#discovered this in my drafts today and was so surprised because I can't even remember writing it let alone finishing and drafting it

[velvetcloxds]

dilf!remus lupin reaction to chubby!reader getting a wrist tattoo which is kinda related to him?

TO THE MOON AND TO SATURN | R.L.

word count: 0.8k

warnings: age gap, chubby reader not specified, cheeseee

Remus had a hard day, those weren’t as rare as they used to be, exam season coming into full swing leaving the poor professor drained, in desperate need of sleep as he sat back on his sofa sipping at the last sip of his red wine staring tiredly at the tests scattered over the coffee table. You, however, were in a much different mood, excitedly pulling your sleeve over your wrist. You’d never been one to do something spontaneous, happy with following a set plan for every aspect of your life until you’d met Remus, the most unexpected thing you’d ever allowed yourself to indulge in was losing him. You’d heard the stories of him, the rumours of a wild teen taking Hogwarts by storm and managing to surprise everyone with his genius in the process, and though you’d never known that version of him, happily loving the more mature and wise version you’d gotten the honour of falling in love despite your best intentions not to, you’d have a soft spot for your Moony and you always wanted to show him that.

You weren’t surprised to hear the soft jazz that filled the little muggle apartment the two of you shared, the music had quickly become your own reminder of home when he had to stay at Hogwarts during the full terms. You were even less surprised to find him in the living room, barely made it out of his suit, tie hanging undone around his neck as he offered you the purest smile despite sleep tugging it down.

“Darling,” Remus breathed with the gentlest tone, enough to pull you right to him and you gave in quickly, kicking off your shoes in the process of walking to him, sighing in pure delight as you fell into his lap. Your hand moved to their own accord as you began brushing his hair out of his face, smiling fondly at the sight of him, so perfect despite the state of him and somehow all yours.

“You should be in bed,” you reprimanded, and he hummed, half in agreement, half in regret that he couldn’t go to bed yet even if he wanted to. It was silly, really, the way you’d dance this little dance every night, yet every time you looked at him and held him like this it felt new, a little blessing you received anew each day. “But I’m glad you aren’t,” you didn’t think he’d perk up so quickly at that, daring hands moving lower down your back as you shifted. “I did something.”

“I’m going to need more than that, trouble,” you smiled, biting back a giggle at his curious gaze trying desperately to see if he missed a new haircut or new clothes, you were always very excited to show him either of those, but you seemed too familiar by the looks of it. You allowed the giggle to escape, excitedly presenting him your wrist, the tattoo was fresh, painful still and you were sure in an hour you’d absolutely hate yourself for the spontaneity, but Remus was smiling through furrowed brows, he was excited because you were excited but the more that he looked at it the less he knew what to do with his face.

“It’s Saturn,” you explained, not explaining much in the process but still it was a start, his fingers were gentle as they took hold of you, thumb hovering over the design tracing it in the air and even though he didn’t touch you it still earned a shiver through your body. “I love you to the moon and to Saturn,” seemed simple enough but his thumb paused over the little paw prints that spread through the fine linework, he knew it was for him, he didn’t have to think too hard to note that, but he couldn’t believe it. “My moony,” you whispered, and he couldn’t kiss you fast enough, smiling against your lips when you whispered your little question, asking him if he liked it, the silliest question in the world.

“My star,” he teased, and his grip was strong as it cupped your warm cheeks, your smile was poisonous, killing him slowly as he tried to capture it into his memory. “It’s beautiful, you’re beautiful,” he was careless in stealing another kiss, not surprised when you leaned into it, into him, gentle hands traveling up his crinkled button-down shirt.

“I got it for you,” you mumbled and looked down to the little gesture, happy now with the looks of it, happy that he likes it.

“Yeah?” his tone was low, playful really despite how much he appreciated every bit of your sweet honour to him, you were shy, the biggest thing someone has ever done for him and you’re shy and he wanted to see how far he could push it. “Now why would you do that?”

“So that I can always have you with me.”

