#and those have evolved and been added to as i learned more about the twins

[theweirdestroller]

Can I just ask you for some of your twin headcanons? I'm so intrigued by your versions of them, they make me so happy!!

-Fox anon

I'm glad you like them so much!!

I will gladly share my headcanons!! I'll split this into Sunny Side Up headcanons and general stuff.

This feels like a bullet points kind of post, so here it is! Starting with Sunny Side Up

Sunstreaker is aroace. He takes physical damage every time Sideswipe (or Strongarm) mentions Windblade

Much like Sides, Sunny has some level of abandonment issues

Despite only being affected from (very) long distance separation, neither twin is ever very far from each other ever

Sideswipe actually dislikes Steeljaw quite a bit more than in canon for... reasons (not that he knows why)

Sides enjoys music more than Sunny, though Sunstreaker's taste in music is similar to Sideswipe's

Sunstreaker isn't nearly as competitive as his brother. UNLESS! He is competing against or with him, then they're both competitive as hell

Despite being just as much as a menace as Sideswipe internally, outwardly, Sunstreaker doesn't act on it as often. He will help with pranks and such, as those are hilarious to him more often than not

Both twins are really good at keeping secrets and hiding stuff

Sideswipe can play several Cybertronian instruments, most at a beginner level, some more intermediate

Sunny Side Up has artist Sunstreaker because that's just one of my favorite overall headcanons for him, however! Sideswipe can't do any traditional art to save his life

Sideswipe likes hugging people to show affection! Sunstreaker doesn't like hugs as much, but he will listen/talk to you if he really likes you

I think that's gonna do it for Sunny Side Up specific headcanons. On to more generic stuff!

Both twins respect Prowl and Ratchet more than any other bot they know. They also have to get on their nerves more often too

Bluestreak is Sideswipe's best friend, and by extension, Sunny's friend too

Sideswipe is a lot smarter than he lets on but prefers fighting, so he doesn't bother telling anyone

Jazz is Sideswipe's favorite target for pranks, Smokescreen is Sunstreaker's

I adore the stronger/more overpowered versions of their twin bond, something about the idea of annoying each other when no one else can hear, or simply talking about someone else because nobody will ever find out

Neither twin likes the taste of high-grade, but Sides will have it when other Autobots do, he likes to feel included

Sunstreaker taught Bob to steal things from Wheeljack (why Wheeljack? Who knows. I just like the idea of Bob getting stuff for Sunny. Wheeljack's a prime candidate because he would never suspect thievery first)

The only people allowed to help Sunstreaker with any injuries that aren't immediately fatal are Ratchet and Sideswipe. Prowl and Optimus too, on a good day

Sideswipe hands random trinkets he likes to people he likes. Sunny has a small collection of rocks, chess pieces, bits of plants, plastic toy animals, an assortment of pony beads, and origami. He does not know where Sideswipe found any of it, especially considering most of it is human-sized (Ratchet has several colorful bits of cloth, tiny glass animals, and origami as well. Prowl has colored three ring binders and a stack of human and Cybertronian-sized stickers. Bluestreak has a human cassette, just one, Blaster played it and it had a bunch of random and varying songs. Optimus got a large plush lion once)

Sunstreaker likes throwing things at Red Alert. Most of the time it's not in a friendly capacity, but sometimes it is. Red Alert assumes the worst every time

Sunstreaker's favorite sparring partner, aside from Sideswipe, is Blades (Gen 1, not Rescue Bots. RB Blades would not enjoy that)

I think this is where I'm gonna end it! I know I have more, but this is already quite a bit. I would have shared more for Sunny Side Up, but those would get into spoiler territory very quickly

[riderofblackdragons]

I Take Thee

Day 13: Team As A Family | familial curse | multiple whumpees | "death will do us part"

Day 14: Left for Dead | hunting gear | blackmail | "cause I want you to know what it feels like to be haunted"

Okay so I think it's kind of obvious, but I decided to combine days 13 & 14 together. It wasn't initially intended, I was going to do 2 separate days, but I really don't have any ideas for day 14, and well. Elijah did kinda leave her husband and son for dead, since Mikael killed Garmr's pack.

But I did have fun writing this, no matter how late it is, and apparently that's the most important part. This takes place in the An Original Mother AU, because really, I felt like it fit the prompt very nicely.

If there's any AUs in particular anyone wants me to do, I do take requests lol

Hope you enjoy!

Over the many years, Elijah had seen vows evolve and change, in meaning and in the words said. She could remember her own, promising to love her husband, and stay by him 'til he raised a hand against her, their wife, or any children they had together.

Of course, then she'd raised a hand against Tatia, and run from him, and she knew that it had hurt both of them but what else could she have done? She'd killed their wife, and she couldn't trust herself around their son. Elijah had needed to go, she'd even known it running purely on instinct as she had been, before she'd hurt either of them as well.

She'd regretted it many times over the years, the last glimpse of her husband and son staying in her mind, but she'd never brought herself to see if they'd managed to survive Mikael's decimation of the wolf pack. Elijah didn't want to know, not since her presence, protecting those two, would maybe have made a difference in their survival against her father.

It was centuries later that they'd found Tatia's descendants, Hale's descendants, and Elijah knew for sure that at least their son had gotten away. Even though she'd never know the truth if her husband had too. It was too long ago for Mikael to remember, and there was no one else alive to ask about it.

And she'd gotten married again, and again, to help her family survive whilst they were on the run from said father. Sometimes, she knew, Klaus would kill her husbands, typically as they left, fleeing yet again. Sometimes they'd managed to last long enough for Mikael to kill them though, Elijah knew.

Each of her vows, in her more political marriages, were more along the lines of "obey and honour thy husband", as opposed to loving until death parted them. In the earlier days, there was nothing about death, or everlasting marriage.

Why would there be? It was political, but both parties were aware that as soon as Elijah's family stopped being useful, or she failed to produce an heir for her husband in the first five years, then they'd no longer be wed. On her part, Elijah ended up thankful that she'd only ever had one child in a political marriage, although she'd had many miscarriages.

She'd loved Eirikur with all her heart, and been devastated at his death, and her siblings' roles in it. But she'd been grateful towards the start of his life, when Kol had killed Elijah's husband for daring to sleep around during (and after) her pregnancy.

Elijah had known that her husband's fidelity had run its course as soon as she'd gotten pregnant, but she still hadn't expected her younger brother's anger when he'd learned of it. They'd had to run, and Kol had left them to try to keep the heat off of Elijah's at-the-time newborn, but Elijah would be a liar to say that his fierce protection of her honour didn't make her feel happy, deep down.

The first time Elijah had done the more modern vows, it'd been 1700 AD, and it had been her new husband's idea. Three months pregnant, with what would turn out to be twins, Elijah hadn't really cared. She'd liked him a lot, enough to maybe consider herself in love, but she'd made sure that he organised their vows.

"Until death do us part," She still remembered swearing to him.

Pregnancy hormones had already started affecting her then - she'd started crying before he'd had the chance to say the same back to her. The structure of the vows was different to the ones she'd said before, around a century earlier, but she hadn't been surprised, with the language change.

What had surprised her was how similar the vows still were. Sure, there was some other things thrown in there that Elijah's previous marriage hadn't had, like the lack of obeying, and things that were clearly important to her then-partner as a witch, but the non-supernatural things were surprisingly similar, given the time between.

Elijah could've sworn that languages changed faster than that, but that could've been the way she and her siblings had also had to hop countries (and therefore languages) so often.

She'd lost that husband a few months after their wedding. Till death wasn't that long for them, it turned out - his former coven caught up to them, but he'd exhausted his magic sending Elijah to someone else she'd trusted. She hadn't appreciated ending up on top of her sleeping father, but she also hadn't really been able to complain.

Given that the one who'd sent her there was dead and all. She'd managed to leave before Mikael had woken up, anyways. Elijah hadn't wanted to deal with him trying to get her to give up her siblings, regardless of the fact that she probably could've used his help when the twins had come.

She'd refused to get married, regardless of what for, after that. As a family, they were powerful enough that most supernatural beings didn't mess with them - and political marriages were going out of style anyways, having one would bring more scrutiny than having two unwed women would.

Besides. Klaus had ended up with a whole city to run. Elijah had been with her half brother for decades, she knew he'd need help to run it. A marriage would have just resulted in some man thinking he could run the city in her stead, when she was already running it in Klaus' stead. They didn't need that kind of hassle.

Tag List: @captain-effy @what-the-fuckis-happening

If anyone wants to be added lmk!

[alicepao13]

Hudson and Rex S03E15 - Seeing is Deceiving

Verging on unbelievable. Not quite there but, well. Also, Castle has done an almost identical one. Pun intended. It was the same magic plus twins storyline with a trick-y reveal, the only thing that changed was the murderer as Hudson and Rex added a different plot twist here.

Black letters in quotes: Actual show quotes.

Green letters in quotes: What I come up with my twisted brain.

Practical magic doesn't really impress me.

A mall!

This and the shot of twin babies are the show's very subtle way of telling us that we're going to have twins in this episode.

Otto is training to be a service dog! Good job, Otto!

Also Alan Doyle is back!

Back to the eye-flirting.

Why would anyone watch practical magic online? I mean, if you can pull tricks in front of my very eyes, you can definitely pull more tricks when I'm not physically in the same place as you.

Sarah's job offer just came lol

No, I'm not reading the rest of the messages. What a ridiculous idea. Also, what's this about a 3D printer and Heritage?

"Shut up. My mom is not leaving us."

"Damn it, now I have to act like I'm happy for her when I want her to stay."

Charlie: "What are you gonna do if you get it?" Rex has a lot of loud opinions about this.

And then Jesse interrupts via text. Is there one important conversation he hasn't interrupted? I assume that Charlie locked him in a closet for his confession to Sarah in the season finale of S4.

Aw, and then Rex goes to leave but comes back again and whines at her! Stop this.

We have to sign an NDA just to do our investigation? That can't be right. No, seriously, there's no way that's procedure.

What in the hell is a digifile? Don't tell me it's supposed to mean digital file.

"There's a code in the magic community." "Yeah, there's a code in prison too. Would you like to learn about that?" Savage.

Rex can see the words on the pages but can't read. Charlie and Sarah can read but they can't see the words of the pages. How about you teach Rex to read?

"Rex, that's one hell of a trick." You better be joking.

I hate all of them. Why do they get to pet all these dogs and I can't? (I don't hate them. I promise.)

Well, these cases get weirder and weirder. Also, we've been in that building before.

"Her tricks were so next level you would sleep with her assistant just to get her secrets." Did I mention that men are scum today?

"Score one for Jesse!" "Are we referring to ourselves in third person now?" lol

One minute later: "Charlie is a happy man."

Charlie needs a minute. He just saw that Sarah was selected for the position in London.

Sarah did have that laptop and the e-mail wide open there, though. Maybe she was hoping for a reaction.

I know it's probably so fucking cold but this is so pretty. I want to go there.

It's so funny that they're showing us shots of Margo as we see Charlotte so we can understand that they look the same. No. Pay attention or stay confused forever!

I'm almost sure that they tested this thing on some audience and they couldn't figure it out so they added the footage.

"Why am I going in that box?"

Trying to talk to the girl you like...

Charlie: "This is your dream." Sarah: "Dreams do evolve." Into what?

Why are you looking like a big weirdo, Charlie?

I can't with their looks. I do understand why Peter Mitchell chose for Charlie to say "since you started talking about London". I mean, this moment alone could be showing that Charlie had come to a realization. I still maintain that it was the one where he watches Rex greet Sarah at home, though. But this moment here is lovely. It could also be interpreted as Charlie feeling like he is about to lose Sarah. You can see a range of emotions in those 2-3 seconds. Impressive.

I could do without "That's my partner, always bringing the magic" but I like how happy Charlie looks in that moment. Rex looks happy too, I promise, I just couldn't get a good screenshot lol

Okay, so since the job offer is mentioned in this episode, then not in the last one and then is mentioned again in S04E01, I think it's safe to assume that they switched the finale. Although I think that the other one is more of a finale material. Not by a lot, since it didn't have high stakes or anything. But just case-wise and with the gathering at Charlie's house.

[nothanksbi]

Hey, you. I never thought I'd actually meet someone I'd like on a dating app, but here we are. We've been talking for, what, months now? You've been so patient about my not texting you for weeks, and you've been so enthusiastic in your responses whenever I did text you. It's too bad you had to shift to a different state for work, and it's too bad I'm planning to shift to a different country for quality of life - I would love to keep meeting you again. And again. For a long time.

We finally met for the first time two days ago, and it was nothing short of wonderful. I had no nervousness before the date, I was actually quite excited for it, and on the way home I reflected on the date looking for any red flags we might need to address but I found none. On the contrary, I found things which were more than just the bare minimum, things I would count as proper green flags. You adding my birthday to your calendar, forever, for example. And your interest and understanding of philosophy, physics, and accessibility, because it was deep enough to actually teach me something new. It was adorable how you said, "Chocolate is a round taste, mint is a sharp taste, they aren't supposed to go together!" because that is exactly how I'd describe those tastes - too exact to be a coincidence. And how we were twinning, unplanned, wearing a colour that wasn't black or blue. You know, when you were talking about how humans weren't evolved to learn probability but had to put considerable effort for it, I found myself just staring at you, your voice almost fading in the background, the way they show in the movies - except I was listening. You seemed so beautiful - your eyes lighting up with excitement, our conversation scratching just the right itch in my brain. I realise I never had a crush on you, but in that moment, it felt like I might just have one soon.

Of course, I've been thinking about you nonstop since the moment we separated after the date. And I told you that yesterday, and we talked about so many things, even though it was on text, and I still can't stop thinking about you. I decided to pause my dating profile yesterday, too - I would love to delete it, but my friends would want me to wait for a little while, and though I don't agree with them, I do respect their opinions. Anyway. We even told each other we really liked each other and I just knew this one's going to last for a long time...and by this one, obviously, I mean you, I mean us. There's gonna be an "us", and I hope and pray it turns out to be exactly what we both need and want.

Anyway, can't wait to go see your Instagram stories again for the sole purpose of replying to one and initiating conversation again. (Yes, I've been smiling the whole time I've been writing this.)

[anangelwhodidntfall]

Picasso: Dad!JakeSully

Avatar Masterlist 

word count: 1k

Request:  hi! can I request a dad!jakesully with a daughter reader?? i love the way you write those chapters they are great!! it's totally up to you what you write about just lots of fluff and love between the two :)

A/N: Sorry for the late response, I've been student teaching for the past two months and going to class two days out of the week, and I've been sick so much, so I'm trying to write when i can :)

Each of your siblings had a role in the family, your twin neyetam was the mighty warrior, lo'ak was the troublemaker, Kiri was the healer, Tuk was the baby that had everyone wrapped around her finger and then there was you the artist. You had been artistic from an early age, what started off as bracelets and necklaces, evolved into paintings and much more, to the point where you started expressing yourself through your hair.

Norm and a few of the other scientists were showing some pictures from the earth, and that's how you learned about hair dye and hair color. They had given some hair to test the dyes out that you made to see how they would look before you dyed your actual hair to see what you liked and didn't, and provided you with many reference photos.  

You were currently sitting up against a tree working on some color ideas, for your hair right now you were leaning towards pink, liking how it stood out against the black.

"Whatcha working on babygirl?" Your dad asked taking a seat across from you.

"Hair color idea, norm, and some of the scientists had shown me of people having different hair color back on earth and it kinda got me thinking." You said showing him the self-portrait you had been working on.

"Your talent amazes me each time I see it." Your dad said looking at your artwork.

"Thanks,dad, so what do you think? Do you think the pink would look good on me?" You asked him.

"Angel you could pull off any color but I think the pink would stand out more. Are you thinking of adding color to your hair?" He asked."Uh maybe? Would you be mad if I did?" You asked him nervously.

"No I think it would suit you, you've always been different from everyone, and I think it's time that the outside reflects the inside." He said making you smile.

"So you're not mad that I'm not a warrior like nete or a healer like Kiri?" You asked him.

"No babygirl, I've known since you were little that you were an artist that's why I always pushed you to explore that. I don't care that you aren't like your brother or sister, I love you for who you are, nothing more, nothing less." He said placing a kiss on your forehead.

"Thanks daddy. I love you too." You said to him.

"Your welcome. Plus I love the designs you come up with for the war parties and ceremonies." He said making you laugh as you two started heading home.

A few days later one of the scientists Diana was helping you add the pink strands to your hair while you worked on a painting for your dad after his comments the other night when your dad walked in.

"Daddy what are you doing here?" You asked him as he took a seat across from you.

"I came to learn how to do your hair that way I could help you do it next time." He said.

"Really? You? Mr. I've had one hairstyle since I was born, wants to learn how to do hair?" You said teasing him.

"Oh it's like that huh? Then you can forget about getting your hair done." He said.

"What? No I'm sorry daddy." You said setting your painting down and crawling over to him and into his lap.

"Nope it's too late, you have bullied me for the last time." He said.

"Nooo I'm sorry daddy, it was an innocent joke. I love you and your basic hairstyle." You said making him roll his eyes.

"I love you too, now go finish getting your hair done before I change my mind." He said squeezing you and kissing your head before you went back to your chair.

It took about an hour to add the color to your hair which gave you time to finish your painting, and for your dad to learn how to do it next time but Diana said that she would help you in case he messed up.

"So what do you think dad? Does it look as good as it did in my painting?" You asked him.

"It looks even better. The pink definitely suits you and now I'll really really be able to tell you and neyetam apart." He said making you roll your eyes.

"Thanks dad. And I made this for you." You said handing him the painting you had worked on.

"Ohh angel this is so beautiful, thank you." He said hugging you.

"Your welcome I sort of got inspired by what you said the other night." You said as you two walked home.

You guys return home and your mother froze when she saw your hair instantly making you feel nervous as your siblings looked at you in shock.

"So what do you think mom?" You asked her nervously as she ran a hand through your hair.

"It looks pretty, who did it?" She asked."

Diana, but she showed dad so he could do it next time. I'm sure she could teach you if you wanted." You said.

"I would like that. You look pretty my dear, now I'll be able to tell you and your neyetam apart." She said as you and neyetam shook your heads.

"Do we really look that much alike?" You both asked.

"Yes you do, this will make telling you two apart so much easier." Your parents said as you two laughed.

[where-dreamers-go]

“A Walk” Prince!Luke Skywalker x Princess!Organa!Reader

(A/N: Time for a fanfic that takes place in an everybody lives alternative universe. This insert reader was for @girl-next-door-writes Bingo Challenge last year, but hey it’s finished. Thank you @the-and-sign-anon for your input months ago when I was brainstorming. Also thank you @ivorydragoness44 for looking up what those darn booths are called.

Summary: Reader is an adoptive member of the Organa family. Reader can’t seem to focus on the Senate meeting and ends up sneaking out to meet up with best friend Prince Luke Skywalker. Will these two find trouble or have a peaceful time? Bingo Card: Royal AU Warnings: Uh…me using Star Wars lingo. Word Count: 2,022 words)

A pause of your thoughts and the colored darkness made you aware of your situation.

Snapping your eyes open, you adjusted in the cushioned seat and artificial glow.

That man’s still speaking? You thought as you looked out into the Senate Chamber. I shouldn’t be dozing off like this. Beside you, your adoptive father Bail Organa sat quietly and attentively. Something that would be easy to do if someone else was talking.

Senatorial meetings were usually more interesting than the one you were attending in Coruscant. The one in which you were listening did not seem to hold your attention at all.

What would keep your mind focused?

Movement off to the side, in a separate repulsorpod, were the royals of Naboo. The ever passionate and justice-leading Skywalkers. From where you sat you could not see everyone in attendance clearly, the royal handmaidens and other security, to be more specific. There was a considerable distance, but that didn’t change much.

Your family and the Skywalkers were very close. Years of friendship and experience in the Clone War added to the strength of the bond.

More often than not, Queen Amidala-Skywalker brought her two children along. Twins who were your age and learning the importance of their position. Same as you.

However similar, one of the Skywalkers may, perhaps, be interested in some entertainment.

✧ ✧ ✧

Thumping a quiet rhythm with his fingertips, Luke kept up his mask of interest. It was easier said than done, but practice made a difference. Yet, alternative ideas could throw practice and experience out the door.

By birth, Luke was a prince through Queen Amidala and, in ways unliked by some, he was a Force sensitive through Jedi Master Skywalker. An interesting combination in the renewed Galactic Republic to say the least. His father reminded both Luke and Leia that it was no one’s business.

Luke could live with that.

Rules had changed. Jedi codes had evolved after saving the Republic, Jedi, and clone troopers from a long-term plan from a Sith Lord who had been the puppeteer the whole War.

Sighing, Luke glanced over to the repulsorpod beside his family’s. An instant upturn of his lips occurred at the sight of you, one of his closest friends. Closer than most and looking lovelier than ever in your attire, cape included.

It was a shame that you didn’t have a chance to greet one another before the meeting. Times like these made him wish you were sharing a repulsorpod again.

