#and his speechs were great! his a rambler and i love it

[anotheryoutubefanpage]

Just saw the love of my life <3

[hellsitesonlybookclub]

Little Women, Louisa May Alcott

Chapter 21

"Indeed, sir, I cannot tell; mother forbade it. Laurie has confessed, asked pardon, and been punished quite enough. We don't keep silence to shield him, but some one else, and it will make more trouble if you interfere. Please don't; it was partly my fault, but it's all right now; so let's forget it, and talk about the 'Rambler,' or something pleasant."

"Hang the 'Rambler!' come down and give me your word that this harum-scarum boy of mine hasn't done anything ungrateful or impertinent. If he has, after all your kindness to him, I'll thrash him with my own hands."

The threat sounded awful, but did not alarm Jo, for she knew the irascible old gentleman would never lift a finger against his grandson, whatever he might say to the contrary. She obediently descended, and made as light of the prank as she could without betraying Meg or forgetting the truth.

"Hum—ha—well, if the boy held his tongue because he promised, and not from obstinacy, I'll forgive him. He's a stubborn fellow, and hard to manage," said Mr. Laurence, rubbing up his hair till it looked as if he had been out in a gale, and smoothing the frown from his brow with an air of relief.

"So am I; but a kind word will govern me when all the king's horses and all the king's men couldn't," said Jo, trying to say a kind word for her friend, who seemed to get out of one scrape only to fall into another.

"You think I'm not kind to him, hey?" was the sharp answer.

"Oh, dear, no, sir; you are rather too kind sometimes, and then just a trifle hasty when he tries your patience. Don't you think you are?"

Jo was determined to have it out now, and tried to look quite placid, though she quaked a little after her bold speech. To her great relief and surprise, the old gentleman only threw his spectacles on to the table with a rattle, and exclaimed frankly,—

"You're right, girl, I am! I love the boy, but he tries my patience past bearing, and I don't know how it will end, if we go on so."

"I'll tell you, he'll run away." Jo was sorry for that speech the 267 minute it was made; she meant to warn him that Laurie would not bear much restraint, and hoped he would be more forbearing with the lad.

Mr. Laurence's ruddy face changed suddenly, and he sat down, with a troubled glance at the picture of a handsome man, which hung over his table. It was Laurie's father, who had run away in his youth, and married against the imperious old man's will. Jo fancied he remembered and regretted the past, and she wished she had held her tongue.

"He won't do it unless he is very much worried, and only threatens it sometimes, when he gets tired of studying. I often think I should like to, especially since my hair was cut; so, if you ever miss us, you may advertise for two boys, and look among the ships bound for India."

She laughed as she spoke, and Mr. Laurence looked relieved, evidently taking the whole as a joke.

"You hussy, how dare you talk in that way? Where's your respect for me, and your proper bringing up? Bless the boys and girls! What torments they are; yet we can't do without them," he said, pinching her cheeks good-humoredly. "Go and bring that boy down to his dinner, tell him it's all right, and advise him not to put on tragedy airs with his grandfather. I won't bear it."

"He won't come, sir; he feels badly because you didn't believe him when he said he couldn't tell. I think the shaking hurt his feelings very much."

Jo tried to look pathetic, but must have failed, for Mr. Laurence began to laugh, and she knew the day was won.

"I'm sorry for that, and ought to thank him for not shaking me, I suppose. What the dickens does the fellow expect?" and the old gentleman looked a trifle ashamed of his own testiness.

"If I were you, I'd write him an apology, sir. He says he won't come down till he has one, and talks about Washington, and goes on in an absurd way. A formal apology will make him see how foolish he is, and bring him down quite amiable. Try it; he likes fun, and this way is better than talking. I'll carry it up, and teach him his duty."

Mr. Laurence gave her a sharp look, and put on his spectacles, saying 268 slowly, "You're a sly puss, but I don't mind being managed by you and Beth. Here, give me a bit of paper, and let us have done with this nonsense."

The note was written in the terms which one gentleman would use to another after offering some deep insult. Jo dropped a kiss on the top of Mr. Laurence's bald head, and ran up to slip the apology under Laurie's door, advising him, through the key-hole, to be submissive, decorous, and a few other agreeable impossibilities. Finding the door locked again, she left the note to do its work, and was going quietly away, when the young gentleman slid down the banisters, and waited for her at the bottom, saying, with his most virtuous expression of countenance, "What a good fellow you are, Jo! Did you get blown up?" he added, laughing.

"No; he was pretty mild, on the whole."

"Ah! I got it all round; even you cast me off over there, and I felt just ready to go to the deuce," he began apologetically.

"Don't talk in that way; turn over a new leaf and begin again, Teddy, my son."

"I keep turning over new leaves, and spoiling them, as I used to spoil my copy-books; and I make so many beginnings there never will be an end," he said dolefully.

"Go and eat your dinner; you'll feel better after it. Men always croak when they are hungry," and Jo whisked out at the front door after that.

"That's a 'label' on my 'sect,'" answered Laurie, quoting Amy, as he went to partake of humble-pie dutifully with his grandfather, who was quite saintly in temper and overwhelmingly respectful in manner all the rest of the day.

Every one thought the matter ended and the little cloud blown over; but the mischief was done, for, though others forgot it, Meg remembered. She never alluded to a certain person, but she thought of him a good deal, dreamed dreams more than ever; and once Jo, rummaging her sister's desk for stamps, found a bit of paper scribbled over with the words, "Mrs. John Brooke;" whereat she groaned tragically, and cast it into the fire, feeling that Laurie's prank had hastened the evil day for her.

[spacedikut]

“i want to love someone and be loved” ; spencer reid - part 1

pairing: spencer reid (criminal minds) x reader

summary: spencer makes a confession as you’re doing dishes together. this is from a prompt list but i can’t find it :( 1633 words. part 2 

a/n: this was originally a poe dameron thing but i started thinking about it with spencer and then there were tears streaming down my face then i wrote it

Your favourite memories with the team are always those where you really feel like a family. Most days these are only fleeting moments, less than five minute conversations filled with banter and affectionate insults, but there are times, like now, where you’re all sat around Rossi’s dinner table with too much wine and too much pasta (although there is no such thing), and you feel like you might cry from happiness.

You’re a family.

The downside to being a family is you get treated like a family member, meaning when you and Spencer are assigned to clean dishes, dry them and put them away, you sulk to the kitchen just like you did when you were eleven and your younger sibling got out of helping by claiming he has too tired.

At least you can stare at Spencer as you do it.

In the kitchen, you’re working in perfect harmony – you, elbow deep in somehow tolerable hot water, scrubbing away at the bowls and plates stained with pasta sauce, and Spencer who methodically dries said bowls and plates with a worrying amount of scrutiny.

Right before you open your mouth to ask him if he’s okay, Spencer speaks.

“What do you think of love?”

Huh. Didn’t expect that.

“Love is… is good, I guess.”

You’re not sure what to say, or what he wants you to say. There’s obviously an answer he’s looking for, but you’re not sure you can provide it.

“Have you ever been in love?”

Your brows furrow. The question catches you off guard and your hand freezes mid-wipe. Why is he asking you this? It’s not that you’re not close with Spencer, cause you are, but you feel ill-equipped for this conversation. You wish you could somehow swap positions with Hotch, or Rossi, maybe Derek. Or Emily! Anyone, except you.

“I don’t think so, no, Spence.”

He grimaces.

“Why?”

“Well, because-cause…��� He pauses and grits his teeth, as if the words are painful to force out, “I want to love someone and be loved.”

The confusion shines brightly in your eyes, “You are loved, Spence. Everyone in our unit would do anything for you, you know that. I’d go so far as to say you’re the favourite, probably the most loved person in the BAU.”

“No. No.” He shakes his head, “I want someone to love me. Romantically. Not Dr Spencer Reid of the BAU, notorious rambler and know-it-all who’s exceptionally good at pissing people off. I want them to love me – Spencer – the guy who is a technophobe, a pretty bad shot, and secretly wants to be a cowboy. The guy who has a recurring dream that Morgan forces me into a room where I’m plunged into darkness and Doctor Who is playing but it’s in a language I don’t understand. I don’t.. I don’t want someone that’ll make me feel like a baby, like the team sometimes does, you know? I think I’d be a great partner and I just… I just want someone to share something with. Something good, something pure, in this job where we face evil and demise every day.”

You’re in stunned silence when he makes eye contact, hands stilled mid-air as you gape at him.

“Sorry. Totally unloaded a lot of emotional stuff on you there – my bad. Uhh..” He clears his throat.

The air becomes awkward as you figure out how to reply. You flounder. You don’t know what to follow that speech with. It almost feels like the right time to admit your feelings for him, but a second later you realise this conversation sounds a lot like one you’d have with someone you definitely do not have feelings for. You’re just a consultation, you’re not the end goal. Suddenly, you wish you had been assigned to clearing the table rather than washing up.

Swallowing what feels like pure acid, you begin, “That’s sweet, Spence. Genuinely. And there’s nothing wrong with wanting that.” You want to reach out and touch him, but your hands are now submerged in water, and touching him might break you. “So what’s stopping you?”

“Huh?”

“What’s stopping you from getting that?” You ask. “I’ve seen you. When you put your mind to it, you can be preeeetty smooth with the ladies. Remember the magic trick you did for that one girl?” Spencer gives a small, shy smile, “Exactly! So what’s stopping you?”

Spencer looks like a deer in headlights. What is stopping him? He’s proud to say his confidence has exponentially grown since joining the BAU. When he started, his self-esteem was non-existent, but times passed and he’s grown to accept himself the way he is. It helps that you’ve been there, cheering him on and showering him in compliments whenever he starts to doubt himself. Initially, Spencer thought you were doing it just to get on his good side, maybe build some good karma, but somewhere along the line he started to somewhat agree with you. The compliments never ceased.

“Well,” He starts, “I’m picky.”

You scoff, “Yeah, if I was you, I’d be picky.”

You turn and squirt some dish soap into the sink, smiling when Spencer laughs, “What does that mean?!”

“You know what it means! I always say you could be a ladies man if you truly put your mind to it, and I stand by that. You’re a ten out of ten on a bad day so, yeah, you should be picky. I’m tempted to say no one is worthy, but I’ve already inflated your ego too much.”

