#it feels like something needs to happen between the sisters some kind of reveal some kind of confrontation SOMETHING

[oblako]

249 episodes and we still know barely anything about shinhye

[jihyoruri]

❚ ❚ ❚ ❚ ❚ ❚ ❚ ❚ 𓍢 UNEXPECTED kim minjeong x reader

↳warnings: yn is a member of ive and is described as a loser a lot (like they keep coming for my girl)

for all the years that minjeong knew her ex girlfriend, she never knew the girl had a sister until after they broke up, which is insane when she thinks about it more and she still hasn’t met the girl till this day.

she remembers it like it was yesterday, on the first of december is when the hit girl group ive debuted, yes a lot of people raved about the two ex iz*one members debuting but what made more rave was the girl that looked almost identical to jimin and it wasn’t an exaggeration they had the same last name and some unreal similarities between the two girls that even had minjeong asking jimin as she seen the new idol but the only thing jimin responded with was a laugh.

it was later revealed that the girl was in fact jimin’s little sister which brought a lot of shock to the world including minjeong and a little bit of betrayal, it was weird that jimin never mentioned her little sister, even when they were dating but she never pushed on it not wanting things to become more awkward than it normally was with them lately.

it’s been almost three years and minjeong has had interactions with almost all of the ive members but she’s never had a single interaction with jimin’s sister who she learned name was yn, well not until today.

all four girls sat around each other in their own worlds with their faces in their phones, there’s comfortable silence in the room that jimin breaks.

“my sister is coming over to pick up something.” the leader says grabbing all of the girls attention, “she’ll probably stay for a couple minutes as well.” she says her eyes still on her phone while the other girls look at her like she told the most shocking news in the world.

“wait, we’re actually going to meet your precious little sister?” aeri asked, this was big news for the other girls, jimin never brought her sister around she never even talked about her, “are you being for real?”

“yeah… she should be here in like a minute.” jimin now looking up from her phone and looking at the rest of girls like they’ve grown two extra heads, “is that a problem?”

“no!” minjeong cuts in, “it’s just you never talk about her, you never even told me about her we were dating.” she says before wincing at her words both aeri and yizhuo cringing as well as awkward silence fills the word at the topic of the girls past relationship.

“well… who cares that’s the past.” jimin says looking off to the side, “just don’t jump on her guys, I know my sister and you guys are really intense sometimes.” she says and rolls her eyes at the offensive looks she gets from her members, “she’s quiet and shy and can be weird sometimes, she’s kind of a loser, like mega loser, so please give her some space when she comes in.”

loser? she doesn’t look like a loser from what ive seen minjeong says to herself, she was kind of nervous when jimin said yn was coming over but if yn really is how jimin is describing, then there’s no need.

the girls nod their heads at the leader and silence takes over the room again but not for long as a knock on the door interrupts the silence.

jimin jumps up from the couch she was on and walks over to the door opening it immediately, minjeong hears a soft voice and jimin’s laugh before the door closes.

jimin walks back to where the girls were sitting but this time with someone behind her, minjeong feels something happen in her stomach when she lays her eyes on the girl, she’s on the taller side and pretty lanky but her arms show a slight tone to them she watched as the girl she pushed up glasses up the bridge of her nose looking down at the ground not making any eye contact with girls.

“this is yn,” jimin says putting her hand on the taller girls shoulder pushing her slightly to showcase her to her members, “my baby sister.” she says teasingly patting yn who still looks at the floor.

“fix you posture and look up,” jimin says to yn who immediately straightens up and looks up at the rest of girl showcasing her heart stopping face, aeri whistles quietly earning a nudge from minjeong who can’t seem to take her eyes off the girls face as well.

“im gonna go find what you want, so just sit with them while you wait,” jimin says before sending the girls a warning look before heading to her room.

yn stands awkwardly, while aeri clears her throat, “you can sit between minjeong and I.” she says pushing minjeong over and patting the spot between them.

yn puts her hands in her jean pockets and slowly walks over to where minjeong and aeri are sitting and sits between them, she talks out her hands from her pants and plays with the rings on her fingers and looks down in her lap and minjeong can’t help but let her eyes travel down to the girls toned hands.

“so…yn.” aeri starts, “this is our first time meeting you isn’t that insane?.” the girl says trying to start a conversation but there wasn’t a single thought in her mind as well, just like minjeong her eyes are fixated on yn’s rings.

yn is silent for a second and minjeong shifted uncomfortably in her seat, feeling a strange mix of curiosity and nervousness as she stole glances at yn. despite jimin's description, there was an undeniable allure to yn's demeanor.

