#granted we are not shown that. we don't get the chance to see how her perspective may have changed in that year

[bayofwolves]

i dunno, if i was abeke (or rollan, or any of them), knowing shane was out there somewhere, i would be constantly looking over my shoulder waiting for him to reappear. so the moment a mysterious masked dude shows up and saves my life, i'm asking myself, even if only for a moment, "what if?"

i find it hard to believe that abeke and rollan didn't at least suspect that king was really shane before he revealed himself. like, i dunno. i get that king's redcloak disguise was supposed to be really good. and it had been a while since they'd seen him last. but if 11 y/o me could figure it out in immortal guardians, surely abeke could?

it would have been so cool if there'd been a part where the thought started to form in abeke's head. or she talked to rollan about it. and isn't rollan's whole thing supposed to be intuition? maybe he'd raise the possibility before abeke, who might have written off her suspicions as her just being paranoid and emotional. idk. just a thought.

[bluginkgo]

Another Nuzi rant. Don't mind me

Spoilers, duh

Since I've already done a quick character study/nuzi rant from N's side. Here's one from Uzi's side!

This is probably gonna be just me repeating things people have already said... again. But I love Uzi. (Just like every other character in Murder Drones, honestly.) But Liam did a wonderful job of making an angsty, emo girl, borderline maniac that we know as Uzi. Her character, to me at least, never became the annoying overdramatized and overused stereotype that follows her style. She has real reasons for being the way she is.

A loner, whose dad loves nothing but doors. School is not different, as her classmates pretty much forget about her existence on a day to day basis. No one to talk to, no one to connect with, gives her the angsty side that I absolutely adore. Because underneath all of that toughness is just a lonely little drone who was left by herself since early age. But guess who comes in and busts down those walls (literally and figuratively)?

Our good boi N! Despite their rough start, N never really gave Uzi a reason not to trust him. Their chance encounter, and a broken sensor, allowed them to have the talk that might have never happened. Their beginning might have been a lucky accident, but for the rest of the season, we can see how both sides had to work to make well... Nuzi work!

For Uzi, asking for help is like asking for a death sentence probably. After being on her own for so long, she doesn't expect anyone to help. With that information in mind, the first time she let's that wall crumble was episode 2, Heartbeat.

"Uzi, shoot! Or give it to me!"

Granted, we all know that was not our N. But in that moment, when Uzi was in an enough distressed state, she sought help in N. We all know how that ended, though. Absolute Solver took advantage of that and almost killed her, before N once again sweeped in to save her. The one and only notorious Nuzi misunderstanding was, for better or for worse, cleared up pretty quickly. Seeing as glitchproduction only has so much money at their disposal, they can't really drag this ordeal out. Personally, I'm glad that it didn't. The long drama that is just a misunderstanding after misunderstanding gets quite tedious to follow.

So, moving forward in The Promening, Uzi once again seeks out N when she's in distress. When she sees and hears about what Doll and Lizzy were gonna do, she books it to the only person she knows can help her.

N! Now don't get me wrong. Uzi, by herself is plenty strong. She's shown off her fighting and capabilities, and would have probably been able to take V on. She's taken J down before, aaaand Uzi does technically also take V down in Cabin Fever. But she still went out of her way to go find N. So they could work together and get this mess sorted out.

And then there's this. God I love Cabin Fever, and surprisingly no, not for the Falling.... for you? scene. No, I loved the entire Uzi going on murder spree because she can! The music was such a banger too. But back to Uzi. She recognizes V and briefly snaps back to her usual self. Curious isn't it? N and Uzi both tried reaching out to V, but because V is so untrusting (and we all understand why from ep 5, Home). Here Uzi tried to ask V for help... in form of N.

I find it interesting how ever since Uzi met N and V, she's been getting better at asking for help. Sure, V shot her down because, once again, V was scared. Uzi was turning into the monster that only Cyn has been capable of creating. This soon leads to N yeeting Uzi into the f*cking stratosphere and the two have a chat.

I love how the animators included Uzi hiding behind her bat wings.

Her metaphorical walls were back up. And guess who broke them yet again.

The bestest boi N! And ever since this moment, N and Uzi are way more open.

Episode 5 was taking place in N's memories. But episode 6 is where their trust and care shines. Yeah, sure, there was the hand holding. And it was a big moment! But I enjoyed the little things more. Uzi checking in on N, nodding at his little comments and jokes.

Summary: I love Nuzi. Send help they're on my mind 24/7.

[leoruby-draws]

Decided to add another member to the Training Wheels Outlaw team, Gillian Wahrman aka Wyldheart!

This spirited young girl is a very obscure character seen in Grant Emerson's 1994 book Damage! She's only ever seen in relation to Grant, and Grant's a bit obscure himself, so she has very little appearances in the comics.

From what little we saw of her, she seemed fairly nice and pretty naive, I'm guessing she was pretty sheltered in life. Her adoptive father, Abriam Wahrman , found her in a spacecraft as a baby, so she kinda has a superman style origin (in fact, I thought she could fit the team as the superman expy, but I ended up having other ideas...).

Her father is part of the organization that gave Grant his powers but are also trying to hunt him down. She and Grant ended up as friends, but are keeping their friendship a secret for now. For now it works, tho I doubt that'll stay the case. She and Grant get along very well, he helps ground her and tries to prevent people from taking advantage of her naivety. In turn she helps him lighten up a bit and have fun!

Anyways, when she learned about Grant hanging out with this strange group, she decided she wanted in! And so she did! Jason is amused if a bit overwhelmed by her positivity, he's not quite sure how to deal with her but at least he has fun with her. The rest of the team likes her cheerfulness, bit of a break from the more serious and 'edgy' members attitudes.

Here's a couple of extra doodles of Gillian meeting the others:

This last one is was a first draft of her, I'll be real her outfit is kinda strange, simultaneously both overly designed and yet super basic. I didn't really like it honestly, but I could see underneath all that there was a way to make it work. I'm not sure if I succeeded, might've oversimplified it but I tried.

Now I'm gonna stop right here and talk about something real quick. If you go over to the DC fandom wiki and go to Gillian's page, here's what you see in the sidebar:

Is this some sort of mistake? I don't know if I missed something, but in none of her appearances was she shown to be a New God or Genesisian. Was she planned to be one but the writers dropped that plot point? Or did they not get the chance since Grant's book got canceled? If not, why did the wiki put that in? I don't know man, but I really do like that idea, like a lot. In fact in my au, she is in fact a New God! Perhaps her parents got in trouble of sorts and maybe sent her away to protect her? I'm kinda wanna make up a story of the parents being on opposite sides and their Romeo/Juliet romance caused an uproar. I'm not too well versed in New God lore, so I don't if that would work but it's one idea at least.

Here's a page of Gillian finding out her heritage:

Everyone looks shocked! (btw that guy in the back is Iron Munro, who helps out Grant sometimes). If Gillian's a new god, what would she be the god of? Maybe something like Harmony or Joy.

Well I hope to draw Gillian some more, she's a pretty fun addition to the team, and I hoped you liked all this!

A correction! Gillian is a New God, it's explained in Damage #8!

This is what happens when you speed 'read' and completely look over the details. Sorry about that, I can be pretty spacey sometimes. Thanks to @isfjmel-phleg for the correction! Still isn't it cool and unique that Gillian's a new god? DC should bring her back!

[itsnothingofinterest]

I think that the LoV deserves to win in the Final War because if they win, they will be able to create a world for themselves. The Heroes never meant to deserve to win at all considering the fact that most of them are morally corrupted (like the HPSC) and they are more interesting when they lose all the time.

If Spinner were able to win against Shoji, that would prove that his point will be always right and he would be able to save Shigaraki. If Toya succeeded, it would be the punishment that Endeavor deserves for abandoning his eldest son. If Toga succeeded, she would be able to do anything she wants. If Tomura Shigaraki wins against Deku and destroys Deku along with the entire Hero Society, Tomura Shigaraki would be able to have peace with his friends.

If I may be allowed the opportunity to rant: I'm sure some will say this is crazy at this juncture of the story but honestly? I get where you're coming from. Or at least 90% of it.

I mean for starters, I sympathize with the League far more than the heroes (no surprise from a villain fan). I think they’ve earned the happy endings they want after how hard they’ve struggled against the towering odds they’ve faced, an area which I feel they far surpass the heroes. I want them to win, I want them to prove the strength of their bonds, all that fun stuff for them.

And just logically, if you look at the worlds both sides are trying to make…the villain's world kinda seems better? Because after all, isn’t the plan to just take the current world, tear it down, and rebuild it without a whole bunch of its glaring flaws? The easy world Toga wants where kids like her don’t fear for their lives. Where corrupt heroes like Endeavor and bigots like the CRC aren’t left to their crimes. In a warped way, they’re almost like young All Might.

Compare that to the status quo the heroes want back, the very one that brought us here, which I don’t see much reason to root for. I mean even if you say “but all the people who’ve died”; first off, I swear mha civilians frequently act like horror movie victims so I can only care so much for them. But if I did, they want back the very status quo that led to all that death in the first place so…it feels like it’ll just lead back here again. A return of the status quo? This chaos is part of the status quo by now, you sure you want it back?

(Granted this is all hampered a little bit by Shigaraki’s sudden decision to sink the country and really where did that come from? Did Tomura just say that to appear more inhuman? Did Hori make him say that to appear more threatening? Because that kind of interferes with a lot of the League’s goals y’know. Sure he doesn’t want to give the status quo loving heroes a chance to rebuild what he destroyed, but society still needs replacing as part of the plan. The PLF are still supposed to rebuild according to their desires. I may make a post about just this plot point soon.)

Not to mention that I totally get what you mean about the heroes not narratively earning a permanent win here. Not only have they as a whole not really developed and surpassed their old flaws, but just the fact that they’ve been doing their own war crimes in this arc (when you’re really supposed to stick to your morals and beat villains by the book against make-the-world-better-by-extreme-measures-type villains) really makes me think they just don't deserve the win because they kind of can’t be trusted going forward. I mean the final arc's supposed to show where everyone is ending up; how they'll be in the future. And the impression being left is that the heroes, even the kids to enough of an extent to worry, have shown the same corruption we know the HPSC for.

About the only thing I disagree with out on is that I don’t want Deku specifically to die. He can be, to put bluntly, a self-righteous moron about things he doesn't understand at times, and can be a bit of an AM clone a lot of the rest of the time; but I'd hardly wish his death for just that. Especially since it seems any hope for the heroes side not repeating their mistakes rests on him pulling his head out of his arse and getting a clue on how to be better than All Might. Not that I think that'll happen anytime soon, but that's why I keep insistently hoping for an MHA part 2.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

(Sorry I took so long with this. Mix of being busy with real life and being in a writing funk. Which is why this may not be my finest post either. Hope you understand.)

