#but also i am curious because my sister and i were just discussing this

[peachhcs]

locker room antics

hughes!sister x will smith au (samy + will blurb)

macklin pokes at will like a younger brother and the guys in the locker room are just the same as the guys back in boston

1.4k words

woot woot another post! i really believe macklin likes to poke at will and ask him embarrassing questions because he can —also i don’t know the sjs guys that well but i thought it was funny to recreate will getting caught with hickeys like he did at bc

au masterlist

"wait, why do you drive with one hand like that?" macklin observed the way will's left hand sat atop the steering wheel while the other just rested on the center armrest.

"because i do?" the blonde was confused.

it was not even eight in the morning yet and the two boys were on their way to morning practice—hardly awake to even be functioning correctly. will's never thought about the way he drove until macklin decided to pick him apart just now.

"it's so..odd. you're just..driving with one hand. isn't that uncomfortable?" the younger brunette kept poking with his questions and boy was not in the mood for it this morning.

"do you have a problem with my driving? don't forget i'm the only one that can drive right now," he didn't really snap, but macklin drew back for a second. he studied his friend's expression, eyes glancing towards the two polaroids stuck onto the sun visor above will's head.

it suddenly made sense.

"ohh, i get it. you drive with one hand so you can hold samy's when she's with you," macklin laughed, but the blonde was still confused. he didn't get what was so funny.

"yeah? sure? and?"

"nothing, nothing. i just think it's cute that you probably made yourself learn to drive with one hand so you could like hold hers," the brunette continued laughing to himself. all will did was roll his eyes, not very amused by the conversation.

"wait, have you guys like..done it in here?"

when will didn't answer immediately macklin literally gasped and started freaking out (or pretend freaking out), "oh my god you have! you have! was it where i'm sitting?! please say no, please—"

"mack, chill. chill. we've never "done it" in my car before, i promise," will was quick to shut down any ideas, face flushing.

"but have you in a car before?"

"why are we talking about my sex life at 7:45 in the morning?" the forward cringed knowing it was way too early to be discussing this.

"i don't know, you tell me," macklin shrugged.

"dude, you started it," will countered.

"you didn't answer my question," the brunette crossed his arms, turning away like he was mad.

again, the blonde rolled his eyes knowing it was too early for any of this, "we have, yes, but not in this car i swear."

"that's fucking crazy, man. how does that even work? like..there's not enough room," unfortunately, the younger hockey player really didn't know when to stop talking.

"you just make it work, i dunno," this conversation needed to end.

but wow, was macklin persistent, "but like what position makes sense? is she on top? are you?"

"dude. i'm not talking about this anymore," this time will really did snap and finally, his friend shut up, leaning back into the seat.

"but like can you tell me what's the biggest you've ever been?" his voice rang through will's ears not even a second later.

"how the fuck am i supposed to know that?" the blonde exclaimed.

"i don't know? you've never measured yourself before?"

"no, i've never measured myself before. why are you asking me this?" they rolled onto the street much to will's relief which meant this conversation was gonna be over really soon.

"i'm just curious. i'm nervous that when i get a girlfriend i'm gonna do it all wrong, so i figured you would have some expertise," macklin shrugged and his answer sort of made will feel bad for snapping a second ago.

he rolled them into their usual parking spot, rolling into park before he turned to his million question friend. "i promise, you won't do it wrong no matter what. it just happens naturally and you both kind of fall into the movement and moment i guess. you got nothing to worry about, man," will tried giving his best advice he knew.

"okay, okay, thanks smith. sorry for the questions," macklin grinned while the blonde playfully rolled his eyes.

"yeah, whatever. come on, let's go in before we're late and we have to do laps," the two climbed out of the car, grabbing their bags from the back and walking up to the rink together.

"okay, but one more question, i promise. how long do you last?"

"macklin—"

"okay, okay, sorry. i'm done. don't answer that."

—

will slid into his stall, exhausted from the long practice and ready to head home for a much needed nap and food. he reached around for his phone to check for any important messages, smiling when he saw a good 10 texts from samy.

he liked when she texted him nonstop about something even though she knew he wouldn't answer until later. it gave him something to look forward to.

"someone's smiley," bordeleu noticed his teammate's grin, nudging will's shoulder to grab his attention away from his phone.

the blonde looked up to an expectant look on tom's face. "what's got you smiling so much?" the older boy teased a bit and catching the attention of the others around them.

"just texting my girlfriend," will answered, watching his teammates raise their eyebrows in surprise.

"girlfriend? you got a girlfriend?" jack poked his head into the conversation, smirking.

"you should hear them on the phone together. so sappy," macklin added his input and quickly everyone became surprised to learn of this apparently new information.

"no way our rookie's got a girlfriend. who is she? meet her at boston or something?" eklund and the others' anticipation grew while will's face began turning into a deep blush at the sudden attention.

"i think you guys know her pretty well..we're playing her brother in two weeks," macklin continued before will could. it took the guys a second, but the realization slowly set in.

"no fucking way. you're dating samy hughes?" the disbelief was clear on their faces.

"uh, yeah..you guys didn't know?" the blonde chuckled, standing up to get himself ready for a quick shower.

"uh, no. we didn't. you're telling me you pulled the little sister of some of the best hockey players in the nhl right now?" jack questioned and will slowly nodded.

"we grew up together so she was just kind of always there," will didn't really get what was so exciting and shocking about his relationship, but maybe he was just desensitized because he grew up with the hughes siblings.

the boy pulled his shirt off, searching for a towel and a change of clothes when a small gasp escaped someone's lips. he pulled his gaze to his right where macklin's hand covered his mouth trying to stop laughter from coming out.

"oh my god..holy shit," bordeleu got out and the other two boys whistled which drew in the attention from the even older guys.

"what?" will was confused and oblivious to everyone staring at the pretty purple and red splotches on his chest.

"you're telling me little hughesy left those?" ecklund poked will's arm and the boy's eyes shot down to his chest. a deep blush spread from his neck to the tips of his ears as he finally realized what everyone was staring at. shit.

"guess you went a little too hard when you were in michigan," macklin teased and the others quickly laughed. will knocked his friend's head, glaring at him.

"i guess hughesy can bite. impressive," jack nodded in approval and the poor forward was getting serious deja vu—living the same exact scenario that he did in boston after he visited samy.

"you definitely got the girl, w-2. she's a real keeper if she can do that to ya," bordeleu patted the blonde's shoulder before walking away. the others winked, leaving the rookie's alone for now.

"looks like our new rookie's been getting some!" goodrow exclaimed, making a show by clapping his hands for the now very embarrassed blonde. macklin joined in and then so did everyone else—all eyes on will.

"you better make sure her brother doesn't see those when we head to van in two weeks," the younger brunette said.

will went off to the showers knowing he'll never live that down for the rest of time and those guys would bring it up at any chance they got.

however, the hockey player still prided himself in the fact that everyone always seemed jealous that he got the girl and not them. yeah. he did get the girl and it felt great that no one else did.

[blasphemousclaw]

sorry if this was asked before/you already discussed it, but I am curious how do you headcanon birth order of Carian siblings (i.e. who is the youngest/oldest/middle child)

Ranni is actually directly stated in the game to be the youngest of the three! In Rogier’s original Japanese dialogue, the word he uses for “sister” in the phrase “sister to General Radahn and Praetor Rykard” is specifically the word for “younger sister,” and unfortunately this nuance is lost in the English translation.

As for Radahn and Rykard, it’s never directly stated who is older, and as far as I’m concerned, it’s possible for either of them to be the oldest. However, after playing the DLC, I really got the impression that Radahn was the oldest of the three from all the new pieces of information about him?

First of all, we know that Messmer was an elder brother figure to him. From Commander Gaius’s remembrance, “Both were as elder brothers to the lion.”

and we also know that Miquella and Malenia looked up to him:

“In their childhood, Miquella saw in Radahn a lord. His strength, and his kindness, that stood in stark contrast with their afflicted selves.”

The DLC is littered with mentions of Radahn in relation to his half-siblings, but Rykard and Ranni (who we know is the youngest) never get a mention (unless Radahn was only singled out to preview his appearance at the end of the DLC. lol. honestly likely). This gives the impression that Rykard was less relevant to the goings on of the wider family… if that’s true, then Rykard is either antisocial, avoiding his half-siblings and only liking his full siblings (which I kind of doubt, because his similarities to Messmer seem pretty intentional and I’d be shocked if he never interacted with him), or Rykard and Ranni were like, too young to hang out with the cool older kids and also not old enough that their younger half-siblings would look up to them as much (not that Rykard was probably ever a good role model… lmao).

I also feel like Rykard seemingly not having been close to Messmer, and yet having basically copied his entire aesthetic, might point to the one-sided admiration of a stepbrother too young to really have bonded with him? and also, knowing Miquella and Malenia looked up to Radahn as a strong older brother, this might contextualize Rykard’s painting of Radahn above his fireplace in the same sense?

In general, all the references seem to give an impression of Radahn being like, the premiere son of Radagon. I think it’s also worth mentioning that every time the three siblings are mentioned together (by Morgott, or by Rogier for example), Radahn is always mentioned first.

