#especially Lizzy she's too iconic to die

[straightdazed412]

GUYS OMFG DID ANYONE ELSE NOTICE THIS

BRO LIZZY AND THAD IN EPISODE 7?!!??!?!

YESSS PLS WE NEED MORE OF THEM

[deepdonutkid]

Can I ask for multiple character break downs?👀

Well if I can, then would you please do one for Ada and one for Tommy and one for John

But if only one has to be done, then you can choose any one of these.

Thanks! <3

Thanks for the ask! 💞

Ada Thorne nee Shelby

How I feel about this character

Just love for her! She is adorable, strong, fierce, absolutely amazing! Ada and Polly are the best developed female character on the show. Mainly, because Tommy can’t fuck them, so they can’t be reduced to his love interest, which is such a good thing, because I love strong women. Makes me weak in my knees.

All the people I ship romantically with this character

Freddie Thorne, Ben Younger, Jessie Eden, because Ada is bi, she just gives off that vibe, u know.

Somehow I prefer to read stuff with a female reader for her, more than a male reader for her. Because it’s either Freddie x Ada for me or Ada x female reader.

My non-romantic OTP for this character

Lizzie, Polly, Ada and Linda are an amazing combination! She and Tommy have an interesting dynamic as well! I would have loved to see more John and Ada interactions, because they have not such a big age gap inbetween, so I think they are close. Especially after Ada got her child and John got married with Esme. Oh, Ada and Esme would have sooo much fun together. Esme would be like the sister Ada never had.

My unpopular opinion about this character

I think her character changed a lot between season 1 and 2, because of Freddie’s death and also after she joined the business again. Sometimes when I make memes or the alignment charts, I have two icons for her, one from first season and one from third season, because I think she is one of the characters who changed the most through the series. First season Ada would do a lot of things different and more naive than third season Ada. Mainly, because she still believed in communism in season 1 and she somehow lost her faith after losing Freddie. Which is super understandable tho.

She acutally becomes wiser with age... unlike her brothers, who just do the same shit over and over again.

One thing I wish would happen / had happened with this character in canon.

I wished Ben hadn’t died, because they kill her lovers even fast than Tommys. WTF, right?

On the other hand I wished Ada talked some sense into Jessie, to NOT SLEEP WITH TOMMY THE WHORE SHELBY! Because Ada knows her brother very well and I think she genuinely liked Jessie, or she liked her enough to save her from the pain of being Tommy’s toy or pleasure doll.

And I’m still bitter about the way they killed of Freddie... but more about that later...

Tommy Shelby

How I feel about this character

Relationship status: It’s complicated!

Yes, well, I ramble about Tommy’s shit a lot. I know! He is still an intersting character and it’s so tempting to think about his actions in certain situations, but if I would meet him as a person- I would hate him from the bottom of my heart! <3

He is such an asshole all the time and when I first watched the show, I forgave him a lot he did to his siblings, because I was caught up with his good looks and the presentation of him being the good guy who does bad things to survive. But I spend some time to think about his actions and I noticed, he is an awful human being... to Polly, to his siblings, to his lover and actually to everyone. He might think he does all those mean things to archive a bigger goal, but he is just a gambling addict who can’t stop taking risks he isn’t even prepared for.

Shitty things Tommy has done over time:

Forcing his brother to marry somebody, John didn’t even know at that time, to end a feud, Tommy had started himself and only when it was in his favour to end it, he used John as pawn, so he could archive his plan. HOW FUCKED UP WAS THAT? Nobody seems to talk about this. It was fucking awful! And the way he did it was horrible to! Tommy said nothing to John until the very last moment, when they were already surrounded by enemies, so John couldn’t said no. It also shows, that Tommy thinks he is above his siblings. Tommy thought John wasn’t capable of chosing a wife for himself, so Tommy did that for him too. Even when John didn’t ask for this at all!

Destroying Ada’s relationship with Freddie and chasing his best friend out of town, just because... TOMMY WAS AGAINGST HIS SISTER HAVING A RELATIONSHIP. and yet he proclaimes to listen to woman and to give them a fair change. Maybe just not for our dear Ada!

Destroying Arthur’s marriage, because he kept dragging Arthur into shit, he wasn’t mentally stable enough for. Putting thoughts of rejecting Linda into Arthur’s head, by talking bad about Linda and making jokes about her any given time.

Sleeping with Lizzie over and over again, even when he knew she loved him and when she tried to get over him by dating someone new, he made the order to burn down the pub of Angel, humilated his family, and have him killed later.

Sleeping with Jessie, so he could use her

Humiliate Polly, when she was at her lowest, after Rueben had left her

Drag Michael into the illegal business after Polly begged him not to

Dragging Finn into all this shit after John died, because John wasn’t avaiable anymore

Calling Grace a whore, when they first met

Paying Lizzie in his head, even after she stopped being a sex worker

Helping a fascist

I could go on for a while, but you see my point here!

All the people I ship romantically with this character

Nobody! I want to see him miserable and alone! Honestly I’m never going to read all these soft!Tommy fics or whatever, because they really don’t interest me. I don’t want to see him happy.

But go have fun people and write and read whatever you want!

My non-romantic OTP for this character

Tommy and Lizzie, because they have a sexual relationship, which is not based on romance and I love this sad and depressing dynamic between them. It’s so interesting to write and read about.

Tommy and Ada are great in the show. I love their talks and Ada actually points out when Tommy is acting like a douche again.

My unpopular opinion about this character

I have a lot... where should I start?

I get so annoyed, when I see Tommy shown as a twink, because the actor is just 1,70m... which is not small to me. I know a lot of men around that height and I think they are average and not small. Also a lot of men feel bad for not being tall enough, because everywhere in our society it’s normal to have a tall man and a small woman. And the way tall man or small man are sexualized in this alpha/omega thing or in a top/bottom dynamic is so... meh. It’s really uncomfortable to see how people try to push the patriarchal man-woman dynamic into same-sex relationships.

Tommy is a class traitor and a horrible husband.

Man, I could rant for hours, but I stop right here. Just remember, please don’t feel attacked, I don’t mean to attack you. Even if you write or draw... whatever with Tommy, I would never say something bad about this. Enjoy creating Tommy content, I will love to ignore it!

One thing I wish would happen / had happened with this character in canon.

I was so disappointed when they killed Freddie, because those two could have had an interesting and compelling relationship. Freddie could have been a great frenemie. I put this here and on on Ada, because their marriage wouldn’t changed the plot as much as Freddies and Tommys friendship. Tommy would have been a way better person, if Freddie was around.

John Shelby

How I feel about this character

MY HUSBAND! I love him and he has never done anything wrong in his life.

Nah, John has many faults, but I still adore him as a character, because his faults are actually making the plot more interesting. I also read, that he and Tommy fight a lot, because John is more moral and has way more integrity than his older brother. It was just hinted in the show, but I love this side fact and I will base my whole characterisation this.

I love to write, draw and read stuff with him. He is my favorite character from Peaky blinders and my love will never die, even though he did.

Funny tho, when I first watched PB, I adored Tommy and was annoyed by John, but as I rewatched it I changed my mind about those two.

He had so much potential and I would spend all my money, which is not much, but the devotions counts, to see a spin-off with just John and his army of children.

All the people I ship romantically with this character

Esme, because they are sooo cute together!

My OFC, because I love writing them.

Any reader, because I’m a sucker for John.

