#and i don't like tristan i wish i could stop thinking about it

[inkstardustly]

It's almost 4 am and this might easily be the novacaine agenda in my brain but something about Tristan desperately searching for goodness in those he loves while Libby is in the middle of a corruption arc and Callum is heading towards a redemption arc...

[y-rhywbeth2]

On the topic of “what deity could Durge convert to who would both protect them and also really piss of Bhaal?” And the fact that I’m on the final book of the Moonshaes, I think Chauntea would probably be one of the most HILARIOUS, absolute slap in the face options for Durge to convert to.

I think I only have maybe 5 or so chapters left of Darkwell (Bhaal’s only just had the idea of making the ravager) so i don’t think he’s aware of Chauntea turning her gaze upon the isles yet (since she hasn’t really done much herself and it’s just been Robyn using her scrolls), but considering how pissed he was at the Earthmother over Kazzy’s, thorax’s, and most of his perytons dying, I can only imagine how mad he’s gonna be when he gets personally defeated by He Who Should Really Keep It In His FUCKING PANTS.

I honestly can’t decide which would piss Bhaal off more. Durge converting to Chauntea or Cyric, although I’m kinda leaning towards Chauntea a bit since she’s Bhaal’s antithesis. I mean at least Cyric is evil.

(The Earthmother is actually part of Chauntea (an aspect, part of her primordial facet as the earth itself from before she was an agricultural goddess), although Bhaal seems unaware of this)

Chauntea is a brilliant choice for Durge. Not only is she Bhaal's antithesis, but she's humble and expects it from her followers. The antichrist, with all that raging ego Bhaal expects from his avatar/child... gives it all up to move to the countryside and go be a humble crop farmer and midwife. If gods could have aneurysms from rage, Bhaal would be having one.

Cyric is a personal insult, and I still wish he'd been a cleric option just because it would piss literally everyone in the game off. Cyricist Durge romancing Gale is probably the funniest way to go if you're trying to upset the gods. Including potentially your own.

I stand behind Bane as a great option, because Bane backstabbing the other two and pissing Bhaal, specifically, off is my hobby (also Bane/Durge is my crackship and I get to make tasteless jokes about it). He does offer to make you Chosen and apparently canonically likes Durge, if we trust Gortash...

Jergal's a fairly basic choice in the form of giving absentee grandad custody rights over his much worse adopted son who is an actively shitty father.

And I'm on my strange Mililan Durge kick from now on. (Milil is fun to me, because of Alfira, and because his whole dogma is about embracing life and making it beautiful and creativity and change and etc. Very antithetical to Bhaal's doctrine of death and destruction. You quit being the antichrist to go to music therapy, join the local choir and run a music shop. This is only marginally better than being a farmer! (Plus Milil is in a situation where he needs to rebuild his faded presence as a god, so he's going to be on the lookout for strong followers to sway to his worship. Durge is potentially at a crossroads of healing from 'the world is vile, everything must die' indoctrination while looking for something to fill the void that faith often leaves, it could be a fateful meeting type of thing.))

There are other good options, though I don't remember them at the moment.

And yes. Somebody whack Tristan over the head and tell him to stop sneaking around with old ladies' corpses who are actually dinosaurs who are actually Malar in service to Bhaal (Or actually Bhaal. He may in fact have fucked Bhaal. Sources vary).

[7-ratsinatrenchcoat]

Two things I wanna know! (feel free to ignore obviously ^^ )

What are your top 5 favorite characters and why are they your favorite? Could be current favorites, favorites over the years that you still like, favorites in general, etc. Also any media

And/or gimme 1-5 of your ocs - whether they're your favorite, most recent, the one you've been having fun with recently, etc. Tell me some fun facts about them, and why you picked them!

Hope you're having a great day/night - and remember to stay hydrated!

TOP 5 CHARACTERS (AT THE MOMENT, IN NO PARTICULAR ORDER)

Elizabeth

My pookie! She got done so dirty by Nakaba, I could write a dissertation about how she deserves a better character arc than she was given and exactly how to do it. My version of her is so OOC that when I watch the series, it feels weird for her to be so different from how I think of her.

Nezuko

Okay, maybe I'm a sucker for poorly written female characters that deserve a better story. I wrote a fic where she learns sign and actually has complicated feelings about her brother, the Hashira and Urokodaki, which I wish the series would have explored more outside of 'oh it's fine/I forgot'.

Sukuna

I AM NOT HORNY ABOUT HIM. I AM A BIG FAT DYKE. I do think he's a well written villain in the sense that he's likeable enough not to be annoying, but not so likeable that he stops being an antagonist. It's hard to put your main villain and hero in the same body, but I think Gege does it wonderfully.

Meliodas

This list would be incomplete without him. Like Elizabeth, I have such a different conception of him in my brain than exists in canon, when I watch the series it feels like a different character completely. His concept is so good and juicy, he just happened to be written by a man.

Cast of Neon Genesis Evangelion

They gave us so much. My first mecha anime and my first psychological/existential/philosophical anime all in one! I can't think of a badly written character in this entire show, but it definitely exists on a different scope to me. It's just so far beyond what a lot of other shows want to say/have the writing to say. That said I do think Cyberpunk Edgerunner was a great show to follow it with, matched the futuristic vibes, complex characters and philosophical message well.

TOP 5 OCs (IN NO PARTICULAR ORDER)

Hikari (NNT)

I think she is my oldest OC out of this entire list at 5 years old this spring. I've seriously put her through so much for the plot, and at this point I think she and her entire universe have safely exited hyperfixation and entered special interest territory. Her ass is going nowhere soon, and even if I spend time with other OCs, it always comes back to her. I have her entire life developed from birth to at least ~50, and trust me, it's not all pretty. Some of it is! But not all of it.

Tristan (NNT)

He's only younger than Hikari by about two weeks, so almost 5 years for him. Not the same as 4KOTA Tristan, I heard that the canon melizabeth kid was named Tristan and went 'oh, sounds good I'll take it' before 4KOTA even came out. The two could not be more different. I almost put him and Hikari in the same entry, they come as a unit like that, but he deserves his own paragraph. He has also gone through more than any normal person would have put him through, but I am no normal bitch. I need a shirt that says 'I put blond men in situations'.

Natsuri Fujikawa (Demon Slayer)

She's much younger than the twins at about 1.5, but I'm still loving her storyline and plot development. She's in the Demon Slayer universe, and is only 10 when she goes through the Horrors, which might be a mary-sue type deal but I really don't care. It brings me joy. Does it say something about me that forced cannibalism, kidnapping and psychological torture sparks joy? Maybe. I haven't written any of her stuff down yet, I should probably do that.

Misoka (HXH)

Older than Natsuri but younger than the twins, let's call it about two years. Her story is a little looser, but goes through more ups and downs than straight misery punctuated by moments of brightness. She's fun for when I need a little more variety in the delusions, but is still versatile enough for me to put her in Situations and have it feel normal. I probably owe her an apology for making her try to kill her adoptive family.

Claudia and One (OG)

The original strangers -> friends -> lovers. I wrote a hundred pages of angst and whump about you before it was flagged by my middle school and I got called into the counselor's office because of it. Shoutout to the social worker who told me it was good writing and that I should keep working on it, I just had to move it off of my school account. You were a real one.

[pendragon-of-chaos]

Ambivalence

King of Chaos Arthur x Male!Reader

Warnings: Reader is the son of Zeldris and Gelda, Spoilers from manga chapters 104 - 108 aprox. (nothing really big, just storywise)

Word count: 1342

Thank the anon who requested it for his OC! I tried contacting him days ago because I'm not used to doing requests specifically for OCs (I prefer that my works are more "general" so the most people are able to insert themselves or their OCs in the stories) but since this was requested some time ago I couldn't receive an answer. In the end I decided to publish it writing (Y/N) instead of the OC's name, but keeping his main characteristics. That way if the OP who requested it comes through this he can just insert their name and know it was written specially for him, and at the same time other people can enjoy easily the oneshot too! Hope you like it!

Generally speaking, Arthur's knights don't usually comprehend some of his majesty behaviours. His mood changes whenever you least expect it. Just when you think you know his strategy, he says something you would never have thought about. Was he having a good or a bad day behind that smile? Who knows. But what they do know is his hatred for other races except humans.

Except that maybe that isn't really true, since their king has been visited by a certain someone from time to time, who was not only a demon, but half demon and half vampire.

Today was one of those days. The secret entrance that connected Camelot with the demon realm (and that was made specially for him) activated, and a familiar face passed through. Arthur didn't waste no time, and upon noticing his entrance he went to welcome him back

"A surprise visit today (Y/N)? You always like to impress me, don't you?" - The King approached him laughing - "Although I would prefer if you told me beforehand, that way I can at least prepare something and make sure I have no appointments"

(Y/N) didn't change his serious expression, arms crossed and looking directly to Arthur while the entrance behind him closed.

"I wish I was here just to kill some time, but this time was urgent. I couldn't stay anymore there"

Arthur stopped laughing and tilted his head, now curious of what had happened for him to be talking like that.

"That really isn't new with you, but what happened this time?"

"The four knights have entered the demon realm" - Arthur smirked at the information, seeing that Guinevere's words weren't a lie.

"Oh, I know, some of my knights are already following them, anything else I should know?"

"Well, I know my parents have already talked to the green haired one, Percival I think it was... and he was accompanied by a few more people..." - (Y/N) looked away while thinking for a few seconds, with a subtly sorrowful expression on his face that only could be noticed while paying extreme attention to him - "Mmh... I also saw my cousin there, Tristan... don't tell me he is what I think he is" He looked back at Arthur, who was smiling once again, trying to control his laugh

"So you didn't know it? I thought your parents maybe had told you... ~ But yes, he is one of the prophecy knights"

(Y/N) frowned, not wanting to believe a close member of his family had just become one of his biggest enemies

"By my father's look, it seems that he didn't know about it"

"So Meliodas didn't want to risk his son's life by spreading information, typical of him" - Arthur shrugged and started walking, inviting (Y/N) to follow him - "It must have been a big surprise for all of you"

"Everything has been a surprise since they entered the realm if I'm being honest. I've heard my father talk wonders about Percival, it looks like the whole clan adores him since years ago, and I didn't know anything about what had happened until now. It feels like my parents decided to drop every ounce of unknown information today, and the worst part is that it affects us" - (Y/N) clicked his tongue thinking about it - "I hate it"

"Can't blame you. I don't like them either ~" - Arthur responded with a bratty laugh, followed by a deep sigh from his companion, which made him stop his laughing once again, looking at him out of the corner of his eye - "Sorry, but you already know the story behind it, I can't bring myself to tolerate them just one bit"

"Yeah, I know, I can't defend them I guess. Anyways, I do need to tell you something else"

Arthur turned his head to face him again

"Wait, there's even more?" - (Y/N) nodded, looking at his surprised violet eyes

"Did you know that another portal to Camelot has appeared in the demon realm?"

