#i just wanted to isolate the bit that WAS GOING ACCORDING TO PLAN

[butterflydm]

Wheel of Time 3x03 Deep Dive (show spoilers)

Spoilers only for the show in this one, through 3x04, because some of what we learn there gives us insight into bits of this episode.

Our first Forsaken meeting post-Ishamael's death.

Let's go, Forsaken Meeting!

I really like the way they introduced this by having us follow Rahvin to the meeting location, and the show-only people would wonder what Prince-Consort Gaebril is up to but have that shock of surprise when Lanfear comes to speak with him. Loved it!

We get to see four Forsaken here -- Lanfear, Rahvin, Sammael, and Moghedien (hiding from all the others except Rahvin). We also get mention of the deceased Ishamael, and learn that Rahvin has been talking to two other Forsaken named Graendal and Semirhage, who were not invited to Lanfear's meeting. Lanfear mentioned Graendal last season ("vain idiot") but did not mention Semirhage.

So, to all appearances, this would seem to be Lanfear's first meeting with any of the other Forsaken since she spoke with Moghedien (a month and some change ago). She does have a different agenda from the other Forsaken, as far as we're aware -- Ishamael wanted to turn the Dragon and his friends to the Shadow; Lanfear wants the Dragon for herself and is fine if his friends just fuck off forever and never contact him again; and she claims that all the other Forsaken just want Rand & co dead. Her opinion of "the boys" last season was that they "couldn't carry out a plan if they were under Compulsion", but we don't know how accurate any of Lanfear's opinions about her coworkers are.

So if Rahvin is dressed as a noble, though less fancy than when he's around Morgase, Sammael is dressed up military, and fancy enough that I'll say 'general'. And Lanfear is wearing clothes that remind me of the more 'modern' style that we saw in the Age of Legends.

"According to her, and anyone who meets us, we've been hopelessly in love for more than a decade." Terrifying! Gaebril's cheerful affable stepdad vibes from the last episode revealed here as a facade.

"You always were an artist with compulsion" - this from Lanfear does let us know that this is sort of Rahvin's "speciality" and potentially none of the other Forsaken are able to compel as easily and as quickly as he does.

Sammael just wants to get down to the business of the meeting. He wants to know where the Dragon is.

But she doesn't want to talk about that.

"You didn't learn your lesson last time, did you? You were so in love with Lews Therin, you'd have stretched out at his feet if he'd said "Rug"."

We have an interesting set of observations when it comes to Lews Therin and Lanfear's past relationship. According to legend (Moiraine), Lanfear was in love with the Dragon and turned to the Shadow after he broke her heart and left her to marry his wife. According to 'Selene', her ex-boyfriend judged her after he saw who she really was and broke things off with her.

Lanfear's main angle in seducing Rand appears to be isolating him as much as possible and trying to get him to admit that he's just as dark on the inside as she is, and that she's the only one who will ever see that and understand and love him all the same.

Ishamael also blamed the Dragon for both himself and Lanfear turning to the Shadow (but that was part of his ploy to try to convince Rand to turn). And Sammael paints the picture of a woman pathetically eager and desperate for a man who doesn't respect her.

What's the truth about Lanfear and Lews Therin's previous relationship?

I think that the most obvious signs of the truth lie in how Lanfear is seeking to mold Rand, presumably so that things between the two of them don't go the same way that they did with Lews Therin. And what is Lanfear doing with Rand? She wants to isolate him from everyone else who cares about him and convince him that he has darkness inside him that no one but her is capable of loving.

So, I think that Lews Therin did glimpse the darkness inside Lanfear, went "um, fuck no!" and went off to fall in love with someone he liked better, but Lanfear doesn't want to think about what that means.

The fault can't be in Lanfear. And she doesn't want the 'fault' to be in Lews Therin either. She wants to be able to blame it on external influences that are tearing him away from her, or else on him denying his true nature. Because that would mean that her desperate and possessive love for him isn't in vain.

Lanfear and Sammael seem close to starting a fight, but Rahvin cools the temperature of the room down by reminding them that it was all their in-fighting last time that let Lews Therin trap them in the seals, and we get to the actual point of the meeting that Lanfear called.

What is the purpose of Lanfear's meeting? She wants them to gang up and kill Moghedien (doesn't mention that this is because Moghedien was just threatening Rand by sending a Gray Man to his inn in 3x01). She dresses it up by pretending that she's worried that Moghedien is going to start taking each of them out so that she can be Nae'Blis herself, and the implication is that Nae'Blis was previously Ishamael, who was particularly favored by the Dark One before his death in 2x08.

Lanfear calls out Sammael as "the weakest of us", which maybe explains why he fronts as so aggressive. She also tells us that Moghedien tends to work by targeting the weakest in the group and picking them off one by one until she reaches the top. In the case of the Forsaken, that would be Lanfear, she says, now that Ishamael is gone. I like that the show has leveled out the power levels between men and women, and so Lanfear, instead of being the strongest of the female Forsaken, is now currently just flat-out the strongest Forsaken.

This also gives us some information about Nynaeve being the first to be targeted by Moghedien in 3x01 -- she's currently the weakest of the group (but has the potential to be very strong if she breaks her block), so going after her is the least risky option at the moment.

"If you're so strong, why isn't our Great Lord speaking to you? And why aren't you Nae'Blis? Why aren't you our leader?" Sammael asks, after Lanfear positions herself as the top of the power pyramid, the person that Moghedien would kill last.

"Maybe he mourns Ishamael still," Lanfear says. I do think it's possible that Lanfear really does want to kill the Dark One (as she claims to Rand later on) but I don't think she wants to stop doing horrible things, which is what Rand would actually want from her.

Rahvin says that he'll consider presenting Lanfear's idea of an alliance to two of the other Forsaken, Graendal and Semirhage, making it clear that he has already made some alliances of his own.

It's interesting to think about how Ishamael and Lanfear so often wore clothes that tied them to the Age of Legends, to the past. They are also the two Forsaken who remain the most concerned with the past incarnation of the Dragon, Lews Therin. Meanwhile, Rahvin and Sammael both appear to have adopted the clothing of the place where they're currently living.

After Lanfear & Sammael leave, we get the reveal that Moghedien was hiding and watching. Moghedien states here that she doesn't want to make the same mistakes as last time, and doesn't plan to end up in a cage again. Very interesting considering that we see her at the end of the episode playacting as Liandrin & co's servant as they learn that the object of power that they stole from the White Tower is a male version of the sul'dam bracelet and they are here in Tanchico to find the matching collar. She talks about wanting to avoid being caged and ends up finding out about a potential way to cage the person who locked her up last time.

I definitely understand picking slightly more time in the episodes over using the credits but they are so pretty and I am always happy to see them. And the way that the gold threads first burst out at Josha's (the Dragon's) name just hit me so hard from the first time that we saw them.

Our first major plotline in this episode is Elayne and Nynaeve's investigation into where Liandrin might have gone, which starts with the interrogation of Amico and Joiya, who both pretend to break and who are both lying liars who lie, as Elayne and Nynaeve figured out by the end of the episode.

Nynaeve and Elayne remind us that they do not trust anyone else in the White Tower, even the people like Verin who Siuan trusts (even Siuan herself). Nynaeve has a lot of reason to be wary -- Liandrin really did connect with her before betraying her, plus she and potentially Elayne also know about Siuan trying to cage Rand. The one other Aes Sedai that they might trust, Alanna, is not currently in the Tower. Nynaeve did get along really well with Maksim, so might have been willing to trust the pair of them, if they'd been around.

Unfortunately, we know that Elayne already may have trusted the wrong person -- with the reveal that Gaebril is really the Forsaken Rahvin, it's possible that every word that she said to her mother was repeated directly to Rahvin.

The information that we get from Amico and Joiya:

The Black Ajah work in hearts, where women only know three other BA Sisters (the two others of their heart and one outside of it). this protects the full BA from being revealed if any single BA sister gets caught

Liandrin somehow knew about the rest of them (because of Lanfear? or because of Ishy?) despite that breaking the heart structure, though she was actually Amico's "outside her heart" connection

Amico's lie about Liandrin's location is that she's gone to Tear, to help one of the Forsaken claim Callandor

Joiya's lie is that Liandrin has gone to find Mazrim Taim, the false Dragon in Saldaea

We shift to Elaida, who appears to have some health issues going on that make her hands shake. Or, well, hand. It appears to be only the one hand, where she wears a gold and red bracelet that appears to have a snake on it. And I can't tell if she sweeps the items off her vanity out of frustration or if she literally loses control of her hand and it sweeps the items off against her will.

She calls for a servant but instead of getting the one she's used to, she gets Min. The shot in the mirror showing Min, and then Min hurrying out of shot to go clean up the broken glass... I really like it. We also see a perfect red rose next to the mirror, which is a very nice nod to a piece of Elaida's characterization in the books. We know from Verin that she's sending Min around to look at various Sisters and try to get viewings from them. Now that Min has been handed off to Siuan, it makes a lot of sense that Siuan would want to see if Elaida might potentially be causing trouble in the Tower.

Elayne's hairstyle is a rose! The back of her hair is a rose! That's so cute. <3

Also, Nynaeve feels like Verin and Siuan are too focused on Joiya and Amico, and Nynaeve figures that they're both lying, and that the best way to suss out the truth is to do their own independent investigation, out from under the watchful eye of Siuan. This continues the trend we've been seeing this season of the 'kids' bucking against authority and going their own way -- Rand telling Moiraine "You don't tell me what to do anymore"; Egwene getting the Accepted ring and then immediately bouncing from the Tower, Elayne standing up to her mother last episode and telling her that she would be staying in the Tower and not going home, and now Nynaeve deciding that Siuan isn't investigating the right things and that she needs to take charge of things herself.

If we expand the theme to forging their own way and finding authority in themselves, then this also extends to what we're seeing from Perrin and Mat in this episode -- Mat being able to harness his memories to kick the princes' asses, and Perrin beginning the process of organizing his people in their defense against the Trollocs.

The kids are all coming into their own this season.

Nynaeve has the inside scoop on Liandrin, from having followed her last season (also, I spotted the Gray Man following them here) and takes us back to the room where she found Liandrin with her son, which is empty now. We do get it acknowledged here that Nynaeve has been telling Elayne things off-screen, so if Elayne didn't previously know about Siuan trying to cage Rand, I expect that Nynaeve has told her about that by now.

Elayne and Mat really would have a lot in common if they get the chance to sit down for a chat because just like Mat is always the one to take the emotional temperature of his friends, Elayne reaches out here to Nynaeve and opens the door to a conversation with a non-judgmental, "You liked her, didn't you?" to Nynaeve about Liandrin, which gives Nynaeve the space and safety to talk about her complicated feelings about Liandrin.

I love the continuation of us getting all these different funeral rites and rituals. The chalk and salt symbol at the place of someone's birth and death. Wearing your loved one's ashes until the grief finally wears off your face. Just the variety of human ritual that we've gotten in the show, and what it tells us about the different people and places that have been shaped by this world. Love it.

Elaida wants to talk to Siuan and gets blocked by Leane and Verin. She is... uh, not pleased. The sort to keep a grudge forever, it would appear! Elaida learns here that she won't get her private talk with the Amrylin unless she can get a Sitter to request the audience for her, so now Elaida has a goal, which she will attempt to solve in a couple of different ways.

Attempt #1: flattering and bribing one of the current Sitters into requesting the audience for her. Contrary to Verin's words last episode, Elaida does not seem particularly well-liked. At least not by the Red Sitters.

For the Red Sitter named Galina, Elaida brings a gift of wild strawberries from Andor, which brings with it the information that Morgase keeps a royal forest.

For Tsutama, who is a Sitter and also the Highest of the Red Ajah, Elaida brings a necklace. It is not much like what Tsutama is already wearing, and Tsutama promptly rejects it and just as promptly calls Elaida out on her attempts at bribery.

We also see here what lesson Tsutama took from what happened in 3x01 -- basically, that the Reds fucked things up by managing to be so untrusted by the Amrylin Seat and that they need to earn that trust back, after Liandrin betrayed the Tower in such a spectacular fashion.

Elaida wants to "return the Reds to where they belong, at the heart of the Tower." She says that because the Dragon Reborn has been revealed, and confirmed to be a man, it is time for the Red Ajah to take the lead on how to handle him, since they are the ones who have practice dealing with men who can channel.

I really like this because it shows us exactly what Siuan and Moiraine were afraid of, exactly why their search for the Dragon Reborn had to be kept a secret. But we also see the dangers of that secret, because Siuan has not been able to prepare the White Tower for the Dragon's arrival. The weight of Tower Law and Tower tradition has proved too weighty to overcome, especially since Siuan not feeling like she could trust anyone also likely contributed to the factionalism in the Tower.

Elaida wants them to call for a vote to send a team of eight Sisters to find Rand and cage him. Tsutama shoots the idea down. Elaida is not happy about continuing to be thwarted.

Rand and co have arrived in the Aiel Waste. Cracks me up to see Aes Sedai level secrecy turned on an Aes Sedai. "That's Wise Ones' business." lol

We get clarification here that Egwene managed to pull herself out of her (Lanfear-induced) nightmare and put herself into Bair's dream -- where Bair was carrying spears instead of being dressed as a Wise One.

They find a burned caravan of the Tuatha'an, with their dead, so we're able to learn what the Aiel perspective on them is. "It's forbidden to harm the Lost Ones" (and we'll learn why in 3x04).

"The only thing with less honor than refusing to defend yourself is killing someone who won't defend themselves".

It really is fascinating how ji'e'toh was built out of the Way of the Leaf and how Lewin & the others coped with breaking their oaths to peace, and how they tried to chart a narrow path where they were still keeping to some of their ways while knowing that they were barred from others because of their violence. No swords, because swords are viewed as inherently violent against other people while spears or arrows can also be used to hunt game for food. The way to most honor is to touch an enemy without killing them (from 3x04). Bits and pieces of the Way of the Leaf still surviving in the present-day Aiel.

We get our first mention of the Shaido, in context of how they might be willing to break Aiel tradition by killing the Tuatha'an (Lan notes that what look like sword wounds could be spear wounds disguised to look like swords). I have some thoughts on the Shaido, but I think that's better for when we actually meet them. The main thing to note here is that they have a blood feud with the Taardad.

Egwene tells Rhuarc that they need to bury the dead Tuatha'an, and Melaine shoots back "they are not worth the time or the stones. It's their own fault they're dead" but Rhuarc agrees to stay behind to bury them. We also get our first "Shade of my heart" between Rhuarc and Bair here. <3 This endearment always gets to me because it's just so personal and specific to the Aiel as a people.

In the first steps of a "you two don't belong together" campaign that Bair will continue in the next episode, Bair calls Egwene to come along with her, while Rand stays behind with Rhuarc as he covers the bodies with stones in their burial ritual (which we can see in 3x04 comes down to them from the time of their trek eastward, as Jonai buries his daughter this way as well). I have some thoughts on Bair's motives re: Egwene, mostly revolving around Bair wanting Rand to be able to focus his attention on becoming the Car'a'carn and not get distracted by wetlander Aes Sedai, even if they are capable of learning how to use the dream, but I feel like we may get more answers on her motives when 3x05 airs. Bair does mention in 3x04 that the Wise Ones did not see Egwene coming along with Rand, and that may contribute to her belief that Rand and Egwene's paths do not align.

