#gosh i have to change her about doc

[mythvoiced]

OPEN STARTER | Boo Yihwa

"New idea: you fuck off or I'll kill you. I hate the way you smell."

[bladekindeyewear]

HS^2 bloggin’ mainline 2024-09-29

(Previous post - current page 666)

Section 6 is finally here! (And the part at the bottom is gone, possibly never meant to be clickable?!) Time for possibly the last or second-to-last portion of one of my favorite Homestuck storytelling sections so far, let's see if and how this situation ends!

Time to see if it really HAS been a whole eight years before she finishes her therapy like the joke Davepeta left on last time, or if it'll add up to 6 for the whole thing to go with the Hell/purgatory/666 theme, I suppose! *click*

"LATER"

Well, I suppose it isn't going to tell us HOW LONG just yet...

Ooh Davepeta's theme again, it sounds a bit jazzier than usual if I'm not imagining it, like a slight remix!

Gosh she looks so proud and happy! (Even though the next line could easily pull the rug out from under us.) I can't wait to see grown-up Vriska having almost-sort-of resolved her biggest issues! (No change in her sprite when I compare to my earlier screenshots, although that doesn't tell us much about how much time has passed since there was always a good chance she had grown as much as she's going to physically the prior new sprite switchup.)

DAVEPETASPRITE^2: B33 < its b33n a long ass time but were cr33ping up behind the grand finale DAVEPETASPRITE^2: B33 < that finale is never gonna s33 it coming

:D

VRISKA: The final 8oss.

Ooh, who is it? I mean, probably herself obviously. But who else could it be? There are possibilities I'm sure but they're not coming to mind easily. I'm reminded very much, the way I have been this entire time, of the conversation in original Homestuck where the retcon-returned Vriska berated her possibly-inverted ghost self, insulting her and shouting her down in a way that was wrong and proved all the ways the version of her who HADN'T survived had grown and the one who HAD survived hadn't. She insisted that being the hero and hiding her self-hatred to go have an Epic Final Story Battle with Lord English was the only way forward for her while everyone else was escaping the bounds of canon to enjoy a life and hopefully true happiness outside the story's confines, and what she'd gone up to before The Plot Point was her reward, consigned to irrelevance again and now WITHIN the Plot Point shown that none of what she'd been pursuing up until now would have ever made her happy, or into a better person. Now she has to finish learning that lesson, or at least get close enough, of what to actually do and what true freedom ("Ultimate Freedom") and happiness is to finally do what's right for her and potentially everyone around her.

I guess that means I expect her to have to "fight" herself, because she's been the enemy this whole time, right? Everyone she's "reconciled" with has been, in effect, the reflection of those people that exists within HER Heart, much like Jake was able to invoke Brain Ghost Dirk. Lines in here in previous sections indicated that she really is "alone", that these people she's talking to are an illusion and really besides her tagalong therapists she's the "only one here", the only one keeping herself here and torturing herself. Because SHE'S always been the one torturing herself, and SHE needs to learn how and when and why NOT TO in order to be the best version of herself. The Jung in Homestuck shows itself again in the form of the shadow, in the lesson of merging to ascend, of accepting yourself and your flaws with a humility that doesn't deny your ability to affect the world around you, to understand how to leave your mark on reality and how you're WORTH doing so, without stamping down the wills of others.

I'm rambling and stalling, let's see what they have for us.

DAVEPETASPRITE^2: B33 < master hand, your days are fucking numbered

I know this is just a smash reference, but does Vriska think she needs to go at Doc Scratch again? His chess playing with her on the board is sort of some "master hand" shit, I'd think.

VRISKA: More like minutes!

A clock hand joke perhaps?

DAVEPETASPRITE^2: B33 < finally ready to take that final step

whatisitwhatisitwhatisit :D

VRISKA: I needed a 8reather!

Huh. I didn't think that maybe she had been just, not going back in AT ALL after the Doc Scratch thing and maybe just, resting for a LONG time that's about to be divulged after the first try, or perhaps multiple tries?

Oh wait is that a Breath aspect and freedom pun hint too? You can't always buckle down and go at your responsibilities (Blood) all the time or you'll snap like a rusty chain.

DAVEPETASPRITE^2: B33 < you sure did!

I know I'm stopping like, every line, but... I'm sensing a punchline coming of THE BREATHER'S BEEN X YEARS.

DAVEPETASPRITE^2: B33 < *a tear begins to well up in dps eye behind their shades* DAVEPETASPRITE^2: B33 < *they f33l like a mom s33ing their freshly pupated charge about to finish their final trials and march off to the subgrubs or maybe a dope ass cave* DAVEPETASPRITE^2: B33 < *dp wonders will they be safe out there? will she make use of all the lessons theyve learned here?*

Dave and Nepeta as a fusion is never not fun and interesting to listen to.

I don't expect The Plot Point to have "fully cured her" so to speak because not even comprehensive therapy is the full answer to solving your issues, and because we still have a good amount of plot LEFT besides all the attention Vriska is sucking up here of it. But if she leaves The Plot Point having identified her issues, confronted them, and with a true resolution to accept herself AND her flaws and do better out there in the real or quasi-real world, with a bit more of an understanding of how to ACTUALLY strive to be the best version of herself (the answer to the ultimate riddle) and begin honestly trying without much leftover regret, then yeah. That may be all she needs from here. We'll see.

DAVEPETASPRITE^2: B33 < *will she remember to wipe the lid?*

O-of what? The toilet? Huh? >_>"

(Is this a stealthy reference to Vriska being a trans gal in side content as per Toblerone and urinating standing up...?)

FEFETASPRITE: 3833 < 383

WAIT WHAT? Was she always here?!? Did I forget a comment about her showing up before? Is she real?? She's a sprite who DIED, isn't she, which would mean that since this isn't a reflection of Vriska's, sprites still HAVE ghosts that went to the Furthest Ring and could be sucked down here?! This is a heck of a random sprites-having-ghosts confirmation!

...I could have sworn that the joke of Fefeta being so talkative but never doing so onscreen was repeated SOMEWHERE in HS^2 since Beyond Canon and my liveblog of it resumed, but I can't freakin' remember where. I think I was just coincidentally talking with a friend about Fefeta's explosion recently on a random subject matter and I'm confusing it with having read/heard SOME mention of her again in the comic. Like from Roxy or something. Roxy might have brought up her past with Fefeta to remind us she existed so she could be dropped again on us in here, or... fuck I'm confused. Someone let me know if we had any clue Fefeta was here or mention of her elsewhere in Beyond Canon, or if her living again had been confirmed elsewhere before this, because my memory could NOT be failing me harder right now.

VRISKA: *The Thief proudly puffs out her chest with her hands on her hips and her 8ack to the sun, looking heroic and 8adass.*

--Okay I know that Vriska HAS roleplayed before, or we've been told enough that she has, but doing so ONSCREEN so shamelessly with Davepeta speaks of a really really strong friendship she'd have to be pretty vulnerable with them to do this, I think. Which is adorable.

Also, her back to the sun, huh? Nah, no need to dig into that.

VRISKA: Ha! You've got nothing to fear. VRISKA: I'm older and wiser now.

And the time it's taken punchline is coming aaany second now...

VRISKA: I want to thank you, too.

AWW! Gosh she's improved SO MUCH to be talking so freely vulnerably; the last time she approached this sort of opening-up was the moirallegiance with Terezi that was always too one-sided because she never intended to listen to her moirail's advice, back in the last stretch of original Homestuck.

DAVEPETASPRITE^2: B33 < what for DAVEPETASPRITE^2: B33 < i barely did shit

HAH! Don't be modest, you kept her (relatively) sane this whole time! Davepeta looks genuinely confused, that's hilarious.

VRISKA: Haha yeah, 8ut I'm glad you were here anyway. VRISKA: You and everyone else! FEFETASPRITE: 3833 < 383

EXACTLY. You all spent X years with her in here just to keep her company!!! That's not nothing, that's a whole fucking ton of something! Even if I get the feeling that The Plot Point was partially a sink of sorts to suck up all the ghosts from the Ghost Rain and keep them from mucking up the place.

But no seriously, was Fefeta here before??? Did I genuinely forget she was? Because I'm finding it hard to believe I hadn't noticed her and the implications a formerly exploded sprite surviving here would have had before.

VRISKA: ........

Yeah I'm apparently with you there. XD Is she running into the same confusion as me? (Or is the fact that there are sort of two half-Nepetas here about to invite a conversation about Heart and the Ultimate Self again?)

VRISKA: So, DP, you're half Nepeta, right?

Oh, it is!!! :D (And Fefeta's just a sprite, or a ghost of one, not a sprite squared and thus automatic Ultimate Self of both Dave AND Nepeta.) We're about to get some Heart aspect to help stick in Vriska's mind to break down the ultimate answers for her and the audience I bet.

DAVEPETASPRITE^2: B33 < yeah VRISKA: Well, more of a whole Nepeta, along with a whole other dude. DAVEPETASPRITE^2: B33 < ... yeah? FEFETASPRITE: 3833 < 383 VRISKA: 8ut Fefeta's also a whole Nepeta!

It feels like Vriska shouldn't be too confused on this, unless she's gotten lucky and subconsciously sensed that there's an answer she needs for herself, here.

FEFETASPRITE: 3833 < ...

Just don't explode on us again :p

VRISKA: So like... how does that work?

Vriska, you've met who knows how many alternate copies of literally everyone, right?

Nooooo don't make her Fefetasplode again!

VRISKA: Why are there two Nepetas?

A MEOW SOUND EFFECT AND THEN SHE FADES INTO NOTHING. Dammit!!!

I mean, solid joke, sure, except on the Fefeta lovers, but. Is this a consequence of Davepeta being an Ultimate Nepeta and sucking up any spare nonliving Nepeta air in the room passively when it's pointed out? All of HS^2, plus the Epilogues, had a theme in part of Dirk concentrating his power as an Ultimate Self by taking parts of himself back in from places like Candy where it wasn't convenient to exist to achieve his ultimate (hah) goal, which it was IMPLIED made him more powerful-- and we just saw alt!Calliope lose power when she divided herself and have to spend time meditating to reunite enough of herself to control any sort of Jade body again. (Which again, makes her super vulnerable to being disrupted by a Prince of Heart, by the way, which I have no clue how she can be so arrogant as to dismiss and think she can do this with just her squad.)

(Did I mention that there's a TINY chance that Ultimate Davebot's chosen purpose, in alt!Callie's quest to tie up all the loose ends and bring the plot back together, might be to have him scratch Caliborn's session so that alt!Calliope could properly exist? You know, my old debunked-and-defunct Third Scratch theory, the three scratches on Gamzee's face? Oh shit that post has old broken image links I need to fix too, I'll do that by tonight. It's only a small chance, though. EDIT 20240930: After sleeping on it, it seems even less likely than I thought, actually. Alt!Calliope's ship with Davebot and Aradia on it is headed for Dirk and Rose's new planet-- for Davebot to pull off what I just proposed, he'd normally need to use time travel on Earth C to leap to the distant near-death of its star when the cherubs lived and get an easy route into Caliborn's session. I can't say it 100% rules it out, especially if Davebot might (or might not) be able to rewind his entire ship journey when he's done with it to make a full Spacetime move instead of just Time; and that's given that when they entered the Meat timeline they even started at the Meat version of Earth C anyway, too, which is only really an assumption. But it doesn't seem to add up to alt!Callie's need for Davebot in the confrontation itself, at least.)

Okay back to poor, sweet Fefeta just having vanished under the slightest bit of scrutiny.

VRISKA: ... What the fuck was that? DAVEPETASPRITE^2: B33 < you just fucking sent dear sw33t precious fefeta to sprite city.

Is that a literal Sprite City like the kingdoms founded on Earth C where Jasprose was hanging out, or a figurative Sprite City as in sprites tend to die?

Does an Ultimate Nepeta's presence here mean that unless avoiding scrutiny (Voidily) they all become part of the present Ultimate Nepeta and can't exist in this space at the same time? Also with the Umineko connection pointed out last time as something this whole sequence is apparently referencing, I know from my partial experience from the series that there's precedent for someone unable to exist and falling apart if their true paradoxical origins are revealed.

VRISKA: ???????? DAVEPETASPRITE^2: B33 < hahahaha anyway

NO NOT ANYWAY, EXPLAIN

DAVEPETASPRITE^2: B33 < i was just fucking around earlier but honestly, im actually gonna miss you

Yeah, much like her ghost self from the pre-retcon timeline, this Vriska was likely a lot more gratifying to hang out with. (NO EXPLANATION AT ALL FOR FEFETAFADEOUT, GREAT)

DAVEPETASPRITE^2: B33 < i think im f33ling a goodbye glomp coming on

Yeah, they would. (Sorry for quoting and commenting on basically every irrelevant line it's become ingrained habit already and we've only been back here a few times aaaa)

DAVEPETASPRITE^2: B33 < oh yeah sorry

This is too fun a reaction for me not to screenshot, though. Yeah, personal space, Davepeta! Consent of contact!

