#i think we all know why people talk about mel and caitlyn differently

[silangangsinaya]

something so sickening about how people were dragging mel through the mud in season 1 when the worst she did was manipulating jayce into joining the council and gaining more political influence as a councilor herself but the minute people criticize caitlyn for her immediate embrace of militaristic rule (and biochemical war crimes?? hello??) and accurately call out the nature of the privileged to fall back into fascism and prejudice at the slightest hardship, you all suddenly want to engage with her complexity as a character with "intellectual interest" and an "appreciation for morally grey characters in fiction", and acknowledge the effects of grief on mental health.... absolutely insane behavior

[monophobix]

INITIAL THOUGHTS ON ARCANE SEASON 2 ACT 1 (EPISODES 1-3)

(i’m not good at putting my thoughts into words so feel free to give your own opinions, i rlly wanna hear them)

SPOILERS AHEAD///

ok so my biggest critique is the pacing. everything is very quick very fast and a lot is going on. i understand that this is immediately after a large event which of course caused a reaction however it was just very intense and a lot to keep up with especially considering the amount of new and confusing things introduced throughout the three episodes with minimal slow down. it was alittle difficult to keep up. the timeline of the show is confusing and i have no idea how long it has been between scenes. viktor was barely in that weird healing chamber for a few scenes before he was emerging as someone new. caitlyn and vi were going from loving to fighting to understanding to fighting again very quickly with little time to develop independently, their kiss and divorce weren’t even 30 minutes apart from each other. also, who the fuck is this kid hanging around with jinx?? why is she following her, why doesn’t she talk, what’s her name, how long has she been with her?? this lack of time to let things develop has caused these episodes to feel rushed.

with this introduction of many new things some have left me with a lot of questions. my biggest issue revolves around the arcane. i literally do not recall it being mentioned or being an important topic in s1 but all of a sudden jayce knows a fuck ton about it as well as heimerdinger? when did he learn this? i assume it’s from viktors notes and research but that still fails to cover the amount of knowledge jayce now possesses.

HOWEVER THE ARCANE IS VERY COOL AND IM VERY VERY INVESTED. i absolutely love the changes to viktor, his weird apathy and changes are definitely rushed but so interesting to see, his design and behaviour are so very compelling and im very excited to see the development. additionally, this group dynamic between jayce, ekko and heimerdinger is soooooo fun. it offers a break from the intensity with some silliness i think is desperately needed, plus it’s super satisfying to see the trio bounce off each other. that final scene of them in ep3 was visually incredible and i loved seeing the effects upon the hextech weapons during the jinx, sevika vs vi, caitlyn fight. the scene of viktor amongst the shimmer infected was very interesting and it was so cool to truly see the severe effects of shimmer and the inhumanity of viktor is making a clear route towards his glorious evolution which is am keen to watch.

that ambessa reveal at the end was INCREDIBLE. i genuinely didn’t see it coming and it made my jaw DROP. the quiet, smart suspicion from mel is always incredible to see, her political mind and morals conflicting is so very engaging and she’s really developing into herself in these episodes which was a joy to witness. the mystery of her brother is compelling and links well through s1 and s2 to make the storyline fun to follow. i also simply must compliment the designs revolving around the noxians and animal-esque (sorry idk what they’re called) people. the absolute variety and inspiration from real life cultures is beautiful to see. i am incredibly confused about the magic and that one lady (amara?) but i assume that’ll be answered in later episodes.

jinx is not looking good lmao. i love her design being so corpse-like and deathly, it really fits well and really embraces the differences between powder and jinx. but i do wish we saw more of her. i see her actions but i lack understanding for some of them, primarily revolving around the child (isha?) and why the kids even there but the newfound bond between sevika and jinx is refreshing to see. the scene of them in silcos old office brought a smile to my face and the design of that fucking arm is soooo cool i love the clownish purely jinx vibe to it.

caitlyn is probably the stand out character so far (plus maybe viktor). her absolute grief and seeing her facade break down throughout the episodes was heartbreaking, the tentative yet conflicting moments of softness with vi were beautiful yet had that perfect undercurrent of tragedy that arcane masters so well. her rage and break up with vi was easy to see coming yet so incredibly jarring to watch, that harsh and merciless behaviour is so different from s1, the development is well done and a morbid pleasure to see. and that final episode. oh my. the shock to acceptance of darkness was fantastic, ambessa truly is a master at manipulating weakness in even the strongest of people and seeing this duo is going to be so soul crushing that i’m itching for more.

vi felt very rushed to me and alittle dry? idk why tho i can’t really explain it. i understand her choices but it felt like something was missing until that final scene with cait. that was an absolute masterpiece. seeing her realising that the horrors of war is corrupting everyone around her and pleading for it to please not happen is so so SO fucking sad and my heart was breaking. i loved seeing her moral strength and solidity to her values which has always been a key part of her character so i appreciate the consistency. idk why something about her was just… different.

the opening scene was incredible. the absolute horror of it was so clear and i was literally shaking the entire time. 10/10 opening.

overall, i hope things slow down alittle but i greatly enjoyed season 2 and im very excited to see the characters develop and to see even more of this beautiful world.

[fairystarstorm]

Thinking about what's going wrong with Arcane s2

I have not finished s2 yet (still need to finish act 3 but basically got all the major spoilers). I feel like a big problem with this season and why the Z vs P conflict fizzled out is that so many characters are simply not in the that narrative anymore. Especially since they all had interesting stories to explore in regards to it. And if they are apart of the plot line, the things that would make things more interesting are simply ignored.

Taken from the narrative

Heimdinger: the founder of the city realising that the society he built ain't shit and that he failed Zaun by not helping to uplift and protect them (instead of just picking out a pupil from Zaun and calling it a day). All that Talk about how destructive magic could be in the wrong hands while realising he build a society filled with those exact wrong hands because of his inaction. Him actually putting in the work to change and dismantle those structures and belief systems that he allowed to grow in the first place

Jace: He goes against his own morals once again to build weapons for Caitlyn and her team. But we get none of the introspection or the regret that should have gone with it. Why because he is off in an alternative reality fighting for his life. He finds out that Hextech is poisoning Ekko's tree and there's nothing more to that conversation?? If something had gone wrong with the core it could have destroyed Zaun? Something could have happened that could have disabled or killed many others like it did with Viktor. But let's gloss over it. Him reconciling with his actions as a councilor??? That kid really was just a blip in his life i guess.

Viktor: a big problem I feel with Viktor's character is that he can feel very removed from Zaun at times. Like we never got to see his horror about Hextech being used against his people. We never got to know about any family or how he actually felt about being resurrected. What his plan was for Zaun beyond making a little commune. A huge part of that is also because they barely let this man have meaningful interactions with anyone in s2 besides ghost Sky and Jace. Vi, Jinx, Vander and Isha going to his commune could have been a possibility for that. Because even though I do believe that Vander and him did not know each other personally, I don't think he would not have known of him. Also we barely hear him talk meaningfully about his identity as a Zaunite in Piltover

Ekko (and the firelights in general): In my opinion the biggest snub. The others character arcs were mostly about other things in s1 (piltover politics, hextech etc.) but Ekko's whole motivation was to protect his ppl from both the enforcers and Silco. However we didn't get to see him deal with the rise of enforcers in the undercity or Sevika being the one to try and unite Zaun. We didn't get to see him grapple with the fact that Vi became an enforcer or that he was wrong to place his trust in Caitlyn. And even though I love how ep7 is highlighting his good qualities I wish they were explored in his timeline. Him being there would have also allowed for more spotlights for the firelights and Zaunites in general. None of the other people in the cast (Except for Vander) are as involved with regular people in Zaun then he was. It makes Zaun feel less complex and lived in beyond the visuals.

Mel: Considering that they are setting up her mother as the true big bad (which flattened the Z vs P conflict + general bad writing surrounding ambessa which i won't discuss now), it would have been nice to have her be able to react. Like in the beginning of the season we get it a little bit with Mel using spies to figure out her mother's plans. We could have had her realise that Piltover is not fundamentally different from Noxus because of how easy it was for her mother to take over. Only that the violence they dish out is different between the 2 cities. We could have had her sit that in both cases she is part of the oppressive class and that she was only acting out of self interest rather than actually caring about these issues. Instead of her being Kidnapped to get powers, let her finish the story arch that had been set up for her in s1.

Underexplored

Sevika (And Jinx): her involvement with Silco and how that is seen by Zaunites that are not chembarons. Ppl being unwilling to trust or listen to Sevika pleading for united Zaun when she was apart of Silco's operations make sense. Silco brought shimmer into Zaun. Ekko says that a lot of the firelights joined because of how it ruined their lives. Sevika having to struggle with her role in it and how it ultimately makes it harder for the to reach her goal would have been satisfying! Also her showing up after episode 4 would have been nice in general. Also same with ekko, she was the only one who was reaching out and communicating with different groups of Zaun. She and Ekko were windows into Zaun society that they just kept closed for some reason.

Vi: Just everything man.... her trauma, her choosing to be an enforcer, her alcoholism... her relationship with Jinx/powder, her guilt, her role as protector who seems to be failing no matter what she does. All kinda of flushed through the drains for caitvi to be able to exist (yes i dislike caitvi, no i also don''t really care for jayvik or timebomb and i am also a lesbian).

Jinx: I thinks she has been done quite well so far but I have heard for how her arch ends and it is just bad..... also wished they explored Isha more and what Vander coming back would mean for Jinx

Caitlyn: wish they would actually put the responsibility of her actions onto her instead of Ambessa/Jinx killing her mom. Also the fact it was never addressed that even in s1 she was microagressive as fuck towards Zaunites. Yes she eventually saw the need for independence (after talking to Ekko mind you) but does that mean anything if when she was in power due was actively making things worse for Zaun. She could have started working kn redeeming herself but the fact that the narrative/the writers don't want to put the full blame on her just makes that idea seem laughable

Tbh a lot of it has to do with the fact that the writers didn't let characters interact with each other for long periods of time or deal with the consequences of their actions but hey at least the coplesbians fucked and the scientists had their madoka magica moment

[soft-cristobalite]

Watched arcane season 2 act 1, thought abt it, so here are some of my thoughts in no particular order. Obvious spoilers.

Also, i watched in dub. Important to know when i am quoting charaters + when i am talking about their tone.

Starting of with something that is directly affected by dub — ukrainian Jayce is my Jayce. Ppl said he sounded condesending while talking to Ekko — not. at. alllll. true for my Jayce. My Jayce sounded tired, emotionaly burn out. "You drink tea, Ekko?" said with no though to it, in a context of continues talking of "Haha do i live here? Hahah....... Do you guys want tea? Want some tea? I'll make tea. Do you drink tea, Ekko?". But d-dub is supposed to stay true to the original— I DONT CAREEE. I love my blorbo almost-himbo Jayce, never changing his characterisation in my mind.

And i will hold Jayce's hand when i say this — you were. Just so gay for like... Essentialy going "Are you okay? Good, good" to lady Mel Medarda HERSELF and then seeing Victor and losing your mind. Sprinting with him in your hands to your lab. LIVING in your lab to monitor him. I just... I get it, you don't have many friends. But like...... Really dude. Reaally.

Give Mel and Ekko thirty minutes. I promise you they would work it out. Eternal piece would be achieved.

