#bingo contender?

[suckishima]

okay this is so small but makes me really happy. taketora just got done talking about how much he admires tanaka and how cool and "manly" he is, which like makes sense right, both tanaka and taketora are always being shown as these like loud "boy's boys" archetypes who do everything with power, talk about girls, and emphasize "guts" and "manliness," so obviously taketora would respect tanaka

but then he immediately turns to also think about how much he admires fukunaga in the same way—fukunaga who doesn't display any of those same qualities that taketora was just admiring about tanaka. fukunaga is quiet, fairly low-key and doesn't flaunt anything ever. dude just goes around making weird puns that 1 people often barely even hear and 2 apparently seem to baffle everyone. but taketora sees all of that and sees how fukunaga still shows up and gets the job done more than successfully—he's one of the top point getters on the team—and taketora respects him for all of that, still calls him a "man's man" and tbh more than respects him, he admires him and sees him as a rival

and idk that just makes me happy, like 1 it's a nice small way of furudate saying that yeah "manly" is a thing that's important to taketora but it doesn't just mean one stereotypical thing—like it's showing that taketora isn't as one dimensional as we would have thought and that he sees things from multiple perspectives (we also saw this from him back during the whole "guts" thing with kenma and how he respects him too)—and it's also an example of seeing fukunaga from another perspective too. it's because he's so low-key that even we as readers have probably barely noticed how much of a rock he is for the team, but if you got back through their matches you can see how often he does score—he's quiet but he's always there. and i just like that furudate takes a moment to not only acknowledge fukunaga but to do it from taketora's pov in order to really hit it home to us how true it must be

[xaeoism]

CHRISTMAS BAKING (scaramouche x gender neutral reader)

A/N - Going into 2025 writing about the same character I've liked since 2020 wasn't on my bingo list.

The smell of dried oranges and rosemary fills every corner of your home, a telltale sign of Christmas approaching. You've always loved Christmas best, the intimacy that comes with the season of snow is enough to make you want to fall in love once more.

You walk into the kitchen and lo and behold, Scaramouche is standing there in all his glory in his pyjamas with a cute apron tied around his waist. You walk behind him before giving him a hug from the back.

"Up so early? What are you doing?", you ask, looking over at the scene displayed on the marbled table as you place your chin on his shoulder.

"I'm making tres leches, and I always wake up early. But you, awake at this hour? Astounding.", he remarks, keeping up his mixing of the batter and paying no attention to you.

"It's Christmas, scara. Can I not catch a break from all your snide remarks for once?", you laugh.

"Perhaps for your New Year's resolution, you had better change yourself for the better. Maybe then I'll tone down on the insults."

"Oh? But you love me for the way I am, no?", you tease, turning your head to give him a kiss.

He doesn't respond to your teasing, but what he does is turn his head to kiss you back, and that action alone tells you what his answer is already.

"Whatever, there's apple crumble in the microwave for you by the way, I know you love eating those", he says.

Your heart flutters and a smile spreads across your face when you hear him say he made your favorite dessert. You tighten the hug for a little while, thanking him for his hard work before your hand reaches for the cupboard to pour some Zinfandel to pair with your apple crumble.

The tender slices of the sweet-tart apple, caramel notes of brown sugar paired with cinnamon tastes like heaven on your tongue and you can't stop yourself from stuffing another bite in your mouth. You reach for the glass of wine, swirling it a little before taking a sip. The wine's ripe berry undertones mingle with the sweetness of the desert, creating the perfect balance.

Scaramouche turns to look at your contended expression and feels his heart swell with love and pride.

"Don't drink too much wine so early on, you'll develop health issues faster than you expect.", he comments before getting back to pouring the batter into a pan and putting it into the oven.

"Scara, try this. It's so good.", you insist, scooping a part of the crumble to feed it to him.

Before he can protest, you shove it into his mouth and you see his expression change from annoyance to cringing out at the sweetness of the dessert.

"Isn't it absolutely delectable? All the desserts you make for me are always delicious, I only wish that I could do the same for you, scara", you say as you scoop another mouthful of the dessert to eat.

"If you'd like, you can help me finish the tres leches when it's baked. It'll be like you made it.", he suggested.