"You know too much and too little." Yeah, this ties back to Chiad and Bain's reaction when Aviendha mentions the Trial of Rhuidean to Rand in 3x01 -- they were startled and talked to each other when Aviendha said it to Rand. Living as someone who was raised outside their culture, Rand will never fully understand (as he admits to Aviendha in 3x04, after the columns) and it also seems that Rhuarc & the Wise Ones were of the mind that the less information given to Rand about what he needed to face to become the Car'a'carn, the better.

We get a really lovely scene here of Perrin burying his wife's ring, and we continue the "funeral rite" theme from the previous scene, as we learn how the Aybara family buries their dead -- holding an apple tree seed, to add to the orchard and thus feed their descendants for generations to come. That feels so perfect for the Two Rivers (I wonder if different families have slightly different versions but that they all 'contribute' to the future in some way). And Alanna shares her people's way with Perrin -- that the markings on her face are Ihvon's ashes with clay and water. The music here is gorgeous.

"It hurts and comforts me to see how her tree has thrived in my absence." That is such a beautiful line. It made me tear up.

"We wear the grief until it seeps in... becomes a part of you." And how stripped down and vulnerable Alanna is in this scene. "When one half of a couple dies, the other one is left to grieve. When one of three departs, who owns that grief?"

So, we've seen that different cultures all have their own funeral practices. Maksim does not seem to be from the same culture as Alanna -- did he object to Ihvon's body being burned to create the ash for Alanna's funeral rites, because it conflicted with his own rites that he wanted to carry out (which may have been the Warder rites or his own cultural rites)? Who owns the grief when they both loved Ihvon?

Bain teasingly says that "losing" Maidens' Kiss means that you'll be dead, so Mat was doing fairly okay by only getting a few nicks! I do think that Maidens' Kiss does a good job of showing us how casual and ingrained violence is in the Aiel culture -- even their kissing games have violence woven in.

Anyway, Chaid and Bain get no takers for their game today, but we do get to check in with Maksim, via them asking him to play, about his own grief over Ihvon - "the only man I ever loved". Much like Alanna is wearing her grief on her face, Maksim carries his grief as well -- Ihvon's blood is still on the sword that killed him, and Maksim carries it still.

We also learn that Loial is writing a chapter on Manetheren, and he seems to be quite a few pages into the book that he's writing (he did have a month on a boat to take some time to sit and write out what he's experienced and what he might have learned by talking to the others).

We meet a group of people, being led by "Lord Luc" (a hunter for the Horn, who stuck around after he learned about the Whitecloaks and Trollocs). The woman that we are later introduced to first as Mandarb and then as Faile, is also there but we don't get her name at this time. We learn that Natti Cauthon & Mat's sisters have been captured by the Whitecloaks, making Perrin's internal conflict nudge up another degree or so.

Faile challenges Perrin's presence, which leads to all the villagers noting his changed eyes, while Perrin challenges Lord Luc ("Lord of what, exactly?" we don't get an answer.

We do shift over to get a view of the Whitecloak camp (on Watch Hill, Faile helpfully lets us know in the previous scene). We see that Natti & the girls are, indeed, captured. That Dain is conflicted over the idea of harming them in order to question them about Perrin but willing to bend his morals if it starts to take too long for Perrin to show up in the Two Rivers, and that Child Valda is as much of an asshole as ever.

Also, it really does disturb me so much seeing kids with the Whitecloaks. Training them up young. Dain was one of those kids once.

Cutting from Mat's family to Mat having his memories that are keeping him awake -- inspired. The transition choices in the show have always been great, even back in s1, but they flow so well this season especially.

Min showing up in Mat's bedroom again late at night (but once again not for that reason). This time, she actually is there to talk to Mat, instead of acting as Siuan's messenger. What Min tells Mat here -- that she is haunted by visions of her visions of the future and wanted a chance to be rid of them, may resonate with Mat whether he wants them to or not, because he is currently being haunted by visions of the past.

Elayne and Nynaeve continue their investigation -- Nynaeve found the symbol and Elayne figures out the meaning. Together, they figure out that Liandrin has likely gone to Tanchico.

"What if everything they said was a lie? We should be looking at what they didn't say." Elayne and Nynaeve study the catalogue that Verin has created of the stolen items, and they find the drawing of the bracer, immediately recognizing it as similar to the sul'dam bracelet. Elayne's knowledge of history and politics comes in handy again -- she knows that Tanchico is near Falme, where the Seanchan originally left from centuries ago, so Nynaeve puts together that the collar that goes to this bracer might be located in Tanchico. That there is a clear and present danger to Rand.

The Gray Man tries to kill them - Nynaeve gets them both out of the way physically, while Elayne pushes him back with the One Power. When they go out into the corridor, they find that he's already dead. Stabbed to death.

From where his bolt flew, it does look like the Gray Man was aiming at Elayne, which is interesting, since it was Nynaeve that Moghedien was targeting before. I do think that Elayne wasn't considered an important part of things before 3x01, but since we know that Moghedien and Rahvin are talking to each other, and Rahvin likely learned from Morgase that Elayne healed the Dragon Reborn at Falme... Elayne may now also be a target, at least for Rahvin and Moghedien, though perhaps still unknown to the other Forsaken.

Verin strolls around the corner with a book, asking the girls what happened. She is able to tell them a little bit about Gray Man, but Nynaeve notes (after she leaves) that she never wondered who killed the Gray Man. As Elayne said about Joiya and Amico -- it's good to pay as much attention to what people don't say as what they do.

Everything is too suspicious for our detective agency now and they've just learned of a clear and imminent threat to Rand (and they now both consider themselves Protectors of the Dragon Reborn, the way that Egwene does, I think), so they figure it's time to book it and get out of dodge before the Forsaken can send another assassin after them.

We shift over to Tanchico to cover Liandrin & co's arrival and to check out the new outfits on the Black Ajah. Jeaine slaying, as always (they all have fun outfits - I also really like Ispan's braids). This is the part of town where Liandrin is from, and these are the people who raised her. Liandrin wears a veil when outside here, and she slips into a different accent when she speaks to the locals.

There's some big information about Tanchico (or this part of it) that's given to us here, information that validates and reinforces what we learned about Liandrin's past in previous episodes, the things that created the way she feels about men and the trauma that led her to the Shadow, to have enough power that no one would ever be able to abuse her like that again.

Tanchico practices child-bride marriages, and it sounds like it's normal practice for the girls to get married very young, so that their husbands can "mold" them into being the perfect little wife. The show has done a really good job of giving Darkfriends relatable reasons why they would choose to become Darkfriends, and seeing Liandrin's backstory really helps explain the person that she is, and why she acts the way that she does.

We shift over the Elaida and it's time for Plan B -- she's figured out who Min is and why Min was sent to be her servant, and she puts into motion her plan to get Tsutama out of the way so that she can do what Tsutama refuses to do when it comes to the Dragon Reborn. And she uses Min to do it.

Step 1: bond with Min over having visions of the future (helpfully also telling the audience that Elaida shares this with Min).

Step 2: offer her advice on how to handle her burden in a way that will make her feel agency over it. She tells Min that they can find their power in what leads up to the moment that they see, and what they do afterwards.

Step 3: now that you've created this sense of kinship between you, pretend to share a secret with her, knowing that she will pass the information on to Verin & Siuan, in order to get you what you want. Elaida is good at manipulating people into doing what she wants (if the people don't already know her - Tsutama caught on to her pretty quickly). And Min passes it along because she knows that Elaida can't lie -- but if Elaida saw in a Foretelling that she would become the Highest again, then that could explain how she could tell Min this and not have it be a lie.

"Many years ago, I had a Foretelling that the queendom of Andor would play a key role in the Last Battle." And that led to her supporting and advising Morgase in her campaign to win the Succession War. She touches her bracelet after this, and Min asks about it, and Elaida does coyly admit that it's part of a Foretelling "of a sort". Very intriguing!

Bair and Egwene talk about Dreamwalking and how rare it is. Also, Bair calls Egwene "Egwene Sedai" and Egwene does not correct her.

Egwene does confide in Bair about her dreams, and Bair tells her that someone hurting her in the dream world and the hurts following her into the waking world means that the person hurting her is truly also there in the dream world, and alive. Bair promises to teach Egwene how to protect herself... after Rhuidean.

We go from Egwene talking about the person hurting her, to us seeing that person.

Lanfear claims here to Rand that he's the one that brought them here this time and not her -- he doesn't buy it and neither do I. We've never seen any evidence that Rand can move himself around in TAR the way that Lanfear can and the way that Egwene was able to do in the last episode.

She is playing up her vulnerability hard in this talk with Rand. Oh, you were so right to make the choices that you did. I made so many mistakes. I can't do this on my own. You need to help me, Rand. You need to save me from myself and my own poor choices. Don't you want to save me, Rand? (remember how it felt when you saved me from that Fade? didn't it feel good to save me? I'm here to make you feel like a grown man, capable of protecting the woman that he loves -- you remember that you told me that you loved me, right?) You need to find this incredibly powerful object for me so that you can help save me from the bad choices that I've made.

The fact that she is still playing Selene here -- that she has soft hair and a soft attitude -- really exposes that she's not being honest. Her most honest moments with Rand, imo, were their desert talks last season, after he'd found out the truth. But she realized that they weren't effective, so she switched gears.

The bait-and-switch of the sweat tent scene is interesting. Because Lan encouraging Moiraine here could mean one of two different things: either he feels like she's open to the idea and he wants her to have some happiness even if she's not still with Siuan, or she isn't open to the idea and he doesn't want her to trap herself into the past.

We learn here that the Taardad Aiel, at least, do take in refugees sometimes, as they took in Melindhra as a small child and raised her as their own. We don't know about the other clans.

This plotline of exploring Lan's feelings about his heritage feels very well-timed, since it means he can bond with Rand over it (which we see a little of in the next episode).

"Aiel do not have tattoos" - given what we learn in the next episode, this is likely because they are sacred, as the marker of leadership. They don't get other tattoos because of the marking that Rhuidean gives the clan chiefs.

"Have you forgotten your duty?" Duty has been another big theme so far this season -- taking up the duty left to you by your ancestors. Elayne struggles with this in 3x02, Lan is questioned over it here, Perrin will take up a duty regarding the Two Rivers, and both Rand and Aviendha will accept their duty to the Aiel people in 3x04 (and the burden of duty through the generations is a huge theme we explore in 3x04).

Two Rivers town meeting! Perrin volunteers to turn himself in to save the Cauthons, and the vast majority of the village says "fuck no. we defend our own".

A heartbreaking thing that we learn in the conversation between Maksim and Alanna is that Alanna is now keeping secrets from him -- she hasn't told him why they came to the Two Rivers. He's just as much in the dark as everyone else.

"Mandarb" and Perrin have their first conversation here, where she comes over to poke at him over that moment of attempting to turn himself in. "I've never seen someone try to turn themselves in... and fail." She has been watching him a lot and definitely finds him intriguing. They have a bit of (understandable) miscommunication -- Perrin is amused by her being here to look for the Horn (because he knows it was found already) and then amused by her name (because it was what Lan called his horse) and puts her back up with his amusement until she gets up and leaves with one last barb ("try again to turn yourself in").

She definitely thought Perrin was going to make a dick joke about her name ("It's what my friend calls his..." and it means 'blade'). But that was not his intention, of course. Still, she leaves prickly and he remains amused by the conversation.

Turning himself in failed, so we learn that Perrin's Plan B is to go in and save Natti & the girls.

Mat spots Min, and wants to clear the air between, now that he's had a chance to think about it, but now she's the one who isn't feeling great. I'm guessing she might be coming back from telling Siuan and/or Verin about her conversation with Elaida.

Mat apologizes to Min, and he begins to explain about what he's been dealing with, and we learn that Mat's memories are common knowledge around the Tower. Then Min gets another viewing of Mat -- a twisted doorframe behind him, and his body hanging from a noose. She's worried over it and Mat immediately clocks her reaction, as this is not the first time she's had a scary viewing about him.

Galad swoops in to 'save' Min (she doesn't need it), and even after Min says that she's fine, he stays and keeps bothering Mat anyway. This kinda goes with what we saw in his introduction about treating Elayne like she was young and needed his protection -- he seems to extend this outwards to all women, not only his little sister (who doesn't need his protection either).

Mat's extremely sarcastic "praise" of Galad here is very funny. The show definitely puts a lot into building up Mat's irritation towards the brothers (but especially Galad) before we get the sparring later on.

Yes, the fact that Leane goes now to give the Amyrlin's orders that are designed to get Tsutama out of the Tower confirms to me that Min was just in reporting to Siuan, and then Siuan takes immediate action to try to get what she views as her greatest danger out of the way. And Elaida talked plainly enough that I can understand why Min believed her (I just think she was able to speak so confidently because she's had a Foretelling that gives her the knowledge that the moment she's talking about will happen). But it means that Siuan was tricked into forcing out the Red Sitter & the Head of the Ajah who actually was dedicated to earning back the trust of the Amrylin and who wasn't inclined to make hasty moves with regards to the Dragon Reborn.

I'm guessing that part of the reason that Mazrim Taim is the goal that is given to Tsutama is because of the lies told by Joiya. Siuan thinks that Liandrin might already be there. While she may be less suspicious of Tsutama being Black Ajah now (because of her actions in 3x01), she's still worried about her as a potential challenge to what Siuan believes she needs to do in the Tower, so she gets her out of the way.

Since Elaida fully thinks of herself as the once and future Highest of the Reds, her words here are actually her saying that she needs to stay in the Tower to complete her work (though she's the only one who will understand it that way).

Now Perrin returns the favor of protection -- as the Two Rivers defended him against the idea of turning himself in, Perrin uses his personal knowledge of the Trollocs to convince the villages to hold together here, and not scatter back to their own farms. He takes up a position of inspirational leadership in the village, without realizing that he's doing it.

Mat trains with a quarterstaff, perhaps trying to do as Min suggested, and find the Hero from Falme inside himself again. The princes show up and twit Mat about his fighting skills, but Mat doesn't yet take the bait, faking a laugh.

Galad, uh, offers to show Mat how to handle his sword, but Mat rejects that offer.

Nynaeve shows up, after having sought Mat out to say goodbye to him -- Mat is understandably upset at the idea that Nynaeve is just going to leave without him after she promised to help him.

And, once again, Galad swoops in to rescue a woman who neither wants nor needs his help (and Nynaeve is the one who came to speak with Mat! not the other way around).

"Mate, take a day off!" is such a great, frustrated line from Mat. Just let him talk to his friend! He's a touchy-feely person and his friends know that about him. He's not bugging her!

It is also so funny to me that we get Elayne mentioning later that she didn't even tell her brothers that she was leaving and we definitely have Nynaeve here, not trusting Elayne's brothers with the knowledge that they're leaving.

