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chronicallylatetotheparty · 5 years ago

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After the Fall Ch.14 Reflections

LoganLight, AO3

Notes:

Trigger Warning: Panic Attack.

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Alya was confused.

She didn't like being confused. Even if the source of her confusion was making her other friends happy. Things should make sense when you put them together. That's not to say she didn't see the pattern.

Nino started talking to her about his music again. And more than that, actually sharing it with her. Letting her listen to unfinished mixes and accepting her input.

Marinette was having bursts of inspiration Alya hadn't seen in months. And she wasn't ripping out the Chat Noir inspired designs from her sketchbook like she used to, either.

Alya knew exactly who was responsible for these positive changes: Adrien Agreste!

. . . Okay, so it was probably too convenient for Adrien to be responsible for everything. But he was definitely a major factor!

Nino was spending more time with Adrien (and Kagami). Alya was happy Nino wasn't coming to her about Adrien being reserved around him anymore . . . Although, it was a bit weird that Nino wasn't being as forthcoming about his best friend as he used to be.

Marinette had the opposite reaction, her girl had so many thoughts they all came out in a jumble. They had talked late into the night about that first conversation after half a year of stuttering and single syllable answers. A conversation Adrien had started.

Maybe she was reading too much into this. It was normal to be happy when your friend starts talking to you again . . . But she needed to distract herself from Chat Noir.

Ladybug probably regrets telling me about that.

Alya was in the unenviable position of wanting to respect Ladybug's privacy and really, really wanting to know what happened to Chat Noir. Even if she'd only asked a handful of times her questions upset Ladybug. And that just wouldn't do.

So, without the boys around Rena Rouge had apologized for her behavior. That wasn't something she wanted to repeat anytime soon. Ladybug had enough to deal with as it was.

Still. Sometimes Ladybug acted . . . un-Ladybug-like. The guys wouldn't say anything so that left Rena Rouge to tactfully suggest maybe not putting their heavy hitter in the back. Alya understood why; Ladybug already lost one Black Cat, she wasn't about to lose another one.

Alya put those thoughts into the back of her mind to better focus on the blond enigma in front of her.

Adrien went from being Chloe's friend to her best friend's crush to her boyfriend's best friend. Throughout that first year Alya had spent precious little time actually being Adrien's friend. Instead focusing on Marinette's elaborate . . . she didn't want to say 'schemes'.

Alya hadn't noticed until Marinette's plans went from trying to gain Adrien's affection to trying to help Adrien open up.

And I thought her romance-oriented plans were out there.

. . . Alya really shouldn't be doing this . . . But she wanted to help. She wanted to know. And she wasn't the only one; the whole class wanted to know too.

Good thing Alix is here.

That girl made sure everyone had their head on straight. Especially Kim. Alix was good at talking Marinette out of some . . . questionable ideas. And keeping the art room from bugging Rose about her bandmate too much.

Or she used to. Everyone seemed to have accepted that whatever-it-is would remain a mystery. Adrien was smiling after all. Playing video games with Max, taking part in Kim's silly challenges, giving Nathaniel and Marc constructive criticism (not sure how that happened) on their comics, and basically being more involved with his friends than ever.

Maybe she should just let this go? Adrien wasn't the only one that ever died in an akuma attack or the only one to take it this hard. Alya shuddered as she remembered Syren.

"Trixx, what do you think?"

"I think you've been staring at a guy who isn't your boyfriend longer than socially acceptable," Trixx replied from his hiding place in her hair.

Alya blushed. "I have not!"

Some of the students in the courtyard turned to give her funny looks. Thankfully Adrien and Kagami were too far away to hear. Alya held her phone a bit higher, pretending to speak into it. No, it wasn't recording. Yet.

"Mm, you kind of have though. It's starting to reach Marinette levels," Trixx pointed out.

"I'm nowhere near Marinette levels!" Alya whisper-shouted.

"True. She never took pictures."

Alya groaned. Or maybe it was a growl.

"Didn't Nino make it abundantly clear that Adrien doesn't want to tell anyone else whatever-it-is?" Trixx reminded her.

"According to the Bro Code it is totally prohibited for me to reveal confidential info without the express permission of said bro . . . Sorry, dude."

". . . I wanna be mad at him."

"For being as good a friend to Adrien as you are to Marinette?"

"Majestia help me. It sounds so terrible when you put it like that."

Trixx patted her head. "You're a good Fox. And part of being a good Fox is knowing when to keep a secret."

"Even though I don't actually know it?"

"Especially then."

Alya lowered her phone. "So . . . No more snooping around Adrien?"

"What're you asking me for?"

"Right," Alya stood straighter and repeated herself with more conviction. "Right! Adrien is my friend who greatly values his privacy and I should respect-"

"M. DUPAIN! W-w-what are you doing here!?"

Alya looked at Adrien again and standing beside him was indeed Tom Dupain. How had she missed someone so tall? Alya walked toward them.

"-seen Marinette?" Tom Dupain asked.

"N-n-no." Adrien took a step back. "She m-might be in the art room."

Kagami grasped one of his hands tightly and stepped forward. "I'm sure Marinette just forgot to turn her phone back on . . . M. Damocles! M. Dupain is looking for Marinette."

Adrien quickly backed away, removing his hand from Kagami's who followed a step behind. Kagami positioned herself between Tom Dupain and Adrien.

"-really come to the office first." M. Damocles chastised.

"Oh, yes, of course! It's just . . . where is that again?"

Alya passed the two adults who didn't notice Adrien curling in on himself.

"It wasn't him . . . It wasn't him . . . It wasn't him . . . It wasn't him!"

"What- What's going on?" she asked Kagami.

Kagami ignored her and reached toward Adrien, who was pressing himself against the wall. "Adrien-"

"Don't. Touch. Me."

Kagami snatched her hand back. Adrien took deep breaths. Alya restrained herself from asking more questions.

Nino zoomed past her. "Adrien! Dude, what-"

Kagami jerked him to a stop.

"Hey!"

"He said no touching," Kagami explained.

"Oh . . ." Nino glanced from Adrien to their surroundings, his frown deepened.

Alya followed his gaze and realized they were attracting attention.

Nino gave Kagami a you-know-what-to-do look. She nodded and turned to glare at the gawkers; suddenly everyone was very interested in something else.

