#ghost files alone spoilers

[bluepuppethidinginafilingcabinet]

i waited till all 3 parts of ghost files alone and the debrief were out on watcher tv and im honestly really glad i did

in depth thoughts below the cut which will contain spoilers and since only part one is out on youtube i feel like i should give a spoiler warning, so this is it

so at the top i want to acknowledge that i do not believe in ghosts, very much a shaniac and i believe in aliens in a boring way, however, i try to not be an asshole about it (for the bit is a different story) and i think it would be really cool if ghosts were real. i however also could not do what ryan did and i think it's super cool and impressive. okay, now that that's said.

okay so, similarly to what shane said in the debrief, i really enjoyed the first episode and getting to see all of the behind-the-scenes stuff and seeing into the time that ryan spent with josh, who is so interesting, and getting to hear him tell all his stories was really cool, i think having someone involved that knows the place so well was absolutely the right choice, it gives personality to all of the spirits in a way that makes them very human (i really hope that makes sense).

when it comes to the ghost hunting, i was really impressed by how much of the time ryan spent investigating, i am secure in myself enough to know that i would not be having a good time regardless of my being a shaniac. house has real bad vibes and i would be uncomfortable.

but anyway, i was very impressed by how well he stayed on task. in the debrief, ryan confirmed that setting up all the equipment alone took forever.

now, i have a little constructive criticism. ryan has said over and over that he won't be doing this again, but on the off chance that he does, i really hope he's a little easier on himself. it is ryan, so it doesn't surprise me that he would push himself like this, but i think that considering it being a very taxing task, things like being able to call mari, having a little treat, etc. shouldn't be punished?

i get the concept of him not wanting to use those things as a crutch, but also i think just a little more comfort would probably be helpful.

back to good things though, watching the journey that ryan himself goes on throughout the show is really impressive and i think that it really works as a piece of art on fear and getting out in front of it. it's something that he should be incredibly proud of.

[waywardmillennial]

Ghost Files Alone

I've been so excited to see how this series would end and it did not disappoint on any level. I'm so proud of Ryan!! Even if I wasn't a Boogara I would have been scared of staying in a place like this all alone. So it's very inspiring to see him face his fears and continue investigating even when you could tell he was having a hard time.

Like, my favorite Watcher shows are the food shows or the silly ones (I haven't even seen all of AYS or early SM because I don't like horror). But this show was so well made, that even though I think it's scarier than Ghost Files, it's kept me hooked to see what happens each week.

Ryan has always been great at balancing the spooky with a bit of humor and this show is no exception!

(a couple more spoiler-y thoughts and screencaps under the cut)

Knowing that Ryan was the one to come up with the concept, execute it, and also do most of the editing, shows how talented he is and what a visionary creator he can be. But also knowing how much it probably messed with him to even relive some of those moments while editing makes me feel for him. Even that is further proof of him facing his own inner-demons to make great content.

And don't even get me started on that ending monologue - ofc I cried T_T

I want to give him the biggest hug and/or bucket of popcorn because did such a great job!

I love what this series represents and if this is the only season we get I'll cherish it for a long time. Ryan's mental health is more important than another season. But if he feels like he can do it (maybe after waiting a few years? and he feels like his anxiety is more manageable?) then I would support another series of this because it is SO GOOD.

[cosmerelists]

Stormlight Characters Switch Roles for a Day

As request by anon. :) [Some spoilers for Stormlight! Includes some roles people only have in later books]

It's important to me for you all to know that these combos were generated by a random number generator. Here is how fate (=random number generator) has decreed that Stormlight characters will be swapped around! How will they do in their new job?

1. Renarin takes on Jasnah's role as Queen of Alethkar

Renarin: [smiling beatifically] Rlain: You're stressed out of your mind, aren't you? Renarin (calmly): I am about to vibrate out of my skin, yeah. Rlain: Does it help that we already have three preemptive surrenders from nations who "don't want to risk angering the all-seeing prophetic god-king of Alethkar"? Renarin: What?! Rlain: Just kidding. Rlain: ...There's only been one surrender so far. Renarin: ... Renarin: I didn't even SAY anything!

2. Navani takes on Kaladin's role as leader of Bridge 4

Navani (Hour 1): I'm not a commander, of course. I'll stay out of the way and allow Teft and the other lieutenants to handle things. Navani (Hour 4): I'm not a commander, of course, but I have suggested a few small improvements. If Teft and the other lieutenants can make them work, then that's great. Navani (Hour 8): With the help of Teft and the other lieutenants, we have created nineteen new devices that have improved the efficiency of Bridge 4 by 35%. I'm so glad I can support them in some small way. Navani (Hour 12): Wait a second...I'm actually amazing at this.

3. Shallan takes on Adolin's role as duelist

Jakamov stands in the dueling ring, frozen. The 7 Shallans surround him, taunting him. One of them seems to know all of his secrets. One of them wears the face of an old girlfriend whom he ghosted. One of them has his mother's frown--only her frown. All of them have swords. All of them are watching him. Shallan (actually up in the stands): I'm so great at this, actually. Adolin: Shallan...he's crying.

4. Dalinar takes on Shallan's role as Ghostblood spy

Dalinar tramps into a seedy bar. Everyone takes one look at him and immediately they all file out. He is alone. Dalinar: ... Dalinar: And I wore a fake mustache and everything.

5. Teft takes on Dalinar's role as leader of Urithiru

Teft: Kal...congratulations on becoming the leader of Urithiru. Kaladin: I'M PRETTY SURE THAT'S NOT HOW THIS WORKS

6. Szeth takes on Navani's role as artefabrian

Navani: Well...you've certainly been...busy. Szeth: I am physically incapable of not giving a role my all. Navani: So... Navani: ... Navani: They're all complicated instruments of horrible death, huh? Szeth: I like the one with the spring.

7. Sadeas takes on Szeth's role as the Assassin in White

Sadeas: Ialai...can you have your assassins kill all these men? Ialai: Already sent 'em out. Sadeas: I love you! Sadeas: Wow...this job was so easy and not emotionally taxing in the slightest.

8. Leshwi takes on Sadeas' role as betrayer of Dalinar

Leshwi: I feel like........I'm just going to fly down and stab him. Leshwi: Well, after I introduce myself of course. Leshwi: And allow him to summon his sword for an honorable duel. Lezian: You suck at betrayal. Leshwi: ...Thank you?

9. Rlain takes on Wit's role as the King's/Queen's Wit

Rlain: I see that you have chosen to wear yellow to this feast. Rlain: It was a good choice. It looks nice on you. Wit: I want to cry. Rlain: What? I said it to Amusement.

10. Wit takes on Rock's role as Bridge 4's cook

Wit: As a vegetarian whose morals are supernaturally enforced...I'm gonna introduce you all to a little something I call "Tofu." Rock: YOU'RE FIRED

11. Jasnah takes on Teft's role as Kaladin's lieutenant

Jasnah (holding an enormous notebook): I have some suggestions...Captain. Kaladin: M-My life is flashing before my eyes!

12. Adolin takes on Lirin's role as ultra-pacifist doctor

Adolin: Okay, but...dueling is pacifist, right? No one dies. Lirin: Play-violence is still violence! People get injured and it's so horrible and pointless! Adolin: What about fighting but, like, noble fighting? Lirin: D-Do you know what pacifist MEANS? Adolin: But my sword is my best friend! Lirin: ...every day the Almighty tests my patience.

13. Lirin takes on Renarin's role as Prophet of the Everstorm

Lirin: ...and that is how and why I know that something bad is coming, and why I think you need to prepare to save everyone. Dalinar: Wow...you just...said all that. To me. Directly. With details. Lirin: I understand that you may choose to execute me for blasphemy or whatever, but I couldn't sit back and allow people to die for my own comfort. Dalinar: What a mature and straightforward way to handle that!

14. Rock takes on Rlain's roll as "Parshendi" spy

Rock: Here are everyone's secrets! Rlain: I am...impressed. How did you get all this intelligence so quickly? Rock: People LOVE talking to the cook!

15. Kaladin takes on Leshwi's role as leader of shanay-im

Kaladin: So...you guys...can't die? Shanay-im guy: That is correct. Kaladin (tears welling up in his eyes): S-So...I can be commander of a squad where...no one ever dies? I-Is this happening? Shanay-im guy: However, we have to kill someone and take over their body to return. Kaladin: GOD FUCKING DAMMIT

[peonysgreenhouse]

the ghost of you. (welt yang x reader)

summary: welt finds another version of 'you' among the stars.

tags: welt yang x gn!reader, reader is implied to have been a valkyrie, light spoiler's for hi3rds second eruption, implied march 7th/stelle, sorry for hurting the old man </3

It takes Welt months to rebuild his body.

He had known how the war ended; known that the Void Queen was neutralized and that the Abyss Flower had done much to mitigate the causalities of the war. Welt tells himself that he did all he could, and hopes one day that he can believe it.

Though, he can tell something is amiss. His body and mind may still be getting used to having shape again, but Tesla and Einstein are quieter around him, gentle, even. Even if he could hardly walk they would never treat him like he was fragile; they had been proponents of tough love since he was a child.

Maybe he should contact you and see what was going on... Einstein and Tesla were always more open with you, anyways.

Still relearning his steps, Welt limps out of his room and into the main atrium. Einstein speaks on her comm to Amber, while Tesla types behind her hologram's screen.

"You--?! What are you doing out of the infirmary?" Tesla huffs, quickly wiping her eyes on her sleeves. Einstein turns to face Welt, then hangs up her comm quickly.

"Relax, I'm fine." Despite his words, he finds himself gripping the side of a desk to keep himself upright. "Just wanted to check in with a special someone. It's been too long since I've heard from them, I want to make sure all is well where they are."

Einstein and Tesla share grave looks, Einstein immediately getting up and leaving the room afterwards. Tesla bites her lip, slamming her fist down on the table before grabbing a manila envelope, crossing the room over to Welt with an angry stride.