“uh, yeah.” yn responded, now getting bored of her rings, she focuses on a keychain of saturn on her pants playing with it, “jimin never talked about you guys much as well.”

“oh really?”yizhuo cuts in with a offended tone, “I’ll talk to her about that.” she says obviously just wanting to troll the leader she gets up, “you should come too aeri unnie,” she says grabbing the other girls attention that was still on the quiet girl.

“uh, sure…” she says getting up and leaving both yn and minjeong on the couch, “I’ll be back.” she says before walking off with yizhuo.

silence fills the room again and all minjeong can do is look at the girl who’s attention is still in her lap, losers shouldn’t be this attractive is the only thing she can say to herself, she’s happy that yn is so in her own world to not notice her staring.

at least that’s what she thought, minjeong quickly turned her head around when yn looked up and turned her head to make direct eye contact with her, she got that feeling in her stomach again, this is embarrassing.

yn stared at her for a second before turning her gaze back to the front and leaning her head back letting out a sigh, minjeong hears her mumbling to herself about how long jimin takes with things.

she awkwardly cleared her throat, “jimin unnie is always taking long right?” she says to the girl who just nods and brings an arm up to rest of the back of the couch.

“so um,” minjeong starts, “isn’t it weird how I was literally jimin’s girlfriend and still never knew about you.”

yn lifted her head back up and looked at minjeong, “jimin had a girlfriend?” she asks bluntly there’s silence before she quietly laughs at the look on minjeongs and it was the first time the other girl has seen her smile since she came in here, it was cute.

“I’m joking,” yn says now looking to side, her demeanor automatically going back to the way it was before, she scratches the back of her neck and angels it in a way that minjeong can see the tattoo that peaks out, “I knew about you, not much though.” “you like tattoos?” minjeong asks, causing the girl to look at her again, “sorry, I noticed the one on your neck.”

“uh, yeah.” yn responds looking down again, “I have more, I can strip and show you the rest.” she says causing minjeong’s face go red.

“sorry,” she laughs awkwardly, “that was a joke, a horrible joke to say to your sister ex.”

oh yeah, for a second minjeong forgot that yn was jimin’s sister, because of how hypnotized she was by the girl, “no, it was funny.” she says moving closer to yn who immediately noticed and tensed slightly.

minjeong felt more confidence, realizing that she was the one in control in this situation, “from the looks of you, somethings telling me you get a lot of girls and guys ”

“uh,” yn says glancing at minjeong before looking back down, “no, not really.”

now this shocked minjeong, why does nobody want the attractive losers? the quite ones are the best she’s never had one in her lifetime so far, but yn is making hard not to want one.

“so, you’ve never been in a relationship?” minjeong asks.

“nope.”

“unbelievable.” she says leaning closer to yn, who fidgets with anything she can at the girl’s closeness.

“I should give you my number.” the girl states which causes yn to just nod, “if that’s what you want, can I ask why? she responds.

minjeong holds her hand out and yn grabs her phone from her pocket and gave it to the girl who added her contact and gave it back, “making new friends is good, sometimes they can lead to more.”

yn awkwardly laughed at the last part and put her phone back in her pocket.

minjeong opens her mouth to say more but is cut off by the footsteps of her members.

“found it!” jimin says walking into the room and aeri and yizhuo trail behind her, it’s a old dsi animal crossings game. “why did you need this?”

yn gets up immediately and takes the game out of jimin’s hand, “I found my old dsi, and I want to play on it, for when yujin unnie yells at me for having my face in my other games for too long.” minjeong couldn’t help but frown realizing that this means that the girl is leaving now, she waves at yn along with the other girls.

“you’re such a dork,” jimin laughs while yn makes her way to the door, “you’re not gonna say bye to the girls?”

“oh yeah, bye.” she says before immediately leaving.

jimin closes the door and looks at the girls, “well, that’s my sister.”

your awfully attractive sister, minjeong says to herself, of course she would find herself being attracted to her exs sister, this was definitely unexpected.

she knew how messy a situation like this could be, but she couldn’t find it in herself to care.