"Hey, bro? You wanna, maybe, go somewhere less . . . public?"

". . . Don't talk to me like that."

". . . You're totally causing a scene and I know you hate that. So get your butt moving, dude!"

Adrien's lips twitched. "Okay." He wouldn't meet anyone's eyes as he made his way to the boy's restroom.

"Nino!" This time Alya reached out to stop him. "Wait. What . . . What triggered him?"

Nino glanced between Alya's expectant face and Adrien's retreating back. He rubbed the back of his neck nervously. "Ah, yeah. Look, dude, Adrien needs me now but, uh . . . Kagami! You explain!"

Alya turned to see Kagami's look of surprise and then turned back just in time to see her boyfriend disappear into the boy's room.

Why, that little-

"Coward!" Kagami exclaimed.

I'm the only one allowed to insult my boyfriend!

Alya mentally shook the automatic thought away. "So, how 'bout that explanation?"

"My honor prevents me from divulging anything without Adrien's consent," Kagami replied neutrally.

That sounded suspiciously similar to what Nino had told her . . . Although it wasn't any different from what Kagami had said before. The idea that the three of them had planned specifically for her left Alya feeling . . . conflicted.

"All I want is to know what happened so I can help! Then Adrien won't have to deal with . . . This!" Alya gestured vaguely around them.

Kagami's eyes softened. "Today was a special circumstance. I doubt he's encountered this trigger at all since the incident."

Alya tried not to feel annoyed at the deflection. "This trigger? What was different today?"

Kagami just raised an eyebrow.

"Adrien, you, no Nino, no Marinette, M. Dupain . . ." Alya's eyes widened. "Weredad!"

"Keep your voice down!"

"Of course! The timing matches up! That's why he . . . Oh."

"It took you this long to piece that together?"

"I was a bit distracted at finding out one of my friends died! Not turned into a statue or encased in magical ice or . . . Or anything else! Died."

Kagami's look shifted. "Is this the first time it's happened to someone close to you?"

"No, but . . . It's been a while."

"I see." Kagami must've seen that Alya didn't want to talk about that with her. "Have you told Marinette?"

"My girl has enough to deal with. I can't just go 'Hey, Marinette! Adrien died half a year ago and didn't tell anyone because reasons!' "

"Perhaps you should say that louder so everyone can hear," Kagami said sarcastically.

Alya ignored this and barreled on with her rant. "No way! Not doing that! Especially with Weredad involved. She has this weird guilt about that villain! Knowing Adrien got caught up in it will only make her feel worse!"

"And how would Adrien feel if I betrayed his trust by telling you something he doesn't want me to?"

. . . Well, drat.

"That's a fair point but I already figured out Weredad. Isn't there anything you can tell me about what happened?"

"Adrien didn't offer specifics and I didn't ask."

Alya sighed in defeat. Kagami hadn't budged since this whole affair started. At this point Alya was just questioning Kagami out of habit.

"At least I know why Adrien was avoiding my girl now."

"Right. That's why he did that."

". . . Do you think Nino needs help?"

"Boy's bathroom. And no, he's much better at getting Adrien to 'chill' than I am."

"You three seem close."

"Hasn't Nino provided exposition?"

"My boyfriend is suspiciously unforthcoming"

Kagami smiled. "He really is terrible at keeping secrets."

"Oh, you have no idea."

Kagami gave her a thoughtful look. "How is Marinette?"

"Well, now that 'Sunshine' is talking to her again Marinette's obs- concern is at an all time low. Thanks for that."

Kagami shook her head. "I should be thanking you. I don't think Adrien would have opened up to Nino when he did if you hadn't talked to him. You're a good friend."

Gratitude swelled in Alya's chest at the words.

"He's had fewer off day's with Nino around," Kagami continued. "Today notwithstanding."

"Do you think they'll stay in there all day?" Alya remembered Adrien's previous episodes.

"Adrien's stronger than you think," Kagami stated with conviction.

As if to prove her point that's when the boys emerged. Nino looked at the girls nervously. Adrien seemed embarrassed but held his head up.

Kagami stepped toward them and raised an eyebrow "Well?"

Adrien took a deep breath and said, "I need to see M. Dupain again."

"What!?" Alya exclaimed.

Kagami's other eyebrow rose to meet the first then she narrowed her eyes accusingly at Nino.

"Dude, it's not my fault! I tried to talk him out of it! Bro's seriously determined."

Kagami looked at Adrien. "You shouldn't push yourself before you're ready. Healing takes time."

"I've had time. Now I need to face my demons." Adrien squared his shoulders.

"That's great and all," Alya said. "But you faced him ten minutes ago. Didn't turn out so great."

"Understatement," Nino agreed.

Adrien gave a questioning look to Kagami.

"She knows about Weredad," Kagami explained.

"Ah." Adrien pushed his surprise aside and looked at them, unwavering. "He took me by surprise. I can do this! . . . If you help me."

Well . . . That's just cheating.

Kagami stared at him for a moment. Apparently satisfied with what she saw Kagami nodded. "Alright."

"What!?" Nino cried out, full of concern. "But . . . Dude . . ."

"He says he can do it," Kagami said, giving Nino a meaningful look.

Nino glanced between Adrien and Kagami, his worried eyes landed on Alya.

"I'm in," Alya said.

Adrien gave her a grateful smile.

Nino slumped in resignation but quickly straitened and set his cap. "Right dudes! If we're gonna do this someone needs to look out for Marinette and Chloe."

Alya understood perfectly. Didn't want Marinette seeing Adrien react badly to her dad. And as for Chloe . . .

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"Of course Queen Bee is the best superhero!" Chloe exclaimed. "But at least Panthera is much better than that mangy alley cat who turned tail and ran!"

The courtyard was suddenly very quiet except for Marinette's growling beside Alya. Nino and Kagami stood next to a stiff Adrien, shooting daggers at Chloe.

"What?" Chloe asked disdainfully. "Anyone with eyes can see it. Ladybug herself told me Chat Noir just up and left! Right?"

Sabrina nodded vigorously.

Alya wasn't sure who was angrier: her or Nino. That was not what Ladybug told them! Alya opened her mouth to launch verbal barbs at Chloe, but her words were lost in the cacophony of voices.

