#i wonder if we're gonna see them in third book

[tenrose]

I finished the Dark Forest and I honestly don't think this trilogy is gonna end well...

[sonotkari]

Tiny Bits Of Love

Kim Minji x Fem Reader

[ Synopsis ]

Your nonchalant looking seatmate was the last person you expected to get answers on what love was. Maybe they were more than sticky memo pads.

Fluff

[ Word Count ]

1.3k

[ a/n ]

Another random idea popped out at midnight + written in a short span of time + w/ rush + without a single thought in mind so heads up! Yes this isn't the one I spoiled heck I don't even know if that's gonna be published lmao Casually dropping this and dissapearing again /ᐠ｡ꞈ｡ᐟ\

To lonely nights craving for love, dis for u bae <3

It is said that first impressions are made in the first three seconds of your interactions. "She looks scary" was yours the moment you laid eyes on your seatmate, Kim Minji. Not like the rest, laughing on whatever topic they were chit-chatting around, she was quietly sitting on her seat looking in front without a thought. She looked so nonchalant and you, who were usually― no, always surrounded by loud lively people, it wasn't helped when you felt unease, glancing at the girl with a straight expression on her face. She almost looks like that one emoji with a straight-lined mouth. And that may be your second impression of her. But as they say "Third time's a charm" or you weren't really sure whether that was the right phrase to imply but still, it felt something like that at your third impression of Minji which changed very differently from the previous ones. You were right all along at the fact that lively people always surrounded you and that thought became stronger at each smack you earned from her laughing her ass out beside you. Minji was far from nonchalant. She laughed at anything and everything whether it was that one crappy joke the History teacher made or those lame dad jokes one of your friends would yell out. Always smacked someone's shoulder while she was bursting out laughing with whatever she found funny. And if we're going straight to the point here, you fell in love with the girl.

You weren't getting at first why you felt so happy and giddy as well when she was, or why seeing her smile looking your way even if it wasn't her intention to make your heart pound like crazy but later on your friend was the one smacking the shit out of you laughing because apparently, you were dense. "Y/n, don't you get it? That's love… You're in love!!" and that was the moment everything sank in. Love. You've already heard that term a million times if not a billion times throughout your life. You've seen the movies, read the books, and been there on the sidelines when your friends fell in love with somebody and needed support. You had a few crushes back then but come to think of it, you just liked them because everybody else did, not knowing how the feelings worked. Nodding and responding with a hum every time the other girls would coo about these boys saying "He's so cool/handsome" every 5 seconds. But now thinking of Minji, it makes your heart pound and wonder why or how she makes you so happy with small things like linking your arms while walking down the hallway or sitting beside each other at classes you had with her. So this is love.

And now that it sank into you what love was, well not maybe entirely but at least you understood what it felt like to be in love, the next thing you know you were pouring it nonstop on Minji. Giving random gifts like cream puffs you bought because it reminded you of her or strawberry lattes which was her favorite drink of all time with a memo note stuck on it with short messages written like "Have a great day" or "I'll see you again later" which you could've just texted to her anyways but there was just something about taking your time to write them. The way Minji would rush at you with a smile while holding those memos thanking you every single time was definitely making you fall for her more. Her smile, her laugh, every single thing she does, you find it all cute adoring her every second, your eyes refusing to tear out from the sight of the girl. Minji's face was the one you'd instantly notice in a crowd, she was the one you'd always find for every short or long period break, and her existence was the only thing you'd look forward to at school. It came to the point where you couldn't hold on to your feelings anymore and firmly placed a letter on Minji's hand on her way home without making eye contact, doing your best to voice out words despite your flustered state. "Read it when you get home. Alone!"

A letter might've been too much, you really didn't know since everything was a first-time experience. But knowing you'd stutter in an instant if you confessed to her face to face and not being able to tell her your feelings because of it, you'd rather write it all and be thought of as cheesy or whatever than regret not being able to tell her properly. All your worries were washed away when you saw her the next morning with a beaming smile on her face, telling you straightforwardly: "I like you too"

That was exactly 4 years ago and now, you were organizing things, deciding which item goes to which box since you and Minji were moving to a different apartment soon. Even if it was hard to throw away, you had to get rid of things that you won't need for the future because securing space was a very big deal when it comes to apartments. So there you were looking through every stuff making sure you wouldn't take anything unscary with you, until you came across a small box. You don't remember seeing it before so it was probably Minji's. "Love is this yours?" Looking back at her putting some of her stuff inside boxes, Minji turned your way as she slightly lifted her black-framed glasses. "Oh yeah, that's mine…!" Half surprised, half excited, she quickly went your way and sat beside you carefully taking the box from your hands as if it was the most venerable thing. "I almost forgot about this" "What is it??" Curiously shifting your gaze from the box to Minji, she flashed a smile before slowly opening the box. Not noticing what it was at first but then, you out a loud gasp as you took a thing out of the box, examining it with a surprised expression. "You still had this!?" You say as you look at the yellow sticky pad with the memo "Have a great day" written in bad handwriting.

There were a couple more inside the box and looking at them one by one reminded you of the days back then. "You kept it…? But they're just memo pads…" "No…" Minji softly murmurs, looking down with a glimpse of affection at the memo pads you were holding. "They're more than memo pads. They're reminders of how much you cared and thought for me back then, before you gave this to me" She pulls out a familiar small brown envelope. "Oh my god, Minji!?" You excitedly squealed as that envelope was the love letter you shoved her in a rush 4 years ago. Scooting over and sitting between Minji's legs as she wrapped her arms around you getting comfortable, you re-read the whole letter with grunts and nose scrunching in cringe along the way. "God, this is so embarrassing…" Minji outs a soft laugh while she rests her chin on your shoulder, probably also re-reading your confession to her, feeling the nostalgia and rewinding all the memories at the back of her head.

Looking back at the box and what it contained inside, your eyes grow bigger every second seeing that Minji kept all the trinkets, bracelets you made her to match, receipts from when you both went out shopping all day, weird-shaped key chains you used to find cute back then, little notes you'd pass at each other during class while the teacher wasn't paying attention. "Literally everything…?" Feeling your girlfriend's embrace tighten on you and her face buried probably because she got a bit embarrassed that you found her little treasure box, you felt the overwhelming sensation of affection wash all over your chest as you smiled looking back and trying to face Minji who would look anywhere but your eyes. "Of course, I kept everything" She finally murmured with a sheepish smile. "Every single thing represents the tiny bits of love we have for each other"

Minji fixes her black-framed glasses again before looking at you full of adoration in her eyes.

"That's how I have you in my arms right now, yeah?"

creating a memory box is one of the best things

[theartofprongs]

Lily's Yearbook

"Sev does Hogwarts publish yearbooks every year?" Lily asks curiously from her spot at the library table.

Severus, who has taken up residence in the seat directly next to Lily, pointedly ignoring the other two Gryffindors at the table, grimaces at Lily's question.

"No Lily, that's a muggle tradition, why would we need such a thing?" Snape shakes his head tersely before pushing his nose farther into his Potions book.

Lily shrugs and hums lightly, "I guess I just think yearbooks are brilliant, oh! Especially the signing! Everyone leaves messages for each other and you get to look through them all summer."

Lily's eyes sparkle with excitement at the prospect of receiving handwritten notes from all of her dearest friend's at Hogwarts, ones that she can re-read during her time away from the magical world.

"Lily I'd forgotten all about yearbooks, it would be so wonderful if Hogwarts had them!" Little Mary Macdonald squeals from across the library table, her smile gleaming.

Marlene also perks up at Lily's excitement, "What's a yearbook?"

These new interjections cause the lone Slytherin tucked into the corner of the table to let out an annoyed huff, "Lily I cannot study here any longer, can we go somewhere that is actually quiet?" Snape directs his sneer at the two girls across from them.

