#everybody please say hello to lord crumb

[cadaceus]

C3E03

So... this episode was a lot. Things escalated so much more quickly than I could have anticipated! I don’t want to say too much because of spoilers but hey remember how in my last liveblogs I mentioned that I was super attached to this whole party already? ...  😭

- Choose your fighter: Imaginary Flashback Robbie/Imaginary Flashback Travis or Nordverse Sam/Nordverse Laura (speaking of which, I am eagerly awaiting our next Nordverse segment)

- “Pretty spry for a…” Finish the joke Laura!

- “You’re gonna make me cuss” I love Imogen sm

- TRAVIS WEREWOLF MENTION

- Professor Lockhart??? Is that you???

- The whispers on Laudna’s message are so creepy but so funny, I love it so much!

- IMOGEN MY BELOVED

- “Be cool, hunny bunny” Laudna and Imogen crumbs

-Bertrand and Imogen are my new favorite comedy duo, I cannot stop cackling at them swinging their arms around 😂😂

- Who is Ashton indebted to??? I’m so curious!

- THE LIGHTING CHANGES AGAIN YES

- Awww Imogen :(( Losing focus in crowds is a big social anxiety mood, but Fresh Cut Grass and Laudna sticking with her is so sweet

-Travis mouthing “is that me? That’s not me” in response to the old man comment is sending me

- WHO IS THE MYSTERIOUS PERSON SPEAKING TO DANAS HELLO

- Nobody in the room? Where did they go??

- LAURA AND TAL BOTH GETTING NAT ONES ON ROLLIES LMAOOOOO

- FCG: “Well smiley day, everybody! :) How’s it going—oh my!” Ashton, pointing aggressively at the Bad Guy: “Situation! Situation!” STOP I LOVE THEM BOTH SM

- Laudna: “He’s afraid of me” / Sam: “As are we all” I mean….. it’s true :P

- I’m so intrigued by Mr. Bell’s Gambler’s Blade! Was that something from the one shot he was in?

- Aww, FCG quietly goes “I like that name” after Imogen calls them “Freshy”

- Liam saying Counterspell in Caleb’s voice ohhhhh my heart

- WHOAAA FRESHY CAN PUT THE POINTS HE STOLE FROM AN ALLY INTO AN ENEMY??? okay that ability is really cool! Maybe it won’t be too angsty after all! (Famous last words of course)

- Matt sounds so unreasonably upset about the Bert and Fearnie joke and I cannot blame him whekdndjfn

- BARRY HITTING DORIAN RUDE

- “Take your attack of opportunity!” liam the chaos monger I love it LOL

- MATT GIVING ROBBIE ADVANTAGE TO HIT BERTRAND EHDJDKKGKEJJFKD GOODBYE

- Oh rip Danas…..

- When did Laudna and Imogen deal with the Shadow Creepers before? 👀 it sounds like it may have been a Session Zero for those two!

- DORIAN AND IMOGEN MY BELOVEDS, this scene is so funny, they are a duo that I never knew I needed!

- Can Dorian/Robbie stay forever please 🥺🥺

- LORD ETHEROSS BAKED A CARROT CAKE??? GO STAR BAKER GO

- Orym: “Im more familiar with pie” throwback to the people of Byroden making him a pie judge that one time in EXU agsjkdmdm

- The Ruddy Hilt was Lord Etheross’s old party, noting it!

- MORE WHISPERS

- Fearne paying for Bertrand’s drink is so sweet awwwe

- Ashton saying “You know what happened last time” I CERTAINLY DONT PLEASE DO TELL

- Also Milo asking “did she come around anytime recently?” Who is the “she” they’re talking about let me know your secrets plsssss

- Imogen’s dream… is this her home?

- The sense of mounting dread that suddenly overcame this entire studio……. Mr Stark……..

- The lights turning red in Imogen’s dream is such a cool effect

- HER voice?? Who’s voice does Imogen hear in her dream??? Her mother’s, maybe?

- Lieve’tel… I know that name :(

[ultraglittercat]

Drabble 145

Caroling (AU)

“Oh, I'm so glad we're all going to be doing this together, as a group.” Rapunzel grinned as she buttoned her coat.

“I don't see why we can't just sing at home where the heater is.” Eugene pouted.

“But caroling is a tradition!” Rapunzel argued.

“2 years ago you didn't even know what a tradition was!” Eugene shot back. Seeing Rapunzel's saddened face, he instantly regretted it. Rapunzel had been kidnapped as a baby and spent 18 years in isolation before the cops had been tipped off to her location. As Eugene was the one to call in the tip, he knew very well just how dreary and devoid of joy Rapunzel's childhood had been. “...Look Sunshine, I'm sorry. I know you had a bad experience, and you're just trying to create new, positive memories. I shouldn't have belittled you like that.” Eugene apologized.

Rapunzel nodded and smiled, though it looked a little forced. Eugene had known her long enough to know that a true smile stretched practically from ear-to-ear on her face.

“So uh, why did you pick caroling?” Eugene asked, opening up the car door for her to get in.

“It's very Christmas-y and we're all good singers- except Quirin but we don't tell him that- so I thought it would be good for us.” she explained.

“Good point.” Eugene acknowledged. He hadn't had the best childhood either, but he and Lance had been very active in elementary and high school theater. Eugene had even played the lead role of 'Flynn Rider' in a musical about the charming thief. Some people still called him Flynn, years after he'd quit playing the role.