Arthur's eyes opened with surprise, being this information the only thing he really didn't know about

"I didn't have any idea. I've never done any other connection with the demon realm besides your entrance. And I also didn't sense anyone entering from there"

"No wonder, since that opening is inaccessible for now. It's on the Behemoth's back, a giant monster which was put to sleep almost 15 years ago. I heard my father say that it recently woke up and now can be a big problem for us living in the realm, since when it's active it swallows up all life, including us demons or vampires... If that isn't your doing or your knights then I don't know what's happening"

"I see, well I don't think I have to worry that much then; although it might be because of those knights of the apocalypse, everyday giving me headaches... And besides, that would gather the attention to that one entrance, and not the one I made exclusively for you, which benefits us both, don't you think so? - Arthur smiled happily, closing his eyes - "If it ever becomes a problem you can come here! That's all I care about that matter"

"Thinking about it that way, I guess you are right" - (Y/N) lowered his head, thinking about his words and all the information he had to understand in just a few hours. Arthur opened his eyes, looking at him, noticing how lost in his thoughts (Y/N) was.

"Too much information huh? Understandable... but I'm glad you didn't waste time and came as fast as possible to explain it to me" - Arthur patted his head softly - "I knew making an exception for you was the right decision. But I also feared this moment, the moment when you would doubt yourself and how to proceed. Now that your parents are also involved, along with your clans, and helping my enemies; you want to help me, but at the same time it becomes more difficult, am I right? Can I also say that you might be a little scared? Scared of making the wrong decision, scared of losing what you love here in Camelot if you fail, and being considered a traitor at the same time. Nowhere to go in the end"

(Y/N) looked back at him, alarmed, trying to answer him fast, but the only words that initially left his lips were gibberish

"Arthur I-! I swore to help you and I'll keep doing it, it's just... too much information for the day as you said... I'll need to prepare myself for everything" - He took a deep breath - "But I know I'm in the right place, and I won't look back now... Because, I can also count with your protection, right?"

Arthur took back his hand from his head, smiling softly

"(Y/N), I'll be clear: Your safety is my priority, don't ever think the contrary" - A tint of blush appeared on both of them - "I'm just advising you to be careful so we don't need to take greater measures. Nothing would make happier than if you could live a "normal" life seeing the circumnstances. And think about having one of my marks, it would be safer"

(Y/N) turned his eyes away from Arthur's intense glare, breathing deeply

"Hmm... I'll think about it. The problem is if they ever see it, I won't be able to cover that up as easily as the entrance"

"Fair enough. We can discuss it again when I have the coffin of eternal darkness with me, that way you'll be free from its effect" - Arthur took (Y/N)'s hand, leaning to kiss its back - "Now... if you have told me everything you wanted, what about we spend the rest of the evening here?" - Arthur separated his face from (Y/N)'s hand, and continued walking holding his hand - "I could use some company while I wait for the results of this mission"

[saltygilmores]

Thoughts While Watching Gilmore Girls-Season 2, Epsiode 13 ("A Tisket A Tasket") Part 1 of ???

So this is like, the first heavily Jess-centered episode after his debut back in 2/5. He's kind of been chilling behind the counter at Luke's for 8 episodes. He's been seen, he's been mentioned since he lives rent free in the head of every citizen of Stars Hollow. But here, he has truly arrived, making his debut in one of these shitshow eps that combine Dean, Jess, the DALA (Dean and Lorelai Affair), etc etc. A real fucking doozy. PS: All previous commetary is now linked in my pinned post.

What have we here? Oh, look everyone, it's yet ANOTHER fundraiser/excuse for Taylor Doose to embezzle money from the citizens. All proceeds to go to the retirement home, right. Sure. Where is this mythical retirement home that no one has ever mentioned and has never been seen before? I think he mis spelled "All proceeds line Taylor Doose's pockets."

Pictured below: A senior citizen of Stars Hollow after receiving money raised for the retirement home.

Oh, Lorelai is just STARVING for some Dean Forrester today. She’s foaming at the mouth. Patty: Do you have any change? I don't know where all my quarters go. Lorelai: Down some guy's g-string? Patty: Oh no. A quarter would be insulting. Miss Patty for Prez. On my gritty adult Gilmore Girls Reboot titled The Hollow I would make sure we'd see a scene of Miss Patty at the male strip revue, it would be hilarious.

I've never seen "You". Is this "You"? Is Dean Forrester the guy from "You"?

I've warned you two to stop doing this. Time to resort to drastic measures.

Go and get him Lorelai. This fine specimen is right there waiting for you in the Cheese Ball aisle.

The way Jess Mariano's name rolls off of Dean's tongue with such vitriol, such disgust, the way Jess Mariano clearly lives rent free in Dean Forrester's otherwise empty little head 24/7, it gives me tremendous joy. Jess' jacket may as well be the equivalent of a cold blast from a garden hose. It's so ugly that it will put a damper on even the most passionate makeouts (of which Rory and Dean's was not) because you must stop whatever you’re doing and gaze upon it, to wonder what rock-bottom of a church donation bin his mother scraped that thing from, or maybe he took it from one of Liz's lousy husbands who left it behind. I'm telling you, that in my opinion, this is the ugliest man's coat to ever exist, and the other thing that makes it so ugly is that it's way too big on Milo's tiny frame. He's drowning in it. Where was I? *ugly coat ugly coat ugly coat* Uhh, let's get back to it...

Does anyone else think about the fact that Gilmore Girls (2000) was the last time anyone would see Milo with even a single curl in his hair? He had jumped to Peter Petrelli hair by S6 and never looked back.

RENT-FREE. Someone: Can you sum up the relationship between Jess & Dean in 15 words or less? Me: I Gotchu fam.

Rory Giving Dean Completely Sensible Advice: I wish you two could get along. He lives here. You run into him. He goes to school with you. It's a waste of energy to fight with him. Dean:

Alexis Bledel's acting can be pretty wooden, but her "Rory is fucking sick of Dean or Tristan's shit" facial reactions are priceless.

I wrote a Haiku: His ugly brown coat Ugly coat you are so brown Vomit colored brown.

For anyone keeping score, Rory has been snuck up on from behind and frightened by two different people in the span of only a few minutes. Give my girl a break.

Rory: "Dis guy.... sigh." And now for some other Goings On in this episode: Lane has yet another insane and convoluted plan to meet with Henry behind her mother's back, involving her male cousin and using the Line Taylor Doose's Pockets Auction as a cover. If she has to go through all of this to hide a nice Korean boy like Henry (and later, Dave Rygalski, the Best Boyfriend On Tv) from her mother, it once again makes me yearn to see Lane and Jess date openly if for nothing else but to give Mrs. Kim chest pains. This will happen on my adult Gilmore Girls reboot titled The Hollow. Lane: Mom, I had sex with Jess Mariano. Oh and I might be pregnant. Mrs Kim: Evaporates into the ether, ascending to the heavens to meet Jesus. Jackson wants Sookie to move in with him, but she's not getting the hint. Miss Patty thinks Lorelai needs to get laid and has taken it up on herself to try to remedy that, much to Lorelai's annoyance, but Patty is obviously blind to the fact that Lorelai Gilmore waits for only one man.

For anyone keeping score, Rory has been snuck up on from behind and frightened by two three different people in the span of only a few minutes.

Stars Hollow video can be seen in the background in this scene, so I withdraw my take that it was never seen again after the previous episode.

Perhaps there was some deeper meaning, a metaphor of some kind, something AmyShermanPalladino was trying to say, with these repeated references to people being shoved into closets against their will. The bidding wars have begun.

I had to listen to Milo Ventimiglia talk about being Team Dean again this week (we all know he's really just Team Jared) and he said Dean was "A sweet hometown boy" and obviously he doesn't remember this show at all if he thinks that, and he would probably be pretty upset with me if I said I wanted to smack that stupid smug grin off of Jared Padalecki's face right now. Jess, I will give you $1,000 if you burn this coat and I'm allowed to watch it go up in flames. Glorious, glorious flames.

Are we talking about Dean Forrester's weiner here?

Does anyone else wonder where Jess gets $90 of easily disposable income from? Not like he can make that in the short time he's been working at Luke's since his uncle is probably paying him sub minimum wage and no one in Stars Hollow pays for their food or tips their servers.

Just a baby! Just a little guy, in an ugly brown coat!

When his lips get real thin you know he's mad. Guy behind him in the black coat is like ha, you putz, you almost spent $80 on a basket for a girl who won't even put out until you're already married to someone else.

Kiss my ass, Doose.

Okay, that was just the first TEN minutes of the 42 minute episode. We may have a 4-parter on our hands, people. Be patient for the next chapter.

[twisted-art-wounders]

YGO AU: Breaking the Seal 04

Chapter 4 Spreading Yugi and gang discover new truths,Yugi speaks with Dartz again who helps him uncover some painful memories he'd once hopped where buried.

The Professor had said before he studied ancient Egyptian tablets that were the source of Duel Monsters; In the past the rulers would use magic to seal evil inside of tablets and would release them from the tablets to govern the people. But some who used these tablets would become possessed by the evil and gain it's power, enough power to destroy the world. But the Nameless Pharaoh had fought against this power and sealed it away.

Professor Hawkins had gone on to explain about his discovery; While doing underwater research in the Atlantic ocean he'd discovered ancient murals that date back over 10,000 years. There we're monsters on them similar to ones that are seen on the ancient Egyptian tablet back at the Domino Museum. He showed Yugi the photos he'd taken and Yugi noticed one of them had monsters attacking the ancient city.

This reminded Yugi of what Rex and Weevil had said the day before about and evil god that will bring about the destruction of the world…

“But…what does the other me have to do with all of this professor?” Yugi asked.

“I believe it is the soul of the Pharaoh who will be able to stop these monsters and save mankind again. Just as he did once before in the past.” The Professor said.

Yugi looked a bit to his side and thought //So you may have to fought this new evil…//

Yami appeared beside him and responded //I believe so…//

“I'd wished to come and take a look at the ancient tablet at the Domino Museum to help me confirm my findings but sadly due to monsters appearing my flight was cancelled.” Professor Hawkins explained.

“Which was heart breaking! I wanted to see you so badly Yugi!” Rebecca pouted.

Yugi blushed and sweated a bit before asking “So how exactly is the other me supposed to stop this form happening?”

“That's as far as I was able to work out, but I'm still researching if I find anything else I'll be sure to inform you.”

Yugi stopped and remembered something that may help “Wait! Professor have you ever seen something like this before?” He then pulled out the glowing pendent and showed it in front of the camera.

Both the Hawkins where intrigued by the stone, Rebecca thinking it was beautiful while the Professor asked where Yugi had gotten it form. He told him about how it was left behind by the men who attacked him the night before, this was a bit of shock to Grandpa he'd not known about any of that.

“Hmm I would like to study it but I have no way to do so without you sending it to me…Hold onto it for now though it may hold a clue.” The professor then smiled “Well that's all form me for now, I'll leave you to speak with Rebecca for a bit. She's been quite excited to speak to you Yugi!”

“Yes! Thanks Grandpa!” Rebecca had beamed taking full control over the camera now. “Now if you all don't mind I'd like to have a private chat with my boyfriend~”

Yugi bushed and was embarrassed as Tea hissed annoyed, Joey and Tristan both weren't too interested to listen in and said they'd be on their way. Tea too wasn't interested in sticking around herself and also wanted to head home.

Yugi excused himself form Rebecca so he could see his friends off; he told them they'd catch up the next day hopefully with no further interruptions. Once they'd left Yugi spent a hour chatting with Rebecca; she told him she was now a college student and was studying with some of the brightest minds of their generation. Yugi was polite and listened, he was happy she was enjoying her studies and was still entering tournaments and winning them like the champion she was.

