#and loved to see more of Sandra Lynn again <3< /div> Explore tagged Tumblr posts

[pearlsdiamondsandvodka]

the sandra lynn / fig conversation is driving me Insane. fig saying that sometimes she doesn’t wanna exist as herself at all…not wanting to ask her friends how they see her (because she’s afraid to hear their response) saying that to someone she is a monster and she Cannot stop thinking about it. sandra lynn starting the conversation saying she needs to step up but is also simultaneously taken aback about what fig expresses and doesn’t know how to responds to it and suggests getting ice cream. sandra lynn saying “convincing people they deserve good things is really tough” talking about herself but how it also reflects fig. insane!!

[iceformer]

It's 1:40 am but let me cook real quick

Ally Beardsley, the Person, Fundimentally Changed the Fantasy High Universe (an essay)

Fantasty High Freshman Year was supposed to be "dnd meets 80s high school" with the cliques and general vibe. The Interepid Heros grew up in the 80s but now live in the 20th century, so some anachronism were expected.

In later seasons we see the charecters using more crystal tech and making more modern references , the biggest ones I can think of being social media and Sandra Lynn having Life 360 for the Mordred girls

It would be like if they were playing a normal game of High Fantasy DnD where "we haven't invented plumbing yet so there's no toilets" but instead it's payphones and phonebooks

Again, the Intrepid Heores are all at least 90s kids so they would have grown up while technology was still in dial up and computer rooms, but they're also actors/comedians. The brief was "imagine you are all in Magic Breakfast Club Land" and we see them all playing up their tropes (or stereotypes) in Freshman Year (edgy Fig, loner Gorgug, snooty Fabian)

My point this morning is that the concept was Magic Breakfast Club but it evolved into modern Fantasy. Not saying that's a bad thing, I was just thinking about how has the vibe changed so much from the original idea?

And then I remember that in episode 3 of the first season, Ally Beardsley invented PrayerChain. Which could have been some instant messaging system but Emily and Brennan immediately follow it up with making GIFs Canon in this universe.

As a table full of comedians making a show, they cannot help following a bit. That's why the funniest moments of the show come from Ally's anachronistic references.

But I think the big one that changed the concept from 80s movie to modern Fantasy is during "Family in Flames" when everyone's separated, their homes and loved ones in danger, Adaine and Kristen stay behind for one last break in the case,

And Kristen straight up calls and Uber.

That moment was what sent me on this train because in what 80s world are the high school kids calling an Uber or taxi? It's always "the one with the car" or "everyone has a bike" to travel around town. I think from here and with all the anachronistic references that Ally made all season really cemented Solace as Modern Fantasy and not 80s Nostalgia.

I saw some posts on here about how Riz was the Main Charecter of the show because every Villain of the season had some Personal Beef with him.

I think Ally Beardsley, the person, not Kristen Applebees or K2, is the main charecter of the Fantasy High Universe

What's even better about this is that THEY WERENT EVEN SUPPOSED TO BE THERE. I can't look it up right now cos I'm locked in, but everyone jokes about how Ally had never played DND before the show, I think they were a last minute edition to the cast.

And literally from that one change the show is completely different from what it would have been. Well, it would have been different if any of the Intrepid Heroes were switched out, but I think with Ally in the cast the world of Spyre was turned on its head.

If the Intrepid Heros had pokemon types, Ally was the more Comedian/Actor type at College Humor while everyone else and Brennan were Comedian/Writer/Geek type. Most of Ally's content outside of D20 was Total Forgiveness and that show where they smoked weed (loved it, can't look it up rn)

Compare that to Brennan, who started as an Um Actually writer, Lou and Siobahn, who are Geeks/have been playing DND for a long time, Zac, who i cannot find much Geek content for, and Emily and Murph, who need no introduction (i dunno if NADDPOD started before D20)

The addition of Ally Beardsley to the cast not only drove the show so far away from the concept that most people forget what it was supposed to be, but it did so in a way that made the show so much better than they had even planned for.

This Pride month, I salute Ally Beardsley

🫡

(It took me an hour to write this, good night ya'lll)

[therushingriver]

After this latest ep, it made me think back to the bts where Emily talked about wanting to retire Fig. I still dont really understand this at all. I really respect these creatives but it just doesnt make sense to me. I love Emily, this is just me rambling about something I truly dont get.

1) Fig says over and over that she cares more about her friends than anything. How would she feel if she takes off and they all die in a battle like the last stand because she wasnt there. Or if even one of them permanently dies. Maybe Sandra Lynn or Gorthalax or Gilear.

And on the less fatal end- what if her friends failed their junior year because she wasnt there. All of Rizs hopes for the future gone. This isnt a normal high school- this school is all about setting up an adventuring party for the rest of your life. Fig knows that her mothers life was completely changed by a decision she made at 17. Sandra Lynn left her adventuring party, got kicked out of another, and never found one again. Brennan said Aguefort Adventurers dont usually end up as rangers (i think he literally said thats usually a mumple type thing). We hear over and over that there is a lasting upset in Sandra Lynn because of those times.

2) i believe she said something about giving Fig her happy ending. She is 17!!! And she just got her first girlfriend. And that's it?! Now shes happy and her stories over? Nothing about the complex relationships she has with all her parents or with her connection to hell. Nothing about the friends she loves. Nothing about her complex relationship with herself and feeling lost and not good enough unless shes pretending to be someone else. Could just be my amatonormative-hating self but I dont see how thats a happy ending for Fig.

3) on a show level, I cant see it working to just have a new character and have Fig be offscreen. FH is more about the party and their freindship dynamic than any other season. In the seasons where pcs have been switched out, it makes sense. Unsleeping city doesnt have that same tight group dynamic because they are all adults with their own lives. Crown of Candies Pc changes were campaign changing purposefully.

Fantasy High is all about this dynamic with the Bad Kids and if one of them just left, I cant see the others not being affected by that. Instead of a fun Junior Year, we'd get tons of moments of them missing Fig. And with a new PC we'd be spending lots of time creating new dynamics vs exploring the rich ones we already have. I dont see the bad kids just adopting a new member, that would feel forced to me. I think theyd really be losing something with not having the full party that weve had from the beginning.

I know that the cast are incredible and Im sure they would've found ways to make all of this work. But personally Ill be very disappointed if we get a Senior Year and it doesnt have all of the original PCs. I think without Fig, it would just feel emptier. Shes really the heart of all of this.

[adaines-furious-feast]

because i cant stop thinking about it and i think it was your blog where i saw the idea most, but thoughts on jace joining the sophomore year quest:

he's obviously there to hinder them as long as possible so that arianwen can do her stuff. they're so <3 to me i can't *not* include them in any jace-related storyline anymore

porter then has to go w/ the ratgrinders himself, which is a whole different story lol

also gilear doesn't go with them. something, something only needing one aguefort staff member per quest. and jace is the smarter choice

jace is absolutly dying on the van-boat. he gives such "i need to drive so i can be in control" energy. especially post-shatterstar.

jace at the golden gardens <3 he's so glad they're spending so much time here on leviathan he can finally fucking relax

post-shatterstar, jace cares too much about arianwen and doesn't want to sleep w/ garthy o'brien and he's already in a precarious situation w/ porter.

jace befriending sandra-lynn faeth. they're going to be messy bitches together. if jace can't sleep w/ garthy, sandra-lynn still will

jace wanting to protect adaine bc she's arianwen's daughter still, even if she doesn't know that she's trying to stop her mother.

and jace fighting like hell to keep adaine away from the elves who want to take adaine away and being *devestated* when they take her. he wants to be her dad *so bad* but she's off sacrificing herself.

jace hoping he can kill angwyn so he can *finally* have more of arianwen's attention. and him *really* wanting to kill angwyn after seeing what he's done to his daughters.

jace loving and hating kei lumenera. it's such a fallinel thing and i think jace just really hates fallinel and the traditional high elven things. he's such a material girl to me.

he also dislikes all of leviathan other than the golden gardens. he's such a solesian <3 <3 <3

jace in arborly and having to watch the fucking shrimp party antics.

jace lying about not having plane shift (or he doesn't know plane shift bc why would he be leaving this plane of existence when this plane has all that he needs?) and having them take longer and longer to buy arianwen time.

jace, who feels guilty about sending aelwyn off with her mother when she deserves to rest. jace, knowing that he was supposed to be going into the forest but kalina *likes* where he is, what situation he's wrapped himself up in. and now he's *porters* and porter wants him to trail along the bad kids and see if they're the threat that may come up

i think porter knows that the bad kids are the ones that would end up coming after them, since no other party is giving this much effort. but with how distracted and wild they usually are, i think porter discredits them. especially after gorgug multiclasses into artificing.

jace, who has kalina in his ear all of the time, who is so amused by all of this and is driving a wedge further and further between arianwen and jace, because he is not Cassandra's anymore, he is Porter's

jace in hell. it's too hot and humid and it's messing with his hair

Jace having to fight penelope!!! even though she is in hell and actively trying to get revenge, that was his student!!! probably one of his best students!!!

jace and bill. consider? /j

jace in the nightmare forest? jace turned into a puppet by kalina??? jace who is forced to hunt adaine and hurt her even though she's so much like arianwen it hurts and he never wants to do that.

kalina who taunts him about it. kalina who asks him if adaine will want her to be her new dad after *attacking* her? kalina who uses him like he's her favoritest little mouse.

and jace, who eventually comes to and sees arianwen once again, but she's been corrupted. jace, who sees his beloved attack her children, casts *power word pain* on adaine without remorse. jace, who's illusion of arianwen cracks and he tries to patch it together by saying she's under the influence of the crown and that he has to stop her in order to save her, that something went wrong, but,,,

did it?

and then kristen, who jace had practically forgotted was here, decides to ressurect cassandra herself, twisting her into someone different than what jace was sworn on, but his goddess is back!

except, she's being tied to a sophomore he knows is currently failing her cleric classes. except he can't worship her because he's tied to porter. except, she's punishing her own, true devoted worshipper Arianwen.

and kalina is destroyed and jace is happy for a moment, until he sees what's become and how he couldn't have ever won in this scenario.

and as they gather their bearings for one last night in the golden gardens, aelwyn asks how long he was with her mother, because aelwyn *knows* that he was the caster arianwen was planning on taking. and aelwyn *knows* that he's wrapped up in something greater than him

something, something jace and aelwyn parallel about always following the wrong person bc you care about someone who doesn't care about you the same way.

and jace who wants to be there for her, because now she has no parents (he's still reeling from the thought of adaine killing her father with a single punch), but jace knowing that if he gets any closer, porter will want to infect them as well.

and aelwyn goes on to find kipperlilly copperkettle, working for her to keep an eye on jace. and jace having to do sophomore year now w/ rival groups both considering him a mentor and how he doesn't want to betray either of them, but knows he will.

Oooph, absolutely nothing to add. At this point, whatever the fuck went on in the Mountains of Chaos in the original time line probably hurt a whole lot less than this

[verosvault]

I'm SO GLAD I did that Junior Year countdown! It really like- it felt like it was coming quicker and quicker!!!

I do know that a lot of the times I was making the posts quite late which is why sometimes the countdown days didn't like up! But ANYWHO!

I wanted to make a blog about what I hope to see in FHJY! I know EVERYONE is doing it and I wanted to do one! Everyone pretty much had everything I'm gonna have so...you can skip this post if you want. 😂🤣💀

1. SKLONDA! OMG SKLONDA! PLEASE SKLONDA! I NEED MORE SKLONDA CONTENT! 😭✋

2. Cathilda! My 2nd favorite NPC! I'M SORRY GUYS! MY PRIORITIES ARE SET! 😭✋

3. GILEAR! A couple of people have been putting "Gilear Dying" on their list! NAH! I'm HOPING for a GILEAR 180 TURN-AROUND! Gilear told Fig last season that he was gonna clean up his act! I'm looking for a NEW AND IMPROVED GILEAR! OK! HE CAN GROW AND CHANGE! I BELIEVE IT CAN HAPPEN! GILEAR GLOW-UP 2024! IT'LL TREND! I BELIEVE IT! 😭✋ I HAVE FAETH(FAITH)! SEE WHAT I DID THERE! 😉

4. Aelwyn doing Anything! I saw this on multiple bingo cards! Aelwyn doing something helpful! I honestly can't wait to see Aelwyn just do anything. Whether she is hanging out with Adaine and also trying to break out of old habits of being mean to her sister! (Old habits die hard!) I'm excited for anything! I REALLY HOPE that Aelwyn gets adopted by Jawbone though and that she does very helpful things with the bad kids! 😭✋ I- JUST PLEASE! 😭✋

5. POK GUKGAK! Do I NEED to ELABORATE?! NO! JUST POK! THAT'S IT! 😃

6. Jace the Sorcery Teacher? I wanna see more of that guy! Also...the Bard Teacher? The Rogue Teacher? MORE SCHOOL TEACHERS/FACULTY! I WANNA SEE MORE! WHO ARE THESE TEACHERS?!

7. THIS KINDA GOES WITH #6! BUT...P O R T E R!!!! P O R T E R!!! THAT'S ALL I'M GONNA SAY!

8. Kristen's parents and siblings! I HATE Kristen's parents! But I LOVE Kristen's brothers! I wonder how it'll look like with this season if Kristen's family becomes more involved! Idk how they'd tie into the story! But it definitely seems interesting! Especially since her parents were kinda loosELY related to the Harvestmen??? The cult or whatever? Idk...seems kinda SUS! 🥲 Also, Kristen DID leave GOLD COINS FOR her Brothers before she went on the trip to the Nightmare King's Forest with the rest of the bad kids! So...who knows! 🤷‍♀️

9. Sandra Lynn. Garthy. Jawbone. Poly relationship? YES! I'M SO DOWN! But also idk if Sandra Lynn would want to get with Garthy again. I'm up for it if it happens! I love all 3 of them! 🙌

10. MORE FIGAYDA! PLEAAAASSSEEE!!!!

11. I want an actual confirmation about what happened with Adaine's mom Arianwen! I know she's trapped in the nightmare forest and has no magic anymore. But she's also an elf and like- lives LITERALLY FOREVER! Like... won't she find SOME WAY OUT AT SOME POINT?! Isn't there an EXTREMELY SLIM CHANCE Arianwen gets out of the forest somehow? Idk...💀 I'm just saying. 💀✋

12. THE HANGMAN & THE HANGVAN! YES! I SUPPORT THEM BEING BEST FRIENDS! 🙋‍♀️

13. MORE BABY/WRETCHROT!!!

14. Possible mentions of Kalina??? I mean... They're the familiar of Cassandra right? Won't Kalina still be like...idk...around??? Or changed??? Or remade??? Or whatever?? Idk...🥲 I low-key/high-key just miss Kalina! She was such a dope villain fr!

15. Cassandra and Kristen!!! I hope Kristen won't have another talk with Helio or Sol! NOT THIS SEASON! I'm really excited to see if Kristen is actually like...NOT wavering in her beliefs this season! Like...I really hope she'll stay with Cassandra! Cassandra seems DOPE! If something happens and Cassandra turns bad again then MAYBE! But I still hope Kristen finds some kind of stability in her religion at SOME POINT! 😂🤣💀

16. Fabian and Hallariel! I wanna see Fabian spend more time with his mom! 😭 That would be SO SWEET! I know they talked for a short while in Boys' Night! But I want more! 😂🤣💀

17. Fabian being NICE TO GILEAR and NOT BULLYING him! 😂😂😂 This is a HOPE! 🤣🤣🤣 It most likely WON'T HAPPEN! But! STILL! 😂 I'm putting it ON THE LIST! 😂🤣💀

18. New Lunch Lad or Lady??? If Gilear became VP and Jawbone became Guidance Counselor. Then... who's the new lunch lad??? Or lunch lady??? 🤔🤔🤔

19. Fabian ACTUALLY DEFEATING Chungledown-Bim! 👀

20. I hope Baron doesn't come back 🥲 but Baron MIGHT! 🥲 And the thought of that SCARES ME FR! 🥲🥲🥲

21. I wonder what Skrank and Shellford are gonna be up to this season! Hopefully they're doing well!

22. THE CUBBIES!! YES!!

23. ANY BASRAR SCENES!! ALSO, YES!!!

24. ZELDA AND GORGUG!!! YESS!! CUTE ZELDA AND GORGUG!! YES PLEASE!! 😭😭

25. TRACKERBEES! LITERALLY EVERYONE SAYS THEY'RE BREAKING UP BUT I REALLY DON'T WANT THEM TO! 😭😭😭 I'M IN DENIAL!! NOOO!! 😭😭 I'M ACTUALLY GONNA SOB!! TRACKERBEES FOREVER!! 😭✋

26. Arthur Aguefort DOING WILD STUFF! HE LEGIT GREW 50 FEET AND GRABBED THE SUN LAST SEASON! WHAT'S HE GONNA DO IN THIS ONE?!

27. I WANT AYDA AND GARTHY TO TALK! 😭😭 I LITERALLY JUST WANT A SCENE OF THEM TALKING!! 😭😭✋✋

28. The Thistlesprings being Thistlesprings! 🥺 I wonder if we're gonna get to see Thistlespring Minis this season! 😭✋ I really hope so! 😭✋

29. Bad Murph Rolls!

30. Beardsley Blessed NAT20 Rolls!!!

31. MORE GORTHALAX CONTENT! GORTHALAX AND FIG! YAY!!!

32. IMAGINE if we get to see more Angela Worrel! 😂 NOT when she's putting the bad kids in jail cells of course! 😭✋

33. A vulture reference! Idk! Vultures be up to stuff!

34. Any possible Corn Cuties references! 😂

35. MORE ZAYN DARKSHADOW BEING A SOFT NICE GHOST KID!!! 😭😭🥺🥺❤️❤️

36. Seeing Sylvester. Cravencroft Cemetary guy. Just Cravencroft Cemetary stuff in general!!

37. One of the bad kids ACTUALLY goes to see Jawbone at school for THERAPY! Or just to talk! Or SOMETHING! 😭✋

38. What ever happened to freaking Biz? Is it a possibility we'll see him again even though every hair on my body wants to tell me "EW! NOT BIZ AGAIN! PLEASE! 😭✋"

39. SATs!!! The bad kids having to study their SATs! SAT stands for SOMETHING ELSE in SPYRE! Idk what it will stand for! But I bet it stands for something wild! 😎

40. Gilear will look different physically? Like...more clean-shaven...etc.... 🤷‍♀️ it's a possibility...🤷‍♀️

41. Hell Trip? Seeing Bill Seacaster again? That might be cool! I really hope that if we see Bill again though that him and Fabian can have a long and serious talk. Idk what it should be about...but I desperately want it!

42. Adaine using her DOPE SWORD ARCANE FOCUS! 😎 I mean! SHE'S GOTTA BE ABLE TO ACTUALLY SWING THAT SWORD! I'M SO EXCITED TO SEE HER IN ACTION FR!!! ✋✋

43. BOGGY THE FROGGY! EMOTIONAL SUPPORT FROG! LOVE IT! I WONDER IF BOGGY WILL BE SUMMONED AS AN OWL AGAIN AT SOME POINT IN THIS SEASON! OR IF ADAINE WILL SUMMON BOGGY AS SOMETHING ELSE ENTIRELY! 👀👀

44. Adaine and Aelwyn bunkbed at night time scene where they talk before they sleep! 🥲✋...or something like that...

45. Fabian dancing!! With his sheet!! 😎

46. Kristen dancing!! With her Ribbon Dancer!! 😎 Will Kristen learn to fly with said ribbon dancer? The chances are slim! But never zero! 👀

47. A BLOODRUSH GAME BEING PLAYED OUT ON THE FIELD! ✋

48. Ragh gets in a relationship with someone PERFECT for them! 🥺🥺🥺

49. Torbek Railgrinder scenes? Question mark???

50. This is SO OUT OF LEFT FIELD! IMAGINE SEEING DOREEN AGAIN! 😂🤣💀 Chances of that happening are a 0.1%! But hey! Anything can happen! 🥲

51. The bad Kids get some kinda new pet! Not Boggy. Not Edgar. Not Sexy Rat. Not Baby. I'm talking about a new pet that joins the party!

52. Potential Goldenrod Scenes?? If we get Bill scenes there's a potential for Goldenrod scenes as well!

53. Alistair Ash scenes??? 🤷‍♀️🤷‍♀️🤷‍♀️ He was in POL! It's a possibility we'll see him again in Junior Year?

54. The Red Waste. I already know the Bad Kids go there from the trailer but I'm putting it here anyways!

55. Adaine gets a job! Also seen in the trailer!

56. They're about to fail school and they need to do something to not get expelled! Also seen in the trailer!

57. The Night Yorb causes a blackout everywhere and they'll be doing things in the dark for a few days! No lights. Maybe? 🥲 Idk. That's just a wild guess. 🥲

58. Riz gets another mission from his dad in heaven that he has to fulfill! 😎 And who knows if that mission might get in the way of school stuff? Question mark? Or maybe they'll work hand-in-hand again?

59. Imagine if Pok were to meet Gorthalax. 💀 That's all I'm gonna say there! 💀✋ Y'all can imagine it and do what you like with that information. 💀✋

60. Elm Valley Mall Battle Episode??? Or just the bad kids going to the Elm Valley Mall in general??? Idk. 🤷‍♀️🤷‍♀️🤷‍♀️ Maybe they can just hang out there?

61. The Ball tries to teach Fabian some tactics on investigating since last time Fabian tried it, he accidentally bit down on glass. 💀

62. Underwater or Ice... that's all I'm gonna say...again...that theory also goes along with the trailer we got where the set was just ALL BLUE! 💀 We get some kind of cool underwater battle! Maybe Arthur Aguefort is involved somehow since he's in that battle according to shots from the trailer! For reasons as to WHY he's there? I have ABSOLUTELY NO CLUE!

63. PORTALS! USAGES OF PORTALS! This is also a shout-out from the trailer!

64. Flashback Pirate Ship scenes with dragons! Also shout-out to the trailer! It could be actual scenes but my bet is they're flashbacks! 🤷‍♀️ Won't know till we see 'em!

65. Aelwyn uses her illusionary cheerleaders or elementals or whatever during a battle and they're actually on the good side this time!!!

66. This is a LONG SHOT but another trip to Kei Lumenura? Seeing Telemaine and Fathethriel again possibly? 🤷‍♀️ I doubt it but...ya know... Maybe? 🤷‍♀️

67. I wonder if we'll learn about like...clubs? Like Aguefort academy Clubs/extracurriculars and whatnot! Maybe even electives in general?

68. The bad kids thinking about what they wanna do in life after high school or if they'd want to keep continuing as an adventuring party! 👀 Maybe this will be senior year but...🤷‍♀️ It's never too early to think about it. 🤷‍♀️

69. The Bad Kids have an ACTUAL STUDY SESSION!!! LIKE...AN ACTUAL STUDY SESSION!!! Maybe they'll even get tutoring from somebody! 😁😆

70. Maybe we'll see some Galicaea references? 🤔

I think I'm gonna end the list here! It's already SO LONG! 😭✋ SO MUCH TO THINK ABOUT! BUT I ACTUALLY NEED TO GO TO BED! I GOT WORK TOMORROW AND I NEED TO BE AWAKE ENOUGH TO WATCH THE EPISODE RIGHT AFTER WORK! EKWKCKSKF I'M SO EXCITED YOU CAN'T EVEN BELIEVE!! SKWKCKKWDW 😭😭✋✋

I'M SO HAPPY I GOT INTO/DISCOVERED DIMENSION20 WHEN I DID!!! 😭😭✋✋❤️❤️💯💯

[pricemarshfield]

moments like these

A Figayda angst/hurt/comfort fic. Requested by @sapphic-tuesday even though they only requested it because I love Figayda. (ily bestie) Read on AO3 here.