Loved the fight. <3

I don't really have anything deep to say about it, just that I really loved it. Mat quoting the same Old Tongue line that he said before the fight at Falme. Nynaeve's concern turning to smug happiness over seeing him beat the snot out of the princes. The music! The times when we get the bits of slo-mo. Mat's very brief moment of choking Galad. It all really works for me.

Echoing Perrin, Mat also finds an authority in himself that he didn't know he had, but instead of it being outwards, it's inward. Control over himself.

Now we get a more personal and private conversation between Perrin and the woman who says now that her name is Faile. No jabs this time and no hidden amusement. She asks an honest question, gets an honest response back in turn, and they end on a nice note.

"Nobody's getting hurt. I'll make sure of it." Hmm, very similar to what we see with Randcestor Lewin in the next episode, which did not end up working well for him. Will it work better for Perrin? His people don't follow the Way of the Leaf, so they won't cast him out if he does end up causing violence.

Mat has joined Nynaeve and Elayne's trip by invitation, while Min is sneaking along behind them (but, hey, we don't see any Gray Men, so at least there's that!). Likely thinking about Elaida's advice about trying to turn her viewings into a gift.

We end on Liandrin finishing out the funeral rite for her son, including some flashbacks to holding her son after his birth. She goes upstairs and we get some Black Ajah lore dumps about how they are going after a way to cage the Dragon, and it's revealed to the audience that Moghedien is there, playacting as a servant and learning what Liandrin & co are up to, so that's all some nice set-up for the future episodes.

[littlelambscandyland]

A Brand New Start

Yandere!Cg!Simm!Master x Little!Reader

Past Cg!Jacobi!Master/Professor Yana x Little!Reader

Notes- I wrote this while sitting in a car for 4 hours so pls forgive me if you hate it lol

Warnings- Toddler Regression, Grief/Mourning, Isolation, Surveillance Cameras, The Master's not so secretly a big meanie

The aftermath is difficult to deal with. Without fail, every time.

Regeneration was draining, at least that's what he told you... He told you he was still the same person just with a new body and memories he had forgotten. He also said that he couldn't just let you go either. Even once he remembered who he was he still felt the need to keep you around. According to him it was supposed to be a privilege to be so "liked" by someone like him. He spilled out this grand plan to destroy Earth which was also rather alarming, to put it lightly.

Each and every little detail he threw your way made things harder and harder to bear. He's still your papa, but he's an alien, he can regenerate, he's a genius, he's going to destroy Earth, this is how he's going to do it, Yana isn't coming back, you're not allowed to leave the house anymore, and he's never letting you go. He's still going to take care of you so don't worry.

None of his comforting helped. You still missed Yana, and you really were just so very confused.

You learned that he was aggressive and unstable. He'd mumble about drums in his head, and he'd destroy things when really mad. He likes his tea in a very particular way, and you're not allowed to make any because you're not allowed to touch the kettle. He likes really loud music and he laughs at jokes he doesn't say out loud. His taste in crisps is terrible. He's really, really good with electronics. He thinks the human race is a waste of planet. He insults your intellect constantly, but never seems to mean it in a bad way. And, he has a lot more rules than Yana did.

Some were in place so that you "don't disrupt his plans". Those being, not leaving the house and only being allowed to use the landline phone. Then there are the ones to "keep you safe". Those being, don't let anyone who isn't him into the house, don't touch anything in the kitchen unless he's given it to you or it's already made food, don't turn off the cameras, and never ever leave the house. Then there's the ones Yana had in place before that were basically just self care. Those being, eat 3 meals daily, go to bed at 10pm every night, shower as needed but at least one bath a week for relaxing, and do at least one mentally stimulating task a day. Lastly, he had some random ones. Those being, never bringing any animal into the house, never asking about the drums, never asking him about work, always asking when you want something, and never ever leaving the damn house.

One minor change that proved just as confusing and difficult to adjust to as the rest was his refusal to let you call him anything other than papa. Even out of regression, he wouldn't give you anything else to call him by. According to him, having you say his actual name would be incredibly upsetting to hear from you. It was a little less weird when you accidentally called Yana papa outside regression because he looked old enough to actually be your father. This version looked the same age as you, if not a tad bit older. He claims that it doesn't matter because he's hundreds of hundreds of years old, and with that he says to him, even when out of your regression you're still just a toddler. He's also petty enough that if you try addressing him without it or giving him another nickname he ignores you completely.

Honestly... You were tired. You've experienced loss before; you know you can cope. But, does this even count as loss? He's still papa just different. You can sometimes see flashes of the man you knew before in his eyes. He knows things only Yana knew. It's still him, so why does it hurt so badly?

You feel lonely. Like there's a pit in your belly that just keeps filling with black tar and bile. You miss your old papa. You barely regress around this new papa, and it's taking its toll. He claims he cares about you. You aren't so sure he does...

It was, arguably, a bad idea that the first time you felt yourself regressing in a while you ran a bath. Arguably a bad idea to not call new papa to let him know you're going to need help. Arguably a bad idea that as soon as you slipped into the tub you let yourself slip completely. Arguably the worst idea to not shut the faucet off first.

The water rose and rose and you hadn't even noticed at all. You are far too busy playing with the ducks and ships and the growing piles of bubbles. You weren't really listening to the sound of the water running, and for a moment you didn't notice the absence of the noise at all, but when you did you froze. You looked at the faucet to confirm it was off, then around the room. Your gaze landed on your new papa. It was a bit startling and your face showed that well.

He sat the towels he was pulling out of the closet onto the counter before he faced you. In an instant his once neutral expression lit up. And, you noticed him giggling at your shock.

"I was wondering when you'd notice me." His voice was light and filled with glee.

He doesn't hesitate to practically skip over to the edge of the tub where he kneels down to be at eye level. You sink back a bit into the bubbles. Your shock melts away into embarrassment. How did you not notice him coming in? He stares at you for a few seconds before his hand moves up to pet your wet hair.

"Poor dumb little thing..." His words sting, but his voice is affectionate. "Should've waited for papa to get home, then again it's far past your bedtime. Isn't it?"

Honestly, you had no idea what time it was. You barely thought of anything outside of him being here and how you really want to play with the bubbles and toys some more. The bath was still hot and you haven't been able to play in so long.

When his hand comes down to cup your face you lean into it instantly. You've been needing this so badly. The affection, the playing, all of it. Just a little bit of time to let go of all of the big thoughts that have been haunting you. You can feel your lip wobble and pressure build behind your eyes. Why did everything have to be so hard? Why couldn't you just play in the tub?

Papa easily wipes away all the tears that you let fall. He springs to his feet. "Let's get you all cleaned up, yeah?" The way he said it was cheerful, but also stern enough to know that things were going to progress either way.

You weren't all that sure what to do next given the very sudden change in the energy he was putting out. One second calm and holding your face the next bouncing around the bathroom to get things set up to wash your hair. It's dizzying. You couldn't help but giggle at his over-expressions.

When he finally comes back over, he settles by the top of the tub. You turn slightly to try to look at him, but he pushes your cheek lightly to get you to face the faucet again.

"Now," He says, leaning down and resting his chin on the top of your head. "Where do we start?" He gives a light hum before you feel a finger poking your side. "Mayybe here?"

You laugh as he pokes at you over and over again, asking if it's where he should start. First your side, then your thigh, then your arm, and lastly your cheek. Your laughter dies down a bit when he settles his hands on your shoulders.

"Hmm?" He questions like you said something. "You're right. We really should start here." He says animatedly, setting his hands now where his head used to sit.

Very suddenly and without warning water was poured over your head. You squealed loudly while he laughed. The smell of something sweet hit your nose and made you feel just a bit hungry. Next you feel your new papa massaging soap and suds into your hair.

You hadn't felt so peaceful in so long. The ducks glide along the water with your hand as an engine. You giggle at the silly stories you made for the birds in your head, your new papa is very busy washing your hair and conditioning it, and very little words come past his or your lips.

"As absolutely adorable as you are," He claims with a kiss to your temple. "It is very far past your bedtime."

You were tired... The ducks would be fine without you; they love it in here. Besides, it's best not to upset papa when he's in such a good mood.

You lift your arms up slightly in what you thought was a very obvious gesture telling him to pick you up. Truthfully, you may have forgotten that you could walk, or stand, or y'know have legs.

Turning back to face you with towel in hand, your papa tilts his head with an amused and confused face. "Cute. What are you doing?"

Your arms drop back down slightly with your dejection. The second he takes half a step forward your arms shoot back up. You open and close your hands in a grabbing motion. If he was just a little closer for you to grab him. You all but sob while trying to get him to pick you up.

He just stands there amused with the towel in his hand.

Soon enough you throw your hands down causing two large splashes. You huff a bit with a halfhearted attempt to not start crying.

He still doesn't change his stance or expression. "Use your words, Princess." He tells you in an almost teasing tone.

Words? Oh, right, tell him what you want. Why did he have to make you use your words. Your tongue felt tied without even moving it.

Between sniffles and whines you finally spit out a few words. "Papa, up."

You didn't look at him while you said it; you were far too busy wiping away your tears which only made your face more wet.

"Alrighht." He says with dramatized exhaustion. "Come here."

He finally picks you up. He wraps the towel around you as he does getting one corner of the towel drenched in water. Your papa picks you up with an ease a man his size shouldn't have. He lets you lay your head on his shoulder even though your hair was soaking the fabric of his dress shirt.

Everything passes so simply. He dries you off, changes your clothes, brushes your hair, gives you a paci, and then lays you down for bed. It's routine he doesn't remember well, but it all felt instinctual. He's done this a million times before. It was so calming, a fact that both warmed him and disturbed him.

You whine when he goes to leave you alone. Your hands make a tired attempt at luring him back to you. You were so sleepy... Why didn't he wanna cuddle you?

"Alright, alright." He sounds annoyed, but there’s a smile on his face.

The second your papa sat down you cuddled into him. His hold was tighter than it used to be, and his body felt warmer. Still, it felt like home, like safety, like joy. You fall asleep quickly. The stress was finally gone and you could rest.

The Master took a moment to look over the scene in front of him. He still doesn't know why he adored you the way he did. He loved every emotion and action you did... It haunted him, almost in a way. A child, his child wrapped up tightly in his arms. He knew you missed who he was before. He knew it was a difficult adjustment that you didn't seem to grasp entirely, but this was a big step in the right direction. Soon enough you won't be so hesitant. Soon enough everything will fall into place. Right now things are perfectly in place, his campaign, his plans, and his child.

It wouldn't be that bad to get some sleep himself, would it?

[greeneugene77]

LeeGene's First Date

When you really think about it, this was LeeGene's first date, and I don't mean in a joking way of "lol this is like a date", but that actually this was a sort of clumsily semi-planned date between them. To explain this, we need to first go back to this scene.

Eugene passes by Lola's, and instead of just doing a quick double-take like a normal person, he stops dead in his tracks and stares at Lee just long enough for Lee to notice him, and then leaves. This is that cat-and-mouse dynamic that Luca has mentioned at play. Eugene just gave Lee some bait, and is now waiting for him to bite. Lee runs after him, and, on the spot, comes up with a lie to get Eugene to go to the Ship Ahoy at around 5:00.

The book makes it immediately clear that this is basically a lie, but the movie makes you put two and two together yourself. Why would Mary personally ask Lee to deliver a message from her to Eugene, when Lee is a complete stranger to both of them? The very next scene makes it clear that, indeed, Mary has no clue who Lee is.

So Lee essentially used the pretense of heteronormativity to ask Eugene out on a date. A woman wants to meet with you at that time and place = I want to meet with you at that time and place. In response, Eugene seems to have semi-caught on.

His eyes briefly look downwards, implying suspicion. He's not 100% certain though, so he tries to get some clarification. 

Lee somewhat fumbles it (as usual) because he doesn't want to appear too eager, but Eugene seems satisfied enough with his answer. Lee will be at the Ship Ahoy around 5:00, and so will Eugene.

However, later on we see Lee reaching the Ship Ahoy at what interestingly seems to be way past 5:00?

If we go by this scene, which according to the script is the very next day, Lee's alarm goes off at 4:55, and it seems that there is still a bright midday-ish sunlight outside, so it doesn't make sense for it to be around 5:00 and already sunset.

It's very possible that I'm looking too deep into this and it's just some kind of mistake or change from the script, but if we are to take this as intentional, it means that Lee told Eugene to be at the Ship Ahoy around 5:00, but Lee himself didn't go until way later. The reason for that is unknown. Maybe something held him up, maybe he got cold feet and it took him a while to find the courage to go, or maybe he wanted to make Eugene wait for him. We don't really know.

Either way, Eugene is already there, and it just so happens that Mary is with him. Lee gets dejected, he was hoping to find Eugene all alone. His date is ruined. That is why he goes straight to the bar and starts sulking, drinking his disappointment away, frustrated that Eugene is having a good time with someone who isn't him.

Assuming once again that Lee was indeed late, Eugene most likely took his absence to mean that he had completely misunderstood the situation. Mary was there, and Lee wasn't. Maybe she really did talk with him, and there was nothing else beyond that. But then Lee suddenly appears, and Mary doesn't know him. This confirms Eugene's suspicions for good. He is now intrigued, he stares at Lee so much Mary has to snap him out of it.

Still it's not until way later, when the sun is down and Eugene is clearly a bit drunk, his inhibitions lowered, that he finally finds the courage to approach Lee.

It took them quite a bit of clumsy hinting and assuming, insecure fumbling and misunderstanding, but they somehow made it. Their first date. Eugene buys Lee a drink. They end up isolating themselves from everyone else and focusing solely on each other, engrossed in conversation as they properly get to know each other for the first time. And then Lee walks Eugene home.

The date went well.

(This was sitting in my drafts for a while now, @queenmabsdiary your Mary posts reminded me of it and got me to finish it. Next hopefully is my take on Mary!)

[veliseraptor]

top 5 fic recs? any fandom

five? any fandom? anon I have 1,065 fics in my bookmarks on ao3, which doesn't include in progress works that I'm really enjoying, and while some of those are for fandoms I'm no longer in it's like. that's a lot of fic to try to pick five from.

but I guess if I say "five completed single fics on the longer side (i.e. not a series)" then that narrows it down a little at least. and I'm still like. but what about everyone I'm leaving out.

so consider this a top frive fics that's in no way definitive.

Hard Mouth by road_rhythm.

There's something in Caleb's dreams. It wants him to know that he's not alone. It wants him to know that he'll never be alone again. Elves don't dream, so all Essek can do is watch.

It's been a minute since I read this one but it's a remarkable piece of work. It's Shadowgast canon divergence from late in Campaign 2, featuring Caleb suffering a whole lot and one of the best action scenes I've read in a fic, ever. Knotty and plotty and compelling.

Bargaining by @proantagonista

Faced with an eternity without his brother, Loki strikes a bargain to change the past. Post TDW.