He grins at your teasing and licks his lips, “There is one person.”

“Oh?” You ask, interest piqued. You ignore the pang in your heart.

“Yeah. She’s really cool. It’s kind of terrifying.”

You giggle at that. There’s a warmth to Spencer’s words, and you realise whoever this girl is is super fucking lucky. He’s completely and utterly smitten and she doesn’t even know it. You kind of hate her.

“So are you gonna tell her?” You ask.

He shrugs, “I guess so. Should I?”

Finally done with the washing up, you move to put the dried plates into their cupboards. With a quizzical look, you say, “You’re really asking me that? Yes, you should tell her.”

“Would you tell her?”

“God, no.”

“What?!”

“I’m shy when it comes to that stuff! I’d rather ferment my feelings and then tell myself to get over it and never think of it again.”

“Sounds healthy.”

You grin, turning to lean against the counter next to Spencer, “I would tell her if I was you, though. You’re sweet, attractive, and you have more than just your looks going for you. If I was you and got rejected I’d be like… okay, cool. I’ll just go bang every one of your friends, then.”

Spencer guffaws, “You’d what?!”

“I’m kidding!” You laugh, a hearty laugh at his expression. The pure shock and borderline disgust makes you oddly proud. It’s a rare reaction from Spencer.

He rolls his eyes but still smiles. His eyes lock on your face and you can’t pinpoint what emotion is pouring out of them, but it’s so strong that it shoots panic through you. You quickly turn and pick up as many glasses as you can, manoeuvring to the opposite side of the kitchen.

You can’t be thinking about him like that if he’s about to admit his feelings for someone else.

“So, you gonna tell her?” You try to sound nonchalant, but you can’t deny you’re unbelievably curious.

Spencer hums, but still sounds unsure, “I think I will.”  

“If she’s as great as you think she is, no matter her response she’ll handle it well. Otherwise, she wasn’t worth your time anyway.”

Behind your back, Spencer barely contains a gentle smile and thinks, yeah, you are pretty great.

“What did you say?” You swing around to face him.

Spencer straightens up and furiously dries the last bowl, “What?”

“You mumbled something.”

“Oh, I don’t know.”

You’re visibly bemused but don’t say anything. Spencer opens his mouth to speak, maybe tell you what he should’ve a while ago, when Emily comes sliding in.

“Garcia has had too much wine and I’m one glass away from joining her. Y/N, are you ready to head home?”

You roll your eyes and nod. In hindsight, you’re glad that you refused the big glass of wine Rossi initially offered you because you knew this would happen and you’d be taking drunk girls home. “Yeah, all good. Spence, is it okay if I leave you to put the last few dishes away?”

Spencer nods eagerly and glances at Emily when she sways, “No problem. Drive safe.”

You mumble a thanks and move to the living room to collect your bag. Garcia is splayed across the biggest couch and you can’t help but aww at her sleeping form. Just an hour ago she was giving a sermon on why Hotch is the best dad and how that translates to the bedroom (why did no one stop her), and now she looks at peace with the world in the fluffiest pillows you’ve ever seen. Then she chokes, snorts, and springs upright with a loud “Derek!” and you jump back at her volume. When she sees you, she looks like she’s found the cutest kitten and makes grabby hands, asking for a hug.

Yeah, it’s time to go home.

Just before you leave Rossi’s house, you turn to Spencer and shout across, “Good luck, Spence!”

Morgan turns to Spencer and silently asks what? And Spencer barely acknowledges him, “I’ve got big plans for tomorrow.”

“Big plans, huh?” Morgan teases.

“Yeah. Big plans, big payoff, and all that.”

Looking over your shoulder, you give one final wave after tying Garcia to her seat.

Spencer wonders if you realise you’re his big plan.

[beaubcxton]

Unexpected problems. Part 3

Lily Evans stared at herself happily in the mirror. The grin on her face nearly blinded her but she continued the act, sometimes letting a giggle burst through.

How very insane, how maddening, how palpitating.

She was getting married.

Married.

Would you believe it?

She, Lily Evans, was getting married to James Potter at exactly seven thirty today and was three seconds close to screaming.

It wasn’t so much that she never thought she would get married. Well, it was partly that if she was being honest. Petunia’s constant cheers of encouragement-note the sarcasm- helped her self-esteem. In a very negative way.

Moreover, she was a romantic at heart. Late at night, she had read dozens of cliché romances by the flicker of the torch and to the sound of crickets while her parents snored upstairs, blissfully unaware that their perfect daughter heart swooped when Mr. Darcy held his lover’s gaze.

And it wasn’t like she held a pillow behind her head and pretended it was a veil- she did do this, for the record but she likes to imagine technicalities could go to hell-  but it was more the fact that she had found the man of her dreams.

James Potter was technically a boy since he was only nineteen as she merrily liked to rub it into his face. He was her bloody nightmare just a few springs ago but now, she couldn’t stop blushing every time his hazel eyes grinned at her and his smirk kissed her lips as he murmured, “Alright, Evans?”

She shivered at the memory and willed the butterflies to settle down. Most brides got cold feet on their wedding day and many of them climbed out of the window, perhaps, slid down the pipe she was looking at now after they wrote a note, stained with tears and consisting of either only two words, I’m sorry or some heartfelt speech that would most definitely not translate into a vow.

But Lily?

If cold feet were the phrase, she thought she might have warm feet. Paradox, indeed. The only way she would ever jump out of the window and ruin her beautiful dress would be to marry James sooner. She was scared, of course, of the war. Of what it might entail and what she might lose. Several of her friends got married, recently and quite a few of them had lost their spouses rather soon. Lily was adamant that they’d both survive this war together.

And Merlin, she wanted to marry him. She really bloody wanted to marry him.

Memories flood her mind but a one sticks out. The first time they said, ‘I love you,’ funnily enough.

They were on rounds and Lily was frustrated with school and how it hardly allowed her to spend time eating. James kept pestering her about it and eventually, he decided to take matters into his own hands. That night, they snuck to the kitchen and he forced her to eat a satisfying burger. (It was her mother’s specialty and she was feeling homesick with all the terrible news going around.) While they were eating dessert, a sizzling brownie with ice cream on its top, he just took one look at her, chewing happily and blurted it out. ‘I-Merlin, Lily, I love you.’

Not very poetic, sadly but so James. She nodded and resumed her consumption. He stopped though and slid his pink (not that she noticed how his tongue looked like because that would be ridiculous) tongue over is front teeth.

“What?” She had said, finally. “Are you waiting for a response?”

His eyes rolled. “If you’d be willing, yeah.”

“I effing kissed you in front of the whole tower, Potter. If that doesn’t say I love you, I don’t know what will.”

He grinned so hard, she worried his cheeks would hurt. They didn’t say anything else but before they went to sleep, they kissed for a few seconds longer.

They had been so childish then and hid their feelings, their joy from the other. Lily didn’t know that James had whooped and woken up his friends. None of the Marauders were happy to be woken up at an ‘ungodly hour’ and shoved James with many pillows.

And something James didn’t know? Lily had screamed into her pillow for five minutes straight.

Almost nostalgic, she searches for a mirror and once located, stares at it for a second before she tucks a strand of hair behind her ear.

Clearing her throat, she calls out, “James?”

The mirror shimmers for a second, almost like a ripple in a lake and for a second, she takes note of the silence in her room and then, a flurry of noise clangs through her ears.

“You’re not supposed to see her, James!” Sirius is saying loudly. Lily rolls her eyes at the so und.

��It’s bad luck!” Remus agrees, somewhere behind.                                                                  

James protests. “It-but you guys, she called me. What if she needs something?”

The trio collectively scoffs. Lily can almost hear the scowl in Sirius’s face when he draws out his words, “Lily only wants to see your pretty face, don’t you, flower?”

“Hey! I resent that! I do not have a pretty face. More like, a handsome-“

“I do!” She calls out ironically. She hears James’s warm laughs and a fond smile overcomes her face. Could it be possible that she was marrying this man? “Give me the mirror, Padfoot.”

“I shall not! Superstations be ringing true.”

She nearly misses the familiar ebony messy hair flashing into view when Sirius pushes her fiancé behind and raises the mirror.

James curses. “-you for being taller.” Directing his words to Lily, he calls out, “You’re not thinking about backing out, are you Lily?”

Lily mocks a sigh. “It’s rather late for that.”

“Wait-Lils,”

“Merlin, James. I’m kidding.”

Lily almost smirks at the breath of relief James emitted.

“You’ll see her soon, James. Say goodbye like a good boy. Can’t tempt fate, now can we?”

She knows James is rolling his eyes. Neither of them were superstitious. That title belonged to the eldest Potter. “I love you, Lils.”

“Love you too, sweetheart. Hey1” Lily abruptly cuts off her sentence. “Reckon we should get married, yeah?”

“Took you long enough. Hey, say we elope right now?”

“I find the idea brilliant.”

“Well, I rather am brilliant.”

“Don’t forget arrogant!” And before he can continue with some protest or worse, a self-compliment, she continues, “Oh! Our ship name is Jily, by the way.”

“Wait, what?”

“What’s a ship name?” Peter articulates.

“It’s basically when someone ships- “Moony, the all knower, begins.

“Ships? You mean, they’re pirates?”

“Well, not exactly.”

“Disconnecting in three, two- “Sirius cries. “Also, Red, I need to know more about this later but your ship name is Lames but it doesn’t include me so we’ll have to change it later. Two-one”

They both call out a quick I love you before the light and noises fade away.

The wedding was a warm one and quite magical, if things went to plan. She’d walk under an arch coated with pressed flowers and petite birds would fly down and hand them their rings. James and she had wanted some muggle aspect to their otherwise wizarding wedding and the symbolism for rings was one way to achieve that.

Lily plucks a chocolate dressed strawberry from the plate and chews it thoughtfully. She’d invited Petunia but highly doubted that her sister would show up. After her sister sent back a letter in the post saying, ‘I’ve got other plans.’ Just the five words, Lily thought about it in great length (thought being sobbing on James’s shoulder miserably for several nights and him convincing her that she was not a freak, she really wasn’t and pressing a million kisses on her hair) She decided that she wouldn’t invite her parents.

