#but yeah these are just the basic outfits without any flair

[emometalhead]

Hi Swifties!! I tried on a bunch of vaguely Taylor Era inspired outfits to wear for The Eras Tour. I'd love some opinions, because I'm really struggling to figure out what to wear.

None of these are set in stone. l also have styled hair, accessories, and makeup to add. First, I want to narrow down my list a little bit before spending the time on those.

[eveningoftheempires]

ROs' fashion senses? And what is the fashion like in the world in general?

Oh anon, you have absolutely HIT the mark with this question. I am a giant fashion nerd and fashion of EotE is something I’ve been working on for SO long, thanks for letting me ramble about it!!

So, I’m gonna preface this post with a little general description of the fashion in the world of Uria. A lot of parts of EotE are inspired by the 19th century, which may seem vague, as that is whole 100 years, but hey - it is fantasy, so I am mostly borrowing elements of the real world here and there while leaving out others. Therefore the fashion itself is rooted in the different styles of 19th century, with a heavier focus on the first part of 1800s. I’ve incorporated elements of fashions from all around of our world, because... it would be just weird to focus exclusively on western world’s aestheticism for a whole fantasy universe, especially as big as this one lol. Besides for historical inspirations, I do like to imagine fashion of Uria with a bit of a modern high couture vibe - think Valentino, Guo Pei, Christian Dior, Elie Saab, Zuhair Murad...

So yeah, that is a bit what the general inspirations behind the fashion of EotE are like! Of course not everyone is out there walking in outfits straight out of fashion plates; lower classes tend to wear more toned-down, practical garments, without as much flair. Styles vary from region to region as well. I may one day write a post elaborating more on that, but then this post would be enormously long nvjkfdnvkjnfdknk

So, with this out of the way, let us get into ROs fashion senses!

Laurent: Without a doubt they are the one most up to with different fashion trends, and the one who is in a position to actually dress stylishly. However, their clothing choices are not the most fabulous. They value high quality materials and fashionable silhouettes, but tend to pick out simpler garments, without as many fancy accessories as other nobles prefer. (They do have a weak spot for fancy shoes, though. Buy them nice shoes and you will own their heart.) They are mosty seen wearing deep, toned colours, like bottle green, navy blue or grape purple, with elements such as silk shirts, fitting embroidered vests, straight simple trousers or skirts, and ankle-height shoes on small heels.

Seraphim: Even though personally they do not hold much interest in fashion, given their job as the Royal Spymaster they have to blend in with the crowds. Therefore, their outfits really range depending on what circumstances they are working with at the moment. So basically, you may see them in any and all kinds of garments. They DO however, more often than not, wear different capes (most with weapons, poisons or documents hidden in small pockets inside) and tend to lean more towards practicality over aesthetics. Therefore, you won’t see them in any delicate, flowy fabrics, moreso something sturdy and, preferably, easily washed. Blood on clothes makes people talk too much.

Vael: Oh, Vael’s fashion sense is personally my favourite. Imagine a gay pirate. That’s it, that’s their vibe <3 A lot of open button-downs, high waisted leather pants along with many leather belts, tight-length boots, huge amount of jewelry and piercings, colorful scarfs worn both on the neck and as a hair adornment... There is a lot going on in their outfits for sure! They may not exactly be considered “fashionable” or “proper” by good society, but Vael could not care less about how people perceive them, honestly - they know what they want to look like and, in my humble opinion, they look flawless in their own right.

Min: Their fashion choices are certainly... something. Min doesn’t have much resources to dress according to newest trends given their social standing, but boy, do they leave an impression with their looks wherever they go! They always choose very colorful, bright garments, often contrasting with each other. A range array of patterns and textures can be noticed in their clothes as well. They enjoy mixing and matching items that shouldn’t go well with each other, but... somehow they make it work?

Noor: Although they do not get many occassions to dress up (they can be mostly seen in armor), they do have a deep running love for finery and like to keep up with the trends as much as possible. Their best friend is a talented craftsman, and whenever Noor buys a new garment, they run straight to him to alter it for their tastes and to make it more fashionable. Even their everyday outfits meant for adventuring do have a bit of a flair to them - some handsewn ornaments on the sleeves and collar of their jacket, some frills here and there, perhaps an embroidery of tiny jewels on boots... They strongly enjoy these small details, even if they are the only ones aware of them.

Orion: They have a particular color palette when it comes to all their outfits: particularily white, black and shades of grey. It is only partially a personal preference; it mostly stems from their days in the Ienowan Assassin’s Guild, which uses these specific hues as a way for the members to recognise each other. Other than that, they appreciate straight, precise cuts and simple shapes in their outfits, as well as soft and flexible materials. Orion does have a bit of a liking towards jewelry, although they keep these ornaments simple as well - nothing beyond iron rings or chained necklaces.

Again, thank you so much for the question, and sorry if I went a bit overboard with it! <3

[unproduciblesmackdown]

also re: how we have been getting [rian & winston interact] Or [rian & taylor interact], plus a couple instances of [when in the larger tmc group, even as a trifecta, winston will mostly volunteer an aside, which rian will respond to in any way], it’s like well you know one would love to have that real Trifecta Dynamic in theory, But. i am thinking certainly of silver lining possibilities

like that winston is sure Separate from the more demanding & mixed bag “okay serious work stuff time” that rian has with only taylor (vs. how we’ve seen winston & rian work Parallel to each other, but not like, struggling through any conflict in an involved work subplot together), and well what if rian has a bad time with All That & winston is out here basically being the alternative to it.

likewise as is being currently discussed, there’s the fact that Rian Being Herself is kind of pointedly less relevant when it comes to this [taylor saying she’s similar] arc, e.g. how we see rian behaving in the most Elevated way in those episodes right in 5x08 there as she’s being bothered by taylor & having a conflict with them, but more reconciliatory efforts (quants’ve all been there) with them have her being more Serious, i.e. more reined in with the personality flavor; how taylor very emphatically tells rian to Run On Hate & defines that as at odds with her Quirkiness, which they seem to be positing is a defense mechanism that comes from turning hate into something else out here; that even simply taylor being mentorly out here is kind of inherently unilateral with this Giving Her Advice (although rian makes the point back in 5x08 that they’re not actually the same person and will do things differently And That’s Fine / not a judgment on taylor, entirely possible taylor leaves room to go “yeah rian doesn’t need to always do what i would do” / listen to her, rather); that it might be the case rian’s outfits are kind of leaning more towards taylor’s fashion, e.g. less colorful / more dark blues, more buttoned up buttonups, less flair overall, & this would naturally be a concurrent parallel to / representation of her effort to just act more like taylor; that even if taylor going “oh btw forget the hate but Run if you don’t want this place to change you, to your detriment” was like, well it didn’t scare rian off, & she might not be that worried if she thinks taylor lives up to the hype Now, when they’ve Been changed by their time here, & once again a newcomer can go “hm this could be an au version of me,” but that doesn’t mean that now rian might not hold on to this thread where she could be worried about this idea of losing herself in this place

and winston liked her immediately in 5x05 and has Been impressed by her even without rian ever like having to prove herself further or like directly do anything to help him workwise, even though it’d be fun to see them do a project together lol, and while other people have been at least thrown / nonplussed / Neutral At Best about rian’s own saying/doing things in Weird &/Or Wrong ways, that hasn’t been how winston regards her, same as how rian certainly seems to go beyond [Neutral At Best] responses for him....thinking about how he also outright Related to her in 5x05 already lmao with the “that’s...what i always say” moment clearly....thinking about when they’re off the shits together in 5x07 and rian’s hyped about language learning and winston’s vulnerable and he’s just down to hang on her every word, even after she’s dunked on him while he’s in this Elevated Sensitivity Mode, and is bringing up being impressed about this Non coding language stuff when he himself only has the one spoken language, so it goes beyond like Oh Same relating to her....he likes her when she first showed up when he v much wanted to dislike her, he likes her when she’s being Quirky(tm) and even doing whatever “wrong,” he presumably doesn’t enjoy it but continues to like her when she needles / messes with him on purpose, he likes her when she’s busy not interacting with him much that we see for the last third of the season b/c she’s talking with taylor all the time and winston could be further jealous of that but he does not seem to like her any less throughout those goings on, nor when they’ve maybe gone a few months since they last saw each other; tldr he has liked her the whole time

basically sure Makes Me Think how winston may be Separate from all this like, hassle of work ambitions stuff, so far as we’ve ever seen he’s content to simply not be fired by taylor, he’s vibing offscreen most of the time doing valuable work but nothing so epic it makes more prominent characters pull him into focus for a subplot, he’s just kinda out here, rian’s just last ep contrasted him with taylor’s results getting, even if that was a dunk....and how winston may likewise be Separate from / the alternative to this realm of [taylor kind of as mentor to rian, telling rian she’s like taylor & vice versa] wherein maybe rian is already trying to act more like taylor, vs how winston’s currently Liking Her is clearly the continuation of what had its foundation in the episodes Before rian was getting that focus from taylor, when she was also mostly vibing & able to be weird while interacting with his own weirdness / wrongness(tm) / elevated personality, and basically being Surely as much Herself as possible in this material, having just arrived & not having taylor giving her feedback in the realm of “do this differently, actually” yet.....like sure winston was also fucked up in 5x07 But as always also don’t think the idea was “being on stimulants has made it opposite day for them” where him being most openly smitten with her while she’s talking about nonquanting stuff & taylor’s not even here to give approval (pertinently...) is like, material to just disregard & discard

so basically the point is like, hey, a real What If is what if rian is being bothered by [the demands / costs of being very serious about work here] and/or [losing herself] and in either realm Winston Is Embodying The Alternative and when maybe she’s been Considering the matter the whole time, would spontaneously going “hmm fuck it how about i kiss him & see how that feels” necessarily be so spontaneous? it really makes me think (and See: concept of rian seeking winston out / running into him and then going for a Moral Support Hug from him)

[pricetagofficial]

The Archer -Part Three

Warnings: language, violence, some cringe (because I was still trying to figure out what I wanted for this story two months ago when I wrote) lil bits of fluff?

Part Two Part Four

Word Count: 2233

Tag List: @idkmanicantenglish​ @kishony-the-geek​ @catxsnow​ (you’d probably kick me if I didn’t tag you lol)

A/N: I cringe at little bits of this, and I am sorry for some of it. This was written over two months ago when I was still trying to get a feel for the story and how I wanted to write the characters, maybe I’ll throw up chapter four later???

Chapter Three

Rory looked around her new room, it was about the same size as her room back in Queen Manor. There was a bed with a neutral color bedspread and several pillows, with a night stand on both sides of the bed. Each nightstand had a lamp on it and a vase of flowers, probably put there by Alfred. Rory smiled at the Daisies in the vase, Oliver must have told him they were her favorite. Leaning down, she took in the sweet floral smell that reminded her of home. Across the room was a desk with a TV mounted on the wall above it with the remotes resting below it. To the left of it was a dresser set with a vanity, and to the right were two doors.

Walking over she opened one door and saw that it was a massive walk in closet full of racks and drawers and shelves all for her clothes. Did Rory even have enough clothes to fill this thing, she had no idea. All she brought were three suitcases of clothes and other necessities that she needed. Oliver told her that if she needed more, just to let him know and he would have it shipped immediately. Closing the closet door, she opened the second door and saw an attached bathroom with two sinks, a toilet and a shower with a tub.

Looking through the cabinets, they were stocked with the basic essentials. Of course, she had brought her own bathroom stuff, Rory preferred to use her stuff; it was best suited for her hair and it was her favorite scent.

Leaving the bathroom, Rory walked over to the large window and pulled back the curtains. She opened the balcony door and her jaw dropped, the view out her balcony was breathtaking. Of course, Wayne Manor was a ways away from Gotham City, but she could still see the skyline in the distance among the beautiful scenery. There was a forest, a waterfall with a small lake under it. Her view at Queen Manor was beautiful, but it was nothing like this.

Tim stood outside her bedroom door, debating if he wanted to knock or not. He was sure that Rory was settling herself in, but Bruce had wanted them all down in the Batcave for a meeting and that included Rory. After a few moments, he raised his hand and knocked.

There was no answer.

He knocked twice more, and still no answer.

At this point Tim decided to open the door ever so slightly and poke his head in and across the room stood Rory on her balcony, her brown hair blowing in the breeze. Deciding to invite himself in, he opened the door fully and walked across the room and stopped behind her. If Rory knew he was there, she didn’t show any sign.

He put a hand on her shoulder, and felt Rory tense at his touch.

Quickly, Rory grabbed his hand putting her elbow above his hand and turned, putting him into a wrist lock. Tim let out a yelp in surprise and craned his neck to look at her with wide eyes. “Rory, it’s just me.” He said quickly.

Immediately, Rory let him go. “Sorry Tim, just surprised.” She said with a shrug.

Tim let out a laugh. “Yeah, I can tell.” He stood up and circulated his shoulder. “Good hold though, but I could have totally kicked your ass if I wanted to.”

Rory rolled her eyes. “Sure, you could computer boy, what’d you need?” A smile graced her face, watching Tim stretch out his shoulder.

“Bruce wants us all down in the cave, so I came to get you.” He explained. “I think it has to do with patrol tonight.”

Rory gave him a nod “Lead the way youngling.” She grinned.

Tim huffed a laugh. “I am only 10 months younger than you; you know?” He led the way out of the room with Rory shutting the door behind them. The two of the walked down to the cave, Rory trying to memorize the way in the massive manor.

“Don’t worry, I got lost my first few weeks here. If you yell loud enough, someone will come find you.” He chuckled, watching Rory who responded by sticking her tongue out at him making him laugh harder.

“I’ll make sure that I yell loud enough so you can come rescue me.” She smiled, keeping step with him as they descended the stairs into the cave.

When they came into the opening, what Rory saw was much different than the Arrow Cave. First off, it was an actual cave and where those bats at the top? Oli always said that Bruce was one for the flair and aesthetic and boy he wasn’t kidding. The entire cave was dark, but still teched out.

There were several computers set ups, but the biggest was in the middle. Beyond that was where all the vehicles were with an exit to the cave.

Tim looked at Rory and saw the shocked look on her face and laughed again. “It’s a bit much on first glance, right?”

Rory gave him a nod. “Much different than the Arrow Cave, considering this is an actual cave. Arrow Cave is basically the basement.”

Looking below, there was a training section with multiple different assets to it designed to each member of the bat family and their attributes. Currently, Dick was working with Damian on hand to hand with Steph working on her own. Jason sat off to the side, cleaning something that Rory couldn’t see. Bruce was sat with Barbara at the computer, and looked up to see Rory and Tim walking down to them.

“Good, everyone is here. Let’s get started.” He called.

Dick, Damian and Steph all stopped what they were doing; Steph wiping the sweat from her brow. Jason made no move to get up, but lifted his head to see what was up. Tim and Rory stopped in front of Bruce, awaiting his instructions.

“As you might have figured out already, Rory will be working with us during patrol but we can not just send her out into the field without some kind of assessment. I’m not sure how Oliver ran things, but we do have rules here, Rory.” He said, turning his attention to her.

“I’ll be honest, I doubt they are much different than his. Main one is no killing, right?” she asked, crossing her arms.

Bruce gave her a nod. “Yes. I’m going to be testing you over the next few days to see if you are up to par with the others. Each of them fights differently, so it will show how well you adapt to other’s fighting technique.” He explained. “Do you understand so far?”

Rory gave him a salute. “Yes sir, Batman sir.”

Bruce narrowed his eyes, as everyone but Damian fought to keep their giggles in.

“I brought your suit down here already, it’s set up in its own case ready to go. First, we will be testing your fighting skills. Alfred already brought down some clothes for you to work out in. Go change and report back here.” He ordered.

Rory saluted him yet again and grabbed the clothes Alfred was holding and went to change. The outfit consisted of a straight black razor tank top with black leggings and of course black socks and shoes to match. Did this family wear anything other than black?

She walked back, and began putting her hair up in a ponytail so it would stay out of her face. Everyone was waiting for her outside the boxing ring and she could hear them talking quietly.

“How well do you think she is going to do?” Dick asked, his voice still hushed.

“I doubt she will be able to stop all of us, I mean she is Oliver’s.” Jason said, leaning against the ring.

“She seems formidable enough, she put me into a hold earlier. Her reflexes are quick.” Tim explained, crossing her arms.

Bruce stood there listening to their assessments and concerns. “You three are missing one very important point.” He said.

“What’s that? She looks like she can barely lift anything.” Damian huffed.

“I helped train her.”

The boys stood there with a shocked look on their face. They were about to open their mouths to ask questions, but Rory decided that this was the time to interrupt.

“He’s right. Bruce, Dinah and Oliver all trained me.” She said, crossing her arms with a raised brow.

The boys turned to look at her, Stephanie and Barbara trying to hide a laugh.

“You knew she was there the whole time didn’t you B?” Jason asked.

“Of course, I did. Now, who’s first?” Bruce asked, looking between them.

“I vote Jason, he needs knocked down a few pegs.” Tim piped up.

“Why you little-“ Jason started for Tim but Bruce stopped him.

“Go ahead Jason.” Bruce said, with a smile. Jason let out a huff and climbed into the ring. “You coming princess?” he called.

Rory rolled her eyes, and climbed into the ring. “What? Afraid that you’re going to get your ass beat by a girl half your size?” she taunted.

Jason laughed, “I’m not afraid of anything, sweetheart.”

Rory let a grin grow on her face. “We’ll test that theory.” She put out a hand and beckoned him forward.

The two of the charged at the other, Jason reaching for her shoulders. Rory dropped to the floor using her momentum and slid between his legs knocking them out from under him, sending Jason to the ground with a loud thud.

Dick winced, that sounded like it hurt.

Jason got up quickly and charged at her once again, making sure that she couldn’t go between his legs again. Expecting this, Rory went to punch his stomach. Jason caught her hands and turned her around so her back was pressed to his chest, holding her arms tight across her chest.

“Give up yet princess?” he taunted.

“Last chance Jason, give up and I’ll let your comment slide.” She countered, blowing a few strands out of her face.

“Not happening.”

Rory grinned once again and used her strength and Jason’s weight against him, bending forward as Jason flew over back and onto the floor. Wrapping herself around him, Rory had Jason in a head lock on the floor between her legs using all her strength to keep him pinned making him tap out after a few seconds.

Rory let him go and stood up, “Should have taken that chance, princess.” She grinned and grabbed her bottle of water taking a drink, watching Jason rub his neck.

“I’ll get you next time.” He said hopping out, making Rory laugh.

Jason was the quickest to be pinned, with Stephanie, Tim, Damian and Dick following respectively. Watching Dick do all those flips gave Rory a headache, but once she calculated where he was going to land after each flip Dick was down.

Stephanie was hard because she was just as small as Rory was, if not smaller and she could maneuver was easier than Rory had expected. Tim only took so long because he was analyzing her the way she analyzed him and the others and he was able to land a few hits on her. Damian was a struggle because he was smaller than her, but he had extensive training outside of Bruce and he was a force to be reckoned with.

Rory was taking another drink of water when Bruce climbed into the ring. “Ready to go down again, Bats?” she said, putting her bottle down.

Bruce let out a chuckle. “Think you can get lucky twice?”

“That wasn’t luck, you’re just losing your touch old man.” She taunted.

Everyone on the side let out a laugh, quickly trying to hide it. Bruce stood there, waiting for Rory to attack. Rory was quiet and watched his movements with narrowed eyes, the tension in the air rising.