I feel like the fact that this is MCU and I still had to put it on here speaks for itself, a little bit. This fic is possibly the best one I read in the MCU fandom, in terms of craft and also how much it made me feel; the slow build and arc of the plot makes a thing of beauty. One of the Loki fics I read that just lives in my head.

The Shadow That Remains of You by tenddisorder

After failing for years to restore life to Xiao Xingchen, Xue Yang decides to take a different approach to the problem. It goes almost entirely to plan.

Given the premise of this one (SongXueXiao travel back in time to dinosaur country) I would've been skeptical, but I think it was recced to me compellingly enough that I gave it a go and boy was I rewarded for that decision. Turns out that concept is a perfect way of basically isolating all three of these characters from everything else while they work out their shit. And there's some truly choice whump in there, too.

Under the Wheel by @silvysartfulness

Some few lucky times, the only thing you need to fix your horrible shared tragedy is a single heartfelt wish and a second chance to get things right. Or two. Or three. Or- okay, it's a bit of a work in progress. Song Lan spends centuries searching for a way to go back to a time before all horrors, undo all hurt and give him and Xiao Xingchen another chance at happiness. It could have gone according to plan.

Admittedly this one was written for me so that probably informs this decision a little, but it really is tailor-made for my specific wants and pleasures and it really pays off. Several of my favorite concepts combined (time travel, time loops, multiple people having conflicting goals having to work together) into a delightful piece of work. (As far as Silvy's work, The only reason Heaven Has a Road didn't make this list instead is because it's not complete yet.)

til my feet are memory by @curiosity-killed

The first time he meets Crimson Rain Sought Flower, Mu Qing barely makes it out alive. He throws himself, claws, crawls his way back to the heavenly court with his soul half out of his body, his limbs shredded and heart fluttering weakly as it weeps blood into the floor of his palace.

I waffled a little on the final one for this list - there were a couple VegasPete possibilities and an FMA fic that almost made it on, and I considered just having this list be a top seven instead of a top five) but ultimately I decided on this one partly because I am obsessed with this pairing, there's very little fic for it with the dynamic I prefer, and the execution in this fic is everything I want from it. In general this author does excellent work just...across the board, but this is possibly my personal favorite, at least of the works on the longer side.

so there's five. but like. I'm serious about that 1,065 bookmarks, all of which I rec to one degree or another. this is just a selection.

[blueepink07]

Since we will get Kotoko's album in one day, which includes her VD from which most probably we will find more information about her motivations and her plans in Milgram, I decided to look a bit into her attacks during prison and how I imagine things happened! (I'm fully aware that I will most probably be proved wrong when the album drops, but I'm really curious if I can actually figure out most of what happened!)

Starting off, Jackalope informs us that the order in which Kotoko attacked is: Mikoto, Mahiru, Fuuta.

Which makes sense, considering that she attacked, in order, who is closer to her cell.

(Also fun fact! The prisoners are distorted according to how many injuries they have!)

What I want to answer, however, is how she managed to attack two people without being stopped.

Mikoto vs Kotoko

From Mikoto's VD, we find out that Kotoko has attacked, while John was distracted, giving herself a slight advantage.

"Es: Like you didn’t get beaten by Kotoko…! John: Hah. That was just because she caught me off guard. We went at it again while you were asleep, and it’s not like I lost there."

Considering that they fought some time and where evenly matched, there must have been a lot of noise, which should have alerted the others. In this attack, Kotoko didn't care much about how much attention she would attract. Why? Because the prisoners were already used with John's restlessness and they wouldn't dare to go near him. Hearing those noises didn't alert them much, because they maybe were too scared and didn't want to approach or thought it was just the usual.

As seen in many timeline posts, Mikoto is avoided. The only one who wished him Happy birthday was Haruka, whom we know that is currently isolating himself and didn't wish Mikoto a happy birthday this year too...

"Mikoto: The others told me about it. How I got into a fistfight with Koto-chan and whatnot. "Es: Seems like it, yeah. Mikoto: I wonder if it’s like… some kind of sleepwalking…? After all, I’ve been losing sleep more and more often recently… Man… It’s really troublesome, isn’t it? Es: Mikoto… Mikoto: The others are all scared of me. I can tell by looking at the way they act. Because I read the room."

Mahiru and Kotoko

From Shidou's VD, it is given the information that Mahiru suffered head injuries, more exactly head lacerations.

"Shidou: Shiina-kun’s is even worse. Head lacerations. Bruising all over her body. Left anterior compression fracture. A sprained neck. Fractured ribs. Further fracturing to the left arm. And furthermore… this may be outside of my profession, but her mental health is deteriorating as well."

These injuries are the aftermath of being hit by Kotoko.

Mahiru says some interesting things in her VD:

"Mahiru: … Ah, but this is… I think Kotoko-chan is the one who did it, so… you know? It’s not like it’s your fault. Um, so…! I’m not holding a grudge towards Kotoko-chan either. I’m sure she just thought it couldn’t be helped…"

This "I think" was always interesting to me. It implies that she is uncertain of the events that happened, like she wasn't there... Like she just a heard rumour from someone else...

However, she also tells this:

"Mahiru: … Ah– I– I—I’m sorry…! If– If you touch me so suddenly, it makes me remember… how it hurt… and I get scared…"

She remembers the pain, but not the person who hurt her. Keeping in mind that she also suffered from head trauma, I have thought that Mahiru must have lost consciousness, shortly after being hit, but not fully.

There are actually some levels of impaired consciousness, that can explain my assumption!

Confusion

Confusion is marked by the absence of clear thinking and may result in poor decision-making.

Disorientation

Disorientation is the inability to understand how you relate to people, places, objects, and time. The first stage of disorientation is usually around awareness of your current surroundings

Loss of short-term memory follows disorientation with respect to place.

Delirium

If you’re delirious, your thoughts are confused and illogical. People who are delirious are often disoriented. Their emotional responses range from fear to anger. People who are delirious are often highly agitated as well.

Lethargy

Lethargy is a state of decreased consciousness that resembles drowsiness. If you’re lethargic, you may not respond to stimulants such as the sound of an alarm clock or the presence of fire.

Stupor

"Stupor is a deeper level of impaired consciousness in which it’s very difficult for you to respond to any stimuli, except for pain."

Coma

Coma is the deepest level of impaired consciousness. If you’re in a coma, you can’t respond to any stimulus, not even pain.

From all of these, stupor seems to be what Mahiru experienced after being hit.

Stupor -> caused by head injuries, such as concussion or bleeding in or around the brain

"Stupor is characterised by impaired reaction to external stimuli. Those in a stuporous state are rigid, mute and only appear to be conscious, as the eyes are open and follow surrounding objects. If not stimulated externally, a patient with stupor will appear to be in a sleepy state most of the time."

If Kotoko hit Mahiru and caused her to have a stupor, Mahiru wouldn't even have the chance to yell or cry for help. She couldn't respond to any stimulus (sight, sound, smell, taste and touch), the only thing that she could feel was the pain.

It would make sense, in this case, for the other prisoners to be unaware of what was happening to Mahiru. Kotoko most probably made a surprise attack (as in John's situation), left Mahiru is a state of stupor and did further damage to her body.

"Kazui: I wonder. Maybe it’s because I’m used to violence. Even so… I couldn’t make it for Shiina-chan. I feel responsible for [what happened to] her."

Fuuta and Kotoko

Fuuta seems to have been fully conscious when he was being beaten up by Kotoko. He remembers every detail, unfortunately to him: the way he had been stepped on with the safety boot-like shoes, the beatings which made him think that he'll die. He even remembers Kotoko's motivations and beliefs! It's pretty likely that he was still conscious when Kazui protected him.

"Fuuta: Hey. Look at me. My right eye. It looks awful, doesn’t it? This is what happens when you get stepped on with those safety boot-like shoes. – Don’t recoil like that, that’s hurtful. According to Shidou, it’s likely that I won’t ever be able to see [with this eye] again. Sucks, huh."

"Fuuta: It hurt… It hurt so bad, I thought I was going to die. I was scared!"

"Fuuta: I mean, you forgave Kotoko, right? You affirmed her, right? Her belief that “it’s fine to do whatever to people who have done something wrong”. Es: How do you know about that…? Fuuta: She told me while she was beating me up. How she thinks it’s okay for her to do anything she wants to people who have done wrong, no matter the severity of their crime. And she left the judgment of that up to you."

What are your thoughts about Kotoko's attacks?

If Fuuta was conscious the whole time, his cries of pain or help surely must have been what alerted the other prisoners, who stopped Kotoko from doing further damage...

And so this is me trying to explain why the other prisoners noticed too late Kotoko's attacks!

I'm prepared to be proved wrong, but it was fun to write anyway!

[likeadevils]

I've been thinking about loml since i saw the swiftologist analysis on it and something he said stucked with me: according to his interpretation, she chose joe because he was a safe place and matty was her real love. Based on ttpd it seems like she felt a glow with him that she never experienced before and this made me question her relationship with joe quite a bit. Do you think joe was the temporary move on drug until matty was ready?. And based on ttpd did you feel he was ''the one''?

i think ttpd, while being shockingly truthful in many ways, is also story told by a deeply unreliable narrator-- or, rather, it's taylor intentionally embracing her status as an unreliable narrator. she called ttpd "An anthology of new works that reflect events, opinions and sentiments from a fleeting and fatalistic moment in time." she also said about fortnight:

"Fortnight is a song that I think really exhibits a lot of the common themes that run throughout this album. One of which being – fatalism. Longing, pining away, lost dreams. You know, I think that it’s a very fatalistic album in that there are lots of very dramatic lines about life or death and “I love you, it’s ruining my life” like these are very hyperbolic, dramatic things to say. But, it’s that kind of album."

while i do think taylor's feelings for matty were real, to a certain degree, i think they were spurned on by a lot of other issues that were coming to a head towards the end of her and joe's relationship.

isolation: throughout the album, taylor ties her love of matty to escaping isolation or boredom, two feelings caused by the way her relationship with joe was ending. like, she just says this, multiple times ("I felt more when we played pretend/ Than with all the Kens/ 'Cause he took me out of my box", "I dream of cracking locks/ Throwing my life to the wolves, or the ocean rocks/ Crashing into him tonight, he's a paradox", "Locked me up in towers/ But I'd visit in your dreams", "I look in people's windows/ Transfixed by rose golden glows/ They have their friends over to drink nice wine/ I look in people's windows/ In case you're at their table"). throughout the album matty also feeds into the isolation, not by physically locking her up, but by playing into her insecurities and then telling her he's the only one who can fix them. most notably: "You said normal girls were boring" (with the implication taylor is more difficult to love), and "You said I needed a bravе man/ Then proceeded to play him/ Until I believed it too" (again saying loving taylor takes a lot of effort and painting his ability to love her as unique).

a complicated relationship with aging: taylor also ties her love of matty to youth. there's the obvious refrences to them dating when they were younger ("At the park where we used to sit on children's swings", "Stitching, 'We were just kids, babe'", "Preserved from when we were just kids") but there's also plenty of times throughout the album that she combines yearning for matty with yearning for a previous version of herself (As the decade would play us for fools/ And you saw my bones out with somebody new [...] I changed into goddesses, villains, and fools/ Changed plans and lovers and outfits and rules/ All to outrun my desertion of you", ("Does it feel alright to not know me?/ I'm addicted to the "if only"). outside of either relationship, being afraid of aging is all over the album ("My friends all smell like weed or little babies", "You see I was a debutante in another life, but/ Now I seem to be scared to go outside"), but i think the most notable line is from So Long, London: "I'm pissed off you let me give you all that youth for free"

longing for a soulmate: tied to the fear of aging, taylor was clearly afraid of being alone for the rest of her life. we see how it comes from joe ("I died on the altar waitin' for the proof", "I'm so afraid I sealed my fate/ No sign of soulmates), and then matty wanting to marry her is just. the main redeeming quality in every song about him. a really convenient narrative when you're trying to paint someone as your soulmate is that you've actually been in love with them the whole time you've known them. your brain also likes to trick you into thinking the way you're feeling now is the way you've always felt and will always feel. but that narrative is also undercut all over ttpd. there's references to her feelings being something that she'd lost over time (“I’m running back home to you”, “Falling back into the hedge maze”, “We embroidered the memories of the time I was away”), and other references to him actively winning her back (“You blew in with the winds of fate and told me I reformed you”, "A conman sells a fool a get-love-quick scheme", “Something old, someone hallowed, who told me he could be brand new”).

conflating lingering guilt with pining: chloe or sam and peter both talk about yearning for matty, but it's deeply intwined with worrying about his wellbeing. in chloe or sam, she says "You needed me, but you needed drugs more/ And I couldn't watch it happen" and then beats herself up for deserting him (which, to be clear, not wanting to be complicit in someone else's addiction is not deserting a person). she specifically laments that she was "too impaired by my youth to know what to do". again, we don't here anything about matty as a person that's drawing her back to him, just her guilt over abandoning him in the first place. in peter, she says "I hoped you'd return/ With your feet on the ground, tell me all that you'd learned/ 'Cause love's never lost when perspective is earned" which is explicitly saying that she wanted to know he was doing okay more than she wanted to get back together with him. the bolter comes towards the end of the tracklist for a reason-- part of moving on from him means not only forgiving, but celebrating the part of her that knows when to get the fuck out of a bad situation.

we don’t hear a lot of independently good qualities about matty, just ways he’s an escape from joe— her life with matty is chaotic in comparison to her life with joe being isolated and boring, he’s willing to marry her in comparison to joe dragging his feet, he's tied to an earlier version of herself that she liked more instead of a dull, predictable future that joe represents.

so, no. i think matty was a perfect representation of all her festering insecurities. she fell for him hard because when he forgave them she felt forgiven, but when he left, she lost a big chunk of her self worth along with him.

[glitteringpandemonium]

Something I made in Canva one night, for my humble blog, for tax (since Wordpress is more stringent on copyright).

Any other writers of any sort familiar with the book The Artist’s Way? I haven’t worked through the whole thing in YEARS, but a yogi/meditation practitioner I follow mentioned the idea of Morning Pages, as an isolated practice, in conjunction with morning meditation.

Three pages of stream-of-consciousness writing first thing upon waking or as close to it as you can, without making it capital-W creative writing. Just thoughts.

I tried it again for the first time in a hot minute, “today,” (after midnight here, but meh). And meditated before work. Still a very frazzling day. My nervous system started OUT on overdrive, from square one. But I’ll keep trying. I can’t always hit all my goals and have to juggle priorities. Spoon shortages.

But lemme add, there are some absolutely BRILLIANT works of Lost Boys fan fic on here! I haven’t even scratched the surface of all the bits I’d like to read. Which made me wonder if any of you might enjoy Morning Pages, too, or if you journal? Fan fiction counts as fiction! Takes talent and creativity. Not that I have to tell YOU! 🤣

And to justify all the tags I plan to apply:

My argument on why according to Star, David wanted her to kill Michael, in spite of directions from Max to add him to “the family,” and why this ultimately MAY NOT rule out a Michael/David romantic undercurrent:

Sure, David is distant and manipulative and possessive. Star rides with him, and no one else. Maybe they had a thing at some point, and he just doesn’t touch her much or get in her personal space, because he’s anti-PDA, even around the boys. Or maybe their tryst is mostly past.

