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thatgirlonstage · 1 year ago

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Book Collage 2023

Collage of all the books I’ve read in 2023! This has been a fun little pet project for me for the past few months; I just really enjoy seeing all the covers together and playing around with organizing them in a way that looks cool. What’s included: all books (regardless of format), short stories, graphic novels, art books, VNs/multimedia novels, and poetry that I completed reading in 2023 (would include zines or plays as well except I don’t think I read any, at least not cover to cover). What’s not included: individual news/nonfiction articles, fanfiction (mostly bc it’s so much harder to track — I’m considering altering this next year if I do this again), individual chapters of ongoing serials (eg every new Black Butler chapter or Wayne Family Adventures episode from this year), works shared with me by friends that are not available to the general public, anything that was not archived in my Goodreads list that I forgot about before I decided to do this lol. Yes I did spend the last week figuring out what short things I had saved to read that I could use to fill in any holes.

NB: This is a value-neutral collection of things I read this year, not a rec list. Some of these are beloved favorites I am rereading for the tenth time. Some of them are new-to-me books that I absolutely loathed. Feel free to ask my opinion if you’d like to know what I thought of a specific book.

Thanks again to @fluffyblue-multifandommess for recommending software to make this with!!

ID/Book list below the cut

First Row: Black Butler Artworks 1 by Toboso Yana | The Cain Saga: Series 1: forgotten juliet by Yuki Kaori | Sachi’s Monstrous Appetite: Volume 1 by Chomoran | The Worth Saga: Once upon a Marquess by Courtney Milan | Sachi’s Monstrous Appetite: Volume 2 by Chomoran | The Dispossessed by Ursula K. Le Guin | The Worth Saga: After the Wedding by Courtney Milan | Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen | Sachi’s Monstrous Appetite: Volume 5 by Chomoran | The Worth Saga: The Devil Comes Courting by Courtney Milan | Sachi’s Monstrous Appetite: Volume 6 by Chomoran | The Cain Saga: Series 4: the seal of the red ram, part 2 by Yuki Kaori | Black Butler Artworks 2 by Toboso Yana

Second Row: The Murderbot Diaries: All Systems Red by Martha Wells | The Cain Saga: Volume 2: the sound of a boy hatching by Yuki Kaori | The Murderbot Diaries: Rogue Protocol by Martha Wells | Saga: Volume 10 by Brian K. Vaughan and Fiona Staples | Sachi’s Monstrous Appetite: Volume 3 by Chomoran | The Adventure Zone: Petals to the Metal by Clint, Justin, Travis, and Griffin McElroy and Carey Pietsch | Sachi’s Monstrous Appetite: Volume 4 by Chomoran | Banned Book Club by Kim Hyun Sook, Ko Hyung-Ju, and Ryan Estrada | The Murderbot Diaries: Home: Habitat, Range, Niche, Territory by Martha Wells | The Cain Saga: Series 4: the seal of the red ram, part 1 by Yuki Kaori | The Murderbot Diaries: Network Effect by Martha Wells

Third Row: Tracking Song by Gene Wolfe | The Murderbot Diaries: The Future of Work: Compulsory by Martha Wells | Salt Magic, Skin Magic by Lee Welch | The Murderbot Diaries: Artificial Condition by Martha Wells | The Adventure Zone: Murder on the Rockport Limited by Clint, Justin, Travis, and Griffin McElroy and Carey Pietsch | The Murderbot Diaries: Exit Strategy by Martha Wells | Earthsea: The Tombs of Atuan by Ursula K. Le Guin | The Cain Saga: Series 3: kafka by Yuki Kaori | Earthsea: The Farthest Shore by Ursula K. Le Guin | The Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation: Volume One by Mo Xiang Tong Xiu | The Adventure Zone: Crystal Kingdom by Clint, Justin, Travis, and Griffin McElroy and Carey Pietsch | The Murderbot Diaries: Fugitive Telemetry by Martha Wells | Sketchbook Number 1 by Zack Morrison | The Murderbot Diaries: System Collapse by Martha Wells | This Is How You Lose the Time War by Amal El-Mohtar and Max Gladstone

Fourth Row: Ouran High School Host Club: Volume 9 by Bisco Hatori | Inner Demons: The Art of Michelle Fus by Michelle Fus | The Adventure Zone: Here There Be Gerblins by Clint, Justin, Travis, and Griffin McElroy and Carey Pietsch | The Sawbones Book: The Horrifying, Hilarious Road to Modern Medicine by Dr. Sydnee and Justin McElroy | The Last Binding: A Marvellous Light by Freya Marske | Radiance: The Necromancer’s Light by Tavia Lark | Iron Widow by Xiran Jay Zhao | Fence: Volume Three by C.S Pacat | The Green Bone Saga: Jade War by Fonda Lee | Perilous Courts: Prince and Assassin by Tavia Lark | Doomsday Books: The Secret Lives of Country Gentlemen by K.J Charles | As You Wish: Inconceivable Tales from the Making of the Princess Bride by Cary Elwes | The Adventure Zone: The Eleventh Hour by Clint, Justin, Travis, and Griffin McElroy and Carey Pietsch | Call Us What We Carry by Amanda Gorman | Ouran High School Host Club: Volume 18 by Bisco Hatori

Fifth Row: The Witcher: Sword of Destiny by Andrzej Sapkowski | Ouran High School Host Club: Volume 10 by Bisco Hatori | Dark Rise Book 2: Dark Heir by C.S Pacat | Dear Senthuran by Akwaeke Emezi | The Last Binding: A Restless Truth by Freya Marske | Radiance: The Paladin’s Shadow by Tavia Lark | Fence: Volume Two by C.S Pacat | Fence: Volume One by C.S Pacat | Fence: Volume Four: Rivals by C.S Pacat | Perilous Courts: Prince in Disguise by Tavia Lark | Doomsday Books: If He Had His Legs We’d Be In So Much Trouble by K.J Charles | Legends & Lattes by Travis Baldree | The Blacktongue Thief by Christopher Buehlman | Ouran High School Host Club: Volume 17 by Bisco Hatori | InCryptid: Midnight Blue-Light Special by Seanan McGuire

Sixth Row: Whyborne & Griffin: Balefire by Jordan L. Hawk | A Charm of Magpies: The Magpie Lord by K.J Charles | Ouran High School Host Club: Volume 11 by Bisco Hatori | Crush by Richard Siken | The Last Binding: A Power Unbound by Freya Marske | Radiance: The Sword-Witch’s Heart by Tavia Lark | Spitfire by Maya Kern | Fence: Volume Five: Rise by C.S Pacat | The Sympathizer by Viet Thanh Nguyen | Perilous Courts: Prince and Pawn by Tavia Lark | Doomsday Books: A Nobleman’s Guide to Seducing a Scoundrel by K.J Charles | The Wandering Inn: Volume One by PirateAba | Ouran High School Host Club: Volume 16 by Bisco Hatori | Montague Siblings: The Gentleman’s Guide to Vice and Virtue by Mackenzi Lee | Six of Crows Book 2: Crooked Kingdom by Leigh Bardugo

Seventh Row: Feminine Pursuits: The Care and Feeding of Waspish Widows by Olivia Waite | Sir Gawain and the Green Knight (trans. Simon Armitage, perf. Bill Wallis) | Sir Gawain and the Green Knight (trans. Brian Stone) | Ouran High School Host Club: Volume 12 by Bisco Hatori | 17776: an American football story by Jon Bois | Understanding Comics by Scott McCloud | Soul of Sovereignty: Prelude by gigidigi | Ouran High School Host Club: Volume 15 by Bisco Hatori | Gentle Art: The Gentle Art of Fortune Hunting by K.J Charles | Gentle Art: A Thief in the Night by K.J Charles | Gentle Art: A Rose by Any Name by K.J Charles

Eighth Row: Nimona by [ND] Stevenson | A Safe Place to Land by boneturtle | Ouran High School Host Club: Volume 13 by Bisco Hatori | The Enigma of Amigara Fault by Junji Ito | The Sandman: Volume 7: Brief Lives by Neil Gaiman | A Mutual Interest by Alec J. Marsh | The Quite Nice and Fairly Accurate Good Omens Script Book by Neil Gaiman | The Sentence by Lousie Erdrich | Ouran High School Host Club: Volume 14 by Bisco Hatori | We All Need To Get By by Lyn Weaver | Always Human: Love and Gravity by Ari North

Ninth Row: Black Butler Artworks 4 by Toboso Yana | Soul Eater: The Perfect Edition: Volume 5 by Ohkubo Atsushi | Memento Mori: Madison Square Murders by C.S Poe | Baal’s Heart: Caged: Love and Treachery on the High Seas by Bey Deckard | Soul Eater: The Perfect Edition: Volume 6 by Ohkubo Atsushi | Sugar & Vice: Liar City by Allie Therin | Memento Mori: Subway Slayings by C.S Poe | Roaring Twenties Magic: Once a Rogue by Allie Therin | Soul Eater: The Perfect Edition: Volume 7 by Ohkubo Atsushi | Reforged by Seth Haddon | Memento Mori: Broadway Butchery by C.S Poe | Soul Eater: The Perfect Edition: Volume 8 by Ohkubo Atsushi | Black Butler Artworks 3 by Toboso Yana

#tal reads

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pockethep · 4 months ago

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Hello, JJK got me into anime then I started reading the manga. I saw your post on Shonen endings and wanted to know if you had any reccomendations? I'm not picky so anything really I just need a new hyperfixation.

So good news, I can recommend anything from the original list I gave. But for a beginner, I'll highlight a few of them.

Haikyu!!, honestly a great into into sports anime and if you love series that have a focus on character moments and dynamics Haikyu!! is the one for you. Not only did it have a fantastic ending, it has a fantastic beginning and middle. It's about volleyball but you don't have to know a thing about the sport if you want to start.

Mob Psycho 100. Genuinely one of my favorite series ever period. It's such a great show and manga. It's about a boy named Shigeo, nicknamed Mob (hence the title),

Full Metal Alchemist. Watch it then read it or read it then watch it. I can't stress enough how good this series is.When you watch it you'll either love it, or find out why so many people do.

Zatch Bell!. Zatch Bell holds a special place in my heart for being a show I watched very early on and rented at the library before I completely forgot about it. I remembered my fondness for the show and spent days searching for it until I found it and binged it in a week. It's about the title character, Zatch Bell who is a Mamodo, partnering with a schoolboy, Kiyo, for a once in a millenium tournament on Earth to determine who rules the Mamodo world. (And a sequel is currently running I believe...)

Golden Kamuy (completed) OR Dogsred (ongoing). Both are by the same author, Satoru Noda, and I really enjoy his writing. He's great at writing humor while also keeping it serious and something I really like is that he knows when to let a moment hang by itself. Golden Kamuy is about a veteran and a young Ainu girl going on a treasure hunt (ends up way more wild than that). And Dogsred is about an ice skater joining a hockey team (also way more than that).

Full list from previous post. I can recommend all of these but they vary wildly in length (I.E. Gintama is 704 chapters) so keep that into account:

(Haikyu!!, Slam Dunk, Assassination Classroom, Mob Psycho 100, Dororo, Gurren Lagann, Zatch Bell, Chainsaw Man, Trigun, Ashita no Joe, Gintama, JJBA , Golden Kamuy, Azumanga Daioh, Beck, Pandora Hearts, Great Teacher Onizuka)

Also for full clarity, Shonen is a demographic, not a genre. So while the previous recommendations are shonen, I can recommend some that aren't.

Akatsuki no Yona

Mushi-shi (Somewhere up there with one of my favorite series)

Monster and Pluto (same author both fantastic stories)

Vagabond

Vinland Saga

Smoking behind the Supermarket with You

Legend of the Galactic Heroes

Frieren

Natsume's Book of Friends

The Apothecary Diaries

Dungeon Meshi (can't recommend this enough and has a recent anime out)

Ouran Highschool Host Club

Wotakoi

Cowboy Bebop

Samurai Champloo

Black Lagoon

Now what I'm reading currently is kind of a lot. I like to have a swathe of manga I am caught up with but read weekly, biweekly, or monthly depending on the schedule. There are a few here and there that I might miss but here they are.

Chainsaw Man

Blue Period

Gachiakuta

Dandadan

Witch Hat Atelier

Gokuragakai

Make the Exorcist Fall in Love

Skip to Loafer

Wind Breaker

Fool Night

After God

Sanda

The Summer Hikaru Died

Kagurabachi

Undead Unluck

Ichi the Witch - This one started recently and currently has 3 chapters out. If you want an ongoing series with a growing fanbase check this out. The team behind it is also great.

Kai-Hen Wizards - Also currently 3 chapters. Looks interesting so you might wanna check this out as well.

Marriage Toxin

Centuria

How Do We Realtionship?

The Fragrant Flower Blooms with Dignity

Hirayasumi

Medalist

Yotsuba&!

Firefly Wedding

Akane-Banashi

Don't feel like you have to read a bunch of series. New series come out all the time, just give something a chapter or two to gauge your interest and start reading.

#pocket rambles #I'd give more descriptions but I'm doing this on a phone #Hope you enjoy a few series #Or at least find something you might like

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opalescence-2 · 7 months ago

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Finally!!! Hours of reading fanfics and being a Sunset Shimmer fan have led me to this very moment. I just created an account so I could send you this.

First, my favorite non-ship showcase of Sunset Shimmer as a character is the saga of “The Witch of the Everfree” by MagnetBolt (Adventure). Here, Sunset never crosses the portal; instead, she escapes Canterlot and hides near Ponyville. The story retells up to chapter 1, season 1 of the show. Sunset grows as a character through her adventures and interactions with the Mane 6 and Zecora, reflecting on her mistakes as Celestia’s student. This story has two sequels (“Witch of Canterlot” and “Witch of Winds”) and a side story (“Don’t Invite Witches to Weddings”). The sequels continue with the show in the background, but Sunset is off having adventures around the world. My favorite is “Witch of Canterlot” because it explores Sunset's growth into a better pony while keeping her magic, making her an awesome and powerful unicorn who solves problems with fire rather than friendship.

Second, a short but excellent story is “Term of Forgiveness” (Slice of Life/Romance) by Fylifa. Although it has some Sunset x Twilight, the focus is on Sunset and Celestia's relationship, which I feel is really important for Sunset’s character. This story is about Celestia getting to know the human world with Sunset after the movies. It’s an excellent, short exploration of their relationship and Sunset's growth.

A different but equally compelling story is “Sunset Reset” (Romance/Slice of Life) by LordBrony2040. This one involves a love triangle between Sunset, Cadance, and Shining Armor. Despite being different from the usual ships, it’s the story that made me love Sunset Shimmer as a character. In this story, Sunset returns to Equestria with all the magic from her friends after the Friendship Games movie, only to find herself back in the past at the moment she first saw the mirror, but now she’s an Alicorn. The story explores Sunset’s relationships before going to the human world, her regrets, and her complex relationship with Celestia. There are some politics and conflicts with nobles trying to use Sunset, and the relationship between Cadance and Sunset is well-developed. Note that this fanfic has some sexual themes. It’s a powerful story of Sunset having everything she ever wanted but still being unhappy due to her guilt.

If you’re still reading this, thank you so much @rarilight! I love your writing. Now, let's keep going.