Then it happened all at once, Rory went to land several punched but Bruce blocked them all and grabbed her hand. Quickly, Rory jumped up and kicked him back with both feet making Bruce release the hold on her fist as she rolled backwards away. Getting up, she charged again and kicked Bruce swinging her other leg around to land a hit on his head but he caught her foot.

Rory let out a sheepish smile. “Hey, now Bruce. I need that.”

“I know, that’s why I caught it.” He said and pulled it, making Rory lose her balance and fall to the floor with a thud. “I thought I taught you better.” He said.

Rory let out a chuckle. “You did.” When she fell, no one notice that she managed to slip one of her shoes off. Gripping it tight in her hand, she raised her arm and threw it at his head making Bruce catch it. While he was distracted catching it, Rory got up and jumped onto his shoulder and flipped him to the floor, ending the fight.

Rory stood up again and glanced at the onlookers who stood there in shock. Bruce was defeated by a shoe?

Grabbing her shoe, Rory put it on and hopped out of the ring as Bruce stood up rubbing his head. “Nice distraction.”

“Like you said, you taught me better.” She grinned and took a seat.

[fuwafuwamedb]

A Lock Picking Seducer (Gudako, Romulus-Quirinus)

She’d wanted vengeance.

Not because her pride was broken or her spirit had been wounded; no, she wanted vengeance for the sole purpose of not being seen as some kind of sibling or platonic love. She had looked up at those eyes, given away a deep kiss, and she’d been drowned in his presence for far too long. If he was going to drown her in him, she wanted the whole works. She wanted to be swept up in the waves of his caresses, the breathtaking moments where bodies would connect, and the sound of it all.

That was why she was at his door late that evening, picking at the lock just like how Billy had shown her.

Was this a bad plan? Yeah, she was pretty sure it was.

Did she have a back up plan? No, not unless saying there was a fight that they needed to go to was a backup plan. It wouldn’t explain how his door was unlocked or how she had gotten in his room.

“Got it!”

Gudako beamed as the door clicked. She pressed her fingers against the metal door, preparing to push it open when she felt it moving.

Her eyes drifted upwards, finding Romulus-Quirinus standing before her.

“…Master.”

Her lock picking equipment was still in the door.

She had her hair tied back to keep it out of her face for this process.

She was wearing gloves.

Guilty was written over her every feature and Gudako couldn’t think of a word to say to the man right now because of that.

Still, Romulus-Quirinus stared at her and then the door before he pulled the door open further.

“Come in.”

Come in.

Just like that, he was letting her into his space, despite the obvious signs that she had been trying to bust her way into his room.

Well…

Gudako removed her gloves, pulling her lock picking equipment from the door and back into their leather pouch.

“Thanks, Roma.”

He had a flair to the way that he closed the door. Gudako could feel him follow her to the small sitting area in his room. The fireplace crackling lightly.

Why is it that all of the servants somehow make their rooms have features that are pretty against code?

She would be drowning in paperwork if anyone caught sight of this fireplace and these high vaulted ceilings. It didn’t make any sense that his room felt like it was two stories tall. In fact, it made her question what room was on the next floor up in the building.

She was pretty sure there was a janitor’s closet at least.

“Gudako?”

Right.

Gudako glanced over at the man.

“You might be wondering what I’m doing here.”

“I invited you into my room.”

Right… Right…

She hesitated a moment before smiling to him.

“So, you may be wondering what brought me to your chambers so that you could invite me in.”

“I was not thinking such a thing, but go ahead.” He waved a hand, his attire shifting just so over his person.

“I’ve come to seduce you.”

That expression… changed.

There was no words to describe the feeling that went over her as she said that aloud. She could see those eyes flash, a glint coming to them that made her feel like she’d just stepped into a trap. The shifting he did this time, with removing one of his legs from its perch on top of the other, as though spreading himself out a bit in his seat, left her feeling like she was trapped.

The door was just there. She had no reason to feel like she’d jumped into a trap.

“You intend to seduce me?” He asked.

“Yes. I do.”

“In your uniform?”

“Yes, I-“

Gudako paused.

The man had her by the balls on that one. If she had intended to seduce him, coming in with some other outfit on would have made this a lot more obvious. Instead, she was in her usual uniform.

She glanced at him a moment before bucking herself up mentally.

“That’s how confident I am on this.”

“Truly?” Roma leaned back, that smile on his face growing.

“Absolutely. Romance, as I’ve learned from someone quite wise and handsome, is not about the flowers sometimes. Sometimes, it’s about the very basic love between two people.”

That was what she said.

The silence filled the room for a good half minute from there, with the god looking at her with mounting something. The air was slowly draining, leaving her waiting with bated breath.

And then one of them moved.

She wasn’t sure who moved first, but she hit the bed quickly enough. Her jacket was thrown aside. Her tanktop beneath went to the wind next. She reached up and grabbed the man’s robes, tugging them down like an artist would at a show gallery, displaying the Adonis of a body to the world and sundry.

His lips pressed to hers.

She ran her nails lightly up his back, trying to be gentle before she felt her skirts being lifted to her stomach and her panties being ripped.

This was her seduction.

After all the times he’d left her trying to find words and squirming away beneath him, she was going to get him back.

She wrapped her legs around him and gave him a shove.

It shouldn’t have worked. It wouldn’t have- but he hadn’t expected it.

The god toppled to the bed, his wings fluttering a little in her peripheral view, but she pressed down on him and kissed him harder.

She found his hips and reached between them, finding what she was looking for. At his eye-widening, she had to give a smile into that kiss.

“Gudako,” he breathed.

That was just the way she liked hearing her name too. Breathless, adoring, spoken like a prayer. She could feel the thickness of him, the manhood she wrapped her fingers around twitching slightly at being under her observation.

She lined her body up with his, letting herself sink onto him.

Her eyes rolled back, eyelids closing. There was enough there that she felt a slight tinge of fear run through her at not being big enough to fit him. His length felt like it was reaching too far in, but she didn’t dare back down. She moved onto him until she felt herself reach the base.

Finally.

This had been a success.

Gudako, third rate master who had gone to at least second rate if not first point five… was now the lover of the most handsome god servant she had ever seen.

Actually, this was the first time she’d been lover to anyone.

She’d done it too.

She’d taken him. Power bottomed her way onto him and into his bed.

What a view she had too. Tawny skin and waves of dark blue hair against those white sheets. She’d felt a little soreness, but it was just the strange newness of this. She’d be fine.

Now… now was rolling hips-

Gudako felt her fingers curl into fists as she shifted her hips.

That was too much.

Far, far too much. She hadn’t expected that kind of reaction. Glancing down, she could feel her face warming a bit at the sight of their bodies fitting together.

“Gudako,” Roma cooed softly, his hand reaching up to brush back her hair. “You have done well, but you are meant to continue. That move just a moment ago was excellent.”

“We’re going to do this a better way,” she told him.

As soon as she figured out how that way was.

Normally there was just shifting, but…

She tried to shift again and felt her whole body shudder. The feeling of his body there inside of her was too much. Maybe if he was a little smaller-

“Ah, my bloom,” he purred.

Gudako opened her mouth to tell him again that she had this, but the man rolled them. She could feel him moving inside of her, beginning to pull out. Her hands grabbed at his shoulders, but he shoved himself back in.

Sparks danced before her eyes. Her thoughts went white… or maybe that was her vision too.

He was pulling back, withdrawing again, his manhood sliding just inside of her. She could feel it with every fiber of her being. Then, he thrusted back in.

A sound escaped her, her hands grabbing for his face to pull him back in.

She was the seducer. That was how this was supposed to work.

She peppered the sloppiest kisses of her lip upon him as he slammed himself home. She probably drooled, but gods.

Gods.

The world stopped existing as she found herself under this man’s attentions. She watched that blue hair wave above her, curtaining her view to him and only him. She watched those eyes watch her, those lips moving to share words that made her heart simply stutter away.

“Do you know how demi-gods are made?” the man dared to ask.

This.

She wanted to just say this.

This was how any demi-god was made. This was what romance novels and sex-minded women like Medb and Ishtar and Kiara were on about.

Each thrust was sending jolts of pleasure through her. Each time he pulled out, she wanted to weep for him to get back in her. She heard his name, but she had no doubt why. She adored this. She wanted more. When she felt something snap within her, the world ceasing to be for a full minute, she was sure she’d just gone to the realm of the gods themselves.

“Gudako,” the man dared to purr.

Gudako gave a soft hum.

“You were right before. You had no need to come in anything special for me. Your body is simply divine. Who would have guessed such a romantic lay beneath such a uniform.”

She could feel him slowly shifting his hips, a funny fluttering in her chest warning her that things were nowhere near over.

“You will find that I have great endurance,” the man murmured. “I vow to you, your body will not move in the slightest after this without thinking of me. Allow me to thank you for this beautiful bounty that you’ve provided.”

[ink-and-flame]

Kinktober Day 2 : Kink Cafe - Part 1

Kinktober Day 2 Prompts: Collars (worn in public) || Forced servitude || Outdoor scenes Fandom: [None] Original Tags: Collars, public scene, servitude, Dom/sub play, femboys,  Pairing:[Mentioned: Orc(m)/Elf(m), Minotaur(m)/Orc(f), Orc(m)/Human(f), Minotaur(m)/Human(f)] Races: Elves, Orcs, Minotaurs, and Humans

Running a kink event, especially one of this size, required a near exhausting amount of effort. The time it takes to set up, making sure everything was just right for the ongoing scene, involving the right people, it was all so much work. The work was worth it in the end when a large event like this came together. 

The outdoor kink cafe had been in the works for months. First a location was chosen. As it had to be on private property since the event would be clothing optional and span a weekend. In the end they found renting a B&B during its off season provided them with the space and privacy needed. The inn was closed to the public for the weekend to ensure no outsiders stumbled upon something they were not prepared to see. 

The rooms were rented to those participating in and organizing the event, while the overflow of participants stayed in the nearest hotels to the property. The outdoor space was set up to resemble a cafe. Complete with tables, chairs, umbrellas, and a serving station. It was important to create as immersive of an environment as possible for the guests. 

As the event started the subs were outfitted with their server gear. Collars with tags providing basic information were fitted around their necks. This would give the guests the ability to quickly check which subs were available for public and private use, and which were just participating as servers and were to be left mostly untouched. Each server had a small apron with a pocket that barely covered their bodies, underneath they were nude. The only other adornments were jewelry to add decorative flair. As both male and female subs were acting as servers the outfit was left simple to accommodate a variety of shapes and sizes. 

Soon the outdoor area was a bustle of activity with guests sitting at the tables or enjoying the lounge chairs while the servers brought them food and drink. A large minotaur was enjoying some treats while trying to coax a couple of servers into his lap insisting they needed to take a break. The busty orc that was serving him took him up on that offer as the human hurried to go get him another drink so that she could join in on the fun. 

A beautiful elf with androgenous features carried a tray to a table where a couple of orcs and a minotaur sat. There was already a human server under the table servicing one of the orcs. As she was otherwise occupied Alinar realized that the table would require a new server temporarily. Some of the subs were assigned specific tables either at their own request or at the request of their owner. While others, like Alinar, roamed freely between tables assisting anyone that desired it. 

Zar glanced over at his companion, who was clearly distracted by the lovely human under the table. “You plan on sharing her Khurg?” The darker skinned orc huffed at his companion and shook his head. 

“Not any time soon, getcher own.” Khurg grunted as the woman who’s mouth he currently occupied decided to try and deep throat him. His attention returned to her rather quickly as the conversation at the table continued without him.

Zar laughed heartily as the new server approached. “Well aren’t you a pretty little thing.” Setting down the menu Zar looked the elf up and down. From this angle determining gender was impossible and the elf was so lovely Zar found himself not really caring. “How about you bring me and my friends something refreshing and perhaps I can tempt you to stay?” He smiled at Alinar. “Assuming you consent of course.”

Alinar bowed to the orc and then his companions. “I know just the thing that will quench your thirst and energize you.” Turning it was clear that Alinar was male, though he seemed far more female otherwise. His voice, his mannerisms, the jewelry he had chosen were all quite feminine, he just happened to not actually be female. The sway of his surprisingly curvy hips had the table staring as he moved to the serving station. 

“Now that confuses my boner.” Zar admitted while his friends laughed. “Can it Briam, you have questionable taste as it is,  you can’t judge.” 

The minotaur raised his hands in supplication. “I never said I didn’t, I just took you to be straight with no options otherwise.” 

“Yeah well, I have never seen an elf so pretty and not be a woman, so maybe I am not as straight as I thought.” Zar did not seem distressed by this discovery. His eyes lingering on Alinar as their drinks were made and a light platter of food prepared. “Hell that is why we came here, to experience something new.” He shrugged turning back to Briam. 

“I think it is great you are willing to experiment. I am hoping to find a willing elf or human myself. My size tends to scare away the smaller individuals, but I find their delicate forms desirable to the point of distraction.” Briam paused as Alinar returned with their drinks and food. 

Setting the glasses in front of the men and the plate of fruit and pastries in the middle. Smiling at the minotaur Alinar gestured to the serving station where a rather short but plump human stood filling a trey. “She is quite adventurous if you can catch her eye. I could bring her over if you desire to meet her. Like myself she has no owner and has volunteered for any and all desired services.” 

Briam turned to see the human walking a tray to a nearby table, her eyes were bright as she smiled and laughed with the guests. The apron doing very little to cover  her generous curves. The bounce in her step, the curve of her hips, and that sweet smile were too much to resist. Briam nodded. “I would very much enjoy meeting her.” Alinar bowed, his long ears flicking delicately as he did, a mischievous smile on his face as her turned from the table and walked towards the other server. 

Zar and Briam watched as a short conversation occurred between the two servers. “Are you going to stay here or take her up to your room?” Zar just had to ask. Considering the look on Briam’s face, it was clear the bull had not thought that far ahead. “Look around, you don’t have to if you want to try something different. Others are clearly enjoying being able to indulge in public, why shouldn’t we?”

Briam smiled at his companion. “You make a good point my friend. I see no reason to move. I like the fresh air, and we did just get our food and drink. It would be a shame to leave so soon.”

Alinar returned with the human in tow. “Gentlemen this is Dea, and she would be eager to assist any of you with whatever you need.” The elf pushed the cute plump human closer to the minotaur and watched with a gentle smile as she was pulled into his lap. He was clearly being careful with her, and Alinar was relieved to see that she would receive gentle treatment to start. Turning to the orc that had complimented him Alinar bowed. “Will you be requiring anything else of me?”

Zar looked thoughtful, considering his options. He had never been sexually attracted to another male before, however this elf was nothing like the men he spent most of his time with. Alinar was beautiful in the same ways he found women beautiful. The delicate features, the curve of his hips, the roundness of his bottom. They all gave Zar pause. In the end he decided that the attraction was strong enough that gender simply did not matter this time. 

“Yes, I would like for you to join me, are you available?” Zar rubbed his thigh, indicating where he would like Alinar to sit should he agree. 

“I am free, and as this table has drinks and food. You can enjoy the other offerings of the cafe now.” Seating himself in Zars lap and crossing one shapely leg over the other Alinar leaned into the muscular chest of the orc. “Everything is negotiable sir, I am eager to provide you with whatever your heart desires.”

Zar stiffened at first, then warmed to the feeling of the rather shapely ass in his lap. The elf was a treat, that was certain. He felt somehow more powerful, having another male act so eagerly submissive to him. Zar’s hand rested on Alinar’s thigh. “Let’s start slow, I want us both to enjoy this experience.”

[Authors Note: This one got away from me and I spent so much time on the premise that I didn’t get to the full on sex scenes. I plan to provide a part two later in the month with prompts that will fit these various couples. This one may end up with multiple parts, but as of now only the second part is being planned.]

[owo-fow-the-souw]

Dr. Stone is not good (vent)

Before you say ‘don’t like don’t watch,’ just remember all of crunchyroll’s ads and the endless stream of aniyoutubers talking about it. It’s kind of unavoidable. I’m not calling for this show to be cancelled, but it’s irriating to see nothing but praise for this show.

Spoilers ahead

I’ve never read the manga, and I only heard about Dr. Stone through ads and anitubers. I stopped near the start of episode 10. I don’t know if the manga is better or if the plot will get good, but what I’ve seen doesn’t motivate me to continue.

I’ll start with some nitpicks. The op sucks ass. Ok, that was a bit dramatic. But for real, the song is kinda generic, and there’s enough lense flairs and filters to put Michael Bay to shame. There’s a few decent shots in there, but they’re hard to see through all the effects. Also the cgi is... well, it’s anime cgi. But it looks like fine art compared to the ed. The song is terrible, the visuals are wonky at best and dizzing at worst. It’s just a mess. Also how did the tribe get blue outfits in the stone age when blue is the hardest dye to make? Just kinda weird.

Onto the visuals. I’ll be honest, it’s not my cup of tea. I don’t like the whole ‘eyes far apart, mouth up high’ look. I do like that the characters are expressive (except the girls, but we’ll get to that later) but half the expressions are either too creepy or too wonky to do their job. The designs are... meh. Senku’s anime protagonist hair is pretty ugly. Green gradients are never very appealing. All the black lines (or cracks, I guess) are just ugly and unnessisary. Also, what’s that thing on Yuzuriha’s head and how did it not break off at some point? It’s distracting and ruins an otherwise fine design. Suika is my favorite, but her namesake melon does not look like a melon at all.

But a design is only as good as the character it’s attached to. Unfourtunately, the characters range from fine to annoying. Most of them (especially the girls) consist of a purpose and a quirk. Sukia spys and is shy. Kohaku is strong and gets angry. Ruri is sick. Senku is the most developed, but all of his interesting bits are pushed to the side in favor of catchphrases, repition, and hyping up very boring events. I swear I’ve seen his backstory 5 times now. We get it, he’s smart. Taiju was almost likable, but his constant screaming really made me dislike him. Yuzuriha is basically a personified goal who has as much personality as a statue (ha ha). So yeah, not a great cast.

So about the girls... you can really tell that the author draws hentai. The girls always make the same ‘mouth slightly open’ face unless it’s time for a ‘haha funny face anime gag.’ They really feel like objects or sexy plot devices, especially Ruri. Poor Ruri has a bad case of permenent o-face sydrome and is about as bland as a damsel in distress gets. Seriously, princess peach has more character than her.

As for the plot, it’s meh. It’s basically an isekai but without the magic. Lots of exposition, dubious science, and unneeded flashbacks. I remember thinking some parts were interesting, but I forgot them in the sea of blandness. It’s kind of hard to get excited about Senku making a lightbulb when I’m controling a flatscreen tv with my iphone while the ac is on full blast. I was hoping for a timeskip, or at least faster progress, but I guess it wouldn’t be the stone age if that happened. They also focused waaay to much on Senku’s fake-out death. It was painfully obvious that he wasn’t dead, and yet the show treated the audience like a toddler and acted like he really was dead for nearly a full episode. Just cut to the chase! For Gen’s fake-out death, they didn’t waste any time showing that he survived. The stage blood thing was really stupid. If the dude had actually pushed his spear in properly, Gen would be dead. But nah, it was practicly resting on top of him. There was no foreshadowing (that I can remember) and no reason he couldn’t have just gotten hurt and miraculously survived by pure chance. Admittedly, I fell for it at first and now I feel like an idiot. Gen seemed like a disposable character, and I thought his death would set some real stakes and take the plot in a new direction. But no, he’ll be fine. Everyone is fine. Nobody will ever die, and the plot will always go exactly where they say it will go. Or at least that’s what I got from that scene. I stopped there.