“It wouldn’t be safe for them. You know, how it’s like with Death Eaters.” James had reasoned multiple times when she started to bite her nails in worry. “-they killed Andrew’s, you remember him, right? Big blue eyes and curly blonde hair? Yes-that guy who charmed McGonagall to puff up cats. Still can’t believe he had the guts to do that. They killed his parents, Lily solely for the reason he’s a muggleborn. I-Merlin, their house looked like a bloody murder sight. It was but you get the point. Bloody nightmare.”

“Poor guy,” she only murmured. And she didn’t-not even for the love of Merlin- want to be regarded as a ‘poor guy.’

Still, her guilt remained. It was hard not to invite her parents, the two people who had seen her bloom into the woman she was today. Her mother was immediately in tears when Lily told them about the wedding. And now? She wasn’t even inviting them. It would have been good too for them, some celebration. Times were dark and rough, not only in the wizarding world but in the Evans household too. Had been ever since Mr. Evans coughed up blood before he fainted last winter.

Decisions were set in stone, however and it was too late to do anything. (Did she really want to?) James had been wonderful to ease her plight.

If asked, Lily wouldn’t tell you the first time she realized she loved James Potter. She’ll say, “I reckon I always did, now don’t give me that cynical look. It’s a funny thing, I realize since it’s known fact I hated Potter. Believe me, that wasn’t a lie but when we did become friends and he brought me hot chocolate when I was sick, made me laugh like a loon while we did rounds, it wasn’t surprising that I loved Potter. He was my friend and obviously, it was a platonic love but then, he’d ask this girl out and my stomach just burned, you know? So, when he asked me out, I just-I had to say yes to understand why. Guess the love I felt for James Potter wasn’t platonic, after all.”

A rather long speech for an introvert but love makes you a poet or in Lily’s case, a bloody satisfactory rambler.

Someone knocks at the door and she’s interrupted from her musings of conjuring up how her fiancé would look like a suit. (Scoff you might but Lily had never seen James in a muggle suit and it send shivers down her spine, imagining it. How the rays of light would fall on his messed-up hair and the way his abs would be seen with the light sheen of sweat. Merlin, he’d make a fantastic and hot Olympian.)

Marlene enters, her rustic brown dress twinkling in the room. She was a fine beauty and Lily’s best friend. They’d been stuck to the hip ever since Lily introduced the former to ‘nail polish.’ Being a pureblood, Marlene had been awestruck. “It makes your nails looked all dolled up, ain’t it?”

With a beautiful brown bob that bounced with each step and star kissed eyes, Marlene had no problem finding a suitor if need be. Adding to her appearance, she had an eccentric personality. She was constantly so kind to her friends, so warm to strangers and so bloody callous to assholes. Honestly, she was one of the few people who didn’t find all Slytherins wicked and it was refreshing to be friends with someone who wasn’t predisposed. It wasn’t shocking when Lily appointed her maid of honor.

She blubbers at the sight of her best friend and Lily beckons her over and they sit on the cozy and luxurious bed.

“You look stunning.”

“Look who’s talking. If I didn’t know any better, I’d say you were the bride with the way you’re glowing.” Lily teases and bumps her best friend’s shoulder playfully.

Marlene shakes her head but she’s grinning. “You know I shipped you and Potter since day one. It was like some bloody romance that you found in books and movies, you know. Tags: Sexual tension, mutual stupid pining, enemies to friends to lover’s trope.”

Lily snorts and Marlene scrunches up her brow. “Ratings: Some teenage fluff.”

“Oh hush, Marls. You’re ruining my makeup with your hilarious rubbish.”

“I can’t believe you’re getting married.”

Lily smiles fondly and hugs her friend as she rubs her nose.

“Me neither. I don’t reckon I’ve told you but do you know the groom is Potter?”

Marlene gasps.

“You’re kidding me!”

Frowning, Lily nods as she sighs wearily. “I can’t imagine it either.”

Mirth bubbles from the duo. Abruptly, Marlene seizes her friend in a hug. “I love you, alright?”

“I love you the most.”

“You’ve got the wedding we’ve dreamed of as children. A posh wedding, albeit cheap which I do not approve of in an art bleeding history museum.”

“The wedding band looks strange, though.”

Marlene makes a noise of agreement. “True. Someday, The Weird Cauldron will get famous.” (Spoiler Alert: It didn’t.)

“Maybe.”

“Potter’s going to pale when he says you. I’ll bet a galleon on it.”

Lily really did look beautiful. A blushing and glowing bride, sentimental ones would tearfully sniffle. While she did look the role, several of her friends would praise her on owning a badass gown. Certainly, not very easy to pull off. Her hair was in ringlets, all ruby embers twirled down and her eyes were coated with a thin black mascara. Her v- neck dress was ankle length and hugged her curves in all the right places as she spun around. Lace decorated the borders of her cleavage and concluded at her toes.

Someone’s fingers dance on a piano, playing some long and forgotten melody that made people hum and ponder their own weddings or wonder at the posterity.

“Ready?”

With a smile biting at her lips, Lily says, “Marauder Ready.”

And her maid of honor rolls her eyes and murmurs about a perfect pair.

   A FEW METRES AWAY:

The trio huddle around James like he’s a rugby player about to be mauled. (Well, he envisages it so. He never understood the damned game. A frustration that Mr. Evans shared. Lily’s dad had tried to make him understand the rules and other shits ‘bout the game but judging by his skill and intelligence, you can assume it did not end well.)

“-so typical of James to dream about something else than his wedding day. “Sirius is saying as he shakes off his reverie of things he can’t do. (James assures you that it is the only thing he cannot do, if you know what he means.)

The lot of them were rather attractive in their own sense and they looked identical. A muggle might have looked at them and assumed them to be in a boy band. Despite his heritage, James finds himself wanting to hum a muggle tune. (Tell me why, ohh)

“Shut up, Padfoot. I was thinking about Lily.”

“Mate,” Remus says as he adjusts James’s Gryffindor tie, “-we know you better than that and the face you were sporting was most definitely not your, uh Lily face.”

“I have a Lily face?”

Peter pipes, “You have a lot of faces.” and shuts up promptly, almost like he can’t believe he had the gall to speak.

“Like what?!”

“Well,” Sirius says lazily as he sips his complimentary champagne, “Your Lily face is soft eyes, like a doe, mate. And you have this weird grin on your face like you don’t know whether you want to laugh or cry and your nose gets pink.”

Testing it out, James thinks about the last time he had seen Lily. They were in bed together and she was reading a book. Just the sight of her, emerald orbs completely hooked on the poetic words, her plump and pink lips as she murmured, “Oh, Nasuda” and the crease on her forehead and the blush on her cheek as she pronounced, “Murtgah.” (James had kissed her then, overcome with adoration for his fiancée. How happy he was that they adored each other and partly jealous of a fictional character.)

Laughter cuts his out of his thoughts. Remus barely restraining his chuckles says, “That’s your Lily face.”

Only Peter seemed to fake his laughter. James squints his eyes at him and studies his friend. The boy is looking rather pale, almost clammy with sweat beading on his ears. A telltale that something is not alright.

“Mate,” James says, “You good?”

The three of them all stare at Peter who is furiously biting his nails. With a jerk, he looks up when the room falls silent as if he’s forgotten there’s a crowd. “Oh-um, yeah.”

James knows not to push it but he can’t seem to help himself as Peter’s eyes look downcast. “You know you can tell us everything, right? I know you’re not- “

“I’m fine.”

Sirius cocks his head at the boy. “Well, if you’re su- “

“I have a girlfriend!” Peter blurts out, seeming it out of his non- volition as his hands tremble soon afterwards and he shuts his eyes in a remarkable display of acting. His friends are speechless but before they can interrupt, he continues, almost whispering the words like he’s afraid his ex is going to apparate, “I-well, I had one. I’m sorry I never told you guys. I really did want to but Samantha, that was her name said it was too much of a big deal and stuff.” Peter stops his monologue to groan. “And-And I know it’s wrong but you and Lily are getting married and you guys are so happy and I don’t know if I’ll ever get that again.”

The room is enveloped by silence like fire being iced by a thick blanket, so very heavy and you feel like choking.

“I-Merlin, Peter.” Sirius begins, standing up quickly and lending a hug to Wormtail who now has tears running down his face.

Moony doesn’t say anything but instead, stares at Peter with confusion. James blinks and he misses the look Peter sends to Remus. Please, the rat seemed to implore.

“Peter, I wish-no, that doesn’t matter. Look Pete, you of all people should know that it was terribly hard for Evans to like me. Wait, that came out wrong. She’s not obligated to like me or anything but urgh. I never thought I had a chance with her, remember? It might take years but have hope! Everyone deserves love, Pete and you deserve it more than others.”

Orator, he is not. It’s not really a great speech but the topic was sprung up on him and half of his thoughts are Lily related, but it’ll have to do and gathering by the wince Peter barely manages to hide, his immediate thought was to start again but with better vocabulary and more depth. Peter nods and then, James nods. And then, Remus and Sirius nods. That’s how it goes amongst them. If one does something, the others follow immediately.

“We need to go.” Remus says, glancing at his watch. Peter looks relieved. They can’t really blame him. They’ve had conversations with Peter like this. He was always the helper; the motivator and it threw them off course when the intelligent boy came to them with a problem.

The trio stampede over to the door and Remus calls out a good luck before the door shuts. A second later, Sirius throws it open and launches himself onto his brother.

“Merlin left saggy- “Sirius mumbles onto James’s shoulder. “I can’t bloody believe you’re leaving me.”

Prongs rolls his eyes and reciprocates the hug and they clutch each other tightly like men that have just won the bloody war.  “I can’t bloody believe Lily is marrying me.”

Sirius laughs through his tears. “Yeah, me neither.”

“Oh, shove off.” James admonishes but the tone is soft as he punches his brother’s arm.

Sirius raises a hand and for a moment, James has a weird premonition that Sirius is about to lean in but then he ruffles up James’s hair and runs out a moment before the poor groom can even groan.

The bespectacled boy stares at himself in the mirror.