✧ ｡ .: * ♡

"Now, pour some the condensed milk mixture over the whole cake, and make sure that you pour it over the holes that I've made in the cake.", he directs, standing beside you to ensure that you were doing everything correctly.

You carefully pour a layer over the entire cake just as he says, making sure that you let the cake absorbs the mixture before you pour another layer over it. Your mouth is already watering seeing the cake turn moist from the amount of liquid it is holding.

"Time for the icing, take some of it from the bowl and gently spread it over the cake."

You look over at the bowl of icing and with the spatula in it, you scoop a dallop of icing and spread it evenly over the dessert. The icing on the cake looks just like the snow outside, soft and perfect.

"Now, you can add whatever toppings you'd like.", he says.

"The treat seems sweet enough as is, I think I'll add some dark chocolate so that you can also enjoy it with me.", you say as you unwrap some dark chocolate from the fridge.

With one hand holding the dark chocolate, the other raises the box grater on top of the cake. You found yourself struggling to grate the chocolate as the grater kept moving above the cake. Every attempt to grate the chocolate down the jagged surface resulted in uneven curls that fluttered onto the cake and stubborn chunks that clung onto the grater's teeth. Frustrated, you sigh in defeat.

Scaramouche watches you struggle the entire time, thinking that you look stupidly adorable for how you chose dark chocolate as the topping as that was the only chocolate that he could tolerate, and for how you tried to grate the chocolate despite never having tried a grater before.

"You're doing it wrong.", is all he says before he goes behind you, hands on your own, guiding you to put the grater down on a cutting board to grate the chocolate, producing perfect looking curls that can easily be scattered on top of the cake. "This is how it should be done."

You can hardly pay attention to what he is saying, in fact, you don't think you hear what he said at all. All you could focus on was the warmth that was transmitted from his hand to your own. You loved it, the warmth of his hand on yours, and the closeness of the both of you. It creates a warmth that spreads throughout your entire being, and you hope that it will continue to warm you until the year ends.

"Hey, earth to you? Are you there? The tres leches is done.", he quips, snapping his fingers to get your attention.

"Oh, sorry. But, oh, the tres leches looks absolutely delicious, scara. Let me take a few pictures and then we can try it.", you say as you whip out your phone to take a few shots of it from different angles.

Scaramouche watches you take out two forks when you finish, handing one to him and signalling to him to eat some of the cake.

You dig into the cake first, stuffing a large portion straight into your mouth. The flavours of the cake and the dark chocolate creates a symphony on your tongue, and you smile in delight.

He helps himself to a small piece of the dessert, however, making sure that he gets all the elements of it in the one piece. He can't deny that the bitterness of the dark chocolate really helps to balance out the sweetness from the moist cake, something that he tethers over constantly.

He loves you, for how you're willing to pick something bitter to top the cake despite your sweet tooth. He loves the thought of it so much that he hooks an arm over you to pull you close for a kiss on the cheek.

"So, was your wish fulfilled?", he asks, arm still hooked over your shoulders to keep you close.

"If you enjoyed it, then I'd say it's a success.", you , turning over to him to give him a sweet smile.

"Consider this a Christmas with fulfilment then. Merry Christmas, darling.", he murmurs, tilting his head to give you another kiss.

[bisexual-young-atlas]

What I read for my 4th, 5th, and 6th bingo spaces on the @batmanisagatewaydrug book bingo for 2025

Horror: How to Sell a Haunted House by Grady Hendrix

Louise and Mark, two estranged siblings, must grapple with the sudden loss of their parents and contend with their will. Selling the house becomes a lot more complicated when the things that go bump in night have no problem doing the same during the day.

I really like this one! But also it was genuinely terrifying! Get those god damn puppets away from me.

Published in the Aughts: The Three Body Problem - Liu Cixin translated by Ken Liu

Overlapping with the events of the cultural revolution in China, one woman discovers and makes contact with an alien civilization. The events unfold in the past, present, and future of this parallel world.

This one seems to be one of the new fundamentals of science fiction. I’ve been considering translated works in a new way since Babel, and I really thought this one stayed true to the original intent of the text. It doesn’t read as english for the most part despite being written in english. Overall I enjoyed it! Not sure if I’ll make time for the sequels this year.

