#and for that reason alone i have to start a legacy challenge with him

[buggytrait]

remade Lou Howell for my legacy challenge 🤭

[class1akids]

Sorry if you've answered this before but what did you think about Shouto's storyline? Would you say he is well written?

This would take a very long essay, but yes, I think Shouto is overall one of the best written characters in the manga:

Design - he has a unique, memorable design that reflects well what his character is about (his challenge to make somehow a full whole out of two broken halves)

Backstory - Shouto has one of the most complex backstories that ties him to two other important characters and the backstory itself is a reflection of the greater themes. We know more about Shouto's family than about the MC's.

Goal and motivation: Shouto's main arc is about emancipation and a search of identity. He starts the story of wanting to be not-Endeavor, who is a hero, but is the villain in Shouto's story. Shouto's path is set from birth to become a great hero, and it's difficult for Shouto to learn to want the things that Endeavor wants for him, and to understand he can do it in his way and for his own reasons.

Flaws: Shouto has relatable flaws - both big and small that are linked to his backstory. He can seem aimless, groundless, indecisive because he has little sense of self. He's blunt, and rude even sometimes, he's cold and dismissive as he's entrenched in negative emotions. Once his initial edginess is melted away, new flaws surface: he's clueless because he grew up isolated.

Strengths and weaknesses: Shouto's biggest strength and weakness is his genetically engineered perfect quirk and the brutal training regiment he was under since childhood. The early training both gives him an edge, and also a huge disadvantage in the form of PTSD, entrenched bad habits - making Shouto's challenge to be able to grow both mentally and to conquer and understand his quirk.

Journey: Shouto has one of the best quirk development arcs in the series as mastering his moves and all his upgrades are firmly tied to reconnecting with a family member or hitting a milestone in his healing. In Act 1, he reconnects with Rei and masters fire. Act 2 is about his relationship with Enji and culminates in flashfire. Act 3 is about Touya and peaks in Phosphor - Shouto's biggest move - that is a perfect culmination of the family history, journey, both good and bad and Shouto synthetizing everything and affirming himself as not-Endeavor.

Connection to the wider themes: Shouto is an anchor character. He anchors Class A to the pro hero world. And he anchors the Todoroki family plot to the main Deku - All Might (OFA/AFO) plotline as an Origin character. So Shouto's search for his identity both as hero and as a person, is also a meaningful exploration of the entire Symbol of Peace deconstruction.

Shouto is also a balance character: the theme of heroes who can save both families and strangers, ice and fire, left and right - you get it.

Network of power: Shouto is the earliest example of a big Deku save that results in a short-term loss, but then his power-up pays off in that Shouto comes and saves Iida - someone Deku couldn't have saved alone. So it's an early manifestation and validation of the theme of reaching out.

Rich and varied relationships: Shouto has well-written interactions with all of his family members, especially with Endeavor and Touya, but is also a key character in Class A. He's got a strong friendship with Deku, a dynamic relationship with Bakugou with also interesting interplays of the Todofam and BKDK plotlines, a really underappreciated, but extremely well-written friendship with Iida centered around bad vs good legacies, emotional support, and a circle of inspiration. Shouto has good, meaningful moments also with a number of other characters: Momo, Kirishima, Sero, Inasa, Tetsu just to mention a few.

These all add to a pretty deep and rich character who feels very human and empathic with a rich storyline that's deeply embedded into the story.

[fledermausbend]

@feroshgirlsims I hope you don't mind me answering this publicly but I've gotten a few new followers lately and I figure some others may also have this same question!

To explain for newcomers, Shadow Moon is actually supposed to be a gameplay legacy challenge, not a story. However, as I started playing Gen1, I got really into the storytelling aspect over the gameplay and ended up pivoting, with the gameplay rules being more guidance for the plot than anything. Because of this, though, the first ~half of Gen1 is a bit of a slog to get through as a reader because it's not really clear what's happening (and also I put dialogue in the captions instead of the pictures themselves, oops). I'm currently going back and fixing the dialogue to be in-image/adding prev+next links to ameliorate this, but it's gonna take a bit to get through and isn't a fixall.

I would personally suggest, especially if you want the full context/setup for things that happen in Gen2, that you start from HERE (link is to a specific page of the SM story in chrono order, so you can just click and scroll on - works best on desktop but should behave on mobile too). The only info you'd be missing is that Eddy Nash, my founder, was Turned into a vampire by Vlad and is bf/gf with Lilith Vatore/has two twin girls with her, while Caleb has been magically turned back into a mortal so he can be a Spellcaster with his partner, Morgyn Ember. Everything else is much more clear from this point in the story (I do change how the dialogue is shown partway through lol).

If you don't care about the setup from Gen1 and just want to read from a good starting point, I recommend you pick up from the beginning of Gen2 HERE, but you might be missing some context. For people who prefer this, I will put the necessary details from Gen1 under the cut (to avoid spoilers) below.

Thank you all again for your interest, I'm so grateful for all the positive feedback I've been suddenly getting!! ♥

Read on for Gen1 spoilers (long, cw for described violence, miscarriage, and general bad decision-making):

As mentioned, Eddy was Turned into a vampire by Vlad and is currently in a relationship with Lilith, having two kids with her (baby Annabelle and Alice). He plans to propose to her, but with the looming threat of Vlad at all times, Caleb (upon finding out Lilith is pregnant again) becomes overprotective and asks her to leave Eddy and stay with him and Morgyn. Eddy overhears this argument and vows to deal with Vlad then and there despite protests from the others.

Upon barging into Vlad's mansion, Vlad offers to leave Eddy's gf and kids alone if he agrees to be Vlad's heir. Eddy, having issues with negative father figures, rejects this deal, and promptly gets his ass handed to him in a battle. Dying and with no chance of escape, he tries to take the deal now, but Vlad is having none of it. Instead, he comes up with a new deal - Eddy's firstborn son in exchange for his life and his family's safety. Eddy protests, but realizing that he's on death's door and with him gone no one will be there to stand between Vlad and Lilith/the girls, he begrudgingly agrees to the terms despite how awful he feels. Vlad spares him, bringing him inside to heal before sending him back home. Eddy lies and claims he beat Vlad and thus he won't bother the family anymore, earning the respect of Caleb. Much to his relief, the ultrasound Lilith gets later reveals her upcoming baby is a girl.

Unfortunately, things go wrong (for reasons we shall reveal later), and Lilith miscarries the baby. Obviously everyone is devastated, and after some time, Eddy gently proposes to Lilith, bringing her spirits up. They get married, but Vlad subtly reminds Eddy the deal isn't off. As his daughters grow older into teens, Lilith eventually becomes pregnant yet again much to Eddy's horror, and this time she doesn't want to know the gender until it's born. Eddy still can't bring himself to tell her the truth, and thus doesn't mention the deal. During this, a now teenage Annabelle starts hitting on a teenage Sofia Bjergsen, while teenage Alice gets with teenage Lucas Munch. Annabelle's relationship with her parents is already tense due to her unserious, sarcastic nature, while Alice is seen as the golden child.

After Lilith has the baby, it's revealed it's a boy. She names it Adrian, while Eddy continues not to tell her that Vlad will come knocking soon. One night, when both Alice and Annabelle are supposed to be home watching the baby while their parents go out, Annabelle instead sneaks off to the Bluffs with Sofia to piss around, while Alice brings Lucas home and the two get frisky. Lilith and Eddy come back early from their date unexpectedly, finding Adrian crying and Alice busy making out with Lucas. Not long after this, Annabelle also comes back, after having given Sofia a promise ring and telling her to meet back at the Bluffs the next night. A huge fight breaks out between the three women, each one blaming the other while Eddy panics - only for Vlad to finally show up looking for his heir.