But to me, that seems unlikely. Possible, yes, but still. He’s in Michael’s space A LOT, and says his name a zillion times. So, what gives? Was he THAT murderous and vindictive to think his means-to-an-end girlie shouldn’t have Michael— no one should— if he couldn’t score with Michael, himself?

That also seems doubtful. He’s plenty murderous, but I don’t think he believed she’d go through with it. I think he’s possessive of them both, for different reasons maybe.

And he’s definitely the jealous type.

I think he was messing with their budding relationship dynamics for funsies.

Unless she’s grown cold with David, or he’s bored with her but not yet willing to fully let go, and it’s all just one tangled poly mess of frustrated emotions.

Mostly because I wanted a happily ever after for all three of them, my rockstar lead singer variation on David in Wishful Sinful and “Hyacinth House” is poly and bi. And Haven, unlike Star, gets possessive, too, working through her issues with the intensity of newfound love and heat between the two men.

There are struggles for each of them, individually and collectively. I’ll have to share another scene soon. 🖤

[help-me-im-in-the-fandom]

The Camp Fam as Raptor Hybrids (Prompt?)

Am is fishing for fanfics in the hope someone takes the bait? Yes. Do I care? No.

What happens when a scientist is left on the dinosaur infested island, isolated, unsupervised, unregulated, and free to experiment with anything she wants? Well she starts going a bit mad.

She’s determined to find a way to make herself able to survive, and comes up with a perfect plan, but it’s a ludicrous idea to try it on herself, at least without a series of trials!

Then a set of six perfect test subjects falls in her lap.

Cue the kids getting kidnapped, trapped and then experimented on, and then afterwards going through a series of ‘trials’ to test their ability to survive in these new forms. Including several fights against the islands predators, which end in several series injuries.

Thankfully, or not, when the Scorpius Rex escapes and the other dinosaurs begin to freak out, the Ankylosaurus herd break through the facility they are being held in, and the Camp Fam escape.

The ‘pic’ is after the kids find the Poacher couple’s boat, and when they have the beach day, before they Realize the Scorpius Rex is loose.

I’m

Now onto my other ideas, include or exclude at your own preference:

1) The Camp Fam can be like werewolf shifters, changing between human and half-raptor, or whatever. In order to circumvent some issues.

Ie: if someone hears about the ability to make hybrid soldiers they will do anything in their power to get their hands on the perfect weapon, so yes the kids would most likely either choose to stay on the island to protect themselves from that fate, or would get kidnapped by the government if they go home looking like this.

2) The sudden anti-humanizing of Kenji can severely affect how everything in Mantah Corp goes down, instead of seeing Dinosaurs as just animals, he suddenly is just like them, if his father knew, what would he do to Kenji or his friends? Kenji would be much more likely to either not betray them, or to fake it until he can get them out.

3) There will be pack dynamics, and part of that is fighting for the ‘alpha’ position. I can see Kenji and Darius getting into a Huge fight over Dr. Wu’s laptop, and I can definitely see the story changing if Kenji wins, bc then he’s in charge, at least according to their instincts. I can also see some sweet things happening bc of the instincts as well. The alpha and Beta are supposed to eat last (they only survive as long as the pack survives) they become even more highly protective of their pack, like even dangerously so.

4) Brooklynn losses her leg and Ben an arm, and the two create their own prosthetics together and it’s chaos, they’ll have hidden compartments filled with weapons, food, and recording devices. They even use it to hide stuff from the others for pranks.

5) they can make noises at a level humans cannot hear, and will constantly ‘click’ back at each other to communicate. This helps with making sure everyone is there even when they aren’t seen, just a comfort blanket for them basically

6) if the kids go back/stay on Nublar, they will befriend Blue, and she cannot decide if she likes these uncanny-valley creatures or not, but dammit will she accept an invite into a pack. I can see her being called Auntie/Tia and she is constantly on them for behaving ‘too human’ they don’t often join her on hunts, but do teach her the amazing art of fishing. Who knows, perhaps during Fallen Kingdom they are all adopted by Owen and Claire with Maisie.

7) my personal favorite: Kenji now likes to wear skirts in his new form, the reason being that he cannot stand the modified pants he has to wear with a tail, they are really constricting. So when Brooklynn and Sammy want to make a supply run for more comfortable clothes, he goes along with and finds himself getting his own. (Yaz doesn’t like running in skirts, so modifies a bathing suit, she made it a partially open back and put in bottoms to hold it closed, and uses a belt for extra protection.)

[missh-it]

THEIR SOLE HORIZON

part 1

Katsuki Bakugo never truly think he deserved his promotion as Lieutenant. Before leaving on board, he was delighted by the sorrow. A bittersweet feeling that was melting in his own tongue. He cannot refuse this mission. It was the peek of his career. His sole purpose as a navy officer...

There was no time for regret. Not now. Not today. Never. He then grabs his bags and climbs the stair of the frégate still at the quayside. On board, a young ensign saluts him.

"Morning Lieutenant, we were waiting for you. May I help you with your lugga-" Katsuki was already ahead of him, "No ? Fine."

The kid then follows him until his he reaches his cabin.

"What? You want to lick the doorknob too, ass-kissing?" thrown Katsuki reaching for his keys.

"No Lieutenant. I'm just waiting if anything suits you in your quarter."

"You know it won't, don't you?"

"He insisted." He proceeded with a fake serious face. "Word of our new Lieutenant commander, Lieutenant."

"I see. I will give him a fucking good review then..."

His cabin was as expected. Nothing fancy. His teammate already messed up their place. But, despite the coffe spilled and the sheets thrown, something else was concerning.

"Where's my TV?"

"It's wasn't a requirement in lieutenant's quarter, according the Captain"

"Not even a tablet? A screen come on!"

He shakes his head.

"How I'm supposed to relax in my free time huh?" The blonde scoffed while taking off his jacket, "Well, if that's so...I will be jerking off instead. Weird way to encourage masturbation inside his crew..."

"Erm- actually, the Captain wanted to reinforce the solidarity on board by limiting screen-time inside."

"So no TV in shared spaces either?" Asked Katsuki as he already planned to rob it for his own comfort.

"No TV."

"Shit- And for what?" He was already pissed of, and they not have left yet.

"Merely create bond between officer and seaman-"

"Bullshit. I don't need to spent my fucking time with people I don't share anything in common. It's already exhausting sharing a cabin... Forced us to hang between us? What are we? 12?"

"To counter loneliness, Lieutenant"

"What did you just say?"

"It's may be to counter loneliness on board, Lieutenant." He repeated and it was for the blonde the corniest excuse he has ever heard, "I'm sure Captain heard about some officers that were suffering loneliness during their mission. They were isolated from the rest of the crew because of their position in-between in hierarchy. Since we will going for 6 months, Captain wanted to try something new."

"New as taking away any form of communication ? Well played." Katsuki rushed "If he may suppress loneliness... What about suicide?"

The boy chuckles at the wrong time.

"What funny about suicide, ensign?"

"Nothing Lieutenant." he gulps when Katsuki come closer to him.

"You know the main difference between me and you?"

"Yes. You're my superior."

"These" he touched his bare tensed shoulder...where would have been strips, "See ? You don't have any. They give you all the right you need. Even the right to laugh or even look up to my direction." He adds.

Katsuni grabs the door handle, and surely, demonstrates to the guy to get closer to the exit.

"Tell our Lieutenant commander that I'm delighted by this fucking box. And bring me a TV by the end of the say. I'm not going to pass a minute with all your nobodies."

"But how-"

"Your problem not mine. Get the shit out of my room. Now."

"Sure, Lieutenant." he says right after the door close upon him.

Some paths never end. They curved, like it was something else to show, turn after turn. But they don't truly stop...

hello! here my first attempt of a bkdk fanfic and in english. since it's not my first language im a little bit lost... plus with all the navy vocabulary...yeah I had this sudden vision, month ago, bout bkdk on a mission off the grid (also right after watching crimson tide) so met me know what u think!

wattpad : @missh-it

ao3 : @ misshit

fanfiction.fr : @ misshit

[littlemisssquiggles]

Did you see the RWBY volume 9 epilogue?

I'm happy there was more to it than what we got from last year and that we actually got to see characters like Nora Oscar and Ren featured as important characters

I'm especially Happy Oscar actually got to be in it because to be honest he gets excluded so much I was actually shocked he had a part and we actually got to focus on him for once

This also gives me hope that they'll do something similar like they did with cinder ,with Oscar because I believe it was possibly said in a q&a or in a live stream

that originally they wanted to do cinders backstory and volume 4-5 when we thought she got killed off again but they kept having to push it back along with other things they wanted to do for certain characters

and since many think Oscar is possibly not going to make it through his merge and it will be just ozpin/Oz

when it's done maybe we'll actually get to see his past and maybe because Oscar is merging with Ozpin that means his memories are catching up with Oz's memories and will maybe get to see Oz's past too because that's something we've all wondered about as well

and maybe we'll get a hint at where the final relic is because I don't believe the writers are just going to wait tell the last minute to show us were it is I think they're going to hint at it

I don't Oscar part sense he my favorite along side ozpin

what do you think 🤔

Hiya Autumn o/ Thank you so much for your inbox and pardon the late reply.

To answer your first question, yes, I did see the full V9 Epilogue Animatic. TWICE and I plan on rewatching it many, many times because I haven’t recovered from it yet.

I know I’ve been relatively silent these days especially when it comes to this newly dropped animatic. But that’s mostly because I haven’t fully gathered my thoughts on it yet to form a consisive essay.

My head is still reeling from all that was revealed in that short space of animatic frames, particularly the bits about Oscar and what he’s currently going through. As a Pinehead, you just know that part got to me the most because BOI! WAS IT GOOD! Oscar-worthy, as I might say,

So if I may, and if you don’t mind m’fam, I am going to piggyback off of your inboxed message and use this as opportunity to get some of my main thoughts about Oscar’s side of the Epilogue off of my chest. So here I go.

According to the RWBY V9 full Epilogue Animatic…

Oscar’s story with the Merge with Oz has officially started with him isolating himself from his friends while he goes through it on his own, practically dooming him (and essentially Oz as well) to suffer in silence.

But while that’s how things seem to be starting, if it doesn’t end with a scene where Oscar is going through the Merge but this time he’s surrounded by all of his friends all vowing to stay by side through it all and cherish him for who he is---Oscar---no matter who he becomes after the Merge.

If it doesn’t end with all of Oscar’s friends being there for him during the Merge (ESPECIALLY Ruby) then, like Jon Snow , I don't want it.

I don’t know how Oscar’s story will end.

The way I perceive it, Oscar’s story can end in many possible different ways.

In one way, Oscar’s story could end the way it was originally intended to, according to the natural progression of the narrative.---with Salem being defeated, Ozma finally moving on and Oscar being allowed to live the rest of his days as himself, Merge completely avoided.

Or like a Shamalan movie, it can end with a twist. Maybe Oscar isn’t so lucky and doesn’t avoid the Merge like his predecessors and is changed forever.

Maybe Oscar gets attack by Tyrian and “dies” forcing the Merge to happen as a way to save his life.

Maybe Oscar is taken to the Tree and gets to meet the Blacksmith who decides his final fate in the Merge.

Or who knows? Maybe the CRWBY Writers saw the recent 60th anniversary Doctor Who special and have the brilliance to put a new spin on the whole Ozma cycle where instead of Oscar merging with Oz, the two split apart with either wizards retaining their memories and single identities.

Instead of Oscar of losing himself to the Merge, he is set free leaving Ozma to carry on his mission to the Gods as himself. So no more pairing him up with like-minded souls. Like Oscar, Ozma is now his own person with his own agency. So even if he died again, similar to Salem, Ozma was still immortal only now he would simply come back in his original body as opposed to the former latter of playing hot potato with his soul inhabiting another poor innocent man or young boy’s body. All this with the extra added bonus that now we have two great and powerful wizards for the price of one. Both Oscar and the newly reincarnated Ozma (who gets back his original form---the one that was married to Salem and equally as powerful as her) retained his combat-ready muscle memory and shared ability to use magic. So Ozma, naturally fights with his trademark Long Memory, while Oscar uses magic freehand without the need for the cane.

That last one’s a big stretch but like all of my past Pinehead headcanons that I’ve tossed aimlessly into the ether of the FNDM community, I’m keeping it on the table of possibilities since it’d make a sick Oscar the Sorceror’s Apprentice Pinehead headcanon AU. Definitely adding that one to the list.

---

Anyways, getting back on track. Through everything that Oscar has been put through in the story so far, the most I want from this whole Merge storyline is that he doesn’t have to go through it on his own and I don’t mean, he’s going through it with just Oz as his main company.

What I mean for that is, I don’t think the implications of what the Merge means has truly sunk in for the rest of the hero team. A part of me wishes to assume that part of the reason why the rest of the hero team seems so nonchalant about Oscar’s whole merge with Oz is because Oscar has never truly been honest with them about how he really feels about the merge.

The last time Oscar spoke about the Merge with the team was back in V6 when he basically did it in such a “no biggie; don’t worry about me” sort of way that it came off as if he just said it to sound brave in the moment for the sake of the team and for the sake of keeping his own emotions in check.

I say this because as we’ve seen from the events of V7 through V8, Oscar is very anxious about the Merge. He doesn’t want it to happen which is why he and Oz are now fighting to keep it from happening even though it’s already long begun.

Bottom-line, I don’t think Oscar has been completely honest with anyone else outside of Oz about how he truly feels concerning the Merge. And now that it’s happening, he’s basically resolved himself to go through it alone. I don’t even think anyone else in the current group; not Nora, not Emerald, not even Ren (who literally has the ability to read someone’s thoughts and feelings through their emotions) knows about what he’s going through.

I wonder if Oscar puts on a brave face whenever he’s with the others and anytime he feels another “Merger episode” coming along, he quickly excuses himself (probably claiming that he needs to get back to his research in the Archives of Solitude) so the others don’t have to see him going through it.

Ren, in particular, because I’m sure if Ren saw Oscar’s pain from the Merge, he would blurt it out. Ren has now become the unsung singing canary of the hero team after his whole semblance upgrade.

Just like how he blurted out that Ozpin was back during the tunnel walk back in V8 following the rescue mission and escape from Monstro, Ren would definitely reveal that Oscar is going through the Merge if he knew he was going through it and having a painful grand ole time too.

Ren’s inability to remain discrete when revealing another’s true emotions could probably explain why Oscar has been avoiding alone time with him.

If you look at it, Ren is on his own probably stretching himself between helping everyone. It’s also interesting to me that Oscar hasn’t asked anyone else to help look for stuff in the Shade Archives.

Even if Oscar is technically two people in one, that is still a big ass library of books and archives to sift through for even two people. And yet, as we saw from the epilogue, Oscar is ALONE most of the time and I highly doubt no one else offered to help him in the libraries.