There is a short Rari x Sunset story called “A Suit With Sincerity” (Romance/Slice of Life) by Oroboros. It’s a ship fic, but I enjoy the dynamic between Sunset and Rarity. It’s short and a really good read.

Lastly, I recommend “Long Road to Friendship” by Albi as a great exploration of Sunset Shimmer’s character. It tells the story of Sunset after the first EQG movie, where the Elements force her to help anyone who asks. She gets to know Human Twilight just after the dance. It’s long but shows Sunset trying to amend all the wrongs she did in the human world to build relationships with the Mane 6. The Twi x Sunset romance is well-done, and Sunset grows a lot through seeing the impact of her past decisions. It also discusses the challenges she faced surviving in the human world. I highly recommend it to anyone who likes Sunset or SciTwi. It has a sequel that is still ongoing, but I haven’t read it yet as I’m saving it for later.

I hope this information helps with your Sunset Shimmer showcase. Since I’ve already written so much, I’ll add three more fanfics that I enjoy a lot about Sunset as an extra (if you fall in love with Sunset and want more).

First, a short one of just 1,000 words written from Celestia’s point of view: “Don’t Go Through. You Can’t Stop Me” (Drama/Sad) by daOtterGuy. It’s quick and really good; I don’t want to spoil it.

Second, “SunDowner” (AU/Mystery/Adventure) by King of Beggars. It’s an amazing AU where Sunset becomes a practitioner of dark arts (like DC’s Constantine). It’s filled with emotions and is just a great read. Sunset is a badass here.

Lastly, “First Hoof Account” (Slice of Life/Romance) by TCC56. It’s a romance fic still ongoing, featuring Cadance x Sunset. It takes place when Cadance arrives at Canterlot Castle and how that impacts Sunset. It also explores Sunset’s relationship with Celestia. I’m enjoying it.

That’s all I can think of at the moment. I hope it helps and isn’t too much of a read.

Does anyone have good Sunset Shimmer showcase fics they can recommend? Preferably not a shipping thing, but a character showcase so I can use to study for writing her

If it has to be shipping, I’d prefer rarishimmer or sciset (I haven’t watched the sunpie one but want to soon!)

Thanks!

#sunset shimmer #fanfic #rarilight

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fangirlshrewt97 · 2 years ago

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Of Fears and Butterscotch

Another entry into the ongoing Dhruya Saga. This one is a little sad, but ends fluffy! Promise!

Here is @burningsheepcrown‘s lovely prompt pic:

///

Dhruva’s eyes fluttered shut as he exhaled the smoke, leaning back against the backyard steps and letting his head fall backwards.

The setting sun was painting the distant beach in a beautiful palette of colors, the few clouds dotting the sky turning the scene particularly picturesque. Today had been a long day, though not much had happened. Just being back here, in the house he shared with Daya, in the place that had felt closer to home than anything else had since his parents died, added a layer of calm to Dhruva. He hadn’t realized how on edge he was constantly until he had crossed this familiar threshold again, and he was already dreading having to return to Hyderabad. While his bosses had agreed to giving him two weeks off, it had been done with great reluctance.

Dhruva took another puff from the cigarette just as he heard the back door open. He adjusted his posture, leaning forward and spreading his arms so that Daya could slot himself neatly behind him. Dhruva leaned against that solid chest, exhaling the smoke that started to burn his lungs. Daya caught his free hand in his right, crossing it across Dhruva’s chest. He nuzzled Dhruva’s hair, making the younger man’s eyes flutter again. “I thought you said you didn’t smoke frequently?”

Dhruva shrugged. “I don’t. Just when I need to clear my head because things get to be too much.”

Daya pressed a kiss to his forehead. “You’ve been here for the past three days. Are you feeling cooped up?”

Dhruva shook his head, turning to fit himself under Daya’s chin. Daya grabbed his right hand, bringing it to his mouth so he could also take a puff of the cigarette. Dhruva watched through half lidded eyes as Daya wrapped his lips around the cigarette butt, keening softly when Daya inhaled.

Daya smiled lazily as he exhaled, a relaxed look in his eyes. He jostled Dhruva into a more comfortable hold for both of them. “I know we both hate to do it, but want to share?”

Dhruva sighed. Tugging his hand free from Daya’s grasp, he reached down, waving his hands until they caught on the edge of the envelope. He brought the package up and handed it to Daya.

Daya made a surprised sound as he adjusted his grasp on Dhruva to be able to catch the contents of the envelope when it fell out.

It was one of those fancy wedding invitations, cream coloured with a maroon border. Daya inhaled sharply when he read the name of the wedding party. “Ishika-”

Dhruva shrugged as much as he was able to. “I’m glad she found someone. The divorce wasn’t exactly ugly, but we kind of stopped talking once everything finalized. It is so strange, somehow in those years, Ishika became my best friend, my confidant in most things. She knew more about me than anyone else, but then we separated and stopped talking. We used to share everything, but now? I didn’t even know she had found someone.”

There were a lot of things Daya wanted to ask, but he settled for the easy question. He’d ask the other question that was churning in his gut after that. “Did she know about…us?”

Dhruva was quiet for a minute, fingers reaching out to trace patterns on Daya’s arm. “She knew there was someone. Because I started smiling,” he let out a bittersweet snort, “she said whoever the lady was must be something special because I looked so happy. So much happier than I ever had with her.”

Daya tightened his hold on Dhruva, even as his heart thudded in his chest. The younger man, pressed as he was against Daya, would surely be able to hear it. Dhruva brought the cigarette to take in the last puff, putting it out on the porch step before he kept it to the side. He exhaled, the smoke brushing over both their faces.

“Dhruva-” Daya started, but then stopped, unsure of what he wanted to say.

“You want to know the most…ironic? Or I guess most enlightening thing about this invitation?” Dhruva asked unprompted.

Daya swallowed, unsure if he did want to, but he nodded. “What?”

“I read the invitation, and I felt…nothing. A little surprise I guess, but not what I was expecting. Or what I should have felt, I guess.”

“What do you think you should have felt?” Daya asked, trying to keep his voice light.

“Anger? Disappointment? Hell, relief? The invitation is just another confirmation that that chapter of my life is closed, but I just feel empty. But…” Dhruva trailed off, eyes glazing over slightly.

Daya nudged his shoulder. “But?”

Dhruva sighed, pinching his nose. “Nothing.”

“Dhruva.” Daya said. “Tell me.”

Dhruva shifted, pulling himself away from Daya to curl into himself, wrapping his arms around his knees. “I tried not to think about it often, but some nights the bed would be so cold. And I would wonder if you had someone. If you used to bring them here, to the house we had shared. It used to hurt, and then I wanted to yell at myself because I was the one who left.

I had no right to ask you to wait for me. I had left, and you were allowed to bring whoever you wanted to this bed, and this house. You could wrap your arms around someone else, and kiss them, and … and touch them. The thought ripped my heart to shreds.” Dhruva stumbled over the last words as he buried his face in his knees, that familiar ache hollowing out his chest and making it difficult to breathe.

Daya made a wounded sound and dragged Dhruva back against him, bracketing him with his legs, and cocooning him within his arms. “I’m right here Dhruva. And I never brought anyone back here. I couldn’t.”

Dhruva clenched his jaw to try and hold back the tears burning his eyes, fingers digging into his jeans. He turned until he could see Daya’s eyes. Eyes he loved so much. Eyes looking at him with so much worry. He freed one hand enough to cup Daya’s jaw. Pressing his face to Daya’s, he nuzzled his nose into the other’s cheek. “God, I saw my ex-wife’s wedding invitation and I didn’t feel anything Daya. She found another man who she loves enough to marry, who is going to make her happy, and who she is going to spend the rest of her life with and I felt nothing. But the thought of you spending even one night with someone else? It made me want to die.”

“Dhruva-”

“I’m so scared Daya,” Dhruva confessed, “So scared that these past few weeks will all be some elaborate dream my brain came up with because it couldn’t take not having you anymore. I want you so much, I want this life with you, this house. I want to spend my Sunday mornings not getting out of bed because you are wrapped around me. I want to go for night time walks with you on this beach, holding hands where only the moon can see us. I want…”

Dhruva ran out of words as he clutched Daya like a lifeline, throat closing as he trembled in the other’s arms. The tears started to fall, soaking Daya’s shirt.

“I want that too.” Daya croaked hoarsely, and a spot of wetness on Dhruva’s forehead had him blinking past the tears to see Daya’s eyes were red-rimmed and filling with tears too. Whining, Dhruva leaned forward to wrap his arms around Daya’s head, pressing it to his chest. He felt arms wrapping tight around his waist, tight enough to hurt. He sucked in a breath, feeling relief instead of pain.

His chest was still heaving as he sucked in air in great gulps, heart thudding erratically. Daya rubbed at his back, hold loosening just a touch. Dhruva protested, but Daya shushed him. “I’m not going anywhere Bangaram. Just let me look at your face.”

Dhruva unwrapped himself enough so they could face each other.

Daya’s smile wobbled as he brought one hand up to wipe at Dhruva’s cheeks. “It terrified me too.”

Dhruva’s brows furrowed. “What did?”

Daya chuckled sadly, eyes falling to his lap. “The thought of you finding someone else. The idea that someone else could be making you smile, it drove me insane. And the thought of someone else touching you? I wanted to rip their arms off. You were mine Dhruva. You are mine.” he ended fiercely, burying his face into Dhruva’s middle.

“I’m yours.” Dhurva hiccuped slightly as he nodded his head. “And you are mine?”

Daya reached up to cup the back of Dhruva’s head to bring their foreheads together. “Till my dying breath Bangaram.”

Dhruva’s lip wobbled at how much that sounded like a wedding vow. He ducked his head to find Daya’s lips, the kiss an act of assurance and selfish comfort all in one.

They stayed clutching at each other till the sun dipped beneath the horizon.

///

Dhruva splashed cold water on his face, wiping away the remaining soap. Grabbing the towel from the wall stand, he dried his face. His eyes were still slightly red, and face swollen, but he felt more like himself. Placing the towel on the rack, he went out to the living room, grabbing Daya’s hoodie from the laundry hamper to shrug on. He inhaled the scent from the collar deeply, sinking into the sofa as he wrapped his arms around himself.

Daya entered the living room, one hand holding a box and two spoons as he messed with his phone in the other. He looked up to see Dhruva huddled into the sofa, and grinned. Crossing over, he settled on the opposite end, pulling Dhruva’s legs onto his lap. He held out the box in his hand to Dhruva.

Dhruva looked at the box quizzically as he took it.

“Order has been placed, food should be here in another half hour.”

“We shouldn’t eat out so much,” Dhruva mumbled as he brought the box close. “Ice cream?”

Daya winked. “We are adults. No one can say we have to wait till after dinner!”

Dhruva wrinkled his nose. “You are such a child.”

Daya pinched his ankle in response, causing Dhruva to lightly kick him in the thigh. “You’re proving my point.”

Dhruva shook his head as Daya tightened his hold on his leg. And then made a sound of surprise as he opened the box. “Butterscotch? You hate butterscotch.”

“I don’t hate it!” Daya protested. “It’s just not my first choice.”

“Then why do you have it? And it’s also half eaten.” Dhruva asked, curious.

Daya ducked his head, a rare blush blooming in his cheeks that just peaked Dhruva’s curiosity more. “I, ah- it’s your favorite!”

“Yes?” Dhruva prompted. “So?”

“So…sometimes when I … missed you, I bought the ice cream and ate it. It … helped.”

Dhruva bit his lip as his chest warmed. “You…I didn’t know you were so sappy Daya.”

Daya scowled. “Says the man who is constantly stealing my clothes and wearing them!”

Dhruva laughed, “It’s not a bad thing.”

“Whatever.” Daya scoffed, but he tugged Dhruva’s legs further into his lap. Dhruva hid his smile into the ice cream as Daya turned on their TV, and switched to a sports channel. He dug his toes further into Daya’s thighs, and when the man looked at him questioningly, Dhruva shook his head. He scooted forward to curl into Daya’s side, content as Daya wrapped an arm around his back.

Here, in their couch, in Daya’s hoodie, in his arms, in their house, Dhruva felt his heart settle some more. Yes, he was still so scared, but Daya kept showing him again and again that this was real, that he would fight for them too this time. It was time he let go of some fear too. He nuzzled at Daya’s cheek, asking for a kiss.

It felt like home. And tasted of butterscotch.

///

Feedback is appreciated!!

Tagging (Please please work, Tumblr I beg you): @rambheem-is-real @budugu @bromance-minus-the-b @junebugyeahhh @hissterical-nyaan @obsessedtoafault @hufhkbgg @yehsahihai @rorapostsbl @bluesolace1 @fadedscarlets @alikokinav @chaotic-moonlight @rambheemisgoated @rambheemlove @jaganmaya @burningsheepcrown @lovingperfectionwonderland @rosayounan @iam-siriuslysher-lokid @thewinchestergirl1208 @dumdaradumdaradum @ronaldofandom @jjwolfesworld @percikawantstoread @kashpaymentsonly @jeonmahi1864 @zackcrazyvalentine @stanleykubricks @m3gs1mps4a @tulodiscord @teddybat24 @sally-for-sally @ssabriel @jadebomani

#rrr #dhruva x daya #dhruva #dhruya #dhruva film #dhruya fanfic #daya #temper #temper film #my fic #my writing

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harukadrawsthings · 4 years ago

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Soul(mate)s of Light: A SatoGou AU - Master Post

“Friends yesterday, lovers today, soulmates forever.” — Unknown author

“There are no accidental meetings between souls.” — Sheila Burke

“A soulmate is an ongoing connection with another individual that the soul picks up again in various times and places over lifetimes.” — Edgar Cayce

“Important encounters are planned by the souls long before the bodies see each other.” — Paulo Coelho

What’s this about and how did it start?

Soul(mate)s of Light is a Pokémon alternative universe that began as a casual play in early 2020 when we were all stuck home in the Covid-19 curfew and I was finding ways to spend time, inspired by the high chemistry between Ash and Goh in the series that were airing in Japan back then, and wondering about an alternative timeline where the two boys’ friendship actually evolved into a platonic love.

Based in that principle, the first fanarts and fanfiction text (”A Change of Routine”) were created, the latter being a Litten describing the boys’ interactions with her own point of view as a Pokémon. I picked up a little bit of inspiration by the Detective Pikachu videogame and movie and earlier scenes in Ash Ketchum’s animé saga where we had focused screentime in Pikachu and other Pokémon species interacting with each other and us, spectators, being able to understand their talks.

“A Change of Routine” was originally planned to be the only fanfiction text I would write about Ash and Goh, but the positive receptions I received from the story encouraged me to create more, evolving into a series I would call “Litten’s Narrative”. This fanfiction series and the concept art of the Solgaleo and Lunala wedding tuxedos I’ve first drawn in Summer 2020 were pilot projects with potential to create an alternative universe with intertwined stories and lore, while respecting the most elements as possible from the actual Pokémon animé canon, yet with the possibility of doing references videogame, mangá and other obscure media lore.

Inspired by my passion for the Alola region lore, the Light Duo of Legendary Pokémon and by my research on a real Hawaiian belief that every human being carries an animal messenger inside their souls from birth until death, Soul(mate)s of Light came to be. It contains detailed character profiles in Toy.House, concept arts, illustrations, comic strips and fanfiction texts.