Reread a Childhood Favorite: The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane by Kate DiCamillo

Edward Tulane, a toy rabbit made of fine china documents his journey from his original child’s home, to the depth of the sea, to a train, to the garbage, and a myriad of other places.

I think I read this for the first time in second or third grade. That was the first time I’d really viewed myself as a reader. I devoured books through out elementary school and middle school. Fell off some during high school and college but managed to find my way back home eventually. I’m of the mind that one is never lonely if they’ve got access to books.

Bingo board is hitting the back burner for the next few weeks, I fear. I’ve got some other non bingo books I’d like to tackle in the coming months. But what a fun way this has been to start off my reading journey for the year!

[xomoosexo]

Would you say the Kara clip counts as an unexpected soldier in the drolo war, or are we looking for more out-there contenders

you know what? sure! second bingo tile down!

[feedthefandomfest]

I have a question because I want to comment but I feel nervous. It is very foolish but it is seriously something that prevents me from commenting-

So English is not my first language and I suffer from a disease known as 'fuck you all English leaves your brain when you tap on the comment box'. Like I'm fluent enough to write a fic but the comments break me and I can only do basic 'subject verb complement' and forget half my vocabulary because I'm so nervous, so it often ends up being broken English.

I back out of posting comments except 'i love this this is amazing thank you for writing I love it' because I'm too scared the author will take it badly ? Like, what if they find it annoying ? What if they believe I think they write bad English and I'm mocking them and they don't want me to ever read their works ever again ?

Anyways, my question is : Does it actually bother anyone to receive broken English comments? Do people find it annoying ?

I would never be annoyed by such a thing and I'm positive that's true of others as well. On the contrary, it kinda blows my mind whenever I stop to think about how members of fandom for whom English is not their first language are so often working in translation. Like the trickiest barrier I have to contend with when writing anything is sleep deprivation and your average writer's block 😅 so to imagine also rendering those words in a different language?? 🫠

To varying degrees, the tragic disease of "empty comment box = empty brain" can strike anyone, regardless of language. On the plus side, some of the tricks to break through the blankness are also broadly applicable, such as

drawing from a list of sentence starters like the ones offered here or here (the beginner bingo card also has similar tasks!!)

installing this handy script that generates a positive comment on demand, which you can modify or expand on as needed

using the floating comment box to track moments or quotes you want to compliment specifically, even with just a string of emojis 💕💕💕

I can recall a couple comments I've gotten where the person apologized or gave a sort of disclaimer that English wasn't their first language, and honestly it just made me even more appreciative of the comment? Because there are so many reasons that a reader doesn't comment, and a language barrier is the most understandable!! And yet here they are, making me smile with their words. I always want to reassure them in my reply that an apology/disclaimer isn't necessary, but I don't always know how. (And there's nothing wrong with acknowledging something you're self-conscious about, after all.)

The concept of "broken English" has also got me thinking, though... And since it turned into a bit of an essay I'll leave it under the cut. 💛

Because the term "broken English" has a lot to unpack, seeing as it's always unfairly positioned those who speak English as a second language imperfectly as lesser (broken = defective). And that strikes me as a bit ironic, considering the degree to which English is a Frankenstein's monster of a language—this conglomeration of every language it encounters and subsumes. In that sense, English itself is a broken language? Or rather the shards of numerous languages held together with duct tape and gum and a whiff of imperialism. Its usage is always in flux, always evolving as speakers adapt it to new circumstances, and those adaptations become dialects in and of themselves. There is no one English language.

I teach high schoolers, and I'm consistently struck by the growing chasm between the kinds of English I can speak and the kinds of English they can speak. And technically my job is to train them in how to use American Standard English and read literature written in American Standard English, but really I find that pretty limiting.

Take the tone of this response, for instance! The more I've leaned toward trying to articulate these complicated issues of language, the more formal my speech has become. Contrast that with the first paragraph, where I'm trying to get across this awkward earnest admiration for the extra effort required of some fans just to engage in fandom, and so I ended up using more casual phrasing and emojis in a way that (hopefully) conveys a certain warmth and self-deprecating humor and whatnot.

