#and betraying Sarah who represents his “good” side

[thechosenanubis]

Sarah and Rufus are actually symbolism of the paths Victor could've taken in his life, in this essay I will-

[habaritess]

I have to say, I was very, very impressed with episode 5. They address a lot of my complaints and did Sam some justice! I have high hopes going in for the last episode. Some highlights for me: 

Sam and Bucky working together to take down Walker was handled brilliantly. They really did take him down as a team and gave Sam his screen time to really show his fighting talents. 

Zemo choosing to let Bucky live out of his respect for Sam. This is great because narratively speaking, I was expecting Zemo to attempt to take out Bucky because Bucky is everything Zemo is against. Bucky is a super human and he not shy at all about using those abilities to intimidate Zemo. Zemo, the guy who will kill people without hesitation, who truly believes all super humans should not exist, choses not to kill Bucky because he knows Sam is that rare good man, he is a Steve Rodgers, and he knows that Sam will keep a handle on Bucky. That is amazing.

Bucky deciding to give Zemo the scare of his life one more time before he is taken away forever. Bucky, you didn’t have to do that, but you just have to be “that guy” and give Zemo something to remember ya by for the rest of his life.

The scenes with Isaiah was utterly heart wrenching. Please give this man an oscar because he acted the hell out of this role! I loved Sam for bringing the shield to Isaiah. The US had failed him, just as they failed and betrayed all the African American soldiers who fought for this country pre-civil rights act. I love how they addressed the historically accurate situation of black soldiers being let down in this country, and their anger is what helped propel the civil rights movement. What sad is that it was a nurse who took pity on him, who let him go. The government was very willing to experiment and torture this man till death. Isaiah is broken and he like many of our black elders who faced the brunt of a racist American society, are not trusting of the attempts at equality by modern american society. Absolutely brilliant scene and man, I related to Sam here. Sam listening to it all breaks my hearts because he knows and has experience the prejudice and racism of today, but even he still had a hard time hearing the true depths to which the country he lived in use to regard black lives. It reminded me of my own personal research into black history and having to read up all the things that the US has done to target the black american community. It’s tough.

It kind of hard to believe that the Dora Milaje would forgive Bucky so easily and like him enough to do him a favor...but I’m just going to take it as Oyo being very forgiving and she must have a soft spot for Bucky for her to have Wakanda do him this solid. Please don’t ever take these people for granted again, Bucky.

"You built me" gave me chills. Walker represents all the young men who fought for this country, sacrificing their mental well being in the process. Once they came back, damaged and destroyed, so many of them are further failed by the country they fought for just because they turn up less than mentally sound. I'm looking at all those mentally ill homeless veterans out there who cant escape their demons.

Thank you for allowing us to meet Lemar’s family and humanizing him even further. I really felt for their lost.

Thank you for the domestic bless scenes after everything that's happened. I loved Sam family life. I love Sarah, I love his nephews, I love the neighborhood. I loved the whole vibe of the town with that tint of sepia whenever they go there. It makes the whole area feel like home. Hell, I want to visit that place.

Bucky flirting with Sarah will forever be fun.

Bucky not wanting to intrude and Sam telling him to sit his butt down and stay over is beautiful and a part of my fanfic dreams. Thank you.

My god yes, Bucky apologizing for both him and Steve for overlooking what being Captain American might mean for a black american man. I would have liked to see how he came to this realization, but I'm grateful on what we got. Bucky didn't try to avoid the elephant. He said I did not think about it through the perspective of a black man and I give them a lot props for being straightforward with it and not going around it.

Sam getting Bucky to open up to him. This touched me. Sam asked Bucky straight up about his nightmares and rather than Bucky trying to lie or play it off like with his therapist, Bucky looked Sam straight in the eyes and told him the truth. The amount of trust and respect that was built between them is perfectly portrayed in this scene. Talk about progress.

I love how Sam gave Bucky some tough love and a reality check. Sam didn't hold anything back and it plays directly to his veteran therapist background. I loved Sam even more after this scene.

Sam choosing to carry the shield was handled beautifully. I’m happy he didn't just go with Isaiah view point, tragic as his story was. He considered all sides and even went to talk about it with his sister. Overall, it was Sam choice and no one else. Another scene that made me fall for Sam. 

Sam working out with the shield is one of my favorite parts of this episode. It didn’t just come immediately to Sam, he had really learn how to handle it. I love this humanizing hero that Sam represents. 

Sam nephews tracing the star on the shield was very a poetic touch 

[rockscanfly]

Sam Wilson and John Walker

I’m gonna be honest here, folks, I’m actually really impressed with what Mr. Spellman is doing with John Walker as a character. (Still unimpressed that he killed Lemar off for it, ngl, but that’s not here or there)

John Walker, and all his crazy fucked up shit and entitlement, is the natural conclusion of American white identity. “You made me, Mr. Senator. I AM Captain America”. That was a brilliant line.

John Walker has had doubts throughout all of this, but he did what he was told by the system. The system has always served him, so he felt he could trust it to steer him right. If he did what he was told, he was A Good Man. He was Worthy.

John Walker identifies himself with the shield because he has always felt unambiguously represented by Captain America and by America. That entitlement is in everything he does on the screen--It’s in the fact that he accepted the shield and the mantel in the first place (the system gave it to him and the system isn’t wrong, so it must be his), in the way he inserts himself into Sam and Bucky’s operation and tries to order them like they’re his subordinates despite having no formal juristiction over them. It's in how he told the Dora Milaje ‘You don’t have jurisdiction here” while standing in a foreign country. It's in the way he can murder a man, then turn around and act like he’s the one who’s been betrayed when he’s held accountable. 

For John Walker, there has never been a moment in his life where he felt like the shield and everything it represents wasn’t on his side. So when it’s taken away, his identity spirals and he fixates.

Spellman isn’t trying to tell a story about how individual racists are bad. He is telling a story about systems AND individuals, how individuals fit into and align and identify or otherwise define themselves by the systems that make up their world. That’s why it's so important that we get so many takes on Sam as Captain America—From Isiah, from Sarah, Rhodey, kids on the street, Sharon, Bucky, and (most importantly) Sam himself. 

And it's also why John Walker is a fantastic foil for Sam. 

Sam, as we saw in this last episode, can look inward for his identity. He’s able to take in additional information, reassess, and adapt when a system he felt aligned to no longer serves him. There’s a thousand takes from a thousand angles on who he should be and what he should do--no one is shy about telling him who they think he should be. 

But Sam Wilson’s whole character is that HE is the one who defines who Sam Wilson is going to be. 

Walker does not know who he is. He’s an empty shell, defined by a fantasy that never existed. He’s white identity in America, and he’s playing it perfectly. 

[narniangirl1994]

Although I really enjoyed the most recent episode of Falcon and the Winter Soldier, am I the only one who felt like certain things were really rushed, or at least not fully fleshed out?

Sam had that really meaningful conversation with Isaiah that made him question whether it would be wrong of him to use the shield and represent America. That scene, and the whole show really, showed the cons of taking up the shield. But when it came to the pros, not much was ever really expressly stated or even implied?

Sam has seen the government betray his trust multiple times, most of the people around him have been skeptical of and lack respect for America/Captain America, Bucky has acted entitled by trying to guilt Sam into being Cap, Walker committed an atrocity with the shield, America has shown it doesn't care about him or his family, he's seen what can happen to people given too much power, he knows what the country did to Isaiah... But then Sarah asks if he'll let Isaiah get to him and Sam just says 'what would be all the point of the pain and sacrifice if I wasn't willing to stand up and keep fighting?'... And like, what exactly does that mean?

Whose pain and sacrifice is he referring to? His, Isaiah's, black people's..? And how would continuing to fight make those terrible things any better? I'm not saying he doesn't have valid reasons, I'm just saying his decision to take up the shield kind of came out of nowhere and wasn't clearly explained, when the whole show has been about the negatives.

Maybe a scene with his nephews saying they wished they could be a hero like Captain America someday but felt like they couldn't. Or someone asking Sam why he decided to become a hero in the first place, reminding him of the good he could do as Captain America. Or people in his town saying how proud they were to see someone like them saving the world.