She hands him the report with watery eyes, apologizes with a gentle touch to his shoulder, then exits the room.

Welt immediately knows something was very wrong. Tesla rarely was emotional without getting angry; if it was something that he did wrong, he'd be sitting in a lecture right now. Besides, she had already scolded him for playing hero. This was something much worse.

His mind works in autopilot, he falls into the empty seat at the desk. Welt pulls the report into his lap, and his heart sinks when he sees it's your Valkyrie profile. His eyes move to the bottom of the page, fighting the panic welling up in his chest.

19xx - Killed in battle against the Herrscher of the Void alongside Cheng Lixue. Body retrieved by Schicksal.

Welt reads the words over and over, as if the repetition would somehow change their meaning. His eyes dart up to see the picture of you in the corner of your file. In the picture you were shining, alive.

You were just 18, then, recently graduated from St. Freya's. He hadn't met you yet, but you had told him many stories about your time there. You even expressed interest in teaching there one day, once you weren't needed on Squad Snow Wolf.

Welt sets the folder on his desk in a neat pile, and buries his face in his hands. He should have been there; should have known you would've done something reckless. He could save billions of people as a Herrscher, but he couldn't save the one person who he loved more than the world.

Welt hopes that in your last moments, you knew how loved you were.

When Tesla comes to check on him later, he's asleep, but she can see that he had been grieving. His face is red, eyes puffy; curled up like he intended to suffer alone. Just like he did as a boy.

-`♡´-

It was meant to be a quick stop at a smaller planet. Somewhere near the Xianzhou Luofu where they could rest after they dealt with the Stellaron crisis. Himeko asserted that all of them deserved a little break.

Himeko ended up choosing a rich planet that traded often with the Luofu; they even had a huge shopping district that March 7th just had to see. March 7th had dragged Stelle and himself along for the trip, and somewhere along the line he had gotten separated from the pair of lovebirds.

Oh well, better to give them some time alone, he thinks.

Welt sighs as he sits down on a bench. The suns shine brightly in the sky as he takes in the sights. Outside the shopping district it was mostly quiet, save for the people training across the courtyard. If he squints hard enough, he can just barely see what they're doing.

He becomes so engrossed watching them spar that he hears it before he sees it. A loud whizzing noise that has him casting his body towards the end of the bench, away from whatever was coming straight at him.

"Apologies." The person calls, jogging on over to the bench. Another inch and the spear would've lodged into his arm. He can feel the cold radiate off of it. He scoots over as far as he can, adjusting his glasses. "I'm so sorry, I didn't think my sparring partner would dodge."

Welt finally looks up at the person who had almost killed him, and the words catch in his throat.

It was you, maybe a little taller, a little older than he remembers, but still you. There is no world, no lifetime in which he wouldn't recognize you.

Welt had thought the ghosts of those he left behind could be ignored. Himeko, Bronya, even the one who looked like Otto... he was fine worrying over them from a distance. He knew that they weren't the same people he knew; their faces might be the same, but their personalities, their destinies were not.

But you... he never expected to see you. On lonely nights he found himself pondering the what-ifs, but he dismissed the possibilities as foolish whims. Even if he did find your counterpart, it still wouldn't be the same person he knew as a best friend, as his only love.

"Joachim?" You say, and he flusters. It had been so long since he heard your voice say his name; his heart races at the mere word.

"How did you...?" He starts, clearing his throat. "How did you know my name?"

Your eyes widen in shock, hand covering your mouth. "Sorry, I didn't... You just look like someone I know. Knew."

Welt wants to press you more, he wants to surge forward and pull you close and live in your embrace for an eternity. But instead he grips his cane tighter. He needed to control himself, like he did around every other counterpart of his own world.

"I was going to say the same thing about you." Gentle. The two of you stare at each other for a long moment, not daring to breathe, lest it shatter the illusion. You're the first to look away, eyes growing glassy as you force back the tide of emotion building in your chest.

"I need to get back to training." You say simply, tapping your lance against the earth.

And before he can get your name, to see if it's the same as the you he knew, you run off back to your sparring partner.

When you're out of sight, Welt feels it hard to breathe. He shouldn't leave you behind; he should reach out his hand and talk to you. Just for a little while, just to satiate that nagging feeling taking root in his chest.

And yet he can't bring himself to follow. The world around him feels hazy, his whole body aching with longing. He walks around the grounds aimlessly until the suns set in the sky, telling himself over and over that this wasn't really you. That his incessant curiosity would only get you both hurt.

But when he closes his eyes that night, he can't help but hope that he would see you again.

-`♡´-

Your name is the same.

Though, that should be the last thing on his mind as you pull your lance out of a dead Voidranger; its body disintegrating into the ether.

"Are you guys alright?" You ask, looking only at March 7th and Stelle. Your chest heaves with effort as you sheath your lance into the ground, leaning on it for support. "I didn't think that the Antimatter Legion had a presence here... This is very troubling."

"Yes, I'm fine!" March 7th speaks first, eyes glittering with excitement. "More than fine, actually! The way you and your friend swooped in like that was so cool! Can you teach me how to do that?!"

"You want her to teach you how to... swoop?" Stelle answers, scratching her cheek in confusion.

"Ugh, you know what I mean! Like make that dramatic and dashing entrance!" March clasps her hands together, lost in some fantasy. "You have a lance, Stelle, I'm sure you could be that charming if you tried."

Stelle mumbles something, and Welt steps in before the two can start their playful bickering. Your partner, a girl that looks about Stelle's age, calls your name. Whatever words the two of you exchange next are lost on him; he rolls your name around in his mind until you turn back to March.

"If you're interested in training with us, you could always join in one of our sparring sessions." You fiddle with the sleeve of your uniform. "I'm not sure how long you guys are staying, but if you have time I'd enjoy seeing an outlander's fighting style."

"You'll do it, won't you, Stelle?" March tugs at Stelle's sleeve, and Stelle shrugs at you. "And you too, Mr. Yang!"

Welt finally meets your eyes, and you smile sheepishly, obviously not expecting March to volunteer him for the training too. After you tell her the date and time, March skips off, her hand in Stelle's.

Without the crutch of March 7th, Welt feels himself not knowing what to say to you. You refused to even look at him, and he didn't want to make you uncomfortable.

He would be okay with the rejection. In some ways, it would be better than you accepting him. It had been twenty years since your death, but Welt was just starting to rid himself of the guilt that came from not being able to protect you.

Time could heal some wounds, others would just bleed and bleed and bleed. Your death was one he knew he would never fully recover from. Seeing another version of you older and alive only made those old wounds ache. Like this is the you he could've been chasing the stars with.

"I'm sorry for them, they're a handful." He says, voice shaky. "Thank you for stepping in, though. I didn't want the girls to have to fight on our vacation."

"It's my job." You say. "It can get pretty rowdy over here, with how close we are to the Luofu. Most people here are merchants though... If we weren't here, they couldn't protect themselves."

"That's very admirable of you." Welt remembers you saying something similar as to why you became a Valkyrie. He adjusts his glasses, hoping you don't see the flush on his cheeks. "Most people wouldn't be brave enough to take up such a calling."

You shrug. "I actually joined on a whim. My family are traders, but I just felt like the universe was telling me to join. Like protecting people was my purpose." When Welt goes silent, you add: "Sorry, I don't know why I'm telling you this. You're not..."

"It's okay, I enjoy listening to your voice." Welt steps closer to you, but you step back. "I..." He starts, but can't bring himself to voice his feelings. To tell the you in front of him about the you from his world. "Never mind. I should go. It'll be dark soon. I... hope to see you again."

When you don't answer, he turns to leave.

"Wait." You say, clutching his sleeve. He can feel your nails dig into his arm through the fabric; Welt has to stop himself from shivering. "You're... okay, right? You didn't get hurt?"

Welt swallows, the urgency in your eyes making him feel hot. "Yes, I'm fine. You got here before it could really do much."

You hold eye contact with him, your jaw clenching tight. "I saw you step in front of them when that enemy first appeared. Are you sure it didn't hurt you?"

"...It did hit me, but I'm fine. Just some light bruising."

Your grip on him tightens. "Are you sure? I... don't want you to lie for my sake. There's a clinic nearby, I don't mind taking you there."

Welt's gaze softens. He almost wants to take up the offer to spend more time with you. "Yes, I promise you."

You release his sleeve, walking back over to retrieve your lance. He feels himself missing the contact.

"Okay, good. I just know... my Joachim would lie about that kind of thing to put my mind at ease." You shake your head, expression heavy with grief. "But you're not him. When I look at you, I forget myself. I apologize."

-`♡´-

Himeko crosses her legs, picking up her teacup on the round table in front of her. Welt squirms under her inquisitive gaze.

"You've been acting strange lately." Himeko taps a manicured nail against the glass, inhaling the scent of her 'coffee'. Welt wonders how she can stand it. "I know we both have our secrets, but something is obviously bothering you. I wish you would tell me what it is."

Welt pretends to take a sip of the coffee Himeko made him, making an exaggerated noise to show his approval. Welt had always been a tea person, anyways, and the black sludge Himeko made did not change his mind whatsoever.

"I... am not sure what you mean." He replies, eyes flicking to the floor.

"See? You can't even look at me when you say that." She rolls her eyes. "Darling, if something happened on this planet, I need to know."

Welt sighs, deeply. "Something did happen, but it's nothing you need to worry about."

"Nothing I need to know about, or nothing you want to tell me." Himeko sets her teacup down, focusing all her attention onto Welt. "I want to know if something's bothering you."

"I just... saw someone who looked like someone from my world." He swirls the coffee in his cup absentmindedly.

"Oh? Was it like what happened with Luocha?" She leans forward, red hair falling onto her shoulders. Welt can't help but think her curiosity was just like the Himeko he had once knew. He can't help but smile to himself.

"No, nothing like him." His voice is firm. "It was... someone important to me."

Her eyebrows raise, eyes bright with interest. "Oh? An old friend? ...An old flame?"