[insidekatmind]

Meet my sister P.9-Jude Bellingham

plot: Federico Valverde wants to introduce his younger sister to Jude, his teammate. He hoped that something romantic would be born between them seeing that their characters were perfect together but things take a different turn

You took one last deep breath, trying to regain control, and then headed downstairs where everyone was. The music was louder, and the chaos of the party had intensified, but you couldn’t stop thinking about what had just happened with Jude. You saw him there, surrounded by his friends, laughing, talking with that typical arrogant expression on his face. There was something so satisfied about him, as if he had gotten exactly what he wanted.

His gaze met yours, and for a moment, it felt like time stopped. A mischievous, almost smug smile curved his lips, but you forced yourself not to react. You didn’t want to show him how much he was affecting you, even though deep down you hated him and desired him at the same time.

You decided to ignore him. You weren’t going to give in to his provocation. You turned away and moved toward your friend, trying to distract yourself from Jude and the scene that had just unfolded. Your friend immediately noticed, her curious gaze studying you as if she sensed something had happened.

"Are you okay?" she asked with a knowing smile, but you answered distractedly, trying to seem calm even though your heart was pounding.

"I’m fine, don’t worry," you replied with a nervous laugh, but your gaze betrayed the tension you felt.

Meanwhile, Jude kept watching you from afar, and you knew it would be hard to escape his presence for much longer. But for now, you needed some space, even though you could still feel that magnetic pull between the two of you, drawing you in stronger than ever.

Your friend looked at you with suspicion when she noticed the hickeys on your neck. "What’s this?" she asked, giving you a confused look. You felt your blood rush to your face, silently cursing Jude for what he had just done. But you weren’t going to let him win. You had to come up with something, and fast.

"Ah, it's... the flat iron," you replied, trying to sound convincing as you lowered your face to hide the obvious marks. Your friend glanced at you for a second longer, but then nodded, seemingly convinced by your explanation.

"Ah, okay," she said with a smile, not pushing it further. "Well, it actually looks kind of cute like that."

Meanwhile, Jude was standing a few steps away, sipping his drink. He wasn't even trying to hide that smug smile of his that always appeared when he got what he wanted. Every so often, he threw you a furtive glance, as if he wanted to see how you'd react, and the smile on his face grew wider.

His friends, noticing his behavior, couldn't help but ask him questions, laughing among themselves. "Hey, Jude, what's up?" one of them asked with a mischievous grin. "You look so satisfied... is there something you're hiding from us?"

Jude shrugged, acting as if he didn’t need to say anything to make himself understood. "Nothing special," he replied, but his smile betrayed a certain knowing, as if everything was obvious even without words.

His attitude continued to irritate you, but at the same time, you couldn't help but feel trapped by his magnetic presence. You tried to focus on something else, but every so often you couldn't help but glance at him, just to see his smug grin, which only made things worse.

---

Vinicius couldn't stop staring at Jude. His gaze grew more intense, trying to figure out what had happened between you two, but Jude didn't give any sign of wanting to speak. He kept chuckling, that mischievous smile only increasing Vinicius's frustration. Rodrygo and Mbappé seemed to be enjoying themselves, but there was a certain eerie curiosity in their eyes, as if they were waiting for Jude to finally reveal what had really happened.

Just as Rodrygo was about to make a sharp comment, Federico approached the group, interrupting the tense atmosphere. He turned to Jude with an easy smile, complimenting him for keeping calm and not fighting with you, but the words he used had a double meaning that only Jude fully understood.

Jude smiled, and with one of his usual arrogant grins, he said, "Well, I guess I handled the situation well." Federico, completely unaware of the underlying meaning, laughed, thinking it was just an innocent comment, but the other three didn't miss the double entendre. You could hear them chuckling under their breath, but no one dared to say anything, their eyes moving from Federico to Jude, watching the scene with astonishment.

Federico, oblivious to what was happening, walked away smiling, and as soon as he left, Jude felt free to reveal his true thoughts. With another arrogant smile, he took another sip of his drink, looking at his friends, who were still shocked by the remark.

Vinicius, however, had immediately understood the subtext. Jude's laugh, his way of speaking to you, and that look of pure confidence made him realize everything. "So that's what happened," Vinicius thought to himself, laughing quietly. He wasn't angry, but there was a spark of curiosity in his eyes. "So this is the game, huh?" he thought, amused by the situation. He never imagined Jude would go so far with you.

---

Kylian kept asking Jude questions, trying to figure out what had happened between him and you, but Jude didn’t answer, only smiling mischievously. "There’s nothing to say," he said, shrugging as if he had no intention of revealing any details.