"How dare you!?"

"Like you'd know a good superhero-"

"Chloe Bourgeois!"

"-if he fell on your head!"

"Chat Noir was an awesome hero!"

"Ladybug would be ashamed of-"

"Oh, please!'" Chloe cut them off . "Like you haven't been thinking the same thing! We're all better off without that-"

"Shut. Up."

Everyone stared at Adrien in varying degrees of shock. He was trembling, eyes down and fists clenched.

"A-all you do is i-insult everyone around you. Criticizing e-every flaw l-like you don't have any." Adrien looked up to glare at Chloe who stood frozen. "That- That's not okay! J-just because you're in pain doesn't give you the right to m-make everyone else as miserable as you!"

Adrien bolted. Chloe lurched after him. "Adrien, wait!"

She didn't get far as Nino blocked her path. "No, you don't, dude!"

"Outta my way you-"

Kagami walked up to Nino's side "No."

Fluttering black wings appeared in the corner of Alya's eye. She whipped her head toward it so fast pain flared in her neck . . . But it was only a white butterfly.

Unease filled Alya as she gazed around at her agitated classmates. Alix and Kim glared angrily at Chloe. The blond herself demanded to see Adrien, tears threatening to spill out of her eyes. Rose and Juleka held each other while Luka stood protectively near them. Max was attempting to calm a confused Markov. It was a powder keg.

Alya turned to a troubled Marinette who gazed in the direction Adrien fled. "Girl, you gotta do something."

Marinette snapped out of her thoughts. "M-me?"

"Yes, you!" Alya took in everyone around them with her hands. "This is one black butterfly short of an akuma attack."

"Yeah, but . . ."

"They'll listen to you, Marinette."

Determination filled Marinette"s eyes as she nodded. "Make sure Adrien doesn't get akumatized."

"You got it, girl."

As Marinette went to pacify a former Bee, a Turtle, and a potential Dragon, Alya searched for Adrien. He wasn't hard to find.

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Notes:

Alya is being introspective (and a bit hard on herself) due to circumstances. Trixx can totally hide in her hair and no one can convince me otherwise! Trixx is either a more nuanced Plagg or a more mischievous Tikki: I can't decide which.

The second part is a flashback in case that wasn't clear.

Chloe is the most vocal critic of Chat Noir. If she was less clingy or if Adrien was more vulnerable I believe he'd take it MUCH harder than he does in canon. Though he might be repressing that like he does everything else. Also, Adrien is her main motivator when it comes to improving herself. Take him away and she regresses easily.

As for Alya's observations in the beginning: All of her friends are under new and stressful conditions that have only really been normalizing recently. Her boyfriend and best friend are creative types and stress is very good at giving you a creative block.

(Also, I’m taking liberties with panic attacks because I didn’t research them at all when I wrote this. Sorry, about that.)

Ch.1 Ch.2 Ch.3 Ch.4 Ch.5 Ch.6 Ch.7 Ch.8 Ch.9 Ch.10 Ch.11 Ch.12 Ch.13 Ch.15 Ch.16 Ch.17 Ch.18 Ch.19 Ch.20 Ch.21 Ch.22

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lemonysharkbait · 6 years ago

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Blue to Red

19 Days fantasy AU / Zodiac AU / Enemies to lovers

Part 1

Guan Shan hated him. The crown prince of the lands of Scorpio, second son in line to the throne and keeper of the coin: He Tian. And now he sat here, across from the man he despised, as his political prisoner.

His captor’s eyes glinted like the dark depths of the sea far below the cliffside stronghold and he smiled an infuriatingly fake smile. Guan Shan wanted to punch those shiny white teeth out. He Tian offered him wine.

It was a plan so like secretive Scorpios, the house that kept it’s affairs deliberately vague. It was too clean by a half. Keep the prince of Aries locked away in the strongholds of Scorpio and watch Capricorn continue their climb, trampling everything in their path.

Guan Shan glowered at his captor and refused the offered wine.

“We could go for a walk through the cliff gardens today.”

Can I push you off the cliff? Guan Shan had made it abundantly clear that he understood his position and was waiting for any chance to escape this hellish place. And for whatever infuriating reason, He Tain wouldn’t drop the charade of treating Guan Shan like an exalted guest. He Tian accompanied Guan Shan everywhere, fed him well and offered entertainments of all kinds.

Guan Shan forked a piece of fish with a little more effort than was necessary, choosing not to make eye contact with those inky-dark eyes.

He Tian sighed, tossing a napkin to the side. “I’ve given you every comfort and dignity and yet you’re stubborn as a Taurus.”

Guan Shan stabbed another piece of fish.

“You sulk and refuse to negotiate. You even refuse to apologize for your house’s destruction of hundreds of Scorpio’s merchant ships.”

There was a clatter as Guan Shan threw his fork down. His skin started to prickle and singe with the heat of fire and a thin layer of wisping flames covered his arms.

He Tian continued. “Yes, make a rash decision my little Aries pet.” The word rankled Guan Shan. “It’s mercy you’re here under my protection and not my brother’s or father’s. Your house’s actions are reason enough to take your head.”

The words had their desired effect. Guan Shan stood abruptly, his flames leaping. The ever-present guards at his back tensed. “Why don’t you just do it already?” The words were harsh and pitched low in his native tongue. He Tian cooly cut off another piece of fish, popped it into his mouth and chewed, savoring it. “It would be in bad taste to do so before we have the backing of the council.”

Damn the council and damn this place. Guan Shan planned to be long gone before the next house council meeting. “I’m not going out to the gardens to be stared at like some exotic pet.”

He Tian snorted “I don’t have you on a leash. Believe me, you’d know if you were a pet.”

Guan Shan flushed. He always lost these exchanges with He Tian. He didn’t have a mind for deception and pretty phrases. “That’s not, I wasn’t saying–”

“Of course not, you made your stance very clear the first night we met.”

A memory of He Tian pressed close and running possessive hands over the planes of Guan Shan’s body burst through his mind.

“Why would I fuck you?”

He Tian leveled a look that said Guan Shan wasn’t the one who would do the fucking. “We’re of the same rank and distractions are far and few between.” He Tian’s tone was arrogantly sure. You have nothing to do and you’re pretty. Why wouldn’t you want me in your bed?