Litten’s Narrative was planned to contain ten stories in total, but due to a decreasing number of feedback and readers, rise of popularity of my comic strips, and writter’s block combined I decided to close in early 2021 this subseries that are integral to Soul(mate)s of Light with just six stories that I like to treat them like extra Pokémon Journeys episodes (because we could have had many more animated stories if it wasn’t for the pandemic messing up with the production team’s budget and human resources).

My alternative universe had no specific naming until the Pokémon Journeys animé arc ended in 16th December of 2022 in Japan. The title refers to Ash and Goh’s Pokémon Spirits of Solgaleo and Lunala, respectively, whose Pokémon are known as the Light Duo; and also refers to the romantic relationship between the two characters.

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What should I read first? I want to read everything by order or starting at a specific timeline.

Considering how big the AU became I’ve created this Master Post to guide readers about what’s the chronological timeline of each content. Updates are done silently from time to time and I plan to gradually include a link to the this post to each individual post for an easier tracking.

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Some drawings look inconsistent, is this normal?

Yes. The earliest contents were created between Spring and Summer of 2020 and since then I’ve evolved a lot my graphic style and quality standards. I can’t guarantee that all old content will see redrawn versions as it will depend on many factors, including whenever those contents are still part of the canon or not!

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What does it means “To be revised to [x] version” in the links to fanfiction texts?

Because Litten’s Narrative series was the pilot project of Soul(mate)s of Light, its non-revised content is pretty old. My AU lore and quality standards changed a lot with the course of time as well my writing skills, and as such it feels necessary for me to go through the old texts again to fix both the stories and weird grammar. I hope that everything is revised by 2025, without concrete deadlines.

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One or more links don’t work, can you fix this?

Yes, please send me a private message or reply to this Master Post while identifying the problem and I’ll fix the soonest possible.

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When does the new comic strip part becomes available?

When it gets ready to show. IRL subjects and art commissions are priorities!

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Toy.House Character Profile Links

Hope

Destiny

Ash

Goh

Chloe

Others including Pokémon and other character of the AU also coming soon

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Soul(mate)s of Light Pokémon AU chronological list of happenings as of 13/01/2025:

Parallel to the Pokémon Journeys’ timeline:

DATING (PLATONIC LOVE)

Confession (New version!) comic strip (Part 1)

Confession (New version!) comic strip (Part 2)

Confession (New version!) comic strip (Part 3)

Confession (New version!) comic strip (Part 4)

Confession (New version!) comic strip (Part 5)

Confession (New version!) comic strip (Part 6)

Confession (New version!) comic strip (Part 7)

Confession (New version!) comic strip (Part 8)

Confession (New version!) comic strip (Part 9)

Confession (New version!) comic strip (Part 10)

Confession (New version!) comic strip (Part 11)

Anther Step [v3.0 - New version] [Fanfiction: +11000 words]

Destiny Knot scene of Other Step comic strip

Hope concept art

Litten’s Narrative Fanfiction series (Some texts still need to be revised to a final version):

A Change of Routine [v1.2 - New version] [+24000 words]

Finding Toxel [v1.2 - New version] [+19000 words]

The Foreigner [v1.4 - New version] [+19000 words]

Therapy at the Park [v1.1 - To be revised to a 2025 version ] [+30000 words]

The Flame of Battling [v1.01 - To be revised to a new version in 2025 ] [+31000 words]

Tropical Re-encounters [v1.0 - To be revised to a new version in 2025 ] [+61000 words]

Hope and her Pokémon illustrations (+ Adult Hope concept art)

Jealous Hope illustration

Chatting Ash & Goh illustration

Ash goes to Pasio comic strip

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Future timeline:

Adult Ash and Adult Goh concept art 1

Adult Ash and Adult Goh concept art 2

Adult Ash M8 pose illustration

Adult Chloe concept art

Adult Ash illustration

Adult Goh illustration

Adult Chloe illustration

Sunne and Moone Wedding Rings and Solgaleo and Lunala outfits concept arts

DATING (MATURED LOVE)

Wedding proposal comic strip (Part 1)

Wedding proposal comic strip (Part 2)

Ash and Goh invite Gary for their wedding comic strip

MARRIAGE

It Was You All This Time [v1.2 - New version] [+6000 words]

Ash and Goh’s wedding vows comic strip

Wedding March illustration

Solgaleo and Lunala’s Ritual comic

Farewell Nebby and Lunala illustrations

MARRIED RELATIONSHIP

Cuddles illustrations

Nightmare comic strip

Valentine’s Day 2023 illustration

After the rainstorm comic strip (Part 1)

After the rainstorm comic strip (Part 2)

After the rainstorm comic strip (Part 3)

After the rainstorm comic strip (Part 4)

Intensive Care Unit comic strip

PARENTHOOD I (BABY AND TODDLER DESTINY)

Adoption comic strip (Part 1)

Adoption comic strip (Part 2)

The new Ketchum comic strip (Part 1)

The new Ketchum comic strip (Part 2)

The new Ketchum comic strip (Part 3)

The new Ketchum comic strip (Part 4)

The new Ketchum comic strip (Part 5)

The new Ketchum comic strip (Part 6)

Goh bottle-feeding Destiny illustration

Family Photoshoot (New version!)

Father’s Day illustration

Goh’s family learns about Destiny comic strip (Part 1)

Goh’s family learns about Destiny comic strip (Part 2)

Goh’s family learns about Destiny comic strip (Part 3)

Goh’s family learns about Destiny comic strip (Part 4)

Goh’s family learns about Destiny comic strip (Part 5)

Goh’s family learns about Destiny comic strip (Part 6)

Goh’s family learns about Destiny comic strip (Part 7)

Goh’s family learns about Destiny comic strip (Part 8)

Goh and Baby Destiny illustration

Snoozing on bed comic strip

Harmonica comic strip

The Chant of the Moone illustration

Red hair thread comic strip

Carrying Destiny like Pokémon do comic strip

First Destiny concept arts

Baby Destiny concept art (New version!)

Destiny’s growth chart concept art

Child Destiny illustration

Destiny-Alakazam concept art

14-year old Lei concept art

Valerie and Howie concept art

Goh calming Destiny coloured comic

Napping parents illustrations

Happy Birthday, Destiny! illustration

Dada comic strip (Part 1)

Dada comic strip (Part 2)

Dada comic strip (Part 3)

Dada comic strip (Part 4)

Papa comic strip (Part 1)

Papa comic strip (Part 2)

Papa comic strip (Part 3)

Papa comic strip (Part 4)

Nose boop comic

Sleeping toddler Destiny and Pokémon illustration

Ash and 3-year old Destiny illustration

Bedtime story comic

The Big Cup comic

Bedwetting comic strip (Part 1)

Bedwetting comic strip (Part 2)

Bedwetting comic strip (Part 3)

Bedwetting comic strip (Part 4)

Bedwetting comic strip (Part 5)

PARENTHOOD II (YOUNG CHILD DESTINY)

Holidays at the Pokémon resort illustrations

Ash, Pikachu and Destiny eating Big Malasada illustration

Busted comic strip

Problems at school comic strip (Part 1)

Problems at school comic strip (Part 2)

Problems at school comic strip (Part 3)

Problems at school comic strip (Part 4)

Problems at school comic strip (Part 5)

Destiny meets Abra comic strip (Part 1)

Destiny meets Abra comic strip (Part 2)

Destiny meets Abra comic strip (Part 3)

Destiny meets Abra comic strip (Part 4)

Destiny meets Abra comic strip (Part 5)

Destiny meets Abra comic strip (Part 6)

Destiny meets Abra comic strip (Part 7)

Destiny meets Abra comic strip (Part 8)

Destiny meets Abra comic strip (Part 9)

Destiny meets Abra comic strip (Part 10)

Destiny meets Abra comic strip (Part 11)

Destiny meets Abra comic strip (Part 12)

Destiny meets Abra comic strip (Part 13)

Destiny meets Abra comic strip (Part 14)

Destiny meets Abra comic strip (Part 15)

Destiny meets Abra comic strip (Part 16)

Destiny meets Abra comic strip (Part 17)

Destiny meets Abra comic strip (Part 18)

Childhood memories comic strip

The Photograph comic strip (Part 1)

The Photograph comic strip (Part 2)

The Photograph comic strip (Part 3)

Destiny mimicking her parents illustration

Ash hugging Destiny illustration

Destiny and Goh interactions 1 illustrations

Destiny and Goh interactions 2 illustrations

Wake up!! comic strip

Like Father Like Daughter comic strip + Extra picture

Kotatsu illustration

Good morning illustration

Pokémon GO’s Cosmog outfit dream 2-frame comic strip

Clothes Try-Out comic strip (Part 1)

Clothes Try-Out comic strip (Part 2)

Clothes Try-Out comic strip (Part 3)

Clothes Try-Out comic strip (Part 4)

Clothes Try-Out comic strip (Part 5)

Clothes Try-Out comic strip (Part 6)

Clothes Try-Out comic strip (Part 7)

Clothes Try-Out comic strip (Part 8)

Clothes Try-Out comic strip (Part 9)

Clothes Try-Out comic strip (Part 10)

Clothes Try-Out comic strip (Part 11)

Abra’s New Move comic strip (Part 1)

Abra’s New Move comic strip (Part 2)

Abra’s New Move comic strip (Part 3)

Abra’s New Move comic strip (Part 4)

Abra’s New Move comic strip (Part 5)

Abra’s New Move comic strip (Part 6)

Abra’s New Move comic strip (Part 7)

Abra’s New Move comic strip (Part 8)

Abra’s New Move comic strip (Part 9)

Abra’s New Move comic strip (Part 10)

PARENTHOOD III (10-YEAR OLD DESTINY)

And So the Adventure Begins comic strip (Part 1)

And So the Adventure Begins comic strip (Part 2)

And So the Adventure Begins comic strip (Part 3)

And So the Adventure Begins comic strip (Part 4)

And So the Adventure Begins comic strip (Part 5)

And So the Adventure Begins comic strip (Part 6)

And So the Adventure Begins comic strip (Part 7)

And So the Adventure Begins comic strip (Part 8)

And So the Adventure Begins comic strip (Part 9)

And So the Adventure Begins comic strip (Part 10)

And So the Adventure Begins comic strip (Part 11)

And So the Adventure Begins comic strip (Part 12)

And So the Adventure Begins comic strip (Part 13)

And So the Adventure Begins comic strip (Part 14)

And So the Adventure Begins comic strip (Part 15)

And So the Adventure Begins comic strip (Part 16)

And So the Adventure Begins comic strip (Part 17)

10 year old Destiny concept art 2

Annoyed Destiny sketch

Duplica gives Destiny a Ditto illustrations

Kadabra and Destiny illustration

Palace of Victory comic strip

Time-travelling Destiny comic strip (Part 1)

Time-travelling Destiny comic strip (Part 2)

Time-travelling Destiny comic strip (Part 3)

Time-travelling Destiny comic strip (Part 4)

Time-travelling Destiny comic strip (Part 5)

Time-travelling Destiny comic strip (Part 6)

Time-travelling Destiny comic strip (Part 7)

A wild Mew appears! illustration

Destiny and Abra eating chocolate cake slices illustration

Pride illustration

Destiny’s Cosmoem dress concept art

Evolution thoughts illustration

Aura User Destiny & Bond Phenomenon illustrations

PARENTHOOD IV (TEENAGER AND ADULT DESTINY)

Teenager/Adult Destiny (Student and Ranger) illustration

Pokémon Ranger Destiny capturing an Abomasnow illustration

Ranger Destiny with a Dottler Swarm illustration

Ranger Destiny and Shiny Latios illustration

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Outdated content (because of either requiring to be redrawn due to benefit from an improved art, or simply because the content itself doesn’t match anymore to my standards/lore of my AU canon):

Bonus: Random interaction of Hope with Chloe, Ash and Goh (Comic strip)

Ash trying to impress Goh comic strip

Ash & Goh interactions with Destiny comic strips and other concept arts

Family photoshoot illustrations (Recently updated!)

Ash and Goh holding sleeping Destiny illustrations

Fear of thunderstorms comic strip

Ash and Destiny try to locate a Feraligatr comic strip

Destiny undecided comic strip (Recently updated and expanded with the Clothes Try-Out comic strip!)

AO comic strip

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Author Directed asks (Currently open)

You can also find them by searching with the tag “ #Soul(mate)s of Light asks “.

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Character Directed Asks (Currently open, with no deadlines for a reply time nor promises of the question getting selected)

-> Rules to have in mind before doing an ask <-

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You can also find them by searching with the tag “ #Soul(mate)s of Light character directed asks “.

#satogou #Firstfriendshipping #journeyshipping #pokemon au #anipoke au #pokemon journeys au #pocket monsters 2019 #pokemon journeys #pokemon master journeys #pokemon ultimate journeys #soulmates of light #litten's narrative #Soul(mate)s of Light

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wenevergotusedtoegypt · 6 years ago

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I had an argument with a coworker earlier that’s really getting to me.

Like listen, I’ve had disagreements with coworkers. I have coworkers who regularly drive me crazy. I had the whole MPC saga last year. But what gets me about this situation is that it was someone I’d previously considered a friend, and came totally out of nowhere.

Basically, we have a huge crisis of office space this year. We have more actual employees than we’ve ever had who need desks, and 10 interns who are sometimes in all at once. We don’t have any more space than in the past. To make matters worse, there were some auditors here for a few months who were using one of the conference rooms all day every day. I have tried to problem-solve. The interns’ supervisor has tried to problem-solve. My boss has tried to problem-solve. We’ve tried to work with other departments. This is an ongoing thing, we are doing everything we can do, but some days there’s just not anything I can do. To make things worse, several staff members - including senior staff - have been uncooperative when asked to keep me informed of days they’re out so that their desks can be utilized. Then I look like an idiot because I say there’s no space for something, and it turns out that X senior staff member’s office is open all day.

It’s frustrating. It’s frustrating for me, it’s frustrating for the interns, and it’s frustrating for everyone else. But again, some days there’s just not anything I can do. I can’t magically conjure up more space. I can’t force other departments out of conference rooms.

So finally the auditors I mentioned are gone, and I can breathe a sigh of relief. The interns can work in the room they were using every day, no scrambling for space on days there’s literally nothing available, no booking a different conference room for them for the whole day and then not having anywhere to schedule meetings. It’s not the greatest solution, because it tends to be cold and it’s a bit far from the rest of our staff, but sometimes you’ve gotta work with what you have. Especially on a Monday, when there’s literally never any conference rooms that aren’t booked at least part of the day for something else.

And then this coworker comes up to me this morning, and instead of expressing concern and asking what we can do, is just outright hostile to me from the get-go, treating me like I’m the enemy, treating me like I’m holding back some solution for funsies, treating me like I haven’t been trying to figure this out every single freaking day since the interns first started in the fall.