Meanwhile, you were walking toward them because there were some people you knew behind them that you wanted to say hello to. You didn’t care too much about their conversation, but as you got closer, Jude noticed you and decided to stop you for a bit of fun.

He teased you with that usual arrogant smile and a mocking tone. "Where do you think you’re going, sweetheart?" he said with a mischievous smile, blocking your way.

Not being able to resist, you gave him the middle finger with a defiant look on your face. Jude raised an eyebrow, entertained by your reaction, and got up from his seat. "Oh, you think you can scare me?" he said, walking toward you slowly. "Come see what happens when you challenge me."

You felt frustrated and tried to back away, but Jude wasn’t letting you escape. He approached you further and, with a smile that sent chills down your spine, whispered in your ear, "Are you really sure you want to play with me, darling?"

His warm breath on your skin made you lose focus for a moment, but before you could respond, he silenced you with a single word. "Behave," he murmured, making you blush.

With one last satisfied smile, Jude stepped away, returning to his seat as if nothing had happened. But his mischievous grin never faded. You stood there, your heart pounding harder, feeling both confused and frustrated.

You sighed, trying to hide your annoyance, and walked away with a determined step, trying not to give him any more satisfaction. Jude's laughter followed you, accompanied by that of his friends, who seemed amused by your reaction. They had never seen you like this, and yet they knew that, in some way, they had gotten a reaction from you, which seemed to give them a certain pleasure.

As you moved further away, you could feel their eyes on you, their laughter, and the tone of complicity between them. Jude, with his usual mischievous smile, did nothing to hide the satisfaction of having shaken you, while his friends watched him with admiration, entertained by your response.

You felt confused, frustrated, but at the same time, you couldn’t help but think about how he made you feel. Jude knew exactly how to provoke you, and that thought lingered, tormenting you as you walked further and further away from the scene.

[justporo]

A Scorching Letter

Brimsterton | A Staevstarion Regency AU

PREVIOUS PART | MASTERLIST | AO3

A/N: Yes hello, I know I haven't posted something I wrote in quite a while. Let's just say I've been busy, but mostly behind the scenes. This however I had written quite a while ago (end of June I think) and I need to get back into the saddle again with posting. So here we are, another trip into Regency AU with @velnna's beloved Staeve (thanks as always for letting me stick him in a costume) and Astarion. Picking off where we left off after the chaise longue incident.

Summary: With a lot mixed feelings after what almost happened between them, a scorching letter is written that reveals genuine truths and brilliant emotions. But the response might not have been what either of them had hoped for...

Pairing: Astarion/Staeve Wordcount: 5,1k Warnings: light implied nsfw

-----

Hands hastily tore open an envelope. On it, in elegant cursive handwriting that couldn’t be mistaken for anyone but Astarion’s, a name was written, boldly and with gold ink even: Staeve Brimstone.

Shivering fingers took several pages from the torn away paper and unfolded them. Immediately, it was visible that the letter had been written with a plethora of intense emotions: some parts seemed barely readable as if the pen had scarcely made its way across the paper in hesitancy. Others were quite obviously written with such vigour, that the sheets were almost torn and stained with blots of ink from a pen that had been pressed too harshly and hastily onto the paper - way too eager to get out the words.

The hands holding onto the letter kept trembling as the letter was studied. It read:

“My dearly beloved Staeve,

It seems we’ve gotten ourselves in quite the compromising position, haven’t we?Apparently, we do have a knack for this kind of thing, don’t you agree? It is nothing new for either of us, truly. How often have we gotten in trouble for something over the years? Quite frankly it might be a big part of the reason why my parents will finally be sending me off to the continent. I figure they fear what two - now grown - young men could get themselves into. And wouldn’t they be right?

A million times have we conspired together. A million plans. A million times it was us against the world. Together.

To our own surprise we haven’t always been discovered. But then again too often than we would have hoped. And yet we have always gotten out of a cornered situation.

This time it is different though.

I take it your sister hasn’t taken notice of what has happened that night. Or it might be that she doesn’t care - I was never able to read her well. And I do not dare to push her on the matter.

What could have happened had we been discovered in that moment? Truly discovered?

But to be quite frank that isn’t what I am concerned with. Not if I am being honest with myself.

