#and is why they're torn between what to choose in the end

[tomlinfonda]

Inside me there are two wolves.

One who thinks that the writers are either stupid or cruel, and that the finale was so incomprehensibly bad that I shouldn't try to make sense of it. And that I should move on.

The other one is a subtext-and-metaphor-hungry beast that is manically obsessed with finding a reason, at least subtextually, for the incomprehensible mess they made out of these characters, especially Ted, in the finale.

Everyone is so right to point out that Ted in previous episodes would not have acted like this. I think the reason for the sudden regression in his character is Dottie.

That morning, full of smiles, in a good mood, Ted starts his walk to work.

He cheerfully strolls through the streets, saying hello to his neighbors, making chit-chat with them. He is (as Trent said it in 1x03) out there in the community. He is, more importantly, part of a community. Until suddenly-

"Mom?"

Dottie's arrival changes everything. Ted gets worse and worse throughout the episode. In the hotel room in Manchester, the football anthem "Blue Moon", with the haunting lyric "You saw me standing alone" plays over Ted's lonesome figure, in the shadows, depressed.

Juxtapose that with his first scene: the lively neighborhood and daylight.

At the end of the episode, his conversation with his (manipulative) mom hits him deep. He feels immense guilt over not being there for Henry. And he's been torn over this for the entire season.

His mom, and the way she acts, and the way she manipulates him, push him in the wrong direction: Kansas.

I think Ted has disassociated for most of the finale. But I also think that he is intentionally pushing people away. Maybe he thinks that this will make it easier for him to leave, maybe he thinks that this will make it easier for them to let him go. Maybe he just hates himself so much that he cannot accept their help. Maybe he feels guilty that they're showing him so much love, when he knows he will abandon them.

Either way, he quits. Something that he would not have done, even in season 1. So his regression goes farther than the first episode, deeper into his past. He goes from:

to having doubts on the plane about leaving without winning the whole fucking thing

but leaving anyway.

And this is one of the most curious things to me. Rebecca offers to bring Henry to him in England by helping relocate Michelle:

And yet, he refuses. So, sure, this is about being there for his son. But given the choice between his son with his beloved community, and his son without his beloved community, he chooses the latter.

I've heard the argument that we don't know for sure that Ted doesn't have a support system in Kansas. But from a narrative perspective, it's important that we haven't been shown that hypothetical support system at all. And given that he actually returns to Kansas without the one person who we know supported him before coming to England, it comes across as a terribly isolating situation.

So why would Ted choose to part from his found family, even though bringing his son into that family would be an option? My theory is that he just really fucking hates himself. I think he wants to punish himself, maybe for being away from Henry for so long, maybe for something else. I don't think he believes that he deserves love or even credit for how he helped the club.

I mean, Rebecca and Trent offer him exactly that this episode: credit for what the did for the club.

And he rejects them both, choosing instead to remove himself from their lives, to erase himself from the narrative.

I think he's lower mentally than we've seen him for a while.

I think he's in his dark forest.

So the plane departs and then lands. And Ted is back in Kansas, driven through the prosaic, picket-fenced, isolating, depressing American suburbs to the house where Henry and the ex-wife who doesn't love him are waiting for him.

And the light might be golden, and he might be reunited with his son. But as we close in on the last shot of the show, you can see his smile try to fight the sadness in his eyes and you know.

He's not happy.

[stanfordsweater]

hello i'm new to the supernatural fandom and you have been in my recommendeds for a while, reasons to ship wincest???

i thought for a long time about how to respond to this so imma link catherine tosenberger's excellent analysis of the first few seasons where "the most resistive aspect of Wincest fan fiction is that it gives the main characters a lasting happiness that the series eternally defers."

to begin with, there are a lot of people who will argue for the toxic codependency and i love them and also love it but the reason i've been here for well over a decade is because of the way that wincest offers you two paths: you can follow the path of those who write endless meta about how one or the other brother is abusive and how toxic it is and eventually brainwash yourself into being unable to ship it, or you can follow the path of love and light and perspective and recognize 1. these are fictional characters and b. there are no two characters in genre tv who are as devoted to each other as sam and dean. there is no plotline that follows through fifteen seasons of being obsessed with each other.

by choosing the incest pill, you grant yourself access to fifteen seasons of generally good tv ABOUT YOUR SHIP EXCLUSIVELY. sam and dean are the main characters and you will always know, opening up an episode, that they will be there, doing their weird-ass jealous obsessiveness, and you will never despair about not having them present, together, even if they're fighting or struggling or depressed. that is a very special thing!

now, beyond that, assuming you've watched the show, there's many reasons to cross the incest line. FIRSTLY, everyone involved was well aware of what they were doing. we have a few choice quotes i've collected below about their relationship that ramps up the intensity:

--

"Ultimately, they are pathologically dishonest with each other because John Winchester was pathologically elusive to them," consulting producer Ben Edlund says. "They learned that the truth is this dangerous thing, and that you shouldn't speak it. He even taught them to keep secrets from each other for strategic purposes." With all of the supernatural, apocalyptic, tragic drama woven into the show, Sam and Dean's relationship is rooted in human emotion. "When you look at the dysfunction that they show to each other, it comes directly from how they were brought up, and that's a kind of dysfunction that people in this world continue to face. 'Why didn't my dad tell me that he loved me yesterday?' We're just people sharing the same kind of thing," Edlund says.

--

"Why do you think Dean has had such a hard time forgiving Cas when he did forgive Sam for a similar betrayal?"

I think the easy answer is blood, I think the easy answer is family, even though if there was a family in this show it would include Bobby, it would include Cas, it would include these-- these-- kind of, broken war-torn heroes we've come to know, and you know, Bobby has that famous line, "family don't end with blood," but it is his brother, at the end of the day, that's the closest he has to a companion, and has had for a companion for many years, so I think with Cas there was always, "he's unnatural, he's an angel," and I think that for Dean, relating to someone like that, it's tricky, relating to monsters, relating to anything supernatural, his brother is flesh and blood, it's tangible, he can touch that.

--

Obviously the relationship between Sam and Dean is central to our show but we’ve been building this rift between Sam and Dean all season, so that led to the idea of having this young male character that sort of idolizes Dean and does all the cool stuff that Sam won’t do, and that’s Dean’s perfect mate.

(the thing sam won't do is literally swapping spit with him. tell me i'm lying)

--

in the hunt, page 37

--

Not all fans are content simply to attend conventions. Some of them want to take a hand in the story, and their fan fiction can explore areas mostly untouched on the show, like the latent homoerotic suggestiveness of the Winchesters’ intense relationship.

-THE NEW YORK TIMES

--

"eyefuck" became a well-known script shorthand because of how intense j2 looked at each other as sam and dean

--

it's a terrible life draft script:

Note B) They are supposed to be together

Note C) each been all alone in separate life finally found kindred spirit

--

in the hunt, page 158

--

i haven't included any eric kripke quotes because he has so much wrong with him that i don't want to enable it. this is a compliment. it is one of the highest i can give.

SO-- what these quotes tell us:

sam and dean are relatable because their relationship is intensely human

sam and dean have shared secrets they cannot voice to one another but that nonetheless make them inseparable

people have been writing motherfucking essays about sam and dean's homoeroticism since the show aired

within the mythology of the show, sam and dean are meant to be together above all other relationships

...oh, you need more? i didn't think i'd get this far. um... okay... look at them???

if you choose to walk this path you will find yourself crying and taking screenshots every time they look at each other or touch each other or hold each other and you will thank the lord in heaven that we were granted this intensely wild and beautiful homoerotic relationship back in 2005 and praise jesus that you can always return to their raw sexual chemistry-- "In fact, much like the early X-Files, the show is fueled past its failings almost entirely by the chemistry between the two principals, the boys who, like Mulder and Scully, generate enough sexual tension to power a small city" as quoted by whitney cox in 2006 in an article that otherwise fails to bring anything to the table, sorry if you love it for your meta but also literally just go read the catherine tosenberger essay

you still need more????? jesus, what have you shipped prior to this? well, go watch the pilot and enjoy the fact that the first scene these two have together they are wrestling on the floor (sexually) and getting all romantically silhouetted against this beautiful lighting

and then go watch a few fanvids like this or this and then watch the pilot and watch this and then read this post about how supernatural happily wields incest as a tool of horror and as comedy and then scroll through my entire family horror show tag to understand more and then watch this immaculate video that deals with the whole thing and think about how all these things were happening in 2005 and remember the fact that sam and dean are the main characters of the universe... and then maybe just watch the show and please do not become an annoying shit poster who just talks about how they hate it🙏

[dialovers-lover-xoxo]

Subaru's relationship alphabet! Other diaboys linked at end!