She’s mad because the room they’re in is too cold (not in my control and what do you want from me when there’s literally no other space in the entire freaking building??) and the cell reception in the room is poor (it’s not as good as elsewhere in the building but I’ve personally made plenty of calls there, so...) and it’s too far for her to get to when people call for the interns and she has to track them down (I agree! I literally have the same issue! It’s significantly further for me than for you! There is not a better solution!). And because X senior staff member isn’t in until 11:30 today and I should have told them to use his office til then (1. he didn’t tell me he was coming in late 2. in the past the interns have complained to their supervisor about being moved in the middle of the day so WHAT DO YOU WANT FROM ME, darned if I do darned if I don’t), and because Y senior staff member isn’t in today and they should be using her office (it couldn’t fit more than 4 - and that extremely cramped - and I’d already let multiple of them use that office for calls and meetings today), and because if I told them they can use it, why are 4 different interns complaining to her that they can’t (I don’t know, because these freaking obnoxious interns are consistently ungrateful and this is not the first time they’ve made it out to other staff that I’m being unhelpful when really they’re ignoring help that I’ve offered and/or not asking for it?).

I immediately get defensive because...wth. The conversation isn’t hugely productive (shocker) and though I end up conceding to a point of hers, she walks away in the middle of the conversation seemingly without hearing/acknowledging that, mumbling something about talking to her supervisor. I take a moment to breathe, walk over to her desk, and ask if we can talk. She says ok. I explain that I felt like she came in already attacking me, that I got defensive as a result, and apologize and say that I would have had a very different response had her approach been different. Clearly trying to reset and start over the conversation. She acknowledges that she came in on the attack but then...acts like it was reasonable? and continues to speak to me in an extremely hostile way. Says that “she’s doing her job” and “I’m doing mine.” Wth NO?? It’s not your job to be hostile to your coworkers. It may be your job to advocate for yourself/the interns working with your department, but there is a freaking way to do that. I repeatedly ask her to remember that we’re on the same side and tell her that I am frustrated too, that we have been working on this all year, that she doesn’t even know all the background information about what my boss and I have been doing behind the scenes to try to figure this out. But she just keeps being hostile and acting like I’m not doing everything I can.

I think what bothers me most about this is that she’s also an admin person. She should know better. She should know what it feels like for people to be ungrateful and demanding when you’re doing your best and to always expect instant solutions no matter how unrealistic. We’ve worked together for coming up on 3 years and she should know I’m not just sitting back doing nothing, or purposely making people’s lives difficult. And yet she never even tried to have a calm conversation with me. She went from nothing to completely hostile instantly. I used to think of her as a friendly face and someone who got it, and she came to my wedding even, but now I honestly just don’t want to interact with her ever again whether professionally or socially.

#work

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kittyk4att · 2 years ago

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I miss filler scenes and episodes so much. There are the heart of tv shows to me.

(what follows is a lot of rambling about tv shows, none of it particularly cutting edge)

Like, yes, DS9 is a great 90s Star Trek show because of how shades-of-grey-ish it gets, but the reason I get back to it over and over is that motley crew/found family vibe that shines through little, unnecessary moments like Worf helping Quark woo Grilka even though he despises him, or the ongoing saga of Miles and Julian becoming the best of friends over racketball and holoprograms. The show took the time to establish characters and relationships through small things, and in return, when big things happen, we actually care about what happen to them, and not just about the plot twist. Freedom fighter/terrorist Kira Nerys is cool, but freedom fighter/terrorist Kyra Nerys who gave a real effort at following her d'jarra even though she's terrible at it and punched holo-Lancelot in the face? Aren't you getting a better idea of who she is? I'll be there to witness anything that will ever happen to her forever, no matter how twisted, ridiculous, or overused the plot is.

I watched the first season of Stargate Universe when it aired, but it was so plot-focused and "edgy" (I hate the need to make tv shows "edgy") that once it was done, I was just like "... okay?" and I've never felt the impulse to watch the second season. SG1 and Atlantis, on the other hand? I periodically rewatch them because I miss them. Not particularly the big story lines - though I usually enjoy them- but stuff like Ryac's wedding, or Sheppard pushing Rodney off a balcony and smugly announcing he shot him. Stargate rightholders, should you want to make your revival thing for real at some point, I'll be there with my money (unless it's a universe revival. Don't do a universe revival).

I count the days to the Criminal Minds revival not because I'm interested in the plot (I don't really care tbh), but because I'm going back to characters I've learned to know over the years. I'm going in to hear Emily swear for real, not just in my head, to check on Luke's and Penelope's relationship, to laugh at terrible jokes from Tara, to get some Rossi wisdom on whatever the world has become. I don't care about the serial killers, they're just necessary background to me.

The only reason I've ever considered watching Stranger Things is because I got to know Eddie over a few months through my Tumblr dash. The pitch never interested me, but I was ready to overlook that because I had made a connection through D&D sessions and screaming about music (then of course things went horribly wrong so I'm probably not going to watch it now).

It makes me really sad for the creators because I'm sure they love the characters and settings they create and have a million little things to say about them but they never get the chance to share them with us because they only get so much time and they have to pack a punch storywise for all those people out there who only want a quick high and don't actually care about the world they created, or they just won't get to tell the rest of the story at all. It's terrible. Not a single person who actually cares is winning in this situation. I used to be interested in writing tv shows, but when I see what tv shows are now, I'm just glad I didn't get into that.

First seasons are also rarely the best. Characters and dynamics need tweaking and refining, and it takes contact with the public to find out. Wider settings can't be discovered all at once. DS9 needed time to establish the political context that makes it so good. SG1 needed time to expand its mythology and geopolitical map to tell bigger stories. What is usually seen as the classic Criminal Minds team only formed in season 3.

Imagine creating the political complexity of DS9 in 8 episodes, while still fleshing out characters and delivering a story mindblowing enough that you will get a second season.

Seriously.

The defintion of hell is knowing a show is incredibly well-received in its first season, but if people don’t become machines churning out tweets, content, and rewatching 24/7, there’s no likelihood it’ll get a chance to tell its whole story. This shit is madness. Shows in different genres shouldn’t have to pit-battle for dominance. First seasons are MEANT to be baselines establishing worlds and characters, not complete storylines. The idea that this golden age of television has turned into “get it done in one or get out” is revolting.

#some rambly thoughts about tv shows #there's a reason why i'm super hesistant about new shows nowadays #if i want to watch a movie i'll watch a movie #i want my shows to be tv shows not long movies #i want to connect with characters not just see a story #anyway

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theritualofourexistence · 6 years ago

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Holiday Travel, 2018.

I mentioned briefly in my last post that I was anxious about our holiday travel plans. Having successfully completed our Holiday Whirlwind Tour 2018, I thought it might help me digest the adventure by writing about it.

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12/22

For me, the holiday travel started on Saturday, December 22nd with a trip to Malvern to meet my dad and brother. For my dad’s (60th!) birthday we went to Philly to catch both a Flyers game and a 76ers game. I drove from State College to Malvern that morning where we shared surprise cake with my Aunt Michelle and cousins Morgan, Danny, and Erin.

Now, my dad, my brother, and I have an ongoing bit featuring an old Happy Meal figurine of Dash from the Incredibles. For over ten years we’ve been taking turns hiding the toy in someone else’s stuff. In college once I forgot my sneakers at home and had my parents ship them. When I unwrapped the package, I found Dash jammed into one of my shoes. There was also a time someone found Dash suspended over the toilet with duct tape. Pete hid Dash in my medicine cabinet back in July and I had been scheming for months trying to come up with a spectacular way to pass Dash on to my Dad.

So, I put Dash into my Dad’s 60th birthday cake. The cake is a lemon cake with lemon buttercream, lemon curd filling, shortbread and Biscoff cookie crumbles, and vanilla mascarpone rosettes. And a plastic toy inside, of course.

The big reveal went about as well as I could’ve hoped and even though it wasn’t a long visit, it was a treat to get some time with my Aunt Michelle and cousins as well.

From their home in Malvern we went in to the city to catch the Flyers game. They didn’t win but it was still fun and hey, we got to see a fight too!

After the Flyers game we took the Broad Street Line into the city to get cheesesteaks from Pat’s. Along the way we passed a very cool glass mural on the outside of a museum. It was cold but nothing warms this Philly girl’s soul quite like a famous cheesesteak.

We trained back to the stadium for the 76ers game… it was excellent to see a close game and even better to end our evening with a win!

Then back to Malvern where we parted ways for the night, Dad and Pete heading home and me stopping at a hotel in York for the night.

Daily miles driven: 313. Total miles: 313.

12/23

On Sunday the 23rd we were up and moving early to get our family Christmas tree! Ever since I was a kid, we’ve gone to cut down our own real tree for Christmas. We met at our go-to place, Tuckaway Tree Farm, and found the perfect tree. Then back to Huntingdon to decorate and share a family dinner. After one of our family faves, turkey pot pie, and LOTS of Christmas cookies, I headed home for one beloved sleep in my own bed before the chaos really began.

Daily miles driven: 153. Total miles: 466.

12/24

Family Christmas! My mom, my dad, my brother and I unwrapped our family gifts in Huntingdon and upheld our tradition of reading both “The Night Before Christmas” and “The Polar Express.” My dad made eggs benedict and beignets for breakfast before we parted ways… Dad heading to Richmond, and mom, Pete, and I heading to visit our Grammy and Pap-Pap in Elizabethtown.

We had a lovely visit with Grammy and Pap-pap, opening more presents and having another family dinner. Then we hit the road again, stopping at a hotel in Lancaster for the night.

Daily miles driven: 171. Total miles: 637.

12/25

Huddell Christmas! We woke up to peanut butter waffles before continuing our trip to see mom’s family, the Huddell clan in Glenolden. We’ve been going to Glenolden for Christmas for almost my whole life… though there were a few years when we gathered elsewhere, Christmas at Glenolden will always be a very special thing for me.

I got lots of good chats with my aunts and uncles and cousins and cousins’ spouses and kids. One of my cousins showed up in his Christmas pjs, a Pikachu onesie. One of my uncles showed up in David Pumpkins-esque Christmas suit. I got to sit with my Grandmom for a bit while my uncle shared the good news that another of my cousins is pregnant with her first child. We cram a lot of people into a small space for a few hours in Glenolden every year and I wouldn’t trade it for the world… so much love in such a small space! Then a tasty lunch buffet of meatballs and more Christmas cookies gave us the fuel to keep driving.

We finished Christmas day driving south to our hotel in Emporia on the way to our next destination.

Daily miles driven: 378. Total miles: 1,015.

12/26

Finished our drive and arrived in North Myrtle Beach in time for family dinner! The celebration for my Nana and Grandpa’s 50th wedding anniversary began with ham and cheesy potatoes and homemade applesauce, which we shared with more aunts, uncles, cousins, and close family friends. We hung out in their condo laughing and eating and swapping stories in the warmth of the glow from the Christmas decorations. After a final nightcap we headed to our hotel for the night.

I am very anxious during travel but when I’m greeted with such a beautiful ocean view, it’s hard to be too grumpy.

Daily miles driven: 265. Total miles: 1,280.

12/27

Party day!

Pete and I started our day by meeting my dad, Nancy, and cousin Lee for mini-golf. The course we played at had a cute little train to the top of the course which my party-pooper brother refused to ride. The game was close- Dad and Pete tied for first and I was just one stroke behind. Pete, Lee, and I hung out for a second round of golf despite the steadily increasing threat of rain. We ended up soaked but ya gotta get your mini-golf fix when you can and I’m glad we stayed for that second game and some extra cousin time!

Back to the hotel to get ready for the party before meeting up with the rest of the group for a tasty Italian dinner and three different types of cheesecake! Though we spent a lot of time in the car to get there, I am so so glad that I was able to share the time with my family and celebrate my Nana and Grandpa!

Daily miles driven: 20. Total miles: 1,300.

12/28

We woke up to get breakfast with Nana and Grandpa at Friendly’s before starting our saga back north. It was a tough goodbye… I feel very strongly that I don’t get enough time with my Nana and Grandpa but that’s one of those problems that doesn’t have an easy fix.

After a long, long drive through the rain we arrived in Fredericksburg for the night.

Daily miles driven: 371. Total miles: 1,671.

12/29

Family tattoo adventure!

After an emergency trip to purchase shorts and a late-night email exchange, we started the second to last leg of our journey to Key City Tattoo in Frederick, Maryland. Pete had previously made an appointment with Antonio Roque and I managed to secure a spot with one of my favorite tattooers, Vinny Morris. My mom snagged a walk-in spot with Nate Sprenkle and we all ended up under the needle.

A few hours and three beautiful pieces of artwork later, we started the trip home with a quick stop for Five Guys on the way.

Daily miles driven: 280. Total miles: 1,951.

---

This is basically a captain’s log. Being in the car is hard for me but I find it slightly more manageable if I’m driving, so despite plenty of offers from my mom and my brother to take turns at the wheel, I drove every one of those 2,000 miles. Even if driving helps, I still am anxious enough that I need to stop often. If you add up all the miles traveled and all the extra miles for stops in that long, long seven-day span, I’m sure we drove at least 2,000 miles.

I’m endlessly grateful for my family’s patience with my need to stop and truly blessed to have spent so much time with my family this holiday season.

What you don’t see in this mile count is a laugh count or a smile count or a family dinner count. Though the weight of those miles was heavy, the scales are undeniably tipped in favor of the plentiful blessings I collected along the way. I got to see Pete for the first time since July. I got to see cousins I haven’t seen in years. I got to see all five of my living grandparents. I got to prove to myself that even if the trip wasn’t easy and didn’t exactly go super smoothly, I was still able to do it safely.

I finished the trip with a Roald Dahl reminder to “row on.”

I started 2019 by printing and hanging new pictures in my room. This year was a big one and I am so grateful for all the victories I collected along the way, both big and small, with the help of my friends and family.

#holidays #travel #2000 miles #pictures #new year #grandparents #family #friends #minigolf #traditional tattoo #tattoo #Charlie and the Chocolate Factory #Wonka bar #Row on #Roald Dahl #philadelphia #philly #myrtle beach #keep on keeping on

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fountainpenguin · 6 years ago

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Question Meme: (Ignore this if you don't want to answer all these....) 1, 2, 3, 28, 31, 33, 40 (sorry i couldn't pick one)

40 Questions For ‘Fic Writers Meme

#1 - Describe your comfort zone—a typical you-fic.

Gradual character development spread across a piece with deepened, believable worldbuilding. You know, I often say I’m not into romance, but here’s the thing: A nice long, serious slow burn does a person good. I’ll happily accept romance if an author can really get me into the minds of the characters and make me want their relationship to develop as much as the characters do.

It’s shallow romance that rubs me the wrong way. Give me two characters who honestly, truly care about each other to the point where they’ll sacrifice something they love, or even be willing to let each other ago if it means the one they love will be happy. I love that. But if you’ve got one character who will pitch a fit rather than let their love be happy with someone else, you’re really working uphill with me.

Worldbuilding doesn’t have to be as deep and complex as my ‘fics tend to get, but I do love to see how different authors expand the same world in different ways. I’m not a big fan of horror and for some reason I just can’t get into sci-fi. I enjoy fantasy and biology.

Really, I love anything that doesn’t contradict canon. AUs? Eh, sometimes, but they’re not my favorite. I like behind-the-scenes, between-the-lines, believable futures, and backstory pieces with some nice worldbuilding. And some complex characters who don’t always make the best choices and then have to suffer the consequences for their actions. Yes. ‘Fics like those are very nice.

#2 - Is there a trope you’ve yet to try your hand at, but really want to?