Nothing I’ve said here actually definitively proves anything! Radahn could definitely still be younger than Rykard. I just came out of the DLC with a huge vibe that he was the oldest of the three! and I’ve always thought middle child Rykard was fitting for him lol.

I also asked my younger sister her opinion, and she said, “younger siblings have a penchant for torture.” so there you have it

[awkward-fink]

Hey Fink!

Hope your new year has been well so far. Also how tf is it 2025 that’s so crazy to me!

What’s your favorite little head cannon you have of each of your favorite cod guys? Just curious I love hearing how people interpret characters differently 😋

-Cher 🍒

Hi !!! 2025 is very young still and all that really happens is that my dog now loves to climb underneath the blanket with me to cuddle. Living warm water bottle, i tell you! 2024 was over so very fast.. Let's see if 2025 wants to slow down, but with what I see in news.. I don't think so. How are you?

My favorite HC's? Oh.. hard. I like all of them and am always working some.. Mhmm... Alright! Only for you, some small HC's that I like a bit more than the others.

MISC HC!!

Price -> actually joined a cooking club in his free time. Not only is he learning some really neat tricks, he also finds some contacts with people far away from anything military. And thats a break he really needs to calm down again after missions. Military may be his life, but even the most hardened man needs something different. Or needs to know how to impress a date with a perfect Beef Wellington.

Ghost -> loves to read "dime romance" books. They are easy to hide, easy to fold into his pockets, durable when he takes them with him into missions for the little downtime he has. Kicker is, he doesn't read them because he likes the action or themes, he likes to pick apart the loopholes, the mistakes in the writing, the cliches, etc. And he loves discussing them with Kate Laswell, who also shares this guilty pleasure.

Gaz -> This man, this unit of a man, has scheduled spa days with his sisters. You think his glowing skin, shining eyes and perfect smile are just coming to him for free? Think again! Everytime he is off mission, his sisters bully him into a spa or a Hamam or anything else relaxing. Its their way to pamper him, to check up on him, make him relax quickly. And at the end of the day, they are gathered at their mothers house, sprawled on the couch, limbs all tangled as the applied facemasks harden as they sleep soundly, close to each other. Gaz loves it, but not for the beauty factor, but for the love his family shows him in such a way, time spend together with love and gentle affection.

Soap -> is currently losing a quip-war with his niece. It started innocently enough when she was younger, always toddling after her favorite Uncle Johnny, and he ate it up. Until the little bean witnessed him and her mother bickering and she shot up to help her Mommy by kicking Soaps shin. It wasn't painful and the small bean was told that violence doesnt help. But! But Beanie Niece got training from grandpa for this and the next time Soap came home, she fired the first shot. Making fun of his meticilously styled Mohawk. And it all escalated from there. And worst of all, Beanie is currently winning.

König -> got forcefully adopted by a grandmother he met in one of his missions. Oma Elsbeth has a place in his heart after he rescued her by accident. And she sends him the most silly and thoughtful care packages that anyone else on base is jealous of. She even makes him sweaters made from her knitting yarn and the best socks he ever owned were made by her. He only doesn't like her self made Cabbage roulades... but he will never tell her that.

Alejandro -> has a very big heart. If he has snacks or chocolate on his person when he is out and around he will give those treats to children. He loves how their eyes light up, loves how they invite him to play soccer with them, adores the shrieking laughter he can get from them. It reinforces why he works so hard to help his home, Las Almas. And he knows Rudy is just around the corner but he never calls him out for it.

Rudy -> has the best connection for blackmail in the whole of Las Almas, and it is spreading. It is not made up by operatives or spies. No. Its the abuelas and Nonnas and grandmothers. He helped his own abuela once, when she had a bad day, to her tea party and he stayed for the cakes. And he came back for the goldmine of information he got about everyone and anything. Don't mess with Rudy, he will pout and talk to his gang of abuelas and they will uncover all the dirt there is about you.

Horangi -> can fall asleep anywhere, as long as there is a little bit of sun shining on the spot. Sleeping on the tarmac? Pilots better swerve around him. Sleeping on grass? Don't mind him dozing right in the middle of a field of grass, just beside some cows that lend him some company. Falling asleep on other persons? Only if he trusts them, but holy shit König doesn't even care anymore when the other falls asleep on his back, he just carries him around like a sack of rice. Falling asleep in the water? Yes, absolutely. More than one time someone thought he drowned.

Nikolai -> gives all his planes and gadgets names. Female names if he likes them and male names if he can't be arsed about those fucking things anymore. Akulina is his favorite plane and Alina his favorite weapon. His navigation is called Demjan, and he cusses it out every day and every minute he has to use it. Where are the maps if you fucking need them?

[acourtofthought]

Okay so scrolling the Lucien tag and not even 5 posts in I see an e/riel!

Now I’m at the point where I don’t bother to engage with them bc I do not see any point, but I am still curious. This person was saying Eluciens & Gwynriels have to twist cannon and the characters (sure Jan), but what really stuck out to me was that one of those “twists” is Azriel feeling nothing more than lust for Elain…

… where is a single shred of proof that Azriel feels more than lust? Which book, which page number? Because it’s literally explicitly stated that he’s planned nothing beyond the fantasies he’d pleasured himself to. So where is the more? I know you used to favor E/riel. Is there anything more you’d point to?

💖🧼

NTSSM my love!!!!! ❤️ I hope you've been well!

People can headcanon all they want that Az has real feelings for Elain but there is no irrefutable evidence and that's a big part of why I grew to really dislike the E/riel ship.

Az was point blank asked about his known feelings for Mor and he refused to answer. I've seen all sorts of debates about this, "he was just caught off guard!" "He doesn't like to talk about his feelings!" but again, those are all fanon theories right now. He in canon and in his POV did not admit to no longer being in love with her and was not willing to reassure one of his best friends that he wasn't about to just use his sister in-law for sex. Cassian noted his longing glances for Mor were fewer in between but that's not completely gone and we know she was traveling for much of SF. There can't be as many looks if the person isn't around.

Az was asked point blank what his plans were when it came to Elain and once again Az said nothing, followed with him thinking how he hadn't thought beyond the sexual fantasies he pleasured himself to.

Az witnessed Elain's major fight with Nesta, he knew there had been another fight prior to it and he couldn't even be bothered to ask her how she was doing once they were finally alone.

Amren reprimanded Az for not believing Elain capable and we didn't see a single shred of remorse at his doubting her.

Az in canon showed admiration for Gwyn. Az in canon has never shown admiration for Elain. Az in canon credited Nesta for her part in the war. Az in canon has never acknowledged anything Elain did in the war. Az in canon felt a spark in his chest at the thought of Gwyn's happiness. Az in canon never noted feeling a spark for Elain. Az in canon thought of Gwyn's charming irreverence and how different she is now compared to when he first met her. Az has never thought a single thing about Elain's personality or her growth. Az in canon did want to taste Elain but Az in canon also has taken many lovers over the years. Az in canon spent 1 year staring at Elain's headache powder but Az in canon spent over 500 years staring at Mor with longing. We were also told that Az is upset that he didn't get what his brothers had which does provide readers doubt to Az having real feelings for Elain. The author specifically wrote the lines she did in a way that caused many to say "he doesn't want Elain for who she is but what she is in terms of the 3 sisters / 3 brother setup". Compare that to his love for Mor which has been a plot point since book 2 (something that was even discussed in the Cassian and Nesta bonus) and there is no doubt that Az had actual feelings for her.

If a romance author can't convince the majority of her readers that the MMC actually wants the FMC beyond sex and entitlement then I have to say she's not writing a very good romance. Especially when she's not a dark romance / bully romance author (those genre's are a bit different).

Az in canon did lend Elain TT but he turned around and looked at Mor with heat and yearning while Elain sat in the room with them (so clearly the TT scene was not really meant to be romantic). Az did head to Hyberns camp to save Elain but he also told Feyre he'd save Briar while they were there. He then disobeyed Feyre's orders to get Elain to safety so he could instead stay behind for Feyre. Az would have never gotten hurt had he left when Feyre told him to, he got hurt because he didn't want to leave Feyre. He was then ready to fly back into battle while injured but only sat out after Mor begged him to.

And when we flip that, where is the proof that Elain has feelings for Az? I'm not talking about a little crush or flirtation, a willingness to hook up, I'm talking "I will sneak behind the backs of my friends and family to have a forbidden romance with Az and don't care what that means for the peace of our lands because he's worth everything to me."

Was it when she was kidnapped by the Cauldron because she thought it was Graysen? Was it when Az was about ready to pass out from his injuries and she never bothered to ask after him? Was it when she knew he was bothered by her mating bond but had zero interest in actually talking to him about it in his POV? You know, actually sharing in a real conversation with depth after a year where they both pretty much avoided one another rather than thinking hooking up was the better option? (It's giving Tamlin and Feyre who chose not to talk about everything they were dealing with UTM and instead thought banging one out was the smart choice. Sarah doesn't have her endgame couples hooking up before dealing with the hard stuff). Was it when she returned his necklace and was written to be completely indifferent to him the rest of the book? Where she showed zero evidence of sadness or mourning after Solstice?

That E/riels accuse us of twisting canon when they've got Elain as a bloodthirsty, dagger wielding, black leather wearing liar who doesn't care whose feeling she hurts is something else.

