#how are we going to make it better so that we don't have to deal with thsi stuff

[vixenscratch]

On one hand, yeah, I do have some limited sympathy with organizers who are faced with "we don't particularly want to allow genAI but how can we be confident we rooted it all out?" That's the general rationale behind art gallery sites allowing genAI but requiring it to be tagged: reasoning that if they don't allow it it'll be posted anyway but without any way for people to filter it out. I disagree but understand how you'd arrive there.

On the other, legitimizing it by allowing it in a competition is not how you deal with that. Like, yeah, if you were to ban it you'd probably still have a couple of entries slipping through, in a competition of significant size. But you'd still be sending the message that genAI is unwanted. And if, somehow, you later found out that an entry that received some kind of award had used genAI to an unacceptable degree (whatever rules you've set for that), you can disqualify them.

Like, that's what sports competitions do all the time. They tell contestants "hey, we don't accept use of performance-enhancing drugs," some contestants still use them, and if they place and are caught, their medals are taken away. Imagine if the Olympics just up and went "eh, y'all are going to do steroids anyway, so go nuts."

Arguing that it doesn't matter, because the generated entries won't win anyway, is missing how genAI undermines the very craft it purports to perform/replace. Allowing it on the assumption it won't win is short-sighted at best. Remember, the companies behind genAI, who trained their machine learning models on copyrighted work without consent, rely on people using it. If nobody uses it, they don't make money, whether through fees for its use or by enticing investors with numbers.

And what do companies do with money?

They put it into R&D, in this case making genAI output "better" (more difficult to recognize at a glance - still doesn't mean the computer has any idea what it's writing, just that its pattern matching is better).

They put it into lobbying, such as trying to convince lawmakers that they shouldn't need consent to train their models on copyright-protected work. (Btw schools can only make photocopies of a certain percentage of a work to hand out to students to learn from, so that's yet another way that arguing that a machine learning model should be allowed to be trained on a protected work in full is disingenuous.)

They put it into advertising.

They hand it out to shareholders/investors, who then think it was a good investment, and thus invest more money into the field.

It gets embezzled. (In the case of genAI, this is a best-case scenario, LBFH.)

But no. As an English Literature major and writer, I am absolutely offended at the suggestion that "all writers" use (gen)AI. And we all know that genAI is what is meant when people talk about AI in these contexts. (Also "smart" language checks aren't always, nor are they infallible; get a real person to check over your work if you can!)

a writing competition i was going to participate in again this year has announced that they now allow AI generated content to be submitted

their reasoning being that "we couldn't ban it even if we wanted to, every writer already uses it anyway"

"Every writer"?

come on

[hamilando]

If you do take requests what about a smau or whatever you feel fits most where George’s fiancé surprises him at a GP he wins and maybe she is an astrophysicist?

{much love from an astrophysicist master student}

ੈ✩ british gwan sik (smau) ੈ✩

pairing : george russell x reader

tw : fluff; chaos

fc : IU ( yes, i watched when life gives you tangerines )

a/n : thank you for requesting and i hope you like it !!!!! ALSO WHY CAN I IMAGINE GEORGE AS GWAN-SIK feedbacks and requests are always open !!!!

·:｡･ﾟﾟ･ ✩ ･ﾟ ･ﾟ·:｡･ﾟﾟ･ ･ﾟ·:｡･ﾟﾟ･ ✩ ･ﾟ ･ﾟ·:｡･ﾟﾟ･･ﾟ·:｡･ﾟﾟ･ ✩ ･ﾟ ･ﾟ·:｡･ﾟﾟ

liked by georgey, pastanelli, norizz, lilyhye and 123 others

iuamyn george's photography skills during midterms

view comments

georgey you did not just expose me like that

georgey I MOGGED

pastanelli it's * i mog

georgey no past tense ?

pastanelli its a slang, not grammar lesson

norizz yn, if you find a girl for me in mars, do let me know

iuamyn jupiter too right ?

norizz just god tier ass should be their

iuamyn THEY ARE PLANETS! not your tinger-jupiter, grindr-mars

norizz I AM NOT GAY !?!?!?

max are you sure

chillijr don't make me expose

norizz expose what !?

iuamyn lando, you literally wear panda undies

norizz HOW DO YOU KNOW !!?!?!!

iuamyn YOU BOUGHT THEM ON BUY 1 GET 1 FREE DEAL AND GAVE ONE PACKET TO GEORGE

norizz oops

norizz please refrain from exposing more

norizz i have a reputation to hold

liked by georgey, norizz, lordeprceval and 98 others

iuamyn i am watching him go round when i should be studying planets go round

view comments

norizz i look nice

pastry please send the polaroid george

iuamyn THIS IS MY ACCOUNT, YOU CAN ASK ME

pastry sorry my bad

iuamyn why do you hate me

pastry BECAUSE YOU NEVER MADE ME TASTE THE BIMBIBAP, AND NEVER MADE IT AGAIN

iuamyn OVER BIMBIBAP !!??!?!?!

iuamyn making one right now as we text

pastry ok then, feud's over

pastry please send the polaroid my dear friend yn

iuamyn much much better

alexmieux love how the setting is so aestehtic

alexmieux where do you eve buy such cute stuff

iuamyn hate to admit but george buys it for me, gets me from wherever yall go

georgey what do you mean hate to admit

georgey I AIN'T BUYING FOR YOU ANYMORE

iuamyn I AM SORRY

iuamyn MY DEAR GWANSIK

georgey alright, i forgive, just because you called me gwansik

liked by lilyhye, norizz, lordperceval and 78 others

iuamyn he won. wow. the british gwan-sik won. and yes, i surprised him.

view cooments

georgey i love you for this

georgey i love you for eveyrthing

georgey my bad lads, the sex was bomb

iuamyn GEORGE RUSSELL

iuamyn YOU ARE BANNED

iuamyn NONE OF YOU RESPOND

iuamyn ISTG IF ANY OF YOU RESPONDS

iuamyn LANDO STOP MESSAGING ME

iuamyn NO KIMI, JUST IGNORE WHAT HE SAID

iuamyn GEORGE RUSSELL, THERE ARE KIDS

iuamyn BY CALLING YOU GWAN-SIK, I DIDN'T MEAN FOR YOU TO TAKE IT IN LITERAL SENSE

iuamyn WE ARE NOT HAVING THREE KIDS

georgey saturday, sunday, monday, tuesday, wednesday, seven days a wekk

iuamyn YOU ARE BANNED FROM WATCHING KDRAMAS

liked by norizz, pastanelli, max, lilihye and 187 others

iuamyn he said f1 was hard. told him to solve a cosmic ray numerical

view comments

lilyhye MUAHAHAHA

lilyhye sadly you don't have the smart asian brain

lilyhye BESTIE DOES MATHS FOR FUN

lilyhye you dare not test her

georgey WHAT EVEN IS A COSMIC RAY

georgey next time give some gravitational force numerical

max g-force on the land george, not your neck

georgey can you like NOT

lordeprceval i have never been happier of my girl being a model

iuamyn are you calling her dumb

lordperceval CAN YOU STOP IGNITING A FIGHT

lordperceval i like that she doesn't study much so she travels with me

alexmieux so i am dumb

lordpercebal NON, I NEVER said that

pastanelli i could solve it, we did that in physics recently

iuamyn i do your maths, you do the numericals

pastanelli deal.

max did you just make a deal with a high schooler ?

iuamyn who is also a FORMULA ONE DRIVER!?!?!

albono why is my gf so smitten by you

iuamyn i am smart, rich, and pretty

georgey RICH !?!?!

iuamyn your credit card, my card

iuamyn plus mercedes pays you decent so yeah, i am rich

georgey NOT TO SPEND ON LILY

lilyhye meano.

norizz while you studying all this, design them a better car

iuamyn I AM STUDYING ASTRO NOT MECHANICAL

norizz it's all physics at the end of the day

iuamyn got to know why you had to drop out to do racing

let me know if you want to be added or removed to the tg!

permanent tg: @isotopemylove @chair-things @justaf1girl @bibblemiluvr @blushmimi @nikfigueiredo @amz824 @ivegotparticulartaste @raizelchrysanderoctavius @freyathehuntress @piastri-fvx @sadiemack9 @ilivbullyingjeongin @cherry-piee @luvleylisen @sweate-r-weathe-r @jxnellat @loveofmylife12 @budgetcupid @lilaissa @scorpiodiosa @wondergirl101ks @nichmeddar @hoeforlifee @urfavnoirette @lily-ann-b @okcurran @miniboast @teti-menchon0604 @motorsportloverf1 @formula1-motogpfan @capricornito @star73807-blog

[larluce]

Merlin arrives with a baby in Camelot AU

(co-writing with @roxineedstosleep)

BASED ON THIS PROMPT >> PREVIOUS PART >> NEXT PART

Chapter 3: Valiant (Part 1)

In Gaius's chambers. Merlin, who has barely slept, drags himself out of bed with dark circles under his eyes, hastily putting on his clothes. His day is just beginning, but he's already exhausted.

Gaius: (Almost at the same pace as Merlin, dressing more slowly and then putting more wood on the fire) Did you get any sleep last night?

Merlin: (Yawning) No. (points to the baby in the crib). Someone thought it was a good idea to have colic and roll a bottle across the table.

Baby: (sleeping peacefully) 😴

Merlin walks over to the table to see his list of things to do for the day. His to-do list is quite long, and the castle bells haven't even rung to welcome the day yet.

Gaius: (Looking up from his book) You can barely stand, my boy.

Merlin: (Yawning, as he prepares the bottle of milk) Uh-huh. But the prince can't seem to dress himself, and my roommate is sick. Do you think you could give her-

Gaius: (Sighs and takes the bottle) I'll do my best to look after her today; colic is common at this age. Go before Arthur gets impatient.

Time skip. At the Training Grounds. Arthur is already waiting with his arms crossed when Merlin arrives with his training gear, having already dressed him.