Under a cut cuz it's long

--------------------------------------------

Alphabet Credit: @snk-warriors

A - Activities (What activities do you do as a couple with him?)

There aren't really activities you do with Subaru. You'd walk in the garden and throughout the mansion but Subaru would rather just take a walk and talk. You might be able to get him to do other things like at the vandead carnival and he'd probably end up enjoying it and even suggesting things but he'd never admit to it.

B - Beauty (What physical attribute do they admire about you?)

Your face. He often stares because he's so in awe at how beautiful you are. Your chest, not because of your breasts (though also that) but because it's where your heart is.

C - Comfort (How would they comfort you when you're upset or having a panic attack?)

Subaru panics and believes he's at fault

D - Dreams (Do they picture a future with you? If so, what does that future look like?)

Subaru can't imagine life without you and he lives in fear you'll one day think he's a monster and leave him for good. He's so scared of that and genuinely believes that that it prevents him from hoping for a future. As time goes on he'll see you in his future.

E - Equal (Are they dominating/dominant in the relationship or passive?)

He's pretty dominating, he likes being in charge, but he sees you as an equal. He's not like Reiji or Ruki where he demands things of you to keep you in line. In this regard Subaru is probably the most normal diaboy, he won't demand anything out of you the two of you just date and spend time together

F - Fight (Do they forgive easily? How do they fight?)

He yells and punches walls, but he never lays a hand on you. He forgives easily and more than that he hates himself for yelling and being an angry. He thinks he's a monster and he doesn't want to be one to you.

G - Gratitude (How grateful are they in general? How do they show their gratitude?)

He'll say thank you for normal things and every once in a while like when you're cuddling and you fell asleep he'll think about how much better his life is because of you and then the next day he'll be extra affectionate but when you ask him why he's being more sweet and affectionate than usual he'll blush and get super tsundere lol

H - Honesty (Do they share everything with you? If they do keep something from you, why?)

Subaru is terrified of losing you, and he's torn between doing everything in his power to keep you, even if it means lying, or doing the right thing and letting you know everything because you deserve to leave him. Ultimately he'll be honest and then surprised when you consistently choose him.

I - Inspiration (Did they get inspired to change by you? How so?)

He'll never stop being hot-headed, that's just his personality, and his trauma is so deeply engraved in him that it'd be unrealistic and way too idealistic for me to headcanon that one day he'll learn to love himself. But he will treat himself better and learn that his childhood was not his fault and he will learn to be nicer to himself

J - Jealousy (Do they get jealous easily? How do they act when they're jealous?)

He's jealous, but he's also scared. He can't stand the idea of losing you. Behind the anger in his face, is the fear in his eyes. After he's done screaming at the guy flirting with you he'll whirl around and his eyes are full of fear and trepidation

K - Kiss (Are they a good kisser? What are their kisses like? What was the first kiss like?)

Yes, very good kisser. Not into tongue, nice open mouth and tilting heads. He just kinda kissed you and said he felt like it and "whatever"

L - Love Confession (What was their love confession like?)

It was more you confessed your love to him and then he broke down in tears and said he loved you

M - Marriage (Do they want to get married? How would they propose?)

He doesn't necessarily need marriage, he knows the two of you will be together forever, but he would definitely want marriage if you wanted marriage. On his knee, in the garden

N - Nicknames (What do they call you as a term of endearment? Where did the nickname come from?)

He tried calling you sweetie once. It was awkward and then he turned red and locked himself in a room for 10 hours. His brothers still tease him. Nicknames are either "love" which comes naturally to him unlike sweetie did or some variant of your name or something based off your name

O - On cloud 9 (What are they like in love? Can other people tell?)

He stares at you with love and adoration but there's a hint of fear or sadness. His brothers can definitely tell. Surprisingly, they're supportive. Sure they'll tease him for being a tsundere or whatever, but the relationship itself they're surprisingly supportive

P - PDA (Are they shy or upfront about their relationship with you? Will they kiss in public?)

He's not shy in the slightest. As much of a tsundere as he is, he'll make out with you no problem. Holding hands? He's a red blushing mess

Q - Quirk (Something random about them that's beneficial in a relationship)

He's very cuddly and despite how hot-headed and impulsive he is, he's actually a really good listener. He always knows where to touch you to make you feel nice, like your hair or rubbing your wrist.

R - Romance (How romantic are they?What is their idea of romance like?)

Not exactly textbook romance. The two of you do what makes you guys happy, you don't let the definition of romance get in the way

S - Support (Do they help you reach your goals? Do they believe in you?)

Yes, but again, there's that fear; the fear of you leaving

T - Thrill (Do they like trying new things in a relationship? Or do they prefer routine?)

Not really. He's happy just being with you in the garden or his coffin.

U - Understanding (How well do they understand you?)

Very well. As said before, he's a good listener and he's surprisingly sympathetic

V - Value (How important is your relationship to them?)

More important than anything

W - Wild card (A random fluff headcanon)

He tends to stare at you when he doesn't think anyone's looking.

X - XOXO (Are they affectionate? Do they like to kiss and cuddle)

Yes, he gets shy a little but he loves kissing and cuddling

Y - Yearning (How will they cope when they miss you?)

You are the light in his life. Without you, he is numb and dark. Coping isn't really a thing any of the diaboys are great at.

Z - Zeal (Are they willing to go to great lengths for your relationship?)

Yes. Absolutely anything except hurting innocents. He won't give up on getting you, but he'll figure out a different way

--------------------------------------------

[queenvhagar]

Initial thoughts on HOTD season 2 episode 1 "A Son for a Son:"

Alicole

Maybe an unpopular opinion but Alicole seemed to appear out of thin air so quickly with not one but two sex scenes in one episode... Like when did this start? Who started it? How did these characters suddenly get to this place of complete sexual liberation in this way based on literally everything we know about these characters and this world up until this point? Alicent is a deeply religious widow of the king who has lived decades in servitude to the realm without much thought to her own desires and Criston is a knight of the Kingsguard sworn to celibacy who broke his vow once with royalty and almost killed himself out of guilt. Somehow they're at the point where he's giving her head in the middle of the day and she's riding him at night in her bed and the build up is just... non existent save one look and line in season 1 episode 9. Like... what's going on here?

For the first scene I was like "ohh cunnilingus is technically not breaking his vow in a way so maybe this is how they get around the whole Kingsguard vow/honor thing" but then she's just full on riding him later and the way the show shows us this is through the perspective of Helaena as she walks in on them with Jahaera as she's coming directly from B+C sawing Jahaerys' head off in his bed. If Alicole was about reclaiming pleasure or connecting in dark times, there's something there. But compare this almost voyeuristic view of Alicole sex to the focus on female sexual pleasure given to Rhaenyra's sex scenes in the first season... it kind of weird of the show to now just have Alicole have sex as some weird "woah what the heck" bit at the end of the B+C sequence, as if the whole end of the episode really needed some extra shock value. It doesn't even really need to be there to explain why Alicent and Criston weren't there to see B+C... It happens far enough away that the two could've been doing anything else and not have known it was happening.

Alicole sex and particularly this second scene really adds nothing narratively. I would have preferred that Alicent witness B+C like in the original or be doing literally anything else, because the point of Alicole sex in the show of course isn't on their pleasure or their relationship or anything it's just some moments we're intruding on.

