#anyway obviously he married me anyway lol and he's very popular with a lot of the parts

[inniave]

"why do you seem like a totally different person sometimes"

because i am! hope this helps :)

[stupidrant]

Regarding Skjoldr, I personally would go as far as to say if he got more screen time or was a regular NPC in the actual gameplay he'd be no less compelling and popular than Atreus. He has a memorable design and knows how to appreciate people. Skjoldr expressed his gratitude and admiration of Angrboda helping everyone out - along with her wolves - after Ragnarok even before Atreus mentioned her to anyone when he came to (even though Atreus knew Angrboda almost got herself killed when she protected him and Kratos during the battle and then came back for them to show them the exit). I don't blame Atreus for being spaced out because he went through a lot himself (both emotionally and physically) and once he reunited with Angrboda he thanked her for saving them and gently held her hands (one of their many classical budding romance moments).

But in the next games it is important for Atreus to learn to acknowledge just how much Angrboda has done for him and his family, completely selflessly, with no benefit for herself, risking her life and health and, unlike him, having NO support system at all. Angrboda knew that according to the prophesies (that led to her parents' deaths, no less) she was not a part of Loki's story after Ironwood. Which meant there was a great chance she could have died during Ragnarok. But she went out there, fought by his side and saved Atreus and everyone anyway (again, knowing that doing so, even if she lives, might bring her no personal happiness because Atreus/Loki would still go off on his own and possibly forget about her).

My main concern with Skjoldr is him having a bigger role and becoming Thrud's love interest (I would like to see them together because narratively it makes sense even though I don't actively ship them; at least nowhere near as much as Atreboda) would attract the omnipresent trolls who would pit him and Atreus against each other in order to put down Atreus (like they do with Thrud and Angrboda). Trolls already treat Angrboda as Atreus's extension and hate her by association but, as I noted in my other reply, they still want Atreus to be a prize/reward for Thrud. It's only a matter of time before they shift the "reward" status to Skjoldr.

What concerns me even more is the developers themselves going that route with Skjoldr. Thrud is obviously set up to have a Valkyrie arc, especially after retrieving her father's hammer. Skjoldr, sadly, might end up being forced into the "disposable love interest/fridged partner" trope, possibly with his tragic death sparking rage/revenge arc for Thrud (maybe with Atreus/Angrboda helping Thrud overcome it and not succumb to it). So my hope is that the writers don't resort to this cliched and trite scenario and don't just write off his character.

I definitely can see atreus starting to voice more of his appreciation and support for angrboda as hes already done some of this already in rag. She deserves all the love for sure ❤️ i do think skjoldr will be a bit popular next game if they invest in him more since they might go the route of the story of the danish king marrying the valkyrie and i honestly hope they do 🥺

thats crazy you mentioned the whole thing of the fandom possibly going in that faux “love triangle” direction with AST bcuz i was thinking something else completely different but i will talk abt that another time. for now ill just say im very happy atreboda is a duo and NOT in a trio and i hope that continues on regarding their relationship lol

[galvanizedfriend]

I am me so I must ask about the two Christmas fics (Xmas Fic 2 and Other Other Christmas Fic). Also so intrigued by Mystic Tours Not This (and the what is this because smut obviously)!!!

-Amanda

Hi, Amanda bestie! 😊

I love silly Christmas romcoms (as you know 😂) and I spent the entirety of the month of December almost nothing else, so I get all these stupid ideas I end up never taking forward because at some point I realize they're too dumb to come into existence. 😂

Xmas Fic 2 was Klaus being a hotshot lawyer or something and inheriting a Christmas tree farm (because of course) that comes with a sort of Christmas village (obviously) from his biological father whom he's never really been in touch with. There are a lot of complicated feelings there. But anyway, he first wants nothing to do it, and then he is convinced by Elijah to at the very least take a look at what is there so he can sell it. So he heads over to the farm and that's where he meets Caroline (duh), Ansel's former lawyer ("I'm a good lawyer") and who also has close ties with the farm. She ends up convincing him to sell the place to someone who will be interested in reopening it instead of whoever, because there's a bunch of people whose livelihooods depend on it (Bonnie, Enzo, some other folks), and there are some complications halfway because Elijah sells the place to Tristan de Martel, who's obviously an evil asshole. But anyway, Klaus still very much wants nothing to do with Christmas or farms, but he does want to keep Caroline (also he gets to find out a lot of things about Ansel that Esther kept from him his whole life).

Other Other Christmas fic (lol) is one where Caroline gets invited to spend Christmas with Enzo and his new spouse (I honestly can't remember whether he'd just married Kol or Rebekah, but it was one of the two) at their family's ancestral home somewhere posh in England. But at Enzo's wedding, Caroline had an ~~incident with Klaus and she absolutely does not want to see him again, so Enzo ensures her he won't be there because he's the Grinch, so he doesn't spend the Holidays with his family, going on skiing trips instead. Except there's a snow storm and Klaus' flight gets cancelled and so he is, in fact, there when Caroline arrives, and then stuff happens. Very creative. 😂

The 'Not This' part in Mystic Tours is because I didn't really want to keep that title or that name in the story, but I was totally out of ideas so I kept it there provisionally. It's another AH AU where Caroline runs a mystical/supernatural tour agency in Mystic Falls she inherited from her mom (who started the business with Sheilla Bennett, who not only is a self-proclaimed witch but also a professor who teaches a very popular occult and folklore class at Whitmore). Now her mom's dead and Sheilla has retired and it's Caroline, Enzo and Bonnie working together to keep the business aflotat, but they're struggling. So she gets this chance to participate in some kind of contest which will bring a popular influencer to town to promote her business (I think I got this idea from Lovelight Farm, or something like that. Have you read it? It's really cute!), except she ends up adding a sob story about how the heart of her business if her own love story with her fiancé when she submits her application. She does that because she knows this influencer has a thing for love stories, but the issue is she not only doesn't have a fiancé, she's not even dating anyone. So after a strong reluctance she ends up asking Klaus to be her fake boyfriend for the duration of the contest. They've been unlikely friends forever and Caroline has had a major crush on him, but she's convinced he's not at all interested and way out of her league because he's a hotshot gallery owner in New Orleans who always seems to be surrounded by beautiful women. Loads of Mikaelsons, Kol being a little shit, Carenzo friendship, Damon is a douchebag. Major tags here are fake dating and idiots-to-lovers.

[smilingformoney]

20 Questions for Fic Writers

no one tagged me in this but I saw @hirukochan do it and decided to steal it

1. How many works do you have on AO3?

Eight

2. What’s your total AO3 word count?

425,915 (most of them Soul of Ice, obviously)

3. What fandoms do you write for?

Harry Potter but specifically Snape, and Alan Rickman characters

4. What are your top 5 fics by kudos?

See, this won’t work so well because I have eight stories, but if we could have chapter kudos it’d be a much more interesting exercise to see my five most popular chapters. Anyway:

Soul of Ice

Happy Ending

Soul of Ice One-Shots

Professor Snape II

Morality is an Illusion

5. Do you respond to comments? Why or why not?

Not unless I have something to say, maybe I should?

6. What is the fic you wrote with the angstiest ending?

Definitely Three Secrets considering you die at the end.

7. What’s the fic you wrote with the happiest ending?

I want to say Happy Ending for the title lol but really it’s Soul of Ice, which so nearly had a heartbreaking ending but I couldn’t do that to my babies!

8. Do you get hate on fics?

Nope, the Snapedom is generally very positive! And who could hate Dad Snape?!

9. Do you write smut? If so, what kind?

I’ll write pretty much any smut, but I prefer it to be part of a wider context, hence why I don’t write a lot of one-shot smuts. The one-shots I do write are pretty freaky though 😎

10. Do you write crossovers? What’s the craziest one you’ve written?

No, I’d get too lost in the lore trying to explain why the crossover was happening 😂

11. Have you ever had a fic stolen?

Yeah, y’all remember when this happened?

12. Have you ever had a fic translated?

No, nobody is insane enough to try and translate my whopper of a fic 😂

13. Have you ever co-written a fic before?

No, I don’t see how it’d work personally, although I am big into using people as soundboards. Soul of Ice would be very different without @sevsnapes and For the Love of Books wouldn’t even exist without @snowblossomreads

14. What’s your all time favourite ship?

doctorrose, though I’ll probably never write for them. Any form of Snape/Happiness is a-ok in my book but Snephy is obviously my favourite form of that.

15. What’s a WIP you want to finish but doubt you ever will?

I’m gonna finish them all! I promise! Eventually!!

16. What are your writing strengths?

Characters. The most common compliment I get is that people like my OCs, Abbie in particular.

17. What are your writing weaknesses?

I’m always conscious that my narration isn’t very descriptive. It feels very “he did this and she did that, then they did this and that.” I do try to go back and flourish it a bit but I struggle to be anything other than literal in my descriptions. eg, if I had to describe a table I’d be like, “The table was a rectangle with four legs. It was made of wood.” 😂

18. Thoughts on writing dialogue in another language in fic?

If I felt the need to do that for whatever reason I’d probably do it like, “Insert dialogue here,” she said in German.

19. First fandom you wrote for?

I DON’T THINK I’VE EVER TOLD THIS STORY ok so I was like 9 or something like that and I wrote a snamione story but my mum found out and made me stop because Hermione was like 13. So I did stop but I didn’t just ghost the story, I made a post that my mum said I couldn’t write it anymore but that Hermione finds out Snape is getting married so she gets together with Ron instead. I don’t remember much of what I actually wrote, only that it started with Hermione noticing that Snape had very sad eyes. I’m pretty sure this was before the last book came out so I clearly knew what was up!

20. Favourite fic you’ve written?

Soul of Ice, always and forever. (I count Professor Snape II as being part of it.)