Ohhhkay I think this is my sign that if I don't stop screencapping and retyping every single line of dialogue I'm never going to get through this final section. Time for more selective quoting and paraphrasing of action!!! (I promise! Kinda!)

VRISKA: Alright fine, one hug 8efore I crush this and I'm outta here.

Daww. :D

I wonder where everyone here is going to go... I don't think Davepeta is going to voluntarily stop existing, but they're pretty hard to pin down.

Yaaaay! :D :D :D

Davepeta you are by NO means allowed to stop existing once the Plot Point is resolved by the way. You can be as plot irrelevant as you want, just don't stop existing.

Oh shit, it's somewhat literal.

One of the eight-balls she compulsively broke, "increasing her bad luck" and leaving things to step on earlier that Kanaya pointed out she could have found her perceived luck returning just by cleaning up. The metaphor that she's been the one putting HERSELF through hell for much of her life, especially ever since she escaped her parent.

VRISKA: I've 8een waiting for this one.

You know who it is?! Is it you?

VRISKA: I have a pretty good feeling I know who's waiting on the other side.

Oh come on, I didn't break the habit of retyping every single line of dialogue at all!!! She's just guessing. Which raises the chance significantly that this might instead be Terezi she has to confront, within herself, to help bring this full circle and decide what she has to do. Everything about their arcs seems to be leading the two of them together again, and not just in their ghost versions, I feel like.

It's just as possible though that when we finally see the message Vriska left Terezi at the end of the epilogues, though, still unseen, that that represents the final word between the Scourge Sisters and these versions of themselves are meant to find their own paths, even though Terezi spent all those years searching the wreckage of the Furthest Ring for her. I can't say for sure.

Okay I'm going to start paraphrasing... pff, Davepeta lampshading the Silent Hill mind prison -ness of this, yeah plenty of works have had this sort of trope and that's certainly a good one (so much as I've heard/read of it anyway).

The quite possibly final goodbye from Vriska to Davepeta! Hope "see you around" remains literal and Davepeta doesn't go to Sprite City </euphemism>.

Wishing her luck!

Black screen, Vriska waits...

A tree fading in in the distance... multiple colors of tree... this feels like Terezi.

VRISKA: Hey!!!!!!!!

VRISKA: Is that you?

Ohh fuuuck the touching slow piano music is kicking in. D':

It's time for emotions

VRISKA: I knew it would 8e you!

I can't tell from here if it's her or if it's Ghost (Vriska) but... oh wait. Wait if all the ghosts are here. Could she be confronting, possibly... ACTUAL ghost Vriska with the actual ghost Terezi that reunited with her? That would be a knife-twist she'd learn a lesson from. Clicking further...

VRISKA: You were the one thing missing from this!

D': What a thing to say.

VRISKA: Even if you're just a phantom designed explicitly to torture me, I'mso happy to see-

It's not her like you wanted, is it? And you're the one who picked a path that you thought would lead yourself away from her forever. YOU kicked her away for the sake of your own glory. So maybe it wouldn't be as simple as just seeing her again here and making amends, hm? Let's see.

VRISKA: you...?

Oh this is totally DEFINITELY the ghost (Vriska) that she chewed out in ways that everything she just spent time in The Plot Point showed were completely wrong. The time she REJECTED her inverse shadow self instead of ACCEPTING and merging with all the parts of herself she hated most, showing how and why she was on the path to fighting Lord English and abandoning Terezi instead of finding any sort of true happiness for herself. Let me find the part in Homestuck AND where I talked about it, to link y'all... GOSH without the full text of Homestuck on command-F/control-F it's so much harder to find stuff like "(VRISKA)"...

Yep, "VRISKA" first showed up to see ghost "(VRISKA)" when I wrote this upd8 reaction in June 2015, then went on for the bulk of the conversation over here on my blog, and here in the comic. I explained how she was dressed like a Page, representing her shadow self, her inner Page of Void-- and still on a happier path than the main Vriska who gave HERSELF such an unjustified verbal beatdown for seeming "pathetic". If you want more from back then, look at my posts tagged Vriska from late June 2015.

It completely fits that Vriska would find the disappointment of not having Terezi here, AND simultaneously have to confront herself in this form as the so-called final boss.

Heck... I figured this hell was driven by Vriska's Heart, her ultimate existence across all timelines, but what if (VRISKA) has been having some specific hand in showing the other Vriska how she can finally be happy, like she figured out?

(Anyway that search took like an hour, I'm finally clicking forward now.)

Oh the way the music just STOPS when (Vriska) turns to the camera. THAT'S a sure sign Vriska isn't taking this well. But she's going to be able to figure this one out without any return trips, this time, I'm sure of it. *click*

Oh, THIS music is different from what I expected. Interesting. It's too slow for my mind to figure out if it's a play on Vriska's old walkaround theme.

GOSH SHE'S SO FREAKIN' TINY D':

Clicking... they stare back and forth a bit more...

Aww, Vriska's awkwardly holding her arm. (I'll resist the urge to screenshot absolutely everything.) She may really be catching onto the fact that she has to apologize to herself. Learn from herself-- from ALL of herself. The parts of herself she used to loathe most because she saw her own weakness in them. That's her Jungian Shadow.

And... perhaps it's also in part why we were reminded again of an Ultimate Self's being all of someone just before she dove in.

VRISKA: Alright, fine. VRISKA: Makes sense I'd have to do this eventually.

Yeah, you're smart enough to get it a bit already.

VRISKA: I'm sorry. VRISKA: For all that shit I said to- did to you.

No-- I mean, sure, that's a start, Vriska, but you don't just have to APOLOGIZE to yourself, your shadow, your perceived flaws. You have to ACCEPT yourself. That's more than a quick apology can do.

VRISKA: It was wrong of me to hate you for getting soft. VRISKA: For knowing when to quit.

Holy shit. SHE FUCKING GETS IT. WOW HAS SHE COME SO FAR. This is exactly what we've been saying since nearly a DECADE ago when that argument happened, just like what I said from my upd8 reaction back then to above!

And (Vriska) gives her back an expansive, pained shrug, huh?

VRISKA: HUH???????? What the hell...

Or... wait. No, she couldn't be. That wasn't a shrug was it. Was (Vriska) offering... a HUG?

That's the answer, isn't it? And why we got a Davepeta hug too? That on the inside, when you finally reach a hand out and offer to accept your shadow as an essential-but-not-predominant part of yourself... your shadow is willing to reach back. She was willing to accept Vriska all along if Vriska just tried. But the fear of one's flaws is a horribly hard thing to conquer, to love yourself-- your ENTIRE self-- enough to take that crucial step.

--yeah, that's an offer to hug it out, isn't it? Vriska probably needs a bit to accept that it's really THAT EASY. Because it wasn't. It wasn't easy. Vriska needed to spend ALL those years to really understand enough to do something like this.

And I'm heavily betting that when Vriska and (Vriska) hug, there's a good chance THEY'LL MERGE. Embracing and assimilating the Jungian Shadow, just like the ascent to God-Tier and merging with the dreamself, except this is part of how you become, in a sense-- at least closer to-- your Ultimate Self. Jung-- "while "no one should deny the danger of the descent [...] every descent is followed by an ascent", and assimilation of – rather than possession by – the shadow becomes a possibility." "NANNASPRITE: All the gates do, John. To ascend, each time you must first descend!" Jung-- "We begin to travel [up] through the healing spirals...straight up." Right from the spirograph gates above their houses to their dreamselves and merging to God-Tier, Sburb and Homestuck has been loaded with intentional Jungian psychology references, and this is just the latest instance of the story spelling it out for us.

Anyway, clicking forward. Yeah, Vriska's nervous. She isn't huggy, and this is one of the hardest embraces one can possibly make, whether she realizes it now or not given all the work she's done to get here.

VRISKA: You're asking for too much. VRISKA: You're really going to make me do this? VRISKA: ...

See? It's no wonder this is so hard for her. She was always in the way of herself.

What will you do?

HAH!

Clicking... she hesitates further, of course...

VRISKA: I...

You're so damn close. But that's the reason this is the final 8oss, isn't it? Accepting the shadow is the hardest step. Accepting that she deserves it, that she can deserve to forgive even herself for hurting herself.

VRISKA: I can't.

You can!

And... OH WOW SHE ACTUALLY OLLIES OUTIE?!?!?!??!?!?

It really IS that hard for her to accept herself. I've long covered exactly why it can be the hardest thing of all. Not inverting, but integrating, balancing, accepting ALL of yourself, the good and the bad, your right to make a difference and the importance of recognizing where you may do wrong. Everything Doc Scratch lectured her to fear about herself in part 5.

So she's back at the beach. Clicking...

And that's the end of the upd8. That was... excellent. I loved it.

Seems like we need to wait one more step for her to finally embrace herself. But that's all that's left! Just one more step.

See you next time!

[m1ssunderstanding]

Understanding Lennon McCartney Rewatch Part 1.5

Coke Paul is just so pretty

What is the switching glasses supposed to mean in the penny lane video? Any thoughts?

In this interview, Paul seconds John's “go on forever” comment from a few months ago. They really did so well when they were living together, didn't they?

Okay, let's look at the difference in Paul's trips. His first ever trip with Tara Browne and he's just concerned that his sleeves are dirty and just mildly looking through a book of pictures. VS with John? The “I know.” “I know.” The “emperor of the universe” thing? Raving about it to everyone who would listen? Having to leave multiple times because it was scary how tightly they were bonding?

Their songwriting partnership is beyond insane. It's superhuman, it really is. Their abilities, their connection. And Cyn and Terry just reading. Just completely nonplussed. This was very every-day, monotonous stuff for them. Unfathomable. 

That song will always get me, though. “what do I do when my love is away?” “Obviously move my best friend in to take her place and then write a timeless classic with him about how it.”

Astrid: At first I did wonder if the really cared about people's feelings and people's friendship. Maybe this doc's whole thesis is “John and Paul's love for each other was so big they didn't have room for any kind feeling toward anyone else.”

The Pepper photoshoot is insane to me. Like more insane than the David Bailey one. Change my mind. You can't.

John tells an interviewer, "Only now am I beginning to realize many of the things I should have known years ago. I'm getting to understand my own feelings." Were follow-up questions just not invented yet??!! What things have you just learned, John? What feelings?

Never forget Linda took these. She must've been somewhat aware of how annoying this man was going to be about John from the start. And she still went after him. That's how good his . . . Nevermind.

"a decisive moment in the history of Western civilization" Well done, babies. 

I love smug Paul in general, and I especially love when he's smug about John. That “me and the badass bitch I pulled by being autistic” look. But literally. 

Gosh the Greece trip looks so beautiful. Idyllic. Paradisiacal. All of the beautiful people are just so blissful and in love. Sigh. (Every time I tried to take a screenshot of it it was too awful. Peter Jackson should clean it up.)

What are everyone's thoughts about the cause of Brian's death? I really liked what Vivek Tiwary said on AKOM. He knew he was taking a dangerous amount of drugs and he was depressed. But he wouldn't have just left so suddenly without leaving a will or setting things in order for the Beatles business. Anyway, no matter the cause, his death is the beginning of the end for the Beatles.  

All those quotes and pictures about the “intensity” between Paul and Brian are fascinating. “Obviously adored” “overcompensate” “little worries” What does it all mean? Was Brian in love with Paul in the end like he had been in love with John in the beginning? Or did he just feel bad because he knew it was unfair to Paul how in love he was with John? 

Wait, Brian was hospitalized for s*icide attempts in 66? Really? Confirmed? I knew he was in the hospital, but didn't know it was due to s*icide. 

Paul's hand at the small of John's back here, helping him onto the bus. It's so tender, so customary. They took such good care of each other.

Interviewer talking about MMT: If I can't see it in color, I'm going to send it back. ... :/

They're directing something and as Paul starts to walk away, so does John. But not because he wants to. He's looking around almost frantically. He has no choice in the matter. Only one person gets to control their legs at a time, and right now it's Paul's turn. 

Look how fucking ecstatic he is. I guarantee John isn't saying anything that monumental but look at those eyes. He's done for. Gone.

Interviewer: just get a tape recorder and you and Paul and the others just start gabbing. John: well, we've got a lot of that lying around the house, actually. Me: First of all “the house?” “the house?” Just casual. Like “our house” Like it's just common knowledge that they've been married and living together since they were fifteen. Second of all, give us the tapes already!! Who has them? Paul? 