I'm not sure why they felt the need to add this element. We already know Criston defends Alicent no matter what and we didn't need to add sex for that to hit. We also know they have a weird bond with weird feelings so like the sex doesn't add much. Like good for them but character wise I don't really see how this realistically developed. I also am not sure about the power dynamics given she is his personal guard, but since they didn't devote any thought to this is season 1 when Rhaenyra forced sex on him, I doubt they will stop to consider how he ended up getting into another sexual relationship with a royal and/or his thoughts about the whole thing. Basically the "after the episode" clip explained that they think Cole is the most messed up character in the show who just flaunts his responsibilities and vows left and right... and that's about as far as they're gonna go about it. Basically: look, he's a hypocrite! But we knew this already.

Blood and Cheese

I'm glad that the show at least let Daemon basically instruct B+C to take a son for a son no matter what if they couldn't find Aemond like he and Rhaenyra initially intended... However they did cut before Daemon literally said it so count on TB stans to give him the benefit of the doubt despite it all 🙄

I still think the book B+C is supremely superior without the weird walking in on Alicole voyeuristic thing and with Helena choosing between her two sons instead of the twins, but for some reason they erased Maelor to make TB look better in the long run and not have to deal with the whole "Rhaenyra puts a bounty on a toddler that gets him torn apart by a mob" thing... so I guess they're going with what they've got...

I do appreciate the build to the moment, the anxiety and atmosphere leading to what will happen. Very well done cinematically. Imagine this plus being committed to sticking to the source material... The amazing scene that could have happened. However the realistic sawing off a six year old's head sound as his mother picks up her six year old daughter and walks out of the room was something that really makes you remember the horror element of early seasons Game of Thrones and something I really appreciate that they let us have. Could it have been better? Yes. Is the book version better? Yes. But I am overall ok with what we got (minus the ending because... wtf) and I'm really looking forward to the fallout we'll get next week.

[amethystina]

Do you think Yo Han would like Ga On creating plans and organising schemes post canon or would his protective instincts kick in? Because we've seen the way he looked at Ga On before when it happened, but do think it would be the same later, especially if he was in Switzerland and not nearby in case for backup

I think he would be pretty torn between the two.

I mean, it's clear that Yo Han loves it when Ga On shows off how clever and resourceful he can be, so of course he'd want to encourage it as much as possible. He spent the entire drama trying to teach Ga On his manipulative, wicked ways and encourage him to be more loose with his morals. And even if Ga On always chooses a more legally acceptable route, Yo Han would still be delighted and so goddamn proud every time Ga On plans and executes a scheme.

I mean, just look at Yo Han's face during the entirety of Kim Choong Sik's first trial — i.e. the one where Ga On took the lead and planned their strategy. Yo Han looks like he's having the time of his goddamn life, smiling to himself like the proud Abyss that he is. And don't get me started on that part where Ga On asks if he may step down and talk to the defendant and Yo Han agrees, basically going: "Of course, bb, you go get him."

These two, I swear.

Point being, Yo Han clearly trusts Ga On to plot and scheme — he seemed to give him more or less free rein on more than one occasion — and he's always curious and excited to see what Ga On comes up with. But, just like you say, things might be different after the end of the drama.

Because during most of those instances, Yo Han was always there to rectify any mistakes or miscalculations Ga On made — like when they were trying to bribe Cha Kyung Hee's secretary. The only reason that worked was because Yo Han stepped in and took over since, unfortunately, Ga On's tactic wasn't working. And like Yo Han points out in that moment: Ga On might have the tools but doesn't always know how to use them.

In the baby deer's defence, he's still learning.

But that makes it pretty clear that while Yo Han trusts Ga On to a very high degree, he still likes to maintain a certain amount of control. He still wants to be there, just in case. And, I mean, that probably only got worse post-canon since one of the few times when Yo Han wasn't there to supervise, Ga On's plan was to blow himself up and Yo Han only managed to save him with literal seconds to spare.

So to say that Yo Han would be a bit nervous at the thought of Ga On scheming without him is an understatement.

Not that Yo Han necessarily thinks that Ga On will try to blow himself up again, but it's clear that Ga On doesn't always remember to consider the big picture. He sometimes misses details and doesn't always have backup plans, especially if he gets too emotional to think beyond his main objective. Ga On is reckless and impatient and, depending on who his opponents are, that could be deadly.

So Yo Han's protective instincts would definitely kick in, I think. Not to the point where he'd try to stop Ga On — because, again, he loves to watch his vicious little darling eviscerate people — but he'd want to be there, just in case.

Which, yes, is another reason why Yo Han decided to return to Korea in Who Holds the Devil that he has elected not to mention to Ga On. He wants to be there and protect Ga On from outside threats, sure, but he also wants to make sure that Ga On doesn't get any wild ideas and puts himself in danger. Which is why Yo Han is so eager to hear about all the cases Ga On is working on. Yo Han knows they're all very low-stakes at the moment, but it's good to be cautious. He wants to make sure that Ga On doesn't take any unnecessary risks.

Not because Yo Han doesn't trust Ga On — he does — he just wants to keep an eye on Ga On's blind spots to prevent anyone from exploiting them. To keep supervising him, if you will. And I think it would make him very nervous if he was in Switzerland, yes, since he'd be too far away to physically intervene or provide support.

He just doesn't want to lose any more people he cares about — and especially not Ga On.

But, again, he also wouldn't stop him. So I guess Yo Han just has to live with the fact that he can never let Ga On out of his sight ever again?

Oh how unfortunate ;D

[georgegraphys]

To be honest, I would not fully trust Ola Kallenius either despite his words backing George. Why? Because he's a part of this big multinational corporation and this multinational corporation is FAR from the word 'good'.

But what we're talking about is taking advantage of George being favorable in their eyes for now. Read that 'for now' again. To manipulate the long terms, you need to take advantage of what is happening in short terms first. You can't be thinking too far ahead, overthinking and speculating about things, and making rash decisions over some speculations. That'd be a self-fulfilling prophecy. You can't play the short game when you're in a position like George. You have to play the long game.

If I were to be REAL honest here, I do want George to take Red Bull's offer back in 2021 because they're great, they're fast, they're amazing. But looking at the other aspects here, you wouldn't want him to be there. You should stop seeing things from just a two dimensional perspective. Moving teams solves nothing and i think we learnt enough from several drivers who made the wrong choice due to greed and being impatient.

In every part of an organization, there is something called homeowners. Just like Max's home is RB and Charles' home (might be) is Ferrari, George's home is Mercedes. And that is a solid thing for 2-3 upcoming years unless something happened. Why do i say so? Because these teams aren't the backmarkers where everyone is replaceable, they are the frontrunners with big brands behind them that not only values winning and racing but also values loyalty, brand image, and more. What they're also trying to find is someone who could be the face of the team for a long time not just 2-3 seasons and dip.

And let's take things real here. If Mercedes did NOT value George, they wouldn't pressure him to make a decision between choosing BMW or Mercedes very early in his formula series career. Why is it important? Because if George is not important to them, the moment George rejects Toto for Carlin Volkswagen is the moment they back out and move on. But they didn't. That is exhibit one.

Exhibit two is that in 2018, Mercedes is torn on who to give an F1 seat. Ocon or Russell? We all know the answer in 2019. Exhibit three, in 2020 when George's 2021 seat is threatened with Williams, Red Bull allegedly offered Mercedes to 'lend' George out to them for a year but Mercedes REFUSED because they do not want George outside of their institution even for a year (even if that 'lend out' move benefits Mercedes because from there Mercedes can see how George performs in better car). They'd rather George go jobless and drive in DTM for a year rather than lending him out to Red Bull. If Mercedes does not care about him, they would let him leave just like they let Ocon leave to go to Alpine.

