#forever a Miranda defender

[littledeathdove]

The motto I live by ✊🏾

Daily affirmations

If Miranda has a million lovers I'm one of them. If she has one lover it's me. If she has 0 lovers I have died. If the world is against Miranda I am against the world

[dinaton]

anyone who blames ethan is nuts

Oh, really? What Ethan did to Heisenberg in the game makes me hate him.

Ethan's defenders were never known for their intelligence, just like their favorite character lol. Well, I'll try to sort out this pile of crap. Let's go.

anyone who geniunly believes ethan was an idiot for not taking the deal is forgetting that he is in fact his own character and would rightfully not want to use his baby under a vague deal that doesn’t even elaborate on details

Well, clarify these details, what is the problem? Find out what your “enemy’s” plan is, and then make a decision whether to enter into a deal with him or not. Because Ethan himself has no plan to save Rose. He shouts a lot about saving his daughter, but how is he going to do it?

Yeah, what's the plan, Ethan?

When he arrives at the factory, he already has all four flasks, and all he has left is to figure out how to put his daughter back together. And the only one who offered him help in saving his daughter was Heisenberg. Which brings us to the next argument:

why should it have been on ethan to negotiate with the dude who has done nothing to prove himself as trustworthy

Heisenberg seems to know a lot more than Ethan. But Ethan, instead of listening to him properly and offering his terms, just tells him "fuck you" and then kills him. For what? Did Heisenberg's death somehow help him get Rose back? No, this dumbass still has no idea what to do. Even Miranda makes fun of him. Do I really need to describe in detail why this character is hopelessly stupid?

ethan was not stupid or wrong for not taking karls deal

No, he was. Ethan made no effort to return his daughter from the flasks to normal. Miranda did it for him. And it was just so lucky that Rose turned out to be stronger than the megamycete and was not reborn as Eve, but retained her consciousness. If anything had gone wrong during the ritual, Ethan would have lost his daughter forever. There was too much at stake, and too many lucky coincidences, don't you think? It is very risky to leave the situation to chance and expect that everything will resolve itself. It’s as risky as trusting that strange guy in the hat.

Next point: immorality. Rose is a bioweapon. Whether you like it or not. But that's what she does at the end of the game, which is absorb Miranda's powers and weaken her, making her vulnerable to bullets. (in case you forgot, before this Miranda didn't care about gunshots).

It looks more obvious in this storyboard.

So how exactly was Heisenberg going to use Rose against Miranda? We'll never know because Ethan doesn't know how to ask questions.

[a-french-coconut]

Drew Tanaka (Part 6)

Healing.

Letting her heart vulnerable again, at the mercy of the world.

"It's worth it" Will assured with a kind smile.

"I can't imagine a world where I don't love my brother." Connor thought at loud next to her.

"The heart is not my domain, Drew. But I suppose that living without love is not the answer." Malcolm said mindlessly, all his attention directed on a book about chess strategies.

A splash of water brings her back and the naiad gets back into the water before Drew manages to whack her.

It's been a week since she talked with Lacy and began her "redemption journey" as Connor likes to call it.

And while Drew is willing to present excuses to those she slightly offended, she is not willing to receive their contempt and snarky remarks.

Especially when she's trying to say sorry and they are just standing there, with the most disgusting arrogant smile, one that screams She finally realised she was wrong and that we were right all along.

If those idiots think she forgave Silena, they are dead wrong. Their dear little victim will forever stay a traitor in Drew's mind.

She is trying to apologise for her bitchy attitude towards them, even though she still thinks they deserved it, but if they don't wan't her "redemption journey", Drew isn't going to make it easy for them either.

She can feel Will facepalming at her attitude and snickers when she imagines Connor giving her thumbs up and "you go girl !".

How did Will and the Stoll ever became friends, she'll never know.

What she will begrudgingly do is apologise to Piper when if she comes back. Maybe she had been a little too hard on her, and Lacy wants her to be nice with her siblings.

But the nerve to talk as if she knew Silena...

Bring it down, bring it all the way down

She wonders if the boiling inferno churning in her stomach when she thinks of her sister will one day stop.

The distant sound of a horn makes her sigh and row towards shore as fast as she can. She has never been late at dinner before and isn't going to start now.

"Why do they suck at being nice ?" She complains to Mitchell and Lacy, her hands making grand gestures in the air, "I want to apologise and they won't let me."

"Give them time, they'll forgive you eventually." Mitchell shrugs, carefully picking you every single olive on his pizza's slice.

"You forgave me easily !"

"Yes," he drawls, "but I knew you from before. Most of them forgot that era of you. All they remember is you being a-"

"Careful young man."

"a, hum, bad person." he finishes lamely.

"I have my reasons." She defends herself but doesn't elaborate. While her siblings now understand her grief, they still view Silena as a saint. She doesn't the energy nor the envy to fight with them again.

"We know," Lacy says hastily, "but don't worry about them, okay ? First, we have to get Piper to like you."

"She's going to be insufferable about it."

"As if you don't deserve it." Mitchell says snickering.

Drew narrows her eyes at her little brother, her hand reaching for the discarded olives on his plate, and manage to throw one of them is his mouth while he's laughing.

It's her turn to laugh at his disgusted face and pale horror when the olive falls on his clothes after he spat it out.

"You're a demon, Drew."

"So are you but you just hide it better."

Her little brother can be a true brat when he wants. Drew couldn't be more proud.

"Anyways, gossip time. What's the tea ?"

"Sherman and Miranda are totally in love." Lacy says excitedly, "He let her beat him in combat training today !"

"Woah" Mitchell whistles, "he really loves her."

"Those two don't need our help then, they managed fine."

"We have to do something about Connor and Malcolm."

"No, we don't." Drew says, conjuring her own pizza's slice on her plate, "they have to figure it out alone."

Mitchell rolls his eyes but doesn't press it.

"I think Will and Nathan from Demeter would make a cute couple." Lacy suggests.

"Nah, Will already likes someone else."

"Really ? Who ?"

"It's a secret."

Both her siblings groan and whine but Drew keeps her mouth shut.

They don't need to know now about the dashing, stunning, brave, and Italian son of Hades Will keeps gushing about.

His words, not hers.

Though for his sake, Nico Di Angelo should visit them more. She can't stand the sad look on her friend's face when he leaves Camp for his father's errands or whatever he has to do.

"What about Damian White and, what's her name again ? Clara ?"

"Chiara from Tyche ?" Lacy suggests

"Yes, that one" Drew snaps her fingers, "those two are a match."

"They are always screaming at each other."

"Clearly you weren't here when Travis and Katie figured out they liked each other. It was glorious."

"I heard he gifted her a goat ?"

"Oh yes !" Drew cackles gleefully, "Huguette the goat ! She ate the whole roof of Demeter cabin, Katie was red with rage. Poor Travis just wanted to give her a fluffy animal."

"He was a terrible flirt." Mitchell says with disbelief.

"Mmmh", she agrees with a smile.

She wonders if Katie told him that every time she had a nightmare, petting Huguette would always comfort her.

For a moment, everything goes white.

Then she sees someone's foot on her pizza.

"Hey guys, we're back."

Of course, only Piper McLean would land her delicious pizza's slice.

"Piper !" Lacy screeches, getting on the table to hug the girl, "you're alive !"

"Yes, yes, good job McLean" Drew says drily, "Now get off the table."

Piper obliges with a roll of her eyes and sits next to Lacy who is looking at Drew pointedly.

Making friends, right.

"So, Piper, I hope your quest wasn't too hard."

"It was."

"Near death experiences ? I know those can be-"

"A lot, yeah." Piper answers again, shortly and curly.

Drew grips her glass tightly.

Lacy looks at her with pleading eyes.

"You must be tired," she says with a strained voice, "you can skip campfire if you wish."

"It's alright," Piper dismisses her offer with her hand, "I'm fine."

"Okay, then let's go. Every one wants to know about your quest."

She gets up brusquely, not looking back to see if they followed.

"How is your "redemption journey" going ?" Connor asks her, appearing next to her.

"Badly, even Piper is giving a hard time."

"Ouch," he winces, "you really managed to piss her off the two days she was here ?"

"I am full of talents, Connor."

"I can see that, but try again tomorrow morning okay ? Give her the night to cool off."

He pats her shoulder before going join his cabin and Drew has no other choice than look for her siblings too.

As Piper, Leo and Jason tell their quest, Drew has to admit that McLean is tougher than she looks.

Maybe they really just started on bad terms and they could be great sisters.

Connor's advice doesn't sound too bad, she'll apologise to Piper first thing in the morning.

I now have two options :

-follow canon and Drew surrenders to Piper, giving away without a fight her counsellor position.

-do whatever I want and Piper gets beaten up by her sister.

I have actually already decided what I was going to do...

[astoundingbeyondbelief]

Kaiju Week in Review (January 28-February 3, 2024)

Minecraft: Bedrock Edition's Godzilla DLC is now available. I joined Wikizilla's stream of it yesterday as a spectator and found it quite entertaining (especially when @squid-in-a-party-hat switched to Creative Mode and started summoning mini-kaiju). I'll post the highlight reel from that stream when it's finished. The main hub of this DLC is a combination movie theater/gallery; each of the four screens lets you access a different minigame. The first is based on the original film and has you rescuing civilians and just trying to survive as Godzilla trashes Tokyo. The second transforms you into Godzilla and pits you and your allies against various kaiju from the first three series. The third tasks you with defending Tokyo against Shin Godzilla, with each defensive phase featuring a different form. The fourth just has you taking photos of the battles in Godzilla vs. Kong (with the Tasmian Sea fight replaced by Godzilla barging into Kong's dome). I found the second and third to be the most interesting, but it's dismaying that only the third really takes advantage of these games being in Minecraft. You scrounge items, build barricades, lay down TNT, trade with NPCs, summon agents, fire blood coagulation potion into Godzilla's mouth from a crossbow... it's a lot more involved than the others.

In further Godzilla video game news, the Heisei MOGUERA and a crystal-hurling SpaceGodzilla variation have joined Godzilla Battle Line, the upcoming Godzilla x Kong: Titan Chasers mobile game is teasing its original monsters, and Dave the Diver of all things announced a free PlayStation-exclusive Godzilla DLC for May.

Here's a rare sequel to an IDW Godzilla miniseries. Godzilla: Here There Be Dragons II - Sons of Giants will boast the same writer (Frank Tieri) and artist (Inaki Miranda) as its predecessor. The logline:

The sequel to last summer’s smash miniseries! Frank Tieri and Inaki Miranda reunite to explore the conspiracy that led to Sir Francis Drake hiding his treasure on Monster Island! Who are the Sons of Giants, and what is their mission? More importantly, what is their connection to Godzilla and the other monsters? This series shows us how it all came to be, how Godzilla was discovered by the leaders of the world, and how it changed history forever!

Despite the Roman numerals, sounds like a prequel. I still think there's something off about any Godzilla story set before the Atomic Age, but the Sons of Giants were the most interesting part of the original Here There Be Dragons, and historical figures encountering the King of the Monsters is always amusing.

Naturally, Funko is making a line of Pops for Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire. The standout is the Amazon-exclusive figure of a sleeping Godzilla; I also love how Shimo looks like she's yakking. Monogram also revealed the lineup for its sixth wave of Toho Godzilla bag clips, as well as a GxK set. Highlights of the former are a curled-up Final Wars Anguirus, a Simeon, and Zilla; the latter is notable for including a previously-unrevealed monster called a Parrot Frog.