My non-romantic OTP for this character

All kinds of interactions with other characters and John are great! My favorite is John and Ada to be honest. But here are other dynamics I adore as well:

John & Polly, (she would help him a lot with the kids)

John & Arthur (they come to the garrison to drink and play cards, they talk a lot about their problems, deep bond here)

John & Tommy (in my head they are always fighting)

John & Lizzie, because they have a great friendship, and they helped each other a lot. She spend time with the kids and he gave her financial support, so she would quit her job, which she didn’t do, because she feared being all alone again, and she has trust issues) (I’m actually writing a fic about these two)

John & his kids (I’m soft for dad!John)

John & Michael (especially in season three, because John seems to be jealous of Michael)

My unpopular opinion about this character

John is not completely stupid. Well, he is certainly not smart, but he works in the betting shop, and Arthur does not, or not really, because Arthur is bad at math... John at least knows his numbers. And also Tommy chose him to be the legal bookie over the others, so John must do a good job there. He just never got a degree or something similar like Michael. Which is also a reason, why John seems to be bitter about Michael joining the business. Michael was put in a higher position than he did.

One thing I wish would happen / had happened with this character in canon.

This one is obvious... John should have survived.

[gayspock]

OK bake off ep 2

- the intro sketch is evil. i never want to see paul hollywood eat matt lucas ever again

- lizzie i do love you a lot but you are so obviously some sort of disney adult / harry potter adult and i could tell that before you mentioned the latter but god. im trying to live in bliss. so dont mention it again

- oh i loathe amanda . i fucking hate her. shut up. wriTTTTTing... SHUT UP !!!! SHUT UP!!! (GOES FOR HER THROAT)

- when no-brits tumblr dot com mock the bri'ish accent am ike 😁✌teehee cheeeeeseee ubt when oughghh. when a missus like her tries to take the piss out of it in a very clear classist context am like oh crikey. die i'll fucking go bite your nasty ankles you little cunt snap snap snap trust the cop 😐😑. i hate her shes the villain for me she shoulda went last week fr fr

- FREYAOIGGGUGHGHHGHG. I LOVE COFFEE FLAVOURED BAKES. OMGGG<3. YUMMY YUMMY

- rochica tooo omggg yaaayyy i love it my cute girlies

- AND CHIGS. YES ALL THE BESTIES WITH THE COFFEE COOKIES. KISS FOR ME PLEASE!

- JAIRZENOOOO THEYRE SOO YUMMY SOUNDING WOWEE!

- let him be chilled out i lurv it when the bakers are just calm and cool theyre like "well.. im in a pickle, arent i? aha oh well" its so funny

- jurgen (am sorry omg u dibt =have umlauts on my keyboard and im going fast live so icant paste them in) but wowee it looks so delicious and scrammy and-

- he has a mASTERS IN PHYSICS??? ITERALLY SORRY BUT HE IS THE BESTIE. I SHOULD HAVE KNOWN HE HAS THE ENERGY. EVERYONE DIE FOR JURGEN PLEASE! THATS AN ORDER!

- giuseppe being like ehrm. WELL ACTUALLY- to paul yeah go ahead you fucking tell him get his ass . giuseppe you point out that you- OH NO HE JUST DROPPED HIS BRANDY SNAPS

- OH NOOOO GIUSEPPE BESTIE NOOOO OMGGGGGGG

- i love everyone here btw (except for amanda) theyre all my besties they really are

- hahaa seeeee giuseppe did it in the end haaahaaaa paul (rips him apart)

- also i was busy during the ad break (was washing my face) but is prue.... whats that show with prue. -_- i hate it whatever it is.

- every time they bitch and , moan about too strong flavours i just dont trust it theyre not so bad this year but nonetheless its paul and prue fucking fusspots like shut uppppp

- YEAHHH BITCH. GIUSEPPE GET THEIR ASSES!! HE DISD WELL! HAHAHA, EGG ON YOUR GOD DAMN FACE PAUL

- JURGEN BOSSING IT YET AGAIN. HELL YEAH.

- (handshake) matt: it means nothing from me, you know jurgen: it means everything to me oH IM OBSESSED

- jammy biccies... :3

- oh for gods sake, yet again with the "its all about the temperature and its hot today" please stop, for the love of god, forcing the drama with this PLEASE. invest in AIRCON. its not giving the good tv bits you hope it does bestie...

- also paul being like "haha, well you're from south africa" to prue we dont need to be reminded. (gives prue a VERY stern stare)

- also subs arent on todays ep for some reason. um. -_-<-furious

- GIVE JURGEN STAR BAKER TWO WEEKS IN A ROW. NOT OUR FAULT HES SO FUCKING GOOD AT THIS.

- THE BAKING TERMINATOR.

- they need to stop giving them these stupidly hard showstoppers so early. fr, last week they had the gravity defying cake: when nadiya did that 5 years ago, that was like ICONIC and awe-inspiring... why the hell was it a week one bake? stoppppp over complicatying things besties. they just make a mess.

- like fr. they used to just have them make a structure, sure... likw why are they making them make full on interactive toys with gingerbread now?

- i hope amanda's rocking horse is the one that breaks. i hope her rocking horse dies.

- ASLO SORRY I KNOW YOU PROBS SHOULD BAKE STH YOU LIKE BUT. IT FEELS A BIT SILLY BILLY TO NOT BAKE GINGERBREAD BC YOU DONT LIKE IT WHEN ITS THE BISCUIT ALMOST NECESSARY FOR THE CHALLENGE?

- her choosing a soft cookie and then going ahhhh why is it breaking</3 HAHAHA AMANDA. GET IT.

- I LOVE it when they engineer cool stuff though its soooo epic. especially the engineers when theyre just sat there going fucking bonkers with all their little measurements-

- also wait. rochica??? how big will that be?

- OMG YES CRYSTELLE YESSSS YESS a makeup thingy. i would loooveeee that. literally sooo cool.

- i would love to make one of those heads. you know those doll heads. where you braid their hair.

- OKAY EVERYONES LOOKING SOOO COOL

- LOL. BYE BYE. AMANDA'S ROCKY HORSE.

- matt im screaming. "do you know whats wrong? british technology".

- GEORGE'S PLANE GOING ROUND IS SO SO COOL OMG.

- i didnt get giuseppe's but this is also very cool. the insane detail and engineering with them both.

- AND MY GOD. JURGEN YOUR FUCKING WINDMILL.

- sOMGGGGGGG CRYSTELLEEEEEEEE

- CRYSTELLE HONEY I LURVVVV IT WOWEEE

- IM THROWING UP OVER FREYA'S ROCKING HORSE VS AMANDA'S.

,- matt referring to his doctor who stint. i am obsessed. (slaps his bald head) love.

- oh my god if they send jairzeno home bc hes a lil messy i'll kill you boot amanda she trainwrecked completely

- literally jurgen and giuseppe. the literal mvps.but it would be SO fucking funny if jurgen got it second week in a row like yes bestie go for it ...

- starbaker is..- yes YES YES JURGEN STARBAKER 2.0 LITERALLY NO ONE IS DOING IT LIKE HIM

- now send amanda home. do it for me.

- ....

- .

- YOU'RE SENDING JAIRZENO HOME?

