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melanielocke · 3 years ago

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Lost in the Shadows - Chapter 16

AO3

Taglist: @nott-the-best @foxglove-airmid @alastair-esfandiyar-carstairs1 @justanormaldemon @styxdrawings @ipromiseiwillwrite @a-dream-dirty-and-bruised

CW: this chapter delves a bit deeper into Alastair's head and can be a bit heavy

Previous Chapter: Chapter 15

Next Chapter: Chapter 17

I’d hoped some of you had more sense. I thought you could be a voice of reason among them, Alastair. The words echoed in Alastair’s head, he should have known this was bound to happen. The Herondales thought he was a good person, capable, trustworthy, and they were wrong. They would have found out eventually, but it still stung. And he’d tried. He’d wanted so badly to be what Will and Tessa believed he could be, but he couldn’t. Because he wasn’t a good person, he wasn’t capable, he wasn’t like Jem. He was awful and worthless and undeserving of their kindness.

Before dr. Gray could have said anything else, Alastair had left, gone to his bedroom. Years of practice to keep his expression blank, to never show that they get to you, it was all coming apart. He couldn’t do this anymore. He was so tired of pretending to be something he was not.

He collapsed onto the bed and curled up as if to protect himself. He grabbed his stuffed hedgehog, tried to find comfort in it. He was often ashamed to keep his hedgehog when he was far too old to still be sleeping with stuffed animals, but he’d never had a childhood, he’d never felt safe and protected. When he held his hedgehog, he could at least pretend. It wasn’t working. He felt so helpless, like everything was spiraling out of his control and he didn’t know how to make it go away. He had always liked to pretend he was in control, by keeping everything neat and organized he was controlling what he could. But the truth was that nothing in his life was in his control and it never would be.

He was caught in a storm and there was nowhere he could find shelter, the only thing he could was endure. He wasn’t sure how to do that either. At times like this Alastair feared it would always be like this and he would never get better. He wasn’t even sure what was going on, there was just an overwhelming sense of helplessness, of perceived danger and being too small and weak to do anything to protect himself.

He heard someone knock on the door. Cordelia, perhaps. Or Thomas. They couldn’t see him like this. They couldn’t see just how worthless and awful and broken he was. Even around them, he was pretending, acting like he was fine as long as people didn’t drink when he was around. Thomas deserved someone better than him, someone who could give him everything. Alastair was used to giving people he loved everything he could, and it had never been enough. He could not deny that he was the common factor there. Whatever love he had left was broken at its core, he could not love people enough and in return he did not deserve to be loved.

‘Alastair, are you in there!’ Cordelia yelled.

He wasn’t sure which was worse, Cordelia seeing him like this or Thomas. At least Cordelia had seen him break down before. Once upon a time, anger had been his defense. When things became too much and he couldn’t take it anymore, he would get angry. He’d yell at people, or else he’d turn stone cold and hateful. He’d hurt so many people with that, had so many regrets. He’d learnt to stop doing that. Lately he didn’t even know how to feel angry anymore. He often just felt empty inside, tired. Sometimes he didn’t feel anything anymore, as if he wasn’t even human. But that emptiness was still preferable to this, he thought, better than being overwhelmed by emotion, by a sudden sense of helplessness and a perceived danger he wasn’t even sure wasn’t there. Although perhaps when that helplessness went away and emptiness remained, he’d wish he could just feel something.

‘Leave me alone, Cordelia!’ Alastair yelled back, summoning the last bit of his old defensiveness.

‘Alastair, can we come in?’

Thomas, his voice gentle, but Alastair could hear some anxiety in there as well. Thomas might like him, find him attractive even, but he was bound to find out Alastair couldn’t be a good partner, couldn’t fulfill his needs.

‘Please don’t!’ Alastair said. His voice broke. ‘Just… leave me, alright? You don’t need me, you can find the selkie skin without me.’

‘Alastair, I’m going to sit out here, and when you’re ready, come open the door. I’ll wait all day if I have to.’

Alastair hadn’t expected his sister to respect his request, he’d expected her to barge in, Thomas in tow, and drag him out of bed. He wasn’t sure what to do now. He clutched his hedgehog against him. He didn’t know what to do anymore. He couldn’t save Thomas. He’d disappointed Tessa. His memory wasn’t enough. He wasn’t enough.

Alastair had always thought he could accept that very few people loved him. He didn’t like most other people much and preferred the safety of his own shell anyway. But he did long to be loved, even if he did not deserve it. Thomas was bound to find out soon enough, if he even survived. Alastair knew it would be his fault if they lost Thomas, because instead of working on saving him, he was here, broken down and useless. He never knew what to make of Will and Tessa, he suspected they had this idea of him that was more about his cousin Jem than about who he was. But Jem was extraordinary, and Alastair could never live up tot that.

He gave in to the overwhelming emotion and started crying. He tried to silence the sobs in his pillow, he didn’t want anyone to know he was crying. It was pointless, he knew, but Alastair was still so ashamed of his emotions.

He wasn’t sure how long he kept going. He cried until he couldn’t anymore, and when he was finished he just felt empty. At least that sense of helplessness was away, even if what replaced it wasn’t much better. Alastair dried his eyes and got out of bed, gently stroking his hedgehog before making his bed and carefully placing the hedgehog underneath his blanket.

He figured he might as well come out. At least now he could pretend things were fine, even if his eyes were still puffy and red. When he opened the door, both Cordelia and Thomas were sitting there, relieved to see the door finally open. How long had they been there, waiting for him? Why would they do that? Tessa was there too, and Alastair immediately regretted his decision to come out of his room and wanted to retreat.

‘I truly am sorry, dr. Gray,’ Alastair said, his voice small. He couldn’t look her in the eye, but then Alastair had always struggled with eye contact. It had taken him years to figure out the appropriate times to make eye contact and force himself to do it. When he was too overwhelmed he just couldn’t do it.

‘No, I am sorry,’ Tessa said. ‘My husband confessed he encouraged you to go into the woods. But even if he hadn’t, I should not have singled you out like that.’

Alastair wasn’t sure what to make of that apology. ‘We should not have lied,’ Alastair said.

He wanted to add an explanation of the selkies skin, but he felt he was still too overwhelmed to say more than a few words. He could pretend he still had this under control, that he still knew what he was doing and could save Thomas. He could pretend he wasn’t dead and empty inside. He would do the best he could, because Thomas deserved to live. And if it cost him his life, maybe that was for the best.

Alastair wasn’t suicidal, he’d never made concrete plans to end his own life, he only had the occasional thought of death. For some weird reason, that had gotten worse at first after leaving Father. Before, Alastair had no choice but to endure, because his mother and sister needed him. If he didn’t protect them, who would? But after leaving, he’d sometimes feel like he had no purpose anymore. He no longer had to protect his mother and Cordelia, and although he was safe now too he never felt that way. At times he did feel he might be better off dead. That had improved about a month after starting his medication though, he rarely had these thoughts anymore.

‘I trust you,’ Tessa said. ‘Can I talk to you for a moment? It’s alright if you prefer another time.’

Alastair nodded, still unable to meet Tessa’s eyes. He hoped he would be able to speak properly. On rare occasions, Alastair found himself unable to get the words through no matter how much he wanted to. It was something he hadn’t found an explanation for, but there were times he was too overwhelmed to speak. Usually when he was upset, he got angry and said cold, cruel things he didn’t mean. But when things got too bad and spiraled out of control sometimes he just couldn’t get words out, something he once concealed by giving people his most hostile glare and walking away.

Tessa sat down in one of the arm chairs in his room, and Alastair sat down in the other, hoping he’d be able to actually have a conversation.

‘I’m trying to figure out what’s going on inside your head,’ Tessa said. ‘I know what I said hurt you, and I should not have put that sort of responsibility on you. I admit I’d thought that since you were careful, you might keep Lucie and the others out of trouble. But that isn’t fair to you, and I want to make sure you’re alright.’

‘It’s fine,’ Alastair managed to say, glad to be able to get at least some words out. He didn’t understand it, and it was fortunately a rare enough occurrence that he hadn’t really tried to understand it. He figured it was just another thing that was broken about him, although this was something that had been present when he was a child as well.

‘You don’t have to parent my daughter, Alastair. Nor Cordelia,’ Tessa said. ‘That is my responsibility as Lucie’s mother.’

‘I’m not like Jem,’ Alastair said.

It was not exactly a logical response to what Tessa said. There was so much more he wanted to say, but those were the words he could get out of his mouth, the thing he wanted to make clear. Because he knew Will and Tessa thought he was like Jem, and they had impossible expectations of him because of that.

‘I know,’ Tessa said. ‘If anything, you’re more like Will. And Gideon. But most of all, you’re like you. And you’re enough, as you are. It is not weakness, that you are struggling, and we all want to do what we can to support you.’

Alastair could only nod in response.

‘And if you want to go back into the woods, I won’t stop you. I know you’ll make the right call, Alastair.’

She shouldn’t trust him, she really shouldn’t. But he knew he would only make this more difficult and uncomfortable if he said that, if he could even get the words past his lips. People often didn’t understand the way he thought, and explaining his reasoning sometimes made him feel like he was crazy. He went downstairs with Thomas and Cordelia, who were still waiting outside the room.

Tessa groaned when she only saw her husband in the living room, nose stuck in a book. ‘Where did Lucie go?’

‘She’s just in the garden,’ Will said. ‘Nothing to worry about.’

Alastair sat down on the couch next to Thomas and snuggled against him. He knew he didn’t deserve this, he knew it wouldn’t last, but he couldn’t help but indulge in the moment. At least Thomas was here now. At least it was something. At least he could feel something good now with Thomas so close to him. And Charles had never done anything like this, had never held him and comforted him. He wondered how soon Thomas would get tired of this.

Cordelia went outside to find Lucie, and Will and Tessa disappeared too, Alastair wasn’t sure where to. They’d be back soon enough, he guessed, and he was comfortable like this. Thomas was warm, and his strong arms were wrapped around him and kept him safe.

‘If there’s anything you need, just tell me,’ Thomas said. ‘I’m here for you, alright?’

Alastair just nodded, leaning into Thomas, placing Thomas’ arms in such a way that it was comforting and soothing. Lucie’s Lilo and Stitch blanket was next to him, and Alastair rubbed his hands over it, enjoying how soft it felt.

He didn’t dare voice his concerns about Thomas. He expected Thomas to deny it. People always lied, and sometimes they even believed their own lies. He suspected Thomas would. Thomas was so sweet and kind and saw good in people when there was nothing. He probably believed this would work out and he could love Alastair enough to fix what was broken. But Alastair had enough experience to know love didn’t fix anything.

‘I’m serious,’ Thomas said. ‘I’m not sure yet, how all this works, what you need, but I want to figure it out.’

Alastair kept rubbing his hand on the blanket, stroking it in a repetitive motion. He was feeling a little better, but so tired.

‘I’m still figuring it out, too,’ Alastair said, feeling like he had calmed enough to speak again. ‘That’s why I’m seeing a therapist. She helped me identify triggers and find better ways to cope with sudden flashbacks and fear than anger outbursts. I used to have those all the time.’

‘I heard something from James,’ Thomas admitted. ‘About a year ago. How you burst out against him and then Cordelia broke up with him.’

‘He must have been very upset,’ Alastair said, guilt creeping over him.

‘He was,’ Thomas said. ‘I think at the time he didn’t understand why Cordelia had broken up with him. Lucie did though, she did the best she could to explain. But as James told it, you were so angry with him for no reason, and he was terrified. But I’m thinking, that must have been because of your disorder, right?’

Alastair sighed. ‘Please do not use my PTSD as an excuse for my behavior. I know I’ve said and done awful things, nothing excuses that. But yes, before I started therapy, I lashed out when I was upset. And that night, James and Cordelia were fighting over something. I’m not sure what it was about, probably something silly, and I’m guessing the fight itself must not have been so serious. But I’d just come home from my ex, and when I heard them I thought he was hurting her. I thought she was in danger. So I got angry. It never got physical, by the way. People always think I’m violent, because that’s how they view Persian men, but I’m not. Then James got angry too. And I understand. All he knew of me was the bastard I’d been when we went to school together, and he thought I was a monster. He said he didn’t understand why my sister still loved me, and when Cordelia asked him to leave, he at first refused to leave her alone with me, convinced I’d hurt my own sister.’

Alastair was shaking, even if it had been over a year ago. And honestly, he couldn’t blame James. He knew it was his fault, and he knew James’ perception of him was influenced by how he’d treated James. It would have been a lot worse coming from someone he didn’t have a past with. He knew that because of the way they looked, people expected Alastair to be violent and controlling and people expected Cordelia to be meek and submissive and in need of rescue from her family, or well, the Iranian part of her family. He knew many would assume his sister needed to be rescued from him, when he’d done everything he could to protect her.

‘Cordelia stepped in, and dragged James out before it got out of hand, and later I learnt that’s when she’d broken up with him.’

‘It’s not so much an excuse as it is an explanation,’ Thomas said. ‘We can all grow and do better, and having a disorder is not an excuse to hurt people, but I know you’re doing the best you can and I feel it would be unfair to hold you to the same standards as someone who does not have PTSD.’

Alastair wasn’t sure he agreed. More than anything, he wished he could be normal, he wished he could be in control and be good enough. He was doing the best he could, Thomas was right about that. But the best he could wasn’t enough.

‘But if I cannot be held to the same standards, what about my father?’ Alastair asked. ‘Does that mean, because addiction is a disorder as well, he cannot be held to higher standards? Could I not have expected more of him?’

Thomas frowned. ‘I don’t think it’s the same. As I said, having a disorder is not an excuse when you hurt someone. But you were very young when you did hurt people, and you stopped. You changed. You’re going to therapy. Your father never did any of that, did he?’

‘No he didn’t,’ was all Alastair said.

When he was younger, he’d been foolish enough to believe his father’s promises. He would say he’d quit, that it wouldn’t happen again, that he’d gotten better. But he never did. He wasn’t sure he could explain the disappointment, of finding his father passed out with a bottle again after believing his promises.

‘I think I’m not explaining it well,’ Thomas said. ‘I’m not sure… I know you’re sorry, for what you did, and that you’re trying to do better. But I think you lashing out because of your fear is not the same thing as someone else who is awful to people because they enjoy hurting others, or because they believe they’re better than them. You still have the responsibility to do better, but it’s not the same.’

‘I’ve never wanted to hurt anyone,’ Alastair said softly, tears in his eyes. ‘That’s the thing, I always knew it was awful, I knew what I did to people. I knew how much it hurt and I never wanted to do that to someone else. But I did it anyway, because I couldn’t take it anymore. At the time I thought those were my options, be bullied or become the bully. And I convinced myself, no matter what I did, it wasn’t as bad as they’d done to me. But that didn’t matter.’

Alastair burst into tears. He tried to stop it, to control himself, but he couldn’t. Part of him expected Thomas to let go of him, but he didn’t and Alastair leaned into him even more, closing his eyes. He could feel comfortable like this. He could pretend he was safe and protected. Thomas’ strong arms made a better illusion of safety than a lifeless stuffed hedgehog, for sure.

It was difficult, when someone could see right through him. And he knew Thomas had always seen through him. Had Thomas made excuses for his behavior back then? Had he defended him from his friends? Thomas had said he’d always seen Alastair was very sad, had he suspected something was not right? Had he used that as an excuse for the awful things he’d done? It was sweet of Thomas, for sure. But he didn’t want people to make excuses for him, he didn’t want them to pretend it was fine. He knew he didn’t deserve that.

‘You know, my father told me he was quite awful when he was in school,’ Thomas said. ‘When he went to Spain, he realized what his father had taught him was wrong and he didn’t want to be like that anymore. He deserved a second chance, and so do you. So far, you’re doing an amazing job.’

Alastair was tempted to shut Thomas down again. He wasn’t doing a good job. He’d tried to change, to be better, and at least he was no longer hurting others, but what use was it when he couldn’t help them either, when the only alternative to hurting others was hurting himself? But he was curious too, how similar was he to Gideon Lightwood? Tessa had drawn the same comparison.

‘I really can’t picture your father as a school bully,’ Alastair said, wiping at his eyes.

‘Me neither,’ Thomas admitted. ‘But he believes everyone deserves a second chance, because where would he be if he hadn’t been given one? And I find it really hard to believe what you said to me about my parents only liking you because of your power or because you want to save me. That’s not what they’re like at all.’

Alastair wasn’t sure how to explain that to Thomas. Perhaps he was making too many assumptions, but it just seemed unlikely anyone could like him for him as a person. People liking his power made much more sense. It was the only thing his father had liked about him, the only part of him he’d showed even an ounce of interest in. It was the only part Father hadn’t deemed worthless.

‘Perhaps you’re right,’ was all Alastair said, mostly because he didn’t know how to explain what he was really feeling and didn’t want Thomas to worry.