All of these quotes from the Hunter Davies biography are just so normal. They're all so normal. It's fine. I'm fine. And here's my tin hat coming on again (and yeah I believe John loved George and Ringo immensely) but I think sometimes in these quotes, when John and Cyn are saying "the Beatles" they kind of mean "Paul . . . And George and Ringo". John himself actually says as much in the seventies, that when he says "the Beatles" he might just mean Paul, or just him and Paul. And there are countless times when Paul or John will start out saying "the others" and end up using just one name in a sentence. Idk this doc makes me such a truther I swear I'm not always this crazy.

And John's self soothing, reassuring refrain playing over all of it, “nothing's gonna change my world.” Right after Paul and Jane get engaged? Someone stab me in the heart, it would hurt less. And this is just the anticipation of the next part. Can I even handle part two?

Have some happy screenshots to bolster us.

[linkito]

Doc in particular being on Scar's side post-rescue gives me warm fuzzies. Because arguably he did see Scar at his worst and had to hold hold him back, he could have been the strongest voice for Scar coming back "wrong". And sure he saw the trap on Grian's wings but he never saw the hunters themselves so he never saw WHY Scar fought so hard.

This thought lead to another thought of oh, oh Impulse and maybe Pearl are really the only ones who saw both, aren't they? Pearl got a little experience with the hunters and then was evac'ed to where Scar was being feral (tho she may not have been focused on that). Impulse got the opposite, got to see Scar like that and then got to see the hunters and why Scar might be like that.

Gem saw the hunters and sure saw Scar fight, but didn't see Scar on the ship by himself. Cub got Scar out early so didn't see the whole fight. Doc and X never left the ship so they didn't see any of the fight.

Also Mama Cleo, we love her. And I mean, not to dig too deep into them, but depending on if you think people are born zombie hybrids or get turned.... Cleo that got turned? Seeing Scar changed by a world into something he wasn't before? Neither of them feeling like that change is something needing to be fixed? 👀

-🎀

I'm a big advocate for friendship between Doc and Scar, in general and especially in hhau. It's so obvious he has a soft spot for Scar. It's hilarious to watch how often he dashes over to hang out with Scar on stream hehe

And yeah! He saw Scar at his worst, without the context of the battle, but it doesn't change how he sees Scar. Doc is the scary one, obviously. Of course. Duh.

And gosh YEAH that's such a great point about Cleo. I might steal that and make it canon, the idea of it being something they were turned into from a human instead of something she was born as.

Becoming what is deemed as a monster, but owning it, embracing it. No longer wishing to be what she used to be. This is who they are!

Something about this creeper-goat-cyborg and a zombie being some of Scar's closest allies during all of this. Reminding the hermits that "monsters" aren't always what they seem.

[makeyoumine69]

Take me Back to the Start

◥ PAIRING: Sugar Daddy!Patrick Bateman x Fem!Reader

◥ SUMMARY: You couldn't imagine that just one random meeting can change your life forever.

◥ WARNINGS: Swearing, Patrick being a dick, super toxic behavior.

◥ WORDCOUNT: 2k

◥ A/N: Finally, I wrote some backstory about how Cupcake and Patrick met; I hope you like the whole idea of story-driven fics!

◥ SONG REC: Pastel Ghost - Dark Beach😈

◥ LINKS: [Sweet like a Cupcake Masterlist] [Main Masterlist]

Another busy day at Pierce & Pierce turned into a full mess, as you didn’t know how to handle all the things you had to do, starting with some shitty paperwork and ending with a lot of calculations for the upcoming monthly report. Being an accountant in a company like that was hella tough, but you never used to complain because you loved your job, anyway. 

“(Y/N)! (Y/N), do you hear me?” Your colleague called you several more times before you finally glanced at her as you were sitting at your desk, which was littered with different documents.

“Yeah, what happened?” You grumbled, rubbing your tired eyes as if it could freshen you up a bit.

“Need your help, I know you are busy, but...” 

Sighing, you put your pencil on the table, taking a sip of the awful coffee you never liked. “Surprise me, what problems do we have this time?”

“Ah,come on!” she waved away, but her face turned red. “It’s nothing crucial, just some courier stuff…”

“What stuff?”

With a dull thud, your colleague placed a thick folder on your desk, with some papers inside—it looked like something really important. “(Y/N), please, save me! I need to finish my report today or our old witch of a manager will tear me apart!”

Crossing your arms on your chest, you gave her a judging gaze, shaking your head and lamenting: “Did I tell you that your habit of procrastinating will end up badly?” 

“I know… I just had a date yesterday and…”

Frowning, you stopped her with a hand. “Heard this story already! Better tell me who our courier is and when will he come?”

“Gosh, (Y/N)! You’re the best,” she nearly jumped in place before she rushed towards your desk once again and took a seat on the wooden surface of it. “I don’t really remember the name of the courier service, but I remember the courier will arrive in about… Agh-an hour and a half!”

“Okay, okay,” nodding your head, you grabbed a folder and pulled it closer to inspect it a bit. “To whom are we sending these docs? I can’t see the recipient's address…”

“Oh shit, I probably forgot to fill it in!”

“Great….” You were about to facepalm when an unexpected knock at the door got your attention.

A slightly familiar face showed up in your office, but you couldn’t remember who exactly the old woman was and your colleague seemed to be quite confused too.

“Sorry, ladies for disturbing you, but I got a call from the receptionist. It said some courier was waiting for his package.”

Now, you were furious. “But you said an hour and a half!”

“Sorry, sorry! I probably mixed something up… Wait! I have a card which belongs to the one guy from that company,” she quickly gave it to you, looking very embarrassed. “There should be an address!”

“You better hope it’s correct,” you stood up from your armchair, taking the folder with you as you were in a nervous rush, and you hated situations like that. “And when I come back, I don’t want to know how you got this card, okay?”

Scowling, you excused yourself to the old lady in the doorways as you moved past her, sensing yourself on the verge of annoyance. 

The hall was very crowded at this time of the day, nothing new actually, but the long waiting for a goddamn elevator irritated you, especially now, when you needed to be as swift as you could cause you didn’t like to be late, ignoring the fact that this whole situation was already fucked up not your fault.

Looking around you were searching for the courier when you noticed a handsome guy standing near the reception desk. Still anxious, you strolled across the hall toward that man, hoping your intuition won’t fail you.

“Excuse me, sir,” you said, tapping his shoulder. “Are you waiting for someone?”

“Good afternoon! What a busy day!” he exclaimed, swinging his hands in the air. “Uh, I’m here to pick up some docs from a lady whose name is…”

“Cindy Harrington?” The guy looked at the small piece of paper before replying: “Yes! That’s right.”

“Well, I’m not her but I brought you the stuff you need.” Smiling, you gave him the folder, breathing a sigh of relief.

“Oh, thank you so much! I thought I was gonna be here forever.”

“Erm, sorry for the delay!”

“It's not a big deal, have a nice day!” He grinned in response before turning around and walking away.

Pleased with yourself, you were watching him going through the crowd of people when you remembered you didn’t write the recipient's address and didn’t even hand him a business card, which Cindy gave you before you left your office. Damn, how could you forget?!

Breathing heavily, you broke out of the place to chase the courier, yelling: “Sir, wait!” 

You could barely see his back in the endless flow of people, but you didn’t give up, almost running across the hall, fumbling with the business card in your hand.

“Sir!” 

You shouted again and again, seeing nothing but his departing figure, feeling adrenaline rushing in your veins. The guy was so close and so far away but once you thought you almost got him; you felt a strong hit right against your body as it seemed like you bumped into someone, someone very solid. 

The clash was so sudden; you let the business card fall on the floor and almost right away some yuppies stepped on it without even noticing. Once you got down to grab it, you spotted a pair of patent leather shoes. Swallowing hard, you raised your eyes to see a tall, good-looking man, whose facial expression caused your heart to skip a beat.

“Are you blind?” He yelled at you, taking off his headphones angrily. 

“I’m sorry, sir...” You conceded, standing up and noticing how tiny you were compared to him.

“You are just sorry? Look at that!” he pointed at his shoes, with a cigar in his hand. “I bought them only yesterday! Do you even know how much they cost?”

“Sir, I’m really sorry!”

“Do you really think ya sorry is fuckin’ enough?” He blurted out, making everyone around look at you.

It was so frustrating; you even closed your eyes for a moment as you didn’t really know how to react in this situation.

“You are not only blind but deaf too?”

“Sir, I already apologised to you!” you suddenly sneered in a stern voice. “I’m sorry, but right now I don’t have a shoe brush to solve this problem!”

He seemed to be shocked, as he looked at you in disbelief before shouting in a furious voice: “You fuck…”

“Bateman!” 

Shaking slightly, you flinched and glanced to the side to see a dark-haired yuppie who patted your offender’s shoulder; that was the best moment for you to run away from here, disappearing into the crowd of people.

“Hey, we aren’t finished!” Patrick screamed at your back, pushing Timothy Bryce from his way. 

“What’s wrong?” Bryce asked, giving him a questionable look. “Did that chick reject you?”

“W-what?” Bateman almost choked from indignation, brushing off Timothy’s hands from his shoulders. “Did you even see her? She’s ugly as hell!”

“Yeap, definitely not your type,” he clicked his tongue before lighting a cigarette. “But seriously, what happened? I could hear you shouting from outside.”

“That bitch stepped on my shoes,” Patrick looked down at them, biting his lower lip, frowning with displeasure. “And this is the first time I’ve worn them!”

Bryce rolled his eyes, theatrically wiping away a tear. “What a tragedy, Bateman. Are you gonna fire her for that?”

Humming to himself, Patrick glanced at the place you were standing some moments ago, his mind was busy thinking about a plan… Cause, if he just fired you, that would be too easy…

“Bateman, are you here?” Timothy snapped his fingers in front of Patrick’s face.

“I have… I have a better idea. Let's go, gentlemen are waiting for us in the meeting room.” Patrick uttered, his devilish smile glowed on his face, as he moved forward, leaving Bryce completely confused.

Huffing, you nearly broke into your office and leaned against the door with your eyes firmly closed.

“(Y/N), what’s wrong?” Cindy worried, leaving her desk. “You look like you saw a ghost.”

“I saw worse...” You snorted, fixing your slightly messy hair. 

Now, your colleague was looking as scared as you, nervously twirling a pen with her fingers. “Maybe you want some coffee?” she watched you walking back and forth around the office. “Something bad happened with docs? You didn’t make it?”

Her quiet but demanding voice brought you back to the Earth as you breathed deeply, pulling yourself together. “No, everything went fine.”

You confused Cindy, so she got closer to your table, picking up the spoiled business card you just laid on. “Is this why you look so sad?”

“I bumped into one of the Vice Presidents and it seemed like I stained his super expensive shoes!” You said quickly, and you even had to catch the air after your words, feeling your head pulsating from massive stress.

“Wow! Do you know his name?” She sounded strangely excited.

“Whose name?” You sat at your desk, leaning on your elbows as you were massaging your temples.

“Vice President you bumped into, of course! Who was that?”

“His last name is Bateman if I’m not mistaken…” You almost fell from your armchair from how she screamed at your words.

“No way!” Cindy pressed both hands to her forehead like she was about to lose consciousness. “Oh my God! He’s…He’s so hot!”

Your half-opened mouth literally froze in shock as you couldn't believe what you just heard.

“Damn, (Y/N)! I wish I were in your place!” She murmured as if she was dreaming about it right now.

“Are you kidding me?” you crossed your arms, scowling just from one thought about him. “He’s an arrogant bastard! Who knows nothing about good manners!” you nearly spitted out your words, hitting your little fist against the wooden surface of your table. “And now, my destiny is in his hands–will he fire me or not? How pathetic…”

“What are you talking about!” she rolled her eyes, wailing as if she was your teacher: “Mr. Bateman is a very kind man! I heard a lot about him, he’s the boy next door! How can he fire you? Besides, he has a weak spot for cute girls…”

“Jesus…How in the hell did you know about all of these stupid yarns?” you grabbed your head in order to close your ears. “Wait! Don’t tell me! I don’t want to hear anything about this ‘boy next door’, you understand?”

Cindy let out a small giggle, looking at you suspiciously before asking some more questions, which pissed you off completely: “You like him, don’t you? I bet he’s so handsome…How does it feel to stand beside him? Ohhhh… Which girls do you think he likes the most?”

Sighing helplessly, you gave her a killing gaze, cutting her off with a stern statement: “Why don’t you go there and ask him yourself about all this bullshit you want to know about him?!”

Thank God, your phone rang–never in your life have you felt happier getting a phone call than now.

Confidently, you picked up the phone. “I'm listening...”

“Hi, (Y/N)!” your boss's slightly grumpy voice echoed in your ear. “My colleagues told me you had a conflict with Mr. Bateman in the hall today. I just wanna know if you resolved that situation. Everyone in our company must appreciate their superiors!...”