Arthur: (mockingly) Have you always been this slow?

Merlin: (mimicking his tone) Have you always been this helpless?

Arthur: (seriously) You can't talk to me like that.

Merlin: I'm sorry. (exaggeratedly polite tone) Have you always been helpless, my lord? (gives a small bow)

Arthur: (A smile almost forms on his face at the joke, but it soon returns to his angry expression and he throws a training pad at Merlin's head) Let's begin.

And Arthur uses him as a training dummy all morning.

Despite being overworked, Merlin gets some help from other servants who know how difficult Arthur is to deal with.

Time skip. In the laundry room.

George: (while helping Merlin wash Arthur's clothes) He wants you to quit.

Merlin: (confused) Uh?

George: The prince. He's hoping you'll either get fed up and quit, or make a mistake bad enough to get you sacked. He does the same with all his personal manservants. Although you're the first he's ever been so hard on.

Merlin: (laughs) I don't think he's forgiven me for humiliating him in front of his men. (mockingly) Or should I say his daddy's men?

George: (curious) So why aren't you doing it?

Merlin: What?

George: Quit.

Merlin: (thinking) I'm not going to give him the satisfaction. And I need to buy things for my baby. (shrugging) I just came to visit Gaius. I never planned to stay. But it doesn't hurt to have some money.

Merlin doesn't mention the baby to any of the servants. He never does. But something about the sympathetic look George gives him in response makes him suspect they might already know. And he confirms it when he asks Gwen for help with Arthur's armor.

Time skip. At Gwen's house.

Merlin: (dressed in Arthur's armor)

Gwen: (after showing Merlin how to put on the armor) I guess you know what to do with the helmet?

Merlin: (tired, but smiles at him) Yeah, yeah, that was the only bit I'd figured out.

Gwen: (laughs)

Merlin: (puts on the helmet) How come you're so much better at this than me?

Gwen: I'm the blacksmith's daughter. I know pretty much everything there is to know about armour, which is actually kind of sad.

Merlin: (impressed) No, it's brilliant! I would love for my girl— (cuts himself off, eyes widening in panic) I mean, if I had a girl, I would love for her to be interested in my interests. Yeah… (takes off his helmet and avoids Gwen's gaze) I'd better get changed now.

Gwen: (helps Merlin out of the armor and says tentatively) And how is Gaius's little patient?

Merlin: (feigning ignorance) Uh?

Gwen: The one I saw yesterday when we met. The baby.

Merlin: Oh, she is. Uhmm… (decides to repeat the lie Gaius told him to say) She's actually the daughter of a patient. Gaius and I are temporarily looking after her while her mother recovers.

Gwen: (not sounding very convinced) I see… (finishes removing Merlin's armor)

Merlin: (realizes) Wait, have you told anyone about her?

Gwen: …

Merlin: Gwen! 😠

Gwen: In my defense, I didn't know you were going to become the prince's manservant.

Merlin: (pacing) That's why everyone's been looking at me strangely. I'm sure you put them in the idea that she's my daughter! 😡

Gwen: (tries to calm him down) Merlin-

Merlin: (screams) She isn't! I wish she was, but she isn't. And even if she was, what do you all care? Huh? Why can't you just mind your own damn business?! 😤

Gwen: …

Gwen: Just out of curiosity, how much sleep did you get today?

Merlin: (sighs) 2 hours. Maybe. (feeling bad) Sorry, I shouldn't have yelled at you.

Gwen: It's okay. (places the disassembled armor in Merlin's arms) We servants may be gossips, but we never give each other away. We know how to keep a secret when it matters, and we protect each other. I just want you to know that.

Merlin: (smiles, grateful) I'll keep that in mind. (leaves)

Time skip. At the training grounds.

Merlin: (struggles to get the vambrace on Arthur's lower arm)

Arthur: (grumpily) You know the tournament starts today?

Merlin: Yes, sire. (Fixes the buckle on the gorget and tries to make conversation) Are you nervous?

Arthur: I don't get nervous.

Merlin: Really? I thought everyone got nervous-

Arthur: (shouting) Will you shut up?!

Merlin: (gets angry, but says nothing, grabs Arthur's cloak, ties it up, and silently hands him his helmet)

Arthur: Aren't you forgetting something?

Merlin: …

Arthur: Merlin! 😡

Merlin: (innocently) You told me to shut up, I'm just obeying your order, sire.

Arthur: My sword! 😤

Merlin: Right away. (goes to the swords and grabs one, but then puts it back and grabs another, and so on)

Arthur: (impatiently) What are you doing?!

Merlin: Choosing your sword, my lord.

Arthur: Just give me that one.

Merlin: (proceeds to draw his sword veeery slowly)

Arthur: (snatches the sword from Merlin and points it at him, threateningly) Don't think I don't know what you're doing.

Merlin: I have no idea what you're talking about.

Arthur: (enraged) I swear-

Merlin: You'd better hurry or you'll be late for your tournament, my lord.

Arthur: (fuming, but holds it together and walks quickly away)

Merlin: (smirks)

Time skip. At the tournament.

Both Arthur and Valiant win their respective matches. Not that Merlin could know, he was too busy catching up on sleep. He managed to get at least an hour of sleep before His Royal Highness nudged Merlin awake with his foot to make Merlin remove his armor.

Valiant: (Exits the arena, stops near Arthur, and bows) May I offer my congratulations on your victories today?

Arthur: (Frowns suspiciously, but nods) Likewise.

Valiant: I hope to see you at the reception this evening. (Leaves with his servant)

Merlin: (Still half asleep, half awake) Creep. It sounded like he was asking you out.

Arthur: (Shocked) Merlin!

Merlin: (Blinks) Oh, sorry. Did I say that out loud?

Arthur: (Sighs) By tomorrow you need to repair my shield, wash my tunic, clean my boots, sharpen my sword, and polish my chainmail.

Merlin: (Incredulous) Are you kidding? There's no way I can-

Arthur: First thing in the morning. (Leaves)

Merlin is left alone, noting how all the extra tasks within his duties for the next day seem to grow to exaggerated levels.

Time skip, in Gaius's Tower.

Merlin enters his room, his arms and legs feeling cramped from everything he's done since Arthur let him leave. Too tired, he casts a simple magic-blocking spell. His eyes glow gold, and as that happens, the baby teddy bear stops floating through the air and lands on the floor with some herbs and flowers.

Gaius: (enters) Good to see you all in one piece (with a caring tone) Tiring day?

Merlin: (with a tic in his eye) Tiring would be an understatement 🙃.

Gaius: I'd say it's always like this, but it's all because of the upcoming celebration.

Merlin: (bitterly) So the prince is such an idiot about the upcoming celebrations? (conjures) Daeft thaet (his eyes flash and the mess the baby's magic caused sorts itself out)

Gaius: (smacks him)

Merlin: Ow!

Gaius: What did I tell you about using magic like that? 😠

Merlin: If I could feel my arms, I would! 😠 I only have enough strength for this. (picks up his baby) How's the sweetest girl in the world? 😊 I hope you were good to Uncle Gaius!

Baby: 🥺 Boooo

Merlin: Oh! 😥 Is it because your teddy bear doesn't dance anymore? I'm so sorry, baby, but you can't do that kind of magic in here. (sniffs the diaper) Uh, looks like you're due for a change. (his eyes glow and a cloth diaper flies to him)

Gaius: If you want her not to use her magic lightly, you should set an example 😒. Especially because tomorrow-

Merlin: (ignores Gaiud while changing the baby's diaper) That's it, baby! 🤗 (picks her up again) Who pooped more solid poop today? You did, you did.

Baby: (happy babbling) 😄

Gaius: (sighs) Merlin, tomorrow-

Merlin: (still cuddling the baby) I know, tomorrow you'll be a good girl too, right, baby? Of course you will-

Gaius: (raises his voice) Merlin, tomorrow I won't be able to have the baby here!

Merlin: (turns to Gaius like a possessed doll) What? 🙂

Gaius: What I'm telling you, tomorrow there will be many injured. And all of them not only come to the medical tents after competing, but they also have to stay here if necessary.

Merlin: But that's terrible! 😣 Where will I and the baby rest? There's barely any room here! …. How am I going to hide the baby?! 😰

Baby: ☹️

Gaius: (seeing the baby getting nervous) Merlin-

Merlin: The servants already know about her, now the other knights will too-

Baby: 🥺

Gaius: Merlin-

Merlin: And they'll throw me out! And we won't be able to stay here-

Baby: 😢

Gaius: MERLIN!

Merlin: (shuts up)

Baby: (burst out crying and a couple of vials break) 😭

Gaius: Don't worry, I already have a plan. We'll take turns looking after the baby, and if anyone asks, we'll say she's the daughter of one of my patients from the citadel, like always. No one will suspect.

Merlin: 🫠 You could've started with that.

Gaius: And you could need some sleep.

Time skip. The next day at the armory.

Merlin: (enters with the baby in a baby sling, muttering) Taking care of a baby with uncontrolled magic while I have to attend to an arrogant prince of a sorcerer-hunting kingdom in a place full of sharp and pointed weapons. Nothing can go wrong with that idea, right? (yawns) I'm so sleepy.

Baby: (looks around curiously)

A hiss is heard.

Merlin: (turns to the sound) Hello? Is anyone there? (Shrugs and bends down to pick up Arthur's armor)

Baby: (close to Valiant's shield, makes graby hands to the drawing of snakes, delighted with the animals) 😃

In reaction to the baby's involuntary magic, the snakes emerge from the shield, hissing loudly.

Merlin: (frightened, screams and instinctively backs away, falling on his back and protecting the baby with his body) Ahhh! What the fuck! 😨 (When he looks back at the shield, the snakes are gone)

Valiant: (who entered a moment ago, draws his sword to threaten Merlin, believing himself exposed)

Merlin: (blinks, confused, and rubs his eyes) I really need to sleep. I'm starting to see things. (gets up)

Valiant: (lets out a sigh of relief and puts his sword away)

Baby: (scared, not by the snakes or the fall, but by Valiant's presence, bursts into tears) 🥺😭.

