#and it was honestly not optimistic at all

[buddiebeginz]

There's been a lot of discussion lately about when will Eddie come out and when Buddie canon will happen. I think a lot more people are feeling optimistic that it actually will happen now so the conversation has shifted into people being worried how this is all going to play out. I've seen people saying that if Eddie comes out and Buddie is fully confirmed this season (i.e. they confess their feelings/ there's a kiss) that would be way too fast. I have some issues with that line of thinking though.

For starters after Buck came out in season 7 we had a lot of new people join fandom (even more join during the summer hiatus), which I'm glad for all the new people who have found 911 particularly because the majority are now rooting for Buddie. Still I feel like a lot of the newer fan's opinions (on this topic) are being heard over some of us who have been in fandom for years.

I'm not saying if you're a newbie that your opinions on the show don't matter but I do think you should take the time to listen to those of us who have been around longer. The fact is if us long time Buddie fans hadn't been rooting for this ship for years we wouldn't even be as close to them becoming canon as we are. Buck likely wouldn't have had his bi awakening if not for us either. We've supported the show and pushed them for years to give these characters the storylines they deserve. That should matter when you're talking about something like how and when Buddie canon will happen.

I understand that people want Buddie to get together in just the right way but I think we all need to realize there is no one right way this will happen. We need to make peace now before it happens that there will be things about them coming together we won't expect even things we may not exactly like. All that matters is they finally get to take their relationship to that next level. That both Buck and Eddie get to realize their person their soulmate has always been right beside them. The other mains have had their person for years it's beyond time for Buck and Eddie to (consciously fully) have that too.

-----

I've seen people say that Eddie deserves a long journey to figuring out his sexuality and he needs to work on his mental health before being with Buck. And while I do think Eddie deserves more focus and screen time I don't see 911 doing a long drawn out thing with him. 911 typically does smaller 1-3 ep arcs for their characters. There's also the fact that they've been dropping hints for Eddie's coming out these past two seasons. Ones I'm positive they will connect back to other things throughout the series, like why it never worked out with him in his relationships with women.

I'm also personally not a fan of the logic that someone needs to do all these things to change themselves to be ready for love. Buck and Eddie have seen each other through their best and their worst. The show has literally made it a point to tell you that's what love is on numerous occasions. They said that love is about stepping into someone's mess with them. Why is it that Bobby didn't need to be a perfect person before he was worthy of Athena's love? Go back and watch season 1 Bobby was not in a good place when they got together. He was getting better but he was still struggling and up until the end of the season was still thinking about ending his life. But we see Athena "step into the mess" with him. She starts by going to church with him and we see them in s2 (early on in their relationship) talk about his past at different times.

I just feel like this fandom sometimes holds Eddie to unfair standards. He's been struggling for the past couple of seasons but I honestly think we're going to find out in 8b that it's connected to him having not felt able to live his truth. We saw in 806 that Eddie is starting to embrace joy and taking steps to fully be himself. That he's starting even in small ways to take ownership of what he wants and doing things for himself not because he feels obligated to.

I think him going back to Texas is not just to get Chris but the shows way of giving him a rebirth of sorts. They're bringing him back to where he's from and it's where I think Eddie is going to realize who he is and what he wants (Buck) and that him and Chris don't belong in Texas they belong in LA with Buck and the rest of their found family. And this time Eddie will get to make the decision to leave not based on fear or desperation or running away from his life but based on knowing where he truly belongs.

I know there's also a worry that if Eddie comes out in 8b it will feel rushed but the length of the story being told shouldn't be the main concern it should be how well the show tells it.

They could have him realize his feelings for Buck (because I do think him figuring out his sexuality is going to be tied to that) while he's still in Texas. That could be one whole episode just Eddie (like they did for Bobby in s7) or have it play out over a few eps. Then Eddie comes home and Buddie canon happens by the end of s8. I also feel like people are forgetting we have quite a few eps for 8b left to go so it's not like Eddie coming out and Buddie canon are both going to happen in 1 or 2 eps right after the other. It's very likely Eddie realizing his feelings will happen earlier and Buddie canon will happen in one of the last eps of the season.

Also even if they have Eddie come out in one ep that doesn't mean it's the end of him ever talking about his sexuality or facing any struggles with it. We haven't seen Buck facing much struggle when it comes to his sexuality but I think it will be different with Eddie. Even if Buddie officially get together in s8 in s9 we could still see things like Eddie having mixed feelings over being out especially when it comes to stuff like pda. Maybe we could even see Eddie talking to the priest again. Eddie coming out and Buddie canon happening doesn't mean it's the end of Eddie's sexuality journey it's just the beginning.

Like I said before we need to make peace that every part of these stories isn't going to make everyone happy but I think the last thing we should be doing when Eddie comes out and Buddie canon happens is look for reasons to criticize the show for how it happens. They will inevitably receive hate from bummys and people who will accuse them of making the show too gay. We can't add to that by complaining that a storyline didn't happen in a perfect way. If they actually finally go there with these characters we need to celebrate the show and be louder with our praise than any bs they'll get.

-----

On the subject of Buddie I've seen people say that if they confess their feelings for one another by the end of 8b it will feel rushed that the general audience won't get what's happening because the show hasn't set the groundwork for their relationship. I feel like I'm seeing this argument more from newer fans which I guess makes sense because to you it probably does seem like everything is moving fast. But for those of us who have watched Buck and Eddie's relationship develop over years and years this has all been a long long time coming in fact it's beyond overdue.

Some of you need to remember that Buck was supposed to come out in s4 (the shooting was likely to be the catalyst to him realizing his feelings for Eddie) and Eddie in s5 which means Buddie canon was likely to happen that same season. How can s8 be too soon when they were supposed to get together three seasons ago? They have literally been through almost everything Madney and Bathena have been through or some variation thereof. If Buck and Eddie were a straight couple they would have been married already. Buck and Eddie have spent 7 years building their relationship. Building a life and family together. Them finally admitting they're in love with each other is simply the natural progression their relationship should be taking from best friends (that have always been more than friends) to lovers. I think another reason people question if it's too fast for this to happen in s8 is because a queer couple like this has never happened on a show like 911 before. There's been plenty of slow burn straight couples. Which is why I'm positive if Buck and Eddie were a guy and a girl there wouldn't be this big debate over if it should happen now, people would be saying what the hell is this show even doing? Why haven't they kissed already?

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A big point about all of this that I feel like is being left out of the discussions is that 911 is made in the US and is first and foremost made for US audiences. I bring this up because as someone who is from the states it's very apparent there's a huge uprising of anti lgbtq rhetoric and legislation here right now. I know it probably seems unfathomable to some people that the US government could do something like ban lgbtq people from TV but there's already been pushes to ban things like lgbtq books on a state level so it could happen. But what is more likely is networks and companies have already started to capitulate to trump to protect themselves and their money. We have no way of knowing how bad things will continue to get with trump and how a network like ABC will behave in the future. We don't have the luxury to sit back and say let's wait until s9 or 10 for Buddie to officially get together when there's no certainty of what will even be happening in the US by the time those seasons are made.

