#but Leverage lets all the characters be competent and skilled | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

lifetimeoftired · 3 months ago

Note

My dear, I’ve been going through everyone who reblogged the ask game and see that you’ve answered everything in the tags. But would you perhaps do us the honor of making a proper post with all your answers? They deserve to be in more than just the tags <3

This gives me the same emotions as that one time my manager caught me drawing devil horns and a tale on a portrait of a co-worker none of us liked, told me that I should be better than this and when I blurted out 'do you wanna finish the tail?' he went 'yes :)' and finished drawing the tail. Which is to say; embarrassed at being caught but blindingly delighted to oblige the situation.

Also I'm going to go even more in-depth with permission granted.

The characters are as follows:

Warden-Commander Zaion'Jyn of Clan Dantalyse. Hero of Ferelden(/the Fifth Blight), Arl of Amaranthine, The Dark Wolf (his alter ego on the streets when he needs to cause problems on purpose illegally), Storm Wolf (to the Avvar clans), The Magi of Broken Chains (to the tiventer slavers, freed slaves, and the Fog warriors), Chosen of Mythal (to the dalish)

Champion Sadria Hawke. Scion of house Amell. Princess of Starkhaven. The Dark Marcher. Darling of Fool's Gold.

Inquisitor Thalla. (Formerly) Lady in Waiting to Comtesse de Bayard. Hunter to Clan Lavellan. Herald of Andraste. Lady of Bows.

your Warden/Hawke/Inquisitor's opinion on Orlais?

Zaion despises Orlsias. Their mistreatment of his people, being the birth place of the chantry, the Grand Game and all the self serving nobility while they sit in the house his people built- their sins are so highly stacked against them. In his ongoing grudge match with human civilization, the only country he hates more is Tiventer.

Sadria has that innate disdain of Orlsias that's ingrained in all Fereldeners.

Thalla actually was born and raised in Orlsias. Her grandparents were from the same alienage that Celene burned down, so her feelings on her country of birth can be described, at best, 'Complicated to Hatred'.

2. are they skilled in The Grand Game?

Zaion is a skilled manipulator and a trickster to his core. He's pretty damn good at the Game. However when he does bother to compete, he hates the person he becomes and mostly uses it as a way to kill nobles in his way or to leverage better deals for Amaranthine or Ferelden.

Sadria? Fuck no. Despite being a good lair, she's shit with people.

Thalla could be if she wasn't desperately trying to stop being in politics.

3. opinion on blood magic?

Zaion: There's three kinds of blood mages; The Stupid, the Desperate, and the Arrogant. Of them, the last one is the most annoying to deal with.

Sadria: I wouldn't care of they would stop blowing up my city :(

Thalla: bad evil bad!! Let's not!!!

4. attitude towards Andrastianism? / 5. attitude towards the Chantry / 6. attitude towards the Qun?

All a resounding disgust to exhausted groaning.

Although, Zaion doesn't judge people for their faith, he even finds parts of the Qun admirable. His main issue with organized religion is how it must mistreat it's own people in order to stay in power. Sadria just doesn't want to deal with religious fanaticism and Thalla just wants to be left alone.

7. if they had to choose one person most important to them, who would that be?

Zaion's most important person is absolutely Alistair- until he learns of both his own son (who's my Rook at this moment in time, subject to change depending on how the game goes) and Alistair's son Kieran. Both boys become his biggest priority with full support from Alistair.

Despite not caring for fanatacism, Sadria fell in love with Sebastian and he subsequently became her most important person. Especially after they got married.

Thalla is an odd case because she rarely gets close to people at all. Shockingly enough however, during the events of Inquisition, she was closest to Cole, nearly adopting the boy as her own (much as he actually freaked her out at first). But he's the only person who can get past her walls and helps her open up to others and her helping him learning how to talk to people is what really broke her out of her shell. After the events, she spent a lot of time with Alistair and eventually the two fell in love and she married him (they met when she fell out of a tree and knocked him out on accident :3)

8. who do they hate the most, and do they have an arch-nemesis?

Zaion: Loghain- he'll never forgive him but he's dead at least. Currently he also considers Solas an enemy because that fucker is trying to undo all his hard work saving this stupid fucking world and not today satan wolf!!

Sadria: Quentin, the mage that killed her mom.

Thalla: Celene. Leaving Briala in charge of Gaspard was the most satisfying thing she's ever done

9. what is their love language?

Zaion: Sure he's a hero and does a lot for everyone anyway, but he'll pay close attention and goes the extra mile for the people he cares about. He'll also be more inclined to let go of some of his paranoia and tight control around them.

Sadria: Hiding so much of herself beyond a laugh and a quick retort, if you actually get to see that vulnerable side and hear her sincere feelings, that means she likes you.

Thalla: As someone who spends most of her time actively trying to avoid being noticed or being roped into problems, if she slows down and actually hears you out and tries to help- even if it's just a simple comforting word- you're her friend.

10. are they good horse riders?

Zaion / Thalla: Yes

Sadria: Would prefer not to. She can, but her own feet are safer.

11. what are their religious beliefs, if any?

Zaion: Fully believes in the elven gods and hopes they're still waiting for their people. (A faith that's getting shakier after all that BS Solas said, but he's holding out hope)

Sadria: Andrastian but doesn't consider herself particularly faithful. She prays when she needs it, but by this point she sends up a quick 'thanks asshole' when something else goes wrong.

Thalla: Atheist by this point because even if there was a god they sound like selfish dickbags and she wants no part of their nonsense. She does however follow the Dalish Way of Three Trees as best she can, and held The Way of Shadow deep in her heart in case she ever got the chance to pay back Celene.

12. attitude towards Mabari?

Zaion / Sadria: Undying love and affection. They would die and kill for their dog.

Thalla: Hasn't been around mabari much but isn't a fan of dogs after a shitty noble refused to stop his dogs from harassing her back in Orlsias.

13. their thoughts on the Grey Warden order?

Zaion: He had respect for the Order previously due to hearing tales of the Wardens growing up, but as a bitter adult he's a little more realistic on the nature of people themselves. Still, after becoming a Warden he has the utmost faith in and loyalty to the mission. He may no longer be a Warden (complicated events in my canon led to him taking the power of the Well himself), but he still holds his former comrades in arms in high regard.

Sadria / Thalla: Believed in the wardens as heroes and got a little crushed when they were forced to confront they were only people. Sadria was especially hurt when Bethany turned on her, becoming so bitter when she was forced to join the Wardens. Thalla was beginning to trust in Blackwall, and the sheer mind-numbingly horror show that was Adamant has lost faith that there's any real good in any institution- including the Inquisition.

14. who are they closest to from their family?

Zaion: All of his blood family died years ago and of his chosen family he remains closest to Alistair. Though after he meets his son, the two form a fast and rather close bond.

Sadria: Was closest to Bethany but, well, she's mad at her now after joining the wardens. After joining the inquisition though, she meets her cousin Amell and the two have been getting to know each other.

Thalla: Her grandparents, and her parents who were visiting them, died in the fire and she struggles with getting close to anyone now. Even in the inquisition.

15. preferred weapon of choice?

#15: Zaion: Duel wields two blades; the Calenhad blade and Starfang, in tandem with his battle magic as befitting Dirth'ena Enasalin. A True Arcane warrior.

Sadria: Bow and arrow. For a short bow, she uses The Houndmaster's Short Bow. If she needs a more powerful long ranged weapon, she uses The Hawke's Key- but she rarely needs it.

Thalla: Also an archer, she predominantly used the Superior Dalish Hunting bow, but after finding the bane of red crossing she thought it fitting.

16. do they get sentimental about their weapons or armour?

Zaion is very sentimental about the warden armor- in his canon he made the iconic blue and grey to confront Loghain at the landsmeet. Just petty enough to outsmart and out dress him at his supposed moment of triumph (he also helped the others find stylish outfits, plent of unused concept art that was pretty lit is what he used for their outfits because like hell was he going to be the only well dressed one here). Even better that it's become the official warden outfits in the years since. As for the blades, he's unbearably attached to them. Even if he goes without the armor, he can never let Calenhad out of his sight after Alistair trusted him enough to hold Cailan's sword and wield it with respect. Starfang is of course a one of kind, made for his hands alone. He takes that very seriously.

Sadria has a complicated relationship with the champion armor. To her, it is a source of pride. She saved the city and protected her home, rescued her loved ones and earned the respect of the Arishok to the point he would willingly fight her one on one out of that respect. It is also her burden. A symbol of her failures and that legends never live up to reality... As for The Houndmaster and the Key, the first she wields for the memory of Tallis- a love that burned so bright yet so brief and will always remain her biggest what-if. The latter in her father's name. For his burdens and how she understands him now better than she ever did when he was alive.

Thalla was by far the most reluctant to don her armor. Her? A herald to a religion she hates for people that want her dead in a world with plenty of other people far more willing to bear this burden? She was basically dragged kicking and screaming into it. Yet, by the time she's finally able to leave the armor behind, there's a strange sorrow to it. The respect she had as a world leader will be gone, her friends will part ways, and she must stop an ancient evil without those who put their faith in her. It's harder than she wants to admit to put it all away- but she must and take the relief of it's weight as it comes. As for her bow, upon learning the story of Red Crossing, elves and humans, a love story, and the tragedy of intolerance, it feels heavy. It feels like it belongs in her hands.

17. what were they like as a child?

Zaion: Happy go lucky, a pure kind of innocence to even his most silly and rebellious actions as a teen. A smile like the sun and compassionate to a fault. Most wouldn't recognize him as the same person honestly.

Sadria: A much more serious child, though she always had a wild streak in her. She took the importance of caring for her family with a smile, but it was with the seriousness only a child can give with their first responsibility.

Thalla: A much more curious child. Always trying to learn more and sticking her nose into places it didn't belong.

18. do they have any irrational fears?

No. All their fears are completely justified after the events of the games. Though Zaion's claustrophobia is definitely on the more extreme side.

19. are they afraid of death?

Not anymore.

20. where would they like to be buried?

Zaion: Would love nothing more than to be buried in the family crypt with his old clan. Unfortunately, due to his decision to get involved in the outside world, he's made himself a bit of an outcast in his clan. He's allowed to visit, but it's clear it's not his home anymore and he's no longer privy to their rituals. Instead, he'll take being buried in the Amaranthine woods where he's made a home.

Sadria: Wants to be buried next to her husband, Sebastian.

Thalla: Hopes to be able to be buried in traditional Dalish fashion. Somewhere in the woods with a tree growing atop her.

21. what is their biggest regret?

Zaion: He has so many, but it will be not getting to watch his son grow up.

Sadria: Not spending more time with her family when she had the chance.

Thalla: Not going with her parents to visit her grandparents on that fateful day.

22. have they ever been to Tevinter?

Zaion: A few times. He likes to free slaves and kill magisters to vent his frustrations and for a little adventure when he's been couped up in Amaranthine too long.

Sadria / Thalla: Never and are happy enough not to. (Though Thalla will grudgingly go to stop Solas in the new game I'd assume)

23. do they have, or want to have, children?

Zaion: Would love nothing more than to be a father, but he's never had time for a real relationship. He has his whole Thing with Zevran, but he refuses to call it romantic due to trauma and as such. He has a bad habit of picking up strays batman-style. Meeting his bio son was a bit healing for him really.

Sadria: She's nervous about the idea, unsure if she'd make a good mother, but she's open to the idea. Especially since, being married to a noble house she'll be expected to.

Thalla: No kids and no current plans on getting any.

24. what languages can they speak?

Zaion: Speaks Common, Elvish, several dialects of the Avvar language, Tivene, Qunlat, Orlsian, and Antivan. Common, Elvish and the Avvar were learned prior to becoming the arl of Amaranthine and the rest he's picked up for trade route reasons, excluding Tivene. Which he learned to speak to the slaves and so he could mock magisters while freeing them.

Sadria: Common, some broken single dialect of the Avvar clans.

Thalla: Fluently speaks both Common and Orlsian (though she's done a good job of hiding her accent). Knows some Elvish after years of living with the Dalish.

25. what did they plan for their life to look like before the events of the game happened?

