#define the rest of her life. because DUH of course it would

[theskyexists]

Fate is literally the tragic brooding shadowy anti-villain black cape vampire aesthetic (literally) tortured abused terminally loyal soft-spoken beautiful sad red eyed cape wearing electricity / speed enemy to friend to wife

[trampohlena]

Okay, so after last night’s episode I would just like to say that Supercorp IS Endgame. I’d also like to point out the various reasons as to why Kara and Lena are not only soulmates but true twin flames.

For those reading this post who have never heard of the term twin flame: “A twin flame is your own soul, shared across what appears to be two physical beings. It’s one soul, split into two bodies.” -Google’s definition.

For those who are spiritually inclined and have a proclivity for indulging esoteric philosophies; Lena and Kara are ABSOLUTELY twin FUCKING flames 🔥🔥🔥!!

Here are the reasons why:

1. Their drastically different childhoods that resulted in remarkably similar trauma.

Both Kara and Lena have experienced great loss throughout their life. Both mourned the death of their parents, and life as they knew it, at a very early age. Both were shipped off to a foreign land, forced to leave behind everything they knew, in hopes for a brighter/safer future.

Albeit, Lena got the shorter end of the stick in regards to unconditional love, but both were given a second chance and a new start...and yet, they still never fit in, or felt like they truly belonged.

Although they individually have dealt with said trauma in different ways (Lena by pushing away those who try to get too close, and Kara by holding on tightly to those she holds dear) both of their actions are motivated by the same subconscious fear that they HAVE never and WILL never TRULY belong. All while yearning for a sense of “home”.

2. They are opposite reflections of each other; true “mirror souls”, if you will.

Physically, aesthetically, economically, and emotionally—they are complete “mirrors” of one another.

Kara is strong, physically powerful, cut from marble, all hard edges and sharp lines—except for her face. Lena is clearly not as physically powerful, she is soft, all curves, and exudes the grace of the Devine feminine energy—except for her face, which is hard edges and sharp jaw lines. You see what I’m saying?

Aesthetically and economically go hand in hand of course. Lena’s exorbitant wealth is evident in her high-end designer appearance; whereas Kara’s aesthetic is more humble and grounded, and prioritizes comfort over “fashion”. (Let’s admit it. Some of Kara’s fashion choices have been questionable. She clearly rocks the chinos and button-downs better than anything else in that eclectic closet of hers she refuses to come out of 😏)

Emotionally...oh honey. Do I need to say more? I won’t say much but I will say this: Kara is the sun and Lena is the moon. They compliment each other in a way that ensures the world keeps turning.

3. Their individual strengths are the other’s individual weakness and vice versa.

Goes along with the aforementioned “opposite reflection” point above but I’ll expand a bit further in regards to their specific personality traits.

Lena is predominately analytically driven, whereas Kara is emotionally driven. Lena is good in crowds, Kara is not (overwhelmed). Lena is introverted, Kara is extroverted. Lena is detail oriented and has the memory of an elephant, Kara is clumsy and as forgetful as a Pisces (but hey, she has a lot on her plate and barely any free time to balance it). Lena eats like a rabbit-bird-hybrid and Kara eats like a garbage disposal. Kara loves giving and receiving hugs and other forms of physical affection whereas Lena does not (UNLESS it’s from Kara, of course). Etc. Etc. you get the picture.

4. Now this one is the DEAD GIVEAWAY. Undeniable, irrefutable PROOF that Lena and Kara are twin flames.

They are LITERALLY completing what is know as the Twin Flame Journey or the Twin Flame Union.

The stages of Twin Flame Union are roughly as follows:

1. Yearning for “the one”. I think every human being that believes in love experiences this whether it’s throughout their entire life, or only their adult life until they meet this person but yeah. You get it. Kara has always wanted that “Wapow!” moment.

2. Glimpsing/meeting “the one”. Whether it’s only for a short moment, an extended meeting, or perhaps merely locking eyes with them as you pass each other by...you feel immediately connected. There is an instant soul recognition when meeting them, so much so that you could have sworn you’ve met them before or that it’s as if you’ve known each other your whole lives.

Remember when Kara met Lena? And she was gaga-eyed over Lena? Or when Lena felt so comfortable around a new acquaintance that she granted an almost stranger unbridled access to her office? Or how about when Red Daughter flew to America (the country she was taught to hate), with no recollection/memories of Kara’s relationship with Lena (again, the woman she was taught to hate), all because she felt PULLED to do so. And then when she did meet Lena she looked at her and practically drooled over her as if Lena was a double XL cheeseburger with extra special sauce from Big Belly Burger? Like, biiiitch 👀

3. Falling in love. Need I say more? Fine, again, I will. You CANNOT tell me that there is no way in hell that these two morons are anything BUT in love with each other. That’s a lot of double negatives and I appplogize so let me reiterate for clarification: THEY ARE IN LOVE AND YOU CAN’T CHANGE MY MIND!

And at this point is it so freaking BEYOND platonic love, the show cannot explain it away or sweep it under the “just close friends” rug. No. Kara used her Fifth Dimensional Wish (she literally could have wished her entire planet didn’t explode) and she said “make Lena not mad at me, I’m sad 😔” 👀. Mmmkay. Not to mention Lena picking Supergirl over Jack, her former lover. Or the plethora of other times Lena chose Kara/Supergirl over everyone else she knew. Mmkay.

4. The fairytale relationship/friendship. Lena has finally found someone she can depend on, be vulnerable with, support her without judgement, trust with her life etc. and Kara has finally found a true best friend, not her sister, not Kenny who she didn’t realize was her best friend till after he passed? And now he’s not dead?? But her one true best friend that she felt she didn’t need to be neither Supergirl, nor Kara Danvers, but rather Kara Zor-El around (despite Lena not knowing that little tidbit of information).

They were each other’s best friend. Each other’s person. They were happy.

5. Outer Turmoil and Inner Purging—Supergirl and Lena fight. Lena still does not know that Kara is indeed Supergirl and does not pick up on the brewing tension between herself and Kara.

Kara of course is riddled with guilt and her relationship with Lena becomes strained. This outer turmoil creates inner purging by bringing out negative traits in each other. I.E. Lena hiding kryptonite and also Kara asking James to spy on her. Shit gets messy but they still try to make it work.

6. The Runner and the Chaser/Separation Stage—Tensions mount between the two and Lena FINALLY learns about Kara’s secret. And she has a choice to make. So what does she do? She runs. Not physically but emotionally. She completely withdraws from not only Kara and their friends but also withdraws from herself.

She literally experiences cognitive dissonance and becomes someone she is not. Someone other people made her believe she was on the inside, even though Kara knows that it isn’t. And so, Kara chases her.

Lena becomes the runner and Kara becomes the chaser as they navigate this separation stage.

Continuously running and continuously chasing.

7. The Surrender and dissolution stage—they’re fucking done. They’re tired. They’re exhausted physically, mentally, and emotionally after all the bullshit they put each other through as well as all the bullshit Lex and the Phantom Zone put them through.

They come to an impasse in regards to Lex and realize the only way to defeat him is to work together, as a team. (El Mayarah anyone?)

They surrender to their emotions and to each other as their egos dissolve and their souls expand after having learned invaluable life lessons. The major one being: THEY CANNOT LIVE HAPPILY WITHOUT EACH OTHER!

8. The last stage that we have yet to see but we fucking better or else I’m gonna January 6 the CW studio building—“Oneness”.

This time, I’m not gonna say more.

So, in conclusion: Supercorp is Endgame because Lena Luthor and Kara Zor-El Danvers are the literal definition of a twin flame, soulmate connection. They are the same soul, manifested in two physical forms, for the sole purpose of expanding their soul’s consciousness.

They deserve to be happy, they deserve to be together. Not only does their union parallel some of the greatest love stories throughout history, i.e. Romeo and Juliet, Darcy and Bennet, Superman and Lois (duh) it would also break the curse of generational karma and illustrate to anybody who watches the show that the only person who defines who you are is YOU. Not a name, not a legacy, not society’s expectations, YOU. And most importantly of ALL...it would showcase that love truly does conquer all.

I rest my case.

TPTB, make Supercorp Endgame or kick rocks ✌️😘

Sincerely,

An empassioned fan with way too much time on her hands.

[drabbles-mc]

Say Cheese

Juice Ortiz x OFC (Chris Teller)

Inspired by Day Five of the July Prompts: camera

Warnings: none, this is just slice of life fluff

Word Count: 1.2k

A/N: My brain has been going in a million different directions as far as WIPs go these days but I think about this pairing on a daily basis I love them so much

SOA Taglist: @garbinge​ @adela-topaz-caelon​ @masterlistforimagines​ @mijop​ @chibsytelford​ @xladymacbethx​ @i-just-read-stuff​ @kkim120​ @toni9​ @unicornucopia-fuckers​ @shadow-of-wonder​ @punkgoddess-98​ @paintballkid711​ @black-repunzel99​ @jitterbugs927​ @mrsstevenbuchananstark​ (If you want to be added to the taglist just let me know!)

Chris was throwing sunscreen and her beach towel into her bag when she looked over and saw Juice very carefully packing his camera bag. She smiled, walking over and resting her hands on his shoulders before leaning down and pressing a kiss to his temple. He let out a hum of approval as he zipped up the bag.

“Bringing the camera to the beach?”

He looked up at her and nodded, “Yea, that okay?”

She shrugged, “Yea, of course. I just, you trust it at the ocean with all the guys?”

He laughed, “It’ll be fine.

Chris couldn’t remember the last time that they all went together somewhere and none of the guys took their bikes. Everyone brought cars and coolers and things to hide their alcohol in. Gemma, as per usual, had brought enough food to feed an army. She brought enough sunscreen to bathe each of the guys a few times over, knowing that none of them would think to get any for themselves.

The laughter that was erupting from where the waves met the shore was the greatest sound she’d ever heard—Thomas and Abel getting their first real taste of the beach and the ocean. It was good to see kids just being kids. She looked on with a smile as she laid out on her towel, content to just catch a tan and read her book. A little farther down the stretch of beach, a few of the guys were locked into a very competitive game of volleyball. She could hear the smack-talk over the music from the speakers and the waves.

Juice had been quiet for a while, and she honestly thought that he had passed out on his beach towel. With his sunglasses on it was really anyone’s guess. She looked over to make sure that he wasn’t starting to burn, though, and that’s when she realized that he was awake and digging into his camera bag.

“Gonna get some action shots of Tig diving face-first into the sand over there?” she laughed as she nodded towards the volleyball net.

Juice chuckled, shaking his head as he got his camera set up, “Nah, not yet anyway,” he held the camera up and pointed it in her direction, “Say cheese!”

Chris turned away with a laugh, shaking her head, “No way, Juan.”

He lowered the camera, a pout on his face, “Why not?”

“I’ve seen what you do to the photos you take with that camera. My face and body aren’t going anywhere near your photoshop equipment.”

“C’mon,” he laughed, “I’m not going to photoshop you. I promise.”

She didn’t know how much she actually believed him, but regardless she figured that indulging him just this once wouldn’t really hurt. With a sigh she turned back to him, lowering her sunglasses slightly and flashing him a smile. He was practically vibrating with excitement as he lifted the camera back up and snapped a shot.

Scooting closer, he turned the camera so she could see how it came out, “See? Now I can make posters out of you for my dorm at the clubhouse.”

She laughed, leaning onto his shoulder, “God, I love you.”

He pressed a kiss to the top of her head, “I love you too,” he stood up, stretching out for a minute, “Now I’m gonna go get a shot of Tig face-planting.”

“Try to get one of Jax, too!” she called after him with a laugh.

Later on in the afternoon, she tagged in to give Tara some time to just sit, and she took over running around with the toddlers on the shore. She was glad that she brought an extra bag, because every single shell that Abel got his hands on, he wanted to keep. So the three of them were locked in a very intense scavenger hunt when low tide came around, too busy looking for the next great thing to notice that Juice was lurking around to get candid shots of the three of them together.

The only thing that clued her into it at all, was Abel calling out his name as he ran to show him his latest find, “Juice, look!” he held out his tiny hand that held a shell, “It’s a cone!”

He made a big show of inspecting the shell that Abel had just handed to him, “Sure is, buddy. That’s so cool! You gonna keep it?”

“Duh!” Abel turned and ran back towards Chris, who had the bag in one hand and Thomas’s hand in the other.

She spotted the camera and knew exactly what Juice had been doing. She shook your head with a smile, “I’d splash you if that thing wasn’t so expensive,” she walked up to him and gave him a kiss on the lips, “Better not have any of me making weird faces.”

“Define weird.”

She gave him a playful shove, “Shut up. Here,” she handed the bag of shells over to him, “Your turn to do the heavy lifting.”

He rolled his eyes, thinking that you were exaggerating. But once she draped the bag onto his arm his eyes grew wide, “Holy shit,” he laughed, rebalancing himself, “that’s actually heavy.”

“Yea,” she laughed, scooping Thomas up into her arms, “I know,” she looked over at her nephew, “Let’s go get some fruit and water, lil man.”

Juice and Abel trailed behind the two of them, Chris’s oldest nephew chattering on and on about all the different shells and colors of sea glass that they’d found that day. The four of them made quite the little crew as they made their way back to the towels and coolers.

“You don’t look half bad with a baby on your hip, sweetheart,” Gemma piped up from her chair.

“Look way better with a baby off of it, though,” Chris quipped right back as she handed Thomas to Tara.

Gemma ignored the comment, watching as Juice carefully took the camera and set it on top of its bag before walking over and placing a quick kiss on Chris’s cheek. For all her comments and opinions, she couldn’t deny that Chris had been so much less restless since she started dating Juice. She seemed so much more content.

“Got any pictures of yourself on that thing?” Gemma nodded towards the camera.

Juice laughed, shaking his head, “No, no.”

“Here,” she motioned for him to hand it to her, “Let me get a picture of the happy couple, hm?”

Chris rolled her eyes, ���Mom.”

“It’s fine,” Juice cut in before the two of them started going tit for tat over it, “C’mere,” he wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her close.

She laughed, knowing that she wasn’t going to win this one. She could feel the smug grin of victory on Gemma’s face and chose to ignore it, letting her mom take the win this time around. The heat from Juice’s chest seeped into her back as she leaned into him. Just as Gemma was about to take the picture, he turned and pressed a kiss to the side of her head, causing her to break out in laughter.

The satisfaction on Gemma’s face was genuine as she handed the camera back over to Juice, “Thank you for indulging me.”

He smiled as he took it back and clicked back to find the picture. The grin on his face grew as he showed it to Chris, “Not bad.”

She looked, and couldn’t deny that she was immediately a little obsessed with the photo, “That’s the one that should be a poster in your dorm.”

“I could do both,” he chuckled, leaning in and kissing her on the lips.

“Gotta make two copies of this one,” she lightly tapped the camera screen.

[aflyingcontradiction]

The Magnus Archives Relisten: Episode 117 - Testament

But Tim isn’t going to sit home and wait, and Elias seems pretty insistent I go along. Part of me thinks it’s just so he can see if whatever this “preparation” he’s been trying to do on me works. - Jon

I guess, yeah, that's part of it and the other part is that he wants to make absolutely sure Jon gets touched by as many powers as he possibly can and sending him right into the lion's den is a good way of doing that, I suppose.

I don’t quite get those two. I suppose what they’ve done, seeing what they’ve seen… it’s a hell of a bond. The sort of thing I’ve mostly done alone.

Ouch. That is a painful realisation right there! (The usual disclaimer of "I'm obviously not talking about the scale of cosmic horror here because duh or for that matter even the scale of massive trauma" but I actually think that realisation is on some level relatable because of the realisation I had multiple times in my life of "I don't really know what a close bond feels like because I've never actually been anywhere close to the best friend of the people I've considered my best friends." Fortunately my luck has shifted somewhat in the "close emotional bonds" department, or at least I hope I'm not kidding myself about that, but the realisation that some people have these fire-forged, ride-or-die relationships and you're just kinda doing your own thing, dipping a finger shallowly into human connection every once in a while and then watching it flow away, is a bit of a twinge.)

And… aside from some, uh, uh, office gossip which I, I’m not sure is necessary or, uh, conducive to a workplace that… hey, it, it, it’s natural it’s, it’s normal.

I love how Jon just goes from deep emotional turmoil to being a bit upset that people are gossipping about whatever may be going on in his love life. Talk about emotional roller coasters!

Oh, yeah, I found something on the other body the circus stole, this “George Icarus.” (...) Jurgen Leitner. I just can’t be rid of him.

Ah, okay, this is where we learn who George Icarus was. Also, the pseudonym is very fitting, I mean, Leitner did, in fact, fly too close to the goddamn sun and subsequently crash and burn when he decided to create a library of fear books, didn't he?

He always said, if you don’t like something, you accept it and you adapt, or you fight and you change it. Whining doesn’t help. I always tried to live like that. But I think sometimes you feel like you’re adapting, but it’s just denial. - Basira

This is definitely something I've experienced myself but it's also definitely something I've seen in some people who like to go on like Basira's dad about stiff-upper-lip-don't-whine-adapt-and-overcome to other people and shame others for expressing their emotional pain. When the cracks finally do start showing up (usually under the influence of alcohol), it's not so much a crack as a full-on explosion.