Ok rant over bye.

[the-real-xmonster]

ACI Recap: Part 1 - Yuzu’s Free Skate

(yeah of course this gets its own post I’ve no idea what else y’all would expect)

Let’s begin at the beginning shall we?

The costume is nice, better than I could have hoped for. It’s always been a pet fantasy of mine to see Yuzu skating a competitive program in all-black so it’s very gentlemanly of him to finally acquiescing to my silent entreaty. Though, obviously, since it’s Yuzu, we can’t have something without an abundance of... flair. I personally could have done with somewhat less sparkle and maybe no feather (seriously Yuzu what is the deal with the feathers huh)? Love and appreciate the nod to the POTO patterns though (y’all know how obsessed I am with that one outfit).

(Btw that hair was on point, like 12/10-would-recommend on point, keep it up Yuzu!)

The overall impression is: I liked what I saw. Sure it wasn’t perfect, it wasn’t Yuzu at his best, technically or artistically, it was a work in progress and there was room for improvement, but what I liked was the concept - the fact that I could see where he wanted to go with this program. The music cuts were cleverly selected and arranged to be, at the same time, nostalgic enough to evoke fond memories among older fans who are familiar with Plushenko’s Nijinsky, and modern enough to get the newer fans excited that, yes, tribute or no, this is still unquestionably Yuzuru’s own brand of skating. Choreography-wise I thought the first half leading up to the 3Lo and the final part from the ChSq onward were well fleshed out, with most of the attention to details and the meticulous musical phrasing that the Shae-Lynn/Yuzu team is famous for. The middle part, on the other hand, appeared to be a work in progress. That stretch between the (intended) 4T combo and the 3A+2T, for example, looked like a placeholder for some to-be-decided choreographic/transitional movements. I should note, however, that I am nitpicking on these only because I am talking about Yuzu - if it were any other skater performing a program of Origin’s caliber yesterday you’d see me all gushing in praises and no whining.

On to the technical details

Jumps: Glad to see you back, old friend 4Lo. Wasn’t flawless but he landed it and stayed on his feet and that’s important. Sad to see that 4Lo and 4S still appeared to be mortal enemies (or star-crossed lovers, take your pick). That fall on the 4S frightened the living hell out of me because at first glance it was not at all a pretty fall, but thankfully in replay, it’s not as bad as it looked (I think, I hope): he managed to cushion the fall with his arms, and his ankle was not twisted at an awkward angle or anything - in case you’re wondering: yes it was fully rotated, he fell not because of ankle torque but because the lean in the axis tipped his body much too forward. Both 3A were... off, which was probably the most WTF thing to me, but for now I’m chalking it up to early-season jitters (he messed up a 3A or two last year and the year before last at ACI too).  

On the bright side, this 4T was vintage Hanyu:

Spins: Better than what they were in the SP, obviously. Still not perfect, though. He lost a level on that first spin (CCoSp) presumably because they didn’t count his sit sideways position, this one:

Up until last season this one would’ve served him just fine, but it no longer works this season due to another clause that was newly added to the handbook:

His side position there didn’t clear that requirement for “difficult variation” because he didn’t do much with his other body parts, I guess. As for the V sign, it’s also because that side position was not held for a full 3 revolutions - it is now required to be so, because it directly follows a change of foot. It’s basically the same issue that caused his entire sit spin to be invalidated in the SP.

It’s less clear to me why his last spin (FCCoSp) was dinged with a V sign. After a process of elimination, my best guess is again that funky issue with the requirement for 3 revs before and after a change of foot. His crossfoot position after the foot change was, depending on how you count it, perhaps a bit short of 3 full revs. As Zhenya also got dinged a V sign and a (frigging) level 1 the other day for one of her free skate spins, I’d say team Orser is in dire need of figuring out what’s going on with the new spin rules.

On the bright side, this brand new move of sit twizzle into spin was sick:

And this hydroblade into flying sit spin will always be awesome no matter how many times I see it:

All things considered, peaks and valleys inclusive, it was a great effort. The scare of the 4S fall notwithstanding, I had a thoroughly good time watching Yuzu skate at ACI. And while I may never ever learn to be a skating fan without a shred of anxiety, this week’s experience, for me, has weighed more toward unadulterated joy and less toward nerve-wracking stress. All is well.

P.S. As a maker of Tumblr GIFs I might never find it in me to forgive him this totally GIF-unfriendly move of upright-with-arms-extended spin into knee-gliding ending pose (if any of you have ever tried to fit this stuff into a 540x180 or thereabout, you know what I mean). But it’s just so fab and so on the note and I dig it so much I just don’t know what to feel anymore. Damn it, Yuzu.

[babimochi]

14 Black Fashion Influencers You Need To Stop Sleeping On

By Brianna Yvette

In today’s age of Instagram, Youtube, and Twitter, beauty communities and influencers are taking over. It seems like every month 5 more cute instagram girlies appear and we can’t run from them, and I wouldn’t want to! Thankfully, a lot of these influencers are giving us new pieces to the pie of style and fashion that goes farther than Kylie Jenner and Vanessa Hudgens’ Coachella outfits. They’re bringing more high fashion and designer clothes to the forefront and they actually know how to style them. And.... of course, they’re black women. We’re always the trendsetters anyway. Enough rambling, here’s 15 Black Fashion Influencers who deserve so much more!! (photo: @sarahjoholder)

1. @VanessaRDaniels

Vanessa has a very chill, laid-back style which incorporates lots of sneakers, and comfy pants and tees. She’s definitely the person to go to for those casual looks that take no effort, but look like they did.

2. @SerraBellum 

Serra is a very elegant and chic stylist. She keeps her outfits simple with earthy tones and adds on the perfect accessories to finalize the look. I would say she has a business-chic style. I wish I could snag a few pieces from her wardrobe!

3. @FisaYolonge 

Ugh, look at her. She’s gorgeous! I love her sense of style and her usage of blazers and dress shirts in her casual-glam outfits. Fisayo is the personification of a “baddie”. She could take any clothing items, put them together, and make a masterpiece.

4. @MaceeLegree 

Macee is a not only a fashion enthusiast, but she’s a wonderful mother as well. Her style cannot be described. One minute she’s in a suit, and a bodysuit the next. I appreciate her fluidity in style, and she can pull off any look. Her daughter will definitely follow in her footsteps, she slays already!

5. @jtofashion  

Temi has a style in which I would describe as carefree. She always mixes and matches pieces and patterns, and can look perfect in casual, glam, business, or elegant clothes. Her outfits are very fun and inviting, and she definitely has looks everyone would love.

6. @samanthakashh

Samantha knows what looks good, and where. She makes simple clothing pop and standout effortlessly. She styles herself around her curvy figure wonderfully, and she gives every look a sexy, sophisticated vibe.

7. @romeosfashionfix 

Juliette casually dresses how I think I dress. You know that feeling you have when you put on a real bomb outfit? Yeah, she dresses just like how that feeling feels. She’s fierce, edgy, and trendy, all while keeping her own personal flavor within her style. Her skirts and dresses place attention onto her long legs and her ever-changing hairstyles act as an accessory to her looks. She’s a bad bitch. Like, for real, for real.

8. @rantiinreview  

Ranti looks like a princess in everything she wears. She has a lovely elegant-professional style which she pulls off with zero effort. I would say she has a minimalist style, but she adds a little spice with bright dresses and textures. She dresses like that one auntie who is always on vacation and brings you a souvenir from Milan. Everyone loves her and she always looks good.

9. @mercedesfbenson

Mercedes F. Benson has a style that I would say is very unique and casual. She does know how to switch it up, and never leaves you bored. From her more casual fits where shes clad in hoodies and leggings, to her sexy and chic dresses and suits, she is one of the most versatile and stylish influencers in my opinion. 

10. @musesuniform​

Nelly is an influencer that I always look to for style inspiration. She has such carefree and “avant-garde-esque” looks that easily reflect her beautiful and free-spirited lifestyle. She definitely reminds me of Solange and Kelela, with the way they infuse cultural elements into their style. I have to say, she always a favorite of mine.

11. @iamdodos_style

I couldn’t forget Dodos! She is an influencer that I’ve discovered more recently, and she documents her outfits, hair, and travel photos on her flawless Instagram feed. She has a style that I would describe as classic and elegant. She dresses in many essential patterns and fabrics, and keeps it simple, although stunning. Often wearing flowy and loose-fitting garments, she gives off a carefree vibe that I absolutely adore.

12. @sarahjoholder 

Sarah Jo Holder has my favorite style out of all of the beauties listed. It’s what I would consider flawless style. She’s never seen in anything tacky, unfitting, or just flat out ugly! I don’t know how she does it! She often incorporates blazers and blouses into her looks, pairing them with sneakers or a nice pair of high-waist jeans for a business-casual flair. Sarah knows exactly which colors to wear to compliment her aesthetic, mostly being nudes and basics, and it looks absolutely perfect each time. Definitely a style icon in the making!

13. @miss.cameroon

Venance Chiepodeu is a model and entrepreneur based in Washington, D.C. She, in my opinion, is a perfect mannequin. She is gorgeous and can rock any outfit put onto her beautiful frame. From casual to chic, streetwear to classic, this cameroonian beauty looks good in anything.

14. @mossonyi

Onyi, the fashion and travel influencer based in Manchester, has a unique way of showing off her style. She has a very one-of-a-kind style, that is very boho-chic and sharp, often dressed in suits and trendy dresses. She knows how to style many different colors and patterns into one look without making them clash or hit the eye in an unflattering manner. She’s very poise and stylish, with absolutely amazing and high-quality photographs. I definitely recommend following her.

That is all for my list of 14 Black Fashion Influencers you need to know! I hope you enjoyed reading about these lovely ladies and gained some inspiration as well. Who is your favorite black fashion influencer? - Bree

[sunlitroom]

Gotham – s5e01 – Year Zero

As I watched it, and some random observations here and there.

Previously on Gotham:

Ra's saw a vision. Selina was shot.  Jeremiah’s obsession with Bruce reached heights where even Hannibal might suggest some restraint. Bombs! Kaboom  The government declared the city off limits. The city is now a battleground - each man for himself.  Ed and Lee stabbed each other in as sexual a way as possible. Oswald got revenge for Gertrud’s murder.

Jeremiah told Bruce that as Gotham falls - we rise.  There go the bridges. Babs and Bruce killed Ra's.  Everyone stares aghast at Jeremiah’s destruction.

As always, long post will be long.  There are likely to be rambling digressions. Gobblepot might appear (although I welcome all shippers and non-shippers alike :)).  There will be naked favouritism and naked not-favouritism.  Broader comments at the end on plotlines and parallels and general direction.

We open on the city on fire, smoke billowing.  

We can hear sirens,helicopters, gunshots and....

In a wood-panelled library, we hear a record being played – Dame Vera Lynn’s We'll Meet Again.

 I’m not sure if this song is as meaningful for an American audience – but for a British audience this song is inextricably linked with World War Two, Blitz Spirit, Our Finest Hour – doing without, self-sacrifice, and coming together to defeat the worst foe.  Does it have the same associations for you guys?  Just trying to get a sense of their purpose in using it here.  Ed pulling on leather gloves, taking an ace of diamonds and putting it in his breast pocket.  He smiles in the mirror and leaves with a shotgun.

Jangly East European music. Oswald is being made-up by his people. They slide his glasses on, and he takes his gun.

 Harvey’s in what I think is what’s left of Scottie’s bar, also looking fondly at a gun.  Vaguely western music plays.  I think it was western, anyway.  Was it supposed to be Irish?

 In his office at GCPD. Jim puts on his badge. He’s also carrying a big gun.

 Tl;dr – guns!  The perfect accessory.

 Oswald walks downstairs with his gun.  Harvey put on a hat and heads out with his gun.  Jim strides out in a bullet-proof vest.  They’re joined by Ed. Then Oswald steps out from somewhere and flanks Jim.

They line up at a huge barricade.  Jim growls out

Fire on my command.  For Gotham!

The one thing they can all agree on

They start shooting, and what looks like the army fires back.

But we’re not quite at this point yet, and so we cut away to the title screen

 Day 87

In GCPD, Jim is having a frustrated conversation with some government official. Jim is trying to outline the situation to the official, and giving a helpful catch-up in the process.  

The city is now up for grabs.  Oswald has taken city hall.  He’s stockpiled weapons and is manufacturing ammunition.

(An aside – which in itself would require supplies, I imagine?)

We go to see Oswald. His place is all cold greys and blue – chilly looking.  His tailoring, too, is very hard-edged – none of his usual flair or ornamentation. Even his hair is rigid.

He shoots his gun up at the ceiling

Some acolytes, all thin and worn looking, clad in shapeless grey uniforms, applaud him – clearly terrified.

(An aside – Gotham, you know I love you.  I wreck my wrists to type out recaps.  But that leaden reference to totalitarian regimes? That's just plain old tacky. It was heavy-handed and unnecessary and tasteless, and just felt uncomfortable to watch.

In short, no.)

Jim continues his helpful catch-up.  Oswald’s control of weapons has made him unassailable.

Meanwhile, Barbara runs her own portion of town from Sirens – which is the only part of town which is good for food and booze.  She mostly trades information.  

(An aside - What information is unclear.  It’s not like the situation is massively complex.  I don’t feel like this would have a lot of mileage.  Pssst – we’re still all fucked!)

Men can apparently buy ‘windows of time’ at Sirens.  Barbara is said to enforce her rule with an iron hand.

 In the west - Jonathan is doing fuck knows what.  It seems to involve crucifixion and making your own ragged leather outfit.

 Victor and Firefly are warring further north.  Jeremiah has not been seen since the bridges exploded.

 Jim continues.  

Then there's us - GCPD controls a ten block area round the precinct.  We’re feeding 150 civilians: families, children, the poor and sick.

Basically – the weaselly official is having none of it.  Gotham isn’t the government’s responsibility. He refers to Jim as Mr Gordon – and he tersely corrects him to Captain.

Jim asks him to evacuate children at least.  Weaselly official says they’ll form a committee. A weary Jim tries to convince him that the government has a duty of care.  Again – there’s wriggling, and Jim eventually asks him to just admit that they’re on their own.  The silence he receives in return says it all.

Selina lies in a hospital bed, facing away from other people in room: Bruce, Alfred and a doctor.  Her face is flat and bleak.

We hear the doctor tell Bruce and Alfred that paralysis aside, they need to operate before her spine collapses.  Alfred said they tried to evacuate her but couldn’t make it on time.  Bruce asks if they can operate there and the doctor says they have no choice.

Bruce approaches Selina and softly says her name.  This makes Selina start to cry silently.  He crouches down and tells her the dr wants to operate.  She flatly says fine – whatever.

Bruce crouches down

I’m going to be here the whole time

Poor Selina’s face twists, and she continues to cry

Back on GCPD turf, Harvey argues with an angry hungry man who’s getting mouthy and accusing the police of taking extra food for themselves.  Lucius appears and says everyone gets the same share or else supplies run out.

Jim approaches, looking over from higher on a staircase and calls out.

That's enough.

They all look over at him. Jim, it seems, commands obedience and respect these days.

He looks at the argumentative man

You don't like the rules?  Leave

Shouty man backtracks - just sayin’

Harvey tells him to say it walking - putz

We hear discontented murmuring from the crowd.

Jim asks how they’re doing – to which Lucius responds that they only have a month of food left. Harvey fulminates about the lack of support and says he’s never paying taxes again.  Jim thinks the government will eventually do the right thing – they just need to keep everyone alive long enough for that to happen.  Harvey replies that they’re almost out of ammunition. Anyone makes a move, and they’re sitting ducks.

 A snoring, dishevelled Ed wakes up on an old sofa on a rooftop, sporting Sharleen Spiteri’s 90s hairstyle. A dog barks at him while weird, discordant music plays.

We see him now in an untidier version of the library we saw at the beginning.  He’s talking into a recorder.  He seems to be having black-outs and losing time.  Someone get him to draw a clock!

He looks angrily in the mirror

Show yourself - I know it's you inside there, Ed

Apparently, Idiot Ed still won't appear.  Ed yells coward at himself, and says he knows that it’s him controlling him when he’s asleep

He stares back at the map spread out on the table where he seems to be keeping track of the spots where he wakes up – trying to find a pattern.

On the precinct roof, Jim stands next to the spotlight.  Bruce tells him he could ask someone else to do it – but Jim says he likes it.  Bruce asks if it’s because it reminds people that in darkness there’s still light – and Jim says it reminds him too.

He adds that they’re low on supplies.  The government refuses to evacuate people, and is ignoring their suffering.  Jim looks tired.

Bruce says that he gave Lucius permission to scavenge Wayne Enterprises Research and Development – it’s not much, but it’s something.  He then says he has to go – the doctors are going to operate on Selina.  Her condition is getting worse.

Jim listens, and then asks him to let him know how it goes.

A troubled-looking Bruce turns to leave.  Jim calls after him

Are you sorry you stayed?

Bruce thinks.  His face looks determined.

No. You?

Jim replies

Hell no

Bruce smiles and leaves. Jim stares out over the city.

 At Sirens, Mr Penn places a bullet on Barbara’s desk.  She regards it.  He makes an offer

Mr Cobblepot offers 1000 rounds of ammunition in return for 1000lbs of steak

Barbara smugly says the cupboard is bare in Penguin Land, but Penn says Oswald just wanted red meat. Mr Penn’s neck is noticeably narrower than his collar.  Was he always this thin, or is this to underline the idea that Oswald isn’t feeding his employees well?

Tabitha watches all this from the corner of the room.

Barbara continues, saying that Oswald wants to get fat on steak while his minions starve.

An impatient Tabitha cuts in, and asks if Oswald too scared to leave his citadel, knowing that she wants to plant a knife in his neck.

Barbara says Tabitha is still raw about the business with Butch – so they’ll want 2000lbs of ammo in return.

An infuriated Tabitha turns to Barbara and says not they’re not giving that bastard anything – he killed Butch

(An aside - does Tabitha really think Barbara would have let Butch live on Sirens’ turf?  For how long, before she got jealous and irritated and decided to put another bullet in him?)

Barbara wants to trade with Oswald, but Tabitha says no.  Barbara says she’s not asking her to forget – but they need ammo to protect the women who come there.

(An aside - A quick glance round suggests that Sirens can offer food and protection if you’re a good-looking woman of probably 18-40.  The older woman we saw earlier in the crowd of refugees at GCPD?  The young girls?  The mothers who won’t leave their families?  Yeah – didn’t think so.  As @rhavewellyarnbag suggested elsewhere – it seems likely that Sirens is pretty much a brothel by any other name)

Barbara promises her that Penguin's time will come.  Tabitha puts Penn’s sample bullet in her gun and tells him that Oswald will regret giving her this, and leaves.

Barb smiles at Penn, and tells him to make it 3000lbs

(Is ammunition measured in lbs?  Is this a usual thing?)

On GCPD turf - an anxious policeman stares out through the barricade and says he saw something move. His friend laughs it off – but we see a shadow. Jonathan suddenly appears, and sprays the man with his serum through the space in the door

Would you like me to make it stop?  Open this door

The other cop tries to stop him – but the infected man desperately opens the door, and is promptly scythed down by Jonathan.  He tells his silly acolytes to split up, steal, and kill anyone who gets in their way.

Inside, Jim talks to Harper, telling her to reinforce the barriers round Oswald's turf.  The lights suddenly go out.  Jim tells Harper to find Lucius and tell him to meet at the generator.