Tags: @sevsnapes @giosnape @mamawolfsmith87 @snowblossomtumbles @thestephanieflora

[crowtrobotx]

I know this is out of the blue, but thank you so much for being a real one 👍✨️

Like I have nothing against people who see Heisenberg as a gay man, they’re entitled to think that. But I draw the hard line at people who feel the need to bash others just because their views don't align, and then when confronted use the piss poor "it's just a joke" or "it's just an observation" excuses. If you're going to be a bitch at least have the balls to own up to it.

Anyway, loved your work since 2021 and wishing you all the good vibes. 🤗

Oh my goodness, thank you!!! This is such a kind message and I appreciate you so much. ❤️ Good vibes right back at you. I’m glad that my rantings have resonated with folks because sometimes I wonder if *spongebob voice* I’M the maniac. Getting dragged into this stuff really makes me feel like it sometimes, haha.

Yes! To be clear I also truly do not care what your HC’s are! I love that there are people for whom gay Heisy is their thing and I hope they are having fun and keep making their art/fic/etc! Even if I really can’t stand the popular fanon ship I’m so glad it exists for folks who enjoy it and I am not going to spend my time posting about what I don’t like/agree with when they’re not hurting me and I can spend my time on stuff I do like!

And like. I know. I KNOW a lot of these people are teenagers. And I struggle sometimes because “do not fight literal children” is a rule I try to live by lmao but I also really don’t like seeing people target and mock folks for harmless fun. (It’s on sight if a 25+ year old starts putting this shit in the tags tho. I know they’re out there.)

Still, it’s extremely weird because they always defend themselves with “it’s just a joke/it’s not that deep” or “oh my god no one is stopping you from liking x why are you so pressed 🙄 i can’t believe you’re letting my nasty opinions bother you just because i put them right where you can see them with the intent of insulting you.” 💀💀💀 Like what could possibly be the point of doing this if not to, at the very least, actively try to dissuade people you don’t like from engaging with the community? Obviously no one can stop me but if I know that there are dickbags out there who are going to vaguepost and make fun of me when I do, I don’t care how confident and thick skinned you are (and I am very,) it’s still going to sting!

People are not bothered because they’re disconnected from reality and think they’re really married to a pixel man, they’re upset because life is hard enough and you come into your hobby space to have a good time and then find lame ass idiots infesting it. I also think the whole “ohhh my god why are you so upset he’s/she’s not real!!” is a blatant attempt to discredit the hurt parties by once again insinuating that they are “crazy” which once again conveniently ignores multiple realities, chiefly that 1) most people are not upset by a simple opinion that their fave wouldn’t fuck them IRL, they are upset at the blatant meanness of the person making the accusations and 2) even if they are genuinely hurt by the thought because it’s a coping mechanism for them, why does that make it okay for you target them? What gives you the right to harass and mock people who are not bothering you? Do these people think they’re doing these folks a ‘favor’ by forcing them to contend with what they perceive to be some kind of delusion? Shut the hell up. Why do people decide it is their god given right to hold strangers on the internet accountable for psychological “problems” that they’ve completely made up.

Anyway SORRY I have a serious problem shutting the fuck up lol. I have never been good at phrasing my thoughts in a coherent way especially when I’m grumpy. I am very glad my little circle is full of awesome, open minded and levelheaded folks and not gatekeepers/weirdos (derogatory) who have decided that diversity of opinion in fandom is bad actually and that women and femmes specifically are enemy number one.

[nadziejastar]

Absolutely love your akusai analysis stuff its so good omg.

Do you have any more thoughts on them?

Thank you for the kind words, I really appreciate it! As for my thoughts on Akusai, well, after beating Fire Emblem Three Houses recently, I do have a few thoughts. I know, I'm late to the party on 3H. (I actually loved 3H and would love to write metas about those ships lol). But anyways, regarding Akusai. It's a bit of a rant and there's minor spoilers for FE3H, so I'll put it under the cut.

Okay, so Sylvix felt like it was everything Akusai was supposed to be. It touched on all the same themes, too. In 3H, you've got a childhood friend trio. The standard two males and a female. On the surface it seems like the girl and the outgoing redhead goofball are a thing. But they treat each other more like bros. He and the quiet blue-haired sword guy had a much more intimate bond with each other, complete with a special promise™ to always be together and redhead being protective of blue. The redhead never wants to grow up and change because he doesn't wanna fulfill the heteronormative life script of getting married and having kids.

He is longing to go back to his childhood days but is sad at how much blue has changed since they were kids and has apparently outgrown their closeness. He hides his angst behind a smile and womanizing. Blue was once a meek clingy crybaby but now he is surly and obsessed with growing stronger. Deep down he is still an uke who secretly longs to be redhead's waifu. But he has a lot of shame related to his sensitivity and gender nonconformity. He distances himself from others, but boy does he get irritated if redhead flirts with anyone else.

I do wish the game would have just come right out and tell you that they're gay for each other (and so does this gaming site). I get why it didn't. Still, it didn't really hide it too much. They have a paired ending where they spend their whole lives playfully teasing each other like just when they were kids, never get married, and die together in each other's arms. It's the most romantic ending in the whole game, if you ask me. And Sylvix is SUPER popular and well received by the fandom. Both in Japan and the West. They have soooo much fan content. There are still some dudes who say they're just friends because ew icky gay. But most people in the fandom are able to tell they're queer-coded and are fine with it. In fact, the fandom was so fine with it that they released an overtly queer dude in the DLC, strictly due to popular demand.

3H is not a slam dunk with gay romance since much of it (particularly MLM) relies on subtext. But it still had more balls than most JRPG series and it definitely was a step in the right direction. We all know that Soriku is the most popular ship. The end of KH2 was total fujoshi fuel. But Soriku never had any chance in hell of being canon. KH is a video game shonen anime. Sora/Riku bromance is "safe". They can capitalize on shipteasing them to their female fans, but they won't alienate their male fans because Kairi is still very obviously the love interest for Sora. I found Akusai to be a lot more compelling because it was legitimately queer-coded.

Axel was queer-coded from the very beginning. His close friendship with Roxas in KH2 made people question his sexuality all the way back in 2006 and Akuroku rivaled Soriku for a time. And I do think that Axel always meant to be queer. Although personally, I did not get the impression that he was in love with Roxas. I got the sense that he probably had a best friend back when he was a human. And it was this dead best friend that he truly yearned for. The sweet and innocent Roxas reminded Axel of his human best friend and he latched onto him to help him forget the memories of days long past. That was my headcanon back in 2006 when KH2 first came out.

So, I was really happy when Days/BBS came out and it basically confirmed my theory that Axel was truly hung up on his human best friend and saw Roxas as a kind of replacement for him. And Isa was also very queer-coded. BBS!Isa has a more distinctly feminine design than any other boy in the series. He had very girlsh eyes and lips, small hands, long hair. And Saix's Mystery Gear is very cutesy-looking. Traditionally, the moon is viewed as a feminine symbol. And Saix's weapons in 358/2 Days were named after moon goddesses. They could have easily picked male moon gods, but they chose female goddesses like Selene and Artemis. It signifies to the player that, "Hey, this character does not follow the conventional gender stereotypes."

When you play 358/2 Days, and you get to the part where Axel is talking about love, you realize he's talking about his most precious memories from his human life, just like with all the other stuff like summer vacation and the red sunset. Akusai was not just superficial fujobait. Even if it was all subtext, it was a genuine depiction of two queer male characters who loved each other romantically. Axel is not straight. That’s a big reason why I was so mad that KH3 pushed their relationship off to the side and treated saving Isa as so much less important compared to saving Roxas. And it was so annoying how Saix had to mention Subject X whenever he might have seemed a little too obsessed with Axel otherwise.

Last year, Nomura said that he intended to show more of Lea and Isa's backstory in the future, so I've just been waiting for more content. I hope that we can get their story without Subject X overshadowing them like she did in KH3. I'm...cautiously optimistic. I expect this subplot to be included in Missing Link, since it is quite literally a missing link of the story. Axel is super popular and a queer-coded backstory with his childhood best friend would be very well received by the modern KH fandom, IMO. People are a LOT more accepting of gay content than they were in 2006. We've come a long way. And personally, I just love the idea that the tough cold asshole Saix's human self was actually a super sweet cutie who was in love with Lea. I really think the KH fandom would love that idea, too, if the writers were ever allowed to actually explore it. And a niche mobile game is probably a safer medium for that type of content than a mainline console game overseen by Disney, I guess. At the very least, if they ever put an Isa figurine into ML, I will whale for it if I have to. 