- I'LL KILL YOU I'LL KILL YOU I'LL KILL YOU I'LL LITERALLY END IT ALL FOR YOU HERE RIGHT NOW AMANDA'S LITERALLY DIDNT EVEN FUCKING STAND UP IM GOING TO KILL YOU WAIT HOW DID JAIRZENO DO IN THE FIRST TOO? BC AMANDA DIDNT SO WELL IN SIGNATURE OHHHH MY GOD

- IM SO ANGRY RIGHT NOW

- AMANDA SHOULD HAVE WENT LAST WEEK TOO CAN WE JUST FUCKING GET RID OF HER I DONT LIKE HER IM OBSESSED WITH EVERYONE ELSE IF SHE GETS FURTHER I'M KILLING IM BITING

- JURGEN BEING LIKE HIII BESTIE IM STARBAKER AGAIN AND WHOWEVER'S ONTHE PHONE BEING LIKE "my gooodness....." me memememememememe

[insertsexualitypun]

Some things I want from Legacies S3

This is going to be all over the place and pretty long. This’ll start with the general storyline things, then get down into smaller character arcs and whatnot. I’ll try to keep it somewhat organized and grouped by character but I make no promises. Also if you wanna talk about any of these feel free to dm! I’m incredibly bored in quarantine and would love to chat

- An introduction of a greater storyline past Malivore and moving away from the monster of the week thing. I know Legacies is supposed to be something different from TVD and TO, and the monster of the week concept is an interesting way to explore the universe past what we already knew, but with the premise as it exists and has been carried out now, it’s hard to develop the characters and relationships. If the characters are fighting new things every week, that makes it hard to give characters like MG and Kaleb their own stories. With a villain to anchor the season as the Big Bad, we can get characters that haven’t been given much of their own storyline a way to get more screentime as they go try and find someone or something with answers.

- GIVE HOPE HER OWN STORYLINE PAST BEING THE HERO/MARTYR AND BEING IN LOVE WITH LANDON. Hope is supposed to be the main character but this doesn’t feel like her story. As awesome as it is seeing Hope be a badass and fight monsters, I want more development from her as a person.

- Kind of ties back into the last one, but let Hope have more Dark moments like the Death Spell incident. Moments that show that while she isn’t just another Klaus, she still shares some of his tendencies towards violence and lashing out. This could work really well if they decide to keep Landon out of the picture for a few episodes.

- Let Hope and Landon break up amicably (assuming Landon isn’t really dead which let’s be real he probably isn’t) so that, again, they can grow as people. Then, if you want, they can get back together. Or just stay broken up and be friends

-  A resolution to the Necromancer - he’s a fun character and while I think he’d be fun to have around for a bit, I don’t think he’s an anchoring villain for a season. Plus to me I kinda figured that they were gonna wrap up his storyline in the last 3 episodes that they didn’t get to film before the production shutdown so chances are we’re getting this anyway.

- Either bring back Ethan, Maya and Mac more prominently, or don’t bring them back at all. Don’t get me wrong, I like the town normies storyline when it comes up, but it doesn’t come up much. Apparently, they were supposed to be in the last 3 episodes more but who knows. With the show already feeling kinda crowded (because again, the format of the show now doesn’t really allow for a ton of characters since they aren’t significantly developing, especially when these characters are in a setting completely removed from the main action of the show’s narrative), either have the normies for more than just getting caught in a magical crossfire, or put them to the side and focus on who you have at the school.

- The TVDU has progressed past the need for Alaric. That’s all I’ll say.

- The show being a little more self aware at the ridiculousness of it all. Like yeah, it’s not completely without that, but the last thing we need is the show devolving into a Riverdale, where the first season was aware of the ridiculous nature of itself, and then it started to take itself way too seriously.

- MORE LGBTQ+ REP. The show has done fairly well thus far compared to other CW shows but there’s still so much than can be done. The show doesn’t need to have show-stopping coming out storylines or anything - it’s actually the opposite. We get the casual drop of Josie having dated Penelope in the first episode of the show which was great. So let’s have more simple stuff like that. More mentions at crushes and other past romances - for all characters - that just allow for other sexualities to be normalized and not some earth shattering thing. 

- This ties into the last one but I felt like it deserved its own bullet, but also what is V NEEDED is rep of trans, genderfluid and non-binary characters. Again, it doesn’t have to be a huge storyline, but it’d be nice to have some recurring characters who are not cis. The show is meant to be set in a near future, so I think it’d be nice to show a normalized view on differing gender expression and sexuality as sort of a hope that such a future will exist.

- Hope loving beignets, eating/wanting to eat them all the time, and getting powdered sugar all over her dark clothes from them. Chances are, if you’re from/have been to NOLA, you’ve tried beignets and loved them because they’re amazing. SO LET HOPE HAVE HER BEIGNETS DAMN IT.

- More Wolf Hope moments. Let her turn more and just run because it let’s her feel more connected to Hayley :’( also the Crescent birth mark if that was ever a thing for Hope... I can’t remember, I’ve seen different things about it, lmk (politely) if that was ever a thing that Hope had

- Hope painting and sketching. It’s one of the few connections she still has with Klaus, SO LET HER EXPRESS HERSELF DAMN IT. (Yes, any time I say SO in all caps I need to end the sentence with DAMN IT, it’s a Thing now)

- MIKAELSON FAMILY MENTIONS AND APPEARANCES. Granted this one is different because there are real life schedules and whatnot that need to align, but even just more mentions of Mikaelson family members and others like Vincent would be nice. Yeah we’ve had some in the past, but it would still be nice to get some more. Also at least a mention of Rebekah and Kol checking in on Hope (assuming the writers aren’t going to pull something dumb like ‘oh the memory spell doesn’t work long distance like that so they still don’t remember her’)

- Hope also talking more about Hayley, Elijah, and Klaus. Again, feeling connected to her mom every time she’s a wolf. Always and forever, like Elijah always said. Telling stories about her father that put him in a better light than just being “The Great Evil” of storybooks.

- Hope being open with her friends about her past and how TERRIBLE it was a lot of the time like, y’know, people trying to kill her before she was even BORN.

- I’ve said this before in a separate post (which I’ll link at some point so expect an edit to this post) but I’d love for something to happen and for Hope to leave the school and go to NOLA and stay with Freya, Keelin and Nik because she’s tired of having to be the savior and still not saving everyone. (Also in that post it says Alaric comes and gets her and brings her back to the Salvatore School but we’ve progressed past the need for him in the TVDU so instead it’ll be the twins)

- Hizzie moments because whether you like them as romantically or just as friends, they are a DUO and we deserve more iconic sarcasm as well as genuine moments of friendship and caring

- Lizzie being the absolute Queen of Comedy

- But more importantly, Lizzie being more open about her issues and taking steps to have better mental health.

- Lizzie and MG having more open conversations and letting a relationship develop naturally - yes there has been a lot of development since season 1 but I feel like they both have a bit of growth to go before they should enter a relationship, if that’s something that happens

- Lizzie being happily single for a bit and not going for a guy that’s going to try and turn her into a vamp and keep her in a prison world 

- MG and Kaleb getting proper storylines or at least more play than just being the Local Vampires who help depending on the situation. They deserve WAY more than that

- ALSO MG and Kaleb backstories. How did they die and how did they get vampire blood in their system to keep them from dying permanently?

- Josie dealing with what happened pre and post Dark Josie and facing that she has always had some darkness in her. Yeah the dark magic definitely didn’t help, but she was willing to perform a spell that she didn’t know on a human over a football game and ended up breaking his arm. Not to mention, she was setting Penelope on fire as early as the first episode. It seems like we’re getting this since Josie locked away her magic in the last episode, but still, I don’t want this to just be a one episode reflection and then move on like she didn’t cause a lot of harm.