Prompt: Figayda, angst, hurt/comfort, “You don’t need to stay.” “I don’t need to. But I want to.”

The forest is dark and damp and the worst fucking place Fig has ever been, and she's running as fast as she can to get away from herself. She'd point out how it's way too on the nose if she had any breath left, but as it stands, it's all she can do to keep putting one foot in front of the other, slower and slower.

Eventually she has to just collapse into the nearest bush, hope somehow that's enough stealth even as the crack of the branches seems to echo out for miles and miles. There's a long, long beat, where she thinks, just for a second, that maybe she's done it. Maybe the other her isn't too perceptive, either.

She hears an oddly pitched laugh from right behind her ear, as though she isn't lying on the ground, and when did the branches tangle around her leg? Where'd her bass go? Why did none of her friends even seem to care that someone else took her place--

Fig wakes up with a start, sits up, hits her head against her ceiling which is, of course, the living room floor. Her horns scratch it a bit, but thankfully, her mom won't ever see it. Her crystal says it's 3 in the morning when she checks it, and fuck, she's gonna be stuck in here for awhile if she can't pass back out.

She could send a quick text to the Mordred group chat (the manorlings, despite Ragh vying for 'OWLBEAR HYPE HOUSE') and ask if anyone's up to let her out, but then there'll be questions about why she's up, so she just concentrates on mage hand until she nails the chord and the ceiling opens.

The house feels too empty with everyone asleep, too stifling when she can't make any noise, but there's not exactly anywhere else she can go. Her days of sneaking out in the middle of the night to go to concerts aren't nearly as fun now that she misses her friends the whole time. Also, now people recognize her for being one of Solace's biggest stars or whatever, and that's just kind of a hassle when she's not in the mood for attention.

The living room couch is an old, cracked leather thing, moved from Jawbone's apartment. It's not comfortable in any traditional sense, but there's a groove in it that fits her perfectly, and that's nice, in its own way. Sometimes she misses the couch in the old house. It got burned to hell in the attack on prom night, though, so. The whole house did, honestly; when she went home after everything, the window in her bedroom was shattered, glass all over her bed so that she had to pick up each piece, vacuum up what small pieces she couldn't see. She still woke up with a couple cuts on her legs that she didn't have before, but it was home, even if the posters and the pink wallpaper were both singed, even if the purple comforter she'd had since she was a kid didn't smell like it used to.

The old Faeth house never really felt like home after her horns, sure, but Mordred...

She does like it here. Loves it, when everyone's crowded around the table, Adaine arguing with Kristen about some minute difference in casting, Jawbone telling a wildly off-color story to a confused-but-interested Aelwyn, Sandra Lynn making sure Ayda has enough food on her plate while she blinks back fiery tears.

But it doesn't change the fact that she lived here for all of a day before spring break, and right now the hallways and secret passages and tall ceilings all feel ominous, not exciting anymore.

She turns on the light before her mage hand dissipates, scrolls through the games she has on her crystal. Most of them are things she's had on here back when she liked unicorns and glitter and all those girly things that she never got around to deleting.

It's something to do, at least.

The bright colors are nostalgic in just the wrong way, and she makes it through two minutes of matching pop rocks and cake slices before she's scrolling through the games again, on-edge for no goddamn reason.

"Fig?"

Part of her relaxes against the couch before she's even finished processing the voice as Ayda. "Hey! I didn't think you were staying here tonight."

"I wasn't," Ayda says, looking at her with an expression she can't read at all. She's in a deep blue chemise, like she'd been sleeping before she walked through the enchanted door into Mordred. "I--may I sit?"

"Yeah, of course," Fig says, patting the spot next to her. "Always, babe."

Ayda cries a little as she sits, and Fig wipes the tears away. The first time she tried, when she was a normal tiefling and didn't wear the title of Archdevil, it stung a little, like stepping into a too-warm bath. Now, it feels just like the hint of warmth against her hand, uniquely Ayda and not at all painful. (Which is also uniquely Ayda, to never freak Fig out even when she's in this shitty mood.)

"So," Ayda says. "I was in Leviathan, as I needed to--well, still need to, I've merely decided the task isn't as important--I'm getting sidetracked."

"Yeah," Fig says, and when Ayda stiffens, says, "Not bad! Not a bad thing! It's cute."

"Oh," Ayda says. "I--sorry," and bursts into tears again. Fig wipes them away, kisses her cheek just 'cause she can, kisses the other one because she can feel Ayda's face get even warmer.

"No worries," Fig says, too late, because she's not--this is still new to her. "So what's going on?"

"As you know, I am a divination wizard, though not an Oracle like Adaine, our best friend." Fig nods. "But sometimes my dreams have--not prophecies, but looks into the present, or even occasionally the past."

"Okay," Fig says. "Is there, like, a slumbering demon lord underneath Mordred?"

"No," Ayda says. "I asked a ranger I know in Leviathan to check before he left on a journey to Sylvaire. Unrelated to the Nightmare King. I checked, just to be sure, because I am sure none of us want to deal with that again."

"Mmhm," Fig says, willing herself to keep breathing slow and easy and not tense up like she wants to. It's just Ayda talking about preventing further Nightmare King stuff. The Nightmare King doesn't even exist anymore, they're Cassandra, they're cool. "So, uh, what'd you see in your dream?"

"You," Ayda says. "That isn't uncommon. I dream of you often. You're in more of my dreams than not. Is that strange? Should I not have said that?"

"Not strange," Fig says, sure her cheeks are red rather than pink. "Just--I'm flustered, okay, give me a second."

Ayda nods at her, not smiling but face relaxed in a way that suggests the same feeling. Fig grabs her hand just to ground herself, squeezes it once. There's a moment before Ayda squeezes it back, like she's thinking about whether it's the right thing to do.

"Totally normal," Fig says, just in case.

"Good," Ayda says with one long exhale. "I was worried."

"You know, it doesn't matter to me if what you do is 'normal'," Fig says. "I like you whether what you do is normal or not!"

Ayda nods. "I want to finish my thought, but after that I want to kiss you. That was the nicest thing anyone's ever said to me."

"You could kiss me and then finish the thought?"

"I would forget," Ayda says, like she doesn't remember everything, like Fig is enough to distract her. Fig can't quite meet her gaze, then, a smile pulling at the corner of her mouth. She squeezes her hand again. Ayda squeezes back immediately. "Um. I'm distracting myself. What was I talking about?"

"Your dream."

"Right. Thank you, Fig. I dreamed about you, and I think it may have been--it was as though I was standing at your bedside. I know it was a dream and not sleepwalking, because I can't actually stand in your room--it's too short and I don't want to set your house on fire. But you seemed upset, and while I don't know if that was real or a dream or not, I couldn't--I couldn't just sit in my room and Leviathan without checking."

"Oh," Fig says. "Um. I'm fine."

"Hm," Ayda says. "You know, you were the one who told me that if people say they're fine, it very rarely means they're fine. I don't understand the logic of it at all, but I trust your insight."

"It's stupid," Fig says, and then, in a twist, bursts into tears herself. "God. It's stupid, I don't even know why I'm upset? Like, it's literally nothing, nothing is going on, I'm just dumb--"

"You are not dumb," Ayda says, and Fig hates herself all the more for the panic she can hear in her voice. "You have taught me so much, and if it matters to you, then it's not stupid. Fig?"

"Yeah," Fig says, voice embarrassingly choked up. She clears her throat as best she can, which isn't very well, since she's still actively crying. "Yeah, I know."

"I don't know what you know," Ayda says. "But I know that when I cry, you wipe my tears away, and I'm going to do the same for you, unless you want to stop me, in which case I won't."

Fig doesn't move, lets Ayda wipe away her tears even though it makes her want to cry more, someone being nice to her right now. "Thanks."

"Any time," Ayda says with the weight of a promise and not at all like the platitude most people would mean. "Do you want to talk about it? It's okay if you don't. I often don't want to talk about the things I'm going through when I'm still going through them."

"I don't," Fig says, because the idea of explaining the nightmare and Mordred and her old house being destroyed and feeling so, so unmoored and stuck all at once makes her want to tear her own hair out. "I don't--you don't need to stay. I'll be okay. If I'm not--if I can't talk about it, you don't need to stay."

"I don't need to stay," Ayda says, carefully, and Fig grips her hand tighter without consciously meaning to. "But I'd like to. If I can."

"I meant it when I said always," Fig says, still not looking at Ayda because she can't.

"Do you want me to?"

"Yeah," Fig says. "I always want you to stay."

Jawbone walks into the room on his way into the kitchen, sees two teenagers holding hands and crying and slightly-burning his couch, and decides he can just get water from the bathroom instead of the kitchen. He's not one to interrupt a moment.

[that-soccer-guru]

please spare some thoughts on the us roster oh great futfem guru

SINCE YOU ASKED SO NICELY MY WONDERFUL FUTFEM CHILD

I mean I imagine Twitter is blowing a gasket bc there's no Karshlyn. And, Y'all don't get me wrong, I was in the no more Ali and Ashlyn train, BUT Ali Krieger really went out there and had a great game the other day (I mean I'm not counting that flop to get fouled but you know what I mean) and it's a little disappointing to see that they didn't make this roster. Ashlyn I've always been iffy on but I rather her than Jane Campbell, but alas, it be like this.

Andi Sullivan didn't make the last two game rosters, she is after all coming back from an injury, but I do wish she'd made this one. She'd be an interesting piece to pack more punch in the midfield, especially against teams like Brazil who can find gaps in the lines really easily. I'll just stay here wishing Sully the best (actually I read up, according to Richie Burke she's dealing with a strain still. WRAP THAT KID IN BUBBLE WRAP, JFC).

I DO LOVE TO SEE THAT TIERNA MADE IT THOUGH! YOU GO KID, DO THAT SOCCER!!!!

Need I rehash again how much I dislike Carli Lloyd? I mean, straight up, I hate that she's still in this roster. And not just bc she's a garbage human being (which, she is) but also bc I think it's high time this team stop bringing back players that don't bring in good vibes and new things to the table. Nothing in life made me happier about the Colombia loss than the fact that Sandra Sepulveda really went out there with 1 mission, to FUCK with Carli Lloyd's goals/shot percentage. I respect the hell out of that and it made the losses more bearable. From the bottom of my heart, I hope things keep going comically wrong for Lloyd.

Y'all also know I'm not a fan of Lynn Williams in the NT, but one of 50 of her shots makes it to goal so she's got at least 1 goal for every 3 games, can't argue with those numbers, or the speed she brings to this team, so I'll just sit here on my opinion about her.

Petition to wrap Mal Pugh in bubble wrap and transport her like a million dollar piece of art everywhere. Preferably in a vaccum sealed negative air pressurized chamber to prevent ANY kind of bullshit. Because that kid should be a shoe in everytime and the insane amount of injuries is not doing her any favors. It's sad to see that wunderkind be put down as a training player. Fortunately she's still really young, so hopefully they find the right balance for her recovery and playing time sometime soon.

Sad about Tobin's injury though, but hopefully Vlatko puts in Press as a starter more often! (also am I the only one looking forward to Tobin in a boot yelling up a storm from the sidelines? Actually I wonder if they'd let her in there... hmm... us soccer, please see this and lemme kno)

That's what I have, for now, Y'all feel free to ask me specifics so I can really go out there and piss off some fans 😂

[backslashdelta]

Glee Soundtrack Rating Project Results: tthankstoyou

@tthankstoyou

Favourite character: Quinn Fabray

Least favourite character: Ryder Lynn

Favourite season: Season 2

Least favourite season: Season 6

Mean song rating: 6.47

Mean song rating for favourite character's songs: 7.24

Mean song rating for favourite character's solos: 6.4

Mean song rating season 1: 6.3

Mean song rating season 2: 6.32

Mean song rating season 3: 6.74

Mean song rating season 4: 6.61

Mean song rating season 5: 6.61

Mean song rating season 6: 6.01

Songs rated: 702

[ID: A bar chart titled Number of songs assigned each rating by tthankstoyou, illustrating the number of times each score was assigned to a song by tthankstoyou. 10 was assigned 68 times, 9 was assigned 77 times, 8 was assigned 102 times, 7 was assigned 128 times, 6 was assigned 103 times, 5 was assigned 77 times, 4 was assigned 77 times, 3 was assigned 31 times, 2 was assigned 14 times, 1 was assigned 25 times, and 0 songs were not rated.]

About the Project | Results Masterpost

Ranking:

1. (10) - S1x01 - Don't Stop Believing (Pilot)

2. (10) - S1x05 - Maybe This Time

3. (10) - S1x14 - Gives You Hell

4. (10) - S1x15 - 4 Minutes

5. (10) - S1x15 - Borderline/Open Your Heart

6. (10) - S1x18 - Rose's Turn

7. (10) - S1x18 - The Boy Is Mine

8. (10) - S1x22 - Bohemian Rhapsody

9. (10) - S2x02 - Me Against the Music

10. (10) - S2x03 - I Want to Hold Your Hand

11. (10) - S2x03 - One of Us

12. (10) - S2x04 - Le Jazz Hot

13. (10) - S2x04 - Happy Days Are Here Again/Get Happy

14. (10) - S2x04 - River Deep, Mountain High

15. (10) - S2x04 - Lucky

16. (10) - S2x11 - Thriller/Heads Will Roll

17. (10) - S2x11 - Bills, Bills, Bills

18. (10) - S2x12 - Silly Love Songs

19. (10) - S2x13 - Take Me or Leave Me

20. (10) - S2x14 - Blame It (On the Alcohol)

21. (10) - S2x16 - Misery

22. (10) - S2x18 - As If We Never Said Goodbye

23. (10) - S2x18 - I Feel Pretty/Unpretty

24. (10) - S3x01 - Anything Goes/Anything You Can Do

25. (10) - S3x01 - You Can't Stop the Beat

26. (10) - S3x08 - Control

27. (10) - S3x08 - Buenos Aires

28. (10) - S3x08 - Survivor/I Will Survive

29. (10) - S3x08 - ABC

30. (10) - S3x11 - Never Can Say Goodbye

31. (10) - S3x13 - Love Shack

32. (10) - S3x13 - I Will Always Love You

33. (10) - S3x14 - Cough Syrup

34. (10) - S3x15 - Fighter

35. (10) - S3x15 - Rio/Hungry Like the Wolf

36. (10) - S3x16 - Disco Inferno

37. (10) - S3x17 - It's Not Right But It's Okay

38. (10) - S3x17 - I Have Nothing

39. (10) - S3x17 - How Will I Know

40. (10) - S3x17 - So Emotional

41. (10) - S3x18 - Not the Boy Next Door

42. (10) - S3x21 - Paradise By the Dashboard Light

43. (10) - S3x21 - Edge of Glory

44. (10) - S4x01 - Chasing Pavements

45. (10) - S4x02 - Everytime

46. (10) - S4x03 - A Change Would Do You Good

47. (10) - S4x06 - Look At Me I'm Sandra Dee (Reprise)

48. (10) - S4x09 - Being Alive

49. (10) - S4x09 - Don't Dream It's Over

50. (10) - S4x10 - The First Noel

51. (10) - S4x13 - Bring Him Home

52. (10) - S4x13 - Hung Up

53. (10) - S4x14 - Anything Could Happen

54. (10) - S4x15 - Come What May

55. (10) - S4x21 - Signed, Sealed, Delivered, I'm Yours

56. (10) - S5x01 - All You Need Is Love

57. (10) - S5x01 - You've Got to Hide Your Love Away

58. (10) - S5x01 - Got to Get You Into My Life

59. (10) - S5x02 - Something

60. (10) - S5x04 - Wide Awake

61. (10) - S5x06 - Movin' Out (Anthony's Song)

62. (10) - S5x08 - Love Child

63. (10) - S5x09 - I Believe in a Thing Called Love

64. (10) - S5x15 - I'm Still Here

65. (10) - S6x03 - It's Too Late

66. (10) - S6x03 - Hand in My Pocket/I Feel the Earth Move

67. (10) - S6x11 - Come Sail Away

68. (10) - S6x12 - Don't Stop Believing (Pilot/2009)

69. (9) - S1x06 - Halo/Walking On Sunshine

70. (9) - S1x07 - Ride Wit Me

71. (9) - S1x11 - Don't Make Me Over

72. (9) - S1x13 - And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going

73. (9) - S1x15 - Like a Prayer

74. (9) - S1x18 - Jessie's Girl

75. (9) - S1x19 - I Dreamed a Dream

76. (9) - S1x20 - Bad Romance

77. (9) - S2x05 - Sweet Transvestite

78. (9) - S2x05 - Time Warp

79. (9) - S2x05 - Science Fiction Double Feature

80. (9) - S2x09 - Dog Days Are Over

81. (9) - S2x09 - Don't Cry for Me Argentina

82. (9) - S2x09 - Valerie

83. (9) - S2x10 - Baby, It's Cold Outside

84. (9) - S2x12 - When I Get You Alone

85. (9) - S2x14 - Don't You Want Me

86. (9) - S2x17 - I Follow Rivers

87. (9) - S2x18 - Somewhere Only We Know

88. (9) - S2x18 - Born This Way

89. (9) - S2x21 - Back to Black

90. (9) - S2x22 - I Love New York/New York, New York

91. (9) - S3x02 - Something's Coming

92. (9) - S3x02 - I'm the Greatest Star

93. (9) - S3x03 - Spotlight

94. (9) - S3x06 - Rumour Has It/Someone Like You

95. (9) - S3x11 - Scream

96. (9) - S3x11 - Bad

97. (9) - S3x13 - Cherish/Cherish

98. (9) - S3x14 - Glad You Came

99. (9) - S3x16 - More Than a Woman

100. (9) - S3x16 - Boogie Shoes

101. (9) - S3x18 - Shake It Out

102. (9) - S3x21 - Tongue Tied

103. (9) - S4x03 - Everybody Wants to Rule the World

104. (9) - S4x04 - Don't Speak

105. (9) - S4x04 - The Scientist

106. (9) - S4x04 - Mine

107. (9) - S4x08 - Whistle

108. (9) - S4x08 - Come See About Me

109. (9) - S4x10 - White Christmas

110. (9) - S4x10 - Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas

111. (9) - S4x13 - Nutbush City Limits

112. (9) - S4x15 - Diamonds Are a Girl's Best Friend/Material Girl

113. (9) - S4x16 - I Still Believe/Super Bass

114. (9) - S4x17 - Copacabana

115. (9) - S4x21 - Higher Ground

116. (9) - S4x21 - Superstition

117. (9) - S4x22 - I Love It

118. (9) - S5x01 - Help!

119. (9) - S5x01 - I Saw Her Standing There

120. (9) - S5x02 - Get Back

121. (9) - S5x02 - Hey Jude

122. (9) - S5x02 - Revolution

123. (9) - S5x03 - Fire and Rain

124. (9) - S5x03 - I'll Stand By You

125. (9) - S5x03 - Seasons of Love

126. (9) - S5x03 - No Surrender

127. (9) - S5x03 - Make You Feel My Love

128. (9) - S5x03 - If I Die Young

129. (9) - S5x05 - If I Were a Boy

130. (9) - S5x06 - Just the Way You Are

131. (9) - S5x07 - Nasty/Rhythm Nation

132. (9) - S5x07 - Into the Groove

133. (9) - S5x08 - Mary's Little Boy Child

134. (9) - S5x08 - Away in a Manger

135. (9) - S5x10 - Gloria

136. (9) - S5x11 - America

137. (9) - S5x11 - More Than a Feeling

138. (9) - S5x11 - I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For

139. (9) - S5x14 - Rockstar

140. (9) - S5x15 - Broadway Baby

141. (9) - S5x20 - All of Me

142. (9) - S5x20 - Girls on Film

143. (9) - S6x05 - It Must Have Been Love

144. (9) - S6x05 - Father Figure

145. (9) - S6x13 - I Lived

146. (8) - S1x03 - Bust Your Windows

147. (8) - S1x04 - Taking Chances

148. (8) - S1x06 - It's My Life/Confessions Part II

149. (8) - S1x07 - You Keep Me Hanging On

150. (8) - S1x09 - Proud Mary

151. (8) - S1x10 - Lean On Me

152. (8) - S1x11 - Papa Don't Preach

153. (8) - S1x13 - Don't Rain on My Parade

154. (8) - S1x13 - You Can't Always Get What You Want

155. (8) - S1x14 - Highway to Hell

156. (8) - S1x14 - Hello Twelve, Hello Thirteen, Hello Love

157. (8) - S1x15 - Express Yourself

158. (8) - S1x15 - Burning Up

159. (8) - S1x16 - A House Is Not a Home

160. (8) - S1x17 - Run Joey Run

161. (8) - S1x18 - Pink Houses

162. (8) - S1x22 - Don't Stop Believing (Regionals)

163. (8) - S1x22 - To Sir, With Love

164. (8) - S2x01 - Empire State of Mind

165. (8) - S2x01 - Listen

166. (8) - S2x03 - Losing My Religion

167. (8) - S2x03 - Bridge Over Troubled Water

168. (8) - S2x05 - Whatever Happened to Saturday Night?

169. (8) - S2x05 - There's a Light (Over at the Frankenstein Place)

170. (8) - S2x05 - Damn It, Janet

171. (8) - S2x08 - Just the Way You Are

172. (8) - S2x09 - Hey, Soul Sister

173. (8) - S2x11 - She's Not There

174. (8) - S2x14 - My Headband

175. (8) - S2x16 - Raise Your Glass

176. (8) - S2x19 - Songbird

177. (8) - S2x20 - I'm Not Gonna Teach Your Boyfriend How to Dance with You

178. (8) - S2x21 - Some People

179. (8) - S3x01 - It's Not Unusual

180. (8) - S3x01 - Ding-Dong! The Witch Is Dead

181. (8) - S3x04 - Candyman

182. (8) - S3x05 - One Hand, One Heart

183. (8) - S3x05 - A Boy Like That/I Have a Love

184. (8) - S3x05 - Uptown Girl

185. (8) - S3x08 - Man in the Mirror

186. (8) - S3x09 - Christmas Wrapping

187. (8) - S3x09 - Let It Snow

188. (8) - S3x09 - Do They Know It's Christmas?

