#but also OUCH that’s relevant

[emptyrainbowz]

Also, preshow playlist .. Daniel why :,(

[chiropteracupola]

an assortment of my temeraireverse fic-dragons!

[cygnet and honoré are from fifteenth-century britain and france, aquilillus, flavia magna, and bán are from second-century britain, and cipachcoatzin is from sixteenth-century mesoamerica]

[unordinary-diary]

Seraphina and Arlo: The Brainwashing of High Tiers

Exposition:

— Remi, Episode 50.

There is a heavy implication that Seraphina and Arlo were raised in much the same way. The pressure on Seraphina comes from her parents, so I’ll extrapolate that the same goes for Arlo. This raises the question: how do the authorities create such a strong societal pressure on such a small percentage of the population? Most high tiers will probably not know any other high tiers besides their parents. Take Wellston Private High School for example: it’s the most prestigious private school around, and canonically has the “highest concentration of high tiers in the region”. There are six high tiers in Wellston. Apply this to god tiers specifically, and there are only three. Not to mention that this current group of students is uniquely strong, even for Wellston. In Rei’s senior year, he was the strongest at 5.8 max.

So much of this brainwashing relies on the parents to do all of the work, and it only takes one or two people to break the cycle. So how are the authorities creating this immense pressure? One tactic could be by isolating high tiers. There is a very widespread concept that one shouldn’t associate with those outside their level range. A caste system like this that affects everyone is much easier to create and maintain than an expectation for a small group, and it also means that high tiers are only being influenced by those who are also high level. This creates an echo chamber. I’ve researched cults and how they brainwash victims, and the first step in the process is isolating them in exactly this way.

But, if there are so few high tiers, how the hell are they supposed be isolated from other groups? The answer is that high tiers are just isolated in general. Take a look at Arlo: his only friend is Remi, and even her, he keeps at an arm’s length. Arlo is only close with Remi in the first place because he was close with Rei, who, at the time of meeting Arlo, was presumably close in level with him. [EDIT: I forgot about Holden, which I think says a lot about his relevance. He is kept at more than an arm’s length and doesn’t seem to have any actual influence on Arlo, let alone a deep relationship. He is also not presented as an equal.] Take a look at Seraphina: before meeting John, she didn’t seem to have any friends other than possibly Arlo. Seraphina and Arlo pre-John seemed to have had more of a professional relationship, and while they were not close in level, Arlo did fit the bill of being a fellow god tier, and strong enough to also be brainwashed.

Now let’s look at Remi. In episode 60, Cecile says to Remi: “And yet here you are... Always hanging around those two monkeys, Blyke and Isen. Letting them treat you as an equal even though you’re in a completely different league.” This struck me as odd because, aside from Cecile herself, the Wellston students closest in level to Remi were Arlo, Blyke, and Isen. And who is she friends with? She actually was doing a pretty good job at following that social convention, unless Cecile wanted to be friends with Remi, which she clearly didn’t. But... her friends were still not close enough to her level. Was she supposed to just not have friends at all? The answer seems to be a resounding yes. Can you think of any genuine friends that Cecile has either?

Friendship simply isn’t considered a necessity for high tiers.

But... why is it that Arlo and Seraphina were brainwashed differently? Creating a societal norm for an isolated group of people is one thing, because those people’s mindsets feed into each other. Putting pressure on individual families to keep them in line, but doing it all in different ways? That would be near impossible. My theory is that Seraphina recieved the typical high tier brainwashing, and that Arlo was raised differently because he was being groomed to work for the authorities. Seraphina didn’t have a set career path planned out for her, but if she’s trying to be “perfect” by the standards of those controlling her, she’s bound to end up going in a direction that pleases them. Arlo on the other hand was specifically planned to become an authority figure. That’s why his brainwashing is so centered on leadership. Also, growing up with direct contact to the authorities makes it more possible for them to customize his brainwashing in this way.

But does all of this apply to high tiers in general, or is it specific to god tiers? Let’s take a look at the high tiers in Wellston. We have Seraphina, John, Arlo, Terrence, Remi, Cecile, and Blyke. John is a unique circumstance because he wasn’t raised by high tiers, so we’ll cross him off the list. Terrence was also unique, so we can cross him off as well. Remi was different from the norm as well. Why is that? Well, Remi actually wasn’t raised by high tiers either. Rei said on screen that both of his parents were elites. We can cross Remi off. Blyke doesn’t fit the bill either, but that’s easy to explain. He was an elite for a large part of the story, and he shot up rather quickly. We don’t know much of his family, but he probably wasn’t expected to be a high tier at all, and was raised as an elite. (All of this also serves to emphasize how much of this brainwashing comes from a person’s parents.) That leaves only Seraphina, Arlo, and Cecile to look at.

Cecile does seem to have high tier brainwashing, but it’s not nearly as intense as with Seraphina and Arlo. She doesn’t seem “obsessive”, and she wasn’t one of the examples Remi mentioned in chapter 50. It’s clear that high tiers are brainwashed in general, but god tiers are kept on a much shorter leash. This makes sense, obviously, because keeping a population in control like that is less necessary the lower the level. However, it’s also a chicken an egg situation: god tiers are both more important to keep in control, and also easier to keep in control. It’s important to note just how many exceptions we had to cross off. People like Remi and Blyke aren’t actually that unusual— a lower leveled high tier is much more likely to have non-high tier parents, or to have not always been a high tier themselves, or just in general, to have way more day-to-day interaction with non-high tiers. The brainwashing gets more and more diffused the lower down the ladder you go.

[pallaspally]

"Trust your head" nono between the brainworms and ana he do not be working right right now

"Trust your gut" nono she is currently overrun with gremlins with knives, and i do NOT trust those guys

"Trust your heart" nono they cried over a bruised apple other day, if you ask for advice they will probably cry about it

You know who you should truly trust?

HIM ^

[bellarkeandclintashaandsuch]

Night Dream Episode 4

Another great, but too short, episode. They're 30ish minutes, but it's not enough!

But Dream's confusion and reluctance to believe Night likes him is starting to make sense if Night keeps kissing him and then leaving! And just never talking about it?!

Night looks at Dream with the most sincere expression and asks about his love story.

He says Dream's crush must love him too. And it starts cutting back and forth between the present and the stargazing scene. At which point, I was like, hmm we've already seen this. What else are we going to see here?