Or even just Sam saying a few more lines about his motivation (ie: "This country has let the wrong people represent us and make the decisions for too long. I know I can't fix everything as Captain America, but maybe I can make enough of a difference that no one has to go through what Isaiah did ever again." Or "I know this country, this shield, was covered in blood long before Walker. But if we keep letting people like him hold it and keep letting the people in power decide who gets to wield it, it will never stop being covered in blood. I'm choosing to take on all the responsibility that comes with this shield and will do everything I can to make sure it protects everyone in this country, not just some of us.")

Idk, maybe what I wrote is cheesy or something. But if you're going to have the entire show demonstrate the harm of the shield and focus on Sam's dilemma, I'm going to need more than just one vague line to explain why exactly Sam wants to finally hold it.

Same with Bucky apologizing for the way he treated Sam and acknowledging he didn't realize what it meant for a black man to be given the shield. While I was happy he finally admitted he was wrong and gave Sam the apology he deserved...where did that growth come from?

Just two scenes ago, he looked angry at Sam when he dropped the bloody shield next to him. His face looked like he blamed Sam for Walker defiling the shield. The only thing he did in between that scene and when he apologized was confront Zemo, decide to get Sam a present, and help him out on the boat/meet his family. None of those things showed him what it's like to be a black man any more than he already saw earlier in the show. None of it had anything to do with Walker's actions.

So why did he suddenly realize he was in the wrong about everything and open his eyes to the experiences of black Americans?

I loved their bonding over the boat and I guess you could argue Bucky finally felt like he had a family enough to realize he was clinging onto the shield out of fear and sadness. But the entire show he has stubbornly refused to see Sam's side of things and blamed him for his pain, so his sudden self-awareness about everything just felt too quick.

Imo, these were two defining character moments that really needed more time/explanation to make sense...

[metalzombiemiss]

Secret--Chapter 1

Characters: Negan x Original Female Character (Lily) There are some cannon characters in this story that will show up throughout.  Some are original characters. This chapter is all fluff and introduction.  Some cursing, violence, mentions of abuse/rape.  Negan is mentioned but does not show up in this chapter!  Sorry! Excuse any errors, I didn’t have a beta. Italics represent the past.

Chapter 1

           “What the fuck?” Siddiq whispered to himself as he stood watch at the gates of Alexandria.  “Holy shit. Open the fucking gates!” he shouted.

“What?!” Nathan screamed back.  

“Open the god damn gates!  We have a survivor!”  

The gates rolled open as Lily stumbled her way up the road.  Dehydrated and starving, she walked into the community.  

“What’s your name?” Nathan questioned, his hand on his gun.  “Lilly…” she managed to say before falling to the ground.

“Get her to the infirmary!  Tell Rick we have a new one!”  Siddiq ordered.  Nathan picked her up and ran to the infirmary as Gabriel made his way to Rick’s. “Rick!” Gabriel banged on the front door of Rick’s home.

The door opened, “Gabriel?  What’s wrong?”  Rick saw the look of concern on Gabriel’s face.  “A girl game to the gate.  She passed out.  Nathan is taking her to the infirmary now!” he explained, out of breath.  “I’ll meet you there,” Rick said calmly as he grabbed his crutch.  

After Negan had broken Rick’s leg it never healed right.  He couldn’t move as well or as quickly as he used to.  “What happened?”  Rick questioned as he stormed into the room.  “She passed out at the gate.  She’s more than likely dehydrated.  I need to get an IV started.  I think she’ll be alright though,” Dr. Warner answered as he grabbed saline out of the closet.  

“Let me know when she wakes up,” Rick requested, “Questions are necessary.” Dr. Warner nodded as he inserted the IV into Lily’s hand.

“You are so fucking lucky to have me,” Brad snarled while helping Lily up.  “I had it. You caused a commotion,” Lily snapped, wiping her dirty hands on her dirtier jeans.  

He grabbed her arm, “No.  You did.  You be dead without me.”  She aggressively pulled away, “Don’t fucking touch me.”  Brad raised his hand and struck her cheek.

The pain ran through her entire face.  Lily slowly turned her head, “Don’t. Fucking. Touch. Me.” He laughed, “I’ll do what I please.  Now shut the fuck up and let’s keep moving.”

Lily picked up her machete from the dirt and tried not to jam it in the back of Brad’s head.  “He’s right, Lily,” Sarah said, “We’re all still alive because of him.” Lily side-eyed Sarah and stated, “No, Sarah.  I’d be fine without him.”

“You’d be dead in days, bitch,” Lucas chimed in. Lily could feel her face get hot with anger.  “Fuck you…” she grimaced.  She rolled her eyes and shoved her machete into its holster.

“She’s waking up,” Michonne whispered.  “Where the fuck am I?” Lily’s eyes adjusted to the light.  

“Good morning. Thought we might have lost you for a minute,” Rick smiled warmly.  “Who are you?” Lily sat up slowly, her head still pounding.  “I’m Rick.  Welcome to Alexandria.”  “Alexandria? I made it all the way to Alexandria?” “Yeah, you did.  By yourself.  Have you been alone this whole time?”  Michonne asked, handing Lily a glass of water.

Lily nodded in thanks and replied, “No.  I had 3 others with me,” she took a big gulp, “They’re all dead…”

“You don’t seem upset about it,” Rick stated.  “I’m not,” she set the glass down on the table next to the bed, “One of them was my abusive prick boyfriend and the other two were a couple we met on our way south.”

“Where are you from?” Rick filled her glass.  “Nashville. Heard going south was safe. That’s wasn’t true, obviously.” “What happened to your group?” Michonne wondered.

“Two of them were killed by another group.  My boyfriend got bit,” Lily’s response was cold.  “How long were you alone?” Michonne continued her interrogation.  “I don’t know.  2 weeks?  I ran out of water 3 days ago, I think.”

“It’s a miracle that you’re alive,” Michonne stood up, “Get some rest.  We’ll be back later.”  “Thanks…” Lily lay down and closed her eyes.

 “You shouldn’t be here,” Alpha said, getting into Sarah’s face, “You need to find your own territory.”

“Fuck you!” Lucas shouted.  Alpha looked at him through the mask of skin from the dead. Lily stayed crouched down behind the bushes and tried to keep quiet. Fuck, fuck fuck, she thought.  CRACK! Alpha struck Lucas over the head with the handle of her knife.

“Lucas!” Sarah reached for him.  “DON’T TOUCH HIM!” Alpha sliced Sarah’s arm. “FUCK!!!” Sarah grabbed the wound and winced.  

“Here’s what’s going to happen: You stole our things so we steal your lives.  Understand?” Brad perked up, “If you’re gonna kill us, you need to kill all of us.  My dumb bitch of a girlfriend is in those bushes.”

“Fucking hell…” Lily whispered.  She felt a hand grab her arm and was quickly jolted to her feet.  She glared at Brad as she was taken to Alpha.  He gave her a smirk.  “You’re too pretty to die,” Alpha grabbed Lily’s face and examined her pale skin, “We’ll keep you.”

She shot a look over to a wide-eyed Sarah who was still trying to stop the bleeding.  “Kill her,” Alpha calmly demanded.  “NO!” Sarah screamed.

 Lily woke up in a cold sweat.  The image of the knife wouldn’t go away.  She couldn’t stop seeing it go through their necks.  The sound of bone still echoing in her mind.  She sat up in the stolen hospital bed.  Her sigh was loud enough to get Dr. Warner’s attention from the other room.  

“Hungry?” he questioned.  Lily nodded. “Hang tight.  I’ll get you something.”  She moved herself to the side of the bed.  “What the hell is this place?” she asked to no one.   “It’s our own little community,” a voice came from behind her.  She jumped off the bed and gasped.  “Sorry. Didn’t mean to scare you!” Rick hobbled in with a smile.

“It’s okay.  But how?  How did you create this?” her hazel eyes glanced around the makeshift doctor’s office.  Rick helped himself to a seat, “Well, we met so many people with so many backgrounds and we taught each other how to plant and raise animals and make clothing.  We created all of this.  We even managed to expand the area and build more shelter. We have builders and farmers and chefs here.  We find a job for everyone.  Tell me, Lily, what did you do before all of this?”  Lily sat back down on the bed and said, “I was a pathologist.”

“What is that?” Rick seemed genuinely curious.  “I mostly performed autopsies.  I’m really good with dead people.  Well, dead people who don’t come back.”  “So you’re a doctor?”  “Well, I have my MD but I chose to work with the dead because they didn’t betray me. Then they did and it all went to shit.”

Dr. Warner walked in with a grilled cheese sandwich and a glass of water.  “Thank you,” she smiled.  “It isn’t much but hopefully it’ll help subside the hunger,” he expressed. “This is great.  Thanks,” she repeated.