You made a loud gasp, not really paying attention to your boss's instructions anymore as your mind was occupied by the only one thought, which would bother you for a long time–how had this bastard managed to bring you so many problems so quickly all of which you had never had during all the time you’ve worked here?

[isthatbloodonhisshirt]

Hi! I love your writing, so I gave in and opened my ancient Tumblr so I can follow you on here as well as on ao3. I read you've been having trouble with your eyes and it means you cant write as much as you'd like; I have eye issues as well, and I have a tip that might help. I write and edit in a notebook, then use Google docs on my phone and use the voice-to-text to copy it into a file. It means I only need to do minor edits on a screen. I hope this helps :)

Hellooo~ o/

Oh my gosh, thank you so much for coming back to this hellsite (affectionate)! I hope you've been enjoying your return despite all the bullshit changes they seem to have made in my four month long absence... And thank you for the kind words, I really appreciate it, and I'm glad you enjoy my writing, thank you ❤❤

That is a really good tip about the writing. Voice-to-text doesn't work well for me because for some reason the words I say never come out how I want them to (apparently my phone thinks "chapter" and "character" are exactly the same word when I say it -.-), but I legit did not even consider the notebook thing because apparently I am an iiiidiot!

Technically typing out everything from a notebook shouldn't be impacting too much of my vision given I'd be looking at the notebook to type it rather than the screen 🤔 I mean, it's not ideal since it duplicates the work, but I hadn't even considered that since who uses pen and paper anymore? |D But even if the voice-to-text isn't a possibility, the notebook sure is and I have noooo idea why that didn't even occur to me until I read your ask! That might actually help until I can get back to a new normal, so thank you! Can't believe my lizard brain didn't even consider that!!!

Thank you for the writing tip and trying to help out someone who is STRUGGLING with the ideas crammed in her brain that need an outlet! I appreciate you <3<3<3<3<3<3

[booiiee]

Brooklyn Baby

Read Chapter 1 here

-----

Chapter - 2

“Is the silence bothering everyone or is it just me?” Eric chimed, cutting through the silence of the table.

J- I think Miss Rose here is upset that we ruined her afternoon plans of a sad lunch here at the cafeteria

R- I’ll have you know that I very much enjoy my lunches here at the hospital cafeteria and they are not sad

J- Oh why? Do you watch fancams of us in your free time?

God why is he smirking? As if his face wasn’t already making you angry/ God he is so gorgeous it actually hurts.

R- No not all of you!

J- Oh so just your bias then? WHo is your bias?

E- Oh yeah I wanna know too. And if it’s me I’ll act surprised okay?

R- Well it used to be you Eric, but it was Juyeon last I had the time to you know, catch up with the content.

J- Ah that’s disappointing, I almost thought you’d say my name. Specially with how defensive you were back there saying “I could never hate Hyunjae not in this life for sureee”

See you love this boy, but you also have zero tolerance to someone mimicking you, both of these things can be true. So if you said “I do not care about you enough to hate you that is why I said that!”, it really doesn't mean anything, to you at least.

The change in his expression was quick but you caught it, Eric returning with your drinks looks puzzled with the silence.

J- Well, we will be taking your leave doctor, you’ll see Eric next week.

E- And you the week after cause-

J- Let’s not bore her with details she is not interested in, Eric. Let’s go.

E- Oh and doc, this is yours, please take it. J looked for it for hours before we finalized it.

The two wear their masks and leave with Eric shouting “see you doc” from across the cafeteria while Hyunjae looked like he could not be out of here faster.

You open the gift and find a note that says “Butterflies love roses” and let out a loud gasp seeing the heart shaped bookmark with a butterfly engraved in the center.

(Ref reel: The bookmark )

Sleep was a luxury that night and you felt too guilty to afford it. You stayed up revisiting fancam of him and the edits from your now abandoned account. God you really loved this guy and the first time you met him you lashed out on him for his annoying trait- something that you’ve told all your friends you love about him.

In your most guilt filled heart and clouded mind, you did what you could think of and texted Eric, Gosh where is my professionalism!

R- Hi Eric, this is Doctor Rose. Sorry for texting you I need a little help

E- Heyyy Hi doc! I am happy you texted!

How can I help? Did you not like the present? 🙁

R- No, no that’s not it. I loved it. I actually wanted to thank Jaehyun for it and thought I should text him

E- Aww that is so thoughtful of you. Wait I’ll send over this contact to you

*1 Contact J *

R- Thank you Eric 🙂

E- Anytime doc 🌹

You haven’t been this anxious texting a guy since high school, which isn’t an evidence of the regularity of texting guys but rather a testament of how long it’s been since you’ve actively texted a guy.

R- hi Mr. Jaehyun, this is doctor rose from NewYork-Presbyterian Brooklyn Methodist Hospital.

J- Oh hello Doc

How may i help you?

R- I wanted to thank you for the present, it was really thoughtful of you

J- I am happy you liked it

R- And I wanted to apologise

For earlier today

I really shouldn’t have spoken to you like that and I really didn’t mean to say that I do not give a fuck about you to hate you. It’s just that I am really sensitive to people mimicking me and I get annoyed easily and-

*Jaehyun calling*

J- Hi doc, i figured it's best if we spoke on the phone and let me start by apologising. We don’t know each other enough for me to be mimicking you I am sorry, you had the right to be annoyed.

R- And I should not have spoken to you like that either

J- Well I can think of something to accept your apology

You should start calling me by my name

R- oh….okay sure do you prefer hyunjae or jaehyun?

J- my fans call me hyunjae and i gather you are not one so-

R- I told you that is not the casee

J- So you like me then?

(I love you boy if you only knew)

R- I dont hate you

J- Easy save Rose. easy save

R- Well then goodnight

Thank you really for the bookmark, it’s gorgeous. And for the note too, it’s cute.

J- You’re named after a flower of course I am gonna make these references

R- Not a lot of people do that actually to my surprise

J- Well you have me now so don’t be surprised

R- Is he insane?

J- Ouch i thought we were becoming friends :/

R- Did i say that out loud????

J- Do you replay all your sentences in your head before you saythem to me?

R- No!!!!

*Jaehyun laughs*

J- cute

Goodnight Rose, hope you have a good day tomorrow

R- You too. Hope you have a good time at the fan event

J- Of course you know our schedule, thank you

*Call ends*

R- YOU WILL NOT BELIEVE WHO I JUST SPOKE TO!!!!

D- If you don’t say hyunjae or Chris hemsworth i dont wanna know

R- ITS HYUNJAEEE

D- WHATTTTTT

The debrief with daisy lasted longer than your call with him and you were sure if hyunjae was anywhere near you he could hear her squeal. Gosh it was all so surreal, now that you were narrating it to her you realised how unreal it was that you just spoke to HYUNJAE.

To your utter ( & pleasant ) surprise you did see hyunjae the next week, smiling as he walked towards you, Eric was still at his session so you guys will be talking alone, well not completely alone, it was the hospital cafeteria.

R- I thought you were busy this week

J- Awww you’re missing me

R- NO I AM NOT

J- Dare i say, i missed you too?

R- oh

J- Clearly not as much as you did but yeah

R- um you want something?

J- A fraction of your schedule yeah

R- I meant from the menu

J- Oh in that case nothing

R- You sure you don’t wanna eat something? You had a busy wee-

You did not realise how close he was to your face until you turned around.

J- Careful rose, you don’t wanna get me habituated to you

GOD WHY DOES HE LOOK SO PRETTY!!!!

R- oh um okay

E- Wassuuupp my two favourite people in the world?!

R- Hey Eric how was your session?

E- It was so boring today i hate writing stuff

J- don't you have a schedule to run to?

E- schedule?

OH YEAH RIIIGHTTT. I gotta run doc rose, i got a schedule see ya

R- Bye-

J- So where were we?

R- In the cafeteria?

J- Funny. You know what I'm talking about

R- No I don't

J- Yes you do

Or would you rather me spell it out for you, hmm? The way he leans onto the table close to you is making you nervous.

This boy needs to stop getting so close to your face.

J- I'll take that as a yes. We were talking about you giving me a fraction of your time and coming to this music festival with me

R- Music festival?

J- Yes, I've heard great things about the band that's playing tonight and i take you as a music lover so you'll like it there.

And as a bonus you get to spend your evening with me

R- Hmm can you make my evening worthwhile tho?

Stupid girl don't get flirty with him what if strikes bac-

J- If you allow me I can

R- ….okay sure we can go

J- Okay, it's a date then!

R- IT ISS???

J- I don't know if you sound happy excited or just shocked, but I think I've made it pretty clear that I'm interested in you, so would it be okay if this is a date?

R- mmm okay

J- See you, rose.

☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️

one day I'll be better at tumblr formatting but it's not today😔

for loml @un-love

[iamgoingtoscreamstuff]

Putting on my big girl pants to be brave enough to post this. (reminding myself that literally no one visits my blog and probably no one will see this) I’m writing for myself. This idea is intended to be a novel of sorts eventually. I’ve literally never written something like this before and I've never taken a writing class I'm just flying by the seat of my pants, so don’t judge to harshly. Uh yeah that’s about it.

If you’re here, oh my gosh! Hi pookie! I hope you have fun reading!

ALSO!

If you read this and like it, please leave a comment! They make me happy. On the other hand, if you’re reading and nothing is making sense, TELL ME! I want to make this the best it can be. (eventually) So don’t be shy to point out mistakes or weird stuff in my writing :)

On that note, I am aware their names are spelled weird, it's a very intentional choice. Her name is pronounced Stephanie it's just spelled really wrong for reasons.

What ya'll are seeing on my blog is a first rough draft. I'm talking, I write it, look it over once to make sure there's minimal grammatical errors and then slap it over here, first draft. What I actually have written on my book doc draft is slightly different and has maybe better writing. What I'm trying to say is that lore may change as you read, but the final version ( which I may or not post here) will make 1000% more sense.

I am a college student who is drowning in work a little, so updates will be kind of slow.

(Theres a playlist for this I'll post eventually when there's enough plot to constitute it)

prologue chapter one chapter two chapter three chapter four chapter five chapter six

[rainbows-r-nice05]

~Photographed Memories~

An Anthony Lockwood fanfiction

Content: you'll see :)

Summary: You recall the first date you have ever been on with Anthony Lockwood. And you wish it could last forever.

Word Count: 2,400 (according to Google Doc.)

Notes: Wow, ok I have never been on a date before so I do not know how dates work so... just bear with me on this one lol. I personally liked this one but like I said earlier, there will be some mistakes because my writing is crap :). Anyway please enjoy this cute chapter!!

-

Chapter 1

-

     Our first ever photo was one that is cherished and has a very special meaning behind it. The photo was taken on Your first ever date with the one and only Anthony Lockwood. The photo was a framed one and it was taken outside. You and Lockwood decided that for your first date, the both of you would have a picnic at a park. The picture shows the both of you smiling at the camera, super close to each other. Your cheeks are almost touching and the sunlight was hitting the both of you at the right angle. The light really made your (e/c) eyes dazzle like the stars and Lockwood's skin was practically shining. 

     Lockwood was the one who asked you out. It was actually at the dinner table and he just spat it out like it was something entirely normal. You have had a crush on Anthony for some time now and you could not resist the date offer. The date went a little something like this: 

     "Ok, How about this one Luce?" You were currently trying on cute sundresses you got from your family. You and Lucy shared a room (for now) and you both had a changing wall to go change behind. You currently have a deep dark blue one that just did not set right. "Hmmm…." Lucy said while having a finger to her chin trying to think. "It's too dark. Maybe try this one on." She held up a soft, yellow knee dress with cute little white flowers on it. "Oh my gosh I really like this one!" you say as you hold the soft fabric in your hands. "I must try this on!!" You exclaimed as you went to go change behind the changing wall. 

     Oh my gosh were you beautiful. You stepped out and Lucy's mouth fell open. "You look absolutely gorgeous you come see for yourself," she says as she grabs you by the shoulders and walks you to the mirror. "Oh my gosh you are right and oh…" you murmured as you felt the sides of your dress. "OH MY GOSH THEY HAVE POCKETS?!?!?!" "NO WAY!!!" "OH I AM SO WEARING THIS!!!" You exclaimed as you put your hands in your pockets and did a little spin. Smiling your face towards Lucy who also had a big smile on her face. "Now onto your makeup and hair!!"

     You trusted Lucy, I mean you both lived in the same room for about a year now and the both of you are best friends. Once she was done with your makeup and hair, you looked in the mirror one last time. Your makeup was light with some blush, a little mascara, and some pink lips. Your hair was down and curly with a cute headband. You took a deep breath as you looked at yourself before going down to greet Lockwood. "Hey…" Lucy said as she put a hand on your shoulder. "It's ok to be nervous on a first date," she said soothingly. "I know, I just don't know how to act." You said as you played with the helm of your dress. "You know, I am pretty sure he is nervous too. I heard him bickering with George about how nervous he was for today." A pink tint arose onto your cheeks as you thought of Anthony talking George's ear off about a girl he has liked. 