(Do you know he's in love with you, Night? Do you know you're in love with him? Who knows what?!)

And they're just staring at each other and getting closer to each other's faces. And Night's got his hand on Dream's wrist, and he's pulling him closer.

And then they're kissing IN BOTH SCENES! They kissed during the stargazing scene? They KISSED during the STARGAZING SCENE!

I don't know when that scene happened in terms of timeline. Like was that kiss why Dream was going to confess on Night's birthday?

But then Night stops kissing. And he looks away. And Dream wakes up alone and proceeds to be sad and distracted all day.

Night's so confused that he asks his friend at school about love, too. I wonder who's absence could hurt you, Night? Maybe think back to when Dream was gone for 4-5 years?

And we see Night and Dream staring at one another before Night leaves. But I wonder what happened. Did Night break up their kiss again? Did Dream? Why does this keep happening? How many times have these two kissed exactly? They both looked so sad and confused and hurt, so why?!??

Dream just sadly puts the wound tending supplies away :(

And we're left with Night's pondering face. But what is there to ponder, Night? You are in love with your best friend, buddy. Process that, so you two can be happy, please!

This guy is going to tell Namwan he likes her next episode? Why, Night! Did he really kiss Dream with tongue and then just never talk about it with him? What is going on in this man's head?!

I'm hoping it's a misleading preview. I wonder if maybe Dream tries to push him away again. And that's why he tells Namwan that. If he kissed Dream, and Dream told him that he likes Namwan, actually, then he must like Namwan, right? How many times can they kiss and not talk about it?

Other random thoughts for the episode, could Dream and his friends hear Night and Namwan talking? Did Dream think Night was agreeing to date her, if they couldn't hear? Because she was saying friend, but her hands were saying lover. I did really enjoy the two friends spying on Dream and Night and just going "Is it clear?" Yes, yes it is clear. I also loved Night asking if he would confess to his crush and bringing up how people in novels will try to confess but lose their nerve if they're interrupted, since Dream did plan on confessing to Night but got interrupted and then never did. Granted, the interruption was the death of his parents, so he had a lot on his mind at the time.

I really loved Night being ready to fight those bullies for Dream in the past and now. And how the one guy was taunting them by saying, what, are you his boyfriend? And Night's response was just "so what?" 🥰

[roseyswords]

FULL MOON SPOILERS!!!!

So first of all..

I was not expecting to see the cherubs this episode. That... That was a big shock. Seeing them and their plotline was certainly interesting. It was funny seeing their reactions to just everything going on with Blitzø.

And speaking of Blitzø. Um fuck?! My heart that hurt!? "I think so highly of you. I didn't realize you think so little of me" like OUCH? I keep adding question marks to my sentences because my brain can't quite comprehend how it's feeling.

I find it really interesting that Blitzø brought up Stolas's imp butlers. This is a part that has stuck out with me really strongly. Cuz we've seen Stolas squeeze the shit outta one of them when angry on the phone with Stella. And it really makes me wonder just what kind of behavior has Blitzø exactly seen of Stolas interacting with his butlers. Because Stolas is a very rich man, who has only imps working for him and Blitzø noticed.

Which is funny because he notices literally nothing happening around him this whole episode. Which feels thematically relevant. He's always been oblivious to the more emotional side of Stolas's affection for him but that is also by design of how Stolas treats him. Remember Stolas is the same guy who used to get routinely bleeped due to his sheer level of hornyness. Blitzø has only ever seen their relationship through a sexual lens.

I also find it very interesting that he goes into that interaction already extremely worried and insecure and scared out of his mind that Stolas is tired of him. Which makes going in and being confronted with Stolas's emotions even more jarring and confusing for him. He's already coming in with an intense amount of anxiety with the singular goal of pleasing Stolas, which just highlights the unhealthyness of their dynamic that Stolas is trying to break away from.

Moving on to Stolas's mind for a bit. It has got to fucking hurt that when you finally put yourself out there emotionally and the other person immediately thinks you must be fucking with them. I think it really opened his eyes to how their relationship has truly been when Blitzø assumes that this serious conversation must just be some really weird roleplaying scenario.

And when Blitzø yells at him and reveals that he thinks of him as this rich pampered jerk, it is a startling difference of perception between the two of them that Stolas now has to contend with. It is so interesting to me how Stolas in this scenario is trying really hard to think about things from Blitzø's point of view in terms of how their deal must be affecting him, but he's also not prepared or emotionally equipped to think about how that must shape how Blitzø sees him as a person.

So overall that just leaves us with a lot of pain, and anguish, and a really beautiful episode.

And wow...that hurt.

[snozzlefrog]

Working on the assumption most people aren't reading kid's puzzle books (although it is a pretty fun, more relaxed time if you fancy it!), I've compiled a list of main series related observations. Please only read if you don't mind spoilers - and the kids aren't mentioned much since they are Jr originals.

The book seems to take place between books 1 and 2 (plausibly could be during book 1, but unlikely)

Many of the events of book 2 and 3 were in motion beforehand, especially with Tekco

Rose, Raspberry and Indigo all have kids - Indigo's specifically is Olivia, one of the main detectives

This means Logico helped murder his junior employee's dad during book 3 (ouch)

Applegreen, Lapis, Saffron and Ruby work in the same school, alongside Raspberry Jr

Emerald and Earl Grey are neighbours

Logico seems to be a bit famous now, at least enough for strangers to recognise him and to be signing stuff

The Detective club is really well funded, and Logico appears to be in a high-up role, if not the president

Irratino is a "pretty swell" Uncle (likely a second cousin rather than secret sibling)

Irratino is consequently pretty good with kids

Logico is TERRIBLE with kids

Irratino has multiple classic secret levers and switches installed for secret rooms and passages in the II (something we'd all probably do with comical amounts of money to be fair)

Irratino has great memory, and has the entire Institute memorised (which may also be how he can navigate the impossible maze with little trouble)

While it's no surprise, Irratino is confirmed as a habitual wonderer and prone to boredom (AuDHD king)

Irratino is similar to Logico in that he likes being included as a suspect when relevant

Logico either does a decent amount of undercover work, or has a LOT of side jobs

Logico earns what I believe is his first colour association - marzipan! (Suitably beige in my opinion)

