#cat walker analysis

[bklily]

I fully agree, he belongs in the "oops, all trauma!" box. But who's gonna have the courage to put him there.

-

jokes aside like ok im about to go on a rant about Cat Walker

we joke about chat blanc being the scariest one and all but i actually think Cat Walker is easily the most disturbing persona of Adrien. To me personally

like sure Chat Blanc represents a lot of his anger and rage and abandonment. and Claw Noir does that too only in color and lipstick. but Cat Walker being the literal representation of Adriens ability to just, repress himself on command. to just shut off a huge part of his identity (Chat Noir) for what he fully believed to be forever. and easily start acting like a completely different person (Cat Walker) is so. incredibly disturbing to me.

like yeah the episode frames it lightheartedly but the IMPLICATIONS ARE THERE.

cat walker stares at the fact Adrien is so willing to abandon himself, to replace himself in people's lives, to stand by ladybug as a completely different person because thats what he believes she wants from him, to easily live behind layers and layers of masks, and he simply goes "i choose to not perceive that" and i think thats fucking wild man.

so yes, he does entirely belong in the box, but he sure as hell aint gonna admit it, because his whole thing is being the representation of Adrien's repression and covering up his problems. He's not gonna admit he has a problem. So if you try to stage a coup, YOU'RE going in the box, bucko.

[wackus-bonkus-maximus]

Same anon who just asked about why you placed Adrien as a 7 instead of a 2, only to look deeper in the reblogs of your ML enneagram post and see you already answered it haha!

In friendly defense of 2!Adrien, I’d argue that his reactions to being stressed coming off as more of a 7 rather than a 2 is actually a perfect reflection of the effects of his abuse; it’s fear that drives his non-confrontation tendencies rather his own nature. I think Risk highlighted that a bit in revealing how Adrien does desire confrontation, even if he doesn’t act on it.

(I have always found it interesting to consider the role that trauma/neurodivergency plays in shaping a character’s personality, since it’s one of the flaws I feel most personality assessments can’t really account for.)

I also think Chat’s arguments with LB were more like to be confrontational than avoidant (thinking of the times he’s called her out and his romantic pursuit being the primary indicators), up until she became the Guardian. So then with S4, I’d consider it to be a gradual relationship shift that leads to Chat no longer feeling safe and secure enough in his position to confront her the way he once did, which is why he only tries a bit in Kuro Neko before running, and then doesn’t try at all in Strikeback.

I hope this doesn’t come off as too preachy or anything, just wanted to share my 2¢! Cause either way you slice it, your Adrien has always been brilliantly written and incredibly in-character to me, so you’ve clearly got a rock solid understanding of his character. ❤️

hello november anon and sorry for the delay! thank you so much for the ask and also for going back and looking through my prev posts. you know my teacher heart loves it when you do the readings! 😌 also you're definitely not the only one who believes adrien is a 2 rather than a 7! and while i know there are good arguments for both sides, i'll explain in depth my position on adrien's personality.

part 1 of the ask:

so here are the reasons i think adrien IS an enneagram type 7

adrien's motivation seems like that of a 7 to me: he wants to experience everything and be satisfied in every way he can. if he had a disney princess "i want" song, it would be "i want to go to school, i want to make friends, i want adventure in the great wide somewhere., i want to have fun."

the literal first shot of him in the show (if we use origins as a starting point) is adrien running away. nathalie asks him to please reconsider, he knows what his father wants, and adrien says, "but this is what i want to do." according to the enneagram institute, "sevens do not see themselves as the center of a community or family, but as members of a free-floating band of fellow adventurers whose own enjoyment is enhanced by being with others." going to school and having a new experience with new people is what's going to enhance adrien's enjoyment of life - not being the center of his family unit or the apple of his father's eye.

a 2's motivation would be to be as loved as possible and to make themselves neeed by those they most care about. while adrien definitely shows a desire to be loved and needed, especially by ladybug, i think his primary desire is for experience, and it's this from which all his actions- not just characteristics - are based. take for example his reaction to getting his miraculous vs marinette's (also in origins):

adrien is excited and intrigued and ready to go, as a 7 would be when offered a new experience - and a new way to satisfy their desire to try everything. marinette, as a 1, is quite the opposite: she is being put in a situation where she must do something right or fail, and therefore is stressed tf out. while marinette's motivation to be good/perfect fuels her anxious reaction, adrien's motivation to experience everything and be satisfied fuels his thrilled and slightly reckless reaction. that's why he charges out into battle without listening to all the instructions; his motivation was to escape the restraints of his life and try something new.

in growth, enneagram 7's take on the positive traits of 5's. in stress, they take on the negative traits of 1's. i have seen adrien exhibit these behaviors throughout the show on many occasions!

according to the enneagram institute, "Sevens have fear about their inner world. There are feelings of pain, loss, deprivation, and general anxiety that Sevens would like to stay clear of as much as possible. To cope with these feelings, Sevens keep their minds occupied with exciting possibilities and options— as long as they have something stimulating to anticipate, Sevens feel that they can distract themselves from their fears." therefore, while one can argue that adrien's wealth of knowledge and fun facts is a result of everything gabriel has forced him to learn (mandarin, piano, fencing, medieval horse colors), we can assume he at least was interested in it - and that seeking new knowledge like a 5 kept him from lingering in his sadness.

"i'll help you learn mandarin marinette" "i'll show you how to fence marinette" "most people think henry iv's white horse was white my lady" "do you need subtitles my lady i speak several languages"

now as to how adrien moves to the low parts of type 1 during the show: i think the main examples of this are the instances he adopts rigid, critical, and judgemental characteristics, which is potentially unpleasant for anyone who has to be around him.

first up, adrien's akumatized forms: chat blanc, ephemeral, celesticat

i bring up the akumas because, though adrien isn't in his right mind (by hawkmoth's akumas), they are examples of adrien being in extreme stress.

as chat blanc, adrien wants to either right the world or destroy it for being wrong - the critical supreme judgement an unhealthy 1 is capable of. he lashes out when contradicted, and is quite ruthless even to marinette, who he loves, in the name of executing judgement.

as ephemeral, adrien seeks to control time. (however, this is probably the weakest example because adrien was being amok-controlled in this instance and was acting on shadow moth's will, not his own.)

i include celesticat because while this is an example of a "good" akumatization, adrien was still under so much stress that an akumatization was able to take place. yet even while being in "good" stress, adrien still shows characteristics of 1: perfectionism, righteousness, taking control of the situation. he literally turns into a pure white angelic being, an embodiment of perfection. it's what he believes he has to do in order to salvage the situation. it's one of the more healthier moves from 7 to 1 i have seen depicted in media and is entirely plausible concept under the enneagram's theory! this just goes to show the depth and richness of his character.

next, we will discuss adrien's various alter egos:

cat walker

i've said it before and i'll say it again; cat walker is another move from 7 -> 1.

as chat noir, adrien is at the height of his 7-ness. he enjoys the freedom that his miraculous powers and secret identity gives him, and uses it as a means of escape from the regular constraints of his life and obligations. then in kuro neko when ladybug slights him, she denies him the fulfilment and satisfaction in reaching his full potential as chat noir (e.g., being of equal importance on the team as her) that he should be allowed. of course he becomes hurt and angry! she's stepping on his core desire in life.

according to enneagram coach dr. tom lahue (my favorite enneagram guy ((also a 7)), "type 7's typically deal with anger by trying to avoid it or deflect it. that really is the anger type of a 7 - deflective. deflecting things away." that's what i believe cat walker is: a stress reaction, a deflection of his anger with ladybug. he deflects his painful emotions into something he thinks is positive; a new start.

adrien is usually so joyful and optimistic, but this was a huge blow for him. dr. tom says the best way for a 7 to handle this anger is to be "real and genuine" when coming to terms with it, what does adrien do instead? he turns to a new alter ego. he chases the experience of fulfillment, only he does so by adopting a persona who is serious and perfectionist. obviously this was neither what adrien or ladybug needed, and that is because cat walker is a stress reaction who adrien cannot sustain without continued levels of unhealthy self-denial. this is the hardest he has gone to 1 in the show and what it took to snap him out of it was a level of reflection, analysis, and objectivity (that this was an unhealthy behavior) indicative of a type 5 - and which shows his progression to growth.

