#and coming out stronger than everyone’ is just. i love my daughter my bestie my big sister etc

[katierosefun]

watched the ahsoka trailer and while i am always excited to see more of ahsoka (just because she personally means. so much to me, truly the character i actively grew up with, and maybe if i had a nickel for every time ahsoka tano came back to me in a significant coming-of-age moment in my life, i’d have like. three or four nickels which isn’t a whole lot, but it’s funny it happened that often), i’m still so. annoyed that this show isn’t animated, and it makes me a little bitter that disney/lucasfilms focuses more on cgi/live action stuff these days. i think what bothers me most is just that. ahsoka got her origins in animation, and the ahsoka show also looks like it’s a prequel of rebels, which is also an animated show . . . but oh well, we digress.

[nct-lian]

relationships outside of sm

JENNIE + LIAN: JENLI

so iconic omg like how they do it, i have no idea

they hang out all the time and lian is literally ALWAYS on jennie’s instagram

the two of them once had an instagram story conversation over pigtails

like,, jennie posted a picture of lian’s pigtails for that one bicycle performance on her story and captioned it “pigtail baby” and then lian reposted it on her own story with a picture of jennie’s pigtails, captioning it “pigtail eomma”

speaking of eomma, jennie is genuinely her mother

jennie takes her shopping all the time

and in return, lian buys her food

the interactions these two used to have at award shows were SO CUTE

everyone remembers when jennie pretty much yelled out lian’s name and she just came running over to the members of blackpink after taeyong let her leave :(

i’m crying just thinking about it help

jennie also posted a full on instagram post for lian on her birthday and had such a sweet caption with it

it was something like “my daughter is finally 21 today! i hope she has an amazing day and i can’t wait to see her later tonight to give her a gift :) haneullie, lots of love from jennie eomma”

SPEAKING OF THE GIFT,, jennie bought her a whole ass $9000 necklace from chanel because she knew that lian was looking for more

IM IN TEARS AND SO ARE YOU ADMIT IT RN

jenli kpop bestest duo

dispatch once thought jennie was on a date with a girl but it turned out to just be her walking lian home after going shopping with her so they never posted anything about it

they were embarrassed they got something wrong so i get it

omfg when news came out that lian and jinwoo broke up mama jennie was threatening to punch the shit out of him

KEVIN + LIAN: LIMOON

what i’ve been waiting to write for so long okay here we go

so mf chaotic like there are compilations made of these two that scream “go crazy go stupid”

their time as guest mc’s for inkigayo was probably some of the best kpop content we’d gotten in a long ass time

KEVIN IS CAUTIOUS WHEN LETTING HER MEET HIS MEMBERS

cause she’s such a good friend to him and wtf why would he wanna share

“mine mine mine mine” constant dory vibes 24/7

lian thrives off of calling him by his korean name because she knows it annoys him

he’s constantly teasing her for having bagged milk in toronto so he deserves it

the one time lian and jacob talked to each other they seemed to be getting along too much for kevin’s liking so he really went:

“okay lian isn’t it time for you to go” because he WAS GETTING JEALOUSJCLSJX

their styles are pretty much complete opposites and everytime they take pictures together kevin never forgets to mention how off it all looks

“tf is that why are your clothes so boring”

“okay sNaKe pAnTs” because of that one eric moment on kpop daebak show where he said kevin had pants with snakes on them

ALSO BTW LIANS CLOTHES ARENT FUCKING BORING SHES JUST FANCY LIKE THAT

i’m getting heated let me calm down.

they normally speak in english to each other but since lian seems to be stuttering over her words when she isn’t speaking korean, he mixes in a few korean phrases every now and then to help her out

kevin is arguably the most hype every single time lian performs, like he really thinks there isn’t anything better

LIAN MAKES SURE TO UPDATE HER INSTAGRAM STORY WHENEVER TBZ HAVE A COMEBACK SO NCTZENS GO SUPPORT THEM

LIA + LIAN: LILIA

more lian x the canadian line WOOHOO

lia spent her trainee days really looking up to lian and she’s even mentioned before that she’d love for itzy to get the chance to collab with her for a song

she really has her fingers crossed for that btw

they actually met during an award show when ryujin, chaeryeong and yuna all had to leave because it was past curfew

lian decided to sit next to them and during all the intermissions between performances she, lia and yeji conversed to pass time

they ended up growing a friendship together but lian has a stronger bond with lia

she loves all the girls either way but yk

lia and lian love going to cafes together and taking adorable pictures :(

like whenever lia posts on itzy’s instagram midzeys don’t exactly know whether or not lian would be on it too :0

like lian normally posts all the scenery pictures she gets to keep her instagram pleasing whereas lia posts the pictures the two of them take together

my heart </3

lian treats lia like a whole daughter because it isn’t often she finds girls that are younger than her

*screams in the fact that majority of sm’s female artists are all from 2015 and under*

like when i say lian SPOILS her i’m not joking

she will randomly call lia up like:

“hey i’m gonna get you out of that dungeon, come get some chicken with me”

and then they’ll just hang out together

but only if lian is out of the dungeon herself because wbk she ain’t treated very well </3

EUNWOO + LIAN: WOOLI

their chemistry is fucking insane holy shit

like their acting for past to present was seriously so praised, netizens found it hard to believe it was all just for the show

dating rumours follow these two everywhere,, like everywhere

it’s one of the most popular ships inside ncity when it comes to lian and other idols

i kid you not one tweet said “chanhyeok treated jihye so well in past to present, i’m only wondering how well eunwoo would treat lian 👀”

LIKE STOP PUTTING IDEAS INTO PEOPLES HEADS YOURE KILING ME HERE ISTG

but yeah they do look really good together

and they’re an amazing pair for acting

when eunwoo started working with inyeop for true beauty, he said:

“hyung’s dating my girlfriend” because of the fact that both of them have acted with lian and BOTH of them dated her in the dramas

what a coincidence though

we all cried when we saw chanhyeok and jihye kiss for the first time DONT LIE

EUNWOO FOLLOWS HER ON INSTAGRAM

and they wished each other happy birthday on their instagram stories

there’s actually people who like to think that they dated while filming for past to present andddd they radiate big delulu vibes

like you know liskook shippers? wooli shipped are kinda the same, but not as intense (thank god)

BUT CAN WE BLAME THEM LIKE THEIR CHEMISTRY? THE WAY THEY TALKED TO EACH OTHER? PLEASE

they took a lot of cute pictures together behind the scenes (ノ﹏ヽ)

MOMO + LIAN: LIMO

DANCER DUO DANCER DUO

this ship isn’t actually as popular as we would like it to be, but nonetheless people love limo

a lot of interactions during award shows !!

like for example momo’s fancams always captured her dancing perfectly to lian’s choreo

and lian smiling in momo’s direction

i love them

when lian found out about heechul and momo’s relationship, she asked momo if she was her mom now because of how much of a father figure she considers heechul to be JDFJK

“i mean sure”

they’ve actually done a vlive together before (ᗒᗨᗕ)

it was when lian visited her at the twice dorms and they ended up getting bored so they decided to do a vlive in the living room

THEY PLAYED DARE OR DARE AND LIAN HAD TO DO THE TEARS CHALLENGE (so chan whee) ON MOMOS KARAOKE MACHINE

her throat was dry for the rest of the night

after seeing momo’s hair for the i can’t stop me era, lian actually wanted to cut it like that

but she decided against it because she loves her long hair too much

the two of them met on hit the stage where they competed against each other in a freestyle dance battle

after that they just started casually talking over the phone and became great friends

with the way momo talks about lian, you’d think they’re dating-

“oh, lian- she’s so pretty! i love her a lot!”

and the same goes for lian, she loves talking about momo’s dancing skills

JACKSON + LIAN: JACKLIAN

her dad :/

adopted her with amber liu like a year ago so now she’s just his daughter

supports each other like crazy not even joking

jackson promotes her on instagram and twitter 24/7

THEY HAVE SO MANY INTERACTIONS THANK GOD

lian was once given a ridiculously short dress while attending an award show and jackson gave her his jacket to wear over her legs because she wasn’t provided a blanket :(

(keep in mind, she went there without the members!)

lian added all his music to her playlist :)

once got drunk together and spent like three hours doing karaoke but it’s okay cause it was fun

speaking of getting drunk, jackson’s the cool dad that lets her do whatever she wants

he has his protective moments where he’s like “ma’am where are you going on that short of a dress” but he’s also like “hey wanna go get chicken and soju”

they both appeared on a radio show together as guests and they ruined the whole broadcast because they were too loud

like they kept getting out of their seats to go wave at all the fans outside the window and they were just fighting back and forth about whether or not lian’s extensions look real

according to jackson, they’re “NOT AUTHENTIC ENOUGH- LOVE YOUR HAIR FOR WHAT IT IS, LIANNA HANEUL BAE.” lian’s hair lives matter :/

PLSSS WHEN HYOSEOP AND LIAN STARTED DATING- no

jackson was so proud that his good friend was smooching his other good friend but the protective dad instincts really kicked in

“break her heart and you die no cap”

was surprisingly chill when they broke up though, he was just glad lian didn’t cry

SUNMI + LIAN: SUNLI

SUNMI IS HER MOM OHMYGOD

so many interactions

honestly took lian under wing once she debuted as a soloist

female kpop soloists gotta have each other’s backs in this industry man :(

sunmi calls lian her princess SOBS

lian always hugs sunmi at award shows, like if they’re sitting close together

or if they’re standing next to each other on stage

you bet your ass lian is gripping onto sunmi for dear life

did a photoshoot together for marie claire korea

they’re so hot bro

BUT THEY FIRST MET ON WEEKLY IDOL NOT LONG AFTER LIAN DEBUTED AS A SOLOIST

they were kinda awkward ngl uh

but by the end of it they were besties :DD

and they’ve been besties ever since

lian is the ceo of doing dance covers for sunmi’s songs

cmon lian we’re waiting for tail 👀

sunmi has actually met lian’s grandma </3

like her and lian were hanging out at the dorms while the boys were out on a schedule and her grandma just randomly showed up with homemade food so that was definitely a win

BANG CHAN + LIAN: LICHAN

they’ve been friends for a LOOONGGG time

and chain’s known her since dating back to like, smrookies era when lian was still a red velvet member

like at that time she had no idea he existed, but he was keeping up with her daily :(

chan plays her music on vlives all the time and he always knows the dance moves

like he just dances along in his chair and mumbles the lyrics

we love to see it

a lot of fans ship them together

SURPRISE SURPRSIE AH

only because chan gives off big pining energy

lian only looks at him like “:D” whereas he looks at her like “♡•♡”

kinda sad but

lian promotes him on live so often HVKSVU

“my friend chan is coming back with his group soon, you should check it out! :)”

and the way she just says “my friend chan” LIKE ITS SO OBVIOUSLY A FRIENDZONE BUT HE THINKS ITS ADORABLE

he once got a comment on a vlive to react to lian moments, obviously complying because who wouldn’t

there was this one clip of her saying “my friend chan from stay kids!” and whoever edited the compilation added in squishy noises right after while zooming in on her face

AND CHAN BLUSHED SO HARD NOO

“oh- hahaha, uhh, she’s so cute aw hahahah”

ASHLEY + LIAN: ASHLI

oh god not another lian x mom ship

ASHLEY LOVES LIAN WOAH

like she’s submitted lian’s resume to bm so many times so they could be part of the big tiddie committee together

ashley is constantly, and i mean constantly, reposting all of lian’s posts on her story with captions like “LOOK AT HER GO”

and lian has even discovered all the cool instagram filters because of ashley, and now we get the quality content from her that WE DESERVEEEEE

back when lian’s album came out, all ashley’s story really was was just screenshots of her streaming all the songs and calling them bops

when they first met in person after texting back in forth, ashley spammed her instagram story with pictures of lian that she took without her looking

these two radiate a lot of “YES GIRL WORKKK ITTT TURN THIS WAY OKAYYY POSE POSE POSE” energy

lian’s been featured in one of ashley’s youtube videos and it was when they met for the first time :)

they exchange a lot of gifts through the mail

like lian once found a mug when shopping with doyoung and she thought that it would fit ashley’s taste so she sent it to her apartment

and ever since then they just send random little gifts to each other’s houses

it’s so cute

MATCHING BUCKET HATS THEY HAVE MATCHING BUCKET HATS !!!!!!

ashley talks about lian all the time

she always says that for someone so young, she’s accomplished a lot and she’s really proud of her

they wanna do tiktoks with each other but they never have the time </3

lian spam comments on ashley’s instagram like “WOAH” “OKAYYYY” “YESYESYES”

[miraculous786]

Buried Six Feet Under

Basis

First Ending

First Ending - Part Two

First Ending Art

Second Ending

Second Ending - Part Two

One hour.

One hour was all it took for the memories to resurface. The memories of the past few months containing a broken doll and a shattered heart.

There had been an uproar.

The police were called.

The news were alerted.

The world began to wake up.

And there had been tears that day. Many.

From the same people who were crying now, in a spacious hall with hundreds of seats. They were all full.

The rain pattered down onto the roof above, and lightning was heard to strike every so often. One would think that the gods were angry this day.

They had every right to be - and they were.

The gates surrounding the building were locked tight, leaving out a group of students that were huddled near the entrance. Most of them wept, their tears mingling with the water pouring down. Their black outfits became drenched.

A bespectacled girl at the front held onto the barriers blocking her from getting in. She screamed and yelled until her voice was sore, yet no one cared. All were too busy staring at an enormous screen indoors, that flickered to life to reveal something painfully familiar.

Someone painfully familiar.

Jagged Stone - a man with purple locks who was gripping tight to a pair of Eiffel Tower-inspired glasses - pressed a key on the computer at the stage.

The video began to play.

"Okay, umm...hi!" the person recording greeted, nervous smile gracing her features. "I'm Marinette Dupain-Cheng, also known as the superhero 'Ladybug'. You may know me through Tom and Sabine's Boulangerie Patisserie, since, well, they're my parents."

She let out an awkward chuckle, scratching the back of her neck.

There was a sob from the front of the crowd.

"I'm making this video because...uh, I want this to be seen if something happens to me in battle. An akuma battle, that this. You see...some villains have been extremely tough, and, well..."

The bluenette let out a sigh. Her expression became grim in an instant, and her tone serious. It reminded those watching of the heroine that they had come to love.

"Hawk Moth has found out a way to translate the Guardian's book, which, long story short, allows him and Mayura to become even stronger. That's why I wanted to make this video."

She glanced to the side, and unmistakable tears were seen to be forming at the rims of her glossy eyes. "I...I've seen Chat Noir get hurt before. I've seen him get- get killed too many times. It's entirely possible that I'll end up with the same fate."

A sniffle escaped her, but she chose to wipe at her eyes and let out a dry chuckle. Her tone was wobbly as she dryly stated, "Chat, he...he isn't as serious as I am about this whole thing. About this whole job. And I hope that after he sees this, he learns that Hawk Moth needs to be taken down. If I have to sacrifice my own life for that..."

She shrugged. "...so be it."

Marinette's eyes wandered over to something off-screen, and she beamed at whatever it was.

"Tikki's asleep right now, so I have to make this quick. I...I wanted to ask those who are watching a favour. If, if you get this then could you- could you pass on my earrings to someone else? Well- someone in particular, actually. Paris needs two heroes to take care of it, after all."

She leaned forward and out of frame for a few seconds. Then she returned with a coloured picture, that had two girls grinning at the camera. She pointed to one of them.

"This is Alya Cesaire - my best friend and one that I sincerely trust to take on the mantle of Ladybug. She, she's amazing. I have so much faith in her, and I know that she'll be perfect for the role."

A blond in the audience clenched his fists.

The designer grinned. "I actually wanted to hand over my earrings to her when I first got them but decided not to - it was a close call, though. Please show this video to her, by the way. I want to say something."

Marinette gained a smirk, as she started, "Hey, bestie! How's it going? I'm, I'm sorry about not telling you who I am, but...a secret is a secret, right? I know you would've loved the scoop. You have all of my support to defeat Hawk Moth, Alya. I'm sure that Tikki will guide you though everything. That is, if she's able to. Oh! That reminds me - I have a request that I wanted to ask of you. I...can you show this to Chat?"

He took in a raspy breath.

"Hey, Kitty. I just wanted to tell you that, well...I'm afraid that the mantle of the Guardian will have to go to you, since you're the only one alive that can take it - barring Hawk Moth, of course."

She pursed her lips. "You're my partner, Chat. The best one that I could have ever asked for. I hope that you'll be able to keep your head up and stay strong alongside Alya, and protect the Miracle Box."

And let the tears flow.

"Oh, and if it isn't too much to ask...can, can I stay with Tikki, even if I'm gone? You don't have to bury me with the earrings or anything, but...just visit my grave, please? With Tikki. She's been with me through thick and thin and is quite emotional when it comes to her holders from what I've heard. I wouldn't want her to live with the guilt of my death."

Adrien found himself nodding with a whimper.

That was when Marinette suddenly jumped up. She whipped her head to something invisible to her right and yelped. "What? Me? Recording something? Of course not, Tikki! I'm just-"

The screen turned blank again.

Allowing all to hear the choked sob from Chat Noir.