Taking a few quick glances at the people around him, Luke closed his eyes and reached out through the Force. Just a nudge. A little unexpected movement of fabric.

Done.

With a quirked eyebrow, you peered over and locked eyes with Luke. You shared an amused smile before using your eyes to gesture ‘out’.

He nodded quickly. The grin on his face faltering when his blue eyes landed on the deadpanned expression of his twin sister Leia.

“No,” Leia hissed from her seat beside him.

He opened his mouth to argue, but she beat him to it.

“They’ll see you.” She said, referring to the Royal Handmaidens. “And we agreed to attend the entire meeting. This is important.”

“Leia,” Luke leaned further back in his seat. “He’s been talking about adding HoloNews to public turbolifts for almost fifteen minutes. Or twenty…how can we tell?” He glanced passed her and saw that you were already leaving your seat. “I’ll be back before they decide on the right action to take. I promise.”

Before any questions were raised, Luke was on his feet and walking out of the Senate Chamber.

✧ ✧ ✧

Making it out in the hall were guards stood, your presence caught the attention of two droids.

“Oh,” the golden protocol droid turned in your direction. “Princess (Y/N), it is so good to see you.”

“Hello Threepio,” you said and winked at his astromech companion. “Hello Artoo.”

“Beewoo bip.”

Doors slid open and Threepio had changed his attention to a young man dressed in the finest Naboo robes.

“Master Luke, is the meeting over so soon?” See-Threepio asked.

“Sadly,” Luke patted a hand atop of Artoo-Detoo’s dome. “No.” He grabbed your hand, leading you down the maroon colored hall.

“Your highness!” See-Threepio raised his arms in the air.

Hushed laughter escaped the pair of you even as you both checked over your shoulders. Not an uncommon move.

Another presence had left the meeting.

Knew it, you thought as Princess Leia walked out into the hallway. You could practically feel the gravity pull as she rolled her eyes; it was in her exasperated stance. Hands on her hips; you’d seen that more than once. You did not need to see her rolling her eyes to know she did. Leia tended to do that if you and Luke made your own…not so planned excursions.

She started her fast paced walk towards the pair of you.

“What did you have in mind for today?” Luke asked, unconcerned that his sister was closing in.

There was no telling what time it was given the lack of natural lighting and chronos. Possibilities were only limited by…well, what would get you both in trouble.

“How about we focus on keeping me awake.” You suggested with a quick exaggeration of wide eyes. “Nothing too…um.”

“Exciting?”

“Or reckless.” Leia chimed in.

“Agreed.” You yawned.

“Then…,” Luke raised your intertwined hands, “may I accompany you on a walk?”

“You certainly may.”

“That makes you our supervisor, Leia?” He questioned over his shoulder.

“No.”

“No?” You and Luke asked.

“I came out here to make sure you stayed in the building.”

“That was one time,” Luke said quickly.

Luke and Leia exchanged a series of subtle expressions before she nodded.

“Don’t be gone long. They may send Sabé and Dormé after you both.”

“I promise.” Luke said without an ounce of scorn.

With a small smile sent your way, Leia turned back to return to the meeting.

You watched until there was a squeeze of your hand. Luke.

“Come on,” Luke said once your gazes met, “let’s keep you awake.”

Thankfully, the walking kept your eyes from drooping shut. It also helped that your best friend was holding your hand as you explored the halls. The seemingly endless senate halls. After returning regularly, the halls weren’t that majestic anymore. If anything, they were a mixture of illusion, responsibility, and reminders of the past.

“What has you so tired?” Luke asked.

You made a small sound of complaint in your throat and answered, “meetings. But I mean…I’ve been to a meeting of some sort almost every other day for the past two weeks.There’s only so much I can take in at a time.”

Rubbing tiny circles on your knuckles, he lead you around another corner. “Not much I can do about that. Unless I want to risk getting in trouble again. Once was enough.”

“Getting caught once was enough.” You grimaced.

“It would’ve been fine it wasn’t for the bounty hunters…”

“I still owe you for picking me up from the cancelled luncheon. I really didn’t like waiting there.”

Stopping, he raised his voice, “And us running into bounty hunters five minutes later was worth it?”

“I was with you. We were fine.”

“Don’t joke…” Luke started walking with you again. “We’re both lucky to be alive.”

“Very true.” You walked closer to him, shoulders bumping.

It wasn’t the most thought-out decision that Luke made back then. One message from you about not having a ride nor anything to do; instantly Luke had hopped in a ship to get you. If only the pair of you hadn’t run into trouble in Republic space. Then again, you were fairly certain that his parents would had gave him a lecture regardless. He did leave without telling anyone where exactly he was going.

Lesson learned, you thought. So…

“Um,” you clapped your other hand over Luke’s that was intertwined with yours. “How’s your training?”

His head turned so fast, you laughed.

“Off limit question of the day?”

“No, no, it’s fine.” He lowered his voice as his lips curved upwards. Blue eyes becoming distant as he remembered something you could only imagine. “The next time you visit,” his eyes refocused on you, “I’ll need to show you.”

Squeezing his hand, you offered him a grin; one he matched with a brightness to outshine the twin suns of Tatooine.

Hah, he has beautiful eyes. He just—

“Show them what exactly?”

Yelping, you clutched onto Luke’s hand as he instinctively stepped in front of you.

“Master Kenobi,” Luke hid your clasped hands behind his back.

“Hello Luke,” Jedi Master Kenobi said before nodding to you in a short bow. “Hello Princess (Y/N).”

“Hello Master Kenobi.” You swallowed and took a sidestep to see him better.

“I trust you two have a good reason to be out of the Senate meeting.” The brown robed Jedi Master asked as he walked closer.

“Yes.”

Master Kenobi pursed his lips at Luke’s quick answer.

Oh, no. We didn’t even do anything. We’re still in the building.

There was never any running, physically or otherwise, when it came to answering one of Master Kenobi’s question. Even if he didn’t say everything on his mind, he clearly knew whatever it was you didn’t want him to know, which could be anything.

“And does that reason include showing them another room in the Senate building or a restricted area?” He stood before the pair of you.

“No,” you and Luke said together.

“I was starting to doze off and couldn’t keep my eyes open.” You explained truthfully. It didn’t do any good to hide that from him. It was harmless. Regardless, you held onto Luke’s hand a little tighter.

“And I offered to walk with them.”

The pair of you, two royals, stood frozen under the gaze of a Jedi Master.

If it wasn’t for all of the stories you were told, you’d see Master Kenobi as a sassy uncle type. The lightsaber on his belt suggested slightly otherwise.

You swallowed again. Both your hand and Luke’s becoming increasingly clammy.

“Seeing as you are very much awake,” Master Kenobi smirked, “I suggest you return to the meeting before your parents send someone looking for you. Again.”

Luke’s arm tensed against yours.

“Right…,” Luke nodded.

You peered between the two Force sensitives and said, “Yes, but we actually needed someone to. Find us that time.”

“(Y/N).”

“What?” You threw your hands up.

Master Kenobi chuckled. “Alright, I see you two are…,” he glanced down at your hands, “otherwise engaged in private conversations that you deem more important than a Senate meeting.” He rose an eyebrow.

In a second, you and Luke released each other’s hands.

Again, the Jedi chuckled.

“A senator was persuading the Republic to have more HoloNews available. In turbolifts.” Luke explained, tired of the idea already. “But,” he stood more higher, “we should return to our seats.”

“They may be deciding a course of action,” you said.

“Then I will leave you to your meeting.” Master Kenobi bowed. “Until we see each other again.”

“Until then, Master Kenobi.” You smiled.

“Master Kenobi,” Luke bowed his head.

The Jedi walked passed the two of you and down another hall before either one of you dared to move.

“What’s he doing here?” Luke wondered out loud.

“Maybe he’s late for the meeting?” You suggested.

He laughed, “I doubt it. Obi-Wan is never late for anything.”

Grabbing your hand once again, Luke started leading the way back to your families. Reality felt more stable with your hand in his. It was a feeling that you had come to realize after years of friendship.

Did you envision a little more to your friendship? At times, yes. There were many possibilities given the new structures put in place as you grew up and perhaps figuring out if Luke liked you as much as you liked him was in the future.

Who knows, you thought. As long as Luke’s happy and we don’t run into trouble…we’ll be fine. I hope.

~~~

(A/N: Who knows if I’ll write more for this AU, but it was pretty fun. I had to find a stopping point before I made this into some extra adventure or something and it got out of hand. OMG it was at 2,020 words and I just had to add two more. LOL

If you love my writings and want to support me, I have a Ko-Fi where you can buy me a coffee. I would be eternally grateful.

Best wishes and happy reading.)

~~~~~

DreamerDragon Tags: @cubedtriangle

Star Wars Tags: @darkenwolfy @sweetheartliz07 

**Let me know if you would like to be tagged in insert readers, either through replies, ask, or message.**

[sleepy-shinx]

An Unexpected Encounter at Sea (Chapter 1/?)

Summary: Isabelle and Emily had left Hisui two days prior, their partner Pokemon newly evolved, and a promise newly made to a new friend. However, that promise seemed like it was going to be fulfilled much sooner than either of them had ever anticipated.

Author's note: uhhh this is a lot of backstory infodump, but I promise it's worth it for the end. I had this idea for this AU not long after I posted the second post with info about the girls, and I've been thinking about writing it for a few days now... and now here it is. I think I'll likely be adding more to this story too, so. Chapter One?

Warnings: none that immediately stand out to me (but don't be afraid to let me know if there's something I might have overlooked)

pairings: none (also obligatory blankshippers dni. there are no ships in this fic, and there will be none in the future.)

Wordcount: 3195

AO3 Link: https://archiveofourown.org/works/37717015/chapters/94163011

Other Chapters: Next

They had left Hisui two days ago.

Apparently, they weren’t allowed any reprieve from the (friendly, mind you) chaos that their visit to the region had brought.

Isabelle’s day started as days on the sea normally did- waking up in the cabin she shared with her sister, getting dressed, eating breakfast.

Emily would have been up already, to check that they hadn’t moved too far off of their planned trajectory. They were heading to the Kalos region next, a plan since before they had arrived in Hisui. This was normal for them- they would plan their next trips while already on one. It was an efficient use of time as they spent days on end on the sea!

Isabelle yawned, walking up the stairs to the deck of the boat. Emily was standing next to one of the two masts, tying a rope around a cleat in a clean cleat hitch. The boat’s off-white sails were unfurled as they helped to carry the boat forward in the sea breeze.

“Good morning!” Emily called as she finished, straightening (heh) up and turning around to face her twin sister. A cheerful smile was on her face as she moved to the helm, standing behind her Chandelure as she looked to the horizon. The sun was not very high in the sky- Emily was likely up right at dawn, as she usually was. Isabelle was a later sleeper.

“Good morning,” Isabelle called back, a smaller smile appearing on her face as she climbed the last few stairs to the deck of the boat. There was water to every side of the boat, no land to be seen anywhere near. This might have come across as daunting to someone unfamiliar with navigating while at sea. For Isabelle and Emily, this was second nature.

Her Eelektross chattered happily to her right. It was sitting at the starboard edge of the boat, head leaning against the gunwale as it watched the water slip past.

A Pokeball at her hip popped open, and a stream of light curved up to her shoulder as her Sobble left its Pokeball to sit on her shoulder. Her smile grew, and she lifted her hand up to pet Sobble on the head. The Water Lizard Pokemon cooed at the touch and pressed against her neck.

Emily turned around. “Popplio’s out for some exercise! It really seems to be enjoying being back out at sea again!”

“Well, though Hisui had some gorgeous rivers and lakes, I doubt anything can really compare to the vastness of the ocean when it comes to ‘enough room to roam’,” Isabelle remarked.

Emily nodded, glancing out to her right at the water. “Those three lakes in particular, though- I’d still love to learn more about them in the future.”

“We’ll be back to Hisui at some point in the future! Perhaps by then, Professor Laventon will have done more research into them.”

Emily nodded, her smile broadening. Chandelure twirled next to her, looking like it was enjoying the breeze as it blew past its arms. Isabelle had never known a Fire-type to have such an affinity for anything at all associated with water, but Emily’s Chandelure seemed to love being at sea. Though it still actively avoided touching the water, it seemed at home on their boat. It helped to keep things lit up at night when the sky grew dark, so they could still do their boat maintenance before bed without tripping or messing something up. It had been an essential member of their crew from the beginning.

Eelektross, still laying on the starboard side of the boat, was something of a bodyguard for the boat and everyone on it. It wasn’t terribly uncommon for them to come across a territorial water type during their travels, and Eelektross was perfect for helping them deal with those threats. They’d even found someone who was able to teach Eelektross Giga Drain in Unova while it was still an Eelektrik- for the times when one of those territorial water types also happened to be Ground type as well.

Isabelle recalled the time they came across a Whiscash while on their journey to Alola several months back. She had never been more grateful for the fact that they’d taught Eelektross that move than she had been at that exact moment.

Popplio and Sobble were two of the newest members of their crew. Both Isabelle and Emily had decided that they really needed water types for help while at sea, and so Emily had caught Popplio while in Alola, and Isabelle had caught Sobble while in Galar. Those had been the two trips immediately before their trip to Hisui, so the two Pokemon were still finding their place on the boat.

Isabelle walked across the deck to sit next to her Eelektross, Sobble hopping off her shoulder to lay on the gunwale. The water was crystal clear here, and she could see wild Water-type Pokemon swimming below them. They were still technically in the waters surrounding Hisui, so she could see a number of Mantyke, Mantine, and Finneon. She even caught sight of a Tentacool, which made her slightly nervous. They would have to keep a watchful eye for any alpha Tentacruel around.

Watching the Pokemon swim by reminded her of the adventures they’d had just days ago in Hisui. The stop had been planned before they arrived in Galar, which was very normal for them, but they hadn’t quite chosen their goals for the Hisui trip until after leaving Galar. That had been when Emily had remarked that Lampent and Eelektrik had been stuck in their middle stage evolutions for quite some time. Isabelle had reminded her that not all Pokemon evolve on their own- that certain conditions sometimes had to be met.

“Well, while we’re in Hisui, why don’t we look into how Lampent and Eelektrik evolve, then?”

That had become their goal. That goal turned out to be trickier than they expected, as neither of the Pokemon were native to the region, so a lot of research and trials and tribulations had gone into figuring out how to evolve the Pokemon.

But those trials and tribulations had introduced them to many new friends.

Isabelle couldn’t help but smile upon remembering the people they’d met in Hisui. Akari had been one who had stood out among all the people there first. She had greeted the two at the harbor on Prelude Beach when they arrived, alongside her superiors in the Galaxy Clan (Commander Kamado, Captain Cyllene, Professor Laventon), and she had practically dedicated herself to helping them evolve their Pokemon as soon as the two had outlined that goal to her. She was a passionate and smart young girl, no more than 15 years of age. And due to her work with the Hisui Pokedex and research into so many different kinds of Pokemon, she’d had many ideas of how to figure out how to get Lampent and Eelektrik to evolve (two of which eventually worked).

And then there had been Ingo. The first and most immediate thing that had stood out to them about Ingo was the fact that the man looked uncannily similar to both of them. Same hair color, face shape, build (except for being of the opposite sex, of course)- everything. Even their ages were similar, Ingo being around 30 while she and Emily were 29. Almost as if he were their long-lost triplet or something. However, hearing about Ingo’s story had made both girls fairly convinced that was not the case. Ingo had suddenly appeared in Hisui one day, wandering around the Alabaster Icelands where he was found and taken in by the Pearl Clan. He also had a severe case of amnesia and had very few memories about who he was before he arrived in Hisui.

However, despite this, the man still seemed to have a great deal of spirit. He was loud, expressive with his words yet not his face, and had a natural affinity for working with Pokemon. Akari had introduced him to them when she had suggested that maybe Lampent and Eelektrik needed battle experience to evolve (which had not been the case)- they’d had very little experience in Pokemon battles, but Ingo seemed to love nothing more than a good Pokemon battle and had happily agreed to train them and their Pokemon in them. He’d been a good teacher too! He also had loved to listen to them talk about their journeys, and hear their stories from all of their trips around the world. Their stories from their childhood in Unova had seemed to be of particular interest to him. In response, he told them about Hisui, about the Pokemon native to the region, and about Pokemon battles.

Isabelle’s smile disappeared as she recalled the few, scattered memories the man had told them about.

A partner, a Pokemon who wielded flames with mastery. Interestingly enough, upon watching Lampent evolve after touching a Dusk stone, Ingo had remembered that his Pokemon partner had, in fact, been a Chandelure. A confusing fact indeed, considering that Chandelure was not found in the wild in Hisui.

A man who looked like him, who loved winning more than anything else. Yet another memory Ingo had remembered more of after watching one of their partners evolve. Once Eelektrik had evolved to Eelektross via a Thunder stone, Ingo recalled that the man wore an outfit nearly identical to his, but the coat and hat were white. His face was identical to his, but he was always smiling. And that man’s beloved Pokemon partner was an Eelektross. He and his Chandelure had fought alongside that man and his Eelektross many times before.

Akari then had the idea that they should try that exact style of battle, to see if that could help to trigger any more memories of that man. And so they had- Akari and Ingo against Emily and Isabelle. Due in no small part to Emily and Isabelle’s lack of experience with battles, Ingo and Akari had won easily. And Akari’s hypothesis had been correct… at the end of the battle, Ingo had turned to her and said…

“Well done, Emmet!”

Emmet. Ingo’s twin brother, whom he hadn’t seen in the three years he’d been in Hisui.

It was like a switch had been flipped after that memory returned. Ingo suddenly had to deal with three years’ worth of grief and longing as he remembered the man and just how close they had been. It had broken both of their hearts, as neither Isabelle nor Emily could even begin to imagine how losing the other would feel. If Ingo had been as close to Emmet as the two of them were to each other, he must have been struggling greatly with the fact that not only had they been apart for three years, but also that he had no idea where Emmet was.

The last week they’d spent in Hisui had been largely scouring the Galaxy Team and the two Clans for a man named Emmet, or someone who had any sort of lead of a man named Emmet who looked like Ingo. They’d had no luck at all, which had lead to the promise Isabelle and Emily had made him when they’d left- that as they traveled, they’d keep a sharp eye out for a man who looked like him, who was named Emmet. And that if they found him, they’d take him to Hisui immediately to reunite the two.

Isabelle sighed, wishing that it was easier to track a single man down out of who-knows-how-many people there were in this world. Alas, as much as they’d try, she doubted she and Emily would ever come close to finding Emmet, considering how little time they usually spent in a region before moving on. She could only hope that Ingo’s friends in Hisui could be of more help to him in his quest to find him.

“Whatcha thinking about?” Emily settled on a seat in the middle of the boat’s deck, crossing her legs.

“Everything that happened in Hisui,” Isabelle responded, laying a hand on Eelektross. “Wondering if Ingo and Akari are looking for Emmet right now.”

“I’m sure they are,” Emily nodded. “Or Ingo is, at least, if Akari isn’t busy with her research.”

“It’s so odd that we barely have heard of this man, and we’re still so invested in his well-being,” Isabelle remarked with a small laugh.

“It’s because we’re worried about Ingo,” Emily shrugged.

“That’s probably true.” Isabelle turned and leaned her back against the side of the boat. “By the way, as I was watching the Pokemon in the water as we’ve been moving, I’ve seen a few Tentacool. Best to look out for any alpha Tentacruel around.”

Emily nodded, shuddering as she remembered their run-in with an alpha Tentacool while exploring the waters near the Cobalt Coastlands in Hisui. Thankfully, the then-Eelektrik had been able to team up with Akari’s Luxray to fight the Pokemon, but she was certain that if Eelektrik had been on its own, the fight would’ve been very close. Thankfully, her sister’s Pokemon was now not only better trained in battling, but also evolved, so hopefully, if they ran into an alpha of Tentacool’s evolved form, they’d be able to hold their own against it.

Both girls’ trains of thought were very suddenly interrupted by a sudden very loud clash of noises coming from the lower deck of the boat. Both stood up quickly yet still cautiously to avoid rocking the vessel, and Eelektross floated up and over to Isabelle’s side. Sobble hopped off the gunwale and began to climb up Isabelle’s body. Chandelure turned around, looking at the two with concern.

“Did Popplio return and I didn’t see it?” Emily wondered, confusion growing on her face.

Almost as if on cue, the two heard a splash, and a blue body lept out of the ocean and landed on its back two flippers on the portside gunwale, holding its arms out in a dramatic pose as it barked to announce its presence.

“Popplio??” Emily turned to face her smaller Pokemon. “If you’re right here, then who’s-”

“I’ll go look,” Isabelle insisted immediately, carefully grabbing Sobble who had settled on her arm and handing the timid Pokemon to her sister. “Eelektross, come with me, please.”

Eelektross chattered again to let her know it had heard her, and Isabelle headed immediately for the stairs.

“Be careful, please!” Emily called after her, letting Sobble rest on her shoulder.

“I will!” she called back as she started quietly down the stairs.