Merlin: (concerned, takes her out of the sling and rocks her) Oh, sorry, baby. Did I scare you? I'm sorry.

Valiant: You shouldn't be with a baby in here.

Merlin: (puts the baby back in the sling and gathers Arthur's armor, too tired and worried about the still-crying baby to worry about Valiant) Tell that to that idiot I have for master. (Yawns and leaves)

Valiant: …

Time skip. Merlin, still trying to calm the baby's crying, bumps into George in a corridor.

Merlin: (exalted, very quickly) She's the daughter of one of Gaius's patients!

George: (laughs softly) I didn't ask. But yes, I know, you've told everyone. Where are you going?

Merlin: I have to get Arthur ready for-

George: What?! 😨 You're going to attend to him with the baby?! Do you want him to kill you?

Merlin: (whines, stressed) I have no choice. Gaius is busy, and I have no one else to take care of her.

Baby: (cries louder) 😭 (the baby's magic flutters ornaments around)

Merlin: (panicked) No, no, no! Baby, please stop crying, please. (Almost on the verge of tears too)

George: (Pitying him) Let me take care of her. (Takes the baby)

Merlin: (Panics even more, afraid that George will notice the baby's magic, about to throw away Arthur's armor to take her back) No, wait!

George: (Recites a lullaby while rocking the baby; which means he doesn't sing, just says the lyrics in a monotone) Lullay, my liking, my dear son, my sweeting. Lullay, my dear heart, my own dear darling. Lullay, lullay, lullay. 😐

Baby: (Falls asleep as soon as George settles her in his arms) 😴. (And the decorations stop waving)

Merlin: …

Merlin: How did you do that?! 😱

George: (shrugs) I don't know, but I have five little brothers, and my mom always gave them to me when they cried a lot as babies, and when I talked to them, they fell asleep. I guess my voice calmed them.

Merlin: (thinking) I think it actually bored them… (says, very relieved) Thanks a lot, George! Keep her asleep and only wake her up to give her milk, okay? Gaius can tell you where he keeps the milk and when to give it to her. (starts to walk away briskly)

George: (calls out) After the fight, there's a shooting match. The prince almost never attends those, so you can rest.

Merlin: Thanks! (finishes leaving)

Time skip. In Arthur's chambers.

Merlin: (enters)

Arthur: You're late. 😒

Merlin: (tired voice) I know. (abruptly places the armor on the table)

Arthur: (scolding) Be careful with that!

Merlin: It's steel, it won't break. (lifts the chain mail) Raise your arms.

Arthur: You can't talk to me- 😠

Merlin: Your Royal Highness, please do me the honor of raising your arms. 🙄

Arthur: Better. (Raises his arms)

Merlin: (puts Arthur on his armor) Your helmet. (places the helmet on Arthur's arm)

Arthur: (looks at Merlin's work) At least you didn't forget anything this time. Let's go. (leaves)

Merlin: (follows, shuffling)

Time skip. After the match.

Merlin: (asleep in some hidden corner) 😴

Arthur: (finds him) There you are! Lazing around as usual 😡 (kicks him)

Merlin: (more asleep than awake, mutters) Yes, yes, I'll go give the baby some milk.

Arthur: What are you talking about? Get up! (kicks him again)

Merlin: (opens his eyes) Uhm… What happened?

Arthur: Asleep again? I need you to get me my bow and arrow, now!

Merlin: (confused, still stretching) What for?

Arthur: What do you mean, what for? To participate in the shooting competition!

Merlin: B-but… I thought you never-

Arthur: That's the rub. A good servant doesn't think, he obeys. What are you waiting for? Go! (kicks him again)

Merlin: Ow! Alright, alright I'm coming. (gets up reluctantly, thinking) He had to have urge to brag about his aim today of all days. 😓

And it turned out that the boastful prince not only wanted to participate in the shooting competition, but in all the day's activities. And Arthur, to not lose sight of his servant again, doesn't let Merlin leave his side. Merlin's eyelids are heavy, and his thighs are cramping from standing for too long. He's too tired.

Time skip. At the evening reception. All the competing knights (uninjured) are chatting happily.

Merlin: (with dark circles under his red eyes) Anything else you'd like, sire?

Arthur: (now out of his armor, cool as a cucumber) No, I don't think so. I'm already a bit tired. I think I'll have some rest.

Merlin: (his eye ticing) Really? You? Tired, sire?

Arthur: Yes, you may leave.

Merlin: (forces a polite smile) Thank you, my lord. (turns away)

Arthur: Oh, Merlin. I want-

Merlin: (turns to him and explodes, yelling) WHAT?! WHAT ELSE DOES YOUR GREATEST HIGHNESS WANT ME TO DO?! 😡 To undress you and tuck you in for bed?! To feed you in the mouth? To wipe your ass?! 😤

Knights around: (gasp) 😨😨😨😨😨😨

Arthur: (surprised Pikachu face) Uh… 😦

Merlin: For all the gods! Are you really so useless that you can't do anything by yourself? Can't you take care of yourself at all? Don't you have hands? I swear I've seen one-year-old babies and crippled men more self-sufficient than you! Merlin clean this, Merlin fetch that, Merlin hop on one foot and then do a somersault in the air! Leave me alone! I'm exhausted! I want to sleep! 😡(leaves, stomping)

Knights around: …

Arthur: …

Morgana: (holding back a laugh) I like him.

Time skip. In Gaius's Tower.

Merlin: (enters)

Gaius: (carrying the baby) Merlin! How could you leave the baby with- 😠

Merlin: (sharply) Not now. (smiles softly at the baby and kisses her forehead) Good night, baby. (goes to his room)

Gaius: Merlin! 😡

And Merlin falls dead onto his bed, not thinking about the consequences of his outburst… and which he would probably face the next day.

BASED ON THIS PROMPT >> PREVIOUS PART >> NEXT PART

...

UHHH! Merlin really messed up, didn't he? What do you think will happen to him?

Tagging @chaosofbelievers , @blackgigglypuff , @stressed-but-chill , @nocheaseforyougoodsir , @thedragonlies , @evedaser , @lolazoel , @sammythetoaster , @caraspud , @g00pygunkyguy , @bertoliosis35-blog , @purpuraffe , @lordemryspendragon , @herstarlight , @justaz , @myalchemicalgnomace , @haunted-glassesgurl , @exmintha , @dumbdemjin , @a-line-drawn , @itsjustmeandmyanxiety , @beebsnas , @rem-the-moth , @tmarauder101 , @whitemaskcd , @robynnemrys , @genyxie , @trubel43 , @andrealux21

[grapenehifics]

One of my favorite activities while watching Revenge of the Sith (to distract myself from the pain, I guess) is finding little moments that had the potential to change everything. Anakin comes so close to turning back and making better choices, so many times. There are many more, but my top three today are:

-Dooku crushes Obi-Wan under a heavy platform and Obi-Wan passes out (??) for a while but then gets up, fights a battle, and seemingly suffers no ill effects whatsoever. What if this were actually treated like a serious spinal injury and not just a convenient way to have Obi-Wan out of the picture so Sidious can convince Anakin to kill Dooku? Obi-Wan is hurt, either temporarily or permanently paralyzed from at least the waist down, and therefore in in the infirmary and obviously in no shape to go to Utapau. Anakin, being obviously concerned about his master, spends all of his meager free time at Obi-Wan's side rather than with Sidious, and harbors no resentment about not going to Utapau (he didn't want to leave Obi-Wan, or Padmé, anyway), and maybe actually manages to take a goddamn nap.

-Speaking of Utapau - on the landing platform, Anakin says he wants to go with Obi-Wan, and that he could be helpful. Obi-Wan agrees that no doubt he would be. What if he actually did it? Obi-Wan's a Master, a General, and a Councillor. I'm sure he has the authority to say, "You know what, you're right, Anakin. Grab your things and let's go." I'm not sure this would be enough to avoid Order 66, but it would keep Anakin out of Sidious' way, and maybe he and Obi-Wan would return to the Temple together, only this time to save the younglings rather than murder them.

-A big part of Sidious' pitch to Anakin is that he and he alone possesses the knowledge to save Padmé (and by extension Anakin and Padmé's unborn child). That's Anakin's whole deal with killing Master Windu - he first tries to argue that Palpatine should stand trial, and it's only after Windu argues against that plan that Anakin takes Palpatine's side. But then immediately after, Palpatine says, and I'm paraphrasing but he basically admits, 'okay so I don't actually know how to save your wife. But uhhh you're really strong in the Force soooo I'm sure together you and I will be able to figure it out."

And Anakin just goes along with this! I realize he doesn't have (or, doesn't think he has, which are two different things) any better options on the table, but it feels very Anakin to me for him to be like, "um, wait a second, my new master. I thought you said you'd tell me how to keep people from dying? Padmé could die tomorrow. We do not have time to sit around in the Sith library and 'figure it out together'. You lied to me!" Anakin hates being lied to. This is an immediately stab-worthy offense.

This of course doesn't address Anakin's raging attachment issues nor his misplaced distrust of the Jedi, but it does prevent the creation of the Empire so all in all I'd take this as a win.

Anyway. I'm deep in the weeds of an entirely different RotS rewrite and don't have time to take on another, much less three, but they're enjoyable scenarios to think about, at least. They don't even need to be endgame Obikin...even if I personally think of them that way :D

[degloved]

i've threatened to post yet another sotr opinion, so here i go: lenore dove is a great and valuable character, but her romantic entanglement with haymitch felt completely unnecessary and tacked on. there was something about the two of them that kept bothering me as i read, but i think i was Feeling Everything Too Much to stop and pick things apart. having sat down and dissected my thoughts with bestie though, i've identified my four biggest gripes; their relationship is (a) repetitive, (b) useless, (c) clashes with the core themes of the story, and (d) undercooked.