Welt takes a sip of the 'coffee'. Maybe if he died here he would be able to dodge her questions. "...Something like the latter."

"What?!" She sits back, cheshire grin on her face. "Mr. Yang, you never told me you had a lover back home!"

Welt's expression falls, and Himeko notices immediately. She quickly apologizes.

"Oh. Did... did something happen to them?" Himeko frowns sympathetically, patting his hand. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have assumed."

"It's fine. It was... a very long time ago." He admits. "But even so, seeing them again, even if it isn't them... I want to talk to them more. I miss their voice, I miss seeing them... Talking to them eases some of that ache."

"Then why not talk to them? To them, you're a stranger, right? It couldn't hurt anything."

"But they knew a version of me." Welt sets his coffee down, crossing his arms in front of his chest. "They knew my name instantly."

Himeko is quiet for a minute, turning his words over in her mind.

"You don't have to listen to me, but if I was in your situation... I would want to get to know them." Himeko smiles gently. "Welt, not many people get a second chance with a loved one. You don't have to feel the same way for them that you felt for the version of them that you knew, but the way I see it... It's easy to see that you feel guilty for losing them, maybe talking to them would help lessen that guilt. And if they lost their version of you, I'm sure it would be the same for them. Call it closure for the both of you."

Welt's eyes feel glassy; emotion threatening to choke him. Himeko was right. Denying himself would only leave him with one more ghost. He had enough of those for one lifetime.

"Thank you, I think I will."

-`♡´-

Welt decides to take up March 7th when she asks him to come and spar with you. Stelle decides she would go too, if only to show off for March 7th.

Stelle announces that she'll go first, and it's hard to take his eyes off the two of you. March 7th bounces excitedly on her heels beside him, cheering on Stelle as Stelle readies her lance to fight you.

You roll your shoulder, readying your own lance. Welt sees a determination in your eyes that he hadn't seen in a long while.

You and Stelle trade blows, but it was obvious that you were a much more experienced fighter. Stelle liked to overwhelm her opponents with a show of force, but you were more lithe on your feet. You move quickly, not letting any of Stelle's blows land. The you of his world was an A-rank Valkyrie, but even so you were still green to the title before your passing. Here, you seemed more confident, your moves fluid and graceful, but still powerful.

After a few rounds, Stelle concedes, running a hand through her sweaty hair. She uses her lance to propel herself off of the ground, going over to rest on the sidelines with March. You look relatively unfazed as you catch your breath.

"Mr. Yang, it's your turn!" March yells, pushing him forward. His glasses nearly fall off from the force. Maybe she should be the one fighting you...

"Well?" You say, cocking an eyebrow. You lean against your lance. "You wanna spar?"

"I don't... I mean..." Welt starts. "I didn't think I'd be fighting you."

"Aw, c'mon, Mr. Yang! Don't be scared!" March 7th winks at him. "We'll be cheering you on, right, Stelle?"

Stelle gives a lazy thumbs up, still laying in the grass. Welt sighs, knowing he can't get out of this; not when his two girls were cheering him on. And especially not when you were there, too.

"Well, alright. I suppose I can go a round or two." Welt picks up his cane; his ever reliable Star of Eden. "If you don't mind, that is."

"I'm down. Just don't go easy on me, okay?" You look serious, readying your lance. Welt nods, announcing that he's ready; it's you that makes the first move.

As you rush toward him, he realizes how much faster you were than he was. Were you holding back against Stelle? He just barely manages to dodge, losing his footing as he does so.

You take advantage of that and slam the side of your lance into his ribs, hard. Welt winces, stumbling back, managing to slow you down with the Star's gravitational powers. Stuck and slowed, you launch your lance at him, ice crystals forming underneath its path. He ducks just in time, but you've already managed to close the distance between you two. You were relentless.

You both trade blows for almost an hour after that, but it was obvious that you were wearing Welt out. Exhausted from just watching, March announces your victory, and drags you and Welt along to get victory dinner together.

Welt doesn't miss your smile as March slips her hand into yours.

-`♡´-

The cool night air doesn't bother him when he sits at your side. The indentation where your lance lodged was still in the bench; he can't help but smile.

Dinner was nice, March 7th seemed to pick up on Welt's fondness for you and made sure to have you both sit across from each other. You were a little more open when it wasn't just you and him; you laughed and told stories about your home planet. He enjoyed listening to your voice.

It was him who asked you to join him on a walk. You had seemed hesitant to accept, but did so anyways. He was glad.

"You're a very talented fighter." He says, sincere. "It's been a while since I've been bested like that."

"You were holding back." You shake your head. "I would almost be mad, but it's so like you. Or, the you I knew, I guess."

"I didn't want to hurt you." Welt grabs his ribs subconsciously; he can feel that they're already starting to bruise. "But it seems like I didn't need to hold back."

"...I just wanted to see how strong you were." You lean back, the golden hour glow making you look breathtakingly beautiful. Welt finds himself unable to look away. He wanted to commit this moment to memory before it slipped out of his grasp. "You're definitely stronger than he was. That's good."

Welt feels himself dancing on an invisible line, but he can't live with the regrets. He has to know. "What happened? To your version of me?"

You laugh, bitterly, feet kicking into the dirt. "He was always playing the hero. Rushing into danger so that no one else would have to... It was one of the things I admired about him before I started dating him. And after... it was one of the things we argued about the most."

Welt had heard this song before; you and Tesla would always scold him for acting recklessly. But he had a Herrscher core that he could rely upon, he's guessing your version of him did not.

When he's silent, you continue on. "It was just supposed to be a routine thing, you know. We were investigating a case about some stolen goods... but it turned out to be a trap. The guys expected us to come and... I was just too slow. They shot him before I even had a chance to react."

Welt puts his hand on your shoulder, but you pull away, sniffling. "It wasn't your fault."

"I know, I know. I've been told that a hundred times but... when you watch someone you love bleed out in front of you and you can't do anything... It just feels like it was. Like I should've been more careful or something." You shake your head. "Joachim was... he was supposed to be a teacher, anyways. He joined us because he needed the money. He shouldn't have been there."

Welt adjusts his glasses, thinking of how similar he was to your Joachim. Maybe if he hadn't met Welt Joyce, maybe if he didn't take up the mantle of Herrscher from him, this too would've been his fate.

"He seemed like a good man. I'm so, so sorry." Welt's voice is gentle. He wants to say more, but knows that words can do little to alleviate the pain of loss. All he can do is sit and listen.

You wipe your eyes with a sleeve, trying to even your breathing. Welt's hand lingers in the air, as if wanting to wipe away the tears spilling down your cheeks. "He was. He was the best." You sniffle, shaking your head. "I miss him every day."

"I know how you feel... I lost my version of you, too." He smiles, sympathetically. "It was over twenty years ago but I think about them every single day."

You look up at him, eyes glassy with tears. "What happened to them?"

He hadn't talked about your death since the day he found out. He didn't like to remember you that way; not when you were so vibrant in his memory, so full of life. When he talked about you, he told others his fondest memories of you. So that your memory would transcend time.

You deserved to be remembered.

"There was a... world-ending level threat on my home planet. I had fought as long as I could, but eventually I was too injured to go on. That's when... them and their squad member challenged the enemy to a fight. It was really a distraction so their friend could get away safely... They... were impaled by a lance." Welt leans forward in his lap, rubbing his face with his hands. "I always feel like I could have done more."

You touch his arm, so feather-light he's sure he imagined it. "Hey. If the other version of me volunteered to do that then... I'm sure they knew the possible outcomes." You give him a watery smile. "I don't think they would want you to feel guilty about it. I wouldn't."

Welt has to blink back tears. It was beyond cathartic, hearing that in your voice. "The other version of me wouldn't want you to feel any guilt either. It wasn't your fault, what happened. You deserve to be at peace."

You nod, slowly. He can still sense some hesitancy from you; it seemed your wound was much fresher than his own. Maybe if he kept reminding you then you would one day believe it.

The night grows dark as the two of you sit there, in a peaceful silence. You both think on happier days, and soon your head falls onto his shoulder.

"Maybe... maybe a change of scenery will help." Welt says, the stars above as your only witness. "What would you say about coming on a trip on the Astral Express with me?"

[bronze-and-silver-keys]

Oh boy I love getting struck with inspiration in the shower for the most evil angst ever. When I get an idea I just look like this

Anyway SPOILERS FOR SDR2 BELOW

Can you imagine if the actual traitor Nagito was trying to weed out was Hajime?

Yeah Chiaki was a "traitor" in the sense that she wasn't human but she was on their side and trying to help them. She wasn't working for Monokuma or any evil organization despite what the characters thought.

I had to double check for this, but Nagito finds out that Hajime is Izuru in Chapter 4 after defeating the life threatening game. He even thinks Hajime is the traitor and states as much at the beginning of chapter 4 since Hajimes talent is still unknown. He didn't know that Chiaki was just an AI in the NWP I believe, because her student file was included in the documents (it doesn't list her death, I assume, because if it did he would've figured out the "traitor" right then and not needed to rely on his luck in chapter 5 to have her as the blackened) but Hajime was transformed into a completely different person? Hajime Hinata supposedly didn't exist/is dead now, so who was the person they were interacting with?

I think with that interpretation, Nagito could have easily interpreted that Hajime was the real traitor to the other students, but still wanted to confirm it with his luck in chapter 5. He would set up the murder plan the same, with the fated poisoned fire grenade ending up in Hajime’s hands instead. The trial goes the same, Chiaki is revealed as an AI observer and voted unanimously, but it's revealed after the vote that they got it wrong, that Hajime was the actual killer all along, and all the other students would be executed.

Can you IMAGINE the betrayal the other students would feel? The confusion and rage Chiaki would feel because that wasn't how this was supposed to go, that she was the supposed traitor Monokuma had been talking about all along? The absolute despair Hajime would feel because he doesn't know why he's being labeled as the traitor (only for it to be revealed as he goes into chapter 6 all alone)? The other students hurling accusations and insults at him for betraying them when he doesn't know why this was the outcome and starting to doubt himself all over again after being able to build his confidence with the Ultimates alongside him?