Connected to that same topic of what's going on not just in the US but in other countries too. This attack on lgbtq rights means it's more important than ever for Buddie to finally be together. I know that 911 has always had queer characters and ships and they should always be respected for the important representation they've given on the show since day one (particularly characters like Henren and their family) but Buck and Eddie are ground breaking in a way we really haven't seen on TV before. Two men who are best friends and who have come out later in life. Who have fallen for each other over years of building their relationship. Who have spent years raising their son together. Who are an interracial couple. Buck and Eddie in a loving relationship together as a family with Chris is vital representation the world needs to see right now. That lgbtq people need to see. We need to see more depictions of queer joy in the face of all of this hate.

-----

I see people keep pushing back the time frame of when Buddie should officially get together when we were in s7 people were saying s8 now I've seen them say s9, I've even seen some people recently say s10. I need some of you to realize 911 is a network TV show and that this isn't the golden age of TV anymore. TV shows get canceled left and right sometimes for no reason at all. 911 itself was canceled from Fox after s6 not because no one was watching it but because Fox felt it was too expensive to make. 911 is a super successful show one that will likely go on to it's 9th season and that's an amazing thing when a lot of shows now barely even make it past like two seasons. But because 911 is so many seasons in and is so costly not just to make but also for the cast that means there's always a risk that it could get canceled again. I hope that 911 goes on for at least 10 more seasons but we can't guarantee that at all. The more we push Buddie back the more we run the risk of them not happening at all.

The other thing is I don't want Buddie canon happening at the end of their last season. I want to see how Buck and Eddie's relationship develops and changes once they're officially together. I want to see all the good and bad stuff they go through like moving in together and telling everyone (especially Chris). I want to see how their parents react. How that changes things for them at work. They deserve to have an epic love story just as grand as any of the other main couples have had.

To add to the point of us not knowing how long the show may go on for we also have no idea how long all of the actors plan to stay with the show. I'm not sure how long the contracts they've all signed are for at this point but they've all been with the show a very long time. It's clear they all love working together and I can't see any of them giving that up right now but that could change. We're lucky that Oliver and Ryan have continued to stay with the show after this many years but we can't guarantee they will stay forever. Eventually they could want to go off and work on something else or just get tired of playing the same character. The fact is everything is in the right place at the right time for Buddie canon to happen now. It has to happen now or it may not happen at all.

Also as much as some of you want them to drag out Buck and Eddie getting together I think you underestimate how long the fanbase is willing to hang on for. Like I said some of us have been waiting for Buddie to happen for years we're tired. I almost stopped watching the show after s6 I was that fed up with how they handled things. I'm positive if something doesn't change by the end of s8 that there are people who will stop watching.

I know some have said they want to see Buck and Eddie realizing their feelings and going into s9 pinning. I don't think the show needs to drag out their will they/won't they any longer. I've seen some people say well Buddie hasn't really had a will they/won't they because it wasn't explicit in the show. Buck and Eddie have never been written as just friends. Go compare them to Chim and Hen's friendship. There has always been more there between them always. Again if this was a straight couple people would be complaining constantly wondering why they weren't together yet. They don't have to be kissing for it to be a slow burn. They've done everything but though. I mean what do you call that scene in the kitchen in 3x09? Eddie literally put Buck in his will. He told Buck he trusts him above anyone else with Chris. Buck sobbed when he knew Eddie was going to be okay after he was shot (he's never reacted that way over anyone else on the show getting hurt). Eddie counted the seconds when Buck wasn't breathing. These two men love one another they just haven't admitted it yet.

We don't need more time to tell this story. 911 hasn't always gotten it right (see the weird Vertigo story) but when it's good it can be fcking amazing. The shooting eps are some of my fav eps of tv ever and not just of 911. I have faith in Tim and the show. Tim has wanted to put Buck and Eddie together for a long time and I know he knows he only has one chance to tell this story and get it right. I have faith that him and the actors and writers will do the story justice however it gets told. I know they know it means a lot to so many people. And you know the truth is we're lucky that our ship is even at this point. That we can all debate about how Buddie canon should happen because we're all so sure now that it is in fact happening. Cause the show was very close to ending on a finale that had Buck and Eddie ending up with other partners. Buddie would have only been able to continue to live on in fanon. Instead I truly believe we are months away from the show making history.

[ghostlyferrettarot]

‧₊˚💼✩ ₊˚👓⊹♡Mercury in the signs and how we communicate with others ‧₊˚👓✩ ₊˚💼⊹♡

❗️All the observations in this post are based on personal experience and research, it's completely fine if it doesn't resonate with everyone❗️

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💄Masterlist💄

☕︎Mercury in Aries: Communication is quick and direct. You are not afraid to speak your mind, and you are likely to do so impulsively. Aries gives Mercury a spark of energy, which can lead to a quick mind and sincere expression. Your communication style is clear, direct, and sometimes a little aggressive, but always full of enthusiasm.

☕︎Mercury in Taurus: Practical and very concrete thoughts. Your way of communicating is slower, thoughtful, and calculated. You prefer stability and clarity in conversations, and you avoid the unnecessary. You can sometimes be somewhat stubborn in your views, but once you make a decision, you stick to it. You focus on the tangible, on what can be seen and touched.

☕︎Mercury in Gemini: Mercury is in its home! Your mind is incredibly agile and curious. You speak quickly, love to learn, and never tire of sharing ideas. You can jump from one topic to another with ease, which can sometimes make it difficult for others to follow, but you always have interesting information and fresh points of view. You are the best at having dynamic and fun conversations.

☕︎Mercury in Cancer: Emotional and deep communication. You have a great ability to sense the emotions of others and express them in a sincere way. Your words are often protective and caring, as you care a lot about how others feel. You can be a little more reserved when communicating, but when you do open up, you do so in a way that touches the hearts of those around you.

☕︎Mercury in Leo: Creative and enthusiastic expression. You have a warm, passionate, and often dramatic way of speaking. You love being the center of attention, and your words tend to shine. For you, communicating is a way of showing your confidence and individuality, and you are not afraid to share your opinions with great confidence.

☕︎Mercury in Virgo: A meticulous and analytical mind. You are detail-oriented and precise in your thoughts and words. You prefer to explain things clearly and logically, with a practical approach. You can sometimes be a bit critical or perfectionist with what you say, but you do this to make sure everything is well-founded. For you, fluid communication is full of useful data and details.

☕︎Mercury in Libra: Diplomatic and balanced communication. You have the ability to see all perspectives of a situation before speaking and prefer to keep the peace in conversations. You have a gift for public relations and making others feel comfortable. Your way of expressing yourself is very considerate and focused on the well-being of others.

☕︎Mercury in Scorpio: Intense, deep and penetrating communication. You love to get to the bottom of things, and you are not afraid to address complicated or secret subjects. You are an excellent conversationalist when it comes to discussing deep and mysterious topics. Sincerity is very important to you, and you can be very persuasive with your words, as you know how to read between the lines and pick up on what is not being said.