Guan Shan turned from the table with a sound of disgust and stomped out. The guards followed him like ever-present shadows.

Back in He Tian’s quarters, he took up his usual game of cards with Brother Qui. They were both fire-born. It had surprised Guan Shan to see someone from the House of Leo working in a such a high rank in the House of Scorpio.

“Ready to lose again old man.” He shuffled the cards and dealt them out. A seagull call rang outside the window. The air was always a little damp and chill. Guan Shan chafed against the long flowing layers of robes he had been given to wear, clothes in the Scorpio style. The colors were deeply intense in a muted way and the layers rolled and shifted like the water-born’s fighting style. He ached for his own Aries clothes, tunics that stopped at the calf and the shoulder allowing for easy movement and keeping cool in the summertime heat. He wondered if there ever was summertime heat on this cursed cliff.

Qui was passive and they played in comfortable silence for a time. Guan Shan was losing badly but didn’t mind, he was gambling with money pilfered from He Tian’s drawers. He couldn’t fathom why he stayed in the prince’s quarters and not locked away in some other room or deep in the dungeon. It hardly mattered though, He Tian was almost never in his room. He barely slept and Guan Shan usually had the large, immaculate quarters to himself.

“You shouldn’t provoke the prince.”

Guan Shan scowled at his cards. “Is he your prince?”

“He is now. Him and his brother.”

“He wants to take my head off.”

“Your fate will be decided by the council.”

Guan Shan threw the cards down “Then why am I here? He has no proof that I burnt his precious merchant ships.”

“I don’t pretend to know the prince’s plans.”

Guan Shan stood abruptly. He didn’t want to talk about the damn prince. “I’m going to the practice ring.”

Everything here seemed to be inside. Practice rings in Aries were open to the air and floored with packed dirt. The main practice ring in the Scorpio keep was tiled on the walls and surrounded by water. Carefully treated wood made up the floor and soft light came from moonstones set throughout the tiled walls. It made Guan Shan feel like he was in a cavern and he didn’t like it. He liked it even less when he rounded the corner and saw He Tian. Guan Shan turned on his heel but it was too late, the scorpion saw.

“My little ram, why don’t you join me?” The voice was drippingly sweet. Guan Shan knew better than to trust it.

“I don’t want to train next to you.” He turned to leave again when He Tian said: “A friendly spar then.”

Guan Shan stopped in his tracks. He had been itching to fight the prince since he’d been taken here. “You want to fight me?” It was more a statement than a question.

“Unless you’re afraid of getting wet.”

Guan Shan stalked forward. This pretentious prince didn’t know what he was asking for. His control over water might help him navigate the seas and heal wounds but everyone knew the water houses were wet sops. Their strength came from the sea’s depths. In a real fight, He Tian had no chance. The only reason Guan Shan hadn’t fought his way out of this place was the sheer amount of armed guards he’d have to fight through.

He Tian looked cool and comfortable, not primed for a fight. This would be quick. Guan Shan pushed the top layers of his robes off so that they hung around his waist and his chest was bare. The robes hung low around his ankles, lower than he’d want to wear for a fight but there was nothing he could do about that.

He Tian raised an eyebrow, watching Guan Shan half strip. “I’ve always wanted to fight a fire-warrior. I’ve heard so much about your barbaric style.”

Guan Shan willed himself to stay calm. He wanted to singe the prince, not obliterate him. They squared off a few paces from each other. As a polite courtesy the prince didn’t deserve, Guan Shan didn’t call on his fire before the fight started. He simply stood poised and ready, taut with tension. He Tian was calm as ever. “Let’s make this a little more interesting. If you yield, you have to go with me to the garden party tonight.”

Guan Shan snorted. He didn’t want to play games. “Fine. And when you yield I’m free.”

“I’m afraid I can’t do that.”

“Then how about I never have to see your ugly face again?”

“Deal.”

The call was given and Guan Shan burst into flames. He Tian was taller and had a better reach, but Guan Shan’s fire would give him an advantage if he could get in close. He moved forward in a flurry and found, to his surprise, that He Tian wasn’t there. A flow of water obscured his vision. He cut through it easily to see that He Tian had side stepped. Guan Shan followed again, breaking through water sprays head first as he would cut through flames lobbed at him in his home practice ring. He Tian simply side stepped and side stepped again.

It was infuriating. It wasn’t a sparring match so much as it was a push and pull dance. Nothing connected except for harmless sheets of water breaking against Guan Shan’s fire. It felt like He Tian was taking Guan Shan for a leisurely stroll up and down the practice arena. He Tian was trying to tire him out.

“I can do this all day. Stand and fight.”

He Tian smiled that fake smile “I’ve been waiting for you to bring me a real fight.”

Guan Shan took a deep breath and lobbed a ball of fire around the sheets of water, forcing He Tian to change his footing. The water prince wanted a fight? He’d get a fight. To hell if he got burned.

The pace picked up and Guan Shan advanced flinging fire in a flurry that would overwhelm most opponents. Somehow, He Tian still looked cool, his eyes impassive slate grey. Guan Shan closed into the distance that he had wanted from the beginning and arm collided with arm in a sparring tete-a-tete. He Tian was surprisingly strong but Guan Shan had the upper hand at close range. His fire sent He Tian stumbling and a little fissure in the cold prince’s composure cracked. Guan Shan closed in again for the final blow, knocking aside weak sheets of water. He bore down fire, reaching for the hold that would force He Tian to yield, when suddenly the prince wasn’t there, like so many wisps of smoke.

Guan Shan whirled in time to see the wall of water come for him and the sick truth with it: He Tian had been holding back the whole time.

He felt his head snap back with the impact and he fell into the depths of the water surrounding the ring. When he surfaced, He Tian’s smug face was above him. “Cooling off? Looks like I’ve won, my little ram.” Guan Shan cursed and hauled himself out of the water.

“I was hoping for more of a fight. I guess water does beat fire. I’ll have clothes laid out for you for this evening. I think you really will like the gardens.”

Steam rose from Guan Shan’s body, drying what he could of his soaked cloaks. He Tian could have easily pulled the water out of the clothes, but he didn’t.

Guan Shan had to escape this place.