Lucie and Cordelia returned inside, both their faces serious and Alastair suspected they were still concerned about the selkie’s skin. He had run out of ideas on how to enter that world by now. He sat up, but didn’t quite move away from Thomas yet. It felt too good to be held like this, Thomas’ arms applying just the right amount of pressure to be soothing. He wanted to hold on to that feeling.

‘Okay, so I have some news,’ Lucie said. ‘Grace escaped from Tatiana again and came to deliver a message to me. She claims I am a witch and I can use dark magic to open a gateway.’

‘Doesn’t using dark magic require making a deal with something like the creature we’re trying to defeat?’ Thomas asked.

‘According to Grace, not when you’re a witch. But that’s very uncommon, apparently. And she thinks my seeing ghosts is a sign I’m a witch. Problem is, I have no clue how to do any of the things she claims I can do. What do you know about witches?’

‘All I know is, sometimes people are born with certain powers, like my memory, but as far as I know all such powers are rare and no one understands why it happens,’ Alastair said. ‘Since she’s not human, maybe she knows more.’

‘There was an evil witch a few centuries back who was defeated by your and Cordelia’s ancestor,’ Lucie said. ‘And then she turned into a mermaid, which is how Grace knew about her.’

‘Some of our ancestors did keep journals, in an attempt to improve our knowledge of the supernatural,’ Alastair said. ‘Of course, those are full of contradictions, and sometimes racist assumptions about creatures that aren’t evil or dangerous, but protected indigenous cultures from colonizers. But a story about a witch would likely be documented.’

‘Can we see these journals?’ Lucie asked. ‘I’m guessing your ancestor didn’t know much about how she did it, but he must have known what she used to fight him.’

Alastair shook his head. ‘My father has them.’

Alastair couldn’t face his father, he wasn’t sure if he’d ever be ready, even if needed to. He felt tired and empty now where he was somewhat safe, but he suspected he’d fall apart if he had to confront his father. He definitely didn’t want Cordelia to have to talk to him. For a long time, she’d idolized him, but now that she knew the truth, and knew how it had affected him, she was angry.

‘Your father could ask for them,’ Thomas suggested to Lucie. ‘Will has known him for some time. Or perhaps he can ask uncle Jem to talk to Elias.’

Alastair wasn’t sure his father would listen. He wasn’t sure what to think, what to expect from his father now. He hadn’t seen him since he left, not outside his memories and nightmares. He didn’t know what his father was up to, and he didn’t want to know. All he knew was, Jem was still trying, Jem never gave up on anyone. But Alastair had given up a long time ago.

#Alastair Carstairs #Thomas Lightwood #Lucie Herondale #Cordelia Carstairs #Thomastair #Lucelia #the last hours #tlh #fanfiction

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secret-engima · 4 years ago

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....I lied. If you’re still doing the title thing - if I go down gonna burn with the sun

I thought there was a few more title asks still lurking in here for me to answer. *cracks knuckles* RAMBLE TIME.

-Star Wars AU. Star Wars FFXV sorta-x-over AU where the Astrals decide that Aera and Ardyn deserve a chance at happiness, just not on Eos, and therefore go YEET. The Force, finding these two wayward and powerful souls is like- Sure okay and boom. Ardyn and Aera are reborn in a galaxy far, far away.

-Purely not coincidentally, far away, on different worlds and in different star systems, one Satine Kryze and one Obi-Wan Kenobi take their first breaths.

-Yes I’m serious.

-This would be- SUCH a chaotic fixit AU, both because Aera loves peace but she is NO pacifist and not about to let an entire Culture DIE just because some so called New Mandalorians cannot see the dangers of burying their own past. Two because- well.

-Ardyn has already BEEN a Chosen One and an Accursed, a Hero and a Villain. He has walked the path to salvation and damnation both and seen the worst sides of himself and humanity, and for all they look different, every species in the galaxy isn’t far different from humanity in those regards.

-Obi-Wan Kenobi grows up in the Jedi Temple and he is a Troublesome Child. Too quiet and too reckless by turns, a smile that could melt butter and a tongue that can strip flesh from the backs of whatever bully goes after him this time. The Jedi ... worry. He is Dark, they whisper, was born with shreds of Darkness in his soul. He is manipulative, they worry, he has a temper, they gossip.

-Ardyn hears them all and inside a part of him screams. Because of course he is Dark, they did not have their souls swallowed by a plague for others’ sake, were not consumed with madness until dying (being freed) at the hands of a nephew two thousand years removed. As for manipulation ... he doesn’t mean to. It’s just ... he’s so much OLDER than the other children mentally, older even than any Jedi there (even YODA), he can’t help it that he thinks rings around people sometimes, or that he is so in tune with the Force (with a galaxy-spanning magic that burns beneath his skin like a hundred newborn suns that he keeps buried so the Jedi will not sense it so clearly, will not know how strong and old he really is inside) that he can practically read minds and knows what to say to get the best outcome. He has a temper. Who doesn’t? You try being reborn after a lifetime of AGONY and see how patient you are with petty morons and small minded bullies.

-He says none of those things, and when his time grows near to be sent away without a Master, he does not fight it.

-He looks at the shadow of Qui Gon Jinn in the doorway and something in the Force ... sings. Sad and soft. It speaks of heartache and betrayal and a fear of being hurt again. Ardyn can almost FEEL the two paths branching away under his feet, one with Qui Gon in it, and one without, and he does not know which one will bring him less pain.

-Ardyn does not try to impress anyone in the sparring ring, but after he is done, he slips away. He finds Jinn in the garden, trying to meditate, and settles down across from him without invitation.

-Qui Gon opens his eyes in annoyance. He knows that the Council wants him to take a Padawan, and that this one is almost at the age of being moved to the Corps. He expects the boy to beg to become a Padawan, or to try to impress him somehow.

-Instead the boy just smiles, thin and sharp and knowing in a way that makes Qui Gon feel ... exposed. Like every thought and wound in his heart is on display for this child, “The Council wants you to take a Padawan. That’s why they keep making you watch us.” It’s a statement, not a question.

-Qui Gon raises an eyebrow, “And you think I should take you?”

-The boy shrugs, but his blue eyes are still sharp as knives behind his friendly mien and Qui Gon doesn’t like the feeling crawling up his spine, “That’s your choice to make and yours alone. There’s nothing I can say to change your mind one way or the other.”

-“Then why are you here?” He asks suspiciously.

-“Because you’re lonely, and it makes the Force feel sad.” The answer is so blunt, so sure of itself. Qui Gon feels his stomach twist, and old anger makes him snappish without meaning to be (he’s heard of this boy as well, he’s heard that he’s got a manipulative streak and a tendency to twist his Force empathy to his own ends, he’s heard many things).

-(Qui Gon forgets that it is not a good idea, to base judgement on rumors) “I am not, and if I was, I would not need your company to ease it.”

-Obi-Wan Kenobi, Initiate of the Jedi Temple Ardyn Lucis Caelum, Sage and Healer King and Accursed, tilts his head thoughtfully, then nods and stands up, “Then I will take my leave. Take care of yourself, Master Jinn.”

-Initiate Kenobi Ardyn the Accursed and Healer King walks away, and a breath later the Living Force twists, like the snapping of cables, and Qui Gon gets the fleeting, distinct impression that he has failed some kind of very important test.

-Ardyn is assigned to the AgraCorps. A life as a farmer for others awaits him.

-The day before he’s to be shipped off, he walks out one of the Temple’s side-entrances and into the underbelly of Coruscant with only the clothes on his back. He doesn’t look back even once. It takes until the next day for anyone (for his friends, if he can call them friends when they are so much YOUNGER and painfully more innocent than him) to miss him. It takes another day for the Jedi to realize Obi-Wan Kenobi is well and truly missing.

-Deep in Coruscant’s seedy side, at the dockyards manned by those who are less than concerned with legality, a boy in ratty (stolen) clothes asks to be taken aboard as a maintenance worker. He calls himself Ardyn Izunia, and there are no Force Sensitives close enough to feel the sunlike fire burning in his blood as he smiles.

-Skip forward several years and Satine Kryze (Aera) is on the run from Death Watch, civil war is on the horizon and her father asks for Jedi protection to keep her safe.

-The bounty hunter who calls himself Adagium finds her first.

-A sword that glitters like blood and cuts through metal like a lightsaber (that hums-hums-hums with magic none but a Force sensitive can see blazing like bloody fire down the ancient blade) finishes off the Death Watch assassin that Satine hadn’t had the chance to shoot yet, and under his hood, Adagium smiles. Satine stills, head tilted as if listening, then she collapses into the teenage bounty hunter’s arms in joyous tears. Adagium- Ardyn- holds her close and cries with her.

- “I finally found you, My Aera,” he breathes and for a moment he lets his magic loose and it burns like the sun through the Force, lancing through the growing shadows in the Force like they’re fragile paper and somewhere far away Sidious feels Doom™ crawl violently up his spine.

-Aka that Fixit AU where Aera is a Mand’alor that DOES want peace for her people but NOT at the cost of burning history to the ground (or being defenseless, she has died to the sword once already she will not go quietly into the night a second time, not if she has to paint the walls in blood to protect her life and the lives of her people), the Jedi are Confused™, and Ardyn is incredibly content to be Aera’s former bounty hunter trophy husband with a tendency to adopt strays (read: Anakin and Shmi who he frees as well as Anakin kthanks, and quite possibly Savage and Feral too tho no one is quite sure how) until the Clone Wars start and Ardyn takes one (1) look at the war and goes: ah. I know this plan. This is a stupid plan. And all of Sidious’s plans go fwoosh.

-Because I’m sorry but there is no way you can convince me that Ardyn wouldn’t EAT SIDIOUS ALIVE in any kind of fight, mental, physical, Force, or tactical. This man is 2k years old. It took Sidious until he was an old sack of bones to get his Empire and that was with GENERATIONS of Sith serving as his foundation, and then he got yote down a reactor shaft by his minion 19-25 years later. Ardyn was able to manipulate an entire Empire into engineering its destruction and fulfill ALL HIS REVENGE GOALS (giving Bahamut a headache, driving the world to darkness and ruin, and ending the line of Lucis Caelum INCLUDING HIMSELF) in like- 30-40 years. While MENTALLY AND PHYSICALLY ILL thanks to the Scourge. Fully healthy and in control of himself and with people (Aera) to protect? Sidious would just be fresh meat.

-Also Ardyn adopts a bunch of the clones, possibly all the clones, on the excuse that since they were raised by Mandalorian trainers they count as Mandalorians and as genetic sons of Jango Fett that makes the Mandalorian CITIZENS by BIRTHRIGHT and the Republic can only watch in confusion as their army gets mass adopted by the Mand’alor’s trophy husband who also exposed their new Chancellor as a Sith. Bail Organa, the new Chancellor, may or may not be sweating quietly at the thought of accidentally gaining the ire of the so called Trophy Husband because he’s smarter than most and knows that Ardyn is Very Very Dangerous.

-Also also Qui Gon doesn’t die somehow because I do really like him and I think he’s a good Jedi, just not a good fit for Ardyn as a master.

#Secret Engima Rambles #Burn With the Sun verse #Ardyn Izunia #obi wan kenobi #obi wan x satine #ardyn x aera #oh no new au

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nellaesarts · 4 years ago

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Fairy Tail & The Paragande Kingdom - Chapter 3

FIRST CHAPTER | PREVIOUS CHAPTER | NEXT CHAPTER

At the moment Gray arrived in the bottom of the stairs, Natsu, Lucy, Erza, Wendy and the two Exceed jumped on him.

“Gray ! I’m so happy to see you ! shouted Natsu with excitement in his voice.

– How are you ? asked Lucy.

– I’m hanging in there… Could be better, but heh… he responded with a quiet voice.

– Take your time, said Erza, Don’t force yourself to come here if that’s too hard for you.

– That’s not the case, don’t worry. I feel better, I assure. I still think a lot about her, but… That’ll be fine.

To these words, the team make to him a compassionate smile.

– BY THE WAY ! Did ya know what happened yesterday ?! We saved a girl ! shouted again Natsu, very proud of himself.

– Natsuuuuuuuuuuu Calm doooooooooown, launched Lucy.

– I know, yep. I seen her up there, with her Chosen. By the way, Makarov and Pog will make a speech for the Guild in a few, answered Gray.

– Really ? If that so, let’s take a seat ! said Clara.

– Good idea, Clara !” approved Happy since the group led themselves to a free table.

They just had the time to sit that Makarov appears on the Guild’s stage with Pog. The silence takes place in a few minutes, and the Master started to speak.

“Good afternoon to all of you. As you certainly all know, yesterday, Natsu and his team bringed here a young woman who was near to the dead and Pog, here. he said while he showed the Chosen. Let me first tell you that Alexandria, the young mage, is out of danger, thanks to the good cares of Porlyusica and Mirajane. he turned himself to them, as the Natsu’s team sighted by relief. I thank you a lot for that, ladies. Now that Alexandria is better, Pog have decided to speak to you and tell you their story. I let him speak, now.”

At these words, Makarov left the stage and gave way to the Chosen. Pog moved forwards and a gentle green light started to bright around him.

“*Good afternoon, Mages of Fairy Tail. First of all, I want to thank warmly all of you about welcoming us here. Alex and I are in debt to you for it.*

As soon as the first words came to the mages’ spirits, a collective shiver shakes the assembly.

*As Makarov said, my name is Pog and the young woman is called Alexandria Delaus. We both came from a Kingdom which is located beyond the seas and about which you certainly never heard anything about : Paragande. Do not be surprised to ignore the existence of this land. There is several months of sailing to reach it from Fiore so, the business trades are really rares.*

To these sentences, some whisperings raised in the room. Why does a mage had to run away from her country ?

*Calm down, calm down, I’ll explain, he continued, tempering the rising agitation. In our country, or to be more precise, on the entire continent where we lived, the magic is not shared as in Earthland. Everybody can not use it, only a few hundreds of people born per year with the capacity to use magic, without any need to learn it. For the remainder of the population, they would never be able to use it. Thereby, the magic is a real delicacy, pretty researched. Our actual King, Vegas, is born without any power or magic sensibility. That’s the first one of his lineage who was born as a not a mage. He saw this situation very badly and, year by year, that go to his head, to become crazy. He convinced himself that he could access to magic if he take it off from the mages of his country. So, he started to hunt them, one by one, taking their magic off until their death, to incorporate it in some weapons or to attempt an injection of it in himself. As we know, Alex is one of the last living mages of the entire country. The few others are hiding in the Kingdom, but the King have tools that his population have not. We know that one day or another, he’ll catch them. He almost did it for us. When he just missed us, we took the decision to climb on the only business boat which was on departure from Felicia, the capital, to Fiore and so, we unload here about two months ago. But there was a thing that we ignored at this time. That is that the King’s trackers were following us very close. They chartered a frigate which have started to follow our boat only a few days after us. So, we know that they are in Fiore and that they're on our trail. There is what I can tell you about our story.*

The little being interrupted himself for a second to probe the hall.

*I wish to thank you again for your reception, but don’t worry, as soon as Alex will be fully recovered, we will leave the Guild immediately. Our trackers are dangerous, we don’t want to put any of you in a sensitive situation.*”

Makarov moved forward on the stage again to take place in Pog’s side. He turned himself to the speak to the Chosen.

“Do not worry about that, Pog. You and Alex can stay here as long as you want or need. The guild will protect you if necessary.

– BUT MASTER ! shouted an unidentified voice in the hall. How can you promise something like that to strangers ?

– THAT’S TRUE ! made another one. And maybe they just lie to us and they are just some fugitives who have things to be ashamed of !

Pog sighted to these comments, then straighten him up. Suddenly, his whole body seemed to ignite with a bunch of light green flames.

– *Right. I will exceptionally prove to all of you that I am not lying. I shouldn’t do that because of the energy that will cost to me, but it seems that I have no choice. As you have all noticed certainly, I can communicate with you by telepathy. My power permit me to let to the people I communicate with an access to my own mind. You will so see my own memories, directly from my mind. Prepare yourself, that can be rude.*”

And suddenly, a wave of energy swept through the hall and without warnings, all the members of Fairy Tail found themselves immersed in the psyche of the Chosen. They so all could assist of the reality about the Paragande Kingdom, through Pog’s eyes and by experiencing his memories again. The violence of the visions pull some whines off here and there, while in everybody minds, the tragic past of the mage showed up. Pog chose to show them all. To not spare anything. He so share with them the feelings he experienced during all these years. The fear. The anxiety. The hate. The sadness. The rage. He had to convince the mages that he and Alex were not criminals, he has to make them live the horror in which he and Alex grew up.

When the visions stopped finally and as Pog’s mind retracted itself, a heavy silence take place in the hall. Every mage looked like they were deep in thoughts. These visions send them back to the darkest hours of the Guilde. Some were crying, carried away by emotion. And nobody cast doubt on Pog speakings again after that. After a moment during which nobody could talk, Cana was finally the first one to stand and speak.

“Pog, I will never put in doubt your words again, believe me. I don’t want to live that again.