☕︎Mercury in Sagittarius: Expansive and philosophical thinking. You are an optimistic, enthusiastic communicator full of ideas. Sometimes you can be a bit direct or even somewhat reckless with your words, as you care a lot about expressing your opinions honestly. You always seek the truth and love to debate philosophical, spiritual or intellectual topics.

☕︎Mercury in Capricorn: Serious, responsible and witty communication. You are very organized in your way of thinking and prefer structured and to-the-point communication. Sometimes you can be reserved or even somewhat pessimistic, but your realistic approach and ability to understand practical details make your words clear and effective. Your way of communicating is serious and mature, which inspires respect.

☕︎Mercury in Aquarius: Your way of communicating is super original and full of new ideas. You love to think differently, break the mold, and talk about things that most people avoid. Sometimes, you may seem a little distant or lacking emotional connection, but that's because your head is always focused on ideas and logic, rather than feelings. Your mind is like a kaleidoscope, always seeing new possibilities and relationships between things that others don't even notice.

☕︎Mercury in Pisces: You are one of those who communicate in a very intuitive and empathetic way. You tend to see the world from your emotions and your imagination, which makes your thoughts sometimes a little difficult to express clearly. That happens because your mind is connected on a much deeper level. You prefer poetry to hard data and what really inspires you is creativity. You are excellent at giving emotional advice or helping others through intuition.

[laraxamarin]

"I had a relationship like that...like I thought life would be great as long as they were by my side. But apparently life doesn't work out like that. I mean I still care for them but I think we're better off as friends now...we grew apart, into different people that is." Her mind wandered to her past relationships, they all ended in heart ache but she was trying to be optimistic on future relationships. She would think of herself as a hopeless romantic, hoping one day she would get some amazing love story like the ones she read in the books.

"I don't want to sound like those cliche people who say 'love will come at you when you least expect it' because honestly that is the worse advice someone can give. One thing I learned is that being single taught me a lot about myself."

For someone that didn't really like romance novels, she did know a lot about them. She personally didn't like their formula. And she hated when they had a break up at the end of the novel like some of the recent ones. Oriana felt like every single novel needed to have, not necessarily a happy ending, but sometimes a realistic ending. "I think that's why I don't really like romance novels, you know. Like I get that relationships take work and some of them don't seem like they're working on anything." She had zero idea if she was making sense. Honestly, she knew better than most that happily ever afters were bullshit most of the time.

She nodded, knowing that's how she felt. "I think I've had that before. My last relationship was.... well... it wasn't perfect, but it was... I don't know. Normal. Have you ever met someone that your soul just seems to understand? Like it doesn't have to be a relationship, even a friendship that feel that way?" Oriana had felt like that with her fiancé. Their relationship was work. It was beautiful either way. "Life is complicated."

Oriana looked down at her shoes. She knew what that was like. She didn't think that she ever wanted to get back into a relationship. She knew that was dramatic. "That makes sense. That's how you find something good. That's how I found something good."

[aprilblossomgirl]

i feel like i'm hurting so much for faifa in this episode. he doesn't deserve to hear that many hurtful words. before i continue, i think i need to say this first: as an asian myself, i will always understand why most (asian) shows choose forgiveness when dealing with bad parents/parenting, no matter how unforgivable they might be seen by the rest of the audience. and that, i believe, is not of any agenda by the showmaker. of course, to not generalize it, few medias didn't go through that route because of a different preference or goal in the storytelling. however, understanding forgiveness doesn't necessarily mean i believe it is always the 'right' way of wrapping up an arc.

thinking about the upcoming faifawine's story starting next week, i feel like some dialogues in this episode, no matter how they really felt off to me, are intentionally right there as a further backstory for faifa. and especially if the directing choice of faifa's expression changes through that scene with the whole family is anything to go by.

when yotha called fai, he said this first: "Tell me honestly. Don’t be scared of hurting anyone." as if yotha knows that fai always keeps his feelings to himself to avoid hurting anyone else.

fai trying to come up with a reasoning, "I was probably just angry with her, but I think everyone was hurt by what happened— Dad, Newton, and Mom." as if to avoid answering yotha's question, "Do you hate her?" with his real answer.

"If Mom really wanted to abandon us, why would she have taken me with her?" shows that fai was not being optimistic (as yotha implied) but somehow trusted the mom. only to be shattered later, "I thought if I brought Faifa who loves being with his Dad and brothers, at least he would ask me to bring him back to visit everyone often and we’d all see each other sometimes. On the other hand, if I’d brought you, Yotha, we might have been so happy that we wouldn’t have wanted to come back and see anyone here again..." (what nonsense! i cannot understand any logic behind this one.) in a way implying that she might haven't been that happy with fai, which somehow validate what he and yotha had been talking about before: "I don’t know why she took me with her even though you were the one who wanted to go." / "Because she loves you more than me." / "That’s definitely not the reason." oh, i was right. mom doesn't love me. but she's hurting. but...

imagine being faifa, hearing all of those hurtful excuses, but his immediate response was trying to justify why mom did what she did instead of trying to validate the real feeling he himself was having. and i say this with my whole being: that's a pretty accurate representation of how we, asian kids, mostly were nurtured. the scene just stabbed me right in the heart.

faifa might haven't said anything, but his face didn't lie. you could very clearly see how his face instantly dropped once mom told her reason for taking him instead of yotha at that time. and i still cannot forget the face he made a few episodes back when mom gave him something he was allergic to. the level of gaslighting here is too suffocating to witness. the emotional neglect just hits too hard. i cannot even begin to break it further into fai's loneliness.

all these made me wonder how the upcoming third arc will 'deal' with fai's inner wound. i hope the show won't brush it off because i think it would add more depth to the romance part, how he navigates his feelings once someone finally enters his life, as it has been implied that wine was also dealing with heartbreak.

[confusedhummingbird]

I might be too optimistic in what I'm about to say but I believe dickkory shippers need to hear this to raise their spirits a little bit. I don't think people realize that there really aren't that many writers that push for dickb*bs. Once you've read the comics, it's very clear that there are only a few of them that just take turns: Dixon, Simone, King, Taylor and perhaps a few others. That's not even a handful of people. Barely, if even that.

There is this misconception that started being circulated lately that absolutely all the writers in DC are dickb*bs stans and that there is no chance left for dickkory because everyone hates them. That's not at all true. Those writers are a very, very loud (and problematic but we skip that for now) minority, and the reason for it is very simple: Batman. They are Bat-centered writers that get to push for the ship because Batman is popular, Batfam sells, so of course DC will prioritize whatever those writers want to push. They tried to push Dickb*abs as some iconic couple for decades at this point. If they truly were that many and so numerous, wouldn't have that worked by now in terms of media?

Every adaptation outside of comics had dickkory front and center, endgame as a couple or at least hinted at. I think that speaks volumes about which couple is the most beloved and perceived as the true romance, despite countless attempts to discredit it by batwriters. I think we should keep our hopes up, at least, silly as that might sound.