If I were to leave a comment on a fic that blew me away, left me in a state of awe or delight or anguish—just a puddle on the floor—I'd find American Standard English quite lacking. Downright restrictive. The unique jumbled babble of fandom-speak functions on breaking the standard rules in order to evoke an intensity of emotion that meets the demands of the moment.

Another thing about commenters who really commit to throwing the rules out the window in favor of vibes is that I get such a strong sense of personality beaming through. A distinct voice that's generated, an intense impression of there being an individual on the other side with a particular shape. And there's something delightful about that.

...I suppose this is all a very roundabout way of saying that if there's anywhere to just unleash, vocab and mechanics be damned, where it's more than okay to string together whatever words you can in service of how you're feeling, it's the AO3 comment box. 💛

[mcytblrconfessions]

I remember one year (I think it was December 2021) when people were making their "predictions/bingo cards" for the new year and there's was someone (who wasn't in the fandom) who had the prediction "one of those dsmp guys kills someone". In the replies people started discussing who it would be (the main contenders were jackmanifold and bbh) and I'm sort of disappointed (but not really cause murder is bad) it didn't come true

[all-seeing-ifer]

Connoe ats for the character opinions bingo

oooo VERY good question....

look. I get it. I get why people don't like him. he is not likeable. and also. more importantly. not well written for more than like 3 episodes. BUT HEAR ME OUT. he has so much potential. on paper he is such a fascinating character. I find his dynamics with angel and cordy (insert various caveats here) so fascinating. I'm still in denial about the fact that the jasmine arc was bad. and I think in certain episodes (peace out and home especially) it's sooooo easy to see how great and tragic his storyline could have been.

but also he's funnyyyyyy!! he's silly!!!!! he literally lived in quor'toth and doesn't know what anything is! i don't think he knew what a woman was until he was 16 years old. that bit where angel tells very seriously that he's gonna have to kill him if he becomes a danger while unsouled and connor is like "yeah sure" and angel's like "if I become dangerous" and connor's like "yeah got it" THAT'S SO FUNNY. I LIKE HIM A LOT.

also speaking my truth. usually i do understand people not liking him but i do think some of the shit people say about him in season 4 is actually nuts considering he spent basically the entire time getting groomed. sorry about to copy paste from an angry discord message i sent to my friends. normally I do get the connor hate even if I disagree bc yeah you know what he is an unlikeable little shithead who's basically never well written. And I agree that the bit where jasmine kisses angel (for some reason???) and connor is like "every time I like a girl you have to make a move on her don't you" is a STRONG contender for worst dialogue in the show in a season full of strong contenders BUT Why the hell are so many people saying "oh it's weird bc she's his daughter". A) she's an all powerful ancient god who possessed the mortal body of his stepmum/aunt figure and convinced him to sleep with her so she'd get pregnant and give birth to herself in physical form. They do not exactly have the most traditional father daughter relationship. B) SHE GROOMED HIM. WHAT ARE WE DOING HERE

i'm normal about him tho. anyway if no one gets me i know naz @treasureplcnet gets me

[wewereagoodteam]

Three episodes into season three of Agents of SHIELD and already it's amazing.

I need a Mack or Fitz in my life. Lincoln seems like a contender for my favorite character of the season. Ward is still looking gorgeous in that leather jacket. And Baron von Strucker having s son was not on my bingo card.

I'm glad being worried about Lincoln is occupying my brain so much already because it's keeping me from thinking too much about what I know happens to Ward in episode ten.

[starplusfourletters]

So I’m reading Heir to the Empire between ep7 and ep8 of Ahsoka which is Some Kinda Choice and:

Omigod no one told me this is the one where Mara Jade gets introduced! Hi Mara!