At the hospital, Selina's operation is underway.  Bruce and Alfred are watching from the corridor outside when the power goes off.  Alfred says hospital has back-up generator, so it’s fine – it’ll all be

Ship-shape and Bristol fashion

Bruce is not convinced, though.  Vindicating this, a nurse puts her head around the corner and says men in the basement stealing medicine.  Bruce goes to investigate and tells Alfred to stay with Selina.

Careful

Jim is at the generator, which is sparking and making fzzzt noises.  He hears a sound, and draws his gun.  Jonathan appears and scythes at him, before riffing on Dirty Harry.

I know what you're thinking….

He remarks that Jim has so few bullets – is shooting Jonathan really worth it?

I mean – he’s controlling part of the city, randomly crucifying people, and now he’s looting and murdering. I’d say yes?  Jim disagrees though

No - it's not

He picks up an iron bar instead

He asks why he’s here – not for the generator?

Jonathan doesn't want light - fear lives in darkness

Oh, do shut up, Jonathan.  Everyone’s trying to survive and you’re dicking about in a stupid coat with a bunch of teenage edgelord prats.

Jim concludes that he came for supplies.  Jonathan adds that he’ll also take his life.  They fight. Jonathan asks how long it’s been since he’s tasted his toxin. That super-scary toxin that is seemingly rendered useless by water, iirc.  

He asks Jim what he’s scared of now.

Not you

Harvey chases some of the other looters down – but they manage to steal some food.

Back at the hospital, Bruce uses the night vision goggles Lucius found in R&D to watch Jonathan’s acolytes roam around the basement.  He swoops in and out, knocking them out.  One follower realises something isn’t going well and calls out for – now, I might have this wrong: Scad? Is that a name?  Is this why he joined this group – embittered at being christened Scad?

Bruce swoops in again to take him out.  Unfortunately, the lights come on and – momentarily blinded – Bruce is shoved back while they escape with the precious supplies.

Back at GCPD, there’s understandable discontent that supplies have been lost. They only have a week’s worth of food left.  Jim tells Lucius to drop to half rations.  Lucius tells them they’re already at half rations – but Jim tells him to halve them again.  Lucius says that gives them two weeks at most.

Harvey starts to rant a little, frustrated.  Bruce appears from nowhere and says that help is coming: he’s going to fly in supplies. Jim reiterates the government line on no contact.  Bruce says he won’t ask for permission.

Harvey comments that it’s nice to have a billionaire around.  Jim’s less happy – and says that it’s only a one-time solution.  Bruce says medicine has also been stolen, and there are people in pain. His eyes wander – and he’s clearly thinking of Selina.  

Jim watches him, and tells Harvey to go tell the people that help is on the way.

Once he and Bruce are alone, Jim asks how Selina is.  Bruce looks troubled. Jim tells him that Selina is strong, and she’ll pull through.

Back at the hospital, where Bruce sits by Selina’s bed.  She flatly tells him the surgery was a success – but adds she’ll never be able to walk again.

That's a bummer

Bruce says there’s only limited resources – but there’s hope once they rejoin the mainland.  Selina shrugs this off.  Bruce says he knows that she’s in pain, but there’s medicine on the way.

Selina regards him coolly and says it’s funny –

Jeremiah shot me to get to you.  After all the things I've done, what did me in was being your friend

Turning away from him, she says she wishes Jeremiah had killed her.

A pained-looking Bruce leaves.

As he’s exiting the ward, a nurse whispers over to him urgently

Doctors can't help her - she needs the witch

Bruce stares.

Back at GCPD, Jim asks Harvey what the mood is.  He replies that they love their Jim Gordon – but that the chopper needs to come.

Back at Oswald's place, a full plate is placed on Oswald’s desk.  Soviet-ish style music plays in the background – just in case I missed the North Korea stuff earlier.  Yes – I get it, show.  Now stop it.

We hear a creak of leather and see Oswald testing some kind of leg brace.  I’ve given up guessing at the precise nature of Oswald’s leg injury - the show is not exactly consistent with injury and illness – but whatever this is seems to help. He’s pleased and says it feels good, striding about while the man who presumably made it – again, one of his thin, worn minions – watches.  Oswald tells him to add a knife on it.

Penn enters – there’s another shutdown at the factory.  A weak, starved worker fell into a press. Oswald insincerely says he feels for all his workers, but cannot give what he doesn't have

He takes a bite of the steak from the plate on his desk, and pulls a face.  It’s apparently overcooked.  We hear a whine.  It comes from a bulldog Oswald has christened Edward – to whom Oswald offers praise, and then feeds the steak.

Penn visibly struggles at the sight of this.  He says quality is suffering at the factory due to conditions.  Oswald irritably interrupts him, and shoots at the ceiling to demonstrate the quality of the product.  The dog whines in fright. Oswald then tells Penn he upset the dog, and shoots again in temper.  This time, the gun doesn’t fire properly, and Oswald seems to hurt his hand.  Penn cuts in again about better quality products, but Oswald shushes him

Do you hear that?

At Sirens, Barbara and Tabitha are arguing.  Barbara says Oswald is locked in city hall with a small army

(A random aside - Barbara's hair looks fried)

Barbara says she knows Tabitha misses Butch.  Tabitha stubbornly says she needs to make it right.  Barbara asks how she’s going to do that without being killed.  Tabitha’s not really listening.  Barbara tries again

I need you too

Tabitha is now distracted by the sound of a chopper

Barbara tries again - wide-eyed.

Tabby  - do you hear me?

On the roof, Jim and Bruce spot the chopper. The pilot says he’ll meet them at the rendez-vous point. As he flies down the street, though, someone shoots at it – and it starts to crash.  

Heading out, Jim says the chopper is down in Low Boys’ territory – they’ll need to fight their way in and out.  Harper asks for ammo – but Harvey tells her to be grateful for what they’ve got.  Jim asks Alfred if Bruce is about, and they have a confusing little back and forth about whether Jim has given Bruce permission to be there – which Alfred seems to think he wins.  That was just a bit baffling, to be honest.  

The downed helicopter is being raided when Oswald arrives in a big shiny car. He introduces himself.  The leader says this isn’t his turf.  Oswald says he’s going to claim it anyway.  The leader remonstrates, but Oswald’s men shoot them.

GCPD arrives.  Jim gets out of his car

Oswald!

Jim!  I thought you might show up.  so good to see you, old friend.  How are you faring in these troubled times?

Jim tells him to step away from the chopper, but Oswald refuses.

Sorry - mouths to feed - and you know all about that - I hear you’re up to your ears in refugees

Jim says they’re protecting children and families

You shouldn't have shot it down, Oswald.

Oswald frowns.  He says he didn't shoot it down - he didn't know that the chopper was coming.  He’s still taking everything, though.

Jim says it must have been him – who else has that kind of weaponry?  Oswald says that’s a fair point, but it still wasn’t him.  He would just admit it, if he had: it’s not like he can be arrested.  He also tells Jim to skedaddle while he can

Jim and Oswald stare tensely at each other in their annual new season tiff

Harvey tells Jim they’re outgunned – which is maybe the most redundant observation ever made – but presumably to stop Jim reacting stupidly because his pride has been nettled. Oswald tells Jim to listen to Harvey. After all they’ve been through, he doesn’t want to kill him.  Not like this.

Before the situation can progress, we see arrows through Oswald's men – and a glimpse of Tabitha.  The cops raise their guns – and Tabitha grabs Oswald, a gun to his throat.

Listen to me – I know you’re upset about Butch

Tabitha yells that Butch thought Oswald was his friend

(An aside. Really?  Because the last I saw of Butch, he spent a lot of last season shoving Oswald around and threatening him. Oswald offered their old working relationship, and Butch rejected it in favour of choking him for a bit.  But anyway.)

This infuriates Oswald. He sounds sincere, and his voice breaks slightly as he says

I was his friend - you put a knife in my mother's back - his blood is on your hands!

Tabitha asks him if he thinks that she expected to come here and kill him and walk away.  Poor Barbara.  Given the choice, Tabitha opted for Butch again.

Hilariously, Oswald falls back on what he knows best

Jim! are you going to let her kill me like this in cold blood?

I promise it’s not shipper goggles – but Jim does an infinitesimally slight shake of his head.  Oh Jim.  Never play poker.

Oswald continues

You are not only the one keeping Gotham from the abyss - I am too: I supply stability

Tabitha turns Oswald to face her.  He reiterates the cold, hard truth:

I may have pulled the trigger - but you killed Butch

Tabitha has no real response for that

Shut up and die

She pulls the trigger – but the gun doesn’t fire properly. Oswald is saved by his defective stock. He laughs maniacally – and quickly pulls his knife on her.  They struggle.  He taunts her a little.

If that was one of my bullets, I’ll be having a word with the foreman – unacceptable quality!

He then tells her to say hello to Butch, and overpowers her – stabbing her in the chest.

There’s a scream – Barbara, who runs out from hiding to stare.

Jim watches the scene unfold.  Tabitha falls to her knees as Oswald watches. She manages a couple of words – presumably advice to Barbara about the futility of ongoing revenge.

Barbara - don't….

Oswald runs for cover as Barbara roars and fires blindly

We get a close-up of Tabitha's body as Barbara shoots and a gunfight breaks out.  Oswald calls out that it’s sounding a bit quiet from Jim’s end – they’re out of bullets.

Outside – we see Bruce break into a van with a propagandistic image of Oswald on it. He beats the guards easily and steals some ammunition.  He delivers this to a grateful Harvey and Jim.

Barbara reloads and runs out into the room.  Oswald appears, and shoots her in the shoulder.  He looks down at her.

For the record – that is not how I wanted things to go

Barbara screams that she'll rip out his heart

Oswald tells her to be quiet - talk like that will force my hand!

(An aside.  See - the thing is - Oswald is pretty much lawful evil here.  Tabitha already had it coming for Gertrud. Oswald took Butch instead.  She then tried to shoot him in the heart.  What is he supposed to do?  He doesn’t actually want to kill Barbara – unless he’s pushed – as is evidenced by what he says next.)

Oswald looks at her

For old times’ sake – I will give you a chance.  Can we move past this?  Say the whole Tabitha/Butch chapter is over?

For what it’s worth, he sounds sincere.  And it’s consistent with past actions from him. Oswald will tend to want to even scores.  But he’s also as likely to want to shake hands and move on when he’s truly done with something. This is likely why both Victor and Penn and Butch still ended up working with him after various betrayals and conflicts.  

Barbara screams at him.  She’ll feed his guts to the rats - you beaky-nosed freak.

(An aside.  As I said, I am biased. But beaky-nosed freak compared to you stabbed my mother in the back is just my problem with this plot encapsulated. The worst Barbara can come up with in the heat of the moment is that Oswald looks odd. Tabitha got off listening to an old lady crying, and then stabbed her in the back.  Who’s uglier?)

Oswald looks genuinely...sad for a moment. Credit to RLT for managing to give this writing nuance - because he’s Oswald’s been forced to pantomime villainy for most of this episode.

He then flips back to sass. So, no – then?

Barbara smirks at him.

Jim walks out.  He says he wants to make a deal.  They can split 50/50 if he lets Barbara go.

Barbara shrieks that he does not get to limp out alive. And, again, yes, they’ve tried to be as unflattering as possible with Oswald in the first half of this episode – make a monster of him.  But Barbara’s frequent resorting to freak and physical insults – it just leaves a bad taste in the mouth.

Oswald smacks her in the face to silence her.

He offers another deal for Jim.  He kills Barbara and takes everything.  Jim gets to stay alive – and go home to reflect long and hard on his generosity

Jim asks what happens when the government finds out he killed the only cops in Gotham. What?  He basically just said you were all getting to leave.  There’s more than one line in this episode that actively makes no sense.

Oswald tells him nothing would happen – and that Jim has nothing to offer.

Now they have extra ammunition, Harvey shoots.  Jim shoots Oswald’s bad knee.  Oswald screams.  Jim says that’s not true anymore.  He was never going to make a deal: he needs all those supplies.  One of Oswald’s men ushers him away.

Back at GCPD, supplies arrive.

Harvey asks Jim if Oswald is going to pull through.  Jim says probably – and that this will at least put him out of commission for a while.

Harvey says he could have put him down, but Jim makes noises about regulations and laws and shooting a man without warning.

Harvey says they’re fighting for survival and asks again why he didn’t do it.

Jim looks away. Harvey tells him

You win or you die - next time shoot to kill

Jim gives the tiny headshake again as Harvey walks away.  I honestly promise I’m not fibbing – go back and look.

Bruce approaches Jim and says he’s going to see Selina.  Jim asks again for Bruce to let him know how she is.  As Bruce leaves, he calls after him

You want to help - just ask.  You’ve earned a place

Bruce smiles and leaves.

Up at Jim’s radio desk, a woman removes a mask.  It’s Ecco. She looks over his map – and listen as the radio crackles.

Captain Gordon, come in.

She watches from shadow as Jim approaches and answers. The voice at the other end replies.

You have allies across the river.  We will find a way to help you

Jim listens – face serious. He turns sharply, feeling watched – but there’s no one there.  When he glances back to the map, he sees one of Jerome’s ‘ha ha ha’ tags on his map.

 A man searches dumpsters in an alley.  We see Ed burst out of one, angry.

Really? A dumpster?

Back at the library, he pounds the map table.

What are you doing to me?!  Show yourself!

What is happening to me?

At Sirens, we see Tabitha's corpse laid out on a table.  Barbara kisses her, turns to her acolytes, and looks straight out to us.  She’s dressed and made-up more softly than earlier.

I promise - if it's the last thing I do, I will kill him!

Her scream of rage merges into Oswald’s screams of pain.  He’s seated, dressed in white linen/cotton old-fashioned underwear, as someone digs for the bullet in his leg.

My leg - he shot my leg! I just fixed this!

He spits as he screams. Wouldn't his mouth be dry from pain?  Whatever – for some reason, they’re insistent in reinforcing physical loathsomeness for Oswald.

Penn asks him to hold still. Oswald grabs at his shoulder.  He tells him that there’s 1000 rounds to whoever kills Jim - he wants his head.

The bullet is finally removed.  Oswald stares at it, wide-eyed, breathing hard.

At the hospital, a nurse is in Selina’s ward.  She leaves her trolley for a moment. Selina sees a scalpel on it and hurls herself out of bed to get it.

As Bruce approaches, he hears screams from the ward.  The doctor and nurse are restraining Selina as she weeps and screams.  They inject her with something, and lay her on the bed. She’s insisting that she has no reason – they should have let her do it.

Bruce is confused – but the dr tells him she was trying to kill herself, and they’ll need restraints for when she wakes.  Bruce reaches down and touches her face.

(An aside – this was honestly the strongest and most emotional moment in the whole episode.  I teared up when we heard Selina screaming and crying.)

The nurse hisses at him again

I told you - the witch!

Bruce asks where he can find the witch.

Back on GCPD turf, Harvey refers to Jim as

St Jim of Gotham

(A quick aside – I would have maybe expected to see some kind of church presence in Gotham – trying to help.)

Jim tells Harvey he wants new refugees questioned about Jeremiah.  Lucius approaches, and says they now have 6 weeks of supplies.  As they talk – a small boy is brought up to them, who was apparently found at the Thompson St. barricade.  Jim crouches down.

What happened, son?

The boy can’t say much

My brothers and sisters - they’re killing us.  You have to help us

The boy wobbles on his feet. Jim tells them to get him to the clinic

He looks around to the cops who have gathered round him

I know you’re all asking why we’re here when the government won't help us.  It’s simple. We’re supposed to give people hope: if they’re in danger, someone will come.  We will come.  Suit up

 So.  We’re back

General Observations

The big picture

Some things aren’t making much sense.  I know we’re supposed to think Jim represents law and order, while everyone else presents selfish lawlessness.  But the backstory we have with these characters means this doesn’t quite work.

We know Jim will ally with criminals when he has to (at the drop of a hat, actually).  Both Oswald and Barbara are amenable to him. Both Oswald and Barbara see Gotham as home.  The Oswald we saw last season (not this ooc mess) couldn’t imagine anything worse than citizens being killed by Jerome’s stupid blimp.  If Jim is as desperate as suggested, then why hasn’t he tried to communicate with them before the impromptu get-together at the downed chopper?  The worst they could have done is say no, or make wildly unreasonable demands.  If he’s not willing to cede anything to them – then fair enough, walk away – but to not even have tried to talk seems bizarre.  I would guess he’d want to know he’d exhausted every option to help the people.

St Jim of Gotham

Jim’s had a bit of a character shift. He’s squarely law and order and selflessness here.  He tries to hold out hope that the government will help. Even smaller things amount to a shift in character.  He listens quietly to people when they talk. He repeatedly asks Bruce to update him on Selina’s progress.  He’s generally quieter and softer.

As for his shooting Oswald, @rhavewellyarnbag convincingly explained elsewhere that shooting an injured limb isn’t actually doing Oswald any favours at all.  In-universe, though – I think that possibly in the context of a show where mangled hands magically heal and people recover fast from life-threatening injuries with no consequences, and Harvey tells Jim off for being merciful (and we’ve just seen Oswald shoot Barbara non-fatally) – we’re supposed to regard it as a merciful alternative – building on this new character shift for Jim.

Whether or not he’ll maintain this shift of character is another question.

  The whole business by the downed helicopter.  

Well, gosh.  It’s almost like actions have consequences. Barbara should know that herself, given that Tabitha murdered her a couple of seasons ago in retaliation for shooting Butch.  Sorry – but if this is supposed to make me hate Oswald and root for Barbara, then it’s a mess.  Oswald has ample cause to hate Tabitha and want her dead – and she forced the issue here by trying to murder him in front of a bunch of people, where he cannot lose face.  

Come to that, he’s got reason to have gotten rid of Barbara before now, if he’d wanted: she was heavily involved in Ed’s attempt to drive him mad, humiliate him, and murder him.  Yet here he still wants to move on.  You can’t sell Oswald’s actions here to me as an example of villainy that’s somehow worse and more wanton than anything that other characters have perpetrated.  Especially when the characters directly affected – Tabitha and Barbara – themselves have a reputation for casual sadism and violence.

Oswald’s empire

Oswald was at his cleverest and most daring back in season one, when he was trying to make his way. We can assume that this has been the case in subsequent seasons, too – although we never got to see it.  He managed to claw back power after his stint in Arkham, and later capitalise on the post-Tetch-virus landscape.  When he’s actually in power, things don’t tend to go as well for him.

However, that’s not usually because he’s being outright dumb. Oswald wheedles and manipulates – reading people and their motivations so that he can gain from them.  But now he’s OK with blithely alienating people and inviting resentment and rebellion?  Doesn’t see any potential problems with that scheme?

What’s more, this is out-of-character.  Yes, Oswald craves power.  But he also wants – at the very least – loyalty and popularity.  Remember how infuriated he was when Selina wanted to know what she would get in return for helping him?  At most, he wants to be adored.  Remember how he teared up at Ed’s stunt with the little girl during his mayoral campaign?  How genuinely shaken he was when he won - proof that the people liked him?  Wanted him?  Trusted him?  Remember how Ed’s crude commedia dell’arte mocked Oswald’s need for the love of this people?  Oderint dum metuant doesn’t really do it for Oswald.  

Intellectually and emotionally for him, then, this just doesn’t fit.  Not only does he have an emotional need to believe that he’s loved – he knows that starved, angry people are less likely to be loyal, and way more willing to sell him out for a better situation, or rebel outright.