You know I am a man of few regrets, Staeve. But I do regret having left like I did that fateful night. My mind kept whispering malicious things to me while my chest was burning, set ablaze by you and your lips. My heart was prepared to scream it all from the rooftops. But yet my anxious mind had me flee like lest we be found out.

But yet my heart keeps burning, the flames impossible to smother. I promise you I’ve tried. Only to find them flickering higher, brighter, hotter, whenever I tried.

And it has been hard to calm it for even just a moment since that fateful night on that chaise longue.

In the end, it has won over my mind even quicker than I thought as I still feel my chest burn with every single beat of my yearning heart. This is what my mind has been toiling with. This and the enticing idea of what would have happened had we not been disturbed, this impossible game of “what if”.

Would we have lost ourselves within each other, unravelled by our hands and touches. Would we have been void of words with only our bodies to speak the yet unspoken? Would we have gone all the way into oblivion together torn and then reformed together. And all to only be unravelled again and again until there had been nothing left but strings?

Strings we might have been able to have knitted into something new, something thoroughly intertwined?

Only the heavens may know.”

The words at the end of this page were thin; anxiously so. The author’s worries and fears clear already by how the words seemed to trail off at the bottom. In hopes perhaps, that they could just be shaken off the page lest they fall on deaf ears.

The next fresh page though started with bold writing again, even bolder than before. The written words proud, tall and unashamed:

“But I do know this: at night I lay unable to sleep with that blistering desire inside of me, slowly scorching me from the inside out. And when the heat becomes near unbearable, I lay there with nothing but the moon as a witness, touching myself while imagining - hoping - it was you. My hands wandering down over my own body and finding pleasure so easily and quickly - so intense - as they stroke and caress. Simply because it is you in my mind. The thought of you nearly enough to lose myself time and again.

I know I am a sinner for this, for my thoughts and my actions. But could a sin truly feel this heavenly? If this is what hell feels like, I will let it take me, gladly. I would welcome doom with open arms for just my actions, but truly, I’d much rather be doomed together with you, Staeve.

The feeling of your mouth on mine has been imprinted on me. I cannot forget it. I will die with the memory of your soft lips on mine on my mind as the last breath leaves my earthly body.

You've touched me a thousand times - a hug, a tap, a taunt - but not like this. Never like this. Not with that enticing intention, not with that need: giving, pleasing but also taking -  possibly all of me. And if I’m being true and honest to myself: I would give you all of myself - body, mind and soul. You may take it all!

Do you feel the same? Because even writing this letter I feel how restless my fingers are, how they itch to touch you again as well, how they need to feel you again: your lithe body, the skin of your face, your silken hair.

I just want to feel the warmth of you again, enveloping me, your body moving against mine as we fall together, endlessly.

And when your hands know me by heart, I want to feel your mouth all over my skin, tasting me before swallowing my confessions to you directly from my very own lips and tongue.

I want you to know me as deeply as no one has before. I fear no one else could ever understand me like you do anyways. And I hope, dearly, this is what you want too. I surely know it’s what I want with you: knowing you inside and out, better than myself.

Back in that moment it surely felt like that.

But memories are fleeting, fickle little things. Already I am questioning if I really saw the same yearning in your eyes I keep feeling in my very soul. But then again, it's not like this only transpired yesterday, hasn't it? Hasn’t this all been brewing for what feels like an eternity?”

Up until this paragraph the writing had been bold, the elegant cursive letters leaning so far it was easily distinguishable that they had been written without pause. Words that had  been too powerful to not let out.

But those next ones were more hesitant again. The pen had been pressed down to start many a time and then hastily taken off again, judging by how several blots and scratches of ink clouded the first letter of the next sentence.

But in the end even these words had found their way - either way:

“I reckon you know the feeling in the atmosphere before a thunderstorm approaches - when the tension is so dense it makes your hairs rise up. When the whole world seems to hold its breath, awaiting the inevitable.

Aren’t we just like that? Awaiting what deep down we have known for so long?

Aren’t we inevitable?

How long have we been like this? In that terrible limbo of potential and not yet made resolution?

Only for it to unload in but a blink of an eye, lightning hitting us both, scorching us through and through, down to our furthest depths - setting us brightly ablaze where light has never even reached before.

There is no way in which we could ever proceed, pretending as if we both haven’t been changed forever in this moment, changed at our innermost core - wouldn’t you agree?

At times I fear that all it would have taken was that one night. One night of scorching flames to then see the fire smothered. This - us - nothing but a quick intermezzo, a short crescendo that is quickly muffled and not to be heard again.