Honestly this is needed to hear. Dickkory is such a beautiful ship, I don't doubt it's always gonna have people in their corner.

I know I won't leave it anytime soon! 💙💜💙

[timeclipsed]

This is a oddball question but can you name afew sonic fandom blogs? (just curious is all)

Hey anon! I'm not sure if you meant fandom blogs as in roleplayers or art accounts, so just I'll go ahead and list off a few of my favorite Sonic RPC mutuals!

@hiswrlds — First off, big blue himself! If you want a Sonic that's somehow simultaneously both canon compliant and creatively divergent, look no further than Peach's portrayal! Strive manages to be a vivacious, epigrammatic muse who always has you guessing what he'll say next, but there's still a pungent air of unresolved sadness and an edge of building rage in the way he presents. What you see might not be what you get in full, but a guy who loves adventure can also be tenderhearted, right? @tcils — For as little as we've interacted both in and out of character, I'm always clinging onto every word that Alcohol's Tails has to say! Strictly a movie portrayal to my knowledge, but he's the sweetest little guy around and Alc really hits the target straight on with how they write him! I think you'll find it hard not to read their posts without hearing Colleen's voice. @baymaxmuses — Baymax writes for a few different fandoms, but that's part of the charm when you follow for Knuckles! Titan, as he's named himself, is an amazingly fun iteration of everyone's favorite treasure hunting emerald guardian, especially with the recent event Baymax is running for him! For someone who manages to be so silly and fun in character, you'll be surprised how deeply emotional and articulate Knuckles' adventures can get, especially when he's contemplating solitude and eternity. @sweet-punch — Let's take a minute to talk about Nymphia's Amy! Mismashed with the quirky 2000s fangirl with a heart of gold and the independent free-thinking leader of her own crusade in terms of vibes, this Amy is worlds of fun just to watch in action! Even if you're not threading with her, you can always appreciate that she's trying her very best and the way she feels very in-touch and human about her flaws. (Plus, Nymphia drew the art in my icon for free without any prompting, so the mun is just as sweet as the muse!) @allcfme — Do you want a Shadow who will rip your heart out, stomp on it, then pick it up and eat it? Look no further than Kayden's Shadow! Honestly, what a cold and emotionally devastating take on the Ultimate Lifeform. I'm always gripped by the antics this wet little beast gets wrapped up in, especially the kind of in character connections/relationships with other muns' muses he mingles with. You love to root for him, but also throw him down the stairs when he does something silly (/aff). @psychokineticstarlight — You might know the wonderful mun of this equally amazing Silver better as the writer of Cats Don't Dance's lead, Danny! Bear's writing is always bouncy and exuberant, which works amazingly with Silver's optimistic and amicable personality! Seriously, as much as I love all the Silver writers I mutual with, Bear's sticks out to me as one of the most animated and fun portrayals! Although they're not too active on this blog, getting to thread properly with this sweet little starlight from the distant future is so totally and completely worth the wait to me!

Honorable mentions speed round, a.k.a. the people I never shut up about as is, go to the writers of Chronos' found family throughout the verses he's active in!

@scumbag-the-hedgehog — Missile's Scourge! He may be an uproarious jerk with a checkered past, but the slow climb to finding a better part of himself is apparent! Chronos worships the ground this guy walks on, and who wouldn't? Hail to the king, baby! @powered-by-prower — Leland's Tails! Mr. Part Time Horror Experiencer Part Time Teenage Dreamboat Heartthrob over here is Chronos' found/adoptive father in a few verses, namely the Tomorrow!AU we've been stuck on the last few weeks. How can you not love this guy? @red-eclipse — Vee's Blossom! The byproduct of Cosmo's sprout growing into a brand new seedrian and Chronos' little sister. Blossom's story will have you weeping with sympathy and rooting (pun intended) for her and her father to succeed in just getting by! (Check out their AU and art while you're at it!) @sorrowfulsidekick — Luc's Kitsunami! Chronos' beloved baby brother and arguably the most important person in his whole life through multiple timelines. Don't let yourself get fooled by the cuteness aggression, though: he's got a bite with the force of a few dozen angry attack dogs. Let your guard down, and he might just drown you in your sleep! (Chronos will help hide your body btw.) @multimusewonderland — Chex's Shadow! These tragically stupid, feral siblings may never learn how to coexist, but that doesn't mean we have to stop putting them in situations together to let them tear each other to shreds! Into The Alloy is a super fun AU and an even more interesting twist on the typical early era Sonic formula! @run-muse-dot-exe — T's Clutch! I may not be too familiar with the character on my own, or even read much of the IDW comics, but that doesn't mean Chronos won't unwaveringly support his beloved (asshole) uncle. Try to stop yourself from screaming as this iteration of Clutch both intrigues and infuriates the mind! @cxffeeshxp — Lastly, L's Surge and Kitsunami! The roles are practically reversed here in every way; Surge and Kit, now adults clawing their way to an easier tomorrow, have taken in a teenage Chronos. Aside from the dynamic duplicitous duo, L also has a variety of other different Sonic muses, all with their own lore and fun little backstories, and is always a riot to watch on the dashboard. If you follow, expect to cackle yourself into stomach pain from some of the things he posts.

Every other Sonic blog I follow should rightfully be on this list, but unfortunately we'd be here forever if I took the time to write them out. But don't discourage, anon! These amazing folks who must go unnamed for the time being are always here waiting for you to seek them out!

[millersgirl80]

Summer Break (DBF!Joel Miller) Chapter 2 Part 2

A/N: I’m so sorry this took forever for me to write! I’m glad to be back!

The wood creaked under my boots with each frustrated stomp. Each stair a miniature hurdle in my already overflowing obstacle course of a day. By the time I reached my room, a knot of anger was lodged squarely between my shoulder blades. It throbbed with every ragged breath.

Melissa. Just the name tasted like lemon juice on a paper cut. My stepmother. My nemesis, or at least, she certainly felt that way sometimes. It wasn't even anything major this time, just a series of small, passive-aggressive jabs disguised as helpful suggestions.

Honestly, I don't even know why I bother anymore. Every conversation feels like navigating a minefield of unspoken critiques. I’d tried, in the beginning, to build a relationship with her. I’d brought her flowers, attempted to participate in her art club (trust me, Leonardo da Vinci isn't exactly my jam), and even offered to help her with her… whatever it is she does all day. Something involving spreadsheets and luncheon dates, I think.

But nothing seemed to bridge the gap. She saw me, I suspected, as a project. Something to be molded, refined, and ultimately, made in her own image. And that? That was a red line I wasn't willing to cross.

Reaching the sanctuary of my room, I slammed the door (perhaps a little too forcefully – sorry, walls) and kicked off my boots. Time to de-stress. Time to wash away the lingering scent of Melissa's perfume and the sting of her thinly veiled disapproval.