It’d be alright, he told himself, Lily would show up and they’d go off in the sunset wide grins. Merlin, the woman of his dreams would be saying I do to him in a few minutes. They’d have the rest of their lives together and it would be jovial with their dogs, cats and children. Hardly human and more angel-like, Lily Evans would soon become Lily Potter and he’d wake up to her scarlet lips and emerald jewels of eyes every day.

He groans.

Now was not the time to be fantasizing.

It was hard not to when your fiancée looked like she belonged in the bloody museum.

He was wearing a fine suit which looked almost crisp against his skin. The white shirt was almost transparent because of the thin layer of sweat but it contrasted well with his tanned, lean and muscular body.  Against his will, he smirked as he thought of Lily. (When does he not, really?)

“I knew you were vain, Potter but I never guessed how much.”

James spins around at the voice and a grimace forms as he locates Severus Snape sitting idly on the sofa, wand rolling around his palm. Although annoyance surged through him, he was hardly to see the man. He was bound to make an entrance on his ex-best-friend’s wedding.

Despite the anger, some intelligent subconscious urged to call Sirius but he decided that it wouldn’t bode well with his character and instead retorts, “Here to stop the wedding, Snivellus or lost your way to the dumps?”

The man grits his teeth at the nickname but makes a great show of rolling his eyes. “Now, why would I want that?”

James shrugs and plucks out his wand, almost casually and points it at the Death Eater. “I can think of many reasons why. None of which I want to bother myself with but I’m afraid, oh wait, I’m not afraid but actually happy you’re too late.”

“I wouldn’t bet my money on it.”

“Well,” James smirks. “You don’t have any money in the first place to begin with so I recommend not betting anything.”

Almost growling, Snape makes a noise of dissatisfaction. “You’ve always been a fool, Potter.”

It was strange that there was no retort but James let it slide and mocks. “I suppose you hope to stop the wedding with your greasy hair. I hardly think the priest would consider that as an objection but we all know Lily would prefer mine.”

James is stalling. They both know it. Despite him being a Gryffindor, he knew not to underestimate Snape. Coming here was a huge risk after all and surely, the man had some sense not to break up a light wedding. So, why did he come?

The man winces at the mention of the bride.

“It’s not just me, Potter, this once.”

James curses internally. “Look Snape, it’s my wedding day and I really really don’t want to hex you today. Contrary to popular belief, I’m actually a pacifist.”

“Lily was right when she called you an arrogant toe rag.”

“Funny,” James bites out. “That’s not the only nickname y ’all used that day. At least toe rag sounds better than Extraordinary Death Eater.”

Scoffing, Snape shakes his head as if he’s almost reproaching James. “I, fortunately, do not have time for this insolence, Potter. I hope you rot.”

“Well, you had time for yourself.”

“CRUCIO!”

He’s expecting it. “PROTEGO!”

Time for pleasantries were over, James guesses. The room is immediately basked in a blue glow and both men are blasted with jet beams of light and are thrown feet backward, neither spell marring their skin. James rolls over to a chair and arching his neck, calls out a body binding spell.

Snape roars. “Sectumsempra! You shall pay, Potter!”

“EXPELLIARMUS! Need a loan?”

“Imperio!”

James almost gets hit with the spell in shock. This wasn’t some retribution. Snivellus-and perhaps the Death Eaters- were out for something. Oh bugger, Lily. She wouldn’t be safe here. He had to warn her somehow.

“Imperio!”

Where was that blasted two-way mirror?

Answer: Sirius had taken it. James had thought it’d be sensible, in case there were any wedding fiascos.

He was a fool. A stupid-stupid- fool.

Crying out a jinx almost instinctively, he jumps out of the way as a table hurls at him. (Couldn’t furniture be at his side, at least? Really bloody unfair.)

The spell hits his target and James is rewarded by the sight of blood dripping down the shins of Snape’s knee. Amazingly, it doesn’t seem to bother him. The only sign he showed of pain was a slight wince.

Where was everybody? Dead and deaf? The question has an answer.

“You cast a silence charm.” He thinks out loud.

Really ass-effing unfair.

The room was in ruins but James was positive that it he was captured; the room would return to being spotless. He supposes they want him to join the Death Eaters. The very thought makes him barks a laugh. As if he’d ever agree to that. He’d rather die. Rather live and marry but he thinks he might have to cut his losses.

It’s like he appears in thin air for Snape stands in front of him, arm poised for attack. James kicks his leg in a defense that Lily and Mr. Evans had taught him and pushes away. (Muggle techniques were brilliant, weren’t they?) Severus-the bugger-is also fast though James did not know how. (You’d think his grease would weigh him down, right?) The positions are awkward enough for James to suddenly lose control of his wand as the expelliarmus is called out.

Satisfaction or regret flashes on Snape’s face for a second but James’s doesn’t bother deciphering it. If he can’t get away, he needs to save Lily at least. Jumping up, he runs like his life is dependent on it, ducking behind furniture when the need calls for it.

Suddenly, the cold dims a little as the door opens. “Got him?” A voice calls out from the doorway and he’s so surprised to see Pettigrew that he stumbles. “Wormtail?” The boy looks at him and shifts his glance away.

Got him? Got whom? Oh. Oh no. No, no, no.

“You’re-you’re with him-them?” He manages to splutter. It had to be impossible, surely. Maybe he was imperio-d. Or maybe, they wanted to take him out for another stag party and got Snape involved?

He dismisses either of his suspicions. They boy’s eyes are clear. James almost slaps himself. Of course, Peter wouldn’t have a girlfriend. He didn’t even have one in Hogwarts.

“IMPERIO!” Snivellus calls again, almost booming the curse.

James falls on the ground and stares at his friend in shock who’s standing up casually. “Peter?” He calls out in a pained voice. His sadness evolves into anger.

“I hope both of you rot in hell.” He knows he’s lost but he tries to take on Peter and both brawl. James tucks his shoulder into Peter’s armpit and jabs and the boy falls and his escape is right there and so clear. He’d see Lily again. And he’s running and he’s hollering. Then:

“This has gone on for far too long.” Snape bites. “Imperio!”

There’s nowhere to duck and he goes down but Snape’s anticipated that and he’s full on hit by the incantation. And James is submerged. It’s like his thoughts are befuddled and time stands still or the seconds tick past in honey. He’s in his own bubble. It’s like being in the ocean, he manages to tell his friends later, but when someone wants you to drown, you can’t push up, you’re sinking instead.

“Go somewhere no one will find you.” Snape murmurs, velvety and caressing.

Several steps forward, James hacks onto their plan. They’re monsters, worse than that. At least, monsters are born cruel. These, these people want to be terrible. He tries to wrangle his way out of the spell, tries to make a move for his wand but it’s so painful that he’s desperately tired and run out of energy after the first time he tries to break free.

They overpower him in no time and then he seemingly walks out the door out of his own will and he walks on the empty corridor in silence except for a steady ticking voice at the back of his mind saying, Leave.

James listens.

[verobonelli]

Corny songs

Summary: Jared watches as Jensen sings Brother by Needtobreathe at VegasCon17. Fandom: Supernatural cast Characters: Jared Padalecki, Jensen Ackles Relationships: none / bromance Rating: general audiences Words: 1,896 Warnings: idk, kinda fluff? ahah Notes: English is not my first language, so if you find any mistakes you’re kindly invited to tell me so that I can rewrite it :) Also I have no idea if Jared was there during the concert, and if he was I guess he probably wasn’t hidden behind the crowd, but hey this is fiction after all so just roll with it