But at least Daisy’s coming. I mean, I know she’s… difficult. Everything they say about her, it’s true, it’s fair. But, she’s solid. She’s a… a fixed point, and if she’s there, I know exactly where I stand, exactly what I’m doing, relative to her.

It's tragic but also on some level a little bit heartwarming that Basira never actually stops doing things relative to Daisy, even when it takes everything out of her, even when Daisy starts destroying herself.

Still stuck, still miserable, still angry. New traumas, but they hurt just like the old ones. Elias thinks he’s got this ingenious way to hurt people, but it’s just the same old and a creepy new package. Arsehole. God, I just want to rip his – When did I start to lose the parts of me that weren’t just anger? - Melanie

I always have a soft spot for the angry ones, the ones who have to forcibly stop themselves from punching people in the teeth, who have to put every last shred of willpower into keeping a lid on the boiling, hissing, steaming pot that is their inner life. The ones whose willpower sometimes fails them and then they do end up hurting people or themselves because of their anger. And not to go all REPRESENTATION here, but I'm actually glad to see that in TMA that character archetype is basically all women, because the people exploding in violent anger or having to try so fucking hard to keep it in and occasionally failing are usually guys.

They did manifest, but they weren’t what I thought they’d be. They were fused, somehow, all mixed together, a huge angry mass of dead flesh and guns.

I'm kind of glad this isn't a fully-fledged statement because I feel like that sentence, that image, is really all I need and anything further would actually weaken rather than strengthen the horror.

Good luck, Jon. I do hope you win. But I also hope it hurts.

Damn, this episode is so good at summarising characters in a line or two, isn't it?

I, I’m scared, I guess. – no, wait. No, no, I mean, ah, I don’t want that to be my last message, the thing that defines me. “Martin Blackwood, he was always scared, then he died. The end.” I don’t want that. - Martin

I'm a very anxious person and this is INSANELY relatable, this fear that all that's going to be left of you is the things you didn't do because you were terrified. ... Martin, stop making me tear up by being too damn relatable!

I need them to be safe, I need him to be okay.

Aw, Martin!

I mean, it’s not like I’m going to be safe, like my plan’s not dangerous, but it’s, it’s mine. This last couple of years, I’ve always been running, always hiding, caught in someone else’s trap, but, but now it’s my trap, and, well, I think it’ll work. I know, I know it’s not exactly intricate, but it felt good leaving my own little web.

a) This thought process makes perfect sense. Sometimes you just need to express your goddamn agency, even if it's dangerous and even if it's bound to hurt and b) I know the podcast immediately lampshades the "web" thing, but WEB!MARTIN THOUGH! I MEAN! THINK ABOUT IT! That would've been such an amazing plot point and they had it all set up. I mean, he's got a lot of good Lonely-related shit going on later, too, but ... why not both? I do enjoy it when the powers squabble over a character!

I used to blame my brother for going off his own and poking around where he wasn’t wanted. I used to blame myself for not helping him. But now… now it doesn’t matter. I’ve read through enough of these things to know that this doesn’t matter. The only thing you need to have your life destroyed by this stuff is just bad luck. Talk to the wrong person, take the wrong train, open the wrong door, and that’s it! - Tim

I think Tim's view of this is actually very close to the way that TMA handles this. The Entities don't eat you because you deserve it. They just happen to happen to someone. And that makes the horror work so much better than if that wasn't the case. (It also feels closer to how LIFE actually works a lot of the time.) So I find it somewhat odd to see when people do read desert into it, I feel like that weakens the storytelling.

Honestly, I hope that Jon learned something from her because, because I don’t expect I’m going to be coming back from this. I don’t know if I want to. And if he needs to pull the trigger, to use me to stop it… well, he’d better have the guts to do it.

Well. Fuck!

Gerard’s page… Gerry. I-I know there’s more he could tell me – he he, wouldn’t of, of course, I, I know that but he, he… he would still be there, th-that, that knowledge, i-it would, it would still exist…(...) …y-you owe me one, Gerry. Rest in … Just rest. - Jon

Damn, seeing Jon struggle against the instinct to keep knowledge available to himself, seeing how much it literally hurts him and seeing him WIN is sure something. Also ... "Rest in ... just rest." ... make me cry, why don't you?

My impression of this episode

This is not so much horror as it is concentrated emotion and I adore it. I nearly teared up a few times on my relisten (I think I wasn't in quite the right headspace during my first time). The gut punch quotes come thick in this one. This may actually be my favourite plot development episode (as opposed to favourite statements that don't relate directly to the overall plot). The writing is just. so. good.

[accioromione]

hey magic writer! I absolutely love your writing! For a prompt:- Ron and Hermione discussing their sex lives with Harry and Ginny respectively, and them NOT being grossed about it, as it is usually shown, please!!!!

first anon said 17: so I’m doing this! 

----- 

‘I’m sorry Hermione!’ Harry said nervously, ‘I didn’t mean to-’ he began, 

‘oh it’s fine Harry!’ said Hermione happily, ‘it’s just a book-’ she said, ‘anyways I must be off, Ginny and I are going shopping for bridesmaids dresses, enjoy the rest of the day you two and try not to burn down this place,’ she joked smiling, she kissed Ron on the cheek lovingly and gave Harry a tight hug and left. 

‘This is a weird Hermione to get used to,’ Harry said after she apparated. 

Ron looked at the spot where Hermione had vanished lovingly. 

‘And a weird Ron-’ Harry muttered. 

‘What do you mean?’ Ron said snapping back to reality and looking at Ron. 

‘Well ever since you two have started living together she’s been very un Hermione like... she just told me I ONLY tore her book.. the old Hermione would have murdered me.’ 

Ron laughed, ‘yeah... she’s ... a little different,’ he admitted his ears turning red. 

‘What, are you putting potions in her food or something?’ Harry asked curiously. 

‘No,’ Ron admitted his face red, ‘we- uh... we’ve just been having a lot of... sex...’ 

‘Right,’ said Harry, ‘don’t murder me Ron but sex doesn’t do that to... you know,’ 

‘What?’ Ron asked, ‘how could it not?’ 

‘What do you mean how could it not what the hell is your sex life like?’ Harry asked curiously. 

‘Do you really want to know?’ Ron asked curiously, Harry shrugged his shoulders, ‘I’ll be an adult about it I guess... try to avoid saying her name,’ Harry said. 

‘It’s brilliant’ said Ron smiling, ‘she’s a freak,’ 

‘What?’ Harry asked shocked. 

Ron nodded proudly, ‘I always knew she would be. It’s the uptight ones... I always fantasized..er.... forget I said that.. but yeah.. she’s always in the mood and so am I so it’s brilliant.’ 

‘You don’t get tired?’ Harry asked. 

‘Of course, we take breaks... but I can go for a long time so she likes that...’ Ron said 

‘Define long,’ said Harry. 

‘I don’t know like thirty minutes maybe?’ Ron said thoughtfully. 

‘Oh that is good!’ said Harry, ‘you force it or what?’ 

‘Naw, I suppose since we’re being real and raw, I’ve always kind of lasted that long... the first time was different but ever since I just can.. unless she’s doing something wild..’ Ron said, beginning to look dazed. 

‘Right,’ said Harry, ‘well... she looks... happy...’ 

‘Well that’s always my priority, I don’t even like have sex with her until I’ve already made her cum.’ Ron said. 

‘What?’ Harry asked.

‘Yeah,’ Ron nodded, ‘I don’t mind because I actually love eating her out...’ 

‘You love it?’ Harry asked.

Ron looked at him, ‘well duh,’ said Ron, grimacing, he added, ‘you er... don’t?’ 

‘Well..’ Harry began, ‘I don't mind doing it.. but I wouldn’t say I love it.’ 

‘Can’t relate mate, genuinely gets me going.’ Ron said. 

‘Great, you’re a sex God,’ said Harry, ‘watch Hermione tell Ginny and she’ll be expecting this now...’ 

Ron grimaced, ‘I don't think Hermione and Ginny would talk about us.. they’d think it’s weird.’ 

‘I mean...we’re talking about them,’ said Harry thoughtfully. 

‘Well we’re blokes it’s different,’ said Ron. 

xxxx

‘Oh he loves it!’ said Hermione happily.

‘Who would have thought my brother is some sex god,’ Ginny said, surprised. 

‘Harry doesn’t love it?’ Hermione asked. 

‘Well I know he likes it.. or he does it.. but I can tell he doesn’t love it... he’s not like begging to eat me out... and he doesn't do it like more than once a round.’ said Ginny. 

‘Oh my god Ron does it like three times a round! He literally begs me.’ Hermione said crossing her legs. 

‘Okay let’s not get too excited,’ said Ginny. 

‘I read that not all females cum,’ said Hermione, ‘he makes me cum every time.’ 

Ginny nodded, ‘so we finally found out my brothers use,’ 

‘Oh stop it Ginny Ron is so much more than-’ Hermione said,

‘I know I’m kidding...Jesus... usually you’d laugh you are DICK whipped.’ Ginny said. 

‘I am not... okay well maybe...but it’s the best type of whipping... I did that to him once, it was great ’ Hermione sighed.

‘Hermione you’re a freak,’ Ginny said and Hermione blushed.

‘Ron thinks so too-’ she said, ‘but he complies, he’s kind of like me... or he likes how I am...’ 

‘Well I knew he was sick.. but not that sick...’ Ginny said. 

‘Oh come on you never role play?’ asked Hermione. 

‘Not really-’ admitted Ginny. 

‘Oh,’ said Hermione, ‘maybe we are sick-’ 

‘Definitely twisted,’ said Ginny. 

‘Well I love it,’ said Hermione, ‘I’ve been so relaxed recently because now we can just do it whenever now that we live together.’ 

‘You’re going to leave nothing for the honeymoon-’ said Ginny. 

‘Doubt it,’ said Hermione, ‘I still get just as turned on and he does for me, oh it’s going to be so nice when he’s my husband and we ... oh and he’ll be in a suit.... and I’ll be in the dress.... oh...’ 

‘Still here Hermione....’ said Ginny. 

‘Right,’ said Hermione coming back to reality. ‘Well anyways we still have six months to go to the wedding! What do you think of pink?’ asked Hermione picking a pink dress from the rack. 

[mmmleckerlecker]

Please do go off about why you chose certain chapter titles

I wanna know it all 👀

Well. I mean. *cracks knuckles* If you insist....

(putting in a read more tho cause I just break down every chapter title so it gets lengthy)

Some of them are kinda obvious and simple. Like “The Meeting” details Felix and Benji’s first meeting. Duh.

“‘Someone Like You’” is named after a quote in the chapter HOWEVER it IS a quote that comes back once Felix learns about consuming and what Mrs. Marotta truly meant when she said it.

I think “Lion’s Den” was my first ‘clever’ chapter title. There’s not really anything deeper to it than being a reference to the fact that Benji innocently walks into a house filled with preds (the majority of which have consumed fatally)

“The Truth” is simply named for the fact that it’s the chapter where Felix learns the truth about preds and consuming. However, it’s somewhat unintentional (maybe I did it subconsciously), but I think most chapters that start with ‘the’ in the title, are sort of markers for important milestones in the story/character arcs. So, for instance, so far the Big Things to happen have truly been their meeting and learning the truth

“Trust” is also pretty straightforward but I do think it’s the beginning of a sort of reoccurring theme in the story. I also just find the concept of trust fascinating, especially when it’s given to people who naturally don’t seem to deserve it (like Felix)

And then there’s “Crush”!! This chapter was definitely named after the fact that it’s about Camille’s crush on Felix. HOWEVER I liked the sound of it because it was a sort of dark foreshadowing for how their relationship would evolve as time went on.

Was the chapter “Changes” inspired a little bit by the David Bowie song? Maybe so. Do I hear it play in my head every time I read the chapter title? Who is to say? (Same kind of goes for “‘Someone Like You’” where that Adele song plays)

Mmm and “Instinct” was of course named after the fact that this is when Felix’s pred instincts really kick into overdrive and start pushing him down the road to becoming Lux. I know it’s another simple title but I like to think it mirrors “Trust” in a way. Not only are they single word titles, but they’re both reoccurring themes in the story. They’re also both sort of the defining factor in Felix and Benji’s relationship. Does Benji have enough trust in Felix that he’s safe? Are Felix’s instincts powerful enough to jeopardize that safety? Only time will tell...

Okay now listen. Imma be honest. The line, “For Benji,” was NOT originally in this chapter. I was trying to come up with a title and I was like “doesn’t Felix think that to himself at some point?” Turns out ahh nope he didn’t. But no worries. I can do what I want. I simply slipped it in there and now it’s the chapter title. I really only wanted this title For The Drama.

Oof the title for “A Single Condition” was a little difficult to come up with. It’s just that SO MUCH happens in this chapter. It’s the longest chapter in the story so far.* But ultimately the line about Prey Man having a single condition really stood out to me as it’s basically the driving force for the next few chapters so that’s how I got that chapter title. (*Now when I say it’s the longest in the story, I mean it’s the longest POSTED chapter. There’s been more than one chapter I’ve had to split into two when posting cause they’re just too damn long.)

Now “The Scorpion” is one I’m super proud of. I uh dunno how many people got the reference but it’s to the Fable called “The Scorpion and the Frog” where a scorpion asks for a ride across the river on the back of the frog. The frog refuses at first, saying the scorpion will surely sting and kill him while he swims. The scorpion reassures the frog, saying that if he dies, the scorpion will also die by drowning as he cannot swim. The frog agrees to help.... and the scorpion stings him. As they both die, the frog asks why the scorpion did it, and the scorpion responds that it’s simply in his nature. The Scorpion, in this case, is Felix who betrays Benji simply by giving in to his nature. (Note that I don’t really agree with the message behind the fable, but ya know... The Symbolism.)

And then obviously “The Frog” is a reference to Benji who also makes the mistake of trusting his natural enemy and paying for it dearly. (Fun fact but these two chapters where originally one that I split into two to keep the lengths reasonable. And BOY WAS IT A GOOD DECISION. That one week between releases where everyone was LOSING it because they didn’t know whether Felix would let Benji out or not.... was a Good Week)

I think “A New Perspective” was a pretty straightforward title decision. As low key as the chapter itself. I do find it interesting tho that both chapters that start with “A” in the title have to do with Benji getting his world rocked upon learning how other prey view preds

YASSS and then there’s “Lux.” I like this chapter title purely because I don’t think people realized the significance of it when I first posted it. Like it really was like “oh Felix has a cute nickname. That’s fun!” And then several chapters later it’s just “oh okay so Lux really is this whole different side to him huh?” Like this chapter is the absolute true beginning to Lux. Love it.

And for “Lilian” this was a chapter title meant to mirror the previous one. They’re the only two chapters named after a character, they’re back to back, and they both start with an L (although that wasn’t intentional, it just sorta happened lol). This chapter was also originally combined into one chapter with the previous chapter, but again, I broke them up to save on length.

“The Alliance” was simply named for the Pred-Prey Alliance in the chapter, also the driving force for the main conflict (but also note that it’s another chapter title that starts with “the”)

AND THEN we have “The Facility,” the title for which is meant to mirror the one before it because... this is it. These are the two chapters that cement Camille and Felix going down completely opposite paths with Benji stuck right in the middle.

“Homecoming” I think is... a kind uncreative title. But truly not much happens in the chapter itself except that.... Benji comes home

Now for “A Place to Belong” (note how this is the other chapter title that begins with “A”), I think simply titling it “Epomis” was a huge temptation. It’s The Big Reveal and it would sort of mirror the title for chapter 17 “The Facility.” HOWEVER. I thought naming it that would be too much of a spoiler. Especially if a new reader happened to be skimming through the list of chapters. It would give away the significance too soon. And I hate giving spoilers away more than I liked the drama of the title, so I went with “A Place to Belong” instead.

Okay and I’m very much proud of “Golden Boy” because it’s such a small line in the chapter, and the title itself is vague enough that no one would question it until they had more context. And then you get the context and you REALIZE how significant The Golden Boy really is. (Also maybe a little bit cause Lux’s name means “light” and I just like the image of golden light)

“Busy Work” was another one of those uninspired titles for another one or those lowkey Benji chapters. Hmm maybe they should get a category of their own since they keep happening. Anydays. The title mayyy have also been a small reference to the Avatar episode “Bitter Work” in which Toph first (attempts) to teach Aang to earthbend. (Because that show is my favorite ever and I think it inspires my writing a lot in general.)

“The Mission” title is also quite obvious but notice how it’s another “The” title! This is the chapter that marks the beginning of Benji’s path back to Felix/Lux. I’d say that’s pretty important.

Mmmm I love the title for “‘To Live and Give.’” When I first wrote that line a few chapters earlier I was evil smiling to myself about how I was planning to bring it back with a MUCH darker twist. I love it.