I know the Atlesian refugees are a priority but, when you look closely, everyone else is basically sharing the work; helping each other out with something. Nora is supporting folks like SSSN and CVFY.

Same for Ren. Em as well (even though she’s mostly mentioned in notes in the scene in the animatic).

 But when you look to Oscar. He is ALL BY HIMSELF.

Yes, he has Oz with him. But, that doesn’t count. Why hasn’t anyone else volunteered to help Oscar in the archives?

My assumption is because Oscar probably convinced the others to leave the archives to him (and Oz) and prioritize the refugees as a way of ensuring that he’s by himself at all times so no one would have to glimpse his pain from the Merge.

Again, each time a merger episode was highlighted in the epilogue animatic, Oscar was by himself. So my money is that no one knows what Oscar’s really going through.

No one else knows of his mental struggle or pain.

And why I find this interesting is because it kind of parallels Ruby’s whole detachment period from the others in the Ever After before she went to the Tree and what happened at the Mad Tea Party.

Not saying Oscar will share a similar experience as Ruby. I’m just saying, he’s clearly removed himself from the others and acting alone.

As Ren pointed out, he’s not himself. He’s there but…not there at the same time.

This brings me back to my point. Personally, I do want Oscar pulling himself from the team to hide the fact that he’s going through the Merge to be proven canon.

And I want it to be canon so that the first person to pick up that something is clearly off about Oscar’s behaviour to be Ruby.

Maybe Ruby realizes that Oscar is acting weird and when she brings it up, Ren is probably definitely the first person to reveal that he’s been sensing something off for a while but after everything that’s happened, similar to how he’s currently giving Nora space to work things out on her own, Ren has been doing the same with Oscar.

He’s been giving the little prince space when if anyone were to look closely at Ren’s expressions, they could probably see his frustration in being the one to know fully well that his friends aren’t entirely ok and despite wanting to help, he still feels helpless because Ren can’t force his friends to accept his help; no matter how much he offers, y’know what I mean?

I feel like some of RWBYJ’s struggles in the After Ever and how they rose to triumph over them could be mirrored in what NOR is going through now back in Vacuo.

Overall, the point I’m trying to make here is that I just want a moment where Oscar is having another merger episode and he tries to go through it alone, believing that he has to, only to get the reassurance and support he needs from his friends.

I saw someone compare Oscar’s merger episodes to Penny’s battle with Watts’ virus back in V8.

And while I didn’t enjoy the forced heavy focus on Penny during that season, I did sort of like how it culminated in everyone coming together to show their support of Penny and reminding her that she is a part of their team.

That is a type of a moment I want for Oscar. Because unlike Penny, feeling like a part of the team as himself and not just a placeholder for Oz is something Oscar desires.

I want Oscar to push his friends away, believing that he needed to go through this Merge on his own, only to be reminded by his friends in the end that they have his back no matter what.

That he is still a part of their team. That he is still Oscar to them no matter who he becomes in the Merge.

I want a scene where Oscar loses it, possibly even abusing his magic to force walls between himself and his friends only for those said friends to break down those walls and be there for him.

(Maybe even have a moment where Oscar loses control of his magic while trying to fight the Merge and it ends up looking like a moment where everyone thinks it's another Grimm attack when it's actually Oscar whose feelings of the merge have manifested into some kind of monstrous form that Oscar practically cocooned himself inside of).

Y’know that moment in Steven Universe Future where Steven loses control and all of his friends---all the major people he has helped throughout the seasons---come together to help him for once.

I want a moment where the whole team---Ruby, Nora, Ren, Jaune, Blake, Yang, Weiss and Emerald---all of Oscar’s people are there at his side showing him full support as he goes through the Merge; ensuring him that he doesn’t have to be scared of the Merge anymore because no matter who he becomes in the Merge, he will always be Oscar to them.

He’s not Ozpin. He’s not Ozma. He’s sure as hell ain’t Salem’s Ozma. He’s Oscar. Their Oscar

The small, cute farm boy from Mistral who showed up on their doorstep one random night in Mistral and has now cemented himself as one of the most important members of their little team that they will not stand to lose; not even to himself.

I want Oscar to be reminded by his friends that he will be cherished and supported no matter who he becomes in Merge.

Even if Oscar forgot his “old self” due to the Merge, they---his friends, will be there to remind him of who he was because they, as his friends, will never forgot Oscar because to them, he never left.

I just want a moment where everybody group hugs Oscar while he cries about SIX SEASONS worth of repressed tears after all the sh** he's been put through plot-wise. I want it dagnabbit!

Who knows? Maybe Oscar has another painful merger episode and it’s the worse one he’s had since it started and the love and support of his friends surrounding him is what helps to ease him out of it and back to his old farm boy Oscar self.

Just give me one scene like that. That’s all I want.

Don’t know if it will ever come to fruition given the current state of RT and the fate of RWBY as a whole. But hey, still wanted to get that off of my chest.

---

On the subject of the CRWBY Writers possibly showing more of Oscar's past in V10 as he's going through the Merge:

Honestly, at this point, m'fam, it's either now or never.

Now, as in during the events of V10, is the perfect time to give the audience more insight into Oscar's past and who he is. It is practically mandatory at this point that they show it as he is going into a storyline where he's being forced to lose that part of himself. They just have to do it!

Just as how V8 could pretty much be pretty much summed up as another Cinder-centric season similar to V4-V5, V10 could potentially be more Oscar-focused as he's going through the Merge. Like I said, it's the right time for them to do it.

And while I'm unsure of them telling Ozpin's story, maybe that too can be done and do something similar to what they did with Ren and Nora's backstory back in V4.

We got Ren and Nora's whole history in Kunoyuri in an episode that jumped back and forth between the past and the present.

Perhaps Oscar could have a potential episode in V10 where he's having another Merge episode and, as I theorized, he loses control of his magic while a) fighting the Merge again and b) running away/hiding from his friends so that they would've have to see him suffer through it.

So it's an episode that ping pongs between the present day where Oscar's friends are trying to get through to him while he's suffering through yet another painful Merger episode and the past which reveals more of Oscar's backstory leading up to the moment he met Oz and possibly showing other Oscar-centric moments that we, as the audience, never got to see like what happened with Oscar in Argus after his fall out with Jaune (remember we never got to see his side of things and it's something that still bothers me to this day)

Perhaps Ozpin's past is mixed in with it as well as you mentioned and the location of the final relic is actually revealed in Ozpin's memories in a flashback where he entrusted the location to someone. Maybe that person was Summer Rose. Since V9 revealed there is more to Summer Rose's story and that Raven actually knows more about that; perhaps Summer Rose's disappearance is connected to the final Relic or at least the final vault?

I dunno.

Overall, I definitely do like the idea of a potential episode of V10 fully dedicated to sharing bits of both Oscar's past as well as Ozpin's; specifically during his time as headmaster of Beacon when Team STRQ were still students since it could potentially reveal more on where Oz hid the location of the Vault of the Fall Maiden and the Relic of Choice. And if that episode is then followed up by an episode that shows the hero team---all of Oscar's friends actually helping him through an episode of the Merge then even better.

I think that would be pretty amazing. Hope that helps answer your questions m'fam. Let me know.

~ LMS (2024)

[hevexns-realm]

Not going according to plan..

It was supposed to be simple! Charm one of the queen’s daughters, find a way into the royal family, usurp the queen, become the new king and god of this part of the ocean. Easy, right?

Apparently not. It appears that the Queen is more of a neglectful mother to her daughter than anticipated, and the princess is more isolated than I expected her to be. The princess, Astarea, is the kingdom’s matron goddess. Apparently she’s a goddess of mercy and a minor goddess of the sea. I must admit, for one who appears to be so young in terms of Hedgesirens, she’s quite gifted in healing and in hydrokenisis.

The only problem is that I’m having a bit of trouble adjusting to how affectionate she is. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t mind her attention. If anything, I like the fact that I was able to steal a goddess’ attention from the Queen. I mean, look at me, who wouldn’t want to look at a handsome god such as me? Besides, it makes it easier to woo her over onto my side when me and her mother get into disagreements. She’s surprisingly easy to manipulate when her high priestess isn’t around, which makes sense as to why her mother is still not smitten down by the other gods. If one is so isolated and neglected, then they’re willing to do anything to feel loved again. And it appears Astarea had been dealing with this for decades, a century even. It makes sense why she clings to me, I’m her only resource to the outside world, and possibly her only friend in a long time. It’s as if she thinks the gods had blessed her with a powerful prince to come and save her, even though I’m only here for the throne.

Although, as much as I hate to admit it, I do find her to be quite endearing. She’s doting and sweet to her people at every opportunity to socialize with them. She’s very talented in multiple forms of art, writing, music, dance, and more. Not to mention her gorgeous appearance and motherly charm. It’d be a shame to let one such as her be left to waste after I take the throne from her mother. Maybe if she continues this, I might just have her by my side by the end of it. Not only as a reminder of what I’ve gained, but also to show that I can have anyone I please, including a goddess such as Astarea. I’ll need to play my cards right however, and keep my friendly, “princely” facade in check. One wrong move, and the whole plan will go up in smoke.

Yes. That’s it. It’s the perfect plan. Now, all I need to do is wait..

————————————————————-

Astarea: “dreich, you’ve returned!”

She swims over and carefully pulls him into a warm and soft embrace. Her sweet smile unwavering as she holds onto him tightly, as if she fears letting him go.

Dreich: -!! “It’s been a while since I’ve last seen you, princess.. how has life been for you?”

Astarea: “the same since you left.. rituals and festivals galore, none of which I’m allowed to participate in… what about you dear? Do you have any stories of the world you wish to share with me?”

She plays with his quills a little bit as he looks up at her. He can feel the blush burn on his cheeks as he stares at the gorgeous woman in front of him, her warm and soft touch, the way that her pearls make her look more ethereal, and the way she calls him dear with such a loving tone. It’s enough to make even the toughest of warriors melt in love and shame, and he’s just barely hanging on. His gaze softens slightly, and he leans in to her touch with a hint of lust that never seems to fade from him, not when she’s like this to him.

Dreich: “Of course princess, I was able to gather many stories from the overworld while I was gone.. I think you’ll like the adventures I’ve had this time..”

Oh this man. The combination of the two toughest, smartest, and powerful mobians in the world, melting in the warm touch and loving voice of a siren. She’s supposed to be “below” him, but yet he can’t deny how much he appreciates her presence. How this flurry of lust and adoration courses through his veins when he hears her voice, his heart racing when she holds him, the way she messes with his quills, is this done intentionally? He can’t complain if it is, he likes the game of teasing, because he knows the satisfaction he’ll get once she’s all his. He was becoming undone, and he didn’t know if he should hate it, or let it happen. I mean, after all, who could say no to such a sweet woman like her?

Not him at least. At least not now.

Dreich belongs to @vershl

Astarea is my OC! ^^

@hunniegl4zed @thebreadmeower

(Also vershl, I’m sorry if I made dreich a little bit too OOC. I haven’t watched DBZ in a hot minute, and I’m still trying to figure out how his relationship with Astarea will work out! ^^||)

[indignantlemur]

Hello, hope you are doing well. I was wondering if you had any thoughts on shral you wanted to share?

Hey there! Sure, I can drum out a few bits of lore about Shral!

Shral spends a great deal of time being stoic and unreadable in his adult life, but he was a sensitive child. Rather than deal with his obnoxious cousins or nosey siblings, Shral became very adept at sneaking out and finding quiet, isolated little hiding spots to read and just be by himself.

Shral had his entire education and career path planned out by age 11 - including extracurriculars, optional courses and qualifications, and short lists of ideal postings. He followed the outline he'd made religiously, and while things didn't always go according to plan he more or less ended up exactly where he meant to. (His parents still can't decide if they're impressed by his strength of will and dedication or concerned that they've somehow managed to raise a workaholic loner in a society of extroverts. All of their other children turned out just fine...)

The very first time Shral met Dagmar, he was prepared to be deeply unimpressed with the Human his cousin Theb had shuffled his way for the endless parade of useless translators. When she walked into the room, however... Shral can't explain what, precisely, happened. One moment, he was fine. The next, he felt as though he'd been struck over the back of the head with a blunt object. It was an anime-worthy moment. (His expression revealed none of this. Dagmar legitimately thought she'd fucked up the interview.)

His current hobbies are physical training and duelling. (They're not actually hobbies.)

His favourite food is whatever he's served. (It's spice cake.)

He hasn't taken a personal day or a vacation in years. (He doesn't plan to, either.)

[spindle-girl]

Torch (cont) 7.y

power goes out at the portal intake, assholes from another earth shoot at refugees, Dragon and Defiant stop the fighting, and a frustrating mess of parahuman-involved politics

The attacks had hit the portals, and some of the most accessible avenues between Earth B and Earth G had been wiped out.

did none of the city block-wide portals stay tuned to Bet?

Had they come to him, or even if they’d gone to Ari, they’d have been told to stay clear of lot nineteen until things settled down. Gary could have told them where they would be useful.

oh boy, the Shepherds and the anti-parahumans. two groups i don't care about. yay

It was the numbers that slipped through his fingers, and drove home how out of reach it all was. Six hundred bodies out of twenty million.

Wildbow is braver than me for putting so much emphasis on the numbers. if i was the author i'd be pressing the 'just trust me' button as hard as i could when it comes to math lol

“We’ve got to give them ID, make sure we aren’t letting dangerous people in.  We give them a bit of money to start off, because they almost always have immediate needs.  If we do like you’re saying, they’ll be second class citizens.”

what do they do with the dangerous people, leave them??? on the apocalyptic earth?

He didn’t want to do this, but he couldn’t ask it of anyone else- he knew he could land his shots, if he could see his target.  It would be hard to see.

please don't tell me i'm about to see a parahuman go down because every Guy With A Gun is suddenly 100% accurate because they can see their target. i'm alright with the first parahuman getting hit because it was a surprise shot from a sniper with a very clear target, that's like ideal- plus if it's Teacher they got aimbot. Gary's guys have old ass rifles and aren't trained for this shit. they should miss

note from later: this didn't happen technically

“It was an act of war,” Defiant said.  “More brazen than the other recent attacks.  They’ve been testing the waters, going after areas they see as vulnerable.” There was a pause. “I’m so sorry for your losses,” Defiant said.

But different, now.  People avoided the Shepherds.  They cleaved closer to him.  People had felt lost, confused, scared, and his explanation had been an easy one to accept.  It made sense, for one thing, and it spoke to justifiable fears that every single person harbored even before the first and best of the parahumans had wiped out landmasses and extinguished a good portion of the population.

so funny that i've seen people argue against Armsmaster being bad at interacting with people when he still needs Dragon's help to address this stuff like in his interlude four years ago in-story. dude had one (1) semi-positive interaction with an isolated and depressed teenager and they think the meetings with Taylor after that were all her unreliable narration making his people-skills look bad

the Wardens really have a bad PR problem. you'd think distancing your group from the guy that ended the world would be an important box to check off

“For disaster to strike.  What if I told you that Accord’s plans will work?  Through texts he wrote and Jeanne Wynn’s slavish adherence to the terms of those texts, he will turn things around with a minimum of casualties.  People will be fed as well as you could hope.  We’ll be able to defend ourselves, get set up in terms of shelter, and things will be good.”

ways Cauldron fucked up +1: letting Accord (so far the one noted exception to Scion-shards fucking everyone else over) go to an Endbringer fight. i mean, his death was really deserved, but it's not like Cauldron cares about him selling people. they're probably proud

“Then the threat is… she does too well?”