She took a bite and tears nearly streamed down her face.  “How do you have cheese?!” she inquired.  “We have cows and we have people who know how to make it.” Rick explained.  “Amazing…” She couldn’t remember the last time she ate something that wasn’t a squirrel or rabbit.  

“Can you tell me more about the people you were with?” Rick continued the interrogation.  She nodded as she took another bite.  “We were traveling, trying to find supplies. We came across a camp.  I tried to get them to keep moving but they wanted to take their stuff.  They were still there so I thought it would be wrong to take their things but I wasn’t in charge so I had no say.  Anyway, they had me keep watch.  Long story, short, the group who caught us killed the other two we were with.  They tried to keep my boyfriend and me but we managed to escape after they…” tear welled up in her eyes, “So we escaped. But in the commotion, he got bit. His hand was a mess.  I could have amputated it and saved him but…I killed him instead.”  She took another bite of the sandwich and looked at Rick, just waiting for his disappointed stare.

“Well, if you killed him, there was a good reason for it.  You don’t seem like the type who would let someone die for no reason,” he remarked.  “He was a prick.  He hit me, called me horrible things.  He…anyway, he was awful and I was far too happy to be rid of him.”

Rick nodded, “You don’t need to explain a thing.  You’re safe now.”  “For now. If you could spare some food and water, I’ll be out of your hair in a few days,” Lily set her empty plate down on the bed.  

“What? No, Lily, you don’t understand.  You’re welcome here.  This can be your new home.  I’m offering you safety.  A home. A job.  A bed.  A shower.” Lily’s ears perked up, “Shower?” Rick laughed, “Yeah!  It’s not always hot but it’ll get you clean!”  She smiled, “It could be ice cold and it would still be better than bathing in a fucking creek or a river!”  “I think you should spend one more night here. Tomorrow, we’ll find you a home and figure out a job for you.”

She smiled, “Thank you, Rick.  You’ve saved my life.”  “Rest up. We have a lot to go over tomorrow.” Rick gave Lily a smirk and made his way out of the room.  “A home?” Lily whispered to herself.  A smile crept up on her face.

[ahamartia]

2, 3, 5, 9 💕

⊱ASKS FOR MUNS WITH A MULTIMUSE OR MORE THAN ONE MUSE⊰

2 – if you HAD to choose, who’s your favorite muse?

*Squints at you, Sarah. Squints at you hard.* 

OH GOD. Well, I won’t lie, I am currently infatuated with Kuroh, but like basically this blog is a compiled list of Maria’s favorites. I love them all to pieces. 

3 – which muse is the trickiest to get into character for?

Definitely Rorschach. He is toxic, and i love/hate playing him. He’s such an interesting character, but like on some days… I just don’t have it in me. That said, the muse for him fires back every once in a while, and when that happens I can’t be stopped.

5 – if you HAD to choose, who’s your least favorite muse?

UGH THIS EVEN WORSE THAN PICKING FAVORITES.

I guess Rorschach but just for the same reasons stated above. He can be hard to get in character for.

9 – why were you drawn to each one of your characters?

HMMM okay well lets go in order.

For Vic I really love his weird juxtaposition of being zen and also very wrathful… I enjoy that it is something he has to remind himself of, and the fact that when he smiles you can’t help wondering, what the fuck are you smiling at bruh. Like he can be disconcerting, but he is also undeniably good. He doesn’t always believe it himself, but I know he is. Also, he is very easy going, down for literally anything. Vic is very much a man who is constantly working on himself, he had a hard past, and it was so learning, but he figured out that he was more than what the world saw of him. I love that he puts on this pretense of being kind of arrogant, but he’s not fooling himself. Just the people not looking close enough. And I can’t not mention the beautiful ship that emerged from my partnership with @true-augurey. The augurey and the butterfly FEEDS MY HEART.

For Jeremiah where do I even start. I thought he was hilarious watching the first season of Code Geass. Like he was such an ass, and such a meme, and all he wanted was respect, but he was just not getting it. Then somewhere along season 2 there’s the whole big plot twist where his motivations are revealed and he suddenly went from meme to fleshed out character in my mind and I just died. He’s got LOYALTY man. And something I really love about him is emotions. When he feels something, he feels it, be it anger or love, or what have you. I love that he cries, and I know that I was making fun of him for this last night, but I do love that side of him. He is an emotional man. I love that when he was turned into a cyborg he hated it (so much he cried aha). Like it isn’t explained why, but it’s something I wonder about a lot. And since we’re being honest, I kinda really dug his character design. In that I mean I thought he was hot ahah

For Kuroh I just could gush about him all day. I think it boils down to the discipline he thinks he has, but he’s so easily ruffled that you realize he’s not nearly as stoic as he’d have you believe. I also love how beautiful he is aha I legitimately thought he was a female character when he was introduced and then he talked and I was like WOAH DEEP VOICE. I love his sword, and his little recorder, and the fact that he puts off murdering some dude to cook breakfast. Cook breakfast FOR HIM. FOR THE DUDE HE IS TRYING TO MURDER. I love how humble he is, like he doesn’t see himself as much more than a servant even though Master Ichigen clearly loved him like a son and Shiro loved him like a friend (*cough* boyfriend *cough*). And who could forget the scene when Neko jumps out naked in front of him and he drops all to cover his eyes aha. I love that he is mom/wife friend, and that he carries a needle in thread up his sleeve for emergencies. And that he knows how to pilot an effin HELICOPTER. I’m gonna stop here because if I don’t I won’t ever.

For Scar I honestly started liking him because he reminded me a lot of Rorschach, but now that I’ve watched the anime all the way through and had time to reflect on his character I know that he is so much more than that. I enjoy the fact that he was a monk before everything went down. It’s just… that juxtaposition again because the Scar we are introduced to at the start of the anime is not peaceful at all. I love him because he is honest, like he knows he is fucked up, but he’s resigned himself to this fate. I love him because as much as I wanna know his real name, he is still kind of a mystery! DAMMIT AND HIS RELATIONSHIP WITH MEI JUST MELTS MY HEART. and his willingness to work with the squad at the end for the greater good. I love that about most things he is so indifferent, he is very neutral when it’s not a subject of life or death. This is a weird thing for me to love, but like, i love how many scenes he is in, and has 0 dialogue in. Everyone has something to say except Scar, he just keeps it to himself. Like… Damn. I love him.

My main Squeeze MINERVA. Mcgonagall is a character that has been with me all my life. Harry Potter has always been a huge part of my life, and she has always been one of my favorites. Recently she has become THE favorite though. Now, to get into the specifics. I love how she does not take shit from anybody, and how she is so filled with compassion for the people who deserve it, but she will not tolerate malicious people. Like how she stood up against Umbridge, she was one of the only people who did not fear that devil woman, and carried on business as usual, refusing to be bullied by her. I love that her animagus is a cat. Just a random detail, but I love it so much. She is such a good professor, like not only does she know her shit but she also encourages the students to reach their fullest potential, like she schools Harry all the time, and when she makes sure he realizes he still has a chance to become an Auror. Lets not forget her killer wit. I will confess now that my wit does not live up to her’s on any level, which is my greatest wrong by her. That won’t stop me from trying though ahah

Alright. So Rorschach. He is just so complicated, and I fell into the same trap that so many others did. So what makes such an unlikable guy so loved in the fandom? It has got to be his blatant, undeniable humanity. In many ways Rorschach represents the victims he defends. He was abused (in every way imaginable), and he was betrayed, and hated, and yet he continues to defend in his own twisted way. What attracts me is that he is this scary, ugly, no compromise dude, but at his core he remains the little boy with no friends, no love. Like not even his mother loved him, and that kills me. His last words he is screaming for Jon to go ahead and kill him, and he knows there is no way around it, but he refuses to back down. He stands by what he believes in till death, no matter how wrong he is, and we see him in tears in that moment, and the vulnerability always gets me. I realize this is all incoherent babble at this point, so I’m just gonna conclude it by saying. I like how he ate a raw egg. And I like how he steals Dan’s belongings. 