[woodsfae]

B5 s03e21 Shadow Dancing previous episode - table of contents

I see the next episode is called z'ha'dum (dang I have been mis-spelling that a dozen different ways) so the "z-minus" must be referring to that. This coming at the end of season 3 also affirms for me that Sheridan must survive z'ha'dum despite the prophecy of death. Some heart-stopped-but-he-survived pedantry. I still think Dr Franklin is going to be pivotal. But that's next episode! 

Delenn is speaking before the League of Aligned Worlds or whatever their acronym is. She and Lennier are wearing somber brown and green-grey, as opposed to their usual jewel-tones. Are they trying to dress down to fit in with the lower species? LOL. 

Delenn is asking for more ships than the individual worlds feel they can risk, and is promising that the Minbari are commiting considerable forces as well. 

The Shadows have been driving refugees into sector 83 for months, and Sheridan thinks an attack on the corralled population is imminent. 

It's funny, I used to think Marcus looked annoying but now I'm always so happy to see him. He seems to have recovered from Neroon beating his face in. 

THE PLAN: Ivanova and Marcus are going to sector 83, going completely dark, and are waiting for the Shadows to turn up. Then they're getting out ASAP without engaging them, at any cost. Presumably to summon the rest of the waiting forces that Delenn has just negotiated to be waiting. 

The League is acquiescing to Delenn's request and lending the alliance all their spare ships and then some. Ivanova is in command of the White Star with Marcus as her leal interpreter and they're off! I'm not sure if I think this is going to work, or if it's going to be a miscalculation and they're going to be in a really bad position coming into the season finale. 

"Sometimes people walk away because they want to be alone. Sometimes people walk away because they want to see if you'll folllow them into hell."

Uncharacteristically insightful for Garibaldi, but also, don't play those games. You can't walk yourself into hell on the slim chance that the person you're chasing is hoping to be caught. 

Guest Star Barbara is not making a good impression on me, but we are also shown that Stephen Franklin is looking a little less rough than in his last appearance. 

Z MINUS SIX DAYS

I'm absolutely positive that's counting down to Z'ha'dum now. 

Minbari beds are...not ideal. And it would be pretty strange to wake up to another person at a 45 degree angle staring you (or not) straight in the face. 

"You're the most beautiful woman I've ever met," says Marcus, then claims it's just a greeting. 

"It meants...my words are inadequate to the burden of my heart."

"That's an unusual greeting."

"They're an unusual people."

Fingers crossed that Susan will remember the pronounciation and repeat it to some unsuspecting Minbari man. 

Fingers also crossed that Susan never ever dates Marcus.

LOL the Minbari beds' feet tip up enough to be almost flat. And then some. asdfkljahf. So you can angle towards either bulkhead based on preference? hah.

Minbari continue to be hilariouly bizarre. Delenn shares a Minbari custom that, when a couple has been flirting as long as they have been, they spend three nights together while the man sleeps and the woman observes his sleeping face. If she likes it, cool. If not, they're finished. 

Stephen Franklin just tried to intervene in a mugging and got a gut-stab for his trouble. Perhaps this will be how he finally meets himself. 

Rough stuff. He's dragging himself along in bloody handprints to try to find help. 

I guess I'd say I've met myself through injuries, but the end result has been me fixing myself up the vast majority of the time, and I'm not even a doctor. Though granted, the injuries have never been a gut stab.

Susan has finally got comfortable, by stealing all the pillows from the beds to make a pallet, and immediately gets an urgent page to the bridge. That tracks!!

The White Star has picked up a signature that's probably-definitely a Shadow ship, and they've come out of the moon-shadow they've been hidden in at the same time. badadadadada tension! 

In the splotchlights Delenn brought Sheridan to keep track of the battles, it looks like Sheridan's going extremely grey. Stress grey. 

Dr Franklin is chillin in a pool of his own blood, chatting with a hallucination of himself. Finally! Space AA can come to a conclusion and Stephen's final form can appear. 

I like how the Shadows' ships move in space. It's quite unlike anything else I've seen. 

Ivanova is returning fire on the Shadows ship, despite the direct orders to escape and not engage for any reason. 

And a whole fleet of Shadows ships are coming into view! Dozens, perhaps even a hundred or more. 

"Well, who wants to live forever?" Ivanova says, and they send the signal to the rest of the fleet. I continue to like her more and more. 

Hmmm. Hallucination!Stephen is a lot harder on Stepehn than I think is fair. This is a really harsh internal dialogue. And uncomfortably relatable? But this kind of negative self-talk can be really improved by finding a good therapist. 

Ahh, so the Grey Council's dramatic spot-lighting has a practical effect! It's also a holographic war-room. Sheridan directs the Minbari telepaths to jam the Shadows' capital ships, and deploys the waiting fleet. They got the message! The White Star's backup is on the way. 

"Don't you go passing out on me - that's just another kind of running away."

I BARKED with laughter at that line. Internal!Stephen is a dick. 

Hmm in the war room lighting, Delenn also looks like she's going grey, so I'm not sure if it's a stress-grey thing or a lighting thing. 

The battle continues. The CGI has noticably improved from s01 and s02. 

The Minbari beds make more sense when they're full of telepaths at work than full of humans failing to fall asleep. 

It appears that the League fleet has driven off the Shadows, but the music and Delenn and Sheridan's mien is somber. Injured personel from the fleet are coming in at the same time as Franklin is getting medical attention. 

"We did ok. Not great, but ok," Sheridan says. Frame it as a victory!! As Ivanova points out, it's the first time they pulled together the League. And they drove them off!! 

Z MINUS 4 DAYS

Garibaldi watches Franklin sleep. I ought to write the fic I have floating around in my head where they get together and only inflict their emotional idiocy on each other.

Garibaldi: "Don't ever do this to me again."

Well that isn't a deterrent. to me.

Delenn is out of the brown-and-green and back into her jewel tones. 

Ivanova thinks the Shadows have been deliberately leaving Babylon 5 alone and hearing this, Sheridan has a flashback to his vision of Ivanova, with a raven on her shoulder, asking "Do you know who I am?" 

Working out the vision - Susan is a latent telepath and said (irl) she doesn't know who she is sometimes. Sheridan also saw himself in a PsiCorps uniform, and Ivanova again in all-black with a veil saying "yuou are the hand." I remember this, but it's handy that they're recapping this because I didn't remember the exact specifics. But they haven't figured out what they think it means. But they better hurry up because a Shadow vessel is in hyperspace going places to do things!

Franklin is the CMO again. Apparently. Unofficial up to the point that Sheridan walked in and offered it to him again. 

Stephen's personal revelations are good - it's important to know yourself. And I like that he's realized he's always defined himsef by what he isn't, and how that didn't serve him well. Psychologically speaking.

hmmm cute. Sheridan's sleeping, and Delenn's watching him with a little smile. And danger is afoot on b5, going by the ominous music and shots of various humans and aliens. Zack Allen wakes up Ivanova to tell her someone's coming on board.

SHERIDAN'S WIFE. fuck yeah

But now I have a new question, considering the multiple shots of a shadow shuttle flying around: is she herself, or is she a puppet of the Shadows? 

Z MINUS 2 DAYS

*definitely not making high pitched noises right now*

Who in the fuck gave Anna the codes to Sheridan's quarters? Like. She's been declared dead and everything. I blame Zack.

z'ha'dum alert

[epickiya722]

You know what, seeing someone say Audrey is a "bitch" stirred some unwanted feelings in me because rewatching the first movie and comparing her to other Disney antagonists, Audrey isn't all that bad to me.

At most, what she did was make snide comments and that's about it.

She never tried to sabotage the VKs to send them back to the Isle. She only tried to make Ben jealous after he (being spelled) practically humiliated her in front of the whole school by declaring his love for another girl.

And she wasn't wrong about being cautious around the VKs (practically Mal) because Ben did get spelled, did he not! Didn't Mal use magic to manipulate Jane?

Even onscreen, we don't even see her be mean to other Auradonian kids.

And at the end of the first movie, she was the one to have a change of heart and even danced with the VKs.

And the thing about the Family Day scene, I don't even blame Audrey for not wanting her grandmother to talk Mal. I wouldn't either. That's the same girl who took her boyfriend away, the same boyfriend she known for years given the books and photos seen in the third movie.

Mal is the same girl who happens to be the daughter of Maleficent. THE FAIRY WHO SPELLED AUDREY'S MOTHER WHEN SHE WAS JUST A BABY TO HAVE A SLEEP-LIKE DEATH. Mind you, Maleficent probably did it because she could, not because she was hurt about being invited to a christening. Isn't Maleficent the "Mistress of Evil"? You really think a villain with that title would be like "woe is me, you didn't invite me, wah, *sad tears*"? Nah, she just wanted to cause some mischief. Look, some villains just want to be evil and cruel without any reasons, no sad backstory required. (Keep in mind, Descendants was following the stories of the animated films.)

Also, to me, watching the Family Day scene, Mal looked almost smug, kinda... it just didn't come off like she was being nice when Audrey told her grandmother not talk to her. Queen Leah didn't freak out until Mal made that face, probably getting flashbacks to when Maleficent cursed her daughter.

Granted, the VKs did deserve to have a chance to prove they're not like their parents and I like the VKs, I do. (In fact, most of my faves are the VKs, Sea Three included.)

But to me, Audrey really isn't all that bad that some people like to say she is. She was snarky, but let's not sit here and act like she was the only character doing it (just saying, she left no crumbs). She was cautious and had every right to be. But she never tried to sabotage anyone and she isn't shown to be mean to other characters until the third movie, but that was more so out of anger (after all the wrong she went through) and being corrupted by the scepter.

Collectively, throughout the three movies, the worst Audrey ever has done was steal the crown and scepter and use Maleficent's magic.

But not to excuse her actions, but I'm blaming Auradon for that one.

Why do they only have one guy holding down the museum?! Why?! Makes no sense!! Twice, twice someone managed to get into the museum undetected and the second time a lone person succeeded getting not one, but two items!!

Why was Maleficent's scepter not properly cased?! Oh, they be making sure FG's wand is safe and secured, but knowing how powerful Maleficent's scepter is they just leave out in the open! Just stupid! Stupid!

Expected though, since someone had the "brilliant" idea to have the barrier open and a bridge form through a button... but that's for another day...

[the-gateway-to-madness]

Elemental Spoilers

I noticed a couple of parallels or development tie-ins or what have you.

First of all, my sincerest compliments to the Elemental voice cast who made this movie work, especially its tenderest moments.

From minute one, Wade encourages Ember to be more open with him and with her loved ones and to relieve herself of that emotional weight.

When they're in the balloon, Ember teaches Wade the meaning of the Firish word "tìshók"- essentially, "embrace the light while it burns, because it won't always last forever" or, rather, because it's not guaranteed that things won't change or be lost. It encourages him to live his life more deliberately, like Ember does, but it's also focusing and condensing his views on how to interact with your loved ones, and helps him to pin down in words how he feels about expressing your innermost feelings later on- "you don't have forever to say what you need to say".