An approbation clamour came from the other mages. The experience had obviously been unpleasant for most of them.

– May I ask you a question ?

The little being nodded his head in approbation.

– What are you, exactly ? What is this magic ?

Pog launched a smile to the assembly.

– *Well, it seems it’s time for me to tell you more about myself. I am what we called in our continent a Chosen. The Chosens are spiritual magic creatures and we are born at the exact same day and hour of a mage, who so become our Linked One. Since then, we are linked by fate and by the magic to this mage. We share nearly the same magic energy, a part of our thoughts and some of our feelings too. The way our life will unfold therefore depends largely on the future of this mage. Nonetheless, even if we are linked, we stay as being in our own right and stay independants. We are born in eggs which come directly from the earth, in the spiritual city Mehag. We are raised by some other chosens who lost their Linked Ones until we are strong enough to protect our mage. For example, I could leave Mehag when I was ten years old and I take one year to find Alex. We are in the other one’s side for only eleven years. *

–But if your fates are linked to your mages, how some Chosen could stay alive despite the disappearance of their Linked Ones ? asked Levy, curiously.

– *Excellent question. That’s because even if our fates are linked, we have our own magic energy, we don’t share it all. If we have still a few of it when our Linked One dies, we can survive. That’s rare and a lot of Chosen prefer to let themselves died in these conditions. Sometimes, some mages renounce to their magic and so, lose their powers. That’s a real heartbreak for the Chosen who lose a part of themselves at this moment and if they don’t turn insane at this moment, they join the Chosen who lost their Linked Ones by death to raise the future Chosens.*

– I see. You are so dependant and independant of your mages in the same time. punctuated the blue-haired mage.

– *That’s it. And to be honest, I believed that we could communicate by telepathy only with our Linked Ones, but when Alex and I arrived in Fiore, we noticed that was not the case : the Chosens can communicate like that with every person who is mastering magic. I so had to learn how to limit my telepathic channels to filter our communications with Alex and so not be catched. However, that’s how I found Lucy, Natsu and their friends.*

– And we are still happy to welcome you here, commented Makarov. To come back about your escape, what afraid both of you so much about your pursuers ?

– *That’s simple. They created some devices which can suck the magic energy up. And these machines are like… Unlimited. They are many and dangerous. In front of people with such weapons, we, magical persons, can not do anything.*

– I see… Well, my friends, the meeting is adjourned, I think Pog spend enough energy today speaking with us. Erza, Laxus, Mirajane and Macao, join me in my office, we will organiz a defensive strategy in case of these strange enemies would attack us.”

To these words, the crowd dispersed. Pog find himself fastly alone, nearly ignored. He wanted to run to Alexandria to stay with her, but he knew that she just needed a bit of rest and that his presence would not help her. He started to wandering in the hall, until his belly started to growl due to the food smells which were hanging around here and there. After a few seconds, he feels a presence in his back. He turned himself to face Happy, who smiled to him.

“Hey, Pog, are ya hungry ? Come with us, we are going to eat soon !

The Chosen smiled back to the Exceed.

– *With pleasure.*”

For the first time since a long moment, the creature was about to eat a good meal in company of nice people. That hasn't happened since so many years…

——————————————————————————–

Well well well, finally, more informations about our dears Pog and Alex !

Didn’t they had a hard life before they arrived in Fairy Tail ? :P

And that’s not finish !

Please excuse my english, as this is not my native language, I have certainly do a lot of errors in the text. I just hope that will not ruin the reading ! :/

See you soon for the next chapter ! :D

#fairy tail #fairy tail universe #erza scarlet #natsu dragneel #lucy heartfilia #happy fairy tail #carla fairy tail #wendy marvell #makarov dreyar #pog #Alexandria Delaus #literature #fiction #fanfiction #hiro mashima #fantasy #illustration #paragandekingdom

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yoursummerfrost · 5 years ago

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Hogwarts House Sorting: Lucifer Characters

After hemming and hawing for weeks, I finally decided to commit to making this character analysis. I’ll be using the @sortinghatchats system of house sorting because I really love how much nuance it allows for!

You can find excellent explanations of the system on their blog, but a brief explanation for the un-initiated: Primary houses explain WHY a person does things. Secondary houses explain HOW they do them. Frequently, people may model another house, meaning they borrow that system or approach, but will fall back on their “true” house when the chips are down. Additionally, people can lose touch with their house(s) in a process called burning/falling/petrifying/stripping. Without further ado, here we go! Sortings under the cut. [Spoilers through Season 4].

LUCIFER MORNINGSTAR. I’ll start with Lucifer’s secondary, which I think is more straightforward. Our chaotic Devil is a Slytherin secondary through-and-through. He’s at his best when he’s improvising by charming other people, waltzing into a drug dealers’ home base, or paying off a traffic cop. While he can look like a charging Gryffindor or a favor-dealing Hufflepuff, these are ultimately tools that Lucifer uses to be a more effective Slytherin.

At first glance, Luci looks like a Slytherin primary, too. However, I actually think our titular Devil is a burned Hufflepuff primary who resorted to modelling Slytherin when he Fell. In fact, Luci’s character arc over the course of the show is to un-burn, a journey that starts even before he meets Chloe in the pilot. Hufflepuff and Slytherin primaries are both loyalist; the main difference between them is in the scope of their loyalty. Slytherin primaries prioritize a smaller circle of people whom they have decided to prioritize. In contrast, Hufflepuffs believe in the innate value of people, and seek to prioritize people based on need or a sense of what is fair–in Lucifer’s case, this revolves around the basic right to free will.

Hufflepuffs tend to burn when the world has treated them so unfairly that they end up believing that caring about everyone is an impossible goal. Facing this rejection, they narrow their circles and start to prioritize looking out just for themselves, or a few loved ones. This often comes with a sense of shame: if the Hufflepuff were a better person, they could be kind to everyone (and remember, being kind doesn’t mean being nice). Lucifer is constantly asking himself this question. Is he a monster? Can he be a good person? In the pilot, his first interaction with Amenadiel includes asking, “Do you think I’m evil because I was born that way, or because dear old Dad decided I was?”

At the beginning of the series, Lucifer mostly looks out for himself and, to a lesser extent, Maze. However, even in the pilot, we see glimpses of his inherent sense of justice and compassion for humanity. His interactions with Delilah (and his reaction to her death) set the stage, and his work with the LAPD–beyond his fascination with Chloe–continues the trend. Linda says it best when she tells him, “I think you’re starting to enjoy seeking justice for the good ones.” He only punishes people who have betrayed his innate sense of what is kind and fair–people who hurt other people–and he detests when someone takes away another person’s choice.

This isn’t to say that Slytherins can’t have this innate sense of fairness and compassion; it’s that a Slytherin would still put their “own people” first when the chips are down, and feel good about that decision. A Hufflepuff would feel like they’ve done the right thing when they put the collective good first. When Luci gives Marlotte her own universe at the end of season 2, he’s prioritizing the good of the world–and God and all his siblings in Heaven, estranged they may be–above keeping someone he loves very dearly: his mom. It’s a pretty significant character moment that this is the moral act which gives him his wings back.

Similarly, Lucifer’s pivotal decision at the end of season 4 also shows his Hufflepuff primary. He makes a huge personal sacrifice by going back to rule Hell, and hurts Chloe and his other loved ones to do it too. At the end of the day, Luci wants to do what’s best for humanity, even if it’s at cost to his inner circle. The flip side of this is the very Slytherin decision he makes at the end of season 3 which triggers the reappearance of his Devil face: killing Cain. Lucifer has killed exactly two people, both for the Slytherin motivation of protecting Chloe. Now, we can argue that Luci’s Slytherin model actually served him pretty well here, and the show generally wants us to support Luci after these difficult choices. But the key is in his reaction, which is an intense level of guilt uncharacteristic of someone who genuinely believes that the ends justify the means when it comes to protecting the people they love.

For our true Slytherin primaries, we need to look no further than the occasional murder-buddies, Maze and Dan.

MAZIKEEN SMITH. Maze is a classic Slytherin primary through and through, and she petrifies over the course of season 3. Her Slytherin primary clashes with Lucifer’s Hufflepuff primary as he slowly un-burns; she can’t understand why he cares so much about humans and why he would change for them. It also explains why she’s so betrayed by his refusal to take her back to Hell: For Slytherin Maze, Lucifer refusing to prioritize her must mean that he cares about her less. For Hufflepuff Lucifer, he has to consider the good of the system–and taking Maze back to Hell could endanger everyone else by angering his father. Plus, it would break up the family!

At the beginning, Maze’s circle consists of herself and Lucifer, and she’s willing to go to any length to protect him–including almost killing Chloe and siding with Amenadiel to bring Lucifer home. While her stance on humanity ends up changing, it’s primarily because she finds some humans that she happens to like–Trixie and Linda, first and foremost, though she adopts more as the series goes on. She tells Chloe, “I’m glad I didn’t kill you,” not because she suddenly decides murder is inherently bad, but because she ends up looking at Chloe and thinking, ‘This one is mine.’

Maze petrifies when she slowly loses everyone in her circle besides herself. This starts by Linda and Amenadiel lying to her and spirals out of control when Lucifer refuses to take her back to Hell. “None of you deserve me,” she tells him, and suddenly finds herself with no one to protect but herself. However, Maze un-petrifies at the end of the season; the first step is when Amenadiel shows her compassion, but she ultimately finds her place again when she rushes to save Linda from the bluffed threat from Cain.

Maze is a Gryffindor secondary. She’s at her best when she charges head (and knife) first into situations. However, she also has a Ravenclaw model that, similarly to Lucifer, she uses to make her a more effective Gryffindor. Maze collects weapons and fighting styles in a very Ravenclaw-fashion so that she can be the best possible torturer and bounty-hunter, but when trouble arrives, she’s not going to stop and make a plan–she’s going to kick trouble’s ass.

DAN ESPINOZA gets along with Maze so well because they’re both Slytherin primaries. Dan’s willingness to feed Warden Perry to the mob–and his lack of remorse afterwards–because Perry is a scumbag who hurt someone he cares about is clear evidence of his primary. He also knows exactly where to look for a little backup in Maze, who’s always down to offer him the means to his end. At his “Detective Douchiest,” Dan is leveraging his Slytherin primary to justify his bad behavior. He’s loyal to himself, after all, and throws himself into his work to avoid being attached to anyone else. However, Dan’s primary is also a strength. It makes him fiercely loyal and dependable to the people he loves–willing to do whatever it takes to protect them, or get them the revenge they don’t believe in getting for themselves.

Speaking of throwing himself into work: Dan is a Hufflepuff secondary. He’s a hard-working detective who keeps his head down–which makes him clash with his Gryffindor ex-wife, Chloe, who would rather make loud, controversial decisions in the name of justice–and puts in steady hours to chip away at his goals. When he’s in a good place, he puts a similar work ethic into the people he loves. When he’s in a bad one, he hides behind his work and detaches from the “human” side of his secondary.

CHLOE DECKER. Like I just mentioned, Chloe is a Gryffindor primary who desperately wants to pretend that she’s a Ravenclaw. Her Ravenclaw model–attributing morality to the legal system, carefully considering the facts when making decisions–can serve her well, and she falls back on it when she’s trying to wrangle Lucifer’s Slytherin antics. However, Chloe’s real strength has always been following her gut–occasionally to the point of self-righteousness. This also explains her base moral conflict with Dan, who both prioritizes people over ideals. A similar conflict could exist with Lucifer, but Luci is constantly encouraging Chloe to trust her instincts–he values her true primary more than her model. She has an innate sense of right and wrong that she has to fight very hard to overcome, and things normally go worse for her when she does.

I’m talking about the clusterfuck that was early season 4, obviously. Chloe sees Lucifer’s Devil face at the end of season 3 and is faced with a reality that her Ravenclaw model was stubbornly refusing to accommodate; she has a gut reaction of fear that tells her to run away. This initial need for space wasn’t actually the issue. I think that, if Chloe had met anyone besides Father Kinley, things would’ve been just fine. But when she meets Kinley in Rome, Chloe is manipulated into ignoring her Gryffindor instincts. Her heart is telling her to trust Lucifer–that he’s a good person who she loves. However, Kinley manipulates Chloe into trusting an external source of morality instead: his twisted brand of Catholic pedagogy. What restores Chloe’s conscience is tossing out everything Kinley tries to tell her and realigning with what she feels, which is love for Lucifer.

Chloe is also a Gryffindor secondary, although her Ravenclaw secondary model is more useful and stable than her primary model. Like Maze, she borrows the thoughtful planning and skill-collecting of a Ravenclaw. Chloe tackles cases by examining every angle, carefully interrogating suspects, and weighing the pros and cons of every solution. I would hazard a guess that most of her colleagues assume that Ravenclaw!Chloe is all there is–especially because she seems so much more sensible that her reckless partner. But if we dig deeper, Chloe is more than happy to charge into situations with a stubbornness and bravery that’s nearly unmatched. When push comes to shove, Chloe will take a psychologist on a date rather than wait for special permission to speak to a suspect, leverage Lucifer’s impulsivity to shake down perps, and stand between Lucifer and Cain’s henchmen while daring them to shoot.

AMENADIEL. Our resident solider of God is a little harder to pin down than most of the others for me, primarily because I really want to know more about his time in Heaven before the series started. Amenadiel reads either like a Ravenclaw or Gryffindor primary, though I lean towards a stripped Gryffindor. This is complicated by the fact that Amenadiel was stripped long before he realizes it during season 2. Stripped Gryffindors learn that they can’t trust their own moral compass and have to find a new system to follow instead. I think this happened to Amenadiel when he was still living in the Silver City, perhaps around the time Lucifer Fell, if not before.

Amenadiel functions by being his father’s loyal solider–by doing exactly what he’s told, because it’s supposed to be the right thing. He labels his brother as selfish, reckless, and evil despite harboring a clear love for him at the same time. This cognitive dissonance exists because someone else taught Amenadiel that he should believe those things about Lucifer. He survives in Heaven by falling in line–essentially adapting his father’s party line, like a Ravenclaw would. The issue is that a Ravenclaw would be satisfied with adapting such a system, and would not struggle as much to revise this system later if they found it inadequate.

In contrast, Amenadiel is constantly struggling to figure out what’s right. He’s horrified by his own behavior during season 1, causing him to Fall from angelhood and lose his wings and powers, but can’t seem to re-orient himself. He tries on different hats–first being like Lucifer, then following their mom instead of their dad, and finally trying to follow their dad again–but nothing ever feels right. Amenadiel’s greatest comfort is found in the realization that angels self-actualize. Once this realization comes, Amenadiel learns to trust himself again and regains his wings once and for all.

Amenadiel splits himself between Gryffindor and Ravenclaw secondaries and somehow manages to fail at both. (I say this with love). This is mostly because, I think, his Gryffindor primary is so stripped that his HOW is too detached from a WHY that makes internal sense–this leaves him ineffective and lost. Looking at season 4, though, I think Amenadiel is a Ravenclaw who models a Gryff secondary. While he’s still up for a Gryffindor-esque charge into the fight, Amenadiel approaches Linda’s pregnancy and impending fatherhood with a desire to learn as much as he can and make a better world for his son.

LINDA MARTIN is a Ravenclaw primary who briefly falls when she sees Lucifer’s Devil face, then promptly picks up herself back up and builds a new moral system for herself. It takes her about a week and she’s fairly satisfied with the result, even when her emotional and physical fears flare back up and she has to baby-proof her ceiling. Pre-fall, Linda believed in a system of compassion and warm skepticism, which made her an excellent therapist. She liked to think she might be reincarnated as a chameleon. She enjoyed the process of questioning the world. During her fall, Linda found her current system incapable of accommodating the simultaneously massive and personal scale of Divinity–and post-fall, she builds a new system that largely looks the same as before but, as Amenadiel helpfully points out, contains “different questions.”

With Linda, we’ve finally found a straightforward Ravenclaw secondary, no modelling to be found. Linda likes to plan for trouble, and she flounders when that opportunity is taken away from her. She’s constantly trying to remind people that she’s not that kind of doctor, and while she lets herself get swept up into Lucifer’s schemes–like breaking God out of a psychiatric hospital–she’s never comfortable in that kind of situation and the decisions she makes impulsively don’t tend to work out well for her (see: the resulting interrogation from the ethics review board).

ELLA LOPEZ is another “double” house, and our second Hufflepuff primary. While many people who have a strong religious faith can be seen as Ravenclaw primaries, Ella’s connection to her faith is driven by her innate love for humanity. She believes that people–including the Devil, who she says gets a bad rap–are basically good and deserve love and kindness. After Charlotte’s death, we see that Ella’s response is not to lose faith in her approach to life like a Ravenclaw might–instead, she resents a God who she thought shared her Hufflepuff morals and clearly doesn’t, if such senseless bad things can happen to good people.