For Laurie I love this woman so much. She kicks butt for one, like literally, and I love a woman who can kick my butt. And your butt for that matter. I’m attracted to the conflict within her too because she is very much her father’s daughter even though she despises him and everything he stands for. She states over and over again that she is happy she doesn’t have to be a hero anymore, that she always hated it, but a big suppressed part of her misses it a lot. And the way I interpret that is she misses the violence of it, she misses the opportunity to let out steam because she is an incredibly angry individual, which by the way is another reason I love her. And I’ll conclude this by commenting on the fact that she kicks ass in HEALS. Take that assholes ! ahah !

So Eden is by far my least used muse, but I haven’t taken her off the list because I’m still very interested in exploring her character. Tbh it’s been a while since I watched Heroes, but she is one of the many characters from that show that intrigues me. She is another mystery, and that side of her always appealed to me. We don’t know much about where she comes from, though we can assume that she’s seen a lot. I love how she’s got these innocent doe eyes, and cute little girl next door look about her, but on the inside that is so far from who she really is. I always play her as a liar, like every move she makes is calculated, and it’s not even conscious anymore. Despite that her morals are clear, and we see that in her guilt at having to play Isaac the way she does. Also, her power is just the coolest shit. That’s why when I had a blog for her the url was Big Voiced Hero. Because she’s so soft spoken, but people fucking listen. 

And last but not least, Teddy! Now, I have fun with Teddy. He’s the closest thing to an OC I have on this blog, and I was more than happy for a chance to develop his character, and I love what he’s turned into so far. With all of these dark shits it’s nice to have some sun shine in my life. I like that Teddy is kind of mischievous, but it is because he is so fun loving like his momma. Which brings me to my next point, metamorphmagus nuf said. 

[davidcarner]

Sarah vs The Life Unexpected Ch 11, Sub-Missions and Knives

A/N: Welcome back to the "Mollyverse".  Thank you all for the reviews and messages.  I apologize but the updates will be less frequent the next few weeks due to Christmas, family, and me playing Daddy Uber.  The next update will actually be the Christmas story, which has two more chapters to go.  Set back, and get ready, for Sub-Missions and Knives

Disclaimer: I don't own Chuck, but I do have a butcher block of knives

Chuck eyes flew open. There was a terrible noise, and an elbow caught him in the face. Not hard, but enough to make his eyes water. He turned to see who had assaulted him and all he saw was a bare back and blonde hair flying. She turned around wielding a knife, which made Chuck freeze. Sarah saw Chuck, and stopped mid-turn. The sheet fell down to her waist, and Chuck's brain didn't know what to do. She was holding a knife, she was naked, and he was supposed to be a gentleman and not look. A grin started to cover Sarah's face as she thought she actually saw smoke coming out of his ears.

"Are you going to turn off that awful sound?" Sarah asked. Chuck wanted to speak, move, do anything, but his brain was shot. She grinned at him. "Guess I'll have to do it," and began to reach across him to turn off the alarm clock.

"Gah," he managed. Sarah got the alarm clock turned off, and slowly moved back, when two hands caught her just under her ribs. He began to slowly trace his fingers up her sides. "Two can play that game," he said into her ear. She thought her brain might shut off. He bent in to kiss her where her neck met her collar bone when they heard a voice.

"Molly, the door's shut, don't go in there," Emma said.

"Did you lock the door?" Sarah whispered, flying back under the covers. Chuck shrugged, trying to remember.

"At one point," he whispered back. "But then I opened it."

"I locked it at one point this morning."

"I know, I was there," he replied. She gave him a look. "Sorry, I opened it back, who shut it the third time?" Sarah shrugged.

"I have no idea," she admitted. The knock on the door came and the two shared a look. "Come in?" she said, not sure what to do. Emma opened the door carefully, noticed they were appropriate and stuck her head in, smiling.

"Chuck, Molly would like a word with you, when you have a minute. Sarah, Casey called, you have a meeting with the general this morning," with that she started to leave, paused, and turned back. "Sarah, it's not good form to murder someone else's alarm clock."

"She do that often?" Chuck asked, knowing he really shouldn't.

"We've gone through four," she said. "In the last six months." Chuck turned to look at her, she shrugged, innocently.

"Mommy, I need to talk to Daddy by himself!" Molly yelled.

"Would you like me to take the kids to school?" Emma asked, fighting the grin on her face.

"Naeiou," Sarah replied. "The alarm clock went off to go to work, and that's what we're going to do."

"I wasn't sure what it was for," she said, unable to resist and left. Chuck turned to Sarah.

"Did your mom just suggest…" he couldn't finish that sentence. Sarah nodded, grinned, and leaned over to kiss him. After a few seconds, Chuck pulled back, knowing that if he didn't they were going to be late. "Work," he croaked. Sarah leaned her forehead against his.

"Carina is going to bug me all day," Sarah said, trying to hold back a giggle.

"Great, I'm going to be the subject of gossip all day," Chuck said, not mad at all. Sarah hit him playfully in the chest.

"I guess I better get up, so you and Molly can have your talk," she said. She found his PJs and tossed them to him, as he tried to get dressed while giving her some privacy. "Really?" Chuck peaked over his shoulder, saw she had a robe on and turned toward her. She had an amused expression on her face.

"I'm trying to be respectful," Chuck replied. She walked over and kissed him.

"You're sweet," she said, heading for the door.

"Golly gee, ma'am, thanks for making me feel like I'm eight." Sarah turned and looked at him. Chuck got the feeling that she was a lion stalking her prey and he was fresh meet.

"Chuck," she said softly. "We both know I don't think your eight," and with that she walked out. Chuck gulped. Molly stuck her head in the room.

"Got a minute?" she asked.

"Just one, and then I need to get ready for work," he replied. Molly shut the door and came and sat down beside him on the bed.

"I'm really sorry," she said. Chuck was a little taken aback. "I pushed things too hard, and I want to make it better, but you know I'm going to want to be around you and Mommy at night, and Clara is too, so I had an idea if you'd like to hear it."

"Sure."

"I have a sub-mission for you."

"You may spend too much time with Casey," Chuck said, grinning.

"Listen, I'm serious. You can't get time here alone with her, but what about lunch? She has to eat, doesn't she? And, since Morgan was involved with my plan, and you know how good he is about picking out food, you can rope him in. Maybe just bring her lunch today, a picnic tomorrow, she loves chocolate eclairs, maybe one for breakfast one day."

"I like it, simple, yet thoughtful. How'd you get so smart?"

"People don't always notice a five-year old around. They say things and I just remember."

"Okay, lunch today?"

"Medium-rare cheeseburger, extra pickles," Molly said.

"You sure?" Molly looked almost insulted.

"Would I lead you wrong?" Chuck threw his head back and laughed at that. He pulled her in for a hug. "I owe you a video game night still. Don't think I've forgotten."

"Let's get Clara's party planned first," Molly replied.

"I've actually been thinking about that," Sarah said, coming into the bedroom. "Didn't mean to eavesdrop."

"Uh-huh," Molly said. She leaned over to Chuck. "She says that, but she always manages too." Chuck laughed at that as well.

"Well, how about I go get showered and dressed, while you two hash out the plans."

}o{

Chuck sat quietly in the vehicle on the way to work from preschool.

"You think Molly and Mrs. Wood will do anything but talk about us today?" Sarah asked, amused.

"I think she'd plan our wedding if we'd let her," Chuck said, not even thinking about the implications of what he'd just said. Sarah turned to look at him as it dawned on him. He just put his face in his hand.

"I finally get everyone to calm down about us, and then I go and say that," Chuck groaned. Sarah laughed and rubbed his shoulder.

"I know what you meant, and you're probably right," she agreed.

"Where are you going?" Chuck asked.

"Taking you to work, and getting my car."

"I thought we had a meeting this morning about Carmichael Industries?"

"I have to talk to the general first, Sweetie," Sarah replied.

"Okay, two things, one, don't you think as a company about to be taken over I should be there to represent Intersect Games so as not to throw suspicion about who Charles Carmichael is? Two, I'm totally fine with you calling me sweetie." Sarah made a turn in traffic.

"I kinda forgot about Intersect Games," Sarah admitted. Chuck tried to look hurt. "I'll make it up to you."

"Just don't tell Morgan, he won't be a sucker like me," Chuck said grinning. He pulled out his phone and sent a text. A few seconds and a ding later, he smiled. "I invited Morgan to come to the big meeting telling him it was all about financials. He begged out."

"It has nothing to do with financials," Sarah said.

"Sarah, if he comes to this meeting there is no telling what he will say, and there will be no acquisition, and then there will be no financials for Intersect Games," Chuck said seriously.

