#but every time it cuts away from the crows I literally feel myself losing interest until they show up again

[empress-of-snark]

pros of writing the Crows into the Shadow & Bone Netflix series: fleshes out the plot, adds drama, attracts more viewers b/c they’re fan favorites, distinguishes the show from the books, etc etc

cons: they completely overshadow the main plot and no one cares about Alina anymore

[summersun4youforever]

✨ Tag 9 people to learn more about their interests!

tagged by my fav @loulovehome thank you pu hope that this quells your curiosity! 

MUSIC

fav genre? not to be that person but i think i have a toe in most genres, i suppose my favorites have got to be anything taylor swift does, pop punk, r&b pop/new age r&b, and bluegrass

fav artist? again, not to be that person but i love so many artists! let’s do this based off of genre: taylor swift, 1D, 5sos, massive focus on ZAYN, the Avett brothers, and counting crows

fav song? fav song of all time (since i was young) is going to be come around by rhett miller but more currently i’d say you are in love by taylor swift and dRuNk by ZAYN

song currently stuck in your head? i have no idea how it got there but i have stressed out by 21 pilots stuck in my head??

5 fav lyrics? ok let’s do this kids. edit: this went in a “fav love song lyrics” way so sorry in advance.

1)  I hope that I don't sound to insane when I say / There is darkness all around us / I don't feel weak but I do need sometimes for her to protect me / And reconnect me to the beauty that I'm missin' (January Wedding - The Avett Brothers)

2)  Hands around my waist / You're counting up the hills across the sheets / And I'm a falling star / A glimmer lighting up these cotton streets / I admit I'm a bit of a fool for playing by the rules / But I've found my sweet escape when I'm alone with you (Disconnected - 5sos)

3)  This is the worthwhile fight / Love is a ruthless game / Unless you play it good and right / These are the hands of fate / You're my Achilles heel / This is the golden age of something good / And right and real (State of Grace - Taylor Swift) 

4)  What if I changed my mind / What if I said it's over / I been flying so long / Can't remember what it was like to be sober / What if I lost my lives? / What if I said "Game over"? / What if I forget my lies? / And I lose all my composure (Back to Life - ZAYN)

5)   I never said I was perfect / Or you don't deserve a good person to carry your baggage / I know a few girls that can handle it / I ain't that kind of chick, but I can call 'em for you if you want / I never said that you wasn't attractive / Your style and that beard, ooh, don't get me distracted / I'm tryna be patient, and patience takes practice / The fact is I'm leaving, so just let me have this (Jerome - Lizzo)

radio or your own playlist | solo artists or bands | pop or indie | loud or silent volume I slow or fast songs | music video or lyrics video | speakers or headset | riding a bus in silence or while listening to music | driving in silence or with radio on

BOOKS

fav book genre? murder mystery and young love!

fav writer? jane austen, lisa jewell, and rick riordan (nostalgia ok?!)

fav book? the way i used to be my amber smith, rebecca by daphane du maurier, and then she was gone OR watching you (both by Lisa Jewell)

fav book series? i guess the whole percy jackson situations? i have everything RR every wrote, and i liked it all but i havent touched the older ones in ages

comfort book? not one specifically but the nancy drew books

perfect book to read on a rainy day? bird summons by leila aboulela

5 quotes from your fav book that you know by heart? i hope i can name five...

1)  “The point is, life has to be endured, and lived. But how to live it is the problem.” “I am no traveller, you are my world.” (both are My Cousin Rachel by Daphne Du Maurier)

2)  “And I’m terrified he’ll see through the tough iceberg layer, and he’ll discover not a soft, sweet girl, but an ugly fucking disaster underneath.” (The Way I Used to Be by Amber Smith)

3)  "I cannot make speeches, Emma," he soon resumed; and in a tone of such sincere, decided, intelligible tenderness as was tolerably convincing. "If I loved you less, I might be able to talk about it more. But you know what I am. You hear nothing but truth from me. I have blamed you, and lectured you, and you have borne it as no other woman in England would have borne it. Bear with the truths I would tell you now, dearest Emma, as well as you have borne with them. The manner, perhaps, may have as little to recommend them. God knows, I have been a very indifferent lover. But you understand me. Yes, you see, you understand my feelings and will return them if you can. At present, I ask only to hear, once to hear your voice.” (Emma by Jane Austen) (sorry for the length, the shortened versions were not cutting it for me)

4)  “Read, read, read. That's all I can say.” (The Secret of the Old Clock by Carolyn Keene)

5)  “...amazing how boring you can get away with being when you’re pretty. No one seems to notice. When you’re pretty everyone just assumes you must have a great life. People are so short-sighted, sometimes. People are so stupid. I have a dark past and I have dark thoughts. I do dark things and I scare myself sometimes.” (Invisible Girl by Lisa Jewell)

hardcover or paperback | buy or rent | standalone novels or book series | ebook or physical copy | reading at night or during the day | reading at home or in nature | listening to music while reading or reading in silence | reading in order or reading the ending first | reliable or unreliable narrator | realism or fantasy | one or multiple POVS | judging by the covers or by the summary (im a very judgmental reader) | rereading or reading just once

TV AND MOVIES

fav tv/movie genre? i like dramedies, mockumentaries, and procedurals 

fav movie? ive got a massive list on my phone but ill pick Doob (No Bed of Roses) and 3-Iron as my favs for today

comfort movie? 2000s romcoms, im talking clueless, 13 going on 30, how to loe a guy in ten days, ten things i hate abt you, legally blonde

movie you watch every year? mamma mia and all listed in prev question

fav tv show? too many, currently im rewatching arrested development

comfort tv show? new girl

most rewatched tv show? new girl

ultimate otp? shawn and jules from psych (ultimate bc ive been watching since diapers literally)

5 fav characters? winston bishop, stiles stilinski, bellamy blake, clarke griffin, lydia martin

tv shows or movies | short seasons (8-13 episodes) or full seasons (22 episodes or more) | one episode a week or binging | one season or multiple seasons | one part or saga | half hour or one hour long episodes | subtitles on or off | rewatching or watching just once | downloads or watches online

super fun even though it took me an hour lmao, I'm tagging @technosoot @hometothecanyonmoon @sassylilnoodle @sushiniall @rosegold-thorns no pressure and sorry if youve already been tagged!

edit: i somehow managed to forget what i consider to be one of the greatest opening verses ever???? so bonus lyrics:

Step out the front door like a ghost into the fog / Where no one notices the contrast of white on white / And in between the moon and you / The angels get a better view / Of the crumbling difference between wrong and right (Round Here - Counting Crows)

[cat-bit]

An Objective Assessment of c!Dream’s Current Situation and What the Future Might Hold

/rp SO One thing I want to get out of the way first off is that we all know Dream will eventually get out of that prison. It is a foregone conclusion at this point; he’s not going to be in there forever. Now, exactly how he gets out of there is the topic of hot debate right now, and honestly I’m excited to see what they might plan (as long as it doesn’t involve outright destroying it please GOD after yesterday’s trip through it that would break my heart). I think the theory of Dream pulling the favor card with Techno is the most popular at the moment. REGARDLESS!!! That is not what I’m here to talk about. What I really want to get into is how Dream’s situation will stay objectively the same regardless of whether or not he gets out of Pandora’s Vault. Because it’s honestly fascinating. 