The room is crowded – even more so than usual, it would seem – and the girls are extremely loud, tonight. It’s difficult to understand what Jensen is saying, but it doesn’t matter. Jared is partially hidden at the back of the room, surrounded by bodyguards, and he feels lucky because ne one seems to have seen him. For once, he gets to just be one face in the crowd, enjoying the show. He hears the girls scream, all of them freaking out at the view of Jensen’s tight jeans that wrap his long legs and the leather jacket that fits perfectly his broad shoulders, partly covering the V-neck shirt underneath that highlights the muscles of his torso: Jared’s not even aware that he’s noticed all this, because it’s not the point, he doesn’t care, unlike all those girls around him. He’s watching Jensen with the distant awe of the visitor in a museum: distant, in fact, amazed by the aesthetic but in search of the hidden meaning, of the inner essence of a work of art – and he knows Jensen’s inner essence, he’s one of the few people that really do and he’s incredibly grateful for that. This is the way Jared is looking at Jensen right now: like a little brother looking up at his big bro in admiration. At some point, a sentence of Jensen’s speech stands out among the shouts of the crowd and catches his attention. “We are gonna try something a little new here… that we just thought was an appropriate song, given the basis of our show.” Jared frowns, curious. So, a new song, apparently. One that he’s never sang before. What’s it gonna be? The music starts and Jared shifts the weight on his feet. The first notes wake up a warmth in his chest, something familiar and cozy. The beginning of the song feels like coming home after a stressful day of work and slipping into one’s pajamas, the TV remote in one hand and a warm cup of tea in the other. Not that Jared is a great fan of tea. He actually prefers junk food and coke, that’s a fact. But you get the meaning. This is how Jared is feeling, and the song has barely even started. He’s sure he heard it before, he clearly remembers being with Jensen and listening to that song, he just can’t remember anything else. And then Jensen starts singing – and something clicks inside Jared’s head. Or rather, inside Jared’s heart. “Ramblers in the wilderness, we can’t find what we need / Get a little restless from the searching, get a little worn down in between…” Now he remembers. They were on set, tired after shooting an emotional scene for an upcoming episode, and some guys of the crew approached them: they wanted to post a video on the internet for the SPN Family Love campaign, and they wanted Jared and Jensen’s opinion about the background music. “It’s a song that’s very popular among the fans”, they told them, so they gathered together to watch the video. Jared remembers the footage about the campaign: it was already emotional per se, but that moment had stuck with him especially for the song. That song. He had never heard it before, but as soon as he started understanding the lyrics he knew it was right. It was right for the video, it was right for the campaign, but most of all it was right for the show, it was right for the Winchesters… and it was right for them. As in, Jared and Jensen. He remembers looking away from the screen to meet Jensen’s eyes, that were already on him: they looked at each other, said nothing, and that was it. They didn’t even have to nod, or make any other gesture. They just looked at each other and it was set. The crew around them understood what that look meant, because they had already seen it – on camera and off camera: it was the Winchester brothers look that could express everything without a spoken word, it was the silent look that now, after twelve years, belonged to Jared and Jensen too. Jared snaps back to reality, his attention now fully focused on his best friend again. He’s not even capable of thinking, he’s just watching as Jensen moves on stage like the rockstar that he is and listening to those words they both know so well by now. “Like a bull chasing the matador is the man left to his own schemes / Everybody needs someone beside ‘em shining like a lighthouse from the sea.” Then, the chorus explodes from the amplifiers like a storm, and Jared can feel his heart swell, almost smothering him. “Brother, let me be your shelter / Never leave you all alone / I can be the one you call / When you’re low…” Suddenly the lights on the ceiling are too bright, the cheers from the crowd are deafening, his legs are weak: it’s overwhelming, and all he can do is stare at Jensen, mouth slightly open, trying to catch his breath. “Brother, let me be your fortress / When the night winds are driving on / Be the one to light the way / Bring you home.” Jensen is singing with his eyes closed, and when he gets to the middle of the chorus he raises a hand and places it on his heart. Jared kind of misses all the second verse trying to calm himself down. He sees Jensen addressing the crowd when he sings about coming home, but he know he’s actually talking about him. Maybe he doesn’t know that Jared’s here in this room, but it doesn’t matter: Jared remembers the way those green eyes looked at him when they were listening to that song that day on set, drinking every single word, absorbing the meaning into their own souls, together, far away from the people that were there with them. That’s why he knows he’s talking to him: no matter how many people there are in this world, the only two that really mean something are them. By the time the second chorus hits, Jared finds himself humming to the music, letting himself go, getting lost in the melody. Then, the bridge comes. “And when you call and need me near / Sayin’ where’d you go?, brother, I’m right here / And on those days when the sky begins to fall / You’re the blood of my blood, we can get through it all.” At that point he doesn’t even notice when some of their colleagues climb on stage to sing the acoustic chorus together. He just beats his foot on the floor, following the rhythm, and discreetly moves his lips to match the words Jensen is singing while clapping his hands above his head. At the end, he’s full-on singing, ignoring the heartache as best as he can. By the end of the song, he has to dry a tear with the back of his hand. The other actors are gone now, and Richard starts playing the intro of Whipping post on his bass – “yeah, I know the lyrics” says an irritated Jensen – but Jared doesn’t care anymore. He slips throught the door and finds himself in an empty corridor: one of his bodyguards follows him, but he shakes his head and asks to be left alone. The man nods and goes back inside, giving him the privacy he needs. Jared takes his black beanie from the pocket – he had taken it off when it was too hot to go around with that thing on his head – and puts it on. It’s his security blanket, after all. A tangible piece of his comfort zone, under which he feels irrationally safe. And messy-haired, of course. But especially safe. He takes a minute to just breathe and stare at the wall before him, without actually seeing it. He fidgets with his To Write Love On Her Arms bracelet, that Jensen gave him after a pretty hard crisis he’s had some time ago, but he doesn’t notice he’s doing it. Then, when his breath is more steady, he heads towards the other door at the end of the corridor. He opens it and he finds himself in the backstage. A guy of the security team stands beside the door and lets him in. He steps inside and closes the door behind himself. Briana waves at him, but he just smiles slightly, then carries on. On his left, Ruth is talking with Misha, just hanging out, joking, showing each other something on their phones. Jared doesn’t even see them. He moves around the backstage like a ghost, then hears the crowd cheering and clapping louder than before, and suddenly Jensen is coming down the few steps of the stage, on this side of the black curtain, into the backstage. He looks down, incoherently shy – a moment ago he was on stage, rocking the hell out of that song and overall being a badass, and now he won’t even meet the eyes of his friends who have surrounded him to pat him on the back and tell him how amazing he’s been. That’s why he’s such a wonderful human being, Jared thinks. He stares from a distance, incapable of moving. He’s just focused on Jensen, totally unaware of himself. After a minute, the group of people around Jensen starts to scatter, and he finally looks up at Jared. At that moment Jared realizes how weird he must look, staring at him like that, but he can’t look away. Jensen apologizes to the few that are still around him and goes towards Jared, patting him on the shoulder. “Hey, buddy.” Jared swallows some saliva. “Hey, man. Great performance, I’ve been told.” “Didn’t see it?”, he asks, with a skeptical smile. “Yeah, I did”, Jared confesses, and they both laugh a bit. “Just wanted to pretend I wasn’t aware of how corny you can be sometimes.” Jensen snorts. “Oh, come on…” “Just sayin’, Mister One-perfect-tear.” “You’re just gettin’ started, aren’t you?”, asks Jensen, pretending to be annoyed. “We agreed not to prank each other, at least let me tease you.” “Thought you would like the song.” Jared stops. Then says: “I did like the song.” “Good.” Jensen stares quietly at him, then pulls him in for a hug, grabbing a handful of Jared’s shirt with his fist while the other hand rests on the back of his head. They both stay silent, just leaning on each other, in a full-on season-finale, end-of-the-world Winchester hug. Then Jared breaks the silence. “There ain’t no me if there ain’t no you, you know that, right?” Jensen freezes, clearly embarassed. He pulls away from Jared and looks him deadly in the eyes. “Sissy.” Jared rolls his eyes: his face starts to look terribly similar to Sam Winchester’s bitchface, but Jensen is already behind him and doesn’t see it: he takes away Jared’s beanie, then throws it behind his back. Jared turns around just in time to grab it and watch Jensen go. “So”, says Jensen, walking away, “fancy a beer or you want some pop-corn, since you’re the corny one today, apparently?” Jared sighs, looking down and shaking his head with a smile on his face. Then he follows him.

[crazy-grrrl-on-the-computer]

OKAY LET ME TALK ABOUT PERHAPS THE MOST BRILLIANT OPENING SPEECH OF A SERIES PILOT I HAVE SEEN IN A LONG WHILE! Because I think too much and I have a lot of feelings and I want to take as many other people as I can on this ride with me~

*ahem*

So, if you all would kindly be patient with me, I am going to draw your attention yet again to S1E1 of Boueibu, more particularly En's beautiful speech about chikuwabu and oden. Yes, it introduces the concept that the monster of the week is going to be the Chikuwabu Monster who doesn't quite see his own importance in the world and it may seem at first to be a boring lecture about something most people don't care about, but... it has a FAR greater significance than just setting up the theme for a single episode or exposing En for the thoughtful rambler that he is. In fact, it tells us exactly what we should have expected from the show from square one and it does so in such a way that we couldn't have fully noticed until rewatching the season from start to finish. (At least, that's how it seems to me, in any case. It took me until the fourth or fifth time watching it to realize.)

I'm placing this analysis under a cut because it is loooooooooooong and I used a lot of screenshots, so fair warning if you decide to read it. ^^

~.~

First, before I really get into breaking this down, let's start with the highlights of En's speech. Not even a minute in and already it starts out with a direct callout.

I mean, come on now… that’s a direct reference to the Caerula Adamas using the Chikuwabu Monster as part of their Earth Conquest plans.

Later, when the Student Council walks by them as they're leaving…

Then, Yumoto and Wombat run by them.

Yikes, so this is where I start breaking it down. *takes a deep breath*

If the Student Council is the popular "golden trio" of oden (a comparison which shows En has great respect for them), then Atsushi is the konjac.

Konjac is a root and, on its own, it doesn't taste like very much, so it's valued more for its texture than its flavor, but when soaked in oden it absorbs the broth all the way through it and becomes genuinely delicious. Typically, it comes in a gelatin form like a sort of tough, savory jelly... but it can also be made into pleasantly chewy noodles. En describes konjac as being "flexible" and "broad-minded" most likely for these reasons.

Atsushi absorbs a lot of what others throw at him and you could definitely say he's broad-minded enough to approach a situation from different angles. I mean, he is able to easily follow En's logic and train of thought even when it seems like something of a mystery to others. He is flexible in a way that he will bend for others in order to avoid a confrontation because he feels like that is respecting their wishes. And as for not having a very desirable independent flavor, even Atsushi has said that there's nothing special about himself and he's completely average in every way (or at least he implies it). And if En sees Atsushi as the konjac, his defense of it is quite telling of how he views Atsushi.

In this scene, Atsushi remarks that there is no konjac in the Student Council. This seems to imply something about how there is a broad-mindedness missing from the Student Council and this, as we find out, is largely in part because of the misunderstanding between Atsushi and Kinshirou that kickstarted the events of the season. That misunderstanding is what caused Kinshirou to close himself off the way he has and is likely one of the reasons he runs the Student Council so strictly, i.e. because of Atsushi's absence. Atsushi seems to, at the very least, be contemplating this.

As for Yumoto... he really is the pot, considering that’s what brings all of the ingredients together and makes them into something more than they are individually. And without the pot, you can't make oden. FORESHADOWING ANYONE???

The end of the episode proves this.

In other words, the Student Council…

The comparison here is that they are popular. Those three ingredients are the most common in oden and, to some people, considered essential… and the Student Council does happen to be quite popular at the school for one reason or another. But if I had to guess (just for my own amusement) which of the Student Council is which of the "golden trio", I might say that Kinshirou is the mochi-stuffed tofu, Akoya is the egg, and Ibushi is the daikon radish.

In dishes where a hard- or soft-boiled egg is thrown into it like this, it’s generally used as "decoration" (like a topper) to make the dish more colorful or to give it that little extra "pow" of flavor, so that's what makes me think it fits Akoya even if it's not the most exotic ingredient in the bowl. Also, the hard-boiled egg is left to cook in the oden broth for so long that it eventually changes color, so if you wanted to look into that, you could say it’s like how Akoya developed his particular ego/idea of beauty in response to how he was bullied. It seeped into him to the point where he started reflecting it.

The use of the daikon radish also being described as "contributing to the diversity that is oden by creating a savory flavor" fits Ibushi because, honestly, he's really what's keeping Kinshirou and Akoya from ripping each other apart most of the time. He's the balance in their dynamics. One article I read described daikon radish as "far milder and softer than radishes found in the West, daikon does a wonderful job of soaking up the oden broth, and is actually a lot lighter than it looks." Ibushi really isn't quite what his appearance makes him seem either. And for someone who takes a lot of hits from everyone else around him (absorbing them much like Atsushi does), it's remarkable how pleasant he seems. Most of the time, anyway. He’s got a lot of heart to give despite being so guarded.