Vlad tells Lilith the truth about Eddy's deal much to her horror, and then throws her against a wall when she tries to prevent him from taking her son. Vlad whisks Adrian away, leaving Lilith heartbroken and her daughters horrified at what their father has done. Lilith is furious, ignoring Eddy's desperate explanations, and packs up her belongings/kids and leaves to Caleb and Morgyn's. Eddy is left alone in the Vatore house, Adrian is now growing up believing he's Vlad's son, and Sofia was left abandoned at the Bluffs waiting for Annabelle who never came back (hence the anger we see from her in Gen2).

The rest of the story follows from the start of Gen2!

[exo-raskreia]

ToShiro jealous of Karin headcanons?

Oh, wow! 😮 Let's see...

This all takes place in my HK spin-off sequel ideas when they're in the teen stage...

I can imagine him being the type to brood over it, like if he witnesses Karin getting hit on, but it's not necessarily his business to butt in, then he'd just pretend not to care. He'd busy himself with something while his internal feelings of jealousy simmer underneath the surface. Anyone who comes across him will notice something seems off, but don't know why & would rather not bother him. Maybe there's an aura about him 🤭. He doesn't realize why he starts to feel this way initially, though.

Let's say he's pretending to be a student again in high school (like in the OG Bleach), & he starts to notice the attention Karin gets from other boys. The stares, the praises for her athleticism & high academic scores, whispers about them wanting to shoot their shot with her, etc. Some might even see her as a challenge & want to be the ones to win her over. Hitsu would start to feel a bit bothered by all this the more he gets to know her, but thinks, 'Hmph, as if she'd give a second thought to those bozos.'

His opinion of her is rather high, so he trusts her better judgment. Though, that still doesn't stop him from feeling a little worried every time he overhears a boy planning to ask her out at the back of the school. It isn't until she meets him at the front gates so he can walk her home, when she says she had to politely reject yet another guy, that he feels an internal relief. He doesn't really know why but it feels like another silent victory of sorts.

He may or may not notice how other boys look at him whenever he's with Karin. Maybe at times, he feels a little smug, especially when her attention is solely on him, & other boys glare at him resentfully.

This can also apply to the scenario in which she's a Soul Reaper in his division. She's fairly new, but obviously she's leagues above most others. Hitsu admires her tenacity & the way she radiates whenever she's focused. He's not the only one who's noticed this; he's caught his men once or twice looking her way interestedly. It didn't bother him necessarily, only made his eyes roll. But one day, when the recruits are training at the dojo, Hitsu comes by to check on them & once again witnesses Karin excel. She really does stand out among the rest. And it was here that it finally hit him just how much attention Karin gets from his men. Glances, praises, & asking for tips.

He knows she's popular in his division (as well as the others, if he's being honest) but it isn't only because she's continuing the legacy of the Kurosaki-Shibas. There's more to Karin & he isn't the only one who's noticed. She's friendly & willing to help. Intelligent, brave, & fun to be around. She... was not unpleasant to look at; he's not blind, for God's sake.

And yet, the sudden bout of knowledge that he's not alone in his thoughts irritates him for some reason & decides to step in. He offers to help those recruits instead, deciding he will not go easy on them. It isn't often that he leads a training session, since as the captain, he has more important duties. But he decides that he doesn't have much work due until tomorrow & gives the dojo instructor the rest of the day off. During training, he's a little stricter than usual with the men in particular & Karin can't help being secretly mesmerized by his teaching mode. She is oblivious to his internal conflicts & to her own feelings for that matter.

All in all, I think Hitsugaya may be the type to be oblivious about his feelings at first, & won't realize why he feels irritation by other men approaching Karin with intentions beyond friendship & camaraderie. When he does realize it, he'll try to be in denial, but his discomfort may still be obvious to some even if they can't pinpoint why.

I hadn't thought much about this before but this is what I was able to come up with for now. Hope it somewhat answers your question, anon! 😄

[andreal831]

i've been reading your metas and i just love them! i wanted to ask if you had thoughts on valerie and nadia as they were some of my favorite characters from later seasons of TVD and i was shocked to learn that people dislike them (especially valerie!).

also, i read one of your cami metas and i agree that it was so dumb she died when she clearly had more story to go. s5 especially drove me up a wall because i think TO s4 would've worked to set up Legacies. they didn't need to kill hayley and i was so annoyed that they brought caroline in. cami being the angel on his shoulder in the finale should have been utizilied more.

also legacies erasure of hayley as hope's primary parent drove me up a wall and is a cardinal sin of that show. i am starting to suspect phoebe and the show people had a falling out of some kind because legacies barely mentions her. at least freya gets some cute moments (freya being the one to put hope to sleep for transition is beautiful)

Thank you for reading my posts! I'm glad you like them!

I'm not even surprised people don't like Valerie and Nadia. They are both complex women but not in the "Katherine-badass-way" per se. I've talked about before how the writers and fandom tend to only like one type of strong woman and hate on women who dare to be anything else, you can find that here. Valerie also has the unfortunate role of playing a character that challenged a Caroline ship.

I personally really enjoyed Valerie's character and didn't understand how they didn't bring her back or at least mention her since she was the last known syphoner, except for actual children. I like to imagine she's the one Hayley found when she was saving the Mikaelsons. I'll admit, when she first came on screen, she wasn't my favorite. I didn't care for the heretics initially, but they really grew on me which is a testament to the writing/acting.

Valerie goes through so much, being forced to miscarry and killed, then forced to live and travel with the man who made her lose her baby. She is then stuck with a family she doesn't really like or agree with. When she is finally reunited with the man she loved, he is in love with someone else. Despite all of this, Valerie still protects Caroline on numerous occasions and helps deliver her babies.

I didn't like that she kept information from Stefan, not giving him the choice on his life, because she didn't want to lose him. But I can understand it. She had lost everyone at that point and didn't want to be alone.

I think she really was just underutilized in TVD and people didn't like her for getting in the way of Steroline. I can't really find legitimate complaints about her. Most of the hate posts for her come across as immature. I haven't seen one post that talks bad about Valerie that isn't clearly a Care stan (and this is coming from someone who loves Care and Steroline). Valerie never did anything worse than most of the fan faves, but because her actions are ones associated with women more than men (less stabbing and more emotional manipulation), the fandom judges her for it. According to the fandom, she would have been better of running Care through with a coat rack. Oddly enough, Caroline and Valerie aren't that different.

I can't even think of a reason to hate Nadia. I even searched for people hating on her and can't find it. I definitely believe you that it exists, but what is there to hate? That she loved her mother so much she chased after her for 500 years? That when she found her, she was treated terribly but still protected her? She was a good character and deserved better than Katherine.

Speaking of overhated, amazing women. I'm tagging the post I think you are talking about here. I would have honestly been fine with everyone still dying but Cami living and taking care of Hope at the school. A vampire therapist is really what that school needed, especially one as amazing as Cami. I mean if you can handle Klaus Mikaelson, I think she can handle teenagers.

Season 5 just showed that the writers didn't care about the story, they wanted rankings to launch Legacies. What was the point of having Care there? She wasn't even in Legacies until the very end. It just undid so much character development for everyone. The writers attempted to play both ships (they did the same with haylijah/jayley) to get maximum fan satisfaction, and in the end it just destroyed the plot.

Legacies erasing Hope's family is a big reason I've never watched more than half of season 1. Whether you love them or hate them, Hope's family is more than just Klaus and they played a big role in her life. Especially to her since Klaus was hardly around. He was essentially a stranger to her. I hated even in Season 5 how they are all happy at Freelin's wedding. If my mom had just been murdered, I wouldn't have been able to smile two days later, no matter how much I loved my Aunts. Hayley was just used as a prop in Season 5 and even less in Legacies.

I first watched a couple of episodes of Legacies before watching The Originals and I thought Hayley died years before Klaus because of how Hope was grieving Klaus but seemed to not even think of her mom. When I watched all of TO, I was so angry. They died days apart and Hope seemed to be completely over it.

There's definitely rumors about Phoebe and the writers having issues. I tend not to believe rumors but there's a lot of evidence. First, Daniel couldn't shut up about the issues he and the other casts were having with the writers (namely the character destruction, the rush of the seasons, the fact that there was supposed to be 6 full seasons, and bringing on outside characters which took away their screen time). This is even more evident by the fact that Phoebe was a "guest" in Season 5. She clearly didn't want to be there.

