silly joys in this live, to celebrate not being normal, more power to amazing friendships and women who find their own path. Call Me Kat does all of these things.

However, it doesn’t quite live up to it’s Mothership. Let me elaborate.

There is a myriad of reasons why Miranda works and I will not attempt to list them. However there’s one thing that does stand out to me in the original, and that I really miss in the adaptation: Miranda didn’t just write “a plot” and salt it with “a few jokes”. She carefully built tensions and different storylines to culminate together. Sometimes it’s a funny word that the character hears in the first act, and later nervously blurts out in the wrong moment. Sometimes it’s a parade of characters she met through the episode that all meet in one spot at the end. Or there is a throw away comment in the beginning of an episode that sets up a revelation toward the end.

I could swarm you with examples, a good one is in 1x03 Job: trying to impress Tilly, trying to deny waitressing, and then: the multiple “You weed in a ball pool?” and Gary in uniform walking in right on time to sell the lie about being an undercover commander. Another one of my personal favorites is in 2x04 A New Low, when Miranda in the end tells Gary that he lost her trust, and he’ll “never get to see her naked sweep” - and then he find’s the portrait Tamara did of Miranda’s “naked sweep”. Just hit’s right.

That is a testament to how well crafted the episodes are. In Call Me Kat? All Nighter and Gym had moments like that, and Double Date very early on set up Kat’s dream to use the sound system, but it just never reached that same level of mastermind.

But, in defense of CMK: Miranda was crafted over ten years with a full of 20 episodes airing (21 if you count the radio series) and the cast worked together a good year before they filmed the first series of 6 episodes. Compared to that, work on Call me Kat started around 2018, the cast was assembled in the first half of 2020 and started shooting in late October. They then shot 13 episodes in their first season. (which is more than half of the total episodes of Miranda, just saying) Sources: english wikipedia articles for Miranda and Call Me Kat, as well as Mayim’s Youtube. (Jep I did research for this.)

Also the CMK episodes were written and directed by a variety of people, while the Miranda episodes have all been at least co-written by Miranda Hart and all except for the last two were directed by Juliet May.

These are - as much as I as a humble consumer with a bit of wikipedia knowledge know - basic differences about how shows are made in the UK vs. in the US, and neither formula is any way of guarantee for the quality of the final product. However I think somewhere in those facts is the reason why the Miranda ship feels a lot more in shape and ... coherent. The pilot that we know and love is the fourth time they recorded the script, and I don’t even want to know how many times the script had been edited in between. The cast knew each other well, the material had been tested in front of multiple audiences. Call Me Kat had neither of these luxuries. On the contrary, CMK has been put together under restrictions due to the pandemic.

So on the one hand, I am majorly grateful that this show even got to see the light of day! That means that a full cast and crew had jobs in these trying times, and it means that we were provided with good entertainement.

On the other hand, the circumstances are showing in the final product. The cast had an awkward chemistry with each other, and the comedic timing, though not horrible, could have been a lot better.

This may be an unpopular opinion, but I think studio audiences can be a blessing. There is something about the actors having a genuine connection to real time observers that helps me as a screen audience connect to it. And for this staged multicam show that includes glances at the camera? I think a real audience would have grounded the concept. And it would have given the team a direct feedback as to which moments were working comedically and which weren’t.

What I’m trying to say is: they had big shoes to fill, and the odds were not really in their favor, and so it doesn’t really hold up in comparison.

That’s sad. But that doesn’t mean that it’s a horrible show. As I said in the beginning, I love that this show is done in the spirit of Miranda, even if it’s not just as good.

I have no idea how the show’s chances are to get a second season. If they do get renewed - I’ll keep watching.

-----

Now, let me finish with a few gifs that I feel like they can be applied to the whole “they remade Miranda and it went both ok and less then ok but at least the word is being spread, right?”-situation.

because Kat/Max is good but could anything ever be Miranda/Gary?

Not really...

ok that one’s a bit rude. but you thought it, too.

Jim turning in bed at night overthinking if Mayim was the right choice. But she was. Much like Stevie was for Miranda.

Honestly a very good part of the remake is Mayim and Cheyenne performing together! I personally think this moment above is responsible.

Trying to match the CMK characters to the Miranda characters like: I thought Phil is supposed to be the Customer but turns out Phil originally was supposed to a Phillys? So Phil is Stevie, but then who is Randi? Tilly? So many questions.

And with that, dear Caller, back to you.

[whirlybirbs]

---  PROTECTED INFORMANT   ;

summary: oneshot ; you provide information in trade of protection to a certain commander of the coruscant guard.  pairing: commander fox / criminal!reader a/n: inspired by & for @jomullein​ / @soldr24​ who has been thirsting over commander fox enough to make me need to just... write it. fox was just doing his job, good soldiers follow orders. you know the deal. header image is the helmet-less fox design bix drew during our drawpile last night. god knows i’ll expand on this.

“Oh, come on, Commander -- don’t be so stiff.” 

Commander Fox of the Coruscant Guard can feel his patience deteriorating with every passing moment -- as if the ignited burn of his irritation is just eating away his attempted composure in the face of your defiant posture.

He stares hotly beneath his visor at your two boots that are planted on the interrogation table.

The stasis cuffs on your wrists are treated like accessories. You had even admired the polished steel braces in the light of the small, harshly lit room at one point, as if they were pocketed gold bengals adorning your wrist.

“We both know how this goes,” you croon, waving your two hands like doves in the wind -- an attempt to distract at the clear irritation bubbling in the Head of Guard’s shoulders, “You haul me in -- I spill some lovely little secrets. And then! We both walk away ten credits richer, huh?”

When he speaks, his voice is gruff.

“Your little secret you shared last time... was a bust.”

God, the satisfaction of seeing your confidence fall away with a simple sentence... Fox could almost smile. 

You sit up sharply, boots hitting the ground as your eyes widen -- your mouth falls open as you try to speak, stuttering through your disbelief as the Commander moves through the room. For a second, the only sound in the room is the jingle of the tangled necklaces around your neck. 

They glint in the light.

“Th-That’s not possible --”

“Oh, but it is.”

Fox circles you.

Behind him, the ray shield hums red. 

His armor, polished and perfect, looks near velvet to the touch. He’s used to keeping up appearances for the sake of being face of law and order in the sprawling ecumenopolis. It shows -- you wonder, in the back of your mind, if the sight of the Commander’s face only furthers that point.

The face of safety amongst the Core World capital.

He crosses his arms as he props his hip up on the metal table -- his visor tips down, and when Commander Fox speaks you can hear the smugness in his voice. 

“What?” he snaps, “Didn’t think we’d corroborate your statement?”

“No, no,” your lashes kiss your cheeks as you squeeze your eyes shut and shake your head; suddenly, a sense of panic seems to grip your voice as you speak. Two big eyes, ringed with dark eyeliner, aim to plead up at Fox as you move to stand, “There’s no way. I risked my neck to get you that info on Senator O’pio --”

A scoff. Beneath the vocalizer, it sounds cold and robotic. 

“And it was a dead end.”

Silence divides the space between you and suddenly, you realize --

“You’re lying to me.”

Hm.

Fox is almost impressed. Almost. 

Had he let his guard slip? Or, have you -- in the handful of weeks he’s been using you as an informant on Separatist dealings in the underside of the the city -- learned to read him? He’d be surprised, truly, if that was the case. But then again, you’re cunning. There was a reason why the Commander kept you around.

“Why would I lie?” he rasps, fingers twitching, “I wouldn’t get anything out of it --”

“You want me to keep going off,” you say, emotions guarded. But betrayal sits on your tongue. It makes your words sharp, rising up like a knife to his throat, “You want me to talk and talk and talk, but I’ve got news --”

Your painted lips snarl. 

Fox tilts his helmet.

“You’re can’t play me, Commander,” it’s a near laugh, “I wrote the book on the game.”

For the first time, he realizes how close you are to him. If the thick layer of crimson plastoid hadn’t been adorning his figure, he’s sure he would have felt the heat of your body leering at him. You’re shorter than him, but now with both hands braced on the table he’s sitting upon, that doesn’t seem to matter. 

The playing field is level.

He’s irritated again -- because your smugness has returned. Fox watches, with measured reaction, as your eyes run like a river down the expanse of his armor. You run your tongue over your teeth, rap your knuckles on the table, then laugh. Coarse and grated. Irritated.  

It’s... mesmerizing.

He gestures to your hands.

“Show me the cuffs.”

You do, settling on a cocked hip.

With a pass of his security clearance fob, the red light between your wrists goes green and the stasis cuffs hiss apart. They clunk to the table and you exhale. You rub your wrists with a doting touch, then flick a calculated look up at Fox. 

“If you’re smart,” you bite, “You won’t try that again with me.”

You’re moving to swagger towards the ray shields, to walk away from this, when the gloved hand of the Commander snatches your wrist fast than a blink -- and the grip spins you around roughly. He yanks you forward, sending your momentum towards him as you hiss and writhe to wrench your wrist from him. But, Fox keeps his hold.

You’re so close to him, you swear you can almost see narrowed honey-brown eyes beneath the visor. 

You fight the urge to stare; to try and make out the shapes beneath the glint of black tinted crystaliglass. 

“Do I need to remind you,” there’s a sudden bite to his word’s, grip tightening along column your wrist. You swallow, brow knotting, “who exactly is in charge here?”

There’s a warning there, in those words. Where you’d normally push, you don’t. The truth is -- you needed him. Because he kept the Crime Families off your back. He made life possible in the lower levels... and he knew it.

“No.”

“No what?” 

Fox notes the twitch of your lip. 

Anger. He knows it well. 

“No, sir.” 