2. aspik

one can argue that aspik is more proof of adrien being a 2 than a 7 actually, as his motivations for becoming aspik were to woo ladybug. however, the stress response of a type 2 is to move to the negative qualities of type 8, which is to lash out at those who they believe have taken them for granted.

according to the enneagram institute,

"Average to unhealthy Twos seek validation of their worth by obeying their superego’s demands to sacrifice themselves for others. They believe they must always put others first and be loving and unselfish if they want to get love. The problem is that “putting others first” makes Twos secretly angry and resentful, feelings they work hard to repress or deny. Nevertheless, they eventually erupt in various ways, disrupting Twos’ relationships and revealing the inauthenticity of many of the average to unhealthy Two’s claims about themselves and the depth of their “love.”

as aspik, adrien was never resentful of ladybug for taking him for granted or making him feel rejected. as aspik, his goal was never to make himself needed by her. as aspik, he maintained some extreme levels of optimism that ignored the rational conclusion that he should give up for several thousand time loops. as aspik, he was able to let go and displace his hopes in himself to someone else - and run off to his responsibility as chat noir with high spirits (though i'm sure the ladrien kiss helped)

3. griffe noire

this has got to be the most stressful stress reaction i've seen on adrien. and you might say "but wackus he looks nothing like a type 1" and i say "JUST HOLD ON

going back to dr. tom's analysis on type 7's in anger, he says, "7's typically express their anger indirectly, e.g., through sarcasm, like 5's - like 6's sometimes... but they quickly try to move on and reframe into a more positive way." griffe noire, rather than telling jokes and puns to lighten the mood, mocks and ridicules poor toxinelle who has not convinced me she doesn't have a crush on him. 1's actually do the same thing when they are unhealthy; they criticize and blame and nag others for not being up to par, and by directing his anger at his situation onto toxinelle, griffe noire is doing the same.

dr tom goes on to say, "in some cases [7's] might take impulsive actions to try to free themselves from this feeling of being trapped... engaging in frenetic escapism in behaviors or addictions or substances to try to distance themselves from those who are frustrated with them... or their own anger/pain in life." we have seen griffe noire engage in multiple frenetic behaviors while running amok (haha), all of which are clearly attempts to redirect his pain and anger/ keep it from consuming him. for example, griffe noire takes chat noir's cataclysm to the chest as though it's a game. for another, he openly threatens to destroy the entire world with his super cataclysm. and of course, he is constantly abusing his miraculous by over-exerting his powers in a way only adults should. yet all of these destructive behaviors are still adrien's way of escaping his normal life, and his everyday pain. it's almost like his self-destruction is his addiction.

and yet by the end, it took the introspection of type 5 for griffe noire to realize that his behavior was unhealthy. he observed, he listened, he showed an inquisitiveness that brought him back from the brink. and he also upgraded his outfit so if that isn't a type 7 path to growth i don't know what is!

now i know i won't have convinced everybody, so i just want to drop this section from the enneagram institute's text on misidentifying 2's and 7's:

Although both types are gregarious and enjoy being with people, their interpersonal styles are noticeably different. The Two... would like to be the heart and soul of a family or community, the best friend or confidant everyone comes to for attention, advice, and approval. Twos want to be significant to others and on intimate terms with them, although sometimes they go too far, meddling too much and being too solicitous to make sure they are needed.

adrien is not focused on being needed by anybody, not even ladybug (although due to his romantic interest in her, i can understand why people think so). being the heart and soul of the team is not what motivates him; primarily, i think he just likes having all the experiences he wouldn't otherwise get to have without being chat noir.

By contrast... Sevens do not see themselves as the center of a community or family, but as members of a free-floating band of fellow adventurers whose own enjoyment is enhanced by being with others.... Sevens may thus exhibit a certain generosity, although their motives may well have less to do with helping needier friends than with making sure that they themselves have a good time by having others around.

this isn't to say that adrien is just focused on having a "good time." i see that his enjoyment is amplified when he is surrounded by people he loves and cares for. he is motivated to have good experiences, and be fulfilled by trying everything, and becoming close to people and forming loving relationships is just a happy byproduct of that.

now there ARE several caveats to my analysis which provide potential arguments against typing adrien as a 7 - and which i can touch on briefly before i close:

adrien's abuse: i understand that trauma and anxiety can affect personality deeply. i'm not qualified to speak on this, or on how it should or shouldn't affect any personality type. i can only say that i think adrien has acted pretty consistently under stress as far as the show depicts

inconsistent characterization: i think we can all agree that ml won't be winning any awards for its consistency in characterization. which i know sounds contradictory to what i just said about how it depicts adrien under stress, but i think there IS a lot of discrepancy in this show and over the course of 9 years with different teams of writers all trying to execute one person's vision, inconsistencies are bound to happen.

thank you again for the ask, anon, and thank YOU if you have read all the way through! tell me your thoughts, if you make it down here - whether you agree/disagree or are just nodding along and letting me indulge in my enneagram brainrot! this is an entirely in-good-faith interpretation of mine, and i'd love to see other opinions if you have them!

[galahadwilder]

Please do so I would love that

The one thing I have about Loveywalker as an AU is that the whole thing is sparked by Ladybug deciding, fuck it, I’m in love with Chat Noir, right? So it throws me off every time she’s portrayed as being in love with Catwalker. Like eventually I can see it but I feel like at first she’d be like “you are not my cat where is my cat!”

[barrenclan]

god the last issue was absolutely gutwrenching

all the visceral emotions

but i gotta say i absolutely adore that last panel i LOVE when the blood and gore is only slightly visible, leaving the rest up to the imagination

I very much wanted to leave Asphodelpaw's actual body only implied! Actually, Pearl Walker in the fridge wrote this incredible analysis based on Asphodelpaw's state of decomposition, which kinda rocked me if I'm being honest. I'll put it under the cut, and seriously, CW: graphic discussion of the decay process, decomposition, and dead bodies.

"Based on the blood still being (a slightly desaturated) red and there only being, like, one bottlefly on her, I’m gonna assume she’s in her second state of decomposition, bloat. The body begins to digest itself, excreting gases that cause the body and limbs to swell up and bloat. If you see the position she died in, her right (the side of her body touching the ground) paw is perpendicular to the ground. In this scene, her right paw is facing up, having turned about 90° counterclockwise. Unless Rainhaze flipped her body over to be back-down face-up (I imagine he killed her and just numbly walked away tbh), you could easily read this as her body having shifted/swollen slightly due to being in this stage of decay.

What’s significant about this being true, that she is in this stage of decay…is that it’s absolutely horrifying to look at. It would mean that her body, while still completely recognizable and intact, is swollen and discolored. At this point, a corpse also smells horrible, like imagine the smell of rotten meat combined with the smell of feces and vomit and blood and make it more intense. Notice how the patrol cats are looking at different areas. My interpretation is predicated on how I am interpreting the position her body is in, which is face up with the paw we see being the closest thing to them. Pinepaw is looking at her death wound, a lot of them are looking at her body, Plumstripe is vomiting (potentially implying that it does indeed smell putrid), and Slugpelt is looking at her face. At this stage, her eyes (if they haven’t been eaten by scavengers, as eyes are the first to go) are probably bulging/swollen. Like, the face has all of the soft squishy stuff that bugs go for/has all of the orifices that stuff can be pushed out of."

Thanks, Pearl! Horrifying

[ihavetoomanyocsdealwithit]

Stone Heart AU:

The theory that the 7 statues are simply the petrified great 7, trapped in stone for 1,000 years. Yuu, being a magic user that can use the old magic, is capable of setting them free. But how have they changed after their stories were told, and what did they learn? It is roughly in chronological order, but sometimes I add little extra scenes. I simply let the muses take me when I have the time. Should be able to go down the list in order or check the ao3:

Story on Ao3

General theory

Scar: Part I Part II Part III Part IV

Queen of hearts: Part 1 Part II Part III

Story: Azul

Ursula: Part I Part II

Jafar: Part 1 Part II Part III Post Overblot

Maleficent:

Queen Grimhilde:

Hades:

Dark Mirror Academy AU:

Yuu graduates from NRC with an understanding of how privileged it is to learn magic. Several years down the line, she creates an academy where those who do not have enough magical potential or are considered too old for traditional colleges may go to learn. These are their students and their stories:

W. Right AU:

A Yuu OC who absorbs the ink from the phantom blots to finish their portraits and stories, allowing them to finally pass on into the next life. It comes at a heavy price though. Walker was able to save everybody else from their overblots, but can they save him from his own? And can it even be called that when his overblot isn't made from ink, but thinner?

General summary

The first Overblot

RSA Corruption AU:

NRC has seven overblots. At the same time, Cass, a student who shouldn't be at RSA, helps seven other students through their overblots. Students who others would never suspect.

Neige Le Blanche: part 1 Part 2

Fortune de Ante:

Prince Rielle

General fluff, stories or analysis:

Unexpected things you did that delight them

The audacity to ask a question

Reasons I would marry Ruggie

Rook Hunt x Reader

Asking Malleus to marry you

Twist Boys try Drag

Moments the boys fall in love with Yuu

Analysis pieces:

Grim the Cat-Sith

Azul as a former fat kid: analysis

Rook Hunt

Riddle: King of Heartslabyul

[fantasyfantasygames]

Unlimited Fantasy, Second Edition

Unlimited Fantasy Second Edition, Eternal Autumn Games, 2006

Back when I reviewed Monster Wrangler I mentioned a game with 150 classes. That game was the first edition of Unlimited Fantasy (UF), published in 1996. It was a slimmed-down D&D-alike (well, slimmer on rules anyway) that threw together all kinds of very interesting classes into some unfortunately ill-defined, overlapping, and occasionally unnecessary niches. The classes filled the whole scatter plot with Interesting-to-Boring on one axis and Overpowered-to-Counterproductive on the other.

I was going to write a review of UF, but it turns out that there's a 2nd edition that's much more interesting. In some ways it's a completely different game, because instead of being a D&D1e knockoff it's an alternative PHB along the lines of Arcana Evolved or True20. It streamlines the rules a little, which is good because it needs space for all 120 classes, most of which did not appear in the previous set.

So - d20 System, usual six stats, 20 levels, HP/AC/BAB/etc, you know the drill get to the interesting part - what are the classes? Here's a sample:

Acrobat

Anemone Warrior

Cat Priest

City Walker

Death Cultist

Detonator

End-Timer

Freedom Seeker

God-Throne

Indigo Magus

Mountain-at-Arms

Queen of Rats

Time Monk

Unattainable

Whisper Shadow

The biggest problem, of course, is analysis paralysis when making your character.

The class balance is surprisingly good. It's not like I played every class, but someone clearly has. It's honestly better than D&D3.5 - everything is the equivalent of Tier 2 or 3 in the classic tier list. However, a lot depends on the GM. If you're not playing a game that involves the Shadow Realm, playing a Blue Shadow Devil is not going to be very helpful. If you're outside the Ring Cities, there's no point in being a Ring Eminence Oracle, because your powers only work there. It helps that spell lists are much more focused.