[jupitercl0uds]

hi! i'm ash

they/them/xe/xem • panromantic • asexual • non binary • autistic (with suspicions of having adhd) • english • atheist quaker • a tad bit silly

been on the tumbler since 2021 so i know my way around here but i dont get every little reference (i get most and for the ones i dont i just nod and smile along). i am still a teenager so some Classic Posts are older than me and most are from when i was in primary school.

i dont really have a sophisticated tagging system, but if it helps, spouting to the void is my text post tag. i dont even strictly use it for text posts tbf

blogs i run:

this one (obviously)

@blues-amazing-blog - oc blog (currently on hiatus)

@wswe-autism-fic - fanfic blog (for waluigi says 'wa' everyday until dekuyama is popular). i also treat this as an alt account for fandom stuff sometimes

@knuckles-with-a-keyboard - silly little blog where i pretend to be boom!knuckles (i really really love this blog its so fun)

@jupitercl0uds-art - my art blog (shock horror)

@nonbinary-sticks-the-badger - my sonic blog

external links (whoops forgot to add this)

maybe one day ill set up a linktree idk

ao3

letterboxd

twitter (i only use this for posting from my switch now)

spotify profile

email me - jupitercl0uds.burner@gmail.com

dm me on discord: jupitercl0uds

i think thats it

click this link for more external links including some of the above ones but specifically how to contact me if i cant use tumblr

interests:

omg i love so many things its not even funny. a few important ones are waluigi (special interest), sonic the hedgehog (special interest AND hyperfixation (omg please kill me)), art (like, as a general thing, but particularly visual) and you WILL find me randomly posting oh-so-passionately about something ive never even mentioned before.

i do animation and illustration but that's over on my art blog. also all my animations are WIPs. you probably won't find anything other than a few weird lip syncs from when i was like 11 (i got into animation because of gacha life and animation memes). most of my art is sonic atm lol.

i also read and write fanfic! my wattpad and ao3 is jupitercl0uds :D

wattpad is mostly old stuff, crack and occasional reposts of my ao3 stuff. ao3 is mostly whatever is on my mind at the moment and WSWE.

misc

occasionally i get all heated up about actually important stuff. that's usually sandwiched inbetween my regular goofy goober behaviour. for the basic gist of it: very left wing, the tories are cunts, vote green, free palestine. you also need to understand the weight of that sentence because i hate swearing.

i have other socials too but i dont really use them that much. got bored of twitter and i forget about all my other accounts. only ones i use now are whatsapp (lmao), tumblr and i guess ao3 and wattpad. theres no real point in linking something i havent used in months

anyway, have a nice day and please go to bed on time!

faves (non-exhaustive)

AUTISM BOY!!!! ANXIETY GUY!!!! MILES 'TAILS' PROWER!!!! he's been my favourite sonic character since i was little!!!! except for that brief period where it was amy because i found out tails was a boy and i, as a 7-year-old girl who had just learned about misoginy, decided amy was better because she was a girl. and that briefer period where it was cream because she had confetti in sonic dash.

my favourite iterations of him are scu tails, classic tails and sonic boom tails!!! i h/c him as autistic, having anxiety, low self-esteem but also being really cheerful and nonchalant about a lot of stuff. i enjoy trans tails of all kinds, but i believe in cis gnc tails.

NON-BINARY ICON!!!! TOP SURGERY GUY!!!! WALUIGI!!!! call me thomas jefferson cause i have an entire binder on this guy. waluigi is THE blorbo from my spin-off-party-shows. i got into him because 'hahahaha! it is the funny garlic man's funny rose partner!' and that became 'they could marry me and i'd say yes on the basis that we'd get to see each other everyday, even if i only love him as a friend.

im very passionately hateful about 'hot' waluigi. shut up. waluigi is perfect. i hope he can be canon one day <3 i h/c him as autistic, transmasc non binary and really into gothic lolita. i interpret their relationship with wario as romantic partners and waluigi being super super poor. also, wlw mlm solidarity with rosalina!!!!!

anti-faves

dr starline i love a bisexual icon as much as the next person but starline is not it. i want him to Suffer. which is why i then go on to make loads of fanart of him where he's crying over something. in the one shown above, i have just kicked him in the balls (full image). i also would love to be a VA for him because that'd really piss him off. good style tho. you go girl.

manjimutt (sorry but i only have 1 image of him)

hello to the other living yokai watch fan out there. i hate manjimutt. when i was younger i felt sorry for him, cause i was like 'oh, poor guy, always going to jail!!!' no. die. i do not like him. i hate manjimutt. i do like saying his name tho. MAnji-mutt! i think i hate him more than starline, because at least starline has redeeming qualities. the only redeeming qualities manjimutt has is pity because hes not actually committing crimes. thats it. hes not a nice person. hes just a guy. hit him with a wooden plank (har har).

that poor poor poodle though

posts i like

idk posts on my own blog i like a lot. idk if thisll be A Thing because im literally only doing tthis because of the first post on the list

recognising a url and the chaos that followed

stuff about my lgbtq+ identity idk

THIS IS HOW MUCH I KNOW ABOUT SONIC OK!!!!!

can you call me that slur?

[servin-up-surveys]

survey #154

Ever had a promise ring? No, but I gave one to Sara... lmfao OOPS

Who knows your biggest secret(s)? the Internet honestly lmfao

Do you ever get messages/asks on Tumblr? Very rarely.

When was the last time you waxed anything on your body, if ever? That woulda been my eyebrows, but I haven't done that in quite a long time.

Do you like shrimp? Yes, it's the only seafood I've found that I like, but I like it quite a lot.

Are you lactose intolerant? No, that'd be pretty tragic for me, lol.

Have you ever thought a man over 40 was attractive? my Tumblr is a thirst trap for 50-60 y/o men litcherally get out

Have you ever been told your aspirations are unrealistic? Not really, people tend to encourage me, but I've been told that yes, hoping to one day support yourself with just your nature photography will be insanely hard, but I'm trying my best.

Who was the last person you sat beside at a restaurant? My mother; Girt sat across from me.

Who is popular in your country? (Singers, actors etc.) lol I barely even know who's "big" anymore, I pay zero attention but uh, I know Pedro Pascal is a newer big focus of love, the whole country seems likely to defend Keanu Reeves with their lives basically, is Lana Del Ray still a thing?, Billie Eilish, Post Malone, Jason Momoa, Tom Hiddleston, uh... I dunno.

What did you watch today? Mostly let's plays but also some clips from the Rammstein concert in Lithuania today.

Peaches or plums? As a kid I woulda said plums, but I haven't had one in years, the texture might bother me now. I like sliced peaches, though.

Do you understand art? I think I've got a pretty decent idea. I obviously don't understand ALL of it, but I'd say I'm pretty open-minded with seeing and often identifying purpose in most art.

Do/did your parents buy you a lot for Christmas? I felt like it was a lot, especially when my parents had three kids similar in age to get stuff for, and apparently they tried to get the same amount of gifts for us, obviously varying a bit with the price of gifts. I know they struggled, especially once Dad left, and my mom NEVER thinks she gets enough, but she does, nowadays especially for Ashley's kids. Ash has told her basically every year that she gets way more than what's necessary, but my mom doesn't care lol.

Out of all the cultures in the world, what culture do you find the most interesting? Probably Native American, but I'm not SUPER familiar with most cultures, to be real.

Do you like ramen noodles? Literally only the Yakisoba spicy chicken one. At least, that's the only one I've found I enjoy, and often I don't have the taste for it anyway.

Who/what was that last thing that you slept with? Technically my cat and Mom's dog for a little bit, but the last person was Girt.

Do your parents do things that "embarrass" you? My dad has ZERO filter and knows how to be rude, and he also has zero common sense (I got it from him lol) so is difficult to get to understand things, and especially in public that can lead to embarrassing interactions.

What IM service do you use the most? Discord.

Who was the last person to IM you? Girt.

When you eat take-out, do you just eat it out of the containers provided? Generally, yes, but one specific case where I never do is when getting fried rice from Chinese places; I pour it into a bowl.

Would you need to sleep with someone before considering marrying them? No, sex just isn't important enough to me for that. If they wanna wait, that's fine.

Do you carry condoms? No.

How organized are the files on your computer? They're pretty sorted. I like putting stuff in appropriate folders.

Did you have a childhood hero? Were they real or fictional? Steve Irwin, of course. Real person obviously, with a heart that was so impossibly good and vibrant. So full of basically neon life to the very end.

Would you consider dating a psychiatrist or psychologist? I mean sure, but we'd absolutely have to set boundaries so they don't become my therapist; I don't think that's good for relationships.

For each person you’ve kissed, describe your feelings in one word: Nostalgic, confused, deep dislike, and adoration.

How do you react when you trip or stumble? In the moment I freak out big time, because me falling, with my weight, is considerably dangerous, even for an adult. Bruises are a guarantee. And then with my legs, I struggle very much with getting up anyway, so.

Are you good at the game Twister? As a kid I was, there's no way in hell I could do it now, I have to keep strengthening my legs.

Do your friends trust you around their bfs/gfs? This isn't really applicable to my life, I don't have real life friends I hang out with almost ever and I don't know their partners.

Would you rather make the first move, or your crush? The person I like, for sure.

If you have a camera, when do you use flash? In reality, I basically never do because it's just not applicable to what I'm shooting, but I have a mounted fill flash, which is generally best used when a foreground is underexposed.

What would you do if you found a gun in your best friend’s bedroom? I'd be extremely fucking freaked out; first I'd worry that he wasn't okay and wasn't telling me so, but I also don't feel that his mother should be in a house with a firearm because of her own mental health history.

What do you call your grandparents? I feel like both I've always just referred to them as "Grammy" and "Grampa."

What would be a cool earring design? Oh, there's so many! They tend to be ones that are heavier and dangle though, which I can't wear and it sucks. :( I semi-recently saw a pair that were a bunch of grapes, called to mind decorative fruits you put on a table, and I absolutely loved it. I'm also super big on those cute ones of animals hanging through your ear, I've seen lots of those, they tend to be cute and derpy.

Besides nightmares, what is the scariest thing about sleeping? I've never experienced it and am terrified of eventually doing so: sleep paralysis. That sounds HORRIFYING.

Do you look better with red lipstick or black lipstick? Black.

Ever had a terrible breakup? lol new to reading these?

Favorite bands? Ozzy Osbourne & Rammstein are tied in different ways for #1, but I'm also big on Marilyn Manson, Otep, Korn, In This Moment, Motionless In White, Metallica, Powerwolf, A Day to Remember, Mother Mother, and Cradle of Filth.

Favorite quote? I don't know if it's my favorite EVER, but since finishing watching a let's play of God of War: Ragnarök, I've been absolutely in love with a quote by the character Faye: "Grief is the culmination of love, and yet we love despite the inevitable. [...] To grieve deeply is to have loved fully." It hit me so fucking hard and I feel it's really applicable to various parts of my life. It makes me feel less weak grieving the loss (not always death) of someone.

Wearing any bracelets? No, I barely ever put bracelets on because I hate how they feel.

Does your phone take pictures? Awful quality ones, ugh the primary reason I want a better phone is literally the camera lol, mine is GARBAGE.