- More Hosie crumbs

- More Jade. OK admittedly this is probably really due to the fact that Giorgia Whigham is a Big Crush for me, but also the show really did start integrating her in a bit more with the black and white episode, which makes me think they’re keeping her around at least for a little bit. And I think she and Josie dating at least for a little while would be good for both of them. Jade was a ripper for 10 years in the prison world, and Josie was just consumed by dark magic and is now coming back from that. I think they’re a good (probably short-term) pairing that will help each other grow, but eventually break up because they just aren’t it for each other. And I saw this elsewhere on here, but someone pointed out that Jade could do what Penelope tried to do, but in a healthier way. Yes, Penelope was trying to put Josie first and show her her power and importance, but there’s a way to do that without gaslighting her sister and being manipulative. Sorry, I did not mean for this one to be so long.

- More Specialty episodes. The black and white episode was really fun in my opinion, and the show doesn’t have to be like that all the time, but stuff like that keeps the show interesting, as long as it makes sense within the context of the episode and storyline.

- Josie wearing the necklace Hope gave her

- I haven’t mentioned Rafael much and that’s because, despite being a main character, he hasn’t really done much besides run away with Landon, and feel guilty about having a crush on Hope. He’s personally not a favorite character of mine, but I think if he got more of a storyline - likely revolving around the fact that he was dead and being used as a pawn, as well as the fact that he possibly (but probably didn’t) kill Landon - it’d help give more to like about him.

- Caroline having a better reason for being away from the school than just researching the Merge. Like, her daughters have been fighting monsters, Josie almost died at the end of season 1, they were trapped in a prison world, Josie succumbed to Dark Magic, THEY LITERALLY HAD A MERGE EVENT and she’s still gone??? That’s not the Caroline we know. If she’s going to be gone (because like I said before, it all depends on Candice’s availability and willingness to come back), at least come up with something different than researching something her daughters have already done by this point.

- Since Landon’s not dead, let him unlock his full Phoenix powers. It’d be cool.

- Let’s have one season where Landon doesn’t run away like we don’t all know that he’s gonna be back within like 2 episodes if that

- More Dorian. I actually really like his character, he’s kind of a breath of fresh air sometimes so I’d like more scenes with him when possible

- A conclusion to Malivore and intro of a new villain. I kinda covered this earlier, but at this point, unless Malivore is going to become a tangible entity to fight instead of some black goo, it’s not a very interesting story thread to keep around for the next however many seasons Legacies goes on for.

Whew.

Ok, that’s all I can think of, but feel free to reblog and add more if there’s other stuff you’d like to see!

[la-paritalienne]

hellooooo 🍭 how are you?? Just letting you know your fans are waiting for your usual song by song review for Chemtrails 😇 if you want to do one!!!! Xx

😍😭 omgggg this is long overdue :((( i’ve been neglecting my tumblr for a series of reasons – some of which regrettable – and i can’t believe this slipped my mind! please let me know if you see it and thank you for asking. i’m always amazed that someone cares. without further ado!

white dress: i looooove this as an opening track, the breathy voice is perfect and the song sets the tone for the whole album, both vocally and lyrically. the chorus is super catchy and got stuck in my head from the first listen (which was before the album came out hehe), i adore the look how i do this, look how i got this part. downatthemaninmusicbusinessconferece kinda makes me laugh but at the same time it’s iconic and different. also, i wish i could keep this for myself but i feel compelled to say that the way she sings down in orlANdo reminds me of sweet brown’s i got bronCHithis fgkgkkg so yeah funny AND iconic sums it up.

fave lyrics: ‘cause it made me feel, made me feel like a god / kinda makes me feel like maybe i was better off

8,5/10

chemtrails over the country club: this was by far my fave single, although i wasn’t obsessed w it at first as i got after listening to it within the album. from the first line, it just makes your stomach twist in that bittersweet way. i love the laid back production, the lyrics are poignant and gorgeous (there’s nothing wrong contemplating god, i’m not unhinged or unhappy i’m just wild) and i adore how mundane stuff meets poetic imagery, plus the astrology references... not to mention how brave it is to wanna share those placements (jk, no hate). the different vocals, the falsetto, the layering... it’s just so good. also this might be an unpopular opinion but i think the title is genius and i absolutely support this as a title track.

fave lyrics: you’re in the wind, i’m in the water / nobody’s son, nobody’s daughter

9/10

tulsa jesus freak: this was my fave from the first seconds, it’s stunning, bittersweet, i loooove the production (the little autotune over hurry up gives me chills). i can’t even comment properly because i love everything about it.

fave lyrics: like a little piece of heaven, no more candle in the wind

10/10

let me love you like a woman: i think the opening promises more than what the song delivers, especially the chorus is maybe a bit underwhelming? but tbh after a few listens it grew on me too, i love the high notes and the lyrics are sweet. the first line remains my fave part tho, the way she delivers it... also the verses in general, simple and honest and kind of bratty (i guess i could manage if you stay / its just if you do, i can’t see myself having any fun, so), i can’t not love it.

fave lyrics: talk to me in songs and poems / don’t make me be bittersweet

8+/10

wild at heart: this one gives me old lana vibes, like somewhere between ultraviolence and honeymoon, especially the verse – i’m just obsessed w it. the chorus sounds a lot like some other songs of hers, maybe a little too much for me to enjoy it completely (esp mariner’s apartment complex, her vocal runs sound exactly the same??). anywayyy it’s just a very beautiful song. at first i wasn’t particularly bewildered by this album, like i recognised quality but that was it, but after a few listens i have to say it’s impressive how consistently good the songs are.

fave lyrics: i love you lots like polka dots / you’re killing me more

8-/10

dark but just a game: the hidden gem of the album, competes w tulsa jesus freak for the n.1 spot in my heart, actually maybe it holds it rn, i’m just stunned by it. it almost sounds like lizzy grant’s repertoire, but with lana’s maturity and nonchalance. simply a gorgeous reflection on fame. both musically and lirically i just find it impeccable.

fave lyrics: life is sweet or whatever baby

10/10

not all who wander are lost: ok this might be my least fave (spoiler: with the cover), it’s pretty and the lyrics are good, maybe slightly basic? and it just doesn’t stick w me, it kinda sounds like a poem slightly sung? the background music is maybe too feeble and there’s no memorable melody, if it makes sense. however, the look at me, look at you part elevates it quite a bit. (i mean, it’s no ‘how you like that’, but i liked it)

fave lyrics: the thing about men like you is you got a lot to say / but will you stay?

7-/10

yosemite: another not-fave, maybe this and the previous ones kinda feel like fillers to me, like for my taste, i like them and would never skip them if listening to the whole album, but they wouldn’t make a separate playlist. however, the chorus of this is kind of catchy, although the metrics in we did it for the right reasons kind of bug me, idk why! i also find the song a bit too long and monotone! yes to the candle in the wind reference (again!) tho.

fave lyrics: isn’t it cool how nothing here changes at all?

7/10

breaking up slowly: up there w tjf and dark but just a game. why the fuck isn’t nikki lane credited???? she is insane, when she opens she sounds like stevie nicks and her armonies w lana are perfect. the lyrics are simply heartbreaking and the country feel of it all is unexpected and fresh within the album. love love love

fave lyrics: we might be breakin’ up after this song

10/10

dance ‘till we die: spoiler alert, this song kind of bored me until the rock break??? iconic????? it’s still not my fave bc the verses are a bit too slow and unremarkable to me, but That Part just levels everything up.

fave lyrics: but sometimes, this ranch feels like my only friend / and life doesn’t always work out like we planned / we keep it movin’, babe

7,5/10

for free: i love both weyes and zella, although i find the mix of them + lana a bit confusing, like individually i can tell them all apart, but none of them brings the rawness and contrast w lana that other features of hers did (nikki, stevie!!!). also im sorry joni but i really don’t like this song?? maybe the original is amazing and im an ignorant for not knowing it and it was them who made it so boring and lamentous? idk. anyway. it’s a cover so idk if the vote is more for the song or for the production and adaptation or what but yeah. strong lyrics of course, but this is my opinion on this version of it

fave lyrics: and i’ll play if you’ve got the money / or if you’re a friend to me / but the one-man band by thе quick lunch stand / he’s been playin’ real good for free

6-/10

sooo overall i really loved it and some of the songs i particularly liked are among her best ever to me, though that’s like 100 songs by now so, quite a big list. what did you think? again, thank you for caring and sorry for the delay ❤️❤️❤️❤️

[oneunexpected]

I love Free Day because it means I can do Whatever I Want and I get to rb it to tucweek along with the incredible art pieces and insightful analysis other people have made and mine’s just, like, TUC as vines.