Zaion: His main goal in life was becoming what was known as a 'Lore Hunter' like his family before him. His clan is extremely isolationist, only occasionally trading with the Avvar clans nearby, so they do not bring attention to themselves by getting involved. With the except of their Lore Hunters; Well trained individuals who leave the clan to seek out lost knowledge on the People and return with it for preservation and study. Eventually to get weary of the dangers of the world and return to settle down and get married with kids.

Sadria: She was content being nothing more than a simple game hunter for Lothering and looking out for her family. Maybe get some kisses here and there from cute folks around.

Thalla: Her original plan in life was following her parents footsteps and working as a servant in waiting to the noble family her parents worked for. After their deaths and the horrifying realization that their lives were fodder, a game, and there would be no justice in Orlsias for the loss of her family. she fled and found her way to a traveling clan. Learning the ways of the Hunter she was at peace to pretend her past life never existed.

26. do they get a happy ending?

THEY MIGHT IF THEDAS WOULD STOP BLOWING ITSELF UP (Merril Voice:) BY THE DREAD W O L F

#dragon age #my ocs #ask game #Zaion #thalla #sadria #ask #salemcantupdate

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sawaproexperts · 5 months ago

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linuxgamenews · 6 months ago

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rotationalsymmetry · 2 years ago

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(Leverage redemption spoilers)

I like how in the last Leverage Redemption episode, everyone was like

“oh shit, Breanna’s in danger, we gotta pull out all the stops to go protect Breanna.” And she was visibly freaked out but did a pretty good job of keeping her cool and used her skills to help get herself out of trouble, anyways I think it really threaded the needle of “worthy of care and protection” without falling into “helpless damsel in distress” y’know? And it’s also very similar to how the show treated Hardison getting into dangerous situations in OG Leverage.

also cannot express how much I love Janice’s character, I think they nailed a lot of “extremely competent at what she does” and “has a good heart in a professional way” and “ok the company would probably run just fine without the boss siblings but it would fall apart instantly without Janice” y’know? I’m not necessarily thrilled about the surprise romance, given y’know he was her boss, and to me it felt a little bit “let’s do some surprised twist thing just because” I mean it felt extra, unnecessary, but whatever, and she gets the company in the end which is very Leverage. They had me going there for a moment, I was utterly convinced she was in on the smuggling and I was going to be so sad. But no :-)

also damn this show knows how to write satisfying villains.

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notzilon · 3 years ago

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achillesmonochrome I really love this idea but, what bugs me is...why she became the champion if she didn't want it? I mean, you go to the league, and then the champion has been defeated by N, you eventually win, and then you have the post-game. You don't become the champion unless you go again to the elite 4

I'M SO GLAD YOU ASKED.

Okay so you bring up an excellent point and typically, yes, I would agree this is a plot hole! However I have incurable brain disease that makes me think about world building and the implications of children's media 24/7, so I accept no responsibility for the unhinged garbage that's about to come out of my hands and directly into your eyes Pokemon BW is a story whose major themes for the MC are consent, agency, and societal pressure. (As an aside, this is why I prefer Hilda - these themes particularly resonate with me as a lady.) Anyway. Stay with me here.

When Hilda, Cheren, and Bianca start their journey, it's so innocent, man. Bianca wants to find herself, Cheren explicitly wants to become champion, and Hilda is intended to be a blank slate to project onto. Except she's not, not entirely - we can infer a lot just from her character design and how the characters in the game react to her. She's tomboyish, probably rough around the edges. There's a good chance that she's not looking to do pokemon battling professionally but is still very good at it (many rivals are upset when they lose, but Cheren is consistently baffled by why Hilda always wins. It isn't like Silver who is learning how to love or something, Cheren is clearly intended to be a competent and skilled trainer in-canon, yet he just Can't Win,) she's most likely empathetic (see also: good at pokemon, these critters react to trust and love,) she's got a heroic nature (the average person is not willing to stick their neck out to throw down with a cult) and she's got a lot of hesitancy in literally every step of the plot. The last point might not be true for a lot of players, especially if you tend to say Yes to prompts, but the experience is a lot different if you let Hilda say No. Because, obviously, it's a game. But Thou Must. The show must go on. The script has been written and the prophecy has been foretold.

Hilda's life changed when she stepped out of her home town and met N, because in giving him the spark of doubt that would allow him to regain faith in humanity's ideal, she got an obsessive stalker. N decides, completely on his own, that if he is to be one half of the heroes of legend, then Hilda has to be the other half. What was supposed to be a fun journey adventure for Hilda and her friends soon becomes about fulfilling a prophecy, which N is constantly trying to goad Hilda into. He's pleased when she answers yes/agrees with him but any no answer is met with sneering, condescending nastiness. He wants Hilda to fulfill the prophecy because that's how he achieves his dream and proves that his way of thinking is Correct, giving him the leverage to change how Unova is structured. And like. The adults around Hilda just Do Not have her back like they should? Alder gives her Zekrom's rock prison and just tells her hey, good luck kid. If I lose it's all on you. And she can say no here!! She can refuse! And if she does, all Alder does is continue to push the Dark Stone into Hilda's hands, telling her that he's sorry, it has to be this way, it's not fair to her but she has to step up to do this if he fails. The whole of Unova is resting on her young shoulders.

And it ends up being true. Zekrom responds to her, at the final moment - because even if she said no every chance she got, when the cards are down, she still helps. Uncertain and unsure, dragged into this whirlwind of legends and fate, she counters the factually true statement that humanity is capable of unending cruelty with the ideal that humanity is also capable of incredible kindness and good. (As an aside, Zekrom and Reshiram represent yin and yang. Yin, the dark, the feminine, that which is acted upon. Yang, the light, the masculine, that which has its will acted out. It's interesting how it lines up.) The reluctant hero is victorious, and she certainly did choose to follow through with the plan, but how much of that agency can be attributed to the constant pressure held to the back of her neck? So there Hilda is. She's sixteen, she's the hero that saved Unova, and she's got every single eye on her. Of course she's going to be Champion. The Champion is the region's strongest trainer, the face of the region, the one who travels and solves problems. Who better but the one who is already a legendary hero? It doesn't matter if Hilda says no.

#achillesmonochrome #long post #leaving the league is how hilda regains her agency btw #bw brainrot au

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pale-silver-comb · 5 years ago

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So I know absolutely nothing about Leverage except what I've been seeing you post lately and I have to admit you're making it look tempting to watch! Can I ask what are some of your favorite things about the show/reasons you would suggest people watch it? And is there really a poly relationship that is canon?

Okay. Okay, okay, okay, okay, okay. I am going to do my best not to just “asdfghkjl” at you and answer coherently.

In a nutshell, Leverage is about 5 people. 4 are criminals (Parker, Hardison, Eliot and Sophie) with different and unique skill-sets and 1 is an ex-insurance investigator (Nate) who, at one point or another in his career, has tracked down (or at least attempted to) the other 4. The whole show is essentially: man reluctantly reforms 4 criminals to use their criminal powers for good and 4 criminals move into man’s life and stubbornly refuse to leave because, goddammit, now they have morals.

I’ve got a lot of favourite things about the show but the main ones are as follows:

1. Found family. And I’m not talking about loners who come together to fight crime and happen to co-exist to the point where they realise they happen to have found themselves a family. I mean, Nate and Sophie are the Drunk Uncle and Wine Aunt who somehow become Mom and Dad to 3 beautiful criminal children. Mom and Dad love their criminal babies and the kids love them (as well as each other, but we’ll come to that in a moment). You get amazing family moments such as: Mom and Dad packing the kids lunch before sending them out to kick corporate greed’s ass; Mom and Dad giving the kids ridiculously expensive and personal Christmas presents causing their most Grumpy Kid to go very very quiet and soft as he runs off to gleefully play with his new murder toy; the kids interrupting Mom and Dad’s big Movie Style Kiss to ask if they can please keep their new underground layer and huffing and puffing when Dad tells them no.

2. Found family: the OT3 edition. To answer your question, the OT3 is indeed canon, confirmed by the creator. Now, usually, “confirmed by the creator” infuriates me because most of the time it’s a way for a creator to be seen as “progressive” without doing anything to actually be progressive. That isn’t the case here. The OT3 are built up carefully and while it is obvious the creators didn’t originally intend for all 3 of them to become a relationship in the romantic sense, by mid-season 5 we are given a very clear picture of where Parker, Hardison and Eliot are heading in their relationship. There aren’t any kisses at the end to signal this but there are solid marriage vows in not only one but two episodes. (And by marriage vows I mean literal equivalents of marriage vows: “for better or worse” and “’til death do us part”. I’m not even exaggerating). The OT3 also doesn’t need explicit romantic narratives to convey how much they love each other. Their love is laced through the whole show, from the way they teach each other things to the way they respond to each other and work as a unit. The way they fiercely protect and admire each other. Like someone once said, if you need characters to kiss or say I love you to let the audience know they love each other, you are writing them wrong.

Aside from that, each of the parings in the OT3 are just. Gah. They are so well done, with friendship being the solid basis for them all. The creators never expect the audience to assume anything about them or fill in the gaps. They give us their relationships on screen and reference many things off-screen to show us how these relationships continue to build in between episodes.

Hardison and Parker are a canon couple and date in the show: it’s approached slowly and they are so goddamned sweet. They are basically every fluffy slow-burn trope with a healthy dash of mutual pining in the mix. They are basically that quote “love is patient, love is kind”. (I would like to add their romance never becomes the focus of the show or overrides the importance of any other relationship they have with the other characters, especially Eliot.)

Hardison and Eliot are the Old Married Couple and from day one are already bickering and looking at each other/making comments that are found in every UST fic ever (not to mention Hardison has a very good knack for making Eliot grin like a little kid, when usually he’s basically an Angry Little Chef Man). They argue, they play, and love each other plain as day.

Parker and Eliot are more subtle but every bit as wonderful. They have an unspoken connection and understand each other on a level no-one else can. Parker and Eliot are not good with giving themselves over to affection for different reasons (and Hardison plays a central role in helping them realise it’s okay to want it and have it- that boy has endless patience) but there is something so beautiful in the way the two of them come together on their own and develop their own special bond that works for them. Parker and Eliot are that trope where the characters don’t need to speak to understand each other perfectly. They just do. Their love language is a lot of the time non-verbal but speaks volumes. (Parker also likes to annoy the hell out of Eliot and Eliot....just.....lets...her. Because he’s soft. The softest, grumpiest boy.)

I could go into so much depth for each pairing and their dynamics as a 3 but that's for another post.

3. Subverting stereotypes. There is the occasional hiccup in the show regarding stereotypes but ultimately, Leverage gets an A+ when it comes to writing characters and making them 3 dimensional people who are not defined by certain characteristics or events. Nate could so easily fall into the White Man Pain trope where he uses the trauma of losing his kid as a reason as to why he is entitled to act like a dick. Nate is a dick but he doesn’t use his pain to excuse it and I appreciate that. Hardison is a black man who is soft and nurturing. Easily the most empathetic and patient of the group. He’s nerdy, an actual genius, and has the biggest heart of all the characters. Nate is maybe the glue but Hardison is definitely the heart. Media’s usual aggressive, amongst other, racist stereotypes can fuck right off. Parker is canonically autistic (I am sure this was confirmed by one of the creators) and she is not defined by it. It’s not written as some kind of singular personality trait. It’s part of what makes up Parker but it’s only one facet of who she is and not once is her actions, thoughts or feelings treated like a joke. Sometimes people don’t understand why she does and says the things she does but it’s met with patience and fondness over the course of the show. Equally, it’s not met with over-caution. Parker is just Parker. No-one tries to change her. The other nice thing is Hardison, who always makes sure Parker knows she’s amazing because of who she is and not in spite of it. Finally, Sophie is in her 40s. She’s not treated like she’s past her prime. Ever. She’s sexy, smart and never is she pitted against or compared to Parker (who is younger) for anything. Sophie is amazing and there’s never even a conversation of “I may be older but I am still *insert adjective typically associated with younger women here*”. Sophie is possibly the first female character I’ve ever seen who isn’t just unapologetic about her age but has never had to apologise for her age. It’s a non-issue and that’s that. The women on the show are written so well, right down to secondary characters and it’s beyond refreshing.