Her Hufflepuff secondary is a fairly classic kind, combining cheerful work with an interpersonal warmth that endears people to her. Ella’s natural charisma is a sweet, understated variety that makes even Azrael, the Angel of Death, want to look out for her. While Ella rarely leverages this consciously–and her lack of desire to do so feeds into her charm–there are multiple points in the series where people casually go to bat for her. Two prime examples are when Charlotte tells off Pierce in an immensely satisfying fashion and when Lucifer scares Ella’s brother straight.

CHARLOTTE RICHARDS. Oh, dearest Charlotte. So much of her time is spent in a existential crisis that she’s another hard one to pin down. but I think she’s a Slytherin primary. When Charlotte finds out about the Devil of it all, she doesn’t run like Chloe, and she doesn’t have to reconstruct her view of the world like Linda does. Instead, Charlotte struggles to understand how to be a “good” Slytherin. Pre-trip to Hell, it’s implied that Charlotte lived fairly selfishly, extending her Slytherin circle to herself, her clients, and perhaps her children. Post-Hell, Charlotte is rocked to her core by the realization that she was not living free of guilt.

Now, some could argue that this means Charlotte isn’t actually a Slytherin. However, Slytherins aren’t free from other aspects of morality just because their first priority will always be their chosen people. Charlotte prioritized protecting criminals who she knew did terrible things, and she put herself first to an extent that many people would feel guilty about, even though most would agree that it’s good to put yourself first sometimes. When she’s trying to become a “good” person, Charlotte initially tries to give up her Slytherin ideals entirely. She quits her job and joins the DA’s office, trying to more like the cheerful Hufflepuff Ella.

This ultimately fails; it simply isn’t her. But Charlotte finds success–and a tragic redemption–when she learns that there’s more than one way to be a Slytherin. She turns some of her Slytherin loyalty outwards, towards victims and survivors of domestic abuse as well as new loved ones–Dan, Ella, and Amenadiel. She’s willing to go to great lengths to protect the people in her circle, which is still a very Slytherin motivation, but one that she feels much more at peace with in the end.

As for Charlotte’s secondary? Look, anyone who steals a dude’s motorcycle while cheerfully informing him, “Don’t worry, it’s for God!” is probably a Gryffindor. I don’t make the rules here.

MARLOTTE. The thing about being a Hufflepuff primary is that people matter, but not everyone has the same definition of “person.” At first glance, the Divine Goddess might look like a Slytherin primary. However, I argue that she actually values all “people” equally, it’s just that she considers Celestials to be people, and humanity to be both too foreign and simple to matter. (This logic is, by the way, the same reasons Hufflepuffs are no less capable of racism, homophobia, etc. than anyone else).

Goddess’s primary goal is to reunite her family, sans God, and she’s willing to roast a bunch of humans on the Santa Monica Pier to do it. Humans are fundamentally expendable–except for her “favorite human,” Dan, who essentially gets a loophole when she spends enough time with him and stops seeing him as “other.” But Goddess doesn’t consider any Celestial to be expendable. She’s not willing to harm Luci and Amenadiel, even when she realizes that they were planning to betray her. She doesn’t value herself more than she values her children, and she doesn’t play favorites. If she did, she might be content to try and stay on Earth, or to wage a war in which some of her children (i.e., the ones who didn’t side with her) died. If Goddess were a Slytherin, it would be possible to “kick” people out of her circle, like Maze does when she petrifies. Instead, Goddess’s natural state is essentially inclusive, much like her son, Lucifer–they just have a pretty substantial conflict over who gets included.

Goddess is a determined Ravenclaw secondary. When she needs to make things better with Lucifer, she learns how to make “cheesy noodles.” She throws herself whole-heartedly into learning how to live as Charlotte Richards–including reading every legal book every, apparently. While she’s certainly cunning like many Slytherin secondaries, Goddess actually doesn’t function very well without a plan. Things fall apart for her pretty quickly when she runs out of time in her body and has to make decisions off the cuff. Unlike Lucifer, who works best when he’s under pressure, she needs time to set up her course of action.

EVE is another difficult one to sort because so much of her characterization is about not knowing how she is. This makes her primary fairly obscured, and I hope we’ll see more of her in season 5 so I can revisit this sorting. For now, I’m going with a Gryffindor primary. Eve is motivated by doing what feels good–whether it’s leaving Heaven because she’s tired of being someone’s wife or convincing her boyfriend to punish people. She has an instinctive solution to every problem–even when logic says, ‘Hey, maybe don’t release demons from Hell?’ because she knows how things should be–and that’s with her and Lucifer together.

The reason she clashes with Lucifer is that while Eve’s primary is about ideals, Lucifer’s primary is about people–whether he’s operating on his Slytherin model or his true Hufflepuff primary. Lucifer cares a whole lot about other people’s desires–including Eve’s–but he doesn’t care that much about his own if they hurt other people. Interestingly, Chloe and Lucifer have this same idealist vs. humanist conflict; Eve and Chloe just have very different flavors of Gryffindor morality, and it turns out that Chloe’s ideals match up with Lucifer’s Hufflepuff values more of the time. Furthermore, Chloe comes to accept Lucifer’s Hufflepuff-ness in a way that Eve doesn’t. Chloe actually prefers Luci as a Puff–her Gryffindor righteousness says that they should protect other people, which is the same thing Lucifer wants to do.

Much like Ella, Eve uses a Hufflepuff secondary to build connections with other people that she can depend on. However, Eve leverages those connections on a much more conscious level than Ella ever does–in fact, it’s essentially the first thing that Eve ever does, both in her life and in the series. She starts by connecting herself to Adam, trying to be the perfect wife. Then, she leaves Heaven and seeks out Lucifer, relying on him to help her accomplish her goals. After getting dumped, Eve jumps to Maze instead. She’s a particularly effective Hufflepuff because of her Slytherin model, which allows her to adapt to whatever the other person needs her to be (see: the entirety of “Super Bad Boyfriend.”) You could make the argument that Eve is actually just a Slytherin secondary, since the “chameleon” aspect is so central to how she functions. However, Eve has a level of discomfort with her constant mask-wearing that a Slytherin secondary probably wouldn’t. In fact, deciding to part ways with her Slytherin model and figure out who she is represents Eve’s big character moment at the very end of the season.

MARCUS PIERCE/CAIN. I saved Cain for last because (in my opinion) he’s the closest thing to a pure antagonist that we have on the show, but frankly even that’s debatable [EDIT I FORGOT KINLEY EXISTED LMAO]. Anyways, Cain is a Slytherin primary who has been petrified for so long that he’s ready for a hard-out on the whole immortality thing. The only person in his circle is himself–we see, mostly in flashbacks, that this is because he’s tired of the pain that comes with losing people he loves. Cain only wants to live again once he adds Chloe to his circle and she reminds him what it feels like to have people to live for.

The neat and/or horrifying thing about Cain is that he’s a fantastic example of a truly insidious Hufflepuff secondary. His entire Sinnerman persona revolves around crafting a network of people and resources he can depend on. When Luci and friends put his back against the wall after the death of Charlotte, Cain doesn’t resort to charging, improvising, or leveraging his own skills. Instead, he calls up a bunch of people who owe him favors and are too terrified to betray him, and they do all the dirty work for him. It actually very nearly works, too.

#lucifer #lucifer netflix #sortinghatchats #i have like........so many more feelings but this got so long #but like i have endless thoughts about how different character dynamics are impacted by their houses #idk maybe ill make a sequel to this post with my thoughts on those?#we'll see #I wrote a thing

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nukagalreacts · 5 years ago

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Companions react to Sole teleporting back to the Institute in the middle fo an argument part-Two!

Here is a super angsty part two! Hope you enjoy my lovely readers and requesters!

Piper: She was so excited when Sole finally acquired the only way to transport into the Institute and had waited, shaking with excitement and burning through a whole pack of cigarettes as she waited for Sole’s return. Instead Sole came back with a disheartened look and an aura of failure combined with sadness, Piper had immediately taken Sole into her arms and led them somewhere private as she waved off everyone else trying to ask questions. They had sat in Sole’s room in silence for what seemed like forever before Sole told Piper to break out a bottle of vodka because they were both going to need a drink for what they were about to tell them. After each of them downing a glass Sole fixed Piper with a stare that burned through her before blurting out that there Son Shaun was the head of the Institute. Piper about choked on her own spit before hurriedly taking another swig of vodka and lighting another cigarette with shaking hands. “Shit Sole you can’t be serious” Sole just reconfirmed the whole situation and made Piper swear to keep it a secret, she could tell everyone about everything else but just keep the bit about her Son under wraps till they were ready to come forward.

Piper had kept her word as Sole continued to travel back and forth from the CommonWealth to the Institute, as time went on though Soe, started holding back information on the Institute. With this in mind, Piper started to get news from other sources that the Institute, in turn, was making a lot more appearances in certain areas, she realized with horror that Sole was becoming there information and selling them out slowly but surely. Confronting Sole about this was the worst feeling in the world, she finally had hope for humanity and it was crumbling in front of her. In the end, it wasn’t even an argument because Sole couldn’t deny what they were being accused of and knew they had betrayed everyone, but for them, there was no going back now. Within the blink of an eye Piper watched Sole disappear as they no doubt slunk back to the Institute to hide from the consequences of their actions, with new determination Piper went off to gather her allies and come up with a new plan to bring Sole and the Institute down, something she thought she would never have to say or do.

Deacon: He was the one who had put all of his belief and trust in Sole, was the one who vouched for them from the get-go and had opened up about his own struggles and past life leading up to this. Sole had sympathized with him and the causes he fought for and was more than happy to become an agent for the Railroad, and together they had been helping escaped synths from the Institute. Everything was going good for a while and the last thing Deacon expected was for Sole to find out her long lost Son was the one pulling the strings of the whole Institute. Sole had expected to find Shaun still a young kid but was met with the uncomfortable and painful truth of him really being an old man clinging on to what little time he had left. Deacon did his best to comfort Sole, but this type of pain was something he had never experienced, finding out you couldn’t have kids with the person you loved was one thing, but finding out you missed out on your whole kids life and would only be round to watch them die and knowing they where the bad guy, that’s some different shit all together. Deacon also knew better than most how pain could lead to one’s own demise and denial of what’s really happened altogether, something he could see Sole heading towards, as they refused to accept that there was no saving Shaun and they needed to let go.

The constant struggle over this eventually led to an argument that destroyed their relationship in one sweeping blow. Deacon knew how hard this was for Sole but he was reminding them that the person Shaun was now, wasn’t their son anymore and if they really wanted to save him and set things right than they needed to destroy the institute and everything evil within it. Sole was was quick to cruelly remind him that he wouldn’t know anything about the pain of losing a child because he was never able to have any! Deacon flinched away from Sole so hard that if anyone had been watching the scene unfold you would think Sole had punched him in the stomach. “I’m sorry Deacon but I choose to be with my Son, and whatever life you thought we could have together it just wasn’t meant to be” and with that Sole teleported back to the Institute. Deacon felt the world crumble around him as he sank to the ground and started to cry everything he had ever wanted was taken away from him for a second time, but this time he wasn’t sure he would be able to pick himself back up again.

Hancock: He would have followed Sole to the ends of the earth, and for now he was content following them around as they tried to locate there Son. After learning that Shaun was located somewhere within the Institute, he had a horrible feeling in the pit of his radiated stomach that things were about to get a lot worse. Once Sole had found a way to teleport to the Institute he had begged them to let him come with them, leaving out the part that he felt like he was going to lose them forever if he let them do this alone. Sole had shushed their worries with a kiss before disappearing, still he couldn’t shake the feeling of dread and it wouldn’t be until it was too late that he would learn just how right he had been.

It has been almost a month since Sole had returned with the ill-fated news of what really became of Shaun, and Hancock still couldn’t wrap his head around the fact how fast he had lost Sole to the Institute. At the same time though he wasn’t surprised after all how could he expect Sole to choose him over there own child, even if said child was the leader of a group hell-bent on dominating what was left of the world and everyone on it. Sole even kept insisting that they weren't siding with the Institute, they just wanted to be there for there dying Son. Hancock didn’t bother though and he found himself constantly arguing with Sole, questioning who their loyalty really belongs to and if they were going to throw him and everyone else under the bus and betrays their friends just to have a few more days with a dying man. Sole had gotten so angry at him that they punched him before stomping off and teleporting back to the Institute, leaving Hancock to wonder if he had created his own self-fulfilling prophecy.

MacCready: Him and Sole were one and the same when it came to wanting to protect their kids at all costs, and after Sole had helped him find the needed cure for his son he was determined to help Sole anyway he could with un-swaying loyalty. That was before realizing the truth of what had become of Sole’s son if anything he assumed Shaun would be dead not the leader of the worst organization to ever terrorize the CommonWealth! He was at a loss of what to do, how was he supposed to convince Sole to destroy the whole Institute with their Son still inside. It was something he wouldn’t have even been able to do if the roles were reversed, but it was what needed to be done nonetheless. As Sole found out more and more about the Institute, Mac kept trying to push Sole to share information with the Minutemen or the Railroad so they could start figuring out a plan to bring this place down for good. Every time he brought it up Sole would come up with an excuse to avoid the reality of the situation, and MacCready would be lying if he said he wasn’t started to get pissed off. If Sole was going to abandon everyone to go side with the Institute than they needed to be upfront and honest about it, and stop lying to him and all of there other friends.

Mac finally confronted Sole telling them I couldn’t keep playing both sides forever and they needed to choose, sparking outrage in Sole who yelled at him that it wasn’t that simple. He shook his head at them throwing his arms up in disbelief reminding them that their actions had consequences and right now they were doing a lot more harm than good. As much as Sole hated to admit it they knew Mac was right that it wasn’t fair, without even giving a response and not looking back Sole went back to the Institute, and that was the only answer Macready needed to be sure of Sole’s choice. He just wishes Sole had chosen differently, they had been through so much together and he thought Sole had really cared about him and his Son almost as much as Lucy had, but it turns out that hadn’t been the case at all.

Valentine: Nick was the one who helped Sole from the start and the first one who had been there real chance of any hope of finding Shaun with his detective skills. When they had gotten to know each other more and Nick revealed that he had been a prototype of synth dumped into the garbage by the Institute Sole instantly knew they had no love for the Institute. They couldn’t wrap there mind around how someone could put someone’s memories into another body, give it feeling and then just discard them with no remorse. As time went on and Sole learned more about the Institute and the cruelness they possessed and spread all in the name of science the more they hated them, and finding out that they were the ones responsible for there son’s kidnaping installed a rage so fierce in them that they vowed to destroy the Institute given the chance.

Fate was a twisted thing though and Nick hadn’t been prepared when Sole came back bearing the news that the baby he was trying to help Sole find was an old man Leading the Institute. Sole had cried for days over what to do because they weren’t about to just kill their son, even if they didn’t have that much time left to live anyways. The worst past for Nick though was learning Shaun had asked Sole to take up his place once he had passed away because deep down he knew Sole wouldn’t be able to refuse the only request there Son was ever able to be going to ask of them. That didn’t mean that Nick didn’t try to talk them out of it reminding them just how Much they had said they despised the Institute, Sole was convinced they could change it’s evil way’s though even though Nick kept insisting that it was deeply embedded in the Commonwealth as a place of horror and fear. Both of them would argue about it non-stop until one day Sole just had enough and before Nick even realized what they were doing they teleported back to the Institute leaving him to wish he had never found their son at all and that all of this was just some horrible nightmare.

And there you have it folks once more thanks for reading and following me and supporting me in general to do this! Also thanks for the request I enjoyed typing it up-Much love from Ashley everyone :)

#Fo4 #companions react #Fallout 4 companions #Sole is so mean in this #deacon #MacCready #Mayor Hancock #Nick Valentine #Piper #extreme angst #tw:mention of not being able to have kids #just for Deacon's part though #I know tha can be a painful subject #super sad #part 2

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ceruleanmusings · 5 years ago

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Brothers in Arms - Part Two

Fandom: Chronicles of Narnia Requested by: anon Rating: T Genre: Angst Words: 2541 Characters: Peter Pevensie, Edmund Pevensie, Caspian X Summary - Finding himself in over his head, Peter attempts to protect his kingdom no matter the cost.

Previous Part | Final Part | Masterlist

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Peter thrashed against the sea of hands that fought to hold him down. Rocks and twigs scraped at his back. The jeers and shouts continued to assault him, hitting at him from all sides. Something banged against his head — a fist for a foot, he wasn’t sure. Stars exploded in his vision and his head swam but still he fought. He had to keep fighting.

Wrenching his arm out of the heavy grasp pulling him back, he scrambled around for his sword. His arm flopped down towards his side, searching. A heavy weight began to press down on his legs. He kicked and struck out at any and everything that dare got close to him. His fingers brushed against something cool. Sparks shot at his fingertips and a smile tweaked at the corner of his mouth.

His fingers barely wrapped around the handle of his sword when his fingers were pried backwards. His grunts and groans of pain were swallowed up by the material of the sack over his head — burlap, how original. His hot, shallow breaths smacked him in the face. Beads of sweat rolled down his cheek. He just needed some air. Just a little bit of air...