"I'm still shocked how two guys so smart are so bad at running a business," Sarah admitted, pulling into Burton Industries. Chuck got out and walked around the front of the vehicle. He looked at the building and Sarah stood there beside him. "What are we waiting for?" she whispered.

"Just steadying myself for whatever is going to happen in there," Chuck replied. "While I'm good with people, when it comes to my business, both professional and personal, it's been a while since I let anyone in." Sarah slipped her hand in his. He looked down at their hands and back up at her.

"Thanks for trusting me," she said, smiling.

"Always," he replied, and pulled up their hands, kissing hers.

"I'm here, this is no big deal," she said. "We make this cover, and you're safe."

"Who's the general?"

"Diane Beckman, NSA," she said. Chuck gulped and seemed to look a little pale.

"You sure she doesn't know who I am?"

"She knows who Chuck Bartowski is, but she doesn't know who Piranha is," she said, smiling. "And, I plan on keeping it that way." Chuck nodded.

"Let's do this," he said, and they walked inside together, holding hands.

}o{

Thirty minutes later, Chuck wanted to crawl under the table. Beckman had told them there was no reason the NSA should get involved and help them out. Sarah and Casey used every trick they knew and in the end, Beckman said they had nothing to offer unless they wanted to reenlist. Beckman signed off ending the hopes of Carmichael Industries. Sarah shook her head.

"She's mad at me for taking you," she said to Casey.

"I never thought she'd stoop that low," Casey replied.

"Word is the NSA and CIA have their hands full with rogue agents," Carina said. "She probably has no idea who to trust." Sarah looked at the flash drive that contained the encryption.

"The funny thing is, that drive could probably fix most of her problems," Sarah said.

"Which also means she really can't create a cover identity for Carmichael," Casey added. Chuck looked up.

"So let me get this right, all she could really do is look the other way if I made a cover identity, but she won't because she'll get nothing out of it?" Chuck asked. Sarah nodded.

"If Carina's right and they are facing rogue agents, she's desperate to even trust us to come back," Sarah added. Casey grunted.

"Not to toot my own horn, but she knows I'd never betray my country and I'd never work with someone who would," Casey said. Chuck's mind was racing. He knew how to fix this. He reached over and picked up the flash drive. Sarah watched him.

"What are you thinking?" she asked. Chuck grinned.

"You trust me?" Chuck asked.

"With my life," Sarah said softly. Chuck walked over and hit the screen reestablishing the link to Beckman, Casey's eyes nearly bugged out of his head. Beckman's screen came on, and she stared at the monitor.

"I thought I made myself perfectly clear!" Beckman said reaching to disconnect the call.

"Perfectly clear you don't have a clue of what's being offered to you," Chuck replied. Casey sucked in air. Sarah's eyes opened wide, and Carina just smiled.

"Whatever you did to that boy last night must have been something," Carina whispered to Sarah. Sarah couldn't help but grin.

"Do you know who you are talking to?" Beckman asked.

"Someone who's getting beat at every turn and is so paranoid she's refusing a saving hand," Chuck replied. Beckman studied him.

"You've got one minute." Chuck shrugged.

"You've got one minute," he countered. Beckman couldn't believe what she was hearing. "Listen, I have it on good authority you're battling rogue spies, personally I don't care, but this," he said holding up the flash drive. "Could fix many problems. This will stop 95% of those searching for information. Without the proper password, agents won't be able to access information. This is the first thing Carmichael Industries will market, and we're willing to let you have it for free, just to help us set up. If you do, then maybe we can help you. You get a lead on a certain site, our hacker can get in, get out, with the information you want."

"You have no one with that kind of skill," Beckman scoffed. Chuck rolled his eyes.

"We have many with those types of skills. I'm the worst of the bunch and I'm better than anyone you have. I swear I should just hang up," Chuck said turning toward the power button. He caught Casey's eyes and gave him a look that he hoped Casey would interpret.

"Wait, Chuck," Casey said, trying to figure this out. "This is our country we're talking about. She just doesn't understand." Chuck paused, nodded, and turned back to Beckman who was becoming very interested.

"Is your computer on the NSA network?" Chuck asked.

"Of course it is."

"And, you believe it is secure?"

"Absolutely." Chuck scoffed and turned to Sarah.

"How long?" he asked her, a twinkle in his eye.

"Ten minutes?" she replied. Chuck looked insulted.

"Five," Casey answered. Chuck nodded. He walked over and pulled out his laptop out of his bag.

"General, I'm going to hack your system in five minutes or less to prove to you how bad your security is. I expect full immunity from what I'm about to do." Beckman thought, and then answered with a sinister smile.

"If you're caught I'll disavow you, but if you can do it, full immunity," she replied. Chuck stared at her.

"Caught?" he asked. Beckman grinned.

"Scared, Bartowski?" she sneered. Chuck laughed.

"You can go tell your staff what's about to happen, and they'll never even know I was there." He turned to Sarah. "Will you start a timer?" Sarah pulled out her phone. "Go," he said, and his fingers began to fly. "General, are you're lights in the office connected to the internet?" he asked. Beckman started to answer when it suddenly got very dark in her office. Chuck just smiled. Sarah covered her mouth with her hand to keep the general from seeing her laugh. Beckman's printer started to print off "General Becky" in huge font. Chuck kept typing. "Ohhh, that's a big hole there. I'm gonna fix that, free of charge." Chuck typed some more. Beckman's computer monitor went black, and suddenly it said, Chuck – 1, Beckman – 0 on her monitor. Chuck stopped typing. Two minutes were left on the clock. Chuck sat there staring at her.

"Bartowski, fix it!" she yelled.

"Are you going to help us?"

"Who are you?"

"That's for you to figure out, General," he replied. "Now do we have a deal?"

"Deal," she said. Chuck looked at Casey, who nodded. Chuck hit enter, and everything in Beckman's office went back to normal. Chuck stood up. "I'll leave the rest of the negotiations to you and the Sarah," Chuck said. "Good day, General," and Chuck walked out of the conference room with out looking at anyone or saying a word. As soon as he rounded the corner out of sight, he quickly found a restroom. It was a few minutes before his stomach was empty, his nerves calm, and he felt back to normal. He washed his face, and rinsed his mouth out from the terrible taste.

"Nerves?" Casey asked. Chuck nearly jumped through the ceiling. He hadn't heard him come in or come up beside him. Chuck could only nod. "Good idea not drinking your thinking juice in front of her."

"What most don't know is it also helps keeps me calm," Chuck answered.

"Stomach settled?" Casey asked. Chuck shook his head.

"No, but it was empty, so… Casey I took on a General, what was I thinking?" Chuck asked.

"That you knew the only way to get this to work was to show her how wrong she was. It was stupid, moronic, and very brave. You were the only one who could save us, and you did. She'll never find out from me that you're Piranha, you have my word," he said, reaching his hand out. Chuck shook it. Casey noticed he was still a little unsteady.

"I just got us put on NSA missions didn't I?"

"Not exactly, a few maybe, but nothing you or Walker have to be in the field for. If you're behind the computer, and Sarah's running Ops, we should be fine."

"How good is Sarah in the field, Casey?" Casey looked at him, and decided if he could ask the question, then he could hear the answer.

"When she was in the field, she was one of the best. They called her the Enforcer, the Ice Queen. There was no one better, but Molly changed all of that. Molly helped her find her soul before she lost it, and Sarah helped Carina and I find ours. The spy business is a nasty, soul-sucking life, but we were the best. Now, we help everyday people, and I can't believe I'm saying this, but I love it. Know this, if someone tried to take you, Molly, Clara, or anyone Sarah loved…" Casey grunted a laugh. "I wouldn't like their odds of staying on this earth for long."

"Hey what are you two doing in there," Sarah yelled from the door.

"Getting my makeup on straight," Chuck answered.

"Bartowski, you're a moron, but you're alright," Casey said.

}o{

Chuck sat in his office reading the reviews of the game about to be released. He couldn't believe how high the scores the game was getting. He sat back, somewhat relived. He noticed movement around the door.

"What, Morgan," Chuck said. Morgan put his head in the door, smiled, glided to the chair in front of Chuck's desk, and sat there.

"I need details," Morgan said. Chuck just stared at him. "Come on, Chuck, you're glowing. Alex just raved at what you did to a NSA General."

"It's probably from throwing up from talking to Beckman," Chuck replied. Morgan remained unfazed.

