#i miss carter a whole heck of a lot right now

[siryouarebeingmocked]

Carter and Lovecraft, by Jonathan L. Howard (2015)

I really wanted to like this book.

I've read a few Lovecraft novels and stories, and I liked them. So when I saw this on my friend's bookshelf, I borrowed it, and read it.

Tried to.

The first real fly in the ointment? NYPD protag sees his partner take a 9mm retirement in front of him on a creepy case, and becomes a private detective. Mysterious lawyer shows up at his office one day and says there was a bookstore owner in Providence, Rhode Island, who has been missing and just declared dead.

The protag gets the bookshop. He's not sure why.

Protag goes to the bookshop. Owner's niece, Emily, is there. She's been running the shop alone since the owner vanished, and she co-ran it when he was alive. Also, she's biracial. Would be played by Zoe Kravitz in the movie, he thinks.

Her name is Lovecraft.

As in, she's a descendant of ol' Howard Philips.

She notes the irony; a black-ish "mulatto" descendant of an anti-black racist.

"Okay," I think, as I checked the publication date. "You've gotten that token bit out of the way. Now, can we move on?"

Apparently not.

As protag starts looking into the disappearance and other weird stuff, he decides he needs to get his eye in. So he goes to a gun range, where he needs to sign up for the NRA first

and ends the session by "re-engaging the safety" on his Glock.

Fun fact: stock Glocks don't have manual safeties, AFAIK.

In the next chapter, protag thinks about how he used the gun. He hates the NRA and the whole "gun fetish" thing, but he needs the iron, just in case.

Two strikes. Three if you count the safety thing.

Yes, I know an NYPD cop might be a bit bigoted about the issue, especially considering how his partner died. But it really feels like the writer's opinion.

In fact, let me just-

Yep. The writer is British. This sounds awfully familiar.

It was about this time that I realized something. The protagonist has no traits that aren't directly related to being a cop or detective. Absolutely none.

I don't think we know what he does in his off hours. No friends. Nothing but the job.

Heck, Miss Lovecraft has more personality than him, and she takes up a lot less screen time.

Protag decides to give Lovecraft half the business, so he can become a silent partner. People start dying in physically impossible ways - like the dude who drowned in his dry car in a parking lot - our hero looks into it.

He also ends up learning about a local family, the Waites. Rich, keep to themselves on their own land, been around since before the area was officially settled, apparently.

The local who tells him about all this says the younger ones are oddly attractive. The family has distinctive big eyes.

Anyone remotely familiar with HP Lovecraft just went "Oh, right, they're fishmen. Got it." I've seen this trope done better before, like in the comic Shadowgirls.

Hero looks into the archives, finds records of a racist Town Council rant by an early Waite, back when they were still into trading. Including slaves. Specifically, patriarch Newton Waite went to a council meeting and said black people should serve others, and shouldn't have self-determination.

The archivist intern says it's was "a different time", and that's just how people were back then.

Of course, he adds "People who talk like that now - no pass for them."

End scene.

Like this extremely mainstream, boring opinion is some kind of

In the next scene, protag chats about the fit he had near the Waite place. Learns about another mysterious death. When he chats about it with Emily, he suddenly realizes she's hot.

Then the narration tells us that he was a racist bigot in his teens, though he thought he was being sensible at the time. He now knows he was wrong, but he still feels sparks of it when he reads about some black kid doing some stereotypically black thing, which gives certain white people "a hard-on of righteousness".

And, of course, his time spent walking away from "instinctive racism" means his dating pool opened up. Like Emily Lovecraft, for example.

The most stereotypically black thing would probably be crime. Or being a single mom or deadbeat dad.

 Sadly, I know of plenty of black people - from my black majority home country - who fall into one of those categories. Or two. Three if you include "poverty", but we're Developing, so that barely even counts.

Also, this basically came out of nowhere. Not Emily being hot - I mean, look at Zoe Kravitz - but his unsolicited thoughts on racism.

All of these issues have also been issues for many concerned black people. For decades. The 'stereotypically black things' might be bad themselves, not because they make racist white people feel smug.

This is precisely where I closed the book for good. I would've put away the bookmarks, but I needed the page so I could write this rant.

Honestly, writing all this made me realize that I should've given up long before I made it halfway through the book. But I just kept hoping it would get better.

Doing the same well-worn cliches in a modern setting doesn't really make them interesting. Neither do the little 'racism is bad, mmmkay?' bits.

[glitterghost]

Green Creek Mates

↳ Carter Bennett x Timber Wolf

"I am the wolf

You are the wilderness

And

I run through these sheets

With your scent like a hungry

Distant

Lover

Howling in the

Moonlight."

[dbd-and-slashers-fics]

Little miss starch here, back at it again. Actually, it's my birthday in 5 days (27th), so I have a special little request (or a big one I'm sorry for wasting your time). Can I get Evan, Frank, Danny/Jed, Herman and Michael and my request is this: plan me a birthday (or not planning, bc ig these are all murderers lmao) - so like, what they get me, is there a cake and what we doin that day - and if you want I can retweet this with my reactions bc I will love whatever you write let's be real here

(OMG!! HAPPY WOMB ESCAPE YOU CRISPY ROOT!! WOMB EVICTION IS SUPER GREAT DUDE LIKE WOW FINALLY MOVED OUT AND ARE LIVING IN A SHARE WOMB CALLED MOTHER EARTH. Wild. And heck yeah! Let me see those reactions! I’m glad you enjoy the writing! I’m trying!)

Evan Macmillan (The Trapper):

- Evan is a very classy and traditional guy. Get ready for a birthday party with a few friends, both survivor and killer. It’s a little awkward but it’s okay because it is your day and everyone understands that if they fuck it up, he’ll fuck them up. He’s probably got a nice ass cake he may have asked Sally and Bubba to bake, and a little present corner. He’ll also dress nice and make you dress nice too. No matter your style, even if he has to make you a stylish hobo. You’re gonna be the belle of the ball.

He’ll take you out on the town afterwards when everyone leaves. A sweet little walk in the park and a few awkward but sweet words. He isn’t great at expressing his total adoration for you, but you’ll get it anyways. He’ll melt if you smooch his cheek.

Frank Morrison (The Legion):

- Frank is the opposite of classy. First off, he’d start your birthday off with no cake. You and the gang go out for milkshakes or slushees and you can buy as many snacks as you want. Y’all just chill together for a few hours playing games, talking shit, playing with make up or outfits. This is the one time the only time that Frank will let you put makeup on him. So make him look ridiculous. Draw dickbutt on him, get that sweet sweet revenge for the time he drew on your face. After that, you two are sneaking up to the attic for some alone time. You guys can spend that time however you want (Lenny face), but after everything he’ll be giving you an entire talk about how glad he is that he’s met you and how important you are to him.

Probably made you a hand carved necklace piece. Something you hold dear to heart that you can wear all the time to remember him by and cheer you up when you’re down.

Michael Myers (The Shape):

- Michael doesn’t really do birthdays. He’s sort of been trapped in an asylum and he doesn’t have great memories. Now, if you told him it was your birthday, he might do some asking around about it. Expect to come home to a shitload of his hidden Halloween candy and fun activities you guys can do, like painting, cartoons, and paper mache.

Also get ready for him to carry you around on his back. A lot. He may seem like he is annoyed or doesn’t care, but inside he is actually really content because he hasn’t had this much fun before! He also loves you so there is that-

Danny Johnson (The Ghostface):

- Ah yes, Danny Johnson, a charismatically smug bastard and king of romance. We all know this doodoo head is a dork and is actually great at birthdays. As much as he loves the spotlight and loves popularity, he’ll actually give you a small surprise. Aside from a present, which would most likely be something he thought you might like so he stole it, he takes you out into the fleet with his camera. Just when you think you’re lost, he’ll sneak into some old, overgrown, ruined building you didn’t even know was there. He’ll make you follow him, and you’ll end up in a small clearing by a running river, right next to a sort of waterfall dip into a lake. It’s a very soothing and charming spot.

He then makes you take poses or just takes pictures of you doing whatever while complimenting and flirting the whole time. You two will end up under a willow tree somewhere while he tells you cheesy jokes and pick up lines. It’s a really calm day and he starts opening up about stories and telling you everything he loves about you. It’s really sweet and all about you!

Herman Carter (The Doctor):

- Herman is a wild man, we all know this. You probably expect him to serve you a still beating heart starched to a potato battery as a birthday cake. Honestly, any other time he would, but a birthday is important. At least, for him. It’s very rare for him to find something he feels anything towards, and the fact that he loves you is enough for him to make the effort.

He has no cooking skills, so he buys you your favorite flavor cupcake from a supermarket or bakery. He might even buy some extra treats for the both of you later on. He has a little stash of alcohol and music. He, like Danny, isn’t going to make a big gathering, mostly because everyone is scared shitless of him and also the Institute isn’t that great a place for party’s, you know, because of most of the rooms being bathrooms and what not.

He’ll play music on his phonograph and dance with you, read to you, and just overall be pleasant. This will also be the first time he takes off his head gear. And holy fuck, this man is so handsome when his eyes aren’t threatening to leave his skull.

[fillingthescrapbook]

On Series Finales, Shenanigans, and Sabotage

In this post, I talk about the end of Superstore and WandaVision, the finale of Call Me Kat, the shenanigans of RuPaul's Drag Race, and what feels like sabotage to Zoey's Extraordinary Playlist.

Let's start with the good;

WandaVision delivered a great opening for Marvel's "Phase 4." While it was an amazing exploration of what it means to grieve, the series was also a great essay on what the medium of television means for so many of us who watch: an escape, and a way to process our real-life problems through characters who can have happy endings.

Of course, the show wasn't perfect. While the first half of the series took its time to set the milieu, the characters and their goals, and the tension of things not being what they seem--an impressive juggling act up until the fifth episode--the second half felt a little rushed with no room to let the supporting characters react and breathe. Which, sure, I get that the show called WandaVision would focus on characters named Wanda and Vision, but I felt like they could've given the others more to do?

Like when Wanda was fighting [redacted] and Vision tried to help out, [redacted] was just standing there. Watching. Like, [redacted] had powers too. And they didn't even attempt to do something? Really?

And that's not to mention set-ups for plots that were eventually dropped.

Although, according to interviews, the blame for some of this this falls on the pandemic. In their original timeline, the show would've finished filming and would have been editing the finale before the show premiered. In reality, by the time they started cutting the finale episode, they had already aired four episodes. Which meant they've already planted and aired a few scenes for a certain character to pay off in later episodes. Pay-off that they then decided to cut out because it ultimately felt like filler. Had the pandemic not happened, they might have had time to cut out the foreshadowing from the earlier episodes too.

But even with the faults, and the lack of accountability for certain actions done, WandaVision was ultimately a good show. One that was clearly made with love.

And speaking of shows made with love, let's talk about Superstore and its final act.

I've seen a lot of online feedback that Superstore wasn't as good with Amy gone. I don't agree. Amy (and actress America Ferrera) was the cherry on top of an ice cream sundae--or the sprinkles. She's a great part of a whole, but the product was still great without her. But I have to say: seeing her back in the last two episodes? It made the ending all the more bittersweet.

I will miss this show. I will miss its laughs, its hi-jinx, its resilience...and most of all, its heart. I've said before that if a show could survive without a proper wrap-up it would be Superstore; because it's such a perfect snapshot of real life for many of us. But I'm glad that the people behind the camera, the current show runners Jonathan Green and Gabe Miller, show creator Justin Spitzer, and returning director Ruben Fleischer, came together and gave the shows' fans a bow-tied finale that was full of hope and happiness.

I loved every single thing about the finale except the part that it was the last episode. Because even though I was satisfied with what they gave us? I still wanted more time with the staff of Cloud 9.

Now, let's move on to Call Me Kat.

I was a little iffy about the show when it started. It had some good bits, but it was also peppered with so many not-so-great ones. The pros: Mayim Bialik really made the character her own even in scenes lifted from the show it was based on; Kyla Pratt became a more and more engaging presence as the show went on; episodes that were original to Call Me Kat were both very fun and heartwarming; and it was a show that was unapologetically camp.

As the season went on, I started forgiving the show for things I didn't like (the closing goodbyes, and the imagined Brigitte) and even looked forward to new episodes. But then the season finale happened. And the show brought back one of the things I really didn't like in the first few episodes: the Kat-Max romance.

I do not have a problem with Cheyenne Jackson's acting nor his character. I think Max is great. But only as a friend. Because I just do not see any romantic chemistry between him and Mayim Bialik's Kat. I was happy that the show introduced a new love interest for Kat because I really didn't want her pining for Max the whole series. Sadly, the show switched gears and made Max pine for Kat instead.

It's still not working for me. And I really hate how it came back. Because the first time Max started to see Kat in a different way was when she started dating the new love interest, Oscar. It came off like he was threatened that his back-up plan is now desirable to someone else. And then he doubled down on his "love" for ex-girlfriend Brigitte. Which was initially played earnestly and then became a cover for Max fighting his feelings for Kat. And then the obvious deus-ex-machina in the finale where Kat had no choice but to entertain her crush on Max again.

If Call Me Kat gets a second season--which I hope it does--I hope the show runners realize that Kat and Max don't have to end up together. That they can remain friends and still have that fun dynamic with each other. Because not every friendship need to evolve into romance. (That goes for Kyla Pratt's Randi and Julian Gant's Carter too.)

Now, since we're already on the topic of plot lines being forced into being, let's talk about RuPaul's Drag Race. I started watching this show in its 8th season. It was a reality competition that was fun, funny, colorful, entertaining, and revolves around art. I got hooked. I then watched the two seasons that came after, lost interest in Season 11, and then came back for the twelfth season because of the pandemic and found it a little fun again. And then Season 13 happened. And I can't believe the show I started watching because I enjoyed the laughs became a show I now hate-watch.

I don't know what happened behind the scenes after Season 9, but there is something terribly off with how RuPaul's Drag Race has been produced since then. There's more emphasis on drama that isn't really dealt with properly, there's obvious favoritism, and there's a great disconnect between what the judges are seeing and what is being presented to television viewers. And yet I continue to watch.

Let's just say: I'm hoping either Symone or Rosé wins. But let's be honest: the producers of RuPaul's Drag Race is setting Gottmik up for the win as the first transman to compete. Which I feel is unfair. Because while Gottmik is great, Rosé has more nerve and talent while Symone has the charisma and uniqueness.

And finally: Zoey's Extraordinary Playlist and the sabotage, self-inflicted and otherwise, that's ringing the death knell for the show.

The first season was lightning in a bottle. While it was by no means perfect, it had so much heart that it didn't matter. We wanted to root for Zoey even when we knew that she couldn't realistically have it all. The core of the show was that Zoey cared. Too much as some characters would say. But because she cared, we cared. In comparison, Season two Zoey feels like a completely different person when her plot line has nothing to do with her father.

I can't help but feel that the show sabotaged itself by splitting the show into two: the one that's about Zoey, and the other one that's about Mo and Max's business venture. Zoey's plot lines, while not all stellar, still felt like it had the DNA of the first season. Mo and Max's feels like a completely different show that's airing simultaneously with Zoey's--with the occasional crossover when Zoey needs to talk with either one of them.

It didn't feel that way when it started though. But episode by episode, the business venture just started to separate more and more. And instead of drawing Mo and Max back to Zoey's show, the writers just kept pushing Zoey to visit their world instead.

The recent episode, where Zoey wanted to recapture the feeling she had when watching a celestial event with her dad, was the first time the show felt anything remotely like the one I watched last year. We see Zoey caring about other people, we see her struggling to balance her own needs with others--and we see her actually trying to process her emotions again. And it just had to happen in the first episode on a new time slot that's barely been promoted.

So after Zoey’s self-sabotaged, now it's their network's turn to sabotage the show by putting it in a time slot with stronger competition--while not bothering to promote the heck out of the move. This feels like the network has already made a decision not to renew the show for a third season, and the episodes left to air are the last ones we're getting. And that Zoey's not gonna get a second chance to go back to the show that it once was.

I can't even feel sad though. Because I feel like I already saw the show I loved last year slowly die right in front of my eyes.

[trademarknickersoncharm]

Austin’s spoiler free  ND Rankings from best to worst (with reasons why)

PLS NOTE: There is only one game I actually HATE. Every other game there is something I like about it except my last spot. Keep that in mind.

1) Ghost of Thornton Hall. This game is an absolute masterpiece. It is the best game HeR has made since CUR. It is also the best game I think HeR has put out in recent years. These are characters that you actually FEEL for. Not one of them are unlikeable. The closest you get is Clara, who you wind up feeling for in the end. An absolute work of art (it is also the first game I pre-ordered because from the very beginning I was invested.)

2) Labyrinth Of Lies- Hear me out. I absolutely adore this game. It has Greece, Theatre, and Xenia Doukas. Three things I cannot live without. While I absolutely agree that the whole idea of a rotating set system underground is impossible, this game was a dream come true for theatre kids everywhere. I will never not play this game without listening to Mamma Mia. It’s probably my biggest unpopular opinion of this fandom.

3) Last Train To Blue Moon Canyon- This game breaks my literal heart. Camille and Jake Hurly has always been up there in my eyes with Frances and Dirk from SHA. I have always loved the environment of this game. (This is probably due to the fact that Murder On The Orient Express is one of my favorite books) and this is one game that I always go to when I’m feeling nostalgic. It is also the first time you see the Hardy Boys so that’s a sign.

4) Sea Of Darkness- This is the game that I think has the best graphics HeR has offered. We have a lesbian character which was highly requested as well as a cute dog. The aurora borealis is never not STUNNING to look at and it one of the best games that actually feels like Nancy is “there”. The mystery is also one that I think can be misleading. I always assumed it was Ghost Ship TM but boy was I wrong. Elisabet also has my whole heart.

5) The Final Scene- OH MY GOD THIS IS AN ABSOLUTE SASS FILLED GAME AND I HAVE ALWAYS BEEN HERE FOR IT. I constantly say “I propose you back off!” at every opportune moment. It is the best dialogue Nancy has ever had. Again, it is a Stan for theatre kids everywhere. I have also always thought magic was the coolest thing even though I can't perform it. Solid dialogue and very easy puzzles, which is always a relief.

6) Curse Of Blackmoor Manor- This is not in my top 3 as it is going to be for almost everyone else due to the fact that I think it is a very difficult game. I first played it when I was 12, and it was the only game I could not beat up until that shit show SAW which we will discuss later. Now that I've grown older and wiser, I have really grown to appreciate it more and it is a CLASSIC when looking into this game series. I appreciate the nostalgia value it has and the soundtrack and the characters. Ethel Bossiny FTW. This game also has the best soundtrack of the series.

7) Treasure In The Royal Tower- Another one that will be in everyone else’s top 3 but is not for me, but is still solid. I ADORE this game’s setting and character development- but for me, I never really felt pulled in to the mystery. My time was spent fan grilling over Hotchkiss that the person who broke into the library was on my back burner. HOWEVER, it is still very nostalgic and iconic it is in my top 10.

8) The Phantom Of Venice- Simply put, this game is why I want to go to Italy. I was ALMOST THERE but corona. I absolutely adore the way this game transports you. They included everything they could, even real photos of Venice, which I appreciated as someone who wants to go.

9) Alibi in Ashes- You have to understand how important it is that we finally got a game in River Heights. It was always on the TOP of my list in terms of places I wanted Nancy to go. It did not disappoint. The fact that everyone turned on Nancy so quickly always sends chills down my spine.

10) Legend Of The Crystal Skull- ALRIGHT so another unpopular opinion. This was the FIRST game I every played AND BEAT and so it will always be in my top 10. This is the game that truly got me invested in the series. If it wasn't this, it would not be this high, but it is my number 10 for that reason. Other things I like: Henry, Renee, the setting and music.

11) Warnings At Waverly Academy- WAC’s setting is so amazing. I don’t really know how to explain it, but I have always been intrigued about boarding school mysteries (@ house of Anubis )and this is a solid one. It contains probably one of the best plot twists of the series that blew my mind the first time I played it, and Mel Corbalis is god’s gift to humanity.

12) The Silent Spy- A real tearjerker if there ever was one. This games takes a storyline that has been changed many times (Nancy’s mom) and turns it into something so extremely badass you really wish she wasn't actually dead. Zoe Wolfe is the absolute reason I exist. You also play a cookies mini game which is just about as addicting as crack.

13) Secret Of The Old Clock- Okay, so I feel like this game gets a lot of hate because everyone talks about how weird the time travel is, but this has always been a game I liked. I think personally, that it is the easiest game in the series (if you exclude the dress, which I have never had a problem with) and it is based on the absolute most classic ND story of all. I also highly enjoy this period of time, even though the characters in this game aren't great. Emily Crandall is probably the best one, and even she yells at Nancy.

14) Secret Of Shadow Ranch- Okay. So I’m going to get anon h8 for this. But SHA is... not the best in my opinion. I have talked about this before, but SHA is very tedious in terms of chores and I just do not like that. I wouldn't necessarily mind the chores if they weren't repetitive, but it is the same chores over and over again. With that said, I LOVE the music, the Humber storyline, and the setting, so it is #14

15) Message In A Haunted Mansion- This is probably the only game I have ever pissed my pants over. CUR and GTH didn’t even do that. I think it is bc MHM is one of the first games I played. The hauntings in this game are so AMAZING and when you find out their explanation it totally changes things.

16) The Deadly Device- I love when ND does a Murder Mystery right. This is the time it was done right. The culprit came out of absolutely no where and I loved it. It is ranked this low for me b/c I think some of the puzzles are tedious and hard. Ryan Kilpatrick is an amazing human being and so is Ellie thx.

17) Tomb Of The Lost Queen- Another game which I think gets a lot of undeserved hate. Mummies are badass, especially when the mummy sighting is real and unexplained. Dylan Carter is probably the biggest example of stud you will ever see, and Jamila El-Dine is a bad b****. I am ranking it this high for Jamila alone. 

18) Danger On Deception Island- I absolutely adore this game’s music. But I hate Holt Scotto with all the fire within me. He is why this game is not in my top 10. I love everything about this game except Holt F****** Scotto. I want to put it in my top 10. I do. But Holt Scotto sucks.

19) The Haunted Carousel- This was a game which I vividly remember being bullied in daycare over. I took it to daycare one day and we kept getting our eyeballs poked out by the lathe. Daycare memories suck. Also it is the first game by which we get a literal sexual strut by the culprit at the end, which I have never liked. Pluses of the game? An amusement park. Miles.

20) Ransom Of The Seven Ships- SAY IT OUT LOUD. RAN. IS. NOT. THE. WORST. GAME. The puzzles, although always thrown at your face, are actually sort of fun. I would rank it higher but there is way too few characters in a way that makes the culprit very obvious, but it also isn't at the same time. 

21) The Captive Curse- This is a game by which I thought had so much potential but I think the monster looks very dumb? It’s like? The inbred cousin of Frankenstien’s monster? However, I LOVE THE SONG “girls”from this game and have a huge love for Lukas, so it isn't bottom 10

22) Stay Tuned For Danger- This game is one that would be so much higher up for me, If you didn’t have to look at EVERYTHING to complete it. If you miss ONE LETTER in a magazine, you cannot beat this game. I get stuck on it every time  I play it, but the mystery is amazing and who doesn’t love a good old NYC game.