Finally Yugi's Mom popped into the room to inform him dinner was almost ready and that he needed to wash up. Yugi was relieved he finally had and excuse to pull away, Rebecca was sad but she understood and bid Yugi a good night. Closing the laptop and putting it back, Yugi shouldered his backpack and headed towards his bedroom.

Dropping his backpack on his desk chair, Yugi sat on the bed and leaned back a bit before falling over fully. Looking up at the ceiling, he held up his hand and now noticed the bandages on his fingers sitting up quickly he looked confused.

“Huh? How'd this happen?”

//I'm sorry I accidentally did that… I didn't mean to impersonate you today! I was hoping you'd wake up by the time we made it to school but-// Yami sat by Yugi' side ashamed of himself.

Yugi smiled and reassured him “It's okay! it was an accident! Besides I needed the extra sleep you know. Being up almost all night is exhausting! And now I don't have to worry about missing that Algebra test! I think you answered them fine right?”

Yami paused and finally said //Yeah you may need to retake that test…I promised Tea I wouldn't do your school work for you so I may have…told your teacher you had uhh…whisper //

Yugi's eyes widened as he realized what he told him and smacked his face blushing “Oh come on! You couldn't have come up with a better excuse? Did anyone else hear?”

//I was in a hurry! And no one else heard! I was discreet! I'm sorry!// Yami tried assure Yugi but he could feel his embarrassment through their link.

//Urgh… I really wish I could disappear now…// He sighed slumping down on off the bed and onto the floor before closing his eyes.

He felt something warm in his jacket pocket, Yugi sat up again and pulled the stone form his pocket…it was glowing brightly. Yugi held his head as his heart started to pound so hard he could hear it in his mind, his vision started to blur as his body started to feel weak.

“I… wh-what's happening?” Yugi's words trailed off as his eyes started to turn blank.

//Partner? What's wrong?// Yami watched as for only a moment it looked like Yugi was glitching out of sight, his eyes widened he reached out as Yugi fell forward.

Yugi's body was limp like his soul had just left him, Yami had taken control just in time to catch himself mid fall.

“Yugi? Yugi can you hear me! Oh no…what's happened to you?” Yami yelled, standing up he wasn't sure what to do, where to go or who could help him.

Just then he heard Grandpa call up telling him to come down to dinner. He really started to sweat now what was he going to tell Grandpa! Should he tell Grandpa? His mind was a spinning trying to think of something.

He heard another voice call up a different one, it was Yugi's Mom calling him down now too and she sounded annoyed with him. Yami swallowed hard and yelled back

“I'm on my way!” He bit his lower lip heading out the bedroom door.

Downstairs at the kitchen table there was a place for Grandpa, Yugi's Mother, and finally Yugi. Grandpa and Mom had already started eating by the time he took his seat. He looked between them then down at the meal before him it was stewed beef with roasted potatoes with shallots on the side.

As Grandpa finished chewing bite of beef he looked at Yugi and asked “Yugi, what happened to your window? I saw it was broken.”

Yami took a sip of water before answering. “Oh! uh…I think some kid just tossed a stone at my window…”

“Ugh really? Children these days are getting out of control…” Mom said shaking her head taking a bite of potato herself.

“Hmm I'll have to find out how much a replacement will be, and we'll need to install it.” Grandpa took another bite of food while thinking.

“I can find someone online, they might do it for cheap.” Mom said watching Yugi take up the chopsticks and start to put some food in his mouth, she smiled when she saw him eat.

“No! We don't need professional help! Any ding bat with a hammer and nails can do home repair! I bet I could do a much better job! I'm quite handy with tools!” Grandpa smirked making Mom grimace a bit.

“Dad, you're not going up on a ladder at your age! You just don't want to spend money!” Mom argued as Yami took another bite of food trying to keep out of their fight as much as possible, he knew if he talk they might notice a change in his voice.

“Well of course not! The window glass alone will cost a bit but we can save more money if I-” Grandpa looked over to Yugi and stopped mid sentence.

“Don't be so stubborn! What happens if you-” Mom stopped mid sentence too and looked at what Grandpa was staring at and she too was a gasp.

Yami looked between the both of them as he shoved a shallot into his mouth and chewed, it was the 3rd one he put into his mouth at the moment. He blinked and looked at them both before swallowing the bit in his mouth.

“um…is everything okay?” Yami asked.

“Y-you ate a shallot…” Mom said in disbelief pointing to his chopsticks with a new shallot held on it.

“You hate them Yugi…you always make a scene when your meal has shallots.” Grandpa raised a brow watching him closely.

Yami was sweating and mentally smacked his face; Shallots! Yugi despises them so much he always shoves them into the corner of his plate during dinner. He always thought it was silly of him to do since his Mom always scolded him for it. But here he was popping 3 now 4 into his month like it was nothing! The jig was up! He was going to have to confess about being an imposter! He had to think fast.

“I…I…”

//Oh Ra! their looking at you! Take a stab at it!//

Yami dropped his chopsticks held his stomach and yelled “I have I.B.S!”

He got up form the seat and ran towards the stairs heading back up towards the bathroom and slammed the door behind him. Both Mom and Grandpa were shocked sitting at the table and blinking in unison as the youngest Mutou had just left them there dumbfounded.

Yami panted as he locked the door resting his back against it, he slowly slid down onto the tiled ground in a cold sweat.

//Never… tell… Yugi…You used that excuse twice!//

--

Yugi was floating in a void; it felt like he was swimming in something that had no weight, no end, nothing in sight. He continued to float as he heard a voice calling to him; it was faint almost a whisper it sounded like a woman's voice, someone he didn't recognize but he knew it somehow. It was like she was calling for help.

Then he heard another voice a quieter whisper one that was beckoning to him calling him closer to the void. He felt almost entranced by this voice like he couldn't help but come closer to it so he did.

“Come… come… come…to me… to me… to me…lost…lost…lost…help you…help you…help you…Come! Come! Come!”

Yugi floated closer and closer to this voice that grew louder and louder the siren call was so strong, then he heard a woman's voice shout to him

“No No No! Stop Stop stop! Come back…Come back…Come back… Help us…Help us…Help us!Master…Master…Master!” she said.

Yugi stopped as a new voice entered his mind but this one he knew it was his other self!

“Partner…Partner! Wake…wake…up..up! Come back…Come back…Yugi…Yugi…Yugi!”

“Other me? Are you here? Can you hear me!?” Yugi yelled hoping he'd answer back.

Soon another voice and another yelled at him but he couldn't understand what they where saying it was all so loud! All the voices started to echo around him crying, screaming, yelling in his head. Yugi let out a painful cry, trying in vain to close his ears anything to stop the constant noise all around him.

Suddenly a tare opened up below him as a bright and powerful light enclosed around him, he saw his body start to disintegrate into the light making him yell out in horror. It was all white now the yelling finally stopped and now he felt warmth, more then just warmth now it was hot blazing hot!

He opened his eyes to see he was in a desert now; nothing but sand dunes and blowing winds causing sand and dirt to fly all over. He had a feeling he knew EXACTLY where he was…

“Oh no don't tell me I'm here again?” Yugi sighed and got up on his feet preparing to walk but they started sinking into the sand making him have to pull his feet out and up higher just to get anywhere. It was taking a lot of effort just to walk over sand dunes and sand piling up in his shoes didn't help one bit.

“You know brain, the snow wasn't ideal but that didn't mean I wanted the polar opposite!” Yugi grumbled and stumbled his way through the desert land.

He'd hoped to find the greenhouse faster this time and hoped it would provide some shade. Even if it's primary use to hold heat it was better then being in direct sunlight. The sun wasn't showing any mercy as it beamed down on him making him sweat. Things where not helped by the sand being blown around him obscuring his vision and making navigation even harder. To make matters worse his mouth was drying out between the heat, the sand, and dry hot air all around him this was becoming torture.

After a while he did spot the white greenhouse and stumbled towards it, he knew he'd be picking sand out of his boots for weeks at this point. Walking up the stair case he tried to twin doors only to find them locked!

“Huh?” Yugi tried to doors again but no they where really locked.

Yugi wasn't sure what to do now he was boiling hot at this point, so he removed his jacket and tried it around his waste to try and not sweat all over it. His mouth was dry like the land before him, maybe he could find away in form the back? There had to be another door right?

He walked back down the stairs and made his way to the side of the building, he noticed on the ground there was a stone walkway so he followed it. As he did he could hear the sound of running water and became excited! Even if he couldn't get into the greenhouse he thought maybe he could find a drink at least. As he turned the corner he saw in the back of the greenhouse was a lush and full garden; full of plants of all kinds of shapes and colours, in the centre was a fountain.

Yugi walked towards it and saw this fountain had a pair of stone statues on it; both the Dark Magician and Dark Magician Girl had their magical staffs crossed together like they where combining their powers together for an attack. From gems on top of the staffs is where the water was flowing out and dropping into the base of the fountain below. Yugi looked at the cool refreshing clear water that flowed so freely calling to him to have a drink. His throat felt like sandpaper, he had no more saliva to try and moisten his mouth, his tongue was sticking to his teeth like glue. Finally he couldn't help but thrust his hands into the stream and take a few hand fulls of water.

He drank and drank and drank form the fountain as quickly as he could, it may have only just been water but in a desert like this it was a true oasis. Yugi finally dunked his entire head under the water allowing the cool water to touch his face and hair instantly cooling him off. Once he felt satisfied he pulled his head out of the water and shock his head back and forth like a wet dog. His hair was dripping wet, same as his face but that didn't matter. Sitting on the ledge of the fountain panting with a smile on his face.

“My, you really needed that didn't you?”

Yugi turned to see the face of the man he meet here not too long ago.

“Dartz!” Yugi yelled as the teal haired man smiled and chuckled.

“I knew I'd see you again.” Dartz held a green metal watering can in his hands and walked over to the fountain, he placed it under the water stream to being filling it.

“H-hi! Umm I didn't know this was back here…was this garden and fountain always here?” Yugi kept seated and watched Dartz.

“No, this was a recent addition, thanks to you of course.” Dartz pulled he watering can out once it reached the fill line and made his way over to patch of flowers.

“Oh right this is my mind after all, I'm just impressed with how creative it can be without me knowing…” Yugi blushed a bit as he watched Dartz water the flowers.

Dartz smiled and looked over to Yugi “My child do not underestimate the power of your creativity. Man-kinds ability to create is a treasure so few people still have. You are very fortunate to have one as marvellous as this one.”

Dartz walked over to another set of flowers and poured water on them, Yugi stayed seated by the fountain, rubbing his hands together timidly not too sure what to do with all these complements he was receiving. Once Dartz was finished with the water he returned to fountain to fill the can once again, he then asked the teenager

“Now what brings you here again Yugi? Your mind must be troubled in order to trigger your arrival once more.”

“I-I'm Fine! I kind just fell back in here to be honest…But I'm-” Yugi paused and found himself rubbing his hands together harder nervously sweating, not because of the heat but because of-

“I'm worried…I think what you said before is true! There really is a new evil out there, but only the Other me can stop it!”