I know there are a lot of different opinions regarding Caitlyn. I will not be explaining in-depts what i think about her acr, because a) who cares and b) i like to see her go cray-cray. But like — why isnt anybody exept for Vi attempting to stop her??? Like why is Jayce mourning Victor's twink death instead of, yk, stopping his childhood-best-friend-kinda-younger-sister from killing ppl of Zaun, the last thing Victor wants btw? She and Vi are twenty-ish — WHYYYY are they going through it by themselves??? Why doesnt baby yoda guy with German name that i dont dare to write trying to stop the daughtrer of his ex-collegue? He is 600 or something, im sure he could've come up with advice.

Cait pointing her gun at a child is terrifying, it opens up the possibilities of her going even more blinded with anger, doing even more horrific things, and Vi is right to try and stop her. However... I know damn right i would've believe her when she said she will not miss 😭 Every single time she fired her gun she was very precise. Even in that scene she aimed at the gun the girl was holding like two seconds ago and got a perfect. fucking. score. Like i dont remember her missing at all, actually.

"Ohhhhh you're gonnnaaa haaaaaattteeee Maddie after act two—" says who? On that note, i hope both Cait AND Vi will sleep with a few random people. Good for them. Let them try to forget about each other only to realise just how down bad they are for one another. Let the scenes of Cait and Maddie hooking up intertwine with Vi's one night stand.

"Maddie is just gonna be a victim of comander Cait :(((" and i do not have any thing to say to that — we dont yet KNOW what will happen — but I dont think Cait will try to manipulate her into this. I think Maddie will flirt a bit, Cait will try and seek salvage and vulnerability in someone, especially since she is now constantly in public's eye and needs to project hope™ and stoicism™. It will be a genuine attempt to move on — not anybody's fault she can't.

But oh god, oh goooddd i cant wait for Maddie to loose the spark in her eyes due to lesbian situationship.

[pidgeon-queen]

So I'm rewashing Arcane season 1 before going through season 2, and I want to point out and explore some questions that don't excuse the characters actions, but might reveal their logic. I also want to explore who is to blame for everything wrong. I have seen clips and spoilers for season 2, act 1 and 2, but i am holding off on seeing act 3 spoilers until I actually watch it. It means I can't doomscroll Tumblr until after I catch up tomorrow.

I definitely won't be right, and I'm not psychologist, but i just want to explore.

Season 1

Episode 1

Starting off with the beginning, Vi and Powder see their dead parents and all the violence the enforcers inflicted. Powder comforts Vi over her distress, but outside of Vander taking them away, we don't see Powder get comfort over the same loss. Season 2 gives more information on Powders relationship with her parents, but we are not talking about that now.

Milo takes a lot of flack from the others. I assume out of the four, he is the second youngest and doesn't have as much physical strength as Vi or Clagger. He tries to be stealthy when Vi brute forces her way through a door, and it looks like Vi takes her frustrations out on him instead of directing it at Powder. He is insecure about his skills and Vander has to reassure him later. I think Vi is part of the reason he is insecure because she takes her anger out on him.

The crystals that blow up the penthouse is the only reason the group run through sewers and into the group of guys resulting in a fist fight. I do believe if they never blew up the balcony and got chased, there would not have been a reason to go through the alley. I am curious if Silco would have still found the guy and made an offer later on if there was never the altercation.

Ekko and his tip: Ekko mention Jayce buying stuff only kept for display, and i think it is implied to be magic/arcane relics. Benzo is smart, so i don't think he would sell the crystals seeing how volatile they are with just sitting in the open. It's too dangerous for both pilties and those from Zaun to have access to buy or steal. This leads me to one firm belief, everything that happens is Jayce's fault. The arcane are seen as contraband from what I can tell, and who gave it to him?

Without the crystals, the penthouse wouldn't have blown up, th kids probably wouldn't have been caught, enforcers wouldn't have gone to the lanes, Marcus probably wouldn't have met with Silco, and Silco's timeline wouldn't have changed. Who knows what this change would have done, but it definitely would have been different.

Episode 2

If Jayce had something he wasn't supposed to, even if he trusted Caitlyn, her mother is on the council and she has to have some rules she doesn't break. Why were the crystals sitting in the open and not secured away? Or even hidden? I'm in college and room checks are a thing, as a student they probably checked his studies for any restricted research.

In his memory, the arcane crystals he sees/is given looks a lot smaller than what he was holding and uses in the future. He knew the strength of something so small, why did he try studying with something bigger and riskier.

Heimendinger mentions how the arcane can't be controlled, so i am curious if it is taught at all, or if Jayce had his interest only on a past experience.

I do wonder if Marcus intentionally went too far with hunting the people. What violence was done is just instigation with the adults.

Mel is the richest person in Piltover and later we see corruption with some of the council, and i think she has corruption. She offers child's toy to a counselor and claims it is a difficult puzzle. She is a tactile thinker and as well later learn her backstory, I think she runs Piltover in what she believes is the opposite, but also better way than where she is from. Little violence is better than war, and she picks and chooses her actions and what she believes to be the right course to better Piltover. I am curious as to what she believes about Zaun before Silco's takeover later in the season.

Heimerdinger might be the only non corrupt counselor and has focus on education and helping the minds of the youth, though his focus is still on Piltover and being part of the council, his experiments and work takes a hack burner. I don't know if he is a professor or just a Dean of the school Jayce studies in, but he is out of touch with the people, and Jayce takes advantage of this later on.

Silco is charismatic and has some true facts. "There's a monster in us all." It depends on if it is fed or starved. He is good at feeding the monsters.

Mel and heimerdinger are noticeably silent about sending more enforcers to Zaun and enacting violence compared to other councelors. Kiramman wasn't even there, but I do wonder if she would have stayed silent too. Bolbok's comment was interesting as he already seen is race nearly wiped out, and there is no proof that the kids took anything dangerous. Jayce doesn't mention it which is also suspicious.

How cruel is Jayce for about to kill himself in the middle of the scholars district for all of the people to see in the morning.

Nobody really talks about it from what I have seen, but Victor is the instigator in Jayce building hextech. Yes, he saved Jayce, but look at the damage he causes later on. Was it really worth it? Stopping Jayce was enough, why did you have to risk more by breaking into get his research.

Episode 3

Did Marcus tell Silco where to go? Or was Silco following them from the shadows? Why didn't he go to the last drop first? He could have killed the kids first, then make Vander suffer.

Poor Ekko. He watched his father figure get brutally murdered, probably saw the enforcers get murdered too. Why did Vi leave him alone. She saw her parents dead body, she probably could imagine seeing them be murdered. What made her think leaving him alone with a corpse was a good idea and not taking him with her to the Last Drop. Her asking Ekko where they took Vander means she assumed he followed, and he probably did. Where was his mental state?

I think Silco still cares for Vander deep down. He probably tried to preserve the Vander he remembered for the dream they both once shared. I wonder if he is under the idea that he needs to kill what came of Vander and took his will to fight.

Mel pulls strings and get others to do what she sees as necessary and important to the benefit or the people. It's why she helps Jayce so often.

This is the second episode in which Vi doesn't comfort or recognize that Powder may be grieving. Claggwr and Milo comfort Vi, but Powder isn't really comforted, just left abandoned. The only thing she really does is promise to come back and give her something to hold onto. She comforted Ekko, then left him abandoned too. Vi is a shitty sister for what she did to both of them. Even if she is trying to protect them, leaving them alone after either watching or hearing what happened to Vander and Benzo, shame on her.

Milo's hesitation before trying to pick the link shows how Vi's words and actions did affect him. Vander has to reassure him of his abilities.

Also, this random tattooed man is so weak for someone who looks so strong. One punch is usually all it takes to knock him out. All that training and muscle just goes to waste in a single hit.

Powder had good intentions and was in a vulnerable state when abandoned. If we are going in order of explosions they show, I think if Powder had one less crystal, Clagger and Milo's might not have died. That could also just be my wishful thinking because they deserved more.

Do you think Marcus realized just how big of a mistake he made and ran as fast as he could when he saw the explosion? Did he make it in time to see Vanders death?

Vi didn't have someone to comfort her in this scene. Powder is suspected to be there, and she might believe Powder is dead, but that doesn't really matter. The 3 she knew were there are dead, and there isn't someone to comfort her. I don't think she has ever comforted someone over loss outside of the one hug she gave Ekko before disappearing. The one time Powder is seen to reach out for comfort about loss and failing when she wanted to help, Vi blames and attacks her. This lack of comfort in the way she was in the past is the reason I belive she abandons Powder even though she has no reason to believe Silco is dead.

I think it is revealed later in season 2, but it is interesting the interaction Powder has with Silco. He was going to kill her, but he voice sounds nothing to her, and I think her reaction reminded Silco of his younger self and is why he let's her live when he intended to kill her and the others from the start.

Episode 4

Heimerdingers comment on his friends whose name I don't know how to type sounds like Heimerding took notes on the teaching method and stepped back from inventing to allow students to shine. I wonder if it was another way to preserve the guys memory.

The intro with the Heimerdinger statue looks conniving and an opposite t who he truly is.

Kirmman trying to cover and the young girl fauning over Jayce is kind of funny especially when he doesn't care for either.

I wonder if there are magnets in the Firelight's shoes so they can do the fall motion without actually falling. They should have shot a barrel and threw a march instead of going down and getting killed.

I haven't said it yet, but the art style is so beautiful.

Do you think Ekko was dating or at least crushing on the pink haired Firelight, or did he see the same thing as Jinx and felt like he lost Vi all over again and risked nearly getting killed because of the renewed grief.

Jayce really didn't warn Heimerdinger what he was about to do and terrified the 300 year old man. Shame on him. Shame on him for almost killing the baby, too.

Heimerdinger is right, but unfortunately his concept of time is off co.pared to the lives of others. If he said a few years, then Jayce and Victor might have been more willing to listen, but I doubt Victor really would have waited.

Caitlyn's kind of dumb. She jumped in an area without a means of getting back up, or knowing if it was really safe.

Something else I haven't said is how banger the music is. In high school, I wanted to perform a color guard routine to a couple of songs. A shame I couldn't with a busted foot and no real creative freedom.

Silco pretending he can't do his own eye shots to prove he trusts Jinx with something sensitive is so kind and fatherly of him. Also, he didn't hesitate in the past about doing it, but i think he added shimmer to the shot and not really can't do it on his own.

Mel's control over Piltover is fascinating and is just as persuasive as Silco, only she uses it to keep some of the less honest counselors in line and protect Piltover from the war she came from.

I'm so proud of Jinx finally getting her inventions to work, but she does need to look into less destructive measures. She shot at people on her side and couldn't take out two important individuals to the Firelight's.

I've watched season 1 of arcane no lss than 5 times before season 2 released even a teaser, and for some reason, I never saw Jayce make his progress speech. Also, if your pet is afraid of an individual, I would be more concerned about what they are capable of, Heimerdinger.

Jayce, really didn't learn his lesson about leaving hextech/hexcores just laying around in the open where they could be stolen.

Caitlyn called for everyone to run and get out, but didn't even run herself. Girl, think through your actuons.actions.

Jayce is learning about the corruption of the counselor. Mel has chosen to give him more access to learning the corruption, and even joining himself. Heimerdinger knows something but held back.

Where is Jinx's hideout/workstation? It looks underground, and it it is big enough to launch explosives without worry. It's pretty cool.

Episode 5

Grayson deserved so much more. She wasn't corrupt, but had to bend the rules to keep the peace as much as possible. She could have taught Caitlyn so much. I wonder if Mel gave her more freedom to keep peace.

Was it love at first sight for Vi and Caitlyn or was it the first few minutes in the undercity that sold their unhealthy relationship? Vi, don't you know what a toxic relationship looks like? Caitlyn, you have always held some kind of position of power. Did your parents not teach you about healthy relationships?

