#full power or say at least with GOT things would've been different if he would've finished the books on time

[fromtheseventhhell]

The worst part of the GOT and HOTD adaptations is that they remove any sense of narrative or themes being explored from George's writing. The showrunners rewrite characters and change plotlines on a whim and remove any sense of cohesive storytelling. There's just...literally no point to the story and the writers struggle to come up with sensible explanations for the changes they've decided to make.

[glass-warehouse]

Saganu.... urrahhhggh

Saganu's actual name, and just himself in general, has been bugging me since I got around to cleaning up my Chiss Name-maker spreadsheet. I’m blaming the SWTOR writers (sorry guys) over this. I know they just needed to give him a name – no backstory required. 

In any case, I'm going to break it down myself. Through a poor hodgepodge combination of Legends and Canon. 

Unfortunately, this also involves me going over his position, a lot. I know it might seem irrelevant, but I hope you understand why I had to mention it by the end. 

This goes out to all the Saganu fans. I think there are only four of us...

Intro: 

When you first meet Saganu, he is both a commander in the CEDF/CDF and Aristocra of House Miurani. I cannot begin to tell you how difficult this makes things. First off, I don't think this is allowed. The whole deal with the CEDF is that they serve the Ascendancy as a whole, and not just one Family. Families tend to have their own fleets or Phalanxes for things like that. 

Right then, let's break this down. Get ready for a ramble. 

Rank: Aristocra 

Legends and Canon do not agree on the position of an Aristocra. 

In Canon, this is like, the lowest rank of political importance you can hold within a Family. I'm aware there is also 'The Aristocra', an organisation within the Syndicure (Parliament) that holds a lot of power. But, man, we are not getting into that. And I don't think that's what the writers meant when they made him an Aristocra. 

In Legends, Aristocra is a very high rank. To the point where they can represent themselves as the head on behalf of their Family. Is that not wild? They aren't officially the head of the Family, but they can just say they are and everyone accepts it. 

In Saganu's case, this is very hard to settle on. He is both more important than Canon rank but less than Legends. I'm more inclined to place him toward Legends, simply because of the promotion he receives later. But why the fuck is someone that important just kinda chilling on some secret Hoth base, with limited manpower, and asking Imperial Intelligence for assistance, I will never know. 

Rank: Commander 

In Canon, Commander isn't even a valid rank... There are four different versions of 'Commander' in the CEDF, and Saganu's is never specified. I think the writers just wanted him to sound important. 

In Legends, we have almost nothing to go off, especially at this point in history for the Ascendancy. I believe that when the story was written, the writers were basing the structure of the CEDF as if it was the same as the Imperial Navy - as there is a Commander rank. In the Navy, Commander is the 5th highest position, making it a little more than midway through the ranks. I'd say that about tracks with what we expect at this point in the story, our character's position, as well as how Saganu acts and is treated. 

Again, placing him is difficult. I'm just going to say that Saganu is a Senior Commander. At least this way he has a proper CEDF rank... and it’s the best option I can fit him into. 

Further Notes: 

I'm aware that in-game, Saganu is only ever mentioned to be the Base Commander of Zero Station - quite frankly, I'm already having a bad time with this as it is, so I'll be ignoring this entirely. 

There is nothing I can find that suggests that Saganu was a commander and then became an Aristocra, or vice versa. Both facts are presented at the same time as if they are both currently true. And besides, he's known as 'Aristocra' Saganu, not Commander. 

This would be a lot easier if both ranks were on equal standing - but they're not. 

Canon - Aristocra < Senior Commander 

Legends - Aristocra > Senior Commander 

Roles and Names: 

REGARDLESS of Saganu's rank when you meet him on Hoth, he should have introduced himself with his full name. And, as I'll get to at the end, his core name would've been different. 

Chiss naming convention, and all the ways it can change, is bad enough already to wrap your head around. What's important is that Saganu did NOT hold a high enough position either politically or in the CEDF, that it would have had an impact. 

Politically, it doesn't matter how important you are, whether that's being an Aristocra or Patriarch, your rank doesn't change your name. 

In the CEDF, only those who held the rank of Commodore or higher (all Flag Officer positions) would have their names altered. 

(For any that don't know - when Officers are promoted to a Flag rank, they are stripped of their Family name. This is to ensure that they serve the Ascendancy proper, and prevent any biases toward their Family ties.) 

Saganu's position of Senior Commander is not a Flag rank - therefore, his name should remain unchanged. 

HOWEVER! - this does change when you meet him again after Knights of the Eternal Throne. 

Traitor Arc: 

When Saganu visits the Alliance, he tells the Commander that he is now 'Supreme Commander of the CEDF', because of how he handled the invasion of the Eternal Empire. *** 

AGAIN, 'Supreme Commander' is NOT a rank in either the CEDF or the Imperial Navy - the writers really did pull this one out of their arse. 

Anyway, this rank signifies him as the head of the CEDF. He's the one who oversees all of the CEDF's military operations. To be more Canon accurate, this rank would be 'Supreme Admiral'. I'll continue to refer to it as such. 

Supreme Admiral is a FLAG OFFICER rank, so this WOULD alter his name. 

What I am going to ignore is that in-game, Saganu is still referred to as Aristocra and that the mail he sends the Commander once all is sorted is also under the same rank. At this point in time, he CANNOT be an Aristocra - as mentioned before, Supreme Admiral is a Flag rank, so he cannot hold any Family ties. 

Now, here's what you've been waiting for. 

Meeting on Hoth: 

Full name - Miurani'saga'nuru 

Core name - Isagan, Nisaganu, Nisagan, Isaganu 

I've listed all possible variations for his core name. So, you can decide what you like best, as they are all technically correct. 

After KOTET: 

Full name - Saga'nu 

Core name - Doesn't need one. 

If you are looking at 'nuru' and thinking, "Oh like, nuruodo? Like Thrawn?" the answer is YES. 

Nuru is the default spelling. The 'odo' part is an honorary suffix he received. 

Because I'm running out of steam, here's an excerpt about it:  

"The Stybla honouring ceremony, also known as the Stybla honouring ritual and the odo ceremony, was a ritual in which the Stybla family conferred the suffix "odo" onto the name of an honoured individual ... this was typically only awarded to those of House Stybla, though a few non-Stybla have gone through the ceremony." 

And, YES, this is considered Canon - though it originated from the books, so don't hold out any hope you'll ever hear it mentioned in Disney SW. 

Any Stybla Family SWTOR toons out there, take note! 

And that’s a wrap... phew... 

God, if you've read this all the way through you deserve a fucking pat on the back, seriously. 

*** I realise that it's roughly 12 years until you see Saganu again after Hoth, but this motherfucker only really got promoted around KOTFE, over the 5-year time skip. 

It's hard for me to write in words how OBSURD it is that he went from Senior Commander to fucking SUPREME ADMIRAL. IN FIVE YEARS. 

I realise that he may have had other promotions over the other 5, 6, or 7, years that are unaccounted for, but the jump he made to Supreme Admiral is ridiculous.

This is the equivalent of being an Area Manager in retail to becoming the CEO, in the space of 5 years. 

The SWTOR writers love to always go bigger and better. And then they have to write themselves back down again because they went too big. 

All they had to imply was that Saganu was promoted. We already know he's important, okay SWTOR? You can calm down. Nobody (other than me) is paying attention to what title he has. 

[captain-mj]

Hey, not op for this ask. But what about a part 2 the alien thing?

Maybe they run that experiment to see how long soap can go? Maybe using "instruments" to test reactions to different sensations or sensory input?

I love your work, you've introduced me to so many different pairing, and the range for the au's are *chefs kisses*

Oh I can definitely do that! So many people have asked and I'm so glad they liked my little alien thing!

Part 1

Ghost didn't let them out of bed. He kept dragging them back and tucking back into the sheets. It was only when the time hit for breakfast being served that he relaxed his grip on them.