Dartz pulled the watering can out of the fountain once it was full again and placed it down before walking to the ledge of the fountain and sitting down. He looked up at the boy his green and yellow mismatched eyes beckoning Yugi to come over and sit beside him which he did.

“Now, who told you that?” Dartz inquired crossing his arms.

“My Grandfather's friend Professor Hawkins! He's been studying Duel Monsters and ancient tablets and he found something at the bottom of the Atlantic ocean! I think this evil god is coming and it's gonna destroy us all! That's why all the duel monsters have shown up! Its an omen!” Yugi looked to Dartz and only saw him close his eyes then cross his left leg over his right knee which made Yugi anxious.

“Dartz, if you know something about all this you have to tell me! The Nameless Pharaoh may be our only hope and if I can help him in anyway I have to! Please…” Yugi was begging now he wasn't sure what to do but he knew if Dartz could be of help then maybe…

Dartz sighed and slowly opened his eyes standing back up and taking the watering can with him, he walked towards the plants once more and began to pour water on them, Yugi frowned and followed after him quickly.

“Yugi, there is a time for when you will be given the information that you need, just as there is a time when all flowers must bloom. Not too early and not too late…” Dartz spoke so calmly so matter of factually it made Yugi even more nervous.

“But Dartz we could be running out of time! The Pharaoh has to save us and if I can't help him then-then it will all be all my fault!” Yugi looked down stretching his arm.

Dartz stopped watering and placed the can down, he turned and faced Yugi placing a hand on his shoulder, Yugi looked up at the taller man.

“Before you can help him, you must help yourself…But if you are so insistent on finding answers…”

Dartz reached into his pocket and pulled out a deck, they weren't Duel Monster cards, they where longer and where a slight bit bigger with star like symbols on them…

“You are aware of what Tarot cards are for yes?”

Yugi looked at the deck then back at the man looking disappointed.

“Fortune telling? Come on Dartz.” Yugi chuckled a bit rolling his eyes and folding his arms. “You think reading cards will help me?”

Dartz started to shuffle the cards and smiled “People have used Tarot for thousands of years Yugi, they can be used for many different readings, it can be away to help guild you. Why are you so dismissive?”

Yugi watched the cards and was a bit intrigued with them but he snapped out of his trance and looked up to Dartz to answer.

“I'm not being dismissive! It's just the last time someone told me they could read my future it lead to-”

And all at once like a bolt of lighting hitting a tree in a rainstorm the memories came back to him; The hooded Bandit Keith stealing the puzzle, leading him to a warehouse where he had to duel him alone and Keith breaking the puzzle. Yugi started to breathe faster as the pain of watching each individual piece of puzzle had scattered all over the floor before him stabbed into his heart.

He clenched his chest pulling at the fabric of his black shirt; now he could feel it! the heat of the blazing sun becoming heat from the flames as he tried desperately to put the puzzle back together, with walls of fire enveloping around him. He started to sweat as the air grew drier with the smell of smoke filling his lungs. The sting of the hot gold burning his fingers as he tried to put the pieces together.

Then even when the puzzle was done and finished in his hands, he saw it started to melt! No! no! Why was it melting!? It covered his hands and scorched his fingers making him scream, the rest of the molten gold fell to his feet into a puddle. As the puddle grew larger and larger Yugi stepped back and watched as from the center of the molten gold puddle a hand rose up then a head and torso, it was the Other Yugi!

He looked at Yugi; his face was twisted in agony and pain as he reached for Yugi his face had started to melt like wax. Bits of his skin and flesh falling and melting into the gold. But he still reached for him with boney fingers that started to melt as well, he crawled on the ground dragging his half melted torso to Yugi's feet, Yugi stood unmoving frozen in fear as he watched the zombie like corpse of his partner reach for him.

“Yu-Yugi! You failed me! How could you let this happen!?” The other Yugi yelled in pain as the fire encased him

“YOU DID THIS TO ME!!!”

Yugi screamed and held his head as the world was spinning around him his mind pulsing in tune with his rapid heartbeats. The memories pain and heartache overwhelming him entirely; his skull felt like it was going to burst and everything dark inside of him would pour right out. Before he knew it was over. He was panting and on the ground with Dartz holding his shoulders trying to keep him stable, tears ran down Yugi's cheeks as he looked up to Dartz who had a worried expression on his face.

“It's alright Yugi! It's going to be okay! I'm here…” Dartz's voice was soothing so soothing.

Yugi quickly grabbed onto him and clung to him before sobbing into his chest. Dartz patted Yugi's head and held him closely.

“I'm here…your safe…I'm here for you…” The words they felt so reassuring, so clam it started to ground Yugi back into the world again. After a while of sobbing into the older man's chest, he rubbed the tears from his eyes and sniffled as he pulled away a bit looking up at Dartz who still kept a hand on his shoulder.

“…may-maybe your right…maybe I do have some trauma I need to address…” Yugi's eyes where puffy and red form crying but he still managed to smile up at Dartz, who returned the smile back.

Dartz placed his fingers on Yugi's chin making sure Yugi made full eye contact with him as he spoke.

“I promise I'll heal you. That is what friends are for after all…”

[aceofnace]

I'm so disappointed in what happened with Nace. Way too much unpleasantness for me, I wish we could have a do over. They were so wasted.

Even if they get together at the very end, they've been so tainted for me. It's clear the writers don't really care about them or how could this have been allowed to happen? Don't even get me started on Tristan and him getting everything we wanted for Ace and Nancy. I'm just sad and angry about Nace. Nothing can make them better for me. The show is already over. I'm supposed to hold out hope an entire relationship can be developed in 4 measly episodes when last episode Nancy and Ace didn't even share a scene? We're supposed to be happy with scraps? This is Nancy Drew and her endgame we're talking about, it just sucks. I really feel used, like we promoted this show for Nace and then got strung along every single season to only get a last-minute rushed together endgame if we get anything at all? This is not how you write good romance. We were used.

This was also my initial reaction after 4x09 (which...admittedly...I still haven't even watched; everything I know about the episode comes from what I've seen people talking about on Twitter), and also, of course, 4x06.

(This may end up being very long, so I'm adding a cut here)

WHY did they choose, in the FINAL SEASON, to give Nancy and Tristan a slow dance, and not Nancy and Ace? Tristan showing up at Icarus Hall in a rented suit holding flowers and asking her to dance? Imagine how swoon-worthy that would've been if it had been Ace, not the guy who was created by the writers to appear in only a handful of episodes the final season with no real shot with Nancy? Make it make sense! Or don't even get me started on the flirty text thread! Are you freaking kidding me? With Ace, her texts have always been simple responses like "no" or not any response at all (even after the one where he told her he'd be more romantic after the curse was broken, and he then asked if she was still awake...she gave him NOTHING!), but she gives full, cute responses to the guy she's literally known for less than 2 weeks? Again, make it make sense!

I've been so frustrated by all of this, just like you, until I really stopped and thought about it last night. First of all, Ace can't even attempt to do anything romantic. He ended things in 4x03. Told Nancy to move on. Which was very understandable, given what happened to Nancy after the ritual. He's already been giving her mixed signals, so attempting to do anything other than stay away will just make things worse between them right now. And there was such a small window between when Ace found out Nancy had feelings for him at the end of 4x01 and when they tried to break the curse in 4x03 that he didn't have time for any grand gestures. Besides, it's hard to be romantic when you've got a death curse looming over you.

Now, the curse. The curse can be used to explain away why we're getting no romantic moments between Nace this season (because Ace will die!), but then one can also ask, "why tf is the curse still here? Why is it being dragged out to the end?" And look, I GET IT. If you're thinking that, I'm right there with you. But it is what it is, and since the curse is still here and ruining any chance we have of seeing sweet, domestic Nace before the finale, I'm going to make the best of it with what I'm about to say about it.

The curse has ruined everything. Or has it? Yes, it's just a plot device to keep Nace apart until the end, probably because writers don't like getting their main ships together for fear people will get bored after. And since these writers probably held out some hope (no matter how foolishly) that they'd maybe get a season 5, they were going to make sure Nancy and Ace didn't get together until the finale...or heck, maybe not even until sometime NEXT season if they'd been lucky enough to get one! But plot device aside, this curse is actually the best thing that's ever happened to this ship. Why?

Because it sets them apart from most other mundane ships. Nancy and Ace could've gotten it on back in season 2. Jealousy was at an all-time high for both of them. They obviously wanted each other. I was so sure a hookup was imminent. And if they had given into their urges and gotten freaky with each other in the back room of The Claw (my dream at the time), they would've already broken up by now and gotten with other people in serious relationships until maybe getting back together in the end. I actually prefer what's happening now. Because even though we aren't getting the sweet, cute, romantic scenes Nancy is being given with other love interests, what we are getting is soulmatism. Nancy and Ace are two people who love each other. Who are in love with each other. Who are the loves of each other's lives. And their inability to be together just makes their bond stronger even as they're drifting apart. Because it's showing them, showing us, they don't want to live without each other. It's showing us that sure, other hot guys can hit on Nancy and make her smile and take away her pain for a moment, but at the end of the day, it will always be Ace. Ace is her true north. Her person. Ace is the one she wants to be with forever. And we know it's no different for Ace.

I really don't think we would've gotten all of that with Nace without this curse storyline. And I personally love that I can say my otp are canon soulmates.

Look, it's easy to be mad at Tristan for getting all the sweet moments with Nancy (and I am, trust me!) but honestly, what's the big deal about slow dances or seashells? It's way more romantic to risk your entire future to break someone's father out of prison without even being asked to. It's way more romantic to drink potential poison to prove someone's theory is correct and to keep her from getting arrested. It's way more romantic to make a deal with your shady relative in exchange for helping to save someone's life. It's way more romantic to almost let an entire city drown in a tsunami just so you can live a long, happy, not-cursed life with the man you love. Nancy and Ace's romance has never been conventional. It's been slow and gradual. Organic. Their love for each other blossomed through trust and admiration, not flirting or cheesy romantic gestures. And that's okay. To me, that's more than okay. Because that tells me that once the show ends with them together, I can feel pretty confident in my headcanon that they are staying together forever. One day, they'll get married. Start a family. They'll grow old together. Yeah, we won't get to see it, but we'll know without a doubt that's how their story will go.

And I do believe whatever sweet moments Nancy has shared with Tristan this season will be completely forgotten about as soon as the curse is broken. Ace himself said in a text that he would be more romantic after it's broken, and I believe him. That boy has loved her for so long but hasn't been able to express it—either because he didn't think she could love him back, or because expressing it could literally kill him. Once nothing is holding him back anymore, he's got years of loving her in secret to make up for. I'm sure he's had all sorts of romantic ideas forming in that brain of his this whole time, and now he'll finally be able to do something with them.

Maybe we'll only get to see one or two moments before the show fades to black, but I will gladly accept whatever they give me and will just be thankful knowing my ship made it out alive and happy.

With all this said, I can totally see where you're coming from (and my response is in no way trying to convince you to think like me!) and I'm so sorry Nace has been tainted for you. Every time we get an episode that has little or no Nace interaction now, it breaks my heart. I hate it. It makes me so angry. But I'm still holding out hope that it has all been for a reason and that the writers will wow me with a big twist. Maybe I'm just being naive, and if that's the case, I'll take the L . If not, then maybe, just maybe, this can all be salvaged in the end.