23) The White Wolf Of Icicle Creek- To begin my bottom 10, ICE. I LOVE ICE as a concept. But, Fox and Geese holds me back from a replay. I absolutely love the idea of a lodge that people are in danger at. The snow atmosphere is amazing and so is Isis. But, Fox and Geese is an abomination.

24) Ghost Dogs Of Moon Lake- I really, really want to like this game because I am a dog lover. However, the insect challenge is such a CHORE to do. I cannot stand to do it. It is so difficult to do in my humble opinion, it requires such a retrace of step that makes it insufferable. Pros? cute doges.

25) The Haunting Of Castle Malloy- YOU ARE LITERALLY THIS LOW BC OF THE END PUZZLE AND YOU KNOW IT. However, not the worst for me because I love Ireland and this game has some of the best music in the series. It is on my top 5 for soundtracks. I love everything about this game except THE END. Fiona is so misunderstood.

26) Secret of The Scarlet Hand- I really like this game, I do, but I am very not interested in the constant phone calls you do in this game. You are on the phone for about 75% of this game and I really didn’t like that about it. LOVE the history behind it though.

27) SCK/SCK2- I really do not like SCK as a concept. School murders are a topic which really turns me off. Not to mention, there is barely a difference between these games but a single character and a puzzle. 

28) Danger By Design- Paris? Yes. Fashion? Heck yeah. But I never have really enjoyed DAN because the mystery can literally be solved by pulling a Phantom of The Opera and dropkicking the mask off. I also HATE the cookie puzzle. The edges never curl upwards for me.

29) Creature Of Kapu Cave- Ugh. Shells and fishing make this game untouchable for me. I LOVE HAWAII CONCEPT and supernatural volcanoes and phenomena. But I cannot stand the big island buck system or the man himself. Sorry, big island homies. Also be proud of me because it took me this long to bring up STUPID FRASS

30) Midnight In Salem- I was so excited for this game. We all were. I really enjoy MID’s mystery and as a concept. But, the new format is not good and neither is the constant talking and only being able to complete the game in one order. I was so excited for nothing (which is my own fault)

31) Shadow At The Waters Edge- GOD. The massive nonogram and sudoko have NO place in this game. I refuse to play it because of these 2 puzzles. However, I do love the scares in it. They are top notch scares. I have beat this game in it’s entirety maybe once?

32) Trail Of The Twister- Internship simulator forever. Chores galore, what a bore. Uncompelling mystery and hateful characters. The only thing I liked was the country music, a sentence you don’t hear often.

33) The Shattered Medallion- I literally played the beta of this game and it was ions better than the actual released product. That’s reason enough.

[the-hidden-writer]

An Odd Family Tree

A series of snippets from the lives of the FitzSimmons family, set post 7x13. Also, the series of events that lead up to the birth of their grandson.

Available to read on AO3 and FF.net.

Comments make my day!

Epilogue (1)

.Q.000000073.FS.M. D_01.15.1985_2153. STATUS:[Online] [communication_input]

“So, um, hi. It’s me. This is attempt seventy-three at getting this stupid thing to work, blah blah blah, etcetera. I, uh… miss you, wish you were here, all the usual stuff. Love you.”

“Maybe you should, perhaps, at least consider giving up? This is, as you said, the seventy-third attempt at a successful communication, and since it is taking up a considerable portion of your time-”

“No. No way. I’m not gonna give up now. I mean, you helped me build it! You’re seriously gonna let all that hard work go to waste?”

“That was not what I was implying. You could, instead, view the problem from a different angle.”

“Which angle, Enoch?! You think I haven’t done that already?! This stupid machine already has too many damn angles!”

“If you are counting the inner components then there are approximately-”

“Yeah, didn’t mean that literally buddy. But I guess you’re right. Like normal. Ugh... I kinda wish I’d properly thought about this before I- wait, did you hear that?”

“Hear what exactly?”

“D- there! That beeping noise. You heard that, right? I’m not just going insane?”

“I have noticed that you display multiple symptoms of psy-”

“Hold on, it’s still online!”

“Oh. It is.”

“It- It’s transmitting fine, recording smoothly, sound quality’s decent so remind me to fix that but… it’s working. It’s actually working!”

“Well done. But I do have to warn you that this technology should not exist on Earth in this time period.”

“Yeah yeah, whatever. Right, Enoch, I’m gonna need you to get out of here. This beautiful thing is finally working and I kinda wanna use it before it blows up or something.”

“Of course.”

“Uh… in private? Alone?”

“Oh, I understand. You wish to record your message alone. Without me. In that case, I will take your leave, Director Shaw.”

“See you, buddy. Right. Now I just gotta press thi-”

COMMUNICATION_TERMINATED_

~-.-~

.Q.000000074.FS.M. D_01.15.1985_2157. STATUS:[Online] [communication_input]

“Um… I… *ahem* This is a message for Leopold Fitz and Jemma Simmons. It’s a for-their-ears-only sort of thing, so if you’re not either of them then… uh… stop listening? No! Actually, if you’re not Leopold Fitz or Jemma Simmons, make sure this message gets to them. Please.”

“...I’m guessing this is Fitz or Simmons listening now. Hopefully both. Well, uh… it’s me! It’s Deke! I can’t believe I finally got this thing to work, haha. Uh… yeah.”

“So… you’re probably wondering what’s going on over here. SHIELD got blown up and- oh yeah, you guys were here for that. Or Nana was I think. It’s been a few years, I can’t remember exactly. Gotta adapt, y’know?”

“Speaking of! The second you guys left I might’ve accidentally become director of SHIELD. Which wasn’t my fault! I was nominated! Besides, I don’t know what was supposed to happen so…”

“Right, how am I sending this message. Funny story, actually. A few months after you guys left, Enoch turned up at my mansion and casually asked if he could murder me. Not our Enoch, by the way, this timeline’s Enoch. And he only wanted to kill me because he said I was this huge anomaly in the fabric of the universe and I could potentially doom humanity by just being here. Which sounds kind of dramatic, but nothing’s happened so far so I’m guessing we’re in the clear.”

“Basically, I managed to convince him that I was a good guy. I told him everything that happened and showed him my scars and everything to get him to believe me. And he did… eventually. He even helped me to build this quantum processor. Since this side is working now, I’m guessing it’ll work on the other end too. I’ve set it up to be like a mailbox that picks up anything that’s sent from the other end, so you won’t have to do the DNA-gene-splitting thing that I had to do to make sure it found you. You’re welcome.”

“It’s only audio for now. The 80s are great, but the technology sucks. And if we wanted to record video then I wouldn’t be able to buy supplies without getting asked about it. Equipment is expensive. Who knew. I’ll try and figure out at least how to send an image because I bet you’re missing my beautiful face.”

“That was the other thing: I miss you guys. It’s strange… I’ve spent most of my life on the Lighthouse and I knew a whole bunch of people there. Then when I came with you guys, sure it felt weird with them not being there, but I never really missed them. Probably because they came from that place.”

“But I miss you every day. Literally, every single day. And I love you. People look up to me here, but I don’t exactly have any family. I’ve got the Deke Squad, I guess, but they’re a different type of family. Not like you two.”

“So um, please send something back whenever you get this. I’ve set it so whenever you send something back, it’ll arrive here straight after I send the message you last listened to. I feel like I’m a time travel master now.”

“So I guess I’ll just… wait here. For your reply. Or just any sort of confirmation that you got this message. I’ll try and send you both a message at least once a week but it’d be great to get something back. I’m looking forward to hearing your voices.”

COMMUNICATION_TERMINATED_

~-.-~

.Q.000000079.FS.M. D_02.15.1985_1623. STATUS:[Online] [communication_input]

“Hey Nana and Bobo, it’s me again. Here’s the thing- it’s been a month. It’s been a whole month which is making me think that it’s something on my end. I’ll try and find the problem and fix it since I’d hate for your messages to get lost in that weird void between me and you.”

“But, if I’m gonna be honest, I realised that I don’t actually have any way of knowing if you guys made it back or not. Heck, I don’t even know if you managed to stop the chronicoms. And since I thought of that, I really can’t stop thinking about it, and it would really help if you could just let me know. Doesn’t have to be a whole message, just a yes or a no would do. You could even shout at me and I’d celebrate.”

“Seriously, if you’re all dead then… then I’m the only one alive. Again. I know I’m like 40 years behind you anyway, but it feels like the Lighthouse all over again! I got brought back from that and I felt like I’d cheated the system. Like- Like I didn’t belong, and I got out fine while everyone else stayed there and still had to suffer whatever’s going on up there. And this time I cheated because I’m the one who offered to stay behind and so I’m alive again while you’re all dead. I should’ve let Sousa do it, at least then I could’ve died with you.”

“No, no. You might be alive. You’re probably alive. I’m the one who’s… just send me something back. Please.”

COMMUNICATION_TERMINATED_

~-.-~

.Q.000000127.FS.M. D_04.13.1985_1829. STATUS:[Online] [communication_input]

“Nana, you won’t believe who invited me to a party! Pegs did! She was like, hey, I need you to be a distraction, you’re coming with me. Which is awesome because it’s like the first time she didn’t insult me in a sentence! Yeah… out loud that sounds kinda sad. But it means a lot to me, and I’m pretty sure you were a fan of Pegs or something? Yeah, I’m pretty sure.”

“Anyway, so, we went to this party and she said that since SHIELD is safe enough to be publicly known again I’d need to meet some guy that would help with finances. So we’re at this party, and Pegs takes me up to meet the guy. I promise, all I did was introduce myself (I was actually trying really hard to be serious and polite) and I asked his name and Peggy lost it. She literally almost fell onto the floor, she was laughing that hard. Yup, you heard me right. Peggy Carter. Laughing.”

“The guy, Harry I think his name was? No, Howard. Yeah, Howard was his name. So this Howard guy looks super offended and asked me if I knew who he was, and I said no because I honestly didn’t, and then Pegs offered to buy me a drink. I know! And she didn’t even yell at me for calling her Pegs!”

“So yeah, that happened. Since then she’s been smiling at me? I don’t know what I did, so I thought I’d throw it to you two to see if you had any ideas. You can boast to your friends that your grandson charmed over the great Peggy Carter.”

COMMUNICATION_TERMINATED_

~-.-~

.Q.000001032.FS.M. D_07.12.1988_2306. STATUS:[Online] [communication_input]

“Hey Bobo, hey Nana. I’m kinda tired so I’ll keep it short today. The Deke Squad got an award today. It’s funny, I was so busy with SHIELD that I’d forgotten that we had that many fans.”

“Having a double life sounds fun, but trust me it’s hard. Ha.”

COMMUNICATION_TERMINATED_

~-.-~

.Q.000001051.FS.M. D_10.22.1988_0642. STATUS:[Online] [communication_input]

“I finally finished my first original song! Are you proud of me?”

“Since we won that award, every night I’ve been having visions of Bobo shouting my head off that all I do is steal stuff. So since I’ve been messing with music for so many years, I figured, how hard can it be?”

“...It’s very hard. But! It’s completed, and it feels good that I can at least announce that to someone. Even if those someones can’t answer me back. But that’s fine.”

“The song’s called Alya, and it’s all about family. That was my Mom’s name, by the way. Alya. I can’t remember if I ever told you that.”

“If you want songs about you, then you’ll have to let me know, okay? Cool.”

COMMUNICATION_TERMINATED_

~-.-~

.Q.000001132.FS.M. D_11.25.1989_1903. STATUS:[Online] [communication_input]

“So, um… Hydra attacked. Big time. We beat them in the end, but we lost a whole bunch of agents. Joe was only nineteen and he told me I was his hero. They shot him in the head, I had to identify his body, and I... And that’s… that’s on me.”

“If only I’d taken that shot when Daisy told me to. I could’ve killed Freddy and none of this would’ve happened. I practically killed all those agents and I… Sorry. You don’t wanna hear this kinda stuff.”

COMMUNICATION_TERMINATED_

~-.-~

.Q.000001193.FS.M. D_03.09.1990_1903. STATUS:[Online] [communication_input]

“I’m sorry, but I can’t do this anymore. I’m guessing that you aren’t getting these messages so it doesn’t feel as weird to me anymore. And if you are… then I’m sorry you have to hear this. But you’re the only people who I’d want to hear it anyway.”

“Ever since they made me director of SHIELD, I feel like I’ve been faking my way through it. I faked my way through the Lighthouse, I faked my way into money and fame, I faked music for a fake band and I faked knowing how to be a director. I’m just… God, I’m just not cut out for it. People are dying and I can’t stop it. SHIELD needs an actual leader, not a fraud like me.”

“Peggy does a lot, but she’s got her own responsibilities to manage so I get the brunt of it. There’s a few super clever agents that can easily take my place.”

“See, I don’t wanna be director anymore. But if I’m not… I don’t know what I’d do with myself. I don’t have anyone here, I don’t belong here, and I- I’m just nothing when you strip away my lies. And I wish that was an exaggeration.”

“And you know the worst part of it all?! I don’t know whether you guys are even alive! I send you these messages every week and I put my heart and soul into them and they could be just disappearing into nothingness! Then there really is nothing!”

“So… just in case you are listening, I love you. You did so much for me, you gave me a chance when nobody else would. It’s odd saying goodbye to thin air, but hey ho. And if you’re dead, then I guess I’ll see you soo- WOAH!”

“DEKE SHAW YOU LOOK AT ME THIS INSTANT!”

“Hey- Hey, Pegs! What are you doing here?! G-Get out, this is private, this is my house what are you-”

“Shut your idiotic mouth and hand me that gun.”

“Peggy, I-”

“Hand it over, Deke. Now.”

“Fine, here. But listen-”

“No buts, Shaw. Are you out of your mind? What were you thinking?!”

“Director Shaw.”

“Enoch, not you too!”

“Oh. It appears we were just in time.”

“You’re bloody right we were. Thank you, Enoch. You made the right decision coming to find me. Now Deke, you need to talk to me, alright? Whatever’s on your mind. You trust me, don’t y- wait... what is that?”

“This? U-Uh, noth-”

COMMUNICATION_TERMINATED_

~-.-~

.Q.000001196.FS.M. D_03.14.1990_1903. STATUS:[Online] [communication_input]

“Pegs and Jarvis took me on a picnic the other day. Honestly, the number of times people thought I was their son was hilarious. It was like ten different people. You should have seen the look on Peggy’s face when this girl asked what it was like being a mom to the sensation that is Deke Shaw. I can’t wait for cellphones.”

“They remind me of you two, y’know. Pegs and Jarvis. You’re all super sweet and smart and determined and kind and they just really remind me of you. Well, if you were both super old.”

“...Don’t tell Peggy I said that.”

COMMUNICATION_TERMINATED_

~-.-~

.Q.000001872.FS.M. D_07.17.1993_1108. STATUS:[Online] [communication_input]

“They just invented Zima! I can finally stop pretending to drink! You guys should both drink it in celebration. It’s a big day for me.”

COMMUNICATION_TERMINATED_

~-.-~

.Q.000001627.FS.M. D_12.17.1991_2157. STATUS:[Online] [communication_input]

“Howard Stark and his wife got killed last night. Peggy and Jarvis are broken. I didn’t know them that well since he kind of hated me, but I feel really bad for his son.”

“I think I might go pay him a visit. See if I can cheer him up. Trust me, getting orphaned suddenly like that sucks.”

COMMUNICATION_TERMINATED_

~-.-~

.Q.000001873.FS.M. D_07.17.1993_2351. STATUS:[Online] [communication_input]

“So, um… kinda embarrassing story time. I ordered like 20 crates of Zima, but I couldn’t wait so I went and bought one from the store. And, uh… I couldn’t stomach it. It’s been so long since I actually drank that my body’s given up on me just like everyone else. Which is fine by me, but…”

“Now I don’t know what to do with 20 crates of Zima.”

COMMUNICATION_TERMINATED_

~-.-~

.Q.000002309.FS.M. D_09.12.1995_1342. STATUS:[Online] [communication_input]

“So some alien woman crashed into Earth this week. It was a pain to sort out, but I sent Coulson and some guy called Fury on the case. Fury has a cool name, but he’s a bit mean sometimes. I guess it’s fitting.”

“Oh yeah, I recruited Coulson. I decided to steer Mack towards more traditional engineering since I’m guessing he’d get sick of SHIELD. I got May though. It’s weird being older than them all and not being able to say anything.”

“Anyway, apparently the alien woman might be Kree? I hope not. I really, really hope not. ‘Cause if she is… well, something about this whole situation already rubs me off in the wrong way. Just… I didn’t wanna hear the word ‘Kree’ ever again.”

COMMUNICATION_TERMINATED_

~-.-~

.Q.000003295.FS.M. D_05.21.1998_2126. STATUS:[Online] [communication_input]

“We broke up the band today. We had a good run. I wish you could’ve seen us perform at least once. Miss you.”

COMMUNICATION_TERMINATED_

~-.-~

.Q.000003995.FS.M. D_01.01.2000_0034. STATUS:[Online] [communication_input]

“Happy new year! We’re in the third millennium now so I’m catching up to you! Yeah, I know that’s not how it works, but a boy can dream, right?”

“I tried drinking again but it didn’t work out. Oh well.”

COMMUNICATION_TERMINATED_

~-.-~

.Q.000005617.FS.M. D_11.04.2008_1738. STATUS:[Online] [communication_input]

“Little Tony turned into a superhero. Iron Man, they’re calling him. I feel like storming into his house and yelling about how much danger he’s putting himself in. He could get himself killed, and then what’ll I do?!”

“...Is this how you guys feel all the time? I don’t like being the responsible one.”

COMMUNICATION_TERMINATED_

~-.-~

.Q.000010007.FS.M. D_05.30.2012_1519. STATUS:[Online] [communication_input]

“Coulson is dead. I- I killed Coulson. There were all these aliens that turned up and we had to try and get the heroes to work together and I asked Coulson and Fury to help a-and that bastard trickster killed h-him. I want to kill him with my bare hands.”

“The heroes teamed up and stopped the invasion. I d-don’t really know why. When I heard about Coulson I just locked myself in. Tony said they fought for me, but that makes no sense.”

“I just… I can’t believe I screwed up so badly. Coulson was supposed to have a good few years ahead of him! H-He was supposed to bring the team together! I’m too old for that now, and I’ve messed up. I’m s-so sorry, but I… Coulson’s dead.”

COMMUNICATION_TERMINATED_

~-.-~

.Q.000010015.FS.M. D_06.22.2012_1712. STATUS:[Online] [communication_input]

“I’ve decided to retire from SHIELD. I really, really can’t do this anymore. Besides, I can barely sit up straight. Fury can take over. I just need time to think.”

COMMUNICATION_TERMINATED_

~-.-~

.Q.000132907.FS.M. D_01.16.2059_1712. STATUS:[Online] [communication_input]

“Getting old is such a pain, right? Dr Dunphy said my time’s starting to close in on me now, and that just sounds so weird to me. All my life I’ve been hopping through time and death just felt so distant. Like I was immortal or something.”

“Guess we know that’s not true.”

“Now’s as good a time as any to surprise you, then. Back when I first met Enoch, we built an LMD version of me. Surprise!”

“Ha, bet you’re not that surprised, are you. Especially you, Bobo. This quantum bridge is just about strong enough to let one person through. Only problem is that once that happens, there’s no chance of communication from either way. And plus I was running SHIELD back then, so I didn’t get the chance to get back.”

“So when I do kick the bucket, Enoch will switch it on and help me get to you. I know it’s a bad thing to say but… I’m really excited to die.”

COMMUNICATION_TERMINATED_

~-.-~

.Q.000138056.FS.M. D_04.01.2061_0932. STATUS:[Online] [communication_input]

“Happy birthday to me… h-happy birthday to me… happy birthday dear De-eke, happy birthday to… to you.”

“I hope… I hope he has a better life than I had. Give Mom and Dad a hug from me. Do you think… my Mom and Dad will be there once I go? Does the afterlife have timelines? Ha…”

COMMUNICATION_TERMINATED_

~-.-~

.Q.000138058.FS.M. D_04.05.2061_1002. STATUS:[Online] [communication_input]

“Enoch asked me whether… whether I wanted my life memories or just my… 1985 memories. I don’t want that version o-of me to have all these memories. I don’t want h-him to know he k-killed Coulson…”

“Calm down, Mr Shaw. Try and make sense for your memoir, okay?”

“B-But then I wouldn’t be able to tell you the stories. There’s so many stories I want to tell you, so… he’ll use these memories. There were good times too.”

“I c-can’t wait to see you, Nana, Bobo. See you soon.”

COMMUNICATION_TERMINATED_

~-.-~

.Q.000138059.FS.M. D_04.10.2061_1425. STATUS:[Online] [communication_input]

“Hello, Leo Fitz and Jemma Simmons. My name is Enoch. I am a sentient chronicom from a planet that revolves around a star in the constellation you know as Cygnus. I regret to inform you that your grandson, aged 107, passed away this morning.

“As per his final request, I have sent an LMD version of Deke Shaw to what I believe is your timeline somewhere within a 10-mile radius of your location.”

“Goodbye.”