Silco wants the nation of Zaun, but still calls himself a citizen.

Victor doesn't have time, but won't admit he needs the assistance of hextech, instead claims it is other people. The arcane calls for a sacrifice, and Victor didn't even hesitate.

Marcus gave a warning for Jayce to not rock the boat of the counselors, he doesn't seem to be worried about Silco and his dealings with topside when talking about the shipments. Just the shift in how the counselors will act.

Why was clagor made tiny, but Milo's lifesize? Jinx never had a hint of her trauma healed. Just used in Silco's favor.

How did Caitly catch up to Vi? She doesn't know the undercity.

Mel revealing the corruption and how she carefully controls it to Jayce is both smart and stupid. Jayce is dumb. He will not use that information wisely.

Jinx, what did affect crow ever do to you? Who did you think of? I don't really think it was the Firelights.

Caitlyn needs to watch what she says. This isn't her home, and very few are lenient with comments.

Mel is doing all of the heavy lifting, Jayce needs to step up. Poor Heimerdinger, I am starting to believe he doesn't know what his fellow counselors actually do.

Madam went from trying to seduce Clagger to being Vi's aunt. Vi also pimped out Caitlyn. I wonder how far Caitlyn went with the woman. And how she managed to leave after Vi abandoned her. Interestingly enough, it is the pilties who are committing unsavory acts in this scene and the one with Jayce. Those in the undercity are not shown doing anything, but Caitlyn watches what a couple are doing in the bubbles like a creep.

I don't think the people who used magic/arcane in the past were corrupt like Heimerdinger explained in earlier episodes. Based on what we see with Victor, and what seems to happen in season 2, it is the arcane that corrupts and takes over the minds of people. It absorbed and molded Victor's blood and called out to his mind.

Some scenes with Silco and Jinx are a little suspicious and gets close to the line of leave father-daughter relationship and leaning i to something more. This could just be i never had a great male role model and father who didn't want to connect with me like he did my brother, but that's what I am noticing. I know it never goes that way.

How does Sivika want to fight, but can't beat Vi, who has been locked up for years, without relying on Vi's me tal state being shocked at the news to really land a hit.

Silco does it to seem more approachable with others, but good on him for having a positive relationship with Makeup. Set good examples for the people of today and in the undercity.

Episode 6

This is clean water and near the surface, did it reach further into the undercity when Victor was young, or did it take building a filtration system for that to happen.

Heimerdinger contemplate the death of his friends, but he didn't say something I think he wanted to. That is the isolation immortality brings when everyone you care about will die long before you. Decades pass quickly for him, and so do the lives of his friends. He keeps moving forward, but he surely feels alone deep down.

Let's go with the headcannons the community has and Jayce talking about his first love Victor and his inevitable death to the physical relationship and love of Mel. Shame he said brother. I think a lot of people forgot that line. To be fair, my fiction class read my story, presumably closely, and completely missed the sentence explaining one character is 1000 years older than another.

Vi is a butch lesbian mess up and i can't believe Caitlyn let an injured person, under her watch, jump down and get more beat up. I saw someone else talk about how human and non human the characters are. I think they used uncanny valley as an analogy.

Silco, I know you needed to talk with Marcus and using his daughter makes sense. However, why bring this guy who apparently is learning to read while riding a tiny rocking horse. Silco can get away with being up there, but this guy should have been left in the kitchen away from her.

Victor is messing with plants and the arcane. I think he is the one who brought it the chance to fuck with nature, and Ekko's tree in season 2.

Caitlyn and Vi keep making statements that prove their relationship is toxic.

Heimerdinger can see that Victor is contaminated with the hexcore, but he seems to not realize what he needs to put into words for others to understand his worries. Because he is not in the know of the other councelors dealings, he has lost the support he once had, and Jayce took advantage of it.

Marcus is trying to warn Jayce still, but he needs to either come clean, or keep his mouth shut. He is about to overstep on both sides.

Jayce did Heimerdinger dirty. Jayce also put Mel in a position she was forced to agree. Because of her, it moved the others to agree.

People have done video essays on Silco and his tantrum, and i recommend to watch them. They do more than I could about his me tal state and what gies through his head.

Poor Sevika. She should have know what she was doing was stupid. Jinx is mostly holding on by a thread.

Jinx losing her mind and hearing voices was artistically beautiful

Episode 7

I love how this episode starts with a music video.

Something I have seen online is about Ekko is him missing from part of season 2, but the exact same thing happens in season 1. He is there in act 1, we don't know it at the time, so technically he is missing from act 2, and shows up again in act 3.

Ekko has a slightly different design compared to his childhood. As a kid, you could see the hair around the side of his head by the ears is dark brown or black. While the rest is white/platinum blond. I wonder if he does it, or if it like an inverted birthmark that made those spots grow black. While shaved, it seems shaved back further than the spots that had the dark hair.

How did Jayce become defacto head of the council? I thought Mel was the head. If Heimerdinger was the original head, because he had been there the longest, then Jayce shouldn't have become head. Whoever had been there loanger should have become the next leader.

Vi really didn't give a shit about what happened to Ekko. I wish we knew what really happened to Ekko after Vi ditched him. He gives a vague excuse but how long was he alone, hiding from Silco and on the run before he found the tree and made a home there. And just for my own e tertainment, what is Scar's backstory?

Jayce completely forgot Victor was from the undercity. He holds a lot of discriminative opinions about the undercity, and i don't know if they were enhanced after the theft, or if it was always there and we didn't see it until now.

Ekko is trying and good for him.

Mel is falling back on her past. She is looking for a defense, not war, but she does expect for war to be brought to Piltover.

Victor is right. They are not soldiers. Jayce forgot that when he spoke with Vi later on.

I love that Heimerdinger is sneaking across the river. I think this is the most crime he has ever done because he is not on the council anymore. Screw Jayce, I want his adventures.

I find it hard to believe people from the undercity are still not protesting on the bridge at this time.

I'm starting to believe The enforcers with Marcus are not really human.

Vi really called for Caitlyn instead of Ekko. This reinforces my belief that Vi is a shifty person. Ekko should have been her first thought. Why would Vi assume the enforcers would attack Caitlyn when Ekko is the one seen as a threat?

The callback to episode one and Jinx huming the song again.

His daughter didn't deserve this but Marcus definitely did.

Ekko is such a badass i love it. Where did the nickname Boy Savior come from. It happened during the time jump. And he lost the nickname Little Man.

There is a reference to a crow/raven behind the Little Powder memory. Did Jinx shoot the bird because reminded her of the past?

I can kind of see Vi thinking Ekko is dead and still running off to the council, but it should be implied that Jinx was killed too in the explosion. It isn't what happened, and she later knows Jinx survived, so why not assume Wkko survived too. She doesn't even go to the Firelights to let them know of the supposed death of Ekko. She literally said fuck it to everything Ekko worked for over these years.

Episode 8

The beginning scene is interesting, but also had to be traumatizing to see a girl Mel's age be decapitated.

When did Jinx steal the gem? Or did Ekko keep it with him and toss an empty container to Vi and Caitlyn? He said he would show the council, and i wouldn't blame him for still not trusting Caitlyn and being weary of Vi, but it also implies he was fully ready to kill Jinx and didn't know he would hesitate.

Jayce is weak. He shouldn't have gone to the bridge if he hasn't ever seen death in such a way. Mel should have prepared him at the least

"Sometimes death is a mercy." How many years did it take the doctor to understand and accept that? Good on him for saving Silco from more unnecessary stress with Jinx being hurt.

Fin needs to wear his jacket right, or have something to keep it from slipping off him. I feel like it would be easier to steal it from him like this. How many times has he lost it and just pretends it didn't happen?

Ambessa is hot. I will say that.

Poor Heimerdinger. He can't help the adults, he know that parents are untrusting, so he can't help the children. I can't wait until season 2 because i know they have better interactions. Ekko knows him, and I bet as a kid, he looked up to him for potential in his engineering.

Ambassador really stood up without Jayce giving consent to seeing her nudes. The creators didn't show him blushing, just looking away. He knows that is Mel's mother, and he slept with Mel.

Vi is going by undercity laws and customs, but she is with piltover council. He puked at death, then wanted more bloodshed which he can't even stand to see.

Why doesn't the council want to let the undercity become it's own nation? What is the benefit of people who you don't care about being called your people. I would argue civil war is worse than war against 2 different nations/cities.

Victorost the plot with the hexcore and should have talked more with Jayce about what he was doing. He doesn't want to create weapons, but he is turning his body into what could be used as a weapon. His actions killed Sky. Then the hexcre had the audacity to burp after its meal.

This is not my orignial idea, but some of it is my original words.

Canon Butch Lesbian Vi and headcanon bi disaster Jayce. Alone, they are fuck ups. But with their powers combines, and the help of hextech weapons, they are still 2 fuckups who can't do shit right.

The people in the suits, are they children too? And is it their job every shift to sit in them in case of an attack, or are they in the equivalent of a cryo pod until the putton is pushed and they are awoken and flooded with shimmer for the fight.

I think Kayce had 2 head on shots, and one of them was a kid. They didn't even die from it. It just numb them so they fell. The fall is what killed them.

What was the choice in deciding only women would be seen naked in showers?continuing with the show, specifically Caitlyn. She turned one handle which implies she had the water set to scalding and didn't react to it. She should be red with blisters trying to form from that. It implies their water temperatures are weak

Episode 9

Jayce really panicking about one direct kill and refusing to listen to Vi when she tells him the truth. That kid did know what he signed up for. His mother is pretty shifty for having him work down there and knowing the dangers.

How did Jinx find Caitlyn's home? They do not explore or inform us about this. Jinx was recovering when Vi went there and Marcus probably wasn't giving away information on where council members live.

The core killed Sky, and Victor can't bring himself to destroy it. It has control on him and he refuses to accept that.

Mel found out her mom stood up from the bath in front of Jayce and got pissed. On a more serious note, her brother doesn't get a name and Mel was disowned. Ambessa tries to be caring, but it is hard to believe that is what she means. Who are they talking about. It is easier to prepare for an attack if you know who it is.

The parallel between Jayce and Victor in their suicide attempt. However. Jayce was going to make his death everyone else's problem, and Victor was going to be kind to other and not show the city his mangled corpse. Jayce is outwardly egotistical, Victor has more internal desires and stays out of the spotlight with his actions.

Silco did believe he would die. He truly thought he lost Sevika's loyalty. But he is playing it off pretty well.

If Ekko made it to the council, I think jayce would have been more willing to arrest Silco instead of trying to get Jinx. Maybe there could have been peace in the undercity. I don't think Jayce really told them truth about giving Silco his nation of Zaun.

Ekko mentioned his life, and the other firelights, depended on it to create the home they have. I am more curious now if Ekko has always been hunted because he is a remnant of Vander's leadership. It's assumed that is why he took Vander hostage and knew the kids would come. And he was going to kill Powder. Maybe Silco realized he couldn't do the same thing with Ekko and he was a risk to losing Jinx so he was hunted down. That would explain partly why it is so secured, and it also helps prevent shimmer from being brought to the people trying to heal.

Did Vander say those words to Vi, or was that what she thought he would say. It's u fair her visions are not the same as Jinx.

Why did Vi thinking Caitlyn was under the little tray and Jinx could carry her with ease. Even with the gauntlets.

You know what is a shame? Jinx is so convinced that Powder can't exist at the same time as Powder, and that is Silco's fault. He didn't do something to help her. And insisted that Powder had to die and Vi is lying.

Even in death, Milo is beaten down. I don't blame Jinx, but still, she does it because of Vi and how she saw him treated and how she internalized all the name calling as him doing it.