At least two of the four detectives don't recognise Logico with a very mild change in appearance (mustache and hat) but clearly know who he is - either face blindness is super common in Murdle, or Logico is gathering an army of specifically autistic children

Logico has a houseboat (unclear if it's a full-time home or for the case - I like to imagine it is indeed his)

Logico is good with computers - at least good enough to stump a tech prodigy

Logico is kinda bad at tone/jokes

The DC and II seem to be at least a little linked together now - Logico tries to recruit two of the kids at the II, and Irratino helps with a DC training exercise as a "favour"

The II has at least one other branch, on the Violet Isles

A funny possible plot hole - Logico knew at least part of SPY was corrupt before the events of book 3 (between that and SoM, I'm starting to think Logico got hit a bit too hard during chessboxing - that or I'm checking timelines in a children's book)

Logico not only successfully pulls off the patented Tino-death-trick, but Irratino (presumably) fails to pull off the same trick

Logico is, and I cannot overstate this, the dopiest, most awkward motherfucker on the planet. Seriously, it's so funny seeing him without his internal dialogue colouring all his actions. It's like if Columbo was actually Like That. He thinks he's super cool and awesome and he's actually Laios from dunmeshi (AuDHD king). He's smart in the logic department but the rest of his brain is empty.

NO BUT SERIOUSLY. He earnestly does the Perry the Platypus disguise TWICE. He wears his hat under a second hat in case he needs to do a dramatic reveal. He lets children go to a wartorn country and solve several murders with no plan while believing that this is a totally planned excursion. HE HIRES A CAT. HE LETS A SMALL CHILD BELIEVE HE IS GONNA BE A DETECTIVE BEFORE GOING "oh no sorry that's for the cat, welcome to the force Mr McPaws" WITH GENUINE SERIOUS INTENTIONS.

If I'm honest, I think the cat might be the smartest detective there (including the adults)

[sensgrave]

"How the hell did cupid get bullets?"

I really appreciate the love I got on the prologue, and decided to add in some extra stuff to it rather than a timeskip. As I said, this is going to be a really slow burn.

Prologue 1 here.

Prologue part 2? - 1.3k, SFW - plans for reader x graves (though I may write side drabbles if desired), I'm hoping to try and ramp up the quality. MDNI, zero tolerance for minors being around - nothing particularly triggering, swearing I guess? I've indented dialogue to make it easier to read, since I figured colours would be a bit too distracting. Don't feed my work to AI, yadda yadda. Also I figured I'd start chucking a different gofundme per chapter in this section, just as a little fun positive thing. I've picked this one today.

You walk along the aisle, taking a seat that’s facing towards the closed cockpit. Buckling yourself in, you feel the vibrations of the cabin door slamming shut, the small ding of the seatbelt sign, and the rumble of the engine coming to life. Looking out below, you see the area you once called home become smaller and smaller. Trees turned to twigs as the plane slowly began to ascend into the sky.

You walk along the aisle, taking a seat that’s facing towards the closed cockpit. Buckling yourself in, you feel the vibrations of the cabin door slamming shut, the small ding of the seatbelt sign, and the rumble of the engine coming to life. Looking out below, you see the area you once called home become smaller and smaller. Trees turned to twigs as the plane slowly began to ascend into the sky. A short while later, you’re able to take off your seatbelt. Walking towards you was the only other passenger besides the pilot. The driver walks up to you, boasting a folder with a simple iconography, featuring a rook inside a spade. Really? Putting the pieces together, someone thought they were being clever and symbolic – but it came off kinda smug and pretentious. Despite that, it still felt slightly clever enough to briefly humour you.

“This is just some preparation that’s been organised for you. I’d suggest looking through it, it’s pretty much your itinerary for the next few days. Has a bit of extra paperwork too, if you chose to continue beyond the interview. Also, a rough layout of what areas are strictly relevant to you. Venturing into other places without the proper clearance is generally cause for alarm, and you’ll likely get your ass handed to you. If you’re lucky, it’ll be verbal – so I’d also suggest keeping that on you.”

What the fuck does he mean by THAT? Maybe it’s governmental work?

“Doesn’t it seem a bit silly to give me a map if it’s such a top secret layout?”

“You’re not a threat at this point in time.”

Ouch.

It was a feeling that could only be described as ‘ominous embarrassment’. This is the most you’ve spoken to the driver from earlier, and finally take in his appearance. Average height, with a lean build. There’s some medium length locks framing his face, parted down the middle. He looks down at you, with an expression so lacking you’d think he’d never experienced an emotion. Brown eyes, but he’s wearing clear contacts. You wonder how he’d look with glasses. As he speaks, you notice a slight stubble – and a pair of very neatly manicured brows furrowing in your direction.

“Well?”

Fuck. Wasn’t listening.

“Oh I agree completely.”

There we go, saved it.

“So, you agree you might have questions?”

Goddammit.

He lets out a small chuckle, eyes slightly crinkling at the corners with a faint hint of a smile. Thank god, he’s amused. Making a terrible first impression on the people around this company is not the way to go. Considering the perks so far, you find yourself increasingly nervous for the interview – the desire to actually be able to do your placement here grows, adding to the pressure. He’s in a basic black suit, with a slightly stuffy black tactical vest over the top. A small, embroidered strip of grey fabric sits across the left of his chest, reading ‘Smithstone 1-4’ just above his breast pocket. He takes a seat in the chair across from you. Finally coming back to earth again, you ponder on anything you might potentially want to know.

“So… what kind of deal is this? You guys working for the government?” – the most obvious question. He shifts slightly in his seat, answering with a simple “Something like that.”

Alright, not great in terms of detail – but it’s at least something. You press further.

“Why the big plane?”

“Boss uses it for a few things already, mostly meetings and other stuff. He figured it was simpler putting you in it, rather than dealing with anything commercial.” He answers, very matter-of-factly. “We’re not typically a first choice, so we don’t get many applicants. Most students have us as a backup, not as the main option. So forgive us, this is a little new for everyone involved.”

Huh.  job’s turned from creepy, back to intriguing.

“D’you like working here?” You wonder, figuring if he’s been put in charge of you, he’s probably a safe bet on getting a feel for this place.

“It’s good. Can’t complain. We’ve got great benefits, a decent salary, and a pretty good work-life balance. The only catch is the life part. You do get space to do stuff on your own time, but we’re all kind of restricted in how much movement we can make. You’ve typically gotta stay in the nearby area, and there’s not much around in most places we go. The work certainly tests you though.” It seems promising, the words sounding genuine. “Any more questions?”