4.) It’s just fun. The show has a “monster of the week” type format. Except instead of a ghoul or a ghost, the monster is some corrupt wealthy and powerful individual or organisation. The show draws on real-life individuals to do this and therefore closely parallels real-life people and events. It addresses important political, economical, social and environmental issues while at the same time remaining fun and light-hearted. The characters constantly get the chance to play dress up and by GOD do they have fun with it. You get to watch Eliot beat up bad guys in the most delightful of ways, usually after a witty non-sequitur and with a weapon you’d never think could be a weapon. The dialogue and back and forth between the characters is everything. And finally - my favourite thing- the team can never resist striking a dramatic pose after they’ve taken down the bad guy, making sure the bad guy sees them. I mean, they COULD just walk away, satisfied they’ve taken the person down, but nope. They gotta be dramatic bitches 24/7 and pose like they are models for every single month of this year’s Criminal Calendar.

5.) Competence Porn. So. Much. Competence Porn.

Honestly, I could list a thousand reasons for why Leverage is amazing but to list them would to be spoiling so many amazing moments you’d get to discover for the first time on your own if you do choose to watch it. It’s the kind of show you can watch with an eagle-eye and sink your teeth into. But it’s also the kind of show if, you would prefer, put on in the background for something entertaining while you do something else. Each episode is about the job at hand but it’s made up of so many moments between the characters that show how much the creators and writers care about them. You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, you’ll do whatever it is you do when something Soft and Wonderful happens that makes your heart melt. I am so beyond grateful for Leverage. It’s everything I always wanted in a show. Nearly every show I’ve watched in the past 10 years has disappointed me in some way, usually either because the writers run out of steam or characters who I love are treated poorly or given some kind of unnecessary “shock value” arc. Leverage doesn’t do that. Leverage is what it says on the bottle. Fandom isn’t something I joined because I needed canon fix-its. Fandom only enhances and celebrates an already excellent canon.

#leverage #leverage ot3 #parker #alec hardison #eliot spencer #sophie devereaux #nate ford #talk leverage to me

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nixariel · 4 years ago

Text

The Nice and Accurate Canon Timeline of Carmen Sandiego 2019…

…or as close as I could humanly get it. Began as this and this; now expanded to go from Buenos Aires all the way to the epilogue in Kobe. Includes locations, main character ages (where known), and major plot points—plus a few little details I picked up along the way. Spoilers abound.

Enjoy!

This was a long project and I am only one person. If there's something I missed or that needs correcting, let me know and I'm happy to update. Otherwise there is now a similar run-through for the To Steal Or Not To Steal interactive special, a CS 2019 trivia tag for the canon things that didn't quite fit here, and a headcanon post that does a little more reading-between-the-lines. ;) Have fun.

Unnamed town just outside of Buenos Aires (not quite 2 decades earlier)

· Shadow-san is a first-year operative

· Carmen is walking, making her at least 9-12 months old

· Vera Cruz registered as villa homeowner but "succumbed to a terminal illness" two weeks prior to Wolfe's death; headstone dated 1971-1999

· Tamara Fraser is an agent of Interpol, kills Dexter Wolfe; Shadow-san takes credit with V.I.L.E. and becomes faculty

· Fraser leverages raid on villa into creation of A.C.M.E. and becomes Chief

V.I.L.E. Island (somewhere in the Canary Islands, which are on the WEST coast of Africa. This will become relevant.)

· Carmen is late 17/early 18 when Player calls, prompting her to join V.I.L.E. Academy on its next admission cycle

· Year-long program of 40 students starts before summer (likely Apr/May)

· Dr. Bellum invents the crackle-rod

· Cookie Booker visits Dec 1st; Carmen and friends nearly expelled

· If starting in Apr/May, then end of school year should be Mar/Apr; Carmen fails the rigged coat test and stows away on the mission to Casablanca

· Of note, 16 graduates learn the true name of V.I.L.E. but there are more than 16 pass marks on the exam board

· Carmen is therefore late 18/early 19 at the start of her holdover year; Paperstar is a classmate

· Carmen has no access to her phone "all summer long" until she escapes the island on Dec 1st (20-21 months after enrolling, 18ish years after Wolfe's death), putting her at late 19

· Maelstrom says Carmen's theft of the hard drive "may have compromised V.I.L.E.'s income for the entire coming year", suggesting against a lag time of more than a couple months between her escape and her first caper (despite the change in hair length and possibly height, though wigs exist and her boots do have heels) as the longer she delayed, the fewer opportunities she'd have to foil the planned operations encrypted on that hard drive.

Post-escape

· Carmen travels for "a few months" (potentially Dec-Mar) while Player decrypts the drive; likely turns 20 during this time

· If Player is 12ish when he first calls Black Sheep, he will only be 14ish by the time she leaves the island. If he is 16 in S1E01, this would put him at 13-14 when he first called Black Sheep. Personally I've gone with 13ish during that first call (making him 15ish during the Boston caper) as a compromise between how young he looks versus the time it takes to become that skilled a hacker

Boston (likely no later than Apr, initial year post-island)

· Carmen's 1st caper, meets Zack and Ivy (age 18 and 19, respectively); Ivy already knows how to pick locks and hotwire cars

V.I.L.E's doughnut shop (Darryl's Donut Hole) is located on the corner of W Broadway and F Street as per Player's map; vault code is 1803

The ARCA Menards Series is a semi-pro level of stock car racing that is often seen as a way for young drivers to build up experience and attract the kind of sponsorship necessary to afford competing in a professional NASCAR series; this would explain both Trey Sterling's presence and why Zack and Ivy felt that they were about to make it to the big leagues

Although the closest NASCAR-authorized racetrack to Boston, Massachusetts, appears to be the Seekonk Speedway in Providence (about 93 km away), the name overlap with the South Boston Speedway—located outside the town of South Boston, Virginia—may have contributed to some confusion when developing Ivy and Zack's backstories as race car mechanic and driver, respectively

· Player does not have a learner's permit; in Ontario, one must be at least 16 years old to apply for this

· Le Chevre and El Topo meet a tied-up Zack and Ivy at night

Between Boston and Poitiers

· Ivy gets a haircut but Zack either lets his grow a little or stops slicking down the sides because his hair is fluffier post-Boston

· Paperstar now graduated from V.I.L.E. Academy; Spinkick and Flytrap become students

· Interpol knows of at least 3 capers: the Swiss National Bank in Bern, an art gallery in Cairo, and an amusement park in Shanghai (one that bears a certain resemblance to the Happy Valley Shanghai park), all in the "last few weeks" before Poitiers, putting them in May/June

The Shanghai job is likely the most recent of the three, as Carmen reminds Player to transfer the proceeds from that caper to her list of non-profits after she arrives in Paris

Poitiers to Paris (June)

· Only 2 weeks after Julia starts at Interpol; Carmen first encounters Chase and Julia sees Carmen overhead

· Access code to atrium vault is 1035

· Tagged matryoshka dolls used as bait; unclear if/how Carmen knew it would be Gray following her onto the train versus any other V.I.L.E. operative

· Carmen reveals backstory, never identifies Player as more than "someone from the outside world" or gives any indication she overtly told Gray about remaining in contact with that someone

This is in contrast to the three-part cable TV version of the pilot wherein Gray does explicitly learn that Black Sheep had a "secret friend" while on the island, in addition to other changes. For the purposes of this timeline, however, only events/details as per the official two-part pilot have been included

· Declines invitation to return despite being offered a full pardon with "even Shadow-san on board" (uh-huh); Gray dials the crackle-rod to full, a setting that makes sections of train-roof just evaporate

· Gray taken into custody by Chase, who apparently knows how to fly a plane. We do not see how he lands it.

· Zack can shake his booty all night long

· Carmen eludes A.C.M.E., has no idea who they are other than not-Interpol and not-V.I.L.E.

Paris to Java

· Team Red leaves direct from Paris, on the island of Java within a day; the Prambanan temple compound (near the city of Yogyakarta) is visible from where they stop to replace the tire Carmen accidentally shot, but the shadow-play festival takes place just outside of Jakarta

· The Cleaners retrieve Gray and take him back to V.I.L.E. Island for memory-wiping; at minimum, this would require erasing the last 24-27 months of his life (1 year in the academy plus at least 1 year post-grad, as the other students in Carmen's holdover year would have finished by now), and possibly closer to 30 months depending on how early V.I.L.E. selects candidates for the incoming class year

As per Chief in the Ecuador caper, only 6 suspected V.I.L.E. operatives have been apprehended by any law enforcement agency in the last not-quite-20 years; unclear whether she was including Dexter and/or Gray in this (I suspect not)

Also, although Julia's dialogue places them in Paris (which does host one of Interpol's National Central Bureaus), the building in which Gray was held appears extremely similar to Interpol's headquarters… which is in Lyon, 500 km away

· Chief decides to recruit Chase

Java to Ecuadorian port (most likely the city of Manta) to Quito to previous port

· Within days of Java caper; no mention of hard-drive decryption, instead seems to be Player suspecting V.I.L.E. interest in a newly-discovered 19th century shipwreck

Carmen is at least somewhat familiar with Moby-Dick (even if she does not know/remember what kind of coin Captain Ahab nails to the mast of the Pequod, giving Player the edge for once in their ongoing game of trivia one-upmanship), opening the possibility that her V.I.L.E. Island education included an introduction to classic American literature

· Chase and Julia have returned to Poitiers and Chase's damaged car; A.C.M.E. grabs Chase and Julia tracks them to an unlocked electrical closet with no actual wiring inside. Where does the chair come from? And why did they handcuff the unconscious man they're trying to recruit? This is. Not how you make friends.

· Chase and Julia join A.C.M.E. anyway

· Le Chevre does not recognize Zack or Ivy despite direct mention of Boston Harbour; El Topo may or may not recognize them in Quito later on

Ecuador port to Amsterdam to the Swiss Alps (for both Cleo's chateau and Team Red's hotel, as the Netherlands are too flat)

· Within days of previous caper; snow at Cleo's chateau likely due to altitude rather than season

· Moscow Time is two hours ahead of Central European Time, but only one hour ahead of Central European Summer Time (a.k.a. daylight savings) which would fit with this episode likely taking place in June/Julyish. No explanation given for what Dash was doing in western Russia.

· Zack becomes the Duke; car ride to the dinner starts at 5 PM and takes long enough that it is full dark by the time they get there

· The code for the chateau's vault is 967

· Chase loses his second car and meets both Ivy and Zack in disguise; Lady Dokuso makes her first on-screen appearance and the artist Cleo commissioned to make the Vermeer forgeries looks remarkably like an older version (possibly the father?) of the counterfeiter from the bayou caper

update: so in the original release of the episode in 2019, the art forger (or so he is credited) sitting next to Zack during Cleo's dinner looks very much like an older relative of V.I.L.E.'s counterfeiter from the S3 bayou episode. Yet for whatever reason, at some point since then the episode has been edited so that it is the S3 counterfeiter next to Zack and the art forger… just doesn't exist now, I guess? This AND changing Gray's expression during the big 'true name of V.I.L.E.' reveal, because apparently that was also a thing that happened?? oh fer cryin' out loud…

· All paintings returned; incidentally, six of Vermeer's surviving works feature recognizable and accurate depictions of real maps from his time period. Given the extra challenge doing so would have posed, Vermeer is thought to have had a particular interest in cartography—much like Carmen herself, four hundred years later

Sydney to Uluru to Sydney

· Unknown how long after previous caper; no signs of A.C.M.E. chasing after Carmen on this one

· Carmen encounters mindwiped Gray

· Sydney to Uluru is a 30-hour road trip, but Sydney to Ayers Rock Airport is only a 3-hour flight; the drive to Uluru takes about half an hour from there

· Lab door code is 5616, computer access code is 1063; Ivy has her own phone

· Le Chevre meets Ivy for a third time; El Topo does not recognize Zack in a lab coat

· Based on the angle of its view of the opera house, and the criss-cross Sydney Cove heritage railings across the street, Gray's favourite café is located at approximately 10 Hickson Rd in The Rocks suburb of inner-city Sydney

Mumbai to Agra City

· Unknown how long after previous caper; non-hard-drive target, prompted by Carmen suspecting Professor Maelstrom's interest in stealing all known original copies of the Magna Carta while they are on exhibition at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya

· No Zack or Ivy, reason unknown

· Paperstar meets Le Chevre in front of the trimurti Sadashiva statue located in Cave 1 on Elephanta Island

· Carmen discovers Chase has moved up from Interpol, steals his keycard, and learns A.C.M.E.'s name; meets Julia and deduces she is also part of A.C.M.E./Chase's travel partner

· Paperstar steals the keycard from Carmen, gives it to V.I.L.E. faculty

· Carmen leaves the collected Magna Cartas on Julia's seat

San Francisco (suspect Nov, although San Fran fog typically worst in summer and better/gone in autumn)

· Unknown how long after previous caper

· Carmen buys Zack the Rogue Vendetta 5 car and Player says he is taking up stamp collecting; she is not expecting V.I.L.E.'s presence at the auction, another non-hard-drive target

· After the auction, A.C.M.E. has intel that "an exchange of an unknown commodity"; is soon to occur in San Fran, suggesting that somehow they've picked up on V.I.L.E.'s change in plans re: Tigress rather than Mime Bomb transporting the stamp out of the city; Chase loses his lucky jacket and his third car (second vehicle from A.C.M.E.)