I realize that Elucien's saying Elain might have secret feelings for Lucien and is overwhelmed by her physical attraction to him which is one of the reasons she draws back is also a fanon theory right now but the difference is we have empirical evidence to back that up because it's what was revealed about every single Archeron sister to date. Where she ignored, berated, etc. her mate because she was so overwhelmed at being drawn to them (even if she didn't fully understand why that was). Sarah is a Fated Mates author along with many other Fated Mates authors. We have actual data to support that Elain and Lucien as mates will end up together and that Elain has possibly been struggling with her feelings for Lucien all this time.

And yes, there are many yet to be proven Gwynriel headcanons but how could a male feeling something spark in his chest at the simple thought of a female's happiness, a female he really only just met, be considered anything but the first hints at a future romantic pairing?

Az felt happy thinking of Gwyn feeling happy. What is the definition of love if not that?

[auntieinthemushroomhat]

I have no one irl I can discuss Miss Scarlet with (it usually doesn't stop me though, but I do try to limit it to a sane amount), but no matter how much I talk to my friends about it, they won't ever grasp the true extent of everything related to it, because they never watched and never will watch the show, and that's okay. So here I am speaking into the abyss. Hi!

You know, I've been thinking about Stuart's departure. And I'm really starting to think he was right in leaving. Don't get me wrong, I'll miss him immensely, he's a great actor and somewhat of a comfort in the show since we've known him, we know his motivations, we've grown to like him, etc. I like his and Eliza's banter and bickering, but I never did like their romance all that much.

Looking back, in my opinion, they acted more like older brother/younger sister than familial friends with romantic attraction. And I probably would have liked them even more if they never even had that romance aspect, but I'm not sure, since I'm thinking about this retroactively not way back when, when I first started watching the show.

I'll miss William coaching Fitzroy, but I'm also curious how Phelps will approach the subject, since they seem to be on better terms, and maybe more professional than what William and Fitzroy had.

Perhaps William's absence will also provide us with more opportunities to see our favourite side characters and Eliza interacting, eg. Fitzroy (Does he still have a crush on her? Has he moved on? If he still hasn't, will Phelps notice? How will he react?), Ivy and Mr Potts (Will they get married this season? Will Ivy move out? [I know lots of us have been pondering this specific question, as quite a few fanfics imagine this scenario.]), I'd love to see Moses return along with Solomon.

I've seen people mention that Eliza is in dire need of a female friend, and I have to agree. I'd love to see a past female character return, with a vengeance (not literally). My top candidates would be Clara Simms from season 1 or Arabella Acaster, which might be controversial. I'd love to see them make up and move on. Because, I might be wrong in thinking this, but aren't they the two sides of the same coin?

I realise I haven't mentioned Nash yet. I'm excited to see his trial and all the difficulties they will have to deal with it during and after. Once he's free and Eliza rejoins Nash & Sons (if she even will, who knows?), will he leave for Paris, or will he stay? Will Eliza go with him perhaps? So many opportunities. I love it.

I wanna see Patrick and Eliza get closer, whether in the form of friendship or perhaps more, I'd be happy with whichever.

I just want to see Eliza thrive with people surrounding her who love, cherish and support her. (Obviously realistically still and deservedly so, it would be boring if it were all sunshine and rainbows, ya know?)

I hope all the pitchfork action on the internet hasn't put too much of a damper on the Miss Scarlet team's excitement that the show's been renewed and they get to work together again.

[imaginespazzi]

hey nivi! i've read GH since the beginning and always look forward to bookclub reviews so i thought i'd write my own since ive been suffering for 42 days without a new chapter 😆

heartbreaking to see the moment paige's hope gets crushed. like why was i hoping azzi would show up in that moment... unrealistic bc you like to break our hearts sm

WE NEED TO KNOW THE DETAILS OF THE BREAKUP RNNN i feel like azzi had good reason to be hesitant but its killing me that we dont know what. the miscommunication angst is gonna go crazy

Drew doesn’t really remember Paige without Azzi- doesn’t remember a time before his sister knew how to heal without the brunette’s touch HELPPPP their breakup def shattered his perception of love

Because Drew and Paige are cut from the same material and letting Azzi into the folds seems to just come naturally to both of them. rly giving me hope that everything was gonna be okay.. when is drew gonna come around 🙁 im wondering if paige ever explained why they broke up

“I won’t let it happen again.” i fear drew is not gonna let it slide this time.. i can sense the obstacles its gonna take for them to be together again

i love when paige calls azzi baby.

i dont know why i was surprised but it makes sense that paige hasn't forgiven azzi yet. im curious to see if paige truly knows azzis reasoning for saying no. maybe if they have that conversation later and azzi reveals why she did it then paige might have clarity and forgive her so they can move on

“I know what she deserves. I think I know what’s good for my daughter,” Azzi says steely and Paige feels something cold squeezing through her ribcage, “no soda Stephie. End of discussion.” guys i dont think this is about soda.. i think this is the beginning of azzi pulling away and realizing how much paige has attached herself to their life and its scaring her

“what are you gonna do when she walks away again? When she lets you go again, what are you gonna do Paige?” if azzi overheard this i hope she takes it as motivation to reassure paige she wont leave instead of running away again. in her head she probably thinks that leaving sooner rather than later is the best choice but the only real choice is to STAY!!!

"Paige feels the blood drain out of her body as she slowly turns around to find Stephie and Azzi -their faces ashen with identical expressions of betrayal- staring at her. " earth shattering. stephie finding out this way was heartbreakingggg. i thought that paige could stay if she wanted to though i think this could be worked through but in this moment everyone is so heated and azzi and stephie are definitely thinking the worst things rn NIVI FIX THIS!! i think everyone just needs to talk it out and take small steps to forgive each other.

anyways thank you so much nivi for writing the best pazzi series ive ever read. it is always the light of my day, week, and month when you post. im so excited to see how this plays out i am craving moree. but take your time i will be right here when you are ready to release the next chapter

love,

-💋💄

Hello hello friend, welcome to book club!

It would just be too simple if she had shown up and I like to keep things a little....complex shall we say.

I think Azzi's reason were valid but perhaps not the greatest execution. I'm very excited to eventually go into her POV about it and keen to see how y'all respond to that.

Drew's worldview was changed by the breakup and now he's very guarded about himself and his sister.

Interesting theories :)

I really like seeing y'alls responses because I think y'all might be surprised by how I eventually decide write things out in comparison to what y'all are expecting but it also helps me add a little bit to what I'm already planning.

Thank YOU so much my love for reading and taking the time to give me your thoughts, that's always so very appreciated.

[nkjemisin]

Hi there, I hope this is ok. I thought about asking on the twitsphere, but you understandably left. Anyway, I am an older student at Portland State University and today we were discussing your lovely short story "The effluent Engine". What I was curious about was the timeline of the story. For instance, it took place two generations after the Haitian Revolution, which of course ended in 1804, which would place the timeframe around or after the American Civil War. Then, the Order of the White Camilla was, as you know, founded in 1867. So, my question is what is the timeframe of the story? Did the Civil War actually happen in your world? Or is it up to the reader to decide for themself? Anyway, thank you for your time. I love your work. Nathan Tompkins

Hi there! What a cool question.

Mostly the answer boils down to "this was an alternate universe and I pulled details from history, but it obviously isn't real history, so please still treat it as fiction." That is, I used part of the name of the Knights of the White Camellia, but it's not meant to be the actual organization (the real version might have been into espionage, IDK, but mostly afaict they were just wealthy violent racists who considered themselves too good to rub elbows with "trash" in the Klan). That's why I changed the name very slightly to "the Order of the White Camellia," instead of the Knights. I also made substantial changes to Norbert Rilleux, who really did invent a bunch of amazing stuff, some of which got blatantly stolen from him due to racism... but who probably wasn't as obnoxious as I wrote him to be. There's no evidence his sister Eugenie was lesbian or bi, either (but also no evidence that she wasn't...). Such is fiction.

As for the Civil War in that world, I do believe that Haiti becoming a successful superpower with an effective air force would either have a) supercharged secessionism in the South leading up to the war, and thus triggered the war earlier... or b) it would have made the architects of the war very wary, because it would be easy to see AU Haiti as a knife laid right at the South's throat. That might have delayed the war. So I went with B.

But really? I wasn't thinking about the Civil War. I just wanted to write a cute swashbuckling old-school adventure-romance with a couple of Black lesbians fucking up racists. I wasn't aiming for historical accuracy at all, lol.