[crimsonlyinglilly]

Unwanted Realisations

Back to Caged founder

In the aftermath of Aurora tells Klaus the truth of their parting, Elijah longed for reunion with his remaining brother goes badly.

It was getting long so I cut it, this follow directly from part one

----

“What?” Klaus asked but the compound was empty besides the broken furniture, flecks on blood on the floor all that remained of his brother.

He hadn’t thought Elijah could betray him more after he had chosen the Strix over him then Aurora had told him the truth but-

‘my love’ Aurora had called Elijah, the term apparent well used as Elijah hadn’t been surprised at all, meaning it wasn’t arranged just to hurt him.

‘Oh Elijah and I have been together for over 70 years now,’ she had told with that pretty smile he had loved but this time it tore his heart out with Elijah silent by her side.

That should have been the worst of it but, there was more to it than that, Elijah's lack of surprise about Aurora, knowing he had spoken to her before he had even said a word.

‘All the pleading and bargaining Elijah had to do to get permission to see you again.’ Kept going around his head, why would Elijah need permission, Elijah should never need to plead with anyone, they were the top of the power chain.

‘I just wanted to see you all tonight,’ Elijah said like he hadn’t been able to before, like something had been stopping him.

He had sounded so tired as he said it, reminding Klaus of Finn's certainly that Elijah had wanted to die in mother’s plan.

There was a pit growing in his stomach, he was missing something, it wasn’t helped when Freya's returned, her concern at the mess of broken furniture paused by hope she hadn’t been able to hide when he had told her about Elijah’s return.

He knows of Freya ’s want to meet Elijah, with Finn dead Elijah was the only one she had any memory of before being stolen by Dahlia even if it was only as a baby bump.

'over 70 years now' Aurora's voice had been bright as she told him.

That meant Lucien had to known something about his brother and her and hadn’t thought to tell him.

He was going to be seeing his friend.

—-

The answer is far worse than he could imagine. 

“What has gone on between my brother and the Stix?” It's a simple question, one with a simple answer that Klaus longs for.

Elijah leads them. He wants to hear that, that Elijah had sent his underlings to deal with Klaus and the family over the years because he didn’t care enough to come himself. 

He had showered and changed his clothes before he had come here, there was no trace of Aurora or Elijah on him while he ignored that he thought he could still taste his brother's skin and blood.

Still something gives him away as Lucien’s face twists as he takes him in.

“I think we need a drink for this conversation.” Lucien told him, stepping back to get a pair of glasses and a bottle.

Klaus said nothing biting back his demands, taking a breath to calm and accepted the glass when it was handed to him.

“Tell me?” he repeated before his first sired to delay anymore.

“Not long after you and your brother split up the Strix, somehow were able to best him and capture him.”

“I thought Elijah had returned to lead them.” Klaus tried, the rumours he had heard, he had believed were now sounded hollow from his own voice

"As Tristan had arranged no doubt, he wouldn't want to advertise that he's been keeping you brother like a pretty trinket, would he?" Lucien winced as Klaus’ glass shattered.

Pretty Trinket, his brother, a thing, a prize, Aurora's smile in his mind suddenly seemed like gloating.

“Explain?” he forced out, shifting his hand to let the glass shards join the rest of the mess on the floor as his skin healed while he wished it hadn’t the sharp pain had given him something besides the growing horror in his chest.

How had they captured him, how had they kept him, what had they done to him, why had Elijah needed permission to see him.

“I don't know how it happened,” Lucien did as Klaus ordered “The first I learnt about it Tristan already had Elijah on a leash, had him tear though all my people to show me then tore his heart out to prove Elijah couldn’t do anything to him.”

“They're sleeping together.” Klaus said, thinking back to Aurora words of Tristan sharing him with her, as he tried to ignore the image of Elijah wide eyed shock as Tristan pulled his heart free.

His brother had been alone with the madman, and Klaus hadn’t known, no, he had known he hadn't cared to think more on it or he would have realised Tristan wouldn’t have accepted Elijah after what he had done.

“Well yeah,” Lucien shrugged, “Tristan's obsession with Elijah has only grown since he was human. You think Tristan wouldn’t find a way to have him in his bed.” Lucien explain carelessly like every word wasn’t a blade to Klaus, he seemed to realise as he winced after noticing the look on Klaus’ face, “Look, you know I hate Tristan and the fact he gets to have everything he ever wanted will never not burn but his happiness is unfortunately Aurora’s and I’m not threatening that.”

“And my brother.” Klaus said, uncaring for Aurora happiness, even as he remembered her smile at Elijah the way his brother had learnt into her, even knowing she had set up their fight. The softness of his voice as he spoke to her.

“I pity anyone stuck in Tristan’s grasp, even him,” Lucien told him.

Klaus was assaulted by the memory of Lucien in chains, his blood splashed across the smile face of Tristan De Martel, how often had it been Elijah’s blood, alone with that lunatic, Elijah had called him that now even after a century with him, before he could think more of that Lucien continued.

“But he seemed quite happy last time Aurora arranged a family day and invited me.”Lucien kept talking before Klaus could question him more on that, hurt and unwanted envy filling him as the discovery that apparently Luicen had been spending time with his brother while Klaus was unaware of the danger his brother was in, “Look you might not like it but I think you're fifty years late for rescuing your brother.”

Klaus left before he gave into the itch and tore Lucien’s head off; he would be needing him in the future, to deal with the prophecy and- Elijah.

He slammed the door to his painting studio shut when he returned home, ignoring his trembling hands as he set up a new canvas.

He hadn’t known Elijah needed help, he had believed his brother had grown bored of following him, cleaning up his messes and returned to his Strix. Why wouldn’t he?

It had made sense, Klaus had cost them New Orleans, led father to their home, got Marcel killed. 

How had he missed this?

He thought to the letters Elijah had sent, those to him and those to Rebekah that Klaus had forged replies for; had they truly been Elijah’s hand? Were they Tristan’s mockery? had his brother been forced to write them as if all was fine? had Klaus missed any hidden warnings in them?

[minstarrs]

My biggest mistakes

2022 september 10th, the night before first day of school.

My aunt started to work at a private school as a teacher. She asked me if my father could drop her off on our way to my school.

First mistake i made, i said yes.

2022 september 11th, first day of school

After we dropped her at her school my dad dropped me off too. by the time i came all the seats were taken... except two, one near the class pervert and one near- who is that, is he new? ehh better than the pervert... "Uhhh hi. can i sit here?"

The second and the worst mistake i made, i asked if we could sit together.

2022 october 12th, english class

"Okay guys! since we have exams coming up i've decided to take you all to an amusement park!!" Mrs. Susan said, and she started to ramble about the price, what we needed to do to get a ticket etcetra... Boring... "Bree! you're coming right?" my deskmate Tristan asked, no. i wanted to say... "If my dad lets me of course." fuck, why did i say that. Well no point in deciding aganist it now is it?

Third mistake, i decided to go.

2022 october 17th, math class

"There's a chance that i won't be able to come" i wispered to Tristan. "What!" he wisper-shouted back. "something about not bringing my id in time ig..." i was quite sad, and i didn't know why. "You have to come dude, it won't be fun without you!" he whined like a kid, i smiled at him "Really? No one said that about me before..."

My fourth and most stupitest mistake, i believed him.

2022 october 22nd, on the bus before going to the amusement park

Tristan looked around, not seeing an empty seat next to his friends he turned to me. "Hey is this seat taken? " he asked "nope, noone wanted to sit with me." i said "Cool! I'll get to sit with you then" I didn't say anything. He spoke again "You play **** right? Why don't we play together?" "Sure! I was planning on sleeping but this seems way more fun" we played that game untill we reached the amusement park.

Fifth mistake, why did i even bother playing with him

2022 november 11th, free period

Me and my friends were talking about how weird and horrible the boys in our class was. Aliyah started to talk "You know Bree, you and Tristan are really alike! it's like he's your genderbent version!" oh how i wish she had never spoken at all. "You think so?" "Hmhmm! It's like you two were made for each other!" okay now you've gone too far.

The sixth mistake, why would you start crushing on him just because of a sentence.

2022 november 25th, p.e. class

Everyone was outside, i was on my period so i got permission from the teacher to stay inside. While i was looking at my phone Tristan entered the classroom, i quickly hid my phone. "What are you doing here?" i asked as he walked to his seat (the teacher split our desks bc he wanted to sit with his friend) "Just needed some water." he drank from the bottle "Why are you here shouldn't everyone be outside?" i got embarrassed "My stomach hursts so bad, so i stayed here." He got closer to the desk i ws sitting on. Putting his hand on my cheek and my neck "You don't have a fever." "No shit sherlock, if i did then i would be home by now." "Rude. anyways i need to get going or Mr. Williams gonna be up at my ass..." As he walked away i took my phone out, opened intagram and posted a story. I wrote "how can someone be this captivating?" on a black screen.

Seventh mistake, why would you even post that?

2022 december 5th, lunch break

It was cold, i was sleeping on my desk with my hood on. I was never a heavy sleeper, so the slightest change would wake me up. Someone pulled my hood off and started to pet my head, playing with my hair. I thought it was one of my friends and i liked people playing with my hair so i didn't budge. When the patting stopped i lifted my head to see Tristan. He seemed embarrassed when i looked at him.

My eighth mistake, i thought this meant something.

You know everything stopped after new years. Everything we had, gone in an instant. The long stares, romantic gestures, gifts, playing video games together. Because he found diffrent people to hang out with, because he ruined his sweet personality just to be included.

When i was little kid my mom would be like "choose your friends wisely, they could ruin your life." i didn't belive her then but seeing these with my own eyes i believed her more than ever.

I still think about him these days... Not because i still have feelings for him, no. (those were gone the moment he became friends with my bullies.) But i think about how he will regret everything he did in the future, how he started to ruin his life at such a young age, and how did my sweet boy turned into a heartless, vape addicted, rude guy.

I know for sure he won't read this and even if he does there's no way he'll understand a thing. But here's something for you. You were my first -and hopefully last- crush. I really hope you're doing well. Oh and i was the one who put that "free kisses" ticket in your locker. It's been in my phonecase for a long time now how come you never noticed it lmao?

With love and well wishes -Mins

(Little ps. All the names in this story has been changed bc i don't wanna be recognized plus they were not english names. Thx for reading!!🤍🤍)

[invinciblerodent]

Where was Tristan during the events of Inquisition? Did he ever see the Breach? Did the smaller rifts effect him in anyway?

Ooh, fun! Love this! Storytime! (man, I'd love to have the cc so I could put a header with his actual face here to break up the wall of text. I'll just put in his BG3 mockup, lol.)

(i hope in veilguard we'll get a wheel for the eye color selection because man, this is way too red. he looks far too much like a vampire.)

I don't know if the game is gonna contradict me on any of this and there are some kinks to work out still lol, but I don't think he saw the Breach- definitely not in person at least.

I like to think that, around the time of the divine conclave, he was somewhere in the north of Orlais, just about a day's travel south of Perendale. (Near the Nevarran border, not terribly far from Weisshaupt or Kal-Sharok.)

I haven't gone that far into this thought yet, but my little idea so far is that he had been traveling as a recruiter and sort of a quasi-assistant to his mentor/friend, Warden-Lieutenant Iselva (an Orlesian city-born elf mage and spirit healer). It was around the time they were about to reach the border that they both started hearing the false Calling, but it was only she who chose to heed it.