This is another question I absolutely should’ve asked earlier. I hope it doesn’t sound rude.

“What’s your name?”

“Oh. Probably should’ve introduced myself. I’m Jessie, but we usually just go by last names. It’s not mandatory though, just how the vibe is.”

Jessie Smithstone, huh?

“Well, it’s been nice to meet you, Jessie.”

“Nice to meet you too.” He responds, running a hand through his hair. He figures it’s time to leave you to read through the folder on your own, accepting the hint to move to a different chair without you even noticing. Seems like the employees have pretty good instincts.

The documentation is some standard non-disclosure agreements, just not to talk about where you’re going, where you’re interviewing, what you’re interviewing for, not to discuss anything heard (or overhead) while you are present, and the potential ramifications for doing so. There is a footnote with these at least, ‘If you require assistance in understanding these, we do have legal advice available to help you go over this contract.’ – that’s nice at least. Care certainly has been put into fully understanding what you’re getting yourself into, but you’ve yet to be enlightened on what the fuck is this kind of company?

The rest of the documents is as Jessie said – a map labelled with any landmarks you may need to find your way across the large… building? It couldn’t really be called that. It’s almost like a compound. There are quite a few sections shaded off, with a key in the corner explaining that these sections are restricted. Each relevant point of interest is labelled with a star, and several paths are outlined between these sections – providing you a set of routes for wherever you needed to go and where you absolutely shouldn’t. An itinerary explains where you’ll be staying, in a small set of quarters, at the west wing of one of the buildings. You’ll be touching down, unpacking, and being given a tour before dinner. After that, you’ve got a few hours to do what you wish around the place – or choose to go to bed. The next day will be your interview, starting at midday – and deliberation will occur in the afternoon. You’ll be given the outcome on whether there’s a contract to potentially accept, or having to go home. You’ve still got the option of declining the contract, but that’s been put off the table. This could be the opportunity of a lifetime, and ‘No.’ isn’t an option for you. Not out of lack of choice, but out of want. The seatbelt fastening sign dings to life, as the pilot explains you’ll be landing shortly.

[asofspades]

My poor heart, Hazel and Nico heal me so much

This was either meant as a prank from the Hermes cabin or someone really didn't like Hades kids

It's so dear to me that Frank and Nico get along despite everything.

Nico continues being an actual softie. He's a kind kid, stop making him out to be needlessly rude, specially to Frank.

The brother's in law ever. Nico loves being a sarcastic, teasing little shit and I live to see it. He's the number one Frazel fan.

But also, ouch, "But it caused an ache in his heart- a ghostly pain, like an old war wound throbbing in bad weather." This is not only about his whole sexuality issue and his old crush on Percy and current crush on Will he's unaware of but it implies he's familiar with that physical pain sensation and I'm about to cry. Also that's very much me when I see people getting into relationships and I'm so happy for them but I'm aroace and finding someone on my same wavelength for a QPR is near impossible where I live.

Your honour, I love them 🥹

Rick stop stabbing me in the feelings please.

Leo's "death" was very relevant to the plot and people downplay it too often because "he came back". Nico please, stop blaming yourself, you did the right thing, you prevented so many more deaths.

Also, reminder Hazel can sense if someone is gone or not but Nico is the one who actually feels the death itself.

My middle child ass can't handle this anymore, I'm both the older sibling and younger sibling and it burns.

[hurricane-eva]

Trove

I made a LOT of scribbled notes as I watched this one!

*It opens with CLICKY PEN!!

Favourite lines

Morse: "Nothing suspicious?" Max: "Only you."

Max:"I'm a pathologist, not a road sweeper"

Bright: "This... girl competition, or whatever it is"

Morse: "Venerable the Bede may have been but not clairvoyant"

Max: "He had a fractured everything"

Morse: "A man can't serve two masters. Sooner or later you'll have to choose."

Thursday: "Go home" Morse: *does not go home*

Morse: "I suspect the truth is I was myself all too much"

Morse: "Everyone's someone."

Morse: "A bunch of overgrown schoolboys playing with the dressing-up box?"

Music

I am, as @itsa-me-cavaradossi knows, NOT good at recognising the opera tunes in these episodes, let alone their relevance to the scenes, but I DID RECOGNISE BRINDISI FROM LA TRAVIATA so I'm pretty proud of myself. (Just don't ask me how it's relevant. I know it's a drinking song, that's all I know. ALL I KNOW.)

Word I Didn't Know and Had to Look Up:

"Murophobic" means afraid of mice and rats.

"Salmagundi" is a cold dish or salad made from different ingredients which may include meat, seafood, eggs, cooked and raw vegetables, fruits, or pickles. (I wrote it down and now I don't remember how in the world this word was even used in the episode or who said it)

Monica

MONICAAAAAAAAAHHHH *incoherent morsica noises*

Morse

The PTSD in this episode is soooo OUCH. (Also catnip for Eva.) The backfiring car and just how OUT OF IT he is several times.

Copley-Barnes

Yuck. I had to google to make sure I was remembering right about this dude showing up in OG Morse (I was) and that it was the guy I thought it was (also it was) and that his daughter Imogen was the "Im" turning cartwheels in the garden in this episode and HOO BOY DOES THAT GIVE ME THE ICKS.

Question

What does Bright mean when he says "I ask with no side"?

And now for spoilers:

Sex with daughters is the sick theme here, it seems. I wonder if they did that parallel with Infernal Serpent on purpose.

Oh, and I know the glasses off before suicide was also a nod to OG Morse, but I can't remember which episode. I wanna say it was the creepy church episode in season 1, but don't quote me on that. As much as I roll my eyes at much of OG Morse, I *love* the easter eggs and connections and I'm glad that I've seen it so I can at least have that background.

[bigstupid69]

I do tend to draw the choir similar to some of the actors, but I honestly just wanted to make my own designs and make them more greasy teenagers since I love them.

They all have braces (plus Constance) because why not!

Additional hadcanons below!!

Penny

𓃬 I wanna preface before I say anything, I absolutely LOVE CDplayer! And me making them exes is in no way hating on the ship! I just like angst and I basically made them both have a falling out from the JK-47 incident. I don't think Tammy would break up, I think Penny just genuinely avoided everyone and everything after that happened with barely any additional communication. Dick move to practically ghost her I know, but my Penny Lamb is not the most mentally healthy since-, I don't think she would be given all the shit she's been through...