· Carmen proves herself a better pickpocket than Tigress

· Bellum in process of hacking keycard, learns it is registered to Chase

Vacation in "tropical paradise" (early Dec, 1 yr anniversary post-island)

· Soon after San Francisco

· Back on V.I.L.E. Island, Bellum cracks the keycard and learns Chase was transferred to A.C.M.E. "nearly 6 months ago"; V.I.L.E. believes he is working with Carmen, Shadow-san leaves the island with Brunt and the Cleaners to abduct him

· Player has exhausted the first hard-drive; finds message to Carmen on the dark web re: kidnapping

· Duration of vacation unknown, at least 1 day

Return to Poitiers (early Dec)

· Direct from beach vacation

· Chase held in the basement of Cleo's residence from S1E01

· Shadow-san and Brunt learn from Chase that A.C.M.E. is after V.I.L.E.

· The Chief sees Carmen standing over an unconscious Chase before Carmen destroys the pen, previously his longest-lasting piece of A.C.M.E. tech

· Carmen declines second invitation to return; Brunt tries to kill her

· Shadow-san saves Carmen, takes her to a bell tower; leaves her a fresh hard-drive likely copied from the one Cookie Booker would have dropped off that December

In terms of design, the bell tower has a greater resemblance to the Église Notre-Dame-la-Grande. However, given its position relative to the Cathédrale Saint-Pierre (below right), it is most likely the Église de Sainte-Radegonde instead

Season 1 covers approx 6 months and concludes approx 1 yr after Carmen leaves the island; at some point Player turns 16, Zack turns 19, and Ivy turns 20. Carmen is due to turn 21 in early season 2. Julia should be at least 22-24; see S3 Mexico City caper ('Julia leaves A.C.M.E.') for rationale.

Poitiers to Prague (mid-Dec)

· "Only been a week" since Poitiers

· Player has the new hard-drive at home

· Chase wakes from 7-10 day coma, identifies Coach Brunt and Shadow-san as interrogators; sent back to Interpol office in Paris as file clerk rather than inspector. As of S2E10, he does not appear to have moved out from his Poitiers apartment despite his change in employment. This would suggest that he is making a 2 hour train commute/4 hour drive from Poitiers to Paris every workday. Unclear how soon after this he starts tracking VILE through the records of their import-export shell company

Prague to Rio de Janeiro (mid-Dec)

· Carmen in Rio for at least 3 days (hence 7-10 day coma) before discovering the alexandrite mine's location in what is likely Rocinha

· Le Chevre recognizes an undisguised Zack. Good job.

· Shadow-san joins Team Red; V.I.L.E. confirms his defection and is shooketh

· Zack (and Ivy) gets to shake the booty at least part of the night; Ivy tries to catch Shadow-san unawares with her drink's garnish

· Julia and Zari see Carmen being friendly with one of Chase's interrogators

· Carnival actually starts on the Friday before Ash Wednesday, generally putting it in mid to late Feb; post-dating from here should put Chase's abduction in late Jan/early Feb and his first encounter with Carmen approx 6 months prior (as per Dr. Bellum) in Aug, but that causes significant issues down the road and contradicts the S4 "18 months ago" time frame

Matsumoto to Tokyo to Matsumoto (late Dec/early Jan; into 2nd yr post-island)

· Within days to weeks of previous caper

· Shadow-san reveals his birth name and that he has a brother, also returns sword

Apparently Matsumoto Castle is also know as the Crow Castle due to its black walls, which would be the BEST reference ever for why Shadow-san wore that bird mask in Rio XDD

· A.C.M.E. surveillance confirms Carmen still friendly with Chase's interrogator; confirmed again in Athens

· Cherry blossom season actually in Mar, even plum blossoms not until Feb; Suhara would be very unusual as a given name and much more common as a family name but oh well

Athens to Milan (Jan)

· Within days to weeks of previous caper

· Shadow-san does not expect Team Red to trust him yet; learns they just don't have a headquarters at all

· Fashion show catwalk is in the Sala delle Cariatidi of the Palazzo Reale di Milan

· Carmen knocks out Zari with her own gas-gun; Julia helps Carmen save the gowns, works directly with Zack and Ivy

· Cleo recognizes Zack as the Duke. No one sees any possible use for the many cameras taking many pictures of his and Ivy's faces

· Carmen resistant to the idea of a headquarters

· Real-world fashion show season is generally Feb/Mar and Sept/Oct

San Diego to Dubai to San Diego (mid-late Jan)

· Unknown how long after previous caper; however, Carmen now willing to at least look at the warehouse as a possible HQ

· Boston backstory revealed

· Team Red leaves direct from warehouse using Rogue Vendetta car, in Dubai within 1-2 days

· Shadow-san stays behind to discuss strategy, is impressed by Player

· The siblings fail to escape with the Al Sibaq 9000 and are taken to what appears to be the Naif Police Station in the district of Deira; the second car chase starts at the Autodrome and continues towards downtown Dubai until they are travelling north-east on Sheikh Zayed Rd, with Driver turning off the highway shortly after she crosses the Dubai Canal

· Zack and Ivy ultimately decline Sterling Sterling's offer to start racing again

San Diego to Moscow (early Feb)

· Carmen purchases warehouse at some point, unknown how long after return from Dubai

· Team Red moving in when Player sends Carmen and Shadow-san to Moscow (where Brunt has never been)

· Carmen and Shadow-san break into the Kremlin the next day, Neal escapes with Trip Wire data from server 6609 on vault sublevel 4

· No snow on the ground in Moscow, deciduous trees in leaf, people in hoodies outside, but Carmen and Shadow-san in winter uniforms. At least they look pretty?

Moscow to San Diego to Sydney to Auckland to Sydney (early Feb)

· Within days of previous caper

· Player decrypts while Carmen and Shadow-san return to San Diego

· Shadow-san stays behind while Carmen recruits Gray in Sydney and flies him to Auckland for 8 PM caper; the position of the Sky Tower relative to what may be the Vero Centre puts the laboratory somewhere north and a little west of Auckland's city centre

· Player's alias of 'Peter' may be a reference to Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, the composer of Swan Lake

· Gray's mindwipe survives holding a crackle-rod, hearing Dr. Bellum's voice, and blunt force trauma. Well done, mad scientist.

· Gray returns to Sydney, Carmen meets him for coffee at the café. A.C.M.E. has surveillance of this as well, should we be alarmed at how many closed-circuit monitoring systems these people have access to?

Stockholm (late Feb)

· During "Swedish winter"; unknown exactly how long after previous caper

· Shadow-san in Malaysia on an unspecified mission

· Ivy acts as decoy, and appears to be walking east down Hantverkargatan before taking the Vasabron over to Stadsholmen, while Carmen takes a chance on pulling Julia aside

· Zack is also on Stadsholmen, parked just off Rådhusgränd before it becomes the north-bound lane on the Vasabron, but is facing the wrong way for the direction of traffic

· Chief realizes Julia is off-the-grid; notably, her last agent left alone with Carmen Sandiego ended up in a hospital

· Chief breaks her deal with Julia, sends in the other agents; Zari gets Carmen with the gas-gun this time

· Carmen jumps rather than let herself be caught; ends up injured and alone in a ravine south of Stockholm

· V.I.L.E. is allergic to photographs and will not distribute them no matter how badly they want someone caught; a descriptive memo is right out. (Or else Otter Man needs a serious prescription update because how does he not notice that Ivy is white??)

· Player sends Zack after Ivy first; tracker signal puts her on Odengatan, which technically runs more east-west than north-south, although it does cross several roads that would lead due north

· Carmen eventually reaches out to Chief for help; they finally talk to each other directly. Chief interested in recruiting her, lets Carmen go in hopes of a willing return

· Snow season in Stockholm runs Nov-Mar, no visible holiday decorations in episode

Stockholm to San Diego (Feb-Mar)

· Would take at least 24-36 hours for Shadow-san to get from Malaysia to Stockholm

· Unknown how long Carmen in hospital before Team Red transfers her to San Diego

· Shadow-san handles Antwerp, Krakow, and Taipei capers while Carmen recovering; she has nightmare about Brunt after he leaves for Taipei

Interesting fact! Antwerp is a major centre for rough diamonds, although the trade has been shifting to less expensive cities in recent years. Do I think this could be relevant to the Botswana caper? Absolutely! XD

· Given her likely injuries, Carmen should need at least 4-6 weeks to recuperate; Team Red's concern/Carmen's poor performance in later fight with Tigress suggests she may have only taken 3-4 weeks instead

· Maelstrom suggests Brunt try to sow discord between Carmen and Shadow-san while Cleo is very confident in Carmen's ability to wreak payback on a former criminal mastermind/still actual ninja; V.I.L.E. blows up their island

San Diego to Botswana (Mar/Apr)

· Approx 1 week after V.I.L.E. blows up their island

· Shadow-san is in the Austrian Alps on a separate but related caper; Player is man-in-the-chair to both him and Carmen

· Chase discovers V.I.L.E. HQ through the Power of Paperwork™; unfortunately his map has the Canary Islands on the wrong side of Africa (no I'm not kidding; yes this is a show about geography)

· Carmen collaborates with Chief; Chief calling in the local authorities tips off Roundabout

· Shadow-san recognizes Chief from Buenos Aires 20 years ago, has Player trace her location

· Chase leaves for V.I.L.E. Island on the morning of the raid; probably flew to what looks like Rabat, Morocco, before taking a small boat the rest of the way (that's still a solid 15 hour trip from there. Or more! Explains why he runs out of fuel but seriously, why not have him at least START in the Canary Islands, there are 5 international airports to pick from!!)

· Joint Red-A.C.M.E. mission is a bust but Chief still willing to take a second chance on Carmen

· V.I.L.E. able to both locate and capture Carmen on the train with seeming ease; Brunt informs her that Shadow-san killed her father

· Carmen is shooketh

Botswana to Canary Islands (Apr)

· Carmen arrives at V.I.L.E. Island approx 1 week later to access their archives; a total of 2 weeks after V.I.L.E. left it in pieces, approx 5 weeks after Stockholm nearly left Carmen in pieces

· Chase has been on the island since the Botswana bust, misses Carmen's boat (at least until S3) but is rescued by helicopter within another few days; now fired from Interpol

· V.I.L.E. is operating out of a diner somewhere, likely American given their waitress's accent; Roundabout joins faculty

Canary Islands to San Diego (Apr)

· Within days of previous

· Carmen ships recovered hard-drive to Player, confronts Shadow-san in San Diego as soon as Player retrieves the file on her father

· Learns her father is Dexter Wolfe, former V.I.L.E. faculty, and Shadow-san denies killing him

San Diego to Seattle (Apr/May)

· Unknown how long after previous; likely days to weeks

· Shadow-san not present

· Carmen confronts Chief in person, showing she knows where Chief lives (yes that can be taken as a threat)

· Carmen uses Chief's overeagerness to bait her into giving Player an easy Trojan horse into A.C.M.E.'s records; confirms Chief killed her father and Shadow-san did not

· Chief takes the attack (and the trick) personally; believes Carmen to be working with V.I.L.E. and reinstates Chase

Return to Buenos Aires (May)

· Unknown how long after previous; likely days to weeks

· Carmen finds an empty coffin in Vera Cruz's grave

· Spends "all summer long" off V.I.L.E.'s radar and searching for clues to her mother; post-dating from this puts digging up the coffin in Apr/May

· However, off A.C.M.E.'s radar for only a "few weeks last fall" (Egypt caper); Julia also describes it as "weeks" (Veracruz caper) and the Chief as "last few weeks" with Chase confirming this as the period of time in which they could not track Carmen (Mexico City caper). Perhaps A.C.M.E. better at surveillance than V.I.L.E.? Unknown where Carmen was other than Buenos Aires, A.C.M.E. unaware that missing weeks were spent in Buenos Aires until Egypt caper.