“Always, huh,” he flipped you over, smiling as your eyes daringly took in every bit of him. “I love you,” and he did, more than simple words could tell you but you knew, you felt it. “To Saturn,” he added and gently brought your hand up to look at the declaration of love painted into your skin for all eternity.

“To Saturn,” you breathed and he placed a featherlike kiss on the transparent band-aid covering the art of your love.

[popjunkie42]

Fanfic Writer Ask Game

thanks for the tag @dusk-muse!!!

Describe your writing process from idea to posting/publishing

My favorite moment is the immediate burst of inspiration - maybe from a prompt or a quote or just out of nowhere - and then I go into a frenzy for the next hour or so just plotting it out in my head, "seeing" scenes, making notes and an outline. After that it's all work 🤣 I usually do a rough outline and for shorter fics I've done more of a rambling, stream of consciousness kind of step-by-step of the story. From there, I balance between daydreaming and writing! I can go totally out of order, it depends on what scenes seem "whole" in my mind and ready to go or appeal the most to me. Sometimes I have a scene fairly mapped out and other times I'm just walking through it line by line in my head, writing down some, and going from there. I think in pantser terms its the headlight method. At any rate - I usually have a decent skeleton outline but oftentimes the details and even big plot points find me as I write.

Are you a plotter or a pantser?

I feel like I'm 60-70% pantser and the rest is plotter! I do like to know where I'm going and how the plot fits together (especially essential for my longer works) but I discover a lot as I write.

What do you listen to when you are writing?

I usually can't listen to any music with lyrics when I write, and even now I have trouble listening to instrumental or white noise. I do have an ACOTAR instrumental spotify list that I love, and in the past I've listened to movie scores. These days, if I listen to anything, it's usually rain sounds. My brain needs to be very quiet as I come up with the words!

What’s your drink of choice(while writing)?

Water, the adult drink. 🤣 Now that it's chilly, tea for a caffeine boost.

Promote yourself! What’s your favorite thing you’ve written?

I feel like it changes week by week. Today I'm feeling quite fond of Blossoming in Winter which I wrote for last year's ACOTAR gift exchange.

Share a fic of yours that you think is underrated/deserves more love.

I had so much fun with Resurrect Me and I feel like it's different from what I usually do, which was a great challenge and experiment!

Do you have any advice for new writers?

I looooove talking writing and brainstorming. If I have time I love to help brainstorm or beta read.

This Jane Smiley quote is the key: “Every first draft is perfect because all the first draft has to do is exist."

You literally need to do whatever it takes to make that smooth connection between the words in your head and your paper/keyboard. Everyone has their own techniques, but I feel like if you're sitting staring at the screen or deleting half a sentence all the time...you're doubting too much and getting in your own way. Put the words down and you can "fix" them later. Separating the writing and editing process for me was key, and also you have to silence those doubting voices inside so you can just get any words out.

Also - have fun. I am having a fucking blast writing fanfiction. When I get too nervous or self conscious or in my head, I remember this is my personal hobby, writing practice, and something I do for fun. We're all just playing in the sandbox and taking it too seriously is a way to kill your enjoyment.

What is a writing style/technique that others do really well that you'd like to get better at?

My constant struggle is editing and getting myself to shut up - I am an over writer times ten. My "experiments" these days have to do with telling stories that are shorter and shorter. I want to keep figuring out how to write action scenes, and be more intentional with big connecting metaphors.

Is there a character you were surprised you enjoyed writing as much as you did?

I'm so hyperfocused on Feysand! I do love writing Nesta and I'm trying real hard to figure out Elain and Lucien. I would love to write for Eris (Azris!!!!) and maybe a great villain like Koschei.

Tagging (no pressure) @lady-bluebird-luv @wilde-knight @climbthemountain2020 @starry-mantle @whatishowedyouinthedark @trappedoutside124

[pbandjesse]

Today was surprisingly cold and rainy. It is nice that it actually felt seasonal and not confusingly, and concerningly, warm. And despite it being so cold and wet I had a nice day and mostly was toasty inside.