And fourth, we have Kallenius basically on Toto's neck about how he wants George on that seat and not Max or Valtteri or whoever Toto wants. Then we also have Mercedes literally going feral on the mention of George going somewhere else (read: RBR). This happened on the same day as the British GP

My point here is if they do not give a shit, if they do not at the very least back George up, they would have let George go in 2021. And if you're saying "but that's 2021, Ari. We're talking about now", then look at his previous contract renewal. We're supposed to have George's silly season THIS YEAR because his original contract with Merc is supposed to end this year but we DIDN'T! Why? Because the contract is already renewed somewhere in December 2022 or Spring 2023! Again if they're planning to replace him, they would not make him sign a contract just for several months to his Merc career. And to add on top of that, George literally talks about how his contract is so EASILY signed and Mercedes and him were giggling over it like a married couple while LH and Mercedes (read: Kallenius) were in trenches, fighting endless war for a contract negotiation.

We cannot be 100% sure on the long run on who backs who even with Max in Red Bull. There is NOTHING certain in F1. Things change drastically. This is a very dynamic sport. But to manipulate the longer term, you need to take a hold of shorter terms first. If Kallenius, for now, sees George in a favorable place, that's good. But if in the future, he doesn't then it is what it is. It's business. You can't be idealistic about it. Moving teams is NEVER the solution unless you want George to make a decision blunder like other drivers who weren't patient enough.

It is painful but we have to play the long game.

[sytokun]

Art by Mikkusushi on Twitter.

I've been sort of entertaining this idea for a while now. Knowing all the unfortunate baggage and mishandling involved with the White Fang, why not just. Make them the good guys?

Say an official rewrite or reboot of RWBY exists in the future - if those two words rub you the wrong way then whatever, basically a clean slate or re-adaptation of RWBY - the fact stands that the White Fang need a heavy revision.

People are smart enough at this point to know that you shouldn't be villainising the oppressed group trying to fight back against a world that is actively pushing them out - if anything the SDC should be more of a antagonistic faction, kind of like the Shinra corporation from Final Fantasy 7 which RWBY is clearly heavily based on, what with Dust and Materia and all that. But that still leaves you with the White Fang and Blake's arc to write.

This has been a large headache point for anyone trying to figure out how to revise RWBY's more fundamental writing flaws, because the WF are such a prominent antagonist faction throughout the Beacon arc and they were such a problem that CRWBY had no choice but to sweep them under the rug entirely after Adam's death. But hear me out here. Do we really need to latch onto that idea so hard? That the White Fang need to be villains?

Like, imagine a RWBY where the White Fang are shown as terrorists on TV and in newspapers throughout Vale, but when you actually meet them, they're a ragtag band of freedom fighters. They're like Avalanche from FF7; the freedom fighters from Sonic SatAM; you start to realise that they're the good guys. They're the embodiment of Chaotic Good or at worst, Chaotic Neutral.

In any other show they'd be the Resistance, the Rebels against an evil corporate empire - they're just not in the main point of view of the story. Going off this change in perception, one would then rewrite everything else based off that foundation.

Putting aside Adam, Ilia and others simply because they're all supplemental to Blake's arc, where does Miss Belladonna herself fit into this?

If we want to keep her backstory as a person atoning for a dark past, then the WF would be more grey in response, but still not outright evil. Revolution is not without sacrifice, and when you're fighting for drastic societal change, conflict is inevitable. While they may fight for a good cause, not everyone has the will or strength to fight, to endure the monumental societal backlash and opposition. Perhaps Blake was one of those people - jaded and burnt out by the never-ending struggle to be heard, losing hope that change would ever be possible - so she runs away in hopes of finding herself, only to be scooped up into Beacon instead.

What would she feel, fighting for the side that, while may not have oppressed the Faunus directly, have remained ambivalent and blind to their struggles? Hunters who claim to fight for human and Faunus alike, but who clearly have more humans in their ranks and would choose to rather save a prosperous human city over a struggling Faunus slum? Would living among humans change her outlook on the fight, where she's torn between reclaiming the hard fight to preserve her own heritage, vs. a relatively comfortable new identity, but one that forces her to assimilate with humankind and live on their terms? Is there a way for her to reconcile these two sides of herself, these two families she's now a part of?

But let's not exclude other possibilities too. Assuming we have a Chaotic Good WF, what if Blake was actually proud to be part of the Fang, and enrolls into Beacon as an unashamed member? Her conflicts would then come from the people around her struggling to accept that - how would Weiss work with someone whose group keeps sabotaging their trains? How would Beacon deal with a public member of the Faunus liberation movement? Would some staunchly oppose her enrolment, while others see it as a possible bridge to better relations with the Faunus? How many Faunus would be inspired by Blake and look up to her as a Faunus-born Hunter, while others would decry and dismiss her as just a hollow figurehead and Remnant's equivalent of a diversity hire?

When seeing other rewrites or revisions of RWBY, I still mainly see people trying to work with the WF as given in canon. They still keep the activism turned to violence and extremism. The WF and thus a majority of Faunus are still portrayed as terrorists and cannon fodder for fights. But what if there's a better way of going about all this?

In the end, this is just an interesting thought exercise, but I leave you with this:

As Blake has said in the manga: "Fangs of pure white need not shed blood." Those words and the imagery they evoke have always stuck with me when I think about the White Fang and how Blake could have been written, and gives such a valuable insight to why the group was named the way it was.

What if they had never strayed from that name? What if they had not been treated by the story as just faceless enemies to mow down by the dozens... but as people from the very beginning?

[befuddled-calico-whump]

Ok hi, I’m the anon who asked about the “if the t$$ characters had to choose someone to be tortured who and why”—I’m not surprised with Hunter lol, he doesn’t seem to be particularly close with any of the others and definitely would be the one to choose in that situation (poor Hunter I love him)

Now I’m wondering, who would they pick if Hunter was also excluded? So the only options would be Joy, Jericho, Benji, and Kaius? Same situation as before, they each have to choose, cannot choose themself, and must give a reason for why. I feel like this would be a little more fun / angsty (not that it wasn’t before lmao) particularly because these four have more going on in their dynamic except bare minimum tolerance for each other.

And for fun, saying we’re building off of their last answers, how would Hunter react knowing that everyone wanted to choose him because he would be able to handle it best but they couldn’t choose him, meaning someone else had to get hurt when he so easily could’ve been in their place?

aw man that does change things up--

Especially if like you said, their captor or whoever heard them choose Hunter and then went "actually nah, he's off the menu" hehehe

Jericho, if allowed to speak, would tell everyone to just vote for him. For his own vote, he'd very, very guiltily choose Joy, because he knows she's tough

Joy, if unsure what the extent of the torture would be, would choose Kaius, because she doesn't want to do anything that keeps Jericho from going home to his kid. If she knew it would suck, but not do any serious damage, she'd choose Jericho.

Kaius has seen Joy's determination and attitude firsthand and knows she'd probably handle it the best, so he'd choose her. She'd honestly take it as kind of a compliment (before y'know, the screaming starts)

Benji would be torn between Jericho and Joy, because he knows they're both the ones who'd bounce back the easiest. In the end, he'd go with Jericho, because Joy was his maze buddy and she saved his ass from a drone. He'd probably be crying when he gave his name

Hunter wouldn't be able to bring himself to choose Jericho or Joy after the maze, since he feels like he owes them something. So uh, Kaius because he's a bitch (/hj)

Knowing he was the unanimous first choice, Hunter would feel a upset and othered deep down, but this would manifest in him cussing out their captor and asking why the fuck isn't he a good enough pick, huh?

[animehouse-moe]

Can I ask your top 5 (or top 3) favorite characters from CSM? And why you loved them? And your top 5 favorite moments from the series? Thanks....

Alright, top 5 characters and top 5 moments. This was an interesting one. Of course, there's definitely going to be manga spoilers for both Part 1 and Part 2, so anime/part 1 onlies beware.

Makes the most sense to start with characters so we'll go there first.