     All of a sudden you hear a knock on the door. "Y/n, Anthony is ready whenever you are." You heard George's voice through the door. "Alright, I'll be down in a minute!" You yelled down. You looked in the mirror one last time, taking a deep breath and thinking to yourself about what lies ahead. You turned around and smiled at Lucy. She then pulled you into a hug and you felt the warmth radiating off of her. "This is it, the moment I have been waiting for." "And it's your time to shine," Lucy said as she pulled away. "Ok, just remember the key points I taught you last night." Lucy said as she led you out the door. "Trust me, I will not forget them."

     You approached the door and took a deep breath as you put your hand on the door knob, slowly turning it. As you opened the door you walked out and went down the first flight of stairs. You then turn to go down the second flight of stairs into the hallway when you see Anthony and George talking to each other at the front door. He had on a white button down shirt with trousers and nice looking shoes. And then you caught the attention of Anthony's face which looked absolutely starstruck. The way your hair was curled and was down along with how the sun was shining on your face. Your dress swished as you moved down the stairs. Once you got down you walked toward Anthony. You were now face to face with him and you just looked at each other. "Hi," you said as you locked eyes with him. "Wow, you look absolutely stunning." You felt heat rush to your cheeks as you stood there with your hands folded. "Thank you," you said as you looked at Anthony for a good bit until breaking eye contact. Sometimes you could never tear away from his chocolate brown eyes. Something with them that made you want to look at him forever. "So, are you ready," Anthony said as George handed him the basket filled with baked goods and a blanket to sit on. You took the blanket from Anthomy's hands, indicating that you wanted to hold it. "As ready as I'll ever be," you smiled up at him. "You two love birds have fun!!" You heard Lucy yell from the stairs. You smiled at her and waved to her. Grinning, Anthony opened the front door for you to walk through and out you went down from the stairs to the iron gate. You then waited for Anthony who opened the gate for you and closed it behind him. "Now then, shall we?" He held his hand out for you to hold. "We shall," you grinned up at him and you slid your fingers into his long thin ones. You two walked along the sidewalk in the sunny morning with a gentle breeze flowing.

     "So, I saw you reading in the library yesterday, what were you reading exactly?" Anthony asked. "Wow Lockwood, you could have asked so many more questions and you chose that one." You tell him with a teasing smirk. "What? It's a genuine question." He said laughing. You and Anthony had that kind of relationship with either one of you teasing the other. It actually happened ever since you met him. "Well, if you want to know," you say with a sly smirk as you look at him for a second. "I was reading one of my favorite books and also one of the greatest American tragedies of all time. It is called The Great Gatsby." You say as you continue to walk down the sidewalk. "The Great Gatsby…. I don't think I have ever heard of it." He said looking at you for a second. "It is indeed an American novel and I read it already during school. I just had to pick it up again and reread it." You both kept talking about books and different authors and turns out, your favorite author's are C.S. Lewis and J.R.R Tolkien ( or whatever you desire). "Perhaps I should ask you what you read." " Ohhh you know, magazines and all. Trying to keep up with the latest London drama." You laugh a little at the little joke he made. "Well isn't that lovely."

     The rest of the walk there wasn't at all bad. Once you all got to the spot it was quite beautiful. The sun was shining just right and there were trees scattered around along with birds chirping and singing in the air. There was a gentle breeze that would come and go. No one else was there except you and Anthony. He set down the basket and took one side of the blanket from your hands in order to lay it out on the grass. While that was happening, your fingers grazed his hand and sparks shot through your fingers. You blushed a little at this and smiled shyly. You both extended the blanket in the air and laid it down in the grass. Anthony then stepped on the blanket in order for it to stay down and extended his hand in order for you to take it and step on the blanket in order to sit down on it. 

     Anthony then pulled the basket to the both of you and lifted the cloth from above it and the smell of the baked goods fills your nose. "Oh my gosh.." You say as you take a (f/c) cookie out of the basket. "These are my favorite cookies of all time!!" You bit into the warm, gooey cookie and instantly groaned at how delicious it was. "Mmmm.. Oh my gosh these are so good." Anthony chuckled in a low voice. "Yeah, I kind of told George to sneak in some of your favorite cookies." Anthony nervously scratched behind his neck. "Aww, Lockwood you knew, Thank you." You said as you got closer to him. "It was no worry." Anthony said as he took a cookie out to munch on. 

     "So, what is this great American tragedy about?" Anthony said as he was getting more into the book you were reading. "Oh Lockwood you wouldn't believe how good it is, the setting of the 1920's along with the love tied between, and also—" Anthony couldn't help but stare at you in complete awe as you rambled about something you loved. The way your eyes lit up and how your posture straightened caught his eyes. The breeze flowing through your hair as you spoke with an excited voice and your eyes lit up like the Eiffel Tower. He couldn't help but smile at the way you were so intrigued with this story. "And at the end, there–... Oh, was I rambling just now?" You realized just now that you were just talking Anthony's ear off about this book he had never read. You see, before you met Lockwood, you would read so much, but no one would even bother listening to your summaries of the stories. "Oh no, you can keep going, it was quite cute actually," Anthony said with a small smirk as he took a doughnut from the basket. You felt your cheeks twitch up into a giant grin at and felt heat rush to your neck and cheeks. "Actually you know what, I don't want to spoil the ending for you, why don't I read it to you." You say with determination in your eyes. "Of course, cannot spoil an ending to a tragedy," Anthony said with a cocky smirk. You then unexpectedly gasped as you remembered you brought your camera. Pulling it out you told Anthony, "We need to take a picture together, to document our first official date." "Darling, I would love nothing more," he said as he scooted closer to you. You could feel the warmth of his breath close to your neck as you held up the camera to take the picture. "Ok here we go!" You say as you and Anthony smiled and you pressed the camera button and took the picture. It then slides out and you take it in your hands. "It would take a while to develop but until then, we have evidence we went on our first date." "Yes my love and I look forward to taking more pictures with you in the future." He said in his smooth soft spoken voice that made you weak. "Oh Lockwood…" you sighed sweetly and blushed like a tomato. You cuddled up into him. He put his arm around your shoulders and pulled you close to him. You looked into the distance in a nice peaceful setting, imagining what life would be with Anthony as the love of your life. 

     The rest of the date went fairly smoothly and once you both were done, you cleaned up and helped Anthony pick up the blanket and the basket. You then walked home, hand in hand and enjoying the rest of the evening. The sun was almost setting and the breeze was getting colder. You slightly shivered as you walked with each step. "Oh, here," Anthony then took off his jacket and put it around your shoulders. "Oh, why thank you." "It's no problem." Anthony said as the both of you continued to walk home. 

     When you got back to 35 Portland Row, you were kind of sad the date was over. You and Anthony walked into the house and went into the kitchen in order to unpack. As you finished unpacking, Anthony took your hands into his and fully faced you. "I really enjoyed this date and I really do wish to go on another one with you in the future." He said with eyes glued to yours. "Lockwood, I would love to, I would say yes a thousand times more." You both held eye contact, the love coming from each other bounced through like sound waves. The energy being transformed into something sweet. You gathered up the courage to then give Anthony a loving kiss on his cheek which left him all flustered. You let go of his hands and went to grab the picture you took earlier. "Aww look at us," you cooed as you showed Anthony the picture. "Oh wow who is that handsome fellow in there," Anthony said as he pointed to himself. You slapped his arm playfully and laughed along with him. "You prick!" He wrapped an arm around you as you wrapped your arm around his waist and you two were just in love with each other. Soon you would tell Lucy everything that happened, but for now, you are just here, enjoying the moment with your love. 

     With the picture in your hands, you must have stared at it for about what felt like an hour. You gently kissed the photo and slid it in its frame. Rummaging around your desk you find a red paint pen. You shook it in order for the paint to come through and gently pressed it on another paper to get the paint out. Once the paint came out, you gently wrote at the bottom of the frame "Our First Date" alongside it was a big red heart. Signifying that this love will always last between you and Anthony Lockwood.

[lumiereandcogsworth]

I was writing about Robert being upset because Giselle left the house after midnight to get a pizza she was craving while pregnant, and it got me thinking. How Adam was during Belle’s pregnancies (aside from the general worrying) Like they have people who could do it for them, of course, but was he often leaving the bed to get her tea or a random meal at 3am? or would she just go get it herself? would THAT worry him because “you’re pregnant and shouldn’t be on your feet 😠” idk basically just. asking about Adelle pregnant things 🫡

EEEEE!!!

i will say off the bat, adam is simply at his WORST when belle is pregnant. they get into The Most bickering matches during these times. it just so prominently brings out their biggest difference, which is that adam is a little ball of anxiety and belle is a free-spirited wild flower. now of COURSE, belle Does worry, she has concern over her family. (i think all the time about when maurice is leaving for the market and belle says “stay safe” like !! she does worry!!🥺) it’s just in general, and especially when she’s compared to her husband, she tends to think things will be Okay. for the most part. her worries are more situational. and with pregnancy she’s like “i’m young. i’m healthy. the midwives are unconcerned. we good 😌✌️” and if any of that changed she’d be like Oh Okay Noted🫡

whereas with adam, he just becomes so intensely protective of his family, because he never really expected to HAVE one (well, he definitely expected to have A Wife and Children™️, but he never anticipated actually CARING about them) so now that he does have them, and his heart is open and specifically beating FOR THEM!!! he just worries all the time :( and so when belle is PREGNANT it’s like!!!! AAHHH!!! he KNOWS his wife is still a strong powerful independent woman, but!!! there’s a Little Precious Darling in there now 🥺🥺🥺 and he doesn’t want anything to happen to either one of them!!! and he Knows this is a more delicate time!! even as capable as she is!!!! ESPECIALLY FOR THEIR FIRST HE IS JUST SUCH A DISASTER. AUGH. he always wants belle to rest and stop doing so much and just PLEASE try to act like SOMETHING is different!! but belle for the most part tends to carry on as if she’s not pregnant, as much as she possibly can, and that unfortunately infuriates adam 😮‍💨

as to your actual question, yeah belle definitely does that herself. very regularly. over time she does get more used to having servants but she never fully lets them do everything for her. but yeah!!! i actually have a fic of her sneaking down to the kitchen at like 4am because the baby was kicking up a storm and she couldn’t sleep. and she finds mrs. potts already starting the day baking something and they have a cute convo!!!!! the mother-daughter moment of it all!!!! anyway that’s this. but yeah she doesn’t bother waking adam up because she KNOWS he’d be like STAY THERE. I WILL FETCH YOU SUSTENANCE!!! (usually that means sending a servant to go get it. but i think he does get stuff directly sometimes, kind of just depends on if he wants to stretch his legs and/or needs A Moment to calm himself afjskdk) and she’s just like 😒😒 because she definitely would prefer the walk anyway. she’s a very active gal and i think the need for putting her feet up and all that is incredibly annoying to her. bed rest drives her CRAZYYYY my gosh. so adam just Reminding Her that she has to rest like, makes her want to strangle him <3 and if he Does catch her being on her feet when she shouldn’t, he always huffs and grumbles and she always glares and rolls her eyes in response.

NOW! that being said. pregnancy is a Journey and a Rollercoaster and i think there are definitely many times when belle is appreciative (and even demanding) of adam’s assistance. it PAINS her to ask for help, she’s just that independent of a person, but when she does, he’s always ready to help her and rarely gloats about it. like i have a scene in my docs that’s like, her Finally asking him to help put on her shoes. and he does it and then is like “i’m proud of you for asking! 🥰” and she’s like “yeah whatever 😒😒” lmao. he kisses her forehead and she HIDES HER SMILE BECAUSE GRRRR GO AWAY STOP BEING A NICE HUSBAND!!!! but then later she’ll be bawling her eyes out thinking about how all the autumn leaves are going away and dying and the weather is changing and that’s so sad😭😭😭 and adam will be there to hug her and remind her that they’ll come back in spring and by that time the baby will be here and you can show them all the flowers🥰 and then that makes her cry more because he painted such a sweet image in her mind.

belle’s pregnancies definitely always bring out a much much softer side to adam, as well. like YES he worries a lot and yes they bicker about it a lot, but he’s always such a softie for his darlings. they’re the only people that see him smile and laugh so much. so amidst all these worries and things, there are also so many soft moments too. moments of feeling the baby kick, of kissing her belly, of reading & singing to it, of day dreaming together about what this one will be like. fun debates like if it’s a boy or a girl, or what they’ll name them, or what color their eyes will be. (belle REALLY wanted them all to have adam’s blue eyes. but she had to wait til their last baby to get her wish🤧)

also especially the second and third pregnancies when other kiddos are involved. ESPECIALLY the third. renée is seven and FULL to the brim of opinions and questions, and both adam & belle love talking to her about it. i have a wip that i genuinely don’t know if i’ll ever finish or publish because it’s just adam & renée walking and having a back and forth conversation about the third baby. and renée just keeps asking questions so idk how it’s ever gonna end. that castle is full of hallways, and renée is full of words. they could do this forever. but it’s a fun character exercise <3 anyway, juliette as always is quieter in regards to her future little sibling, but belle cherishes the moments when jules will quietly put her hand on her bump and listen for her baby sibling. even in her less expressive face, belle can see her eyes light up when she feels the kicks and wiggles 🥹

i think this fic is a good example of what life was like just before their third was born. it includes good Adam Worrying™️ and them bickering, as well as the girlies being very cute 🥰🥰🥰

i also currently have a wip set when belle is newly pregnant with juliette, and she’s very nauseous (i think the nausea was Really bad for her for all 3 pregnancies 😭 but it only lasts for the first trimester. then she’s mostly okay besides usual tired/aches/cravings. but i can get more into that on another post 💖) anyway she’s very nauseous + renée is a BABY (when juliette is born, renée is freshly 2. so for the pregnancy she is. not even 2 yet 😮‍💨) so yeah it’s just adam taking care of his beloveds, mainly. adam does go get some tea for her in that one. actually you know what?? i should just go work on it so i can post it!!!! i’m gonna go do that 🏃‍♀️💨

[janeykath318]

Wintershock Meeting at a Wedding.