Barbara

I’m guessing this is the beginning of some sort of redemption arc for Barbara – we’ll be invited to feel sympathy for her now, then root for her revenge, she’ll become more of an ally to Jim, and then she’ll be pregnant.  I liked season one Barbara, was still interested in her in season two but since then, to be honest, she’d been so flattened as a character that it was hard to care much about her.  The fact that her redemption storyline is being enabled by trying to make Oswald as unsympathetic as possible – and while giving her a lot of season one Oswald’s characteristics – really just sticks in my craw, to be honest.

I suspect that it’s also a bit problematic that her redemptive arc can start now that Tabitha is removed from the picture.

Selina and Bruce

There’s not much to say other than it’s painful.  Poor Selina.

Yet to be seen: Lee, Zsasz, Strange, Jervis, and Jeremiah.  It sounds like Ivy is the Witch.  

[quicksilversquared]

A Musical Connection Ch. 4

In a world where soulmate bonds can range from a simple matching mark to timers to shared dreams, of course Adrien would get saddled with an inconvenient bond that keeps him from going out and living life- because whenever his soulmate sings, Adrien has to as well.

But the singing, as inconvenient as it is, presents another opportunity. Can Adrien use it to track down his soulmate?

(Ch 1)  (Ch 2)  (Ch 3)

(AO3) (FF.net)

"She's singing new songs. Her old show is over," Adrien told Max as soon as he saw the other boy again, a week after they last talked. It had been a long week, with more singing than usual. His soulmate hadn't stuck to just songs from musicals, but there was a definite pattern that had emerged. "Mary Poppins this time."

"Well, that means I can strike off any new shows," Max said, peering down at his spreadsheet. It was currently at two pages long and was completely confusing, but apparently Max could understand it. "We should be able to figure out which company your soulmate is in- or what university program she's in, I guess- and then we can get to one of their shows. Not all actors sing all songs, so that should help us narrow things down a bit to figure out who your soulmate is."

Adrien frowned as he thought about what songs his soulmate had sung. "Wasn't she singing all of the songs in the last musical, though?"

Max blinked and consulted his notes. He didn't let the new information throw him for long. "She may have been playing multiple parts or have been part of the choir."

"And her singing didn't line up very well with the show times," Adrien noted. His soulmate hadn't sung at all during the Paris university show, and only a couple times during the other show times. It was weird, and it made him question Max's methods just a bit.

He wasn't ever going to tell Max that, though. Adrien needed his help too much to risk offending him.

"Perhaps she's an understudy?" Max suggested. "She would have to know all of the songs but wouldn't be singing during the actual show unless she was needed."

Adrien groaned, barely resisting the urge to bang his head against the desk. He'd assumed that his soulmate was one of the actors out on stage. They had based their entire plan around that assumption, and Adrien wasn't sure how that plan would change if she continued to work as an understudy.

He would just have to hope that she would actually perform during the show in Mary Poppins.

"How are things going otherwise?" Max asked. "I just realized that all we ever talk about is your soulmate and while it's certainly a fascinating subject of conversation, I'm sure you have other things going on."

"Not much, since I can't really go out much, in case I start singing." Adrien thought back to the last time he had managed to get together with Nino and Alya, when his soulmate got on such a singing kick that they got booted out of the cafe they had gone to. Nino and Alya had found it hilarious, even joining Adrien in singing as they headed to Nino's family's apartment to spend the rest of the evening, but for Adrien it had been a reminder why he had to limit his outings. "I've had to start thinking about what classes I want to take next semester, which isn't going too well. There are a few things I'll have to attend in person, and there's no way to get out of them."

Max winced. "So we have a bit of a deadline, then? To find your soulmate by the end of the semester?"

"That would be nice, if it's possible." And yet again they had come right back around to the topic of his soulmate connection. It just showed how completely it was influencing his life. "But I've been paying attention to when I sing. It was mostly to plan when I could most likely do photoshoots without being interrupted, but it'll work for picking out what lab sections I take, too."

"To run the lowest risk of interruption," Max filled in, nodding. "Yes, that is quite smart. So what times-?"

It was Adrien's turn to wince. "Well, she doesn't like getting up early, I think," he admitted. Unfortunately, he also wasn't terribly fond of early morning wake-ups, but it was all he had to work with. "So all of the eight o'clock and nine o'clocks, basically."

Max patted him on the arm sympathetically. "Well, at least you'll be up and ready to go for the day?"

Adrien groaned, burying his face in his arms. "Yeah, sure, that would be fine if that was all I had to do- but if my father catches on that I chose those times because my soulmate won't be singing, then he'll have me up to do photoshoots crazy early nearly every day- and can you say sunrise shoot commercials instead of the sunset ones? I don't want to get up that early!"

"We'll find your soulmate," Max promised seriously. "We'll have to wait until her show runs, of course, but I'd say that the chances of us being successful are very high."

That put a grin on Adrien's face. "Well, I hope you're right," he told Max. "So, do you want to play some Mega Strike while you're here?"

"Sure!"

  Adrien grinned when he spotted Marinette coming in through the front door of Alya's family's apartment. It had been too long since he had seen his friend, and he was eager to hear about how she was doing with her fashion degree.

"Sorry I've missed so many get-togethers," Marinette told them as she headed for the table. She exchanged hugs with Nino and Alya, and Adrien hopped up to get his own hug. Marinette's voice came out muffled as she talked into his chest. "It's just that work was going late recently."

"But it'll be back to normal for a bit now, right?" Nino asked as Adrien released Marinette from the hug. "You won't be working so late?"

"I won't have to, yeah." Marinette grinned, flopping down into an empty chair. "Which is good, since I have my own stuff I have to do for classes. I have three design sketches I have to clean up for one class, plus an outfit to finish sewing, and some studying for an exam, and an essay on the history of fashion in Russia, all to do before the end of next week."

Adrien let out a low whistle. "That's a lot. How close are you to finishing it all?"

"Well, I'm pretty close to done with the rough sketches, so all I have to do is figure out what I want to change," Marinette started out, pulling out her sketchbook. Adrien leaned forward to see the drawings, and- wow. Marinette had just grown more talented over the years, and while the designs were certainly practical, they also had a certain flair that would set them apart on the street.

He hoped that Marinette would get into men's fashion at some point, because he would love to wear something she designed.

Adrien listened as Marinette explained her designs and the things she was still struggling with, and then showed off her progress on her outfit for her techniques class. The draping was nothing short of gorgeous, and Adrien told her so.

"You'll wear that after it's done and graded, right?" Adrien asked, eyes skimming the lines of the top and skirt in the pictures Marinette showed him. "It'll look amazing on you."

Marinette looked pleased. "You think so?"

"I know so. Those lines will really compliment your figure." Not that much anything that was made well and thoughtfully wouldn't, since Marinette was slim and athletic, if maybe a little on the short side. But the draping would be really flattering, as long as Marinette was making it in her size.

"I'll try to wear it next time we meet up," Marinette promised. "Or the time after that, if my professor takes a while to inspect and grade everything. Sometimes she's really speedy at going through things, and other times it takes forever."

"Okay, enough chatter," Nino cut across before Adrien could say anything else. "Marinette, you promised that we would get to make that chocolate swirl bread, and I know that that takes, like, forever to rise. So let's get started!"

They swarmed into the kitchen and, under Marinette's instruction, started stirring up the sweet bread dough. Adrien kneaded the dough, then got it back into the bowl to rise. Across the kitchen, Nino and Alya started on their dinner, chopping spinach and getting rice started, and Adrien grinned.

Maybe a night in didn't sound that exciting to most people their age, but Adrien was glad that Alya and Nino had agreed to his request that they not go out in public again right away. He had told the two of them right after he arrived that he was well and truly exhausted of the soulmate talk- that was all that he ever seemed to discuss with Max, after all, and whenever he went in for a photoshoot, the first thing that the makeup artists and hair people and photographer asked him about was whether or not his soulmate had been active recently. As long as his soulmate didn't sing throughout the evening, maybe he could have a bit of a break from that for a change.

"So besides being busy, how's the job going, Marinette?" Alya asked after Nino finished telling them about some new music mixes he had done recently. "Are you enjoying it?"

"Most of the time, yeah," Marinette said, She had gotten the bread covered for its first rise and had joined Adrien in making a fruit salad for them to eat. "It's a lot of sewing and a lot of making sure everything stays organized, just like with last year. I've gotten the storage closets in much better shape than they were before, so everything is really easy to find."

"Oh, I remember you complaining about those before," Alya said, nodding. "The previous person wasn't very good at their job, were they?"

"The problem was that they just had random people putting things back before," Marinette explained. "And they would just stick stuff wherever there was space. But now it's easier to find stuff. The only problem is that I can't remember what's in there, just because there's so many different outfits."

Adrien listened, wracking his brain to try to remember if he had ever asked where Marinette worked. He really couldn't remember, and that was embarrassing. Even if he only infrequently saw Marinette now that their schedules seemed to conflict so much, she was one of his best friends and where she worked should have been something that he knew off of the top of his head, especially since she had been at the same place for over a year.

He wasn't going to ask her and admit that he had forgotten. Adrien made a mental note to ask Nino later, when the girls were distracted.

Even without knowing where Marinette worked, Adrien could get a pretty good picture of what she was doing. Somehow she must have managed to skip over a typical coffee-carrying internship to get a job in the sewing room and in the archives storage- or maybe she was working on organizing things behind the scenes in photoshoots, and was keeping the props room organized. He knew that his photographer often complained about the state of the Gabriel prop room, saying that it was impossible to find anything among the mountains of stuff that had accumulated over the years.

(Adrien had looked in there once, when a photoshoot in the building had been delayed due to a wardrobe malfunction and he had to kill some time. Younger him had gotten it into his head that maybe, if he did something about that particular problem, he would actually get some praise from his father.

He had taken one look into the room and the towering mountains of stuff and promptly decided that there was no way he was ever going to go anywhere near it. The shelves looked like they were either going to fall over or cause a landslide at any moment, and the other piles of stuff was no better. There had been signs of a recent topple only a few meters in. How anything found anything in there was beyond him.)

If that was indeed what Marinette had been organizing at her job, if it was anywhere as bad as Gabriel's, then Adrien had to hope that there had been someone keeping an eye on Marinette in case anything fell on her.

When their dinner went in the oven, Marinette returned to the bread to punch it back down, divide it, and roll it out. Adrien joined her, spreading the rounds with the chocolate spread that Marinette had brought with her. He was generous with the chocolate, and the small smile dancing around the corners of Marinette's mouth told him that it hadn't going unnoticed.

Adrien liked chocolate, so sue him. He would just go out on a run as Chat Noir tonight and work it all right back off, so it didn't matter what he ate.

"How is your degree going?" Marinette asked as they started to put the layers together. She adjusted a layer so it would line up more evenly, then gestured for Adrien to cover it in chocolate. "I just realized recently that I haven't heard about that in forever."

"It's going," Adrien said ruefully, spreading a generous amount of chocolate over the dough. "Still online, at the moment. I'm learning interesting stuff, but it's a lot of theories to memorize. Theories and biological processes and chemicals with strange names and..." He let out a long breath. "It's a lot. And since I'm doing everything online at the moment, I've been putting off all of my lab classes and whatnot, which is going to be a pain later." It was going to leave him with a huge load of courses in the later part of his degree, and if he didn't find his soulmate, then everything would have to be done right away in the morning. He was considering taking some courses over the summer just to spread them out a little bit more, but that would depend on how well the next semester went. "But I'm not having any trouble with understanding things, which is nice. It was something I worried about when I started taking the courses online."

"Well, you've always been smart." Marinette grinned over at him, and Adrien relished in the praise. "I'm not surprised that you would be able to adapt to other ways of learning."

"It's not as fun," Adrien admitted. "I hear these two talking about the friends they've made in their classes all the time, but it's hard to meet people online. I'll have a few things where I'll have to go in in-person next semester, though."

"Oh, nice!"

Adrien hummed a sort of agreement, wondering if perhaps Marinette hadn't heard how much trouble his soulmate bond had been giving him as of late. Maybe she thought that it was still like it had been at first, with only a few scattered songs now and then. Alya and Nino must not have told her about how their last get-together was interrupted.

He wasn't going to bring it up, not today. Not when he had had to push his lunch break off for three hours because his soulmate's singing had put them behind schedule and the manager for the photoshoot had insisted that everyone else take their break while he was still singing and unable to eat. Not when he had had enough talking about the bond.

"Dude, put in a little chocolate, will you?" Nino exclaimed, peering over Adrien's shoulder. "You know that you don't have to pile it on for us to taste it, right?"

Adrien grinned. "Yeah, but more chocolate is always good. And I need chocolate, with the marathon fittings I have tomorrow."

"I would have thought that you would want to have less chocolate, then, if you have a fitting!"

Adrien finished spreading on the last layer of the chocolate, then licked the knife off while holding eye contact with an amused Nino. Once it was clean, Adrien placed it back down on the counter. "Nope."

"Let the boy have his chocolate, Nino," Alya ordered jokingly. "And I approve of that amount of chocolate, by the way. It looks fabulous. I can't wait to eat it."

Adrien had to agree.

  Despite her worries, Marinette finished her assignments with plenty of time and aced her midterm exam easily. With those out of the way, she threw herself into the second half of the semester and into her work in the theater. She got to meet up with her friends a few times, too, which she enjoyed while she could. She knew that once it got closer to the end of the semester, she would once again find herself with absolutely no free time.

But for now, everything was good, and Marinette could afford to relax a bit as she worked, adding trim to a dress for Mary Poppins. She could hear the rehearsal going on up on the stage from her backstage sewing area, bits of dialogue and the occasional song drifting back.

While the cast definitely weren't ready by any means- after all, the roles had only just been cast and rehearsals had only just started- she could already hear things starting to really improve, lines delivered with more emotion and conviction now that they weren't reading off of the scripts quite as much as they had at the start. Some of the actors were out on stage, while others- the understudies, and the main actors that weren't in the current scene- had split up, working through their scenes out in the hallway and in the nearby classrooms.

The cast weren't the only people there. Several people from other departments had been brought in to work on the special effects that were needed for some of the scenes. They already were hard at work with a projector and a screen, which would replace some of the painted sets for when the scenery had to change faster than the sets could be switched. From what Marinette could tell, they would project from behind the screen and the picture would show up bright so the audience could see it. There were still some bugs, of course- even though they had been brainstorming and working on their special effects even before the show was cast, the timing still had to be perfected and they had to find exactly where the projector had to be for the least distortion and brightest picture.

One of the special effects people had already shown Marinette what they had in store, and it was absolutely amazing, magical and spectacular and enough to entrance any kids that they got in the audience.

Of course, the play was a little less interesting in terms of costumes. There was very little design that Marinette could actually do, since the play took place in a very specific time period and she had to stick to that aesthetic. Marinette had been plagued by visions of having to make endless boring dresses and suits for an entire weekend before she dove into the costume closet and found plenty of outfits that would work perfectly for the play. Some would need altering, others would need mending, and a couple could do with some sprucing up, replacing trim and lace that had faded and discolored over time. She could add a bit of her own flair there, replacing dowdy lace with some that was actually attractive and making some other switches.

Not too much, though. She had to keep in mind how people dressed. This was a play, not a runway show, and most of the characters weren't exactly crazy rich and on the edge of fashion at the time. She could take some liberties with Madam Banks' costume, of course, and with the outfits for the fair scene, but otherwise?

Blah. Good-looking blah, but blah. She was a seamstress for this job more often than she was a designer, but she wasn't going to let that affect her enjoyment of the job.

"Are you already almost done with the outfits, Marinette?" Tikki asked in amazement as she watched Marinette finish attaching the trim and set the dress aside. "Wow! You'll have loads of extra time this time around!"

"Not exactly, Tikki," Marinette said with a laugh. "I need to make Jane and Michael's outfits, and once I assign dresses and suits, I'll have to do little alterations. There might be some drapes for the set, and then I might end up being recruited to help with scenery painting. And there's always other plays going on in the other stages that might need me to do some work on outfits for them."

"Or maybe you'll be doing special effects!" Tikki suggested excitedly. "Because you've made cool stuff like that before, right?"

"I don't even know where I would start with that," Marinette said with a laugh as she hung up the dress and rearranged the rack. "Besides, we have actual engineering students working on those things. No, if I have extra time, then I'll work on getting a good floor map of the storage rooms made so that I won't have to dig through everything in the future to find what I need. But only if other people can't use my help. And if I don't have any schoolwork that needs to get done."

Tikki giggled. "So organization is the last thing on your list?"

"Ugh. I know I did most of the work on that last year, but I'm still sick of it."

The little kwami only giggled harder.

As the director out on stage called for a scene re-start, Marinette returned her attention to the racks of outfits around her and the clipboard that Miss Bella had provided with all of the outfits needed. She started checking outfits off, counting dresses and suits and making notes on those that still needed some work before they could be used. There were enough outfits and then some- enough that in case something happened to one of the outfits, there would be backups.

"And now you label them, right?" Tikki asked as Marinette checked the last of the dresses. "So you know which of the pieces you're going to fit to each performer?"

"Right!" Marinette returned to her desk and started drawing out labels, cross-checking clothing sizes of the actors and actresses with what she had available and starting to scribble names on the labels. "Then I can start pulling people in here for fittings as soon as I get the last of the repairs done. We'll get more permanent labels on later on, ones that won't rip off as easily."

"I can make some!" Tikki volunteered, swooping down and grabbing a short bit of pencil. She paused, looking uncertain. "Uh..."

Marinette giggled. "I think I need to figure all of these out on my own. But could you go grab a few more pieces of paper from the first drawer in my desk? I don't think I have enough here."

While Tikki zipped off to grab more slips of paper, Marinette gathered up the labels she had so far and strapped her pincushion on her wrist, getting up to start putting them on the outfits she had assigned so far. If she could get those set aside, then it would be easier to see what all she had left to work with.

Outside the door, a prerecorded backing track started up and voices floated through the door as the cast started to sing. Marinette perked up and started to sing along as she pinned the labels to dresses and suits hanging on the rack, feeling more cheerful than she had even only moments before.

"Oh, it's a jolly holiday with Mary..."

[greyias]

FIC: By the Guidance of Stars - Chapter 4

Title: By the Guidance of Stars Fandom: SWTOR Pairing: Theron Shan/f!Jedi Knight Rating: T (this chapter) Genre: Angst, H/C, Romance, Humor Synopsis: The Coalition tries to heal in the aftermath of the Battle of Yavin 4, but not every wound is physical. A series of missing scenes set during the end of Shadow of Revan. Warnings: See Chapter 1.

Chapter 1 | Chapter 2 | Chapter 3 | Crossposted to AO3

As morning wore on, the drizzle eased into a light mist and the camp began to rouse. The mugs of caf had long since been drained and Theron had reluctantly forced himself to begin tackling the mountain of paperwork waiting for him. That afternoon’s unofficial debrief loomed in the back of his mind, and in an effort to distract himself, he’d thrown himself into filling in as many details of the entire Revanite debacle on his official report, starting all the way back to the initial mission on Korriban.

Well. Most of the details. There were some interpersonal things that would not be making their way into an official report. He was only a kiss-and-tell kind of guy when it was part of the official mission log. And this confusing thing he had with a certain Jedi Master was nobody’s business but their own.

Of course, focusing on his paperwork would have been much easier if he didn’t have to keep trying to stop one Doctor Archiban Kimble from second-guessing the excellent care of sneaky medical droids.

