#cannot believe he had it run on ants from the beginning for the sole purpose of eventually making this pun (yes I can)

[just7frogsinapeoplesuit]

I'm rereading Hogfather for the first time in probably 15 years and I. Cannot believe I missed all the jokes about Hex the first time around. The "anthill inside" sticker. The ram skulls. The small religious pictures. Christ

Whoever made that post about rereading Discworld novels making you go "damn you Terry" while shaking your first at the sky, you get it

[gwydionae]

The One Behind the Curtain

Who is behind the TVA, and what is Renslayer's deal? These are two questions I have seen and heard a lot of people asking before the finale episode, and I, like everyone else, have got some thoughts on both.

Let's start with Renslayer. We know she is working with someone other than Mobius based on the various trophies he doesn't recognize (note: even a variant Mobius would count as "someone other than Mobius" in this case, just to be clear). On top of that, she obviously knows more than the average TVA worker as she knew about them all being variants and that pruned individuals don't actually die. She also didn't seem too surprised at the fact that the Time Keepers were androids and claims she wants to find out who is really behind the TVA. This seems to be genuine. She did state as much to Sylvie, but the fact that she then talked with Miss Minutes alone, asking for the files from the beginning of the TVA in order to protect the people responsible for creating it, is what really implies that this is true. If she did already know their identities, there would be no reason to keep up the act with only Miss Minutes around to hear.

So what is her goal? I don't think she wants to destroy the TVA like Sylvie otherwise she'd actually try and work with her. Instead she is keeping everything running as she's supposed to, claiming the TVA "needs stability" to Hunter B-15. But she wants the answer to who's behind it all for some reason, and my guess is that she's trying to find out the information for someone else, someone she's working for. Perhaps someone who brings her snow globes and pens. If I had to guess, she was sent on this mission by someone who knew of the TVA and wanted to rule in place of whoever is currently running it. Maybe they knew that variants were taken as workers, having her do something to get taken in. And even if she may have forgotten for a time (as Mobius and B-15 forgot their past lives), knowing that everyone is a variant would imply that she knows about her own past now, and she remembers what she's supposed to do. And with all this time having built herself up as a trusted worker, she is now making her move.

Maybe that's even why Sylvie was able to get away from her so easily as a child. Maybe she allowed her to, hoping that Sylvie could be the catalyst to her own plan someday. It could explain why Renslayer seemed so hesitant to send Mobius to Roxxcart to stop Sylvie and the real reason she was kept alive after being caught on Lamentis-1 to instead be executed in front of the Time Keepers, a fact both Sylvie and Loki find strange.

Speaking of Mobius, her conversations with him, especially in episode 4, feel off, and not just because he is starting to have doubts. Her reaction to having him pruned is that of genuine loss, so I believe that she was indeed trying to protect Mobius from finding out the truth, or at least from finding it out in a way that would turn him against her. She asks him about where he would go if he could go anywhere, and he states that he likes being there with her, doing the work. And then when she goes on her speech about how their friendship is uncommon, she focuses in on fighting to keep their relationship, only very quickly at the end adding a line about the importance of the Sacred Timeline. I think this shows that she does genuinely see the two of them as friends and wants him on her side, the Sacred Timeline more of an afterthought. I believe this is the reason that he gets invited to oversee Loki and Sylvie's pruning. I think she wants Sylvie to expose the false Time Keepers, and she wants Mobius to be there to witness it with her so that he can join her in her secret mission, sparing him from whatever fate may befall him otherwise. Mobius finding out the truth from Loki and siding with him, however, puts an end to all of that.