189. (8) - S3x11 - Human Nature

190. (8) - S3x11 - Smooth Criminal

191. (8) - S3x14 - Stronger (What Doesn't Kill You)

192. (8) - S3x14 - Stand

193. (8) - S3x15 - Up Up Up

194. (8) - S3x16 - You Should Be Dancing

195. (8) - S3x16 - Stayin' Alive

196. (8) - S3x20 - Mean

197. (8) - S3x21 - It's All Coming Back to Me Now

198. (8) - S4x02 - Crazy/U Drive Me Crazy

199. (8) - S4x03 - Celebrity Skin

200. (8) - S4x04 - Barely Breathing

201. (8) - S4x05 - Blow Me (One Last Kiss)

202. (8) - S4x06 - Beauty School Dropout

203. (8) - S4x07 - Heroes

204. (8) - S4x07 - Some Nights

205. (8) - S4x11 - No Scrubs

206. (8) - S4x11 - Tell Him

207. (8) - S4x12 - A Thousand Years

208. (8) - S4x12 - Love Song

209. (8) - S4x13 - Don't Stop Me Now

210. (8) - S4x13 - Diva

211. (8) - S4x13 - Girl On Fire

212. (8) - S4x14 - Just Can't Get Enough

213. (8) - S4x16 - Cold Hearted

214. (8) - S4x17 - Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go

215. (8) - S4x17 - Wannabe

216. (8) - S4x17 - Mamma Mia

217. (8) - S4x21 - You Are the Sunshine of My Life

218. (8) - S4x22 - Wings

219. (8) - S4x22 - All or Nothing

220. (8) - S5x01 - Drive My Car

221. (8) - S5x02 - Here Comes the Sun

222. (8) - S5x02 - Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band

223. (8) - S5x02 - Let It Be

224. (8) - S5x06 - Piano Man

225. (8) - S5x10 - Barracuda

226. (8) - S5x10 - Jumpin' Jumpin'

227. (8) - S5x10 - Don't You (Forget About Me)

228. (8) - S5x12 - Defying Gravity

229. (8) - S5x14 - Downtown

230. (8) - S5x15 - No One Is Alone

231. (8) - S5x17 - Lovefool

232. (8) - S5x17 - Pumpin Blood

233. (8) - S5x20 - American Boy

234. (8) - S6x02 - Mustang Sally

235. (8) - S6x04 - Whip It

236. (8) - S6x05 - My Sharona

237. (8) - S6x05 - You Spin Me Round (Like a Record)

238. (8) - S6x06 - Arthur's Theme

239. (8) - S6x06 - Alfie

240. (8) - S6x07 - Somebody Loves You

241. (8) - S6x08 - Our Day Will Come

242. (8) - S6x09 - I Want to Break Free

243. (8) - S6x09 - Cool Kids

244. (8) - S6x11 - Chandelier

245. (8) - S6x11 - Take Me to Church

246. (8) - S6x12 - Popular

247. (8) - S6x13 - Someday We'll Be Together

248. (7) - S1x01 - Respect

249. (7) - S1x01 - On My Own

250. (7) - S1x01 - Rehab

251. (7) - S1x03 - Mercy

252. (7) - S1x04 - Tonight

253. (7) - S1x05 - Last Name

254. (7) - S1x05 - Alone

255. (7) - S1x07 - No Air

256. (7) - S1x09 - Defying Gravity

257. (7) - S1x10 - I'll Stand By You

258. (7) - S1x11 - Bootylicious

259. (7) - S1x12 - Smile (Lily Allen)

260. (7) - S1x14 - Hello, I Love You

261. (7) - S1x14 - Hello

262. (7) - S1x15 - Like a Virgin

263. (7) - S1x16 - Home

264. (7) - S1x16 - One Less Bell to Answer/A House Is Not a Home

265. (7) - S1x17 - Total Eclipse of the Heart

266. (7) - S1x18 - Lady Is a Tramp

267. (7) - S1x20 - Funny Girl

268. (7) - S1x21 - Another One Bites the Dust

269. (7) - S1x22 - Faithfully

270. (7) - S1x22 - Any Way You Want It/Lovin' Touchin' Squeezin'

271. (7) - S2x02 - I'm a Slave 4 U

272. (7) - S2x03 - I Look to You

273. (7) - S2x03 - Papa, Can You Hear Me?

274. (7) - S2x04 - Don't Go Breaking My Heart

275. (7) - S2x05 - Touch a Touch a Touch a Touch Me

276. (7) - S2x05 - Planet, Schmanet, Janet

277. (7) - S2x06 - Teenage Dream

278. (7) - S2x06 - Stop! In the Name of Love/Free Your Mind

279. (7) - S2x09 - (I've Had) The Time of My Life

280. (7) - S2x10 - Merry Christmas, Darling

281. (7) - S2x12 - P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing)

282. (7) - S2x12 - Fat Bottomed Girls

283. (7) - S2x13 - Somebody to Love

284. (7) - S2x15 - Landslide

285. (7) - S2x16 - Only Child

286. (7) - S2x17 - Ain't No Way

287. (7) - S2x17 - All By Myself

288. (7) - S2x19 - I Don't Want to Know

289. (7) - S2x19 - Go Your Own Way

290. (7) - S2x20 - Rolling in the Deep

291. (7) - S2x21 - Pure Imagination

292. (7) - S2x21 - Try a Little Tenderness

293. (7) - S2x22 - For Good

294. (7) - S3x01 - Big Spender

295. (7) - S3x03 - Out Here On My Own

296. (7) - S3x04 - Take Care of Yourself

297. (7) - S3x05 - Tonight

298. (7) - S3x05 - America

299. (7) - S3x06 - Hit Me with Your Best Shot/One Way or Another

300. (7) - S3x07 - Constant Craving

301. (7) - S3x08 - We Are Young

302. (7) - S3x09 - All I Want for Christmas Is You

303. (7) - S3x10 - Wedding Bell Blues (Bill)

304. (7) - S3x11 - Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'

305. (7) - S3x11 - Ben

306. (7) - S3x11 - I Want You Back

307. (7) - S3x12 - La Isla Bonita

308. (7) - S3x13 - Stereo Hearts

309. (7) - S3x13 - Home

310. (7) - S3x15 - Somebody That I Used to Know

311. (7) - S3x16 - How Deep Is Your Love

312. (7) - S3x16 - If I Can't Have You

313. (7) - S3x17 - Saving All My Love For You

314. (7) - S3x17 - My Love Is Your Love

315. (7) - S3x19 - Take My Breath Away

316. (7) - S3x21 - Starships

317. (7) - S3x21 - Pinball Wizard

318. (7) - S3x22 - I'll Remember

319. (7) - S3x22 - You Get What You Give

320. (7) - S4x01 - Call Me Maybe

321. (7) - S4x02 - Boys/Boyfriend

322. (7) - S4x02 - 3

323. (7) - S4x02 - Womanizer

324. (7) - S4x03 - The Way You Look Tonight/You're Never Fully Dressed Without a Smile

325. (7) - S4x05 - Everybody Talks

326. (7) - S4x07 - My Dark Side

327. (7) - S4x08 - Let's Have a Kiki/Turkey Lurkey Time

328. (7) - S4x08 - Home/Homeward Bound

329. (7) - S4x09 - O Holy Night

330. (7) - S4x12 - Centerfold/Hot in Herre

331. (7) - S4x12 - This Is the New Year

332. (7) - S4x13 - Make No Mistake (She's Mine)

333. (7) - S4x14 - Getting Married Today

334. (7) - S4x15 - Footloose

335. (7) - S4x17 - Against All Odds (Take a Look at Me Now)

336. (7) - S4x17 - My Prerogative

337. (7) - S4x19 - You Have More Friends Than You Know

338. (7) - S4x20 - Longest Time

339. (7) - S4x20 - You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin'

340. (7) - S4x21 - For Once in My Life

341. (7) - S4x22 - Hall of Fame

342. (7) - S5x01 - A Hard Day's Night

343. (7) - S5x04 - Marry the Night

344. (7) - S5x04 - Applause

345. (7) - S5x05 - On Our Way

346. (7) - S5x08 - Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree

347. (7) - S5x09 - My Lovin' (You're Never Gonna Get It)

348. (7) - S5x10 - The Happening

349. (7) - S5x12 - Toxic

350. (7) - S5x12 - Valerie

351. (7) - S5x13 - I Am Changing

352. (7) - S5x13 - Be Okay

353. (7) - S5x15 - Not While I'm Around

354. (7) - S5x15 - You Make Me Feel Like a Natural Woman

355. (7) - S5x15 - Colorblind

356. (7) - S5x16 - Love Is a Battlefield

357. (7) - S5x17 - Who Are You Now

358. (7) - S5x18 - Doo Wop (That Thing)

359. (7) - S5x19 - Take Me Home Tonight

360. (7) - S5x19 - I Melt with You

361. (7) - S5x20 - Pompeii

362. (7) - S6x01 - Sing

363. (7) - S6x02 - Tightrope

364. (7) - S6x02 - Home

365. (7) - S6x02 - Viva Voce

366. (7) - S6x03 - You Learn/You've Got a Friend

367. (7) - S6x03 - So Far Away

368. (7) - S6x04 - Rock Lobster

369. (7) - S6x05 - All Out of Love

370. (7) - S6x06 - Wishin' And Hoping

371. (7) - S6x06 - Baby It's You

372. (7) - S6x07 - I Know Where I've Been

373. (7) - S6x08 - At Last

374. (7) - S6x12 - I'm His Child

375. (7) - S6x13 - Daydream Believer

376. (6) - S1x02 - Push It

377. (6) - S1x02 - Take a Bow

378. (6) - S1x05 - Somebody to Love

379. (6) - S1x07 - Hate On Me

380. (6) - S1x08 - Sweet Caroline

381. (6) - S1x09 - Dancing With Myself

382. (6) - S1x10 - (You're Having My Baby)

383. (6) - S1x10 - Endless Love

384. (6) - S1x12 - Jump

385. (6) - S1x13 - My Life Would Suck Without You

386. (6) - S1x14 - Hello, Goodbye

387. (6) - S1x15 - Vogue

388. (6) - S1x16 - Beautiful

389. (6) - S1x17 - U Can't Touch This

390. (6) - S1x19 - Dream On

391. (6) - S1x20 - Beth

392. (6) - S1x21 - Give Up the Funk

393. (6) - S1x21 - Good Vibrations

394. (6) - S2x01 - What I Did for Love

395. (6) - S2x01 - Telephone

396. (6) - S2x01 - Every Rose Has Its Thorn

397. (6) - S2x01 - Getting to Know You

398. (6) - S2x02 - Baby One More Time

399. (6) - S2x08 - Marry You

400. (6) - S2x09 - The Living Years

401. (6) - S2x10 - We Need a Little Christmas

402. (6) - S2x10 - The Most Wonderful Day of the Year

403. (6) - S2x11 - Need You Now

404. (6) - S2x12 - My Funny Valentine

405. (6) - S2x13 - I Know What Boys Like

406. (6) - S2x13 - This Little Light of Mine

407. (6) - S2x14 - Tik Tok

408. (6) - S2x15 - Afternoon Delight

409. (6) - S2x16 - Blackbird

410. (6) - S2x16 - Get It Right

411. (6) - S2x19 - Don't Stop

412. (6) - S2x20 - Dancing Queen

413. (6) - S2x20 - Jar of Hearts

414. (6) - S2x21 - My Man

415. (6) - S2x22 - Yeah!

416. (6) - S3x01 - We Got the Beat

417. (6) - S3x03 - It's All Over

418. (6) - S3x04 - Last Friday Night

419. (6) - S3x06 - I Can't Go for That/You Make My Dreams Come True

420. (6) - S3x06 - Hot for Teacher

421. (6) - S3x09 - Santa Claus Is Coming to Town

422. (6) - S3x09 - River

423. (6) - S3x10 - Summer Nights

424. (6) - S3x10 - Without You

425. (6) - S3x13 - Let Me Love You

426. (6) - S3x15 - I'm Still Standing

427. (6) - S3x16 - Night Fever

428. (6) - S3x17 - I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me)

429. (6) - S3x18 - The Rain in Spain

430. (6) - S3x19 - Dinosaur

431. (6) - S3x20 - Flashdance...What a Feeling

432. (6) - S3x20 - Because You Loved Me

433. (6) - S3x22 - Glory Days

434. (6) - S4x01 - Americano/Dance Again

435. (6) - S4x01 - Never Say Never

436. (6) - S4x01 - New York State of Mind

437. (6) - S4x02 - Hold It Against Me

438. (6) - S4x04 - Give Your Heart a Break

439. (6) - S4x06 - Look At Me I'm Sandra Dee

440. (6) - S4x07 - Holding Out for a Hero

441. (6) - S4x08 - Live While We're Young

442. (6) - S4x09 - Something Stupid

443. (6) - S4x10 - Hanukkah, Oh Hanukkah

444. (6) - S4x14 - You're All I Need to Get By

445. (6) - S4x15 - Unchained Melody

446. (6) - S4x17 - Creep

447. (6) - S4x18 - Your Song

448. (6) - S4x19 - Outcast

449. (6) - S4x19 - Don't Stop Believin' (Rachel)

450. (6) - S4x20 - Everybody Hurts

451. (6) - S4x21 - Uptight (Everything's Alright)

452. (6) - S4x21 - I Wish

453. (6) - S4x22 - Clarity

454. (6) - S5x05 - Wrecking Ball

455. (6) - S5x06 - My Life

456. (6) - S5x07 - You're My Best Friend

457. (6) - S5x08 - Here Comes Santa Claus (Down Santa Claus Lane)

458. (6) - S5x08 - O Christmas Tree

459. (6) - S5x09 - Every Breath You Take

460. (6) - S5x09 - Don't Rain On My Parade

461. (6) - S5x09 - Brave

462. (6) - S5x11 - Mr. Roboto/Counting Stars

463. (6) - S5x12 - Keep Holding On

464. (6) - S5x13 - Loser Like Me

465. (6) - S5x14 - You Make Me Feel So Young

466. (6) - S5x16 - I Want to Know What Love Is

467. (6) - S5x18 - The Rose

468. (6) - S5x19 - Werewolves of London

469. (6) - S5x19 - Lucky Star

470. (6) - S6x01 - Suddenly Seymour

471. (6) - S6x02 - Problem

472. (6) - S6x06 - Promises, Promises

473. (6) - S6x06 - They Long to Be Close to You

474. (6) - S6x07 - All About That Bass

475. (6) - S6x08 - Hey Ya!

476. (6) - S6x10 - Rather Be

477. (6) - S6x10 - Rise

478. (6) - S6x12 - I Kissed a Girl

479. (5) - S1x01 - Can't Fight This Feeling

480. (5) - S1x01 - Mr. Cellophane

481. (5) - S1x05 - Cabaret

482. (5) - S1x08 - What A Girl Wants

483. (5) - S1x11 - Imagine

484. (5) - S1x11 - True Colors

485. (5) - S1x12 - Smile (Charlie Chaplin)

486. (5) - S1x18 - One

487. (5) - S1x19 - Dream a Little Dream

488. (5) - S1x20 - Shout It Out Loud

489. (5) - S2x03 - Only the Good Die Young

490. (5) - S2x06 - One Love (People Get Ready)

491. (5) - S2x07 - Conjunction Junction

492. (5) - S2x12 - Firework

493. (5) - S2x13 - Sing

494. (5) - S2x13 - Baby

495. (5) - S2x16 - Trouty Mouth

496. (5) - S2x17 - Turning Tables

497. (5) - S2x19 - Dreams

498. (5) - S2x22 - As Long as You're There

499. (5) - S3x02 - Somewhere

500. (5) - S3x03 - Run the World (Girls)

501. (5) - S3x03 - Cool

502. (5) - S3x04 - Waiting for a Girl Like You

503. (5) - S3x07 - I'm the Only One

504. (5) - S3x08 - Red Solo Cup

505. (5) - S3x10 - The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face

506. (5) - S3x10 - We Found Love

507. (5) - S3x11 - Black or White

508. (5) - S3x11 - I Just Can't Stop Loving You

509. (5) - S3x13 - Chapel of Love

510. (5) - S3x18 - Cell Block Tango

511. (5) - S3x18 - The Music of the Night

512. (5) - S3x18 - Cry

513. (5) - S3x19 - Big Girls Don't Cry

514. (5) - S3x20 - I Won't Give Up

515. (5) - S3x21 - We Are the Champions

516. (5) - S3x22 - In My Life

517. (5) - S3x22 - Forever Young

518. (5) - S4x01 - It's Time

519. (5) - S4x01 - Sister Christian

520. (5) - S4x05 - Born to Hand Jive

521. (5) - S4x07 - Superman

522. (5) - S4x09 - Being Good Isn't Good Enough

523. (5) - S4x10 - Jingle Bell Rock

524. (5) - S4x11 - I Don't Know How to Love Him

525. (5) - S4x12 - Torn

526. (5) - S4x15 - Shout

527. (5) - S4x15 - You're All the World to Me

528. (5) - S4x15 - In Your Eyes

529. (5) - S4x16 - Closer

530. (5) - S4x18 - Say

531. (5) - S4x18 - More Than Words

532. (5) - S4x19 - Next to Me

533. (5) - S4x20 - We Will Rock You

534. (5) - S4x20 - Little Girls

535. (5) - S4x22 - Rainbow Connection

536. (5) - S5x06 - Honesty

537. (5) - S5x06 - You May Be Right

538. (5) - S5x06 - An Innocent Man

539. (5) - S5x09 - Whenever I Call You Friend

540. (5) - S5x09 - Breakaway

541. (5) - S5x10 - Danny's Song

542. (5) - S5x13 - Party All the Time

543. (5) - S5x14 - Don't Sleep in the Subway

544. (5) - S5x14 - Best Day of My Life

545. (5) - S5x14 - People

546. (5) - S5x16 - Addicted to Love

547. (5) - S5x16 - Let's Wait Awhile

548. (5) - S5x17 - NYC

549. (5) - S6x01 - Uninvited

550. (5) - S6x03 - Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow/Head Over Feet

551. (5) - S6x07 - Time After Time

552. (5) - S6x08 - I'm So Excited

553. (5) - S6x10 - Far From Over

554. (5) - S6x11 - Listen to Your Heart

555. (5) - S6x13 - This Time

556. (4) - S1x01 - Sit Down You're Rockin the Boat

557. (4) - S1x01 - You're the One That I Want (ver. 1)

558. (4) - S1x01 - I Kissed a Girl

559. (4) - S1x02 - I Say a Little Prayer

560. (4) - S1x07 - Keep Holding On

561. (4) - S1x10 - Don't Stand So Close to Me/Young Girl

562. (4) - S1x11 - Hair/Crazy In Love

563. (4) - S1x15 - What It Feels Like for a Girl

564. (4) - S1x16 - Fire

565. (4) - S1x17 - Physical

566. (4) - S1x19 - Safety Dance

567. (4) - S1x20 - Poker Face

568. (4) - S1x21 - Loser

569. (4) - S1x22 - Over the Rainbow

570. (4) - S2x01 - Billionaire

571. (4) - S2x02 - Stronger

572. (4) - S2x02 - The Only Exception

573. (4) - S2x04 - With You I'm Born Again

574. (4) - S2x04 - Sing!

575. (4) - S2x07 - Forget You

576. (4) - S2x10 - Last Christmas

577. (4) - S2x10 - Welcome Christmas

578. (4) - S2x14 - One Bourbon, One Scotch, One Beer

579. (4) - S2x15 - Animal

580. (4) - S2x16 - Hell to the No

581. (4) - S2x16 - Big Ass Heart

582. (4) - S2x16 - Loser Like Me

583. (4) - S2x18 - I've Gotta Be Me

584. (4) - S2x20 - Isn't She Lovely

585. (4) - S2x22 - My Cup

586. (4) - S3x04 - Bein' Green

587. (4) - S3x07 - Jolene

588. (4) - S3x07 - Perfect

589. (4) - S3x07 - I Kissed a Girl

590. (4) - S3x09 - Extraordinary Merry Christmas

591. (4) - S3x09 - My Favorite Things

592. (4) - S3x12 - Don't Wanna Lose You

593. (4) - S3x13 - L-O-V-E

594. (4) - S3x14 - Fly/I Believe I Can Fly

595. (4) - S3x14 - Here's to Us

596. (4) - S3x18 - School's Out

597. (4) - S3x19 - What Makes You Beautiful

598. (4) - S3x19 - Love You Like a Love Song

599. (4) - S3x22 - Roots Before Branches

600. (4) - S4x02 - Oops!...I Did It Again

601. (4) - S4x05 - Hopelessly Devoted to You

602. (4) - S4x05 - Juke Box Hero

603. (4) - S4x06 - There Are Worse Things I Could Do

604. (4) - S4x09 - All That Jazz

605. (4) - S4x11 - Locked Out of Heaven

606. (4) - S4x11 - I Only Have Eyes for You

607. (4) - S4x12 - Let Me Love You (Until You Learn to Love Yourself)

608. (4) - S4x14 - We've Got Tonite

609. (4) - S4x16 - How to Be a Heartbreaker

610. (4) - S4x16 - The Bitch Is Back/Dress You Up

611. (4) - S4x16 - Bye Bye Bye/I Want It That Way

612. (4) - S4x19 - Fight for Your Right (to Party)

613. (4) - S4x22 - To Love You More

614. (4) - S5x01 - Yesterday

615. (4) - S5x04 - Roar

616. (4) - S5x10 - Hold On

617. (4) - S5x11 - Vacation

618. (4) - S5x13 - Just Give Me a Reason

619. (4) - S5x17 - I'm the Greatest Star

620. (4) - S5x19 - Memory

621. (4) - S5x20 - Glitter in the Air

622. (4) - S6x01 - Dance the Night Away

623. (4) - S6x02 - Take On Me

624. (4) - S6x06 - What the World Needs Now

625. (4) - S6x07 - Same Love

626. (4) - S6x09 - Uptown Funk

627. (4) - S6x09 - Break Free

628. (4) - S6x09 - Lose My Breath

629. (4) - S6x11 - We Built This City

630. (4) - S6x11 - Mickey

631. (4) - S6x12 - Pony

632. (4) - S6x13 - Teach Your Children

633. (3) - S1x01 - Leaving On a Jet Plane

634. (3) - S1x08 - I Could Have Danced All Night

635. (3) - S2x02 - Toxic

636. (3) - S2x07 - Nowadays/Hot Honey rag

637. (3) - S2x08 - Ohio

638. (3) - S2x16 - Jesus Is My Friend

639. (3) - S2x19 - Never Going Back Again

640. (3) - S2x19 - Nice to Meet You, Have I Slept with You?