He covered his mouth to muffle his cries, and yet his pathos was clear to everyone around.

And even those outside.

It seemed as if everyone had broken out of their silent stupor, as murmurs began to break out and fill the hero's ears. Murmurs of what would happen to Hawk Moth. What would happen to Paris. What would happen to them all without Ladybug.

Something inside him snapped.

And a growl tore through his throat.

"Stop it!"

Everyone turned to him in surprise. Most edged back at the anger he clearly had restrained.

His cat ears thrashed. His sharp claws flexed. His green eyes dilated.

"That is enough! You're all horrible!" he hissed lowly. "Why can't you see that it isn't Ladybug gone? It's Marinette!"

Sabine and Tom flinched at the mention of their daughter.

"Whether or not she has the mask, she's the same person! And I bet that if she were here she would have agreed with me!"

A man with slicked grey hair and a striped sash rushed forward. "Chat Noir, I'm sure that there's no need for thi-"

"Shut. Up. Before I make you."

The Mayor gulped.

"I'm going, and none of you are going to stop me," he snarled, as he faced the exit of the place. Beneath his breath, he muttered, "You didn't deserve her. None of us did."

Only a few seconds later did thunder strike loud from outside, but Adrien was already somewhere else by that time.

Already gone.

And with the remains of his very partner.

Rain dripped down from his locks to his face, to the point where none could point out what were his tears and what weren't. There was a hush as all stared with baited breath, observing Chat as he knelt in front of a headstone.

A headstone in memory of the one he loved. Still loved.

"I'm sorry, Princess," he choked. "I-I'm so sorry...You didn't deserve any of this."

The crack in his voice made hearts shatter.

"You'll always be my Lady - my Princess. And I'm sorry that I couldn't do more."

His lower lip wobbled. His eyes drifted to the ring at his finger.

And he reached to pull it off.

"I'm the new Ladybug..."

Until he caught the whisper that made his blood run cold.

His now twitching head slowly rotated up to who had spoken. It was none other than Alya Cesaire.

She was stood at the gates to the graveyard, pipe wrench in hand. Behind her were other students from her class, that had tears - or rain, he couldn't tell - pouring down their cheeks.

So did she.

Yet her lips were still poised into some sort of a smile.

"What?"

There were many flinches from the Parisians nearby.

In a more confident tone, the reporter stated, "She named me the new Ladybug."

Silence.

A harsh flare from Chat Noir's heart made him bare his teeth. "So what?"

None were prepared for the shout that soon escaped his mouth.

"You're the reason we need a new Ladybug!"

Adrien stood up, back arched and irises slit. "You're the reason that Paris will be left in shambles! That people will die! That the Guardian is gone!"

His booming bellows quieted to a mumble. "That Marinette is dead."

A fire flared in his eyes.

"You did this..." he growled menacingly, claws out. "It's all your fault!"

As the police force standing guard grabbed at the lunging cat aiming to avenge, none noticed the creature settled on top of Marinette's grave.

The butterfly.

That glowed a faint purple from its droopy wings.

As if it was mourning like the rest of the population for the death of the heroine buried six feet under.

~*~*~

It had been a day since then.

Since the funeral of one Marinette Dupain-Cheng.

And there was a figure approaching the graveyard where those had previously mourned for her.

They stepped over soaked grass and muddy ground. Scattered petals and jagged rocks. Yet they didn't stop.

Their suit became damp from the rain. Their shoes became soggy from the puddles. Yet they still didn't stop.

Not until they reached the grave at the centre of the yard, that stood tall in colours of black and red. Bouquets of daffodils and roses lay around it, along with plush toys of a girl in spotted fabric.

The figure, the man, bent down to inspect the rectangle of dirt in front of the memorial of stone, that had fancy scripture engraved into its surface. There was nothing on the patch. No flowers. No cards. Nothing.

Except for two hexagonal boxes.

Etched onto their lids were markings in blood-red, that depicted messages in a language that none could decipher - apart from the owner of the porcelain shards buried six feet under.

Despite the grime starting to gather on his clothing, the man continued to stare impassively at the items. His icy blue eyes studied the sight in front of him for a few seconds more, until his lips soon pursed tight.

Fingers gripped at cold objects, and brought them into the open in a stiff movement. They hesitated for a moment, as if worried of what they were about to do, then gently deposited their contents onto the dirt.

The figure let out a weary sigh. He stood back up treacherously slow. Then, he snapped his back straight up, and walked past the gates leading out of the graveyard.

He didn't look back.

He only left two items sitting in the mud. Left two items to waste away until the foreseeable future.

Left two miraculous.

And whilst he made his way down the dark and gloomy streets of Paris, dozens of eyes watched from the shadows.

They only had one goal in mind.

To protect their Guardian. The remains of their Guardian.

Until the end of time.

~*~*~

@soupfilledboots​

@ladybug-182​

@mochegato​

@anjuschiffer​

@gangstaluigi613​

@itskarmalone

@moonystars14​

@amayakans​

@mewwitch​

@agentofscifi​

@pale-lady-dreamer​

@lntimancy​  

@raisuke06​

@thyladyanput​ <3

@doriebell​

@2sunchild2​

@zebrabaker​

@freshbark​

@saphiraazure2708​

@animalgirl05​

@queen-in-a-flower-crown​

@g-arya​

@persephonescat​  

@sapphirewilliams5095​

@colorfulmongerpsychicranch​

@dontbenddontbreak​

@nights-of-fire​

@achefisachef​

@cinnamonrollorder​

@adhd-coyote​

@7-sage-7​

@vanillacoffee-bean​

@heldtogetherbysafetypins​

@dorkus-minimus​

@sassakitty​

@shippernaturalsanderspjoandscifi

@corabeth11​

@echpr​  

@jewishdumbass

@olynix​ 

[peace-coast-island]

Diary of a Junebug

Rainy day gyroids

Rainy days are the perfect excuse to stay inside with a cup of warm tea and a good show to watch while letting the day pass on by. How fitting is it that the theme of this gyroid event happens to be rainy days?

Joining us on this rainy day adventure are Robert and Mace, two former members of Jamie's entourage back when she lived on Peace Coast Island. Robert Azarias is a writer and actor, best known for his work in the TV show Faerie Town, which just ended earlier this year. Mace Callaghan is an actor whose career kicked off thanks to people like Jamie and his cousin Amelia, who's also an actor as well as a producer. Both have been super busy as they're on a new show that's set to premiere in the fall so they're at the camp for a short vacation after pretty much working nonstop for the past several weeks.

The new show is called Mount Barley, RFD - which stands for rural free delivery - and it's about a journalist who moves back to his old hometown to take care of his aging father and reconnects with his old friends. Mace plays the main character, Alex, an ambitious creative who has a tendency to get carried away with his ideas. Robert's the co-executive producer/showrunner and has a recurring role as Jerry, a friend and colleague of Alex's who sometimes gets dragged into everyone else's problems due to bad timing. Other characters include Alex's dad Emmett, the wise father figure everyone looks up to, Blossom the pharmacist who's a neighbor to Alex, Leia, a childhood friend and work colleague, and Deedee, the hairstylist who serves as Alex's source for gossip.

Having insider information is kinda a blessing and a curse. Well, what I mean by curse is that I can't say too much about something because of non-disclosure stuff, which means I have to be careful not to let anything slip. Especially with a lot of show creators, writers, and actors being active on social media, it's kinda easy to accidentally reveal something that wasn't supposed to publicly come out yet. It's not usually anything super confidential but some companies are more particular about what people say more than others. While being able to interact with crew members has its perks, it also has its drawbacks - then again, that's social media in general.

Robert's previous show, Faerie Town, ended last year after five seasons. A good number of the entourage members were in that show like April Wingate, Melody Muto, Linus Cooper, and Cecelia Argent. Robert was a writer on the show as well as a recurring character who became more prominent from season three onwards.

Ending the show was one of those cases where they were told ahead of time that they weren't going to get renewed. By then, the overall story they wanted to tell was coming to a conclusion so it made sense to start wrapping things up. Being an ensemble show, it kinda suffered from a large cast - I'm overall satisfied with the way the main characters were handled but at the same time I felt that it could've been balanced better. And I'll admit, the writing during the last two seasons were weak, but not to the point where the show went downhill.

The way I see it, there's a difference between a show going downhill and a show where the writing isn't as top notch. Downhill is bad, as in this has a negative impact on how I feel about the show in general. An example of downhill is Popular Besties, which, looking back wasn't entirely good, but I enjoyed it as a kid. It was one of those shows which the quality dipped a lot - and knowing the issues going on behind the scenes, it makes a lot of sense as to why - and it gets to the point where you're watching a new episode out of obligation or dropping it all together.

Hogan Family Values is an example of a show that has fallen to weak writing. Like Faerie Town, it has a big cast, though it struggles more in terms of having too many characters to handle. It's ending after three seasons, which has ten episodes left. Season three started out pretty strong, but since then it has been a mixed bag. We all kinda suspected that it was ending as some of the episodes kinda had that vibe and that was later confirmed by the creator just recently.

I think the biggest problem with this season is that the pacing's kinda rushed and I feel like the show has kinda written itself into a corner by trying to wrap up various plotlines while introducing a bunch of new characters/plot points at the same time. On one hand the show could use another season just to pad things out a bit, but at the same time it makes sense why they would end it there.

The show's still good though, it's just season three doesn't have the same spark as the first two did. I mean, the stronger episodes of this season are some of the best in the show overall while the weaker ones aren't entirely terrible, just mediocre, or at worst, somewhat boring. And despite my reservations at the moment, I have faith in the crew that the ending will be satisfying, even if rushed.

A show with a satisfying ending is Star's Universe, which has become one of my top favorite shows of all time. I think, if it wasn't for the network, the show could've easily run for another season to even out the pacing towards the end. It also suffered from the uncertainty of being renewed, which then led to a movie. While working on the movie, the network decided to order an additional season at the last minute to fully wrap things up. There's still a lot the show can touch on but it's all extra stuff - and while it could've focused more on the supporting cast, I can understand why they couldn't because it's essentially not their story.

As for the overall story the show wanted to tell, they not only succeeded, but exceeded my expectations. The conclusion's satisfying in a way that it's open enough to revisit but if that's the end, then I'm happy with that as well.

I think Star's Universe has ruined me in terms of judging series endings. It still kinda doesn't feel real that the show literally just ended less than a year ago. The writing has also remained consistently strong for the most part and it's just a brilliant show. Now I feel like binging on a bunch of episodes. I guess you can say it's one of my comfort shows.

While collecting gyroids, we got to talking about Mount Barley, RFD a bit as well as catch up on life in general. Robert's got an interesting backstory that Hollywood has been wanting to make into a movie for years. He was known as the Etienne Falls Baby as he was born en route on the ill fated train that crashed in the desert. His father died in the accident while his mother passed away shortly after, leaving Robert in the care of three friends who helped bring him into the world. Only one of them survived and he, while carrying Robert, made a dangerous trek through the desert to find help. After the tragic ordeal, he adopted Robert, becoming somewhat known as a hero.

Mace is the nephew of actor Gary Stewart, who's well known on stage and screen, as well as his daughters Amelia and Lesley. It was Amelia who helped Mace pursue his dream of acting by helping him stand up to his father, who was against it. At the time he was going through a lot and as a result of everything, he finally had enough. It wasn't easy going against his father's wishes, but he had to or else he'd be stuck working at the bank being his father's successor.

He's still hoping for a reconciliation, though it seems unlikely at the moment. Since moving to the island, Mace rarely spoke to his father, who has pretty much disowned him. Back home he heard that his father's not too crazy about Mace having his own show as that'll make him more well known. At least his cousins and uncle have always been supportive of him - he had always been closer to them, especially after his mom passed.

It's been raining all day, though it started out as a light drizzle at first. I don't mind the rain too much - it adds to the rainy day theme! I love how gray and cloudy the sky gets - there's just something about rain that's calming and cozy. Also, it was the perfect excuse to break out my new umbrella - and it was worth every leaf ticket because not only it looks pretty, it kept me dry. Aside from the mud, collecting gyroids in the rain was a lot of fun!

When it started pouring we headed back to the cabin to begin crafting some stuff. I was surprised that we managed to collect a lot of gyroids today, then again, I think the rain might've helped some. We also managed to do some fishing and bug catching as well, which the guys had never done before. Robert's a fast learner when it comes to fishing - and a lucky one too as he managed to catch two king salmons!

Aside from collecting gyroids, we didn't get to be able to do too much sightseeing today. Once the weather clears up, I'm thinking of setting up a picnic in the meadow and a short hike along the trail. Then, depending on Gulliver's schedule, I was hoping we can catch a ride with him and explore an island or two. Robert mentioned that he always wanted to try out sailing so I want him to experience that. As for Mace, he says he's content with anything the camp has in store and he enjoys running errands for the campers.

With the rain pouring, we all were in the mood for some tea so I put on the kettle as soon as we got inside. While waiting for the tea we set up the TV to watch some shows while helping Daisy Jane package orders from her shop. Nothing like cozying up with a nice hot cup of tea on a cloudy rainy day!

[britishassistant]

But I Like One Piece (11)

The scar on her lip is kind of a pain.

It feels strange for one thing, tough and bumpy, making her aware of its presence every time her mouth shifts or when she gets too excited while talking or when she yawns too widely.

Of course, once she’s reminded that it’s there, she want to fiddle with it. But for some reason whenever she gets bored enough to do so, Naruto or Sakura or whoever’s sitting closest to her will grab her arm and say “No.” in a Very Stern Voice.

It almost feels a little demeaning. Not quite, but almost.

What is demeaning is Uchiha glaring at her, and demanding, “Are you some kind of coward?”

She blinks, thermos of miso halfway to her mouth. “Beg your pardon?”

He eyes her disdainfully. “We’re going to be ninja. We fight to kill our enemies—”

“I’m going to be a pirate, actually.” She interrupts.

Naruto snorts softly into his rice.

“—Pirates kill people too, shut up.” Uchiha hisses.

“Wait. Is this about the biting thing?” She asks, incredulous. Surely not. Uchiha is a clan kid. He should know how this works—

Uchiha sniffs imperiously. “You’ll just drag me down if you always need Sakura to save you from a fight.”

Apparently not.

Robin give her strength.

“Hey!” Kiba yells. “Sakura beating up Ami was totally badass. Mizuki-sensei shoulda given her a medal instead of detention!”

Sakura goes as pink as her hair as Akamaru yips in agreement, mumbling something about it not being a big deal around her second stick of dango. She does return the fist bump Kiba offers though.

“That’s not the point.” Uchiha retorts dismissively. “The point is we’re going to fight and kill as ninja— don’t.” He stabs an accusing finger in her direction and she raises her hands in mock surrender. “And Ketsugi never fights back. She says stuff, but then she runs away, or lets other people take care of it, or hurts herself. It’s weak, stupid cowardice.”

The last word is said with such vehemence that it’s hard for her not to flinch.

“Well, it’s not like I have any choice.” She snaps, irritably.

Uchiha scoffs. “What are you talking about?! The only thing stopping you is your own stupid, cowardly ideas about pacifism!!”

She blinks, trying to process that last bit. “What? What on earth are you on about?”

“Don’t pretend you don’t know!” He screams, all but jumping out of his seat, “It’s just like him! I’m not watching another one—not when I can stop it!!”

Uchiha looms over her, glaring down, chest heaving from the force of his yelling.

She has no idea what he’s talking about. She feels more worried for him than insulted at this point.

“Hey Shino.” Chouji cuts in, munching on his second onigiri. “There are insects that don’t get along with your bugs, right? Ones that weren’t born in your hive?”

Shino tilts his head, letting his insects eat bits of strawberry from his daifuku off his finger. “That is a technically true statement. Why? Because while my kikaichū do not have natural enemies in the way ants and termites are opposed to one another, there are several species of insect and arachnid that would prey upon them, which have been utilized by imitator clans in other hidden villages.”

“Right.” Chouji continues. “So, let’s say you found one of these bugs that eats them had injured one of yours. Not killed, but injured. What do you do?”

Shino stiffens, but replies, “I would exterminate it. Why? Because it has proven itself a viable threat to my colony.”

“Wh-that doesn’t mean anything!” Uchiha interrupts. “It’d have to be one of Aburame’s bugs attacking another of the same hive, since Ketsugi was born here, so—”

“No I wasn’t.”

Uchiha actually has the gall to shoot her a disbelieving look. “Yes you were.”

“No I wasn’t.” She hisses, leaning forward. “I was born in Iron, like my father. One of my earliest memories is him and my mother leaving the country, on the run from something that made it better to drug their baby rather than let me cry and have whatever it was find us.”

A hush falls over the table.

“That would explain why you’re here, in Konoha.” Shikamaru says slowly. “Even if it’s not the closest to Iron, it’s one of the strongest hidden villages, so pursuers would have trouble trying to get through our defenses.”

“And guess what happens if the village decides me and mine are too much trouble to live here anymore?” She snaps, taking a swig of her miso.

It’s gone lukewarm.

Uchiha’s turned pale, staring blankly down at his bruschetta. He slowly sits back down.

“So...” Kiba says, feeding Akamaru some pork belly. “Are you, like, some kinda lost princess or something?”