I imagine Tristan to be kind of caught at that weird halfway-point between having a death wish, and clinging with white-knuckled fists to life, which makes him kind of reckless and prone to making stupid decisions (which is why he even chose to take up arms at Ostagar to begin with), but he's also scrappy, and very much driven to survive by any means necessary (which was the reason he could cheat death in the first place).

He's not the type to bow his head and submit to the Taint, possibly not even once his time truly does come. If he is to hear his Calling (which, with how close he already is to death and how the whole undeath of everything might affect the progression of the Taint, could take days or decades, there's no knowing), he would still want to drag it out for as long as possible, stave it off while he still feels he has a Purpose, whatever that may be. On top of that, he was at that point never told what the Calling would do beyond being an annoyance, why he'd head to the Deep Roads when it starts, and, at the time, he was also barely in his thirties- though nothing about him is entirely normal, he still felt it unusual, suspicious for someone so young to be hearing it.

But Iselva was an older woman by then, a respected and high-ranking acolyte well past her 30th year in the Order. She knew all too well what would happen if they delayed too long, and was adamant that while the both of them starting to hear it at roughly the same time was odd, it was not unheard of (they had spent most of the last decade very close after all, sleeping in the same tent, sometimes in the same bedroll for warmth), and that they should pivot, head towards Kal-Sharok, both head into the Deep Roads at the first opportunity, and die with dignity, as a Warden should.

They got into a horrible fight one night, their worst ever. She insisted, he refused-- she pulled rank, he took offense, and the whole exchange ended with her calling him a stubborn fool, and the two of them parting ways: with him continuing towards Weisshaupt, and her towards Kal-Sharok.

That was the last he's ever heard from her, and though the circumstances of her leaving did tarnish her memory somewhat, he's mourned her as she deserved: as a comrade in arms, a leader, a teacher, and a trusted, beloved friend.

The road to Weisshaupt was slow going without her guidance, and he got lost on the way multiple times, so even though the fake Calling had stopped only about two or three weeks later (iirc! I'll need to check the timeline on this), word of what happened in the Western Approach reached Weisshaupt shortly before he did. Until then, he had assumed that its end marked Iselva's death- now he knows the truth, and knows that she was just another victim in this whole mess.

I like to imagine that somewhere in the Anderfels, there is still a small rock with her name, and the date "9:41" carved crudely into it, nestled between the protruding roots of a tree.

...... and as i'm proofreading myself, it seems that I totally forgot the smaller rifts lol- I don't think he ever was close enough to one to actually feel it, but had he gotten close to one, I think he would have felt an uncomfortable pull of the Fade. And, if he happened to be, say, close to death or unconscious near one, I suspect he could have gotten possessed.

I don't really think of Purpose as a fully realized presence like Justice, it doesn't live in him, but it more just kinda hovers at the edges of his consciousness. Its influence is subtle and unfocused, and if Tristan does wind up dying or losing consciousness in an unfortunate spot where the Veil is thin, it might be able to reach through.

I like to imagine that this is the reason why Tristan suffers from insomnia, and once asleep, has troubles staying that way: being too close to the Fade just... makes him feel like there are ants in his eyes, lol.

[charlottedabookworm]

for the and I didn't like the ending: perhaps a 5+1 thing of the people around Art!Aegon noticing how touch starved/messed up he is? like the failed hug scene with Leanor.

Alternatively, the moment where Viserys suddenly becomes viscerally aware that his son only cares about him in a "professional" sense tied to his identity as king and Aegons "responsibilities" as a prince but could not give any less of a fuck about him personally.

this maybe got away from me a little lol

also i have no idea how coherent this is but it's officially Late here so I'm going to bed enjoy people realising that actually egg might be thought starved the poor boy he's still running away for most of this

(0)

The thing is-

The thing is that now Egg has noticed, he cannot stop noticing.

The thing is that once, so long ago that his breath catches in his lungs, he'd been raised with a dozen sisters who would run their fingers through his hair of a night. He'd had rough hands curl around his arms daily as he'd trained with George and the boys, and he'd pressed shoulder to knee with Wet Stick and Back Lack in narrow alleys as they'd hidden from nobles with lighter pockets.

Once, a lifetime ago, Art had had Tristan's arm slung around his shoulders as they both laughed. He'd had Blue's tiny body curled at his side of a night, his nephew-son ever-haunted by his father's death. He'd had his sisters and his knights and the Mage rolling her eyes at it all even as she shouldered past him to deal with whatever it was he was being a baby about.

Once.

He hadn't noticed.

But Helaena does not like touch and he is used to this, he can understand it, and Aemond has already deemed himself too old for the casual touches of childhood. His nephews are affectionate, yet never with him, and it leaves a lump in his throat. His father... he does not think his father has held him since he still toddled.

And Egg has never been his mother's favoured child, even when he was her only child.

(How hadn't he noticed?)

Cold flame licks at his shoulders and his chest aches as he remembers the warmth of Ser Laenor's arm. The burning-scalding-warmth of another's touch and he-

Aegon aches.

It aches.

(When is the last time he touched someone outside of the training yard?)

It burns and-

He presses himself into the corner of his rooms, walls tight against his shoulders, and wraps his arms around his knees in a bare semblance of a hug.

It's cold.

(1)

"Like this, Jace."

He frowns, teeth tugging at his lips even as he allowed his uncle to prod his limbs into place with quick, there-and-gone touches. "It feels odd."

Qȳbor Egg grins. "It will, but-" his uncle pokes him in the chest, pushing against him in a way that would have seen him falling before, and then pulling away. "See?"

His eyes widen. "I see," he says, nodding, even as he glances down at his feet. They don't look that different, so how-

"Prince Aegon!"

He flinches, ducking his head as Ser Criston Cole's voice barks across the courtyard.

Egg rolls his eyes, but stands straight nonetheless, his grin fading as he walks towards the knight.

Jace's frown widens as he watches his uncle walk away.

"We should hug him," his brother says, curling into his side the way he always does, and he can hear the matching frown in his words. "He looks sad."

Aegon always looks sad, Jace thinks, even when he's happy. Instead, he shakes his head and curls his arm around his brother. "Qȳbor doesn't like hugs," he reminds his brother. He wishes he did.

He doesn't like that he's so sad when there's nothing they can do to help.

"I know," Luke says, mournful, and his fingers tangle in the tail of his tunic in the same way he does with muña. "He's like Hel so we're not allowed to hug him unless he hugs us first."

His brother sounds about as happy with it as Jace feels.

Their uncle really looks like he needs a hug.

"Come on, valonqar. Let's go and find kepa, maybe he'll let us ride on Seasmoke with him."

(2)

"Aegon!"

His goodbrother blinks at him. "Ser Laenor?"

He winces, clasping his hand to his chest theatrically in the way that always has Rhaenyra and their boys smiling. "Come, cousin," he continues in Valyrian as the boy's lips twitch. "Call me Laenor, if I can convince you of nothing else."

"Oh?"

The raised brow and sharp look that Aegon gives him is so Rhaenyra that he could laugh. Instead, he places his best encouraging smile upon his lips and moves slowly closer. "The boys are begging for us to spar again, this time when they can watch."

Aegon pauses.

Something that Laenor recognises but cannot name flickers across his eyes, leaving him with the sinking feeling of diving deep on Seasmokes back, fires flaring on the beach below, the wind whirling around them as they fall-

"Qȳbranna?" He reaches out, slowly, resting a hand on the boy's shoulder.

His goodbrother flinches.

It is the barest of movements, undetectable but for the fact that Laenor can feel it, and he opens his mouth-

"Well, Leanor," Aegon says, clapping him on the shoulder and moving away swiftly. A smile on his lips like he hadn't- "We cannot leave Jace and Luke waiting."

Seasmoke roars distantly in his ears.

Mayhaps, Aegon is simply like Helaena, in that they both abhor unwanted touch. It would not be uncommon, after all. Perhaps Aegon simply dislikes touch that he does not initiate.

Watching his cousins' hands shake subtly, remembering the barest of instants where his goodbrother had leaned into the touch before pulling away, Leanor doesn't think so.

(3)

The words leave his lips as soon he thinks of them.

"Is Aegon angry with me?"

Helaena turns, her eyes clear and sharp, and the confusion is so clear upon her face that he relaxes before she speaks. "Why would Aegon be angry with you?"

Aemond slumps in his seat. "I do not know," he says carefully, sounding each of the words out like how Mother says he must. A Prince must not mispronounce his words or one would think him a simpleton. "He simply-"

"Valonqar."

"He doesn't hug me anymore," he bursts out, too loud and too angry and Mother will be so disappointed. Egg already is disappointed in him because: "I know I shouldn't have said that about Jace and Luke and I apologised to them but lēkia is still mad at me and-"

Gentle fingers wrap around his wrist.

He freezes.

Helaena squeezes gently, her hand a grounding brand of heat, before she pulls away. "Aemond, valonqar - Aegon is not angry with you, I swear."

He isn't? Then- "Why doesn't he hug me anymore?"

His mandia's eyes flicker closed and she looks like Father does, when something reminds him of the old Queen.

"If you ask him for a hug, he would be glad to give you one," is all she says, though.

All he has to do is ask?

(But Mother has said he's too old to be asking his brother for hugs, Aegon has duties after all, he doesn't have the time to be pandering to him anymore)

"If I ask, Aegon will hug me again?" The words feel small on his tongue. Wrong. He shouldn't need to-

"I promise"

(4)

The temperature in King's Landing may never reach as bitterly cold as it does in Harrenhall, but the storms are something that Harwin has yet to become used to.

Within less than a candle's width of time, clear skies have turned black with an endless downpouring that turns packed mud into slippery pits. Harwin feels nothing but relief when he calls the rest of the training session off, desperate to be both warm and dry once more, when he notices a figure that hasn't joined the rush to leave.

"Your Highness?"

Prince Aegon startles and slips in the sludge beneath their feet.

He winces. "Sorry, my Prince," Harwin says, reaching down to help the mud-covered boy to his feet.

The Prince eyes him, gaze flickering from his hand to his stance, and then takes a bracing breath that has his eyes narrowing slightly.

Laenor had mentioned something about this, had he not-

And then Harwin is pulling the Prince to his feet, holding firm until the boy has his feet beneath him just as he would for any of the younger Princes.

"My thanks, Ser Harwin," Prince Aegon says and his gaze is still fixed on his hand. There's a rough edge to his voice, like Luke after a nightmare, and Harwin-

"My Prince, are you-"

Thunder crackles above them.

Harwin startles and his feet slide beneath him; he releases the prince so the boy does not take a second fall in the mud. For a heartbeat, he flounders, until he finds his legs once more.

When he looks up, Prince Aegon is already halfway to the door.

(+1)

Rhaenyra has never been close to her half-brother.

She hadn't wanted to be when he was younger. Not when he was borne of Alicent and her father's betrayal. Not when Aegon lived when so many of Rhaenyra's other siblings didn't - not even Baelon, who was so small, who her mother had died for, who had died anyway. She had burnt her brother's pyre, Rhaenyra had thought all those years ago, and she had no need for another.