“Hey, Steve, who is that woman in the hot pink? She looks familiar, but I can’t seem to place her?”

Bucky’s whispered question to his best friend was clearly meant to sound casual, but Steve wasn’t blind and he’d observed him eying Darcy with decided interest for most of the reception.

Sharing a pleased look with his bride, he turned back to Bucky.

“Oh, that’s Dr. Darcy Lewis. She’s an astrophysicist who used to work with Dr. Foster at the Tower. You probably saw her around there. She is quite the firecracker.”

“Hmmm,” Bucky mused thoughtfully, a gleam in his eye that suggested the old flirty Bucky. This was very promising.

“Would you like an introduction?” Natasha inquired hopefully. She’d been trying to set both Steve and Bucky up unsuccessfully for years (Steve being unsuccessful because it turned out he was in love with her and didn’t want to date anyone else) and what better time to help secure her longtime friend’s prospective future happiness?

“Nah,” Bucky declined. “It’s about time I did that on my own again. Wish me luck.”

“Like you need it,” Steve retorted playfully, knowing how smooth Bucky could be when he wanted to.

“I appreciate the vote of confidence,” Bucky replied with a touch of his old smirk as he ambled toward Darcy. He had been making major progress since he’d changed therapists to someone that actually cared to understand him.

“This could be very interesting,” Steve remarked.

“I can’t wait to see the sparks fly,” Natasha agreed.

Darcy was laughing at one of Maria’s dry jokes when she saw Bucky Barnes approaching.

“Oooh! I think he’s looking at you!” Wanda squealed, nudging Darcy.

“Yeah, right,” Darcy retorted, but then she looked up right into a pair of blue eyes that were definitely smirking at her. Her mouth went dry.

“Dr. Lewis?” He asked. (Ooh, that voice! Oh that tux!)

“Yes, that’s me,” she managed. “What can I do for you, Sergeant Barnes?”

She inwardly cringed at how flirty that had sounded, but Bucky just smiled even more.

“I haven’t been to a wedding in eighty years and I’m a little rusty on how they celebrate nowadays. Would you care to show me the ropes?”

There went that smirk again. He really was flirting with her. Wow, okay. She could work with that.

Darcy smiled encouragingly back at him.

“I’d be happy too. First off, can you dance? It’s okay if you can’t, because I do have a backup plan for non-dancers.”

“That won’t be a problem, doc. One of my few talents lies in the dancing area. Just ask Steve.”

She scoffed at the “few talents” line and shook her head.

“Oh, I’ve heard stories, but how do I know Steve wasn’t exaggerating? You’ve gotta prove it, soldier.”

Bucky stepped up closer to her, piercing her with a challenging, yet still amused, stare.

“Alright, then. Dance with me and I’ll give you all the proof you need.”

“Oh, you’re on,” she replied breathlessly.

Bucky proceeded to prove to her very, very decisively how well he knew his way around a dance floor and Darcy thought she’d died and gone to heaven, especially when he dipped her. Oh, Steve had not been exaggerating in the slightest. In fact, he’d undersold it.

Despite his statement, Bucky had had a tiny bit of worry that his skills were as rusty as his wedding etiquette, but it didn’t take long for it to all come back again as he twirled around the floor with Darcy. She didn’t have a problem following the steps, so he let himself add in a few twirls and dips. Her pretty blue eyes sparkled at him and she was clearly enjoying herself as much as he was.

“Well?” he asked expectantly as the song ended.

“Okay, okay. I admit it,” she panted. “You’ve got serious skills, Bucky. Gosh, that was fun. Now I know why you were such a ladykiller back in the day.”

He felt himself flush.

“I did enjoy a good time back then. Now that the fighting is over, I’m hoping to piece a new life together.”

“Well, you certainly deserve one,” she commented. “I remember seeing you from afar a few times at the tower, but certain people thought my personality might be a bit much for you at that stage of your recovery.”

Bucky rolled his eyes. “Punk was being overprotective. I would certainly have enjoyed getting to know you.”

“Well, you certainly can know,” she said warmly. “Nice haircut, by the way. I almost didn’t recognize you during the ceremony.”

“Thanks,” he answered, feeling a little flutter inside at how she was looking at him. “It feels a little weird, but easier to deal with.”

“And it shows off your excellent jawline,” she added, winking at him. He winked back and they both laughed, catching the eye of Steve and Natasha, who were both looking at them very smugly, like they’d orchestrated the whole thing.

“They look way too pleased with themselves,” Darcy observed. “What do you say we find somewhere quieter and I’ll tell you how Wanda and I managed to get those two stubborn heroes to get a clue.”

I am all ears,” Bucky replied eagerly. “I never did get the whole story since I was unfortunately dead at the time.”

Darcy let out a snort, then immediately clapped a hand over her mouth.

“I’m so sorry. That was very inappropriate of me, but you said it like you’d just gone on a vacation or something.”

Bucky shrugged. “It’s okay. I guess it’s become old hat for me. But back to the Steve and Nat topic….”

“Oh, yes! Come, Bucky, and hear the epic tale of your best friend’s obliviousness.”

Bucky followed her very willingly. By the time the night ended, he had her number and a few dates lined up.

[hoenn-hakase]

what was the TPP moment that gave you the most writing fuel? one that still rly sticks in ur head. (feel free to ramble)

Gosh, that's both super hard and super easy to answer! Twitch Plays Pokemon has had SOOOO many memorable moments that immediately come to mind that have captured my imagination or turned into a major part of my lore, there's just too many to name. However, there's a lot of moments that mean so much to me but I haven't written anything (or at least not published it) about those moments. I think I have fics either plotted out in my head or partially written for just about every single Randomized Run we've done because rattling the formula always brings out some of the coolest concepts and creativity within the community. Like I have an entire backstory and character arc for Lorekeeper James from Randomized Alpha Sapphire, which a lot of people fell in love with this random Bug Catcher suddenly getting boss music. Or when Trevor in Randomized Y turned out to be the Flare Admin we had to fight at the Poke Ball Factory, but then we had a crash and my heart just breaks thinking about the scene afterward where we went "back in time" to before all the kids met up at the park. And now Trevor, Calem, and Venus all awkwardly trying to pretend nothing happened while staring each other down with the utmost scrutiny as each wonders if the other two is aware of what happened. But don't worry, all this causes him to have a bit of a breakdown and soul searching before turning against Team Flare to go rescue Abomasnow. Or even as recently as Randomized Violet+ and how I've been a bit obsessed with Terra and her misadventures for the last few months and her showing up again as the host for Super Gauntlet Ruby is not helping that. Heck, Randomized Platinum was probably the biggest world building run for my lore it's one of the three establishment fics I've had partially started that I feel needs to be either written or fully explained to point to why the Haji TPP Verse is the way it is! And hhhnnngggg.... so much more...

Of course there's also a difference between the lore to come out of things (which I've written for after being inspired by other authors or artists in the community) and the onscreen moments that seemed to change everything. And while I have a lot of runs I love, a few I can point to as "THIS still hits hard" are things like my very first fanfic I posted to the TPP subreddit was in the aftermath of Leech King's death. I remember being at work, plotting out an entire series that would follow Abe and the others trying to get to the bottom of who had her murdered and why, having Alakazam and Venomoth that joined around the same time being hired detectives, and ICU coming into her own as the heir to the throne and whatnot, but it didn't get very far and even looking back was pretty bad writing. I did eventually get around to writing the post game like I wanted with my Much Ado About Blue series so that's definitely continued to be a wealth of writing fuel. Heck, when I started my Connections series, the inspiration was from Faba kicking our ass eight ways to Sunday in Waning Moon and the feeling there was probably a personal connection there. But I literally only planned for like seven chapters if even that because I didn't expect myself to start novelizing the run as a way to lead up to that moment. Originally the plan was to skip between certain cutscenes to establish lore on Quips. (My doc is still simply labeled "Hau" even though the story has grown since then.) But for moments? I mostly do angst and dramas anyway, but one piece I'm rather proud of and STILL upset about is my short for the ending of Pyrite. Ugh, the bitterness and how everyone and their dog had an opinion on the ending of that run and poor Eeyup getting dropped after we finished instead of getting some kind of proper send off or victory lap. Or on the note of Evan and Azure, this spur of the moment piece that's kind of hinted at. I love when I'm archiving runs and something comes up like a Glitch or crash, or something so unexpected I just INSTANTLY get the idea and need to write a short for it.

But I must say when I read this question, the first thing that came to mind was my novel for Blazed Glazed. Holy crap, this Run changed a lot of things for me. For one, being an original ROM hack means there's an entire world that has been a fountain of writing fuel for me I intend to get back to eventually. Who are these original characters? What is their story? How does Tunod work? How does it connect to other games it made a guest appearance in? Team Fusion showed up in RW2 meaning there's a whole history there with these guys. I made special edits of the Team leaders. It's kind of insane because I had written stuff for other runs before, obviously, but this was like all consuming on my brain. And you know what started it off? ...I started watching the VODs because it seemed like there wasn't much talk about it for me to know what was happening. We got our starter, met with THE INVENTOR, met Blake (our NPC partner for the long haul) and suddenly there was a Glitch. I was already intrigued by the opening, but when the Inventor was supposed to follow and instead became frozen and uninteractable, my mind started running. I paused my viewing and started writing. It's by far the longest series I've written and what made it so fascinating in a way was writing as I watched meant there are several points I didn't know where the story was going. So I may plan on something, but then it didn't turn out that way so how do I rework the script to account for the unexpected character appearances? Freezes? Glitches? How about a random detour to find specific teammates? And don't get me wrong, like most games, the actual plot can seem vague or even silly in the writing sometimes, but then that makes it fun to try to flesh out what the deeper reasoning could be for why something is happening? And then tying it into the larger TPP universe has just been... ahh~ <3

Anyway, this has gotten really long but I hope that answers your question. I'm sorry this kind of turned into one big shameless plug. Dang I've written a lot, but I love this fandom so much. I can't even ;w;

[bladekindeyewear]

HS^2 bloggin’ mainline 2024-08-16

(Previous post - current page 666)

We're continuing from yesterday inside Therapy Purgatory, and by checking out this second part with what looks like Mindfang's Journal, I'll finally be caught up on Homestuck^2: Beyond Canon and ready to liveblog any future updates as they come! :D Don't expect me to drop everything and blog immediately every time there's an upd8, but you CAN expect me to be ready to liveblog at least within a couple days of each one, I'll try to keep track of the Homestuck Twitter for updates to this section specifically too.

So, Mindfang's Journal... what will this represent in comparison to the others? Not Terezi, yet? It seems like her feelings toward Terezi would be either saved for the last part (the 8-ball) or not shown here at all, because her path to growth regarding Terezi is meant to be resolved outside the Plot Point's purgatory, not inside.

Will this deal with her relationship with her ancestor, and/or her mother? Is she going to see that she was looking up to a toxic role model in those journals? Are we going to see any hints of Vriska having been transfem or is that relegated to Pesterquest still, 'cause that would be nice to see? (I don't know much about Pesterquest other than that toblerone wish being fulfilled over there along with several other possible-trans identities hinted, no need to spoil me on any of it in case I have the courage to go through that content someday. It'd be too much work to LIVEBLOG it but I might go through it on my own and have commentary to share with y'all or something.)

Okay, clicking on Mindfang's journal now...