Season 2 covers another 6 months and concludes approx 18 months after leaving the island. Player, Zack, and Ivy likely still 16, 19, and 20 respectively. Carmen is 21. Julia is likely 23-25.

Buenos Aires to Veracruz (Oct)

· Carmen finds multiple fake IDs and a locket in Wolfe's safe-deposit box (#1021, registered to Vera Cruz as per Egypt caper) in what is likely the Banco de la Nación Argentina off the Plaza de Mayo. (Do banks… keep safe-deposit boxes after people stop paying for them? For 20 years? Or where is the money coming from?)

· Spinkick and Flytrap find Carmen in Buenos Aires; Shadow-san takes their tracker to the southern tip of Africa, leading them away from Carmen

· The faculty (in the Outer Hebrides now) learns Carmen and Shadow-san are still working together despite V.I.L.E.'s best efforts

· Carmen learns from a neighbour that her mother went by Carlotta Valdez while she was in Veracruz and only lived there for a year, alone; the nearest Carlotta Valdez is Lupe Peligro and not her mother

The church from the locket appears to be the Veracruz Cathedral

· Carmen sees Julia for the first time since Stockholm; Julia does not see her

· A.C.M.E. finally locates Carmen in Mexico, thinks wrestling match was to be a decoy from the Frida Kahlo thefts

· Chase's third A.C.M.E. car (fourth altogether) is totalled by Brunt; also mangles his suit

Veracruz to Mexico City (Nov 1-2, Day of the Dead)

· V.I.L.E. specifically targets talented young adults with limited family connections, such as orphans

· Shadow-san still playing red herring to Spinkick and Flytrap in what appears to be the American Midwest; however, they are summoned back to pick up Sonia and a captured Carmen

· V.I.L.E.'s classes will begin in the winter quarter this year due to the change in location

· Julia leaves A.C.M.E., becomes (presumably) an assistant professor at Oxford; assistant professor tends to be an entry-level university faculty position that, although a PhD is encouraged, can be filled by someone with only a Master's degree. Given how Julia is only ever referred to as 'Miss' or 'Agent' Argent, it is unlikely that she has a PhD and her two degrees are more likely a Bachelor's and Master's degree. As per her comment during the Mexico City caper, one of her degrees appears to be in ancient history while the other is likely in criminology or a related field

In the UK, a Bachelor's degree can take 3-4 years depending on the program and students generally start at age 18; a Master's degree usually takes another 1-2 years. Since a Bachelor's in criminology alone would rarely support going on to do a Master's in an area as different as ancient history (or vice versa), Julia likely did a double major, which would be more in keeping with a 4-year undergrad. This puts Julia's age as at least 22-24 during the first caper in Poitiers, assuming that she joined Interpol shortly after completing her studies. As of S3, which takes place roughly 1 year after that caper, she would be at least 23-25

New Orleans (Nov 3?)

· Chase crashes a fourth A.C.M.E. car, fifth including his own

· Shadow-san absent, reason unknown

· Supposedly the first Saturday after Halloween

· Paperstar picks up the recipe card while lost in the basement yet somehow gets all the way to the roof without finding a single better opportunity (in a house full of costumed partygoers) to confront or escape Carmen. This is. Not the only problem I have with this episode. $300 000 is a LOT of money and chartered planes do not come cheap, how is Team Red even supporting itself post Vermeer payment??

Venice (Nov 4?)

· Chase partnered with Zari (who puns at him and has a truly spectacular deadpan)

· Brunt and Shadow-san's sketches still shown together as accomplices of Carmen; Chase does not recognize Zack in glasses and a mustache

· Chase starts to reconsider his position on Carmen-as-villain

· Hideo and Shadow-san reconcile

· Neal captured; retrieved by the Cleaners but marked for retirement

· Do not ask me how Team Red accomplishes 2 capers in 2 days on 2 separate continents when going east means even the time change will be working against them

Ignoring the bayou caper would help; it's filler and several character beats seemed a little off in it anyway. Seriously, Zack being scared of ghosts? When otherwise he pushes fearlessness to the point of foolhardiness? Not to mention the Cleaners being scarily competent Until That Episode, and then Zack and Ivy mistaking Chief for a ghost despite meeting her face-to-face in Seattle. At least Chief's threat to haunt Chase was par for the course, although her follow-up on the gag was... odd :\

London (Nov 5, Bonfire Night)

· Chase upset to hear Carmen is captured, now thinks she does indeed deliberately return stolen items

· Chief still believes Carmen is working with V.I.L.E.; has been keeping tabs on Gray as a potential lead to Carmen

· Roundabout exposed, removing V.I.L.E.'s ability to release operatives if captured and marking him for retirement as well

Season 3 covers approx 1 month, concluding not quite 2 years after Carmen leaves the island. Zack and Ivy about to turn 20 and 21 respectively. Player either very close to or has turned 17. Carmen is still 21. Julia is still 23-25.

Beijing (Nov)

· Unknown how long after previous caper; likely only days as even Neal hasn't been mindwiped yet when Bellum's equipment goes on the fritz

· Caper only 2 days long

· Gray on tour in Reykjavik (Thieving Magpie); A.C.M.E. has a facility there

· Shadow-san breaks his lower left leg

· Neal successfully escapes V.I.L.E.

· Chase meets Chief in person in Seattle, recognizes Gray from the train to Paris and is sent to Reykjavik

San Diego to Munich

· Approx 1 week after Beijing but gold stolen from German bank "a few weeks back"

· Player tries out public school and is high-risk for getting shoved in a locker

· No one understands that gold is much, much heavier than you think

· Chase says the train to Paris was 18 months ago and exposes V.I.L.E. cover-up (again) through the Power of Paperwork™; heck yeah, disaster man!

· A.C.M.E. uses an experimental device to restore Gray's memories; it goes about as well as you'd expect jumping straight to human test subjects would go.

· Gray calls V.I.L.E. to come pick him up

Munich rerouted to Singapore to San Diego to Reykjavik

· Within 1-2 weeks of Beijing

· Bellum steals the crown specifically for Cleo and over anything else in a entire museum full of tech. I will just. Leave that there.

· Roby stealing the crown is V.I.L.E.'s first straightforward win against Carmen in 2 years; even Botswana still required them to sacrifice the mine

· Player struggles with math. So does season 3.

· New Zealand was Bellum's highest security lab but most highly equipped is in Nepal

· Shadow-san reads action manga, possibly about robots/monsters, but waits until Zack is not around

· Chase openly tells Carmen he is not after her

Reykjavik to Nepal to Niagara Falls (Canadian side)

· Within days of previous

· Shadow-san made "special arrangements" for the high-altitude jump but unknown if through contacts from V.I.L.E./yakuza days or instead drawing on Player's

· "…poison his mind with lies."/"Or worse yet, tell him the truth." Does Shadow-san… disapprove of Carmen keeping the truth from Gray?

· Chase goes to Julia for answers; Julia hasn't spoken to or seen Carmen since Stockholm, smiles that she is still making A.C.M.E. "chase their tails"

· V.I.L.E. thinks Carmen would use Gray against them

· Unknown if "Double Code Red" is a specific code-phrase or just improv; Ivy and Zack look at Player, not his teacher

· Carmen believes Gray has truly changed, that it's more than just a mindwipe; Gray thinks he was merely suppressed

· Carmen refuses second request to back down, will not abandon fight against V.I.L.E.

· First onscreen in-person meeting for Player and Carmen

San Diego to Nevşehir to Oxford to Longyearbyen

· Approx 4-6 weeks after Beijing based on cast removal; previous estimates post-dated using this

· V.I.L.E. has been active since the Middle Ages, original V was Roman numeral representing its 5 founders; only Gunnhild the Gruesome is named

· El Topo gives Le Chevre a conciliatory little arm-rub after losing the relic

· Carmen learns Julia has left A.C.M.E.; talks to her for the first time since Stockholm and asks for help (rather than commandeering it as in Milan)

· Shadow-san gets his cast off after Carmen's meeting with Julia

· Player calls Julia 'Jules' as well; he and 'Red' are old friends from her school days, trusts Julia enough to show his face

· Zack and Ivy can chute-climb; Brunt grabs Carmen's ankle mid-swing like she did in Poitiers

· Maelstrom may be stealthier and stronger than he looks; sneaks up on Zack, caught Gray's swing with the lamp in the Himalayas

· Shadow-san has a real 'taking you with me' vibe; Brunt calls Shadow-san "old man" but she was faculty before he was

· Maelstrom was definitely going to leave Brunt behind

North/Central India (possibly the Kandariya Mahadeva Temple in Madhya Pradesh) to Giza to San Diego to Seattle

· Within days to weeks

· Mime Bomb has cryptanalysis skills; Player calls Julia "secret weapon"

· Cleo recognizes Julia but unsure from where (the fashion show in Milan)

Based on the architecture, and the contents of the stalls, the market Cleo walks through with Tigress is likely the Khan el-Khalili

· Carmen thinks Chief would just get in her way; recruits Chase to keep him from telling Chief

· Julia wears what is presumably her mother's necklace

· A.C.M.E. finds out Carmen was in Buenos Aires during quiet period, Chief finds the safe-deposit box with Wolfe's fake IDs

· Chase now humble enough—or cares about Julia enough—to put her safety over self-aggrandizement; still (finally) gets the entrance and the one-liner he always wanted

· Julia much friendlier to Chase after rescue; could be that she is now convinced he is sincere in his change

· Carmen meets Chief at same café; Chief learns she is Wolfe's daughter but Carmen doesn't want revenge, makes a deal instead: her mother's location for V.I.L.E. intel

· Carmen doesn't consider herself on Chief's side but Chief on hers; goes abruptly radio-silent in Seattle while talking to Player

· I swear that boy's going to develop a complex or something because this is the fourth time. At least.

Seattle

· Shadow-san finds locket where Carmen was abducted; no security footage/online activity for Player to find

· Julia rejoins A.C.M.E. and Chase is so happy to see her again; Chief immediately sets her to finding Carmen's mother

V.I.L.E. Island to Vienna to San Diego

· 3 weeks after Carmen is brainwashed; V.I.L.E. has been quiet until now, no opportunity to crash one of their operations

· Shadow-san goes all the way to the Canary Islands for… what exactly? Clues to V.I.L.E.'s new location? Or purely sentiment?

· Le Chevre mocked Gray's mindwipe in Outback caper but apparently now looking forward to reunion; Gray still calls Tigress "pussycat"

· How much of a breeze do they get in those tunnels? And the whole nose thing seemed… jarringly juvenile. Fart jokes from Zack (smart-fabric in Milan) are expected; Carmen, even evil!Carmen, is supposed to be a little more mature

· When the show says "innate desire to do good" and "ability to empathize", they may actually mean compassion; it's not that she can't feel for/understand others, it's that she doesn't care to do anything about it (and so behaves selfishly)

· Unknown how V.I.L.E. dealt with Carmen's memories of Player, given that there's no evidence they ever realized he is more to her than a recruited hacker or that the two were in contact BEFORE she joined V.I.L.E. Academy—and they did seem to want her to remember BEING in the Academy. Also unknown how the absence of her matryoshka dolls was handled; possible out would be saying they were lost during the evacuation of V.I.L.E. Island?