Roach quickly got up and got dressed, gently scolding Ghost for being so cuddly. He kissed his forehead and pulled his mask up. Ghost's tail lashed and he hugged Soap a little tighter to his chest.

Soap seemed fine with it, twisting in his arms and pressed his face into Ghost's neck. He hugged him for a moment before they both pulled away.

They got dressed and went about their day normally. Bumping into each other and sharing glances.

Ghost did delete the footage of him carrying them out. He also found himself waiting for the night with an almost obsession. Soap was deliciously soft. Roach was amazing and he made his head spin with want to be near, but Roach didn't see him the same way and... maybe Soap could.

Especially if he showed him how good of a mate he could be.

Ghost was sure Roach would be thrilled to observe their mating customs.

So that night, he brought Soap food for dinner, watching him closely. Soap had brought both of them bracelets made of little intertwined vines. Ghost could see where the flowers had been stripped from his so the vines could be tied tighter. The knot had been twisted and turned to blend it into the bracelet, giving it the look of an infinite braid. He was dazzled by the craftmanship.

Roach gasped softly at it, his eyes full of stars. Ghost hated that his heart jerked a little. Both of them were just too damn pretty and it got on his nerves that he could just have both of them.

After his species had branched out, harems were actually normal. At least, in the beginning. He remembered seeing a friend of his grab up a few creatures from a planet they had raided and spend months courting them. Ghost had thought it was pathetic at the time. Seeing someone he knew as strong and powerful padding after these scared creatures. Only one of them ended up accepting his offer and the others were "Sent home". Even though his friend put them on a ship to their home world, Ghost doubted they ever made it.

Unmated prey animals on a ship? They were probably eaten in minutes.

He imagined if Soap had been one of them. Ghost would've probably courted him too. Followed him around like a shadow and gave him food, begged for his attention.

Exactly like he was doing now.

Ghost sighed and Roach noticed. "Something wrong?"

"I'm fine." He said, touched the bracelet again. "I really like it, Soap."

Soap smiled at him, ears perking up. "Thank you. I heard humans have a ritual called friendship bracelets."

"Yes, it's mostly done by the juveniles of our species, but I really like it." Roach traced one of the vines, looking enraptured.

After dinner, Roach tried to get them to his lab. "Soap, can I run a few more tests on you?”

Ghost could smell the spike in hormones and see the way his spine straightened and his tail twitched.

"Yes, sir."

"Undress. I'm curious, about how many times can you finish before you can't anymore?"

Soap undressed himself, shy and blushing. It didn't match his normal demeanor but it looked nice. Once all of his clothes were neatly folded, his anxiety and arousal sky high, did he finally answer the question. "I don't know."

Roach smiled at him. "Do you want to find out?"

Soap whimpered.

They tied him up and gave him a safe word "Friday" to say if it hurt or got to be too much. Ghost couldn't help himself and happily took advantage of the situation to litter his neck in bites. Giant ones that would take forever to heal and looked pretty. He did all of this while Roach checked to see how a "vibrator", Ghost thought of it as the cursed object, made Soap react.

The wail it got from him and the thrashing pleased Roach. He wrote down the results as he trailed it up and down Soap's cock, making a line to signify that Soap just came.

Soap strained against his binds and looked at Ghost with giant baby blues. "Can you kiss me like yesterday?"

Ghost almost smashed their lips together in his haste. He licked into his mouth to claim every bit. Each time Soap came, Roach would let off a symphony of praise that had Soap almost shaking out of his skin.

The buzzing did not stop but it did move and Soap sobbed once it was inside his body. He was so sensitive there and the vibrator didn't care.

Ghost ran his claws over Soap's tummy, watching him jerk and then press up into him, almost cutting himself. He noticed little markings around Soap's hips. He put his hands over them and realized they were bruises from last night.

Roach tapped Soap's thigh. "Darling, can you do anymore?" Big brown eyes. He kissed Soap's stomach, ignoring the mess.

Soap trembled and nodded. "I can, it's just not quite enough."

Ghost pressed the bruises and watched Soap come all over Roach's face. Roach laughed and wiped it off, only to run his tongue over it. He noticed Ghost staring and shrugged.

"He tastes sweet."

Ghost's tail lashed side to side as he watched. He snatched Roach up and bent him over next to Soap. The surprised look on his face was all the warning he needed and he quickly put his hand over the back of his neck so he wouldn't wiggle away. He expected a little pushback, but Roach just grabbed Soap and arched his back.

Ghost yanked his pants down and noticed he was already slicked up. Roach wouldn't meet his eye, too red and embarrassed. He buried his hand in Roach's hair and pushed in.

Tight.

Hot.

Human.

It was all Ghost could think of as he fucked Roach. He kept an eye on Soap, not wanting to neglect either of them.

Hopefully Roach was keeping count though because Ghost wasn't.

Ghost kept the pace rough and fast, using Roach like a toy. His hand moved from his hair to his throat and he tightened his grip when he was fully in so Roach would tighten out of panic.

"Good boy. Both of you doing so well." Ghost cooed and he reveled in the mix of sobs and whimpers he got.

Roach came while sobbing into Soap's chest. The only thing that kept him up was Ghost's hands.

Soap shakily said "Friday" and Ghost quickly took the cursed object out of him. He twitched and moaned in relief, looking ruined but a lot more lucid than yesterday. Ghost tightened his grip on Roach more and propped him up more.

"So powerful and scary and smart until you're the one getting railed huh?" Ghost purred. "You see, Soap, that's the thing about Roach. A firm hand and he melts."

Roach struggled, probably planning on protesting those claims, but Ghost hit just the right spot and the thoughts left his head. He couldn't hide his face anywhere, forced to let both of them see him. It was hard to feel shame when Soap was looking at him like that. Roach reached his limit right as Ghost came in him. He let him finish before tapping him, signifying he couldn't take it anymore.

Ghost scooped them both up and took them to his quarters with much less complaints this time. They washed up and laid in bed.

"You okay, Johnny?" Ghost asked. Roach was still floating, so he left him alone for now.

Soap hummed. "I don't think the experiment was very effective. I think it's better with you and Roach. More intense." He smiled at Ghost, looking him dead in the eyes. They both realized it at the same time and Soap went to turn away, but Ghost grabbed his chin and made him keep looking.

"Are you scared?"

"No."

"Do you want to be mates?"

"What??"

[moltensmusings]

We're continuing our rewatch so more notes:

The existence of a village full of just normal, nonevil demons when all the demons we meet later are evil really feels weird and out of place. Like maybe just say the people on the island got corrupted by Zeref's magic centuries ago and changed over time but stayed civil or something at least

Files gray having no embarrassment or interest in the demon woman who liked him but just saying something to appease them under my aroace gray folder

If mashima had actually considered the magic of team shadowgear when having them hospitalized; droy would have broken arms, Jet with broken legs, and Levy with eye injuries. Setting up shadowgear as a noncombat team would've also made phantomlord cowards for attacking them knowing they were easier targets.

The lack of proper characterization for shadowgear/scenes of them really does soften the blow of them being attacked. I love them because I've seen the show and love levy, but more proper build up of them would've made the scene hit so hard.

I do actually like the scene of fairy tail attacking phantomlord where we get to see other side wizards show off. Wish we had more scenes of side characters showing off their abilities

Juvia's rain ability should've come back later. Have her be unable to control it at first but learn it over time. (Side note I adore her entrance. Baby girl deserved so much better from Mashima than what he gives her after this arc 😔)

I love the gags with erza but every plot point with her just makes me more and more sure that her absence would've been far more effective than her inclusion. Having her as an S class wizard just makes me go "she should be able to take enemies down no problem"

I do think Makarov is one of the few examples of Mashima effectively showcasing a character's power whenever they're involved in fights. This might change as the rewatch goes on but so far I'm pretty happy with it.

I really, really wish mashima had more flashback scenes for characters. I would've adored seeing Jude and Lucy go from loving to distant in the wake of Layla's death due to their differing ways of grieving. And in general better fleshing out of Jude beyond just "evil dad to poor and trying to fix things.