As a note, he also focuses her in return- literally, he focuses her light when he becomes a magnifying glass during the matchmaking reading, and just anytime he helps Ember root out the sources of her emotions.

so when Wade's talking to Ember on the beach, he says "I had regrets when my dad died" and pushes Ember to leave her comfort zone and be honest with her father.

And then, when they're trapped in the hearth, Wade tells Ember, "I have no regrets". Mostly pre-movie, but also during the movie, subtly, Wade has learned to fully utilize and embrace the ideology of tìshók. He's been emotionally vulnerable and honest with Ember. He loves her and he's taken advantage of every moment of it to care for her and help her.

Wade tries to show Ember the power of the one little word she taught him, a word she treated so casually when she explained it, every chance he gets. But it's not until she loses him that it sinks in. Not until she watches him slip out of her fingers, and she has true, deep, blatant, painful regrets, and he comes back with "I have no regrets. You gave me something people search their whole lives for" does she internalize all the time she's taken for granted, the time she's been telling herself throughout the movie she had, the time she used as an excuse not to be vulnerable- not to embrace the light.

It's at those moments of vulnerability, at the beginning and the end, with Wade, that we see her shining in a way like no other, revealing all the potential of the light inside her. Figuratively, of course, but also literally, with the refracted colors around them. They're never so intense as when Ember confesses to Wade that she loves him.

And then, Wade, in one sentence, says, "I love you, and I have loved each depth you've let me see of you, and I am so honored that you're willing to be so vulnerable and gentle with me", facing his own fading with perfect acceptance because he knew her and loved her with everything he had, and he understands that that's enough and he doesn't need to give her more.

And that one sentence hits because subconsciously it ties everything together, every bit of love and adoration he's shown her, every way he's brought out her light through the entire movie, every way he's tried to get her to love herself as much as he does.

"I really do love it when your light does that."

[hellcatinnc]

Bungo Stray Dogs: Dead Apple Anime Movie Review

Includes Spoilers

I really liked this movie it did help add more to the story before starting season 3. I love how it really showed how much Dazai thought of Sakunosuke the sitting at the bar with a drink like they used to really tugged at my heart.

I also loved the connection between Atsushi and Kyōka, I mean I always saw it between them before but I feel like the movie plays on it alot more. It has a very good story line to it with all the power users get killed off by their own power. Was definitely something to pull you in and you can't stop watching til its done. I honestly for awhile thought we were gonna lose some of the favorite characters but glad that didn't happen. I mean seriously how cute are they together and the fact he sleeps in a closet to always be there for her how freakin adorable. I love how he looks at her and how she looks at him as well.

At first I thought Dazai had turned against his friends and although I didn't want to believe it he did it when he left alot of his friends behind when he left the mafia. The 2 guys he had lined himself with Fyodor Dostoyevsky & Tatsuhiko Shibusawa both are psychopathic creeps I didn't like either of them from the first time they appeared. Both have a unnerving feel to their presence. Then when they stabbed Dazai and he was bleeding and then was poisoned I was upset that they might actually kill his character off.

The fact you see Chuuya more in this I was happy for especially when he is the one that went to save Dazai in the end. I love the scene on the plain come on seriously the glove scene is too damn hot to miss. Then the fact he turns and punches Dazai to bring him back from death was priceless. That scene everyone is stuck on where it looks like Chuuya's head is in Dazai's lap to me I didn't see at is anything more than Chuuya being exhausted after turning like he has shown in the past and Dazai controlling the outcome in that moment it is not a gay scene to me at all. I think people see what they want to see. By this point Chuuya is really becoming someone you see more often why people automatically jump to them being gay for each other. I came into this with a open mind fine if they end up at least bisexual but I just think alot of people read into that scene more.

I do love you see Akutagawa work with Atsushi more and they honestly when they aren't bickering I think they are good together. I think in a platonic way they understand each other way more than anyone else. They both been in a dark place and work their way up that being said I even think Akutagawa has respect for Atsushi. I this time frame Akutagawa grew on me and became my 2nd favorite person in the show. He comes off hard ass but deep down I think he is a man that longs for affection and praise especially from Dazai. Granted I don't know what Dazai has to do with him yet hoping to in the next couple seasons however I do think they were damaged a bit more than you know especially Akutagawa by Dazai himself.

The cool effects of the fights with Akutagawa and Atsushi were probably some of the coolest effects and made the ending even better.

Honestly all in all I thought the movie was really good and got me plenty ready to jump into season 3 of Bungo Stray Dogs. I hope you give the movie a chance it really is worth it.

[backjustforberena]

Hi! I recently read your post where you say that Steve didn't have any info about the Hull Boys and I'm shocked. I don't like show!Corlys but I feel like it's deeply unjust for the character that the writers didn't clarify this issue. I really hope the next season addresses this by introducing Marilda, at least for a few scenes, so we can understand why show!Corlys would betray Rhaenys for so long with the same woman. I need answers, especially because aging up Alyn and Addam seems to push the timeline of the betrayal closer to when Rhaenys loses the crown. Whether intentional or not, this shift makes the betrayal feel even more deplorable.

Hello! Yes, I'm afraid I'm probably going to have to burst your bubble just that little bit more. I don't believe we'll be getting Marilda of Hull. I think that the (excuse the pun) ship has sailed, and, not only that, but the show has implied that Marilda is dead. Or, at least, the mother of Alyn and Addam is dead, as we have no name to give her within the show's canon.

I've come to that conclusion based off of a few things. It's probably easier and neater for the story not to have another character be introduced (I say this whilst also very much acknowledging that removing the one other person who could give this affair context is a mistake) - and it's likely one of the reasons the boys were aged up in the first place.

One of the major things that Marilda does is bring her boys to the court to become Dragonseeds. This, obviously, hasn't been done and the show has gone in a different direction. Alyn and Addam are grown, so they don't "need" their mother the same way that their characters would do if they were teenagers. It also makes it easier to illustrate the bond between brothers if you make them the sole companions of the other so that that is the priority for each of them, but especially Alyn, who is now the older brother. Removing the mother also makes it easier to have scenes with Corlys and show that dynamic without interference.

Then there are the implications within the show itself. Rather than living as a son of a woman with her own company, Alyn speaks of a life working, basically, hand-to-mouth from a young age. They live in poverty, essentially. He also asks Corlys what he knows of "grief", which implies Alyn's own awareness and experience of grief. This could be grief over his father's actions and mourning a relationship that could have been. But more than likely it is in regards to his mother. The other clue we have is when Rhaenyra asks Addam about his parentage. He answers:

"My mother was a shipwright. My father is… no one of consequence."

Addam refers to his father (Corlys) using present tense, but mother in past. There's also no maternal influence shown in the home, where we see Alyn and Addam live (though, granted, there's no requirement for them to live with their mother at all) and Addam seems to have the typically feminine tasks down pat, such as cooking.

Without the presence of the mother, I doubt we'll get answers. There seems to be little effort in giving the actors answers, and if we take away the chance of Corlys speaking to the mother, then there are no other (in my mind) characters to which Corlys could divulge this information. There's no one he's close enough to open up to. The only slim possibility is Alyn but certainly not as the relationship stands at the moment. There could have been Rhaenys, had she not died, but she did.

Again, as I've said before, I'm unwilling to speculate on what might make this betrayal more or less deplorable or more or less understandable. Again, without knowing the ages of the boys or the circumstances surrounding or prior to or after the Great Council, it's really tricky to know or judge, and we also don't know how much we can apply book canon to show canon either.

It could be a response to losing the Crown or it could be a response to Rhaenys's distress or it could be nothing to do with any of it. We don't know. You say "betray Rhaenys for so long with the same woman" when, for all we know, it was a relationship that lasted long enough to produce children, with nothing in between. We don't know what it was. Where it was. When it was. How it was. Literally, all options are on the table. Especially with the way this show treats the timeline.

Without anything concrete, there really is nothing to go off of, and that's why we get quotes like this, from Steve:

I am still working through it as to trying to find the reasoning behind it because exactly what you said is what I said… My thing was, “OK, yeah, one child. OK, great. He’s a sailor, blah, blah, blah. But he then goes back and has another child, so what’s that? … So, I am still trying to find the way through it.

How that [relationship] ended, I don’t know. That would be interesting; did she [the mother] go away, is she still alive? I certainly don’t know. When I spoke to Claire [Kilner] or Alan [Taylor] our directors about it, they weren’t sure either.

Steve didn't know until he read the scripts: he hadn't read the book, he wasn't told beforehand, and neither he nor Eve knew anything during filming and promoting Season 01. Steve has no information, that we know of, other than what is in the scripts and, provided no scenes were cut, that is the exact same information that we have as an audience.

[daepicfirestar]

LB6.5 Traum Spoilers

Lostbelt 6.5 Traum Theory: Siegfried is not real

I could be biased, because this relates to one of the twists in the episode, and how I do not wish it was real. If that makes sense.

My Theory: The Siegfried shown to reunite with Kriemhild is not real.

Evidence:

1. Siegfried has no memory of being helpful to Master. Despite that he has in MULTIPLE times. There is also no memory he has of meeting Astolfo in Apocrypha, which is what Astolfo is implied to have.

2. The way he behaves is quite strange. I get that the original promise Siegfried made to Master was that if she was alive he would fight on her side, and this original promise would still make sense if the theory was true. However, the fact that Siegfried stops calling Master "Master" and instead by name. So suddenly. It doesn't fit his character. Ironically for a character who was betrayed to be the betrayer, a Servant known to be loyal.

His favor quote "I'm told you and I fought side by side once before. I'm sorry I have no memory of it. I only hope I proved useful in that battle... At any rate, I have a favor to ask you. Once I tell you what it is...I'll understand if you decide to kill me."

Siegfried again "I... I made a mistake. And, I'm about to make another one. ...Master. No... (y/n). Kriemhild will never use her demonic sword again. The mass of magical energy the Holy Grails were providing to her is gone. Our battle consumed nearly all of it. I tried to kill her and I nearly succeeded. And now, here we are. This is exactly what we agreed to. I...hope you can forgive me. You have my gratitude for granting this foolish wish of mine."

Later. Siegfried comes close to Kriemhild and says, "Your ambitions... Your dreams... Whatever you want to call them, any hopes you had of permanently establishing this Singularity are dashed for good and all. The Holy Grailed are now in our enemy's [Master's] hands." Then to Master, "I'm sorry to surprise you. But I decided this some time ago. If Kriemhild is still alive even after we stop her...then from that moment on, I want to fight for her. ...Even if that means you and I should become enemies. Even if it should result in my own death."