641. (3) - S2x20 - Friday

642. (3) - S2x22 - Light Up the World

643. (3) - S2x22 - Bella Notte

644. (3) - S2x22 - Pretending

645. (3) - S3x07 - Girls Just Wanna Have Fun

646. (3) - S3x10 - Moves Like Jagger/Jumpin' Jack Flash

647. (3) - S3x12 - Sexy and I Know It

648. (3) - S3x12 - Bamboleo/Hero

649. (3) - S3x13 - You're the Top

650. (3) - S4x02 - Gimme More

651. (3) - S4x06 - Greased Lightning

652. (3) - S4x06 - You're the One That I Want

653. (3) - S4x11 - Baby Got Back

654. (3) - S4x15 - Old Time Rock & Roll/Danger Zone

655. (3) - S4x20 - At the Ballet

656. (3) - S5x05 - You Are Woman, I Am Man

657. (3) - S5x11 - I Love LA

658. (3) - S5x13 - Don't Stop Believin' (Season Five)

659. (3) - S5x18 - Piece of My Heart

660. (3) - S5x20 - Shakin' My Head

661. (3) - S6x01 - Let It Go

662. (3) - S6x06 - I'll Never Fall in Love Again

663. (3) - S6x07 - You Give Love a Bad Name

664. (2) - S1x10 - Crush

665. (2) - S1x21 - It's a Man's Man's Man's World

666. (2) - S2x06 - Start Me Up/Livin' on a Prayer

667. (2) - S2x07 - Singing In the Rain/Umbrella

668. (2) - S2x07 - Make 'Em Laugh

669. (2) - S2x10 - You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch

670. (2) - S2x15 - Do You Wanna Touch Me (Oh Yeah)

671. (2) - S3x03 - Fix You

672. (2) - S3x06 - You and I/You and I

673. (2) - S3x09 - Blue Christmas

674. (2) - S5x12 - Happy

675. (2) - S5x20 - No Time At All

676. (2) - S6x04 - Bitch

677. (2) - S6x10 - The Trolley Song

678. (1) - S1x02 - Gold Digger

679. (1) - S1x03 - I Wanna Sex You Up

680. (1) - S1x08 - Bust A Move

681. (1) - S1x08 - Thong Song

682. (1) - S1x17 - Ice Ice Baby

683. (1) - S1x21 - Tell Me Something Good

684. (1) - S2x08 - Sway

685. (1) - S2x15 - Kiss

686. (1) - S2x16 - Candles

687. (1) - S2x22 - Still Got Tonight

688. (1) - S3x12 - A Little Less Conversation

689. (1) - S4x04 - Teenage Dream (Acoustic)

690. (1) - S4x08 - Gangnam Style

691. (1) - S4x10 - Feliz Navidad

692. (1) - S5x05 - Blurred Lines

693. (1) - S5x07 - The Fox

694. (1) - S5x07 - Cheek to Cheek

695. (1) - S5x08 - The Chipmunk Song (Christmas Don't Be Late)

696. (1) - S5x12 - Raise Your Glass

697. (1) - S5x18 - Story of My Life

698. (1) - S5x18 - Wake Me Up

699. (1) - S6x04 - Thousand Miles

700. (1) - S6x09 - Friday I'm in Love

701. (1) - S6x10 - The Final Countdown

702. (1) - S6x13 - The Winner Takes It All

[jq37]

The Report Card – Fantasy High Sophomore Year Ep 19

The Ties That Bind

The penultimate Fantasy High: Sophomore Year episode is upon us and not a moment too soon. Seems a little counter-intuitive to seek comfort from these objectively wild current events we’re experiencing from a fictional Nightmare Forest but we know what we’re about so let’s jump back in and start with the death of a beloved main character.

Yay.

Rewinding back to two episodes ago, last we saw Kristen, she got stabbed through by a skeletal unicorn and died. We pick back up there and, as she’s dying, she feels a sense of pain, betrayal, and anger--very similar emotions to what Brennan told her the goddess was feeling with her Nat 20 Religion Check. Kristen gets a vision of the goddess being destroyed in cracks of lightning by her own followers--the same vision Fig saw in the dream scrying pool when she scry-ed on Kristen last week--and then she wakes up on the chapel floor.

She’s not...dead exactly. But she’s not super alive either. She’s bleeding, but more oozing blood than the normal mechanical way of bleeding out because her heart isn’t beating. There’s a hole in her chest and, within it, her heart is crushed. Her skin is pale because the blood isn’t pumping through it properly anymore. Her breathing isn’t regular. And a piece of her finger tip (the piece taken by her friends for a possible Revivify) is missing.

She sees evidence of her friends having been in the room--footprints and the smashed wall--and to place this in the timeline, she can’t remember Fabian right now. When she checks her crystal, she sees it’s been 90 minutes since they walked into the forest. She does Cure Wounds on herself to stop the blood from dripping. Then she heads out towards the forest, passing the Oracular Pool Fig used in the last episode as she goes. She stops as she sees it and something in her heart glows with golden light. When she looks into the pool, she sees the sun reflected in the pool (and also Fig’s boot prints leading up to it). That’s weird because it is super not a Sol/Helio aligned Chapel/Area they’re in. She also sees the moon reflected and she feels like she’s being called in. It doesn’t necessarily feel safe but it feels like she might get some answers and also she already died today so how much worse can it get? She dives in and come up and when she does, she’s suddenly in the outer planes. Specifically, she’s in Elysium which is like the Neutral Good heaven. She hears a voice that she mistakes for her dad’s because of the major dad energy she’s getting from it: You can come home.

As she walks, she finds herself--as Kristen weirdly often does for some reason--in the presence of gods. Specifically, Sol (god of the Sun) and Galakaya (goddess of the Moon and his sister as we find out). Helio is also there, like the screw-up son of a CEO, hanging out in his office. Both of them are good gods but not neutral good so Kristen gets the sense that they brought her here to have a neutral place to talk to her. 

Kristen is hilariously nonplussed by being personally Uber-d to heaven by arguably the biggest gods in the pantheon and when she is asked to take a walk with Helio so she can get some important information, she’s like, “Nooooo, can literally anyone else do it?” Galakaya agrees to do it instead. 

They take a lap and she asks about Tracker. Galakaya says that Tracker isn’t dead but she’s in major danger. Then, she changes the subject. Has Kristen ever wondered where her spells have been coming from when she’s been between gods? Because, as Galakaya says, doubt is nothing. She reveals that even though Kristen rejected him, Helio has been providing Kristen spells this entire time. He sent the philosophers and the grad students to be her spirit guardians. Kristen rejected him but not the light. Galakaya likens it to a child running away from home to the front yard. Kristen isn’t too far gone. She can still come back to the fold. And, if she doesn’t want to be Helio’s champion, she can be hers instead and become a Moon Cleric, which would still be keeping it in the family. But that’s the problem Kristen has with it. Helio to Galakaya? It seems like more of the same--especially the way she’s been acting, like she would fit right in at a brunch table with Arianwyn and Anguin. Except, when Tracker comes up, Kristen notices she gets a little snarly, almost like a tic she’s trying to keep under control. 

Kristen asks for her pitch, and it’s basically the same deal she was getting with Helio but with different window dressing. The Moon, sisterhood, and unquestioning obedience. Galakaya can’t see into Sylvere to check on Tracker like Kristen asks but if she had a Champion, say Kristen, she could send her all kitted up with new powers. She says she wants the Nightmare King dead more than anyone seeing as the Nightmare King killed her baby sister (the Mystery Goddess). She calls her baby sister sweet and sometimes confused, seeing as she thought destroying her name would make her more powerful. But Kristen knows that’s not what happened. It was her followers who destroyed her name as she desperately warned them not to. Some chicanery is going on.

She says she will take the job as Galakaya’s champion and when she makes like she’s going to pray to her to seal the deal, she instead reaches out to the mystery goddess again. The golden light in her chest disappears and is replaced with cool shadow. She feels shock from the goddess, that Kristen would still choose to reach out to her after she died at her hand. The goddess says, emotionally, “I’m sorry, I’m just so scar--” But, before she can finish the word, Galakaya grabs Kristen by the shoulder and snaps her out of it, face snarling and wolfed out. After a second, she composes herself and seems almost embarrassed that Kristen saw that, which makes Kristen realize what’s going on with her. Tracker is a cleric of Galakaya, but knowing Tracker, she wouldn’t worship someone so reeking of high elven prim and proper-ness. And she also knows what the number one rule of godhood is: As above, so below. Galakaya has basically been claimed as a high elven goddess. Which means that the vast majority of her followers aren’t like Tracker. They’re snooty high elves. Which means so is she and her wolf part is still there, but it’s buried and distasteful to her now. 

Which, coincidentally, is how Kristen feels about this entire godly family. She “respectfully declines” both of their offers. And by “respectfully declines” I mean she socks Helio in the face and makes a run for it. Sol, full of rage, says, “I told you that kid was trash! Now get her!” The philosophers on Sol’s payroll look at each other and instead mob him (why is the literal sun god so easy to 1v1?) and help Kristen escape. As she does, Helio calls out after Kristen something she kind of already sensed upon arriving in Elysium. Most people are a soul in a body. But Kristen, at the moment, is a soul *as* a body. If she dies again, with no god to intercede for her, she’s dead-dead. No afterlife. But that’s not enough to make her stay. She keeps running and makes it to the pool. For the first time, she feels herself fully cut off from her spells. 

Back in the cave in Sylvere, Kristen chats with the Philosophers. They tell her they were working for Sol so they couldn’t tell her what the deal was but they were always rooting for her. One of the philosophers quotes her own words back to her: Doubt can’t be a belief but it can be a practice. And as she says this, she turns Kristen’s Shepherd's Crook cool and metallic and turns it into a question mark. She can’t hold doubt in her heart but she can hold it in her hand (stats for the Staff of Doubt below; also what a sick line from Brennan).

She knows that to get to the center of the forest where she needs to be, she has to follow her fear, so she goes in the direction she doesn’t expect to find Tracker. 

Shifting gears, we find Gorgug and Fabian at the mouth of the cave (and no longer high on duskmoss) in their floating rock island surrounded by the others. They see that there are other openings and decide to check them to see if they can find any of their friends. They spend a good two hours, tied together and climbing this rock face which is some extremely solid male bonding. When they reach the cave they were aiming for, they find Baxter, riddled with arrows they know to be Sandra-Lynn’s. He’s dying but not dead. I am outraged at Brennan until I learn a fact that I don’t think has come up until now: Artificers get spell slots. Which means that Gorgug has Cure Wounds. He only cures him for 3 points but that’s enough to stabilize him at least so we can all stop sharpening the pitchforks. However, Baxter is clearly dejected and confused. He has no idea why Sandra-Lynn would suddenly turn on him. So maybe the pitchforks are still called for.

They want to leave Baxter in the cave so he can rest up but, on a 1 Animal Handling, Baxter absolutely demands to follow them. It’s faster than climbing at least. They do so.

And we switch again, this time to the Abernants. 

Adaine is still trapped in a prison orb and barred from doing most of her spells. She can, however, do the Message cantrip and Aelwyn is still in the room along with Anguin. She Messages Aelwyn and asks, What’s going on? Why is she working with their parents still? Aelwyn replies that she doesn’t like her parents but she does love them. Doesn’t Adaine? “They don’t love me,” Adaine shoots back. Aelwyn parrots back ideology that she’s clearly learned from her parents: Love has to be earned. What value does something that hasn’t been earned have? Adaine, fresh off of therapy and with full knowledge of Aelwyn’s broken psyche, fully calls her out. She is so closed off to love, to everything that abjuration is her school of magic. Aelwyn tries to wave her off but Adaine, very seriously, says, “I don’t love our parents but despite the fact that you have not earned it, I do love you.” Aelwyn fully dissociates (and I’m not far behind). 

Adaine notices that Anguin is readying some kind of Sending spell and that he’s wearing a sword that he usually doesn’t have. He tells Aelwyn to ransack her sister’s brain for the info they need from her while he prepares her punishment. Aelwyn, clearly in a slight panic, tries to (not at all) casually persuade Anguin to just leave Adaine in the orb, unharmed, when they are done with her. She tries to do it in a, “This isn’t worth our time,” kind of way but betrays herself when she blurts out, “She’s a baby!” Anguin raises a hand at her and she flinches, apologetically casting Detect Thoughts on Adaine who has already (via Message) said she’d support her no matter what she did. 

Enter, Adaine’s Mindscape: A series of interconnected rooms--and her Aelwyn’s rooms--repeated over and over. Adaine has her surface thoughts be all of her memories of Aelwyn *almost* being nice to her and then pulling back at the last second for fear of her parents. Aelwyn doesn’t press deeper than these thoughts and says that if Adaine’s goal was to humiliate her then she’s done so. But that’s not what Adaine wants. She wants to rebuild their relationship. They’re gonna be sisters for the rest of their quasi-immortal lives. These memories suck but they can make new ones.

And then, through a window, Aelwyn sees another memory. The memory of herself in the hot-tub post Calethriel Tower rescue mission. She doesn’t remember this because of the events in the memory itself. Adaine went into her mind and, at her written instructions, reboot her memory and personality. They’re able to Inception themselves into Adaine’s memory of Aelwyn’s mind and they walk through it. Aelwyn is confronted with the knowledge that this is how she is and that Adaine knows this. Siobhan, from her sniper perch, gets the kill order from Brennan to take the shot directly into my chest.

“Would you be my big sister? I would really, really love to have you as a big sister.”

So now it’s both Kristen and me who have crushed hearts this episode. 

Aelwyn fully loses concentration on the spell and snaps out of it. When Anguin asks for the information, she, on full glassy-eyed autopilot, says she didn’t find it. Anguin decides to go for the nuclear option, readying a bolt of magic to throw at Adaine. “Prepare to be better, dear, sweet daughter.”

The magic races at her, ready to do something Stepford-ian to her mind I’m sure, but, suddenly, Aelwyn steps forward, still out of it but following her true, deeply buried but natural protective instincts. Protective magic covers Adaine and the spell is Counterspelled. 

Adaine quickly dispels her orb but then it’s Anguin’s turn and he goes for Aelwyn. Adaine attempts to return the favor she has just been given and Counterspells but Anguin Counterspells her Counterspell and Lightning Bolts Aelwyn. The second before she’s hit, Aelwyn looks at Adaine and says, “I’m sorry”. She goes down. 

Adaine’s turn.

And, if you recall, Adaine just received two boons: A bonus to her Strength score and a little spell called Adaine’s Furious Fists. 

And, my dude, if Adaine has ever been furious in her life, it’s now. 

5th Level. And it’s a strength saving throw but, just to be certain of her success, Adaine gives her undoubtedly weak father her 4 Portent roll. That’s 10d10 damage.

77 points of damage.

She charges forward at Anguin.

“Guess what bitch? I’m strong now.”     

And she full Dragon Ball Z energy punches her dad, dealing more than double his max HP. You know what that means? Ding Dong the bitch is FULLY DEAD. 

Deed done, she rushes to Aelwyn’s side and gives her her 11 portent roll for her first death save (super clutch use of a mediocre portent). Then, on an 18 Medicine check, stabilizes her without the need for any more checks. Aelwyn is immediately weepy about how she doesn’t deserve the kindness she’s being shown. Adaine, again, gently says that love isn’t about deserving or not deserving, though she definitely doesn’t deserve the crappy situation she’s in right now. And, maybe when this is over, she can exchange her bed for a bunk bed and Aelwyn can move in? If Aelwyn wasn’t crying before, she super is now, and spilling her guts. She’s the one who sank she ship the previous elven oracle was on, she worked for Kalvaxus and Kalina--things Adaine is willing to attribute to being under the thumb of evil, abusive people but that Aelwyn seems desperate to atone for. She gives Adaine an important piece of information for their mission: In the past, heroes going after the Nightmare King have failed because they failed to undo all five curses. They need to make sure they do that.

Adaine gives Aelwyn the tincture she has on her, freeing her from Kalina’s influence, and then Aelwyn gives her one more piece of information before she slips into unconsciousness. Before Aelwyn had the previous Oracle killed, she was sure that Adaine was going to be the next Oracle and she told Kalvaxus that. Why was she sure? Because the elf that becomes the next Oracle is always the most skilled Diviner alive at the time.

“I love you too,” Adaine replies.

Then she nicks the dope sword (and 30 gp) off her dad’s corpse, leaves Aelwyn there to rest, and goes to find her friends.

And, speaking of, let’s pop over to see how Riz and Fig are doing.   

In a word, bad.

They’re still tied up and cornered by the skeletal unicorn who says they’re captured and soon their friends will be too. Nightmare Fig shows up with Baby (who is shortly tied up as well) and reveals herself to actually be this many-armed, snake-woman demon. A whole army of demons show up, ready to start wrecking house as soon as they’re ordered to. 

Fig wants to try and use her lighter to set her bonds on fire and Riz wants to use his spy-watch to laser her bonds off. They both fail but Riz notices they’re not being stopped from trying. It’s like the demons want them to escape so they have an excuse to chase and kill them. He also notices a jiggling from his briefcase.

At the same time, Fig gets a Sending from Bill saying he just hawked all of Gorthalx’s stuff, including the six suits of magic armor. But, wait a minute. There were seven suits. On a Nat 1, she thinks Bill is screwing her over.

But then.

All of a sudden. 

Riz’s briefcase of holding springs open and out pops a figure in gleaming gold Pride Armor. The armored figure, holding a brilliantly gold halberd, cleaves through some demons and the raises his visor showing that it’s none other than the chosen one himself--GILEAR! You see, the Deadly Sin armor feeds on its respective sin in the user and consumes them, but, as Gilear puts it, he has no pride. 

He absolutely wrecks house, killing demon after demon. Riz records it on his tie-camera for posterity. Gorgug and Fabian on Baxter see the commotion and fly down, seeing the tail end of the fight. Gilear kills the last of the demons then gets spit out of the armor like it’s an Iron Man suit, fully dead. Again. He may have had no pride when he put the armor on but watching himself kick ass have him just enough to be fatal.

Fig gets free from her bindings and, on a 27 with Bardic from Fabian, beats the 25 DC she needs to make an illusory diamond (which turns into a real one) of high enough quality to cast Revivify. She does so, after a heartfelt statement about being proud to be like him and a sick lick on her bass.

Gilear comes back up and we learn that he’d been hiding in RIz’s briefcase with the armor since they sent him away because it was the only way he could think of to be useful to them and protect Fig. Fabian and Riz (along with the audience) also unfortunately learn that Gilear is hung like a horse when they fail their saves to look away quickly enough. 

Adaine rushes in with her new sword and the information that she killed her dad which everyone congratulates her for. She then ritual casts Identify on the sword. Aelwyn told her earlier that it’s the sword that belongs to whoever the current Oracle is and she also learns it’s called the Sword of Sight, it can be used as an arcane focus, and was made by Fabian’s Grandad (full stats below). 

Riz gets the footage from his tie onto his crystal and posts it on Fig’s account which has got to be the wildest social media account on Magic Facebook.

The Bad Kids are mainly reunited, but let’s get back to the final missing member. 

Kristen, alone in the woods, starts using her blood to draw a picture of the Mystery goddess. She hears a creepy voice say, “Be careful what you give a face,” and some other ominous stuff. But Kristen ignores it as she lies prostrate in front of her drawing because she understands something extremely important. 

As above, so below.

Galakaya is worshiped primarily by stuck up high elves, so she has become that.

If Kristen is now the only follower of the Mystery goddess and she says that she’s real and she’s good then as above, so below. The math checks out.

The bloody image changes to a beautiful woman’s face. The Mystery goddess. She says she only ever wanted to comfort her followers and tell them that the night itself was nothing to fear. Kristen sees flashes of the chained Court of Elders--the representatives of the five races who worshiped the Mystery Goddess and were convinced to destroy her name (ignoring her warnings not to). Among them are the unicorn and the decaying elf Adaine saw in her Scry. 

Fear of the NK breaks her out of the vision and she finds herself surrounded by Twilight (that she’s generating) with Tracker in front of her, fully wolfed out with a bloody muzzle. Tracker is going feral, all, “You’re so selfish, everything is always about you.” Something is going wrong with her. Now, good news/bad news:

Good News: Kristen is fully committed to this Mystery Goddess so she gets her spells back and she is now a Twilight Domain Cleric.

Bad News: She goes Invisible (eliciting a, “Why are you running? I knew you would leave me. Why won’t you accept me like I am?” from Tracker) and tries to cast Greater Restoration but all she needs is a 4 and she rolls a 3. Tragic. 

She finds that she is insubstantial still and is whisked away from a snarling and lamenting Tracker. As she is traveling, she sees the face of the Nightmare King who asks why she would follow a dead goddess whose path is just going to make her life harder. Kristen feels a pang of doubt and fear that she has just done exactly what her religious upbringing warned her against and put herself and her friends in grave danger for no reason by straying from the path, but then she has another classic Kristen-ism: Everyone is basic and wrong. She’d rather follow a goddess who is like, “Hey y’all, I also don’t have it all figured out but I will for sure do all I can to help you navigate it,” than a god who demands unquestioning faith and loyalty. And with that, she finds herself floating above her friends.

She feels the pull of her missing finger bone in Adaine’s pocket and she feels like it might be impossible for her to fully, properly, come back but on the other hand, she’s died like three times at this point. What does impossible even mean? She gets the sense that she can cast Raise Dead on herself and she does so. 

Welcome back to the Bad Kids, St. Kristen Applebees of [REDACTED], halo aglow, newly reattached finger shedding a bit of light.

(“That’s hot for being gay,” Ally says about Kristen’s new glow.)

Everyone hugs everyone and catches up everyone on everything. Kristen heals up Baxter for 20 HP and gets a +2 bump on her Intelligence mod for her ordeals in the forest. They all make a plan to get everyone in one place so Kristen can put some of her new AoE healing spells to use. Fig wants to go on Baxter to get Ayda. Adaine, bringing us full circle, invites Fabian on a rescue mission to get her sister. 

And we take a break. 

Deep breath y’all. 

Detention

Brennan for Cursing us With Knowledge About Gilear’s Penis

@allsevenmaidens put this very reasonable request in and I have to concur because what’s the alternative? Giving Anguin this spot AGAIN? Like, I don’t even want to give him the satisfaction of being the best of the worst. Adaine gave him the death penalty which is what he deserves and all he’s gonna get. 

So, Brennan gets this spot for forcing me to hear the words “Gilear” and “hung like a horse” in the same sentence.  

Honor Roll

Gilear for Kicking SERIOUS Ass

Listen, SO many Honor Roll-worthy moments happened this episode. Kristen’s Amazing As Above, So Below moment. Aelwyn finally stepping up to protect Adaine. Adaine absolutely obliterating Anguin in a single punch. 

But, at the end of the day, I have to give it to Gilear “Just a Guy” Faeth for cramming himself and a suit of cursed armor into a mostly airless briefcase out of desperate need to do whatever he could to help protect his daughter and her friends who are basically demigods. He truly is the Anti-Anguin and I’m so glad Riz got that on tape for posterity. Way to go man. 

Random Thoughts

I already wrote so many words and we have a five hour finale tomorrow so I’m going to try and keep this section brief. 

We’re staring down the barrel of the last episode (coming Friday at 8PM EST) and I want to say this now rather than later: thanks for reading these and leaving nice comments in the tags and stuff like that. I’m not always the most confident person and the support really means a lot.

We’re also staring down the barrel of a global crisis right now so, you know, be nice to yourself and escape through fiction when you need to, reach out to people, and eat a vegetable if you can. Read a 5000 word recap of an episode you presumably already watched. Whatever you need to do.

The Staff of Doubt has ten charges and can cast the following spells at the cost of the amount of charges listed: Detect Magic (1), Lesser Restoration (2), Dispel Magic (3), Banishment (4), Greater Restoration (5).

The Sword of Sight gives +1 to attack and damage rolls. It gives a base 12 AC which bumps Adaine’s to 15. It lets her cast Divination cantrips as bonus actions. She gets to take the Dodge action when she casts a Divination spell. And she gets no disadvantage on attacks on Invisible creatures (seems very useful against Kalina possibly).   

EDIT: I forgot to say! Gorgug saying very sincerely to Kristen, “I’m sorry I wasn’t there,” “there” being, “at her most recent death” broke me. 

Where in the World is Ragh Backrock? We have at least an approximate idea of where the rest of the hirelings are but nothing on Ragh. I’m concerned. His vision was asking Gorgug if he was his dad. Maybe it has something to do with that?

Very curious about what the mechanics of the final confrontation will be. What Aelwyn said seems like it could be setting up for some shenanigans. Plus, there are still all the hirelings to worry about.  