Bisca and alzack got screen time taking out some ghouls and it was delightful

Rewatching this arc I can say as someone with Gajeel as my favorite character: he should've had a much longer time of people being angry at him/him earning trust from everyone. We needed far more moments between him and Team shadowgear/Lucy before we got a redemption. (Every action this man takes reinforces my Let levy hate him and be petty for a while agenda)

This arc really Kickstarts makarov getting into fatal situations and just being fine. I wish mashima would've made it a joke among guild members that he won't ever die because then I could at least find these instances funny.

Likely we'll be getting to tower of heaven by Sunday so I'll be interested to see how that goes.

[foefire-flame]

My my, your sense for eventual/accidental angst is fun.

Leo gives up any chance for a "normal" charr life, all to try and make a positive change in his society. Only for the man that put him on this path to reward him with a fiery arrow to the chest, a full scale civil war, and a simple declaration;

"It was always gonna end this way. One charr. One dragon. One champion."

I felt like I hit the jackpot. When I originally wrote Bangar promoting him to Tribune just to be placed within the pact to keep an eye on the commander and the dragons, we didn't know anything about him outside of his name, so I got real lucky I feel like LMAO.

But the thing I liked most about this is the fact that it's kind of a testament to no matter how hard Leo tried, the way he goes about change by upholding his values was never actually going to work, at least not with someone like Bamgar still in charge.

When Ibs begins and Leo goes back to the blood legion Leo is so obedient in Bangar's presence, he reverts back to playing his role as a perfect, loyal soldier. Don't speak out of turn, always address superiors correctly, use the right language, Yes sir, no sir, wait to be dismissed.

I was talking to my friend who wrote the Commander for our story, and was saying how I think Bangar would hesitate or maybe doubt his ability to actually kill the commander with that arrow (in our canon). He would shoot anyway, but had she been there it wouldve been more to slow her down.

He fully believe and intended to Kill leo because he was there instead. Because he doesnt see Leo anywhere near as powerful, And he almost did bc the arrow went straight into his neck!

By not being the Commander Leo's accomplishments are a bit dimmed. Yes he was there on the front lines, yes he was popular among the soldiers for his familiarity and empathy for them, yes he gave the speech before kralkatorrik, but he didn't Lead them. Connie did, she was the one truly, actually in charge, not him.

And they may know him as Aurene's Champion, but that becomes a point of contention without the credibility of the Commander. So them seeing Aurene as an out of control beast, a mindless dragon reflects badly on Leo bc he doesnt have the same experience that would've backed Connie up had she been there.

So Leo returns to the blood legion as a black sheep Tribune who helped the Commander, with an already smuged perception of character due to having empathy for what should be his enemies with a Dragon at his side. I like to think that the moment before Bangar shoots him, that is the first time Leo has directly spoke out of turn and instigated something with a higher ranked officer, Its him realizing that if he is to fill the "commander's" role after her death, he might have to do things differently. And he is rewarded for it by being very nearly killed. To Bangar, this was simply his soldier who did his job for the past several years, who people looked to fill the void of the commander's absence, which meant killing two birds with one stone. Get the soldier he doesnt need anymore out of his way, and get rid of the power vaccume leo inherited post commander death, simple. Its......Crazy

[daydream-the-demon]

Gravity Falls Rant

Uhm... Couldn't Bill just?..

(Season 2 Episode 20)

The metal plate isn't even in his head in this scene. Bill could just go into Ford's mind. Bill has the power to do so, why doesn't he just do it? It's literally shown right here. Bill could've just taken out the metal plate pretty easily, it's just metal. And the whole "let me enter your mind so I can figure out how to break the weirdness barrier of this town" thing is just negated because of this.

Also isn't Bill all-knowing? I'm off-topic here for what we're going to talk about. But if Bill is supposedly all-knowing, won't he know how to break the weirdness barrier of this town already? Wouldn't he know what would happen at the end of summer, the whole "Bill being erased" thing and plan? And when Stan let him into his mind, wouldn't Bill know it was Stan? The finger number difference thing... But I guess his quote is, "I know LOTS of things." Not, "I know EVERYTHING." ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Also... What is this half-assed job?

(Journal 3)

Bill could still possibly get in his brain considering ALL the free space that isn't covered.

Also a single metal plate? THAT's all it takes to stop Bill (the all-powerful, Dream Demon, being of pure energy, or whatever else is going on) from entering your mind? Not even covering your full skull?

Unbelievable.

Okay, okay. I guess you could make the point that it has some sort of magical ability. Maybe... That doesn't seem to be mentioned, so it's just a metal plate? But wouldn't it be more useful and safe to install a unicorn hair forcefield in your head to prevent Bill from entering your mind then? They couldn't just find a dimension out of the TRILLIONS that are out there that have unicorns? Really? In Journal 3, Ford says he visited an alternate dimension where the only difference is that the Journals got hidden correctly. A clear example of a dimension with UNICORNS IN IT. And in canon, it says that the unicorns are like... uncooperative? In that case, why not just find a dimension where the unicorns are willing to give up their hair for the good of the world?

It would've been safer considering it's just hair. You would only just need to cut into your head, down to your skull, and put it AROUND. Not actually cutting out a piece of the skull and replacing it with metal (or even at least covering it). I mean it's said that he went under a dangerous operation to get that installed... I just think that you would have to cut around the head and then put it in, then it'll heal over. Or like just put it around the neck to just have this astronaut helmet of unicorn hair magic (like the Mystery Shack with the forcefield didn't seem to have a problem with air... The characters managed to pass through it fine)? I bet both of those options would've been much safer... And wouldn't it be much more reliable? Like the magic of the hair will cover your head up more. Also the fact that it's magical unicorn hair vs. a simple metal plate. What do you think is the clear answer? Like something magical versus something completely physical and Bill is known to break the Law of Conservation of Matter by creating and destroying it. Also if it's known that unicorn hair stops Bill's powers, why doesn't Ford (at the time willing to do anything to stop Bill Cipher) just cover himself with unicorn hair? Like I said, the whole scene where Bill Cipher just turns Ford to gold just pretty much wouldn't even happen. He wouldn't be able to turn him into gold (or use any magic on him or even touch him at that point). Like that giant hamster ball Mabel wanted in Season 1 Episode 2 but with unicorn hair magic.

But let's focus our attention on something a little different rather than this unicorn hair vs. metal plate rant though it is very fun. Let's consider what could've happened if the whole metal plate storyline was still in place (let's say the unicorns are not willing to give up their hair, or there were none they could find, or for some other arbitrary reason). What could we change to make it better? To make it more plausible and more precise? How can we still progress the story to still make sense?

Taking out the reality/logical aspect of it, what about the story one?

Like what could the people scripting this do? Like just saying, for example, this food sucks. Like what can you do to change it? Change out the salt for sugar. What I mean to say is: what to do to make this story better. A critique. And all you need to do? Change out some scenes and dialogue in the last episode. Not say, "Oh my Axolotl, the story doesn't make sense from the start, we gotta twist and bend what was already established." But it is just, "Oh, let's change some scenes in the scripted episode." And I bet that the watch time (because that is also important in shows) would stay about the same.

In the established story, a much more plausible thing to happen is this:

The fact is, Ford and Bill made a deal a long time ago revolving around the fact that Bill can use Ford's body. 

BUT, here's something important to consider. 

(Season 2 Episode 15)

And when the part where Bill tries to enter Ford's mind comes up... This is the scenario that could have happened and would've made much more sense. 

-----

Ford mentions to Bill, "You know I have a metal plate installed in my mind, right?" Bill counteracts, "Oh, that? Took that out a long time ago." 

-----

And THEN the reason Bill can't enter Ford's mind anymore is NOT because of a simple metal plate, it's THIS.