She had been a grieving child, angry at the world and those who should have known better, and she had taken it out upon the children by simply ignoring them.

She has been trying to be better, now, because her sons inspire her to be better, and her siblings deserve better. Aemma Arynn had died trying to give her father a son and the man hardly acknowledged him. Any of them. And Alicent-

Her childhood friend had always thought their customs queer. And now all of her children are so obviously Valyrian, with all those same queer customs...

No, her siblings deserve better. She has much to make up for and there is much she can never make up for.

Laenor and Harwin- she loves them, but men can be dense at times. They've discussed their meetings with Aegon, his odd reactions to touch, and both men recognise it is different to Helaena but they do not understand.

Rhaenyra does not wish them to.

They do not see what she does in Aegon and that is, perhaps, a good thing. Their boys do not see it either, only that their qȳbor is not fond of hugs, and Rhaenyra loves that they do not know this feeling.

It is memories of a time long past that have her gathering her heaviest cloak, one that has not seen use since her marriage, before she wanders the halls of the Red Keep to find her errant valonqar.

"Aegon," she murmurs as she finds him, staring out at King's Landing proper.

"Mandia?" He turns and-

She drapes the cloak upon his shoulders with a solid thud, watching with amusement as his eyes widen and he stumbles with the weight of it. Her lips twitch.

Her fingers clasp the cloak closed carefully.

"I have a cloak already?" Her brother asks, his face twisted in the same confused expression that Jace uses.

Rhaenyra stands beside him, a fingerwidth away, and stares out at King's Landing as he was. "None so heavy as this one," she says with quiet assurance. The only winter since Aegon had been born had been a mild and short one, even his winter clothes were light. "The weight may help."

He falls silent.

"You- I-"

"Tell me of my sons' lessons."

Aegon does.

(And if he ends up drifting closer, until their shoulders barely brush, until he can lean into her just the smallest amount-

there is no one but the two of them on this covered rampart to know it)

[slashercult]

🕯️-Hey, I'm Jasmine 🫶🏻🤍

Firstly lemme tell you I'm not a psychic it's just my intuition which gave me the vibe that your fs might be someone with academic/vintage aesthetic. Dk but that word just kept popping in my head, like yk those old time couple aesthetic based like yk in the 80's/90's royal aesthetic something. Or maybe just romantic like that. It's completely fine if you don't think it's enough and don't allow me to participate.

My info:- a Capricorn sun, Virgo moon and Taurus rising.

I don't watch much movies but here's a series that just came to my mind while watching your blog and suits the aesthetic of what i just said. "BRIDGERTON" it's a historical fiction romance, it also have books i guess.

My question:-what film couple is like me and my fs?

Thankyou so much just know that it was a pleasure to even just paticipate!!! Take care!>33 ✨🧿

hello!! im so sorry for the late reply i was doing other readings as well as busy with life stuff. also do not worry about your mini reading not being enough. hopefully you still enjoy this reading!

tristan and isolde (2006)

this film is based on a medieval chivalric romance that comes from a celtic legend. there are many different versions of their story but i am just basing this reading off of the one protrayed in this film. first of all, i believe you and your fs are going to meet near a body of water, or maybe during a vacation trip, it's giving summery vibes. i think you both have been lovers in your past lives as well so there's this sort of instant connection when you see each other. it will be like a love at first sight thing where you both feel entranced with each other, like very curious and like the world stops when you both hang out with each other. you could be helping them out with something and that's how you both met. this person needed help of some sort - this could also be like mentally - like this person just needed someone to talk to, and you were there for them. i think someone from someone's family is going to make it difficult for you both to be with each other. they may be disapproving of the relationship but you both will not pay attention to them. also for some reason i feel like you are with someone else when you and your fs meet. this person you are with is not the right one for you and you end up breaking it off with them because you realize your feelings. there won't be any cheating or anything but i do see like there is someone between you two that is preventing you both from being with each other at first. during that time your fs was a bit jealous, they never said or did anything rude, but deep down they kind of wished they were the one with you instead of that other person. that's all im really seeing for this reading, sorry for the wait and please drink water and take care of yourself, sending lots and lots of love and wishes <3

[maya-matlin]

Out of the degrassi movies (don’t look back, Hollywood, Manhattan) which one do you think is the most ridiculous and why? And how would you rank the plots in each movie?

(I did not include Schools Out cause while a lot of things that happened in the movie pissed me off it was nowhere near as ridiculous or far fetched as the others)

Oh god. This will be fun, because the story lines during those movies were all over the place. It was very clear the writers weren't aiming to do anything remotely realistic and just wanted to have fun.

I'm inclined to say that Don't Look Back, even though it's widely despised, is probably less ridiculous than the other two movies. At least they stayed in Canada? Tristan was trying to run a successful YouTube channel, but I don't think it worked out. For some reason, I can't remember the details of the kidnapping story line, but it's not totally unbelievable that a girl would do something drastic like fake her own kidnapping because her older, abusive boyfriend was manipulating her into thinking it's the only way they could be together. We already know Maya to be someone overly concerned with keeping people safe and that she can't stop herself from getting involved. So that's not totally off to me.

Degrassi Goes Hollywood and Degrassi Takes Manhattan speak for themselves. Multiple characters ran off to either LA or New York and managed to find fame in a short period of time. In defense of Manny and Paige being cast in Jason Mewes' movie, there was at least a previous connection because both worked on the set of the season 4 movie. In Manhattan, Jane just randomly met a guy in a band that was about to take off and ends up performing with them on live TV. Since we're led to believe Holly J got the internship on her own merits rather than Declan pulling the strings, that's kind of hard to believe. Meanwhile, Spinner and Emma drunkenly elope and decide to remain married, declaring themselves in love after less than a week. Ellie's plot was somewhat more grounded. The Crellie stuff was ridiculous, but Ellie was intentionally running from the reality of her father's condition. Not only that, but Craig and Ellie had both been ruined for years by this point. So sadly, it wasn't too shocking to see Craig's cheating ways mixed with Ellie's desperation and codependency come into play once again.

I guess this means my answer is Degrassi Takes Manhattan? Honestly, they're all ridiculous. None of them hold up compared to the regular episodes, but oh well.

Degrassi Goes Hollywood:

1.) Manny (If not for Craig's involvement in Ellie's story line and the heavy emphasis on their non-romance, that one would rank first. I'm not afraid to say that this one places first because Manny is my favorite and I like seeing her dreams come true. Also, Janny got back together. Cassie Steele's voice was at least good enough to justify Manny landing that role even if Manny hadn't been established as a good singer prior to this. I just wish Peter and his stupid fucking band didn't have to be involved. The writers never let her be free of that man)

2.) Ellie (As I said before, this one had a solid basis. After Ellie's family problems were placed on the backburner for four seasons, finally we were given an update. We'd already known Ellie to self harm. Season 7 hinted at Ellie eventually developing a drinking problem. The elements were there for Ellie to have a really compelling story with her spiraling and relapsing to cope with her dad's condition. Unfortunately, the crux of this story line involved Ellie reconnecting with Craig, and I can only overlook that so much)

3.) Paige (This is easily the worst part of the movie. It was hard to understand why Paige was suddenly after fame or why she was even living in LA in the first place. The Paige of seasons 5-7 had different goals in mind. It felt like they wanted to resume the Paige vs Manny feud, only not even that got much screen time. For some reason, the writers really wanted to punish Paige and imply that she and Marco would never be friends again. Also, Perez Hilton showed up during all of this. We need to give the writers so much shit for that. They legitimately gave that creep a paycheck. Unforgivable)

Degrassi Takes Manhattan:

1.) Holly J vs Fiona (Arguably, this was the best plot in any of the movies. It was literally just Fiona and Holly J feuding while attempting to stake a claim on Declan. Holly J got most of the focus, but Fiona's character and the hints of her alcoholism and mental health problems were the most interesting aspect of it. I mean, Declan wasn't worth all that for numerous reasons, but he and Fiona had an extremely codependent sibling relationship. Declan wasn't beyond redemption at this point, so even his role was somewhat sympathetic with his loyalty being divided between his girlfriend and his twin sister)

2.) Spinner/Emma (Like I said before, the fact we were supposed to think their impulsive marriage was a sufficient happy ending with so little build up was unbelievable. But at the same time, the actors gave it their all and made it almost charming if you didn't think too much about it. Spinner and Emma together isn't the problem. It's the way it was done and the fact it was blatantly a rebound for Spinner and Emma being so desperate to figure out her future that she jumped right into a marriage with someone she was barely friends with. Had more time been devoted to their relationship set up or even if they'd simply become a couple, the fact they were endgame wouldn't feel so random and forced)

3.) Jane (Jane's five seconds of fame was ridiculous. I can't even talk about it because there's literally nothing to say. She randomly met a guy who was played by someone more than twice Jane's age (37), and suddenly she's in the band and ready to blow off college to be famous even though Jane was never into anything like that. Then, she finds out Spinner's getting married and stops just short of talking him out of it. Somehow, we're supposed to feel good about her ending. It felt like a series of totally random, bizarre events that have no basis in any sort of logic)

Don't Look Back:

1.) Zoe/Grace (I'm not going to pretend as if I'm not biased. Their story line was literally a lesbian romcom. I loved everything about it. I don't give a fuck that Zoe had three different love interests in one season or that the writers could never keep straight how academically smart she was. All that mattered is that she ended the season with Grace and finally met her match. We saw Grace more vulnerable with Zoe than we had with anyone else up to that point. Zoe finally realized what sort of love she wanted to experience and the kind of partner she needed. Had the writers just fucking let it happen and not been all, "Well, actually, it's problematic to assume that just because you dress vaguely alternative, color your hair, and have piercings, you must be gay. We're just going to ignore the times we implied Grace was into girls because the girl crushing on her BFF's boyfriend trope has never been done before and we need it for our tone deaf plot twist," everything would have been great. I even thought Miles's role in the story line was pretty fun)

2.) Maya/Zig (This isn't Maya's best story line and pales in comparison to all of her other season 14 plots, but it's like Gracevas's story line to me. I got to watch Zig and Maya be adorable together, kissing in every other scene and taking care of kids together after waiting for them to be canon for years. So I took what I could get and just had fun with it. Other than that, Maya's continued anxiety and need to involve herself so that she's never "responsible" for someone else's misery tracks for me. I thought Maya and Gloria coming together towards the end was interesting. And obviously, Zaya's first technical endgame since TNG could have been the end of the show)

3.) Frankie (To be honest, I just didn't care about this story line. Frankie's relationship with Gloria's abusive boyfriend wasn't well developed or given enough depth for me to believe Frankie seriously fell for him that quickly and easily. I know Winston was boring and had literally just kissed one of her best friends, but mostly I blame it on the fact that Frankie has the worst taste in men. I know the writers wanted to get everyone involved in Gloria's disappearance, but I wish anyone else had gotten the spotlight)

4.) Tristan (I don't know if this counts as a plot, but Tristan's constant interruptions take me out of the movie. I know it's supposed to be intentionally overdramatic, but this wasn't the best use of the character. Sometimes I wonder if the writers were trying to make everyone hate him)

[hellhoundmaggie]

5 Songs

**Share 5 songs related to your current WIPs (art or writing related)

**If you don’t have a wip, you can share what you like about your top 5!

tagged by @cymatile, thank you cymatile

I usually don't listen to songs with lyrics when writing, because they're too distracting. Often I'll throw on that lo-fi hip-hop beats stream. But I will sometimes listen to a thematic song or two before writing to get in the proper headspace. And how convenient, I made up a playlist for my blorbo, Wayne Scarlethollow! Listen to it why doncha?