A queerplatonic relationship that’s happy, healthy, and long-lasting. You would think I would let my aro/ace children be happy, but alas, ‘tis not to be! You could say I like to squash zucchinis. I am self-projecting my own insecurities. I made Bennett a horrible person to show the “worst possible relationship with an aro/ace who wants a sexless marriage” so that the hopes and dreams of the other aro/ace characters look more reasonable by comparison. I do that a lot.

Okay, I lied. I can think of six “official” queerplatonic relationships we will see in my FOP works, and one of them actually does have a happy ending. I mean, probably. I haven’t written it yet, so who knows?

Spoiler alert: Mario and Peach are the OTQP and I’m going to milk it. What can I say? I call ‘em like I see ‘em and canon literally gave us a plumber who’ll collect 120 Power Stars in return for cake, and a princess who turned down his hand in marriage after all the times he’s rescued her, but adores him anyway.

#3 - Is there a trope you wouldn’t touch with a ten-foot pole?

“We pretend to hate each other but secretly we’re both in love and will one day in the heat of the moment spontaneously confess our romantic feelings and form a mutual, caring relationship without any further character development.”

I don’t know if it’s because I’m a very serious, honest, straightforward person (being INTJ and all), or if it’s because I’m asexual, or if it’s a combination of both (or neither), but I can’t stand huge plots about people refusing to admit that they like someone. Love has always been a logical thing to me. I was sixteen before I found out sexual attraction was a real thing. I don’t really understand it, but I guess it’s possible to have physical feelings for someone even if you don’t logically want to? And you can’t stop yourself or turn it off? I honestly don’t know how that works, which is why the “I wish I wasn’t physically attracted to you” trope has infuriated me since childhood. I just didn’t get it.

Even before I realized I was asexual, I would have discussions with my mom about how if I ever had a crush, I would openly admit this to my friends if they asked. I wouldn’t protest or deny, as I see so many media characters do. Then it turned out I’m incapable of feeling physical attraction and I get friendship squishes instead of romantic crushes, so that happened.

As a general rule of thumb, you should trust the characters I write if they say they aren’t attracted to someone. If they like someone, they’ll tell you so. If they don’t, they’ll tell you that too. And if they’re confused, then it will be very clear that they’re confused. No means no. I’m very strict about that. Don’t read into it looking for signs that they’re being secretive even to the reader. They are not. I emotionally cannot bring myself to do that.

#28 - Share three of your favorite fic writers and why you like them so much.

Oooh. I’m going to say that Shaddic takes the cake on this one. If you’re a Total Drama fan, or even if you’re not, then “Daddy’s Characters” will break you deliciously like very few fanfics will. “Before and After” is just a step behind it. The emotion captured by these ‘fics is incredible, and I highly, highly recommend them if you’re into evil villains who are undeniably and yet realistically cruel. Both ‘fics revolve around Mike and his multiple personalities (“Daddy’s Characters” revolving around adult Mike and Zoey, married with a daughter and with twins on the way, coping with something horrid that lands a distraught Mike in prison, and “Before and After” being the trauma-filled childhood backstory ‘fic).

Shaddic characterized everyone perfectly. So horribly, painfully well. Ugggh, I love it. My gallery has Identity Theft on the way, which will revolve around Foop and Hiccup and some multiple personality trauma, but it won’t be as beautiful as Shaddic’s work. They’re honestly worth a read if you ever have the time one day, even if you aren’t a Total Drama fan. You really don’t need to know the show to enjoy them. And enjoy them (and suffer) you will. In all my years, I’ve never seen an evil villain portrayed so… villainously. Love it.

I’m also a fan of SelanPike- partially for sentimental reasons, I suppose. I remember reading her Mario ‘fics over and over eight years ago, and I still read them today on a regular basis. Crazy how time flies. They’re just ones that I love going back to. As most of you know, I tend to fall in love with background characters. Fawful, Kamek, and Doopliss fit those qualifications- and coincidentally, those three are Selan’s favorites too! Technically, it’s because of her that the 130 Prompts project came to be. I always loved her 100 one-shot challenge, and that’s sort of how I eventually decided to write my own.

I really admire Selan for her characterizations. Her Kamek portrayal is my all-time favorite. So is her Fawful, her Doopliss, her Bowser, her Bowser Jr, her E. Gadd… she’s just a master of character. Even her freaking Jojora is spot-on. I mean, talk about background characters, am I right? Ha. Her writing is excellent and she has some fun plots. I always enjoyed drinking up her fanart and reading her comics on her deviantArt too. Still do. She has such a fun, bouncy art style. Her 8-page comic about Fawful attending school in the Mushroom Kingdom after Kamek hits him with the truant officer threat gets me every time.

I highly recommend “Until Tomorrow” (Her post-“Superstar Saga” ‘fic about Kamek and Fawful attempting to revive Cackletta so Kamek can kick her butt in a magic fight and Fawful can get the mother figure he refuses to call his mother figure back), and her famous ‘fic “On My Own” (about Fawful coping with Cackletta’s death and eventually working his way up the Koopa Kingdom social ladder). “Fragmented Spectrum” is a wonderful, tense, horror-ish ‘fic as well, with my absolute favorite Bowser Jr. portrayal. Plus, I love the rivalry between Kamek and Fawful seen in “F.S.” with Fawful trying to draw magic circles that he decided must be 100% perfect to count as circles, and Kamek not even knowing how to deal with him and his technology brain. Beautiful.

Check out the rest of her gallery too. Her two FFN fandoms are Mario and Invader Zim. She isn’t active there anymore, but her ‘fics are worth the read. I will say that I’m not a fan of her ‘fic “Everything You Ever” because I feel that Cackletta was way too sweet and nice for an evil villain in that one. But then again, I haven’t read it in years, so who knows. I’m not crazy about Selan’s Peach portrayal either, but that’s where my third recommendation comes in.

GuardianM1234 is a recent discovery of mine, and she does not disappoint. I’m a big fan of her ongoing ‘fic “Smoke” (which updates twice a month right now and is nearing its climax). It’s basically the story of Peach and Bowser growing up, and the development of their relationship from being fairly friendly as children to their complex relationship as adults. I’ve never seen Peach portrayed so perfectly, and I adore her. Never thought I would, but I do. Guardian also has a very unique take on Mario that’ll really make you squirm.

I love Guardian’s writing because she pits characters in emotionally-difficult situations and lets them learn and grow. They make bad choices, but she demonizes no one. Not even Bowser. Plus, Bowser has a little sideplot with Clawdia going on (the canon mother of the Koopalings if you know your deep hidden lore, though since the Koopalings were recently ruled “not Bowser’s children” by Nintendo’s “official” canon, I don’t know if she will be their mother in “Smoke” or where Guardian is taking this ‘fic). Basically, what I’m saying is, Clawdia and Bowser roastfest. Be there. They crack me up. And Guardian’s TOADSWORTH is perfection. Please give that old boy his gossip.

Plus, Daisy takes Bowser shopping for wedding dresses once and he bribes her with a six-pack of soda. Nice, short chapters with a few pleasant hints of worldbuilding slipped in, and a LOT of character. Guardian is still somewhat new to fanfiction, but she’s very sweet and she would adore some reviews if you do read her work. If you love her stuff, give her a shout-out! She’s great.

#31 - Do you take liberties with canon or are you very strict about your fic being canon compliant?

I fall halfway between this one. The answer is, sort of both! For my main fandoms, I have one rule: I don’t contradict canon, unless canon contradicted itself and I was forced to pick a side. Origin gets so deep into biology and Knots into culture that they feel more like original works than fanfics sometimes, because I’ll flesh things out as much as I want to. So that’s sort of a liberty I take with canon. But I never contradict canon if I don’t have to. I always comply.

It’s a puzzle. I love connecting dots behind the scenes. I love forcing everything that’s canon to be canon, even if it looks like it contradicted itself. If I can solve a plot hole, I try to. I will make ridiculous backbends to fit colorful Anti-Fairy eyes, Crocker’s ebb and flow of wealth, Miss Idaho’s “rare genetic condition that prevents her from aging,” Mary Alice Doombringer’s random abilities, and Girlfriend the cat’s sentience into Riddleverse canon, and I’ll love every second of it. I only cut a piece of canon out if I feel like I absolutely have to. It’s fun.

I can definitely enjoy reading ‘fics that stray from canon, and might even write them on occasion. But the reason why I write fanfics is because I loved the canon and I want to see it expanded, not taken away. I’d like to publish my original works someday, so if I’m not sticking close to source material, why would I write a fanfic that I could publish as an original work instead?

For the same reasons, I’d rather read a fanfic that expands on canon than eliminates it. When I fall in love with something, I fall in love with its world. I like ‘fics that blend worldbuilding aspects in with the plot they’re writing, even if it’s a short one-shot. I don’t love reading something that feels like its writer just inserted the names of popular characters into their otherwise original work so that people would read it. I want to have the little details and feel convinced that these are the characters (and the world) that I love. Personal preference.

In some cases, I default to realism over canon, such as by giving Cosmo the ability to recognize faces. In my psychology classes, I’ve learned that sometimes during investigations, police will show pictures to people and ask them to select the face that matches the one they were shown earlier. People pretending to be mentally handicapped in some way will often get the answers wrong on purpose in an attempt to maintain their facade, while those who are actually mentally handicapped will get them right. Just a nitpicky thing I do.

So I often favor realism over canon in certain ways, even if it possibly contradicts canon a bit. I respect canon and try to stay true to it as much as possible because I enjoy doing so, but I don’t consider myself 100% beholden to it, especially considering how many different contributors there can be to a project over the years. I do my best, but enjoying what I write comes first.

#33 - How do you feel about crack?

I can enjoy the occasional way-out-there thing, but I prefer serious stories in general.

#40 - Write an alternative ending to [insert fic title] (or just the summary of one).

Well, you didn’t give me a ‘fic you wanted to see an alternate ending to, but I do have a few short pieces I can share. You see, the “That Was Then” Prompt (the Jay Rhoswen and his studies about Anti-Fairies one) wasn’t supposed to end the way it did. Here is how it was meant to go:

Rhoswen scooted back hand over hand along the counter, his feet skittering in the vapor. What in the name of dust was he doing? He shouldn’t be looking at his wife’s counterpart more than at his wife! He shouldn’t be having these sorts of thoughts at all!

Anti-Shylinda placed her palms to his cheeks and gazed into his eyes. “No talk,” she whispered, and when she leaned forward, those burning lips closed over his.

As for whether that Seelie Courter chose to kiss the anti-fairy back once she’d started to draw away? Well… You ought to look to the term “Rhoswen syndrome” to answer that.

I didn’t like the idea of Anti-Shylinda being the one to make moves on Jay, so I scrapped it. Not only that, but the whole piece is written as snippets from Rhoswen’s journal now, so the voice here no longer fit the narrative.

At the end of the first chapter of Frayed Knots, “String Theory”, Anti-Cosmo cuts off the tips of his ears. I was originally going to expand the scene as follows:

Blood spattered the floor. With a hiss through my teeth, I withdrew the knife and dabbed the blood up with my sleeve. The stone might stain.

Recalculating, I dragged my stool over to the sink. The angle was awkward, but at least my blood would wash easily away. There, I slit off the tip of my ear, cutting carefully around my first canetis ring. Then I mirrored the action on the other side. Both rings bounced across the stone with a clink, click, clatter.

I uncurled my tongue and set the knife aside. Then I took the severed tips of my ears and held them to my head again. It took three agonizing minutes, but the smoke that filled my veins stretched out and wound around my fingers. It absorbed my ears and pressed them into place again. Full, soft, and whole. I fingered the gashes mother’s piercing clamp had left behind. Apparently, even regeneration couldn’t heal injuries left by an unenchanted tool. Useful information to know.

The canetis rings disappeared into my pocket. Then I got up and pushed open the window. I took a running start, dove out, and unfurled my wings.

However, I kind of liked leaving the chapter on the cliffhanger of “Oh my gosh, what did he just do to himself???” I also couldn’t include a sink in the castle in a time period when there is no indoor plumbing. Then I decided that I would rather give Anti-Cosmo permanent gashes in his ears he had caused himself, rather than ones caused by his mother, to always remind him (and everyone around him) of that day he stood against Anti-Fairy tradition. Kind of a shame to delete the scene since I like how it gave us information about smoke and Anti-Fairy healing right from the start. I might recycle it later.

Actually, if we’re talking about the original version of Knots, everything was supposed to be different than what it was. Here is another deleted scene that was originally planned to be the opening scene of Knots:

“Mum, I’m nine and a half minutes old. I’m not a baby anymore. Come on, please? You let Anti-Robin leave home to get his wand when he was only three!”

“You weren’t even born yet. How can you possibly know that?”

“He told me about thirty seconds ago, right before you came in here.” I grabbed my mother’s skirt in two tiny fists. “Mum, I’m going to be the only pup in the colony without a wand. What about our image?”

She wavered visibly, running her thumb along her staff. “Well…”

Father peered over his spectacles and frowned. “Now, wait just a minute here, Anti-Florensa. He’s just a pup. You can’t send him into the woods to gather the materials for his first wand all by himself.”

“But it has always been our family’s tradition,” she sniffed. “It’s not as though he’ll die. On the contrary, I’m more concerned about him killing valuable plants with his acid. Anti-Cosmo, you’re drooling again.”

I wiped my mouth. “Sorry, Mum.”

I really loved the “I’m nine and a half minutes old- I’m not a baby anymore!” idea, especially since there aren’t many times when you’ll have the chance to use it. As you can see, Frayed Knots was going to begin with baby Anti-Cosmo leaving his manor home alone to obtain his first wand.

But overall, in the end, I decided that it was more important to show the importance of smoke in Anti-Fairy culture, and we ended up with the scene we have now. Also, I really wanted Anti-Cosmo to grow up never knowing who his father was until several years after Anti-Robin had died, which meant I had to scrap or replace this scene in some way anyway.

The “Mama’s Boy” Prompt was actually written with the manor idea in mind, and I believe Anti-Florensa even uses the word “manor” in it. I added an author’s note to that piece several months ago mentioning that “Mama’s Boy” is semi-canon for now until Frayed Knots is finalized. A lot has changed.

Some other deleted scenes from the early plans of “Anti-Cosmo lives with his family in a manor near the Castle, and they are nobles but not royalty” include:

“I got something for you, kiddo.” Anti-Robin flicked an aluminum medal across the table that read #2 Son. I grinned.

“This is for me? Thanks! I love it!”

He tilted down his glasses. “You say, ‘Thank you, Father, for this generous gift.’”

I repeated the words, and he tousled my hair. “Now, go do second son things.”

“Yes, sir! I will! Thank you, Father!” With the medal swinging from my neck, I trotted happily off.

and

I clung to the frame of his office door, beating my wings to keep myself from staggering forward. I knew better than to cross the threshold, even though there was nothing I wanted more in the universe right then than to throw my arms around his waist and squeeze him in a hug. The bruise Mother had left on my arm hurt even more now than it did in the kitchen, somehow. My eyes slid back and forth across his desk.

“Where are you going?”

Anti-Robin calmly placed another folded shirt inside the suitcase. “Back to Anti-Scarlett’s.”

“With your other family?” I asked. “With her kids, Anti-Xavier and Anti-Tom?”

“Yes.”

“Why can’t I come with you? I want to meet them.”

“It’s a dad thing.” He closed the suitcase with two clicks and turned around. His eyes were steely calm, his frown very firm. “You’ll understand when you’re older.”

and

“ELEANOR!”