Lily looks over at her two friends, who both have varying looks of disdain now plastered on their eleven year old faces.

"Sure Sev, I'll see you guys at dinner, Okay? Save me a seat if I'm late?" Lily quickly packs her books into her bag so that she can catch up with an already exiting Severus Snape.

"Oh, he is such a git, I don't understand why Lily puts up with that," Marlene snaps, "He doesn't even want her hanging out with people from her own house."

Mary nods in agreement, watching as the two finally disappear out through the library doors. There's a loud echo as the doors slowly close, and then Mary suddenly turns towards Marlene with wild eyes.

"I think I have an idea."

Marlene snorts, "An idea? That's a new one for you."

Mary gasps over dramatically at Marlene's quip, but continues smiling, "No Marly, we're gonna get Lily those signatures, like the ones in a yearbook, so that she can read our notes while she's stuck with him all summer."

"Wow Mary, you do put together some good ideas here and there!"

First year, 1971-1972.

Second year, 1972-1973.

Third year, 1973-1974.

Fourth year, 1974-1975.

Fifth year, 1975-1976.

Sixth year, 1976-1977.

Seventh Year, 1977-1978.

This was a lot of fun for me to do, but it also took me a while to get everything how I wanted. You'll notice that as they get older their handwriting (and for some even their writing utencils) change and grow with them. There are a few different themes and relationships going on throughout this whole thing so I hope you enjoy all the little easter eggs. Also you'll notice that it is heavily smudged and (wet?) even in some places, that's because I tried to make it seem as though it was pulled from an archive, whether from Lily's belongings or even Hogwarts. Let me know if you can't read anything specific and I'll tell you what it says. It's not perfect but I'm very proud of it!

[spooky-bunnys]

I have this request based off of something that almost happened with me and my friends

Tenjiku gang is at an arcade why you may ask well it’s izana little brother (name) birthday and everyone is having fun until they lose him and they all start to panic until they find little (name) inside a claw machine hugging a plushie. Izana would be panicking and trying to get his brother whike (name) is happily waving back at tenjiku. Half of tenjiku suggest they get an employee to open claw machine the while the other half say they have to play the game in order to get (name) out

While their bickering shion says “hang on let uncle shion handle this” and starts walking to the claw machine and signals for (name) to scoot back and to cover their eyes which (name) does. The others are asking what shion is doing and he replies with “don’t worry I’m a professional at these types of games” and he proceeds to put his brass knuckle on a punches through the glass of the machine and grabs (name) along with another plushie for (name) and just books it out of the arcade to avoid getting in trouble by not only tenjiku but from the arcade employees and since shion had a head start he takes (name) to the nearest cafe to get him some cake for his birthday (with money that was definitely not stolen from the arcade machines)

It was supposed to be a normal hang out. Eveything was fine. Ran and Rindou hadn't stared fighting. (Name) was being entertained by Hanma at the moment. Kisaki was helping Mochi with a specific punching game. Mucho couldn't make it to the hang out. Finally Izana and Kakucho were with Shion at the claw machines.

They visited arcades frequently lately. Since the colorful lights and sounds excited the toddler of the group. Especially since today was the Toddlers Third birthday. Nothing major has happened yet. Yet being the keyword. Things started getting rough when the brothers started fighting. Then Mochi almost breaking the pumch bag game due to him not punching correctly. Finally Hanma had set (Name) down to get the tot a snack.

That was his biggest mistake. Especially since he knew (Name) had taken a great liking towards a certain toy, in a certain claw machine. Hanma had sat (Name) by his brother. Telling the leader he would be back. (Name) watched his brother with interest at first. Wondering how the thing in front of them work.

Then as if the cards were playing in his favor, Izana managed to win a stuffed animal. Watching with wide eyes as his brother got the toy from the mysterious door. (Name) decided he'll get the toy he wanted from the thing from earlier. Which lead to the current moment.

"HANMA WHERE IS HE?!" The gang had never seen their leader so panicked. But it was fair since (Name) was his precius treasure. "I told you! I sat him by you to get him (snack)." Kisaki pinched the bridge of his nose. Annoyed. He said it was a bad idea for the lanky male to watch (Name) in the first place. It took almost 8 minutes for them to find (Name). Well Rindou found him.

"What the hell?!" Rindou's yell caught their attention and thats when they noticed he was staring into a claw machine. "Hm~ what's wrong Rin-Rin?" Thats when Ran saw the sight and pale. "(NAME)?!" Cue to Tenjiku panicking. Inside an out of order claw machine, sat 3 year old (Name) cuddling a lion stuffed animal. He looked so happy.

The gang did not share this happiness. In fact it was almost the complete opposite. "(Name) buddy. Remain calm. Listen to Aniki and Kaku-nii okay? We're gonna get you out!" Izana then whipped his head toward Kisaki. "Well?! How do we get him out!?" Kisaki stuttered. Not sure what to do honestly. They could get the staff, but there was a high chance they wouldn't know what to do.

Shion brushed his way to the front. Upon spotting his favorite Uncle, (Name) dropped the stuffed lion in favor of trying to get to his Uncle Shion. Seeing how he wasn't able to reach said Uncle upset (Name). Which sent Izana into a bigger panic. Shion quickly thought of an idea. "Listen I know exactly what to do. I'm a professional at these type of games. Let Uncle Shion handle this."

Shion signaled (Name) to move back. After some fussing he did as told. Shion put his hand in his pocket. Putting on his brass knuckles. Without missing a beat he punch the glass. Shattering it. Which made the kther members immediately start yelling/screaming (in Izana's case) about (Name)'s safety. Shion quickly grabbed (Name), the stuffed lion, and (animal) before racing out the arcade.

It took the others a few seconds to realize what happened before they quickly rushed after them. They took refuge at a nearby cafe. Which happened to be (Name)'s favorite. When the others finally arrived (after carefully avoiding the workers) they saw Shion feeding a happy (Name). (Name) was cuddling the lion and eating cake.

The others slowly joined the two. (Name) of course didn't notice. He was enjoying the cake and new stuffed animal he got. Izana carefully checked the toddler and after making sure the toddler was okay, quickly tried attacking Shion. Kakucho took over feed (Name) cake, trying to keep him distracted so he won't see his brother hog tying his favorite uncle behind him.

[kamiko1234]

Okay done with chapter 10 starting with chapter 11 of The Lightning Thief, and normally I planned on not making a post on every single chapter BUT, I do have some changes/additions in my traitor theories.

So first off, Annabeth is the traitor. SO far has the most prove in the book imo (which is till meager), but I REALLY don't like how she told Percy that they HAVE to not get along because of their parents. Personally I just think that's more proof for my "Annabeth is the traitor" theory.

She was pretty nice to Percy pre-claiming, and on the bus she did fully intend sacrificing herself for him. But she also seems to have this very deep anchored world view of how their parents should affect them and their actions.

So, I modify my theory : Annabeths a traitor, but will get a redemption arc. The reason for the betrayal stays the same, her mom and her rivalry with Poseidon. And Annabeth would think that she NEEDS to betray Percy bc she's the kid of her mom.

So instead of being a malicious traitor, she'd be more like a tragic, indoctrinated villain who needs to be shown to do better ! It most definitely would be interesting.

HOWEVER, this is based of the reaction of another friend when I talked to them about my theories and they reacted very...... weird. After some time I threw in Grover being the traitor more as a joke and while not SAYING anything, that silence was SHOUTING.

So, Grover being the traitor. Canon proof ? Not rly there. Would it be one hell of a plot twist ? YES. Could be bitterness maybe ? My impression was that Satyrs were sort of servants or atleast bellow halfbloods in some way. I could deffo see him getting worked up over that.