Tokyo's Hibiya neighborhood has long played host to Godzilla statues: first the Kawakita Godzilla, then Shin. Now they're getting a new three-meter statue of the original '54 Godzilla. It emits smoke at night, the mouth glows, and there seems to be some kind of AR app through which he fires atomic breath at you. Despite it being a 70th anniversary installation, however, it'll only be in Hibiya until March 10. I'm guessing that won't be the last we see of it.

[tiofrean]

Oh boy... OH BOY... I was reading through comments and tags under that Flint vs. Stede post (and before that in Silver vs. Oluwande post) and OH BOY RANT INCOMING

Feel free to ignore. No, I'm prickly about this.

I LOVE how people are like "Black Sails fans are so mean why are they like that T.T ?" in the tags and comments.

LET ME TELL YOU.

So we have this show that has been marginalized and has been pushed to the side for years. A show that has excellent plot, wonderful intrigue, magnificent representation and well-written, 3D characters that are complex and relatable. You get your edgy queer men (whether you want to characterize Flint as gay or bi, doesn't change the fact that he likes dick whichever way), you get your edgy queer girls (Anne), you get your flamboyant whatever-the-fuck-Jack-Rackham-is (<3), you get sweet gays (Thomas), you get confused bisexuals (Eleanor, Silver), you get straight sweets (Miranda) and straight angery dicks (Woodes Rogers), and competent, edgy straights (Vane). Oh! A competent, master-of-the-house lesbian? Check (Max). You even have asexuals, or that is what I shall forever classify Billy as. You have a f/f sex scene in the first damn episode, ffs. You get threesomes (sexual, romantic), you get couples, you even have Silver in a brothel orgy.

But sexual representation is not ALL! You get goofy pirates (Jack Rackham), you get serious pirates (Blackbeard), you get balls of rage (Flint), you get chill, laid-back sea dogs (Gates), you get competent little weasels (Silver), you get incompetent rats (Dufrense). You also have marvelous extras and side characters (Beauclerc the marksman, Captain Fruit-Fruit, Idelle... OHMYGOD IDELLE <3333).

There's the political plot that's historically accurate, the story's plot that's Flint's big gay rage, there's the sociological context of being painted as a monster, there's the gold hunt, there are ships correctly operated by crews of more than five fucking people, there are guns, blood and realistic injuries. You get quotations and allusions to Shakespeare, Cervantes, Julius Caesar, Marcus Fucking Aurelius, a metric ton of other classical writers. You get so many tropes done right it's astonishing and too effing long to list them all here.

On top of that, there is the picturesque landscape, absolutely gorgeous ships and very accurate portrayal of how life looked back then.

We had to defend that show when it first came out, the actors had to fucking fight homophobic assholes upon the airing of season two (IMAGINE THAT), people who loved it had a hard time going around, although admittedly it's a "fandom" hard time, not a "real life" hard time. We persisted, we persevered, and now we're here, clinging to what's left of our fandom, because we are admittedly all over the place and we don't have "troops" on any one social media, which makes our numbers small in comparison to other fandoms, and makes fandom interactions very limited.

Now imagine that there aired a show... a pirate show promising a lot. And then the show turned out to be an office-type comedy with no lesbian/bi women representation (I may be wrong, but I did watch it out of curiosity, didn't see any, just guys). A show that the whole plot of is just a rendition of the Beauty and the Beast for pirate times with so many historical inaccuracies (couching your crew like a bunch of office workers? Plz. The way they speak and the concepts they talk of that weren't there? It's like they were sitting around a fire, holding hands and singing kumbaya). And don't get me wrong, there's place for those shows as well, and maybe it works for you (and great for you too!).

We tried to ignore it, really we did. We basically gave it the eyebrow-raise-huff-ignore thing that you do on the internet when you want someone to enjoy their stuff and are not interested in it yourself.

But you know what happened? Suddenly there were people on twitter tagging everyone and their dog from Black Sails with renditions of Flint/Izzy (Izzy who comes across as an extreme asshole at best and a homophobic shit at worst and you can't fault people for reading it like this). Let that sink in - our fandom babe Flint, who had his whole life ruined due to homophobia and homophobic assholes is suddenly being shipped with a guy who suspiciously fits the description a bit too much for our tastes. Wouldn't you get angry? Of course you would, we're all very protective of our babes. We are, you are, everyone is. We asked you not to do this, and while I admit that hurling curses your way might not have been the most polite way of asking you to stop, the message was clear enough. What does OFMD fandom do? They all double down. Double fucking down on fanfiction and tagging everything in BS again, pairing Flint and Izzy together, writing things way out of the realm of any possibilities because most of the writers didn't watch BS (I did read their comments on that. They weren't even sorry). If you take such character and throw him into a work of art that can and will be seen as controversial, you should at least have the decency to do your homework on the original work he comes from. Otherwise, to our eyes, you're taking the most wronged man from our beloved show, wronged due to his sexuality, and throw him together with a literal asshole just to see them fuck because they would look pretty (and that's an actual comment from one of the artists, I shit you not). Wouldn't you feel a bit angry about that? I bet you would.

What's worse, people loving Black Sails and not liking OFMD usually point out how narrow the representation is, how improbable the show is and how they're not remotely invested in the plot. It's a cheesy show for your average Sunday afternoon, don't make it into something it's not. It's not a political statement any more than Guess The Tune is.

What's more, when I've seen attempts at people pointing out the obvious flaws in plot, in logic (how many people crew that ship exactly? How is he not dead after being stabbed clean through with a sword?), all we've gotten was "Oh it's not that type of show, OBVIOUSLY", "it's just a comedy, duh" and my personal favorite "you just DON'T UNDERSTAND IT BOOMER". (I'm a late Millennial, thx). Every attempt was chucked out the window. What got me most, tho, was the high praise of OFMD IS THE FIRST SHOW TO [insert whatever queer thing it did supposedly]. No, it's not. There was even a post on twitter that debunked all those claims one by one. I get it, you're happy that you got your gay pirates, good for you. But give credit where credit's due, otherwise you're gonna piss off a lot of people. People who watched our show struggle and crawl so that your show can run today and be fine and accepted widely.

And personally, I felt disappointed watching it because of the lack of representation. Disappointed that Ed turned out to be just as rainbowy as Stede. Don't get me wrong, I don't have anything against rainbowy, ultra-sweet characters that are big softies. I love them. But not everyone in the lgbtq community is like that. Actually, it's the minority. There are your sweets, there are your glittery rainbows, but the majority is on the more... inconspicuous part of the scale. And there are edgy people (like myself) who don't like glitter, pink, feathers, fluff and a shitton of other things this show had in abundance. You know what made me wince while watching? When I realized that the only person who I could remotely like for the way they weren't so glittery-rainbowy-sweet was Izzy, and I hated him because he was an asshole. Even Jim got the fluffy af oranges arch. So not my (and others') cup of tea.

So yeah, our recent anger and rabidity is not based solely on one post about an insignificant poll (that you're winning only because our fandom is significantly smaller and most people are dispersed between different sites). It's all those things combined and it's the result of them.

And no, I'm not going to finish it with a "please forgive us if we seem a bit angery, we're coping". Flint wouldn't.

[hardcoretwins]

Au of mine where Zak was abducted by Argost and his crew during an attack on the Saturday's HQ in search of the kur stone only a few years after it was stolen back from Weird World. That was a mouth full, but I had to get it out.

My idea was that the Saturday's HQ, Miranda's lab, and Dr Chiveyo's observatory were all attacked the way they were in The Kur Stone pt 1, only Argost didn't take forever tracking the pieces down, all locations were destroyed and burned down, with everyone surviving. But Doc and Drew place Zak in a safe room so they can defend their home, with Zak being instructed not to leave. Well, after the fight he does and finds the HQ burned down. He is then found and taken by Van Rook, as there actually might have been a part of him that still held feelings for Drew, and not wanting to kill her son.

Argost, on the other hand, convinces him his family is dead and raises him, quite harshly, to be one of his goons.

Doc and Drew find the safe room empty during their attempt to salvage their home and believe that Zak must have perished in the attack. It did burn down after all.

So, many years later....

They discover that not only did their son survive, but he was taken and raised by the very monster who killed all of the secret scientists many years earlier. And that he considered Argost his father.

I know, I know, I need to stop watching Arcane. But even though his design is Arcane inspired, he's not psycho. He knows who his parents are and when he finds out Argost lied to him, he turns on him. I also like that the secret scientists have their own individual majors, and I like to see Zak being interested not only in biology, but chemistry as well, not just what his parents are into.

Also, I want him and Ulraj to still be best friends in this AU, too, and they have matching shark bazookas. Ulraj's is blue. So Zak's would be a tiger shark and Ulraj's would be a great white shark.

[endlessly-cursed]

Primrose Gray's Legacy, Act One: The Younger Years, Chapter Eight: Infatuated

A/N: It's been sooo long, but it's finally here!! Completing this chapter was no joke, but it's done and I'm proud of how it turned out, not to mention this was one of my faves to write so far! Enjoy!!

Summary: Primrose has a crush. The problem? She's a promised woman and must have some discretion, however, it is not an easy task

OCs featured: Teddy Ellison and Hestia Herron ( @cursebreakerfarrier ) Roxie Haley and William Berkeley ( @mjs-oc-corner ) Niamh Kelly ( @unfortunate-arrow ) Siobhan Llewellyn ( @kc-and-co ) Gwendolyn Archeron ( @thatravenpuffwitch ) Professor Capel ( @camillejeaneshphm )

OCs mentioned: William Devlin ( unfortunate-arrow) Abraham Alden ( @cursed-herbalist ) Miranda Iverach ( cursebreakerfarrier )

Word Count: 2.1k

Taglist: @gaygryffindorgal @nicos-oc-hell @camillejeaneshphm @hphmmatthewluther @catohphm @thatravenpuffwitch @magicallymalted @cursedvaultss

March, 1893

Primrose found herself once again distracted in Charms class. The reason? A brown-haired, boyishly handsome Gryffindor boy who was snickering with his friends and plotting something. Probably a prank. She sighed. He was simply charming, handsome and quite witty when he wasn’t tormenting the staff with said pranks.

“Lady Gray,” Professor Herron called “while I am aware that one cannot pay me attention forever, I suggest you come back to us.”

Primrose cleared her throat and flushed deep red. Roxie arched an eyebrow and elbowed her “So, who is it that you’re looking at? Certainly is not your oh-so-dear fiancé.” She smirked.

“Later,” she whispered “I am still in Professor Herron’s field of vision.”

She chuckled, amused by how nervous and distracted the ever-perfect Primrose Gray was. After class, she linked arms with her and beckoned Shiv and the others: Gwen and Niamh. Mira had fallen behind, talking to the gruelling Mr. Hawthorne.

“So,” Roxie asked “who were you staring at?”

Primrose bit her lip “I do not wish to drop names or point. Tis quite rude.”

“Then whisper! C’mon, don’t leave us hanging!” Gwen pleaded.

“Aye, we won’t get to see you so flustered again, lady.” Shiv teased.