Anti-Robin and I grabbed our mouths and looked at each other, gaping with our eyes. Mother was over 150,000 years old. Her real name wasn’t supposed to be said out loud.

Father slammed a newspaper on the table, then stepped back and crossed his arms. “Might I inquire what the meaning of this is, ‘dear’?”

“Whatever do you mean?” she asked, not looking up from the end of her staff. She studied its base, then ran her polish rag across it again.

“Anti-Bryndin had the green fairy locked up, and I know you’re behind it.”

So, don’t feel too sad that Anti-Cosmo grows up without a dad in my works! It wouldn’t have been the best relationship anyway. Besides that, now that I’ve had time to think about it, this Anti-Robin portrayal isn’t that far off Ambrosine, and I’d rather H.P. and Anti-Cosmo had fathers with very different personalities.

If you have a really sharp memory, you may possibly remember seeing that medal around Anti-Cosmo’s neck when I drew my late-night FOP/Moana doodle dump that one time.

I also have oodles of scenes deleted from Anti-Cosmo’s visit to Winkleglint’s estate, since originally Scarletfeather was supposed to show up and Anti-Cosmo panicked when he couldn’t stop Scarletfeather from luring Mr. Thimble away. I could have filled another entire chapter with what happened during that study abroad week, but in the end I decided they were mostly self-indulgent and not important enough in the grand scheme of things to justify leaving in.

I’m skimming through my files of deleted scenes and I forgot I had this one too. Anti-Cosmo wasn’t supposed to have his intelligence test proctored by Ambrosine originally, as I was going to send him to this mental hospital facility. I decided against it, but here is a terrifying scene that we almost got. So, it’s technically an alternative ending too:

Dr. Gabriel handed me a piece of bark marked with the word Failed. “Don’t get cocky. Everyone has their limits.”

Failed? That lout outright failed me? I dropped the bark strip and looked up as Dr. Gabriel spread his wings. With a few sharp beats, he flew out of the pit. I chased after him, searching the platform above me with my eyes. So I couldn’t fly, and I was short, but I could make that leap-

“Oof!”

Or… perhaps not. I slid back down to the floor and landed on my rump. Never one to be deterred, I leaped back to my feet. Something to boost me, something to boost me… Oh! Snatching up his forgotten broom, I backed against the opposite wall, and then ran forward. I shoved the handle of the broom into the corner offered by the platform and the floor and launched myself into the air. Yes! Yes! Ahahaha! I hurtled out of the pit and went rolling across the ground. Dr. Gabriel spun around, his mouth falling open in surprise.

“Please,” I begged him, climbing to my feet again. My broken wings batted feebly behind me. “I want to gain a Fairy education. Level with me, doctor. You don’t want Anti-Fairies filling up your precious conservative school. And I don’t want Anti-Fairies filling it up either. True, we Anti-Fairies are known for our memories, but I like to feel special, and I shouldn’t want to chance anyone stealing my thunder away from me. You let me in, and I won’t breathe a word about your biases against my people.”

Dr. Gabriel studied me with idle coldness, clutching his tablets to his chest. He drifted a few steps backwards along the corridor. “Anti-Cosmo, your genius is entirely creative. You’re severely behind in your knowledge of technical skills, and you lack basic common sense as well as a sense of self-preservation. Because of this, we can’t recommend you be placed in any advanced programs. You’ll need to stay where you’re at.”

The corners of my mouth twisted into a frown. Then a sneer. “Frankly, Dr. Gabriel, I’m not particularly fond of that option.”

With that, I yanked out the can of forget-a-cin I’d nicked from his pouch when he’d been turned the other way. Dr. Gabriel had time to look horrified before I mashed the button down. My eyes were squeezed shut, but even so, the world around me lit with white. I let the empty canister fall to the floor and opened my eyes again to find the nervous fairy glancing around in bewilderment.

“There,” I said. “I’ve just put a block over this memory of yours. I do hope no one else would care to challenge me, or I will be forced to perform the same trick on them. Now, I demand that you, good sir, will have me enrolled in all the classes of my choosing. Is that understood?”

Dr. Gabriel’s wandering eyes finally latched onto me. His shoulders shivered, although he possibly didn’t remember why. He bobbed a bit lower in the air. Then his wings fell silent altogether, and he leaned his back against the wall. He slid down to the floor. “S-security! Security?”

His voice was too weak for anyone who wasn’t an Anti-Fairy to hear. I sighed. Covering my eyes again, I made a signal with my other hand. “Oh, dear. I do apologize. I really never do this, you must understand. It’s so messy.”

If he hadn’t been so hazy from the aftereffects of the forget-a-cin, I’m sure Dr. Gabriel wouldn’t have let me get away with as much as he did. As it happened, I walked right up to him and lay my claw against the karmic pouch on the left side of his neck. He yelped, but I knocked his clumsy hands away from me without any real effort. I braced my hand against my hip.

“I really never do this. It’s vile and crude. So sorry, I really am. But then again, well, perhaps I’m really not.” And with that, I sunk my fangs into his neck. Blech. He tasted of old mutton.

Dr. Gabriel screamed. He twisted, his shoulders rapidly seizing up. I rolled my eyes and kept my fangs embedded until his coughs turned to silence and he had frozen in place, as still as a stone statue. Only then did I wrench back my head, bringing the coils of his karmic weave along with me. Most of them were blue, but here and there a pink one surfaced, or a yellow. As the colourful threads of his life whisked above us, I stood back and traced one claw beneath my eye.

“Anti-Fairy tears consist mainly of sulfuric acid, of course. And I daresay you hurt my feelings quite a bit back there, didn’t you?”

Forcing myself to cry came as naturally as forcing myself not to cry always had. I captured the burning tear on the end of my claw and, very slowly, held it out towards the paralyzed fairy sitting against the wall. For several long seconds, I let him see it glistening there. Threatening to drip down on the place where I had bitten him. Which was still bleeding.

“I never do this,” I said again, truthfully apologetic. “It’s messy and you’ll be rather cross when you wake up, assuming you wake again at all. But it is true that I am crying, and here you are, lying so very still. We’re standing rather close, aren’t we? So close that I could touch you.”

Lacking the ability to move, all Dr. Gabriel could do was sit numbly, his mouth gaping. I lowered my claw towards his neck.

“But it’s only a single tear, isn’t it? Why should a fairy care if he made an anti-fairy child cry? No, a single tear cannot hurt your conscience. A single tear may sting your skin, perhaps, but it shouldn’t cause any long-lasting problem so long as no liquid in your body is particularly warm. Oh, wait…” Here I feigned surprise, and brought my claw a mere centimetre from his karmic pouch. Green liquid trickled down his neck. I smiled. “Why, internal Fairy body temperature borders on the boiling point, does it not? Oooh, I’d hate to see what happens when that acid comes into contact with your blood. I’ve heard it’s prone to such catastrophic explosions.”

There was, of course, no reply. Sighing, I withdrew my handkerchief from my pocket and wiped the tear from my claw.

“No, but I suppose I’m a gentleman, so I shan’t leave you comfortless. As I told you, I really never do this. I’m all boasts and bluster, really. That’s all I really am. Let’s get you cleaned up, lad.”

I was just wiping away the last drops of acid from his stunned face when the door opened behind me. I looked over my shoulder to find Anti-Jolene floating there with a clipboard in hand. She took in the threads of wild karma and my kerchief, and looked at me with her ears cocked forward.

“So… How is it going?”

I sighed and tucked the handkerchief away. “Dr. Gabriel and I have just finished, painfully. I say, are business deals with Fairies always so messy?”

She smiled a thin smile. “It would behoove us to find a neutral party who could settle things between our two races more easily, wouldn’t it?”

“I’ll be cleaning karma out of my fur for weeks,” I muttered, and went about gathering up his tangled threads so I could stuff them back inside his soul.

He was one messed up kid in this draft, that is for sure. Who knows? Perhaps I’ll find a place for this scene in the current version someday, if I ever need to send an older Anti-Cosmo to a mental health facility. For now, however, it’s deleted.

“This Is a Box” was actually supposed to end differently as well. And of course, so was “This Is Halloween.” Every once in awhile I’ll have a piece get away from me and end the way it wants, but most of them end the way I plan from the start.

Thanks for all your requests! I really appreciate your curiosity!

#Anon #asks #riddleverse mention #Ace Penguin #Mushrooms and more #FAIRIES!#Reading recommendations #130 Prompts #ridwriting #The bat with the hat #Bat cube and associates #Frayed Knots #Ask box games

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ljones41 · 7 years ago

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"POLDARK" Series Two (1977) Episodes One to Five

"POLDARK" SERIES TWO (1977) EPISODES ONE TO FIVE A very strange thing occurred some forty-four to forty-five years ago. Twenty years following the publication of the fourth novel of his "POLDARK" series, "Warleggan: A Novel of Cornwall, 1792-1793", Winston Graham's fifth novel in the series was published - namely "The Black Moon: A Novel of Cornwall, 1794-1795" (1973). Producers Morris Barry and Anthony Coburn had already adapted Graham's first four novels in 1975. The pair waited another two years before they adapted the next three novels in the series, including "The Black Moon" .

Most of the cast managed to return for the second series of "POLDARK". At least those who characters were still alive by the end of Series One. Barry and Coburn were lucky to keep at least four actors from the 1975 series - Robin Ellis, Angharad Rees, Jill Townsend and Ralph Bates; along with several other cast members. Only two roles were replaced with different actors. Michael Cadman replaced Richard Morant as Dr. Dwight Enys, and Alan Tilvern ("WHO FRAMED ROGER RABBIT?") replaced Nicholas Selby as Nicholas Warleggan. The first five out of thirteen episodes for Series Two focused on the 1973 novel, "The Black Moon". The following two novels - "The Four Swans: A Novel of Cornwall, 1795-1797" (1976) and "The Angry Tide: A Novel of Cornwall, 1798-1799" (1977) were adapted within four episodes each. I found this surprising, considering that "The Black Moon" is not the longest of the three novels published in the 1970s. Why Coburn and Barry had decided to give this particular novel five episodes? I do not have the foggiest idea. Episodes One to Five of "POLDARK" Series Two aka "The Black Moon" picked up several months after Episode Fifteen of the 1975 adaptation of "Warleggan: A Novel of Cornwall, 1792-1793" (1953). The series protagonist, Ross Poldark, has returned home after serving a few months as a British Army officer during the War of the First Coalition. Ross' close friend, Dr. Dwight Enys, is serving as a surgeon for the Royal Navy and is secretly engaged to local heiress Caroline Penvenen. Demelza Carne Poldark's two brothers - Sam and Drake Carne arrive in the Truro neighborhood to make their living. And Ross' first love and former cousin-in-law, Elizabeth Chynoweth Poldark Warleggan, recently married to wealthy banker George Warleggan, gives birth to her second son, Valentine Warleggan. Unfortunately, unbeknownst to George, Valentine was conceived when Ross had raped Elizabeth in the previous series. Following Valentine's difficult birth, Elizabeth summons her younger cousin Morwenna Chynoweth to serve as governess for her older son, Geoffrey Charles Poldark. Upon Ross' return, he discovers to his dismay that his great-aunt Agatha Poldark is now living with Elizabeth and George at a third Poldark estate where she and her brother Benjamin Poldark use to live. Agatha had lost the estate when the Warleggan Bank had foreclosed on it. Ross' cousin-in-law Verity Poldark Blamey informed him that Elizabeth had asked George to allow Agatha to live with them. Despite Elizabeth's kind gesture, Agatha and George take an instant dislike to each other. Episodes One to Five cover the following subplots: *Ross Poldark' efforts to find and rescue Dwight Enys, who ended up captured by the French *The developing romance between Drake Carne and Morwenna Chynoweth *Sam Carne's efforts to create a Methodist church and congregation in the Truro neighborhood *Elizabeth Warleggan's concerns over her newly born son's health *George Warleggan and Aunt Agatha Poldark's feud I like the Dr. Dwight Enys character very much. Thanks to Winston Graham's pen and Richard Morant's performance in the 1975 series, Dwight managed to be complex and ambiguous without losing any sympathy from my perspective. And actor Michael Cadman, who took over the role in the 1977 series, did a solid job . . . at least from what I could garner from his performance in Episode Five. But I have to be honest. I simply could not summon enough interest in Ross Poldark's efforts to rescue Dwight from France. One, I found Ross' initial trip to France in Episode Three rather foolish, especially since he did not speak French. And sure enough, Ross was captured and nearly executed during that first trip. And when Ross returned to France with his brother-in-law, Drake Carne, and other men to literally rescue Dwight in the second half of Episode Four . . . I was simply bored with the entire sequence. There was no one to blame. The actors did their parts. Philip Dudley did an excellent job in directing the sequence. I realized that I was simply not that interested in watching another sequence in which Ross Poldark played action hero. Especially not after the events of the 1975 adaptation of "Warleggan". A more interesting story arc focused on the young star-crossed lovers, Morwenna Chynoweth and Drake Carne. This particular romance in the "POLDARK" saga seemed forbidden three-fold. One, the two lovers came from different classes. Morwenna was born into the impoverished, but upper-class Chynoweth family. Drake was the son of a working-class miner. Worse, their romance found itself smacked dab in the middle of the ongoing feud between Ross Poldark and George Warleggan. Morwenna was the cousin of Elizabeth Chynoweth Poldark Warleggan and cousin-in-law to George. Drake was one of Demelza Carne Poldark's younger brothers and brother-in-law to Ross. The situation of their romance grew worse, due to George's determination to marry off Morwenna to a widowed and slightly plump young vicar named Reverend Osborne Whitworth in order to secure patronage from the latter's powerful and elite family. Looking back on this story arc, it was almost the most interesting aspect of the adaptation of "The Black Moon". Thanks to the performances of Kevin McNally and Jane Wymack, who portrayed the young lovers, I found myself highly vested in this story arc. I have only two complaints about this story arc. One, instead of showing the audience that moment when Morwenna had decided to marry Whitworth, the episode's screenwriter decided to convey this revelation to television audiences . . . after the wedding had occurred. In fact, audiences learned about Morwenna's marriage to Whitworth following Ross and Drake's return from France. Graham had not only conveyed the details of the wedding to readers in his 1973 novel, he also conveyed that on their wedding night, Whitworth raped his young bride, giving a hint to the marital horrors that Morwenna would face. Considering what Ross had done to Elizabeth in Episode Fourteen of the 1975 series, I suspect that Coburn and Barry wanted to skirt controversy by avoiding this incident. Only, I found their gesture rather irrelevant, considering that sooner or later, their writers would be forced to convey that Morwenna became a victim of marital rape. The arrival of Demelza's brothers also kick started another story arc - namely Sam Carne's efforts to establish a Methodist congregation in the neighborhood. Look, I am a firm believer in religious freedom. And I thought the show runners did a mildly effective job of conveying the struggles that Sam, who had inherited his father's conversion to Methodism, faced in dealing with local prejudices against a new religious sect. Mildly effective. There were times when I found it difficult to sympathize with Sam's efforts . . . especially when he developed this habit of trying to enforce Methodist forms of worship upon a congregation inside the local Anglican church. I found it rather controlling. In fact, I was annoyed by this habit that there were times when I actually found myself sympathizing with the likes of George Warleggan, who felt outraged and threatened by Sam's efforts. If Sam had wanted a congregation that badly, he could not conduct his own services in some outdoor location . . . at least until he could find a building to serve as the neighborhood's first Methodist church? Bad luck seemed overshadow the life of Elizabeth Warleggan's second son, Valentine. One, he was born out of wedlock, thanks to Ross' rape of Elizabeth near the end of the 1975 series. He was born on the evening when a black moon appeared in the sky, prompting Agatha Poldark to declare that he was cursed. In a way, the elderly Poldark was proven right for Valentine developed rickets in his legs either in Episode Three or Episode Four. Valentine's illness produced some interesting reactions in his mother and stepfather. George Warleggan became immediately upset over the idea that his "son" was not as perfect as he had hoped the latter would be. This led George to nearly go into panic mode summon the rigid thinking Dr. Behenna to help Valentine. The doctor's treatment proved to be barbaric, when he insisted that Valentine be kept in a tight swaddling that proved to be painful for the infant. Valentine's illness produced a different reaction in Elizabeth. In one of those rare moments, Elizabeth revealed how strong-willed and almost scary she could be when she took charge of Valentine's "treatment", allowing her son great comfort in a cleaner room. And when George protested, she knocked the socks off him by insisting on helping her son "her way". Although Ralph Bates gave a first-rate performance in this scene, it was truly a great moment for actress Jill Townsend. And this scene proved to be the first among a few scenes that proved Elizabeth was a lot tougher than she had previously let on. But aside from the Drake Carne/Morwenna Chynoweth romance, the real highlight of Episodes One to Five proved to be the feud between George Warleggan and his wife's former great-aunt, Agatha Poldark. Ironically, this feud began with bad writing, thanks to Coburn and Barry's 1975 adaptation of "Warleggan" that left Trenwith burned to the ground by a mob. Why did they include this scenario that was not in the novel? In order to divert the viewers' attention from Ross' rape of Elizabeth. Without Trenwith, Coburn and Barry had no way to get George and Aunt Agatha in the same house to carry out their feud. So what did they do? They created a third Poldark estate called Penrice. According to the new narrative, Agatha was living alone at Penrice, following the death of her brother Benjamin. The Warleggan Bank repossessed the estate and Elizabeth saved Agatha from a homeless state by convincing her husband to allow the old lady to live with them. Did it work? To an extent. Despite the creation of a new estate, despite the fact that "The Black Moon" adaptation marked the first appearance of Agatha Poldark in the series . . . it worked. Somewhat. Thanks to Ralph Bates and Eileen Way's intense and skillful performance, I nearly forgot about some of the questionable writing that surrounded this story arc. And that included the final confrontation between the pair. The adaptation of "The Black Moon" ended with George and Agatha engrossed over a bitter quarrel. Agatha, who had been looking forward to a major birthday party to celebrate her 100th birthday, was informed by George that there would be no party due to his discovery that she was only 98 years old. Agatha retaliated by informing George that young Valentine's birth father was her great-nephew Ross. Dramatically, this was a great moment that led to another outburst by George and Agatha's eventual demise. However, I found myself wondering how Agatha knew that George was not Valentine's father. She had never appeared in the 1975 series. Which meant she had not been at Trenwith on the night Ross had forced himself on Elizabeth. So how did she know? Throughout Episode One, Agatha contemplated on whether Elizabeth was eight or nine months pregnant. She based this upon the position of the younger woman's baby bump. How would she have known? As a spinster and member of the upper-class, Agatha would have never been in a position to nurse a pregnant woman, let alone act as a midwife. This was simply more bullshit from Coburn and Barry in their attempt to rectify their mistakes from Series One. But I was willing to slightly overlook this, due to Bates and Way's performances and dynamic manner in which the adaptation of "The Black Moon" ended. Aside from Ross' two trips to France, I really had nothing to say about him or his wife Demelza in these five episodes. They managed to conceive daughter named Clowance during the same month of Valentine Warleggan's birth. Both Robin Ellis and Angharad Rees had one fantastic scene together in Episode Two (or Three) in which Demelza tried to convince idiot Ross not to travel to revolutionary France without the benefit of an interpreter. Before that, the pair and Caroline Penvenen attended a reception that included aristocratic refugees from France. Otherwise, they were not particularly interesting in these first five episodes. At least not to me. What else can I say about Episodes One to Five of "POLDARK"? Not much. Both Ross and Demelza Poldark were not that particularly interesting in this adaptation of "The Black Moon". If I must be honest, these five episodes really belonged to characters like George and Elizabeth Warleggan, Drake Carne, Morwenna Chynoweth and Agatha Poldark. Although Episodes Four and Five featured what many would regard as a rousing adventure in revolutionary France, I found myself more fascinated by the family dramas and romances that permeated. Overall, I was satisfied. I enjoyed this adaptation of "The Black Moon" a lot more than I did Coburn and Barry's adaptation of "Warleggan" from two years ago.