In Fate/Grand Order Siegfired's "My Room" lines were all having to do with loyalty and the like. Even in Apocrypha when he was serving Gordes Musik Yggdmillennia who wasn't very friendly to him he still showed better behavior. Plus it's not like memories are always wiped because the "My Room" Siegfried voice lines clearly remember Aporcypha. In my Room, he doesn't mention anything regarding the events in Traum (but Kriemhild does) His only line about Kriemhild is as follows: "I didn't expect you to come, but... you came, Kriemhild. I don't know what to tell you... no, there's no need to say anything... Huh? 'What can be put into words is put into words.'? I see...I love you, Kriemhild...Was it inevitable that you would bring out Balmung in this exchange?''

This pattern of mood indicated in Traum is very heavily resembling that of EMIYA in the Unlimited Blade Works route, where he betrays Tohsaka to serve under Medea for his own benefit (to kill Shirou) however even then this theory is justified through EMIYA's morally grey nature and "Independent Action" which Siegfried doesn't have neither. HE EVEN CONTRADICTS HIMSELF IN THE NARRATIVE SHOWING THAT he won't rebel when in actuality he does. "Do you desire to rebel against Proper Human History?" "No."

Kreimhild said in Traum before Siegfried's appearance: "If Siegfried was summoned here, he would probably rebel against Proper Human History. I don't want him to, I want the small chance he isn't. I want him to be my enemy before I kill him." (Kriemhild was on the side against Proper Human History) and then she also says "Chaldea didn't bring him" implying that she knows that Chaldea has him.

There is also a mention of every Servant having a different Master in Traum. As of where I am in the story, there is no detail mentioned about Siegfried's Master. When he was first found he was deep in a prison, stating "I was almost expecting to be put in an eternal slumber"

Then there is a twist that Traum actually takes place in Nevada, 2019 in Area 51. The Master behind it all is a Test Subject E. This may just further reinforce the theory.

Kriemhild's line to Siegfried after beating Traum is as follows: "Gyah! Apologies. I just lost my composure. You...I mean, Lord Siegfried. No, I didn't mind. You approaching me was all according to plan... A calculated move on my part. It was all for revenge. Why the defeated look!? Cut it out, you nincompoop! And Master! Don't just stand back there and nod! Do something about this!!!" Siegfried has no new lines after beating Traum.

The Siegfried stated was essentially a fake one, which retained his personality (hence Mash’s comment about his seriousness) and how his abilities are consistent to what is established (being able to endure a B+ rank attack is indeed consistent with his Noble Phantasm Armor of Fafnir does in Fate). However, his memories were wiped and his internal values changed significantly. Essentially, he behaves exactly how Kriemhild desires, it’s as though he was programmed to do so. If this theory was true it would explain the title of the Lostbelt being “Traum” how it is German for “dream” and how it’s basically a manifestation of her desires. Considering Siegfried and Kriemhild being the only German Servants this only makes the meaning more plausible. Why wasn’t this brought up in the plot? Why didn’t Sherlock Holmes catch this? They had little time together, and the times of Siegfried behaving most suspiciously was kept hidden from Holmes.

[tempo-tales]

After a few hours of conversation between Eli and the two maestros, Tempo's magical artifact trembles slightly, signaling that it is time to use its power to return to the key moment that will prevent Elicia's tragedy.

Eli hands the completed watch to Tempo and the maestro attaches the protective casing. A small bow and with the watch in front of Elicia, she lets loose the phrase to whom all the vicitors to the test tell them.

"Elicia Gutierrez, I grant you the power to change destiny as a second chance.

Please, the blue light you must touch."

Eli determined touches the center of the watch and the time goes back. Balan stood there contemplating as time moves backward in film form in a dark expanse, for this is the first time the WonderWorld maestro has seen this spectacle in person.

"Amazing, Tempo's power is off the charts. What a show like this for reference will do me, haha!"

The clock stops after reaching the key point and Tempo puts her watch away.

"Eli...I congratulate you on your decision to take this test and also..."

"...For passing the Balance test."

Balan gives a bow dance and removes his hat, thus revealing his face.

"Ah"-Eli was so astonished that she froze for a moment.

"Eli?"-Balan approaches with an expression of doubt and concern for the visitor's astonishment.

"Dumb Balan!"

"What? Why?"-exalted the man at Eli's little tantrum.

"If you had revealed that handsome face, I would have preferred to be your wife and get you out of here!"

Eli approaches and flirts Balan with her gaze. Tempo didn't hold back letting out a few laughs and Balan was already feeling that awkwardness because the woman looks so much like Tempo physically that it was seeing the maestro herself.

"But Elicia Gutierrez, how can you say that! You're a married woman!"

Eli, with a sneer, pulls out of her jacket pocket her wedding ring and places it on her left hand index finger and shows it off to the maestros . Balan already knew this, but Tempo, who didn't dare to fully see Eli's life, ended up finding out at the end of the test.

"Oh, so you married .... with Margaret!"

"What? Balan, you know her?"-Eli's eyes widen in surprise.

A light laugh comes from the maestros and they look at each other, then at Eli-"We're maestros and we knew millions of people. Margaret we remember for her tantrums about marriage, but hey, don't tell her anything." Balan gestures for silence.

"Ho~hohohohoho~, the trouble she gave us over the engagement ring..." Tempo laughed as she agreed on the challenge they both had and that she grew fond of her despite Margaret's stubborn nature at the time.

Eli, relieved, let out a thin smile proud of her current wife.

"I'm glad Maggy's changed, and even more so since we adopted our little girl."

"Oh my stars, I'm an aunt! Balan!!!-Tempo shouts in excitement and shakes Balan by grabbing his left arm. Balan stops her with a small smack on the girl's head. The older sister was excited about so many things that her sister did throughout her life and were not shown in the opportunity test due to certain priorities.

Calmly, Tempo looks proudly at her sister, for the present she built with Maggie.

"I hope someday getting to know them better is possible."

"I hope so, sister."

Tempo clasps her hands to her chest and could feel her heart pounding inside her maestro suit.

"Ever since I came here, I knew that no one knows what the future will hold for us of challenge, but if we are able to change it if.."

"Sis..."

The pocket watch starts to chime. It is time for departure. Eli hugs her sister, and Alicia kisses on Eli's forehead.

"Eli, you are a wonderful and brave woman. Please take care of yourself and also think that there are people who love you like me, mom, your wife and your daughter...don't make rash decisions and talk about your doubts and fears with them, that's why you appreciate them so much."

Tempo hugs Eli tightly as Eli hugs Tempo. The maestro lets out a sigh and murmurs sadly, "If I could have been with you, I would have taken care of you as best I could and given you advice...but my role in WonderWorld prevents it. I implore you not to do crazy things, like I did."

"Yes, sis."

Eli separates from her big sister and hugs Balan.

"Balan, I thank you so much for taking care of my sister. I know now that she is not alone. You are with her through everything and thank you for giving us the time to talk to her."

"I insist to ask you not to take action without thinking about it first. Take care of yourself and be happy and maybe we will see each other again if your heart becomes unbalanced."

"Yes."

Eli turns away from the maestros and Tempo lets out a shout.

"Eli!"

"Sis?"

"Eli, please be Nicolas' big sister that present I couldn't be. I too would have loved to meet him and give him the love like the one I was barely able to give you..."

"-Alicia..."-the moved Eli tried to avoid crying again so as not to regret leaving Alicia.

"Whatever it is, we will always be siblings, after all, the three of us will always be Rosario Gutierrez's children. Consider that please, Eli."

"Hehe, I'm an unselfish person, but I'll do it for you. I love you sis."

"And I love you, my Ladybug."

Eli walks through the door and disappears inside in front of the blanket of light.

[nangbaby]

I've seen the leaks and now I'm ticked off.

This post has potentially VERY BIG spoilers so I'm hiding this under a cut.

Again, if you don't want to know how Season 5 of Miraculous Ladybug and the whole "Agreste Arc" ends, this is your LAST CHANCE to not be surprised.

I'm assuming you WANT to know now. Well, here's how I feel about it.

I'm not mad that Miraculous Ladybug isn't closing out its biggest arc the way I want it to end. I'm disappointed because the writers chose to go with an ending that goes against not only everything set up so far for this arc but the overall message of the series. The overall message to learn to deal and recover from setbacks and to never give up hope, even though it takes work. When things go wrong, Ladybug can fix it, but fixing the emotional damage is harder than summoning a "Lucky Charm" and shouting "Miraculous Ladybug!" Basically, she can start the process to truly heal and the cheat of making a deal to get what you want never ends well. The only way out is through...by working at it one step at a time and having hope.

Instead this ending is Gabriel getting what he wants - the restoration of this wife - then becoming undone by it. This would work if it came after some effort and evaluation on Gabriel's part to truly understand why he would be unworthy of this new world he fought for, or if he hadn't already been shown repeatedly that he would destroy himself to get what he wants. Instead, he gets away with the punishment he chose for himself and at worst, the collective memory of him will be as a hero...even though he did nothing to earn this and the only person it benefits is Adrien.

This whole scenario could have been fixed by the wish granter making one important declaration.

"You can have your wish, but you cannot choose the sacrifice."

Then we could have had an alternate Wishverse, and then Marinette given the difficult burden on setting right what went wrong. Before you cry "She'd be no different from Gabriel," this IS basically what she does when she uses Miraculous Ladybug, only a step further. WARNING FANFIC ALERT! FANFIC ALERT! THIS IS OFF THE TOP OF MY HEAD SO IT CONTAINS PLOT HOLES GALORE!

Imaging this scenario: As in the leaks, Ladybug is tricked into thinking that Gabriel/Monarch wants to give up. The bad guy takes her earrings and then does the whole wish granting ceremony.

We see the wish bubble expand since we know that's how it happens thanks to "Ephemeral." Before it reaches a frozen Marinette (or maybe she's not frozen here...I'm not sure if she still will be frozen in the actual episode even from the leaks), a portal appears under her feet. All of a sudden Marinette is in the Burrow. (Yes, it seems contrived, but just hear me out.)

Bunnyx has saved Marinette, and Marinette mentions that they have to go back in time to before Gabriel makes his wish. However Bunnyx explains that once a wish is made and it engulfs the universe, everything is changed, past, present, and future. (Note: This makes it a point that even the Bunny Miraculous, as powerful as it is, can't counter a wish and also shows how it differs from the Snake Miraculous, and it would also explain why the Bunny Miraculous couldn't be used in Ephemeral). The Burrow is outside of time, but once Bunnyx deposits Marinette in the new universe, Marinette can't come back. However, Bunnyx knows Marinette can set things right and sends Marinette on her way.

So then Marinette is deposited in her own room and it's a school day and she's almost late for school. Remarkably, many things are the same in the "new" world, although there are little things like a poster teasing a Tsurugi-Fathom alliance in London is coming to Paris soon (implying Feligami is still a thing...but this time arranged the way Adrigami was in canon). Chloé tries to start her bullying, but is surprised to see Marinette have a strong backbone when Marinette fires back at her, and Alya is glad Marinette stood up for herself. However, as soon as Marinette gets to class she realizes that Adrien is not there and more importantly, no one even seems to know who he is.