I slept alright last night. Falling asleep was a little easier. And I slept pretty well. I woke up right before my alarm.

I got dressed and felt pretty good. I did not like my hair today. It feels very flat. I miss having curls. I don't know where to go anymore because the place I had gone before has raised their prices so much I can't afford it. But I'm not sure how to find a hairdresser. I am just trying to grow my hair out right now but the flatness makes me feel a little self conscious.

James was having breakfast and packed me a little lunch. They would drive me to camp today so they could go take our car for an oil change.

It was a nice drive. I was surprised how cold it was, it wasn't raining yet though. I wore my big puffy coat that I love so much. I was very cozy.

James took us up to the art building to drop some stuff off. It was to cold in there to put things away, but at least it's up there for later.

James drove me down to the office. Came inside for a few minutes. Promised me they would be safe. And then said goodbye.

It started to rain not long after they left. But I was safely inside. I had lots to do.

But the office was messy. So I focused on putting things away and organizing. I found a green fanny pack and remembered Jorge had said he wanted that color and we never get it anymore. So I messaged him to make sure I wasn't remembering wrong but I was correct and he seemed very happy about it. We chatted for a bit and I encouraged him to be specialty staff next summer. He said that sounds scary but would consider it.

There was lot of focus on next summer today. Once everyone else, sans Elizabeth, came in there was lots of talk about returning staff surveys and schedules and programs.

So after I sorted some books for the different villages, I started working on tackling the schedule.

This ended up being way harder then I anticipated. Like I knew it would be hard but it ended up being all I worked on for the rest of the day. I didn't even finish! It ended up being really tough.

But it was fun. Having a project that was so intense. I am most of the way through this first draft but man. Juggling overnight and day camp is rough!! Like if it was one or the other it would be fine but man. But enough hours in the day for sure.

First I tried doing all the overnight. But then it didn't work with day camp. So since their day is shorter I switched to focusing on them and that went a lot better. A lot more streamlined.

James would let me know that the oil change, tire rotation, filter change, and new wiper blades, took less then an hour. Amazing. So they went home to read and do some stuff at the house. And would head to get me after stopping at the grocery store for a few things we weren't able to get for Thanksgiving. And then headed to me.

I would work up until they came to get me. I would stop for a little lunch. I discovered I only really like yellow peppers. Alexi had me try and orange one, since I hated the red one I brought, and I was just not into it. Good to know about myself.

When James got there I finished up in a good spot so tomorrow, while I'm working at home, I will have a good spot to jump into. And then we were off.

I was very surprised how cold it was. And how hard it was raining. It didn't seem to be raining that hard when I was inside. We got to the car and headed home. Slowly. Because the rain and heavy in the highway.

I started not feeling amazing while we were driving home. The grey made me feel tired, and I had had no protein today. So I was a little woozy.

When we got back here James made us popcorn. And the snack helped while we waited for pasta dinner to be done.

But I just spent the evening on the couch. I changed into a big sweater. And got cozy with sweetp.

After dinner I would eventually get up to vacuum up some more snails. But I was mostly just chilling and watching videos. Eventually James came and laid in bed with me to watch videos and laugh and cuddle for a while. It has been a sleepy evening and it's just been nice.

I took a shower but decided I would wash my hair tomorrow. I am going to work at home. I hope to make more work on this schedule and then Alexi asked me to start designing a holiday card and think up a patch design to give to the couples that frt married at camp. So cute. I'm excited to get to do more design stuff.

I hope you all sleep well tonight and have a cozy day tomorrow. I love you all. Goodnight!!

[emilycollins00]

I LOVE LOVE your headcanons and scenarios so much I can't help but make a request!! How do you think Itaru would react if a colleague (reader) from work found out that he was a gamer, the complete opposite from his work persona and what becomes of their relationship after? THANK YOU SO MUCHH!!

YOU ARE SO VERY WELCOME, DEAR!! 💕 I feel so grateful to receive comments like these, ugh. Hope you like it!