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a-woman-apart · 7 years ago

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The Fourth Season of Felicity

WARNING: This contains multiple spoilers about the conclusion the Felicity TV series. I haven’t been this engrossed in a show in forever, and this might not be the most appropriate place to go crazy in fandom, as this blog is dedicated to other issues, but I am going to do it. After seeing the final conclusion I really needed to vent. I know it is an old show, but if you haven’t seen it yet, or are just seeing it now and do not want spoilers PLEASE DO NOT READ THIS.

“I’ll never inhabit you the way he does.”

The above are the words that Noel said to Felicity, after she “traveled back in time” to try to be with him (we’ll talk about that weird deal later). It seemed that no matter how much Felicity tried to be with Noel, Ben just kept pulling her back in. Those words are a sad, but apt description of the ongoing saga that occurred with the three of them.

Really, maybe Noel never stood a chance, no matter how much that I wanted him to. Even from the beginning of their friendship, Noel was the person that Felicity would confide in- mostly about Ben. When their relationship blossomed into romance, though, Felicity would confide in him about everything. In my mind, they were the perfect couple. They were always so tender and attentive and they had amazing fun together. The first time they try to have sex, they end up lighting a Christmas tree on fire by mistake. It’s comical and silly.

If I were Felicity, I wouldn’t have wanted to go back to the moment when I first had sex with Noel, on the roof, I would’ve gone all the way back to the moment when I left him in the airport, leaving him to go to Berlin all alone, and instead went on the road trip with Ben. I feel like that was when she really made her choice. She chose Ben, who would later end up letting her down more than once. One of his worst moments is when he distances himself from her when he first finds out that she loves him, but one of his best is when he realizes his mistake.

The Felicity/Ben dynamic is just that- dynamic. Their relationship is volatile, filled with ups and downs, and passion, but love ultimately grounds them. They sometimes pull away from each other, but the best thing about them is that they also know how to forgive each other and reconcile. The relationship is one of uncertainty, but maybe the point of it being so glorified in the show is that one of the show’s main themes is that nothing is certain.

The great thing about the show is that it kept us guessing. I honestly did not know who she was going to end up with. The bad thing about the last season, though, is that there were so many loose ends. Too much happens in season four and not all of it makes sense.

Ben fathers a child with his dad’s AA sponsee and moves to Arizona (for a spell) to be close to his son

Noel gets on medication for depression

Felicity changes her major from art back to pre-med

Elena dies unexpectedly, but before she dies she has this whole existential crisis about how she isn’t “black enough” and it is never addressed again or resolved

Finally, Felicity travels back in time with the aid of a “wiccan” spell from Meghan because after Ben cheats on her at school in Palo Alto she realizes that she wishes she had gone with Noel (who is actually set to be married very shortly)

I get it. The show creators wanted to explore how becoming a parent can affect a relationship- especially if the other parent is not the one involved in the relationship. The pregnancy happened as a result of one reckless night together- neither Ben nor Lauren (baby’s mother) wanted to be a couple. The way things evolved from there could be considered a little ridiculous, though. For one, when he is helping Lauren move, she ends up driving drunk and they are involved in a terrible accident. Lauren is fine, but Ben has to go into surgery. Felicity rushes to his side, but his parents are nowhere in sight. I mean seriously, wouldn’t they have been notified? And why would Ben let Lauren take the wheel anyway, if he of all people should be able to tell when someone is intoxicated? Also, we never get to see the kid after It is born, and I feel like that was intentional, but for all the wrong reasons. We are made to feel like it is something that happens off to the side, something more external to Ben’s life than it actually is.

Then, there is the issue of Noel’s depression. His therapist recommends to him medication, and that he create some distance between himself and Felicity. I do appreciate how Abrams and Reeves destigmatize mental illness. I am not a doctor, though, but I think though that with Noel’s mood swings and behavioral inconsistencies he may have been leaning slightly more towards bipolar II than just regular depression (that’s just my opinion). Also, I like how even though Felicity and Noel are good friends- and Felicity is a good person overall- there is some emphasis placed on creating space between ourselves and people who might not be good for us, even when we love them dearly. Mental illness is addressed again with Noel’s girlfriend-and-wife-to-be, Zoe, who reluctantly opens up to Noel about her struggles with depression.

I guess Felicity changing her major from art back to pre-med wasn’t actually that weird. It probably would have been unrealistic to have her suddenly succeed in art, given the struggles that she had been facing. People change their major and then change back- that’s a thing that happens. I just feel that we never really get to see her soul-search that much about changing. It is something that is just sort of announced after she goes back to California.

What is weird, though, is the situation with Elena. Out of nowhere, Richard invites her to a dance to try to impress this girl who is “PC as all get-out” and would be “impressed” with him “dating a black chick.” She punches him in the face, unsurprisingly, and when he comes back around, he tries to explain why she doesn’t really “seem black” to him. That is when she confesses that maybe he has a point, that there “has to be a reason why all my friends are white”- even though she loves them all dearly- and that maybe she was always just trying to fit in. This seems to address an elephant in the room, and was an opportunity for character development. Is it every explored again, though? No. Instead, they kill Elena off! She mysteriously appears alive again- with her on/off boyfriend Tracey- in the last episode at Noel’s wedding. I think maybe she really was dead and they did it for nostalgia, but it was a little bit confusing. Also, what is the deal with her punching people? None of the white female characters do this, even though they are given plenty of reasons, and I feel that it promotes a stereotype of black women as aggressive. On a whole, though, I was pretty comfortable with Elena’s characterization.

Now, on to the weirdest thing of all- the time travel spell. Wicca, in the form of Meghan, had been improperly portrayed on the TV show for some time, but this absolutely took the cake! In the end, the whole thing turns out to be a dream, but that doesn’t excuse how bizarre of a way this was to end the show.

The whole reason that Felicity wanted to go back to the roof- where she cheated on Ben with Noel- was that Ben cheated on her with some girl they studied with in college in California, right before Noel’s wedding. She attended the reception without him, but of course Ben came back crawling for forgiveness. So Felicity theorized that she had made a mistake choosing Ben in the first place, that she should have gone with Noel, and she considered that moment on the roof her one opportunity to change it all. Meghan, “helpful” as usual (for the record may I say she gives the worst advice ever) creates a spell to send Felicity back in time. What do you know, it works!

After the spell works, we encounter some of the strangest- and as a friend put it, “baffling”- events in the show we have ever seen. She tells Meghan that she’s from the future and needs to go back, but past Meghan doesn’t own the spell book yet, so she is of no help. Hannah comes back, Julie comes back, and all of this crazy stuff just keeps happening. Felicity is super intense and weird, because this is her “one chance” to make things right and be with Noel, but Ben isn’t willing to give up on her. In the end, Ben and Noel end up getting Felicity put in the psych ward because after she shares that she is “from the future” because they are worried she has had a nervous breakdown. Shortly after, Ben experiences something that makes him believe her and he breaks her out. Not long after this, they find out that Noel has died in a fire at the school- a fire that he saved Felicity from in the regular time line. After this, Felicity is more determined than ever to get “back to the future”. With Meghan’s help she finds the man who wrote the spell that originally sent her back. He is over the top, as expected, and has her talk about her past while he performs all these rituals that doubtless have nothing to do with real-life spells. So naturally, we get the nostalgic flashback that is typical of the end of a show.

In the end Felicity and Ben get back together, Noel gets married, and the gang- including dead? Elena- are back together for one last hurrah. It doesn’t seem like it’s happily ever after. It feels like the show could have just kept going, even though I understand why they had to end it there. What I don’t understand is why a show that had such a fundamental grounding in reality had such a fantastical ending- even if, as usual, it was “only just a dream.” Also, you would think that if Felicity had a “fever of 104” like Meghan said when she woke up, that they would have taken her to the hospital. It’s just so delectably cliché.

In the end, though, I kind of understand- Abrams is known for fantasy-based story lines, so he probably could not help injecting those elements into this TV show as well. Also, Noel was an unanswered question, and maybe he felt it best to give the issue some finality. In my mind, I still trace things back to Berlin. Noel wasn’t going to be ready to trust Felicity after that. It’s why they couldn’t get back together when things were rough with his girlfriend Ruby (Season 2). In the meantime, Felicity was always still in love with Ben. They were better off just friends, but I feel like Abrams made it seem like if they had gotten together Noel would’ve died, which is really a drastic way for things to end up. It’s also true that Noel was far more forgiving of Felicity than he had to be, but that was because in the end he truly loved her. It was more than just really wanting to be together, he truly cared about her. He made a number of questionable decisions, but with her he was always consistent, if sometimes cautious.

Then there’s Ben. Ben was supposed to be the unreliable one, but he was always there for his friends when they needed him. He always supported Sean. He stayed faithful to Julie, not seeing other people until they were broken up. He helped Javier with his citizenship test. He tried his best to be there for Avery, but he broke things off when she started to come between him and Felicity. He forgave his dad. He saved Trevor’s life. He made a decision to be a good father. There were so many amazing, noble things that Ben did, showing that he was more than just a hapless jock but he was a real person. He did sometimes struggle to express his feelings, but he always did the best that he could. Throughout the show we see him grow, and we see that Felicity’s love isn’t wasted on him. Even though I still feel as though Noel was the more stable choice, Ben really proved himself.

So how do I feel about the ending of the show? It was bittersweet. This show really helped me get through a lot of things, and I think that, for the most part, it was well-written and directed. The ending does feel a little bit haphazard and a little anti-climactic. I realized in the middle of this review that this was because the show was canceled suddenly. Knowing that kind of helps to put things in perspective. They actually did very well with what they had.

I think that Felicity Porter represents the part of all of us that craves adventure and struggles with not having all the answers. When she tells Sally about the reason why she chose Ben, it was because if she hadn’t gone with him she “would’ve always wondered what would’ve happened.” I think that all of us have felt that way at one time or another. After having traveled thousands of miles to be with Ben, she had to at least give it a shot when he finally reciprocated her feelings. Even though it may have been love at first sight, it definitely wasn’t a fairy tale. This show demonstrates how relationships can be hard work, but it is worth it if you are willing to work together.

#felicity show #felicity #review #i love this show #vintage tv #old shows #keri russell #scott speedman #scott foley #spoilers #felicity ending

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annacaffeina · 7 years ago

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Journal Entry:

I’m just gonna quick run down how my almost a month has gone. If you read my other personal posts you’ll know most of this already, but for my own sake I’m writing it out.

7/3- find out my IVF worked and I’m pregnant

7/13- Matthew’s grandmother died of heart failure. She was someone who connected more easily with women, so in many ways I was closer to her than my husband. I admired her.

