#but Leverage lets all the characters be competent and skilled

[firebirdsdaughter]

Something else I love…

… About Leverage ep one is that they pull it off.

Despite the fact that they all normally work alone, that it's the first run, that they all have different personalities, the opening lets all the characters show that they really are professionals who know what they're doing. The only reason that the whole thing goes sideways is the employer.

And I appreciate it for that.

[oklotea]

I was rewatching eah season one, and I got to the Maddie-in-chief episode. And OH MY GOD did this single episode hold so much potential as a full-fledged special.

Just imagine with me for a second, before EAH asks huge questions about autonomy, the true reality of Ever Afterian society, or what secrets lie in Milton Grimm's head, they make a point to truly bring your attention to the underlying classism and favoritism in ever after.

It could have been the first crack that would eventually lead to them questioning Milton Grimm even further, and finding Giles, and eventually finding out the storybook of legends had been a fake.

AND OTHER SUCH IDEAS, I DON'T KNOW!!!!!!!!

We could have gotten the chance to develop Maddie's character further. They had strongly implied that Maddie was much more smarter than what you may first assume, what is it with that? How do those skills properly show themselves? Not just in debate, but on a daily basis? How is Maddie intellectual in a way only the wonderlandians can see? And better yet, how has the people in ever after high chose to neglect her and her skills?

THIS HYPOTHETICAL SPECIAL COULD HAVE BEEN AN AMAZING TIME TO ESTABLISH THE WONDERLAND CURSE AND HOW KITTY, MADDIE, AND LIZZIE HAVE BEEN DISPLACED FOR A GOOD HALF OF THEIR LIFE!!!!!!!

It could have been such a great moment to make the audience care about Maddie, and possibly the wonderlandians, even further.

We could have gotten Apple's first bit of character development, found in her earnestly looking at the non-royal characters as people equal to her, because let's be real, if we looked at the way she saw non-royals/commoners in the first book as something to build off of, it obviously comes off as disingenuous.

Maybe at the first half of the story, Apple is very sweetly and discreetly underestimating Maddie. Maybe going on behind her back about how, even though she admires Maddie's bravery, she doubts there'll even be any competition.

Only for as the special goes on, Apple watches how Maddie is actually a very talented, formidable and driven opponent

How will they show this?????? UHHHHH I HAVEN'T FIGURED THAT OUT YET

BUT COMPETENT, AND GENUINELY DEPENDABLE STUDENT COUNCIL PRESIDENT CANDIDATE MADDIE IS A CONCEPT THAT COULD BE SOOOO SO JUICY

Like.... She's the kind of person who could be handed over an entire pile of student council work, the likes of which even sends a shiver down Apple White's spine, but thanks to the effects of wonderland, and wonderlandian photographic memory (I have no idea if that's a thing that only Lizzie has in wonderlandiful world but...... BUT LET ME COOK!!!! AGRHEGRGSVD) MADDIE IS DEPENDABLE, SHE HAS SKILLS THAT SHOW HER POTENTIAL AS A STUDENT COUNCIL PRESIDENT!!!!! And not only that, she's got a big heart, and she cares about her friends and fellow non-royals very deeply, and just, having a non-royal as a student council president would be a huge step forward before all the crazy shit that would eventually happen in the future webisodes and specials.

EVERYTHING THAT HAPPENS IN THE OG WEBISODE WOULD HAPPEN ONLY WITH THE STAKES MUCH MORE HIGHER, AND A MUCH MORE SERIOUS TONE

And Maddie decides herself that she wants to work alongside Apple, because she can see just how genuinely dedicated and talented Apple is, and with that, Apple's character development for the special is wrapped into a neat bow, and from then on her and Maddie being student council presidents is an IMPORTANT THING that gets BROUGHT UP

Like in Dragon Games, we could have hypothetically gotten Maddie walking up to Apple, sadly asking her how she could allow the dragon games to happen, and better yet how her mom can allow the evil queen to walk free!

Maddie requests that, since she doesn't have as much leverage over Snow White, how about Apple takes some action to stop the games and convince her mom to take the evil queen hostage once again?

Only for Apple to visibly be racking her brain, and snapping at Maddie, telling her she can't do that, and the games must go on.

It would have really sucked and it would have hurt and it would have been amazing.

That's just ONE example I've got on Apple and Maddie being co-presidents being acknowledged.

Apple and Maddie could have had a more defined dynamic.... It would have been interesting seeing two characters who are so drastically different in how they function being in such close proximity to one another, and having to work closely with each other!

Alright, my final point in proving to you maddie-in-chief should have been it's own special issss.......

JUST IMAGINE THE DOLLS

Here's what I have in mind,

Pin striped suit Madeline Hatter

Pillbox hat, pencil skirt Apple White

VERY MUCH PRESIDENT ELECTION CODED

I jotted down some scrappy sketches to show you what I mean

It's not the best, I spent like, 5 minutes on it, but YOU UNDERSTAND WHAT I AM SAYINH

YOU DO

I TRUST THAT YOU DO

THEY'RE BOTH WEARING SASHES THAT HAVE EACH OF THEIR SLOGANS ON

Maddie obviously wearing a sash that says, "Hats over Crowns" Cause that's iconic

And Apple wears something more, idk royally conservative???!???? Something with the sentiment that, the Royal way is the better way, OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT. YOU GET IT.