The finale of season 2 brought with it some very interesting revelations about Dream as a character, which honestly felt like rain in the desert because at this point, we know so little about him. Now, the added mystery is what makes him intriguing, but it also leaves the audience in the twilight zone when it comes to important things, like his motivations and how those things might drive him to behave well into the future. Any scrap of information we get is important, because it helps us piece together a more coherent picture of the guy, thus allowing us to make reasonable predictions about the future of the SMP, and his place in it. In the finale, Dream revealed that his obsession with Tommy’s discs had less to do with control over Tommy individually and more to do with control over the server as a whole. Although, don’t get me wrong, they were still a very large part of the deal. Tommy was very much Dream’s lynchpin. He was the fulcrum of Dream’s entire plot; everything rested on him being able to contain Tommy and use him for his own means. But Tommy and his discs were also stepping stones towards a much larger goal, evident in the macabre trophy room Dream made, ready and waiting for all the items and pets (and even people) of personal importance to individuals all across the server.  Dream claimed that it was Tommy who brought attachment (and therefore conflict through attachment) to the server (”to discs, to pets, to friends, to land, to countries, to items”), and in several ways he was correct. The Disc Saga was the beginning of interpersonal conflict on the Dream SMP, and Dream fixated on this in a big way, to the point where he narrowed down all his problems to both attachment and control, until he landed on control through attachment. And in the finale, Dream claimed that he willingly gave up all of his own attachments so that no one would be able to control him like he planned to control everyone else-- we even saw this in action waaay back at the beginning of the Exile Arc, when Dream straight up told Tommy to burn Spirit’s remains, and claimed that he didn’t care about anything or anyone barring the discs. Now, we can sort of interpret what he meant when he said that’s all he cares about, because we have another piece of the bigger picture thanks to that finale. When Dream said all he cared about was the discs, we only have to look into the subtext of the scene to see that what he was actually saying was that all he cares about is control. Control is to Dream what Attachment is to Tommy; he has to have it, he’ll do anything to get it, he pretty much did do anything to get it.  And then he lost. And we get to see the first fracture in the mask of the confidant, taunting, cruel, and manipulative Dream we’ve gotten used to. He wasn’t expecting to lose; this wasn’t in the cards for him. He went into that confrontation with the assumption that he had planned for everything. He went into it with the assumption that he knew everything he needed to about his opponents, and how to manipulate everything to fall in his favor. Except he was wrong. Because in all that crowing about attachments and controlling people through them, it ended up being the one thing he didn’t account for. Yes, Punz was an absolute champion for leading everyone to the portal that got them into Dream’s vault, and his line when he stepped through will go down in history right next to “It was never meant to be”, but remember: he was paid to do it. He is a mercenary. For him, this was not about attachment. What I’d really like to point your attention to is literally everyone else. Oh to be a fly on the wall in that moment; I wish we could have seen it. Punz was the only one who was obligated to enter that vault; he accepted payment from Tommy, they had a de-facto contract. Everyone else had the option of staying behind. They didn’t have to go. They could have simply… done nothing. Stayed where they were and accepted the likelihood that Tommy and Tubbo would not be coming back. But they didn’t. They all came to both a personal and a collective decision to follow Punz into that situation. For one reason or another, they made a conscious choice to stand against Dream. They didn’t know what they would find on the other end of that portal, perhaps it would be certain death. But they went anyway. And it was all because of attachment. Not necessarily attachment to Tommy-- Jack Manifold and Niki were both there, and we all know how they feel about him-- but attachment in general nonetheless. Just as Dream said, Tommy brought conflict to the server, conflict that stemmed from attachments: “to pets, to friends, to land, to countries, to items.” Because of this, everyone had stakes in this game. Everyone had something on the line whether they knew it or not, something they could lose if Dream won, and again I only have to point to that trophy room to prove it. But they decided that Dream was no longer allowed to be the puppetmaster, making his plays from the shadows and laughing while everyone else suffered around him.  They made a stand as a collective, something frequent Ranboo viewers (myself included) have been frothing at the mouth for in the past few weeks. They formed a physical barrier between Dream and Tommy+Tubbo; they forced him to back down. I cannot stress this enough: this one scene was the highest the Dream SMP has ever climbed. The triumph and heart in that one moment was indescribable. It was vindication, and solidarity, and righteous anger, and courage, and hope, and unity.

For the first time in a very long time, the entire server stood for something as one again, and that is what will not change about Dream’s situation if he makes it out of Pandora’s Vault. Dream has no one. He said it himself, he purposefully cut away all attachments. And Techno? Techno will only help Dream in the future because that debt is still hanging over his head. Otherwise, their goals don’t align anymore. Remember, Techno has recently made a more concrete commitment to anarchy- not just wanton destruction, but true anarchy, relying not on hierarchy, but on communal effort and ties. And Dream is on the fast track to becoming a true tyrant. That too is a foregone conclusion. Dream’s obsession with control and order on the SMP will inevitably lead to tyranny; there is no other place for it to go, and I don’t think Techno will stand for that. Once his debt is repaid and Dream cashes in that favor, Techno will no longer be obliged to assist him.  And even then, even with the possibility of Techno helping him, even with the possibility of him putting Punz back on his payroll, Dream will still have no one. You think either of those guys are going to be his friend? No. At best, it will be a business partnership, at worst Dream will have to force Techno to honor the debt. Techno is a wildcard in every sense of the word, and someone could always just pay Punz more than Dream again. He has no one to rely on, no one who is truly loyal to him. That’s what stays the same. Because even if he makes it out of Pandora’s Vault, he will still be just as alone on the outside as he is in that cell. 

[riot-in-reverie]

Villainous Neighbors

if you have name ideas let me know! this is just the place holder

this has violence but not much. i’ll post pictures in a different post because this is one the computer. 

@b00kworm @jurdanhell @cardan-greenbriar-tcp

Sorry if you didn’t want to be tagged

Chapter One 

Jude’s POV

The crowds cheering and applause was almost deafening. I watched the body before me crumple and collapse, beaten and broken onto the bloodstained ground. His limbs sprawled in unnatural directions. I drew my attention away from him and to the crowd. I raised my bandaged fist as I cried out in victory; The blood of my opponent dripped down my arm. I turned in circles so everyone could see me. I wanted everyone to see how I won. How I beat the brute now laying at my feet. The cheering crowd just made my smile grow and I stood there basking in the glory before quickly walking out of the makeshift arena and into the otherwise crowded space. I pushed through the drunken crowd and out of where the fighting pit was stationed. If you could call it a fighting pit. It was just a ring of people that made the illusion of a caged area.

 I was heading straight to the man that gave me my money. I never cared to learn his name, it didn’t matter anyway. I memorized what he looked like so I didn't have to know his name. Short, stocky, brown hair unevenly cut. As soon as I found him I took the envelope that he was already holding out to me. While looking at it I noticed that it was addressed to Mirth. 

Mirth was my stage name. I had used Mirth since I was little and had started participating in unlawful activities. I was now just too lazy to try and change it. I looked back up to the small man 

“It’s all here?” I asked while waving the envelope. 

The man nodded “Yes ma’am every cent”

“Good” I didn't bother checking it more than that. They had underpaid me once and had suffered the consequences. No one was going to cut me short. I had worked too damn hard my whole life to be paid less than I was worth. I seriously doubted they dared try and do it again after what had happened. I nodded to the man in farewell and left the place. I really hated it there all the gambling, drinking, false deals and all that shit. The only thing I liked was the money and the occasional chance to get away from my personal relationships. Of course the loud crowds and fights didn't allow lots of peace. The most peaceful part of this place was the luxurious rooms that big business owners talked about whatever the fuck they talked about. I never went there, that wasn’t my scene. I mostly spent my time in that small, loud, part in the back. I went through the parting motions of getting my jacket and changing shoes before stepping out into the delightfully cool night air. I sighed and tucked the envelope into a hidden inside pocket of my beloved leather jacket. 

As I walked down the suburban streets the only sounds I could hear were the soft clicking of my buckle up boots and swish of my ponytail as it brushed against the back of my jacket. As much as I love cheering crowds, rocking parties and other fun stuff that just happens to be loud I also really enjoy the quiet. The world stands still for a moment and you get to enjoy the small things. It's even better when it's dark. The dark has always been a favorite of mine. There is just something about the cold and the quiet, the unspoken, the soft silken dark, not seeing the color but the true presence, it's terrifying but beautiful. Maybe that's why I like it. Because for those moments I can forget for a while. Forget who I am and who I am supposed to be. Thinking if things where different. I never had the chance to be soft. I had to be bloody knuckles and broken glass. I had to protect those close to me. I wanted others to be afraid of hurting me. I sometimes wonder what it would be like if things were different and we had grown up with our parents. I would have gone to school instead of begging on the streets. I would have joined clubs instead of learning to pick locks. I might be dating a guy I love rather than a grade A jackass. 