(a) the main trilogy does "dystopia with a sprinkle of romance" perfectly (though i've certainly debated the inclusion of romance before, i'll pretend i don't hold those stances for the purposes of this post.) romance here is both useful in the sense of giving us a feel for who each character is wrt their view of it and, in general, is as good a vehicle for character development as any (especially given that we're dealing with teenagers here.) in tbosas, the romance takes a much darker and more twisted turn, though it plays a similar role—it illustrates the rottenness-to-the-core of president snow. neither the trilogy nor tbosas would be the same if the focal relationships were to be taken out, they're absolutely integral to both arcs. and yet... it gets to a point. is there not another means of accomplishing everything above? is there not another way to explore the characters' personalities, motives, values, etc.? can't they have a different driving force? wouldn't it have been perhaps smarter and, arguably, more fun to go beyond what's expected of a book within the ya genre?

(b) tying into what i've hinted at in the above paragraph—the four books that came before sotr all depended upon their focal romances to drive the story forward & hammer the point in. sure, we could've gotten a glimpse of snow's cycle path mind by other means—there was sejanus, there was dean highbottom, there were others who snow has fucked over in pursuit of his own ends. but nothing could've quite captured his rancidness, i think, that the way his obsession and attempted possession of lucy grey did. we're all familiar with villains who miraculously change around that one person, who dote on their specialest little boy/girl, yet that wasn't the case here. snow's [redacted] for lucy grey did not absolve him, did not change him, did not halt him in becoming who we know him to be at a rapid pace. as for the romance in thg, i don't think i can say anything that hasn't already been said before & much better besides. the girl on fire and the boy with the bread, we all know how that went. we all know what their love for one another made happen. & with that in mind, what did lenore dove and haymitch's romance accomplish? what did it do? did it alter the trajectory of either of their lives? ...no. did it change anything? ...no. would the story have been 100% the same if they'd only been friends? ...yes. would the story have been 100% the same if lenore dove had, god forbid, not even existed? ...yes. "oh but nico, why must a relationship be useful? why must it serve a purpose? can't we simply be in love?" why, yes! in real life! unfortunately, this is a story, and at that one where every single detail matters. every detail must serve a larger purpose, or else its value is automatically diminished (prime example.) and at times, i'd argue the value of the entire work may be diminished by the inclusion of an extraneous, frivolous plot point (though i wouldn't go that far here.)

(c) perhaps the most offensive aspect of the whole thing—its existence alone completely clashes with, in my view, one of the core themes of the book: friendship. sotr speaks of the biggest in-game alliance between the tributes thus far (and ever since.) again and again it emphasizes the "kad se male ruke slože" of it all (roughly, "many hands make light work.") unlike the tributes in katniss' time, they all approach each other. they talk. they make promises. haymitch isn't afraid to ally with louella on the train, and it doesn't take much at all for him to see loulou—a girl who is no one to him, nothing—as something precious to protect. not to mention ampert (no really, i won't, i'll get upset.) his and maysilee's entire arc is so, so beautiful and touching—his perception changing, the admission he had been wrong about her, the journey from refusing to ally, to doing so begrudgingly, to calling her a friend and a sister. even wyatt found his place in haymitch's heart. friends, friends, friends, it's all about friends. haymitch in the present timeline could've been that sad lonely drunk wreck just as believably after losing them. just as believably if lenore dove had been his friend (i hesitate to say only a friend—a friend can't ever be only.) haymitch has really lost so much, so many, and there is something about the pedestal lenore dove is put on—when it comes to these losses—that i can't get behind. would he have been any different, really, if she'd been spared? would all that misfortune not find him if she had been spared? no. no, i don't think so. therefore... two plus two.

(d) and finally, the total nail in the coffin—it wasn't even that good. we're thrown in medias res of their romance & we're meant to take suzanne's word for it. we're meant to do this from the get-go and throughout, because—in a book that can be summed up as So Much, All The Time—there was really not a moment to spare for haymitch and lenore dove. their romance was given no time to develop—and how could it have? how could it have, when the characters were hardly in physical proximity of each other for more than a page and a half total? he fed her the gumdrops and i felt nothing but a passing sadness, because all i could think about was ampert, was maysilee, was wyatt, was loulou, was anyone and everyone whose haymitch gave his all for & still couldn't save. we didn't need this romance subplot to begin with, and it wasn't even good.

[the-impulse-to-love]

so. house veridian and feathered host

ive been thinking more n more ab the "divide" betwen house veridian and feathered host. and with the two songs off of EIA about the consequences of fame, i'm inclined to believe it relates to that.

more specifically:

house veridian represents the desire to push forward with the band; they must "endure" feelings of burnout

vessel (and the others ofc) care about the fanbase. this much is evident from the music and rituals. something something damocles something something him apologizing for not always being able to deliver his best. he wants to deliver out of love and care, but it's difficult since he's ultimately a person who struggles with his own problems and stress. nonetheless, he's trying to endure.

"the house" can also refer to the fanbase and community. collectively, we have to endure any setbacks or incidents within the fandom (such as. the whole thing with caramel) by reflecting and improving our behaviour as fans. for instance, respecting the band's boundaries which is something they explicitly asked for in caramel. hell, the house might collapse if we can't get our shit together.

the idea of fight (fight vs flight). fight is actively engaging with the issue at hand and figuring out how to beat it/work around it.

so, "enduring" is more so figuring out how to overcome negative thoughts and make the whole process (songwriting, touring, etc) more healthy for everyone involved. bc it's clear with damocles and caramel that it is taking a toll on vessel (and the band).

whereas

feathered host represents the desire to stop; the desire to "break the cycle"

the cycle in this case likely refers to what vessel described in damocles: "and i play discordant days on repeat / till the tape runs out on me," or he has to replay his struggles in his mind to adequately write about them. this is obviously draining.

it can also refer to music industry itself and consumerism, in which artists are often treated as a mere tool to pump out content and generate revenue. we know that sleep token also has some sorta exclusive licensing deal with rca, likely meaning they have more control than the standard artist with their work. (good for them!)

however, it's still a cycle of consumerism and the band is expected to pump out songs and go on tours and whatnot, both by the fans and the music industry.

so, breaking the cycle could either mean stopping the band altogether (which. i honestly don't think will happen for the foreseeable future. this would be in a very literal sense). rather, i think it is finding a better way to navigate making content in which the tiring cycle is broken, or at least minimized so it takes less of a toll on everyone involved. breaking a cycle doesn't mean the extreme option has to be taken.

as for tying into the idea of "flight" (fight vs flight), it would mean escaping the problem at hand which. isn't a bad thing. it's alright to take a step back and take a break, yk?

and i don't think either of these are ultimately Bad Decisions, you know? it wouldn't really make sense to have the fans vote like that for either as well...

instead, i think it's a struggle to find balance between the two ideas.

how do you sustain something you care so deeply about even if it drains you? do you stop altogether? do you take a break? do you just push on and hope it gets better?

if this idea is true, i don't think there will be a clear "winner” with the two sides. rather, they're two ideas that can coexist, but it's just a matter of how.

how can the band and community be sustained/endure while breaking the cycle of consumerism and creative exploitation?

and it's a collaborative effort. we, as fans, have to sorta realize how to be more respectful towards the band and understand that they're ultimately People.

so. basically i'm inclined to believe this might be the theme of EIA. obviously, we still have seven songs left (maybe even the bonus tracks) but. Just A Theory

[the-peak-legend-of-first-gen]

APPRECIATION POST FOR GEN 0 QUEENS👑🌸

Somi Park

Besides her insane face card, let's talk about what a great character she is.

I know people hate her because she didn't love Gun or wasn't a "loyal wife" (who even said Shingen wifed her up? Did we read the story properly?).

But that's exactly what makes her so refreshing and intriguing — her goals and ambitions. And God forbid a woman actually has those!

I agree, even I didn't like the way she treated Gun sometimes, but that's where the story breaks away from the usual conventions. She's not your typical mother; there's so much more to her than meets the eye.

Sure, a lot of her interactions with Gun were to further her own agenda, but in the end, when she sacrificed herself for her son, that was absolutely heartbreaking. I'm quite sure she never loved Shingen — it’s obvious. But maybe, if he had looked her way even once, a lot of the tragedy could have been avoided. Maybe they could have even become a true couple — who knows?

Somi is the bare minimum of what a well-written female character should be, and I genuinely appreciate that.I mean, I don't expect much from PTJ anyway, so honestly, thanks for this.

Minseon Kang

We haven't explored her character much yet, and I really hope that when the Gen 0 arc or Gapryong’s past is revealed, we get to know more about her.

That being said, I truly love this unbothered, nonchalant queen. She seems so classy and graceful — there’s an aura about her that speaks of something deeper, something I can’t quite put into words.

For me, she represents strength.

Strength to deal with a scumbag of a husband.

Strength to watch your own child turn into a gangster.

Strength to face the consequences brought on by that pathetic excuse of a husband.

And strength in never bending in the face of adversity.

I can't help but feel sad imagining how she must have felt when Gapshitryong used to wh*re around, hiding behind his ridiculous excuses.

I genuinely pray that she gets to experience some peace and happiness, and that she's living a better life now — she deserves that much, at least.

Reporter Kim

All the nasty people leave 🖕🪓

Okay, now let's talk about her.I know it sounds clichéd, but this woman has so much potential for development. Right off the bat, she grew on me — a reporter in hiding? That’s such an interesting and plausible setup.

She has connections to Gen 0, and I bet she witnessed the chaos firsthand back then.I also feel like she knows exactly what happened when Gap died and everything that led up to it.

Considering all of that, it makes sense why her life would be at risk, and why she would go into hiding , but for how long?