(Season 2 Episode 18)

This line changes everything. Since time is dead, the deal has no effect because the rule of the deal was that it was, "Until the end of time." And so since the deal isn't active, Bill has no right or power to enter Ford's mind. And the dialogue and story would connect really well here too.

A bit of a tangent, but, meaning has no meaning. The meaning of a deal is to promise something. But since meaning has no meaning... The point of a promise has the meaning of being a mutual agreement... Henceforth a deal has no meaning. And so deals don't promise anything anymore. Won't all deals made after this not have no point at all? Bill Cipher, I just wanna say if you wanna break all rules, you know the literal thing of a deal is that it's a mutual rule. The thing you're most known for contradicts your ideology. I might be overthinking this, but since when did a Gravity Falls fan have not?

Anyway...

-----

Ford explains, "Our deal was that you couldn't enter my mind until the end of time. Time is dead. So the deal is NO MORE!"

-----

After that, the same storyline takes place where Bill needs to make a deal with Ford to enter his mind (but like remake the deal instead of just making a completely new one). Then instead, Stan takes his place, and Bill gets erased. See? Just change out some scenes (watch-time works, and I bet it could have been even shorter than the original (AND WE PROBABLY COULD HAVE GOTTEN THE VILLAIN SONG OF BILL CIPHER)), it's still in the original character and doesn't strive from canon, and like... Seriously.

But with all this happening, I couldn't help but wonder... Why didn't the writers just adjust the story a little? All that was needed was to change some things in the last episode. They had plenty of time to do this. The watch time would barely change. I know that making cartoons and stories is hard (I tried making some myself, never worked out), but still all I'm saying...

The story would've made more sense.

Oh my Axolotl, this was supposed to be a short rant but I can't believe I made it this long. It was just supposed to be, "Why didn't Bill just enter Ford's mind? It's easy." And it turned into this whole thing. I just haven't seen this being talked about anywhere else. I guess people just take it for what it is, or I'm just stupid and don't understand the absolute awesomeness of this plot. I just couldn't stop thinking about that scene from the last episode where Bill tears Ford in half and I just thought about it too hard like "?????"

But all in all, I'm not hating on the show. I still love it and it's still my #1. Nothing is perfect, but Gravity Falls comes very close to it. And that's still a lot. Most shows from the 2010s don't even have such a strong fanbase going on after all these years. What this show did was a lot, and Alex Hirsch is still awesome for everything he did with it. I'm here ranting about this because I just think it's fun.  

Remember: Reality is an illusion. The universe is a hologram.

BUY GOLD BYE!

[iamnmbr3]

the imaginary friend horcrux au posts made me think of something odd:

judging by the movies (i haven't read the deathly hallows yet), the horcruxes make everyone nearby feel and act shitty. since harry himself is a horcrux, it would be interesting if he too were to make people who spend a lot of time with him or touch him feel and act shitty. (i'm squinting at the dursleys.)

is this explained or at least lampshaded in the books?

Good question. I've actually seen it theorized before that Harry unknowingly corrupted the Durselys. I think it's a fun concept. It doesn't do anything for me personally though. I prefer characters to have agency so to me saying the Durselys were just influenced by Horcrux powers makes the story less interesting and thus it's not a reading I prefer. I think you could do a fun short horror fic with this premise though. And maybe have Harry affect other people around him like that too. Maybe that's why Ron's feelings of inferiority and jealousy become more pronounced as the series progresses etc. Could be very neat.

Now, as to what's in the books, it's a bit complicated and contradictory. In book 2 we learn that growing emotionally close to a Horcrux can make it stronger and even give it enough power to possess you. This is how Ginny ends up falling prey to diary!Tom. The beginning of book 7 reenforces this. The book on Horcruxes that Hermione reads from says that getting emotionally close to a Horcrux, not physically close, is what puts you a risk. Unfortunately, JKR seems to have gotten bored with the Horcrux hunt and also possibly the whole Harry Potter series during this book because book 7 is very lazily written compared to the first 6 books (in my opinion) and is riddled (no pun intended) with plot holes.

Later we see that just being physically near the locket has a negative effect on characters (a bit like the One Ring) even though that's the opposite of what we were lead to believe earlier. And then we never see that effect again. It's used for drama with the locket but the cup and the diadem do nothing of the sort. In fact, they are totally non-interactive to the point that we only really know they are Horcruxes because that's clearly the narrative intent. (In my opinion if the Horcruxes were all a lot more sentient and interactive like the diary was, it would've been a lot more fun but I digress).

We can fix these plot holes in-universe in a few ways - chiefly by deciding that the locket was different because of powers it gained due to its vessel and/or by going full on AU and theorizing that some of the supposed Horcruxes weren't Horcruxes at all and the trio got it wrong.

The movies actually did something I liked where they made all the Horcruxes act a bit weird and creepy. This removes the possibility that the diadem, for example, is just some random thing lying around and makes Harry's connection to them more evident and interesting.

[batterfang]

Beetlejuice Beetlejuice Opinion No One Asked For

Me and my mom just watched the Beetlejuice sequel...

Uhhmm.. I liked the feel and look of the movie with the practical effects and the set was nice. Michael Keaton was still classic Beetlejuice. Jenna was fine as Astrid, though her performance just reminded me of how she played Wednesday. Those are really the only good things I can recall.

There were too many plots going on. Delores literally didn't even need to be there. Honestly if you cut her out of the movie, I don't think it would've made any difference. She didn't serve any purpose and she just stands there and gets eaten by a sand worm in the end anyway.

I felt like the main plot should've probably been more focused around Astrid and her being manipulated by the ghost boy. That could've gone in so many directions but it was a very fast story with a very fast and convenient ending lol. Felt pretty much pointless. At no point did I really feel like Astrid was in serious trouble. Convenient interruption after convenient interruption.

DELIA. I love Catherine O'Hara, but I think she played Delia too much like Moira from Schitt's Creek. Delia was less fanatical and more grounded than she was portrayed this time around. It didn't feel like Delia Deetz, it was just Moira.

Lydia disappointed me too. I felt she was too fragile. She became a doormat. In the first movie I felt she had a strong disposition and after the movie ended she felt even stronger. I just don't feel like the nervous wreck that she became fit the character. There was really no explanation as to how she got that way either other than losing her first husband but, she said herself the relationship ended long before he died anyway. Not that his death wouldn't of been hard to process but, that resulting in her becoming a doormat to a weirdo who continues to make her recoil is weird. Yeah Beeltejuice has been sort of stalking her as well but that started only when the movie began, not before if I remember right. Dunno, just really didn't like the direction that went. It never felt like she had earned the moment of getting her old self back either, she was petrified until the very end where the only thing she had to do was say his name three times to get rid of him.

The soul train sequence was not only not really funny, but kinda just confused me why it was there. Speaking of silliness. I think I chuckled once in the entire movie and it was when Delores sucked the life out of Bob and he shriveled up into a pancake and his eyeballs popped. The humor was not up to par, for me I guess. Me and mom quote the original so much and there was nothing here that had us cracking up like the first one.

Also WHY DID BEETLEJUICE PUT ON A MUSICAL NUMBER WHILE TRYING TO MARRY LYDIA AGAIN?? In the first movie he tried to rush the marriage and in this one he got caught up in a bad song for I swear to god felt like a full 10 minutes.. before Delores bursts in and then just gets eaten by a sandworm within like 30 seconds. And oh HOW CONVENIENT that the marriage contract with Lydia was null and void after Beetlejuice broke some rule of illegally getting her into the afterlife to save Astrid so he just pops like a balloon.

The Maitland's were mentioned once. They found a loophole and were able to move on in the afterlife. Which... I don't feel like they would've done without Lydia. I feel like they would've at least stuck around to keep an eye on her considering they basically finally had a daughter at the end of the first movie. The fact that even Geena Davis didn't have a little cameo or part in the story I thought was really disappointing. Even though I know ghosts aren't supposed to age, I felt like with all the wonky stuff ghosts could do, maybe the Maitland's wanted to age together and they used their ghost powers to change their appearance. Like, aging could've been a little trend in the afterlife or something idk lol. Nothing else made sense really so I don't think that would've been a stretch.