The shower was bliss. The hot water pounded against my skin, loosening the tension that had coiled tight around my neck and shoulders. I let it run until my fingers were pruney and the bathroom mirror was completely fogged.

Emerging, steam swirling around me, I felt marginally better. Not completely healed, mind you, but definitely less inclined to throw a pillow across the room. Workout clothes seemed like the obvious choice. Black leggings, a slightly-too-old band t-shirt, and my trusty running shoes. Maybe I'd go for a jog, pound the pavement until my brain felt like a smooth, blank slate.

As I was braiding my hair, my phone buzzed. It was a message from Joel.

"Hey Darlin! Need some extra muscle to help set up. Your dad said you’ll be able to help?"

Joel. Just the thought of him made me smile. He was sunshine in human form. Always optimistic, always ready with a cheesy joke, and perpetually covered in paint splatters, he was exactly the kind of antidote I needed to the Melissa-induced gloom.

I hesitated for a moment. I had been planning to spend the weekend catching up on some un packing and settling in, maybe hitting up a vintage clothing store, and definitely avoiding all forms of family drama. But the thought of spending an afternoon surrounded by friends, and Joel's infectious energy was too tempting to resist.

“Depends is he paying you good?” I type hitting send. Watching Joel’s message bubble pop up and quickly disappear.

“Huh?”

"Nothing I’ll explain later. I’m in," I typed back, adding a winky face for good measure.

His response was immediate. "YES! You're a lifesaver. Tomorrow morning, I’ll pick you up, 10 AM sharp..Don’t over sleep this time!"

I laugh, a genuine, unburdened laugh that actually reached my eyes. Maybe this weekend wouldn’t be a complete disaster after all.

Maybe, just maybe, a little bit of sunshine and a lot of barbecue could chase away the shadows that Melissa seemed so determined to cast.

But then, a new wave of anxiety washed over me. The BBQ. At Joel's house. With Joel.

Alone with Joel. Just like these past couple days. A flutter in my stomach when i think about the last day with Joel.

The problem? He probably saw me as just his friend’s daughter.

I groaned and slumped onto my bed.

I sighed. This was going to require some serious brainstorming. Maybe a detailed pros and cons list. Possibly even a consultation with my best friend, Tasha, who was, without a doubt, the reigning queen of romantic strategy.

But first? A jog. I needed to clear my head. I needed to feel the wind in my hair and the ground beneath my feet. I needed to remember who I was, independent of Melissa's critiques, career anxieties, and the confusing, wonderful, terrifying possibility of something more with Joel.

I grabbed my headphones, laced up my shoes, and headed out the door. The stairs, suddenly, didn't seem quite so daunting anymore. As I pass the kitchen Melissa yells something out. I ignore her turning my music up, heading out the door.

The rhythmic thud of my sneakers against the pavement was almost hypnotic. Usually, my jogs are a solitary affair, a chance to clear my head and prepare for the day. Living in a small town certainly had its benefits, one being the predictable quiet of its early hours. But today, in a bigger city, the universe, it seemed, had other plans.

I was about halfway through my new route, humming along to the upbeat track blasting through my earbuds, when I spotted him. He was leaning against the old oak tree at the corner of the two streets, his back to me. The familiar broad shoulders and unmistakable gait instantly gave him away. Tommy. Joel's younger brother.

A rush of memories, both sweet and slightly awkward, flooded me. I hadn't seen Tommy in… well, since last time I was here. Time has a funny way of slipping past you, especially in a place where life tends to move at a slower, more predictable pace.He use to always be with Joel, when my dad and Joel started hanging out. Tommy was always the goofy, easygoing younger brother, a constant source of amusement and, occasionally, good-natured teasing.

I paused, debated whether to just keep running. The truth was, seeing Tommy stirred up a lot of complex emotions. Reminders of a past, of a different me,and a different family. But curiosity, and a genuine fondness for Tommy, won out.

"Tommy!" I called out, already regretting the slight nervousness that crept into my voice.

He turned, his face breaking into a wide, familiar grin. "Darlin'! Well, look at you."

His eyes crinkled at the corners, and he looked… good. More mature, definitely, but still retaining that mischievous glint in his eyes that I remembered so well. We exchanged a quick hug, the kind that felt simultaneously comfortable and a little strange after so long.

"What are you doing back in town?" He asked, trying to ignore the butterflies fluttering in my stomach.

I chuckled. "Just visiting. Home for the Summer. Helping Dad out with some stuff around the old house. You know how it is."

We fell into an easy conversation, catching up on the years that had passed. He asked about my school, I asked about his life out in the city. It was surprisingly pleasant, a comfortable re-connection that put me at ease.

The voice, booming and instantly recognizable, belonged to my dad. He was walking towards us, his brow furrowed in that familiar way he gets when he’s deep in thought. Seeing Tommy, his face softened into a smile. "Bug, I see you catch up with Tommy."

My dad and Tommy always had a good rapport. He always treated him like another son, and Tommy, in turn, seemed to genuinely respect him. They exchanged a hearty handshake, and for a moment, I felt like I was stepping back in time to a simpler, less complicated era.

"What brings you out this way, Dad?" I asked, trying to steer the conversation away from the potential minefield of my personal life.

He looked at me, a sheepish grin spreading across his face. "Well, I was just thinking about grabbing a quick bite at Millie's. Thought you might want to join me."

Millie's, our town's diner, was a place steeped in nostalgia. The smell of greasy burgers and freshly brewed coffee was practically woven into the fabric of the building. A lunch with my dad at Millie's was usually a simple affair, filled with catch-up and hometown gossip.

"That sounds great, Dad," I said, glancing at Tommy. "Maybe Tommy would like to join us too?"

Before Tommy could answer, my dad's phone rang. He frowned, checking the caller ID. "Hold that thought," he said, answering the call. "Johnson speaking… right, I'm on my way."

He hung up, his expression apologetic. "Darlin', I'm so sorry. Something's come up at work. Gotta run. Rain check on lunch?"

I couldn’t help but feel a pang of disappointment. A little bit of disappointment about the lunch, sure, but more about the interruption. It felt like we were just getting started, weaving through the layers of the past, and now, we were abruptly cut short.

"Of course, Dad," I said, forcing a smile. "Duty calls."

He squeezed my shoulder, gave Tommy a nod, and hurried off in the direction of his truck, leaving me and Tommy standing there, once again alone.

An awkward silence descended between us. I fidgeted with the strap of my sports bra, unsure of what to say. The air hung heavy with unspoken words, with the weight of history and the echoes of a past we both shared.

"So," Tommy said finally, breaking the silence. "Now what?"

I shrugged, trying to appear nonchalant. "I guess I should finish my run."

He looked at me, a thoughtful expression on his face. "Or…" he paused, reaching for his truck keys. "I could give you a ride. Where are you headed?"

My heart skipped a beat. The question hung in the air, simple yet loaded with possibilities. I knew where his offer was leading, and the thought both excited and terrified me.

"I was planning on heading to Joel's," I blurted out, before I could change my mind.