***

The garden was nestled in a cliff hamlet overlooking the cold, dark blue ocean. It was pretty if a bit sparse and ordered, not at all like the lush, sprawling gardens back home. And, just as he thought, Guan Shan was a spectacle. Highborn Scorpios asked barbed questions, feigning niceties when the entire time they simmered with distaste. It was clear that everyone in the Scorpio kingdom thought Guan Shan was personally responsible for the merchant ships that had burned to a crisp. It was heinous, forcing an unarmed sailing crew to choose between fire and water. Burn or drown. Death on all sides.

But he hadn’t done it. None of his people had done it. And he hadn’t the slightest clue why He Tian, why all of the Scorpios, were so set on believing that he had any hand in it. Guan Shan looked down over the side of the portico. The waves were so far beneath them they could barely be heard. He was in a quiet corner, eating in as much peace as he could find.

“Could Aries rams climb these cliffs?” Guan Shan tensed at the deep voice wrapped in silk. Somewhere in those silky folds a dagger hid.

“We don’t climb cliffs.”

“You’re not very good at small talk.”

“Why would I need to make small talk with you?”

He Tian smiled and lifted a drink to his lips. “The council meets in a month.”

Guan Shan didn’t want to be needled again today. “What could I have to gain from burning your damn ships?”

“I would think that’s obvious.”

What was obvious was that the House of Aries was poor. It had been a lesser power for several decades now and was on the brink of bankruptcy. In the past, his proud warrior people had turned to plundering to get what they needed and to establish their wealth. But that was a long time ago. And anyways, they had never gone after ships on the treacherous seas.

“It would burn up. Whatever those ships were carrying, it would burn up or it would fall into the sea. And our lands are nowhere near the coast. That’s a lot of effort for nothing.”

For once, He Tian didn’t have a smart comment waiting. He looked like he was digesting something he didn’t like.

“Anyways, it doesn’t matter what you think.”

He Tian blinked from his reverie. “I assure you little ram, it does matter.”

“Only to you.” And with that, Guan Shan heaved a gulp of air, pushed himself up onto the balustrade, and launched himself over the side.

Notes: I wrote this in a day and I’ve got chapter two a quarter of the way done! But uh, please don’t get too invested because my life is mayhem and I never know when I’ll have time to write 😣. I love the enemies to lovers trope, and the Zodiac signs and meanings fascinate me. Hit me up if you like it! 💕

#19 Days #mo guan shan #he tian #tianshan #19 days fanfic #enemies to lovers #zodiac au #brother qui #aries #scorpio #fantasy au

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maryxglz · 7 years ago

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Emotion, thy name is #RADAHamlet

by Kerstin - September 17, 2017

It has only been a bit over six weeks that the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts (RADA) in cooperation with Kenneth Branagh Theatre Company (KBTC) announced there was going to be a Hamlet production on show in September 2017, directed by RADA president Sir Kenneth Branagh and with RADA alumnus Tom Hiddleston playing the lead.

Now, halfway through the run, when googling “RADA Hamlet” for the period of time since its announcement, a roundabout 600 hits come up, equaling 100 a week. Few, one might say. But let’s consider the facts: the short three-week run of this production takes place at the RADA Jerwood Vanbrugh Theatre, seating no more than 160 patrons. In total, not even 3,500 tickets were available via lottery, a system that was heavily criticized by some but was, hands down, going to be the fairest option. Little promotional activity in public and no designated press night make for a rather unassuming event in terms of commercial publicity. That’s likely to be owed to the circumstance that the production is primarily serving as a fundraiser in aid for the RADA Attenborough Campaign. As such, it is aiming to help improve the RADA facilities in Chenies Street for their students, providing on-site accommodation, an enhanced library and archive and a bigger theatre seating 250.

“I believe Shakespeare and RADA are very good things. This production celebrates both. We bring actors, writers, directors and technicians from last year’s KBTC Garrick season, and team them with RADA graduates past and present, together with artists from the larger creative world to explore Shakespeare’s Hamlet.” – Kenneth Branagh on RADA | KBTC Hamlet

Having been lucky enough to win a lottery ticket to one of the 21 public performances, I had been following the reports and sparse number of reviews on the first few nights and I was pretty sure I had a good idea of what was lying ahead of me. Upon entering the auditorium, though, it became clear to me right away that it was going to be an even cosier affair than I had expected. The audience is sat level with the stage on three sides, the actors performing just an arm’s length away from the front row. An upright piano, strategically placed centre stage and subtly demanding attention, immediately conveys the close proximity of the events to follow.

When everybody is settled and the room goes dark, a silhouette darts to the piano, sitting down. It’s Hamlet (Tom Hiddleston), as the lights reveal, and already on first glance it is noticeable, even before the first note, that he’s deeply grieved. An initial impression that in the blink of an eye is being amplified to off-the-chart heights, when Hamlet starts to softly play and sing a touching song – Ophelia’s And Will He Not Come Again – for his deceased father. Teary-eyed and with a shaky voice Hamlet is mourning, remembering, possibly self-soothing. It’s in that very first minute of the performance that the tone of the entire play is set: emotional, intimate, intense. The audience is drawn in right from the start, frozen in their seats as not to cause any disruption. The choice to begin the play that way feels bold. Bold and deeply impactful.

What follows then are two hours and 45 minutes of raw, sitting-on-the-edge-of-your-seat emotion. Hiddleston’s Hamlet struggles with grief, anger, betrayal and a thirst for revenge like all Hamlets do, but his sadness and vulnerability mixed with occasional, terrifying bouts of rage, and a little bit of fun and play, make for a well-rounded character that seems very real. I couldn’t help but sympathise with him, even when he makes questionable decisions, because I felt like I had been made to understand his motives driven by all-consuming inner turmoil. Hiddleston’s ability to make Shakespeare’s words flow naturally surely contribute a great deal to Hamlet’s authenticity, too.

The intimate set-up, the close proximity of the events unfolding make the audience part of the journey. An impression that’s being intensified when Tom Hiddleston during his soliloquies seems to deliberately address the theatregoers. Admittedly, the moment he acknowledges the audience, it feels like he is giving a speech more than he is talking to himself. But on the other hand, the whole set-up of Branagh’s production makes the audience feel like participants rather than just observers to begin with, and the fact that Hamlet involves them in that way could be interpreted as sealing their status as confidants. It’s a matter of preference, I suppose, but this much is certain: Hiddleston fills the room with his presence during these monologues, capturing the audience with seeming ease, expertly guiding them through Hamlet’s emotional turbulence – before he blends right back in with the ensemble reemerging on the stage. All actors in this play are fabulously level with each other in what feels like an intense match of tennis. Aptly illustrated at times by the characters being found on opposite ends of the court, the patrons sat on the side made to look back and forth between their skilled playing off each other.