The red ray shield drop, fizzling into nothing -- and the room sinks into a darker shadow than before. When you wrench your wrist from Fox’s grip this time, he lets you move. 

“We’ll reach out when we require your services again.”

You hate the amusement that bounces around through his words as you stalk out of the Coruscant Guard’s holding bay. 

[eryiss]

Fraxus Week 2020: Day 6 - Tarot

Summary: After a crappy post-college first year, Laxus jumped at the opportunity to leave town for a week for a road trip with his friends. He intended it just to be a week away with his friends, but when he meets an unfamiliar stranger, the vacation turns into something much more. [Fraxus Multichapter]

This is the sixth part of my Fraxus Week admissions, hosted by @fuckyeahfraxus​. This year I’ve made the prompts into a single multi-chapter fic. You can see all the chapters in the Masterpost linked below. Hope you enjoy.

You can read this on Fanfiction, Archive of our Own, and under the cut. Read the other chapters from this masterlist.

Chapter Six – A Carnival Reading

Bickslow had claimed it was an accident, but Laxus called bullshit. To Laxus, this seemed as though it was Bickslow and Evergreen's way of giving their new relationship their blessing. But Laxus didn't particularly care, because he had woken up sharing a relatively small bed with Freed, arm wrapped around the man's waist while pulling him close, and the man nuzzled into his chest as he slept. And, although Laxus had no intention on trying, he couldn't think of a better thing to wake up to.

With a soft smile, he shuffled slightly and pulled Freed closer. The sleeping man hummed and moved his head, revealing a small smile on his face.

This was rather a charmed life, and Laxus could get used to it.

But that was wishful thinking. They'd had their first sober kiss only a day prior, and it had exhilarated Laxus to a point no other relationships had. After that, they'd spent some time atop the RV's roof, Laxus looking up at the stars while Freed continued his book. That too had been exhilarating in a way Laxus couldn't put into words. After that, they'd eaten with Bickslow and Evergreen, spoken about how they were something of a couple but hadn't yet put a label on it, but they certainly weren't platonic.

Their friends had been supportive of that. They knew both men weren't the most emotionally vulnerable people, it seemed.

And now Laxus had woken up in the small double bed at the back of the RV, with Freed in his arms. Seeing as the man was sleeping softly, Laxus leant down and pressed his lips against the crown of Freed's head, smiling down at him.

"That was adorable," Evergreen's voice cut through the silence, and made Laxus' head snap up. He didn't think she was awake. "I didn't know you had it in you to be sweet."

"Shut up," Laxus groaned, voice a tired croak. He quickly glanced through the rest of the RV and his eyes settled on Bickslow, who was curled up awkwardly in the passenger side seat snoring and drooling onto the pillow he was spooning. He was glad that only Evergreen had seen that, as Bickslow would have gone into an overly dramatic meltdown. Which would have woken Freed up and ended the situation.

Huh. Laxus really meant it when he said he cared more for Freed than his dignity.

"I won't say anything more," Evergreen said with a smile. It was annoyingly kind. "I just think its nice. Besides, after you fell asleep we took loads of pictures," Laxus glared at her, and she laughed. "I'm joking. Well, I think so. I fell asleep before Bix so you might want to check."

"Thanks for the warning," Laxus said softly, perhaps sarcastically.

"Well, I'm only really being nice because I have something else I need to tell you," Evergreen said with a small trace of guilt in her tone. "I found that we're pretty close to a well-reviewed circus carnival, and I mentioned it to Bickslow. As you can guess, we're spending the day there."

"Why d'you need to butter me up for that?" Laxus said, not aware that he was running his hands through Freed's soft hair.

"Well, Bickslow made it pretty clear that we'd be leaving the two of you alone," Evergreen sighed. "Essentially, we're forcing you on your first date. Which might be a tad annoying to your plan of not putting labels on what you are."

Laxus glanced down at the sleeping man in the bed with him, and smiled softly. While they were taking things as they came, it certainly wasn't a bad thing that they would be spending the day together.

"I'm sure we can handle it," Laxus said softly.

"You're a hero," Evergreen laughed quietly. "Well, since you're awake now, I'm going to go for a little morning walk. See you later; oh, and keep up the kisses because it's adorable."

If he weren't wrapped around Freed, he might have thrown the pillow at the woman's retreating figure. Instead he did his best to raise his middle finger at the woman without moving Freed to a point where he would awaken. Evergreen let out a quiet laugh as she left the RV, leaving Laxus as the only person awake in the truck. As he was essentially alone, he looked down at the man wrapped up against him.

Freed really was a man of many faces, all damn appealing. Right now, his contented sleeping expression was pretty damned cute. But the night before, on the roof of the RV, he had been more handsome than any man Laxus had laid eyes on. Even the smug and cocky expression he had given Laxus when challenging him to a race at the waterpark had been hot.

It was really quite unfair that he got to be that attractive in that many ways.

"Urgh," Freed murmured quietly, and Laxus looked down at him with an expression of quiet contentment.

"Morning," He greeted.

"Morning," Freed parroted, eyes fluttering open softly. He smiled when he made eye contact with Laxus. "Well you're rather cuddly, aren't you?" Freed chuckled, but cushioned the tease with a soft kiss against Laxus' jaw.

"People always get shocked by that," Laxus commented quietly. "I've never understood why."

"Oh I fully expected you to enjoy hugging, why else would you have a body like this," Freed chuckled, moving slightly so his head was level with Laxus'. "I just expected that being in the presence of the human embodiment of annoying gossip might make you a little hesitant."

"With another guy, maybe," Laxus said the words before he could think. Was that too far for their relationship?

"You're charming too," Freed replied with a soft chuckle. "I thought that was going to be my thing."

"I gotta keep you on yer toes somehow," Laxus said with a grin. "Speaking of, Ever warned me that Bix's been plotting and apparently they're taking us to some carnival or something, and they're gonna ditch us and basically put us on a date together. You okay with that?"

"Of course," Freed nodded a little, and his nose gently traced Laxus'. "Spending time alone with you is quickly becoming a pastime of mine that I love, so you can safely assume I'll enjoy any dates we might go on. Forced on us or otherwise."

"I'm glad," Laxus smiled, jutting his chin forward so he could press his lips against Freed's in a chaste kiss. It sent a shock through him. "And I'll get to kick your ass at carnival games."

"Rather cocky attitude there, Laxus," Freed chuckled. "Misplaced, too."

"You said something similar when you challenged me to the water park race," Laxus grinned. "And remind me, who's got their lock screen as a picture of them on a waterslide screaming like they're about to piss themself."

"True, but in a carnival, you can't repeatedly push me into water and trip me up just to get your way," Freed said with a good-natured smile.

"You're really underestimating how much I like winning," Laxus grinned. "But if your so confident, we can make a bet."

"You truly are a competitive man, Mr Dreyar. I like it," Freed chuckled. "How about the loser pays for our first real date, and the winner choses what the date is."

"Sounds fun," Laxus smiled, leaning down, and pressing their lips together.

It was a slow and somewhat sloppy kiss, and both men melted into it without any difficulty. Laxus brought up one of his hands to cup Freed's cheek, smiling as the man in his arms pushed further into the embrace. Even in his half-awake state, Laxus felt a thrilling rush of excitement flow through him. Freed really did have some kind of effect on him that he couldn't describe, nor did he care to try. Because that moment was perfect.