And Monokuma could easily use the wordplay to his advantage. "Oh I never specified if the traitor was working with or against me!"

Even just the realization that he gave up his entire identity to become Izuru Kamukura and essentially wipe himself from existence. All of the angst it could brew as he's going through this alone. No one is there to hype him up. No one is there for him to lean on. He's alone in the reality of his own creation that he doesn't even remember or understand.

And this would be sick as FUCK in the ghost au because Nagito's ghost would be sitting there in the courtroom just smiling at him eerily, also because of the line Monokuma says "So Nagito's ghost is whispering to you?" Or something to that effect.

Anyway new chapter for the ghost au snippets

[thekatfuzz]

Shadow of a Doubt (Preview)

So how about that episode 2 huh?? 👀 when I saw Loki using his shadow magic for the first time in the trailer even before the episode released I knew I had to write a fic about it. So here 'tis!

Pairing: Loki x TVA Hunter Reader

Warnings: eventual smut, shadow magic, use of restraints, slight non-con, slight dark!Loki. **contains slight spoilers for Season 2.**

Rating: M

London, 1977

Night in the city never slept. It wasn't a stressful or rushed state of being awake, but it was rather just alive and existing. The distant sound of sirens from a fire truck nearby, some honking cars here and there, and the distant music and chatter of people on the phone or couples talking to each other walking past you. The ambiance and the world around you seemed distant and unimportant in comparison to your important mission--compromise Variant L1130-- also known as Loki Laufeyson.

You've seen him before, at the TVA and in files that you read. He thought he was the God of Mischief or something. At least thats what Mobius said. You didnt know what he saw in Loki. Mobius has always been interested in such strange things.

Of course, the Variant was mysterious--and not to mention, quite handsome. The mugshot on his file depicted a good-looking man with chiseled cheekbones and raven black hair. Sure, you thought he was good looking, and you wouldnt kick him out of bed if you found him there, but of course you wouldnt go out actively wanting to sleep with a rouge Variant--no matter how hot they were.

You had your assignment. And you had your warnings. Loki's file had mentioned his use of magic and illusions and the image of big, impact text on the file flashed through your head:

"IF CONFRONTED, PROCEED WITH CAUTION."

But you weren't worried. You were in disguise anyway. Your Tempad and pruning stick tucked away cleverly and your determination on display. You've dealt with hundreds of so-called perilous Variants before, how different could this one be?

You got to a shadowed intersection and you looked around. It seemed quieter here. Flickering streetlights lit the slick cobblestone streets as low footsteps and indistinct chatter could be heard. A few people could be seen walking here and there a distance away, but there wasn't much here. All of a sudden, you could have sworn you saw a person appear out pf nowhere out of the corner of your eye. You would have usually just shrugged off as your eyes playing tricks on you in the dimly lit street and kept walking, but something didnt feel right.

The air felt colder and it felt like the sounds of the world were even more further away now as a chill ran up your spine. You felt alone but at the same time, like you were being watched. You looked around frantically, not even knowing what you were looking for. Your hand went quickly to where you hid your pruning stuck, ready to fight or fly.

Suddenly a shadow caught the corner of your eye on the wall. You turned to face it, but it was gone.

What the hell?

Your breathing became faster and you leapt into action, running away. You barely made it a few feet until you felt your arm be tugged backwards, halting you. You shot your head back to see who was holding you back, fully ready to fight back--only to see in surprised confusion that there was no one holding your wrist. It was like a ghost was gripping your arm with invisible fingers but very real strength.

It took you longer than it should have to notice the towering shadow on the wall. It was definitely a human, a male probably, holding your arm. It was like the shadow, somehow, was restraining you.

"What the...." you whispered aloud.

You tried to wriggle free and managed to for a few seconds, until you felt another similar invisible hand grip your other wrist. The next thing you knew you were pinned with your back against the stone wall, looking out at the end of the alleyway where light poured in through a rectangular opening.

Heart thundering and mind racing, you extended your neck a bit in front of you and looked up at the wall you were held against. Two large shadows this time. They looked the same, each holding your arms out to the side like you were shackled to the hard stone wall.

Then, you saw it. First from one shadow, than the other-- a set of sharp, curving horns began to grow out of the black shadows' heads. You watched in surprise as the horns began to bloom and didnt even notice the man striding towards you, eyes glowing an otherworldly green.

"Well, well..." purred the voice, in a velvety English accent. "What have we here?"

Loki.

The infamous Variant stepped out the shadows in a very elegant suit with a white ruff in his chest and a neat bow tie. His hair was slicked black and his hands were clasped behind his back. He sauntered over to you, smirking. Looking like a spider who had just caught a decadent fly in its web.

He waved his hand again, and your clothes changed as your breath hitched. Your disguise melted away to reveal your black TVA hunter armor. You gritted your teeth. This was annoying, but this wouldnt stop you. So what he knew you were from the TVA. He would be incarcerated there soon enough.

You jerked and struggled against the shadow bonds as Loki chuckled.

"Don't bother, darling." He mused. "Shadow magic--quite useful, actually. Very hard to break out of it's grip."

"Loki Laufeyson--" You said, hoping your voice carried more confidence and certainty than you felt. "You are under arrest by the Time Variance Authority for crimes of sabotaging the Sacred Timeline."

He raised an eyebrow. "Am I?" He said in mock surprise. He looked around. "So I've been told before."

He stepped closer to you, his features sharp in the dim light. "Go on then hunter, arrest me." He put out his wrists in an exaggerated act of surrender. He paused a moment then looked back up at you. "Oh dear, but you can't though, can you? You seem to be a little...incapacitated, darling."

"Don't call me that." You spat, blood boiling. Maybe you wouldnt even take him back to the TVA--maybe you would just give yourself the satisfaction of pruning him right here and now.

He looked taken aback.

"Trust me Variant, when I'm free--"

"I'll be sorry?" Loki said, sounding bored. "Yes, yes. Heard it all before. You hunters are so cute when you try to threaten me."

He stepped closer yet again to your restrained body, closing the space between you. You could nearly feel his breath on your face now as he looked down at you with his piercing green gaze.

Your heart hammered in your throat, loud enough that you hoped he couldn't hear.

"Do you know who I am?" He asked, running a finger down your cheek, making you shudder.

Your face flushed, praying he couldnt see it in the darkness.

"Of course I do." You choked out. "You're a villain. A Variant. A threat to Time itself." You stabbed. Loki smirked.

"Am I?" He said, amused. "You seem to have such strong opinions about me. Did they warn you about me, Variant? About how dangerous and horrible I can be?"

"I'm not afraid of you." You said boldly. "I haven't even seen you do anything more than your silly shadow puppets and your outfit-changing trick."

"Oh." Loki growled. He came even closer to you and grabbed your chin, his chest pressing you against the hard brick wall behind you. Your wrists felt cold and ached from the restraining phantom hands.

"Well..." Loki said, lifting your head up forcefully. He lowered his voice to a growl, and locked his gaze with yours. "Perhaps I've just been waiting for a moment like this, so I can do terrible, awful things to you."

[watchersleuth]

No spoilers but Ghost Files Alone was such a rollercoaster in the best way! For a man who adores theme parks and committing to the bit, Ryan Bergara took us all for a ride in the best way! This series is a great mix of suspense, humor, chills, introspection, and heart.

As a Boogara, I wouldn't be able to do what he did and I'm inspired and proud of what he accomplished. And I think even the Shaniacs will appreciate what this show represents in terms of facing a challenge and your own personal ghosts.

Ryan put so much time and care into this series and it really shows in each episode. The concept, planning, execution, and post-production are all incredible and I think it's one of the best things he's ever made.

So many kudos to Ryan and the Watcher team for this one!!

[mentauxx]

What led Saitou Yakumo to decide to live in solitude?

(Minor spoilers for Volume 11 - file 01 and MAJOR spoilers for the prequel Blue curse)

You see, Yakumo never wanted to be alone. He didn't always have his forced poker face. He used to smile and laugh like everyone else.

So, what caused such a bright boy to end up the way he did? I think this excerpt from volume 11 explained it quite well (since it was written from his POV):

Humans would feel reassured if they were the same as their fellow peers. They felt safe when obscured within a group. Yakumo didn't intend to criticise that fact. For the kind of people who chose to form society based on groups, such a thing was inevitable. However- Such a decision had another side to it. Without mercy, they would reject those who were different from them. Yakumo's red left eye had been a target of that rejection. "Disgusting."

"What's with that eye?"

"Don't come any closer, you monster." He had no idea just how many hurtful words he had been subjected to because of his red left eye. Having received such a treatment countless times, Yakumo realised he couldn't be with other people. Ostracised from the group and forced into solitude, Yakumo had chosen to build a wall around his heart, shutting himself inside as means of self-defence. As he became a middle school student, he had used a black contact lens to conceal his red left eye such that his outward appearance wouldn't be feared. Yet, doing so hadn't put his heart at ease. He had merely been hiding it. The fact that his left eye was different from others had remained unchanged. Besides, the thought that his secret might get exposed kept him anxious. He couldn't blend well with others despite already concealing his red left eye.

Because he knew that people would ostracise him as an abnormality once they discovered the truth. In the end, Yakumo stayed away from getting too involved with others and chose to be alone. Of course, his differing appearance hadn't been the only reason he had suffered. Being able to see spirits that others couldn't on the daily in itself was a form of suffering. The world of the living and the realm of the dead -constantly being able to see both caused the barrier between the two to blur, until he himself saw his own existence as something dangerous.

So we can say that he was quite literally forced into solitude.

But, how far did Yakumo try to be accepted?

during his elementary school years, Yakumo discovered that he was the only one seeing what he sees and thought that he was the abnormal one, so he tried wearing an eye patch thinking that if he covers his eye people would accept him which failed as we know.