Another question, I feel like we still have almost no idea what’s going on with the NK. Half of me is almost expecting some kind of Te Fiti/Te Ka situation. On another day I might try to speculate and play detective but that’s not where I’m at today so I’m just gonna leave it at that.

I feel like Kristen is always negging deities to their faces. Like, girl. Her Axe/Dove metaphor was *chef’s kiss* though. Anyway, when (hopefully) Tracker is back to normal, I hope Kristen has a take that’s different than, “I met your goddess and she sucked.”

Kristen makes me feel bad for Helio. He’s just a surfer dude who likes corn, OK. He never did anything to her except give her magic! 

Didn’t have a good place to mention this earlier but Fig alerted Bill to their situation and location so if there’s a Bill Ex-Machina next ep, it’s not out of nowhere. 

(Also, just a small point of order, Gorgug did say he had a bone from Kristen last ep but so did Adaine. Doesn’t really matter but just wanted to explain the mismatch with my last recap). 

Making everyone roll a save to not see Gilear’s dick is so funny. As was Zac invoking danger sense to roll with advantage. 

“I cast Spare the Dying on Gilear’s Penis.”

“I am no man,” from LOTR but instead it’s Gilear saying, “I have no pride.”

“Drink deeply Gilear.”

Why is Kalina working for the NK? She’s supposed to be the Mystery Goddess’s familiar, right? Just another thing that doesn’t add up. Where’s that puzzle piece we’re missing?

The thought of Baxter being so confused and dejected and fatally injured, not understanding what he did so wrong to have his mistress riddle him with arrows makes me wanna throw down with Brennan IRL. Also, I’m Concerned about Sandra-Lynn.  

I need to say this on the record. Ally Beadsley does some bonkers things in D&D that I could not even begin to understand but that As Above So Below Gambit was Galaxy Brained. 

You knew this was coming. Abernant Time Bay-Bee (the abridged version because I need to get this out before Friday)!

First off, I am very happy to say that basically exactly what I predicted/hoped for in my last recap for this scene is what happened, with Anguin making Aelwyn cast Detect Thoughts on Adaine. And basically EVERYTHING I had on my Abernant Sisters Reconciliation checklist was checked. The Detect Thoughts. The pointing out that they’re gonna live for a long time and do they want to do it at each other's throats? Aelwyn finally stepping up to the plate and leaning into her Abjurative Instincts in a positive way and shielding Adaine from their father. And then the stuff that I wanted so bad but didn’t know it. The bunk beds moment? The “I love you too” moment. “She’s a baby!” I mean, “Will you be my big sister?” F off Siobhan. That was beautiful. 

A little concerned about Adaine having left Aelwyn unconscious so close to where their mom is but I am glad she remembered to cure her of Kalina. 

When Brennan said, “In Aelwyn’s last moment,” for a second I thought he meant she was about to be perma-dead and my heart legit stopped. 

I was up until about 2 AM last night, popping bottles with @camwritery (my Abernant Sisters confidant) about Brennan and Siobhan giving us everything we wanted and I’m going to get yelled at by her if I don’t mention something I said while we were talking. Last week, during the fireside chat, all of the players talked about what future lives/jobs they’d want for their characters. I posited the same question for Aelwyn and offered my answer--CPS Case Worker. Because, like, think about it. She is an extremely protective person. She wants to atone for what she did and failed to do for Adaine. When she gets all the therapy she needs, she’s going to be equipped with deep, personal knowledge of what abuse looks like/what it can do to a child and an extremely long lifespan. Can’t you see an adult Aelwyn, in the living room of a well appointed house, speaking cordially to some high class A-hole with his terrified kid sitting next to him, trying not to say anything or do anything that will get them punished and Aelwyn does a surface level Detect Thoughts at the same time so she can mentally kneel before the kid and tell them, “I’m on your side. You can be honest with me. I’m here to protect you. I promise. Don’t be scared.” This is all I want for her.   

This episode Fig rolled one Nat 1 and Gorgug rolled two but one was cancelled with advantage. No Nat 20s were rolled.    

[jamiebluewind]

Charatcter Descriptions and Summary 2.15

This is the "short" version of descriptions. I have a much MUCH longer one with lots of quotes that I might have to split up to fit. As always, let me know if I need to edit or add anything and tag/ask/PM me about art and stories so I can check them out!

Warning: multiple blood mentions, torture, imprisonment, violence, stabbing, gun violence, canon typical violence, injuries, burns, homophobia and bigotry, gore mention, horror (including body horror), beheading, violence against animals, 69 mention, and disrespecting a mummy

***

Bad Kids

Fabian

Fandrangor stats: +2 to attack and damage. Finesse, one handed. 1d8 piercing. Burn a spell slot on a sucessful hit to add an extra d6 of damage per level.

Wrapped Alistair's foot in his sheet to trip and flip him up before deeply stabbing him in the abdomen

Held his sheet out to further protect Adaine.

Slashed Dayne with a reposte (while also burning a 1st level spell slot on his sword) as he yelled "Toxic masculinity is dead! I dance now!"

Closed in on Penelope using an athletics check that involved jumping and running across the deck. His mobile flourish pushed her to the edge of the deck before he kicked her off the ship.

Took out Alistair and Penelope (details in their section)

Stood at the helm after Bill fell off, turning the ship over due to the gravity being off

Riz

Hissed at Vraz

Got so sweaty and nervous over a terrible line ("You attacked the wrong guy!") that he missed the greesers

Shot Dayne from hiding while saying "You missed spring break" before hiding again (Fabian responding "Classic The Ball. Always shooting from hiding").

Had no clue where his father actually was, telling Bill the little thathe knew.

Got sleepy while he was hiding

Was shot out of the cannon and blasted off into the city (taking some damage). Shouted "I'm the ball!" as he flew away before smashing through a dark red and black stained glass window 200 feet below the ship, tumbling into a strangly familiar building. The room was empty due to all the devils hearing the alarms and fleeing. He rushed down a familar dark hallway.

Witnessed his father being tortured and saying that he didn't care about his son, but still misty steped into the room with the unconscious Pok the minute the devils left.

Tried to scoop his dad up into his Briefcase of Holding, but the two barbed devils came back (snarling as they saw him), one grabbing his briefcase and the other grappling Riz to restrain him. He kept trying to save Pok anyway even while restrained and fought against the devils over his briefcase (see Pok area for more)

Kristen

Rolled up sleeves over Daybreak attacking Tracker

Walked up to Daybreak with anger in her veins (over him hurting Tracker), said "Hi Daybreak. It's so great to see you. I've been PRAYING FOR YOU!", and slammed her staff down, using distructive wave. Light radiated out of her as every enemy was hit but Penelope (due to Globe of Invulnerability) and Johnny Spells and took out 3 Scarecrows. She then spat on Daybreak which hisses on his cheek as he yelled "Ah! Love! Love wins!"

Was knocked out by Daybreak and was back in Silvar looking at a nice tree

Used a 4th level mass healing word before her and Tracker dimension doored away from Daybreak

Adaine

Arcane Hand works like a claw machine with a controler in her hands

While prone, shot a lightning bolt at Dayne, Penelope, and a Scarecrow (after counterspelling Penelope's counterspell). Took out the Scarecrow.

Hit Daybreak with a 4th level Cromatic Orb (cold damage).

Smacked Johnny's fire spell out of the air with a counterspell after calling him "a predator who didn't fuck" and then ignored Johnny completely to go after Daybreak by hitting him with a 4th level (cold) chromatic orb

Used Forceful Hand to grab Bill to keep him from falling (two of the devils stayed grapped to Bill)

Fig

Tried to shake Gilear awake

Fig The Unfaethable

Her insignia burned in her head when she used psionic blast (took out two Scarecrows)

Winked at Ayda

Used Healing Word on Kristen

Attacked Daybreak with Bombing Blade (adds bardic for extra and if he moves willinging before her next turn he takes thunder damage)

Took out Daybreak (details in his section)

Was tossed by Gorgug towards a plummeting Bill like a missile before backpacked onto Bill, snatching a scroll from Vraz's pocket (Vraz: No no no no no! / Bill: What's yours is ours.), and Dimension Dooring back to the ship with Bill.

Gorgug

Stood over Kristen's unconscious body to protect her

Used Reckless Attack twice on Daybreak, the first time dealing 50 damage and the second time ("I'm just so tired of you") another 48 damage.

Took out Dayne (details in his section) and two Scarecrows

Grabbed some holy oil to take with him to coat his weapon with.

***

Familiars and Companions

Boggy: Hit by Penelope's Cone of Cold which caused him to freeze, crack, and fall apart (can be brought back by Adaine)

Gaf: Made incorporial by Ayda to protect him/her/them during the battle

Baby: Was made invisible by Fig. Tried to pickpocket Vraz, but just got a scrap of some kind. Did a very indecent celebration dance while invisible (when Penelope was "killed").

Hangman: Freaked out over seeing Johnny before siding with Fabian. Leapt to attack Johnny Spells, but couldn't make it and settled for slamming into the greeser Sorching Ray. Frozen and knocked down by Penelope's Cone of Cold.

Hirelings and Partners

Tracker

Stayed behind on Goldenrod

Held up a hand with her holy symbol to summon Twilight Sanctuary (gives everyone a d8 of temp hit which they can choose to replace or keep each round).

Cast Beacon of Hope

Knocked out by Penelope's Cone of Cold (which also ended her two spells)

Hit Kristen with a max level cure wounds, yeling at everyone to look away as she jumped onto an unconscious Kristen who was lying between Gorgug's legs (Kristen started touching his leg thinking it's Tracker's). Everyone assumed they were 69ing, but Tracker actually just gave Kristen a very sweet kiss on the mouth and said "Double clerics baby. Nobody can keep us down for long."

Went into flying wolf form to catch Kristen when she fell off the ship.

Ragh

Took out two Scarecrows, goring one before tossed them the ship and spartan kicking the other off the deck.

Ran up to a prone Dayne chanting hoot growl and yelled "I've done a lot of shit in my life because of you asshole!" as he bodied into him (nat 20).

Walked up to Fabian and Gorgug crying after Dayne was killed.

Instigated a three way chest bump with Fabian and Gorgug, not noticing Adaine who was forced to duck ("Oh god! The jocks are being fiesty!")

Was yelled at by Daybreak which he used as an opportunity to confront Daybreak both verbally and physically.

Ayda

Cast a spell that poured out massive amounts of water over Avernus in an attempt to flood hell (in retaliation for them taking Fig) before checking on Fig

Touched both of Fig's arms as she checked if she was okay before casting Protection From Evil And Good on her.

Flew off Goldenrod to help Sandra Lynn protect the ship from incoming fire by throwing up abjurative wards, but came back and landed on the deck before the ship left Avernus.

Flew towards Daybreak and Penelope, teleporting multiple times per second to create a flickering group of 10 of her before slashing out with her talons to damage them both.

Cast clairvoyance to find Riz, pointing at the building he was in.

Used her portent to save Fabian when Goldenrod lost gravity (allowing him to hold on) before flying to catch Adaine.

Sandra Lynn

Left the Goldenrod to cover their tail, doing a swan dive off deck (which looked likes she flew up from the upside down deck) and landing on Baxter before knocking a teleportation missile out of sky with her arrow.

Smashed back down onto the deck with Baxter before healing a down Tracker (Kristen: Thank you Sandra Lynn!)

Hit Daybreak with arrows.

Jumped on Baxter when the ship lost gravity and went to help catch Kristen.

Gilear

Was immediately killed by Bill Seacaster who shot him in the chest.

Brought back by Kristen with 1 hp, a bleeding chest wound, and covered in cenders and fire

Was told by Gorgug (who stood in front of him) to lie on the ground

Hid in the golden sarcophagus (somehow lifting the massive lid to do so)

***

The Pirates

The Goldenrod

The still "living" transmogrified body of Kalvaxus turned into a flying ship against his will

Kalvaxus has to swallow down the cannon coming from his mouth to talk and turning always hurts him

Shot by Bill for calling himself a boat instead of a ship

Captained by Bill Seacaster, crewed by cender zombie pirates, and the flagship of Bill's rebel armada of dragon carcus ships

The ship has it's own gravity and can sail in any direction (including upside down), but the unsecured barrels on deck are a hazard during fast turns.

Able to breached through to Dis, Bill having some way to travel through the levels that the other devils couldn't find

Broadsided The Iron City, firing tons of gold, holy water, and saints finger bones wrapped in old parchment out of it's cannons.

Captain Bill Seacaster

An enormous devil with one cender eye, a devil bone hook, and a floating skull and crossbones insignia over his head

At the helm of Goldenrod after rescuing Riz, Fig, Gilear, Hangman, and Baby/Wretchrot (via being yanked up on rope ladders to the Goldenrod).

Part of his multi level marketing scheme was to have pirates steal holy relics for spell slots and then use the holy relics as ammo against other devils and their ships.

Shot Gilear throught the chest on sight

Got a chain wrapped around his neck by Kystrona

After Gilear was brought back to life by Kristen, he said nice things to Gilear and gave him a massive glowing sword (which was too big for Gilear to wield). The bad kids were all deeply confused by how quickly he went from one extreme to another.

Offered Kristen snuff powder

Ordered his crew to shoot Riz out of a cannon to "help" him look for Pok

As his hook hand was stabbing into one of the three devils he was fighting, he took a legendary action to shake his fist and yell "That's my darling boy!" over Fabian "killing" Penelope. He corrected himself to yell "He's his own his darling man boy!"

When the gravity on the Goldenrod was dispelled, he told Fabian to take the helm before letting go on purpose, taking the three other devils with him (rescued by Adaine and Fig).

Alistair Ash

An intern on the Goldenrod

Skull is cracked open like an egg with part of it fully missing. Inside the socket is roiling fire. His eyes are rotted out, the fire shining through his sockets.

Attacked Fabian exclusively due to being left behind by him

How he was finished off: Fabian stood up, his body very bloody and burned from the beating he's took. Fire enshrouded his sheet as he wrapped Alistair in it in order to spin him like a top. As Alistair twirled in the air, the Hangman hit him in a flash. As Alistair popped of the wheel of the Hangman, Fabian took out Fandrangor (which was rippling with his own inner light and magic) and pierced Alistair's ribcage up through his heart. Silver motes of light burst out of Alistair's mouth, "eyes", and the empty socket of his skull. Bill cried a single tear out of his non ember eye as he said "It be beau-ti-ful". Fabian told his father "I'm my own man now." to which Bill answered "The story keeps getting better!" Meanwhile, Alistair changed his opinion on Fabian, seeing him as chosen one and (since he had to die for Fabian to become who he was) himself as chosen in a way. Fabian asked if Chungle Down Bim was still alive, but Alistair only yelled "He's gonna shit in your mouth!" before being destroyed. One of the many bottles on Bill's belt filled with a red mist that was Alistair, now even more in debt to Bill with another 2000 gold added to his tab to bring him back in another form later.

Cinder Pirates

The crew of the Goldenrod, most (if not all) of which being victims of Bill's pyramid scheme

Assended from ropes to their respective ships after raiding The Bottomless Pit, yoinking up crates and boxes filled with treasure (like books and weaponry) as they went.

Loaded the cannons of The Goldenrod with holy relics, books, golden reliquaries, holy water, and even the body of a dead saint (who was unceremoniously dumped out of his golden sarcophagus). All the relics almost looked like they were from other worlds.

Bill doesn't do the best job putting his followers back together, so most are in worse shape than Alistair. One was missing his entire jaw!

Most were finished off by Penelope's Cone of Cold

***

Bill's Pursuers

Devil Crafts

Iron zeppelins piloted by devils in pursuit of Seacaster.

Shoot ground to air missiles that shot spinning pentagrams of fire teleportation that glowed when they hit, teleporting in reinforcements.

Vraz The Mean, Lorzug The Impaled, and Kystrona The Chained

All appeared through a dimension door at the helm of the ship before the three devils began fighting Bill.

Vraz (after Fig denied a direct order) released all warlocks under Gortholax by making all his contracts null and void.

All of them (including Bill) do tramendous amounts of fire and poison damage, but all of them (including Bill) are immune to fire and poison, so the fight devolved into a bunch of very dangerous people who can't hurt each other just slapping the hell out of each other.

***

Greesers

Johnny Spells

Appeared via teleportation missile with his crew

Roiling in flame with veins glowing in a red light, using a snap comb to brush his hair back and wearing a black leather jacket with a clean white tee.

Hit Fabian with Ray of Fire and then was IMMEDIATELY tossed off the starboard side of the ship by Adaine using her Arcane Hand.

Was saved by Kystrona (via animate chain) before he fell to his "death"

Spent an entire turn to get back on the ship only to have his fire spell dismissed by Adaine.

How he was finished off: Flew off the ship (again) when it lost gravity, saying "No! I had stuff. I had plans. I had-" as he fell to his "death".

Johnny's Crew

Six teiflings greasers who appeared via teleportation missile wearing black leather jackets with clean white tees.

Two trampled over a dead Gilear to get to the teens.

How they were finished off: One was gored by Ragh before being tossed off the ship, one was spartan kicked off the deck by Ragh, two were killed by Gorgug, and two were destroyed by Fig's psionic blast

***

Harvestmen & Friends

Penelope Everpetal

Got to Goldenrod via teleportation missile with Dayne, Daybreak, and four Scarecrow Harvestmen.

Had sunken deep pools of darkness for eyes. She wore a burnt prom queen dress. Jagged shards of metal were stabbed into her skull like a crown (which caused blood to trickle down).

Was protected from magic most of the fight due to casting Globe Of Invulnerability

Stepped forward with a corny line ("Oh I'm so sorry guys. It's time to chill out.") before casting Cone of Cold which took out Tracker, Boggy, Hangman, and most of Bill's crew.

Was knocked off the ship by Fabian and fell down into the sky over the Iron City of Dis, shreaking and wailing as she went. Saved herself by using Misty Step to get back to the ship.

How she was finished off...

Penelope: *appeared in a twirl of magic and hit Fabian with a Firebolt, knocking him down to 4HP* I'm so sorry that you had like... some sort of collapse and appear to be fighting with a blanket now, but I just wanna tell you something. We are gonna drag you and all your shitty stupid little- what? Bad kid friends to hell. Forever.

Fig: I actually already live here. I'm an arch devil.

Fabian: Yeah! Did you hear that? She already lives here!

Kalvaxus: Again if we [re con noise] it later. This fight seems mostly lost. Use reason!

Penelope: Now. It's time for you to go bye bye Fabian *starts casting another spell*

Fabian: (crit, mobile florish, plus 2nd level spell slot with Fandrangor) *throws up his sheet so it blocks her field of vision (like how people trick their pets) and then grabs her and tango swing dancing spins her off the ship as she yells and is destroyed as motes of silver light shoot out*

Dayne Blade

Burning ember flaming vains with a hellish gleam to his eyes

Doesn't know how long he's been there

How he was finished: Begged Gorgug to not "kill" him due to him being an Owlbear, but was ignored. He tried once more, saying "Dude dude dude we're both Owlbears!" but Gorgug simply answered "You're not an Owlbear anymore" before he chopped off Dayne head. Gorgug then pretended his head was a ball and that he was going for a pass.

Coach Daybreak

Burning ember flaming vains with a hellish gleam to his eyes, a whistle, a silvered halberd, and regenerating health

Aggressively targeted Tracker and Kristen (even as Gorgug literally stood over Kristen) and knocked Kristen out at one point

Yelled "No!" while flames shot out of his ears at the thought of ending toxic masculinity

Freaked out over Gorgug being an Owlbrear

Not a true devil, just a soul trapped in hell that was powerful enough in life to fight for the devils, punished to never understand why he was there (Brennan "He cannot find peace, but he can find you").

How he was finished: Daybreak shouted "I'm gonna kill you all. All of you deserve to be here, not me. I was a holy man! *points to Fig* YOU ARE A LITERAL ARCH DEVIL!" Fig answered "Yeah bitch it's fun!" before she used a 4th level psionic blast on him. He screamed as he was knocked off the ship and eviscerated by both Fig's psionic blast and the after effects of her booming blade* (Fig also steals his visage)

Scarecrow Men

The transfigured bodies of four former harvestmen who died

Burnt charred skin, flannel button up shirts, and heads of burlap sacks with scarcrow eyes, which were slightly aflame

How they were finished off: one was killed by Adaine's lightning bolt and the other three were gone in a flash of light by Kristen's destructive wave

***

Dis and Pok

Iron City of Dis

Choking smoke and freezing rain

Endless sprawling cast iron metropolis of dread, misery, and torture

Alarms (clacksaws I think Brennan said?) rang as the devils shouted "It's Seacaster!"

The city was lit up by Goldenrod (while the other ships in the armada caught up)

Building Holding Pok

At least one dark red and black stained glass window (which Riz crashed through). The room within was empty due to all the devils hearing the alarms and fleeing.

Dark hallway leading to a light coming out from under a closed doorway. A slightly ajar door was next to it and a possible third door with steal thrones was next to that. The slightly ajar door had a somewhat reflective marble wall (where a reflection of Pok could be seen from the hall) and a two way mirror that showed an interrogation room.

Pok

A goblin who was strapped to a chair and had a swolen eye. A pit fiend also splashed acid in his face

Was interrogated by a pit fiend flanked by two barbed devils

Kept a good poker face around the devils, at one point was snarling and growling as he had (what appeared to be) a goblinoid frenzy come over him

Was lacerated by barbed whips handled by the barbed devils until he collapsed, asking why he was there as he coughed up blood and appeared to go unconscious.

Shot both barbed devils in the head with his gun (which he picked off of Riz) as they were restraining Riz

Reached up and slapped his right ear to call for an extraction as a halo appeared behind his head. He reached out to grab Riz (Kid, I can't believe you made it here) before a beam of celestial light smashed through the ceiling. He confirmed that he was an undercover angel before raising his fist up in a superman pose as the beam made a loud sound and took the pair away.

***

Questions and Thoughts

How does Lorzug move, much less fight?

Fig shouldn't have told Vraz to eat her ass. She might have taken her up on it and tried to take a bite out of her ass. O_O

What IS a potentate?

How will Fig use her warlock abilities after being released? Was her insignia burning in her forehead how she's still able to do it?

Is Dayne's curse to never know how long he's been there?

How short is Adaine that our three Owlbears (all over 6 feet tall) didn't notice her when they went in for a three way chest bump?

Destructive Wave is the power of pissed off protective girlfriend energy.

When Kristen was knocked out, she was back in Silvar looking at a nice tree. Possible connection to the unknown goddess?

Adaine still has Johnny's warlock switchblade comb.

Will we get updated Pok art now?

Where is Riz now and how will he get back in time? Was this Kalina's plan all along (blow Pok's cover and delay the party longer to give them more of a lead)?

I am well aware that I spelled Alistair several different ways because I have no clue how to spell it and don't have it on my list of how I might spell it.

Please somebody teach Bill how to not suck at making bodies. I mean, I'm over here feeling sorry for those cinder zombies and between the crippling debt and unpaid internships, he could at LEAST give them working bodies with jaws and stuff.

Really paying attention made the 69 scene so much funnier and makes Ayda's confusion over it being a sex act so much more priceless. The couple was fully clothed, Kristen caressed Gorgug's leg while she was unconscious and being healed by Tracker, and (according to Brennan) Tracker just gave Kristen a sweet kiss. Part of me wonders if Tracker was messing with the group while Kristen came to thinking something dirty happened and just went with it, the other teens too inexperienced to know otherwise (save Ayda who must be so confused! XD).