𓃬 Sad note I forgot to add to the backpack is that she keeps a cross necklace in the pocket of her school uniform that Tammy gave to her, ouch!

𓃬 She keeps a mask in her bag since she tends to wear a face mask to try and blend into the background and escape the relentless bullying she faces at St Cassian, it works most of the time.

𓃬 Her blonde streaks in her hair is not dye. When she came back life part of Jane still remained in her, that being the porcelain doll's blonde hair. She can't remove it whether by cutting it off or dying, she's just like that permanently. I touched on my personal headcanons with Penny's sense of identity when it came to Jane in a very old fanfiction, that I discontinued. It's definitely gonna come back in the ghost AU I'm currently working on.

𓃬 She constantly looks like she's been pushed down the stairs. Usually not the case she's just very clumsy, definitely concerns the choir that she just shows up covered in bandages and bruises and acts like nothing happened.

Ocean

✪ Non ginger Ocean is still too cursed to me so I'm just gonna go with her dying it since no one probably wants to be ginger. (no offense)

✪ She keeps any random item Penny gives her. Even if it's like a paperclip she found on the ground, she treasures it. (Reason why half of the crap is just rocks, Penny is like a bird that picks up shiny things and gives them to people.)

✪ She's only an inch shorter than Mischa, (yeah I made him tiny). They have a worse sibling rivalry than Noel at points since the height difference isn't intimidating.

✪ She constantly keeps trying to fix Penny's loose tie in the hallway or whenever she notices it not as perfect as she wants it to be. (because she is insane)

Noel

☠ Again no hate to frenchrap?? I think that's the ship name? (Noel and Corey) I think it's cute! Also means my man has the worst taste in men imaginable since he's fallen for SoundCloud rappers twice now.

☠ We need more hairy Noel designs so I shall provide. Sue me I like facial hair! you're probably gonna have to get used to it in most of the male designs.

☠ I accidentally gave him a mullet (technically was intentional). I thought him growing his hair out would be neat, unfortunately left him with a mullet, but oh well.

☠ I am very defensive about what I think the rtc cast would listen to when it comes to relevant time dates. Imo he listens to the cure, the smiths, scissor sisters, the cardigans, carpenters, strawberry switchblade, and Depeche mode. He also is a fan of most upbeat pop music from any era but he wouldn't tell anyone he actually likes that genre.

[atomicradiogirl]

since i’m in tim gutterson posting mode i wanna give some commentary to some of His songs on The playlist

cocytus - i mean it’s the first song on there for a reason. if i ever write a tim fic, lyrics from this song will be the title. the lyrics are so his inner battle imo. so many thoughts. bye. “where can i run, where it cannot chase me down?”

american idiot - literally tim like all the time. i think he liked this song without really knowing what it was saying but then it got too personal. i have a lot of green day in the playlist but this one is for sure the most relevant to him.

ironic - i can so imagine tim blasting this song in his chevy suburban.

big black car - somewhat related to the chevy suburban. but definitely one of his one sided pining for raylan songs. ouch. “heartbreak, you know, drives a big black car”

wrecking need - ugh this whole song is him. thinking he’s unworthy of love because of where he’s from and who he is. i think it’s also alluded to that tim has problems with alcohol which this whole song is about. “i know you got it bad like me, that wrecking need.”

dirty work - really self explanatory but especially related to raylan and art. since he’s overworked and underappreciated.

the tourist - i have a lot of radiohead on this playlist, but this is the most tim song on there right next to “blow out.” tim would 100% be a radiohead listener.

i could do more but those are the real standouts. i literally listen to this playlist more than my liked songs. it lives in my head rent free.

[fandomfluffandfuck]

I've had this prompt kind of floating around in my head and I figured if anyone would be able to create the vision here, it would be you.

Steve in modern day has somehow been turned back to his little pre-serum self for reasons that probably aren't all that relevant. And at first he really isn't happy. (understandably) And Bucky, the sweet boy who is running out of ways to comfort Steve here, suggests how this, if anything, is an opportunity.

Bucky starts whispering sweet nothing's about what they could do, mostly just expecting Steve to get flustered and shove him. But he underestimates the power of Steve's size kink.

Now all Steve can think about is how much a part of him misses being this size in the bedroom and how much he wants Bucky towering over him, how his hand would probably cover the entire plane of his lower back and how much more a stretch he would feel being shoved onto Bucky's post super soldier serum dick.

And NOW he's blushing so hard and Bucky is teasing but he's also a little nervous because he doesn't know if it's exactly going to fit.. he doesn't want to hurt Steve of course.

Steve is sooo desperate for it now though, blushing all pink and embarrassed out of his little Christian mind but desperate.

What can I say Steve has had a size and praise kink since the dark ages, can you blame him for wanting to utilise this once in a lifetime opportunity? ;)

(So excited to see what you do here, I love your work!)

Thank you!! And I fucking love this idea! I can definitely go for that flavor of stucky 👀

"Stevie, babydoll, sweetheart," Bucky wheedles after him, chasing him into the bedroom.

As far as Steve is concerned, Bucky won't be able to "Steeeeve" his way out of this, no matter how much he uses that soft mouth and those sweet, big, grey eyes to his advantage. It's not his fault, so Steve really shouldn't be taking this out on him, but the thing is that he's making it so much worse than it has to be. Steve just wants to fucking go to bed and pretend that he's not 5'4" all over again and stumbling with his heart beating unevenly against his visible ribs. He keeps fucking having to look up at everything and his neck hurts. Did his neck hurt like this all the time back then? He doesn't remember that. What the fuck. If anything is Bucky's fault, maybe that's it--its his fault (it still isn't, but shut up) that he's so goddamn tall in the future and so Steve has to look up at him even more. Now his neck aches.

Ugh.

"I jus'," Bucky narrowly avoids having their bedroom door slammed in his face, only just making it inside before Steve can shut him out, "I just wanna look at you, honey, I don't even gotta talk anymore! C'mon, darlin', you're breaking my heart."