[tom-is-online]

firstly hi, im the toya side story person. i do hate the fact that akito punched toya. i dont think anything really justifies violence. but enas is implied to be much more frequent! And sibling fights are whatever.

but u cant ignore the fact that some people may just not like ena because of this repeated pattern. i understand that the person in the tags was trying to explain enas behavior, not justify it. but unless its been retconned in a way i forgot, pale color says shinei only really started telling ena that she couldnt be an artist w/o talent when ena was looking at highschools, so its not like ena was fresh into middle school when her father rejected her dreams. akito when faced with insecurity didnt physically lash out at ena as far as im aware of. saying that she lashed out at him just bc he was nearby and improving in his own field doesnt really change a lot imo. just because siblings use each other as an outlet for stress doesnt mean everyone has to be comfy with it. plus, when akito describes the scratching, he mentions dodging the thrown objects and the scratches being hard to avoid if shes near, which leads me to believe that akito was trying to avoid a fight instead of a sibling brawl

im not calling this abuse, by any means, nor am i suggesting that ena shld have magically spawned healthy coping mechanisms. Im just trying to suggest a possibility that ena scratching akito may not have made her likable with some people, given the repetition and akitos lack of involvement in enas insecurity. everyone has different boundaries on what they think is okay. anyways i am happy to continue discussing this tho, i really liked hearing a diff perspective :) and if i missed anything from the stories, i really am sorry

original post

I understand what you're getting at, but I wanna just clear up some stuff with it

Akito and Toya became friends about two years before the main story (both 14), which means Ena was in the last year of Middle School when they met. Ena would have been looking at High Schools at the time, so the timelines with that add up with her emotional state due to her father. And since then, Ena has clearly stopped doing this to Akito

I understand the "it was a repetitive occurrence" argument but she was clearly not in the right headspace to be rational and considerate whilst having breakdowns, she was 15 and mentally unwell, and she's not gonna act in a rational way

Even if it was hypothetically before her last year of middle school.

SHE WOULD HAVE BEEN NO OLDER THAN 15 have you met a pair of siblings 14 and younger? esp with personalities like the Shinonomes

Akito likely wouldn't have fought back against Ena in the same way because he's clearly always been very athletic meaning to me if he tried to fight her back. He would probably just win and he doesn't want to just kick her when she's already down.

Anon (and other people who make this argument) I am just so curious if you're an only child and if not what your siblings are like. I don't have a sister but I have a brother one year younger than me and we fought all of the time until we were like 15-16, me and my brother are both very hot-headed people esp at that age. Siblings just do that, so being so uncomfortable with the concept of siblings fighting that you hate Ena just feels so much like you don't understand typical sibling behaviour

If you're uncomfortable with the fact a 15-year-old had fights with her brother whilst she was likely mentally unwell or below the age of 15 and continue to hold this to them until they are 17-18 when they no longer do this

whilst also excusing Akito for what he did in the main story because it was a "one-off"

idk, man.

the argument is about liking Akito and not Ena. If you can hate Ena for being ~15 and mentally unwell whilst scratching Akito but not hate Akito for punching Toya at 16 and that being a MAJOR PLOT POINT whilst Ena's isn't.

it just feels like you can't understand the nuance behind someone doing something negative when they have bad mental health or you don't have siblings and don't understand how siblings like the Shinonomes would act in a situation such as theirs.

Or someone just gives the male characters way more leniency than the female characters

anyway. i do understand people have diff boundaries. but giving Akito leniency on violent behaviour and not ena for actions she did years ago. you can understand how this is a red flag

idk if i have anything else to say about the matter without going in circles

anyway. theyre great i love them

[soulofamy]

ive gone back and forth on what i think the outcome will be on amy and her relationship with viola and i think after spending a lot of time really dissecting soulcalibur 6 and what lines are filled in for amys story, heres what i think is going to happen.

first and foremost, yes i am going to assume that amy and viola are the same person, no one is going to shake this belief, if you are here to try and convince me amy and viola are sisters or that viola is amys clone, you are wasting your time. and yes i am also going to assume that, just like in the old timeline, amy is going to lose her memories and become viola. the only differences will be that this time we know how it happened and this transformation will have more to do with the main story. that is a discussion for another time though. anyway

i have always believed that viola is eventually going to get her memories back and remember her time as amy. but i have thought a lot about what that realization will mean for her. because while her central identity as amy is extremely important, as it is where she started and it is also raphaels main motivator (please give him something else to do alongside being amys groupie bamco i am literally on my hands and knees begging), it is also quite possible that amy has spent over half of her life as viola. we dont know when exactly viola came to be but if the difference between sc4 and sc5 is 17 years, theres literally nothing stopping us from speculating that amy has had her memory gone for that entire timespan. it could obv be shorter but my point is, amy had a very big and eventful chunk of her life go by AS viola so i can imagine there is a big clash of identities as amy wonders which one she should be embodying going forward.

i think at first, when her memories come back, she will be a LOT more distressed than she thought she would be. to remember raphael and how he took care of her to then realizing that raphael died all those years ago to then coming to realize that his body became soul edges marionette who was bent on killing her and her best friend. i imagine she would have no idea what to do with all this information. it would also depend on WHEN she got those memories back too, whether it would be before or after zwei killed graf dumas, etc.

in a world where graf dumas was able to come to his sense and be raphael for her again, i imagine that she would be furious with him for what he put himself through but she would ultimately, after a little time to process, be happy to have her father back. especially if he apologized for it all.

as for her name, i think she would continue to allow zwei and the rest of schwarzwind to call her viola but she would go back to introducing herself as amy. she chose that name for herself in the first place, she refuses to let whoever is responsible for her memory loss strip her of that.

she would go back to using albion as her primary weapon over her orb. i can totally imagine post amnesia!amy fighting against zwei with albion and him having victory lines against her along the lines of "you fight even better with a sword" or "and i thought you were good with that orb!" or smth along those lines

as for what happens to the orb, i am actually not really sure. canon suggests the orb might possibly be sentient and want to protect her, like it did when the pack of wolves cornered her in the forest. but canon also suggests that the orb is why viola couldnt access her memories before and it was keeping her from the truth so i truly dont know what to expect from her relationship with it going forward

idk if all this makes sense or not, im really curious to know what other people think

[choster33]

Bridgerton Season 3 ep 2 Reaction

Again, I am going at this slowly and probably going to be spoiled mercilessly until June but I am watching one episode a week until June. So here is my reaction to Episode 2. Spoilers ahead.

Ok, so I've been spoiled by references to this already. But Colin and the whores. So right now I don't feel any way about this because Colin is over age and single. He is back from Europe and has had the influence of Anthony and Benedict before him. He is not cheating on anyone here and having fun especially because he can. He has the money and the freedom to do it. He is not deflowering virgins and lying to women or mistreating them, he is getting in practice.

Now back to Polin. Ok the discussion about the first meeting is SO CUTE! He brings it up which shows how much of it he remembers and shows that it is important to him, not some insignificant thing. I would be melting! "Because we were children" indeed. The best love starts with friendship and there is no better friends than the ones you have as little children! You are your purest selves! Even Rae the housemaid thinks there's something going on! Plus I love the ease Penelope feels around Colin and that they are friends. Yes!

Colin talking to Penelope about going abroad and finding himself is surprising and refreshing. In the books, a major plot point was Colin chafing at the Bridgerton name and wanting to be known and admired for himself which leads to Penelope encouraging Colin's writing. I wonder if they will ever include Colin writing in the show and am curious about that. But I'm not mad that show!Colin is more at peace and one with himself in the show than the books, it makes him more grounded and by the time they get together Penelope will be getting whole, mature Colin. "Living for the estimation of others is a trap, once you break free, the world opens up." Swoon!

Bridgerton drawing room! Colin listens to her. He asked her where she was most comfortable and uses that information. This is the kind of stuff that makes me love friends to lovers. Whether there is sex involved or not, this is the one person who actually knows you, who actually cares about your wants and needs. He's not doing anything nefarious or even self serving, he is just being her friend. Yes! This is also one of the reasons I've always liked Colin, he is a cinnamon roll sweetheart who truly is a good friend which makes Penelope's crush on him a healthy choice.

OMG! The eyes bit! Yes, Penelope yes! See, she loves the kindness in Colin and she was vulnerable, even he needed a drink then! Ooh they put in the journal reading and hand cutting scene from the books! Yes, it was one of the scenes I loved! He is angry at her for seeing something so intimate, but he also is super close physically to her as well as a type of freedom that someone has seen his most intimate thoughts.

Ooh, hand twitching, he's definitely thinking of Penelope! Eloise is not wrong here, they are single and often unchaperoned, if they are really playing friends and leading to nothing it does not look right, but we know better! Aww, Polin laughing together! Yes, that is a horse joke! One thing I love about Polin is their mutual sense of humor at puns, jokes etc. They are both word nerds at heart and I love it.

Featheringtons and the lack of sex knowledge is a hoot! They are not my favorite people and side story, but I did cackle at that. Aww, I;m glad that Bridgerton is putting people in wheelchairs in the show! Yes and he's not a joke or anything, good for them! And Colin isn't judgmental or disapproving, score!

Ooof, damn you meddling mamas and gossiping bitches leave Penelope alone! And I am proud and clinging to the writers allowing Cressida to be a fully fleshed out person and not just a villain for not starting the gossip. Ooh, yes though on Colin defending Pen so heartily even to his own sister.

I knew Cressida wasn't the culprit! Yes, the writers are really trying to make Cressida a rounded out character and worthy of forgiveness or at least some understanding. I wonder what they are going to do for her as the season progresses... I think it might be a good look to turn things on its head and to put out the message that no one is irredeemable and etc.

The scene of Penelope at the window is so sad, even her mother doesn't believe she will get a husband and she was forced to write as Lady Whistledown about how pathetic she is. She herself knows how the game is played and how courtship works and this is not the way to get a husband, she's definitely in some deep darkness right now.