Pairing: Itaru Chigasaki x Reader

Title: Forceful revelation

-

Itaru would never say he liked his job per se. It was more like he had had to get used to it if he wanted to buy his precious games plus a place to play them. Even after all this time working in the same department, he hadn’t tried to get promoted or cared about developing relationships with his colleagues.

Never felt like he needed those things.

He was content doing his expected hours and then going back home at the end of the day. Especially if next day was his day off, like that night.

Waiting for some final copies to be made, he noticed a few colleagues passing by, their jobs already done.

“Good work today, Chigasaki-kun”

Flashing an already practiced working smile, the blond wondered if he would ever remember their names just as much as they liked to remind him of his own “Good work you too”

Just as he predicted, he could hear the faint laugh of his co-workers entering the elevator. Itaru looked at the clock- Only a little more before he could leave. The blond sighed tiredly as he sat again on his desk.

Everyone at the dorm made fun of him, but there really was no heavier burden to carry than the pressure of having to uphold your image and reputation. It wasn’t as easy as he made it look. 

“Chigasaki-san!”

You were a clear example of it.

Itaru didn’t have to lift his head to recognize your steps, but did it anyway. You were practically running and he felt even more tired just by watching you “Y/N-san” he greeted, not moving from his seat as he watched you regain your breath.

It had been a bit more than five months since you had transferred to his department at the company and he still didn’t know how to deal with your personality and your seemingly attachment to his working persona.

“Thank goodness I made it!” you smiled brightly as you regained your lost breath.

At first glance, you and Itaru weren’t that different. You both were usually congratulated for doing a good job at work and had overall good relationships with everyone.

However, Itaru knew better.

You had achieved much more than he had in all his years in such a short time. He even heard rumors that you would probably get promoted to manager by the end of the semester.

Which wasn’t surprising to him though, seeing you didn’t stop moving for a second from one project to another. What had your parent given you as a kid?

“...and so I was wondering if you knew the password for the projector they have in room 201? You know, the one with red chairs and a big plant on the corner”

Itaru hummed, looking around his desk to give you a copy of the passwords “Here you go, you can keep them”

“As expected of Chigasaki-san!” you accepted them happily.

The spring member’s smile faltered. 

Honestly, it was annoying to be put by such high standards.

He had tried to not get close to you, hoping the polite distance he always kept with others worked, but so far, you were still practically glued to him whether it was to ask him for advice or commenting how much you respected him.

…If you knew how he really was, Itaru was sure you wouldn’t be talking about him so happily. Focusing again, he noticed you waiting for something “Sorry, what did you say, Y/N-san?”

“Ah! I heard you are taking tomorrow off?”

“Yes, some personal matters happened at home” he turned around to make you understand he had things to do “I already signed and prepared everything, so there shouldn’t be a problem to send without me the first draft to our fellow company, I already talked with their administration”

“You really are amazing” he heards you whisper impressed.

He didn’t comment on your compliment “Anyway if anything happens tomorrow, I’ll be counting on you, Y/N-san”

Exactly as he thought, you gasped, beaming happily at the thought of being relied on “Of course! Good luck with your personal matter!”

                                             -.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

“I can’t believe you took a day off just to play games”

Izumi rested her hands on her hips when she discovered the spring member laying on the sofa, tracksuit on and shirt already filled with crumbs from the bag of chips next to him. He already had bags under his eyes.

“I did my overtime and this is how I chose my reward, director”

Rolling her eyes, she took her handbag, considering futile to argue with him “I’m going shopping and then to a meeting, make sure you don’t stay all day in that position, all right?”

Not breaking contact from his game, Itaru hummed a goodbye. Damn, thank god he had taken a day off. This event was being too competitive. He wouldn’t have been able to make the quests unless he spent last night and next 24 hours defending his rank.

At some point the doorbell started ringing “Someone is at the door” he called out loud to no one in particular.

The bell kept ringing. Where were Matsukawa or Citron supposed to be at times like this?