Steve glares up at him, crossing his arms over his chest and only not immediately uncrossing them out of pure stubbornness. Everything feels wrong. Folding his arms feels wrong without the layers of muscle he's used to being wrapped in, his biceps bunching and bulging against his thick forearms and his arms, overall, pushing his pecs together. So, like this, being back to the size he was pre-serum, feels so inadequate. He's stick thin. No real muscle. No physical strength.

He hates it.

He wants to sleep it off until someone else figures out how to reverse this whole mess. Then, he'll get up and deal with it.

Bucky does not agree with Steve's wants. And now he's got his grabby hands all over him, squeezing his hip and wrapping one of his burley arms around his waist to pull him snugly against his chest.

Steve grumbles but doesn't even attempt to push away. He knows he won't be able to break his hold. Great.

At least when Bucky starts to say something else and Steve shoots his head up, he knocks Bucky's chin with the top of his skull--fucking ouch--and is magically able to glare hard enough that he shuts his mouth. He even sticks his metal arm from around his waist to mime zipping his mouth shut and throwing away the key. Steve hopes he flung it far. He doesn't want to hear another word outta that mouth right now. He's had enough.

It takes a minute... maybe two... for Steve to relax into Buckys arms and chest. He's smaller. Fine. Okay. He's exhausted. Okay. Bucky's already seen him like this. Some of his boyfriend's memories are still spotty on a good day, but it's nothing he hasn't seen before. Steve just doesn't want to hear more about it right now. He doesn't want to be talked to and told he's still beautiful and perfect. He doesn't want to be fawned over. He just wants to be normal.

His new normal.

Not like... this.

Bucky keeps his promise and just holds him, keeping quiet. Yet, still, Steve sees the flaw in the mimed promise, because while he agreed to shut the fuck up, he did not agree to keep his touching turned down in the same way. And with Steve in his arms, his hands are wandering. High and low. Groped. Steve is being groped.

Bucky's hands start by clutching him, clinging to him, and holding him tightly around the petite waist, but they don't stay there. Bucky's flesh and blood hand travels up his crooked back until he gets to between his shoulders, where his spine starts to stick out from his skin. He counts each little bump, tapping them mutely with the tip of a gentle finger. Then, he pauses around the nape of his neck, using one big, heavy hand to squeeze gently. It's a little like being scruffed. He should be indigent about it, he's not a fucking scrawny, feral kitten. But... it makes his knees a little weak and has his head going fuzzy.

While that's happening with his flesh and blood hand, his metal hand travels down. He pinches his ass, Steve jolts, only not yelping out loud because it would be too obvious without Bucky's chatter box mouth going, so he won't. Then, though, he goes lower to touch the sides of his thighs but not before cupping his asscheek in one hand. His hand is more than big enough to get all of it.

Bucky uses the grip he has on his thigh to lift his leg and curl that one, then the other, around his stocky waist.

Oh.

Steve's gut swoops as he's lifted. He feels, it feels--

He's lighter than air.

He always feels light when Bucky picks him up but the way his breathing doesn't change and how fast he's being lifted, like he weighs nothing at all, gives him the sensation that he could float away.

Bucky walks forward with him wrapped around his waist, his organic hand hot in the middle of his back. His thumb and pinkie finger feel like they stretch completely across his svelte back--touching both of his shoulder blades, almost his underarms, no problem. Cradling him totally.

Steve shivers and mercifully, Bucky says nothing about it. He does purr, though. Warm and vibrating in his chest. Steve refuses to admit how hard he is. More than halfway there, even when in this body, it's so hard to get it up all the way. He's just--he's not turned on right now, by this, no. It's just the, the, uh, pattern. He's been trained. Anytime Bucky picks him up, he has a Pavlovian response. It's not his fault.

This is Bucky's fault.

Bucky carries him to the bed only to gently splay him out there on their now much-too-large king-size mattress. He puts him down on his back, snakes his mismatched hands out from underneath his lithe body, and positions Steve how he sees fit--his lips still closed. He lays Steve's thin arms out so his boney hands are curled into loose fits up by his head with his elbows bent sharply, and so his slender legs fall open, making space for Bucky between them. Steve feels the stretch in his hips like he almost can't open wide enough for him. He's so large, especially like this. Hovering--towering over him.

A stuttering breath bursts out of Steve's lungs reluctantly.

Bucky smirks but stays silent for now. Instead of words from his mouth, his hands keep talking--

He's having a whole goddamn chatterbox conversation with Steve's body. Going on and on. Small talk and large talk and huge talk. Detailing every. single. inch. Giving him more than the thousand words that the picture of him spread out on their bed equates to.

His metal hand is cool as it trails down his throat, fitting a smooth, rigid fingertip into the hollow notch at the base of his throat. Steve's bum heart pounds like crazy in his slight chest, his breath hitching. Bucky's palm lays flat on his very flat chest while he cards his fingers through his thinner, more fragile but still golden hair. And Bucky's fingers press firmly into his concave stomach while his other hand abandons his hair to lift his hip. He only needs one hand to guide his body up. Steve doesn't have to twitch or strain or move a single muscle. Bucky can pull him, fold him, and--

Steve might whimper when Bucky pushes down on his tummy again at the same time that he guides Steve's hips up.

He doesn't have to say words to remind Steve of all the lazy, hot, smokey summer afternoons they spent in their cold water walk-up apartment like this. Steve melting like butter into crispy, heated toast beneath Bucky, gasps making Steve's chest heave and his lungs rattle while Bucky carved space for his dick inside his little body, then pressing down against him, palm hot, to feel the way his dick bulged through his belly. Murmuring filth with that lazy, smeared Brooklyn drawl about how tight and hot he feels inside, how he makes Bucky sweat with it, he's fucking sin inside. Hot, dripping sin. His little body a fucking miracle the size of the Woolworth Building, the tallest building until 1929, wrapped in a sweet little package made just for Bucky. Made for Bucky to stretch wide and squeeze into. He'll never fucking understand how he can fit in that tiny fuckin' hole but he's so fucking glad he can, it makes him lose his mind--that tiny little hole.

Made for him.

His.

Stretched open just for him, his body just as stubborn as Steve himself is. Tight and unwilling to be opened until it is, then it's unwilling to let go of Bucky's cock.

Bucky cracks, "yeah, honey?" He murmurs, his voice gone hot and husky.