But whenever I think I’ve forgotten about this, about you, for a just moment, there it is again: the thought of you, impossible to get out of my head.

You are always there with me, Staeve, with every breath and every step.

You didn’t just light a candle inside of me, you started a wildfire.

And I welcome it - with all the heat, all the power, all the destruction it might bring but also the all encompassing warmth it might spend. I welcome it to be consumed by it!”

Before the final words of the letter there was generous space left. Quite obviously the author felt the need to let his final words take up room. The final conclusion to the letter read:

“I am in love with you, Staeve Brimstone.

I am in love with you - and looking back it feels like I have always been in love with you. From the moment I first laid eyes upon you up to the my last moments on this earth.

And even more than that: I need you. I fear I cannot live without you.

And even though it might be selfish - but we both know that I am -: I hope you need me too.

I hope to love you, Staeve, forevermore. And if I’m fortunate enough, that you will love me too.

Forever yours,

Astarion”

As eyes ran over the last page, the hands holding the letter had begun to tremble. They were gripping the paper so hard by now that knuckles showed white.

Then when the end had been reached they were shaking so much no word could have been made out anymore. The grip was crinkling up the paper now. Up until the pages were deliberately being crumpled angrily, pressed into a ball of paper, letters and emotions alike forced into an indiscernible mess.