Emotionality, to me, is the keyword to describe this production. The play is utterly immersive and the performances across the board are strong. King Hamlet’s ghost appearing to the young prince sent a chill up and down my spine. Hamlet yelling and rampaging in anger made me duck in my seat to get out of harm’s way. Ophelia swirling around the room having gone mad had me hold my breath with consternation. The shift of energy and aggressiveness in the Hamlet/Laertes brawl shortly before the big duel were so palpable, my pulse was speeding up, my body put on alert. And the many tears Hamlet sheds all throughout the play put a lump in my throat more than once, making my eyes brim with tears of my own.

Mercifully, there are lighter moments, too, joy and laughter the audience embraces whole-heartedly. Particularly Polonius was given several moments of comic relief – which Sean Foley delivered straight to the point – as was Hamlet himself. Although in the case of the latter, these moments held a certain kind of bitterness to me since the underlying sadness and anger never fully disappear, even when Hamlet puts on a facade to the outside world. A subtle and credible facade, at that. He doesn’t go over the top mad but simply acts strange enough for people to wonder about his state of mind.

On the flip side, Ophelia’s (Kathryn Wilder) state of mind is renownedly of nobody’s concern most of the time, but her portrayal in this production is intriguing. Despite the predetermined course of the play, it doesn’t seem like she fades away between the conflicting priorities of her father and Hamlet. She appears strong and proactive despite or maybe in defiance of the hurt and humiliation she endures. Wilder’s performance, particularly but not exclusively when Ophelia has gone mad, is meaningful and stirring.

The ensemble of ten is a solid unit and the fact that some of the actors are playing two or three roles is in principle not a problem, even if a slightly more pronounced difference in costumes would have helped to emphasise the multiple roles. I suppose that for somebody who has little prior knowledge of the play, it may be slightly difficult to follow at times. That said, Ansu Kabia in his triple performance as King Hamlet, Player King and Gravedigger is truly impressive in his versatility. It took me a long time to realise that he is both, the graying ghost of the King and the upbeat gravedigger hilariously jamming to his own tunes on the grave site.

The stage design is sparse but effective, mostly just using props like a couch or a desk to hint at the different settings. Lighting and sound accentuate the main themes, like Hamlet’s soliloquies, and choral music at the end accompanies Hamlet’s exit as he is being carried off the stage by the ensemble in a procession down the aisle of the auditorium, passing by the audience one last time.

The bows seemed slightly rushed for reasons unknown. Caroline Martin as Horatia delivers a truly moving last recital upon the bloodshed and when the lights come back on right after, she just barely manages to wipe away her tears before the first bow. Personally, I didn’t feel like I had made my way back to the present yet, when the actors were already leaving the stage. But one way or another, the standing ovations have surely given the cast an idea of how much the audience enjoyed the performance.

“The play speaks as loudly as ever to our volatile world and we are proud to have Tom Hiddleston lead an exciting group of actors, as he plays the title role for the first time. This work has been in discussion and planning over a period of years. To find its expression at, with, and for RADA, is a privilege.” – Kenneth Branagh on RADA | KBTC Hamlet

I wish we had gotten more insight into the production than just the press release and short programme introductions. A full on interview, for example, or maybe just little behind the scenes statements on the RADA Website. It would have been interesting to find out more about the team’s working process. Was it always going to be Hamlet or did they discuss other options? How did the contemporary setting come about? What was Branagh’s objective? How did the actors approach their roles and has their understanding of their characters changed in any way? The list could go on.

“The actor playing Hamlet really has to bring themselves to the role […] It seems to me that it’s an amazingly open role and the actor is asked to think about fathers and mothers, and revenge and friendship and sex and mortality and philosophy, and all of those things. It’s just the most heart-attack poetry around.” – Tom Hiddleston to Flicks and the City in 2013

In our very short chance encounter, Tom Hiddleston would casually attribute the performance to “blood, sweat and tears” – in both a metaphorical and a true sense, I suppose. Having talked to a few theatregoers after the play, I would say it is hard work that absolutely pays off. We were collectively left in awe and struggling to find the right words. It was only when I was reading through the programme later, that I found a quote by Lolita Chakrabarti – who was wonderfully expressive in her portrayal of the ambiguous Queen Gertrude – that seemed to perfectly summarise what I felt was truly the foundation of this production:

“A monumental work of art such as this can become the property of the learned, owned by those who ‘understand’ it, but Hamlet is a play to be seen, heard and felt. The words are beautifully crafted but the play’s true power is in its exchange with the audience and how it makes them feel.”

Hamlet Jerwood Vanbrugh Theatre, Malet Street, London, WC1E 7JN 01 – 23 September 2017

#tom hiddleston #rada hamlet #rada #hamlet #theatre #kenneth branagh #hamleston #hiddlespeare #hiddlehamlet

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twh-news · 7 years ago

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#radahamlet #hamlet #hiddlehamlet #tom hiddleston #review #Sir Kenneth Branagh #RADA #hamletrada #Kenneth Branagh Theatre Company

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perfectackeracy · 7 years ago

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Shingeki no Kyojin chapter 95 review (+ theories)

Yet another Marley chapter and possibly the beginning of a Marley volume. Personally, I was a bit skeptical at the beginning of this arc, but now that we’re deep in for a couple of chapters, I’m warming up to the new developments.

Overall, Isayama does a great job switching between the past and the present in this chapter. The first half is dedicated to the following from last chapter, the ultimatum to retake Paradis and the whereabouts of the 9th titan. The second half delves further into Reiner’s past and focuses on the segment from the titanification of the six chosen warriors to Ymir eating Marcel.

We still have a lot of things to discuss in this chapter, so follow me under the cut. Thanks to @kaschy for the scans!

Last night

The warrior meeting

The warriors’ showcase

Reiner’s shattered ambitions

So where does that leave us?