She wasn’t exactly sure what she expected to see. A pokemon, maybe, one that had lept out of the ocean and onto their boat accidentally, perhaps? That seemed the most likely conclusion, but still. Something felt off, and she made sure Eelektross was staying close to her.

As she reached the bottom of the stairs, she peered warily around the corner into the small living space that was the lower deck of the boat. It was divided into three areas- a bedroom, partitioned off by a partial wall, a dining/lounge area that had both a table to eat at and a couch to sit on, and a kitchen, stocked with all the necessities for a long journey at sea (thanks to the hospitality of the Galaxy Team in Hisui).

And, laying on the floor in their kitchen looking dazed, were two whole humans who most definitely had not been there before.

Before she could begin to process the two humans in the kitchen, something else caught her eye. A small, green Pokemon, whose head was shaped like a raindrop and whose eyes were big and blue. Its body was small compared to its head, yet it still had two arms and two legs. The legs did not seem to be regularly in use, however, as the Pokemon floated in the air above the floor. It stared at her, giggled softly, and disappeared in a mist of green sparkles that lingered in the air where it had been.

Isabelle, her mouth hanging open, turned to look yet again at the two humans laying on the floor of their kitchen.

The first person that caught her eye looked to be a woman, dressed very peculiarly in her mind. She had blonde hair and wore a headband with gray hemispheres at the ends covering her ears, and two long black cords dangling from those hemispheres. Her dress was short and sleeveless, yellow with black and tan arrow stripes in the middle. Under the dress, she wore black tights, leading down to yellow heels. She was thin and had pale skin, along with striking blue eyes.

The other person, however, caught much more of her attention.

Silver hair. Gray eyes. A coat and hat that looked to be nearly the same as Ingo’s, except in white instead of black.

And a face, identical to that of the Warden’s, except for the broad smile instead of a perpetual frown.

Isabelle’s heart felt like it stopped.

The man in white groaned, sitting up holding a hand to his forehead. “Elesa. Are you okay?”

“I’m fine, I think…” the woman, Elesa apparently, responded, propping herself up with her arms. “How about you?”

The man squinted at his surroundings. “I think I’m alright. Where in the name of the world were we taken?”

His eyes wandered around the room and then settled on Isabelle.

He almost immediately got to his feet, hand going to his belt and settling on what she thought might be a Pokeball (it looked very shiny and metallic- nothing at all like the ones she kept Eelektross and Sobble in).

“Who are you?” he asked, almost demanded very nervously. The woman he called Elesa also spotted her and got to her feet as well.

“I think I’m the one who should be asking you that, considering you’re the ones who just suddenly appeared on my boat,” she shot back, nervous at the hostile way they faced her.

“Isabelle, who are you talking to?” the worried voice of her sister called from up the stairs.

“A boat?” the man repeated, looking very confused.

“Emily, we have company,” she called back, not taking her eyes off the intruders.

Seconds later she heard her sister clambering down the stairs, landing next to Isabelle at the bottom. Chandelure followed right behind her.

The woman’s mouth dropped at the sight of them. “What in the world?”

Isabelle stepped forward, trying not to let her nerves show. “I’ll ask you the same question you just asked me. Who are you?”

The man, realizing they were cornered, considering Isabelle and Emily blocked the only exit, lowered his hand from his belt, still keeping his guard up.

The woman, still looking shocked, was the first of the two to speak up. “Uh, hi. I’m Elesa, I’m the Gym Leader of Nimbasa City in Unova.”

Isabelle’s mind reeled. Nimbasa Village?

“And this is-”

“I am Emmet.” the man stood straight, hand going up to his forehead in a salute. “I am a Subway Boss in Nimbasa City in Unova. I am looking for my brother.”

[beatricethecat2]

"Another day or two?" Helena gruffs.

"Yeah, um, sorry," Myka replies.

"That storm postponing your flight was one thing, but this? You are aware our rental is expiring eminently."

"Maybe we can extend?"

"I already inquired."

"And?"

Helena grimaces, nose wrinkling.

"I-I'll find us a new one."

"No, I shall, since I've clearly been left to my own devices."

"I'm coming soon, I promise!" Myka yelps. "I'll stay wherever you want. Extend the car rental, too."

"If I must swap it at the airport, I shall be cross."

"More cross than now? How is that even possible?" Myka jabs.

"I believe you know the answer," Helena says, deadpan. "What exactly is keeping you there?"

"I'm figuring something out but it's more complicated than I thought."

"And this 'something,' how long am I to remain in the dark?"

"Not long, but..." Myka's shoulders sag. "I might as well tell you."

"If it's such a burden—"

"No! I wanted to iron out the details first." Myka heaves a heavy sigh. "Ok, here it goes...I'm figuring out how to work remotely. Mostly."

Helena perks up. "This is something you truly wish to do?"

"I..." Myka pushes a hand through her hair, stopping halfway, looking off to the side. "I've been thinking about what you said, that the Warehouse needs to evolve, that it's stuck in the nineteenth century."

"Such a travesty; agents sequestered in a boarding house with modern communication and travel as they are."

"It's not so bad, having your friends there when you need them." Myka's hand drops to her side. "I do love my family here, but if I'm honest, it hasn't felt the same since Leena died." 

"May I say again how truly sorry I am for your loss. She was an extraordinary woman."

"She really was." Myka blinks back a tear and looks down. "But it's more than that. What you said about only traveling for work, of never really visiting a place, that stuck with me, too. How you want to take advantage of all this new world has to offer, things I take for granted, because you've been given a second chance." 

"I can be quite persuasive when I wish to," Helena says, lips turning up at the ends.

"And I love you for it." Myka's smile matches Helena's.

"But those are my wishes. What are your own?" Helena asks.

"I think it's worth fighting for change, even if making up rules as we go scares me."

"You are fond of protocol."

"And you're not. So we complement each other. Or cancel each other out," Myka says, lips lifting into a crooked grin.

Helena huffs a short laugh. "And Pete? How is he faring?"

"He's super bummed, but I think he understands." Myka shifts in her seat, sitting up straighter. "You might hear from him. He said he wants to have a chat."

"What about?"

"A 'big brother' kind of thing."

"I'm surprised he's waited this long."

"Me too."

The air quiets, each waiting for the other to continue.

"There is one other thing. An, um, 'condition," Myka says.

"Just the one?"

"Hey..."

"I'd expect nothing less. Go on."

"I can't go on missions alone."

"Nor would I allow you to."

"Do you see where I'm going with this?"

"While you're working, someone will join you."

"Yeah, you."

"But I'm no longer an—"

"They want to reinstate you."

"Myka..."

"I know, I know," Myka says, waving her hands in surrender. "It'd be on your terms. I'll make sure of that. And I'll keep you in check."

"That's a tall order."

"Believe me, I know."

Helena grasps at her locket and works a thumb over its smooth metal case.

"We'd have our autonomy, mostly. Be working part-time. We're already doing it unofficially anyway. And I think we work well together." Myka flashes a smug smile.

"And the distance from the Warehouse? How will you manage?"

"Abigail agreed to be our eyes in the archive. And we already have access to the database."

Helena stares at Myka for a long moment, fingers clutching her locket. "Can this truly be?"

"I think so. I'm hashing out details with Jane, but we need a few more days," Myka says, smiling. "Find us a place to stay for a couple of weeks. We can figure out what happens next from there."

"With pleasure," Helena says.

"So...can I tell them you're Agent Wells again?"

"I've further terms to discuss."

"Send them over. I'll make sure you get what you want."

Smiles grow wider as they hold each other's gazes.

"So...what'd you get up to yesterday?" Myka asks.

"I traveled by cable car up Hyde Street. The views were breathtaking."

"You did that without me?"

"I was tired of waiting."

"Do not go to Twin Peaks or Coit Tower. We're doing those together."

"I shant. Perhaps I'll peruse City Light Books again and linger in Jackson Square."

"That's where those buildings from the 1800's survived the earthquake."

"Indeed."

"Are you feeling a sense of closure, being there?"

"I believe we could have had quite a pleasant life here in my day. But closure, that may only truly begin upon your arrival."

"I can't wait," Myka says, grinning wildly.

-END SCENE-

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

Bering and Wells: New Horizons ("Warehouse 13" Season 5 replacement) Season 1: Episode 8 Title: San Francisco: The 415 Blues Summary: A freak storm delays Myka's flight to San Francisco. Helena learns Myka's taken on more while home than just dropping off an artifact. New paths are revealed while working through a difficult retrieval, as well as an ask that may take them to foreign shores.

Previously: Episodes 1-7 (look in my archive as adding links broke my post last time)

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

After assessing the scene of a retrieval, Myka and Helena duck into a coffee shop.

"That facade's massive! How would we know which one?" Myka asks.

"'It'll be obvious,' Artie said. Far from it," Helena snips.

"Maybe spray it with neutralizer and see what sparks?"

"It's a landmarked structure, too high-key."

"True," Myka says, frowning. "Artie said it was a chain reaction. One brick radiating into the others. Remove the source and the rest will calm down."

"Once one pinpoints the source."

"At least we know it's in arms reach," Myka says, sipping of her coffee. 

"Do we?"

"Someone almost burned their hand on it."

"Nothing felt even remotely hot to the touch today." Helena screws the cap onto her water bottle. "The brick responsible could be beaming down from the loftiest of places. We'd need scaffolding to check properly."

"And that hill is..." Myka motions with her hand at a forty-five-degree angle.

"Is it truly a risk if it's merely hot to the touch?" Helena says, leaning back in her chair.

"Artie's not sure. He thinks wildfire smoke is 'activating' the bricks, making them think they're in the fires after the 1906 earthquake. So it depends on which way the wind's blowing. Prolonged smoke contact equals hotter bricks, and hotter bricks mean the building might catch fire."

"Because these melted 'clicker bricks' were used in rebuilding after the earthquake?"

"Uh-huh. And Artie thinks they caused a previous fire."

"The one where those girls died trapped in the basement."

"So sad," Myka says, shaking her head. 

"I'd read it was arson, meant to discourage the Mission House staff from rescuing those poor immigrant girls from servitude."

"It probably was. But it might not have spread as fast without the clinkers."

"I see." Helena's hand tightens around her water bottle. "We cannot allow it burn again."

"We won't," Myka says, touching Helena's hand to reassure her. "Maybe we can monitor it with heat sensors. I bet Claudia has a gadget."

"I'm certain she shall," Helena says, looking as if she's combing through a catalog in her mind. "We must set up surveillance in the buildings across the street."

"Maybe we can pose as historians studying Julia Morgan, the architect," Myka says, perking up.

"What a blessing it shall be we're here for an indeterminate amount of time."

"Ooh! Maybe this can be our thing, traveling places and staying awhile, snagging difficult artifacts."

"I adore your ingenuity." Helena leans across the table, planting a kiss on Myka's lips.

"Mmm...thanks," Myka hums as Helena pulls back. She lifts her phone off the table, fingers working the keyboard, texting Claudia. "Maybe this is a good time to, um...tell you, there's a...a, um...something else the Warehouse's asked us to do."

"I knew they wouldn't release you that easily," Helena says, narrowing her eyes.

"This one's about you."

"Aren't they all, somehow?"

"Kinda?"

"Well, out with it then," Helena says, sitting back, crossing her arms over her chest.

"The artifacts you hid, the Warehouse wants them."

"They believe there are more?"

"Oh, come on."

"They've shelved the Trident and Corsican Vest."

"And the Imperceptor."

"That was not an artifact."

"Fine. Artifacts and inventions," Myka snaps. "And they want us to follow up on cold cases you left behind."

Helena shifts in her chair and looks towards the bridge in the distance. "This is punishment for my unwillingness to interact with the Warehouse. You told them of my issues surrounding Christina."

"No. I said separating your body from your mind then sending it out as a lure for Sykes really pissed you off."

"This is not untrue."

"Pisses me off, too," Myka mumbles.

"They may threaten such a thing again should I not bow to their demands."

"We."

"Pardon?"

"Should we not bow. I'm part of this, too."

"Yes, as my 'handler.'"

"Maybe. But our definition of 'handling' can be kind of fun." Myka skims a finger down Helena's forearm, prying her fisted hand apart and threading their fingers together.

Helena lets out a heavy sigh. "I may not recall everything. I'll need my diaries."

"Do you know where they are?"

"At the Warehouse, of course."

"I meant the real ones."

Helena raises a brow.

"You know they know you hid them before you were bronzed."

Helena grimaces. "I once knew where they were. There's no guarantee they're still there."

"You've already looked."

"I may have, briefly."

"And?"

Helena shakes her head in the negative.

"Then let's start with what you remember."

"Or, start with the items I've hidden since?"

"Helena!"

"Punish me later, darling. We've a smoldering building to extinguish." Helena squeezes Myka's hand and brushes a thumb under her jacket cuff. "Did Claudia get back to you?"

"No," says, checking her phone. "Maybe we should get back to the apartment and do some research?"

"'Research' is our best course of action."

Both women smile in agreement, then rise and hastily take their leave.

-END SEASON ONE-

NOTES: NOTES: And this wraps up Season 1! As you can see, it's set up to transition to a second season, one fairly independent from the Warehouse. Who knows if that will ever materialize (but I do have a few ideas). Links broke my post last time, but look up Cameron House (formerly the Mission House) in San Francisco and Donaldina Cameron for more on that organization and the deadly fire. Clinker bricks are regarded as junk bricks - warped from being fired at too high a temperature, or in this case, mangled by building fires after the 1906 earthquake. Many older buildings in Chinatown contain them as the neighborhood scrambled to rebuild after the earthquake, because white real estate developers were poised to swoop in steal their land. In the Cameron House design, clinkers were also used decoratively in an Arts and Crafts style (there are other buildings in SF like this, like 45 Upper Terrace, also designed by a female architect, Ida McCain). I dedicate this episode to @blackfoxreddog !!

[catte-bard]

FFXIV Write 2021 #13: Oneirophrenia

Urianger in his few months of knowing the pixies felt there were two very important facts about them. They were rather friendly, little creatures. And they were mischievous little devils. Fond of mayhem they were always trying to find little tricks to play on visitors to Il Mheg.

And Urianger was their favourite playmate. The mysterious elf who spoke with a funny voice and who had taken up residence in one the old mortal dwellings. He absolutely delighted them. Mortals never stayed in Il Mheg; they feared the fey and usually tried to pass through quickly when traveling its roads.

Today he had been making notes of the different kinds of flora that bloomed the land. Making quick sketches—though his hand wasn’t as talented as young Master Alphinaud’s—as well as jotting notes down about them.

Fascinating, it was all incredibly fascinating. He had theorized that Il Mheg must be somewhere geographically where Ishgard is on the Source. And yet it  possessed a completely different clime. 

He had been studying the plant life, curious to see if there were any similarities to those on his home shard. However, much of the flora seemed to have evolved in its own way separate from those on the Source. Which he supposed would make sense. The First’s history had been carved out in a different path from the Source. It had experienced its own eras, its own disasters, tragedies, and other impactful events. And so the flora and fauna and even the landscape itself would’ve adapted differently. 

“Urianger!” A chipper voice suddenly popped into existence. 

“Good morning to thee, Kenn Beq.” Urianger hummed as he scribbled something down in his journal about the tree he was resting under.

“What are you doing this time?” Kenn Beq asked, flitting close to look over his shoulder. “Oh what pretty pictures! Uri likes flowers! Lemme see! Lemme see! Don’t be shy now!”

And with a flick of their wrist, Urianger’s journal was suddenly lifted out of his hands and into the air. The Archon let out a noise of protest. It seemed the pixies were in a mischievous mood today.

 “Kenn Beq.” Urianger fiercely said as if reprimanding a child. “Return that at once.”

They merely giggled at him and leafed through the pages. “Oh calm yourself. I only want to look. Oooh, Uri seems to be a scholar as well. Kenn Sul, come look!” They then called and another pixie popped forth.

Kenn Sul and Kenn Beq were perhaps the equivalent of twins in the world of mortals. The other pixies explained that the pair had been “born” together. And thus the two of them together were the source of much mayhem.

In truth, Urianger always found them rather endearing. Perhaps, reminded of another set of twins he knew well; and thus tolerated their presence. However, today he was in no mood to entertain these two.

“Oooh, how pretty!” Kenn Sul fawned. “You should have told us you liked flowers, Uri.”

He sighed. “Aye, I wish to learn more about thou’s land. And I’ve found the best way to learn about one’s surroundings is to observe the plant life. Now if you would be so kind.” And he stretched out his hand, waiting for his book to be returned to him.

The twins shared a look. And he did not like the smirks on their faces. The pixies were like children, he’d decided—very naughty children. Always scheming something wicked.

“Oh fine.” Kenn Beq agreed and sent the book floating back down to him. 

“Uri, if you like flowers we can lead you to some very special ones!” Kenn Sul then said. “Ones that aren’t in your pretty book yet!”

Kenn Beq clapped their hands together in excitement. “Yes, yes! Oh I love those! I would love to see them in your book!”

Urianger eyed them warily. Wisely wondering if the two were up to any tricks. One had to be careful when trusting a pixie. Sometimes they were honest creatures and sometimes they would lead you straight into the jaws of a hungry draco. 

And these two were no exception. Nay they were much worse!

“I am too busy for games, my friends.” He shook his head. “Mayhaps another time.”

And Kenn Sul made a stomping motion in the air, crossing their arms. “But it is no game. We mean it!”

“Yes!” Kenn Beq added. “There is a flower patch on the far end of Il Mheg that we know you want to...to sturdy? No that’s not the right word for it? Um Kenn Sul, what was it scholars like Uri did again?”

“I believe it was study.” Their twin offered. “Oh you were quite close!”

Kenn Beq did a twirl in the air at the praise before turning their attention back to Urianger. “Come, come! We’ll show you. And if it’s a rotten trick of ours then you’re free to cuff Kenn Sul across the head a few times as punishment.”

And with that Kenn Beq flitted off.

“H-hey!” Their sibling called after them as they followed. “Why do I have to take the brunt of the blame?!”

Urianger sighed; he could just stay here and return to his studies. Perhaps even return to the Bookman’s Shelves for a lunch. But he felt the twins would take offense to that. They would come pester him until he agreed to come with them on their little adventure. And if not that, they certainly would find a cruel trick to play on him.

And so against his better judgement, he tucked his journal under his arm and followed the tittering fey.

“See Uri!” Kenn Sul proudly announced when they had arrived at their destination. 

The pixies flew excited circles around him, pointing at a cluster of shrubs with bright purple flowers blooming on them. Indeed he had never seen these flowers on his travels before. And drew closer out of curiosity. Upon closer inspection he found the flowers’ petals were also speckled with yellow like little freckles. And the flowers themselves were about the size of his entire hand.

“How fascinating.” The Archon hummed and opened his journal to take notes. “And what are these called?”

Kenn Beq came flitting up to rest upon his shoulder. “The mortals that lived here long ago had a name for them—I don’t remember what it was though. We pixies however call them Dreaming-While-Awakes.”

An odd name. He’d have to poor through the tomes at his home to see if he could discover its proper one.

“Are they poisonous? Or dangerous at all?” Urianger tilted his head. He knew many flowers were deceptively beautiful and here and the land of fey one could never be too careful. Just the other day a pixie had warned him to stay away from a cotton-like plant that was said to sting like nettles despite its soft appearance. 

“No.” Kenn Beq said, casually swaying their legs. “We’ve never seen it harm mortals before.”

He nodded and assuming Kenn Beq’s knowledge could be trusted, he made note of the observation in his journal. And out of curiosity reach out to touch one of the soft looking petals. 

The moment his finger brushed against the petal the flower shuddered and sprayed out a cloud of what he assumed to be some kind of mist or pollen. And then it closed up at once, curling itself into a tight little bud.

Urianger startled, coughing and hacking on the strange concoction it had assaulted him with. The smell was absolutely horrendous, it burned his throat and made his eyes water.

Faintly he could hear the twins laughing at him. Accursed little imps! He should have known better! However, before he could berate them for their trickery, they quickly flew off.

Whatever ailed him seemed to finally dissipate after a few agonizing minutes, though Urianger still suffered from its effects. Do not rub your eyes. It could spread the irritant and damage sight. His studies reminded him. And so he kept his hands away from his face.

It took a moment, but the burning seemed to abate to a more tolerable level. He paused for a moment, doing a mental well-being check. He didn’t seem ill or in any pain—the only thing plaguing him were eyes and a slight headache. But otherwise he didn’t seem to be in any danger.

It seemed Kenn Beq had not lied in that regard. The spray probably was some sort of defense mechanism for the plant. To keep itself from being eaten. He made a note of this within his journal before turning to head home.  

During the walk back he did not encounter Kenn Beq or Kenn Sul again. The pair of them smartly staying away from him while his anger was still hot. On the morrow they’d probably come bearing gifts of apology, usually polished stones from the river that they thought were pretty. 

And so his walk had gone undisturbed. However, about halfway he had to pause. The throbbing in his head had grown steadily worse. Going from a dull ache to a full on piercing pain. A side effect from the flower?