Then we get Colin coming over to check in on Pen! Ohh, she asked for a kiss! They started and now they are really going for it! Yeehaw! Squee! Omg! SO hot. The look in his eyes afterwards! Oh! I see where Colin is the prince being awakened by the kiss! Pen is like bye thanks for the kiss and it probably meant nothing to you so I won't make a thing out of it. And he is all I did it to be kind to my friend but it feels so good and right and HOT damn what am I feeling?? Yes, yes, yes!

I can't wait for the next two episodes! I'm living for this!

[rudikawhy]

I've finished Book Lovers by Emily Henry.

☆☆☆☆½

Short version: I loved it, I would recommend.

▪︎▪︎▪︎SPOILERS▪︎▪︎▪︎

I did like it very much from the beginning on, but as soon as Nora walked through Sunshine Falls, I loved it.

For the most part, Libby was my favourite character. I can't really say why, but something about her really spoke to me. When she started to keep obvious secrets from Nora, it frustrated me (probably not as much as Nora but quite). Luckily, that 'problem' solved itself after some time, and I'm glad it got solved that way, because I would have hated it if Libby and Brandon got divorced. I didn't learn too much about Brandon, but I liked him a lot, even if it was just for the fact that he loved Libby and she loved him, and that he was so close with Nora. And of course I loved Libby for loving her sister so much. That they were so close, cared for each other, for each other lives, each other dreams (problem was that they weren't always communicated).

Unlike Nora, I liked Charlie from the beginning. Of course, I knew that he'd reappear in the story later on, but even without that information I could sympathize with him. I just felt that the way Nora met him wasn't his true personality, that there was more to the story (which was true).

Sometimes it was a little too predictable what would happen, especially in the first week. I (almost) always knew when she would run into Charlie (I didn't mind). But most of the times, it was connected with a plot twist. I thought that Charlie would be another customer in the book shop, I didn't expect him to work there (to name an example that I remember off the top of my mind).

And although I did appreciate it very much, it was noticeable, how he always did and said the right thing. And to say it in Jemma Simmons' words: "Stop. Just stop trying to do all the right things. It's too much." I'm really complaining, of course, I was happy that this relationship could happen without a major fight on the pages. And I did love Charlie for always saying and doing the right things, for respecting Nora and her boundaries. This I realized completely, when he told Nora, that he would bring her home if that's what she wants. But if she wants to stay and wake up screaming, that's okay, too. And if she wants to stay and changes her mind in the middle of the night, that's okay, too, then he would bring her home at 4 am.

I can't talk about every single moment that made me love Charlie, so I'll stop.

About Nora. I didn't like her too much until about half way through (maybe a little bit earlier). I think it was when she decided that she is NOT Nadine Winters and started to act in a way to proof it, that I started to like her (I didn't hate her before). Also, I loved the relationship between her and Bea and Tala.

I need to say it. The moment it was clear that Libby and her family would move there, I sort of knew that Libby would take over the book shop. Or at least I assumed. She had to much fun saving the shop and she was really passionate about it, it would be absurd if it wasn't at least discussed.

Also the moment, Nora said she was on her way to Freeman Books on December 12 at 12:12 pm, I knew, I just knew that Charlie would be there (I didn't expect him to be Libby's present).

There is so much more I could talk about, but these are the things I definitely wanted to say. Characters are the most important part of a book (or movie or show or anything) to me, so that was the most important thing I wanted to talk about.

I really did love this book and I'll probably read more of Emily Henry's books in the future. Not immediately, because there are other books waiting on my tbr list, but I definitely like her writing style and enjoyed reading.

Thank you, @backgroundagent3, for talking about Emily Henry and making me curious. (At some point I probably will watch Bridgerton because of you)

[vishnavishivaa]

A Brother’s Eyes

This is a two shot/TS. This is the first part. There is a continuation that will come eventually. 

---------------------------------

The silence between the three siblings was comfortable and comforting as well, all three basking in their united presence. 

“Anna,” Kundavai said softly, looking at Aditha Karikalan, who had a relaxed expression on his face, one that came due to being in Arulmozhi’s vicinity. 

“Sollu, thangaiye,” he smiled at her softly, curious expression on his face. 

“Please stay for a little longer with us,” she pleaded, her eyes filled with hope and despair in equal measure. Arulmozhi also looked at his elder brother with such hope that Aditha did not have the heart to say no, despite having to go. 

“Let me talk to Thirumalai,” he sighed softly. “I will lay false trails and stay for another day.” 

Both Kundavai and Arulmozhi brightened up, nodding their heads at his words cheerily. 

Aditha embraced his siblings once more tightly, before leaving to find Thirumalai. 

****

Aditha was walking back, when he heard his sister’s voice talking to another female. Curious, he moved closer to the sound, peering discreetly. 

“Vanathi…”

Ah! 

She was talking to the Kodumbalur princess, who was said to always be in Kundavai’s company. It was also rumoured that the elders wanted her to marry Arulmozhi, and he had heard this from numerous people. 

Wondering what they were discussing, he focused deeper. 

“Illai, Akka. I will not see your younger brother,” she said, sounding stubborn and tearful at once, causing Kundavai to sigh. 

“What did he do now?” 

Aditha had to smile at her tone, the exasperation such a characteristic trait of Kundavai when it came to her brothers. 

“He didn’t do anything Akka…” 

“Arulmozhi,” she groaned, apparently having seen the actual answer on her thozhi’s face. “Paathum paarkadhadai pola?” 

Aditha frowned. His brother had seen the Princess and turned his face away, not acknowledging her beyond that? That did not sound like Arulmozhi and his endless respect for women. Why was he seemingly cold with the Kodumbalur Princess? From all that he had heard, she is a very gentle soul. 

“Akka, I came to see him. I did not come for him to see me,” Vanathi responded softly. Aditha’s stone cold heart melted at the soft words of the Princess, whose tone seemed enough for him to be fond of. 

“Sembian Patti and I saw you lifeless, ready to drown yourself in the Kaveri because you heard my brother drowned in the sea. Face him, kanmaniye. You came for him, show him that his behaviour is not going to push you back.”

“Akka, I don’t like to bother Ponniyin Selvar…”

“You had no trouble standing up to the Ilaya Rani of Pazhuvoor, but you don’t want to face my brother?” Kundavai asked, her palm holding her thozhi’s. 

Stood up to Nandini?

His Nandini?

Aditha was frozen, but impressed as well. He knew just how Nandini was, and standing up to her was difficult for most, including his Thatha Periya Pazhuvettarayar. It showed the Princess had a very strong will power. 

“Akka, it was your teaching that helped me,” she responded instead. 

“Seri, if you don’t meet Arulmozhi, will you at least meet Karikalan Anna?” Kundavai questioned, and Aditha knew she had caught him the second he had come.

“I am here only, Kundavai,” he stepped around the pillar, smiling genially at his sister, whose eyes were narrowed in a mock glare. 

“Anna, idhu enna thiruttuthanam?” asked Kundavai, the smile spilling on her face cheerful. 

Vanathi had moved behind Kundavai, her natural bashfulness coming to play. 

“Anna, this is my uyir thozhi, Kodumbalur Ilavarasi, Vanathi. Kanne, this is my elder brother, who you have heard a lot about from me,” Kundavai introduced them to each other with a smile. 

“Vanangugiren, Ilavarase,” Vanathi said, bowing down. 

“Call me Anna, Ilavarasi,” he responded instead, smiling at Kundavai, knowing she would understand what he meant.

“Then you should call me by name, Anna,” she smiled, seeming to have understood that his acceptance was intertwined with his words. 

Aditha nodded, please with the gentleness of the Princess. His brother was a gentle soul at heart, and he needed an equally gentle soul to light the fire of love in his veins. 

“Will you both help me with something?” 

The asking look on their faces made him smile, and he started talking, faced with the delight of Kundavai and the growing shyness of Vanathi. 

****

“The bikshus want us to eat in a private dining hall?” Arulmozhi sounded dubious, and with good reason. Food was usually had together with everyone. 

“The bikshus gave your elder brother permission for a small, private dinner, Ilavarase,” Vanthiyadevan said instead, walking side by side with Arulmozhi, ready to help him at a moment’s notice.

Arulmozhi nodded, believing it, for his elder brother could do anything he had decided to do.

“Here, Ilavarase,” Vanthiyadevan said, turning into a hall, Arulmozhi following him. 

“Anna,” Kundavai’s voice, so cheerful that day, made Arulmozhi smile. “You have not heard Vanathi sing, have you? Outside me, the only person in this group of us who have heard her sing is your friend from the Vana clan.”

Arulmozhi stopped, his eyes immediately going to Vanathi unintentionally, who was seated on the small seat next to Kundavai, ever with her like a shadow. 

“Vanthiyadevan?” Aditha laughed. 

“Maya Kannanin paattai ketkamal irukka mudiyuma?” Vanthiyadevan decided to reply. 

Vanathi’s breath hitched when she turned to reply to Vanthiyadevan, seeing Arulmozhi standing next to him. 

“Maya Kannana?”

Vanathi had already stood up, all too respectful of Arulmozhi, who seemed to be refusing to see her then. She lowered her face in sadness, before looking back up at Aditha this time, who had a curious look in his eyes. 