Last night

Gabi’s ambitions - Ch. 95

The whole chapter is starting with Reiner and Gabi walking to the HQ, being cheered by the Eldian crowd. Gabi feels unusually down compared to other days, because she found out something was unusual with Reiner. Not only Gabi, but Karina as well. That confirms what her intentions were since last chapter. She wanted to end the conversation because Reiner was disturbed by the whole sequence of events.

Also, Reiner apparently displayed that whole behavior since he came back from Paradis alone, meaning after the second assault. Karina witnessed her grown son with shattered views and without his war comrades. Moreover, said son didn’t want to reveal much details about the whole campaign, which makes Reiner hardly to grasp from an outsider’s perspective.

Ahem, “old man” at 21, Reiner? What does that make me or anybody in their twenties here? A bag of bones? Well, granted, his lifespan has been reduced and he’s seen shit more than us, hence why he’s starting to get old in his head. PTSD, loss of innocence... all that makes you age in the brain twice as fast as anybody else.

It’s officially confirmed: blood relationships are a huge factor in passing down memories, which explains why Porco was able to receive some memories, but Ymir wasn’t. Same thing happened with Eren being more susceptible to Grisha than anybody preceding him.* And because Reiner experimented so many traumas throughout his life as a warrior, he doesn’t want Gabi to see what truly happened to him and make her regret her decision.

Why Gabi wants Reiner’s power - Ch. 95

And that’s precisely because Gabi wants to understand Reiner’s pain that she isn’t going to drop the deal on the Armored. I suspected she wanted the power of the titans not to become the best warrior who will slaughter all the devils, but also because she wanted to preserve a unique bond with the man she admires. The fact she turned out to be family only amplified my theory and this chapter confirms it.

Since she’s so adamant into obtaining the Armored, she’s going to headbutt with Falco to gain it...

...literally (Ch. 95)

And it doesn’t seem Falco’s new resolve since last battle isn’t paying off.

Gabi beating Falco - Ch. 95

Since Isayama said he based Gabi on female!Eren, people were quick to point out the similarities between Gabi and Eren. While they may have been comparable when chapter 91 was out (enthusiastic girl vs. angry revengeful boy beating people up), they had their set of differences, that were further elaborated in volume 23. Gabi was a prodigy in her promotion, not afraid of using cunning tactics to get her way (ie. with Magath) whereas Eren was decent enough, but mostly used the flame in his eyes to get himself a place in the top 10. Adding to that, he’s not very bright. When it comes to convictions, Gabi wants to fight for the future of Eldia and shorten her lifespan to protect her people and her family. She’s mostly walking in Reiner’s footsteps where she wanted to become a hero.

*NB: While blood relations are a significant factor, it’s not the decisive one. Porco was able to see Reiner through Ymir’s memories and Eren caught a glimpse of Frieda brushing her hair. So it’s still possible for Armin to catch a glimpse of Bertolt’s memories, even if it’s highly unlikely.

The warrior meeting

Zeke’s room - Ch. 95

More lighthearted moments with Pieck crawling to the ground before getting right in the middle of an important discussion. Pieck is quickly gaining the favors of the audience with her chill attitude and her intelligence, which was underlined several times by the Marlean army and by Zeke himself.

SASUGA PIKKU-CHAN - Ch. 95

Zeke claims the Marlean officers were there, but “not in this room”. Reiner and Pieck were quick to catch on. Porco... not so much, at the point where he had to be bailed by Reiner for manifesting his protestations a bit too much.

The army is judging the reactions of each warrior when it comes to launching the operation on Paradis island again. When Zeke is detailing the whole context, he’s putting extra emphasis on their possible extinction if the plan were to fail again.

“Over the past few years, Marley has come out on top from an age of struggles for resources, using our titans to silence whatever nations that try to oppose it. This has led the world's hatred of Eldians to expand to levels... that remind us of the old imperial times. We have served Marley in order to show our remorse for our history. We were not wrong to do so. But... The voices from around the world calling for the extermination of the Eldian people have grown even louder.

In addition... recent battles have made it even more clear to all that conventional weapons will outperform titan weaponry in the future. In other words, it will not be long before Eldians lose their tactical value. Once we do, Marley will no longer be able to maintain its power as a nation. If Marley is weak, the walls separating Eldians from the rest of the world will disappear. And then, our right to life will be in an even more precarious position.” - Ch. 95

Magath commented about Zeke’s speech being a little too much. Looking at the text, Zeke is really saying “if we don’t do something NOW, the time of everyone is counted”. Doing that actually boosts the warriors to take action in the next few days. That matches Zeke’s personal ambitions to use his last year to bring an end to the mission on Paradis, before taking down the Fritz line with him, and probably assuring more peaceful days to Colt and the others. Besides, he still made saving Eren into his own goal. What if he felt responsible somehow to allow Grisha escape to Paradis and cause trouble? The plan to capture the Founding Titan has become complicated when Grisha meddled with it after all and Zeke knows how nuts his father is.

In order to protect themselves and the world, they have to retake the Founding Titan, while finding a way to boost their reputation up. This is where our long-awaited 9th titan pops up.

The Tybur family - Ch. 95

So far they’ve been described as the neutral force of Marley, being a representative icon of the Eldian force on the continent, a bunch of honorary aristocrats and the first family opposing King Fritz. They dress up in traditional clothes unlike the rest of Eldian Marleans and keep a titan in their family, allowing them to keep.memories from the time where the 145th king left the continent.

They’re contrasting with the Reiss family on Paradis: traditional, important families keeping a titan power with them and acting as a neutral force during affairs. I smell the political subplot coming with these guys, and probably tales from the separation between the Eldians from Paradis and the rest. Them acting as a major force isn’t surprising, since Marley couldn’t do anything against titans themselves. Zeke’s part of the story makes me think the Tybur family was the starting point before the others followed.

Considering we got every titan introduced and their status current, that cements the Attack Titan as being the second power who fled on Paradis. It was then smuggled in Marley through Kruger and back to Grisha and Eren. So why was the Attack Titan on Paradis? Did they wait carefully on the island waiting to make Eldia great again, or was its original purpose different, but the message was lost throughout the next generations?