Steve resolutely clenches his jaw, saying nothing back and trying not to make another sound. Whatever expression he manages to push onto his face, he hopes it's not as transparent as he thinks it is. It's hot. Fine. This is hot. But he doesn't--

It's been, like, fuck, five measly minutes since they got into the bedroom. He can't give it up yet! That's just pathetic.

"Sweetheart," Bucky croons, still with enough self-preservation to keep his voice to a low whisper, "if only you could read my mind... I'm not sure I can tell you everything I wanna do to you right now."

Steve blinks up at him. He's tempted to ask why--is he being underestimated because he's like this?--but he's not sure he wants to get him started.

Bucky, of course, elaborates anyway. No needed to be asked. He's just going "'--Cause I can't think fast enough myself, wish I could just give you everything 'm thinking without having to slow down to talk it out," he rumbles dangerously, too hot for the sound not to come out of him.

Jesus.

Why does he have to be such a sweet-talker? It's not good for Steve's health. Nor his libido.

"I wanna do everything to you like this," his hands lock around his waist, his thumbs and index fingers meeting easily around his entire body. Holding him easily in both hands.

Ah, fuck.

Did this always feel this good? This hot? Being held. Contained. Restrained.

"I wanna do everything to you all the fuckin' time, baby," he growls, nipping his shoulder, then his jaw, "it's no different than normal--"

His teeth sting so sweetly, taking Steve's attention away from the dull pain occupying his entire body to focus on just that. Just the good pain Bucky is sparking through him like lightning. He can hardly think, electrical signals bouncing around nonsensically in his head.

"--it's just a little bit different kinda stuff, y'know," he kisses down his throat, so sensual that Steve can't breathe right, let alone think. "I don't even have to fold you up like a pretzel to make you small like this. I can have you any way I want and still overwhelm you. Take you how you come--take you how I want. I don't have'ta do anything, I don't gotta think, don't gotta breath, and I can hold you up so easy. Gah," Bucky shakes his head like a dog with a new chew toy, intent on tearing it apart, "darlin', I want everything. I wanna fucking lick you until you're writhing. I wanna blow you, my nose shoved up against your lower belly. I wanna spread you open and get you loose as I can on my fingers. I wanna fuck you so deep you don't just feel it in your guts, I wanna see it is your guts. I wanna fuck your face when you're lying on the bed, head hanging off, and see my dick bulging in your throat. I wanna throw you over my shoulder, honey. Take you with me. I wanna fucking eat you, Stevie." His eyes are so heavily lidded and so dark that it's fucking hypnotic.

Steve can't look away.

"C'mon, honey, you gotta let me. Don't be sore at me, dollface. Lemme treat you right. Please?" He blinks those big, grey eyes at him, begging. And--

"Fiiine," Steve tries to sound put out. The look on Bucky's face tells him he isn't successful, and it's the same story for the way his fingers tighten on his body with anticipation. "I guess it's fine. But you gotta hop to it then, soldier. Got it? Little less conversation, a little more action, please."

Thankfully, Bucky's pleased enough about having wittled him down that he doesn't even need to croon out the rest of the (old) modern reference--he's always been a singer at heart. Dreamboat. Dork. He just does as Steve requests, giving him just one long look, trying to decide where to start, probably, before a curling, honey-dripping smile pulls at his lips and he flips him neatly over, practically tossing him, so he can get at his ass, tearing his pants off and ducking between his thighs. His hot, humid breath fuels Steve's sudden awareness of his body and how little it is. He feels like little red riding hood on the precipice of being torn into by the wolf--my, what hot breath you have; my, what big jaws you have; my, what sharp teeth you have...

Steve shivers so hard that he has to scramble to hold onto their sheets, balling his hands into fists. Otherwise, he's going to unravel. He's gotta fucking hold on. Oh, God. Bucky's square, bearded jaw between his cheeks, Bucky's hot, heavy hands spreading him open, Bucky, Bucky, Bucky--he's so big. Steve feels so little.

And he likes it.

He fucking likes it.

If his big bad wolf doesn't tear into him now, he's gonna make him. He'll tell him. He'll demand it. He'll beg. If that's what he wants. He'll beg.

Please.

I hope you enjoyed that teaser 😘

[iffeelscouldkill]

On Kings Row's fencing scholarship

Thinking about this AU and what might have happened if Nicholas had never taken up the fencing scholarship at Kings Row that year made me wonder: who was the recipient of the fencing scholarship last year?

I mean, when Harvard is showing Nicholas to his dorm room he says this:

"We" here could refer to Kings Row as a whole, but that seems bizarre, that there would be only one scholarship student of any kind per year. Besides, "you won't feel out of place" suggests that Nicholas would be in good company as a scholarship student among the fencers (not just in the school). (One scholarship student per year among the whole school would definitely lead to feeling out of place).

But since we know that the fencing scholarship student has to make the team, who could it have been last year?

Aiden clearly has enough money that he wouldn't need a scholarship. Harvard seems well-off too, and if he were also a scholarship student, that would definitely be relevant to bring up in a conversation like this. Kally we know is a scholarship student, but he's an academic scholar, not a fencing scholar. And if it were Tanner, again, you'd think that would come up - since everyone made a big deal about Nicholas and Kally being "the two scholarship students", if Tanner were a scholarship student, that would have been mentioned.

But that doesn't leave any more team slots for a fencing scholar. So, was the scholarship not awarded to anyone? Or maybe the fencing scholar didn't make the team (ouch ><)?

Dwelling on this made me think about how tough it is to require the scholarship recipient to make the team in order to keep their scholarship. I mean, it does make sense - academic scholars have to demonstrate academic excellence; sports scholars need to demonstrate sporting excellence. And how do you demonstrate excellence? By making the cut for the team.

But at least good academic performance is only dependent on you. Getting good grades doesn't require someone else to get bad grades, and if another person gets really good grades, that doesn't make your good grades go away. It's not a zero-sum game.

Whereas there are only four slots available on the fencing team, and that means that you as a fencing scholarship recipient only need to be outperformed by four other students to lose your slot. In a school where most of the other students will be older and more experienced than you, that's a pretty harsh requirement.

(It also makes me wonder if you need to make the cut for the team every year in order to keep the scholarship. Surely not, right? But then, as an academic scholar, if your grades slip, you're in danger, so... the same applies to a hypothetical fencing scholar...

But then that means that between freshmen, sophomores, juniors, and seniors... you would need a fencing scholar to take up every single slot on the team.