Jinx's eyes are cloudy and a different color than normal. I think that is the sign she was getting too lost in her head, and outside voices just made it all worse.

Vi's refusal to believe she changed, even if she had a constant routine in prison, is frustrating. Nobody stays the same. She got the shit beaten out of her constantly and was isolated from the outside. She only beat the one innmate because she knew he was working for Silco and had beaten him before.

Ekko looks so happy talking to Heimerdinger, and he is listening thoughtfully to his ideas. That is so sweet. And the music is so sad.

How did Mel not die if she was pretty much the direct line of fire?

This is my conclusion on season 1. When I wake up and take care of business, I will sit down and watch season 2 and add my thoughts on that in a second post. While I doubt people will see this, or read the whole thing, I does feel nice to share with people who might care too.

I still believe this is all Jayce's fault. My reasonings will be more in the season 2 post than this one, but i need sleep

[modernmessydisaster]

Pre-Arcane S2 Act 3 Thoughts

Here I am again! Here are my predictions for Act 3! Just making them quick since I had a very very long day!

Was gonna post this yesterday, but I fell asleep! So posting it on the morning of!

EP 7 or EP 8

This has to be the episode about what happened to Jayce, Ekko, and Heimerdinger! Hopefully, it will be a split focus on Jayce & Ekko.

Jayce, in the future, seeing the horrors of Viktor's cult. Surviving and finding a way back or someone/something sent him back. Maybe it was Viktor? Or what was left of Viktor after being possessed by the Void/Hexcore? Maybe future Viktor was the one to ask Jayce to kill him. (Not my ship, but love the doomed yaoi they are)

Ekko & Heimerdinger are in the past, maybe they see the Rune Wars? ( I do not know the game lore) or they could be in the future with Jayce but at different locations, but I doubt it.

Maybe a few glimpses of Mel & the Black Rose? Maybe the apocalyptic future involves Noxus & Black Rose?

Episode ending with Jayce, Ekko, and Heimerdinger going back to the present. Maybe even Jayce's POV of EP 6

(Almost forgot, I wanna say alternate realities? Dictator Jayce possessing Our Jayce!? Since ya know the Multiverse is all the rage these days)

■■■

EP 8

This is the episode of the aftermath of Ep 6. Beginning with Vi & Caitlyn, probably another time skip? Vi & Cait repairing their relationship. There are probably still some fights, but they eventually make up.

BUT, they got alot on their plate. Jayce is not OK. Ambessa has made her base in Zaun? And is planning an attack on Piltover. Probably even tried to get Jayce on her side, that did not work. (Dictator Jayce, lol imagine)

Maybe even Jinx's fate, as in Vi telling Cait that killing Jinx won't bring back her mother. That Jinx isn't the monster Cait has made her out to be. CAITVI SEX!? :D

The effects of Ambessa using Zaun as a base. The people of Zaun losing hope in Jinx, she's even more absent. And with Noxus soldiers everywhere, they are quickly losing hope. UNTIL FINALLY, they listen to Sevika. She rallies the people of Zaun not to fight for a person, Vander, Silco, or Jinx but for themselves! Revolutionary Leader Sevika! Maybe wearing Silco's jacket?

The episode ending with Jinx. How she's taken over the Last Drop and how cold & dead it has become. We see Jinx at her lowest, the return of the hallucinations. Them bigger & louder. Maybe she's even wearing Slico's jacket, old or young. Still hoping for Supportive Slico Hallucination!

Jinx is on the brink of ending it all, Vi probably tried talking to her about helping the fight against Ambessa, probably Sevika too. Which Jinx rejected. (Maybe that's why Sevika tries again to rally the people by herself again) Jinx probably has planned to burn down the Last Drop and herself with it. But either Silco or Isha hallucination stops her. IDK, how Jinx gets out of her grief, maybe Vi? Remembering Isha wanted her to be a hero, maybe thinking dying as one is the best way. MAYBE EKKO BRINGS HER OUT OF IT?

Either way, Jinx does her makeover, cutting her hair, new outfit. She gets ready to fight one last time. Burning down the Last Drop and saying she'll meet them soon (Silco & Isha)

□□□

EP 8

The big fight! All the storyline together! Jinx & Sevika with the people of Zaun. Cait & Vi with the Enforcers. Ekko and his fireflies.

As we saw in the trailer, Noxus soldiers injected with Shimmer and probably Vander's Blood? Either way, our heros win!

Honestly, I don't know how this is going to go. Just that Jinx doesn't die, again. She hates that she can't die, maybe Janna even appears to Jinx in a vision? Either way, Jinx finds a reason to live again but decides she's done with Zaun & Piltover and says bye to Vi & Ekko jumping through her own made HexPortal.

Jayce & Viktor having a fight, probably a conversation between Viktor & Heimerdinger? Either way, Jayce & Viktor fight inside their lab and destroy everything. We get flashbacks to when they were younger, working together on projects. When they were still friends & partners.

Maybe even Viktor also leaves Piltover & Zaun?

IDK IDK

□□□

Quick thoughts that I wasn't sure where to put:

Vander/Warwick is alive but being used by Singed to juice up the Noxus Soldiers. Probably more Warwick than Vander, Vi & Jinx think he's dead.

A new council for Piltover & Zaun, Cait, Vi, Ekko, Sevika, Heimerdinger? As possible chairs

Mel is back in EP 7 or 8, again. She awakened her powers. I'm still on that she's Death Champion or something similar. Also her & Jayce kinda break up or not?

Ambessa dying, the Black Rose did it. It's probably during the last battle. Mel also leaves, going to Noxus and becoming the head of her family, Medarda Clan. Planning her own battle against them.

Singed going back go Zaun and curing Orianna? Making her into the champion we see in League?

ONE LAST JINX & VIKTOR MEETING, saw a theory of Jinx helping cocoon Viktor, and probably not but I CAN DREAM

Jayce meeting the mage who saved him as a child again, Ryze? Viktor? Maybe Jayce himself!?

Maybe ship confirmations? Ekko/Jinx? Jayce/Viktor? Truthfully, I don't care for either but hey it would be a win for their fans, and we need any win in these dark times

Ok that's it, I can't wait anymore. I gotta go watch Act 3 now! Ahhhhhh, me after I watch Act 3:

PLEASE LET JINX BE OK, SHES MY FAV SO SHE HAS TO HAVE SOMEWHAT OF A HAPPY ENDING

THE SAME FOR VIKTOR

[chronicsyd]

Actually, I’ve got a few redactions + Add on's about the long ass post on the S2 trailer I made a couple weeks ago.

So while I still think Vi painted the gauntlets black to disguise herself, I’m thinking the fight with Warwick damages them again because when Vi’s with Ekko here, they are different than how they first appeared. So Ekko and Heimerdinger could repair them before fighting Ambessa, also it would partially explain why he's here fighting with her at all (so to the anon that asked, yes i do agree that Ekko/Heimerdinger probably fixed them)

I’ve been seeing posts about Jinx kinda sorta “adopting” a kid in the new season (you can kinda see them in that clip with Smeech attacking Sevika) and there’s the scene with Undercity people surrounding Jinx having blue hair so my thoughts are now leaning more towards that this is that child in question than something having to do with Jinx or Powder herself. it would also explain Sevika's new look and such.

I'm SUCH an idiot but the gem imbedded in Viktor's wrist is most likely for the arm they showed back in S1, much like how they showed the gauntlets that Vi would eventually be using. I just didn't give the arm a second thought until now despite knowing The Machine Herald already had the third arm (insert face palm here...)

Back to the lines from Vi and Caitlyn from the announcement teaser 3 years ago, it's clear that they're talking about the temple fight that happens later on. Caitlyn has to see this through but she doesn't want to do it alone because she knows that she or Jinx is going to end up dead as a result; but Vi feels she needs to fight Jinx herself because we're probably going to see a bunch of stuff happen before the fight (like the Kiramman tent fight for example) because Vi says "no one else needs to get hurt", but at first I just thought that Vi was talking about Jinx's attack on the Council.

I'm still unsure who's in the orange that Ambessa's talking to because no ones signature color in Arcane has been orange as far as i know (it's been mainly reds, blues, whites, and golds) so I'm thinking that it's a hospital outfit of some sort (I could be wrong, but that's where my thoughts are towards) and she's talking to someone in Piltover that Can implement Martial Law and there's really only 3 examples that could do that: Caitlyn, Jayce, or Mel (if Mel happens to be alive of course. and I'm pretty sure the other Councilor's are about as dead as dogshit, or should be because besides Cassandra did you Really give a fuck about the rest of them?).

someone else pointed this out and I for the Life of me can't find their account but the lines on the floor point to this being Stillwater Hold, so at some point that's where Jinx's base of operations is, or she's just breaking them out but at least in this scene i don't think so.

I'm changing my stance on this, this is happening right before Act 3 (or more specifically, before we see her in the Ambessa fight). mainly because while the lighting is damn near impossible to make out, i think her hair is cut in this scene, she's also missing the ropes on her top. Mainly because when we see her with the finger prosthetic she still has her braids and that's Definitely happening post Act 1. so she's crying about something different from Silco here and I'm having a dreading idea on what it is...

I don't think Vi is carrying Cait on her shoulders, mainly because with the lighting the vest looks brown but when we see Caitlyn her vest is very clearly black. So not exactly sure who it is, I'm kinda thinking it's the blue fish guy (is Arcane gonna give us the names of Caitlyn's comrades yet?!) and the explosion we see with him isn't the same one that knocked Vi down. but that's just hypothetical, the only thing I'm Sure about is that Vi isn't carrying Caitlyn at least.

I have NO idea Why and I have NO credible sources on this but for some reason my brain keeps telling Sevika's dying. No i don't know the how or the when but it'd just be another tally of grief for Jinx (because we're probably going to see them get close despite their animosity back in S1) (and let's be real anyone that takes on even a Slight "parenting" role to Vi or Jinx is getting the axe, i don't make the rules)

So far the only thing I'm having trouble placing is uhhh everyone that Isn't Vi, Jinx or Caitlyn. because they've been Massively marketing the three of them but when it comes to people like Viktor and Jayce not a fucking clue. We got that clip of Ekko and Heimerdinger sneaking into Piltover where they probably do some sorta hextech experimenting but that's really the limit of my knowledge. I know the people I was confused about have to do with Viktor and the Glorious Evolution thing but other than that, I've really only got solid thoughts on our three ladies for the season.

Also it seems like tomorrow they're probably going to be showing us what they showed at the Annecy festival for pit fighter Vi back in June so... can't wait for that!

and that's what i got for now...

[themarvelhorse]

Arcane S2 Act 3 and E9 spoilers

Okay so lots to talk about but I've since settled down a little but wanna bring up some things I don't see talked about enough...

Jinx and Ekko's dance in ep 7 - Ekko saying he was following her lead; following that we have Ekko bringing in the Firelights to follow her lead into the fight - they continue their dance, but they dance together, the way they both know best.