Who is your favorite neighbor? I don't really have a favorite, but I have at least MET the guy to our right; he's an old African American man that very often has his granddaughter with her, and she is a GEM. Mom loves them a whole lot, and the time I've met them (he helped my mom carry heavy stuff from outside into the house), each were so friendly and just good. They recently got a dog too, and while she barks A LOT, she's a sweet girl. The lady on our left Mom says is very nice, but I personally haven't spoken with her.

Have you ever gotten a detention? Yes, only once, and it was only because I had too many morning tardies to class, my own fault entirely. I was HORRIBLE waking up in the morning, gave my mom trouble ALL the way through high school, and it made us only a few minutes late sometimes.

Does your door have a deadbolt on it? Yes.

Have you had any soda today? I have not, I finally cracked yesterday after a pretty good period of going without it, so it's gonna be a while til I let myself do that again. I'm not willing to TOTALLY take soda away from me with just how much I enjoy it, but I'm definitely making an effort to tone it down even more.

What is your favorite scary movie? The Blair Witch Project. Also quite fond of The Crazies, and I have a soft spot for the first Silent Hill film just because of what it is and at least it's not a pure disgrace to the franchise like its sequel, lol.

What’s the most historic thing that has happened in your lifetime? Covid, for sure.

What happens in your country regularly that people in most countries would find strange or bizarre? School shootings. (: That shit is not supposed to be normal. You aren't meant to be UNsurprised when you hear about another one.

What’s your funniest story involving a car? lol so on a date I went on with Tyler, literally our first one, he got a flat tire; someone at a stop light pointed it out to him, aaaand adventure ensued. I feel bad for how mortified he was, he obviously was worried about what I thought, when I really felt nothing negative at all, like shit happens. He got the car to a car repair place that was luckily right down the road, but we had trouble communicating; the staff didn't speak English well, but we got the message across, and then I remember we had to cross the intersection on foot to get to a store across the street for some reason, then back. We went to an Italian place afterwards as planned, where we got calzones, which I then learned I don't even like because of the kind of cheese lmfao. I genuinely don't consider it a bad date, though; sure, didn't go the way we planned, but hey, I sure remember it.

If you built a themed hotel, what would the theme be and what would the rooms look like? I wouldn't do this, but hypothetically, definitely nature-y based! I'd like to make it have a forest vibe.

Do you think that humans will ever be able to live together in harmony? Lol no, it'd be fucking fantastic and literally the best thing a human could ever wish for, but it's not gonna happen. There are too many people that would ALL have to agree to that in their behaviors.

What’s the most amazing true story you’ve heard? Maybe I favor this one because I'm such a fucking sucker for romantic shit lol, but before Jason and his brother were born, their father apparently cheated on their mom, and she left to go back home to New York, but their dad chased her up there (getting to NY from our area takes at least 10 hours by car) to talk it out, and then they stayed together as an extremely loving, loyal, happy couple that I looked up to a lot as being proper partners. They were still together when Jason's mother died of diabetes complications.

What’s the grossest food that you just can’t get enough of? Uh, I dunno; I'm assuming by this you mean unhealthy because I'm obviously not eating food that I find gross-tasting, so let's see... burgers, I guess; I don't have them excessively or anything, BUT I'm almost always up for one, and I also don't like lettuce or tomatoes on my burgers, so... they're not exactly an icon of a healthy meal, lol.

What brand are you most loyal to? I can't think of any brand I feel extreme loyalty to. Like I support Cloak a lot with just who owns it and how tied they are to charities, but even if I HAD my own income I'm not rushing to buy something from any drop they have, I only have two shirts.

Where are you not welcome anymore? Well, the first one I can think of is Sara's house, not that you'd see me trying to go there. It's just the most obvious one to me.

What’s a common experience for many people that you’ve never experienced? By this point in my life, bills. Taxes.

What fashion trend makes you cringe or laugh every time you see it? Crocs. They're just hideous to me.

What are the initials of the last person you made out with? DM.

If you found out you were pregnant, who would be the first person to know? hi my uterus is bleeding

How old were you when you had your first kiss? Very early into 16.

Is it awkward when you run into your ex? That doesn't happen, but running into Jason would be uncomfortable, but only because I'd feel bad being in the same proximity as him, like I know he doesn't want to have anything to do with me, so I'd avoid him if I could.

Were you intoxicated the last time you threw up? No.

Who is your most recent ex? Sara.

Has the person you last kissed taken their shirt off in front of you? Yeah.

Have you ever broken anything because you were mad? No, people who get physical when angry absolutely terrify me.

Do you “blow kisses” often? Not really, but sometimes with my sister's kids.

Do you need to “break up” with a friend? No friend I currently have, no.

[captainclickycat]

@collectoroflovelythings Oo thanks!

Well, ultimately my take is that I… quite like it. I think it works. They’re both extremely compelling, fleshed-out characters. They have legitimate chemistry, their arc makes sense and there was clearly a lot of thought put into the writing and the acting. I concede that they could have a very respectable Gomez-and-Morticia thing going on, but with a sunnier version of Gomez.

That being said, though, it was never essential for me, and I’m glad the show ended things on an ambiguous note between them. I think that worked best. For me, a romantic endgame between them is just… one of the ways things could go after the finale, if you see what I mean? Perfectly decent, but not the only trajectory events could take. (Personally I have a soft spot for Antigone/Zoe too and wish that had more fics, but that’s by the by.)

And when a good chunk of the fandom is centred around a popular ship that you just quite like, it can put you in a bit of a weird position. It doesn’t make me dislike it, but it does occasionally cause that “ok but can we talk about something else now” feeling. (Not that I think anyone’s at fault for this, you understand. I’m not the main character, nobody has to cater to me, and obviously I think people should talk about the things they like. It’s just a mildly unfortunate side effect.)

And I’m not generally a bit fan of the whole “character gets over an unrequited crush, and then gets the other person anyway” trope. It can work ok in the hands of a good enough writer (which it was here, obviously) but even then it can feel a little jarring, a little too having-cake-and-eating-it. So Antigone being ultimately doubtful about the whole thing and feeling like they’ve missed their shot made sense for me too.

All that said though, I really do think the dynamic between them works. Their chemistry is really on display in a lot of conversations, especially when they’re trapped in the mine shaft. I like the fact that Eric respects her as a professional from the get-go and consistently shows that over and over again, even before he starts moving towards liking her as a person and ultimately being romantically into her. Because honestly, “I loved you from the first syllable” is a lovely line, but I don’t believe him when he says it. That he’s in love with her now, sure, but not that he was at first meeting. I believe that he respected her from the off, though, and that feels more valuable than the idea that he was in love with her on sight.

Hearing him say “I found what I was looking for in your voice”, on the other hand, just makes me think yeah, that happened to me too, you’re not special lol.

And Antigone’s belligerent, vaguely domly horniness over him is always entertaining to witness, but her character development outside of their relationship has always been a massively integral thing too, and I feel like it gets overlooked in fan discussions sometimes. I love how much of a development arc she gets on her own terms, and I love that her desire for a romantic/sexual relationship has always just been one facet of who she is. It’s important to her, sure, but it’s not everything to her. I think that’s actually part of why I could believe a relationship between them could work in the end, because it wasn’t the only way she could ever feel happy or fulfilled in life. She doesn’t need him at that point, but she might still want him. So, you know, props to that.

So yeah, somewhere contentedly on the fence is essentially where I’m at. I like the occasional fanart of them and I’ll weigh in with a headcanon from time to time (like if they got married Eric would definitely change his name to Funn, right? And then he’d actually put the Funn in funerals?) but I definitely don’t have a high enough level of investment to call it shipping. All told though they’re really interesting compelling characters and their relationship with each other is sort of fascinating regardless of what I’d want it to end up looking like.

Honestly I sometimes think one of the main reasons I don’t ship chapgone (although I think it works and is fine) is because Chapman nabbing himself an Antigone would not be conducive to Chapman suffering in a way I can laugh at. I mean that’s basically the opposite of suffering.

[walks-the-ages]

You said that legends Luke Skywalker is canonically a-spec, so I'd like to see the excerpts. Not in a confrontational "prove it to me" sorta way but a "I'm curious" sorta way.

I don't have the books or ebooks on hand, but it's Barbara Hambly's duology Children of The Jedi / The Planet of Twilight books with Callista.

Yes, I say Duology, not Trilogy, because the piece of shit who wrote the book in the middle of these two is a piece of crap misogynyst dudebro who wrote an entire trilogy about Luke running away from his responsibilites because Leia nagged him too much about babysitting so he went and did a little Overpowered Gary Stu thing of raising an obsidian castle up off the shores of a corscaunt beach and spent weeks just wandering around Vader's old Castle, sitting on the ceiling and Brooding(tm) about how he's so overpowered and meant for more and he's so angsty because he has a greater destiny and he can't connect to normal people and .. yeah. Anyways. Guy who wrote the shitty middle book is also unfortunately very "popular" star wars book author so he has written a lot of the other Legends book and .... It's always very refreshing to see other people rereading then and being horrified at what they thought was amazing writing when they were kids lol.

So yeah, ignore the shitty book in the middle by what might be Kevin J Anderson? My internet isn't cooperating at the moment so that either the authors name or the name of a random unrelated actor but it's something something Anderson. Ignore his book because he tries to retcon everything to make Callista a wilting wallflower who oh so scared of Luke's power and she feels so inadequate next to him and she left out of shame and Luke spends the whole book brooding about "oh I'm so scary and strong in the force I scared poor wittle Callista away boo hoo I am so sad and angsty because I'm so scary and overpowered" and then shitty author man tries to kill Callista off along with his sexist stereotype walking female imperial admiral lady character

and Barbara Hambly took one look at his shitty "sequel" to her book and said "Nope! We are fixing literally all of that and more, what the fuck is wrong with you dude, why the fuck are you treating all of the women this way"

Woops. Rambled a bit. Kevin J Anderson or whatever his name is pisses me off to the extreme, especially because he was allowed to write so many books that butchers the original trilogy characters even more than the "sequel" trilogy did.

anyways , long story short if you want to see Aspec Luke Skywalker, you can read Barbara Hambly's Children of the Jedi and Planet of Twilight, and also whichever book Luke proposes to Mara Jade in.

