#and it can be so much more complicated than just oh they’re rich and queens

[littlelambdrgnfly]

Oh my gosh i would die for an animated beatles series. i think that would be so cool. I'm so passionate about art of the beatles in general, more than i can express, and i think that would fit a lot better/ be more interesting. I think it'd also be better if so many people are so expectant for the casting to look like them. No problems on casting if you can just animate them :)

I will honestly be relieved if it doesnt happen. music biopics arent my thing either. many will disagree with me but i hated the freddie mercury biopic :( </3 loved rocketman though. But im always suspicious of movies being made about very complicated topics, especially if theyre making it just to make money. i think if they do end up making 4 movies about them, it will inevitably be bad since all 4 of their lives are so hard to represent in the format of a movie (thats at least what i feel)

And i didnt even think about their lives being almost similar during their times as beatles since they spent maybe like 60% or more of their time together up until maybe 1967. Great point. Even if it was about when they were more separated from 1967-1970, i still dont think their lives were varied enough to make 4 individual films about them

sorry im going on but you are still a beloved blog i go back to now and then (lol) and a cool person i think, so im glad i could get your opinion and also just love talking about this (since i havent been able to talk about it with another beatles fan so far) - person who sent the question about the biopic

Honestly, ever since I mentioned it, I’ve been obsessed with thinking about an animated Beatles series! Like, my god, it has the potential to be so good! I keep planning it out in my head, like each episode would be at a specific time, early years, Hamburg, Beatlemania, etc… A talented animator can express so much with so little in a way that live action usually can’t touch, and that would be so important in a rich story like the Beatles’. You could even do each chapter in a different style, or with different artists, just to highlight the changes they’re going through! God, someone get me in a room with a Netflix producer, PLEASE.

I didn’t even see Bohemian Rhapsody and I adore Queen and Freddie Mercury. As soon as I heard that the band was involved with the making, I knew that it wasn’t gonna be good. 😅 I really don’t watch any musician/actor biopics. Celebrities, and families of celebrities, are always going to make themselves look as good as possible, even if it means making a worse movie. But the whole genre is just so predictable— you’ve got a young person who loves entertainment but they’ve got some kind of barrier holding them back, they break through, they experience fame, they hit a low point usually with substance abuse, and then they either get better or die. You can’t really help it, it’s just the nature of a celebrity’s life, there’s always going to be the same elements. I mean, there’s a connection as to why Amadeus is so heavily fictionalized, not even told from Mozart’s perspective, and why it’s the best music biopic ever lol. There’s a real fine line between keeping enough of the true story and making an engaging film, and I don’t think that many filmmakers are up to the challenge.

Thanks for sending these asks! I love talking about film and television and the awful awful decisions Hollywood seems intent on making lmao! 💖

[bottomvalerius]

You can arguably say all of the Satrinava siblings break typical royalty norms

It seems like only Nafizah is at the palace all the time since she IS the crown Princess ? And possibly Natiqa too ? The rest are all off doing things that for the most part SEEM people orientated and not just. Fucking off and throwing parties and marrying other rich people lmao which is very interesting from a narrative and world building POV. How much is that standard and how much of that is Nasrin breaking away from their own societal norms?

Prakra is an empire and it’s clear they have no qualms over going to war with others (ie. Vesuvia) to maintain and expand it, so it’s not like they aren’t AWARE of and utilize that massive power and influence. But in the minutiae, you see that some of the “princesses” are off on the battlefield as medics, others are playing the role of ambassadors, and others are doing fucking goat yoga down the block lmao it’s just. Very interesting to look at them and wonder and expand on how Nasrin and subsequently her children view royalty and their wealth

[theotherace]

Fic Recs: Taang

I’ve made two or three rec lists over the past few months, but I thought I’d make a proper, comprehensive one that’s easy to add to in the future. Not all of these are exclusively Taang, but they all feature the ship to some degree. I will only recommend one or two stories per author, but some profiles are definitely worth checking out further. So! Here goes.

Multi-Chapter, Complete

Whisper Into the Sky by damagectrl – Toph has two choices: Go home and get married or have the family fortune and her inheritance given to a stranger. Her problem: She wants to keep her ties to her family, but is quite content traveling with Aang. Her solution: Fight her way through suitors for her freedom. Literally. | General 

The Slow Path by Tazmainian Devil – Eight years after the fall of Ozai, Aang returns to the friends he left behind. | T

A Matter of Honor by Adridere – Almost 4 years after the war. Aang is engaged to Katara and is up to Zuko to teach him the facts of life. Yep, the bees and the birds. Crazy kings, bananas and the ultimate contest for the hand of a reluctant maiden. | M

Roommates by breeeliss – An unlikely tale of two unlikely people being forced to live together under unlikely circumstances.| Modern AU | T

Fall of the White Lotus by Boo-82 – Three years after the war Zuko is living a life of duty while Katara reluctantly travels the world with Aang. So, when General Iroh orders them to find Zuko’s mother and save his Order they seize the opportunity with both hands. It’s the beginning of an adventurous journey of discovery, but as time runs out a rising threat puts their bond to the test. | T

Half Asleep by The Crushinator – Five years after the Hundred-Year War, Fire Lord Zuko is hit with an assassin’s dart, and falls into a coma from which he cannot wake. A week passes, and his prognosis is grim. But Katara could swear she hears him in her dreams… | T

Yaaburnee by aviatordame – Avatars aren't meant to belong – that's as much as Aang can fathom. | M

Getting Lucky by roca-dos – Crazy things happen in college every day. | Modern AU | T 

All Fall Down by DJNS  – Aang copes with a tragic loss and finds renewed hope in an unexpected place. | M | Warning for Major Character Death

The Princess & the Badger-Cat by panaili – In a land never torn apart by the Hundred Year War, the sixteen-year-old Avatar Aang is trying his best to keep the balance between the four nations, including the increasingly antagonistic Fire Nation, which, despite his friendship with the Crown Prince Zuko, refuses to acknowledge him. Elsewhere, Sokka and Katara have been separated on their quest to find their missing father, and Sokka, pursued by the same bandits who kidnapped his sister, finds himself on the balcony of some rich girl’s house in Gaoling. Oh, and a sorcerer has turned him into a badger-cat. It’s just one of those days. | Teen and Up

Reborn by Jakia – Life. Death. Rebirth. This is the cycle that all spirits must abide to, even the Avatar. Aang and Toph face death and the reincarnation cycle. | T

New Girl by tiffaniesblews – After coming home early from a business trip, all Katara wanted to do was surprise her boyfriend, Jet. Imagine her surprise when she got home and Jet was in bed with another woman. Not wanting to live with her ex, and unable to live with her best friend, Suki, Katara takes her brother Sokka's offer to move into his loft with his two roommates. Aang is perky and sweet, the owner of a st. Bernard and a cat, who's often confused about his direction in life. Zuko, on the other hand, is a closed-off bartender, who takes some time opening up to others.The four could not be more different, and yet? They work out perfectly. Even if Katara's feelings for Zuko get a bit more complicated as time goes on. | Modern AU | Mature 

The Ties That Bind series by LdyKirin – An exploration of the ties that bind for good and ill. Toph and Zuko are both shaped by the family they were born to and the family they choose. Lots of found family feels. | T

What Happens In Kyoshi by BlackVelvetBand – Prince Zuko, and the GAang take a vacation on Kyoshi Island. Flirting, fighting, and embarrasment ensue as Sokka takes it upon himself to defend Katara's virtue...in a dress? A short,chaptered fic featuring Zutara, Sokki, and Taang. | T

Under the Night Sky by mycomfortblanket – Aang hears the chattering of teeth during a cold night. Was an AU that I found on tumblr that I made fit into this story. Orginal prompt: "We have to go camping together and share a sleeping bag even though we are complete strangers | General

On The Precipice by JoyDragon – They’re just best friends. Or maybe they’re teetering on the edge of being something more. | General

Oneshots, Complete

Air and Stone by Wolvenfire86 – A few Taang stories munched together. My first submissions. I hope everyone likes them. Please review, it makes me feel special. | K+

Taang Week 2020 series by teabagginses | Teen and Up & Mature

Our Little Secret by IrisPlumeria – Toph and Aang, sat next to one another dressed in their finest under paper lanterns and surrounded by copious amounts of food and friends, cringed at the disgusting noises coming out of Sokka’s nostrils as he blew his nose into Suki’s handkerchief. “I can’t believe two of my best friends are finally married!” Sokka sobbed, earning a supportive pat on the back from Suki, who didn’t flinch at the snot coming out of his nose. “I’m so happy for you guys!” Toph and Aang's family are happy for their nuptials, but will they be able to survive their wedding party without letting slip a big secret?Written for Taang Week 2020 - Tradition. | General 

All Roads Lead To Ba Sing Se by irisbleufic – "I was thinking," [Mai] said, tucking her last remaining dagger into her belt as she strode to meet him, "that it's about time I let Fire Lord Zuko know that I quit." When Kuei smiled at her, she could see the sunshine at which she once cringed."Notice that's six years overdue is better than none at all." "Indeed," said the Earth Queen, and grinned at him. | Teen And Up

Lady Fu’s Fortune Telling by Lady Cleo – Katara and Toph visit the local fortuneteller to get their fortunes told. Added a part two with Zuko and Aang. | T

The Perfect Companion by Morna – Aang seeks comfort outside of the arms of his wife, Katara. Taang, slightly lemony. | T

Box by JoeMerl – Written for Taang Week, one-shot. Toph ticks off Bumi, but Aang is willing to fight his old friend tooth and nail to get her out of trouble. Humor, light romance. | K+

2 am by shmulia – Whoever set off the fire alarm at 2 in the morning is on Katara's shit list. Even if he is hot and shirtless. | Modern AU | K

And its sequel, 11:45 – House parties aren't Katara's thing. Sokka's drunk, Suki's on a mission to set her up, and Toph is... well, Toph. But for every cloud there's a silver lining, and for Katara it comes in the form of a second chance with her neighbour... | Modern AU | T 

Treat by PsychEmpress – She felt the corners of her own lips quirk as he sheepishly rubbed the back of his neck. “Consider this my treat,” he said and Toph allowed a smile to break out. OR In which Toph is a stressed architecture student who gets a free cup of coffee from the handsome waiter after she helps his friend. Taang. Mentions of Sukka. | Modern AU | T

Sawaru by metacognitive – This love is simple. Non-Korra compliant. | K+

Newlyweds (and basically everything else) by PandaCookie – Everyone’s a bit hopeless right after they’ve been married. | K+

Rhythms by xcgirl08– For now, though, her child’s heartbeat was hers to contemplate. | K 

Tenderness by Adridere – He wanted to keep her, even though he was not supposed to. He promised her freedom, and she promised him sanity in his own household. She kept her part of the bargain, but he found a way not to keep his. | M

Holy Matrimony by Loopy – After their marriage, Zuko and Katara deal with conflicting religious beliefs, and look to the friends for advice. Between the Zutara and the religious satire, every single person who reads this should feel offended. | General

Blind Maiden’s Grace by Adara_Rose – You can learn a lot of things from a flower… | Not Rated (I’d say General) 

Etched in the Earth by Dance_Elle_Dance – She knows the feel of Aang’s footprints better than her own, and that reality scares her. | Teen and Up

No One Asks About The Scars by voleuse – Write about how you learned to curse in order not to be cursed. | General

When in Rome by dtmars – She wasn’t stupid. She knew what she was doing and what she was getting herself into. They both did. | Modern AU. | Explicit

Like Real People Do by DerAndere – The moon is full and bright when he falls out of bed, awake, asleep, inside a dream, and starts walking, driven by the feeling he does not understand, tugging on him relentlessly, and he is Aang, and he is not, and the world is cold. | General | Full Disclosure: This is my story.

Meet Me Under The Table by avatarfan16 – A story of how Toph and Aang find love, in the most unusual of places. TAANG | K+

Aftermath by Zaram'delar – In any celebration, there's always one or two people with a habit of disappearing. Taang drabbleish series. | T

I Choose Dare by for_darkness_shows_the_stars – An ode to how Aang, under the power of a mighty temptress, was forced to grow a beard. Oh, and the birth of his first child, too, he supposes. | General Audiences

Multi-Chapter, In Progress

Heartbeat by AngelicBee – Avatar Aang's soulmate probably died 100 years before, but he can't help but feel she's closer than he thinks. | Teen and Up

a mighty ocean (or a gentle kiss) by poweradequeen – no, the title doesn’t make sense but i don’t care. i couldn’t think of one so now you’re stuck with a cheesy line from two by sleeping at last.it’s a taang fine arts university au. because i said so. | Teen and Up

Neither is Love a Cage by cali-chan – Love is the freedom of flying accompanied. It is letting be without possessing. PG-13 (possibly M later on), drama/romance/angst, Zuko/Katara + Aang/Toph, post-finale but diverges before LoK canon.

Operation: Zutara (REVAMPED) by dtmars – Everyone could see that those two were in love with each other. Everyone except for them. So Toph takes the initiative and fills in for Cupid to give them a little push, while Aang just tags along for the ride. | Teen and Up

Taang One Shots by stitch1830 – A collection of short stories about Toph and Aang that I've had saved in my notes for a few months. Stories are in the ATLA/LOK universe (not canon compliant), and typically revolve around their relationship and family. | Teen and Up

[vampiresuns]

Power Couple | JC Sanlaurento x Saoirse

⚡︎ POWER COUPLE ⚡︎

1.7k words. JC Sanlaurento and Saoirse make a comeback for the prompt ‘who to see’ from @midsummer-masquerade​.

All Saoirse, Theo, Meredith and the rest of her crew belong to @apprenticealec​. Just like ‘Wouldn’t You Love to Love Her’, this is also set in the Janiverse.

You can find Sanlaurento’s outfit here, and the rest of City of Delights here.

Julianus examined the invitation —the luxurious paper and printing work— and hummed. 

“So, what you’re telling me is that Vesuvians host secret sex parties?” They asked Saoirse, who was sitting on their bed, watching Julianus sway in their place from side to side. 

“That’s a way of looking at it.”

JC snorted. “It tracks for me. What doesn’t is that Meredith knows the former Count.”

They left the invite Saoirse had given them next to Saoirse’s own as they went to sit on the quartermaster’s lap. Saoirse began telling them what they knew about Meredith’s and Lucio’s friendship, as the two of them sat unnecessarily close to each other. Saoirse liked it that way, they liked the way their Julie’s rib cage moved as they spoke, or the way their heart beated inside their chest. 

“Who got the fourth invite?” 

Saoirse’s smirk told them the answer was going to be good. “Theo.” 

Jules was already vibrating.

Vesuvia wasn’t that different from what they remembered. They had travelled to the City a handful of times when they were studying in Firent and  the plague was no longer a risk. Julianus liked it — lively and cosmopolitan, the atmosphere vibrated with magic, making it seem like anything would happen. 

As soon as they reached port, Elizabeth and Tariq dragged Meredith their own way, Drew walking calmly behind them. That left Julianus, Saoirse and Theo to go search for their outfits on their own. They walked the streets together, Jules holding Saoirse’s hand while they animatedly talked with Theo about fashion, textures and the like, sharing jokes as they browsed through the Red Market. 

When they ran into Meredith, Julianus couldn’t help but to tease Theo a little bit. Theo replied with some teasing of his own, telling his friend he was sure Saoirse and them wouldn’t even make it out of their room at the party. 

“Let’s see,” Jules said, that little smile on their face that no one in the crew knew if Saoirse had copied from them, or them from Saoirse. 

They didn’t have much more time to stroll around the City after they got their outfits. Not wanting to be late, they made their way to the Palace, meeting with Meredith on the door. While Meredith and Theo had separate rooms, Saoirse and Jules had one together, as it was customary for couples who didn’t request otherwise. They didn’t remember saying anything about it, but the pink-haired servant that was guiding them through the Palace said one could tell. 

Jules felt Saoirse short next to them, quickly followed by their arm around their back. 

They wanted to ask the name of the servant, to thank her, but she was gone before they could say anything as soon as they were shown their room. Julianus soon forgot about it anyway, as Saoirse pressed against them from behind.

“If I didn’t know you better, I’d say you were impatient.”

“How about ‘curious’? It’s hard not to be when you have been very insisting about me not spying on your outfit. Despite you helping me choose mine.” 

“You’ll have to tame that horse because I want to shower before I begin getting ready.” 

Saoirse just made a deadpan comment about their woes, that Jules fully knew they didn’t mean. Saoirse was a patient person (because Saoirse was a person, eldritch existence aside), and Saoirse liked to indulge whatever little ritual Julianus came up with in situ. They found them entertaining, and they could see why their partner liked to come up with little explanations and decorative reasons for certain things.

They just were fun to follow. Not that Saoirse ever expected to think that, but that was their Julie. 

Saoirse asked if they were allowed to have a bath with them, and they were, though of course it ended up being half bath, half make out session. Yet, the moment they began getting ready once they were out of it, Julianus shooed them out of the bathroom with a gentle push. 

“You’ll get many rewards for your compliance, thank you very much.”

“Oh, I’m the one getting the rewards tonight? I thought you liked being the one getting them.”

“For being a void with eyes and I being the horny human, you’re absolutely incorregible.”

“I thought you liked it.”

“I do,” they said, asking Saoirse to lean down to kiss their lips.

Saoirse kissed them back before going to get ready themselves, looking around their room when they were ready, and seeing how soft the bed was. It was very, to their discovery. Julie was going to like it, they thought — it had not gone past them that while they were not even close to Theo’s original royal status, or Elizabeth’s for that matter, they had come from a very economically comfortable background. To begin with, they were a lawyer who had studied in Firent. That said something on itself. 

While their Julie wasn’t conceited in the slightest and had separated their choices from those of their family, out of what Saoirse knew and could tell from having observed humans for so long, there were some things that, like Theo, they couldn’t shake off. Luxurious bedding was one of them: Julie always raided rich people’s quarters for certain possessions and home making elements were one of them. Saoirse’s bed in the ship had never looked nor felt plusher. 

Lying back on the bed, waiting, they began making conversation with them. They talked about Vesuvia, about Theo and Meredith, and the party itself. Julianus revealed they didn’t know if they would come to something like this otherwise. 

“I don’t think this is the kind of party to come alone, or at least I wouldn’t attend alone. I don’t mind doing things on my own, but again, this isn’t it.”

“I’m sure there’s going to be a lot of people looking for other people.”

“Well, it is a sex party,” they said, their voice carrying into the bedroom from the bath, “I just have a bit of trouble thinking about the hypothetical.”

Julianus did not know how the conversation turned from there to if they’d be interested in someone else, if they weren’t a thing. They couldn’t help trying to figure out why Saoirse was asking, even though they knew Saoirse was asking simply because that’s how they explored things they didn’t quite understand. Asking.

“I think I’m answer is not going to be as interesting as you think it will be. Though I honestly do not know what you’re expecting— the thing is I just can’t picture myself with anyone else other than you now? I know you wouldn’t care if I let you know I wanted another partner or to sleep with someone else, but unless I had a specific itch, I just… don’t see it.

“Like, okay maybe if Meredith wasn’t my boss, but Theo has the right of way there because he is my friend and I want him to be happy, Tariq is very handsome; If you make me think of other ships Jade and Louis are very pleasant to the eye, and maybe in another life I would flirt with them. Maybe in this one too as a joke, and to piss Rodrigo off. Even then they’re all very nice hypotheticals I care little for when I have you right here.

“Your all the private devotion I will ever need.”