"Chuck," he began, paused, took a deep breath, and decided to let him have it. "In the past nine years you haven't done one thing that required a risk. It took me five years to convince you to do this, and if hadn't been for that seed money you never would have agreed."

"It was the Awesomes," Chuck grumbled.

"Well, of course it was the Awesomes! Today you did something that was such a risk I hardly even recognized it as being from you, but then, I remembered. There was this guy, who would do anything for anyone, and I realized you haven't changed, you just finally let yourself be in a situation that could help other people."

"Morgan, I did it mostly for me," Chuck answered. Morgan put his hands on the desk and looked right at his friend.

"If this merger or whatever doesn't go through I have no job," Morgan said. Chuck sat quietly for a moment, uncomfortable, and finally nodded.

"If this game isn't a success the doors close," Morgan continued.

"We're getting amazing reviews," Chuck countered.

"Chuck, buddy, come on, you're good at this, but you, you my friend are made for more. Sarah Walker, has helped you find yourself, and as your best friend, I so approve. Why do you think I wanted it to happen so bad?" Chuck couldn't resist getting his buddy back for what he had done to him for the past several weeks where it came to Sarah.

"She knows," Chuck said, just watching his friend. Morgan looked around worried. He leaned in.

"Who?" he asked, his voice rising several octaves.

"Sarah."

"About, what?" his voice still many octaves too high.

"Project OMAHA," Chuck answered. Morgan went pale. "How you came up with the name." Morgan adjusted his shirt collar.

"You covered for me, right?" Chuck just looked at him.

"So far. I've been given a sub-mission," Chuck said softly. Morgan calmed and nodded.

"The general, right?" Chuck just looked at him. "Molly," he said softly, but insistently.

"Molly is behind everything?!" Chuck exclaimed. "This is too much!" Morgan tried to shush him.

"Look, that kid is scary. I'm sure Sarah's been training her." Chuck just looked at his friend. "How can I help? The sub-mission?" Chuck leaned in.

"Since my nights are filled by children, I need to try to use lunch to date her," Chuck said. Morgan nodded.

"See, she's good, isn't she? Picnic!" he said, snapping his fingers and pointing at Chuck. "That will take a day or so to organize. What about today?" Chuck leaned in.

"Funny you should ask," he said.

}o{

Sarah sat at her computer, working. Her stomach made a noise, but she didn't have time to go out and get anything right now. She loved her boyfriend, but she thought he would give her a stroke, heart attack, and some other physical aliment all at the same time with the stunt he pulled this morning. Beckman was in, Chuck would probably have to create the cover identity to be safe, but it was going to happen. Carmichael Industries would soon be a thing. Her stomach let her know that hunger was now a thing. She found herself sniffing at something delicious smelling, coming down the hallway. She looked up, almost thinking she could see the aroma in the air, when she saw her favorite site in the doorway, grinning, holding a bad that was emitting that smell.

"Hey, Beautiful," he said.

"Hey yourself," she said and then her stomach growled.

"Sounds like part of you is more excited to see me than other parts," Chuck said. "Mind if I come in?"

"Is the burger coming with you?"

"Well, I should hope so, it yours." Sarah just stared at him.

"I may eat, then lock that door and quench another hunger," Sarah said, grinning. Chuck gulped.

"Don't you have a lot of work to do?" Chuck asked, looking around nervously. Sarah laughed at him.

"Don't make me chase you down," she said, with a coy look on her face. Chuck walked over, sat down in the chair across from her grinning. He handed her the bag. She opened it, took one whiff and moaned.

"I think I'm jealous," he said, smiling. Sarah chuckled. "Do you have a knife?" Sarah reached down and pulled one out of her ankle hostler.

"Okay, that's impressive, a little intimidating, and I'm more turned on than I really should be," Sarah burst out laughing with that one. She cut the burger in half, took hers, and began to scarf it down. She was about three bites in, trying not to moan again, when she noticed Chuck not only had not touched his, but was trying not to laugh.

"Aren't you going to eat?" she asked when she had managed to finish chewing.

"You know, the way you're going to town on that, I'm afraid I'd lose a hand if you decided you wanted that other half," Chuck said. Sarah was nearly crying trying to hold back the laughter.

"Sorry, when I like something I go after it," she said, giving him a look as she bit into her burger. Chuck's ears turned red. "Okay, changing the subject, you nearly gave me a heart attack today with what you did."

"Sorry, it was the only way I could see us getting what we were after," Chuck said, shuffling in the chair.

"No, you don't understand. I get it, and it was the right move, it's just…"

"Sarah, that's me. That's the guy you brought out that's been trapped inside. I hope you like him." Sarah shook her head, grinning.

"Chuck, I love him. And, if he doesn't pick up his burger in the next five seconds, I'm going to eat his part too." Chuck grinned and motioned for her to take it. She reached down and started in on it.

"So tomorrow, I was thinking if you have a little time we could leave the office for lunch." Sarah nodded, still chewing. "Do you want me to leave the two of you alone?"

"Nope," she said, finishing off the burger. "I'm done with it." She gave him a look. "Now I need to go exercise."

"I think that's some sort of sexual harassment." Sarah leaned in.

"Isn't sexual harassment the unwanted advance?" Chuck thought for a second.

"Definitely not sexual harassment," he replied.

"You do know this will only get worse once we start working together?" Sarah asked. Chuck shook his head. "There is a supply closet down the hall."

"The one you caught Carina and Casey in?" he asked. She nodded. "No, thank you," Chuck said, shaking his head.

"There's one on your side of the building too. Seriously, you want a tour?"

"Not yet. Let's make sure it all actually happens first," Chuck replied. Sarah nodded.

"Then, I hate to be this way, but the sooner I get all of this done the sooner you can move in." Chuck stood up and started to leave. "Oh, speaking of moving in, Emma's been moving things in all day apparently."

"Oh?" Chuck replied. "I thought we were going to help her."

"Emma can be a little stubborn," Sarah said.

"Runs in the family," Chuck muttered. "Blood related or not."

"Hey," Sarah said, smiling. "I heard that."

"Love you," Chuck said retreating quickly.

"Love you. Thanks for lunch, see you in a few hours?" Chuck nodded, and headed back to work.

}o{

Sarah was just putting the final touch on the paperwork. Chuck would have to help her create the alias, but everything else was done. Her phone rang and she smiled seeing who it was.

"I was just about to call you," Sarah said.

"I need a big favor," Chuck said, nearly out of breath.

"Sure, what is it," she said straightening and preparing to take someone out.

"They want to interview us. Intersect Games. Me, Morgan. They want to interview us."

"Okay," she said, not sure of the emergency.

"I hate to ask this-"

"Chuck!" she cut in.

"Right, spiraling. Can you please take my vehicle and get the girls?" he asked.

"Okay, but what's the big favor?"

"That's the favor," he said confused. Sarah chuckled.

"Chuck, what am I going to do with you?"

"Love me forever?"

"Okay," she answered, a smile on her face. "Anything else?"

"No, Alex is taking care of the wardrobe. Sorry, we've been kinda using her in that department for a while."

"Okay, but going forward, I get some say in what you wear," she answered.

"She said you'd say that. Thank you, Sarah. I'll see you tonight. I love you."

"Love you, knock 'em dead."

}o{

Sarah collected the girls and started to the apartment. She and Emma had decided that they needed to continue to pack and bring a load over. She was thinking about how much her life had changed, and how much she loved it, when she saw Molly watching her and grinning.

"How was lunch?" she asked. Sarah smiled.

"He brought me a burger, medium-well, extra pickles." Molly made a "yes" fist pump. "He wants to do something tomorrow." Molly just smiled. "So, ma'am, what is your endgame?"

"You two married," Molly said, not one bit bashful. "You both deserve to be happy."

"He makes me happy, Molly."

"Me too," she said. "What about you, Clara?"

"Appy!"

"That poor guy doesn't have a chance," Sarah said softly. "Not that he minds."

"So about my baby brother," Molly began. Sarah rolled her eyes, but smiled. One day, there would be a baby, one day.

A/N: Hope you all enjoyed it! See you soon.

DC

[madsigano]

Because you Love to Hate me- Book review

Warning: May contain spoilers!

Because you Love to Hate me was a book I had been dying to get a hold of ever since a few of my favourite Booktubers mentioned this collaboration. 