“What? No, of course not.” Ino and Sakura’s eyes take on a worrying gleam. “I said no. I’m not. No. Stop that. Stop it right now, the pair of you.”

“We’re not doing anything~” Sakura sing-songs, hands clasped against her chest.

She squints at them, lips thinning. “Lies.”

“Hey hey, Mayu-chan,” Ino says, leaning forward. “If you just happened to be a lost princess or daimyo’s daughter hiding from a usurper’s assassins, you’d totally hook your best besties in the entire world up with some hot princes, right?”

“Does Naruto even like princes?” She replies, bracing herself against Sakura’s playful assault on her shins and Ino’s tossed napkins. “Ow, ow, I’m kidding, I’m kidding!”

“Aw, what! I wanna meet a prince, believe it!” Naruto whines, though his playful tone sounds a little strained.

“Tough.” She sticks her tongue out at him. He blows a raspberry back in response.

“So who were your family in Iron?” Chouji asks, passing her an apple slice.

She shrugs, handing him her cookie. “Just one of the many, many samurai clans who serve the Iron daimyo. Like the Kiryuuin, the Kurogane, the Kishi, the Kageyama, the Kihote, the Kikuchi, the Kaname, the Koremune, the Kusakabe, and loads of others.”

“Do all of these clan names start with ‘K’ sounds?” Hinata asks.

“...No.” She says.

“Could you give us an example one that doesn’t?” Hinata asks.

“...The Okashi.”

“What the heck, that doesn’t count! They just slapped an ‘O’ in front of the ‘Ka’!” Kiba complains, Akamaru barking his agreement.

“You’re the last person to say anything about ‘K’ names.” Shikamaru replies.

“You’ve not got much room to talk either, Shika-kun.” Chouji ribs, nudging his friend.

From there it devolves into a debate about how many “k” sounds are in whose names, and who has the right to criticize an excess of “k’s” based off of that. So far, only Shino and Hinata are awarded that honor.

Naruto isn’t as active in the conversation as he usually is, only responding when addressed directly, staring into space when not.

Uchiha doesn’t say much at all.

Naruto goes straight to the swing-set outside the Academy once the day ends.

She follows him, watching curiously as he clambers up to stand on the swing, looking up at something behind her with a solemn expression on his face, eyebrows furrowed in thought.

She goes up to the tree and sits between its roots to wait.

Lee comes out of the Academy, and come striding towards them. “Greetings Mayu-chan! Naru—”

“Ssh!” She hushes, jerking her head towards Naruto.

Lee instantly clams up, a quizzical expression on his face.

She shuffles a bit to the side and pats the ground next to her, and he plops down to sit cross-legged beside her.

“What’s Naruto doing?” He whispers to her.

“I don’t know.” She whispers back. “But he’s concentrating really hard, so I didn’t want to disturb him.”

Lee nods in understanding, then waves silently but with great enthusiasm at a girl with her hair in buns who passes them.

She seems like a nice girl, because she waves back.

They play five rounds of rock-paper-scissors, four of which Lee wins, and one of which results in a hushed debate about whether “gun” is a “youthful” option in this game, before Naruto finally speaks.

“I’m gonna be the Hokage, believe it.”

They look up at him, standing on the swing, jaw set in determination, hair swaying in the breeze that swirls a few leaves past his face.

“...Okay? Weren’t you always going to be Hokage though?” She asks, not quite seeing where he’s going with this.

“Wh—yes, but s’more than that.” Naruto says, exasperation evident in his tone.

He lets go of one of the swing’s ropes, and gazes down at his clenched fist. “I wanted to be Hokage ‘cause old Jiji’s the most respected person in the village. Everyone loves him, an’ he protects everyone, because everyone’s his precious people.”

He looks at them, eyes bright and painfully earnest. “But even though everyone in the village is precious, some’ve them’re still so mean to you, and to Otou-san and to Okaa-san, just for being from somewhere not here, f’r bein’ different, an’ that’s not fair. So I wanna be Hokage, so I can tell them not to be mean. I’m gonna be Hokage so you don’t have to bite yourself anymore, and so we can all always go home to Okaa-san and Otou-san and Gai-sensei an’ eat tortoise bread. So everyone can be happy, and understand I’ll protect everyone, no matter what, believe it. What foods we like is more important than where we’re from, right?”

Oh.

Oh.

She swallows around a lump in her throat. “Right. T-that’s exactly, exactly right.”

Lee gives a great sniff, fat tears rolling down his cheeks. “Your resolve is highly youthful, Naruto! I am sure you will even surpass the Yondaime when you become Hokage!!”

Naruto rubs the back of his head, grinning widely.

Then a stronger gust of wind rocks the swing and he teeters dangerously, arm windmilling as she and Lee lunge forward to catch him, try to cushion his fall somewhat.

She’s partly successful as Lee’s lunge ends up knocking Naruto off the swing entirely, the pair landing on her with a thud that drives the air from her lungs and leaves her wheezing.

“Ow.”

They end up half-limping home.

Otou-san is dozing on the couch, and he blinks awake drowsily at their chorus of “we’re home,” only to tilt his head in sleepy confusion.

“What happened to you three?” He asks, nodding towards her dust and bark covered dress as he picks a few leaves off of Naruto’s clothes, before pulling aside some of Lee’s hair to see the faint bruise where the swing swung back and clocked him in the head. “Did you all get into a fight at the Academy?”

They share a glance.

“N—” Lee starts.

“Yes.” She hastily cuts in, “Big fight. Very nasty.”

Naruto nods vigorously along with her. “Yeah, there were loads of missing nin with huge swords an’ killer laser jutsu an’ stuff.”

“That does sound scary,” Otou-san says, gently ruffling Lee’s hair with bandaged hands. “Lee, why don’t you go get an icepack from the freezer for that bruise? They’re on the top shelf.”

As Lee nods and trot off to the kitchen, her father shifts to sit more upright on the couch. “What were missing-nin doing at the Academy anyway?”

“They thought Mayu-chan was a lost princess, so they were tryna steal her for ransom.” Naruto replies, kneeling next to the couch so he can receive hair ruffles as well.

“Ah, I see.” Otou-san smiles, obliging him. “Mayu-chan, your mother is waiting in the back yard to do that.”

“Already?” She grimaces. She’d forgotten— thought she had more time...

“You don’t have to.” Otou-san urges softly. “There’s no shame in not doing it. I never did when I was your age. We could tell—”

“No.” She says firmly, fists clenched. “I-I want to do this too. Just—let me go prepare, alright?”

Her father nods slowly, his face solemn. She turns and climbs the stairs, ignoring Naruto’s worried stares or his queries about what was going on.

Sanji and Brook give her courage. Let it be over quickly, at least.

“Done.” Okaa-sama says, and she can barely contain her shudder of relief.

Her mother hands her a mirror, brushing stray bits off her shoulders. “Just as it always is, see?”

She keeps her gaze on her newly trimmed fringe and the Nico Robin cut brushing her shoulders, pretending she doesn’t see the shorn, wet slivers littering her clothes and the ground around her.

“Thank you, Okaa-san.” She smiles weakly, gratefully accepting the hug she receives and trying to ignore the pit of guilt in her stomach.

“I don’t get it.” Naruto says, sitting on the threshold of the back door. “What’s so bad about a haircut?”

“Well, for samurai, long hair is a mark of honor.” Otou-san says, hands folded into his kimono sleeves. “To have it cut off is a sign that you are no longer a samurai, which is highly dishonorable for lots of people in Iron. Mayu-chan has the spirit of a true samurai, so she hates having her hair cut.”

“Is that why you still have long hair, Jirou oji-san?” Lee asks, sipping on a cup of juice while holding a half-thawed ice pack to his head.

Otou-san tries to do an overdramatic flip of his braid, making the two boys giggle when it just ends up smacking him in the arm. “My hair is far too lustrous to be cut by the likes of sword or scissors!”

“Care to prove it, dear?” Okaa-san challenges, brandishing her scissors playfully.

Her father retreats back into the house in mock-fear. “You’re one of the lights of my life, darling! Even in the Pure Lands, my love for you will burn brighter than the sun!”

Her mother shakes her head. “And mine for you will shine brighter than the moon. Now inside, all of you, so we can begin making dinner.”

The discussion about hair continues through the preparation of hamburger steaks with sautéed greens.

Naruto and Lee are suitably amazed by the idea of women in Iron wearing their hair practically down to their ankles. Her brain just keeps conjuring up a mental image of Kumadori from CP9 in a woman’s kimono, with his long pink hair and kabuki poses.

“Doesn’t their hair get dirty, Mayu’s Okaa-san?” Naruto asks, almost dropping the patty he’s throwing between his hands.

Her mother shrugs. “I’m sure it must do— I was just as surprised as you when I saw it after I married your Otou-san and moved into the clan compound. I must confess, I never really understood the fascination for long hair that a lot of people in Iron have.”

“Do they not wear it like that in Kiri, Chie oba-san?” Lee says, depositing his chili flake-and-paprika-filled hamburger into the hissing frying pan.

“Oh, they can.” Her mother says, finally taking Naruto’s hamburger off him when he fumbles it again. “My baby cousin Mei had hair down to here.” She wiggles an elbow as she deposits the patty into the pan. “But since her hair was so thick and wavy, she found it a headache to deal with. Mayu-chan’s lucky she got her father’s fine hair, even with my color.”

“I love this color.” Otou-san declares, leaning over from stirring the spinach to plant a loud, wet kiss on Okaa-san’s cheek.

She pretends to gag as Naruto snickers, while Lee watches the display of affection with bright, shining eyes.

“Anyway.” She interrupts loudly. “Otou-san, what are we going to do for practice with the bokken? We were gonna move into fighting opponents before—”

There’s a moment of awkward silence as everyone tries to avoid thinking about what “before” signified.

“Well, you don’t need to worry about that, Mayu-chan.” Her father says, smile a touch too wide and gleeful. “I’ve made arrangements so we shouldn’t be thrown off our planned course too much. You may even pick it up faster!”

She understands the reason behind his glee the next morning.

She wishes she didn’t.

“You can’t be serious.” She says to her grinning father.

“Why wouldn’t I be?” He beams. “This is the perfect way for you to get used to fighting an opponent. You need to learn how to adapt what I’ve taught you to counter a variety of fighting styles, given that it’s unlikely every opponent you face will be playing by the same rules you are.”

“Yosh! Well-said, Jirou-san!” Gai-sensei cheers, far too energetic for someone who’s just made them to do thirty laps around Konoha on one leg.

He finishes warming up and takes up opening position for Strong Fist style. “Now, Mayu-chan! Your aim for today will be to land a single blow on me before I disarm you! When you succeed, we will move on to landing two consecutive blows, then three, and so on until you are able to spar against me properly. Are you ready?”

The feeling of imminent regret is an old and familiar friend by this point.

She tries to make sure her grip on the bokken is as solid as possible. “Ready.”

By the time her mother opens the back door, she’s lying on her back, panting from the effort of trying to stand, and the bokken is lodged at the top of the neighbor’s tree.

She hadn’t even landed a hit once.

Even with her father yelling “helpful” advice like “Go for the hands!” once chakra had come into play.

“You have a visitor, Mayu-chan.” Okaa-san says.

“Ah, greetings young Uchiha! How are you this most youthful morning?” Gai-sensei asks cheerily, like he isn’t half-way to scaling the garden fence to get her weapon back for her.

She turns her head to the side, just in time to catch sight of Uchiha staring at the green-spandex-clad wonder that is Gai-sensei in silent stupefaction.

She wishes she had a camera so she could capture his expression.

Uchiha shakes his head, as though to disperse the shock of acknowledging Gai-sensei’s existence, then looks around until he sees her on the ground.

“What are you doing?” He asks, brows drawn down like he’s personally offended by her presence.

“Dying.” She tells him flatly. “Lee gets Habu-san, and Naruto gets all my cookbooks. He’ll eat way too much ramen otherwise.”

Uchiha glances between where Gai-sensei is making a lot of rustling noises and at her, considering. “Can I have the sword?”

She snorts. “Like shit, that’s Sakura’s. You get the all purpose flour.”

Her father sighs and kneels down to offer her an arm up. “Language, young lady. You did very well today.”

Her legs wobble under her and it’s a fight not to collapse right back down.

Gai-sensei leaps from the tree with a yell, rolling and neatly popping up in front of them with a thumbs up. “Yes! Once you stop freezing up in the face of jutsu, you’ll land a blow on me for sure, Mayu-chan!”

Uchiha shoots her a look that is extremely judgmental. “You couldn’t even land one hit?”

“Shut up Uchiha.” She says, taking the bokken back from Gai-sensei with a tired nod. “Why are you here, anyway? Is there a problem with cooking today?”

“We’re not doing that.” Uchiha drops his voice a few octaves. “I’m giving you the opportunity to prove your fighting spirit. You versus me. No politics, no cowardice. No holding back.”

The wind picks up, a cold draft that swirls leaves between them.

“Do you want me to die? No.” She says, leaning on the bokken. “I’ve spent all morning getting my a—”Her mother clears her throat pointedly. “—My butt kicked. I need a rest. And food.”

“Wh—I’ll give you food!” Uchiha blusters. “A-and it’s not just you! I’m fighting everyone!! You can rest while I fight Lee or Shino or something!”

“SUCH YOUTHFUL SPIRIT!!” Gai-sensei bellows, throwing an arm over Uchiha’s shoulders. “You truly are a paragon of your clan’s sense of camaraderie, young Sasuke! I would be honored if you would allow me to witness your battle with Lee!!”

“Young Sasuke” cringes away from the spandex’d arm. “No. No adults allowed. They’ll just hold us back.”

Gai-sensei wilts.

“Mayu can take some pictures of the fight for us!” Okaa-san adds quickly. “She’ll be happy to do it, won’t you Mayu?”

Gai-sensei immediately perks back up. “What a youthful idea, Chie-san!! Mayu-chan, be sure to capture these expressions of Youth as best you can! We’re counting on you!”

He shoots her a vigorous thumbs-up as her mother goes pink and swoons.

“Ah, I think our camera’s in a drawer over here—” Otou-san darts into the house, muttering under his breath about where he last saw it.

She stares blearily up at them. “Can I have a shower and some breakfast first?”

By the time she comes back down from her shower, the atmosphere feels very...awkward.

Lee’s arrived, and has been armed with their family camera on a thick cord around his neck. It’s what she’d consider an old one, big and bulky, that prints out its photos from a little slit on the bottom.

He waves to her, his mouth full of rice. She gives him a little wave back.

Uchiha is sitting stiffly in Naruto’s chair, staring down at an untouched plate of tamagoyaki like it’ll hold all the answers to the universe.

Okaa-san is washing dishes, back tense. She hands her a plate without a word.

Otou-san’s mouth is drawn, bandaged hand curled into a loose fist. He doesn’t even seem to notice Gai-sensei’s hand on his arm.

Gai-sensei smiles at her, but it’s strained. If she didn’t know any better, she’d almost say it was worried.

She wants to ask what happened in a cool, sneaky way that wouldn’t make the situation get worse, like Robin or Nami or Sanji or Brook can. But she’s not smart enough for that.

So she shovels egg and rice into her mouth, trying to eat as quickly as possible.

She wishes Naruto was here. It’s not fair the Hokage gets him for practically the whole two days on these weekends.

She kicks Uchiha’s ankle under the table. When he yelps and glares at her, she nods towards his plate and mouths “EAT”.

He scowls at her, but finally takes a bite, chewing aggressively.

They clear their plates in silence.

“I guess we’re heading out.” She says, after putting their dirty dishes in the sink. Uchiha just grunts and heads straight for the door.

Even Zoro has better manners than that kid.

“See you later Gai-sensei, Jirou-oji-san, Chie-oba-san!” Lee yells, holding the camera tightly. “Mayu-chan and I will fight with all of our youthful spirit today!”

“Lee!” Gai-sensei cries, tears streaming down his face. “You’ve worked so hard in training...I know all your youthful efforts will allow your strength to blossom!!”

“Gai-sensei!” Lee yells back, beginning to cry himself.

“Lee!”

“Gai-sensei!”

She chuckles despite herself. “I’ll make sure to get a lot of good pictures, Okaa-san, Otou-san.”

Her mother catches her face in a soapy hand, thumb stroking over her cheek. Her eyes are impossibly sad, for some reason.

“We love you, Mayu.” She says. “You know that, right?

She smiles. “Of course I know. I love you too. Even more than Luffy loves meat.”

The worry on Okaa-san’s face melts into fondness. She leans forward to plant a kiss on her forehead, then steps aside so Otou-san can wipe the soap off her cheek with a tea-towel and plant a noisy kiss there instead.

Uchiha makes an impatient noise in the hallway, so she and Lee shout their goodbyes as they follow him out of the door.

Lee really likes the camera.

It took him a little bit to work out the settings to keep the photograph from being under or overexposed, but now he’s merrily snapping away at anything that captures his attention.

Which, so far, has included a bunch of pink flowers, a dog, a bird in its nest, a couple of ninja outside a weapon shop, an old lady in a pretty kimono who called him “a very nice boy”, and three babies in matching ninja-themed prams.