· Chase and Julia encounter Zari outside the Hofburg; Chase hasn't worked with her since London and Julia since Stockholm, Zari is working with previous unnamed partner again

· Zari captures Shadow-san while he's after Tigress; he escapes literally seconds after waking up

· Gray meets Chase again, this time with full memories and prepared to use the crackle-rod; unknown if his modifications were before or after this

· Cleo expects Carmen to go rogue

· Carmen taking risks she normally wouldn't "for the mental gymnastics" (a phrase originally used by the previous iteration of Carmen in Where on Earth is Carmen Sandiego); her year-mates ALL KNOW something is wrong with dark!Carmen beyond just the mindwipe

· Carmen kicks Zack out of a Ferris wheel carriage, likely the Weiner Riesenrad at the Wurstelprater, an amusement park located in the Weiner Prater public park in Vienna

· First glimpse Shadow-san gets of Carmen since her capture is her flying away on a V.I.L.E. glider

Post 6 month skip

· Carmen hits Brussels, Copenhagen, and St. Petersburg; Crackle is her primary accomplice

· Chief thinks Carmen has played them and therefore was playing them all along

· Carmen becomes faculty and the others tell her about Dexter Wolfe; her mouth trembles, but with anger or grief?

· Coach tells her they did not learn Shadow-san killed Wolfe until after Shadow-san left ("honest" uh-huh)

· Carmen says that her mother's possible existence doesn't matter, that V.I.L.E. is her family, which makes Coach smile

· Using flight passenger list, Carmen's mother found to be Carlotta Valdez, born and raised in Veracruz, at some point moved to Buenos Aires, then founded an orphanage there 6 months after Wolfe's death; this would seemingly contradict the neighbour's account from S3E01 that Carlotta only lived in Veracruz for a year. Chief's first thought is to dismiss the orphanage as a V.I.L.E. cover but less resistant than before to Julia's more benign option

· Chief still regrets killing Wolfe and now willing to consider he may have been leaving V.I.L.E.; they knew Wolfe's daughter was missing but alive (no bodies in the ashes)

· Shadow-san snags the file from the Chief; first time she's seen him in person

· A.C.M.E. does not know about the mindwipes, thinks V.I.L.E. can somehow beat their lie detectors

· Zari watching Valdez's orphanage when Shadow-san breaks in; pictures of Wolfe (unknown mountainous area, Toronto, and Veracruz with baby!Carmen) plus innermost matryoshka doll confirm Valdez is Carmen's mother

· Gray turns himself in in Reykjavik; A.C.M.E. learns about mindwiping tech and chips him like a stray pet

· Unknown how long it takes to set up Eye of Vishnu display; Chief pulls strings, so 3 weeks might be reasonable

· Ivy set on crimefighting, Zack more willing to consider racing again; seems to be the thought of fighting Carmen that turns him off

Casablanca to San Diego to Buenos Aires

· Eye of Vishnu back on display at an unnamed museum somewhere east of the Hassan II Mosque; dark!Carmen as much a lone wolf as her father

· Zari grabs Tigress; Tigress manages to knock out 2 agents despite one arm handcuffed to railing

· Gray's original role was to set the trap, not spring it; grabbing the device instead of helping Tigress means V.I.L.E. will know he's acted against them

· Julia knocked out by pole from wall hanging, Gray downed by crackle-rod, Chase softens Carmen's landing on the car; Chase's last wrecked car on-screen (fifth A.C.M.E. car, sixth total)

· Presumably Player picked up news of Eye and Shadow-san recognized it as bait for him, but unknown if they knew that A.C.M.E. would be there too. Also unknown how or even if they knew A.C.M.E. had a counter-memory device. But if they didn't… Shadow-san had a lot of faith in that little doll

· Initially parrying blows with one arm behind his back, in a long coat, "I am not here for the jewels/gem", "you are in no condition to leave/fight"—all callbacks to important moments revolving around Carmen. Still, he's not really winning that fight even with her off-balance from the A.C.M.E. device

· Possibly Player monitoring comms, tells Shadow-san A.C.M.E. summoned medical assistance for Gray? And Shadow-san tells Carmen in the break after "there is much to explain"? Otherwise that's some serious mood whiplash from tears to calmly chatting with Chief

· Devineaux recognizes Shadow-san but still listens first; Carmen provides location of new V.I.L.E. HQ

· Carmen recovers; in the meantime, Shadow-san collaborates with Chief over coffee and A.C.M.E. takes down V.I.L.E.

· It's been over 6 months, why is Roundabout still in the dungeon?

· Both Mime Bomb and Maelstrom qualify for psych ward rather than general prison population; Cleaners are now actual cleaners, Antonio and Jean-Paul run a food truck (and look very happy)

· Chief declines to pursue Gray as part of V.I.L.E. (although unclear whether the chip is simply deactivated or truly defunct); he declines having his contact info passed on to Carmen

· Carmen evidently doesn't see Zack and Ivy again until after full recovery; wherever she was, apparently they couldn't visit (??)

· Shadow-san passes on file labelled Dexter Wolfe, Carmen leaves Zack and Ivy all of a note after not seeing them for months; does Shadow-san leave for Japan at same time? what is this even

· Carmen meets her mother, Player still on the comm, thank goodness something in this scene makes sense

Kobe (over 2 years to first resurgence of V.I.L.E.)

· Zack and Ivy in repainted Rogue Vendetta car

· Paperstar captured at Kobe City Museum, has not changed her outfit or hairstyle in 2 years

· Zack is Chief's favourite; both Ivy and Zack's hair slicked down compared to previous

· Unknown if figure on roof is the original Carmen Sandiego or someone else stepping up but if it's Carmen she doesn't even TALK to them what the heck.

· An epic wave of fanfic is launched to correct matters

Season 4 covered approx 9 months before the 2-year skip, making it 2.5-3 years from leaving V.I.L.E. Island to Carmen meeting her mother. Zack and Ivy would be 20 and 21; Player might be 18 by now. Carmen would be 22 and Julia should be 24-26. Including the 2-year skip puts the entire show at 4.5-5 years total, making Zack 22, Ivy 23, Player 19-20, Carmen at least 24, and Julia 26-28.

END

#my post #carmen sandiego 2019 #timeline #cs 2019 trivia #carmen sandiego #ivy #zack #player #shadowsan #julia argent #chase devineaux #tamara fraser || chief #coach brunt #countess cleo #dr. saira bellum #gunnar maelstrom #too many to name #reference material #nixariel

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writing-frenzy · 4 years ago

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Plz let Airplane be EVEN MORE Awesome - Fic Rec Part Duo

*Stares at all the notes my last post got* Nice to know we are all just as Thirsty for the good boi as Mobei-Jun is.

So Thus, I have decided to make another! (Smashes the post button) Since there was a lot, I just decided to make another post.

here we go kids, more of that good Airplane love... alongside that good quality Moshang because I am biased~

(Plz share if you find more!)

a cup of vinegar, a spoon of sugar by Shamelesscooper - “Your timing certainly is impeccable, my lord,” Wei Wuxian groans, rubbing his back. “What brings you here for the second time in as many nights…?” “I left my cloak,” Mobei-Jun says, shooting Wei-Wuxian a dirty look as the bird demon shrugs his robe back on.“You certainly did!” Shang Qinghua exclaims, crossing his arms quite crossly. “You can’t just leave your things everywhere, my king!” Mobei-Jun’s hard stare refocuses on Shang Qinghua, and he can’t help but shrink back, hurriedly rummaging around in his qiankun pouch for the offending garment. As soon as Shang Qinghua finds it, Mobei-Jun takes it from his hands and throws it over his shoulders, breathing in a deep sigh as if it relieved him to have it there again. If you miss it so much, why did you even leave it behind?! Shang Qinghua almost wants to say, but he is quite fond of his head, actually, and would rather Mobei-Jun not take it off his shoulders, thankyouverymuch.

--Shang Qinghua is tasked with escorting the leader of the Yiling Carrion Tribe to Gusu, and it'd be fine if only Mobei-Jun would stop poking his (gorgeous, beautiful, drop-dead handsome) head in!

*Evil grin* here we have a delicious rare side of Jealous Mobei, Shang Qinghua doing something that most MDZS fans dream of doing once, and a side of shamelessness from our favorite ‘Lovebirds’ XD Not to mention how steamy it gets~

You Will Never Step Lightly In The Dark by Janusoverlord - Shang Qinghua wakes up in the aftermath of Tianlang-Jun's rampage on Cang Qiong Mountain and has to navigate the delicate political situation he now finds himself in. Luo Binghe is building a harem with Shen Qingqiu as his first, and honestly most terrifying, husband. Yet, Luo Binghe seems to be turning his eyes to Shang Qinghua as a possibility as well. Excuse you? What is this? He didn't sign up for this!

Okay, make sure you read the tags kiddies because uhhh, this has some themes to it. It is also part of a series as well, but I read it stand alone and it does good with how it explains things; as it is...

Let me just say, Luo Binghe does not know what he just got into; all mortals will bow to the might of our lord Airplane! I really did like this and I am tentatively on the fence about reading the rest of the series, because the writing is so damn good but we will see how my ship cravings twist.

With Ink and Sword by xnemone - Shang Qinghua is appropriately nervous when he passes the Imperial Exams only to be assigned not to the Emperor’s palace, but to the barren lands ruled by a lord known to be as ruthless as he is cold. Although his friend and confidant Shen Qingqiu gives him a sympathetic smile and a mountain of furs before he sets off, Shang Qinghua feels less than reassured.He expects ridicule, a harsh regime, even rejection. What he does not expect is for Mobei-Jun to take one look at him among all the scholars and servants of his palace, and proclaim him his.

Now, this is such a good story, I love it, is makes me feel happy and squishy inside with the good Moshang, and you know what? It has my new favorite thing in the world!

Shang Qinghua calls Cucumber bro out! AND IT IS GLORIOUS!!! (Seriously, why does this not happen more often?)

Good Vibrations by Feynite - In Shang Qinghua’s defense, this whole trope was originally something he’d only ever written in for Sha Hualing, for precisely one scene.

In which I actually feel ashamed for forgetting such a treasure. Like, Feynite is a wonderful wordsmith, invoking so many thoughts and good shit with their words and characters, and by god do I end up just loving them even more then before.

This story passes the Vibe Check! (Luo Binghe also gets a Vibe Check~)

From Your Perspective by cozycitywitch - It was nothing more than a curse, probably, and surly the witch doctor could fix it? So what else was Shang Qinghua to do inside Mobei Jun's body until the end of the night? He couldn't be blamed for his curiosity! He was only a man! Or the one where Moshang switch bodies and Shang Qinghua can't help himself.

Now, this is a lovely, spicy lime where while there is no big action or technical awesomeness going on, it does have some wonderful images; Shang Qinghua’s hamster body with the aura of a king, him showing off being intimating which means Shang Qinghua can indeed be scary, it is something that could happen if he has the motivation for it.

Not to mention this is just a hot story all around~ (My kingdom’s for My King’s POV on this~)

ham hunt by jets_adjacent - There's a wolf at Shang Qinghua's heels and his only thought is: Northern mating rituals are a pain in the ass.

This is a really, really good A/B/O fic; it also shows just how tricky and sneaky our Shang Qinghua can be, as well as a mischievous side I just love seeing in our favorite Peak Lord. And let’s not forget the spicy goodness of this fic, which is really tasty~ (And can I get a shout out for consent and negotiated kinks!)

In which healthy relationship skills are forcibly brought into Proud Immortal Demon Way by two bros by Rafaela271412421 - Look, if no one is going to give these people friends and healthy relationships then by GOD, I WILL do it myself! It's about two bros bringing healthy relationships into PIDW both intentionally and not. Gods and deities, accidental and not, will also be included. Also, it's in bullet point format, so you’ve been warned.

ahahahahaahhahahahaahaha! I love this fucking outline/bullet points presentation, it is something I always end up going back to and giggling like an idiot. The is really a healing piece, my crops have been watered, my face is clear, and Airplane and Cucumber Bros go completely feral~ I love it, I want to propose marriage~

trinkets for a king by jets_adjacent - Shang Qinghua gives many extraordinary gifts to his King. His King finally catches on. --aka: Mobei Jun has never been courted by a human before.

So, this is a wonderful subversion of the ‘Mobei-Jun courts/plans his wedding to Shang Qinghua all the while said man is unaware’. like, it is so cute and I love jelly Airplane; it gives me life. Also, one of the few we see Airplane taking full advantage of all his author knowledge and using it for the devious plans~

The Southern King and The North Star by Luuplup - A series of meetings between the Southern King and a cultivator. The happy moments, the romantic moments, the sad moments.