Well, it would have been perfect. But then they heard the sound of Bickslow's phone taking a picture, followed by a loud cackling.

~~~

"I feel this is what Bickslow's mind must be like."

At Freed's comment, Laxus let out an undignified snort. The two men were walking side by side in the carnival, looking forward at the large and flashy spectacle before them. Multiple stalls lined a long pathway leading towards a circus tent, of which Bickslow was dragging Evergreen towards. Past the tent were large attractions and rides, each blurting out energetic music. It was somewhat overwhelming, but was helped by the fact the mass crowds had yet to arrive.

"I always thought it'd be a nightclub," Laxus commented, grinning. "A really loud and tacky one."

"I can see that," Freed agreed, and Laxus felt a chill run down his spine as Freed's hand grazed his own. "I haven't been to a carnival like this in years. The town I grew up in used to host one once a year."

"You used to enjoy it?" Laxus asked, looking down at the other man with a smile.

"Not exactly," Freed said with a chuckle. "It only started when I was a teenager, and I deemed myself too educated and adult to enjoy myself. So I mostly spent them in my bedroom reading, and wishing death on the people who turned the music up so loud that I could hear it half a mile away."

"So you were an edgy teenager huh?" Laxus asked with a teasing grin. "You know if you had a goth phase then you have to show me pictures so I can laugh at ya."

"Fortunately, I didn't," Freed said with a smile. "But the same goes for you. If you've any embarrassing childhood photos then it's required I see them."

"That's fair, I guess," Laxus nodded. "But don't think I didn't see what you just did. I asked for goth pics, you asked for embarrassing pics. So if I show you anything embarrassing, you gotta compensate."

"I had hoped you hadn't noticed that" Freed chuckled good naturedly.

The two continued walking down the row of stalls, eyeing the food vendors. It was a little after when they usually ate lunch, and they had decided that they'd get something to eat before playing any of the games or visiting any other attractions. That way there were nothing to distract them from the bet they had made, and neither man could blame their losses on being hungry. Laxus paled a little when Freed suggested that, as feigning weakness from hunger had been an option if he lost at a game he should have won.

After eventually settling on a food vendor with sweet smelling meat wafting from their stall, they had a quick meal and further discussed the rules of their gamble. They would both play every game available in a clockwise pattern, and would work with a points system. In the event of a draw, they would flip a coin.

The first game they played was an archery range, which was relatively simple. Laxus had gone first, claiming he had earned that by winning their race at the water park. He had done okay, managing to hit the target with each of his arrows, though with a wide range of points. He ended up with sixteen over his four arrows, which was a serviceable score. But the look on Freed's face told Laxus that the man was confident that he could win.

He did.

He got eighteen points, and even Laxus could see that there was a lot less luck in Freed's performance. Laxus would have focused on that, had he not been distracted by the confident posture, determined expression and flexing arms as he pulled the string back and took aim.

"That was," Laxus began when Freed returned with a satisfied expression. "Kinda hot, honestly."

"I'm glad you think so," Freed said, and his voice was just slightly deeper than normal. He leant forward so that their faces were almost touching, but stopped just short. "Consider it a consolation prize, as I'm winning."

The smug expression on the man's face drove Laxus almost as crazy as his teasing had. And he could do was let out a muttered 'asshole' before following in his footsteps.

They continued making their way through the games at a leisurely pace, playing each of them and teasing each other as they did so. They fell into a quick pattern where the winner of the individual game would flaunt their victory in a flirtatious and teasing way, and the loser would have to stand there and take it. Laxus felt a rush every time, because the ease at which he could be his competitive self with the other man shocked him. The fact Freed was just as confident in himself was an added bonus.

None of his past attempts at relationships had been like this. In fact, he had been so busy trying not to show the more flawed side of himself that he often forgot to be himself. With Freed, it felt like the inverse of that.

After the archery game, they had moved onto a game where they had a minute to score as many points with a basketball hoop. They had been relatively evenly matched, but Laxus' high school year as a basketball player gave him an edge. He gloated his victory by rolling up his sleeve and flexing his bicep, with a teasing 'these ain't just to look at' aimed at Freed. He didn't miss the other man's smirk at the movement.

Next was a game wherein you threw darts at balloons, and each balloon you popped had a certain score inside of it. They had five darts each, and Laxus managed to win that too. He had wrapped an arm around Freed's shoulders and made a gloating show about how he had won two games in a row, and Freed had not.

The next game had them both aiming water pistols at moving targets. The person who inflated their target's balloon fasted would win, and Freed proved to have better aim. Rather than gloating, he had twisted his water gun to the side so that a cold splash of water hit Laxus on the side.

"I'm gonna get you back for that," Laxus promised, grinning.

"Why," Freed feigned innocence. "I thought you might need some cooling off. Losing that badly got you rather heated."

"So, you thought I looked hot, huh?" Laxus said, crossing his arms.

"No," Freed said, not shying from Laxus' gaze. "I thought you looked warm. You looking hot is a… continuing issue."

Laxus grinned at the compliment, but shunted his own water gun to the side so a stream of water hit the other man. Freed let out a small noise of protest, but laughed it off as the owner of the stall asked them both to move along for the next customers. Laxus wrapped an arm around Freed's shoulders as they walked, and murmured into his ear.

"You looked pretty hot yourself," He said with a grin.

"I'm aware," Freed snarked back, and Laxus laughed with a grinned.

This was new as well, the ease of flirtation. It was ridiculous to think that a day ago, Laxus had been beating himself up for the idea of having some kind of crush on Freed, and now he was openly calling the guy hot in public. It was a testament to how comfortable Freed had managed to make him, Laxus supposed.

As they walked to the next stall, they noticed how different it was. Whereas the others were open and painted with bright colours, this stall was a small purple tent with dark colours and candles surrounding it. A sign beside the door claimed 'Mistress Cana Alberona's Tarot.' Laxus rolled his eyes.

"You don't believe in fortune telling?" Freed asked, apparently having seen the eye movement.

"Nah," Laxus shrugged, then looked down at Freed curiously. "Do you?"

"No, I think it's absurd. The idea that some cards magically know the intricate futures of everyone, or the fact your personality and what you'll do is written on your hand is ridiculous," Laxus chuckled a little at Freed's dismissal of the subject. "For whatever reason, it seems like everyone I know believes in it though."

"I know," Laxus grinned. "Ever once dragged me to a psychic. We got kicked out when I found her 'one of a kind crystal ball' on Amazon for twelve dollars."

"A merciful escape for you, then," Freed smirked.

Laxus agreed, but was then struck with an idea. He reached into his pocket and fished out a coin, flipping it in the air and catching it quickly. He covered it before he or Freed could see which side it had landed on, and looked to the other man with a challenging smile. Freed looked back at him with confusion.

"Heads or tails," Laxus demanded. "You get it right; I'll get a fortune. Get it wrong, you have to get one."

"Okay," Freed nodded. "Heads."

Laxus revealed the coin, and deflated at the sight of a clear head facing upwards. Freed sent him a grin that rivalled Bickslow's for its enjoyment of suffering, and he had the balls to pat the man on the shoulder in a faux comforting way. Laxus looked at the tent with a pained expression; he really couldn't be bothered to deal with the overly dramatic lies of someone with a deck of cards and an inflated sense of self-importance.

"Have fun," Freed taunted, giving him a gentle push towards the tent.

All but trudging towards his destination, Laxus placed the money in the bucket outside and rolled his eyes at the overly mysterious sounding demand that he enter the tent. He walked in, and saw a heavily cushioned room with a low table, and a woman mainly covered by purple scarves sitting at it.

They weren't scared of stereotypes, it seemed.

"Hello, lost one," The woman greeted, still forcing a weird voice. "Take a seat, my child."

Laxus did as he was told, biting his tongue when he realised that he was probably older than the woman performing the reading. He was glad this wasn't a palm reading, having a stranger grope at his hands would be too weird.

"You wish to have your unlived days laid before you?" The woman asked.

"Sure," Laxus said without enthusiasm, not entirely wanting to play along.

"You don't believe in this stuff, do ya," The woman asked suddenly, her voice a lot more normal now. Laxus, momentarily shocked by the sudden change in atmosphere, took a second to reply.

"Not really," Laxus shrugged. "Made a deal I'd come here though."

"That's fair," The woman said, and started to remove the scarves from her face. She was certainly younger than Laxus. "You don't mind do you. This place is hot enough without the candles surrounding it and the scarves. You have no idea how sweaty it gets."

"No, that's fine," Laxus said, at a loss for words when the woman pulled a beer from behind one of the cushions and took a swig from it.

"Okay, so you don't believe in this stuff, so there's no reason to lay it on thick," She said after taking her drink. "But you did pay, and just because you don't believe in something doesn't mean it's not true. So, you wanna do this without all the added on stuff that makes the experience better, get it over and done with?"

"I guess," Laxus frowned. He wasn't entirely sure what was happening.

"Okay," The woman began, picking up her tarot deck and shuffling it like a poker player. "I'm gonna spread these you, you have to pick three. Usually I'd say there's spirit guardians guiding you, which there is but I doubt you'll care about that. Once you've picked them out, we'll turn them over and I'll explain what they mean. First individually, then as a whole."

Laxus nodded in understanding and watched as the woman laid out the cards in a smooth curve. With more care than was probably needed, he looked over the cards before picking three of them at random. Or maybe it wasn't random. Maybe it was a spirit guide.

He almost laughed at the thought.

Watching absently, Laxus saw the woman turn the left most card over, revealing an image of someone in odd clothing standing at the end of a cliff.