Marinette then goes over to the Agreste mansion and to her surprise, the gates are open people are flowing in and out of there. It's an "open house" called "Gabriel's House." Nathalie and the bodyguard are still there, but more like ushers rather than barriers, and surprisingly, Marinette is able to see Gabriel after waiting in line. Gabriel is in his atelier alongside Emilie.

At first Marinette accuses Gabriel of being Hawk Moth and being behind Adrien's disappearance, and the couple are stunned. They don't know. When she says he's their son, Emilie gets upset and Gabriel asks her to leave, but that she is welcome to come back once she learns her manners.

Marinette goes home and both does her own research (discovering Adrien really doesn't exist, as well as Ladybug or Cat Noir, and there's no information about the Miraculous or even the restoration of the temple) and consults Alya to fill in the blanks. She asks Alya if she ever heard of Hawk Moth or superheroes. Alya tells her superheroes appear in Paris all the time whenever crises happen. She says she even became Lady Wifi once....and so Marinette realizes that Hawk Moth does still exist and is still akumatizing people. Marinette then goes to Master Fu, who is still in Paris with the Miraculous Box.

At first, Fu feigns ignorance and pretends to be a healer, but Marinette explains the situation and asks him to give her the Ladybug Miraculous. He believes her wholeheartedly, but he says he cannot. Even if this world is "wrong" there is always a price to be paid for a wish and for her to change the universe again would make her no better than the villain she described.

She despairs at the thought that she can't bring Adrien back, and then a butterfly slams into her purse.

"Ladybug, I am Hawk Moth. I will help you obtain what you seek."

Marinette doesn't listen and instead rejects the akuma, thinking that Hawk Moth planned to turn her into a minion. She then goes back home, then goes upstairs to the balcony where she finds a note asking her to come to the Agreste mansion. Marinette goes over to the manion and sees Gabriel and Emilie. He tells Nooroo it's okay to appear. Gabriel explains that even though he found the Peacock Miraculous, he and Emily both decided to never use it, as the price for creating life that way was too high. After seeing what has happened to their nephew (he says "family"), Gabriel and Emilie are more convinced this was the right decision. Instead, they decided to give their love to Paris' children and adult citizens, and Gabriel would use the proceeds from his fashion line to help others. However, there was still more they could do, so recently Gabriel began to use the Butterfly Miraculous to share power with others to help them save others. In this way he could go his good from the shadows, with no one the wiser.

Marinette explains that in the world before the wish Gabriel was not a good man. Upon merely mentioning a few bad events, Gabriel and Emily are horrified.

"Perhaps the Guardian is right," Gabriel laments. "If I committed these terrible crimes, not only do I not deserve a son, but Paris is safer as it is now."

However, Marinette mentions that this world is wrong. Reluctantly, Emilie agrees. She confesses that all these years she has felt something wrong, and she knows Gabriel felt it as well. That's why the two of them were trying to atone and do good for others, but it was never enough.

With a newfound resolve, Gabriel becomes Hawk Moth and akumatizes Marinette into Ladybug. Emilie also uses the broken Peacock Miraculous to transform, which horrifies Gabriel, but she stands resolute as she knows what Ladybug must do is bigger than herself. Emilie adds, "I'll also give you a sentimonster of your own choosing. If you're going up against the Guardian you will need all the help you can get."

Ladybug would tempted to bring back Adrien with the amok, but instead she knows what she has to do. In order to beat Master Fu if it comes down to fighting. She then recreates Cat Noir.

"As a sign of good faith," Hawk Moth says, "we give you these."

After this, he then not only removes the brooch and turns back into Gabriel, but gives it to her alongside a kwatagama. Emilie also takes off the Peacock Miraculous and gives it to Ladybug.

"These are the Peacock and the Butterfly Miraculouses," Gabriel says. "You can return these to the Guardian so they are with the others. If you are successful, we will not need them any longer."

"You trust me that much?" Ladybug asks.

"If we do have a son in this we'd like to think he'd have as kind of a heart as you do."

Gabriel does give her one final piece of advice. "Even if I am a villain in the other world, don't try to change things. I'm fully prepared to pay the price. Let me face the consequences of my own actions. Neither that version of myself nor I deserve a second chance."

"Likewise," Emilie says, "I know I would gladly give my life for my son. Now I get the chance to help set things right."

Ladybug then goes to Master Fu's. Master Fu is outraged that she has sold her soul for power just like all the mysterious "heroes" that have shown up and turns into Jade Turtle. Ladybug tries to explain that she's not a villain and that she is willing to return even the Peacock and Butterfly Miraculouses in exchange for the Ladybug and Cat Miraculouses. Fu declares that she is a villain who doesn't even know it, and so he has to fight Ladybug.

Since Ladybug's powers come from an akuma, she can use her Lucky Charm more than once. Of course, Jade Turtle counters with a barrier and says he can wait it out.

"Cat Noir" cataclysms the barrier, but Master Fu forms it again. Cat Noir's ring pads begin to disappear. Ladybug uses her Lucky Charm and is able to win the fight. (Okay, I haven't worked this part out yet.)

She repeats a variation of the speech Fu had given her in "Miracle Queen."

"Master Fu," Ladybug says, "you are the best Guardian I've ever met. You taught me that we all make mistakes, but what matters is to fix them. Please, trust me, and let me fix this mistake."

Jade Turtle then yields then becomes Master Fu again. Cat Noir also doubles over as his markings disappear on the ring finger. Ladybug doesn't understand, but he reminds her that he's not the real Cat Noir just before he disappears. She realizes that this is because he's just a recreation of the Cat Noir she knew, but she did not know who was behind the mask so he ceased to exist when he switched back. She gives Master Fu the Butterfly and Peacock Miraculouses, but not the kwatagama (it's still in her yo-yo, and, yes, this is an important point for future arcs). Master Fu then gives her the Ladybug and Cat Noir Miraculouses, and then she wears them and makes the wish. But Marinette wished for everything to be it was...with one exception. She wishes that Gabriel Agreste wasn't Hawk Moth or Shadow Moth or Monarch any more so that Adrien could have a father.

This wish recreated the world as it was with one exception...Instead of being Monarch, Gabriel has lost his memory of being Hawk Moth, the Miraculous, and just about everything since he met Emilie. However, because he is no longer Monarch...he no longer has a hold of the Butterfly Miraculous...and that Miraculous ends up in Lila's possession. Because Gabriel does not remember Emilie, the power fades and she passes away in her coffin unnoticed to the world. However, Gabriel decides to be there for Adrien, no matter that he does not know his son any more, and he and Nathalie act as parent and guardian to create new memories for each other. So...yeah, I kind of went overboard there. But my point is letting the bad guy win, even when redemption equals death, leaves a bad taste in my mouth.

*Important note. Just like the new leaks confirm, it's clear Ladybug still does NOT know Cat Noir's identity and vice versa. EDIT: I realized a big plot hole in the above is that Colt Fathom is supposedly the one who gave Gabriel his money...so I pretty much have to wait until the episodes air before finalizing the details of my FixitFic.

[hellsdisneyprincess]

Somehow a letter has been left upon the princess' pillow when she returns to her room. The envelope is sealed with wax: embossed with the image of the tree of Eden as it appears in The Story of Hell. This would be the first time she has seen this insignia in any sort of official form.

Dear Princess Charlotte,

Though I suppose you prefer to be called Charlie now, don't you? You do not know me, but I have known you since the day you were born into this world. Your mother and I were once very close, and she is a truly wonderful woman.

Your father is someone that I have always been eternally grateful to. He is a good man, and the both of them have raised you well.

From the moment I laid eyes upon you there is one thing I knew: you were something special in this world. You are something special. I will be completely honest with you within this letter: there is no reason for me to conceal anything from you.

When I laid eyes upon you as a child I thought you would make a perfect weapon. A tool that your parents and I could use to bring down Heaven for what they had done to us. I have always been a stubborn woman and my own rage had led me astray from the loving mother I had once been.

I was a danger to your safety, and was swiftly removed from the palace. However I have continued to watch you as you have grown. And my how you have grown.

You are one of a kind in so many ways. A child born of the union of an Angel and Human— and shaped by the influences of Hell itself in a life experience no others have ever had.

When you began with your hotel I thought the idea was silly. Not because I thought redemption impossible, but because I believed it Pointless. Why would a soul wish to give up this freedom in exchange for a realm granted to those who groveled before our Creator?

But I have recently been shown differently.

Charlie, you exist as proof of a simple fact of the universe that I have learned only hours before composing this letter.

Heaven and Hell are not meant to oppose one another. They are not enemies. And that is the key to success in the battle to come.

Heaven and Hell must come together to defeat the creatures our Creator intends to unleash upon us. As you are already aware, defeat will result in the destruction of this version of the world. Another will be created in its place.

You are not a parent, but you can understand this simple sentiment: no parent enjoys watching their children fight.

I intend to attempt to speak with Sera one last time before the battle tomorrow. If I fail to convince her to see my reason, I leave that task to you.

Bring together the children of our Creator under a single banner to take on our common foe. We are all His children, and we can set aside our differences for the world that we call home. For not only our own lives, but the lives of those who are yet to come. Those who have not had the chance to live past this point.

We now sit at the precipice, and I look forward to seeing you shine like the Morningstar.

May we get to meet once this is all over,

The Mother of Humanity and Second Woman once known as Eve: Roo.

Charlie quietly read the letter that appeared in her hand. Roo, huh? Another one of her parents' secrets she needed to talk to them about once all this was over. Funny how all manner of things were coming to light.

It was interesting that Roo seemed to have predicted some aspects of this that she was only just learning herself. The fact that she was being written like this now couldn't be a coincidence.

Damn, Charlie wished she had come to this realization earlier. She had focused so much on training that she had neglected what may have been truly important. Cooperation. Unity. She had trusted her parents to take care of things when maybe she should have gone instead. Maybe Sera would be supporting them now if she had. Well, there was no use now in dealing with maybes or what-ifs.

"Wherever you are Roo, I wish you luck." She summoned her violin and began playing, pouring her hope into it.

[vivacia-18]

This was getting to long for the tags, hope you don't mind me commenting directly!

asdlkjaada The freaking Dondon quest - I totally did that one by accident, and all of the reveal was totally overshadowed by the fact that I felt equal parts bad and annoyed finding out that they were unkillable NPCs when I just spent the last 10 minutes trying to murder the herd for meat X'D

But yeah, overall while I don't look for much depth in a video game (if I want it I'm cool to come with a shovel myself later) totk really lacked cohesion overall. Certain parts of the story and characters were enjoyable, but it definitely didn't pull itself together very well.