And also, I found it really funny that mochi-stuffed tofu is basically just a pouch of deep-fried tofu stuffed with a mochi rice cake. I was laughing at that because, in the seifukubu manga, Ibushi joked that Kinshirou found Zundar while buying mochi because of the gag that he looks like zunda mochi. So, if Kinshirou is the tofu "pouch" that the mochi gets stuffed in, it's like when he sticks Zundar in his pocket. But jokes aside, it’s also fitting that the tofu absorbs the broth like how Kinshirou took to heart what happened with Atsushi when they were kids… and let that affect him so thoroughly.

This is Io...

Burdock root is crispy and it has a sweet and earthy, pungent flavor. It also has health benefits from being high in dietary fiber and having an antioxidant effect. At first glance, it looks unappetizing "like a really long, dirty twig" until it is peeled and fried in tempura batter. Its misleading appearance is what makes it "low-profile" and the Chikuwabu Monster even says it has a "dubious status".

Io is a rather dubious character who seems cold until you get to know him and he starts to open up. He’s also arguably "low-profile" because he doesn’t care enough not to be. Plus, the only connections he is concerned about making are business-related and I’m sure it’s in his best interests not to be involved in any kind of scandals either. If it doesn’t help him advance in the business world, he doesn’t want it. Until he makes friends who genuinely care about him, that is, and he opens up enough to show that he has a huge soft spot for them.

Ryuu is the thick-fried tofu...

As a thriving socialite, he is definitely more "amiable" than "low-profile" and I'd hesitate to call him "non-conforming" because of the implications that he cares a lot about what other people think of him. So, the tofu seems to fit him best there just from that description alone.

According to this article, it seems like the thick-fried tofu was described as "amiable" because "oden broth simply loves tofu", which I would say is because it's easy for tofu to absorb the broth and take in the flavors. A common complaint about tofu is that it is too bland without any other added flavors, so it's something that is usually fried and drenched/cooked in some kind of sauce or broth to make it more appetizing.

Ryuu is a people-pleaser and, much like tofu, "absorbs" different flavors (so to speak) in order to make himself more likeable.

En, on the other hand, is the cabbage rolls...

One article/recipe I found describes cabbage rolls as having a long history and becoming "one almost universal dish" because you can basically put anything you want in them, which is what makes them "non-conforming", much like En because he is also neutral and seemingly too lazy to care enough to meet other people’s expectations of him. He doesn’t even wear his uniform properly, which Kinshirou calls him out for in the seifukubu manga and shows us that En can go from "delicious" to "mouthwatering" with that little bit of extra effort… much like what happens to cabbage rolls when they are cooked in the soup and absorb the flavors of the broth. [x]

Chikuwabu represents, like En said at the beginning of his speech, all of the people who don't really know why they exist or what their purpose in life is and who feel like they don't fit in anywhere because they don't have anything "special" to offer. And here, Yumoto is saying that these people are important, too.

The same thing that is said for tofu is usually said for chikuwabu, by the way: "People tend to either love these things or be completely indifferent to them because they can sometimes be accused of being a bit bland." [x] That is exactly what happens to Chiku. Most people treat him very indifferently without even acknowledging his existence because he’s not "special" enough to be noticed.

Ryuu says he likes chikuwabu and isn’t it a little sad that he can relate? After all, he doesn’t really think very highly of himself despite his "I am awesome" attitude.

It's also interesting to me that, in the beginning of the episode, En was talking about chikuwabu being an "unknown lifeform" having no real purpose and not contributing anything... and how it must be depressing to exist like that. His commentary almost sounded a little self-depreciating to me, so I feel like he kind of sympathizes a bit as well, especially since he says this has been on his mind for a while. (Season 2 showed us that he isn’t sure what he wants to do with his life because he doesn’t really have much of a plan.) But when Atsushi says that there are people who actually like chikuwabu, En seems surprised and teasingly asks if Atsushi is one of those people. So, if Atsushi picked up on that, then his interjection seems like it was meant as a reassurance.

Then, at the end of the episode right after Ryuu says he likes chikuwabu (and looks around to see if anyone agrees), En tells the Chikuwabu Monster, "Yeah. Some people have strange tastes. Good things will come your way someday."

On the one hand, I’m looking at Wario (the Chopsticks Monster) befriending Chiku by the time the finale rolls around and giggling at that because Wario does arguably have strange tastes. But on the other hand, I think it’s endearing that En says this as though he’s realizing that, despite what a contented  lazy bum he is, Atsushi is still his best friend. (He even asks Atsushi why he hangs out with him in S1E9 like he still doesn’t quite get it.) The same could be said for Io and Ryuu being so opposite and yet coming together as best friends anyway.

[you can read my extended analysis of the chikuwabu here in part 2 of this oden metaphor]

But anyway, I digress. My point is that each of these foods represents one of the characters (with the exception of the chikuwabu, which represents everyone for those doubts and insecurities that every character arguably has… even though I didn’t explain more than En and Ryuu of the main eight in the context of this episode) and then Yumoto wraps it up by saying…

And this is exactly what happens throughout the course of the show. All eight of these boys have to come together by the end of the finale, Yumoto being the catalyst for the change that will unite them as the More Better Battle Lovers, in order to save the Earth. It may have happened over curry, but you have to admit they make a beautiful oden together. Straight out of the gate, this show foreshadowed the entire season’s plot right from episode 1 and it’s all here in these highlighted moments.

*collapses and gasps for air*

Of course, I’m sure if you looked more closely at food symbolism or something, someone could come up with different explanations for which character is represented by which food in that speech. But that’s less important to my point about the foreshadowing and I mostly wanted to go with the episode's context, so I just kind of gently scraped the surface just to see if I could challenge myself a little bit to piece it together. It’s a layered metaphor… or at least this is just what I walked away from the episode with. As always, like everything about this show, it’s open to interpretation and this one happens to be mine, so I hope anyone who read this far enjoyed it. ^^

And there it is. I am never doing this amount of research ever again. Who am I kidding? I’m always a slut for obscure research. Of course, I’m going to do it again. //deaded

.-.

Bonus reference in S2E9:

In case you thought I forgot about this, Boueibu...

*ignores the irony of the subtitle and squints at the magazine*

He's reading volume 2 of Oden because this is the second season.

[oxfordeliterp]

CONGRATULATIONS, YANI!

You have been accepted to play the role of AIDEN STAFFORD with the faceclaim of ALFRED ENOCH. Please create your account and send it to the main in the next 24 hours. We have nothing but words of praise about everything you’ve managed to do with this application. Not only is your writing a beauty, but you understand the complexity of Aiden just the way we hoped an applicant would one day get his character. Everything, from the family dynamic to every inch of personality you’ve drawn with your words, makes it clear that you took him and made him yours being howsoever faithful to every detail of the biography. We are counting the seconds until we can read more and see your boy on the dashboard, for you won us both over, not only with good character portrayal and writing talent, but also a great taste in music.

OUT OF CHARACTER INFORMATION

Name and pronouns: Yani

Age: 25

Time-zone: CST

Activity level: 7/10 I currently work in retail and I just completed my finals for the semester so I have some free time and should through out the summer. Whoop whoop

Triggers: None

IN CHARACTER INFORMATION

Desired character: Aiden Stafford, I chose to audition for him because he was honestly a character that made me excited to get into character building again. I’ve been out of the rpc for a while and nothing held my interest as his biography did. I love his passion for his craft, how effortless it is for him to bring words together. How he beats to his own drum and yet how he is so aware and attentive to the world and people around him. But there was the twist that stayed with me and now I can’t not want to know how this tragedy is affecting him day to day. Thinking of how his mind works is just exciting to me.

Gender and pronouns of the character: Male, he/him

Changes: Not a thing.

Traits:

OCDish - For his writing purpose, he has rituals he abides too. Not that he heavily relies on them to get the creative juices flowing but he finds it eases his anxieties. When life becomes a bit more frustrating, or his inner voices start to become overwhelming, the rituals make their grand appearance to steady him and make him feel in control again.

Uninhibited - Perhaps his craft has made him this ways. He’s a rambler if you allow him. Speaking his thoughts and desires freely, you can definitely say he’s an open book or just passionate about life.

Observant - With people in general. Most people can walk into a room full of strangers and not notice the smallest things, the mannerisms. He can and will remember them. It amuses him and he even takes it as a game just for himself. So it may make him appear a bit weird when he attempts to explain it to others, but nevertheless he doesn’t care.

Careless - In the start he found this to be a good trait to have. In some degree you had to be careless to enjoy life and not spend so much time worrying about another’s opinion, until that night that changed him forever. Being too careless has devastating effects, so now he struggles with this.

Gentle - No matter where the digs or insults are coming from. From the members of the Riot Club or the other, he will remain gentle and kind as he sees no point changing himself to fit in. He believes,“Always be kinder than necessary. What goes around comes around. No one has ever made themselves strong by showing how small someone else is.”

Extras: It is advised that you mention here what major you believe your character would have chosen. Other than that, feel free to include here anything you think is relevant when it comes to how you see the character you are applying for. Headcanons, playlists, inspirational quotes, anything at all.

Major: Creative Writing with a minor in Linguistics

Headcanons (1) Aiden keeps a journal. It could be seen as his lifeline, or a sure way to keep his sanity intact. He uses it daily and hides it away so others can not spy on his deepest inner thoughts. While if anyone did find it, they probably would not understand a single word inside, because of it’s illegible writing. There are no complete thoughts, just outburst of his thoughts about life, his classmates, and his fears. Only a true dedicated person would be able to piece together that puzzle of his journal. Inside are so many of his unfinished short stories, those few failed poems he knows he will complete one day, he’s just missing something to complete it. (2) He’s quite inexperienced with love and intimacy. Aiden is not a stranger to the art of attraction. He just hasn’t found anyone that makes his heart skip a beat, that makes the words in head settle, and that is what he searches for. Well - not really searching but waits until he comes across it. Their gender is also something he’s not too worried of either. (3) Fluent in Italian and French. As he writes, of course he had to be a great reader of literature, it fuels his writings at times. And what excites him even more is reading tales from other places in other languages. Words really do evoke emotions, he believes. Those sad, tragedies also inspire him and there is something about the change in tongue that makes it all more precious, like a secret that is now revealed to him. (4) Plays the piano and cello. Lover of the classical music. As pen and paper is effortless to him so is his love and play of the cello. Starting young he would isolate himself just to hear the sounds of the cello or piano. The classical music he plays has always inspired him and is so brilliant in telling a story. Sometimes to shut the world out, it can be his only friend.