COMMUNICATION_TERMINATED_

STATUS:[Offline]

[shy-magpie]

RQG 152

Poor Alex, there was no way to know and changing the story would be more of a breach of the implied contract than going forward. Plus side this warning implies we'll get more info on how the biology of the infection works before RSB actually explodes. To be clear I am all for warnings, I just imagine this was one heck of an awkward position for Alex & co to find themselves in. Well one would think they wanted to get through the intros as fast as physically possible! Seriously bless em for sticking with the structure instead of saying screw it and diving right in. Must be frustrating but it really helps me get in the right space to listen. Yeah it was a bit of an altruism run. That Ben physically ill at the prospect of characters talking? Yuck it up, I was specifically promised three (3) distinct topics would be addressed including both coping mechanisms and back stories. Poor Azu. If someone doesn't hold her while she has a proper cry I will be an unhappy Magpie. Are the new kids going to be invited to the conversations that are totally for sure not going to be put off for a month? Retcon: Barnes and Carter actually fought well it. I guess they were just down to the tricky ones. Theatrical much? Cel is great, have I said that enough? Well obviously not it should be declared at least hourly: "2 o' clock and Cel is great". But right after last episode instead of backing down (and IDK implying Wilde told the new kids their pronouns), Cel is immediately introducing themself with them and emphasizing their importance. Hamid right in there with the leadership, telling the duo that the party needs to go into isolation. I know having Zolf around must have took some weight off his shoulders but the man has grown since season one or even since Prague. He didn't lose that just because he cheers up when not solely responsible for leading the party. Note there is a messy negotiation with Zolf about who is in charge coming up and it is a mark of my trust in this show that I'm not dreading it. Am curious if it will be explicit enough for the white picket fence kids to pick up on, I know I have a thing about rank but some people seem to miss that aspect entirely. OK point Zolf but even with his charisma score there has to be a better way to put it than "do that and you are responsible for infecting Jasper and the village". Wow I guess that is the case isn't it. Thank you leader!Hamid coming in again. Getting Cel the kind of updates on home Hamid was denied in quarantine is fairly low risk for great gains in Cel's comfort with the whole thing. Point of clarity: as much as I hate to admit it, once the quarantine began they couldn't really keep Hamid in the loop since Ishaq was in the care of the Harlequins. Its been implied even without simply escaping an infected person could have means of communication that work in am anti magic cell. The village however is public info. Zolf, I want that again in small words! Are we talking black death or infrastructure problems? Because a few targeted infections could take out the government but not directly kill the citizens. Cel is doing the forced cheer again. What the hell have they been through that they default to words of affirmation for gory violence? Like most characters acknowledge the gore or that it was helpful, not both. Barnes is more reserved outside of the fight. Issues? Trauma? Oh Helen spelling it out, he's my type, crap. "Emotionally unavailable pirate" is a lot of people's type TBF. No wonder I made a warding gesture on hearing Zolf's description and didn't warm up till Dover. These characters wear the red flag as a cape and I'm surprised when my heart gets broken every time. Eh Zolf came back and is doing well enough, maybe Barnes will turn out to just not be chatty vs heart rending. And Hamid in there with the initiative casting Detect Magic so they don't have to face all the risks implied with not checking over the bodies. Barnes and Carter are glowing "like a fireworks factory where things have gone wrong". Only Water Breathing on the mooks. Speaking of emotionally unavailable pirates, Zolf sounds resigned as hell. I know he's working on it but the situation would depress anyone and he's been having a time of it, what with the puzzles and all. Shutting down isn't actually coping better than being shouty just more convenient. Have I already mentioned I want someone to comfort Azu on screen so she can put herself first for once? Remember how bright she shone in Cairo? If she doesn't process soon she's going to echo Zolf's arc. Carter is trying to looking at the bright side. Thank you Ben and Alex, not only a mood lightener but one that reminds us that Zolf asks direct questions now. And Zolf just moved as clearly as possible to protect Azu after Carter lashed out in response to her. I know they have a ways to get to where Grizzop & Azu were but I think they are at least proper team mates. Maybe having Zolf on this side of the bars this time will ease anything Azu is carrying from their introduction. Cel is a delight. Did they just suggest hamster balls? I love how Alex jokes about his own set design. Ah there is Ben's Minecraft joke. I think that's what you call environmental story telling. I love the mental image of them making their entrance crashing the mine cart into the ambush, like half way between a roller-coaster and sledding. Ah its been so long Zolf can't apply his memories of mining. They are officially out! Azu and Zolf are finally breathing right. Hey Zolf broke the weather machine! Cel takes a look see. Plumes of smoke from Shoin's? Wreckage from all the storms. Zolf joins Cel and USES HIS WORDS! I am so proud of him. Like not kidding learning to proactively offer praise & comfort instead of only offering concrete assistance in reaction is a huge step. Oh Cel! Getting yourself killed fighting alone would not have been better than defending your patch. And Zolf is right there, god remember Paris? Remember Prague? Now look at him. And there is the reality check. Not as jarring as it could have been. Azu is face down on the ground near Hamid! No more putting on her game face and slogging through it! Yes, process all you need darlin, no reason to rush. Hamid checks in! Azu takes his hand and explicitly talks about how scary it was when he was missing. Hamid talks about putting on a brave face for Skraak! RQG really just said "we're giving the fandom everything they want" in an episode recorded before we had a chance to ask. Azu checks in with Hamid! Oh Hamid its ok not to be ok. Oh hat Azu! Hamid call your family 18mumble is a go! Alex I will scream if he gets another delaying tactic. Cross your fingers we might get Ishaq and Saira! Azu assures him it would OK. Timing Zolf Horses! Topaz! Barnes: right Well that's a fair reaction to a celestial camel, he doesn't even know what the T stands for. Azu hugs Topaz Thank you Alex for making judgmental celestial camel canon.  How GMs don't all go insane with power from the moment it hits they can rewrite their world on a whim is beyond me. A Shetland for Hamid, a standard sounding horse for Cel, a cart horse for Azu, and another Shetland for Zolf. Carter can't get the question out before Zolf shuts him down. He is sticking to his word to Skraak, the island belongs to the Kobolds. Hamid calls en route! Bryn remembers to roll for it! Ishaq is a great kid, such a good sign he sounds like a kid too. Yes the kids are all together in the country house! Dad is at a redacted location, thank you Alex! Mom is alright! Saira is busy and the biggest problem with Ismail is that he is now taller than Ishaq! Ismail is good at magic too. Family bonding time. Einstein is working. Emeka & Veseek are helping things. Ed is with the family. Zolf is not happy about the call. Fair Zolf but none of us are regretting that call. Eh it being a one time thing is fair. Have I mentioned I like how Hamid & Zolf bicker? Its not like with Grizzop. They assume good faith and argue about the issue not score points. Part of why I shipped them in the beginning honestly: charismatic as Hamid is he probably impressioned like a duck on the first person to care more about what he was saying than how he said it. They joke about how hard nonverbal shots are in a podcast. Yes Alex we really do respect your craft. Might have been reassuring Ben. Helen is on the audience's side as always and tells him to pay up on the promised coping mechanisms talk. And Alex makes them roll a perception check. Do not talk block. Carter has been trying to eavesdrop. Azu tells him he isn't invited and Zolf tosses something at his head. Carter slinks back off. Zolf is still not good with words but he is resisting the urge to take it back. That counts damn it! Azu: your not good at talking for someone who says we need to talk. Yes Azu, and thats what makes it special. He is willing to put himself out there and do things he is bad at for the sake of the team. I like how Helen plays Azu getting over her issues with Zolf rather than just leaping to "Hamid vouched for you so we're besties". I need a clip of this, Zolf is offering to listen and be there while respecting boundaries and citing his own experience. Helen is great, Azu jumps right into the 18 months by asking about his relationship with Poseidon. Which again makes sense, as Azu is still working on "we met after you drugged, trapped, and imprisoned me". Which I get but seriously couldn't it have been in the stew or something? Drugging a woman's drink has connotations. Azu backstory(ish) oh thank Alex her cult is still doing the good work. Zolf tells Azu this, and offers her an out? Hamid & Zolf offer reassurance. Yes Hamid specifically tells her it isn't her fault. Zolf assures her that she isn't responsible for Sasha's decisions. Cel and Carter are chatting about what they've seen on the island.  Barnes tells them to keep the volume down and does Zolf's thing of bouncing something off Carter's head when he's loud again. Hamid moves to check in with Cel. Cel calls him on it.  Hamid asks what Cel plans to do after quarantine! Thank you Bryn! Cel doesn't know, ow. Cel feels obligated to be more proactive. Hamid reassures and points out that they were able to do it as a team so its not on Cel for not acting alone. Cel what is your backstory, afraid of being the monster. Thank you, I could wrap myself in this episode like a blanket. Cel how do you know that about being friends with mercs? Hamid would do it again but wants them to have a choice. Cel: When I call you little buddy I m not referring to the size of your heart. And that was veering saccharine so Ben swoops in with the Harrison Campbell joke. Do not make me get into why Hamid might be using snobbery as a cover for continuing to care more about what people might think than what he wants. Its a cheap shot for what could equally be he's that age and still has some flaws to work through. Thank you Alex for being realistic about horse pace without turning it into a word problem. Wilde! Cel points out the inn keeper could be infected, the boys explain the system of watching one another. Zolf is not letting Wilde get cute with his team again. Wilde wants them "fully supervised" in the bath. I feared that Alex, Wilde turned himself off again. Zolf calls him on it, kinda. They skim past the bath, thank you that could have been problematic. Thank goodness they are leaving the cell door open but locking the trap door. The new kids are in quarantine with them. Fair, going to be fun, but fair.  

[calliecat93]

Top 10 Favorite Female Characters

Happy International Women’s Day everyone! For many years now, there have been a lot of strides made in women’s rights. It’s still far, FAR from perfect, but we’ve still made many strides and fiction is no exception. So I thought, in celebration of today, I’d talk about some of my favorite female characters of all time. I had a LOT of options and narrowing it down was tough, but I think I made a pretty good list. So let's get on with it~

10. Kimberly Hart/The Pink Ranger (Power Rangers)

I don’t talk about Power Rangers a lot on here, but let me tell you all. Kimberly is one of the first female superheroes I ever saw, and I love her so much. She begins as a one-dimensional valley girl type, though still a good-hearted person. She’s the token girly-girl while Trini was more of the token tomboy. But Kimberly over time developed form being the least willing to be a Ranger, to devoting herself full-heartedly to her duties. She could kick just as much ass as her fellow rangers, and look pretty while she did so.

Kim was a fantastic character, especially in a boy-aimed tokusatsu adaptation. There have been many other great Pink Rangers since her time. Heck my actual favorite Pink Ranger of all time is Jen from Time Force. But the reason Kim is on here and not here? Kim is the one who started it all. She and Trini defined kickass female Rangers and none of the ones we have now would have existed without the original ladies. And as much as I also liked Trini.. well... I think that Kim is the clear stand-out among most female rangers, especially since she lasted so long. I was so sad when she left and especially how Zeo screwed her character over with that stupid Dear John letter to Tommy as well as how the 2017 movie wrote her because it just made her incredibly unsympathetic and unlikeable. But she left one Hell of a legacy and I love her.

9. Hermione Granger (Harry Potter)

Despite my feelings about the author in recent years, Harry Potter is still a series I grew up on and love. Albeit I’m one of the few who got into the films more than the books, but still. The one thing that got me into the series? Hermione. She begins as a bit of a snooty know-it-all, always rubbing her knowledge int he faces of others and coming off as kind of a brat. But we soon see that she really doesn't know how to make friends and is a serious student and good person. Once Harry and Ron befriend her, we see how much of a brave, loyal, and determined girl she is, using her brains and talent in academics to get all the info they need. They would have died multiple times without this girl.

Hermione is someone we grow up with and kind of the representative of young girls. We watch her as she struggles with her status as a Muggle-born witch, how her pursuit of knowledge can overwhelm her, and of course what happens when she realizes her feelings for Ron. I... am not a huge fan of the pairing for many reasons, but her frustration and struggle feel very real. She makes mistakes, some more called out than others, but she does genuinely strive to do good And through it all, she is loyal to Harry and to the fight against Voldemort, growing to be proud of who she is and of her heritage as a ‘mudblood’. Even n the final book, where she’s forced to erase her parents memories to protect them, Ron abandoning her and Harry, and getting tortured by Bellatrix, none of it stops her from fighting for what she believes in.

Looking back now, Hermione has her problems both in the books and the films. Some of Ron's better moments got lost because the writer favored her which I can see whyt hat annoyed many people (I’m not one of them, but still), and the whole House Elf plot in the book has some... not great implications. But it doesn't stop Hermione from being a strong female character who is intelligent, brave, and Emma Watson’s strong performance really helped bring her to life. She ain’t perfect, but I still grew up watching her and I will always be grateful for that fact.

8. April O’Neil (TMNT 2012)

Screw the people who hated on her, April is awesome!

Really April in any incarnation of the Turtles is awesome. 2k3, Rise, the films. heck despite her being kidnapped every episode, even OT April was determined as Hell and you wouldn’t get in her way! But since I’m only picking one here, I gotta go with her 2k12 self. Her 2k3 self is also a close contender, but this was the version I spent the most time watching and for any of you who have follow me long enough knows, I spent a LOOOOT of time defending her from ship haters.

Looking back now, yeah there are some problems. Her limited screentime in S1, some of the Kraang stuff got rushed/crammed in, her missing mom story went nowhere, her being Donnie’s love interest. there’s plenty of problems. But those are more story issues than actual character issues. The last one especially si more an issue with Donnie’s character than April since she herself was NEVER defined by the ‘love interest’ card. She never existed for that purpose, and it shows especially by the end.

April began as a helpless, but very determined girl hoping to save her father after their abduction in which only she got saved. She spends most of her time getting intel for the Turtles while undergoing training from Splinter. She slowly, but gradually, grows into a capable kunoichi who can hold her own and gradually becomes an equal to her reptilian companions. She’s friendly, takes shit from no one, and she is probably the biggest Determinator in the entire series where ven when utterly helpless, she will STILL be defiant until the bitter end. he goes through Hell, and every single time she finds a way to pull herself together and forge on.

Despite how I fell off the series by the end, I was very happy with where April ended. From a girl just wanting her life back, to accepting her reality and making it her own. She trains herself in both ninjutsu and her new psychic abilities and becomes a kunoichi in her own right with them. She was even able to hold her own against Shredder! This girl became a badass and while there are issues here and there, I think she by far had some of the best development in the series. She remains my favorite character in 2012, y favorite April, and she has more than earned her spot on this list.

7. Avatar Korra (The Legend of Korra)

Another character who got unnecessary hate! Oh wait, that happens to every female character ever. Silly me!

Korra is what made LoK so great to me. She is a bull-headed, somewhat arrogant girl who has devoted her entire life to being the Avatar. She is the anti-Aang, so much so that she is terrible at Air Bending. But she’s also a very determined girl and went to Republic City to make Tenzin train her. Over the course of the series, we see how despite her arrogance, she is a good person who is truly devoted to her duty and genuinely wants to protect everyone. But she’s faced with her own vulnerabilities and flaws as a person as she has to learn to allow others to help/guide her and learn from her mistakes. And HO BOY does she make MANY mistakes.

Over four seasons, we watch Korra grow.  She’s faced with the fact that she is vulnerable in S1 and while she doesn't fully overcome it, she does so enough to face Amon despite knowing what’ll happen to her. In S2, she faces the worse of herself but in doign so, truly improves herself and puts things right while letting go of most of her arrogance. S3 has her a much more well-rounded person trying to do what’s right, but it ended in her torture, poisoning, and she is just broken by the end. S4 has her slow recovery both physically and mentally and the road is long, hard, and just painful. But by the end, she accepts what happened and is able to find the balance to restore her power, return to her duties, and save the world from utter calamity.

I related so uch to Korra, moreso than I did Aang. She got a lot fo hate for her attitude and... well, not being Aang. But she grew so much and I loved how much of a badass and fully layered character she was. Yeah, she wasn’t Aang, that was a good thing. I loved her form the beginning, and I loved her even more by the end. She’s a great example of a female protagonist and shows that yes, a female action heroine CAN work. The Avatar franchise has many outstanding female characters (Katara, Toph, Suki, Azula, Asami, Jinora, Kuvira) but to me, Korra beats them all and I love her.

6. Wonder Woman

Well I couldn’t leave off the most well-known female superhero of all time now, could I?

Wondy is awesome. I first saw her on Superfriends back when Cartoon Network reran it. While it is a super campy show, Wondy was a true hero who stood equal to her male companions and was just as capable of saving the day as them. She was pretty much the only main female, so of course she was the one I was drawn to and I loved seeing her in action. But she could fall into the Damsel in Distress role cause... well, girl and lie I said, Superfriends is super campy. But I took what I could get int hose days!

Fortunately, Wondy has had much better media rep since... and in fact before with the Lynda Carter series. I hadn’t seent hat when I was a kid and while it’s cheesy, Wondy was still a badass there who easily held her own. Her Justice League DCAU self was when I really fell in love with her. Kind, beautiful, righteous, and an utter powerhouse. Seriously, I think she kicked more ass than anyone in both the original and Unlimited series. She has two animated DC films, which are both pretty dang good. Bloody, but good!

But of course, we have the Gal Gadot film. This was the film that arguably has saved the DC Cinematic Universe, and for good reason. While I’m not a big fan of Wondy being a demigod, she still showed why he’s so good. She’s a true hero wanting to do good, and in a setting like World War One, that is hard to find. She’s caring, devoted, strong, and is just a shining example of a true hero. She inspires hope in a cinematic universe that thrived off of grittiness, and Thank God we have her. I can only hope that the sequel holds the same quality, but nothing will take this away.

Wonder Woman is awesome. They screw her up sometimes, both ina nd out of comics. But there is no doubt that she earned her spot as a beloved feminist icon, as well as her spot here on this list.

#5. Kim Possible

You do not know how obsessed with this show I used to be. It is probably my all-time favorite Disney animated series of all time. Why? Because of it’s clever writing, fun humor, great action, and of course it’s characters. Kim especially.

She is the girl who can do anything, and she lives up to that claim. She’s a cheerleader by day, crime fighter by night, and she handles those worlds flawlessly... for the most part. She’s tough, smart, and a badass who uses her cheerleading skills to aid in her crime-fighting. She faces mad scientists, monsters, and everything in between and she ALWAYS comes out on top. 

She’s now flawless, mind you. She’s bossy, smug, and can over-react when she faces things that she can’t do such as cooking or.. really anything normal/standard teen problems. She’s especially bad at maintaining dates. But whenever she faces a problem, she finds a way tog et through it whether it be with help from Ron, or finding her own way in solving it. She doesn't cry or mope about things like... well, the live-action film has her do. No, she gets up and finds solutions while still saving the day in the process. That is what makes her great, she’s a character before she’s a girl. Hence why she is a great female protagonist 

Kim is someone I strived to be like when I got that age... with varying success. But hey, it just proves that Kim Possible can indeed do anything. Call her, beep her if you wanna reach her, and she’ll be there. just like how she’s here for this spot.

4. Ruby Rose (RWBY)

MY DAUGHTER!

When I first got into RWBY, I wasn’t sure what to expect. But the first character I fell in love with? Little Red here! I adore this girl to pieces. She gets a lot of flack form some for being ‘flat’ and ‘underdeveloped’ and I don’t have time to go into every reason why that’s not true. You can read this for some examples of why shes awesome. But let me summarize the gist of it as best as I can.

Ruby is a teenaged girl striving to be a Huntress like her mother, wanting to do good in the world like the heroes in her storybooks. Over time, as he overcomes her own flaws and the burdens of leadership, she learns how colossal of a task doing good truly is in a world that is harsh and cruel. She loses friends, her school gets broken apart, and the world seems to become more and more divided. And she’s right int he middle of it. So what does she do?

She gets up and continues on.

She decides to fight because she wants to help. She wants to make the world a better place because that is what a Huntress is supposed to do. She puts aside her own feelings in hopes that she can help do something. Even as she is pulled more and more into the true realities of her world, she stands firm and continues on. And when everyone else seems broken and on the verge of quitting? She grabs the reigns and pushes everyone forward herself.

Ruby may be a somewhat standard protagonist, but her determination and quirkiness help her stand out. She’s goofy, naive, and a socially awkward klutz. But she’s still a good-hearted person who always tries and in a world full fo monsters that thrive on despair, this is a very admirable trait. She’s gone from a girl afraid of being viewed as special, to taking the lead int he war against Salem all because it is her duty as a Huntress to protect everyone. She inspires those around her and also inspires me. She’s what got me to stay with this show, and I have yet to regret it.

RWBY has MANY great female characters. Weiss, Blake, Yang, Maria, Nora, Penny, Winter, and many others. But Ruby was always going to be my first pick. What can I say? I adore this girl~

3. Blossom (The Powerpuff Girls)

The Powerpuff girls was, and remains, my favorite cartoon of all time It was funny, action-packed, great characters, and great animation. I adore all three of the girls. Bubbles is cute but certianly no pushover, and Buttercup can be a jerk but she kicks a LOT of ass. But the one who I always loved the most was the commander and leader of the group, Blossom.

Blossom is the most mature of the girls, being very intelligent for her age. She’s smart, confident, and a natural leader. She’s also rather bossy, full of herself, and can be obnoxious at times with her egg-headed nature. From what I can tell, she was the leat liked... which sucks for me. I loved Blossom because of how smart she was and because of how good of a leader she was. Sure she had the occasional slip, but she was usually fairly reasonable, strategic, and always tried to look after her sisters and break up their spats.

I still remember the episode that made me love her. It was Princess’ introductory episode. In it, Blossom tried her best to be as reasonable with her as she could, trying to give her the benefit of the doubt since she was new and probably didn’t know how to make friends. It especially makes since if you’ve seen the movie and know how much the girls themselves struggled. But once it became clear that Princess really was a despicable little brat and she pounded her sisters, Blossom was pissed but still calm unlike the other two. Due to this, she easily thrashed Princess, destroyed her power suit, and gave her the mother of all The Reason You Suck speeches, telling her what being a hero truly means and how she’s nothing but a spoiled brat. It remains of my favorite PPG moments ever and after how much Blossom tried to give her a chance, it was very deserved.

Sadly, Blossom hasn’t gotten the best rep in other incarnations. Her PPGZ self while fine... wasn’t Blossom. Like... at all. And the less said about the 2016 series the better. Still, I remember how much I looked up to the original Blossom and enjoyed seeing her kick butt every Friday. I even still have one of my old dolls that I cherish to this day. Allt he Powerpuffs are great, and I will love them forever.

2. Sailor Moon/Usagi Tsukino (Sailor Moon)

Speaking of childhood heroines!

Ah Sailor Moon, We’ve had a long history, you and I. The first show I ever kept up with. The first fandom I ever got into. The first anime I ever got into. nd of course, the first heroine I ever truly loved.

Usagi (well... Serena when I was a kid, as the 90′s) is someone I still hold close to my heart. She is a klutz, crybaby, and far from an ideal heroine. She can be rather immature and at times selfish, preferring to sleep or eat sweets than worry about her Sailor Senshi duties. But as he grows, we see that through it all, she is a pure, caring young girl. I think the manga/Crystal anime did a MUCH better job at portraying that side to her, though the 90′s anime presented her more heroic side as well. They just sometimes forgot that he was past being a crybaby...

Usagi loves everyone. Her lover Mamoru, her fellow Senshi, just everyone. She doesn’t like fighting, but she will if she has to. She goes from crying in the middle of fights to being able to face God-like entities with just a magic crystal. Despite not having wanted to be a Senshi to begin with, she accepts her destiny and tries to save everyone, even her enemies. It just shows how despite her flaws as a person, she is a true hero who can always be relied on.

Sailor Moon did a lot when it came out. it helped revolutionize the Magical Girl genre, helped give anime a standing in America, and showed how femininity is not a weakness. There’s many other great female characters (Ami, Rei, Makoto, Minako) and all are their own character. But Usagi has always been the one I loved most and so she claims the Number Two spot.

Honorable Mentions

Sakura Kinomoto (Cardcaptor Sakura) Katara (Avatar: The Last Airbender) Twilight Sparkle (MLP:FIM) Agent Carolina and Kaikaina Grif (Red vs Blue) Lois Lane (Superman: The Animated Series) Hawkgirl/Shayera Hal (Justice League/Unlimited) Gosalyn Mallard (Darkwing Duck) Webby Vanderquack (Ducktales 2017) Rapunzel (Tangled franchise) Anna (Frozen) Cinderella, Ariel, Jasmine, Pocahontas, Tiana, Moana (Disney Princess) Kida (Atlantis: The Lost Empire) Meg (Hercules) Esmerelda (The Hunchbakc of Notre Dame) Jane (Return to Neverland Princess Elena (Elena of Avalor) Hikaru Shidou, Umi Ryuuzaki, and Fuu Hohouji (Magic Knights Rayearth) Nami (One Piece) Misty (Pokemon) Winry Rockbell (FMA) Ran Mouri (Detective Conan) Kagome Higurashi and Sango (Inuyasha) Pretty much all the Pretty Cures Nancy Drew Katniss Everdeen (The Hunger Games) Ms. Frizzle (The Magic School Bus) Daphne Blake and Velma Dinkley (Scooby-Doo) Calico ‘Callie’ Briggs and Felina Feral (SWAT Kats)

And I’m sure there’s more, but we’re gonna be here all day if I keep going. So let's go ahead and get to Number One. Which tbh... this was a no-brainer.

1. Mulan

Yeah, this probably shocks no one. I’ve talked about Mulan like... a billion times by now. But there was no other option for me.