They all rounded a corner and the lady gathered all of her friends and, out of earshot, she whispered “Arthur Ellison.” Then she quickly broke up the congregation and put her face in her palms as the girls squealed and Shiv laughed at her “You have a crush on him?”

“As if you don’t make eyes at Galen!” Gwen defended.

“I dinna!” Shiv retaliated.

“Focus! Prim has a crush on—,” Primrose shushed her, now aware of the portraits around. She then whispered low enough “Prim has a crush on Teddy!”

They all laughed and Primrose moaned with embarrassment. All of the girls gathered around and started teasing her. Mira at last joined and, after being told of the situation while whispering, she joined the teasing “Oh, perhaps you’ll write him some poetry!”

“Oh, good heavens, no! Tis but… a small fancy, that’s all.”

“For now.” Roxie giggled.

“Ooh!” Gwen gasped, “what if we put him a secret name? So nobody may overhear!”

“I vote for Gryffindor Git!” Cried Shiv.

“How about Pukwudgie?” Gwen suggested.

“Too obvious! He’s one of the few transfers from Ilvermony!” Primrose cried.

“True! Oh! How about Bear? Like the teddy bear!” Roxie suggested.

Shiv started chanting “Prim likes Bear! Prim likes Bear!”

Primrose covered her face in shame once again, all the girls chanting, calling the attention of some older students and the occasional teacher. She spotted Professor Falcon and quickly told the girls to hurry to class now.

“Why?” Shiv asked “I dinna want to go through history o’ magic!”

She whispered “Professor Falcon is within earshot. The man is a terrible gossip and very meddlesome!”

“Except when it comes to his daughter.” Gwen giggled.

“Aye. If looks could kill, Earl Abe would’ve died burned a’ the stake.” Shiv continued.

They all laughed before entering Professor Capell’s class. Some girls sighed “The subject’s boring, but my, is he dreamy…” Gwen commented.

Primrose noticed how the young professor pretended not to hear it before he turned to the class “All right, everybody, let us begin with, I’m afraid, a rather dull lesson: wand lore.”

Almost all of the class moaned in unison, knowing they’d be stuck there for an hour and a half hearing of different kinds of wood. Not Primrose. She looked forward not addressing Bear’s issue.

“Good morning, class!” The flying professor greeted “Today we shall learn about…”

Primrose sighed. Flying was not her forte, given her fear of heights. Despite her rooms being in high places, she was not a woman of constant adrenaline. Most of her friends seemed to get the hang of it, but she only made a fool of herself. This was not the adrenaline she was used to.

She nevertheless tried, but was, as usual, wobbly “Higher, Gray! The skies do not bite!” The teacher cried.

For some reason, her broom made a violent spin and she let out a screech as she started falling, and closed her eyes, bracing for impact… when a pair of strong arms caught her and, with their own broom, set her on the ground. She looked up to see Mr. Ellison himself, who must’ve pulled it off with his friends. Her eyes went wide and flushed deeply “I… t-thank you, sir, Mr. Ellison.”

He smiled, and her stomach fluttered “Please, just Teddy. And it is my pleasure to rescue ladies in need of assistance.”

She nodded, flushed and embarrassed before the teacher sent her to polish brooms and scare off Peeves.

Later, at luncheon, she talked to her friends about the incident. She buried her face in her hands, groaning of pure embarrassment “I can’t believe that just happened!”

“I know. It was actually quite chivalrous of him to rescue you that way!” Roxie smiled.

“Nah. I could’ve pulled i’ off.” Shiv argued.

“And your face! Oh, Prim, you had the colour of a tomato!” She giggled.

They all giggled and Primrose threw a breadcrumb toward Gwen. She shrieked and threw one back. They were, however, stopped by someone clearing its throat. She looked around, and a few Slytherins and other boys had gathered, expensive-looking gifts with them.

Before she could even put a name to the situation, they all introduced themselves as high-ranking men of all places and offering their ‘allyship’, though Primrose knew they were trying to woo her out of her current engagement to promise herself to them instead. When she realised it, she pursed her lips and held her head high, nodding and giving dry ‘thank-you.’. As one of them tried their own luck, a baritone chuckle caught her attention.

He had dark brown hair, intense blue eyes and a rather strong physique, and was looking in her direction “Whatever is so amusing?” She asked, sick of social climbing opportunists.

“All the gifts in the world and none satisfy you?” He teased.

“It is none of your business.”

He observed her further before starting to shoo everyone away, and turned to her once the herd of hyenas was gone “Allow me. Mr. William Berkeley. You are Lady Gray, correct?”

“Indeed. Pleased to make your acquaintance.”

She extended her hand, and he saluted her, and for once, she was thankful that he did not kiss it. Taking a better look, she realised she had seen him before “Do you play quidditch?”

“I do. I just started this year.”

She nodded “You have an impressive technique.”

“Tis just practise and passion for it, m’lady.”

She smiled “Prim.”

“Sorry?”

“You may call me Prim. After rescuing me, I believe we should leave formalities behind.”

He smiled “Very well, then, Prim. I shall see you around.”

Something told her that she had just made a new friend. Father would certainly be proud. Mother? Not so much.

A month had passed since the incident, and Primrose was desperate to spend some time with Teddy. It sounded stupid, but his presence was quite comforting, and she always laughed in his presence. At her age, very few people could make her laugh.

But the miracle happened: talking to Shiv, she casually commented “Oh, and apparently your Bear is looking for someone to tutor him in history of magic. That poor boy’s failing and is quite desperate to find someone patient enough to put up with him for a few hours.”

Prim grinned “Oh, Siobhan, you mad genius! That’s it!”

“Huh?”

Upon seeing Primrose’s expression, however, she caught up with her scheme.

“If you excuse me, I have a bear to save from the historical wolves.”

“Gimme the details later!”

Naturally, she entered the Gryffindor common room and cleared her throat upon seeing Teddy laugh with his friends “Do forgive me if I’m interrupting, but I believe one of you gentlemen is looking for a history tutor?”

Teddy, naturally, stepped out of the circle “That’d be me. I suppose you’re good at the subject?”

“Well, I don’t mean to brag, but Professor Capell said once that I am one of his best students.”

Teddy grinned “There is nothing wrong with a little bragging. Shall we?”

Primrose nodded. Although her expression was calm, inside she was about to faint. Her heart beat fast, and she felt like she was out of breath. Sitting down in one of the couches, Teddy started explaining “I admit I am not good at memorising so many facts, and have failed several exams. Professor Capell has assigned me a four-page essay on any apprentice of one of the founders, but I don’t know where to start.”

Primrose smiled calmly “You’re in luck! The age of the founders is one of my favourites. In fact, during some personal research, I found that my ancestor, Henriette, was an apprentice of Helga Hufflepuff and key to the founding of Hogwarts.”

“Influential how?” He had his quill ready.

“If I remember correctly, at nine and ten she had raised a small army that rode into one of the most key battles of the Mages Wars and won it because of a stirring speech.”

As she spoke of her ancestor, she couldn’t help being mesmerised by his beauty: his russet brown hair, his calming brown eyes, his soft skin, untouched by age, his overall presence. He was beautiful, and she had to restrain herself from stroking his hair. After taking notes, she smiled at him “Got everything you need?”

“Yes. Your ancestor sounds incredible! It must be amazing, to have such a long family history.”

Primrose bit her lip “Well… there is also the price of legacy. Of maintaining it. Having a powerful bloodline is complicated.”

Teddy nodded, somehow understanding it. Then, he shrugged “Shouldn’t stop you from being twelve years old in peace.”

Primrose chuckled “Technically, I’m still eleven but… thank you.”

Months passed, and Primrose tutored Teddy, and, in exchange, taught her some flying skills, and got to know him well enough. It was nice, seeing Teddy in unusual elements. During that time, she figured out how to help him learn history: telling it as if though it was a legendary story out of a storybook, which she apparently had a knack for.

“Do remind me of what happened how did the Battle of the Four Mages turn its tides?”

“Easy! Lady Henriette, with Lord Frederick as her champion, led her sizeable army to battle, all shouting for the lady’s loyalty and to justice, rather than the nobles or power.”

Primrose smiled “You got it in one! A few weeks ago, you would’ve mixed Lord Lachlann with Lord Frederick.”

He gave her a crooked smile “Thankfully I didn’t?”

She chuckled “I’m proud of you, Teddy. You’ll do amazingly on the next essay!”

“Will you proofread it as always?”

Primrose gave him a sweet smile “I think it’s time that you trust your own judgement.”

Teddy blinked “Are you sure?”

“Positive! I… have faith in you, Teddy.”

She blushed furiously and looked away. She could hear the boys’ snickers and teasing glances. Was it truly that obvious?

On the day of the submission of the essay, she observed Teddy take a deep breath and give the essay to Professor Capell, and sat with his friends, not without giving Primrose a ‘Hope this doesn’t backfire’ look.

The end of the year was almost there, and Primrose had been told by Tadgh Lynch that Professor Capell had called Teddy and would be discussing his grade. She waited outside, fussing with her uniform. Then, the door opened, and Teddy came out with a wide grin “Guess who’ll be in your class on second year!”

Primrose squealed “I knew it! I knew you could do it!”

Teddy hugged Primrose, and she, over the moon, hugged him back. They looked at one another before Primrose was called by William, who also sought her help with history. Clearing her throat and waving goodbye to Teddy, she went over to William. He arched an eyebrow “What was that about?”

“Celebrating that a good friend has passed a subject he was struggling with.” She declared, nonchalantly.

“A good friend whom you’re taken with.”

“Nonsense. The only man I am taken with is my dear, future husband.” She held her head high and walked faster towards the library, an amused William in tow.

Were she admit out loud such a thing in a place where all walls have ears would’ve been a reckless and tragic thing to do.

September 1st, 1893

Primrose sat down with her friends this year, laughing and commenting their summers. Then, Siobhan taunted “Excited to see a certain Bear?”

She chuckled “I’m afraid to inform you that my infatuation with him has washed away over the summer. Besides, it would’ve only spiralled into something treacherous, don’t you think?”

The ladies agreed, chatting away as the Hogwarts Express took them to their next adventure.

[ladyluscinia]

Organizing my thoughts on OFMD 2x01 - 2x03

Strong start to a season. I really enjoy the black comedy aspect of the show, and the "all these people are kinda terrible" aspect, so win for me! The opening scene gave me a lot of thoughts. Actually, lots of stuff gave me thoughts that I'm gonna dump here (as I rewatch the episodes since I spent the first go around whooping and cheering more than paying attention to details lol) so I can start picking through them more coherently.

---

Ok, first. OHMYGOD EDWARD AND IZZ- *I am yanked off the stage* Ahem. BlackHands thoughts will go into a different post, so as not to overwhelm the many other things going on worth discussing. (Link to post)

So. Real first point:

Kraken Era

Big thing I was absolutely wrong about was how dark Edward's Kraken arc would go. I was counting on a very handwavy resolution that would still let him do some fucked up shit, but I expected it to be mostly externally directed violence that toed up to a potential line but didn't quite cross it. Reminiscent of Flint's vengeance rampage after Miranda is killed. Self-destructive harm but only tangential harm of others in your social sphere.

That is... we did not get that. But what we did get I am very here for.