Because even as a kid I read that book and was absolutely fucking delighted at the hilariously out of left field it was and how platonic it was.

It pretty much boils down to:

Luke and Mara Jade are stuck in a flooding cave or something where they might die.

The conversation pretty much follows as such, from what I can remember reading over 10 years ago so obviously don't quote me:

Luke: "Hey Mara. We're friends, right? "

Mara: " Hmm, I mean, yeah I guess. We interact sometimes, sure. So we're acquaintances. And I'm not trying to kill you anymore so we're not enemies. And I've saved your life a few times so... Yeah. I think we're friends."

Luke, possibly after almost drowning: "Cool, cool, cool. So. Hey....... Do you want to marry me?"

Mara thought about it for a moment. "do you mean you want to get married now as the last thing we do before we die or...?"

Luke: "no, I mean even if we survive this. Do you want to marry me, even if we get out of here alive?"

Mara pondered the question, looking down at Luke where he looked like a pathetic drowned rat. "Sure." She shrugged. "I'll marry you."

Luke: "Awesome! I wasn't sure if you would say 'yes' seeing as we've never ever even in our most private thoughts considered each other as romantic or sexual prospects and we've never dated or expressed interest in each other for the years and years that we've known each other but I just feel like it's meant to be, y'know? And--"

Mara rolled her eyes. "Luke, I already agreed to marry you despite our nonexistent romantic or sexual history together, so just chill. Or don't, I don't need you freezing to death; now that we're engaged you're not allowed to die on me, I'd look awesome in a wedding dress."

And then they survived and announced their engagement to Han and Leia who came to rescue them and were met with confusion ("wait, Leia, did they even ever date!? How did I miss that!?"" / "No, shhh han, just be happy for them.") But they did go on to get married (I think they showed the wedding in one of the comics).

[yabai-korra]

The reasons why we're getting Manorian book

There has been a lot of speculation whether SJM is going to favor us with book/novella about Manon Blackbeak and Dorian Havilliard, recently I saw some fans doubting it, so here's a list of logical reasons why it's happening.

1. It's SJM

This woman writes two 500+ pages books per year, for her it would be a piece of cake.

2. There have already been books focused on side characters

a) Chaol and Yrene - Chaol was one of the most unpopular characters before Tower of Dawn (which made me love him hehe) and she still wrote a 600+ pages long book about him, just imagine what she'd do with the most popular character (Manon) and one of the most popular ones (Dorian).

b) Nesta and Cassian - this is ship is the closest to Manorian equivalent in ACOTAR series, aka starting from a physical relationship that develops into a sentimental one. Also 6th ACOTAR book will be focused on a new characters (most probably Elain)

3. Favoritism

SJM has talked multiple times about her love for these two. When asked about her favorite TOG character, she said Aelin, but Manon was a close second place and she said that she absolutely loves writing her.

In another interview, when asked who she would go on a book tour with and a few similar questions, she answered Dorian.

Now, I haven't seen all of her interviews ever and I'm not sure how much she loves Nessian and Cahorene (seems to love Nessian a hella lot tho), but it's definite that Manorian are some of her favorite characters and it's just logical that she would write about them.

4. Unfinished story/Unresolved feelings

Ships at the end of TOG:

Rowaelin - married

Elorcan - engaged

Lysaedion - engaged

Chaorene - married with a baby on the way

Nestaq - engaged

Manorian - hug and "we'll see"

All the ships basically got engaged in the last chapter (it's not like I didn't like it hehe) and their stories, romantic-wise, were pretty much finished and they have no unresolved tension between them. Manorian on the other hand, have enough of it for all the ships lol.

KOA spoilers ahead!

Keep in mind, Manorian relationship was mostly a sexual one, and they don't quite yet have a way of communicating their feelings properly. So there is a lot of unaddressed between them, even though they obviously care a lot about each other.

The unresolved things between Manon and Dorian:

"“And if I asked you to stay?” / “I’d need a very convincing reason, I suppose.” / “Because I don’t want you to go.” - they just fucked and Dorian left for Morath later, which impacted Manon a lot but they haven't discussed it

"I even care about you." - Manon got up and left

"There is only one witch who will be my queen." - Manon doesn't know about this

Manon saved Dorian from Valg demon even when Aelin couldn't. It was the worst thing to happen to Dorian and he still bears scars from it, yet he didn't have an appropriate situation to thank Manon for it

Dorian knows that Erawan lusted after Manon, which got him pissed of course, and he didn't have a chance nor time to ask Manon about it. It might be nothing, but if I were Dorain and my girlfriend who doesn't show feelings was locked up with a crazy guy who has a thing for her, and have seen the way he treats women, I'd be concerned. Erawan was a Valg king, a tough opponent even for Manon. If he had done something to her, and he had plenty of means and opportunities and wish to do so, Manon would never openly tell anyone (maybe Asterin) about it, because it would imply opening up and being weak, which is Manon's worst fear. Again, SJM, as the Queen of Foreshadowing, wouldn't just randomly throw in the main villain having a thing for an important character, everything in her books always has a meaning and purpose.

"Would you miss me if I didn't [come back]?" - Manon didn't reply

This is how SJM described Manorian marriage: "She would be his wife, his queen. She was already his equal, his match, mirror in so many ways. And with their union, the world would know it." - and you're telling me it's not deserving of its own book? Not just that, Manon asked Dorian for marriage and they, again, just had sex, with Dorian loving the idea but deep down knowing that Manon would feel caged in a marriage. And that attitude won't just change out of the blue. It takes time and development which is something SJM writes amazingly.

With the Thirteen gone, beside Abraxos Dorian is the only creature Manon cares about.

Dorian's mortality (although as you'll see in point #6 I'm sure he's not human)

The dreaded "You could just marry each other." / "We'll see." (Thanks Yrene :)

5. Foreshadowing

Listen here, SJM IS THE QUEEN OF FORESHADOWING. She thought of a detail (Dorian's dad's name) in the first book that would matter in the last book. Of course, there are many many many more examples of that, but if we got "We'll see." then we'll fucking see it happen.

6. Unresolved things about Manon and Dorian as individual characters.

Manon and Dorian and both pretty broken at the end of KOA.

Manon lost the Thirteen, the only people she cared about. That is a huge trauma that needs to be addressed, especially with someone so reluctant to show feelings and heal like Manon.

Dorian can't be human?? He has fae abilities due to his relation to Gavin and Elena even though he's not even called a demi-fae. He possesses powers no one else does, phantom hands for example, which he didn't steal like shape-shifting. And Maeve pointed out that due to his father being possessed by Valg when Dorian was sired, it's possible he got some of the Valg abilities. (Also she said that he's stronger than Aelin) The main villain, especially written by Queen of Foreshadowing, wouldn't just let drop it there and that's it. Also not to mention Dorian's own struggle with depression and self-worth.

They have both just become rulers of their kingdoms, completely new to it. Dorian has spent a big part of KOA imagining what kind of a king he wants to be (one that will have a witch queen hehe) and it was a major point of his character. And addition to that affecting them as characters, the future of Adarlan and Witch Kingdom could make a good plotline.

7. Other TOG characters

Although pretty much all the readers would die to see Chaorene baby, Lorcan in Perranth, Aelin and Rowan ruling Terrasen, Lysandra and Adeion officially adopting Evangeline, Nesryn and Sartaq becoming Khagan and Empress of Antica, all of these don't make enough of a plot on its own. They are great side-plots.

We know all of these characters love each other and are happy together, there isn't that much to be added to their personal stories other than kids. (same way Feyre and Rhys got a baby in Nessian book) Manorian however, they haven't even kissed without it leading to sex, they hugged at the end of KOA and it was the pique of their relationship. Their relationship is merely at the beginning, whereas others have pretty much reached their ultimatum (ofc SJM can decide to add some drama with betrayal, kidnapping, pregnancy etc. but for now everyone is good and settled beside Manorian)

Not to mention the way other relationships would affect them. Chaol, Dorian's brother, and Yrene, Manon's wannabe bestie and Manorian shipper, would bring their baby to meet his/her uncle Dorian and aunt Manon, and imagine Manon with a baby lol.

SJM loves Aelin and other characters way too much not to give us an insight on them as married couples, but since her books are huge and it's her, it needs a plot with drama, addressing traumas, repressed feelings, worldbuilding, and sex, and Manorian's got all of that.

8. Abraxos

We need more Abraxos, that's just a fact.

Wow that was a long one. Anyways, in conclusion, we're getting that Manorian book. Pretty sure it's gonna a book rather than a novella (TOD was also planned as a novella but then guess what) because there is just SO MUCH possible content.