And we're not stopping with just Maddie and Apple! Even though they are both the crown jewels of this student council president election doll line (someone come up with a better name, god bless), the rest of the line consists of a handful of Apple supporters, and a hatful of Maddie supporters. Their groupies, per se.

All of them in dresses or suits, whatever it is, very much business formal, or business casual, they all look quite prim!

That's all I got so far on the maddie-in-chief special concepts.

If anyone wants to build upon them, by all means do so!!!! I would love to see what you people come up with!!! :D

Alrighth, take care everyone. Thanks for making it this far

[powerpolyculeshowdown]

for both u and any other followers that might be interested in leverage, i know that one ask let ppl know the s1 order and that it’s free w ads, but i figured this might also help with propaganda for the ot3 lmao

for seeing if you like the general vibe of the show i suggest The Wedding Job or The Bank Shot Job (both season 1) and the best ot3 episode is the iconic The Rundown Job (season 5) but there are also many individual good episodes for each pair of the ship

the first ep kinda shows its age(it first aired in 2008), but by the second episode they already have their groove on tbh, it also has the best final episode of any show ive ever seen bc they had an ideal ending in mind from the beginning and ended each season as if it might be their last just incase they got cancelled (they did, but then they also made history by winning being the first cancelled show to win a people’s choice awards the next year), and they had just enough time after they got the news to implement their ideal ending

it honestly is the most perfectly made show ive ever seen, the characterization is consistent, there’s no unnecessary contrived plot twist or weird forced drama or overly dramatic miscommunication plotlines (there’s only one sort of miscommunication b plot off the top of my head and it makes sense for the characters and was resolved at the end of the episode, it was also shockingly cute)

two words

COMPETENCY PORN

by that i mean, the leverage team are good at what they do and they know it and do it WELL, anytime something does go off the rails for them its never for lack of skill or ability or dumb mistakes that make no sense for the characters to make, it’s beautiful, they’re beautiful, i love them all,

and every character has rich backstories and character development!!!! and by the end they feel like the same people just more mature, everything is very natural and well written

also, and this is v important to me bc im trans, it’s trans safe! there’s not any trans characters, but the one time there’s a trans joke it’s specifically about one of the guys on the team accidentally using a woman’s pass to get thru security and he gets thru by saying he’s trans and making the security guy panic about being perceived as transphobic, it’s not perfect but it aged surprisingly well tbh

also real talk they’re all queercoded as hell, like the argument could be made for nate that he’s painfully straight which is fair but tbh whatever he and sterling have going on between them is at least a little gay by season 5

anyway go watch leverage and fall in love with the ot3

thank u for the more in depth summary im even more interested now

also i lile that the trans joke is making fun of the idea of being perceived as transphobic and not of actual trans ppl thats smth idk if ive seen in media personally but its great for a show from 2008 fr

[uscaacademy1]

Preparing for Success: The Importance of Early Education in International Schools

Your child’s early years are brimming with possibilities, where each experience can potentially be memorable and shape them for the rest of their life. Education has a crucial role in shaping their mind and influencing their character and long-term success, making it important to pick the right educational environment for early education. Choosing an international school in Canada can be a good start to building a solid foundation for a lifetime of learning.

How is it different from regular schools?

An international school can be the perfect setting for your child’s early education. The best ones provide opportunities to deepen appreciation and understanding of diverse languages and cultures, expanding your child’s global awareness, perspective, and knowledge. In addition, they help in developing international and global competencies in Canada and abroad.

Despite the name, international schools in Canada accept local students, too. Sending your child to one gives them early exposure to the diverse viewpoints, cultures, and languages of their classmates, allowing them to become more accepting and tolerant in their community.

Helping kids grow into better individuals

Early education in an international school in Canada can set the stage for your child to grow into a respectful individual ready to face real-world challenges no matter where they go. Reputable schools approach early education differently, aiming to provide a holistic experience to support every part of your child’s development.

Holistic education goes beyond academics. It lets your child flourish in a safe setting that promotes comprehensive growth and values individuality. Reputable international schools treat your child as a unique individual and leverage early education to help them develop essential life skills like communication, empathy, time management, and critical thinking. All this can go a long way in your child’s life, helping them through adulthood to withstand and overcome the challenges in their relationships and careers.

When to start

An international school in Canada welcomes students of all nationalities and backgrounds in their elementary program from Grades 1-8. Your child can start anytime, especially if you’re moving to Canada or looking for a new school. Schools like USCA Academy also offer Grades 9-12 (OSSD) and a University Preparation Program in Grade 12, eliminating the need to find another educational institution as your child moves to higher grades.

Are you considering an international school in Canada for your child? USCA Academy welcomes you. Visit their website to learn more about their elementary school program and inquire about admissions.

[gotilo]

Unraveling Gotilo: The Quest to Become the Maze King

Welcome to the vibrant world of Gotilo! 🎮✨ This game has captured the hearts of maze enthusiasts everywhere, inviting players to navigate through intricate challenges in their quest to become the ultimate "Maze King." Ready to dive in? Let’s explore the origins, mechanics, strategies, and community that make Gotilo so special!

The Origins of Gotilo

Gotilo was born from a passionate team of developers who wanted to shake up the maze genre. Inspired by classic games and modern trends, they crafted an experience that appeals to both nostalgic gamers and newcomers alike. 🌟

Since its launch, Gotilo has garnered acclaim for its engaging gameplay and stunning visuals, proving that indie titles can stand tall alongside big franchises.