Pls, I need her to make a comeback!

And honestly, I want her to team up with a detective — someone like Jace would be perfect. Imagine the two of them uncovering the truth about what actually happened that day!

A mentor-student dynamic between them would be so cool.😼

And about Tom... please keep your dirty eyes away from this queen. I know it's likely she'll end up reciprocating his feelings because he "tried so hard" and was "so persistent" — but ugh, I hate that trope. She deserves someone way better.

End of my yapping I don't know what I spewed 🥴 given that PTJ doesn't give a damn about them but I'm delulu✨️🌸

[the-winter-soldier-official]

It hasn't been a great time for my family.

I want to keep things light. Most of the time. Sometimes, I try to keep things grounded, but lately, it's been hard. I fell back into old habits earlier today because I've been hurting. I've been angry. I've been asking why me? Why my family?

There are no answers, but I know that I have my daughter. She's not gone while my son, who is in a coma and likely going to be put on life support is practically lost to me. How do I as a parent deal with that?

How do I accept that?

It's a hard reality to live by and even if I've been through so much, I'd never wish this on anyone else. Never.

I've slipped up somewhere. While trying to make lives better for everyone in the Underground, I've opened up a place for harm to come into my family. It's being torn apart.

Don't worry though, I'm still here and I'm all kinds of stubborn.

Luna is my rock, but she is also dealing with just like I am. My children are dealing with this as we should be. As a family unit.

@thund3randrain @lunamarvels @blindspot-tess

[basedkikuenjoyer]

Maternophobia

I could use our bone boi getting stepped on, head cruelly cocked back so he can't see dem panties. Part of me wanted the image to be them all tied with with Nami hilariously giving Jinbei shit because he's supposed to be able to handle things. But no. Boney get a "whiteout" panel and that makes this a true red-letter day. This is subtle, but it is exactly what I wanted to see out of Brook & Gunko. He seems to recognize something about her. He's able to learn she's a fan. So even given this tense situation, he's very polite in his rejection to be a music slave. But specifically highlighting how Luffy gave him a new lease on life.

We've established the idea that Gunko might be somewhat a victim in the sense of never really knowing she had a choice. Brook is providing proof that circumstances can change and relationships can change them. Do you know how badly I wanted Brook to have a moment like this with Kiku? Obviously Gunko is an antagonist and that makes things very different in a lot of ways, but I love how even the framing here and following that bit from Nami serve to highlight what we talked about last time. Brook is getting a chance to show where his specific experience and wisdom can do what Jinbei cannot. And that is something very cool and very hard to express so I want to highlight it and admire it when it happens.

With that out of the way...iconic. You know what? No. It's peak "Wife Bad" Boomer Humor™ but it works because it is so unabashedly peak Boomer Humor™ and doesn't feel like it needs to put on pretentious airs of justifying itself. This is hilarious. The real monsters have awoken from the children's dreams...THEIR MOTHERS!!!

Fuck it, based. I have mother issues, stopped being scared of a pathetic drunk as I got older but when I was a kid that shit was terrifying. I don't think these giant moms are that bad, but they sure seem strict and imposing. A serious challenge indeed. We also have Spooky Gregg back hanging around a few panels so that's nice. It seems our eulogy was premature. But he is already a ghost so it's never fully inaccurate to honor his memory.

Jokes and personal trauma aside, there's a bit more thematic harmony with this gag than just lol scary moms. A land like Elbaph is now where kids are well behaved and focused on education kinda sounds like a land of strict, strong moms keeping them in line. Not a huge deal, the gag is good on its own, if they were actually Dorry/Brogy's wives I'd be on their side because you better not have run of on a 100yr duel if you're married. But it does connect more to what's going on than just being a silly goof.

Speaking of cool, very impressive Collun. He's jumped up to the front of the line and willingly got involved in the compulsion to follow the arrow just for a chance to help and keep things calm. Down below with Ripley & Scopper finding this out is hilarious...and kinda feeds back into that point about parents. Gaban's all like, hell yeah that's mah boy. Ripley's not having it and demanding he go save the kid. Hilarious and they're cute together.

And it leads to the cool part at the end! Sure there's a former Roger Pirate heavyweight jumping into the fray but they have angered the Devil Child and that is not a smart thing to do if you like things like being alive. I will never ever ever not love the series treating Robin like a core threat on the Straw Hats rather than a smart pawn to try and capture. Show Saul how far you've come by showing how fiercely you'll protect the friends you've found girl.

[z-eel]

SPEAKING OF POLY MARAUDERS

I know you had posted about their confessions- but I’d love to know more about how you think they all came together. Specifically like in the no voldemort world because we hate him of course.

I love love love Peter and I’m so happy you actually include him btw

What do you think about Peter and Remus being the first to hook up with each other because James and Sirius are busy pretending they don’t have a thing for their fellow marauders?

i only work in a no voldemort au (i hate dealing with racist implications of that entire plot point)

and to me, poly marauders have always included Peter. it's weird that people don't include him (i adore Peter too.)

anyways back to the ask...

Remus and Peter don't stop kissing after their first time. they'll be in the library studying and Peter biting his lips as he's writing something down, and Remus is just staring because he looks so cute like that. and he pulls Peter up from the chair without explanation and drags him to a corner where he leans close and tells him that he's going to teach Peter how to kiss someone properly. and Peter's just staring up at him, confused because he didn't think their kiss was bad, but if anyone was going to know better, it would be moony. and so Remus 'teaches' Peter how to kiss. and Peter actually gets so much better Remus has to constantly pull himself away because he's going to end up doing more than just kiss Peter, and it was already hard enough.

and much like their first kiss, Peter confesses he's never slept with someone (and of course Remus know he's pulling Peter away at every opportunity to kiss him senseless and he making sure no tries to ask him out) and like there first time Remus offer himself. and Remus makes sure it all goes well, giving Sirius and James a prank to work on and making sure that no one will bother him after he goes to his dorm room.

Remus makes sure to teach Peter everything he knows and they even try thing Remus has only heard about. and their first time is soft and full of quiet giggles from Peter and huffs of amusement from Remus. and the cuddle all night with Remus running this finger through Peter's hair while he sleeps.

the next morning, they wake up early, Peter shy and blushing while Remus just remains sitting on the bed, smiling at him because he wants more of this. more of Peter is his bed, more giggles from him, more make out sessions that go past kissing. and so that morning before James and Sirius walk in Remus ask if Peter would consider dating him because he really like Peter and he doesn't want anything they have to end.

and Peter just walks up to him and holds on to his shoulder as he give him a soft kiss and doesn't pull to far from him and tell him he also really likes this and he was getting nervous thinking he was going to be the one who's going to ask Remus.

Remus pulls him down for a hungry kiss before they have to break away when they hear James and Sirius bickering by the door.

moontail keeps what they have a secret for the sake of their friendship with Sirius and James but no one really suspect anything because they always do it in the library or late at night behind the curtains.

imma have to do the other pair ups some other time because rn i have to get ready for work, and this went on longer than i thought it would.

expect more poly marauders!!!

[angeart]

Do you have anymore thoughts on that grian sacrifices himself or something for Scar to be happy only for him to be miserable because grian isn't there (also does this au have a name)? I will give anything I love this idea/au SO much!!!

we'd need the anon who came up with it to come back with more for it to be in-line with the original idea, since i don't know if there were any more thoughts or worldbuilding around it.

bUT. that being said.

i did have a thought on this. if we drag watchers into the mix.

think of the version of the story where grian is a watcher-escapee. he ran away, hid on hermitcraft. he's meant to be safe here. everyone's meant to be safe here. the world has protections.

but maybe something gives. maybe grian's found.

and at this point, he's scar's partner. they're very much insufferably in love. they live together, incredibly domestic and almost codependent. they're so incredibly intervowen.

the watchers coming is a huge threat. to hermitcraft as a whole, but even more so to the things closest to grian's heart. if the watchers decide to turn hermitcraft into their feeding ground to mock him and blackmail him, it'd mean a lot of distress and pain and misery for everyone on the server. they'd be turned into things to be fed on. or destroyed altogether.

grian knows the watchers want him and him alone, and trying to fight would put everyone—and most importantly scar—in danger.

so maybe grian goes willingly.

he doesn't tell anyone. doesn't give them a chance to change his mind. to argue. it's okay. it's not going to matter anyway. they won't even know.

grian gives himself over, essentially ending his life. putting himself back in the prison and torment he so desperately escaped from years ago. letting the watchers bind their shackles around his wrists again.

they take him, and erase every evidence of his existence from the server. scrape the code and hermits' minds. twist memories, weave false ones around empty spaces. maybe because they don't want the hermits to try to fight to get grian back; more likely because a part of grian's sacrifice was a deal: he'll be obedient, but make them forget and then leave them be.

he's trying to spare scar (and everyone else) from grief.

from hopeless guilt of not being able to save him. from pointless pain. they don't deserve to hurt like that. (not for him, anyway.)

the watchers take it all away, and they take grian away. he's no longer a player. it's like he never existed. just a fever dream of loose thoughts and stray feelings with nowhere to slot.

it's okay. it's better this way.

scar will be able to be happy. and he'll be safe.

except...

without grian, how can scar ever be happy?

the watchers allow grian to Watch hermitcraft. and it's awful on its own, to know he'll never be able to be a part of it again. to see how easily life truly just, moves on without him.

but there's scar.

and everything in grian aches.

he is a watcher, and he has powers. he can manipulate the world, gently steer code to cradle scar. he tries, over and over and over again, to pour his helpless, imprisoned little heart into every action. every little gesture. the slightly warmer touch of sun. the birds that come perch on scar's window. the rain that never hits too hard.

he's trying to say:

i love you.

i love you i love you i love you.

(he never stopped.)