They came out of the bathroom. They had their hair in waves, two red flowers pinned to the side of their head. Julianus was wearing a black bustier styled corselette, it had garter straps hooked to black thigh high socks, and was wearing black boots that went almost as high up as the socks. They were fitting into each arm a pair of above the elbow, black gloves. 

They looked stunning. They always did. It wasn’t the outfit that made Saoirse look at them like that.

“Mo grá?”

“Aside from the Queen, I don’t think anyone has ever chosen me like that.”

Jules walked towards them, who was now sitting on the bed, and stood between their legs. They kissed their forehead. “Well, to you, to love is to protect. For me, to love is to choose, too. You’re a wonderful person to choose, Saoirse.” 

For a being as old as Saoirse, loneliness was something they had to be used to. For a being as old as Saoirse, who also spent so much time around humans, they don’t think they would ever notice what loneliness was if it wasn’t for their proximity to them. Saoirse’s hand found Julianus’ side, as their mouth pressed itself against their skin and their clothes. 

“No comments on the outfit? You look very handsome. I am most definitely the luckiest person in this Palace, sorry to Theodore.”

“You look, you look—” Saoirse didn’t know how to finish their sentence. How human of them. How odd. How misplaced. How very Saoirse. Them and Jules were both like that: misplaced. Yet right then they looked beautiful, inviting, sexy, like the sea, like freedom on Saoirse’s hair and like not a wave, but a tsunami changing their coastline forever. 

Saoirse didn’t need to finish their sentence for Jules to get it. “See, this is what Tariq means when he says you’re bound to make me mad with power.”

“You like it.”

“Oh, I do. Nothing like being loved and fucked by my favourite eldritch entity. Like I said: my own private devotion.”

Saoirse smiled at them; a kind of smile only reserved for Julianus, one that carried a different complicity than the one they had with the Pirate Queen. 

“Do you want to have a look around, or do you want to prove Theo right?”

Sanlaurento snorted. “Never. Let's go make people jealous of how good we look.”

Saoirse was happy to indulge them. Out of their room and into the party, Julianus hooked their arm around Saoirse’s. It made them stop. Looking at them with a little smirk, Saoirse crouched down to sit Julianus’ on their shoulder, turning their head to kiss their thigh. 

“Why walk when I can carry you?”

“Mad with power, and it’ll be your fault.”

“I’ll have to find something to keep you in line then.”

“Please do,” they said, catching the innuendo in Saoirse’s tone. 

[waiting4inspiration]

A Queen behind a King II (Ivar x Reader)

Summary: You consult a seer about the plans you have for yourself and for Ivar. After another awful confrontation with Ivar, you decide to help those that want to harm your husband.

Warnings: angst, strong language, mentions of a war, abuse, mentions of alcohol consumption, mentions of rape

Word Count: 2,245

A/n: This part was commissioned by @belovedcherry. Thank you so much, darling. Hope you like it <3

A Queen behind a King Part 1 II Vikings Masterlist

You should be doing the duties of a queen and that is exactly what you do. Though it’s hard trying not to fix what Ivar’s not doing, or jumping in to help him when you catch him struggling, a simple touch to your cheek reminds you that he deserves all of his. It reminds you that he needs to learn that not everything can be given to him on a silver plate. 

But the one thing that bothers you that Ivar’s not doing is stopping the possible merchant uprising. Threats come in by the dozen every day. And he’s not doing anything about it. And it doesn’t look like he’s going to do anything about it. 

With a thought in your mind, you decide that it’s best to ask the Gods if your thought will be a mistake if you decide to intervene. 

You haven’t gone to the seer many times before, but the moments you have always feel odd. Especially now. Especially with the question on your mind. “Will it be a mistake to overthrow my husband?”

The seer hums and drops his head to look at the fire between you and him. “A mistake?” he asks back. 

“Will the Gods be on my side if I want to rise up against Ivar?” you ask, leaning closer to try and urge him to answer.

“The Gods always smile down on a strong woman,” he simply states. 

You lean back and breathe out a small sigh. You came here for a clear answer and all you’re getting are complicated responses. “How much will I lose if I do this?” you decide to ask, staring down at your hands as you wait in anticipation. 

The seer chuckles, making your head lift up to him and see a sly smile on his. “You will lose some things, but you will gain others. Just as you will lose some things but gain others if you don’t rise up against him,” he mentions. And somehow, it makes sense to you. “But for you, I see a kingdom, great and rich under your watch and a strong line to care for your legacy. The Gods have something far greater for you than scraps.” 

His words make your body perk up in interest and your mind to start turning with possibilities of what that prophesy could mean. But another question comes to your mind. “Does that include Ivar?”

He says nothing. Only staring at you as he holds out his hand, you realize that you have to find that out for yourself. And just like always, you lick the seer’s palm, leaving his tent with more questions than you had before. 

But one thing you are certain of is that whatever you decide to do, you will be the queen of a great kingdom, a great nation. One greater than the Kattegat being ruled by Ivar. You can make this kingdom great. You can make it the great trading post it once was before Ivar turned it to one of war that made it lose its vibrant nature. As queen, you can spread out over the country, creating a vast kingdom. 

You could be a great queen. 

Ivar can’t be a great King. Not without you. 

As you pass the docks on your way back to the Great Hall, your eye catches the mean stares from the merchants. It tells you that the issue between them and the royal family hasn’t been settled by Ivar. He’s taking his bloody time and it’s going to end up with both of you dead. 

Maybe just a light talking to will make him realize how serious this is. You can get through to him. 

Unless he’s been drinking again. Which the cup in his hand tells you that he has been. He disgraces the throne he sits on. The throne that should be yours after everything you’ve done for this city. 

Your throne hasn’t been returned to its place beside Ivar’s and you don’t know why, but it slightly hurts you. 

The moment Ivar spots you, he tries to stand on his feet without his crutch and ends up falling to his feet making a gasp fall from your lips and you rush forward to him out of instinct. “(Y/n),” he mutters drunkenly, discarding the empty cup to the side as he lifts his gaze up to you. “Where have you been? You can’t be walking around with an angry hoard of merchants out there.” 

You don’t know if his judgment has been clouded by the alcohol he’s consumed, or if he actually is concerned for your safety. But you lose the confidence you’ve built up on your way from the seer’s tent the moment he takes your hand in his. 

Then you remember that it was that hand he raised against you. You can’t fall for gentle words and gentle touches again. 

Pulling your hand away from him and shifting away from him. “What are you doing, Ivar?” you whisper, shaking your head as he tries to reach out for you again. “Why do you care about where I’ve been when you have other things to take care of?”

“Things like what?”

“Like those angry merchants you just mentioned,” you snap at him, pointing to the door as you keep a stern look on him. “Do you even care about the possible attack?” you question, tilting your head slightly to the side as he glares at you. 

“Why do you care? You made it very clear that you don’t care about my choices anymore,” he spits, placing his hands on the ground to start crawling closer towards you. 

You start to move backward as he crawls forward, wondering when you said that you didn’t care. “I care about this because it’s my life on the line and my home under threat. Do you really think the merchants will spare me because I am a woman?”

Ivar laughs darkly, his head shaking in amusement as your back hits a wall. “Oh, I know what they’ll do to you. And perhaps I should let them do it so you can learn something about respect.” 

Insulted, you can’t stop your hand from slapping him across the cheek. Just as he had done to you. 

You see the rage in his eyes and it makes your heart pound in your chest. Especially when his hand shoots out and wraps around your throat, pulls you forward, and pushes your back against the floor under you. Gasping for air as you wrap your hands around his wrist, you try to kick him away with your legs. 

But nothing works. 

“You have grown an ego. Just because I gave you duties of a king, the power of a king for one day, that does not mean you are above me, wife,” he sneers into your face, your eyes fluttering shut as tears start to fill your eyes. 

You take in a deep breath, force yourself to open your eyes to show him that you are not afraid of him. You never have been and you never will be. “I wish I wasn’t your wife,” you choke up, your hand gripping his shirt tightly and you push against his hand on your throat. “Because after everything I have done for you, you treat me like shit.”

He stares at you for a moment, contemplating if he should tighten his grip around your throat or let you go. He chooses the latter, something reminding him that he needs your help with this uprising makes him stop choking you. But he doesn’t confess that he needs help. He’s not weak. 

“As I recall, you were the one who agreed to marry me,” he reminds, leaning closer to you as you push yourself out from under him. 

You gently touch your throat, breathing in and out deeply and ignoring the sting in your eyes and in your throat. “You were different then. Now, you’re less than half the man I married,” you coldly say, your voice hoarse and you’re not sure if it’s because of how he strangled you moments ago or if it’s because you’re fighting back tears. “And because of you, these merchants will attack at night when we are not prepared and kill everyone in their beds. And it will be your fault,” you sneer, pushing yourself off the ground to storm out of the room. 

“If I didn’t know any better, it sounds like you’re the one leading this attack,” Ivar shouts after you, attempting to taunt you and you can hear that in his voice, in the chuckle that follows his words. 

But you don’t listen to him. Any reaction from you will make him believe things that aren’t true. 

Unless…

You stop when you’re out of the room, your head perking up as a thought hits you and your mouth falls slightly open. 

All this time, you were planning to overthrow Ivar with the loyalty you hoped you have from the people. You weren’t sure of the force you would have behind you. After all, the thing you had done for them had all gone unnoticed. And yet, the force you need has been lying under your nose this entire time. 

The merchants. 

If you convince them that you can help them with what they want, both revenge for Ivar’s stupidity and what they lack in resources, they can help you take the throne of Kattegat. You can be the ruler the Gods have fated for you to be. 

It’s a risky decision. If you get caught and Ivar finds out, Gods know what he’ll do to you. 

Gods know what the merchants will do to you if they don’t agree to your help and your demands. But you’ll never know if you don’t try. 

You wait for night to fall before leaving. It’s easy now that you no longer share a bed with Ivar. It was your first wish after he slapped you and now you see that it’s working in your favor. You leave in a time where most of Kattegat is asleep, but you wear a dark cloak to minimize your chances of being caught. 

The merchant camp is bigger than you expected and it’s almost intimidating walking towards the somewhat lit base. You’re quickly spotted by the guards when you step out of the treeline, making them jump to their feet and yield their weapons as they walk towards you. With a deep breath, you push back the hood to show yourself to them. 

Your appearance confuses them, but they’re not afraid to raise their swords at you. You hold up your hand in defeat as you continue to take your steps closer. It took a lot of strength to gather up this courage. “I am unarmed,” you mention, wondering if that was such a good idea to come here without a weapon. 

You told yourself yes because then they wouldn’t see you as a threat. 

“What are you doing here, Queen of Kattegat?” one guard asks, slightly lowering his sword as you stand in front of them. 

Dropping your hands, you notice how others have noticed you and now start to gather around. It’s a bit intimidating. Especially because they all glare coldly at you. “I’ve come to offer my help in your want to attack and rise up against Ivar.”

Your words make them all laugh in amusement. But you don’t drop your demeanor. “How do we know you are not here as a trick? That your husband isn’t waiting out there to attack us all?” the other guard asks, gesturing to the trees behind you with his sword and earning an agreeing hum from the merchants. 

“Because my husband doesn’t deserve to be king. And I wish to overthrow him,” you explain with a loud voice, making sure that each merchant hears you. “I want to give the kingdom the leader it deserves. And it is not Ivar.” As you speak, you pull the cloak away from around your shoulders to reveal the bruising around your neck that you had retained after his assault earlier that day. 

A murmur falls over the crowd as they whisper to each other. The two guards look between themselves before a man pushes them to the side. He must be their chosen leader. His stance is tall and proud, his beard greying and his face holding a scar and signs of many battles. “I have heard of the many things you have done under the shadow of that king, Queen (Y/n),” the man speaks, relief flooding over you to feel that this man is on your side. “If it weren’t for you, many of us would have starved, been homeless, or without a job to care for our families. I have seen you care for the people where your husband’s mind lies with the next war.”

He steps forward and places a hand on your shoulder, a smile growing on your face as he nods his head in thanks. “You are the leader Kattegat needs. And we will help you relieve the city of the man that cares not for his people.”

It seems that the Gods are with you on this decision. 

If only you had known that in his drunken state, Ivar had come up with a plan that would ensure that no one tries to rise up against him. A plan that includes fire and the possibility of a lot of screaming. 

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[datawyrms]

Prove it with one hand behind your back

Dannymay day 12: Gloves There is reference to the events in Hypothesis, but can be read stand alone. Now Ao3′d “Uhhh, Danny?” Jazz called up the stairs, laundry basket under her arm.

“What? I’ll get my stuff when it’s dry!” Her brother yelled back down, apparently not interested in leaving his room so they could speak semi-normally.

“Normally it would be my duty as your sister to throw your wash on the floor. Were you aware your laundry is glowing?”

Her frazzled brother appeared at the stairs then, taking them two at a time. “Geeze Jazz, tell the whole neighborhood why don’t ya?” he hissed as he passed.

“Mom and Dad aren’t here, and you’re welcome.”

“Obviously. Jerk.” he made an exaggerated frown at her before ducking into the washer, dragging out handfuls of the expected tee-shirts and jeans followed by an impressive amount of mismatched lightly glowing gloves.

“You’re taking trophies now?” she raised an eyebrow, unsure what to make of it. Not a single one had a pair, and none of them were even his ghost form’s hazmat gloves. Quite a few of them looked rather elaborate, some very interesting embroidered patterns making it obviously not something of her brother’s making. Delicacy was not his strong suit.

“Huh? No! These are-” he paused, taking a breath as he covered the glowing handwear with several shirts. “You remember that whole Sam got dragged to the ghost zone because Aragon’s an idiot thing?”

“The self important dragon shapeshifter with some serious hangups and anger issues?”

“Yeah, that one.” he nodded, rubbing at his chin. “Did I mention Dora sort of knighted us for helping drive him out of power?”

“No, but I’m pretty used to you leaving out important details by now.” Jazz smirked as her little brother rolled his eyes.

“It was nice of her and all but apparently they have a sort of tradition in her Kingdom? Where to show you’re worthy of joining the Queen’s guard you challenge one of the newest knights to a duel.” Danny paused to fish out one of the gloves. “Giving over a glove is basically how they ask for that duel. All very formal, I’d write it down if I could explain how I know without completely blowing my cover.”

“So you’ve got a bunch of medieval ghosts throwing gloves at you and wanting to duel...and you decided to wash them. At home.” Jazz crossed her arms. “Seriously?’

“Where else was I gonna do it? I thought they’d make decent proof so show Dad ghosts have society and rules.” He paused, throwing the glowing thing back under his regular clothes. “Then I remembered there’s no way I could explain how I got these. So now they’ll just smell nice in Sam’s closet or something.”

“Your closet a little too risky this time?”

“Nope. All of these belong to Sam. She’s the one getting all the challenges, not me.” he glanced down at his basket. “I think she named some of these.”

“It’s it a little unfair for a ghost to fight a human? That goes against the whole honourable and fair thing it seems to be going for.”

The half ghost grinned. “That’s what they think! Challenged gets to set the rules, and it turns out ghost knights are really, really bad at adjusting to ground only combat.”

Jazz blinked, the part that had been bothering her clicking into place. “Wait, so there’s that many because you’re still the newest knights?”

“Wasted every single challenger. I keep trying to convince them they’ll have a better shot against me, but noooo, they insist on trying to best the ‘breathing banshee’.” he shrugs. “Most of em would absolutely wreck me in a proper fight, I don’t usually need to fight ‘fair’ or anything.”

“So why don’t they go after Tucker? Getting all the way out here for a tradition can’t be easy.”

“He still insists he’s Friar Tuck. You don’t swordfight the clergy. None of them have actually called him on it, so maybe he is?” his brow furrowed, thinking on that. “Maybe I should ask Dora that sometime. Find out if we need to worry about some ghost pope later. Would not want to be the guy who punched the dragon queen’s ghost pope.”

Jazz couldn’t suppress a snort, easily able to picture such a mishap. “A year ago if you said that I’d say you should be committed. Now I’m just nodding along.”

“Even if you were saying it now, I’d get out.” A wicked grin accompanied a flash of green eyes.

“Very funny, dork.” Still, the idea was worth thinking about. “Well I can see why you wanted to try using them as proof.” The project was rather important to Danny, seeing as it was his best shot to get their parents to re-evaluate their ‘ghosts are mindless’ stance. “Maybe you could get Tucker to film a fight? Sam keeping ‘contaminated’ gloves wouldn’t seem that weird, and the variety can prove it’s not just one ghost mindlessly repeating the same behaviour.”

“I’d still be stuck explaining how Sam became ‘Sir Manson’ in the ghost zone. Which seems like a disaster waiting to happen.” his shoulders sagged. “They’ll think I made it up or Tucker did some video editing.”

“I still think it’s worth trying. Sam’s got a rich family, you could probably think up an excuse that she’s practically ‘royalty’ and that’s why they come.”

“Eh. Maybe. Don’t tell Sam but I’m giving the challengers tips now. The sooner they stop coming, the sooner I can stop getting all antsy about a ghost attack where I find out it’s another steel welding glove thrower.”

Jazz set her shoulders, determined to get some of that humour back in her dispirited sibling. “Use that. They owe you if you help them out, don’t they?”

“Well, I guess they do. Like I’ve had them tell me stories about what it’s like for them, if they remember stuff or have always been ghosts, they’re pretty chatty to a ‘fellow of the sword’...but it’s all stuff I write down. I can’t prove a ghost told me. I can’t film it, or have Dad listen in. The second they call me ‘Sir Phantom’ I’m toast.”

“He said he’d at least listen to what you found, right? It can be a starting point, and if you have some really specific detail it’s less likely that you made the whole thing up.” she stopped to ruffle his hair. “That, and if you were going to make something up, you’d have some star ghosts or ecto-aliens.”

“I would not!”

“Yes you would. And you’d draw them little space ships and everything.”

“...Okay maybe I’d make up some ships.”

“A lot of ships. With long complicated names. With scientific reasons for those names. Cus your my dorky little brother.”

“Well you’re my nagging big sister. You get to be the black hole equivalent.” 

“Just don’t give up on the idea so quickly, okay? It’s a good one, and it really can’t hurt too much to try.”

A small smile returned as he elbowed her “Careful, or they’ll think you’re being influenced by ghosts too.”

“It’s not like their theories can have any more concrete proof than yours does. What are they?”

“Dad thinks ectoplasm naturally ‘homes in’ on stuff over here, and that’s how they’re finding the portal.” he closes his eyes, foot kicking at the floor. “He’s got this box thing? A lot of box things with different kinds of ectoplasm to see if they move towards ‘our world’ over time. I keep forgetting it’s floating right next to the portal and almost kick it.” his face turns into a grimace. “Dad thinks ‘that ghost kid’ is messing with his experiment on purpose now, so that sucks.”

“Well you could mess with it on purpose, that would be intelligent.”

“Nope. That would be the ‘natural aggressive action’ towards human materials. Tried it.”

“What’s mom’s hypothesis then?”

“That the portal always being here makes this part of Earth more ectoplasm rich so they’re drawn to enter here instead.” he waves a hand. “She’s half right? I don’t think strong ghosts can go all that long without ducking back home to recharge. She’s using the frequency of ‘higher level’ ghosts as proof that they ‘need’ a certain level to function outside of the ghost zone.”

“Another theory you’re accidentally stomping all over.”