Then however he did have a close relationship with Percy and a GOOD reason to stay loyal to get his license. So may I present : Multi-book build up of Grover betraying Percy.

With that I mean, should Grover be the traitor I think he wouldn't betray Percy in this book. Chiron said smth about prophecies having double meanings, so I assume they can be kinda wacky. Imagine Grover slowly building resent against the demi gods for how they use his ppl as tools/servants, and betrays Percy/the halfbloods as a whole in a later book. It could be a cool moment where the thing mentioned in the first book comes back around !

I do however admit myself, that theory is a WILD. Like, WILD WILD. And my only thing to go off on is the silence of my friend and the emoji's they send as a response. Take that theory with the BIGGEST grain of salt.

The third option I think possible : The traitor isn't gonna be Annabeth OR Grover, but will be a character later introduced. Comes from me starting to think that Annabeth could be a bit obvious with the whole sudden switch in how she acts with Percy making it a bit obvious. And the Grover theory being borderline crack.

That option would be my fav, since tbh I don't RLY want Annabth to go villain (even if the redemtion arc would be juicy as hell) but I also don't want Grover to start resenting his friends.

Logically speaking I do think it's Annabeth more likely than Grover tho. (Considering I now have theories for both being the traitor we're basically back to square one. Kill me, please.)

ON ANOTHER NOTE; apparently it's quite common for the author to describe scars as ugly looking and evil. (Thanks to the wonderful user who gave me that info !) Which, first off, YIKES. Not good, like at all.

That fact does however help me with my theory, since it allows me to safely eliminate one character for sure now. Luke !

I mean, I already didn't think it was him. The only thing that made me peek up was when he was described as evil-looking in that one paragraph. But if that (sadly) apparently is a norm, then it more likely than not wasn't foreshadowing.

So yeah, it's not gonna be Luke so I can just start to safely ignore him in my traitor theories. (Not like I ever considered him a real candidate in the first place, he's just safely eliminated in my head now)

[omegalomania]

hey gang what time is it its time for another joe trohman podcast. this actually came out like a month ago but i missed it until isa linked it to me and because i like doing these heres a highlights reel

the host says he appreciates that joe opened the book with the question of whether or not satan fucked his wife to which joe replies "well you know, when you have kids, sometimes you wonder that. you truly wonder what are these demons. i love my children btw they're phenomenal."

sometimes it does get tiring playing the same songs over and over. joe says that "thnks fr th mmrs" has a really good energy and tempo that keeps it exciting to play live

he talks about playing a really short iheartradio christmas show pre-pandemic and nobody in the crowd knew "sugar we're goin down" since they were only familiar with the more recent hits like "centuries" and "uma thurman" and joe said that it made him fall in love with sugar all over again in a weird way ldjfldkfd

he laments recently getting the chance to see wu-tang, nas, and busta rhymes at the hollywood bowl but he didn't go

his love language is giving gifts! he got his brother a custom drum set (which his mom attempted to throw out)

he reiterates that when writing the book he didn't want to be mean to any of his bandmates cause he likes them and thats not what the book is about! the host makes a joke: "like how you guys had that threesome with simple plan...i understand, you don't wanna get into that!" joe is offended that he clearly doesn't know how many guys are in simple plan. "there's more than three guys in there! the orgy was far larger than you give it credit!"

he doesnt remember any other names that the band could have been called but he does think fall out boy is a pretty terrible name for a band. "i can't believe i'm in a band called fall out boy."

discussions of the band origin and how joe funded it with his bar mitzvah money ("fall out boy, funded by judaism!") but when asked about financial gains from the band he says they all split everything evenly and it's one of the things that's helped them last this long

talking about scott ian and the damned things and he talks about how managing a supergroup is like herding cats because everyone is so busy with their respective groups. he says he'd LOVE to do a third damned things record though!

he talks about how weird it was to have this boy band aspect to them when they were at their peak pre-hiatus, because they were all hardcore kids and punk kids.

he recalls that around this time patrick asked their manager, with visible concern, "are we...the nsync to panic at the disco's backstreet boys?"

he's glad that they've outgrown that and kept pushing forward and looking forward, and by now they're no longer a boy band. "we're a man band!"

he thinks it's kind of neat to see the emo movement of the aughts become nostalgic and cool now ("it was not fucking cool when we were doing it [...] we stuck around for long enough to Not Be Lame"), but it's a big thing for fall out boy that they do not want to be a nostalgia act and they want to keep making new albums.

the host semi-jokingly says "so you and panic at the disco are not gonna go out on tour, is what you're saying." joe says "no" very flatly and i lose my shit.

he denies that fall out boy is working on any specific new music. he says they're just piecing things together organically and that no real album has coalesced. (note: this episode aired 11/12, ~2 weeks before the fob8 tribune ad)

he talks a bit about working with brian posehn on the axe and how much he loved doing it! he calls the whole story a metaphor for dealing with pain and trauma and the different ways there are to confront that stuff. he said the axe is coming out as a trade "soon" so people who don't have a subscription to heavy metal can read it

his first concert was tom petty and the heartbreakers when he was 10 or 11

he says the two things that matter most for a band's live show are the drummer and the singer. he then proceeds to be extremely sweet about patrick and andy.

"patrick, he's incredible, he's so gifted, and he's worked so hard with his voice lessons and figuring out how to sing from the diaphragm properly, and he really knows how to work through when he's sick and having real issues, so he's quite a trooper."

"and andy is just a great drummer. when he thinks he's had a bad day i'm like...yeah. sure. i don't think you know what that is."

he did not get laid in high school. first time was in a shared tour bus, listening to testament (a thrash metal band), when he was 19. (they never saw each other again)

since testament was the soundtrack the host asks if he ever gets a reaction whenever joe hears chuck billy (testament's lead vocalist). joe says without missing a beat, "when i see him i do, that's for sure."

he is an avid bowler. he has a wristguard and a spare ball and he used to take lessons. he calls it great stress relief!

[talekinesis]

Why is drawing buildings literally the worst 💀

This was supposed to be the third frame in my comic, but now I feel the need to redraw it because it definitely does not look like it was drawn by a 21 year old trying their best

We're not gonna talk about the floating shingles ughgh

I am just now remembering the whole perspective lesson from my high school art class, so that's fun

brbrbrbrbrbrb just a tad bit frustrated 🤏

art vent below the cut

And I know you shouldn't, I know its not helpful, but I can't help but feel just a little discouraged when I see other people's fantastic art, especially when they're like 16. Now I'm not hating on younger people for being good at art, it's FANTASTIC that they're that skilled and practicing that much.

In fact everytime I see a drawing posted by a child, I try to like and leave a comment in hopes that it will encourage them to continue drawing. I love seeing art made by kids and teens.

It's only when I see my own art that I feel sort of "blegh" because I've been drawing my *entire* life and I feel like I haven't improved much, but one of my favorite artists who is really really skilled has only been drawing for less than a year

And I know it's illogical, but sometimes I can't help but wonder if it's just me, or if I'm just not good at it.

"You just need to practice more," "You just need to keep drawing," Yeah but I've *been* drawing for like 19 years, ever since I could hold a crayon.

Idk, I know I'll get over it and, I know my main problem is that I'm comparing apples to oranges. I'm comparing my cartoon style to people's realistic styles, since I taught myself to draw from watching cartoons, and practicing off of Craig McCracken's cartoons. I have a whole page in my sketch book that's just redraws and practices of Wander from Wander over Yonder, and they're actually pretty good.

I know the reason I'm not good at realism and proportions is because I don't usually draw realistic proportions, I draw cartoons. And I KNOW I'm struggling with this because I've never tried to draw a comic before.