Viktor and Jayce's relationshhip being honestly anything and everything - they defined themselves as lab partners in the beginning but they continue to call themselves simply partners - in this way, it's the ultimate way of saying "it doesn't matter if we're romantic or not, we're two people who find all that we need in each other" it doesn't have to be romantic. It could be platonic, it could be a totally undefined secret third or fifteenth thing. Does it matter? They both had left behind their other 'partners' - Sky and Mel, to be together. A lot of people can call themselves partners - a married/unmarried couple, partners in crime, lab partners, cop partners, a group of cowboys! IT COULD BE ANYTHING AND THAT'S WHY THERE WAS NO KISS AND THAT'S WHY THEY DID IT LIKE THAT! BECAUSE IT WAS THE ONLY RELATIONSHIP THAT WAS NOT REPRESENTED - THE UNDEFINED! BUT INHERENT TO OUR HUMANITY, UNDERLYING ALL OF VIKTOR'S MONOLOGUING ABOUT LIFE IS THAT WE NEED RELATIONSHIPS WITH OTHER PEOPLE AND IT DOESN'T MATTER WHAT TYPE OF RELATIONSHIP IT IS (yes I'm referring back to Nier: Automata on this).

Ekko being the one thing different in this universe that ultimately stopped Viktor because he went to a universe that didn't have Hextech, and therefore became the one thing that made the difference?! Hell yeah MY BOY! "Progress" and "development" which ultimately has consequences, but what if there was a world where we did things differently? More carefully (as Heimerdinger said)? What if we developed sustainably and didn't create a world dependent on a technology that ultimately harmed our environment and thus, ourselves as well? It would be what made the difference in the end.

Jinx possibly still being alive but Ekko's still alone??? No Heimerdinger teacher/student relationship, no romance for him, he went back from this utopian happiness knowing he still had people on the other side who needed him, but had to do his duty - and he still does. Sevika is giving Zaun a seat on the council, a vote! But the utopia, while possible, has not been reached. There's so much more work to do.

SEVIKAAAA!!! Joining in the fight last minute! Sevika, that combination of both Silco and Vander's ideals for a free and independent Zaun. She was more of the do-er than the planner and leader, but she looked up to both Vander and Silco, and was the one still left standing who could have learned what was needed to be learned to get that free Zaun. That, and she ended Smeech herself. Chembaron's ain't running the streets, she is. And she's doing it for a free Zaun.

Also - Ekko burning that one paper. I thought it was Jinx but it's likely that Vi or plenty of others put her name in that. But who mourned Heimerdinger? He disappeared, and Ekko was one of the few who knew he was in Zaun, he was still one of the few who knew his fate in the alternate universe too. I think Heimerdinger was on Ekko's paper there.

Also I'm not seeing much of it but that shout out to Singed finally getting his daughter back??? Like, he won't be as much of a problem now bringing random chemicals and drugs in the streets at least.

Mel going to Noxia?! That corvid following her?! I do think the next story will be in Noxia, it's such a good lead in to the rest of this universe. We got that tease regarding Noxian culture, and the threats the Medarda family faced. No doubt there's going to be political turmoil in Ambessa's absence.

Silco and Vander's forgiveness despite everything that happened. Jinx and Caitlyn's forgiveness despite everything that happened!

Piltover finally being the ones to make concessions to the Zaunites by freely opening up their borders again to all Zaunites to come over (yeah they did it as an invite to ask for help, but they did open up. There were no restrictions on asking for help. They finally decided to remove their barriers and let themselves be vulnerable to the Zaunites - a prime time for easy attacks on Piltover as we've seen throughout the season, but worth it in the hopes that they could have the best chance at stopping the Machine Herald and Ambessa.)

The contrast between Loris and Maddie. Maddie a literal spy, pretending to be someone she's not. Loris just being himself, but still being seen as someone else. Both representing these people that Caitlyn and Vi both can't move on from.

Also shout out to that random soldier who got extra screentime and blew up Viktor's sphere when Loris couldn't. I'm sure you got a name and maybe some lore buddy but idk what it is. At the same time, he could be the everyman. Sometimes it could be just anyone who's there in the right place at the right time to make a difference. The important thing is to show up and try.

I'm sure there's more but that's all that's off the top of my head.

[blueberrysauce54]

The Game She Plays- Chapter 6

Previous Chapter

The night was thick with the kind of tension that only a party could bring. Lights flickered in the dimly lit living room of Mel's apartment, casting shadows on the sleek furniture. The smell of alcohol and perfume hung in the air as people milled around, drinks in hand, some talking in low voices, others laughing too loudly to be heard over the bass-heavy music thumping from the speakers.

Caitlyn wasn't sure why she felt so restless tonight. Maybe it was because the last few days had felt like an emotional rollercoaster. She had hoped tonight would be different, that tonight she'd finally have a chance to talk to Athena, clear the air, and maybe—just maybe—take things a step further. But she hadn't expected this.

Athena had skipped their tutoring session.

Not even a text. Not even a "sorry, something came up." It was classic Athena: unpredictable, uncommitted. Caitlyn hadn't expected much, but she had hoped for a little more than radio silence.

Caitlyn sighed as she adjusted the setup for the party. She was already running late, but she needed something to do to keep her mind off the frustration gnawing at her.

Mel appeared next to her, holding a tray of cocktails. She gave Caitlyn a knowing glance, but didn't ask. She could tell that Caitlyn was tense, probably overthinking it all.

"So, what do you think of Athena skipping out?" Mel asked casually, the corner of her mouth curving into a faint smirk.

Caitlyn tried to keep the irritation from her voice, but it slipped through anyway. "I don't know. It's just... odd. I thought we were making progress. I mean, we've been talking on campus, at the gym, even a couple text messages. But something changed after practice that one night.. she doesn't even have the decency to tell me why she's not showing up."

Mel shrugged, her face unreadable. "Eh, it happens. Athena's not the most reliable. She's never been that committed, to anything really."

"I guess I shouldn't be surprised," Caitlyn muttered, her gaze drifting to the door, wishing Athena would just show up already. "How long have you two been friends anyway?"

Mel seemed to think for a moment, her eyes momentarily darkening. "We've been captain and co-captain of the volleyball team for a while now, but I met her right when she moved from Piltover to Zaun. I never really got the full story, you know? She doesn't talk much about her personal life. I've heard some rumors, about her ex and... her parents. But she was always drunk when she mentioned it. So it's hard to say what's true."

Caitlyn felt a pang in her chest at the mention of Athena'sex. She wondered just how much of that was still hanging over Athena's head. The more she thought about it, the more she realized how little she actually knew about Athena's past.

A couple of hours later, the apartment had become a whirlwind of laughter, music, and flashing lights. Caitlyn had lost track of time, too drunk to think straight. She had spent the last half hour pretending not to look at the door, hoping that Athena would walk in, that she'd finally see her, talk to her, and feel like things might go the way she'd imagined.

When Athena finally showed up, she didn't say a word to Caitlyn. She just walked in, dressed casually in a fitted pair of jeans and a backless shirt that made Caitlyn's breath catch in her throat. The shirt exposed the muscles of Athena's back, the soft curve of her shoulders, and a hint of a tattoo peeking out from the side of her torso. Caitlyn couldn't tear her eyes away.

The soft curve of her shoulders, the lines of muscle that rippled with every movement—it was almost too much, but it was the bruises and hickeys scattered across her back that made Caitlyn freeze. The unmistakable marks of someone who had been with someone else, someone not Caitlyn.

Caitlyn's stomach twisted. She wanted to look away, but she couldn't. Her gaze was drawn to the evidence of Athena's recent encounters, the intimacy she hadn't been a part of the way Athena seemed so effortlessly desirable to everyone but her.

Caitlyn felt like she was losing her mind. Was this why Athena had skipped their session? Was this why she was acting distant? Her mind was spinning as she watched Athena slip into the crowd, immediately taking a drink and talking to a few people she didn't recognize.

Mel, as always, looked composed. She was chatting with friends, a glass of wine in hand, when Caitlyn noticed her. But her eyes flicked briefly to Athena, then back to Caitlyn with a raised brow. Caitlyn didn't have the words for the confusion and hurt that washed over her.

Jayce, on the other hand, was a mess. He was drunk, his speech slurred, and he had his hands all over Mel, kissing her with a ferocity that left Caitlyn momentarily uncomfortable. She didn't even know why it bothered her, but it did.

Athena, however, didn't seem to care. She was already drifting from group to group, avoiding eye contact with Caitlyn. Caitlyn's mind raced with a mix of confusion, hurt, and the nagging feeling that she was just another game to Athena.

The music pounded louder as Caitlyn continued to drink, her thoughts slipping further into the haze of alcohol. The party was buzzing, people everywhere, laughing and dancing, but it all felt like a blur. All Caitlyn could think about was Athena. The way she hadn't even acknowledged her presence.

Then, just as Caitlyn had almost convinced herself that she was overthinking, Athena appeared again, this time in the middle of a passionate make-out session with some guy Caitlyn didn't recognize. Her hands were all over him, and his were all over her, touching places Caitlyn could barely imagine. The way Athena's body pressed into his, the heated urgency of the kiss—it was too much for Caitlyn to bear. She watched, helpless, as Athena pulled the guy away, dragging him toward one of the bedrooms.

Caitlyn felt the sting of rejection in the pit of her stomach. She wasn't sure if she was mad at Athena, at herself, or just at the whole damn situation. She had been so sure—so sure—that there was something there between them. But now? Now it felt like Athena was playing some game, and Caitlyn had missed the memo.

Mel appeared out of nowhere, sensing Caitlyn's distress. "Hey, hey, don't watch that," she said, her tone soft but firm. "Let it go."

"I—" Caitlyn tried to speak but couldn't find the words. Her vision was swimming as the alcohol took over, and the confusion clouded everything.

"She's just... being Athena," Mel continued, guiding Caitlyn away from the doorway, trying to distract her. "She's not the 'relationship' type. You know that."

Caitlyn's voice trembled, even as she tried to laugh it off. "Right... Right. I just thought... maybe..." Her words trailed off as she fought to keep the frustration from showing.

"You didn't have a chance with her," Mel said softly, not unkindly. "Not like that. Athena isn't looking for something real, Cait. She never has been. You deserve someone who's going to give you everything. And Athena... well, she's got her own shit to work through."

Mel, sensing the mood, didn't push. Instead, she took Caitlyn's arm and steered her away from the scene. "Come on. Let's have some fun, yeah? Forget about her."

Caitlyn didn't fight it. She just let Mel pull her into another conversation, trying to ignore the lump forming in her throat.

"I thought—" Caitlyn hiccupped, wiping away a stray tear. "I thought maybe... maybe we were building something. I don't know. But I guess it's just all a game to her."

Mel let out a long sigh. "It's not a game, Cait. She just... doesn't know how to be real with anyone. You included."

Caitlyn's emotions surged, and she couldn't keep the words inside any longer. "But she.... She acted like she wanted something. I thought it was going somewhere, but then—then I see her with that guy. What the fuck, Mel?"

Mel's eyes softened, and she placed a hand on Caitlyn's shoulder. "Athena's complicated. She... she doesn't know how to be vulnerable, Cait. You've got to stop thinking it's about you."

Mel's gaze flickered away for a moment, as though she was going to say something. Then, in a quiet voice, she added, "Athena's got a lot she's still working through. You wouldn't understand. She's carrying around a lot of baggage... a lot of hurt. It's not about you, Caitlyn. It never was. But it's not a game to her either."

Caitlyn felt a knot form in her chest. She wanted to scream, to cry, to somehow make sense of all of this. But she just nodded, the weight of everything sinking in.

And with that, the night ended. The party faded into the quiet aftermath, and Caitlyn was left alone with her confusion, her heart aching from the revelation that Athena was always going to be a mystery she might never fully understand.

________

Chapter List

[fangirling-heart]

returning the favor! Also with arcane questions cause I’m cool liek that

Show- Arcane

3, 6 (a doozy of a question when it comes to arcane lmao) 9, 15

Ship - Caitvi also

2,9,12,14

Character - hmm. Caitlyn.