“Yes, my Prince,” Vanthiyadevan said. “When I reached Tanjai, it was Krishnā Jayanthi, and celebrations were going on. I went to find the Ilaya Piratti, and came across the dance performance where Kodumbalur Ilavarasi plays Maya Kannan.” 

“I think you were very moved by it, Kamsa Mama,” Vanathi giggled softly. “So much so that you decided to join me as Kamsa Mama.” 

“Vanthiyadeva!” Aditha laughed, raising an eyebrow at the sly smile on the Vana warrior’s face. “Does this mean you also danced with Vanathi?”

Arulmozhi’s eyes snapped to his brother, unable to help himself. Since when had she been Vanathi to Anna? 

“I had to, Ilavarase,” Vanthiyadevan said, sitting on Arulmozhi’s side as Aditha indicated. The latter was watching his brother, who refused to meet anyone’s eyes, and understood the confusion in his body language. 

“I don’t think Aditha Anna is any less than you in spy work, Vanarthavare,” Vanathi said instead, and Arulmozhi’s eyes were suddenly and completely trained on her face. She smiled internally at this, and knew a blush was dancing on her face. However, she didn’t allow her eyes to stray to him, instead choosing to focus on Aditha’s feeble protests, overridden by Kundavai. 

“Naanum en thozhiyum pesuvadai kettadhu needhan Anna,” Kundavai said. “Arulmozhi, idhai kel. Vanathi and I were talking to each other about something, and Anna decided to spy on us. He came out only because I caught him. Or else he would have stayed there.” 

“It was very interesting, Kundavai. How else would I have found out that Vanathi had a word war with Pazhuvoor Ilaya Rani?” Aditha said, purposely looking at his brother for this, whose eyes seemed to find Vanathi’s face. 

Aha! 

There it was. The confusion and yearning in his younger brother’s eyes was clear to Aditha. He knew his brother felt something for Vanathi. 

Now to get him to admit it. 

Aditha knew the task before him was large, but he was up to it, as Kundavai coaxed Vanathi into talking about the confrontation. 

—-------------------------------

What confrontation is this? It is one I assumed in the movies :p 

Glossary:

Sollu, thangaiye- Tell me, little sister

Paathum paarkadhadai pola- He saw you but pretended he had not 

Anna, idhu enna thiruttuthanam- Anna, what is this thievery you are resorting to?

Vanangugiren- My respects to you

Maya Kannanin paattai ketkamal irukka mudiyuma?- How can I not listen to the song of Maaya Kannan?

Naanum en thozhiyum pesuvadai kettadhu needhan Anna- You were the one who heard what my friend and I were discussing, Anna

************

@vibishalakshman @rang-lo @dumdaradumdaradum @thelekhikawrites @kovaipaavai Whoever else wants me to tag them every time I update, please let me know.

[apocalypticavolition]

Let's (re)Read: The Great Hunt! Chapter 4: Summoned

Welcome back to my reread, folks! Today we're in for a real treat: Our first real Moiraine POV. Sadly, this post - like every other one I'll ever make - is filled with indiscriminate spoilers for the whole damn Wheel of Time series, so you should move on if you don't wanna deal with that.

Another chapter, another new chapter icon. The Horn of Valere makes an appearance, which is funny because for the most part it's only discussed by Anaiya, who doesn't know what's up with it. Its container is seen but not openly mentioned.

Little in Tar Valon besides a meeting of the Hall of the Tower called for the formality of the shawls, and beyond the Shining Walls a sight of the Flame would send too many people running, to hide or perhaps to fetch the Children of the Light. A Whitecloak’s arrow was as fatal to an Aes Sedai as to anyone else, and the Children were too wily to let an Aes Sedai see the bowman before the arrow struck, while she still might do something about it.

So like, do Whitecloaks just murder Aes Sedai in broad daylight on city streets? Do they follow them out of town and kill them on the roads? The former seems like something that would get them into a lot of trouble regardless of their target: someone willing and able to kill an Aes Sedai is going to be a dangerous assassin regardless. The latter seems like a hassle. I think there's a reason the Whitecloaks drop off of the threat scale pretty quickly after book four.

There must be trouble, or she would not have come herself, she thought for at least the tenth time. But beyond that lay a thousand questions more. What trouble, and who did she choose to accompany her? Why here? Why now? It cannot be allowed to go wrong now.

Frankly, even while stressing about it, I think Moiraine's underselling the crisis. She knows there's been all sorts of trouble out in the world of late, with the unnatural winter and the false Dragon and the time Caemlyn was almost wiped out by Trollocs but no one knew about it. She knows that there's other bullshit going on in the world at large too from the eyes and ears she'd be talking to. Meanwhile, she's just made herself a major figure of import in Fal Dara by showing up just as multiple miracles occur and explaining nothing. It makes sense that now that the hunt phase of her quest is over, the game is going to change drastically, but she's spent twenty years doing one thing so it's not something she's ready to adapt to.

Her sisters in the White Tower knew a few of her tricks, and suspected others, including some that did not exist, some that had shocked her when she learned of them. The things she did with the stone were simple and small, if occasionally useful; the kind a child would imagine. But if the wrong women had accompanied the Amyrlin, the crystal might put them off balance, because of the tales.

You could take the crystal off... Just saying. (Also note how ineffective the White Tower is at preserving knowledge that at this point it's just taken as a given that a Sister will have secret tricks not even shared with the rest of her Ajah.)

Both women were taller than Moiraine, though Liandrin by less than a hand.

Jordan's Law of Inverse Power Volume means that Liandrin is almost as much of a threat as Moiraine, but not much.

“Against all,” Moiraine replied smoothly. “Many of the serving women are curious about Aes Sedai, and I do not want them pawing through my rooms when I am not here. There was no need to make a distinction until now.”

So she's lying about something here, that's the rule of Aes Sedai talking smoothly. Possibly the only lie is the implication that she will respond to the need to make a distinction to her wards, but also possibly she's bringing up the serving women to distract from far more interesting culprits: Darkfriends in general, but also possibly the EF5.

“This time, Moiraine,” Anaiya said, “you have been gone from Tar Valon too long. Much too long. Tar Valon misses you. Your sisters miss you. And you are needed in the White Tower.”

Clearly Moiraine returns to the Tower on occasion, both to keep up appearances and also because Tar Valon provides a lot of opportunities for pursuing her investigations. How long has she been gone though? Does she usually come to the Tower every year and missed the last one? Are the gaps even longer than that?

“Three more false Dragons.” Liandrin bit the words off. “In Saldaea, Murandy, and Tear false Dragons ravage the land. The while, you Blues smile and talk of nothing, and try to hold on to the past.”

Liandrin is so bad at socializing. You'd think the Black Ajah would hold socialization practice meetings to help their sisters blend in more. The reason the Wheel makes sure that women don't pick up facial hair is because the Black Ajah would completely give itself away two years after its establishment with all the rampant mustache twirling they'd do.

Also I guess for posterity I should note that this is our first mention of Taim, one of our few mentions of the unnamed Haddon Mirk DR that is completely irrelevant but people keep asking about him, and probably the only mention of the Murandy DR who was apparently teamkilled.

How easily can the world deal with three at one time? How many will flock to their banners? There has never been a shortage of followers for any man claiming to be the Dragon Reborn. How great will the wars be this time?

Is that middle bit strictly true? Were the initial claimants very popular, or did the popularity of the Dragon Reborn grow overtime as the political and technological might of the region declined? To what degree could the existing power structures forestall the popularity of DR claims, if any?

Anaiya tsked. “Sometimes formality is necessary, but men often make more of it than they must. Please, call me Anaiya, and I will call you Amalisa, if I may.”

I've been back to highlighting flaws with Jordan's ideas of gender roles and stuff but I'm pretty sure this is supposed to be ironic: I've known lots of people who love formality when it means people have to fawn all over them.

From the corner of her eye, Moiraine saw Egwene, far down the side hall, disappearing hurriedly around a corner. A stooped shape in a leather jerkin, head down and arms loaded with bundles, shambled at her heels. Moiraine permitted herself a small smile, quickly masked. If the girl shows as much initiative in Tar Valon, she thought wryly, she will sit in the Amyrlin Seat one day. If she can learn to control that initiative. If there is an Amyrlin Seat left on which to sit.

F-f-f-FORESHADOWING! About the only part that doesn't get relevant in some way or another is that Egwene never learns self-control in any meaningful sense. ;)

(Also if I'm not mistaken this is our first time seeing Rand outside his POV.)

“. . . and I would welcome the chance to learn more of your land.” She wore a smile, open and almost girlish, and her voice was friendly.

Liandrin's a great counter-example of the whole, "Judge people by how they treat waiters" advice. You should people by how they treat folks all over the place - some folks who think they're better than everyone are very kind to those that society recognizes as beneath them in the way that most of us are kind to puppies, but very shitty to those who are broadly considered their equals.

It constantly amazed Moiraine that Anaiya dealt as well as she did in the White Tower, but those who were devious always seemed to take her openness and honesty, her acceptance of everyone, as cunning devices. They were always caught completely off balance when she turned out to mean what she said and say what she meant. Too, she had a way of seeing to the heart of things.