Getting this all out of my head and onto the screen really did help me feel a bit better and organize my thoughts. I kinda feel silly now

I'm going to redraw the Shack, and it'll hopefully be better this time. I just gotta keep working at it

[uncertainwallflower]

ATLAS For @jilymicrofics March 2024 (because Gryffindor will win the House Cup, as we win everything). Prompts: troubled, joy. Words: 749. Trigger warnings: mild panic attack.

In Greek mythology, the Titan Atlas was responsible for bearing the weight of the heavens on his shoulders. (World History Encyclopedia)

James frowned as he looked down at Lily. Huddled by the fire, legs drawn up to her chest, chin dropped upon her knees, glazed eyes betraying her far-off thoughts.

Around them, the common room was its usual boisterous self. Laughter and chatter and the odd boom of exploding snap. Outside the world was a virgin white fleece, the castle, the grounds, the forest and mountains beyond all buried in coarse snow. But inside was warm and bright and joyous. Except for Lily.

The boys were probably already up in the dormitory, wondering when and where they'd lost him. James could already picture Peter's head poking out from the stairwell, peering around in search of him. Then he'd shout something crude in the hopes of hurrying the straggler along. James shook away the thought.

He dropped into the space beside her. "Alright, Evans?"

She started, apparently having not noticed the shift in the cushions and his presence beside her. He could feel hers. Feel the heat emanating from her as it emanated from the roaring churning. But with it was a heaviness. He could almost see it weighing on her, baring down on her neck and shoulders, forcing her to fold, to grow smaller, smaller.

She offered him a weak smile. A flimsy Trojan horse of a mask with gaping holes for eyes that let him sink into the depths of her soul and feel the cold sadness seeping through her.

He frowned further, voice lowering as he asked again: "What's up?"

"Hmm? Oh, nothing."

A soft snort. "Yeah, okay." He said nothing else, hoping she would fill the void with a real answer but the silence only stretched. So, in the tenderest voice he could summon, he pushed on. "Evans, really, are you alright? You seem..." Here he made an awkward unsure motion with his hands. "Troubled."

Still she said nothing.

He nudged her with his shoulder. "Come on, you can talk to me. We're supposed to be a team, remember? How 'bout it, Head Girl?"

Reluctantly—forehead creasing as she brought her auburn brows together, lips twisting as she too twisted about—she drew a copy of the Daily Prophet from the crevice down between the couch cushion and the armrest.

MUGGLE FAMILY FOUND MURDERED IN THEIR BEDS: AURORS SUSPECT MAGICAL INVOLVEMENT.

James withered. "It's horrible." But, beyond the tragedy of the murdered family, he frowned and checked the date. The paper was two days old. "Did...did you know them?"

She shook her head, whisps of hair falling over her eyes, which swum with silky tears.

"Lily, hey, it's going to be okay. You know that, right? They'll catch whoever did this."

When she looked at him, and when he looked beyond the swell of tears, anger shone out—not sadness but anger, rage. "It's the third murder this month. And look." She snatched the newspaper back from him, tearing through the papers until she came across a small continuation printed under an advertisement for Broom Extensions: Fit the Whole Family! "Their daughter was a witch. Confirmed by the Ministry Book of Records. And they're not the only ones, I have the other articles in my dorm, I could show you, they-they're being targetted James; Muggleborns and their families are being hunted down—" she took a ragged, wobbly breath "—and killed, like-like—"

"Okay, Lily, take a breath, yeah? Breathe. You're gonna scare the first years."

She glanced around the common room, wide-eyed, noticing the lull that had come over the space as their Head Girl had closed in on hyperventilation. "I..."

"It's alright." He placed a hand on her shoulder, thumb rubbing back and forth in a way he hoped was comforting. "How 'bout we go up to your dorm? You can show me those clippings, maybe talk through all these thoughts rattling around your head?"

"Er—yeah, okay." And wiping away the hot, angry tears that had spilled forth with a rough hand, Lily rose from the couch, James following closely behind her as they picked their way through the curious common room.

As they neared the girls' staircase, Peter's fated head appeared and, quickly catching sight of James, he shouted: "Oi, Potter, what's taking you so long?"

"Rack off, Pete!" was James's reply—releasing the common room of their fascination and returning them to their own conversations—and the mousy boy vanished with a shrug, while the Head Boy and Girl disappeared up the stairwell without another glance spared for the rest of the world.

AO3

[0junemeatcleaver0]

@likecopperlikesalt Okay, so we're diving into pure speculation now, but this highlighted bit struck a chord in me, so I want to play in this space for a moment.

And like, ideally, I would have given myself more time to really pore through the books, but I have housework to do and ongoing research on a different meta, so I'm not gonna do all that. lol

But it's true: for as much as Marius made about his father treating him well, his family factors into his backstory very little.

When Marius is attempting to bribe Mael into freeing him:

"You can help me get out of here, you can come with me to Rome." I said. "I have a villa all my own on the cliffs above the Bay of Naples. You have never seen such a beautiful spot, and I would let you live there forever if you would help me [...]" --TVL, p. 406

And:

"Then we go to Rome, you and I, and we get drunk together on good Italian wine!" I whispered. --TVL, p. 411

No mention of how his family will miss him. No mention of how they would pay good money to have him returned safely. Nothin'.

And like, here's where more research might be helpful because I don't know what would happen to slaves if their master was MIA or died unexpectedly, but here's what's said about them:

"Your slaves say," he announced gravely, "that you are writing a great history." "Do they?" I answered, a bit stiffly. "And where are my slaves, I wonder!" Again I looked around. Nowhere in sight. --TVL, p. 400

And:

"On the third night of my new life, I wandered into my old house in Massilia [...] And my faithful slaves overjoyed to see me [...] --TVL, p. 425

Dude was gone for how long? And they're just at his house. And I don't know what the vibe was like there but it had to be something else. How long before they got drunk together on good Italian wine? And again, I have no idea how nervous they were or weren't for their fates because I don't know what would have happened to them if Marius somehow died or never made it out of that Grove because he'd been shoved in a tree.

His father was apparently still alive, as Marius says:

[...] I sent my beloved slaves back home. I wrote my father to say that a serious illness compelleed me to live out my remaining days in the heat and dryness of Egypt. --TVL, p. 425

Zero concern about how they'll get on without him. Not a single fleeting thought about how his new life might fuck up the hierarchy in his family.

Just a quickly scrawled letter to the one person in his mortal life who might actually care about what happens to him, and then he dips.

So not only do I think Marius wasn't politically important to his family, I think how his brothers may have felt about him paired with how Romans viewed the Gauls perhaps helped shape him as a person. Why he feels so tied to Roman Ideals and emulating them as well as he could (I touched on this thought a bit here, as well).

And for the sake of not sinking my whole day into this one post, I'll leave it there but like...many thoughts.

[thelazyhermits]

I just came up with an idea that's related to this post which I'll talk about underneath the cut.

Okay, so after giving the topic of Yuu's canon first Halloween at NRC some more thought, I just came to a realization.

The Endless Halloween/Spectral Soiree event could totally be canon to the A Twisted Future timeline.

Now, I know when I made a fic based on that event I said otherwise, but I only meant that in regards to the version of that event I wrote where Yuu was involved.

Technically, for my series' canon timeline, I could have the original version of this event happen and not at all involve Yuu or Grim for that matter, because, after having previously found out that Yuu is under orders to stay in the infirmary, Malleus & Lilia wouldn't wanna risk impeding her recovery.

Plus, Malleus still wants to keep his identity a secret, and that would be very difficult to do under these circumstances for obvious reasons.

So, as a result, Malleus and Lilia don't invite Yuu and Grim to join them in the Spectral Realm after they team-up with the ghosts to have a party/escape room.