Denji

Kinda hard not to put Denji on the list. I know sometimes people's favorite characters can be the supporting cast, but in such a character focused series it's hard to not love Denji's character arc, and his cyclical story that feels like it mimics a devil's reincarnation. Always the same person, but everchanging, Denji's stuck searching for happiness at every turn in his life despite accruing everything that he thought would make him happy.

Asa Mitaka

I mean, there's a reason that the main character is called a main character. Asa's duality, and her juxtaposition in part two against Denji is really well done. Everything of hers serves to be an antithesis to Denji's, so both characters have done really well in bringing out the best in each other when they're together.

Quanxi

Alright, finally into the supporting characters. To put it simply, Quanxi is just plain cool and interesting. Having taught Kishibe all he knows while putting him through the ringer each time he asks her out, it's just fun. Being the oldest Devil Hunter and also one of two weapon hybrids to evade Makima's grasp up until the end? There's just too much that's cool about her, and her re-appearance in Part 2 only heightens that as she may well be positioned to take over Kishibe's role from the end of part 1. As a note, I was torn between Quanxi and Reze for this "spot", but I feel like Quanxi brings a more "complete" arc through what I've seen of her character so far, while if Reze resurfaces she'll become far more important than her role in part 1.

Makima

Chainsaw Man's core cast is pretty undefeated in terms of quality. I mean, it's pretty hard to do much with a character when they all die so quickly. Anyways, Makima as the antagonist is just plain good. People will get hung up on her manipulation and whatnot, and that is a part of her character, and a good one, but a lot can neglect the "genuine" aspect of her character that makes those manipulative pieces that much harder to discern at moments. She's more complex than just "Chainsaw Man is mine", and she deserves credit for that as a character.

Power

I'd like to say I struggled with choosing Power, but I really didn't. I do like Aki and his whole thing about death and revenge and his relationship with Himeno.... but I think that Power gets the head start on him. It's not really stretching the truth to say that the women of Chainsaw Man are more important to Denji's character than the men. After all, it's why four of the five in this list are women, Power included. Power's story does really well to bond with Denji as a sibling, giving him a closer connection to her than he has to Aki. It's almost like a precursor for becoming a big brother to Nayuta. And then there's the whole thing with Power's death mirroring Pochita's. Power fills a void in Denji, much like Aki. But it's not Power herself that does, but their bond, the pieces that the pair have put together between themselves through jokes, fighting, fear, or anything else. So, out of all the possible recurring characters, Power is arguably the most important, which makes me curious to see if we'll ever find the Blood devil/fiend again.

Alright, on to top 5 moments now. This one's a bit more challenging, because defining a moment isn't super easy. Because of that, I'll center it around a panel or sequence that I think is really important, impactful, or cool.

Go Find The Blood Devil - Chapter 91

Ended the characters with Power, so gotta start the moments with Power. This one's rather self-explanatory, as Power gives her life much like Pochita to offer Denji a new life, not another chance at his current, but a new one. It plays, in the literal sense, into Denji's circular story of rebirth and how it affects his dreams and ideals. Great moment all around. Also on that note, Pochita's moment is solid, but it's more foundational than some of these other moments. It has it, but it's more important as a story aspect than something that can grip readers with the same importance.

Play Catch - Chapter 79

I know I picked Power over Aki earlier, but that doesn't mean that he's a worthless character stuck on the sidelines. He does a good bit through life in the manga, but his Gun fiend moment is the most important for both him and Denji. It speaks to Aki's innermost desires, to be able to play with his brother once more. Though in this case it shows how he's come to see Denji as a younger sibling and is using that to replace the one that he lost. All the while it's meant to show Aki's desire to be able to laugh, to have fun and lead a normal life, none of which was available to him. Infinitely more depressing than Power's death, Aki's moves in the opposite direction as a self-serving one which impacts Denji in a totally different way.

Save The Asa - Chapter 127

This stretch from Part 2 was really something else because it's the first time that Asa and Denji really talk properly. There's the piece at the aquarium, but it's not the same as looking into these characters like they do in this chapter. How it approaches the feelings of depression, and what can help fight them or stave them off is just incredibly fresh and realistic, and so very much Denji-like. It's silly and wonderfully uplifting and important, as well as showing Denji's resolve and (at this point in the manga) his latest reborn self. Sure, he's gone through hell several times over but he's now got a little sister, a bunch of dogs, and a massive Chainsaw Man fanbase. The sun's only just rising on his new life, and he's excitedly reaching out for more.

Dream Battle - Chapter 10

It wouldn't be Chainsaw Man without some insanity, and I feel like Denji's fight with the Leech Devil is the first real instance of that, and such an electric one at that. On his last legs, bordering on desperation, Denji's feral and ridiculous side appears for the first time, and it's an incredible amount of fun.

Chu Chu Lovely Lovely Muni Muni Mura Mura

I love Maximum The Hormone, Fujimoto loves Maximum The Hormone, how could this chapter not top my list of favorite moments? Belting off a song about sexual assault as Denji beats the brakes off a bunch of guys taking their turns against him, it's just so Chainsaw Man I don't know if there's a moment that better explains the series. It might even top the list of chapters I can't wait to see adapted as the series continues, purely because I know the song will play during the fight.

Finally, out the other side. These things always take a deceptive amount of time because I have so many ideas swirling around in my head that I need to trim down on. Going all the way down to five for each is really difficult, but given how narrow the criteria are, I feel pretty confident in my decisions at this point, especially in my favorite moments.

[annabawritersdream]

For the fanfic ask game (second attempt)

🌝

🧠

🌈 (for Lady of Ithilien)

🌝 Who is one character you haven't yet written for that you would like to?

Since the question does not differentiate between OCs and canon characters, I'm going to go with the latest OCs I've created aka Finduilas of Lamedon (daughter of Angbor the Fearless and Faramir's second wife) and their daughter Faelivrin also known as "my sweet angel Fae".

I'm trying to include Finduilas in the one-shots for Tolkien OC week but as of now I've written nothing about her. I do, however, have some ideas.

She was born in TA 3007-3008 (she's several years younger than Faramir. I'm not good at math, but since Faramir was born in TA 2983, I suppose she's 24-25 years his junior) and she's the youngest of five sisters that are all settled down with children. Her father is desperate because she's been consistently refusing every marriage proposal she's received since he was a teenager—she really didn't want to marry, I guess—and now she's considered way too old to be a bride of interest by the vast majority of people. Because of something that happens in chapter 4 (no spoilers), Aragorn sets them up and has them married (it's actually Enna's idea but I will say nothing more about that). It's an arranged marriage and I think it will be interesting to explore that dynamic, especially when Finduilas comes to realize that Faramir is infatuated with a certain Haradrim noblewoman who also happens to be the mother of his son's best buddy. (I also cannot wait to write about those two babies. Baby Elboron and Baby Selim are literally the cutest).

Another character I am looking forward to writing about (someone who is not a Maiarin character or included in Enna and Eönwë's family) is definitely Faelivrin. Fae is just...Enna's mini-me without Enna's mental problems. If you were looking for an unproblematic Enna...that's Fae for you. She will go through her fair share of troubles but it's mostly because:

-she adores her older sis and is constantly worried about her, especially when Enna starts getting pregnant every couple of months.

-She falls in love with either someone from Rohan or Harad (though I'm leaning more toward Harad) and has to have Enna's approval to marry.

Nevertheless, she adores both her siblings and Selim (he's technically not a brother but he's always been around so he's basically family anyway. I think Enna's growing affection toward Selim will be the key that eventually makes her approve of the marriage—Eönwë could technically step in and solve the matter but he chooses to stay out of it since it's a matter between sisters)

Faceclaim for Finduilas: Laura Berlin as Emma of Normandy (Vikings: Valhalla)

Faceclaim for Fae: Isla Merrick-Lawless (The Spanish Princess)

I'll include them in the character profile spreadsheets soon! I'm still looking for someone as adult Fae but I am mainly torn between Esmahan Sultan (Magnificent Century)

And another Esmahan Sultan (Magnificent Century)

The second Esmahan is probably more fitting. Too bad she only appears in the very last MC episode and there are no gifs of her.