“‘All Mouths That Surround You’” aka one of my fave chapters. The perfect intro for the new Lux. This is a reference, of course, to the alt-J song “Every Other Freckle,” which I’ve associated with Lux from the beginning. Now. I realize that some (most) lyric sites list that line as “all baths that surround you.” I think out of context, that line sounds strange, but there IS another line that’s clearly “all showers that shower you” so I guess that would make more sense to include baths as well. But is that as sexy as “mouths”? Absolutely not. So we improvise, overcome, adapt. Moving right along.

“The Reunion,” which I sorta mentioned earlier, is meant to mirror the very first chapter, “The Meeting” and I think that’s beautiful. Like I’m all about taking everything that seemed happy and innocent in the beginning of this story and twisting it so it matches the darker tone of the rest.

“Table Talks” is a little bit of a meh title to me but I do find it entertaining that I think table talks are usually.... not as angsty and full of conflict as Benji and Lux’s is.

“Kleptoparasite” is, as mentioned earlier, a reference to Lux stealing Cecil’s prey. It’s the ~scientific~ term for an animal that acquires its prey by stealing it from other predators. I mostly chose it because I wanted something more clever than “Stolen Prey” (and also I like incorporating Real Life stuff into the story. Like how Epomis is a beetle whose larvae practice predator/prey role-reversal in nature).

And finally there’s “Crumple” which is a callback all the way to chapter 6 “Crush.” This time Camille really IS a crumpled mess. The chapter really hits home with how her and Lux’s relationship has changed over the years. And, of course, it’s just me again doing the classic twist of making things in the early years darker to fit the later years.

Okay! That’s everything up to date so far! I hope this is what you meant when you wanted to “know all” 😂

[princesssarcastia]

a veronica mars leverage au, i guess, because what else should i be doing with my life?

*deep sigh*

So I was thinking about the mechanics of a veronica mars leverage au—as in, veronica mars characters in a leverage like set-up, because the leverage setup is the golden standard™ of like, the known universe.

you have veronica mars, mastermind; the rest of the crew being made up of wallace, mac, logan, and weevil.  and mac is obviously the hacker.

but I also think that, in this au, the roles won’t be so clear cut.  the problem is that in veronica mars, all of these characters (except mac, who is an archetype) display different skills from each of the five defined roles in the leverage universe: hitter, hacker, grifter, thief, mastermind. 

veronica is a mastermind, sure, but she also makes killer fake IDs and breaks into systems like hardison does and is a hell of a grifter.

weevil can throw down, and lift things like a thief, and even pull one over on someone in a grifter-like fashion. and as head of the PCHers he has some definitive mastermind tendencies; he knows how to plan a fight, and a con.

wallace is more of a solid dude than a member of the criminal element, but when veronica needs him, he’s played roles like a grifter and pulled off lifts like a thief.

logan has a talent for violence, but also can lie like he breathes and put on shows to convince the best of them.

really i guess they all just have a little grifter in them.

if I had to had to had to give them all definitive leverage archetypes, though, it would be veronica: mastermind, logan: hitter, Weevil: thief, wallace: grifter, and of course, mac: hacker.

veronica is the mastermind because she knows all of them best, knows what they can do; because she’s capable of putting all the moving pieces together into one perfect plan; but also because she’s a control freak with maaaajior trust issues.  there’s no way she could ever let anyone else be in charge.

logan is the hitter because he’s just got that underlying current of violence about him at all times, but also because my absolute favortie scenes of his are when he’s being protective of veronica.  not that end of season three bullshit, mind you, but like the scene in season one when he rescues her from the federal agent, or the scene in season two when he bluffs his way into and out of the irish mob’s territory with an unloaded gun to save veronica.  make him the hitter and we get breathtaking violence from him, sure.  but we also get to see logan at his best: giving a damn about the well-being of others. 

weevil is the thief because this guy is smooth.  he pulled the heist at the carnival brilliantly in s2; and he stole that pen from the Kane household in s1 successfully even though the police arrested him and catalogued everything on his person, including the pen. it’s a bit of a square peg in a round hole, but I feel like he;d have comfortable knowledge of security systems and guard rotations and police jurisdictions.

wallace is the grifter because i’ve noticed that a lot of the times he asks veronica for advice on how to do stuff, its grift-related.  “how do I seduce the fake head cheerleader?” for example.  and he pulls some short term grifts for her, like when he infiltrates the silicon mafia at SD State.  also he’s got the best innate knowledge of who people are and what they’re like.  yeah, veronica can pull people apart, but Wallace is just good with them in a way she isn’t.  and also he’s got the most emotional maturity out of any of these basket cases.

mac is the hacker because she’s god’s gift to computers, duh.

what I really want, though; what any good leverage AU is an excuse to do, is to make a found family out of these losers.  imagine if these five people all...trusted and loved each other, in addition to liking one another??  i’m drooling just thinking about it.

I also think that, ironically enough, being righteous criminals in constant close contact would work wonders for veronica and logan’s relationship, lbr.  if veronica is mastermind-ing their cons, she doesn’t have to wonder what logan—or any of her other friends, for that matter—are doing, and go a little crazy to find out.  it’s an outlet for her control-freak-trust-issues.

aaaand if logan is their hitter/muscle, it’s literally his job to protect everyone, including veronica.  violently, if necessary. 

plus, they can both work out their paranoia on things that aren’t each other—cause it’s not paranoia if they’re really out to get you.

the best episodes always involved Veronica pulling her friends into cons with her; VM the show is already only a hop-skip-and-a-jump away from leverage, anyway!  solving mysteries, sure, but also getting revenge, retrieving items, getting even...providing leverage.

like, seriously.

Veronica and Wallace effortlessly pulling a grift out of their asses when they’re caught in a sticky situation, using that emotional drift comparability in their brOTP.

Mac, getting the respect and cash she deserves for finding information and recovering hard drives and also, giving her righteous side some room to move.

Logan and Weevil sniping at each other, maybe having not-so-faux fights as distractions or part of a con— but having each other’s backs.  playing partners in macho stoicism even though we all know they’re softies sometimes.

Wallace and Mac, standing to the side as exasperated captains of the maturity and stability team while Logan and Veronica share a dumpster fire.

Veronica and Weevil doing that thing, you know, where they’re kind of flirting and kind of pulling one over on their audience and pulling each other out of messes.

Wallace, prince among men, getting to play the handsome and charming credit to his gender he is.  imagine, if you will, him pulling honey-trap cons on marks like sophie deveraux did.  i am and it’s delightful.

the worst part about canon!VM is how much they all (veronica.  largely veronica) tore one another down; betrayed people; didn’t trust them; hurt them; expected the worst and got it in self-fulfilling bullshit.  imagine if all of that went away and then write it for me pleeeaaaseee

i’ve been brainstorming and like, there’s two paths you could go.  one is a complete graft to the leverage fusion, in which they never actually went to high school together but instead are professional criminals who all grew into their own on their own and came together.  in this path, we’d come in on our anti-heroes already in the thick of it—or at least, having deep histories together that allow them to trust one another right away.

the other is like, veronica falls to the “dark side” in high school and drags them all with her, handing out black hats as she goes. perhaps in a world where Aaron Echolls gets acquitted and Duncan Kane does not have an assassin at the ready to avenge his sister outside the law, where Veronica literally can’t sleep at the thought of him out there.  a world where Logan and Weevil have that same insomnia, and Mac and Wallace care about Veronica enough to help. 

and maybe it starts out as just a way to get new evidence so a judge can declare a retrial and get Aaron convicted; but ohhh, Aaron Echolls is not a man who can leave well enough alone.  He’s a rich, powerful, attention seeking mother fucker who likes to taunt logan and veronica about what he did to lily.  so even though it’s not Duncan paying for him to get assassinated, the end result is the same: Aaron dead as a doornail, like he deserves.

Maybe it’s a fake suicide, like Veronica planned out for her criminology course, the literal perfect crime.  Maybe he gets murdered and dumped on Lamb’s doorstep with an audio recording of him confessing—edited by Mac, of course, to make sure Veronica and Logan’s parts in the charade weren’t included.

also i’d like to think that, in this world where they wear black hats to better play white knights, Veronica and Logan have just...the best-worst reputation.  Yeah, they melt around each other, but ho-ly shit they’re still lethal—especially if you put one in danger.   Maybe Logan’s got a reputation as an attack dog, and maybe Veronica’s got a reputation as holding his leash, and maybe they’ve proven they’re willing to do anything to keep each other safe.  Maybe, they made a deal, a long time ago when they started out: Veronica gets to get into anything she wants, whatever crusade is currently pushing her buttons, as long as she brings Logan along to protect her. 

their story is epic, after all.

anyway! In Conclusion, tl;dr, someone please stop me from having veronica mars feelings, and if leverage could please stop being the best found family ever, that would probably help.

[bi-outta-cordonia]

In Another World, Part II

The continuation of the Colt x MC piece I was hoping to finally put out for @rodappreciationweek. The week itself is over, so this is just me slamming chapters up hoping to finally do a thing I’ve been thinking about for a minute!

Part I --> here!

Ride or Die: A Bad Boy Romance. Colt Kaneko x f!MC(Deidre Wheeler). PG-13, with warnings going out to Brandon’s rancid vibes. ~4k words.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Seventeen, eighteen—her keyboard clacks in steady strokes, each letter spelling out a larger plan that should take no more than three years and some change to complete if she works hard enough. Every orientation event is over. Every ���meet and greet” has long since burned the flames of excitement out her bones. Extracurriculars, plus honors programs, plus a few personal hobbies will fill her free time in between classes. But the main question again…

Seventeen credits or eighteen credits?

Deidre’s hands hover over the keyboard and she chews her lip.

“I know it’s not my business…” Deidre tosses a look back at Ingrid, her pouty lips pursed and her brow drawn. Ingrid glances pointedly at the open document on the computer screen. “We’re definitely still doing the competition thing, right? Pushing each other or whatever?” Deidre nods slowly. “Which is cool! But like…I don’t want you to burn out before we really get into it!”  

Deidre frowns. “You’re taking seventeen credits.”

“Yeah, but that’s because I’m doing my lab first!” Ingrid waltzes up and clicks to the next screen, displaying the course load Deidre painstakingly puts together months before the first day of classes. “Do your lab first, duh. You already have a bunch of high school credits for the 100 levels.”

“But I’d still have to drop a class,” Deidre says.

Ingrid rolls her eyes. “God, I respect you so much but you can really be irritating.”

Deidre balks. “Alright—”

“Here, take a bullshit class and you can keep your seventeen.” Ingrid clicks a few buttons and lands on a page describing a philosophy class. She squints at the screen. “Blah blah blah, classical and modern conceptions of love, blah blah. You just need to get an A and you’ll be solid, yeah?”

Deidre shakes her head and turns her attention back to the screen.

~ 

“A look at the ways in which classical and modern conceptions of love and romance have changed over the natural course of time. What the course aims to do is interrogate how love has been defined and shaped by society and cultures. Bring an open mind and an equally open heart to a two day a week lecture!”

Seems simple enough.

Day one doesn’t fully prepare her for the sheer amount of bodies filling every concrete path between her and the rest of Langston. The way she works out her schedule, serious classes take place Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. “Bullshit electives” (Ingrid’s words) occupy her Tuesdays and Thursdays for the time being. One class that focuses on life skills and the other is apparently a philosophy class about love.

A comfortable pair of jeans and even more comfortable sneakers gets her through the throngs of people jockeying for space on the sidewalks. Some souls are brave (or foolish?) enough to bike through the madness but she remembers her favorite self-defense trick from her father—throw them bows.

Deidre shoves her way to Terrence Hall and wanders around the building twice before she finds the lecture room. “Room” because it’s small like a classroom and filled from front to back with desks. The age of the building shows in some of the dusty corners and faded paint on the walls. A good number of her peers sit scattered throughout the room, some leaning on desks and carrying on with casual conversations. A few of them eye her as she walks in. Their gazes immediately catch her old shoes and even older jeans. It’s almost funny how the braids and brown skin are the last things they see—at Mar Vista, it was the first but she at least had four years to show them all the money their parents had still couldn’t afford them a brain like hers.

She takes a seat in the front and rummages through her bag when she sets it down. Notebook, lead pencil, laptop open and ready—a long ten minutes pass and the professor walks in holding a cup of coffee.

He’s a small man and most certainly older.

“Thirty of you this year! Much less than I usually get for the fall semester,” he exclaims. His eyes scan over the class and the collective mood drops in an instant. Most of the students are sophomores. A lot of them are just trying to bang out electives first and this was one of the easiest classes the university offers. “Well, anyway—introductions, yes? As many of you should know by now, I am Professor Pines.” Some of the students giggle. “Yes, yes, terrible name, isn’t it? Regardless, I’d rather not spend too much time reflecting on my family’s awful choices in naming conventions.”

He hands a stack of papers to a girl in the front who passes the papers back. A steady stream of motion fills the room as students pass around what she assumes is the syllabus. When she receives her copy, she purses her lips:

20% for quizzes—

15% participation—

15% mid semester report—

25% group project—

25% final exam—

She almost groans along with the rest of the class when they all see it—group project. Professor Pines seems a bit too gleeful despite knowing he’s just cast them all to their doom.

“The basics of the course first,” he starts. “As this is a philosophy class, most of the materials we’ll be working with are going to come from a variety of readings we’ll be doing, examining facets of love and romance across multiple sources to answer that big question that hangs over us all—what exactly is love? What does it entail and how do we define it?” The professor clasps his hands behind his back and looks out over each student. “There are about a thousand ways to describe love but I want to have you all truly engage the topic. How we see it, experience it, and demonstrate it varies wildly and I’m eager to see what the lot of you come up with. Now, if you could all—”

The door opens and the professor stops for a brief moment. He continues with his next topic but it’s hard not to notice him digging through the papers on the table near him as he searches for a spare syllabus for his newest student.

Deidre sits up and thinks the weird boy from the frat party might recognize her as he scans the room for a seat. His eyes find her for all of a second before he struts down the path and takes a seat at the back of the room. She sucks her teeth and turns her attention back to the professor.

He goes on for a long while covering the basics and answering questions as he goes. Most of the students are just using the class to fill up electives—her included. Engagement seems like it’ll be interesting compared to her other classes but at the very least, she’s going to put some effort in. She took top spot back home and she’s going to have to work hard for even the smallest chance at achieving that out here.

“Before I let you all go, I just want to ask…” Professor Pines steeples his fingers, eyes intently watching the class. “What is love?”

His gaze rakes across the length of the room, each student slinking down in their seat and holding a careful breath as they gauge whether he’s the sort that will call on people or let them speak on their own. The silence lasts for a few more minutes until Deidre raises her hand.

The professor beams and the classroom lets out a collective sigh.

“Love can defined in a number of ways but the most basic would point to it being a psychological effect between individuals with well-defined social bonds,” she answers. “It can be a series of emotions, complex affections, and highly specific in terms of behavioral patterns defined by the parameters of a person’s relationship with the object of said love.”

Professor Pines nods approvingly and looks up. “Yes? In the back?”

“It’s a collective of impulses disguised as particular receptors in the brain that dictate meanings behind specific actions.” Deidre turns around in her seat and catches the boy from the party bringing his coffee to his lips for a sip. “Doesn’t always have to be deeper than that—sometimes the brain just does weird shit and we run around trying to add meaning where there doesn’t need to be.”

The class buzzes and Professor Pines seems even more giddy.

“Ah, a realist!” he says and the boy shrugs. “I always get one! Perspective is going to be key here, both in your understandings of the material and of what you take away from this class.”

Deidre raises her hand. “But the whims themselves would become receptors based on the emotional bond between the individuals in question, wouldn’t they? People can act out of a sense of impulse but love requires those impulses be tailored to prior experience with an individual.”

The boy snorts. “Not necessarily. People can say or do something under the guise of love but that doesn’t necessarily make it so. It’s the brain assigning meaning to whims.”

She bristles. “The presence of whims would require a prior interaction that shapes it.”

“Does it? I mean, I don’t believe in that ‘love at first sight’ crap but the existence of such narratives makes a pretty strong case for love being just the brain trying to find ways to assign meanings—”

“Which still can be explained through a prior interaction because ‘love at first sight’ still requires some form of meaningful—”

“And there’s the idealist,” the professor says, nodding thoughtfully. Professor Pines continues, “I don’t really want to keep any of you any longer, so please make sure to read over the syllabus.” He pauses for a moment, glancing between the front and the back of the room. “I have a feeling this is going to be an interesting semester.”

Deidre glances around and sinks a little in her seat at the other students tossing looks between her and the boy from the party. When she looks back at him, he lifts a brow and takes a languid sip of his coffee.

~

“Don’t ask me about that,” Deidre snaps. “I don’t even want to talk about it.”

“That bad?” Riya snorts.

“He’s a douchebag! He actually tried to pull some bullshit devil’s advocate crap day one of the entire semester and he wouldn’t even tell me his fucking name at the party!” Deidre dodges a couple rushing out the dorm and ignores Riya’s cackling.