He groaned, clutching at his head with a hand. He winced at the sun beating down on him. was it always so bright? It made him feel nauseated under its beating warmth. Had that flower been poisonous? 

Gods, above he felt so dizzy—the world was spinning and— 

“You alright love?”

 A voice snapped him from whatever was ailing him. 

“You’re not looking too good. What tried to drink Thancred under the table? Though I have to say that’s not a very hard feat to accomplish.”

That voice…

His head still ached and he had to squint through the bright sunlight at the figure before him. It couldn’t be and yet...it sounded like her. It...it looked like her.

He could feel himself trembling as his lips parted to form her name. It couldn’t be. It was impossible.

Yet there she stood grinning at him, hands propped on her hips. “Come on then, up you go.” She insisted. “We need to get back home;?don’t want to be out here in the dark, do you?”

Finally. Finally he had the strength to form her name on his tongue. “Moenbryda?” He whispered incredulously.

She cocked her head. “Were you expecting someone else?” 

Once again he was left speechless. How? How was this possible? This had to be a trick! Some cruel, cruel trick done by the pixies. He felt angry. He felt sorrow he thought he buried welling up within him again.

Abruptly, Moenbyrda’s smile fell and was replaced by an expression of concern. “Are you alright, love?” She asked moving forward to cup his face between her hands. And Urianger was surprised to find her touch warm. So real.

“How…” Urianger managed to find his voice. And he could feel tears misting in his eyes. “How are you here?”

Moenbryda seemed surprised and even offended at that. “Urianger...I’ve always been with you. Don’t you remember?” A frown furrowed her brow as she placed the back of her hand against his forehead. “Hmph, that flower must’ve done a number on you, eh? You’re positively burning up. Come on, let’s go back home and prep some tea. That always makes you feel better.”

“But…” Urianger began to protest. 

“Hush my dear.” Moenbryda told him and patted him on the cheek. “It’s all going to be okay. You just need to rest.”

Something in her words seemed to soothe him. The emotions rattling within him stilled. And suddenly he felt so tired.

“Right...right.” He murmured, feeling dazed and let her lead him back home. 

This felt strange. Like it shouldn’t be happening. And yet...her hands had felt so real against his cheeks. Her fingers felt so real as they entwined with his. And her voice, her sweet voice—he could never mistake it. It was her.

And yet it couldn’t be. Back and forth his mind warred like that. Illogical and logical fighting to dominate his mind which right now felt as if a fog had settled over it. 

 It didn’t feel right but Moen had promised all was well. And well...he trusted her.

They had made it to the Rising Stones.

 Wait...that’s not right. Is it?

He couldn’t ponder on it much longer before Moenbryda dragged him inside. She had settled down at a table and quickly shooed him away, insisting that he start a kettle for them.

“And why am I making the tea when it was thee whom suggested it?” Urianger had asked.

And Moenbryda grinned that wonderful smile of hers. Wry and filled with mischief. “Because you need something to occupy your mind, silly thing. You’ve walked the whole way here with a blank look on your face like your head was suddenly empty.” She teased. “You need something to do to get that brain of yours working again.”

He merely shook his head and wandered over to the stove to prepare the tea. Cheeky. She was always so cheeky. And that was one of the things he loved most about her.

The thought tugged at something at the back of his mind. And the dizzy spell that had ailed him earlier had suddenly returned. The elezen had to lean against the nearby wall for a moment to get his bearings. Why was he feeling so nauseous all of a sudden?

“Is everything alright, Urianger?” he heard Moenbryda call out to him. “You haven’t been acting well since that incident with that flower. Funny thing must be messing with your head.”

“Yes...the flower.” He murmured and clutched at his head. Something about that was making his head throb again. What had Kenn Beq called it? Something wasn’t right.  “The Rising Stones. How...did we get here? We were just in Il Mheg.”

“We walked here, obviously. Are you feeling okay?”

No. Not at all. Something...something wasn’t right.

“I am fine.” Urianger reassured, shaking his head to clear it. And with trembling hands he turned his attention back to his task. Right...he needed to put the kettle on to warm the water— 

Two cups of tea sat before him. Warm and with steam rising up from them. How? Had he already brewed it and just wasn’t paying attention?

“Uri!” Moenbryda called impatiently. “Are you going to hog it all for yourself?”

He pushed down the nauseated feeling rising within him and turned to carry the cups to his waiting companion. This was nice. How long had it been since the two of them enjoyed a nice tea and chat together? 

Again the tugging at his mind came. The flower. Il Mheg. Sitting here in the Rising Stones didn’t seem to fit with it. His sluggish mind swept it away. Focus on tea with Moen not that.

The two of them chatted pleasantly. Reminiscing  in old memories and recounting stories of their time after graduating the Studium. It was a pleasant time and Urianger felt he had not had genuine laughter in so long. 

He couldn’t help but to feel he was forgetting something though. Something that kept nagging at the back of his mind. It had been tugging on him ever since meeting Moenbryda again.

There was something about her. Something about this day. This very moment. And every time he tried to focus on it he was left feeling dizzy.

“Mm you always made the finest tea, Urianger.” Moenbryda praised as she took a long sip. Knocking it back as if it were a tankard of ale. “Always could taste the care you put into it.”

“Preparing tea is an art.” Urianger replied as he took his own sip. Puzzlement welled up within him. His tasted so plain. Had he put enough herbs in it? “Master Loiusoix taught me that important lesson. “

Moenbryda hummed. “You were always his favourite.”

He set his foul tea aside, no longer having the taste for it. “Do not pretend that he never had a fondness for thee.”

She merely shrugged at that and crossed one leg over the other. “Do you miss him?”

The question seemed out of nowhere and surprised Urianger. He scowled and looked down at his lap. “Aye.” He admitted. “Every day, I long for his wisdom and his guidance. For there are some days where I oft wonder if I am taking the right steps. And if I am taking them down the right path.”

Moenbryda hummed thoughtfully. “And me? Do you miss me?”

That question was odd that it made him jerk his head up to see...her fading. 

“Moen?” He whispered in worry.

She was fading. Fading away again.

Something...something was wrong. He felt hot all over and that piercing pain in his head from earlier had returned.

“Moen…” Urianger reached out to grasp her hands. “Moenbryda, what is wrong?!” Desperation made his voice hoarse.

And his dear friend  stared at him sadly. And yet she smiled. “Ah told you that silly flower was messing with your head.”

The flower? Yes...yes he remembered now. The fog was slowly lifting and his head was clearer.

Kenn Beq had called something peculiar…Dreaming-While-Awake.

“This isn’t real.” He admitted to himself.

“No.” Moenbryda beamed. “But at least it was nice while it lasted.”

He stared at her sadly and when to grab her hand this time his fingers brushed through it. He closed his eyes with a grimace. Of course, he should’ve known better. Known that such a perfect moment could only exist within the confines of his mind.

“Oh don’t be sad, dear.” Moenbryda consoled. “I told you before, I’ve always been with you.”

“Yes…” He agreed, closing his hand into a fist and looking down at the table. “But only within mine dreams.”

“And within your heart.” She told him. 

“And within mine heart.” He repeated solemnly. “I suppose it does answer thine question though. ” He murmured, looking up at the empty air where she’d once been. “I do miss thee terribly.”

When he came out of the strange vision, Urianger found himself lying in a field. Likely somewhere in between where the flowers had been and the Bookman’s Shelves. He hadn’t seemed to travel far in his stupor.

He groaned, wincing at the piercing pain in his skull. Now seeming a thousand times worse with him being awake. He awoke feeling sweaty and hot. And when  he tried to stand he instantly regretted it, forced back to his knees as he retched up the contents of his stomach. 

Twelve, allow me strength to make it back home.

This would be the last time he trusted the fey on botanistic excursions.

Journal Entry No. 63

Dreamer’s Neem (the the pixies seem to dub it Dreaming-While-Awake)

A beautiful looking flower that grows to about the size of a grown Elezen male’s hand. A light shade of purple and dappled with yellow freckles it seems to grow on shrubs in isolated patches around Il Mheg. 

As a defense mechanism against creatures that would try to prey upon it, the plant sprays the aggressor with an agitating powder before closing in on itself. It should be noted that this powder contains a very potent hallucinogenic agent that causes truly powerful visions that seem to affect all the senses.

The former human inhabitants seemed to have used the flower for recreational purposes. Similar to the use of milkweed on the Source. It should be noted however, that while the plant may not be deadly it is best to avoid it. The effects of its defensive powder could prove to be overwhelming to individuals not familiar with the plant.

It should also be well noted that an individual exposed should be given cool water and broth for the rest of the day. The after effects of the hallucinations may leave them weak of stomach. And solid foods could agitate their condition.

Have care for thee whom wouldst seek out this plant. For the vision it offers may not always be pleasant. Speaking from mine own experience it was rather tame. Though other accounts I hath read indicate more nightmarish experiences. How lucky I was in mine own…

[elentiyawhitethorn]

Sneaking Around | Chapter Seven

The next week was torture for Aelin. Unable to get her hands on Rowan, she had to settle for passing glances in the hallways and lingering touches in the elevator. Lunchtimes she ignored him as she usually did. It was only at the end of the workday on Friday that Rowan entered her office.

“Did you need something, Mr. Whitethorn?” asked Aelin coolly.

He grinned. “I needed to know if you’re busy.”

“I’ll have to check my schedule.”

Rowan rolled his eyes. “Come to my place when you’re finished.” Then he walked - no, strutted - out the door.

Aelin could hardly complete her work quickly enough. After she did, she texted Ansel. im not coming home tonight

why am i not surprised? Ansel answered quickly.

shut up Aelin then gathered her belongings and headed to her car.

She pulled up at the now-familiar building and walked up the stairs to Rowan’s door. It was unlocked. Rowan was sitting at the table eating a plate of spaghetti.

“Couldn’t wait for me?” Aelin pouted.

He grinned. “I was hungry.”

Rolling her eyes, Aelin served herself a plate and sat. She liked the familiarity she felt when she was here, when she sat down with Rowan.

She’d barely taken a bite when a phone rang. Rowan’s.

“It’s Fenrys,” he said when he looked at it. “Hello?”

A voice sounded on the other side, to which Rowan responded, “Why?” And then, “That’s really weird, man.” And finally, “Maybe some other time. I’m finishing up on paperwork right now.” He looked close to laughter.

Aelin’s brow was raised. “What was that about?”

A smirk. “I was invited over to figure out who your secret boyfriend is.”

Aelin blinked. “You’re joking, right?” When he didn’t say anything, Aelin shouted, “I’m going to kill them! I’m going to fucking kill them all!” Rowan chuckled. “Do you seriously find this amusing?” she yelled.

“Calm down. And don’t kill them, they’ll want to know how you found out.”

“Call him back.”

Rowan frowned. “Why?”

“Tell them you finished your paperwork and you want to join.”

“Again, why?”

“I want to know who they think I’m screwing. You’re my man on the inside.”

Rowan just looked at her. “Um, no.”

“Why not?”

“That’s ridiculous.” When she just glowered at him, he added, “Also, I’m eating.”

“Good thing you’re almost done then.”

“I’m not going to go join their ludicracy when I could be doing other things. Preferably things involving you naked.” When Aelin crossed her arms and frowned at him, Rowan sighed. “I’m not getting out of this, am I?”

“Nope.”

He reluctantly picked up his phone. “Turns out I had less paperwork than I thought and I have nothing better to do. Yeah. Okay, see you in a few minutes.”

Rowan scowled at Aelin. “You owe me. And what exactly are you going to be doing while I’m gone?”

She smiled. “Do you have Netflix?”

-

Halfway through Dirty Dancing, Aelin’s phone rung. It was Lysandra. Was she involved too? Most certainly; in fact, she had probably started this whole let’s-stalk-Aelin idea.

“What?” Aelin made her voice as breathy as possible.

“Sorry to bother you. I was just wondering what you’re up to.” Checking her alibi. Thorough. She had to give them credit for that.

“I’m very busy. What do you want?” Aelin snapped in her most impatient, I-need-to-get-back-to-sex voice.

“Oh, nothing. I’ll let you get back to it.” There was a laugh in the background and someone shushed them. How inconspicuous.

“Whatever.” Aelin hung up. Then she pressed play on the TV, a smirk on her face.

-

An hour later, Rowan came back. He found Aelin, asleep on his couch, with a bowl of popcorn next to her.

He moved the popcorn, switched off the TV, and sat next to her. Aelin woke up to Rowan stroking her hair. Not a bad way to start the day. Then she realized it was late evening. Aelin yawned, stretching onto his lap.

“Don’t you want to hear the juicy details?” asked Rowan.

This woke her up. “What did they say about me?”

He laughed. “Oh gods, Lysandra should work in the FBI. There were lists and-”

“Lists?”

“Of every employee of the office. It was narrowed down to male employees, then only those at the party.”

Aelin scowled. “When I get my hands on her... Who else was there?”

“Aedion, Gavriel, and Elide weren’t notified for fear of ratting us out. Ansel was working. Vaughan had to be at the office for the new security update. Lorcan and Manon both declined with similar statements about how bat-shit crazy we are. It was just Connall, Fenrys, Lys, and me. We were all told not to tell you, but I didn’t promise anything.”

“And I’m assuming it was Lysandra’s idea?” Aelin was furious at this point.

“Yes. It was kind of fun, though.”

“I know you did not just say that.”

Rowan chuckled. “Oh, please, you would have initiated the thing if it was anyone else.”

“It wasn’t, though, and I need revenge.”

“I can only pray I’m not there when that happens. And she crossed us men off the list since we were all there while you got your alibi checked.”

Aelin laughed. “Yes, I was brilliant, wasn’t I?”

“Mmhm, you sounded like you were called in the middle of screwing somebody.”

Aelin beamed. “That’s what I was going for. Now that you’re here, though, I’ve been waiting all week for you to fuck me.” she blatantly declared.

Rowan’s breath hitched. Aelin sat up, then moved on top of him, straddling him. His hands settled on her hips.

“Thank you for being my man on the inside,” Aelin whispered, then dragged her tongue up his neck. Rowan groaned.

“Maybe I should do you favors more often,” Rowan got out as she pulled her own shirt off. His hands drifted up to massage Aelin’s breasts through her lace bra.

Aelin spent the rest of the night thoroughly thanking Rowan. Oh, how she loved the weekends.

-

Aelin slept in the next morning. She awoke to find herself alone in Rowan’s bed.

Not bothering to put on clothes, not even another one of Rowan’s shirts, Aelin walked into the kitchen. Rowan was making pancakes.

He turned, taking in Aelin’s naked appearance. Rowan’s eyes darkened with lust. Totally ignoring his roving gaze, Aelin walked to the counter and leaned against it. “I didn’t know you could cook,” she said.

Unable to tear his eyes away from her body, Rowan kept staring as he answered, “I’d hardly call making pancakes cooking.”

“It’s more than I can do,” Aelin replied. Smirking, she added, “Careful, they seem to be burning.”

Rowan finally turned back to the food, stacking them on a plate. The muscles of his back were tense. Quite possibly he was restraining himself from spinning back around and touching her. Aelin loved the effect she had on him.

Finally he managed, “Tell me you’re not going to eat like that.”

Aelin said, “Why shouldn’t I?” She was enjoying this, especially when he turned back around to reveal a slight bulge in his pants.

“Fuck, Aelin, you can’t... I’m not going to make it through breakfast with you looking like that.”

Laughing evily, Aelin complied, running back to get a shirt out of his dresser. She then walked back to the table, which had two plates on it.

Every time she was here, Aelin felt happy and carefree. Before she knew what she was doing, Aelin blurted, “I like you.”

Rowan looked at her, raising an eyebrow. Aelin blushed furiously. “I mean, I didn’t quite intend to say that, but I do. Like you, I mean. Just saying.” Wow. Very smooth.

Rowan was grinning now. “I like you too.” Aelin had expected some mocking comment, but despite the teasing look, his voice was sincere. Her blush deepened.

Rowan had the nerve not to seem embarrassed. Bastard. He said, “What are your plans for Christmas? Still attending the Single Losers Christmas party?”

Ah yes, Christmas. They were at the beginning of December, nearing a holiday from work. And the Single Losers party was a tradition started long ago, when Fenrys had no one to celebrate with and demanded Aedion, Gavriel, and Lorcan throw a party in his honor. They had the nicest place; everything happened there. It had now evolved into a small get-together with the friends and their dates (so most of them weren’t even single, but whatever). It had been quite a few Christmases since Aelin had had a boyfriend serious enough to spend the holiday with, so she was a regular. About half of them went to their parents’ houses for the holidays, but the others didn’t.

“Yes, I am. You?” Rowan usually went to the party as well.

“I’m going.” He seemed like he wanted to say something else, but hesitated.

“What?” Aelin asked.

Rowan quickly said, “Nothing. More syrup?” She knew she wasn’t getting anything out of the damned bastard. Yet, at least.

The rest of the morning passed, and of course ended up in his bedroom. Aelin didn’t know how, but the sex just kept getting better and better. She left in the afternoon, having plans at her own apartment with Ansel and Lysandra.

Aelin left Rowan with a searing kiss, her insides burning. She would never get used to the heat she felt around him, nor did she ever want to. Aelin lived for it, craved it like she craved his tongue in her mouth.

Eventually she detached herself and drove home. Lysandra was already there - early to see Aelin come home at three in the afternoon. After the possible boyfriend lists that she wasn’t supposed to know about, it was hard enough not to strangle her friend. Lysandra was on thin ice.

“Have a nice night?” she purred. Ansel laughed.

Glaring, Aelin said, “Very. How was your night?” Yes, what were you doing, Lys? Not stalking your friend, I hope.

“I got together with the twins and Rowan.” Technically true. Bitch.

Aelin made sure to inquire about Lysandra and Aedion’s flirtations or Ansel and Fenrys’ budding romance every time they got too nosy and that seemed to do the trick. The conversation mostly revolved around Elide and Lorcan, a new movie on Hulu, and a new Kung Fu move Ansel had learned.

Lysandra left a while later. Aelin set her phone on the counter along with her purse and keys.

She went to the bathroom. Washing her hands, Aelin heard her phone beep. Ansel called, “I’ll check it for you!” Nosy. Probably hoping it was from her lover. Wait a minute; if it was from Rowan...

Aelin dried her hands quickly and bolted out of the bathroom. To find Ansel gaping at Aelin’s phone. Shit.

[fromthefishbowl]

People who complain about Ao3 don’t remember what sites like ff.net were like

Every few months, a bright-minded Tumblr blogger peeps up with the never-heard-before: “Ao3 is a completely amoral site. If they want to prove to us they have a moral backbone, then they need to purge X, Y, and Z tags, and then create a team of mods who will regularly check the stories that are reported because since now there aren’t tags that tell the readers about X, Y, and Z, these goddamn perverts will slip through the cracks and create toxic environment in which children shouldn’t be” take, and the posts routinely receive thousands of notes.

Well... let me tell you how things actually work on sites that don’t use tags but have a team of mods that checks the authors and stories that are being reported.

I’m a fandom old: even if I’m young, I began reading and writing fanfics back in September/October 2012. I’ve used a site that was basically ff.net’s twin, Wattpad, and then Ao3. I was there, when Wattpad slowly turned into a money-making farm and implemented micro-transactions and ads. I have seen how these platforms evolved and who they were protecting, and it really doesn’t matter how much you whine and complain about Ao3, but it’s the only platform that actually protects both its writers and readers in equal measure.

According to the many theories made by people who have already forgotten how actually lawless fanfiction sites were, having mods would solve all the problems regarding the “moral issues” presented by Ao3. In their opinion, mods would be these perfect creature who never take sides and are always impartial, ready to defend ThE cHiLdReN from the evil, amoral content. They’d scrub the site clean from the “toxic” and “dangerous” content in order to create a wholesome environment where parents and kids alike can happily frolic together.

In truth? Nothing about mods ever worked like that. No one is able to be completely impartial, and some people only need to be given an ounce of power to lose their minds and do as they please.

On the site similar to ff.net, people were encouraged to report all the stories that didn’t strictly follow the rules of the site, including the ones where the spelling wasn’t as great as it should’ve been. It wasn’t rare to find that users had reported an account or a story simply out of revenge, because said author hadn’t commented their work favorably. If you were a fandom favorite with a lot of readers, it was also possible to find in your DM box people asking you to report and ask your readers to report someone, even if you had to make up things in order for the report to go through.

Thankfully, mods were extremely lethargic (I love the idea that people think that they’d act briskly and not sleuth around the site, posting stories with their modding accounts in order to receive a higher number of comments), so most reports ended up in stand-by, catching proverbial dust, for years and years, until everybody forgot about the report itself as well as the story, the author, and whatever had happened there.

But when they acted? Ooooh, and here’s the interesting part, because there were three options!