"The fool," The woman explained, and Laxus felt slightly offended by it. "Each card has a wide range of interpretations. In its most pure form, it can mean you'll make an ass out of yourself soon," Laxus glared at the woman for that. "But in a more spiritual sense, it speaks of a greater acceptance of the self. You will embrace the fool within you, becoming more of your real self and less burdened by your anxieties. You will find that you don't second guess your actions. You'll be as much a fool as you need to be."

Laxus almost scoffed, and tried to ignore the fact he had been considering just how much his interactions with Freed were devoid of his second-guessing nature. He didn't say anything as the woman turned the next card.

"The sun," She commented. "In its most literal sense, it means brightness is coming to your world. There will be light and growth and nurturing in your future, a new sense of happiness perhaps. But it also means the start of a new cycle. Rebirth if you will. It seems to be that you might be starting a new chapter in your life."

It was annoying, but Laxus found himself wondering if Freed would play a big part in this new chapter. He remained silent as the final card of his choice was flipped over.

"The world," The woman said, and she was smiling now. "This can mean a lot of things. Often it's further a signifier of growth and nature. But it also means that the world is literally open to you. New pathways, new experiences, a new life. That's all coming towards you, and coming soon."

"So, err," Laxus began, embarrassed that he was even entertaining the possibility of this being real. "What do they all mean together."

"I think something big's happening in your life, and pretty soon. It might have already happened. Something life changing. Something that'll open up a whole new world of possibilities, that restarts your life with something new, that allows you to be your true self in a way that you've never been before. Maybe it's an event, maybe it's a revelation or an epiphany. Maybe it's a person. But you're in for some change, and I think it's for the better."

Laxus mind forced him to think of the man waiting outside of the tent for him. The handsome stubborn man that had already had an affect on Laxus that nobody else had. The man who allowed him to have fun, and seemed to energise Laxus in a way he couldn't describe.

Maybe Freed was the change in his life.

He dismissed the thought instantly; this whole this was pointless, and wrong. He bid the woman a goodbye, and started to leave the tent. Even with his surety that fortune telling wasn't real, Laxus couldn't help but notice the similarities of what he'd been told.

Not could he help the smile that those similarities caused.

[colleybri]

Cassian’s fear of goodbyes - an emotional defence mechanism 

It’s an interesting aspect of his character and I think it relates once again to that key trait of being a man who has a “fear of being someone who leaves people behind’ (Tony Gilroy). Cassian’s most common way of parting with people in the Andor series is to say “I’m coming back” or some variation on that. He says it to Brasso in episode 1, adding that he is intending to ‘lie low somewhere until things cool off’… he isn’t even considering that he will never return to Ferrix. Of course he does come back, after Aldhani, despite this being practically a bad idea. After the ‘That’s just love’ scene with Maarva he says “I’m coming back” as he exits (never to see her again) and Maarva seems to be calling out this habit with her reply “Of course you are,” which can certainly be taken sardonically.

Interestingly, one time he avoids saying he is coming back is to to Bix, also in Ep 7, after she tells him via some very pointed subtext that she doesn’t want to see him again anytime soon. It’s equally interesting that when he mentioned going to see Bix to Maarva in the earlier scene he said “I’m going to check up on Bix” - rather than explicitly say goodbye to her. (Unless he’s labouring under the delusion that she’s going to offer to drop everything and come with them). It seems that in Cassian’s mind any departure from Ferrix and his established relationships there is always a short-term thing. He just won’t countenance the idea that leaving might spell the end of his life there. It’s also behind his general complacency when it comes to Bix: she’s clearly not healthily over him even now but his own bruised feelings translate to some pretty shitty behaviour: badly timed flirting, insensitivity re Timm’s death and an apparent refusal to accept responsibility for everything going to shit for Ferrix and for her. It’s why he’s so hurt and unpleasant back when she finally effectively tells him to fuck right off. Up till then, he’d probably been deluding himself that he could have her back at any time if he really put his mind to it, as she’s taken him back in the past.

Cont…

^^Kassa’s last sight of his sister Kerri. In the scene before, Pegla told the adult Cassian “Clear out - don’t come back!” The words seem to prompt this final part of the episode one flashback. When he told his little sister “ I’m coming back!” - and never did.

In short, Cassian has real trouble with goodbyes, and of course it all goes back to the pain of those times when he lost someone.… His sister, to whom he undoubtedly said “I’m coming back” in the Kenari language before running off and never seeing her again. Clem, arrested and executed. His parents, presumably, back on Kenari. And it gives extra poignancy to the end of Episode 11 when Cassian hasn’t even consciously countenanced the idea that Maarva might have died and is therefore hit so hard with the full cold shock of the news. Before the hug with Brasso he beats himself up with ‘I told her I was coming back… I never should have left that morning’.

^^ trying to convince himself he’s having a great time, but Cassian is left empty… bruised by the memory of two very disappointing non-goodbyes back on Ferrix. The shock of losing Maarva will eventually be counterbalanced by his resolution not to abandon Bix.

His childhood trauma means the habit of avoiding saying goodbye is a kind of emotional defence mechanism, as is so much of his early character. Deep down is the fear of losing people and ironically this often translates on the surface level to an apparent complacency, a taking them for granted. Believing that he will always be able to come back, to Ferrix or to a relationship, ties in with his often pretty shitty attitude towards his friends and loved ones in the early episodes. He always seems to expect favours to be granted and forgiveness to be offered. It’s not remotely healthy, of course, which might be one of the reasons he is straining patience and is such a mess as a result.

^^A bleak parting from Melshi when Cassian is reeling from the news that his botched goodbye with Maarva was the last one. He doesn’t know if he’s going to see Bix and the others ever again, but he makes his usual promise nonetheless.

The goodbyes to Melshi in Ep11 and the Ferrix crew in Ep 12 are made a bit easier for us as we know there’s a season 2 but of course in universe Cassian has no idea if or when he will ever see them again. But he is learning that you can’t let that stop you in life from doing what needs to be done ( in this case, offering his life to the cause). For Cassian, avoiding saying goodbye was a way of trying to keep goodbyes at bay. In turn, it was an aspect of his general lack of commitment to anything. But goodbyes are inevitable and learning to accept that is going to be crucial in the fight. I think it’s going to be very tough, though, for a character with this ‘fear of being someone who leaves people behind’. He may well go on blaming himself for goodbyes that were not his fault, as is his tendency. I also think this is the real relevance of the Season 1 arc regarding looking for his sister. It’s much more about Cassian himself than about her. Just before Cassian says “I’m coming back” Maarva urges him to “Stop searching for your sister… let it go.” On Cassian’s face as he walks out you can see a kind of fear. He gets this look when a truth about a ‘goodbye’ is made very clear to him.

^ saying “I’m coming back” to Maarva and “I’ll find you” to the Ferrix refugees. You can see the same fear and doubt on Cassian’s face. He is clearly remembering those times that turned out to be a last (non) goodbye.

In contrast, at the end of his life, he gets one of the best goodbyes in any film. But again, he doesn’t say it. Yet in giving Cassian this particular kind of death, where you can literally see it coming and know there is no “I’m coming back” this time, it’s not only ironic - it’s also very moving. Jyn looks at him as if daring him to say something inappropriate as they watch inevitable death approaching. His final words are the selfless reassurance - “Your father would have been proud of you” and the goodbye then becomes the famously beautiful hug. Words are unnecessary. Through this platonic embrace they can effectively say goodbye to everyone they have ever known and loved - and also to each other. This is all they have but also all they need at the very end.

A heartbreaking but perfect farewell for this most fascinating and human of popular-culture heroes.

^^ “Who knows which one becomes the last goodbye?” (Peter Hammill, ‘Too Many of my Yesterdays’). Cassian and Jyn knew here, but it’s a good general lesson for us … try not to botch a goodbye because for most of us, we really don’t know which one will become the last.

[happylilraichu]

Here’s the new team so far! Since Keats hit level 100 it got a bit too easy to just sweep through with him and I wanted a new challenge, so we’re starting from scratch, even if most of the starting levels are still pretty high!

Coin Trick is growing well! He’s got really low speed so I’m thinking of teaching him Trick Room when I get the chance to take advantage of that. It’s a strategy I’ve never used on my psychic types before but I’m eager to try!

Bix is holding an everstone for now because I want her to stay small and round. It’s been forever since I raised a bug type so I’m loving having her around 💜

Marco was an unexpected meeting during the first trial of the dojo, and since I’m a sucker for foxes there was no way I could say no~ I have a new appreciation for dark types after raising Crimes and I’m eager for us to grow together!

Bubble was also unexpected, and a special gift from Ms Honey! Bulbasaur was always my favourite Kanto starter and I couldn’t say no to this happy baby who wanted to be my friend! I’ve kept him from evolving for now since he gained exp super fast being in a team of stronger Pokémon and I want us to spend more time together first~

Soup caught me by surprise standing in the middle of the forest path - I didn’t know there were Pikachu living here too! He knocked out a good chunk of my team before I caught him too, he’s a tough one! I swear I didn’t plan on taking another Pikachu but he was there and I couldn’t resist 🥰

Daisy ran out of the grass and into my legs when I ended up up some mountain while trying to find the right cave for mushrooms, since I apparently have the navigation skills of Leon >< Rockruff is one of my favourite Alolan Pokémon and it’ll be nice to raise another and to see what form she ends up in~

[justdrarryme]

Do you have any fic recs that when you first read them, they seemed interesting, but when you finished they were way better than you thought they would be? Sorry if that’s incredibly vague, but thank you if you choose to answer it!!!

I kind of don’t want to say that a fic was better than I thought it would be because I honestly go into reading every fic expecting it to be brilliant. Having said that though there are some fics that I went into reading expecting them to be great but then they just absolutely blew me away. This mostly happens when there isn’t a lot of tags on the work or the summary is kind of a bit vague and I just have no idea what to expect. Does that make sense? It’s been a long day, I hope it does.