Mulan is my favorite movie of all time, and the title character is my favorite character of all time. She’s a young woman who wants to bring her family honor, but struggles to do so in the ways she’s expected. She goes to war in her father’s place to save his life, and she struggles even more. She’s someone who doubts and is ashamed of herself, but over time she decides that she’s done hating her refection and tries to prove her worth. She not only becomes a better soldier and earns the respect of everyone around her, but even after she’s unmasked, she goes on to save all of freakin’ China! The whole country, including the freakin’ Emperor, bows before her because of this. You do not get more respect than that.

I’ve only grown to love and relate more to this story as I’ve grown older. I’ve learned to not define myself by society expectations, but just as who I am. Mulan struggles with expectations, family, warn, and most of all her own insecurities. She wants to see something worthwhile when she looks into the mirror, but she always just feels shame. But by the end, she puts it aside and becomes the best version of herself. She returns home with more than enough to honor her family... and her father tosses it aside to hug her. He’s just grateful to have her home, the greatest girl and honor. She’s someone who we watch grow and her journey hold sup even today. Argubaly even moreso.

Mulan was a film that changed me. Shaped my beliefs and values into what they are now. Even today, I see it as a flawless movie, and Mulan a flawless heroine. he’s a perfect example of a female protagonist, or heck just a protagonist in general. I love her and because of how much she shaped my five-year-old self into who I am now, se is my favorite female character of all time.

And that’s that! Well that was fun! Thank you all for reading and to all thw women out there, whether you were born as one or made the choice to identify as such. Whether you love men, women, or whoever. Whether you care about love or not. I hope you all have a lovely day and stay true to who you are. Happy International Women’s Day everyone~!

[foreveralwaysanauthor]

Oooh, that ‘Send Me a Character’ thing looks very fun. I may have to send a few more after these later, when I’ve had more time to think of some good ones for you, but for now I’ll do Butchy (TBM), JD (Heathers), Mal (Descendants) and Captain America (Marvel-duh lol). Enjoy!

Awesome! Well, if you have any more, definitely send them in! I’m excited to talk about these characters!

Butchy

First impression: Well, when TBM 1 came out, I was only 13, but anyway, I thought he was hilarious and a lot like my older brother/cousins. The way he tries to protect Lela from the surfers and everything about him made me smile. Loved him from the start!

Impression now: Now that I’ve watched both movies so many times, I’ve realized that he was such a well made character for the movie! Once again, I would’ve loved if they had made Wet Side Story a full length movie just so I could see more of his personality and the full story behind the rivalry!

Favorite moment: Either the “Lighthouses/water makes me a little bit nervous” moments, or the scene in TBM2 when they visit Lela in our world and he asks Lela if she misses him. Something about that scene in our world makes me feel something fierce! Just seeing that twinge of worry in his eyes that show what he must’ve felt; that his baby sister was ready to leave his life forever and didn’t seem like she’d miss him if she did stay.

Idea for a story: I have one that I would love to read/write! I would love to see a story, whether short or not, about what caused the rift between the bikers and surfers or what the characters backgrounds were.

Unpopular opinion: idk if it’s unpopular or not If there was a Butchy movie, I would watch the heck out of it, even if it was just him doing everyday things with the rest of The Rodents crew.

Favorite relationship: (siblings duh) Butchy and Lela, Butchy and Giggles, and (platonically) Butchy and Lugnut

Favorite Headcanon: I think that, although Butchy may act like a bit of a brick wall intellectually, but he’s actually very smart internally. He’s either repressing it, or doesn’t think it matters to everyone else, so he doesn’t show it. His leadership of the Rodents and the way he seemed to think things through a bit more in TBM2 has led me to that conclusion, I guess.

JD (Heathers)

First impression: (after listening to Meant to Be Yours once) Psychopath.

Impression now: I feel like he went a bit overboard with his devotion to Veronica. Then, with wanting to blow up the school and everything, I’m not sure what I think. My instincts are telling me he’s a bit schizophrenic or bipolar even though the only knowledge I have on those subjects is my friend Alexia who’s bipolar. I’m definitely looking into his character more as I go, but as of right now, that’s my opinion so far.

Favorite moment: (from the movie)

Idea for a story: I would love to see his point of view through everything that happens during the movie/musical.

Unpopular opinion: (this seems unpopular now that I’ve scrolled through tumblr enough) I would’ve tried to be a friend to him, but never would’ve gone out with him. He seemed alright in the beginning, but his destructive personality deterred me quickly.

Favorite relationship: As much as his relationship with Veronica was great, I’d like to see a friendship with Heather C. for some reason. The school probably would’ve blown up if they had gotten in a relationship 😂 , but as a friendship, idk, but I’d like to see it for some reason.

Favorite headcanon: Not sure if this is a solid headcanon or not, but I’d like to think that he and Heather M. were friends at some point before The Heathers took over the school.

Mal (Descendants)

First impression: A lot like Draco Malfoy (Harry Potter) in the aspect that they both want their parent’s approval. Someone I’d try to befriend I’m a Hufflepuff for a reason, even though I’d probably be pushed aside and end up as a friend of Evie’s.

Impression now: Still think she’s like Draco a bit, but also she’s just trying to earn her mother’s respect and be treated as an equal, not a kid.

Favorite moment:

Idea for a story: Well, the books touched on a bit more than we see in the movies, but I guess I’d like to see what being raised on the island is really, truly like. Like, all we get is them being all rough and tough, what happened to all of the kids to make them toughen up so early on and what happened to the kids who just wanted to be good from the get go.

Unpopular opinion: I, honestly, didn’t like Mal and Ben’s relationship in the second movie as much as I liked it in the first one. I still ship them, but the whole part where she went to the Isle and he chased her kinda made me think a bit. Like, my parents always taught me that if you or your partner/friend feel a situation/argument needs to breath so you can think things over and gather yourself a bit, you should repect that. If Mal wants to go to the Isle to think, let her go for a little while, maybe a day or two, before you follow her. Idk, it’s probably just me!

Favorite relationship: I love the sisterly bond between her and Evie. Honestly, my first time watching the first movie (before I had read the books too), I had kinda hoped she would end up with Jay bc I thought Jay was cute (loved him as Seth Clearwater in Twilight).

Favorite headcanon: Mal is Hades’ daughter. I’ve thought that from the beginning and I love that other people think it too! I can’t wait to watch D3 to see what their relationship actually is.

Captain America

First Impression: FREAKING LOVE HIM! A lot like my dad in the whole military/take care of others before taking care of yourself aspect. I love the Star-Spangled Man With A Plan!

Impression now: I just saw Endgame. If you haven’t seen it/don’t want spoilers for it, skip this part and the accompanying gifs, please. I love that he finally got his dance with Peggy, however, he spent 3 movies saving/trying to help Bucky and he just abandons him in the present?! What. The. Actual. FUCK?! And another thing! He doesn’t age like we do bc of the serum and his 70 years in the ice! Like, his aging is prolonged and the whole “Old Steve” thing is freaking BS if you take that into consideration! I just need to understand what the Russo’s were thinking and why they killed me all through that entire movie.

RANT OVER.

Favorite moment:

Idea for a story: I have a ton! I’m actually going to start posting stories/“x reader” stories again on my Avengers page @chickadee-avenger-imagines I have some x reader stories already on that page, but I have a ton in my draft folder. My biggest one is a huge Endgame spoiler, but it’s basically a Fix-it for what I wanted to change in Endgame! I will be posting my Mavel stories on my Archive of Our Own page that also goes by DianaDirectioner if you want updates on my stories there as well!

Unpopular opinion: Steve should never have tried going out with Sharon Carter. I get it, he wants someone to be in a relationship, however, no- just no. If I put myself in either one of their places, I’d have never so much as entertained that relationship in the first place! It just seems kinda gross to me. Sharon was pretty much dating her aunt’s old boyfriend. I don’t think I’d be comfortable with that. Ever!

Favorite relationship: (platonic) Steve and Sam, Steve and Tony, Steve and Peter Parker. Obviously Bucky. (Possibly romantic) Bucky or Peggy, it depends.

Favorite Headcanon: Steve never tries that crap in Endgame. Another favorite of mine is that Bucky never falls/he falls and Steve goes searching for him bc it’s his boyfriend best friend and he needs to see the proof that Bucky’s gone before he can accept Bucky’s death. Then he goes hunting down Hydra for him! Just 😍😍😍

[insanely-creative-things]

 Big Problem

Big Hero 7 : the series

www.fanfiction.net

*In the middle of a pleasant night, Fred is reading out loud one of his favorite comics to Mini-Max, his little robot sidekick that Hiro and Cora built for him.*

Fred: *As Doctor Glove* 'Give it up Human Fist! The Ring of Wearing belongs to me!' *As Human Fist* Over my dead phalanges, Doctor Glove!'

Mini-Max: Is Doctor Glove also, just a hand?

Fred: You see, Fist is the left, Glove is the right. They were brothers until-

*Just then, he hears his mother on the voice-com.*

Mother Frederickson: Frederick? Are you dressed for dinner? We have a very important guest tonight. Orso Knox!

Fred: *Sigh* Yeah Mom! Just...pressing my cumberbund!

Mini-Max: What is a cumberbund?

Fred: Literally, no one knows.

*Soon Fred resumes reading the story to Mini-Max.*

Fred: *As Doctor Glove* 'Then it has come to this! Your doom will fit you- Like a glove!

*Just as Fred turns the page to show the word of Kaboom, a literal explosion happens that shook the room to its core.*

Fred: Mini-Max did you hear that too?!

Mini-Max: Yes! The sound of mischief!

*Suddenly, a wall from Fred's room bursts open to reveal itself to be a large, spiked fur-covered monster. The monster bared its teeth as it growled at Fred and Mini-Max While Fred is sitting in shock over a literal monster in his room, Mini-Max jumps into action.*

Mini-Max: Mini-Maximum Justice!

*But the monster holds out its claws and catches Mini-Max and than sends him flying out through the large hole in the wall it created to enter with one toss as Mini-Max screams. The monster turns just in time to face Fred, who throws a bean bag to whack the monster, but the creature catches it with its mouth and rips it to shreds. Fred dodges out of the way as the monster charges over to a portrait of his father in his super-alter ego, Boss Awesome.*

Fred: Wait no! That's my Dad!

*The monster throws half of the portrait to Fred, now focusing on him. Fred crawls backward to avoid the jaws of the beast.*

Fred: Hey, maybe we got off on the wrong foot! I'm Fred, You're a big scary monster- We're not so different here-

Monster: *Roars loudly!*

Fred: Never Mind! Different! Very Different! I see that now! I was mistaken!

*Just as the monster's existence wasn't already a shock, it did something astounding...it spoke.*

Monster: What's past is prologue.

*Then the monster jumps over Fred and runs off as it roars through the night, escaping before anything could be done. Just then, Fred's Mother comes in to check on him only to see the damage the monster left behind.*

Mother Fredrickson: You're not even dressed.

*The gang are immediately called by Fred after he explains what had happened. As of now, the gang and Heathcliff are cleaning the destruction of Fred's Room while his mother calls the person they were going to have dinner with tonight.*

Mother Frederickson: If you can catch Mr. Knox before he leaves, do tell him dinner is cancelled. Yes, there was a..monster attack. I know I know, mortifying-

*Baymax brings over Mini-Max to his charging station, looking worse for wear.*

Baymax: Mini-max has sustained significant damage.

Fred: Little bud, it's gonna be Mini-Maximum-okay.

*Hiro and Cora walk over to Fred.*

Hiro: So what'd it look like?

Fred: Okay, so imagine if you put a whale, and a dinosaur, and some hair into a blender, than poured that into a human-shaped ice tray, and froze it, and let it thaw just a little.

Gogo: Wow, really?

Cora: Maybe after Hiro and I repair Mini-Max, he can show us through his recorder.

*Just then Mini-Max speaks*

Mini-Max: I can provide visual conformation right now.

*Mini-Max's eyes light up to show a hologram of the monster that attacked them earlier.*

Gogo: Huh... That actually looks like Fred's description.

*Hiro picks up the slobbered, broken portrait of Boss Awesome and shows it to Baymax.*

Hiro: Baymax?

Baymax: I will swab for DNA traces.

*Baymax activates his finger to scan through the DNA to find out more on the monster.*

Fred: He must've been an old enemy of my Dad's. He said "What's past is prologue'. Which sure sounds like something a monster out for revenge would say.

*Gogo shuts his mouth.*

Gogo: Monster? Seriously?

Cora: Gogo, we fight Globby every other Tuesday. And you're questioning this?

Gogo:...Touche.

Hiro: And it did eat his portrait.

Baymax: The DNA does not match any known species.

Fred: Real... life... monster... Coolest Dad Ever!

*The next day at school, the rest of the gang look over the files of Boss Awesome's enemies...A whole mountain ton.*

Hiro: Wow your Dad had a lot of enemies.

Cora: It was nice of Commander Carter to give us these files though... *Mutters* Even if it is a heck of a lot of info to go through...

Fred: *Sigh* But I can't figure which one of my Dad's old nemesis is-*Tries to find the right pronunciation*...Nemesisis? Nemesy? What is-how do you do that? *Keeps trying to find the right pronunciation*

Cora: *Decides to give him a hand* How about 'enemies' for now Fred? It's a lot easier to pronounce properly.

*Just then, Honey Lemon found a particular file.*

Honey Lemon: Oh! This guy's called 'The Monster'!

Fred: No, he was more of a social monster. Talked during movies, clipped his toenails in public transportation, gross stuff like that.

Honey Lemon: Ew...

*Just then, Wasabi and Gogo arrive.*

Wasabi: Uh guys? We just saw Grandville heading this way and she looks...

Gogo: Very Un-Grandville.

Cora and Hiro: Meaning?

*Just then, Grandville appears with a really wide smile on her face.*

Hiro: Oh...

Cora: *Whispers to Hiro* Hiro...I'm scared...

Grandville: Straighten up the lab, there's a visitor coming!...*Resuming to her usual straight-faced demeanor* You also might want to hide him somewhere.

*The person she's pointing at is Fred as he's still trying to find the plural word for nemesis.*

Honey Lemon: So who's the visitor?

Grandville: Liv Amara.

*When there isn't a response, Grandville repeats herself.*

Grandville: Liv Amara!

Gogo: Wait, 'Liv Amara' Liv Amara? Founder of Sycorax?

Grandville: Precisely!

Wasabi: Only like one of the word's Gogo just said meant anything to me...

Gogo: Liv Amara is 23 and runs her own BioTech Company. In other words, totally hardcore.

*Gogo is about to blow out her bubble gum only for Grandville to pop it out and remove it from her mouth.*

Grandville: Totally hardcore indeed, and she's donated funds for SFIT's new biotech building and an expansion on the Marine Hall. There's going to be a dedication ceremony later this week.

*Grandville sweeps all the files into Fred's arms.*

Fred: Oh so that's what the big tent outside is for... *Disappointed now* awww...

Honey Lemon: Oh you thought the circus was coming didn't you?

Fred: Yeah...

*Soon Grandville brushes out Hiro's messy hair as she lightly pinches Cora's cheeks for color.*

Grandville: Liv Amara has heard about Baymax and Cora's counter illumination project. She'd like to meet him and you two.

Wasabi: Ooh! Goals!

*Wasabi fist bumps Hiro and Cora.*

Grandville: *Hears a helicopter outside* There she is now! Look intelligent.

*Just as Grandville leaves the room, Karmi comes bursting through the room with a large smile on her face.*

Karmi: *Excitingly talking fast* IsawLivAmara'shelicopterlandandIhadtocometomeethersheismyheroIloveherisshehere?!

*The rest of the gang are silent over Karmi's...enthusiasm..which is a surprise when Baymax spoke.*

Baymax: You should breath now.

Hiro: *Slightly bragging* Karmi.. she's here to see me and Cora.

Karmi: *Gets in Hiro and Cora's faces with a big smile on her face* Than she'll be very pleasantly surprised by me!

Cora: *Sighs on annoyance* Karmi, as much as you being excited is understandable, please just go. Your smile is slightly freaking me.

*Just then Grandville appears with a young blonde woman with brown eyes.*

Grandville: Students, meet Miss Amara.

Liv: Come on Grace, you can call me Liv.

Wasabi and Honey Lemon: Grace?

Grandville: Liv, this is Hiro Hamada.

Liv: *Jokingly* Which means this little guy is Baymax.

*Baymax blinks.*

Baymax: I am relatively large in stature.

*Liv presses her face into Baymax's belly to see the robotic skeleton.*

Liv: So...tell me about him.

Hiro: Um, Hyper spectral cameras. Carbon Fiber skeleton.

Liv: I can see that, I mean what led you to create him.

Hiro: Oh-ohh.. I-I actually didn't.. but my brother did.

Liv: *Suddenly becomes dismissive* Oh, well. Great to meet you.

Hiro: B-but the upgrades are all me! And I've invested-

Karmi: Excuse me, Miss Amara? I'm Karmi. Let me introduce you to the Extra Dermal Nano Receptor. Tiny, painless, no needles.

Liv: And Ion-Topher-Etic Delivery system? And it works?

Karmi: Yup! I've run three rounds of trials, the last trial was really promising.

Liv: Huh...

*That's when Liv turns to Cora, who is just standing still while seemingly eyeing the older woman...and feeling slightly put off toward her dismissive attitude towards Hiro after learning that he didn't actually create Baymax.*

Liv: And you must be Cora Mizichio, nice to meet you.

Cora: *Shakes out of her inner thoughts* Uhh...yeah... Nice to meet you too...umm...

Liv: I heard you made a Counter-Illumination Fabric?

Cora: Umm..yes. Here, let me show you.

*Cora grabs the box she brought over to show the fabric.*

Cora: It works like this.

*Cora puts the fabric over her tank top and stands nearby a source of light. The brighter shades of light reflected the fabric beautifully.*

Liv: Quiet impressive. Hey, why don't you and Karmi come join me to see the new biotech building and the new extension on the Marine Hall?

Cora: Oh... Okay... Can Hiro come too?

Liv: I think it be best if it's just the three of us for now.

*This slightly raises more suspicion in the pit of Cora's stomach, but she didn't object just in case she said something to upset the self-made billionaire. With that, Cora and Karmi walk beside her as the blue-haired teen turns her head to look at Hiro. She gives a small, sad smile at him as a way of saying sorry.*

Hiro: Professor Grandville, you said she was here to see both me and Cora.

Grandville: She was Mr. Hamada. But Karmi wowed her along with Miss Mizichio.

Hiro: Karmi basically invented a sticker.

Grandville: Green isn't a good color on you Mr. Hamada.

*Grandville leaves the room to join the three females.*

Baymax: Hiro is not wearing green.

Gogo: She means he's jealous of Karmi.

*As of while, Fred tries on the sticker Karmi made... which soon results in him collapsing as his body goes numb.*

Wasabi: Maybe she should've tried more tests runs..and get Fred to a doctor...he's out cold.

Fred: *Strained through his teeth* I think...my brain... is freezing..!

*Meanwhile at Krei Tech, Alistair Krei is looking over files on his computer.*

Krei: Interesting...

*Which happened to be photos of himself... That's when he hears screaming.*

Krei: Excuse me! wWhat is going on out there?

*Just then, the door bursts open which leads to Krei ducking behind his desk.*

Krei: Hello?

*The monster appears before him, the same one that attacked Fred and Mini-Max before.*

Krei: *Was not expecting to see a monster* Ahh... Did we have an appointment?

*The monster charges towards him only for some lasers to blast him.*

Krei: Haha! Buddy Guard!

*The Buddy Guards, now updated and improved, hover over to restrain the monster only for it to chomp down on one of the guards and throw the other one out the window.*

Lois Carter: Yes, Mr. Krei?

*Krei pulls the phone off his desk to call for help.*

Krei: Ah-oh.. Call Big Hero 7...Now!

*The monster lifts the desk over and sees Krei.*

Monster: This thing of darkness, I acknowledge mine! *Roar*

Krei: *Now officially scared out of his mind* AAAAAHHHH! I DON'T KNOW WHAT THAT MEANS!

*Honey Lemon, Gogo and Fred arrived at Krei's office as the entrepreneur retells what had happened to him as Lois Carter hands him a cup of tea.*

Krei: This creature just bursts in here, said something weird and left! I was barely able to fight it off- Oh this tea is hot.

Lois Carter: Oh he hid behind a file cabinet until it left.

*Krei looks at Lois with heated eyes.*

Lois Carter: Bravely...

Honey Lemon: What did it look like?

Krei: It was like if you put a whale, and a dinosaur and some hair into a blender, than pour that into a human-shaped ice tray and froze it and let it thaw... a little.

Fred: Told you! That's the monster!

Gogo: What weird thing did it say?

Krei: 'This thing of darkness, I acknowledge mine', Something like that. There was a lot of grunts in there. *Sniffs* What smells like Shrimp Scampi?

*That's when Honey Lemon and Gogo take a whiff of the air. That's when Fred reveals that he is wearing a necklace made of garlic.*

Fred: Oh I'm a monster hunter now. So I came prepared.

Honey Lemon: Freddy? You know Garlic is for vampires right?

Fred:... Yes.

*That's when Fred takes a bite of one of the cloves.*

Fred: This is- Just- A snack *Gack*

Gogo: *To Krei* Go back a second. What were you doing when this freak attacked?

Krei: Nothing. I was finally supposed to be meeting with an investor, Orso Knox.

Honey Lemon: Orso Knox?

Lois Carter: One of the richest men in San Fransokyo. Trust Fund baby.

Fred: Wait, Orso Knox? That's the guy my mom had to cancel on the night the monster attack.

Krei: I've been courting him for years and then suddenly Liv Amara shows up and he wants to invest with her impressive new company and her shiny shiny hair. *Pouts*

Lois Carter: He's a little jealous.

Krei: What? My hair shines.

*Back at SFIT, Hiro and Cora are doing their separate things. Cora is smiling awkwardly at Liv and to a lesser extent, Karmi.*

Cora: So...Miss Amara?

Liv: It's Liv, and what is it?

Cora: Do you mind if I call someone for a quick bit?

Liv: I don't see why not.

Cora: Thanks.

Meanwhile, Hiro is in his lab working when Baymax waddles in. That's when Baymax notices that Hiro has a vial.*

Baymax: This is not a robotics project.

Hiro: No it's biotech. I have to come up with something better than Karmi's dermal-nano-sticker-thing and I think this will do the trick.

*Just then Hiro's phone rings, showing a picture of Cora and her ringtone playing. He puts the biotech project aside and answers it.*

Hiro: Cora?

Cora: *Tries(and fails) to sound like she's enjoying herself(but really isn't)* Hey Hiro... So...Liv and... Karmi... are okay... Been talking a lot about biotech and such... and wow.. Liv Amara sure is..something…

Hiro: Uhh..don't take this the wrong way babe...but, you don't really sound all that happy...

Cora: *Sighs dejectedly* To be honest with you, I'm not. I just wish you were here...Also...I saw your face earlier when Liv just dismissed you like that after you told her you weren't the one who built Baymax. I didn't think that was cool of her at all, just about downright rude if you ask me. And you're also feeling jealous about Karmi's invention getting the spotlight instead of you. Am I right or wrong?

Hiro: *Tries(and also fails) to sound convincing that he is not jealous* What? No *Forced chuckle* That-that's crazy...

Baymax: Judging from your forced grin and laughter, you are lying.