“0.7 seconds after leaving the Jedi, Ahsoka starts dealing drugs for the mob” will never not be funny to me but “after being the Emperor’s personal assassin Mara Jade goes to work for Discount Kaz Brekker” is a strong contender

I definitely pictured Early Mara as more feral tho? Like, she’s pissed that she can’t get a character reference from her last employer. Mara PLEASE

Also Multiday Hikes for Character Bonding gotta be one of my favorite genders

I read No Prisoners first and gonna be honest it wasn’t my favorite so this is me finding out 1) Pellaeon was a retcon and 2) I don’t like it. I mean I like Pellaeon in both books but I’m having a hard time seeing them as the same person. And I can’t totally articulate it; in some ways the two incarnations seem too different, but I think actually my bigger issue is that they’re too similar? It’s been 30 years and a BUSY 30 years at that and this guy’s just kinda vibin’? Did No Prisoners reach its OC maximum and pull this man out of a bingo wheel or

Thrawn’s Art Insight Checks bring me life. Rebels really wasn’t making that up huh

Okay so the main motivating factor for me reading this book is the Thrawn content. Like, I want to understand why people are obsessed with Thrawn. *I* want to be obsessed with Thrawn. And okay competent villain is competent I can get behind that, but the fact of the matter is that’s he’s made one critical strategic blunder: going up against the Protagonists. And listen that’s just FUNNY. When your diabolical fascist plot 5 years in the making keeps getting set back because the exact wrong person shows up in the exact wrong place for completely unrelated reasons

It’s just hard to be afraid of this guy when the Force haaaaaates him in the most comical way possible

Speaking of which does the Falcon canonically run on an Improbability Drive now

The Noghri can tell Leia is Vader’s daughter based on smell and all I can think is “you must smell like feet wrapped in leathery, burnt bacon”

[nessa007]

charles melton going from riverdale to the movie may december with julianne moore and natalie portman and being a solid contender for best supporting actor oscar nominee wasn’t on my 2023 bingo card but good for him

[suckishima]

bsdkhskjd i forgot how many top tier flashbacks and little side moments this match has omgg

[biggie-chcese]

barok and susato for the bingo!!

ohhh love those guys!!!

Barok:

Susato:

FINALLY got a bingo lol. thanks barok. maybe if i projected id win for once, but alas, i do not really enjoy my fiction in that way (no shade to those who do tho). ANYWAY my second and third favorite ace attorney characters ever <3333 i actually think a lot of barok fans are right about him in the way that they critically acknowledge his flaws and the writing shortcomings around his arc while also appreciating the story being told. but there is a Sector of fandom that is incredibly wrong about him and will read the game text in bad faith so yeag <3 i have many headcanons but for one i know this man has autism you cannot convince me otherwise. he should've gotten bullied more in the game bc id give anything to watch ryu and iris roast his ass in his own office for the first time again. also, every time he does that leg shit i want to eat him alive like a pack of wild dogs on a raw steak. excellent character

as for susato, it's honestly a lot of fans of her that have me like "we have played and read this game in WILDLY different ways" pfff. like sorry that is not ryunosuke's little sister! that is his trusted friend and highly capable assistant!!! like why is fandom so afraid of the simple dynamic of being friends, genuinely. anyway she is so much more than a "weirdgirl" (though she is Weird and i mean this so affectionately) and the way she contends with her perfectionism and imposter syndrome is... oughhh i adore her. also her design fucking SLAYS. kimono + boots combo is a serve, love it. it's a good representation of the meiji era mindset of introducing western styles to japanese fashion culture. i wish her hair was easier to draw tho 😭 also shoutout to her being just as frazzled as ryu when put on the spot as a lawyer, really reminds me of how cool and collected Phoenix seems in AJ when you're not in his POV, but when when you play as him you're like "ahhh i see... we're All struggling here <3" hands down the best assistant character in ace attorney for me and it is not even a contest.

god i love these two.

[finniestoncrane]

You already know who I'm gonna ask for the bingo (YJ Riddler) 💀

ah my precious little bug who belongs on my couch with a glass of milk and a blanket ;-; if he'd had more screen time i genuinely think he'd be a strong contender for top 5 riddlers of all time across the board and not just for me lol

[adracat]

G Witch Ep 20 thoughts

WHOOO YEAH that was great. The show is always great but I greatly enjoyed the entangling of plot threads as the sidecast get to stretch their legs. It's not the reunion we were hoping for yet, but good things come to those who wait

First up we have a few establishing scenes to convey where our cast are in the aftermath of Quinharbor. A bit surprised we don't get another timeskip, but this ups the chance for Mio Earth shenanigans so I'm not complaining. Guel is hellbent on making Shaddiq answer for his sins. Coincidentally, Shaddiq is just as furious with Guel.