There is also one other character that Renslayer has some interactions with that I find strange - Miss Minutes. First, Miss Minutes is the one to offer up the lie about the void ship when Sylvie says that she has no more need for Renslayer. Renslayer doesn't instantly try to talk her way out of it, but Miss Minutes does, lying and buying them time until the Minutemen arrive. This makes me wonder if Miss Minutes suspects that Renslayer does know of a way to get past the void and didn't want her to be intimidated into giving up such information. After all, it would be strange if the only way to get past Alioth was by going to the void and enchanting him. My second point stems from this, and that's Miss Minutes' reaction to Renslayer asking for all the files on the founding of the TVA after talking with Hunter B-15. She doesn't immediately go to find the files, instead simply stating that it's a "mighty tall order". Renslayer is the top of the TVA workforce food chain - if Miss Minutes is hesitating to give her information, it seems likely that it's because she doesn't trust her. I'll talk about this a bit more later, but this seems to support the idea that Renslayer is hiding something from the TVA itself.

With all that said about Renslayer, let's look at the question of who is behind the TVA.  There are two theories that seem the most prevalent: 1.) another version of Loki and 2.) Kang. As Kang has connections to Renslayer in the comics, let's start there. I don't know anything about Kang personally, but I have heard a lot about him from the comic-reading fans watching this show. And, yeah, it does seem like there are a lot of Kang connections, not to mention the fact that he's confirmed the villain of the next Ant-Man movie. So why DON'T I think it's Kang?

Well, for one, all of these connections are things that people who haven't read the comics would never have caught on their own. Had I not heard all the theories about him, I would never be able to look back on the season and notice the solely comic-based breadcrumbs hinting at his inclusion. And that's not good storytelling. Introducing someone as important as him in episode 6 would just be jarring at this point.

But saying all that, I do think all of those tie-ins are there on purpose. I believe that Kang does have a role in the series, but it's less "main villain" and more "ominous shadow", and rather than Kang himself, we will deal with the one living in that shadow. To put it simply, I think that Kang is the one who sent Renslayer to find out who is behind the TVA.

For one, Kang and Renslayer have a relationship in the comics, so it makes sense for them to have a connection here, especially since he's a confirmed upcoming entity in the MCU. For two, he is someone who wants to rule time, so it makes sense that the TVA would be in his way of that. And for three, apparently the big cloud thing, Alioth, in episode 5 actually acts as a sort of obstacle or even rival for Kang in the comics, making its use here as the "guard dog" of the true creators of the TVA feel very symbolic and purposeful, if perhaps severely toned down. So, yeah, I think that Kang wants to overthrow whoever is behind the TVA so he can rule it and therefore bend all of time to his will. So I believe that he does have connections in this series, but I don't think he is currently running the TVA. I also don't think we'd see more than maybe a glimpse of him at the very end, in perhaps a teaser à la Thanos in the first Avengers movie if anything. Instead the focus will be on Renslayer - as it was with Loki in "The Avengers". This would set him up for Ant-Man without actually ruining anything for that movie or making "Loki" a 100% necessary watch beforehand, something I don't think Marvel would want to do with their new TV show format just yet.

The other often theorized secret head of the TVA is a version of Loki. I admittedly cannot wrap my head around how this could work, especially after episode 5. If you want to argue that one similar to President Loki, for example, would probably create the TVA simply because he wants to rule all, then my only response is that we've just seen that. Why have a character like that introduced - and made fun of - right before introducing another one in the finale? How would that be satisfying to see again? Just because he'd be less silly doesn't mean he'd be any more interesting or compelling after seeing President Loki get his hand bitten off by an alligator. So going the "evil" Loki route would seem like a retread.

But going for a more "noble" version doesn't work either. Whoever is behind the TVA clearly wants all Lokis to be alone, not allowing them to ever change to be a good person. You could make the argument that this is because it makes everyone around him better, and such things are needed for the greater good, but then you have Classic Loki's story. He got pruned long after he was supposed to because he dared to want to see Thor again, after he had already served his purpose in the Sacred Timeline. What would the harm be in letting him return after Thor had done what he needed to do? It feels like the person overseeing this timeline is genuinely against Lokis having connections. Why would a "noble" version of Loki do that to other versions of himself even after Thor and the rest of the Avengers have matured to the point of being able to defeat Thanos? It just winds up feeling cruel in that instance, and that doesn't sound "noble" at all. So having a Loki be at the end of all this just doesn't seem to fit, in my opinion.