Cora: I know that Baymax. Anyway, so what if Karmi's invention got Liv's attention? You're still the smartest guy I know. And if Liv can't see that, than who cares what she thinks. And as I mentioned before, I didn't think it was cool or right of her to just brush you off when you mentioned that Tadashi made Baymax instead of you.

Hiro: That's...honestly something I didn't notice...till now... Hmmm.

Cora: Yeah... but that's beside the point. The point is, is that you are the most awesome Robotics Major out there and there's no changing that. You don't need to prove anything to someone who turns off at something small like that. You don't owe them anything!

*Hiro smiles at Cora's words.*

Hiro: Thanks babe. That honestly makes me feel better.

Baymax: His neuro-transmitters are elevated and I see signs of content in his face.

Cora: Thanks for the update Baymax. Anyway, I'll tell you everything afterwards K? Love you.

Hiro: Love you too.

*After he hangs up the phone, he looks at the biotech project and smirks at it. Baymax watches Hiro putting the biotech project in a box.*

Baymax: You are throwing away the biotech Project.

Hiro: Hey, she has a point. I'm good at robotics, not biotech. I don't need to show Liv Amara or Karmi that I was.. a little jealous. And sides, it's her loss not mine. Also I should probably focus more on the monster that attacked Fred.

*Meanwhile, Liv, Cora, and Karmi are walking towards the dining hall while talking.*

Liv: Let's say you two can only pick one subject to study forever, what would it be?

Karmi: Uh.. Organic Chemistry. Wait no! Pathogen and Bacteria!

Liv: Same!

*Liv and Karmi high five each other as Cora silently drinks her water.*

Liv: *Turns to Cora* What about you?

Cora: Marine Bio.

Liv: You sound certain.

Cora: My grandmother told stories about the ocean all the time when I was younger. And she would take me to the beach to look for things like red seaweed and mussels.

Liv: Is that so? That must've been exciting.

*Karmi eyes at Cora for a bit as she records the conversation, with Liv's permission, for her video diary.*

Karmi: So... Whatcha do with the red seaweed and mussels?

Cora: Study them over...*Takes another sip of her water before adding* And then we brought them home to eat them.

Liv: *Not expecting that answer and becomes slightly grossed out* You... ate the red seaweeds and mussels?

Cora: Believe it or not, red seaweed actually goes well with Miso Soup.

*Liv blinks as she gives a slight strained smile at the odd, blue haired girl.*

Karmi: *Also looks grossed out* You mean to tell me that you actually eat seaweed and mussels right out of the ocean... that is the most-

*Just as Karmi was about to spit out a slight insult towards Cora, she catches herself since Liv is front of them.*

Karmi: *Forces out a stained smile with a positive comment* -fascinating diet I've ever heard of! I bet it must've been really delicious when you got home!

Cora: *Sighs uninterested* Yeah...

*When they finally arrived at the dining hall, they find Cora's Grandmother holding a large bento box, who just turns her head to see the three.*

Cora: *Smiles happily* Grandmama!

Kaguya: *Smiles back to her granddaughter* Hello Cora.

*Cora goes over and hugs her as Kaguya notices the two other girls, both of whom she doesn't know, which Cora notices.*

Cora: Oh! Umm, Grandmama, this is Karmi and Miss Liv Amara.

*Kaguya's eyes widened a bit when she heard the first girl's name, but tilted her head at the woman's name. Regardless, she greets them.*

Kaguya: It is nice to meet your acquaintances. *To Cora* I'm surprised though granddaughter, I thought you were gonna have lunch with your friends today.

Cora: Yeah, I know. But there's been a slight change of plans...

Liv and Karmi: Lunch?

Kaguya: My granddaughter planned a shared meal with her friends and boyfriend to have together, *Gestures to the box she's carrying* This is what she made.

Liv: *Raises an eyebrow at this. Still remembering about what Cora told her about the red seaweed and mussels* You...can cook?

Cora: Yeah...Is something wrong?

Liv: N-no...it's just..huh..

*Cora helps her grandmother place the bento box on the table and opens it to reveal a vary of food that neither Liv or Karmi could believe; there was sushi nigiri topped with salmon and tuna, rice with seaweed, steak cooked with sesame seeds, and for dessert strawberries dipped in chocolate cut to shape like roses.*

Liv: *Very surprised* You..actually made all of this?

Kaguya: *Answering for Cora* Indeed she did. My granddaughter has had years of experience and practice. I suppose you two would enjoy this meal as much as her friends and Hiro Hamada would have.

Liv: *Catches on to what Kaguya just said* Wait...did you say Hiro Hamada?

Kaguya: Yes, I did... He's my granddaughter's boyfriend, a remarkable young man if I may say so myself. He's grown up quite a bit as of late and has proven himself to be a very bright and respectful young man...just as much as Tadashi was.

Liv: Tadashi?...

Kaguya: Why yes, his older brother. *Sigh sadly* Such a tragedy his loss was...and still is... But, his memory still lives on with Hiro along with this school, especially Tadashi Hamada Hall.

Liv: ...Tadashi Hamada Hall?...

*This is where Kaguya catches that Liv Amara is looking faintly...uncomfortable, almost as if she made a mistake. Karmi wasn't looking so so great either as this talk was starting to make her feel uncomfortable too as she stole a quick glance at Cora.*

Kaguya: Well yes, of course. After all, you are an important woman with connections Miss Amara...you should have known about Tadashi and his brother Hiro.

*Now both Liv and Karmi feel like they're squirming with much unease. Finally Kaguya sighs as she looks at Cora.*

Kaguya: I have to admit I am surprised that Hiro won't be dining with you, Cora. You two almost always eat together, especially since you always work this hard on making bento when it's for him.

Cora: *Rubs the back of her neck as she looks down* Ah...w-well you see, Grandmama... I..had actually asked Miss Amara here if Hiro could join us... But...well...

Liv: *Awkwardly cuts in* I-I had thought it would be better if it was just the three of us *Gesturing to herself, Karmi and Cora* I was not...aware that she already had planned on having a group lunch with her friends..or that she had..worked so hard on this bento for them..and her boyfriend...

Kaguya: *Narrows her eyes at the young woman* Hmm...I see. Well Miss Amara, in the future I do hope that you will consider that not everyone can revolve around you whenever you see fit. It would do you well to exercise more consideration for what the people around you might want. *To Cora* Cora dear, the next time there's been a change of plans, please try to remember to contact your father or I. Alright?

Cora: I'll try to remember that Grandmama.

*As Kaguya turns to walk towards the exit as Liv(who is slightly taken back at what Kuguya just said to her) sits down, she catches Karmi and whispers into her ear.*

Kaguya: My granddaughter talks about you quite a bit at home you know, a biotech student right?

Karmi: *Feeling slightly nervous under the older woman's hard gaze* Uh-um...Y-yeah?

Kaguya:*Leans in closer* It's almost ironic that such a student would select something just as venomous as your behavior towards my granddaughter and her boyfriend. You're very lucky she's willing to give you a chance to redeem yourself, despite your continuously vicious behavior towards them. If it had been up to me...I would have posted your behavior online without a second thought and ruin you...

*Now Karmi was shaking to the core with fear. Finally the old woman turns her attention to all three and gives a large(if not slightly fake) smile.*

Kaguya: I hope you three enjoy your meal!

*Cora smiles back and waves goodbye as the other two merely and awkwardly wave their hands. But they did start to calm down a little as they started eating the bento Cora made. And while it was as delicious as it looked...it didn't completely ease Liv and Karmi for their encounter with Kaguya.*

Liv: *Complimenting Cora culinary skills(while also trying to break the ice that had set in after meeting with Kaguya)* Wow Cora! This bento is absolutely delicious! It's probably one of the best things I've ever eaten!

Karmi: *Though she hated to admit it, the bento was delicious and probably one of the best things she's ever eaten too.* Yeah. That is actually pretty good.

Cora: *Starts blushing from the praise(even if half of it was from Karmi)* Well thanks. As my Grandmother said, I do have years of practice and experience to back it up. So I guess it would make sense that it all payed off.

Liv: Ah yes, your..Grandmother... She seems like a very...intense woman...

Karmi: *Muttering under her breath* Intense and downright scary..

Cora: Oh she is intense, and tough too. Even I get scared of her from time to time. She sometimes scares my dad just by looking at him too. But she was a single mother raising my mom all alone, so I guess she has to be. She became a lot more so when my mom died. But she's really sweet once you get to know her. And she was even an herbal medicine doctor before moving here to San Fransokyo.

Liv: An herbal medicine doctor?

Cora: Yeah, I have notes from her medicine book.

*She pulls out her notebook and shows a couple pages in which she wrote down.*

Cora: She clearly knew her stuff along with my mom. They used to experiment things like mixing apple cider vinegar with bee pollen, or making an antidote for yellow diamond back venom using marigold flowers and plantain leaves.

Liv: *Rising interest* Is that so?... Do you have your grandmother's book with you now?

Cora: Well, no. But I will ask about it later. She hasn't really talked it or any of her past at all since Mom died.

Liv: Oh!... I'm sorry for your loss.

Cora: It's fine. I never really knew her since she died when I was born, but Grandmama and Papa really do miss her.

*She pulls out her phone, almost hesitating showing them before she pulls out her picture. The same golden blonde haired, ocean blue eyed beauty that was her late mother smiled gently in the photo as Liv and Karmi stared. Liv hated to admit it... but Cora's mother was beautiful.*

Karmi:*Surprised at seeing how beautiful Cora's mother was and for once genuinely couldn't say anything mean or cruel towards her for it.* Wow Cora... Your mom was really pretty...

Liv: Your mother could have been an herbal doctor like your grandmother, but she didn't.. why?

Cora: Papa told me that she wanted to start a family and was content just helping Grandmama out.

*Cora didn't notice that Liv had a slight look of disgust and envy at her mother's photo but it was quickly wiped it away before they continued eating their lunch and talking about other stuff(mostly related to biotech).*

*After all that, Hiro, Baymax, Honey Lemon and Fred were now hanging out at the Lucky Cat Cafe talking over what happened.*

Honey Lemon: I'm glad you're feeling better after what happened at the lab Hiro!

Hiro: Cora talked me out of it to be honest. I was gonna show Liv something that, looking back, was basically just a thermometer...a fancy one...

Honey Lemon: Too bad Cora can't be here with us since she's still with Karmi and Liv Amara.

Fred: Yeah, and it's also too bad we couldn't have lunch together with her too! *Turns to Hiro* You did say she had planned on bringing a homemade bento lunch for all of us to share right?

Hiro: *Suddenly starting to feel down* Yeah...she had... I guess we're just gonna have to take a rain-check on that...

*Hiro's thoughts then drift now that he realizes that Cora isn't here with him and that she's with Karmi and Liv instead. And judging from what she told him and how she sounded, she wasn't exactly comfortable with them, though she hid it with (fake)smiles.*

Hiro: I hope she's at least having a decent time...

Honey Lemon: Sounds like you're a little sad...

Hiro: I'm okay, really. It's just that-

*That's when Hiro sniffs something in the air.*

Hiro: What's that smell?

*That's when he sees Fred eating cloves of garlic.*

Fred: Oh! I'm being rude! You want some? I definitely like it and this is not just pretending that I didn't know what garlic was for.

Hiro: *Slightly grossed out and decides to change the subject all around* Anyway...we should probably be tracking down this monster right now.

Fred: Yes! We're going to see Orso Knox this afternoon to see if there's some connection with the monster.

*When Fred continues to eat the cloves, Honey Lemon places a hand on his shoulder.*

Honey Lemon: You want a mint? Or some gum?

Fred: No. Why?

*Honey Lemon lightly gags at the stench of Fred's breath before she turns to Hiro. The teen boy sighs before he turns to his friends.*

Hiro: Alright, let's suite up!

*After they change into their battle armor, they go to Osor Knox's residence to talk to him.*

Hiro: *Knocks on the door* Mr. Knox?

*But when Hiro knocks on the door, it merely swings open.*

Fred: Weird...

*The rest of the gang slowly enter inside to try and find the man.*

Honey Lemon: Mr. Knox? The door was open may we come in?

*But when they open the door to his office, they find it completely trashed. The Four members of Big Hero 7 enter the room slowly, wary of their surroundings.*

Hiro: Whoa.. this office..

Fred: Is Wasabi's worst nightmare.

*When Hiro notices he stepped on a picture frame, he picks it up and inspects it for damage. That's when Honey Lemon sees a schedule and shows it to Hiro.*

Honey Lemon: He's not supposed to be out today.

Hiro: Office hours huh? *To Baymax* Baymax? Can you find Knox?

*Hiro holds out the picture of Knox to Baymax for him to scan.*

Baymax: Scanning biometric data.

*The wall than bursts open to reveal the monster that attacked Fred and Alistair Krei. The monster roars at the four.*

Fred: See! I told you he looked liked if you put a whale and a dinosaur and some hair, into blender-

*The monster grabs Fred and throws him across the room. Honey Lemon pulls out a chem ball as the monster charges straight towards them growling. The team dodged the attack and Honey Lemon throws the chem ball to restrain the creature with ice. But the monster breaks through the ice with ease as it draws closer to Honey Lemon, to which the tall blond dodges out of the way quickly and joins back with the group.*

Fred: I've got this! Away with thee monster!

*Fred pulls out a wooden stake and a necklace of garlic to scare away the creature...until it chomped on the garlic.*

Fred: What?-

*The monster then proceeds to throw Fred across the room again and landing with a large thud.*

Fred: Again?!

*That is when Hiro sees the monster go towards Knox's schedule.*

Hiro: Knox's schedule!

*Hearing Hiro speak, the creature soon turns its sights on him. Hiro runs forward and slides underneath him to grab the schedule but is grabbed mid-slide and picked up by the claws of the beast. Hiro immediately starts throwing punches into its face which annoys the beast as it roars in the teen's face. *

Honey Lemon: Hiro!

Monster: All the devils are here!

Honey Lemon: Baymax! Overdrive-Mode quick!

Baymax: Overdrive-Mode engaged.

*Soon Baymax turns to his Overdrive-Mode, transforming once again into a weapon of awesomeness.*

Omega Danger Overdrive: Overdrive-Mode.

*The sight of such a large and powerful warrior makes the creature drop Hiro as it scurries away. Afterwards Baymax returns to his original awesome form..but now on low battery.*

Baymax: *Drunkenly* I sCared ThE BleNDeR WhALe!

Hiro: Thanks Baymax.

Baymax: nO pROBlem pAL!

*Baymax than collapses due to his low battery. Just then, Fred regains consciousness.*

Fred: *Groaning* So... the garlic isn't as effective as one would have hope.

*After that, they all head to Fred's house to charge up Baymax and discuss about the monster.*

Hiro: 'All the devils are here'..what?!

Fred: He's so dramatic, it's like dude: start a blog!

*Honey Lemon is looking over any significance of the words when she finally found a match.*

Honey Lemon: "All the devils are here'.. All the devils are here! The Tempest!

Hiro: The what?

Honey Lemon: The Shakespeare Play?! "All the devils are here', 'This thing of darkness I acknowledge mine', 'What's past is prologue'?! They're quotes from The Tempest!

Hiro: So the monster's a Shakespeare fan?

Honey Lemon: No, but Orso Knox was. I think-

*Just then, Baymax recovers and is back to full battery.*

Honey Lemon and Baymax: The Monster is Orso Knox!

Fred: You know now one of you owes the other a soda?

*That's when Baymax displays his scans*

Baymax: I mapped the iris from the photo of Orso Knox. It matched with the monster.

Honey Lemon: What happened to him? Some kind of genetic mutation?

Hiro: Wait a minute!

*Hiro picks up the schedule and looks over what has happened during this week.*

Hiro: Fred's house... Krei's office...

Honey Lemon: Knox has been keeping his appointments!

Hiro: Which means the next place he's going is...

Hiro, Fred, Honey Lemon: SFIT!

*The next morning, everyone has been informed about last night's events and are now looking over information about the play and the monster. Cora at first fussed over Hiro before she is assured he's alright. And soon she is retelling him about everything that happened on her side of the day and how awkward it was, though he did chuckle at the part where Cora described how Karmi slipped on a banana peel and landed face down in a bowl of gazpacho.*

Hiro: *Laughs hard at this* Wow! That must've been fun to watch.

Cora: Yeah, it's nice to know that karma really does exists.

Wasabi: This play has three of my top 9 fears. Ship wrecks, rainstorms, and *Shudders*...puns...

Gogo: Lunatic mutant billionaire tops those.

Hiro: I have an idea to level the playing field, and we can execute it now.

*Hiro soon starts the 3D printing of the new armor for all of them.*

Hiro: But with some infusion ideas of a curtain BioTech Major we all know who's name rhymes with Zarmi.

Fred: Are you talking about Jarmi? Cause I agree, his ideas are crazy!

*Both Hiro and Cora cock an eyebrow at the gang.*

Wasabi: I like Jarmi, snappy dresser.

*Hiro and Cora turn around to plan further with their new battle armor, and soon they smirk at each other.*

Cora: At least they don't know who you're really talking about.

Hiro: Definitely.

*Soon the teens draw out and create the new battle armor and by evening time, they are dressed and ready for action.*

Wasabi: Pretty sweet!

Fred: This ultra armor's a little heavy and a lot awesome!

Gogo: I like it.

Honey Lemon: Mmmm!~

Cora: Added glows from certain species of fish ought to do the trick!

Hiro: Titanium reinforced to withstand more of a beating.

*Soon all seven of them are dressed in their new metallic battle gear, looking more epic by the minute.*

Honey Lemon: It's going to be super helpful Hiro!

Hiro: Yeah, *Pulls out a pad and he places a point for himself and Cora with 10 points while Karmi has negative 9.* ultra armor, win.

Honey Lemon: Hmmm... How does Karmi have a negative accomplishments?

Hiro: Because everything she does is the worst.

Cora: Plus, she nearly put Fred into a coma with her stickers.

Hiro: Also, w-when I was making a biotech project to show Liv Amara, Cora called me and talked me out of it. I'm a robotics genius and Karmi's a biotech genius, she is admittedly.. good at what she does.

Cora: But that doesn't excuse her behavior towards us and you all know it. She's good at what she does and we're good at what we do. There's no changing that, it's just who we are as are own individual beings.

*Gogo blinks her eyes as she blinks along with everyone else.*

Gogo: That is surprisingly mature.

Wasabi: But...You guys certainly know how to hold a grudge against her.

Hiro: We'll drop the grudge as soon as she starts treating Hiro Hamada and Cora Mizichio, *Gestures to both himself and Cora* yours truly, with respect.

*Just then Baymax speaks up.*

Baymax: A reminder: It is time to leave for the dedication gala.

Fred: We got a socialite total Shakespeare monster to catch! I'll get the garlic!

Everyone else: No!

*Soon Big Hero 7 leaves for the gala where they are all stationed at points to watch out for Knox. Wasabi is with Baymax keeping watch from the bushes, Fred is peering through the tent hole to see the party.*

Fred: *Scares away some of the guests who see him through the hole when he asks them* Not fair! You guys get all that free gala food?

*Honey Lemon, Gogo, Hiro, and Cora are dressed for the occasion. Cora is wearing her red dress and black shawl while the others wore their waiter's outfits from Fred's bro-tillian as they stand in line while the young teen boy communicates via comm-link.*

Hiro: We're just trying to cover our bases until Knox shows up.

Gogo: *Tells Fred through the comm-link* We'll bring you a crab cake.

Fred: *Through comm-link* Yes!

*Soon after, the four of them enter the gala, the party serene in atmosphere for now. Honey Lemon does not hesitate to take as much selfies as she pleases.*

Gogo: Wow, this is some serious sucking up to Liv Amara.

*Honey Lemon gets them all together to take a quick group selfie.*

Cora: I actually agree.. she makes Krei look humble in comparison...and that's saying a lot.

Honey Lemon: *Drags Gogo away to take more selfies* Oooh! Gogo, selfies with the ice sculpture!

Fred: *To Hiro through the comm-link* Are there egg rolls? Please just tell there are egg rolls?

Hiro: Copy, I've got visual on the egg rolls.

Cora: Hiro! look!

*That's when Cora points Hiro to Krei, who is angrily stabbing at and chewing his food.*

Hiro: Mr. Krei?

Cora: What are you doing here?

Krei: *Glaring jealously at Liv Amara while ranting* Sure she's brilliant and beautiful and generous but what does she have that I don't?

Cora: *Sarcastically* You really want us to answer that?

Krei: *Still ranting jealously while stabbing at his food* Another gala! Another honorary degree! Whoo look at that, it's another benefit concert for Liv Amara!

Hiro: Well..uh she is special in ways that you are not. And you are special in ways that she's not.

Krei: Uh, no. She's the worst.

*But when Liv waves at Krei, the entrepreneur smiles and waves back.*

Cora: We're just gonna go.

*While Hiro is heading towards a secluded area, Cora hears something under Krei's breath.*

Krei: Honestly, the one thing I can't stand about her the most is how fake she is!

*Cora turns around and asks him.*

Cora: What do you mean by fake?

Krei: Believe it or not, I met her before a couple times in private and let me tell you, she is the most insidious two-faced snake I've ever met!

Cora: *Narrows her eyes at this* Is that so?

Krei: At least I'm honest with people, but she's the biggest kiss ass out there! One minute she's praising you, and the next she slanders you without hesitation. She does, and will do, anything to make herself look good!

*Cora looks back at Amara before looking back at Krei.*

Cora: *Suspicions from earlier start to grow after hearing this and she makes a mental note to tell Hiro and the others about this later* Right..okay...see ya later Krei...also, I suggest you leave early. It's not so good to hang around in an area that's causing you to boil.

*Cora walks back to Hiro.*

Hiro: What were you and Krei talking about?

Cora: Something about Amara. But I'll tell ya later.

Hiro: Okay.

*Once they are at a quiet place, Hiro contacts the rest of the team.*

Hiro: Status report.

*Baymax scans around the area.*

Baymax: There is no sign of the Orso Knox Monster.

Wasabi: Maybe he likes being fashionably late?

*Meanwhile inside the gala, Grandville prepares her announcement.*

Grandville: *Taps the microphone* May I have your attention? Attention please?

*When the crowd just continues to talk, she goes into Dean mode.*

Grandville: Attention!

*At this, the entire crowd turns quiet.*

Grandville: Thank you, thank you. There are few innovators who have made their mark as quickly and completely as Liv Amara.

Krei: *Cough* Overrated *Cough*

*Just outside, the three hear the roar of the monster.*

Fred: *Gasp* Do you hear that?!

*Up ahead is indeed the Orso Knox monster, breaking down the trees as it comes.*

Fred: And do you see that?!

Wasabi: Yup! *Activates his laser blades* And I'm ready!

Fred: Whoa! Wasabi you're like not afraid?

Wasabi: I'm in my good denial place Fred, don't ruin this!

Grandville: So it is my honor to introduce the namesake of the new Amara BioTech Center: Miss Liv Amara!

*Soon Liv Amara comes upstage to prepare a speech for the SFIT gala.*

Liv: Thank you Grace. You know the other day I was lucky enough to meet two current students of BioTech and Marine Bio. Karmi reminded me why I wanted to help build this facility.

*Cora holds Hiro's hand tightly to soothe him, which Hiro gives a grateful smile for.*

Liv: And Cora's dedication and passion for Marine Bio is without bounds, describing the ocean in ways no other could describe.