Anyway. Here’s the definitive power ranking of all minor characters* in the Underland Chronicles. It's quite long, because I tried to use every character.

Icarus -this DUUUUDE. This GUYYYYY. SUCKS! -“uh-oh looks like I’m infected with the plague better fly directly into a social gathering” -would be an anti-masker probably  0/10

Reekwell and Gushgore -Fangor and Shed part two, but unfunny this time. 1/10 y’all suck give me Fangor and Shed back

Purvox -Purvox is apparently a beautiful red spider who teaches Hazard how to “speak” Spinner. That’s cool. -that’s it. Why did Suzanne even feel the need to name her? I’m grateful for the extra details but 2/10

Ajax -mean. -nobody likes him -this is probably why he gets on so well with Solovet -some sort of flier general, it seems, which is pretty cool 2/10

Hero & Kent -twins, I guess that’s fun -they’re only like eight but they still Smirk Evilly. Good for them 2/10 just because there’s 2 of them

Anchel & Daphne -some randos Keeda mentions as dead. They probably had some sort of significance to be mentioned by name but We’ll Never Know. 2/10 RIP though. I’m sure you’re worth higher than this but I don’t even know who you are

Horatio -crony #1 -has a crush on Dulcet. Didn’t we all 3.5/10. Boosted solely by association with Dulcet

Marcus -crony #2 3/10

Wevox -thought her name was Weavox until I began writing this post -sort of “Was Margaret Thatcher a Girlboss?” vibes -“As it is, Vikus, we will not drink. Web them” is a RAW line and it bounces around my head sometimes -the spiders are clearly very crafty about their political relations but she was not going to hesitate for a MOMENT to consider the ramifications of killing the monarch of Regalia and we gotta respect that -docking points for the girlboss thing, though. 4/10

Stellovet -queen of insults you gotta be honest -had an INCREDIBLE amount of impact for only having like three lines. I remember being like 11 and reading so many fics on Fan Fiction Dot Net where she was a scheming villain -funny how Luxa thinks her endgame is just becoming a princess. She doesn’t care beyond that she just wants to be royalty 4/10

Chim -baby -ok she’s 5 -doesn’t do anything but look confused and help provide a gateway for Howard to look like a good person 5/10, for years of life. What’s even your name? Chimney?

Andromeda -she’s good. She is an Absolute Beast when she crosses the Waterway with Howard and Mareth, definitely saved Mareth’s life -loves Mareth very much :) -shuns Ares at first but comes around, we still gotta knock her for this though 5/10

Clawsin & Bloodlet & Ratriff -Some folks who go to Ripred’s side, Clawsin gets blinded from the Bane, Ratriff gets his arm ripped off by the Bane, it is what it is 5/10 collectively

Reflex -man’s got jokes -very helpful with the code -shoots streamers of silk around the room when they break it -came to Regalia secretly... secretly to whom? The spinners? The gnawers? Whatever, he’s a rebel either way -I had to look up his name though, so apparently not a lot of impact. Sorry Reflex 5/10

Treflex -announced he was joining the quest, then IMMEDIATELY died. Yes king give us nothing -made a good snack? Gross. 5/10

Cevian -the scene where they find her body is beautifully written and so heartbreaking. She’s the catalyst for the entire fourth book -gives Aurora the opportunity to make her first ever big impassioned speech. It’s what Aurora deserved -still, she doesn’t get any dialogue so I can’t vote her super high 5/10

Euripides -seems nice -always described as “Vikus’ big grey bat,” never just big bat, never just grey bat -tells Luxa to teach Gregor how to ride a bat because his neck is getting bruised lol -nice of him not to embarrass Gregor though 6/10 speak up for yourself, king

Pend -takes Boots back to Regalia after the moth brings her to the crawlers’ land -Vikus recognizes him by name which is really impressive since crawlers look pretty homogenous, although we are told Vikus is better than most at picking them out. Still, Pend is probably a high rolling crawler. 6/10

The scorpions -I know I’m supposed to be doing named characters but they’re pretty cool. The passage they’re in is a really fun read. Mad respect 6/10 I’ll see y’all in Scorpio szn, baby

Razor -showed SHAME and GUILT in the first book when he got called out by Ripred -raised Pearlpelt as if he was his own. In payment, Pearlpelt knocked him off a cliff and then tried to eat him to hide the evidence 6/10

Fangor and Shed -funny dudes. -apparently constantly drunk 6/10

Gox -Gox got shit DONE, okay? Gox got shit DONE. -would eat your carcass without a moment of hesitation. It’s fine. 6/10

Hermes -this guy is great! -brings Luxa her crown -gets seriously injured while protecting Lizzie on their way to Regalia -might be dead tbh no one ever says 7/10

Keeda -okay listen. Keeda’s great. Keeda is that warrior at the Battle of Marathon who ran all the way back to Athens to report their victory and immediately die, except Keeda was reporting that the gnawers were about to invade -listen I know she was dealing with some other stuff, but Vikus asks, “how many rats?” And she says “many. Many rats” ??? No estimate? “An army?” Whatever. We give her a pass. 7/10 RIP

Pandora -FUCK -her death was possibly the MOST disturbing passage I’ve ever read. I could see it so, so vividly in my head. Man I remember the horror -she just wanted to explore 7/10 but also 2/10 for emotional trauma

Queen Athena -ICONIC one-liner in Curse of the Warmbloods, absolutely demolishes the gnawers over their treatment of the nibblers -I’m really biased towards her because Athena is my favorite goddess -probably could’ve done more for Ares, especially as seeing she’s supposed to be perceptive and a really good judge of character and whatnot 7/10

Daedalus -flinches in fear when Boots says she’s gonna sing a for him, specifically -basically pledges his life to Lizzie in the event the Code Room is attacked so that’s very nice 7/10

Heronian -she’s in a full body cast, but that will not stop her. 8/10

Susannah -can we talk about how she lost both of her siblings and she just keeps trucking along? -REALLY wish we knew more about her -clearly Very Kind. Can you please ask your daughter to be nicer -takes really good care of everyone she comes across :) 8/10

Min -creaky old cockroach dance 9/10

Frill -was cool -taught everyone the marks of secret -taught Hamnet about pacifism and stuff too -I get the feeling she was wayyyyy more important to Hazard and Hamnet and their survival than Gregor’s narrative really dives into 9/10

Mr. Cormaci -nice man. Gave Gregor quarters. 10/10

Gregor’s grandma -cool lady, you can’t deny! -tells Gregor he can’t outrun his issues -has a super cool quilt -who IS Simon??? 10/10

Scalene, Euclidian, Root, Cube, and Newton -felt obligated to include all these kiddos because they are, in fact, named, even though none of them get any dialogue or anything else for that matter, really -Scalene was a little nibbler pup that found her mom in the Arena, Euclidian and Root are two more that the mom was looking for, Newton was one that no one claimed but some other guy was like “any of us will take him” which is :’) but also, so, so sad. -Cube was the pup Luxa named that ended up in the pit in the Firelands -Scalene and Newton survived a genocide and Euclidian which is baller any way you swing it 10/10

Tick -:( :( :( -the selflessness. -I shipped her with Temp when I was 8? I can’t answer for that 10/10

York -LMAOOOO this guy’s a LEGEND -7 ft tall. -fights with a zweihander. -says fuck, canonically. -hosts hundreds of nibbler refugees -very loving uncle to Luxa, helps her learn how to rule - his exasperated affection towards Howard when he finds out Howard stayed in the Firelands even after he got sick was very cute 10/10

Honorable mentions: Perdita and Dulcet Their roles are too big in the last book to be included in this list, but these ladies both get a 10/10.