Ok, so if not Loki or Kang, then who? As I mentioned with Kang, it would be weird to just introduce someone completely new in the very last episode that hasn't even been hinted at yet. So it would have to be someone we've either met or have heard about already. I have seen speculation about Mobius or even Sylvie thrown around, but neither of these would fit what we know of the characters without a huge out-of-left-field twist (or variants of said characters, which I suppose shouldn't be ruled out, but just seems unnecessarily convoluted, but it IS Marvel, so...).

So who's left? There doesn't seem to be a lot of options to fill this role out of the people we've already met. But there IS someone running a lot of things within the TVA that we have seen several times now and I've already noted has acted a little odd. Whether as a joke or not, I have seen others throw out Miss Minutes as a possibility, and I have to say that she is the character I am currently leaning most towards.

Does that mean that I think Miss Minutes created the TVA? No, I don't. But I do think she is currently running it. I believe that someone - possibly the original Time Keepers - created her in order to help them run everything, either in case something happened to them or just simply as an extra hand. From here I believe there are two possibilities. Either the original creators died, and Miss Minutes has dutifully been carrying on their work as she was created to do, or said creators, for one reason or another, decided that the "Sacred Timeline" was a concept they no longer believed in and Miss Minutes - who was programmed specifically to uphold said timeline - decided that the creators needed to be disposed of in order to keep fulfilling her duties. Either way, without them, Miss Minutes would need help to continue her work, and so she would start employing variants for that purpose, all the time keeping up the appearance of "Time Keepers" in a very "Wizard of Oz"/man-behind-the-curtain scenario. This would mean that the identity of the original creators wouldn't be important, because the one stealing the lives of variants and employing them against their will would be Miss Minutes herself. So no one new would have to be introduced at the last minute in order for the audience to feel satisfied with the overthrowing of the TVA, Miss Minutes and Renslayer both having antagonistic parts to play.

I could obviously be very wrong on all of this. Maybe Renslayer herself wants to take over the TVA and Miss Minutes is nothing more than a cute, animated helper. Maybe it is simply another Loki variant heading the TVA. Whatever the outcome, as long as it's pulled off well, I'll be satisfied. But it's fun to theorize and see what does ultimately fit the Sacred MCU Timeline and what winds up just a heartfelt, fanmade variant.

[thewhiterabbit42]

The Problem

Pairing: Gabriel x Reader

Summary:  A confrontation leads to unexpected outcomes.  

Word Count: Almost 1200

Written for: @blondecoffeecake for my 500 Follower Celebration 

***Please do not repost or copy my work to any other site without my written permission.  Giving credit does NOT count.  Reblogging is ok.***

Gif submitted:

 You have no idea what Gabriel’s problem is, but it’s clear his pants are tied way tighter than usual.  Instead of the fun loving, mischievous trickster you’ve come to know, he is full of snark and sass that bites more than it elicits any real amusement.  The worst thing about it, is most of it seems to be focused on you.

You wouldn’t say the two of you are close.  He normally prefers your company over the Winchesters, though you have a sneaking suspicion that’s because you have a pair of breasts and are far more receptive to his flirting.  Lately, however, it’s as if the sight of you rubs him wrong way, and everything about him noticeably grows stiffer, more sardonic, and far more angelic (aka dick like).  

Whatever his issue is, you’re sick of it.  You’re sick of his attitude.  Sick of the jabs.  Sick of him.  So the moment Sam and Dean step out to grab a burger, leaving you with the glowering archangel, you decide you’ve had it.  

“What is your problem?”  You demand.  

For a moment he just stares up at you from where he’s sitting on the couch, looking like not only is this the last place on earth he wants to be, but you are the worst person he could be left with.  

“Don’t worry, sweets,” the way the nickname comes out, it is not a term of endearment.  “I won’t bother you anymore.”

“Oh hell no,” you hiss, striding forward, your legs nearly ramming into the coffee table in your haste.  You were ready to leap over it and tackle the damn man, if need be, to prevent him from leaving.  It was time to settle this.  