I believe it was DRR who stated that Phoebe refused to allow her likeness to be used and the fandom ran with the idea that Phoebe somehow bought the rights of Hayley (she did not, that would be public record). I think this angered the writers/producers even more so they went out of their way to cut Hayley out, even when it wasn't necessary. They clearly could mention her, since they did. But they chose not to because they are petty. They also have the whole fandom blaming Phoebe so they could just sit back and enjoy it.

Thanks for bringing all of this up. I love talking about TVDU women <333

[starrygnome]

Occult Legacy Challenge (oh look another challenge)

StrangerVille Mystery

Founder : Dr. Silas Dark (may change name?)

Hometown: Windenberge now lives in Strangerville

Family: comes from Old Money, and wealth.

University: Britechester - Legacy Family

Career: Scientist (turned mad reason -> from past events / childhood)

Aspiration : Solving the Mystery of Strangerville.

Likes: Orange, reading books, good glass of whisky, science, studying the night sky and beyond. Any local and University Library.

Dislike: romance - "love is a distraction and bad for business." - SD Children - they're very loud. Crowded places like the bar in StrangerVille.

Silas Dark

Silas Dark has been obsessed with all knowledge. Since he was a young boy Silas has always occupied himself with his beakers, potions, telescope and science table. Never went out with the other kids. He was strange and the kids would make fun of him for being weird. High School was no different. He was alone most of his time in the town's library. Once he started University all the possibilities of his knowledge were unknown. He did meet a young woman who he was in love with but knew he couldn't get distracted from love.. 

Her name was Mona Edwards, she was very beautiful with her long golden hair, striking blue eyes and very pale skin. She was loved by a lot of the students and teachers. Mona found Silas interesting and she wanted to be his friend.  

One day during class, Mona and Silas were paired up for their project. And from there the two became very close and their friendship grew into love. The one thing Silas is most feared of. Months of being close, something happened that ended Silas Education Career.

Mona Edwards was suddenly killed….. Was it an accident? Was she a target?

Silas was made the main suspect, everyone was talking about it.

Silas became insane after losing someone so close to him and his heart. He moved away to a small town he heard of a mystery called StrangerVille.

this is a very rough rough draft of Sila's Backstory. Something that was written in 15min - ish. I wanted the character to have an interesting, tragic backstory and have a reason for going Mad while being a Scientist.

Mona Edwards storyline needs more idk what...

[bethinkingaboutu]

Legacy of fire

Zuko breaks. Simple as that. After a few easily avoided assassination atempts and being left alone in the castle by his friends - the war won't stop itself - he just. Breaks. Starts banishing staff from the castle, or imprisoning them for the smallest things, claiming they were with Ozai and wanted to kill him. Mai gives up trying to reason with him, they break up. She writes for the gaang to tell hem what's happening, and sends a search for Iroh.

Azula is being treated in her room, and hears nothing of anyone for a long time. She is still shaky after the breakdown, but doing better. In one night, Zuko invades her room and looks in shock to see her calmly laying on her bed. He babbles about her having to stop going into his room to taunt him. She hadn't been doing that. Azula frowns, and deduces what's happening. She teases him saying if she wanted the throne back she would just challenge him again, but she didn't. Zuko calms down, but is still restless. They bond over being left behind with the crown by who they love.

Things start to get better in the palace, the staff being able to hold their jobs for longer than a week before being sent away for 'attempted treason'. Azula is seen outside often now, either training or spending time with the firelord (aka convincing him that no, those gardeners are not going to use the scissors to try and assassinate him). They feed the turtleducks and talk about mom and dad, and how it wasn't fair. Azula talks about how Iroh leaving Zuko must feel the same as father leaving her in the day of the black sun, and Zuko has a meltdown after finally breaking through denial. Azula admits she accepted that Ozai never loved her after that day, and had the same reaction. They joke that at least he wouldn't be challenged to an agni kai in his own meltdown, and he apologizes.

Azula never allows Mai to tag allong in their bonding moments, but sometimes allows Ty Lee. Mai is livid, but won't admit. Ty Lee is just glad to have her friend back.

It's in the middle of a meeting when Zuko truly breaks down. He panics and attacks his advisors, screaming, breathing and kicking fire. Azula takes him down and when Ty Lee chi blocks him, Zuko goes limp. Azula is crowned as temporary fire lord and follows through with the plan to end the war since she doesn't really minds it anyways. She isn't following orders anymore. She does keeps some of their colonies though, and there comes the issue.

Aang couldn't stop what he was doing to go back at the fire nation because, quote, 'Zuko wasn't feeling well' as per Mai's words, but when the colony issue arrived, he changed his schedule and went to grab his friends to solve the problem. What a surprise when they see it's Azula giving orders, not Zuko. Ty Lee explains the situation and is supported by the Kyoshi warriors, but Aang demands to see Zuko. Katara is tense. Azula too. She denies them claiming her brother being too tired to be visited. Aang finds it fishy and keeps guard at night to try and contact Zuko by breaking in through his window (maybe Azula is holding him prisioner right?). Zuko is not only crazy and terrified, but also hallucinating apparently, and fights Aang until his eventual collapse, and Azula comes out of nowhere to help.

Azula: Can't get him to eat anything. Three of the last 6 attempts involved food, he hasn't had much since.

Aang:

Aang: pardon?

Azula: My brother is weak, avatar, would you leave us alone so he can keep at least a piece of his dignity?

Aang becomes number one member of the "let's give azula a chance" club. They all realize that it was deffinetly NOT a good choice to leave Zuko alone in the palace, and that Azula shouldn't be burdened with it either (and maybe, just MAYBE, they were a little too rough in the judgement of her). He calls Bumi and Azula agrees to let him help keep things in order until they decide what to do, but declines to have her position revoked.

I remember I had a vision with this but it was too long ago and I am currently working on another AU. I might come back for this one latter, though.

[snapdrxgon-ivy]

HELLO! Ask and ye shall receive! I wanna hear about your Pokemon OC you were talking about 👀

First things first you are a saviour and I am proposing and building you a shrine as we speak thank you so much <333

SECOND

His name is Katydid Sunblaze and his son is Nico Sunblaze (And Laurel but she's still a wip)! Katydid is based closely on the Legends Arceus game whereas Nico is based on the Violet game!

Katydid worked at a pokemon control company (similar to animal control, he subdues wild or out of control pokemon that are threatening people) in Alola with his Lucario, Vick-Tori (named after his favourite musical)

His family were strict and highly respected, and cut him off when he chose his career because they considered it below the name. Katydid never left it, though, and eventually met his first partner! A grass trainer from Sinnoh named Laurel, corner by a pack of wild Magmar that Katydid and Vick-Tori took quick care of.

Laurel originally came to Alola to complete the Island Challenges, but when something between her and Katydid sparked, she permanently moved there and they eventually were married!

They had a son, Nico, and that's when Laurel retired as a trainer herself and became a coach for the younger ones. Katydid kept his job, personally, and was moving quickly up to even become a manager for the company!

One day he was called on a weird job full of pokemon not even his pokedex could identify, and when he got to the place, he was swept up and away.

[Cue Legends Arceus intro]

The travel back in time had caused so much stress on Katydid that his mind repressed most of his memories, only the thought of his wife and son giving him the motivation to get up and look for help as he fell in the Obsidian Fields instead of near Jubilife Village.

It was Volo who found him, and brought him to the Village, but the professor still recruited him for the research as Vick-Tori was brought with Katydid so it was clear Katydid was skilled in pokemon training!

Most events go the same as the game does, the only difference is Katydid sticks closer to Volo. He would go days without eating or sleeping, instead focusing on the research at hand or calming the frenzied nobles as a distraction. Katydid reasoned with himself that if he carved a place for himself in this world, he'd get the help needed to get back home.