(even if scar doesn't remember him. even if grian has lost every chance to be with him. even if it's pointless to hold onto these feelings. he loves him. he'll always love him.) (maybe that's the last thing tethering grian. last thing allowing him to hold onto himself.)

he drapes the world around scar like silk, gentle, soft, soothing, trying to tell him: you are loved.

[dnpanimationstudioclone]

TGD AU idea: Mud & Jack are boyfriends & Jack ether is still in the dark about Mel or actually kept what he saw a secret.

Ken-Listen Jack, you know I wouldn't just endanger everyone. U know how much Mud loves Mel. Please. I really don't want to make my brother lose probably the best partner he's ever had like, ever. Seriously the man's love life is a horror show.

Jack-...U wouldn't cement him would u?

Ken-...Just keep this between us and we don't have to think about that.

I can see them be fairly happy & comfortable with the other. A very casual kinda thing. Would play cards together, have lunch together, go out for drinks, patch each other up after a job etc.

Mud talking about getting a bed so he doesn't have to keep sleeping in the freezer room

Jack-You can always move in with me & mum

Mud-Your mother's tried to feed me to the alligators like 7 times!

Jack-Shes still getting used to me growing up.

Mud-ITS BEEN OVER 5000 YEARS!

Jack-Atleast u taste too off for the gators to swallow you.

Jack would probably see Mel as a low key surrogate neice depending on how close he's with Mud, so her being human would be a more mixed issue for him to deal with. Especially with keeping it from Mud.

Jack-Hey Mud....you know I love you right?

Mud-I-yeah of course. Hey if there's something wrong u can tell me ya know.

Jack sees Ken behind-...Its nothing. Just been feeling kinda off. I feel better with you atleast.

If he still knew, I can see the secret keeping Def have a hit in their relationship in terms of how they feel they can understand the other. Mud would be pretty angry with Ken if he found out the truth, and making Jack keep the secret from him. Would Def be a lot to unpack but I imagine they'd pull through and talk things out.

If he joined Jack & the rest for the egg mission, I can imagine him meeting Joshua would be like meeting your boyfriends Ex🤣🤣🤣very akward

What do u think? What do u think Jack & Mud could’ve been like? I’d love to know💖

[edutainer2022]

The issue of power dynamics and adjustments after Jeff's return opens infinite possibilities (for angst). Jeff's idea of picking up where he left off might be less simple or even feasible. Scott literally spoke in my head through this one and John chimed in. Jeff gets an earful and needs to think.

Many thanks go to @janetm74

IN STRIDE

"May I remind you, Bluejay, I built the whole gig from the bottom up! I know how it operates. There's no need for triple reporting - it's a waste of time!"

"With all due respect, you don't, Dad."

"Excuse me?"

"You don't know how IR operates. Not anymore. You weren't there."

"Through no fault of mine!"

"True. It was MY fault. I take full responsibility. You weren't there when I negotiated new parameters with the GDF and the World Council. I was not the First Man on Mars they could trust implicitly. I was NOTHING to them. I realize I'm nothing beyond your shadow, but that's not the point! You were GONE, Dad. Uncle Lee left. Kyrano resigned. Aunt Val got promoted. There was no active duty GDF officer on the IR roster anymore. There was NO roster till Virgil and John completed training and Gordon graduated high school. I'm still a downed washout for your old buddies in the Airforce. I can live with that. But I will NOT jeopardize what IR is now, the reach and freedom we're given on the off chance the GDF brass will extend you the benefit of the doubt unconditionally again. You were on six IR missions total, Dad. Zero failure rate. The triple reporting is what keeps us in the game when the worst comes to the worst. Without it we wouldn't be allowed to lift off the ground. It keeps the boys and Kayo safe from liability!"

"But not you?"

"That's part of the deal with the GDF. Now, if you'll excuse me..."

"Scott!"

"Dad, don't. Let Virgil handle it. Trust me."

"How bad?"

"When?"

"There's a scale?"

"Oh yeah, Dad! You have no idea!"

"I obviously don't. Okay, then. Right after?"

"Right after you were gone? Nosedive."

"Oh..."

"The stocks plummeted, the markets were in shambles, the Board all but rioted. Scott had to hold that up - at a point we didn't have the extra funds to run IR anyway. Then there was the GDF issue. They tried to strongarm Scott into handing the Thunderbirds and the Base over, instead of appointing operatives. Scott refused. We stood down for a couple of years. There were issues with the Tinies' custody anyway. The island was deemed "inaccessible to child services". Scott was needed in NYC and Alan stayed with him through middle school. It was better for Gordie's Olympics training to be Stateside as well. Virgil finished up his degree and I was in England, prepping for the ISA stint."

"And then?"

"Dad, you alright? You seem pale!"

"I'm okay, Johnny. Go on!"

"Well... then the waves settled a bit. The company was not belly up anymore, on the contrary. Scott got a hang of it. We could fully fund IR without the Global Council or GDF input, including launching Five. Virgil and I were fully trained. Once Gordie won the medal we had a specialized Aquanaut too. Kayo finished school and Kyrano sent her over to supervize security. Brains was on board. Scott fought tooth and nail for the Big Wigs to let him helm the op independently. Like he just told you - we still needed to make concessions on reporting. I'm not gonna lie, Dad, they ARE keeping Scott in a chokehold. The hardest part was to convince Scott to pull Allie into homeschooling. He wanted the kid to have a normal life. We tried launching from Gran Roca, but the island is just so much more suitable. So to keep the child services off Scott's back we asked Grandma to move in. You know the rest, more or less. The Hood came back, we found the signal, then we found you."

"I need to talk to Scott!"

"You do. But not right now, Dad. Let Virgil deal with him first."

"That happens a lot?"

"We got our routine."

"So you're wrangling your Old Man?"

"Maybe."

"I left a mess behind, didn't I?"

"You're back now, Dad. Talk to Scott. You both need it!"

[writing-whump]

On the train

We are starting the road trip! Have some sick Rip at the train with Dylan and Hector.

"Are you sure you don't want to come?" Hector said, chewing his lower lip.

"Totally sure," Arnie repeated.

"Absolutely and completely?"

"Urreversibly," Arnie said with a grin.

"I don't know. Isaiah is finally feeling better, the trip is a great opportunity to spend quality time with him..."

Arnie lifted his hands. "Go and enjoy it. I'm glad you guys are reconnecting."

"You should be reconnecting too."

"You need it more. Besides, it's basically a wolf road trip."

"I'm taking Olive to meet Isaiah. He is taking Seline. They are historical tourist cities. Enough space for humans."

"It's gonna be all couply and cheezy. I won't stand in the way."

Hector must have looked pathetic, because Arnie's expression softened.

"To be real with you, I'm really okay. I don't believe you are neglecting me or leaving me out. I want to try to have two weeks for myself without your check ins and control and random bursts into the place."

Hector eyed him sceptically. "That makes me want to go even less. What do you want to do without my supervision?"

Arnie stuck his tounge at him. "No parties, passing out drunk or doing drugs. Swear. I'm gonna be responsible."

Hector frowned, looking down.

A sigh from Arnie. "Hex, I love you, man, but you are smothering me. I'm trying to make friends outside the freaking pack and I can't have them over, stay over and you scare whoever stops by the door. Please, just go."

"Arnie..." He didn't know what to say. It made sense. It also made his chest heavy with panic and dread.

"We are gonna figure something out, okay? I'll look into apartments-"

Hector jumped up from where he had been leaning against the table. "What-"

"Two apartments," Arnie cut in. "Two. Next to each other. So you can hover behind another wall, if you won't allow me the student dormitory. And honestly, this could solve crap for you too. You spend most of your waking time with Olive in that tiny place, cause you can't bring her over to the pack base. You need a place where you can be together and you can keep me safe. Perfect solution."

"I have no idea where such a place could be," Hector said dryly, looking away in shame. Maybe he really did spent a lot of time with Olive now. He hated he couldn't have his two most important people at one place.

Sure, he did get Arnie and Olive together from time to time and they were on good terms. But he couldn't bring Olive to the pack as his human girlfriend. Not as his chosen partner. It was dangerous and risking an upheaval he wasn't ready to deal with. He needed more people in his corner first.

Plus, it would put Olive in danger too. Uncomfortable at the very least. He didn't know how to explain what being with him would entail...and if he could, he would spare her from it for as long as it was possible.

"I can't believe you're gonna leave me alone with Rip," Hector said, cause it was easier than acknowledging the rest.

Arnie watched him knowingly though. "It's not gonna be so bad. You spend 2 days in the car with him last summer. A one day train ride will be much easier."

"That's just the first part. I thought you would be there keeping me company."

"You will have Dylan and then Isaiah, Sel and Olive waiting for you there after the flight. You won't even notice the guy for the rest of the trip."

"That would be too soon. I don't like him."

Arnie chuckled. "I don't think so. You are jealous, but that's not really his fault, is it?"

"I know. It's Isaiah's."

That earned him an eyeroll. "Jeez. One of these days, you could also stop thinking about relationships in hierarchies. People don't just get replaced, they create new roles for themselves."

The younger boy leaned into Hector's side casually. "I'm so not worried about Olive replacing me or whatever you keep stringing up in Hector-fantasy-land, okay? Go and enjoy the trip."

...

Rip wasn't particularly happy about the travel arrangement either.

On one hand it was cool they didn’t have to take an extra car for him. And that this wasn’t a training trip but a real holiday kind of thing.

Rip loved travelling. He had managed to criss-cross most of Europe on his own — on top of trains, hitchhiking rides, walking the backroads. He avoided crowds and tourist traps, sure, but he could move through cities on top of roofs with his parkouring skills just fine.

Being invited like this—being trusted enough to tag along with Isaiah, Seline and Dylan—it was unbelievable. He was still getting over his excitement and disbelief.

Okay, not trusted exactly. Isaiah probably wanted him as backup. Extra eyes and muscle. Someone who could move fast, stay alert, cover for them if things went south. Maybe, maybe, Isaiah felt a little safer with Rip watching his back when he wasn't at a hundred percent.