🧠 What's an idea you have that you can't quite call a WIP yet?

Oh, that's basically the whole plot of Estel i Hína, the planned sequel to LOI, and it's also the plot of Nyerénya... Namárië!, which is the First Age fic I've been thinking about and the main reason why I've decided to include some Fëanorians in LOI. I have a general idea as far as Estel i Hína goes (it will be about Elenwë's remaining children—yes, I'll probably end up killing a few of them off. Mairon certainly won't spare them just because they're cute—and their children aka Elenwë's grandkids). I have only two planned at the moment: Elanna and Fionwë, Mírion's children. I don't know whether they'll return to Middle-earth. The story might be fully set in Valinor. Who knows.

As far as the First Age fic...I only know Enna is Hiril's daughter (Beren's sister that was later scrapped. She's thus related to Lúthien, Thingol and all of those people. I think Morgoth will have her captured, but I have no idea what I'll come up with. I think Eönwë will show up at the very end and I'm digging the idea of her being in love with a Fëanorian, but I really cannot tell you much about it as I don't really know what the fic will be about specifically. This will be it, I suppose. Enna existing in Beleriand and suffering at the hands of Morgoth. Seems pretty straightforward to me. 😂

🌈 What inspired you to write [The Lady of Ithilien]?

I actually have to mainly credit you @lucifers-legions & @saurongorthaur9.

Garo Estel (read it y'all) was one of the very first fics (if not the very first) that caught my attention on AO3. Before that, I didn't even know what AO3 was (I joined in March 2023). I don't exactly remember how I discovered the fic but I loved it right away and couldn't stop reading it.

The same applied and still applies to @saurongorthaur9's Gorthauro Estel, which is an absolutely amazing piece of writing. Check this one out too, people. Garo Estel and Gorthauro Estel. Trust me.

Both fics inspired me to write my own and then I had an idea for a one-shot as I was writing an original thing which is now on hiatus...the rest is history.😂

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR SENDING IN THE ASK!

[kawaiichibiart]

Valentine's Day Ship HC, part 4, VBS ⸜(｡˃ ᵕ ˂ )⸝

Reminder: Kohane is a lesbian, An is asexual/acespec, Akito is bisexual, and Toya is gay.

As I mentioned in my VS post, Toya was outed to his family. He's not sure who did it or why, but it happened, and it got him kicked out.

Toya's father is in full belief that Toya turned gay due to the Tenmas and Akito, outright saying he should have known better than to let Toya get so close to a boy who liked dressing like a girl, a girl who was so desperate for attention she basically whored herself off to her friends, and a boy who seemed to be too comfortable putting himself all over Toya (getting him a well deserved punch or two).

While Toya escapes to the Street SEKAI after getting what he was able to pack, including the torn up pieces of his adoption paper given to him by Tsukasa and Saki when they were kids, Akito goes to the Tenma residence for advice.

Akito and Toya had been on a date when Toya's dad sent them both a message telling them he knows. Toya ended up leaving first, and Akito, unsure what to do, decided to go to the one person he knew cared about Toya. He was relieved when Toya showed up later that night, both of them spending the night in the Tenma's guest room.

After hearing what happened, both An and Kohane offered Toya and Akito a place to stay. (Akito: Why me? An: Your dad is probably just as bad as Toya's. Akito: ....shit. Okay, fair.)

An and Kohane tell their dads everything that went on. That's why they're both able to provide a place for either of their two fellow VBS members.

Toya begins turning everything in as "Toya Tenma." When confronted about it, he hesitates before admitting he was kicked out due to his sexuality and how he had been taken in by the Tenma family.

Akito, An, Kohane, as well as Tsukasa and Saki, are there to comfort him when his father finally gets his just desserts (I'm not saying wheter or not he got arrested, I'm leaving that up for debate 👀)

They stand by him as his father loses any and all rights to him and when he is legally adopted into the Tenma family.

Toya makes sure to return the favor when Akito and his sister go to court against their own father. While Akito ends up living with An and her dad, his sister moves in with their partner, Mizuki Akiyama.

An and Akito grow closer due to Ken adopting him (tho Akito chooses to keep his last name as Shinonome). They still have a rivalry, but it's more playful now.

Akito @ An: Shit, I just realized I'm dating a Tenma.

An @ Akito: Ha, loser. >:)

Akito: Fuck you, An. He's the most tolerable Tenma there is. >:/

Double dates double dates double dates-

Kohane likes leaving An little gifts at Weekend Garage. Once in a while they're things she buys, but for the most part, they're crafts she's made during Tsukasa's mandatory Arts and Crafts day between the Unit Leaders.

An adores the little gifts her girlfriend makes. When she finds out most them come from a mandatory Arts and Crafts day held by Tsukasa Tenma (An: Why is it mandatory? Kohane: I don't know, but Tsukasa onii-chan always plans them out with our interest in mind. It's fun and I'm having a good time with him and the others :) An, thinking:....cute....) she goes to him so he can help her plan an artsy date with Kohane.

Much like how Haruka gushes to her about Minori, An will gush to Haruka about Kohane.

They do have to make sure they aren't doing something active, last time An gushed about her girlfriend while they were playing basketball 1v1, she got hit on the head with the actual ball because she wasn't paying attention. :/

Toya and Kohane will sometimes go on friendship dates. Yes, it has led to some people thinking they're a couple.

An and Akito also used to get the "you're such a cute couple" shtick. It stopped when people began to hear Akito refer to Ken as his dad.

It also helped that An is almost always cozying up to her girlfriend and Akito has often been spotted with his boyfriend going into a private booth at Weekend Garage (by private, I mean there's a curtain blocking anyone's view, alongside a father who gives a damn about kids privacy, his own or not).

Kohane likes to take photos of An at random times. While she does enjoy when her girlfriend poses for her, she also enjoys capturing more in the moment photos.

An loves running her hands through Kohane's hair.

Akito and Toya know they don't have to hide their relationship anymore, what with the whole thing with them being taken in by different families and all that jazz, they still rather it just be them. They don't want to hear how brave they were, or how sorry their fellow classmates felt, they just want to have some peace. Thank you very much. :/

Ken and Tsukasa are the boys saving graces. Ken will offer them some privacy whenever they're at Weekend Garage (hence the curtained booth), and Tsukasa will often redirect people away from his little brother and his future brother-in-law.

Akito was 100% expecting some sort of shovel talk from one of Tenmas. He's invited to family game night instead (Akito: who the fuck is she? Kanade: ._. hello. Saki: She's our older sister!! Akito:.... Toya: You get used to it. Sometimes more people join in. :) Akito:....there are more??? Kohane: *shows up* Akito:.....since when-).

Kohane's dad and Ken will often exchange stories about their daughters. They're both proud of them and are happy to see them find joy in each other <3

Ever since adopting Akito into the Shiraishi family, Ken has made it even more known that Weekend Garage was a safe space for those in the LGBT community. If anyone ever needed a supportive dad, he was there for them.

[qunaributts]

Adventure Poll!

Previous Poll

You can feel Cooper's instincts at war, torn between fight and flight.

"There's two more of them out there," you whisper to her urgently. Her eyes dart to yours, luminous in the dark, questioning. You know she wants to ask how you could possibly know that, but you see her crush the question in her mind. Cooper trusts you.

"Come on, you can't fight them all. Not tonight at least," and you start to pull Cooper toward the other end of the alleyway. She nods, following you. She seems somehow smaller by the time you reach the end of the alley. Most of her crackling energy has gone, replaced by silence and certainty.

You move in tandem with Cooper, side by side, step by step.

Once in the night you hear the bray of hart--but the noise is twisted into something sharper and more metallic. Twice on your way to the tavern you think you spot a rider down the street and have to duck into an alley or behind a shallow wall until you're certain it was just a passing shadow--or that the shadow has passed.