“Itaru, my ears! Open the door, dammit, open the door!” Kamekichi flew over him.

Groaning, he walked towards the entrance, eyes still fixed on the screen. Hadn’t he made it clear he wasn’t planning to move until tomorrow night? “Hey director, you should remember taking your keys when- Shit! How come these fuckers have so much luck? I’m gonna have to fucking sweep the floor with-”

“Chigasaki…san…?”

And for the first time since yesterday, slowly, Itaru broke contact with his controls.

No.

That couldn’t be you.

If anything, the situation happening was just the most lucid dream Itaru had ever had, because there was no way in hell that was real life.

“Itaru, who’s this jerk, want me to beat them up?” Kamekichi had landed on his shoulder, wings moving in an attempt to scare you, but neither of you reacted to it.

Gripping your bag, your face was white, looking like a scared puppy that had just encountered a scary and bigger dog “I, uh… really apologize for coming unannounced on your day off. Chief tried to contact you but, um, we couldn’t reach you and-“

“…Why are you here”

You shivered at the tone of his voice. You had never heard Itaru talk like that to anyone. Ever. You showed him an envelope “T-there’s this document chief needed that you forgot to sign for this afternoon meeting and…”

In silence, he grabbed them, scanning them with a stoic face. You could cut the mood with a knife “Pen” he opened his hand.

“A-ah, right!”

Barely exchanging looks, you took the signed papers and thanked him.

“Chigasa-“

“I hope that’s all, wouldn’t want you to come again and tire yourself out more”

You were practically shaking. Wishing him a good day, you turned and practically ran out of the place.

With the door closed, Itaru leaned his back on it, not even looking at the control resting on his hand.

Out of all the people he didn’t wish to show this side of him, somehow, unconsciously, you had become one of the firsts.

“…Well, shit”

                                            -.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

When you finally took notice, you had already reached the station, breathing heavily. The situation that had happened moments ago struck you as surreal.

Itaru Chigasaki, your colleague at work, was what you would describe as the epitome of what you aspired to be. His charm, professionalism… could someone be any more perfect?

“I’m gonna have to fucking sweep the floor with…”

You shook your head, still not over it. You had never expected someone you admired so much to be so… different outside work.

Oh god, work.

You mentally groaned, already cringing at what scenario could possibly happen when he came back next week. As you entered the train, your mind started running wild. Would he accuse you? Joke about it? Although he hadn’t seemed comfortable… Wait, did people know about this? Would he threaten you to not say anything? The last thing you wanted was to be on bad terms with him!

As you sat on the platform, you noticed the crumbled documents in your hand, Itaru’s sign finally on them.

So much for a quick visit.

                                               .-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.

Neither of you talked about it when he came back next week.

Or the next one.

Time passed, and you were getting more and more anxious. Your blond colleague had never been someone who was cold to anyone, but it was more than clear that he had made a point not to interact with you under any circumstances, unless it was necessary.

Which was exactly why you understood his raised eyebrows looking at the coffee you had brought to his desk. Thankfully, he took the cup, bringing it to his lips “I believe I left all the files in your place, Y/N-san, do you need anything else?”

"Ah, well..." you had no idea what to say or how to react to him anymore. Itaru could feel it too, however, he didn’t try to alleviate the awkwardness.

It was painfully obvious how much it had shocked you seeing him at the dorm, so he didn’t understand why you kept trying to talk to him “You don’t have to force yourself, Y/N-san, people will notice things like that” he kept talking, his mouth covered by the cup

You opened your mouth to try and deny it but closed it, unable to. The awkward silence that had followed the last few days appearing again.

Pressing your lips together, you whispered an excuse and turned back to your own desk, dejected.

As he finished the coffee, Itaru couldn’t help but follow your figure. He had arrived expecting rumors about him, but no one seemed to have changed their demeanor.

So then, why did he feel like he was getting punched when you averted your eyes from his on meetings or he felt like being a dick to you when after it you tried to appease him?

Itaru leaned on his chair, sighing. Was it guilt?