Tommy's eyes widened slightly, but he didn't say anything. He just nodded, a small smile playing on his lips.

"Alright then," he said, unlocking the truck door. "Hop in."

The ride to Joel's was quiet. The radio was off, and the only sound was the rumble of the engine and the occasional squeak of the old truck. I glanced at Tommy, his profile silhouetted against the setting sun. He looked calm, composed, as if this was the most natural thing in the world.

I didn't know what to expect when I arrived at Joel’s, or what the reasoning for my visit was. All I knew was that for now, I was along for the ride, holding my breath and hoping Tommy wouldn’t ask.

The rumble of Tommy’s truck vibrated through my bones as we pulled up to Joel’s. Dust swirled around the tires, a familiar cal de sac in this small town where everyone knew everyone else's business. My palms were slick against my shorts. the sun was a lazy orange, and I felt a mix of anticipation and dread churning within me.

“Alright, Darlin’,” Tommy said, cutting the engine.“You sure you’re okay? You’ve been quiet as a mouse all the way here.”

“Yeah, I'm fine,” I mumbled, avoiding his probing gaze. “Just got a lot on my mind.” Which was the understatement of the century.

Tommy grunted, unconvinced. “Well, holler if you need anything. Shouldn’t be longer than an hour at the lumber yard. Joel’s always good company anyway.” He winked, a mischievous glint in his eye, and my stomach plummeted.

I forced a smile and hopped out of the truck, He was gone before I could second-guess myself, leaving me standing there, heart thumping against my ribs like a trapped hummingbird.

I walked up the familiar porch steps, the wood creaking under my weight. Joel’s house always felt like a haven, a place of laughter and easy conversation. Except lately, the ease had been replaced by a tense undercurrent, a silent recognition that something was changing – or perhaps, had already changed – between us.

I raised my hand to knock, but the door swung open before my knuckles made contact. And there he was.

Joel.

Standing in the doorway, a towel wrapped precariously around his waist, water glistening on his tanned skin. A drop traced a slow, deliberate path down his chest, disappearing into the damp cotton. My breath hitched. He smelled of soap and something else, something inherently him.

I swallowed hard, my mouth suddenly dry. He hadn’t bothered with a shirt, and the sight of his bare chest, the muscles sculpted from years of hard work, sent a jolt of electricity through me. I forced myself to look up, to meet his eyes.

His dark hair was slicked back, and his eyes, usually crinkled with laughter, were shadowed with concern. “Darlin’?” he said, his voice a low rumble that vibrated through me. “Everything okay? How’d you get here? Is something wrong with your Dad?”

My dad. Right. My dad. His best friend. The anchor that kept me tethered to reality.

“No, no, everything’s fine with my Dad,” I stammered, averting my gaze to the chipped paint on the porch railing. “Tommy just… he had to go to the lumber yard and offered me a ride.”

He tilted his head, studying me with that familiar intensity that always made me feel both seen and exposed. “You okay, though? You seem… different.”

Different. God, if he only knew. I was a volcano simmering beneath the surface, desperately trying to contain the molten lava of my feelings.

“I… I wanted to talk to you,” I managed to say, the words tumbling out in a rush.

He stepped aside, gesturing for me to come in. “Come on in. Let me just get dressed.”

I followed him inside, my eyes drawn to the way the muscles rippled in his back as he moved. I sat on the worn leather couch, trying to appear nonchalant, but my heart was hammering a frantic rhythm against my ribs.

He reappeared a few minutes later, dressed in a t-shirt and jeans, looking every bit the rugged, dependable man I’d always known. But now, instead of seeing him as a friend of the family, I saw him as… something more. Something forbidden.

He sat across from me, his gaze unwavering. “So, what’s on your mind, Darlin’?”

I took a deep breath, trying to find the words to explain the tangled mess of emotions swirling inside me. I wanted to tell him how I felt, how his presence made my heart soar, how I found myself thinking about him constantly. But the words caught in my throat, suffocated by the weight of reality.

“It’s… it’s about us,” I finally whispered, the admission hanging in the air between us.

His expression didn’t change, but I saw a flicker of something in his eyes – a flicker of recognition, of understanding, and perhaps, a hint of… sadness?

“Us?” he echoed softly.

“Yes,” I said, finding newfound courage. “I… I think I’m starting to… well, I think I have feelings for you, Joel.”

The silence that followed was deafening. The grandfather clock in the hallway ticked loudly, each tick a stark reminder of the years that separated us.

He leaned forward, his elbows resting on his knees. “Darlin’,” he said, his voice gentle, “I… I’m fond of you too. You know that. You’re like family to me.”

Like family. Those words landed like a punch to the gut.

“But it’s not the same for me,” I said, my voice trembling. “It’s not a sisterly feeling, Joel. It’s… it’s more than that.”

He sighed, running a hand through his hair. “I know, Darlin’. I’m not blind. I’m not stupid. I’ve seen the way you look at me. And I’d be lying if I said I hadn’t noticed…” He trailed off, the unspoken words hanging heavy in the air.

Hope flickered within me. Was it possible? Could he feel it too?

But then he continued, his voice firm. “But it can’t happen, Darlin’. These past couple of days I try to let it come out and push the reason aside but it just can’t.”

My heart sank. “Why not?” I asked, the question barely a whisper.

He looked at me, his eyes filled with a mixture of tenderness and regret. “Because I’m too old for you. Because I’m your dad’s best friend. Because it would destroy him. Because it would destroy us.”

He was right. Of course, he was right. The logic was undeniable, the obstacles insurmountable. The age difference. My dad. The years of friendship that would be shattered by a single misplaced desire.

“I know,” I said, the words laced with bitterness. “I know all the reasons why it shouldn’t work. But that doesn’t change how I feel.”

“I know,” he replied, his voice filled with empathy. “And I’m sorry, Darlin’. I truly am. But sometimes, the right thing and the easy thing are two different things. And in this case, the right thing is to let it go.”

Let it go. The words echoed in my mind, a painful mantra. Could I really let it go? Could I bury these feelings deep inside, pretending they didn’t exist?

I looked at him, really looked at him, and saw the weight of responsibility etched on his face. He was right. This was the only way.

I stood up, my legs shaky. “I should go,” I said, my voice barely audible.

He stood up too, his hand reaching out, hesitating. He wanted to touch me, I knew it. But he didn’t. “Let me drive you, it’s a 30 minute run for you. And it’s getting dark.”

“Thank you, Joel,” I said, forcing a weak smile. “For being honest with me.”

“Darlin” he whispered, his expression somber.

I turned and walked out of the house, the towel, the truth, and the tight knot in my chest remaining behind me. The sun was setting now, painting the sky in hues of orange and purple. It was beautiful, but all I could see was the fading light.

After 10 minutes of walking I hear Joel’s truck roll beside me. He gets out walking next to me. “Get in the truck darlin”. Joel says softly.

I refused, pushing past him towards the road. "I need to walk," i mumbled, the need to escape, to feel the sting of the cool night air on my cheeks, overwhelming.