YEAR 4

WOW, she's going to have caught up to John (and/or Terezi in the (Meat) Timeline more like) in age at this rate? GOSH she takes a long time to psychotherapize but this is the best deus ex machina I could have ever imagined, getting her to have so much time without distractions to ACTUALLY work through her issues is fucking incredible.

But what is she working on this time?

Oh hi, one of the Nannasprites? Her "lucky mojo"... so she doesn't feel like she has her powers in this realm, which makes sense because there's no relevance or luck left to take/steal from here that isn't already concentrated inside herself?

HOLY SHIT SHE'S ACTUALLY GROWING UP IN THE SPRITEWORK, she's taller with longer horns and everything!!!!! Compare to this from the Flarp Manual section:

--although when you compare that to THIS from the very BEGINNING of page 666's sequence before the two year skip, there's not much change:

--so this NEW, MUCH TALLER sprite model is a huge step up in visual age that will likely last a section or two at least, or even serve as her final form aside from outfit changes.

Moving on...

Okay, so she's been trying to use her powers with everyone cheering her on, and it hasn't been working.

VRISKA: I don't want to 8ore you, it's just the same pro8lem as always. VRISKA: Finally I get my sea legs and figured out what this whole process is a8out, 8reeze through Eridan and John and Kanaya, only to get stuck all over again on HER.

Interesting... so is it Terezi, Mindfang, or her Lusus? I figure the Cueball section that isn't done yet is Doc Scratch, because Doc was someone who intentionally used and took advantage of her faults compared to almost anyone else, and fooled her into using the excuse of inevitability. Interesting that that's the next step after she's "cleared" lessons she's learned from her past relationships with the others offscreen. So who's this HER who's the step before this?

VRISKA: I'm not so sure........she's different from the rest of them. And no matter how I approach this, I can't figure out what the hell she wants.

Hm-- perhaps this one isn't about listening to them and what they want, but penetrating through to a way in which THEY wronged YOU and that you SHOULDN'T be listening to what they want, if we're going with Mindfang or her Lusus?

Ooh, it's weird and heartening to hear her honestly telling the Nannasprite Duo that they've made this "whole experience way more 8earable" and honestly thanking them. She's really in the process of growing up emotionally, not just physically, and it's SHOWING.

And now she's talking about having talked with John about Nanna and their shared experience of "connecting to our predecessors through their writings". Maybe "HER" IS Terezi, and she's going to try to take a detour to try and learn from Mindfang to help her with the process, only to figure out how to be somewhat disillusioned with Mindfang or actually learn from Mindfang's mistakes somehow?

VRISKA: What exactly do humans get out of these familial prim8 relationships, anyway?

Hrmm, maybe this IS about her lusus?

Ooh, Vriska asking Nannasprite why she had children (Dad Egbert). Never thought she'd ask something like that.

NANNASPRITE: I couldn't exactly bring that man [Sassacre] back from the dead, but I could put myself in his shoes and do the bang up job he never had the opportunity to do. Not to mention, I like babies! :B

Yeah, you would!

Hahah, of course Vriska doesn't understand why a human would want to raise a gross infant. So maybe this IS about her Lusus, and why her Lusus would really "want" to raise her and not eat her in part, not to mention accepting how her Lusus essentially abused and used her in ways that fucked her up?

Nanna talking about wanting to avenge herself against the Batterwitch once, before she'd vanished, of course.

NANNASPRITE: So many nights spent plotting that awful woman's downfall and making her pay for all the indignities of my childhood. For always making me feel like I was powerless to do anything.

OH THIS SECTION IS TOTALLY ABOUT VRISKA AND HER LUSUS ISN'T IT!!!

NANNASPRITE: Not to mention that now, after seeing what my younger self has gotten up to in this realm [Candy], I clearly underestimated the depth of my own desires.

Yeah, that must have been disconcerting. It's so easy for Life players, tied to the aspect of power and wealth and privilege, to decide they want IT ALL regardless of their class.

And Nannasprite realizes that if she HAD gotten revenge against the Batterwitch she wouldn't have been satisfied, that's a mature viewpoint; she can't fill the hole in her heart with it.

Wow, even watching Vriska these past few years has changed Nannasprite's point of view, she says?

NANNASPRITE: I had always wanted Betty Crocker to know what a mistake it was to steal my life, my potential, from me. NANNASPRITE: But the real issue was that not once during my childhood did I ever feel particularly wanted, or welcomed, into the world. I only had my brother, and even he ran off on me! NANNASPRITE: Yet despite that fact, and the anger and the disappointment, I still raised someone who knew what it was like to be loved.

And that pretty much SOLIDIFIES that this has to be about Vriska's lusus. We'll finally get to hear the version of her that TALKED to Vriska in sprite form, possibly! That would be the best way to work through the abuse that she was put through in part, and how unloved she felt in other-part where she felt if she didn't feed her lusus said lusus would easily have turned on her and eaten her to search out better food providers, Vriska likely always believed. Perhaps she'll also learn that her lusus thought teaching her to feed on and kill other trolls would MAKE HER STRONG, much like Bro's abuse of Dave was intended to make HIM 'strong' but weakened him in ways he's still reckoning with.

Nannasprite definitely feels that despite her hardship, she "indeed fulfill a path of potential to its fullest degree", lived a full and enriching life by doing what her own parent wouldn't for her for someone else, and doesn't regret it. And almost ("marginally") is grateful for the Batterwitch serving as counterexample, as learning NOT to live like her taught her how to seek true happiness through fulfilling others, not just herself. Vriska needs to learn this same lesson from her own experience with her lusus, it's being all spelled out here practically. Heck, it almost feels like we're speedrunning the part, except Vriska will need a bit more than the answer spelled out for her like this to get it through her thick head I bet.

VRISKA: I guess that makes sense. Weren't you worried, though? That you weren't following the right path, or living up to your destiny? NANNASPRITE: I never even considered that, hoo hoo! NANNASPRITE: Is that how you kids think these days? My lord, no wonder none of you go outside anymore.

(Pff)

Interesting, maybe Mindfang IS involved in this section too, maybe BOTH her lusus and Mindfang-- and the above is indeed an insecurity Vriska reckoned with through the very end of her plotline so far.

VRISKA: Don't p8tronize me, old lady! Destiny's the found8tion of my godhood!

Yeah, she still has a lot to learn.

Nannasprite contending that "destiny mostly fulfills itself" is nice, and also a very Life-player outlook I'd think.

Aw, Vriska's even apologizing for getting snippy!! She's come so far already!!!

Oh gosh, this WONDERFUL pose in this frame and Vriska's eye shining with emotion in it, that's so good.

{Choose Mindfang's Journal.}

Pure white...?

{????????}

Oh you overdramatic 8itch, Ancestor-version Aranea Serket! Mindfang being as overdramatic and insufferable as she TRULY MUST HAVE BEEN.

Now she's storywriting for her, setting a scene unseen, the way Mindfang's journals must have done for Vriska making her imagine her ancestor's setting and travels. Also interesting how her tangled spiderweb looked like broken glass...

As was the figure 8efore her. Though she had only ever seen it 8ehind her eyes, its form was shaped 8y words.

I have to admit, overdramatic as Mindfang can be, sometimes her writing is really damned good.

VRISKA: You can drop the ominous buildup, I already know the twist.

Hahahaha, even SHE'S getting impatient with Mindfang by now.

Oh? Had the thief 8een here 8efore?

Interesting to see the ghost/image that "shouldn't" know about the broader situation visibly deducing things about its recurrence, because both the real Mindfang would have and Vriska's image of her was smart enough to put it together.

--AT LEAST ONCE A WEEK FOR THE LAST TWO YEARS!??! WOW. When she said she was stuck at this part, she wasn't kidding! I hope some of what Nannasprite just told her helps her finally break through the web Mindfang's journal caught her in.

VRISKA: The whole endeavor usually ends with me either killing you or... feeding myself to you.

WOW

IT'S HER LUSUS *AND* MINDFANG COMBINED

HOLY SHIT

Talk about a tangled knot of insecurities to tackle together all at once!!!!!!

VRISKA: You were all like, "Surprise, 8itch. I'm 8oth the Marquise, and your lusus!" And I fell str8 on my ass, flipping the fuck out like a 8ig tool.

Of course, this wasn't the way it was back in her real life. It's the fact that the impact both Mindfang and her Lusus's expectations had on her was similar, and an intertwined problem she has to deal with all at once. (Also this is a more interesting way to hear her lusus "talk to her" than hearing however the fuck Spidersprite must have roared.)

Scene change to the feeding cliff.

VRISKA: Hi, Momfang.

That's a heck of a nickname that works so well right now.

Holy FUCK AAAAH!!! That's a hell of a clever jumpscare and artistic depiction, her lusus roaring from out of the shape of the back of Mindfang's HAIR!

Ew, Vriska got stuck in the web once and had to eat her way out? Not pleasant.

WOW THAT'S DISTURBING, Mindfang tenderly hugging the lusus's severed head from after Vriska mercy-guillotine'd her. HS^2 artists are going crazy good here, both visually and thematically.

The girl was 8linded 8y her pup8ed angst. As 8efouled as those we8s were, this gossamer carnage had 8een home, once. Her time here made her who she was.

Fucking indeed. Vriska has to come to terms with that, both the good and bad of it, in ways she's refused to confront fully.

Mindfang asking her to collaborate with "thespian vivacity" here in her melodrama.

Yeah, back then the satisfaction of FLARP as a game was short-lived because it meant feeding the troll who lost to your lusus, ending in screams.

VRISKA: Every win, I had to share with her. Every moment, I felt her w8ting for me. It feels 8ad, not getting a choice when you do all the fucking work.

Yeah, her lusus's relationship with her was abusive and PARASITIC.

VRISKA: Sure, the 8ooty was gr8, up until the point where there was no one left to play with. After that, it was all good as gar8age.

:CCC

Ah HERE we go. Vriska's now hearing the voice of her mother(s) speaking to her conviction that it was a GOOD thing to be raised as a killer, when parts of Vriska have learned that there are ways of growing up not shouldering that awful responsibility that could have been better... but needs to accept that in her own case, too.

VRISKA: I've already tried respecting you for making me the 8est, 8ut you know what I'm realizing? VRISKA: I didn't have to go through aaaaaaaall of THAT to 8e strong. Vrissy didn't! VRISKA: Even growing up in a f8ke world where no one has a spine, and with 8arely any guidance, her powers can do things mine can't.

HOLY FUCKING SHIT she's LEARNING FROM VRISSY ALREADY YESSSSSSSS

AND FUCKING CONFIRMATION THAT I WAS RIGHT THAT SHE WAS MANIPULATING HUMANS IN WAYS VRISKA HERSELF COULDN'T!!!

I don't think this is the right place for her to realize that the other Vriska has a different Hero Role, but she will eventually, doubtless, if the theory pans out, and I just can't wait for that if it's going to happen.

VRISKA: 8ut that's the point, right? VRISKA: There is no p8sitive spin, no learning to appreci8 you, 8ecause even by Alternian st8ndards you sucked! VRISKA: You weren't a cust8dian, you were a responsi8ility. VRISKA: I protected you, I c8red for you, and you would have happily killed me the moment things didn't go your w8y.

FUCKING PREACH

And?

FUCK YOU MOMFANG

VRISKA: Th8t's not fucking norm8l!!!!!!!!

YESSSSS GROW UP VRISKA!!!!

Oh wow, now LUSUS HEAD Momfang is holding MINDFANG's head.

VRISKA: I had one place I was supposed to feel safe. VRISKA: Why did you h8ve to 8e everything wrong with the w8rld, rolled into one terri8le monster?

😭

Yeah, the momspider was only acting according to her toxic nature. There's nothing to redeem about it.

VRISKA: I KN8W YOU'RE HUNGRY! What a8out me? My entire gru8hood, I gave and you took. F8r once, what a8out what I w8nt?! She has never considered this. And wasn't considering it now, to be clear.

😭😭

8ut the narrator was curious, what DID the spiderling want from the monster?

Here we go... open your heart and spill out its contents, Vriska.

VRISKA: What I w8nt is for you to go 8ack in time and pr8tect that fucking kid, like you were supposed to!!!!!!!! VRISKA: If you did, may8e I'd 8e a8le to relax and let my f8cking guard down for ONCE, instead of const8ntly ruining things and thinking everyone is going to turn around and kill me!

😭😭😭

VRISKA: Oh my god. VRISKA: Tavros was right!!!!!!!!

HOLY SHIT

YOU GO GIRL!!!!

VRISKA: Now I get why talking to all my friends finally led up to you. VRISKA: Y8u're the reason why I could never trust any8ody! VRISKA: Even h8r!!!!!!!! Especi8lly her.

Nooooo Terezi thoughts!!! 😭 I mean I LOVE that she's finally putting it together but it's also SO SAD OMG

This is the pain she needed to face.