The uselessness of Johnny Spells was one of my favorite parts of the stream.

Anybody else super happy Bill was so supportive of Fabian coming into his own, being supportive of his friends, and embracing dance?

Bill/Vraz. Nuff said.

[the-record-obituaries]

Feb. 26, 2020: Obituaries

Annie Harris, 69

Annie Lou Harris, age 69, of North Wilkesboro, passed away Thursday, February 20, 2020 at her home. She was born April 9, 1950 in Wilkes County to Grover and Margaret Whellington Gentry. Annie was a member of Denny Grove AME Zion Church, where she served as a deaconess, on the usher board; and the treasury board. Mrs. Harris graduated from East Wilkes High School and attended Wilkes Community College with a major in Early Childhood education. Annie had a passion for teaching and spent 30 years in the Woodlawn community preparing preschool children for elementary school. She felt that cultural exposure, discipline and resilience were qualities to equip children with a strong foundation. Mrs. Harris always encouraged children to learn from their mistakes and discouraged them from repeating the same mistakes. Her faith in God was her foundation for life. She was preceded in death by her parents.

Surviving are her husband, Douglas Harris of the home; daughter, Teia Weldon and spouse Dexter of Marietta, Georgia; step-daughters, Nena Gilreath Lucas and spouse Waverly of East Point, Georgia, Hope Gilreath Carter and spouse Allen of Jonesville; step-son, Douglas Harris and spouse Tysole of Ellenwood, Georgia; brothers, John Edward Gentry of Boone, David Gentry of Roaring River; sisters, Lillie Miller of Lancaster, California, Shirley Gentry of Charleston, South Carolina; nieces, DeShanta Richardson, Siah Perez and spouse Francisco, Michelle Gentry; nephews, Kirkland Gentry and Keith Gentry; great nieces, Andrea Richardson and Amiah Richardson; great nephews, Miguel Perez and Liam Perez host of loving cousins and friends.

Funeral service was February 25, at Miller Funeral Chapel with Rev. Michael Gillespie, Rev. Wayne Harris and Rev. Gene Martin officiating. Burial  followed in Mountlawn Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Denny Grove AME Zion Church, P.O.Box 253, Wilkesboro, NC 28697. Miller Funeral Service is in charge of the arrangements.  

  Talmo Holbrook, 84

Talmo Holbrook, age 84, of Traphill, passed away Friday, February 21, 2020 at Woltz Hospice Home in Dobson. Talmo was born October 18, 1935 in Wilkes County to Lester and Ruby Richardson Holbrook. Mr. Holbrook was a retired U.S. Army Veteran and National Guard. He was the best fiddle player in town. Talmo was preceded in death by his parents; and his wife, Rosemarie Schumann Holbrook.

Surviving are his daughters, Angela Wyatt and fiancé Scotty Church of North Wilkesboro, Jeannette Goss and spouse Rick of Traphill, Debbie Woodie of North Wilkesboro; son, Benny Holbrook and spouse Libby of North Wilkesboro; grandchildren, Brittany Luffman and spouse Austin, Brad Brown, Tyler Woodie, Brad Eller and spouse Corrina, Jon Rhodes and Traci, Ricky Goss and spouse Samantha; great grandchildren, Jaxton Luffman and Zane Luffman; brothers, Randall Whitley and spouse Ruby of Traphill, Jesse Whitley of Wilkesboro.

A private family memorial service will be held. Flowers will be accepted or memorials may be made to Woltz Hospice Home, 945 Zephyr Road, Dobson, NC 27017. Miller Funeral Service is in charge of the arrangements.  

  Elmer Pearson, 81

Elmer Delano Pearson, age 81, of Boomer, passed away Thursday, February 20, 2020 at his home. Elmer was born October 2, 1938 in Wilkes County to John Philo and Lucinda Goodwin Pearson. Mr. Pearson was a member of Mt. Caramel Baptist Church. He loved to do woodwork and had his own woodworking shop. Elmer loved bird watching, loved raising bees and using his metal detector. He was preceded in death by his parents; and brothers, Robert and Earl Pearson.

Surviving are his wife, Romilda Penley Pearson of the home; his children, Gregory Pearson and spouse Sandra, Barbara Huggins and spouse Hal, Susie Griffith and fiancé Marvin Stamper all of Boomer, Jeffrey Pearson of Mulberry; grandchildren, Stephanie Eller, Jonathan Pearson, Beth Huggins, Shannon Reed, Jessica Huggins, Ronnie Griffith, Misty Howard, Adam Griffith, Corey Ferguson, Mindy Govea, Cassie Pearson; and sixteen great grandchildren.

Memorial service was February 23,   at Miller Funeral Chapel with Rev. Jerry Key and Rev. Billy Moore officiating. Burial will be at a later date in Moravian Falls Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the American Lung Association, PO Box 27985, Raleigh, NC 27611. Miller Funeral Service is in charge of the arrangements.

 Jesse Adams, 95

Jesse "Howard" Adams, age 95, of McGrady, passed away Wednesday, February 19, 2020 at his home. Howard was born May 2, 1924 in Newhall, West Virginia to Jonah and Bertha Wagoner Adams. He was a World War II Army Veteran, where he received the Eame Service Medal with 3 Bronze Service Stars, Good Conduct Medal, World War II Victory Medal, and Distinguished Unit Badge. He was proud to serve his country. Mr. Adams was a craftsman with woodworking. He enjoyed fishing, gardening, feeding the birds and flowers. He loved his family and his dogs. Howard was preceded in death by his parents; his son, James Glenn Adams; several brothers and sisters.

Surviving are his wife, Martha Shew Adams of the home; sons, Howard Junior Adams of McGrady, Ronnie Lee Adams and spouse Traci of Crumpler; daughters, Debra Call of McGrady, Diane Holloway and spouse Ervin of Ronda; seven grandchildren; six great grandchildren; and two great great grandchildren.

Funeral service was February 22,  at Miller Funeral Chapel with Rev. Sammy Taylor and Rev. Billy Shepherd officiating. Burial with military honors by Veterans of Foreign Wars Honor Guard Post 1142  followed in Mountlawn Memorial Park. The family will receive friends at Miller Funeral Service from 6:00 until 8:00 Friday night. Flowers will be accepted. Miller Funeral Service is in charge of the arrangements.  

Roger Petty, 59

Mr. Roger Dale Petty, age 59 of Moravian Falls passed away Tuesday, February 18, 2020 at Wake Forest Baptist-Wilkes Medical Center.

A Service to Honor His Life was February 23,   at Antioch Primitive Baptist Church in Sparta with Brother Hugh Miller officiating. Mr. Petty was born June 25, 1960 in Alleghany County to Juanita Petty Irwin.  Roger was the 1995 class valedictorian in the first Paramedic Class offered at Wilkes Community College.  He started his career at Wilkes EMS and then after several years ended his career as a cardiac catheterization technician at Watauga Medical Center in Boone.  He retired from the Wilkes County Rescue Squad in December 2016 with 38 years of service.

He was preceded in death by his step-father; Eugene Phipps Irwin and a sister; Lisa Edwards.

Mr. Petty is survived by his wife; Annette Hutchens Petty of the home, three daughters; Tara Petty Shore and husband Andy of Wilkesboro, Amanda Petty of Las Vegas, NV, Taylor Petty Johnson and husband Michael of Moravian Falls and one son; Logan Petty of the home, five grandchildren; Brett Shore, Nicolas Zeildon, Isabelle Petty, Isaac Petty and Madison Johnson, one brother; Bobby Edwards and wife Denise of Browns Summit and two step-brothers and their spouses; Mark Irwin and Kate of Mouth of Wilson, VA and Phillip Irwin and Chris of Raleigh.

Flowers will be accepted or memorials may be made to Wilkes Ministry of H.O.P.E., 514 Elkin Highway, North Wilkesboro, NC 28659.

 Peggy Day, 86

Mrs. Peggy Creasman Day, age 86 of North Wilkesboro passed away Tuesday, February 18, 2020 at Wilkes Sr. Village, on what would have been her and Frank's 64th wedding anniversary.  Peggy has relocated yet once again, this time to her eternal home in heaven to be with her Lord and her childhood sweetheart.  

Funeral Services were February 22, at Reins-Sturdivant Chapel with Dr. Bert Young and Dr. Dean Simpson officiating.  Entombment was in Scenic Memorials Gardens Mausoleum.  

Mrs. Day was born April 8, 1933 in Davidson County to Roy L and Pauline Kindley Creasman. She was a member of the First Baptist Church where she was in the Euzelian Sunday School class.  

When Peggy was a teenager she worked for Belk's and Penny's on holidays and weekends.  She graduated from North Wilkesboro High School in 1952 and attended Woman's College in Greensboro (now U.N.C Greensboro) and worked as a secretary in North Wilkesboro at Wilkes Auto Sales from 1953 until 1955 and she also worked at Modern Globe.  

Having met while sledding in the eighth grade, Frank and Peggy quickly became an item; they were inseparable for nearly 60 years. She married the love of her life, Frank Day, in 1956. Peggy did everything with Frank, until he predeceased her nearly a decade ago.  After she married Frank she became a mother and homemaker. Then she went back to work at Nancy King Textiles.  

Nearly thirty years ago, Frank and Peggy Day took the empty Rose's building, once the retail hub of the Wilkesboro's, and turned it into a Victorian themed mini-mall. It was their hangout and a retirement passion after many decades of manufacturing. The Melody Square Mall became an active second hub of the downtown from its inception.  

In the wake of Frank's death, Peggy kept the Mall and her retail store going for many years. For her, the mall and the store were so much more than just a business. Frank and Peggy helped dozens of businesses get their start inside this Victorian village. Most of these new business owners, and their regular customer, became like family to them.  

Likewise, they also enjoyed seeing friends and acquaintances drop in.  It was like the venerable country store where folks came for more than merely shopping and eating.  Many pulled up on a bench to talk, or just sit and watch people go by. Others used the pleasant space to walk laps around the corridors. The mall has changed hands. And now, Peggy has moved on to sled once again with the love of her life.

She loved the Lord, her church and her family with all her heart. She loved and was loved by many friends.  

In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by her husband; Frank G. Day.

She is survived by a daughter; Melody Lynn Rasmussen and husband Gerald of Wilmington, NC and a son; Tim Day and wife Diana of Marietta, GA, four grandchildren; Davis Day, Cameron Day and wife Emily, Alexander Lee Rasmussen and wife Shaina, Nicholas Paul Rasmussen and three step-grandchildren; Joanna Toso, Grace Toso and Jared Toso.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Helping Hands Ministries, POB 5037 Statesville NC, 28687, or http://www.hhmworldmissions.com/ or to Samartians Purse, PO Box 3000, Boone, NC 28607.

Carol Kilby, 80

Mrs. Carol Brown Kilby, age 80 of North Wilkesboro passed away Tuesday, February 18, 2020 at her home.

Funeral services were February 21,   at Mtn. Valley Baptist Church with Rev. Scott Church and Rev. Glenn Dancy, III officiating.  Burial was in the church cemetery.  church.

Mrs. Kilby was born October 2, 1939 in Wilkes County to Roby Hobert and Fannie Isado Vannoy Brown.  She was a member of Mtn. Valley Baptist Church.  

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband; Maurice Kilby.

She is survived by three daughters; Sandra Lambert and husband Allen, Maurica Kilby, Gail Smith and husband Keith all of North Wilkesboro and one son; Alan Kilby and wife Terri of North Wilkesboro, eight grandchildren; Daniel Lambert, David Kilby, Sydney Culler, Grayson Hart, Jaren Smith, Braden Smith, Avery Hart and Seth Culler and four great grandchildren; Baylee Kilby, Lucas Lambert, Kailee Lambert and Jason Kilby, five sisters and one brother.

Flowers will be accepted or memorials may be made to Mount Valley Baptist Church Building Fund, c/o Bobbie Witherspoon, 1420 Cartpath Road, North Wilkesboro, NC 28659.

 Janie Greenwood, 69

Mrs. Janie Childress Greenwood, age 69 of Ronda passed away Sunday, February 16, 2020 at Woltz Hospice Home in Dobson.

Funeral services were February 20,   at Reins-Sturdivant Chapel with Pastor Bert Mathis officiating.  Burial will be in Pleasant Grove Baptist Church Cemetery.  

Mrs. Greenwood was born April 5, 1950 in Iredell County to Lee and Annie Ball Childress.  She was a member of Cherry Grove Baptist Church and she loved corvettes and she loved to travel.

In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by a brother; John Childress.

She is survived by her husband; Alan Greenwood of the home, three sisters; Barbara Sebastian of North Wilkesboro, Merlene Anderson of Cricket and Pat Royall of North Wilkesboro, five brothers; Larry Childress and wife Joyce of Taylorsville, Wayne Childress and wife Judy of Millers Creek, Bill Childress of Wilkesboro, Dennis Childress and wife Dorothy of Ronda and Kim Childress of Hays.

Flowers will be accepted.

 Paul Marley,Sr. 92

Paul Marley, 92 passed away peacefully on February 15, 2020 at his home in Wilkesboro, NC

surrounded by loved ones.  Born in West Jefferson, NC on October 9, 1927 to Coy B Marley and Virginia M Dunn Marley.

 Paul served two terms in the United States Army from May 14, 1946 until April 12, 1947.  

He was inducted near the end of World War II and was stationed at Ft. Sam Houston, Texas where he served in the Medical Corp and later was a Clerk General in the mail room.   Later he was called back to duty in January 24, 1951 for the Korean War and was stationed at Ft. Jackson, South  Carolina. His main duty was processing new recruits, many of the boys were from Wilkes County coming through the lines that later were stationed at other bases for training.

Paul worked for the North Carolina Department of Agriculture as a Poultry Inspector for 40 years before retiring.   He was a member of the Rotary Club and helped them start an annual fundraising horse shows and served as show chairman for many years.  Also, he coached the girls' softball team that the Rotary Club sponsored. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, raising Beagles with his father, music and always had a good joke or story to tell.  After retiring Paul work with Wilkes County Habitat for Humanity raising money and building homes. Also, he traveled with his daughter, Teresa to dog shows all over the United States and a large part of Canada.   Enjoyed spending winters in Florida with his son, Cecil and his wife. Once asked about his children all living so far from Wilkesboro, he answered " If I had known they would all move to great places to visit, I would have had more kids"

He is survived by his wife of 65 years Peggy (Bumgarner), his sister Charlotte Edmiston (George) of Ferguson, his daughter Teresa Marley (Charles Jones) of Indian Wells, California, his son Paul Cecil Marley, Jr (Jennifer Marley) of Palm Bay, Florida, grandson George Bynum of Hudson, NC along with nephews, nieces and countless friends.    He was preceded in death by his parents, bothers Ralph Vernon Marley and James Turner Marley, sisters Pauline Marley and Annie Marley-Funkhouser and daughter Paula Bynum.

The family would like to thank all Paul's wonderful caregivers, staff at Rose Glenn and Wake Forest Care at Home Hospice.  In lieu of flowers, the family request that memorial contributions be made to Parkinson's Foundation at www.parkinson.org, phone 800-473-4636 or  200  SE 1st Street, Suite 800, Miami, FL 33131.

Jackie Gayles, 84

Pastor Jackie Bejerano Gayles, age 84 of Wilkesboro, passed away Friday, February 14. 2020 at University Place Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Charlotte.

Funeral services will be held 2:00 pm, Saturday, February 22, 2020 at Mt. Carmel TPC Church in Harmony, NC with Bishop Jerome Temoney officiating. Burial will be in the church Cemetery. The family will receive friends at Mt. Carmel TPC from 1:00 until 2:00 pm on Saturday prior to the service.

Mr. Gayles was born April 29, 1935 in New  York to Daisy Gayles. He was a member at Seventh Day Adventist in Wilkesboro. He was employed at Bec Car Printing as a Printer retiring after twenty five years. He loved his family and teaching the word of God. His passions were hunting and reading.

In addition to his mother he was preceded in death by a daughter Cecilia Scott and a son Kim Gayles.

He is survived by his wife JoAnn Gayles of Wilkesboro, a daughter Elena Gayles of Florida; three sons, Marc Misher and wife, April of Huntersville; Don Vito Gayles and wife, Tony of Richmond, VA; Keith Gayles of New York; twelve grandchildren and eleven great grandchildren; a sister Elena Simmons of California; and a brother, Dr. Carlos Gayles M.D. and wife Cynthia of Rochester, MI.

Flowers will be accepted or memorials to the Donor's choice.

Online condolences may be made at www.reinssturdivant.com

[woodwind-sensei]

Top 10 Figure Skating Programs: 2018-19 season

It’s been about a month and a half since the normal figure skating competition season came to a close, bringing us one step closer towards the next Olympic Games. With the advent of the new IJS, the programs we saw this year was nothing like we have seen before, and some of them rank among the best programs in figure skating history (that’s right, I’m going there, kids). Without further delay, here are my personal Top 10 figure skating programs from this season.

10. Mariah Bell (USA) “To Love You More” short program, choreographed by Adam Rippon

Mariah Bell missed an Olympic berth last season, mostly due to inconsistency and packaging issues. With a majority of the major U.S. ladies out of the picture this season, it was high time for Mariah to step up to the plate. I absolutely loved the upgraded packaging and content. The short program was so positive in spirit, and it was a pleasant surprise to see Adam Rippon’s competitive choreographic debut (to my knowledge) to be a job well done. I hope we see a lot more Celine Dion power ballad programs in the future.

9. Shoma Uno (JPN) “Stairway to Heaven” short program, choreographed by Mihoko Higuchi

Figure skating’s resident smol boi/silver princess Shoma Uno hit it big with this short program. Sexy, daring, and smoldering with intensity, Shoma showed his capability of the dramatic with this program. Though his inconsistency with the jumps made it hard to enjoy sometimes, he just has an x-factor on the ice that draws you in. That spread eagle after the triple axel gets me every time. It’s such a small moment, but it gets me so excited because I’m completely hooked by how statuesque he becomes in such an instant.

8. Peng Cheng/ Jin Yang (CHN) “Ophelia” short program, choreographed by Lori Nichol

Peng and Jin had been the pair that was ever the bridesmaid. When Peng was with veteran pair skater Zhang Hao and Jin with up-and-coming star Yu Xiaoyu, the federation decided to switch these two partnerships up. Yu/Zhang always got the political push, and that somewhat left Peng/Jin in the shadows. That all changed this season, and a lot of it had to do with this short program. They really found a style all their own: simple, uncluttered, yet packed with stunning elements and a cute and charming spirit. We’re going to be seeing them for a while, and I promise you, they will be a force to be reckoned with.

7. Wakaba Higuchi (JPN) “Energia” short program, choreographed by Shae-Lynn Bourne

Wakaba Higuchi might have had a spotty season this year, but this short program showed us why we fell in love with her in the first place. Shae-Lynn effortlessly displayed her power in this program, emphasizing Wakaba’s capability of flow and control while balancing fun and working the crowd. Japanese Nationals was the peak of this program’s life, and I certainly hope Wakaba uses this as an exhibition piece in the future. Shae-Lynn was also responsible for her legendary James Bond free skate, and will choreograph Wakaba’s short program next year to “Bird Set Free” by Sia.

6. Kaori Sakamoto (JPN) “The Piano” free skate, choreographed by Benoit Richaud

So, as all three of my online figure skating fan friends know, I am a Kaori stan. I love and appreciate children of pure sunshine with fantastic skating skills, and Kaori is just that. Though this program isn’t the best program she’s had, what I think works is that the program is built on momentum. It builds continually, reaching a climax with the choreographic sequence moving straight into that stellar triple loop. It also shows how Benoit choreography is supposed to look. Benoit Richaud uses a lot of angular movements but tries to combine it with the natural flow a skater must have over the ice. It works better on Kaori than opposed to his other big ladies’ client Bradie Tennell (USA). Bradie’s movements and angles are so sharp and harsh it seems forced and almost unwatchable, while Kaori’s smoothness over her blades is more pleasing and interesting to digest.

5. Sui Wenjing/ Han Cong (CHN) “Rain, in your Black Eyes” Free Skate, choreographed by Lori Nichol 

Sui and Han made a surprising comeback after withdrawing from the Grand Prix series due to an injury and surgery to Wenjing. This program was iconic. From the very opening poses, it absolutely melted me. I don’t think it’s as good as their Blues for Klook short from a few years ago, but this free skate was overall amazing.

4. Evgenia Medvedeva (RUS) “Orange Colored Sky” short program, choreographed by David Wilson and Sandra Bezic

Evgenia’s move to Brian Orser created so much buzz, and everyone was waiting to see what she would do with choreography not from Ilia Averbukh or Daniil Gleikhengauz. I have to say, they really hit the nail on the head with this one. I thought the rebranding to the ingenue was so great, and the little touches from Sandra really brought the program to life. Those opening poses were my favorite part. It’s unfortunate that this program was eventually shelved, because I definitely liked this program more in comparison to the Tosca program, but I understand how important it is to make sure Evgenia has authority over her own skating career. 

3. Gabriella Papadakis/ Guillaume Cizeron (FRA) Free Dance to Rachel Yamagata songs, choreographed by Marie-France Dubreuil

Papadakis and Cizeron continue to evolve their unique style with this amazing free dance. I was personally very curious to see how they would have topped their timeless Moonlight Sonata FD from the Olympic year, and this program is right up there with the best programs of all time. The way they look at each other throughout just draws me in. Even the softest touch with a finger puts them in total sync. My favorite moment is the twizzle sequence that really comes out of nowhere. It’s so smooth. And then that low, flat curve lift is out of this world. No one can touch this team.

2. Lim Eun-soo (KOR) “Somewhere in Time” short program, choreographed by Jeffrey Buttle

Eun-soo’s rise to the senior ranks was one of the big buzzes of the season. With a recent move to Rafael Artunyan, it looked like she was ready to take her competitive career to the next level. And this short program was BEYOND almost every program that everyone else had. Every element was beautifully woven into the choreography. She just looked stunning on the ice almost every time. The only criticism I have is that the sleeves on her costume were a bit distracting, but that’s such a minute detail on an otherwise ethereal program. 

1. Satoko Miyahara (JPN) “Song for the Little Sparrow” short program, choreographed by Lori Nichol.

This was the clear standout program of the season for me. Out of all the skaters from the previous Olympic cycle, I thought it would be hardest for Satoko to keep up with the pack. But I was proved wrong, with this short program proving that artistry is still what brings the audience into a skater’s performance. Everything is so perfectly placed: every hand had a purpose, every stroke had a meaning, and it all melded together to create a masterpiece. This is what skating should be.

So many of the programs were good this year, but these 10 are the ones I want to watch over and over again. They set the bar for the Olympic cycle so high, and it’ll be interesting to see if these programs will be surpassed. We’ve already had some interesting announcements in terms of next season. I’m particularly intrigued to see Benoit Richaud work with Satoko Miyahara. The premiere of that program at Fantasy on Ice wasn’t stellar, but I’m interested to see how the program will evolve as Benoit and Satoko continue to work together. Figure skating continues to bring it with amazing programs, so next season should be an interesting ride.