“Since they almost never spot ‘Phantom’ going back to the Zone, yeah. I apparently account for ninety four percent of all ghost sightings. Yet only three percent of that is being spotted outside of a fight. Which sounds really bad! No wonder they think I only think about fighting other ghosts.” he rubbed at the back of his head. “I think she plans to test that by uh. Sticking a ghost in a place with no ectoplasm to see how long they hold out, if at all. So I’ve kinda been...making sure she can’t do that.” he swallows, his glance towards his sister more timid than anything. “It'd be a really, really nasty way to die. From what I heard.”

“Good for you. She’ll thank you once you prove that sort of thing would be unethical.”

His frown didn’t move. “If I prove it. So far I’ve just proven they really don’t like that ghost kid.”

“From what I’ve heard you’re the one with the most solid proof. Once you’ve shown everything you’ve collected, then you could try convincing them to see for themselves you aren’t making it up.” Jazz urged, not wanting to watch her little brother give up again.

“Even if I could convince Dad to come in the specter speeder with me we’d scare most ghosts off. The ones we don’t might want to beat me up, or not use a name I can’t explain away.”

“Sam gets to set when one of those challenges happens right? Invite him to one of those.”

He blinked. “...I guess that might work. If Sam made it clear that they couldn’t say my name under any circumstances. There’s one lady who keeps coming, insists she’s going to be the one to get to succeed after ‘Slapping Sir Manson with her glove’, she might be down for that…” he caught the weird look Jazz was giving him. “Oh. Apparently if you’re rivals hitting the person with your glove is ‘provoking your betters’ into a fight? So it’s a respect thing? I don’t really get it. Sam thinks it’s great, which I didn’t see coming but I didn’t think we’d still be having ghost knight fights either.” he let out a breath. “I’m rambling again.”

“You know, if Mom and Dad could see how you talk about this stuff they’d know you aren’t making it up. Looks like ghost research does run in the family.”

Danny rolled his eyes. “I’m a ghost hunter if anything. It’s just nice being able to chat instead of fight sometimes. The ghost zone is pretty neat. If you know, half the stuff in there wasn’t trying to skin me alive.”

“I still think you have a good shot. You know it’s true, so they’ll have to see it given enough time.”

“Maybe. Can’t really talk about this stuff to them though. Gee dad, how do I know about Frostbite? Well when I stole the Ecto-Skeleton and shoved back Pariah Dark this whole tribe of yetis decided I was their Great One. So now we’re pals. Oh what’s that dad, you say the ghost kid did that? Funny thing!” he dropped his arms with a scowl. “That’d go over like a lead balloon.”

“Maybe stick to the dragon queen society for now. It’s not like anyone over here saw that. Then you can expand into the rest of the friendly areas.” she put a hand on his shoulder. “One step at a time Danny, you’ll get there.”

“I hope so. If it doesn’t, I blame you if I’m torn molecule by molecule.”

“Ew Danny! Don’t be so morbid, it’s not good for your development.”

“Is it morbid if I’m dead?” he winced from his sister’s whack to the head. “Ow! Half!”

“Better. Now scram with all those gloves before someone thinks you robbed a ghost antique boutique.”

“You’re such a busybody Jazz.” the half ghost teased before darting off with his half spectral laundry. It wouldn’t be an easy thing to convince their parents, but he did seem to be on the right track. So of course it was her job to make sure he stuck to it. Siblings had to look out for each other, and she wouldn’t have it any other way.

[devizakura]

My list of Skimble‘s friendship hcs with everyone in the tribe + my favorite photos/gifs of those

It’s long so I’m putting it under the cut. I”m putting everything that’s exclusive to my selfshippy timeline in italics, otherwise everything works for both that timeline and my interpretation of the canon timeline.

Asparagus Jr - BFF. The Peralta to his Boyle. That just about sums it up.

Jennyanydots - also a really close friend. They have a long-standing rivalry of getting each other increasingly more ridiculous Christmas sweaters.

Munkustrap - yet another friend. They have bonded through their sense of duty, though they have quite different approaches to how they handle stressful situations and their motivations differ - Munk has a tendency to easily break under pressure and only sees his role as a leader as a chaotic and stressful chore that is worth partaking in because he loves his tribe and wants the best for them, while Skimble springs into action, actually quite enjoying being important and useful.

Bombalurina - friends on about the same level as him and Munk. They often meet up for selfcare and gossip. Bomba ends up quite an important part of Skimble's life, giving him romantic advice and teaching him how to be confident in that area of his life too (he sure doesn't lack confidence in his professional life, but romantically... oh boy) and embrace his hidden sensual side. Though they may seem TOO close, it is not the case - Bombalurina simply flirts for fun and to raise her friends' and her own self-esteem, it usually has nothing to do with her being interested in someone romantically.

Rum Tum Tugger - oh boy, Tugger... It's complicated. Skimble hates the chaos Tugger causes... but at the same time, he somewhat craves his approval since Tugger is the local Cool Guy™. Tugger knows this and often teases him because he knows Skimble will always be lenient on him no matter the strict façade he puts up, but it would be a lie if he said he doesn't enjoy Skimble's company. (Also there may be some sexual tension 👀)

Jellylorum - they get on quite well, but more on the basis of both being a part of the oldie squad rather than as individuals. They're friends on the basis of sharing best friends, basically.

Rumpleteazer - his adopted daughter whom he found as a newborn kitten soon after he arrived into London. Not knowing the tribe back then yet, he brought her to the station. Though he didn't take a great part in raising her (because once she started going through her first rebellious phase and causing trouble, the stationpeople gave her away to a rich couple - ever since then, Skimble would mostly only see her on the annual jellicle ball and when she’d break out of the house) and somewhat regrets how she turned out (a thief and all), he is still extremely fond of her. So much so he might even go against the rules to get her out of trouble. And that means a lot, we are talking about Law Abiding And Enforcing Citizen™ Skimble after all. (At least that's what he presents himself to be ;))

Mungojerrie - Skimble is somewhat wary of Mungojerrie's influence over Rumpleteazer, but because the two are very close, pretty much inseparable, he treats him like his own kid and often goofs off with him.

Electra - his only biological daughter whom he had at 22, right before "the snip", with a tortie queen who moved with her owner when she was pregnant and has tragically passed away 4 years before the canonical jellicle ball, which is when she sent Electra back to her father (perhaps the owner was abusive so the mom didn't want Electra to stay with no one to protect her). Not wanting her to be taken away like Rumpleteazer was, he didn't bring her to the station - instead, she lives at the junkyard, sharing a den with Plato, Etcetera, and Pouncival. He helps her and her housemates out a lot, bringing them food and whichever other commodities he can get them. Because she's currently going through an "emotionally distant teen" phase and they haven't seen each other for so long, they're not sure if they're ever going to feel that true family bond or if Electra will forever feel like just another kitten Skimble is a "tribe dad" to, but he tries to help her the best he can since she is the last thing that is left of his old love.

Mistoffelees - as with many younger cats, Misto has always looked up to Skimble and imprinted on him as a "tribe dad" - not an adoptive father per se like with Rumpleteazer, but one of two (the other being Munk) male caretakers of the tribe. They have a really close bond.

Jemima - the most precious ray of sunshine in the tribe, must be protected. As the tribe's golden child, she can do no wrong in Skimble's eyes and is endlessly coddled by him.

Etcetera, Pouncival, Tumblebrutus - though they're not his babies, not even adopted, he loves them as if they were his. However, unlike with Jemima, he's not opposed to sternly wagging his finger at them when need be. Even Electra ends up being treated like this.

Victoria - there's always a bit of playful, friendly chemistry between them. Though they aren't particularly close, he, in a way, has a lot of respect towards her.

I don't really have any interesting hcs for his relationships with others - I'd say he's generally friendly with everyone else and treats important cats (Old Deut, Bustopher) like all the others, and aside from his complicated feelings towards Tugger, he has no enemies.

[markantonys]

lol i've recommended medici after my friend finished the borgias, now she texts me as she watches the episodes, mostly insulting cosimo and being sad for contessina. i'm like,you're absolutely right he's a total jerk and she's a queen, and i honestly cannot remember what kept me going for the first season?

LMAO i felt the same way my first couple watches but in my most recent one i have to say, Controversial Take Alert, i actually found myself feeling more for cosimo and being annoyed with contessina :O not in the episode after he came back from venice (6 i think?) they were both infuriating to me in that episode, but on the whole i was just really vibing with cosimo idk i relate to many aspects of his personality (being withdrawn and emotionally closed off, preferring solitude, always being convinced that you’re the only one who can do a job correctly and not wanting help from others) so i just kept thinking “oh yeah, being married to someone with contessina’s personality type would drive me crazy, they would feel very overbearing to me” not that contessina being so extroverted and always wanting to get involved with cosimo’s stuff are bad traits, they aren’t at all, but i just understand why someone like cosimo would get irritated by that because i myself would too! i can only handle strong personalities in small doses haha it would be very tough for me to be married to one

plus contessina in general just really rubbed me the wrong way in my most recent rewatch i can’t explain it other than to say that something about her just reeks of white feminism to me........sure she has her “omg queen!” moments but they’re rendered false to me by the way she then turns around and bullies maddalena, a powerless slave who’s way more of a victim in the situation than contessina is, and looks down her nose at the common people whereas cosimo, for all his flaws, is basically the only person in the family who genuinely cares about the common people AND PROVES IT unlike s2 lorenzo who is all talk about wanting to help them but has never actually been within 10 feet of a poor person in his life lmfao

contessina is no more flawed than any other character in s1 of course, but it just bugs me that her flaws always get completely glossed over and swept under the rug by fandom in a way that doesn’t happen to the other characters. she gets put on a pedestal, which in my opinion is undeserved! i think one big difference between s1 and s2 is that all the main characters have real moments of unlikability (even darling lucrezia and piero say some pretty nasty things at various points in s1 that made me pissed at them) whereas in s2 on the whole the characters are very sweet and nice people. the s1 characters are more complicated and a more accurate depiction of rich renaissance assholes, but the s2 characters are much easier to root for, so i think whether someone prefers s1 or 2 in many ways depends on what type of characters you prefer to watch!

[aelowan]

Special Delivery – A Books of Binding Short Story

Cian woke in the dark to an urgent rapping on his bedroom door. Winter’s low voice carried through the wood. “Cian, we’re on.”

Cian sat up in bed, trying to parse that. On? On what? English wasn’t his first language and sometimes idioms — he hoped it was an idiom — tripped him up. He pulled his jeans on and made his groggy way across the spacious room to find Winter on the other side of his door, dressed in her usual loose dress and cardigan, her purple bag over her shoulder and her surgical bag heavy in her hand. She hadn’t taken the time to put her hip-length white hair up in a bun, and it rode one shoulder in a careless braid.

She was lovely.

He pushed his own long, sleep-tousled hair out of his face. “What are we on?”

A small, exhausted smile played about her lips, and he wanted to kiss her until the shadows under her ice-blue eyes faded away. “’On’ means it’s showtime,” she explained, not terribly effectively. What was a ‘showtime?’ “We have a delivery to attend. Corinne’s started bleeding heavily, and Doc says she can’t stop it.”

Cian’s brows shot to his hairline. The Lion Queen? Oh shit. “Is it the placenta previa? She’s five weeks early.” Which wasn’t too terribly early for a human or a vampire, but with a therian’s five-and-a-half-month gestation it could make things complicated.

Winter nodded. “Which means that either she got pregnant during an earlier heat than we thought, or the placenta’s started pulling away from her uterus, which I think is the more likely. Either way, I suspect we need to deliver the baby tonight. If she’s having contractions it will tear the placenta apart, leading to hemorrhaging. Now, you get dressed, and I’ll wake up Etienne so he can drive you out to Xanadu on the motorcycle. I need you at the top of your game, and making you ride with me in the Bug with its old steel chassis won’t help with that.” She sighed. “I really do need a new car.”

Cian shuddered at the thought of riding in the Bug. He’d ridden in more than one older model vehicle and gotten sick in the process. He was sidhe, though, and not a lesser fae, so sick was the extent of it. A lesser fae might come away with more serious injury or even death. The little pixies in the gardens here on the Point avoided Winter’s vintage car at all costs. “Yeah, a new one would be good. Maybe we can go shopping for one this weekend?”

Winter gave him a tired smile, but tired as she was it still reached her eyes. Cian couldn’t have said that only a few weeks ago. “Yes, maybe.” She checked the time on her phone. “We need to head out as soon as possible. Doc is perfectly capable of performing a c-section if she needs to, but I’d rather be there in case things get complicated. I’ll meet you in the foyer in five minutes.”

Cian shut the door as Winter moved toward Etienne’s room and turned to get ready. It was just the three of them rattling around in this huge house, where once there had been dozens of wizards, all part of the extensive Mulcahy family. He could tell that Winter liked having the company, and he liked it, too. So did Etienne.

Long hair pulled back in a neat ponytail, worn boots and a new sweatshirt against the mid-November chill, his silk-lined riding chaps to protect him from the Harley’s frame, and he was ready to ride as soon as he got his helmet and riding jacket together. Worry for Corinne dueled with excitement. This would be his first time attending a birth. He’d assisted Winter with several surgeries already, but Corinne was the community member closest to delivering and currently the highest-risk pregnancy. She was also one of Winter’s closest friends, and Winter said she felt better knowing he would be backing her up with his healing gift. Cian was happy to help.

Etienne was still putting his auburn hair up into a ponytail in the high style he preferred as he hit the stairs and nodded to Cian. “Get your things. It’s going to be a cold ride, even for you.” His red plaid overshirt was slung about his neck and the new black gun rig for his old Glock jostled lightly against his chest with each stairstep he took.

Cian stood at the bottom of the double staircase beside Winter and watched the faerie knight descend, his bootheels thudding softly on each wide tread. He waved a hand indicating the Glock under Etienne’s left arm. “Expecting trouble?”

Etienne smirked and pulled on the overshirt as he touched down from the last step. “Always. This is Seahaven, after all.”

Winter shook her head and offered a rueful smile but didn’t disagree. “I’ve got the car loaded and ready to go. Be careful out there. The roads might be a bit slick after that rain.”

Etienne’s smile stretched into a rake-hell grin and Cian felt his belly flop. By Dagda, Etienne had a sexy smile. “A little rain isn’t going to stop us. Now, let’s go help Corinne.”

Cian handed Etienne his helmet and his old worn leather coat before getting into his own, new, silk lined coat. Winter’d had it made for him when she’d noticed he was showing about an inch of wrist below the cuff of his old one.

Winter hitched her bag up higher on her shoulder, determination showing in her eyes. “Okay, let’s do this.”

The rain had subsided to a sprinkle, which did nothing for making the ride out to Xanadu any safer. Etienne sat a little higher in his seat, vigilant, and managed to avoid most of the puddles.

Most.

Cian tried to ignore his cold, wet boots as the three of them pulled into the covered Xanadu employee parking lot, Winter leading the way in her yellow Bug. They were met at the back entrance to the primary hotel that crowned the largest island in the resort complex. Corinne owned all of the islands in Eriksson Bay, and employed both the dolphins and the selkies as well as her entire large pride of lions. Scores of humans worked in the park, too, but they were offered only limited access. No need for some curious teenager to die just because they got a peek behind the Veil of Secrecy.

Santiago, Corinne’s husband, mate, and Chief of Security, waved as they approached the private elevator. Worry etched deep lines into his brow, cutting into his light brown skin. Cian noticed that he’d shaved his head, but it was already showing fine stubble with the force of his therian regeneration. “Winter, thank god you’re here.” His English was flavored with rich Cuban Spanish, as were most of the lions he had brought with him from Miami to merge with Corinne’s lioness-heavy pride.

Winter offered up a confident smile and gave the Lion King a quick hug. “It’ll be all right. I can get little Bella out in under a minute if I need to.”

Cian knew that Winter’d had to perform emergency c-sections in the past and knew what she was doing. Therian couldn’t get sick or infected, but they could develop conditions that put a pregnancy at risk, like Corinne’s placenta previa. Most therian lived on the edge of society, victims of poverty, abuse, and malnutrition. Pregnancy loss and high infant mortality were common.

But that wasn’t a concern with Corinne tonight. The Lion Queen led one of the biggest groups in Seahaven and was one of the most powerful and wealthiest therian on the West Coast.

Santiago ushered the three of them into the elevator and swiped his resort ID through the reader, granting them access to the private floors and the penthouse where the pride lived. “Doc says Corinne and the baby are both holding steady, even with the blood loss. She’s got both of them on monitors.”

Winter looked to Cian. “With heavy bleeding, what is keeping Corinne and Bella stable?”

Cian thought about that for a moment. “It’s Corinne. She’s strong enough that her healing ability is regenerating blood before she can lose too much, so Bella isn’t being stressed.” He paused. “Yet. There’s a limit to how long her body can heal itself and maintain the baby at the same time. She’s burning through an incredible amount of calories, and once she’s depleted, she’ll be vulnerable.”

Winter smiled her approval. “Excellent. You’re picking this up quickly.”

Etienne looked pleased but said nothing.

Santiago listened intently, tension singing across the backs of his hands, stress making his dark-eyed gaze intense. “But you can save her — save them — can’t you, Winter?”

Winter exuded confidence even as Cian could feel her exhaustion through the veil of his healing gift. “I’m here to fight. We’ll get Corinne through this.”

They exited the elevator one floor below the penthouse where Corinne and Santiago lived and travelled at a brisk pace past closed doors and the soft sounds of sleeping lions until Santiago pushed open a set of frosted glass doors at the end of the hall.

Doctor Gloria Park’s domain.

Glass, chrome, and bright lights, the small clinic and surgery suite gleamed like a shrine to modern medicine. Winter’s backroom clinic was smaller and homier — and a lot busier — but Cian could tell by the way she glanced around that Winter admired it and all of the shiny toys Doc had to play with.

Cian had to admit that he did, too.

“Doc, they’re here.” Santiago raised his voice just enough to be heard on the other side of the two frosted glass doors that bracketed the main room of the clinic.

Doc emerged from the door on the right, butting it open with a hip, her gloved hands marked by blood and ruddy betadine. A bloody streak smeared wet across her white coat at the waist, but she ignored it. She flashed a quick smile of greeting at the new arrivals, her slightly hooded eyes crinkling at the corners and tugging at her small epicanthal folds, her short, no-nonsense, black hair tucked beneath a surgery bonnet. “Excellent timing. I’m prepping Corinne now. How do you want to do this?”

Winter took her surgery bag from Etienne and began moving toward the surgery suite. “I think we should first administer my painkiller potion, and then once it kicks in, we can take a closer look.” She gestured to the blood on Doc’s coat and hands. “Is that all hers?” In any place other than Seahaven that might have been an odd question, but Cian was quickly learning that chaos seemed to reign above all, here.

Doc made a short shrugging gesture. “This time, yes. Contractions started about an hour ago.”

Winter nodded, all business. “Then we’ve got no time to waste. Santiago, do you want to come in and keep Corinne company?”

Santiago smiled, visibly relieved. “Si. I wouldn’t miss this for the world.”

Etienne crossed his arms and leaned a hip against a table. “I’ll wait out here. Haven’t attended a birth in a while, but I bet it’s going to be crowded enough in there as it is.”

Winter flashed the faerie knight a warm smile of gratitude and pushed through the door, Cian close behind her, Doc and Santiago bringing up the rear.

The surgery suite was small, but airy and brightly lit. Corinne sat reclined in the center of the room, gravid belly painted a lurid yellow-red with betadine, long red hair tucked into a surgery bonnet to keep it out of the way, full lips looking pale. Even still, she was glamorous. She opened her eyes as they entered the room, and she smiled a tired smile. “Hey there.”