“Can you stop that and get a move on?!” Uchiha snaps. “There won’t be any film left at this rate.”

“Ah! Not to worry, Uchiha-kun!” Lee digs around and pulls out three black capsules of the stuff from...somewhere. “Jirou-oji-san was nice enough to insist I take extra!”

Uchiha groans and slaps his hands over his face as Lee catches sight of a curry restaurant and snaps a shot of its sign.

“Aw, lighten up Uchiha. Let him have his fun.” She ribs gently. “Where’s the harm?”

He stops in the street. When she looks back at him, he’s trembling slightly, fists clenched.

“Fun doesn’t make you stronger.” He sneers, “It’s a weakness that sets you up to be killed.”

He strides forward and body-checks her out of the way, stomping off down the road.

She stares after him, more than a little disquieted, scratching at her scar before following.

She stops and stares.

Along the top of the Uchiha compound there are katana, naginata, sai, spears, daggers, arrows, knives, staffs with kunai tied to the top, even what looks like a fishing pole.

All of them have been bound to the top of the exterior wall by copious amounts of black wire and tape, rusting or ornamental blades jabbing at the sky like a hedgehog’s spines.

Lee lifts the camera and snaps a picture.

The rest of their lunchtime group is standing near the entrance to the compound, also gaping at the wall’s spiky additions.

“Ah, Sasuke-kun!” Sakura says. “Um, what’s all this?”

Uchiha scoffs. “I know you’re a civilian, but even you can recognize traps, can’t you?”

“Aren’t traps supposed to be hidden?” Kiba mutters, Akamaru whining on top of his head.

Uchiha pushes open the door, pausing to unhook what looks like several tripwires and other mechanisms. “Even that man wouldn’t be able to get past all of this. He wouldn’t even dare chance it!”

They all begin trooping inside, only for Uchiha to quickly turn and say, “Step exactly where I step if you don’t want to die.”

There’s a veritable web of tripwires crossing the path through the compound, spidering haphazardly up trees and the sides of buildings. Several of the abandoned stores have been rigged with what looks like the sharp things Uchiha couldn’t mount on the wall, alongside what she thinks she recognizes as rudimentary explosives.

Usopp preserve us, she thinks as they gingerly pick their way through the tangle after the last Uchiha, who may have gone off the deep end while they weren’t looking.

Shikamaru mutters “Troublesome,” like an oath.

[taylorteevee]

Supergirl Discussion: The Dream Team. (S3:11)

Monday’s episode of Supergirl, titled Fort Rozz, has become an instant favorite of mine.  Throughout this episode I was laughing, dramatically sobbing, cheering, happy crying.... basically felling ALL of the emotions in the best way.  We were blessed with some of the most unexpected character pairings that could not have worked any better.  So why was this team up necessary?  Our titular hero needed to gain some Intel on the all-powerful Samantha Reign.  The only way to do so was to travel to Fort Rozz to find the Kryptonian Priestess who has been imprisoned since before the destruction of Kyrpton, which meant she knows what the endgame of the season is going to be about.  Also the prison is still filled with enemies that despise the house of El.  Oh yeah, the prison is now orbiting a blue star that is poisonous to all those of the male gender containing a Y-Chromosome, and Supergirl will have no powers because there is no yellow sun.  In order to combat these obstacles, Kara basically created her own all-female legion of superheroes, which resulted in one of the best episodes of Supergirl to ever grace our screens.  Supergirl, Matilda  Saturn Girl, Livewire, and Regina George Psi are off to try and save the world while Brainy (Who I could write an entire dissertation about how much I love him), Mon-El, Winn, and J’onn stayed back at the DEO to provide support.  Everyone was rightfully hesitant about this team up at first, but Reign was a clear and intimidating common enemy that they all wanted and needed to take down.  There are no words that I can type that will do justice to the dialogue and banter between all of the characters this episode so I’ll ask you guys to respond with some of  your favorite lines!  I think I’m gonna have to put down the SuperWire Conversation as one of my favorites #SuperWireStrong.  This was a big episode for our anti-hero Leslie Willis, known as Livewire, but I will get back to her a bit later on.  After some punching, interrogating, and exploration of the Kryptonian Alcatraz, SuperWire eventually found the Priestess.  Well, I wouldn’t say found, I guess it was more like a dementor kidnapped Supergirl away, let her nap a bit, and took her straight to the Priestess.  If only they greeted our new number one squad, watch out Swift, at the door.  Thank you kind Kryptonian dementor!  I kind of hope we see more of them but back to the Priestess.  I hate her.  She was very rude and I don’t have any kind words about her.  She told us a horribly prophecy, which I’m curently theorizing about and might possibly post about it so let me know if you guys would be interested in that!  At the very least at least she let Supergirl know that there are in fact more WorldKillers out there, so hopefully she gets to recruiting a bigger and badder squad stat (A girl can dream right).  Unfortunately our Dream Team had some additional obstacles courtesy of a solar flare that left the ship our hero’s used to get to Fort Rozz plummeting into the blue star.  Matilda and Regina George stayed behind to try and change the course of the ship so when Reign arrived to murdered the no good Priestess and Kill Supergirl, her only back up was Livewire.  This battle against Reign proved to be the worst one yet and resulted in the death of a hero, Livewire.  She sacrificed herself just as Reign, whose powers don’t rely on something as trivial as the sun, was about to laser Supergirl out of existence.  It was a truly noble and heartbreaking sacrifice.  This is the death of a character that I am truly sad I won’t be able to see on the small screen again.  Well done writers.  The only reason Reign was not victorious, is because Psi came through to get all psychological on our villain and the human attributes that Reign was so worried about in the begging of the episode rendered her nearly defenseless for a brief moment.  This was the first moment we saw her humanity, which was a very, very, big moment.  Supergirl got a taste of the Jekyll and Hyde situation that unknown to her, her bestie of a few Weeks (Months right?)  is dealing with.  I will admit, I do like Samantha and I love her relationship with Ruby, which does help in making this situation even more heartbreaking.  Of course Kara blames herself for Livewire’s death (Please play barracuda at her memorial) which lead to one of the season’s greatest Karamel Scenes.  It felt like season two all over again... except for the fact that he is married, 7 years wiser, and has incredible facial hair.  I’m glad they were finally able to converse again.  It was a very sweet and brief moment that they both needed.  Lots of progress all over the place this episode!  Mon-El reminded Kara that whenver all of the adds are stacked against her, she finds a way and that sometimes Kara manages to find a way and save the day before Supergirl can.  I don’t know if you were able to tell but I thoroughly enjoyed this episode.  Don’t worry I didn’t Forget about Alex.  I did forget about James and Lena thought.  I guess they have to work but were probably secretly making out somewhere.  Anyway back to Alex, she spent the episode with her daughter babysitting Ruby and putting the fear of the FBI into children cyber bullying everywhere.  She also broke my Sanvers heart with they way she responded to the Maggie Text.  Acting 10 out of 10.  The episode ended with two very important scenes.  The Dream Team lost a member while the Anti-Dream team began to grow.  We saw the awakening of the newest WorldKiller after she was not crushed to death by two vehicles she was sandwhiched between.  Just as important, Sam finally confided in Alex about her black outs and loss of time, which is extremely crucial to the development of this season.  This is the scene I have been waiting for and now the big reveal will only be in a matter of time.  I am very excited to see what comes next.

- Was this one of your favorite episodes?

-Did Supergirl create a Stronger Female Squad than Taylor Swift?

-Will Brainy, Mon-El, and Winn move to an apartment in NYC so we can get the spin off that we all deserve? (Please contact me if you have the power to make this happen because we should not deny the people what they want) -Real talk:  I have not written many reviews before so whether it’s positive or negative feedback please tell me what you enjoyed and what you did not!  Also please feel free to discuss the episode or message me with any questions! Until Next Time!    

[esseastri]

Megan Reads Oathbringer (part 6)

tfw you go to work halfway through a liveblog post. not a good feel.

Part 6 encompasses pages 394-476 (previous parts)

Okay, sleep is good, but it’s back to my boys time.

Only Dalinar would consider healing himself in a vision “cheating”

I’M SO EXCITED FOR DALINAR’S OTHER SURGE

let’s get some new magic up in here

“Welcome to my madness, ladies.” DALINAR PLEASE, that’s the most ridiculous greeting ever.

Navani getting all overly excited about an ancient fabrial is delightful. She’s like a kid on Christmas. Though if this leads to her figuring out the design and getting lil Regrowth machines out into the world so people can heal, that would be magnificent. And seems like exactly the thing she’d be planning on doing.

THERE WAS A TEARFUL MOTHER-DAUGHTER REUNION!! THERE WAS ONE!! I’VE BEEN ROBBED

I genuinely love how every time Dalinar orders the Stormfather to do something, he’s like “wtf dude, no I don’t take orders from you” but he does it anyway.

sooo..most of the time when a Radiant dies, their spren dies, too. But the Stormfather was actually...enchanced? by Honor’s death. Obviously, Honor isn’t a Radiant, and I get the feeling that the Stormfather wasn’t his spren, but there’s a certain similarity in that they were clearly connected in some way--if they weren’t, why would his death affect the Stormfather at all? So why did the spren memory loss thing work the opposite way for the Stormfather--that he was fuzzy and forgotten while his connected being was alive, and more sure of himself now that Honor is dead?

“Dalinar squinted, but he still couldn’t make out which were human and which were not.” I feel like that says something, doesn’t it? If you can’t tell the humans from the parshmen? the maybe you’re not so different after all? Maybe you all die the same way, you all bleed and fight and die the same way. And maybe the things you’re fighting for are different, but there’s something to be said for looking at things from a different point of view.

oooohhh honey, is that what they told you? That the Heralds ascended to the Tranquiline Halls? God, humans so want to believe the best of people--as a general rule, we are an optimistic race. We want to believe things will get better or people won’t disappoint us. The betrayal of the Heralds wasn’t even a thing they could comprehend. Why would their gods abandon them? Surely, it was because they’d earned a better afterlife, not because they were tired of being tortured and just...walked away.

I’m emotional about the surprising resilience of humanity, but also of the marvelous ways humans lie to themselves to make themselves feel better.

I’m also emotional about the Heralds. That’s a constant thing though, sort of goes without saying.

ARE WE ACTUALLY GETTING INFO ABOUT THE HERALDS!!!!!?? AAAHHHHHH WHAT

FINALLY

Wait, are you telling me that the Desolations--all of them--were started by vengeful, angry ghosts????

vengeful, angry Parshendi ghosts.

that’s...marvelous.

OOHHHHHHHH

THIS IS MY SHIT THIS IS MY JAM. TEN PEOPLE PUTTING THEMSELVES IN HELL TO SAVE EVERYONE ELSE AAHH THESE PEOPLE

strong, selfless, sacrificing people

who got tired. and fucked up. and broke. and I’m

goooddddd this is MY SHIT THIS IS MY FAVORITE GIMME THIS WHOLE NOVEL AAAAHHH

AND THEN THEY WENT BACK KNOWINGLY KNOWING WHAT WAS WAITING FOR THEM THEY WENT BACK AGAIN AND AGAIN AND AGAIN WILLINGLY KNOWINGLY I”M

I AM EMOTIONAL ABOUT THE HERALDS

also the Stormfather slowly gaining humanity/perspective on humanity is a beautiful thing to witness. Like, yeah, we got it with Syl and Pattern and will with other spren, I’m sure, but it’s wild to see it in the soul of a storm.

HE WASN’T EVEN SUPPOSED TO BE THERE HE WASN’T A KING HE WASN’T ANYONE SPECIAL HE WASN’T SUPPOSED TO BE THERE AND HE WAS THE STRONGEST OF THEM AND HE NEVER BROKE HE NEVER GAVE IN AND HE WASN’T SUPPOSED TO BE THERE AND I”M

TALN

TAAAAAALLNNNN

I’M CRYING

I”M C R Y I N G

I AM UPSET ABOUT THE HERALDS

FOUR AND A HALF THOUSAND YEARS

(also that’s a lord of the rings reference I never noticed before, good job)

oohh shiiiiiittttt. they are reborn literally every nine days how the hell do you fight that

haaa um. the letter in the epigraphs--”it was agreed that no two Shards should settle in the same place”--my dude...you’ve got a limited number of inhabitable planets in this system. hate to break it to you, but... y’all were gonna end up in the same places. ..

“Everyone who might have been able to help us is crazy, dead, a traitor, or some combination of all three. Figures.” 1. Kaladin pls. 2. No, they can’t be dead. that’s too convenient. and also if they’d died before Taln escaped, he would have had someone there to help bear the torture burden and maybe wouldn’t have broken? Or...maybe I’m assuming Taln is stronger than he was there at the end.

Also, Kaladin, you don’t get to be self-righteous about the Heralds. I know you suffered and were tortured and survived with your oaths intact, but you almost didn’t--you reaaaally almost didn’t--and your tortures weren’t nearly as bad as theirs.

“Maybe that should make you reconsider those other wars, rather than using them to justify this one.” GET REKT, DALINAR. GOD, WHAT AN IMPORTANT LINE.

See, Shallan, that’s the beauty of Kaladin. He doesn’t consider whether or not something is “the sort of thing you say to the Blackthorn.” He knows what’s right, or what should be right, and he knows what needs to be said, and he frikkin says it. That’s one of the marvelous things about him--it’s not that he doesn’t care about the consequences, it’s that the consequences of him not speaking are worse. Because if he doesn’t speak, he doesn’t have a chance to change minds or hearts at all.

“You, three of your men, the king, and Adolin.” GOD BLESS THIS ROADTRIP

MMMMMMM YEAH NOPE

No wonder Jasnah and Taravangian got along so well; they have the same world philosophy. Murder a few people on the off chance that that might stop everyone else from dying.

Pragmatic, but ultimately horrible. And probably ineffective. The Heralds already broke. There was only a single year between the last two Desolations. It is highly likely that they any of them did go back now, they would simply break immediately and you’d have the same problem right away.

Usually, Jasnah has good ideas, but this is just. stupid.

ALSO THE FACT THAT HER ONLY OTHER SUGGESTION IS GENOCIDE OF THE PARSHENDI IS REALLY UNCOMFORTABLE. COME ON, JASNAH, YOU CAN DO BETTER THAN THAT.

Listen, I don’t think Jasnah counts as a really good therapist, but at least she’s...trying? to help Shallan? Shallan really needs a therapist.

“Is there a solution?” “I don’t know.” “Perhaps...act like an adult?” Amen, Pattern. Aaaaaamen.

Here’s the thing: I fully 100% understand that Shallan is a sheltered, frightened, PTSD, abused child who can’t confront her problems and therefore hides in various identities because it’s safe there. The problem is that this is the end of the world. Nothing is safe. And acting petulant because you want to sketch in a corner and hide and the big adults are forcing you to help save the world? Not an endearing quality.

I know she has panic attacks whenever she thinks about confronting her problems, and panic attacks suck ass, but you need to work through them? At some point, if you really hate yourself that much, you have to stand up and decide to change? Decide to be better. Shallan has said several times that she hates herself and she wants to change, but she refuses to actually do that. And yeah, it’s fucking hard, but there comes a point when you just have to grow up.

~*~unpopular Shallan opinions with Megan~*~

“Was she perhaps simply not interested?” Ace!Jasnah #confirmed. haha

Okay but like...Jasnah would never train you to be only a “mousy scribe” like...what the fuck, Shallan.

oh of course. Skybreaker...

Okay, so there’s the Sons of Honor--now Amaram’s domain. The Ghostbloods. The Diagram. Hello Darkness My Old Friend’s Skybreakers--which we know from Edgedancer were working on Ishar’s orders. The listeners and the parshmen. And us. the New Radiants. That’s.....a lot of groups with very conflicted purposes and goals.

Someone else in Amaram’s army was close to bonding a spren? and Hello Darkness took them out... Was that the other voice Syl was talking about? the first person she heard? who the heck was it.

“How long will Shallan go before she remembers we’re here?” Aw, Gaz, it’s like you think she cares about you guys.

I AM FREE FROM WORK AAHHH

going to work for 8 hours mid-liveblog just sucks y’all. Anyway. On we go!

“Teft woke up. Unfortunately.” I KNOW THE FEELING, MY DUDE

also good finally please tell me what my boy has been up to/where he’s been disappearing off to

......why this

we didn’t need a drug addiction subplot. why this.

also OOH HE HAS A SPREN? What type. It’s automatic to assume Windrunner, but what if it’s not?

WELL, I’M GLAD KALADIN AND ROCK FOUND HIM wtf we didn’t need this aargghhhh

We’re...really not going to get Azir, are we? I mean. that litany of what the Sunmaker did to them...I’m not freaking surprised that they don’t trust the Alethi. I wouldn’t. That’s horrible.

Dalinar has a point about living long enough to see his consequences though. And he’s actually doing a pretty good job of owning up to his mistakes and dealing with his consequences.

Probably wouldn’t hurt to, like...apologize to Azir though.

OMG LIFT HI

HI BBY GIRL I LOVE YOU

how the heck did she get in here though? is this some of her connected-to-the-cognitive-realm stuff?

pfff Gawx just being so excited to see her thas cuuutte. Besties 5evar.