1,8,10,13

Hello there and thanks for the ask! A giant ask might I add (not that I'm complaining). *cracks knuckles* let's do this!

Arcane:

3....which scene I would like to erase from the universe and why.

Probably the scene of Jayce and Mel having sex. I don't know it's the only one I can think of (probably because I'm sex repulsed and wasn't too invested in their relationship)

6. which is my favorite platonic or familial relationship in this world.

Oof.... real hard I know! I gotta say it's...

Vi and Jinx/Powder

Le gasp! 🫨 Big shock, huh?

It's true though, their relationship started so sweet and wholesome and then turned into one of the most tragic and angsty ones I've ever seen just.... Ughhh!!! I'm a sucker for tragic siblings!!!

9. which characters I think should have interacted more in canon.

Jinx/Powder and Ekko. Those two were supposed to be best friends back when they were kids and it's a pity that all we got from this was some glimpses in a music video, some jabs as teens/young adults and a flashback-esque scene. I think it would also make their fight scenes hit harder.

15. which character I would choose for the chopping block if I knew the writers wanted to kill someone.

Singed perhaps. Mainly because I don't want more death near my faves! Though I know that that's probably a long shot, especially after that post of Ella Purnell...

Caitvi:

2. why I do or don't ship them.

I just love their chemistry so much! Their whole dynamic is really great. It looks like they are so different and like it wouldn't/shouldn't work but still it does, because of their differences and because at their core they're both so similar.

I honestly don't know ifni can explain it any better. I just think they're really neat!

9. what my ideal endgame for them is.

Pretty much the same as yours. They end up being happily in a relationship, after solving the whole situation with Jinx and while working through their traumas.

12. about three of the scenes that make me have feelings and (if available) find the gifs that underline my points.

Scene 1. "You're hot, cupcake." I don't think this one needs an explanation.

Scene 2. Caitlyn caring for Vi after Sevika stabs her. This type of scenes is always a win for me in whatever kind of relationship and the tenderness Caitlyn show to Vi at this moment, while Vi is so adamant about refusing it, but ultimately accepts it... God I love it!

This part especially!!!

Scene 3. That scene of them in Caitlyn's bedroom. Them lying together, the softness of their voices, Vi being vulnerable with Cait, talking to her about a happy memory and about her guilt and Cait offering nothing but gentleness...

I mean look at the way she's touching her! And how Vi looks at her!!!

14. which tropes I think describe them the best.

Class divide, definitely, and opposites attract. Also, I think princess and knight suits them really well.

Caitlyn:

1). why I love them, like them or hate them.

Caitlyn is to me one of the most genuine characters in Arcane, especially when you compare her to the rest of the people in Piltover. Her honesty and humility and kindness really set her apart from nearly everyone surrounding her, along with her willingness to do stuff on her own instead of having someone else do it for her. As she states herself, she is a misfit and I love her for that!

8. a headcanon I have about this character.

Since that shooting competition and her talk with Sheriff Grayson, Caitlyn started idolizing her. Grayson maybe even took her under her wing for a while (I'm saying maybe because we don't know exactly when that competition took place).

10. if I liked them immediately or if took a while before I warmed up to their character. Alternatively, if I disliked them immediately or if they lost my trust as their story progressed.

I kinda liked her from the beginning. I thought she was adorable as a kid (massive props to her voice actress). But she elevated to favorite status as the story was progressing. When we first met her as a child I thought she would be kind of like a side character and that we wouldn't be seeing much of her, and boy am I glad I was proven wrong!

13. how I'd do it if they had to be written out of the story.

From what I understand, this means how I would change the story if I had to remove Caitlyn.

Hmmm... pretty tough. Story-wise, Caitlyn is really important. She breaks Vi out of prison, she has connections to the council, thus being able to actually remind them that the people of the Undercity exists, because we know they wouldn't on their own...

In that case, I think a change I would make, would be Vi breaking out of Stillwater herself after hearing Silco's goon complain about this blue-haired girl with the bombs and realizes that's her sister. She kicks his ass like in canon, basically starting a riot, and into the chaos she fights her way out. She almost escapes, but she is stopped bybthe guy in the entrance. She puts up a fight again, but since she knows she can't fight anymore, she pretends to get beaten to death so they dump her body in the water. When they do, she swims to the other side and voila, Vi is back.

Now the rest for a good part goes as in canon. Vi returns to the lanes, she gets her jacket and her food, she goes to the brothel for info, confronts Sevika and when she gets stabbed, instead of Caitlyn, Ekko's the one who saves her. He saw her entering the Undercity after her escape and followed her. He brings her to his hideout, with the rest of the firelights, they tend to her wound and he fills her in on what happened during her absence. Vi of course doesn't really accept that her sister has changed and insists she can help her.

Meanwhile, like in canon Sevika tells Jinx about Vi being back, as a chance to get rid of her. Jinx goes out and the iconic flare scene takes place.

At the same time, after Ekko and some of the fireflies leave, Vi sneaks out and follows them, but then sees the smoke and goes up to find her sister.

The two reunite, but then Ekko and the others show up, a fight breaks out and Vi tries to get them all to stop, even yelling "Powder, that's Ekko!" And her responding "Yeah, no shit!" or something like that. Vi gets knocked down again, either by accident, by trying to get Jinx to stop shooting , which ends with her slamming her machine gun on her face (similarly like how she did with Caitlyn) and that makes her freeze for a moment like "Holy shit I hurt Vi!". The firelights take advantage of this, overpower her and take both her and Vi back in their hideout.

That's all I could think of so far. Come to think of it, I think it would be a good idea for a fanfic!

[lady-griffin]

There might be a “deleted” scene in Arcane, of Vi and Caitlyn before they reached Caitlyn’s home.

I say that because,

When they break into Caitlyn’s room, Vi asks Cait –

“Who lives here?”

And then Vi follows up that question with -

“Another Councilor friend of yours?”

Another? What do you mean by another, Vi? Why doesn’t Vi simply presume that Caitlyn’s Councilor friend is the one who lives here?

Why does Vi even ask about another potential Councilor friend?

Furthermore, when Vi spoke to Jayce when she broke into his forge – she said that the first thing Caitlyn did when they reach topside, was look for Jayce.  

Yet, we never saw that. 

🧁 🧁 🧁

All of that combined, makes me think that Caitlyn and Vi stopped at Jayce’s place first, to try and get his help, but since he was sleeping over at Mel’s, he wasn’t there.

Leading Caitlyn, to do the one thing she really didn’t want to do. 

Reutrn home (with Vi).

She literally breaks them into her room to avoid her parents (her mom), I mean come on.

I’m presuming her plan was to break in and fix herself up without her parents knowing, or get her dad to fix her up, without her mom knowing.

Now, there is the argument she doesn’t think her mom will help them in regards to speaking to the Council, but even with that, they still could have entered through the front door.

No. Caitlyn doesn’t want Vi to know who she is. That she’s Caitlyn KIRAMMAN. She’s trying to avoid it as long as possible. 

Caitlyn didn’t even bring up that her mom is on the council, even if she didn’t think her mom would help them, that’s still would’ve been a useful argument to convince Ekko to return the gemstone. 

Knowing two people on the council, gives Caitlyn the air of having a lot of leverage (and to be fair, she kind of does. Kind of). 

Instead, she only brings up Jayce.

Caitlyn wanted to say as “Just Caitlyn” as long as she could, because that’s what she’s wanted for so long, but also -

Cait doesn’t want Vi to treat her differently.

She doesn’t want Vi to see her as Caitlyn KIRAMMAN, which is what she’s solely been defined as by everyone in Piltover for so long. The one person who doesn’t do that to her, is Jayce.

Her parents have high expectations for her, because they’re the Kirammans.

And everyone else either refers to Caitlyn by her last or full name. And while most mean it in a negative way, even those who aren’t trying to be hurtful, still don’t treat her as ‘just’ Caitlyn.

Grayson called her Young Kiramman. And I think Grayson really didn’t mean anything bad by it, she let Caitlyn win it, because Caitlyn herself earned, from Grayson perspective. But she’s still a Kiramman. 

Mel called her the Kiramman girl, when Jayce refers to Caitlyn; almost as though she’s trying to clarify who exactly he’s talking about. 

🧁 🧁 🧁

Caitlyn, wanted to be seen and valued for who she is and she finally got her wish with Vi.

After she met Vi, she was no longer shackled by her family name, in some very good ways, but also in some bad ways too. 

Good Ways

Vi treats her like a normal person.

Vi not only comes to like her, but finds her attractive.

              Some have pointed out that they find it a bit odd, that Caitlyn doesn’t seem to know she’s hot, but for me - 

        1. Caitlyn is not the only attractive individual in Piltover and Zaun.

        2. Caitlyn’s not use to someone being so aggressively forward like Vi is, especially towards herself. 

        3. She’s always a Kiramman first. That’s probably why she’s usually approached, so it’s more of a surprise that someone who doesn’t know who she is, also finds her attractive and that they think it’s something that she can use, like as a tool.

         3.5 While not to say looks don’t matter, as Cassandra Kiramman clearly cares about appearance. I don’t think it’s a gendered thing in Arcane, or at least with the Kirammans it’s not.

It’s important Caitlyn is well groomed and dressed, but her actual traits and skills also matter, probably more so. Basically, she’s a Kiramman and I assume next in line after her mom, so she can’t just be a pretty face. 

Her parents weren’t upset she was an enforcer because it’s a job and she’s a girl and she should get married, or the usual stuff in stories, it’s because it’s a job beneath her supposes status as a Kiramman. It looks bad.

Also, it’s potentially a very dangerous job. As we see Cait’s parents got her fired, after she got hurt. 

Caitlyn proves herself to Vi by her own merit and SHE earns Vi’s trust and respect. Which that’s pretty impressive. I mean Vi is a pretty guarded person in the first place, but especially after being in jail) for nearly an entire decade (fuck you Marcus) and Caitlyn is an enforcer; so, it says a lot about who Caitlyn is as a person, that Vi sees her as more than an enforcer. 

Bad Ways

For a bit, Vi only saw her as just another enforcer and Vi does not like enforcers.

The job Caitlyn wanted and saw as a way to define herself outside of her family, does just that for her, but enforcers are not as great as Caitlyn thought they were.

Vi is far more important to the people of the Undercity than any Kiramman will ever be. Vi also has enemies. While Caitlyn may not like it or be all that aware of it, she has been protected by the Kiramman name.

But now, in the Undercity, she’s just the enforcer standing next to Vi.   

She’s kidnapped by the Firelights, because she’s with Vi.

Ekko only lets Caitlyn go and is willing to trust her because of Vi. While being freed is far from a bad thing, it’s only because of Vi. If Vi didn’t like her or wasn’t there - Caitlyn would be so screwed.

-

Silco does not care she is a Kiramman and he is very willing to kill her, despite who her family is.

You cannot tell me that Silco does not know who the Kirammans are or that the head of their family is on the council. Of course, he would know that. 

And while, I think he would be willing to kill a Kiramman – I think it would only be for the purpose of sending a strong politicial message to Piltover and also only he’s sure he can handle the consequences of doing it.

But Jinx is far more important to Silco and because of that, Vi is far more important to him than any Kiramman; in the sense that for Silco, Vi is the one and only person who can take Jinx away from him.

Which is what Silco truly cares about.

Caitlyn being a Kiramman does not protect her from Silco. He’s very willing to kill her “quietly,” without any message being sent to Piltover basically, because she doesn’t matter. Her being a Kiramman, doesn’t even factor for Silco, despite how important her family name is. 