The story was taken down, the account banned, and the only thing left of them would be a notice from the mods that they had been stricken because they had done this, this, and a little bit of that too. But do you know who was usually hit, by this? Smaller writers, writers whose stories didn’t pull in a lot of views and comments, people who were “forgettable”. It also happened a lot with writers who would put themselves against bigger authors by writing negative reviews for their stories;

The mods closed an eye because the people and storied reported where at the top of their category in a very trafficked fandom. There was a case in which people were so distressed by the presence of a very specific story (Jewish girl falls in love with the Nazi guard that abuses her while she’s in a concentration camp), that the headmistress of the site had to write a special comment that could be viewed by all the people who were going to review that story that said that there was no reason to leave a negative review nor to report it to the mods, as it followed the rules of the site (it didn’t, but it brought in a lot of views and attention to the platform, so... it could stay!);

The mods would hunt the authors on their social medias too and ban them from the site because they’d been rude. It happened more than once, that an author was reported or they were the ones reporting, and have found themselves submersed in insults by members of the mod team on their Facebook page. Two cases:

An author was accused of having plagiarized a story written by another, more famous, user. The author denied, and asked for proof of it. The mod taking care of the case didn’t offer any, but deleted their story and blocked their account until they said they were sorry to the more famous user. In order to have their account back, the author said they were sorry to the famous user, but on their Facebook page wrote that it was a crock of shit: they hadn’t copied from that person, and the fact that the mod hadn’t offered any proof of it was suspicious enough. The mod saw that Facebook post, sent them a DM with nothing but insults, and then banned them permanently because they had been rude to the administration;

An author posted a story, and two other users plagiarized it. The author reported both stories and waited a week for the mods to send them a DM telling them to screenshot all the passages that had been copied and put them all in a document because they didn’t have time to read three different stories. Although the author complied, they wrote a post complaining about this lousy job on Facebook. The post caught the eye of another moderator who blocked their account and told them they wouldn’t have had access to the site unless they apologized to the entire team of mods, to the users they had accused of plagiarizing their story, and took down the Facebook post. In the meanwhile, the first mod was caught chatting with one of the two other users on the forum. The author didn’t back down for another two weeks, when the headmistress of the site herself showed up and told them she would’ve been the one to take care of the question. In the end, although it was clear that the two users had copied the author’s story, the author still received nasty and threatening messages from the entire mod team because of that Facebook post, to the point that they decided to delete their stories and their account altogether and move to another platform.

This is what happens with mods that are always asked to answer to reports and to take care of stories personally: authors are not protected against anything unless they are big enough to be an attraction people subscribe to the platform for. Fics with “moral backbone” issues were left up if they had the views and the comments for it.

And the readers? Well, the readers used to get the short end of the stick too, as those sites didn’t have a tag system and there wasn’t a way for them to know if a story contained something they didn’t like to read about, nor a way for them to “obscure” the ones that did. Finding specific things was a mess too.

This to say: you need to curate your own fandom experience. You are in charge of what you read, and it’s not my place to take care of the children and make sure that everything they put their saintly eyes upon is wholesome. Ao3 is the only platforms that allows the readers to have an absolutely complete control of what they consume and that allows the writers to warn the readers of every single issue their story can contain that might trouble them. Learn to curate your own fandom experience, rather than spending your time whining about “moral issues” and “think of the children”, coming up with ideas that are simply not doable on a massive site like Ao3.

[rubik-ashala]

Let Alucard have nice things!

This doubles as both a headcanon description and a rant so here goes:

I just got done watching the 3rd season of Castlevania and I am not happy. I have two things two say about it. This contains spoilers for the series so you have been warned.

First complaint and observation:

Did anybody get the feeling that the show was supposed to end after the second season but didn't? That everything was wrapped up nicely, Dracula was dead, the big world destruction war was halted, we were shown what the trio would be doing after everything etc. Like it was meant to end there but then a conversation like this happened:

Castlevania team: And that’s a wrap everybody! The good guys took down Dracula in an epic fight, the world was saved, Job Done! Time to move on to new things.

Shareholders, producers, etc: Uhh, actually we already signed you up for a 3rd season. So you might want to get on that.

Castlevania Team: What! But we weren't prepared for a third season! The whole plot is wrapped up! What are we supposed to do?

Shareholders, producers, etc: Don’t know but you better get to figuring it out.

Castlevania: I guess we will just game of thrones it terribly then and hope we make it through.

Because that is what it felt like happened. There seemed to be no overarching plot, just four separate ones and only two of them is even remotely together. They take two side characters Issac and Hector and give them there own plotlines. Issac gets the Denarius treatment for no real reason other than to seemingly follow in Dracula’s footsteps and Hector gets dragged to Camilla’s realm because, she needs a forge master to grow an army so she can take over what has been fractured. They split up the trio, suddenly giving Serphia and Trevor a romantic relationship with little to nothing building up to it and throw them in a quest to keep Dracula from coming back after some crazy monks due some occult doctor who style shenanigans to open a portal to other worlds. And while that is going on, Alucard aka Adrian Tepes gets left alone guarding his fathers now broken castle and the Belmont’s treasure trove for months after everything has happened.

Which flows into my Second point:

Alucard got done dirty in the third season!

We watch as Alucard deals with the mental repercussions of what he did, alone. We watch as he deals with the loneliness of being out in the middle of nowhere alone for months with none to talk too. And we see the toll it is taking on him albeit comedically. 

Then the siblings come in. 

They come to him for help and education on fighting vampires back in their homeland, something that Alucard is more than happy to help with. One, because he has company again and Two, passing on the knowledge to the new generation seemed fitting.

During the time they stay he grows fond of them and they him. You see them training and horsing around, eating meals together and other wholesome shenanigans.

You get to see a conversation where the sibling talk about how they notice how lonely he has been and how they believe he stays out here to punish himself and maybe they should do something for him before they move on. And it’s all like “aww that is so sweet!”

Then you see Alucard trying to sleep and failing miserably in his bed. Even so far as wondering if he should get a coffin to sleep in. Then you see the siblings show up in the door way and begin walking towards him in the bed saying , in a very sultry voice, how alone he must have been, how he should deserve a reward, ectera. Followed by them getting all hot and steamy with him.

 The scene makes a point to show how much Alucard is enjoying this attention, and how happy it is making him. Your watching it and it’s like “Maybe it's gonna be one of those fond memories he will be able to look back on after their gone.” or “Maybe they will become some Badass monster hunting thruple and Alucard wont be alone anymore.”

Nope! Not today in my Grim Dark Gothic Fantasy World!

They instead, after giving Alucard the night of his life, put these metal cuffs on him that shoot out a bunch of ropes that tie him in classic Jesus on a cross position and then proceed to try and kill him. 

Why?

Because the were under the belief he was lying and holding things back from them, and in particular about the castle not being able to move. And they were tired of being lied to.

Luckily for Alucard they didn't realize his sword could move on its own and they weren’t alive for much longer because of it but...Really?

Why? Why do this to him?

He lost his mother to a witch hunt, he had to kill his own father and now this? All in little over a year? What the Hell man!?

Let the Dhampire have nice things! He deserves better than this!

So, I made a headcannon to soothe me angry brain.

I took a fantasy race of mine that was inspired by the Crusnics of Trinity Blood and added them in to Castlevania. In Particular one specific one.

Name: Floki 

Age: Around Adrian’s age give or take a few months.

Hair: Black

Eyes: Mismatched blue/green

Height: About the same as Adrien’s perhaps a little taller.

Personality: Mischevious, HArdworking, Loves deeply, Fiercly but wisely protective, loves to work with his hands, loves to learn more about the world and how it works. Deeply fond of Adrian even though he hasn’t seen him in a few years. Also, a smidge psychotic, but just a smidge.

Floki is part of a race of beings referred to as “The Old Ones”. They are a race similar in habit to the Vampire but they feed off vampires, night creatures and other supernatural beings over humans. They are immensely powerful, even at young ages and have been rumored to be the source of some of the gods of Ancient Mythology. 

Floki’s father (Yet named)  was Dracula’s mentor and where he got much of his scientific knowledge from in his early years. They became friends during his teaching and even after parting ways, would still occasionally see each other every few half centuries or so to trade information and chat.

During this time, Floki’s father was desperately trying to have children of his own and failing. At one point believing that he was sterile and unable to father children. Something Dracula knew as well and so hid Lisa’s pregnancy from him for fear of making his sadness worse.

However, a few months later, It was revealed that his current love was with child and Floki was born accompanied by much drunken Norse revelry.

When the two men met again a few years later, Floki was brought with his father to show to Dracula that he finally had a child. A moment where Dracula also revealed his son and Where Floki met Adrian.

Floki showed Adrian what it was like to play and horse around. They would play pretend out in the woods, get dirty, skin thier knees, the works. And where one was, you would find the other close by.

The visits between the two powerful men became more frequent due to the boys wish to see each other, not that the parents minded all that much.

Over time Floki’s affection for Adrian would change and deepen. His longing to stay by his friends side would get stronger and one fateful afternoon when Adrian got hurt, FLoki would realize how he had fallen in love with him.

Adrian would never know this however, due to Floki’s unstable powers at the time, his sub par control of his hunger and the fear of hurting him.

As they got older, and partly to the above, their visits to see each other would lessen and by the time they were full grown, had stopped entirely. 

That is until Floki Heard of Lisa’s death at the hands of the church.

Even with his incredible power to teleport far distances it took him several months to reach Wallachia. He didn’t seek out Adrian immediately though, too curious to see the truth of what happened.

Each of “The Old Ones” Has a unique skill that is developed and evolved over time, according to personality, interest, skill and homeland. Due to Floki’s curiosity, his love for history and his desire to see how it all works together, he developed what he liked to call, memory recall.

His skill allowed him to see memories of the past through people, objects or locations where something that evoked strong emotional or magical reactions in the area happened. And if there was no such thing, if the event was more recent, if he had access to people that were there and stood on the location, he could see and feel the event as if he lived it.

Lisa’s death held him up in an inn for several days trying to chase the feeling of flames on  his skin. Dracula’s anger and grief laid him up for even longer as he cried himself sick. 

Gregit was better though, seeing the man who did the deed getting called out by a demon and then eaten gave him a bit of satisfaction.

Briela was fascinating though. He had to meet whomever managed to capture the ever moving castle.

By the Time Floki would arrive at the now defunk castle and underground hold, the siblings bodies are already outside on pikes.

This doesn't scare him away of course, and to find out why they were there he uses his memory recall. Where he sees through there eyes what they did to Adrian, albeit a little fuzzy. But is able to hear what the twins were thinking in that moment and see, just for a short time, Adrian tied to the bed afraid and hurt.

This causes him to snap his fingers and cause the corpses to burst into flames.

An action that draws Adrian’s attention causing a little bit of a fight before they recognize each other.

Over the next while Adrian allows Floki to stay and fix the castle as well as the Belmont estate and work towards getting the transportation engine online again. Eventually. 

Overtime, all of Floki’s feelings come back with a vengeance and he gives as much attention and TLC to Adrian as he allows. Eventually getting Adrian to allow him close enough to see though his memory what the siblings had done to him

A scene that will either start a few revelations with both Adrian and FLoki or lead to a very steamy situation. Possibly both.

But it all ends in Adrian getting all the Love and TLC that man deserves after the hell he was put through.

I just hope they aren’t trying to set him up to become an antagonist later... 

[sindumpster]

Wait what's a hammerspace organ? I'm stoopid- also, is it normal for OC's to look alike because i constantly get self conscious over mine because of how they look like other people's characters i know ._. I hate it

It’s...kinda my own coining (and also kind of a joke, if this is about that recent post of mine) so I’ll do my best to condense the whole...explanation/context behind the whole thing.

Hammerspace is kinda like the cartoon version of a TARDIS—it’s something bigger on the inside than the outside and usually used for visual cartoon gags. Like when a character pulls inexplicably large objects out of a small bag they couldn’t possibly fit into, or other impossible cartoon physics stuff where you’re cramming a bunch of things in a tiny space to be funny.

And then some time ago “hammerspace preds” became more popular, where basically the stomach acts like a cartoon hammerspace. They can eat lots of things or multiple prey but it doesn’t really affect them much (usually it’s implied the things they eat are stored in a pocket dimension/space, and sometimes there’s other weird hijinks going on there too. Everyone plays with it and justifies it differently). And a while back I got asked about it and rambled about why I do not like them.

...anyways the joke is that, if you know some of the old dusty canon with Jake, you’d know his crop works like a hammerspace. It his case it’s mostly for object storage and used as a silly/mild-gross humor gag, and it’s also there becuz plot. Anyways that’s the “hammerspace organ” and why I’m a big hypocrite lol. In my defense though he rarely sends people there, and it’s usually on accident.

////

And I guess it depends on how close those similarities are? On some level it is normal to find similarities with other characters. No concept is truly original, and no character design is original, it’s really more about how you put all the pieces together, and what you do with it. And sometimes just being around other creatives will make you unconsciously incorporate pieces of their style or designs (like, my style has definitely been influenced by my friends, and I know my friends sometimes borrow from me too. That’s just how styles naturally evolve, and it’s totally fine. You’re constantly observing and adding pieces you like, and so it only makes sense that you’re gonna take some pieces from the people you admire too). And honestly, I wouldn’t be surprised if someone had very similar designs to my characters, whether they know me or not. It can even happen coincidentally, just like how artists occasionally stumble across “style twins” (people who draw/write extremely similar despite not knowing each other before a certain point. Usually it just means they had similar influences and similar tastes, and there’s nothing malicious about it).

I will say though that if you’re getting really close to someone else’s concept (like to the point your character looks like a clone/actively confuses others due to the similarities), and the other character belongs to someone you regularly interact with or an artist you follow really closely, the respectful thing to do is either tinker with your designs a little more, or ask the artist if they’re comfortable with the design closeness. You might even be able to ask them where they got their ideas from or what influenced them, so you can look at the source and spin the concept in a different direction (and also you might learn some cool things too).

Another way to judge it is how are your characters similar? Is it just the coincidence of them having a similar body type or hair style to someone else’s character, or is it a long list of extremely specific similarities/concepts? Like people might get a little suspicious if two characters are missing the same fingers, have the same bent nose, have heterochromia, have the same body type, make the same default expressions and mannerisms, fill the same niches in thier canon, have the same powers and weaknesses, and so on. But that’s really only a “bad” thing if your character encompasses all of those very specific similarities. Nobody’s really gonna get mad if it’s one or two specific similarities, because a missing fingers isn’t an original concept, and a bent nose isn’t an original concept, and heterchromia isn’t an original concept. Like I mentioned before, it’s how you put all those pieces together that matters, and if you find that your character is really similar after you put that intricate puzzle together, maybe you should look for some different pieces. You might even like the end result more.

I will say though that the majority of the time, it’s totally fine. Over time your characters will diverge and look different, and theirs will too. And odds are it’s likely happening because you’re into similar themes or have similar influences, or you’re still in the concept-borrowing stage and finding what appeals to you. Worst case, you can always ask the other person if your characters are looking too close, or if it’s okay to borrow thier concepts, or if they have any suggestions for changes. Sometimes artists are even fine with an incredibly similar character as long as you give them a shout out as your source of inspiration.

Anyways sorry this is long, but it’s really hard for me to say one way or another if I don’t know the characters. All I can do is point to some general warning signs and what to do if you’re concerned while also approaching it respectfully.

[bookaddict19]

Sleeping with the Enemy (Part 1) | Fred Weasley x Reader

Rating: Mature...eventually. I don’t know.

This is my first fanfiction so bear with me. This is an AU that occurs after the Goblet of Fire, during the events of the Order to the Phoenix. No hate, please. But if you like it, let me know and I will continue adding to it. 

Despite being filled with the sounds of chattering students and the clinking of dinnerware, Y/N found the so-called Great Feast to be a very dull affair. She nursed her pumpkin juice, thinking longingly of the bottle of firewhiskey upstairs in her dorm room, until she felt the reassuring squeeze of a familiar hand. Y/N reluctantly pulled herself out of her sulky state to come face-to-face with a pair of concerned, gray eyes. 

Are you okay? they seemed to ask. 

Y/N forced a smile. Draco looked at her pointedly, then shrugged, returning back to his conversation with Crabbe and Goyle.

“If what Potter says is true,” Goyle began in rather slow whisper, bits of treacle tart plastered to the side of his mouth. “And the Dark Lord has actually returned, what does that mean for us?”

Draco sighed. Clearly, he was not pleased to be going through this conversation again for what seemed to be the thousandth time. Y/N was sick of this discussion as well but for an entirely different reason. If she wanted to spend her days discussing corrupt governments and rising dictators, which seemed to be the only topics of conversation in this remote castle, then she would have stayed in America. Although, she reminded herself sullenly, returning home to the stony shores of Britain had not entirely been her own idea. 

While Draco recited the rehearsed response given to him by his father again to the questioning idiots, Y/N busied herself by partaking in the ancient pastime of people-watching. As her eyes searched the room for signs of intelligent life, her attention was caught by a pair of bobbing red heads over by the Gryffindor table. It seemed that the Weasleys twins were up to their usual nonsense. 

Y/N watched with a smirk on her face as Fred Weasley transfigured his golden goblet into a large, amber-colored spider and placed it on the seat next to his younger brother. The younger, Ron, had briefly given his fork a break and had come up for air from his dinner, resting his tired arm on the table. The spider, whether by nature or the twins’ design, took this as an invitation to begin to crawl from Ron’s rested arm to his freckled neck. 

The next few minutes were filled with girlish squeals and roaring laughter from the other side of the hall. Ron had fell back out of his seat in an attempt to rid himself of the arachnid, thrashing and screeching as he did so. His friends, Granger and Potter, were attempting to calm him long enough to properly dispose of the creature. From Y/N’s position at the Slytherin table, she could see the top of Potter’s dark hair as he struggled to hold down Ron’s flailing limbs. Granger, on the other hand, was standing above them both, her wand at the ready. 

Meanwhile, the entire Great Hall had ceased their conversations to gawk at the most recent outburst from the Gryffindor table. Y/N noticed that Draco’s debate with Crabbe and Goyle had also come to an abrupt close. Y/N tore her gaze away from the Weasleys’ shenanigans long enough to catch a glimpse of Draco. His dark eyes hovered towards spot where Potter’s hair was visible.  He didn’t say a word. He didn’t have too. As students stretched in their seats in order to get a better look at the spectacle, Y/N laced her fingers back through Draco’s empty hand in a silent gesture. He took a deep breath then adverted his eyes from the unfolding scene. 

Dissimilarly, Fred and George were basking in the success of their wonderful prank, accepting high-fives from surrounding students at the Gryffindor and Hufflepuff tables. The celebration only ceased when Professor McGonagall, who had descended from the professors’ table with a basilisk-like glare, had seized George by a freckled-ear and began pulling him out of the hall. Fred, who would be damned if he let his twin suffer such a fate alone, took one last bow and followed his brother out of the Great Hall. However, he wasn’t the last to leave. Following the twins exit, a tiny witch in a pink dress slowly rose from the staff table and made her way to the exit. That’s not good, Y/N thought. 

“Filthy blood traitors,” Millicent Bulstrode mumbled beside Y/N as the twins left the hall.  Y/N’s eyes quickly snapped to Millicent’s toad-like face. “Careful, Bulstrode,” Y/N said slowly. “Their blood is purer than yours.”

Millicent’s face turned an ugly shade of red as the surrounding Slytherins crackled under their breath. Tears filled Millicent’s eyes and Y/N began to feel something resembling pity for the toad-faced half-blood next to her. It wasn’t that Y/N particularly cared about blood status. Despite growing up with the fanatical ramblings of Lucius Malfoy for the better part of her life, she didn’t feel as strongly about the widely debated topic as her fellow housemates. Her indifference could’ve been attributed to her time in America; a simpler country where blood status was of very little importance because there were no purebloods to be found. Or perhaps, she was simply more culturally evolved than her current company. However, she admitted, the later was most unlikely. 

Following Fred and George’s interruption, the noise level in the hall had quickly returned to normal. This meant the return of pestering questions about the future of Slytherin house in the wake of the Dark Lord’s return from Crabbe and Goyle. Goyle, who was continuing to talk despite the large piece of pumpkin pie hanging from his mouth, whispered something to Draco that Y/N couldn’t hear. She looked at Draco; he had gone quite pale.  

“Can you both please attempt amuse yourselves with any other topic of conversation,” Draco exclaimed rather harshly. “For instance, the growing obesity rate or how difficult it is to shovel food from the plate and into your mouth without most of it ending up on your face.” He looked sharply at Goyle. 

He had begun to shake. His eyes flashing dangerously under his pale blond hair. Crabbe and Goyle immediately quieted and recoiled in fear as if Draco were about to stand up in the middle of the Great Hall and start throwing out jinxes. Normally, Y/N would have welcomed anything to bring a bit of excitement to her current somber state. While the Weasleys’ act was quite amusing, she hadn’t had a good fight since she had returned to the UK and Draco was never one to disappoint her. There was nothing like the thrill of a good duel. No civilized bows and niceties that were so very common to European wizards, but a good old-fashion wizards’ duel. All wands and curses and the heat of palpable magic in the air.  