I think that's everything that's in my head.... The writing and comedy was bad, the plot was all over the place, the characters weren't themselves. But I liked the general feeling of the movie. 2/5

[brushstrokesapocalyptic]

Hi there! Would it be alright to ask about what your plans for the bnha magical girl were? No need to answer this if you still plan on going back to it ofc, but its been a few years since it updated and I know you mentioned in the past you had the general gist of it planned out, so I'm curious about where it would've gone from where you left off. Thank you for writing it btw, its still one of my favorite bnha fics to read :D

Mmmmmmmmm yeah at this point I don't think I'm ever going back to it. It's unfortunate, because I had some pretty extensive notes and a whole ~twist~ planned, and I figured my attention would circle back to BNHA someday, but it just never happened! So sure, I can give a loose summary of what I had planned.

I will say before I get into it that, like some other stories I've started in the past, it fell into a trap that I like to call "Canon But A Bit To The Left" which, as the name suggests, is a fanfic that's basically the exact same story as canon just with some superficial details changed. That's a big part of why I lost momentum, once I reached the part of the series that would've just been retelling canon events but with magical girls— I tried to get creative with it, but nothing fundamentally changed, so it wasn't all that much fun. As such, I'll primarily be focusing on what's actually different/The Twist, because that's what's fun to explain.

So! The twist is that Izuku has a quirk. It's the ability to grant Magical Girl Transformation Objects. He does not know he has this quirk, he's doing it completely subconsciously.

His own Transformation Pen manifested out of nowhere when he was like 4 years old, and it sat in a drawer somewhere until he rediscovered it. The general theme of the other people getting their pens is that something they did impressed Izuku somehow, causing him to subconsciously go "yeah this person is worthy of Power"— Uraraka fights a goose, Todoroki catches a mugger with his ice, and other stuff.

According to my notes, the plan was for Iida to get a pen too, during the Stain incident. Iida would refuse to have any part of the whole Magica stuff, though, because that's ILLEGAL. Izuku figures out that it's a quirk sometime before/during the whole training camp thing, and uses it intentionally for the first time as part of a plan to rescue Bakugou— he can sorta sense where his "chosen" are, or at least their pens.

I went back and forth on whether Bakugou has had a pen all along or if Izuku granted him a pen on the spot; I swear I had foreshadowing indicating Bakugou had one all along but I can't remember which fic it'd've been in. There's some parts I'd rewrite to align better with that if I could, but alas that is no longer on the table.

The most recent arc at the time of me writing BNHA Magica was the one introducing Eri, so that also got included in my vague disorganized outline. The FULL extent of my notes there are a quick little description of Izuku granting Eri a pen so that he can track her the same way he tracked Bakugou.

After this, I resolved to, quote, "CATAPULT MYSELF INTO THE ABYSS" and stop following canon. I then did not write down Any specific events beyond the bounds of canon. Good work, Past Me!

Some more disorganized things, uh... The way the Magical Girl Quirk works on Izuku's Chosen (including himself) is it essentially transfers their own quirk into a magic wand, replacing it with a pile of minor passive quirks. Stuff like mild superspeed, strength, agility, a dash of spidey-sense, aaaaaaaaaand fast healing. Or possibly the ability to share damage between everyone involved! I thought it was a very fun creative idea at the time, and it does suit the actual nature of the quirk being them all getting linked to Izuku, but it's also Really involved. My notes on it mostly involve Izuku getting Grievously Wounded during Training Camp but turning out mostly fine, but all his chosen experiencing Very Intense Fatigue as he saps their energy to regrow all the bones in his left arm. IDK if I'd've kept it in the end.

The other big thing in my notes that I'm not as sure about in hindsight is the idea of Izuku getting One For All after all, just, like, Late. It kinda ties in with the healing thing; I had the idea that he kinda reflexively shares the Overwhelming Power across the entirety of his network so that it doesn't make him Explode, but it does possibly result in synchronized Arm-Breaking. But idk about keeping that, I might've just found the image funny enough to write down.

Aaaaaaaand I think that's the extent of what's worth sharing from my written notes. To cap the post off, here's the (very incomplete) concept art! Not everyone represented here was Actually going to get a pen, I just sorta went wild and/or thought it would be funny.

[deeply-unserious-fellow]

Elena of Avalor is a really solid show. There are like, almost no flaws in the narrative that I can find, and the ones I DO find are all minor and don't really effect it in the grand scheme of things, which is really impressive!!! But if I have one major complaint, it's with how the show handles it's magic system.

Not counting any contradictions between EoA and StF, the lore isn't so much inconsistent as it is vague. There's a lot I wish they elaborated on, mostly about Elena's powers, that they just didn't. So here's a bulleted list of all the things I wish got dug into a little deeper :D

The difference between normal wizards and malvagos. All we get on that front is that malvagos use dark magic that wizards are incapable of using? And that you become one by getting a spell cast on you??? And they have animal motifs?????? Like wtf is up with that.

How much magic Elena gained from being in the amulet. She was literally marinating in magical juices for 41 years, which you'd think would have deeper effects then just seeing ghosts and being able to use a cool scepter??? But she doesn't get any powers independent of magical objects until Takaìna, which is kinda weird and leads into my next point...

How the magic Elena gained from the amulet effected the magic she gained from Takaìna!!! Obviously Takaìna is a MUCH more powerful source of magical radiation then the necklace, so falling into that gives you more magic, but did the stuff Elena got from the well just get added on to her amulet magic? Did it enhance the already present magic?

Also, how does Takaìna even work? Is it like radiation but not deadly? Does falling into a well full of crystals hurt? Because I bet that would fuckin hurt. Why does falling into a well of crystals even give you, or the stick you're holding, powers in the first place? Does it actually even GIVE humans inherent powers or does it just give them the ability to use magical items? Is Elena's DRESS the actual source of her mood magic??? I mean we never see her use the mood magic WITHOUT her color changing dress so like-

On an unrelated note, why is Zuzo the only chanul Elena sees consistently? Is it because he's her chanul? Is it because she's just coincidentally never in the same room as anybody else's? Given how chanul's powers work being pretty similar to the way spirits come to the living world on Dia De Los Muertos you'de think she'd be able to see all chanuls all the time. Also cAN ESTEBAN SEE GHOSTS TO???? LITERALLY WHY HAVEN'T I SEEN ANYBODY EXPLORE THAT POSSIBLITY THERE'S SO MUCH POTENTIAL THERE-

How the fuck does the Scepter of Light work? Elena's the only person who can use it at the beginning of the series, and up until the Scepter of Night is introduced I just kind of assume it was because the amulet gave her a Very Special type of magic. But then Shuriki uses the Scepter of Night with no issues whatsoever???? What's her source of inherent magic??????? And then ASH can KIND OF USE THE SCEPTER OF LIGHT????? IS IT BECAUSE MALVAGOS HAVE INHERENT MAGIC IN THERE SOMEWHERE?????? BUT THEN ELENA SAYS IT ONLY RESPONDS TO GOOD MAGIC WHICH IS CONFUSING BECAUSE I WAS UNDER THE IMPRESSION THAT AT LEAST ELENA'S MAGIC WAS PRETTY NEUTRAL!!! THEN ESTEBAN CAN'T USE IT UNTIL HE SWITCHES SIDES BUT WHY???? WHAT MAKES MAGIC GOOD VS EVIL!?!?!?!?!? WHAT THE FUCK!?!?!?!?!?