[despressolattes]

AFTERMATH | CHAPTER TWENTY NINE | LEGACIES

book masterlist » book one masterlist

< previous chapter

—————

"The return of Roman Sienna," Lizzie said, looking at Lilah as she went to see if the other Saltzman twin maybe needed help. "Does that mean you and Rafael are over? Oh wait! I got it, you're just bouncing between the R-named—That is my inside voice, and I am going to shut it up now."

She walked off for a bit after her tangent. Lilah snickered and Lilah was going over the checklist Lizzie was holding. After about three minutes Lizzie grabbed her arm, calling for an emergency girl meeting, and going to Alaric's office.

Penelope, Josie, and Hope met them all there.

"I am withdrawing from Miss Mystic Falls," Lizzie announced dramatically. "Effective immediately."

"I thought you had something important to tell us," the Mikaelson girls said together.

"Cousins, stop speaking like you are twins, even Josie and I don't talk in that much unison," snapped Lizzie.

"Come for the underwhelming announcement, stay for the epic meltdown," Penelope said.

"Okay, wait, why are you quitting?" Josie asked.

"A personal issue with one of the judges. A direct result of that bitch Dana's sabotage," Lizzie replied.

"Lizzie, she's dead!" Hope scolded.

"Still a bitch," mumbled Lilah.

"Correction: that dead bitch Dana's sabotage."

Lilah laughed.

"Iconic," she said, earning a scolding glare from Josie and Hope.

"Costing me the crown from beyond the grave," she said, sitting down in Alaric's chair. "The head judge is her mother. The town pharmacist. There is always next year for me."

Josie nodded.

"But that does not mean that we here at the Salvatore School shouldn't bring home the title and stick it to those townies."

Lilah looked to Josie to see Penelope smiling in the back. Penelope, in all her bitchiness, did always have some soft part of her that tried doing right by Josie, even if she did break her heart.

"So, I have studied all of the stats and advanced metrics, and I have chosen a replacement."

Lilah and Penelope now shared the same smile. She was going to just have to choose Josie to take her place. It was what was right, it was what should happen. The smile on Josie's face showed she thought it would be her, too.

Everyone's facial expressions fell when Lizzie Saltzman said, "Hope Mikaelson."

—

"She's going to regret that," Penelope said out of anger, her and Lilah staying behind as Lizzie went to prep Hope, and Josie excused herself to work on more decorations. "No offense to your cousin, but it's Josie that should be winning this thing!"

"I agree," nodded Lilah. "Lizzie should... honestly, I don't know what Lizzie is doing. Her sister is come first."

"Josie never comes first when it comes to Lizzie. She conforms to the shadow her twin threw her into," scoffed Penelope, sitting down in the chair Josie was sitting in. "I think this may be the most I've spoken to you."

Lilah laughed, nodding some more. "There were a few double dates."

"And you sucking face with Roman while I sucked face with Josie didn't leave much room to talk, Mikaelson. You're not as stuck up as people think you are," she got up with style, making her way to the door.

"Wait! Who thinks I'm stuck up?!" Lilah shouted after her, but she didn't respond in her Penelope manner, knowing just how to make people itch.

—

"You know, I love Roman as much as the next guy, but after learning more about him and everything he did to you, Lilah, to your family, it's hard to understand why you guys are so nice to him," Landon said while he and Hope attempted to practice the dance. "That you guys can act like nothing happened. That she can love him after all of it."

"It's complicated," Hope said. "He spent half of his life desiccated in a cave, which is something Lilah can relate to. All her life, she was always different from everyone. Then there was Stefan Salvatore, and she botched that. Then, there was Roman. And then he was brainwashed by his mother, who was a literal Nazi. But he spent the last two years being someone really good for my cousin."

"Your cousin? Who has a deteriorating mental health? That cousin? And your mother is still dead. How does any of this exonerate him?"

"It doesn't. But it's in the past. Leave it."

The champagne glasses and bottles nearby started rattling as Hope not more riled up.

"I suffered through how much torture because I stole a knife, and Vampire Captain America has a hand in the death of your-"

"Landon," Hope said, backing away from him as Lizzie started to rush over. "Stop."

Lizzie grabbed Hope's shoulder, saying, "Come with me." She stared at Landon and said, "You. Stay here. Do nothing."

Lilah rounded the corner, Landon pausing when he saw her, looking at him with hurt in her eyes.

He sighed, "Lilah, I-"

"Roman's been nothing but nice to you and Rafael since the day you guys got here," she said in a quiet voice.

"I know, I-"

"You don't get to judge him based on what his part in Hayley's death, okay?" she said, sounding more enraged. "Especially not when it was Hope's dad that killed his dad, way before Roman accidentally helped his mother, who also died that day, in the plot to kill Hayley. You weren't there, you don't get to make statements like that. You missed the part where Greta told him that they weren't going to kill Hayley or Hope, just suppress their werewolf gene. Roman was told no one would die."

With that, she stormed away. She passed Rafael on the way, who moved to the side for the angry girl, looking at his foster brother for answers.

"We have reasons not to like Vampire Captain America, right?" Landon asked him.

"Well..." Rafael started, his voice high-pitched. "Not saying I don't like the dude... but I liked him a lot better when he wasn't here."

—

Lilah got to her room to an oh-so familiar sight. Roman was laying on the bed, the bear he gave her in his hands.

"Bear and I say hi," he said, mimicking what she had did the night prior. "Why aren't you at dance practice for Miss Mystic Falls? Didn't you decide you were going to do this, like, forever ago?"

She let out a small relieved laugh, closing the door and walking inside. The nostalgia behind how much this felt like the old days panged her heart.

"My escort left town, and I wasn't even sure he'd be back," she replied, staring at him. He chuckled at the statement.

"Fair."

"Hm," she said contently.

"Got a text for Dr. Saltzman, they think there's a new monster on campus," he said as she sat down on the bed next to him, but not with him. "It can turn people into stone."

"Medusa's here?" laughed Lilah. "Ah-mazing, with the day I am having."

"What happened now?" he asked, sitting up.

She shook her head as a way of saying she didn't want to talk about it, and she got a little closer to him. She brushed his hair out of his eyes, smiling.

"You need a haircut," she stated, and he chuckled.

"I got some work I gotta do, just wanted to see you for a bit. I'm only here for the day," he said, moving to get off the bed.

She felt sad. It was nice, a bit refreshing, having him home. She hadn't realized how much he needed him until he left, and now that he was back, she was starting to feel the same feelings she had when they first met. Back when the world was a little less complicated, back when she was Lilah Desmarais.

—

"So, this has got to be weird for you," Landon said, trailing behind Roman. "Lot of emotions coming up, been a while since you've seen Lilah."