“We give it to them.  We promise leadership without parahumans in charge, stacking the deck.  We turn to an established government we’re on friendly terms with and we invite them in.  We become a vassal state.”

lmao Citrine's got the narrative's seal of approval

so the theocratic world or the world Goddess ruled that likely hates parahumans now since Aleph is sealed and Earth N is just like, one place that Lord of Loss rules. not hard to guess which he's going to pick. i'm also guessing they'll be the ones that attacked earlier so that Gary looks like a fool

Stories about people in positions on teams.  Stories about the monsters.  Stories about those who had re-engineered their identities. “You’ve been keeping this up to date,” Gary observed. The most recent was from four days prior.  A family, it looked like.  Julien and Irene Martin.

ah yes, let's target the child

End notes:

pro tips for writing about fantasy racism:

a) don't do it if you're white

b) don't do it when you also give the racists legitimate points like parahumans forgetting the regular peoples' names (love you Ashley but come on), the superpowers being Evil that don't let the parahumans use them for good stuff like building shelters besides notable exceptions that are few and far between, and the government pretty much being run by parahumans who are keeping everyone in the dark

c) don't do it by having the racists narrate hate against what i'm pretty sure are a group of parahumans that are heavily christian and are, i'm 99% sure, the ones to hire ex-nazis later on

d) just don't do it. seriously, has it ever worked well?

Gary does clearly suck, that wasn't really in question. it's just that parahumans also kind of suck too just in different ways

i guess it was cool to see Dragon and Defiant again. i think they've been busy building the internet and Dracheheim. are we paying them a visit in arc 8?

[yanderes-galore]

Fandom: Homestuck/Hiveswap

Character: Nepeta Leijon

Pairing: Romantic/Platonic

Type of fic: short story

Other info: Would be nice if it was holiday themed :33 You pick the theme

Hope you enjoy! I really love Nepeta, lol. AU where Nepeta is alive on Earth C. Darling is human. Used a Homestuck quirk generator so her lines may be off (I had to edit them a bit so they could be understood)

Snowy Day

Yandere! Nepeta Leijon Short - Winter Event Request

Pairing: Matesprit❤️/Moirail♦️

Possible Trigger Warnings: Gender-Neutral Darling, Obsession, Some minor culture shock, Restraints, Implied isolation, Dubious on if you are kidnapped or not, Forced cuddling, Forced relationship in some way.

Cold white flakes drift towards the ground, a substance Nepeta has never seen before. Alternia, her old home, never got this cold. The new experience had her staring at the white surface of Earth C with eager eyes.

According to her friends this time of year was special for human culture. The olive blood feels excited as she keeps her eyes on the snow outside. Oh… it looks like it'd be so fun to pounce!

Nepeta has heard many things about this time of year. In the cold it “snows” and you can play in it. Humans often bake desserts, give gifts, and all sorts of things. However… Nepeta found one thing very appealing.

Spending time with loved ones.

Nepeta felt if anything this was the purrfect way to bond with her human. Yes… her human! You two already share a house together on Earth C! Yet… you seem so cold recently, like the snow littering the ground.

No matter because Nepeta has plans to change that!

Nepeta pries her gaze from the window to face the couch. A roaring fire crackles at the fireplace to keep the room warm. It feels nice on the skin.

On the couch sits you, "Nepeta's human". You sit with your hands and legs tied, it's a set of ropes keeping you on the couch. Nepeta can't help but grin at you, even if you look at her with fear and betrayal.

“:33 < don't you f33l better!? this time of year is best spent with people you love, right?” Nepeta purrs as she runs over to sit on the couch. You don't make an effort to move as she slips a blanket over the two of you.

Nepeta is so happy she met you! On Alternia she was rather lonely in her cave except for Equius and her unrequited feelings for Karkat. Well… now she has you!

Moirail… Matesprit… She doesn't care. She's just happy she has someone like you. Especially when she wants to cuddle someone while the snow falls!

“:33 < there's no n33d to be so scared! we love each other, don't we?” Nepeta grins, pulling you closer and nuzzling. “:33 < we'll k33p each other warm... i'm so glad we're together!”

Together… but not really by choice on your end. You try to ignore the feline troll snuggling into you and stare at the fire. This winter could be beautiful and nostalgic… if you weren't in this situation.

You hear the troll yawn next to you as she curls up against you. You lean away a bit to lay down but Nepeta just follows you closely. Her grip is like that of iron and you swear she's actually purring.

Nepeta tiredly watches the snow outside as the fire crackles away. She feels so warm against you, it's putting her to sleep. Feeling content and happy… the olive blood closes her eyes and falls asleep on top of you.

You feel the troll sleeping on top of you and try to pull at your restraints. Sadly she knew to put them on tightly with many intricate knots. Nepeta has caught you like you're her prey and you're at her mercy.

All you can do is watch the snow and fire… praying Nepeta decides to let you go outside tomorrow.

Or at the very least… out of the restraints.

[old-folks-shortcake-date]

The Forgotten Lady

A Columbo episode rewritten to have Kim Kitsuragi in it.

Chapter One

Chapter Two

The next morning, Lieutenant Kim Kitsuragi arrived bright and early on very little sleep to Couron, just west of the distributory that made a clean slice across a class divide. They didn’t need the law east of the river, so they said. Yet, from what he’d heard about him, Columbo seemed to work exclusively to pester rich murderers who felt above the law. So far, this wasn’t a homicide case. It looked artfully like a suicide, perhaps was a suicide, but for whatever reason their precinct sent them back across the river the very next morning to worry at the little details that didn’t quite fit. He’d go over exactly what those were on the ride over. It would make sense if they took the same motor carriage instead of riding separately. Kitsuragi much preferred his own MC, and didn’t much mind having a passenger.

Powered by a small breakfast of eggs and coffee, Kitsuragi joined Columbo in the parking lot. His plans fell a bit askew when he saw the other detective had brought his basset hound, a happily rotund and droopy hound.

“Oh good morning!” greeted Columbo. He’d put himself together much more coherently for the morning: hair brushed, eye more alert, dark, greenish gray necktie neatly tied, and pale yellow shirt buttoned. He had his beige jacket on under his beige raincoat. The raincoat appeared to be eternally rumpled, but he looked worlds better than last night.

“Good morning,” greeted Kitsuragi. “Who is this?”

“Oh him?” Columbo affectionately ruffled the head of his hound, who wagged his tail and panted. The hound looked out at them from the open window of Columbo’s shabby, pale gray motor carriage. “Oh he’s Dog. He won’t get in the way, will ya old buddy?” Dog licked his human’s face.

Kitsuragi didn’t have anything against dogs, or Dog, but he didn’t want his motor carriage to smell like one. “Well. It’s nice to meet you, Dog.” He offered his palm to sniff.

Dog wetly snuffled and licked Kitsuragi’s hand, checking it thoroughly for snacks. Kitsuragi smiled and petted the hound. “Shall we go?”

“Oh, sure. Let me just get that door for you. It’s a tricky one,” agreed Columbo. He walked around and fiddled with the passenger side door until it squawked open.

Kitsuragi slipped into a motor carriage smelling of cigars, Dog, and fast food. Closing the door, he noticed the handle was broken on the inside and he’d have to wait for his colleague to let him out when they arrived. He sighed. Dog panted in Kitsuragi’s ear and wafted him with humid canine breath. Columbo dropped himself into the driver side and, with a few tries, got the engine to turn. The poor thing sputtered in sleepy indignation, reluctant to go anywhere. Kitsuragi itched to fix the damned thing but now wasn’t the time. He could hear exactly what was wrong with it, besides the cosmetic damage and problems with the door. Okay there were a lot of things wrong with this motor carriage.

“I was thinking on the way there we could go over our notes,” mentioned Kitsuragi. “Or, your notes should probably wait for us to arrive since you’re driving.”

“Oh yeah,” agreed Columbo. “What did you notice last night? Did that strike you as a suicide?”

Kitsuragi fished out his notebook from the inner pocket of his bomber jacket. “I have my doubts. Now, let’s see...We didn’t get to speak to Mrs. Willis last night. I don’t think that would have been a very insightful interview, since the family physician had just sedated her. We should be sure to do that today. The motivation for suicide looks quite weak. I know these things almost always come as a shock to the loved ones, but I don’t like it. He had travel plans he’d been looking forward to, he wasn’t isolated or lonely, and there were no signs of depression according to those who knew him.”

“I want to know what that book was about he was reading,” mentioned Columbo. “Did you see that? What was it called?”

“I didn’t take note of the title,” admitted Kitsuragi.

“It didn’t look like a somber book. He’d taken his sleeping pill, he was all cozy in bed in his pajamas. And when did he get the gun? Do you think he snuck it in with him somehow without the butler noticing? He certainly didn’t walk over to the garage in those slippers.”

“I believe Raymond is also his driver, so it would not just be a simple matter of fetching it from the pullout compartment after driving home. It was a small enough weapon to conceal, so it isn’t impossible, but it does seem suspicious.”

Columbo nodded.

“Oh, you did remember your badge and your notebook this time, yes?” checked Kitsuragi.

“Oh yes.” Columbo patted his pockets to make sure even as he assured his colleague he hadn’t forgotten. “Yes, I’ve got them.”

When they arrived, Columbo let Kitsuragi out of the motor carriage.

“Now, listen to me,” Columbo told Dog, holding the sides of the hound’s face and letting his droopy friend lick his face. “I want you to stay here. I'm only gonna be a few minutes. Alright? Alright.” He left the windows wide open. “No barking. Then later on we'll go get a hot dog. Alright?”

As soon as they walked away from the car, Dog woofed. Columbo turned around with a gently warning, “Ah!” and made a shooing gesture with his hand. Dog lowered his head and settled back onto the front seat.

Stone lions Kitsuragi hadn’t noticed in the dark stood on either side of the front entrance. The wooden door was mostly multi-paned window with the family crest in the middle.

“Yes? Oh, not you again.” When Raymond answered the door he had a feather duster under one arm and a silver pan in his hand. He didn’t immediately step aside to let the detectives in, but rather gave them a look. “I've spent the whole morning cleaning up after your men.”

“It's just two of us this time, Sir. Could you tell Mrs. Willis we’re here? It'll just take a few minutes,” Columbo requested.

Raymond reluctantly let the detectives in, nodding his head inside. “I'll see if she's available. Take a seat, Lieutenant.” He gestured to one of the chairs and started to turn to go up the stairs, then stopped.

Columbo sat down in a white chair while Kitsuragi decided to remain standing. Kitsuragi stood with his hands behind his back and his back straight, feet shoulder width apart.

“Oh, and this if you don’t mind.” Raymond eyed Columbo’s cigar and walked back over to hand him the silver lidded dustpan to use as an ashtray. On his way up the stairs he turned an exasperated look over his shoulder. What a household where even the dustpan was made out of silver.

Alma walked by carrying a silver tray set with an equally silver pot of coffee and fancy dark blue coffee cups. Today she wore a pale gray uniform with a white apron. She followed her husband, Raymond, up the stairs. Columbo got up from the chair and walked past the base of the stairs. Kitsuragi walked with him, almost to the room just past the stairs. A tall man in a brown suit worn over a reddish brown turtle neck came down the stairs. Ned Diamond was in his sixties, with gray hair going silver at his temples, and he had a mustache. As he turned the corner around the banister, Diamond reached a side table with a telephone and a potted plant. He’d left a tweed hat there, and picked it up now to put it back on then began dialing a number on the rotary telephone.

Kitsuragi looked, stopped to clean his glasses, then looked again. Columbo gave Diamond a considering look, walked past him and looked out one of the tall, narrow windows next to the front door, then looked back at Diamond. Kitsuragi covered his mouth with his hand and tried not to stare. He wasn’t particularly into musicals, that just wasn’t his thing. But he thought he recognized him, and even if he didn’t, well, that man had aged very well. Really, really well. He consciously looked away to avoid staring.

“Pat, Ned,” Diamond said into the phone. “I just came from her room and she seems to be doing very well….No, she -” he faltered a second when he noticed Columbo and Kitsuragi, “...wants to go back to work. And frankly...”

Columbo tilted with dawning recognition and took his cigar out of his mouth.

“You know frankly, I think it'd be the best thing for her,” Diamond said. He hesitated again as Columbo walked past back to where Kitsuragi still stood then turned around to look Diamond in the eye. This was made easier by the raised landing leading to the stairs, since Columbo was significantly shorter than Ned Diamond. Columbo smiled slowly at the man on the phone with his notebook draped from his hand, the cigar between the fingers of his other hand. He leaned closer to Diamond with a conspiratorial smile. The corner of Kitsuragi’s mouth twitched in amusement at Columbo’s open fawning. Not that he wasn’t also awed, just the difference in how they each showed it. Or didn’t show it, as the case may be.

“Just a moment,” Diamond said into the phone.

“Hi,” whispered Columbo. “How are ya?”

Diamond took the notebook and pen. “What’s your name?” he whispered back.

“Columbo,” the lieutenant whispered.

Diamond began to autograph the notebook. Columbo stepped closer to take a look. He smacked his forehead when he presumably read the signature. Luckily enough, Diamond must have had an at least semi-legible signature. Columbo grinned with delight as Diamond handed the notebook back.

“Ned Diamond,” whispered Columbo.

Diamond turned his attention back to the phone and the lieutenant underlined the autograph and closed he notebook.

“Yeah. Pat, I'll be in the office like, half hour...Fine. See you then.” Diamond concluded his phone call and hung up the receiver.

Columbo walked back around to intercept Diamond on his way to the door. Kitsuragi walked right there with him. “Listen, you don't mind if I pump your hand, do you? You're the fellow that was in all those musicals. Wait till I tell my wife. You were always her favorite. She dragged me to every musical you were ever in.”

“I'm sorry you had to be dragged,” replied Diamond and he grinned.

“Alright, poor choice of words. It's just that 25 years ago I used to like those gangster pictures,” explained Columbo. He started naming off actors from gangster films back then, with some titles thrown in.

“I’m Lieutenant Kitsuragi with the RCM. We are just here to -” he glanced at Columbo as the other man rambling off names continued despite the fact that Kitsuragi had started speaking. “How many films are you going to name? Are you going to introduce yourself?” he whispered.

“The RCM?” repeated Diamond.

“You know I don’t think any of them were about the RCM,” admitted Columbo. “Made an appearance, but not really the focus. Yeah. Oh, I watched a whole bunch of them. I think that's why I became a cop.” “Police?” asked Diamond.

“Yes, the police,” confirmed Kitsuragi.

“RCM, Lieutenant Columbo,” introduced Columbo.

“But you were here last night,” said Diamond.