Eugene was still a big fan of the Flynn Rider book series, but had (reluctantly) accepted that Flynn was meant for a younger audience. One of the things he'd bonded with Varian about had been the teen's love for the Flynn Rider books. He and Lance had tried, with limited success, to get Lance's daughters interested in the series too.

Eugene drove, turning up the radio so Rapunzel could get her voice ready for caroling. It was playing Santa Baby when he reached Lance's house and honked the horn. Lance and the girls came running out. He noticed Catalina wearing Christmas tree earrings. She was a bit more feminine than Kiera, but both girls had a rough-and-tumble side and had to be watched carefully. Eugene saw Kiera bend down as she walked. “If you throw than snowball, you're not getting in my van.” Eugene said sternly.

“Spoilsport.” she pouted and let the powdery snowball roll harmlessly off of her gloves.

“C'mon, Eugene. Remember all the snowball fights we got into as kids?” Lance wheedled.

“I remember running away while you cruelly attacked me!” Eugene recalled. “Who hits people when their backs are turned?”

“Someone who wants to win.” Kiera piped up.

“That's my girl.” Lance said fondly, either not noticing or ignoring Eugene's scowl.

“Hi, Miss Rapunzel. I got new earrings. Wanna see?” Catalina turned her head to the side so Rapunzel could see better.

“Very pretty.” Rapunzel told her.

“Everyone in and buckled up?” Eugene asked.

“Yes!” the group replied, and he pulled out of the driveway.

The ride to Quirin and Varian's home took awhile, so Rapunzel and the girls amused themselves by looking for out of town license plates. Lance had brought some fruitcake with him, that was supposed to be their treat for after caroling, but he was already discreetly nibbling at the corners of it. When they got there, Lance wiped crumbs from his face, as Eugene honked again.

Quirin and Varian walked out, along with Varian's parole officer Cassandra. She didn't look happy, but Eugene supposed that was normal for her. Varian was stomping in the snow, a scowl on his face too.

“Something wrong?” Eugene asked.

“They released grades before winter break.” Quirin answered.

“How am I not the best in class? I come up with the best thesis, do the most research, demonstrate the greatest applicability and I... I get a C- for presentation? Prof. St. Croix says I'm 'not theatrical enough'. Can you believe it?” Varian spun around, and stomped again.

“No, not really.” Eugene admitted.

“And so what if I'm 'not theatrical'? What does that have to do with chemistry?” Varian continued, clearly still wound up. “Meanwhile Fernanda barely does anything, and gets top marks!”

“I know you're upset, kid. But sneaking in and smashing her lab station isn't a good solution. I had to make a lot of phone calls, apologizing on your behalf. It doesn't look good on your record, and stunts like this make me feel like a glorified babysitter. I'm not gonna keep cleaning up your messes.” Cassandra threatened.

“I didn't ask you to.” Varian muttered.

“Varian, please behave. I enrolled you in those classes because I thought you were mature enough to handle it. Don't make me regret placing my trust in you.” Quirin scolded and Varian looked truly ashamed.

“Hey now. That's in the past. I'm sure Goggles is sorry and he won't do it again.” Eugene intervened. Varian nodded, desperate to make amends.

Quirin sighed. “It's just... I thought you already learned this lesson, Varian.” he said.

“I'm sorry, Dad.” Varian whispered.

“...Anyway, we're all here now so why don't we get out of this car and start walking around Old Corona, singing our songs?” Rapunzel suggested.

“Yeah!” cheered Kiera and Catalina.

“What song are we singing first, Raps?” Cassandra asked, genuinely interested. It didn't match her tough demeanor, but Cassandra had a beautiful singing voice and she wasn't shy about showing it off when the situation called for it.

“'Away In A Manger.'” Rapunzel replied. It had been one of the first songs she'd learned, and it was about the Nativity which made it nice and spiritual.

“Good choice.” Cassandra approved.

They knocked on the door of one of Varian's neighbors and a nice couple appeared. “Look Adam! Varian and his friends are caroling!” the woman exclaimed with delight.

“H-hi Katie.” Varian smiled.

“Hello! I'm Rapunzel and I'm here with Varian to sing for you!” Rapunzel added happily. Adam and Katie waited expectantly.

“...Don't just stand there, count us in!” Cassandra hissed at Eugene.

“Ok. 1, and 2, and 3.” Eugene counted and then they all began singing.

“Away in a manger/ no crib for his bed/ the little lord Jesus/ lay down his sweet head...” sang the group. “The stars in the sky/ look down where He lay/ the little lord Jesus/ asleep on the hay...”

Katie and Adam clapped as the group finished. “Wow, most of them are really good.” Adam observed. “Thank you for singing for us. We're truly grateful.”

“Grateful enough to give us some food?” Lance hoped. Eugene gave him an angry look.

“What happened to that fruitcake you had?” Eugene hissed.

“It really wasn't enough for everybody.” Lance insisted.

Katie laughed. “I do have some gingerbread I baked earlier. Let me get you some.” she offered.

“See? The problem took care of itself.” Lance said smugly. Eugene shrugged. He really couldn't stay mad at his friend. They were all together, eating cookies and sharing in the Christmas spirit. Eugene couldn't ask for a nicer holiday (but he might wish for a warmer one! Brrr!)

The End

I can see why these modern AUs are fun! It's kind of interesting to write a version of Cassandra where there is no Zhan Tiri or Moonstone to tempt her into becoming a villain. She still keeps her snark towards Eugene, though!