By the time you and Cooper slip into the small stables, you're both wound so tightly that the soft whicker of a horse on your left has you jumping about a foot in the air. Thankfully Cooper has a hold on you to prevent you doing more damage to your ankle.

A shiver of motion travels through the stables as the horses lift their heads, ears flickering nervously toward Cooper, nostrils flaring. One of them stomps a hoof and lets out a loud whinney. They're none too pleased with their new company.

"Best make your choice quick, love," Cooper says, doing her best to be small and unassuming, even trying to duck behind you. The horses don't seem convinced. To be fair to them, it's not very convincing. Even after Cooper had calmed down a bit, she still had the bearing and presence of a panther in the night.

"What... the shit... is going on? Are we about to steal a horse?" a small, familiar voice asks in your head. It stops you dead in your tracks for a beat.

"Not now," you whisper.

"Now's the only time, love," Cooper says, shifting from foot to foot and trying not to make eye contact with a room full of increasingly agitated horses.

"What do you mean not now? Are we stealing a horse later? Why are you with a huntress?" the egg asks at the same time Cooper speaks.

Between lightning and a chorus of thunder, you think you hear that unnervingly metallic bray again.

Oh you so don't have time for this right now.

[yukidragon]

Okay, you’ve seen that art of Jack in what looks like an 80’s horror movie poster, right? What if Something’s Wrong With Sunny Day Jack was a literal horror movie? We’d all OBVIOUSLY watch it, but what would your ideal SDJ movie be?

Ah yes, I loved that mock horror movie poster. It reminded me of when I would dare to stroll through the horror movie section of the video rental store to see all the creepy box art. Such a cool picture.

Hmm... my ideal SDJ movie... Well, while it would still have horror elements, it would be more of a thriller romance. I don't know if you noticed, but I'm a sucker for my OTP of Alice and Jack, which is why I'm writing my own version of the canon with Sunshine in Hell to guarantee that they'll have a happily ever after that involves lots of cuddles and smooches.

In a lot of ways my ideal SDJ movie would be a condensed version of Sunshine in Hell. The overarching plot would be to have Jack be twisted by his time in the tape, clingy and attached to his sunshine, Alice, but at the same time still human and just needing love and warmth.

Really, in order to fit in the 90-270 minute average run time movies have, a lot of corners would be cut. The focus would be trimmed down to the paranormal romance of it, the forbidden nature of Alice loving an entity that is both no longer human and has the potential to be very dangerous. Jack being a legitimate threat to those who would take her away from him, while she tries to help him keep his humanity and avoid the urge to kill in order to keep her. At the same time we learn how he got into the situation and what kind of evils LambsWork unleashed to do something like this to him.

In a sense, this would be the type of paranormal romance movie I would have wanted to see rather than the types that are churned out. Instead of a ML who is all angsty and brooding, warning the FL that they're dangerous and to stay away... this one is trying to keep the FL to himself and convince her that he's not dangerous so that she won't go away.

There's a very legitimate struggle that Jack has with not being human, as well as the scars of his past. People would have reason to be scared of a ghost(?) like him, and even Alice has reason to be wary, but ultimately she chooses to believe in his love and humanity, which heals him in the end.

The climax of the movie would most likely be Jack on the brink of breaking... from the truth of his past, from fears that he's no longer real, that he's not even the ghost of the man once known as Joseph Cullman, but something entirely different... something completely fake. The ghost of a ghost...

Rotting and bleeding between both forms, torn between wanting revenge against those who created/did this to him and just desperately lashing out. That's when Alice stops him and talks him down from the metaphorical edge.

Jack doesn't have to hurt anyone. He doesn't have to hurt himself anymore with what he is or was. Even if he's not human... even if the world can't understand him, he exists. He is who he chooses to be.

And Alice chooses to be with Jack because he's someone who chose to love her and always tried to make her happy... and because she loves him more than anyone else in the world, no matter what he is.

A crying breakdown happens as Alice reaches Jack's humanity and they kiss. It's probably a dark and stormy night because drama and aesthetics.✨

After that, there's an aftermath in the sunshine of Alice waking Jack up in her bed, a reversal of all the times she woke him up. He pretends he's still asleep so that she leans in closer and he pulls her down on top of him for a kiss and cuddle, sending them both into a fit of giggles.

Jack is no longer in his clown costume and makeup, but he doesn't look like he did as Joseph either. He has a mixture of blue and brown hair, and different markings where his tattoos were, new marks to symbolize his new self and new attempt at life, but one of them is still a heart, only it has colorful wings around it and a glow like sunshine to it.

Alice teases Jack that she's a bad influence on him, referring to him sleeping in. He teasingly retorts that she's the best influence on him, and kisses her sweetly.

Essentially the movie ends with a sweet domestic life between them, a little bit different than before, and never being normal, but still a life they live full of love that is never boring and always sunny~

@channydraws @earthgirlaesthetic @sai-of-the-7-stars @cheriihoney @illary-kore @okamiliqueur 

[zmediaoutlet]

what is your stance on the "amelia or at least sams life with her was only a hallucination his already damaged psyche conjured up after suffering a psychotic break"-theory?

umm not a fan. Like... not for me, at all. But the way I'm not a fan has evolved a little over the years, haha, so to expand --

I get why people are into it. I mean, the filming choices are so batshit weird (why that gross golden vaseline filter? why drop in flashbacks every time Jared looked constipated in the main timeline?) that it's easy to go It Was All A Dream, no matter how cheesy that is.

Goof-ass cinematography aside, though, I know the reason a lot of people want to reject it out of hand is that "Sam would have looked for Dean." I get it; it's tough that he didn't. But there's a difference between Sam should have looked and Sam necessarily must have, and the fact that he didn't is so OOC we have to invent a full on AU for him. I mean, for one thing, the actual canon information as presented doesn't contravene the idea that Sam did actually try but failed, and gave up* after failing. He was alone with a busted car, zero help (Bobby dead, angels not listening, demons not answering the phone, etc), and had no idea if Dean was dead or just winked from existence (because why would he assume that he went to Purgatory?). With zero leads and dead ends at every turn, it's very easy to insert like a month of him failing and then he hits a dog -- and then, because he feels intensely guilty, telling Dean that he didn't really try, because his efforts were so paltry that he can't even count them as trying.

...but even that isn't really that much of an argument. One thing that I find happens a lot with the Winchesters in fandom discussions, but especially with Sam, is like... not allowing them the dignity of their choices. Which -- like, duh, they're fictional characters, they're written a certain way. But there's a real tendency to leap to OOC claims or "the writers don't know what they're doing!!" whenever it's something we wish the character wouldn't have done because we don't like it. But like... that's not how characters work. Characters do shit I don't like all the time; it doesn't mean they didn't do it, and that I shouldn't try to fold even that disliked thing into my conception of who the character is. (Important caveat: there's a great post by astolat that talks about the venn diagrams of audience belief and canonicity in texts with multiple writers that makes this more complicated. Still, I think that variability comes in small details as she mentions in that post, or indeed dumb little moments of Jensen improv in spn canon, rather than whole-ass plot arc decisions.)

Sam stopped looking for/didn't look for Dean when he disappeared. That's interesting. Kinda sucks, and the show and Sam himself point out multiple times that it kinda sucks, but that doesn't make it uninteresting or OOC, especially given the Sam we have who is nigh indomitable. The fact that it was his choice speaks to a Sam who's really just... beaten down. And why wouldn't he be? Slings and arrows from birth all the way to age 27 when he threw himself into the worse torture imaginable -- then he got saved, hallegoddamnlujah, and he thought maybe he'd be there with Dean, living a life he could choose for once instead of one he'd been forced into by destiny -- and then it was just another apocalypse, and enemies on all sides, and every friend and ally and hope just torn away, one by one. It's a miracle he got to keep the car. I can see that Sam, in that last torn circumstance, just -- going into hiding. He hits a dog and then inertia keeps him in one place, spinning his wheels. He meets a girl and she kinda sucks but she's prickly and rude and not-samey enough to prod him back up into life, and at that point it's been months and Dean's gone and he thinks, if this is life I guess I can live it. He can't go back to the shell of a life he loved with Dean and it's just... too much. He's always been very, very good at putting one foot in front of the other. (It's why he manages to live after the finale.)