“Hurry. Grab him! Get him on the cart before his legion arrive,” a raspy voice growled in his ear.

Peter gritted his teeth. If he was going anywhere, it was going to be after a good fight.

Curling his fingers around his sword handle once more, Peter gathered his strength and swung his arm. A painful grunt and a brief tug let him know that Rhindon caught on something. Or someone. Just what he needed.

He reached up, tugging the sack off his head. His eyes blinked rapidly with the onslaught of sunlight, trying to adjust to the brightness. Rolling onto his stomach, he jumped onto his feet. The back of his head throbbed, adrenaline pumped through him but he tightened his grip on his sword and swung it in a mighty arc.

Now he saw them; the rogues with battered faces, scarred skin, wide teeth baring smiles. Save for one. His gloved hand pressed against his cheek and, when he removed it, Peter saw the slice across his cheek, the blood seeping out and sliding down the cure of his jaw.

Peter’s nostrils flared. One quick sweep allowed him to take in their number—nine of them—their size—shorter but packed with muscle—and their armor—none.

Gulping, he clenched his jaw. There weren’t many that were so brazen to go through Narnian lands without some sort of armor to protect themselves. Those that didn’t, he knew, didn’t have much to worry about losing.

Right then. Steeling his nerves, he eyed them.

“You are not welcome in our lands! Leave at once!” He ordered, taking on his High King voice—a deeper, authoritative tone used seldomly. Not even when he spoke to his own kingdom did he resort to such measures.

The scratched rogue laughed, a raspy wheezy laugh. “No, I don’t think so,” he replied. “’Cause, y’see, you can’t tell me what to do.”

“You’re not welcome here!”

The gang of rogues burst into laughter. Peter’s nostrils flared and, all at once, he was taken back to the early days of their Golden Age reign. When foes and visitors alike snickered behind their palms or second guessed his decisions and choices simply because of his age. He grew into the ruling position, not without push-back, but he’d paid his dues hadn’t he?

The lion deep within him roared and pawed at the ground, poised and ready to strike. Lifting his chin, Peter held the gaze of the scratched rogue. The scratched rogue’s laughter stopped and those around him petered out.

“Leave,” Peter snarled.

“I don’t think so,” the scratched rogue replied. He dragged his thumb across the scrape on his cheek, scraping the blood away. He barely glanced at it as he flicked the blood away; it dotted leaves of the underbrush by his feet. “Y’see, you all have it good around here. I figured it was my duty to, ah, lighten the load. Figure you wouldn’t miss some gems and trinkets here and there.”

“You’re killing innocent people!”

The scratched rogue shrugged. “They shouldn’t have resisted.”

The loud roar of a lion rushed in his ears and lit a fire within Peter. He briefly took a step backwards. Everyone seemed to move at once. Shouts and battle cries surrounded him as he turned and ran. Wind tugged at his clothes as he burst through the paths ahead of him. The rogues stayed close on his heels. They were fast, but he had the advantage of knowing the lands.

He ducked aside, charging off the path, ducking and dodging between large rocks that reached upwards to the canopy of leaves above. Something whizzed past his head, a hum buzzing in his ear before the bark on a tree nearest him exploded. He ducked, bits of bark reigning down on his head and shoulders.

He squeezed between a rock, glancing back only to jerk away when the tip of a sword came inches from his nose. He gulped and kept going, eyes darting around for an exit or even a half decent hiding place. There!

As if granting his wishes, he spotted it: a toppled over tree. The base, so large, lifting out of the ground it resembled a bare treetop of its own. Roots pointed in every which way, clumps of dirt hanging on. Peter headed for it, rushing through the tall grass. He scrambled over it and jumped down behind the shield of roots.

His chest heaved and he silently cursed himself for walking off without cover. But it was Narnia, he knew his lands, he knew he was safe. Or at least, he was. Maybe he rested too far on his laurels, believing all the good they were doing for their country and how they protected it. Either way, he needed to get a message back to his family. And fast.

Peter glanced around, searching the trees until he spotted one that appeared to be bathing in a golden glow, all the spotlights of sunlight directed on it. He let out a long breath, briefly closed his eyes while saying a prayer to Aslan, and jumped out of his hiding place.

“There he is! Men, charge!”

Peter raced for the tree, dodging the weapons being thrown around him. He jumped over upturned roots and zig-zagged around trees until he finally reached it. In a swirl of leaves, a figure wrapped up in pearl pink petals appeared before him, floating along.

“My king,” the dryad spirit said, approaching.

“Take news back to the castle. I need the others. And....and please hurry,” Peter said.

“Of course, My King,” the spirit said before disappearing to whence it came.

Standing up straight, Peter turned and faced the rogues that rushed in at him, twirling rope-like weapons over their heads and readying their swords. He brushed the sleeve of his shirt across his mouth and pressed his lips into a line.

He raised his sword, catching a glimpse of his own face reflecting in the blade for a mere second. He closed his eyes, thinking to his sisters, Susan and Lucy, who were left behind at the castle, steadied his nerves, opened his eyes, and charged forward.

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Caspian rushed across the castle grounds, his booted footfalls muffled by the lush greens underneath. Wind tugged at his clothes, dragging him, but still he ran. He hadn’t stopped running since he heard the noise. Heard the ambush.

He gritted his teeth. If only he’d followed after Peter sooner, if only he hadn’t taken so much time to sort things out with Edmund before going after the High King, this wouldn’t have happened. If not for the dryad spirit coming to him with a message from Peter himself, he wouldn’t have been there in time. And it was tough, choosing to turn and run for help rather than go into the fight on his own to help. But then, if the dryad spirit hadn’t awoken, who would have known they were there in the first place? Last they heard the rogues were only by the borders, waiting. No one would know to look in the words.

Emboldened by his decision, Caspian continued his sprint. His chest heaved, his lungs burned, but onward he pushed until he reached the base of the castle. A few watchmen shouted at him, at his hurried arrival, but he blew past them, going straight for the one place he knew Edmund would be residing when he needed to clear his head.

And sure enough, Caspian witnessed with brief relief, Edmund sat perched near the edge of the tallest cliff on the grounds, overlooking the vast expanse of the ocean down below. Such a sight usually stopped him in his tracks but he didn’t have time. Peter didn’t have time.

“Come to bring a message from Pete?” Edmund asked. Caspian didn’t miss the curl of disdain appearing on his upper lip as he spoke. “Typical, can’t even face me himself.”

“Ed! Hush! Your brother’s in danger,” Caspian said curtly, causing Edmund’s head to whip around.

For a brief second surprise filtered into his dark eyes before they hardened and his jaw clenched. Standing, his shoulders squared and Caspian could almost see the little gears turning in his head, formulating a plan in an instant.

“How many?”

“Nine as I last saw. Could be more. We’d be beneficial with the archers.”

“I agree,” Edmund replied. “I’ll round up a few of them. Get some of the first division. We need the numbers and the speed now more than strength. Anyone that can help.”

Caspian nodded. “And Susan and Lucy?”

“I’ll alert them myself, you be sure that everyone is ready to leave at once.” Caspian spied a lump sliding down Edmund’s throat when he swallowed. “We may not have a lot of time but...any extra will be enough.”

“Perhaps I should have stayed—”

“We can have this conversation later. Go. Now.”

Edmund was right, of course, but as Caspian went through the motions of gathering up a small unit of Aslan’s Army he couldn’t shrug off his guilt. What would happen if they were too late? At a moment’s notice Caspian had the choice to put his life on the line for his friend and his country and he chose to ran. Would others see it that way as well? Lucy? Susan?

The whistling of wind in his ears as his horse carried him back into the woods drowned out his mind’s doubt. He kept his grip on the reins and kept perfect posture over every jump that they encountered on their way. Edmund rode ahead of him, back straight, form strong. Except for his shoulders. Even beneath his little bit of armor Caspian found them rounded, weary. Caspian pressed his lips together. They would get to Peter in time, he was sure of it.

It wasn’t long before boisterous revelry wafted around them, carrying on the breeze like a bird’s song on the dawn of a new day. It hit Caspian like a cold wave, slamming him around until he took a breath, regained control, and followed Edmund’s signal to charge ahead.

The rogues dropped their bottles of mead, staggering to their feet as Aslan’s Army charged through. Caspian leaned sideways on his horse, catching a running ogue with the end of his sword when he swung. Reaching a clearing, Caspian jumped down from his horse and immediately ran into the foray.

His sword bit and clashed against the staves and daggers wielded against him. He dodged and parried. He ducked and swung, using the fire in his belly as a driving force to keep pushing, keep fighting. A few blows landed on his armor, creating a clang so loud it rattled in his skull but he pushed through.

Out the corner of his eye he spotted Edmund fighting a rogue about the size of a troll and the width of a barrell. A large scratch sliced through his right cheek, staring by his mouth and ending right below his eye. Edmund aimed a kick at its chest only for the rogue to grab his leg and give it a mighty twist. Caspian winced at the crack, followed by Edmund’s scream of anguish.

Arrows flew through the air, piercing the rogue’s arms and chest but it only made him grin. He didn’t slow. Caspian tightened his grip on his sword and charged forward, bringing it down with all his might. The rogue screamed as Caspian’s sword sliced through his arm, coming to a shuttering stop when it hit bone. Blood sprayed outwards, dripping down the length of Caspian’s sword. The rogue dropped Edmund and he fell to the ground with a thud where he immediately curled downwards to grasp his leg and drag himself away.

“For Narnia!” the army cried out as they ran forward, charging like a tidal wave. Caspian took the time to rush to Edmund’s side, managing to avoid the scratched rogue’s swinging arm.

“Don’t worry about me,” Edmund grunted.

“Come. I’ll get you out of here.”

“No. Get Pete!”

Caspian’s heart skipped a beat. “Where��?”

“There...over there,” Edmund managed to utter through his scrunched up face.

Caspian whirled around and saw him, Peter, propped up by a nearby tree. His head lolled forward. He sat still. So still. Caspian swallowed and ran over to him. He lifted Peter’s head, growling beneath his breath as he took in Peter’s banged up face, dried blood caked beneath one nose, and gag wrapped around his mouth. Caspian reached to untie the gag when he looked down and saw that Peter was tied to the tree and around his ankles as well. But it was the darkened patch on his side that made him briefly take pause.

He drew a knife from its holster on his waist and sawed at the ropes until Peter was let free. He slumped sideways and Caspian eased him to the ground. Please. Please. Placing two fingers beneath Peter’s neck, he waited and waited and waited...until finally he felt a pulse. It was weak, but at least it was there.

“Ed, I got him!” Caspian called over his shoulder. Edmund rolled over and struggled to his feet. He nearly fell over again but he managed to stay upwards, dragging his bad leg behind him as he hopped over to Peter. “I got him,” Caspian repeated.

“Pete? Hey, Pete.” Once by his older brother’s side, Edmund started patting Peter’s cheek. A small groan escaped from Peter’s mouth, but his eyes remained closed. “Go. I’ll stay with him.” Edmund lifted his chin over his shoulder where the rogues, now down to five, struggled against the circling Narnian army. The scratched rogue was nowhere to be seen. “Finish this.”

Caspian threw one last glance Peter’s way, pressing his lips together when Edmund leaned forward and rested his forehead against his brother’s. “I’m here, Pete. It’ll be okay,” he murmured.

Relief brought ease to Caspian’s breathing. He brushed sweat away from his brow, gripped his sword, and left the two brothers with an approaching Narnian medic.

#peter pevensie #edmund pevensie #caspian x #narnia fic #chronicles of narnia #bia2 #my writings #requested

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siren-dragon · 6 years ago

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FFXV Observation -- Episode Ardyn *Spoilers!*

Hello Everyone!

With the release of Episode Ardyn and the official completion of content for FFXV, I wanted to write my thoughts about the dlc down. And since the episode only came out today, there will be spoilers and everything will be beyond the cut.

Now be warned: this is just my personal thoughts and opinions of the new DLC content. If you don’t agree with it, that is fine; I only ask that you be respectful in your comments. Now then, let’s get started!

First of all, I just want to say that this Episode was beautiful and tragic, and I really loved it. While I didn’t get as much lore as I wanted (and I wanted the dlc to be WAY longer!) I did appreciate what we got. I have to say though, two really big highlights in Episode Ardyn has to be the music and the fact that we get to see a shirtless Ardyn. However, there were a few things with the story I found interesting and that was what I wanted to talk about.

Somnus Lucis Caelum:

Yes, the first thing I wanted to talk about was Ardyn’s “dear” younger brother; but please hear me out. In complete honesty, I really dislike this blatant hatred for Somnus. Don’t get me wrong, he did a lot of bad things- but we also have to look at it from his perspective too. In the Ep. Ardyn, Somnus actually tells Ardyn that he was jealous of him which is quite a feat for a prideful person. Now, as someone who has three siblings, I can kinda understand where Somnus is coming from. Even now, I sometimes feel pouts of jealous from my siblings despite us all being older. I can’t imagine how inferior Somnus felt when his older brother was literally the golden child of a entire nation.

However, this does not excuse his actions in regard to his treatment of Ardyn; what he did was cruel. What I do think is that Somnus did not know the the true burden of being king really meant. I feel like he wanted to have a chance to shine and show his people that he too wanted to protect them, even if it was in an extreme manner (*cough burning people alive *cough). But when Aera said that Ardyn was chosen to be king, I think that was the final push that sent Somnus over the edge. Even though they were meant to rule together (as talked about in the Datalog about the two blades being used together to symbolize their combined rule), Somnus finally had enough.

Yet when he was finally bestowed the Crystal and Ring, Somnus then understood the extent of what the calling of the king was and what Ardyn was meant to truly be. Somnus realized that he was never going to be the “True King” as that calling was for Noctis, and instead he pushed the only family he had left and was left with nothing but the guilt of what he did for 2000 years as his soul resided within the Ring of the Lucii. I’m not saying that Somnus was a good person and that he didn’t do bad things; he even says that he doesn’t expect Ardyn to forgive him as he knows he did terrible things. But let’s not forget that the two were once brothers and that once upon a time, they did not hate each other.

2. Aera Mils Fleuret:

Now then...let’s talk about Aera. Okay, so here’s the thing: I’m kinda on the fence about her. She is a very cute character and it is sweet that she loved Ardyn, but I don’t think she is as perfect as some make her out to be. To be fair, no one in this game is perfect and everyone has their faults, some bigger than others, but there is some information about Aera that I wanted make known. First of all, Aera is the Oracle- the First Oracle; who was chosen by Bahamut himself to represent the will of the gods on Eos. The actual quote from the Cosmogony is this: “In the distant past, Bahamut, the Draconian, descended to the mortal realm and graced the people of Tenebrae. From among them, he handpicked a pious maiden and bestowed upon her the power of the Stars and his trident. Using these gifts for the good of all, she became the first Oracle—she who joins heaven and earth”

I don’t doubt that Aera loved Ardyn, but that is the key word there. I think that she loved him, which is evident by when she died to save him- but I believe that when Ardyn became recognized as the Adagium, she put her love for him aside. She betrayed Ardyn and told Somnus information that was, for lack of better term, meant to be classified in regards to the prophecy and who was too be king. Granted, she felt guilt for that, but Somnus did not manipulate her into to telling him- she did it of her own free will. Also, we need to take into account Aera’s own calling as well: she is the Oracle and is known to be a pious maiden. What’s interesting there is that pious actually means to not only be “devoutly religious”, but it also means “making a hypocritical display of virtue”, or to be self-righteous. In the more archaic definition, it means to be dutiful or loyal, in this case; Aera’s loyalty to her calling as the Oracle and to the Astrals. She actually forsakes her love for Ardyn and regards him only as the Adagium and that he will never escape his fate. She puts the needs of others before that of the one she loves most in the world, which is brave of her to have done but also a horrid betrayal to Ardyn too.

While I truly wish we got to see more of Aera’s relationship with Ardyn and how they grew to love each other, she is not perfect. She choose her duty over the love of her life and forsook him when he became a “monster”. Now, that is a difficult choice and I commend her for choosing it to do what is right for the world, but I don’t believe Ardyn will ever fully love her again after that (based on that ending where he kills her and Somnus)- her actions put in motion events that had damaged A LOT of people’s lives just as badly as Somnus did. I understand that she was called to be the Oracle, but she still made a choice and has to live with it too.

3. Bahamut and the Astrals

Firstly, that title I just wrote sounds like a band name and it’s kinda of funny. But for heaven’s sake Bahamut, what the hell man? I admit, the dragon is a kind of a dick in the game, and that Ardyn definitely gets the short end of the stick with this. However, I can see some of where Bahamut is coming from.