I'll be honest - I wasn't sure they were bold enough in a romcom to blast right over the line into horrifying and then be so audacious it looped back to funny, but they did. And I think the tone is working for them so far. Big saving grace is they went way further with Edward's cruelty but they counterbalanced it by going way further with the suicidal themes, which made the whole situation more extreme and sympathetic. He should still probably apologize tho.

The Breakup Boat

Frenchie my beloved! Also Fang & Jim & Archie & Izzy! Literally the breakup boat is a resounding success all around and I adore every second of their fucked up trauma bonding. Win after win after win.

Frenchie is repression king and it's hilarious. I love how he gets named first mate for presumably being the only one who sounds plausibly honest when getting interrogated, tries to turn the job down, and then doesn't follow a single order while vibing. Also the bonding with Izzy?!? He's steps in during the intervention. He hides him after Edward shoots him, and then later he's checking in on him and leaning against his leg in the cell. Please Frenchie get all up in that Edward and Izzy mess!

And I'm trying not to turn this into a breakup boat recap but also Fang sobbing through basically every scene. The wooden boy story. Jim's terrible voices. Izzy hiding in the walls. "He's our dick" to "He was your friend" holy fuckkkkkk. And the whole mutiny scene was amazing. Jim saying fuck this toxic bullshit and Izzy saving them all!!! (Sidenote: love how all the nameless extras got washed overboard in the storm. More bodycount!)

The tearing into a seagull like zombies scene - perfect. Archie recognizing Stede (did they tell her about Stede in hushed whispers or was it literally just Izzy's singular statement?). All backing each other up on the "retirement" story. Izzy taking the blame to motivate Stede in trying to defend the crew again.

Trauma bonding WIN!

Also sympathetic Izzy has been real forever despite misreads of S1 and the mistaken predictions they spawned, but once again... Izzy!!!

BlackBonnet "On A Break"

They are idealizing each other so fucking hard. Also Stede what on earth are you talking about in the first episode??? "He's just blowing off some steam." "I'm afraid that your life is better without me?" MY GUY are you reading that list of what Edward has been up to??? Denial so strong.

So we have Stede still full of self-loathing and simultaneously convinced Ed couldn't want him but also avoiding the realization that he hurt him really bad because Ed wanted him. And we have Edward actively suicidal over feeling unlovable and determined to murder-suicide his situationship and the kids, except he can't kill himself so he's trying to make everyone else do it.

(And, you know, Edward is very pointedly refusing to see how the people around him would care for and support him if he would let them - even when they straight up offer it to his face - because he is more concerned with the misery of his own twisted narrative about being fundamentally unlovable than whether or not that is a true statement. Stede doesn't want him and everyone else is just a prop for his depression's final act. Very "I don't have any friends" of him - shoutout to that flashback in his purgatory sequence too.)

Edward's self-loathing throwing him into the water, but Edward starting to save himself well before merman!Stede shows up. Because he does, deep down, want to live with or without Stede. Very strong. Like that. Also the idealization on Edward's end of envisioning Stede as a legit magical being of golden scales??? Fuck, you two need to get some perspective.

Stede's Crew

Trauma Lucius I was not counting on, but Lucius going from BlackBonnet supporter to FUCK YOU STEDE was fun. Also Stede offering to be supportive and then immediately trying to nope right out.

Sea Witch Buttons!!!!!! We're going to get naked Buttons charging into a scene screaming about how he's a seagull or something, aren't we?

Confirmation that Oluwande can't read in the funniest way. Well I guess on reflection the scrolls are probably in Chinese so reading wouldn't help, so maybe this point is null.

I did like the note of Stede knowing "The Soul Reaper's" real name. Piracy hyperfixation bonus.

JimOlu vs JimArchie... If we get another poly ship then I'm calling SteddyHands real. I'm just saying.

Oluwande taking initiative to step up and flex his boytoy powers to advocate diplomatically for the crew - very Captain material of him. Also conveniently doubled as a distraction so he was essential to the plan. Go Olu!

Antagonists New and Old!

Spanish Jackie was a treat. I enjoy that she still hates Stede. The Swede literally became a new man by marrying her. AND WE SAW THE HUSBANDS!

Prince Ricky is so far just kind of a shady classist scumbag - presumably that's going somewhere.

Zheng Yi Sao on the other hand... interested what's happening with this whole armada plan she's apparently enacting. The whole Olu boytoy arc was fun. I'm not as into the whole "girlboss" approach to every single female character in this show so far, so, uh, concerned about that. Hoping for more exploration of how she's doing Stede's version of piracy but what exactly is off about it? Because so far there's no real reason to resist her, other than maybe the whole "I didn't conquer China by listening to pirates ramble about their feelings" bit.

Hornigold. Yeah, I know he was a subconscious manifestation of Edward's self-loathing but I still have hope. "Last time I saw you, you said you were gonna flay my skin and feed it back to me." Does that not sound like a great foreshadowing for S3???

[authortobenamedlater]

*slides this E4 deep dive under the door right before the deadline*

Sick of being sick, this took forever to finish.

The good:

I really liked the touches of “ordinary people doing extraordinary things.” Louis is blind but he still shoulders the grenade launcher. Danilo is a physical therapist and runs into the fray to aid the wounded. Talia is a Marine, sure, but she’s a basically a radio operator. She probably joined to pay for college or something. And she goes with John to FLEETCOM after he said she didn’t have to. Then she flies a bunch of civilians to safety while a bunch of jackals are eating Jacob Keyes for dinner. Riz and Vannak and John are made for this, literally, but many people who weren’t went above and beyond to defend Reach in a losing fight.

John going up against the cloaked elite (the Var Gatanai mentioned at the end of last episode, I assume) is pretty great, as is Talia jumping in with a tire iron. And the energy sword fight toward the end? Mm-hm.

Soren’s “kid watching Mom and Dad fight” moment with Jacob and Halsey 😂 Why do I think little Soren drove Jacob to the edge of his sanity?

John’s FACE when he gets called up during Jacob’s speech. I’m never going to stop finding that funny.

The episode does a good job letting the audience breathe in between the action. Soren especially provides some levity.

The bad:

Vannak deserved better.

Jacob got a great ending, better than his game self, but we never even got to see him step foot on a ship. His promotion to admiral doesn’t even make sense. However, he was the only flag officer who didn’t bug out and deserves props for it.

No Kai, but I didn’t expect her since she’s likely on her way to Onyx with the S-IIIs. She’ll probably be furious once she learns Reach fell and she wasn’t there to fight.

I want The Chief & Cortana Show. This is why I’m here. I will forgive the absence of my faves if we get lots of John comforting Cortana after she leads the Covenant to Earth. Or just a really good reunion.

Questions/speculations/wishful thinking:

Why did Ackerson take the Spartans’ gear? Mr suspects personal vendetta but I wonder if Ackerson has reasons beyond that. He said the Master Chief is “just a guy in a suit.” Does Ackerson want to put someone else in the suit? It would fit with the running theme of the people In Charge want John to be replaceable. Halsey wanted to replace John’s mind, does Ackerson want to replace his body?

One of the trailers shows John walking out of FLEETCOM in his armor, so he obviously gets it back at some point, but I want to know Ackerson’s agenda.

John says they need people like Keyes giving orders, or they’ll be left with people like Ackerson. Well, now Keyes is gone, so who will be Ackerson’s foil? I can’t really think of anyone on the show or in main canon. Miranda is the only possibility and smart as she is, she’s not ready for that.

I don’t think Reach has truly fallen yet. There’s enough footage in trailers (like John walking out of FLEETCOM in his armor) to make me think this is going to drag awhile. Will we get Operation: First Strike? Maybe I’m majoring on a minor, but in an S1 episode Parangosky tells Jacob to call Admiral Whitcomb. Admiral Whitcomb leads Blue Team and friends in First Strike.

Cortana will be forced to lead the Covenant fleet to Earth. This is how we get that shot of John on the drop ship with Jupiter in the foreground.

Vannak is dead and Kai is leading the S-IIIs. Silver Team is getting split. Is John going to get a new team or is he going off by himself? I’m inclined to think the latter at least for the immediate future.

Vannak is going to get hauled to The Body Shop better known as Castle Base for some new parts. They did it with Kelly.

It’s hard to speculate on what next week holds, since aside from Kai with the S-IIIs and John getting to the Halo, Paramount is being tight-lipped about the back half of the season. From the trailer, I suspect we’ll find out what role Kwan plays going forward and what happened with John and Cortana getting separated, and we’ll meet the S-IIIs. Next episode is called Aleria, which according to Halopedia is some butt-end of nowhere colony nobody cares about. I’m not even sure what to make of how it could relate to the episode based on what I’ve seen.

[cavecrawling]

⠀ | ⠀⠀i've never thought much about abi after the events of re8 because i'd always had the idea that she dies. be it at the hands of ethan who unfortunately finds her mutated and therefore sends her into a blind rage which results in him killing her. or because the village becomes empty after everything that happens and?? she just cant sustain herself anymore so she passed away.

but i also think!! she's so young and she deserves to live her life, even if she doesnt want to, because even though she's technically in her nineties she hasn't mentally aged a day. she's still a teenager and she should get to be normal, even if she'll remain that age forever.

so instead of dying i'm debating maybe ethan finds her struggling between being mutated and not mutated. everything going on is probably fucking with her and the cadou inside her, even though she doesn't know what's happening, which is why her mutations are going haywire.

and he's the first person since her arrival to be soft and kind to her. yes, the duke was 'nice,' but he always made her somewhat uneasy with his crypticness. so when ethan shows her a dreg of kindness, her mutation halts and she remains a girl because for once she feels safe. miranda had disregarded her the second her mutations became out of control with no bother to see of she could control them.

it would be a lot more complicated than i can be bothered to get into right now - but she follows him around until he finds mia. i imagine it's pretty far into the game, so it's not like it will be long. at some point she transforms on instinct to defend him, and surprisingly - for the first time ever - she's able to control it and transform herself back.

blah blah they find mia and abi ends up staying behind with her (and mat but this ain't about him) and, being the wife of the first guy that ever showed her kindness, she's quite defensive over her. mia would be unwilling at first, thinking she's no different than miranda and the lords, but blah blah she helps out w something that proves differently. while it wouldn't technically be 'adopting' seeing as she's an adult and also isnt really a real person in any databases, after being cleared by chris n all that (who initially wanted to kill her - and tbe process would likely take months to be sure she was fit to live a normal life) mia would offer her a place with her.

[thomashxmilton]

for @vocesincaput

It had been an interesting evening to say the very least.

After the disastrous dinner with his father, James not only defending Thomas but going as far to throw his father out of his own house? Thomas had to top the night off and kiss James, and it wasn't just a kiss, he knew that and James he felt knew that as well. Not only had they kissed, they had done it in front of Miranda as well. Not that Thomas nor Miranda hadn't shared lovers before, this, this was different. Thomas within that kiss felt like he had changed their course forever, whether for good or bad was left to be seen.

Miranda had excused herself for the evening, knowing that he and James had a lot to talk about. Thomas took James back into his study and was in the process of pouring them both a drink, looking at him from the corner of his eye, Thomas asked him gently.

"Are you alright, James?" Thomas asked him, using his Christ-given name instead of his title, knowing this was a conversation that needed to forego formalities.