The setting is detailed mostly through the classes themselves. It's a nigh-apocalyptic fantasy setting with smatterings of Victorian steampunk, Mad Max, and Shanara. If you're a GM who likes piecing together settings like a puzzle, or who's happy dropping a bunch of miscellaneous info into your own world, this will be fun. Someone looking for a detailed setting or NPCs who are more than a name and position will be disappointed.

The art is almost entirely class images. There's also the cover, an inner front cover, a back piece, and a few color plates in the center. No incidental art. The styles match well, but they're a bit more cartoonish and amateur than I enjoy.

If you can pick it up used, it's fun to read a few classes. Eternal Autumn Games shuttered their doors after printing this and getting curb-stomped by D&D4e a year and a half later.

[pisoprano]

Agree 100% with everything you’ve said.

I think some of the ambiguity of the Ladywalker ship is that for Adrien, he’s usually treating the situation like it’s Ladrien (be polite boy that Ladybug doesn’t know) ; for Marinette, it’s more complicated and can be Ladrien or Ladynoir or a Third Thing (a guy who is like Adrien but is not him, a guy who is like Chat but is not him, a guy without world-ending baggage but who won’t ever let her in). There are a lot of nuances to explore and there isn’t really much consensus on what their dynamic is supposed to be yet since it can be so dependent on what the writer wants to do with it—“I’m just borrowing the cat miraculous today” and “Chat is gone because [reasons] and now I’m replacing him” lead to very different character interactions. And yet, I still can identify a Ladywalker flavor that can only come out from the identities layering on top of each other like this. It’s kinda like how Ladyblanc is so similar to Ladynoir, but because Chat Blanc has something seriously wrong with him, it makes their ship play out in a different dynamic than when he’s Chat Noir. With Catwalker, there’s also enough of a change in his behavior that we should likewise recognize this version of Adrien as a different side of the love square.

ladywalker

[almadesarrollo]

KURONEKO SHORT AND QUICK POST BY FELINETTE AND FELIX

Quickly stopped by here to write something simple, short and basic, it was recently 2 years since Kuroneko was released, one of the best episodes of season 4.

I see that many people comment that when the Catwalker designs came out they said that they thought it was Felix, because logically his design is very British, but then when the chapter came out a lot of them were like that.

Here I return to the fray to clarify several things.

First of all, you are all RIGHT!!!! THIS IS ACTUALLY FÉLIX THAT'S WHY IT HAS THAT AESTHETIC AND THAT ENGLISH AIR, SO CALM AND A DESIGN MORE OF THOSE REGIONS.

But as I have already explained several times, Miraculous gives clues through other characters and this is one of those cases, they have chosen Adrien to explain a little to Felix and his dynamic with Ladybug when he is her partner and of course because with Adrien it is a total chaos.

This chapter would be confirming to us that Félix is going to be a chatnoir, whether permanently or temporarily, but there will be a chapter dedicated to this, because if not, this chapter itself would not make sense to do so.

There are several clues, for example, the chapter is titled kuroneko, which means black cat in Japanese, kagami is Japanese, so it takes us directly to feligami and feliX. Another clue is his aesthetic, for example, Chat Walker has argos green hair, which would not be confirming that he is actually Felix.

Now the million dollar doubt? What will the dynamic be like between Ladybug and Felix when he has the ring, because for this you just have to look at the chapter itself, you judge, it says a lot, right? hahaha

but there is a slight difference and that is that it is not quite like that.

If we look closely at Felix's character, he really is not as much of a prince as Adrien, but he has an elegant bearing, so he would be the mix between that elegance, that use of a cool and focused head, serious and intelligent, and his touch. mischievous, and of course above all fair and brave.

This last facet, if you look closely, is used with Ladybug/Marinette.

For me the perfect mix. the perfect chatnoir and this is why the dynamic with Félix IS GOING TO WORK DIFFERENT FROM THIS CHAPTER WITH ADRIEN, since Adrien is too much of a child, so much so that he is not worth it as a superhero and with what I say I fall short but well, now We will talk about this in another post.

FINAL CONCLUSION: This chapter helps us discover that Felix will be the perfect chat noir and companion for Ladybug and Adrien, what works and what doesn't, and what their dynamic will be like, which may even be better at the shipp level.

[to finish this post, the chapter gives clues about what his wardrobe will be like when he has the cat's miraculous, if you want a more detailed analysis of what FELIX will be like BEING CHATNOIR BOTH ON AN AESTHETIC LEVEL AND IN PERSONALITY, PUT IT IN THE COMMENTS]

like, follow me, reblock for more content OF this type, see you in future posts

[gunnrblze]

Hey gunn, long time no see ^^

I’m dropping a quick song here because it makes me froth at the mouth every time I hear it and I need someone to share it with. And my thoughts. 💀

1914 - Florist

Specifically the “please remember to feed the cat, please remember that I’m never coming back.” Ugh.

Very Walker brothers coded, but also just so sibling coded and I think that’s why it pains me so much. Older and younger; the eldest being the role model but also the first to be sacrificed for everything. Being forced to pick up the pieces, both for themself and the youngest. Taking the brunt of their parents’ anger and every punishment. The youngest looking up to the oldest, yet still outshining them. They love their older sibling and would do anything for them, no questions asked. Not understanding why the eldest seems to resent them a little more every year. And the gap just keeps growing bigger. And the youngest starts to convince themself they’re a burden to the oldest, that they’re a hinderance and annoyance. Because why else would their older sibling hate them?

Drifting apart until the only thing left is memory. And eventually even the memories will be forgotten.

sorry for the ramble this song just gives me so many thoughts…

- cold blooded

Cold blooded, my beloved! I was just thinking about you and here you go FUCKING ME UP WITH THIS! (╥_╥)

Veryyy Walker brothers coded. “And you were born right next to me” yea I’ll cry rn lol. Analysis is gold everytime, darling. Thank you for another recommendation! 💋 *sobbing*

[sjsmith56]

The Cruelest Animal, Chapter 20 - Eyes of the Father

Summary: In the 24 hours taken since the kidnapping to assemble their forces, the Avengers learn that Tommy has been taken by the Power Broker, while Lacey has been sold to human traffickers. Splitting their force in two, Bucky leads the team staying in New York, finding out where the traffickers are based and attacking them.

Length: 5.1K

Characters: Bucky, Terry, John Walker, assorted Avengers.

Warning: Details of human trafficking and its effects on its victims, violence causing injury.

Author notes: Human traffickers come in all shapes and forms and are often indistinguishable from regular co-workers or neighbours. The ones in this story are Russian-based and are not intended to be representative of the typical criminal type.

<<Chapter 19

🏨 🏙️

"We have good news and bad news," said Fury when he resumed the briefing.  "We have located where Lacey Chapman and her son were taken after their kidnapping.   Thanks to a picture that Carter provided to taunt us Bucky Barnes noticed a logo on a coffee cup linked to a specific coffee kiosk in Greenwich Village.  Using satellite footage we were able to identify the arrival of our kidnap victims to a location in the Village on the same day of the kidnapping.  Barnes also pointed out his belief that the memory suppression machine in the photo had been used on Miss Chapman.  Our analysis concurred with that belief.  Yesterday afternoon that machine was dismantled and removed piece by piece from the premises.  Miss Chapman was seen leaving in the custody of individuals associated with Russian mafia human traffickers.  Young Tommy was seen in the custody of Miss Carter as she also left the premises.  They are no longer in the Greenwich Village location."

Bucky's lip curled.  They had missed their chance while assembling their team.  Several people touched his shoulder in support and he took a deep breath.  Fury looked directly at him and gave him a grim smile.

"We believe that Carter has taken the boy to Madripoor, where her base of power is," he stated.  "The memory machine has likely been transported there as well.  We are going to send select individuals there with nano masks to infiltrate Carter's base of operations.  Cap has been there before and will be heading up that team.  Barnes will be heading up the team that will locate Miss Chapman.  We have identified two of the men who were with her when she left the Greenwich Village location."  He looked up at the screen.  "Sergei Dendrov, and Anatoly Maksimov are both high ranking members of Black Cat, the trafficking arm of the Black Dog mafia.  They both have eye tattoos on their hands which is indicative of them watching their prey."

Bucky stood up.  "Dendrov is one of the men who attempted to find a flash drive in Lacey's house in 2014," he said.  "At that time he also recognized me as the Soldier meaning that Black Cat were providing subjects for HYDRA experimentation and had access to their facilities.  It's likely he has been planning to abduct Lacey since then, although the FBI arrested him in 2014.  I put a knife through his palm in subduing him so I'm sure he remembers her very well."

"That may be a fair assessment," said Fury.  "He disappeared during the Blip and was accidentally released upon his reappearance due to the confusion at the time.  He immediately went underground.  We do know that the current incarnation of Black Cat take their captives to the docks, keeping them in a shipping container until they have enough numbers to be profitable.  The container is usually transferred to a Russian registered cargo ship and they are transported over to be slaves, or put into the Eastern European sex trade.  It's a filthy business and we wish to shut them down completely and for good.  If you have a preference for which team you're on now's your opportunity.  Team Cap will stay here.  Team Barnes will reconvene in another location which Miss Hill will lead you to."

Sam and Bucky both stood up and gave each other a pound shake then Bucky followed Hill to another briefing room.  He was followed by Walker, Torres, Belova, Van Dyne, Bishop, Parker and Ayo.  When they entered the next briefing room Hill also stayed.  Terry Williams walked in a moment later.  Walker eyed Ayo nervously when she sat next to him, while she gazed at him impassively.