“I mean, he sounds pretty hot…”

“Riya!” Deidre yanks her phone away from her ear and glares daggers at it. Her teeth grind as Riya’s raucous laugh rings through the tinny speakers and she lets out a roar that has heads turning her way. “You’re being a bad friend!”

“You have a crush on him! Look—Deidre—”

“I’m hanging up on you. Hand to God, I will absolutely end this call right now—“

“Oh my god, stop being dramatic.”

“And of course he shows up ten minutes late to class with Starbucks in hand—didn’t even give a fuck about everyone staring at him or the fact that he chose to further disrupt everything by walking his—” She fumbles her keys at first but eventually jams the metal into the door, “—stupid—dumb!”

Ingrid sits up but Deidre only gives a small wave as she quite literally throws herself on her own bed. She puts Riya on speaker and tosses the phone on her nightstand.

“Dee?”

“Hey Riya!” Ingrid says. Her eyes dart between Deidre and the phone. “Everything okay?”

“Deidre’s got a crush.”

“Shut up.” Deidre rolls over and faces the wall. “There’s a douchebag in my class.”

Ingrid pauses for a long moment. “Like frat boy rich douchebag or just regular smegular rich douchebag?”

“She’s got budding sexual tension with a boy that’s probably as smart as she is.”

“Riya—” Deidre pinches the bridge of her nose.

“Oh, mood.” Ingrid readjusts her glasses. “If he’s as hot as the dude you saw at the frat party, I’ll be the first to say you should go for it.”

Deidre braces.

“Speaking of which—”

“Riya.”

“You wouldn’t believe it but it just so happens—”

“I’MHANGINGUPTHEPHONEGOODBYE.”

A profound silence hangs in the room like the most uncomfortable and bloated thing in the world. Ingrid keeps penning away on her notebook and occasionally peeks at the textbook lying open next to her. Deidre lets the silence fester as she gets up and digs through her bag, pulling out notebooks and textbooks to get started on her own work.

An hour passes before Ingrid speaks up. “Ohhhhh…it was the hot guy from the frat party, wasn’t it?”

Deidre pointedly ignores her.

~

Three hours and seventeen minutes. She times herself only because it’s necessary. Darius used to joke and say she was going “beast mode” when she got so into her work that time just stops existing as a concept.

Even if time stops existing, hunger doesn’t so it comes as no surprise that her tummy growls when she finally shuts her last textbook. Day one and she’s already diving deep—perfect. She stretches as she gets up and grabs her keychain.

The dining hall is something else entirely. A bevy of appetizing foods fill the buffet and even more is served by the dedicated cooking staff, of which are all chefs of significant renown if she remembers correctly from the online facilities tour.

Stepping through the doors almost feels like stepping into another dimension. Extensive wood finish fills in every panel of the floor, mahogany furniture with fine leather seats make up a sitting area, and ornate paintings hang on all the walls. Her stomach gurgles again when the smell of baked chicken wafts in her nose. Deidre makes a beeline towards wherever that smell leads her.

Rotisserie chicken, beans and rice, steamed vegetables perfectly seasoned, freshly prepared mango and passionfruit juice—

It isn’t even the most delectable thing from the kitchens: lobster bisque, the freshest produce, the most tender cuts of steak, oysters, and even more. Savory and sweet collide in a mesh of flavorful smells that sets her appetite from moderate to desperate. She swipes her card for her meal and carefully dodges students shuffling about the dining area.

“Oh, right…” she mumbles.

Seems like every person decided now was a fantastic time to get dinner. The dining hall is packed from top to bottom with students. Some sit in groups with textbooks and laptops out on the tables. Others sit off on their lonesome reading from books while absently shoveling spoonfuls in their mouths. There’s a group of extremely attractive girls that waltz past flanked by some fit boys all wearing identical shorts and boat shoes.

Deidre takes a few tentative steps forward and scans the room carefully.

There’s a butt in every seat. Some eyes dart towards her as she walks past but they don’t seem to mind her presence. Or maybe they just don’t care.

She finds an empty seat and moves to set her tray down when a girl clears her throat. The smile that spreads across the girl’s face is sickly sweet—she’s clearly not happy seeing a face trying to squeeze into such a big space and her eyes noting the simple style of Deidre’s fashion makes the smile spread a little wider.

“I’m waiting on some friends. Sorry,” the girl says, clearly not apologetic.

Deidre stares at her for a moment before shaking her head and turning back towards the packed dining hall. She starts her hunt anew when a hand touches her on the square of her back.

“Hey, Deidre, right?” She turns around and finds Brandon’s face. His gaze roams uncomfortably, where he looks she isn’t sure but she’s just as equally sure she doesn’t want him to do that. “Where’s Ingrid?”

“Uh, studying,” she says. “How’ve you been?”

He shrugs. “Day one, so nothing really exciting yet. How about you? First day of college going well?”

“Yeah, just—” She nods towards the full room, “—looking for a place to sit. I didn’t think so many people would be here.”

Brandon’s hand slides a little further up her back and there’s a pressure there that feels like he’s trying to guide her. Her feet lock in place even though her body sways and when she locks eyes with him, he’s staring at her like he’s trying to gauge his next move.

“You should come sit with me and my friends,” he suggests. He points out a table full of students with laptops sitting out. “We’re all STEM—engineering mostly. Ingrid said you were mechanical engineering, right?”

The whole reason she goes to that frat party is to try out new things as a young adult. Life here doesn’t have to be all about hitting the books, it’s about exploring and Ingrid attempts to give her that on the first night. Going back inside was for Ingrid’s sake then and for the remainder of the party, Brandon couldn’t seem to keep his eyes to himself. He wants to get to know her and she should try getting to know him but there’s just something so strange about this.

Her eyes dart around the room and a piercing gaze connects with hers.

The weird boy—the douchebag in the leather jacket.

He’s holding a book but he’s got it hovering over the table like he’s about to set it down. His gaze flits to Brandon behind her and he makes a subtle nod at the empty chair in front of him. He’s got his feet in it.

“Uh, actually…” Deidre steps away from Brandon and tries not to sigh in relief as his hand falls away from her back. She musters the best sheepish smile she can handle. “I just saw a friend! I’ll see you later!”

She wants to kick herself—she doesn’t want to see him again if she can’t help it. But it doesn’t matter now, getting away is all that’s important.

The weird boy moves his feet quickly and sits up in his chair. His gaze lingers on Brandon while she sits down and lets out a breath she didn’t know she was holding in.

“Is he gone?” she whispers.

He doesn’t answer her for a while. Eventually, he leans back again and opens up his book.

“You’re good.”

Silence fills the void between them as he occasionally flips through his book. Her confused stare morphs into an annoyed glare and she digs into her food once it becomes clear he’s done his one good deed of the day. Savory food fills her belly bite after bite and she swears to try the fried plantains next time. It won’t be anything like how her mom used to make, she’s sure, but the thought fills her with a sense of nostalgia.

She wonders what her dad’s doing right now.

He’ll be getting ready for work soon. The three hour time difference is still something she hasn’t gotten used to just yet but he doesn’t seem to mind getting “good morning” texts at six o’clock.

She sighs—he’ll have to find something to occupy his time now that she’s gone. He’s truly alone this time around.

Deidre looks up and the weird boy is staring straight at her. She hates his look almost as much as Brandon’s.

“What?” she says around a mouthful of food.

“You keep making weird noises and I’m debating on whether or not I want to ask what’s up with you,” he responds.

“You just—” She swallows her food. “I’m fine. Thank you for letting me sit down.”

He keeps looking at her and she tries her best to pointedly ignore him. Every so often her eyes dart to the book in his hand—Mount Washington by James Ashton.

“What’s really up with you?” Deidre looks up at him. He shuts the book and sets it next to his already empty tray. He crosses his arms and leans on the table, subtly glancing over her shoulder. “You were way too chipper for an eight o’ clock in the morning elective so I’m assuming you’re either new to campus or...”

His lips quirk when she narrows her eyes.

“Or?” she asks, already aware of the answer. “I’m a ‘nerd?’ God forbid someone takes their education seriously around here…”

He shrugs. “You still haven’t said what’s wrong with you.”

She chews on a bit of chicken slowly before swallowing, eyes finally connecting with his again. His are black as the night and striking. There’s nothing wrong with admitting he’s handsome in a boyish way. He tilts his head and her face grows a little warm.

“I was thinking about my dad,” she finally says. “It’s been the two of us for a while and I’m wondering what he’s going to do now that I’m not home.”

A small silence hangs between them.

“Where you from?” he asks.

“LA.”

The boy snorts. “Bullshit.” She fixes him with a questioning look and he shakes his head. “I’m from LA. I knew Mar Vista sounded familiar—you went to that prep school. State of the art or some shit.”

“It wasn’t all that, I promise you. Where’d you go?”

“Just a little further north—H.H. Huntington. Public school though, so nowhere near as fancy as what you got.” His face softens a bit though not nearly by much. “I left my mom back home but she’s had a year to figure out the benefits of having a house to herself by now. Your old man will get there soon.”

There’s a part of her that can’t help but think it’s a little sweet that his hard gaze softens further at the mention of his mother. Babies all grown up and flying out the nest is how their parents will see them. She wonders if her dad will even recognize her when she comes back—wonders if the boy’s mother has already accepted the young man that now walks through the doors when he comes home.

“You seemed pissed about earlier today.” His voice brings her back and she stabs at a piece of broccoli.

“In class, you mean,” she clarifies.

“Studious types—you can’t stand being wrong.”

“I wasn’t wrong—”

“And neither was I,” he interrupts. His eyes dart over her shoulder once more and she turns a bit just to follow his gaze. Brandon sits over with his friends and turns the minute her body starts shifting. The boy drums his fingers on his arm. “You done yet?”

~

“You were valedictorian, weren’t you?”

Her brows draw. “Why?”

“Chipper for an eight o’clock and you’re scared about the semester already…” He glances back over his shoulder. “And I told you Langston doesn’t take average kids.”

The boy is so weird. Not weird like Brandon is, which is the kind of weird that makes a person want to double bolt their doors. He’s weird in the sense that there’s a constant game of hot and cold that seems to fuel his every word. He’s perceptive—he remembers her mentioning Mar Vista despite only speaking to her for a total of two minutes. The last time she speaks with him (prior to dinner), he prods at her like an asshole kid poking at a hornet’s nest. His ability to pick things apart is apparent and—

Her brain literally stops.

Langston is filled with money. Langston is money. Average students means average in status only and it’s an extremely competitive school to get into.

Deidre’s eyes rake over the boy—his face, the leather jacket, the backpack slung over his back, and the white motorcycle helmet he holds in the other hand…

“You were…” It’s like the wheels are turning and his gaze immediately meets hers.

“Go on,” he quietly urges.

“You were the valedictorian of your school,” she manages.

He cracks a smile that she can only describe as vicious—she’s not sure why. “Yeah, this semester is about to be hilarious.”

She bristles. “You’re a dick.”

He smirks like he’s proud of it. “I’m walking you home, aren’t I?”

Deidre scoffs and turns away. Day one and she’s regretting some of her decisions already. 

“I don’t even know your name,” she says.

“I don’t know yours either.”

“I tried to ask you at the frat party and you just blew me off,” she counters.

The boy shrugs. “My roommate wrapped up her date and I didn’t want to waste any more time. I guess I could tell you now but it’s way funnier thinking your name is...” A wicked smirk spreads across his face.

She looks at him. “Is what?”

“Stacy,” he says and laughs at the indignation on her face.

“It’s Deidre.”

“Or Becky,” he keeps prodding. “But ‘Deidre’ is nice. I bet people say it right.”

She sighs. “The first time, sure. But then they see the face that goes with the name and it’s impossible to get them to do it again.”

He goes quiet for a second. “Colt. And, no, it’s not short for anything. My last name’s the one that gets butchered though, but I’m not telling you that.”

Colt. His name is “Colt.”

“I prefer thinking of you as ‘the weirdo’,” she teases.

“Most girls save that kind of talk until after the first date.”

Deidre sucks her teeth.

“You think you can get away with things because you’re a smartass,” she bites.

“No, I get away with it because I’m cute. But if you want to go head to head over this, I won’t stop you.” Colt stops—they’ve reached the halfway point across campus. She looks up at him and feels one side of her brain wrestling with the other in the form of an oncoming headache. They stand there awkwardly (mostly on her part) until he nods down the path leading to her dorm. “Be careful, alright?”

So strange—one minute he’s a smartass and the next he’s being a white knight. Deidre wraps her arms around herself and nods.

“See you on Thursday…” She says, turning down the path. A quick glance over her shoulder and he stays rooted there until she gets a safe enough distance across the quad.

[seouledbysisi]

A Brighter Dawn

Chapter Three

Naomi

As she flat ironed her long black hair, Elyse stared in the mirror at her. “You’re really clueless, ya know?”

Naomi raised an eyebrow. “What the hell are you talking about?”

“Woozi.” Elyse stated plainly with a smirk on her face.

Naomi laughed out loud. “Not this again. Please spare me.”

“Hear me out, Nae! What if, just hypothetically speaking that he likes you as more than a friend, would you be okay with that?”

Naomi had never really thought about it. Woozi was a person that she just always wanted in her life. She never really thought beyond on how he should be in her life. “I don’t know. I guess I’d have to be okay with it. You can’t help who you like.”

“But would you be into it?” Elyse placed her chin on her sister’s shoulder and watched her reaction in the mirror.

Naomi smiled. “Woozi is definitely likable.”

“Why so vague?” Elyse asked as she rolled her eyes.

Natalie burst in. “What are we talking about?”

Elyse and Naomi looked her from head to toe.

“Well don’t you look cute?” Naomi gushed.

Elyse spun her little sister around. “Too cute. Vernon gonna have to fight boys off of you!”

Natalie exhaled loudly. “For both of your info, Vernon styled me!”

Naomi & Elyse looked at each other for a moment.

“We need boyfriends.” They said at the same time.

Natalie burst out laughing. “How do y’all do that?”

They both shrugged.

“Ask God.” Elyse answered and walked out the bathroom. “And we’re not done with that conversation, Naomi!” She yelled as she headed to her own bedroom.

“Yes we are, ma’am!” She yelled back.

Natalie eyed Naomi. “What convo did I miss?”

Naomi finished her wing liner and shrugged. “You know Elyse is crazy.”

“Y’all always hide stuff from me. You got a boo or something?”

Naomi burst to laughter. “Not at all. This my first time going out in forever. Plus Woozi’s always with me. Guys never approach me.”

“Because Woozi’s always with you. From the outside looking in, Woozi seems like a boyfriend. Duh!” Natalie sat on her sister’s bed.

“If you say so.” Naomi slipped her clothes on.

Natalie threw her a thumbs up. “You might leave with an actual man tonight!”

Naomi threw a pillow at her. “Why do I feel like that was an insult?”

“It’s not. You know you’re gorgeous but if you spend all your time with Woozi y’all might as well date because no other guy is going to be interested if he has to compete with him.” Natalie winked at her & headed to the living room.

Elyse clapped her hands from the living room. “Preach little sister!”

Natalie eyed her. “And you ma’am need to start making yourself more available to guys. I get that your last relationship was screwed up but every guy isn’t like that!”

Elyse dropped her hands. “I am available.” She pouted.

“Well maybe you’re just dumb and blind cause it’s a couple people who admire you & you pay them dust! You look cute by the way.” She slouched onto the couch.

Elyse stood in confusion. “Someone likes me? You know who it is? What?! Must be one of your college friends.” She burst into laughter.

“I mean all of my guy friends think y’all are hot but that’s definitely not what I meant. So whose dragging Laiya with us?”

Elyse looked towards Naomi & pointed. “She listens to you.”

Naomi shook her head. “We’re all getting her up. She lives right down the hall, we have a key. Let’s go!”

As they trotted down the hallway, Elyse and Natalie stayed a few steps behind just in case they needed to make a run for it.

Naomi unlocked the door and motioned for them to come on in with her. “Laiya?!”

Laiya peeked out of her room. “Is something wrong? Why are y’all so dressed up?” She asked. It was obvious that she been sleep, and sleeping good at that. She stretched.

“The same reason why you’re about to be dressed up.” Naomi told her as she raided her closet.

Laiya ran in her bedroom behind her. “Where am I going?”

“Out with us!” Natalie told her as she grabbed a brush.

“But guys I’m really not up for it, I’ve had a tough day.” Laiya protested.

Elyse shushed her. “This is all the more reason why you need to go to this lounge with us. We get a little tipsy. Probably get hit on by some cute guys but reject them because we’re cool like that. This is what you need! Work is important but it’s not everything and that’s your problem right there. You need to learn how to detach yourself!”

Natalie brushed Laiya’s hair into a bun.

Naomi tossed her an outfit. “Hurry, put this on!”

Laiya stayed in the bathroom for about ten minutes trying to fix her makeup as quick is possible.

When she finally emerged the girls all wowed.

“This is the Laiya we all remember!” Naomi stayed with a huge smile.