I was assuming from the preview that this demonic Haro would be an alarm, but no. Just some weird interrogation of Martin. That poor kid is so bullied. He does it to himself, but still. Super funny that he went to the lounge just to give Secilia an update on his relationship with Earth House. Does someone have a crush? Join the club, buddy. You have like half of gwitch twitter to contend with. I respect a man who wants a woman to dom him

OOF. We knew it would happen, but it still stings to see all of GUND-ARM and Miorine being held responsible for Earth. Miorine canonically a problematic fav 😔 It's ok girl, I'm a Fire Emblem and Gundam fan. War crimes are a plus!

It was nice to see the kids, while confused, not angry or throwing accusations around. And the verbal support from Lilique was very appreciated. While they don't have the context, they believe in Miorine. She would probably break down crying if she knew. Or allow herself to feel anything more than pitch black despair

New hazing technique just dropped. Text someone about their accused warcriminal ex murdering people and see how they react. We don't see who it might be, but Suletta is justifiably unnerved. Whoever they are, probably dead now *spoilers*

Interesting bit of lore in this segment though. They emphasize the push into space by the corps led to mass casualties and it's a bit eerie when we consider real world parallels. Gwitch's corporate space overlords could be a dark glimpse into our future.

Petra speaking to Suletta wasn't on my bingo card but I liked it. Suletta's line here conveys she's just continuing to go through the motions of a happy school life because it's all she has. Prospera told her it would fill her heart after all.

Lol right for the jugular. But her guileless question here is interesting because of the connection Suletta made. She recognizes the girl's feelings because Petra admits she'd be lost without Lauda. You can see Suletta linking her love for Miorine to Petra and Lauda, which is paralleled again later.

This episode went from 0 to 60 in like two seconds flat. Shaddiq finally takes Michaelis out for a stroll and is embroiled in a heated clash with Guel who wants answers for his father. And ofc Shaddiq is still on his princely BS trying to defend Mio's honor lol. You're looking at the wrong person buddy. And I don't mean Prospera 😉

Meanwhile, the school is put on red alert as Kenanji tries to evacuate the students. I may not trust him but at least he has good priorities. But this is futile since the most toxic room is the galaxy finally opens. Norea runs off, looking for blood and her gundam as 5lan follows. This will turn out amazingly. So funny how Nika just leaves without comment, poor girl gonna have nightmares from the 5nore gauntlet.

This scene was great. Norea is feeling so much and overflowing with grief for Sophie mingled with rage at Spacian oppression. She can't waste time listening to 5lan, only vent at this injustice and take as many spacians as possible.

The Sophie bracelet kills me so much. They were together for years under Naji, pledged their lives to this cause, and now Sophie is gone. More on this later, but I had goosebumps from Norea's scenes throughout the episode. So good

Warcrimes! Warcrimes everywhere!! Norea has officially gone apeshit and now the school will pay for it. Shouldn't have locked her in with the gremlin tbh. He did not help her state of mind. This shot with Earth House is striking though. God this show is a looker.

Again, we have Suletta relating to Petra with these words. You can see as they wash over Suletta. She too wants nothing more than to be with her precious person. Props to Petra for taking the initiatve to aid her fellow students btw. Suletta isn't a surprise since we know her history on Mercury, but an average spacian girl drives home these are normal kids. They might benefit from their parents wealth, yet they aren't combatants or the callous suit husks of Benerit.

Guel finally gained his answers during this power struggle, and I have to say I appreciate Shaddiq's candor. He isn't lying or twisting words, straight up I manipulated your father and did all these terrorist hijinks. Points for honesty. Guel isn't happy with that ofc but then Shaddiq throws his own actions at him. Due to his prior rash behavior, his father is dead. Not because of Shaddiq.