"We are on the same team, John Walker," she said in her serious voice.  "You have nothing to fear from me."

Bucky stood in front of them and breathed out before speaking.  "I have some memories of the viciousness of the Russian traffickers from when I was the Winter Soldier," he said quietly.  "They are cruel to their captives.  Physical punishment is a given and they will not hesitate to mentally intimidate them into complete submission.  Lacey, having her memory wiped, will be at their mercy, which she won't get.  She will likely be in a state of complete confusion and submission.  My fear is they will use it as an opportunity to abuse her physically and sexually for they will see her condition as weakness and they prey on the weak.  If Dendrov recognizes her which is quite likely he'll be inclined to give her extra cruel treatment."

"So we need to locate that shipping container as soon as possible," said Yelena Belova.  "Those men are cut from the same cloth as the men who ran the Red Room in Russia."

"Red Room?" asked Walker.  "What's that?"

Nearly everyone looked at him incredulously.  "It is what the training facility for Black Widow operatives in Russia was called," said Bucky.  "The operatives were taken from their families as small children and grew up with a foster family who helped train them in spy craft and martial arts.  When they were old enough they began their real training in the Red Room.  Physical punishment and intimidation was the order of the day.  They survived it and moved on or they didn't and were culled."

"Culled?" repeated Walker, shaking his head slightly.  "You mean killed?"

No one answered and he let out a big breath.  Torres broke the silence.

"I can go up in the Falcon suit and activate Red Wing to search for hidden heat signatures inside the shipping containers.  The only trouble is I won't know if it's the Russians or another trafficking outfit until we get visual confirmation.  Are we doing anything about the other outfits?"

Bucky looked at the women who had volunteered for his team, knowing they had their own reasons for being on this team.  "We concentrate on the Russians first, then we go after the others.  Shut them all down.  Hope, can you go with Red Wing and do your own reconnaissance, be our visual confirmation?"

"Can do," she replied.  "I can also place a marker on the container from above so if they move it we can track it.

"Peter, can you web the base of the marked container so it can't be moved?" asked Bucky.

"Yeah, no problem," said Peter.  "What do we do once we locate and free the women?"

"They will need much kindness and compassion," said Ayo unexpectedly.  "They can be extremely emotional, or completely shut down, and may cower from others, especially men.  It would be advisable to have emergency services in the form of ambulances there to transport them to hospital as they are likely to be suffering from injuries caused by physical or sexual abuse.  If you can engage the services of trauma counsellors to begin treating them immediately their chances of recovery are better." Her piercing eyes gazed at everyone.  "I have experience from similar cases in Africa."

"I think both Bucky and I want to be there for Lacey," said Terry, then his voice broke.  "Just make sure you take all of those bastards down and make sure they never get out of prison."

"Agreed," said Bucky.  "Torres and Van Dyne,  please start your reconnaissance.  Meet back here in one hour."

Those two left right away and Maria approached Bucky.  "I'll set up the emergency and counselling services," she said calmly.  "We'll find her Bucky."

She touched his arm reassuringly and went off to set them up.  Yelena looked at Ayo appraisingly.

"I've heard of the fighting prowess of the Dora Milaje," she said.  "Want to spar?"

Ayo smirked.  "I've heard of the fighting prowess of the Black Widows," she replied.  "I'm up for it if you are."

Bishop followed the two women out.  Peter looked at Bucky. 

"Mind if I do some satellite surfing?" he asked.  "I'm good at computers.  Maybe I can locate the trafficker's hangouts."

Bucky nodded and Peter went off to find an open terminal.  Walker looked at Bucky and Terry.

"So, we just wait?" he asked.

"We're muscle, Terry is emotional support," said Bucky.  "Our time will come in just over an hour.  We want these guys alive, John.  They need to pay for their crimes."

"Even if they've raped her?" he asked then he looked at Terry quickly.  "No offence."

"I don't kill," replied Bucky, looking at Walker in a decidedly cool manner.  "I haven't killed a human since 2014.  It's what keeps me sane.  You should try it."

Walker smirked, thinking Bucky was joking, then realized he wasn't.  "I wish I had known that before I agreed to come on this mission," he said sullenly.

"There's the door," gestured Bucky with his hand, irritated and disappointed with the man.  "I asked you because I needed your super soldier abilities.  When your wife said you shut down some traffickers in Afghanistan I thought you might be interested in pursuing similar justice in your own country.  If that's too much to ask of you then leave.  I'll still answer the call if Carter ever comes after your wife and child."

"I'll stay," said Walker, sounding surly.  "Wouldn't want you thinking you're a better man than me."

"You don't get it, do you?" said Bucky, becoming angry.  "I don't care if I'm a better or worse man than you or anyone else.  My morals are mine and mine alone.  You goaded me in Europe about the serum flowing through my veins and all that power I keep suppressed.  You know why?  Because if I don't suppress it I will overdo it and hurt someone, possibly someone I love.  That's why I don't kill because if I did I wouldn't stop.  I was a killer against my will, John.  I won't be a killer again because of my will.  My choice, my decision, my cross to bear.  I hope you never reach a point again where you hurt someone because you reacted with rage or without control, especially someone you love.  It will destroy you probably more than your PTSD is already doing."

Bucky got up without waiting for a reply and Terry followed him, not wanting to be in a room alone with Walker.  He followed Bucky all the way outside where he watched as Bucky paced like a caged animal, waiting for the others to do their reconnaissance.  After a few minutes Bucky noticed him and stopped pacing.  Terry approached him then.

"That's why you left her," he said.  "You had a PTSD flashback and thought you would hurt her."

Bucky nodded then took a deep breath.  "I should have stayed and confided in her so she could understand what I go through," he admitted.  "But I panicked and left instead.  I was ashamed of what went through my mind while we were in bed together.  I know I hurt her and Tommy, and I will regret that my whole life.  I don't expect her to take me back.  All I can hope for is her forgiveness."

"For what it's worth I forgave you right away," said Terry.  "I figured it was something like that.  If you ever need someone to talk to you can call on me, anytime.  I'll listen."

Bucky nodded and smiled grimly.  "Thanks Terry," he replied.  "I appreciate that."

They both sat on a nearby bench and Terry told him about his job coaching.  Bucky could hear the pride in Terry's voice as he described the satisfaction the position gave him.   It made him contemplate his own future after this mission was over.  For so long he had been consumed with staying under the radar, then focused on undergoing treatment.  Getting involved in the Flag Smashers case had been a spur of the moment thing but his actions had felt natural once he was involved.  He found a sense of partnership with Sam that he hadn't felt since Steve and to him that was a good thing.   Perhaps becoming an Avenger for real could be the calling he was looking for.  It might even allow him the luxury of a family.  Clint seemed to have been able to have both.  But until they found Lacey and Tommy he couldn't allow himself to think that far ahead.   Bucky stood up while looking at his watch, noticing almost an hour had passed.

"Let's see if we have any intel to go over," he said to Terry.

They returned to the meeting room, where John Walker still sat.  Ayo and Belova returned from their sparring session, both of them displaying a sense of satisfaction.  Within minutes the rest of the group arrived and Bucky received the information he had been waiting for.

"Start telling me things," said Bucky.

"I've located three different shipping containers with people inside," said Torres.  "Hope put a tracker on each of the containers."

"I flew close to each one to establish visuals," added Hope.  "The one that is a Black Cat container is in a dock in Brooklyn.  They have several guards on that dock and more men in a building just beside the dock."

Bucky's jaw clamped down firmly when he heard the location but he said nothing. 

"They also operate out of a hotel near the docks in Brooklyn," said Peter, hesitantly, knowing that Bucky was from there.  "In fact, all of the groups known for trafficking have set up operations in the various boroughs.  There are some in Queens and The Bronx.  Most of the groups traffic in teenage girls, setting them up in the hotels.  The Black Cat bring European women in and ship American women out to meet the demands of their customers in many different countries."

"Hope, were you able to get inside the container?" asked Bucky.

"Yes, but it wasn't lit inside," she said.  "I had to use my infrared to maneuver and I couldn't tell if Lacey was in there."

"So, we have two different sites where she might be," said Bucky.  "In any of your reconnaissance did you see Sergei Dendrov?"

Both Torres and Hope shook their heads.  Bucky looked at Peter who looked back at him with compassion.  "Yeah, he was at the Brooklyn Hotel.  I hacked into traffic cams and identified his car.  He had a woman with him but she was dark haired, not blonde like Lacey.  I took a screen shot but I couldn't tell if it was her with her hair dyed.  Friday, can you show the screen shot?"

A display on the wall showed the image of a woman.  Both Bucky and Terry leaned forward trying to determine if the grainy image was of Lacey.  They both sat back unable to confirm the woman's identity.

"We'll split up," said Bucky decisively.  "One group will hit the shipping container while another group will hit the hotel.  I'll be with the hotel group.  I want Hope and Ayo with me.  The rest of you will take the container and deal with the men on the dock.  Maria, am I right in assuming that the sorcerers are here to open portals for us?"

"You're right," she said.  "I'll alert Wong.  When is go time?"

"Thirty minutes," said Bucky.  "Gear up and meet outside, south entrance."

Bucky went straight to his quarters and changed into his black combat pants, black singlet, and leather jacket with one sleeve.  He strapped on two gun holsters, and two knife sheaths, one on his right leg and one on his right wrist.  At his weapons storage locker he pulled out two handguns checking the magazines and putting several more in a pocket on the left leg of his pants.  Then he pulled out his knives, twirling them on his fingertips.

"I want to come with you," said a voice and Bucky looked up to see Terry.