However, those two don't completely leave Yuu/Grim out of their plans since Lilia comes up with the idea of Malleus using sleep magic on Yuu/Grim and making it seem like the only way to awaken the sleeping princess and her familiar is by going to the Spectral Realm and facing Malleus.

Since he thought it was an amusing idea, Malleus went along with it. Plus, he wanted to give Yuu a very peaceful slumber since he figures it's the least he can do considering he's leaving her out of all the "fun" everyone else is having lol

As a result, when Ace rushes to check on Yuu/Grim at the infirmary after he and everyone else who was left behind wakes up and tries to wake the two up, he's unable to, much to his dismay, and his dismay quickly turns into anger when he sees the note that was left on Yuu's bed which is similar to the note that was left at Ramshackle in the canon version of the event.

If you're wondering about Leona, he remained in the infirmary until a nurse got back, so he was asleep at his dorm when students were getting kidnapped and Malleus was using sleep magic on Yuu/Grim, like in canon.

Anyway, overall, this event happens exactly as it does in canon with the only exception being that Yuu/Grim never go to the Spectral Realm, so those two unfortunately end up missing out on the party.

Also, we're just gonna say the Trey & Sebek convo about Sebek's dad also doesn't happen for whatever reason since I had that happen in my Wish Upon a Star fic lol

I'll also add that, while the NRC boys hang out with each other during this event, none of the interactions are the kind of which that would have a longstanding effect on these relationships and change canon events in the main story.

Although, now that I think about it, since this takes place before Book 3, this would be a good time for Azul to target ADeuce and bring up his special study guide since Yuu isn't around to keep an eye on her sons and interfere lol

Also, regarding the guys knowing each other's names, I'm gonna assume second years and third years all know each other by this point, and the first years learn about most of the upperclassmen not from their dorms through the Spelldrive Tournament, although ADeuce didn't go to it cause they wanted to stay with Yuu & Grim in the infirmary, and through club activities and just random encounters at school like what you'd see in a card vignette.

I feel like the only upperclassman whom the majority of the first years wouldn't know the name of is Idia cause he's always in his room lol

Anyway, the next day, when Yuu and Grim find out what happened from ADeuce, Grim is predictably upset that he got left out of all the fun and that Malleus dared to use sleep magic on him.

Meanwhile, Yuu is beyond relieved that she didn't have to go to the place where ghosts live 😂 Like yeah she's a little bummed that she missed out on not just one but TWO parties, but honestly, she can live with that since she doubts she would've enjoyed the second party all that much considering where it was located lol

The main reason why I decided to make this event canon is cause I really wanna be able to reference how the guys acted in that event when I cover the new Halloween event since there's a scene involving the NRC boys, Skully, and their views on ghosts that really bugged me, and I just really want my Yuu to really let the NRC boys have it by referencing this event lol

For the record, for the new Halloween event, I'm gonna try to make it canon to the A Twisted Future timeline, so it won't happen in October like it does in the original version of the event. Instead, the event will take place in the spring like so many other events lol 😂

[juhbebbie]

Shadow and Bone cancelation is not at all surprising (I was literally talking to my roommate about the show the other day and I said there's no way we're getting another season) but seeing it confirmed still sucks. The literal ideal cast got screwed over by some terrible writing decisions. Either that, or they already knew they wouldn't be getting another season, which is why season 2 was... like that

I do think it's a combination of both. They knew people cared more about the crows so they tried to have scenes from the books in there, as well as try to wrap up the Grisha trilogy asap. At the same time, with Netflix's track record they probably knew chances of a renewal were slim. But I can't help but wonder if they shot themselves in the foot by trying to fit as much as they did into this season, causing it to get a lukewarm reception and kinda ruining any chance of it getting renewed again. Like don't get me wrong, if it's between getting the odd, kinda lame versions of the crooked kingdom scenes put in there or no crooked kingdom seasons at all, I prefer what we got. (Trying to give the showrunners/writers the benefit of the doubt here😭)

But there is NO EXCUSE for what they did to my boy Matthias. If they knew (or were at least sure enough) that season 2 would be their last, WHY WOULD THEY LOCK HIM UP AND THEN FORGET ABOUT HIM FOR THE WHOLE SEASON. WHY DID THEY SEND THE CROWS ON RANDOM SIDEQUESTS THAT MADE NO SENSE. In season one the way they fit them in felt very natural. We knew what their stake in this was. In season two they literally went on a whole ass world tour and still managed to find time for a tragic backstory acid trip, all for a sword that got used like once

I wish they had just committed to going one way or the other. If this is our last season, let's give the fans what they want and make sure all the crows are together. Let's not change the nice ending that Alina and Mal got and separate them again and then do a cliffhanger so we can keep Alina around for longer (which I would've been cool with honestly, I love Jessie Mei lee)

Or, let's try really hard to make this as good as possible so we get another season. Sure, okay, combining siege and storm and ruin and rising is fine, although I would have happily watched a third season with Harshaw and his cat. Let's give the crows something worthwhile to do, even if it isn't directly related to the grisha trilogy storyline. Maybe set up the status quo we have at the beginning of six of crows. Have Matthias hellgate scenes but yknow. Don't jump the gun by putting some of the most emotional scenes in with exactly zero of the lead up, making them kinda fall flat. Build up that tension so that fans are even more anxious for another season or spinoff.

But don't land somewhere in the middle where you expect this season to be the last but still write most of it like there's gonna be another. I would assume they wrote that cliffhanger to leave the door open for a plot just in case it did get renewed, but by that point all the other, much more preferrable doors had been closed shut

[the-zapped-part-timer]

Penn Zerothon Day 12

Lady Starblaster💫

My Ramblings: It's party time, people! School dance for what? Just because! Poor Terry got beaten by Sashi for the third time so far. Love how Penn just casually kills Larry and is such a dance machine (Larry is ok, but damn boy). He's git to have people focus in him.

And here's me at a dance, I mean, Rippen, at the dance... not dancing. "That's it, idiots. Dance your lives away, when you could be standing next to the punch bowl with your arms crossed." Wonder what school was like for him, not very kind I'm sure.

Penn's got dancing fever! Flinging Phyllis around and making her feel 1,014 again. Wait, what was that Phyllis? Whatever, she had fun.

HOLD UP! Wonky continuity! Remember back at when I bought up this before in "Brainzburgerz?" There's a picture of him in the Galaxy World and at the beginning of "Number One Number Two", they're in that world! So, what the heck!? Unless I'm over analyzing and when he said: "What am I wearing?" Maybe he meant like, "Hey? Where's my swim suit? We're at the beach." That doesn't really make sense either... this show and my brain sometimes.

Time to impress the space dictator, Count Destructo by stealing an entire planets water, like you do! To answer Rippen's question, he'd be a viscount, if he was made one. Also, I can see where Larry is coming from now about Rippen being a nurturing person, he was like that at the end of "It's a Colorful Life." How many times could've Rippen been like that off screen? I also get that it is Larry and not totally reliable, but still. Rippen would make an okay nurse, I believe.

Way to assume that the captain is a man, Rippen. Get with the times, old man! I know it's for the reveal, but it's funny he just assumed the gender.

And the reveal of Lady Starblaster herself, and damn, I'd be like Rippen too. But he falls instantly and so hard for her after 10 literal seconds of seeing her. He's down baaaaad. Even fantasizing spending a lifetime with her, 10 seconds y'all. Also he doesn't know a damn thing about her but he just assumes she the time to throw a vicious snake at him... or maybe that's just something he's into. I don't judge, like how I don't judge them drinking out of Larry's head on a date. Larry would be cool with that. I would go their wedding but I don't know if I'd do well with volcanos, it would also be awkward to just see three kids dangling off the edge.

Also the song lyrics to this fantasy?:

You make my heart so cold

So cold, it chills my bones

Baby, there's no one who scares me like you do

I'm so afraid of you

Rip on my heart

I'M OBSESSED!