However, despite her thrill-mongering, she saw the truth beneath Draco’s thundering. The fear in his dark gray eyes as they shifted restlessly across the hall like those of a frightened animal. The way his fingers, which had still been laced through Y/N’s, had suddenly found themselves pulling at his left sleeve, making sure that his forearm was completely covered.

           Y/N put her hand on his shoulder and the shaking ceased. She moved her fingers to his back and began to draw small circles on the fabric of his jumper. As his breathing began to return to normal, Draco pushed his relatively cleaned plate aside, kissed her forehead and started a conversation with Warrington about Slytherin’s chances at beating Hufflepuff in the upcoming quidditch match.

It had been like this for as long as they both could remember and nothing, not even five long years apart, could change it. Not that their relationship was anything remotely romantic; although, by the jealous glares Pansy Parkinson was throwing Y/N at the moment, you could not tell that. Pansy was not alone in her assumptions. Most of the school believed that Y/N and Draco were secretly dating or, at the very least, sleeping together. This amused Draco, who would make it a point to grab Y/N’s hand in the halls on the way to classes in order to get giggles from nearby girls or high-fives from passing boys. Y/N learned to just smile and take the attention in strides.

It was not that she didn’t love Draco. She did. Sometimes he was the only thing in the world that made her feel like life was actually worth living. It was all-consuming love. An unconditional love that would have them both willing to help the other bury a body if it ever became necessary. But not a romantic love. It helped immensely that this feeling was most-assuredly mutual. This was ever-present in his incessant flirting with anything that qualified as remotely human. Draco was not shy in the slightest, and despite having a quiet infatuation with a certain dark-haired, scar-faced wizard, he spent the majority of his days chasing snobby Ravenclaw girls or freckled-faced Hufflepuff boys. 

Y/N, on the other hand, had only been at Hogwarts for a little over a year, despite being almost sixteen. She had no time for such fancies. She was here for a reason. Although, thinking about that reason made her heart beat faster and her stomach turn. “I’m going to go,” Y/N mumbled to Draco, untangling their fingers. His eyes searched hers for a brief second before he nodded and turned away. 

She left the hall in a bit of a rush. She made her way through the entrance doors, turning left to head downstairs towards the dungeons and the Slytherin common room.  She was halfway there when she spotted the back of a familiar red head. Fred Weasley was sitting on the stairs, his crimson head resting against wall. Y/N immediately looked around for any signs of a mischievous plot afoot. In their own way, the Weasley twins were like wolves. One must always have eyes on both of them. Lose sight of one and there is a good chance that you’ll find yourself cornered, being bombarded with water balloons. 

“Weasley…,” she began cautiously, her eyes darting around to make sure that the other twin wasn’t going to come out of nowhere and blast her with a Bat-Bogey Hex. “Well, if it isn’t Miss Black,” Fred replied in a strained voice. He turned and attempted what Y/N believed was supposed to be a smile. His face was strained with pain while his left arm cradled his right hand. 

Y/N stopped in her tracks. It seemed that Umbridge had had the last word in the twins’ little prank in the Great Hall. Y/N took one last vigilant look behind her before taking seat on the step next to Fred. She looked at him slowly. Beads of sweat raced down is freckled face, his stormy blue eyes fixed on his feet. Y/N watched his chest rise and fall in a slow but controlled manner like he trying very hard to keep himself from crying. 

Y/N didn’t know why but she could always tell the difference between Fred and George. While to most each twin was synonymous with the other, to her, the acknowledgement of the differences between the two was more than just a matter of respect; it was a matter of intelligence. Fred was obviously more outgoing than George. His eyes shined a bit brighter than his brother’s, especially when mischief was afoot. And while his Quidditch skills weren’t as outstanding as George’s, he showed more compassion both on and off the pitch; choosing to fight harder to win rather than resulting in cheap shots. 

“While I understand than I am stunningly handsome, Miss Black, I am sort of concerned that my good looks have caused you to stop breathing,” Fred remarked with a forced sort of laugh. Y/N, being rudely brought back to the present, made a noise somewhere between a snort and a cough.

“Not even in your dreams, Weasley,” she mumbled.

She looked at his injured hand. The words, I will not cause disruptions, was scratched into his pale skin in ugly, bloodstained letters. The cuts were deep. Apparently Umbridge had felt that Fred needed to do multiple lines in order to understand the message. Y/N wondered if the cuts would heal before the twins were up to their usual tricks again. Probably not, she thought. 

“This,” Fred started, noticing the direction of her gaze, made a motion to his cradled hand, “This is nothing. I had a filibuster firework go off in my hand once. Mum said I was lucky to still have all of my fingers.” Fred was talking mostly to himself. His head rested on the wall.

“I can help with that,” Y/N offered. Fred’s crimson head slowly rose from it’s resting place. His gaze fixed on her; suspicion filled his eyes. Y/N looked down at the serpent insignia on her robes. It was amazing how something that seemed so small and insignificant to her could cause such division in this foreign place. “Or you could just stay in pain,” Y/N said, that anger that she fought so hard to control came bubbling up to the surface. “See if I care.” 

She made a move to get up, her face reddening with anger and embarrassment. She was almost down the staircase when she felt a hand on the left sleeve of her jumper. She quickly tore her arm away from him, more out of fear than anger. 

“I’m sorry,” Fred said quickly. He slumped back down on the staircase. He was in really bad shape. Y/N hesitated, then slowly sat next to him. Draco had always said that she had a soft heart when it came to broken things. 

“It’s no use,” Fred mumbled feverishly. “Even Madam Pomfrey said there was nothing to do for it but ice it and wait for it to heal.”

Y/N took his hand and examined it. It was warm and wet from inflammation. Fred shivered. Y/N had seen this kind of magic before. “Well…” she started slowly. “You should never ask a saint to do a sinner’s work.”

Y/N knew from examining his wound that the quills that Umbridge had been using in her detentions contained a dark and ancient form of magic. Knowing this, she thought it unlikely that any conventional spell would be able to reverse the effects of the curse. Luckily for her, and the redhead beside her, Y/N was anything but conventional. 

“I can fix it,” she began slowly, moving her dark hair out of her face to look back into his eyes. “But I need you to trust me…and I need you to keep quiet about it. I don’t intend on becoming this castle’s new healer, nor do I have the bedside manner to do so.” At this, Fred nodded a bit cautiously. After he gave his consent, Y/N’s attention returned to his hand. She didn’t pull out her wand or even make a move to do so. She simply wrapped her hands around his. He squirmed. “It’s okay,” she whispered. She didn’t know who she was trying to calm.

She had done this a thousand times before. But sitting here in the middle of the castle, in a land that was all but alien to her and with boy she barely knew…it was enough to set anyone on edge. After covering his hand in hers, she began to chant. Softly, at first. So soft that Fred could hardly hear her. As her voice rose, he realized that she wasn’t speaking English but some sort of Latin spell. The torches around the pair began to dim as her voice rose higher and higher. The sounds from the feast above seem to grow silent. Magic crackled in the air like sparks in a hearth. Their joined hands began to pulse and glow with a soft, golden light. And then…it was over as quickly as it had begun. The flames in the torches surrounding the two seemed to had risen back to their full height. The noise from the Great Hall above echoed in the stairwell once more. 

Y/N forced herself to look at Fred’s face. She decided to take in one feature at a time in order to postpone the look of fear that was most likely present there. His color had come back. His cheeks flushed with red. His lips, that had almost been blue before, were now very pink and sporting a ghost of a smile. Y/N met his gaze. His blue eyes were not as stormy as before and were now filled with…not fear but something else. 

Fred let out a harsh breath that pulled Y/N out of reprieve. She looked down at their entangled hands and quickly pulled hers away, standing up to move onto the other side of the stairwell. Fred inspected his hand. There wasn’t a mark on it. Not even a scar. 

“How…,” he began. 

“It doesn’t matter,” Y/N responded quickly. “We’re not speaking of it again, remember?”

His gaze shifted from his hand to her face. It wasn’t fear she saw in his bright eyes but confusion, shock, and…gratitude. 

“Y/N…,” he made a move to stand. 

“Don’t mention it,” she pushed passed his outstretched hand and hurried down the staircase, refusing to look back. Y/N returned to the Slytherin common room and spent most of the rest of night sitting in an armchair, staring at the same page of her textbook for hours. Her fellow housemates had come back from the feast, and slowly emptied the common room as they headed to bed. Eventually, only Draco and Y/N remained.

           Noticing this, Y/N decided that she had most undisputedly earned a drink her actions this evening. She went to her room, grabbed the bottle of firewhiskey from under her bed, and returned downstairs. Draco was waiting. His Nimbus 2001 was stretched out on the floor next to him and a cleaning kit was in his hands. The sound of a bottle opening diverted his attention from his work 

           “I’m starting to worry that you’re becoming an alcoholic,” he muttered darkly. 

           Y/N poured the amber liquid into a nearby glass. “You’re only an alcoholic if you start drinking alone,” she smirked. “And look,” she walked towards him and thrusted the glass into his hand. “You’re drinking with me.” She took a long swig from the bottle. 

           The next few hours were spent in quiet contemplation of the night’s events. Draco didn’t want to talk about Potter or the upcoming war or that thing that was tattooed to his arm. And Y/N decided that she wouldn’t be able to take lecture on her irresponsible use of her powers that would most assuredly occur if she told Draco about the Fred incident. Instead, they stayed silent. Y/N fell asleep a couch in the middle of the common room, wrapped snuggly in Draco’s arms as she thought about the way Fred’s hand felt in hers. She awoke to a pain in her left arm as her dark mark seared in agony.

[aspiestvmusings]

WandaVision Questions

SPOILERS for whole series of WandaVision

Here is a very long list of questions that the series has still not fully answered & ones that they have..kinda...answered already: 

I’ve separated the questions by Character/Topic they are referring to. 

I do not think we’ll get answers to each of these. There’s just not enough time. Even if the finale is the lenght I’m hearing it is. But several..yes. And more will be left as “cliffahangers” and expored in other/future MCU projects...

WANDA 

What or Who did Wanda see exactly during that Mind Stone experiment in Sokovia? Did she see a vision of her futrure self as Scarlett Witch? Did a past or different Scarlett Witch appear to her? Did the “vision” pass the crown on to her, choosing her as the next scarlett witch [Find the Goddess within]? Did she “absorb” the figure she saw? Did it just appear to her as a “vision” from the future or past..or a different dimension? And who exactly was it? BASICALLY ANSWERED in 1x09

Is Wanda a born witch or a born mutant? Her powers seemed to first manifest at around age 10 [10 = X = x gene]... same is happening to her Twins in the hex. This seems to suggest she was born “different”, and the mind stone just awakened & heightened her powers. 

When did Wanda go to SWORD? How much time had passed since Tony’s funeral & her talk with Hawkeye? Same/Next day or a bit/week later? 

How did Wanda know Vision’s body was there? Was the info in his “living will” or did Avengers have that info on file somewhere? Who told her this, and when? (no-one was there for her & no one went with her because they are all in “not good” state: Hawkeye & Scott are reunited with families, Hulk is healing, Old! Cap is just...old, Thor & guardians are far away, Nat & Tony are gone. Spidey & Rhodey & Wakandans didn’t know her.. And everyone’s a mess, grieving, too. So... that’s why she is alone, cause she really has lost everyone who is close to her... no one left...)

How much in control is Wanda...by now? Has it been all subconsious or does she understand what’s happening? She seemed to create the hex unintentionally, just as byproduct of her grief. And at first she does not seem to understand it’s not real. But just like Vision, she, too, seems to become more & more aware of what’s actually going on. At first she keeps saying she means no harm, but by episode 7 she is questioning if she maybe is the bad guy in the story. How aware is she by now? And will it be about acceptance & letting go (of the ones she’s lost)...as she takes the hex down? Cause this is about her going through the stages of grief... (so I have prepared to see Vision die...again... with big fireworks, I guess...just like Tony’s IM suit army did for IM3 christmas fireworks show...cause everything seems to point to this...it’s the most logical concusion to the story...even if I/we all wish there was another way...) Everything points to 3rd ep being the turning point.  The birth of the twins & losing some control of the illusion, mention of something from actual reality trigger her waking up from the dream. Cause while she first sensors the broadcast at the end of ep 2 already (No!), I’m not sure she’s yet aware of things yet. But throwing ot Monic...seeing herself do that...affects her. But she does not understand the full extent of it all til the very end...when she “feels the peoples pain”

Is there any meaning to Wanda playing with the fingers of her hand when she’s asking to be let in to see Vision’s body? Maybe it’s just a stim, but it almost looks as if she’s trying to play with a wedding/engagement ring that’s supposed to be on that finger/hand? 

Was it Wanda who edited the footage from the Mind Stone experiment Strucker did on her? Or was it the "Mind Stone”? Because that editing (rewinding time) looked very similar to the editing that’s happening during WandaVision broadcast. 

Is this about Wanda learning to use, control & understand her powers...just as much as it’s about her letting herself grieve? She needs to “access her powers (the yoghurt) or it’ll all turn to chaos...?  ANSWERED in 1x09: YES!

What exactly are Wanda’s powers & what do they mean? It almost seems like she’s a living form of all 6 infinity stones, channeling their energy inside her. During the Hex she’s demonstrated that she can also “rewind time” (time stone) - the editing. I’d say it’s easier to say what she can’t do than list everything that she can do.

Was Wanda actually already pregnant BEFORE creating the hex? Was the “for the children” chant also subconcious, like many other things/lines? And did she give birth to the kid(s) in the hex..or was that birth “not real” & she’s still expecting when the hex comes down? If she was before Hex, then that’d mean the twins can & do exists outside of it, too. Because it’s only been a few weeks since Scotland for her, so who knows...  Or maybe their origin is more magical (blipped back into the wrong womb...Wanda’s? Created by her...cause “she was all alone”) And since FFH showed us that the world did not seem to be in total chaos, instead recovering, then how & why will things change about 8 months from now...and things are “on pause” til then? Cause FFH takes place 8 months after WV. One thing that fits this timeline would be human pregnancy, and then the birth process creates chaos (I still think all the glitches during the twins birth were caused by Wanda...cause she lost control of details on the hex...for  bit...not agathas doing), and that’s why multiverse is “ripped open” only then, not now. #wildtheory OR...are both general public & Peter unaware of what really happened in Westview?

VISION

Which Vision will win the Vision vs Vision fight? Well, the show aansered this question already in episode with the line: “The death rate of single men is twice that of married men". This means Wanda’s Vision (Hex Vision) will win over Hayward’s Vision (White/Spectral Vision...Ultron). The question is how will Hex Vision “die”?. Cause as much as we’d all love for a Vision to survive, he can’t... for the show (and Wanda) to get closure. Will he die in battle or as the hex goes down? KINDA ANSWERED in 1x09: HexVision did win the “confrontation”, but he was also the one who “died”/Wanda said goodbye to as hex went down.

What happened to Vision’s body after the Wakanda Battle & Thanos’ snap? How & why did he end up at SWORD? [not stay in Wakanda, or go to Avengers/Tony? When did SWORD get a hold of the body? When Maria was still running the place...and Avengers “trusted” her or did Hayward somehow pull some strings after her death? Is this related to Sokovia accord, and based on them the body/vibranium belonged to the government? Cause it sounds like they had him before Tony’s death 3 weeks ago? And Hayward used that trust put on SWORD, when he got promoted & turned things around, including starting project “Cataract”] Seems like he had been there ever since the Snap, but was safe until Hayward took over. Cause no way he had time to complete the project in just few weeks since Tony’s death. So...  someone trusted SWORD at some point...before the shady Hayward took over...without anyone suspecting anything. 

How exactly is Hex Vision “alive”? Is it just Wanda’s magic...is she powering him through herself/her magic? Is it cause of the Mind Stone she “created” for him? We knew from ep 2 already that this Vision is not real real. Their stage names confirmed it - he was “Illusion”, and their act was a magic trick cause the whole hex thing was a “magic trick”. And if you reverse the roles, then this line from ep 2 tell you what Wanda did...when she broke down:  “Fear not, Glamour, for I, Illusion, wow to bring you back exactly as you are.” She brought him back (looking like) exactly as he was...even if his past memories are missing.  KINDA ANSWERED in 1x09

How real is Hex Vision? Seems he is connected to the Hex & cannot exist outside it, but it also seems that he is very real inside the hex...made of vibranium, and able to feel & connect (even if he has no memories of life before hex), and evolve, and use powers. And though Wanda wanted & tried to control him (and the kids), she doesn’t seem to be able to do so. Vision 2.0 seems to have his own “sense of self”, & free will. He seems to exist (within the hex) outside of Wanda & think/decide for himself. He’s not her puppet that she can control (like everyone else is). 

Will Hex Vision 2.0 be able to survive outside the Hex in some way & form? [eg. merging with White Vision] If they will merge the Hex Vision & the White Vision, then will he be complete [if Shuri’s downloaded data will be added] or will he remain an emty shell, rebooted & loses all his memories & humanity? Would they do a repat of the Gamora plot with Vision, where a character will have to re-learn everything to become the charcter they had become & re-create the connections she/he had already formed? Or will he die/sacrifice himself...for others...again? (especially cause this is all about Wanda having to accept her loss & grieve... for real...so in many ways he has to be dead/die...for that to fit the shows main theme)  BASICALLY ANSWERED in 1x09

Will Hex Vision live [at the end of WV]? The shows theme (Wanda needing to grieve her losses), and the FFH tribute to fallen Avengers seems to suggest that Vision has to & will die again/not survive the hex (but Cap was also listed as one of the fallen, so... who knows?). But they can still explore all those themes if he continues to exist, because Wanda has still not properly grieved her parents & brother. And since they have brought up the fact that he is a synthezoid (not regula human), and talked about being a combination of “AI” & physical body, then the idea of the two being separated & re-connected has been introduced. Based on what we know - Vision’s character traits, Wanda’s grief journey...we should expect him to sacrifice himself again...for others/to save her/others. It’s just who he is. Just like one of his sources, Tony. The only question is if he’ll survive despite trying to sacrifice himself for others to live, or not?

If VISION survives, then what form will he be/take? Will it be the White Vision (emotionless empty shell), the Hex Vision (without past memories, but otherwise same as he was before), comnibation of both when they merge (giving us the original Vision back)? Or some other form? I mean...Paul Bettany started as the voice of Tony’s AI, then he transformed into Vision, so maybe he can change “form” again? Vision has already, kinda, “died” three times... 1) by Wanda’s hands in IW, 2) by Thanos ripping out the MindStone & 3) when exiting the Hex in ep 6. And before all this, they were preparing to separate him from the stone, because MCU Vision can survive without the stone...even if he might lose some parts of himself without it... Shuri just didn’t have enough time to complete the task... (but there should be enough that there is a chance to bring him back in the future og MCU, I’d say...)

Did Wanda create both the vibranium & The Mind stone for the Hex Vision? How? Is Agatha correct & she is capable of spontaneous creation (Nexus Being)? Based on current evidence this seems to be the truth. 

Is that a real Mind Stone on Vision 2.0′s head? If so, then how & from what did Wanda create it? Or is that just a fake jewelry decoration on his forehead? We saw that an object looking like Mind Stone was the last piece she “created” when she created Hex Vision...you can see it “fly” towards the just-formed-vision, but what is it really? Did she create it...from nothing, from the “atoms” it had become? Did she “take” it from another universe? 

How & why can Hex Vision set others free of Wanda’s hex spell? Is it Wanda’s powers that were transferred to the new creation? Is it the Mind Stone? 

How & Why does hex Vision seem to have Pietro’s “quicksilver” superspeed ability? [my take: Wanda, in her greif, gave her new Vision 2.0 both her Vision’s & her brothers abilities, cause she was still grieving them both, so subconsiously she did that..or The Vision always had that ability and I/he was just not aware of it/never used it before] 

Did going through the Hex barrier change Vision 2.0, too? (like it did with Monica?) Does it affect everyone & everything that enters/exits? Did it change something within this Vision? Or did it not affect him in any such way..cause hes made of vibranium?

When did Vision buy that propery for them? Seems that he did before the events of IW. It fits his lines “what if I don’t go back”...And based on the state of the property it seems like the construction of their house/home had started before the Snap (foundation laid), but then everything was abandoned...

Does Hex Vision sleep? Cause The Vision is/was a synthezoid, so he should not need to sleep, but does he close his eyes & “kind of sleep” & does Hex Vision do the same? Because he seems to miss all the decade changes between the episodes on WV. He “wakes up” only to see that Wanda has changed things...again... In otehr words...how does he miss the moment when they move from one decade to the next? PS. The Vision doesn’t eat food, doesn’t need to sleep, don’t grow old like humans..etc..but for Wanda he cooks, “sleeps” next to her, buys a house to grow old in... #feelyourfeels

What is up with Hex Vision’s eyes? Is it just my imagination or have they changed, a bit? In some scenes they looked more “human” & less “robotic”? PS. They re-create Paul’s eyes in MCU, making them machine-like. Did they just miss doing that for some scenes on accident? Or was it changed on purpose? Or did it just seem so to me?