One thing I wanted to see way back in botw, and that I think could have tied in well to this game - and maybe even the Dondon quest! - was having the monsters actually be part of Hyrule. As in like, people that are meant to be there. Its stated multiple times that the blood moon summons lost spirits who are cursed to wander the land and fight and die in eternal cycles of damnation. We also know that dead/undead and transformation into other species is a thing in Zelda (the Stals in OOT anyone?) completely unrelated to Ganondorfs whole deal. What I wanted SO BAD was for post game after getting rid of the blood moon, the curse would be lifted and the monsters would be normal again. So you could barter for stuff (bokoblins, etc), or battle for prestige but not to the death (Lynels), or like sneakily harvest things (Hynox, Talus) but you wouldn't be killing them anymore - because they're among the people you were trying to save, they're a part of Hyrule too. And now the warrior dead can rest in peace once more.

Until we accidentally bring the blood back in totk and they're summoned/cursed again, whoops! But anyways, I felt like that would have been both good gameplay and good depth, and now I kinda like the tie in of the Dondons only being known as they were cursed under the blood moon, and it's only recently that they've shown to be naturally pretty docile, or something along those lines.

I also think that could have tied in well with explaining Gan too, and how the fuck he was still around when the Calamity was supposed to be banished and they made an explicit point of saying he had chosen to forgo the chance of reincarnation, so shouldn't he have been gone forever? Finally broken free of the cycle and allowed to rest?

I haven't thought this part through quite as much, so bear with me. The blood moon reads as a curse to me, but not so much one cast BY Ganondorf, so much as it is the manifestation of the curse UPON him. It truly seems like in this game duo especially Gan is destined to fall to madness, and one headcanon I've gotten rather fond of that ties into the Light and Darkness thing is that its because the power of Light is incompatible with him long term, just as the power of Dark is incompatible to Zelda (if we really want to reach we can link it back to the schism between Hylia and Demise in SS, but that's optional).

Any long term exposure to their opposite will have detrimental mental effects - basically a magical autoimmune reaction. I think he can interact with certain aspects - note that both he and Zelda seem compatible with Sheikah tech/magic, which is fun conceptually as they are a people/Sages of Shadow - but not pure Light. I think Zelda would go equally mad should she ever try to use Dark magics long term.

Fortunately for her and unfortunately for Gan, Light being the magic of the main ruling family makes it much more prominent and easy to find for someone who is naturally driven to seek Power. And when he does his magic becomes... sick, for a lack of better terms. This culminated into terminal illness upon bonding with the soul stone - cruel in the way of tuberculosis, granting a flush of power and vibrancy before death, this created the blood moon - a warped representation of death and rebirth, light and dark, twisted into something foul. And contaminated magic is what we see manifested as the blight/gloom in later years. The Calamity was his spirit, broken free of Rauru's seal, yearning to be reunited with its body. And in totk we see his flesh revived, though his spirit was thought slain and the curse of the blood moon broken. It wasn't though, just briefly contained once more, because the source of the blight - the soul stone - was still bonded to him, and he couldn't rest until it was removed.

...Wow, this got far longer than I was intending, guess I really brought that shovel afterall X'D

tldr; I agree with OP that totk had the potential to be much deeper and more narratively satisfying than it was, even within the realm of what one would generally expect from a mainstream video game (which is not too much). And a big part of that for me would be a tweak to the monster mechanics post-game, and a little more actual backstory to Ganondorfs backstory to they actually make narrative sense.

The Dondon Post (or: the bizarre TotK's side content counterpoints to its main quest's immuable binary morality)

Speaking of strange TotK Choices, I think I have one singe post left in me about this game; and it's about the Dondon quest, "The Beast and the Princess".

(and about other stuff too, you'll see, we'll get to them)

More specifically: about how... strange of a thematic point it feebly attemps to make in the larger context of the storyline, and how it seems to be yet another mark of a world that, perhaps, once tried to be more morally complex that it ended up becoming.

Buckle up: it's a long one, and it gets pretty conceptual.

(good gem boys notwhistanding)

The Princess and the Beast

So, a couple of things about the setup. We are investigating potential Princess sightings; but at this point, either because we have already completed a bunch and know the general gib, because we have met a couple of wild Fake Zelda shenanigans, or through the simple fact that we are completing a side quest, we know there's a good chance it won't lead to an actual Zelda information. So when we ask Penn about what is going on and he replies with the ominous "we saw the Princess riding some kind of beast --a frightening one with huge, brutal tusks-- that the princess seemed to control", we get Ideas. Then the sidequest is registered: "The Princess and the Beast".

So. You know me. And if you don't know me, here's what you should know: my brain immediately flared up with the thought there was no way in hell this wasn't some kind of wink towards Ganondorf's renowned boarish beast form, especially given tusks were given so much focus.

My first assumption was: that's a miniboss right? I will get to fight some small boar-like thing that Fake Zelda rides sometimes. Cool! I didn't hold too hard onto my hope that the relationship of Zelda and/or Ganondorf to the natural world, or to each other would be expanded upon, since I had already been burned before, but my interest was piqued.

You have to understand how starved I was for any hint of complexity or mystery or ambiguity at this point. I was extremely eager for the game to throw anything at me that would surprise me, enlighten something pre-established, make the exploration lead to a meaningful discovery or deepening of characters, world or themes (and not just slightly cooler loot, or a bossfight, or a puzzle devoid of emotional context --cohesion and depth is what motivates my play sessions, especially in an open world game that I want to believe is worth losing oneself into). This was about the most intriguing task on my to do list at the moment, and so I plunged in immediately.

After really REALLY misunderstanding what I was supposed to do (I stalked every corner of every forest surrounding the tropical area at night or during blood moons in hope to see something --which was very much the wrong call), I arrived to the other stable, then was guided to the other side of the river where Cima awaits and explains that these creatures are actually a new species discovered by Zelda; that they are gentle and kind and not at all scary ("Dondons aren't beastly, they're adorable!"), and even somehow digest luminous stones into gemstones. They like the company of people and liked Zelda in particular.

I was... I felt two different ways about this conclusion, and I think it's worth to explore both: disappointment and some sort of... "huh!" Hard to describe this emotion otherwise.

I'll get the disappointment out of the way first, because it's the least interesting of the two. While I think the little emotional arc I was taken on was not devoid of interest --I was indeed taken on by the rumor and intrigued by its implications-- I wanted, well. A little bit more. And if the creatures were to be Zelda's pet project, I would have loved for them to be actually terrifying and feisty, and for her to develop an interest for these creatures in particular regardless. It could have been very interesting characterization that veered out of the perfect princess loving the perfect world floundering around her, always bringing her clear, practical benefits from the interaction.

(I have made another post that speaks of my discomfort that Zelda does everything everywhere and everyone loves her for it --I get what they were trying to go for, but it either lacks conflict for me to buy into that dynamic at the scale of several regions, or they went on too hard for my taste, as she is, at once and in the span of a couple of years at most: a schoolteacher, a gardener, an animal researcher, a scholar, a traveler, a military expert, a knower of landscape, a painter, a horse rider, an infrastructure planner, a [...] princess --at some point it begins to sound made up, "Little Father of the people"-esque to rattle the hornet's nest a little bit, especially if it's not shown as either a clearly godly characteristic or, even more necessary imo, a negative trait; another expression of her killing herself at work to compensate for a perceived flaw she's trying to earn forgiveness for, like she did in BotW. But that's another topic, and the clumsiness of her character arc has been well threaded by basically everybody disappointed in the story already.)

But, if I decide to be a little graceful, I'd like to explore my "huh!" emotion, and take it apart a little bit.

I think there's something interesting to have such strong parallels to setting up a story about the relationship between Zelda and Ganondorf ("The Princess and the Beast", like come on guys that's the conflict of over half the series), or at least Zelda and the concept of Evil since Ganondorf pretty much represents it in this game, and then have it go: actually, there was a horrible monster that everyone was afraid of, but Zelda was wise and patient enough to approach it and realize its potential beyond the tusks, what beauty can be brought upon the world if one makes the effort to look for what exists underneath. It says something a bit deeper about the world and about Zelda in particular. It intrigues, at the very least.

Is it a reach? Probably! Is my first interpretation that the quest is actually about "eww you thought Zelda would be interested in *disgusting vile monsters* and not sweet and gentle and human-loving animals that literally shit jewlery when cared for? jokes on you, she never would feel any ounce of sympathy for anything that isn't Good and Deserving" uhhh definitively truer? Probably! But I also don't want to dismiss that the quest made me think about it. If I had completed it earlier, I might have even felt like it was (very clumsy, not gonna lie) setup about the main conflict.

But that's also a good segway into my next section: the arbitrary limitations between the animal and the creature, the monstrous and the human.

And the fact that TotK points directly at it.

A Monstrous Collection

(these two guys are just. doing So Much and being So Valid despite being massive weirdos the game wants us to be slightly repelled by. I, for one, respect the Monster kinning grind and their general Twilight Princess energy.)

So. These two guys. There is so much to say about these two guys. I don't think I have seen the Trans Perspective on Kolton on tumblr, and I would love to get it because. I feel like it's a worthwhile discussion (just, how gender and identity is handled in TotK overall, I feel like it's a very complicated conversation and I have not seen super deep dives and I'd be very interested in hearing more).

Beyond the throughline of voluntary consumption of magical objects to turn into less human creatures being a weirdly prevalent plot point in TotK (Zelda, Kolton and Ganondorf casually transing their entire species for funsies --Ganondorf being particularly relentless with Fake Zelda, mummy/phantom shenanigans, Demon King and then literal dragon), I want to focus on Kilton a little bit.

Kilton is genuinely the only NPC in the game willing to acknowledge the inherent personhood that monsters have (the game does showcase them picking up fruits, mourning their boss if you kill them, being cutesy and happy to identify you as one of their own if you wear the appropriate mask --and that's not even getting into creatures like the Lynels, who seem to really edge on the limit of being a conscious creature with a system of honor and property and many other things). He does encourage us to think of monsters as more than a species whose only worth lie in how fun it is to eradicate them; even more, gameplay-wise, he does give us a reason to interact with them in other ways than just our sword with his museum. He does encourage us to see that beauty for ourselves and then select what we think is coolest/most intimidating/cutest/eight billion ganondorfs in every pose imaginable

The fact that Ganondorf is considered a monster was a great win for this feature in particular, and is very funny, but it's also... A lot, if we dig at it a little more than warranted. Beyond all of the Implications and all of the things of representation and political conflict and values already discussed ad nauseum: when did he stop being considered a human? What does that mean about the flimsiness of what is a monster and what is a creature and what is an animal and what is a person and what is even a hylian, as sheikahs got absorbed into the definition in this game? Especially with the stones taken into account, how profound changes in nature are a huge part of the plot (even when reversed and ultimately pretty meaningless): how easy it is, to make that slip? Who decides when that slip has been made? What is acceptable to hurt without remorse? What is beautiful and worth preserving? What is both at once? What is neither?