I think that this has happened with every Saras_Girl fic that I’ve ever read. Like Turn, how vague is that Summary? I had NO idea what to expect with that one and it’s one of my all time favourites. Or sometimes the Summary etc is pretty informative and I know it’s going to be great but then it just goes above and fucking beyond, you know? Here are some more that were kind of like that for me.

Bond by AnnaFugazzi (Mature, 173 K)

I read this one pretty early on in my Drarry days and it was also the first bond fic that I ever read so add that to the Summary and the not many tags, I went into it not really having any idea what to expect. This is such an AMAZING fic, man.Summary: I started to write this before HBP came out, and crossed my fingers that HBP wouldn’t make it totally non-canon. No such luck, I’m afraid. This, therefore, is an AU story, where (SPOILER) still teaches (SPOILER), (SPOILER) didn’t try to (SPOILER), (SPOILER) didn’t succeed in (SPOILER), (SPOILER) never dated (SPOILER), and most importantly, (MAJOR ENDING SPOILERS) never happened.

The Price of Valour by orphan_account, RomanyWalker, wench_fics (WeasleyWench) (Explicit, 406 K)

This fic was just like, woah. I was not expecting to get so invested in it honestly but I totally did. I suggest downloaded from one of their included links instead of Ao3, just a more edited version pretty much.Summary: What happens when someone you hate needs you more than anything else? When it’s life or death, either battle to the end, or die trying. DH compliant, but ignores the Epilogue. 

The Claiming of Grimmauld Place by bixgirl1 (Explicit, 74 K)

So, we all now that Bix is amazing, right? Well this was the first of her fics that I ever read and I hadn’t yet been informed of her amazingness. Also, this fic was just fucking hilarious and I hadn’t quite been expecting that. I laughed so hard when I read this it’s just brilliant.Summary: When Grimmauld Place begins fighting against Harry’s ownership of it, he decides he needs help to train the historic home — but little does he expect that it’ll be Malfoy who’s most suitable for the challenge. However, as Malfoy and Harry get closer, Harry comes to understand that expectations aren’t always the best path by which to guide his heart — and in the process learns just what is needed to make a house a home.

Lumos by birdsofshore (Explicit, 41 K)

I knew that this was going to be a good one, I mean, just look at the summary. But holy shit, I wasn’t quite expecting that level of pure amazingness.Summary: Harry never expected to spend eighth year listening to Draco Malfoy wanking.

Embers by shiftylinguini (Explicit, 41 K)

I’m adding this one just because I’m not usually super into Werewolf fics. It’s just not my most favourite trope is all. But I read this one anyway because I’ve loved everything else that I’ve read by this Author. This was definitely no exception. I was blown away. I have been converted, I am now totally into this whole Werewolf thing.Summary: Werewolf Alphas aren’t meant to be alone, or to suppress their ruts indefinitely like Draco has been since he was bitten eight years ago. He needs company, companionship, to knot ― he needs an Omega Heat Companion. At least, that’s what the Healers say, and even Draco can admit contacting the person they’ve referred him to might be nice.

Of course it turns out to be bloody Potter.

I really hope that I kind of answered your ask right. I’m not sure if I did to be honest, lol. I hope you enjoy all of these amazing fics anyway though. 

Love to you Xxx

[yasbxxgie]

Jazz as Communication

by Langston Hughes

You can start anywhere—Jazz as Communication—since it’s a circle, and you yourself are the dot in the middle. You, me. For example, I’ll start with the Blues. I’m not a Southerner. I never worked on a levee. I hardly ever saw a cotton field except from the highway. But women behave the same on Park Avenue as they do on a levee: when you’ve got hold of one part of them the other part escapes you. That’s the Blues!

Life is as hard on Broadway as it is in Blues-originating-land. The Brill Building Blues is just as hungry as the Mississippi Levee Blues. One communicates to the other, brother! Somebody is going to rise up and tell me that nothing that comes out of Tin Pan Alley is jazz. I disagree. Commercial, yes. But so was Storeyville, so was Basin Street. What do you think Tony Jackson and Jelly Roll Morton and King Oliver and Louis Armstrong were playing for?(1) Peanuts? No, money, even in Dixieland. They were communicating for money. For fun, too—because they had fun. But the money helped the fun along.

Now; To skip a half century, somebody is going to rise up and tell me Rock and Roll isn’t jazz. First, two or three years ago, there were all these songs about too young to know—but. . . . The songs are right. You’re never too young to know how bad it is to love and not have love come back to you. That’s as basic as the Blues. And that’s what Rock and Roll is—teenage Heartbreak Hotel—the old songs reduced to the lowest common denominator. The music goes way back to Blind Lemon and Leadbelly—Georgia Tom merging into the Gospel Songs—­Ma Rainey, and the most primitive of the Blues.(2) It borrows their gut-bucket heartache. It goes back to the jubilees and stepped-up Spiri­tuals—Sister Tharpe—and borrows their I’m-gonna-be-happy-anyhow-in-spite-of-this-world kind of hope. It goes back further and borrows the steady beat of the drums of Congo Square—that going-on beat­—and the Marching Bands’ loud and blatant yes!! Rock and Roll puts them all together and makes a music so basic it’s like the meat cleaver the butcher uses—before the cook uses the knife—before you use the sterling silver at the table on the meat that by then has been rolled up into a commercial filet mignon.

A few more years and Rock and Roll will no doubt be washed back half forgotten into the sea of jazz. Jazz is a great big sea. It washes up all kinds of fish and shells and spume and waves with a steady old beat, or off-beat. And Louis must be getting old if he thinks J. J. and Kai—and even Elvis—didn’t come out of the same sea he came out of, too. Some water has chlorine in it and some doesn’t. There’re all kinds of water. There’s salt water and Saratoga water and Vichy water, Quinine water and Pluto water—and Newport rain. And it’s all water. Throw it all in the sea, and the sea’ll keep on rolling along toward shore and crashing and booming back into itself again. The sun pulls the moon. The moon pulls the sea. They also pull jazz and me. Beyond Kai to Count to Lonnie to Texas Red, beyond June to Sarah to Billy to Bessie to Ma Rainey. And the Most is the It—the all of it.(3)

Jazz seeps into words—spelled out words. Nelson Algren is influenced by jazz. Ralph Ellison is, too. Sartre, too. Jacques Prévert. Most of the best writers today are. Look at the end of the Ballad of the Sad Cafe. Me as the public, my dot in the middle—it was fifty years ago, the first time I heard the Blues on Independence Avenue in Kansas City. Then State Street in Chicago. Then Harlem in the twenties with J. P. and J. C. Johnson and Fats and Willie the Lion and Nappy playing piano—with the Blues running all up and down the keyboard through the ragtime and the jazz.(4) House rent party cards. I wrote The Weary Blues:

Downing a drowsy syncopated tune . . . . . . etc. . . . .

Shuffle Along was running then—the Sissle and Blake tunes. A little later Runnin’ Wild and the Charleston and Fletcher and Duke and Cab. Jimmie Lunceford, Chick Webb, and Ella. Tiny Parham in Chicago. And at the end of the Depression times, what I heard at Minton’s. A young music—coming out of young people. Billy—the male and female of them—both the Eckstein and the Holiday—and Dizzy and Tad and the Monk.(5) Some of it came out in poems of mine in Montage of a Dream Deferred later. Jazz again putting itself into words.

But I wasn’t the only one putting jazz into words. Better poets of the heart of jazz beat me to it. W. C. Handy a long time before. Benton Overstreet. Mule Bradford. Then Buddy DeSilva on the pop level. Ira Gershwin. By and by Dorothy Baker in the novel—to name only the most obvious—the ones with labels. I mean the ones you can spell out easy with a-b-c’s—the word mongers—outside the music. But always the ones of the music were the best—Charlie Christian, for example, Bix, Louis, Joe Sullivan, Count.(6)

Now, to wind it all up, with you in the middle—jazz is only what you yourself get out of it. Louis’s famous quote—or misquote probably­—“Lady, if you have to ask what it is, you’ll never know.” Well, I wouldn’t be so positive. The lady just might know—without being able to let loose the cry—to follow through—to light up before the fuse blows out. To me jazz is a montage of a dream deferred. A great big dream—yet to come—and always yet—to become ultimately and finally true. Maybe in the next seminar—for Saturday—Nat Hentoff and Billy Strayhorn and Tony Scott and the others on that panel will tell us about it—when they take up “The Future of Jazz.” The Bird was looking for that future like mad. The Newborns, Chico, Dave, Gulda, Milt, Charlie Mingus.(7) That future is what you call pregnant. Potential papas and mamas of tomor­row’s jazz are all known. But THE papa and THE mama—maybe both—are anonymous. But the child will communicate. Jazz is a heartbeat—­its heartbeat is yours. You will tell me about its perspectives when you get ready.

NOTES

(1) Tony Jackson (1876-1921), American ragtime pianist and blues singer; Ferdinand Joseph “Jelly Roll” Morton (1885-1941) began playing piano in New Orleans’ Storyville at the age of seventeen and was regarded by many as the first great jazz composer; Joseph “King” Oliver (1885-1938), popular ragtime performer with roots in New Orleans.

(2) Blind Lemon Jefferson (1897-1929), early American pioneer of the blues; Thomas “Georgia Tom” Dorsey (1899-1993), African American blues singer, gospel songwriter, and pianist.

(3) James Louis “J. J.” Johnson (1924- ), an American trombonist and composer, and Kai Winding (1922-1983), a Danish American trombonist, formed the popular group Jay and Kai in 1954; Lonnie Johnson (1889-1970), American guitarist and jazz singer.

(4) Jacques Prévert (1900-1977), French poet; James Price “J. P.” Johnson (1894-1955), American ragtime and blues pianist and composer; J. C. Johnson (1896-1981), jazz pianist and songwriter; Willie Hilton Napoleon “Nappy” Lamare (1907-1988), American guitarist, banjoist, composer, and singer.

(5) Chick Webb (1909-1939), American drummer and bandleader; Hartzell Strathdene “Tiny” Parham (1900-1943), Canadian American pianist, organist, and bandleader; John Birks “Dizzy” Gillespie (1917-1993), American trumpeter and bandleader; Thelonius Monk (1917-1982), American jazz pianist and composer.

(6) W. Benton Overstreet, American songwriter; Perry “Mule” Bradford (1893-1970), American pianist, songwriter, singer, and producer; Buddy DeSilva, American songwriter; Dorothy Baker (1907-1968), jazz writer best known for Young Man with a Horn, a novel about the life of Leon “Bix” Deiderbecke; Charlie Christian (1916-1942), American guitarist; Joe Sullivan (1906-1971), American pianist and composer.