AND GUESS WHO'S LISTENING? 'Oops sry Lauda, didn't have the chance to tell you while I was off being Miorine's secretary. Oh and don't mind the gundam in the closet. Later bro.'

Welp, goodbye metephorical haven for Miorine and Suletta and the place when their bond was cemented. We'll miss you. I want to see Suletta return afterward and find Cool-san. She can't leave little buddy in the rubble and not return it to Mio! (But really? The left orb, like her left eye that she's totally gonna lose? Okouchi, plz)

I'm happy the animals were well looked after. That was honestly my major concern throughout this episode. Tycho especially is an icon and she's stolen my heart. Suletta's goat mom must live🥺 And Demi-barding reveal! I had a feeling it was a Chuchu suit from the name so that's very neat. She's an understated pilot compared to the witches/Guel etc but no less cool/competant.

Nika and Chuchu's moment was cute. Their trust and affection for each other is a nice reprieve from all this dire mess. It also shows Chuchu's emotional growth from a fist-first talk later girl to someone who is willing to listen.

Shaddiq's rant here is rather illuminating, because while his methods MAY have led to a Cold War ceasefire, terrorist violence upon civilians can't be excused. The next statement about Miorine and the repeated insistence HE would be the one to play hero without staining his prize makes his actions seem like a narcisictic bid rather than genuine. As Delling said, a throne is vested with power and an egotistic boy isn't a fitting king.

However, this bit here gives Shaddiq a sad bit of poignance. He's right. Benerit and the SAL didn't care when it was Earthian lives. Norea says as much earlier, too. But they finally act when Spacians are the one's dying. If it wasn't for his idealized view of himself/others, he just might have succeeded. We'll see if the cuffs stick but with multiple eps left there's a good chance he wriggles free. The Space Assembly League are backing him/Ochs Earth after all.

I'll be honest, this got to me. She's reaching for a ghost, who was paradoxically the most alive person she knew. Sophie was nothing like the dead things in Norea's book, her private altar where she feared and worshipped death. It became an obsession for her as 5lan alludes, but he tried to reach for her and offered a living hand instead. He says they can leave and live instead of dying pointlessly. And just when we think she's reaching for him too, Norea dies and Sophie's bracelet burns. Stunning artistry here. It just might be the blow that sends 5lan on a quest to destroy Peil and Elan prime. I sure hope so!

Similarly, we have Suletta witness Petra's body. She's reaching out a hand, and it's not hard to draw the lines between the last scene and this. They were both reaching for a loved one, dying in pursuit of it.

Now there's Suletta who sees the potential cost of hesitation. What if she, like Petra, never sees Miorine? What if Miorine dies before she can reach her? Delicious pain

In the aftermath of death, we have Suletta resolved. She tends to the rubble in search of wounded and spurs Earth House to help. Considering her time as a rescue worker on Mercury, she isn't a stranger to this sight but the context is different. This was a school, a supposedly safe and normal place. Her mother was wrong again.

Without the school, greenhouse, and the illusion of normality, Suletta must now confront where to go from here. I think we all know what that means. EARTH PLEASE, but grab the Schwarzette before you leave. Hope next episode is a Mio centric episode! Unless reunion~

[bourbon-ontherocks]

So, it's been a while since I did this, but here come the results anyway. And at least I got a win!

Explanation in absolute bad faith under the cut:

Gilles and/or Daphné gets a love interest with the charisma of an oyster: At first I was gonna go with the vague flirty vibes of Daphné with Fred at the very beginning of the season, but then Afida and Gilles came in on a silver plate, so 🤷‍♀️

Compulsory birthgiving scene. No comment. At least it was (far too) quick (to be realistic), yay!

The show forgets about Morgane's new tattoo. I don't have the energy to look for the timestamp right now but it was somewhere during the first two episodes. A large shot of Morgane's bare back. With no tattoo in sight whatsoever. Sigh. That was such a given from the start 🥺

Sofiane is lost to the plot. Does this one really need a justification lol?

I ragequit. More like, fell asleep through 407, but I decided it counts. My brain decided to quit after all.

Morgane attempts suicide. Okay fine, Marguerite did (and succeeded). But it was sort of Morgane's fantasy. Also I cannot refrain from commanding Audrey Fleurot's dedication to constantly finding new ways to die onscreen in a family comedy show. That deserved a box ticked, trust me.