“You are not going anywhere until you tell me what is wrong.”

His eyes burn bright with something too intense to recognize beyond the hardened edges of his cynicism and sarcasm.  “You sure you want me to answer that?”

His question catches you off guard, making you comb back over the last few weeks, looking for clues.  You still don’t have any insight into the sudden shift in his behavior or why you bear the brunt of his anger.  You don’t recall acting any different than usual, and the only thing you’d noticed on his end was how suddenly novel it was for him to up the ante with your flirtations and really push those careful lines the two of you have in place.  

“I asked.” You try to pull back the snark from your tone.  Bottom line is, no matter how much of an ass he could be, he is still one of the few beings you have a connection with.  You’re not certain you could call him friend, or that he’d ever consider you to be more than just something to amuse himself with, but there’s something there.  Enough to trust that when it really comes down to it, he’d have your back, and despite his panties being in a knot lately, he’s continued to protect you when you’ve needed it.  

Something shifts in his gaze, slowly trickling over into his demeanor.  Purpose, pure and potent, begins to pour from gold, spilling over into his body.  His movements carry with them a quality you are not used to seeing.  The way he pushes up from the couch, stare locked with yours, shoulders giving the slightest roll, it’s all very primal, and for the first time ever he looks like the archangel he is.   

“You want to know what it is that has me so worked up?”  His question borders on a threat, a predatory stalk entering his gait as he steps around the table toward you.  

You’re not used to the dominant air swirling around him, and your instincts have you moving, trying to preserve the gap between the two of you.  Every step he takes has you taking one away, until your back hits the wall and you’re no longer able to go anywhere.  

He continues closer, hands coming up on each side of you as he cages you in place. Your heart is hammering so fast and hard, there’s a dizzying rush of blood that has you reeling.  Or maybe it’s the electricity tingling across the tiny gap between your bodies that has you on the verge of hyperventilating.  

You don’t know what to expect him to say, but what comes out of his mouth has the world grinding to a halt.

“I can’t stop thinking about you,” he begins, that familiar frustration in his tone suddenly containing several layers of sentiments.  “Whenever you’re around, I can’t take my eyes off you. I can’t think straight.  I can’t breathe…”

Your own breath freezes as you realize what it is he’s confessing, and your tongue darts out nervously across your lip because you have no idea what to do with any of that information.  His eyes drop to the movement, drawn closer by the sight of it.

“I can’t stop wondering what taste you carry on your tongue or across your skin.  I want to explore every curve, every dip, every father damn inch of you,” his eyes flick up, lips so close his breath flutters over yours.  “I want to know what you feel like, pressed against me, to feel you shake beneath my touch, to know what it’s like to be inside you…”

You swallow, eyes wide, like a deer caught in headlights as you system goes into overdrive imagining what all that would be like.      

“And I want to know what it feels like to have you next to me at night.  To have my name be the first thing to fall from your lips as I pleasure you awake.  I want you.  All of you.  And it’s driving me insane.”

There’s a part of you that recognizes, this is it.  This is the only moment you will get with him.  He has laid it all out for you, which cannot be easy for someone like him.  Whatever you decide is final, because there is no room for shades of gray within that hard line of absoluteness that runs along the rim of gold.  

Your hands shake, your nerves thrumming, unable to believe that something like him could ever be this infatuated with someone like you.  The look in his eyes confirms it, and by the time you lay a hand against his cheek, your fingers have found enough confidence to stay still.  His eyes shut, and he takes in a slow, shuddering breath as you tenderly caress him with your thumb.

“So why don’t we get our own room and you can find all that out?” You suggest.  

His eyes snap back open, amber wide with disbelief before everything melts and becomes molten.  That devious smile returns, one you haven’t seen in weeks, and it brings as much relief as it does a heady rush of anticipation when you realize, like his irritation, it is solely fixed on you.  

“You’re wish is my command,” he tells you, and the room he snaps you both to exceeds all expectations, as does the rest of the evening.