Then he was exiled, as in the game, and all hope seemed to drain from Katydid. It took Volo, Cogita, Irida, AND Adaman to drag him out of his depressive state long enough to gather the Plates and the Red Chain. During this time, Katydid relied heavily on Volo and the two even started a very loose relationship. Katydid seemed to accept he was never getting back to his wife and son, so he thought building a life with Volo would help instead.

Yeah uh,,, Volo's betrayal really destroyed him. Katydid had fought, of course, because Adaman and Irida asked him to, but it hurt every step of the way. When it was done, Volo didn't even stick around for a goodbye. Katydid searched the region for him multiple times over the next month, because he just wanted answers. Or closure. Or he wanted the only stable thing in his life back, considering he'd never get his other family back.

It ended when Katydid's depression was the death of him. As that month ended, he was at the Cobalt Coastland one final time. His exhaustion taking its toll on his body until he ended up collapsing in a cave. He let his formed team out of their pokeballs, telling them to go explore while he rested, and fell asleep. Sadly for him, the cave belonged to an alpha Arcanine, and while he slept, his life was ended while he was alone </3

His story doesn't exactly end there, his legacy is carried on in Nico's story! But that'll take even longer and I have a friend who reblogged the request so I'll put Nico's story in there :DD

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR ASKING YOURE REALLY AWESOME ONG <333

[darkmaga-returns]

Podcast Monday — What a Difference Eight Years Makes

28 October 2024 by Larry C. Johnson 54 Comments

In 2015 and 2016, Donald Trump swept to a surprise victory, in part, because of his shrewd use of traditional legacy and cable news media. I don’t think he ever turned down an interview request and the media gobbled it up because they never expected him to win.

In 2020, Trump faced serious opposition from the legacy media, who went out of their way to ignore his rallies. There is a growing consensus that Biden won 2020 thanks to a variety of shady election frauds, including stopping the count in key states so that the Democrat fixers could figure out how many ballots needed to be stuffed into the system to produce the votes Biden needed to win. He garnered more votes than Barack Obama’s 2008 tally and Hillary Clinton’s 2016 count. At the time, the establishment refused to entertain the reasonable argument that there was no way in hell that Biden was more charismatic or inspiring than Barack Obama.

Now comes 2024 and the media landscape has changed. Podcasts were not a big thing in 2020. Joe Rogan was just starting to emerge as a thing. Tucker Carlson was toiling away on Fox News. Today, both Rogan and Carlson are racking up huge numbers on the internet and the viewing habits of most Americans, especially those under the age of 40, have shifted dramatically. The vast majority of Americans are not watching legacy media or the cable news shows. Yet, the majority of political consultants are stuck in the past and still trying to use the old playbook.

Trump may be an old guy in terms of chronological age, but he still manages to keep his fingers on the pulse of the American zeitgeist. Hence his appearance on The Joe Rogan Experience. On YouTube alone, the Rogan/Trump conversation has more than 34 million views and counting. That is a larger viewing audience than CBS, NBC, ABC, CNN, MSNBC and FOX combined. The chiefs of those networks would kill their own mothers to get ratings like Rogan.

So, anyone want to take a guess as to why the Deep State and the owners of major social media platforms want to shut down podcasts and channels of people like me? They want to control the narrative, but they have lost control.

It is worth noting that the Los Angeles Times and the Washington Post refused to endorse any of the Presidential candidates. The partisan reporters in those outfits howled with rage when the owners did not do as expected — i.e., endorse the mentally challenged Kamala Harris. Jeff Bezos, owner of the Post, put out an editorial today explaining his action. Here are the key parts:

[itmeansiris]

The Solar System Legacy Challenge: Welcome to the Yacht Club Gen 1 pt.33

Mercury and Kason’s families stay thur the rest of the week. Jorden had suggested they go to the Brindleton Bay Yacht Club New Years Eve Party. Peyton and his family would have to travel back from San Myshuno and her own family would need to travel back from Tomarang. The travel wasn’t worth it and the company, and extra hands, were more than welcomed. The week passed in a flurry of activity. The joined families spend most of the week inside as it snowed almost the whole time. The triplets learned to sit up and start trying soft foods. Kason and Mercury beam with pride at how much the triplets had grown, but also proud of how they'd grown as parents. They spend time pampering the triplets with attention but with the abundance of love to go around the couple take advantage an steals precious moments alone.

Late nights after everyone was in bed they would get wrapped up in their own world for hours, sometimes the sun would rise before they’d even gotten a minute of sleep.

News Years Eve evening Jareth shows up while everyone is getting ready. Having raised 4 of his own magical kids made him ideal for the job of handling the triplets, Adrianne and baby Crimson. He wasn’t big on Human celebrations, having mumbled something about “always needing a reason to party”, but he definitely loved kids.

While the others gather downstairs, M secures her necklace in place and Kason helped her while she pulled on her heels. She stands and takes a step back to get a good look at Kason

She fidgets for a moment, admiring how handsome he looks standing there with his hair slicked back, broad shoulders and charming smile. She walks over and straightens his shirt then leans up to plant a soft kiss against his lips

M: Ready?

Kason: Yes gorgeous, I'm ready.

A huskiness had crept into his tone letting her know he was ready for more than just their party. But it was time to go.

When they arrive the entire town seems to be there and are dressed as if they were attending a San Myshuno gala. The group waits for their table and settles in while they chat and order. Beckett meets a young women named Aubrey at the bar and invites her back to the table. During their meal the family chats animatedly, but Kason and Spirit notice how quite Mercury has been most of the night.

By the time they finish dinner and head inside its 11:30pm, 30 minutes till the count down. Kason has had a little too much to drink, Spirit takes a tumble in the snow and M doesn't seem to be showing signs of feeling any better.

They split off into their own separate groups once inside. Kason takes that moment to finally check on Mercury.

Kason: M are you okay? You've been really quite all night. Is something wrong?

M: I'm okay, I probably just had to much to drink.

Kason notices she doesn't look him in the eye's and she's fidgeting with her fingers.

Kason: M, what is it?

M: It's really nothing.

She reaches up to touch his cheek to reassure him she's okay but he stops her knowing she isn't telling him the truth. When he touches her hand, he gently holds her wrist.

Kason: You feel warm M. Maybe we should head home. We can catch the countdown with the kids. Lets tell the others and grab your coat.

He starts to walk off but notices she isn't following.

Kason: M?

M: I told you I'm okay. I don't want to make a big deal out of a little headache and make everyone go home.

Kason: Don't you think they care more that you feel better?

M: I'm not asking them to leave because of me.

She tells him stubbornly. His expression becomes annoyed.

Kason: They can stay M but I'm taking you home. I don't need to be here to enjoy my holiday.

Mercury's shoulders sag forward as she gives up, but ask him:

M: Can we at least stay for the countdown. Its only another 15mins. Then we can go with or without them. I promise.

Unable to truly deny her anything and wanting their little disagreement to end he reluctantly agrees.

Kason: Yes my love we can stay for the countdown.

He earns a smile and gently brushes her hair back from her face. 14mins later everyone gathers for the countdown.

Party Goers: 5..,4..,3..,2..,1..HAPPY NEW YEARS!

They each share a New Years kiss, even Beckett and Aubrey.

M: Happy New Years Kason.

Kason: Happy New Years M.

Kason: Let me take you home M, Please?

She smiles at him feeling a little dizzy but doesn't mention it.

M: I'm ready now. Thank you for staying.

Kason: Anything for you. Now lets get your coat.