Understanding the Game Mechanics

At its core, Gotilo challenges you to navigate increasingly complex mazes filled with obstacles and traps.

Basic Gameplay Mechanics

Control your character by tilting your device or using on-screen controls. The goal? Reach the exit while collecting items and avoiding hazards!

Maze Generation

Each maze is procedurally generated, ensuring no two playthroughs are alike. This keeps gameplay fresh and encourages you to adapt your strategies.

Difficulty Levels

Gotilo offers various difficulty levels to cater to all players. Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned pro, there's something here for everyone!

Types of Mazes and Their Challenges

Gotilo features a variety of maze types, each presenting unique challenges:

Classic Mazes: Perfect for beginners, these layouts have straightforward paths with minimal obstacles.

Obstacle Courses: Filled with traps and challenges, these mazes test your agility and quick thinking!

Timed Challenges: Race against the clock to reach the exit. The pressure makes it all the more thrilling! ⏱️

Essential Strategies for Success

Here are some tips to help you excel in Gotilo:

Tips for New Players

Take Your Time: Don’t rush! Survey your surroundings to identify paths and obstacles.

Learn the Layouts: Familiarize yourself with common maze patterns to navigate more easily.

Advanced Techniques

Plan Your Route: Think ahead about your next steps before moving.

Practice Makes Perfect: Regular play helps develop muscle memory.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Ignoring Items: Collecting items is crucial for boosting your score and gaining advantages.

Panicking: Stay calm, especially during challenging sections. Focus on your strategy!

Power-Ups and Items: Leveraging Your Resources

Power-ups can significantly impact your gameplay! Here’s what you need to know:

Overview of Power-Ups

Gotilo features a variety of power-ups, like speed boosts and temporary invisibility. Use them wisely!

Strategies for Using Power-Ups

Save for Key Moments: Don’t waste power-ups on easy sections; use them during tougher challenges.

Combine Effects: Experiment with combinations to maximize your advantages!

Importance of Item Collection

Collecting items boosts your score and provides essential resources. Prioritize gathering them!

Engaging with the Gotilo Community

The Gotilo community enhances the gaming experience with opportunities for collaboration and competition.

Community Platforms

Connect with fellow players through forums and social media! Sharing strategies and insights can improve your gameplay.

Community Events and Competitions

Participate in competitions to showcase your skills and compete for top times. It’s a great way to bond with others!

Insights from Top Players

Learn from the best! Top players often share strategies that can help you refine your own approach.

Future Developments and Updates in Gotilo

As technology evolves, so does Gotilo! Developers are constantly seeking feedback to improve and expand the game.

Upcoming Features

Stay tuned for rumors about new maze types and power-ups. Being engaged means you’ll be among the first to experience new content!

Expanding the Game

The success of Gotilo has opened the door for potential expansions. New gameplay mechanics are on the horizon!

Conclusion

Gotilo isn’t just a game; it’s an adventure through intricate mazes filled with challenges and opportunities for mastery. By understanding its origins, mechanics, and community, and employing smart strategies, you can level up your gameplay.

So gear up, navigate those twisting paths, and embrace the adventure that awaits you in Gotilo! 🌌💫

Got your own tips or experiences in Gotilo? Share them in the comments! Don’t forget to follow for more gaming content and updates! Happy navigating! 🗺️✨

[sawaproexperts]

Best 2D Animation in Kampala

Looking to add some lively visuals to your projects in Uganda? Look no further than Best 2D Animation in Kampala! With its vibrant colors and dynamic characters, Best 2D Animation brings your ideas to life engagingly and memorably. Whether you're promoting a product, telling a story, or educating your audience, Best 2D Animation offers a versatile and effective solution. We have Digital Animation in Kampala, studios, workshops, and industry. So, let your creativity shine and captivate your viewers with the magic of the Best 2D Animation in Muyenga!

Are 2D Animators in demand?

For example, meet the Rising Demand: Are you passionate about bringing characters to life through animation? Good news! The demand for 2D animators is soaring. Thus, companies across various industries, from entertainment to advertising, are seeking skilled animators to create captivating content. As businesses increasingly turn to animation to engage audiences, now is the perfect time to pursue a career in Best 2D Animation.

Unleash Your Creativity: Imagine having the power to turn your artistic vision into reality. As a 2D animator, you can do just that. With the demand for animated content on the rise, there's no shortage of opportunities to showcase your talent and creativity. Whether you're animating characters for a blockbuster film or crafting eye-catching commercials, your skills as a 2D animator are in high demand and can take you places you've only dreamed of. We have Digital Animation in Kampala, studios, workshops, and industry.

Therefore, join the Animation Revolution: The world of animation is evolving, and 2D animators are at the forefront of this revolution. With advancements in technology and an increasing appetite for animated content, there's never been a better time to embark on a career in Best 2D Animation. So, from traditional hand-drawn techniques to digital animation, the possibilities are endless. Don't miss out on your chance to be part of this dynamic and ever-expanding industry.

Is Best 2D Animation Popular in Kampala?

In Uganda, Best 2D Animation is gaining popularity at a remarkable pace. With its vibrant colors and lively characters, Best 2D Animation has captivated audiences of all ages across the country. From educational videos to entertainment content, Ugandan creators are embracing this dynamic medium to tell their stories and convey messages in engaging ways. Whether it's promoting local culture or addressing social issues, Best 2D Animation is becoming a go-to tool for Ugandan marketers to connect with their target audiences effectively.