*This causes Karmi's eye to twitch. Hiro smirks as he fists bumps his girlfriend.*

Hiro: Lightly smug* Make that ten points.

Cora: *Also slightly smug* Oh yeah.

*Just outside the gala, the three face off against Knox.*

Wasabi: Game time!

*But his strength is without bounds as he smashes through a street lamp.*

Baymax, Wasabi, Fred: Oh no...

*That's when Hiro hears the oh nos from the comms.*

Hiro: *looks at the three girl members of their team as he repeats what he heard* Oh no what?!

*The four than run outside to see the monster in front of Fred, Wasabi, and Baymax.*

Wasabi: Nothing much. Just Orso Knox!

*Orso growls at the seven as the remaining four suits are delivered to them swiftly via SkyMax.*

Hiro: Hold him off!

*Baymax launches his rocket fist but it misses Knox. When Wasabi shields himself with his blades however it repels him back.*

Wasabi: Hey it worked! Hiro! This armor- Whoa!

*The monster knocks out Wasabi and is about to pounce on him when Fred jumps to Wasabi's rescue.*

Fred: This one's for Mini-Max!

*The rest of the team finally suit up.*

Gogo: Let's clear out the tent!

Liv:-and a new generation is ready, ready to lead our industry into the future.

Honey Lemon: *Tries to cut in* Excuse me! Um, excuse me everyone!

*But when they couldn't get their attention, Gogo let's out a load whistle to cut through Liv's speech.*

Gogo: Hey! *Got everyone's attention* Back exits everyone! Now!

Honey Lemon: Please!

*It was then the monster finally let's himself known with his roars, leading the guests to run out of the tent in terror.*

Liv: What's going on?

Gogo: Long story! Big fan-

*That's when Karmi spins Gogo around to face her.*

Karmi: Is Captain Cutie and Sailor Awesome here?! Are they really here?!

*That's when Cora rolls inside and lands between the four.*

Cora: Looks up at Karmi* We are here, now get out!

Karmi: But I want to see Captain Cutie-

*Cora stands up and and yells in her loudest voice with the same grandiose Commander Carter gave them during their training.*

Cora: I SAID MOVE OUT SOLDIER!

*Karmi blinks in shock as she runs away from the gala, which she then turns back to see a giant monster attacking Big Hero 7, with Cora running back to hop behind Hiro on Baymax. Karmi wisely chooses to keep running. Baymax flies and charges toward the monster and tries to keep him back and away from the tent.*

Hiro: Honey Lemon? All clear?

Honey Lemon: All clear!

*As soon as they hear that, Baymax gets out of Knox's way with causes him to charge straight towards the tent. Right after letting Knox go, they go over to Wasabi.*

Cora: Wasabi! Get on! We have an idea.

Wasabi: And where are we, and this idea of your, going?

Hiro: You'll see.

*Just then, the monster goes into the tent and starts trashing it.*

Honey Lemon: Inside that monster there's a person. *To Knox* Mr. Knox, we wanna help you!

*But the monster refused as it shatters Liv's ice sculpture and the tables.*

Gogo: Yeah..mostly monster.

*Baymax then flies in with Hiro and Cora on his back while carrying Wasabi.*

Hiro: Blades!

*Wasabi starts cutting through the top of the tent while Honey Lemon encapsulates the monster with ice which he shatters with ease as Gogo throws her disc to hit him. This makes the monster more angrier. *

Cora: Hop on!

*Gogo and Honey Lemon jump towards Baymax and latch themselves tightly as they escape the collapsing tent, which traps the monster inside. The monster bursts his head through the tent with a load roar which terrifies the guest, but is fortunately unable to get out any further. Fred throws a rope around him to restrain the monster as the rest of the team joins in to completely encase and trap the monster for good.*

Hiro: No worries everyone! We've got this situation under-

*But even with their powers combined, the monster escapes, and it was then that Karmi got out her sticker. And there she quickly uses it to stun the monster into a coma, saving Amara(Whom the monster was heading towards).

Karmi: *Looking pleased at her work* Extra Dermal Nano Receptor. I administered a sedative.

But than she notices that the monster isn't going down so easily, and quickly adds more stickers to keep him stunned.*

Karmi: *Giggles fangirlishly as she addresses Hiro and Cora as they run up to her* Thought maybe you guys could use the help.

Hiro: *Deepening his voice to sound more hero-like while giving Karmi a thumbs-up* Thanks!

Cora: *Also giving Karmi a thumbs-up* That was some quick and clever thinking on your part Karmi.

Amara: *As she places her hand on the monster* See. This is exactly the kind of thinking that's getting your project funded.

Hiro: *Shocked, high-sounding voice* Funded?! *Feels Cora place a hand on his shoulder which causes him the quickly backtrack back to his deep-superhero voice and smile at Karmi* I mean, good for you.

*That's when Amara notices the rest of Big Hero 7.*

Amara: Props on the armor Big Hero 7. Excellent neck work, not my area of experties, but I'm impressed.

Fred: Check out the titanium back spikes yeah, yeah!

*That's when Hiro and Cora turn to Karmi.*

Cora: Good job. But please...leave this to the professionals.

Karmi: Got it!

*Karmi is just too happy to be near Super Hero Hiro and Super Hero Cora to care.*

Gogo: So what do we do about sleeping ugly here?

Honey Lemon: Hmm. That's kind of harsh.

Liv: there's a secure genetics lab back at Sycorax. If anybody can help him, my team can.

Baymax: I will help you transport him to the lab.

*While Baymax flies off to carry the sleeping monster, Cora turns her attention to the schedule pad lying on the ground a few feet away and notices the arrow pointing to last week. She then sees a scale belonging to the monster and sees the age the scales went through. She then flips the arrow and sees last week's schedule. It was then she sees something very suspicious... Amara was on there.*

Cora: *Eyes narrow at this as her suspicions towards Liv Amara have now firmly taken root and are growing even more because of this...and also makes another mental note to tell the rest of the gang this along with what she learned from Krei as soon as possible.* Interesting... Very interesting indeed...and definitely worth more looking into... Just who exactly are you Liv Amara?...And what are you hiding?...

A.N: I’m gonna go on some random chapter postings, but I am gonna post art too!  And some chapters for Season 2 as well! Love you! This is also cause of the new findings that Liv Amara is the new villain too.

[chalantness]

fic: Meet Me Under the Spotlight

Rating: PG-13 Word Count: ~6300 Characters: Steve/Natasha and the ensemble Summary: A continuation of that celebrity social media au no one asked for.

A/N: It took a while for inspiration to strike for the next installment in the Marvelous ‘verse but I really wanted to expand upon the “show” itself since all you darlings were really enthusiastic about learning more from the previous chapter. But of course I still made sure to have extra fluffy fun following Steve and Nat’s engagement announcement!

Read On: [ ao3 ]

‘Marvelous’ Season Premiere Recap: “In Somnis Veritas”

December 12, 2017. 6:52 AM PST.

SPOILER ALERT! This post contains plot details from the Marvelous season four premiere, “In Somnis Veritas,” below.

In somnis veritas. “In dreams there is truth.”

And the truth is? We have no idea what these dreams are supposed to mean.

During AE!’s exclusive on-set interviews with the cast of Marvelous last month, Steve Rogers (playing the Captain) shared that the Season 4 premiere would be entirely centered around the concept of dreams. “There are really low points but there are really high points, too,” Rogers had dished, “and it’s just one of those things you know will have that punch and then keep on punching.” But tell us, Captain: when do the punches stop? It’s hard enough to riddle out which dreams and nightmares from last night’s episode are foreshadowing and which ones are just plain teasing! The last thing we need is to know that there are still more hits coming our way.

But we should probably be used to that by now, right?

Another thing we’re used to? Spending the entire week after an episode trying to dissect what the heck we just watched.

In the months between the surprise Season 4 teaser trailer that dropped on The Late Night Show and last night’s premiere, the cast had teased that this season will bring happier days back to our heroes. And while that’s definitely what we thought of during last night’s dream sequences, what does that say about the nightmares?

The Official Twitter of Access Entertainment @accessentertainment -- November 23       Sending confetti, champagne, and a huge congrats for @therussianprincessnat and @stevefrombrooklyn on their engagement!

The Late Night Show with Peter Quill @PeterQuillTonight -- November 23       Can’t say I’m thrilled that the love of my life @stevefrombrooklyn is off the market, but also @therussianprincessnat is too scary to steal him back from...

The Late Night Show with Peter Quill @PeterQuillTonight -- November 23       All jokes aside, sending @stevefrombrooklyn and @therussianprincessnat lots of love on their engagement! (It’s about time)

Marvelous @MarvelousCW -- November 23       We’re still not over it! @therussianprincessnat and @stevefrombrooklyn’s engagement will leave us swooning for months!    pic.twitter.com/jR71tMr...             [Image Caption: Steve Rogers down on one knee, holding out a diamond ring to Natasha Romanoff, the both of them smiling widely and tearing up as the cast and crew of Marvelous cheer them on.]

Wanda Maximoff @littlewandamaximoff -- November 23       Watching you two fall in love is the stuff fairytales are made of! Congrats to @therussianprincessnat and @stevefrombrooklyn for finally making it official!

James Buchanan Barnes @iambuckybarnes -- November 23       If anyone can keep @stevefrombrooklyn in line for the rest of his life, it’s @therussianprincessnat.. congrats on the engagement :)

Sam Wilson @snapwilson -- November 23       what will @therussianprincessnat and @stevefrombrooklyn be like when they’re married? the same old couple they are now. congrats, you two

Tony Stark @thetonystark -- November 23       You mean @therussianprincessnat and @stevefrombrooklyn haven’t been secretly married this whole time? They sure fooled me. (Congrats kids!)

Maria Hill @aproblemlikemaria -- November 23       Congrats to two of the best people I know! If you thought @therussianprincessnat and @stevefrombrooklyn were sappy before then you were wrong

Nick Fury @nickfurry -- November 23       @therussianprincessnat @stevefrombrooklyn excited to see your childish relationship turn into a childish marriage. congratulations you two

Steve Rogers @stevefrombrooklyn -- November 23       @nickfurry did you just paraphrase Brooklyn 99?             Steve Rogers Retweeted:             @nickfurry: @therussianprincessnat @stevefrombrooklyn excited to see your childish relationship turn into a childish marriage. congratulations you two

WATCH: Countdown to ‘Marvelous’ Season 4 - Most Heartbreaking Scenes - Captain finds Widow bleeding out (3x22)

Marvelous CW - Published on November 24, 2017 - 917,946 views

[Image Caption: Writer/producer Nick Fury, Natasha Romanoff, Clint Barton, and Peter Parker sharing hot chocolate and donuts between takes, laughing as Peter attempts to shove an entire donut in his mouth.]

MarvelousOfficial We’re two weeks away from the #Marvelous Season 4 premiere, which means it’s time for more #MarvelousSneakPeeks Behind-the-Scenes Edition!

View all 1,857 comments

NOVEMBER 27, 2017

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[Image Caption: Natasha Romanoff and Maria Hill sitting on a bed together in the infirmary set, Natasha in an infirmary gown and Maria in a bloodied catsuit, huddled together and talking animatedly.]

mariahill she may be your fiance now but she’s still my soulmate @nataliaromanov @stevenrogers #MarvelousSneakPeeks

View all 962 comments

NOVEMBER 27, 2017

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[Image Caption: T’challa T’chaka, Steve Rogers, and Thor Odinson posing while lifting weights in the training room set.]

thorodinson Working hard or hardly working? @stevenrogers @tchallatchaka #MarvelousSneakPeeks

View all 1,920 comments

NOVEMBER 27, 2017

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[Image Caption: Steve Rogers and Natasha Romanoff sleeping on a couch in the green room, Natasha curled on his lap.]

cbarton Remember that time @nataliaromanov and @stevenrogers held up shooting because they were too busy being adorable? BECAUSE I DO #MarvelousSneakPeeks

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NOVEMBER 27, 2017

‘Marvelous’ Season Premiere Recap: “In Somnis Veritas” (continued)

December 12, 2017. 6:52 AM PST.

Last night’s premiere hits the ground running with its theme around dreams: the episode opens with a beautiful shot of an outdoor wedding, complete with white petals on the ground and everyone decked out in suits and pastel dresses. Everything is bright and ethereal, vaguely eerie version of the wedding march playing as the camera pans over the audience until finally settling on the face of the bride: Black Widow. Big shocker there. Even less of a shocker? Her groom, standing under the floral arch: the Captain.

We all knew this was coming. Did it make us any less emotional as we watched the Captain and Widow hold hands and recite vows in front of the crying faces of their loved ones?

Absolutely not.

But just as the Captain peels back her veil for a kiss, we cut to a very grim version of the same scene: it’s nighttime now, with the chairs empty and strewn across the grass, and Widow’s beautiful wedding dress is now torn and covered in blood. Widow repeats her vows, but this time as she recites, “until death do us part,” the vaguely eerie music comes to a stop - and then the Captain bolts upright in his chair. He’d been in the infirmary the whole time, having fallen asleep at Widow’s bedside. She gives him a sad smile and asks if he’s alright, and, in true Captain fashion, he dodges the question altogether and checks on her vitals. He tries to rush off, but Widow gets up to stop him and asks him to stay, and the Captain hesitates before kissing her forehead and promising that he won’t leave.

Meanwhile, we find Thor beating the crap out of a punching bag in the gym. There are flashes back to the scene of his powers getting stripped from him from last season’s finale, his punches getting progressively harder as he relives the memory... and then it gets worse: Agent Hill comes up behind him, touching his shoulder in an attempt to get his attention, but in a flash, Thor has his hands around her throat. The buzz of electricity can be heard as the lights of the training room flicker, and Agent Hill seems oddly calm considering she’s being choked to death, which seems to clue Thor in: he realizes he’s punched the bag straight off of the chain during his dream (nightmare?) and the real Agent Hill is standing unharmed beside him as she gives him a status update: Widow’s memories are still gone, Hawkeye is still out cold, Scarlet Witch is still missing. But he’s only half-listening. He flexes his fingers (yup, powers still gone) and stares at Agent Hill’s neck, terror written all over his face.

Agent Hill asks what’s wrong, but of course, before he can answer, they’re interrupted by a commotion passing through the hallway: Agent 13 and Quicksilver are back with Iron Man, and he’s looking pretty worse for wear.

(Related: Peggy Carter visits The Late Night Show, talks Christmas plans and directing ‘Marvelous’ mid-season finale)

WATCH: Final ‘Marvelous’ Season 3 Teaser Trailer is the Most Romantic Teaser Yet!

Access Entertainment! - Published on December 2, 2017 - 1,200,918 views

Natasha A. Romanoff @therussianprincessnat -- December 4       hey @stevefrombrooklyn rumor has it we’ve been married this whole time, you owe me three years of anniversary gifts

Steve Rogers @stevefrombrooklyn -- December 4       @therussianprincessnat my apologies ma’am :)

Wanda Maximoff @littlewandamaximoff -- December 4       @stevefrombrooklyn somehow got 50 dozens of flowers in the green room for @therussianprincessnat in less than an hour. How is he real??

James Buchanan Barnes @iambuckybarnes -- December 4       you think she’s exaggerating, she is not.. 50. dozen. flowers!!             James Buchanan Barnes Retweeted:             @littlewandamaximoff: @stevefrombrooklyn somehow got 50 dozens of flowers in the green room for @therussianprincessnat in less than an hour. How is he real??

Pepper Potts @twopeasinapott -- December 4       there was a teddy bear as big as me waiting for @therussianprincessnat in hair & make-up today! well played @stevefrombrooklyn

Tony Stark @thetonystark -- December 4       Replying to @twopeasinapott             yet when i give you giant stuffed animals, it’s creepy

James Rhodes @jamesrhodesisland -- December 4       Replying to @twopeasinapott @thetonystark             because we all still have nightmares about that valentine’s day “raccoon”.. give it a rest

Peter B. Parker @pbandparker -- December 4       @stevefrombrooklyn got @therussianprincessnat three dozen cupcakes and SHE WON’T SHARE!!!

Natasha A. Romanoff @therussianprincessnat -- December 4       Replying to @pbandparker             when you’re engaged, you can have some :)

Natasha A. Romanoff @therussianprincessnat -- December 4       @stevefrombrooklyn i’ll see your flowers, cupcakes and teddy bear and raise you Stadium Club at Dodgers Stadium

Steve Rogers @stevefrombrooklyn -- December 4       Replying to @therussianprincessnat             spoiler alert: i may propose to you on the jumbotron

Natasha A. Romanoff @therussianprincessnat -- December 4       Replying to @stevefrombrooklyn             make sure there’s a sky-writer and hot air balloons and i might say yes

Clint Barton @cbarton -- December 4       Replying to @stevefrombrooklyn @therussianprincessnat             YOU ALREADY SAID YES

Access Entertainment! Exclusive Preview: The Late Night Show Just Got a Little More Marvelous

December 5, 2017. 2:51 PM PST.

The last time that the stunning Natasha Romanoff was in New York to chat with Peter Quill on The Late Night Show, we expected Quill to give us the scoop on Romanoff’s cozy Hawaiian vacation with her fellow Marvelous co-star, Steve Rogers, which had us all swooning over our screens this summer. But of course, Romanoff dodged the interrogation in true Black Widow fashion: with a charming smile and a downright dirty seduction tactic in the form of a Marvelous teaser trailer, dropping an entire week earlier than scheduled.

Well played, Miss Romanoff. Well played.

Fast-forward two months later, just hours before Romanoff was scheduled to appear to tape her slot in tonight’s show, Quill tweeted about being more determined than ever to squeeze out the juicy details about Romanoff’s and Rogers’ Hawaiian getaway. But Romanoff still had more tricks up her sleeve: the audience cheered as Quill announces her arrival... and then promptly went into hysterics at the sight of her head of blonde hair!

Yes, you read that right: the infamous Black Widow is now blonde, and we’re still not sure how we feel about it. Romanoff looked every bit as stunning as we know her to be, but her fiery hair has been such an iconic feature of hers that we’re a little sad to see that it’s gone.

At least, for now it is. “You’ll see,” Romanoff answered cryptically when Quill bemoaned her new color and asked what brought on the change. “It’s a plot thing. Nick and I agreed a wig didn’t do the trick, so the red had to go. But I promise you, it’ll be back. It’ll definitely be back. I miss it already!”

We do, too, and we’re certain Romanoff’s new fiance must feel the same. Rogers has never been shy to voice how much he loved Romanoff’s bold hair color, having done so on social media on numerous occasions, long before the pair had started dating. A fact that was pretty much known following the intimate photos of the two out and about around Maui this past summer, but something neither outright confirmed until Romanoff’s twenty-ninth birthday just a couple weeks ago, when the couple took to Instagram to announce their engagement. Rogers proposed to Romanoff down on one knee at the birthday party the cast and crew had put together for her, and, in his Tweet congratulating the couple, fellow Marvelous co-star Clint Barton shared that, “it took a while for them to come back up for air.”

(Related: ‘Marvelous’ Tribute Video for Natasha Romanoff and Steve Rogers’ Engagement Sends the Whole Cast Into Tears)

There’s no doubting that Romanoff could show up in neon pink hair and still look stunning, and Rogers would still be just as head-over-heels for her, a fact that Quill was quick to point it out.

“He better,” Romanoff teased with a bright smile. “And technically he proposed to me twice, so he has to wait for another strike before calling anything off.”

Wait, what?

“He did, he did,” Romanoff laughed when Quill asked if this was true. “He technically proposed to me in Hawaii, except he was really just asking if we wanted to officially ‘date.’ It just didn’t seem like a significant enough term and we kind of joked about it. We were like, ‘is it just dating when we know so much about each other?’ We’ve spent three years together at this point and dating wasn’t going to just wipe us clean of our friendship, so why give it such a vague title? So he went straight to a proposal. And I said yes.”

Want to hear more? We certainly do!

Be sure join us in watching the full interview on The Late Night Show as Natasha Romanoff dishes more about about her Hawaiian vacation, previews the Marvelous cast’s January cover shoot for Infinity magazine, and addresses rumors of being cast in Disney’s latest live-action fairy tale remake.

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WATCH: Wanda Maximoff and Bucky Barnes Read Outrageous ‘Marvelous’ Fan Theories

WATCH: First Behind-the-Scenes Sneak Peek of ‘Marvelous’ Season 4

Just In: Newly engaged ‘Marvelous’ co-stars Steve Rogers and Natasha Romanoff address pregnancy rumors: “If it weren’t for a tight filming schedule, we’d have two kids and a dog by now,” Rogers joked via Twitter, to which Romanoff added: “And it wouldn’t be a rumor because he would’ve shouted it from every rooftop he could find.” (December 6, 2017)

[Image Caption: Natasha Romanoff, Wanda Maximoff, Sharon Carter, Pepper Potts, and Maria Hill laying together across a couch, dressed comfortably in variations of yoga pants and sweats as they pass around bags of chips.]

littlewandamaximoff #TBT to that one time @cbarton dragged all of us to a farm in the middle of nowhere and we accidentally had the best vacation ever

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DECEMBER 7, 2017

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[Image Caption: Steve Rogers, Peter Parker, and T’challa T’chaka standing in front of a cabin, holding axes and laughing as they chop wood.]

nataliaromanov #tbt to when @tchallatchaka and @peterbenjiparker thought they would be exempt from hard work because they were the new kids. pffft

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DECEMBER 7, 2017

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[Image Caption: Natasha Romanoff, Wanda Maximoff, Sharon Carter, Pepper Potts, and Maria Hill huddled together on the couch under a blanket with T’challa T’chaka, Peter Parker, Thor Odinson, Clint Barton, Tony Stark, Sam Wilson, Pietro Maximoff, Bucky Barnes, and Bruce Banner sitting on the floor on top of blankets and pillows.]

stevenrogers We had so much separation anxiety from filming on location during Season 3 that we spent two weeks over the summer in a cabin being recluses. #TBT

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DECEMBER 7, 2017

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[Image Caption: Natasha Romanoff sitting on Steve Rogers’ lap at a kitchen table, holding a mug in her hands and laughing as Steve whispers into her ear.]

iambuckybarnes We didn’t have enough chairs so apparently that was permission for @nataliaromanov to spend the entire vacation on @stevenrogers lap being sickeningly adorable together #tbt

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DECEMBER 7, 2017

‘Marvelous’ Season Premiere Recap: “In Somnis Veritas” (continued)

December 12, 2017. 6:52 AM PST.

As Iron Man gets rushed into medical, Quicksilver explains the fight with Ultron from that ended in Iron Man barely hanging onto consciousness as they rushed to get him back, while Agent Hill shares how Hawkeye ended up in a coma and how Widow nearly bled to death. Then comes the worst part: Scarlet Witch is missing, and there’s been nothing but radio silence from Falcon and the Winter Soldier. Quicksilver - who had been vocal in his protest to let his sister go off without him - shouts at Agent Hill, ranting angrily, only to storm off when Thor steps in. Agent Hill then shares the news about Widow’s memories and Agent 13 snaps, nearly hitting Agent Hill when she hurls Iron Man’s broken at the wall and then storms off. Thor warily asks how Agent Hill is holding up, but she simply shrugs it off and goes after Agent 13 to comfort her, and elsewhere, Captain runs into Quicksilver and quickly does the same.