After being shunned by everyone Yakumo decided to start anew and started wearing a contact lens when he started middle school, but just like he mentioned; doing so didn't put his heart at ease.

On top of that, those who went to the same elementary school as he did were spreading nasty rumors about him. They said his parents were missing and that HE was the one who killed them. His classmates would call him a murderer, accuse him of cheating on his exams using clairvoyance (like stfu) which all led to him getting severely bullied.

Rumors about him seeing ghosts and the fact that his eye was red were there too.

At that point Yakumo realized that being accepted by "normal" people is impossible (Isshin was the only exception. Which greatly confused Yakumo, but then he came to the conclusion that, just like he told Haruka: 'That’s the sort of person he is.’)

And so, his middle school years went by until a particular incident happened in his third year. A "meddlesome" teacher refused to just let him be which again greatly confused Yakumo because why would a teacher do so much for a student? She should just leave him alone like everyone else. Akemi didn't listen to that and she actually had Yakumo open up completely to her (Yes, I'm referring to that one scene before she confessed to the police). Boy was even happy she'd marry his uncle. But of course just when his life was taking a turn for the better, he lost her as well and completely shut off his heart. Even went as far as trying to gouge his red eye out with a cutter, but thankfully Isshin made it just in time.

You might think that was the point when Yakumo decided to live alone, but it doesn't stop here.

6 months later he enters high school.

His iconic speech at the entrance ceremony unintentionally (and to his annoyance) left a vivid impression not only on the students but on the teachers as well.

Tons of people were interested in him.

However, Yakumo didn't care whatsoever.

From experience, Yakumo knew it was impossible for him to get along with “normal people” and that he'll just end up getting hurt in the end, so he brushed it all off.

His unapproachable air made the boys call him a "weirdo," and the girls whispered that he's "mysterious."

Rumors about him seeing ghosts were ofc there as well.

A particularly disgusting one about him “killing a teacher”.

Like how tf did it escalate to this? I DON'T KNOW.

(To the person who spread these rumors: Please seek help. You need it.)

No one really believed any of that shit because it's simply ridiculous af, but some people (who didn't believe it either) did try to use it as an excuse to harass him (*cough cough* Kawamoto *cough cough*)

Surprisingly, there was one person Yakumo was ACTUALLY interested in.

That is—Aoyama Takumi.

Yakumo wasn't like others, therefore he was rejected by them.

In other words, someone with similar past and experience wouldn't reject him would he?

Takumi wasn't aware of it, but Yakumo actually knew Takumi way before the entrance ceremony.

Yakumo happened to visit an art museum where Takumi's award-winning painting was on display.

Seeing the unique use of colors in that painting, he was convinced that the world Takumi sees is different from others.

And that's when he doubted that Takumi might have synesthesia.

When they ended up in the same class, Yakumo started observing Takumi and confirmed the fact that he has synesthesia AND sound-color synesthesia on top of that.

His reasoning being: “When Takumi talks to people, the area around his eyelids and tear ducts moves a lot. It's similar to the muscle reflex that happens when exposed to strong light. Even though there's no light source nearby, that reaction occurs.”

(Boy, are you sure you're a high schooler?)

Anyways during the interrogation when Takumi was pretending to be the culprit to protect Maki (since he thought she was the murderer), Yakumo was trying to get Takumi to admit that he did see a girl in a school uniform standing on the balcony of the art room which Takumi firmly denied.

However, Yakumo's insistence made Takumi blurt out that it was probably just a ghost.

And that's when Yakumo decided to reveal the fact that he sees ghosts. To prove it, he took his contact lens off and showed his red eye to Takumi.

However—Takumi's reaction wasn't one that he expected—

Here are some excerpts from that scene:

If I accepted it here, all my efforts would be in vain. More importantly, I wouldn't be able to save her.

'So what if it's red? That doesn't mean you can see ghosts. Besides, seeing ghosts is ridiculous.' 'I misjudged you...'

Yakumo's red voice pierced the deepest part of my heart like a sharp thorn.

—What does he mean by misjudged?

From the way he said it, it seemed Yakumo had some expectations of me. Even though we had hardly spoken before the incident.

'What do you mean?'

'I've known for a long time that you have sound-color synesthesia.'

It was truly a beautiful painting. I had never seen such a beautiful painting before.'

Yakumo had a look of ecstasy on his face.

It was clear from his tone that it was not flattery or anything like that.

'Even though he saw a different world from others, there was no pessimism or despair in it. He accepted the world he saw and sublimated it into art. For me, who also sees a different world like Takumi, it was a culture shock.'

'A different world?'

'When I saw Takumi's painting, I felt ashamed of myself. I envied that he could turn being different from others into his strength.'

'…….'

“Yet now, Takumi is denying the world that only I can see, saying it doesn't exist.”

'…….'

“I thought Takumi, who had seen a different world from others, would understand. But it seems I was wrong.”

'I...' My strength was draining away. Yakumo was right. I had been denied because of the world that only I could see and had suffered a lot for being different from others. Even though I should have known the pain and sorrow of not being accepted, I was treating Yakumo the same way I had been treated.

Even though he did it to save Maki, Takumi regretted it so much, but even at that point he still couldn't take it back; all his efforts to convince the police that he was the culprit would be in vain after all (this conversation literally took place after Takumi managed to trick the police during his interrogation. The reason Yakumo was even able to be there was because he used his "connections").

Later on they ended up solving the case and Takumi moved to Kyoto.

The part that hurts most is the fact that Takumi saw Yakumo's voice as red. At first, Takumi didn't know what the red color really meant, but he soon came to the realization that the color red is the color of the voice of someone who wishes for death.

The only reason Yakumo hadn't done it at that point is due to the fact that he can see the spirits of the dead. He knows that there's no point in doing so.

Having been rejected by "normal people" and "those who were like him", I personally feel like this was the point when Yakumo completely gave up on trying to “belong” to a group.

I thought he became like that after that one time his mother tried to kill him, but Blue curse changed my perspective a bit.

“All of it has led you to keep your distance from others and conceal your own weakness, no? If you’re by yourself, you won’t get hurt and won’t get others hurt. That’s what you think, right?” “…….” “But you’re actually scared of being lonely, so you can’t completely sever your ties with other people. If it’s to avoid hurting anyone, you could’ve just lived in solitude, but you can’t do it.”

It made more sense to me tbh.

Why? Haruka explained it amazingly in volume 10:

That's exactly it. He can't do it and couldn't do it.

It's especially true when it comes to Haruka. He admitted in Volume 8 that all this time, he was trying not to get attached to Haruka (which he successfully failed at).

If that man could handle living in solitude, he wouldn't have allowed Haruka to come to his room whenever she liked, wouldn't have told her to call him by his first name, etc.

He admitted, also in Volume 8, that he wanted her to know him and him to know her, But instead of doing that, he spent two years trying not to get attached to her while still enjoying her presence by his side.

His idea of trying "not to get attached to her" is honestly hilarious.

If all that was you trying not to get attached to her, what would spending your time carefree with her be like?

But yeah, reading the prequels made me realize that Haruka was TRULY the first person to acknowledge him.

His reaction when she called his eye "beautiful" is PRICELESS.

That's why the anime sucked hard. Like did y'all really want to ruin that scene that much? Where did the part where Yakumo laughed until he was clutching his stomach go? Is he not human too?

Bee train studio the disappointment you are smh

Ok, I'm getting off topic.

Now in case this isn't obvious: I'm by no means blaming Takumi (that guy is amazing), neither did Yakumo.

In fact during their last farewell, when Takumi thought Yakumo would blame him, Yakumo actually thanked him.

'There's one thing I forgot to mention.'

Yakumo, without much of a greeting, began speaking in a stern voice. 'Forgot to mention?' The confusion in the case was my fault. Because of that, Yakumo must have been dragged into it and had a hard time. If things had gone wrong, someone could have died. I thought he would blame me for that. But the words that came out of his mouth were unexpected. 'Takumi's parents have been watching over you.' 'Watching over... ' 'They are standing behind you even now. Don't hold back. Live freely—that's their message.' Yakumo said this while pointing behind me. I turned around, but I couldn't see anything. However, Yakumo's left eye must have seen my parents. 'Did you come all the way just to tell me that?' When I asked, Yakumo's expression twisted slightly. It looked both angry and amused. 'Thank you—' I bowed deeply. 'I should be the one thanking you.'

'Why?' Without answering my question, Yakumo slowly walked away down the hallway. Maybe I should have chased after him. But I couldn't move from that spot. Yakumo doesn't like getting too close to people. No matter what happens, no matter what I say, he will continue on his own path. I just watch him go.

Honestly, it was all a misunderstanding that no one could be blamed for.

If the circumstances were different, things wouldn't have ended up that way.

Despite everything, Yakumo and Takumi did in fact consider each other as friends.

They were just really awkward.

Takumi is just as reserved as Yakumo is.

He wasn't one to actively try to get to know others either.

And I don't blame him for being oblivious to the fact that Yakumo wanted to be his friend.

Yakumo is too twisted for his own good.

Instead of straight up trying to get to know Takumi, he ended up observing him until he had a chance to talk to him when that incident occurred.

And even when they did talk, Takumi thought his existence annoyed him lol.

It was no wonder that Takumi wasn't aware how happy Yakumo was when he stood up for him when Kawamoto tried harassing him and calling him a thief.

High school boys are idiots is all I'll say.

Loved their friendship tho.

-

8 years later, Yakumo and Takumi meet again in Tokyo, However, Yakumo's voice was no longer red. It was as soft and white as his monk uncle's voice—

[ladykailitha]

WIP Wednesday Game

It’s WIP Wednesday, time for a little accountability, sharing your work, and getting a kick in the pants.

Here’s how it works:

In a reblog (or new post w/ rules attached), post up to five (5) filenames or specific AUs your WIPs; not titles, filenames (eg werewolf AU, unnamed mafia omegaverse, or Steve's Rizz vs Eddie's Zero Filter.)