The amazing poses used were made by @rebouks @starrysimsie @acha-sims

PREV NEXT

[iersei]

i would like to once again say to my fellow glennfuckers: it's been nothing short of an honor and a privilege to serve with you all o7

i'll extend a congrats to the nightvale enjoyers! it's clearly a podcast that lives in the hearts and minds of a lot of tumblr denizens (for good reason i'm sure!), and that popularity is something that is strong enough to let you clinch a win here.

but i think it still says something that the glennfuckers were able to, once again, make it close (heh).

i just want to remind you all that glenn initially received one submission with zero propaganda. and. well first of all, i really hope whoever submitted him was keeping up with the tournament and saw the carnage that they had unwittingly wrought. but it also goes to show you how the cards were stacked against us from the beginning. we had a low seeding, and we came from a relatively really small and cozy tumblr fandom. and that meant we had to fight with blood, sweat, tears, and other bodily fluids to get to where we are now! we fought against the fandom with the highest initial showing! we fought against some of the most popular podcasts out there! this round, we were fighting against a fucking legacy podcast!

i know i saw some nightvale peeps worried that we were making it too close (heh) for comfort by their standards, and. i mean.

you don't know the meaning of battle if that was the margin you had to be worried about. which i guess goes to show you how much of a goliath we were up against.

for us to be able to put up that much of a fucking fight? to make them sweat? to finish with a margin this close (heh)(i will stop saying heh when it stops being funny) ? genuinely, i challenge any of our past opponents to have done better than us against nightvale on The nightvale website.

hell! at the start of this round, we thought that just reaching 40% was a barely attainable goal! and look at how far we got! we ended with a whole 45%! i know we even reached a high of 47.6%! plus, (and i know it was a different match-up) i've seen the pollrunner cite [the results of the famed tumblr sexyman rematch finals earlier this year] more than once for comparison's sake. and Y'ALL. percentage-wise, we did better than sans undertale did against cecil!

all things considered, i don't think we did that bad at all.

at the end of the day, these tournament polls are very much a test of popularity rather than a measure of objective truth. especially with something as subjective as sex appeal! you can think whatever you want about your favorite characters regardless of where they ended up ranking here or anywhere else! i know there have been some hurt feelings among the fans of those that we had to defeat to get here, but truly all that really matters in terms of who is quote unquote "sexier" is what's true to your heart. these feelings can't be quantified by the number of votes alone.

it can also be quantified by pure unhinged feral behavior.

the glennfuckers came together as a community. we fought hard and valiantly. i know we've been calling it voter fraud and all that because that's really just the funny way to word it, but i truly think that all of what we did really amounts to labors of love. i think that counts for something. i think that all we did together counts for something.

we were out here changing hearts and minds! we got people invested in and supportive of our cause! we got people into the podcast! we got people to be absolutely annoyed by us! and frankly, i think the divisiveness makes us sexier.

we even got acknowledged by freddie wong himself which is still WILD to me.

i think we went out there and proved all that we could. committed mass amounts of voter fraud. pissed a lot of people off. fought as hard as we could until we were bloody and still came out the other side smiling. came out in second place anyway. supported glenn close in a way that honors his spirit. it's what he would have wanted.

we also somehow got firestar to come in with a steel chair right at the very end to bring us right back to 45%. like i cannot understate how much that made me lose my entire mind laughing. that in it of itself counts as its own victory. TRULY we got to have the wildest and funnest ride.

though you might think we lost here, you should know that you cannot not kill glenn in any way that did not make him sexier.

he's the champion of the non-nightvale brackets, we're all the more closer (heh) for all of this, and we get to kick off our own celebration of hot glenn holidays with a bang! i'm so proud of us!

and i believe my now dear friend @itsbrucey said it best when he said: maybe the real sexiest podcast character was the friends we made along the way. and glenn close. from dndads.

we might not have the official win, but that remains my truest heart.

thank you everyone for tuning in! this has been a rowdy, horny, violent campaign for glenn close! and in my heart, what we won is worth more than a title <3

nothing but love and respect for all of you <3 keep rocking on <3 !!!

Sexiest Podcast Character — Round 8|Ζ (Final Round)

EDIT: Carlos the Scientist is from Welcome to Night Vale.

[vinceleemiller]

4 Possible Authors for James & Why It Matters | James 1:1

Do you have one of those popular names? The one where people call you out in a crowd, and you are unsure if it is you?

James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ — James 1:1

I don't have one of those popular names, but many of you do. So when someone yells my name, I take notice.

Many years ago, I remember a father stopped by my house to pick up his son, who was hanging out with my son. He came to the door and said:

"I'm Vince, here to pick up my son."

And I was instantly confused. I was like, "You mean 'Your Vince.'"

And he replies, "No, I am Vince," as he points to himself.

And I reply, "Don't argue with me buddy..."

It took a few seconds to register, but I don't hear people use my name often, so moments like that catch me off guard.

But that is not the case with James.

James was a popular name in the first century, so since this person addresses the book with a singular name, we have to figure out which James is writing this letter.

The 4 Possible James

James, the father of Judas (not Iscariot). He is briefly mentioned in Luke 6:16 and Acts 1:13, but very little is known about him. He is not considered a likely option as the author.

James, Son of Alphaeus (One of the Twelve Apostles). He is also known as “James the Less.” He is mentioned in the Gospels but remains an obscure figure. There’s no strong tradition linking him to the authorship of the letter.

James, Son of Zebedee (Also one of the Twelve Apostles). This particular James was one of Jesus' closest disciples and the brother of John. However, he was martyred early (Acts 12:2), which makes him an unlikely author since he was dead when the book was written.

James, the Half-Brother of Jesus. This James became a prominent leader in the Jerusalem church (Acts 15:13-21). He is often called "James the Just."

The most widely held view is that James, the half-brother of Jesus, authored the letter. Why?

The 4 Reasons Why

First, James was a prominent leader in the early church, especially among Jewish Christians in Jerusalem. Second, he is deeply aware of Jewish customs, wisdom literature, and Old Testament themes that reflect this background. Third, early church tradition consistently points to Jesus’ half-brother as the author. Fourth, it makes the most sense since his name stands alone. Everyone in their day would have known we were not talking about any other James other than the half-brother of Jesus.

By the time this letter was written, James wasn’t just any leader; he was a man of unwavering faith, known for his integrity and boldness in calling others to live out their faith. The letter's tone matches his character—direct, practical, and challenging, like a spiritual coach urging you to grow up in your faith. It’s hard to imagine a better fit for the author than James, the half-brother of Jesus.

Your Name or His Name?

James's introduction struck me because he could have easily started with, “James, the brother of Jesus, leader of the Jerusalem church.” But he doesn't. He never flaunts his family connection to Jesus or his leadership position in the church. Instead, he leads with God and Jesus, the subjects that matter, and he is merely a servant subject to them. Which I believe is one of the reasons he doesn't use an identifier here with his name. To him, his name doesn't matter. He is a servant, not a sibling.

You see, it’s not the name we have that matters most—it’s the name we live for. James wasn’t seeking fame; he was seeking to make the name of Jesus famous.

So what about you? When your name is spoken, what comes to the minds of those who hear it? Are you known for something you do or something you have done, or rather for what Jesus has done and is doing through you? Reflect on this, but more importantly, live for a greater name and be known for him, leaving his legacy ahead and your old life behind.

#LivingForChrist, #FaithOverFame, #HumbleServant

Ask This:

What name or identity do you live for daily—your's or Christ’s?

How does James’s humility challenge your perspective on leadership?

When others hear your name, do they think of Jesus?

What practical step can you take today to reflect Christ’s legacy?

Do This:

Live all in for Him.

Pray This:

Lord, help me to live for Your name and not my own, seeking to make You known above all else. Teach me to walk in humility, reflecting Your love and legacy in everything I do. Amen.

Play This:

Famous One.

Check out this episode!