The book contains 13 short stories of villains, each author paired with a Booktuber to give them a prompt for said short story. I have to admit, some stories I absolutely loved... others I either had a neutral or slightly negative opinion of. Let’s go through them:

The Blood of Imuriv by Renee Ahdieh, prompt by Christine Riccio:

This short story prompt was “The Grandson of an Evil, Matriarchal Dictator who tried to rule over the universe wants to follow in her footsteps and accidentally loses his temper, killing his sibling in a game of chess”. Wow, Christine. That’s a prompt and a half. 

The thing about this story was that although it was very good, there was too much content for the reader to fully grasp the storyline itself. This would make for a good book, but the shortened version left my head thinking the story lacked, simply from the amount of information that had to be thrown at the reader for the story to make sense. Christine- although I love her- could have maybe made the prompt a little easier for Renee to write something readers would appreciate more. That said, if this short was made into a novel, I can guarantee I would enjoy it more. 

3/5 stars.

Jack by Ameriie, prompt by Tina Burke:

The prompt given for this story was “Jack and the Beanstalk meets Phalaris of Agrigento”. One of the more well thought out ideas for a prompt, I’ll give you that, Tina.

However this was one of the stories I didn’t enjoy as much. Don’t get me wrong, I love a good “take a childhood classic and remake it”... but this just didn’t grab me. I rarely find a book I struggle to read through, but this was one. The character to me didn’t feel villain-y, and I also struggled to connect with her. 

The friendship between man and giant didn’t really feel like that, which is probably why the ending didn’t shock me as much as I think Ameriie was intending. 

It shocked me, but only in the way that there was no build up. Had I been given hints to this happening it may have affected me, but I personally felt it was a bit hit-and-miss.

2/5 stars.

Gwen and Art and Lance by Soman Chainani, prompt by Samantha Lane:

The prompt for this story was “A modern-day mash-up of the King Arthur Legend and Persephone-Hades Myth”. As someone who avidly loves all things myth and legend, I had high hopes for this one, Samantha.

However, this didn’t feel evil. I loved the context and the layout of text-style storytelling, I thought this was pretty creative actually. But this didn’t fit with the book for me. I was expecting one of the boys to act more like Hades and be cunning in his pursuit of Gwen, or for Gwen herself to feel a bit more villain-y. But I just got that High School not even the meanest of mean girl vibe.

2/5 stars.

Shirley and Jim by Susan Dennard, prompt by Sasha Alsberg:

“A young Moriarty”. Many things to be done with that prompt. I maybe would have expected the story to just be about Moriarty and his psychopathic ways coming to the surface, like a true origin story. But I got a gender-bent Sherlock and John. As teenage girls swooning over teenage-hottie-new-guy Jim Moriarty. 

Okay... I was actually surprised at how much I ended up liking this one. Sherlock is one of my favourite shows, and yes I am one of those people who ship Johnlock and/or Jimlock. So for Moriarty and Shirley to be a kind-of couple warmed my little shipper heart. 

But the end. It was so well done. The twists and the explanations just... Ah! 

4/5 stars.

The Blessing of Little Wants by Sarah Enni, prompt by Sophia Lee:

The author’s prompt for this story was “ A Dark Sorcerer’s motives for seeking immortality or Omnipotence”. First thing you think is, “Voldemort!” right? (If you haven’t figured already I skipped to the prompt before reading the story itself). But alas, no Tom Riddle for us.

I got serious Magneto vibes instead, and I’m not complaining. I was confused to the extreme; WAS HE REAL?! I thought he was part of her imagination but then her reaction confused me even further. Definitely well written on Sarah’s part. This seriously needs to be a book just so I can find out answers.

4/5 stars.

The Sea Witch by Marissa Meyer, prompt by Zoe Herdt:

Zoe’s prompt was “What if the Sea Witch had previously been in the Little Mermaid’s shoes but decided to kill the love interest and turn back into a mermaid instead?”. Let me just start by saying that “what if...” is my favourite prompt for any book. Every scenario in my head is a what if of book characters. 

This story was one of my favourites in this book, simply because it was this kind of origin story I had been expecting and waiting for. The plot of an outcast mermaid who has a serious fangirl crush (let’s be real- who doesn’t have an unhealthy crush on someone famous?), gets rejected in the most awful way, gets bullied by him and his slimy girlfriend, tries to kill herself, falls in love again with a human, becomes human for him, only to get betrayed by him, then (my favourite part) lets him enjoy his wedding day until she slits his throat. Good on you girl. Promptly returning to the sea, she becomes the sea witch we all know and love to hate.

5/5 stars.

Beautiful Venom by Cindy Pon, prompt by Benjamin Alderson:

Warning: mentions of rape.

When I read the prompt “Medusa, Go!” I was not expecting to read such an amazing story. Medusa was one of my all-time favourite legends from history when I was younger, so when I say I had high expectations, I mean really high.

And I was not let down. This story features easily the most evil villain in this book, and I don’t mean Mei Du/ Jia Mei Feng. This Medusa tale has an Asian twist to it, placing the well known Greek Mythology Gods into this culture instead. Jia Mei Feng is one of the lucky girls to be chosen to be the Emperor’s new wife, but the at-first dashing Hai Xin unexpectedly comes into her life and will not leave her alone. Her path twists violently into a dark path when Hai Xin kidnaps Mei, and rapes her when she says No.

I cried so much at this story, as it truly represents victim blaming as well as the rape culture, and the Goddess of Purity (Goddess of Bitchiness as far as I’m concerned) blames Mei, asking “did you say no?” and “Did you refuse him during his first visit?”. The Goddess curses Mei to look as ugly as a serpent, becoming Medusa, for something that was not her fault.

The power this story holds is incredible, showing that we must not ignore these issues and unite against victim blaming and rape culture. It is not ok.

5/5 stars.

Death Knell by Victoria Schwab, prompt by Jesse George:

The prompt for this story was “Hades waked up after being unconscious at the bottom of a well in Ireland”. The lyrical, beautiful writing from Victoria in this story was extraordinary and had me hooked from the start.

The relationship that blossoms between Death and Grace is short and quick, which is normally something I don’t particularly like, but I found myself enjoying the rapid romance between the living girl and the boy tasked with transporting her to death. 

Although this story was very predictable- you knew as soon as she avoided him the first time that she was going to escape death at any cost. And you knew as soon as they were near the well that she wasn’t going in. Yet I wasn’t disappointed. 

4/5 stars.

Marigold by Samantha Shannon, prompt by Regan Perusse:

I have to admit, I had to re-read this one when writing my notes because I had completely forgotten about it. an “Era-Queen retelling in Nineteenth-Century London” was a very good prompt, and I’m a sucker for historical retellings. 

Yet I couldn’t remember it. And then when I read it I understood why. Nothing about this story grabbed me. Which surprises me given my previous statement about how much I love historical retellings. It wasn’t that I thought it was particularly bad, it was actually very well written, but it just didn’t grab me.

3/5 stars.

You, You, It’s all about You by Adam Silvera, prompt by Catriona Feeney:

This story’s prompt by Catriona was “A female teen crime lord concealed by a mask”.

The immediate aspect that spiked my interest was the second person point of view. Second person is always guaranteed to interest me as the character is you, which brings you even deeper into the story. The main character herself was definitely one of the most twisted villains in this book; wearing a mask made of the flesh of her abusive father. That was very disturbingly creative on Adam’s part. The storyline of the drugs being made by this crime lord was incredibly creative, not just using illegal drugs we already know about, but using the drugs to make the character even more disturbing.

4/5 stars.

Julian breaks every rule by Andrew Smith, prompt by Raeleen Lemay: 

The prompt “A psychopath in a futuristic setting” really excited me, as I have a worrying love of psychopaths. 

Andrew did not disappoint, making me laugh out loud earning strange looks from people near me, and just overall writing a very good story. 

I do want to know what Andrew has planned for Julian though, as that cliffhanger left me aching for more.

4/5 stars.

Indigo and Shade by April Genevieve Tucholke, prompt by Whitney Atkinson:

“Beauty and the Beast: Suitor’s revenge” does actually sound like the dark sequel to the classic tale, but this story strayed from the darkness it could have been. 

To be honest, I find the Beauty and the Beast story to be overused right now, as the Cinderella one was for a time. This story I’m afraid to say does slot into the overused category. The story was good, don’t get me wrong, but it was the bad side of predictable.

3/5 stars.