Everything was just so different for me and the worst was that I like it. I like breaking bones and stealing. I like it when people look at me in fear. Maybe it's just the way I grew up. I could blame it on that right?

I pulled myself out of my thoughts before I went to a more dangerous place. Who knows what lies in this very twisted mind of mine. I seemed to have brought myself back to reality at a good time because I was coming close to our apartment. The apartment I shared with my sisters. The apartment I paid for. It was okay, it has three bedrooms and two bathrooms. Vivienne complained that we should buy a house since we have enough money. It's true that we have enough money. Thanks to me but it would be too suspicious for three teenage girls to buy a house all on their own so for now we have a nice apartment. I unlocked the door and went inside. I guessed it was probably about 10pm so Oak and Taryn were probably asleep. I walked in and saw Vivienne on the couch watching some show. I didn't care enough about what it was to ask. I hung up my jacket and started to take off my boots. 

“Did you win?” Vivienne said by way of greeting. She didn't look away from the TV. I'm not sure if she just wasn't interested or too worried about injuries. Sometimes I'd come back barely able to walk. She knew of my fights and even though she wasn’t happy about it she was more tolerant about it than Taryn was. 

“Course I did” I answered and kicked off my boots as soon as they were loose enough. 

“I’m going to bed you should too” I locked the door behind me and walked softly up the stairs so I didn't wake anyone. I pushed my door open and was immediately chucking clothes off. I threw my jacket onto the fuzzy chair in the corner of the room, changed into my old but comfortable pajamas and took my hair out. I stood in front of the full length mirror that was just propped up against the wall because I was too lazy to get a stand for it or hang it up or whatever you're supposed to do for it. I brushed my long willow tree colored hair out while staring at my too pale of a face. I sighed before crashing onto my bed that was pushed up into the corner of the room. Just another day in the life. I think I was asleep before I even hit the mattress. 

Cardans POV 

I stood there as the elevator moved steadily upward. I looked at my reflection in the polished silver walls. I was dressed in my usual business attire with the lose hanging white buttoned shirt, leather pointed shoes that I could see my reflection in, black pants that the store advertised as "dark grey" with no pockets forcing me to have a briefcase, and thanks to fucking stereotypes I had taken off my very stylish rings off leaving circular indentations on my fingers and most of my makeup. I tucked a strand of stray crow black hair behind my ear and started to unbutton the top button of my shirt. I don't know why I did it. It just became sort of a little good luck thing and whether it worked or not it made me look just a bit sexier. 

I heard the elevator doors ding and slide open. I picked up my briefcase and stepped out of the elevator into a large office. Looking around the office it had a whole wall of windows overlooking the city and a small sitting area that was completely pointless because the desk was literally five feet away from it. Sitting at the desk pouring over papers was a man that seemed to be in his mid forties. I stood there for a moment waiting for him to look up, after it seemed clear that he wasn’t going to acknowledge me anytime soon I cleared my throat. The man looked up at me with a shocked expression, the wrinkles under his eyes (no doubt from working late nights) creasing in worry. 

“Mr. Greenbriar I wasn’t expecting you till nine”

“I thought I’d stop by early” I said glancing at my watch that read half past seven “Aren’t you going to invite me to sit down?”

“Yes yes of course please have a seat” He gestured to the leather chairs across from his desk. I sat down in one and put my briefcase in the other. 

“Well I’ll get right to the point. I am supposed to get paid at the beginning of every month, correct?” 

“Well yes but…”

“And today is the first and yet I haven’t been paid. It also happens that today you scheduled a meeting. Should I be worried Mr. Smith?”

“Greenbriar I have talked to some of my people and we have decided that we won’t be paying you anymore”

I leaned forward in my seat. I had a feeling this was going to happen “Really?”

“We’re perfectly fine on our own, your protection is not needed. I’m not paying you protection money when there are no ongoing threats. We have state of the art security systems and we don’t need help from a teenage boy”

He obviously didn’t think of me as a threat. What an idiot. Soon enough he’d learn. “Hmm you seem awfully confident in your decision. Are you sure you're powerful enough to do this?”

“What does power have to do with it? I am in charge of a powerful business, yes, and am friends with other powerful businessmen so I suppose...”

“Power is everything” I interrupted. I looked back at his stupid little sitting area. It had a chess table in the middle. I crossed over to it and picked up a king turning it over in my fingers. Mr. Smith started to say something but I continued before he could start “Life is like chess. There are powerful people, powerful people who hire others to protect them, there are people who strive to be the king, there are people who move too fast, there are people who move too slow, there are impulsive people who don’t think before they move, and some people sacrifice everything. You just have to learn the rules and then you have to play better than everyone else, but no one ever wins that way and no one ever tells you about the other way. How you can break the rules. I break the rules and I'll tell you what Mr. Smith” I looked up and smiled a smile that hid dangerous secrets. “I'm going to be the deadliest piece on the board.” I dropped the chess piece on the floor and grabbed my briefcase. “I’ll expect your call in the morning” 

The walk home was less than pleasant. I should have drove then I wouldn’t be here cold and tired. I had more stuff to do once I got home or maybe it could wait till tomorrow. 

I was thinking about stuff on my to do list when I noticed someone in front of me. It was kinda dark so I couldn’t see super clearly but it seemed to be a girl about my age. Any other day I would have gone up and talked to her but tonight is just not that night. I turned the next corner and got to my house in the next couple minutes.

 I locked the door behind me and went right up the wooden stairs to my room where I quickly changed into my silk pajamas I got a few weeks ago. I looked at the clock. It was about nine to early for bed and too late for productive work. That left one option, my favorite. I quickly went downstairs and to the kitchen pulling out a half finished bottle of wine, turned on Criminal minds, and sprawled out on the couch. Just another day in the life.

[neverlearnedtoread]

King of Scars

⭐⭐⭐; me at any given moment in the second half of the book: leigh.......*sobbing* please........where are we

Oh?? 👌😉😏

incredible set-up! the first half was SO exciting and fun. every set-up was brimming with piping hot takes. court intrigue, power couple vibes, sneaking around / keeping up appearances interspersed with real feelings - bardugo set out a real feast of a story, that’s for sure

non-powered protagonist / POV in a magical setting. it’s one of my favourite tropes (i can pinpoint the origin of this preference back to one specific book in my childhood favourites)

badass women! need i say more

political intrigue (especially with the backdrop of a magical setting!)

No.. ❌🤢🤮

the author lost the thread SO HARD in the second....it really fell so flat after such a fantastic premise. im so disappointed 😭 i wanted so much and i got barely a crumb....please leigh, just another mouthful of that political intrigue....im begging ya......

im not that mad about the [spoilers] at the end of the story, but i am utterly befuddled by how it happened - and that’s not even taking into account how confused i am about the future direction of the story. bardugo, where? are? you? going?? it’s getting to the point i don’t fully trust she knows where she’ll end up either, and that’s dangerous

Nina’s story should have been a novella that came out before KoS. It would have been much more cohesive, and I could concentrate on Nina’s arc more on its own, and probably would’ve hyped up KoS that much more because of how these two stories are supposed to happen concurrently. Honestly, as interesting as Nina’s story was, I don’t have that much to say about it. It was good. I wish it was its own story. That’s about it.

Summary: Three years after the Ravkan Civil War, King Nikolai finds himself wrestling with an interesting problem. While his shrewd political machinations and barefaced charisma have kept Ravka from devolving into yet another conflict with one of its many enemies, he’s been losing ground in a battle with his own body as some uncontrollable curse repeatedly takes over his consciousness, causing him to wreck havoc across the nearby countryside night after night. After he nearly kills a child on one of his fun little jaunts as a giant bird-creature, he decides to take matters into his own hands and travel to a place of cleansing, which he hopes will be strong enough to purge the darkness. Things can only go downhill from there. (Oh yeah! And Nina is doing cool, sexy, creepy, important stuff somewhere else. That’s a thing too.)