Winter returned the smile with one of her own as she pulled out a surgery bonnet for herself and passed another to Cian. “Ready to have a baby tonight?”

Corinne chuckled softly and reached out for Santiago’s hand as he reached her side. “You have no idea. But someday you will.”

Winter’s smile turned a bit wistful. “Maybe.” Cian wanted to hold her, just for a moment. He knew she expected to die young, like the rest of the Mulcahy line. She was the last.

Cian found a chair and brought it to Santiago so he could sit at Corinne’s head.

Santiago took the seat and stroked Corinne’s forehead. “Mi corazón.”

Winter tucked her long braid into the surgery bonnet and Cian followed suit. “This is going to go very fast. Your contractions tore the placenta and that’s what’s causing the bleeding. It’s still a total occlusion, still entirely blocking the cervix, as we saw on the ultrasound during your checkup last week.”

Corinne gave a single nod, exhaustion and worry etched into the corners of her eyes. “Did I do something wrong? She’s so early.”

Winter shook her head no and dug into her surgical bag. “Sometimes babies just come early. Nobody’s at fault.” She looked at the monitors showing both Corinne and the baby’s vitals and Cian followed her gaze. Both were holding steady so far. “But Bella’s at a good weight. She should be fine. And your strength is keeping her that way. But I still want to get her out with all speed. We need your bleeding to stop.” As she spoke, she pulled a tumbler from the bag, filled it with cool water, and added three drops of light blue potion, drops that never quite mixed in, instead swirling about like whisps of metallic smoke. “Here, drink all of this down as fast as you can.”

Corinne took the tumbler and knocked it back, then locked her jaw as her entire body shuddered. “Good lord, what was that?”

Winter retrieved the tumbler before it ended up on the floor. “Painkiller potion. It will last for a few hours. It also gives us the ability to go in after little Bella without you feeling any pain and without giving you enough human anesthetic to knock out the Fifth Fleet.” Cian knew from Winter’s explanations that therian could burn through human drugs at an alarming rate. Only magical solutions could withstand their incredible metabolisms.

Corinne shuddered one more time, and then leaned back with a sigh and closed her eyes. “Oh. Oh, that’s much better. Thank you.”

Winter gave her friend’s hand a squeeze. “Good. Now let’s meet your daughter and get that bleeding stopped.” She shrugged out of her sweater and pulled a couple of scrub tops out of the surgery bag, handing one over to Cian. “This is going to be pretty straight forward,” she began to explain, mostly to Cian. Doc already knew what she was doing. “Cian, I want you as tech on this so you can get as much experience as possible. You’ll suction the amniotic fluid out of our way, and I’d like you to use your touch healing to tack Corinne back together once we deliver the placenta, so she heals correctly. Corinne is strong enough that she’ll probably heal faster than I can suture her. Doc, if you can keep the incisions open long enough for me to go in and get the baby and the placenta, we can get her delivered in the next few minutes.”

Doc gave a thoughtful look at her queen’s belly and then to the monitors. “I think that’s reasonable. The bassinet’s already warming, so you can just plop the baby in there while you deliver the placenta and we get the bleeding stopped, and then as soon as the umbilical cord stops pulsing, we can cut it.” She cast a grin at Santiago, who was massaging Corinne’s temples. “Feel like cutting the cord?”

A smile spread across Santiago’s handsome face. “Si. I thought that was just a TV thing.”

Doc let out a soft chuckle. “No, it can be a dad thing, too. Bella’s welcome to the world.”

Winter handed Cian a clean absorbent pad, and he replaced the blood-soaked one beneath Corinne, tossing it into the operating room trash with the rest of them. He could only thank Dagda that she was a therian, and a queen. A human would be in dire straits by now.

Doc lifted an electrocautery scalpel from its tray, the steel glinting under the bright lights, a long wire stretching to the base of the machine beside her. “Ready when you are.”

Winter explored Corinne’s belly, feeling out the position of the baby within. “She’s breech, which is normal with placenta previa. First incision down here, across the lower abdomen, and then we very carefully cut into the uterus.”

Doc snorted. “Don’t teach me to suck eggs, kid.”

An amused smile tugged at Winter’s mouth. “Yes, ma’am. Cian, get ready with the suction, please.”

Cian flipped the machine on and held the wand at the ready, tucking himself against Corinne’s side opposite of Santiago so he could both reach and stay out of the way. He’d done this in surgery with Winter before. There had just never been a baby involved. It didn’t make him nervous, though. Winter had faith in him.

Winter shifted just a little to the side to give Doc more room. “All right, let’s do this.”

Doc spread her fingers across Corinne’s lower abdomen, her hands rock-steady, and made the first deft incision, a tiny whiff of smoke rising as she made the long cut, stopping bleeding before it could start, exposing the flesh of Corinne’s uterus. “Get the retractors ready,” Doc murmured to no one in particular.

Winter reached around her and picked up the two steel retractors, looking for all the world like salad tongs to Cian’s mind. He’d used them before, but the first impression was always the lasting one.

Doc carefully centered her scalpel and indicated a small band of muscle just to the side of her hand. “Pay attention to this, Cian.” Her voice was low with concentration. “Corinne is a lioness, and her uterus works a little differently than a human’s. Instead of basically just being nestled in place by the other abdominal structures, it’s held in place at two points, acting as shock absorbers. She’s built to hunt and fight while pregnant.” Doc shifted the position of her scalpel. “We don’t want to cut those, so we’re making a bit of a smaller incision instead.”

Cian nodded, absorbing the lesson. “Will the baby still fit through?”

Doc nodded. “It’ll just be a tighter squeeze, but she’ll be fine.” Doc deftly nicked the edges of the first incision, pushing against Corinne’s healing ability. “Cutting now.” She pierced the uterine wall without hesitation, drawing another long, bloodless, horizontal line across Corinne’s abdomen.

Immediately a tiny foot appeared, pressed against the intact, translucent amniotic sac. Winter smiled as she applied the retractors. “Very nice.”

Doc grinned. “It’s what we do. Ready to catch?”

Winter nodded. “Trade you.”

Doc and Winter traded tools in a dance born out of years of practice. Doc had been Winter’s primary teacher as she learned trauma surgery, after the death of her Aunt Curiosity.

Winter cut into the amniotic sac with a delicate touch, careful of the moving baby beneath. Cian shifted behind her, suctioning fluid as best he could, until Winter slipped her hands inside and began to ease the baby out.

Corinne’s eyes widened. “Oh, that feels weird. How does she look?”

Winter slipped a hand further into Corinne’s uterus, sloshing fluid over her wrists and onto the pad. “Well, all I see right now is her little butt, but her head is coming free… right… now.”

Corinne raised her head, eager for a peek. “Can I see her?”

Winter mopped the tiny baby’s face off with a pad that Cian handed her, suctioned her little nose and mouth, and held her where Corinne and Santiago could see just in time for Bella to raise her first vigorous objections to being pulled from her warm retreat. Winter beamed. “Look what you two did.”

Santiago’s eyes reddened with joy and he kissed Corinne’s cheek. “She has your hair, mi corazón.”

Corinne grinned, unable to take her eyes off the baby. “She’s beautiful. Just beautiful.”

“And messy.” Winter handed Bella off to Cian, who wrapped her in an absorbent pad and carried her to the cozy bassinet. She was so tiny, and so fierce. “Let me finish this with Doc and Cian’s help and then she’s all yours.”

***

If you like this story, check out our other free short fiction and all things Seahaven at https://www.aelowan.com.

[thecassadilla]

Written in the Stars - Chapter 3

Word Count: 3,755/AO3

Pairing: Kristanna

Love During Lockdown Series: Serendipity (Prologue) | Chapter 1 | Chapter 2

Summary: Figuring out how to go on an in-person date during a time of social distancing would be a challenge for anyone. Luckily, it comes easy to Anna and Kristoff, who find a creative way to spend some time with each other amidst a pandemic.

Author’s Note: Hi everyone, I’m back at it again. After a long week of feeling like I couldn’t see or think straight, I’ve somehow managed to write another chapter of this. It’s trash, just like me, so don’t read it lol. As a random side note that nobody even cares about - I haven’t eaten at a McDonald’s or a Dairy Queen in so long. Like, years - and not because of the pandemic, or because I’m a health nut, but just because XD. I don’t even know what this chapter is tbh. I hope you like it! (Also, I hope you like my little joke about Kristoff’s taste in music :P)

Kristoff turned around and looked through the rear windshield as he reversed out of the spot. As soon as they were back in drive, he asked “So, what are your friends like?”

“They’re really great,” Anna answered, simply. “We balance each other out.”

“What does that mean?”

“You called me brave, earlier - they’d call me bold. Let’s just say I’ve made some...questionable decisions in the past, and they’ve always been there to help me get through it.”

“They sound like good friends.”

She raised one of her hands up to cover her mouth as she realized what she’d just said. “Oh god, I just realized how terrible that sounded. I haven’t, like, gone to jail or murdered anyone. College is the prime time for making mistakes, and I’m not exempt from that. Just a lot of drinking and partying.”

“I just want you to know that I wasn’t assuming that you murdered someone,” he laughed. 

“Well, I don’t know! I phrased it so horribly, a lot of assumptions could be made.”

“Don’t worry, you’re totally fine,” he insisted.

“Anyway, I met my best friend, Diana, in freshman year English and we had a lot of fun together. I haven’t spoken to her in awhile, though.”

“Because of quarantine?”

“No,” she sighed. “We had a falling out. I don’t know. I mean, I know, but it’s complicated and neither of us want to suck it up and talk about it.”

“I totally get that. I’ve never really had a best friend, but there’s always been some type of drama within my friend groups. I’m just the guy who tries not to take sides or get involved.”

“The problem is that Diana and I are both equally guilty in this case. I hurt her, and she hurt me, and we’re both being babies about it.”

“Maybe you should be the bigger person, then? If she’s really your best friend, then you want her in your life, right?”

“I know, it’s just hard,” she whined. “I know that it would be the right thing to do, but I’m just not ready to have that talk yet. My friend Amanda - she’s the one who I mentioned you to - is the mediator right now. Diana isn’t ready, yet, either, according to her.”

“I’m not really qualified to give you advice here, but hopefully it all works out for both of you.”

“Something that you’ll come to learn about me, if we continue to see each other, is that I’m very stubborn and very strong-willed. Diana has a similar personality, so we tend to clash.”

“Strong-willed, huh? I guess that sounds like you - I am driving to Dairy Queen, after all.”

She reached over and playfully shoved his arm. “Shut up!”

He momentarily took both of his hands off of the steering wheel to raise them in surrender. “Sorry, I was just teasing.”

“I know,” she smirked. “I was, too. Anyway, I trust my instincts, and I know that we’ll make up someday.”

“That’s good. Friends are important.”

“What are your friends like?”

“They’re just...very relaxed. Easy to hang out with - just meet up at the bar and talk for a while. I don’t really have a best friend, like I said, but I hang out with Ryder the most, probably because I live with him. And I’m pretty good friends with his sister, too. They’re good people.”

“We could always use good people in our lives. Your roommate seems to look after you, from what you’ve told me.”

“Usually I’m the one looking after him,” he corrected. “He’s only nineteen, but he’s a good kid. He was working his ass off when all of this started - two jobs and in school full time.”

“Wow, that’s pretty impressive. I could barely manage one job and school.”

“I give him a lot of credit. Just don’t tell him that I told you that.”

“Hey, if it wasn’t for him we probably wouldn’t be sitting here right now,” she pointed out. “Give credit where it’s due.”

“You’ll have to remind me to thank him.”

“I’d also like to thank him, someday.”

“You can come over whenever you want; he literally doesn’t care. I wasn’t kidding earlier when I said he was chill. I mean, he’s been taking this very seriously, but he always preferred to hang out with his friends while playing video games, so it’s a win-win situation for him.”

“I wish I had that type of freedom in my own apartment,” she practically growled, crossing her arms over her chest. “But, I will definitely take you up on that offer.”

“And I can fulfill my promise to cook you dinner. You can even invite your sister, if you wanted to.”

“Ha, you’re cute, but she isn’t stepping foot outside of that apartment until the coast is totally clear. If she doesn’t want me to leave, she definitely isn’t leaving.”

“I thought you said the only reason you were able to come today was because she was sleeping and couldn’t stop you. She isn’t always going to be asleep.”

“Yeah, but I can sneak out,” she shrugged. “I’ve done it before and I can do it again.”

“Are you talking about rappelling down the side of the building or something?”

“I’m not a superhero,” she laughed. “My sister has a very strict weekday routine. She works all day in her room and doesn’t come out until it’s time for us to start dinner.”

“Wouldn’t she hear the front door close?”

“She also happens to wear noise-cancelling headphones so she can go to her zoom meetings without distractions. I just have to leave before she finishes her work for the day.”

“You really weren’t joking about being strong-willed, huh?”

“Nope,” she shook her head. “I’m very determined. So, what type of music do you like to listen to?”

“Hmm,” he hummed, trying to think of an answer. “I listen to a bunch of different stuff. I guess I really like rock music, but a lot of rock music is also considered pop music? I listen to a lot of older stuff, too, like Queen.”

“I guess that was kind of an unfair question, because I don’t have a straight answer for it, either. I like Taylor Swift and Ariana Grande. I mostly listen to pop, but I also have an affinity for music from the ‘80s. Girls Just Wanna Have Fun is my jam.”

He laughed. “That’s a good one.”

“Can’t take life too seriously, you know?” She giggled. “Anyway, next question.”

“Is this a test?”

She playfully rolled her eyes. “No. I just want to know more about you, and the only way to do that is if we keep asking each other questions.”

“Okay,” he nodded. “Um...favorite color?”

“Ooh, I really like jewel tones!” 

He glanced over at her. “....am I supposed to know what that is?”

“Really rich colors, like emerald green and sapphire blue - named after different jewels.”

“Aha,” he remarked triumphantly. “See, I wasn’t expecting an answer like that.”

“What’s your favorite color?”

“I’m fond of blue. And gray. Kind of boring compared to your favorite colors, but those are the colors I wear the most.” He took one hand off the wheel, and motioned to his gray t-shirt as proof of his statement.

“It’s not boring,” she assured him. “I don’t know why I expected you to know what jewel tones were. And I guess I made a good decision when I chose to wear blue today.”

“I guess you’re a mind reader.”

“Alright, so,” she started, clapping her hands together. “What is your favorite food?”

“Easy, pizza.”

“Mine is chocolate.”

“Does that count as a food?”

“I don’t see why not,” she shrugged. “I like chocolate everything. Chocolate bars, chocolate cake, hot chocolate. Ooh, and I’m definitely going to get some type of chocolate ice cream at Dairy Queen.”

“That’s why I asked if it counted as a food,” he laughed. “There are so many different chocolate things that it seems more like a flavor than a food.”

“Fine,” she groaned. “You win. Uhh...I’ll pick pizza, too, I guess. Or sandwiches. Or sushi - see, you should’ve just left it at chocolate. I love food too much.”

“You don’t have to listen to me. What do I know?”

“It’s fine, it’s not your fault that I like everything.”

“Do you have any foods that you dislike?”

“I’m not a fan of brussels sprouts,” she shrugged. “But I’m willing to try anything once.”

“Even something like escargot or sardines?”

“Yeah, why not?”

“How about liver?”

“Okay,” she answered, scrunching up her nose. “Probably not liver.”

“I figured, liver just seems gross. But, you’re definitely more adventurous with food than I am. I’m not picky, but I don’t think I’d be willing to try sardines or anything.”

“To each his own,” she responded, simply. 

“Once we pass this light we’re going to be at Dairy Queen,” he pointed out. “How about instead of eating in the car, we drive over to the park we just passed? So we can stretch our legs for a bit?”

“What a great idea!” She exclaimed. “What are you going to get?”

“I have no idea. I haven’t been to a Dairy Queen in forever. Probably one of those things they turn upside down to show you how cold it is or something?”

“Blizzards!” She yelled. “I love those! I’m going to get one, too.”

“I feel like that’s the whole point of going,” he chuckled. “You can’t go there and not get a Blizzard. It’s like going to Burger King and then not getting a Whopper.”

“You make an excellent point,” she said, as the car pulled into the strip mall parking lot. The lot was mostly empty, save for a few cars, and so Kristoff was able to park right in front of the entrance. 

“I guess we have to put the masks back on, right?” He asked, as he cut the engine and pulled his keys out of the ignition.

“Yeah,” she sighed, picking her mask up from where it rested and looping it over her ears. “I don’t mind wearing a mask, but I really can’t wait until we don’t have to wear them anymore.”

“We’ll get there, someday,” he stated, putting his own mask on, but for good measure, he added, “Hopefully.” 

“I feel really awful for the people who have to wear these all day, everyday with no breaks. I’ve seen so many pictures online and I can’t even imagine what all of those essential workers are going through.”

“Tell me about it,” he remarked, reaching for the door handle and pulling it open. He motioned for her to go inside and then quickly followed behind her. The restaurant was completely deserted, with the exception of the two employees standing behind the counter.

“Can I help you?” One of the employees spoke up, as they approached; they kept a considerable distance in spite of the tape marks on the floor.

“Just a second,” Anna answered, squinting up at the menu. Her eyes darted around the illuminated sign for a moment before she looked over at Kristoff. “I know what I want, are you ready?”

“Yeah,” he responded, and they stepped up to the line.

“May I have a small Choco Brownie Extreme Blizzard?”

The cashier nodded and pushed a few buttons on the register before looking expectantly at Kristoff.

“Uh, may I please have a Royal Rocky Road Trip Blizzard? Also small.”

The cashier nodded once again before gruffly asking, “Is that it?”

“Yes,” Anna said, digging through her purse to find her wallet. The cashier read her the total, while the other employee began making the frozen concoctions.

“Are you sure you don’t want me to pay?”

“Don’t be silly!” She insisted, sticking her credit card into the chip reader. “You paid for dinner, I’m paying for dessert.”

The cashier muttered something under her breath, and Anna glanced up and was met with narrowed eyes. She pulled her card out, and as soon as the receipt printed, the cashier hastily thrust it at her before stepping away. She glanced back at Kristoff, who was reading a sign taped to the wall, and most likely hadn’t noticed the odd exchange. 

A moment later, the other employee returned with a white paper bag. Anna took it, and thanked her before walking over to Kristoff.

“Ready?”

“Yup,” he answered. “Do you want me to carry that?”

“No, I got it.”

He reached out and held the door open for her again, and they stepped out into the hot, humid air. 

“It kind of feels nice out there after sitting in the car for so long,” he remarked, as they climbed into the car. “You still wanna go to the park, right?”

“Yeah,” she said, simply, staring out the window as he backed out of the spot and drove away. Her mind was in another place; she was replaying the moment with the cashier over and over again.

“You know, I was thinking,” he started, glancing over at her. “What a crazy name Royal Rocky Road is. It’s a tongue twister - try saying that three times fast.”

She let out a small laugh in response, but continued to look at the passing cars and trees. The rest of the short drive was quiet, and they arrived at the park within a few minutes. Just like Dairy Queen, it was practically deserted, with the exception of one other car in the entire lot.

“Do you want to walk around or do you want me to pop open the trunk so we can sit outside but not have to worry about finding a bench?”

“We could just sit outside for a while,” she answered, finally looking over at him. She hadn’t even realized that she left her mask on until she saw that he had taken his off. She quickly reached back behind her ears to pull the loops free, and placed the mask on the center console. 