Okay this one's kind of just a nitpick but there are several spells that just. Do the same thing. Like the turn somebody upside-down spell is just Levaluke with extra steps 💀

Why is Esteban's hair like that after he falls in the well? We know it isn't stuck like that forever because he manages to get it under control during the coronation. Is making the users hair stick up his staff's version of the scepter glowing to signify somebody can use it? If so WE WERE ROBBED OF ELENA'S HAIR STICKING UP LIKE THAT IN THE FINALE THAT WOULD'VE BEEN SO FUCKING FUNNY-

Okay those are all the things I can think of right now. Tbh I'm kind of just posting this to open up a discussion? I wanna rally together what little is left of this fandom to try and piece together a coherent magic system!!! It's what this show deserves!!!!!!!!/pos

[wack-ashimself]

My major problem with GOTG 3 is in the third act (of course)...

<MAJOR ULTIMATE FINALE SPOILERS FOR GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY 3>

Overall, solid movie. It was a nice closer. And even tho it was 2 1/2 hours, it still felt like it kinda force rushed character growth finality. 'THIS is who EACH person became and ended up. END OF STORY!' Then the post credits with 'Star Lord will return.' WHO THE FUCK CARES? They are an ensemble cast and Peter Quill, no powers, by himself, sounds boring as shit.

But the third act, for them being the HEROES, they did one of the most short sighted, stupid, even cruel possible choice.

Knowhere is now a giant mobile city for 10s of thousands. In the final act, they need to board the enemy ship. So they transport Knowhere, a city full of THOUSANDS OF INNOCENT PEOPLE, right into the heat of the battle to attack the enemy ship. Again, putting at risk everyone, and 100% getting some of them killed. Kids too. To save ONE person? I'm sorry, but that's the most unhero thing you can do: 'My friend is at risk, so I'm going to jeopardize thousands of lives.' WTF. <fairly, Starlord and Thanos shows he doesn't care about EVERYONE. I always hated that scene too. Thanos killed Gamora and you think your tempter tantrum will help anything? Saying this all out loud...Starlord is a POS.>

Also, you KNEW the lead baddie was creating a new world with new creatures. You kinda KNEW there were 100s of lives on that ship, but still attacked it without considering all the facts? Starlord is not a hero. I do not want to ever see him anything without the rest again.

My fav part? 3 fold.

3-Mantis FINALLY sticking up for herself. She needed a backbone.

2-The trilogy kinda hinting that the main focus, the whole time, was actually rocket racoon (and him finally admitting he's a racoon). Seriously, when they tease this, you reflect on EVERY movie he's been in (and remember him and Nebula were alone for 5 years after Thanos which I never really thought about. The impact of this movie being all about Rocket possibly dying & her reaction hit that much harder.)

1I love/hated Gamora's ending. I'm glad she kinda got her heart back, and did NOT end up with Quill (It wouldn't of been the same). But how buddy budddy/family she was with the ravengers seemed out of place. Forced with the tiny Stallon cameo. Either she IS doing it for the money or she DOES care about them. Quill didn't even love them all that much. Coworkers? Cool. But now they're family? Weird. Out of place.

Least fav thing?

Starlord going back to his grandpa. Sorry, but he basically never showed any interest ever, but now, because someone mentioned it, he changes the rest of his life? This movie solidified that Starlord is my least favorite guardian. He's a selfish short sighted baby man.

Overall, better than 2 (but 2 was needed), and a fair (but not the best) closer.

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 3: 7.2/10.

<What would I have done different? Starlord dies. It would have been better. It really genuinely would have been better if he died exactly when it looked like he was gonna. And it would have been perfect: dying for his music player? He came in a dumbass, he went out a dumbass. THEN it would give a comfortable opening for Gamora and Nebula to reconnect and fix everything they broke thru the years. Everything else could've stayed the same. Maybe Mantis going to find her own species would've been cool. As I said, it was a decent ending. But that 3rd act....a little wishy-washy.>

[demonsfate]

Imma be honest, chief. I liked Xiaoyu in Bloodline :/ I enjoyed her moments with Jin and Hwoarang, although I understand and agree with your post. I did like her in Blood Vengeance, but that was probably one of the only positive aspects of the movie. While they got her right, they also massacred Jin 💀 Seems like they miss a lot with both of them most of the time, at least in different media. The comics are not that good either. Do you think 8 will do them right again? I know for sure they're trying with Jin. I think, from the little glimpses we've seen of Xiao, that she might be her normal game self.

She was alright in Bloodline, but I meant like in terms of accuracy to her game self... she just doesn't feel like Xiao. Though, there were moments with her were kinda a pass for me. (The whole Devil Jin fiasco scene LOL. The scene with her against King is pretty silly - mostly due to the other scenes established in the show. Jin breaking Leroy's leg to the point he has a permanent limp, but Xiao can be thrown into a tree hard enough to leave an imprint and she just has a concussion lol)

The only positive aspect in BV in my opinion were Xiao and Alisa's characterization. If they had just made the movie a full fledge slice of life comedy between those two instead of trying to shoehorn all the Mishimas in it, I think it would've been better. But yeah - it's really sad how bad Jin was in that movie. Mostly bc he felt influenced by Tek6 Jin (thank FUCK Xiao wasn't influenced by Tek6 Xiao. Then the movie would've been unbearable.) Like him saying he doesn't care if the world gets destroyed by his and Kazuya's fight. Uhhhhhhh... do the writers need to be reminded why Jin wanted to kill Kazuya in the first place? Wasn't it to... oh I don't know... save the world?

So far, Tek8 is doing REALLY good with Jin characterization wise. Now story wise? Ehhhh... too soon to say. It has a lot of Tek6 references which kinda hinders it a bit. But so far, with the way Jin's behavior is a vast improvement and does remind me of his old self. As for Xiao, I'd say she was already improved quite a bit in Tek7. In fact, it's probably thanks to Blood Vengeance that Xiao was fixed. Considering she was massacred in Tek5, and then brutally tortured in Tek6, but it was Tag 2 where she was obviously influenced by Blood Vengeance. Instead of being a yandere like she was in Tek6, she went back to being shy about her crush regarding Jin (like she was in Tek4, just like in that game - in Tag 2, Miharu teases Xiao about her crush and she gets annoyed. Thank fuck she's not like "I'm gonna kill people so I can marry jin! :D" Jesus Christ) And Tek7 already removed her REALLY, beyond childish intros/outros that Tek5 added. (Such as the one where she's shaking and Scared, the one where she goes "uh-oh!" the one where she acts confused that she even won, and the one where she smacks her butt and says "bye-bye!" even if, admittedly i liked that one just fine. The rest were ughghughhh) And since it seems like she's gonna be important in the story this time around, I think Xiao is gonna be really good in Tek8, too. But as said - she was already being fixed faster than poor Jin was.

I think I'm gonna make a post about my opinions regarding Jin's depictions throughout all the adapted medias. (Since most of 'em are Bad, too.) but I will say the one thing I enjoyed about the comics - referring to the Tek7 one - is Jin and DJ's relationship. Whilst the comic doesn't exactly depict how I write their powers / being in control works, it does depict their dynamic quite well. It being a weird toxic one where DJ goes from being mocking to Jin, to DJ being very supportive and acting like he cares. It does that extremely well to what I've always pictured it, and I hope Tek8 will depict their relationship similar.

[zhentil-keep-perverts]

Waukeen's Rest Crew General Headcanons

The Caravan with Rugan and Olly were coming from Elturgard (not to be confused with Elturel, the city which was in literal Hell for a couple of months at least) so they might have come across from Darkhold or down the Trade Way from Waterdeep.

The raiding party that went to Waukeen's rest lost control of their Gnolls/let them go off on their own walk to make more Gnolls by having the hyenas eat The Caravan.

The crew that was with Rugan and Olly for the Gnolls was Nine Finger's people therefore primarily thieves not fighters → If it was a full Zhent crew would've gone differently I expect.

It is implied that management from Darkhold, that is aligned with Bane (and subsequently Gortash) ordered the Waukeen’s rest Crew to be hanged because they needed a scapegoat for the Duke’s kidnapping at Waukeen’s rest.