Another really cute Role Reversal I find I greatly enjoy, with a very competent, beloved Lord Demon!Airplane :D it makes me happy when I read it, I end up wanting to hug something~ It seems like it will be a slow burn, what with our favorite moronsexuals, but oh is it delicious seeing the buildup~

under a wicked star by tagteamme - Caught unaware, Mobei Jun is kidnapped for leverage. On the eighth day, Mobei Jun is broken out of his trance by the sound of something being tossed into his pit. It’s a lot lighter than what they throw food down in. He realizes that today, he is not tied down.When he moves off the bed, he does not need the canopy post to support his weight as he stands up. The object on the floor glints in the firelight, and Mobei Jun crouches to pick it up. His face is immoving; slowly, he turns the An Ding peak lord crown in his hand, looking at the blood-soaked metal through the light.

SQH to the rescue! Alongside some good old fashioned angsty Moshang miscommunication but with Mobei-Jun’s POV this time, and some absolutely good steamy good times for all XD

we seal our fate by ketolic (corrose) - All things considered, it really was sort of obvious. Hey! Anyone can be a genius in retrospect. Hindsight is 20/20! Besides, who can blame him! He'd never written about this facet of Mobei Jun's life before! Still...considering all the times he'd gotten his hands on Mobei Jun's sealskin, he's sort of shocked that it took him so long to figure it out.

:D This story makes me giggle uncontrollably, and still finds ways to unexpectedly stab me in the heart. I love it! Not to mention we get to see SQH be awesome! Sure, he flails around as he does it, but busts out the fighting moves and even fits a rescue in there! So good, so in character, I love every watery moment of this fic... good thing I’m so thirsty- (Is shot)

-----

But yeah! These are some more good stories I found, some a bit more- urrrr- thirstier then others~ you can find the first thing of Fic Recs Here! And Plz, share more awesome Airplane whenever you have a chance~

#SVSSS #Scum Villain Self Saving System #Scum Villain Self-Saving System #Shang Qinghua #Moshang #Airplane Shooting Towards the Sky

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emblemxeno · 4 years ago

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Fates’ 1st Gen Characters: Parallels and Contrasts

I know I already mentioned it in the post where I made fun of myself for taking so long to realize this, but I wanted to make a post dedicated to it because I find it really cool. (I won’t do the siblings or Corrin and Azura because those are fairly obvious lol)

Saizo and Laslow: Saizo is serious and aloof, but he has a problem with keeping his emotions in check. Laslow is carefree and sociable, but is actually very wise and introspective. Both of their classes also contrast each other, Saizo being a ninja who does work in the shadows and Laslow being a mercenary who’s on the front lines.

Kagero and Peri: Kagero is a mature and traditional woman, bred to be a royal retainer; however, she has a casual and relaxed side as well, especially around Orochi. Peri on the other hand is very childish and prone to outbursts, and was chosen to be a retainer based purely on her martial prowess. Both ladies also come from noble families of their respective kingdoms, and have hidden talents with Kagero having unique artwork and Peri being adept in the kitchen.

Azama and Beruka: Azama is a priest who you would expect to be serene and caring, but is actually nonchalant and doesn’t really care if his remarks bother people. Beruka is an assassin who has the reputation of being unfeeling and cruel, but actually desperately wants to feel emotions and express them.

Setsuna and Selena*: Setsuna is absentminded and clumsy, but is extremely dedicated and focused when pushed to her limits. Selena is competitive with a strong work ethic, but can also be pretty superficial and likes to squander money.

Hinata and Odin: Both are passionate fighters with hidden serious sides, but Hinata is grounded in reality while Odin is theatrical. Hinata is also outwardly competent and recognized for his ability whereas Odin is underestimated by many because of his antics, until he ends up proving that he’s very capable.

Oboro and Niles: Both lost their parents at a young age and have a hatred for certain people. However, Oboro’s parents were killed and if she could help it, she would rather not interact with the people she hates at all. Niles on the other hand was abandoned by his parents and deliberately gets under people’s skin to see them squirm. Also, Oboro was born to a family of tailors with strong connections to the royal family and was taken in by relatives after her parents died. Niles was born in the slums and raised by bandits.

Subaki and Arthur*: Subaki is a perfectionist who is renowned for being skilled at all he does, and gets very critical and unforgiving of himself if he makes a mistake. Arthur is a clumsy hero and notoriously unlucky, but never lets his mistakes get him down or stop his pursuit of justice. Both characters also state that their parents helped shape their respective personalities.

Hana and Effie: Hana looks girly, likes feminine accessories and is an elegant samurai. However, she is actually extremely tomboyish, trains excessively, feels she has a lot to prove by being a female samurai, and protects people by going on the offensive. Effie on the other hand looks more like a tomboy, has more masculine hobbies like working out, and is a bulky armor knight. But (specifically in the Japanese version since her personality was changed in the western release) she is actually pretty soft spoken and sweet, is plenty emotional, no one has any qualms about a female knight, and protects people by going on the defense (she talks about being her allies’ shield a lot in the JP version, to the point where it’s pretty obvious that it’s a meta reference to her class)

Hayato and Benny: Hayato is an orphan who was raised by the chieftain of the Wind Tribe, eventually growing into a very respectable position. His sophisticated way of speech and self confidence is at odds with his childish appearance. Benny was raised by his commoner parents and eventually became one of many border guards. His intimidating looks contrast with his shy and warm personality. Both characters also have opposite classes and stats all around. Benny is an armor knight with great strength, defense and resistance. Hayato is a spellcaster with great magic, speed, and luck.

Orochi and Nyx: Orochi comes from a family of diviners with a divisive reputation, but was welcomed warmly by the royal family (Mikoto specifically). She’s fun, spirited, sociable and feisty. Nyx was born a powerful dark mage who went into isolation after committing a heinous crime, eventually becoming feared across many countries. She’s mature, sarcastic, brooding and keeps to herself.

Rinkah and Charlotte: Rinkah is the princess of the Flame Tribe, and forgoes relationships with others unless they turn out fulfilling and worthwhile. Charlotte was born into a very poor family, and deliberately tries to get popular with people-especially rich men-to curry favor with them and get money for her family.

Kaden and Keaton: Kitsune are an established hamlet and the race itself are only known by few to exist. Wolfskin are notorious in Nohr for their savagery. Kaden is friendly with humans (who don’t come to the hamlet), upfront about his feelings, and loves keeping himself groomed and clean. Keaton isn’t as nice with people at first, isn’t as open with his true feelings, and has a very unkempt appearance and sense of taste. Both characters however, are extremely protective of their tribes and the races themselves are both hunted for their rare fur.

Reina and Gunter: Older knights of their respective kingdoms. Reina makes it no secret that she’s bloodthirsty and loves battle, but off the battlefield she has a surprising motherly side to her. Gunter is very refined and acts as a mentor to other characters, but has a hidden hatred of Garon and seeks vengeance against him, even revealing that he was gonna use Corrin in his plan.

Scarlet and Flora: Both are involved with rebellions in Nohr. Scarlet is a Chevois knight, whereas Flora is a royal servant. Scarlet planned to be a knight from a young age, but Flora was taken hostage (along with her sister) to be used as leverage against her tribe. Both characters’ deaths are treated as tragedies, but Scarlet is murdered whereas Flora commits suicide.

*(You can also have Setsuna and Subaki trade counterparts and have it still work, since Subaki and Selena are perfectionists for different reasons, and Setsuna and Arthur are both notable for being extremely clumsy and unlucky. This way, all characters mentioned here also have supports with their respective counterparts aside from the avatar exclusives)

I could probably find some parallels with the neutral characters and 2nd generation as well, but I didn’t wanna make this post longer than it is lol. I just really wanted to point these things out because I think it really shows just how much the difference between the Nohrian and Hoshidan characters is integral to the plot, but also how the subtle similarities leads the nations to eventually cease conflict.

Anyway, I love Fates a lot.

#fire emblem #fire emblem fates #nohr #hoshido #fire emblem if #fe14 #character analysis #storytelling #meta

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thecaptainhelm · 4 years ago

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Shut Your Mouth

Small daminette one-shot, aged up characters. Close to Robin V’’s retirement, close to Hawkmoth’s defeat.

Word count: 1350

Enjoy!

----

Robin irately observed the spotted hero sitting on top of the stairs leading to the second floor. She seemed to like high places, he noted to himself. She was currently using her yoyo’s compact form, tapping and scrolling through something.

The hero in question had been Ladybug, Scarlet Luck of the city of Paris. She’d come all the way from the JLE headquarters to the JLA ground site to receive tutelage under Batman and Red Robin themselves. That meant she wasn’t hopeless at least, but he didn’t see that as an accomplishment.

However, he could admit that she was a competent hero and good at what she did. He wouldn’t tolerate a daytime hero otherwise. She was good at improvisation and quick-witted, well organized and well spoken. She was decisive and leveraged herself as a pillar of strength and support for the citizens of Paris, her team included.

In that way, Robin and Ladybug had quietly bonded, being leaders of their own team and often sitting in silence together as they worked on their own tasks. It was neither amicable nor awkward, at least now and for the time being, merely productive.

And regardless of what Grayson said, he did not like her. At all. In fact, there were a number of things he detested in regards to her character.

First, there was her lack of confidence. While her image as the certain and sure-footed Ladybug was maintained by the lack of media coverage and professional conduct, she was more unsure of herself than not despite her blatant skills, effectively crippling her investigation into Hawkmoth’s identity, the most crucial aspect of her job.

The moment someone’s opinion differed from her own she would second guess her decisions, wasting time and brain cells on a different perspective when all she needed were the facts and her own conviction.

Next, was her inane denial. She constantly proclaimed that Chat Noir was her partner, but where she saw an equal, the rest of the world saw ‘sidekick’. Granted, the cat hero could perform well, he wouldn’t still be here if he couldn’t, but he clearly did not contribute as much as he should be.

The one left to do all the planning, coming up with strategy after strategy, as well as resuscitating the dead, dying, and brainwashed, was Ladybug. He was a sidekick who needed to stop being coddled so that he could reach his full potential.

Lastly, was her leadership role. It was solid and her team didn’t question her judgement, he would give her that, but her team members weren’t solid enough to be relied upon. Chat was a one trick pony, more often a hindrance than not, Queen Bee had ultimately ruined any chance of wielding a miraculous again, Ryuko didn’t follow orders, Carapace was overtly prioritizing Rena Rouge over the rest of the team and Rena Rouge was recklessly endangering herself and others by either giving away her position, or clinging so close to the other heroes that she was a direct inconvenience.

And don’t even get him started on Viperion. One of Ladybug’s few competent allies and he retires?! For what reason, when he’s only participated in less than ten skirmishes, the lout. She needed to establish more than the ground rules, she needed to make clear expectations.

So, no. He did not like Ladybug. He didn’t hate her either. She did her job, worked with what she had, and left him to his own devices whenever they’d interact.

Except for now. Sort of.

Technically she hadn’t said anything, but every now and then she would glance up from her compact and thoughtfully observe his tight expression.

“Speak up or stop gawking,” he finally snapped. Ladybug’s thoughtful gaze quickly glimmered into something else, but it was gone before he could identify it.

“Trouble in Jump?” Robin didn’t care for being figured out so easily.

“Jump is none of your concern.”

She tilted her head. “No, but it is yours’s. Tell me about it?”

He just glared darkly, and she raised her hands in surrender.

“Okay, I get it. I wasn’t asking to be nosy or anything, you just seem less stoic than usual, like you’re upset or angry, so I wanted to offer an ear,” she waved her hands, a foolish tell she needed to correct.

“Upset? Angry?!” He leaped up to pace around the room, cape swirling being him.

“I’m neither of those paltry emotions, angry and upset cannot begin to communicate sheer fury that boils in me!” His cadence was fast and biting.

“How much more will I have to fight to keep my position as leader of the Titans?! Have I not proven myself time and again to be trustworthy, yet my efforts are only met with scrutiny and skepticism as though I’m still that same child from all those years ago,” he dragged a hand through his hair without dislodging his hood.

“What more do they want from me, what more could I possibly give them to prove myself, how--how do I…” he trailed off from his rant, mutely horrified.

“...Robin?” Ladybug hesitantly called. “Um--?!” He rushed to stand above her on the steps.

“You will speak of this to no one.” He threatened. Her worried expression quickly flipped to that of annoyance.

“Yeah, I gathered,” She scoffed sarcastically and stood on a higher step, looking down at him.

He gritted his teeth. “You want something, so name it.”