In recent years, the demand for Best 2D Animation in Kampala has surged, reflecting its growing popularity among consumers. Businesses and organizations are leveraging the versatility of Best 2D Animation to enhance their marketing efforts. So, from advertisements to explainer videos, companies are using this visually appealing medium to grab the attention of their target market and convey their brand messages with clarity and creativity. As a result, Best 2D Animation has emerged as a powerful marketing tool in Muyenga, helping businesses stand out in a crowded marketplace and engage with customers in meaningful ways.

Moreover, the accessibility of technology and training opportunities has fueled the rise of Best 2D Animation in Kampala. As more aspiring animators and content creators gain access to tools and resources, the industry is experiencing a surge in talent and innovation. This has led to the production of high-quality animations that resonate with Ugandan audiences and compete on a global scale. With its growing presence in various sectors, from entertainment to advertising, Best 2D Animation is undeniably carving its niche in Muyenga’s vibrant media landscape. We have Digital Animation in Kampala, studios, workshops, and industry.

FAQs about Best 2D Animation in Kampala

What is Best 2D Animation? This is a type of animation where images are created and manipulated in a two-dimensional space to create movement.

Is Best 2D Animation popular in Kampala? Yes, Best 2D Animation is gaining popularity in Uganda, especially with the growth of the entertainment industry and the emergence of local animation studios.

What software is used for Best 2D Animation in Kampala? Popular software for Best 2D Animation in Uganda includes Adobe Animate, Toon Boom Harmony, and TVPaint.

Can I learn the Best 2D Animation in Uganda? Yes, there are opportunities to learn Best 2D Animation in Uganda through various training programs, workshops, and online tutorials.

Do I need to have drawing skills to do the best 2D Animation? While drawing skills can be helpful, they are not always necessary for Best 2D Animation. Many software programs offer tools for creating animations without needing advanced drawing skills.

What career opportunities are there in Best 2D Animation in Kampala? Career opportunities in Best 2D Animation in Kampala include working as an animator, storyboard artist, character designer, or animator for games, films, and advertisements.

In addition,

How can I get started with Best 2D Animation in Kampala? To get started with Best 2D Animation in Muyenga, you can begin by learning the basics of animation principles, familiarizing yourself with animation software, and practicing regularly to improve your skills. Additionally, joining local animation communities and attending industry events can help you network and learn from others in the field.

Are there any animation studios in Kampala? Yes, there are several animation studios in Uganda, such as Kona Animation Studio and Maisha Magic Studios that produce 2D animated content for both local and international audiences.

What are some examples of 2D animated projects from Kampala? Some examples of 2D animated projects from Uganda include short films like "Koikoi" by Maisha Magic Studios. And then, educational animations produced by organizations like the Uganda Communications Commission.

Is Best 2D Animation a viable career path in Muyenga? Yes, Best 2D Animation can be a viable career path in Kampala, especially as the demand for animated content continues to grow across various industries. With dedication, skill development, and networking, individuals can build successful careers in Best 2D Animation.

Ready to elevate your brand with a captivating Best 2D Animation in Kampala? Paulette Décor Arts is your go-to partner for bringing your ideas to life! With our dynamic animations, you can engage your audience, boost your online presence, and stand out from the competition. We have Digital Animation in Kampala, studios, workshops, and industry. So, let's animate your success story together! Get in touch with us today and let's make your vision a reality.

[linuxgamenews]

Discover the New Power and Fame in Crusader Kings III: Roads to Power

Roads to Power game expansion has just been announced for Crusader Kings III on Linux, Steam Deck, Mac, and Windows PC. Thanks to the brilliant minds at Paradox Development Studio. Due to make its way onto Steam this fall. Unlock new power and fame in Crusader Kings III with the latest content, Roads to Power. Whether you're a wandering mercenary or leading a noble family in an ancient empire, there are new ways to build your legacy. So get ready for fresh events, government systems, schemes, and lifestyles to explore on Linux. Coming on September 24th, this is a major expansion. All coming for Paradox Interactive's award winning strategy game. It’s part of the Chapter III Expansion Pass for 2024. This also includes a free clothing pack, the Core DLC Legends of the Dead, and an upcoming event pack focused on character travel.

Crusader Kings III: Roads to Power Trailer

Roads to Power introduces two exciting new playstyles. First, you can roam the world as a Landless Adventurer. Fulfill contracts, build your base of power, and, when you're strong enough, claim a new kingdom. Doing so for yourself and your followers. Or, dive into the political intrigue of the Byzantine Empire as a noble in a non-feudal system. Scheme your way to the top, using your influence to shape the imperial court. Compete against other powerful families, while placing your allies in key positions. And maybe even on the throne.

Here are the new features:

Administrative Government: Roads to Power lets you take on medieval rule outside the feudal system. Doing so with a unique style of empire management. A web of governors compete for power with intrigue and skill. Only a skilled emperor can keep them in line.

The Family Estate: Manage a solid estate, the heart of your House’s power. Build new buildings and upgrades to enhance your leverage within the administrative empire.

Influence System: Build up your character’s influence to climb the ranks of authority. Start as a landless noble, compete for valuable provinces, and aim for the top.