“Welcome back!” Natalie told as she rubbed her arm softly.

Elyse grabbed her hand. “Let’s go so we can shut this place down!”

The lounge

The place was packed out, thank goodness Naomi had thought enough to reserve a table.

As the hostess walked them to their table they realized all eyes were on them.

“Y’all better be glad that Vernon made me come out cause I hate when people stare. Makes me want to slap a hoe!” Natalie sighed.

Elyse giggled. “Keep those hands to yourself. Besides when people stare it means you’re doing something right.”

Naomi nodded. She had ordered them all the biggest bottle of Rosé that the place had. “Y’all want appetizers or anything?”

“I want some wings for sure!” Elyse answered quickly.

Laiya laughed. “You love your hot wings!”

“Sure do.”

Naomi cleared her throat as the air had become thick. Everyone was quiet. “So Laiya, how did it make you feel to know that Minghao had grown feelings towards you?”

Natalie slapped her arm. “Too soon, Nae.”

Laiya shook her head. “No it’s fine. I need to vent to somebody or I’ll go crazy. It almost came as a shock because even though he flocked to me I didn’t think it was on that level.”

“It may not have started on that level maybe it just grew to that. Feelings are tricky and sometimes you end up falling for the entirely wrong person and then again sometimes magic happens and even though it’s unexpected it’s meant to be.” Elyse told her with a small smile.

“I’m a lot older than him so sometimes I see this super mature man, in a kids body. It’s hard to explain.” Laiya told them.

Natalie rolled her eyes. “His age doesn’t define his maturity and he is a man. He may not be as old but I’ve seen y’all together and I can see why he likes you. Y’all work, babygirl. I know that scares you but it’s true.”

Naomi nodded. “It might just be the magic that Elyse is always talking about.”

“Poor child don’t even see her own magic.” Natalie said under her breath.

Elyse heard the side comment. “I’m so sick of you throwing hints but you ain’t telling me nothing. What is it that I’m missing?”

“If you don’t know you’ll never know.” Natalie answered as she took a sip of wine.

Elyse looked at Laiya.

“You know I don’t know. I’ve barely been around.” She giggled.

Elyse looked to Naomi who couldn’t tell a lie if her life depended on it. “Do you know?”

Naomi shook her head and looked around the lounge. She spotted a familiar face and nearly choked on her drink. “Coups?!”

Elyse eyes widened. “Y’all been talking about Coups this whole time? He flirts with anyone. He’s just super friendly!”

Naomi shook her head as she cleared her throat. “No they’re here.”

“Oh shoot!” Elyse yelled a bit too loud.

“Act like we don’t notice them.” Natalie told them and continued to be unbothered.

Elyse rolled her eyes. “This has Coups written all over it. He asked where we were going.”

Laiya became a bit nervous. “Is Minghao over there?”

Naomi glanced around again. “Yep. He just took a sip of beer.”

Laiya smiled a bit. “I wish he’d talk to me.”

The girls all snapped their view towards her.

“I thought he was too young?” Natalie picked.

Laiya rolled her eyes. “He’s young but you guys make a point. What if there’s some magic that I’m missing out on? I could use some magic in my life.”

“Me too girl. Me too.” Elyse followed up. “Just someone who gives their all for you & doesn’t want anything in return but love and affection. This wine got me in my feelings, y’all.”

Naomi pulled her sister’s wine glass from her. “If you start crying I swear I will cut you off for the rest of the night!”

Elyse began to tear up. “I can’t help it. We all deserve that magic sis. Look how happy Natalie and Vernon are.”

Natalie started laughing. “Take her to the bathroom before people think somethings wrong.”

Naomi stood her sis up and led her by hand to the bathroom. “Girl, get it together!”

Elyse splashed water on her face. “I’m good. It’s just you know I’ve been through a lot, we both have. It’s just hard to watch Laiya second guess what we already know is fact. She’d be so happy with him.”

“Yeah she would. But we can’t pressure them, they have to move at their own pace and we just stand back and pray that it comes together the right way.” Naomi patted her cheek.

Elyse stared at her sister. “Is my makeup okay? My future husband might be in this building right now, he can’t catch me slippin’” she smoothed her hair down.

“You have no idea.” Naomi said under her breath.

Elyse reached for the door. “What was that?”

“Oh nothing.” She smiled at her sis.

When they swung the door open Wonwoo was leaning against the wall as if he were waiting.

Naomi’s eyes widened. “Well hello there!” She looked to Elyse.

Wonwoo took a deep breath. “I’m not being creepy. I just thought you were crying.” He spoke. His voice trembled with nerves.

Elyse smiled big. “So you came to check on us?”

He nodded. “That’s what friends do, right?”

“Yes of course! This is why I love you because you’re so freaking thoughtful. Thank you Wonwoo.” She engulfed him into a tight hug.

He wrapped his long arms around her as well. “Are you sure you’re okay?” He pulled her back and stared at her.

Naomi smiled at their embrace. “Magic.” She whispered just loud enough so that maybe one of them might hear her.

“I get emotional when I drink alcohol and I’ve had quite a bit of Rosé.” She giggled with a small hiccup. “But I am now.”

He smiled and let her go. “Well I’ll let you go now with your sisters.” He pushed her towards Naomi and watched them walk away.

They arrived back at the table to Laiya and Natalie talking about what Laiya should say to Minghao whenever she got the courage.

“Just be upfront, tell him how you feel. Be transparent. Tell him your worries but also tell him the good too.” Naomi added.

Elyse stayed quiet for a moment.

“Ma’am here’s your water.” A server sat a glass filled with ice and a Fiji water bottle down in front of Elyse.

“I didn’t order water.” She said politely.

The server smiled and slid a note in front of her as well and walked away.

Maybe this water will help you sober and heal your emotions. - ww

Elyse folded the paper back up and placed it in her clutch purse.

The girls stared at her as she sipped her water.

“So we keeping secrets?” Naomi eyed her.

Elyse shook her head. “No, I’m just processing things.”

Natalie stood up. “Well I enjoyed hanging with you ladies but I think I miss my man now.”

Naomi rolled her eyes playfully. “Y’all are so stinking cute. You going to his dorm dorm for the night?”

“Probably, i might crash on yalls couch though. You never know.” She smiled and kissed both of her sisters on the forehead and headed towards the guys.

Laiya sighed. “Thank y’all for this. I needed it.”

“We all did.” Naomi responded.

Elyse was staying quiet. For some reason something had happened tonight that she hadn’t for a second imagined.

Laiya

Laiya’s apartment was a few door down from Elyse and Naomi’s. As she’d walked down the hall she noticed a guy in overalls and a oversized shirt. She stilled for a moment when she realized who it was. Her breathing began to escalate as panic set in. Boy had she wanted to talk to him but she feared all the things he would say and all the things that she might not get a chance to say back.

Minghao walked closer to her as he noticed she had stopped moving. “I just want to talk.” He spoke calmly as he clasped his hands in front of him.

-stay tuned

[jq37]

Ok, a few Unsleeping City asks: 1-Thoughts on new ep? 2-CAMBRIDGE SANTALYTICA 3-The gang tries to meet up for drinks

**spoilers for mutant santa melee**

(I’ll respond to the other two parts of the ask in another post!)

We are back with our first battle episode of the season and our first chance to see the NY Crew really show their skills.

Ricky trying to keep Sophie's reckless ass safe because he has big golden retriever energy is great.

I can't decide if everyone taking this first fight more seriously than the first fight in FH is because they remember how badly they got womped last time and didn't want a repeat or because they were just playing older, more experienced characters.

I hate everything about these mutant Santas and I want it on the record. I mean, they're great from a game design perspective but I hate them.

"Mr. March, I'm gonna save you!"/"My name is Rick, by the way."

I thought it was funny that Ricky and Sophie both happened to hit the exact wrong type of Santa for their skillset for their first attack, back to back.  

Fig's Bardic Inspiration move was to do flirty winks at everyone. Misty's is to give big, theatrical compliments. I love it.  

Ricky dropping gun safety warnings mid MUTANT SANTA FIGHT.

"Fucking come out of your stupid cocoon! I know you're not a butterfly!"

I love it when rolls are happening at the table and Lou is loudly like, "This is terrible. I hate this." He did it all through the family rescue rolls in FH too.

"It's fine. It's fucking new York. What do you expect?"/"The NY that I live in and the NY that you live in are very different my friend." That's the real NY experience.

Sophie going, "F the minions, I'm going for the obvious boss Monster, I'll take the attacks," is such a good character defining moment. Also, the action-y music abruptly cutting off as the door shut was hilarious.

So Pete is hearing mysterious whispers and Sophie is hearing mysterious whispers and I'm Concerned, especially since it's the two newbies and it's not necessarily significant but it could be so I'm just mentioning it and tabling it until I have more info to speculate.

Misty turning to Kingston and saying, "Just like old times!" makes me want to know every single detail of their history together before the new kids showed up.

"Santa's my friend and he's fucking dead."

I like the homebrew rule for Pete's wild magic surge which makes the odds of one increase every time it doesn't happen because it ups the chaos factor and makes it inevitable rather than just a possibility which I bet has the potential to create some real tension in a long, drawn out fight.

The way Brennan kept describing Pete's arm as peeling like a banana when he used his magic grossed me out so much so, if that was the goal, you did it. Thanks, I hate it.

The, "Guess I'll just die," meme but it's Pete going, "Guess I'll just use this evil magic."

"Darling I love to be naughty. It's my favorite thing!" (Misty's chaos potential increases with every line she says).

"SANTA GETYCHO ASS UP." (Flawless bedside manner)

I forgot how fragile lower level characters can be! I'm glad so many of the party members have at least some healing spells (I think everyone but Pete and Sophie) as opposed to FH when it was basically just Kristen I think.

"He just gives us a PS4 and that's it."

Sophie monkey bars up Giant Eldritch Horror Santa's exposed ribcage and upercut-kick him because stripping Emily of her magic doesn't strip her of her creativity or flair.

"Darling, with me every day is a show. My life is a show!"

Sophie, upon being complimented by Misty: Oh my God. My new friends are awesome.

The idea of a dirty rat man summoning a unicorn is hilarious to me.

Pete's first Wild Magic surge just restores his sorcery points, which is great as a player but, as a viewer, I really hope we get to see some bombastic nonsense soon. Also, Brennan had the wild magic surge, in story, be the result of Pete's magic reacting to Kingston's, which I thought was a cool way to justify game mechanics.

"You're the opposite of Santa!"

Smites are GOOD you guys.

Sophie catches Santa and and Ricky (who has just killed the boss Santa) takes a selfie with them. Bless. Also, Sophie refuses to put down Santa for the rest of the fight.

Misty has an umbrella with a KNIFE inside of it which I LOVE.

The fight ends a little anticlimactically because, once you bum rush the boss, all that's left to do is clean up the minions.

Misty mentioned having Shoes of Titania and I wanna know if that's an actual item with a mechanical effect and what its stats are if so.

Ally realizing they only some of the Santas explode on impact basically at the end of the fight was classic DnD.

Santa sending people into his bag was giving me big Naddpod vibes.

"What the fuck happened?" --Santa, 2019

I don't like the implication of the gestating tadpoles with the Santa hats. Like, is Santa's hat organic? Is it just a part of his body? No thank you.

Pete just lying to Santa's face for absolutely no reason. Incredible.

Santa and Misty talking shop, just because, was such a fun 30 seconds of RP. I love RP that exists just to exist (and, sidenote, I also love when it comes back around and becomes relevant like in Naddpod (14 seconds of absolute silence...chicken)).  

"Santa, don't give this boy an egg."

"A very fancy egg for a very not fancy boy. But a good boy nonetheless."

Ricky on Santa: It would be crazy if you weren't real because you're such a good person. (Zac struggling to get through that was his second best moment of the ep).

Pete gives Santa a bag of coke and tries to dip when she sees cops because, magic or not, that's Who He Is As A Person.

Santa: Pete, your soul is in jeopardy. (lol, Santa knew his name on sight which, of course he did. It's Santa. Duh.)

CENTAUR HORSE COP. I love that as much as I hate the mutant Santas.

Ricky, horrified: Am I on the bad list?/Santa, who is still processing that Ricky never stopped believing in Santa:Ricky, no. (That was my fave Ricky line of the ep, in case you were wondering)

So, in this world, Christian (Catholic specifically) figures explicitly exist, which is good to know. Also, in last episode and this one, the grey faced child mentioned Lazarus which I thought was just a stylistic name choice but that's a name w/ specific Biblical connotations (that's the dude Jesus brought back from the dead for those not up on your New Testament) and it still might be irrelevant, but it's one more thing for me to tack up on my conspiracy board.  

"Santa, are you Cambrdige Analytica?"

Anyway, Heaven and Hell use the naughty and nice list to figure out who goes where so they're not being redundant which is wild because that means Santa essentially gets to decide morality for the rest of the world and, as of now, Pete is super going to hell based on the look Santa gave him when they were talking about who's on the naughty list.

Santa's list has been stolen which is, como se dice, Bad. The specifics aren't clear, but it's super not good. Also, Santa lets the group know that they might wanna figure out what's going on with Pete before he chucks deuces and goes home. So it seems like we'll be seeing him again.

I wonder what the timeline for this season is gonna be. Like, Christmas seems like an obvious time for a big, climactic setpiece, but it'll have to be a really compressed timeline if that's what they're aiming for. Compressed compared to Fantasy High at least.

Sophie, illegally cracking a Mike's Hard in Central Park in front of a cop: Um, we're magic. (She gets a ticket immediately)

That's it for this week! Next week the mob (the pixie mob maybe?) and Siobahn has awesome hair!

[eldritchsurveys]

667.

1. If you found a baby turtle on the side of the road, would you pick it up and keep it? >> If I found a baby of any species on the side of the road, I’m not going to pick it up and keep it, I’m going to call the appropriate authorities and let them handle it. The fuck am I doing with a baby anything? 2. Did you and your mum ever have a big fight that caused you to move out? >> --- 3. Has the last person you kissed ever been to your house? >> --- 4. Have you had a good day today or was yesterday better? >> It was all right. At least the Sun was out a bit, and I managed to go out for once. Mostly I’m glad to be back in my bed now, lol. 5. Do you have any plans for the upcoming weekend? >> No.