[spitalofatalo]

An ask for you: I'd like to know more about Moreau's Fionn!! I think Moreau and his area has a lot of potential that was lost with how short his segment was and am wondering how you interpret his segment and Fionn's place in it!! ☺️

of course! i like moreau a lot and i completely agree. side note: i should probably give all the fionns nicknames sometime

moreau getting to keep one of the fionns is a tremendous occasion because it is concrete proof, in his mind, that mother miranda cares for him at least a little. whether it was a pacifying gesture or not, he has been Entrusted With Something Important (this is many years pre-rose) and he will not let her down. as a result, he over-worries about fionn at first and refuses to let them explore the more hazardous areas of his domain lest they get damaged

for their part, fionn is maybe the only person to treat moreau with genuine reverence - as an "outsider" to the family, they perceive all the lords as deserving the same level of respect (and a healthy amount of fear). this catches moreau off guard, as he isn't really used to having power on an interpersonal level? i mean sure he experiments on people and eats them but none of those people have ever actually called him "my lord" and sworn their eternal service, so he really has no idea how to handle it, or what to ask of fionn. it's not like the reservoir needs a lot of upkeep. so they start with simple, menial tasks

when he gets comfortable with it, and when fionn sufficiently proves that they can hold their own, moreau permits them to venture further into the reservoir and into the village itself to gather resources (always armed with a harpoon gun, of course). they like picking up souvenirs from their journeys - little interesting/pretty things, useful or not, and bringing them back home for their collection. every time they leave moreau thinks "they're probably going to be gone forever" and every time he is pleasantly surprised

other than that, this fionn's service to moreau is aiding him with his research (why yes, they ARE complicit in kidnapping/luring victims to the clinic) and doing some of their own. under his influence, fionn develops an interest in science and medicine, and experiments with natural remedies - although none of them have worked out quite yet. they'd like to be able to alleviate some of the pain moreau experiences, if not eventually find a "cure" for him. in the meantime, they help with managing his condition and taking over any tasks that he struggles with

fionn and moreau find that they can relate to each other on some levels: both are devoted to miranda to a self-destructive extent; both have low self-worth (although moreau's is more "i am a complete failure" while fionn's is more "i exist only to be used"); both have difficulty controlling their physical mutations. fionn doesn't demand respect for themself, because they primarily see themself as an object / means to an end, but they frequently assure moreau that he deserves respect. i think he might bring them along to family meetings, sometimes, to help him articulate things

so they essentially become an advisor (and he's the only one that would really take their advice). fionn's never really been a rational person, but they are good at adjusting to what another person needs, and what moreau needs is someone to keep his emotions in check. fionn effectively manages to shut off their own emotions in the progress, including any semblance of fear or hestitation (which is helpful when confronting the horrors of the village. again, moreau worries)

it's this lack of hestitation that i think would lead them to rush into a confrontation with ethan, despite losing two of their previous incarnations to him. this fionn sees themself as more intelligent and more of an active defender than dimitrescu's or beneviento's, and it doesn't matter if they're capable - they have to be. like the ones before, they put themself on the line because it's their duty

i think it might actually be some failure of reservoir infrastructure that leads to their death, rather than ethan directly killing them. i'm toying with the idea of them falling / being pushed into the lake and moreau, in his mutated form, mistakes them for ethan and eats them - just one more terrible failure that he has to contend with! i feel like tragedy and disappointment are the only fitting ends here. but yeah, this fionn ended up having more development than i expected and i enjoy them and this dynamic greatly

[saintsofwarding]

WE SHALL BE MONSTERS

Banner by keltii-tea

Chapter 12: A Midwinter Gift

Later, much later, Miranda thought a lot about endings. About how when things were good, they seemed as if they might last forever. A world, recast in amber. An unstoppable stirring of love. But when the good times were gone, and the wolves began to howl once more outside her window, they seemed as if they had passed in a heartbeat. And there was no good in the world, not ever, and would never be again. All that was good was gone. And the only way to reclaim it was to find it again, somewhere in the darkness.

***

The stranger came wounded, hauled to the village in the back of the jolly merchant's wagon. The merchant always came at the end of winter, and the clamor of his bells and pots and pans clanging from their hooks on the sides of his wagon was as good as music, as uplifting to the soul. It was as much a sign of spring as the first of the crocuses or the singing of birds, and Miranda always looked forward to it, a tentpole of hope throughout the long, bleak cold.

Miranda was nineteen. An image of her mother, the old women said, though of course it was difficult to tell from the ancient daguerreotypes of her parents' wedding, so age-spotted the face of her mother was almost wholly unrecognizable at all. She didn't have much time for taking pictures of her own, nor for mirrors; most days, she was hard at work. Little Sal was now Salvatore Moreau, apprentice surgeon to Dr. Nicolescu, who himself had studied in the high cold halls of natural philosophy in Bucharest. Miranda, with her keen mind and clever fingers, worked in the surgery as a nurse.

Nicolescu had scoffed at first- what was this girl doing in his surgery? Wasn't she better off learning wifely ways?- but Salvatore insisted.

"You don't have to do that, you know," Miranda told him one day as they were rolling bandages.

He'd blinked at her from behind his spectacles. He'd grown into his gawky looks, and had even begun to preen a little, combing back his dark curls with his fingers in front of every mirror they encountered, standing a little straighter when village girls whispered and giggled on their way past, when they hung around the surgery, perching on gurneys to kick their legs and ask him endless questions. All of which, of course, he answered. Little Sal was well on his way to getting an ego.

"Do what?" he asked, all innocence.

"Defend me."

"What if I want to?"

"Well...don't."

He'd slowed his bandage rolling, his eyes downcast, his brows drawn together. "I'm going to be the surgeon of the village, one day," he said.

"Yes, I know."

"I...I'll be successful. Wealthy, like Dr. Nicolescu. I may even leave the village one day-"

The words ripped a red bolt of terror through Miranda. At least, she thought it was terror. "No. You can't leave, Sal."

"...I mean, I don't..." He drew a shaky breath. "Miranda, I know you...you can't forget...what happened all those years ago...that this isn't what you want. But...once I'm done with my training, I would make for a very good husband."

He'd reached out. His fingertips settled, light and gentle, on the back of her hand. "And you'd make an excellent doctor's wife."

Miranda kept on rolling bandages. She kept her eyes on her hands, on the bandages, the clean white linen gleaming on the tabletop.

"I know you don't love me," Salvatore said, his voice soft. "That I'm too young."

"Yes."

"Will you...will you think about it?"

"You know I can't, Sal."

He nodded in her periphery. "I know," he echoed, and fell silent, the only sound the scratchy gramophone playing in the far room. Every time it hit a scratch in the record grooves it skipped. Again, again, again.

"Miranda!" Nicolescu's voice echoed from the front of the surgery. Miranda snapped to attention. "Girl! Are you there?"

"I'm here, Doctor."

"Merchant's coming." He'd taken to watching from his front room with his telescope, waiting for the day when the wagon trundled its way up the deeply-rutted road that led into town. "You and Moreau go and get me the...ugh, where is it...the things on this list..."

There was much banging around and clattering. At last the old man limped into the room and thrust the list at Miranda.

"And be quick about it," he muttered, retreating back to his study to pore over his books and drink good brandy, thinking no one noticed.

Miranda pushed past Salvatore, his face flushed, his mouth open as if he was going to say something.

"Come on, Sal," she called, unhooking her cloak from its peg. "We don't want to be late. All the good stuff will be gone."

They hurried from the surgery and through the snowdrifts, toward the village square overlooked by the Maiden of War. Already a good crowd had gathered, women wrapped in their bright embroidered shawls, men with pipes, the air full of the haze of sweet blue smoke.

"Closer, closer! Don't be shy," the merchant called, a massive man portly in the extreme, gesturing with beringed fingers across the trove of wares spread before the open wagon doors. "Indeed, shyness is an insult, in my profession."

He let out warm laugh. He held a cigar between two of his fingers, its smoke adding its own note to the aromas rising from the wares. Miranda pushed between the baker's wife and old Mrs. Dalca, Salvatore at her side, his eyes wide as hers as they together took in the plethora.

Gemstones and lengths of blue silk like the reflection of the sky in clear water. Long, spiraling tusks of what Miranda knew to be ivory, cut from the mouths of strange beasts in distant, frozen seas. Books- Salvatore gasped at these- bound in hide and in paper, in rich suede and in thin pieces of wood carved all over with strange symbols. More humble wares, too- bags of grain and seed, tanned leather, silk thread and silver needles and bottles of spices and olive oil, come all the way across the mountains from the far south.

"Saints," Salvatore said, lifting his eyebrows. "How'd he get all this up the mountain, then? Must've found some hardier horses."

"Would you look at all this, Sal?"

"I know. Makes me wish Nicolescu wasn't so stingy with his stipend." He flipped mournfully through one of the books.

"Makes me wish he gave me one in the first place." Miranda reached out to run her fingers over a silk sash, black and glossy as a crow's wing. As she did, she heard the sound of paper crumple in her apron pocket.

Ah, yes. The list. She fished it out and looked up at the merchant.

"Excuse me," she called. He swung round to face her with a serene smile. "I'd like these supplies, if you have them."

"Of course, of course, dear girl. Now, let me see here..." He pored over the list. "Ah! Is my old friend Nicolescu finding his store-cupboards a touch bare?"

"Most likely," Miranda said. "It's been a long winter, and, er-" She smirked back at him. "He runs out of the laudanum first."

The merchant laughed again, looking her over thoughtfully. "We all have our wicked ways, don't we? Now, my dear, I'll get these wrapped up for you- one moment, please..."

"Let me help." She knew how exacting Nicolescu could be. She hurried over to the side of the wagon as the merchant heaved his bulk into its interior, vanishing behind a long, aged set of brocade curtains. She glimpsed him through the windows, glimpsed the cozy, close inside of the wagon, heard the merchant's lowered voice, and, to her surprise, a second in answer. Curious, she peered in through the window.

She only had time to glimpse a figure sprawled on a narrow bed, the merchant bent over him, pressing a damp cloth on his forehead, before the figure looked up, and so did the merchant, catching her staring. Miranda ducked out of the way, her cheeks ablaze, but the damage was done.

"It's all right, my dear!" The merchant didn't sound angry. "I'm merely tending to my guest. Join us, would you please?"

Miranda let out her breath before pushing through the low door and into the wagon. The smell inside was just as cozy as it looked, rich spices, cigar smoke, something that might have been a musky perfume, something that reminded her of the cinnamon buns her mother used to make. Her father- dead now these six years, a broken man- had sworn they were what had made him decide to marry her, and her mother had swatted him with the wooden spoon even as she laughed.

The merchant's bulk took up much of the interior, but there was still room in the lamplight to make out the figure on the cot built into the wall.

Miranda crept forward as the merchant dabbed at his forehead. The man on the cot didn't look so much older than her, his skin blanched and sheened with sweat, his dark hair combed back from his forehead. His bare chest was heavily bandaged.

"I'd...I'd get up," he said, "give you a bow, but..."

He waved a hand down at himself and gave her an apologetic smile.

"Awfully rude, I know," he said. "To not properly greet such a pretty girl."

This time, Miranda's blush wasn't of embarrassment. She blinked, then said, "What happened to you?"

"Wolves in the pass," the man said. He winced as the merchant began to carefully tend to his bandages. "Agh-"

"My apologies," the merchant said. "My hands are more dexterous than you might think, but- ah, unused to the sacred work of the physician, I'm afraid..."