This poor woman having to deal with guys like him fantasizing about her and calling her beautiful. She gives him 10 seconds to surrender or perish, which, hey! That's the same amount of time it took to fall in love with you! And he's totally entranced by her that she literally has to snap him out of his daze to remind him that he will die. Larry's face during the count down was of concern while Rippen? Pure bliss. Right so, Larry is gonna try and wingman ol' Rip and it works put pretty well. I mean we get to hear him say "totes adorbs." That's a win in my book. He's so cringe. Thank goodness she takes the compliment well.

Ooo, she can cock her eyebrow just as good as him. She's serving. God I can't handle his cuteness, it's overbearing! Lady Starblaster stop! Your killing me!

I wanna know what it was like for the Trio to wear those robots, how did they walk? It doesn't matter, but I'm curious. Like stilts?

Would you try a space rat on a cracker? Do you think that would taste good? Rippen says so, but I've seen what he puts in his mouth (I'll bring that up later, trust me). Larry just takes three and hasn't even tried them yet, his face.

Flurgle Burgle is dead, she just yeeted that poor space pig into a robot WILHELM SCREAM. Just... wow.

This dork is so nervous he's got pit stains on his metal suit and all he has to say to that is "thank you." This man has no rizz. Larry is being flung and pushed to every which way this episode.

I desperately always want her to answer Rippen's "is your boyfriend coming" question with: "No, but my girlfriend will after her yoga class." I bet her dating pool is rough, luckily she has a highly specific thing for men who have hair like a skunk monster. Which I don't believe at all, sorry Rip. God the face he makes when she says that is priceless.

Damn, she's like, uber evil. I bet Rippen had a lot of hard feelings and lechery for her in that very moment. Too bad Penn's ocean blue eyes somehow caught Rippen's attention. God, the man can't get through a sentence around her at all without being horny. Poor Penn and co have to watch this unfold. Rippen is so freaking tall compared to her.

Yes take him to the pump room- I mean the heroes, take them to to room with all the water...

Maybe this man does have rizz, he's gonna have a dance with her! His little giggle, I just AAAAAAHHHHHHH! This gives Penn an idea and luckily it works out because Rippen doesn't know how to dance. Bringing it back around! He has to accept, Penn has won Middleburg's Snazziest Feet award three times. So Penn gets to have a silly dancing lesson with his art teacher and than Rippen will shoot him into the vacuum of space, sounds good. Why does Larry have a violin in his robot stomach hatch thing? Why wouldn't he?

Just this scene, I'm speechless. Penn is being actually so helpful, I can't wait for Starblaster and Rippen to dance! Be a shame if the heroes got loose of their cuffs and Sashi had access to her laser blaster. Such a shame.

"Never send a man to do a woman's job." Starblaster, she ate. Sashi? Agrees and tries to kill her. She succeeds in the fight and lets her dangle over her watery grave.

No need to fear, Rippen is here! With the power of skunk hair! He really sold on the idea of be married to her by a giant bat, huh? Too bad she isn't and tosses him and Larry over to their watery grave, thank goodness to Larry's strength! She never was interested, like a sane woman to be honest.

Remember that Larry has a jetpack? She didn't. Nobody betrays his bestie! He just scoops her up and she tries to convince him join her, get rid of Rippen and they can rule the galaxy tog- nope! He says: "Get away from him, you witch." A very clear Aliens reference, which is so damn good because she is voice by Sigourney Weaver, star of Aliens and who said that line... but with bitch instead, which Larry should have said. Let Larry say bitch! AND THAN HE KILLS HER! HE GOT HER, SHE'S DEAD. DROWNS.

Rippen loves her even more after that double-crossing and wishes he had gotten that dance. And Larry like the bestie he is, asks for a dance.... my heart. Rippen checks around first and than HE ACCEPTS! I'M GOING TO EAT MY HAND!

Star Wars Tie Fighter sound. Oh yeah, the heroes save the day and return all the water.

Rippen thanks Larry for always having his back and Larry's like: "That's what best friends are for." Then Rippen dips him, I CAN'T-

Oh, hey, that Count Destructo is here. That guy. That's not what matters, what matters is that he says: "Hey, what up, Boyyyy?" HE'S SO CRINGE, I LOVE HIM! I LOVE HIM AND LARRY.

Lady Starblaster lives! And a fish thing promptly falls in love with her. What does she doe? Xenomorph-mouths the fish! JUMPSCARE!

~The Characters~

Penn Zero: Snazzy boy snazzes it up and saves the day! Bu this ain't about him.

Boone Wiseman: He has one line, and it's good.

Sashi Kobayashi: She should have finished the job, but I'm glad she didn't.

Rippen: SUCH CRINGE! SUCH A LOVESICK FOOL! Every scene with him and Lady Starblaster is cringe and adorable! I usually don't like the idea of "guy falls instantly in love with a woman he has no chance with and can't shut up about it" but I really enjoyed this. Rippen is such a dork, he's cringe but free. But realistically, I wouldn't want his to happen to me (sort of did?)... unless it was him.

Larry: Such a wingman, he was there trying his best to help that hopeless romantic. He's a true bestie!

Dimension(s): We have seen this world before, but briefly, it's space. No one can hear you try to rizz.

Forms: I love Penn and Sashi's hair. That's it really.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Amber🤠

My Ramblings:

~The Characters~

Penn Zero:

Boone Wiseman:

Sashi Kobayashi:

Rippen:

Larry:

Dimension(s):

Forms:

[artificervaldi]

FNAF Movie 2 Plot Theory

OR why we should look at TSE trilogy to guess what's coming next.

The first movie, believe it or not, has a lot of similar elements to The Silver Eyes and even pulls from the latter two novels somewhat. I believe we can look at the trilogy to figure out what we're gonna see next.

First let's go over what about the movie connects to TSE trilogy in how things are similar.

Hiding from Foxy behind an arcade machine is LITERALLY pulled from the first book like it's the cold open.

Hello Ella, introduced as important to Charlie Emily from the first book why are you a Springlock suit? The opposite of what you were, in many ways, in the books -- being the "heart" of Charlie?

Wow, a plot linked to past deaths at Freddy's and being drawn in due to a dead family member? That's crazy, man.

A blonde police officer getting stabbed by the yellow rabbit, who can also manhandle people like it's nothing... Hmmm, how odd.

Abusive William willing to hurt his own daughter? Where have I seen that before...?

Wait he even uses his daughter as a tool to further his various evil plans and deeds like he uses Circus Baby/Charlizabeth!

The power of art is first teased in TSE with Jason finding a picture that changes and shows him the past, with it coming back in TFC to... defeat William by showing them William was the one to hurt them, rather than being their friend.

The scene of the animatronics dragging William, now springlocked, away is also notable. That also happens in the books, it's something that stands out.

Looking for a sibling lost to you is also a theme between our protagonists...

William going under another name to keep an eye on Freddy's is also an interesting detail. Dave Miller and Steve Raglan

The kids wanting Abby to be "one of them" vs them trying to "protect" Jason from the teens is an interesting dichotomy that shows two sides to one whole w how the children in the suits likely act.

William having the kids under his thumb is also just another thing straight from the novels, rather than the games.

The protagonists are both linked to their Aunt Js.

Golden Freddy kid is not a girl named Cassidy in either the novels or movie -- setting them apart from the games.

One parent dead (likely by suicide) and the other gone. Wonder which protagonist this applies to -- oh wait, it's both.

There's likely more I just don't remember. But this shows you how similar these things are, right? So, onto my actual prediction/theory for the plot of FNAF2, based on the Twisted Ones somewhat.