Sera by Nicola Yoon, prompt by Steph Sinclair and Kat Kennedy:

Congratulations Nicola, Steph and Kat- you made my favourite story in this book! Talk about saving the best for last. As previously stated, I love all things myth and legend. So the prompt “Gender-flipped God of War” is so far up my street it’s in my back garden.

I could go on forever about this short story, but I’ll dial it down as much as I can.

The writing style from Nicola was amazing; a diary documentation kind of layout, watching Sera grow and seeing from her mother’s eyes what was happening. It did make me laugh a few times throughout; especially when little Sera put up finger guns to the murderer and said “bang bang”. I thought that was just a very funny image. 

The best part of this story was the POV flip at the end. We’d seen from Sera’s mother’s third person POV that Sera had been extremely ill, and then it had jumped to Kareena watching Callie being burned alive by Sera.

But the POV flip to Sera’s POV creates a reallllllly condensed version of the last 15 or so pages, showing the reader how she felt this entire time. She changed her appearance dramatically by dying her hair and wearing contacts because she wanted her mother to love her, and the “light” she was feeling was something she knew was dangerous so she tried to conceal it, making her ill. 

And then we find out that her sister tried to kill her while their mother stood and watched, hence why Sera killed her sister. This moment had my mouth nearly to the floor. Beautiful writing from Nicola and a perfect prompt from Steph and Kat.

5/5 stars.

If you didn’t agree with my review please feel free to comment, but please don’t write anything offensive! 

Likewise if you did agree, or enjoyed this, or want to add a bit more then please feel free to comment or message me!

[kacydeneen]

Sen. McCain Leaves Complicated Political Legacy

U.S. Sen. John McCain said last year that he wanted to be remembered for his service to his country and that is how nearly every lawmaker and many of the journalists who covered him have paid tribute to him after his death.

But there is another reaction playing out over McCain's legacy as well, less mentioned in the running cable news commentary but present in comment threads on Facebook and Twitter.

Some on both sides of the political spectrum are refusing to join in the tributes to a man who styled himself as a maverick determined to go his own way and who left behind a complicated legacy over his more than 60 years of service.

McCain, 81, famously voted against the repeal of the Affordable Care Act, or Obamacare, but then eliminated the the individual mandate on which it depended when he supported the Republican tax bill. There was that time he shared a mean spirited, homophobic joke about then 18-year-old Chelsea Clinton in 2008, telling a fundraising dinner, “Do you know why Chelsea Clinton is so ugly? Because Janet Reno is her father.”

McCain worked across the aisle with Democrats such as Sen. Ted Kennedy, with whom he proposed an immigration reform bill, and with fellow veteran former Sen. John Kerry on reconciling with Hanoi. But in 2000, he refused to apologize for using a racial slur against his North Vietnamese prison guards, a stand that earned him quick censure.

“I hate the gooks,” he told reporters while campaigning for the GOP presidential nomination. “I will hate them as long as I live.”

Politicians who tried to breach the partisan divide found themselves facing accusations of betraying their beliefs. A tweet from New York’s Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, a progressive candidate for the House, in which she said McCain’s “legacy represents an unparalleled example of human decency and American service,” elicited attacks on the senator and frustration toward her. “No, no, no Alexandria. He was a war criminal, hands down. You are young, please reconsider your opinion,” wrote one follower.

And when civil rights icon Rep. John Lewis, Democrat of Georgia, tweeted that McCain was “a warrior for peace,” one reader asked of Lewis, “Weren’t you protesting during the civil rights movement? Do you think he would have supported you, as you were getting sprayed with fire hoses and beaten with batons? He would have defended the police.”

McCain himself left a letter to his country in which he appealed to his fellow Americans to love the United States the way he did, and appeared to criticize Trump without naming the president.

“We weaken our greatness when we confuse our patriotism with tribal rivalries that have sown resentment and hatred and violence i all the corners of the globe,” he wrote. “We weaken it when we hide behind walls, rather than tear them down, when we doubt the power of our ideals, rather than true them to be the great force for change they have always been.”

He wrote that although Americans sometimes vilify each other in public debates, they have so much more in common than in disagreement.

“If only we remember that and give each other the benefit of the presumption that we all love our country we will get through these challenging times,” he wrote. “We will come through them stronger than before. We always do.”

But is that still true or is the country so fractured, so angry, so polarized that Americans can no longer see anything in common with their political opponents?

On the left, detractors do not forgive McCain’s selection of former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin as his running mate during the 2008 presidential race and his hawkish stances on Iraq and Iran. He joked about bombing Iran during a campaign appearance when he sang a snatch of the Beach Boys’ classic “Barbara Ann” substituting the words: “Bomb, bomb, bomb.”

During that race, he deferred to South Carolina over whether the Confederate battle flag should be removed from the Statehouse instead of calling for it to be taken down, a decision he later apologized for. And in a new book and documentary he expressed regret about choosing Palin over former Connecticut Sen. Joseph Lieberman, a Democrat who became an independent — though without criticizing Palin’s performance, which some people say opened the door for President Donald Trump’s populism and celebrity culture.

On the right, McCain was lambasted as a RINO, or Republican in name only, who defied Trump and his party on Obamacare, and was accused of being part of the so-called “deep state” — permanent government officials, who were working to oust Trump. 

Trump was angry that after the 2016 election, McCain had given the FBI a copy of a dossier detailing unsubstatiated salacious allegations against the president. McCain had learned of the dossier from a retired British diplomat while at a security forum in Canada, and later passed a copy to the FBI. The 35 pages of research memos written by Christopher Steele, a retired British spy, allege a conspiracy between Trump's campaign and the Russian government to help Trump win the election and include unsubstantiated reports of Trump meeting with Russian prostitutes.

“Upon examination of the contents, and unable to make a judgment about their accuracy, I delivered the information to the director of the FBI. That has been the extent of my contact with the FBI or any other government agency regarding this issue,” McCain said in a statement.

He disagreed with hard-line immigration policies emerging under Trump, who in an op-ed published in USA Today in 2015 accused McCain of pushing “amnesty” during his time as a senator.

McCain in his last book, “The Restless Wave,” countered that some politicians were racists. 

“Whatever their reasons, the cynical and the ignorant promotion of false information and unnecessary fear have the same outcome,” he wrote with his co-author, Mark Salter. “Decent, hardworking people who mean no harm are blamed for crime, unemployment, failing schools, and various other ills, and become in the eyes of many the objects of hate and fear.”

His Vietnam record was mocked by some — Trump famously said that because McCain was captured, he was not a hero -- and though he supported wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, he fought back against interrogation methods he called torture.

When Democrats released a report on the harsh methods in 2014, and most Republicans were muted in their response, McCain was not. He said he knew from his own experience that the abuse of prisoners produced more bad intelligence than good.

“Our enemies act without conscience,” he said. “We must not.”

The rancor between McCain and the president was on full display in the year after McCain was diagnosed with brain cancer and he became known as one Republican unafraid to stand up to Trump.

McCain called Trump’s summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin “a tragic mistake” and accused Trump of failing to defend America as “a republic of free people dedicated to the cause of liberty at home and abroad.” The antipathy continued to spill out after McCain’s death when Trump initially declined to release a statement honoring the senator and raised the U.S. flag over the White House on Monday while Congressional flags remained lowered to half staff. By the end of the day the White House flag had been lowered again.

McCain’s circle meanwhile announced the president would not attend his funeral.

His willingness to take on Trump might have contributed to the fact that more Democrats than Republicans had a positive view of McCain. Before the 2008 election, 15 percent of Democrats had a positive view of McCain, compared to 91 percent of Republicans. But last year, an NBC/WSJ poll found that 52 percent of Democrats and only 35 percent of Republicans had a positive view.

That personal dislike aside, McCain voted in line with Trump’s position 83 percent of the time, according to an analysis done by FiveThirtyEight. Whether that showed independence or a lockstep loyalty to his party despite disagreements is part of the debate.

His fellow politicians offered their own contrasting views of McCain.

“John puts things in terms of black and white, right and wrong,” then-Sen. Tim Hutchinson, a Republican from Arkansas, told The Washington Post in 2000. “If you disagree with him, you’re wrong. He doesn’t see that there could be legitimate differences of opinion that deserve respect.”

But former U.S. Sen. Russ Feingold, a Democrat from Wisconsin, wrote in The New York Times: 

“The fact is, as passionate as John was about his positions, he truly valued hearing all sides and was a good listener.” 

Sen. McCain Leaves Complicated Political Legacy published first on Miami News