"I can help," Miranda said at once.

Two sets of eyes settled on her- one, as always, calm, the other, the stranger's, wide. "Are you the town doctor?" the man asked.

"No, but- I'm a nurse. I work in the surgery." She drew herself up to her full height, unimpressive though it was. "I assist in procedures, too."

The merchant gave a suitably-impressed gasp. "A lady of science, of accomplishment! Please, please! Be my guest."

Miranda settled into a stool at the stranger's bedside, taking the cloth. It smelled of bitter herbs. With a smile, the merchant retreated, leaving her to her work.

"Wolves, hmm?" Miranda asked. She took over the work of the bandages, rolling them back so they might be replaced.

"Yep. A whole pack of them. Strangest wolves I ever saw. Some of them looked...well. Like they were on two legs."

"Lots of strange things around here." She peeled back the bandages and arched her eyebrows as she exposed the wound. It was beginning to heal, but even so, it was dire- a ragged gash torn from his pectoral muscle, weeping clear fluid. "Oh, my. Was this treated after you were bitten?"

"Yes, the merchant, the Duke-"

"The Duke?"

"That's what he told me to call him. He gave me a tea to drink, made with these strange red herbs."

"Good. No wolf-sickness for you, then."

"Wolf-sickness?" He watched her as she rolled up her sleeves with quick, deft movements and set about cleaning the wound. Miranda tried not to look at his face, but she couldn't help it. He had a face that begged to be looked at. He had the bluest eyes she'd ever seen. Their color was richer than the silk on display. She tried to not be a poetic sort anymore, to focus her attention on practical realities, but even so all she could think of was the deep velvet blue of the sky just past dusk, the stars beginning to come out.

She nodded to hide her discomfit. "Some say that if the monster wolves bite you, you'll die, and rise again as one of them. You'll run with their pack, you'll live in the woods, you'll be strong and fast and immortal, all the thoughts of the gods echoing in your mind. But you can never return home again. You can never be human. And forever, you'll yearn for human flesh."

"My, my," the stranger said, a smile playing around his lips.

"Some say." Miranda reached in her pockets for a phial she knew was there. "Your benefactor did a decent job of patching you up, but this will help even further. May I?"

"Of course."

"Good." She paused. "You'll have to stay in the village, of course, until this heals."

"Will I?"

"Yes. Dangerous, this time of year, to go wandering the snows."

"Well, if I stay, I'll be seeing you a lot. I'll have to call you something, won't I?"

"Probably."

"What's your name?"

"Miranda."

"Elios," the stranger said. "It's good to meet you, Miranda."

And Miranda marveled, that Salvatore's touch had not stirred her a bit, but the stranger's voice did, just the sound of it, whispering her name.

***

He stayed.

Spring would come early that year. With it came new experiences. Kisses, endless kisses, time stolen from days to pelt from the surgery and her duties and down to the river, to strip off clothes and plunge, shrieking, into still-icy waters. The way the mountain valley came alive for her, afternoons spent hiking the desolate reaches of the hills, searching through crags and peering into caves to search for ancient ruins and treasures beyond compare. Miranda told Elios all her father's old stories- the crystal city destroyed by ancient apocalypse, the warding saints and the holy monsters, and he marveled at them.

Other stories, too, eventually. Painful stories. Her mother's transformation. The resurrection, denied. The baby that was not a baby.

Sometimes, Salvatore accompanied them. He'd surrounded himself with quite the cadre of admirers, girls from the village who followed the whole group up into the hills, lugging bottles of wine and spirits and sweet buns to carouse until dawn, weaving wreaths of spring flowers, plucking tunes out on fiddles, dancing until they became too drunk to whirl around without vomiting, then collapsing arm in arm, spent and warm and sweating.

It was here she and Elios stole away from Sal and the girls, to be alone, to be in the dark together, hungry and desperate.

"Your scar's fading," Miranda told Elios, once, after. They lay on a bed of their abandoned clothes, the wind soft in the trees. Far below, down the cliffside, the village lights twinkled through the night, but here they seemed distant. A world away.

She trailed her fingers over the puckered scar tissue on his chest, the only evidence he'd ever been wounded at all. Their first meeting in the Duke's wagon seemed so long ago now. He'd taken a room in the village, over the bakery, and once he'd learned of Miranda's affinity for cinnamon buns he brought her as many as he could. The baker let him work for his keep, and seemed overjoyed at the help. The baker's wife pinched his cheeks, her own pink as Elias flattered her. A man embraced by the village.

Not for the first time, Miranda wondered just how long he planned on staying. Forever, she urged him, as much a prayer as she could muster.

"It'll be gone soon," she went on.

"I wish it would stay."

"Why?"

"Reminds me of you." He bent his head to kiss her on the nose. "You and your clever fingers." He pressed another kiss, slow and melting, to her mouth.

It was a while before words intruded again.

"I want to ask you something," Elios went on. He began to stroke her long, fair hair, spread about her head and shoulders like a halo. By now, the stars were out. In the winter, stars here glittered cold as diamonds, but now they seemed to glow, ripe as fruit.

"Anything."

"Marry me."

Miranda blinked. A surge of heat rippled through her nerves, and now all things seemed still. Was he joking? He couldn't be serious. She crushed hope back. Always, hope, such a traitor.

"What?" she said.

"Marry me."

"Why?" she burst out.

He laughed. "I love you," he said, like it was that simple. For Miranda, it could be. It was. For now.

***

They were married in the chapel, mere yards from where Miranda's mother had ripped herself from the coffin, from the dirt, where her silver-severed head had struck the graveyard ground. Miranda had no white gowns; instead she made hers from blue silk, embroidered all over with feathers, for the springtime birds that had sung Elios' arrival.

***

It was the same silk gown she tore to pieces in grief and in rage when he left her, when he walked out the door of their small house, and never came back.

***

The surgery was no place for a mother. That was what Nicolescu said when she came to him, begging for her old job back, her hands pressed over the gentle swell of her belly.

"I won't have a squalling baby distracting me from my work," he snapped, and slammed the door in her face.

Miranda stumbled back, into the freezing mud. She blinked; heat pushed at her eyes. Don't cry. Don't cry. She hadn't at her mother's funeral. She hadn't when Elios left her. She wouldn't now. But hunger gnawed at her, sharp as a wolf's teeth, and she felt the first hot slip of tears down her face, stinging with salt on her lips.

What would she do? The house she and Elios had shared was barred to her, the money long since run out. She'd learned, after, that he'd robbed the baker blind and made off with a small fortune in lei and irreplaceable family treasures, so there was no hope in returning there. Her father's house was sold. There was no one else, nowhere else she knew.

Her mind turned to fancies. The castle, perhaps? Could she steal in there, slip through a crack in the wall, live like a cursed princess in a cradle-song, huddled in the dust, starving to death even as the walls soared overhead, painted with gilt? Perhaps she could steal something from one of its dozens upon dozens of rooms- a silver goblet, a priceless painting- but then if one of the custodians caught her, she would be whipped, and then what about the baby?

The baby.

She'd discovered she was pregnant a week after Elios left. She'd suspected it before- her period was late- but a quick visit to a hedge-woman confirmed it, and now here she was, hungry, alone, begging an old drunkard for her old job.

She thought about banging on the door again. Begging him. Anything, she'd plead. Anything. But she didn't.

Just as she was about to turn away, a voice behind her said her name.

"Miranda?"

She whirled.

Salvatore stood there, a package under his arm, his face red with cold. He blinked at her through his spectacles.

"Miranda!" he said. "I thought- I haven't seen you for-"

His eyes dropped to her stomach.

"Miranda," he said for a third time, soft as down.

"Hello, Sal," Miranda said. She knew what he must be seeing- her broken shoes, her ragged clothes. Her ragged face, cheekbones sharp against her too-pale skin.

"What are you doing here?" Salvatore said.

"Asking...um. Asking Nicolescu for my job back."

"What?" He stepped toward her. "Why didn't you come to me months ago if you were in such dire straits?"

She flinched back from him. "I'm not a charity case, Sal."

"I know, I know-" He took a short breath. "But, Miranda...a baby."

The words hung in the air between them. A baby. A new thing, sleeping within her. She wondered what it might be dreaming now. She remembered a long-ago bed of blood, a long-ago cry of pain.

"I know you're too proud to accept anything from me," Salvatore went on. "But...Miranda, I want to help you. I don't expect anything," he added, quickly. "Just...let me help you. Please let me."

He was so kind, so desperate to make sure she was all right. And Miranda, tears streaking her face in earnest, felt herself break apart inside. To survive, she told herself, though a part of her just wanted to lie down in a place that was safe, just wanted someone there, someone to love her, something to hang onto, even if it wasn't real.

And so that was the way the world went.

And for years, it went well.

In midwinter, like a gift, came Eva. A tiny, squalling thing; Miranda rocked her in the single small window of Salvatore's tiny flat. The flat was above the luthier's workshop, so that even on nights when the coal was scarce and the air grew dead with cold, always, always, such sweet music. When the sound of violins faded and Miranda's housework was done, she rocked the little girl in her arms and sang her stories. Crystal and cataclysm. A paradise, an exodus. She sang in old-tongue, the language that was endemic to the village, as much a part of the villagers' everyday lives as their heartbeat. Lost in the forest, poor little lamb. Witches and wolves await your sweet flesh. Stumble and bleat, but the briars grow swiftly. Home is faraway, and you are so lonely.

She helped Sal around the house in return for their keep. He was, always, respectful, cleaning out what was once his study and cramming his desk and books into the sitting room so that Miranda and Eva could have it as their private bedroom. He even took their portrait on his brand-new camera, a device he'd ordered specially from the Duke and kept babbling about with unreserved excitement for weeks on end.

Miranda feigned annoyance, but she kept the photograph- herself cradling baby Eva- by her bedside, a candle burning beside it, like a small altar.

His books were open to her use, of course, as they'd always been, and many nights she spent, the lamp burning low, poring over the strange texts he unearthed from saints-knew-where. Treatise on the Black God; poisonous mountain flowers of the region; the odd yellow-papered novel or two; lives of the saints; histories and folk tales and diaries of boyars who had heard of the strange heretics who lived here, and came to see such wonders for themselves.

Eva grew up on these tales, and moved with Miranda and Salvatore, house to bigger house as Sal grew more and more successful. He was soon not only the village doctor, but a teacher, educating the village's young people on the sciences.

Educating Eva, when the time came and she was five years old, a little girl with long blonde pigtails, a yellow ribbon tied on the end of each.

"You look pretty as a flower, Evie," Miranda told her as she tied the bows tight. She pressed a kiss to the little girl's forehead, right in the middle. "And smart as a whip."

"I don't wanna go to school," Eva groused.

"You have to. You want to be clever and accomplished, like Dr. Moreau, don't you?"

She rolled her eyes. "All the other kids are gonna make fun of me because I live with the teacher."

"Well. All the other kids are just unlucky that they won't be able to ask for help with their homework, now, aren't they?" She'd spun the child around and gave her a gentle push down the front steps of the house. "Go on, now. I love you. I'll see you in the afternoon."