Concept: 💭💭💭

I did not expect to pick up this book. I got into Six of Crows quite late, and I didn’t love the duology (it was good! i love inej. and everyone else is there too ig), so when I read the reviews (tbh I just listened to the KoS liveshow by the Papercut trio, but same thing) and they weren’t...that positive? i chalked it up to a cute cover i could admire from a distance whenever i visited a bookstore and moved on. But! Life moves in mysterious ways...and by mysterious I mean my friend listened to the audiobook and got me into it as well so we could share thoughts

Spoilers under the cut~

Execution: 💥💥💥💥 (first half) / 💥💥 (second half)

...And share thoughts we did! The first half of the book was *chef’s kiss* set-up so beautifully. I’ve never read the Grisha Trilogy, but I can feel that bardugo prefers to play fast and loose with her worldbuilding rules anyway, so there wasn’t much I couldn’t pick up using context clues. The characterization for two POVs I’d never read before, let alone even knew the backstory of beyond the vaguest inclination, was masterful! I immediately liked Nikolai and Zoya. Then we got to the second part, and I have never seen anything go downhill quite so effortlessly. More spectacularly? Yes. More quickly? Absolutely! Somehow, this was more like a slow slide into mediocrity, which was....worse. We just kept getting further and further away from the original intrigue, and setting up yet more moving pieces and unanswered questions, and, and - ! The book ended. I am so afraid that this has become a bigger beast than Bardugo can control, and that’s why she’s announcing a Six of Crows continuation - to pull it all together without admitting she may have lost the thread of this narrative.

Favourite Moment: while I loved where nina ended up at the end of the story (and i WISH we had had her story in a separate novella so i could fully appreciate the BDE), I think my favourite scene is when nikolai says to zoya ‘so what about that amplifier of yours that you were highly emotionally attached to’ and zoya not only tells him, but takes off her shirt to show him the scars without being directly asked. like damn! all he had to do was ask an unrelated question! shit! half the population of ravka would die to be as lucky as their king

Personal Enjoyment: ❤❤❤❤❤ (first half) / ❤❤ (second half)

I love it when a story hinges on two characters playing off of the other. There’s the banter, of course, but the real meat of this premise is always the character reveals and parallels you’re privy to, when you match two characters the audience has yet to learn more about against each other. It’s like...shadows and light! The interplay of similarities and differences! The intrigue of these characters reacting to any character reveals alongside the audience themselves in real-time! ‘Two sides of the same coin’-type narratives are always super fun, with or without shipping. And I think that’s the crux of the reason the second half of the book fell apart - despite being two out of three of the only humans stuck in that Other Place, and literally unable to go anywhere, Nikolai and Zoya simply....stopped talking to each other. And trusted two otherworldly god-like figures. Without question. 👀👀 HUH? HUH?? They’ve both been established to trust very few people - it took them three years to build themselves up to trusting each other, and they worked side-by-side to govern an entire country. But when it came down to the wire, you’re telling me they picked some random mythical dudes they had never believed existed? Make it make sense, Bardugo. They’re not even teenagers in-canon anymore, there’s no excuse for that kind of lapse in character consistency.

Favourite Character: i’m going to cheat and say that nikolai and zoya tie - their personalities were so compelling. if only they could have combined their two braincells to give me the fully realised character arc this book truly deserved :(( they could have had intertwined narrative parallels! the foil potential! cmon bardugo, am i gonna have to rewrite this book in my mind myself, or what?

[pjdredful]

The AV Club

Chapter 6

"Hi there Evie, I didn't know you had a morning appoint today." I smile briefly at Sandra the receptionist as I sign in to the log book.

 "I don't I was just hoping I could talk to Tony for a second. I guess I should have called. He might have a client or something." Sandra turns and pulls up the daily schedule for all the therapists that have an office on this floor. She makes a tutting sound as she scrolls through the list of names.

 "He usually takes his first about an hour after he arrives. Tony likes to take his time to get settled in the morning." There's another soft tut tut sound and then she turns back to me with a wider smile. "He's clear for another half hour. Do you want take a seat and I'll let him know you're here?"

 I nod at that and offer her a smile of thanks before picking my favorite spot under the fake ficus in the corner. I'm sitting here chewing on my fingernail not really focusing on anything yet hyper aware of the rectangular outline of my mom's journal in the front zip pouch of my messenger bag. Hyper aware of every tick and click of the too cold air conditioner. Hyper aware of the not so covert glances from another patient waiting to be seen. I look away from my dead stare at the wall to the guy in the corner. He looks away quickly and in that second I could swear I see a hint of shadow around him. I blink but the light changes as someone walks in the door from outside. The brightness blinds me for a second and when my vision clears there's no longer a shadow. I look away with a slightly confused, frown and pick up my phone just to give myself something to do while I wait for Tony.

 I don't have long to wait because the inner door to the hall opens and Tony pokes his head out. "Evie…I'm surprised. Your appointment isn't until this afternoon." It was a gamble coming here before school but I've been stewing all weekend with the knowledge that Tony may have known my mom. I stop chewing my nail and untuck my leg from under me. "Everything okay?" Is it? I'm not entirely sure how to answer that so I shrug.

 "Sorry I just dropped by, I didn't know if you had a client or something…"

 "I always have time for you." He says it so pleasantly as if I didn't throw a tantrum and storm off the last time I was here. I take the time to tuck my phone away in to my messenger bag before standing and walking through the door to his office. I can feel eyes on me and I can see that guy watching me as the closes between us. Weirdo. "Can I get you something? Water or tea?" I cut him an annoyed look and move to stand in the middle of the office debating how I want to approach things.

 "Some answers would be nice."

 Tony's amicable smile fades a little at that. He closes the door and strides a few steps in, standing in front of me with his hands behind his back. "Alright, I can see you want to get right to things. What do you want to know."

 "Did you treat my mother?" I have to know the answer to this because everything hinges on what he says to me right now. I can tell that he doesn't quite want to answer but he straightens his back with a deep breath. I don't know why I've never noticed how tall he is before. I guess I never noticed much of anything about him but I take it all in while I wait. He's got wiry strength to him that I can see despite the blazer and chinos. Hm. Interesting.

 "Yes and no." I stop trying to guess his age based on deep crow's feet at the corner of his eyes and look directly at him. I am not in the mood for games right now and the answer he just gave me is a hair to close to playing. "That is to say I didn't work for Knollwood but I did spend some time working with her at the facility."

 This brings up so many more questions and I don't know which one to ask first and which to let go of for another time. Luckily it's not like Warrow, I don't have a question limit. I could spend the whole session questioning him and probably he'd answer me. As long as I don't find out something that will make me storm off before I get the answers I really want. Which could be a problem. Mom always did say I had my father's short temper.  "If you didn't work for Knollwood how did you even know who my mom was?"

 "The truth is I knew your mom from a long time back." Oh I want to punch him. Right in the junk. I can feel my face going red but this time it's not from embarrassment it's from anger. "Look, Evie, maybe we should sit down, we have so much to talk about."

 I'm still debating physical violence but I turn on my heel and flop angrily on to the couch. Tony watches me warily as I cross my arms over my chest and glare. He takes his time sitting down, giving himself a few minutes to sort his words. "You knew her. You knew who she was, you had her things, and you didn't tell me. You acted like…she was just a distant relative, not a real figure in my life." I haven't started to raise my voice. Yet. But the strain of keeping it in shows in the way I have to clear my throat. "Why?"

 He leans forward, resting his elbows on his knees. Tony looks at his interlocked fingers and swallows thickly. "I didn't tell you because I knew you would think it was unethical if you didn't trust me first." Well pretty much I'm going to think it's unethical anyway but it's interesting that he was intentionally trying to garner my trust. As if that would somehow make it all better. Why does every one think that lying to me is the best way to get me to trust them?? "Evie you have to understand, I never meant to upset you but, given your mom's situation I thought it best to find a place in your life before speaking with you about my involvement with her."