(Related: The Cast of Marvelous Get Dolled Up and Down & Dirty for Their Infinity Magazine Cover Shoot)

If you think things might’ve magically gotten better for our favorite little witch since the finale, then you were mistaken: the first glimpse we get of Scarlet Witch is her sprawled out on the floor. There are indistinct voices and sounds and sights blurring in and out as she struggles to wake up, but then the Winter Soldier’s suddenly comes into focus at her side as he brushes her hair from her face. She’s confused - just as much as we are - and then the scene shifts into another dream sequence with more ethereal lighting and happy yet eerie instrumentals. Scarlet Witch lays on the floor of a gorgeous bathroom, but this time she’s smiling and holding onto a positive pregnancy test (gasp!) as a clean-cut Winter Soldier hovers over her again. Scarlet Witch tells him that “this changes everything,” to which the Winter Soldier reassures her that she can handle it.

With that sentiment still echoing, we shift back to a battered Scarlet Witch still on the floor, with the hallucination of Winter Soldier encouraging her to get up - and so she does. She takes in her surroundings: she’s in some kind of holding cell in the middle of lab with scientists and armed guards everywhere. When she looks down at her arms, she sees marks all over herself as blurry memories of the experimentation flash. Before she can freak out even more, however, a scientist crouches beside her and, predictably, he launches into a creepy story of how he’s waited to get his hands on her and how she has so much beautiful potential. She doesn’t say a word, but like any evil villain, he shares his plot anyway: he wants to bring the world to their knees, and she’s been the missing piece of his equation.

Outside in the snow, Falcon and the Winter Soldier are still right where we left them on a snowy mountainside, but at least they’ve stopped throwing punches at this point. Falcon is working to get a connection going to call the others for back-up as the Winter Soldier attempts to figure out where the hidden lab might be. It only takes a minute and a half (yes, we counted) for the tense silence to diverge into more arguing, but at least this time it ends in a mutual agreement on what direction they need to head in.

(Related: The Cast of ‘Marvelous’ Try to Price ‘Marvelous’ Collectibles on Ebay)

WATCH: ‘Marvelous’ 4x06 “Widow’s Bite” and 4x07 “Coup de Foudre” Episode Stills

Marvelous CW - Published on December 14, 2017 - 1,103,792 views

Marvelous @MarvelousCW -- December 17       #MarvelousScripttoScreen #Marvelous 401 “In Somnis Veritas” written by @nickfurry featuring @therussianprincessnat @stevefrombrooklyn             [Image Caption: Screenshot of a script that reads:

INT. SUBURBAN HOUSE - BLACK WIDOW DREAM - CONTINUOUS

Black Widow blinks, smiling, but not knowing exactly why as she walks down the hallway. She takes her time looking at the pictures on the wall: her and Captain at birthday parties, picnics, restaurants... and the end: her in a wedding dress  -- from Captain’s dream sequence. She pauses, noticing that this isn’t a picture but an oil painting. But who painted this...

      CAPTAIN (O.S.)             Love? You home?

Black Widow follows the sound of rustling bags into the kitchen. Captain manages to set multiple bags of groceries on the counter, albeit struggling a little.

      BLACK WIDOW             (with a teasing smirk)             Didn’t feel like asking for help?

      CAPTAIN             (returning her teasing)             Nah. Didn’t need to bother you when I’ve got it handled.

      BLACK WIDOW             Or maybe you just don’t need me?

Captain flinches as if slapped, Black Widow’s smile fades a little, not expecting the reaction. Something feels off...

      CAPTAIN             I always need you. I’ve always needed you.

      BLACK WIDOW             I know.

      CAPTAIN             Do you?

Their eyes meet -- Captain’s fill with emotion, overwhelming Black Widow. Maintaining eye contact becomes too much. She rushes to him, pulls him into a hug.

      CAPTAIN             Sometimes I think you don’t. That I don’t tell you enough.

Black Widow finds this so absurd that she laughs, tearing up, squeezing onto him tighter.

      BLACK WIDOW             So tell me now.

Captain laughs too, and it sounds like relief. In a flash he’s lifting her up and setting her on the counter, pulling her close again. They gaze into each other’s eyes, not saying anything. It’s enough -- it always is -- but in this moment, they both need more...

-

Marvelous @MarvelousCW -- December 17      #MarvelousScripttoScreen #Marvelous 401 “In Somnis Veritas” written by @nickfurry featuring @therussianprincessnat @stevefrombrooklyn            [Image Caption: Screenshot of a script that reads:

INT. FACILITY - INFIRMARY ROOM

Captain slightly stumbles on his way into the room, looking distraught. Black Widow starts to get up from bed but he’s at her side and urging her to stay put.

      BLACK WIDOW             (looking past Captain at the door)             What’s going on?             (then, looking at him, growing more concerned at what she sees)             Are you alright?

Captain laughs, hallow and almost hysterical.

      CAPTAIN             No.             (he blinks, surprised by his own honesty, then continues on before he can talk himself out of it)             The people most important to me are fighting, or missing, or dying. And I can’t do a thing. Not a goddamn thing.

Black Widow puts her hand on his face, making him meet her eyes. She wants to reassure him, but the heartbreak she sees makes her stop short. His stare is intense -- intensely lost -- and she feels connected to his pain. She hurts just like him.

      CAPTAIN             Thank you.

      BLACK WIDOW             (blinking, tearing up)             For what?

      CAPTAIN             For not saying it’ll be alright. You never lied to me before. Even when you’re not mine, you still know what to say, or not say.

      BLACK WIDOW             I was yours?

      CAPTAIN             (swallowing, visibly fighting to not look away)             Yeah, I think so.

      BLACK WIDOW             (whispering, because she thinks she already knows the answer)             Were you mine?

      CAPTAIN             Yeah.             (cracking a half-smile)             Still am.

-

Marvelous @MarvelousCW -- December 17     And now for a #MarvelousSneakPeek #MarvelousScripttoScreen 402 “The Darkest Night” written by @nickfurry featuring @stevefrombrooklyn @corethor            [Image Caption: Screenshot of a script that reads:

INT. FACILITY - CONTINUOUS

Thor turns the corner and almost runs right into Captain. They both pause to stare at each other, exchanging a knowing look, then they crack half-smiles and bittersweet laughs. What a predicament they’ve got on their hands.

      THOR             (nodding at Black Widow’s closed bedroom door)             How is she taking everything?

      CAPTAIN             Better than I am. But that’s nothing new.             (he’s half-joking, then shrugs as he genuinely considers)             It’s a shock to her. Last thing she clearly remembers is the Red Room. The rest is a blur.

Thor exhales, letting the weight of this settle. Half a decade of memories gone -- he can’t begin to imagine how that affects her, and Captain. He tries to find the right thing to say, but Captain speaks first.

      CAPTAIN             (nodding in the direction of the communal rooms)             And Hill? Is she holding up?

      THOR             Barely. The whiskey is helping.

      CAPTAIN             You probably helped more.

      THOR             (surprised that he agrees)             I did.             (exchanging a look with Captain, offering each other half-smiles)             Just when I thought things couldn’t get any more out of sorts...

‘Marvelous’ Season Premiere Recap: “In Somnis Veritas” (continued)

December 12, 2017. 6:52 AM PST.

Back at the Facility, the Captain, Agent Hill, Agent 13, Thor, and Quicksilver are gathered in the hallway just outside the infirmary wing. Black Widow is sitting in her bed, not at all pretending to be reading rather than eavesdropping as they try to make sense of the turn of events that left the Team in shambles. But they end up with more questions than answers: How could anything drain Thor of his powers, and why? What was so important about the truck Iron Man tracked down that he intercepted it without a plan? What epiphany did Hawkeye have before he chased after Widow and ended up in a coma? Are Widow’s memories gone for good? And where the heck are Scarlet Witch, Falcon, and the Winter Soldier right now?

The conversation (understandably) grows frustrated, but now Black Widow isn’t paying attention. Exhaustion is taking over, and she feels herself drifting out until she finally gets pulled into a daydream: she finds herself in a cookie-cutter suburban house, walking down a hallway lined with frames. She and Captain are in all of the photos being displayed, carefree and happy, and the frame at the end displays an oil painting of Widow in a wedding dress. (The same one from Captain’s dream sequence, to be specific. Coincidence? Not at all.) Then, when someone calls for her, she walks into the kitchen to find Captain carrying a mass of groceries. She teases him about not needing her, but the joke falls flat, and, oh look, there’s that creepy, eerie music again. Captain assures that he does need her and he doesn’t tell her enough, and we get the sense he’s not just talking about groceries. Widow comforts him, and then the dream shifts: same house, same kitchen, but this time Widow and Captain both walk in from the garage carrying groceries. Ah, lovely - positive paralleling. They set the groceries down and Captain hoists her onto the counter, and Widow puts a hand on his face as they gaze adoringly at each other before kissing.

And naturally, this is when Widow is woken up.

Captain looks troubled (obviously) as he walks back into her room, so much so that, rather than brushing it off, he shares with Widow how helpless he feels. Widow doesn’t say anything, but of course it’s enough. It always is with them. Captain thanks her for still being “his” and this catches Widow off-guard. She hadn’t realized that they were this intimate, but it seems like Captain finally has.

(Related: How Marvelous Creates “Chemistry” Through Costume Design)

Elsewhere in the Facility infirmary, Agent Hill and Agent 13 are seated by a still-out-cold Hawkeye‘s bedside, quietly continuing to puzzle everything out. What bothers them the most is figuring out what Iron Man was chasing after, though we know the truth: whatever it is that Hawkeye figured out was what he told Iron Man to investigate while Hakweye went after Widow so he could bring her back home and clear her name. Because of course Hakweye knew the real reason behind her “betrayal”, too. What doesn’t this man know?

As Agent Hill and Agent 13′s voices fade away, we’re brought into yet another dream sequence: Hawkeye finds himself walking through a farm in the middle of nowhere, and it seems like even he doesn’t know what he’s doing there, but it’s oddly peaceful. A young girl and boy come running out of the house, laughing and playing an intense game of tag, and then shortly after a woman follows. Her attention is on the baby boy in her arms, her hair hiding her face, but all of the excited chatter coming from the kids becomes a blur of noise as the woman turns her head and we’re met with the face of the agent who left Iron Man for dead. Not that Hawkeye would know this. She touches his shoulder and leans in to kiss him, and when she pulls away, the kids are gone and they’re no longer on a farm. Instead they’re in the same warehouse where Hawkeye tracked Widow to, and the mystery woman is dressed in a black catsuit. She gives him a sweet smile, which is disturbing considering that the Captain is practically in hysterics over Widow’s body as she bleeds out on the floor.

The laughter of the kids can be heard again, the little girl exclaiming, “tag, you’re it!” just as the mystery woman’s smile takes on a sharp edge - and then Hawkeye wakes up. Agent Hill and Agent 13 are immediately at his side, but before they can begin to fuss over him, he says that he “knows what it is.” A man of few words, as always. Agent Hill tells him to lay back down and take it easy, but he goes on to say that he knows what was in that truck: weapons built with extraterrestrial technology, with the designs that had been stolen from him earlier in Season 3.

Yikes.

Meanwhile, back in the snowy mountains, we see Scarlet Witch struggling to stay upright and conscious on the floor as the red wisps of her energy start to materialize around her. The head evil scientist is still rambling, this time about explaining the grueling experiments he’s putting Scarlet Witch under, and that’s when she sees it in the corner of the room: the cube-shaped energy behind a glass containment unit, hooked up to the machine that the scientist is tinkering with. Her energy flares in alarm, which of course catches everyone’s attention. Guns are at the ready, but the scientist is unconcerned as he comes toward her with a tool Scarlet Witch has never seen before. (One of those weapons Hawkeye thought up, perhaps? Seems like a safe bet.)

The scientist grabs her arm, yanking her to her feet, but as soon as he points the tip of the strange instrument to her skin he’s blown back by a ripple of her energy. She flinches, stares down at her hands in surprise at the pain she feels from her own powers, but she isn’t given the time to ponder this: the guards are gathering around her with their guns aimed, shouting threats at her as she starts to gather her energy in her palms. The scientist stares at her in ominous fascination rather than terror, and the cube of energy starts to spark, seeming to react to her powers. The shouting escalates, until finally someone fires a shot - and in a blink, the cube of energy and Scarlet Witch’s energy explode as if detonated. The shot cuts to the laboratory from the outside as red energy bursts from within it, and from just up the mountain, we see Falcon and Winter Soldier watching as the building collapses. Sparks can be seen as everything is crumbling, and there’s a quick flash of Thor at the Facility, wincing in pain as the sparks grow more violent before fading, being absorbed by Scarlet Witch’s red energy. Thor nearly keels over, but the pain fades, replaced by frustration as he hurls the weight in his hand across the gym. He falls to his knees as he breathes heavily, and Agent Hill can be seen watching him from the door, a worried expression on her face.

Back on the mountain, we find Scarlet Witch completely untouched and laying on the snow, her red energy dissolving into the air after having protected her from the explosion. Falcon and Winter Soldier rush to her side, and after a quick check of her pulse, the two look at each other and look visibly relieved. Scarlet Witch’s eyes fly open the moment Winter Soldier touches her, but she eases all at once when she sees that it’s him, and he lifts her in his arms and tucks her to his chest as her body shakes. Scarlet Witch catches sight of her forearm as she’s being carried and immediately tenses when she notices that the fresh marks from the experiments have already significantly faded. She looks alarmed, and slightly terrified, and she catches a red spark from her fingertip before the screen cuts to black.

What did you think, Marvels? Was the Season 4 premiere everything you thought it would be? Let us know in the comments below!

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[Image Caption: Natasha Romanoff dressed in a wedding gown and Steve Rogers in a tuxedo, with Natasha sitting on his lap, the two of the holding flutes of champagne as they kiss. The cast and crew of Marvelous can be seen in the background, cheering and throwing confetti.]

stevenrogers The best Christmas will always be the one where you finally became my wife

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DECEMBER 25, 2017

[meow-face]

I have developed my fourth hyperfixation on a fictional 19th to early 20th century woman.

in case anyone is at all interested the list in order goes:

(1). Mary Poppins (2). Peggy Carter (3). Miss Peregrine (peculiar children movie) and most recently, (4). Hetty Woodstone (Ghosts CBS TV series)

like dude I’m ace as heck but when I get a hyperfixation like this I’m just a whole lot of ”????” especially since I seem to have some sort of consistent theme going here.

anyways I’m reading a fanfiction right now about one of these characters and it is making me FEEL THINGS (/pos) but it’s in progress with updates on Mondays and Wednesdays so my happiness currently revolves around looking fowards to those days and those days only! :D

[kfedup]

Saturday was nearly perfect. Did a bit of writing in the morning and then a half hour workout in my living room before I ventured out to the bank for cash and to the farmers market. I picked up 2 dozen eggs, a whole chicken, andouille sausage for gumbo, a pack of wings, mixed greens, kale, a huge head of escarole, celery, Napa cabbage, arugula, and a bag of Carter’s Nicaragua coffee beans. 

I had a great convo with a few people about the article I’m working on for the market newsletter and possibly the local paper about my friend Jeff’s restaurant Erie Street Kitchen. Jeff shared with me when I was in for dinner Friday night with a date that he spent $14K with market and other local producers for ingredients last year. He’s working with more than a dozen people every week. Nobody else in Kent is doing that yet, and people need to hear about it. 

I hadn’t visited the market in a few weeks, so it was wonderful to catch up with everyone. The manager was grabbing testimonial videos on the market iPad out front in the sunshine - asking what people love about the market. I babbled on for a few minutes about how for me the market is all about conviviality. It’s a place to gather around one of our most important daily activities - eating - where we can get to know the producers and ask about processes, see our neighbors, spend our money within our community, and fill ourselves with that special kind of sunshine that emanates from everyone. It’s my church. And it feels so good to be past the deep sorrow I felt for so long after leaving the manager position and to be able to enjoy being there without feeling like I am missing out on something important by not being in charge anymore. Without feeling like I failed. 

I gave many hugs and packed my stuffed bags into the cargo bin and made my way over to Towner’s Woods to meet a friend for a hike. We walked about 3.5 miles without seeing very many people. Lots of snow on north facing slopes and big mud patches wherever the trail tilted southward. The ice is off the lake, which felt remarkable seeing as three weeks ago I stood next to it and listened to the thick ice crack and thunder and roll, echoing in the low basin. It melted quickly considering how cold it’s still been aside from our one 55 degree day last Sunday. The many small vernal pools we passed still had thin skins of shimmering ice. Someone told me they heard peepers in there last Sunday. 

We were hungry after the hike so drove into town and had lunch at Taco Tonto’s, then made a quick visit to the new vinyl record store around the corner. My friend commented that just like in a comic book store, it was full of dudes and they all looked at me funny for being a female in the wrong habitat or something? I laughed and loudly asked if he would keep his eye out for a Juice Newton album, which he promptly found and brandished in the air. I didn’t really want it, though. 

At home I caught up via FaceTime with my friend Lee who is in Jerusalem. We talked about longing and desire and habits. About loving our independent lifestyles but missing intimacy and about how good it feels to be developing even more solid self-care rituals that are becoming habits. 

After that I had a phone call with JD - a newish friend via Ami with whom things are suddenly sparking in a very natural, lovely way. He lives in Asheville, NC but comes up to Ohio an hour away in Medina for 10 days at a time every month for the job he took in the fall. He’s relocating here permanently by midsummer, looking for a large piece of land where he wants to build small houses and start a sort of intentional community. He’s a mining engineer, owns a very popular Meadery where he makes super dry delicious mead. Like, shockingly good. I don’t like mead. I love his mead. He’s also an old-timey musician and likes to do traditional dancing. Very smart and interesting man. Hmm. 

My Friday night date was a first date with the last person I interacted with online before deleting my profiles a month or so ago. Took us a while to find time to get together, but I’m glad we did. Very sweet and kind and funny man. Lives an hour away (don’t they all?!) but I’m open to seeing him again. He was sweet to drive to Kent - we met at my house and walked downtown for dinner. It was a clear, chilly night and the walk home with full bellies was lovely. I felt bad about his hour drive back, but so it goes. 

It’s funny I didn’t even intend to be dating anymore, but these two fell into place and I’m intent on going with the flow. I’m doing such a good job of not projecting or putting expectations on anything man related right now. That feels good.  

But, so then the day yesterday got weird. While I was on the phone with JD, my head started to hurt and my eyes felt full of fire. My cheeks turned beet red, almost like a niacin flush, but then the heat crept all over. I had a fever and couldn’t keep my eyes open. Slept for a few hours, woke and still felt crappy. Ate a little something and watched Sneaky Pete until midnight. Slept and the fever broke around 4am. Back to sleep until 7. Feel fine now, thank goodness. No idea what the heck that was, but so glad it’s gone.

I have a pile of work I need to do today to get ready for missing two days so I can go to Ami’s dad’s funeral in Toledo Tuesday and Wednesday. Plus, I still need to get my tax info together to drop off at the accountant this week, and do a bit of cooking, cleaning, and laundry. But it’s a stunning clear day - only 20 degrees at the moment, but going up to 42 again. I’m going to get myself dressed and head over to Hiram Field Station to do the five mile loop through the forest. The stream will be running. I need to hear that small water sluicing sound. Then I gotta get some shit accomplished. Crap. How is it 9:00 already? 

Happy Sunday, babies. 

[thorne93]

Awkward Moments (Part 4)

Prompt: Imagine being in love with Howard Stark back in the 40s...Only to meet his son nearly a century later. What will Tony think of you?

Word Count: 1123

Warning: A few layers of angst later on

Note: I thought of this as I watched Captain America: First Avenger, I loved Howard's humor and his wit. So I was inspired. It also prompted me to binge watch Agent Carter from start to finish. I realize this is sort of...out of my usual scope, but inspiration struck so I went with it! I hope you like it!

These chapters will be rather short.

Shout out to my beta @like-a-bag-of-potatoes

Forever Tags: @capsmuscles @cocosierra94 @essie1876 @magpiegirl80 @letsgetfuckingsuperwholocked @harleyquinnandscarletwitch @iamwarrenspeace @marvel-imagines-yes-please @superwholocked527 @myparadise1982sand @missinstantgratification @thejulesworld @rda1989 @marvelloushamilton @munlis  @bubblyanarocks3 @thefridgeismybestie @random-fluffy-pink-unicorn @hardcollectionworldtrash @igiveupicantthinkofausername @kaliforniacoastalteens @feelmyroarrrr @kaeling @ijustwanttobepartofyourworld

AM Tags: @masha-meow01 @mellsstark @devil-may-cry-11-blog @smi727

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

After they discharged you, you rode in a strange car to a compound a few hours away. Everything looked so different. The cars. The clothing. The hair styles. You had so much to catch up on. What all had changed? What had stayed the same?

Steve rolled up to a very new looking building - at least it looked new to you, it could’ve been old and outdated for all you knew, but it looked nice and well kept.

“This is the Avenger’s compound,” Steve informed. “Howard’s son had it built. His name is Tony by the way.”

“Tony Stark,” you breathed as you eyed the large facility. “The Avengers? What’s that?” you asked as you snapped out of your thoughts.

“It was a group formed to protect Earth. Me, Tony, and a handful of other really good people are in it. Earth’s mightiest heroes is what they call us,” he informed with a tiny smirk. You knew Steve probably thought it was silly but regardless of what they called it, you knew he would do everything in his being to fight for the right cause. “Come on, let me introduce you to everyone.”

You nodded as you got out and Steve grabbed the small bag of your things Howard had packed for you many years ago.Thankfully, you hadn’t aged a day, otherwise the clothes might’ve looked strange. Thanks to the power of Tesseract and the capsule’s powers together, it kept you just as fresh and young as the day that power hit you.

He walked you into the compound and you gazed around at all of the different rooms. You looked inside one glass room and saw that there were holograms floating, moving, doing calculations. You couldn’t stifle the gasp that came from your mouth.

“Steve,” you breathed, turning to him.

He smiled and nodded. “It’s a lot to take in, believe me. I can help catch you up.”

You nodded gently and moved forward. Sure, you were shell shocked, confused, in disbelief, freshly heartbroken but...you also couldn’t ignore the fact that you basically time traveled. Technology and engineering must be so advanced now compared to when you were in the labs with Howard.

After an elevator ride up a few floors, you entered what looked like a typical living area - couches, a TV, coffee table, kitchen, two dining tables.

Steve walked over to an intercom, hit a button, and asked that the Avengers join him in the common area. Within a minute or two, a whole group of people were occupying the space that was once bare.

“Y/N, meet most the Avengers. Sam Wilson, Wanda Maximoff, Vision, Natasha Romanoff, and Tony Stark,” Steve introduced as he gestured to each person. You nodded to all of them.

“So nice to meet you all,” you said quietly.

“Everyone, this is Y/F/N. I knew her back in the day...before I went under,” Steve started. “She just recently woke up, so let’s try not to bombard her with questions or overload her information.”

“And just what did you do...back in the day?” Tony asked as he peered at you. You looked at his eyes and you saw Howard. It nearly took your breath away.

“I---I--I worked with Howard on his ideas,” you informed, still mesmerized by this handsome man Howard raised. You felt almost….pride for him. You were thrilled to see that his son followed in his footsteps.

It was a bit dizzying seeing a grown man that was your first and only love’s son, though, who was already older than the man you were in love with. Heck, he was older than you.