You were someone who aspired to do your best with all you got, reminding him so much of people like Sakuya or director.

Maybe that’s why he felt like he had disappointed you, which made Itaru angrier and more confused. Why should he feel bad about it? It had been your fault. Leaving those thoughts aside he tried to concentrate again. It was actually better for him, now that he didn’t have to deal with you.

At least that’s what he repeated to himself.

                                         -.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

It was almost dinner time when the doorbell at Mankai rang.

“I’ll go!” Izumi left the kitchen, opening the door and finding you there, not that the young woman knew you “Yes?”

“Hi, uh… Is Chigasaki-san inside? I’m a… colleague from work”

The young woman laughed nervously, looking inside and then back at you again “Is… Itaru-san expecting you?”

You shook your head “I can wait here if he prefers to change. I’m not in a hurry” 

“Oh! Um… all right, I’ll call him. Please wait a second”

The door closed again, and you took a deep breath, trying to calm down. A minute later, the blond came out. You took another look at his appearance. It really was miles apart from his working persona.

“I figured it wouldn’t matter anymore” he shrugged, answering as if he had just read your thoughts. His personality was on another level too “Why are you here?”

You swallowed down “I... I am lazy too, Chigasaki-san!”

Frowning, Itaru opened his mouth confused “What are you… “

“I don’t like to clean at home and get overwhelmed easily! also, I hate waking up early and I don’t like waiting for the food to get cold and end up burning myself…!”

What were you doing shouting all those things about you?

“…I also tend to leave everything until the last minute because I love spending time on the phone and have to make up for it after and, uh, what I’m trying to say is, I’m sorry I made you feel uncomfortable in your own house! But..!” you clenched your fists “You are still the Chigasaki-san that I admire and respect, it doesn’t matter if you behave differently outside work. You are you!”

Itaru stared at you, not knowing how to react to your outburst.

Seeing your expectant face waiting for his reaction, his mind suddenly compared it to how the spring troupe did that cringy act to keep him from leaving the dorm.

Noticing the similarities, he found himself smiling and then laughing, under you confused stare.

‘You are you!’

A tiny smile reached his face. It was as if the burden and guilt he had been carrying these weeks about  being fake had lifted from his shoulders “…You really are something else” 

You raised your hands, moving them to reject those words “I’m sorry! I just meant it was…!” Itaru kept staring at you with a smile you had never seen before and you blushed, not knowing how to behave right now. 

“Ey, Y/N-san…”

“Y-yes?”

He looked at the dorm and then to you, smirking now “…Would you like to play some games?”

                                             -.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.

“Fuck, Itaru-san I told you to wait! You are gonna kill me too if you throw that grenade now!”

“I don’t need weak people in my party” the blond pressed the bomb, eliminating every single person surrounding him “GG, Banri”

“SHIT! Why would you-!” they kept arguing until a knock was heard on the door

“May I come in?”

“Oh, Y/N-chan-san! It’s been a while” the high school boy turned around

You smiled at him “I know! There are a lot of things to take care of as a new manager… I brought some snacks as an apology though” you lifted a bag “I’m not late, am I?”

Itaru scoffed, still looking at the screen “Hey there, Y/N, more like I thought you had gotten scared”

You frowned, making space for yourself in the couch next to them “I never back down from a challenge Itaru, and you know it! You are just too enthusiastic when it comes to these things, so I have to prepare myself to kick your ass”

“Mmm… I wonder where did that ‘I admire you the most, Chigasaki-san’ attitude go. I kind of miss it”

“I can respect you and still want to see you eating dirt, you know”

The spring member snickered, stopping the game and giving you the controls “Yeah, yeah, let's show you how to really level up to the fullest to at least entertain me”

“You bet I will!”

Itaru wouldn’t say he tried hard to achieve big things or create ties with others, that just wasn’t his thing. 

However, glancing at you talking to Banri about the best way to make him lose, he thought allowing you entering in his world hadn’t been so bad after all.