Marcus specifically says she’s a Kiramman, but Silco a minute later says – “this Caitlyn,” to refer to her; minimizing her family’s importance in the situation. 

-

Marcus, though struggling, seriously contemplates killing Caitlyn, in front of a bunch of enforcers. 

While he can easily shoot a random, “nobody” from the undercity (Ekko), killing Caitlyn is a whole other thing. Sure, there’s the element that he knows her, so there’s a personal connection and of course, she is his fellow enforcer, and that does mean something to Marcus.

He is traumatized and feels guilty about how his actions led to Grayson and the other enforcers’ deaths, all those years ago, and he was genuinely upset with Jinx killing those six enforcers.

Still, I think what’s really holding him back is that Caitlyn is a Kiramman. Because surely killing her in front of a bunch of witnesses, will only bring him consequences from the Council, like being exposed for being a corrupt sheriff.

At the same time, not killing Caitlyn puts him in danger of being exposed as well, especially since she’s figuring out all of his shady shit.

He, also, “needs” to kill her; because, Silco is far more of a threat to Marcus than the Council could ever be, as he will absolutely kill Ren, if Marcus does not comply.

Marcus cannot risk his daughters life, for Caitlyn, even if it’s not as easy as shooting Ekko.

-

Jinx doesn’t even see Caitlyn as a person, let alone a Kiramman, she only sees the “monster,” who is taking away her sister, and is her replacement.

🧁 🧁 🧁

We see that Caitlyn was not exactly wrong, for ‘fearing’ what would happen if Vi learned who who she was or, more accurately, that she’s a Kiramman. 

After the disastrous council meeting, these two “break up.” Vi pushes Caitlyn away.

Vi would probably do that with or without Cait being Kiramman, nonetheless, Caitlyn being from an extremely wealthy family, makes Vi want to leave even more so.

Vi fears she’s going to be rejected; that she simply won’t belong with Caitlyn or in Caitlyn’s world. Oil and Water. 

Vi, and to be fair a good portion of the Undercity, have an inferiority complex when it comes to Piltover. Not because they are inferior, but because of the whole oppression and severe gaps in wealth, education, and quality of life. 

We also know that the disparity between their social statuses and wealth are on on Vi’s mind, to whatever degree. 

Vi specifically emphasizes the Council’s “fancy door” when she storms out.

When Caitlyn asks Vi where she’s going, Vi responds -

“I don't know. Back where I came from? Seems like that's what everyone up here wants.”

And also 

��Go back to that big, shiny house of yours and just... forget me, okay?”

Now, I don’t think this is just because Caitlyn is a Kiramman. 

Vi is upset (and being dramatic)

But, from Vi’s perspective, she was “stupid” enough to trust the council and think they would actually care enough to help those in the Undercity. And even worse, she gave up Jinx’s name and got nothing in return for it (like them going after Silco).

Whether Vi considers Jinx to be her sister doesn’t matter, as Powder is her sister, and her sister is Jinx or for Vi at that point, going by the name of Jinx. So, Vi just potentially put her sister in danger, and she might be worried about that, if just not upset for feeling like she ‘betrayed’ her sister. 

Because, while Vi did give them Jinx’s name, I don’t believe for a second Vi was going to let them take her sister away. 

There is of course, the possibility, that she’s already planning to attack Silco’s factory with Jayce (or is planning to ask him), so she may be trying to protect Caitlyn here.

But really, at the end of the day, Vi is upset and when she’s upset she doesn’t seek others out, she prefers to be alone.

- In the Enemy music video, after she pushed Powder down, we see Vi storm off. And while, it was at the start of the video, after she stormed off, she did reconcile and apologize to Powder (so going off on her own can help her calm down)

-When their job went south and she got scolded by Vander, Vi didn’t want to talk to Mylo or even vent about her frustrations. Possibly because she was frustrated with Powder and Vi seems to try and keep that to herself, to protect Powder, it seems. Even though that causes Vi’s frustration to eventually boil over, making Vi react badly when she lets her anger get the best of her.

We later see Powder in the room afterwards, so clearly both Vi and Mylo left it at some point, and we can presume it’s been some time. Implying Vi went off somewhere (maybe?), to feel her feelings. 

- After she hit Powder and lashed out at her at the warehouse, because of you know, everything that just happened, Vi walked off on her own. She was still near Powder, but she wanted (needed) to collect herself and I don’t think Vi knows how to do that with other people, except maybe with Vander.

Wanting to be by yourself to process your emotions or calm down, is far from a bad thing and does show, I would argue, Vi does have a decent level of emotional maturity. 

Of course, it’s not always a good thing, because at worse, Vi is actively pushing others away and is trying to handle everything herself, to her own detriment. 

In many ways, Caitlyn gets the benefit of getting to be herself, not the ‘Kiramman girl’when she’s with Vi; but, Vi also gets the benefit of not being the older sister, who “has” to put everyone else first all that time, when she’s with Caitlyn. 

She instead gets to be taken care of.

🧁 🧁 🧁

This became more about how Caitlyn got her wish, in being seen for who she was as Caitlyn not Caitlyn Kiramman; and how she experiences both the good and bad of “just” being Caitlyn. As well, as a bit of Caitvi analysis. 

My main point was supposed to be, how I definitely think Caitlyn and Vi looked for Jayce at his place, before they headed to Caitlyn’s family’s home.

Based off the weird dialogue from Vi when they broke into Caitlyn’s room and what she says to Jayce later on. 

Now when I say “deleted,” I don’t necessarily mean deleted; like I’m not trying to go for the drama of, there’s a secret deleted scene, the show hid from us.

I think time constraints got in the way and the simple fact, that a few of the scenes in Episode 8, seem like they are meant to work on the basis that we, the audience, saw Caitlyn and Vi going to Jayce’s place first, before they went to Caitlyn’s, even though we never did see that.

It feels like if that was changed earlier on, some changes to the line – “Who lives here? Another Councilor friend of yours?” - would’ve happened.

 But, those are just my thoughts.

[sevikasmainwhore]

♥︎Arcane Headcanons♥︎

Jayce was a fun loving chubby kid. He just gives me that vibe and I love him for it. (he still a bitch to me)

Mel has a white bonnet with gold accents. Allora questioned why she wears it too sleep and after some explaining from Mel, she gifts them to her with different colors and types too

It’s an odd headcanon but I really think that another hobby of Vi’s is drawing. Nothing serious just her doodling whenever she doesn’t really wanna work out.

Mylo was silver toothed kid. He was a sweet little boy but he was also really sneaky.

Claggor and Mylo are really well known in the Undercity , not because they’re Vanders Kids, but because Mylo always gets himself into shit and Claggor is right behind him defending him or trying to get him out of it.

Same with Ekko and Powder but they never get caught. As in people know they did it but never have enough proof because they’re just too quick.

Caitlyn was one of those kids that had all the really cool and updated school supplies.

In a Modern AU, I really feel like Jayce would be a streamer.

Jayce is Lactose Intolerant

Sevika and Renata are 4lifers. (no i won’t elaborate)

Everyone in the entire show has at least one or more stuffed animal (s) or plushies somewhere in their room.

Grayson is an Outkast fan.

Sevika loves Western/Cowboy movies (Cowboy!Sevika??????um hello???)

Caitlyn hates white chocolate

Sevikas biological father taught her to gamble. It was most likely the best way they could bond

Vi let’s Jinx give her new tattoos as a sister bonding time since it might be hard for her to talk to her without a misunderstanding

Sevika was like an Aunt to Vanders Kids (i think we all knew this)

She taught Vi everything she needed to know about fighting

I really don’t wanna believe Sevika hates them I just feel like since she couldn’t have a really good relationship with her father then they shouldn’t have one ya know?

Vi had a pet rat named Zee

Powder had a pet rat too but she lost it. As in she set it down when she was looking for trinkets and it scampered

Mylo had an older brother who taught him how to lock pick

Grayson and Vander had a thing when they were younger but fell off when Grayson became an enforcer (i still strongly believe grayson had a wife waiting at home for her♡ lol me)

Jinx surprisingly is a really good cook. Baking is her specialty

Vander had a dog that slept around the Last Drop and was just a huge comfort to everyone their. Sevika named him. His name was Rylo

Someone mentioned to Vander (Ran, it was Ran) that he should have a live band.

Ran loves the drums and acoustic guitar.

Ambessa never knew how to take care of kids so she took Mel and Her brother to an art museum as like a bonding exercise or something and it started Mel’s whole passion for art

Mel and Caitlyn have really sophisticated but childish conversations with each other

They’ve painted together, They’ve had tea together. Mel is like Caitlyn’s second best friend. (what could’ve been)

Mel is most likely the only council members Caitlyn can trust. (what could’ve been :( )

Grayson is like a very strict motherly figure to Marcus. Like he can come to her whenever he needs too but She’s still your Captain

“Don’t ever bite the hand that feeds you, And Don’t ever bite the hand that could possibly beat yo ass—”. Vi’s Daily Affirmation

Silco gifted Sevika her own playing cards after he saw her playing with some of his lower goons.

One time Viktor showed up early to the lab on what was supposed to be his off day to find neatly wrapped chopped fruit with a note “ Make sure you eat and Get plenty of rest”(it was from Sky shhhhhhhhh)

Ekko has a blue satin bonnet with lime green accents.

Ekko gifted Jinx her own hoverboard and since then they both go into Piltover and vandalize what ever they can.

Viktor thinks of Ekko and Jinx as his little hench children. He loves them dearly (what I hope to happen :D)

this is all i have. :) thank you.

[maammooth]

Arcane Season 2 Theories Part 2

Okay. So here is more theories I have about Arcane Season 2! Let me know what you thought of it!

(Sorry if there is any mistakes (grammar, conjugation, etc) english is not my first language)

If Mel dies, Jayce would be devastated too, he will blame himself for hesitated so long and don't take a decision earlier. He could team up with Ambessa and provide her new weapons with hextech to attack Zaun.

Viktor and Jayce will surely have a clash about Viktor’s experimentations and Zaun (whether Mel is dead or not)

This one is more a headcanon than a theory but I think Sevika never really hated Jinx, Vi, etc. I even think that she was like the cool “aunt” for Vander’s kids (Vi, Jinx, Mylo and Claggor + Ekko). It’s certainly partly her wh taught them to fight and all see her more like an ally they could trust than an adult like Benzo and Vander. That’s why Vi took very hard Sevika’s “betrayal” to Vander. For her, Sekiva has betrayed them too, the Vander’s kids.

I don’t know why but when I imagine a confrontation between Warwick (if he’s Vander) and Vi and/or Jinx, I can see them trying to reason with him (particularly Vi) but it fails. For me, the one fight that’s make them realise that Warwick is no longer Vander will be like this: Vi and Sevika will have another fight but it’ll be interrupted by Warwick coming, Vi will try to reason with him again, Jinx will arrive right after because she’s tracking him, Sevika will finally learn that Warwick is Vander and will risk her life to protect Vi and Jinx because she never hated this brats. With Sevika’s (violent) death, Vi and Jinx will finally realise that he’s no longer Vander and maybe will team up to stop him.

Vi’ll end up becoming an Enforcer. With a lot of persuasion from Caitlyn, she’ll accept because then she’ll have more possibilities to achieve her objective.