She opened the door and stepped out of the SUV, clutching the bag in her hands. She walked around to the rear of the car, where Kristoff was opening the trunk. She placed the bag onto the flat surface and started to open it.

“Should we sanitize our hands again?”

“Oh. Yeah.” She dropped her hands away and walked back to the front of the car and retrieved her purse, before returning to him.

“Sorry, I wouldn’t have brought it up if I had realized your bag was in the front.”

“No, it’s fine, it just slipped my mind. Can’t be too safe, right?”

She dug through her purse in search of the tiny bottle, and when she found it, she squeezed a dollop into his waiting hands before taking some for herself and placing the bottle on the floor of the trunk, next to the bag.

“Thank you, again,” he said, as he rubbed his hands together. “I’ll have to get a couple of bottles to keep in the car. Normally they smell like alcohol, but yours smells really nice.”

“I got this one from Bath and Body Works - they have tons of different scents. You can keep it if you want, I have a bunch at home.”

“Thank you, but that’s okay. I’m sure stuff like that is in short supply right now, and I never really go anywhere.”

She nodded, deciding that she was going to leave it in his cup holder anyway; it would make her feel better knowing that he had some if he needed it. She reached back and opened the bag, taking out the two identical cups. The employee was kind enough to write the initials of the flavors they got, so they were easily distinguishable. She handed him his ice cream and spoon before taking her own.

“This is going to sound so ridiculous, but I wish they could’ve turned them upside down,” he remarked as he took the lid off of his cup. “Obviously they couldn’t, but it’s part of the experience. Or, it used to be.”

“Yeah,” she agreed, staring at the cup in her hands. The interaction with the cashier was still heavy on her mind; there was an insurmountable feeling of guilt that was bubbling up inside of her, threatening to spill over at the slightest provocation. 

For a few moments, they quietly ate their ice cream, partly because it was sure to melt quickly in the blazing heat. 

“Hey, Anna?” He asked, finally breaking the silence.

She blinked and looked up at him. “Hmm?”

“Did I do something wrong?”

“No! Not at all! You’re great.”

“You’ve been awfully quiet since we left Dairy Queen, and if I said or did something -”

“No, you didn’t,” she cut him off mid-sentence. “I swear.”

“Is something bothering you?”

It seemed unavoidable now; she wished that she wasn’t so obvious with her emotions, but it was better to let it out than hold it in, right? “It’s just...that girl who helped us at Dairy Queen seemed upset or angry or something. She said something under her breath and gave me the dirtiest look and practically threw the receipt at me. I don’t know why, but I’m assuming because she’s working at an ice cream parlor, serving people like me, during a crisis.”

He looked slightly bewildered at her revelation. “You can’t make that assumption,” he assured her. “She could be angry for a million reasons.”

“I know, but that’s the assumption that my brain keeps going back to. In what world is ice cream essential?”

“It’s not, but you’re not the one making those calls.”

“It doesn’t help that she’s probably only making ten dollars an hour while everyone on unemployment is getting an extra six hundred dollars a week,” she pointed out, her eyebrows furrowing together.

“I agree, it’s not fair to anyone working right now. You didn’t implement that rule, though.”

“This whole situation isn’t fair. People had to cancel their weddings - that’s absolutely insane to me. Could you imagine spending months or years planning the happiest day of your life only for a virus to come and ruin it?”

He shook his head. “I can’t. But I guess if the love is there then the date doesn’t really matter? I don’t know.”

“Or what about the people who have kids? Could you imagine living with a kid, right now? I hated being home as a kid - I needed to go to school and see people, or go to my activities, or I would’ve gone crazy. How are people coping?”

“They have technology on their side, at least. We didn’t have tablets or anything when we were kids, you know?”

“I keep wondering - and this has nothing to do with you - if it’s bad or wrong to feel happy right now. Like, so much of the world is suffering, and I’m privileged enough to not be suffering, and feeling content with my own life makes me feel so…” she trailed off, her eyes downcast.

“Guilty?” He guessed.

“Yeah, exactly. Whatever this is could be a really good thing, and I want that - I want good things. We’re both healthy, but we’re breaking the rules to spend time together, and as great and wonderful as this has been, I can’t help but think about the people who haven’t been so lucky in this situation.”

“I don’t think you should think like that,” he said, simply. “I completely understand where you’re coming from, but you can’t blame yourself for what happens to other people. Some parts of life can’t be stopped or controlled no matter how hard we try.”

“I know,” she frowned.

“Besides, it isn’t like you’re one of those people who’s pretending that it’s over, or didn’t even exist to begin with. We’ve been following the rules - wearing masks, and cleaning our hands. There isn’t much else we can do; we can’t completely stop living. This pandemic is messing with everyone, even if we don’t realize it.”

“I guess it scares me more than I thought it did,” she admitted, biting her lip. “I have a lot of hope that this will all end, someday, but at the same time, I just don’t know.”

“I feel the same way.”

“And then, in all of this mess, I can’t help but think that we might not have met each other if it weren’t for this stupid pandemic - and despite my ranting, I’m happy that we did. I know we were joking about it before, but I keep thinking back to when I promised to shake your hand - or even when I tried to hug you, earlier. The only reason why I’m scared of doing those things is because of what’s happening,” she explained. “Everything feels wrong.”

“It may be socially unacceptable at the moment, but I’m personally okay with it because it’s such a small, calculated risk. We each live with one other person, and neither of us has even been in public in so long, you know?”

She didn’t answer. He seemed so rational and level-headed and calm, and quite frankly, she felt like a mess. There was a considerable amount of undeniable tension building up between the two of them, and although they were still standing side-by-side, she found herself staring at him. How easy it would be to wrap her arms around him, lean up, and press a kiss to his lips.

And even though he just expressly said that he was okay with being touched, she pushed the thought back down. It was absurd, almost - how natural it felt to be around someone she hardly knew, and yet be wracked with an asinine amount of guilt over the state of the world.

She shook her head, snapping herself out of the trance that she was in. “Sorry for rambling, I do that a lot. But I really appreciate that you were willing to listen to my rant and I hope you don’t think that I regret coming out with you, or something.”

“Don’t be sorry,” he looked down at her and gave her a small smile. “We’re all bound to...feel things after being trapped inside for two months.” 

“Thanks for understanding,” she smiled back, appreciative of his sincerity. She quickly realized that continually pushing her thoughts away was certainly going to be a struggle, especially when he looked at her with such kindness. And for some reason she didn’t quite understand, she tore her focus away from him and placed it back on the cup in her hands.

[metallic-roses]

For Candia

WARNING: Death and blood

I’d never been the first to learn gossip at school. I’d always been a bit of a laughing stock, a joke. Secrets don’t get told to the daughter of a lingerie shop owner, to the daughter of a man driven crazy during the Ravening War who died not honorably during it, but by falling off a bridge into a river years after.

But in recent days, in war, I’ve realized how little it matters. A few weeks ago, walking to the market to pick up food for my mother and I, I looked at the house of every classmate, wondering why their gazes either passed over me, or stayed long enough for them to laugh. These days, my eyes focus on the soldiers. The people shutting their shops and stocking their food for the war to come.

I never truly realized how terrifying these times are. I’ve read about it, certainly. I vaguely remember various stories from my father, before he died.

I wonder how many daughters will lose their fathers because of this war.

“Sora,” Mom snaps from behind the counter, where she’s organizing papers and money “I know it’s wartime, and I know this is hard, but business will struggle through this, and if we’re not putting out our best then I don’t know if we’ll be able to keep the shop.”

I open my mouth to respond, but before I can get a word out, Mom says “If you’re planning on asking another Bulb-damned question, I’ll take that broom you’re supposed to be sweeping with and knock you upside the head. The inquisitiveness is fine while questions don’t get you in trouble. They will right now. You need to learn to wait it out.”

I think better of trying to respond again and instead nod, beginning on my chores throughout the shop. It’s only a few minutes before the tiny chocolate bell jingles and a cake man walks through the door.

Mom straightens, shooting me a look that demands I behave and keep my mouth shut, and says “Lord Cruller, hello. Are you looking for anything in particular?”

Something inside me shifts. Normally, I’d be annoyed by the tone she’s putting on. That smooth, rich, dark tone that means she’s trying to sell something. Usually, I’d be biting back requests for her to stop.

That instinct isn’t there today. Everything changes in war, I guess.

“No, thank you. I’m actually here to speak to you.” Lord Cruller says. I don’t know much about the nobles of Candia, besides House Rocks. I don’t know why Lord Cruller wants to talk to my mother.

Apparently, she doesn’t know either “Why would you want to do that?” Mom asks, the slightest bit of that saleswoman tone dropping.

“Because you’re a spy for Caramalinda.” Lord Cruller replies, without a moment of hesitation.

The broom slips from my fingers, clattering on the ground. Mom barely spares a glance at me, pointing at Lord Cruller and waving her hand around “Why would you tell her that?! My daughter doesn’t need to be concerned in this, and neither do you-”

Lord Cruller holds up a hand, pausing Mom in her ranting “I don’t mean to be rude. I’m only saying that with war upon us, if there was ever a time to show our full hand, it would be now. Besides, secrets can get people killed.”

“Alright then. What are yours?” I ask, stepping towards him. Mom’s free hand flashes out, cautioning me backward, and her expressions begs me to stop asking dangerous questions.

Lord Cruller considers for a moment “The fastest way to build a friendship in a war is to watch them shit.”

I take another step forward and a small noise falls from Mom’s mouth “That’s nothing. It means nothing personal or significant. Tell us a secret and then tell us why you’re here, more specifically.”

Lord Cruller raises an eyebrow at me, glancing at the outside of the shop. It’s late afternoon, on that kind of cloudy day that prevents the usual golden light that coats Dolcington around this time.

“I think the Princess Jet would like you. Oh, pardon me, bastard Jet. Bastard Jet would enjoy you...?” He finishes on a question, waiting for my name.

Suspicion creeps into me, clouding my thoughts, with every passing second “Sora. After my father, Sourn. Are you going to answer my question, or should you get out?”

Lord Cruller doesn’t hesitate this time “I didn’t go back for Lord and Lady Swirlie. When we ran from Comida, I left, like a coward. Saved myself. Manta Ray Jack, and Sir Moris Brie, but I left the Swirlie’s.”

I blink at him, tugging gently at the ends of a few glittering, rainbow locks of hair “Thank you. Now-”

“Sora, stop talking and go to your room.” Mom interrupts “This doesn’t concern you.”

Fear pushes me to listen. I’m scared of Lord Cruller, terrified. I don’t know why he’s so secretive or what he wants with us- her. My steps are light and quick up the stairs as I move, and when I reach my room I lock the door.

I busy myself with meaningless tasks. Clean up, fold your clothes, organize your books. I breeze right past all of them. A little while later, Mom comes into my room, unlocking the door and standing in the doorway.

I stand there for a moment, both of us still and silent. And then I rush to my mom, wrapping my arms around her and burying my face in her shoulder. Her arms encircle me and we stay like that.

We close up the shop early and make dinner together. Mom won’t tell me what Lord Cruller wanted, but I let it pass. I think I pushed enough earlier.

It’s a pleasant night, if not a little quiet. I stretch out underneath the covers, my eyes fluttering shut. Thoughts of the day and all the days before filter out, leaving me to pull back into the hazy cloud of sleep.

A loud bang echoes through the shop downstairs, up to my room. I jolt awake, pushing my covers off. My feet touch the floor and my door is thrown open. Mom stands there, panic and determination on her face. 

She grasps my wrist and pulls me with her. We get to the center of our apartment and Mom lets go, then drops to her knees. She pulls open a hidden trapdoor and shoves me inside. 

Just as I hear footsteps, the trapdoor slams shut.

True fear sets in. I curl tighter into a ball, making my breathing shallow. It’s pitch black in here. The walls are barely inches away. There’s nowhere to go.

Mom.

Muffled voices sound from above. Ceresian, I think. And-

“So sorry we have to do this,” Lord Cruller says to my mother. Red sinks its claws into the corners of my vision “We wouldn’t have had to if Amethar had just died like he was supposed to. But things have gotten a lot more complicated than the original plan expected them to be. It’ll be fine, he’ll be dead soon.”

Lord Cruller wants to kill the King.

Fear. Fear and Anger. That’s all I feel. I want to scream. Scream about how selfishness, power, isn’t worth death and war. But if I do...

I don’t know. I don’t know what they’ll do to me. I don’t know what they’ll do to Mom.

“We need to use your store,” Another person says. They’re Ceresian.

Mom’s breaths are fast “Fine. Fine. Just leave me out of this.”

Steps creak across the floor. Lord Cruller speaks again “You? What about your daughter? I believe Sora was her name.”

Mom tenses “I sent her away earlier. I’ve been worried about her being in danger because of the war for a while. A lord visiting my shop was just the last straw.”

“Convenient.” The same Ceresian man says “Men, search the shop.”

“Yes, Imperius,” A chorus of Ceresian-accented voices say and more footsteps echo. 

The fear stacks on top of me. Heavy and suffocating. It’s hard to breath. Hard to move.

Another few footsteps sound “What did you tell your daughter about the message?” Lord Cruller says. His voice grates on my ears. I wish he would stop. I wish all of this would stop.

“Nothing. Nothing at all. What do you want with Caramalinda?”

The Ceresian laughs “Take a guess.”

Bile rushes through my mouth. Secrets, so many secrets have been spilled here today. I have to-

There’s a soft thwap. The sound of something hitting the ground above me. Something warm and sticky leaks through the floorboards.

I hold out my hand and feel it drip. It slips off my hand. Splatters onto my feet. The ground. My mother’s voice is gone. Silent. I don’t understand. I don’t understand.

Why?

We hurt each other. Constantly. Mercilessly. For whatever hint of power drifts near us. We don’t care what it does. To the people we hurt. To their families. To their daughters.

Why did they kill my mother?

Agony courses through me. It’s blood. Blood on my hands. Dripping through the floorboards. It’s my mother’s blood. They killed my mother. They’re going to kill the king and queen.

Why do they do this?

I touch the trapdoor. It’s sticky. Covered in blood.

I don’t have time to think. I shove it open.

An arrow flies past my head. I scramble to my feet. Try not to look at Mom’s body. Blood sticks all over.

I’m running.

Ducking underneath a sword. Jumping down the stairs. Arrows fly past. There are shouts to get me. Fear drips onto the floor alongside the blood.

I shove the door open. There are footsteps behind me. My only thoughts are a chant to run. Through the streets. Past the closed shops. My feet slam into the ground. I can’t think. Can’t breath.

There’s someone behind me. Silent. Quick. Only fear keeps me ahead.

I have to tell the king.

Every secret I’ve learned today. Every deadly word. 

I fly past stores. Homes. My feet don’t stop moving. I see Castle Candy in the distance. I have to go faster.

Something cold and sharp pierces my back. I stumble. My feet scrape against the street. Blood trickles down my back. My legs. I try to take another step.

Someone grabs my middle. They drag me back. Into an alleyway.

The person slowly pulls the dagger from my back and it’s only then that I feel the water soaking my body. Agony and terror overwhelm me. I don’t know why. I don’t know why they’re doing this.

They let my body fall to the ground and I hit the stone with a soft whimper. It feels pathetic. I feel pathetic.

I have a secret to tell the king.

The person leaves. Probably to go back to the store. 

I curl on my side, trying to ignore the pain as glittering tears begin to track down my face. My vision dims and blurs.

My name is Sora. I’m a citizen of Candia. My mother was murdered by Ceresians and a member of King Amethar’s own court. I think I’m going to be killed, same as her.

I have to tell the king that Calroy Cruller is a traitor and a liar. I have to tell the Queen to watch for traps. I have to beg the heirs to be careful, but not to be scared to ask questions.

I never got to know secrets before. I know them now. They’re in my tears spilling onto the ground. They’re in the blood pooling beneath me. 

I have to tell House Rocks and their allies to be angry. For my mother, for me, for every Candian who’s blood splatters on the floor.

My tears leak onto the ground. The secrets that nobody will know until it’s too late. 

I feel the life and the warmth drain away, and as the world fades a final time, I let the words fall from my lips.

“For Candia.”

[medea10]

My Review of To Heart

How did I get into this anime? I have been curious about this anime for a straight-up decade now and the randomizer decided to bless me with something not incest. Thank you Arceus!

Since she was young, Akari Kamigishi has been best friends with Hiroyuki Fujita. Because of kind acts he did for her as a child, Akari has stayed by Hiroyuki’s side. Now that they’re both in high school, something has changed in Akari and it feels more like she’s falling for her childhood friend. Will Akari find happiness with her best friend or will she end up friend-zoned?

And because this is a harem, there are quite a few girls hanging around Hiroyuki throughout the two seasons. Just to name a few, we have the brash friend, Shiho. Then there’s the tomboy type, Aoi. The very silent type, Serika! And then there’s the robotic maid, Multi. Yes, you read right. A robot! This is Japan after all! Oh yeah, there’s also the class rep, an actual American girl, and a quiet girl with supernatural powers.

Akari, girl, you need to step up your game if you’re up against all these chicks!

BETWEEN THE SUB AND THE DUB: Before I discuss all that, let’s go down the ugly story about To Heart for fans in the U.S. The first season (and only the first season) was dubbed by RightStuf (at least I’m certain about that). Everything else wound up undubbed and even unlicensed. To Heart was kind of left in the dust due to what happened when the first season was supposed to release in the U.S. A lot of damaged material was the culprit and this came during the time when animation was transitioning from animating using cells to going digital. So to sum that up, the anime debuted in Japan around 1999, Rightstuf licensed To Heart in 2004 with a release in 2005, and the actual release was delayed to 2007. And in back-in-those-days times, that’s pretty fucking long. I can see why they didn’t want to bother with this series after it took all that trouble to remaster a series many were calling only “OKAY”.

Now then, on with the good stuff! I went in thinking that this was a Geneon reject, but was blown out of my ass to hear voices from New York! Lisa Ortiz, Jessica Calvello, Veronica Taylor, Wayne Grayson, and my personal favorite (not who you’re thinking), Carol Jacobanis! Yeah, surprisingly I didn’t hear Ted Lewis here. But Jacobanis is my second favorite in the NYAV group. I am in nostalgia heaven! Yes folks, these were the same people to give life to many characters from Pokemon, Yu-Gi-Oh, Berserk, His and Her Circumstances, Bakuman, Gravitation…OH, gambled and lost! Well, you get my meaning! Thankfully this dub wasn’t as horrific as Gravitation (despite Hiroyuki’s voice actor is well-known for something from that particular anime). Here’s what you might recognize these folks from!

JAPANESE CAST: *Akari is played by Ayako Kawasumi (known for Ursula on Pokemon DP, Saber on Fate/Zero, Izumi on Beyond the Boundary, Aoki on Bakuman, Laura on Index, Yoshida on Shakugan no Shana, and Nodame on Nodame Cantabile)

*Hiroyuki is played by Kazuya Ichijo (known for Hoteye on Fairy Tail and Zafila on Nanoha)

*Shiho is played by Chieko Higuchi (known for Tomo on Azumanga Daioh)

*Multi is played by Yui Horie (known for Hanekawa on Monogatari, Tohru on Fruits Basket, Hanyuu on Higurashi, Minorin on Toradora, Charla on Fairy Tail, Chie on Persona 4, Maria on Umineko, and Riki on Little Busters)

ENGLISH CAST: *Akari is played by Debora Rabbai (known for Mika from Gravitation, Rika on His and Her Circumstances, Leina on Queen’s Blade, and Boogiepop [original])

*Hiroyuki is played by Rich McNanna (known for Jack Walker on Pokemon Movie 9 and Shuuichi on Gravitation)

*Shiho is played by Jessica Calvello (known for Prima on Pokemon, Hange on Attack on Titan, Excel on Excel Saga, Kanako on Maria Holic, Tsukino on His and Her Circumstances, and Aika on Aria the Animation)

*Multi is played by Tara Sands (known for Richie on Pokemon, Soujirou on Rurouni Kenshin, Mokuba on YGO, Badiane on Sailor Moon SuperS movie, Tori on Pokemon Movie ~ Deoxys, and Filia on Slayers Try)

SHIPPING: So remind me what genre this anime is!