(7) Nathan Irving “Nat” Hentoff (1925-), American writer and jazz historian; Billy Strayhorn (1915-1967), American composer, arranger, and pianist; Tony Scott (1921-), American clarinetist and saxophonist; Charlie “Bird” Parker (1920-1955), American alto saxophonist and one of the most influential soloists in jazz; Friedrich Gulda (1930-), Austrian pianist, flutist, baritone saxophonist, singer, and composer; Charles Mingus (1922-1979), American double bass player, pianist, composer, and bandleader.

[x]

[ciathyzareposts]

Crusaders of the Dark Savant: Career Changes

My party, members now in their permanent classes, confidently marches out of New City.

            When I started this blog, if I referred to “rose-colored memories” of past games, I would have been referring to times I played games in the 1980s or 1990s, when I was young and the games were new. These days, on the other hand, I could use the phrase to refer to games I played at the beginning of this blog. Writing today, I haven’t played any of the pre-Bradley Wizardry games in almost four years. Are my memories accurate? Is my admiration valid?

What I remember most about the original Wizardry, and to a lesser extent the second two scenarios, is a marvelous sense of tension in exploration and combat. Particularly since I was adhering to the series’s use of permadeath, every step forward felt like a risk. The further you got away from the safety of the town level, the more your hit points dropped, the more you depleted your spell slots, the greater the odds were stacked against you. These considerations created a tactical landscape that went far beyond the strict combat mechanics. In deciding whether to try to wipe out your enemies with just a MAHALITO, or to double it up with a MODALTO from another caster, you had to think beyond the immediate combat. You had to worry about the next combat, plus all the combats in your backpath on the way to the surface. Your spell slots were precious resources. You wouldn’t waste a high-level spell on an easy party, just to make combat go more quickly–you needed it for the unanticipated high-level group down the hall.

Wizardry VI completely upended the nature of combat tactics in the franchise while not significantly changing the combat mechanics themselves. You still plan everyone’s action ahead of time, then execute them (in tandem with the enemies’ actions) all at once. You still have limitations on spells, though “slots” have been replaced with magic points, and the spell system in general has been expanded. You still have a lot of variability in the difficulty of enemies that you encounter. The big difference is that you can save, and usually rest, in between combats. The focus is thus entirely on the individual combat rather than the entire landscape. It pays to err on the side of over-use of powerful spells just to make victory certain.

More about combat and magic in a minute, but let’s take a moment to check in with the party, which has undergone some changes since I last blogged. Last time, I was wrestling with the game’s class-changing system, including when and how often. Based on your comments, I realized that I had been thinking of it all wrong. I hadn’t shaken myself out of Dungeons and Dragons (second edition) mode, where dual-classing can create powerful characters, but it pays to get as high as possible in the first class before dual-classing because afterwards you can only level in the second class. Here, that’s not true. Once you acquire skills and spells, they’re part of your repertoire forever, and you can keep adding points to them even if they don’t make sense with your current class. A Dungeons and Dragons fighter who duals to a mage at Level 10 isn’t a fighter at all anymore until she reaches Level 11 as a mage, and even then she’s only kind of a fighter. In this game, even if you only spend one level as a mage, you’re at least partly a mage forever.

(The one big exception here is that your current class defines what weapons, armor, and items you can use. Thus, it doesn’t make sense to build someone’s sword skills to high levels and then dual to a mage, who can’t use a sword.)            

Having been through several class changes, Esteban has a lot of weapon skills at his disposal, only some of which he can actually use as a bishop.

           Thus, I began to think of my party more in terms of what skills I wanted the characters to have rather than literal classes. I spent some time changing, grinding, experimenting, and changing again, in some cases limited by minimum attributes, but generally able to acquire what I wanted. That included at least two characters with high-level mage abilities and at least four characters with healing abilities.

Ultimately, I wanted to end this session with my characters in their “final” incarnations (at least for most of the game). Every time you change a class, you reset the character’s attributes to the minimum requirements for that class. It’s tough to give up all that strength, speed, and so forth, and I imagine it’s particularly tough later in the game, when your foes are harder. As thrilling as it is to level up, I’d rather do it less often but in pursuit of more heroic characters. 

One of my first changes was to make my thief a samurai. I can’t really remember why. But once I did, she acquired the “Kirijutsu” skill, and I absolutely fell in love with it. Every point in the skill makes it more likely that the character will strike a critical hit in combat, instantly killing an enemy. I don’t even care if the chance is really small; I just love that the chance s there. Thus, I cycled all my fighters through classes that imparted that skill, at least for a few levels. Three of them were able to change to ninjas for a while, which is a great choice because it has such high attribute requirements that, if you can make it in the first place, you don’t lose as many of your accumulated points.             

Gideon strikes a critical hit on a Savant Guard. This never gets old.

            I advanced in my new classes mostly by grinding in New City. At first, I did this primarily by sleeping in the street, which seems to attract an enemy party about 25% of the time. Later, I realized that if I used the wrong item to try to open a door in one of the buildings (I don’t even know what the right item is), it would reliably send at least one party of Savant Troopers or Savant Guards my way. These guys offer quite a bit of experience, but the problem is that they’re tough enemies. Troopers have lances that can drain stamina and paralyze party members. If I got three parties of 5 Troopers each, I was toast. Nonetheless, it was worth the risk, and I learned a lot about my available spells during the process.

When I was done (and this all took me maybe 8 hours combined):

            Gideon had cycled through several levels as a monk (that was a waste of time) and several levels as a ninja before ending up as a lord again.

Noctura got some mage spells as a samurai for a few levels before she had high enough attributes to change to her permanent ninja class (she had been a thief originally)

Bix went from a bard to an alchemist to, finally, a mage. I know that’s not a lot of diversity, but the alchemist position at least afforded him some healing spells.

Svava went from a Valkyrie to a ninja to a ranger (that turned out to be mostly a waste) and back to a Valkyrie. I had to take her all the way to Level 9 as a ranger because it took forever to reach the Valkyrie minimums.

Esteban went from a priest to a ninja to finally end up where I wanted him as a bishop.

Prenele, who was already where I wanted her (alchemist) spent some time as a mage and a priest before returning her her original class.

        I might have missed some. I seem to remember having someone as a psionic for a while before realizing the spells just weren’t very good. In any event, I realize that not all of these changes made sense or ultimately served any strategic goal, but remember I was just experimenting, and the best part is that there’s no real harm in trying out a class that doesn’t ultimately work out. The worst that happens is you gained some skills that you don’t bother to develop any further.          

My Valkyrie mulls a class change. Her stats aren’t good enough for lord, bishop, ninja, monk, psionic, or alchemist.

             Just before I started changing classes, some of my higher-level fighters started to achieve extra attacks in combat. They had already been at a point where they often struck twice during a single attack, but eventually they reached a level where they’d get an extra couple attacks at the end of the combat round. The odd thing is that they retained these extra attacks even after they changed classes and were busted back to Level 1 again. So I’m not really sure what governs these extra attacks. I don’t know, it’s probably in the manual somewhere, but the frigging thing is 70 pages long.

The exercise accomplished my primary goal of making a stronger party. Now I have four characters with Kirujutsu, and thus a chance at critical hits every combat round. More important, I have three characters capable of some mass damage spells.

It took me a while to figure out the spell system, and I’m a little fuzzy on parts. Each character has what amounts to a “mana” bar, but that’s a bit misleading because the bar is a composite of each individual status, and each individual maximum, within a variety of spell “realms.” The realms (fire, earth, water, mental, air, and divine) are different from the spell “schools” (mage, alchemist, priest, psionic), each of which has multiple spells in each realm. Right now, my mage Bix has anywhere between a maximum of 22 points (divine realm) and 47 points (water realm) in each realm. His actual spells are a combination of those learned during his time as a bard, an alchemist, and a mage.

When you cast a spell, the number of points available in that realm depletes. Your overall mana bar may look great, but if you’re out of points in the divine realm, there’s no more healing. It takes a long time, or several sleep sessions, to fully restore points in a realm, so my characters basically end up cycling through them. One combat, my mage will favor earth spells, the next he’ll focus on fire spells. It thus pays to have a couple of mass damage spells or a couple of incapacitation spells spread across multiple realms.

What I don’t fully understand is what determines the number of points available to the realms. It’s not based on your skills in the various magic schools, since those apply to all realms. (I think those points just determine what spells are offered to you at each level-up, but I’m not completely sure.) I think it has something to do with the literal number of spells you’ve taken in each realm. Thus, when leveling up, it sometimes pays to choose a spell you don’t really care about, but in a realm in which you want more power.

When casting spells, you have the option to specify a multiplier, from 1 to 7, which is a major consideration. A “Fireball” cast at the base level of 1 only does 2-10 hit points of damage to 3 creatures in a group. Cast at Level 5, it does 10-50 hit points of damage to 8 creatures in a group–but of course it absorbs much more magic. The consideration is there even in status effects like “Cure Disease” and “Cure Paralysis.” Not all disease, poison, paralysis, and other effects are created equal. You have to try to guess how strong it is and then override it with the right spell level.

Even here, there are things I don’t understand. First, you can’t cast a spell at Level 7 the moment you acquire it. But I’m not sure what determines what level you can cast it at. Your level in the class? Your skill? Your points in the realm? Some combination of these? It’s not even consistent. My Level 4 mage can cast “Chilling Touch” (a water spell) at Level 4 but can only cast “Cure Paralysis” (also a water spell) at Level 2. I know, I know: read the manual. But it’s really long and you guys will tell me what’s happening within 10 minutes of this posting.             