And again, in a classic Zelda conundrum (appreciative(?)): who the fuck gets to decide that, when, and why?

The Bargainers and the Horned God

(major shoutout to these big guys for being the sole and only providers of actual depth to the Depths, and for looking cool as heck)

So. Let's move the conversation to the Depths.

Conceptually: what an interesting idea!! And so well executed (initially)!! A mirror world to the surface, dark and hushed and full of unknown creatures; haunted by gloom and sickness and the unknown. Not a first in the series, far from it: from ALTTP to ALBW, and even taking the Twilight world of TP into account, this idea of a Dark World acting as a deforming mirror to Hyrule and revealing many interesting aspects as we get to explore both is always a very interesting take on corruption and envy and fear/weakness and/or some sense of darkness looming under the perfect exterior. I'd argue even the Lens of Truth of both OoT and MM's serve a similar function, both gameplay-wise, but also in terms of theme: not everything is as it seems. In the world of Light, darkness must hide itself; but darkness also possess its own beauty, its own hardships, and will stare back at you without blinking if you go seek for it. It's, in my opinion, one of the series' most compelling conversation about the cyclical nature of fate, the coldness of godhood, and how small one feels in the face of a universe that is more complicated than it initially appears --which is why Courage must be invoked to push forward regardless.

The Depth's otherworldly ambiance is truy wonderful, whether in the plays of light and shadows, the creatures native to the environment we meet there (wish we met more!), the soundtrack, the strange aquatic/primordial plants, the fact that the dragons visit this place and connect them to the outside --invoking ideas of balance and interconnectivity, that the tree branches look like veins. The coliseums, the mines, the zonai facilities and the prisons do seem to poke at many things about what the relationship to the past was to this place; was it ever truly a place? Did it look like this back then? Why was it buried? Why did it come back? But in spite of it all, I think the Depths struggle overall to question or reveal anything about the surface that we couldn't already assume going in (that the only thing congealing there is Ganondorf's gloom, his lonely domain of Wrongness, only shared by Kohga and the yiga --the only naysayers of Goodness and Light, contemptful and blinded by self-importance and rage). The zonite is mined by gloomy monsters --why, what for?-- so any notion of greed and over-expansion that could have been associated to the zonai is now reabsorbed into Ganondorf's general evilness, since it needs to be reminded he is everything and anything bad with the world: darkness and conquest and greed and capitalism and pollution and bad weather and sickness and darkness and violence and war and death and betrayal and fakeness and lies and patriarchy and exploitation. No matter that he never does a single thing with zonite in the game; rather set up elements of conflict that never go anywhere than, for a second, let the foundations of absolute goodness and absolute evil risk becoming shaky --and you coming to this unwelcoming dark place that hates you, killing the miners and taking their resources for yourself is, on the other holy, royal fur-covered hand, utterly legitimate. The resources were once Rauru's after all, were they not?

And this is what I would say, except... except for the dead. The fallen warriors, the poes, and, most important of all: the Bargainer statues.

The Bargainers are, in-universe, godly creatures guiding the fallen to a place of final respite, regardless of moral alignment. The poes are all, fundamentally, cleansed of judgement: they are lost souls whose past reality does not matter anymore, and all deserve that peace regardless. In spite of the heavy paradise/hell parallels drawn in that game, with Rauru/Zelda/Sonia as the guardians of Light where Ganondorf gets to become a Devil-like figure, it is confirmed here that no such thing exists when you actually die in this universe.

It almost feels as if the fabric of Hyrule itself, in a brief moment that refuses to elaborate on its own point, goes: "yeah, whatever is happening here between Light and Darkness, it doesn't actually matter. This conflict is futile and doesn't understand the real nature of being alive, dead, a god, a person, a monster, an animal. The truth lies elsewhere --but you will never be told what it is."

It's: wild.

One of the game's most striking traits of narrative brilliance in my opinion --to the point where I'm wondering whether it's there on purpose or was effectively an oversight since every other aspect of reality breaks its own back trying to reassure us that everything is at its correct place, receiving the appropriate treatment by the universe in a way that is never to be questioned.

Another case of that ambiguity being allowed to exist without being immediately crushed and repressed is the case of the Horned God (interesting parallel to Ganon's actual horns that he develops in this game in case the hellish parallels weren't clear enough already): a demon Hylia sealed into stone and pushed far from humans in a clear case of questionable behavior since, while the Horned God isn't exactly nice, does propose a different philosophy you are not punished for exploring; and yet, a proposal that has seen itself persecuted in a very real sense by the goddess of absolute goodness, patron of hylians, Zelda, and many more. Pushed away from view.

Interesting.

And Yet, Light Must Prevail

Okay, so, after all of this, we're left to ask... What the fuck is up with morality in Tears of the Kingdom?!

What do we trust? These half-breaths in the occasional sidequests that Light and Darkness is just the wrong frame of reference, that nature cannot be this simple, is ever-shifting and can be recalled or reaffirmed by arbitrary forces, and might even not matter at all in the universe's fabric, despite having so much of its lore soaking in the dychotomy? Or... everything else about the game, this insistence that Good must not only be assumed as whatever tradition the kingdom has passed down for thousands upon thousands of years, but remain utterly unquestioned the entire time? That Bad is without cause, graceless and unworthy of investment?

Are the Bargainer's statues the only thing worth listening to, that morality is a fable the living tells themselves --or should we be moved when Darkness destroys Light, when Light suffers to preserve itself and the world --but not when the Other is rightfully slain?

Was Kilton correct to see beauty in the monstrous? Was Kolton onto something when he let go of his previous form because there is no clear distinction between what should receive an arrow to the face and what shouldn't? Or should we rather focus on Zelda losing her human form as a beautiful and tragic sacrifice --but something that never actually altered her nature as a hylian, the descendant of a lineage of Good Kings meant to rule forever?

Is the Dondon good because it always was, or was it worth Zelda's love in spite of the fear it initially provoked?

Either way, at the end of the game, evil is slain. Ganondorf is, not killed, but --like his angry BotW boar counterpart-- destroyed, as monsters tend to be. He explodes over the lands of Hyrule, freed from Darkness; freed from everything wrong, since the foreign menace that embodied it all was wiped out in one fateful sweep of a holy blade cradled in sacrificial love. Nothing wrong remains. The Sages reaffirm their vows to protect the kingdom forward, and a very human --hylian-- Zelda smiles: Hyrule now forever and ever basked in eternal Light.

[hold-your-applause]

Can I request for a human!fem!reader who is friends with the owl house fam and has serious big sister energy but takes no shit and will throw hands w anyone who threatens her fam. But turns soft and real affectionate when she actually interacts w Hunter (when he's not in Golden Guard mentality)

I just wanted to say I really love your work and hope you continue. Your writing is really good!!!

My dear, I thank you for the praise. I apologize for the delay, but I would be more than happy to grant your wish.

Whiplash

It had seemed like only yesterday that Hunter had learned the truth about Belos and his entire world had been turned upside down. It wasn't accurate to say that he never knew fear before that night; it was more like he finally learned what true terror felt like. He knew he was taking a risk defecting, but if he could manage to stay hidden, he was safer than within his uncle's grasp.

That all changed when he helped the students of Hexside get rid of Coven Head Adrian Graye Vernworth.

Despite sharing what he knew with everyone to allow them to prepare for the Day of Unity, he refused to tell anyone what he discovered about his own identity. Gus and Willow accepted him as they currently knew him, but would that change if they learned the truth?

He couldn't be sure.

It had taken a lot of effort on his part to calm himself over the idea of them discovering who-- or what-- he really was, but he had managed to do it.

Only for his anxiety to spike again when they told him the humans were on their way.

Luz wasn't anything to worry about. The night everything happened, he recalled Luz wanting to offer a helping hand to him, but he was so frenzied that all he could do was run out the door.

You were a completely different story.

He'd met you a handful of times as the Golden Guard, and each one had been as unpleasant as the last. The first meeting had perhaps been the roughest, given he had captured your friend King and was holding him hostage in order to compel you to do his bidding.

The fight that ensued had him very worried that you would knock his head clean off his shoulders, and you didn't even need magic to do it.

Every meeting after that had shown you to be just as vicious, and he wasn't sure if that was your default state or if it was reserved for him personally, but he would be lying if he said he wasn't afraid to find out.

He felt his stomach churn as he watched you and Luz reunite with Gus and Willow, standing off to the side as he gathered his courage for the exchange he knew was coming.

Your eyes were on him before he had a chance to open his mouth, and he almost stopped in his tracks when you moved towards him. He flinched when he saw your arm move towards his face, closing his eyes to wait for the impact.

He yelped in surprise when he felt two gentle hands on his cheeks instead, his eyes snapping right back open to see your wide eyes staring straight into his.

"I can't believe you're okay!"

His mind was blank as you moved his head, looking him over.

"I was so worried about you. We thought they found you."

His mouth was dry, and when you threw your arms around him to embrace him, he felt his entire body begin to overheat.

For some reason, in that moment, he was suddenly very aware of the fact that you were a girl.

Where were his hands supposed to go?

It didn't matter, because you pulled away a moment later to look at him again. Your eyes held sympathy and your voice was soft.

"How are you feeling?"

He was so used to you shouting at him, he couldn't think of anything to say.

What was happening?

He finally coughed in response, his eyes still wide as he stared at you.

"F-Fine."

He mentally kicked himself at the way his voice cracked.

He didn't know why, but the relieved smile that spread across your face made his pulse quicken.

"I'm so glad. We tried to find you after--"

His sudden and loud, nervous laughter cut you off. "After finding out Belos is evil? Don't worry, I'm A-Okay!" He almost shouted, feeling a quick wave of relief wash over him when Gus reached over to do their own special fist bump.

You blinked, and when his eyes looked at you again, he silently begged you not to say a word. Luck was on his side, because he saw the recognition on your face before you nodded and closed your mouth.

As Gus turned his attention away from the two of you to speak with Luz, Hunter lowered his voice to keep him and Willow from overhearing.

"I haven't told them about--"

"You don't need to explain. That's your secret to tell, not ours. They won't hear it from us."

He let out a breath and nodded. As reassuring as those words were, it did nothing for his nerves.

He was still terrified of you, but in a completely new way.

[marie-swriting]

Be My Boyfriend - Chrissy Cunningham

Stranger Things Masterlist

Summary : You're Chrissy's best friend so you help her through her relationship problems with Jason, even though you have a crush on her.

Warnings : A little angst but fluffy ending, Jason is a dick, English is not my first language so there might some mistakes you can tell me, if you see them. Tell me if I missed any warnings !