 "Given her situation?" I uncross my arms and lean forward myself. "And which situation would that be?" The one where she was chosen to see the things that move in this world beneath the surface of humanity? Or the one where her own husband kept her from her daughter because she couldn't control the power swirling inside of her? And what does that even mean? Find a place in my life?

 Tony leans back almost as if he doesn't like being in striking range. "Her Beacon situation."

 This time I leap to my feet and move in close, towering over his seated form in all my five foot glory. "You did not just say that to me." I want to…I want to…I don't know what I want to do! Punching and slapping him about the head and face doesn't seem like a rational action choice even if it would feel really good. I'm shaking as I lean forward a little more, intent on getting right in his face but my mother's rune medallion slips out of my shirt and hangs between us. "You bast…" For a second I think it's just the way I'm standing but it's swinging wildly back and forth around my neck as if it's trying to reach out to Tony and it startles me enough into trailing off my rant.

 "Kenaz…" What? I look sharply from the necklace to Tony. He takes a deep breath and opens the top two buttons of his shirt.  A silver chain spills out, and a small nearly identical medallion to my mom's hangs in the air straining toward mine. I reach out and catch mine in my hand, jerking back a few steps. Tony's medallion drops limply to his chest and with a sickening realization I understand Warrow's cryptic remark.

 "Oh…my…God. You're the Guardian…you were her Guardian!" I point at him but that doesn't seem like enough of a punctuation to my epiphany. "You're the reason my mom lost her mind!" Tony stands and takes a few steps away, rubbing his chin as he paces a bit. It's very different from the ever patient therapist that's been waiting months for me to talk to him. God it all makes so much sense now.

 "Yes. Yes Evie I was her…Guardian. I'm sorry I didn't tell you but I had to know if you understood, I wasn't sure if you knew what you were, what you're capable of."

 "Are you KIDDING ME?!" This time I lose control of my voice, the last part coming out a little more squeaky than forceful. "You sat here and waited for me to tell you all my secrets so you could what? Decide to stop lying to me? What kind of jacked up sense does that make?"

 "Apparently no kind of good sense at all. Look Evie, I am so very sorry it happened this way…" No. I'm not hearing this.

 "No you don't get to just say sorry like it's going to be okay!" I turn my back on him wondering what the hell just happened. I've never seen anything metal move like that unless magnets were involved. I look at the rune still trapped in my hand, tracing it's lines with my thumb. "You broke your bond to my mom, and I don't exactly know what it means but I know whatever you did broke her. And she went crazy because of you. You, Tony."

 "I know. It's…really complicated Evie. There are just so many things…" He sounds tired and I turn back towards him, watching warily. I obviously can't trust anything that comes out of his mouth.

 "Uncomplicate it." He gives me a resigned nod and moves to lean against the edge of his desk. Tony loosely crosses his arms over his chest, almost mimicking my posture.

 "I first met your mom when my family moved in across the street from hers. I was just a boy. Ten years old I think. I thought Julia was the prettiest girl in the whole world." He smiles at the memory and I frown even deeper. "We got along like gangbusters but then we were supposed to." Something in his posture changes letting me know that he's unhappy with the memory of that knowledge. "We were friends almost instantly, going to school together and all. I always liked your mom, Evie. She was nice, really nice not fake nice, and her smile could light up a room." Literally even, apparently.

 I remember her smile too though. When mom smiled, everyone smiled with her even if they didn't intend to. She had a way of disarming even the angriest of people with that smile. I shift uncomfortably from foot to foot wishing I wasn't too stubborn to go sit back down. "When did she…" Light up? No I don't want to say that out loud. That would sound weird and too close of an admission of it happening to me.

 "Become a Beacon?" I nod and he huffs a little in thought. "Not until she was about sixteen. Boy did it ever scare her at first. It scared us both." So he was there. He was with my mom when she became a Beacon. "I imagine it must have been scary for you too." I stiffen at that but nod once in affirmation.

 "How'd you know?"

 He points to my mom's necklace. "I wear the mate to that necklace. This…is Algiz. It means protector. They wouldn't have reacted like that if you were normal." Oh thank you. Very very much. I roll my eyes at him.

 "Fantastic. Even my therapist thinks I'm abnormal. Go on." I gesture impatiently for him to continue because I really don't want him to get distracted from telling me what I've needed to know for so long. And really, what can he say? I didn't mean it like that? Yeah he totally did. Because the truth is, I AM abnormal.

 "I was born to protect her but even if I hadn't been I would have vowed to do it anyway. That's how much I cared about your mom." I start to ask why he left but he forestalls me with a raised hand. "It's best if I just tell you what I know now, while you're willing to listen. There are things I have to say that may…" Tony struggles for a word and finally settles with a tip of his head. "upset you."

 Alright I'm willing to hold my questions until the end. If I manage not to storm out before then. Reluctantly I slump back against a wall in a more comfortable position. Sitting just seems too vulnerable and I really don't want to be in the place of a patient right now. "Fine, I'm listening."

 He nods and taps his thumbs idly on the edge of the desk he's propped on. "When man first rose to being, this world was inhabited by creatures of darkness and shadow both seen and unseen. Demons, malevolent spirits, perverse creatures and abominations so beset man that the heavens were filled with the pleas and prayers of desperate humans. The god of vision and light was so plagued by the desperation of man that he descended to this earth to see for himself what was happening. The human race it seems was on the verge of extinction."

 Well that's an uncomfortable thought. I guess now that he's explaining I can see why he wanted me to wait before asking questions. "And yet we survived. Like cockroaches."

 He gives me a short chuckle and nods a bit. "I guess we have." This doesn't mean everything is cool. It just means I'm choosing to put my anger away for the moment so I can hear him out. I think he understands that because he doesn't linger on the topic but continues on. "Though perhaps we survived because of divine intervention. Although he couldn't stay in this realm without risking becoming mortal himself the god of light wanted to leave humanity a secret weapon. A way to fight back against the multitudes of otherworldly beings. His children grew to be Beacons, to see with a god's divinity into the dark."

 Wait. Hold up. "So…this light god decided to just run around knocking girls up?" Tony makes a gesture I can't interpret and shrugs.

 "Well I'm sure he'd consider it blessing them but basically, yes."

 Only a man would consider that "blessing" a woman. I give him a mild look and shake my head.  "Does this horny light god have a name?"

 Tony scoffs softly and shakes his head. "Some have called him Zeus, others Magec, Huitzilopochtli, Ra or Yaweh but really those are only but some of his names. He is far older than that, and much more eternal than any myth. As evidenced by the fact that in the here and now a Beacon still shines before us."

 Right. So basically he's been a god in every pantheon. Fantastic. "And the Guardians? How do you play in to that?" He shrugs a bit at that and moves to stand away from the desk.

 "When man realized what gift had been left them a fellowship was formed to protect the Beacons. Generation after generation each Beacon found themselves partnered to a Guardian. The magic of such a strong partnership eventually creates a bond. It links the Guardian to the Beacon's power. Our bond allowed me to do amazing things for your mom. I could find her anywhere even if she didn't know where she was, and I always knew when she was in trouble. As a bonded pair her power flowed through me like it was a part of me."

 I don't like the look on his face. It's a mix of shame and longing and it makes me feel a little weird. "What do you mean her power flowed through you?"

 "I mean that her power made me faster, stronger, and better than any human has a right to be. And it was intoxicating. Addicting even." I narrow my eyes but he doesn't look away this time. "Power like that can change a person, and it did. I changed and not for the better. I was young and stupid and I let the power ride me too often, even when I didn't need to."

 "I don't suppose there was magic rehab you could have gone to, was there?"

 He shakes his head no at that. "No. Eventually my addiction got so bad that I started doing things…wrong things. Just to feel normal again. And…because I could." I'm not entirely sure I want to know what those wrong things are. Especially if they involved my mother. "The only way to save myself was to get as far away as I could from the source of my addiction."