Anaiya deals very well: a good deal of evidence suggests that at this point in the series, she's the Head of the Blue Ajah! For example, Moiraine's earlier line in this very chapter where she says she'll leave the Hall to Anaiya even though Anaiya is not a Sitter. She's certainly very important regardless and I have no doubt that Jordan intended it to be that she had risen to such acclaim because she didn't play the White Tower game, not despite it. It's very strong for his themes that even minor characters whose histories are of no importance to the narrative reflect them.

Morgase holds her throne less securely than she did last year, but she holds it still, and will so long as Gareth Bryne is Captain-General of the Queen’s Guards. ... The Daughter-Heir’s party was followed to the River Erinin by the Children of the Light. To the very bridges to Tar Valon.

Foreshadowing for the next book or three here, with Morgase's fall, Bryne's departure, and the encounter with the Whitecloaks all set up.

But she still must keep the full extent of the girl’s potential secret. Would the people of Andor knowingly accept Elayne on the Lion Throne after Morgase if they knew? Not just a queen trained in Tar Valon according to custom, but a full Aes Sedai?

And this I'd say is setting up the succession crisis arc, though honestly I don't recall a lot of Elayne's status as Aes Sedai being anywhere near as much an issue as Morgase's reputation.

“You must know that the Great Hunt of the Horn has been called in Illian, the first time in four hundred years. The Illianers say the Last Battle is coming”—Anaiya gave a little shiver, as well she might, but went on without a pause—“and the Horn of Valere must be found before the final battle against the Shadow... In any case, there will be a new lot of stories for the bards and gleemen to add to the cycle. The Light send it is only new stories.” “Perhaps not the stories they expect,” Moiraine said. Liandrin looked at her sharply, and she kept her face still.

This is pretty much it for Horn discussion in this chapter, one rumor among many that all make it clear that Tarmon Gaidon is coming. There's a particularly millenarianist mindset in the people of the world, in many ways the Hunt is just a much more pleasant variation of a Crusade. It's really no surprise so many people end up Darkfriends when even the good guys seem desperate for the world to be destroyed and replaced.

And then there's Moiraine, smugly bragging about being at the center of it all and thinking she's slick.

The Sea Folk are agitated, their ships flying from port to port with barely a pause. Sisters from the islands say the Coramoor, their Chosen One, is coming, but they won’t say more.

Interesting that Anaiya says "Sisters" instead of "The sisters". There's only three, so most people would phrase it the latter way because a poll could be conducted quickly and thoroughly (especially since they all live and work together). I think Jordan hadn't quite decided how separate the two societies would end up being yet.

The Aiel appear to be stirring, too, but no one knows why. No one ever knows with the Aiel. At least there is no evidence they mean to cross the Spine of the World again, thank the Light.

Meanwhile, less than sixty miles away, a Stone Dog is examining his sixth Borderlander farm for the day while hiding in a leafless bush and sadly concluding that the Car'a'carn is probably on the other side of the continent.

“Almoth Plain,” Liandrin said, and looked surprised that she had spoken.

Liandrin's need to be the smartest person in the room means she's pretty terrible at espionage. She almost certainly got the full debrief on the Seanchan from Ish back in the prologue and if she hasn't been given the order to kidnap the girls yet, it's coming.

What is the wretched girl up to?

I'm a little surprised that Moiraine doesn't suspect her of being Black Ajah outright, but I suppose that she thinks that the Black Ajah infestation is a lot smaller than it is and that being suspicious of every oddly behaving Aes Sedai would mean falsely accusing a whole third of the tower. Shame she couldn't just balefire every Aes Sedai that looked at her funny and saved the world a whole lot of trouble.

The Brown sisters concerned themselves with little beside seeking knowledge. Moiraine sometimes wondered if they were really aware of what was going on in the world, or even immediately around them.

Yay Verin, my favorite Aes Sedai (besides our mains) and Least Suspicious Woman in the World! @checkoutmybookshelf , she is not sketch!!!!

Moiraine not spending any time at the Tower is really coming to bite her in the ass is what I would say if Siuan isn't going to be just as blindsided as she is.

Where are the others? There was no need for them all to be there—most would be resting in their rooms, freshing from the journey—but she was on edge now, all the questions she could not ask running through her head.

Don't worry Moiraine, they're completely irrelevant. Hell, the nameless Yellow Sister in the room with you is irrelevant. Why were they all brought? Siuan says it's about giving each Ajah two representatives (plus her and Leane as non-Ajqah), but why do all the Ajahs want representatives specifically just for bringing in Moiraine? Why not thirteen sisters who could be trusted to shield her if necessary, a number they don't have because there's only twelve non-Blues (and some of the Hall would be concerned that Siuan at least would join in, which would necessitate even more sisters to keep both in check).

At the sight of the golden cube Moiraine had difficulty keeping her face unruffled. The last she had seen of it, it had been safely locked in Agelmar’s strongroom. On learning of the Amyrlin Seat’s arrival she had meant to tell her of it herself. That it was already in the Amyrlin’s possession was a trifle, but a worrisome trifle. Events could be outpacing her.

Events are outpacing you, Moiraine, it's time to get out of denial. What even have you been up to this past month? You haven't been training Rand, you didn't expect this meet-up with Siuan... Did you just send her word and decide to await further instructions? And if so, why wouldn't you expect the Wheel to keep weaving while you stood still?

She was only of medium height, and handsome rather than beautiful, but her face held a strength that had been there before her elevation, the strength of the girl who had survived the streets of the Maule, Tear’s port district, and her clear blue gaze had made kings and queens, and even the Captain Commander of the Children of the Light, drop their eyes.

I really wanna know about the time that Siuan and Niall met. Heck, I also wanna know about Siuan's Maule adventures possibly.

Morgase was one of the few rulers to openly admit to an Aes Sedai councilor; almost all had one, but few admitted it.

Presumably the Borderlanders are the others who admit to it. Tear's leaders probably don't have an advisor, maybe Amadicia's don't either though I could see them doing it in secret since they're not the Whitecloaks. Of course, I could also see the Aes Sedai seeing Amadicia's supposed leaders being far too irrelevant to risk a perfectly valuable sister on.

The Amyrlin nodded as if it were all of no consequence. Moiraine’s eyebrows lifted in surprise before she caught herself and smoothed her features. Those were the two main concerns in the Hall of the Tower, that fewer girls who could be trained to channel the One Power were found every year, or so it seemed, and that fewer of real power were found.

The political positioning around the three Wondergirls really isn't! Elayne won't be providing the Reds any glory going forward because of the Schism, Egwene sheds Ajah affiliation and then dies, and ain't nobody going to want to say they deserve special treatment because their Ajah found Nynaeve as she will Gateway straight to them with her favorite stick and provide it on the spot. What really matters is what the three girls bring to the Tower as a whole, which is a goddamn shitton. Per girl. Plus, all three girls are going to reverse the trends about the two main concerns before the end of the series.

Elaida had another reason for coming to Tar Valon, Daughter. She sent the same message by six different pigeons to make sure I received it—and to whom else in Tar Valon she sent pigeons, I can only guess���then came herself. She told the Hall of the Tower that you are meddling with a young man who is ta’veren, and dangerous.

The thing I love about early book Elaida is that she's not even wrong. Moiraine is a weird Aes Sedai who fucks off for months or years at a time, gave herself a suicidal prince for a Warder, and now she's playing around with ta'veren in the midst of a supernaturally prolonged winter while False Dragons declare themselves in every corner of the world? That's fucking terrifying when you don't know her. Of course Elaida writes to Siuan in desperation. Of course she wrote letters to the Head of the Red Ajah and the Red Sitters and probably every other Sitter and fifteen other sisters who looked important just in case they were the other Ajah Heads.

...Elaida harms no one except those she considers dangerous. Darkfriends, or those poor fool men who try to channel the One Power. Or one who threatens Tar Valon. Everyone else who isn’t Aes Sedai might as well be pieces on a stones board as far as she is concerned. Luckily for him, the innkeeper, one Master Gill as I remember, apparently thinks much of Aes Sedai, and so answered her questions to her satisfaction. Elaida actually spoke well of him.

And like, I think it's Siuan's bias that makes her say that middle bit about pieces on a board. Elaida's a red whose desperate letters include complimentary things about a man who helped her. She didn't have to do that but she did because she knows he's just a dude trying to live his life in uncertain times.

“It was put forward in the Hall that you should be sent into retreat for contemplation. This was proposed by one of the Sitters for the Green Ajah, with the other two nodding approval as she spoke.”

This, and the further proposal by the Greens that the Reds be in charge of Moiraine's retreat, likely comes specifically from Talene, since she's the only Black Ajah Sitter among the Greens.

“It was further proposed, also by the Greens, that your care during your retreat should be given to the Red Ajah. The Red Sitters tried to appear surprised, but they looked like fisher-birds who knew the catch was unguarded.” The Amyrlin sniffed. “The Reds professed reluctance to take custody of one not of their Ajah, but said they would accede to the wishes of the Hall.”

Amusingly, thanks to the Vileness, none of the Red Sitters (Teslyn, Pevara, and Amira) are Black Ajah themselves. Also note the fisher-birds simile. Siuan loves em.