[summerbummin]

Headcanons about Apollo and his former lovers from TOA

Naomi Solace 🎤

-Her and Apollo met when she was singing at a dive bar, he bought her a drink and they had a whirlwind summer fling

-They loved hitting up karaoke bars together and wowing everyone with their singing talent

-She really liked Apollo’s car and they’d did a lot of things in there (including conceiving Will lmao)

-One time when they were making out Naomi climbed into Apollo’s seat and her butt accidentally hit the steering wheel and HOOONK

-They jolted in surprise, then delved into hysterics, anything they had going on dying down as they laid their heads against each other’s shoulders and laughed so hard their ribs hurt, until Apollo suggested they used the back seat and things got going again lol

-Once Naomi said Jesus Christ in like response to smth, Apollo replied actually I’m Phoebus Apollo and Naomi was like what? And Apollo was like whaaaaat and Naomi just moved on bc she had other things to deal with lol

-Apollo ended up saying goodbye and leaving at the end of summer and a few weeks after he left Naomi realized she was pregnant and was like well shit

-She’s from the south and people there can be p judgmental about pregnancies outside of marriage, but Naomi never let them get her down, she actually met this great support group of women who helped her out and are still good friends even now

-Apollo eased her labor pains when she was giving birth to Will (and that’s why the kid has such good medical powers), but Apollo disguised himself as a nurse, not wanting to stress her out because the ex who she thought had no idea abt the baby was here, with her, holding her hand while she was gave birth

-Naomi brings Will up with love and kindness and she just wants the best for her sweet boy, but she gets concerned when Will talks about some weird things he saw at school and he gets pegged as the “weird kid” and is picked on by his classmates as a result

-Naomi would’ve fought those kids but Will told her it was fine, mama! His stuffed animals were his friends

-Will loved those stuffed animals and got really attached to them, so Naomi taught him how to sow them up when they started fraying and that’s the first thing that made Will want to be a doctor (when Will told his siblings this story they started calling him Doc McStuffins lol)

-Apollo didn’t tell Naomi he was a god and she didn’t find out until Apollo sent a satyr to bring Will to camp once he was old enough

-Realizing she had a fling with a greek god was a bit of a shock but Naomi dealt with it gracefully and gave Will the biggest hug before he left, making him promise to be safe and write to her as soon as he got to camp

-Naomi’s career as a country alt singer got a lot more successful after her whole thing with Apollo because he put a blessing on her, her voice was beautiful she just needed help getting noticed so Apollo nudged some influential people in the music industry towards her on his way out (he kinda felt bad about leaving so abruptly, even if it was just a fling, he tries to make it up to his ex-lovers with things like this)

-Naomi actually ends up writing a sad country love song about Apollo after he left, she titled it Suburn, not knowing how fitting the title is until years later, it becomes one of her most popular songs

-Naomi travels a lot for her career, touring around Texas and some nearby states, and that’s why Will stays at camp year round, but they write to each other frequently and love each other sm

-Naomi doesn’t date much since she’s always busy with her career and traveling, she’s just not ready to settle down yet, she’s happy living as a free spirit and a single mom with a wonderful son

-Naomi is 100% supportive of Will’s sexuality and loves Nico to bits (Nico is a little awkward around her at first bc he’s not used to affection lol)

-She tells Nico stories abt Will when he was a kid, whipping out photo albums and everything and Will is like mom s t a h p ur embarrassing me in front of my bf and Nico is reveling in how red his face gets

Latricia Lake 🎶

-she met Apollo when he was posing as a street performer for fun on the streets of the college town she worked in

-she put a tip in his guitar case and complimented his playing and his voice, Apollo was pleased by this and complimented her in turn, saying she must know her music which made Latricia laugh because she is a professor

-the two of them hit it off and start dating, spending hours talking about music

-being the god of music, Apollo could tell when people really loved music, feeling loved in return, and Latricia was one of those people

-being a college professor, Latricia was a bit older than Apollo’s usual lovers (she’s like in her mid to late 20s) and Apollo looks like 21, so he jokingly starts calling her a cougar just to tease her (when he’s so full of shit bc he’s over 3 thousand years older than her)

-Apollo attended some of her lectures, watching from the back of the room and her students were like ooh who’s that hot guy and she was like my bf and their jaws dropped bc daaamn ms lake way to go (Apollo found those reactions very amusing lol)

-There are many times when Latricia considers smacking that smug smirk off Apollo’s face, but she refrains and smacks his ass instead

-Apollo claims Latricia only loves him for his pancakes bc he made them for her the morning after their first time as a way to get her to keep him around lol (and it worked a little too well)

-When Latricia got pregnant Apollo told her who/what he really was and that was a bit too much for Latricia so they stopped dating but Apollo gave her the briefing about demigod children, powers, monsters, camp half blood, etc before he left

-One day when her sitter had to cancel on her she brought Austin to her class and all the college kids thought he was so cute that Latricia started bringing him around more often, Austin was just a baby but she could tell he loved the attention by the way he was gurgling lol (like father like son)

-Latricia is p busy since she’s a professor but she always makes time for her son and she has been teaching Austin about music since he was a kid, he grew up surrounded by it and that’s why he loves it sm (that and being a son of Apollo)

-On his 10th birthday there was a really nice new saxophone with a ribbon at the foot of his bed (a gift from Apollo) Austin always thought his mom bought it for him and Latricia just didn’t correct him

-Latricia sent Austin to camp half blood when he told her he saw a monster at school, he was only 11 but Latricia would rather be safe then sorry

-Latricia actually met someone while Austin was at his first year of camp, Austin was a little unsure around the guy at first but more out of awkwardness than anything the guy was lacking

-Austin and him bonded over “being boys” as Latricia put it (they blew up hot dogs in the microwave together) and the man soon had her son’s stamp of approval

-They ended up getting married the next year and Austin played the saxophone at their wedding

-Latricia was the first subscriber to his YouTube channel and showed all her coworkers and students her son’s videos, she’s a proud mama

Darren Knowles 🏹

-gay (obviously)

-he loves the outdoors and the crisp cold weather of Canada

-met Apollo when he saw him checking out the flier he had pinned up advertising his archery classes, Darren asked if he was gonna join and Apollo not so subtly checked Darren out over his sunglasses and was like well now I’m def joining

-Darren lowkey thought Apollo was a dumb American tourist at first and Apollo keeps telling him he’s not American and Darren is like uh huh

-Apollo is such a flirt during class and actually misses a few shots bc he too busy staring at Darren lol, but that does give the opportunity for Darren to come and “correct” his stance

-Darren is determined to be a professional with his students but he ends up caving because Apollo is just,, so cute

-Then when they start going on actual dates he finds out Apollo isn’t some dumb blond and is actually really intelligent and educated and Darren is like oh no my weakness, guys who are goofs but not dumb and also hot (Apollo be checking all of his boxes lol)

-Apollo told Darren he was a god while drunk off his ass one night and Darren didn’t believe a fucking word, Apollo just rolled with the drunken nonsense thing the next morning and didn’t tell Darren again (until Kayla)

-Darren lives alone but he’s always wanted a family, he was kicked out by his parents for being gay and he knows if he was a parent he would never treat his child like that, he’d love them unconditionally like his parents should’ve loved him

-Apollo magically created a child for Darren after the man confessed to him how much he wanted a kid of his own

-Darren was happy but like really confused because h... how? And Apollo is just like magic~ which explains fuck all

-Apollo tells him he has to leave now, he was having to leave soon anyway because of some trouble brewing back in America, but that he wanted to do this one last thing for Darren before he left

-he tells him to have take care raising the baby and to send her to cbh’s address when she starts attracting monsters, then poofs away, leaving Darren with a baby in his arms and wondering what the hell just happened

-Darren does raise Kayla with love and care just as he said he would, she grows up hiking through the woods with her dad and learning archery along with other wilderness skills (Artemis would really like her)

-Kayla has her aspirations for the Olympics pretty early on and Darren admires his daughter’s ambition, at first he thinks it’s just her being a kid but then later on as she keeps getting better and better he’s like damn she might actually be able to do it

-But then ofc monsters come and Darren drives her down to New York, lying through his teeth to the border guy who surprisingly lets him through without a problem (Apollo may have insured that but shhh)

-Darren sees her off at the barrier of Thalia’s pine tree and they say goodbye with a hug that lifts Kayla off her feet, there’s promises to write and reminders to practice her archery and take care of her bow and such before Kayla is escorted into camp by some other campers

-Darren managed to keep a hold of himself while saying goodbye but as soon as he’s back in the car he’s fucking bawling, all the way back to Canada because he’s gonna miss his little girl sm

-Darren has had some boyfriends but a lot of them end up jetting as soon as he tells them he has a kid ripp

-He does eventually land a good man and they’re going strong, even when Kayla, who was like 10 at the time, threatened to shoot him in the nads if he hurt her dad

-Darren and shows up to every archery match Kayla has in the future and promises to be there cheering for her with a big ass sign that says THATS MY DAUGHTER when she eventually reaches the Olympics

Bonus!

Georgina’s Mom 🎨

-She was an art student in community college

-She was on her own because her parents refused to support her “unrealistic” career choice

-She met Apollo at a party at some college dorm and they both got super smashed bc college parties be like that

-They had a one night stand that both of them mostly forgot about in favor of their hangovers the next morning

-until Hello!! You have a kid!

-She is most likely dead given that Georgina was led to the waystation by a ghost

-But Georgina has two new mommies now who love her very much (and an awkward dad)

[cappymightwrite]

Hi! I really like your opinions and my hope for jonsa has increased. I wanted to ask you what do you think about Jon pairings with Arya, ygritte and dany in contrast to jonsa? Have a nice day 😊

Thank you! I have to say @agentrouka-blog has really bolstered my belief in non tragic Jonsa. I actually think it would be truly more of a subversion, more of a twist, and more narratively satisfying to let them end the series together, in love and married. Everyone is so convinced that GRRM would never do that, the grimness of the narrative has completely eroded most people’s faith in goodness and love prevailing...and no doubt that is very intentional.

...it’s a narrative trap.

The majority of people think a “happy” ending is too easy or too expected, but obviously it isn’t because the current tone of the narrative has convinced so many people that it is impossible. And actually, finding happiness, championing goodness, especially in the world of ASOIAF is actually very hard and is not a given. In order to reach a dream of spring, not just the book, but what that title implies, GRRM has to do a lot of narrative work, it would be far easier for him to end it with, well, and then the Westerosi Ragnarök happened and these people died and this person suffered this and this downtrodden person became even more downtrodden, finally accepting the life has 99 thorns to 1 rose, etc., but isn’t that edgy, isn’t that grimness subversive and “real”? 