The second movie will involve Mike and Abby, now being hunted by the Toy Animatronics. Fully automated beings hunting them for William's sake for some unknown reason. Where Vanessa will fit into this, be it a fnaf4 esque subplot as she's in a coma or waking up, and if Jeremy/Jeremiah will play a role I don't know...

But I do believe the Toys will be non-possessed and play a largely antagonistic role and meant to parallel and foil the original 4, who are in fact possessed by kids. This means, however, mean I think they'll be destroyed by the end of the movie like the Twisteds in the book.

...If we're lucky, though, they'll fight to the death with the OGs and it'll be deliciously cheesy.

Afton will likely also appear, on a power trip of glee from his immortal body. Or he might be more toned down like he is in TFC while still stuck in the Springlock suit. Either way he's likely going to be theatre kid as fuck about it and mocking Mike and co.

What'll also happen is an 11th-hour twist, likely related to Mike (we'll get into it) followed up by a cliffhanger that'll lead into the third movie where the last loose ends are tied up.

...

But what will that 11th-hour twist be? I'm gonna be honest with you, I don't know. But I know what it WON'T be. Namely Vanessa is NOT a robot gang!!!!

These movies are pulling from the books and Charlie, the human robot? Notably has fake blood. It's mentioned directly in The Twisted Ones when Clay and Charlie discuss the scene Afton and his body -- we're not told directly but given the reveal of the third book it's pretty obvious.

When they reached the campus, Clay let her out where he’d found her. She’d only taken a few steps from the car, however, when he called to her from the car window. “I feel like I need to tell you one more thing,” he said. “We found blood at the scene, in the main dining room where Dave …” He looked around cautiously. There was something unseemly, talking about gruesome things on the sheltered grounds of the campus. “It wasn’t real blood, Charlie.” “What are you talking about?” Charlie took a step back toward the car. “It was, like, costume blood, or movie blood. It was pretty convincing, though. We didn’t realize it was fake until the crime lab looked at it under a microscope.”

To which you might say "BUT THEY HAD TO LOOK UNDER THE MICROSCOPE TO REALIZE!" but. If you think they wouldn't check for, say, blood type on Vanessa after she was stabbed you're insane. Not to mention they would likely see metal bits sticking out of her?

But if that's not enough... How about the fact TFC states William can't make a living being like Henry did?

Henry made the fake Charlie from love and grief, the one thing William cannot do is love. William cannot have made himself a robot daughter -- Mikebot or Garrettbot would be more likely if you believe they're the Emily equivalents.

“I wanted so desperately to have been the one on that stage, but it was always her. All of his love went into her.” “You’re talking about Afton.” Jessica stopped, and Charlie nodded confirmation. “William Afton never made anything with love,” Jessica snarled. “I should rip you in half.” Charlie’s appearance flashed, the animatronic’s face and body seeming to break, then reassemble in an instant. For a moment her expression wavered, a vulnerability showing on her face, but she quickly collected herself. “She was his obsession.”

aaaand

“We both know he won’t be able to re-create you, either.” Elizabeth was near. “And the real question would be, would we really want him to? Besides …” Elizabeth approached Charlie from behind, moving faster. “I think I hate you more than I love him.”

What I would suggest is looking at the movie and going "what feels like hints of something bigger? What feels like a throw away line or action or detail that could grow into something more?" because that's what happened with Charliebot.

It was small in TSE, the amount of closets and the fact she couldn't open the ones holding the other bodies, the mark of a tripod in the dust and dirt where she remembered sitting and watching her father, Afton's obsession with her and keeping her with his "family" at the end before she springlocks him. Things like that. Something that can be built up to more (see: fake blood), be partially revealed ("I didn't take him. I took you.") and then fully expanded on and dealt with in movie three (Charliebot).

What that is? I dunno, we'll just have to see :)

[silverspleen]

BYE BITCCCCHHHH~

"Beat" the mages tower, resurrected Artoria (but Wynne sacrificed herself to do so, ultimately only Sethlos knew why because he did NOT tell the rest of the party about her spirit abomination thing).

WHICH MEANS. WHICH MEANS. My friend has TWO PCs, Fin and Art, and he gets to pick which one he plays/theoretically swap out.

He played both of them this session, and did a wonderful job evoking the scene of all of us (Bhalkam, Varand, and Morrigan) trying to convince Art to return from the Fade. This was completely unprompted, with him like moving furniture around for maximum emotional impact (we had to sit across from him in a chair to do so, in kind of a one-on-one thing) our GM just kind of let him take the reigns and it was nuts. Really good session, lots of impact. Forever blessed and thankful for my current irl group (and my online group, which is equally as impactful despite being online only, but like.... there's something about an in-person session)

He's decided to play Art on account of the fact that her coming back from the dead TWICE will be interesting dynamic-wise with her brother Sethlos, who wasn't even there when we resurrected her. He couldn't bear the idea of us failing (there was a chance we'd summon a demon instead) or watching Wynne die in Art's place so he just. Dipped and started his IC six week soul-searching journey with his dog (he's changing classes). His player has already been in super deep talks with the GM about this. He has not told us what he's changing to, my money is on healer. I think it's The Trauma.

So Fin is getting shunted to Retainer, which is a third-party book thing (from MCDM's Strongholds & Followers) so thankfully we will still be able to RP with him, he just will only be driving us crazy at camp and not actively in combat. I will miss him. I loved how much Varand disliked him and I will MISS his haste. Being hasted.... Very good. Delicious.

When we pick back in a month or so it'll be really fun to see the altered dynamic between the siblings and how that bleeds over to our fighters. But for now we're beginning oneshot month where our GM doesn't have to. Well. GM lol. Gonna try and force everyone to play Heart: The City Beneath, which I would GM. But rn we're finishing up a Call of Cthulhu oneshot (Gm'd by Sethlos' player) that became four+ sessions next weekend though.

[astroboyanalysis]

5. The Third Magician

STOP! YOURE MAKING HIM SELF CONSCIOUS!!!!!!!!!!

Well this is just fucked

OH FUCK THIS IS THE ONE THING YOURE NOT SUPPOSED TO DO AS A MAGICIAN!!!!!!!!!! About to get blackballed by the magicians guild

Well no wonder he keeps revealing his secrets hes not supposed to lie. thats like, the main thing magicians do.

Ok I'm gonna be honest I think a human would also be concerned about this

Number 3 on my Top 5 things to say to get kids to REALLY want to investigate the house right here.

Kenichi like breathes and Atom is like screaming because it was so loud

Again just appreciate how straightforwardly evil this is

Tezuka had a lot of fun drawing these panels I can tell. It reads like a wheres waldo page.

Really great way to consolidate all the paintings into several easy to transport vans so they can get stolen easier.

Ok I do gotta hand it to Tawashi this is a great hiding spot

On my "'Tis" and "Indeed" bullshit yet again

First calves vs. boots mistake(s) I've spotted since Plant People, but it's possible I missed one in Deadcross. All panels leading up to this have boots, he loses them for 3 panels, then they come back.

I want to stress again that calves vs. boots does not matter. I just like pointing it out.

Okay embarassment may be a little harsh

I hate him but he is pretty relateable. Me trying to escape problems as well.

This type of thing is common at the police agency (as we'll see) and Atom overhearing it is Also fairly common. I can't say its not relatable to have heard people say things they believed were behind closed doors about like. Your humanity and human rights.

Anyway, Ochanomizu is not likely to react well to you asking for that change but feel free to go for it I guess.

Actually so badass.

Atom's very unprepared for a debate like this, and clearly Tawashi is embarrassed he's been caught in being a bigot who pretends not to be one.

This interaction is bringing forward like, memories of the way Blue Knight's (2003 specifically) logical and straightforward but passionate approach was really clear to me as a kid. It was like, so simple that to go against it would immediately make someone look bad. They would have to admit the core conceit that they did not think robots deserved rights, nor did they deserve to Leave or be properly compensated - and from there, it's a different conversation.