6. How about you, do you have a bf/gf? >> Hm. 7. Could you date someone very attractive, but who thought they were better than everyone else? >> I don’t date, period, but I also wouldn’t hang out with someone who had a superiority complex. 8. So do you have a best friend? >> No. 9. What would you do if your best friend kissed the last person you kissed? >> --- 10. Do you dislike anyone? >> Not really. There are people I don’t really want to be around, of course, but I can’t think of anyone specific that I’m like “fuck that guy in particular” about except for people that have unapologetically hurt me (in which case it’s less “I dislike you” and more “I don’t even want to acknowledge your existence”). 11. Did you message your best friend today? >> --- 12. Do you think you will be in a relationship two months from now? >> I don’t see why not. 13. Do you always feel like you’re making mistakes? >> Yeah, because I have Trauma Brain. But I also know that I don’t make any more mistakes than the average person and most of my mistakes are easily fixed. 14. How do you feel about your hair right now? >> I’m going to need to buzz it again soon. 15. Does anybody have a tattoo with your name on it? >> Maybe someone has a tattoo of my name, because my name doesn’t just belong to me. But no one has a tattoo of my name that is actually about me. 16. Who did you last see shirtless? >> A couple of characters on Carnivale (before one of them got hanged with the word “HARLOT” carved into her forehead, of course. this is Carnivale after all). 17. How would you feel if you got the person you liked? >> --- 18. Do you think you can last in a relationship for six months without cheating? >> *sigh* 19. Do you like to make the first move? >> The first move to what? 20. Do you think you will ever be married? >> I am married. 21. Have you ever tried your hardest and then gotten disappointed in the end? >> Sure. 22. Is it possible to be single and happy? >> Duh? 23. Was the first person you talked to today male or female? >> The first person I spoke to was the bartender at Gardella’s, who is female. 24. Do you remember who you liked on New Year’s? >> --- 25. Are you a morning person or a night person? I’m barely a person. <-- mood 26. Could you go the rest of your life without drinking alcohol? >> Whether I “can” or not is irrelevant because I don’t fucking want to. 27. Have you ever felt like you weren’t good enough? >> Sure. 28. Is there anyone who likes you? >> --- 29. If the last person you kissed saw you kissing someone else, would they be mad? >> --- 30. Do you understand football? >> I understand American football. I don’t know anything about soccer football except the obvious bits. 31. What’s the first thing you heard this morning? >> I don’t know. 32. Who last called you beautiful? >> I don’t know. 33. Did you talk to someone until you fell asleep last night? >> No. 34. How many kids do you want when you get older? >> --- 35. Are you the type of person who has a new boyfriend/girlfriend every week? >> Of course not. 36. Ever been called a jerk/bitch? >> Yep. 37. Do you have feelings for anyone? >> Bold of you to assume I have feelings-- 38. If you fell pregnant to the last person you kissed, what would you think? >> Falling while pregnant is dangerous, oof-- 39. What’s your full name? >> *eldritch screeching* 40. Are you young or old? >> Depends on your perspective -- to a child I’m old, to a middle-aged person I’m young, etc. 41. What’s the gender? >> Oh, the gender outside is frightful... 42. How’s your heart been lately? >> You know. Beating and such. 43. Why aren’t you in bed? >> I am, though. 44. Did you do laundry today? >> No. 45. What kind of computer do you have? >> I have an MSI Leopard Pro and a Lenovo Ideapad. 46. Are there always other fish in the sea? >> Not if you overfish. 47. What can your tongue do? >> You know. Lick stuff. Form phonemes. Get chemical burns when I eat too many sour candies in a row. 48. What do you think your mum does when she goes out? >> --- 49. Do chickens have feelings? >> I don’t know anything about chicken neurology/psychology. 50. Do you think the body is the most beautiful thing that was ever made? >> No. 51. So how are you feeling today? >> Neutral. 52. Where is your sister right now? >> --- 53. Name five things you did today? >> Took a bus, drank at a bar, briefly logged into ESO, watched an episode of Carnivale, ate mac n’ cheese with bacon. 54. What kind of phone do you have? >> Moto g6. 55. What are you listening to? >> Nothing. 56. What do you smell like? >> A bit like my roll-on oil and a bit like my whipped shea butter. Mostly just like... clean skin or whatever. 57. What colour are your eyes? >> Dark brown. 58. Have you ever done a Chinese fire drill? >> No. 59. Do you know someone named Betsy? >> No. 60. What colour is your mum’s hair? >> --- 61. Do you have a dog? Breed? Name? >> No. 62. Do you remember singing any songs as a kid? >> I mean, yeah? 63. Are you married? >> Yes. 64. When was the last time you talked to one of your siblings? >> --- 65. Do you play an instrument? >> No. 66. Do you like fire? >> Sure, fire is nice. In moderation. 67. Are you allergic to anything? >> No. 68. Have you ever been to a spa? >> I’ve been to a nail spa because Sparrow works at one. I’ve also been to the Aveda spa that she did her training in years ago. 69. Do you miss someone? >> No. 70. Views on premarital sex? >> I have no views on it. I really can’t fathom having an opinion on whomst other people fuck and when. 71. What is a noise that you cannot stand? >> Face sounds. Any of them. Eating, breathing, sniffling, lip-licking, eugh. Stay away. (Sometimes I can hear myself blinking and I want to rip my eyelids off. It’s bad.) 72. Do you know how to do a cartwheel? >> Yeah. 73. What is the most you are willing to spend on a pair of sunglasses? >> Not much. 74. Does your mum vacuum early in the morning while you’re asleep? >> --- 75. Do you shower naked? >> Do I look like Tobias Funke to you? 76. Does wearing glasses really make people look smart? >> That’s not my interpretation. People with glasses just look like people with glasses. 77. Are you ADD or ADHD? >> No. 78. Do your band-aids have cartoons on them? >> I FUCKING WISH. I was so mad when I needed band-aids for my feet and none of the ones in the size I needed came in cartoon print. The only ones with fun designs were little baby band-aids. I think as an adult I should be able to buy whatever the fuck kind of band-aids I want, including ones with Stitch on them. Fuck you. 79. Have you ever kissed someone you shouldn’t have? >> Probably. 80. In one word, how would you define yourself? >> I wouldn’t. 81. Tell me about a dream you had recently? >> I can’t, I can never remember them anymore. I get vague wispy impressions upon waking, and then even those disappear after a few minutes. I feel disconnected from dream!Mordred and I’m so curious at what it’s been up to. 82. Who’s the funniest drunk person you know? >> --- 83. How did you feel when you woke up? >> Fine, I guess. 84. What was the first thing you thought of when you woke up this morning? >> I don’t know, probably something related to Sparrow knocking around as she got ready for work, because that’s my first sensory memory upon awakening. 85. Name something great that happened on Friday? >> It’s Thursday, ask me on Saturday. 86. When was the last time you saw your father? >> --- 87. Do you wish someone would call or text you right now? >> No. 88. Have you ever been kissed by a person whose name starts with J? >> Yeah. 89. Do you crack your knuckles? >> Yeah. 90. What were you doing twenty minutes ago? >> Probably still this survey, since it’s so long. 91. You’re thinking about someone, aren’t you? >> No. 92. Have you held hands with anyone in the past twenty-four hours? >> No. 93. What would you do if your partner still kept pictures of their ex? >> Nothing? That doesn’t affect me. 94. What if your partner went through your cellphone? >> I wouldn’t be with someone that went through my belongings without my express permission. 95. What if your partner was flirting with another girl/boy? >> I’d be glad for her. I hope she gets whatever she’s looking for from that interaction. 96. Ever liked someone you thought you didn’t stand a chance with? >> --- 97. You want someone/something? >> Not really. 98. Is there really a difference between Coke and Pepsi? >> Yeah, which is why many people have a preference. 99. Is there any emotion you’re trying to avoid right now? >> No. 100. Are there any mistakes with your recent ex you wish you could have changed? >> I’m pretty sure the entire situation in itself was a mistake, and it was changed, by us ending up having no contact with each other. 101. Has anyone ever been with you while you were throwing up? >> I mean, sure. 102. Background on your computer? >> Right now it’s a wallpaper with a scene from the movie Interstellar. (My desktop wallpaper is on a shuffle timer.) 103. Have you cried recently? >> Like, within the last week, probably. 104. Who has hurt you the most? >> I don’t know. 105. Are you happy with where you are relationship-wise now? >> Sure. 106. What language do you want to learn? >> --- 107. Your ex’s car breaks down and they ask you for a lift. Your response? >> I mean, I don’t drive, dude. Also, we live in wildly different parts of the country. This is just so many layers of implausible. 108. Would you hit a member of the opposite sex? >> ---

[grizzlegreertrash]

Let me shill about Norman real quick... (manga spoilers)

And when I mean “real quick,” I mean thousands of words worth of analysis. 

Disclaimer: I started writing this out last weekend, before the release of 125, so some of my original stances have since changed. I reference a thread written months ago that has been proven to be false, so don’t mind that too much. 

Some of these introductory feelings are bitter, kind of directed towards a post that has since been deleted poking fun at Norman stans like me who are “defending” his current actions in the manga. Regardless, addressing those claims are not what this post is about. 

I will add on to this eventually, talking about Norman’s “bad boy” tendencies, but who know’s when that’ll be? 

So, I’ve been observing and analyzing Norman throughout the escape arc to give myself a good interpretation of his character. Why?

I’m getting tired of people making him out to be a black and white character.

What do I mean by that? Well, let’s talk about how ever since his reintroduction, there have been quite a few fans out there calling him evil, a villain, or worse a sociopath. I get that people are untrustworthy, and they have a right to be. I understand the position, especially since this isn’t everyone’s first rodeo with character arcs like this. I’m afraid to say we don’t have the answers to the questions we all have just yet. Like if he was modified or what exactly happened at Lambda. But what we do know is that what he experienced was definitely traumatic, and it is something he is still dealing with. 

Now Emma, Ray, and the rest of the escapees have had to go through their fair share of traumatic experiences, but what doesn’t change is the kids’ sense of family and close companionship. 

Norman doesn’t have that. He is forced to deal with his situation alone. 

Have ya’ll noticed that Norman constantly refers to the current group of escapees as “Emma’s family?” He doesn’t even associate them as his family anymore. He has isolated himself from the concept of family because at this point, he is above it.

I’ve already discussed Norman’s position as a symbol with some others in a thread last month, but the stance has since changed slightly with new information from chapters 124 and 125. Along with inheriting the title, the network, and the base, he also took on the persona to keep his identity as a cattle child from those he would soon choose to ally/play with in attempts to topple the demon society and change the world. He’s just playing a character, and with that comes isolating and hiding himself from the people who look up to him. 

Having subordinates and followers cannot compare to the family of Gracefield kids, where everyone is on equal footing and everyone is supporting each other. Norman is supporting a large group of kids by himself. Looking strong, confident, and cool headed, like he always has...

Let’s turn back to the escape arc, shall we?

One of Norman’s defining traits is his high-level intelligence. Like duh, this is kind of the frame work for his character. His mind, though is a double edged sword. On one hand, he effectively outsmarts everyone by the end of the arc, making the escape successful. Despite the outcome, it wasn’t easily gained. 

Through his inner mind’s eye, you can accurately see the mental strain Norman is putting himself through in attempts to outwit the adults, and to a lesser extent, Ray. Like any child prodigy, comes with a certain level of arrogance. And to while Norman doesn’t parade his intelligence to belittle his family, a certain frustration comes from a lack of control over the situation. In this game of survival, he is out to win, but not just for himself. 

In comes the most important factor in his character, Emma.

We all know that Norman’s love care for Emma drives his motives and actions throughout the arc. His first defining character moment is when he assures Emma that escape is possible for everyone, with that signature smile on his face. Even though very shaken by the recent revelation, he quickly buries his feelings to comfort Emma, as they would soon have to return to the facade of ignorance about the secret to save themselves from suspicion. He is shocked upon hearing her rather ambitious goal for their family, but immediately associates it as an admirable quality. One that he aspires to posses. I’ll touch on that aspect in another post. 

When explaining this event to Ray, he vows to utilize himself to the best of his ability to protect her. We know that Norman’s feeble body cannot protect Emma as well as she can protect herself, so how does he live up to this? 

By protecting her emotionally.

We all know that while Emma is reckless to a fault, her conviction is one of her strongest qualities. Norman is aware of this, and constantly hides his overwhelming stress over planning to keep her eyes focused on her main goal to escape with every orphan and change the world. 

Though he wants to scream, pull his hair out, and or bang his head against the wall in frustration, he cannot falter or show vulnerability, or else Emma will lose hope and all is lost. 

This of course comes to an impasse when faced with his incoming shipment. Entering the iconic “I want to live” scene, his first thoughts are of how disgusted he was with himself over “making Emma look so devastated.” 

He then takes it upon himself to make the rest of his life as useful as possible to aid the escape. With that comes deceiving his friends and working around new information like the pen from Krone and what was found over the wall, all while still hiding his true feelings about his dilemma. 

Then comes his departure from the house, when Emma’s reckless nature nearly comes to ruin her and the plan. This is when Norman’s calm facade is shattered as he tries to get through to Emma to save her from destroying everything they had worked for. But he made one fatal mistake. 

He forgot to factor in Emma’s emotional intelligence. 

While trying to protect her feelings, he underestimated her, neglecting the fact that she had seen right through him the entire time. This revelation along with her actions and outburst reignite his admiration of how true she is to herself, and that her care for him is as genuine as they come, resulting in him fully accepting his fate. He’s grateful for the life he had been blessed with, and is fully prepared to face his death with a smile.

Now we know that these sentiments are not completed, because instead of getting killed, he gets a one-way ticket to Lambda, but that’s besides the point.

But that’s what I’ve gathered about the escape arc specifically and there is more that I will add onto later. I may or may not touch more upon Norman’s character since his reintroduction, only because a lot of people are beating me to the punch and not all of the pieces have been put together just yet. (This is kind of why I’m working with things I already know)

I’ll be bedridden for 2 weeks post op on Tuesday, so I’ll continue this thread sometime in the coming weeks

Thanks a bunch :)

[bodytoflame-ao3]

i wish i could lie to you

talking to silena beauregard about your crush is both:

a) a brilliant idea, because, duh, she’s the daughter of Aphrodite b) a terrible idea, because, oh, right, she’s the daughter of Aphrodite.

or, fem!percy and some musings on sexuality

Read on AO3

it's hard to be myself

when i don't know who i am

space date ..//.. fredo disco

“Have you ever met someone who makes your hands all sweaty... and I feel sick to my stomach, and nervous, and—”

“Aww, Percy’s got a crush! Who is he?”

“I— no, it’s— no one!”

Except it’s most definitely someone. Someone with the most striking green eyes, a smile that lights up a room, and perfectly defined ash brown waves that would make the ocean jealous (and she would know). And Percy doesn’t even know her name. All she knows is she’s a year above her and has the locker above hers, and she says hello every time they pass each other in the halls, and every time she looks at Percy she feels her heart flutter. Percy's pretty sure she's said less than 10 words to her in the two weeks they've been back in school. An awkward ‘Sorry…’ or two trying to reach her locker, and a muttered ‘Thanks’ in response.

It’s strange, because she knows what a crush is. She’s never really had one, but that was normal, right? After all, she’s only twelve, and it’s not like she had time for things like that after finding out about the gods. This can’t be a crush. It’s just her anxiety working up. Every time she wants to open her locker at the same time she awkwardly excuses herself and tries not to get in her way. Crushes were supposed to feel magical, and fluttery, and this was not that. In fact, it just made her feel sick. Completely unlike anything she’d ever heard about liking someone.

She brushes the conversation off and no one brings it up again, having moved on to the next bit of what classified as middle school drama. Whatever. It’s not like they were any help anyways. Or even her friends. Acquaintances, more like. Her friends were at camp. Of course she still considers Grover her best friend, but… she figures he won’t want to hear about any of this anyways. It was always in a joking manner, but he always teased her for showing any semblance of a ‘girl problem’. He covers up the fact that he’s uncomfortable by poking fun; and that’s fine with her. She knows that.

★━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━★

It crosses her mind every so often the rest of the year. Percy never does learn her name. And she’s still not sure what it means.

★━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━★

When she gets to camp, even in all the chaos of the tree, she finds herself talking to, who else, but Silena Beauregard. On one hand, a brilliant idea, because, duh, she’s the daughter of Aphrodite, but also a terrible idea because, oh, right, she’s the daughter of Aphrodite. If there’s anything she needs to confront, it’s going to happen. She spills her guts to Silena, and it’s possibly the longest conversation they’ve ever had. Percy tells her about how she’s never had a crush, so she doesn’t know what it’s supposed to feel like (“It’s not supposed to feel like anything… it just is.”), and explains how her brain seemed to self destruct whenever they were close. And how stupid it is that I’m focusing on this now when the whole camp is in peril.

Silena listens. She doesn’t butt in (save from answering direct questions), she just lets Percy talk, and listens. When Percy’s done, she finally speaks: “You are so funny,” she laughs. “That’s a crush if I’ve ever seen one.”

Leave it up to Aphrodite to bestow some sort of freaky love mind-reading gift on her daughter. Percy doesn’t really know what to say, both to Silena or this girl (if she ever sees her again). “So… what do I do?”

Silena rolls her eyes, like the answer is obvious. “Gods, Annabeth’s as oblivious as you are.”

Annabeth?

Silena narrows her gaze. “Wait— you’re not talking about… Who are you talking about?”

Intimidated by the rapid fire interrogation, Percy blurts out, “Some girl from my school that had the locker above mine this year! I passed her in the hallway every day and every time she said ‘hi’ to me I felt like turning into a puddle!”

“Oh.” Percy sees the gears turn in Silena’s head, wondering if she should just leave while she can, and try and forget this whole conversation even happened. Before she can decide, Silena takes her hands and speaks slowly; “I can’t just…” She sighs, trying to phrase her answer correctly. “Listen, Percy, there are some things you have to figure out for yourself.” Silence hangs between them, thoughts moving slowly in Percy’s head. Silena continues, “You know one’s going to judge you here.”

“Silena, I don’t even know what I…” Want? No, this isn’t something she wants, she’s desperately trying to push it out of her mind, but… “I gotta go.” Quickly grabbing her stuff, Percy mutters a sheepish thanks to Silena and tries to forget their talk ever happened.

★━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━★

As much as she does want to bury it, one thing Silena said rings clear: Annabeth. Silena couldn’t’ve meant— no. That’s stupid. And ridiculous. If anything, she wants to be Annabeth. Tough, and smart, and beautiful. Not that she’s not happy with her own looks. Annabeth’s just… better. At like, everything. She knows this place like the back of her hand, and she has friends. People respect her, and she’s tough enough to not take anyone’s shit.

For all of her snarky comments and sarcastic quips, Percy had never quite gotten that part down. Maybe that’s why she likes Locker Girl. She just oozes confidence and happiness and seems so ready to share it. Still, something in Percy’s gut tells her she doesn’t just want to be her. She’s smart, but everyone seems smart in comparison (even if Annabeth would beat her up for even thinking that, because she’s smart in her ‘own way, Seaweed Brain’). And she’s pretty, yeah, but… Percy likes her own short hair. It’s easy, and it suits her, and she’s heard Annabeth complain about the upkeep of her curls one too many times to ever wish it on herself. Locker Girl is nice. Maybe that’s stupid of her to say, considering they barely know each other well enough to be strangers. She seems nice. Nice enough for Percy to want to know her better.