OOHHH THE ART IN THE BUBBLE IT’S GOT THE PATCH RIPPED OFF

OHHHHHH OOOOOOHHH OOOOH MY BOY. MY MOASH. AAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

he’s alive I’m

aaaAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!

pfft “stew”. nothing will ever live up to Rock’s, I’m sure.

oh wait shit okay

I did not remember that Moash’s king-killing friends were Diagram peeps...I’m assuming we knew that in WoR but I did not remember and that’s... Why would Taravangian want to kill Elhokar? That wouldn’t do much to destabilize anything--that would just put Dalinar more firmly in charge... hm.

unless Taravangian wants Dalinar in charge because he know Dalinar trusts him... dangit. okay.

MEANWHILE I”M UPSET ABOUT MOASH

at least he didn’t throw the patch away. he can sew it back on when he comes back

OH GOD HE’S IMAGINING THEM BEIN HAPPY WITHOUT HIM AND I’M SAD? HE MISSES THEM SO MUCH

AAAAAHHHHHHH

n ooooo he didn’t tell them he didn’t want them to hate you it’s okay just...come hoooommmeee

OH SHIT NO NOT FUSED COME ON

LET HIM LIVE

I S2G

HE GOT A SPEAR OKAY HE’S GOT THIS HE’S THE BEST THEY HAD OH GOSH OKAY

COME ON, MOASH, YOU GOT THIS

“BRIDGE FOUR, BASTARDS” THAT’S MY BOY

IS HE GONNA BE OKAY

WHERE ARE THEY TAKING HIM

WHY ARE THEY TAKING HIM

STOP THEM FROM TAKING HIM

LET HIM COME HOME

I”M CRYING STOP PUT HIM BACK LET HIM COME HOME I MISS HIM

I legit thought he was going to kill Moash, I was ready to drive back to Utah, I WAS READY TO YELL AT PEOPLE OH GOSH

huh. art page: why are the sails on the bottom? Are these air ships? stick the sails into a highstorm, let it push you along on the winds? that...would be dangerous but REALLY COOL?

“Red, stop trying to make deevy a thing, it’s not gonna be a thing.”

it’s like groovy but worse sounding

so when is Ishnah, the espionage lesbian, going to call Shallan’s bluff?

Sorry, Veil’s bluff.

I feel like Shallan’s plotline in this book is just that Onion headline that’s like, “Area [wo]man thought breakdown would be more obvious”

I love Shallan being jealous and suspicious of Adolin’s flames, but Janala isn’t the one you gotta worry about. Danlan’s the one in the Ghostbloods. Ghostbloods? Diagram? shit, I’ve forgotten which evil organization she’s in... or if it even matters. She hasn’t shown up again, has she?

idk, Jasnah, Shallan was justified this time. Anyone making fun of Renarin definitely deserves the Sarcasm Bludgeon.

But Shallan, you weren’t invited on the boys road trip.

though, tbh, that could be fun...

BUT KALADIN JUST LEFT REVOLAR. MOASH JUST ARRIVED OR WAS DRAGGED WHATEVER BUT KALADIN JUST LEFT. THEY COULD HAVE SEEN EACH OTHER, KALADIN COULD HAVE HELPED HIM ESCAPE, HE COULD HAVE COME HOME.

ARRGGHH

“They had no reason to obey the lighteyes. They had no power, no authority.” That’s the problem with tradition. With having something so societially ingrained that you can never shake it, because you don’t think to try.

Moash no. don’t... don’t run yourself into the ground pulling wagons, please, darling, just... don’t die. Don’t give up. Stand your ground, find a way, come home

the letter in the epigraph: “Rayse is contained and we care not fot his prison.” yeah, uh...you gotta....you gotta do maintenance at the very least...to make sure he stays in prison? like...just...check the locks every once in a while? idk. this seems like it might be your fault if he escapes...

Sigzil being scientific and doing tests on them all is still so endearing. I love him.

Also poor Skar. let the man get his squire on, pls.

also, someone who can draw, please, please do an art of Rock doing the “Horneater victory dance” and skipping through a field of wildflowers and butterflies. Please. This is important art.

they still leave a hole in the conference circle for Moash, and hi this is my ghost I’m dead now bye

god, Kaladin would make them do squad formations in the air. Is there a goose-migration vee formation?

SKAR IS A GOOD. A GOOD TEACHER AND A GOOD GLOWING PERSON AAHH

Hey, guys, did you know I love Bridge Four?

[dontshootmespence]

Becoming Real: Alvez-Reid LaMontagne

The story of our lovely family is coming to a close, so it may seem as if it’s all happening very fast, but in fact there’s been a bit of a time skip. In this installment, Diana and Michael decide that because they only plan on having a small-ish wedding, they want to get married within the year, so they do. @coveofmemories @the-slytherin-ice-queen @cosmicjennifer @mxolh @ultrarebelheart @remember-me-forever-silent-angel @tinyplanet-explorers @burnbrightdoll

                                                               ----

They were actually doing this. Normally, when people got engaged, they’d have a year to a year and half engagement while they planned the wedding, but as Diana and Michael talked about it more, they realized that was for people who planned on having an enormous party, and that totally wasn’t there style. Plus, with BAU life for Michael and Diana’s being a medical student, there was never going to be a “good time” to get married. Their lives weren’t destined for relaxation. They would without a doubt be leading hectic lives, so why wait?

After much consideration and finally settling on a date about five months down the road, they started planning. Aunt Garcia had been the first to retire from the Bureau, so she was all about wedding planning. All. About. It. “Don’t worry, my little angel, I will have everything taken care of. I am totally in my element making all these phone calls. Your big day is going to go off without a hitch, I can promise you that.”

“I trust you, Auntie,” Diana had laughed. 

Now the big day was just a few months away. It was definitely cutting it close when it came to wedding dresses, but luckily Diana could more than likely buy off the rack. Today, she, Emma, Alicia, Aunts Garcia, JJ, and Emily, and Charlotte would be accompanying her to look for wedding dresses. She wasn’t traditional in a lot of ways, but having the ladies she loved the most there for her when she picked out her wedding dress was a must.

The first one she put on was a mermaid style. Immediately, she was uncomfortable and it was vetoed by everyone, mother of the groom included. “You don’t look like you like that one,” JJ said. “I imagine you’d be comfortable in something kind of girl, kind of a little out there, not a full ballgown, but something with a pretty skirt.”

Diana nodded her head, looking down and making a motion at the dress she was wearing. Definitely not her. Dress after dress was a now, some of them were okay, some were even great, but none were perfect, and that was another traditional part of her, she wanted that perfect feel.

She pulled on what felt like the 80th dress. A feeling washed over her - she felt exquisite. She felt exactly like her, and she started to cry. “Oh my god,” Emma said from outside the dressing room. “I hear crying. Did you find the dress?”

“I think so!”

“Come out!” JJ cried. 

From the dressing room, she emerged in an A-line dress with thin white spaghetti straps on the top. The dress was white at the top with a slight flower pattern, but it was a different white and was raised slightly so it reflected against the light. As the skirt flared out, the white merged into a vibrant, but plush pink, and the floral details that were just a pattern before were now embellishments on the skirt. In a manner very unlike her, she stood before her friends and family, her fingers gently entwining as she smoothed out the material. “Do you like?”

JJ stood up, her eyes filling up as she walked up to her soon-to-be daughter-in-law who she’d known from the moment she entered the world. “You look beautiful,” she said softly. Diana choked out a sob and within seconds the rest of her friends and family were crying.

“This is absolutely perfect,” Garcia cried.

Emily pulled her in, pressing a kiss to her cheek. “You look perfectly you. You were meant to wear this.”

While everyone else was crying happily but silently to themselves, Emma freaked out and ran into her best friend’s arms. “It’s absolutely perfect. You’re absolutely perfect. I can’t believe my bestie is getting married.”

“Mine either.” Together since they were teenagers, Emma and Alicia were also engaged, but they’d be putting theirs off until Alicia graduated with her master’s degree. 

With her dress picked out and measurements taken, they could all move on to bridesmaids’ dresses. Emma was her maid of her honor, naturally, but she wanted Alicia and Charlotte there as well, in addition to her aunts and the mother of groom. They were her family. Various shades of purple had always been her favorite, so that had been the color scheme they’d picked - lilacs, whites and silvers. 

“Just so you know,” Garcia said, wiping the tears from her eyes, “I’ve been on and off the phones with the florists, the venue, and the catering company and so far everything is on track.”

Diana had no idea what she would’ve done with her Aunt planning the wedding. “What kind of dresses were you thinking for the bridesmaids?” Emily asked.

“Honestly,” Diana said, not having given it an extensive amount of thought, “I want them to be lilac and I want them to be long, but everyone should wear a cut they feel comfortable in.”

“Oh thank god, I love you,” Emma said, dreading having to like a bridesmaids’ dress she hated for the sake of her bestie. She turned around and pointed out a “family” of dresses, all the same color and length, but different in style. “So we could pick from here?”

Diana nodded and all of her ladies started diving into the gowns. Eventually, Garcia decided on a sweetheart strapless gown. Emily and JJ both opted for one shouldered options, Charlotte was the most covered up, but her sleeves were off the shoulder, and Emma and Alicia both spaghetti straps, similar to her own gown. “Everyone happy?” she asked, thankful that everyone found something they liked. It was her day, but having her bridesmaids uncomfortable wasn���t what she wanted. The color and length were all that were necessary for her. 

“Only a few more details to go,” Garcia said. “And then my little baby is getting married to one of my other babies. I can’t even believe it.”

                                                              ----

All of the details were ironed out just in time. Considering her love of books, Diana was shocked that she hadn’t thought about marrying at the Library of Congress, but Michael did, and the moment he’d suggested it, she knew it was perfect. They’d marry in the great hall and then there was a beautiful room where they’d hold the reception. 

She walked in that morning, hair and makeup already done to the hall, which was decked out in lilac and white flowers. While the room was grand, the decorations were understated. “Everything is set, sweetheart,” Garcia said, running her hand over Diana’s cheek. “You are the most beautiful bride.”

“Stop, Auntie, you’re gonna make me cry.” She was already crying but that was besides the point. 

It was only an hour later that she was dressed in her now perfectly-tailored gown and was ready to walk down the aisle. “You nervous?” Luke asked. Both he and Spencer would be walking her down the aisle. 

“No,” she said softly, staving off a new wave of tears. “Just excited.”

The second the doors opened, she looked down to where Michael stood and started to cry. Before the procession began, Spencer pulled a tissue out of his pocket and wiped her tears away. “You look beautiful, by the way,” he said, his eyes filling up with emotion. He swore it was only yesterday that he and Luke had become fathers and now here she was getting married to the man she loved.

“Daddy, don’t cry or I’m gonna lose it,” she said, giving both of them a kiss on the cheek. 

Spencer wiped his tears away and swallowed hard. “No promises.”

Walking down the aisle, Diana felt light, beautiful and oh so ready. When Michael started to cry, she did too, and then her dads lost it, drowning in their own tears as they kissed her and told her how beautiful she was and how proud they were. 

After welcoming everyone, the officiant started the ceremony, which passed relatively quickly in the two lovers’ eyes. They couldn’t stop crying, their eyes fixed sole on the other until the officiant said they could begin their vows. Another thing they’d both agreed upon fairly early on in the planning process was that they’d each memorize a passage on love from a book they loved, tweaking it for themselves, and use them as their wedding vows. However, they wouldn’t tell each other until now.

From memory, Diana started to speak a passage from Doctor Zhivago. “Oh, what a love it is, utterly free, unique and like nothing else on earth. Our thoughts are like other people’s songs. We love each, not through necessity or the “blaze of passion” often falsely associated with love. We love each other because everything around us wills it, the trees and the clouds and the sky over our heads and the earth under our feet. Perhaps our surrounding world, the strangers we meet in the streets, the wide expanses we see on our walks, the rooms in which we live and meet will take more delight in our love than we will...but I tend to doubt it.” That last little bit had been improvised, eliciting a crying laugh from Michael. The two looked to the side and saw JJ, Will, Spencer and Luke in varying degrees of sobbing - the worst probably being Spencer and JJ.

Everyone else was sobbing as well, but they couldn’t really see well through the tears. Michael’s passage was shorter, from Winnie the Pooh, which JJ and Will read to him constantly as a child. He loved the passage then, associating it with his mother, but when Diana came into his life in the way she did, the passage started to remind him of her as well. “If ever there is tomorrow when we’re not together…there is something you must always remember. You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think. But the most important thing is, even if we’re apart…I’ll always be with you. I love you.”

Even the officiant was in tears now, and Diana could’ve sworn she heard her Aunt Garcia sobbing behind her, though she didn’t dare look for fear of completely breaking down. “Well, I think all of us are sufficiently drained of tears now,” the officiant laughed, before leading the two in the final vows. “It is my honor to pronounce Michael and Diana as husband and wife!”

A roaring round of applause sounded throughout the hall as they made their way down and out the doors, giving them a few moments alone before walking into the reception. “My wifey!” Michael cried, pulling Diana into him by her waist. “You look so beautiful. Looking forward to every day of the rest of our lives.”

“Me too,” she sobbed. Having decided long ago that she didn’t want to lose her last name while also wanting to take on Michael’s, she’d use her maiden name as her middle from now on. 

As of now, Diana was Diana Alvez-Reid LaMontagne. “I’m a LaMontagne now,” she said, using her perfect southern drawl that she’d picked up from her father-in-law over the years. 

“Yes you are,” Michael said proudly. “Alvez-Reid LaMontagne.”

[chiimei]

A New Path - Chapter 14

I'm sorry for the late update. I was and will be quite busy with school till 22th of June. Dx After that I would update on the regular schedule, so every Saturday. I also want to thank @aitchhdee​ for giving me ideas of the akuma villain in this chapter. Another huge thanks to my beta’s @chatlovingshipper​ and Tjikicew (of AO3) too! I hope you would like this chapter, enjoy reading~

Short Story Summary: The akumatized villains are getting stronger. Ladybug and Chat Noir are no longer able to protect Paris on their own, there’s a need for a new hero. And that would be Nathaniel, the new fox hero in town.    

C.1 | C.2 | C.3 | C.4 | C.5 | C.6 | C.7 | C.8 | C.9 | C.10 | C.11 | C.12 | C.13 |

FF | AO3

"Yes! My plan worked. Not per plan, but I was still able to get a drawing from tomato boy."

Chloé giggled to herself as she was rolling on her bed while hugging her pillow. After she got her hands on that drawing, her chances becoming famous would go up. Being friends with a newbie is way easier than who are already famous, though she's already besties with Ladybug. However, it wouldn't hurt to get even closer to her and proudly present that to the world. She would be known as the bestie of Ladybug! Unlike Lila, she wouldn't lie then.

As soon as Nathaniel got home, he opened his sketchbook and started to draw. It was quite funny to think he had to draw himself for Chloé of all people. He still wondered what she would do with the drawing. Wouldn't it veritably be better to ask for some journalist or great photographer if she wanted some details? Well, he wouldn't show himself so easily. He didn't like too much attention after all. Besides that, the real heroes are Ladybug and Chat Noir. He couldn't just take away their spotlight.

"Hey, don't you think Chloé started to get nicer by the day?"

Inarii flew out of Nathaniel's pocket and sat next to the sketchbook. Somehow her acting all nice, still bratty, but seemly felt weird. It was suspicious that she came to Nathaniel out of everyone to ask such a request. Though it wouldn't be so bad to for his partner to have a fan as well. He would be rather happy for him. Nathaniel needed some more love after all.

"I guess she isn't that hostile to me anymore. Maybe because I also started to act friendly to her."

Already a week had passed before he finally finished his drawing for Chloé. It took longer than Nathaniel expected to make an excellent drawing that would satisfy her. He would from time to time show her the work in process and she had some critic from time to time, but other than that she was absolutely pleased with it. During those days, she didn't sit next to him and when she did come to his table, she would ask about the drawing. However, lately she also asked about other things. Like what he planned to do with the money she gave him, what his plans were in his free time besides drawing, asking about his parents. She seemed to be more interested in him? He was genuinely curious if she honestly wants to be friends with him. Or she might plan something big against him. Who knows, Chloé is unpredictable.

"So, are you done with the drawing today, tomato head?"

Even though she may have some interest in him, she still hadn't used his first name at all without also adding his surname. Well, he got used to the nicknames she calls him, he also addresses her as drama queen or something similar. Besides that, Chat Noir also called him by some nicknames, so he didn't mind this.

"Yeah, I'm done with the drawing."

Nathaniel bowed slightly so he could grab the sketchbook out of his bag. He placed it on the table and flipped through the pages till he reached the commissioned drawing. When he was on the right page, he glanced to Chloé to see what her reaction would be. She appeared to be… very stunned? It was like she was perplexed or something. She kept staring at the drawing with her eyes wide. Her hand was against her mouth as if she wanted to hold back a scream by doing that.