He wouldn’t relent. Joel was standing by his truck, his voice firm. "Darlin', get in the damn truck. I'm not letting you walk home alone."

He demanded.

I turned and walked to the truck climbing into the passenger seat, the vinyl cool against my skin.

The engine rumbled to life, filling the silence. Joel’s hands gripped the steering wheel, his knuckles white under the dim dashboard light. After a long, heavy pause, he spoke, his voice low and contrite. "I'm sorry, Darlin'. I'm sorry if I made you think..." He trailed off, unable to articulate the hurt he knew he had caused.

I remained silent, staring out the window at the blur of passing trees. The rest of the ride was a tomb of unspoken words, a testament to a connection that could never be. The silence wasn’t angry, but heavy with a quiet understanding, a mutual acknowledgment of the impossible.

As the truck pulled up to my house, I offered a weak smile. "Thanks, see you tomorrow morning I guess if I’m still allowed to help." I whispered getting out. Making my way inside I turn one last time looking at Joel.

*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.

Taglist: @lostboys1987girl @tikosblogg

So happy to be back writing 🤍 honestly didn’t see this series going anywhere a few months ago and finally have the motivation to keep it going!

[autobahnmp3]

back from the cinema i really liked the documentary!

[cubbihue]

* how would the others react if dev got to chance to become a pixie? (If that makes any sense, very sorry if it doesn’t)

They'd be horrified and won't know how to process the information.

In this grim timeline, CosWan would have to come to terms that their youngest son is a walking death flag, while also embracing their new grandchild as much as they had embraced Timmy. It's a whole new terrifying life to navigate, but they'll do their best to navigate it together as family.

Bitties Series: [Start] > [Previous] > [Next]

[balkanradfem]

Do you think that low birth-rates are a problem?

I think they're the opposite of a problem :)

[anghraine]

Speaking of Sauron, I've been amusing myself by thinking about how a disproportionate number of people who super ruined his day are descendants of Melian:

Lúthien, obviously, kicked his ass.

Elwing retaining Lúthien's Silmaril and giving it to Eärendil led to the utter defeat of Morgoth's forces including Sauron.

Tar-Telperiën and her nephew Tar-Minastir, descendants of Elwing's son Elros, were responsible for the vast Númenórean fleet that crushed Sauron's attempts to seize Eregion in the Second Age.

Tar-Minastir's descendant Pharazôn (a usurper and terrible person, but nevertheless) led a massive force against Sauron that intimidated Sauron's armies into giving up. Sauron tricked Pharazôn and managed to take out Númenor, only to end up drowning with it, and was significantly damaged and limited by the event.

Meanwhile, a different descendant of Elros, Elendil, survived! He led Númenórean dissenters away just in time to establish sprawling Númenórean-controlled kingdoms in Middle-earth.

Elendil and the Elvish king Gil-galad proceeded to defeat Sauron in single combat after a long siege. The effort killed them but also took out Sauron himself for a very, very long time. Elendil's son Isildur cut the Ring away from Sauron's body as repayment for the deaths of Elendil and Isildur's younger brother Anárion.

Anárion's children produced various lines of descent that would go on to include the Stewards of Gondor, resolute enemies of Mordor who recruited the Rohirrim into Team We Hate Sauron.

Isildur's and Anárion's descendant Aragorn spent decades criss-crossing the map to spike various evil plans, like when he torched the Corsair fleet as Thorongil and disappeared into the night only to turn up decades later to threaten Sauron with Elendil's reforged sword.

The Ring ended up in the hands of Frodo, who would be only too happy to turn it over to Aragorn as Isildur's heir. Aragorn promptly rejected the idea, crucially leading to Frodo remaining as Ringbearer while Sauron came to mistakenly believe Aragorn had the Ring and meant to use it.

The only time Frodo was ever truly captured by Men (the people easily assumed to be the greatest danger to the quest) was by Anárion's descendant Faramir. Faramir could have taken the Ring with disastrous results for everyone but Sauron, but instead shrugged off the temptation and laughed at it before helping Frodo on his way.

Sauron understandably panicked about the Aragorn situation and sent his forces to Gondor earlier than planned, despite knowing at that point that the Steward Denethor was much better prepared than he'd hoped. Faramir used his abilities to lead a retreat across favorable ground that inflicted large casualties on Sauron's armies, as planned. This tactic functionally sacrificed Faramir and Denethor but bought enough time for the Rohirrim and Aragorn's mainly southern Gondorian armies to arrive and turn the tide of the battle of the Pelennor Fields. Sauron's forces in that battle were defeated. Again.

Aragorn exploited Sauron's understandable fixation on him by making a flashy frontal assault as (unofficial) king of the Dúnedain to distract Sauron's attention from the real threat (three hobbits making their way to Mount Doom). This was 100% successful. Through a series of good and bad choices on the part of the hobbits, the Ring was destroyed and Sauron with it.

Bad day all around for Sauron! Aragorn, meanwhile, married Elrond's daughter and became overlord of Sauron's allies with Faramir as his prime minister.

[makotonaegiunderstander]

something I’ve been thinking abt is how many people think Makoto is immune to despair. I don’t think he is. I think becoming the ultimate Hope was BECAUSE he felt despair. He wouldn’t have fully reached that point without Junko. Makoto becoming such a beacon was his last attempt to avoid completely falling and it wasn’t because he didn’t feel despair, it was because he was too damn stubborn to allow everything to go to waste and he refused to sacrifice his beliefs for someone else’s. His inner monologue tells me he DID experience the same new low the other suvivors did in the final trial, but at the point where he had the choice to give up and die, he looked at the others and he looked at Junko and he couldn’t allow it to happen, not out of self preservation, but because the idea that Junko would have control over their lives made him FURIOUS. and that utter refusal to die kicked in, wether luck or otherwise, and he made the concious effort for one last push while something in him was breaking. He had to be broken in order for the Ultimate Hope to come through so aggressively, bc it could only exist in the face of the Ultimate Despair. He snapped the same way she did, but in the other direction. In what could have been his final moments he chose to embody everything Junko wasn’t, and every single optimistic and luck fueled ideal in him suddenly charged forward and pushed him. It was a combination of the final straw and a choice. Makoto isn’t immune to feeling despair, he’s just too stubborn to fall into it of his own volition. I think that’s why I like that scene in DR3 so much. People were SO SHOCKED Makoto actually fell for the tape, that he actually became despair for a moment. I saw people getting mad or disappointed, saying it was pathetic and Makoto seemed to fall from some sort of pedestal for them. Honestly part of me wonders if that sort of mentality, which clearly people had in universe, affected Makoto a bit. Like he started to see himself as less of a person, subconsciously. Prompting him to take more risks, less self preservation, act way more bold. It seems he has to be reminded a lot not to put himself in danger by his friends, to not do something too reckless. All over the place I would see in regards to that scene either this frivolous ‘oh this was just angst drama with no meaning behind it’ or ‘he can do better than that. he’s so weak’ or ‘come on, there’s no way he’d fall into despair, he’s the Ultimate Hope!’ This kind of mentality, which was kind of ironic considering Ryota was there the entire time saying the same thing and treating Makoto the same way. Like Makoto was superhuman. Like Makoto didn’t feel despair the same way ‘normal people’ did. In a way that was also how Munakata saw Makoto. Makoto stopped being a PERSON to the world when he became Ultimate Hope, he became a concept, a belief system, much the same way Junko ascended beyond herself. But the difference is that treating Makoto that way is the opposite of the reason Makoto became such a representative for hope. He wasn’t doing something no one else could. He was doing something everyone had the chance to, he just… was a little more optimistic, a little more stubborn, a little more ‘gung-ho’ about things. He just took the lead where no one else did, where no one else knew they even COULD in the face of Junko’s unstoppable force. She had overcome the biggest threats and obstacles in the world, what could one person do? And the answer Makoto found was, anything. Everything. It doesn’t all rest on Makoto, he’s just the one that was inspired to try to do what seemed like the impossible. But as evidenced by the change in his friends after that trial, it’s clearly not something only Makoto is capable of. The others pulled out of despair thanks to Makoto, but it was their choice to do so.