And he smiled. Guess relationships really worked like that.

_________________________________________________________

Hopefully you guys ended up liking it! Have a wonderful day! 💕

[sleeplessandstubborn]

Emily in Paris, season 2, episode 1, or why our heroine must brace for consequences (at last).

Ah, Emily in Paris... it's been a while since I last reviewed/done a recap one of its episodes. So much that I never completed reviewing of Season 1. Meanwhile, there was the premiere of the second one, every single time I wrote a draft Tumblr ate it, and I became frustrated. So instead of picking things where I left them I decided (today) to attack season 2 without finishing the first one. But no problem, I'll do a callback now and then. Without further ado, here we go.

First of all, I must congratulate our main lady because she's finally running with adequate clothes. Not congratulations, on the other hand, for her attention span because, as she runs, she remembers the hot hot night of hot hot sex with her neighbour Gabriel, who incidentally is also (or was until a few hours before they ended together in Miss Cooper's bed) her friend Camille's boyfriend. The first consequence is Emily is almost run over by a car (surprise! Paris has now people, cars and public transport! Isn't that an improvement?); fortunately for her a pedestrian saves our main character from death. She's too consumed by guilt and bad manners to say even thank you. Not nice, Miss Cooper, not nice.

In the appartment she now shares with bestie and much better character Mindy - who is trying an spectacular outfit for her new job in a drag bar -, Emily finally opens her heart. Mindy's first reaction is a You go, girl! moment which her roomate disapproves, arguing she's now the new Pam Spicer. Who is Pam Spicer, you wonder (just like Mindy does)? A girl from Chicago who slept with everyone's boyfriends when she was drunk. Our main lady realizing that she had sex with Gabriel when both were very sober, by the way.

Communication skills, unless Emily's wardrobe is a sort of code message, are really bad in this series, but at least she says clearly to Gabriel, during the next scene, that she felts like they were vviolating the first directive the other night. Thanks to this little conversation we discovers her father was a trekkie and that Gabriel feels no remorse at all. One starts to suspect they deserve each other when Antoine appears. It turned out, las season, that Monsieur le Creepatractive had decided to make an investment in Gabriel's restaurant. Also starring in this scene: Gabriel still having the guts of disapproving Emily going on vacation with Pierre Cadault's nephew, Mathieu.

(Note/callback to the first season: I am more scandalized by the fact the writers decided to introduce Mathieu as love interest and guy who dated Emily a couple of time without having the slightest amount of chemistry, but one of S1 premises was that the whole male population of Paris had the hots for Emily).

I am also judging her, oh Godess among the Godess, supreme Queen, my Muse, my precious divinity, oh Sylvie.

Did I mention that, Camille being also a client, the whole thing is a bit unprofessional? No, I didn't because, since I never completed the reviews/recaps of season 1, the thing with Savoir now handling the campaign for her family's champagne for spraying at parties (don't ask, the whole thing seems a sacrilege for me) were never mentioned, along with other creepy things that happened there (but we'll back in the next episodes, be reasured). Well, it's unproffesional. Camille, precisely, is waiting for her friend with a fabulous jacket that make her look like she just attended to the inauguration of the Opéra Bastille in the 80s and sunglasses that won't allow her to watch what the writers will do to her character.

(My poor poor girl).

A meeting ensues where Champére - that's the name of the product, ew - is advertised with a soft-porn-esque vibe, Emily can't help but remember her night with Gabriel, everything becomes supremely awkward and a lunch break is proposed. Emily begs Sylvie to come with them and serve as third, judgamental wheel. All of this with the backround of the Louvre's Pyramid, to name another mitterrandesque landmark.

Probably the judgmental third wheel wasn't part of Emily's desperate plan to flee from her guilt, but it happens anyway. Of course Sylvie guesses our young American is having an affair with the chef and tells her so while Camille and her 80s jacket are at the restroom. You are becoming more and more French, Mme. Grateau argues. In the name of an allied nation, I protest.