Chloé couldn't help but have the urge to scream. The artwork was so stunning, she couldn't say anything at all for a few seconds. She wanted to scream and tell Nathaniel that it looked amazing. That it looked so realistic as if he took a picture of Vulpino. She knew that Nathaniel was more of the cartoonist, so she didn't expect him to draw realistic as well and in such a fascinating way. The previous time he showed the drawing, everything was still flat. The shading absolutely made everything pop up. Even the colors are spot on with the original. The texture seems so picturesque too! She couldn't help but just stare at it with awe. Though she shouldn't act all too happy about it, that would only represent herself as lame. So, she slowly closed her eyes and once she opened them, she pretended to be calm. Her amazed look got replaced by an expression as if she was uninterested.

"It looks good enough. You did a great job. As reward for doing an exceptional work, how about I treat you to a drink? Or maybe some ice cream?"

"Pfft, you can be more honest about what you think about this illustration, but sure, I won't say no to that offer. How about some ice cream?"

Nathaniel chuckled as he thought Chloé was being amusing now. They both seemed to be in a good mood, since Chloé offered to treat him and he even accepted it. Well, it wouldn't hurt to hang out with Chloé even after school.

One young lady, one woman, one man. They were all sitting together in the living room. Tears were falling from the young lady's eyes. Her brunette bangs almost covered her eyes as she gazed down. The others were gazing down as well. It was silent. Only the sound of the ticking from the clock and the sound of soft breathing could be heard.

"Is it true?"

The brunette lady mumbled under her breath. She used her voice so softly as she didn't want to be heard, as if she was being careful. She balled her hands into a fist so tightly, that it made her fingers almost white. She tried her best to hold back her tears, but she couldn't.

"Mom…Dad… Is it true?"

She spoke louder and gazed at the man and woman sitting across of her. Her voice sounded hoarse, as if she had been screaming for a long time. She stared hopefully at them, her eyes were almost begging for them to tell her it wasn't true. However, none of them looked her in the eye. Her father leaned his face on his hands, while his upper body was leaning forward. Her mother fixed her eyes on her hands.

"I ask you if it's true! Please tell me it isn't… I'm not… truly auntie's real daughter, right?"

It was her so-called mother who finally opened her mouth. She took a deep breath before speaking and locked her eyes on her supposed daughter. In her eyes, sadness could be seen. What does that mean? Did it genuinely mean that she's not her real daughter?

"It's…true, Tia. Your aunt had some troubles in the past, so I raised you instead. I never told you, because I truly cared about you! You're my daughter now, so there was no real need to tell you. I considered you as my own child, not my little sister's child. She… didn't want you. Instead of making you an orphan, I wanted to raise you as my own…"

Tia didn't listen to her anymore. When her supposed mother said, it was true, her mind closed off from the real world. She didn't want to hear excuses. She didn't want to hear the reason. She didn't want to hear anything at all regarding this. Thus, she stood up. Tears were flowing down as she glared at her parents.

"You are all liars! I hate you!"

She shouted out of frustration and ran out of the room, out of the house. She heard someone calling after her, but she didn't stop. She kept on running, getting outside, leaving the place that she considered as her home. She ended up in the park and cried her heart out under a tree.

"Lies… Everything is a lie…"

She softly mumbled to herself. She still didn't want to believe she was not their real daughter. All those seventeen years, they lied to her, they deceived her. Why didn't they tell her? Was she not supposed to find out? Was she not worth the truth? What is… even the truth?

She glanced down at her locket necklace, opening the locket to see their family picture. Her with her father, mother and her older brother. Did he… know about this too? Did her aunt… or her actual mother honestly wanted to get rid of her? Every time she visited her, she looked so weirdly at her. She was always curious why… Hence, this is what it meant? Didn't she want her after all those years?

Tia ripped the necklace off her and threw it on the ground. She didn't want to see her fake family anymore. She leaned her head on her knees and placed her hands on her head. She wanted to scream, but her voice couldn't escape out of her throat. It was hard to breath. Everything felt so suffocating. She felt like she was getting trapped. As if there was a cage around her, which gets smaller and smaller by the second. What was even her real home now? She had no place to go to.

If only her family hadn't keep her birth a secret. If only they told her the truth from the beginning. Would things have gone better? She kept wondering and wondering, while feeling cold and alone. If only someone could save her from her confusing state, from this dark pit she was in.

Little did she know that there was a certain black butterfly flying in the sky in search for her. Once it reached its destination, it approached the necklace on the ground. The black butterfly got absorbed and covered the whole necklace black. Tia looked up and stared in front of her as she suddenly heard a voice in her head. The skin color around her eyes changed into a redder brown color. A pink butterfly-shaped outline appeared in front of her eyes as well. She heard the voice of someone unknown. Who was he? Was he… her savior?

"Truth Seeker, I'm Hawk Moth. I'll give you powers. From now on, no one will lie to you ever again. You will make everyone tell the truth and even bring out their deepest secrets so no one would ever feel deceived and hurt again. At the same time, you need to find out the weakness of Ladybug and Chat Noir and bring me back their miraculous."

"Yes, Hawk Moth."

She smirked and stood up, making the red brown mark on her face and the outline disappear. She bowed down to grab her necklace and put it around her neck again. As soon as she did so, her whole body got covered into some dark energy. Her clothes transformed into a strapless long sleeved dress with rose patterns at the ruffled edges. The front of her dress reached to her knees and her sleeves became larger extending to her wrist. She wore a white butterfly-shaped mask and had white wings attached to her back. Her hair grew longer down to her knees and turned white as well.

As soon as her transformation was complete, she flew to the first person she spotted. She smiled as she was floating in front of him. He on the other took a step back out of fear. She put her hand against her left cheek and tilted her head slightly to the left, while smiling kindly to the guy.

"Where are you going, young man?"

"I'm sorry, but I'm busy. I have to go."

The guy didn't want to get involved with this strange looking woman. She seemed dangerous even though she appeared like an angel, maybe she was an akumatized villain again. Hopefully Ladybug and Chat Noir would arrive to save the day. He wasn't busy, but maybe this woman will let him go if he made that excuse. He quickly turned around to leave, to run away from this villain. However, she stood right in front of him again. As if she moved faster than the speed of light.

"LIES!"

Suddenly the green brown eyes of Secret Revealer glowed red and her hair went all different ways, as if gravity didn't exist for her hair. Everything that was white, turned into black. She flew closer to him, which made him take a step aside, ending up standing against the glass of a window shop. Her hair looked like black snakes, wanting to take a bite at him. She tilted her head to the right and gave him a big smile with wide eyes. Her eyes were still glowing red. She had that look of a psychopathic woman who was ready to murder someone.

"You're not telling the truth, are you?"

"I'm sorry! I lied! I just wanted to get away. Please let me go!"

Her hair went down again, as if gravity came back. She smiled kindly now, while everything changed to white again. Her hair, her wings, her dress and mask. She threw a white feather towards the guy's chest, which got absorbed.

The guy was shocked to see how the feather got inside of him. However, he felt no different. He held out his hands and checked his body out, there was no difference in appearance either. He looked at the woman in front of him all confused, which made her smile broader instead.

"So where do you plan to go?"

"N-nowhere particular, I'm just going home."

He lied to her again, he was in fact planning to visit his best friend, but why would he tell her about that? She also didn't seem to have some special powers. Seems like the only thing she could do is change all black and make people scared. However, he got that wrong…

Just when she turned all black again, he felt something in his chest. It was so painful that he fell on his knees. It was as if he couldn't breathe no longer. It was as if his heart suddenly stopped beating.

"Home… So, you have a home huh. Liars like you don't deserve such a place. If you don't want to suffer, tell me the truth. Or am I not worth the truth!"

Again, her eyes were glowing red. It was as if they expressed her anger. Quickly the guy told her he was planning to go to see his friend. After that, the pain lifted, however, his left arm suddenly disappeared.

"For every lie you tell, your limps will disappear. One after another. Liars shouldn't need to exist after all."

She smiled satisfied as she saw him totally panicking about his arm. Even Hawk Moth seemed to be happy about this as she could hear him laugh.

"Good, good. With this, Ladybug and Chat Noir will surely appear! Even Vulpino would appear, so take his miraculous as well if you're taking them anyway."

"Yes, Hawk Moth."

She said and flew up, high in the sky. Before she would go to her destination, she would spin around and throw the feathers to as many people as she could. Many people got hit by them and many people seemed to suffer at it. She could hear the screams of the liars from below. As she heard them, she made an expression as if she was disgusted of humanity.

"So many liars..."

Her outfit started to get darker and darker. However, it wasn't pitch black like before. Which means there were also some honest people in this city. She wouldn't take that for granted though, her outfit was already dark gray, so most people she hit were liars.

"So can you tell me what you plan to do with the drawing now? I'm really curious you know."

Nathaniel and Chloé got out of the ice cream parlour. Nathaniel got a cherry ice cream cone, while Chloé got a vanilla honey frozen yoghurt, which she ate out of a paper cup. Chloé poked her spoon in her frozen yoghurt and looked at Nathaniel slightly annoyed. She was about to tell him it was private, until she suddenly saw something flying towards Nathaniel at full speed.

"Look out!"

She quickly stood in front of him and got hit by the unknown white object in her chest instead. She had her eyes closed and her arms spread, while still holding the plastic spoon on one hand and the paper cup on the other. She slowly opened her eyes to look at herself. She expected that something would happen to her, but nothing felt or appeared different. Was it just her imagination?

Nathaniel looked confused at Chloé. He noticed that something was going towards his direction as well, however Chloé responded faster than him. She even tried to protect him, but why? He took a step forward to take a better look at her. She didn't seem to be hurt, so was it just their imagination? It couldn't be right? She saw it as well.

"Are you alright Chloé? You're not hurt, are you? Why did you even try to protect me?"

"I didn't protect you! Don't take it the wrong way, I don't like you at all. It was just- "

She wasn't even able to finish her sentence as she felt a pang in her chest. She let everything fall out her hands on the ground and placed her hands on her heart. She clenched her clothes tightly and fell on her knees.

"W-what is this?"

She breathed out heavily, as if it was hard to speak. She tried to take deep breaths, since she was feeling no air coming in her. She kept on breathing, but it felt like her heart wasn't pounding anymore. Why? Why was she feeling suddenly like this? Was it just a late after effect? She was fine just a while ago. Where did this huge pain come from?

"Liars, liars, liars. This city is full of filthy liars! Those who suffer of pain now told a lie. Only the truth will make your suffering stop. I am Truth Seeker and all of you liars should disappear!"

A loud voice echoed around the city. Nathaniel looked confused, to see where the voice came from. He scanned his surrounding and saw more people suffering the same state as Chloé. Some were crying loudly or screaming out of pain. Some lied down and curled themselves up into a ball, hoping that would help. There was something else he noticed. Someone was floating in front of the Eiffel Tower. It couldn't be anyone else than the one who caused this!

"Quickly Chloé, tell me the truth. It will relieve you from the pain."

At least, if he could trust what this Truth Seeker said. This would be very difficult for Chloé though, she wasn't an honest person. At least, if it was about something nice.

"F-fine…! I did protect you!"

The pain was too much for her, that even she would tell the truth, even if she didn't want to. She shouted out what she denied before and indeed, her pain disappeared, but…so did one of her legs.

[ Next Chapter ]

[scribbles-by-kate]

Thoughts on 6.8 “I’ll Be Your Mirror”

I really liked this episode. All the Swan Queen and Swan Mills family stuff was great, and I love Violet Believer as well. The RumBelle stuff was intense, with things coming to a tricky impasse between them. Definitely set up an even more angsty situation between them.

My Fan fiction My Once Upon a Time episode reviews, essays, and meta

Emma refusing to let Regina sacrifice herself to destroy the queen - I like how she says knowing Regina will be there for Henry is the only thing that’s making her ok with her own fate. I also like Regina turning that around on Emma later in the mirror world. I like them facing the Dragon together. This is a great episode for these two working together. My Swan Queen side was very happy with this.

The Snowing montage - aw, so sweet! You could really see the strain of being apart over a number of days, but also how they were trying to make it as good as they could for each other and baby Neal.

Trapping the queen - Regina, shouldn’t you have known that everything you think of, the queen thinks of? She is you! If you want to defeat her, you’re going to need someone else to do it. Of course she was going to turn the tables on you.

Henry’s fear about Violet no longer liking him - aw, poor Henry. I really liked Emma and Regina telling him to just be himself, though.

Using Henry as bait - I know he was ok with it, but I still felt this was kinda mean. I didn’t really like the way the queen was talking to him either, though.

The queen is not Henry’s mother - yes, Regina, she is. She’s part of you, so she’s also his mother. Sooner or later, they’re all going to have to accept the queen and want her to reunite her with Regina, and Regina’s going to have to be ok with that too. This situation can’t go on forever. The queen’s acting out in part because no one will accept her.

The queen pretending to be Regina - seriously, Hook, you couldn’t tell she used magic on Emma’s phone to create that message? And, OUCH, Snow! The queen is a monster? And she’s so glad Regina threw her away? Yeah, the queen was definitely hurt by that. Ok, she was cruel in what she did and she doesn’t know anything about love or empathy, though she wants both, but it’s obviously hard for her being rejected. She does need to realise she can’t hurt people, though: she can’t lash out like she is. No one will ever accept her if she keeps this up.

Belle going to Zelena - I understand this completely from Belle’s point of view. She finds the shop locked, something Rumple never did before, and her paranoia levels are now through the roof. She fears he’s after the baby because he’s given her no reason to think otherwise, and she reacts. Nobody should be going to Zelena for help, but, on a practical level, the way she explained it to her, I get it. Zelena did tell her about Rumple’s shears plan, whether accurate on his intentions or not; she also does know what it’s like to be hurt by someone she loves, and she can open portals with ease, so, yeah, Z’s a good choice for Belle’s requirements. Also, she knows how to appeal to the tiny flicker of humanity in Zelena. She can be deviously manipulative when she wants to be, can our Belle. I’m also firmly of the opinion that she’s being driven by what she believes is best for her son. She tells Z she doesn’t want her son to go through being let down by Rumple, which I accept. She’s all about her son. As for calling Rumple ‘Gold’, she’d definitely do that if she wanted to maintain emotional distance from him, which she does, here. She’s already tearing up when she talks about being hurt by people who let us down, and she doesn’t want to break down in front of Zelena. I also think saying she and Z are somewhat alike is ok. She’s not saying let’s be besties: she’s saying I understand what you feel - she’s manipulating her because she can. Z allows it because she knows it will piss off Rumple and because it’ll get her the Sorcerer’s wand back, or so she thinks.

Belle being a demanding mama bear - for a character who’s so often used by other people, it makes a refreshing and welcome change to see Belle being demanding of people and not apologising for it. Yes, she manipulates Zelena, and she lets Zelena rip Aladdin for giving the shears to Emma and allowing Rumple to get his hands on them. No, it’s not technically Aladdin’s fault that Rumple now has them, but actions have consequences, and Belle’s not above eliciting sympathy for herself and her child. And, the thing is, before anyone says she was a bitch to Aladdin, he does as she asks because he’s a nice guy. He doesn’t seem to have a problem with her being demanding, so why should anyone else? People have taken advantage of Belle for years. Now, when she’s worried for her son, I have no problem with her being tough to get what she wants. I know she’d help Aladdin if it were in her power to because she’s also a good person, and no one would have to persuade her to help the way Aladdin kinda has to be persuaded here.

The queen offering to pretend to be Regina - she really wants Rumple’s affection. Eek, and he’s not even interested. So, she walked into his shop two episodes ago with the intention of initiating a power play, I think, but, yeah, she’s massively underestimated him. He’s definitely turned the tables on her because he’s now the one playing her. He doesn’t want her, not the way she wants him. I wonder when she’ll figure that out. Shouldn’t she know by now that he can manipulate her? How can she think this will end well for her?

Love is weakness, but it can also be a weapon - interesting that it’s Rumple who says love is weakness and to remember her mother’s message. Then the queen says it’s a weapon. Yes, Queenie, a weapon he’s using against you, and you can’t see it.

Of course Henry was going to figure it out - he’s a smart kid, Queenie, did you really think he wouldn’t get it? I love him talking to Violet and getting her to play along. Why can’t the queen see it, though? Is she just that desperate for affection that she’s accepting Henry’s words at face value? It must be that because she’s much smarter than this.

The battle in Regina’s soul was supposed to stay there - thank you, Dragon! Jeez, I said that at the end of season five! She made a huge mistake setting the queen free.

Balancing the dark and the light - again, thank you, Dragon! That’s what needs to happen for all the characters. They need to accept that they have flaws and find a way not to let them rule them. Are you listening, Rumple? This applies especially to you. You need to find balance, pal, and stop giving in to the Darkness, stop going the easy route, because if you keep this up, you really will lose everything, again.

Who was the Dragon’s daughter? - Ooh, I’m so intrigued. Is it Lily? If it’s Lily, they definitely haven’t got the race right. Maybe it’s Mulan, though: that would work better and I want to see Mulan again.

The queen is not really evil, but a leader - well, she has done some pretty evil things too… And she can’t blame Rumple for all of them because he may have manipulated her, but the choice to stop was always hers, always. She could have said enough any time and didn’t, and I think a lot of why she didn’t stop was to do with Snow’s attitude to her. Snow saw her as a monster, so she kept acting like one. I do think the queen has very good leadership qualities, though. She’s certainly the decisive, determined side of Regina, but all those good qualities are hidden under her twisted cruelty.