This time jump was insanity.

“Oh, Dad never told me about you,” Tony said curiously as his eyes narrowed on you. In a way, you knew you should be hurt that Howard never mentioned you. But what was he supposed to do? Mention his first love was in a coma? You didn't fault Howard for not telling his son about you. You couldn't imagine how he felt about you. Knowing you were in a coma because of him. So you didn't feel bad or betrayed or hurt. You understood.

“Is she Hydra?” Tony asked Steve suddenly.

“Hydra? Didn’t Hydra die when you went into the ice?” you asked Steve.

“Ah, long story. But no, Tony, she’s not Hydra. You can trust her.”

“Hard to trust someone who looks that good in heels,” he commented.

“Uh, Tony--” Steve started before Tony raised a screwdriver in his hand to silence him.

“No, no. I’m curious. Dad had someone as gorgeous as you working on his staff and failed to mention that. Wonder why…” He mused as he cocked his head to the side.

“What? Do you not believe in beauty and brains?” you challenged lightly, a hint of a smile on your face.

“Oh, no, I’m a firm believer in that. Look at me, I clearly have both,” he said with a smirk. Oh yes, he was Howard Stark’s son alright. “Come on, let me show you the lab. I’m sure you’re curious about the technology Dad paved the way for.”

“Oh, yes, please do,” you encouraged, excited to see it. You bid a farewell to everyone and followed him into the lab, Steve right behind you.

“So what all have you missed? When did you go to sleep?” Tony asked as he started to work.

“Just one year after Steve,” you informed, eyeing your old friend.

“Wow. Then you have a lot to catch up on, huh?” he asked as he tinkered with something. “So what did you do for dear old dad?”

“I was his assistant. I helped with the math and engineering,” you explained.

Tony nodded before standing up.

“I’m trying to figure you out,” he said, pointing the screwdriver at you. “FRIDAY, continue running diagnostics,” he called out.

“Yes, boss,” a female Scottish voice replied.

“Is that…?” you asked, in awe, looking around you in astonishment.

“The most advanced A.I in the western hemisphere, created by yours truly?” Tony said. “Yes, yes it is.”

Internally, you grinned at his confidence and ego. Like father like son. Howard’s ego was huge, but he never needed it stroked because he did that enough himself. “That’s…that’s amazing,” you breathed.

“I could use someone like you,” Tony suddenly said. “It might take some time to get you up to speed on all the mechanics, computers, internet....but I think you could get there. Dad must’ve seen something in you, to let you be his assistant…”

“Your father sought me out right after college,” you informed, recalling the bittersweet memory.

“He has good taste,” he noted with a sideways grin.

“Tony--” you started.

“What? It’s just a compliment. You all did take compliments in the 40’s right? That wasn’t something new for my generation, was it?” He shrugged. “It’s just an observation.”

Steve casted Tony a weary glance, with the tiniest of smirks on his face.

“I appreciate you observing my looks, Tony, but I assure to you there’s more than just a pretty face,” you stated.

“That’s obvious, or Dad wouldn’t have kept you around.” He turned around and waved you over. “I want to show you my suit,” he called over his shoulder.

[mitchbeck]

CANTLON: (SAT) PACK SKATE PAST BRUINS 4-1

BY: Gerry Cantlon, Howlings HARTFORD, CT - After a 5-1 drubbing from the Sound Tigers in Bridgeport on Friday night, the Wolf Pack rebounded perfectly led by outstanding performances by Boo Nieves, Yegor Rykov, and Igor Shesterkin as Hartford beat Providence, 4-1, and in the process skated back into first place, percentage points ahead of the Bruins. The win was the franchise's 100th against the Bruins in the 23 years that these two teams have battled. The Wolf Pack record increases to 18-8-2-5 (43 points), and they maintain their unbeaten streak when leading after two periods (14-0-1-2). “That is one of our biggest improvements. We like going into the third period with a lead,” Nieves said. “I couldn’t say we were like that the last several years, but that shows our confidence. It's one of the reasons we have the confidence, and that’s why we’ve been at or near first place, I can safely say, so far this season.” The Wolf Pack are also 13-1-0-2 at home. The Pack didn't win their 13th game at home last season until February 13th against the Toronto Marlies. The Wolf Pack started the game in the fashion you want after a tough loss. They came out with energy and a determination to correct their mistakes from the previous night. “We had a meeting after the game last night. We had to address the things we did wrong and what we could do better. It wasn’t (terrible) mistakes, but things we did wrong that came back to haunt us. We made sure we came out fast and had the puck in their end (of the ice) and to make plays at a high speed, and we did that,” Nieves said. He and Vincent LoVerde both wore an A on their jersey while captain, Steven Fogarty, is on recall with the New York Rangers. With a vociferous Saturday night holiday crowd of 5,625 to inspire them, the Wolf Pack returned the favor by getting the crowd into the game early by striking on a power play. The team launched five shots on goal in the first half of the power play and finally connected on the second half. Nieves took a pass from Yegor Rykov in full stride, and like a locomotive at full speed, slipped around Bruins' forward Oskar Steen. Nieves sent a short pass to Phil Di Giuseppe who one-timed his shot to the short-side at 2:12 for his tenth goal of the season and gave his team a 1-0 lead. What makes the goal more remarkable was that Nieves wasn’t supposed to be on the ice. “Boo made one heck of play there, but Boo wasn’t suppose to be on the power play,” Pack head coach Kris Knoblauch told Howlings. “We had a big face off, so he was out there (to take it) and then usually (he) comes off. The irony is he lost it. While he was skating back up the ice on the breakout, he was talking to his linemates about what his responsibility on (the) breakouts are and he knew what he wanted to do. Sometimes its best to let them play and not over-coach them. Sometimes, not having a plan, works out well.” For Nieves, his familiarity with Di Guiseppe from their days as Michigan Wolverines came in handy. “I played a lot of hockey with him at Michigan. All I know is, I have to beat one guy and he’s the one guy who can make a shot like that, and he could have two or three tonight.” The Pack got their second goal as Vinni Lettieri sent the puck to Tim Gettinger in the slot. He snapped another 35-foot wrist shot against the grain that sailed past Bruins netminder, Max Lagace, for his seventh goal of the season. It also turned out to be his third game winner of the year. “It was a great play by Vinni coming up the wall," Gettinger said. "I was just able to get to the middle and get the shot off and was lucky it went in. Personal success comes from team success when everybody is contributing every individual succeeds.” His teammate Nieves had high praise for him. “To be honest, I don’t think he gets enough credit. He has size. He hits. He has been one of our best penalty killers. He can do it all. He makes my job much easier.” In the third period, the Wolf Pack did their best to limit the Bruins any scoring opportunities and when they did manage to get one, Igor Shesterkin (30 saves) and the team defense kept the door shut. “I can’t say enough about how well he has played. He’s given us the confidence because we know he is back there and is gonna stop those pucks. He doesn’t say a lot out there, but he sure stops a lot of pucks. I’m not sure if there is a correlation in that,” Nieves said with a laugh. The Wolf Pack took a commanding 3-0 lead when Yegor Rykov was below the goal line on the left-wing side with the puck. He fired a perfect diagonal pass to Vitali Kravtsov in the right-wing circle. The puck was in-and-out of the net by the time Lagace came across the crease to make a play on it. It was Kravtsov’s second goal of the season. “It was a very nice goal, and he nearly had another off a face-off that just went over the crossbar on the power-play. He is blocking shots, that race back last night to prevent a goal, he is in a good place right now," Knoblauch said. "You can’t play one way on offense. We like how his defensive game is evolving.” Rykov’s continued play with the puck adds a whole new dimension. “His strength is his play with the puck. He is so composed with it, skates with his head-up and has excellent awareness of where he and his teammates are on the ice,” the Pack coach said. The Bruins struck back nine seconds later after Jonna Koppanen took a drop pass from Pavel Shen and then with all sorts of open real estate drifted to the top of the right-wing circle and snapped a wrist shot over Shesterkin's outstretched glove for his seventh of the season. The Wolf Pack regained a three-goal lead as Beleskey was on the doorstep and took a Nieves pass and backhanded his seventh of the season past Lagace at 14:09. It was all Wolf Pack with a 14-6 shot advantage in the first period. Veteran defenseman Mason Geersten again set the tone for the game against a key divisional rival with a jarring, crunching hit on Trent Frederic like he did a week ago and then got into a scrap with Brendan Woods. “Mason’s been awesome. With him you know every night what he’s going to bring every shift. He moves the puck out of the zone real well. He’s also awesome off the ice. He’s always backing us up. We really appreciate what he brings to this team.” The coach was in complete agreement. “He’s very important to this team. He’s good moving the puck and his physical assets have been a key in some of the big games we have played this season like tonight.” LINES:: Nieves - Beleskey - Gropp O’Regan - Kravtsov - Di Giuseppe Jones - Lettieri - Gettinger Zerter-Gossage - Fox - McBride Raddysh - LoVerde Keane - Geersten Rykov - Ebert SCRATCHES: Patrick Newell (Upper Body - Day-to-Day) Jeff Taylor (Healthy) Lias Andersson (Suspended) Gabriel Fontaine (Shoulder Surgery - Season-Ending) NOTES: Knoblauch hopes Newell will be back for Tuesday’s New Year’s Eve game. Fogarty played just 2:46 and had one hit in the Rangers 5-4 OT win in Toronto and wore number 29. Fogarty, the team's second leading scorer, had to make sure his passport was in his travel bag when he left. He's in Toronto with the Rangers, then travels to Edmonton on Tuesday, Calgary Thursday and Vancouver a week from today. The Pack are now undefeated in the season series thus far at 5-0-0-1. The Wolf Pack lead the all-time home record in this classic AHL series is 55-31-5-7 as well in the overall mark 100-69-14-9. The Wolf Pack leading scorer in the series is defenseman Darren Raddysh (1-5-6) and Jack Studnicka of Providence is tops against the Wolf Pack (3-1-4). Newest Wolf Pack Dillan Fox wore number 23 and is the 32nd player on the Wolf Pack this season. Wolf Pack Fan Jersey of the night - #39 Cory Larose. UConn skated to a 2-2 tie against St. Lawrence in Hanover, NH at the 31st annual Ledyard Classic at Thompson Arena at Dartmouth College.. Senior Alexander Payusov scored with point three seconds left in regulation with late game starter junior Bradley Stone (London, England) was pulled for an extra attacker with 1:26 left. Stone (21 saves) made his first collegiate start because sophomore Tomas Vomacka missed his first start of the season because of illness. Stone stopped eight of nine shots in a tournament shootout (the game officially is a tie for their NCAA records). Huskies sophomore defenseman Wyatt Newpower had the other UConn goal and Carter Turnbull tallied the shootout winner ended the nine round mini-marathon. Read the full article

[themusicplayedherlife]

Take a Chance (Part 8)

pairings: Steve Rogers x Reader characters: Reader, Natasha Romanoff, Steve Rogers, Sharon Carter word count: 2,000+ warnings: angsty? cussing, some new information about Sam and Amora, and Steve and Sharon a/n: guys, night shift has been kicking my ass and i hate it. this was supposed to be out two weeks ago but it has been rewritten so many times because i was tired when writing and it was all coming out to be angst and too much and im just rambling and making no sense still omg i need sleep. summary: AU! After a one night stand at a friend’s wedding, you gain something that could change your life for the better or worse.

Prev||All Parts||Next

Math has never been your forte in school. Your creativity, however, has taken you lengths that you never thought were possible. But you’re not stupid, you know the simplists of maths to the hardest of equations, it just took you longer than normal (and a lot of breaks) for you to solve them.

This time, however, it didn’t take long to figure out why you couldn’t solve the formula that was slowly becoming a mess.

From the very moment you met Steve, there had always been a missing factor in his equation. And that missing factor is Sharon. She is the woman that turned Steve into a lovesick, heartbroken puppy. She is the woman that his father constantly mentioned as if to spite you and remind his son there was someone else. 

Most importantly, she is the woman that holds the key to solving Steve’s equation; the factor, that when plugged into your formula, makes it difficult to solve.

From your angle, you watch Sharon tilt her head to the side, blocking Steve’s expression. But even with her blocking his facial expression, you see the way the rest of his large frame stiffens in front of her thin body, hands raising to her shoulders.

In a blink of an eye, Sharon stumbles back, a surprised squeal leaving her lips as she does.

It's almost comical how she straightens up immediately and starts berating him for pushing her away. Steve only apologizes in response, smiling sheepishly as if what just happened wasn't such a big deal.

But it is. He just stopped the girl he was moping about during Sam’s and Amora’s wedding from kissing him. The girl his father was constantly bringing up as if to spite you. The girl you're pretty sure he was (and maybe still is) in love with.

“Steve?” You call his name to gain his attention, loving the way his attention swiftly moves from Sharon to you.

He says your name in surprise, a nervous glint in his wide eyes as he looks at you. “What are you--” he looks back at Sharon once before making quick strides to stop right in front of you. “Are you okay? I've been trying to get in touch with you all day.”

“I can tell,” you say, eyes drifting to Sharon who is now facing you, and you don't mean to say it so harshly, but wow, okay. She is prettier in person, and taller too. What the actual fuck. Was Steve dating a model? Is she a model?! No wonder Steve’s dad wanted him to get back together with her; compared to her, you're practically a child. Heck, even your friends are children compared to the gorgeous, leggy blonde, and you friends are downright hot! Now you just can't help but think how he was able to restrain himself from kissing her!

Noticing the sarcastic undertone in your voice and how your eyes move away from him, he quickly jumps on the defensive. “No, no--she--she just came over to apologize, I swear--”

“Steve, who is she?” Sharon, who had been silent when you first spoke up, had been watching your and Steve’s interaction, and she isn't stupid, she can see something is going on between the two of you. What that ‘something’ is, she doesn't know, not even you and Steve are one hundred percent sure you know either.

Before Steve can answer, you introduce yourself, patting your stomach affectionately and smiling smugly when her face falls, “I'm the mother of his child. And you are?”

“Sharon, his fiancé.” It's her turn to look smug as your expression falls. Fiancé? He never mentioned a fiancé!? Or did he? No! He never has! What the hell is going on?!

“No, that's not--she’s not--” Steve stumbles over his words, growing even more panicked as you and Sharon have a stare down. He looks to Natasha for help but she's too busy staring Sharon down, waiting for her to make the wrong move.

“I have the ring to prove it.” That’s funny, you just thought you heard her say she has a ring to prove it.

She moves her hair covering her shoulders to her back and lifts a gold chain from around her neck to pull out something that looks vaguely like a ring hanging from it.

“Oh, fuck,” Natasha gasps, making you realize you aren’t seeing things. She definitely just pulled out an engagement ring from under her shirt.

“You still have it?” Steve sputters, eyes wide.

“You gave it to me,” Sharon frowns, showing off her ring. “Of course, I'm going to keep it.”

“What the hell, Steve!” you smack his taut stomach with the back of your hand, and you're sure it hurt you more than it did him. The man has some rock hard muscles. “You're engaged?!”

“We’re not!” he blurts quickly, not filtering his words, “She said no when I asked! So, we're not!” Oh! Oh. Realizing what he just confessed, he slowly deflates, his shoulders hunching ever so slightly. You almost feel sorry for him, almost, but Sharon completely trashes that.

“That's why I came to talk to you! I know I said no, but I--”

“Wait! You said you came to talk to me because you wanted to be friends again! Not to start this,” he gestures between the two of them wildly, “again!”

Sharon’s voice fills with desperation and she starts pleading with him, “I know that! I do! But I didn't know how else you'd let me in. Steve, please, I'm sorry. I thought I wasn't ready for marriage but I am! This time apart has made me realize that I love--”

He stops her before she could finish her sentence, “Sharon, I'm sorry, but,” he glances at you as you stare back, watching curiously as he speaks, “I can't do that.”

“Is it because of her? Is she really pregnant?” Is she really talking about you as if you aren’t here? As if you’re not witnessing this whole trainwreck?

“Yes,” is his simple answer, smiling softly when you furrow your eyebrows in displeasure.

“But you don't have to be with her--we could--we could raise the child as a married couple and--” If she thinks she’s going to raise your kid, she has another thing coming!

Right when you’re about to open your mouth and tell Sharon off for even suggesting something so heinous, Steve stops you.

He turns away from you to look at Sharon, and his heart breaks at the expression on her face. She looks ready to cry, holding tears back by biting on her lip and narrowing her eyes. “No, Sharon, I'm sorry.” And he is. He truly is sorry. If this had happened under different circumstances, or maybe a month ago, he'd probably have accepted in a heartbeat.

“Nothing I say will change your mind?” He shakes his head and it’s silent for a few more moments before Sharon finally speaks, “I understand.” She removes the ring from her neck slowly, and with a gentleness you have never seen before, she places the ring and gold chain in his hand, “Then I should return this.”

“You don't--”

“I know you told me to keep it, but I think this belongs to someone else now,” she says as her eyes drift to you.

“Thank you,” Steve murmurs and she nods once before turning away from all of you and walking away.

“What just happened?” Natasha says, dumbfounded by how easily that all ended. She probably thought Sharon would put up more of a fight, or that Steve would run after her, but they didn’t.

They just solved x for you.

When Steve invites you up to his apartment, Natasha excuses herself, promising to pick you up later and that she would be nearby checking out some of the stores in the area if you need her. You thank her, and she takes her leave (not before warning Steve that if he hurts you, she was going to come after him with vengeance), leaving you alone with Steve.

Steve starts the walk back to the entrance of the building and opens the door, letting you go in first. As you make your way to the elevator, you break the tense silence.

“You okay?”

“Huh?” He shakes his head gently, pulling himself out of whatever train of thought he was in. “Yeah, yeah I’m okay. I think.”

Fair enough, you want to say, instead, you nod. “So… marriage, huh. That’s quite a leap.”

He chuckles dryly, deflecting the attention away from him and Sharon, to you and him, “You say that as if we haven’t taken a huge leap ourselves. And might have to take another.”

“Ugh, don’t remind me.”

“You're not into the idea?”

“You're not too into it either.”

“Well, can you blame me?”

“No,” you watch him as he glares holes into the elevator’s door, “but you had a chance to get Sharon back and start anew. It could've been your ticket to avoiding this whole marriage business your dad wants for us. But you didn’t, so...”

He ignores what you’re trying to imply, that Steve is leaning towards the possibility of marriage, but still not fully embracing it; instead, he focuses on the Sharon bit, and you don’t mind. It allows you to avoid the outcome of what this conversation might lead to for a little longer. “I guess so.” The elevator dings and you both step out.

“So, why didn't you?” you ask, following him to his apartment. “I mean, putting aside the threat your dad made looming over us like a dark cloud.”

He laughs genuinely at that, shaking his head as he opens the door with a slide of his keycard and steps aside to let you in first, “Putting aside that factor, there's still you and our baby in the equation.”

“Okay, what if there wasn't a baby in this equation. Just you and me, and no pending baby.”

He gives you a look before disappearing into the kitchen, leaving you alone in the middle of his living room. Of course. And really, that's all the answer you need. Doesn't make you feel any good about it though.

“Forget that,” he says, his voice loud and coming from the kitchen, “why don't you want to get married?”

“Marriage is a farce,” you say, plopping yourself down onto his black sofa. “Just a signature on a piece of paper that later brings misery upon everyone involved.”

“Why do I have the vague feeling you said something like that before?” His voice gets clearer as he reappears in the living room with two glasses of water. “Not the whole misery thing, that’s new, but that marriage is a farce part.”

You scrunch your nose as you try to think, “Have I?”

“I feel like you have.”

Frowning, you take the glass from him as he offers it to you. “Well, it’s true anyway. Look at Amora and Sam, they only got married because Amora wanted to cover up the fact that she wasn’t just interested in men, but women as well, from her conservative family, and so that she could finally get a position of power within her father’s fashion company and gain the respect she deserves for her designs. Sam’s in the same boat as her, only accepted because his job wouldn’t let him climb the social ladder and gain respect within his group of medical peers unless he was married or divorced. It was all about convenience for them; thus, a farce.”

Steve, who was about to take a seat on the armchair next to the sofa, stops half-way and is staring at you wide-eyed, making you feel uncomfortable. “Well, shit.”

“What?” you shy away, taking a sip of your water. “I didn’t say anything that wasn’t true.”

“I didn’t know about all of that…” No one did, you think. Only you. “But… you never know, they might learn to love one another one day.”

Just like Steve had said earlier, something about what he said was vaguely familiar, but you couldn’t put your finger on it. Could it be possible you both talked about it that night? When you were both off your rockers?

“Are you saying we might learn to love one another if we get married?”

Steve blushes, ducking his head shyly as he stammers. “That’s not--I didn’t--What--I--”

You laugh, enjoying how he tries to recover from your teasing. “I’m kidding.”

He clears his throat and pushes aside his flustered expression. “Okay, you explained why marriage is a farce, but not why you don’t want to get married.”

“I did, I just used Amora and Sam as an example.”

He sighs, “That’s not really an explanation as to why we shouldn’t get married. The only similarity I see is that we have a reason to get married, just like they did.”

“Steve,” you groan. You don’t want to get into that conversation, it would leave you too vulnerable, naked and bare, and you don’t want that. You don’t want to reveal that part of you. That part of you that could possibly unravel the equation and make it simpler, or harder.

“I’m serious, (Y/N). I want to know. This isn’t just about us anymore,” he says, his eyes dropping to your stomach that is slowly starting to show, “remember that.”

“I--” You know he’s right, but it isn’t easy. It’s not a story you can tell by just opening your mouth and letting the words flow out. Because as soon as you try to, they lodge in your throat like the time you tried to tell your sister she was going to be okay without Vicky’s dad by her side. Like the time you caught your mom crying in the bathroom all by her lonesome after the divorce was finalized, and you tried to tell her that you were going to be strong for her and your sister. Like the time you found your dad drunk off of his ass in the middle of his new apartment, and you tried telling him you loved him. But you couldn’t say any of that. “Do we have to get married?”

His eyes move back to your face, and he stares for a second longer than is necessary. “We don’t have to, but…”

“You have a lot more riding on this…”

“I do. Not just me: but the company, Bucky, Tony, our employees, and most importantly: our baby.” Once again, he’s right. This isn’t just about you and your feelings towards marriage anymore. It involves other people in an equation that started formulating the moment you slept with Steve, or maybe… when you met Steve.

“Then promise me, Steve.” You catch his eyes again, your head following his gaze so they stay on you. “Promise me that if we get married, we’ll put all our effort into making our baby happy. That you won’t let Sharon or anyone else come between us. That it’ll just be us three and no one else.”

“I promise.”

“And promise me that if we ever decide to get a divorce, we won’t put our child in the middle of it all. We’ll do it as quiet and as civilly as we can.”

He’s taken aback by your words. “I don’t think we’re ever going to--”

“Promise me, Steve. No matter what, we won’t make our child suffer.” They won’t suffer like you did; like your sister did; like your mother did; like your father did; like Vicky pretends she’s not. You bite your lip, waiting for Steve to answer.

It only takes him an inhale for him to do so, but it feels longer than that, “I promise.”

Math isn’t your forte, and it might never be, but you’re not stupid. Your equation comes with a lot of x’s and a bunch of a’s and b’s, and a few c’s. But you’re solving it, slowly, but surely, solving it. The only difference between now and other times is that this time, you’re not solving it alone.

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