That was fine. Rip could be useful. He wanted to be useful.

It had been a couple of weeks since Isaiah's hospital release and he had reassured them all he was ready—which they had believed, once Seline confirmed it.

Rip was glad just to be included. He would bring his best game. Be sharp, strong, effective. Maybe if he proved himself enough, Isaiah would trust him again on future trips. Even the ones involving wolves.

Especially the ones involving wolves.

The last half-year under Isaiah’s care—going with him to meets, not just lurking in the shadows—had been so different. Like someone had pulled a blindfold from his eyes.

He hadn’t even realized he had gotten used to living like that. Half-blind, half-feral.

Isaiah was helping him see it.

Rip had thought he didn’t miss wolves. Or company. But being seen—being able to walk through crowds without shrinking, to meet the eyes of those who would have spat on him before—it was different.

He had fought for survival, for his right to exist, wherever he went.

But now he could walk among wolves who once judged him an outcast and a waste of oxygen—and face them directly.

It made him feel dangerous. In a good way.

Not that he knew what Isaiah was really after. The guy moved like he was playing three games at once, seeing five different meanings where Rip barely caught one. Held ten agendas, eleven sets of cards.

Rip didn’t get it. But somehow, Isaiah always ended up helping people. Even the ones no one bothered with.

It was...something to see.

Isaiah wasn’t perfect. Wasn’t even easy to read most days. But what he was building—whatever this was—it felt solid. It felt good.

Rip wasn't supposed to think about that. As long as wasn't betraying strays and he wasn't hurting anyone who didn't piss him off nonetheless, he didn't give a shit about what he did. Feelings really had nothing to do with life.

This was new. Risky, even. He wasn’t sure what the hell was happening to him. But he knew this much: He wanted to stick around and see what Isaiah did next.

...shame he was stuck with Hector of all people in the train. They had their own compartment, so it was just Rip, Dylan and Hector. Even with the six seats, it felt way too crowded.

Rip offered to come on his own. He could hitchhike the trains just fine, thank you. But then Dylan said he would come with him and Isaiah shook his head in that exasperated way...but nobody wanted to make it difficult on Isaiah so early after his recovery and there was no way Rip could handle a flight.

So here they were. In the spirit of being helpful, Hector offered to take the train with them, sending his girlfriend ahead with Seline and Isaiah to fly for one hour, instead of riding the night train.

Rip honestly wondered how long this pretense would last. Someone with such a fiery temperament as Hector wouldn't take long.

On most days, Rip considered himself quite resistant to most things. But he didn't like loud, explosive people demanding attention and things to be their way with that implied or else.

Hector fit that to a T.

"I'm telling you, trains are the most comfortable rides," Dylan said, getting comfortable over two seats next to Rip. "Rode them for half of my life. You can move more than in a car or plane, you are way more steady, there are snack bars. What's not to like?"

Rip had to admire how unconcerned Dylan was. Crowds of people filling the train in the other compartments didn't seem to register to him at all. For all looks and purposes, he acted like a real human.

Dylan's shadow was so tightly suppressed that Rip could barely feel it. That had its own kind of limitations. Getting in touch with it would take a couple of days. But it was more than fitting for a two-week road trip through Italy.

Hector scoffed. "The best is obviously the car. You can control the ride, stop and go off some predetermined path. That's why we are getting a rental car, when we arrive and you two are both going to be okay with it."

Dylan rolled his eyes, which was precisely what Rip wanted to do. Someone should remind Hector that he wasn't in charge of them, like with every other wolf in his life.

Someone other than Rip, preferably.

Rip crossed his arms, like that would keep Hector out. He didn’t want to need him for anything. Mildly disappointed by not having Isaiah there was one thing, but he couldn't even talk with Dylan like he wanted to. Not with Hector staring at Rip the way like he wanted to have a fight Rip couldn't retaliate.

Urgh.

Dylan wasn't bothered. Got himself earphones and kept showing Rip some kind of game on his phone that made Rip's eyes hurt.

The stray wolf was content to get some sleep. If Isaiah was there, he would want to show off and be alert and helpful. But with Hector eager to be in charge and Dylan's shoulder against this, he didn't care.

Rip wasn't sure why he was feeling so sleepy. He kept yawning, although he could go less than 4 hours of sleep a day and be fine for a couple of weeks—something Isaiah wouldn't allow him, anyway.

It was unsettling, feeling this sleepy with Hector right there, glaring and scowling.

There was this pressure behind his eyes though. When the promised snack handling mini-bar came over, Dylan cheerfully took over their orders and got sparkling water, coffee, croissants...

Rip wanted to share into Dylan's enthusiasm, but the smell of the croissant and coffee repelled him. Settling on sipping the sparkling water, he couldn't understand the feeling of unease that was drying his throat.

The sparkling water wasn’t sitting right.

Half an hour later, his stomach sloshed with every lurch of the train, bloated and tight. The compartment felt smaller by the minute, buzzing like a tin can full of bees.

Rip shifted in his seat, tugging at the collar of his shirt. Heat pulsed under his skin.

Tried to forget the noise, the motion, the way Hector’s scowl seemed to scrape against him even when he wasn’t looking. But the heaviness behind his eyes wouldn’t go away. And every breath tasted like iron and heat.

Rip leaned his elbow on the armrest, pressing his forehead into his palm.

The coolness helped, a little.

At least until the train jerked again and the nausea sloshed back, hotter and heavier.

He shifted, trying to breathe slower. Maybe if he focused on the window—on the blur of trees and concrete flashing past—it would ground him. He rested his forehead lightly against the glass.

The cold bit into his skin, but it wasn’t enough. The buzzing in his ears didn’t stop. Neither did the sickly heat pooling deep in his stomach, twisting like a rope pulled too tight.

He heard Dylan laughing beside him, tapping something on his phone, chatting about a game Rip wasn’t even registering anymore.

He didn’t have the air to answer anyway.

Rip closed his eyes, trying not to look obvious, trying not to draw attention.

Dylan didn’t notice. Hector sure as hell wouldn’t care.

The pressure behind his eyes had turned into a pounding throb now.

Each sway of the train sent another wave rolling through him—heat, cold, nausea, dizziness—until he didn’t know if he could stay upright.

He gritted his teeth. Counted down stops in his head.

Tried to convince himself it wasn’t that bad. He just needed to last a little longer.

He elbowed Dylan into the side. "H-hic-how much longer?"

Dylan blinked, pulling out one earbud. He checked the time on his phone. "Uh... two hours down, about five more to Bologna, if everything’s on time," he said easily. Then he turned properly toward Rip, frowning. "You good?"

Rip nodded, which was a mistake. The world tilted sideways for a second, the heat in his face flashing hotter, making his stomach clench. He jerked his head away, pressing it back against the cold glass like it could pin him there, hold him still.

"Yeah," Rip muttered hoarsely. "Fine."

Dylan didn’t look convinced.

"You’re pale, man. Like...ghost-level pale," he said, peering closer.

He lowered his voice. "You gonna be sick?"

Rip tightened his jaw. He hated the question. He hated the hiccup that slipped out again when he tried to answer.

"I’m good," he said through gritted teeth. Mostly because if he said anything else, he wasn’t sure he’d keep it together.

Dylan didn’t push, but Rip could feel his friend hovering now, his easygoing buzz replaced with a low, sharp awareness — the kind only wolves could slip into when something was wrong.

"Uhm," Dylan said, voice sarcastic now, "you say it, but you don't look it. Just lemme know if you need-"

Another hiccup cut him off, rough and wet in Rip’s throat. He hunched lower, elbow slipping off the armrest as he pressed his fists against his mouth.

The train rocked slightly, and Rip swallowed hard against the rising bile. The sparkling water sloshed miserably inside him, his stomach cramping up in waves.

"Obviously not fine," Hector said dryly. "Get him into a bathroom before he throws up all over the seats. The train's too full to find a new compartment of our own."

Somewhere beyond the pounding in his head, he registered Dylan getting to his feet, dragging him up by the arm.

Rip wanted to snap back, but the words wouldn't come. The train lurched and he lost his balance, stumbling sideways into the seat.

A strong hand caught his arm at the elbow.

Hector.

Rip flinched instinctively, but Hector just steadied him with a grim, impatient look. "Get a grip," Hector muttered under his breath.

Dylan was already at the door, sliding it open and peering out into the corridor. His eyes were blown wide and he was glancing at them and back, as if not sure what to do, how to best intervene. "Bathroom’s two cars down," Dylan announced. "Come on. You can make it."

Rip tried to push himself upright, but the movement made his vision gray out around the edges. He swayed—and Hector caught him again, this time gripping his shoulder with a steadier, almost awkward firmness.

"Move it," Hector said, quieter now. Not as angry, just brisk. Far cry from Isaiah's calm, gentle tone, though.

Rip swallowed down another hiccup, the taste of bile burning higher in his throat.

The train lurched, stronger and faster than he'd expected, throwing Rip sideways. His vision was all out of sorts, stomach in turmoil, insides practically wringing together.

Dylan was too many steps away, hurrying towards the bathroom and then jumping back for him.

"D-" Rip coughed, then gagged into his hand. Another violent lurch. He couldn't catch his balance at all, shoulder hitting the door of another compartment hard. He squeezed his eyes shut, sweaty bangs falling into his vision. "S-stop moving so fast- I can't-"

"Okay, okay," Dylan said, suddenly appearing by his side. He hooked his arm around Rip's, giving him something to latch onto. The walk was painfully slow, Dylan holding into the railing in the hall while Rip held onto his sleeve like a lifeline.

Rip retched into his hand, the sparkles climbing up his throat, but managed to swallow it back down. It made him stumble, legs all tangled up.

Dylan grunted with the effort of keeping them upright. "Almost there."

The bathroom door loomed ahead, just a few steps more, and Dylan kicked it open with his foot.