Wanting to darken Henry’s heart so he’ll understand - oh, no, this is a perfect example of how the queen doesn’t understand love. This is so twisted, and I love how conflicted Henry is for a while. Does he darken his heart to save his moms? If he doesn’t, he’ll never see them again. I love how he says ‘If you are my mom, please don’t make me do this’. He’s so anguished and in pain. It’s a great scene. And I love that he finds a third way. Ok, he probably doesn’t know that smashing the mirror will work in tandem with the dragon fire, and he probably only smashes the mirror out of desperation and denial, but I love that he doesn’t do what the queen wants. I love that he gets Emma and Regina back, but did the Dragon come through as well? I didn’t actually see him, but hopefully he did. And I hope Henry gets his heart back to him.

‘Family makes you stronger than you’ll ever be alone’ - it kinda felt like that was Henry offering an olive branch to the queen. Like, if she comes and says she wants to be a family, and stops trying to hurt people, he’ll let her in his life. I think Emma would too. I don’t know about Snow. I think that’d take more work, and maybe for Regina too, but the queen wanting to change her ways has to be the first step. This show has always gone the route of if you stop doing bad and start doing good, you’re allowed to be part of the family. The queen needs to realise that, and so does Rumple.

The queen wants what’s best for him - but she doesn’t know what that is. Regina and Emma do, but the queen doesn’t, because she has some twisted notion of love.

Aladdin, Jasmine, and the lamp - well, that lamp is going to come back to bite everyone, I’m sure, but I did love that shout out to Robin Williams. ‘My old pal’s moved on… He’s free now.’ Aw *sniff* I liked Jasmine praising him for helping Belle too.

Belle wanting to get to the Enchanted Forest - ok, sweetie, you didn’t really think this through, did you? This is what I mean about Belle being intelligent smart, but not emotionally smart. Like, it’s not as if Rumple couldn’t have done a locator spell, taken the wand back from Zelena, and then created a portal to go after Belle. This wasn’t a good plan. This was a desperate plan concocted in a hurry. Who knows, maybe she even wanted Rumple to follow her. Also, yes, Belle is acting somewhat the hypocrite and the coward herself here. Heroes don’t run, Belle, remember? Although, in Belle’s defence, I will say that she isn’t thinking of heroism here: she’s thinking as a mother. This is a different situation. She’s not thinking about protecting the town from Dark One Emma, she’s thinking of protecting her son from being hurt by his father. There’s a big difference in the situations here, which can’t be overlooked just because we’re annoyed with Belle.

The magical GPS cuff - *sigh* Rumple, this is a dick move. Come on, pal, you can’t do this and call it love. In fact, Belle calls him out on it with her ‘You call this love?’ comment. This is a shitty thing to do. On the whole, I will say it’s marginally less shitty than trapping her on the ship like a sitting duck because she can at least hide from danger with the cuff on, but you being able to find her wherever she goes isn’t conducive to winning back her trust. Does he even want her to trust him any more? Is he so far gone that he can’t see how badly his behaviour has diminished any remaining good will she may have had towards him? I don’t believe that she’s afraid of him or that she fears he would hurt her physically, because if she was afraid, she wouldn’t stand up to him: she’d run away once he appeared in the room, and she certainly wouldn’t let him close enough to put that cuff on her, but he’s definitely not doing himself any favours with her at all with the way he’s behaving. Now, it is possible that he’s using the cuff as a way to make sure someone can’t take her away and hide her from him, like Regina did all those years ago, but, again, if he has a good reason for what he’s doing, his wife, True Love, and mother of his child deserves to know. He has no right keeping her in the dark if she’s in danger or if he has an actual reasonable reason for doing what he’s doing.

Threatening to stop him ever seeing their child - that’s Belle reacting to the cuff, and Rumple calling her ‘dearie’ is him reacting to her reaction. They are both hurt and angry and bitter, and throwing mean words at each other because they’re hurt and frustrated. I do think Rumple’s scared and I think Belle just doesn’t know what to do about his dark behaviour. They just aren’t seeing eye to eye at all and they’re in a terrible, awful place. They’re being mean to each other. Both of them are harsh here, but I do still believe they can come back from this. Neither one has turned the other into something they don’t want to be and neither one has threatened the other’s family. We’re not at those levels of awfulness, not yet. Yes, Rumple is disrespecting Belle’s agency and Belle is threatening Rumple’s access to their son, but we’re not at the level of crappiness a certain other ship descended to last season. If we ever get there, then, yeah, I don’t think they should come back from it, but we’re not there yet, and I still think there’s hope to fix this. The other good thing is that Belle is still a strong woman who’s refusing to accept his bad behaviour just because she loves him. He’ll need to show her that he really can be better before they can even begin to take steps to get back together. We’re not at CS levels of squickiness or Stepford Emma levels of excusing his bad behaviour, thankfully.

Zelena’s taunt - oh, Zelena, shut up! No one asked for your input. And, of course, this is the first time Belle is hearing about what happened in New York. Does Rumple ever tell her anything? I do like how Belle didn’t give a crap about him choking Zelena, but she did care about his heart attack. And she gave Zelena a very nasty look when she talked about New York. And at this moment, when Belle might be concerned enough about Rumple to be open to listening to him, he’s talking about loopholes and poofing away to plot revenge on Zelena *sigh*

They’ve already raised Henry - aw, Swan Queen are tops at motherhood :) Yeah, Henry’s a good kid. And I love Henry and Violet dancing together in Granny’s.

Rumple and the queen - oh, Queenie, why aren’t the alarm bells ringing? Or are they and you’re just ignoring them? Seriously, when someone tells you to do something bad and says then they they’ll give you something you want, it should be a big red flag that they don’t really care about you. He’s just using her to get Zelena killed. I wonder if this was always his plan or if he just came to it when he realised she felt something for him/wanted his affection. I don’t know, but he’s definitely turned the tables on her now. She got in way over her head with him. He did say he’s not fond of forgiveness and I wonder if he was referring to Zelena AND her in that. He’s definitely setting her up for a fall, and part of me wonders if he’s trying to teach her a lesson about how far she should go. That would be something he would do: he’s done it with her before, after all. Will she be strong enough to resist this time? It’s her choice at the end of the day. He isn’t forcing her, though holding himself up as a reward is further than he’s ever gone in his manipulation of her. Deep down, though, she should know he’s not serious about being with her. She does look shocked when she hears what he wants from her, but is she going to do it in hopes he actually means what he says? It is her choice anyway. It’ll be interesting to see whether she’s strong enough to resist or not. Does love for her sister mean more than her desire for love from Rumple?

[empressofmoon]

Alpha Omega

Feeling inspired tonight. Again my first fanfic so please excuse grammar, typos etc. Chapter 2 - Grill Me It had been a little over a month since the Mikaelson came to town. Tyler had submit as did most of the pack and the town. From what she heard here and there about them Klaus was a hybrid, born a wolf and his father suppressed his gene. He grew up human until his mother turned him and his siblings into a vampire. The first vampires at that. She had basically tangoed with one of the most Ancient creatures on earth. Yay she thought. And now he managed to break the witches curse of suppression he became something new entirely. His pitch came with all Alphas becoming hybrids as well. Half Vampire, Half Wolf. They would be stronger and faster than there betas or an average Alpha. This was suppose to bring peace since most wolfs were the law and hopefully to her surprise there intention apparently a new world order of peace love and harmony. She didn't buy it. It looked more like he was making a empire and he was to be king. Where there is a king there is always someone there to challenge them. She new this all too well. Things are not that easy. But most folks joined from all over. Even the Fae, which shocked the hell out of her because they don't do anything they don't want to. No one tells a Fae what to do. There are tricksters and extremely fickle. She should know her best friend was one. Speaking of here she comes. Of course her first stop back to mystic falls would be the grill she has never really been sure if its for the bar or her. She shrugs and preps her friends usually drink. “Hey Care bear!” Gleam Katrina Petrovia. Her hair literally sparkled, if not the fact they had been friends since grade school she would be intimidated by the chestnut beauty. “ Well how was the trip. A diplomatic bore?” said Caroline as she passed the girl her favorite drink The Love Bite. Bless the mans heart who gets wrapped up in hers. Katrina Petrovia was the daughter of the local Fae king who had also submitted to Mikaleson. To say most of the eastern US had really at this point with a few old Alphas holding out and the rare individual like her. “Yes it was, interesting at times. Some interesting changes coming into effect under Mikaleson rule. Your not going to like it. Oh I did meet someone, but Ill tell you that later.” Caroline eyes narrowed. She knew the Mikalesons were trouble. They had been changing things a lot. So far, they had been good. In the Mikaleson territory it wasn't allowed segregation for instance. She liked that. Made everyone equal in a sense. Among the races was a bit of tension. For instance Vamps were not always keen about wolves since their bite could kill. You wouldn't dare walk in their exclusive clubs. Not that you were allowed to anyway. Its why she liked the grill, Her first boyfriend Matt a human owned the joint and he didn't care who came in. As long as you didn't cause trouble. She was slowly becoming more aware of how most people she knew were under their control by joining. All of Tylers pack had joined, which of course meant most of the towns Humans. Then the Petrovia Fae’s and their alliances. It seems the Miklaesons name carried more influence than she care to admit. “Alright cough it up.” Caroline said as she braced herself for the news. “There is going to be a national registry. Its for all races and packs/clans, but for wolves they want to know who is mated, unmated and who is Alpha, Beta and omega. A bunch of genetic testing too, something to do with class of wolf or lineage? I can’t remember. “ Wow, that a big bomb to drop there. Omegas like her, well they are somewhat rarer of all the species but they are ideal partners for alphas. The balance shall we say. Most packs are very protective of the Omegas and I am sure that is why she has managed to stay okay her in Mystic Falls. She is omega. If Tyler had banished her she would probably end up in dungeon somewhere claimed by a Alpha to be mated to. A loner omega pretty much makes her rare. While she is werewolf she isn't as strong as everyone else so defecting from a pack isn't really safe. Thanks to Tyler she has been lucky, but most aren’t. Thats what makes a registry so scary. If she registered everyone would know she is basically fair game. No pack, no family and Tyler can only protect her so far before she either has to submit or leave. All she really has is Kat here. She heart sank. She swallowed hard. “Yeah pretty much what I thought your reaction would be. Its already started in other areas. I suspect they will be here again soon to help personally oversea this and set a few things in order. You may have to leave Care, I mean i have heard of a few ways to hide you being a Omega, but everyone knows. Ya know? I mean you were betroved to Tyler before…” Her voice trailed off not wanting to speak about Carolines hardest memories. “You can say it Kat. I am not made of glass. My Alpha dad had a Omega first born daughter. My mother died giving birth to me leaving me the heir, but thats not possible when you are a Omega, we both know that. Everyone saw that as a weakness and he was dethroned by would be Father in Law. Its okay. Tyler killed his dad over it and became Alpha, I just couldn't take my place by his side Kat. You know that. It was all too much, so I defected and didn’t submit. I have been lucky, luckier than most Omegas without a pack. Lucky that Tyler knew me all those years growing up and didn’t force me to submit. Tyler in his own way has kept me safe. It helps also that most of his pack was my Dad’s so they all know and have some respect for the man and me. Plus you know I take no shit right?” she said flippantly. “ I know I just want to stir up any bad feelings. You are my bestie. And you know that, plus if your not here who the hell am I going to go shopping with.It’s not like Bonnie likes to do that.” her eyes twinkled. No seriously they twinkle. Dam Faes were gorgeous, they seem to twinkle and glow whenever happy and she was extra happy considering. “So whats with the Sparkles Katrina? Could it be that mystery guy?” said Caroline as she whipped and pick up the bar in front of her for a bit. “Maybe ..” She grinned “However, I must tell you under total secrecy. So not here. Too many ears. “ She said “I get off in an hour. Ill meet you at the spot?” Said Caroline. “Perfect! Now I am off to flirt with some of these Mikaleson clan new comers. How many do you think I can make swoon?” She said as she adjust her top . Caroline laughed . They did stand a chance. “ The question who doesn't swoon?” Katrina beam and headed out into the grill stalking her prey. I swear if that girl wasn’t a Fae she would be the best vampire ever. Once she had a prey in her grasps they didn't stand a chance

[whimsically-ominously-auspice]

My "cycle code speak"

I developed with Bestie to avoid eavesdropping from others.

We talk then change the subject then go back to,the subject then off topic and back.

Its specialised.

On a very long post readers will lose information.

So bestie and i would speak less about the most important topic but feel the most.

We were always in public or someone was "bugging" us.

So im delighted to see that y'all understand how it works. Snoop had to call y'all out and help y'all,understand how y'all been on auto save to save the Planet.

And have the information posted at the bottom for y'all to simple get it.

I knew exactly how he needed to tell y'all cause,Alex was telling me first thing when i woke up from sleep just now. I said "highlight the information above"

And he had Tree copy and paste the highlighted information in the order I wrote.

One reason people didn't catch onto how they were saving the world is that didn't matter. They were simply being human.

But i appreciate that Snoop went out of his time and went for y'all to make sure you understand why.

1 as a thank you and 2 to help us understand how humans actually are and make that very clear that humans aren't abnormal. We're normal!

So what the contact communications code is is just like you write 3 articles and then you merge them together keeping all the information in order. Then you hit each topic.

Now. Bestie and i when long time no see or in dangerous territory (lots of nosy aliens around to harm) we shuffled the articles so it would be out of order.

So it would be complex and a lot of silence at our public dinner table in a restaurant. While we ourselves minded the information to our hearts to reorder the information into an order. In silence and leaving gaps of space to know we did beginning and end.

Aliens in human form. Usually men would get pissed off and leave the restaurant and cause a scene. Then after then we would go back and do the cycle in order. Because we were safer.

So none of us are stupid. We just dont know what is going on

I can't help but conversation code it.

It isn't any different than the family going around the dinner table talking about their day.

I would do it with my Uncle Dad. Denise was too stupid to,follow along,instead getting bugged I would,talk after everyone talked. So Chris,would,talk,i would say 2-3 sentences about my day and then Nathaniel would say something and i would,say,how i was counter acting his actions. But not allow anyone,but humans to,understand.

Very serious issues needed slight clarification to my Uncle Dad after. He would double check,my safety. After dinner in,the living room

Meaning safe and,handled,I went to my room,first.,not,then,directly to,the living room.

So I don't know how to be uncoded.

Even,things I,write straight forward. End,in cliff hangers or some thing. A cliff hanger,is a code,for "more to,come"

I can't really change that. I'm just an extreme expert at communication.

With bestie and i it became a blood sport. Often she would arrive before me and find aliens she wanted kill. And i would watch her face of anger and wait and develop conversations that way. I would follow her lead.

Otherwise my goal was to keep aliens stupid and then watch them. They would be happy from our information. Information that hurt her and I. So they would stand and catch me looking and sit for safety. Thus notifying my protection detail of CIA agents and they would label my face under kill.

My eyes would narrow then when I looked back to bestie my eyes would open wider. A more comforting honest tell me honey what's going on face.

Then i would Alien stretch my soul ... Aliens thinking it was my skin. To notify "I'm still looking. They're going to die. 'This isn't my territory style'" which was mild to extreme torture and removing the kidnapped kids from extraterrestrial custody.

Bestie hated it. Because she put her life on hold instead of holding bee soulmate in her arms.

Those days i would fill the restaurant with the spirit of love. Usually my bestie would be having a super bad day. It depended where we sat. That was my auto cue.

When Tommy would see my soulmate stretch to order kills he became extremely sad. Because he would realize he could just killed Amanda.

But I would reassure him that wouldn't have worked. It would bad the world unstable due to alien attacks. We would just Moshe pit kill them all in the end after giving them a choice to live right an s rigid on their home planets.

So i would tell him "just see her" but shes married and so am I! "Be friends till the end. I have come to see her and you will, too. Invite him bestie over to you for a BBQ. Get drunk have fun just as we used to do over our house (or i would say at my house)" she would grab her phone and text he would say "maybe" and i would say "let's talk about your problems. Let him know you're struggling as much as him but in a different way" he would show up over her house as "enlisted to lighten to load" help her deal with her life stress.

Y'all don't know but shes been my only "irl" friend for over 10 years. My only friend. I've lived a normal sane life like many of you that have been kidnapped and loaded down under. And just regular people and most especially aliens that want to remain hidden.

People come and go But my life as friendship in real life has only revolved around her. I'm not ashamed to have only one friend. The rest of the time i spent with my soulmate. So I've been happy as can be as a POW.

This is how i know the world needs extreme help. My life sucks and i hate it. The same reasons my bestie hates hers. Because she can't be with her lover.

And family IRL.

Otherwise and because of that sad days For her became revenge kill days.

We could only kill extraterrestrials if they were criminals. The same as an evil human. It kept the balance and the world safe from alien invasions for revenge.

We thank Weck's restaurant in their unique location that used to be the Red Balloon in Los Lunas. Red Balloon was also a yummy restaurant to eat at.

But it was an alien establishment and i ordered humans to take it over. Thereby thus combining fate and history into a native New Yorker tounge that doesn't pronounce the letter R. from "Wrecked that alien bitch" to simply "Weck's"

Red Balloon was code word for "Alien Safe Here"

I made sure they understood they are not.