How does this scholarship work??? someone give me the answers)

[clouds-of-wings]

Power Metal reddit currently has a discussion about Nuclear Blast, about what has changed with them and why, and man I have learned a lot of disturbing facts about what has happened there in the past 5 years. Someone posted an in-depth investigative article about it (from November 2021), which you should read if you speak German and are interested, otherwise or if it's too long here are the main points...

If you're into Nightwish, Sabaton, Blind Guardian etc., this is relevant information.

In 2018, the French Believe Music, which is a large corporation that mainly specializes in digital distribution, became majority owner of NB

Believe is not really interested in physical media like CDs and vinyls even though the people who worked at NB told their new corporate overlords that metal fans like physical media, both because many fans of especially the oldest and most successful bands are 50+ and because it's more ingrained in the subculture. Believe doesn't care and doesn't listen. They have their experiences from pop and hip-hop, where phone-based streaming subscriptions are the norm, and that's all they want to know. They are also ignoring printed magazines and don't advertise there much anymore.

Less focus on physical media means that bands now earn less, that they rank less highly in album charts, which in turn means that they lose negotiation power when they try to plan tours and negotiate with venues etc., because they "look" less successful

Believe has been dealing with this by signing mainly bands that are easy to market digitally and ending co-operations with bands that aren't, even ones that had been with NB for decades (like Rage and Nile, who went to Napalm)

The personal cooperation between bands and NB has really suffered, everything is more profit-oriented and impersonal, a lot of budgets have been decreased and the real decisions are made by Believe in Paris, not by any specific NB team

Believe has been stock market traded since 2021. Their stock value went down at first, was at about the price it had started out at when the article was written - I looked it up and in March 23 it's down 40% from its original value. Ouch.

The original founder of NB started a new label, Atomic Fire, and took "Amorphis, Helloween, Opeth, Sonata Arctica, Meshuggah, Primal Fear, Agnostic Front, Rise Of The Northstar, Silver Lake, White Stones and Michael Schenker Group" with him, also because Believe didn't really do much to keep many of these bands

It's certainly interesting to learn about, also because I had already wondered if NB, and some of their bands, had intentionally taken a more "commercial" approach in recent years, but I didn't know about the Believe thing. I thought it maybe had something to do with losses from the pandemic or something. Turns out they have a new owner.

[eithielk]

Modern!Zuko x Reader

Summary: Your best friend's brother is quite annoying, but it's okay cause hes cute

You and Azula had been friends for a while, only knowing little about her family, you thought she only had one sibling, Kiyi. But as her brother returns after 3 years of being away, you are left completely shocked.

Azula invited you to her house over the weekends, her excuse? She deserved it, of course, why should she need a reason

You've been her friend for over 3 years or so, you met with her friends around 9th grade, and ever since, you four have been inseparable.

Despite being friends for so long, you didn't know much about her family, only that her mother, wasnt really in the picture.

Also the fact that she had one other sibling. Kiyi.

She was so nice, and honestly a polar opposite of Azula. You thought Kiyi was her one and only sibling— or so you thought.

"We can watch that stupid show Ty lee has been gushing about and–"

Zuko sat on the couch and looked at the group, feeling awkward as they stared back at him.

Giving it a few more seconds before he spoke up, "Azula, you didn't tell me you had guests."

"Why should I tell you"

Earning a groan from the boy, who looked at you briefly before standing up and leaving.

"Dont mind him Y/N, hes always grumpy" Ty lee assured me, but that wasnt really what I was thinking right now.

"You have a brother?"

"Yeah, didnt I mention it" she replied too casually.

"No? Not really.." OF COURSE NOT WOMAN, you mentally cursed yourself, but knowing Azula, it was best not to cause such a scene

"I dont think its much of an issue, hes not really relevant."

"Hes also off limits" Ty lee jumped in, making sure to nudge on Mai's arm.

This action didnt go unnoticed by Azula, who then proceeded to recall childhood memories of them.

"Oh yeah, Mai's got a huge crush on him" she laughed, "Frankly I don't see the appeal."

"Remember when we were young and we had Zuko push her in the water" Ty lee jumped in.

"He didnt push me, you guys made him do that" Mai retorted in defence, a faint blush appearing on her face

"How it happened isn't important, you two looked so silly" Azula laughed.

Later that evening the four of you decided on a game of truth or dare, childish but a classic.

"Y/N, truth or dare."

"Dare duh!"

"I dare you to scare my brother" Azula replied almost too quickly, like she already knew what my choice was.

As you tiptoed across the house, going downstairs to find Zuko on the couch.

Crawling behind the chair, you waited for a moment to strike when–

"What are you doing"

A voice crept behind me as I turned to see Zuko hovering over me

"What– Ouch, the fuck?" You landed on your butt, wincing at the pain you didnt notice Zuko offer his hand to you

"Why are you hiding behind the couch?"

"Its a dare okay, I was suppose to scare you."

"It'll take more than that to scare me" Zuko replied laughing.

I took his arm and stood up, still recovering from that embarrassingly low fall.

"Did Azula put you up for this?"

"Maybe, why?"

Zuko scoffed crossing his arms, "Why are you even friends with her in the first place"

"Why are you so curious in the first place? Hm?"

"You know what– why did I even bother" he groaned about to turn walk away.

"Wait– Im sorry, I didnt mean to come off as rude, Im just curious you know."

"Right.. well whatever, moments passed go back to your friends now." Zuko waved his hand as he turned around

Jerk.

When it was time to go to sleep, everyone drifted off slowly, while you lied there, awake.

It was harder for you to fall asleep, especially since you had trouble sleeping in new places.

Deciding to go downstairs to grab yourself something to drink, opting for a glass of milk.

Turning your head, you meet with Zukos eyes staring back at you.

"I– fuck sorry, I didnt see you." I grab my chest, feeling scared by his sudden appearance.

Zuko nodded and moved past me

Feeling a bit awkward in you two standing in silence, you tried to break it.

You cleared your throat, "Sorry about earlier.. again... Azula didn't tell me she had a brother.."

"Figures, she just acts like I dont exist."

"Can I ask why?"

"Cant you just finish your milk?"

His comment made me roll my eyes, "You're her brother alright." I retort back quietly.

"What was that?"

"Nothing"

Your response was met with a glare, he definitely heard that.