"Too dangerous," he replied.  "These guys are hardened killers.  You have no fighting skills, no offence."

"Then I'll wait outside," said Terry.  "I'll act like a tourist and can let you know if anyone comes to help Dendrov."  Bucky looked hard at him.  "Please, I already feel impotent.  Let me do something, even if it's just as a lookout."

"Okay, but you stay out of the hotel," said Bucky.  "If you see anyone with Russian gang tattoos stay out of their line of sight.  They won't hesitate to kill you.  Get a comms piece fitted for your ear."

Thirty minutes later they all assembled on the grass at the south entrance of the building.  Wong was there and Bucky explained that a portal was needed for the docks and also for the hotel in Brooklyn.

"Which one would you like me at?" asked Wong.  "I'm not just a pretty face.  I'm a master of many martial arts disciplines."

A small smile creased Bucky's face at Wong's declaration.  Those pudgy guys were usually the ones you had to watch out for. 

"Can you stay on the street outside the hotel?" he asked,  "If you could deal with any reinforcements that show up that would be great."

The sorcerer nodded and opened the first portal to the docks.  Everyone except Bucky, Ayo, Hope and Terry went through.  Then he opened the portal to the hotel and stepped through with Bucky's team, staying on the street with Terry as the other three entered the building.

Hope had shrunk down to wasp size and immediately began flying up the stairs to search room to room trying to locate Dendrov.  She sent back information on the guards for each floor as she ascended.  The desk clerk looked with alarm at Bucky and Ayo, trying to activate a panic button but Bucky was much faster and put his hand around the man's throat, pushing him up against the wall high enough that his feet dangled.

"The dark haired woman," he demanded, "where is she?  What room?"

The man shook his head.  Bucky squeezed harder and the man finally spoke.  "She's Dendrov's personal property," he gasped.  "He keeps her in his suite, top floor."

Bucky tossed the man aside as if he was garbage and began running up the stairs followed by Ayo.  Several guards challenged them on the way up but were no match for the two, as they worked seamlessly as a unit.

"Hope, top floor," said Bucky.  "Dendrov has a suite."

"On it," she responded.

Outside Terry and Wong saw a black SUV race up to the hotel and several men get out, fully armed.  Terry alerted Bucky on comms.  Wong smiled a grim smile then brought up magic that levitated each of the men and threw them repeatedly against the side of the hotel until they were unconscious before he dropped them on the street. 

Hope arrived at the top floor and flew from room to room, finding Dendrov in the bedroom of his suite, about to enter the bed where a woman was cowering.  Tapping Dendrov on the cheek she made him try to brush her away then she aimed a kick at his face that staggered him.  He looked confused, not seeing what hit him.  Flying straight into his mid-section, Hope pushed him against the window.  She could hear signs of a fight outside the suite doors and flashed into full size, punching Dendrov in the face then shrunk again and retreated to the ceiling.  The action rattled him and he looked everywhere in confusion.  The sound of the suite door being broken open alerted him and he raced to the bed, grabbing the woman, holding a knife to her throat.

"Oh no, you don't," said Hope, firing her blasters at Dendrov in a narrow beam, hitting his knife hand.

He dropped the knife in pain and staggered back.  The woman he was holding turned around and kicked him between the legs sending him to the ground.  Then she jumped on him and began beating him with her fists, hitting every sensitive point on his head; his ears, nose and throat.  Bucky and Ayo came into the room, watching the woman get her revenge on her captor with a certain sense of satisfaction.  It was only when she turned to face them in triumph that Bucky realized she wasn't Lacey.  Advancing towards her he offered her his hand to help her up.

"I need to speak with him," he said then turned his attention to Dendrov and addressed him in Russian. "We met once before.  Where is she?"

Dendrov looked at Bucky as recognition slowly came to him.  "Soldat," he said, then he sat up and spat on the floor before giving Bucky a smug smile.  "She should never have given the flash drive to the FBI.  You will never find her.  She is already on her way.  So compliant and a complete blank slate.  She will fetch a good price."

Bucky punched Dendrov, knocking him out then stood up, his nostrils flaring as he spoke into his comms.  "She's not here," he announced.  "Dendrov said she is already on her way, meaning she's probably in a ship on the Atlantic.  We need to find that ship."

"What about the other two containers?" asked Torres on his comms.  "We've taken this one and the women are in bad shape."

Bucky thought for a moment.  "Give the NYPD the locations of the other two cargo containers and let their Special Victims division handle it," he said.  "They were already alerted we were targeting the Black Cats."

"He didn't specifically say ship," noted Ayo.  "He knows who she is.  She may be on a private jet for all we know, Sergeant Barnes."

"What would you have me do, Ayo?" He turned to her with his eyes blazing.  "Give up?  Let them have her?  I thought you knew me better than that."

She put her hand on his arm.  "Of course not," she said calmly.  "He said she would fetch a good price which means they plan to auction her off.  I can find out where the next auction takes place and can hack into their online catalogue.  Then we take a force in there and release all of their captives.  It is something that has already been discussed in Wakanda by our anti-trafficking unit."

"What aren't you telling me?" he asked.

"It is better that you let us do this tracking part without you," she said.  "You are too emotionally involved at this time.  We already have operatives that can impersonate being a buyer if we find her.  The brother can come with us, to support her when we recover her.  You and the rest of your team should now concentrate on finding and rescuing your son.  The other two Dora Milaje will stay with that team."

Hope watched Bucky process this latest proposal, feeling his turmoil as he wrestled with doing what was best for Lacey.  After what seemed like an eternity but was really only a couple of minutes Bucky's shoulders slumped and he looked beseechingly at Ayo.

"Alright, you find her," he said.  "The moment you find her you call me, day or night.  You get them all."

Ayo nodded and left the room.  Bucky followed.  They met the police coming up the stairs as they went down. Hope told them Dendrov was the man responsible for trafficking in Brooklyn.  When they got down to the street it was full of police cars and ambulances as the women who had been locked up in the hotel rooms were led out in blankets.  The dark haired woman who was with Dendrov came out wrapped in a blanket and spat on each one of his men.  Wong looked at Bucky with understanding.

"I'm sorry she wasn't there," he said.  "Ayo is right.  Let her take up the search for Lacey.  You will be more useful in Madripoor where Carter is."

He brought up a portal and the small team stepped through to the compound where the rest of the larger team had already returned.  Ayo went to make arrangements for her and Terry to go to Europe to rendezvous with the Wakandan anti-trafficking team.  Bucky went to Fury's office sitting on the chair across from him.

"We freed many women but Lacey wasn't one of them," he reported.  "Dendrov said she was compliant and a blank slate.  It means they've wiped her memory completely.  Anyone could buy her and do anything they wanted to her.  She wouldn't know if it was good or bad.  Hell, they could turn her into an assassin if they wanted."

"I understand you are letting the Wakandans take over the search for her," said Fury carefully.  "I think that is the right course of action at this time.  You and the others should go to Madripoor."  He hesitated for a moment.  "I spent some time with Miss Williams during the time you spent in Wakanda.   She is a strong woman and if your experience with the memory machine is anything to go by there is a residue, if you can call it that, of a person's basic personality that stays with them.  It helped you throw off the yoke after 70 years of programming.  It may also help Miss Williams maintain her core identity."

Bucky gave a smirk of acknowledgement.  "I still killed for them," he replied.  "I fought them all the time but once they said the right words I was their puppet.   I think you give me too much credit.  In many ways, I was an outlier.  I fought them but they could still control me.  The ones that willingly took the serum couldn't be controlled."

"That may be true," stated Fury, "but those who took the serum willingly were already out of control, being the killers and deviants they already were.  When you did break with them you did it well and completely.  I followed your case closely, Barnes; tried to find you, in fact.  For two years you stayed under the radar, not killing or hurting anyone, except when the Russians came to Miss Williams' house.  A true killer wouldn't have lasted a fraction of that time without resorting to violence.  When this current rescue mission has concluded please consider staying on with the new incarnation of the Avengers.  You have qualities and skills that we need.  Your personal moral code is strong and we need that more than anything."

Bucky didn't agree or disagree but he did acknowledge the offer.  When he came out of the office the others were waiting for him. 

"We're going to Madripoor," he said.  "Get a bag together, weapons in a separate bag.  Ayo and Terry will continue the search for Lacey.  Wong, is there a safe house there where we can base our operations?"

"Yes," replied Wong.  "Dr. Strange has put a protection and concealment spell on it so that Carter can't find it.  I will give you a portal into it.  I cannot join you as I must stay to protect the Sanctum but I will do what I can to assist you from here."

"Alright, meet outside in 20 minutes," said Bucky, then he turned to Terry.  "I want to talk to you while I'm getting ready."  Terry followed him into the weapons storage area and stood listening as Bucky put his weapons back in their satchel then pulled the entire bag out.  "The memory suppression machine wipes away all previous memories by destroying the synapses between brain cells.  The Wakandans believe the cells themselves hold the memories but without the synapses they can't be accessed.  In my case, they believe some synapses did begin to rebuild.  Maybe it was part of the super soldier regenerative process ... I don't know.  You have to accept that Lacey may have no idea of who you are.  She may have no memory of your parents, your childhood, Tommy ... it will all be gone.  It's going to distress you but what she needs from you is proof of her identity.  If you have pictures on your phone, show them.  Tell her stories of growing up together.  Tell her both the good stuff and the bad stuff.  If there is a chance that her synapses have started rebuilding then she may have a flash of a memory.  Help her to hold onto it and build it.  I kept memory books, where I wrote down things as I remembered them, both good and bad.  I wanted to remember all of it."

"How long did it take you?" asked Terry, his brow furrowed.