“But… this world is so huge, and we’re so small. What can we do…? No, we can probably do anything. Yeah! We can do anything!”

[knockknockitsnickels]

Thoughts about Prison3r bc she's making me go insane

Spoilers under the cut (also minor spoilers - chapter name & brief discussion of other routes - in the tags, so don't read those lol)

I have a feeling the Cage is going to get overshadowed by Sp3ctre & Happily Ever After, but I was really surprised by the direction they took her in, and I think she makes Pris all the more tragic as a character.

IMO, the Prisoner route kind of functions as a giant trust fall. You've established in the previous chapter that you're skeptical of this whole setup (hence voice of the skeptic, lmao) and willing to help the Princess, and this route puts that to the test. Can you focus on what's important without getting caught up in questioning irrelevant details (the empty shackle)? Can you trust the Princess enough to give her your weapon? And on the other side of that, can she trust you to understand her plan?

Part of what makes the Prisoner compelling to me is the unspoken trust she has in the player (part of why I've never understood the take that she doesn't actually care about you? Maybe we've got some Autism2Autism telepathy going on though). Her lines in the Shifting Mound fight (if you free her) talks about how "shared skepticism blossomed into trust", and the Drowned Grey further implies that she put a lot of trust and hope in the player which they ended up betraying.

I was expecting Prison3r to play with that betrayal of trust - she showed we could trust her, but her trust in us was misplaced. It doesn't really matter if you leaving the head was an honest mistake or not, we still let her down. I was expecting a scenario where we'd be stuck apologizing to a Princess who couldn't bring herself to trust us again, no matter how sincere we were being. I was expecting her to be angry. I didn't expect her to just... give up.

If the Drowned Grey is meant to represent the Prisoner (metaphorically) letting go of the tight control she has of her emotions, (literally) drowning you in her (metaphorical) grief and rage, then the Cage is the opposite, locking her emotions even deeper away. Shifty describes her as (paraphrasing here, emphasis mine) "someone who wishes she could be just a set of eyes and ears." The Cage isn't angry with you for leaving her behind. Why should she be? It was her mistake, after all. She shouldn't have been so stupid to think she could break the cycle and actually be freed.

The route also plays with the contrast between the Princess and the Player (via the voices) in fun ways. While the Cage is already resigned to repeating the cycle, skeptic (and paranoid, if you get him) are panicking for the whole route, trying desperately to find a way out of it while unintentionally forcing you to into the same patterns as before (by forcing us to take the knife. Thanks guys, very cool).

It honestly feels like the perfect response to the common fan complaint of "Why is the Prisoner mad at you for leaving her head behind? It was an accident!". Well, here you go. She's not mad at you. It would honestly feel better if she was.

[robertfripp]

"So why in 1974, returning from life on the road since 1969, did I wish to leave it behind? Because it was utterly mad. Utterly mad. You can say to the other members of the band, 'Come on, this is mad.' And they say, 'But we're going to be as successful as Pink Floyd in Europe next year," which is also true. My concern was that the creative impulse is acting through KC. The actual behaviour, the actual life of the band was going to go off course. It hadn't gone off course but it was being set up to do that."

"I suggested [Ian McDonald to replace me] to David Enthoven, whose comment was 'We're not interested in King Crimson without you'. So at that point I let go of it. I called up Bill and John and said it's over. This is not a discussion. For me there was nothing to discuss: I was going and I'd done what I could to keep it going."

~ Robert Fripp

"The confidence level after Central Park was phenomenal both from band and public. When I came back and we started recording Red I was full of optimism."

"I think some people are as wary of success as they are of failure. There were two of us champing at the bit to make the band as successful as possible because we could see what was possible, what we could do. What was on the horizon for us was really close and tangible. And one third of the band was going 'hang on a minute'.

"The more popular the band is, the less control there is. There you have a fairly big factor in the demise of the band. It's a pity because the chemistry was incredible. Ian McDonald was tantalisingly close to rejoining or at least touring with the band and that would have been the icing on the cake for me."

~ John Wetton

"John tended to say that after Central Park and making Red we were on the way up and the next thing would've been fantastic. Me? I have no idea. I wasn't looking that far ahead. I was just trying to get through Red, which was hard work. I think we were all exhausted. None of us had any idea how tiring all this was... I think Robert had spotted this that Crimson was not the kind of band that should go on and on. We would've inevitably blown up had it carried on."

"I look back on it now with a great deal of fondness. It's very easy with this distance and all this scholarly enquiry to nit-pick but we should not forget that it was a blast! It was, excuse the language, fucking great!"

~ Bill Bruford

[meownotgood]

did you see that they’re reworking viktor in league to make him more like his arcane version?

I did..... it's been leaked / discussed for months now that he's going to get a vgu, I hoped they wouldn't change much because I'm already a fan of his design and gameplay in league. it's been leaked that his gameplay won't change much (which is good) but uh.... yeah I've seen his model and it's pretty. interesting

[a-murmur-of-a-prayer]

It is just so, so depressing to still be waiting for a job. I'm so close to getting the one that would be beneficial to me, but the process has been taking SO long (I've been unemployed for almost three months). It feels silly to say, but without a job, it's as if my life has no meaning. I have no structure to my day, I live with my parents and am essentially freeloading off of them. The warm weather down here (my parents are in Texas) is probably the only thing that's saving my mental health at the moment. I have tried to put meaning into it by writing things, but it's so much harder to dredge up the motivation right now to do so. I want to cry just about every day, but my sister and my mom and my dad are all going through things and I need to help them, so I feel like I can't. Being an American, current events are stressing me out - I've connected with new people but they are not my friends that I've had for years, and I'm so beyond sad that I don't have a job that my insecurities about never having had a boyfriend don't even matter to me right now. Every day is just more of the same, and I just really hope I get an answer from the job I want because I don't know how much longer I can go on like this.