They had a unknown illness that was ravaging the entire planet and the Astral’s didn’t know what to do and didn’t have the power to deal with it. And the Astral’s are sworn to defend the star at any cost, even if they must fight each other. So, I can see why they choose mortals to do their bidding for them, because humans are far stronger than we’re given credit for. Yet Bahamut’s folly was in not telling Ardyn that he had been chosen to bear the burden of darkness just as Noctis was meant to bear the burden of light. Ardyn simply wanted to help people, but Bahamut doesn’t explain that by containing the scourge within himself, he will eventually help the entire planet. Instead, he expects Ardyn to just suck it up and deal with what’s happened because that’s just the way it is.

I definitely think Bahamut is being very cold to Ardyn about everything, but you have to understand that what he says is that “so it has been ordained” meaning he too has no control over this. Bahamut even feels some pity for Ardyn too when he calls him a “pitiful creature” and I believe he knew that he was once a good man. But sometimes we have to do things that are unsavory because there is no other option- and Bahamut likely had no other option. It’s true that Ardyn was put through literal hell due to the calling he was given, but the Draconian actually compromises and allows Ardyn not only his revenge upon the royal family, but the reprieve of death too. He even warns Ardyn that if Noctis doesn’t kill him, he will just suffer forever in darkness and shadow; unable to die. If he truly didn’t care, Bahamut would have allowed the royal family to continue their existence and just have Noctis vanquish Ardyn with no consequences.

4. King Regis and the Crownsguard

So, one bit of information I found interesting in the game was that the royal family actually knew of Ardyn’s existence. Which mean’s he wasn’t entirely forgotten, just locked away like some weird national security secret. The fact that there is a unit of Crownsguard that is entrusted to respond at a moment’s notice if Ardyn should be released from his prison is interesting. Which means that Somnus actually put in safety measures to ensure Ardyn didn’t escape. Also, the fact that Ardyn doesn’t know what “Adagium” means or is when he first awakens probably means his name was replaced with that word and over time it became a legend- like a bedtime story you told misbehaving children. “You better be careful or the Adagium will get you,” seems like a fairy tale that would stay in Lucian history.

Now, I have to say that after the fight with King Regis, I believe that he was one of the strongest kings Lucis ever had. First of all, Regis is able to physically manifest multiple weapons at once from his Armiger, which you don’t even see Noctis do when he activates his Armiger (they’re all spectral weapons). Secondly, Regis was actually brave enough and strong enough to fight off against Ardyn by himself in order to defend his people which was really cool to see. All in all, it was great to see Regis in his prime and engage in full-blown combat (no matter how short lived it was).

5. Ardyn Lucis Caelum

I still have so many thoughts about this DLC, but I’m going to have to end it early and I saved the best for last. I have to say it was so much fun to play a Final Fantasy game from the villain's perspective. Ardyn is a wonderfully written character and I am going to miss seeing more of him; Darin de Paul did a magnificent job on this and he has truly managed to bring an amazing character to life. Now then, let’s talk about Ardyn’s story.

While I do feel sympathy for Ardyn, a lot of people have to understand that he is the villain and would likely never get a canon happy ending: which I am actually a bit pleased about. Happily, ever after endings are often unrealistic and it wouldn’t really fit with Ardyn’s character to have a happily ever after (that’s not to say one shouldn’t write fanfiction about it ;) After all that Ardyn experienced, it would be incredibly difficult for him to simply let things go and I think that is his main folly. He actually discards his humanity and basically goes “to hell with them” which is why I love him as a villain. Usually it is the hero that fights destiny, so I loved seeing Ardyn fight his fate while Noctis humbly accepts his.

Another thing I enjoyed seeing was the extent of Ardyn’s powers. Granted, we could have used that in the main game (maybe they’ll do a patch update) but it was a lot of fun to see all of his abilities. I honestly believe even Ardyn himself does not know all that he is capable of doing and is constantly evolving and discovering new techniques for him to preform. But it seems like there are abilities that are unique only to him as a Lucis Caelum; such as the way his armiger functions, the way he slows time as he “warps” or “shadow steps”, and even his illusions. Though ultimately, I liked that he was able to showcase all of these abilities without doing some extreme final-form transformation.

Overall, this DLC has made me love my favorite character even more- even though it does not excuse his actions in the main game. He experienced so many horrors but that does not condone his actions. Despite how he was in the past, Ardyn is a final fantasy villain; and one of the best ones.

I am certainly gonna miss seeing more FFXV content, but all good things do come to an end. Now it’s time to go and write fanfiction about the new content. ^_^

#ffxv #final fantasy xv #episode ardyn #episode ardyn spoilers #ardyn izunia #ardyn lucis caelum #somnus lucis caelum #aera mils fleuret #regis lucis caelum #ffxv bahamut #my thoughts #in my opinion

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adeleymccormick1990-blog · 4 years ago

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ruby-lights · 7 years ago

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Events of Ancient Era

3/9/18: Tumblr is not formatting my posts properly and apparently if i include a picture it just doesn’t show text at all on the dash....no wonder i get 0 notes on posts lol

I. Astrals and the First King of Kings

The Astrals are the summons in the world of FFXV but are more importantly worshipped and treated as Gods. What we know of the Astrals mostly comes from texts scattered around Eos called the Cosmogony as well as information in the game’s loading screens. The Astrals, also known as The Six or the Hexatheon are described in the Cosmogony as:

Titan, the Archaean, steadfast as stone. Ramuh, the Fulgurian, sharp as lightning. Shiva, the Glacian, gentle as snow. Leviathan, the Hydraean, relentless as tides. Bahamut, the Draconian, unbending as iron. Ifrit, the Infernian, fickle as fire.

Furthermore, there are said to be 24 messengers to these Astrals, which would give each Astral four messengers if split evenly (but we don’t know if such is the case). The only messengers CONFIRMED to appear in game, however, are Shiva’s messenger Gentiana, Luna’s dogs Pryna and Umbra, and Noctis’s guardian, Carbuncle. Astrals do not speak the human language but can communicate through the Oracle and their own messengers, as in the case of Gentiana. Carbuncle does not speak but instead communicates with Noctis through his smartphone.

The Astrals are able to exist in both the human realm as well as the “Astral Realm.”

The gap between the birth of the Astrals and creation of mankind is vague, however humans are said to be made in the Astrals image, like in Fabula Nova Crystallis where humans are made in the image of the goddess Etro.

The first recorded stories of the Astrals and human interaction that we have occurred over 2,000 years ago during what is known as the Ancient Era. While most Astrals did not care for humans, Ifrit admired their strength of will and gifted them the power of fire. Thus, the civilization that became known as Solheim, which translates to “Home of the Sun” in Norwegian, flourished. The Glacian, Shiva warmed by Ifrit’s mercy upon mankind, fell in love with him and developed a fondness for mankind.

Of course, the people of Solheim’s hubris eventually became too much and they thought themselves superior to the Astrals. Ifrit, angered by this betrayal declared war on humanity and desired to wipe them out. However, the other Astrals, sworn to protect Eos no matter the circumstance, turned against Ifrit, thus triggering the Great War of Old. This battle ravaged the land and created landmarks, most notably Taelpar Crag, created during the battle between Ifrit and Bahamut and the Rock of Ravatogh was where Ifrit's original body was laid to rest following his death.

Also, around this time, the plague known as the Starscourge began to infect the people of Eos. Its exact origins unclear, the Starscourge has the effects of lengthening nighttime as well as turning humans and animals into violent creatures known as daemons. The corruption which turns humans into daemons in the world of Eos is like both the power of chaos and the Cie'th curse in the Fabula Nova Crystallis mythology.

II. The Chosen Bloodlines After the Great War, while the other Astrals, exhausted from their battle with Ifrit, went into slumber, Bahamut attempted to save Eos from the threat of the Starscourge. He gave his powers to two bloodlines. To the Nox Fleuret family of Tenebrae, he chose a “pious maiden” to become what is known as The Oracle, giving her the power to speak with the Astrals, as well as delay the spread and heal those afflicted by the Starscourge. Bahamut also gave the Oracle his trident. From then on, the women in the Nox Fleuret family would inherit the title and powers of the Oracle.

Cosmogony Entry about the Oracle The Oracle In the distant past, Bahamut, the Draconian, descended to the mortal realm and graced the people of Tenebrae. From among them, he handpicked a pious maiden and bestowed upon her the power of the Stars and his trident. Using these gifts for the good of all, she became the first Oracle—she who joins heaven and earth.

She most pure of faith is the Oracle, a daughter in the line of those said to commune with the Six. Blessed by the Astral gods, she calls forth the power of Eos to heal those who are suffering and afflicted. Her devotion to helping all those in need has inspired reverence for her among people from all over the world. —The Six and the Oracle – II

She is also able to forge covenants with the Astrals. The rites of the covenant are a means by which the Oracle summoned forth the gods, that she might make the will of mortals known unto the divine.

The Revelation Trials by which the Six grant their blessing are first mentioned in ancient tomes dating back to the time of the Cosmogony, some two millennia ago. Revelations left great devastation in their wake, with entire cities being laid to ruin, and people saw them as tests of their faith.

A man, from another yet named bloodline was also chosen by Bahamut. The Cosmogony entry, The Crystal states:

There once lived a man, born a mortal but blessed with powers divine. Conjuring a collection of glaives, he dispelled the darkness plaguing our star. As a reward for his efforts, the gods granted him a holy Stone—the Crystal, which he was to guard at all costs, for it would one day choose a King to see us through the coming disaster and lead us to salvation.

The Final Fantasy XV Scenario Ultimania posits that rather than being able to use the Crystal's true power, kings of Lucis have the responsibility of protecting it, and that the Crystal picks the "Chosen King" /“King of Kings”/ “True King” when disaster comes to the world. Thus, implying that the Crystal has sentience and a will of its own.

The True King is homage to the concept of the Warriors of Light, one of the core concepts of the Final Fantasy series of heroes chosen by the crystals—be it by a prophecy, a will, or by fate—to embark on the journey to fight evil or restore balance to the world.

The line that protects the Crystal would eventually become known as the Lucis Caelums. However, formerly, at least according to the German translation, they were known as the Izunias. The Crystal is a magical stone that is a source of immense power. Though its light is said to be for the benefit of all of mankind, only the kings of Lucis have been gifted the ability to wield its power.

[http://verslin.tumblr.com/post/171568910589/german-translation-of-ardyns-dossier-izunia]

This collection of glaives that the Izunias/Lucis Caelums wield is known in game as the Armiger. This power seems not to draw from the Crystal but is something unique to this family. The power of Lucis Kings are enshrined in royal tombs scattered throughout the world and the weapons they house are special. Every new king's duty is to collaborate to the collective power of kings by adding their own royal arm to the mix, and princes embark on trips across the land to collect the arms of their forebears from their royal tombs. Many of the weapons have been lost, however, the location of their tombs unknown. Thus, there are actually 112 weapons total even though we only see 13 in game.

III. The Ring of the Lucii

Before falling into eternal slumber, the Six bequeathed unto man one last treasure: a ring. Yet who among us was fit to possess this gift of the gods? After some time, the ring was transferred to the hands of a man blessed with powers divine, ultimately developing the mark identifying one fit to rule.

The Lucis Caelums were also given the Ring of the Lucii which allowed the Lucis bloodline to combine their strength across generations by a process known as the “bonding of souls.” The Ring allows for the wearer to call upon the combined strength of all the former rulers of Lucis. However, the wearer must be deemed worthy enough to use the power of the ring by the Rulers of Yore, a select 13 of Lucis Kings and Queens. The ring has taken the lives or permanently injured those who it deemed not worthy. Using the Ring also drains the user’s lifeforce even if they are a Lucis Caelum. Thus, the power of the Crystal gradually concentrates lifeforce until the king who wields all of the Crystal's power will be crowned the True King who can purge the Starscourge at the cost of his own life, or in Bahamut’s words “the blood price.” This became the prophecy: "When darkness veils the world, the King of Light shall come." With the plan to cleanse the world of Starscourge in motion, Bahamut disappeared from Eos, and the tales of the Astrals became legends.

IV. The Founder King Two thousand years ago, our main antagonist Ardyn Izunia was to be the first Lucian king. He believed he was chosen by the Crystal to save Eos from the Starscourge. He did so by absorbing the Starscourge into his own body to protect his subjects. What powers he possessed that enabled him to do so remain unknown. While his actions saved thousands across the world, he was rejected by the Crystal as tainted, and was denounced by the Astrals and his ascendance to the throne was denied. He was unable to die, barred entry to the Astral Realm since the daemons he had absorbed rendered him immortal. He states he was “betrayed” by his younger brother, who would become the first king of Lucis, also known as the Founder King or The Mystic. However, in the Royal Pack, the Mystic pleads of Noctis to "free my brother from his curse." Perhaps it wasn’t even a real betrayal by his brother and the Crystal merely chose his brother over Ardyn regardless of his brother’s choice in the matter. Anger and revenge twisted Ardyn for thousands of years he lost sight of the kind ruler he once was. Ardyn’s actual backstory is still shrouded in mystery which hopefully Episode Ardyn will clear up. Ardyn retook the surname of "Izunia" and plotted to one day end the Astral-appointed bloodlines of the Lucian kings and Tenebraean Oracles, particularly the “True King.”

#*ffxvlore #final fantasy xv #ardyn izunia

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waywardimpalawriter · 7 years ago

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Memory Lane

Memory lane

Summary: Life is full of memories.

Pairing: Dean Winchester x Reader

Characters: Dean Winchester, Reader, Sam Winchester, Castiel,

Setting: anytime

Rating: PG:13

Warnings: none just sugary sweet fluff

Word count: 3,103

Notes: Written for @deansdirtylittlesecretsblog #mimi's romcom fluff challenge. My prompt: Besides you claimed it was a matter of life and death.

Forever: @winters-buck @angryschnauzer @marvel-lucy @aquabrie @fandommaniacx @thetalesofmooseandsquirrel @supernaturallymarvellous @feelmyroarrrr

Supernatural: @smoothdogsgirl @ruprecht0420 @oneshoeshort @aprofoundbondwithdean

Memory lane tags: @mrsdeanfuckingwinchester @bradygabrielle-blog @chennyetomlinson

Stretching, working the kinks out in your back feeling nothing beside you but cool sheets. Eyes open to find what you guess you’re alone in bed with just a note on his pillow. Curious picking up the crisp white folded in half paper, seeing Dean's surprisingly neat handwriting.

Wildflower

Remember the first time I called you that? What were we 10 no 12, you’d made one of those flower things for your hair. Made one for me to if memory serves but I think I laughed calling it too girly and tossed it in the dirt. Had more important things back then, than some silly flower crown. If only I knew back then what I knew now baby girl. I bet your wondering why I’m bringing this up, in all do time Wildflower. For now I want you to shower, dress and come to the kitchen.

Dean…

“What do you have up your sleeve Dean Winchester,” a smile and shake of your head at his antics but you comply anyway.

The shower felt so nice lonely without him but the pressure made up for Dean’s absents nicely. Coming back to your room puzzled as to why the door is half open. You tip toe towards it pushing slowly to see the most beautiful butter yellow sundress you’d ever seen laying spread on the bed. Fingering the delicate white lace bra in the style you normally buy for special occasions which truthfully had become few and far between. You can’t even remember the last time you and Dean went out on an actual date that didn’t get ruined by a case. All in the name of protecting humanity from the supernatural and beings that most they would rather choice to ignore.

Seeing another little note that simply said ‘wear me’ placed between the dress and panties/bra set. Beginning to wonder if a pod person hadn’t abducted your boyfriend like the fairies had all those years ago. A soft chuckle, the only sound in the otherwise quiet room, memoires flowed through your mind while staring at the magnificent pieces you hoped hadn’t cost a fortune.

Tossing the scrap of paper away only to pick it back up when you see something written on the other side. This time a full belly laugh leaves your lips, ‘don’t worry about the cost your worth it’. Instead it became a memento tucked away in your own, very worn and dearly loved journal.

Soft smile on your lips while getting dressed which takes you almost no time, applying a light bit of makeup, grabbing your purse on the way out heading for the kitchen. Delicious smells of pancakes, bacon and eggs meeting you’re growling tummy even before entering the kitchen. Fresh brewed coffee mixed in with but no sign of your wayward boyfriend only Sam.

Puzzled, “What’s going on Sam, where’s Dean?”

“Busy with something Y/N he wanted me to make sure you had a good breakfast first before giving you the next clue,” Sam answered arm out indicating the table. Which is laden with all the mouthwatering foods you smelled and even a few, the fresh fruits and juices, you hadn’t.

Glancing from the table back to Sam, “I don’t understand it’s not my birthday or our anniversary. What’d Dean do?” arms crossed not making a move towards the table no matter how much your stomach begs.

Chuckling shaking his shaggy brown head, “He’s done nothing Y/N scouts honor.”

“You were never a scout Sam so you can’t use that,” you relent slipping into a seat and piling your plate high with a little bit of everything. Watching as Sam sat down opposite you digging in to his own plate. “So what’s this really about?” suspicious to Dean’s true motives.

“It almost sounds like you don’t trust Dean?” brow lifted though there’s a smirk on his syrup coated lips. Grinning he adds, “Just eat I’ll explain everything after.”