[chibinightowl]

Hi Chibi! You’re one of my favorite fan fiction writers! Your work is always so genuine and real. I know your prompts are closed so I don’t expect anything but I did want to ask you something. I’ve recently been fired from my job because of my disabilities and a very difficult manager. It’s been so emotionally exhausting and my self esteem is lower than ever. Would ever write something where Jason or Tim get fired from a job? I don’t know imagine it for myself because well, it’s them. -Love, 🐝

With an ask like this, how can I say no? Anon, this may not be exactly what you were hoping for, but the inspiration came from something that happened to me when I was in my mid 20s. It was an extremely stressful and challenging time, but in the end, I made it out in one piece and was all the stronger for it. I hope this helps you find even a glimmer of light in the dark place you’re in. 

~*~*~

It took some time to notice something was wrong. After all, Tim was a young and reasonably healthy adult, so why should this even ping on his radar?  

But here he was, sitting at his desk working on a report, with his heart racing. It felt like it was about to pound right out of his chest, the thuds so loud he was surprised his cubemate couldn’t hear them too. What was even more surprising though was that he didn’t feel out of breath in the slightest. Tim stopped typing and held two fingers to his wrist, searching for his pulse.

For a solid minute, he counted as his eyes watched the clock hanging on the wall.

94 beats. What the hell? Tim knew he could stand to get out and exercise more, but he wasn’t totally out of shape. Jason made sure of that when he dragged him out of the apartment on the weekend to go jogging together.

Almost as soon as he noticed the loud beat, it faded away. He took his pulse again. 68 beats.

What was going on?

Now that he was aware of it, it was easier to notice when it occurred again. And it did, twice more that day before he went home.

When he told Jason about it, his boyfriend immediately had him sit on the couch and went to get his medical kit. “Times like these makes me glad I keep this stuff at home,” he commented, wrapping a blood pressure cuff over Tim’s skinny arm and taking out his stethoscope.  

“I’ll never make fun of you about it again.” Tim breathed regularly as his own personal paramedic took his vitals.

Jason frowned as he wrapped the stethoscope around his neck in a practiced movement. “Everything sounds fine.”

“It’s periodic,” Tim reminded him. “If it happens while we’re home, I’ll let you know.”

“Maybe you should make a doctor appointment anyway.”

Tim shrugged and flopped back into the couch. “Today is the first day I noticed it. Let’s wait a few days and see what happens.”

Jason clearly wasn’t happy with his decision. “Fine. You what this means then, right?”

“What?”

“No sex until it stops.”

Tim threw one of the decorative couch pillows at him.  

~*~*~

As much as Tim hoped otherwise, it happened again the next day at work. Three times. And again the day after that.

He sullenly made the call to set up a doctor’s appointment during his lunch break and was able to get in at 3:45 the same day so he took it. Now he had to break the news about leaving early to his supervisor.

Tim tapped quietly on his boss’s office door. “Hey, Sandra. Got a second?”

Sandra was a middle aged woman who Tim personally thought had some OCD tendencies and was completely unsuited to her job. He didn’t know whose ass she kissed, nor did he care. She was nice enough and it wasn’t like he asked for much. “I sure do, Tim. What’s up?” she asked, glancing over the top of her wire rimmed glasses.

He entered and sat down in front of her desk. “I’ve been having something odd going on with my heart these last few days. The beats are completely irregular sometimes, even when I’m just sitting at my desk. I called my doctor and managed to get an appointment this afternoon, so I need to leave early for it.”

“My goodness!” Sandra exclaimed, giving him a closer look. “You’re too young to be having heart problems.”

Tim smiled wanly. “That’s what I said.”

“Your boyfriend is a paramedic, right? Have you told him?”

“Yes, and he checked me out best he could at home. Said I should have called for an appointment two days ago.”

Sandra nodded firmly. “I agree 100%. My husband has high blood pressure, it’s no laughing matter. Go get that checked out. You can always stay late tomorrow to make up the time if you want.”

“I’ll do that,” Tim said, rising to his feet. The flu went through the office last month and wiped out a good chunk of his accrued sick time.

“I just want you feeling better soon, Tim. You’re a great asset to this team and a good person.”

More like someone who saved her ass when she screwed up, but Tim took the compliment as it was meant. He had other things to worry about.

~*~*~

“You want me to what?” Tim asked incredulously as he buttoned his shirt.

“I want you to see a cardiologist, Tim,” Dr. Thompkins repeated.

“I am 25 years old. I’m too young to have heart problems.”  

The old doctor shrugged. “Then do nothing and if you have a heart attack, I can give you this referral again.” She held up a piece of paper.

Tim snatched it from her and sighed heavily. This was why he liked Dr. Thompkins. She didn’t try to sugarcoat things. “No thanks. Jason would drag me himself if I didn’t go.”

“And that’s why your boyfriend is smarter than you. I’m sure he sees a lot of heart attacks in his line of work.” The doctor sat down next to him on the exam table. “Tim, I’ve known you since you were in diapers. Whatever is going with your heart is not normal for a healthy adult male of your age. It’ll take a few days for the bloodwork to come back. I’ll send the referral and the results to Dr. Sheldon.”

“Will it take long to get in?” Tim asked somberly. This was becoming all too real. What was wrong with him?

“I doubt it. Especially since I’m calling Lynn directly to let her know about the unusual case I’m sending over. It’s not every day a cardiologist sees someone like you.”

That didn’t make Tim feel any better.

~*~*~

It still took a week to get in to see Dr. Sheldon. During that time, Tim averaged at least two of the irregular heartbeat episodes per day, even on the weekend when he was home. He’d made Jason aware of it the one time it happened while he was home from work and his boyfriend immediately grabbed his stethoscope and pressure cuff to get a reading. He took Tim’s blood pressure twice.

Jason had looked confused when the episode ended. “That was 102 beats per minute and here you are sitting all calm like nothing is going on. Even your blood pressure is within the normal range. Maybe a little closer to the higher end, but still normal.”

“Are you coming with me to the cardiologist then?” Tim had asked.

“Hell, yeah.”

Tim was grateful for Jason’s presence in the office while he met with Dr. Sheldon. The doctor was in her mid-fifties, tall, and blonde. She had a no nonsense air about her, but her kind smile helped put him at ease.

“Tell me about what kind of work you do, Mr. Drake,” the doctor asked, leaning against the small cabinet and sink after she was finished with the physical side of the exam.

“It’s an office job. I’ve got a finance degree, so I spend most of my time analyzing data and writing up reports.”

“Is it stressful?” Dr. Sheldon probed.

Tim shook his head. “Not really. I’m good at it. The hours are regular and the pay is good.”

“What about the work environment?”

“It’s an office,” Tim replied with a shrug. “We’ve got ups and downs and the occasional crazy day. I don’t have any issues with most of my colleagues.”

Jason snorted and rolled his eyes.

The reaction didn’t go unnoticed by Dr. Sheldon. “I take it you have something to add about that?”

“There is an office problem child,” Jason said, shooting Tim an apologetic glance. “Tim’s been with them for almost a year now, but he got a new manager about four months ago. She seems to cause more problems than not.”

The doctor narrowed her eyes as she turned her attention back to Tim. “Really, now?”

Tim frowned and shot Jason a dirty look, even though he could see how this was important. “It’s gotten better,” he offered. “At first, she didn’t know her left hand from her right. She spent a lot of time sitting with all of us to learn what it is we do and how our roles played into hers. I felt like she sat with me more often than the others and she seems to come to me instead of the more tenured analysts whenever something happens.”

“You’re her problem solver,” Dr. Sheldon stated plainly. “Is that stressful?”

“Sometimes? None of the other analysts want to deal with her at all.” The days where he didn’t have to fix one of Sandra’s screw ups were good days in his book. “I think she may have bitten off more than she can chew when she got transferred to my department. Whenever I’m fixing her mess, she hovers.”

The doctor nodded slowly. “Okay. Well, here’s what we’re going to do. You’re clearly not having one of these episodes right now, so we’re going to hook you up with a Holter monitor and see if we can’t catch one.”

“A what?”

Jason stepped in to explain. “It’s a portable heart monitor that records everything going on with your ticker for a short period of time, usually 24 hours.”

Dr. Sheldon nodded approvingly. “I’ve had people wear it for as long as 72 hours if the arrhythmia is particularly irregular, but you said you have at least two episodes a day, so we’ll get you hooked up this afternoon. I want you to wear it all day tomorrow and stop by tomorrow evening to drop it off. Depending on what it records, I’ll schedule more tests.”

So that was how Tim found himself at work the next day with a heart monitor hooked onto his belt. The lead lines ran out from under his dress shirt through a gap between the bottommost buttons to the top of the machine. His jacket helped hide the device, but he couldn’t wear it forever.

Sandra somehow spotted the monitor and immediately called him into her office. “Oh, my goodness, Tim! Did they find anything wrong?” she all but gushed as he sat down.

“Not at the moment. I was fine while I was in there. Isn’t that always the way things seem to happen?” Tim replied, trying for some levity. Now that the whole stress idea had been brought to his attention, he could admit he did find sitting here to be rather stressful.

“It sure does,” Sandra agreed sagely before launching into another story about her husband and his blood pressure.

These were stories Tim had spent a great deal of time hearing for the last week and he resisted the urge to interrupt and remind his manager of that. His patience for her in general was wearing thin. As he sat there though, Tim suddenly noticed something.

His heart was racing for the first time since the visit to the cardiologist yesterday. The little box was catching it all.

~*~*~

Tim returned the monitor to the doctor’s office and two days later got a call to schedule a stress test and an electrocardiograph.

Jason flopped down heavily next to Tim on the couch when he got home that night and heard the news. “Fuck, Dr. Sheldon must have found something concerning if she’s having you do both of those.”

“Yeah,” Tim agreed, setting down his tablet on the coffee table so he could curl up next to the space heater that was his boyfriend. “Jay, what if something is wrong? I mean, seriously wrong with me?” He started shifting nervously.

“The only thing wrong with you is that you overthink things.” Jason placed his hand against Tim’s head to hold him still. “Are you worried that I’m going to give all this up if it turns out you only have like six months to live or something?”

Trust Jason to see right to the heart of the matter. “Maybe,” Tim admitted quietly. There had been a few random thoughts to that effect. It was just who he was, thinking and analyzing, playing out different scenarios in his head. Not exactly the best way to spend the time on the subway to and from the office, but what else did he have to do?

Jason gently kissed the crown of Tim’s head. “Babe, you’re not getting rid of me and I sure as fuck have no plans to leave you if the shit hits the fan. Besides, if things do get rough and you need a nurse, who else is gonna dress up for you?”

Tim laughed and shoved Jason hard. The teasing helped lighten his mood though, which was exactly what he needed. “There had better be stockings and a garter belt,” he quipped, imagining Jason in one of those sexy nurse uniforms. They didn’t mind a little role play in the bedroom sometimes. “Maybe even some lacy panties.”

“They’ll be fire engine red, just for you.”

~*~*~

The stress test came back negative, so Dr. Sheldon had Tim wear the heart monitor again until he could take the EKG a couple days later so that she could get a longer period of time to review. Over the course of those days, he had six of the damn episodes.

A technician administered the EKG while the doctor reviewed the recordings of Tim’s heartbeat. Tim laid on the exam table and tried not to think about anything as more electrodes were connected to his body. This entire experience was more mentally exhausting than anything else.

After the test was over, Dr. Sheldon came into the room to speak with him. “Mr. Drake, I’ll take a look at the EKG results here soon, but after what I retrieved from the Holter monitor, I think it may be a good idea to start a low dose of blood pressure medication.”

“But you’ve said my blood pressure is fine,” Tim said as he tugged his sweater vest back on over his dress shirt. The EKG was early enough in the day that he’d go to work after this.

“It is. However, you’ve got a definite uptick in your blood pressure during these periods of arrhythmia. It’s not dangerously high, but it is at the higher end of normal.”

Tim remembered Jason saying that same thing a couple weeks ago. “The medication is to lower my blood pressure then?”

Dr. Sheldon nodded and handed him a prescription. ��We’ll start with this and see if it helps. I can tell you right now that you may experience some periods of wooziness since you do have mostly normal blood pressure. How are things going at work?”

The change in subject made Tim smile thinly. “Stressful, now that you mention it. My manager hovers even more now out of concern.”

“When was the last time you took a vacation?”

“Does having the flu for a week count?”

“Nice try.”

~*~*~

Tim discovered almost immediately that the dizziness the doctor warned him about wasn’t just periodic. It was almost all the time. Thankfully, the pharmacist and Dr. Sheldon had said he could cut these pills in half if it got too bad and could take a smaller dose every six hours. He started doing this after the first night where he ended up so lightheaded that he fell asleep insanely early and left his phone and its obnoxious alarm in the living room after he stumbled his way to bed. He’d been late to work the next day and had to sit through one of Sandra’s annoying stories about her husband.

It was small wonder the woman’s husband had high blood pressure though if this was what he had to deal with at home. He knew Sandra meant well, but it was clear as day that her emotional intelligence needed some work.

Still, even with the adjustment made to the medication, the dizziness and lightheadedness were almost constant companions.

The EKG test came back normal and Dr. Sheldon was at a loss over how to explain what was occurring with Tim’s heart. The medication did appear to be helping with the arrhythmia though, as Tim noticed he was down to maybe one episode per day. But the side effects were making it more and more difficult to do his job. There was more than one incident where he slept through his alarm and a couple times, Tim purposefully shut it off so he could just go back to sleep.

Needless to say, those were days when Jason wasn’t home.

When he did make it to work, Tim stared blearily at his screen as he tried to make sense of numbers and charts that were usually so easy for him to pick apart and dissect. Coffee wasn’t something that helped and more than once he found himself jerking awake when his cubemate jostled the back of his chair.

Things came to a head one afternoon when Sandra woke him up. “Tim, we need to talk.”

Tim nodded blearily, already knowing this wasn’t going to be one of those meandering speeches his boss loved to deliver. He followed her into the office and sat down heavily in the chair.

Sandra adjusted her glasses and folded her hands, trying for that matronly boss vibe she loved so much. “Tim, I know you’re going through a lot right now and that you’ve got the documentation to prove it, but I just got a call from the HR manager. Do you know how much time you’ve missed in the last four weeks?”

Had it been a month already? “I know I’ve missed a few days since I started the medication, and I made up the hours for when I was at an appointment.”

“But you’ve also been coming in late and those are hours I can’t let you make up. The occurrences keep piling up and now I’m afraid I have to give you a warning. Tim, if you miss another day of work or are late again, I have no choice but to let you go.”

It was a sign of just how out of it Tim was that the words didn’t register immediately. “What? But that’s not fair! I’m doing everything I can to do my job while the doctor figures out what’s wrong with me.”

“I know, Tim,” Sandra said soothingly. “I know. I wish there was something I could do, but I just don’t have the clout with HR to pull any strings.”

That was bullshit. She had lunch once a week with the HR manager and everyone on the team knew it. “What about that disability leave I’ve heard about?”

“FMLA? While you’ve worked the required number of hours to qualify for it before this started happening, you haven’t been with the company for a full year yet. It’s a rolling year at least, but you still have about six weeks before that anniversary.”

Now Tim was pissed. His heart started racing as adrenaline fueled it and for the first time since he started his meds, his head was clear. “So what am I supposed to do then? Stop taking my medicine because it’s keeping me from doing my job properly even though it’s keeping my heart beating normally? The HR manager does know I need to have a heartbeat to be here, right?”

Sandra sighed heavily. “I’m truly on your side, Tim. I really am. But the rules are the same for everyone. I know you’re upset right now, so why don’t you take a few minutes to go get some fresh air and calm down. Things have a way of working themselves out. You’ll see.”

Tim wanted to take what the woman clearly thought was sage advice and shove it up her ass. Rather than risk opening his mouth, he nodded stiffly and left the office.

This was not good. Not good at all. Tim wandered into one of the employee lounges and, despite the snow swirling lightly outside, stepped out onto the narrow balcony. The air was freezing, and he rubbed his arms through his thin dress shirt, already wishing he had remembered to grab a jacket. Still, the cold helped leech away his anger and replaced it with simmering resentment instead.

How could this be happening to him? He’d done everything he was supposed to and made sure to submit all the proper documentation for the majority of his absences. Dr. Sheldon had even included in the paperwork that there could be periodic days where he missed work due to his treatment. Instead of being treated like a human being, he was having it shoved in his face just how much of a cog in the wheel he really was. A body at a desk rather than a person.

Perhaps he should have taken that position at Wayne Enterprises in their finance department. He’d been swayed by the better pay here and it was coming back to bite him in the ass.

Tim sighed and rubbed a tired hand over his eyes. Now that he was calming down, the familiar lethargy was returning full force. He was so tired. Tired of not knowing what was wrong with him. Tired of all the stress the uncertainty brought with it. Hell, he was tired of cleaning up after Sandra’s messes. Who would she tap on the shoulder to help her next if he’s fired?

He leaned against the glass door and watched the snow blow through the narrow corridor between this building and the next. The wind tossed it every which way, never giving it a chance to land. In the distance, Tim heard a dull roaring that reminded him of a jet engine coming to life. Despite the cold, he felt warmer even though he kept his hands tucked up under his arms. It was snowing after all.

The snow looked so pretty and white. It hadn’t had a chance to be tainted yet by the street below.

Tim blinked heavily. The roaring was growing louder. Was there a train coming? How did it get all the way up here?

He closed his eyes and listened as the train finally caught up with him.

~*~*~

Later on, Tim was told that one of his colleagues found him slumped over unconscious on the freezing balcony when he’d stepped outside for a quick smoke. They weren’t sure how long he’d been there, but his lips were blue and he was barely breathing.

Hypothermia on top of passing out due to his already low blood pressure. Fun times.

Jason was there when Tim woke up in the hospital. He was still a little out of it, but the emergency room doctor cleared him to go home. Tim fell back to sleep almost as soon as they arrived and didn’t wake up again for several more hours.

When he did, the full force of what just happened struck him like the train he thought he heard outside earlier. “Fuck,” he muttered and rolled over to bury his face in the mountain of pillows Jason apparently decided he needed to be comfortable. “Fuck, fuck, fuck.”

Jason must have been in the room because the mattress sank as he sat down next to Tim. “As much as I love hearing you use coherent words again, that’s usually one that comes outta my mouth instead than yours.”

Tim raised his head enough to glare at his boyfriend. “I don’t have a job anymore,” he announced.

“The fuck?” Jason’s eyes crinkled in concern. “What the hell are you talking about?”

“I had a lovely meeting with Sandra this afternoon before I wandered my happy ass outside to nearly freeze to death.” He told Jason what had happened.

Jason shook his head, the color rising in his cheeks as he tried to suppress his own anger. “Goddammit. And you really think that passing out at work is the icing on the cake?”

“Considering what I was told before I did, I see no reason why it wouldn’t.” Tim buried his face back in the pillow. Suffocating sounded like a great way to go and end his misery, but it wasn’t as though his paramedic boyfriend would let him. He rolled back over to gaze up at Jason. “Jay, I don’t know what to do. Everything has gone all to hell since the arrhythmia started and I’m just so tired of it all. And that’s saying something since all I do is sleep these days.”

“Tim, there’s no reason why you need to stay there. Quit before you get fired. We’ve got some money tucked away. You can do that website design stuff you did in college to get extra cash while you job hunt.” It sounded like Jason had been thinking about this already.

“But that means you’ll have to pick up extra shifts at the station. You work hard enough as it is, you deserve your time off,” Tim protested. “I refuse to be a freeloader.”

Jason bent over and sealed his mouth over Tim’s to shut him up and distract him for a moment. “You have too strong of a work ethic to ever be a freeloader, babe. I bet that if you send in your resignation letter tonight, you’re gonna have a new job in less than a month.”

Tim scowled, even though he would admit that Jason’s faith in his marketable skills was warming. Or perhaps that was the hot water bottle tucked under his feet. “I bet there’s already an email waiting for me telling me to pack my shit and go.”

“Then what are you waiting for? Just don’t forget your stapler,” Jason replied with a grin. “It’s red, right?”

~*~*~

Ten days later, Tim had just finished removing his first ever homemade chicken pot pie out of the oven when he heard the front door open. Looking over his shoulder, he spotted Jason staggering his way inside. He’d just pulled a double shift and was clearly running on fumes.

“Dinner’s almost ready,” Tim called out. “Go take a shower while it cools down.”

“That smells awesome, whatever it is,” Jason said as he dropped his duffel. “Been spending time on YouTube again?”

“How else do you expect me to feed you properly?” Tim retorted with an easy grin. Multitasking in the kitchen was still beyond him, so he’d cooked each component separately before tossing them all into the dish and laid strips of puff pastry over the top. He was rather proud of how it turned out.

Rather than head to their bedroom, Jason made his way into the kitchen and wrapped his arms around Tim’s waist and stooped over to rest his chin on his shoulder. “I think I’ll hire you as my personal chef.”

“Shouldn’t you taste it first?”

Warm lips nipped at the side of Tim’s neck. “I think you taste great. All you need is a frilly little apron and you’re set.”

Tim chuckled as he leaned into Jason. “You know, I never did get to see you in that nurse costume. All I got was you in your GCFD shirt and sweatpants.”

“Hey, I rock this shirt and you know it.” Jason licked a stripe up the other side of his neck. “I suppose fair is fair though. And I did buy those panties I promised you.”

This was the first time in over a month that Jason had approached Tim for anything more than a kiss so the ache in his body was hardly surprising. He’d taken Jason up on his bet and quit his job before they could tell him that he was fired. It had been terrifying, sending the email to Sandra and the HR manager, but the overwhelming sense of relief he felt after clicking on send made Tim realize it was the right thing to do.

His heart must have agreed because in the days since, there had not been a single arrhythmic episode and he’d stopped taking the blood pressure medication as well. Jason still kept tabs on him when he was home, but aside from that first day where Tim slept off the residual effects of hypothermia, he felt fine.

Dr. Sheldon had personally called to check in on him after she heard about what happened from Dr. Thompkins. “Isn’t it amazing what stress can do to a person?” she’d said. “I’m more certain than ever this was your body’s way of telling you to get out of a bad place.”

Tim was very inclined to agree with her.

Later on, Tim laid in bed spooning against Jason. No one ever believed that the taller man was more often the little spoon than the big one. “Guess who I got a call from this afternoon?” he asked, idly tracing a pattern into the bare skin over Jason’s hip.

“Who?” Jason murmured sleepily.

“A talent acquisition manager at Wayne Enterprises. I have an interview on Thursday with the head of their Accounting and Finance department.”

Jason stirred in his arms. “The department head?”

“Yes.” Tim gently kissed the warm skin on Jason’s shoulder. “I apparently have enough experience now that I can be considered for a supervisory position.”

Jason’s deep rich laugh echoed through the bedroom. “Now isn’t that just a giant fuck you to that bitch. I feel like I should send her a thank you card with a picture of my middle finger.”

“I haven’t gotten the job yet,” Tim reminded him.

“You will,” Jason said with certainty. “Looks like I may be losing my personal chef sooner than I thought.”

“You can still get me that apron.”