Mini Playlist [x, x, x, x, x, x]

Quotes [x, x, x, x, x, x, x, x]

PARA SAMPLE

/Check and mate/

Out of the three hundred and sixty-five days, on the three hundred and fifty-ninth day the Stafford family would come together under one roof. It was not your typical celebration for the birth of Jesus. Or the coming of a new year, but it was a perfect time to come together and throw in each other’s faces their yearly accomplishments. All powerful in their own right, the doctors, lawyers, and judges all had to let their voice be known at the Stafford estate for their annual engagement. How dreadful Aiden found them. Another year, another dinner where he sat across from Gwendolyn. The two exchanged looks throughout. Her specialty, cold hard glares, and his was nothing more than a half smile that showcased the dimple in his right cheek. It was pleasant enough, pleasant as it could be for the two of them.

After his uncle Dwight, it would be his turn to speak and let everyone know what he was up to in the past year and what he would be doing well into the next. He could already hear the sighs of disbelief and even picture the looks of pity that would be cast his way. Another year and he still was not going to take the advice from his father and try for law school.

“Oh how lovely, it’s time for another drink. Someone wake me up when he is done..” Gwendolyn spoke, referring to Aiden as all eyes now fell upon him. The grand dinning room was quiet, and all Aiden could focus on was the devious smirk Gwendolyn wore. A few attempted to save face by pretending to shun her for her kind words to Aiden but it did not make her sorry in the least. “What am I suppose to do? He’s so boring and painfully so?” She did not hide her disdain for him. Giving a little bow to everyone at the table, including Gwendolyn, he began. “I know I could never outshine, —I mean how can I keep up with uncle Dwight and his political triumphs.” By triumphs he meant how much more corporate money could he put in his pocket. Another year another speech of how Dwight nailed it at the DNC and was well on his way to securing a seat on the senate if he just played his cards right. “And no I won’t be joining our cousin on her amazing mission trip to South America or be in attendance for her speeches on the importance of clean water.” Yet everyone knew she only did so for the optics. Her husband was under criminal investigation for insider trading at his firm.

They all knew the truth, and no one dared to speak it. Sharing the truth wasn’t the purpose for these gatherings. “I just started working with a juniors writing group that focuses on helping young writers work on their craft. What inspires them to write and we try to help them reach their full potential.” Aiden was actually passionate about this group and wanted to share his excitement. But he could see the look on his father’s face, the disappointment that no it was not an announcement of his change to law or even interest in medical school. “I mean just last week we did this great piece on Francesco Petrarca and what inspir–”

“Teaching our youth on how to be boring and weird like you Aiden, what a brilliant brilliant plan that is. Exactly what we need?” Gwendolyn cut him off, and made the slow gesture to clap aloud, and no one stopped her. Aiden politely acknowledged her enthusiasm and turned to her. “Oh you would have loved it Gwendolyn, the topics the younger kids were coming up with. It was empowering, talks of equality, and being heard by their peers.” He could see the wheels of annoyance turning in her head since he did not take the obvious bait, and he would not sink to her level. “I think you should come speak to the younger girls. I know you have much more insight on the topics that inspire them and you have a way with words that I can’t touch upon.” Awaiting her answer, as he heard someone utter the brilliance of such an idea. Taking his seat again, he watched as a server placed the final dish before him. As he thanked them, picking up his fork to start at the apple pie. He paid no mind to Gwendolyn as the next person beside him stood to speak on their accomplishments. These dinners were not all bad when he thought about it, apple pie was his favourite.

[movietvtechgeeks]

Latest story from https://movietvtechgeeks.com/supernatural-goes-box-stuck-middle-1212/