HAREM!

We’re watching a harem! But it’s more slice of life than anything romantic. There are a lot of love interests for Hiroyuki throughout the series. It’s just that it doesn’t develop as much as one might think (except for maybe Akari) in season one.

And it’s so easy to think that Hiroyuki is the object of every one of these ladies’ desire. Serika waits for him to come to the club room. Aoi finds him helpful, as does Tomoko and Lemmy. Multi got attached to Hiroyuki’s headpats. As for Akari, she’s got quite the teddy bear collection because of Hiroyuki. After watching all of season one where Hiroyuki is hanging with all of these ladies individually, I thought there would be a moment of jealousy from one or more of these girls. Much to my surprise, that was not the case. It didn’t go down any of those bad-end routes you’d see with things like Kanon, Clannad, or God-forbid, School Days!

But then season two happened…

Ooh boy! First of all, Hiroyuki ended up getting his first confession of love from the most unlikely person ever. Kotone wasn’t even a contender in the first season as she had other issues. In fact, didn’t she have feelings for Masashi in season one? But halfway in the season, she gets ballsy and confesses to Hiroyuki. He rejects her and thankfully it didn’t get ugly (except Akari heard it and got jealous). Lemmy, I also thought wasn’t in play, but here we are! She was apparently childhood friends with Hiroyuki and brought it up when confessing her feelings. That unfortunately came at a bad time as he’s in a quarrel with Akari so he dismisses her.

And then there’s Akari! She’s been able to put on a smile and kind of be a wall-flower whenever Hiroyuki is doing something with one of the other girls. And most of the season, we see him mostly with Aoi and Multi. Thankfully, Aoi never showed romantic interests in Hiroyuki. I much prefer Aoi x Kotone if you want to know the truth. But halfway into season two, jealousy came in like a drunkard in a bar. Akari was definitely pissed when she saw Kotone confess to Hiroyuki and would get jealous seeing Hiroyuki and Multi together so much.

Oh yeah, good old Multi! Yes Multi loves Hiroyuki. Now does Hiroyuki love Multi back? It’s complicated! Because of Multi, Hiroyuki ends up pursuing a career in robotics and as a result spends quite a bit of time with her (pissing Akari off in the process). But because Multi is kind of a malfunctioning robot, who the hell knows if she’ll even remember being with Hiroyuki.

Now are there other boys interested in any of these other girls? The only other boy that has any prominent screen time is Masashi. It’s just that after season one, he’s only seen every so often because he’s busy with soccer. But in season one, it almost felt like Kotone was admiring him from the distance. Don’t get excited because that was just a one-and-done sort of thing before Kotone set eyes on Hiroyuki. Actually, Masashi does reveal his fondness for Akari (at literally the worst possible time). But it seems like Masashi ends up with Shiho in the end. So…whatever!

Hiroyuki DOES end up with someone. Just go down to the end of season two to get that answer.

ENDING TO SEASON ONE: The last two episodes of this season consist around Shiho deciding that she wants to throw a Christmas party at an old hangout from her middle school days! But this isn’t the only nostalgic kick she feels. Shiho ends up remembering the first day she met Hiroyuki and after he took care of a wound she got, Shiho starts seeing Hiroyuki in a new light. Yeah, up until this point, Shiho and Hiroyuki’s relationship could be summed up by saying they both give each other shit every day. Then you have Akari, who is also feeling a little nostalgic with trying to see if Hiroyuki is able to remember things from their past. During the finale however, Akari does develop a cold and has to bail on the party planning.

When Shiho came to visit Akari, it kinda comes out that both girls do care for Hiroyuki. But because this isn’t one of those kinds of romance animes, it really doesn’t get ugly. It’s more of an “I acknowledge your feelings for the boy I like and good luck to you”. Shiho really didn’t do any confessing and we get a cute moment with Hiroyuki and Akari out in the snow.

Let’s see how Season Two holds up!

OMAKE: Nozomi Entertainment also released the six Omake specials that came with releases of the first season. Not dubbed! Just a couple of minute-long specials that range from cute to wildly absurd.

There were also Omake specials in season two that mostly consisted of all the girls fighting each other in almost a Street Fighter or Dragon Ball style.

REMEMBER MY MEMORIES: Five years after the first season aired, To Heart returns with a bit of a time-leap from where we left off last and some slightly improved(?) animation. And if you’re wondering why this season isn’t called “To Heart 2”, there is a series named that already. To Heart 2 is a spin-off of To Heart. It’s just that none of the characters from To Heart are in To Heart 2. ANYWAYS…

It has been a year or so from where we left off. Hiroyuki, Akari and the others are now in their senior year of high school and a lot has changed. Minor character, Kotone who mostly kept to herself in the first season, has found another role in hanging out with Aoi (the chick who’s into martial arts). Serika is still silent, but that blue hue to her hair is definitely not silent. What the hell is with this new animation? And finally, Multi apparently left a year ago and came back in the first episode of season two. Only now Multi has amnesia. A lot has changed since season one, especially when it comes to romance. Buckle up!

ENDING TO REMEMBER MY MEMORIES: Yeah, this season layed on the melodrama really thick compared to the previous season. All the ladies love Hiroyuki and at least half of them expressed those feelings to him. Akari had some conflicted feelings when it came to Hiroyuki. She loves him, but feels like he doesn’t return the feeling due to him hanging around a lot of other girls (especially Aoi and Multi).

Speaking of Multi, this girl has had such the rotunda of computer issues. My stroked-out Dell PC from 2005 had more working power than this girl! For starters, her memories are in danger of being wiped away at several points of the series. We even begin season two where Multi returns after over a year with full-blown amnesia. And since then, Multi had some sort of malfunction issue arise every other episode. This was showcased in the finale, where Multi gets so upset and runs away to the amusement park!

So, Hiroyuki and all of his friends come together to look for Multi. They thankfully found her at the amusement park (during closed hours) and broke into the main-frame to the Ferris wheel. And did I mention these people almost committed assault on police officers? Yeah, these kids are about to have a rap sheet the size of Texas by the end of the episode. Anyways, Hiroyuki, Akari, and Multi ride the ferris wheel and have a nice talk before Multi falls asleep for…

…Let’s say a long time…

Fast-forward to high school graduation! Hiroyuki and Akari seem to be doing a lot better. They’re both going to attend the same college and are pretty much on better terms than when Akari was having a jealousy, bitch-fit. At graduation, they both decided to give each other the Christmas gifts they never gave each other. Because Multi was having another malfunction, they never got to give the gifts. Hiroyuki got a hand-knit sweater. And Akari got a ring!

Hiroyuki wanted it and so he put a ring on it!

During the ED credits, we see the characters we’ve seen throughout these two seasons and what they ended up doing after high school. Lemmy is back in San Francisco. Aoi and Kotone are still doing the fighting matches. Rio is a primary school teacher. Serica is still into the occult. Tomoko is working for her father’s business. Masashi is becoming a big soccer star with Shiho working on journalism (and I think Shiho ends up romantically involved with Masashi).

And we close with Hiroyuki and Akari working with the HMX robots and surprise, surprise, Multi wakes up.

And before you ask, I did NOT watch To Heart 2. And I don’t intend to…at least not yet. I’m saving it for another day and putting it back on the randomizer list.

This anime was…just okay. Yeah, a lot of things were predictable, especially when it came to who the main male lead was going to end up with. Come on, we all know Akari was going to end up with Hiroyuki in the end. If this were the visual novel, I’m sure there were infinite numbers of routes Hiroyuki could take and there’d be a good end to all of the girls. But I’m mostly anime only here! In terms of recommendations, ehh…I feel like there were other better harems you could watch.

Only season one of To Heart got an official release in the U.S., but you might have to search around for any DVD copies as I’m pretty sure it’s currently out of print. Anything else from the series, you’ll have to do some heavy searching to watch all the way through.

Okay, next licensed limbo/unlicensed classics!

What’s that one play everyone and their mother has seen, but you haven’t?

*sighs* Hamilton.

No, the other one.

Les Miserable? Wait, this never got licensed?!

Okay! I guess I’m watching that. I hope I can do well at this review considering I never watched the play, read the book, or watched that film where Russell Crowe can’t sing.

[procancelled]

Let’s Start A Riot (2008)

I want to start out by saying that while this album came out in 2008 so some of the stuff I reference may not have happened yet, the lyrics show that he had the ideas.

Also while some of these may seem like nothing, or very minor, given the things Dahvie has said I think that it’s important to look at everything he has chosen to put out to gain fans. The messages his fans are getting.

I Can’t Get Enuff

I’ll hit you harder than meth

I’ll leave you gasping for breath

References to rough sex and Dahvie’s oral sex fixation as well as drug references. I feel like the references to drugs matter a lot more now that we know he gives drugs to minors, clearly has access to drugs and promotes them.

Bitches Get Stitches

Stop the hate congratulate

Dahvie dismisses all criticism as hate which is always a red flag, especially when that hate is to do with any kind of sexual crime (Though this was before the Jessi Slaughter incident there were still allegations against him at this time) 

You know my name so eat some cake

Flaunting his fame and clearly doesn’t care if people know his name for negative reasons.

Party hardy grab Bacardi

Young audience having alcohol referenced towards them. He gives minors alcohol, slips drugs in their drinks and then rapes them.

Talk your shit watch you get hit

Violent nature towards anyone who speaks up against him. Gives the idea that being violent towards anyone who says anything negative about him or the band is okay.

What’s up with that awful gossip

Rape and pedo allegations are not just ‘gossip’ dismissing it as something so trivial is gross. He’s just trying to convince his fans that anything they hear is just ‘gossip’ and not to be taken seriously while not saying what the ‘gossip’ is.

Don’t be mad cus my hair is so rad

Your hair is a wig. I don’t know if it was at the time but I would assume it was, or parts of it were extensions of some kind. And I have no problem with people wearing a wig, but when someone is pretending it’s their real hair and are wearing it to look younger so they can maintain having a young audience who they can take advantage of, yeah, I have many, many problems with that.

Also Dahvie offers to do young girls’ hair as a way to be alone with them so he can take advantage of them.

Bitches get stitches, end up in ditches

Violence and demeaning towards women

So get the riches

Cares about money a lot more than say, being a decent human being. He scams his fans out of money.

Check yourself before you wreck yourself

Acting like everyone who says anything about the allegations about him have the facts wrong 

OMG blah, blah, blah

Rude and dismissive. Teaching his fans to act that way

I’m rated x for explicted sex

To me this feels like Dahvie is saying ‘I make it clear I’m sexual so you can’t blame me for what I do!’

You can talk your shit

You can run those lips

Implying that people who talk about the allegations are lying

You’re only making me famous you ignoramus

Dahvie is clearly a man who believes that all press is good press. This also, again, shows how much he cares for fame and how demeaning and insulting he is towards those who question him.

I’m dangerous

Well we can agree about something Dahvie.

Again his violent and threatening nature shows though.

You can talk your shit you’re only making me famous

This is a message he still puts out to this day and he makes his fans push it out too. He just calls everyone who exposes him for the awful person he is a liar.

And again, he continues to go on about fame and gaining more fame. More fame means more underage fans that he can take advantage of.

Blood On The Dance Floor

Slash, gash, terror, whore

I like you better on the floor

Shows Dahvie’s views on women and how demeaning those views are. Also uses violent language while referencing sex.

On the bed give me head

Oral sex fixation and demanding

Make you scream, candy cream

Childish

Scene sluts like it super rough

That’s the way they like to fuck

Shows that he goes for scene girls, who more often than not are on the young side. He’s generalising, being demeaning and also telling his fans, a lot of who are scene, how they should be having sex and how they should like it.

I like to twerk, I like to hurt

Okay so I know the Austin Jones things was years after this, but still Austin Jones vibes isn’t a good thing to give out.

Again with the violence

Bitch, don’t make me fucking work

Demeaning and also gives more of his views on sex

Now make your move into my room

And I’ll whip out my Dr. Doom

Okay so this isn’t a big deal but it’s just so cringy to call your dick ‘Dr. Doom’ and now I’m just thinking about how Dr. Doom is a villain. Also about how he loses, because that tends to be the theme with villains.

Oh, what the fuck?

Bitch, just shut up and suck

Again with the oral sex fixation and the demeaning language.

I need to feel myself inside you deep

More sexual references. Very demanding

Uh, uh I like it rough

I believe a girl sings this part. I’m just reading the lyrics and sparing my ears but Dahvie does not give it ‘rough’ he is abusive.

Uh, uh I give it tough

Like I just said, Dahvie is just abusive and has even gone ahead to say that that’s just what BDSM is which is so wrong and harmful.

It’s like a porno flick!

This line just makes me think about the fact that he has filmed himself raping minors, sometimes after drugging them.

I’m pure triple x

Redefine ultra sex

Dahvie constantly talks about how good he is at sex, which we know isn’t true given that he doesn’t even understand consent. Then there’s the fact that he’s telling his fans how he’s good at sex.

Sex and Violence

Just from the title we already have sex being linked with violence.

You’re so submissive

I’ll get you in position

Dahvie likes to be able to take control over whoever he is with, and he’s telling his fans what he likes. He goes as far as to take a women’s ability to have any control by drugging them.

Deep throat me girl and rule my world

Oral sex fixation

Be my scene queen

Most scene girls are young due to the fact that older people can’t dress and style themselves that way as they have jobs and such.

It’s just the way we fuck

It’s the way we cut

(Sex and violence)

Connecting sex and violence, probably trying to normalise this; ‘It’s just they way things are’.

Fuck me

Rape me

Just a disgusting line, acts as if rape is something asked for. It’s also ironic since he’s the one that’s the rapist.

Take me

Blow me

Oral sex fixation

I’ll slice you, I’ll dice you

More threats of violence.

I ❤ Hello Kitty

Referencing a character intended for children. If a child searches for Hello Kitty they may come across this song.

Also I think it’s really important to keep the name of this song in mind while reading the lyrics.

Ah! Ah! I like it

Against the wall

Just fuck me in the hall

Demanding and somewhat violent/rough/intense sex

You scream ‘meat sucks!’

Well you’re out of luck

Oral fixation. Also it sounds like he’s raping a lesbian.

I’ll fuck you in the face

And leave a nice taste

Oral sex fixation. 

Dahvie would tell girls that had no sexual experience that cum tasted like ice cream... what fucking ice scream is he eating?

I’ll fuck you in the club

Exhibitionist 

On the ground

Mop it up

Relax! Relax!

It’s my sexy track!

Acting like this is all an act, it’s just a joke and means nothing.

H.E.L.L.O.

Blasting through your stereo

K.I.T.T.Y.

Let me slip between your thighs

Hello Kitty is a children’s cartoon character and also is a minor.

H.E.L.L.O.

Coming straight from Tokyo

K.I.T.T.Y.

My sex will leave you satisfied

Again, this is a cartoon character aimed towards children he’s referencing.

H.E.L.L.O.

Show me how you’re such a whore

K.I.T.T.Y.

Bitch I’ll make you fucking cry

Okay so first off, ‘whore’ and ‘o’ don’t rhyme. Secondly, again we have Dahvie being violent and demeaning towards women. Lastly, HELLO KITTY IS A CHARACTER AIMED TOWARDS CHILDREN!

We mosh like liars

Well Dahvie, you are a massive liar.

You’re A Dancer, You’re Not A Lover

I want to tell you a tale

Of love, drugs and complications

Dahvie knows nothing about love. He drugs women/young girls and leaves them with a lot more than just complications.

Get into the bigger tits

Many of his victims have said that Dahvie was very interested in their chest. He views women as objects for his satisfaction.

So fuck me on the dance floor

Exhibitionist 

Take off your pants

And do the revolutionary dance

Sounds really childish while the song, as well as the album, also contains many adult themes.

Modern World Christ

Dahvie compares himself to Jesus due to his name, or middle name as survivors have stated that he goes by Jesus David Torres instead of David Jesus Torres so when people look him up they wouldn’t find his arrest record.

This also just makes me think about all the cult leader who tie themselves to Jesus in some way.

Hollywood is full of shit

Say what you like

So we can call you a pedo and a rapist?

I got nothing to hide

I mean, you do but you can’t hide it any longer and you were doing a bad job anyway.

I’m not special or unique

Glad we can agree on that

I’ve been crucified like Jesus Christ

You’re not Jesus Christ!

As I grow stronger my voice gets louder

Just because you’re loud doesn’t mean you’re right or truthful

Your shit gets weaker as I stomp you with my sneakers

Rude, dismissive of claims against him and he’s also threatening those who come out against him.

Let my words eat you alive

Mocking victims

I wanna be the boy you adore

Not gonna happen Dahvie. And you’re not a boy, even at this time you were an adult.

Without the label of a Bedroom Whore

No one calls you that. We do label you as a rapist and a pedo.

And if you didn’t want any chance of being called that maybe don’t sing about sex.

So shut the fuck up with your ignorance

Me at BOTDF fans

And shut the fuck up with your competence

What? Why would you say they’re competent if you’re trying to act like they’re just liars and haters? 

Money and Hoes

Again the want for money, probably to buy more wigs. And being demeaning towards women.

They want my cock

No they don’t, you force it on them.

They’re sucking my ding

Asphyxiation prescription perfection 

Oral sex fixation. And who the hell calls it my ding? Like, he was rhyming it with bling, but seriously.

Hi, I’m danger

More dangerous but okay

I’m mightier than any Power Ranger 

Power fantasy

I get what I want

Like the rapist you are. You get what you want because you prey on vulnerable people, make them trust you and then take what you want.

And be obscene

Leave parents feeling disgusting

Ironic since Dahvie befriends the parents of his victims to make it easier for him.

And I’m hood rich

You’re a middle class white guy

My grill is so ill

Just no

I’ll make your titties spill

No.

Also, demeaning

Till Death Do We Party

Cut your bone and slash your tongue

Violence...

Gonna shoot my hot load

...then sexual reference

Fuck me in the club, and light this bitch up

Exhibitionism

(Fuck me in the dirt, life up my sexy skirt)

Dirty, rough sex

Fuck me in the house and shake it all about

Shake it all about sounds childish

(Fuck me in the car, like a movie star)

He often raped people in the back of a car, forcing them to preform oral sex.

Fuck me in the rain, take away my pain

Sex won’t take away pain, this is a bad message he’s sending to his underage fans. Sex with Dahvie will only end in pain.

Fuck me in the church, make it fucking hurt

Violent

Dahvie, 

I would not fuck you in the rain, 

I would not fuck you on a train,

I wouldn’t fuck you in a church,

I wouldn’t fuck you for research.

I just want you in jail,

And for there to be no bail.

I Hope You Choke

Me to Dahvie

More violence

Cutting and frustration

Self harm, most likely trying to pander to his audience and seem relatable.