What was the meaning of the Dead!Vision vision that Wanda saw in ep 4? Was it just one of the ways Agatha was messing up things..trying to make Wanda “wake up” and deal with her greif? Was it Wanda losing control of the hex dream for a moment & being reminded that her “original” Vision is actually still dead...and looks like that? The Dead!Vision & Dead!Pietro moments reminded me a lot of Dead!IM/Tony moment from FFH, where Peter sees him “raise from the grave” It’s all Mysterio’s illusion, based on a script written by one of his team, but it works cause Peter is grieving his mentor, so it “feels real” to him. 

CATARACT VISION

What is the purpose of White Vision? Who/What is he/it? Ultron? White/Sooulless machine? Does he have Wanda’s Vision’s memories & all? Why was White Vision looking at his left hand, when he was rebooted [Ultron? Vision..looking for a wedding ring and/or lookig if his hand is still there cause he saw its pieces being pulled back to the hex?]  ANSWERED in 1x09

What exactly was Hayward’s/SWORD’s plan with Vision’s body? Just to rebuild & reboot him into a weapon? [that goes against the Sokovia accords & Visions living will]

Why & How is Tony’s (new element) triangular arc reactor now on White Vision’s hear in place of the Mind Stone? How did Hayward get a a hold of that?

What does it mean that the White Vision, after being powered up (rebooted) & opening his eyes first looked at his left hand? Is this supposed to be a reference to Ultron (AoU)...and he was checking out his new perfect form (Utron los his arm in AoU, so was he surprised his new body had it)? Was it Vision looking for a wedding ring (do the different Visions share data automatically & hence share memories?) or checking if his hand is still intact (not flown back to the hex as he stayed outside?)

What is “Project Cataract”? Well...cataract is an eye “disease”, which causes the eye to be look white/gray & it can cause double vision. So the name is very fitting. Hayward’s “vision” is the double, and he is white like cataract...  

Is the White Vision we see in ep 8 mid-credits scene the same Vision that we see in parts in the ep 8 flashback scene? Who is working at SWORD with Hayward? How did they manage to put him back together, add the “arc reactor” to his head & do a paint job...all within a week? Cause it’s been a week since they gave Wanda the show with the parts on the tables. Or is this a copy? Their fist copy version of him? [in a real magic trick everything is fake]  ANSWERED in 1x09

THE TWINS [Billy & Tommy] 

Are the Twins real? Who & How created them? [did they come to be through procreation and are Wanda & Vision’s offspring..somehow, or were they created in some other, more magical way? From what? When & How] AKA did they follow the comics canon or change it (how much?)?

Will the Twins survive the Hex? Can they exist outside the hex? Does it depend on whether they were created inside the hex or outside/before..or not?

Who aged up the Twins? Was it the Twins (Speed?) Based on Agnes’ comments that she & Wanda cannot control (these) kids, seems it wasn’t them. Seems it was the Twins, who did it? But did they cause the speedy pregnancy, too? Or was that..some other force?

How exactly was Billy able to hear both his dad/Vision 2.0 & Hayward (others) in episode 6, when he was inside the Hex & they were outside the Hex? What does it mean that his power extends to outside the hex, too?

Where were the Twins in episode 7? Where did Agnes hide/keep them? During those few minutes before we wee then again...”on the leash”

Will the Twins age themselves up again before the end of the series? To help their parents in the battle against the baddies? Or at the end (post credits scene, for example]?  ANSWERED in 1x09

  THE HEX 

Why television broadcast & why WandaVision? Well It’s literally Wanda’s TELEVision we’re watching. Televised Vision. #endlesswordplay 

Why hexagon(s)? Just because it’s a recurring shape in nature, etc? Or is it a reference to bees...beekeeper...Hive? Cause there is something called The Hive in MCU... And hexes & hexagons also appear in MCU a lot & the number 6 is important: Portals during space travel, inside Visions body... Also..there was 6 original Avengers & 6 infinity stones, Visions body taken into 6 parts for the show Hayward puts on for Wanda... 

How & why was the WandaVision TV show broadcast from the Hex? Seems that it was Wanda who created the hex...”unintentionally”...from her grief, and broadcast the show, but why? Or did someone else broadcast it? Why did she/someone want the outsiders to see what was happening inside?

Who created the commercials? Are they part of Wanda’s sitcom & created by her, subconciously? Or are they created by someone else? Vision (TeleVision). Or someone/something else?  Maybe the “light in the sky” news in Westview newspaper that Vision ead in one scene isn’t a reference to the SWORD camp. Maybe there is someone else there, too? Maybe this answers our question about how Dr. Strange has not yet sensed it & arrived there? Maybe these are hidden messages sent by someone else...to Wanda...to make her wake up from her dream? And they could even be changed by the hex into commercials insted of their original form? Or were they subconcious narating the story to her?

Who is pulling the strings? Is it all Wanda (Hex) & Agatha (messing things up)? Or is there more to it & someone/something else in involved in all of it? If so then who? 

Why was the town in “ruins” & the people all so “sad” & “alone” when Wanda arrived there? Is it only because of the Snap/Blip & the town had turned this way during those 5 years, or is there more? It’s definitely cause of Snap & Blip, but I do wonder if there is more to it than just that?

Why did we only see one half of each couple as Wanda drove through the city...even if SWORD identified many of them as couples (and they’ve said couples were kept together in the hex) because it seems that one person from each couple has an “accident” during the sitcom: Vision has the “gum” issue in ep 2, Mr. Hart chokes in ep 1, Dottie breaks a glass and bleeds in ep 2...?, Are some of the other sitcom characters actually dead? (and Wanda brought everyones partner back...just like she did with her own?) But then...how & why did SWORD identify several of the couples & no-one mentioned some of them being dead? Or... are the databases incomplete because of the Snap/Blip mess (we know from FFH some people used the Snap to run & hide (start a new life elsewhere)... who weren’t actually blipped...so maybe not all dead/blipped have been reported?) The lesson might be that though the people, like her, were sad & mourning, then “you should not bring back dead”, because they had already mourned them... whether their oved ones were gone gone or just blipped gone... 

Does the hex cause mutations to everyone who go through it several times? Or just people with certain X gene? Or just people, who were Blipped? [If everyone who goes through the hex gets their cells re-written, then that also includes Vision = 1x, Darcy = 1x, SWORD clowns = 1x, Beekeeper = 1x... so did they get a mutation, too?] Will all the people inside the hex get powers once the hex goes down?

Why did the “hex breached” alarms go off at just before Fietro appeared at Wanda & Visions doorstep in episode 5? Why did they go off? Who entered or exited the hex at that time? Or...was it the same alarm that was still on because Wanda exited & entered the hex? Cause we see them enter the tent after the encounter..so perhaps it was just moments ago, while a shole scene had hapened during that time in the WV freality. 

Is the purpose of the Hex just to keep Visin 2.0 alive & keep the happy dream alive OR is the purpose also to keep others outside? To protect that reality from Hayward (who wants to take him to pieces & weaponize him)? Cause in some ways this invisible energy field looks a bit similar to the dome surrounding & protecting Wakanda from outsiders. 

What will happen to Wanda, Hex!Vision, The Twins, Monica, Fietro, Agatha, the people of WestView...when the hex goes down? 

AGNES/AGATHA 

When exactly did Agatha arrive to the hex? At the moment we first saw her land putside Wanda & Visions house with that plant in episode 1? Or sooner..and she was just staying away til then?

What is Agatha’s plan? What does she want? She seems to be at awe of Wanda’s powers/creation & she also seems to be grieving, too. And she seems to want to bring someone back to life...it seems. [Ralph? Her kid(s)...cause it’s all for the children? The person for whom/because of whom she used the darkest of magic in 1693? Turn the rabbit back to the person it was before?] She sounded so hopeful when the twins told Wanda she can bring back the dead. 

Why did Agatha use the darkest of magic in 1693? What did she want to do? (was she trying to bring someone back to life? Her “soulmate”, her kid?)

Why does Agatha feed on Wandas magic? Is it just a way for her to stay alive/young? Does she need to “snak on yo magic” to survive? Or does she need others magic to remain magical herself and/or to become more powerful?  Has she learned to control her powers over time, cause in 1693 she claimed she could not yet. And she just seems to be impressed by Wanda’s powers & a bit jeaous that it’s taken her 400 years to learn simple spells, while Wanda can just randomly use hers...without even trying. 

Why & How do none of the townspeople seem to questions Agnes...if she’s a stranger, an outsider? Seems they’re comptletely under Wanda’s control, hence don’t break character & acknowledge they do not know her?

How did Agatha get into the hex? How was she able to get in? By using magic? Some other way? How did she sneak in without Wanda noticing, and chaning her, and taking control of her? How & why did Wanda not sense her arrival if she’s an outsider? If she arrived after Wanda set up the hex, then how soon after? Did she arrive before or after SWORD had set up camp outside the hex? (we first see her after the camp is up & watching the tv show, but she might’ve been inside for longer)

Who is her mother-in-law that she mentions in episode 1 as she arrives? Just a line of  or is there significance?

Who is Agatha working with/for? SWORD/Hayward? Some secret master/partner [Ralph?]? 

Whose house is Agatha living in? If she really did arrive only after sensing Wanda’s magic, and coming to the hex after it was created then who is/was Wanda’s real neighbour & what happened to them? Or did the house just happen to be empty? KINDA ANSWERED in 1x09

Is Agatha’s basement inside or outside the Hex? The aspect ratio seemed to change as Wanda went from her house to her basement...making it seem like its outside the hex, but is it? 

If Agatha arrived to this place just a week ago, then what’s up with that basement? How can Agatha’s secret LAIR in the basement exist “inside the hex”? If Agatha arrived after the hex was cerated then how & why wasn’t this basement transformed by hex creation? How was it set up - did it come with the house or did Agatha add it? And how is it unaffected by Wanda’s hex? If its outside hex (as the change in aspect ratio suggests), the how is that possible? Who created it/set it free of Wanda’s hex? Is it in another dimension or ? We’ve seen that enhanced indivuduals can use their powers inside Wanda’s hex, and she does not seem to be aware of everything going on. So...did Agatha use her magic & create the LAIR inside the hex during the days of the sitcom? 

What are the runes in the basement about? Yes, their purpose is to “protect” the space from other witches using their magic in that space, but why hexes and why these symbols...what do they mean? And did she add them in past few days or have they always been there? ETA: Oh, they’re not so much physical objects, and more like “drawing on the wall”

What is that book in the basement? (several options) The book in the basement could be one of several important books from the comics or MCU. But when hexagons are involved, and with the kowledge that “Wanda” will appear in the new Dr. Strange film, then while I do not know what book it is, it’s most likely the one missing from the wall of books inside hexagons in Dr. Strange film. ANSWERED in 1x09

How did the book get there? If Agatha brought it with her when she arrived then how & why did it not change when she entered the hex? If it was already there then whsoe is it & what does it mean? How is it there? 

Why does Wanda keep calling Agnes “a life saver”? Did she save her life/Does she think she saved her life & it’s her subconcious remembering it? Will she save her life & it was foreshadowing? 

Were all the “naughty” references about Agatha just about the coming reveal that “it was Agatha all along...who kept messing up everything”?  (Wanda called her naughty in ep 1 already, she wore pants with the word “naughty” on them in ep 6...)

Is Agnes the Villain, the Friend-in-disguise or the Neutral (therapist, guide)? Is she messing with Wanda just because she admires her & wants to learn from her (her own mom would not teach/guide her...how to control her powers)? Does she want to “feed on her magic” (to get more powerful herself)? Does she need her to help help/teach her to bring someone back to life? Is her plan to just get what she wants or to help Wanda while learning from her? Cause at first she seems to do everything she can to see what Wanda & Vision can do (show their powers). And she seems to want to kind of guide her...to help her “grieve”, to get her to “wake up” from the hex dream... but not necessarily in a  villain way...

Why is Agnes’ magic purple? Is there a connection to Power Stone? And why are her magic tricks similar to some other MCU characters (Dr. Strange, Ancient one)? Agatha taking a piece of Wandas hair (as Strange did with Thor)? The purple “portal” door to Wanda’s past memories... kinda like Strange’s portals...to other place/time... Is it just about using similar CGI or is there a connection?

What is the significance of the broach Agnes/Agatha wears all the time? The one she took from her dead mothers body. 

Why does Agatha leave the protected basement area right after she realizes who Wanda really is? She’s just found out just how powerful Wanda is, so why let her outside, where Wanda can use her powers (against her)? She should know that she has no chance against her, right? ANSWERED in 1x09

Is Agatha sincerely moved by the WandaVision moment & Vision’s quote on grief? She sheds a single tear & wipes it away. But Wanda doesn’t see her do it/is not looking at her, so this seems to be real...she seems to be genuily moved by it all,  not mocking the “scene”. 

RALPH 

Where is Ralph? Who is Ralph? Agatha keeps mentioning him...constantly, but we’ve never seen him? And no-one seems to question it...Wanda & Vision never wondered why they never saw Ralph. Does he even exist? Did Agnes/Agatha just make himup...for Wanda’s sitcom? ANSWERED in 1x09

Is this just misdirection? is this simply about the old tv/sitcom trope where a character is mentioned all the time, but never seen? If there no other “mystery” to Ralph? Or does he exist? If so...is he one of the characters weve already seen? (the rabbit, the mailman, Hayward)

THE RABBIT (SENOR SCRATCHY)

What is up with that rabbit? Who or what is it? Agatha’s son, Nichols Scratch? Or her sons old man, Senior Scratch aka her husband? Or is it a reference to “Devil” aka old scratch (hex = 6 = 666)? That does not seem to be your usual pet rabbit, because it eats bugs/birds, and it purrs. That seems to be a cat in disguise...if not something else. And Agatha talks to it, too (though people do love to talk to their pets, so maybe that part’s not important) But this is definitely not just a pet bunny. Yet...I dont know if this is Mephisto, or some other villain. Or if it’s Wong/Strange in disguise or something?

FIETRO 

Who exactly is this Pietro in the Hex? And where did he come from? Did Agatha “bring” him in from somewhere or did she just take a hold of some guy? Did she create him? Is he a Pietro from another universe? Is he just a random guy? He seems to have the superpowers Quicksilver has, but he looks different than Pietro (buried in Sokovia...with their parents, and Agatha can’t raise the dead or puppet bodies full of bulletholes, so she is just controlling some other dude) But we’ve known somethings off with him since start...even Wanda & Vision both are suspicious about the guy...since start.

Is Fietro under Agatha’s control when he sneaks up to Monica at the end of episode 7 #snoopersgonnasnoop or just snooping around on his own? Does Agatha use him as her eyes & ears at that moment AKA does she know Monica was snooping around? Or was she too busy with playing Wanda’s therapist to deal with him/other stuff?

Who brought Fietro there? Was he just another person living in WestView that Agatha controlled to get the truth out of Wanda? Did he come from outside the hex & then be taken over by Agatha? Did Wanda somehow, subconciously, bring him there/creaate him, before Agatha took over his senses? Cause we’ve seen that a lot of the things that tappen in WV are coming from Wanda’s subconcious. After she thinks of something and/or hears someone mention an idea, it becomes true. It’s like she uses the ideas she & others have to subconciuouly write the script of the next scene/ episode?

What’s the significance of Fietro’s necklace? ANSWERED in 1x09

Why did they coin the term Fietro officially on the show? I’m not into comics & I don’t care that much about merging the two (fox + marvel) universes, so it doesnt matter to me if he is the FOX universe version. But...the term Fietro can be coined from both Fake + Pietro & Fox + Pietro, so it makes me suspicious... on a show that does very little without a “hidden meaning”

DOTTIE 

What’s the deal with Dottie? Who is she - just another neighbour (like “mailman” or more?) Was Agnes’ claim that she’s the key just part of her messing tactic or is there meaning in the claim?

Is there a significance to Dotties roses being yellow (while Wanda’s flowers are red & pink & Agathas are purple...in ep 7)? 

Who is Dottie in reality? She seems to be one of the few “recurring cast members” from the WV show that Darcy & team watched who is not identified yet. How & why is she not identified yet? (is she Peter’s teachers wife...who pulled a disappearing act & made everyone think she was blipped, when she had just run off with someone else...so hence not identified yet?)

MAILMAN

Who is the mailman & whats up with him? Ep 8 seemed to answer that. He seems to be just a delivery guy... Or is he? Could he be also something more/else? Is he just one of Agnes’ eyes&ears (messengers) and hence the uniforms logo with rabbit in ep 7? Is he the “missing person”?

HAYWARD 

What’s up with Hayward? Is he just another government baddie or is there more to it? His motivation seems to be that he hates “superpowered individuals” & wants to create and use sentient weapons [he’s gotten access to Tony’s arc reactor element & Vision’s body somehow] against them. He clearly set up the whole show for some purpose... for Wanda...

Does Hayward know more than he shows? Was he just asking about Wanda’s “superhero nickname” or was he aware of SW? If so..how? And how did he know she has the power to bring Visions body back to life? Did he just hope so (and was disappointed she didn’t try when she let her see him..in that condition), cause he’s heard she is very powerful, or does he know...stuff?

Will the WhiteVision kill him aka not be controlled by his master, or will Hayward live? Cause if we take away Tony, Bruce, Jarvis, Mind Stone & everything else, then all that’s left in that lab vision is Ultron. And I'm not sure Hayward & his team can actually control him for long...he’s gonna turn on his “creators” possibly. 

What  was Hayward actually tracking inside the hex? It says “vibranium decay” on the screen next to the dot, and based on that  Darcy & others conclude that he’s tracking Vision (cause they think Wanda took Visions body), but is that true? Because of the dots location on the map & the fact that it is moving, it can only be tracking Hex Vision or Agnes/Agatha. But how? Is he actually tracking the vibranium Wanda created? Or the Mind Stone Wanda created? Or something else related to Hex Vision? Or Agatha? ANSWERED in 1x09

BEEKEEPER

What happened to the [SWORD agent turned into a] Beekeeper? Where did he go to? What happened to him? Why haven’t we seen or heard of him again? Not from Wanda, not from outsiders? Is he stuck somewhere inside the hex or was he “sent out” just like Monica was ep 3? 

THE DOG

Where did the dog come from that the twins “adopted” in ep 3? Was it Agatha’s doing, or not? If that was Agatha messing with things then since she cannot create things, she can just transform things, then what was the dog before (her rabbit?) Did Wanda somehow create it...”unknowingly”?

How exactly did the dog die? Did Agatha kill it because the dog was digging up something/someone in her yard? Did it actually accidentally eat the poisonous plant? Did she kill it to test Wanda’s power...to see if she can really bring back people from dead... Is it even dead? Cause while it seems Vision did bury the dog, then perhaps it was not a  real dog at all, but just transformed into a dog by Agatha (but then...would  it not turn back to its original form after it died? No?)?

THE MISSING PERSON 

Who is the missing person, who was/is in the witness program? Jimmy said it’s a “he”,  but perhaps that was a misdirection. Is there even a missing person or was that just a made up story (by Hayward? by someone else)...just to have a reason to set up camp next to the hex? Was the missing person "Wanda”, was it “Hex Vision” (did Hayward somehow get info that there is a “Vision” there?) Is it the person who lived in the hosue Agatha resides? Is it Ralph? Is it Wanda’s father (he survived, but it was secret? Is it someone from the MCU past (Justin Hammer from IM2; Sonny Butrch from Ant-Man? Trevor Slattery from IM3 (since we are living inside a tv show & everyone was playing roles in Wanda’s sitcom & Shakespeare was quoted; MCU Pietro...who actualy survived?)? Is it Agnes...who is actually working for SWORD and was sent in to investigate the hex, but when not returned, was named “missing”?

Why has Jimmy not mentioned him again...for days? If he’d been one of the townspeople who have been seen & identified [info sheets on the board], we’d probably heard of it, so we have to assume it’s none of the ones who are seen on the board. Or... the opposite...he has not mentioned it again, because it IS one of the identified people. He’s not mentioned it again cause he knows theyre alive & “safe”? 

Who it is definitely not? Since the events of FFH take place 8 months AFTER this WV event, then this cannot be Peter Parker & his friends, cause while he would have reason to be in witness protection after those events, they’ve not happened yet... And though this would be THE biggest shock & Mark Hamill level cameo, then since RDJ is done with MCU/Tony/IM & as much as it would be awesome, then I doubt it’s Tony, cause that sadly would make the endgame events “less meaningful” (he had to safrifice himself...otherwise the impact would not have been as strong)

MONICA 

Why exactly did Monica get powers when going through the hex? Is it because she has the X-gene? Is it cause she was blipped? Or does it happen to everyone who goes throgh the hex...several times? (or just those, who have the X gene & the hex just activates it or something)

Why exactly did Monica’s eyes turn to purple, when she opened Agatha’s cellar door/when Fietro caught her snooping? Was it cause she was put under Agathas spell? Or does it have to do with her newly activated power and it’s just her “seeing wavelenghts”? 