'Supernatural' goes out of the box with Stuck in the Middle With You 1212

Say what you will about Supernatural, the show is not afraid to mess with form. Last week’s episode, written by Davy Perez and beautifully directed by fan favorite #SPNFamily member Richard Speight, Jr., brought a Tarantino-inspired aesthetic to a very Supernatural story. Together with Serge Ladouceur’s gorgeous cinematography, some kickass VFX and some superbly choreographed fight scenes, these all combined to make for an outside the box episode that still felt like the Show I love. I’m often struck by Ladouceur’s work, and his and Speight’s direction together made for a visually striking episode. The Tarantino touches were spot on – a slow motion montage of Team Free Will Plus Two walking toward danger, with the added bonus of Ackles and Padalecki’s long long legs eating up the screen (and in perfect sync because of Sam and Dean). The mysterious box that glows when the lid is cracked. The violent but well-choreographed fight scenes ala Kill Bill. The amusing title cards announcing both a new scene and a time jump in one direction or another.  The temporal back and forth and multiple points of view didn’t work for everyone, but I tend to like some experimentation, so I enjoyed it. The episode opens with Team Free Will Plus Two (Mary and Wally, the hapless red shirt hunter who we pretty much know from moment one isn’t likely to survive) squabbling in a diner ala Reservoir Dogs. Dean even quotes a line from that film. Dean: All right, ramblers, let’s get ramblin’ That’s once they’ve finished ribbing Cas about being the object of the waitress’ attention and commenting that waitresses are awesome because they always smell like food. I’d love to turn my psychologist lens on that comment, either to analyze why Dean would say it or why Perez would write it, but I’ll constrain myself. The waitress herself is pretty awesome. Dean (attempting to set the mostly uninterested Cas up with her): When do you get off? Sassy waitress: Whenever I can. Ten points for the waitress. Astroglide on my twitter timeline: Yas, Queen! (Side note: Astroglide totally had the best comments of the night. How much do I love that they live tweet Supernatural?) Speight, Perez and many of the actors live tweeted the west coast airing, giving us a few little insights about filming that scene. Jared: Sam’s reaction to Mandy calling Misha handsome was more Jared than Sam. (I think you could characterize Sam’s reaction as incredulous…) Also, it was apparently not scripted when Misha leaned in to have Cas smell the waitress not so subtly. I always love the ad-libbed moments most! Even the music was inspired, some of it seeming right out of the stereotypical spaghetti western and some of it adding immeasurably to the ominous feeling of the scene. I watched this episode live with some fellow fangirls who are also fellow academics. We were all at the Southwest Popular Culture Association conference in Albuquerque, gathered around the television in one of our hotel rooms. Earlier that day, two of those acafans did a roundtable presentation on the music of Supernatural, so watching this episode with them was a treat!  Apparently, that’s ‘La Donna e Mobile’ from Rigoletto that Ramiel whistles as he slowly makes his way back to the cabin, where our heroes are waiting for him (reminiscent of Kill Bill again). Astroglide: Whistling in real life: basically never ominous. Whistling on TV: Basically always ominous So true. The episode was not only beautifully directed and filmed; it was tightly written so that in 42 minutes we got the amount of reveals that we usually get in five episodes. That was head-spinning, but not in a bad way. I felt knocked off balance the entire time, something Speight played up with the way the episode was filmed and Perez set up with his constant dizzying time jumps back and forth.   The first big reveal was the return of a demon the likes of which we haven’t seen in a long long time – the yellow-eyed variety. In the first few seasons of the Show, the Yellow-Eyed Demon was the Big Bad who we were all terrified of and rooting for the Winchesters to kill. Fred Lehne invested the original YED with a sinister but snarky personality that made the character memorable; unlike Crowley and Rowena, he never switched sides or showed any ambivalence, and he died with us cheering, taken out by the Colt. (And speaking of the Colt…but that’s getting ahead of myself). At any rate, I was left with a sort of nostalgic dread for the YED, so when the demon they’re hunting is revealed to have yellow eyes as well, I gasped out loud. He’s also apparently just as difficult to kill, as Team Free Will is woefully outmaneuvered by both Ramiel and the other two demons who show up out of nowhere. Poor Wally, as most of us predicted, was indeed a casualty of that epic fight. Jerry Trimble did a great job as Ramiel, creating a memorable character in just one episode. He also apparently did his own stunts! This episode wasn’t focused as much on Sam and Dean as some – and I admit I will always want more – but Perez did give us a few Winchester moments. I loved that Dean, who was supposed to be going after Cas and Mary, instead stays behind to save his brother from one of the demons. Demon: I’m going to be the demon that killed Sam Winchester.  They’re gonna tell stories about me. Dean: (stabbing her from behind)  Oh no they won’t. Me: Not as long as his big brother is around! We also get a small but important moment between Sam and Mary. Sam, empathic soul that he is, can sense that something is going on with his mom. Sam: Mom, are you okay? I know you never wanted this. Mary doesn’t really answer him; she’s focused on getting what she came for. Just as it hurt to see her walk away from her sons when she needed independence and time to herself, that reaction hurt to see. I admit I don’t entirely get where Mary is coming from, but I already know she’s capable of being hurtful. And hey, she’s human, and we’re all capable of being hurtful, but I get protective of my boys. Jared does a good job of showing us Sam’s feelings in that small scene – his love for his mother, his confusion about how she’s doing. (We’re with you, Sam!) Mary: Since when is life about getting what you want? Harsh, Mary. I get the feeling Sam was asking because HE needed to talk, and you just walked away. By the way, Sam’s “Mom, what did you get us into”? could be the tag line for so much of the Show! Mary is so shocked about the demon’s yellow eyes that she tells Sam about it (in contrast to her very Winchesterian propensity for not sharing information with her sons or anyone else). That was a wonderful bit of acting for both Sam Smith and Jared; they are the two who have interacted with the YED most horrifically in the past, and true horror shows on both of their faces at the reveal. I’ll get back to the reveals about Mary in a minute because those turn out to be the most controversial parts of the episode. The next big reveal belongs to Crowley, and Mark Sheppard positively shines in this episode. Speight pulled an amazing performance from the always-excellent Sheppard, from his initial welcoming of Mary (who responds with ‘touch me and I’ll end you’ in true hunter fashion) to Crowley’s emotionally layered conversations with Ramiel about the Winchesters. In a flashback to six years ago, we find out something I never thought to question all that much – how Crowley became King of Hell. We’ve known he’s a crossroads demon, and I think I just assumed that he came to power by means of the manipulation and scheming he’s so good at. I love when Show throws me a curve (as long as it doesn’t turn canon on its head and then piss me off instead) – apparently, Crowley was surprised when Ramiel turned down the throne and instead offered it to Crowley! (Kudos to makeup and to Sheppard for making Crowley actually appear younger and less cynical in the flashback scenes). Ramiel, prince of hell. Oldest generation of demons that Lucifer made himself. Azazel, the YED, was one too. Ramiel, in a speech that reminded all of us watching a bit of Cain, just wants to be left alone. Crowley, who had come to bring the coronation gifts of Michael’s lance and that mysterious glowing box, is suddenly in power. Which explains some of Crowley’s ineptness at being the actual King of Hell. Perhaps he was really angling for second in command, or for being the power behind the throne, and is still not entirely certain of how to wield what he ended up with. Sheppard also shows us Crowley’s conflicting feelings about the Winchesters as he tries to bargain for their lives even after Dean dismisses him as unwilling to help. You get the distinct feeling that his contention that it’s just prudent to keep the guys who stopped the Apocalypse on your side isn’t the whole story, hearkening back to Crowley’s demon blood addiction and his fall into humanity, albeit temporarily.  We get another glimpse of Crowley’s softer side, and of what seems to be an actual fondness for Team Free Will, when Castiel is dying. Misha Collins deserves kudos for this episode, and again Speight was able to bring out a performance that struck all the right notes without going over the top – which it very easily could have.  Ramiel produces the lance of Michael (which appears from its invisible place on his back, an awesome VFX moment) and spears Cas as he lies helpless and unable to get away. It’s a brutal, violent scene, filmed in nearly black and white with the actors silhouetted in the moonlight. It’s beautiful and horrible, invoking the painting, like a powerful work of art itself. It’s also very real in its depiction of the savage wound, graphically bloody in a way that made me wince. We realize that Cas may actually die (though I doubt anyone thought he wouldn’t somehow come back), but even a temporary death of a beloved character carries weight if it’s done well. The lance kills angels slowly because Michael wanted Lucifer to suffer when he stabbed him with it, which gives Collins ample opportunity to make us run for the tissues. I commented on Castiel’s evolution in an earlier review, and that continues here. Cas, knowing he’s dying, is once again heroic in his willingness to sacrifice himself. Collins makes us feel his pain, but also his determination, and the fierce love he has come to feel for the Winchesters. Cas tries to get them to leave, saying he doesn’t want the last thing he sees before he dies to be them dying too. He says that the things they’ve shared have changed him, and that his time spent with them has been his best time. Cas: You’re my family. I love you, I love all of you.  Just please, please don’t make my last moments be spent watching you die. Just run, save yourselves…You have to keep fighting. Sam: We are fighting. We’re fighting for you, Cas. Dean: And like you said, you’re family. And we don’t leave family behind. I might have teared up during that scene, which means Speight and Collins did their job. They’ve been hitting the ‘Cas is family’ theme hard this season, which makes sense in the scheme of the show, but while this scene worked, I don’t think they can hit it this hard repeatedly without everyone going okay okay, we get it! The Winchesters get back to fighting Ramiel, attempting to hold him in a ring of fire. Ramiel demands they give back what was stolen from him, which only confuses Sam and Dean. Mary, on the other hand….let’s just say I was screaming out loud, “Mary! What the hell, turn it over!” She doesn’t, and we find out what we suspected. Ramiel can’t be held by the ring of fire, and a truly epic fight scene ensues. Sam, in a magnificent moment of bravery and badassery, slays Ramiel with the lance just as he’s about to kill Dean. Me: (possibly screaming) That’s right, damn it! Sam Effing Winchester! What can I say, I love it when the Winchesters save each other. But Cas is still dying. And then we get another reveal about Crowley, and a surprise. Crowley looks genuinely sorry that Cas is dying. That emotion prompts him to remember what Ramiel had said about the lance. The runes give it power. On a hunch, Crowley snaps the lance, breaking the runes and reversing the poisoning that has Cas gasping his last breaths through some truly disgusting black goo clogging his throat and oozing out his mouth. Ewww. Crowley, before he snaps out: You’re welcome. Cas slowly realizes he’s okay, the shock of both that and Crowley being the source of it clear on his face. Director Speight gave us a shot that’s going to star in so many gifs it will be mind blowing, with first Dean and then Sam offering a hand up to Castiel and pulling him to his feet. The camera stays tight on their hands throughout, making the scene a powerful one. Similarly, earlier in the episode Speight uses a close-up shot of Dean’s hands as he loads his gun – visually stunning and powerful in its familiarity, to Winchesters and to anyone who’s been watching the show. The episode ends with yet another gigantic reveal. We knew that Mary had been lying to Sam and Dean by omission, bringing in Wally so they’ll come help without asking questions.  We knew she had BMoL weapons and tools to help her prevail, and that she lied to Cas when she came up from the basement (brilliant idea using the old gotta-pee-when-I’m-nervous excuse, Mary). We knew she had stolen something and hidden it from all of them, refusing to turn it over even when Ramiel demands it, and ALL their lives are on the line! But we didn’t’ know what it was she found in the basement – or that finding it had apparently been her mission all along. OMG moment number four: it’s the Colt. IT’S THE COLT. Everyone in the hotel room watching: OMG. Mr. Ketch apologizes for nearly getting them all killed and for some reason I can’t fathom, Mary lets him off the hook. And GIVES HIM THE COLT. What??? I have no clue what’s wrong with Mary, but that was all kinds of not okay.  I guess we don’t know how much she even knows about the Colt, but I wish her instincts were firing about Mr. Ketch in a way that would tell her what a mistake she’s making. Show has one more giant reveal too. We end with Crowley’s prisoner taunting him, saying that the Winchesters will turn on him eventually. I was unfortunately spoiled for this last reveal, but let’s just say that having Mark Pellegrino back as Lucifer would have been mind blowing if I hadn’t been. That’s like five big reveals in one episode, in case you’re not counting. What the hell, Show? To sum up, there are more YEDS out there, including Ramiel’s sister Dagon who has taken an interest in Kelly and her Nephilim baby. Crowley ended up King of Hell by default not scheming, and has more of a soft spot than we suspected for the Winchesters and for Cas. The BMoL have the friggen’ Colt. And Crowley has Lucifer – in his very awesome Pellegrino meat suit – caged up, tables turned.  All of that was executed brilliantly by Speight and company. What fans were left to ponder and gnash our teeth about is the mystery of Mary Winchester. She should know better than to withhold information from her sons – withholding information gets people killed. Like poor Redshirt Wally. (And almost her sons too). She seems to be going down that road that Sam was on when he was addicted to demon blood, convincing herself that she’s working with the BMoL for the greater good, but we all know where that road ends up. I was dumbfounded when Ramiel seemed to be offering to spare them if the person who stole from him would just return what was stolen (Sam and Dean genuinely confused because they had no clue what Mary did) – and Mary didn’t say a word! Was she really willing to risk her sons’ lives in order to give Mr. Ketch the Colt???  And even after the BMoL clearly led her into a lethal situation and didn’t care, she still doesn’t give up on them. She still gives them the most powerful weapon out there. Yes, she threatens and she seems very angry that ‘her boys’ were put in danger. But she still lets him off the hook with an apology that didn’t even try to sound genuine. I’m still having trouble getting my head around the fact that Mary would work with a group of people who tortured and almost killed her son. She SAW what they did to Sam, and while I realize that was one BMoL member who perhaps is painted as an outlier, but still. If someone took a blowtorch to my son’s foot, there would be no forgiveness. Not ever.  Dean is espousing that conviction, which makes me happy because there’s NO WAY Dean would forgive someone who tortured his little brother. But why not Mary? There are lots of disagreements going on in Supernatural fandom right now about how to read the character. She’s complex, that’s for sure, and most people are glad to have a female character who’s not a cardboard cutout or a stereotype. And I have no doubt that we – like Dean and Sam – had expectations for her that come out of our own stereotypes of what a mother should be. I think it’s more than that, though. Since the beginning of the series, we have only seen Mary through Dean’s eyes. The eyes of a four-year-old, who idealized the mother he could barely remember. Dean remembered her singing lullabies and making him pie, but we now know that Mary’s cooking skills were more about getting take out. Dean remembered her idealistically, and thus we, as viewers, developed that concept of the character too. Now we – and Sam and Dean – are confronted with a woman who is far from the stereotypical mother. She’s flawed, she’s not particularly maternal – especially with these two grown men for whom being her sons would be a biological impossibility – and she’s quite capable of hurting them. Perhaps we, as fans, are experiencing the disillusion that comes from having someone we’ve put on a pedestal fall off. It’s interesting to watch the evolution of the character of Mary contrasted with the evolution of another maternal character, Rowena. While Mary seems to be on a slow fall from idealization, Rowena is on a bit of a redemption arc. (It might have been hard for her to go the other way since she was introduced to viewers with people bleeding to death on the ceiling…)  I confess I don’t know where they’re going with Mary, or how we’re supposed to feel about her. That in itself is unsettling, and part of me wants to grasp at straws for explanations. I’ve seen my various timelines suggest that Mary’s possessed, or that she was raised by Samuel and thus is comfortable with having someone give her orders and she follows them – much like Dean used to be with John. I’d almost like to read that interpretation into the scene of Mary and Mr. Ketch, shot through the window blinds so that they almost look like bars. Hmmm. I just hope that we get SOME explanation, sooner or later.  I like a redemption arc as much as the next fangirl, but it has to make sense. So far, I haven’t been able to make sense of Mary’s journey. Then again, I went to a ‘Once More With Feeling’ Buffy singalong at the conference I was at and remembered all over again how much it messed up Buffy to be yanked out of Heaven. Maybe that’s an explanation in itself. Here's the trailer for Supernatural 1213 Family Feud.

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