"I'll let you know when I'm there," said Bucky, smiling grimly.  "For me it started with one word, "Bucky", said by Steve Rogers as I was trying to kill him.  Just the way he said it triggered something in my mind.  Not even an actual memory at first, just a realization that I had known him and that we had been close.  They wiped my memory again and sent me after him once more.  I was so close to killing him and he said something else, something that I remembered saying to him when he was 18 and I was 19.  That memory burned like a flame in my mind and stayed my hand long enough for me to realize that the killer I had been wasn't me, the real me.  That's when I ran.  For two years I was under the radar.  I met Lacey during that time and she was so kind to me.  She gave me food, and shelter before she gave me herself."

Bucky looked away from Terry as he remembered that night.  Terry could see the emotion in Bucky as he remembered the night he spent with Lacey.  In his mind, he saw a man who was very much in love with his sister.

"She got pregnant that night," continued Terry.  "She told me about the four Russians who came to the house in the middle of the night, and that you handled all of them easily.  Then you told her to phone the FBI and you left, blowing her a kiss from outside, leaving her an origami heart on the dresser.  You made an impact on her, Bucky.  You accepted her as she was, just like she accepted you as a man, not as a killer.  I'll make sure she remembers you."

Bucky closed the door of the weapons locker and looked at Terry with emotion.  Then he clapped him on the shoulder and wished him good luck, returning to his quarters to get his go bag.  He made his way outside where the rest of the team already was.  Wong opened a portal to the safe house in Madripoor and they all walked through.

Chapter 21>>

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[whimsy-wallfish]

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[okimargarvez]

This time I want to make a short analysis of the "evolution" of garvez, considering Luke and Penelope as separate entities, during the seasons.

In Season 12 Luke is obviously the one most taken, already in love with her, while Penelope (in my opinion) is not at his level. She is probably smitten with him, she has a crush on him (probably since the first time). I think that Penelope doesn't let him in, she doesn't allowed herself to know him as a real person, she keeps him at distance.

Their relationship at the beggining is based on teasing, but is a mutual thing, Luke likes to tease her even more than Penelope. They also flirt a lot. A moment of change is the meeting with Roxy; the fact he has a dog helps a lot. She "uses" it to be a little friendlier with him, making gifs "for Roxy", but obviously also for him.

Their relationship evolved anyway (or better, despite her effort) from just coworkers to... something more, but "friends" is not the right word to describe them. They share two big and hard moments, both about Reid (ep 14 and ep 17). Even in this occasions you can see that Luke is the one who makes all, he tries everything to make her feel better, he cares a lot, he acts like she is his priority. He also makes a declaration (If I ever do become) that she tries to ignore.

But the moment that is the bigger proof of his love for her, is another (ep 11), almost invisible: when he is talking with Walker and Pen arrives, Luke feels/senses her presence, smiling and then he changes his mood because notices that she is not happy.

-

In Season 13 we have little clues about Luke feelings for her. He is worried for her and still cares a lot, especially when he discovers about Battle (ep 5). We have even in this season a "you're my priority" moment (ep 1), when Luke leaves JJ to run and console Penelope, crying before Walker body in the car.

But we can see a change in their relationship. Is the only one when she never calls him "Newbie". Their flirting and teasing almost stops. We have two moments of flirt (ep 3 and ep 11).

The reason is not only in the fact he meets Lisa and starts a story with her. Because the change is before this. You can see it in the first episodes, for example when they discuss with Spencer about "Lisa problem" or when he asks her "your cat has things?". They behave in a more comfortable way, both. You can see that he feels the same (strong love) for her, in little things. Like in the way he still looks at her or how easy Luke decides to stand by her, right in the "Linda problem" discussion.

And, even this one before Lisa, they shares a sweet and important moment: he asks her to help him with Lou and Phil. And in that they seem a couple, not friends, not just coworkers (ep 7).

You can see that her crush on his is increasing during her talk with Lisa. The way she talks, her faces, the embarrassment, the fact she want to point out that they are just coworkers (not even friends), and especially that he is not her type, despite she knows that others think he is funny, smart and "easy on the eyes". And the way she looks at Luke when he reaches them. Her smile.

Then Linda Barnes splits up the team. Luke thinks at her many times (ep 16), as he does when she is away, for the parole (ep 20). You can see that his feelings are still there, just for the way he reacts when she comes back at BAU (ep 16).

But is exactly in San Francisco that we see that Penelope finally admits her feelings for Luke, pausing just on their pic together, and with a so little smile (ep 20). I think that she is almost in love with him. So close to it. But she doesn't already reach his level.

-

In Season 14 they move forward in their relationship. They finally become friends. Penelope allows him to get close to her. But the teasing is still there, and also the flirt. My opinion (that I already shared many times) is that Lisa is like an armor, for Penelope. She knows that Luke is not a betrayal type and that she will never try to do something out of place with a busy man. So, she can finally be herself with him. For once without fears.

Even in this season we have a "you're my priority" moment (ep 1): when Penelope is kidnapped with Reid, Matt says she wasn't part of the plan, and Luke replies "no, but she is now". The way Luke looks at her when they come off the elevator...

His love is still strong and steady. Despite this, when he lives a hard moment (ep 6), when Phil is killed, he doesn't ask her help or support, but is clear that Penelope would have done everything for make him feel better.

Maybe for this, maybe not, but when she has to bear his presence and to work with him (ep 8), because he can't go on the field, she acts again as the queen of ice. She is distant, cold, she says she doesn't care about his opinion, she breaks down his enthusiasm about the "dynamic duo". But still calls him by his name.

And exactly in this episode, and after all her cool attitude, we see their first hug. And even a kiss on her cheek. It's a sweet sweet moment. The focus is not on them, because the party is about Rossi and Krystall engagement. But it's so important for their relationship. He stares at her hugging other persons and then asks, almost begs her to share the joy with him, and she gives him that honor.

We have a moment of big flirt (ep 14), before Rossi eyes, when he admits that she is great (only at work?), and she totally plays with him.

Then, right at the end of the season (ep 15), we can see again them as a couple, during Rossi and Krystall wedding. They don't just dance together, sharing the joy, no. They also shares a slow dance. Something really romantic, not just sweet. It's not a case that the other couples we see dancing it, are all canon ones and engaged (Rossy/Krystall, JJ/Will).

We can say that Luke loves in this season is steady and increases just a bit, while Penelope's almost reaches him. She is really in love with him, but there are anyway few bricks between them.

-

In Season 15 we have another change. At the beginning (ep 1), when Lisa ghost is still there, Penelope acts with him in a... friendly/warm way. They shares laughs and gazes, even if they seem more a couple than friends.

But, as we will discover almost at the end of the season, his relationship is not going well, in fact he doesn't mention her after ep 1. So, Penelope starts again to be a little cold. She calls him again Alvez. More she keeps him at distance and more his feelings increase. It seems impossible, but Luke love for her really grows during this season.

Penelope doesn't ask directly his help, but chooses him when she has to go on the field (Elizabeth apartment), and looks at him, clearly searching for his support, his approvation, all episode (ep 4). Her love for Luke increases because he is just so stubborn, and in that way he has finally the chance to show her he still wants to be the someone. She talks with him about her stalker, not so happy, but then, when she thanks him (it was very kind of you), it's clear that she is not so upset about her opening up to him, maybe the right opposite.

We don't have a "you are my proprity" moment in this season, or maybe yes, if we consider the last episode and her farewell party. But in this one is Luke that risks two times his life. And in both occasions she is so worried for him, more for the bomb (ep 3) that when they kidnapped him with Matt (ep 5).

After this, the flirt and teasing grows. We can guess (but we don't have hard proof) that is because he breaks up with Lisa. Anyway, the flirt becomes really shameless and the "fault" is more of Luke, than Pen. She calls him Newbie again (last time was 12x16), but he almost declares his thoughts on her, when he admits that he workships at her throne and she must know it (ep 7).

Right after this we see Luke tells to Spencer, Tara, Matt and Pen about his breaking with Lisa (ep 9). But he looks all time just at Pen. He watches carefully her reaction. And she seems... scared? Then it's her time to share something, that she is thinking to leave the team. Luke is the only one that smiles, and she asks if he wants to get rid of her. He hurries to say is not so, but also makes her understand how much he knows her, because Luke, since he met her, saw her many times upset, crying for their job. They share a sweet and so important moment, when she says they are family, looking at him, and he does the same.

Luke starts his courthisp, he gives to her and the girls milkshakes, but he chooses her favorite place. It's so clear that Penelope tells him "stop making me like you" and he, so smug, replies "never". During her farewell party (ep 10) he is even more unbashed. When she arrives, he gives her the glass he poured for himself, telling her that this is gonna be the first of many. And he will keep his word. He dances with her all night long, and when is not close, he keeps watching at her. When they are with others, he still find a way to stay close her. Then, he takes her aside and asks her out. Considering the way she replies, the amazement and then joy in her face, is so clear they feel the same for each other. The last (but not least) thing in this season, is their hug. The way he literally drowning in her arms.

-

Season 16 starts 3 years after last one. We have to take it into account. We can see, since the beginning (ep 1), that Luke has no intention to hide his feelings, still there, for her: the way he starts almost all their flirting moments, his kiss on her cheek to thank her. And also his jealousy, when she start to hung out with the wrong person.

This season starts with Luke love on the rise. Again, it seemed impossible, but is clear that, no matter we know that their date didn't work, he is so in love with her, so hopeless. It's canon.

He says they are friends and not frenemies, he doesn't want to be her enemy, he thinks that now he is more for her than the Newbie, the guy she has to hate. That's why he tells Tara he has no worry to let the "Garcia most hated" place to Tyler (ep 5). He will regret it.