No it isn’t!!! It is very easy to tear things down, to deny people all that they value, to fall back onto the defeatist idealogy that “grimness” always prevails, that it is naive to believe in anything to the contrary. It is much harder to rebuild, to regenerate, to reimagine how life and love can continue despite all the pain that has gone before. THAT is a narrative challenge, that, in this day and age, is truly subversive. Frankly, GRRM is the laziest of writers if he chooses to end his narrative with a “grimdark” conclusion, with the bitter far outweighing the sweet (but I don’t think he is, or will). 

Anyway sorry, I shouldn’t talk about “grimdark”, it’s like a red flag to a bull, lol. Onto the second part of your ask...honestly, I try not to engage with these other ships, if at all possible. I believe and like what I like, and they believe and like what they like. I have an interpretation of the text, they have an interpretation of the text. I’m fairly confident that I’m on the money, that I’ve sussed out the author’s influences, his niche predelictions, but ultimately, only GRRM knows the truth. What I will say is that, when it comes down to it, in regards to those particular pairings I don’t read romantic love and marriage as being their deepest, truest heart’s desire, like I do with both Jon and Sansa. So, at their barest bones, discounting all other factors, for me, there is a quite fundamental incompatibility there. But frankly, the best way for me to sum up what I think about Jon’s other popular pairings, for the most part, is this:

[since-it-must-be-so]

Choujin X: Chapter 1

So I'm really excited to read more of Sui Ishida's newest manga, and I'm arriving just in time for the front seats! I don't want to let this pass without writing down my thoughts on the first chapter and possibly look at it in the future as the story progresses. You can read it here:

Having said that, please note there will be spoilers ahead!

Tomato Girl

The chapter starts with this cute little girl with that native(?) farmer-like hat, who supposedly grows big fruits (it's huge in Japan, look it up!). I think she will also be a main character since she's the first person we see. From this point I'll call her Tomato Girl. She is obviously from a rural area and is a farmer. We see her motivation is money (and that big dog... which, I think we will see in the future lol). She also wants to marry a "handsome goldilocks hubbie", lol. Wonder if this means she's going to be a love interest of the other cast? She also wants to have 9 kids. Naki and Miza, is that you?! Lol. So here, we have a girl with lofty aspirations! We shall see if any of this will happen or if it will change or if she's lying!

Also an observation - Tomato Girl is also close with her granddad, since she said she's going to the contest in lieu of her granddad (whose back was hurt). She obviously has this strong personality, standing up to the creepy bad guy, who was going to hit the old lady.

Bad Guy

The Bad Guy (since this guy doesn't have a name yet) is obviously a terrorist-for-hire. Also seems to be obsessed with beauty and elegance. I would guess his power lies in blowing things up?

I think, though, that Tomato Girl is a choujin herself, considering she didn't immediately get blown away. Plus, Bad Guy was on fire, and so was she. So, it doesn't necessarily mean Tomato Girl is already dead. She also seems to be reaching out to the Bad Guy as that scene ends.

It's later revealed that despite the plane crash, there were 200 survivors. Hmmmmmmm. Maybe they were turned into choujins?Only the hull was burned but the frame wasn't.

Tokio Kurohara and Azuma Higashi

Yes, the MC! He's notices the plane catching fire. Then, for some reason, Tokio's teacher (Ms. Bazonkas) has a weird voluptuous design. BUT, I think there's something afoot there. She might actually also be a choujin. Possibly a mentor role for Tokio? She seems to be very knowledgeable.

Anyway, going back to Tokio. He's introduced as a sixteen-year-old high school sophomore from Tsuru High. Like any high school kid, he finds studying math to be useless. We're also shown that lives in a district which has destroyed buildings. Possibly dystopian future?

We next find a girl getting harassed by a Mohawk guy and his 2 honchos. Tokio calls for someone, turns out to be Azuma. I just thought it's funny how he called for Azuma, he sounds like a police officer. Haha. But right after, Azuma is introduced, flying from a building.. a very dramatic, heroic entrance. He kinda looks like a hybrid of Haise and Armin from AOT for me. Haha. He's so cute and tiny but he's strong and is apparently the town hero. He breaks the arm of the thug, which Tokio thinks is going too far.

The girl seems to be a pretty girl, and I think she will play a role later on. She's a lot older than them, since she said she's going to an interview. She will possibly a love interest or a villain, but I think more of the latter. I just read CSM so I'm wary of pretty girls lol. Anyway, I think there's something there to link her with Azuma, considering, Azuma introduces both Azuma and Tokio but she only seems to thank or acknowledge Azuma. Tokio even says "don't mention it" even if the girl didn't even thank him, lol.

Azuma and Tokio talk about the plane crash, and it's revealed that choujins seem to abuse their power, and that the attack is kinda normal. We look at their hometown which is really wrecked. Buildings are dilapitated in an abnormal manner -- one building looks like it was done in with a circular force... They live in Yamato Prefecture which is described as an ordinary, self-governed prefecture with some areas partially destroyed. Wonder what self-governed means, but my guess is that it's kinda like a state and the national government is different altogether.

Roly-Poly

Well I never really thought of pill bugs or rolly pollies until I read this. Azuma talks about how roly polies roll around in dry areas and when they find a damp rock, they hide under it. He questions if the roly polies like damp places. And Azuma wonders if choujins are anything like roly-polies. Tokio is confused, so am I. I'm not going to make solid convictions what he means by it, but I think... what Azuma is driving at is that, roly polies and choujins DON'T like damp places. I don't know, I have no reason for this, it's just a guess. We'll see what Azuma means eventually. Haha.

It also appears that choujins are generally bad guys, since Azuma wonders why they don't use their power for good. Maybe something about being a choujin corrupts? Just a guess based on the succeeding events.

They end their conversation with Azuma thinking if he can help with the plane crash. Tokio comments, "seems noble of you" and Azuma says, "it's just a habit". Wonder if Tokio finds Azuma pretentious or if he's genuinely impressed. Azuma's answer is also quite concerning, "just a habit", a question arises if he's sincere in helping in the first place.

The Mohawk Guy

So this guy is supposed to be a funny, evil villain, now bent on exacting revenge from Azuma. Then, a guy (possibly gay guy because he is wearing a lipstick?) with a briefcase offers him an injection.

Tokio's Family

So Tokio has a bigger sister and a dad who seems to be very quiet. Not sure if that's their dad though, it wasn't clear. It's possible they don't have parents anymore and that guy is just an associate. Anyway, it appears that the sister pays Tokio's tuition and she's the breadwinner.

Tokio and his sister talk about Azuma. Azuma is apparently very smart, very athletic (proficient in judo and karate), girls love him, and that his dad is a big shot in the police. The sister questions why Tokio is so proud, and Tokio funnily admits that it's because he feels popular because Azuma is popular. A leech!

Vulture

I just finished re-reading Tokyo Ghoul and :re, and I was blown away by Ishida's art and story. To say I love Kaneki is an understatement. I think I'm going to love Tokio too! I also want to discuss the cover.

So it appears that the cover is the Tokio with an image of a vulture. Tokio is naked and it feels like the vulture is seducing him. From here, I get the vibe that Tokio might be corrupted by the power. "It's something of an affliction" is a dead giveaway. It feels like becoming a choujin or superhuman also corrupts, in a way?

Also since, there seems to be a commentary on the negative view on vultures being scavengers or "steals prey". (Though TBH I always thought vultures wait around for the predator to finish eating and then it eats the scraps??)

On the other hand, Azuma, Tokio's best friend who's mighty strong and brave (almost to a fault), is viewed as a lion by his peers. Also, an uncanny observation is the when Tokio cries about while sitting on the floor, above him is a hyena. Hyenas are known to prey on the carcasses of lions' prey.

It's almost uncanny when Tokio himself says, "I can be a lion too". But Azuma makes Tokio feel better by telling him that buzzards can fly higher than any bird -- telling Tokio to focus on the strength

But even if Tokio admires Azuma, Tokio thinks of telling Azuma when he's going too far. I think this comes from a place of concern. But maybe secretly he's also jealous?

Tokio also even tells Azuma that maybe they should hold hands so Tokio can be more like Azuma, implying that Tokio wants to be like Azuma.

Praying Mantis

Just before Flexi Choujin attacks, Tokio mentions that he bought an insect guidebook and was about to say a factoid about praying mantis near water. I wonder what Tokio was about to say? A search on the internet about praying mantis and water shows this disgusting video of a parasite exiting the praying mantis leaving the mantis to die. Ew. Let's see if this is the factoid Tokio was thinking of. If so, who's the mantis and who's the parasite? Is it Azuma and Tokio, respectively? Hmm. Also, love the insect symbolism. Throwback to Kaneki's centipede!

Flexi Choujin Attack (Johnny Kiyoshi Takeyama)

Mohawk Guy, now a choujin, is a flexi monster who's now more resistant to hits. He attacks Azuma indiscriminately with his new powers. He also kinda goes crazy... His subordinates fear his super violent side, begging him to go back to his "kinda naughty mama boy self", but he ends up snapping their heads off.

For some reason 2 injections fly up into the air?! Maybe someone tossed it. Because as Tokio brought Azuma to the water and brought him back out, he sees the 2 injections. Azuma wants to use it on himself.

Tokio hesitates to have Azuma use it but Azuma insists. Tokio remembers how Azuma saved him from bullies as a kid, and they agreed that Tokio will help Azuma beat the bad guys... Tokio gets the other injection and points to himself. Azuma says Tokio can't but Tokio insists because he feels that it's the only way to stay friends with Azuma. They also promise each other that they will have no regrets over this. This is kinda alarming for me!! Let's see what it will mean in the future.

But instead of both of them transforming into a powerful choujin, only Tokio transforms into one. He looks like a vulture, very beast-like. Looks even like Kaneki's Centipede! I think the other injection might have resulted in a bad/weak power, or maybe it's empty, or maybe Tokio didn't inject Azuma? But I doubt the last one. Anyway, Tokio's choujin look is amazing!