Post a snippet from one of them. Snippet must be words you wrote in the last 7 days. We’re posting progress here. If you haven’t made any, go make some and come back to post!

After you’ve posted, people can send you an ask with one of your file names. You must then write at least 3 sentences in that file. If the filename is one you can't share from (for example, an event fic), write 3 sentences on it anyway, and then 3 more on another to share.

That’s it! You can invite others to join in, or just post. If you tag me in your post, I will send you an ask request!

If you’re reading this, you’re invited!

If you see someone posting a WIP Wednesday Game snippet, send them an ask! Make them write.

My only problem is that I tend to file name what the title is so I can find it easier, so...here’s what they were called before I titled them.

“File” Names

Sugar!Baby

Season 2 AU Final Story

Nanny

Famous Soulmate AU (here)

You'll notice no Himbo witch this week that's because it's a little spoiler-y at the moment so I threw in the soulmate AU to round it out. Soulmate and photographer Steve are the next on the pipeline but don't expect to see them soon as the other stories need to finish first.

Snippet

Joan tugged her father’s left pant leg. “Is she sick?” she stage whispered.

Eddie scooped her up and held her close. “No baby doll, she didn’t have anyone take care of her so she had to take of herself. Could you take care of yourself all alone without Daddy, Stevie, Aunt Chrissy or Grandpa Wayne?”

“No Janie either?” Joan asked, her lip starting to quiver and her eyes filled with tears.

“No Janie either,” Eddie confirmed.

Joan shook her head. “I’d need at least Janie because she’s so smart.”

Jane smiled a small ghost of a smile at that.

“Jane these are my daughters, Joan and Janice,” Eddie said scooping up Janice too. “Girls this is Jane. She’ll be staying with us until we can find some place safe for her.”

Jane narrowed her eyes at them suspiciously, but merely clasped her hands between her thighs. Eddie knew that look. She didn’t believe him anymore than he had believed Uncle Wayne when he had said it when he was ten years, cold, scared and badly beaten from the last foster family he had been placed in.

Wayne had said those same words to him and fuck, learning that eventually meant staying with him forever was hard to accept. But he did and now he’s successful and happy.

~

It's that great and wonderful time of the week again! WIP Wednesday!

The game runs from 8am-11pm EST.

Send in as many asks as you want as often as you want.

Tag List:

@zerokrox-blog @forgottenkanji @w1ll0wtr33 @thesecondfate @dreamercec

@beelze-the-bubkiss @bookworm0690 @kultiras @niniel-karenine

[lunasilverpelt]

HI LIST OF NAMES AND OTHER. STUFF.

Misc. stuff first.

I'm uh nonbinary and use all pronouns. Also panromantic asexual. Yea.

Might be reblogging some Hazbin Hotel/Helluva Boss posts. I overall enjoy the series..es but completely understand the criticisms, I will be tagging every post with the series names so yall can block the tag. I'm open to discussion of criticism as long as you ain't straight up like attacking me lol.

I REBLOG GHOST TRICK AND ACE ATTORNEY SPOILERS!

SIDE BLOGS (that I actually sometimes use)

@the-rayman-show Fake Rayman CLH roleplay blog

@gardenview-hotel DOORS-inspired Dandy's World Hotel AU story and ask blog*

@cherry-grave In character blog for a reverse version of Lydia from Beetlejuice The Musical

This list will constantly update

NAMES!!! (* for common ones)

Luna* (My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic)

Twilight Sparkle (My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic)

Pinkie Pie (My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic)

Discord (My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic)

Derpy Hooves/Ditzy Doo (My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic)

Aiden (What my real name would've been if I was born AMAB)

Merlin (Name my dad suggested for my name if I was AMAB)

Jester (Haha yea)

Rat (My lil bro told me to put this on the list I'm gonna stab him :3c)

Fruity (Nickname from a friend)

Pam (A friend's nickname for me, also an oc or two)

Charles (I just like the name)

Prince (Also just like the name)

Benrey/Benry (Half-Life VR But The AI Is Self-Aware)

Tommy Coolatta (Half-Life VR But The AI Is Self-Aware)

Barney Calhoun (Half-Life)

Gordon Freeman (Half-Life)

Kaufmo* (The Amazing Digital Circus)

Jax (The Amazing Digital Circus)

Caine (The Amazing Digital Circus)

Monster (Friday Night Funkin)

Boyfriend (Friday Night Funkin)

Theodore (A few things but mostly Pizza Tower)

Noise (Pizza Tower)

Pizzano (Sugary Spire)

Oswald (A few things. Primarily my Pizzahead interp. and Oswald The Lucky Rabbit)

Bon (The Walten Files)

Mortality (The Walten Files)

Pumpkin Rabbit (The Walten Files)

Funtime Freddy (Five Nights At Freddy's)

Clemens (Old headcanon name for the Crying Child from Five Nights At Freddy's)

BonBon (Five Nights At Freddy's)

Spring Bonnie (Five Nights At Freddy's)

Pitbon (Five Nights At Freddy's)

Sonic The Hedgehog (Sonic The Hedgehog)

Miles "Tails" Prower (Sonic The Hedgehog)

Dr. Ivo "Eggman" Robotnik (Sonic The Hedgehog)

Anti Sonic The Hedgehog (Sonic The Hedgehog/Archie Comics)

Super "Fleetway" Sonic (Sonic The Comic/Fleetway Comics)

Garfield (Garfield)

Jon Arbuckle (Garfield)

Odie (Garfield)

Kevin McCallister (Home Alone)

Marx (Kirby)

Jevil (Deltarune)

Spamton (Deltarune)

Berdly (Deltarune)

Kris (Deltarune)

Petaly (Fan-made Deltarune secret boss)

Flowey (Undertale)

Adam* (Hazbin Hotel)

Alastor (Hazbin Hotel)

Niffty (Hazbin Hotel)

Vox (Hazbin Hotel)

Mammon (Helluva Boss)

Dexter (Spooky Month)

Skid (Spooky Month)

Shotgun Man/Sam [Headcanon name] (Sr Pelo)

Rayman* (Rayman)

Raymesis (Rayman)

Fake Rayman (Captain Laserhawk: A Blood Dragon Remix)

Ramon (Captain Laserhawk: A Blood Dragon Remix)

Paper Mario (Paper Mario)

Luigi (Super Mario)

Doopliss (Paper Mario: The Thousand Year Door)

Eustace Winner/Sebastian Debeste (Miles Edgeworth Ace Attorney Investigations 2: Prosecutor's Gambit)

Simeon Saint/Simon Keyes (Miles Edgeworth Ace Attorney Investigations 2: Prosecutor's Gambit)

Dipper Pines (Gravity Falls)

Dewey Finn/"Mr. Schneebly" [false name]* (School Of Rock)

Lawrence Betelgeuse "Beetlejuice" Shogoth (Beetlejuice/Betelgeuse)

Pom (Pikmin)

Roger Rabbit (Who Framed Roger Rabbit)

Joka* (Klonoa)

Gourmet (MAGO)

[simple-seranade]

short little thing i wrote about Jimmy’s lore today, spoilers! (2/26/23)

------------•------------

Jimmy is alone.

His deputy betrays him, leaving a horrible monster in his town that sends everyone but him running for the hills as he faces it, sword drawn.

Jimmy is alone.

Citizen after citizen files out of his town, hearts set towards brighter shores and more brilliantly shining empires.

Jimmy is alone.

The Hermits come in like a wildfire, leaving just as suddenly and leaving Jimmy craving the warmth of fiery hair and passion by his side.

Jimmy is alone.

A sheriff of long time gone gives him advice before being overwhelmed by the changes in the world, retreating back to the darkness of the caves.

Jimmy is alone.

All he was doing was sharing his excitement about how all the respect he craved was finally in reach, only to feel the cold sting of a blade and bolt upright in bed, heart pounding.

Jimmy is alone.

He sits in the ghost town, surrounded by chests upon chests of gunpowder he’s stashed away for himself, because he should be getting paid as a sheriff, right?

Jimmy is alone.

As smoke curls into the air, filling his lungs as screams fill his ears, he smiles, cold and calculating against the dancing flames from everywhere around him as the other empires burn to ash thinner than the desert sand.

Jimmy is alone.

[mykelneedssleep]

MW3 Spoilers!

When Soap dies Ghost lifts the dog tags from his body with more care than he's taken to do anything. They're looped around his neck beside his own. There's no need for them to stay with Johnny's body, there are people to identify him. The people who love him are the ones to file the paperwork. Lieutenant Simon Riley is supposed to sign the death certificate. He never does.

The metal of Soap's feels unnaturally colder than his own, the weight heavier. His body knows he wears two pairs. His mind knows the addition of the second ripped something crucial from his already fractured soul.

When Ghost dies he does so alone. His team isn't there to collect his remains, they aren't there to give him a small but never the less sad funeral, they aren't even there to file the paperwork. They didn't abandon him, he ran away. It's not that they don't love him, it's that they knew he needed the space.

When the men come to collect his body, to record the death, to make him just another number sacrificed in the endless war for peace they find two identities wrapped around his neck. Names pressed to his chest like the locket of a lover.

RILEY SIMON, J. 2073357 O POS ATHEIST MACTAVISH JOHN, J. 2073521 O NEG CATHOLIC

They thought there must have been some sort of mistake, a mix-up in the paperwork somewhere because there was an unknown soldier in the field wearing the identities of two men who had died years ago. Simon Riley, from what they could find went MIA after his team was betrayed well over a decade ago and was declared KIA years later when they couldn't recover him. John MacTavish's tag was newer, shinier than the other, but supposedly he'd been shot years ago. That's what they could find anyway.

No one could account for the body rotting away in the morgue unidentified and unnamed. No one knew him apparently, not even the team he was with.

Laswell finds out a month later, she'd been keeping silent tabs on him until he disappeared. She calls Price as soon as she knows, holding back tears the same way she did with Soap. "He has a grave," she says quietly. They visit with Gaz the day after.