But we have hints about their relationship, during the ride. Penelope thanks him to watch Sergio (ep 4) and here we have the only time (except for firs episode, when she teases him a lot) where she flirts with him first. She seems surprised when Luke tells that her idea is great, in his opinion. In this episode Luke shows all his support and approvation. He pushes her to talk with Emily, she doesn't want to, because her idea involves him. They arguing like a married couple. When Prentiss doesn't understand her idea, he explains it better. And when the boss shows her approvation too, Luke looks at her as to say "I told you" and she looks away almost immediately, shy. He believes in her idea more than her.

The ironical thing is that Luke will regret to push her to talk with Tyler. Because the dynamic between her and TG seems a copy (a draft, a bad copy) of their. Enemies to lovers. She can't stand him. He gives her a cat. She sees him in a bad moment, she wants to help him. And in this way, she crosses a line she shouldn't have. Luke starts to sense that there is something big going on in there really soon (ep 6). Just after her first kiss with TG.

She is so afraid, when the bomb explodes and they lose the contact with JJ and Luke. She says she regrets all the mean things she says. And, in my opinion, she regrets also to not have tell him enough good things. That she cares a lot about him (no matter in a friendly or romantic way). But then they find him, too soon, and she is so busy, with TG and the team coming back. She puts all her feeling in the hug, even if with JJ as third wheel. You can see that this time she doesn't want to come off his arms.

Anyway, she shares a hard talk with TG, maybe she feels understood, in a deep way, and TG too. That's why he tries to kiss her. She goes away, but then, she kisses him. And runs to BAU. The fact she knows something about TG sister, but that wasn't on her file, is too weird for Luke. This is the first hint. He will not stop wonder about it until he will crash on the harsh reality. His suspects grow when she doesn't tease him or reply in the same way to his provocation "is this all you could find?" (ep 8). He tells her: where is the snark? And then, when she laughs and tells him to be less hard on himself, he turns to Tara and says "she is gettin some". And is not happy at all.

Again, the situtation doesn't seem well-balanced, his love is stronger, so much that he wants to be her rock, no matter he is dying inside, seeing her so bad for another man. His reaction when she tells him who is the man she is seeing, is so hard (ep 9). Luke is good to refrain himself, but doesn't hide his jealousy and also his pain. He begs her to stop talking, he doesn't want to hear all the deatails about her sex with TG. I think that Luke noticed the traits in common between him and TG. And that makes the pain even stronger. Because he just wonders "why him and not me?".

We see their date. Penelope tells him that there is surely something between them, but "not like that". Luke doesn't agree, his expression says all. But he also doesn't reply. He seems so hopeless and so in love with her. When she tells him she is sure that their soulmates are outhere, he keeps looks at her and laugh, without happiness, asking right "where"? Because he knows he can't looking for his right one; he already found it and is right now before him.

During the years they shared a lot about emotional sphere. Their lack is on the physical one. We got 4 hugs, 2 kisses on the cheek (always by him) and touching (almost always for his initiative). My opinion (just a thought, that I had taking with a friend that doesn't watch CM) is that she could believe that his love for her is only for the way she is inside, for her sensitivity, for her geniality... That her charm comes just from it. Because Luke many times showed his admiration for her abilities. But never said something about her figure, not even "you're beautiful" in a friendly way. He made compliment on her body only with eyes. But is not enough, to beat her fears. While TG, with his attempt to kiss her, admits his attraction immediately. But Luke is in love with her completely. He is clearly attracted by her, but his focus is more on her inside, and that's good. This is a true and strong love. A flame that will keep burn.

Anyway, Tyler lies to her (ep 9) and she knows it. She walks in a worried way through the bullpen and Luke hears her and teases her. But she doesn't want to play and so he understands that he is about to find the truth. Finally. End of the agony. He pushes her to talk, she tries to run away and then she shares all. Too much. But we already considered it. The fact is that Tyler uses her text to pin Rossi, then gets a bullet by Sicarius. Emily sent her with Luke, JJ and Will to stop Tyler and find Rossi. And Luke decides to be her shoulder again. He consoles her on the jet. He tells her to stay with him, until she finds TG. He helps his rival and meawhile reassuring her.

Luke keeps his eye on her in the office (ep 10). He proposes to stay with her while JJ and Will goes on the field. Because he knows that there is too much at stake, between Rossi and TG situtation. And that she will need his support. And the moment comes. His behavior is so perfect, in that occasion, that something inside Pen unclocks. She starts talking about her feelings, her fears, the sensation that everything is going bad.

And he doesn't lie to her, not even a little white lie. Instead, he makes another big declaration: "Maybe if we lean on each other, we will find the strenght to get through this together". It's not "I'm here for you" but "I'm here for you and I know you are here for me". And the emphasis is, in this whole scene, right on the "us". She nods and they hug. It's the first time that Luke doesn't seem in paradise while he has her in his arms. He is too worried. She comes off and tells him that she wants to do this, because they need "us". He agrees. And then, she says "me and you". She seems scared by herself. She probably never thought she would have told him something like that. Luke echoes her. Then his love is black on white with his concern on the fact the tea he took her is hot.

Anyway, this is the first time Penelope accepts to show her vulnerability with Luke. But, despite the fact she wants to be always the shoulder to cry on for others, she will never do it when the problem is hers. She doesn't ask help. Not even with Derek. Think about the post Battle situation (ep 3x10). Morgan wanted to be there for here, but she sent him away. This behavior is reflected even on her romantic relationships. For me, it's the reason why she refused Kevin proposal and ran away from Shane. We think that Luke has commitment issues, but in my opinion even Penelope does.

And, for me, Penelope is scared by her own feeling for Luke. Because she didn't want to let him in, and he did it anyway. She can't keep believe that he doesn't feel anything for her, after the date. Luke tells her that she knows how to pick them and is so true. She always (almost, Sam is out of the list) chosen the wrong one. Luke is so different from her usual boyfriend. He is a good guy. Even Morgan told her so. And her problem is that he cares too much about her. He always wants to be her hero, her rock, and he did it, no matter her effort to not let him. While TG is life-threating, she must know that Luke has at least still a crush on her, so his so not selfish behavior confuses her. And that’s why she finally shows her fragility and also, this is even more important, accepts his support. She doesn’t just allow him to help her, she wants it. And, meanwhile, she also finally looks at him like a real man. A man that could have romantic intention on her. They keep the “us/me and you” thing along the episode. They come off the elevator hugging each other. And, after the funeral, they are aside, he pours a glass of wine for both, then asks her how she is going and, finally, she just tells him the truth. He tries a joke to make her feel better, then, it happens. They shared a “you really know me” moment. He reads her mind and immediately recognizes Dickens quote. The way she looks at him is a clear sign of her love. And Luke is on the same way. He is so shy when tells her he just knows the quote. Why he knows? We know. And maybe Penelope is about to understand it.

-

About the next season… if they want to make them relationship grow, they have to explore more the physical sphere and to exchange the roles. We need to see Luke’s vulnerability and Pen consoling, helping him. She would have already done it (14x6), so I’m sure she will.

Like the others, I would have liked to see them together before, but the fact their bond growing season by season, in a slow way, it’s not a bad thing, for me. It makes it stronger. With deep roots.

Dedicated to @darcyfangirlsfrequently @thinitta @veronicafiore88

All my ramblings

[urbaneturtle]

DCAU Rewatch: Batman the Animated Series 16: The Cat and the Claw, Part 2

As Batman works to take down Red Claw, Catwoman’s pursuit to save an environmental preserve brings these opposing forces into an uneasy alliance.

Credits

Story by S.C. Derek & L. Bright

Teleplay by J. Dennis & R. Mueller

Directed by D. Sebast

Supervising Composer Shirley Walker

Music Composed by Harvey Cohen

Animation Services by Akom Production Co.

Layout Services by NOA Animation

One thing I tend to overlook on this show is its directing, the way the camera moves and shots are staged. Even in some sloppier episodes, we can get some stunning imagery. The opening of this episode, where the camera pans down from the moon and gothic skyline down through the trees and to the nervous gangster walking through the park, is gorgeous. Some old-school animation tools to create the illusion of depth there. And of course, the backgrounds always look great.

The opening scene where Batman is pressing the gangster is solid stuff. Like I said last week, I wish this episode focused more on the Gotham underworld and its connection to the crooked corporations as opposed to the silly ecoterrorist stuff. Where the last episode was a lot of fun characterization and playful banter between Batman and Catwoman, this one focuses a lot more on straight-up action and Red Claw’s plan to release a germ weapon. And it is all the worse for it.

There’s a nice subtle parallel between Batman and Catwoman midway through, where Selina and Bruce each go back home, chat with their assistants, and suit up for their nightly prowl. It’s done in a way that doesn’t feel intentional because it is so natural to each character, but the structure of the two scenes is so similar it’s undeniable. It’s smart storytelling that furthers the plot but tells us about each of the two characters and their similarities—despite being on opposite ends of the law.

Nothing about Red Claw is compelling or sensible at all, but it’s made just a bit more tolerable because the two-parter is truly about the relationship between Batman and Catwoman.

Read the full analysis and commentary, including production details, on one of the first episodes of Batman the Animated series ever aired on the Patreon.

[meta-squash]

Hi,

My question is about:

"(Side note: I’ve always wanted to know if Kieren was at all self-aware of being in Rick’s shoes re: Simon’s feelings for him at the start.)"