Wanting to ask more though you knew from experience Sam wouldn’t give anything up, he wasn’t as easy to persuade as Dean. Therefore you did as he said tucking into your breakfast muttering a string of praises to whoever cooked.

“I’ll have to let Dean know you approved.”

Glancing up from your plate, “Where is he anyway I could tell him myself.”

Pulling another white piece of paper from his back pocket and handing it to you, “That’s all I have to say Y/N.”

Narrowing your eyes at him though taking the note opening; seeing that once again Dean has left you another clue, hint for what you’re not sure.

Wildflower

By now you’re wondering just what I have up my sleeve aren’t my little Sherlock? Don’t lie I know you all too well sweetheart. Just trust me when I say you’ll love what’s to come. As to the clue, remember where we met, how we met it’s a long drive I know that’s why I enlisted a little help from our pal. Look over Y/N…

Dean

Doing as the letter instructed a rustle of wings and a trench coat filled the tiny kitchen, Castiel appearing with a soft genuine smile on his slightly pink lips.

“Morning Y/N I trust you slept well?” he greeted with a little tip of his head in your direction, “Sam good to see you as always.”

“Cas,” he acknowledged with his own half smile. Holding out the plate of bacon, “Want a little something before y’all leave?”

“Thank you no Sam I don’t eat remember,” Castiel replied waving him off looking to you.

“Where exactly are we going?” voice a little weary though you’ve always trusted Cas.

Extending his hand, “You shall see Y/N, Dean has this all set up and we must be going.”

Accepting his surprisingly callused hand, you raise and step into his embrace, eyes close not really enjoying this mode of transportation much.

“Be safe you two and bring her back in one piece Cas,” mirth in his voice watching as your eyes pop open to glare at him.

“You ain’t funny Winchester,” managing to get out before the kitchen disappeared and your standing now in the school yard in small town Ohio.

Stepping away to look around, “Some things just never change,” you whisper walking towards the swings and sitting down.

“So this is where you met Dean?” he asks taking the swing next to yours.

Nodding, “Yeah my parents were on the same hunt his dad was. They teamed up to lay waste to a nest of vamps. Myself, Sam and Dean stayed here went to school and tried to live what we could of a normal life. Course I didn’t know they knew what our parents did.”

Curious, “Mind telling me the story?”

Smiling memories filling your mind, you point to the slide not far from where your slowly swaying, breeze fluttering around them. “I’d always been a tomboy growing up, mom teaching me how to shoot and handle myself from early on. As I said I knew of Dean, new kid in the same year I was fifth grade if I remember right. It’d been a cold afternoon class just got out and I always came over here to just chill out for a bit. Didn’t have any friends.”

“Why not, you’re a very likeable person Y/N?”

“Thank you Cas,” smiling looking over at him, “but back then being the new kid in school wasn’t fun, especially for an odd ball like myself. Ratty old cloths a size to big, long hair always in a french braid my mother would do for me. As it so happens the Winchesters were new to and the school yard bully likes picking on fresh meat as he’d say. I heard the picking and crowd that grew around the two boys. Well dad always taught me to stand up for the little guy and when I saw this bigger kid picking on little Sammy I couldn’t let this happen.”

Chuckling, looking down at the skirt move with the wind as you swung slowly gathering your thoughts. “I stepped in punching the other kid in the nose using the technique mom taught me so I didn’t break my fingers or thumb. The crowd backed up a little afraid of me by this point as I stood in front of Sam who’s on the ground skinned knee, tears on his cheeks. Not five minutes later Dean came pushing through seeing what happened and even then having that patent eye brow raise he uses.”

“Ah yes the one where he’s intrigued and trying not to smirk at the same time,” Castiel states a fond smile on his own lips.

“Yes that one,” clearing your throat, “anyway I helped him bring Sam back to the motel and get patched up. Not really saying much to each other till Sam thanked me quietly and went off to watch TV. I went to leave and Dean, against his dad’s wishes asked me to stick around. We traded stories quietly as Sam had fallen asleep finding out that our parents were in the same business.”

“How long was it till you saw each other after that?

Glancing over, “Couple of months by that time my dad had gotten his self-killed fighting a banshee that mom would later take care of. John asked us to tag along and at first mom didn’t want to rather having us go our separate ways. But she finally relented and we joined up with the Winchesters for quite a many hunting trips; sometimes going our different directions when there were more cases than people.”

“As Dean instructed me,” Castiel hands over another crisp fold white piece of paper.

Head tipped, “So you hadn’t really…”

“I did, originally Dean only wanted me to bring you here so you could look around and read that letter then we’d leave. I wanted to know more about your history together.”

“That’s very sweet of you Cas,” unfolding to see Dean’s neat handwriting not hearing Castiel get up and walk for a few paces to give you privacy.

Wildflower

I never thanked you for standing up for my brother that day. Being there when I couldn’t; even before we knew each other you watched out for my ass like you always do. Held me up after Sam’s almost death, when I got back from hell, and through the fucking apocalypse; bringing me back from myself and the brink, always showing no kicking my ass when I needed it. I owe you so much more than I can ever repay sweetheart you are my life. Ah crap this is sounding like a chick flick moment so I’m ending here. Next stop you have to guess at sweetheart.

Dean

Racking your brain for where Dean could’ve put the next note, there’s so many places you’ve been together. Many important times in your lives though a few stick out more than others.

“Hey Cas would you mind taking me to Harvelle’s?” an idea popping into your head as to your next destination.

“Of course Y/N but you know the roadhouse is gone right?” he states matter of fact a frown on his handsome face.

Nodding, “I do indeed Cas but there’s a reason I need to go there next.”

With a tip of his head and extended hand which you take and step into his arms the two of you are whisked away. Landing the sight of charred remains, grass growing through the black crumbling building. Swallowing hard stepping the white folded paper sticking out from the black that you pull off and hold close. Same hand fondly touched the burned wood, so many memories in one little place.

“How did you know?”

Turning, “My mother and I came here so many times, Jo and I were good friends though she was a bit jealous of the fact that Dean chose me over her. We made amends before she died,” taking a deep breath to steady yourself as not all the memories of this place are good. “Ellen and my mother were best of friends to though Ellen never understood why my mom kept fighting after my dad died. She didn’t understand the drive to protect and rid the world of evil so humans could be safe.”

Stepping away, “Plus this is the first place Dean and I went on an actually date. It was after a simple salt and burn Sam got sick with the flu so he stayed behind at the motel while Dean and I took care of the ghost. Even dirt covered and smelly he asked me out on our first date. Ellen hadn’t been too thrilled with how we showed up. She let us use her guest room to clean up and more presentable. Good thing we always carry extra clothes in the back of Baby.”

Fond smile slides over your lips as you finger the white piece of paper in your hands finally opening to read what Dean has put this time.

Wildflower

I’m betting your standing in front of the Roadhouse remembering good time right now. I can still hear Ash’s snores from the pool table that one night we got there so late most everyone else was gone. But you wanted to see Jo and Ellen since we’d been so close. I also remember our first date, how even covered it dirt from digging a grave you looked so beautiful. To this day I still can’t figure out why the hell you ever said yes to an asshole like me. Don’t roll your eyes sweetheart they’ll stay like that. Last stop can you guess where?

Dean

This time it’s a two for and a little harder to pin point than all the others. You don’t even have to ask when Castiel took your arm and brought you into the circle of his arms. A rustle of wings and trench coat and you’re in the middle of a corn field Baby sitting off to the side which makes you frown in wonder how…

“You were in on this weren’t you like Sam. You know what Dean has planned all along don’t you Cas?” tone light but firm wanting to know but at the same time this trip down memory lane has been charming though confusing to.

Smiling, “I cannot say anything to what Dean has planned he just asked me to transport you around as most of the places would be too far for you to get to and back in time.”

Scowling, fixing to give him what for only to find him gone when you turn around. Left thankfully not far from the Bunker. Curiosity has you moving towards the driver’s side finding the doors unlocked, before you can slip in a color catching your eyes. A bundle of carnations lay in the seat, soft yellow in color, another note attached. Picking up the bouquet and inhaling the fragrance you slide into Baby’s drive seat opening the note.

Wildflower

That night what four years ago one of the best I’d ever had. The moment I told you I loved you and meant every word and will always. You’ve made me a better man Y/N, kept me alive and taught me the meaning of life without knowing you had. You are my life Y/N and this; this is the only way I can tell you and be able to get out without cracking some kind of joke or inappropriate comment that’ll get me slapped. I love you Y/N.

Dean

Tears gather in your eyes, a few slipping down your cheeks at his sweet words. Jumping at the sound of your cell going off, you pull it from the small bag you brought with. “I was wondering when you’d call,” voice light and teasing, putting the bouquet beside you on the seat.

“Baby I hate to cut our day short but you need to get back to the Bunker we have a case,” his voice sounding off like he’s holding something back.

“Already I was hoping that today was our off day,” a playful pout in the cadence of your tone even as you start Baby and putting her into gear heading back towards the Bunker.

Sighing, “I know sweetheart I did to but you know evil don’t rest for no man nor will it stop. It’s a bad one sweetheart we gotta hurry, life or death things are happening.”

“I’ll be there in a little bit Dean, hold your ass baby,” flooring it and kicking up a cloud of dust on your way out.

Fifteen minutes later, pulling Baby into her spot in the underground garage, getting out, grabbing your flowers and making your way upstairs, you’re surprised to see a path of flower petals. Following them towards the library where Dean’s standing dressed in his FBI dubs a single red carnation in his hand.

“What,” stepping forward eyes taking him in, “what’s going on Dean?”

“Surprise,” he smiles dropping to a knee before you sea green eyes sparkling in the low light.

Glairing but your heart is beating so fast inside your chest, “I rushed to get here thinking… because you said and made it sound horrible.” Shaking your head, “Besides you claimed it was a matter of life and death.”

“Well actually it kinda is, my life or death,” he swallows pulling a little velvet box from his pocket.

Gasping, “Dean, what, what’s going on?”

“I had this whole long spiel planned to say, to talk you into saying yes to my proposal. I want you to marry me Y/N be my forever?” hands shaking while opening the box showing you the small garnet ring with a silver band.

Looking from the ring to Dean and back again, nodding slowly tears slipping down your cheeks again, as you drop down to your knees before him. Taking his face in your hands, kissing him softly, “Yes my love, yes I’ll marry you.”

Big smile breaking out over his features, capturing your lips in a deep passionate kiss; resting your foreheads together, “Yes Wildflower is that a yes baby?

“Yes Dean it’s a yes,” you laugh kissing him again the two of you falling over onto the cold floor.

Shaking his head, “Really you two get a room” Sam comments though there’s a big smile on his lips. “Welcome officially to the family Y/N.”

Looking from Sam’s retreating back to Dean, “So no case?”

“No case sweetheart,” he grins getting up then scooping you up into his arms. “And for the next few days you’re all mine.”

Laughter echo’s down the hall as Dean rushes the two of you towards your shared room.

#mimi's romcom fluff challenge #Dean Winchester x Reader #Dean Winchester x You #Dean Winchester x Y/N #Dean x Reader #Dean x you #Dean x y/n #Dean Winchester fiction #Supernatural fiction

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papermoonloveslucy · 7 years ago

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LUCY PROTECTS HER JOB

S2;E14 ~ December 22, 1969

Directed by Danny Dayton ~ Written by Sam Perrin and Ralph Goodman

Synopsis

When Lucy fears her job is in danger, Kim pretends to be an bumbling secretary to make Harry appreciate Lucy even more!

Regular Cast

Lucille Ball (Lucy Carter), Gale Gordon (Harrison Otis Carter), Lucie Arnaz (Kim Carter)

Desi Arnaz Jr. (Craig Carter) does not appear in this episode.

Guest Cast

Mary Jane Croft (Mary Jane) makes her third series appearance as Mary Jane. Croft played Betty Ramsey during season six of “I Love Lucy. ” She also played Cynthia Harcourt in “Lucy is Envious” (ILL S3;E23) and Evelyn Bigsby in “Return Home from Europe” (ILL S5;E26). She played Audrey Simmons on “The Lucy Show” but when Lucy Carmichael moved to California, she played Mary Jane Lewis, the actor’s married name and the same one she uses on all 31 of her episodes of “Here’s Lucy. Her final acting credit was playing Midge Bowser on “Lucy Calls the President” (1977). She died in 1999 at the age of 83.

Robert Carson (Mr. Morgan, Harry's Golf Partner) was a busy Canadian-born character actor who appeared on six episodes of “The Lucy Show.” This is the second of his five appearances on “Here’s Lucy.”

Although Carson is credited as Mr. Morgan, his name is never spoken in the dialogue.

Wanda Clark (Secretary) was Lucille Ball's real-life secretary for 27 years. She was also maid of honor at Lucie Arnaz's wedding to Phil Vandervort in 1971. This is Clark's only screen appearance.

This is the first of four episodes written by Ralph Goodman, two of which were with Sam Perrin, who previously wrote “Lucy, the Cement Worker” (S2;E10) with George Balzer. This is the first of two episodes directed by Danny Dayton. Born in Jersey City, New Jersey, Dayton was primarily an actor who had appeared on Broadway in Guys and Dolls and was also in the 1955 film version.

Wanda Clark introduces this episode on the series DVD. She says that she got the role because Lucy admired how fast she could type, something Lucy thought was important to the character. But the typewriter on the set was a manual and Clark had been using an electric for many years - so she had to fake it.

This is the final episode before Christmas 1969. Fans have noted that “Here's Lucy” is the only “Lucy” sitcom not to feature a holiday-themed episode.

When Mary Jane tells Lucy her nail polish color is Abalone Pink, Lucy replies “Good! Then I can bite my nails on Friday.” This may be a reference to the fact that Catholics were not supposed to eat meat on Fridays, abalone being shellfish popular in the waters off Southern California. Although this rule was relaxed and limited to Lent in 1966, many Catholics hung on to the practice for many years. While Lucy was not a Catholic by birth, she converted for her marriage to Desi Arnaz. Her husband at the time, Gary Morton, was Jewish.

Harry asks for the file on the Dawson account. The surname was used in the previous episode to refer to one of Kim's dates.

Harry gives Lucy roses, despite saying he was allergic to them in “Lucy and Harry's Tonsils” (S2;E5). He says they cost $12.50 a dozen. Today the cost of roses varies widely; anything from $10 or under for a dozen red roses at the local corner store, to $20 at the supermarket, to more than $90 at a high-end florist.

In her second scene Mary Jane wears the same black dress with white collar and cuffs that she has worn on two of her previous appearances. On this series, her wardrobe choices seem to be limited.

Harry Gives Lucy a framed photograph of himself as a gift. This is the same photo that hangs over Harry's mantle at home. It is actually a colorized black and white photo of Gale Gordon as Mr. Mooney that was seen several times on “The Lucy Show.”

At first glance, the photo is curiously cropped, with lots of 'head room'. This is to later facilitate Lucy impaling it on the ram's horns on the wall.

This is the episode where Lucie Arnaz appears to want to follow in her mother's footsteps and is given the material to shine as a comic actress. The script has Kim cast in a theatre production where she plays an incompetent secretary who messes everything up (not unlike Lucys Carter and Carmichael). Kim even imitates Lucy Ricardo's famously inflected “Well...” when thing don't go her way.

As Shirley Shoppenhauer, the new secretary, Kim says Harry is “so Cary Grant-ish”! Harry says people compare him more with Jack Lemmon. Later, Kim/Shirley calls him “a regular Milton Boil.”

Harry dictates a letter to Robert Carlton Enterprises.

With her broad New York accent, Kim/Shirley answers the phone “Carter's Eunuch Employment Agency.”

Whenever viewers see a fan next to a stack of papers, they can be assured those papers are headed for the floor!

Similarly, at the end of the episode, Harry notices that the water cooler jug is empty. Any regular viewer knows that where there's water, Harry will end up wet! Sharp eyes may notice both the fan and the water cooler before they have even been used for their comic purposes.

This episode is thematically similar to “Lucy's Substitute Secretary” (TLS S5;E14) where Lucy Carmichael fears for her job and dons a variety of outrageous disguises.

Sitcom Logic Alert! Harry does not recognize his own niece even face to face!

Props! When Harry opens the file cabinet drawer to show Kim/Shirley the “old accounts” the drawer is completely empty! In an earlier scene, Lucy opened the drawer above it to find the Dawson file and the file drawer was clearly labeled “new accounts.” Amazingly, Harry opens the same drawer to show Kim/Shirley the “new accounts.” The acute attention to detail here is probably just happenstance.

Let It Fall! When Kim/Shirley purposely opens the file cabinet drawer so that Harry will bump his head, a metal vase atop the filing cabinet falls to the floor. Lucie notices it but, like the stamps that litter the office floor, no one picks it up.