Nobody cares about the cases anymore. Honestly at this point, alien abductions would be more plausible than whatever happened cases-wise this season.

I hate half the episodes. Babe, I hated all the episodes 😅 (fine, this is not entirely true, but I needed a bingo, okay?)

Ludo is a dick. He was at best non-interesting this season, and pretty much annoying with his leg cast drama

Someone in the team takes a bullet. It was a car and it was Fred but it. counts.

A weird/cringe montage or episode. Let's just say that 401 introduction instantly ticked that box, although the cabaret bit in 407 (who told Audrey that it was a good idea that she'd sing again??? 😭😭) is a strong contender.

The baby is David's (although the tests said otherwise). Okay hear me out: I know the baby is Adam's, okay? That being said, I did call the test samples mix-up right from the start, and I think I deserve a win for that. Sue me 😘

Morgane and Adam don't kiss. Well, they did not. Yes, I know that Margot/Antoine etc did. Yes, earlier I used Marguerite to tick a Morgane box. No, this time it doesn't count. I make the rules 😇

[strixcattus]

Part five and final of part one of SCPSTPTPC. This may or may not be it for today!

As always, a Spoiler Zone is in effect below the cut, though any spoilers will only be referenced rather than direct. Probably. And as has been the case for this first run, I'm roleplaying as myself on December 25, 2023.

I'm at the mirror again. And... oh, hey! The mouse-pointer from the Fury! That's so cool.

...And here's the Narrator. Time to get some answers.

> So you're the Narrator? "Yes. And you've done an absolute botch job to get here." > Does it hurt like this? "No. I don't feel pain anymore." > What are you? "I'm an echo."

Is that what the Spectre meant, when she compared him to herself?

> Has every Narrator been different? "Of course. That's how the Construct works. Until now." > Do you have anything to say for yourself? "I do. I want you to remember that there are real people out there." > Why did you lie to me? "Maybe the other versions of me thought it would make your task impossible. Maybe they just didn't want to contend with the truth. Maybe they were all just wrong. Not me, though. I'm right." > If you made me, then what am I? "You're the Long Quiet, the god I made to rid the world of death."

To rid the world of death?

I knew we were a... god. I'd been spoiled, remember? I told you back at the beginning, I found out about this game through a spoiler! This was that spoiler!!

But... to rid the world of... death? That's...

I don't want to rid the world of death. I don't want to exist in a world without death.

> If I am meant to rid the world of death... what is the Princess? "She is the Shifting Mound, the Ebb and Flow, the Capacity to Change. She is Transformation, or most of it. She becomes that which people perceive her to be. And you are meant to kill her." > What happens if I kill her. How do you know it wouldn't be worse? "Of course it won't be worse. Anything is better than oblivion."

I don't want to live forever. I don't! And I don't want to make anyone else live forever, either.

> I'm pretty sure death is important. "Of course you'd think that. You've never died." > ...I don't want to destroy death. I'm not going to slay her. "Well. There's no reasoning with a god. I've said my piece, and my time is up. It's like I said; I'm just an echo. And echoes always fade away."

I think I have to free her. It's the only choice I could live with.

I was right, to feel bad about trying to slay her. I wish I could take it all back.

Maybe I can, here. Now.

...

She's dominating. She only sees things from her singular perspective. She does not acknowledge her vessels as people, and she does not acknowledge people as worthy of consideration.

But it would be wrong to kill her, and it is only right to set her free.

Regardless, it is beautiful. And I think I'm making the right choice.

...I'm going to miss my Voices.

...

I think, after everything that's happened, I'm going to miss being past me.

Bingo card, updated for Run I:

I'm not sure if what happened in Sp3ctre counted for breaking "one new Voice per chapter" or not. On the one hand, I definitely didn't start out with a third Voice in my head... but on the other, Opportunist was added—I just didn't get to see him.

And I don't think that hit on "nontraditional stairs." But I'm putting a question mark anyway.

And my gallery has opened up!

I think I will call it a night. Tomorrow, we can see those other new chapters—all of them!