Now, does Sam regret that choice, such as it was? Sure. (Not that I think he could've changed anything about it.) Doesn't mean he didn't make it. It also beautifully informs the arc of that year, moving from one choice to another -- from abdicating responsibility to taking on the ultimate responsibility. And it's really really REALLY interesting to me in the long-form story spn tells about Sam and the Most Interesting Long-form Character Development Ever. He's a startling advocate for his own agency and holds it in tight reins; I'm not interested in pretending he isn't, either for Martyr!Sam headcanons or any strong weird wincest-only stanning. Plus, Amelia-the-mistress as parallel for Benny-the-mistress is just too good to give up.

s8's awesome. It doesn't need weird St. Elsewhere headcanons to make it somehow excusable.

[devondespresso]

GUYS Anastasia steddie

steves Anastasia ofc and eddies dimitri and dustin is vlad and hear me out but robin is the little dog named Pooka(spelling???) that steve meets after leaving the orphanage

(im torn between Robin or Dustin being Vlad because while Robins more of a confidant for Steve, Dustin makes more sense being Eddies friend that Steve meets so i chose Robin to be Pooka instead because Pooka was Anastasia's number 1 always and Pooka is perfect and has never done anything wrong ever just like Robin :3 )

currently imagining eddie jumping around st petersburg rooftops in the opening number singing to dustin about their genius get rich quick plan

STEVE SINGING ONCE UPON A DECEMBER PLEASE THANK YOU GOODNIGHT

Anastasia's attitude would fit Steve SO WELL like "wha-why are you circling what were you a vulture in another life?" CMON best bitchiness in an animated movie ever

those scenes on the boat where dustins like aw shit they're into each other. Steve's sleepwalking nightmare where Eddies gotta keep him from jumping off the fuckin boat

eddie realizing steves actually the long lost prince and assuming steves out of his league

Steve choosing Eddie and their found family over royalty at the end

id say shit writes itself but thats not true someone else wrote it im just connecting dots lol

also currently open to suggestions as to who Rasputin and Bartok would be, im thinking billy and tommy respectively but Rasputin is also really silly even if morbid

also also no clue who Anastasia's grandmother would be (tho imma be honest im kinda liking her just being his grandmother like its not like shes named in they show she could be lovely for all we know)

[fromaliminalspace]

1-5, 14, 21 for the year end asks :3

hi, thank you so much for asking, really!! and apologizes in advance for such long answers, as you can see, i'm just being “a bit” indecisive, hopefully I won't bore you too much with it!

1. Song of the year?

(for real, why such a seemingly simple question turned out to be the most difficult one. it's impossible to choose just one!)

czxcohjkhv okay, the first to come to mind is "Stargazer" by Rainbow, so gonna go with it. the drum intro, the sheer onomatopoeia that Ronnie's vocal approach always is, the astonishing guitar solo that practically spoilers the plot by being so evocative as well, the fucking intensity that this song is overflowing with??? I can never be normal about it, just can't. about their “Catch the Rainbow” (live 1977 Munich version specifically) neither. most ethereal ballad ever (and nope, Blackmore's solos don't even ruin the “balladiness” of it, just add to the vibe).

out of Black Sabbath's songs, i'm very much torn between Children of the Sea, Die Young, The Sign of the Southern Cross, After All (The Dead), Time Machine, Sins of the Father. and out of Dio's own stuff — Like the Beat of a Heart, My Eyes, Evil on Queen Street, Evilution, As Long As It's Not About Love, Shame on the Night. hhhng they're all too good, how am I supposed to choose anything, even one per band.

when it comes to music that doesn't have anything to do with RJD (yeah, I have been listening to it this year. sometimes), I still can't get enough of Queensrÿche's “Take Hold of the Flame” (especially live in Tokyo 1984). *in loud whisper* but also “The Story of One Sky” by Dimash, “Until It Sleeps” by Metallica (whoops accidentally became obsessed with it years after first hearing it), “Incense and Myrrh” by Arch/Matheos, and “Between Two Worlds” by Uriah Heep. (can you tell how tricky it is to choose just one..?) and out of this actual year's releases (but tbh I haven't really been keeping up) most memorable was Liliac's “Carousel” or Metallica's “Screaming Suicide”.

and the most satisfying one to play on guitar is definitely “the Last in Line”, it's a literal dopamine feast for my brain for some reason.

2. Album of the year?

have admittedly been listening more to live performances than to studio recordings this year so it'd be easier to just list specific concerts but gonna try pick a latter one after all. actually I think the album i've most often listened to from start to finish is “Lock up the Wolves”, it just flows very nicely in its entirety. the second place would likely be the masterpiece that is “Heaven and Hell”. as for the album that's made me spin it in my head most intensely it's “Magica” bc it's a concept one but in the least straightforward manner possible.

3. Favorite musical artist / group you started listening to this year?

my most prominent discovery of the year was probably Fates Warning (and their more modern incarnation Arch/Matheos), I believe. or Jethro Tull (and nope, I legit haven't even heard about them until recently, what of it).

but there's also a musician who's basically defined this year for me and whose voice i've been listening to almost daily (and who probably needs no introduction at this point). I have by no means only started listening to him this year though (c'mon, Blind Guardian cover of “Don't Talk to Strangers” was literally one of the very first songs to get me into metal in the first place; and my most favorite Sabbath song, back when I didn't give a damn about different lineups and was just vibing to the songs I liked most regardless of their albums, was from the Dio era). the difference is that only last December I first heard a live recording of his voice and was overwhelmed by the unparalleled level of intensity in it. bc ultimately his magic is so much more than just his voice, it's the laser-pointed intention behind every single word and the multi-layered thought-provoking lyrics and the everything hiding between the lines and the neverending love and generosity. it's not even sth easily convertible into words so i'd probably better stop being insufferable about him right here and now but the point is that Ronnie has had such a huge impact on my life that goes beyond anything that I ever thought any musician or even just anyone who i've never technically gotten to meet would be capable of having. but this impact has in fact helped heal sth very deep down so just... yeah.

4. Movie of the year?

i'll probably go with “predestination” (2014). there's just sth very intricate in all the levels of meaning in that movie, and especially in the way the main character is queer and their queerness is used of all things as a metaphor for quite a lot of interesting stuff. ngl I do have some issues with this movie but honestly considering that the short story it's based on was written in the fucking 50s and was still focusing on it is impressive already despite its flaws (also I love how the movie extrapolated and expanded on the original premise).

the most rewatched movie this year though would definitely be the “dreamers never die” documentary, no contest here (not crying at the very end of it is a challenge I always fail tbh).

oh and a honorable mention to “Nimona”, really loved that one.

5. TV show of the year?

realized only now that I haven't really watched lots of tv shows this year, huh. I think the only thing I did watch was the second season of “shadow and bone” and that's it, even though there's lots of other stuff i've been meaning to catch up with.

14. Favorite book you read this year?

answered there!

21. What’s something new about your place of residence (room, home, or general location) now vs the start of the year?

hmm i've got a new pin board, does it count?? it's bigger than my old one (and made from a different material, which turned out to be better) but i'm somehow already running out of space on it XD it was nice though to rearrange everything on it in a more systematic way rather than just slapping new bits of paper onto whenever I found a free spot (and to add Silvy's gifts there💜).

another new (like. literally last week new) thing is actually on my computer but it's sth i've been wishing for for literal years so it gets a mention anyway and it's an amp simulator. bc to be able to just plug my guitar in and build up the sound I want from scratch (well, not necessarily, there are tons of presets, it's just a very rare one that sounds well enough with solos imho) and have so much control over it, even over how much distortion I get depending on how hard I hit the strings? it's divine, i'm telling you. took me a while to figure out what exactly I need but damn, it's just so freaking awesome