Why can Monica connect with Wanda & not see her as the “villain”? Because these two actually have a lot of common at that moment/time. That’s probably why she wants to help her, not attack her (even if she did not like being “mind controlled”) They both lost their loved one…twice. Wanda lost Vision twice, and then she was snapped away....only to return to Endgame battle (Tony’s funeral) and seeing Vision dismantled... Monica almost lost her mom, but then things seemed to get better…only for her to wake up from the Blip to find out she lost her mom (again). So both of these ladies have lost the last 5 years, and both lost their loved one “twice”. They both are kind of depressed, have PTSD, are grieving, don’t want to go on…both dealing with it on their own way...

WHO IS MONICA’S ENGINEER FRIEND? 

Was the lady she met the contact person or was she just the messenger? Cause Monica seemed to imply it’s a “he”, so perhaps we have not met her engineer friend yet? Is that lady just a military messanger or is she possibly a skrull (Talos daughter, the one Monica connected with as a kid?)

Will the engineer friend appear in WV or will he show up only in next MCU projects? Is he important or was there no deeper meaning there and/or was the skrull friend that contact/engineer?

WHERE ARE AVENGERS?

Where is Dr. Strange? Why hasn’t he (seemingly) arrived to WV yet? If Agatha could sense the Hex (the many spells cast all at once by Wanda) & that attracted her to this place... then how & why has Dr. Strange not sensed it? And how or why had he not arrived there yet...if he had sensed it? The others are all busy/not available, healing, not in a good place themselves... But Strange & co will most likely show up during the Finale/ep 9. OR NOT.

OTHER QUESTIONS: 

IF & how are skrulls involved? Meaningful or misdirection? I think they are involved..in a small way...

Why “all for the children”? Was that all Agatha’s doing, or was someone else behind that message? Was it actually Wanda’s doing...another subconcius things? (is it cause Wanda had been thinking of kids? Is it cause Agatha has lost a kid or something? Is it cause Wanda is actually pregnant?) Because the Harts brought up the topic during ep 1 dinner already before things hated up in ep 2. And almost everything in Wanda’s sitcom scripts is coming from her subconcious - they’re adapted from the events of her life & things other characters mention within the WV show... her subconcious makes random lines come true in next scenes/episode.  ANSWERED...KINDA in 1x09

Where were all the children in earlier episodes? Were they just inside, in their beds, like Fietro suggested (through Agatha), or is there more to this? And where did they all just appear in epsiode 6 (cause we’ve seen lots of them around lately...among other “background cast” just doing their everyday things...).  ANSWERED in 1x09

Who is the missing kid on the milk carton? Just random kid or is it the actual missing person Jimmy was looking for? Is it Agatha’s kid or someone elses kid?  

Why has SNAP being mentioned several times on the show? Spoken, in written (signs)? Agnes used the word “snap” in a sentence in ep 1, the cereal in ep 6 was called Sugar Snaps. One of the billboards had the word snap on it after Wanda created the hex. Agatha snapped her fingers as she dissapeared from the audience seats after the illusion came down in ep 8... Are all the SNAP references about Wanda snapping (“going crazy”) or a reference to the (Thanos) Snap? Or both?

What are all the metions of “NIGHTMARE” (and bad dreams) about? Misdirection or subtle hints at Nightmare being behind this/introduced to MCU? Whose dream is this (all)? 

What is up with mentions of “mischief” & “shenanigans” in the epsiodes. Just random or more meaningful actually? I personally do not think that this means Loki is invlved or coming, but...never say never. 

What’s up with Ultron being mentioned several times already? Meaningful or misdirection? Is the White Vision gonna be voiced by the man, who voiced Ultron (J.S.)? Is White Vision gonna be Ultron (will other parts that made Vision Vision be gone, and only Ultron remain)? Or will the emoty shell turn into Ultron while entering the hex, because the hex changes non-living objects into a more era-appropriate forms (and not so long ago that body was supposed to be Ultron’s vessel) Is Ultron somehow behind this/part of Haywards plan? 

What do the dates on the calendar mean? Is there any significance to the dates? Are they just Inside jokes (like one licence plate being Stan Lee’s birth date), or is there a meaning behind them? In ep 1 the heart is drawn on the date Wednesday, August 23rd. In the opening credits of episode 7 the heart is drawn on Friday the 10th (no month visible). The events of WV are supposed to take place in 2023....though for Wanda it may still feel like five years sooner in 2018... We do know that there is a Wed, Aug 23rd in 2023 & there are three Friday the 10th in 2023: Feb, March, Nov. But why these dates/numbers? Is it a significant date for Wanda an/or Vision? Did they secretly get engaged? (I’d say that I don’t think they were married, but perhaps they had set a wedding date or something? Cause they seemed pretty serious just at the start of IW) Or is it about a secret 10th episode? (Cause the nexus meds had 10.3%, so it might not be random...nothing seems to be on this show...though I’d sy the 10th episode is the “making of” special, nothing more...) Or just random numbers & only the heart had meaning?

What is the meaning of the colour of the flowers in the gardens in ep 7? Wanda’s are red & pink. Agnes’ are purple. Dottie’s (roses) are yellow. We know that first two match the colour of their power. What about the third one? Is she a “witch”, too?

Who “froze” those people in the outskirts of the town, close to hex in episode 6? Wanda (who can’t keep the simulation running smootly, everywhere), or Agatha (to make Vision want to find answers even more)? It does seem like this is all Wanda’s doing...meaning she doesn’t have enough power to keep everything inside the hex running smoothly at the same time, so the characters closer to the edge are more like actual puppets...barely moving.

How do Monica, Jimmy & Darcy know so much about the events of Avengers 3-4? Sure, they work for government, are not completely random citizens, but they seem to have watched the events like from a  video feed or something, cause they seem to know a lot about the details that went on… just mere weeks after the events. How?

How long had the hex been up before Jimmy & Monica arrived & Monica got  sucked in? How long before SWORD arrived & Darcy discovered the broadcast? Hours? Days? What happened in the hex before the show started broadcasting? Because after creating it we see Vision welcome her home & they watch TV, but teh show starts with them driving to WV...before entering their new home, so...did the show start only “the next day”?

Was the “hex has been breached” alarm going off at the end of episode 3 about Pietro arriving to the Hex (meaning he came from outside) or did someone enter/exit the hex & we’ve not been made aware of the person just yet?

Why were Wanda, Pietro & her parents all practicing/learning English? Did the family have a plan to escape to “west”? A view to the west? Or did the parents know more than we’ve led to believe so far, and they were slowly training their kids for their future? Were they actually “adopted”? Did they learn it for some other reason? My best guess is that they were planning to flee to west (US or somewhere)

Why did the family not flee from the war-zone? Her mother saw what was going on outside, but instead she/they used escapism...denial...and watched sitcoms...to distract themselves from the horrors of reality outside. OR were they just “giving up”, cause “there was no escaping...from that place”? And how & where was the dad sellling those dvd-s, when there is literal war (combat) right outside their home? Another example of trauma causing memories to be “tweaked”?

What was up with the secret “safe” in the wall, behind the rug on the wall in their Sokovin apartment? Wanda’s dad kept her fave thing/dvd set in there? Special place..for safekeeping. Is there more to that? “I put it in the special place. For extra safekeeping.” Is this a reference to some object Wanda (or someone close to her, like Vision) had hidden somewhere...to protect it?

What’s in the box? Which box are we talking about? The “mystery of cabinets” box? The red Nike shoe box in the secret hiding place in Wanda’s Sokovian home? The boxes the “mailman” is deloivering in ep 7? Some other box (maybe the envelope was not the only thing Vision let her/among his things that she now has)?

Where was/is the CMBR that Darcy detected from the hex coming from? Is it Wanda? Is it the Mind Stone she created? Is it something or someone else? Had it always been there in WestView or did the Hex event somehow create it? Where is it coming from? What gives off so much of it in there? Is it Wanda’s Chaos magic? Is it the “secret villain” behind Agatha?

Which way did the police car drive after Jimmy & Monica finished questioning them in ep 4? Towards the town (and into the hex) or turned around & drove away from the town & hex?

Why is JImmy's car parked by the roadside right next to the edge of the hex when she & Monica first meet outside WV? And its nose pointed away from the town, not towards the town? Because this has to be Jimmy's (rental) car, not some random abandoned vehicle. How & why did he get so close to the hex & parked his car there? And why is it pointed in the direction away from the town? What is up with the car on the roadside? (seems he was heading towards the twon, but turned around before hex & parked car right there?)

Who is the secret big cameo the cast has been teasing? Is it Paul Bettany AKA one of the best jokes (that he’s acting against himself... playing two roles at once...Hex Vision & White Vision...) Or is there an actual, different cameo happening besides this? Cause we know that Vision VS Vision is happening. Even if there is an actual cameo, I’m just gonna pretend he was talking about Vision Vs Vision, because this is the kind of cheeky british humour that I love. Cameo ideas: a character from one of her favourite sitcom steps from TV into reality DvD?, “Nick Fury”? RDJ as Tony?, Stan Lee? “Dr. Strange”? “Wolverine”? a big name actor as a character from comics...introduced to MCU? For me “Skywalker” level cameo indicates...not (just) a big name actor, but... lots of CGI, so...  ANSWERED in 1x09

THE QUESTIONS THAT HAVE BEEN ANSWERED: 

Why Westview, NJ? No, its not because it’s relatively close to the Avengers “headquarters” (and the set of the Endgame battle) or relatively  close is it to the site where the military base was (where Cap & Tony went during time heist)...all in NJ? It’s because this was supposed to be their home. This is where Vision wanted them to settle down & grow old in. Also.. WestView = WV & wesTView = TV

Why sitcoms? Because sitcoms have been Wanda’s escape since childhood. She watched them in Sokovia with her parents & brother (family), she watched them in US/Avengers HQ (with her to-be-family, Vision). Her distraction from the horrorrs & sadness of reality. Also..because unlike in real world in the sitcom world people getting hurt (when something fall of them) don’t actually get hurt, because..it’s not that kid of a “world”....

Why different eras of sitcoms? Because...Vision wanted them to grow old together. Live a life together. She is literally living through the plan Vision had for them. Settle down in WestView, and live a “normal life” together... That’s why she did not remain stuck in her one favourite Dick can Dyke episode, but instead moved to the next decade...the next phase of their lives together: move to WV, build/buy a home together, get married, watch TV together, have kids, raise kids... go through ps & downs of marriage/relationship,...grow old together... [only her fantasy world started to crumble half-way through] Though...if we think about it... to their knowledge Wanda was human & Vision was a “machine”, so he would not age like she does, so he would have probably just “deactivated” himself after she died in a 100 years...

What made Wanda do this...even if unintentionally? Her greif...over her parents, her brother, Vision, & everyone else she’s lost... the “missing five years”: seeing Hayward dismantle Vision’s body... and seeing the aftermath of the Snap & Blip as she drove through this town. She seemed to see herself in the state of that town & those people...as she drove through WV and saw the future cast of her sitcom. The world for WV had been turned upside down, and in her grief she created the happy place for herself and the people she saw. Her intentions were good/not evil....she thought that this would cheer her & this town up. She “restored” WV to it’s pre-snap glory (the abandoned pool turns into nice one at Dottie’s backyard...), and gave everyone a purpose (job, tasks) or someone to be with. Sitcoms made her feel better, so she thought it’d happen for her & the others in this fake world, too. It was all unintentional & subconcoius, and as she keeps saying “she did not mean any harm”. Initially she didn’t even realize what she’d done, but slowly she has started to “wake up” & realize the situation (that’s why lately she’s thinking “what if I am the villain?” insted of trying to tell the “cast” that she meant no harm to anyone.) 

What does the heart on the calendar mean? Episode 8 told us the meaning of the heart. The calendar used to be the propery deed. And Vision had drawn a heart on it (to where their jome was gonna be) & added “to grown old in” - V. That’s why they say "Who needs to  abbreviate?” in ep 1. 

What was the noise all about in ep 2 that scared Wanda & Vision? Those were the drones that SWORD was sending into the hex. Those made the noise. And one of them (either a SWORD one, or Monica’s drone) made it to Wanda’s rosebushes. 

Where were Vision & Monica + Fietro during ep 8 events? They were on their way towards the center of the hex. Cause the whole “look into the past” took place...in mere seconds...just like a dream (seems like a whole day/film, but IRL almost no time goes by). The Monica + Fietro snooping & the Vision-flies back all happened at the same time as Wanda’s trip down to memory lane. They didn’t happen before, just simultaneously... They will arrive soon. [the question is: will Darcy also reach the town center & will she be able to help somehow]

Why were the films that were running in the Cinema in ep 6 “The Parent Trap” & “The Incredibles”? Because The Incredibles is an animation about a superhero family (mom, dad, kids), who fight the bad guys. And Parent Trap is about twins (Billy & Tommy, Wanda & Pietro). They were about Wanda’s life at the moment/time.  

Why were the films that were running in in the Cinema after Wanda’s hex took over the town “Big Red” & “Kidnapped”? Because, once again, they described the situation then. Wanda & her hex were the big red taking over...in a way “kidnapping” everyone and using them as puppets for the show based on her script. 

Was that really Agatha’s real/actual mother...as the “head witch”? Yes, cause she calls her mother & the actress is listed as Evanora Harkness. It’s not just a title for the leader wicth, but it’s her actual mother. 

What does the Nexus mean? It could be & probably has several meanings. As suggested, Wanda seems to be a Nexus Being (she is the same in all realities & has access to the whole multiverse...). Nexus of lal realities is in MCU (Thor: TDW) is the gateway to other dimensions. But also... Nexus Internet Hub (in Oso) is the  name of the place Tony goes to when looking for answers about Jarvis & Ultron (in AoU)

What were the commercial about? They were all references to the traumatic and/or important moments in Wandas life. Toaster = Stark bomb, Hydra Soap = Mind stone experiment, Lagos paper towels = Lagos incident, Nexus pills = Nexus Being. But each commercial has many layers, and each can also be connected to an infinity stone..in a way. And each has also other meanings. DETAILED EXPLANATION WILL BE ADDED HERE 

Why do the powers start to manifest, in big way, first a are 10? Happened with Wanda, happened with the Twins. Well, because Ten = X [in roman numerals] = X-gene. This ties into the marvel mythology about mutants & x-gene, and also, maybe, in a way roman = romani (cause while they did not copy that part of her origins story in MCU, maybe this was a nod to the SW origins? btw, I do not wants or need my tv/films to follow the original material, cause one can adapt the story to fit their own narrative. Otherwise... I’d never seen Lucy Liu as Watson, especially for comics, when things are “retconned” often...) 

Why does it never rain in WV? The weather report on TV in ep 6 said that it’s sunny all week, but we saw that on the outskirts of the town there were puddles on the road & Vision & Darcy drove through rain...so it actually does rain...there...just not at the center of the hex/town. And we’ve seen that the conditions are different inside & outside the hex: it can be daytime in the hex & nighttime outside the hex...at the same time. Perhaps it never rains also because the last day Wanda & Vision spent together in Scotland was a rainy one...

There’s more, but I got tired... and I didn’t post it on the weekend, but I dont want to delay the posting anymore, so posting it as it is...now...

THE END

[fillingthescrapbook]

Rewriting The CW's Kung Fu, Part 3: The Mythology

One of the biggest problems I had with the show's mythology was that it didn't seem planned out. Like they were adding bits and pieces to it because they thought it would make the show cooler, or more complex...when it only made things more confusing. So before we map the season, we're taking a little detour to talk about the mythology of Kung Fu since it pretty much informs Nicky Shen's journey throughout the first season.

There's two parts to the mythology we were given: the first one is that Nicky Shen is a descendant of a legendary warrior, Liang Dai-Yu, and the second is that there are eight mystical weapons that can call upon a magical power called "Bian-Ge" when brought back together at the Forge. But how does one really connect with each other? And why were the weapons created in the first place? That's something that was never really touched upon on the show, so let's make up a reason.

We begin with the Huainanzi text on the cosmic creation. With a few tweaks, of course. So we start with primordial chaos--before two spirits brought to life by Qi (or "chi," which is what we call the force of life) establishes Heaven and constructs Earth. These two spirits are the embodiment of yin and yang. One is a being of light that carries darkness in it, and the other is a being of darkness that carries light within.

With the two realms being established, Qi gives more life: to the sky, the lakes, the fire, the thunder, the wind, the water, the mountains, and the ground we walk on. Eight forces that balances harmony.

Something threatens this harmony though. A demon who used to live in the primordial chaos is angry that they hadn't been given a chance to create their own realm. Now they wants to take over Earth. Being a powerful creature, they are able to match the spirit that constructed the Earth realm punch for punch--so the spirit that established the Heavens decided to help out. Together, they sourced a power from Qi that could transform the demon's envy into something else. Something better. They created "Bian-Ge."

This power resided in an obsidian stone that was given a place of honor in the place where the demon changed into a human being--like the ones that populated the Earth realm. And the stone became a sacred and honored place where people would come when they have a problem they feel they could no longer carry on their own, for "Bian-Ge" to transform into something better.

As the years went on, the obsidian stone became the subject of people's greed. Why make a pilgrimage to the stone when you can own it for yourself? So it can always make your life better? And so a few human beings started to plot on how to steal the stone.

During those years, eight families also started to live around the sacred area--not because they wanted to monopolize the power of "Bian-Ge" but to keep it accessible to people. One family became food providers, one family focused on building places for rest, one family built a forge to create tools, and so on. These eight families became known as guardians of the Obsidian. And these eight families were there to protect the stone when the greedy humans started to go after "Bian-Ge" for personal gain.

One night, after ten months of continuous fighting against those who wish to take the stone from its sacred place, the eight families were outmatched by the armed forces of a feudal lord. But when the army tried to take the stone, the Obsidian broke into eight pieces. One of the families, those who trained in metalwork, took the pieces of the Obsidian. They ran. And they hid until the feudal lord lost interest in chasing after "Bian-Ge."

Years passed. The people learned to live without the power of "Bian-Ge." But from time to time, someone would get the idea of searching for the eight pieces of Obsidian that would grant them the power to transform anything they wish. But no one did find them.

The other seven families who guarded the Obsidian had moved on in their lives. They sometimes wondered about the eighth family and their well-being, but for the most part they were just happy that they no longer had to fight people. Until someone from the eighth family sent them all a letter to visit a monastery in Yunnan.

A member of the seven families each sent an envoy. At the monastery, they were received by two brothers who told them that the Obsidian stones are ready for their safekeeping again. To the family that provided food, they gave a short sword; the family that built homes received an axe; the family that guided pilgrims were given twin-hook swords; the family that hunted were given a crossbow; the family that created entertainment were given a meteor hammer; the family that braved the bodies of water to find new land were given a longsword; the family that cared for cattle were given deer-horn knives; and the eighth family--the ones who forged tools--kept the last weapon, a dagger.

The two brothers explained that the eight weapons were created from eight pieces of the Obsidian. That they wish to separate the eight now to make sure it never falls into the wrong hands. And that they forged them into weapons so that the guardians will always have a way to protect their piece of "Bian-Ge."

The envoys all seven families accepted this mission. And they became the guardians of the eight mystical weapons. One of the envoys, from the family that braved bodies of water for exploration, was the great-grandfather of Liang Dai-Yu who was still a young man at this time.

When he grew old, he entrusted the longsword to his youngest son. But when this son grew up and had his own family, and his own grandchildren, he was called into war. He had not been able to entrust the longsword to a new guardian before he died in battle. But at the province where his family lived, where no men remained because of the war efforts, a young woman found the longsword and used it to protect her family and neighbors from opportunistic raiders. She was Liang Dai-Yu.

Seeing how defenseless their community had become when no men were present, Liang Dai-Yu decided to teach those who are willing the martial arts she had learned from her grandfather. Eventually, she grew up and had her own family: one son and one daughter. She bequeathed the longsword to her daughter, telling her to follow in her footsteps. To rise above what is expected of her. And to her son, she gave the scabbard that came with the longsword. Saying that he too has a mission: that for every aggressor there must be someone to keep the peace. The sheath the sword. That some challenges can be won by fighting, but an equal amount will be won by talking things out.

Over the years, brother and sister too had their own families. And their roles in each others' lives evolved into something more. The family of the brother became guardians. Trainers. They made sure that the sisters' descendants are always in fighting form. Meanwhile, the family of the sister became warriors. Fighters. They always stood up for what was right and fought for the defenseless. Even when the longsword's scabbard, where the map back to the Forge was engraved in the decorative jade "window," was stolen, they promised to always remember what their fighting for.

But the passage of time makes people forget where their legacies come from. Eventually, the sister's family line had no more reason to fight so they returned the sword to the brother's family line. But the brother's family line always had one guardian who is tasked to remember. May it be an eldest son, a second daughter, or a secret child. There is always one. Until it was finally entrusted to Zhang Pei-Ling on her mother's deathbed.

And that's the mythology we're going with for this rewritten version of Kung Fu.

Want to know where we began? Check out:

Part 1: The Characters

Part 2: The Pilot