There are 13 videos on that list, but I will pick out my Top 5 songs from it and explain them! In no particular order:

1. Mx. Sinister (I Don't Know How But They Found Me)

And I'll get you yet (I'll get you yet) I've got to make you mine Just know I'm not the sinister type

Wayne kind of understands that he strikes people as creepy, but when he tries to be reassuring it just comes off as even creepier. But he's literally neurodivergent and a miner, so I'm willing to give him a pass. In fact, it's part of his charm.

2. I Will Possess Your Heart (Death Cab for Cutie)

How I wish you could see the potential The potential of you and me It's like a book elegantly bound but In a language that you can't read just yet

The way the instrumentals slowly build from a simple bass riff into an intense soundscape over more than four-and-a-half minutes before the vocals even kick in! Gives me chills, folks. Plus the stalker's smug condescension and certainty (or false bravado?) that he will earn his target's love captures Wayne's attitude to a T.

3. The Point of No Return (The Phantom of the Opera)

Past all thought of right or wrong One final question How long should we two wait before we're one?

If you watch the clip from the Royal Albert Hall's 2011 production of PotO, you'll understand why I picked this song. You all can see it, right? I firmly believe that events similar to the PotO scene will play out in Episode 6. Wayne will walk on in to Avery's party, letting the guests assume he's a guy with a bitchin' Halloween costume, and give MC a big ultimatum. MC must either leave their friends to the horrors and go with him to (relative) safety, or stay with them all and probably die. The drama!

4. Liebestod (Tristan und Isolde)

Do I alone hear this melody, which wonderfully and softly, lamenting delight, telling it all, mildly reconciling sounds out of him, invades me...

The final aria from Tristan und Isolde captures not only the tragic romance aspect of the Waynemance that I think the devs are building towards, but also how bizarre a Waynemancer MC must be to pass over a bunch of nice, conventionally-attractive people for a scary zombie man. Yes Sybil, Wayne is my friend and we're in love and I am drowning in his song and sweet smell. Why are you looking at me like that?

5. Under Attack (ABBA)

This is getting crazy, I should tell him so Really let my anger show Persuade him that the answer to his questions is a definite no (I'm kind of flattered I suppose)

"Stop following me! uwu" A bouncy 80s pop song is a fun way to close out a playlist full of heavy tracks and serious themes. And yet there's a haunting quality to this one. Again, I don't think the Waynemance is going to end well. But it's going to be a lot of fun, won't it?

Tagging @lytorika, @itsmewahoo, @nimbexy, @shanklinthestabpossum @kris-mage-fics. No pressure!

[a-menaceinpink]

i literally just finished reading ta6 so i have a lot of thoughts about it, in no particular order:

Callum irritates me. he's portraying himself as a cackling supervillain and yet rarely if ever does cackling supervillain things. mostly he just complains about everyone being too boring for him to bother with (meanwhile he's a white south african heir of greek royalty ... sir your inner monologue is classist in the extreme)

Tristan also irritates me, but for different reasons. he's incredibly whiny. and not like sopping wet pathetic little meow meow like just whiny and pathetic. complains about not knowing about himself or his powers but never does anything about it or searches for answers. no spine. refuses to give even a hint of a tragic backstory.

Reina my aroace queen <333 she was so undeveloped here it's insane but EYE saw her crazy powerful abilities and burgeoning god complex. EYE love her. everybody who didn't, skill issue. wish she had more screentime but i do remember liking her plot in the next one. also the plant monologue to her is really fun bc i too would be crazyyyyyy annoyed by that

Nico straightforward king. liked him less this time around than the last time but i think its bc he has less like. depth? mystery? than some of the others. sweet charming king tho, i love him and gideon

Parisa oh my god. oh my GOD. do i want to be her or be with her. unclear. both. she could kill me and i'd thank her. telepath, ruthless, ambitious, manipulative. what's not to love (except for her fixation on dalton like .. girl get up you can do better than this i know his mind is a puzzle but still :/)

i love libby (maybe a little too much, rip me) and i wish yall would stop talking ab her damn hair is NOT that big of a deal!! get a life!! don't yall have murder to be worried about, why are you so worried that libby likes to ask questions!!

this is very much a character-driven book. it runs on vibes and sexiness alone (i'm being so serious here). if you like a plot-driven book, now is the time to bow out because it only gets worse

the science in this book is kind of fun but very fantasy, if you catch my drift. very much, using science principles in the service of explaining the magic system (which is still very... undefined? world-building could use some work tbh)

ultimately, i am seeing how this book both did and didn't set itseulf up for success in the second book. it has a good cliffhanger, it introduces a unique setting and unique, fleshed out characters, but it fails to introduce an overarching plot problem. something that warrants this being a trilogy and not just a magical murder mystery.

it's also incredibly up its own ass about EVERYTHING so if you're really anti-pretentious writing you will dislike this book

and again, this is just the story of a love-hate platonic-romantic queer polycule that may or may not kill each other. and the book rides off that pretty heavily

[stoptellinglieslois]

Love fair Act 11

Clark Kent human x Dick Grayson vampire no capes and tights but fangs and might alternative universe Dick pov.

Richard pov

As the play ended we had a standing ovation but my Clark ran off the stage I wouldn't let him get away, The curtain came down and I was off after him. "Clark wait." I yelled after him chasing him it didn't take me long to catch up with him. "Stop why you are running away." I said as we went into the halls.

He freezes as he realises I am real that it was not all in his head. "God help me you found me." His mouth opened in shock. "I told you I would find you Clark that I would come to you and now I have." I smiled at him this time I made sure my fangs stayed well hidden. "Come with me." Clark was alarmed as my hand reached out to him. "No way I mean... no please." He is truly terrified of me. "I will not hurt you I just wish to spend time with you." I soothed but it didn't seem to have any effect on him, He backed up against a locker I made sure I stayed in place and made no sudden movements.

"I came to take over your play Conner seemed to be not good of an actor. I told him I could take over for him and he said yes." I stepped back from him as he was thinking and I could tell what he was thinking about and that was to run away again.

"I don't care about that right now you're a god damn vampire." Clark hushed words made me feel odd, As if not to say the evil out loud so that it won't get you. "Yes I am a vampire I only feed off animals not humans, My kind of lineage adapted to these sorts of traits of not killing and drinking humans." Yes I am not human but I would never hurt him.

"I tell you what we stay here and join the aftermath of the play and we could hang for a bit to get to know each other, I came so far to get here Clark do not shut me out." I told him I didn't move he didn't know what to do with me.

He stared at me not knowing what to say to me but nodded his head I think it was just to agree on whatever I was saying. "Ok there refreshments in the gym there's a lot of people there." My Clark said scared out of his mind he didn't know what to do.

"Let's go then." I side step for him to lead the way he walked on nervous legs and we made it down to the gym. "I would like to know more about you Clark." I said as we entered cheering and applause as we entered the gym it felt good to my icy cold dead heart. "You see that they loved your play." I complimented him. "Please you're not even a kid here that goes to school here." He scolded me.

And right there I see the witch getting closer to us I would wish for her to leave us it wouldn't be wise for her to approach us at all. "Wow Clark who's this I thought Conner was going to play the part of Tristan." Lois came to us with an air of pretence as if she never hurt Clark I wanted to put a stop to it. "He got stage fright and Dick here helped me out. So Lois why did you come here today you didn't have to come you teach home ec and algebra your presence here is not needed." Clark beat me to the punch.

"Well I had to see if you would succeed tonight but it's strange that a student that looks about twenty-four, And my goodness he is not supposed to be in this play." She sounded like an immature girl then a professional high school teacher. "Might as well have stuck out your tongue when you said that the students here have more class than you do." I said that I shouldn't have butt in the way I did but I waited for a while to get the witch and here's my chance.

Students and parents and teachers are looking over their shoulders now paying attention... well I wouldn't even call it a conversation. "Listen Dick." Lois mocked. "Richard." I corrected I wanted to see the measure of her and she suck. "Oh ok Richard I bet you and Kent obviously have had this all planned out let's go and make everyone be star struck as I perform this old play dazzle all the small people." I shook my head this is too much.

"You listen to me Lois Lane you pulled the worst thing that a person can do to another human being, I wish you just disappear you are bottom of the barrel type of a human being and I wish the king cobras had bit you, And if you got poisoned and have left planet earth it would have made the world be a better place without you. I can't believe you have the temerity to talk to me and think you have a pass because tonight show you witch." Now we are gathering a crowd around us this is not what I was expecting for my first outing in decades.

"I have no idea who put those cobras in my car was it you." Lois pretence air fell and her true nature was starting to surface.

"No but I wish it was me I waited there for an actual person to show up on thanksgiving day no less, My hopes of meeting someone was a sham because your lies." Clark is getting angry this is getting heated the crowd were on edge.

"Oh Clark no one wants you I mean look at you nerd of the decade god you were a nerd back then and you're a nerd now." I couldn't believe her humiliating my Clark in front of a room full of people Lois had no chills.

"At least someone gave him fancy gifts not like you no one would ever give you anything only covid though." I interjected. The crowd laughed at my quip I felt good about that.

She is mad at me and the crowd's reaction to my joke she grabbed cake off the table of refreshments. "Covid huh covid here I will give you covid." She hurled the cake towards Clark I went in front of him and took the hit it landed on my tunic and tights.

The crowd went in a frenzy. "Lois you witch." Clark said he also threw chocolate cake at her but it landed on the floor he didn't have good aim.

"Wow Clark you dork." She turned when a tall bald built like an ox type of gentleman who looked down on her. "Lane care to explain to me what's going on tonight why did you throw cake at Kent and company." I was shocked this man saw Clark throw cake but dismissed it and blamed Lois.

"I... they were being rude to me did you not hear what he was saying."

"I heard everything monday morning in my office."

"But."

"Don't." He put his hand up and silenced her and walked away from us. "You and Dick will pay." She walked off and the crowd parted like the red sea.

Later on that evening me and Clark did have a chance to talk we drove to his house, it was a long and awkward drive to his home Clark was not used to me and I understood why my presence alarmed him a bit.

As we pulled up to his house flames and smoke irrupted as the fire fighters were putting out the fire, Clark's mother ran towards his car. "What happened." Clark jumped out of the car and ran towards his inflamed home.

I climbed out of the car watching the fire as the firefighter put out the fire. Clark hugged his mother as his father is being put in a stretcher. "I don't know Clark I was sitting in the kitchen with your father for one minute and the next the whole house is on fire." Martha ash smear face looked at me.

I looked at her back and something about her look was puzzled, Humans couldn't detect us vampires but there was something about Martha that told me she knew something like a secret that only she knew and no one else.

I stared back at her and let her read me. { I offer my home to you and your family.} I Projected that thought to her.

She looked down and looked back at her son's grave expression. "I have somewhere to go I'll take the kids you could stay with my sister in Texas." Clark turned towards me I sent him a signal to come with me.

And he shook his head no.

The end of act 11 on to act 12

Thank you for reading