Can't help but feel this scene is related to the praying mantis thing... Maybe my hunch is correct? The parasite exits the mantis when near water, which is why Tokio manages to muster up some courage on his own?

We'll see!! I'm really excited to see this develop. It will be the first manga I will be able to see from the start to finish!

[wwhatev3r]

Hey, friend! I honestly love your work! I was wanting to ask someone for a BoB ship so I was scrolling through the tag and found your account and my friend…your material is awesome! Genuinely!! Y’know how you find someone’s writing and it just hits? Like that was me with yours lol. You’re awesome! 😉❤️

I promise I didn’t compliment you to warm you up lol (words are just one of my love languages), but would you mind doing a BoB ship for me please? If not, then that is totally okay!! Literally, no pressure 😂

I’m an ISFJ 9w1. I’m absolutely protective over those that I love but less defensive if it’s towards me because I #1 want to give everyone a chance because we are all human and #2 though I care what people think about me, I’m going to do what I think is right no matter what. I try to see everyone’s perspectives in everything, try not to judge, and to approach life and situations objectively…but I am a Feeler so if a situation isn’t totally black-and-white morally/ethically, I use my values to make the final decision.

I make friends easily, and I view close friends like they’re my family. I have a dry/sarcastic humor that honestly comes out in stupid, weird jokes that only I and my best friends laugh at lol. I have to be comfortable for my humor to come out, though…if I don’t know you, I am dead quiet until I can read you and know how to interact. I love people, and I strive to be empathetic even though sometimes I’m not tactful and can seem insensitive. It’s not that I don’t feel things, but usually my feeling is equally matched by my thinking. Until I’m on my period, then I cry at anything (it’s so embarrassing…the old Dumbo got me one month…that “Baby Mine” scene?? TEARS, I tell you, actual tears 🥲).

My ambition is to be a homemaker if I get married…I know it’s not popular, but I’m very family-oriented so caring for those I love is the perfect life for me. If I don’t get married, I’m interested in counseling as a career. I just wanna TAKE CARE of people, y’know? 😂 especially those that don’t have anyone else…I just want to hug them all ❤️

I love all animals, but I do have a rotten cat that I love so much (her name is Willow 🥰). I hate bugs, though; like I’m not scared of them (other than bees/wasps) but their prickly little legs like a grasshopper or a june bug?? I’d rather die lol.

My top love languages are words of affirmation and physical touch. I love coffee but can’t handle a lot of caffeine (tragic…). My aesthetic is caught between cottagecore and light academia, like I just wanna wear sweaters, socks, and stay wrapped in a blanket 24/7…maybe that’s just being an introvert, idk 😂😂😂 Anyways, soft things, soft colors, and alone time? Yes, PLEASE 👏🏻

I just honestly want to love and to be loved; it doesn’t have to be perfect or a fairy tale. I just want a partner to walk through life with lol.

This is long, and I am sorry but thank you for your patience! ❤️❤️❤️

I Ship You With...

Walt Hasser!!!

Notes: First of all, thank you sm for the kind words <3 There it is, I didn’t forget that you changed for a GK ship request, YEYY! (With my lack of memory it wouldn't be surprising.) So, yours was easy to decide. Yeah, you got a prince that every straight woman would love to marry lol :D I hope you like it. 

Nah, you’re very lucky, you got everyone’s dream boy.

Someone give Walt the prize for best boyfriend please!!!

Not to be cliche or cheesy but the first time he saw he had that feeling “yeah, that’s my future  wife right there.

What called his attention was your style and your hair, and only by your smile you seem so nice and friendly.

He got all flustered and his friends had to give him a push to go talk to you.

Was an instant connection, everything felt so comfortable and safe.

He took you to so many dates and he’s the type that always brings you flowers or a present.

So, obviously it didn't take long for you to start dating.

Anytime you need time alone there’s no doubt that he will give you that time, but he will still check on you from time to time.

“Sweetheart, are you alright? Do you need anything to eat?”

But he does prefer to snuggle with you in a cute blanket, wearing fuzzy socks while watching a movie or a show.

When you’re in your period ya poor boy gets a little confused but he’s always there for ya.

He forbids you to drink coffee because he knows it gets your cramps worse.

“Chocolate? Yes, of course I can buy some chocolate.” He puts you a cute movie for you to relax but eventually you start crying, “Oh h-honey… What happened? I’m sorry! It’s okay, don’t worry. Can I hug you?”

Doesn't matter how long you have been dating, he always asks first if he can kiss you or hug you. Anything, really.

He’s such a gentleman with you, ughhh <3

He has a special in his heart for Willow, It’s like his daughter!!!

He calls her princess and spoils her so much.

Even if she breaks something around the house, he still defends her.

He’s always asking to get more pets because you both love animals.

But, ya know, you would have to move to a bigger house to get more pets…

So, he later proposes to you and you get married.

Walt supports the idea of you being a homemaker but he still motivates you  to work in counseling if you want too.

At any time you could take a break from taking care of the house and he could help you, he sees no problem in that.

No, but every time there’s a bug in your house he likes to act like your knight in shining armor.

“I got it, honey! It’s okay, I’m here now.”

Also, if later you wanted to have kids, there’s no doubt that he would love too.

With him you would literally live a fairy tail type of love.

[articianne]

ok actual post about my thoughts on s2 of the great. serious actual spoilers below

obviously I loved this season, honestly more than the first one. The parts that really kicked it up notch for me were:

no Leo. I think I liked him the most when he wasn't being a literal writer's tool for Catherine's own plot. It's fine that he was that, but I'm just glad that he was put to bed, just because now it felt like Catherine's struggles were hyper accentuated just thru herself. Elle's acting this season stood out SO MUCH (that final scene left me starstruck. I felt an actual ache in my chest at her despair) and I think it's because everything is so much more personal to Catherine now—her nation, her baby, her mother (lol), and her reluctance and denial for her love of Peter are out in the open when there isn't another focal point, i.e. Leo, in the way of that. Leo had his job in s1 and it was really well done, but there was a part of me filled with relief that he was confirmed dead and gone in ep1 this season.

PETER!!! Obviously. While Peter's depravity in s1 made him fascinating and also very hate worthy (even tho of course that would NEVER scare me off), clearly being "just the husband" has worked him wonders. His demeanor hasn't changed, not really—hes still offensive as fuck, he still does some SHIT things, but he also has more time for nuance, and growth, and things he didn't get when he was just being hurled into life as the emperor. But the difference is now the shit he does affects him and hurts him... and hurts the people he cares for too. The heart he wears on his sleeve not only beats and aches for himself, but for Catherine and Paul too (and Elizabeth). His family 😭

Now for things I liked a lot, just a little more on the side:

Loved the teacher with Orlo (she was so cute) and the little bit of exploration they had with Orlo's sexuality. I hope there's more of the teacher!

Pugachev was so fucking funny and felt very more like a traditional Nicholas Hoult character 😂

Catherine's struggle with her mother being a bit of the same as Peter's with his own

ARCHIE!!!! I really don't care about him, but I think he had a great season. I was far more interested in him as he... fell from grace? If that's the right term to use.

Elizabeth was a standout. Loved her pain, her care, and also, the fact that she's the only person who supports Peter and Catherine and wants their love to succeed.

that one scene with the clearly Muslim guy. While he was also a dick (as everyone is), I really appreciated that. It hit a little bit home—I found our Namaz set a couple of days ago while cleaning and was personally touched by this.

The outfits!!!! Oh my god!!!!

So many small scenes—Velementov and Peter going truffle hunting. When Peter goes to kill Catherine in the state room during the uprising and immediately throws the thought away when he hears her sobbing and sees her grief, instead immediately trying to make her feel better. Nearly every Orlo scene.

I could keep going but I do wanna mention some things that I wasn't quite a fan of. It didn't bother me much at all, but I think they could've been done better.

Grigor and Marial. I think this is a popular take. It seemed a bit of a random pairing, even though it's such a prominent thing in this season. I was fine with Grigor and George drifting apart, but adding Marial into the mix was... a choice. I ran with it, because whatever, it's a fucked up court anyway and Marial literally married her child cousin for inheritance reasons, so Marial and Grigor being virgins reunited or whatever was the tamest story and didn't bother me at all. Just probably should've been hinted at in s1 at some point.

I know I just said I loved basically every Orlo scene, but honestly I think Orlo got a bit shafted this season. They seemed to make more room for Peter's friends and less for Orlo. I remember more of what happened with Arkady, who was barely there in s1, than some of the other things. This tends to happen in a lot of shows, where some side characters get more time/some more side characters are introduced (the royals from Sweden LMAO) but it tends to sideline some of the more main characters. Sucks that it happened to Orlo and not to, say, Velementov or someone.

I was expecting a little more of Catherine's mother—not personality wise, but literally screen time wise. They did market her a lot in some of the spot teasers, because why wouldn't u market Gillian Anderson, but she was really only in it for two episodes. I don't blame the show for only having her in a couple of eps, though. There was a lot to cover.

and on that note, I do have to say, I'm sure there will be a lot of people screaming about Peter fucking Catherine's mom. I don't care. They explained it in the show, it doesn't change anything for me, and it's already such a messed up court that it doesn't break any show rules or anything. Elizabeth said it best in the carriage ride back with Catherine in the last episode. Absolutely not a deal breaker for me. In fact, when Peter apologized at the wedding, I felt so bad for both him and Catherine that it made me root for them more. I'm excited to see what'll happen in s3, if it theoretically is renewed (I'm sure it will be). How Catherine and Peter will approach their relationship knowing that that was what finally tipped Catherine over the edge to trying to kill Peter—as well as tipping her over the edge in acknowledging how much she loves him—I'm so eager to see where it goes.

anyway! long post!! I loved this season so much! I'm sure there are many people with their own criticisms of it, but it definitely made me giddy. 100% on board for whatever shit they wanna do in the next season!!!