 My mom. "She couldn't handle it without you." He nods slowly at that and lowers his head.

 "We didn't know that Evie. Your mom wanted to protect me as much as I wanted to protect her. She asked me to go. Begged actually." I can see from the haunted look in his eyes that he regrets ever being in a place where that choice had to be made. I can see it in the slow, shallow breaths he's concentrating on so hard to maintain. It reminds me of the saying that still waters run deep for some reason.

 "Why didn't you just come back when you were better?"

 Tony idly scratches the spot just behind his ear looking both shifty and embarrassed at the same time. "I did but…well a lot of years had passed. We hadn't spoken in almost a decade and when I came back things were different. She was happy. I couldn't risk messing that up for her so I left again."  

I blink at that trying to process it. "Wait, you mean you came back and she wasn't in Knollwood yet? And you…you didn't try to help her?"

 "I loved her Evie. With everything I was. I couldn't see her with…your dad." I push off the wall and get closer to him again. Tony slides his hands in to his pockets and I'm fighting back the urge to cry. "I didn't know what would happen if I stayed away. I didn't know she'd…"

 "You selfish son of a bitch." He pretty much ruined her life, and mine, and my father's. I can't imagine that my dad would let him anywhere near me if he had known who Tony was. I'm not entirely sure I want him anywhere near me either at the moment.  At least he isn't trying to argue it. "So what? You thought you could come back and make up for everything by stalking me?"

 Tony looks up at me quickly but I'm already shaking my head and heading for the door. I still have a million and three questions but right now I can't think of any that matter much. "Evie please, wait…let me help you. There are things you still don't know. I can help you control your power."

 I stop at the door and turn to glance at him over my shoulder. "I can't right now."  The knob twists in my hand and I open the door, stopping as I step through to stare at him. "You could have saved her. But you only saved yourself." I shut the door behind me with a quiet click. I know there is no way I can ever trust him. First because it was way too easy to lie to me and secondly because he thought about himself before my mom. I get that he had to go away because he was abusing the power. I understand that and I don't fault it. But. He could have been there for my mom when he was better and he chose not to.

 My feet lead me past the reception desk. I wave and try for a slight smile for Sandra but shadow catches the corner of my eye and I glance quickly at her face. For a second I could have sworn I saw a shadowy shape superimposed over hers but it must have been my mind playing tricks on me. She gives me a rather stiff smile and watches me walk out of the office. That was just plain weird. It's not the first time it's happened since I lit up like a Christmas tree and I've been able to dismiss it as an optical illusion or trick of the light but I can't help but think about what I saw when I looked at Warrow.

 A trickle of anxiety runs through me and I glance back at the frosted glass door in time to see a plump shadow move behind it. Okay. Not cool. I don't really want to turn my back to the office door now so I lean against the light post and dig my phone out of my bag. I can just hear the bus pulling up to the stop and know I'll never make it in time. Without really looking away from the door I dial Mo and wait for him to pick up.

 "Hey Evie. What's up?"

 "Hey can you pick me up from Tony's?"

 "Sure, we're just leaving the house now. Everything okay?"

 Most definitely not. I start walking away from the front of the offices, toward the busy intersection because I'd rather be around people right now. "Kinda sorta. I missed the bus and…" I trail off again when I notice the guy from the waiting room watching me from the shade of the building. My head gives a nasty throb as I turn away from him and whisper in to the phone urgently. "I think I have a bogey on my tail, Goose."

 It's our code for I think I'm in trouble. Of course now that I think about it, it does seem a little transparent. I blame Nat and his Top Gun obsession.

 "Holy shit…hey, Nat…c'mon we gotta go. Hold on Evie, we'll be right there." Good. Because I'm pretty sure that guy is still staring at the back of my head. I hang up but keep the phone in my hand shifting my position so that I can keep a subtle eye on him even as he's scoping me out. I can't see his eyes behind the sunglasses he's wearing but he doesn't look that much older than me. It's hard to tell because of the scruffy beard but he can't be more than five years my senior. He has a rangy build and what features I can see look vaguely familiar but I know I've never seen him before today. I wonder what he wants. And just as I think it, he steps forward in to the sunlight, still a good thirty feet from me.

 I glance up quickly at the movement but he looks totally unconcerned. As if he were standing there for some other reason besides following me around. Just to be safe I move a few steps away and push the crosswalk button. I give it another impatient jab with my thumb when the guy moves another few feet closer making my stomach churn. If he gets any closer the sick feeling in my gut might make me puke and I'd be helpless. The upside to that is that no one I know, demon, human or otherwise wants to be puked on. So that might buy me some time.  He wavers where he is, his head going down a little as he watches me over the rims of his sunglasses. It's more than a little creepy and predatory and something about the movement makes me really look at him.

 A second ticks by and I feel the wind pick up around me as my focus becomes sharper and narrow taking in only the guy's figure. Shadow rolls around him even as he stands in the full light of the sun but I don't blink and I don't turn away this time. I stand and watch it spread from his chest, enveloping his head in the shape of a dog. No. Something smaller. More like a fox than a dog. The fact that I can see him must show on my face because he takes a wary step back. I follow his movement, never taking my eyes off him, my hands balling in to fists. I start to take a step forward but a car pulls to a stop behind me, brakes grinding loudly enough to break my concentration. In that second he's gone, running along the side of the building and down an alley way before I can chase him.

 Although I don't even know why I would run TOWARD certain danger. I'm usually running away from it. I watch the space he filled for a second before climbing in to the back of the car. "Hey Evie, you okay? Who was that guy? Holy…it's happening again…"

 I look up at the alarm in Nat's voice, catching my reflection in the rearview mirror. Oh crap. I thought wearing this necklace was supposed to stop that from happening, clearly I was wrong. "Just go, I want to get out of here."

 Mo doesn't argue he just pulls away from the curb, glancing back at me now and again as he drives. I slink down in the seat and close my eyes, trying to breathe normally.

 "Should we go to the clubhouse?" I shake my head no, eyes still closed. I would love to ditch but I know that I shouldn't. My dad would kill me if he found out I was ditching. It'd be one more thing in the ever growing list of things that make Evie a problem child.

 "Can't, I have a biology test today. Besides if I ditch with you guys my dad is going to think we're banging." Dead silence. I crack an eye open in time to see Mo nearly run off the road from the silent shaking fit of laughter. Nat just blinks wide blue eyes at me.

 "Pardon?" I snicker a little and shrug at him as if it’s not really as funny as it is.

 "It was in his ‘Evie Bad’ rant. He thinks I'm out doing ‘God knows what’ with you guys." I make sure that I use my air quotes to show just how dumb I think the whole thing is. And really. I have to wonder about the girls my dad knew in high school if he thinks that I’m just sleeping around with a gaggle of boys. Nat sputters, making Mo laugh harder.

 "But…I don't think I'm exactly your type." I know right? Somehow his indignation helps settle me, making me feel better. I chuckle and shake my head. The light in the car fades by degrees becoming just an everyday sunlit morning and I sigh in relief knowing instinctively that my eyes are no longer glowing. "So, you good now?"

 I don't really know. Still, I nod and reach out a hand to pat his shoulder. "That little tidbit seems not to have occurred to him. Anyway thanks for charging to the rescue guys. Seems like you're always having to do that."

 They share a look between them as Mo parks under a tree in the farthest corner of the lot. I raise a brow and they both turn in their seats to peer at me intently. They aren't twins and they don't look exactly alike but somehow the dual stare down is oddly twin like. Mo's soft voice is serious and deep as he watches my face.

 "You're our friend Evie. Besides coming to your rescue is gonna look great on Naftali's college applications. Who doesn't love a hero?" Nat nods but punches his brother in the shoulder for using his Hebrew name. It makes me smile a little, happy that we're in it together.

 "What Shlomo here is trying to say is that, we're your friends, and we're always gonna be your friends. We're always gonna come running when you call. Just like you did when it was us in need of some saving." I feel something hot prickles behind my eyelids and I'm having a hard time looking at the both of them so I look at my hands in my lap. I clear my throat and try for a smirk even though emotion is trying to overwhelm me.