[waveridden]

ok yeah no i have time and i'm in a mood, i want to talk about this (context i am watching tuc2 for the first time and it's driving me fucking crazy)

issue #1: the pair-the-spare of it all. plug and bambi getting married at the end of aso. the fact that at the end of fantasy high freshman year, all of the single parents are paired off. i didn't realize till rewatching fhfy that sandra lynn and jawbone don't even meet on screen, brennan just goes "they end up together" in a coda. gilear/hallariel is fun but it is not explained at all, we don't get to see them together. karl and rebecca meeting at the end of the seven and essentially making mordred manor... 2! at katja's house. there are probably more examples

issue #2: nobody is allowed to break up permanently. kingston and liz divorce for completely valid and understandable reasons, and within three years they're, what, remarried? dating again? daisy and sylvester are established as being so passionate that they can't be together, and they still get married.

(as a sort of #2a, the thing that pissed me off enough to make this post is watching tuc2 and seeing sofia and dale's separation, and the really healthy and correct idea that she should not just be pining after her dead husband forever, and the knowledge that ultimately she brings him back to life and also gets pregnant with their fucking baby? hello??????)

(since i'm doing subpoints i'll add in a #1a, which is that they're weird about pcs being single, too. see: fabian/aelwyn and the weird self-described toxic relationship; whatever the fuck is up with margaret and lucienne; theo/gooey coming out of nowhere which is especially wild in a season with no reason for romance; this is arguably a point on its own but the really weird way that esther is immediately super horny and obsessed with ricky)

and issue #3 is the general happy-ending-ness of a lot of d20 seasons. the fhfy epilogue about everyone getting what they want. the way that tuc2 afaik ends with, what, 5/6 pcs in relationships and three of those couples having kids? something like that. the way that even things with a lot of potential to go wrong (tiny heist, mice and murder) and a lot of grief along the way (acoc) end in relatively happy and peaceful ways.

not to mention if you look at aso you see a very particular type of happy ending. gunnie's problems are all solved! riva goes home! skip and norman make a truce after spending a whole season making fun of an objectively horrifying circumstance! barry gets another barry! sid gets to make peace with auma! margaret is in charge! this is the idea of a happy ending - everything is fixed. even if you say "there's a lot wrong with the galaxy" you have still given everyone these fairytale endings in this world that allegedly doesn't care.

(side note: every time i think about the ASO ending i end up thinking about friends at the table's season twilight mirage, a season about space utopia where a lot of the characters get endings that are simultaneously satisfying and really sad. there are ways to do it!)

(side note again - when considering happy endings you have to consider the way that very few betrayals are actual betrayals and very few bad people are actually bad. pete's transphobic dad comes around, albeit not for great reasons. barry nyne betrayed barry syx but it wasn't his fault. that weird fucking thing about "kristen's parents (whose love was explicitly described as conditional and shitty) were horrible but at least they always wanted her around." also, it's not lost on me that acoc is the only season where things like this + several of my relationship points are not true - the season that is intentionally described as gritty and dark is the one that has actual satisfying bittersweet endings.)

idk it's just incredibly annoying and saccharine? sometimes the happy ending is breaking up and moving on. sometimes the happy ending is losing everything and getting to be something new. sometimes the happy ending is being single. i don't have an articulate ending i'm just fucking annoyed about it!!!!

brennan's penchant for happily-ever-afters, especially romantic ones, is such a pet peeve of mine lmfao

[jq37]

The Report Card -- Fantasy High Sophomore Year Ep 1

Sophomores and Spring Break 

Note: Hey guys! I decided to try something a little bit different and slightly more structured than my usual recaps for FH: Sophomore Year. I’m hoping this will be a little easier for me and a more useful tool for keeping up to date since there will be a lot more eps to keep track of and they’ll be easier to miss. Lemme know what you think and if you want raw, unfiltered opinions on anything specific, feel free to send me an ask. I’m always down to go off about literally whatever. 

We’re back, baby! It is Sophomore Year at Aguefort and the gang is on Spring Break. A lot is going down so lemme break it down. The Bad Kids, having defeated Kalvaxus last year, are all entitled to a share of his hoard and all the red tape is finally cleared so they all get 20k gold each (which is an insane amount of money converted to USD if you use the WOTC conversion rate of a gold coin being around $145 (circa 2006 when they answered the question)--which would be close to $330 with inflation). Jawbone and Sandra-Lynn are moving in after less than a year into a profoundly haunted house and it’s kind of a Full House situation because Adaine, Fig, Kristen, and Tracker all officially live there (plus it seems that Zayn has also anchored himself to Adaine’s tower--btw, Adaine took the tower that the haunted house obviously has) and you know all the other Bad Kids are gonna be there on the regular. 

More importantly, Aguefort gives the gang their big project for the year--finding the crown of the Nightmare King which was stolen at the end of last season--which is worth 60% of their grade (Adaine does a full Hermione at this information). Each of the gang has info about the NK but the trail has mostly gone cold. Luckily, Fabian just got a hot tip about where Falinel is keeping Aelwyn and she seems like a pretty good lead to start with since she was super tied up in the bad side of all the messiness of last year. Adaine is displeased to say the least. 

Going off to find the crown is super exciting story-wise for two reasons. First of all, it means the gang gets to hire, well, hirelings to help them and temporarily join the party! They ping basically every cool NPC they can think of (except for Tracker for some reason which is BONKERS because (1) she probably would have done it for free and cutting her in would still be keeping the money in the family, (2) she’s dope as hell, (3) she’s a cleric and the party can always use more healers, (4) she’s a werewolf so presumably she has skills that would help in the woods, and (5) they’re t r a c k i n g down a crown and the girl’s name is literally T R A C K E R, but I will not backseat D&D) and eventually end up with Ragh (who has been without an adventuring party all year, poor guy), Sandra-Lynn (swayed by a nat 20 rolled by Fig), Cathilda (!?) ,and, for some reason, Gilear (which Fabian is happy about, mainly for the opportunity to maybe bump him off on the way). Second of all, if you recall, Elmville is a pretty modern town but the rest of the continent is less fantasy high, more high fantasy. Horses and lanterns and all that pseudo-medieval goodness. They are gonna stick out like a sore thumb. I am very here for it. 

Everyone goes home to rest up but, after some ominous dreams, only four of them wake up. Riz and Fig are left asleep and then Brennan mic drops and ends the episode which is a power move and I am extremely upset about it but also, respect. Right for the jugular immediately. I heard Murph and Emily are on tour in the UK next week which probably has something to do with this but, in the moment, I did not know that and I really felt the hammer drop in my heart. It was wild. Cannot wait to see where we go from here. Plus, who doesn’t love watching characters freak out because their friends are in danger?

Random Thoughts

I have no idea what the title of this episode is or if it’ll even have one and not a number but I gave it a placeholder one for now. I also don’t have access to the stream yet so I didn’t get to include some info I wanted to (like a record of nat 20s, and nat 1s so I can track their stats for the school year) and I probably missed some stuff because my brain can only hold so much info guys. I’m not Brennan. 

I mentioned this yesterday during the stream, but there will never be anything better than the pure D&D joy of everyone, in character, talking over each other to clown on each other. They get the friend-group banter that’s a hair breadth’s away from bullying so true to life and it’s so fun to watch. On the flip side, the opening scene with everyone introducing themselves and affirmatively claiming each other as their best friends was also peak D&D. Found family= best trope. 

Fig and Adaine burn spell-slots at basically the same time to try and beat each other to the best room in the (Scooby-Doo ass) house--which is exactly the kind of thing that would happen in this world. It’s such an intuitive setting. I love it so much. (BTW, Fig ends up staying in the false space under the revolving grand piano because, of course).

Fabian and Gorgug went to recruit Ragh, who assumed they were propositioning him for a three-way. In his defense, they did do it in a super proposition-y way and they were in the middle of the LGBTQ student union.

Also, Gorgug gives Ragh an inspiring speech about thinking you’re your own dad which makes him burst into tears. 

Speaking of, Jawbone offhandedly says he’s poly but, like, based on some of the stuff he’s said, I feel like that’s not really a reveal. He also gets along well with Gorthalax and would be down w/ a three-way if Sandra-Lynn wanted to which, again, totally checks out. 

Arthur Aguefort uses Chronomancy to rewind time and catch a snide comment Adaine made under her breath, which is exactly the kind of frivolous use of God-like power I’d expect from him.  

I really love Adaine’s energy coming into this season. She’s in therapy. She’s in a good home environment. She’s comfortable enough with her friend group to do stuff like prank Fig (love that they’re gonna be living together now). And she’s good friends with Zayn now which I want to see more of based on their one interaction in this ep which was very cute. I am already on record as saying I would be down with her getting a ghost boyfriend--I mean, for the aesthetic alone--but I’d be happy with just more friendship. 

Fabian is also hilarious this season because you can tell he’s gone a bit soft from having friends and leaning into that (the friendship necklace with Riz) but also he’s fully aware that it’s happening so he’s, like, ping-ponging back and forth like, “These are my friends,” and, “What am I saying? I used to be cool,” and it’s very funny. Very happy the Aelwyn storyline is happening right out of the gate, both because I think Aelwyn is a very interesting character with a lot of potential for nuance but also because Fabian reacting to her and Adaine reacting to Fabian reacting to her is always gold. 

Prompted by an offhand conversation from Fig about rock and roll, Brennan--earning another feather for his Cap of God Tier DMing--goes on an impromptu five minute long improved diatribe about a bard who played such a good concert that it instantly impregnated everyone in attendance (dudes too) who gave birth to kids with sick rocker hair and denim jackets and ascended to Rock Heaven on their 18th Birthday. You truly have to watch it to believe it. At a certain point I thought he was gonna drop it but that was the moment he doubled down and kept going. Amazing. 

Watching Murph, in real time, make up a girl/boy/whateverfriend in Fantasy Canada was a gift. 

I don’t have access to the stream yet but best quote of the night that I can remember is Kristen choosing her room: This is triggering and I’ll take it. (Her line about her lesbian starter kit and the one about wanting a horse were also bangers). 

The group talks about what they’re going to do for transportation outside of Elmsville since they don’t really use cars out there and they somehow get from “disguise Fig’s tour bus” to “commission Aguefort to create a brand new animal that can hold six people plus hirelings, one of which is Fabian who is also riding his motorbike”.

I love that Sandra-Lynn’s Mom Powers work on Tracker. 

Basrar doesn’t accept the invitation to come with on the quest, but he does give Kristen a bag of infinite ice cream sandwiches, which is basically just as good, IMO. 

Oh Gilear. The man is sleeping in the Seacaster garage, being bullied by skater kids, and now he’s stuck on this quest with his ex and Fabian who actively wants him dead.  

Speaking of, I’m psyched to see more of Sandra-Lynn. She was kind of a sleeper badass at the end of last season. 

Ragh is keeping secrets which I hope the cast doesn’t forget because it could be nothing serious (like the high school drama happening with Skrank and the 7 maidens--maybe he’s just crushing on Gorgug who did full kiss him during Promocalypse) or it could be Serious Business that will blow up if the don’t stay on top of it. We’ll see. 

Oh, almost forgot. Adaine wants an emotional support frog. Every time I think I can’t love her more.   

Detention

Fig for Not Respecting Personal Boundaries

Fig goes full Emily right out the gate and, after finding out that Skrank (nerdy bird dude who apparently can get it) was not only dating Ostentasia (rich, popular dwarf) but also dumped her in pursuit of Danielle Barkstock (one of Ostentasia’s party members, the scandal), disguises herself as him with Danielle to figure out what’s going on. And, wouldn't you know it, when she gives herself away, Danielle immediately is shocked and appalled, as you would be, obviously. We also learn that she’s still catfishing Dr. Asha which is, how you say, for sure a crime. Fig, please, I’m begging you. Cease. 

Honor Roll

Fig, Riz, and Adaine for Researching the Nightmare King

Fig made both lists, look at that. Wasn’t my plan for this to be a three-way tie (also didn’t expect to use the word “three-way” this many times in this writeup) but I think their contributions were pretty much equally valuable. Rainsolo on the Discord wrote up this summary of the lore dump Brennan gave them.

[jq37]

The Report Card – Fantasy High Sophomore Year Ep 2

Boggy the Froggy!

Welcome back, ya’ll! We jump back in with our Bad Kids (or 4/6 of them anyway) the very next day. Fabian sends Gilear out on a coffee run on the threat of bodily harm. His mom–who, if you remember is low-key a total badass–tells Fabian that if Gilear doesn’t come back from the quest alive, she’s going to duel him to the death on top of the house. Yikes. At Chez Thistlespring, Gorgug’s parents give him another very detailed sex talk and then remind him that he lives in a world where magic is very real so any and all dreams he remembers should be treated as omens. 

At the haunted house, Adaine wakes up having had portentous dreams like everyone else which is doubly concerning I have to imagine considering (1) she is the eleven oracle and (2) as a full elf she’s supposed to trance, not sleep and dream. Luckily for her nerves, she cast Find Familiar the night before and summoned an emotional support familiar which she gave the amazing name Bogariel Frogariel aka: Boggy the Froggy. 

Meanwhile (and I needed to switch paragraphs because Kristen is doing the D&D equivalent of playing Twister while everyone else is playing Checkers as she is wont to do) Kristen is talking to Tracker about changing Yes? again because she is filled with doubt about her god of doubt but the one thing she clearly doesn’t have doubt about is her relationship with Tracker because it’s been less than a year and she already sees wedding bells in their future. Wild. She also invites Tracker on the quest, rectifying what I thought was a wild oversight last week. 

Everyone meets up and they realize Fig and Riz are missing. They (specifically Fabian) can’t get Riz on the phone (which has never happened before) and all of Fig’s stuff is missing. They head over to Riz’s office to see if they can find him but, before that, Tracker cancels the church of Yes? because, sure. 

There are signs of a struggle at Riz’s office, but no blood. They find a picture of Riz’s super-spy dad (Pok) with his arm around someone who appears invisible to them (though the spot is circled in red). They also find claw marks going up to a mirror. Adaine stops Gorgug from touching the mirror which would have driven him insane and had him attack the group. She sees a twisted version of Riz in the mirror which no one else can see until she describes it (suspicious). Then, she dispels magic and the Riz appears in the room…and attacks them (roll for initiative baybee)!

Fabian is flipped the F out. Kristen decides to chill out and drink Riz’s coffee–much to the incredulousness of everyone else (she’s on those chill existential dread vibes). Adaine and Gorgug are stricken by fear but they’re able to snap out of it quickly. Once they’re sure it’s not Riz (the doppelganger is going full creepy horror movie monster with the head twisting and biting and junk), they start going full throttle but Kristen gets a clutch roll and lands a banishment on Nightmare Riz (who was invisible at the time). Also, Adaine finds a gun but no one is down with her packing heat without proper firearms training so she reluctantly puts it back. They confer with Sandra-Lynn and they find out Fig has, for some reason, gone to Bastion City (the capital) and Gorthalax is missing. Also, because Emily is Emily whether she’s present or not, they find out that Fig has decided to multiclass and she is now a bard/warlock with her demon dad as her patron. Those might be connected because, as her patron, Gorthalax can now find Fig at all times.  

Sklonda, in the meantime, has been investigating a robbery at the mall. They end up there too because Gilear (who is back from his coffee run) said he saw Fig’s bus in the area. They tell Ragh to meet them there and then head over (Gorgug in the old family car which he buys from them for 30 gold (the cost of a pony)–the amount Adaine suggests after the Thistlesprings reject his insane offer of 1000 gold). Also, Kristen leaves her brothers some gold secretly which is sad and also I think not the best way to handle that, but the intention is good. The robbery was of a gem–non-magical I believe–called the Devil’s Heart. [Edit: And apparently Fig’s doing.] Fabian shows up, tries to be helpful, and then eats glass. Normal stuff. 

The group tries to figure out what’s going on with Fig by calling the hotel she’s at and basically doing a straight improv comedy routine, each passing the phone around with a bad story until Adaine just hangs the phone up. Then, they find out from Sklonda that Pok’s partner is a tabaxi (cat person) named Kalina and she is in the empty space in the photo. Sklonda and Sandra-Lynn can see it even though the Bad Kids can’t. 

With that information gathered, the group leaves Elmville for the first time on the way to the Hotel Cavalier in Bastion City and, hopefully, Fig. 

Detention

Fabian for Intern Abuse

Poor Gilear. Fabian solicits increasingly complicated coffee orders from his friends to make Gilear’s job harder and tries to get them to threaten Gilear on their behalf. Even Sandra-Lynn was like, bro. Lay off the guy. Bad form, sir. (Hilarious, but bad). 

Honor Roll

Adaine for Rocking Her Portent Rolls

Adaine had a 19 and a 4 for her portent rolls this session and she used them very judiciously. The first was her 19 which she gave to Gorgug who was about to fail his saving throw and touch the mirror which would have led to him attacking everyone (she has a vision of his beheading her in a rage–sidenote love that Brennan makes her portent rolls actual visions instead of just having the mechanical effect of changing the roll happen). The second was a 4 which she gave to Brennan who was rolling for concentration on Nightmare Riz’s fear spell. What a power move to stare your DM in the face and say, “You roll a 4.” Amazing. Portent rolls are so good you guys. Also, bonus points for coming up with the name Bogariel Frogariel. 

Random Thoughts

Fabian’s response to his mom’s ultimatum that she will fight him if Gilear doesn’t return alive? “Damn, guess I have to fight my mom.”

“MAGIC IS REAL AND SO IS MY FROG.”

Brennan describes Boggy as just the most archetypal looking, round, squishy frog and I want a plush of his yesterday. Or a stress ball! It would go with his whole emotional support thing in game. I love that Siobhan picked not the potentially “useful” or “cool” animal. She went full Marie Kondo and was like, “What’s gonna spark some joy?” Boggy also can give her the help action, which is great!

The episode was great even 2 cast members down, but they were missed. On more than one occasion, I was like, “This is more quiet than usual. I wonder why–ah Emily.” We better get her reaction to Boggy as soon as she’s back.  

Kristen brings up the concept of patenting a god which is wild. We also get an answer to the question I had last week about Tracker’s cleric status–she still is a cleric of the moon goddess. The moon goddess is just chill with her followers not being exclusive. 

Fabian sans Riz is a hilarious mess. For anyone who likes them together as friends and/or romantically there was a lot of Content. Fabian being like, “Idk about Fig but something is def wrong with the Ball because he always answers on the first ring when I call  him.” Him canonically forgetting that he has a name other than The Ball (that’s the name in his phone, obv). And, the coup de grace, him investigating RIz’s office, but only for signs of his name. Him trying to Investigate like Riz, rolling a nat 1, and literally eating glass (“I thought I could taste fingerprints!”). 

“Coffee’s ordered, is the Ball dead?”

Adaine as everyone is clowning on Fabian for possibly making out with the Hangman: The Hangman is much more human than my bitch sister. 

Nightmare Riz, who they still think is actual Riz at this point, pops out of the mirror and Fabian and Adaine’s reactions respectively are, “You can’t do these things!” and, “It’s like 60% of our grade.”

The idea of Gorgug going from a terrified scream into a barbarian rage scream is very funny. Where are the animatics people?

Oh, speaking of people, Fantasy High was trending on tumblr the morning after this stream. Nice job, guys! 

The talk that Gorgug’s parents give him about all dreams being significant is something I always say in movies/books/shows like this. You have protagonists who *know* they live in a magic world and they have weird dreams and it’s not until 2/3rds of the way into the story that they’re like, “Wait. My dreams…mean something?” Bitch, what?

Gorgug’s initial coffee order is Hot Chocolate with a shot of decaf.

Everyone is very chill with Tracker coming onto the quest. Adaine just has one rule: No sex in the tent while they’re also in the tent. Kristen asks like she’s offended Adaine would feel the need to say that but like…come on. 

At first, I thought the invisibility in the photo was similar to the non-Adaine bad kids not being able to see Nightmare Riz until she described him but they still couldn’t see the woman in the photo after Sklonda described her so not sure what was going on with the mirror. 

I went back to the episode where Riz finds the photo of his dad (First Kisses and Last Words at around 1 hour, 27 mins in) and in that photo it’s of his dad and his mom. So either (1) it’s a different photo, (2) Brennan forgot/retconned something, or (3) something seriously screwy is going on. I will also note two observations here. Sklonda mentioned that Kalina doesn’t drink but was holding up her hand in a toast like she was drinking in the photo. That seems too specific a detail to not mean anything. And the second thing is, last ep, we did learn about a servant of the Nightmare King called the Shadow Cat and Kalina (if that is her real name) is a tabaxi so that’s something to think about. 

With all the complicated coffee orders flying around, Adaine just changes hers to a black coffee to try and make Gilear’s life a little easier (her original order was a Peppermint Mocha–sans the threat of violence to Gilear Fabian was offering). I do really love that Adaine seems genuinely concerned about the guy. SOMEONE should be. And it’s consistent with her characterization of just being generally well mannered and empathetic. 

Kristen getting the banishment on Nightmare Riz is something she did after Ally asked for it and Brennan was like, “lol, sure on a 19 or 20.” Boom. Rolled a 19. Just like in the prom fight. So the lesson here folks is don’t give your players a conditional yes and then expect the dice to bail you out. 

Kristen’s existential crisis is so crazy to me because she’s having, like, a prototypical Crisis of Faith™ (and pretty realistically) except, unlike in real life, she has certain knowledge about the existence of gods, life after death, and the means to communicate with those deities in the present day like…I feel like you’re crisis-ing wrong, girl. She’s crisis-ing like she just deconverted from Christianity when I feel like what actually happened is closer to, like, quitting a sorority or realizing you hate your major or changing political parties.  

the nature of humanity is just that every so often someone accidentally invents homestuck helioism again

Ragh had a dream matching up with Gorgug’s (but he didn’t realize it was Gorgug in his dream) which means something and I’m sure we’ll figure out what soon enough. 

The Fabian eating glass scene is another one where you truly need to see it to understand how great it is. Lou is equally game to have Fabian be the coolest person who ever lived or a huge baby and Fabian running away crying because he has glass shards in his tongue is incredible. Hilariously, he runs into Ragh in the food court who has also eaten glass in the past (“Glass is literally invisible.”) and they bro bond over it so hard (“That’s my boy!”) that Tracker and Kristen are like…are they a thing?

The other crazy scene is the gang passing around the phone trying to convince the hotel receptionist to give them info about Fig. Kristen comes up with the name Teddy Guyger (and Zac and I at the same time are like, “Did you get the name Teddy because you have a teddy bear in your inventory rn?”). Fabian tries to drop his dad’s name. Their first move for some reason isn’t to give the phone to Gorgug who is also a part of the band. Adaine just hangs up the phone like Peppa Pig. Exquisite comic timing. 

“I cast bane on Gilear.”

I love the running joke of Adaine having visions throughout the day of her friends in the process of doing dumb BS.

Nightmare Riz going after Fabian’s good eye was big gross. Thanks Brennan, I hate it.  

I wonder if what’s going on with Fig is completely different than what’s going on with Riz. Just because they’re gone for the same reason irl, doesn’t mean they’re gone for the same reason in game. Nightmare Fig could be a fun fight though.

As someone whose fave thing in D&D is not combat, I thought the fight in this episode was great. Interesting concept, good chance for in-character reactions, not too long . 

Ragh upon meeting Tracker: Check it out: I’m gay. (Tracker: Tight.)

Fabian, who has known Cathilda his entire life: Do maids dream?

In this ep, Kristen and Adaine rolled 2 nat 20s each (Kristen rolled one for initiative also but it was lowered by her modifier), and Gorgug and Fabian each rolled 1. Fabian also rolled a nat 1 (which, again, led to him Eating Glass).