From here: https://at.tumblr.com/meta-squash/700782648530960384/s4niw2ty3nn4

First of all - sorry for my 💩 english. I'm trying my best. =_="

Squash, what do you mean there👆? O_O" Could you expand please? (eyes of the cat from "Shrek" here)

For me (ok, but i'm not the best people reader - meh - that's why i need kilometers of meta-analysis) relation Rick -> Kieren was like "i like you, but cannot show my feelings, or even think about sth more bc of my abusive dad" but Kieren -> Simon (initially) was more like "i'm intrested but a) i'm not worth of being liked, b) you are part of f*** ULA that kills people". I couldn't put an equal sign there. Do i think wrong?

You are doing great job btw - thx for that.



First of all, your English is great! English is my only language, so you're already miles ahead of me!

What I meant by Kieren being in Rick's shoes at the start re: Simon's feelings for him is that when Kieren was with Rick, his feelings for Rick were more intense than Rick's feelings for him. They were probably had an equal amount of love for each other, but Kieren put all his stake in it, let it consume him, and it seems as though it was the only positive thing in his life outside of maybe art itself. Rick probably loved Kieren a lot, but aside from having to hide from Bill, he actually had a life and friends outside of Kieren, was accepted into the fold of the main social groups, which Kieren was not. Which means he had other positive things in his life that he could spread his attention across and that could take up emotional space. Kieren had only Rick for that (and I think Jem; it seems they were very close until he died). Kieren's feelings for Rick were really intense, tunnel-visioned, while Rick's for him were a bit more subdued, and Kieren couldn't see beyond them into any future without him, whereas I think Rick was kind of forced to see any number of potential futures without Kieren, just because of the nature of his relationship with his family/the town/life in general. So Kieren had nothing else so when Rick was taken from him, there was nothing positive left that he could see, and he killed himself. I don't think he directly or consciously blamed Rick, but during the "you died and everything turned to shit" conversation in the car, Rick calls it out for what it was, that Kieren essentially died for him, despite having an actual future in sight.

Kieren is in Rick's shoes re: Simon because at the start of series 2, it's Simon who's tunnel-visioned onto Kieren. Because Simon's whole life since leaving his father's house has been his discipleship, the ULA, proselytizing and suddenly he's stopped short by Kieren who calls bullshit and makes him think and fascinates and attracts him. After the thing with Freddie Preston, Kieren goes straight to Simon since he's the only person who will understand his feelings at that point. Once Kieren shows that he's warmed up to Simon and sees him as a point of support/comfort rather than a threat (except when he's in Disciple Mode like the conversation in the kitchen), he's basically the only positive thing in Simon's life that isn't directly related to the ULA. Kieren's still wary, for one, but he's also kind of where Rick was socially; he has Amy and his family and even without Simon has to some extent gained a feeling of value and confidence in himself, while Simon has only Kieren in terms of romantic attraction or those kinds of feelings. The ULA isn't a person, it's a concept, and he can't feel for that what he can feel for another person. So his feelings for Kieren are more intense than Kieren's for him, and it's obvious in his eagerness to go fast, to sneak around right under Amy's nose, to do something as humiliating to his own sense of self as go to dinner at the Walkers' with all that cover-up on, etc. This time it's Kieren who is more subdued and Simon who's emotionally tunnel-visioned in a way that he is willing to die for Kieren (jumping in front of Pearl's bullet and potentially Jem's who has better aim but more hesitation) because the idea of Kieren being taken away from him is terrifying.

So yeah, that's my long-winded way of saying Kieren's feelings for Rick were more intense and singularly focused than Rick who was able to kind of have other relationships and envision other futures. Simon is in a similar boat in that his feelings for Kieren are more intense and singularly focused (even before he thinks Kieren is the First Risen) because Kieren is his only positive non-ULA related relationship where he's just expected to be "a normal person," whereas Kieren is more subdued and able to have other relationships.

[blancvu]

Week 8: Face Filters

Filtering Our Reality: Face Filters and the Fun (and Maybe Not-So-Fun) of Social Media

Face filters are fun, let's face it. Who doesn't like taking a photo with freckles from the sun, looking like a cat, or applying sparkly virtual makeup? They're a lighthearted approach for us to express ourselves and liven up our social media presence. I have been wondering, though, if face filters are going too far these days.

When talking about face filter, it is undeniable that one popular social networking platform is Instagram, where users may share mostly photographs and videos. Instagram's filters are among its most prominent features which are getting more and more popular thanks to this app. Instagram-style filters can provide a sense of novelty to our regular images and selfies, but the impact of defamiliarization wears off and turns into a cliché since the filter is used so frequently (Jill Walker Rettberg 2014). Our ordinary images aren't meant to be works of art, though, for the most part. In an attempt to promote unrealistic beauty standards, Instagram filters often distort face features, body proportions, and skin tones. Moreover, when people compare themselves to the idealized images of themselves shown in filtered pictures, an excessive usage of filters can result in poor self-esteem and dissatisfaction with one's actual looks. This might lead to anxiety over one's own standards of beauty. When exposed to media information often, viewers begin to accept media visuals as accurate depictions of reality (Grabe, 2008).

Positively, filters provide a variety of artistic opportunities. They may improve a picture's aesthetic appeal and turn a common snapshot into a piece of art. A well-selected filter has the power to convey a specific tone or aesthetic, enabling users to visually represent who they are. In addition to being instructional tools, filters may introduce viewers to various color schemes and photographic styles. In addition, filters have the potential to enhance confidence, especially for those who are self-conscious about their looks (Jill Walker Rettberg 2014). Users are encouraged to submit photographs they may not have otherwise, thanks to brief confidence boosts from subtle blemish-reducing filters or skin-smoothing effects. As a result, it may also be a means of self-expression, giving users the chance to experiment with virtual cosmetics or fantasy effects and try out various styles. In addition, the environment is compounded by gender and filters (Iftikhar et al, 2023) discovered that although both sexes utilize Instagram altering filters, women do so more frequently. To sum up, Instagram filters are a double-edged sword. Though they provide opportunities for creativity, self-assurance, and artistic expression, their excessive usage can lead to unattainable beauty standards, encourage inauthenticity, and impede the advancement of photographic abilities. The secret is to utilize it responsibly. While filters are a great tool for adding fun to images and expressing oneself, they shouldn't be used as a crutch that distorts reality or takes the place of actual connection.

Reference list

Grabe, S, Ward, LM & Hyde, JS 2008, “The Role of the Media in Body Image Concerns Among Women: A Meta-Analysis of Experimental and Correlational Studies,” Psychological bulletin, vol. 134, no. 3, American Psychological Association, WASHINGTON, pp. 460–476.

Iftikhar, I, Bushra Yasmeen, Nadeem, M & Ahmad, N 2023, ‘Filtered reality: Exploring gender differences in Instagram use, social conformity pressure, and regret among young adults’, Journal of Human Behavior in The Social Environment, Haworth Press, pp. 1–19.

Jill Walker Rettberg 2014, Seeing ourselves through technology : how we use selfies, blogs and wearable devices to see and shape ourselves, Palgrave Macmillan Uk, London, England.

[danieldavidreitberg]

Whiskers and Chips: How AI is Paw-ing its Way into Pet Care

Move over, dog walkers and cat whisperers, because the future of pet care has gone tech-savvy. AI is wagging its tail into our furry friends' lives, offering everything from activity trackers to emotional analysis, turning us mere mortals into full-fledged cyber-pet-parents.

But before you picture your chihuahua meditating with a VR headset, let's delve into the real paws-ibilities of AI pet care:

Tracking Treats and Tails

Smart collars and wearables: No more endless laps around the park counting tail wags! These trackers monitor activity levels, sleep patterns, and even calorie expenditure, ensuring your pup is neither a couch potato nor a fitness fanatic.

Lost pet locators: Never say "who let the dogs out" again! GPS-enabled devices pinpoint your furry escape artist's location, reducing panic attacks and bringing peace of mind (and possibly saving a few chewed-up slippers).

Automatic feeders and water bowls: No more early morning guilt trips! These smart contraptions keep your pet's tummy full, even when you're stuck at work. Just imagine, a purring welcome home instead of a chorus of empty kibble bowls.

Decoding Wagging and Whining

Emotion analysis: Ever wondered what your pet is thinking when they stare at you with those big, soulful eyes? AI-powered cameras analyze facial expressions and vocalizations, attempting to decipher barks, meows, and even purrs into human-understandable emotions. Is it a playful pounce or cuddle craving? Now you might know!

Personalized recommendations: From the perfect food formula to the ideal play style, AI algorithms analyze your pet's activity and emotional data to personalize care and keep them happy and healthy. No more guessing games—your pet is living purrfectly!

But is it All Meow-gnificent?

While the potential of AI in pet care is exciting, it's important to remember:

Technology ≠ Replacement: AI tools are a helpful add-on, not a replacement for traditional care, love, and attention. Your furry friend still needs belly rubs, walks in the park, and maybe even the occasional treat (without AI's judgment, of course).

Data Privacy Pawblems: Like any AI, pet care devices collect data. Make sure you understand how your pet's information is used and protected. Who wants their cat's napping habits shared on social media?

The Ethical Tail: As AI gets more sophisticated, questions about animal autonomy and well-being arise. Should algorithms dictate our pets' lives, or should we prioritize their natural instincts and playfulness?

The Verdict: A Tail-Wagging Future for Humans and Pets?

AI undoubtedly offers some fantastic tools for responsible pet care. But let's remember, technology is just a shiny leash, not the whole walk. The future of pet care lies in a harmonious blend of AI innovation and the genuine love and care we shower upon our furry companions. Together, humans and AI can ensure every tail wags with joy, every purr vibrates with contentment, and every pet, virtual or otherwise, feels loved and understood.