"I thought we were supposed to be looking for the boulder bandit," Roman replied.

"Yeah, about that," Landon called, stopping.

Roman sighed, turning around to look at the boy.

"Are you sure I'm not looking at him?" the phoenix questioned.

Roman scoffed, and to indulge Landon, he said, "Uh, yeah. Yeah, you solved the case, Sherlock." He walked towards Landon as he spoke. "I'm gonna turn the entire school to stone, steal a horse from the stable, and Lilah and I are gonna ride off into the sunset."

Landon shifted his weight between his two legs uncomfortably, knowing how crazy he must sound.

"Stop beating around the bush. Ask me what you really want to know. You and I actually know each other, Landon," Roman said.

When Landon just looked at him with a guilty expression, Roman asked the question himself.

"Do I still have feelings for Lilah?" he asked, and Landon still just merely looked at him. "Yes, of course I do, and I always will, but she and I aren't together right now for a reason, and I have to respect that she has her own things going on. And I don't even get why this is something you care about this much, you're with Hope."

"It's not for me," Landon said.

"Is it for Raf?" Roman asked, a question he was also beating around the bush about, and Landon's silence was a confirmation. He nodded, and turned to leave. "Yeah, I thought so."

—

Lilah, Roman, and Lizzie stood together at the bottom of the stairs as the debutantes were presented by Dana's mom.

Penelope escorted Josie down, and they looked beautiful. Almost happy, until Josie fell, and Penelope's smile faded.

"What're you gonna do when I'm not here to fight for you anymore?" Penelope asked her.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Josie asked.

Penelope looked like she'd have had enough. "You want to know? Read the letter."

Penelope glared at Lizzie before leaving.

At the stop of the staircase came Hope, but Landon left her at the top. The dress she was wearing was familiar, but Lilah couldn't pinpoint it. But my God, was her cousin stunning.

"Ba-Roman," Lilah said, grabbing onto him. "I need you to get up there, as unnoticed as you can. I don't see Landon anywhere."

"I got it," Roman said.

"That's my Vampire Captain America," she smiled.

When Roman got to the top, Hope was on the verge of tears mumbling about how she couldn't do the pageant. She was about to run out, too, when Roman grabbed onto her arms.

"Just five more minutes," he said. "Get through this, and it'll all be over."

As the dances started, Lizzie and Roman smiled.

"I should've picked you," Lizzie said to Lilah. "Seeing you two dancing there would've been nice."

"I thought you thought he was evil?" Lilah asked, remembering the times she let her inside voice slip out.

"He did some evil things. He was never evil for you."

"Why didn't you choose me?"

"Because I know the verge of a mental breakdown when I see one. You were at a point worse than Hope, though she seems to be decreasing and fast. I didn't want to stress either of you out and risk a meltdown," she said.

"You doing okay?" Roman asked Hope as they danced.

"Fine," Hope said with gritted teeth. "Let's just get through this like you said."

Josie came inside, Lilah and Lizzie turning their attention to her. Lizzie should've chosen her sister.

"They're about to announce the winners, where have you been?" Lizzie asked her twin, totally unaware of the distraught state her sister was in.

"I was reading the note Penelope gave me. She's leaving the school."

"Oh yeah, I knew that," Lizzie said, sounding happy.

Lilah wanted to pinch her, punch her, something, anything.

"I overheard Dad talking to her parents," Lizzie informed her.

"And you didn't think to tell me?" asked Josie.

"The devil's exorcising herself from our lives. That's good news. Why are you acting all annoyed."

Josie shook her head. "I can't believe this. She's been telling me all along, but I could never heard it. You never consider anybody's feelings but your own."

"Fuck," mumbled Lilah, but she didn't get involved. It wasn't her conversation.

"What? That isn't fair," Lizzie said.

"Isn't it? It's bad enough that you didn't think I'd want to enter, but not a single part of you thought that I could even win."

Their arguing got Hope's attention, and she sent Lilah a look as they both watched the twins.

"Jo, I'm not a mind reader, okay?" Lizzie brushed it off. "If you wanted to win—"

"Of course I wanted to win!" she said. "But the second you dropped out, you gifted your entire plan to Hope."

"Because of science!"

"Lizzie, listen to yourself. Science? What about your sister's feelings?"

"What are they fighting about?" Hope asked Roman, knowing he could use his vampire hearing to find out.

"Who knows? It's always something with those girls."

"I know you can hear them. Tell me."

"Do you know how good it would feel to actually be competing? In Mom's dress?" she asked, looking at Hope. They both looked at her. "Did you even consider how Hope would feel wearing it?"

"She looks fantastic. She should be amazing," Lizzie said.

That was when Lilah put it together. It was Caroline's, the one Klaus gave her. The one Caroline told her about.

"Will she still feel amazing when she learns where it came from?" Josie asked.

"It's silly. Sibling rivalry stuff," Roman told Hope, not wanting to disturb her inner peace more than it already was. "About the dress you're wearing."

"What about it?" Hope asked.

"What do you mean, where it came from?" Lizzie asked. "It was a gift from some guy who used to crush on Mom."

"From Klaus Mikaelson, Lizzie. Hope's dad," Josie said, walking away.

Sadness overtook Lizzies's face when she realized how bad she messed up this time, trying to make everything perfect. Roman looked at Lilah, unsure if he should tell her. A tear fell from Lilah's face, and she wiped it away, nodding for him to tell her.

"Your father gave it to her."

Tears formed in her cousin's eyes, and Lilah could feel her pain from her spot.

"My dad chose this dress?"

Roman nodded, "Apparently."

She started hyperventilating.

"Are you okay?" he asked her.

The winners were about to be announced, so everyone stopped dancing. The minute she separated from Roman, she started to sob softly.

The spotlight hit her, and she was named the winner. Lizzie and Lilah looked up to see things rattling. Hope was having a meltdown. Lizzie ran, engulfing Hope in her arms.

"Congratulations!" she said out loud for everyone else to hear. In her ear, she whispered, "It's okay. Just let it out. The real way. The way you've needed to all along."

The minute Lizzie took over, Roman looked around for Lilah. A tear had escaped her face, and he made his way over to her. He wrapped her in his arms, his arms around her shoulders as he pulled her into his chest. He placed a kiss on her forehead—out of habit—and rubbed her back.

"My Mikaelson girls," he whispered into her hair. "The strongest girls I'll ever meet."

—

In the Mikaelson dormroom, Lizzie helped the girls get un-ready, if that was even a thing. Seeing them getting along was a new sight for Lilah.

"I need to go find Landon," Hope said with a shakey voice.

"Just give him a minute to breathe," Lizzie advised her, taking the dress Hope handed to her so she could put it back into its box. "Boys need some space before they come crawling back."

Hope sat on her bed.

"I thought I could keep it all together, the way Lilah does. I've worked so hard to move on from all the things that have happened to me in my life. But everyone was right," she said, and Lilah looked down.

Keep it all together, the way Lilah does.

Lizzie stopped attending to the dress to sit across from Hope and give her her full attention.

"Everyone's been right. I needed to, like, let it all out. How did you know what to say? How'd you know what to do?"

Lizzie said, "It's just what Josie's done for me a thousand times. She's really mad at me, guys. I don't think I've ever seen her so angry."

Quietly, Hope said, "Landon's pretty mad at me, too."

"Then let's make a deal," Lizzie said. "You help me get Josie back, and I'll help you get Landon."

Lizzie held her pinky finger up for a promise, and Hope accepted it.