A Life of Adventure: Roam the map as a landless adventurer, complete contracts, earn gold, prestige, and fame. Build a status across generations until you’re ready to settle down and claim your own land.

Choose Successor or Caesar: In Roads to Power you can use your influence to determine the empire’s future. Get the successor you want or even opt to co-rule if managing the empire alone is too much.

New Byzantine Flavor Content: Enjoy new events, monuments, and activities focusing on the Byzantine theme. This also includes chariot racing.

Cosmetic Additions: Get a Byzantine themed UI skin, new court fashions, 2D event art, and on-map tombs. This also includes holding designs, a Byzantine throne room, and new music inspired by Orthodox chants.

Crusader Kings III this new game content will be available on September 24, 2024. Doing so as part of the Chapter III Expansion Pass. This includes the Core DLC Legends of the Dead, the Major DLC Roads to Power, and the Event Pack Wandering Nobles. So get ready to dive into a world of new adventures and power struggles. Coming to Steam on Linux, Steam Deck (playable), Mac, and Windows PC.

[notzilon]

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.

[pale-silver-comb]

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. 

[nixariel]

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

[writing-frenzy]

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~

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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~ 

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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 

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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)

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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~

[emblemxeno]

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)

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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.

[thecaptainhelm]

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!

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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…?

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The end. Now validate me.

[penguiduck]

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.

[katiebugwrites24]

My Very ScientificTM Breakdown of Parker and Hardison’s Relationship

Someone asked me to explain how I’ve charted out Parker and Hardison’s relationship across all five seasons of Leverage, so here you go. All of this is off the top of my head, I literally just sat down and wrote this in a few hours, but I’d love to hear any responses y’all have to it! Do you agree? Disagree? Did I leave something out? Let me know!

It begins in Nigerian Job with Hardison finding Parker attractive (because, of course, she’s amazing). He offers her the whole box of earbuds and Eliot notices and teases him about it. So we know from the beginning he’s attracted to her, which isn’t that surprising.

 In Homecoming Job (episode 2), while Hardison and Nate are watching Parker ‘steal a law,’ Hardison calls her “sexiness” and Nate tells him to maybe ease up on that. Again, Hardison is commenting on his more surface-level attraction to Parker, and on his appreciation for her skills (because competence porn). Nate has noticed, rightfully, that Hardison doesn’t appear to have that much experience with girls, and therefore might not realize that his comments about Parker being sexy might make her uncomfortable (which I think they definitely would at this stage). So Nate is trying to help Hardison out by saying, “hey, maybe chill with that especially if she can hear you.” Let’s face it, Parker would probably not want her appearance commented on in that way at that point.

 Which leads to Wedding Job, when Hardison casually says that she looks “much better in the same dress” than the maid of honor, and Parker is kind of confused and asks “You really think I look good?” He does think she looks good, obviously, he has from the beginning, but this more casual way to approach it was the much smarter move given her skittishness. I think that exchange is what prompts Parker to tell Hardison that she’d pretended to be meeting him for sex in the screening room. I don’t know if it’s what gave her the idea to use that excuse in the first place, but I definitely think it’s why she told him about it when he asked. I think it was an acknowledgement to say “I hear you, and I appreciate that you find me attractive, but I’m not prepared to do anything with that, so I’m just gonna tease you about it a little and never mention it again.” Basically, she’s not shutting him down, but she’s not prepared to encourage him, or take the relationship any further at this stage.

 (There’s another little quip in Mile High Job about how if Parker was a geek she’d be really turned on by Hardison’s hacking, and she just kind of rolls her eyes, which I think is a fair response. It’s similar to the way she rolls her eyes when Eliot talks about some of his relationships. I don’t really read to much into that.)

 By Bank Shot Job, we see them becoming closer friends. They work well together as the undercover agents (which they also did in Wedding Job, but they anticipate and riff off each other really nicely in Bank Shot, indicating that they’ve worked together long enough to be a well-oiled machine). Also they’re obviously hanging out in the van together when the episode starts, and they mention they’ve been in Juan for a few weeks by that point, so I think it’s fair to say they’ve definitely reached friend territory by now.

 Regardless, once we get to Stork Job, they’re “a little more than a team.” That episode is a lot for Parker, and has a lot of her personal growth in it, obviously. It also shows Hardison opening up about his own past for the first time, and it shows how deeply Hardison cares for Parker and her safety. Personally, I also think the scene when What’s-His-Face is flirting with Parker and Hardison keeps making Parker laugh by saying stuff like “do my cape and fangs frighten you” is a sweet moment because he makes her laugh. I don’t really read this moment as jealousy, though I’ve seen that some people do, but I just think he was commenting on how ridiculous What’s-His-Face is. (I forgot the character’s name because he’s always just gonna be Moriarty from the Librarians to me).

 Juror # 6 Job is also great, and I really didn’t want to make this an episode by episode break down, I was really just going for broad overall themes, but I’m in too deep at this point. In Juror #6 we have Hardison who initially brushes off Parker’s concerns just like the rest of them, but he does come around and convinces Nate to listen to what Parker is saying. He also has the insight to say that Parker never had experience with people, etc. I like this scene because it mimics the previously mentioned scene in Homecoming Job with Hardison and Nate sitting in that same spot discussing Parker. Obviously at the end, we also have that sweet moment where Parker is proud of Hardison for his closing statements and also proud of herself for acting ‘normal’ (and I think he’s proud of her too).