Sex and complication

Connects sex with negative emotions

I lost my grip

I’m about to slip

Love is cruel, remember this

Acting like this tortured soul to get pity.

Makes love sound bad.

Protect yourself from the fighting fists

Covered wrists

Self harm bating again

The whole song is just Dahvie singing about how some girl broke up with him and he hopes she dies.

Incel vibes x100.

Fallen Star

We’re so in love,

We did every drug

Connects love and drug use.

Normalising drug use when he has a young audience.

We kissed in the dark

In the back of your car

Many stories of Dahvie forcing himself on girls, or rather, forcing them on him, in the backs of cars. If it’s dark then they can’t see him.

You died in the crash site

Okay so there’s this whole story about how someone who was a member of the band died in a car crash, but while researching this I found a Facebook post where someone said at a show they asked Dahvie about it and he said she didn’t die and it was another one of his friends. I take this with a grain of salt because I can’t find any confirmed evidence as to whether this ex-band member is still alive or not.

He’s basically using someone’s death, not long after it happened, for sympathy on this album filled with references to sex and drugs as well as threats of violence.

Libertine

Okay so people say this song is dedicated to the member that may have died, however the fan in the Facebook post said that Dahvie said the song is dedicated to her because it was her favourite song on the album. Again, I have no idea which claim is real.

You’re living out a lie

Ironic.

If I could have my way I’d sit and watch you die.

Violence.

Also, you can see why I question this song being dedicated to someone who died since it has a lyric like this. Either Dahvie is being really tasteless, which I wouldn’t be surprised by, or she didn’t died and it was someone else and the story got twisted.

And there we go. One album done... so many more to go.

Wish me luck.

[jovialyouthmusic]

Silver Service

A Royal Romance AU fanfic sequel to Protect and Serve

Damien and Bastien make some progress as they work together

Word Count 3427

A/N Things get very complicated. No warnings - a little fluff and a lot of intrigue

7 Progress

‘Livvy, you didn’t come last night’ Liam murmured to Olivia as they stood in the dining room picking out items for breakfast.

‘My time of the month’ she whispered back ‘No luck this cycle, it’ll be at least ten days before we can try again’ Liam picked out a sausage and some bacon, and Olivia went for grilled tomato and scrambled egg.

‘Will you come tonight?’ he asked, scanning the room to make sure nobody was watching their clandestine conversation

‘There’s not really much point’ Olivia said

‘Indulge a lonely monarch’ he replied, and Olivia laughed aloud

‘Oh Liam that’s so funny’ she said loudly to cover her indiscretion. Madeleine turned to look at her, rolled her eyes and turned back to her toast as Olivia raised an elegant eyebrow at her in challenge.

‘If not for your King, then for your friend’ he said quietly ‘Please, just for company’

‘I can’t promise’ she said quietly ‘The passages aren’t as good as at the Palace’

‘Bastien can help you get in without being seen’ Liam’s plate was full and he gave her one last pleading look before he went to sit at the head of the table, greeting Kiara and Penelope.

------

Damien scratched just under his nose, staring at the computer screen. There was something odd about Justin, and he couldn’t put his finger on it. He seemed to have just appeared out of thin air at about the same time as Leo’s abdication. The King’s Guard hadn’t caught on simply because Lucretia Nevrakis had vouched for him personally and provided documents that to his eye were totally bogus, so he had been considered a low security risk. Bastien was angry at the lapse in the vetting procedure, and was currently giving the whole of his staff a dressing down, arranging for even more stringent measures and rechecking the entire staff at the Palace and at the Manor.

Lisa had also been vouched for by Lucretia, but she at least could be traced properly as the daughter of one of the Duchess’s loyal staff. Thankfully there were no other members of staff from the Palace or Applewood with similar backgrounds, and Bastien ordered an investigation into employees at other houses that had or were about to host the Royal family during the social season and the upcoming charity tour. He issued a warning to the heads of all the other noble houses and strongly recommended that they recheck the credentials of all their house staff and incomers.

‘So why would Lisa go to such great lengths – why would such a young woman be prepared to die for the cause?’ Bastien asked Damien, sitting as the detective paced the room. They were brainstorming recent events with Lewis, trying to find the link between Lisa and the Sons of the Earth.

‘With a device like that, she could have been going to use it to take someone out, but she’d have had to be close to the target’ he replied ‘Or it could just have made a diversion while assassins or saboteurs gained access to the building’

‘That’s true’ Lewis replied ‘It was chaos when it went off – if anyone had tried to take over the Palace it would have been a good opportunity – though I think our arrangements were adequate at the time, it would  have given them the advantage of surprise.’

‘Lisa had access to Liam and Leo some weeks ago – just before I helped arrange Liam’s bachelor party in New York.’ Bastien mused ‘Leo came to visit and went on a drinking spree with Liam and Drake. Drake tells me she was intimate with himself and Leo, but not Liam. That would have been a good opportunity to kill or maim the princes.’

‘Perhaps her target was Liam and she couldn’t get close enough with her phone’ Lewis said. Damien scratched his head

‘Maybe – but why did she detonate it in the interrogation room? There was no prospect of hurting Liam’

‘She realised she’d been discovered and wasn’t useful any more. Perhaps she thought if she killed or injured you it would be advantageous to whoever she was faithful to. She was moments away from having her phone confiscated’

‘I can’t understand how it got past security checks. We’re still trying to analyse the explosives used – it was small and undetectable but very powerful. If they have access to that type of weaponry we’re in serious trouble’ Lewis suddenly groaned

‘I remember now, Lisa was always giving the patrol dogs treats – they always made a fuss of her, so if they’d jumped up at her or shown signs that they’d detected the explosives it would have been passed off. She may not even have been carrying it past security on the day she used it, she may have hidden it somewhere. All she had to do was hide it in an airtight container. Metal detectors would have found it so she probably hadn’t had it in place for long’

‘She was the daughter of one of Duchess Lucretia’s staff –her entire family worked for the Duchess, and were intensely loyal to the Nevrakis family, and that’s not going to help Liam’s plans for the succession – he’s planning for Lucretia’s niece Olivia to provide him with an heir’ Bastien replied, filling in facts for Damien.

‘I thought you said he wasn’t going to have a Queen?’ Damien asked

‘He isn’t - but under Cordonian law he can either have any unmarried noble lady bear him a child, or name someone of noble descent to be heir if he can’t sire a child.’ Damien looked thoughtful

‘What sort of relationship does Lucretia have with her niece?’

‘There’s no love lost between them. When Olivia’s parents died when she was very young, Lucretia was her only living relative. She left her at Nevrakis Castle with only staff to look after her, and young Liam talked his father into letting her stay at the Palace until Lucretia was persuaded to come back to Lythikos and look after her. Even then, Olivia spent around half her year at the Palace and half with her aunt.’

‘That’s cold’ Damien said grimly ‘I’d like to talk to Lucretia’

‘You can try, but she’s a determined woman. She won’t give anything away, I’ve already tried. She refuses to say anything. She was being held at the Palace but we’ve had to move her to a police cell. We don’t have time to go there today, so we’ll have to leave it until tomorrow’

‘She may well be more willing to talk to someone not involved in the whole thing’ Damien said ‘We should visit her’

-------

Riley reached out and smoothed Drake’s hair off his forehead. He started awake. It was late afternoon, and his belly told him lunch had been a while ago.

‘What? What’s happening? Riley – heck I fell asleep didn’t I?’ He sat up in bed, rubbing his eyes, the sheet falling away from his broad chest. Riley bit her lip and felt yet another tingle in her centre.

‘Mmm yes you did, lover boy. I love spending time with you, but I think maybe we should go down to dinner’

‘We should? We can get someone to send food up again’ he grinned and leaned over to kiss her lips, hand snaking from her shoulder down to her bare hip. She leaned into him, her hand caressing the scruff on his cheek. Reluctantly she dew back.

‘We really should show our faces or folk will begin to think we’re having non stop sex’

‘We are having non stop sex.’ He grinned ‘I can’t thank housekeeping enough for giving us a room without a party wall’

‘Seriously Drake, I’m not complaining – but I’m a little concerned that you don’t seem to want to leave the bedroom. Is anything bothering you?’ Riley gazed at him, a worried expression on her face. Drake sighed and leaned back against the headboard.

‘I just – after what Lisa did, and Bastien taking two bullets that were meant for Liam, life feels so fragile. I just want to feel alive’ Riley leaned her cheek on her hand, propped up on her elbow

‘Okay, but there must be things you want to do other than keep me hostage in your bedroom’ she teased

‘Our bedroom’ he smiled ‘We have to stay fairly close to Liam for now. We could go riding, or I could take you for a spin in one of Liam’s sports cars’

‘Liam has sports cars – plural?’ Riley said, perking up ‘That might make up for Bastien taking Sophia out on a motorbike’

‘Well yeah’ Drake said ‘Sadly they’re all at the Palace, but we could take a drive in one of the SUVs. There’s lots of Cordonia you haven’t seen yet.’

‘Well I’ll be seeing it on the charity tour’ Drake waved his hand dismissively

‘You need to see the places in between’ he said ‘Not the places where the swanky nobles get together and congratulate themselves on being rich and powerful. We don’t need to go far’

‘Sounds interesting’ Riley said. Drake slid to the edge of the bed and put his feet on the floor.

‘Okay, we’ll go tomorrow, take a couple of days off – we’ve earned them. But first, let’s go and eat – I’m starving’

------

Olivia tapped softly on Liam’s door that evening, casting a grateful glance down the corridor to where Bastien stood on watch for any stragglers on their way back to their rooms. The door opened swiftly and Liam ushered her in. She turned to him and to her surprise he embraced her warmly and planted a kiss on her cheek. He gazed into her eyes for a moment before pulling back, taking her hand and leading to the couch, a fire lit in the grate and casting its glow around the room. On the table beside the fire was a jug of Lythikos nog and a plate of spiced biscuits popular in her duchy.

‘Liam, this is – thankyou, it’s very kind’ Olivia gasped

‘I thought you might be feeling a little homesick after spending so much time away’ he said ‘Can I pour you a glass?’ She smiled at how attentive he was, hovering eagerly as she sat down.

‘Yes, a glass would be wonderful. How did Chef source the spices? It’s a closely guarded secret’

‘I sent someone over to Lythikos to get everything’ he replied ‘I wanted to get it right. They gave chef a jar of the spices so the recipe’s safe. The cookies are authentic too.’ He brought a glass over for her, and turned back to put one of the cookies on a plate for her. She sat sipping and nibbling. It really did make her feel better – she had been feeling bloated even though the cramps had gone, and she knew the nog would sooth her stomach. Liam took some too, and sat watching her.

‘How’s the nog? Did chef get it right?’ he asked anxiously, his foot tapping nervously.

‘It’s just right, tell her she’s done a good job.’ She put her glass down

‘Why did you do this Liam? Why are you being so – nice?’ He looked sheepish.

‘I realised I’d not really spent so much exclusive time with a lover before’ he said ‘you know what it’s like for me, I can’t have any scandal, so most of my – encounters have been fast and short lived. It’s been nice to have company – even if you’re back in your own room before morning’ Olivia was taken aback – and felt genuine pity for the King. She didn’t know quite what to say in reply. ‘Plus – you offered to solve a problem for me, and I’d like to be sure you’re happy with the arrangement. Are you happy with the arrangement?’ Liam was almost babbling, and she leaned over to put her hand on his arm.

‘Yes Liam, I am’ she said ‘It might be nice to wake up together, but it’s too risky. We still have to be discrete’ He nodded.

‘You’re right of course’ he said, and leaned back into the chair, putting his glass and plate back on the table. He ran his fingers through his hair and the firelight brought out the burnished gold in it. Olivia wasn’t one for displays of affection, but at that moment her heart ached and she wanted to heal his loneliness. Truth be told, she was lonely too, but she had been since she had lost her parents, so it was normal for her.

Liam was the sort of person who deserved love, deserved to have someone to fight his corner, look after him, make him feel like someone special beyond being near absolute monarch. He deserved a family, the warmth of someone devoted to him, the laughter of children. She so wanted to be the one who loved and was loved back. She wasn’t even sure how to give him the warmth he needed. They were broken, and perhaps – just perhaps through the bond of a child they could begin to find what they needed to heal.

------

Sophia woke in a cold sweat, sitting up suddenly in bed with a cry. Bastien took mere moments to realise what was happening, and sat up to draw her to him, stroking her hair and soothing her.

‘Shh shh my English rose, my goddess, it’s alright, you’re safe’ It had been days since she had nightmares about Justin, and this one had been particularly vivid. She buried her face into Bastien’s and felt the steady reassuring thump of his heartbeat. Something niggled at the back of her mind and she thought hard.

‘It was – I was back in Nevrakis castle in front of Lucretia and Justin’ she said ‘I remember now, she said something that struck me as odd, and I’ve only just remembered it’

‘Your memory may play tricks on you after the ordeal you went through, my love’ Bastien said softly

‘It’s important – and if I’m right, Riley will remember it too.’ she insisted

‘What did she say, theá mou?’ he asked, curiously

‘Is Olivia her only niece?’

‘Yes, Olivia’s father was her only other sibling’

‘She said her niece was betrothed to Anton Severus’ Bastien’s eyebrows shot up in surprise.

‘Did she really? That could make serious complications for Liam if he wants Olivia to provide an heir’

‘Then we need to check with Riley first thing, to see if she remembers it too’

------

Lucretia Nevrakis sat in the interrogation room, arms folded and lips pursed. Her lawyer sat next to her, looking nervous. Damien guessed the Duchess was a hard taskmaster.

‘I’m asking you again Lucretia’ Bastien said firmly ‘Did you or did you not tell Sophia and Riley that your niece Olivia is betrothed to Anton Severus?’ She laughed but otherwise remained silent. Bastien had caught up with Riley just before she and Drake took an SUV for a short trip, and she had confirmed what Sophia had told him. Damien leaned toward her, palms braced on the tabletop, elbows locked.

‘You do realise that Liam will be able to annul the betrothal, don’t you?’ he asked ‘He is King after all’ Again Lucretia barked with laughter and her lawyer winced.

‘That is where you’re wrong’ she said in an amused tone, breaking her silence at last. ‘My family holds a very important place in Cordonian law. The boy king is powerless to interfere in any matters concerning the marriage or inheritance of the Nevrakis family’ She smiled archly ‘I’m sure Mr Lykel will tell you that should the Rys family not produce an heir, the next in line to the throne is the head of the Nevrakis family – which at present is Olivia’ Her lawyer leaned toward her and opened her mouth, but she waved her hand at her impatiently like swatting away a fly.

‘I find it hard to believe that Olivia is betrothed to someone she doesn’t know – and who has never showed his face in public’ Bastien said ‘It won’t do much good to anyone if nobody knows his identity’

‘Oh I’m sure he’ll make himself known soon enough’ she said disdainfully. Bastien sighed and leaned back, letting Damien take over.

‘Your Grace, did you know Lisa Marcellus?’ he asked. She raised her eyebrows and her lawyer frowned but didn’t say anything.

‘The name is vaguely familiar’ she replied

‘We understand that her mother is a member of your staff – Irma Marcellus’ She shrugged in answer

‘What of it?’ Damien fixed her with his gaze.

‘Two days ago, whilst being questioned by the guard, she detonated an explosive device in her phone, and sadly lost her life.’ He paused to watch her reaction. Her expression flickered for a moment, then she regained her composure

‘I’m sorry to hear that’ she sniffed haughtily ‘Her mother will be very upset I’m sure’

‘Your Grace, have you any idea why Lisa was so willing to take her own life?’ he asked ‘She was young and had her whole life ahead of her’

‘I really don’t know. Do you expect me to know what’s in the mind of all the offspring of my staff?’ Damien sat down again.

‘Lucretia, I presume as you told Miss Turner and Miss Riley about the betrothal, you have met Anton Severus and can identify him’ Bastien asked. She tossed her head and pursed her lips.

‘I refuse to say anything else’ Bastien’s phone buzzed at that point. He excused himself and went out to answer Sophia’s call. He knew she would only call him in an emergency.

‘What is it, theá mou?’ he asked when he was somewhere private.

‘Bastien, I’ve been thinking over that dream, and what was said when I was at the Castle. I remembered something else – it may be nothing – but when we were taken to the cells at Lucretia’s castle the guards said ‘when our leader visits you’ before Justin came to us. I may be wrong – but do you think Justin could be Anton?’ Bastien went hot and cold all at once and his head swam. He had to brace himself against the wall as pieces fell into place, and he cursed himself for not seeing it sooner.

‘Bastien?’ Sophia’s voice startled him

‘Yes – I – thankyou my love, you may well be right.’ He steadied himself and made his way back to pull Damien out of the interrogation room to confer in a nearby office. He went over what Sophia had just told him, and Damien mulled it over for a while.

‘So’ he said  ‘From what you tell me and from the research I did, the Severus family were very important in the Cordonian nobility right up to Constantine’s father’s reign. At some point, when Constantine was a child, Duke Alfred Severus committed some act of treason and was stripped of his title and lands. He went off into exile with his wife and children, initially to Monaco, then seems to have disappeared. Justin – or Anton must then be the grandson of Alfred.’

‘That’s correct’ affirmed Bastien, steepling his fingers together and swivelling in his chair as Damien paced the room.

‘So’ continued Damien ‘Interpol is searching for the birth records of both Justin and Anton, without success, though so far they’ve just covered most countries in Europe. He may have another alias, or we may have to look further afield. I don’t know Cordonian law, but surely the Severus family can’t claim the throne because of the charge of treason’ Bastien frowned.

‘Perhaps Anton has proof that there was no treason, perhaps he will just contend the charge, or maybe he plans to take it back by force, with support from sympathisers or discontents. There must also have been some communication between Olivia’s parents and Anton’s at some point’

‘So how does that work?’ asked Damien ‘How can Lady Olivia be betrothed to a family that committed treason and isn’t even in the country?’ Bastien sighed, rubbing his forehead.

‘I’m going to have to reveal something that Constantine covered up, which until now I didn’t think was relevant to the succession. It was something I hoped to keep secret, but Olivia is more and more involved, and she has to know from me before it’s revealed by either Lucretia or Anton, as it seems increasingly likely if they discover she’s attempting to provide Liam with an heir.’

‘What is it?’ Damien asked curiously

‘I have to talk to Liam and Olivia first’ said Bastien. ‘We have to go back to Applewood’

Next Chapter 8a Deeper and Closer

[amostimprobabledream]

My thoughts on Peaky Blinders...