“Can’t you just read whatever the droid wrote and let it go?” Theron grumbled. “I have to finish this report.”

“And I have to make sure that all of my hard work on Rishi wasn’t undone last night.”

“It wasn’t.” Theron glowered at him and then pointedly returned his attention to the datapad. “Now go away.”

“Yeah, that’s not going to work this time.”

“What’s not? Speaking Basic?”

“Your overworked slicer schtick. No datapads during medical examinations. Doctor’s orders.”

“Didn’t stop you last time.”

“Yes, well, I made an exception then because my favorite Jedi was about to be blown to smithereens by your grandpa’s cult.”

“It’s a few more generations than just grandfather.”

“Eh, details.” The datapad was deftly plucked from the spy’s hands and stowed inside of of one of the medic’s inner pockets. “You get this back after we’re done.”

“You’ve got nerves of steel, Doc,” Theron warned. “I’ve shot people for less.”

“Maybe, maybe not.” The medic grinned. “I figure I’m safe. A certain Jedi is very fond of me and my untimely death would make her very sad.”

“And what makes you think that would affect my aim?”

The medic arched one dark brow, as if it was obvious. “You seemed pretty concerned earlier from what I saw. Holding hands and everything.”

Theron wasn’t able to suppress the curse that slipped out. It wasn’t exactly a private area they’d been in, but he had hoped everyone had been too busy with their celebrations to notice that unplanned moment. Of course, unplanned moments seemed to be the norm with her rather than the exception.

Not that he had the greatest track record with sticking to a plan — he tended to fly by the seat of his pants at the best of times. But even if he’d wanted to, he never could have accounted for that ridiculous pirate costume she had picked up from a street vendor for her undercover persona. Nor for the way she got drunk during one of Jakarro’s cantina outings—forcing Theron to figure out how to transport a hopelessly inebriated Jedi back to their hideout without either of them getting shivved in a back alleyway. Or the way her grip on him had lingered before she’d left for that last battle on Rishi, practically shouting the order for Doc to stay behind and take care of him.

And actually if Theron thought about it longer, the one consistent factor in all of that had been the medic currently pulling out his scanner so he could begin to examine the chest of his very reluctant patient. As Doc had been the one to help her pick out that stupid outfit, had left an entire pitcher of fruity alcoholic drinks on the table after leaving their team gathering in a snit, and had been just as annoying at insisting on making sure Theron didn’t have any life-threatening internal injuries just like he was now.

The medic let out a quiet chuckle, apparently mistaking the reasoning for the glare pointed in his direction.

“Don’t worry, I made a lot of loud and rousing toasts over in my area of camp. Your aloof reputation is safe amongst the larger crowd.”

“I get the impression that wasn’t for my benefit,” Theron grumbled.

“No, it wasn’t.” Doc narrowed an eyebrow at the tiny screen in front of him, and started to do some more detailed scans over the previously injured area, as if he needed to double-check something. “But if getting a camp of Imperial and Republic troops inebriated in the early hours of the morning is what it takes to get that woman a small moment of peace, I’ll make that sacrifice for the greater good.”

“How magnanimous of you.”

“It’s a heavy burden sometimes, being such a hero.”

“Are you still drunk?”

“Eh, sober enough to look you over.”

“I think I feel safer with the droid.”

“Has anyone ever told you that you are a horrible patient?”

“Probably about as often as you’ve gotten complaints about your bedside manner.”

“You be quiet and let me finish.”

“And if I don’t?”

“I’ll call your mother over here.” Doc grinned.

“I swear I’m changing my last name when I get back to Republic space,” Theron muttered darkly.

“I’ll still know.”

“Two can play at that game, Archiban.”

Doc shot him a dirty look, but returned to fiddling with his scanner. “Look, I know you’ve got your own reasons, but still… thanks for looking out for her.”

Theron indeed had his own reasons, but much to his chagrin, none of them seemed to stem from anything remotely resembling reason. Of course, he hadn’t really ever been accused of being the most logical agent in SIS. However, there was no way he was admitting that aloud. “I get the impression that you and your crew have been through a lot.”

“Some of us more than others,” Doc muttered darkly.

“Yeah.” Theron pursed his lips. “Got that impression too.”

Considering Grey’s reaction earlier, that was putting it mildly. He was regretting not having figured out what had been redacted before they had gotten to this point—and before he’d made a promise to not pry. Of course, that six month gap had nearly put him off selecting her for the Korriban mission completely. If he’d done that, then he wouldn’t currently have to be listening to Doc ramble on. Of course, then he wouldn’t have met her either.

Something inside his chest twisted. It was probably because he’d been an idiot and had drank too much caf this morning instead of having a real breakfast. He probably needed to find something more substantial before the debrief this afternoon. Or maybe he could just choke a ration bar down as he didn’t really have much of an appetite at the moment.

Doc gave him a funny look, almost as if he’d been reading the spy’s inner thoughts. Theron didn’t really want to get a lecture on his poor diet on top of everything else this morning, so he just glared at the ground instead.

“I’m surprised you didn’t ask.”

“I might be a spy,” he ground out, “but I can respect boundaries. I’m not going to force her to relive anything just to satisfy my curiosity.”

“While I appreciate the gesture,” Doc said quietly, “I think things are going to come to a head sooner or later, whether or not you ask anything.”

Theron glared at the ground, not sure what to make of the internal war raging inside of his gut. “She’s still got you and the rest of your crew. Should be enough, right?”

The medic let out a sad sigh and shook his head, but didn’t say anything else on the subject. There wasn’t much to say, Theron had already made a promise not to pry, and he wasn’t about to go back on that. Keeping promises wasn’t exactly something most people in his line of work did. Although this wasn’t work. This was… it was…

It was none of his damn business is what it was.

And he knew that. Despite his chosen profession, there were some lessons from his childhood he’d had a hard time shaking off. A lot of adjustments—sacrifices even—had to be made in order to get the mission done, because that served a higher purpose in a way he couldn’t with his natural born talents, or lack thereof. It was often a struggle to be the person that Ngani Zho had raised him to be, and beyond just that, he wanted to be a man of his word. At least with the important people.

And she was... yeah. She was one of them.

It took a lot to get under his skin, but that little Jedi had managed it quite effectively. And despite his best efforts, he was just along for the ride at this point, that much was clear.

“Well,” Doc said, barely managing to keep irritation from bleeding into his tone, “looks like between my wonderful skills as a medic, a little help from the Grand Master, and that barely adequate droid, you’re going to be just fine.”

“I already told you that,” Theron said, his own frustration mounting. “If you had just believed me then we could have avoided this whole awkward conversation.”

“Yeah, well,” Doc said lightly, stowing his medical scanner, “I had to be sure. It would be irresponsible of me if I didn’t ensure that you were in peak physical condition before taking on any… strenuous activity.”

The insinuation on what the medic thought of Theron’s intentions was all too clear, and he couldn’t help but snarl. “That is none of your damn business.”

“I’m just looking out for your welfare,” Doc grinned. “You wouldn’t want to sprain anything. That would definitely kill the mood.”

“I am not having this conversation with you.”

“I assume you know all about using protection—“

“Give me my datapad!”

“And I expect you to behave like a proper gentleman.”

Theron’s hand curled into a fist, and it took all of his effort to keep it down at his side. “Now.”

Doc sighed dramatically, but pulled out the requested device with dramatic flair. “Fine, fine.”

The spy snatched the device and started to move away from the medic with a quickness.

“Oh, and Theron?”

“What?” he tossed over his shoulder, not bothering to hide his frustration and not slowing his hasty retreat in the slightest.

“I meant what I said back on Rishi.” The joviality had faded from Doc’s tone, leaving behind a steel certainty. “I know every way to cleanly break any bone in the body. I would keep that in mind if I were you.”

“You threatening me?”

“Only if you hurt her.”

“You and Scourge should form a club.”

“Not my first choice, but I’ll consider it. If it comes to that.”

Theron beat a quick retreat to the safety of one of the private tents before he could be pulled back into anything resembling conversation with the medic. He had no desire to hear any more advice on his love life. Or hear about the ways in which he would be maimed if things didn’t somehow go according to Doc’s outdated notions of romance. For possibly the first time in his career, Theron couldn’t wait to get lost in the minutiae of the Republic’s endless trail of paperwork.

Next Chapter

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Today in class Lance brought all his makeup to practice turning me into a repulsive zombie before we have to present tomorrow. Pidge and Hunk are finishing up the research part of our presentation. When I walk in Lance already had his makeup spread across our desks and our chairs facing each other so he can put makeup all over me. He was looking straight at me while he gestured to my seat with an open hand as if he were some sort of fancy usher showing me to my reserved seat. I quickly sat down and waited for him to speak.

“Okay, Keith, I wanna get started as soon as I can because, to be honest, I don’t know how long it will take me to finish. You look good today, well rested.” He took out a pale color and a makeup sponge and started to apply it all over my face.

I laughed, “Actually, no I wish, I spent most of my night - um overthinking things.”

“Really, what about?” The way he applies makeup is almost soothing, gently patting a thick, smooth, room temperature cream over my face. However the question made me panic, I didn’t know how to answer I couldn’t just tell him that I was thinking about him, I’m not a person who can lie so I had to find a way to half answer his question.

“Just life, I’m trying to be more social this year well, Allura is making me but she’s right I do need to have friends in my year. Her and Shiro have been the only people I’ve been comfortable talking to for years so it’s kinda hard to not hyper-analyze every interaction I've had recently. Mostly wondering if people actually like me or if they’re just being nice.” I responded.

“ Did Allura have you talk to m- us. Did she make you talk to Hunk, Pidge, and I?” He sounded a bit hurt.

“No, well yes and no. She knew we had all been in the same class for years and that I thought you were cool. So really she just forced me to do something I wanted to do because she knew I was too much of an antisocial baby to do on my own…” I messed up and said the singular you instead of a plural you guys or y’all. I hoped he didn’t pick up on that.

“Aww that’s cute, Keith, you thought I was cool?” He had been gently patting a grayish green color around my face to add depth if I hadn’t had so much makeup on he probably would have seen a bright red blush spread across my cheeks. Zombies don’t get flushed.

“I have no idea what you’re talking about,” I said as I crossed my arms and tried to feign ignorance.

“Wow, you are a terrible actor. It’s okay, I always thought you were cool and mysterious, I was always impressed with your strength. I remember once when nobody was paying attention during set change you started moving the ballroom stairs all by yourself, and yeah it was on wheels but it was also like the size of forty Keith’s so in summary I was in awe,” I was stunned into silence at Lance’s ramble, “of course I was with Nyma at the time so I had to pretend I wasn’t staring at your legs- did I just say that?” Lance had been rambling and I can only assume he forgot it was me that he was talking to.

“Uh, yeah you did say that,” I was really glad this stage makeup was thick and had green undertones. Without it, it would have been extremely obvious just how red I was turning.

“Keith, dude, I’m so sorry just pretend I never said anything…” he sounded upset as if that one statement was going to ruin everything.

I opened my eyes to reassure him that everything was fine and saw how close he was. That entire time I had kept my eyes closed. Suddenly I was utterly aware of how intimate getting your makeup done is. Lance’s arm had been resting on the back of my chair just above my shoulder. He had been leaning over me so close that his face had been about six inches from mine. There we were basically having a staring competition because both of us hadn’t realized how close we actually were until that exact moment. “I mean it’s not like I’ve never stared at your legs before…” I said slowly not fully realizing what I was saying until it was said.

“You two are the biggest gay disasters I’ve ever met!” Pidge suddenly interrupted. Lance swiftly stood up he was both blushing and nervously scratching the back of his head.

“Well, I’m about done so is now a bad time to say that I don’t see my makeup wipes?” Lance fake laughed sort of sounding like he thought I was going to kill him.

“Jesus Christ, does it at least look good?” I’d be more upset if he hadn’t sounded so remorseful.

“I’d say we’ll get an A,” Hunk started, “like if I saw you like that out on the street I’d definitely run in the opposite direction.

“Let’s take some pictures and then we can go to the bathroom and remove all that makeup!” Lance exclaimed. He took out his phone and snapped a variety of pictures some with the flash and some without. “Okay let's go.”

“Slav, Lance forgot his makeup wipes we’re gonna go to the bathroom to clean up!” I shouted and walked out knowing I didn’t need a response. He doesn’t care about things like that.

“Keith, I’m sorry again about forgetting my makeup wipes. I can’t believe of all the things I forgot that. I promise I’ll bring them tomorrow.” Lance apologized again, guilt in his voice.

“Lance, it’s totally alright, you just have to help me get all of this off,” I told him, trying to sound sweet.

“I can do that.” His confidence was restored. He held the bathroom door open for me, “This isn’t going be feel great because we don’t have an actual rag we just have the rough paper towels, soap, and water.” Lance started wetting a paper towel and gently dragged it across my face. There was a silence between, us not an uncomfortable one, but it seemed like there was something the both of us wanted to say. He was the first one to speak up, “Has anyone ever told you how soft your skin is?”

“Only Allura, she’s the only one who’s ever been close enough to me that her touching my face wouldn’t be weird,” I replied honestly.

“Is it weird that I’m touching your face?” I couldn’t read his emotions during his question. It seemed like he was testing the waters, gauging how I would react.

“No, while I don’t know why you’re holding my face right now, it’s undeniably nice.” My mouth had started to speak before I can even process my own thoughts.

“I don’t know why I’m doing it either.” He immediately started cleaning my face off again, “It’s actually coming off easier than expected which is good.”

“That is good because we have a minute until class ends,” I stated.

“Shit, okay, this might hurt a bit I’m sorry!” He was being a lot less gentle with my skin, but in his defense, we didn’t have much time for him to be slow and gentle. “Okay, I think your face is all clean.”

I turned to look in the mirror to mess with my hair and I saw he was staring right at me with a huge grin spread across his face. “Yeah, it looks like you got it all thanks, Lance. Why don’t we head back?” Lance and I rushed back and started gathering up our things.

“Hey Hunk, Pidge, did y’all finish the presentation?” Lance asked them.

“Of course we did, how dare you underestimate us? We are like the smartest people in here.” Pidge responded sassily.

“No, I just wanted to make sure! I would never underestimate you. Not are you just the smartest people in here, Pidge, you are the smartest person I know. You gave me the answer I expected.” Lance said matter-of-factly.

School ends and I am meeting Allura at her car. “Allura, I am in love with this boy. You don’t understand, I’m dying.”

“How can you already be in love with Lance?” Allura questioned.

“He’s the sweetest, funniest, most handsome guy ever! Today he talked about how he admired me before we talked and he like touched my face and I have no idea how any of this happened, but I feel like I deserve cosmic brownies for a month.” I rambled as we got into the car.

“What do you mean he touched your face like that’s so vague and confusing?”

“While he was cleaning the zombie makeup off my face he just like held my face and told me I have soft skin. He also asked if it was weird that he was touching my face, and I was like no it feels nice but I don’t know why you're doing it.” It felt great to finally freak out about that situation to someone. I had to pretend that wasn’t playing on repeat in my head all day.

“So you’re going to make a move on Lance at the party?” She asked.

“I’ve come too far to back down now. It would be weird if I just randomly stopped talking to him. Plus I’d miss talking to him he’s really interesting.” I told her.

“Well, that settles it, when we get home we have to pick out our outfits for the party. We need to make Lance not be able to take his eyes off you.” She sounded super determined.

“Sounds like a plan. Did I tell you he said he stares at my legs?” I asked excitedly.

“No, but now I’ve decided you’re going to wear shorts.”

“Allura, you are an evil genius.”

Allura and I got home and scurried off to our rooms to grab clothing items that might work. The first thing I looked for is a pair of shorts, bright red, high waisted, pleated, almost school uniform type shorts. They reach just past my fingertips and are sort of loose around my thighs. These are the shorts I wear when I want to be noticed, so this is the first time I'll be wearing them besides when I tried them on at the store. Next, I grabbed my favorite pair of fishnets, they have bigger spaces in the netting to show off more skin. Then I looked for a plain shirt, I thought that white would look best so I chose my favorite white T-shirt. It's like a nicer version of any old regular undershirt. The fabric is softer and less stiff it moves and flows easily. Lastly, I grabbed my vintage 80’s denim jacket, it is oversized, light-washed and adds flair to any outfit. I already knew I would be wearing my shiny black doc martins, they're the nicest looking shoes I own and work with the rest of the outfit perfectly. After I grabbed everything I headed over to Allura's room where she sat waiting for me on the bed surrounded in a million different outfit options.

“Alright, Keith let's see what you got.” She said while still sitting on her bed. I slowly handed her each item of clothing and watched as she analyzed each one.

“Also with my doc martin’s I just didn't feel like grabbing them. So, what do you think?” I already knew that this was going to be the perfect outfit to keep Lance’s eyes fixed on me, but I always ask for Allura's opinion. She usually suggests an additional item or switches something making an outfit I never would have thought of.

“Do you know what would go well with this?” she started, “some long necklaces, hold on I have just the thing.” she ran to her bathroom because that's where she keeps all her jewelry. She came back into the room with a long gold necklace with a rose quartz pendant hanging from it. She was right it does go well with the rest of the outfit.

We spent about twenty minutes going through Allura’s outfit options, she is a lot more indecisive than I am about picking the perfect outfit. I have always chosen what was comfortable and sensible. She eventually settled on a pale pink right t-shirt dress with a pair of maroon lace-up knee-high boots. With our outfits picked out we were party ready well, Allura was ready, I however still needed to get better at flirting. Talking with Lance had become easier from spending so much class time with him, but at the party, I had to make my intentions known. My goal had been set I have to directly flirt on Lance.

[scott-magill]

Shadow-Blessed Ep. 10

“At least try it on,” Ruby insisted. She’d been trying to convince me to expand my color selection for the past ten minutes after realizing I was only picking out black and dark grey clothing. 

“Adding other colors would defeat the purpose. The idea is to blend into the shadows as much as possible,” I said. 

“I’m pretty sure your goth meets hipster aesthetic doesn’t blend in. People notice you,” she said. 

“I’m not trying to blend into crowds. It’s easier to hide in the shadows if I’m already wearing the right colors for it,” I explained.

“Magic is out though, soon enough, people won’t blink twice at someone appearing out of nowhere. Besides, it’s not like I’m suggesting you try on pastels or anything,” she said. 

“Fine,” I said. I took the stack of shirts from her. She wasn’t going to let it go, so I figured I’d try to get her to agree to some changes too. “You know that’s not how things are going to be. We’re not going to get to be normal people as the rest of the world gets used to magic. At the end of the day, you and I still have to hide. We don’t know how things are going to change for us. We should do everything we can to minimize how much people notice us.” 

“A girl can dream, can’t she?” 

“What is your dream?” I asked. I was genuinely curious. I didn’t let myself think about the future anymore. At least not past where to go next and how to get money or supplies. 

“What?” she asked. 

“Your dream, that might not be the right word. Do you have a goal or destination in mind?” 

“I hadn’t thought that far out. I’ve been more focused on where I don’t want to end up,” she said. If her pursuer had more limited reach than mine, there might be a way out for her. There was an equivalent to the Coven on every continent, often more than one. No matter where I ran, there was always someone that would hand me over for the right price. 

“You might want to give it some thought this weekend,” I said. If she was going to find some way out and leave me on my own again, I wanted to prepare for it. Despite how new she was in my life, I didn’t like the thought of losing her. Being around her was refreshing. I hadn’t had anyone to care about besides myself in too long. 