 Then in First David, we get the first kiss. Obviously there are different ways to read this one. Either Parker is only focused on the job, and only kissed him because it helped her break in, OR she used the break-in as an opportunity to get to kiss him without actually having to follow through with anything else because she could just play it off. I like to believe the second option, because I think her awareness of his feelings is high enough that she’s starting to question her own feelings at this point, but isn’t consciously ready to go there. So I think she wanted to kiss him and she got to use this as an excuse, and then shut that door again immediately and pretend it never happened. Because later in Second David she was obviously just pretending to not know what Hardison was talking about. She just wasn’t ready to talk about it yet.

 I do also think that small moment in Second David is really telling when Hardison says something like  “no calls no texts for three months, I don’t need y’all” and Parker is seriously offended—like seriously offended, and says “What do you mean ‘you don’t need us’?” In her mind, not only does he obviously need her (they’re more than a team at this point, after all), she stayed away and didn’t contact him because she was protecting him. That was the safest thing to do, it doesn’t mean she didn’t want to talk to him. But Hardison is less . . . emotionally equipped to have to split up from his new family for months without contact, so it makes him feel like they never cared about him in the first place.

 Then we reach season 2, where we have the “people are like locks. You have to have patience and be fiddly” conversation. (By the way y’all, literally all of these quotes are off the top of my head, so if I misquote stuff please forgive me). Anyway, here Hardison wants Parker to know that he did look for her because he wants to be sure she knows he cares about her enough to try (I think she’s perfectly aware he was looking and has been intentionally not letting him succeed because she wasn’t ready for that yet, but who knows). And Parker encourages him with the fiddly message, but is again emphasizing that she’s not really ready yet. This encouragement is different from the acknowledgement she gave in Wedding Job in season one, when she was just saying “I see you.” Here, she’s saying “I see you, and continue, maybe one day it will work out.” Importantly, though, she still hasn’t addressed within herself her own feelings for Hardison.

 Skipping forward a bunch, because this is already 1200 words long and I’m only on season 2, we’ve got other small things, like them pretending to be a couple several times, and Hardison getting kind of jealous of McSweeten in Fairy Godparents Job. Parker also gets mad at Hardison in Ice Man Job, but that doesn’t really advance their relationship that much. The main thing we are seeing over the course of this season is Parker’s willingness to touch Hardison more and more. She holds him in that arm bar for a long time in Tap Out Job, and she pulls him close in the safe in Ice Man. Again, these can all be written off as being part of the con or for a bigger purpose, though, because she doesn’t want to admit to Hardison or to herself that she likes touching/being close to him.

 This similar thing is clear in Jailhouse Job, when he says “see, I like when we pretend to kiss” and she goes “pretend?” and scrunches up her nose. (also, is it just me, or did it look like they were trying to imply something other than kissing? Were they also kissing too? What was happening?) Because Parker may be pretending that kissing him doesn’t mean anything, but she’s not pretending to kiss him. The kisses themselves are real. Also, we see her in this episode once again get naked in front of Hardison, and once again it could be interpreted as Parker doesn’t really view her own body as sexual (perhaps hinting at being on the asexual spectrum here) or it could be interpreted as Parker wanting to mess with Hardison, or wanting to see how he’d respond. I think it kind of could be more of the latter, though I do maintain that Parker doesn’t naturally view her body as inherently sexual regardless. I think that she may have gotten naked because she knew it would make Hardison flustered, and she likes that she can make him flustered, but again she doesn’t want to examine why she likes it.

 In Reunion Job we have the sweet dance, which I think is one step further than what we saw with the touching in season 2, where this time there’s no “excuse” for her to dance with him, she just does it because she wants too, which is great. But I don’t think at this point if he’d tried to talk to her about it directly that she’d be willing to. For the most part, Hardison is really doing as she asked and being patient, but it’s still clear he’s eager to see where things go.

 (BTW, I started writing fic set in this time because there’s so much in these episodes in season three that I want to explore, so if you’re interested here’s the link but be warned I never finished it: https://archiveofourown.org/works/12707019/chapters/28977393)

 In Inside Job, obviously Hardison is super concerned about Parker, and I really think it’s so nice that he’s the one she calls when she gets to a phone. I also like that this is the first (?) instance of Hardison calling her “mama” that I can think of which is personally one of my favorite nicknames of his. I also think it was really eye-opening to Hardison to see how Parker lived and what her warehouse looked like. I think even though he knew all that stuff about her, it was different to see it in person.

 In Scheherazade Job, Parker sides with Hardison against Nate about the whole hypnotism thing, which I think is really interesting especially given that Nate says Hardison doesn’t have the ruthlessness needed to run a crew, but he leaves Parker as the mastermind at the end of the show, indicating that she does have that ruthlessness (which she does) but here she is still on Hardison’s side. I also doubt she’d be able to con her own team the way Nate does unless it was absolutely necessary for their survival, not just for the con. Like, she’d con them to save them from jail or to save their lives, but I don’t think she’d con them just to get a job done the way Nate did with Hardison here.