Price laughs when he sees the gravestone. Then he cries.

The other two join him.

They stare at the engraving. Something that should have could have been real if only things had worked out differently. If they'd been a little faster, prepared a little bit more, if Price had let Soap pull that trigger all those years ago. But even though it didn't everything still led to this moment, the three of them at this grave the same way they would've been if things had changed back then. The hilarity of it was heartbreaking.

They'd combined them for the records. Created an identity for a soldier that never existed to mark the resting place of one who died carrying two dead men with him.

In death, Ghost is content, for the first time ever, with the identity his name provides him with.

Simon J. MacTavish Soldier, Lover

Price is the last to leave. He does so with a smile and another glace at the stone, "congrats boys," he says to no one in particular, "wish I could've been there to see it."

[thunderousavery]

Make You Mine (Ghost x Soap) Pt. 1

CW: Spoilers of MWIII (Only in A/N, I just want to vent), Blood, Curse words

A/N: I FUCKING HATE MWIII!!! Grrr... So, I'm gonna spoil myself with Ghoap fics from now on. THAT ENDING IS NOT FUCKING CANON IN MY MIND! I'M WEEPING AND GNAWING AT THE BARS OF MY ENCLOSURE! Also, I'mma rewrite my other unfinished story. Just got meself in tons of shit, and now MWIII fucking disappointed me. SOAP BOI WILL LIVE FOREVER IN MY MIND! SCOTLAND FOREVA!

Description: Uh... No description yet, but this is a multichapter fic with angst, mutual pining, and everything in between. HAPPY ENDING GUARANTEED! :)) (11/04/2023) Edited Description (11/05/2023): Simon and Johnny work together once more on an intel-gathering mission. Simon ponders what Johnny really means to him when hell suddenly breaks loose. Main Pairing: Simon "Ghost" Riley x John "Soap" MacTavish Word Count: 1.5k

Chapter 1 - Well, I will call you darlin’, and everything will be okay.

“Where the hell did ‘Soap’ even come from?”

That question lingered in Simon’s mind like gum stuck on a wall. Honestly, it was a stupid question, and he didn’t even know why he asked that to Johnny after their mission briefing. The first time they met, he was instantly intrigued with the Scotsman in a way that stirred his nerves weirdly.

He didn’t want to acknowledge that feeling, so he deemed it was just irritation for his happy-go-lucky attitude. Simon was never fond of such positivity. Or the Scottish accent, either.

Unlike him, Johnny was easy to like and adored by anyone whom he passed by. He was friendly and compassionate like he had all the sunshine of the fucking sun and rainbows behind his back.

Johnny was definitely unlike him. Johnny was like the light, and Simon was the darkness.

He was a grump, always sought to be alone, and never been one to stand in long conversations. They say there’s a reason why a person acts the way they are, and Simon does have a reason that he’d die with than tell a single soul. He can’t trust anyone; he doesn’t have any friends.

Sure, he knew Price, Gaz, Laswell, and so on. But they’re not his friends; Simon considers them as his allies, commodities to help him with his fights. To him, he doesn’t need friends.

So, how about Johnny, then? Simon didn’t want to ponder about it.

“Ya wanna know why me name’s called ‘Soap,’ L.T.?” Johnny shoots him a cheeky grin while waiting for the intel file to be transferred to the flash drive. And yeah, Simon also hates how he always smiled like that. He looks like a fucking rat with a mohawk, or so how he always thought about it.

It was an intel-gathering mission. They infiltrate the building, download the intel, and get the hell out in one piece. Simple task, really. Too simple for Simon’s taste, but it was a good thing they had to take some guards down to motivate his bones. Nice and silent, kill and go.

And the waiting game begins in the main office. And Johnny starts an old conversation Simon even dared to ponder upon.

“Why are we even having this conversation again, Sergeant?” Simon grunted, brown eyes behind the skull-faced mask piercing at Johnny’s blue ones as he held his rifle loosely against his hands.

“‘Coz I remembered yer curious.” The Scotsman hummed before checking out the computer to check the progress. “Everyone was. But I kept it a secret for a wee while.”

… Now, Simon was starting to be intrigued. He thought the man was outgoing, telling everyone he met about his personal life like his callsign. He probably judged him wrong.

What was it? A crazy backstory involving a bar of soap? Or was it something that he also has: a cruel experience from the trauma factory? It was an enigma to him that he wouldn’t admit he was curious about.

“So, you’re going to tell that secret to me?” Simon didn’t know why he said that; he didn’t even dare to assume he said that.

“Fer a price, of course! Yer gonna owe me a drink.”

Simon’s eyes narrowed. Screw his curiosity and pitiful thoughts about him.

“Aw, come on. Was just kiddin’, y’know.” Johnny laughed softly. “Me cousin picked it out fer me. Said I could clean a room efficiently like no other.”

Simon’s eyes blinked. “… So, you’re Soap because you’re a germaphobe?”

“Heck, no. I just like to clean and—”

BOOM!

There was a loud explosion outside, ringing out the alarms of the vehicles.

“Shit, they know something’s up. Grab the intel, and let’s go.” Simon huffed and tightened his grip on his rifle once more, aiming it against the glass door just in case they got spotted. One bloody figure passes his sight, and he ought to shoot.

“Aye, copy that.” Johnny didn’t waste time grabbing the flash drive from the computer after transferring the files. Without a second thought, he shot his weapon at the computer screen and its CPU before he said, “Intel secured. Time to move out.”

Why the fuck did he even— Oh… Simon finally realizes that it was genius of him to destroy the original source. Even he hadn’t thought of that. He had to give Johnny some credit, at least.

Soon enough, they were on their feet towards the exit with haste and hawk eyes surveying the surroundings for any sign of movement. And if they did, Simon wouldn’t catch a breath to open fire.

Passing through doors and down the stairs, the building rang with the screech of the cars from outside. It was loud, and Simon hoped they wouldn’t run into an enemy. Whatever that explosion was, it should have alerted the patrols nearby. This was Russian territory, and they’d be damned to be spotted and add fuel to the flame of an already sparking war.

But…

“L.T., ya feel something odd?” Johnny asked behind him, watching his six as a good teammate that he is, but he wouldn’t admit it.

“… Yeah,” Simon grumbled as they reached the second floor. Only one more floor, but he noticed it too soon. “It’s too fucking quiet here. Not from outside, but inside.”

Something was wrong. Like a lake too calm to know about a deadly croc lurking in the waters. They need to be on their toes and fast.

No, maybe it’s just…

He failed to see the laser sight aimed at him.

“Ghost, on our 9!”

Johnny’s warning was too late. Simon stumbled back and dropped to the floor with a thud. A searing pain shot through his left shoulder near his bicep.

A sniper. They should’ve aimed for the head.

“Shit! I got ya, L.T.!” Johnny immediately crouched, helped move Simon’s body, and took cover behind the pillar walls. He held the Brit securely with an arm clutched on his upper torso before settling him in the corner. “Still solid, L.T.? Fuck, should’ve seen that comin’.”

“I’m… grr… I’m fine…” Simon growled beneath the mask through the pain as Johnny inspected the bleeding wound on his shoulder that tore through his sleeve. “It’s not that bad.”

Defensive. Pain was not new to him, but he hated it as much as being pathetic in front of people. He was strong; he trained hard to be.

And that fucking sniper will be dead by the time he gets his sight on them.

“It’s a bloody .50 caliber. Yer lucky they missed yer head.” Johnny’s voice was laced with concern that Simon couldn’t dare to acknowledge. He needs to stop the bleeding, but the bullet needs to stay for a while. He feels it’s lodged between an artery. Or worse, it ruptured an artery.

“I said I’m—”

“No shit ya are. Gonna fuck that bastard up when I see ‘em.” Johnny scoffed, and before Simon could protest, he took the scarf around his neck and wrapped it around the wounded shoulder, not too tightly but just to stop the bleeding. Blood instantly coated the cloth like a stain, and Johnny hoped it would be enough to stabilize his Lieutenant.

After securing his wound, he checked Simon’s pulse and sighed in relief before slumping beside him, his hand clutched tightly around his own rifle. For a while, Simon thought Johnny would lecture him about caring for himself, that he should accept help gladly as anyone should. And if the Scotsman ever said a word in between the lines of it, he wouldn’t hesitate to bark back and shut him up.

He doesn’t want a medical lesson coming from him. He doesn’t want his sympathy. Just one word and Simon could regret shutting any more lines of concern from that mouth.

… Yet, he didn’t. Johnny only turned his head to meet eyes with his. And there was that smile again. That poorly shaven 5-o’clock shadow smile. It wasn’t any of his usual shit-eating grin.

It was a smile so genuine that Simon couldn’t help but stare at him and be baffled by the fact that his breath was taken away by just that. Time stopped around him just to remember this like a frozen memory.

… Fucking hell.

And the only thing that brought him back to reality was Johnny’s Scottish accent. “Yer gonna be okay, so ye definitely owe me a drink this time, Simon.”

With that, Johnny stood up and held a gloved hand out for him, setting a goal to lead the way out of the building with a second objective of finding that sniper from outside.

“… Brat,” Simon grumbled but took his hand anyway just to stand up and pulled back as soon as he was on his feet again. The wound on his shoulder was still agonizing, but it was nothing that he couldn’t handle.

“Aw, come on!” There’s that ratty grin again.

“Will you just…!” He wanted to scream at him. To tell him to leave him alone. To tell him to fuck off. But he just groaned from the pain in his shoulder and didn’t say anything.

They continued their attempt to escape, being sneaky this time and wary of the threat from outside. They couldn’t get a good aim on the sniper, but they could tell that the laser sight was on their tails. They used the obstacles and obstructions everywhere; Simon thought they were lucky to have plenty of covers.

As soon as they get out, he vows hell to break loose on that fucking sniper.

A/N: My boi Soap will be done justice! Only happy endings for him!