She stayed quiet while I tried things on. I didn’t interrupt her thoughts. When we did speak again, we kept the subjects light. I ended up buying more than my usual black and grey. All the colors were so dark that they would blend into the shadows as well. The hotel lobby wasn’t any calmer when we got back. I’d had my reservations about staying when Ruby sprang the convention on me, but I had to admit that it would be easy to lose someone in this crowd. A long hot shower and a new outfit gave me a sunnier disposition. Ruby still seemed distant, though. I couldn’t help feeling responsible for her gloom. I wanted her to take things a bit more seriously, but it didn’t feel right for her to be so sedate. She perked up at the suggestion of going down to check out the vendors. 

The busy lobby was nothing compared to the crowds milling through the booths of memorabilia, merch, and celebrities downstairs. I’d never in my life been around so many people. If Umbra weren’t with me, letting me feel out the energy of everyone in a ten-foot radius of us, I would have been panicking. My anxiety still put me on alert as we moved through the mob. So many of the costumes included weapons, as did a good percent of the booths. The security at the doors was doing their best to ensure that nothing was dangerous, but none of them had been checking for any enchantments. I forced my discomfort down. Umbra’s power was doing a lot to help with that, but we were still new to each other. I wasn’t used to relying on help. 

Ruby’s smile at the tangled mass of fandoms told me her worries were gone as assuredly as any magic could have. Her head never stopped moving as she took it all in. When she turned to face me, a bit of hesitation came into her expression. My stress must have been evident. She grabbed my hand and pulled me out of the throng. She surprised me with how deftly she extricated us from the herd. There wasn’t much free space for people who weren’t moving or perusing the merchandise, but she managed to get us as out of the way as possible. The t-shirt vendors she’d pulled us towards were so busy with actual customers that they didn’t have time to see if we wanted to buy anything. She didn’t let go of my hand. 

“We can go back to the room,” she suggested. I gripped her hand tighter as people jostled us. 

“No. I’m okay.” It wasn’t a lie. This experience was completely foreign to me, but I’d been through worse without breaking down. I’d lost my entire world twice and kept going. I didn’t want to admit defeat here. 

“Are you sure?” she asked. 

“Yeah, but don’t let go if that’s okay?” I asked. She squeezed my hand in reassurance. There wasn’t any romance to it. I didn’t know Ruby’s orientation, but I could tell that she didn’t see me that way which was a relief. It would make traveling together a lot easier if I didn’t have to let her down in that way. She guided me back into the stream of conventioneers. 

Up ahead of us, a crowd was forming. There was palpable excitement in the air. It was clear that we wouldn’t be able to make another escape like the one we just did without using more brute force than would be justifiable or taking a more magical route out. As I was considering that idea, I started to hear some of the excited chatter filtering back to us. The crowd was talking about magic, real magic, at the convention. There were as many people saying it was a cheap stunt pandering to nerd culture as there were exclaiming how excited they were for their turn. The mass pushed us relentlessly forward until we couldn’t go any further. There were multiple queues set up, all leading to a series of tents that lined the entire back wall. The same message scrawled over and over the whole length of it. “Safely Test Your Magic Here.” 

I let go of Ruby’s hand. Her reflexes were fast enough to get a grip on me again immediately. I was looking around for any way out. I was so stupid for not thinking of it before. Of course, the Coven would have a presence here. It served them well. They looked open and welcoming, all while they had enthusiastic new potential recruits rushing toward them. I couldn’t push my way back the way we came, and I hesitated to use magic to escape. No matter who they sent, anyone with the most basic recruiting training would be able to feel a flair of power like the one it would take to get Ruby and me to freedom. She tried to get me to answer her, but I couldn’t even focus on what she was saying. Hers was another voice in the crowd even as she put her other hand on my arm to ensure she wouldn’t lose me. I was still paralyzed with uncertainty when Umbra’s ever-shifting shadow touched someone I recognized all too well. I didn’t think. I reacted. The shadow underfoot of the crowd swallowed Ruby and me. Noises of excitement followed us out of the room, but they were senseless when my mind was so focused on him. Icelus. Ice.

[mewmewchann]

RWBY: Y.v.S - Shatter

As the Battle of Beacon rages on, it seems that the huntsmen have gained the upper hand. But - as an encounter with a high-ranking White Fang member proves - good things never last...

(Once again, sorry about taking really long! Hopefully this chapter was worth the wait...)

(If you have any questions about RWBY: Y.v.S, feel free to ask!)

(And I’d honestly like to see your reactions to the ending XD)

"Running away again?" Adam asked condescendingly, glaring towards Blake’s terrified expression. “Is that what you’ve become, my love? A coward?”

Blake was still in a sense of shock.

“Wh-” She started. “Why are you doing this?”

Adam ignored her and continued.

“You and I were going to change the world, remember?” He began to walk to another area of the room. “We were destined to light the fires of revolution!”

Blake noticed an Atlesian student on the ground. To her horror, she realised that Adam was walking right towards them.

He pinned the student to the floor with his foot and raised his sword.

“...Consider this the spark.”

Before he could attack the student, Blake suddenly charged forward and blocked the attack with her own sword. The student panicked and ran away from them.

Blake glared at Adam.

“I’M. NOT. RUNNING.”

Adam laughed. “YOU WILL.”

He kicked Blake to the ground. A beowolf suddenly charged into the area and leaped towards them, but Adam pulled out his gun and shot it.

“But...” He continued, walking slowly towards her. “Not before you’ve suffered for your betrayal, my love.”

When Adam had started talking again, Blake looked through a window. The outside of the area was starting to be surrounded by beowolves.

“Dead!? What do you mean ‘she’s dead’!?”

“I don’t know!” Neptune answered. “She was pinned by a Grimm, my gun was jammed, Velvet dragged me off, and...” He gestured towards the small puddle of blood.

Sun glanced at it. “That’s unnaturally small for someone who was mauled by a-”

“Shut UP! Stop reminding me about it!”

“Okay! Okay!”

“You aren’t seeing the POINT, Sun!” Neptune turned towards him angrily. “Weiss is dead and it’s all my fault!”

“Look, just because your gun wasn’t working and Velvet dragged you off, that doesn’t mean that it’s your fault.”

“But it-”

“Neptune, you need to get back to the group.” Sun said firmly. “Sulking about it isn’t gonna stop us from losing anyone else. And, uh, besides...We kinda NEED you back there.”

“What? Why?”

“Let’s just say...Dragon.”

“Dragon? What do you mean ‘dragon’?”

“I’ll explain when we get there!” Sun took Neptune by the hand. “Just come on!”

Neptune sighed, and eventually nodded. They both started to run back towards the city.

In the night sky, a Grimm Dragon was soaring through the air. While it was flying, it was spawning more Grimm using black liquid from it’s wings.

From below, someone was haphazardly firing ice dust bullets at it.

“Rose, I don’t think this is a good idea. It’ll only draw it’s attention TOWARDS us!”

“Aw, c’mon, Marina!” Rose replied, continuously firing at the dragon. “Someone needs to fire at it at some point.”

Crimson, who was nearby, added her opinion.

“She has a point. We’ve gotta stop that thing before it does major damage to the city.”

Marina sighed. “Isn’t there a way we could do it so we don’t grab it’s attention?”

“Uh, no, apparently!” Crimson replied.

They were interrupted when someone behind them spoke.

“Maybe I could be of some assistance?”

Crimson suddenly turned around.

“And who the heck are you?”

The person who had spoke was standing on top of a nearby building. He had a blue outfit; consisting of a blue top, a dark-blue vest and trousers, white and blue boots and a white, blue and gold cape. He looked pretty pale and had shining golden eyes. He had short brunette hair which covered his right eye with a semi-messy fringe, and wore a blue, white and gold hat. He was wielding a pair of massive obsidian gauntlets in both hands.

The stranger bowed.

“Mago Lorre of Atlas Academy, at your service.”

“Wait a sec...You’re one of the guys who fought the two guys from Haven in the doubles rounds!” Crimson replied, recognising Mago almost instantly.

Mago nodded, wearing a condescending smirk on his face. “Correct.”

“Okay, allow me to introduce myself.” Crimson started. “I’m-”

“Crimson Foxx. Age: 17. Currently attending Shade Academy and leader of team CLMR.”

“...How do you-”

“Species: Fox Faunus. Weapon: ‘Raging Flame’ - a dagger filled with fire dust. Semblance: The ability to create and manipulate steam to use for smokescreens. Status-”

“Okay, do you mind telling me how you know all of this!?” Crimson sudednly asked.

“Hm? What are you referring to?” Mago answered.

“THAT!”

“What’s going on over here?” Marina asked, running over to Crimson’s side.

“And who the heck is THAT?” Rose seconded, quickly following.

“One of the Atlesian guys from the doubles.” Crimson answered.

“Oh, yeah!” Rose said. “You’re...Uh...Mago-something.”

“Indeed.” Mago answered. “You too are correct, miss Petalle.”

“Waitwhat-”

“Rose Petalle. Age: 14. Also attending Shade Academy and is a member of team CLMR. Species: Human. Weapon: ‘Atomic Heart’ - a hammer/rocket launcher filled with ice dust. Semblance: Cryokinesis. Statu-”

“How the heck are you doing that?” Rose interrupted.

“It must be something to do with his semblance.” Marina guessed. “His semblance must give him the ability to see the basic information of other huntsmen.” She looked over to Mago. “Let’s test this. Try it with me.”

“Okay.” Mago replied with a nod, before reeling off more information.

“Marina Aqua. Age: 12. Is also attending Shade Academy and is also a member of team CLMR. Species: human. Weapon: ‘Tidal Lux’ - A staff filled with water dust that can turn into a compact shotgun. Semblance: Hydrokinesis. Status...” He quickly looked over to Rose, then looked back to Marina. “...Debatable.”

“So,” Marina replied. “Am I right?”

“Yup.” Mago answered nonchalantly. “My semblance is the ability to see the basic information of others.”

“Like the ‘CHECK’ option in a videogame?” Crimson asked.

“Exactly.” Mago replied.

“Wow.” Rose said, impressed. “That’s...Pretty overpowered.”

“Eh, not really.” Mago shrugged. “Most of your semblances add to your attacks and defence. Mine’s is just a way of being able to know things – and that’s only when the person fighting me gives me a chance to actually USE it.”

“Okay, I think we get the idea.” Crimson replied.

“I know.” Mago continued. “Anyway, Rose is right about the dragon and that it needs to be dealt with. But all it’s doing right now is flying around and spawning more Grimm. It isn’t attacking us directly.”

Crimson looked over towards the dragon. “Yeah, you’re actually right.” She said. “It even looks like it’s flying away towards somewhere else...”

“Exactly. But the majority of the Grimm are in the centre of the city, and we also have the White Fang and rogue Atlesian robots to deal with.”

“Um...” Rose started. “What?”

“Long story short, the real fight’s over there.”

“Oh. Okay.”

“Wait,” Marina said. “You just came here to take us there?”

“Nope.” Mago replied. “We did.”

As soon as he said it, someone suddenly joined him on the building.

He wore a blue outfit, a purple set of armour and a purple cape. He held a spiked longsword in his right hand – the blade of which was golden with purple highlights and had a ruby embedded at the bottom of it. He had blue hair, and his face was partly concealed with a silver mask.

“These guys causing you trouble, Mago?” He asked.

“Nah, Metta.” Mago replied. “I’m just helping them. Are Tayren and Galaxy in the city?”

“Yup.” Metta nodded. “Tayren’s taking out pretty much every Grimm that they see.”

Mago laughed. “They’ve always had a flair for fighting...”

“Wait a second!” Rose said, recognising Mago’s teammate. “You’re the other guy!”

“Oh, allow me to introduce myself.” He replied. “Metta Naito.”

“Okay, now that we’re together,” Mago stated. “Let’s go kill some Grimm.”

He led the way towards the city. Metta followed his team leader pretty quickly, and the two both disappeared into the shadows.

“Okay, how they left was pretty cool.” Crimson said. “Let’s go, guys!”

The three chased after them towards the city.

“I admit,” Roman said, condescendingly twirling his cane around. “You’ve got some spirit, red!”

Ruby was near the edge of the ship. Neo and Roman had given her quite a fight, and her scythe attacks seemed to be doing nothing against the duo.

“Without these ships,” Ruby started, breathlessly. “The Grimm will destroy everything! What do you get out of this!?”

“What do I get?” Roman replied. “Well, I can’t afford to lose!”

Ruby charged at him, but Neo parried her attack with a spin-kick. She was nearly sent over the edge of the ship, but managed to lodge her scythe into the edge at the last minute.

“Well, I may be a gambling man, but everyone knows that there are bets that you just can’t take.”

A thin, sharp blade suddenly protruded from the top of Neo’s umbrella. She began to approach Ruby with her weapon ready.

“Like it or not,” Roman continued, as his colleague was going towards Ruby. “The people I’m working for are gonna change the world! You can’t stop ‘em! I can’t stop ‘em!”

When Neo reached the edge of the ship, she pointed her umbrella blade in Ruby’s general direction.

But when Neo reached her, Ruby noticed there was a button on the side of Neo’s umbrella. Guessing almost immediately what it does, she began to reach towards it.

“Well, you know the old saying: If you can’t beat ‘em, cheat-”

Before Roman could finish, Ruby had pressed the button.

Neo’s umbrella suddenly opened. With a gasp of surprise, Neo’s umbrella was caught by the wind and she was sent flying over the edge of the ship.

“NEO!” Roman desperately called out. Ruby had managed to climb back onto the ship, but had left her scythe lodged in it’s side.

“You’re wrong, Torchwick.” She said. “They aren’t unstoppable. We will beat them!”

She charged towards him.

“BET ON THA-”

But before she could attack him, Ruby was knocked back by a bullet from Roman’s cane.

Far above them, a Nevermore had noticed something below it and started to fly towards it.

"You think you're the young heroine who could save the world someday!?” Roman said, walking towards her. “Grow up, kid!”

He hit Ruby with his cane, knocking her to the ground.

“The world is full of hate and hurt!” He continued, hitting her again. He prepared his cane for another attack, but Ruby kicked him backwards. He got back up, and continued talking.

“Do kids like you REALLY think they can make a living going around saving people?” He said. “I turned to crime, 'cause it's the better way to go! So you do your hero thing! As for me...I'll do what I do best! Lie! Steal! Cheat! AND SURVI-”

But before he could finish, a Nevermore suddenly flew down and swallowed him whole.

Ruby watched in shock and surprise as the Nevermore spread it’s wings and cawed at her. She came to her senses, grabbed her scythe and shot it towards the back of the ship.

The Nevermore crashed into the ship’s back, causing part of the ship to explode.

Okay, gotta get out of here...Ruby thought.

But before she could leave, she heard something moving at the back of the ship.

She turned around.

Then something jumped out from the rubble of the explosion, six swords hovering around it in mid air.

Crap! It’s Penny! Ruby realised.

Penny landed on part of the ship and sprinted towards Ruby.

As she felt the ship malfunction and start to fall out of the air, Ruby jumped off of the ship and into the night sky.

“Are we almost there!? It feels like we’ve been parkouring over these buildings for hours!”

“We’ve only been ‘parkouring’ for a few minutes, miss Foxx. And we are pretty close.”

Mago and Metta had been jumping and backflipping over building after building, and even the usually agile Crimson was having trouble catching up to the pair.

“Can we at least stop for a bit!?” She asked, landing on a building’s roof.

Mago, who had landed gracefully on the building ahead of her, turned to face the fox faunus.

“We can’t afford to slow down too much.” He said sternly. “The others in the city need our help.”

Metta swiftly landed on the same building as Mago and added his input. “Despite what Mags and I know about them, I doubt that Galaxy and Tayren can fight on their own for any longer.”

Rose and Marina had arrived on the same building as Crimson.

“Can you two at least tell us if we’re close!?” Rose exclaimed.

Mago smirked. “Well, let’s just say you’re in luck. We’ll be there in a few more jumps.”

“Good.” Marina replied. “We can’t leave the others to fend off the Grimm on their own forever.”

“Wait,” Crimson started. “Instead of jumping across the buildings, can’t we just go down to the streets and run there?”

“But with that,” Mago answered. “Comes the possibility of encountering more Grimm. And we can’t waste our auras on the journey.”

“True,” Rose replied. “But it does use less energy if we run past the Grimm as opposed to jumping over them.”

Mago glanced over to Metta, who nodded.

Mago sighed. “Okay, we’ll stop building-jumping for now.”

The three of them leapt from the building onto the street and began to run back to the city. After a short period of running, an Ursa leapt down from a ledge semi-constructed out of rubble to intercept the group.

“SEE!?” Mago exclaimed, gesturing towards the monster. “I TOLD you we’d only run into more Grimm!”

“Oh, shut your condescending mouth!” Crimson replied. “We don’t have to FIGHT the thing!”

“Actually, it’s blocking our path, and will most likely chase or grab us if we try to run past it.” Metta explained. “So, yeah. We kinda do.”

Crimson growled annoyedly, and readied her sword. “Okay, fine. We’ll just have to-”

Before she could finish, a white steel blade – which seemed to be connected to other small pieces of white steel – suddenly pierced through the Ursa from behind. The Ursa flailed it’s claws helplessly for a moment, before going limp and starting to disintegrate.

Mago looked over to Metta. “You don’t think…?”

Metta nodded, and smiled. “It is.”

As the Grimm disintegrated, it’s attacker was revealed behind it.

It was a huntress. She had dark red eyes and long, flowing pink hair – secured with a gold clip in the shape of a star. She was wearing a dark leather jacket over a white top, dark navy jeans and pink and dark gray shoes. And – most likely for style – she was wearing a pink necklace in the shape of a star.

Metta smirked knowingly at the girl.

“Thanks for saving us, Galaxy.”

The girl smiled back, retracting her whip-like weapon back to the form of a lance. “You cannot keep out of trouble, can you, brother?”

“Wait, BROTHER!?” Crimson started.

“Oh, right. I forgot to introduce you.” Metta said, turning to face the rest of the group. “This is my sister, Galaxy Naito.”

“She’s also our teammate.” Mago added.

“It’s nice to meet you all.” Galaxy said respectfully.

“Uh, yeah.” Rose replied. “Pleasure to meet you!”

“Wait a second.” Marina said. “If there’s you, Metta and Galaxy; then who’s the fourth?”

“Fourth?”

“Your fourth teammate.”

“Oh, don’t worry about them.” Galaxy replied nonchalantly. “They’ll be here any second now...”

After Galaxy had said this, a Griffon jumped out behind her.

“Aaaaand...Now.”

Suddenly, six disembodied robotic hands flew out from behind the Griffon and grabbed it’s wings.

“Wha-!?” Crimson started.

“Don’t worry,” Galaxy said. “Sit back and watch.”

Four of the robotic hands pinned the Grimm to the ground. The other two swiftly flew towards it’s head, folded into knives and dropped downwards, finishing the monster off.

When the Grimm had fully disintegrated, the user of these weapons finally walked forward.

They had [pale skin, short white hair and a pair of golden goggles on their fringe so they won’t cover their eyes – one of which being lilac and the other being dark purple. They were wearing a green and purple outfit and had six arms.

They walked forwards. The weapons – the two knives turning back into their hand forms – flew back to them.

“Whoa...” Rose said, impressed. “Who IS that?”

“Our fourth and final teammate.” Mago answered. “Tayren Zara.”

“Tayren, huh?” Rose said. “Uh, sorry if I’m being rude, but are you a boy or a-”

“Nope.” Tayren replied. “I don’t do pronouns.”