And now she's even rolling it into following in the footsteps of the Marquise being wrong.

She taught her descendant so much, and in such lurid detail. VRISKA: It was 80% smut!!!!!!!!

LOLOLOL

Yeah, just as you're saying now Vriska: Mindfang's example helped keep you alive, made you a "wicked pir8", but also made everyone else hate you. :C

VRISKA: I could have 8een any8ody... and you took that aw8y from me. You made me afraid of it.

I'd insert another very appropriate sob emoji here but I'm afraid of overusing it. I'm so glad Vriska is coming to terms with all this, FINALLY, after two years of trying to confront her mothers' ghosts.

--Of course Momfang says she thinks she would be an idiot to trust anyone. She was passing along her own toxic mentality.

And Vriska says she doesn't want to think like that anymore.

"TRAPPED."

Vriska regretting not killing her lusus, saving herself from what she became, before it was too late.... christ that's heavy.....

8ut even as she said it, the Thief knew that was never an option. Emancip8tion couldn't 8e granted to either party, only mutually assured destruction. VRISKA: ........ VRISKA: I wish it had 8een different. Impossible. VRISKA: I wish I was 8orn some8ody else.

Oh honey!!! 😭😭😭

Another dead end.

STFU

Vriska deservedly blowing up and yelling at her to let her get out from under her, be her own fucking person for once...

What will you do?

Oh boy... the PROMPT appears again for the first time in this branch. What will you do. Do what you will.

I wonder... perhaps this time you can run from her. Live without her. Seek... some sort of sanctuary, like the one your friends could have given you. What if you had gone to live in Terezi's treehouse and just, never, ever come home again? Her sleeping lusus wouldn't have eaten you, and you'd have been just as protected as Terezi was. What will you do, Vriska? What will you do here and now?

VRISKA: Huh. "KILL." VRISKA: You know, every week I come in here trying to figure out what more you could possi8ly want from me, and every week it's the same shit. VRISKA: I really am suuuuuuuuch a moron. "FEED." VRISKA: Exactly. It was never any deeper than that, the answer was right in front of my face. VRISKA: Well. I'm not your free ticket anymore. M8tricide then?

No, she's just going to walk away. She doesn't need to CONFRONT her mother... she just needs to MOVE ON from her.

VRISKA: Nah. VRISKA: I never really wanted that either. Lest the girl forget, there were only two choices.

Nope. There's always a third option. Tavros's option, the one you used to think too cowardly. You can always simply flee.

VRISKA: 8ut that's not true. I'm not a wiggler anymore. Alternia is dead. VRISKA: For once in my life, I have options. And just what did the ungrateful upstart mean 8y that? VRISKA (that pose from earlier, hands at her hips, grinning and eye shining almost-wet, brilliant.): I'm glad you asked! VRISKA: It means I finally get to walk away from all this. And I'm not going to look 8ack.

YES, YOU GET IT VRISKA! You can finally MOVE ON from her! You can be who you want to be now, you're not trapped anymore!

The spider forgot her hunger, for a moment at least, as the reality of such a statement sunk in.

Whoa, you even gave THEM pause. :D

She was only a spider. She did not fear death, or feel regret, or hold any sadness. She never once loved the girl. She did not feel responsible. That said, the arachnid had grown accustomed to the smaller creature's presence. She extended one long, spindly leg 8efore her, towards the young troll.

😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭 fuck it I'm using as many of these as I want

As if to say, "HUG?"

😭

VRISKA: Oh, a8solutely not. VRISKA: Hell no.

Maybe. But if you held any feelings for her... what would be the harm, one last time? One first time?

That proved a good call, as the spider had 100% planned on eating the girl.

Okay I stand corrected. XD Get the fuck out of here Vriska, now that you finally know you never need to come back!

Instead, the long lim8 was retracted, placed 8etween the monster's own massive jaws.

What?

Crunch noise???

The spider would not notice when the girl turned to leave. And the girl would not turn around to see if she had. The 8ound cover was closed on our trusted narr8tor, as she whispered these final words. "Good luck, Vriska. 8e assured, you will need it."

🥺

And we hear the sound of footsteps, finally walking away.

{Level Complete!}

Lots of Fire motifs in the titles this time, ending in "FUNERAL PYRE". And that long candle... is it burning down a little bit each time? The lonely candle?

Perhaps representative of the trap?

Instead of going back and comparing it, I'll just take the easy route... and wait to compare it to how it looks the next time this game on page 666 updates. C:

Gosh that was so good. We'll leave things here. I'm finally caught up. I could speculate on what the last two that aren't the cueball mean... the feather doesn't make sense to me, and the 8-ball might just need to be BROKEN in order to escape the black Plot Point, metaphorically and/or literally, since Calliope did raise the possibility that the plot point might need to be "destroyed" and this candle of the time she's spending here might itself be burning it away, until she learns she has it in her heart to shine like the SUN and melt away the wax of the candle to nothing... but for once, instead of doing too much speculation on what's about to happen, I'd rather leave it for next time.

We might get to commentary at some point, or Patreon bonus panels, or even some of the Bonus Comics from before I might have missed the last tail ends of... in which case you'll get surprise posts about them from me, most likely. But for the moment, I'll just relax and see y'all again soon. At the minimum: talk to you next upd8! Or likely before then, since it seems these additions to Homestuck^2 might be weeks apart, and I'll likely feel the issue to delve into SOMETHING of the back-commentary before then in case this Mindfang journal update was anytime recent. <3

Note that if you didn't know already, the official homestuck twitter account is letting us know when the Plot Point page is upd8-ed (this last one was August 11th), and you might need to Force Refresh or clear your cache on the page if that Mindfang chapter or whatever new one that comes out later doesn't show up immediately. I'll be putting that twitter account on Notify for certain.

[mochiwrites]

Gosh mo that is a big fat mood, and that's coming from me who's been drawing for yrs ;7;

Like imagining it is awesome but animating it?? Gods damn wjdjejd

RIGHT???? like okay okay. I need to share what’s going on in my head here. here is your warning, I am a music nerd. was a choir kid in high school. so I am all about music stuff. I am also an anime nerd. which means ofc I’m imagining it as an anime opening.

so the song is giants by bear attack! really, really good song.

the intro starts playing and the way the beat is done… I always picture like. with each change in beat we’ve got flashes of the individual members of the sahara crew going from tango -> pearl -> impulse -> cleo -> ren -> iskall -> grian. and then we’re switching to characters that the crew meets eventually or big players so naturally after grian we’ve got mumbo -> jimmy -> false -> xisuma -> keralis -> etho -> bdubs -> doc -> other characters. and if the intro is still going, we’ve got some shots of the crew doing silly goofy things.

and then we’ve got the first verse and I’m imagining like. the crew doing mundane things on the ship. pearl is up top in her lookout space, tango is setting (professional) fires in the kitchen, ren is reading, cleo is drawing maps, impulse is sitting with iskall doing mechanic stuff and grian is at the helm. there’s probably more stuff that can be done here but I don’t have too clear of an image.

the CHORUS however, you’ve got y’know. scenes of the crew duking it out with an enemy pirate crew and each sahara peep gets a moment in the spotlight before uhhhh maybe we get this really fancy transition right. maybe it’s ren or someone fighting someone with a sword and just as their blades clash, it jumps back out to grian sword fighting with mumbo with iskall at his side and grian flashes mumbo this smirk that’s got him going red.

and. yeah. if I had the skills to animate this I SOOOO would. However. I do not. so this will simply live in my head as a high quality anime level opening type thing ;-;

[fayes-fics]

Oops just saw you answered that one hahahs Ill change it to lessons (my favourite)

Hello lovely person you! 🫶

Soo Lessons hehehe. That all came about because the wonderful Emmy @iboopedyournose read my first fics and asked if would I be willing to write an A & B threesome, and I was... oh hell yes, I would. I was nervous as I had only written two fics at that point (Sonnet 29 and Tell Me...), but I wanted to write more and, expand my horizons/push myself.

We chatted back and forth on DM about a few specifics. I can't remember whose suggestion it was, but I loved the idea of Benedict being a sneaky menace who pretended to be learning something but actually knew exactly what he was doing; he was just intrigued to meet this lady his brother was sneaking off to every night. So this delicious tension of her going, "oh shit, I'm in trouble here." She thought it would be more instructional/educational for some virginal wide-eyed younger brother. Instead, she's got two handsome men who are both far too good at destroying her. And hence a series was born.

There is always something under the surface with Lessons, a degree of 'more than meets the eye' that I am intentionally throwing in there. Often with Emmys suggestions. I wouldn't call it angst; it's just an edge/dynamic that I hope enhances the filth lol. In Lessons, it's the tension of reader realising Benedict knows exactly what he's doing as soon as he spanks her, while Anthony still believes he is there to learn. In Lessons Learned, the fact Anthony feels betrayed by them both, catching them at it red-handed and punishing his little brother thru reader. In Lessons Taught, the vulnerability of Anthony finally letting Benedict fuck his girl and become his equal. In Today's Lesson perhaps less so as it was a Modern AU standalone, but it still had some echoes of the dynamic from the regency set-up and Anthony being emotional. In Lessons Applied, it's going to be about Anthony's ability to submit and contains many mirrors of Lessons Learned where he is submitting while Benedict has full control.

These are also the fics I have worked the longest on, re-editing and cut the most out of. Endlessly shuffling content so that it flows better. I have almost 2k of offcuts from Lessons 2 and 3, some of which I have found a way to repurpose in Lessons 5, but the majority will stay on the cutting room floor of my fic offcuts doc. Threesomes take a surprising amount of choreography tbh. As I have joked before, it's a LOT of dick flying around and it all needs to be accounted for in a flow that makes sense. Each one, especially from 2 onwards, represents almost 75-100 hours of work tbh. They are exhausting, hence I don't publish often.

For example, Lessons 5 is VERY long - currently 9k - but I need to trim It down a lot and will ditch whole sections to make it tighter (ooh err etc.). There are some surprisingly tender moments I hope to keep in, though. Like Benedict slipping up mid-scene and calling her a term of endearment rather than my girl. And them both questioning her green when they intuit her nerves about something. And reader's realisation that Anthony is submitting not only to her but his younger brother by association and how that interplays with the family dynamic of being firstborn. Just interesting tidbits on emotions and family dynamics I'm toying with alongside the utter filth. Not sure how it will all end up - that I hope to work out over the course of this week.

GOSH, Im SO SORRY. This answer is stupidly long, and I feel so bloody rude. Honestly, who wants to read this drivel. I'm sorry. I should cut it down but I'm tired lol. THank you for your ask 😁🧡🧡

[rebelrainfall]

I would love to here more about your Rebelcaptain Hadestown au 👀 if you’re looking to answers asks.

Oh my gosh YES I always want to talk about the Hadestown AU like I literally have an 11-page doc explaining my changes/reasonings and that's SEPARATE from the actual outline (I also have a moodboard somewhere I keep meaning to post but I can't find it at the moment)

So my starting point for this is Jyn as Eurydice, because it just makes sense, you know? I mean, a runaway from everywhere she’d ever been/she was no stranger to the world/no stranger to the wind, or people turn on you just like the wind… in the end you’re better off alone, I mean??? Everyone Jyn's ever loved has left her, whether of their own accord or taken by the underworld. The world has only ever hurt her. She’s tired and hungry and so sick of being helpless and hopeless. Of course she wants things to get better, but why would she believe the world could get better because of anything, much less a stupid song?

And then Jyn meets Cassian.

Initially I kinda thought Cassian couldn't work as Orpheus but I was SO WRONG, OK. No, Cassian doesn't have bw Orpheus' naive earnestness or off-bw Orpheus' cockiness, he may have lost the optimism he once had, but he does believe there's a better world possible. What other choice does he have? Cassian as Orpheus doesn’t work on the song because he’s an optimist, or because he’s confident it will work, but because he’s desperate. He’s angry, and exhausted, and holding so tightly to the last scraps of hope he has left even as they slip through his fingers. He wants things to get better, and he’s fighting so hard to believe that they can but the longer it takes and the more he gives to that fight the harder it is to hold onto hope.

I don't see them having quite the love-at-first-sight moment they do in the show. They've both been burned too badly for that. But there's something there, right from the start, something that makes Jyn stick around, something that renews Cassian's dedication to his song. As summer comes they grow closer and closer, and for just a few, precious days at the end of the summer, they're together and happy and nothing can hurt them.

(I dare y'all to try to tell me All I've Ever Known isn't PEAK rebelcaptain)

But then the winter comes on again.

Persephone stolen away earlier even than ever before, the seasons and hunger and poverty harder are harder to cope with with every passing day. The cracks start to appear.

There's a long, hard year ahead, more trials than they ever could have imagined. But at the end of the day, Jyn and Cassian would do anything for each other.

Maybe it will turn out this time.