 ANYWAY, we come to the biggest development, which is the Pretzels conversation in Double Blind Job. One thing I love about this is that Hardison is in no way trying to make Parker jealous in this episode. That would be really kind of manipulative of him given what he knows about her, etc. That said, I think he does a good job of pointing out that there’s no reason for him not to date someone else. Parker hasn’t said anything concrete to him about her feelings one way or another, so if someone like Ashley came along and he wanted to date her, Parker would have no reason to object. Parker realizes this too, which is why I think she actually does say something, even if she can’t actually say the words in the end. This is when Parker realizes that not only does she like Hardison’s attention and get upset when it’s given to someone else, she likes it because she likes him back. So she tells him she has feelings for pretzels, and he understands that it means “I like you but I’m not ready yet so please don’t move on to anyone else” and he accepts that and says “they’ll be here for you when you want them” essentially saying that he’s not going to move on now that he knows she really does have some feelings for him. That allows him to justify to himself waiting on her because he has something concrete, and it allows her to work through her feelings for him without having to worry that he’ll move on to someone else before she’s ready for it to go anywhere.

 There are further moments this season where they grow together and are comfortable together, until finally, in Big Bang Job when they almost get blown up on the train and they manage to work together and disarm the bomb, she realizes that she is ready for pretzels. I don’t know if it’s the adrenaline of the situation or what, but somewhere in that she realizes she does want to move forward. How they’re going to do that is unclear, and doesn’t come up in San Lorenzo because they’re busy with Moreau and then they have to split up for a few months, so none of this comes up again until Long Way Down Job.

 In Long Way Down Job, Hardison is coming in kind of expecting a relationship at this point. Parker has said she wants pretzels, and this is the first time they’re seeing each other in the months since then. Parker, on the other hand, has used those few months to kind of get cold feet. It’s not that she doesn’t want to be with him anymore, it’s that she’s kind of gotten into her own head about being good enough for him or being able to handle a relationship in a way that’s fair to Hardison. That’s why she reverts to pretending not to see his obvious advances, and responding with “this isn’t going to be a thing, is it?” when he’s concerned for her. She’s trying to push back again, and again he respects that, but it’s obviously really upsetting for him. But after her whole experience in the crevasse with Eliot, she understands that it’s okay to be herself while she’s trying to be a better version of herself, and as long as Hardison knows that, then it’s okay. So in the end when she says “you know this isn’t going to be normal, right?” she’s admitting that she is, in fact, ready for “this.” That’s what they have in season four, a kind of limbo thing where they’re not saying they’re dating, but they’ve admitted that they like each other and they’re going on very date-like outings together. I always refer to season 4 as when they have their thing because of how Parker said, “this isn’t going to be a thing, is it?” and then turned around and said it is a thing, it’s just not normal.

 We of course get more great moments in episodes like Carnival Job and Grave Danger Job where Hardison expresses that he would never replace Parker and Parker expresses that she needs Alec. I don’t think they would have said ‘I love you’ yet at this point, but I think these things are essentially saying that in different words. In Queen’s Gambit, again we get that assurance from Hardison that he’s got Parker and he’s not going to let anything bad happen to her, and he proves it.

 In Experimental Job, Parker kisses him again, first on the cheek after she tells him that he’s really cool, and then on the lips to convince Zilgram that Hardison is worth having in the Dustmen. The ease with which she kisses him on the cheek indicates to me at least that a) she doesn’t mind showing him that kind of affection at this point, and that b) she doesn’t mind doing so in public. You could argue back and forth on the second kiss because it is for the job, but also I think she just really wanted to kiss him and knew she had an excuse to do so. Obviously she was acting for Zilgram’s benefit before and after the kiss, but there’s a spot in the kiss where they’re body language changes, and I think in that moment it’s a “real” kiss and not just for the con.

 Parker and Hardison both have some doubts again in Girl’s Night and Boy’s Night, but again those are pretty self-explanatory, so I won’t go into them. But it’s also interesting that the team does see them as basically dating at this point regardless of whether they use that terminology. Sophie references “early relationship jitters” and it’s clear by the way Eliot gives Hardison advice that he knows what’s going on (not that they were that subtle with it, lol). It’s clear enough by the end of the season that they’re together even if they haven’t officially said anything.

 They spend the 6 month break between season 4 and 5 together traveling the world, and then they finally admit to the team that they’re dating. The traveling the world time is when I really think they kind of hammered things out and actually talked not in code, which lead to their official admission to the team. I think this official admission really just means that they’ve become more comfortable talking about their relationship with others. So now they’ll refer to each other as babe (or, memorably “my santa baby”) in front of the team, etc, and refer to things as dates instead of just hanging out or activities together. They’ll spend the night together in the apartment above the brew pub, etc. But if you notice, their behavior around each other doesn’t really change that much between season 4 and 5, which I think is just more proof that they were just as much in a relationship in season 4 as they were in season 5, they just weren’t calling it that yet.

 So, to break it down:

Season 1: Hardison likes Parker; Parker realizes this, and experiments with kissing him

Season 2: Parker encourages Hardison’s advances, but warns him to be patient and fiddly; she begins to touch him more

Season 3: They have the pretzels conversation, and Parker confirms she has feelings for Hardison but asks him to wait for her and he agrees

Season 4: She’s ready for Pretzels now so they have a ‘thing’ where they’re basically dating/in the early stages of dating, but they don’t call it that.

Season 5: They’re finally comfortable admitting to everybody that they’re together, and acting like a couple in public. They’ve gotten over most of their doubts/insecurities about their relationship and are mainly just being happy together as a couple.