But back to job! One of the aspects of this season is that they tried to flesh up a bit Emily's coworkers, even if little of it can be seen as she tries to recruit them with invitations to see Mindy perform at the drag bar. An invitation Luc accepts willingly because it's something he loves to bits and that Julien refuses because it's not his cup of tea and, besides, he has to do a presentation for Rimowa in which, for some reason, a Sebastian Kurz wannabe is present. Judge for yourselves.

But Julien fails to impress his clients, who want something more tacky like the collaboration Savoir or rather Emily did with Pierre Cadault. Emily proceeds to, unvoluntarily, take the wind out of Julien's sails. He doesn't take that well, and rightly so.

(Note/callback to season 1: Cadault was very present during its last episodes, when he first considered Emily was tasteless and ended considering her a sort of inspiration. In the meantime, she had a brief fling with a snob called Thomas who must be right now writing a book about semiotics)

Meanwhile at the drag bar (la Nouvelle Eve), Mindy, like the side character she is, is confronted with real life. I repeat that this series would be better if Emily wasn't the protagonist. Suming it up: Mindy hasn't yet fixed her work papers so the only job she can really have is bathroom attendant and she can only receive tips. With the possibility of singing a song in exchange.

(Callback to season 1: good that Mindy, who is the daughter of a millionarie, overcame her scenic panic which had been caused by a talent contest. It's true that it required one of the cringiest scenes back then, but anyway the struggles of Mindy who has gone from having everything to nanny then to bathroom attendant and who has to do a considerable, I guess, paperwork to just have a job and earn money are more intersting than Chicago girl who is afraid of becoming Pam Spicer).

Camille shows up to pick up Emily, because of course she invited her to go and see Mindy at La Nouvelle Eve. Seriously, Emily? What are you playing at? Camille sees a frying pan who seems suspiciosly similar to Gabriel's and I guess there is maaaye some subtext there, but we'll have more of that later. Seems Emily is focused in trying to fix things between Camille and Gabriel without telling her friend what happened, because of reasons.

But in the meantime Mindy, bathroom assistant or not, does a great performance at La Nouvelle Eve, even if I missed, I don't know, something in French or/and from Eurovision. On their way home, Emily insist Camille should have a conversation with Gabriel. I wonder, along with Mindy, if she knows what she's doing.

Next day at Savoir, Rimowa send their tacky suitcase with M. Cadault's face on it. It's as tacky as expected, and Julien is, again, furious because Emily just invaded his territory and announces they will be rivals from now on, which would be the logical thing to do. I love Sylvie's outfit, reaction and her whole being. Rimowa's promotional stuff comes on handy, tho, because Emily is supposed to go to her romantic weekend with Mathieu.

So, as she packs her colourful wardrobe inside her hideous suitcase (I like her dress, but her shoes are a mistake for traveling; pick something practical, girl) we assist to an attempt to conflict between Antoine and Gabriel when the former invited some friends to his freshly adquired restaurant and both men have creative differences. Of course Gabriel wins over him. It's not the last time we'll see this in the season but will be equally boring, in my opinion anyway.

So finally Emily, Mathieu and the horrible suitcase meet at the train station, on the point of boarding a train that seems a theme park or the fucking Orient Express. If Camille's jacket is reminiscent of Mitterrand, this train is... René Coty?

Even a member of the French Government - who every single Wednesday posts a video about rural life and there's a rooster crowing in it - was quite amused at the scene. They have barely boarded the train when Emily receives a call from Gabriel. Of course our heroine has the worst possible idea as she talks very loudly about how their night was incredible but was a mistake. This is overheard by Mathieu who jumps off the train as it starts to move, the end. Emily's clumsy attempts to explain Gabriel isn't her boyfriend fail to preven him from -almost - running away from her.

Note: now the French characters speak French to each other when they are alone, which is an improvement, as I said.

However... however throughout the season I - unpopular opinion - missed some of old Emily's failures with language. And, if - spoiler - the best scene in the whole series is about her complete failure to write French, there's something missing.

For me, anyway.