Most went down to Roswell from the Albuquerque metro area.

Those visiting "the moon" didn't know we had taken it over and visited freely. Those we killed because it was a criminal safety net - the Red Balloon. 99% of aliens going to eat had done something very wrong like kidnapping humans.

The CIA wait staff knew they could tell when Bestie was sad... So it was back to the wall where the bad alien was or back to the wall where I could see what was going on. The wait staff set us told us where to sit.

So i would switch with Bestie every so often to see what she saw. Because my neck pain prevented looking. Often it was "im fucking leaving she keeps looking at me!!"

Like a human looked at a human.

Which was delightful because it proved they knew they were wrong. "Oh my God that is so funny!!"

Usually I found the humor. Often Alex and Tommy would have "invisible dinner talk" and Alex would advise Tommy to basically romance surprise her. Just show up at the house and Alex would volunteer to oversee to help guide Tommy to allow John to be his friend. My bestie's husband.

In this way he could be Uncle in his daughter's life. Because that was what hurt the most.

So we took better care of them than we did ourselves as is obvious.

Our right. Our ruling.

This is why I rarely tell my own feelings. Because most of y'all would feel bad or sad or responsible for helping.

So now I can tell. Because now I've began the mass exercising of moshing our demons to sleep.

But I had to ensure each American was safe first and I had amnesia.

So I had to beat and destroy the strongest aliens on my own. Aliens stronger than me.

David and Goliath.

Except me "Go lie" I am goliath. Because that is my orders.

"Duh I've did" they told me. The weakling.

"Good" I'd say "let it continue. Disobey the 10 commandments. I can't stop you and that isn't my job any way"

My job is to kill. Force surrender. And destroy if they don't

I had to become an archangel. That was always a man's job. Always Alex's. No one but him has been an archangel until 2003 when Declan became one.

Then 2006 when Bestie did.

And now me and there are several others.

To honor bestie. Alex has given up the title of Archangel Michael.

Its a masculine form of her name and it would indicate they're lovers.

He has planned to enlist all his archangel titles under Archangel Gaberial. Gabriel is the masculine form. Spelling Gaberial without the -ia entitles it to be "for the woman". Me.

So no one shall name their sons Gabe. Gaberial or Gabriel or any spelling of such name. For men and hermaphrodite

However they shall be allowed to name their daughters and hermaphrodites "Gaberialla" in honor of me and in understanding he has already protected their right to live.

Any spelling. The above spelling notices "I am your Cinderella, Arch Angel Gaberial, I hereby dutify myself to your spirit to fight for the safety of all humans thereby all consequences shall be none."

When a child gets baptized that is what is said

Now consequences shall be none... Means eternal death to all alien invaders thus allowing earth to be free and clear from painful consequences caused by alien invasions.

Thus it is a choice a parent can not make.

"I am a Gaberialla" says a female voice. "I, too, am a Gaberialla" follows a deeper male voice.

This is allowed by Jesus.

$5 for who can answer "what does the term gaberialla replace in our new society?"

Here's your hint: 3 letter word

Thus at my Jesus Cult wedding. Many times "ahh boo!!" Startling and scary. Those of you that come to realize you've enjoyed fighting the alien nation will have the right to become an archangel Gaberial assistant. To follow many rules of the American Nation.

Because my soulmate has had issues in this lifetime to know who his friends are. Who has his back and who doesn't.

Many of our CIA we use Now will set to retire. Because i said to. Never will the skills or talent accumulated will to to waste. But its time to enjoy new jobs and new lives.

Not anytime soon. But eventually. For now the war must continue.

The spelling remains the same but it is pronounced "arc-Angel" a promise to provide the world with the rainbows the "arch-angels" have always dreamed of.

And also ark of thereby Noah whom is also me. Because we will all be Christianed upon an arch

I will with Tom, Alex and Andrew will bless the bestie to become the first female archangel in known existence in the 3 galaxies I've created with Alex.

Then she with Alex, Tommy, Frederick will then bless all the archangels into existence. Which will include me as we all bow to her feet Muslim style into prayer.

She is also the only known Full bloodied Scorpio on this planet. All the planets were perfectly aligned,,including the moon the night she was born. To be a 100% true and divine Scorpio.

So when you want to know more about her, google astrology sign SCORPIO.

And you will see how easy it was for us to devise the secret communication coded language that didn't beat Navajo code but was simply in time line as good as. She also as a reincarnate invented many codes throughout her 864,922,386,401 lives.

Like Candy she is one of my unknown daughters. Created from my spirit of war.

**Not Christina Hendricks aka Chandler - she is known from my womb in this lifetime. But another Candy. A Candy from the spirit of motherhood. A true 100% divine and perfection true Cancer. She is out of body. She too will be an archangel. Archangel Uril is Another name Alex will give up. Spelled Ariul. sounds like Aerial

To learn about her google the astrological sign Cancer. A video has been produced to know why her symbol is the crab. It was posted yesterday.

Her voice is in Charlie Brown indistinguishable due to the water. In the Muppet Babies the mom/nanny is also her. And in Loony Tunes the old gramma with the broom with Sylvester and Tweety.

Ariel is her learning about love. From me. Ursula. Its not based on a true story. It is the real story.

So I hope this has all made you pleased. Unworried for the future. And you resume your toilet paper gathering for current use and paper mache upon our return to land.

Toilet paper requires no glue unlike other paper. So it is perfect for paper mache dolls to create to burn while thinking of aliens.

Extraterrestrial are the biggest hoarders of them all.

So it will be all gathered and then given away since its already been bought from the factory repaid to the store for allowing purchases to be made easier from factories and then upscaled in pricing to pay for the religious experience of shopping.

Retail therapy is part of the True Jesus (me) religion.

Now please pray for my forgiveness and hope I can be with my true lover Soon.

Remember I got $5 on it that you read and understood what all I've just said.

[mypathtohappinessin2017-blog]

November 26, 2017 I Sobriety Date

This is a date that I WILL celebrate the rest of my life. Now granted, today I am currently three days sober. I know, I know, some willpower huh – give me a break, it is a start isn’t it? Well, my story doesn’t come easy – but up until this point I have never addressed the real problem.

Let me introduce myself to you – my name is Brooke, and I’m an Alcoholic. I’m comfortable chanting that introduction, because for once in my life, I truly believe that I am. From the outside no one would ever guess. I am a 33 year old, daughter, sister, girlfriend, fur-mom to the most adorable Boxer Puppy (Tank), Chicago –living, successful career women. Not only that, but I am funny! There I said it – I make everyone around me laugh and make them feel good. I am caring and have a heart of gold. I would give up everything I have to make others around me feel happy (that is part of the problem – I have never truly found my path to happiness…but that will be a later blog post) I sound like a good person don’t I? Want to be best friends…or are we already besties?

All joking aside - I have a problem…when I drink I do not know when to stop. I don’t hit the bottle every day, hell I don’t event drink during the week, but the weekends roll around and I act as if I’m 21 years old again. I say to myself and those around me, “Just one more…”, we have that “one more drink” and then I course everyone and myself into shots – because I know this cycle all too well. Once the shots start rolling – who wants to leave then? Not me….but I’m guessing you already figured that part out. After a night of “one more drinks”, and “one more shot” I end up being a blackout drunk – and typically starting arguments with my boyfriend – who I’m sure he is the one, but he’s not sure yet if I am (mostly because he is disgusted with the drunk nights that have lead our relationship to a never ending dark hole).

After a full Thanksgiving weekend of being back in my hometown and literally going out every single night for four days straight – I had a breaking point on Sunday, November 26th. See I was out with my family Saturday night. We went to a local bar, then went to go watch my cousin play Hockey for the Wisconsin Badgers, and then went back to that local bar. We had been drinking since 5:00 pm. My mom wanted to leave at Midnight and I said no – I wasn’t ready. I ended up being a real jerk to my mom, disrespecting her, embarrassing myself, my boyfriend, and all those around me. I woke up Sunday morning ashamed – saddened, and knew something had to change. In the Twelfth step of AA they discuss having a spiritual awakening. I’m not sure that Sunday morning that I had a spiritual awakening of sorts, but I knew in my heart, head and gut something had to change or I would lose everything. Our new house that my boyfriend and I bought, our new puppy that we adopted, my boyfriend who is my love of my life and best friend (his name is Michael btw), but most importantly myself. I have lost myself to drinking over and over and over again.

The Talk- My mom and I sat down that Sunday morning for over three hours and had the best conversation maybe we have ever had. You know when parents say its tough love, I looked at this conversation as her saving me. I cried and poured my heart out. We talked about life, love, and being an Alcoholic. My mom and sister has always been ok with having one glass of wine and being done. However, Alcoholism runs on both sides of my family.  I have had a uncle who has died of alcoholism, cousins that have had substance abuse issues, and the list goes on. Just as I’m sure whomever is reading this has their own “family secrets”….sorry fam, for exposing ours! Back to the talk…I felt such a relief after admitting that I knew I had a problem and would go get help. For once in my life, I felt ready – I knew it was time to start getting my life back together. I drove 2.5 hours back to Chicago that night and had a lot of time to think. I had clarity, I knew it was my time to find my path to happiness.

I invite you and your loved ones, or maybe just an acquaintance whom you think would find value in my blog to follow along in this journey to recovery, self-help, happiness, and finding my true self again. We all struggle with hardships in life…and this is mine. I vow to be open and honest with each and every one of you. I vow to not pretend that this will be easy, because it’s going to be really fucking hard at times, but as my mom said best, “Look at everything you have to lose, but look at how much more you will gain.” So please help me find light at the end of this tunnel. Guide me to the right direction with words of advice, positive mantras, and hopefully by me opening up with my struggles I can help someone else that might be having this same feeling of lost hope.

I will leave you all with this, “The comeback is always stronger than the setback” ….I’m coming back home y’all!

[dannick99]

18th Birthday - Landmark for Mom

Just do it. Just pick one and run with it, like the wind. No looking back. Pick your *1 *out of 20 to 25 viable creative ideas that have been stirring in your head for years and fleshing themselves out as you age and grow and learn. Take it and run with it -is what I keep hearing… From God and from good understanders of me and my ideas and  how I tick.   Run with it, WW! Like the wind. No looking back and questioning whether it was the right one to start with......or not. The others aren't going anywhere any time soon, hopefully(?). Just do it, I hear Nike reverberate between my ears.  Just take the first steps and God will bless it. God and  other "importants" in my life are well aware of my ADD 'stuck'  struggle for years.  Too much creativity flow at times can be a problem when life is already slam- jam packed, full of necessary responsibilities and life's  necessities beaming at you.   That rare gift can be a gift(ADD), a blessing to be thankful for, which I am, but it can be a curse in other ways. So they say, and I believe them more every new year, indecisiveness is for sissies.....so here I go… Out into the wild blue yonder of this "reveal yourself" blog world. With my music, writing, photography, painting, appreciation of all things beautiful and creative/artistic, all based in love and positivity, it's time to Flow🌬🌬🌈☀️ And to start on the night after my son's 18th birthday (appropriately sentimental, as it should be), i'm tending towards introspection.   First of all, I feel enormously blessed and gifted as a mom in the parenting department of my three. They're the only three I can speak for. Parenting is NOT for sissies, especially single parenting(🙃), or lazy or settled or self-centered or too-busy-to-get down-to-it parenting. Ha, or all of the above, for that matter.. Judge not that you be not judged :-&! I'm the last to throw stones, at anyone, for anything, especially parents. I have had my share of plenty well-deserved stones thrown and plenty not-so- deserved stones. Something my parents didn't tell me enough… Life isn't fair!  Don't expect it to be. Even when you make mistakes and you fess up. Or even when others who have left you come back and beg your forgiveness and fess up themselves, (although, admittedly, that part Does feel more fair;)!) If nothing else, being the target/the focus of the gossip tree, will humble you and teach you to look outside of the box when it comes to what I may hear about others. I don't succeed 100% of the time, but I try to hear it from all sources before I speak.  I'll make my own decisions based on proper, well gathered facts, thank you very much ;) So, BY THE WAY, welcome to my free-falling (Tom Petty style🎵) - mostly - unapologetic  first blog entry of 2017!! 🎬🏹🔛🥂🆓🈂🔓✒️📆📬🎉🔮💡⌛️🌠🛤🎡🗽🚥🚀🎤🍻🌛🌙🌒🌝🌻🐶👢💃💁🗣👉🏼👻🤔🙀👣🇺🇸☮️ On THAT note, I'm already apologizing…😑- lol. I'm not one to go on an emoticon binge like this, but I have to say it's a pretty good description....one by one by one.....of where this, my new stream of conscious blogging very well may lead! 9 and 17 are my lucky numbers, I was born on July 17 and my son was born on January 17. J and A seem to be my letters. Numbers are always coming into play in my life in the wildest of ways. And lately #1 has been pretty damn cool (but more on that later). Craziness with that number and I've got photographic proof! For months now… Weirdville, I'm telling you! But more coming...soooo much more later. On so many subjects! Flatlining has not been my norm. I was born and taught by all the right folks in my life along the way, definitely including my parents and family, a very strong message of "Love is the most motivating factor, think for yourself, make things better for everyone, be authentic at all costs, keep God first and then, truly, in all manner of things, all shall be well😇. I am no angel but a very gratefully content 53-year-old mother of an awesome grown daughter (28) and two sons I adore as well - 18 and 15. I've been divorced a time or two, which yes deductibly means I've been married a time or two. More to come on that subject. Ive never been afraid to take chances and speak my mind when strong opinions and convicted convictions submerge. That may just set the stage for the up and coming Blogtone (shouldn't that be the name of a band?!) as its gonna pour outta me a couple nights a week. I'll try to choose a theme each time (So many to choose from, and yes, I'm sorry - and happy- to tell you, if you don't know this about me, that I have significant ADD! ).  You'll see… If you look for it. Its that freefalling thing I was talking about earlier :-& Anyway, this blog (I hate that word!? Come on… What else can we call it??) will always be supported with photographs, quotes, lyrics, songs, videos, and hopefully good writing along the way. Its part of a vision/dream in the making and something I feel led to get a move on with right now! January 18, 2017. Without long intro, the subject of the night is my oldest son turning 18 yesterday. It's a definite thing to take note of as a parent and as an 18-year-old. We did last night. I have two sons and a daughter I adore equally. Really, for all their different reasons and beings. But tonight I want to honor my son who's become man. Because he deserves it. Here's my letter to Brade: You've been through a lot son, and I only see that you come out stronger. Yes, I am a proud mom and a pleased one with who I can see you are today. God knows I've been learning as I go with boys, but you have paved the way, Brady, and while I couldn't adore or respect your sister any more than I do, you have paved your own way and I have done my part and been able to sit back and be mightily impressed with who this little boy has turned into and applaud the decisions YOU've  made to be your own person. You are kind, loving, empathetic, stubborn, demanding at times, messy as hell, but somehow stay on top of it all just enough to pull off a darn good balance in being a good well-rounded human being. Your 18th birthday was and felt significant. You're my son, a friend, one of the greatest companions ever, and still learning, until the day you leave for college! And this last semester of your senior year seems to have freed you from all the burdens and responsibilities that have  fallen on your shoulders. Yay!!🎉. As you know, I'm already crying....just with your 18th birthday, graduation tears on the way (it's OK, you know your mama ;)). Anyway, the birthday night looked like it might not go super smoothly, but God had his hand in it and all went just perfectly👍🏼. Brady got to eat his favorite cake and eat it too. And more cake coming his way. The beauty of a divided family… Many many celebrations for someone we/they all love.  What can be better than to be loved that much that there are too many celebrations to plan in a birthday week?!❤😘. Now he's looking for the perfect present to give his best friend Cameron, whose birthday is around the corner and who has life-threatening melanoma. Cameron is my early-on dubbed "third son". Brady and Cot (my youngest and a true soul) and all of Cameron's closest friends are keeping him strong along with his incredible fighting spirit. He's going to beat the odds💥🎯#cameronstrong! All this in the middle of my daughter's long life BFF almost dying through childbirth a week ago. Very scary situation, Campbell took off work and went to Birmingham for a week to help, as any bestie would do ;)  through a gazillion prayers and a lot of true faith, and miracles no doubt, she is not only surviving but thriving and more and has been able more every day. Her baby Max is too!  Looked mighty mighty dicey there for a while. We are all Thanking God, literally. I am a single mother, with a good supportive father, who has my kids half the time, who tries hard to make a difference when I do have them (and every day I don't) in the ways I feel matter as far as raising the best absolute human beings to go into the world and contribute in all the right ways and feel good about themselves in the meantime - that's my style of kid raising. And I hope that they will always know that they can ask God for the answers and he will provide. Because he does and as, hopefully, they will I've seen enough of that after a while to really know they can believe in him and his goodness and his ways. Anyway, to sum up Blog No. 1, from my Deck of Declarations, i'll say that my views good. Life is hard at times. My children inspire me to be a better person, so I can keep teaching them about all the things that matter the most and being a good human being on this planet... whether they become a sports star, a corporate magnate, a starving artist of some sort, a sitcom writer, a Brooklyn bridge salesman, a waiter, a rapper or a baker, or anything else (other than a drug doer/dealer or a criminal