“Lucy Protects Her Job” rates 4 Paper Hearts out of 5

The highlight of this episode is clearly Lucie Arnaz's bravura performance as Shirley Shoppenhauer. For the first time in her career, it is apparent that Lucie Arnaz shares her mother's sense of comedy and ability to create characters. It is delightful to watch Lucille Ball/Lucy Carter react on screen to her daughter's amazingly funny performance. For die-hard Lucy fans, the cameo by Lucille Ball's real-life secretary Wanda Clark is a treat.

#Here's Lucy #Lucille Ball #Gale Gordon #Lucie Arnaz #Wanda Clark #Robert Carson #Mary Jane Croft #Herbert Kenwith #Ralph Goodwin #Sam Perrin #Milton Berle #Jack Lemmon #Cary Grant #1969 #CBS #TV

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amwritingmeta · 8 years ago

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Regarding Jack: comments on the finale, with S13 Spec

I love the curveballs this show throws at me. I love these particular types of balls because they are so goddamn hard to catch that when I do, oh, the satisfaction is so sweet. Let me begin by stating (as it needs to be stated) I was wrong when I said Cas was powered up as in full-feathered and back to his Castiel-shaped angelic form - this did not happen when the nephilim worked through him to kill Dagon. I read that wrong.

And watching 12x23 on Friday, what threw me for the absolute biggest loop was Cas’ description of “the future” that Jack showed him; Kelly’s death; and that final image of Jack in the nursery in the dark.

All of these things are on the side of the rather overtly ominous and it shook me to the core, because even though I believed they weren’t going to have baby Jack come out with rainbows shooting out of his fingertips, I did expect him to be neutral: not glow-y eyed spitting image of daddy Devil having just killed the Good Mother figure and seemingly happy with leaving that rainbow-tree-sunrise mural in perpetual shadow. *internal screaming*

Now, breathe, refocus, reassess.

Nothing is ever exactly what it seems at first glance on this glorious piece of television (okay, some things are, except usually not, not even the fucking car the brothers drive is simply “a car”. moving on) and this morning, mulling over my reading of 12x19 and the cliffhanger of 12x23 it suddenly struck me, like a curved ball flapping itself all over my face until I had to slap it away to be able to actually process what it was flapping at me about. It was flapping about this simple statement by Cas:

Call it a miracle.

And holy bedazzled Chuck in the sky with diamonds - that’s it, isn’t it? That’s how Cas will come back!!

Jack is - or, at least he can be - the bringer of miracles.

And whether Cas comes back because he has residual nephilim grace coursing through him after the power up - which to me just makes an enormous amount of sense (and big shout out to everyone who has pointed out that Cas’ healing of Dean revealed that something was different about Cas’ grace, because I didn’t notice that on Friday) or because Jack actually physically decides to resurrect him, it doesn’t matter in the slightest to me: the point is that the resurrection will be tied to Jack and I am certain of this now.

So, why does this make so much sense to me?

Because the baby nephilim was good, it was the angelic side to Jack, reaching out for an angelic Protector because it didn’t want to cause suffering and rejected Dagon’s evil side, it wanted to protect Kelly at all costs, sending an image of the world THE ANGEL SIDE OF THE NEPHILIM WOULD THINK IS PARADISE BECAUSE IT DOESN’T HAVE FULL UNDERSTANDING OF FREE WILL YET in order to restore Cas’ faith and get him into Mission Mode. The nephilim did not control Cas by doing this, it never wanted to control him because above everything else, the baby’s goodness is pulled towards Cas’ humanity: his free will, that has always pushed Cas to break the mould and do what is right. This vision was a defence mechanism, however, stemming from a baby angel, meant to inspire and provide Cas with the certainty of being right in his OWN CHOICE TO PROTECT IT, and, to be honest, I believe this future is what the nephilim, in it’s innocence, would have wanted to strive for, it was not a lie or rooted in deception: because the nephilim did not understand that Utopia cannot exist without the exclusion of Free Will and it did not possess the capacity to UNDERSTAND WHAT FREE WILL IS.

It didn’t. And Newborn Jack still doesn’t. Not yet.

Furthermore, there are so many reasons why this vision would appeal to Cas - especially where he has been at emotionally for so many seasons - and I know @mittensmorgul spoke about this in one of her recent posts that is saved for reblogging and there was so much that I agreed with there, but for here I’m leaving Cas’ internal motivations alone because it feels like a tangent. Safe to say it’s more than possible that to him Free Will is beginning to have a bad, bad connotation and a World Without Suffering is what has always, always appealed to him the absolute most, no matter what the cost. Remember him touching that crying baby and making it feel better: all Cas wants to do is to help. Cas on Mission Mode is not thinking straight: and that is why he died. To shed that persona. (I am screaming right now. I am sincerely screaming with glee at the very thought.)

Oh, my brain is on overdrive and oh, my God, I hope I could be right in this because then everything I’ve thought since 12x19 fits. It fucking fits! Ok, sorry, digressing, let’s continue.

Why does The Newborn Jack not represent the angelic side of the nephilim? Because what fun would that be for a cliffhanger? What fun would that be as a problem in urgent need of solving at the beginning of S13? Newborn Jack is the DEVIL side, the corrupted angel side, the side that is volatile and dangerous and in NEED OF GUIDANCE.

What makes me think this? Oh, this is the best part! I’m so sorry for being so over-zealous but I’m fucking ecstatic!

Newborn Jack’s Devil side is overshadowing not only his innocent baby angel side (underlined by the visual of Jack’s glowing eyes in shadow, tying him to all the times we’ve had that visual of Lucifer this season), but more importantly this side of Jack - just as his innocent angelic side - is not yet in touch with his humanity and this fact is LITERALLY SHOWN IN A FUCKING VISUAL AS HE SITS IN DARKNESS BY THAT MURAL.

Kelly’s LOVE was poured into that mural, her HOPE for the future, her FAITH in her son. Remember, what she chose to paint on that wall is not connected in any way to the baby nephilim’s vision of “the future”, the vision that it showed Cas, because KELLY DID NOT SEE THE VISION OF PARADISE, ONLY CAS DID. That mural was painted by the Good Mother, filled with true devotion for her child, and trust in what she was doing was right: because it was right, guys. The mural represents what could be up ahead, once the nephilim has been raised right. Not “paradise”, but a world in balance. And for Jack to be raised right, what needs to be reached by Dean Sam Cas TEAM FREE FUCKING WILL by that person who is strong enough to lead Jack down the righteous path is what that mural represents: Jack’s humanity.

He needs to be taught the value of choice because even though his father is an arch angel, he was BORN WITH THE BUILT IN CAPACITY FOR FREE WILL by having a human mother. A mother who is good and who died telling him that she loved him.

MIND FUCKING EXPLODED.

Okay, calming down. Again. This might all be wrong, my lovelies. But if it’s right…

I feel it’s still possible that the lingering goodness of the baby nephilim - the angel side wanting to perform miracles - brings back both Kelly - it’s mother - and Cas - it’s chosen and trusted Protector through both of them possessing its lingering grace, and that Kelly will prove a positive force in dealing with Jack, but that her function will still be to die at the hands of Lucifer, because it would be so profoundly symbolic for Jack to have a reason to hate his father, as it ties in so damn nicely with theme for the entire goddamn series.

The troubled family, guys, ’tis the name of the game, is it not?

The family you’re born into vs. the family you choose.

The perpetuated obligation of being bonded by blood vs. the bonds you choose to honour because they are unconditional and made of your own free will.

For Jack to finally properly reject his evil side it is possible that a truly evil act will need to take place, so that he can feel the loss, gain perspective and realise who his real family is, his real friends, who the people are that truly have his back, no matter what he does or the mistakes he makes. I would really, very much love this to be part of the comment on our overarching theme for next season and, possibly, S14 (though I do get the feeling, after watching the J2 panel from yesterday, they might make that a shorter season and that they are ending the series with episode 300, which feels so right somehow.)

But hell, as with everything, all of these comments of mine is me spitballing and boy, I could be completely completely missing the mark here. It needs to be said. (I think I’ve got a pretty good aim though) (stop that) (sorry)

Getting back to Lucifer, I just always felt like Luci would kill Kelly and there was no way around it. I’d like that, anyway. It makes sense to me because it ties Luci so firmly to the Bad Dad category of parents and Bad Parents get snuffed. *shrug*

For this to happen Luci obviously can’t be trapped in another dimension, but I think Lucifer and Mary will be back in the narrative fairly quickly (at least by 13x04 at the latest) and I think Lucifer will be a real, big, huge threat next season as he vies for control over his son. At least this is my very deep hope. This combined with the continuous threat of the BMoL Elders, of course.

Lucifer deserves to be frightening again, and his demise at the hands of Team Free Will aided by Jack would be a fucking beautiful bookend to the series itself - where Lucifer has hovered somewhere in the background, like the catalyst of horror that he has always represented - and this demise needs a proper build up. I don’t count S12 as proper build up, it really did nothing to further Lucifer as a threat for me and he mostly annoyed the casual viewer into just wanting him to go away already, which I find understandable. I would love to see him interact with Jack and manipulate him into doing bad things etc. I feel Jack is volatile, but that he is literally Jesse now - our previous taste of the antichrist. Jack might do bad things, but from an innocent perspective, because he doesn’t know any better.

He. Needs. Guidance.

For me all of this makes sense because I feel the narrative is pulling so strongly towards positive endgame that, for them to turn around and make Jack kill the world, well, it wouldn’t make any sense. Then again, perhaps he’s not here to bring balance either. I just really, really like that idea and I would love that ending for our TFW: they can all still hunt and engage in this life they love, but they don’t have to save the world and risk their necks on such a huge scale every year. Their suffering will lessen markedly. I want that so very much. That and happiness for them!! Please, Dabb!! :)

TEAM FREE WILL IN S13!

#spn finale #spn s12 12x22-23 #nephilim is good #there is hope for the future #cas #kelly kline #spn S13 spec #spn meta #lucifer #postive endgame #I trust in Andrew Dabb

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arkus-rhapsode · 8 years ago

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Fights I would’ve wanted in the Alvarez Arc

Erza, Bisca, and Max vs Ajeel

I was okay with the canon fight but if we had Erza along with a character who can specialize in sand magic to tip the scales in their favor it would’ve been more smart. Erza saw Ajeel’s magic before the war and if Erza is smart she and Makarov (who also knows about ajeel’s power) would’ve made a strategy to combat him. Erza using the wind and sea swords would work for damaging Ajeel and have Max repel and reflect the incoming sand storms. Then when Bisca uses jupiter to weaken Ajeel instead of Ajeel still having strength to move and still use magic and Erza taking him down from there, have the weakened Ajeel try to use a sand magic attack but due to his weakened state have Max absorb in that sand attack giving Erza an unobstructed shot at a weaken Ajeel. Also if you wanted set up for this, on the calm before the storm night have Max think about for just a little bit he was able to stand up to Natsu and how great it felt.

Lucy vs Brandish

Instead of waiting till the universe one crap have this fight off the bat. Lucy really should not be going to her apartment during a freakin war and having a bath with a villain. Maybe have Brandish sneak in using her reduction to turn small and get to fairy heart in the basement but then Lucy intercepts her. Brandish see’s who Lucy is uses Marin (who she still had on her at the time) to teleport the two of them to another location where they can fight weave the reasons for Brandish’s anger during the fight. Then have Aquarius come and try to explain things. This also takes Lucy away from Natsu or Gray and she has to make it back to the guild on her own.

Thunder God Tribe and Jenny vs (Fake) Wahl

I think the thunder god tribe was used fine in this fight in canon but remove ichiya and replace him with Jenny. Why? Because Jenny was the one who introduced Machinas into the series before Wahl. Jenny can then explain how Ichiya rallied the guilds and when all seemed that himself is a machinas have Jenny try to take it over fail but then reveal she was buying Freed some time to whip out Absolute Shadow.

Natsu, Sting, Jura, and Hyberion vs God Serena

Okay we’ve never had a one on one with Natsu and Sting so they can actually bond and show how they help each other grow. Also, Sting and Natsu are 2 of the strongest attack based dragon slayers. But also have Jura so we can gauge the strength of Serena. But also have Hyberion because he is the second wizard saint meaning he is the closest in rank to match Serena. Give Serena his back story and then use that arrogance to their advantage and beat him.

Wendy, Chelia, and Orga vs Dimaria

First put a limit on the the time stop then have wendy and chelia’s team work be the big thing that pushes it but also allow Orga, who is probably the most powerful god slayer to face off with Dimaria and help give them and edge. Ultear doesn’t need to show off and have instead of third origin have Orga seeing as how he’s the oldest reveal a secret of god slaying magic that could’ve competed with dragon force but it comes at the cost of scraifing your magic. Have Orga volunteer but then because injury have chelia do it.

Laxus vs Wahl

You can pretty much keep this similar to cannon just maybe have a text box or something explain what mercury fulminate is.

Elfman and Lisanna vs Jacob

First change Jacob from a master assassin to a master melee specialist (Jason statham has been both) Just have a simple knuckle buster brawl between Jacob and Elfman then when Jacob uses stealth have lisanna use take oveer: rabbit to hear where jacob is and Elfman is able to continue the fight. Also Elfman finally sees this as a chance to protect Lisanna for almost killing her.

Gajeel, Levy, and Rogue vs Bradman

As much as I like Rogue have him and Levy play support but since Gajeel has the iron lungs have him be the big fighter against Bradman. Then you can keep the big dramatic dragon force. Now instead of Bradman pulling Gajeel into the underworld have it be due to digesting all those anti magic barrier particles that Gajeel has greatly shortened his lifespan but even if he only has 5 or 10 years left just have him vow he wants to spend them with Levy.

Minerva and Yukino vs Heine and Juliet

If they are members of the Irene squad then they should be very strong but not Spriggan level that way two characters can actually land some hits on them. Great way to show us Minerva and Yukino’s advancement as well as being a battle between teams of black and white dichotomy.

Mirajane vs Irene

Do not put Irene on Acnologia’s level, with Mirajane we have a better established scale of Irene’s power. Have her only use enchantments to fight Mira but then if it looks tough make it look like Irene is about to prepare for a roar attack but stops when she sees acnologia coming then use universe one. This way better foreshadowing with Irene and Mira doesn’t get shafted this arc.

Crime Sorciere vs Neinhart

Olympia comes out of the water near Hargeon and then they find Neinhart who brings back Simon and Zancrow to deal with Jellal and Meredy but bring back Brain for the oracion seis. We have conflict of how Brain was basically a father to them but Cobra points out he was just using them but then Brain poses the question is Jellal just doing the same. That way all of them can make the choice to stand up to Brain/Zero. While Jellal and Meredy take the other historia’s. Also keep in the Gray and Lyon vs Historia Ur, and Wendy vs Historia Ezel, as for Erza just bring back Kyouka. Then Jellal knocks down Neinhart but refers to them, crime sorciere, as the seven stars.

Warrod and Wolfheim vs August

Great way to introduce August’s power without Mest being a dumbass

Everyone vs Invel

Okay have universe one cause all guilds to regroup then have the minor characters like Hibiki, Ren, Yuka, Millianna, Bacchus, Rocker, Rufus, Reedus, romeo etc. Fight against the giant force of soilders that Invel has used Ice Slave on to manipulate them easier (And maybe surviving Spriggans like Ajeel and Jacob as well as cutting out historia wahl, bradman, and serena). As well as having Irene add Enchantments to try and turn this to their favor. But let every minor character contribute. Now not like pages of character moments but maybe 3-4 panels of each character contributing. Then have a big entrance with Gildarts and Natsu who met because universe one and have that signal the second wind.

Gray vs Invel

Having an Ice user and not letting Gray fight him is like having sword user and not letting zoro fight him. Gray goes after Invel and they have a straight up bloody knuckle fight but when Gray uses demon slaying magic and Invel mentions giving into madness have it be in his head while Gray more aggressively beats Invel that way we believe Gray is actually falling to darkness more than just “my not girlfriend died”.

Kagura and Sting vs Larcade

First make Larcade’s magic look like it should then have Kagura get a longer fight with Larcade then have Rogue come in to give Sting the white shadow dragon powers.

Team Natsu vs Irene

All of team natsu finally regroups after being separated for so long take Irene. If the meteor must be included cut out the erza breaks her bones and have it be a group effort to take it down. Irene can reveal the dragon seed to Wendy and Natsu. Then Erza using a multitude of armors to fight against Irene can get the finishing blow using that dragon slaying enchanted Katanna.

Gildarts vs August

Stay the course

Natsu vs Zeref

Have them fight but have it all be interupted by Acnologia.

Natsu, Gajeel, Wendy, Laxus, Cobra, Sting, and Rogue vs Acnologia

Have this huge fight with each DS showing their skills and how their development changed them. Finishing Blow can be because of END.

END vs Gray

The last fight of the arc should be these to simultaneously trying to reach each other and in the end let it be Natsu who admits to his own selfish wishes wants to die for everyones sake. Gray says he can’t kill a friend but Natsu mentions home many will die if END is released and if he can live with knowing that everyone he loves will die because of Zeref’s demon.

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