You're currently in Pt. 1

Pt. 2 / Part 3 / Part 4

[tacticalhimbo]

YAYYY i finished my timeline... Bell (Danya) is now a member of Pantheon :3

I figured it'd be fitting for him given the intensity of what he's been through, and how much he's given of himself already.

He's a husk of the man he once was, and it's clear (through his work with the CIA and, beforehand, with Perseus) that he has no qualms getting his hands dirty for his beliefs.

I'll bulletpoint what I'd written out for Bell's involvement with the BO6 campaign (below the cut, because of spoilers). Left out some other BO6 plot points solely bc this is about my boy, and my boy alone (well... also about Case; just a little). Bolded the key points bc I just copied from my timeline page, which explains everything more thoroughly.

The team uses Adler's files to recruit ex-Stasi technical genius Felix Neumann and assassin Sevati "Sev" Dumas to the team. They then coordinate a mission to break Adler out of a CIA black site hidden under Washington D.C.. The team manages to extract Adler just as Pantheon assaults the black site, but they are blamed for the attack instead and declared fugitives. Upon hearing of Adler's release, Bell (who is in America on leave with members of the PMC he'd joined) goes rogue and dedicates himself to the chase once more; the bounty on his head increases.

Adler stays behind in Iraq to track down Pantheon's head scientist, Matvey Gusev, while Case, Marshall, and Sev investigate the biolab. Bell, who had been following the team closely at this point, takes the opportunity to ambush Adler. Seeing the ghost of a man he'd thought he killed, Adler gets shaken up and briefly loses track of Gusev. Throughout Adler's time in Iraq, Bell and him play a "cat and mouse" game with one another, which ultimately results in Danya learning of Pantheon and the The Cradle.

Danya follows through with the leads he'd discovered, and joins Pantheon's ranks.

While investigating the biolab, Case accidentally inhales Cradle gas and hallucinates fighting off a series of monsters and zombies, as well as hears a woman’s voice that details Pantheon and Cradle's origin. He also finds notes written by a "Bell", explaining that he knows what the CIA is capable of, and telling him to trust nobody; he leaves instructions for a meeting in these notes. When Case regains his senses, the team discovers that Pantheon has already stolen the biolab's stores of Cradle, and also find a recording revealing that Harrow is working with Pantheon.

Unbeknownst to the rest of the team, Case slips away from the safehouse and meets with Danya. The latter details what the CIA, specifically Adler, are capable of. While leaving out many personal details about it, he tells case that even if it feels like he's doing the right thing… Helping Adler, Woods, and the others will be his downfall. Shaken up by the biolab incident, and repeating flashbacks, Case seems sympathetic to the idea, and maintains secretive contact with the Russian.

Adler informs Woods that he's seen "Bell", but Woods seems disbelieving and writes off the idea.

Adler injects Harrow with a truth serum, the very same he'd used on Danya, prompting her to reveal that she joined Pantheon after they leaked information claiming that Adler killed her parents; that the Cradle has already been planted inside the Capitol Building and is waiting for her command to deploy; Pantheon's ultimate plan is to use the Cradle to carry out a false flag attack to discredit Livingstone and replace him with Harrow, putting them in full control of the CIA.

Pantheon, including a batallion with Danya, then assaults the Rook and manages to rescue Harrow thanks to a tracking device in Harrow's arm. Case gives chase, and boards Harrow's escape helicopter, ultimately causing it to crash in the river.

Danya remains on the ground at Rook, fighting alongside the surviving Pantheon members in an attempt to push through and kill the CIA team. He comes close, but fails, and is forced to begin retreat. This is when Harrow's escape helicopter crashes.

Under the influence of released Cradle gas, Case strangles Harrow to death before presumably drowning. Marshall unsuccessfully tries to radio Case, explaining that Livingstone managed to evacuate the Capitol Building and recover the Cradle.

Danya and the other operatives retreat, though Danya lingers in the area in an attempt to see any signs of life from the helicopter. There are none, and after several weeks of camping out, he leaves once again, regrouping with the remaining Pantheon squadrons in the region.

[bleachbleachbleach]

5 Great Things About an Episode I Hate (7, actually!)

The Halloween episode is my least favorite episode of Bleach. It PAINS me. Viscerally. But we watched it last night as part of our rewatch—and have, for some reason, watched it as a stand-alone multiple times, on purpose?? So last night I figured I’d think productively about it and keep track of at least 5 things I like about it!

1. Ichigo Cannot Abide his Own Recap

This episode takes place in the context of the final moments of the Winter War. We’re talking like, Aizen is transforming, Ichimaru’s time on this earth is limited, Final Getsuga Tenshou, final moments of this 93-season-spanning arc. Ichigo and Aizen are about to face off and make clear what the difference is between the two of them. And then this.

But astute viewers of The Halloween Episode will find portentous spoilers here: Ichigo is about to launch into a long recap of the Arabian Nights episode… and stops himself!

This is in the immediate aftermath of Aizen having spent two entire episodes recapping the entire series. And this, friends, is the true difference between their mettles.

2. Pumpkin Ghost Orihime

ToT This requires no elaboration. She is so cute. I’m here for Pumpkin Ghost Orihime and Pumpkin Ghost Orihime only.

3. Pirate Renji

Well, that and mummified pirate Renji. LOVE HIM. We went into this episode muttering nutterishly, "just think about Renji and Orihime just think about Renji and Orihime" and look they’re stars, perfection, I survived this episode and am alive today only by their majesty.

4. Chad was spared all of this

Despite the fact that Hitsugaya and Matsumoto are Here For Some Reason (a feat I usually love for them but hate for them so, so, so, so, so, emphatically deeply in this episode), and even She Not Appearing Ever Hinamori is here(!!!), Chad is not.

I like to think it’s because he’s busy preparing an ofrenda for his grandfather and is taking an evening for himself. Self-care. 😌

5. It’s All Komamura’s Fault

The conceit of the episode is that this was all a dream of Komamura’s, similar to the Arabian Nights dream being Isane’s. Not that dream interpretation benefits from too linear an analysis ("X appears in Y way, so Komamura must think Z"), but it makes me wonder what reports Komamura was reading in bed, because there’s not really a strong reason he’d know all that much about Ishida and Orihime, or really even Ichigo. To say nothing of RYUUKEN and ISSHIN, who are also in this episode for some reason.

— Was Chad omitted because Kyouraku did not deign to submit a report after his ryoka fight?

— Did Ishida and Orihime make it in because Ishida’s a Quincy and Orihime has unusual powers/got kidnapped?

— Did Komamura visit Hinamori while she was recovering, and that’s why she skated into dreamland? If so, love that for them. So much.

— Does Ryuuken and Isshin being here mean that the Gotei has files on both of them? Kurosaki Isshin, that is, as Soul Society’s Best/Worst Kept Secret at this point?

Bonus Round: 6. Features my Favorite OP

I do not pay a lot of attention to Bleach music—though I’m more amenable to the OP/EDs than the score by far—but The Marble OP is probably my favorite one. I know it has a real name, and I know its real name, but it’s the Marble OP.

But something I wondered last night that I’d never wondered before… What is the room that the hougyoku is in here? Fake Karakura’s Fake City Hall?

Bonus Round: 7. It's followed by the Best Bleach Episode of All Time

The Hisagi Inn Episode is RIGHT AFTER THIS ONE, the most immaculate Bleach episode of our hearts. B3 loves this episode more every time we see it, and our immediate reflex after it ends—every single time—is to watch it again immediately. ALL HAIL THE INN EPISODE

[clonerightsagenda]

L&Co Episode 1!

Now that I'm doing this at home I can unleash my true liveblogging power (pausing the episode every 10 seconds to type frantically into a txt file). This shit is gonna get long

So the American publications localized everything even though I can read 'torch' instead of flashlight without dropping dead on the spot (although switching to Fahrenheit was helpful, I'll admit) but this is making the reminder that Yes They Are British And Sound British even more devastating. I remain unable to detect class/background distinctions but it would be interesting if the older ghosts' accents matched their time periods. Like if Penelope sounded just a little bit old fashioned. God only knows what Ezekiel's accent would be. He predates modern English.

Wait is that how the Brits pronounce Anthony. They got me again. They can't keep getting away with this

Lucy's actress is the closest Hollywood can get to stocky before they get scared

The knocking sound was probably echoes of Fairfax hammering the nails into the wood while walling up Annie's corpse, huh

Shoving all the worldbuilding backstory into the intro credits is one way to do it. Shoutout to the technology stocks cratering and all the computers in a trash pile. The rest of the world is so blogging about this

The book nods toward her mom sucking but I didn't get the impression she didn't want to become an agent… I hope the showrunners weren't like 'female lead? she must be frightened and fragile.' She's a vicious little hater and that's why I like her

The doomed girlfriend! I have heard about you.

Writing 'this will be us' over the bodysnatcher lol. Yeah she sure hopes so

They really dropped the series spoiler 17 minutes into the first episode huh. In two years they're going to crack the case and Lucy's going to go "Paul was right?? Fucking PAUL???" Tragic

Do trains not run overnight, do they have enough metal in them to repel visitors, or do they have iron/silver cattle catchers on the front to smash ghosts off the tracks. Enjoying this image

I'm gonna be real honest if a job advert mentioned "female preferred" I wouldn't touch it with a 10 foot pole. Wonder if that's because in-universe Listeners seem to be almost invariably female and that was their staffing gap? Still. Creepy

Appreciate the makeup team lovingly applying huge bags beneath Lockwood's eyes. Kid looks appropriately half dead

Was unable to determine whether the skull still has its mandible as a connoisseur in these matters. I'd expect it to have washed away as I typically find orphaned (non-human!!!) jawbones.

You know I didn't think about the implications of them living in a rowhome. What were the neighbors doing when they had a whole fucking Home Alone battle with the London criminal underground. Filing a noise complaint?

"One day this will be one of the most successful agencies in London." After we kill the CEOs of all the other ones and win by attrition

They switched from a locket to a ring for Annie's source? I guess the inscription must be on the inside of the band, then.