“Oh! Sorry, I-”

“Don’t worry about it!” Tayren said reassuringly. “A lot of people get mixed up when meeting me for the first time.”

“Okay,” Crimson started. “So it’s Mago, Galaxy, Metta and Tayren...M...G...M...T-”

“I actually use the initial from my last name.” Metta said.

“Oh. Alright. M...G...N...T. You’re team MGNT!”

“Yup.” Mago nodded. “It’s pronounced ‘Magenta’. We are team MGNT of Atlas Academy.”

Crimson was impressed by the Atlesians, and her teammates felt the same.

“Hold up,” Metta said suddenly. “Tayren, Galaxy – what are you two doing here?”

“Well,” Galaxy answered. “Tayren and I were fighting a few Nevermores back in the city, and they suggested that we come to get you two, because you had been gone from the city for a while.”

Tayren nodded. “And it appears that you brought back company.”

“Yeah, I had decided to go after the dragon.” Crimson replied. “Then Mago came and suggested we head back to the city to help the others. And besides, we can’t leave Luce on his own for too long.”

“’Luce’?” Tayren asked quizzically.

“My teammate. Or, more specifically, our teammate.”

Tayren nodded. “You need to get back to them. Let’s go.”

Team MGNT began to run back to the city, with Crimson, Marina and Rose closely following behind them.

Yang was lucky that Coco had found her earlier. She had given her more bullets so she can reload her weapons, and Yang was now taking out Grimm after Grimm with Ember Celica, with the unnaturally soothing ambience of Coco’s machine gun firing in the background.

“I think the rest of my team are up that way.” Coco said, gesturing over to a direction.

“You suggesting we go there?”

“They could need our help.” Her machine gun retracted back to it’s handbag form. “Besides, there’s not much Grimm left here.”

Yang nodded in understanding and followed Coco through the city, being wary of any Grimm that would cross their path.

They found Velvet before long. Or, more accurately, Velvet found them.

“There you are!” She said, holding a hard-light copy of Jaune’s sword and shield.

“Are you okay?” Coco asked. “Where’s the others?”

“We’re fine.” Yatsuhashi added from across the area.

“We’re also right here.” A nearby Fox seconded.

“And I’m here too!” Someone standing on the side of a building said.

“And who are you?” Coco asked.

“Lucifer Graye.” Lucifer answered. “And I assume you’re the leader of this team.”

Coco smirked. “How could you tell?”

“I asked the tall one.”

“Oh.”

“And it appears you have Yang with you.” Fox said.

“I found her a while ago.” Coco explained. “She looked like she was having trouble, so I helped her, gave her some spare bullets – she had run out of ammo – and lead her here.”

“Uh...” Yang started awkwardly. “Hey, guys!”

“Hey.” Fox responded.

“There’s no time for nonsense.” Yatsuhashi said. “By the looks of things, that dragon is getting closer and closer to the tower.”

He gestured in the general direction of the sky, where the dragon was slowly circling the large city.

“It wasn’t being that much of a threat earlier...” Lucifer said. “Crimson, Rose and Marina decided to try and go after it while it wasn’t doing anything, but they’ve been gone for-”

“Hey!” Crimson’s voice called out from behind.

“Speak of the devil. Where the hell have you three been?”

Lucifer leapt down from the building’s side to meet his teammates, who were closely followed by team MGNT.

“Well, some guys from Atlas figured that it’ll be better if we were back here.” Crimson replied.

“I can see that.” Lucifer answered, looking over at the Atlesian team.

“Look, we have no time to waste!” Tayren said. “That dragon’s most likely spawning more Grimm as we speak! And we still have the White Fang to deal with-”

“I can deal with the Fang.” Marina added. “I actually think I killed one of their main lieutenants...”

“Wait, you killed someone?”

“Doesn’t matter. Continue.”

“Oookay...Anyway, with the Grimm AND the White Fang, we loads of lives on the line!”

“Yeah,” Velvet seconded. “We can’t have a repeat of what happened with Weiss!”

“Exactly! We-”

“Wait.” Yang interrupted Tayren and glanced quizzically at Velvet. “...What happened to Weiss?”

“Uh...” Velvet started uncomfortably. “She’s-”

Suddenly a Nevermore landed nearby the group, cutting Velvet off.

“Huh. That Nevermore interrupted her before she could say anything.” Mago said nonchalantly. “Should we call this an instance of Deus Ex Machina or shouldn’t we?”

“Mago, now isn’t the time! Galaxy said, readying her lance.

But before any of them could attack the Grimm, it’s wings were suddenly sliced off and a laser beam ripped through it’s head with a flash.

Mago recognised who the attacker was almost instantly.

“Oh, I never thought I’d see YOU again since the doubles!” He said with a laugh. “Isn’t that right, mister Aya-”

“Shut up, you should at least be grateful that I killed the Grimm for you.”

“Okay fine, feisty.”

“Wait...” Yang realised who Mago was talking to. “Sage!?”

“Yup.” Mago responded. “The guy from Mistral who can stop time. Aaand...” He paused for a minute. “Looks like he brought some more guys from his team.”

“How could you tell?” Metta asked.

“Come on, everyone knows that strength is greater in numbers.”

Just as Mago had predicted, Sun and Neptune were close behind.

“See?” Mago said. “Told you.”

“Looks like the majority of the others are back here.” Sage said.

“Well,” Neptune added. “Except for team JN-”

A Griffon flew past them, but someone jumped into the air and smacked it out of the sky with a pink and gray hammer.

“...I stand corrected. Anyway, it looks like almost everyone’s here.”

“Wait...” Sun started. “What about Ruby?”

“Me, Fox and team CLMR helped her in the arena.” Velvet answered.

Crimson nodded. “Yeah, and then she went after a robot, so don’t worry about her.”

“Okay, so we have Ruby...Yang...” Sun muttered to himself.

“Anyway,” Neptune continued. “While Sage and Sun and I were on the way here, I had an idea that I thought-”

“Wait a second!” Sun interrupted. “Where’s Blake!?”

“Sun, I’m kind of in the middle of-”

“We have to make sure we don’t lose anyone else! Where is she!?”

Everyone was eerily silent for a while, before Fox answered him.

“Weiss said where she was a few minutes ago.” He said, gesturing in the direction that Weiss had pointed out moments before. “She went that way.”

Without saying anything, Sun ran off in the direction Fox had pointed out.

“Sun, WAIT!” Neptune called out, but he had already left.

“This could have been OUR day! Can’t you see that!?”

“I never wanted this!” Blake said, getting out her weapons. “I wanted equality! I wanted peace!”

She tried to shoot Adam with her weapon, but he blocked it with his sword – which was glowing more with each shot.

“What you want,” Adam withdrew his sword. “Is IMPOSSIBLE!”

He slapped Blake across the face, and she was knocked to the ground.

“But I understand.” He continued, walking towards her. “Because all I want...Is YOU, Blake.”

Blake desperately readied Gambol Shroud, but Adam kicked it out of her hand.

“And as I set out upon this world and deliver the justice mankind so greatly deserves,” He knelt down to her, wearing a condescending smirk. “I will make it my mission to destroy EVERYTHING you love.”

Blake was almost ready for Adam to kill her, when all of a sudden, they both heard something.

“BLAKE!”

Blake and Adam suddenly turned towards the direction of the interruption.

What was there was the last thing Blake wanted to see.

It was Sun. He was outside the building fighting a Beowolf. After pushing the Grimm away with his staff, he called out for her again.

“BLAKE, WHERE ARE YOU!?”

Blake’s eyes widened in horror. No, no, no…

Adam noticed Blake’s horrified expression and, not taking his gaze off of Sun – who didn’t seem to notice them – said:

“...Starting with him.”

Blake gasped and grabbed Adam by the leg to stop him. Adam barely noticed, and shoved her off.

“But first...Let’s try getting his attention.”

Adam readied his sword, and stabbed Blake near the abdomen with it.

“Gah!” She cried out, immediately catching Sun’s attention.

“Huh!?” He turned around to see Adam removing his sword and preparing it again with a smirk.

His confused expression turned to pure rage. “Leave her ALONE!”

“No...” Blake said desperately. “Please...”

Without waiting a single second, Sun immediately reformed his staff into nunchucks and leapt towards Adam to attack.

Unfortunately, Adam was anticipating this.

He flipped his sword out and, before Blake could object, stabbed him with it.

Everything was silent.

Blood was pouring off of Adam’s sword. Without saying anything, Adam made a swinging motion with his weapon and threw Sun to the side.

Blake’s eyes were widened in horror. She wasn’t able to do anything.

“SUN!!!!!!!!!!”

[shiningforvixx]

170512 - VIXX 백일몽 Concert (6VIXX)

A couple weeks before the concert I posted on the VIXX fancafe to see if anyone wanted to go to the concert with me because all my friends are either not in the country or have other friends they’d probably be going with. I had two responses, one from a Chinese girl, and one from a girl from Jeju. The Chinese girl and I planned to go to the first day of the concerts together.

When the concert goods list first came out, nothing really caught my eye, but I was curious about the yet-to-be-revealed album goods. Because of this, and the fact that I was going to the concert for 3 days, I decided to take my time and have lunch before going to the concert venue.

I met up with the Chinese girl, I’ll call her Nana, and we went for lunch. It was neat because we were both talking in our non-native tongue, Korean, and luckily we got along well. (Although, she is as much and N fan as I am a Leo fan, so it was hard for me to squeal about Leo haha)

We wandered over to the concert venue and got in line for goods some time around 2:45. The goods booth opened at 3. As we inched forward in line, goods started selling out on at a time, so by the time I got to the front, there was nothing left that I wanted. Oops. For some reason I expected them to have prepared enough goods, or that they would have enough on the first day. But alas, I was mistaken. After having stood in line for about 2 hours, Nana and I decided to come on basically the first train the next day so we could get the goods we didn’t get. (I’ll write about that story on the next fan account.)

People were giving things out here and there, but I don’t really need more fan goods. There was a sticker set that I wanted, but I never got. But oh well. There wasn’t really much time before the concert (especially because I had to line up for standing), so we went to find a bathroom. I don’t know if this is anything anyone cares about, but I always try to find the least crowded bathroom because I would rather walk farther and wait less. So we ended up finding a sort of hidden bathroom, which usually had only a short wait, if any. Every time I went there, I would tell a person or few who were waiting in a long bathroom line about it.

Anyway, I stored my bag in the storage area and got in line. It was at this point that I said something in Korean to the girl sitting next to me about switching places when we stood up (because of our ticket numbers). Turns out she wasn’t Korean and she asked me if I knew English. Haha. So we chatted a bit, and it turned out she was from Singapore. We decided to stand together during the concert and chatted a bit as we sat there and once we went inside.

(OMG it’s already this long and the concert hasn’t even started yetㅠㅠ)

Before the concert, they played VIXX MVs on the big screens, and we had fun singing along and screaming at certain parts (Superhero and the 도원경 teaser in particular).

So, I wrote down what I remembered of the setlist, and I think I got it mostly? But I could be wrong, so don’t trust me 100%.

They opened with Fantasy, which I honestly suspected they would because it is so epic (and of course I love it!). They were wearing beautiful white outfits (I’m sure there are pictures somewhere). They followed up with Desperate, which is also such a jam. Next they performed B.O.D.Y..

Then they came down to the front stage to do opening comments, and they are just the most precious and I love them, okay? (As I sit here writing this, I’m finding that I remember like 1% of what they said and that makes me sad.) Then they did Dynamite, and they did 늪 next. There was a girl and the beginning, and Leo smirked before he went to go touch/dance with her, and I died in that moment.

They left the stage and a VCR played. It was so lovely and cute. Each member was all boyfriendy and perfect. N was sitting across from a girl and was going to give her a pendant. (The girl was sort of the audience in all of them.) Leo was so smiley and refreshing. His smile was all teeth and crescent eyes. He brushed the girl’s hair back out of her face. Ken was giving the girl a bouquet of white roses painted blue around the edges. Ravi was playfully giving the girl a mug of coffee. Hongbin was playing guitar and serenading her. Hyuk was giving her a Macaron. After these cute things, everything broke into pieces basically. Each scene lost its color and went black and white and was really sadㅠㅠ

After the VCR, they were back with those shirts that shimmer with two colors. They were black and red. FIrst they performed Good Night & Good Morning, then Romance is Over. They followed along in the same sad vein with Sad Ending.

Ken and Hongbin left the stage and the remaining four members chatted with us so those two could prepare for their solo stages. Hyuk led the comments by pointing out Ken’s absence, saying that Ken would usually be saying something about “우이 뵬뷫 애기들”(our Storlyght babies) at that point. Ravi was chosen as most awkward while trying to be romantic in the VCR. Then N made Leo smile for us like he did in the video. The first time we got a fraction of a second long smile before he showed the crown of his head. The second time was a tiny bit longer before he turned his back on us. Poor kid. Then the rest of them had to each smile at us sweetly. (I think? I know N did…)

Also, I can’t recall during which comment time this was, but I’ll pretend it was here for now;; N had a tear high up in his inseam of his pants, so the Starlights near the stage pointed it out to him. He played it off well, and didn’t act concerned about it, even joked about it a bit. (But I think he was a little embarrassed personally.)

Hongbin sang a song in his low voice and totally killed it!! I didn’t catch the title or who it was by because I’m a loser, but it fit his voice really beautifully and showcased his vocals without trying o add frills like dancing or anything. So proud of this kid!

Next was Ken’s solo stage, and it was really cool. It was sort of chic, and there was umbrella choreography (for the backup dancers) that gave it a wonderful aesthetic. (His song was called “So Romantic”.)

Last, Hyuk sang 안아줄게, and it was so beautiful! I love that song anyway, but hearing it live and with a band was a whole other level of perfection. When he came down to the closer stage and took off his jacket! And he jumped in perfect timing with a confetti explosion! Our baby has come so far!

The next VCR was probably the coolest. Each member had a different concept, and it was like an epic walk down memory lane. Hongbin did Hyde, Ken did On and On(?), Leo did Voodoo, Ravi did Chained Up, Hyuk did Fantasy, and N did 도원경. So what song do you think they did next??

The entire audience screamed so loud for 도원경. I screamed so hard that I hurt my back, hahaha. Ahhhh, it was so cool! I’m not an expert with dancing or choreography, but it is so gorgeous. The fans! And their outfits! Like, the suits with a bit of a hanbok-esque flair! So gorgeous. I really loved when the lights went out sort of and you could only see their silhouettes. To. Die. For.

I was sort of hoping they'd do Into the Void because I liked the snippet in the highlight medley, but it looks like blackout is the accompanying song this time. It is a little scandalous. I think everyone is gonna have a great time with it. Like this one part where they grab the shoulder of the person in front of them and all sink to the ground, sliding their leg out? Yeah, you’re going to like it. And there is some (near?) crotch grabbing. It’s not super in your face, but it's there.

This is when they stopped for another comment time. They had tassels hanging down on one side of their outfits that swung around, and of course they were hitting each other during the break. They brought out a fake cake and did a little event where we sang “Happy Birthday” for their 5th anniversary. Then they sang Thank You for Being Born, and we all sang it with them.

In the middle of the song, the music stopped, and the lights went out. Then they each said a little something about it having been 5 years since their debut. They all cried/choked up and couldn't really talk, except for Ravi and Leo, when they were giving individual comments. It started with Ken who could barely talk, and that was just so hard to see. Then Hongbin was also teary as he spoke. Ravi was composed as he spoke, but then it was N’s turn. I was doing mostly okay until I saw N cry, but N crying is like the saddest thing. He’s usually such a ray of sunshine that when he cries, even out of happy emotions, it’s really hard to watch. So this was when the tears really started prickling my eyes, but then the stupid tears escaped when I saw Hyuk cry. Hyuk crying is even more unexpected than N crying. Our baby. He usually acts so nonchalant that I just couldn’t hold back when he cried. (There were also quite a few Starlights around me crying at this point.)

At the end, Leo was all dry-eyed, which wa probably good because if leo was crying too, I would have probably started bawling.

They came down to the closer stage to finish the song and then sang Love Letter. Leo and N left the stage before the song was over to get ready for their solo stages.

Leo did a song he composed himself (again) called Up in the Sky. It was so intense and sexy. Like, Trap was sexy last year, but this was sexy because of him and him alone as compared to him plus sexy girls fawning over him. (My biggest question is when are we going to be able to throw money at thes songs they are composing. I need them in my life.) Leo’s shirt was that loose puffy white kind similar to the kind N for his Elysium solo stage combined with his signature tight ripped jeans. Somehow he kept ending up on his knees during the song and doing these leg movements that were really bad for my poor little heart.

Next, N did a super awesome modern-oriental dance that he put together with an amazing song from the OST of King and the Clown (인연 by 이선희). Go check it out because it is an amazing song! It will give you a taste of the beauty that was his stage. I think there was another song too? Like a mix or something? I’m no expert haha. (Granted there are probably some fancams around as well.) N had a cover tied over his mouth at first. He untied it and used it like a cool wavy scarf thing. (So great at descriptions, right?) He had extensions in his hair, which I’m not sure how I feel about, but I will grant that having the long hair fit his look. (I’ll let you go find pics of him because his costume was stunning!)

I literally couldn't do more than stare for 90line's performances though. Like other people were screaming their lungs out and I stood there with my mouth slightly open like an idiot. Of course, I screamed at the end, but they were so unbelievably breathtaking.

Ravi performed a rap he had written that again had that sort of modern-oriental feel. (It’s the song he spoiled on Instagram.) Ravi always has such a blast performing his solo songs that I can’t help but have fun right along with him.

The next VCR was just a compilation of shots from the Utopia and Elysium concerts. Then they came out and did original versions of On and On and Hyde in military-esque outfits reminiscent of The Closer.

After those two songs, they had another comment time. N said the reason they did original versions of On and On and Hyde was that Ravi's suggested it so we could all fell how it felt back when they first did them. They then each talked about their solo stages. Leo composed his own. Ravi composed his own and Ken’s. Hyuk asked Ravi when the 2nd Memory would be because of Ravi having composed the song for ken. It seemed like they were all sort of fighting over Ravi.

As I suspected because of their outfits, they then performed The Closer followed by Love Me DO. After a cool dance break, they took of their jackets and came down to the front stage to perform Chained Up. (Before the song started, they all unbuttoned the top couple buttons of their shirts, and Leo was struggling with it for a second, haha)

Then they did their “last” talking segment and all the Starlights were making sad sounds about it being over already. Also freaking Leo kept totally reading right of the prompter (during every comment time when he had to speak). One time he was supposed to talk here he was spaced out, and literally everyone laughed at him including himself. His excuse was that N and Ken were doing a hand flipping thing that distracted him...Granted, they were, buutttttt still. Also, at that point Leo had rolled up his sleeves and omfg akfbdbqdndhdksbvahsj. His forearms were there. That’s all.

They finished up with Eternity and Voodoo Doll before leaving us. The audience was all chanting 사랑해 together for a really long time, and it was cool because the staff in charge of controlling what our lightsticks were doing were playing along. They would change the vibrations and flashing as we chanted.

Finally, VIXX came out for their encore, and started with Starlight. Then they ran around with Time Machine, and even had a little choreography for us to do with out lightsticks (which I didn’t learn until the next day to be honest, haha). Last they did Love Equation, and no one wanted to say goodbye, but eventually the concert was over.

Whew! I did it! I forgot a lot, and rushed at the end, but I did it! The next two days will be a lot shorter because a lot of what happened was generally the same.