This Atom, in this moment, just doesn't have any idea of what strategies to use, what to say, what to do. It's sad! And it's overwhelming. No wonder he's about to cry and resorts to "You're being mean!"

For anyone, myself included, who has been put in this situation while wholly unprepared to advocate for their own rights, this scene might hit pretty hard. Or maybe I'm just not normal about the comic book.

This would just be really scary and humiliating and upsetting. For anyone. I'm glad he has someone like Ochanomizu who can support him and guide him through it, but in an ideal world he wouldn't have to go through it at all.

Then again, ideal worlds don't make the best stories, do they?

I do love these moments when the roles are reversed from what we've seen before, and Ochanomizu is Protecting Atom from something he can't fight (human bigotry) instead of Atom protecting Ochanomizu from a more direct physical threat.

This whole portion of the story just makes my heart ache a little

Here we see a completely peaceful demonstration by robots to defend an ambiguous existing law that allows robots to act autonomously.

Atom's conceit here is that "If we offend the humans now, it'll only make things worse!" does not work - They will make things worse if the robots do nothing. Should they not at least show that they disagree? That they don't want to go down quietly? The human police are attacking a peaceful protest.

This is all stuff we're plenty familiar with. Atom's idealism is the same as liberalism in many ways. Go out and vote, don't disrupt the way things are. It allows the status quo to go almost entirely unchallenged, and all that needs to happen is a workaround for some votes. A system rarely actually listens to its most vulnerable.

This is the angriest we've seen him yet in the omnibus order. "Maybe I'm not in the mood to listen!" speaks to some righteous anger we rarely see from him - he's sick of always listening, always being patient. This is the way he knows to enact change. Fighting and punching work. When fighting and punching are out of the question, he feels helpless.

FUUUUCK YES DOGGY POLICE CARS FUCK YES ITS EVERYTHING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm biased but I do especially love how this was interpreted for Astro 2003. That said I can't find an image online immediately so everyone that's reading this please join me in imagining the 2003 dog cars.

...

It's great, right?

Oh good thing there's only one big place for us to check huh?

To be continued in a reblog. For reasons.

[citrusreadstoa]

Reading The Hidden Oracle: Chapter 39 (SPOILERS)

Why is Chapter 39 the last chapter? Did they not want to commit to 40?

Looking at the words "Hunk Muffin" in the haiku has me scared. It's the last freaking chapter. What could possibly happen?

"Nico commanded a dispenser from the snack bar and carried it around, yelling, 'The line starts to the left! Orderly queue, guys!' . . . She punched Leo in the arm." Wow, warm welcome. Also, they have a number dispenser at the snack bar? The.. dam snack bar number dispenser?

"the immortal sorceress Calypso." istg she's something different every time they introduce her. She's a goddess, she's a nymph, she's a sorceress... her resumé must be impressive. "Even though Leo was the one getting punched by everyone in camp, I was reasonably sure he was the least uncomfortable one at the table." Oh shit, yeah, it's Leo, Calypso, Percy, and Apollo all at one table together. Percy, your biggest what-if is back! I know Apollo visited Calypso, but it doesn't seem like there should be any awkwardness there. "I hadn't witnessed such a tense greeting since Patroclus met Achilles's war prize, Briseis. (Long story. Juicy gossip. Ask me later.)" I'll hold you to that, Apollo! I want to know what happened!

"Calypso had never liked me, so she pointedly ignored me, but I kept waiting for her to yell, 'BOO!' and turn me into a tree frog." Does that happen a lot? Is that the vibe you got from her after knowing her for so long? I don't think this girl even knows what a tree frog is. She's probably never been to anywhere they're native to.

"Albania was particularly difficult." "Please do not mention Albania!" Nico had better snitch about what happened in Albania in The Sun and the Star. I know, I know, all the Reynas in the "reading PJO" fics are gonna be mad at him, but it's worth it. Also, does this mean Leo and Calypso and Festus had to cross the whole Atlantic to get back to camp? I thought leaving the island landed you wherever you wanted to go. I guess that's just the little raft, then.

"Damien White punched Leo's arm and walked away grinning. I wasn't sure Damien even knew Leo." LMAO that's my boy!

"looking for a way out of the Sea of Monsters." Ah, no wonder they couldn't come back for six months. They got lost in the Hell Ocean. You know what? I want a spin-off book consisting entirely of Leo and Calypso's Horrific Near-Death Experiences in the Sea of Monsters documenting Calypso's first experiences in the mortal world as she wonders whether she would've been better off staying on Ogygia while sprinting for her life from a pack of man-eating sheep.

"Hey, Sherman. Where'd you get the new scar, dude?" I love these little interjections so we know exactly who's punching Leo and how he casually greets them and catches up with them. For example: "Sherman told Leo the story of Crotchkicker McCaffrey and the Demon Peach Baby"

"her invisible aerial servants" Yeah, did she leave them on the island? Are they allowed to leave now that she's gone. I hope they're doing okay.

"Since leaving Ogygia, I have no powers . . . I am fully mortal." Are we gonna get to see Apollo and Calypso bond over both being ex-gods-become-mortal? One had it happen unwillingly and the other chose it. That'd be interesting.

"A few millennia ago, I had opposed her petition for early release from Ogygia because of some... ah, drama between us. (Long story. Juicy gossip. Please do not ask me later.)" WHAT? So she knows he opposed her release and that's why she dislikes him. WHAT'S THE DRAMA? Tellllllll usssssss

"Calypso had lost her powers. Leo felt responsible." Awwwwww "She won't call me Hunk Muffin, though. I dunno why" Ok good, the Hunk Muffin thing isn't as disturbing as I thought it would be.

"H-Meister. You're a hero!" Awwwwwwwwwwwww

"Oh, the middle third of the U.S.! . . . Piece of torta, then." I love Leo saying what we're thinking.

"And you freed Calypso, I see. Well done" For goodness's sake, Chiron. The boy died and came back to life and traveled for six months trying to find home and you're like, "Good job. Well done. Congrats."

"After he lent me his help in defeating the Colossus, it would have been the least I could do." This is progress. Apollo is not asking for/expecting favors with nothing in return. He wants to pay Percy back for his help. Maybe he should do that for the rest of the camp, too, considering they also risked their lives fighting the Colossus. Just a thought.

"Calypso even pecked Percy on the cheek." Calypso! Percy's taken. You're taken.

"geraniums bloomed in my stomach." Nice callback.

"Leo Valdez's Victory Lap World Tour." Imagine being Leo, dying and coming back to life, flying circles around the western hemisphere for six months trying to get home, and when you finally do, you have to immediately get up and save the world a-freaking-gain.

"I missed the whole Roman Empire." Oh yeah, you did. She's gonna be missing a lot of context for this whole quest.

"the Triumvirate might well have orchestrated all our previous troubles with the Titans and giants" Oh wait, did they cause the Great Stirring? I feel like every few days I have this same epiphany over and over again and it never gets old. Every few days I'll be like, Wait, are the Triumvirate and the Great Stirring linked? Did they cause it? Are they profiting off of it? and then three days later I'll realize the same thing again like I'm caught in a time loop. Help me.

"and an overly theatrical arrow." Oh no, the Shakespeare arrow is coming along. I hope this guy's easy to warm up to the same way Meg was.

"preparing rows of marshmallows on what looked like femur bones." I'm pretty sure femur bones are too thick to stick marshmallows on. Unless you got some big freaking marshmallows.

Apollo's going to be traveling with Leo and Calypso? *fist pump* When I was little, Caleo was my OTP! If I had known that the next book would involve them, I would've read it! Wait, I did know. What was I thinking???