If Renata becomes the new Leader of Zaun, she’ll inevitably meet Jinx. Renata is an intelligent woman so she’ll immediately notice Jinx’s potential, ending up by taking her under her wing. Jinx’ll be confused and scared at first, because, Silco did the same thing, who says it won't end up like it did with him? Why will things be different with Renata? Because, rather than let her do her thing in her own corner like Silco did, Renata will provide her materials, help, advice, tips. Jinx’s talent is real, so instead of letting it free to do what it wants as much trained it and push its limit. Renata could be a real mentor for Jinx, not just a protector like Silco was.( I see alot of people thinking that and I totally agree with )

          Silco be like: Do whatever you want   

          Renata be like: Okay that’s good but you can do better, let me show you

 Little analysis of the mini trailer of season 2:

We can hear three voices: Caitlyn, Vi and Jinx (in this order)

Caitlyn talks about a future hypothetical encounter between herself and Jinx, mentioning that one of them will end up in a box (dead). So now we know that Jinx and Caitlyn hate each other at the point of wanting to kill each other. For Jinx, it’s because Caitlyn “stole” her sister away from her. And for Caitlyn, it’s because of Jinx that her mother is injured/dead.

Vi says that it’s up to her to do it, that it must not have more injured people. I think she's talking about Jinx’s attack at the end of season 1. So we know one thing, there will be injured people. Dead ones, maybe, injured ones it’s sure. (And the pain in her voice breaks my heart…)

Jinx says that she’s glad they’re here because it had to be them. We don’t know who she’s talking about but we have a few possibilities: she’s talking about Vi who’s try one last time to reason with her; she’s talking about the person that will become the new Leader of Zaun instead of Silco (Sevika or Renata or someone else); she’s about Caitlyn (she’s maybe going to get rid of her); or she’s talking to someone who will be introduced in season 2, like Warwick (?) or someone else from Zaun.

After Jinx talked, we can hear a growl followed by a howl which suggests that it’s Warwick who is, if the theory is true, Vander.

Also, the fuchsia powder effect at the end makes me think of two things: the first one, Shimmer. Shimmer is a fuchsia drug, though it is usually liquid, this powder cloud might tell us that, beside Silco’s death, Shimmer is still a problem in Zaun. The second one, Renata Glasc (yes, I really want her to be in season 2). To have read about her backstory and all, the fuchsia is omnipresent around her. Either in her appearance (her eyes are literally fuchsia) or in what she fabricates in her industries, there is fuchsia. Moreover, in a video (her champion music) we see her breaking a flask with her prosthetic hand then a sort of a powder cloud appears. Between the end of the trailer where the A breaks into pieces by fuchsia lightning and the passage mentioned earlier, there are a lot of similarities that makes me think that Renata will surely be in season 2 and may have a major role.

[sylvanas-girlkisser]

Arcane Background Lore/Easter Eggs (Episode 6)

Welp folks, just one more sleep until Arcane part 3 [screams internally].

Mel’s painting depicts “The Immortal Bastion”, the enormous fortress that serves as Noxus’ seat of government. However, the artist at Fortiche who drew it kinda messed up by making it seem like the bastion had two towers connected by a bridge at the top, when in reality it has three (representing the three pillars of Noxian philosophy). I’m willing to bet this is down to them using this specific piece of concept art as primary reference:

That aside, Mel referencing being an outcast from her family, while we see pictures of Noxus is clearly meant to imply to savy viewers that she has familial ties to Noxus. I’m not really sure what to do with her episode 1 line about being the richest person in Piltover, but the poorest Medarda, since according to League lore, clan Medarda is a well-established Piltover house, but it’s also supposed to be led by a patriarch with a man named Jae Medarda as heir apparent… Best guess there’s been a retcon and we’ll need to wait until part 3 to know how it all fits together.

The rune in frame when Viktor pokes the hex core, is the rune for sorcery. You know the thing Viktor is trying to learn.

This motif of a pink eye atop a tower-like structure at the entrance to the sump might be a reference to the “vision ward” item in league which are these little structures you can place that have this pink eye floating above it which reveals invisible enemies and stuff. They have since been renamed to “control wards” and had their color changed to red, but the fandom still often refers to them as “pink wards”.

The character featured in Ren’s storybook is someone named Teemo, whom a significant portion of the fandom (including yours truly) despise for being an absolute menace to play against. Also him and Vi used to be a popular ship with the straight cis boy segment of the fandom, and they even had a semi-canon wedding. I wish I was joking.

There is a kind of pink potion in League called “Corrupting Potion”, which restores health and magic while temporarily increasing the damage of your attacks. However the potion Caitlyn trades her rifle for is a very different shade of pink, more similar to that used for shimmer.

Whatever you do, do not look up what Singed’s looks like in League, cause you will not be able to take him seriously as a villain afterwards. He’s one of the first characters they came up with for the game and his design has aged like milk.

Ravens have made a lot of appearances throughout the show, and so far I have assumed it was mostly just set-dressing. However now that we know Noxus will play a part in the story, I would be remiss not to mention that Jericho Swain, the Grand General of Noxus (essentially their president) is visually heavily associated with ravens, though its not clear whether or not he actually is the Grand General at the time Arcane takes place.

So, here used to be a segment talking about why I didn’t think the leader of the firelights was going to be Ekko, but then act 3 came out, and proved that I was full of shit. Instead let me take this space to highlight some of the clues to Ekko being the Firelights leader, and how they were just vague enough to prevent people from definitively calling it:

- Ekko is very heavily associated with clocks, the first part of the Firelights leader we see is his pocket watch, but in league Ekko wears a wrist watch (sorta).

- Ekko signature weapon is a cricket bat (not a shillelagh) in League, but in a lot of early concept art he does wield a shillelagh just like the Firelights leader.

- Just like with the crystal grenades, in League ekko can both stun enemies and throw grenades, but they are separate abilities and rely on time magic to work.

- In the “True Genius” trailer, Ekko builds a rocket powered skateboard, however its not until Heimerdinger gets his hands on it that it starts to fly.

Breaking a bit with tradition here because I think there is a slight chance that Samira might actually make a cameo in Arcane. She’s basically the person Noxus sends in when they want a messy situation dealt with and don’t care who gets caught in the crossfire, and her fighting style would look amazing in Arcane’s animation style. It’s probably just wishful thinking, but she would make sense to bring in as a character to represent how much you shouldn’t fuck with Noxus.

If there’s anything I missed please let me know, I’m planning to do a breakdown like this for each episode.

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

[arcane-temp-fandomblog]

Love your thoughts, it's nice to read other people's perspectives even if I view it differently.

I'm also just talking about his political career and hextech, I suck at interpreting interpersonal or emotional parts of stories - so I'm not really interested in his emotional life. Like in this story the love/emotional part is not necessary to understand plot progression - thank god, 'coz I'm lost when shows do it. I call him dumb but he's alongside Jinx my fav character, because I love his political storyline.

Again, the illegal imports are a great example. No one told him it's okay or expected to let those things slide.

He doesn't have to but decides on it because:

1) Mel tells him, he put a target on his back and his house is in trouble trying to root out corruption.

2) She tells him - he will be able to forge his destiny.

And he's soo easily swayed when someone points him to a solution - just like Vi with Silco.

So imo. the funniest part of the theatre scene is that by allowing all those deals to go on - he becomes one of the most influential political-economic lobbyists in the city. Just doesn't realise it yet because he's such a naive idealist.

The council wants the hexgates trade for their personal gains -> he is the person that allows for their trade to continue and owns the hexgates, from that point on he has enormous political power.

That's why they vote with him on Heimerdinger's retirement - it's not his speech about Heimerdinger's shortcomings, it's the economic profits he brings. It's adorable he doesn't understand that, until he goes to the undercity with Vi.

And then he gets very quickly the idea that council doesn't give a shit about the undercity. He can go behind the back of all political sphere directly to Silco to get a deal with him first, he can go present them the peace terms, be obnoxious asshole and speak his mind to them - and they will still vote on that peace treaty. Profits from hextech trump having the undercity as part of Piltover. Why else would they vote for it, if they react screaming first. Jayce in a very painful manner traded his dream for real power, and from now on - will probably be a very scary man for his opponents. At least that's what imo. this whole ending was about.

He was thrust into politics with absolutely no training or planning. I don't think you can reasonably expect him to do a good job or know how to act.

Maybe, but that's not how he views it in the show right?

He feels responsible - that's why he doesn't take on board Vi's excuse in the mine that 'he didn't have a choice' when he killed Renni's kid.

That's why he doesn't fight Vi to get the mining gloves back - because he also feels that was his decision to give them away, and using more force/spilling more blood won't make it right.

And he is correct.

This is his character growth, that's why he tries to use his knowledge to get peace.

Just like Caitlyn feels responsible for letting down Vi by taking her in front of the council and promising that would help her.

Like lets allow these two misfit siblings their growth. They don't want to be excused.

Also Snakes - the song that plays during the mine fight is his PoV song imo. - of what is the outcome of that fight in terms of realisation for him, the lyrics are hilarious and perfect - "I’m nice but I can get wicked". Whole lyrics are hilarious - 30+ y/o man realises that not everyone had his best interest at heart. Season 2 - I have such high hopes he'll be just as fun to watch.

And what I meant by "too late" is the rocket potentially killing them all. We don't know what happens next, but if he dies, that change won't have made a difference to Zaun.

Maybe Jayce dies, but that would be very weird writing, like why would he? For shock factor?

Mel may die but it'd be a very weird setup with a chime of her golden armour notifying her of incoming rocket.

And I'll be very surprised if Viktor dies, because I'm like 95% sure Arcane Season 2 teaser has his electricity 'magic' not the pure hextech electricity - the one he uses in game for his skills.

@all-thestories-aretrue

I don't see it as much of manipulation as conflict of interests (and nearly every conversation in this story has a conflict of interests in a writing sense - otherwise there's no stakes), which he looses coz he's dumb and doesn't understand society he lives in. Good, being stupid and naive shouldn't be rewarded, having ones priorities not straight shouldn't be rewarded, not knowing your position in the system shouldn't be rewarded. Jayce is not special in this story - so if he fucks up, he looses. Things should not simply turn out good because he wants them to or because he wants them to be good. Now he has the knowledge to at least shape his own path in the system.

And also imo. his change comes a hair breath from too late, because he already very narrowly avoided three darkest - but maybe least painful to his own self image - timelines:

1. Vi doesn't seek him out / he doesn't go with Vi - Silco still dies in similar confrontation, Jinx still nukes the council. He has "confirmation" that people "down there are hell bent on destroying us", makes weapons and hands them off to enforcers - never seeing real cost of life his technology took in the undercity. But he can think himself as doing good and protecting the city, even if he never feels like he achieved anything towards his goal and doesn't understand why.

Sky still dies, and so does Viktor - in same circumstances as nearly would have happened.

2. He accepts Vi excuse and continues with their quest, they kill Silco - Jinx still nukes the council, but he can now continue his excuse "he didn't have a choice". He learns nothing but hey, he can keep good opinion of himself, even if he never feels like he achieved anything towards his goal and doesn't understand why.

Sky still dies, and so does Viktor - since he would be too late to find him - in same circumstances as nearly would have happened.

3. He fights Vi to get the gloves back, even if he wins and kills Vi - he now has to explain to Caitlyn "he didn't have a choice". That's the end of their friendship. He learns nothing but he can keep good opinion of himself, even if he never feels like he achieved anything towards his goal and doesn't understand why.

Sky still dies, and so does Viktor - since he would be too late to find him - in same circumstances as nearly would have happened.

Anyone wants to write these AUs that didn't happen?

Jayce already narrowly avoided three much worse outcomes to his character arc, because this story does not penalise character growth. What's he's getting is not the best but could be far, far worse.

The rocket would still be sent towards Piltover whenever Silco and Vi would have confrontation and one of them died, but now he actually knows how Piltover's political system works.