Some of Prenele’s spell options. The dice indicate the spell level, including the nonsensical last die with seven pips on it.

            During my grinding, I really learned to appreciate some of the non-damaging status effect spells. I had already been using “Sleep,” “Hold Monster,” and “Paralyze” quite liberally. The problem with these is that they only take an enemy out of commission for as long as you leave him alone. Once you attack him, the spell wears off. And since you can’t specify particular enemies to attack (just a group), it’s hard to keep everyone incapacitated. These work best when you’re facing multiple groups and you want to sideline two of them so you can focus on one group at a time.

Usually, I go right for the mass damage spells. I have a lot of those now, spread across multiple characters and multiple realms. My favorite is “Acid Bomb,” which damages everyone in a group and keeps damaging them for several subsequent rounds. But for causing more damage in a single round, I have (again, spread over multiple characters) “Magic Missile” (divine), “Whipping Rocks” (earth), “Fire Bomb” (fire), “Fireball” (fire), “Iceball” (water), and “Deadly Air” (air). I don’t yet have any spells that damage all enemies in all groups, but they’re coming.              

A powerful mass-damage spell.

       To get any serious power out of those spells, however, you have to cast them at high levels and sacrifice a lot of points. My spellcasters can only handle a couple of them before having to rest. What I’ve learned to appreciate are some low-level spells that cost less and greatly reduce the effectiveness of enemies. These include “Confusion,” “Blinding Flash,” and “Itching Skin.” Usually, I don’t like to waste time on spells that don’t show me the effects directly (which is why I never waste a round on “Curse” in D&D games, for instance). But here, those effects are not subtle. When an enemy party goes from a 75% hit rate to a 75% miss rate in one round, you know “Itching Skin” is dong its job.

A lot of single-enemy damage spells were also enormously useful during this process. As I moved from class to class, I didn’t always have the right set of weapons to equip my characters. Thus, spells like “Energy Blast,” “Chilling Touch,” and “Acid Splash,” all of which affect only one enemy at a time, became acceptable alternatives to melee combat. Because they only affect one enemy at a time, they have low casting costs, and you can get half a dozen or so before you need to rest.

So that’s been my last 8 hours. Now I feel better equipped to take on the unexplored areas. I’m still having no luck cleaning up those last few areas of New City, except one previously-locked door that yielded to a “Knock Knock” spell (and had a chest with some decent armor behind it), but by next entry I should have made a lot more progress on the main quest.

               Time so far: 31 hours

source http://reposts.ciathyza.com/crusaders-of-the-dark-savant-career-changes/

[whereisthefood123]

Roll with your heart

Hello everyone! I'm sorry this took me ages! Request done by @bickslowlordofsouls 

Request: "Can you write one where gajeel and levy double date with bickslow and lisanna"

Hope you like this!

FFnet here!

Word count: 3.6k

This had to be Gajeel’s bad karma. It couldn’t be anything else.

“Well, well. Look at that!” Gajeel groaned quietly at the sight of the other two mages sitting on the client’s living room with those five obnoxious dolls chanting ‘Look, look’ in that annoying tune of theirs.

Apparently, this stopped being a two-mages mission as the team doubled in members forcing Gajeel and Levy to join Bickslow and Lisanna by the client’s petition.

Stupid client.

Just another rich ass snub with lots of money to spend and a worried wife who wouldn’t feel at ease of her dear son going out without the proper bodyguards. Heck, the kid was just going out on a date to an amusement park. Did his parents really think a dark guild was going to go after him if he didn’t have at least two skilled mages to protect him? Tch, they thought too highly of themselves. Even Salamander’s cat would’ve been able to protect the brat.

Such a lowly mission for a high-skilled mage like him...

The only reason he joined the Shrimp in this mission was that the pay was really good. Spending time with her was really just an extra; it wasn’t the main reason he accepted immediately. Nor was the fact she subtly threatened him of not giving him any more of her delicious iron.

Nope.

He was just interested in the reward. And Levy was nice and easy to get along, so Gajeel didn't mind to work with her in this sort of missions.

But now, he was going to spend the rest of the day with Jokester and Kitty Girl too.

Great, just great.

Even when Levy appeared to not be disturbed by the change of plans, she was inwardly cursing her luck too.

It just had to be Lisanna and Bickslow, right?

She loves both of them dearly, after all, the three of them grew up together in the guild. But that didn't meant she wanted them to join her and Gajeel on this mission.

This had been a well-thought plan to spend some time with her favorite dragon slayer without other people teasing them or asking awkward questions about them being a couple. She knew Gajeel had some feelings towards her, but whenever it seemed he was ready to open up and tell her the extent of his feelings, someone would crack a joke or cat-call after them and he would focus his attention to beat the living crap out of that someone while leaving Levy wondering about what he was just going to say to her.

The small woman had been growing impatient of this and she decided to take matters in her tiny hands. She knew that whenever Gajeel was alone with her (and Lily), he was more open to express his feelings and let his rough facade fall slightly. Levy thought of this mission as an opportunity to get to know him even more and, if she was brave enough, it was a chance to let him know of her feelings for him.

But now, that was definitely not going to happen with the other two mages here. For starts, Bickslow was on the top tier of their comrades that constantly would make jokes and tease them to no ends. And then there was Lisanna, Mira’s baby sister, who was just as devilish as the older woman. Levy was positive that Lisanna was Mira’s main source of gossips from the guild and she was sure she would be bombarded with lots of questions from the girls once they got back to the guild.

With a silent sigh of defeat, Levy tossed her previous plans out the window and decided to make the best out of the situation. She smiled brightly at her comrades and accepted the client’s new conditions. She giggled when Gajeel groaned again a little louder behind her.

This will be fun. Maybe it could be like a double date?

“I ain’t getting on that shit.” Gajeel crossed his arms over his chest and glared daggers at the entrance of the ride.

Levy sighed and gave him a pointed look. “Gajeel, you know what the client said. Wherever Mark and Jess go, we go. Rollercoasters included.” She knew why he didn’t want to get on and a small part of her felt sorry for his terrible motion sickness, but they had a mission to fulfil and he couldn’t back down just because he felt like it.

“Don’t care. I’ll stay here and keep an eye from ground level.” His idea seemed logical enough and he really wished for the Shrimp to not push further into the matter. He would do anything she would ask him for, but his pride was on the line if he dared to look weak in front of the Jokester.

Levy looked at Lisanna to see if she had anything to say but the take-over mage just shrugged her shoulders and smiled reassuringly at Levy. “I think that’s okay.”

“Alright. Just wait for us here.” Levy smiled at him but it didn’t reached her eyes. The gesture tugged at Gajeel’s heart for reasons he couldn’t understand.

Why did she suddenly looked so dejected? And why did this make him feel like the biggest bastard in the whole world? It was just a stupid ride that would be over in less than a minute.

In all honesty, Levy couldn't understand either why his reluctance to ride the rollercoaster made her stomach to turn into an uncomfortable knot. Maybe it was that she had read so many novels where the characters had a fun and romantic moment while riding a rollercoaster and some part of her wished those could be Gajeel and her. But reality was different from books.

As she turned around and started walking side by side with Lisanna towards the entrance, Gajeel felt the urge to reach out for her and join them in the stupid ride. He would swallow his pride and endure the torture on his insides if that would make her smile brightly again. Still, he remained rooted to his spot, not knowing what he should do.

Obviously, that was the moment Jokester decided to punch him on the shoulder and laugh at him.

“Yeah, let the big bad dragon stay here so his tummy won’t hurt,” he cooed and cackled again as he dodged Gajeel’s punch to his face. His dolls floated around him chanting “Dragon’s tummy!” adding to Bickslow’s amusement.

The dragon slayer growled in annoyance as he watched the seith mage catch up with the girls, stepping between them. He draped one arm over Lisanna’s shoulders bringing her closer to him and earning a giggle from the girl. Gajeel rolled his eyes at this but then froze when Bickslow placed his other arm lazily around Levy’s shoulders.

Rage built up inside Gajeel even when the gesture was nothing more than friendly.

Mine!

Was the only thought that crossed his mind at the moment and he clenched his jaw tightly when Bickslow looked over his shoulder back at him with his tongue lulling out in that unique way that got Gajeel seeing red in fury. It was Bickslow’s signature gesture that stated that the seith was mocking the dragon slayer but Gajeel was beyond reasoning at that moment.

The fucker is asking for it!

He was about to dash forward and punch Jokester until next week but then, karma seemed to switch sides and favor Gajeel.

“Sir, you cannot get on the ride with the helmet.” A medium-size brunette stood strong in front of the seith mage, eyeing him curiously at why anyone would be walking around in that outfit.

“Ha! Relax sweetheart, it’s just to keep my eye magic in check.” He waved a hand dismissively at her and attempted to walk past her, just to find himself being stopped by a strong hand pressed against his chest.

“Sorry, Sir. Rules are rules. If you cannot lose the helmet, you cannot get on. Am I clear?” Her voice was fiercer than he expected for someone with her height.

“But, I-”

“Am. I. Clear?” Her dark eyes bore holes into Bickslow and he suddenly felt an ominous aura coming off her, similar to that of Erza and Mirajane.

“Y-Yeah, ma’am!” The seith squeaked causing Lisanna and Levy to laugh loudly at his fear-struck expression. His dolls hid behind him, shaking in fear while repeating in high pitched voices “Yes, ma’am”.

“Just wait with Gajeel, Bix. We’ll be back in a sec.” Lisanna winked at him and together with Levy disappeared into the rollercoaster’s entrance.

When he turned around, Bickslow found Gajeel with a smug expression on his face. He walked past him, intentionally bumping into his shoulder, towards a nearby bench. “Shut it.” He gritted his teeth.

“Yes, ma’am. Gihi.” Gajeel soon followed him with crossed arms and a big-ass grin on his face.