The house rose around her, fine and strong and grand. Miranda's father would have loved the carvings, the craftsmanship; her mother would have loved the comfort, the beautiful furnishings and windows set with panes of stained glass the color of barley candy. Miranda stood with her shawl wrapped around her, watching the familiar sights of the village square before her. She smelled mint and spices, wood polish and tea. The distant smoke of an autumn bonfire. Somewhere past the Maiden of War's swordpoint rang a school bell, calling the children in for their lessons.

She thought of the books in the house behind her and realized that for a long time those old tales had drifted to the back of her mind. They were Eva's stories, now, tales for children. She had asked the priests at the old church about the strange baby that had failed to save her mother, and was told it was an ancient thing, stored for decades beneath the altar, some relic of the Black God dug up a long time ago. An artifact of the past. This place was real. This life was real. And this life was good. For the first time in years, the memory of her mother's death and resurrection seemed just that, a memory, terrible to be sure, but eclipsed by the splendor of the present.

Maybe, yes, Salvatore would always watch her, just a moment too long, his gaze lingering on her face in the candlelight. And she would think, just for that same moment, whether or not she wanted to lean toward him, to meet his mouth with her own.

And maybe, yes, there would always be that question. Of comfort, or of devotion. Kindness, or passion.

But the moment always passed, and his hand always slid back from hers, and they were friends again, linked together forever by that one now-distant memory, already fading backwards into time. And she was content.

And so, she thought, was he, watching him flirt with girls around the well, watching pretty Eliska with the shining black braids straighten his spectacles.

But time, as it always would, passed by.

And with it, as ever, came death.

[merrock]

CHARACTER INFORMATION

face claim: Lindsey Morgan.

full name: Isabela Brigette Romero.

nickname(s) / goes by: Izzy, Bells, Bella.

pronouns & gender: she/her, cis woman.

sexuality: pansexual.

birth date: January 13, 1990.

birth place: Merrock, ME.

arrival to merrock: local; left for a short time but came back in 2019.

housing: downtown.

occupation: dental assistant.

work place: Merrock Family Dentistry.

family: Andrew (father), Norma (mother), Ivan (brother), Gabriel (brother).

relationship status: single.

PERSONALITY

Most people would say that Isabela Romero is an easy person to get along with as she's quite friendly. She's tender-hearted, curious, thoughtful, soft-spoken but deeply passionate, and absolutely hilarious. She's always down to have a good time, wanting to spend time with her friends. She talks without thinking even though she means well. Though, she does have a hard time expressing her feelings. She finds being vulnerable to be a scary experience, so she doesn't always open up properly to those who are closest to her. Overall, she has a good reputation and she's very affectionate and caring. Once someone is in her heart, they have a place in it forever.

WRITTEN BY: Janessa (she/her), est.

BACKGROUND / BIO

triggering / sensitive content: none.

Isabela Romero grew up in the suburbs of Merrock, Maine in a huge tight-knit family that's been part of the community for decades. Her father, Andrew, works as a dentist whereas her mother, Norma, is a recently retired school teacher. Her father is a Merrock native, and after finishing dental school, he moved back to the small town. Her father made a name of himself within his industry, opening up a private practice in the suburbs. Because of his values of working hard and making family a priority, he brought up his three children up in a good home. Isabela was the name from of her great-grandmother on her mother's side, and Brigette was her paternal great-grandmother's name. So many beloved family names were inherited, so it was almost as if she had a lot to live up to.

Being the baby of the family as well as the only girl meant that Isabela grew up somewhat spoiled and protected. Though, she wasn't protected in the way of being sheltered. Instead, her family helped her learn to stand up for herself. They wanted to protect her, but they also knew that they wouldn't be around all the time. So instead of fending off people who might hurt her, they gave her the tools necessary to defend herself.

While her father and brothers taught her to be tough, her mother taught her to be classy and elegant. Her mother taught her to be sensitive to others and empathetic to their issues. She also taught her to love the softer things in life and made sure that Isabela was aware that being a free-spoken woman didn't mean she couldn't embrace her childlike wonder or romantic side. Growing up in a well rounded environment allowed her to become the woman she is today - a lovely mix of sweet and sassy, confident and independent, caring but not too naive.

Isabela did fairly well in school because there was always someone to ask for help when it came to her school work. What she didn't do well at, surprisingly, was social interaction. As outgoing as her family members seemed to be, Isabela was a bit more on the reserved side in public and chose to stick to herself or the one or two friends she made that moved with her through her early years of school. Her parents worried a bit about her development, but eventually gave up, figuring she'd come into her own and break out of her shell when she was ready.

It wasn't until she met someone named Miranda Hartman who helped her break out of her shell when they were in elementary school. Throughout their childhood, they were a package deal. Where one was, the other was surely nearby. Isabela was a good balance to Miranda's unrestrained and in-your-face personality, even if Miranda did manage to drag Isabela into the trouble she caused on more than one occasion. Despite befriending Mandy, Isabela was never really that rebellious teenager that would sneak out in the middle of the night, but she never did adhere to a curfew. She often came home later than she was supposed to only to get yelled at in the morning. She would excuse herself by telling them she had a poor sense of time, which didn't really work. Her parents were never awfully strict though, so they would forget about it later on. They knew she wasn't going out to do drugs. That was something she never experimented with.

Entering into high school was a bit scary for Isabela. Everyone was talking about crushes on boys while she looked around and had crushes on boys and girls. Not knowing what she was feeling, she talked to her parents about it and they reassured her that they would love her no matter what. It allowed Isabela to feel comfortable about exploring her feelings without worrying about if she would be unaccepted. After dating a few different people and trying on a few labels, she knew she was pansexual and felt comfortable with it. It was during that time when Isabela had her first real relationship. They both stayed quiet about the affair until they were both ready to come out. Dating Sylvia Cuenco-Burke allowed Isabela to feel more like herself, being able to love freely and openly.

When it came time to apply to college, Isabela knew that she wanted to follow in the footsteps of her father. Her passion for dentistry kicked into high gear after spending her years in high school interning at her father's private practice and getting the feel of what it would be like to work in that kind of environment. Seeing the joy on people's faces as they looked at their new smile always warmed her heart, and she wanted to be apart of that journey for someone. Before committing to any kind of schooling, Isabela had wanted to take a gap year to figure out her prospects. She had planned to spend the summer with her best friend by her side but that slowly changed when Mandy fell in love with someone. In Isabela's mind, it was all too fast and too soon. Then when it ended and Mandy was up and leaving, it left Isabela in complete shock. Mandy's departure from Merrock marked several years apart where they had no contact.

After looking through her options, she settled on going to school at Merrock's community college and eventually graduated with an associate's degree in dental assisting. Instead of wanting to continue on with her schooling, she decided to enter the workforce and accepted an offer from a private dental office in Seattle, Washington where she learned how to be independent from her family and her hometown. In the mean time, she fell in love with someone for the second time and soon found herself in a serious relationship. However, Isabela called it quits after a few years into their relationship when she began to feel like she was a second choice to them, not wanting to be in a relationship where she spent more time missing her partner than being with them.

Isabela spent her first night after the breakup in bed, crying. She realized that she was terrified of being alone. Before the breakup, she felt like her life had been set in stone for her where she could see her whole future planned out. Maybe their problems could have been solved if Isabela had spoken up about how she truly felt. But now it was too late, so Isabela looked at her life and kept pushing forward. Her mother started nagging her about the life that she had given up. Her father tried to support her as much as possible since, in his eyes, she was still his little girl.

After spending many years in Seattle, Isabela felt like she needed a change of scenery to help her feel like herself again. She was ready to try to be happier in a place that didn't have memories tied to her ex. And so it goes, Isabela packed up her bags and moved back to the one place she had always loved - her hometown of Merrock, Maine. It wasn't long before she picked up a job at her father's private practice. Isabela moved back into her old bedroom to live with her parents and started subletting her old condo in Seattle after she left it. Even though it wasn't in her plans to come back to Merrock, it felt nice being back home.

It wasn't long after she had moved back to town that Mandy came back to Merrock, too. They had reconnected while they were both living out on the West Coast after Isabela reached out to Mandy on social media. Isabela had missed the sisterhood that came with the friendship she had with Mandy and it didn't take long for them to visit each other on the weekends, taking flights whenever they could. So when she heard that Mandy was coming home for good, Isabela welcomed her with open arms. With Mandy needing a place to stay and Isabela not wanting to still live in her childhood home, they decided to sign a lease together on an affordable place in downtown Merrock. With her family supporting her and her best friend back in her life, Isabela did indeed feel more happier. She was able to shed the life she had in Seattle where she often felt like a definite outsider in that big city.

It's been a few years since she left Seattle after her breakup and Isabela still feels some remnants of that particular relationship. However, Isabela is coping with life on her own. In rare moments, she gets mad at herself as she could have been making lifelong plans with her ex-partner by now, though she pulls herself together. Despite having those feelings from time to time, the truth is that Isabela has a steady circle of friends, a sizable apartment, a job she loves and two charming pets. With all of that combined, what more could she want?

[androxys]

Androxys Reads... Batman #402 and #403

Welcome back to Androxys Reading Comics! If you’re just joining, all my reads can be found under #androxys reads comics. Today’s sampling: Batman #402 and #403, both collected in Batman: Second Chances. Let’s get right into it.

[Batman #402]

I think it’s so dramatic to put Batman’s logo in the middle of the melodramatic narration boxes, but also, it’s kinda camp. Go off king. Seek your “human target.”

I see our hapless victims are literally named Dick and Jane, because of course they are. You have to conjure up the image of youthful innocence, right before you slap them with the narration that “they’re slumming tonight – because they’re into Rock ‘n’ Roll.” In this case, I guess “slumming” means going to a rock show in a poorer part of town? This street of Gotham they’re on doesn’t look any grimier than any other?

Gratuitous 80’s violence is gratuitous… The man’s teeth are knocked out and the woman is threatened by the lecherous man, because as we all know, terrible violence only exists in poorer communities because poor people are bad. Ronald Reagan told me so.

A silhouetted Batman strikes, snapping the two muggers’ necks, because again, it’s the 80’s.

[Batman #402]

This little segment is interesting because in some ways, we sure have been using this same plot forever as a foil to Batman, huh? “Your way doesn’t fix things, so I have to Cross The Line to make it matter.” This is just the second Batman comic of New Earth, and yet here’s this theme already. I think Under the Red Hood will do it better, of course, but it’s worth calling out where this thread pops up.

[Batman #402]

Wait a minute! You’re not Bruce!

Because the murder was committed by That Guy in a Batman suit, GCDP supposes that Batman just went off the deep end and is killing now. They lure him to the rooftop by way of Batsignal, and I really like the narration here:

“Three A.M. – Late for the familiar yellow beam to pierce the sky – but the Batman doesn't think twice when summoned by his old friend. He doesn’t even think once. He just goes.”

What a sweet way to portray the depth of his relationship with Gordon: when he sees the signal, he assumes Gordon needs him, and he doesn’t hesitate. That speaks volumes, especially knowing who Bruce will become.

[Batman #402]

It is a trap, though, and his little “whoops” is hilarious to me.

Bruce notes that he didn’t see Gordon on the rooftop, but he did see Deputy Commissioner Barnes, leading him to muse that they’ve both been betrayed. Frankly, I think the fact that they shot on sight is evidence enough for that– Gordon is a special comic character, if only because he knows what Miranda Rights are.