Word count : 2.4k

French version

Song inspiration : Boyfriend by Dove Cameron

The sound of Jason’s party gets quieter as you go upstairs. You start looking for the room where you put your jacket when you arrived. While walking in the corridor, you hear sniffing coming from one of the bedrooms. Worried that someone might need help, you knock on the door.

"Hey, is everything alright ?" You have no answer so you opened the door slowly and find your best friend Chrissy sitting on the floor, wiping her tears. "Chrissy ? What is wrong ?"

"Nothing. Don't worry. Go have fun." She says trying to smile but you don't listen to her. After closing the door, you sit next to Chrissy.

"Come on, tell me what's the matter." In response, she stares at her feet and you understand what's upsetting her. "It's Jason, isn't it ?"

"Is it that obvious?"

"Well, you know I don't particularly like him and lately you two have been having some disagreements, as you mentioned a few times."

"I tried to talk to him, like you advised me.” She starts explaining. “I told him I was tired of him only spending time with his friends and not me, his girlfriend. He just said I was overreacting, that I was trying to make him look bad when he's trying his best." She tells you, she pauses when she sees your facial expression. "you can say it."

"What ?"

"He's a dick. I know you want to say it."

"Can you blame me ? He is ! Like, he doesn't even try to listen to you."

"Actually, he promised me that we would spend this party and the weekend together."

"Yet, he's not with you."

At your sentence, Chrissy nods sadly before looking at her feet once more. You feel bad for your best friend. You hate that she's being treated that way by Jason Carver. He has the chance to date Chrissy, openly, and yet he takes her for granted.

You know you'll never be able to be with Chrissy, even though your crush on her gets bigger with each passing day since middle school. She has never shown any interest in girls, and she has a boyfriend. So, you just accept your role as her best friend. Especially if it means still being part of her life. No matter how heartbreaking it is. You want what's best for Chrissy so you help her through her relationships. The one with Jason is the one you hate the most. You know he doesn't deserve her, but she's decided to stay with him in hope he'll get better.

Chrissy sniffs a little before rambling "You know, I'm starting to think he's right. I mean, he has the right to enjoy his party with his friends, right ? I'm overreacting, I shouldn't make a big deal of this. I mean, we danced a little earlier. It's just, I wished we'd spend more time together, you know. But maybe I'm ruining everything."

"Chrissy Cunningham, you listen to me carefully.” You begin, forcing her to look at you. “You're not ruining anything. He's the one to blame here. He's the one acting like a jerk. You have the right to ask for some time with your boyfriend. With what you told me, I can really tell he's not doing anything to make this relationship work. You're always the one making an effort and not him." You take her hand in yours and she gives you a small smile. You smile at her as well, sympathetically. "Chrissy, I'm sorry your relationship with Jason is going that way, but you have to do something. You clearly can't stay in that situation. He's always letting you down. There are so many ways he can't suffice. I mean, I've always known he was a bad person, so I'm not even surprised he's not a good boyfriend. Everyone could be a better boyfriend than him. Even me."

"You ?" She laughs, hiding her mouth with her hands and you start panicking as you realise what you just said.

"I mean, it wouldn't be hard, you know.” You add before clearing your throat. “But clearly, there's a guy out there who would be better than him. I'm sure there's someone out there who will love you entirely, someone who will take time for you, someone who will do everything for you."

"Maybe.” Chrissy answers, lost in her thoughts “It's just... Jason and I have been dating for six months and I don't want this relationship to go to waste."

"Chrissy, do you love him ?" You ask her, and you're scared of the answer. You know, you may be about to get your heart broken even more.

"Maybe ?... I think ?... I don't know. He can be nice, sometimes. And I had a crush on him for a moment. And when we spend time together, I like it."

"That doesn't necessarily mean you love him."

"I know... what do you think I should do ?"

"You should take some time to think. Come on, let's go to my place." You tell her, standing up and holding out your hand to help her up. "He's probably too busy with the other jocks right now anyway."

"You're right." She says, taking your hand and standing up. For a second, you two stay here, looking each other in the eyes. You wipe away her last tear with your free hand before guiding her out of the bedroom.

When you and Chrissy have your belongings, you go downstairs. You're about to leave the house when you hear Jason's voice calling for Chrissy, completely wasted. "Where are you going, baby ? We're supposed to spend the weekend together, remember? That's what you wanted."

"I- Jason, I need some time to think. I'm going to Y/N's. I'll talk to you next week."

"You're not being serious, Chrissy? You're really leaving ? Oh my god, then you're gonna whine about how we never spend time together. Come on, stay." He says, grabbing her wrist.

"Leave me alone, Jason ! I just want some alone time to think about us." She says as she pulls her wrist out of his grip. She locks her arm in yours and you and your best friend leave the party, Jason being completely confused by what's just happened.

As you haven't been drinking, you take your car to go to your house. Chrissy is being silent on the way there. You say nothing to get her attention, knowing she's lost in her thoughts, thinking about your conversation and her interaction with Jason.

When you arrive, you directly go to your room, trying to not make any sound, not wanting to wake up your parents. Once settled in your bed, you look at Chrissy while she stays silent, staring at you, too. You wait for her to speak first.

"You're right. Jason is not a good boyfriend but I think I have feelings for him."

"How strong are your feelings ?" You ask her, trying not to show the hurt on your face.

 "I don't know. Maybe I just need more time to develop my feelings ? I mean, I'm supposed to love him, right ? That's what people expect of me."

"It's not about what people expect of you but what you truly want. So tell me, what do you want in a boyfriend ?"

"I want my boyfriend to be kind, someone who listens to me, who makes me laugh, even when I'm sad. I want someone who is easy to talk to. I don't want to be scared to tell him if he's hurt me. Someone I could totally feel at ease with." She admits slowly. She keeps her eyes on yours, admiring the beauty of them. "I think I just described you, maybe you should be my boyfriend" she adds, trying to contain her laugh. You try not to show any emotion, pretending you didn't just hear your crush say you'd be her perfect boyfriend.

"Well at least, I could do everything Jason is not capable of" You reply, trying to act cool.

"That wouldn't be too complicated." Chrissy says before yawning. "I'm tired. I better sleep. Thank you. For everything. You're the best" she whispers before kissing your cheek.

Even though this is something that she does every single day, you can't help but feel butterflies in your stomach. Chrissy has no idea of the power she has over you and sometimes, you wish you could tell her. You wish you could tell her that you'd be willing to show her how she should be loved.

Since Jason’s party, Chrissy has been distant with you. You don’t know the reason but you think it’s probably because of your conversation with her. You’re worried she understood your true feelings for her and that she freaked out. By giving her advice, you didn’t mean to act so ambiguous but that’s what you did and now, you’re losing your best friend.

You hate it. You don’t want to lose her. You want to make things right. Maybe, if you’d talk to her, you could make it seem like you were just being a good friend to her and not showing your romantic feeling for her.  

As you are leaving your Spanish class, a class that you have in common with Chrissy, you pack your things quickly to run after her. When she hears you calling her name, she turns around. She smiles, waiting for you to come next to her.

“Hi, Y/N. Is everything okay ?”

“I wanted to talk to you. Maybe you could come to my place this Friday. We haven’t really seen each other this week.”

“Sorry, I’ve been busy.”

“So is it okay for this Friday ?”

“I… I can’t, I’m sorry. I already have something planned with Jason.”

“Oh. So I guess, you realised you do have feelings for him.”

“We could say that.”

“I’m happy for you, Chrissy. I just hope he’ll act better this time, you deserve it.” You say, trying your best not to tear up. “I have to go.” You add before she could tell you anything else.

You start walking fast to leave the school. Once out, you find a place where you can finally let go of your tears. You knew she’d fall in love with him one day. It was predictable and yet, it still hurts. You feel like your heart has been ripped out of your chest.

You lost her forever. You’re sure now. She’ll stay with Jason while you’ll stay alone, because you’ve ruined everything by not being good at hiding your feelings. You can only blame yourself for your heartache.

When the week-end comes, you’re glad to be away from school, even if it’s just for two days. At least, you’d be able to stay locked up in your room, listening to sad songs, wishing things were different.

Ironically, you hid how you’re feeling very well to your parents - if only you had done that with Chrissy - they don’t even know you’ve been crying yourself to sleep for the past two days. They think you’re fine which means they’re not feeling bad leaving you alone in the house as they go on a date at a fancy restaurant.

While you’re reading a book on your bed, you hear someone knocking on your front door. You’re confused, you don’t know who it could be. Your parents have their keys and if it was one of your high school friends, they would have called you.

When you open the door, a shock expression takes place in your face as you see Chrissy in front of you. She seems a little nervous. You can see it by the way she’s fidgeting with her fingers.

“Hi, Y/N. I should’ve called you, but I really need to talk to you.”

You nod before letting her enter your home. You indicate to her the living room and she follows you. The two of you are sitting on the couch, you wait for her to explain what she wants to talk about but only the ticking of the clock on the wall can be heard.

“I thought you were on a date with Jason tonight” You say, gaining her attention.

“It wasn’t really a date.”

“He’s your boyfriend, you guys were hanging out. That’s a date.”

“I dumped him” She admits, looking at you.

“Wh-? You told me you realised you have feeling for him”

“I realised I have feelings, yes. But not for him.”

“I’m confused, Chrissy.”

“Y/N, like you said, Jason is not a good boyfriend. And no matter how much I try, he’ll never change. I’m tired of being in a relationship where he puts no effort in and where I’m not in love.”

“I’m still lost, who do you have feelings for ?”

“Remember our conversation last week ?”

“Yeah, about that I’m sorry if-”

“It made me understand something” she cuts you off. “When I described my perfect boyfriend, that's what made me understand something. I always knew you had a special place in my heart but until last week, I didn’t know how special it was. You’re the only person with whom I don’t feel like I’m acting. I can be the real me with you and you’ve always been caring with me. I like you, Y/N. More than a best friend should. I know how I sound right now and you probably hate me which I would understand-”

“Chrissy.”

“I mean, that’s totally random and you probably don’t even see me that way.”

“Chrissy”

“I just needed to say it, even though I know I just lost you.”

“Chrissy !” you shout, finally having her attention. “Will you, please, let me say something ?” you ask her and she nods. “I like you, too. I always have, even when I didn’t know what it was back in middle school. You didn’t lose me. I actually thought I had lost you. I do have feelings for you, Chrissy.”

“You do ?” she questions in disbelief. You come closer to her and grab her hand while locking your eyes in hers. “So, would you like to be my boyfriend ? Or in our case, my girlfriend ?”

“I would love nothing more.”

Chrissy smiles wildly, just like you. She leans in, nervous before you break the distance and kiss her. Her lips are soft against yours. The kiss is slow and full of love, the love you two had for years but never got to express until today. You’re filled with happiness as you realise you finally have the chance to be the one dating Chrissy Cunningham.

Stranger Things Masterlist

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