Same thing went for the second and third rollercoaster and by the time they were waiting for the girls and the teens to come down from the last ride, Bickslow had grown bored.

“Aww man, this is so boooring~” Bickslow wailed while hanging his head in defeat.

“Momma, come back!” His dolls cried desperately while circling both men, annoying Gajeel even more.

“Would ya shut up yer freaking dolls?!” The dragon slayer roared in Bickslow’s ear but the later mage seemed unfazed by it, pouting like a little child because Lisanna hadn’t come back yet.

“Tch. Cry baby,” Gajeel muttered crossing his arms over his chest and leaning back on the bench. “And why the hell are ya here with Kitty Girl? Shouldn’t ya be with Laxus and the rest of his cheerleaders?” His attitude was getting into Gajeel’s nerves, so he guessed doing small talk would probably fix that, right?

That dragged Bickslow from his depressed mood as he straightened in his seat. “Eh? Well, Boss is taking Freed to S-class missions all the time; says he’s preparing him for next trials.”  He shrugged his shoulders in indifference. “And Ever is always with Elfman which is really boring for me.”

“Everything is boring fer ya,” Gajeel huffed, secretly thankful that his dolls had finally shut up.

“Nah.” He stuck his tongue out while relaxing even more in the bench and crossing his arms behind his head. “Lissy is cool. It’s fun to tag along with her.”

“Momma’s fun!” chanted the wooden dolls.

Gajeel huffed and placed his chin on his palm with his elbow planted on his knee. The mood had lightened up finally, so now he had no intentions on keeping up with this stupid chitchat. Jokester on the other hand…

“And why are ya here?” the seith mage inquired.

Gajeel quirked an eyebrow and looked at him out of the corner of his eye. “Fer the stupid mission, obviously.”

“This ain’t the type of mission ya usually do.” Bickslow smirked when Gajeel’s eye twitched in irritation.

“Tch. Shrimp dragged me here.”

“Ya do realize she’s less than five-foot tall? How the heck did she dragged you along?” He could barely contain the mirth in his voice. Oh, Bickslow knew the answer was gonna be a good one.

“She threatened to never make me ‘iron’ again,” Gajeel mumbled quietly but Bickslow heard him loud and clear.

“HA!” The seith mage slapped Gajeel on his shoulder so forcibly that the iron mage almost fell from his seat. Almost.

“We’re so whipped, aren’t we?” He held his sides from how hard he was laughing. “Can’t say no to our women, right?” He cackled one more time when his dolls imitated the sound of a whiplash.

Gajeel looked back at him with anger in his eyes but then his words registered in his mind.

Our women.

His woman.

His Levy.

Gajeel blushed furiously and his eyes widened before he yelled at Bickslow who was still laughing his ass off “It ain’t like that ya idiot!!!!”

That did nothing to deter the seith mage from being doubled up with laughter.

Eventually, Bickslow took deep breaths to calm himself down and replied to Gajeel. “Heh! Says the idiot who got madly jealous 20 minutes ago.”

The smirk on his face made Gajeel itchy to punch him square in the face, but then… “Wait. Ya did that on purpose?” He couldn’t hide the shock from his voice.

“Of course, dumbass! Ha!” He laughed again. “Ya should have seen yer face! Hahaha! Thanks for helping me win the bet against Lissy.”

“You motherf-” He swung his fist at him but Bickslow was quicker than he expected and stood up swiftly, avoiding the punch.

“Just admit it iron boy, ya have feelings for her. Heck, it was easier on me once I admit that I like Lissy.” He shrugged and a smile etched on his face at the memory of how he confessed to Lisanna. Bickslow’s dolls repeated “Momma!” and started doing kissing sounds.

“F-feelings?” Gajeel spluttered as heat raised to his cheeks and ears. “W-wha-?” He stuttered, eyes going wide in embarrassment.

“Dude, yer really not that subtle. Heck, the whole guild has bets on when ya two are getting yer asses together.” He laughed along with his dolls when Gajeel growled menacingly at him, well, as menacingly as he could with his face as red as a tomato.

Gajeel looked down with a scowl on his face, but the blush on his cheeks didn’t disappeared. Feelings for the Shrimp? Heck, yeah. Gajeel knew he was madly in love with her. He figured that out in Tenrou Island. And how couldn't he? She was so cute and brilliant and with such a big heart. But still…

“Tch. Ain’t that simple…,” he muttered and clenched his jaw in annoyance. Guilt filled his heart when images of his first encounter with Levy flashed in his mind.

“Yeah yeah, guess with yer story it’s normal fer ya to feel guilty.” Bickslow turned serious all of the sudden as he stopped just in front of Gajeel, even his dolls quieted down and just limited themselves to fly around the seith mage’s head.

The iron mage looked up at him with a confused expression as to how in the world did Jokester knew how he was feeling.

Bickslow tapped his visor with his finger and smirked. “Soul magic. Can tell about people strongest feelings and right now yer hues are dancing the guilty tango.”

Gajeel growled threateningly at the intrusion of the seith mage but Bickslow just ignored it. “I must say that I was impressed when I heard what happened. There’s not a lot of people who can best Boss in ‘shitty things to do to other human beings’. But ya definitely took the award on that one.” He grinned, trying to ease the mood with his joke, but then his mouth set into a thin line when he noticed Gajeel’s expression. His dolls also stopped mid cackled, trying not to aggravate the situation even more.

Gajeel was looking to the side but his usual scowl or frown wasn’t there. Instead, Bickslow could see the sadness in his eyes and he didn’t need to use his magic to sense how remorseful the dragon slayer felt about what he did to Levy.

The seith mage bit the inside of his cheek. He crossed a line he shouldn’t have and he sighed apologetically. He scratched the back of his head, trying to come up with any words that might offer some comfort for the other man. “Sorry, that was out of line.”

“Doesn’t mean it ain’t true.” Gajeel looked at Bickslow dead in the eye with an unreadable expression that made the seith mage uncomfortable.

Gajeel was used to be called a bastard for what he did in his Phantom Lord days and he was okay with dealing with a brawl or two with people who wanted to take revenge for what he did. But whenever he was reminded specifically of what he did to Levy, he would shut down and had no idea on how to deal with all the emotions swirling inside him.

“Look,” Bickslow sighed exasperated that his words seemed to only worsen the situation, “I’m in no position to judge you either. I’ve done some shitty things to my guildmates too.”

That seemed to work as the dragon slayer dropped his gaze as if accepting the other mage’s sort of apology. Bickslow took that as his cue and continued the best he could, “Look man, Levy forgave ya didn’t she?”

Don’t know why, Gajeel thought and faintly nodded his head in answer to Bickslow’s question.

“And she’s cool enough that she invites ya to missions with her,” he added and Gajeel raised his gaze at him wondering what was his point with all of this.

“Well, if Levy forgave ya for the shitty things ya did-” he counted with his fingers, “-and invites ya to hang out with her or go to missions with her-” another finger went up, “-the least ya could do fer her is man up and tell her how ya feel, right?”

“Or at least admit to yerself ya have fallen fer her, geez…,” Bickslow finished and nodded, feeling proud that he managed to say something so enlightening. His dolls nodded too beside his head in approval of his words of advice.

Gajeel’s eyes widened in understanding. The Shrimp had been the brave and ballsy in all of this and he was acting like a real coward. She offered him her friendship and even seeked him out in the guildhall to talk about anything, and he was too afraid of being rejected by her if he even dare to tell her how he felt.

And she has every right to reject him, to not return his feelings. He was a piece of scrap who hurt her long ago. But then, he also thought he was unworthy of her friendship and she proved to him that she thought otherwise. And he thought she wouldn’t be safe around him and she again showed him she believed that to be untrue as she invited him to missions and even accepted his help as her partner on the S-class trials.

So, the least he could do was to give her one more chance to prove him how wrong he might be for assuming how her brilliant mind and enormous heart felt about him.

Before he could utter words of gratefulness, or something akin since Gajeel never thanked anyone, a familiar voice dragged the men’s attention to the entrance of the ride.

“Hi, guys! Did you have fun?” Lisanna inquired and smiled at them, Levy walking not too far behind.

“Momma!” The dolls called out before they crashed into Lisanna’s chest as she embraced them affectionately.

“Lissy!” Bickslow too ran towards her and lifted her up in his arms in a warm hug.

“Calm down, Bix. We were gone for like 5 minutes.” Lisanna giggled as she tried to wriggle out of his bear hug.

“It was too long,” Bickslow complained and Lisanna laughed more at this.

Levy stood at Gajeel’s side and giggled at the scene of the other two mages. Gajeel looked at her and stood up from the bench. “Where’s the brat and his girl?”

“Oh, Jess felt a little bit sick so Mark is buying her some water.” She pointed with her finger to the teens sitting by a table near a foodtruck. She sighed and Gajeel noticed a faint smile appeared on her face.

“Isn’t it lovely how he looks after her, Gajeel?” She looked at him and her smile widened in that certain way that got Gajeel’s heart doing backflips in his chest.

How could Levy be so carefree around him? She even dared to share with him her beautiful smiles that so many people yearned for. She was not afraid of him anymore, even when he knew he was a monster that could hurt her if something went wrong. Then, why wasn’t she afraid of him? Why didn’t she hated him? And why did the mere idea of losing her, of her not been by his side, of him screwing up this sort of friendship they had terrified him completely?

Because she’s brave and you’re just a coward. He could hear Bickslow’s voice in his mind, reminding him about his earlier conversation.

“Not anymore.” He smirked and his resolve settled in his heart. Gajeel was done playing games. He decided right then and there that once they were back to Magnolia, he would tell Levy everything. He would pour all of his heart to her and leave it wide open to bleed if that was how it was supposed to go. He would give her the opportunity to prove him how wrong he was for assuming how her mind worked.

“Huh? Did you say something Gajeel?” Levy inquired with a raised eyebrow but he kept his eyes fixed on the teens walking towards them.

“Gihi, nothing Shrimp.” He ruffled her hair and she puffed out her cheeks in feigned annoyance. “Let’s get these brats to their home and head back to the guild.”

Levy nodded and they walked to catch up with the rest of the group heading to the exit of the park. As they reached them, Gajeel remembered he didn’t thank Bickslow for his peptalk, so he did what felt most natural to do.

He punched Bickslow on the shoulder so roughly that the seith mage landed flat on his face.

“OI! What was that for?!” Bickslow yelled at him but Gajeel just kept walking as he grinned over his shoulder at the other mage.

“Gihi.”

I hope you guys liked it! Please let me know what you think :)

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WTF (Where's The Food?)