[nishiagrawal]

Gamification in e-learning

Virtual learning is transforming the EdTech sector and gamification is more than just a buzzword these days. It is a unique approach and engages the users with its benefits. Infusing gamification in learning, not only increases the competitiveness but also makes learning dynamic and increases the level of engagement. As gamification has seen huge popularity in the marketplace, we need to consider the impact of this technology on virtual learning.

With EdTech becoming a reality, several businesses and institutions are adopting gamification. Gamified environments are improving learning engagement to increase the outcomes. Gamification has proved to be a new way of learning and researchers are looking into new techniques and methodologies to improve the quality of virtual learning. Let’s now see how gamification has transformed the education industry.

How Has Gamification Transformed Virtual Learning?

Information transfer and transparent communication have become omnipresent and the education sector is heavily relying on new techniques to prepare better MOOCs for the virtual classroom. Gamification offers several advantages for the structure and game dynamics to have expected relationships with the content. Several advantages play an important role in transforming eLearning and virtual classroom sessions. The main advantage is the level of interactivity students and participants love. Let’s check some advantages and learn how gamification is improving the education section.

Advantages Of Gamification In eLearningUnique Interaction

With gamification, the interaction models and the levels of user engagement have increased as students now have access to a different environment to learn online through MOOC. A good strategy with a high level of engagement increases the retention rates of the students. Learners can easily engage in the academic content and develop a positive attitude while learning. This leads to student learning productivity. Different e-learning platforms allow the content creators and designers to incorporate interesting games, quizzes, and dynamic content that can deliver academic concepts in a fun way. This keeps the learners and participants engaged and improves the interaction.

Improved Motivation

The young students and learners are interested in games. They are always motivated to play and win. Gamification can easily harness this interest to develop a positive attitude towards learning while playing a game in an interactive environment. In a gaming environment, the learner is challenged to finish quests, accomplish goals and unlock achievements to move forward with the chapter. Developing dynamic content that is not only interactive but also challenging, keeps the learners engaged. Gamification offers interactive roles when incorporated into the learning process thereby increasing the motivation of the students.

Increased Reception

Gamification offers an effective learning environment that is quite informal and engaging. Learners face real-life situations, decision-making scenarios, and challenges in an interactive learning environment. This increases their level of reception while playing an interesting game. Instructors develop customized MOOCs and leverage gamification to teach complex topics in a fun way. This results in an engaging environment, smoother information flow, and increased attention. Interesting simulations can increase reception and keep the learners and participants engaged.

Increased Involvement

In virtual classrooms, learners have no option but to participate in game-based learning modules. Gamification allows the learners to take on new challenges, play different roles, unlock new chapters, level up their characters, and do much more. Apart from that, several MOOCs engage the learners differently and prepare them to handle in-game decision-making scenarios from different vantage points. Thus, there is increased dedication and involvement of the learners to effectively interact with the subject matter.

Increased Longevity & Quick Feedback

Gamification increases the overall outcomes of the virtual classroom. Game-based MOOCs not only engage the students but also offer learning conditions that build a better understanding of the subject through quick feedback. Quick feedback increases the interest level of the students and participants. Quick feedback offers a feeling of accomplishment. Game elements such as rewards, level-up points, badges, leaderboards, and challenges help the learners to understand their level and improve to finish their current quest and unlock the next one. Clear and immediate feedback is very important to have higher engagement in an immersive game-based e-learning session.

So these are a few parameters of how gamification is changing the face of education. Let’s now check out a few elements of a game-based e-learning module that can be incorporated into an Open edX® learning management system.

Elements Of GamificationAction & Events

eLearning platforms allow the learners and participants to perform certain actions. These actions are called events and they depend upon various dimensions and locked achievements that are defined by the instructor in a MOOC. Game-based virtual classroom sessions keep the learners engaged by offering them different challenges and interactive events to unlock. This increases their interest levels and improves engagement.

Points

Different game-based online learning modules offer point-based MOOCs to improve the learning process. Points offer instant feedback that increases the motivation of the learners. Points can be combined with other game-based elements to improve the overall effect. When learners complete particular tasks, they can earn points that can be used to upgrade their skills and unlock new content.

Badges

Based on the points obtained, the learners can acquire badges. Badges work as social elements that allow the learner to compete with one another to reach the same goals. Badges offer a few positive aspects and improve the learners’ engagement.

Increase the participation by encouraging the learners and offering rewards

Motivate the learners to engage with the MOOCs

Making the learners feel satisfied after completing tasks and unlocking more content

Performance Dashboards & Leaderboards

With gamification, the learners learn throughout their journey and performance dashboards offer the learners all the required game information and flow to see the distribution of all the activities. A performance dashboard allows the learners to view all their achievements, the total number of badges acquired, points earned, unlocked content, rewards, locked quests, and more.

The leaderboard displays the scores and names of the current learners and participants in the entire system. It helps the learners to view the following parameters.

Compare the performance with that of the other learners

Evaluate and analyze the percentage towards the next goal

Achievements locked and unlocked

Win With Gamification

Businesses are vying to see if their gamification strategies can make a difference by increasing the level of learners’ interest. With an effective gamification strategy, organizations can channelize increased engagement into career growth and better opportunities.

Gamification elements within your MOOCs encourage the learners to invest their time in the opportunities that are available to them. Recognize the learners’ desires to increase engagement in your virtual classrooms. Our learning management systems offer you the right gamification elements to have the expected engagement of your learners. Gamify your e-learning strategy with DRC Systems right away!