“There was yet another proposal, one that still smells like week-old fish on the jetty. Since Leane is of the Blue Ajah and I came from the Blue, it was put forward that sending two sisters of the Blue with me on this journey would give the Blue four representatives. Proposed in the Hall, to my face, as if they were discussing repairing the drains. Two of the White Sisters stood against me, and two Green. The Yellow muttered among themselves, then would not speak for or against. One more saying nay, and your sisters Anaiya and Maigan would not be here. There was even some talk, open talk, that I should not leave the White Tower at all.”

Again we can assume Talene was one of the Green, and Velina amid the White, but which others did they convince? The Green is probably Rubinde since she votes to depose Siuan later, but then there's the Whites. Neither of the other Whites is invited to the coup vote later; one is sent away to the Rebels for her own safety and the other nominated Siuan for Amyrlin in the first place.

There was only a moment’s hesitation before Leane said, “As you wish, Mother.” Moiraine could feel her surprise. The Amyrlin gave few audiences without the Keeper present, especially not to a sister she had reason to chastise.

Leane should be used to being a third wheel when Moiraine's around if you ask me.

“I don’t know that any of the others have your old trick,” the Amyrlin Seat said, lightly touching the blue stone on Moiraine’s forehead with one finger, “but most of us have some small tricks remembered from childhood. In any event, no one can hear what we say now.”

It's later clarified that eavesdropping is one of the most common early weaves for a wilder to teach herself, so this is wise. It's also interesting that Siuan says that most Aes Sedai have these: the official policy is anti-Wilder but it seems that most sisters are technically among their ranks.

“No, I would not give it up. Most of the time, no. But there have been times I envied that village goodwife. At this moment, I almost do. Moiraine, if anyone, even Leane, discovers what we plan, we will both be stilled. And I can’t say they would be wrong to do it.”

I can! Unlike all the previous Amyrlins who might have gotten involved in raising up Dragons Reborn, y'all are doing it because you know damn well that it's happened and that the world needs to be ready. The only thing wrong in what you two got up to is that you stay so relentlessly secretive even now. Oh well, it had to be done. The very first Aes Sedai who's going to discover what you're up to is Black Ajah, after all.

Anyway, that's another chapter done. See you next time when we have three new POVs and a first with four POVs in a single chapter altogether! Our transition from Rand is gonna hit hard folks!

[paperstarwriters]

hi. i’m a jewish arcana fan

with julian’s design, there are a lot of features typically associated with us, some of them exaggerated, and it is a bit strange to see from goyische creators. however, there are some jews who do have these stereotypical features. i have the stereotypical “sleepy eyes,” and i know a lot of jews with prominent noses. time and time again, i only see these features represented on cartoon villains. maybe i’m just starved for representation but it is nice to see a character with these features who isn’t pure evil.

with the bird stuff: yeah, depictions of jewish characters as nonhuman is always a little dicey. part of the problem with julian’s reversed is the bird form, but another part is the becoming a demon/making deals with the devil. while the arcana’s devil is supposed to be the tarot devil, he tends to resemble the christian devil a lot more. and yeah depicting jewish characters as demonic is not great.

with portia i’m not really sure what personality traits the other anon was referring to. potentially could be her tendency to keep secrets and that she sometimes does things behind people’s backs, ie writing to nadia’s sisters inviting them over. but honestly? if you look at those two things and you see a Crafty Conspiring Jew, i think that more reflects on you than it does the source material.

aunt tasya from portia’s route did make me a bit uncomfortable, especially with her resemblance to mother gothel, one of those cartoon villains with stereotypically jewish features. also her being ultra-rich and using bribery to get her way was certainly. a choice. she also falls into those demonic/inhuman depictions.

so there’s a lot of issues. but i choose to still engage with the fandom because despite that it brings me a lot of joy to see jewish characters in any way. compared to most of the other “representation” we get from goyim (complete flat stereotypes or just straight up nonexistent), the arcana is at least not the worst. worthy of a “not as much of a jerk as you could’ve been” award.

the epilogue tale in nevivon made me really happy. there were references to jewish culture, from the more obvious (separating milk and meat/keeping kosher) to the more subtle (encouraging children to be curious and ask questions).

mazelinka is great, jewish grandmothers are in fact a force to be reckoned with.

anyways that’s my two cents. disclaimer that i don’t represent all jews, two jews three opinions and all that. happy chanukah

Happy chanukah! (for those unaware like I was, Britannica states this is the traditional spelling of Hanukkah, and that both are considered correct.)

Thank you for all of this information! I'm very grateful for the clarification on all these points and your own perspective on the situation of representation in the game. Again, as I am predominantly a writer who wasn't very engaged with the Julian side of the fandom and thus hasn't seen or heard some of the criticisms made when they were being made I am really grateful to be provided all of this information on representation and how it has been done well or done badly.

as you did mention at the end of course, other individuals may be less comfortable with engaging with this sort of content, so yeah, discussions on these flaws are a great way to just make sure for any newcomers, or anyone possibly interested in the content to be better aware of what they're getting into.

but yes! thank you for the extra clarification and all your other points of good and bad representation I will try to use it to the best of my abilities if I ever write either of them in any situation where these moments may come into issue, and I'll try to take care to avoid the parts of bad representation.

[invisiblegarters]

The End of the World With You Ep 6

Note: TW for discussion of suicide below. 

Ha, I knew that Meguru was just aching to get Ritsu alone. I had a feeling that it was something to do with his sister, too. Were they lovers, I wonder?

Ha literally no one believes that Ritsu didn’t have something to do with the sister’s death. I would feel bad about this but this is also the dude who tried to have his cake and eat it too with Masumi (although again, I maintain the only thing he did wrong there was not being up front about what he was looking for - he knew Masumi wouldn’t go for it and he selfishly wanted to keep him for whatever reason, and that’s wrong. The end). More importantly, this is also the dude who let a literal teenager take a death pill because he was curious to see if it would work. So honestly the fact that everyone believes he’d be callous enough to just ignore a woman who was struggling with depression and have that result in her death doesn’t surprise me. I don’t really think it’s fair - none of them yet knows what exactly happened at the moment - but it’s understandable. Ritsu’s not a good guy. He’s spent his whole life living selfishly so there’s no reason anyone would expect this to be different. 

Man I am glad that my teenage years are behind me. Feeling everything that deeply is exhausting. 

Masumi is such an older brother, I swear.

Welp, that will certainly put a damper on travel plans. They will definitely need gas now if they plan to keep Masumi with them after that tumble - I don’t think he’s gonna be walking. 

I like how panicked Ritsu sounds. Maybe there’s a real boy in there after all. 

And yep, Masumi has a busted leg. Called it. 

See this is the thing that always makes me shudder when it comes to apocalyptic stories (aside from losing the Internet, aaaaah). Doctors and hospitals are now a relic of the past, right? Someone hurts themselves and they can’t just pop round to the nearest A&E and get it looked at/taken care of. It reminds me a bit of The Stand, where one of the characters gets appendicitis and there’s literally nothing that they can do for him, and they have to resort to letting a man whose only experience with putting things together is formerly working in a calculator factory do surgery. Imagine getting a stupid scrape that then gets infected and there’s no way to take care of it. *shudders again*

So even though Masumi is making light of it, Ritsu’s reaction makes a whole hell of a lot of sense (although maybe our resident maybe magic boy will prove Masumi right and take care of it). And by the way kudos to the actor, because not only does he look terrified out of his mind, he sounds it. Love the little shake in his voice. 

Fine time to have a crisis about your own shitty personality, Ritsu. Although I geuss if you can’t reevaluate your life choices at the end of the world, when can you?

To be fair, I don’t actually entirely believe that it was the end of the world that kickstarted this particular crisis. I had the impression that Ritsu had the suicide pills before the world got ready to end, and if that’s actually the case, well. That says something. I still don't’ think I like him, but I definitely find him more interesting now. 

Aw that kiss was soft and sweet. There really is no point holding grudges at the end of the world, is there? I do like that Masumi decided to leverage Ritsu’s clear guilt and worry over him to get him to tell Meguru what happened with his sister. 

Oh. Oh that poor girl. I like that they have the same actor playing both Madoka and Meguru. I wonder how much of the guilt Ritsu feels is due to Madoka’s story with her ex paralleling what happened with Masumi. A lot of it probably also has to do with him not being there for her, which...hm. I don’t necessarily agree with, I think. I get the need to blame himself because there will always be that what if hanging over his head - if he had just been a little less preoccupied with himself, could he have stopped her, etc - but at the end of the day no one can be responsible for someone else’s mental health. Ritsu is not a great guy by any stretch, but I don’t know if I’d add this particular thing to his list of sins. 

And yep, called it. Ritsu very much wants to die, and clearly has for a while. 

Oh, and that whole story just set Yuma right off didn’t it. “Go away, you damn meteor!” 

I guess if he is a magic boy they’ll find out in four days. 

I have to say, I really appreciate that this drama isn’t shying away from tackling the hard stuff. I don’t know if that’s what I expected when I first started watching - oh, I expected some existential questions because most end of the world fiction gets there eventually, but the rest of it? I just don’t know. I feel like this drama took a hard left when Ritsu asked Masumi to help him dispose of a corpse and it hasn’t really stopped since. Now that Utsukare S2 is over it might be my favorite thing currently airing (although Jack o’ Frost is bringing in a close second. Damn, Japan).