Now I’ve finished Season Five, I wanted to get out my thoughts/ideas/opinions regarding the show. So strap in! - So first of all, the fucking cinematopgraphy in this series is gorgeous. You could take almost any scene and it looks like a painting. The lighting, the way it’s staged, it’s all just so visually pleasing to look at. My inner film student was just sighing dreamily at the shot composition. There’s a shot of John, Arthur and Tommy walking somewhere and you could fucking frame it and put it in your wall. - CILLIAN MURPHY, CILLIAN MURPHY, CILLIAN MURPHY. I mean, I always knew he was a good actor and also a pretty one, I think the role I remember him best in is Batman Begins, but holy shit, I never realised how hot he is until like two months ago. I know he apparently hates his Tommy haircut, but good lord, he can pull it off. The cheekbones! The eyes! The eyelashes! The sexy voice! Needless to say I saw him and immediately developed the biggest fucking crush. Apparently when I talk about Tommy to people my face goes pink. Thank you so much, show, for enlightening me to this human. Tommy is such a fantastic character, and I do wonder if another actor could pull him off quite as well. So much debate over his actions, motives, mindset, etc. I could probably write essays about the complexities of Tommy, but I won’t because this is a long-ass post anyway. He’s such a boss and I would die for him. - I actually really like Arthur??? So the very first clip of PB I ever saw was accidental, when I happened to turn the TV on and the Blinders were taking over the Eden Club and Arthur was glassing a guy in the face. I thought, “Oh, he’s probably like the dangerous thug character everyone is scared of.” (I didn’t know he’s Tommy’s brother at the time.) But actually he’s kind of endearing despite being the Shelby’s pitbull? Idk, the concept of the “failure” elder brother, how Arthur is the character the verbalises PTSD the most out of everyone, how one minute he can be lashing out like a rabid bear and then sobbing like a kid the next... I’m always like, “Oh, Arthur,” because you can see he wants to be a better person, but he just...doesn’t know how. - JOOOHN. I miss him! And it’s weird because in the early parts of the Season John doesn’t DO much but tag around after Tommy and Arthur, but his marriage to Esme is actually So Good and again, he’s actually kind of a softboi under the hard gangster act. (Also his “Do THIS, John, Do THAT, John, KILL YOUR FOOKIN’ TEACHER, JOHN!” is so fucking good.) He kind of provides a lightness when contrasted to Tommy and Arthur that I really do miss, because the last two Seasons have been very grim and I think John’s absence has something to do with it. I liked Esme too, even if she’s a stroppy bitch, her love for John but resentment of her role in the family and also she’s HELLA PRETTY. I’m sad her character has gone for now, but at least she wasn’t killed off. - I also love Ada a lot - I was really shocked when I read that Sophie Rundle hasn’t been acting all that long before she got the part in PB, because honestly she’s very good! And her concept again is a fun one - the only girl in a family of violent gangster boys. (Or as Freddy puts it, “The only princess”, which she is.) Having said that, I’m not sure how I feel about Ada’s character arc over the course of the season. In One she came off as kind of childish and still sort of stuck in her Rebellious Teen phase, then she became a mother and Freddie died, then in Season Two she’s trying to distance herself from the family and go legit, then in Season Four and Five she’s helping run the business and taking money from Tommy. Idk, I wish she’d play a more major role like her brothers because her motivations seem to change based on what the screenwriter wants, not what feels natural for her. Plus it annoys me that Ada blamed Ben Younger’s death on Tommy, but Tommy gets a lot of blame for things that aren’t his fault so I guess he’s used to it. Still, Ada is still a lot of fun when she does get to play a big role and gets some great lines later on. “Tommy Shelby is going to stop a revolution with his cock.” - POLLY, MY QUEEN! Easily the best woman on the show (sorry, Ada) and such a fucking badass. She’s definitely the voice of reason within the family and conflicting loyalty is a really interesting theme that gets explored with her, between her arguing nephews and niece, between her family or whether she wants to marry again and leave, her relationship with Michael, it’s all so great. Helen McRory is such a brilliant addition to the show. Also I love that Polly kinda represents women taking over after all the men went away to war and now they’re back, but the women aren’t just going to creep back into the house - World War One changed the workplace forever for women and I think Polly being the second in command after Tommy reflects that really well. - I think overall my favourite seasons have been Seasons One, Two and Four, I tend to find I get a bit bored in Peaky Blinders whenever it gets especially heavy on politics like in Season Three and Five and I admittedly kind of miss the simplicity of the early days of the show when it was about horse-racing, but the Changretta vs Shelby feud was genuinely really gripping and Adrien Brody was also Very Good. (I mean, I couldn’t take him seriously because of Brodyquest, but I like him a lot.) - I HATE GRACE. There, I said it. And honestly I have SO MUCH to say on why I hate her and also why I think she is the epitome of bad writing that has happened on this show that I might as well save it for a whole nother post, but Tommy and Grace’s relationship always felt so unnatural and forced to me, like they are in love because the screenwriter said so - Grace is the only woman Tommy knows who isn’t related to him and also because it pisses off Campbell. Like, she was tolerable if highly irritating in Season One, but then Two came along and she just got worse and worse. She’s annoyingly convinced she’s better than everyone else, pulls off a LOT of questionable shit that NO-ONE except Polly ever pulls her up on and Tommy repeatedly pining over a woman who lied to him and betrayed him makes no goddamn sense. I wish Stephen Knight would just let him get over her, because her showing up over and over again in the show after the bitch died two Seasons ago is so infuriating I want to throw my remote at the TV. The best bit of Season Three was someone finally putting a bullet in her, honestly. /rant - On that note, I really wish that they’d use May properly. She was introduced in Season Two and honestly her chemistry with Tommy is about a thousand times more believable than anything he had with Guuuhrayce and also May doesn’t consistently talk in that annoying, breathy voice and also she doesn’t shamelessly manipulate Tommy constantly. It’s too bad Stephen Knight couldn’t get Charlotte Riley back for Season Three owing to her pregnancy, because I think the trajectory of the show would have been very different. But her scene where she spoke about her husband and tried to hide that she was crying? So good. The fucking Face Tommy gives her when she asks for a mixer in her gin? Priceless. Agh - May’s been chronically underused in the show but she keeps getting mentioned every now and then, so I’m hoping there are plans for her to come back in Season Six. I really like her and I honestly think Tommy/May has been the best relationship he’s had, because it’s the only one that’s felt A) Natural and B) Equal. - Lizzie Stark. Okay, so I have mixed feelings about Lizzie. I liked her in Seasons One and Two, because she was this down-on-her-luck woman who was treated like crap by everyone, but she wasn’t wholly without her own flaws or personality - she did lie to John and Tommy did act in his brother’s best interests to tell him the truth. The scenes she had with Tommy in Season Two when he promotes her to his secretary were honestly very cute and my heart broke for her when that solider nearly (?) raped her in Season Two and she cried in John’s arms. But over time she’s started to irritate me. I know that people feel bad for her because Tommy honestly does treat her badly at times, though other times she’s also one of the few people he’s nice to, their relationship is complicated. But truthfully I don’t see Tommy/Lizzie every working out properly because Lizzie was a whore. She’s always been Tommy’s inferior and while I do think he cares for her, she never seems to think it’s enough. He doesn’t love her enough and she’s never satisfied with it and she’s always resentful of him. But you can’t FORCE someone to love you and it’s interesting that the minute she learned she was pregnant, you could see her thinking of how to make this work. She pulled the Baby Trap on him just like Grace did and got married like she wanted, but Tommy still doesn’t truly see her as his equal. And honestly, I don’t think she’s smart enough for him. Add that to Lizzie being EXTREMELY petty to other women (including her being really rude to May and slut-shaming her - bit rich from you, isn’t it, Lizzie?), and I don’t think they have a healthy relationship. I do like little Ruby a lot (way more than Charles, who is a spoiled brat because he’s Grace’s son and has a martyred dead mummy), but honestly I don’t see Tommy/Lizzie working out. I just hope that she doesn’t leave and take Ruby, I think it’d break Tommy to have his daughter taken away from him. - Alfie Solomons. So...I have to confess I have mixed feelings about Alfie. I liked him in Season Two because he’s batshit crazy, Tom Hardy is clearly having the time of his life and it’s refreshing to have a rival to Tommy who isn’t cartoonishly evil like Billy Kimber or Sabini. He ties into Season Two very well and yeah, I can see why he’s so popular. Also he’s pretty attractive, so that always helps. But. Alfie is starting to come across a bit like a creator’s pet to me. He consistently betrays Tommy every goddamn Season and while I know the fandom love to joke about this, it’s pretty inexplicable that Tommy would bother to continue to do business with him after being burned so many times and now it turns out he’s alive. Why? Why bring Alfie back? I feel like he was brought back because he’s a fan favourite and to add another suspect to who betrayed Tommy. I don’t hate Alfie at all, but I am starting to wish he’d face actual consequences for his actions, considering every Peaky Blinders character who fucks with the Peaky Blinders tend to suffer horribly for it, but not Alfie...for some reason. - Michael. Okay so Michael’s actor is pretty damn good and I thought it was cute that he and John’s actors are actually brother irl - you can see the resemblance. And honestly bringing back Polly’s missing kids was a really clever idea because there’s a family tie, but one that isn’t so strong you can always be sure of where his loyalties lie. His subplot with Father Hughes in Season Three was both very sad and very well done - I was cheering him on the whole way. But Season Five has made my opinion of Michael take a dramatic nosedive. He’s gone from sorta-sympathetic to an entitled brat almost overnight. I get he’s probably salty about being banished to America by Tommy in Season Four, but where has this sudden desire to rule the company come from? How did he meet Gina? Is he lying about Gina being pregnant because he figured it’d win him sympathy? I don’t know. He’s changed so drastically, and when Polly gave him that slap, I think she was doing what everyone wanted to. It’s too bad they just wrote Anna off as being dead, though, Michael having a sister and Polly a daughter would have been interesting. - The music?? Is so good?? I love it! Especially the themesong, obviously, but so much of it is always ON POINT. It makes me wanna buy the entire soundtrack. - Unpopular opinion, but I think Campbell was the best antagonist of the show, mainly because he was a vile person but still believable and had the best dynamic with Tommy.  - Season Five was honestly kind of hit-and-miss for me, it seemed like a lot of people are pissed at Tommy for fairly silly reasons in the beginning and I just didn’t find the political subplot all that interesting...but I still will definitely tune into Season Six. (Also these are all just opinions, so please don’t send me hate if you don’t like something I’ve said. Ain’t nobody got time for that.)

[nightshade-zoe]

AWAE 3x06 Commentary

Matthew’s Radish ❤️❤️

Anne has a cold and she’s baking a cake. . .uh oh (for context in the books she tries to bake a cake for the minister’s wife at tea but she puts liniment flavoring instead of vanilla because of a cold).

Wow her hair is so glossy and the loose braids are 😘

Is Matthew going to have a heart attack ....oh no

Holy **** that radish is huge

She smashed the vanilla and yes they’re definitely going the book storyline.

No Anne please ask someone to smell the bottle 😣

I live for Bash sass.

Okay so I’m like a little bit whiplashed here. Last episode we saw Gilbert just suggesting winnie visit. How have they been communicating? Have they been on that many tea dates? It seems like they only saw each other four or five times after their first “date”. But I guess it’s been two months since then.

“But your mother wasn’t skittish” I’m dead.

No he hasn’t settled on Winnie. Does this mean Bash knows about Anne? She’s “easy to be with” okay I guess it makes sense Gilbert is stressed about constantly feeling things for Anne.

“Fond enough to marry her?” Bash literally slipped that in because Gilbert was talking about marriage last week.

“Winifred doesn’t have such expectations” dude you’re meeting her parents in the 1890s of course she does.

Gilbert you literally were considering marriage last week.

Josie doesn’t want to create a scandal yet her mother seems to be pushing her to it??

Anne crying over Mary my heart it can’t ❤️❤️❤️

Poor Anne is so flustered because she wants to not look like a mess in front of her crush. So relatable.

Gilbert, do you see any onions???

It’s interesting they showed this scene between Gilbert and Matthew when we barely have their interactions. Gilbert is denying it’s a special occasion when we’ve just seen him freaking out about his appearance.

The framing of Anne by the window is gorgeous. Also this episode seems designed the humiliate Anne every way possible.

Why is she sneaking out to go to Diana’s??

She’s going to confess to Diana isn’t she. This seems like really fast development for Anne who has recently been like I am the Bride of Adventure.

Yikes Minnie May overhearing this and finding Jerry’s gift.

I think it’s interesting and important (because even though I’m sure this episode will be painful) Anne’s crush is very much romanticized and infatuated. While I’m unsure about her realizing her feelings this early, the comparison to Mr. Darcy, the reference to novels seems in character even if the fact it’s Gilbert is sudden.

Can someone make a gif set of all the Cuthberts straightening up in front of a mirror.

Wow Anne really jumped to daisies. I definitely feel like they’re trying to do the whole dramatic teenager I LOVE THIS BOY AND WANT TO SPEND MY LIFE WITH HIM angst rather than set up her real love for him yet.

THE FOAL IS SO CUTE ❤️

Dellie and Bash ❤️ also oh my goodness he was knitting yellow socks for her.

Noooo Gilbert don’t belittle yourself. You’re an orphan and are incredible. Anne’s an orphan and she is too.

“can’t cook”.

How has Anne recovered from her cold this fast also?

They’re definitely going up in the hot air balloon.

Subtle reminder Ka’kwet is still in hell and we need to get her out.

There’s a stiltswalker. I literally wrote that into my fanfic.

I’m so scared about this cake but at least it will look beautiful.

Wow Rachel not making me mad for once ❤️

What is this ear pulling Matthew?

Also omg the white grub reference I can’t get over the throwback.

The fortuneteller and the smoke haha. I feel like this Anne would have more sense than to believe in fortune telling though?? I agree the daisy was more helpful but this is clearly just meant to amplify Anne’s infatuation.

It’s interesting that they spent so much time on how the fortune teller is clearly a fraud.

Diana please pay attention to and comfort Anne.

Aghhh I clowned myself I was right Diana was leaving because of something related to Jerry’s family but also they made Anne look this devastated over Winnie.

Also ugh it’s such a trope to have her see Gilbert help Winnie when she stumbles.

But also the handkerchief book signaling Derry thing was so well done.

The Rachel/Stacy development has been interesting also wow the shooting.

It’s interesting we have Prissy who is super feminist and advanced, Billy who’s a sexist pig, and Jane who is still figuring things out.

Wait so Mrs. Barry and Winnie are the only two people I’ve seen with parasols. I’m guessing it’s a status symbol? Something only rich people carry?

I hope Minnie May has her own storyline. She does reappear in a later episode.

DIANA A QUEEN I LOVE I SCREAMED. THEY KISSED.

But I feel like we definitely will see some sort of rift/problem given how fast this has been accelerating.

Also the musical theme for them (which also played during the scene by Diana’s house where Jerry quotes Frankenstein) is so so beautiful

No, Anne don’t go back to the fortuneteller.

Why is Gilbert so condescending about Queens? Also he’s not admitting that the Sorbonne is a dream because of money. Instead it’s the impression he thinks he won’t get in.

I’m learning so much about Winifred’s dad and yet I still know nothing about her. I hate when characters are so one dimensional.

“Can we PLEASE just enjoy the day” paralleling Gilbert earlier saying he’s just going to try and enjoy the day

What is this ear pulling thing we have now seen Matthew, Jack, Thomas Lynde, and Nigel Rose do.

Why do Gilbert and Mr. Rose pronounce Sorbonne so differently?

Couple points on Winnie. She seems to represent the part of Gilbert that was never content with the small town life and now also the part of him that is tired of fighting with Anne. So she really has been boiled down to whether he will choose an easy life with connections but no fire or Anne who makes his life incredibly complicated but extremely lovely.

Also it was interesting that they again paralleled Winnie stumbling with Josie stumbling earlier this season. (Post episode addendum her Mr. Bones scene weirdly foreshadowed Josie’s situation)

I swear Gilbert just visibly hesitated to introduce them to Bash. Also they really are making them out to be the perfect family which rings the alarm bells that either they are not or all they’re meant to do is be a foil for Gilbert’s current life/affections.

Okay it seems really extreme to have Anne call Gilbert her true love. Like I get they are trying to emulate teenagers but Anne is not like this and we already did this with Ruby.

“I want to believe you that it was true that someone could look at me that way. I never even dared to hope before” this hurts so much because we have seen how much Gilbert adores Anne. But also it hurts because Anne has just been able to accept family love and shes been told her whole life no one will ever want her. I’m crying.

But also I think it’s very important that this is a very idealized crush and is definitely emulating teenage fancies and the real realization from Anne will be much different.

I love all the eye/I puns and how this fortune teller goes against herself and decides to comfort Anne because Anne is just endearing like that. I think we’re supposed to simultaneously feel Anne’s pain while also being amused at the melodrama

Oh no they’re really doing this with the cakes.

Your schoolmate Gilbert? Really??? At least say she’s a friend.

I know they’re trying to make Winnie seem really nice but it’s strange she asks how Anne spells her name. It’s like it’s meant to add more weight to the visual way in which we see Anne comparing herself to Winnie.

Bash is so amused by the Winifred Anne meeting. I guess it’s also important Gilbert has told Bash about Winnie but still keeps his feelings for Anne a secret (even though they aren’t)

This cake thing bothers me so much. There was no need to take a relatively funny book scene, humiliate Anne in front of a large group of people and add to the already massive embarrassment she feels by having Gilbert and Winifred both be there. This episode just really was out to get Anne

Hmm so I think it’s definitely telling that Gilbert’s automatic instinct was to run after Anne to comfort her and he definitely looks upset when she runs off but I also don’t think he was super helpful. He clearly doesn’t get why she’s upset and also Mary would’ve been more likely to run after Anne and console her. I miss Mary.

Anne no ❤️ she’s hiding under the exhibit she was looking at with such wonder earlier.

Really? They couldn’t even let Matthew win. This is an adorable adorable scene between them though.

Matthew, Marilla how do neither of you realize Anne is upset because Gilbert is walking around with a super high class, beautiful girl.

The music when they get into the balloon is the same as Anne visiting Ka’kwet the first time + Gilbert taking the flower + Derry walking home the first time = new adventures?

Marilla on point “we are literally going to hell in a hand basket” “before I die, fly”

Yes Anne embracing her uniqueness ❤️

This is the most beautiful and joyous scene this episode and the music is excellent (ive definitely heard it’s before but I don’t remember which episodes). Well it plays when Marilla and Rachel head off to the oculist and Marilla tells Anne not to get into trouble

It’s beautiful seeing how Matthew and Marilla have grown due to Anne. This balloon ride is like symbolic of their relationship.

Passing over the first part of the dance scene which is clearly just an inverted love triangle from the last episode . .though Gilbert does look over at Anne after the dance ends...he also looks uncomfortable in certain shots with Winnie

I guess also “Seems like you’ve done this before” “I can’t hear you” parallels the first tea scene a bit.

I’m frustrated Ruby is basically the exact same just with a different boy who I guess at least shows interest in her

Also Anne dancing with Charlie >.<

It’s really effective that the scene with Billy and Josie is outside in the dark compared to the bright barn but also that you can hear the dance music and it seems garish and grotesque. Also FUCK BILLY ANDREWS.

Props to Anne for noticing something is off :-/

They do a good job portraying how rumors are spread fast and also twisted because it goes to people saying they saw billy and Josie

Hit him Anne HIT HIM . . .okay I guess I’m satisfied with yelling. Also I would like to point out everyone else looks shocked and confused.

I guess I understand why the other girls don’t get it given their different experiences but SIGHS. Also Diana constantly freaking out about Jerry when no one knows what she’s talking about

No Gilbert this is important

Okay but Anne’s references. Whose CABBAGE IS BIGGER. You don’t need a CRYSTAL BALL. Clearly salty about the fortuneteller and Matthew’s loss.

Oof she’s clearly jealous but also angry for her friend and I get that Gilbert doesn’t like being yelled at but also for him to just shake his head as if this is a normal Anne tantrum

Peep Gilbert looking back at Anne twice

Moody the mediator. I like the effect of everyone’s voices blurring together and fading

YES ANNE ACTIVIST WRITING but also im so scared about the potential backlash. I really hope they treat this story carefully because I’m so worried about Josie and Anne now and so so mad at Billy