"We’d returned to Baldur’s Gate to find new management among the Zhentarim in the city. They promptly turned us all over to the Steel Watch." "Whatever they’re planning has impressed the powers that be at Darkhold, judging by the reinforcements.” Perhaps Gortash told Roah Moonglow that he needed a scapegoat for the Duke's kidnapping and she handled the rest. Basically so Gortash gets to go "Oh no it was these evil Zhents and Councillor Florrick who kidnapped him and I saved him!" The Waukeen's rest crew could have either a) been in the wrong place at the wrong time or b) Roah arranged the delivery schedule such that they would be there when Duke Ravengard was taken. And then when the crew does make it to Baldur's Gate, Roah's all 'time to tidy up loose ends'. Rugan survives by becoming a turn coat, basically testifying against the others to keep from getting hanged too. His "ratting" is convenient for them because now their story is corroborated. But I think he's only bought himself some time. Sooner or later they'll eliminate the "rat", hence Roah's letter to Karcen. That's when they capture and imprison Councillor Florrick as well to wrap up everything. You can find Rugan drinking himself stupid in the Thieves Guild with the Darkhold Zhents. He's obviously got a lot of remorse about all his friends dying but also kinda like "Well did what I had to, to survive." You can talk him into quitting the Zhentarim at his point

Waukeen’s rest is a permanent Zhentarim post, because Zhents needs that Underdark access point right there, and Bellar mentions that he was going to miss the place.

The original Waukeen’s rest crew are all human but interestingly, most of the Darkhold replacements in act 3 are not.

Out of all the Zhents in the crew the only two members who are rogues, are the ones that are perhaps not smart enough to lie about it.

The crew have been working together for long enough that they've ironed out little problem like Bellar killing people while they're still useful.

Zhents as cats → "I did a murder for you". They'll bring you the head so you can identify the victim. (Probably Bellar's first date gift)

When you save Rugan from the Gnolls, Zarys says things like: "We look out for our own even if it's Rugan" and "You're a friend of the family now, that's worth something in Baldur's Gate."

But in the cut content when you come across him the Guildhall he says "Look it's the one who saved me, and nobody gives a shite." Because the Darkhold crew don't care about him the way the Waukeen's rest crew did, he lost his whole family. :(

Danzo's letter to Roah Moonglow refers her as "city Zhent" and Zarys group as "the Waukeen's rest cell". Which would mean Roah and her group is the actual Baldur's Gate crew, while Zarys group are just the ones assigned to the Zhentarim Hideout underneath Waukeen's Rest. Danzo also calls the Waukeen's rest crew "useless".

Some of the Zhents chew tobacco and then spit it out. Brem, Garias, and Bellar have to be on the ground floor of the hide out because of their spitting habits. And Vol keeps screaming at them because the dogs try to eat the spittle.

Head canons were created in group discussions on Discord and we've preserved them anonymously. Please drop a message if you'd like to be tagged.

[badboysupr]

"Leoidas." The young gods voice was soft and gentle. He had been trying to get the demigods attention from his work. He knew just how passionate he was when he got into a project and he hoped saying his full name would catch his attention. A plate of food made its way to the others workbench . A small smile to Hiccup's face was very apparent. "You need to eat you know?" ( uwu )

@dragetunge || forever the death of leo . . .

One thing most people learned very quickly about Leo was that it was almost impossible to drag him away from a project once he'd invested himself in it. You might as well try keeping a dog from a pile of his favorite treats, so hyper-focused on that one thing that basically everything else went nonexistent for an extended period of time.

Really, Hiccup could've been attempting to get Leo's attention for the past hour and Leo probably would've never noticed.

But then, like any kid hearing their full name come out of their parent's mouth and thinking Oh crap, I'm in trouble, Hiccup eventually utilizing that tactic was a whole slap to the face. He wasn't in trouble, per se. At least in the sense of the god being angry with him—

It was the trouble of almost igniting (again; Hiccup just kind of did that to him) when everything sunk in and he realized . . .

“Where did you—?” Now, he was ignoring the food for a whole different reason, spending that time instead just gawking like a complete fool. “That . . . had to be a lucky guess, right? Or, like . . . some godly power of yours you haven't told me about—?” Seriously. Very few people knew his full name.

He self-consciously rubbed a hand over one ear, feeling that it was probably a couple degrees short of catching fire. “U-uh . . . sure, I'll— I guess I'll have a bite. Thanks.”

[softpshycopath]

Shut up, for me?

Summary: you and Druig aren't supposed to get along, but kissing someone had a tendency to change that.

Warnings: none, I don't think so at least.

Words: 1850-ish

A/N: sorry, this took some time to write, but hey! those weird borders are gone :) Anyways enjoy and anyone who likes my ridiculous metaphor gets a cookie.

Another day, another fight and another pointless argument with Druig. You could already hear his voice in your head when you made your way back to the Domo. It seemed that, despite literally being created for the sake of defending the humans against deviants, nothing you could ever do would be good enough. “Don't do that.” “No, the other way.” “You can't ever do anything right can you?” It was exhausting. Unfortunately, every time you got back from fighting you didn't have the energy to say something mean back to him.

Of course, after you'd regained your strength, you'd feel properly furious at his words, but the moment would have passed, and he wasn't worth causing an unnecessary scene.

The worst part was that Druig would never be able to let things go, decades later he'd still remind you of the mistake you made once while fighting (with the sun in your eyes, mind you). “Maybe you should jump before the deviant hits you.”

So, you decided that if you couldn't fight him in the moment, you would do anything in your power to make him feel miserable at other times. See if he liked to have a stupid high-pitched voice in the back of his head telling him he's wrong, planting insecurities.

And it worked, no he hadn't stopped bothering you, but yes, he did get pissed off. You could see it in his eyes, “um, Druig I think you're supposed to control them.” Just to mess with him. It was a gamble really, seeing as you didn't properly understand how his powers worked you couldn't give direct blows to his ego, just little slaps.

That seemed to be the most annoying, you could only tease him, but he made comments which haunted your thoughts well past midnight. To be honest, you weren't sure how it had started. You bet it was just genuine feedback at first, like he was really trying to help you. But like a cliff, eroded by the same water that lets a flower grow, too much feedback felt like harsh, uncalled for hatred.

Everyone knew the, as Ajak once diplomatically put it, troublesome relationship you and Druig shared. What only she knew, however, was how hard it hit you. Especially when it first started to get to you. “I don't know why he's so mean, I'm doing my best,” you had cried in her arms one night.

You, in turn, didn't know that at first, it really had been well-intended. Druig was worried for you. Was. He had been drawn to you, who was the first to smile and introduce yourself when the Eternals mission on earth had begun. But you began to talk back, not in a kind thank-you manner or in a tone that reflected slight annoyance. No, you went for full-on, no remorse or holding back critique which, at times, made the mind-controller doubt he was even in control.

So, after another mission, you stepped back onto the Domo with a grim rather than yay-we-just-killed-a-bunch-of-deviants feeling. Today was going to be different though, most of your friends had gone straight for the village, ready to party. Normally they would've waited a bit and cleaned themselves up, but the fight hadn't been so brutal. So, you decided to give Druig a run for his money today.

“Where are the others?” You had barely set foot in the communal space when Druig's voice shifted your attention to a darker corner. “They’ve already gone to the village, probably to go to a party.” While you waited for his answer, you realised that the Domo was empty apart from the two of you. Any fight you would get in could be as dramatic as you wanted because no one was there to stop you. “And you're here why?” Druig left his corner to -casually- make his way over to where you were. Stopping some two meters away from you. “Did you get hurt? I told you not to-” “I know what you told me not to do Druig, but I don't care.” He was taken aback and so you continued, “Guess what? I have been fighting for years, decades, centuries! I will not get killed someday because I wasn't paying attention and I won't suddenly be saved because of some know-it-all on my team either!” Your hand movements accentuated your words.