 "Even if I'm a dirty gay shiksa?" It surprises a laugh out of Mo as he gets out of the car. I climb out after Nat and he drops a heavy arm around my shoulders.

 "Of course. You're our dirty gay shiksa." I chuckle and lean in to him, arm wrapped loosely around his waist as we walk toward the scatter of buildings that hold the classrooms. I guess I can see why my dad maybe got a little confused about my relationship with Nat and the boys. We're awfully touchy feely with each other. I walk with the boys through the gates and in to the courtyard, my stomach dropping as I realize that I'll have the whole day of classes ahead of me. Oh yay. I should have ditched. There is just so much to go over in my head and I don't even know where to start.

 "Listen guys, we need to talk, can we make time later today?" It's not like we don't each have a ton of things to do but after they just told me they'll always be there I think it's only fair that I tell them what I know. "I kinda sorta found the Guardian." Nat stops in his tracks making me trip just a little. I catch myself and glance at him in alarm.

 "You're just telling us this NOW?!" I glance around quickly to make sure no one is looking. Which they aren't. Mo crowds in close and I shrug.

 "Sorry, it's been a busy morning what with the confrontations and the stalking and the rescuing and all." Nat gives me an exasperated sigh but nods.

 "Can't leave you alone for five minutes. I swear." He pulls me into a closer hug as we all chuckle at that. "It's sprint day, team should be done by five if you wanna hang out and wait for us." It's his way of making sure that I stay out of trouble until I can tell them everything. Since I don't really feel like going to see Tony for our usual appointment I just nod.

 "Yeah Evie, don't forget that today is the Winter Formal committee meeting. At least one of the AV Club members should be there so we can work out the sound and lighting. If we're not they'll make the theme "Under the Sea" again." We all groan at that. I'm so tired of that theme and I haven't even gone to one of the stupid dances. I mean. I've gone to set up and clean up but I've never actually been to the dances. I look down at my faded vans trying to picture heels. Yeah. No. That way leads to disaster.

 "Fine fine, I'll do it. No promises on changing the theme though." Mo gives me a quick wink as the bell rings. "School hard, boys." I wave them off as I head for the building that houses the science classes. I wonder if Lirae will sit through the committee meeting with me. If I'm lucky it won't last long and then she and I can hang out together. Maybe probably even make out. Hm. Suddenly my day is looking up.

[shsl-shipper-gamer-fangirl]

P5 edits by me and concept art designs by @phantom witch anon

[Witchsona AU]

Fics so far: [Witchy Awakenings] [Birds of a Feather]

Profiles under the cut: (now with quotes and added chats)

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Ursula Callistis

Codename: Crane (used to be Chariot)

Arcana: Hanged

Mask: Red bird-shaped mask with pointed beak

Outfit: Simple white witch outfit with bird motif and red accents

Persona: Hestia, Greek goddess of the hearth, architecture, and the right ordering of domesticity, the family, the home, and the state

Skillset: Strong bless skills, weak to curse skills

Weapons: Eskrima sticks and a crossbow

All-Out Attack Card: "Shoot for the stars!" written with the Fountain of Polaris in the background and she says, "I can shine at least this much!"

Awakening Scene:

Ursula: Never again… Never again will I let you touch her! I’ve already lost enough... Even if it costs me my life, I won’t let you take her away!

Hestia: Have you found your resolve again?

Ursula: This voice? It’s… different?

Hestia: Just as you are also different. And yet this feels strangely familiar, does it not?

Ursula: Wait, does this mean... No, this is not the time to question this.

Hestia: You’ve changed. Just like how you changed five years ago. But this change… suits you more. I am thou, thou art I… Not all who wander are lost forever. You who have found your path again, please don’t forget to believe.

Ursula: I know that now. All this time I’ve been doubting myself… when all along I should’ve just believed like I used to. Akko believes in me. And I think, out there somewhere, Croix believes in me too. That’s why I have to wake up and start believing again. After all, a believing heart is my magic. That same magic will help me protect those who are important to me. Lend me your strength, Hestia!

Quotes: "Thank goodness that was easy. But we shouldn't let our guard down."

"Did I level up? I can feel renewed strength within me."

"Oh my, a new skill. All these new spells are tricky but I'll manage."

"There's a treasure chest. I hope that it's not a trap."

"Oh thank goodness, a safe room. Everyone, please take a break and pace yourselves."

"Let's all be mindful when exploring, okay?"

"Don't worry about me, your teacher has more stamina than you think."

"I'm a bit worn but overall fine. If you want to, let's keep going."

"Oh my, it seems that I'm not as fit as I remember. I think I've reached my limit, sorry everyone."

"There's an enemy ahead. Please be careful."

"We've been spotted! Don't let it ambush us!"

"That was quite an unfair fight, don't you think so?"

"They're weak shadows and it's your call if we fight them or not."

"These shadows are stronger than usual so keep that in mind."

"Everyone, brace yourselves. This fight is not something we can afford to lose."

"We won! Good work, everyone! I've always believed in all of you!"

*BATON PASS!* "Crane swooping in!"

*PROTECT* "Watch out, Crow!"

*ENDURE* "No... I will not end here!"

*PERSONA!* "Lend me your strength, Hestia!"

*Follow Up* "Don't hesitate to ask for help."

*Cover Fire* "I've got your back!"

*Harisen Recovery* "Are you alright?"

*low on health* "I've had worse... don't worry."

*healing someone* "Please hang on!"

*getting healed* "Thank you, I needed that."

*giving buffs* "You are stronger than this!"

*physical attacks* "I hope you don't mind me being blunt!"

*attacking* "Take this!"

*attack misses* "I missed? My eyesight can't be that bad, is it?"

*couldn't finish off enemy* "I leave the rest to you!"

*fainting* "No... I failed again? I'm sorry, everyone."

*getting resurrected* "Let's... not do that again. Thank you for getting me back."

*status ailment* "My body has grown weaker than I thought."

Burn: "Oh my, I think I may have a slight fever."

Freeze: "C-C-Cold! I could use some hot cocoa."

Shock: "Ouch! It hurts to move!"

Forget: "Who is Crane? Where's Chariot?"

Charm: "It's rude to judge by appearances so maybe I'll give the shadows a chance."

Rage: "How dare you! I'll beat you to a pulp!"

Despair: "Why did I even come back? Am I even useful the way I am now?"

Hunger: "Hearing my stomach growl so loudly is just embarrassing."

Dizzy: "Huh? My body isn't moving like it should."

Sleep: "Zzz… Finally, a nap... zzz..."

Silence: ...

Mouse: "Squeak!"

Mementos chats: "Crane, huh? I wonder what happened to the Chariot inside of me."

"I still have yet to regain my full strength but I won't let that hold me back."

"Maybe I should bring Alcor with me next time. Oh, but he doesn't have a persona. Should I make him a mask then?"

"To think that I was given another chance to become a Phantom Witch again. I won't waste this chance, I promise."

"It truly is better doing this with company than fighting alone. I'm so happy that there are so many Phantom Witches with us now."

Ursula: What are the odds that our outfits are both bird-themed? This reminds me of the saying, "birds of the same feather flock together". Croix: Except we're both literally different species of birds.

Ursula: No, we are not naming our group "Murder". We're not here to kill people. Croix: I meant "murder" as in a group of crows but I like your definition better.

Croix: Don't you want to find out who would win in a birdfight, a crane or a crow? Ursula: No. Let's not find out. Ever. Can't we just find out which bird has better manners?

Ursula: This is more exhausting than I remember. Croix: It's okay, Crane. There's nothing to be ashamed of with age.

Croix: I thought I'd be fighting with Chariot but Crane isn't half bad. Ursula: Is that genuine praise I hear coming from you, Crow? I wonder what you need from me this time.

Ursula: Did you just... kiss me?! Croix: What? No. It's called a peck.