[Batman #402]

I can’t keep highlighting every time Bruce and Jim are friends, but I will do it until they drag me away from my keyboard. They’re precious to me, your honor. The other thing in this panel is how to Bruce, crime is crime. Muggings are never “simple,” something to be trivialized. He should know.

[Both from Batman #402]

Okay… I know in my last post I hunkered down as a Jason Defender, but I have to play it evenly. There’s the panel here where Jason asks Bruce “what would be so wrong if you did [kill those muggers]?” Bruce and Jason have a conversation after that, Bruce emphasizing that “murder is the line we must not cross.” Jason counters that Bruce has killed before, which Bruce notes was in self-defense. I have to assume this is a pre-Crisis element that was folded into the New Earth continuity, in the same way that we’re accepting that Jason is Bruce’s ward already, rather than all comics starting at the beginning of the timeline. We’ll have flashback comics to flesh out that timeline (like the upcoming Year One) but this is still a bit in media res, with some Pre-Crisis stuff still being on the table until proven otherwise. See, this is the sort of confusing comics stuff that drives people nuts.

Bruce ends this conversation by saying that “if we’re no better than the lice who snuff out human life like it’s worth nothing at all, then, well – then it’s time I hung up my cowl.” Jason replies “I guess. But I’m still glad those guys are dead.'' Bruce admits that he agrees, though he’s not proud of it.

If the Batman comics right now are utilizing a blend of Pre-Crisis elements and a nebulous, still undefined New Earth continuity, Jason is really getting a raw deal. Because any/all of his old Pre-Crisis cheer and magic is still potentially there, but at the same time, I feel like we’re seeing the seeds for the death of Felipe Garzonas here. Jason asks the question, “is it so bad if you did kill them?” and doesn’t seem convinced by the answer. Bruce is empathetic to Jason’s sentiment, but Bruce has demonstrated that his sympathy to that idea does not extend to action. His ideals are too strong. Jason, on the other hand, is still in a more precarious spot.

Bruce goes out to interview the widow of a woman who was killed by the same muggers, who admits to Bruce that he’s also glad that they’re dead. The theme of this comic seems to be apathy towards human life.

Hmm… don’t like the quotes around “police brutality” there, Gordon. I feel like what you’re describing is pretty clearly misconduct by one of your cops, actually.

[Both from Batman #402]

Another Jason moment here… another instance of him not seeming to have a clear eye on what it is that they do, what the mission is about. I feel you can tie this back to Batman #401, which was all about establishing what that mission is. We the reader are being guided here, to make our own decisions on what Batman is about, and if we agree more with Bruce or Jason.

[Batman #402]

Batman is on the hunt for the suspect, and he muses that he wants this to be an underworld conspiracy rather than a “good cop gone bad” situation. We know that Batman believes in the cause of justice, but I feel this tiptoes a little closely to the idea that there are people for whom it’s more of a tragedy for them to succumb to crime, rather than taking the position that it’s tragic for anyone to become a criminal. I don’t know, there just seems to be an implicit writing off of criminals that once they’ve become criminals, well, that’s all we can expect of them. But this good cop, this good and decent man, oh how awful.

Bruce also acknowledges that the similarity in this imposter’s mission is to take on crime, just as Batman’s is, and he even recognizes why Jason makes that connection. But it doesn’t clear the insurmountable hurdle that is the sanctity of human life, which separates them. One distinction, but a huge one.

Batman races to save a mob assassin who’s getting immunity and witness protection in return for testimony, which he seems none too pleased about.

[Batman #402]

Just last issue, I spent a lot of time talking about how one of Batman’s great virtues was that he empathized with the criminals he fights, even as he brings them to justice for their crimes. Yet here, he obviously holds no love for Snuffer. What gives? If pressed, I’d say it’s the difference between Magpie’s crimes being rooted in mental illness (however poorly portrayed) versus Snuffer’s being a killer for money. There’s a disregard for human life (again, that theme) that Snuffer has calculated and accepted, versus Magpie who is portrayed as more “helpless” against herself.

The imposter drops down, screaming that Snuffer doesn’t deserve to live… and sentiment that Bruce doesn’t seem to disagree with, but again, the whole point is that life is sacred, no matter how scummy the person is.

Robin drops in and distracts the guy long enough for Bruce to lay him out, leaving only the police to come by and pick the imposter up.

[Batman #402]

This panel drives me a little bonkers. “Who am I but just another guy who thinks he’s Batman?” Bruce you are Batman! You invented it! But it’s also a recognition of Batman-as-idea, Batman-as-symbol. Bruce’s invention has gone on to mean something, and people are interpreting their own meaning from it just as fast as he can do actions under its banner. This idea especially drives me nuts when thinking about all the legacy characters and proteges who will take up this banner with their own flair, and what it means to them–to stop crime, to bring justice, to value life–though each with their own lines.

Also, let's all appreciate another moment of Small Jason.

Batman #403 starts with the imposter escaping police custody. I realize I never stated his name; his name is Tommy Carma. I guess there are only so many Batman villain names. Anyway, after Tommy breaks out of Arkham (oh hey, is this the first Arkham appearance in New Earth?) we get a smash cut to Bruce on a date with Vicki Vale. Vicki is dragging Batman for filth, which is made even funnier when she admits that what attracts her to Bruce is that he has “broad shoulders and millions of dollars…” and that he doesn’t wear a mask. Sis.

Interesting geography note, Arkham is listed here as being to the north of Gotham City, out in the county, and not too far from Wayne Manor. We learn this because Tommy is headed there, looking for Bruce Wayne. When the police later search for him, it seems that it’s actually easy to accidentally cross over from Arkham property to Wayne property. I don’t know if this is because they’re right up next to each other, or because the Waynes own large tracts of Kane County. My gut would say the latter. 

In their car, Bruce and Vicki are discussing Carma–Vicki wonders if the mob’s killing his wife and kid caused his mind to snap, leading him to become this murderous Batman. Bruce, who also suffered a tragic loss that made him Batman, tactfully asks if Vicki wonders if the real Batman ever suffered something similar. Smooth, Bruce. Really though, I read this as another point in the long string of “people have Bad Days and some people handle them well and some people don’t” moments that Batman comics like to use. Anyway, did you know this was published a year and a half before The Killing Joke? I wonder what that writing to publication timeline looked like.

[Batman #403]

Fortunately, Bruce doesn’t seem too put out by Vicki’s putting Batman down. He and Jason go down to the Batcave, only to discover that the Batmobile is missing! This is because when Tommy Carma was hiding from the police, he ducked into a natural opening that ended up being connected to a larger cave system. He followed that cave into the Batcave, which really just makes me concerned about Bruce’s security. (Glances in Bruce Wayne: Murderer)

[Batman #403]

I also want to point out now that until he dons a Batsuit, Tommy Carma has been running from the police in this little crop top and sweatpants. I love the look.

Bruce, Jason, and Alfred use actual detective work to deduce that somehow, Tommy Carma got in the cave, and that he must have taken the Batmobile. I love seeing these three find clues and make inferences–it sounds like a gimme, that they’ll do detective work in Detective Comics Comics’ Detective Comics, but you’d be surprised.

Batman heads out on the Batcycle to find Gordon and let him know that Carma jacked his ride, where Gordon then tells Batman that really this is all Bruce Wayne’s fault. Smooth. Batman doesn’t seem too pressed, and jumps off a building.

[Batman #403]

Batman has realized that to kill the hitman, Carma would have had to know the address, so he finds his mole. They spat back and forth for a bit about the difference between a sin and a crime, and there’s a little dash of cop-moralizing in there.

[Batman #403]

Maybe more than a dash. I’m sure there’s an essay in me about these two panels, but it drives me crazy that these “good busts” are getting lamented when it sounds like part of the blame is being placed on… civil liberties? Police brutality is not a shortcut! Civil liberties and peoples’ rights are not roadblocks to cops, or at least they shouldn’t be viewed that way. They are things that protect us from systemic abuse and overreach of power. That’s part of what carves Batman out–he’s not systemic! He was not created by a government or a representative out of some social contract. He is not beholden to the same expectations and guidelines as the police. That’s part of the whole point!

Carma is a critique of an overzealous Batman, and how there are moral lines that Batman can’t cross. At the same time, they’re saying “if [Carma] hadn’t idolized you, he’d have made a fine cop.” Because he would have stayed in bounds? The cop Batman’s shaking down seems to regret that Carma was violent and disregarded procedure, but it’s just not clear if he hates that because Carma violated people’s rights, or just because it meant they couldn’t put the bad guy away. There’s a difference.

[Batman #403]

I don't really have anything to say here, other than that Bruce canonically talks to his car.

[Batman #403]

This is the end, and no notes. Just everyone read these two panels and burn them into your mind.

I’ll see folks next time for Year One!

[renemesis]

if you had to throw a birthday party for some of your f/os on their respective birthdays, what would the parties be like?

Anon yuore feeding me soo well I'm grabbing you so gently like a small creature and appreciating you rn. ANYWAYS (under cut as usual)

Hmm ok well. I think truthfully alot of my f/os would have very complicated feelings abt their birthdays/being celebrated and also I think some of them just dont know their birthday even but oh my God. The ideas are still so so cutes bc I LOVE ALL MY F/OS!! ANS THEY ARE ALL PRECIOUS TO ME AND DESERVE GOOD THINGS!! (<-many of them are actually not good people at all. But thatsok they're all good to Me thats what counts ♡(JOKE))

God ok. I cant imagine literally ANY of my f/os wanting big parties with lots of people like maybe lucien or alfred or toshi would tolerate it?? Actually a huge bday party for lucien would be so funny. Yeah I'm putting up the fantasy equivalent of obnoxious bday decorations in the murder cult hideout. No he'd tolerate it at best and attempt to murder me at worse itd be sooo funny OK ANYWAYS!!

Omg this is a little tough ok.,,. Hmm. Ok I wanna Give Moreaus old goofy as a nice party maybe just a small thing... I'd be stubborn enough to annoy his siblings into complying with the idea so it'd be more of just a lettle #problematic family get-together out in the woods by the village or perhaps in the Lady's castle (if she is.feeling tolerant of manthings at the time)... baking his silly fish ass a cake and giving him homemade gifts and guilting the lords into being real niceys to him yaaaaay♡♡♡ (miranda isnt invited tho shes been ex communicated FOREVER. Sorry that's just how it has to be ♡)

Ohhh yknow what. Throwing a (found) family get together bday party for Frank would be so good too but it'd also be so awful and ridiculous. It would have to happen somewhere secluded bc shit is ALWAYS happening to this man when hes just in public. Always. And of COURSE I'd invite his besties but also his Worsties (the defenders) and perhaps maybe he'd end up having a fist fight with his blind rival at his own birthday party. But that's ok! It happens! Noo but it'd be a fairly nice event overall methinks and despite what he might say I know Frank would be thankful to have so many people give enough of a shit abt him to happily spend a day hanging out with him and appreciating him being alive (despite everything)

These are.kind of so nothing but this post is already so long GAH!! Anyways my f/os are all VERY different and honestly i.could very meticulously ramble abt what I would do for their bdays but all that's insane behavior. And also I'm so shys. And also I think most of them would value the effort and time put in rather than monetary value or dramatics but also maybe a little dramatics is appreciated to show just how much they're really cared for. Y'know. Thank you and God bless