“Really?” He started to get closer to you. “Because just last week you came back with a gash on your stomach and blood all over your face!” You instinctively backed up until you were against the wall. “And the week before that you could barely walk, Gilgamesh had to carry you home!” He closed the space between you two. “And now, here you are with blood all over your clothes,” he pointed out. You hadn't even noticed it. “That's not my blood, dummy. It's the deviant's insides because we killed it so effortlessly that it only took one cut!” “But it's still on you, you don't even have cutting related powers!” “Well, that's because someone's constant nagging caused me to be a bit out of it and I wasn't paying attention!” You were so close together; you could feel his breath and you were sure he could feel yours. His scent made its way into your nose and, as hard as it was to admit, he smelled nice. Especially compared to your battlefield, blood and sweat-soaked uniform. “Well, at least my nagging has good reason, you're not careful enough!” “Oh, and you care so much about my wellbeing, huh?” You scoffed at him. That was it.

He kissed you. He really did.

In Druig's defence, he didn't know what he was doing, it felt like his body was acting without his permission. But when his brain processed his actions, he didn't stop. He wanted to; he knew it wasn't right, but my god did it feel right.

It wasn't like you weren't enjoying it either. Hell, it wasn't even like you hadn't thought about kissing him. In the beginning you had, now you were supposed to be repelled by the idea. But ideas aren't the same as actions and in the moment, with him kissing you, you didn't want to pull away.

The door flew open, and you yelped, pushing Druig away from you, a bit too roughly sure. “Don't worry it's just me.” You heard Phastos’ voice and he climbed into the Domo. “You weren't fighting, were you?" He asks while eyeing you both suspiciously, probably at the way you were looking from the floor to Druig to him and back to the floor all within a second. “Right, well, this feels very awkward, and I am just getting some clean shoes because Kingo threw up over mine.” You looked at his shoes, instantly regretting it. “So, I'm gonna do that and you're welcome to join the party.” “Yes, I will do that, seems like a good idea,” you replied, finally coming down from the shock of it all.

-

It had been almost three hours on the dot since you kissed Druig. Well, he kissed you, but you admitted that you might have –unconsciously- leaned in. Only a bit. You couldn't shake it, obviously since it only happened a while ago, but what did this mean for your relationship? Did he still hate you? Did you still hate him? Let's face it, you never did. But you might have to keep up appearances.

Unsurprisingly, Druig was thinking about the same thing. Although, he was a bit more shocked than you were. He had, after all, initiated the whole thing. He too wondered about what this would mean for your relationship and all other things that naturally follow a spiral like the one he was in. For now, he was thankful the others hadn't seemed to notice yet, apart from Phastos’ disturbance. Curse him for interrupting your moment, he wasn't scared to admit it (just a little reluctant), but he had enjoyed kissing you.

What he wasn't thankful for was you, ignoring him like nothing happened. Like you were still in the same hate-but-do-you-really-mean-it relationship you had been this morning. But you weren't. You kissed. He kissed you and he liked it very much a lot. You did too, right?

-

When the night was almost coming to an end, and people began to leave, Druig took his chance. He grabbed you by the arm and, tactfully, managed to get you into a small hallway. “What, do you think you're doing?” You whisper-shouted at him. “Take a wild guess,” he replied with a smirk on his face. However, he continued in a much more serious tone, “I want to talk to you about this afternoon.” You sighed, of course, you would have to talk about it, but now? Your thoughts had barely settled since a night of spiral after spiral. But you figured the best was to get it over with.

“Okay, I know what you're gonna say so let me say it for you. Yes, we kissed. No, it didn't mean anything. Yes, we shouldn't tell anyone. No, we'll never talk about it again. Of course, you didn't mean to do it, you just needed to shut me up because I never listen and yes, your right we shouldn't let the others find out. Oh, and never do it again.”

Druig was silent, a bit too long for your taste. “Is that how you feel?” He finally spoke. “No, it's how you feel, and I am saving both of us quite some time by not arguing about it.” “Right, except for the fact that that's not how I feel.” What. “But it's okay we don't have to talk about it.” He turned to leave, “nononononono, tell me how you feel.” You had grabbed his hands and he was fully turned to you. You were almost as close as you had been this morning.

“Please.”

“Well, if you insist. Yes, it did mean something. Maybe we shouldn't tell anyone, yet. Yes, we do have to talk about it again, and we will. And I might not have been fully aware of what I was doing but I didn't just do it to shut you up.” You were speechless. “Oh, and yes, you never listen to me.” He purposefully left out the last part, but you hadn't forgotten. “And never do it again?” He grinned at you. “That depends on you.”

So, you acted. You kissed him this time. And it was just as amazing, you were sure any future kisses would be just as amazing. Of course, the not-being-so-shocked aspect of it really allowed you to enjoy it this time. It felt like thousands of years had led up to this moment and now you were going to let a thousand years go by again. That's how it felt. Time seemed to stand still and speed by because before you knew it, and long before you wanted to, Druig pulled away.

This time he wasn't met with a rough push to the side but with a, slightly out of breath, smile. Which he happily returned.

[licncourt]

I've only read the first trilogy a decade ago and while swimming around book fandom for the last couple of months i've come accross different opinions regarding Lestat post QotD. I've also heard that AR massacred his character in Tale of the Body Thief.

How would you describe Lestat's character arc post QotD? Is there even a character arc? Does he finally get to mature a bit and work on his issues? Does it happen off page? Did he get lobotomized like Louis and Armand?

God this is such a hard question, especially when it comes to a character arc because yes, there is technically a discernable arc for Lestat, but the problem is that it was entirely unintentional and the opposite of was AR seemed to be going for.

The first book after QotD is the best example of this I think. It starts off really strong with Lestat struggling to cope with the effects of Akasha's abduction and the changes to his body, as well as a bittersweet but well-written look into what his relationship with Louis is like at this point in time.

Unfortunately it goes completely off the rails after that. It's hard to say that Lestat is wildly OOC because he's really not. Most of what happens feels pretty authentic to someone with Lestat’s personality dealing with trauma through the lifestyle and moral lens of vampirism. He's manic and self-destructive and vacillating wildly between lashing out at loved ones and total emotional dependency.

The issue becomes some of the plot events themselves and how they're handled. This books is pretty notorious because it really ruins the growth Lestat has experienced up to this point, most pressingly by making him a rapist in both a human and vampire sense.

If this had been played as a reaction to his own assault and a fucked up attempt at taking power back and "embracing" evil to cope, MAYBE this could've been spun into at least some kind of existential horror narrative about cycles of abuse and becoming the evil that you hate, but the tone, the context, and AR's real-life opinions on these issues make it clear that this is just the author's idea of "what men are like" (it literally says that in the book).

This is really the first step in Lestat transitioning from what he is in the trilogy into a messed up male power fantasy for Anne Rice that lacks any kind of self awareness, nuance, irony, or character consistency. From this point on, this macho character completely eclipses the Lestat we knew before as AR turns him into something unrecognizable.

This progresses across the rest of the books (with very brief glimpses of the "real" Lestat that are just enough to add insult to injury). If she had written him as putting on macho playboy persona as an act to deal with his own fear and trauma and vulnerability, it might’ve worked (although it still would've gone on too long). Instead, this is completely unironic, a full change of character with no explanation given as AR started to project her own ideals onto an established character.

By the end of the series, he's clearly happier, but it feels hollow because he's also not himself. He's magically not traumatized anymore, he's a prince who's the perfect masculine ideal and everyone fawns over him as a god. It feels like some desperate fantasy TVL Lestat would have had instead of reality.

He's definitely more mature and suddenly able to commit to Louis and make "good" choices, but we never see how he got there or what changed. There's no healing process shown and no reason for any of the changes. It's jarring and confusing and you're happy for him, but unsatisfied. Sure, things are better for him, but his character is far less interesting and a lot more unlikable so you can hardly be excited for the good stuff.

So basically AR turned Lestat into accidental existential horror over the course of two decades and then popped him out the other side as an alpha male with an eight pack and a crown.