[lanaisdoe]

Unpopular opinion: I actually loved Daemyra's proposal scene FOR REASONS! - THE PROPOSAL SCENE analysis:

so first of all we have Daemon calmly, casually join Rhaenyra to watch the horizon and talk.. he's visibly relaxed, there's even a hint of smile, he leans in slightly >>

then they have a small talk about fire and sea, they both express similar views on what fire and water is like, what they represent, and how both Daemon and Rhaenyra's fates have been marked and even scarred by fire... Daemon's still visibly relaxed here... >>

but THEN Rhaenyra turns to him and finally boldly says she NEEDS him, she's looking at him, pleadingly, and you can see him visibly tense, like it's caught him off guard - so he stands there, staring into the horizon without a word, he then looks down, it's like he doesn't know what to do with himself >>

and then, to make him see how important this is for her, how much from the heart, she switches INTO VALYRIAN (their secret love language they only use with each other), she shows her vulnerability to him, tells him she cannot face the greens alone, and that's when he first turns to look at her >>

she then pleads for the two of them to bind their blood like Aegon did with his sisters (in the tradition of their house -> just like Daemon had once proposed when asking for Rhaenyra's hand, he'd been dreaming of the same Targaryen-styled Wedding!) and for Daemon to become her husband and her prince consort >>

all this time he never stops looking at her, never once looks away, he's still staring into her eyes (i feel the need to point this out cuz i see people say he wasn't even looking at her while she was proposing) >>

she basically tells him that with him by her side, her claim won't be easily challenged, that with him she will be stronger and protected, that together they'll be invincible...

^ which also sort of parallels with Daemon telling Viserys that together with Rhaenyra they would make their house great again, strong again (turn it to its former glory: power, awe, respect, greatness...), when pleading Viserys to give him Rhaenyra to take to wife. Also, they are both obsessed with the Targaryen legacy, customs, and traditions, dragons and Old Valyria :) Fire and Blood, Daemon and Rhaenyra are peas in a pod, they're really like one. Soulmates.

and here he was still looking at her when she started her comparison of Velaryions and Targaryens -> to show how the two of them were different, unlike the rest

and the moment she says "but YOU and I, " Daemon starts slowly turning around to sit down and he puts his hands to his chest !!! >> as she finishes saying that the two of them are made of fire

his sudden turning around and sitting down is basically Daemon processing everything, the man has to SIT DOWN for it :D

then there is a mini moment of silence as he's already sitting, so that Daemon can take it all in :D because the man is just utterly OVERWHELMED... look at how even his mouth is slightly opened. Like he had never, not even in his wildest dreams, imagined such an outcome when he'd left for Driftmark for a funeral...,

So he's just sitting there with his hands to his chest, staring into nowhere, processing it all >>

and when she then says "We have always been meant to burn together" he finally looks up at her >>

and the BEST THING is that right after Rhaenyra says this key phrase, Daemon, clutching his hands to his chest, without hesitation, goes on to name the last obstacle standing in their way (Laenor alive, legal husband):

he DOESN'T say "yes" to her proposal, he doesn't even smile or react any way to the proposal itself, he simply immediately focuses on the actual steps that need to made for their MARRIAGE to happen, he immediately pinpoints and proposes to get rid of the last obstacle he sees in their way! -> You gotta love how for Daemon it had never been about whether to marry Rhaenyra or not, but about HOW to get married ASAP ! :D

^ just like the moment Viserys refused to give him Rhaenyra due to Daemon having a legal wife at the time, what does Daemon do? He literally says ok, as you wish, brother. And proceeds to go and get rid of said wife, JUST LIKE THIS TIME around, the moment the opportunity to marry Rhaenyra presents itself, he doesn't waste any time, he names the problem AND comes up with a cool plan of HOW to get rid of said problem, Daemon is a man of action, not words, he wastes no time :D

^^ and here's when it gets interesting, right after he mentions that Laenor stands in their way, he looks up at Rhaenyra to check her reaction, still clutching his hands to his chest (like he's nervous, expectant, excited) here he challenges her, he wants to see whether she has it in her to get rid of Laenor, cuz Daemon's ready to do what it takes, he's staring up at her, waiting to hear what she says, whether she's ready to go such lengths for the two of them to finally get official

and when she confirms "she knows" (that they have to get rid of Laenor to be together officially), his stare changes instantly to one of determination and fire :D and we know this means Daemon's back in action, his face here's saying: "SAY NO MORE, i have experience"

we then see him with his killer!Daemon dark cloak on, getting shit done for him and his wifey, he looks super contented and excited, too, as he's putting their plan to full action :D

we hear him share with Rhaenyra tips on his very own ruthlessness that can help a lot at times, we hear him teach her about how to be a strong queen and have people respect but also fear her

But when Rhaenyra expresses she wishes to spare Laenor anyway, Daemon adjusts the plan (of how to get Laenor off their way) to please Rhaenyra, he offers to have her set Laenor free, Daemon completely respects her wishes, and goes back to his killer mode to sacrifice a random servant then, to organize it all the way Rhaenyra would be happy, and he covers up all their tracks

and then we see them share a mini victorious smirk after they've come up with their perfect plan together, we see that they're totally on the same page, with just about right amount of evil and good, and they're equals who respect each other like none other >>

^^ with this smirk we know they know what they'd been wishing for for years is finally happening, and their fire is back on and they're gonna be THE POWER COUPLE they'd always known they could be

/ Blood of two / Joined as one / Ghostly flame / And song of shadows / Two hearts as embers / Forged in fourteen fires / A future promised in glass / The stars stand witness / The vow spoken through time / Of darkness and light /

[redphlox]

Touya's view of Shouto

Based on where each character is standing in the other panels, this panel of Shouto that I highlighted is in Touya’s POV. It’s interesting that Shouto’s face is shrouded in darkness and what’s really in the forefront for Touya is the strip design on Shouto’s hero costume that resembles Endeavor’s (thanks @/jecook for pointing this out on [this post] I posted!).

In the previous chapter, Touya called Shouto by his hero name, which confirms that he still believes Shouto is Endeavor’s doll/puppet/masterpiece – otherwise, an empty vessel without its own agency. Touya mistakenly believes that Shouto is going along with Endeavor’s plan and readily carrying his legacy because Touya has no way to know that this isn’t the case. On the outside it looks like Shouto IS his dad’s mindless heir because he’s interning with him, fighting alongside him, willing to give him a chance – but it’s much more complicated behind closed doors. Touya doesn’t know that this

is what’s actually happening. He doesn’t know his family has started addressing their family history, nor does he know that Shouto is redefining what it means to be a hero. Shouto isn’t obsessed with becoming #1 like their father was, and he doesn’t want to follow in Endeavor’s footsteps. Shouto wants to be a hero who makes others feel at ease. His brand of heroism isn’t about titles or glory, but about helping people.

To successfully get through to his brother and save him will be Shouto’s greatest hero challenge. He’ll have to re-frame their inherited fire quirks just like he has done for his mother [I wrote a meta about that here]. Shouto will have to show Touya who he is, just like he had to show Inasa he isn’t like Endeavor, and just like how he had to win the hearts of those kindergarteners by being honest with them and connecting with their hearts. It’s not just about physically saving someone from harm, but saving their hearts and minds and making them feel at ease.

After all, Shouto’s arc has been tied to dealing with the fact that he’s Endeavor’s son. Endeavor’s legacy of being rough, volatile, and temperamental has followed him, beginning at home. Rei saw a likeness to her abuser in Shouto during a mental break and hurt him, making him feel like his existence was part of the reason why she’s been institutionalized the past ten years. Shouto might be feeling the same about Touya, though Shouto isn’t at fault or responsible in either of these situations.

Outside of the home, Endeavor’s legacy preceded Shouto at the sports festival when the audience immediately linked his skills to being the son of the #2 hero. He didn’t react to those comments, which strongly indicates this wasn’t the first time he has heard such statements. He wasn’t fazed when Inasa harbored resentment towards him, assuming Inasa “was just an Endeavor hater, like so many others.” Shouto was visibly upset when Inasa likened Shouto’s eyes to Endeavor’s – it was, after all, his left eye that scared his mother so much. Inasa saying that he could tell Shouto was Endeavor’s son just by his eyes alone upset and horrified Shouto.