So maybe she does like her... just in the admiring-from-afar kind of way. It was normal to admire people. She admired Clarisse, for the way she spoke her mind, and Luke, at first, and Annabeth’s insanely fine tuned battle skills, and the fact that she could beat Percy at anything in her sleep. Well, to be fair, it's hard not to notice Annabeth. She has the kind of voice you can pick out from a crowd, like she commands attention with every word that leaves her mouth (and, oh, how she does). Not only that, but she’s an incredible fighter. Never was Percy quite as intimidated as when they dueled one on one. She was a menace with that dagger, and strong too. Most of all—

Percy shakes the tangent from her mind. This isn’t about Annabeth, she reminds herself, This is about your helpless crush on that girl from school.

That’s the first time she actually acknowledges it herself. It’s funny — it doesn’t seem like that big of a deal until she starts to psychoanalyze every single frame of reference she has for the word. The girls in her class, incessantly asking her which boy she had a crush on at the beginning of every year. The way she would glance across the room, and pick the boy who looked the nicest. And, huh, she’s pretty sure she told them she had a crush on Grover the year they met. Which, for the record, she absolutely doesn’t. He’s like her brother, and... ew. With that aside… no boy she ever said she had a crush on made her feel like that. She just wanted to be their friends. And she would be, for a time. Until the next school, and the next set of girls who meant well, but ultimately never connected with her. It was just the way her world worked up to this point. She never stayed anywhere long enough to actually feel close to people, at least not in the way everyone else described their ‘best friends’. Now, she’s growing, and everything’s changing. Suddenly liking someone isn’t a bubbly, excited feeling, but a pit in her stomach — and she's not sure what the difference is.

★━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━★

It’s the first big thing she deliberately keeps from her mom. Not that Sally seemed too preoccupied with asking about crushes, or even grades; these days it was more often ‘what life-threatening injuries did you sustain this time?’ than something so mundane. It wouldn’t be a big deal. Percy knows that. She’s half-god, for crying out loud. Truth be told, she’d probably just be relieved to hear something comparatively normal as opposed to ‘Hey mom, camp was great, I only almost died twice this year!’

Nevertheless, she doesn’t, because deep down, she knows telling her means it’s real. (Sally Jackson would love her daughter no matter what. That was never the problem.) There was a problem, undeniably — it nagged at the back of Percy’s mind, and she couldn’t seem to put a pin in it no matter how hard she tried.

★━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━★

It hits her like a truck only a few days later when they win the chariot race. Annabeth kisses her cheek and it’s like the entire world slows down around her. Her ears start to ring, and not from the cheers of the crowd.

She spends the rest of the afternoon kicking around camp, making sure she’s got everything in order. Grover, Chiron, her mom, Tyson… It doesn’t leave her all the time in the world to think, but her mind gravitates to Annabeth without a second thought. That’s telling, isn’t it?

Annabeth didn’t mean it like that, obviously. From what Percy can see, she still has feelings for Luke. It wasn’t something they talked about, but she could tell. The way she tensed up when people mentioned him; how she seemed to still care even after all he’s done. And Percy would rather die than make things more complicated for Annabeth, especially when Luke’s betrayal affected her so much. She won’t let her lose another friend if it’s in her control. So she keeps moving — there’s a world that needs saving — and forces herself to stop thinking about how Annabeth’s hand would feel in hers.

★━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━★

She spends the rest of the year trying to forget. Just when she finally thinks she’s repressed it enough, they’re whisked away on another quest. Annabeth saves a dance for her when it’s over. But it’s not important. The least they’re owed for continuing to save the world is a bit of fun. To be normal, if only for one night. She owes that to Annabeth. She can’t lay this burden on her, not after everything they've been through to get here.

★━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━★

Rachel’s enough of a distraction. She’s a lot like Annabeth, in a certain light. Witty, and stubborn, with remarkable beauty. Blunt, too, which Percy’s thankful for — there’s no playing guessing games with how she feels; she’ll tell you. From that, it’s evident that Rachel‘s been flirting with her for the past few months. And to be honest, Percy isn’t set in about how she feels about it. She’s still not sure where she stands with the whole sexuality thing.

★━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━★

Annabeth kisses her, and there’s no question in her mind.

★━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━★

The one thing Percy can't wrap her head around is why doesn’t she feel the same way about Rachel. It would be easy to be with her; as easy as things could be for her, at least. Plus, Rachel’s gorgeous, and she definitely likes me, but…

She’s not Annabeth.

some thoughts™:

hm! i'm still not sure how i feel about this! but, fuck it, it's femslash february!!!

i'm specifically interested in the dynamic i set up with percy and the differences between her crushes on this unnamed mystery girl and annabeth. i feel like she doesn't have a word for it (me either tbh) or really a frame of reference for how but they're very different in both the ways those crushes manifest and how she feels about them internally. initially, she's just young and not thinking about stuff like that because oh Shit she's a demigod and Bad Things Are Happening, but after things start to go back to normal she does start to feel some things she can't understand and doesn't really recognize, especially with the way she's been shoehorned into school after school, never really staying in one place long enough to form a lasting bond. it's different when she comes back every summer and annabeth's still there. and while her first thought when seeing her may have been, essentially, 'oh shit she's pretty', it's the friendship they develop that makes it real. idk!!! talk to me about it!!!!!

[sampaii-ca]

Hunger (Klance fic)

Have you ever been so in love with a character it makes you cry?  Ya well that's Keith for me lol happy birthday you funky little Galra and beautiful knife boy!

Today's prompt was birthday...duh.

*** Lance couldn’t take his eyes off of the stage in front of him.  He never in his wildest dreams would have thought he’d be graced by the spectacle that is unveiling in front of him at the moment.

The date is October 23rd.

Time: a few minutes past 10pm.

Place: Balmera Cove aka a dive bar with a karaoke machine.

Said machine is part of the cause of Lance’s entertainment at the moment.  His husband is currently on stage belting out the lyrics to “My Heart Will Go On”.  Lance has the biggest grin on his face as he records Keith trying with all his might to hit those impossibly high notes.  It comes out sounding more like a dying cat than anything resembling a note Celine carries, but Lance loves it and can’t stop staring at the beautiful, and very tipsy, man singing on stage.

The gang all came out tonight to celebrate Keith’s 30th birthday, Balmera Cove was a local dive that they frequented often when they could all go grab a drink and catch up.  Since they were known as regulars, the bar let them decorate for Keith’s birthday.  Pidge had the bright idea to post “Over the Hill” tombstone posters everywhere to make fun of Keith’s ripe old age of 30.  Lance wanted to make something more sentimental so he went and visited Keith’s mom to collect a bunch of childhood photos to make a collage, which now hangs above the booth the gang has claimed as their own.  Lance couldn’t stop cooing at every photo he looked at and had a hard time picking his favorites.  The one where Keith was 5 and had on a superman cape, just his underwear and the biggest smile was probably his absolute favorite though and he decided to put it smack dab in the middle of the collage for everyone to see.  Keith turned bright red when he saw the damn thing and Lance took pride in the fact that he could still fluster Keith even after years of being married.

Now back on stage, Keith finished up his song and hopped off.  He strode towards Lance and stumbled a little bit into his open arms.

“Hi babe.”  Lance chuckled into the top of Keith’s head.

Keith looked up with a lazy smile and hazy eyes, “Hi….Lance…”  He poked Lance in the chest, “My Lance.”  Then he pecked Lance on the lips.  “Did you like my song?”

Lance felt a little starstruck at the gorgeous creature in his arms, even if his breath smelled like tequila and he was sweating a little.  It took him a moment to realize Keith had asked him a question.

“Of course babe!  You were great!  I knew you could do karaoke.”

Keith snorted and gave Lance an incredulous glance, “O please, I know I’m terrible.  The only reason I got up there was because of the 2 shots of tequila Pidge bought for me.  Nothing like a little liquid courage to help me.”  He chuckled and took Lance’s hand.  “Come ooooon.  We’re up next!”

“Wait..we?”  Lance followed Keith to the side of the stage as he dragged him along.

“Well duh!  We need to do a duet!”

“What are we singing?”

Keith smirked up at Lance and Lance felt a little thrill run through him, he knew that smirk.  It was the one Keith wore when he wanted to cause trouble.  It usually resulted in Lance embarrassing the hell out of himself or had him and Keith running away to sneak off to be alone.  Seeing as he and Keith were walking up on stage right now, looks like the former was most likely to occur.

“Babe, what song are we singing?”  Lance asked again as Keith handed him a microphone.

“You’ll know it when it starts.”  Keith winked at him and pressed play on the machine.

The beat started up and Lance immediately recognized it.

“Yooooooo..I tell you what I want!  What I really really want!”  Keith sang.

“So tell me what you want, what you really, really want!”  Lance parried back.

“I'll tell you what I want, what I really, really want!”

“So tell me what you want, what you really, really want!”

“I wanna, (ha) I wanna, (ha) I wanna, (ha) I wanna, (ha)

I wanna really, really, really wanna zigazig ah!”  Lance gave a little hip shimmy as he sang.

They continued their duet while also trying to dance with each other which resulted in them missing a few verses.  But neither one of them cared.  Their smiles were only directed at each other and Lance couldn’t help but be reminded at how lucky he was to have Keith by his side.  His perfect duet and life partner.

***

A few drinks later and now past midnight, Lance was having a very intense, drunken, conversation (more like argument) with Pidge on whether or not a hot dog is classified as a sandwich.

“Pidge,” Lance slurred a little and pointed at Pidge.  She looked right at his finger and it resulted in her going a little cross eyed, which ended up looking way funnier than it should have because it was amplified by her glasses.  “Look, a sandwich is defined as: a food typically consisting of vegetables, sliced cheese or meat, placed on or between slices of bread,  more generally any dish wherein two or more pieces of bread serve as a container or a wrapper.  According to Wikipedia.  So a hot dog is the meat and the bun is bread, the hog dog sits in the middle of the bread.  So it is a SANDWICH!”

Pidge scoffed and crossed her arms.  “Lance, when you order a hot dog do you say ‘I want a hot dog sandwich?’  No!  You say I want a hot dog!  Just hot dog!  It’s in it’s own category!”

“It’s still meat in bread!  A sandwich!”

“No it’s not!  It’s just a hot dog!”  Pidge stood up and leaned into Lance’s space and flicked him on the forehead. “HOT DOG.”

Lance was about to retaliate when Keith plopped down next to him with a round of fresh beers for them.

“What are we talking about?”  He asked taking a sip from his beer.

“Lance here thinks a hot dog is a sandwich.”  Pidge huffs and grabs her beer.

“Wait, what?  No it’s not. It’s just a hot dog.”  Keith turns to look at Lance and Pidge slams her fist on the table.  “HA!  I TOLD YOU!”

Lance squawks and puts his hand over his heart.  “Keith, babe, sweetie, light of my life.  A hot dog IS sandwich and I can’t believe you think otherwise!  And you’re supposed to agree with me on everything!  I am your husband!”

Keith glances up at Lance through his lashes and that damn smirk is back.  He slides his hand up Lance’s thigh under the table, stopping just short of his crotch.  He dances his fingers lightly on the inside, tapping out a slow rhythm.  He leans in, lips ghosting across Lance’s ear.  “I know what kind of ‘hot dog’ I’d like to eat later.”  His hand finally presses into the bulge in Lance’s pants.

Lance audibly gulps and a flush rushes to his cheeks.  He glances across the table to find Pidge rolling her eyes and muttering gross as she downs her drink and leaves the booth to find the others.

Keith has now taken up residence in the crook of Lance’s neck and is leaving a trail of small kisses.  Lance pushes him back so he can look at his face and Keith makes a little whining noise.

“Baaaabbbeeee.”  Lance wants to continue this but he knows him and Keith will get scolded by  Shiro if they start making out in the booth.  They may be grown men now but Shiro still acts like the dad of the group and this isn’t the first time this has happened and it probably won’t be the last.

“What?  It’s my birthday and I want to unwrap my present.”  Keith breathes across Lance’s lips and grips his crotch a little tighter for emphasis.

Lance is ashamed at the squeak that escapes him but he isn’t about to deny Keith what he wants.  Let’s face it, Lance is weak for Keith on a normal day so considering it’s his birthday, who is he to deny his husband anything.

He scooches Keith out of the booth and takes his hand.  They make their way towards the bar where the rest of the group is getting drinks.  

“Hey, so Keith is getting hungry so we’re gunna go grab something to eat.”  Lance explains, all the while Keith has his arms around his waist from behind and is buried in his neck again.  

Everyone looks at them with skeptical glances.  “O he’s definitely hungry for SOMETHING.”  Pidge looks them up and down with a smirk.  “Hungry for dick.”

“PIDGE!”

“Well she’s not wrong.”  Keith says as he nibbles on Lance’s ear.

“Keith!”  Lance squirms in his hold and waves goodbye to everyone.  “Ok, we’re out of here.  Let Rolo know we’ll be back tomorrow to take down the decorations.  Thanks guys!”  He grabs Keith’s hand and starts to walk towards the exit.  They all yell happy birthday to Keith and he glances back at the group and waves in thanks as they walk out the door.

***

Lance has been trying to get the key in the lock for the past few minutes but he’s having a hard time concentrating when Keith is plastered to his back and his hands are roaming up and down his sides.  Keith’s kisses on his neck are light and fleeting and has Lance squirming under the attention.  

He finally, FINALLY, manages to unlock the door and they stumble into their house.  Once the door closes Keith wastes no time in pushing Lance against the door and covering his mouth with his own.  Lance can taste the alcohol on Keith’s lips but his probably taste just the same.

“God you taste good.”  Keith pants into Lance’s mouth.  Keith reaches for the bottom of Lance’s shirt and attempts to take it off but Lance stops him.  Keith pulls back with a pout and gives Lance a questionable glare.

“I have a surprise for you.  Let’s go the bedroom.”  Lance pulls Keith down the hall and they slip into their room.  Their two cats Rose and Aqua lay sleeping in the corner chair.

Lance forces Keith to sit on the edge of the bed and he walks over to the ipod dock and turns on some music.  Keith’s eyes go wide as Lance slowly turns around and starts to slink towards him.  Keith has a feeling where this is going and his grin is so wide he’s surprised his face doesn’t crack in two.

Lance stops in front of Keith and plays with the bottom hem of his shirt, barely raising it to show just a sliver of skin.  All the while swaying his hips to the music.  Keith reaches out to run his fingers over Lance’s tantalizing stomach but his hand is smacked away.

“Ow, what the hell Lance.”  Keith pouts and tucks his hands in his lap.

“No touching, not until I’m done.”  Lance sing songs as he turns around slowly so his back is facing Keith.

He starts to lift the hem of his shirt up, slowly, o so slowly and Keith can see his back muscles flexing as they work to lift the shirt up over his head.  Keith is practically drooling on himself, he’s always had a thing for Lance’s back.  Ever since he first saw Lance at swim practice.  He could stare at the corded muscles and broad shoulders for hours.

Lance turns around and Keith mourns the loss of Lance’s back but disappointment is quickly washed away as Lance’s abs are on full display now.  Keith is definitely drooling now, he’s seen Lance naked at least a thousand times but every damn time it still manages to take Keith’s breath away.  He knows it’ll be like that all the way until they are old and grey.

Lance takes his shirt and pulls it taunt between his hands and shimmies towards Keith, he plops down in Keith’s lap and wraps the shirt around his neck to hang there.  Lance starts to grind his hips and runs his fingers through his own hair, shooting a coy look over at Keith.  Lance then grabs his shirt on both ends and tugs Keith’s face towards him, stopping just shy of his lips.  Keith’s eyes close expectantly but all Lance does is ghost his lips across Keith’s and stands up.  

Keith makes a whimpering sound at the loss of warmth from Lance’s body.  Again, no time to dwell on said loss because Lance is a few feet in front of him now, undoing his belt buckle.    Lance lossen’s the buckle and zips down his fly.  Keith looks like a fish, mouth hanging open, eyes wide, pupils blown out with lust as he watches Lance.  Lance loves the fact that he can make Keith look at him like that, revels in the fact that if Lance let him, Keith would have ripped his clothes off already.  Lance starts to work his pants down his legs, he turns so his backside is to Keith, wants to get Keith drooling again.  

But Lance is realizing his mistake now, he wore skinny jeans.  Jeans so skinny that it usually took him a few minutes to shimmy into the them and get them on.  He manages to get them down over his ass and he can hear Keith’s intake of breath at the sight of the booty shorts Lance has on underneath.  They are a deep shade of red, a color he knows Keith loves on him.  Lance smirks and forces his pants down to his ankles, almost off he thinks.  He realizes this next part isn’t going to be very graceful but he works his foot out of one pant leg and steps on the mess of pants on the floor to get his other foot out without having to bend over.  He almost has it done too but his foot gets caught in the tight ankle of the pants and he loses his balance.  He windmills his arms trying to regain his balance but it’s too late.  That, mixed with the alcohol in Lance’s system sends him toppling to the ground.

“Eeeppp!!”  Lance squeaks as he crashes to the floor.  

“Lance!”  Keith yelped as he watched in slow motion his adorable disaster of a husband land flat on his back.