And what seems to be the patriarch of the Tybur family will hold a speech... which seems to be either the prelude to another exposé or the perfect chance to ruin it by our dear amputee, right?. Another point. The patriarch isn’t necessary the holder of the power, as demonstrated by the King Fritz puppet, or Rod, who weren’t the founders. I can’t wait to meet the Tybur detaining the power. Warriors teaming up with them to go back on Paradis truly signs the beginning of the end of the series, as Zeke insists on that tentative being their last chance.

The second part is dedicated to Reiner’s past, as he realizes he has to return on Paradis for the last time.

The warriors’ showcase

The Female and Armored titans - Ch. 95

This is where Isayama got his fit of inspiration from Guardians of the Galaxy, it seems. We have a complete showcase of the warriors and their titan powers.

Female Titan (Annie): the Swiss knife of the team, a screamer and a fighter, quite fast

Armored Titan (Reiner): the shield of the team, great amount of stamina, can charge through a gate made of titan crystal

Jaw Titan (Marcel): the assaulter, quick and can destroy small units, much like a cat

Beast Titan (Zeke): the pitcher, destroys units at distance, adds something special thanks to that extra Fritz blood

Cartman Titan (Pieck): the rat, can be equipped with multiple weapons

Colossus Titan (Bertolt): THE GOD OF DESTRUCTION, can be used as a bomb for complete annihilation

Up until now, we’ve seen the titans associated with the forte of each warrior, but there’s still some things that aren’t obvious. We’ve never seen Zeke’s pitching technique in last chapter. Reiner is dead last but endurance was shown as being one of his main traits (Porco was implied to be more physically adapted). the way I see Bertolt’s marksmanship is his accuracy, focus and patience, since he himself becomes the bullet. Timing is essential.

Another fact I appreciated in this chapter is Magath’s humanity surfacing again. He’s cemented as the Shadis of the warriors and their military senior figure, although he shouldn't get too attached to kids who have the potential to die sooner than the final hour that has been given to them.

Reiner’s shattered ambitions

Reiner realizing he wasn’t meant to be chosen - Ch. 95

Of course, the biggest portion of the flashback is Reiner’s life slowly creeping to the bottom. The smugness displayed earlier when he was chosen instead of Porco was quickly brushed away by him meeting his father and him learning he wasn’t chosen because of talent.

A short parenthesis on Porco. He was obviously broken learning he wasn’t chosen and for the most part, it was because he didn’t want to get separated from his brother. There’s no mistake about their appearance: they’re twins. Just change the eye and hair color and they’re similar. And as twins, I’m expecting them t have a deeper attachment than any SnK sibling. It’s the last we see of that poor boy in this panel:

The Galliard twins, Reiner and Bertolt - Ch. 95

Notice how Bertolt was all proud of Reiner who blew Porco off. He’s adorable in this chapter.

Next, we’re meeting Reiner’s dad. The man Reiner wanted to live with alongside his mom, which was the main reason why he joined the army. And what do we find out?

Reiner’s father being scared of his son - Ch. 95

...Well, it was to be expected. The main rule of this manga is to not trust any father and Reiner’s isn’t any exception. Judging by the parallels with Historia, I expected him to be a male!Alma, someone who felt cursed by the birth of their child. Was he watching Reiner to make sure he isn’t following him? The news about him wanting to live with him shocked him to be honest. As much as it hurts, the reasons are obvious. They can’t live together and everything tends to point Reiner’s conception as a mistake. Yet again someone who didn’t know where to put their teeny weeny.

And that hit Reiner hard. So much that he lost himself for a moment. And from that point onward, he kept secrets after secrets, starting with his mother and Porco for Marcel’s behavior.

He also starts to lie about himself and keeps repeating in his end it’s not the end of the world if one of his endgame projects isn’t realized...

“...and become a hero to the world“ - Ch. 95

...right?

The whole operation was meant to last a month, ending on the full moon. It took up 5 years in total and pending for 4 years still. And only Reiner made it back.

I’m starting to think neither Reiner, Ymir and Bertolt made it back to Marley in the meantime. They had to wait for the army at full moon, and Zeke (and likely Pieck) was still there, wandering around. Taking account of what Gabi said, Karina hasn’t seen Reiner since he came back alone. If that’s the case then oww... Bertolt really never made it home then.

During that conversation, it’s clear Marcel doesn’t believe much in Marley’s mumbo jumbo. He takes orders sure but doesn’t see any pride in holding one of the nine titans. No one is impressed by Reiner’s speech either.

Instead, Marcel wanted to protect Porco’s life by sacrificing Reiner instead. I believe Marcel tried to do the right thing, but he ended up prioritizing his brother. Before this chapter, I saw the brothers’ fate as being more of a “from the wmb to the tomb” sort of motto, but I guess Marcel wanted to take the brunt for his sibling till the very end.

Marcel apologizing - Ch. 95

Marcel must’ve felt so bad back then. In fact that’s probably what pushed him to save Reiner from Ymir, the next morning. But in the end, Ymir, 5 years later, came back, giving Marcel’s titan power out of all powers, to Porco, the twin Marcel wanted to keep away from the curse. Again another useless sacrifice.

As Ymir popped from the ground and ate Marcel, Reiner kept that mantra in his head, to prove himself his life isn’t a thread of lies.

Ymir about to eat Reiner - Ch. 95

Sounds familiar? We’ve got the origins on how Reiner lost himself in this whole soldier/warrior thing. Since the training in Paradis was less harsh, everybody held Reiner as a competent guy, as a hero. That’s probably how the soldier roleplay started.

Thanks @kyojinofbraveos for pointing some details about Reiner’s behavior.

So where does that leave us?

Looks like we’re scrolling up until Reiner reaches his current point, with probably an emphasis on Annie’s and Bertolt’s characters. We still need to see their families.

There’s the whole Tybur subplot introduced as well and I’m curious to see how it’ll play out. I’m hoping it’ll bring details as to how they should attack Paradis, considering not a single ship made it back. Paradis is, under their point of view, a huge unknown and thus, seeing the invasion under the warriors’ point of view would be just as intriguing as seeing Titans under the SL’s point of view. Again, this is the first chapter of the volume, the point B could be the whole Paradis invasion plan unfolding or more Marley insights before we depart... or both. Isayama is packing information a lot in these chapters lately. Good thing he maintains the pace.

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