Touya, right now, is seeing Shouto the same way Rei saw five-year-old Shouto peering at her through the crack in the door. Both son and mother saw Endeavor, the hero who hurt their family. And to make it worse for Touya, this is exacerbated by both sons’ lack of identities outside of Endeavor. Touya was told from a young age that he would be his father’s heir and he was excited to do so because he wanted his father’s approval. Shouto was told the same thing except he was reluctant to because he didn’t want to be violent and hurt people (“I don’t want to be like him… someone who bullies my mommy. I don’t want to be like that.”) The difference between the brothers was that Shouto had the support of not only his mother in the past but also Deku to help him realize he wasn’t just an extension of his father because he inherited his quirk. Learning that he’s more than his quirk is a lesson Shouto will have to teach Touya if he wants to not only stop Touya but bring him home. Like I said [here], Rei’s recovery is a parallel/foreshadowing for Touya’s - both burnt Shouto in response to the abuse they endured from Endeavor, both saw him as Endeavor or an extension of him, and both were driven out of the home by Endeavor in some way as a result of abuse [another meta about that here].

Shouto DID inherit his father’s quirk, but he has worked hard to redeem it for himself and his mother. Although it absolutely was not his duty to help his mother heal, he wanted to save her “even if she wasn’t asking for it.” Now the narrative has set it up so he can do the same for Touya. Right now it’s evident that Touya still considers his own flames Endeavor’s, and the lack of identity and self-worth outside of his quirk and his father is killing him. Touya sees Shouto’s fire quirk as Endeavor’s too - and Shouto will have to show Touya that he’s not like Endeavor, that Touya also can be someone outside of their father and his approval.

Shouto’s entire arc was about creating his own identity and has now led up to saving his brother from self-destructing from the same hatred that blinded him. The brother who was born to replace Touya and crush his spirit is now becoming his savior and restoring his spirit. That’s a beautiful way for Shouto to not only cement that his quirk is his own but also reframe what it means to be a hero to a family who was hurt by one. As the confrontation between Touya and Shouto progresses, the shadows across Shouto's face will probably lighten up until he's in the light, and that will be the moment Touya's view of Shouto changes from masterpiece hero to younger brother.

[visxionaries]

♠

cedric let out a low, slow breath, his cerulean eyes fixed on harlon with a weight that pressed the air between them in a way cedric only would before those who knew him so entirely well. the impatient flicker, the ability to drop the need to think through everything at every given moment and just say the first thing that came to mind. the morning light creeping through the high windows gilded the edge of cedric’s face, but it did nothing to soften his expression - not one of anger, but one of exasperation.

he leaned back in his chair, his hand idly tracing the armrest as though grounding himself; before both of his hands rested upon the back of his head. and then he spoke, in the quiet that had settled between the two of them. "why'd you always do this? you did this about that nude model years ago too." his tone was blunt, blunter than one may have expected; and yet it was the side effect of being able to simply speak without thinking. without strategic planning. he should have been thinking about what he said, but instead, it just tumbled out.

"you always overthink everything until you make yourself into a literal walking cloud, man." cedric continued, his voice a murmur at first, then gaining strength, the impatience beginning to dance in his voice. he gave a half surprised chuckle to try and ease the tension, though his gaze remained unyielding; it hardly eased anything. “you’re sat in the seat of one of the most storied houses in the reach, harlon. you’ve a wife whose name alone fortifies your claim, children who secure your legacy, and a position most men would sell their souls for. and yet you sit here, telling me it isn’t enough.”

his voice softened, but his gaze remained firm, unwavering. “do you think i’ve forgotten what you’ve done for me? that i’ve forgotten who you are—who we are?” his jaw tightened, and for a fleeting moment, the mask slipped, revealing something rawer, closer to regret. he still remembered the beginning of all these events, the way it had started with harlon in a prison cell and it had ended up cedric ordering his brother to be hung from a window. it felt like multiple lives, rather than one lifetime ago. “but you’ve got to stop looking beyond the horizon for something that isn’t there. horn hill is your purpose, whether you like it or not. find a way to make it enough.”

cedric leaned back again, his expression unreadable, though his voice carried the faintest thread of something softer, almost pleading for the man to see reason rather than fall to the constant swirl in his mind. “you’ve done more than you know by agreeing to lie. but if you keep chasing shadows, you’ll lose what’s already in your grasp. do what you want, i do not care - work with gael alongside things, i don't know, i don't care. just ensure your claim to horn hill is not challenged."

.

harlon hesitated, his hand hovering briefly over the arm of the chair as if grounding himself before settling fully into the seat. cedric’s words, sharp but laced with that undeniable undertone of care, settled uncomfortably in his chest. he let out a slow breath, leaning back slightly, one hand rubbing the back of his neck as he tried to gather his thoughts.

“it’s nothing,” he started, though the weak protest sounded hollow even to his own ears. his lips twitched into a humorless smile, his gaze darting briefly to the scrolls cluttering cedric’s desk before returning to meet the king’s piercing stare. “or, maybe it’s everything. i don’t know.” he leaned back, running a hand over his jaw, the faint scent of smoke from his earlier indulgence clinging to him. harlon speaking with cedric as any friend might…as a brother should. “you’re right,” harlon admitted, his voice low but steady. “i’ve been… distracted. distant, i suppose”

he paused, the weight of the moment thick between them, before continuing. “i’ve been trying to find my footing, cedric. trying to do what’s expected of me as lord of horn hill. and on paper, it looks fine—stable lands, loyal bannermen, a healthy family.” his voice softened slightly at the last part, his thoughts drifting briefly to rhea and their children. “but it doesn’t feel fine. it feels like i’m standing still while everyone else is doing something important.”

harlon leaned forward, bracing his elbows on his knees. “you have the crown. rhea has her web of secrets. our friends, they’re shaping the realm every damn day, making decisions that’ll echo for years. and then there’s me, stuck playing the dutiful lord, trying not to trip over my own shadow.”

his eyes flicked downward, his fingers tracing the grain of the wood on the armrest. “i’m not complaining, cedric. i know why i can’t be more involved—why it’s safer this way. but i’m restless. and i can’t shake this feeling that i should be doing more, need to be doing more.”

he paused, the vulnerability of his words sinking in. it wasn’t easy to admit these things, not even to cedric. “i thought maybe coming here, talking to you, might help me figure out what the hell i’m supposed to do next. how to be more than… this. something that’ll make me feel less like i’m running in place.”

harlon leaned forward, his elbows on his knees, his tone softening but the look on his face serious. “i’m not saying i regret where i am or what i’ve done—helping you, being legitimized, taking horn hill. i’d do it all again in a heartbeat. but i just can’t shake the feeling that it isn’t enough.” that i’m not enough.

[milliedazzledust]

In Loving Memory (Bucky Barnes imagine)

Request: @missroro the reader is steve twin and she married to bucky after the blip, she had enough of the 'new captain america' thing shes really mad, so when walker and his friend start talking about joining forces she snap like she pull out a gun and pointing right at them, also sam ofc dont forget about sam. Sam trying to stop her while bucky "nah let her do her fun"

Words: 2021

Warning: !!TFATWS SPOILER!! without context - violence

A/N: wrote this today, it basically follows the events of ep3 of fatws but without context. I have a couple of exams this week so I won't be able to post until next saturday. Until then, enjoy

"You shouldn’t have gave him the shield"

Sam frowned, turning back to look at Bucky.

"I didn’t gave him the shield" He defended himself, making a point.

"Well, Steve definitely didn’t" Y/N ironically answered back.

He gave her a pointed stare. They had had this conversation countless times and Y/N never missed a chance to remind him of what she thought was a huge mistake.

"You are the reason this is happening, Sam. You chose to take on my brother’s legacy and threw it out the window"

The man didn’t reply and pursed his lips. He knew she didn’t mean any of her harsh words, she was angry and still mourning. If taking it out on him could make her feel better, he would let her.

"Y/N, stop" Bucky took a step toward his wife, clasping her hand in his metal one. He had hoped the physical contact would be enough to calm her down.

"He abandoned me, Sam" She continued, her voice filled with emotions. "He was gone and all I had left was memories. I chose this life for him, I fought with him, I believed in everything he represented. I looked up to him, to Captain America. And today, even those memories are gone, taken by the same government you and I were up against, mocked by clowns pretending to be heroes, all because you gave up"

The Falcon closed his eyes and dropped his head. She couldn’t see his point of view, or share his opinions when her judgment was clouded by so much pain. He wished she could understand the dilemma, the duality that represented the shield for him.