Lance ended up starfished across their floor, staring at the ceiling with his foot still stuck in his pant leg.  Keith came into his line of vision, “Hey babe, how’s the weather down there?”  Keith snickers as he extends his hand out to help Lance up.

“O shut up.”  Lance growls.  “I was trying to be sexy!  I wanted to blow your mind with a seductive lap dance.”  He pouts as he takes Keith’s hand and is hoisted up off the floor.  Keith kneels down and puts Lance’s hands on his shoulders.  

“Lift your leg up babe.”  Lance does and Keith gently tugs off the stuck pant leg from his foot.  He tosses the pants aside and stands up so he’s face to face with Lance who is still pouting.

“Aww babe, don’t pout.”  Keith tries to console Lance but he can’t help the snicker that leaves his lips.  Lance shoots him a glare but he can tell there’s a smile starting to creep onto his face.

Keith hooks his arms around Lance’s waist and snakes his hands down his backside, kneading the firm muscle through the booty shorts.

“These are nice,” Keith snaps the waistband of the shorts.  “You know how much I love you in red.”

Lance hums in appreciation, “That’s why I bought them.”

“I liked your lap dance too.”  Keith starts to kiss up Lance’s neck.  Lance snorts, “Well it could have gone better.”

Keith nuzzles under Lance’s neck and nibbles at the soft skin.  “I’m still hungry though.”

A shiver runs through Lance as he answers, “Then let’s eat.”  He kisses Keith and whispers, “Happy Birthday love.”  And he grins as Keith picks him up and they fall onto the bed and get tangled in the sheets until the early hours of the morning.

***

They don’t make it back to the bar to clean up until late in the afternoon the next day

[timeagainreviews]

When Rosa met Banksy

Racism in Doctor Who has been dealt with in various ways throughout the years. The Daleks themselves represent possibly the essence of racism. Anything that isn’t a Dalek is inferior and to be hated. But even that is a fantastical portrayal of racism. What "Rosa," attempts to address is something far more insidious- the racism of humanity’s past.

Doctor Who has had its own racism to address before, and amended when possible. Li H'sen Chang is set to be portrayed by Nicholas Goh in upcoming audio adventures with River Song. Casting a man of Asian descent is a step in the right direction from the yellowface portrayal by John Bennett in "The Talons of Weng-Chiang." What will the BBC say if a certain missing episode of "The Celestial Toymaker," is ever rediscovered? Will they own up to the use of a horribly racist slur in their family program?

Regardless of what the show has done, or hasn't done, having done an episode like "Rosa," shows a lot of growth in the show's own identity and execution. So let's talk about that execution, shall we?

In my post "Considering 'Rosa'," I worried that one of the biggest issues would be that Rosa Parks didn't survive without her agency intact. She has, as well as anyone who just had their actual real-life traipsed through by fictional characters can.

The story begins in 1947 Montgomery, Alabama, with Rosa Parks (played by Vinette Robinson who was also in the episode "42," written by Chris Chibnall) sitting on the bus. The bus is segregated between "whites," and "coloreds," as it was in those days. When the “whites” section fills, Rosa is asked to move by the bus driver James Blake, played by a very over the top Trevor White. The scene serves to show not only how segregation on the buses worked, but also how Rosa Parks has had to deal with this bullshit for years. We're also given a bit of foreshadowing when Rosa pauses for a moment, as though she may remain seated.

Fast forward to 1955. After fourteen incarnations, the Doctor still can't really pilot the TARDIS, but as we all know, the TARDIS usually has other plans anyway. Her target was present-day Sheffield, instead, she has arrived in 1955 Montgomery. While landed, the Doctor realises there is a strange trace of Artron energy (ambient radiation from the time vortex) in the area. Which means, of course, she has to explore.

Almost immediately, the crew is served a heaping dose of racism when Ryan nearly gets his block knocked off for returning a dropped glove to a white woman. If not for the interference of Rosa Parks, things could have gotten even uglier. The TARDIS crew are star struck by meeting Rosa Parks, but she doesn't really understand why, as her big history defining moment is still a day away. On a whim, the Doctor gives her a cheeky scan with the sonic as she's walking away. The trace of Artron energy is coming from her. But why?

Back at the TARDIS, we're given a bit of the why. A man, looking a lot like Mac from "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia," (but in Alabama, so Country Mac?) eyes the TARDIS up and down. We're given the impression he knows this is a sort of time machine. After knocking at her doors, Country Mac tries to shoot the TARDIS with an anachronistic device. The TARDIS's shields hold strong as the resounding "vworp," she emits could easily translate into "Yeah mate, try me." Discouraged, Country Mac walks away.

The Doctor and her friends are treated to more racism after being thrown out of a segregated cafe. I liked that this was used as a moment for the Doctor to take a little responsibility and offer to let her friends stay on the TARDIS. “It’s easier for me here,” she says, acknowledging her own white privilege. Ryan and Yaz refuse on the grounds that Rosa Parks doesn’t have that option.

The Doctor and her friends trace the Artron energy to an abandoned warehouse, where they uncover a suitcase full of knackered timey-wimey instruments. The owner of these instruments sneaks up and chases her and her friends away. Their chase ends in a sort of stand-off between the Doctor and Country Mac. The Doctor and her friends find a hotel to use as a base to formulate a plan. Part of that plan is to learn Rosa Parks’ routine, which requires them to take the bus.

Ryan, being a black man, has to ride on the back of the bus. Due to their situation, it’s an unpleasant necessity, despite the Doctor’s apology to Ryan. In watching this scene, I'm reminded of a moment in John Peel's loathsome Doctor Who novel, "Timewyrm: Genesys." In it, Ace is molested by the Gilgamesh, and the Doctor is basically like "Er... duh... just go with it. Ur. Dur. Uh... It's the culture." (I may have taken license there as it's kind of despicable and I hated that book).

The main difference here is that Doctor does not seem to enjoy abiding the situation. You can see the shame on her and Graham's face as they sit in the "whites," section of the bus. Poor Yaz, who gets referred to as a Mexican for most of the episode, is also pretty torn as she's not even sure what part of the bus a non-black, non-white woman should sit. One of the reasons the Doctor may be so abiding, however, is not in that it's "the culture," but that they're in a very important moment of history, which may be in jeopardy. She’s afraid to tip the balance of history in the wrong direction.

This brings us back to the villain of the episode- Country Mac, or "Krasko," as I'm not going to refer to him. Series eleven has had some pretty wonderful highs. Jodie Whittaker is a lovely Doctor. The companions are all developing decently. Though I would like to see more Yaz, lest she becomes the new Nyssa. "Just gonna nap this one out guys, enjoy your ancient snake gods or whatever." For the most part, I've liked a lot of elements of it, but the villains have been absolute tosh!

So far we've had the Tooth Fairy, some bog roll, and now Country Mac. So who is this Krasko? After being interrogated by the Doctor, we learn he's a former prisoner of the Stormcage Containment Facility (the very same that imprisoned River Song), for some sort of crime that resulted in the loss of 2,000 lives. He's been implanted with a device that inhibits his ability to use violence. So when the Doctor removes the vortex manipulator from his arm, he can only watch in anger. They released him and said: "Keep yer nose clean, kid." He's also super racist.

For some reason, he wants to keep Rosa Parks from jumpstarting the civil rights movement, because "That's when everything went wrong." Right. Sure. How that really affects him, a man from the future is kind of perplexing. Considering the 51st century is when people who use vortex manipulators usually come from, it's like he's saying that for at least the next 31 centuries, black people will continue to sit in the back of buses. He's gotta be really stupid. Which, he's racist, so maybe he is. Regardless, it's a pretty thin premise, but whatever.

I was really hoping for the rest of the episode to explain his motives, but it never really does. All we learn more about him is that he's pretty racist. Man is this guy racist. Hoo-boy, so racist. Yeah, that's about all I got on him. Other than that, his plot is basically what I expected from him last week. Only now that the Doctor has relieved him of his cool little timey-wimey toys, he's forced to screw with time in more creative ways, such as delaying buses, sending the antagonist of Rosa's narrative, James Blake, on a fishing trip, or blocking roads. It's not a bad story device on a Doctor Who level. Pretty much classic in those regards.

The brilliance of Malorie Blackman's script comes in how the Doctor and her companions deal with the issue. I said how I worried about maintaining Rosa's agency could be in jeopardy, but Blackman wisely works around this by having the Doctor and her friends aiding time in secret. They have to thwart Country Mac at every turn, which requires some very basic footwork. Instead of pointing the sonic at a magical machine, or beating the sludge monster with the power of love, their methods are more practical, and visible onscreen. I love that about the script. Getting to see the Doctor and her friends be clever is always a welcome sight. Though watching the Doctor rip her coat as to require Mrs. Parks' service as a seamstress made me die a little inside. I've been working on a Thirteenth Doctor cosplay, and that coat has been the bane of my existence!

On a production level, the episode is also rather praiseworthy. Making modern South Africa look like 1955 Alabama, cars and all, is rather impressive. It has the look and feel of a small segregated town in the south. The cinematography is generally really effective, but if I am honest, it’s got some really annoying tendencies at times. Their shot-reverse-shot dialogue scenes can get really hacky. There are moments when a character standing to the right will be framed left, and a character standing to the left will be framed right. You see it used a lot these days, but they seldom use it in context to the scene. It feels used for the sake of “looking cool.”  Another thing I really can’t stand are the extreme close-ups we’ve been getting during scenes of intimate dialogue. They’ve used them in every episode so far, and they’re rather ugly and annoying. Instead of feeling more intimate, I’m left irritated that I can’t actually see the scene. #letcharactershaveshoulders

Another praiseworthy element would be Segun Akinola’s music, once again. I know I keep talking about him, but this stuff is seriously good. Has anyone else gotten a bit of a John Hughes or even Heathers vibe from some of his music? The music during the montage scene reminded me of that 80′s goodness, especially. Though isn’t it a bit sad that Yaz’s shining moment of the episode was in a montage? Give that girl some better screentime dammit!

Perhaps one of the most effective moments in the episode is when the Doctor and Graham realise they have to be on the wrong side of history, in order to protect the future. The bus has not yet reached capacity enough for bus driver James Blake to demand people of colour move to the back. Yaz and Ryan have had to take the brunt of much of the racism, and now the tables have turned. The Doctor and Graham must partake in the racism. They have to use their white skin against Rosa, as much as it pains them, and sit on the bus.

In a lot of ways, the episode strives to portray what it's like to experience racism, and how it affects different people. When the Doctor says "Who's up for a bus ride?" The bus loving Graham's hand shoots up, while Ryan looks less enthused, as he knows what that entails. We spend a large portion of the episode worried for Ryan's safety. Especially after Rosa reminds him that Emmet Till was also a visitor when he was murdered by a lynch mob in Mississippi. Ryan and Yaz are not having a great time, despite the fact that they're travelling with the Doctor. It's a harsh reminder that history has never been very kind to people of colour. Malorie Blackman gives them both a chance at some very powerful character development as the two of them speak on their own experiences. Yaz once again, gets a bit sidelined, sadly. Ryan however, gets to go on his own journey, spending an evening with Rosa Parks, Fred Gray, and Martin Luther King Jr.

Aside from the atrocious American accents (I now know how British people must feel hearing Americans do their accents), my only other major qualm with the episode was the dialogue. It wasn't so much the content of the dialogue, as much as it's hamfisted nature. It seemed choppy and unnatural throughout a lot of it. That’s not to say it was all bad. There were plenty of snappy moments and cute dialogue. The Doctor’s claim that she could be Banksy was particularly funny. The bigger issues were when dialogue was used primarily to expound information.  I was reminded of early Doctor Who when Ian and Barbara used their teacher powers to edutain children into learning something about history. But in this episode, perhaps that was a necessity.

Portraying racism in a family show like Doctor Who really does take a bit of education. When Graham hears Ryan say he couldn't remember exactly what Rosa Parks was famous for, he almost has a stroke. It's perhaps more responsible for the show to assume many young people watching Doctor Who won't know who Rosa Parks actually was. I'm ashamed to admit that I didn't know that she and Martin Luther King knew one another. Also, since when don't Doctor Who historicals pack a load of information about their subjects into the episode? It's part of the journey.

Country Mac is sent back in time by his own stupid time displacement gun, leading me to think that perhaps he'll return again. Older, wiser, racister. It's about as exciting a prospect of more Tim Shaw, which isn't much. Like I said with "The Woman Who Fell to Earth," perhaps they'll get more character development when they return?

There's really nothing fun about portraying racism, which by extension made this episode, not a lot of fun to watch. So far, Chris Chibnall's vision for Doctor Who has been a bit on the dreary side. It's got that Broadchurch misery porn stank to parts of it, that I hope it shakes off soon. Next week's "Arachnids in the UK," could be a welcome bit of respite. The small preview reminded me a bit of “Gremlins 2.” It seems like more of a whimsical romp. Then again, so did Chibnall's "Dinosaurs on a Spaceship," and even that was too serious to be much fun. Even still, I'm glad Doctor Who is attempting to tackle some bigger issues. 'Rosa,' isn't a perfect episode, but it's an improvement on some of the show’s past sins, and hopefully, a step forward.

Up Next: 

In a day or two- Doctor Who and “The Daleks” Midweek- Twin Peaks season 1 episode 1

[jacablob]

If James Bond was a Musical

This quarter, I’m taking a History of Musical Theater course and our recent assignment was to take one of our favorite non-musical movies and think about turning it into a musical. We had to choose 2 scenes and describe what type of song we would add. I had so much fun writing this little piece, and it really felt like a tumblr shitpost anyway, I knew I had to share it here.

I tried to embed as many of the videos as I could, but max limit is 4 videos so I do have clickable links for my video references.

One of my favorite film franchises is James Bond. 

Over the summer we watched all 25 films and that was a blast! It’s hard to just pick 1 film to turn into a musical-ideally if James Bond was turned into a musical, I would have the story follow a compilation of all the films-but, if I had to choose just one, then the one film I would choose is No Time To Die.

This is the best James Bond film because it has so many beautiful homages to the previous 24 films and the story is simple enough because it's a love story.

The first scene I would add a song to is the car chase in the bulletproof Aston Martin DB5 I think I would title this scene and song Bullets and Betrayal. 

I think this type of song would act as an I Want song. James wants to be with Madeline, have a happy life and spend the rest of his time with her, but with each bullet that hits the window, he feels the paranoia steep in. Madeline wants to have a clean slate as well, a new life away from the sins of her father, but she knows she’s been set up and has little opportunity to explain her side of the story. 

This number would definitely have some exposition about the events leading to this point but I think James and Madeline would also sing about their wishes of being together and seeing it crumble around them.

The song I have in mind is Sunday In The Park With George from Sunday In The Park With George or even the Final Scene from Sweeney Todd. Unsurprisingly, Stephen Sondheim is great at creating songs that have overlapping lyrics and building tension, so his style of song is immediately what came to mind. 

The reason I thought something like these two songs would work in the scene is because of the intensity that builds, especially in Sweeney Todd. Sweeney and Mrs.Lovette are singing over one another, not giving the other a true chance to explain. 

Similarly to the scene in No Time To Die, James is paranoid and angry- thinking that this attack was brought on by Madeline’s secret past that she still refuses to tell him about- and Madeline is scared and anxious, obviously knowing that this is not her doing but when trying to explain James does not believe her.  

The next scene I chose is the ending scene(duh, this moment is heartbreaking!). I think I would title this scene and song All The Time.

This moment is where we’d have our 11 o’clock number and this song would define the show. James and Madeline come together again after a wild ride of defeating bad guys and narrow escapes, singing about how they’ve had so much time, so little time, wish there was more time and wish that this moment in time-this intense moment of pain, would be over. 

My immediate thought is to have James and Madeline duet We Have All The Time In The World by Louis Armstrong. 

This song is important to the James Bond franchise because of On Her Majesty’s Secret Service(my 2nd favorite Bond film). I’m just saying, No Time To Die would not be as good as it is if On Her Majesty’s Secret Service did not come before. We Have All The Time In The World is a love song used for James and his wife Tracy. At the end of the film, as they’re riding off into the sunset, she is killed by James’ archenemy, Blofeld. While James cradles Tracy’s body in his arms, he says “We have all the time in the world.” 

In this scene, you can hear the melody of We Have All The Time In The World being played at the beginning.

No Time To Die references this song and this line at the beginning and end of the film. The beginning of the film, James first says to Madeline,  “we have all the time in the world” and again when he’s about to die and she’s just wishing they had more time, he responds “you have all the time in the world”. Who knew James Bond could be poetic? 

I think turning Louis’s song into a duet like the dramatic climax Come What May from Moulin Rouge! Could be a fantastic way to have Madeline and James have their final moment together before the bombs go off.

If I ever get the chance to turn James Bond into a musical, We Have All The Time In The World will be referenced. I would want the overall vibe of the musical to be a little cheesy(lets be honest, most of James Bond is super cheese until you get to Daniel Craig’s series) but have a lot of heart. Moulin Rouge! Or Titanic or even South Pacific are all a vibe that I think could work well for the story. Something with action and adventure, romance and heartbreak…