Rip basically fell inside against the small sink built into the wall and sank to his knees painfully. The moment he was sure they were inside, disgust shivered through him like lightning from the sheer crampiness. And his body gave out.

He lurched against the movement of the train, seeing stars as the water rocketed out of him. His stomach squeezed and he groaned as his breakfast made a reappearance into that dark grey toilet.

"Christ," Dylan cursed beside him, trying to fit his long limbs inside the bathroom. He had to keep it halfway open.

Rip was panting over the toilet, not feeling better at all. He burped up another mouthful of bread crust, wrapping an arm around his gurgling middle.

"You are okay, man. Did the sandwich from morning-"

Rip whimpered at the mention, pressing his forehead into his elbow. "D-don't talk about food..."

The toilet flushed above him. Shortly after, Dylan lowered himself next to Rip, rubbing between his shoulder blades. "What brought this on? We did the same thing all day...if you aren't allergic to Hector, that is. Totally fair."

That should have made him laugh, he knew, but all he managed was a hitch and a queasy hiccup. "I still feel so sick, D."

Dylan squeezed his shoulder, his hand warm. "Now that we are on it, do you like, get motion sick?"

"I didn't before..."

Dylan pressed the back of his hand to Rip's cheek from behind. "Well, you aren't feverish, so that's the only explanation I got for now."

"G-got something that would make it better?" Rip's stomach rolled along the train, a whole new wave of nausea crashing over him.

"Not here, I'm afraid. We can get you something for carsickness when we stop." Dylan sounded as mournful as Rip felt. "I'm sorry."

Rip just groaned, curling tighter against the cabinet. This was going to be a hellish ride.

[hikato-chan]

I just realized that the apothecary diaries Ao3 has no time travel (fix it?) fics, which is one of my favorite tropes, so:

AU where at some point in the story, Maomao, Jinshi and maybe some others travel back in time! Maybe back into childhood which would be nice. And kind of funny.

So, obviously these children will do their best to stop the current conspiracy to happen! Unfortunately, I haven't read the light novel so I'll have to be vague about this.

So, Maomao is back at her adopted fathers apothecary. She knows she needs to get back to the palace, but she has time for now. And really, it wasn't something she should randomly stick her nose into. The only reason she was going to help was because she can't leave Jinshi completely alone to deal with it. He almost died to that incident during that ceremony after all.

So she goes on about her days, considering, and then it's time to get her mother her medication. Her mother isn't as bad, but she's not doing well by any margin and Maomao realizes that that is something she can change for the better. It will bother her, but it is the right thing to do. She needs to talk to Lakan.

Now, Lakan might have traveled back too. It would in fact be funny if he did, but I don't think that it would make a difference either way for the story if he knows or not. He will still support his daughter with anything she sets her mind to. So she goes and talks to him while he passes by to catch sight of her. Tells him what is going on and to go and buy her mother because that's what they both want. Lakan will want to bring her too, and she will want to bring her adoptive father.

I don't even think that this will be an odd family arrangement for them. But, funnily, Maomao would now be the acknowledged daughter of the second biggest family. Her origins are odd, yes, so she's not as high in the social ladder as Roulan but she is openly loved by her father and that holds weight.

If he remembers, they will figure out how to get her into the palace. Even if he doesn't, she will manipulate him into it and he will be so charmed that he goes along with it because his daughter is asking him for something! Maybe she just goes to visit at first. Maybe Jinshi hears about it and sneaks out to meet her.

Maybe they make a plan to get her into the palace permanently because he will need her help, and she enters the palace as a concubine for the crown prince. That depends on how far we are in the story, of course, and how long it took for them to meet again. Are they already teenagers? Is maomao almost at marriageable age?

I just think it would be fun for both of them to hide their status as crow prince and concubine and still go around just as they did in the story, just with one added secret identity! Shisui would be a very funny parallel. And everyone would be so confused when Lakan offers his daughter not to the emperor but the crown prince, and the crown prince agrees! If she always wears a veil how would anyone know she's also the servant running around the highest ranked eunuch? There's a chance for even more shenanigans!

And of course, if they're not careful the current arc the anime just arrived to might still happen...

[lullabyalikpoptarot]

Aespa's Tea Sessions

Disclaimer: No facts, all alleged. This is my interpretation of the cards and energy I work with.

Okay, I like to get to this group next and see if they can give me some tea. I don't know for me girl groups don't really give me much, so not sure how much I can get, but let's see.

Karina

Well, she is a petty one, so those things about her being a mean girl and bully are showing up in these cards. We start with the 6 of Wands, which is my ego and pride card. This need to win over the competition for her. Or this win at all cost mindset she has.

She is someone very defensive of what she has earned and her place in the spotlight or industry, so I see her not backing down from anyone. She holds her guard up and I don't particularly see her trusting people that easily or letting them in. It is like she is conditioned to be in fight mode or to protect herself. I do feel like she went through a lot to get to where she is, so she would defend it rigorously. I do see her having her own trauma and dealing with her own scars that she hasn't healed, so she takes it out on others.

She is petty like I said, cruel, means, says harsh things to others to belittle them and to win. It is like she would want to knock others down to make herself feel better, as she has probably been belittled herself, so she throws it at other people to. She is giving me, if I had to deal with it, so do you. There are a lot of things she hides under the surface. I see her having lots of fears and worries and struggles to cope with it, which is why she lashes out.

There are also things she keeps secret about how she advances or expands her career, or there are secretive, underlying things people need to do to make it big or grow in this industry that she prefers to keep in the shadows or repressed. Either she keeps it hidden or she hasn't addressed what she went through to get to where she is.

Okay, that came out very quickly. There was a lot to say for her, let's see if the others are as easy.

Giselle

She is also giving me mind controlled vibes with these cards. We start with the High Priestess and for this reading. It usually gives me the occult, spell work being done. And then you have the Judgment card with a baby and then the World card next to it, which indicates maturity, so that is a huge jump, from being an infant to now being a mature adult.

I am not sure she does it herself or someone put some type of spell on her. Somehow she goes from being this immature, childlike, naive person to having vast knowledge and maturity in an instant. I don't get this that much or why that happened. I see her working hard to maintain her work ethic. She is just pushed to work, like a zombie. I am sorry, but she is giving me strong mind control vibes as well.

I don't really understand this 5 of Pentacles, but I am sensing she doesn't really produce much money for them or she is neglected, iced out and abandoned. There is lack of support for her. She may see herself as lacking. I am sensing I am being blocked out from her energy. There is more to her, but I am getting confused and disoriented, and it is hard for me to concentrate. From doing these readings for a while, it means I am being blocked from getting messages from her.

But her story is eerie as fu** since I am being blocked there is something weird and sinister. There is something weird about this 5 of pentacles, but I can't get the information, they are blocking me, moving on. Even when I tried to clarify it, they gave me the same card again, which means they don't want me to go into it more. I don't want to get sick; girl got no time for them. They want to move on.

Okay, I was not expecting that to get weird for her. I do need to do her perspective reading and that will probably be a wild ride when I get to it.

Winter

The first two cards are hard for me to grasp. We got the 3 of Pentacles, collaborating with others. And the 6 of Cups, the past and childhood. It is like for her she could have been sold a fairytale of how things would be. Or that things in the past and working with the girls was so much sweeter and innocent back in the day.

I see her being controlled by men and she may just listen to what they have to say. They may very well pull the strings for her. I don't see her having much say and she is pretty much silenced. Maybe paralyzed by fear. She may just fear these dudes, or it is one person.

The fact that I have this King of Wands in the middle. Meaning he plays an important role. She may have slept with this person. As I see two wands here, meaning something sexual could have happened. But I see these two at odds as well. She may want to pursue this man, but he may not be interested, so maybe nothing sexual happened, but that may be something she wants.

Or she is just very passionate or angry at this person. I am not sure, which direction this goes in. I see these two having different opinions on things when it comes to creativity. Okay, I think it is sexual, because I was looking at the image and there is an imagery that looks like a penis, I never noticed that and the fact that I did means she wants him for the D.

She may find him really hot and sexual, but he doesn't seem to want her, as he is facing away from her. I don't even know if he acknowledges her. I mean they could have had sex. She enjoyed it, but he is kind of done with her, but not her so much, she seems to want more. This man was most likely in it for sex and wanted to move on, but she seems like she is holding on.

Okay, that was a wild ride and kind of funny.

NingNing

Her energy doesn't seem as toxic from what I see. She seems to be caught up in a delusional bubble. She struggles to see the reality of things. Things may be chaotic around her. They could be crumbling, but she doesn't really see it or noticing things being chaotic.

It seems she pours herself into her dreams. She seems very optimistic and hopeful about things. She seems to just try to focus on the good and positive of things. I don't see her getting caught up in toxic behavior or drama, like the others. She is someone who confronts things and likes to take on a challenge. She can be confrontational if pushed. I do see her wanting to push herself to the next level. Haha, that goes with their song.

She seems to just want things to be happy and comforting. Or she tries to make things that way. She seems like a person with good energy and vibes. I think she just block the negativity or toxic sides of the industry and stays in her own happy bubble. She is someone who tries to balance herself and keep her peace. She is someone who focuses on healing and working through the pain she has been through.

I do think she doesn't like how the other 3 members act or how they behave. The conniving sh** that goes on and how they are at each other's throats. I just see backstabbing and betrayal energy here, so she sees them doing this and she doesn't seem to like it. She would prefer them to just all get a long and be happy together. It is like she sees we all want the same thing. Why can't they celebrate together, rather than knocking each other down.

So, she seems to be the most stable and peaceful one of them all energetically. Not much tea from her. Not going to lie, she was my bias, maybe that is why she is lol but hey, she may not be showing me everything. I need to look more into her before I make a judgment on her character, but regardless good or bad. I am here to show their side of things. So, this was a wild and fun ride, until the next one.