"Y/N, please, that’s enough" Bucky whispered next to her ear.

She turned her head toward him and as usual, his heart broke when he saw the torment in her eyes. She didn’t need to speak, she was an open book to him. They both had lost so much and yet were all each other had left. They were collateral damage, their own team against a world that wasn’t theirs anymore. She silently nodded, assuring him she was fine. Sam watched Bucky kissing her forehead and he furrowed his brow. He would never admit it but he was glad they had each other, because no one could carry that much pain alone without crumbling apart.

Before any of them could add anything, soldiers in blue and red erupted in the room, bursting through the door of the apartment where they were hiding in Latvia. Bucky instinctively grabbed Y/N and forced her body to move behind his. The two man stood in front of them, tall and proud, a smug smile on their lips.

"Alright, that’s it, your time is up" The man calling himself Captain America announced, the shield in one hand, the other pointing at the three avengers. "Tell me where Zemo is"

"We know you’re hiding him" His sidekick added.

"I’m ordering you to turn him over"

Sam eyed them up and down.

"Let’s be clear, the only thing you’re running here is your mouth" The Falcon firmly replied, crossing his arms.

"I gave you a chance to work with us" He mentioned.

" ‘For us’ is the correct way to put it, tough guy. And we said no." Y/N reminded him, her face showing how much she was annoyed.

"You’re obviously in over your head so I suggest you turn back and go" Sam argued.

"You really want this conversation to go there ?" The hero threatened.

Bucky straightened up when he felt Y/N tensing. He knew she was already on the verge of snapping. One wrong word from the man she hated and this could go down to hell.

"Should I put down the shield ?" He continued to challenge Sam. "Make it fair?"

The woman groaned and when John Walker dropped his weapon, without a second thought, she grabbed the nearest knife and threw it right at his face. The man had barely enough time to move back and his eyes rose in surprise when the blade stuck itself into the wall with force.

"Sorry, it slipped" She ironically explained, shrugging.

"You don’t want to play this game with me" He tried to intimidate her, tilting his head to the side.

She smiled, pleased he was giving her the opportunity to smack his face. Bucky clenched his fists when he saw her walking in front of Walker. Without tearing her eyes away from his, she seized her knife and pulled it out of the wall with a sharp movement.

"I think someone should teach you a lesson, Walker" She told him in a low tone.

"Are you offering ?" He challenged her.

"Don’t tempt me"

"You’re lucky you’re his sister" He grinned. "But don’t push it. This Captain America is not as lenient as the previous was"

Bucky swore under his breath. It was too late now. And just as Sam looked at him with concern, Y/N threw her fist in a curved punch at the soldier. He used his forearm to counter the blow, but she was faster and had far more experience. Using the momentum, her foot rose up and kicked him in the face. The man was thrown back, shaking his head in confusion.

"We should do something" Sam advised the former assassin.

"No. Let her have her fun" He crossed his arms, harboring a small smirk.

The soldier tried to hit her back, but even when he took the shield she blocked his attack. His sidekick soon joined the fight and distracted her for a second, just enough time for Walker to punch her. Immediately, she felt the taste of blood in her mouth, but no pain. She was passed that, far too pissed to feel anything.

Another blow on her chest send her to the ground and Hoskins hold her down while his friend was about to hit her with her brother’s shield. He raised it in the air, with every intention of beating her, but a strong metal hand stopped him in his movement. A very infuriated Bucky stood before him, his blue eyes darkening with anger. He firmly took the weapon, knocked Hoskins out with it and threw it across the room.

"If you wanted to make it fair, you shouldn’t have chosen to hit my wife" His tone was terrifying.

Walker didn’t seem as confident anymore. Bucky looked imposing, brute force ready to strike. His metal arm clenched in a fist and, without warning, it collided with the soldier’s jaw, sending him a few feet away. He strode to the man on the ground and grabbed him by the collar of his uniform

"This is all easy for you, isn’t it ?" Walker spoke with venom, staring at Bucky. "All that serum running through your veins"

With a swift movement, Y/N took the shield and launched it with power right on the soldier’s chest. The blow was so violent his body crashed into a door before landing on the floor. She was furious by his statement and he could see it with every step she made toward him. She grabbed the gun attached to her thigh and pointed it at his face.

"Lesson number one: learn when to shut up. Especially when you don't know what you're talking about" She was fuming but had not intention on killing the man, despite the sheer desire to do so.

She didn’t realize Sam was next to her until she saw his hand lowering her gun.

"This isn’t what Steve would want." He calmly expressed. "Remember, there’s always another way"

Her lips quivered and she closed her eyes, remembering how many times her brother had told her that. She let him take the weapon and looked up at him. The conviction and kindness in his stare were enough. He didn’t have to say anything. Every words she needed to hear, he spoke them in silence.

She turned back to Bucky and he cupped her face, inspecting the bruise on her skin. He seemed ready to go back and beat the man down. Y/N softly smiled and clasped her hands around his wrists. He stroke her cheek and pulled her toward him before carefully kissing her lips.

"Good ?" He asked in a soft voice he only used with her.

"Good"

It was something between them, a single word they spoke every time they fought. Wherever they were, whomever they were up against, if one of them asked, the other had to answer. It was their intimate way to always know they were alright.

Later that day, Sam and Bucky had decided to go talk to the leader of the Flag Smasher, Karli Morgenthau, while Y/N had been charged to follow Walker and Hoskins. As soon as she had seen they were going after the young super soldier, she had warned her friends about the danger. She knew enough about the new Captain to guess he had no intention on arresting Karli. He wanted to make justice himself. She pitied his sidekick. He seemed like a decent man with good ideas struggling to find virtue on the wrong side of the battle. He was Walker’s collateral damage.

She wondered what Steve would think of all that if he could see them fighting both super soldiers and Captain America. He never cared for the star and stripes, never used his shield to harm. His heart was with the people he defended. Even when it had been against Tony, he pursued what he believed was best. Was that what Walker was trying to do ? She couldn’t know. But she was sure of one thing, the man had nothing in common with Steve. Pride, ego and selfishness were never traits anyone would have used to describe her brother. She couldn’t bear for him to be replaced, especially to a man that didn’t share his morals or any of his opinions. The shield he was carrying wasn’t just a weapon, it was her brother’s symbol of hope, a symbol he had fought so hard to forge. The man made the uniform, not the other way around. That’s what Walker didn’t get. Up until that point, people had not been following Captain America, they had been following Steve Rogers.

Standing in that public square, she didn’t realize she was crying until she felt Bucky entwined his fingers with hers. She couldn’t avert her eyes from the horrific scenery. Powerlessly, she watched a man she didn’t know being executed. His opponent was merciless, striking with determination and rage, using the only piece of memory she had left of her brother to bring terror and death. Frozen on the spot in the middle of the crowd, she could see the fear in all those strangers eyes and it felt like grief coming in waves, a shard in her guts that would never leave. It felt like this particular moment was choking the breath out of her body, short circuiting her mind. What was whole once completely shattered and she couldn’t find the strength to be angry anymore. All her brother had built had fallen apart in the split of a second and all the world had left was a bloodied image of his symbol of hope. A symbol that was no more.

“Sam...” She called him, almost like a scared child.

“I know...”

Both men looked worried. Y/N felt Bucky’s hand trembling and she squeezed him harder. She could easily guess how he felt. Steve had saved both of them, he had gave them a purpose, had allowed the former assassin to be more than the weapon Hydra had made of him. Pieces by pieces, he had brought their family back together. And as they both stood there, witnessing the horrifying end of his legacy, Bucky realized everything his bestfriend had fought for was turning into dust.

"I’m sorry" Y/N whispered to Sam. "But there’s no other way now"

Her husband dropped his head, trying to regain a sense of control over his emotions. Wordlessly agreeing with her, he turned to their friend.

“He has to be stopped”

Tags: @taina-eny