Ursula: If our power is a manifestation of our rebellious spirit and if that is supposedly unique to each individual, then I wonder why Nova and Chariot share the same weapon. Akko: Hey, does that mean that I'm kind of like Chariot in spirit? Wouldn't that be awesome!

Ursula: I feel proud but also a bit embarrassed when a student of mine does better than me. I hope I'm not lacking as your professor. Diana: You don't need to concern yourself with that. Regardless of your performance, we will always hold respect for you, both as a Phantom Witch and as our professor.

Ursula: It never occured to me to try and talk to shadows. We don't have to fight every battle thanks to you. Lotte: Well I don't really want to fight unless I have to. I'm glad that some shadows think so as well.

Ursula: Some of those poisons are dangerously lethal. I hope that you exercise caution when handling them back at the real world. Sucy: Oh, don't worry. I never use the dangerous ones on Nova.

Ursula: Your persona is so convenient. Not having to walk all the time sure saves us a lot of energy. Constanze: *gives her a thumbs up* Constanze (through Stanbot): No problem!

Ursula: I've heard how you were good with a broom but those talks don't do you justice. Amanda: Well have you heard of how much trouble I stir up?

Ursula: Your party heal saves lives every time. I just hope you don't overwork yourself. Jasminka: It's okay. As long as I eat after, I will heal everyone as much as you need.

-----

Croix Meridies

Codename: Crow

Arcana: Moon

Mask: Black bird-shaped mask with curved beak

Outfit: Same as anime but maybe edgier and more black accents

Persona: Morrigan, Irish mythology of a crow goddess --> Branwen, Welsh goddess of love, means “blessed raven.” (second awakening)

Skillset: Strong nuclear and has curse skills, weak to psychokinesis

Weapons: Gadgets linked to her smartphone and sniper rifle

All-Out Attack Card: "Sorcery Solution System" written on a smartphone interface background and she says, "Your magic is outdated."

Awakening Scene:

Croix: Finally! I’ve been waiting for you for years!

Morrigan: It is you who have kept me waiting, milady. And to call me through such unconventional methods, you are quite the interesting master.

Croix: Yeah well you didn’t exactly come when I called for you all these years, did you?

Morrigan: There are reasons why you could not meet me back then. But I know that these are of little importance to the present matters. Let us form the contract. I am thou, thou art I… You who are not bound by convention and the like, spread your wings even farther!

Croix: With you, I can finally reach places previously inaccessible to me. You shall be my wings to help me soar. I will soar high, higher than Chariot ever did! Take flight, Morrigan!

Quotes: "Too easy. I haven't even stretched my wings yet."

"Power level is rising once again."

"Hm, a new skill? Heh, you learn something new each day."

"Treasure chest up ahead. I could use the extra funds."

"Good, a safe room. I want to analyze my findings so far so go on and take a break."

"Isn't this exciting? There's always something new to discover with every exploration!"

"Don't underestimate the stamina of a veteran."

"You girls walk ahead, I'll be riding my broomba."

"Tch, running out of charge so don't think I can go full power."

"Enemy spotted. Shall we ruffle their feathers?"

"We've been spotted? How could you let your guard down so easily!"

"The power gap is too significant to ignore."

"They're not even worth the magic expense, don't bother."

"The enemy's power level is off the charts, you sure you want to pick a fight with them?"

"We cannot afford to lose here. If we're going to fight then we must absolutely win."

"We won. Don't act all surprised, it's only natural that we'd win."

*BATON PASS!* "Crow flying in!"

*PROTECT* "Dammit! Crane!"

*ENDURE* "I can't die here... I won't die like this!"

*PERSONA!* "Take flight, Morrigan!"

*Follow Up* "Perhaps I could be of assistance."

*Cover Fire* "I'm a good shot, trust me."

*Harisen Recovery* "Get yourself together!"

*low on health* "Tch. Don't look down on me."

*healing someone* "Don't die on us just yet."

*getting healed* "I appreciate the help."

*giving buffs* "Updating stats."

*physical attacks* "This will only hurt... a lot."

*attacking* "Good night."

*attack misses* "What the? The accuracy stats are off!"

*couldn't finish off enemy* "They're more tenacious than I thought!"

*fainting* "Dammit... I was so close. Was my life truly this insignificant?"

*getting resurrected* “Thanks, version 2.0 me will repay you later.”

*status ailment* "To think that my body was this susceptible, urk!"

Burn: "Overheating over here! Someone turn on the AC!"

Freeze: "Brrr, it’s too c-cold! Is the thermostat broken again?"

Shock: "Years of playing with live wire and still my body can't get used to this."

Forget: "Why did I do all of this? What goal could have pushed me to get this far?"

Charm: "If I'm going to fight then I might as well fight for the winning team."

Rage: "You insolent garbage! I'll show you my talons!"

Despair: "Do I even make a difference? Maybe it was all for naught..."

Hunger: "Where's a cup of instant ramen when you need one?"

Dizzy: "The controls are going haywire!"

Sleep: "Zzz… Gotta recharge real quick... zzz..."

Silence: ...

Mouse: "Squeak!!"

Mementos chats: "It's fascinating to theorize just how the cognitive world physically manifests. If we discover enough then the possibility of deliberately creating our own is out there!"

"What? Me? Cheating? You have your weapons and I have my convenient gadgets which do the work for me. All is fair."

"To think that my rebellious spirit would manifest into this outfit. I can't say I dislike it. After all, a crow is much more intelligent than it lets on."

"It took me years before I could return to this world but now that I have, I finally have become a Phantom Witch."

"I always knew that I'd be a Phantom Witch. I just never accounted for the possibility that I wouldn't be working alone... Heh, it's not so bad."

Ursula: So your codename is Crow and your persona looks like a crow... not to mention the fact that your real name sounds like... Croix: You're just jealous because I have a theme.

Ursula: I think Crow is a good fit for you. They're known to be quite the smart animals that have good memory. Croix: You know what else crows are good at? Murder.

Croix: It's such a shame that I can't bring back shadows to the real world. Ursula: It sounds like you already tried. You wouldn't do something that dangerous for the sake of research, right? ...Right? Crow, answer me!

Croix: Instant ramen has never failed me. Even here in the cognitive world, this is the most convenient and most satisfying meal to eat to go. Ursula: Cup noodles again? That's all you ever eat, that can't be healthy. Next time I'll bring better food choices for you.

Croix: Fun's over, kids. You all heard Bird Mom. Ursula: Did you just call me Bird Mom??

Croix: If I fold you a thousand origami cranes then would you grant me a wish? Ursula: You don't have to do that. I'll gladly help you in achieving your wish with all my power.

Croix: You truly are interesting, Nova. The way you wield the Shiny Rod is unlike Chariot's and yet it is just as effective. Who would have thought? Akko: Really? Are you saying that I'm just as strong as Chariot? No way! Chariot's way better than me!

Croix: I've seen how you wield a wand but I've never seen you wield a rapier before. Excellent skills as expected. Diana: I'll accept that praise but I still have much to learn.

Croix: Oh, is that a new upgrade? I see... increased efficiency. It looks like you did a pretty good job as always! Do you mind if I take a closer look? Constanze: *shakes her head* Constanze (through Stanbot): Constructive criticism please!

Croix: Well aren't you quite gifted? Two-type weapon fighting style and a rideable persona for added maneuverability. I can't say that I'm not jealous. Amanda: Heh, you're just overselling it now, teach. But you're not wrong.

Croix: Maybe Crane was onto something. Instant ramen isn't as filling here as it is in the real world, not like I’d admit that to her face. Jasminka: Would you like some of my snacks? I brought extra.

Croix: Amazing. Your innate power to summon spirits in the real world could manifest into the ability to negotiate with shadows over here. Tell me, what is it like? Lotte: Well the shadows are surprisingly more like people, once they start talking that is. Sometimes they talk too much though.

Croix: Correct me if I'm mistaken but are you using different poisons each time? Sucy: Shadows are convenient test subjects. Well I still use Nova sometimes.