“Pardon?”

“You wouldn’t offer something without knowing you’d receive benefits, so let’s just get this--”

“Oh Mon Dieu!” she groaned under her palm. “I’m not blackmailing you, moron. I--”

“Who are you calling moron?!” he growled.

“Just look up, damn it!” she snapped. He brashly tilted his head up.

“What--!” could looking up tell me about this situation, is what he would’ve said, but the world just…

It was as if time slowed to a crawl. Every nerve ending, each skin cell gained a hyper awareness rare outside of combat.

What…

He could feel hot, gentle puffs of air on his right cheek. Heat was effusing through his body, soft and tender. Ladybug was closer than she’d ever been, close enough to see the detailed fibers of her mask. Ladybug was close because Ladybug was kissing him.

Why was she…? Robin couldn’t think, everything was focused on Ladybug. She pressed down and his head further tilted, accommodating her completely. Her lips were warm, sliding against his silkily, parting to slip her tongue into his mouth. The air got hotter.

Why am I…? Her tongue was slowly and possessively wrapping around his. He still couldn’t think. Then, it was over all too soon.

Ladybug pulled away with a quiet noise and he leaned into her space, eyes belatedly flickering open. When had he closed them?

“...” Robin gazed up, stunned.

“That’s...not why I offered, but I got lost in the moment,” Her blue eyes were steel, unyielding. Unapologetic. Strength left his limbs, the only reason he was still standing was because of sheer pride and willpower.

“...”

“Robin, I offered because it looked like you wanted to shut yourself away. I know what that looks like, from others as well as myself. It’s not a good mindset to be in, and I wouldn’t let you sink to that without at least trying to talk to you.” She bit her lip and he locked onto the motion behind his mask, frozen stiff.

“I...I don’t know what to say and I don’t know how to help, but I do know that I can at least listen to you so you can know that you’re heard. That you’re being understood.” She brought up her compact and input some command and his utility belt beeped.

“I just sent you my contact information. Call me whenever, for whatever.” She clasped her hand on his shoulder as she descended the stairwell.

“I gotta go deal with an akuma. See you later, yeah?”

“....”

Just like that, Robin was left alone in the break lounge, halfway up the staircase and gaping up at the ceiling like a complete imbecile. Red, weak-kneed, and utterly stupefied.

What…?

-----

The end. Now validate me.

#daminette #maribat #mlb x dc #oneshot #ficlet #maridami #marinette x damian

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penguiduck · 5 years ago

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Writing Fight Scenes

I’ve had a lot of readers mention that they don’t feel comfortable with fight scenes. Well, that’s understandable. It’s challenging writing about experiences you’ve never had. But with some perspective and practice, you can most certainly work toward writing those fast-paced, heart-pounding scenes with ease.

To give you some background, I practiced competitive martial arts for six years. I competed in tournaments and trained hard to perform well in the ring. It was a contact sport, and even if I wasn’t sparring, training often left me with bruises, usually of the physical nature, sometimes of the emotional persuasion.

This experience gave me a lot of perspective when it comes to writing fight scenes.

Whenever I step into the ring, I have a flexible strategy in mind that combines what I know about myself, my opponent, and what I’m going to learn about them in the next two minutes. I’d like to share some of these thoughts and perspectives with you, and how your character may think before and during a match of their own. Of course, my fighting experience is limited to a contact sport. Your story may very well be far more violent with higher stakes, but strategies may be of similar foundation. Once you take a fight into deeper consideration, aside from the depiction of two fighters merely exchanging blows, you can begin to enrich your writing experience.

I’m including examples from Yu Yu Hakusho because that’s the fandom I write the most for, and as you know, there’s a lot of fighting involved! But remember — anime and writing are two completely different mediums. There's no one narrating everything that our beloved characters are doing on screen. You just see it. That is why you, as a writer, must paint those scenes through words for your readers.

Nevertheless, this advice really stands for any sort of writing, so do with this information what you will.

A well-written fight scene is never about just trading blows. There are other conflicts at play, whether between the fighters or even in the heads of your protagonists.

Allow me to elaborate:

1. Who is your protagonist?

Whenever I am preparing for a sparring match, the first thing I worry about is me. I must be self-aware.

I think about my own fitness. How am I doing? Do I have any existing injuries or ailments? How is my weight? My body type? What are my strengths and weaknesses? What do I have in my toolbox? What techniques do I know? What techniques am I most versed and confident in?

I also think about my overall wellness. Have I been eating well? Drinking water? Sleeping? How is my emotional state of mind? What are the stakes?

Is my uniform clean and pressed? What about my equipment? Headgear? Mouth guard? Shin guard? Did I replace that torn lace?

I recommend using these questions to bring your character’s own reflection to the forefront in whatever way makes most sense for them. How is your character’s fitness? Is she in good fighting condition? Has she been injured previously? What has happened since the last fight that might impact her state of mind?

It’s possible that she’s recovering from an illness or injury. Perhaps her mentor died a gruesome death. Maybe she’s frustrated because she lost use of her right hand, temporarily or permanently, and has had to compensate with her non-dominant hand. Or perhaps she’s lost the will to fight, having experienced something traumatic.

Hiei had to constantly think about his own state of health throughout the Dark Tournament after his fight with Zeru. His arm had been sacrificed to his Dragon of the Darkness Flame, rendered useless, and he was in terrible pain. He never let it impact him, of course, being the stoic warrior he is. His personality allows for little inner dialogue to be shared with the audience, but as a fighter, he was most certainly considering what options he had with his handicap. And, as a writer, perhaps you would like to elaborate on his thoughts for your readers.

What has your character been practicing lately? Is her weapon of choice the same? Has it been upgraded? Has she been training with a different weapon or technique? Is she perhaps nervous about using something new?

Maybe she just repaired her sword, and she’s unsure if it’s as strong as it was before. Perhaps she’s been studying a new technique, and she knows she’ll need to use it in this battle.

Remember when Kuwabara first introduced his spirit sword in Maze Castle? He was so proud of himself, and that whole battle was an introduction to his newfound technique, how he manipulated his sword, and how he was able to harness his spirit energy. It’s far more interesting to see this development and exploration than to just watch him stab at Byakko a dozen times.

My point is that while your character probably should keep her emotions out of the ring, she may not be able to. There are so many things that could be on her mind, plaguing her thoughts, especially if there’s a lot riding on this battle. I think it’s really important to not only acknowledge the physical part of fighting but the emotional toll it can take a fighter, too.

Think about the fight between Yusuke and Toguro. Toguro had just killed Genkai, and Yusuke took that very personally. This was not a simple battle of strength or wits. This was a battle of emotions, and it wasn’t until Yusuke was able to master his feelings and reach beyond that “six foot wall of crap” as Genkai so affectionately calls it that he was able to finally defeat Toguro.

And the catharsis that came from defeating Toguro? It was made all the more powerful because Yusuke went through that emotional journey. It wasnʼt just a fight — it was a calling, a purpose, and a lesson. It was painful and potent, and it made him realize just how much these experiences shaped him as a person.

2. Who is the opponent?

Before I participate in a tournament, I do my research. Who is likely to be competing? Who is in my weight class? What do I know about these competitors? If I don’t have answers, I would find them. I’d chat with my instructor, my fellow martial artists. Has anyone else from my school fought these people before? What were they like? Are there videos online of their performance?

I find as much information as possible. I make calls, send texts, take people out to lunch, scour the internet for information. Even if your character lives in a less technologically dependent world, I would imagine that he might talk with friends, look through old records, listen to gossip and hearsay. He might watch battles leading up to his own fight in an effort to learn more.

And if this pre-work isn’t possible, that’s okay. Fights in your story may be entirely unpredictable, but your character can also learn things about his opponent during the match.

When I step into the ring and ready myself to compete, one of the first things I want to find out is on which side my opponent is dominant. In other words, are they right-handed? Or left-handed? Right-footed? Or left-footed? Maybe they only focus on one side during training (which is silly, but that’s another conversation). But there could be an underlying reason why as well. Perhaps they injured themselves in the previous round or maybe they just don’t like exposing one particular side of their body for whatever reason.

This information is critical because this tells me what I need to watch out for, which side of my own body I should be guarding, how I may penetrate my opponent’s defenses. How can I catch them when they least suspect it? Where can I knock them off balance? My instructor always told me to watch the shoulders — shoulders move before the rest of the body. You can tell what your opponent is about to do by watching their shoulders.

Your character may wish to discover the same thing. Maybe his opponent uses a two-handed sword and is very clearly right-handed. This may give him some information on where his blind spot is — or maybe he just needs to disable his opponent’s right arm. The possibilities are endless, and understanding his opponent will give him leverage, offering him many options.

Understanding an opponent’s technique is also important. In martial arts, practitioners often favor a strategy or skill. This seems obvious, but it’s vital that you understand what it is — only then you can combat it.

Consider Kurama’s matches with Gama and Toya during the events of the Dark Tournament. The English dub did a wonderful job voicing Kurama’s inner conflict during these fights, struggling with first his inability to move and then his imprisoned spirit energy — if you were to put these scenes into writing, explaining his thought process would be fascinating. How does Kurama overcome these obstacles? He seeks to understand his opponents before he defeats them, which, unfortunately, also means he risks injury to himself until then.

Your character’s thoughts about the fight, interpreting for your audience what he feels he might need to do to secure victory, is just as important as detailing the fight itself.

3. What about the writing?

The writing will come once you begin to dissect your characters and their motivations for fighting. Your characters aren’t one-dimensional, or, at least, they shouldn’t be!

Your fight scenes shouldn’t be, either. It’s not about two fighters trading blows. It’s about an artfully curated dance. Two opponents are engaged in a craft that they both know well, and whether they’re fighting to win a tournament or for their very lives, they have reasons and complex thought processes that should make their fight interesting.

There are two players here, and unless the fight is grossly one-sided, they’re both thinking and acting independently of one another. My advice is to thread their actions and consequences together — weave the fight scene as if it’s a stream of conscious thought, separated into paragraphs, each with a shift in perspective, for clarity.

Instead of writing:

Yusuke charged at Kuwabara and punched him in the face. Kuwabara punched him in the mouth. Yusuke then kicked him in the stomach.

Try this:

Yusuke had little patience for Kuwabara’s bad jokes, and he rushed toward him, landing a blow square in the side of his head.

Kuwabara flew backward with a grunt, stabilizing himself before launching himself at Yusuke, returning the favor. His fist collided with Yusuke’s jaw, a blow hard enough to knock the teeth out of any regular human.

Yusuke expected him to retaliate, and although he was nearly knocked off balance, he swung his leg around, making full contact with Kuwabara’s stomach.

You may also find it useful to deviate from the fighting itself. You can speak to a character’s inner dialogue or thoughts, whether about the fight or something else. You may choose to have them begin a brief conversation. Or you may describe what other characters are feeling about the fight as onlookers.

There are many ways to make these fight scenes seamless and interesting — take some time to explore your options!

Just a few more general tips that might help:

If you’re going to use a thesaurus, be mindful about it. I use a thesaurus when I write because I suffer all day, every day from tip-the-tongue syndrome. But words, even if they generally fit the same definition, can have vastly different connotations, so before selecting a word from the thesaurus, do some digging. Look at the exact definition and perhaps Google some common usage. Punch, slap, and stroke do not mean the same thing, even if a thesaurus might say otherwise.

Read your writing out loud. If you’re unsure, this is the best way to understand your cadence, the flow of the battle. Use your best Morgan Freeman or Jorge the Ogre voice.

Consider a beta reader. Sometimes having a second opinion is immensely helpful.

Remember that there are no strict writing rules. You write whatever your heart desires in whatever manner your heart desires. Experiment and explore with different styles and techniques to find whatever works for you.

I hope you find this information useful! Please feel free to suggestion additional blog posts you would like to see from me in the future. ^_^ Of course, please reblog this if you found it helpful!

Pictures are, of course, not mine. They are shots from the anime or other official derivatives.

#YYH #Yu Yu Hakusho #YYH tutorial #YYH fight scenes #Writing fight scenes #Fight scenes #Writing #Writing tips #Writing help #Writing tutorial #YYH resource #YYH fanfic #YYH fanfiction #Writing fighting #Writing how-to #Fanfiction #Fanfiction writing #YYH headcanon

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