“Yes, Sir,” confirmed Columbo. “We came back here today.”

“We wanted to speak to Mrs. Willis,” explained Kitsuragi.

“What about?” asked Diamond.

“We'll just ask a few questions,” replied Columbo. “It's very normal in these kind of cases.”

“What do you mean, ‘these kind of cases’? This is a clear case of suicide,” said Diamond. “Yes, Sir, but there are just a few loose ends,” said Columbo. “Look, Lieutenant, this lady is a very old and dear friend of mine. I wouldn't want anything to unnerve her or upset her,” warned Diamond. “Is that clear?”

“We understand, Sir,” said Kitsuragi.

“Nice to know you Columbo, Kitsuragi,” Diamond said and shook each of their hands.

Kitsuragi smiled, just a little.

Columbo put a hand to the side of his face. “I wonder if you could help me out with this thing here. My wife is a terrific dancer and a very good singer, but I got two left feet when it comes to dancing in public, you know, I get self-conscious and so on and I, and so she always has to sit it out. Is there something that...What can you do for a problem like that?”

“Become a critic,” replied Diamond, and he walked out the front door.

“Well, don’t critique your wife,” advised Kitsuragi in a low voice. “But I get that was a joke.”

Raymond appeared on the landing and leaned over the banister. “Mrs. Willis will see you now.”

Columbo chuckled as he headed up the stairs. “Ned Diamond. How about that.”

“How about that,” agreed Kitsuragi. “I didn’t expect a doctor and an actor to run in the same circles. What do you think he was doing here?”

“An old friend of Mrs. Willis, he said?”

“Yes.”

Ahead, Raymond knocked on Mrs. Willis’s door. “Lieutenant Columbo and Lieutenant Kitsuragi, Madam.”

After she gave the okay from within, the butler turned to the two detectives and nodded. He gave Columbo a sour look in passing.

Inside, a slender old woman with white hair in a short style combed back sat at a glass-topped table with a table cloth beneath the glass. The table stood against one wall and had a white lamp on each end. There was an oval mirror in a hexagonal silver frame, a low vase of pink roses, a picture of the woman from her younger days, and a few other items on the table. The wallpaper had a pastel floral print and the carpet was light green. A full length mirror stood nearby. Mrs. Willis sat on a bench with a mint green cushion. A silver tea set, the one Alma had carried upstairs, sat on a fold-out tray table to the old woman’s left. She wore a black, long-sleeved dress with pearls and had a charming smile.

“Ah,” Kitsuragi said as the pieces clicked.

Columbo grinned in delight as he looked between the woman and the photos of her on the wall.

“Would you like some coffee?” asked Mrs. Willis.

“Grace Wheeler?” exclaimed Columbo.

“Yes,” she confirmed.

“No one told me. I just saw Ned Diamond downstairs. I should have known.” Columbo was beside himself with amazement.

“Please sit down,” invited Wheeler.

“My wife is not gonna believe this,” Columbo gushed. “Diamond and Wheeler. Oh, we were high school sweethearts. She took me to every movie you two ever made.”

Kitsuragi introduced himself and took a seat in a vibrant green armchair near a window with matching green curtains.

“Isn't that nice?” Wheeler smiled. “Are you sure you don't want some coffee?”

“Coffee? Yes.” Columbo seemed to be acknowledging that this was a thing that existed more than accepting the offer. He was too starstruck for things like coffee. “I even remember my wife had her hair done up in little curls like you had in one of your pictures.”

“Really,” Wheeler said. She gave no hint of impatience and was perfectly poised and polite.

“There’s a word for that?” he asked.

“Krokono.”

“Detective,” said Kitsuragi with a meaningful look. It wasn’t reprimand, just a call to focus.

“I'm sorry, I got carried away. I realize how you must be feeling. I apologize,” said Columbo.

“Life must go on. I'll just have to manage.” Wheeler poured some coffee from a silver pot into one of the same dark blue coffee cups that Alma served coffee in last night. She looked to Kitsuragi. “Would you care for some coffee, Lieutenant?”

“Yes please,” Kitsuragi replied.

She poured another cup and handed each detective a coffee. Columbo carried his coffee with him as he walked over to look at one of the photos on the wall.

Kitsuragi added some sugar and cream from the silver tray, stirred, and took a sip. “Thank you, Mrs. Willis.” He nodded politely.

“I just wanna ask a few questions,” said Columbo.

“Oh, I understand,” said Wheeler.

“Your butler said that you were in the projection room watching a film when it happened?” Columbo asked.

Kitsuragi set the coffee on a table and fetched out his notebook and pen.

“That's correct,” confirmed Wheeler. “I was watching Walking My Baby. Did you and your wife ever see that?”

“Of course,” said Columbo. “That's where the girl becomes a star, right?” He looked back at her then walked over to another photo.

“Rosie,” said Wheeler, saying the name of the girl in the movie. She seemed quite pleased to be remembered. “That explains why you didn't hear the shot,” he said. Wheeler’s face sobered. “Yes.”

Cautiously, Columbo walked over to Wheeler and leaned closer to her. “Just between you and me, Madam. Are you entirely satisfied that your husband took his own life?”

“Of course. Why do you ask?”

“Well, the butler said when he entered the room just before eleven that Mr. Willis was reading and he didn't appear to be at all depressed.” Wheeler nodded slightly and glanced down. “Henry was a very private person. He rarely displayed his emotions.”

“A light goes on up here,” Columbo gestured to his forehead, “and sometimes I can't turn it off.” He made a twisting motion like turning a knob. “I mean, a man about to take his own life, why would he be reading a book and taking a sleeping pill?”

Wheeler thought a moment and sighed. “He was very concerned about his health. Perhaps he was reading his book and taking his pill before he picked up the medical report and became depressed.”

“I see,” Columbo said softly. “You're suggesting that he took the sleeping pill prior to the decision to take his life.” He nodded. “Yes, it could have happened that way. But then,” Columbo put his pencil to his forehead, “he could not have gone to the garage to get his gun out of the glove compartment before. Do you see what I mean?”

“Yes. Yes I do.” Wheeler bit her lip and thought about it. “He must've gone to the garage for it. No one would've heard him.”

“According to the housekeeper he dressed for bed at eight, had dinner in his room,” said Columbo. Kitsuragi tried to remember when that had come up last night. Maybe he’d missed something going up and down the stairs so many times. He sipped his coffee.

“He did that very often,” said Wheeler.

Kitsuragi chimed in. “That would mean that he would have to have gone to the garage in his robe and slippers.”

“I suppose,” said Wheeler.

“That's my problem, Madam,” said Columbo. “I looked at those slippers very closely. They definitely have not walked on anything other than a rug. There is not a mark on them.”

Wheeler looked confused for a second. “I can appreciate all the reports you must have to fill out. But the point is, Lieutenant…” she faltered as she tried to remember his name.

“Columbo,” he reminded.

“Columbo. If my husband did not take his own life, how could he have died? The door was bolted from the inside.”

Kitsuragi nodded and his brow furrowed, looking back over last night’s notes. Columbo looked over his shoulder, smoke floating in a pale stream from his mouth. He pointed toward the deceased’s room and looked back at the widow. “Do you mind if I take another look at your husband's bedroom?”

“Of course not.” Wheeler rose to her feet. “And I'll go with you.”

Kitsuragi rose and set his coffee down. “That’s not necessary, Madam.”

“Oh, no. Don't do that, Madam,” agreed Columbo. “That'll just bring back bad memories.”

Wheeler set her mouth and drew upon emotional reserves. “I have made up my mind I am going to be very strong.”

Kitsuragi expected perhaps this would be a cover for the emotional detachment of somebody who might not be grieving as much as they let on, but that’s not what he read in the old woman’s expression. Her confusion, her guesses about the conundrum’s presented by the evidence, and now her bracing herself in preparation for something painful, it all felt genuine. Perhaps she used skills from her actress days to be so convincing, but that’s just not the impression he got. Were the butler and the maid the suspects, then? If this wasn’t a suicide? But that didn’t sit right with him either.

The three of them walked down the hall, and entered Dr. Willis’s room through the broken door. Kitsuragi stopped to look over the splintered frame where the bolt had busted, then looked around the room. He crossed the floor to a door to a balcony. While it had a lock, it wasn’t currently locked.

“Was this locked last night?” Kitsuragi asked.

“No, when it’s warm like this Henry always slept with the door slightly ajar.”

“Really? I would freeze. Up here on the mountain?” Kitsuragi asked.

“Well, in the summer it gets hot even here. We’re not that high up,” replied Wheeler.

“Hm.” Kitsuragi didn’t like the idea of sleeping with a door to the outside open, but this wasn’t about what he personally felt comfortable with.

“So that while there's no doubt that that door was bolted, someone could've come through this door,” Columbo concluded.

“If you look more closely on the balcony…” Wheeler led the way outside and the two detectives followed her. “You'll see that it's not humanly possible for anyone to climb up.”

A tree grew almost dangerously close to the balcony. Kitsuragi blinked at the tree, then looked at Wheeler. No possible way to climb a tree to the balcony? Not...humanly possible? So there weren’t any low branches, and certainly not everybody could climb this particular tree, but… “‘Not humanly possible’?”

“Yes,” said Wheeler.

“Madam, it’s a tree,” Kitsuragi stated.

“I can see that, Lieutenant,” said Wheeler.

“It is...not humanly possible...to climb trees?”

“The reason I know this is that some time ago, Henry had all those lower branches cut away so no one could get up,” Wheeler explained.

“That certainly makes it more difficult, but.” Kitsuragi gave up. He didn’t want to be rude.

“You're absolutely right, Madam,” said Columbo.

“Right,” muttered Kitsuragi.

Raymond peered around the balcony door at the widow. “Excuse me, Madam?”

“Yes, Raymond?” Wheeler asked.

“Your vocal instructor has arrived,” the butler informed her.

“But Mr. Salerno comes on Fridays,” said Wheeler.

“But today is Friday, Madam,” replied Raymond.

Wheeler looked a little lost. “Oh dear.”

“Madam, perhaps you'd better rest,” suggested Raymond.

“No,” Wheeler objected, speaking slowly. “I think I'll have it as usual.”

Kitsuragi studied the confusion on the woman’s face. People often lose track of the days of the week, especially if they didn’t have work anymore.

Raymond smiled kindly. “Whatever you say, Madam.”

Wheeler looked at the detectives and shrugged. “I seem to be so forgetful lately.” She looked concerned. “Do you think it's insensitive of me to take a vocal lesson so soon after my husband passed away?”

Columbo, his arms folded in front of him, replied, “No Madam.”

Wheeler turned and walked back into the house. “You see, I'm planning to resume my career. Henry would've wanted that. And besides, I find it a blessing to be able to turn to a song or a dance when faced by tragedy.”

“Oh, it is a blessing,” agreed Columbo. “You're very lucky, you have a great talent that affords you an outlet.” “Thank you,” said Wheeler. “Me? When I'm down in the dumps, I go bowling,” said Columbo. Wheeler smiled. “We all need something...Now, if you'll excuse me.” “Oh, yes. And thank you very much, Madam,” said Columbo. “You've been very helpful.”

“Yes, thank you Madam,” said Kitsuragi.

Wheeler walked away, then stopped and turned in the doorway. “You must come by some evening and see one of my films. I have a print of all of them and you can choose your favorite. And be sure to bring your wife.” She lit right up at the prospect.

“Oh, thank you,” said Columbo. “That's a date. She'll...she'll probably faint.”

“In my case there’s no wife to bring, but thank you. I’ll consider it,” said Kitsuragi.

Chapter Three

[cowboypossume]

Hailey Banks is autistic

not just because i am too and i relate to her

1. The first episode we LITERALLY get the whole "I'm adverse to new experiences so I just write them down instead!". To the nth degree too /pos. That's what causes the whole series to begin

a big Thing of autism is need for a routine -or at least an idea of what to expect- to the point changes to the plan can result in meltdowns or flat out avoidance (as we see with Hailey).

with the world ending, she starts to embrace the changes, but still doesn't necessarily Like all the new things.

i could be reading to much into it, but in the theme song we get things like "make a candle with my own ear wax???" and "eat an onion :/" where we see this aversion to not only trying but actually DOING new things, too. this is continued at several points in the show, too. she flat out says "i don't want to do that right now; let's find a different list item" NUMEROUS times. several of those scenes do come from her feelings for scott, sure, but i think that proves my point?

friendship for neurodivergent people is ,, complicated (we'll get there) so right now hailey has this steady, predicable pattern with her best friend. she doesn't want to ruin that, and thus we fall back into the "i don't want things to change" part of autism

2. Hailey and birds

special interests are a bit complicated, and this isn't the place to explain it, but in short its basically a Really Strong interest in something. it occurs to everyone, but people with autism are more likely to experience either stronger or more frequent :)

birds are DEFINITELY a special interest for hailey!

- half of her list items INVOLVE birds and thus almost every episode has some sort of a something with birds (frank, the red owl, petey, etc) - she has a party and the way she wants to have fun is build birdhouses with her peers - she adopts a flamingo. like. - her little birdhouse collection <33333

there's more but it's just silly and i love frank and petey so much and-

3. she has a really hard time understanding how to relate to her peers socially

ok, again there are so many better researched things than this so this is a BRIEF summary, but: autistic people just process the world differently. a lot of social cues go over their head because the world is processed Different.

so having hailey be a bit dense social-wise is so nice to see. especially because none of the characters penalize her or mock her for not getting it. instead they just, talk to her? like people?

examples off the top of my head about the miscommunication are - kristine wanting to have a date with scott and hailey tags along - becker flirts with hailey and hailey is like ":D wow ! what a silly billy !" (the 'i'm more of a ice cream girl if you catch my drift' / 'i still need to use this coupon????') - the rubic's cube episode where hailey doesn't understand scott's needs vrs her own and like ,, how those mesh together - that plotline where hailey admits that she doesn't have that many [female] friends (or any besides scott) because it's always been weird for her - part of what draws her to frank is that she's ALSO been labeled as weird and different, and she doesn't think that's a reason for isolation - at her birthday party she doesnt understand why people aren't having fun. because, for her, this is fun!! - that same said party was immeditaly followed with her admitting "this isn't fun for me; i would like to stop" when it comes to the truth or dare game.

there are a bunch more examples. again, this just for a general idea to show where this idea is coming from

4. [according to the wiki] "Hailey is quite determined for a kid her age"

afab austistic people go underdiagnosed for reasons like this!!!

things that can SO be autisic are marked off as "mature" because a lot of austsim is masking OR traits that appear one way in amab appear differently in afab.

this idea of "determination" can tie into the special interest thing as mentioned before, or why austsic people are often shown as "selfish": because they want something, and don't understand the social repercussion of saying no.

5. as i mentioned, the list thing.

as generally mentioned, autistic people want a semblance of what to expect from something. when they don't get that, those feelings can cope in other ways.

in this show, hailey makes a list.

instead of trying something new, she just thinks 'oh i'll do that later!' and then DOESNT! :3

these are small things and obviously a headcannon, but it means a a lot to mean