7/17- Signed a lease which began my continuing ongoing saga of moving. Drove 3hrs to my sister’s house to be closer to grandmother’s funeral.

7/18- Drove what was supposed to be the other hour to grandmother’s house, but due to traffic was another 3. Funeral late into the night. Left at 9pm, home at midnight.

7/19- woke up early for OBGYN appointment. Found out the pregnancy failed to take.

7/20- miscarriage day

7/21- paid security deposit and picked up keys on the new place. Drove what was supposed to be the 3 hours back to my sister’s house. Thanks to traffic it was 5.

7/22- Sister’s wedding. I was a bridesmaid, husband officiated, daughter was a flower girl. generally good. Some mild family drama. The constant stress of wrangling my mom and her very progressed Alzheimer’s.

7/23. an hour and a half drive to the in-laws for a few hours, the remaining 2&1/2 hours home.

7/24- From this day forward every day involves some kind of packing or cleaning or moving.

7/28- In-laws bring up a u-haul with some furniture from grandmother’s house. Stay overnight.

7/29- They are lovely and help us move some of the big stuff. They are also quirky people that while I adore, after all these years I still don’t understand. For instance I had to talk them out of cutting a big hole in the baseboard so they could put the tv where they thought it should go in the apartment we are RENTING. This was lucky because usually they don’t ask us those things, they just DO them.

8/2- Husband’s car dies. Mechanics dick us around bigly. Called me at one point and when I tried to talk to them about the car they cut me off to tell me to “go ask the mister”. ugh

8/3- cleaning new apartment and found a sick bat in the tub. Adventures ensue.

8/4- borrowed a friend’s car so I could go to an OBGYN appointment to start the next round of IVF and...her starter had died in my driveway. Next cycle postponed for a week. While I was sitting at home I started to worry about the whole manhandling a sick bat thing and called my doc. Doc said they would call the CDC and get back to me on Monday.

8/6 I had a great day at a lake with family. Tried knee boarding. Sucked at it, but not the worst, and lots of fun. Then, on the way home, I just kind of... fell apart. Totally panic attack. Shaking, sweating, heart pounding, freaking out. I got it in my head that I had rabies, and couldn’t get it out. Discovered that one of the early symptoms of rabies is anxiety. DID NOT HELP. Also agitation. Could not calm myself down, barely slept. I haven’t panicked like that in probably a decade.

8/7- Anxiety was no better, but now I was really tired and fatigue is a symptom of rabies. also, I was sure I was going to get heart failure like grandmother before the rabies could get me. also a scratchy throat which is a symptom of, you guessed it, rabies. CDC called and basically told me rabies is HUGE in NH this year and I absolutely need the vaccine. Had to go to meet my in-laws because they are lending us a car while we deal with the husband’s dead one. Tried to go to the ER after that (can only get the rabies shots at the ER) but they were slammed and it was going to be at least a 6 hour wait. Still full-on non stop panic attack. Didn’t really sleep.

8/8- Woke up bright and early and got the damn shots. At least the first set of 4. Having a super hard time convincing myself I’m not too late. Finally cracked and called my doc. Bless her heart she called me in some clonapin. God I’ve missed those little yellow blessings.

Now I’m holding on by the skin of my teeth. I can still feel panic creeping around my head all the time, and I’m SO MAD. I have been carefully in charge of my anxiety med-free for a decade now. I get that I’m stressed or whatever, but honest to god, I don’t need this shit. Every time I feel even slightly unwell, and I still have the scratchy throat I have to sit down and breath for a few minutes and still end up taking the meds. I have until tuesday to get my shit together because that’s my currently scheduled next IVF and you REALLY can’t take benzos during pregnancy. Wish me luck. If it turns out I have rabies I’ll get my husband to drop you a line and let you know.

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impactcomicscbr · 7 years ago

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30 DAYS OF NIGHT #1 (OF 6) COVER A TEMPLESMITH 30 DAYS OF NIGHT #1 (OF 6) COVER B KOWALSKI & FOLNY ADVENTURE TIME COMICS #18 ADVENTURE TIME COMICS #18 S/O SUBSCRIPTION PIZARRI COVER ALL NEW CLASSIC ARCHIE YOUR PAL ARCHIE #5 COVER A PARENT ALL NEW CLASSIC ARCHIE YOUR PAL ARCHIE #5 COVER B MCCLAINE AMERICA #10 – Legacy ANGEL SEASON 11 #12 ANGEL SEASON 11 #12 ALTERNATE COVER ANGELIC #4 AQUAMAN #31 AQUAMAN #31 ALTERNATE COVER ASSASSINISTAS #1 COVER A HERNANDEZ (MR) BACKWAYS #1 COVER A CARLINI BACKWAYS #1 COVER B TEMPLESMITH BATMAN #37 BATMAN #37 ALTERNATE COVER BATMAN TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES II #2 (OF 6) BATMAN TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES II #2 (OF 6) ALTERNATE COVER BATWOMAN #10 BATWOMAN #10 ALTERNATE COVER BETTIE PAGE #6 COVER A LINSNER BETTY AND VERONICA VIXENS #2 COVER A EVA CABRERA BETTY AND VERONICA VIXENS #2 COVER B ANWAR BIG TROUBLE IN LITTLE CHINA OLD MAN JACK #4 MAIN & MIX BOMBSHELLS UNITED #8 CATALYST PRIME SUMMIT #1 CHAMPIONS #15 – Legacy COMIC BOOK HISTORY OF COMICS 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A ZOO IN WINTER HC NEW PTG ABSOLUTE DUO GN VOL 02 ADVENTURE TIME TP VOL 13 ALL NEW GUARDIANS OF GALAXY TP VOL 02 RIDERS IN SKY ANGELS OF DEATH GN VOL 01 ASTERISK WAR LIGHT NOVEL SC VOL 05 BATMAN ARKHAM JOKERS DAUGHTER TP BATMAN DETECTIVE TP VOL 04 DEUS EX MACHINA (REBIRTH) BIG TROUBLE LITTLE CHINA ILLUS NOVEL HC MERRIE OLDE ENGLAND BLACK HAMMER TP VOL 02 THE EVENT CHLOE GN VOL 02 NEW GIRL COURIER TP VOL 01 THROUGH THE ASHES DARK JUDGES FALL OF DEADWORLD HC DC SUPER HEROES WORLDS GREATEST JOKES SC DEADLY CLASS TP VOL 06 (MR) DEADPOOL CLASSIC TP VOL 20 ULTIMATE DEADPOOL DEATH MARCH PARALLEL WORLD RHAPSODY GN VOL 04 DEVIL IS PART TIMER LIGHT NOVEL SC VOL 09 DISNEY PRINCESS COMICS COLL TP VOL 03 DRACULA FILES HC DRAGONS RIOTING GN VOL 09 (MR) EVERAFTER TP VOL 02 UNSENTIMENTAL EDUCATION (MR) GOBLIN SLAYER GN VOL 01 (MR) GRAINELIERS GN VOL 01 GREEN LANTERNS TP VOL 04 THE FIRST RINGS (REBIRTH) GRRL SCOUTS MAGIC SOCKS TP (MR) HAWKEYE KATE BISHOP TP VOL 02 MASKS HERO CATS HC VOL 01 HOW TO RAISE BORING GIRLFRIEND GN VOL 08 IM NOT POPULAR GN VOL 11 INVINCIBLE IRON MAN IRONHEART PREM HC VOL 02 CHOICES IRREGULAR AT MAGIC HIGH SCHOOL LIGHT NOVEL SC VOL 06 IS WRONG PICK UP GIRLS DUNGEON NOVEL SC VOL 10 JUSTICE LEAGUE VS SUICIDE SQUAD TP (REBIRTH) KINGDOM HEARTS II NOVEL SC VOL 02 KINIRO MOSAIC GN VOL 05 KONOSUBA LIGHT NOVEL SC VOL 04 MAGICAL GIRL RAISING PROJECT GN VOL 01 MELANCHOLY OF SUZUMIYA HARUHI CHAN GN VOL 11 NEW TEEN TITANS TP VOL 08 ONE WEEK FRIENDS GN VOL 01 RE MONSTER GN VOL 03 (MR) SAGA OF TANYA EVIL LIGHT NOVEL SC VOL 01 SCHOOL LIVE GN VOL 09 SCOOBY DOO TEAM UP TP VOL 04 SECRET WEAPONS TP VOL 01 SMOKIN PARADE GN VOL 03 SO IM A SPIDER SO WHAT GN VOL 01 SPIDER-MAN BRAND NEW DAY COMPLETE COLLECTION TP VOL 04 STREET FIGHTER UNLIMITED TP VOL 01 STRIKE THE BLOOD GN VOL 09 SUPER STREET FIGHTER OMNIBUS TP SUPERMAN BATMAN TP VOL 06 SWORD ART ONLINE CALIBUR GN SWORD ART ONLINE NOVEL SC VOL 12 ALICIZATION RISING TEEN TITANS THE SILVER AGE TP VOL 01 TERRIFIED TEACHER AT GHOUL SCHOOL GN VOL 01 THAT TIME I REINCARNATED SLIME SC LIGHT NOVEL VOL 01 TOTALLY AWESOME HULK TP VOL 04 MY BEST FRIENDS ARE MONSTERS UNBELIEVABLE GWENPOOL TP VOL 04 BEYOND FOURTH WALL WOLVERINE BY DANIEL WAY COMPLETE COLLECTION TP VOL 03 WONDER WOMAN THE TRUE AMAZON TP YOUTH ROMANTIC COMEDY WRONG EXPECTED GN VOL 07 Z NATION TP VOL 01

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ARCHIE COMICS SPECTACULAR ITS A DATE TP ARCHIE COMICS SPECTACULAR ROCK ON TP BATMAN COURT OF OWLS BOOK & MASK SET BATMAN DARK KNIGHT RETURNS BOOK & MASK SET BATMAN DARK KNIGHT TP VOL 01 KNIGHT TERRORS (N52) BATMAN DEATH OF THE FAMILY BOOK & JOKER MASK SET (N52) BATMAN GOTHAM BY GASLIGHT TP NEW ED BATMAN NIGHT OF THE OWLS TP (N52) BATMAN THE LONG HALLOWEEN TP BATMAN TP VOL 10 EPILOGUE BATMAN YEAR ONE DELUXE ED HC BERSERK TP VOL 38 (MR) BLACK WIDOW TP VOL 01 FINELY WOVEN THREAD BRIGHTEST DAY TP VOL 01 CHEW TP VOL 12 (MR) COMPLETE ELFQUEST TP VOL 01 ORIGINAL QUEST DAREDEVIL TP BORN AGAIN DEADPOOL WORLDS GREATEST TP VOL 04 TEMPORARY INSANITATION DEADPOOL WORLDS GREATEST TP VOL 05 CIVIL WAR II DEATHSTROKE BOOK AND MASK SET DEEP TP DESCENDER TP VOL 01 TIN STARS (MR) DONALD DUCK TIMELESS TALES HC VOL 03 EAST OF WEST TP VOL 02 WE ARE ALL ONE FABLES TP VOL 10 THE GOOD PRINCE (MR) FANTASTIC FOUR SEASON ONE PREM HC WITH FR DIG CDE FLASH REBIRTH TP FLASH TP VOL 01 THE DASTARDLY DEATH OF THE ROGUES FLASH TP VOL 02 SPEED OF DARKNESS (REBIRTH) FLASH TP VOL 03 ROGUES RELOADED (REBIRTH) GIVE TO THE HEART MEMORIES GN VOL 01 GRAYSON TP VOL 03 NEMESIS GRAYSON TP VOL 04 A GHOST IN THE TOMB GREEN LANTERN TP VOL 03 THE END (N52) HARLEY QUINN BOOK AND MASK SET HELLBLAZER TP VOL 04 THE FAMILY MAN NEW ED (MR) I HATE FAIRYLAND TP VOL 01 MADLY EVER AFTER (MR) INVINCIBLE IRON MAN TP VOL 01 REBOOT JOKER DEATH OF THE FAMILY TP (N52) JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA THE ROAD TO REBIRTH TP JUSTICE LEAGUE TP VOL 06 INJUSTICE LEAGUE JUSTICE LEAGUE TP VOL 07 DARKSEID WAR PART 1 JUSTICE LEAGUE TP VOL 08 DARKSEID WAR PART 2 KINGDOM COME TP NEW PTG LADY MECHANIKA TP VOL 01 MYSTERY OF MECHANICAL CORPSE LEGACY OFF COLOR NOVELLA FOR YOU TO COLOR HC LORD MARKSMAN & VANADIS GN VOL 01 LOW TP VOL 04 OUTER ASPECTS OF INNER ATTITUDES (MR) MANHATTAN PROJECTS TP VOL 03 MARIA HOLIC OMNIBUS 3IN1 TP VOL 01-03 MONSTRESS TP VOL 02 (MR) MULTIVERSITY TP NIGHTWING TP VOL 01 BETTER THAN BATMAN (REBIRTH) NIGHTWING TP VOL 02 BACK TO BLUDHAVEN (REBIRTH) NIGHTWING TP VOL 02 ROUGH JUSTICE OUTCAST BY KIRKMAN & AZACETA TP VOL 01 (MR) PHANTOM COMP DAILIES HC VOL 12 1953 – 1954 PREACHER TP BOOK 02 (MR) PUNISHER MAX TP COMPLETE COLLECTION VOL 01 (MR) PUNISHER WELCOME BACK FRANK TP SAGA TP VOL 01 (MR) SAGA TP VOL 02 (MR) SAGA TP VOL 05 (MR) SAGA TP VOL 06 (MR) SECRET WARS TP SERENITY HC VOL 04 LEAVES ON WIND SERENITY HC VOL 05 NO POWER IN THE VERSE SEX CRIMINALS TP VOL 04 FOURGY (MR) SPIDER-MAN DEADPOOL TP VOL 00 DONT CALL IT TEAM UP STAR WARS DARTH VADER TP VOL 01 VADER STAR WARS LEGENDS EPIC COLLECTION OLD REPUBLIC TP VOL 01 STAR WARS TP VOL 04 LAST FLIGHT OF THE HARBINGER STAR WARS TP VOL 05 YODAS SECRET WAR SUPERGIRL THE SILVER AGE TP VOL 01 SUPERGIRL TP VOL 01 THE GIRL OF STEEL TRILLIUM TP (MR) VISION TP VOL 02 LITTLE BETTER THAN BEAST WALKING DEAD COMPENDIUM TP VOL 01 (MR) WALKING DEAD COMPENDIUM TP VOL 02 (MR) WALKING DEAD TP VOL 02 MILES BEHIND US (NEW PTG) WALKING DEAD TP VOL 10 WHAT WE BECOME WALKING DEAD TP VOL 11 FEAR THE HUNTERS (MR) WALKING DEAD TP VOL 12 LIFE AMONG THEM WALKING DEAD TP VOL 18 WHAT COMES AFTER WATCHMEN TP INTERNATIONAL EDITION NEW ED WITCHER TP VOL 01 HOUSE OF GLASS WOLF TP VOL 01 (MR) WONDER WOMAN TP VOL 03 THE TRUTH (REBIRTH) Y THE LAST MAN TP BOOK 01 (MR)

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