CHAPTER THIRTY

[gjgriff736]

Well, folks.  My week back at it has been unbelievably busy.  I went to New York Comic Con and attended book launches for Saeed Jones and Zadie Smith.  I’m tired!  This is gonna be a long one, so stick with me.  Okay, let’s get to it.

NEW YORK COMIC CON

So this year, I went to New York Comic Con no longer a newbie.  I went with the focus of someone who knew how things work.  Was it perfect?  Of course not.  But did I have fun?  I absolutely did.

Instead of killing myself to try and make every single panel, talk and event, I strategically chose what I would do.  I mean, I have a regular job so I had to take that into consideration (Note to Self:  TAKE THE WEDNESDAY BEFORE NYCC OFF!).  So I skipped Thursday and Friday and just made sure to show up on Saturday and Sunday.

Saturday was a day of panels, which meant I basically stayed inside the Hulu Theatre at Madison Square Garden all day.  I attended panels for The Walking Dead, where Danai Gurira (Michonne) talked about her last season with the show, and we all learned that Lauren Cohan (Maggie) would be making her return.  Cailey Fleming, who plays Judith Grimes, came to her first NYCC and she handled the crowds like a pro.

I had a break until the next panel, so I made my way to Johnnie Walker’s pop-up for the brand’s Game of Thrones-inspired whiskey tasting.  At one of New York City’s art galleries, I was able to taste A Song of Ice, which was smooth and tasted great in a mixed drink I tried called Queen in the North, and A Song of Fire, a spicy and stronger version.  Guests sampled both whiskeys, struck a pose in the photo booth (including yours truly) and interacted with each other.  It was a lot of fun.

Afterwards, I headed back to the Hulu Theatre for the Castle Rock panel.  Attendees were treated to the Season 2 premiere episode and it was BANANAS!!  Season 1 already had me on edge, but Season 2 is going to be absolutely crazy.  The audience was not ready for what happened in the episode and neither will the rest of you.  Lizzy Caplan as Annie Wilkes is a dream!  Get ready for her take on an iconic character when the show airs on October 23.

Once the screening was over, the cast took to the stage for a lively discussion about the season, even though they couldn’t say too much without spoiling anything.  I was fine with that because I want to be surprised.  I’m pretty sure I’m going to be more than surprised when I watch.

Once the Castle Rock panel was over, it was time to prepare for Outlander, a show and book series I adore.  I’ve been to three screenings/panels for the show so far (twice at NYCC) and it’s ALWAYS a great time.

One of the things that happens between panels is what I call the Seat Shuffle.  Hulu Theatre is not cleared out after each panel, so attendees who stick around for the next one have the chance to move to a better seat, if they can.  I already had a pretty good seat for Castle Rock, but I moved anyway.  I found an even better seat closer to the stage and sat with some die-hard fans of the show.  We talked, laughed and sang songs during a contest we could have easily won had we jumped on stage to participate (if you don’t know the words to the Saved By The Bell theme song, I don’t want to know you).

As always, the Outlander panel was so much fun.  The cast was so funny and very gracious to the fans.  David Berry, who plays fine ass Lord John Grey was especially charming and I was psyched to see Duncan Lacroix, who plays Murtagh, on the stage.  One of the funniest things during the panel was hearing the cast say lines from the show in a New York accent.  Caitriona Balfe won that challenge easily when she delivered her lines sounding like she grew up in the Boogie Down Bronx.

Since Season 5 was still being filmed, there was no screening of the premiere episode, but fans did get to see the new trailer for the season.  As always, Claire and Jamie have to deal with some mess, but they deal with that mess together and still very much in love.

And finally, I watched the Season 10 premiere of The Walking Dead.  The gang is in full-on training mode after the Whisperers massacre, Carol and King Ezekiel are still broken up (dammit), Michonne is still kicking walker ass and this season looks like we’re gonna see an Alpha/Carol showdown.

Sunday was not as busy, but I did attend a couple of cool book panels.  The highlight of my day was meeting and taking a picture with author N.K. Jemisin, and folks, I was a damn geek.  I am normally very cool when I meet celebrities or authors but for some reason, I geeked out when I met Nora (yes, that’s how she introduced herself to me so that’s what I get to call her now).  But she was incredibly gracious and handled my spazzing like a champ.  After that, I walked around so I could take pics of all the cosplayers.  As always, attendees went above and beyond.  See all of my pics from NYCC below.

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SAEED JONES

The next evening, I had the pleasure of attending the book launch for Saeed Jones’s new memoir, How We Fight For Our Lives.  The launch was held at BAM Fisher in Brooklyn.  The event began with a reading by a young student named Jada Wilkinson, a senior in high school chosen to read her work.  This young queen read her poem, “Removal,” which was powerful and moving.  With her amazing blue hair, strong voice and beautiful smile, Ms. Wilkinson had our attention and received a rousing round of applause when she was done.  I hope to feature her one day on this blog, and I made sure to meet her (and her mother) to tell her so.

After the reading, Mr. Jones came running out to give Ms. Wilkinson a giant hug and to congratulate her on the poem.  He then read from the poem at the beginning of his book called “Elegy with Grown Folks’ Music” and then part of the first chapter.  I loved the poem because it perfectly captures how kids feel the first time they realize that their parents were other people before they were parents.

After his reading, Mr. Jones was joined on stage by playwright extraordinaire Lynn Nottage.  The two of them together made for a truly wonderful talk, both providing the audience with the kind of engagement you hope to have when you attend a book event.  Mr. Jones is gregarious and witty, with a personality that makes you want to be friends with him immediately.  Ms. Nottage provided the soothing but also empowering side, drawing the audience into her own experiences and how she reacted to the book.  This talk was something special, and I’m always grateful to be able to attend these events.  See pics below.

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ZADIE SMITH

People, this was the talk I had been waiting for.  I have been a fan of Zadie Smith’s since I read her debut novel, White Teeth in college.  I’ve read just about all of her books and essays (I still need to read Autograph Man) and I was lucky enough to see her at BAM’s annual event “Eat, Drink & Be Literary.”  But this time, I would get to see her up close and personal.  She did not disappoint.

Held at the Barnes & Noble Union Square location, fans listened to Ms. Smith read from her new collection of short stories, Grand Union.  Her voice is made for reading and I was soon in her thrall (yes, I know that sounds dramatic).  Once she was done, Ms. Smith and The New Yorker‘s Vince Cunningham engaged in a great discussion about the book and what her life is like now that she lives in New York full time.  One of the things Ms. Smith says she enjoys is people watching.  If you’ve never done it, people watching in New York City is a blast.  You will see so many different types of people of all ages, sizes, temperaments, etc.  I love people watching in NYC and often wonder what they’re thinking about as they walk by.  It was nice to know that Ms. Smith enjoys doing that, as well.

After the talk, guests were given the chance to have their books signed.  Before you ask, of course I got my book signed.  And I got to chat with her briefly, as well.  I kept my cool and spoke to her like a normal human being.  She was absolutely lovely.  See the pics below.

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And that was my week!  I had such a great time and I hope the rest of the year proves to be just as full of literary goodness.  Stay tuned.

My Week: Comic Con, Saeed Jones & Zadie Smith Well, folks.  My week back at it has been unbelievably busy.  I went to New York Comic Con and attended book launches for Saeed Jones and Zadie Smith. 

[fantarules677]

Lizzy is definitely too iconic to die but at the same time she won’t survive 2 seconds if she ends up down there

GUYS OMFG DID ANYONE ELSE NOTICE THIS

BRO LIZZY AND THAD IN EPISODE 7?!!??!?!

YESSS PLS WE NEED MORE OF THEM