With a few steps only, the way was made to the lit fireplace and the pages were given to the flames. The fire eagerly licked at the papers, ate it up until there was nothing left of the words and the long suppressed feelings they had finally expressed.

~~~

The Brimstone family had sat down for dinner. Or at least for their approximation of it. Viscount and Viscountess Brimstone were idly enjoying their dinner talking a bit of business, politics and gossip. Meanwhile, their son Staeve was more enticed by the workings of a small golden mechanical beetle his father had brought him as a souvenir from one of his business trips than by the meagre meal of roasted pork and vegetables he’d thrown onto his plate as more of an afterthought. The sleeves of his white linen shirt were rolled up to his elbows as he had discarded his doublet long ago to be able to move better and one of his suspenders threatened to give up on its job as it was dropping off his shoulder in his hunched over position. He had wholly reengineered what dinner time meant for him, much to the grievance of his parents. But dozens of tries to change first the boy’s and then the young man’s behaviour had failed. So at some point they had given up as long as he knew to behave when guests were over and was still honouring the family gathering times.

That usually meant that he was at least present during family dinner times, physically at least. But he’d only eat later, once it had all gotten cold. And then would sneak into the kitchen to grab seconds when he would have realised once more that tinkering around didn’t sate his bodily hunger. At least not enough.

His mother had long given up on trying to teach Staeve manners. When he had been a child she had been sure he would grow out of it. But once she had realised that his quirks had only been growing with him, she’d come to realise that it was for the best to just leave him be and hope for the best.

Only occasionally did she still try to enforce his older sister Nita as a role model to him. It never worked.

So, as Staeve was fumbling with his current project and his parents were lost in conversation, his sister Nita - void of any option to make dinner time pass any faster with her parents talking and her brother with his mind elsewhere - moved around some asparagus on her gold rimmed plate and wished she could’ve found an excuse to go eat with her younger siblings in the kitchen. Even they would have been a more ample entertainment discussing their playtime or perhaps their current tutor lessons.

That was until she thought of a way of hopefully grabbing Staeve’s attention for more than a fleeting moment.

“So, Staeve, have you found something to do yet, something to cope?”

Her brother’s tuft of green hair lifted shortly from where it had been bent over the small, intricately built beetle and some similarly delicate tool with which Staeve meant to dismantle the small object - thereby probably irreparably destroying it.

But the younger Brimstone shortly looked at his sister in irritation. Then his gaze snapped back to his hands and his workings and he began tinkering again.

“What?”

Nita rolled her eyes. “You know you are supposed to use full sentences, right?”

“Whoever has the time for that?”

“Ah see, he does speak in full sentences.”

Staeve grunted at his sister’s sarcasm but didn’t reward her with another glance.

Nita tried again.

“So have you?”

“I don’t think that was a full sentence.”

She was about ready to throw her fork at him, hoping it would drive the audacity right out of him - or at least take an eye. For a moment she debated just letting the silence draw out. But honestly she hadn’t been the one starting to be petty.

“You know, Staeve, I really get why even Astarion has decided to suddenly leave town when you’re being such a prick!” Nita almost shouted. That even had caught her parents’ attention now who immediately scolded her for her unladylike demeanour and choice of words.

She pouted, annoyed at how she had been the one being called out now instead of her brother.

And when she turned her head around again to throw him an angry glare she suddenly found she had finally caught his attention. Maybe even a bit too much of it because Staeve was now staring at her, eyes wide, face void of colour.

“What do you mean Astarion is leaving?”

Nita was about to snap at him again. But something in her brother’s gaze and his sudden stillness made her abandon the thought immediately.

“Didn’t- didn’t he tell you? I thought you always knew everything about each other.”

Immediately hurt flashed through Staeve’s teal eyes, too irritated to even try to hide it.

“Leaving when? Why?” Staeve’s voice was nothing more but a croak. A strand of hair had fallen into his eyes. He didn’t even bother pushing it out of his face.

Suddenly Nita felt unsure of what to do. Unsettled by her brother’s sudden burst of emotions. The only thing she came up with was snapping at him again.

“The Grand Tour, you idiot, what else.”

Staeve’s eyes widened even more. He set the small golden beetle and his tool down with a distinct thud, so hard, it even made their parents become silent and turn to their children in irritation.

“When?” Staeve simply followed up again. His words were terribly silent all of a sudden. Nita didn’t have it in her anymore to try and purposefully try and upset her brother. She threw a glance at the big mechanical clock - one of the few Staeve hadn’t disassembled yet: “I think right about now. They’re probably going to travel all through the night to catch a ship in the morning at one of the great harbours.”

Staeve didn’t wait for Nita to finish her sentence. He jumped up, almost making his chair fall over, staring at the clock. Their parents’ heads swivelled around trying to understand the cause of the commotion. But their son was already storming out of the room, not even sparing their scolding and quizzical looks another thought.

Immediately, Staeve made his way through the manor and down to the stables. As he rushed along servants, through a plethora of rooms and finally got outside, he realised that the weather was about to turn: an early summer evening threatening to bring a foreshadowing of yet far away autumn. The oncoming storm, announcing itself with distant thunder and dramatically darkening clouds, though, only felt like a fitting backdrop for what was brewing inside of him.

Questions filled Staeve’s mind as he made his way, and worries - and memories.

Every moment for the last couple of weeks since that fateful night had he basically been thinking about what happened. It only ever took him a split second to conjure up the scene again in his head: the last couple of breaths in which he had stared into Astarion’s eyes and how it had felt like he could see through them right to the bottom of his friend’s heart, the burning feeling of Astarion’s lips against his own and this desiring ache within him, physically and emotionally, threatening to rip him apart from the inside out.

He had been so sure Astarion had felt the same. And hadn’t his friend been the one looking up at him with such pleading in his crimson eyes, lips already parted in anticipation before they had met halfway?

But maybe Staeve was remembering it all wrong. He certainly must be. Why else would his lifelong companion leave him now unannounced?

Loads of feelings were forming up inside his chest, waiting to burst - like thunder after lightning had struck in the far off distance.

Staeve made his way to the stables to grab Freckle while his mind was somewhere completely else. He didn’t even stop to put a saddle or reins on her. A terrible premonition told him he hadn’t any time to waste. And the mare was used to being ridden like this, after all they were a well-practised team.

The young Brimstone led his horse outside and immediately felt raindrops seeping through his thin linen shirt and trousers. He couldn’t have cared less. Wasting no more time he jumped onto his mare’s back and with a click of his tongue and soft nudge from his boots they were off in a dash, cutting through the oncoming rain.

As Staeve thundered down the small trodden out road from the Brimstone estate towards the Ancuníns’ residence the rain turned from just a trickle to a pour - the kind that would turn grasslands into swamps for a good while after and dust roads into murky rivers. His mind was racing at an even more outrageous speed as the gigantic manor of his friend’s family came into view.

Lifting his head while holding onto Freckle’s mane as the horse felt his owner’s urgency and gave him her all, Staeve searched for the familiar sight of that one particular window with a light on inside, hoping it would betray his sister’s words. The one where Astarion often already had been peeking out of in wait for his companion to come by. The one where they had sat countless of times, talking, laughing, smoking some stolen cigars and choking on the burning smoke when they had been only boys.

But the lights were off.

And Staeve’s fears turned into all encompassing panic as he closed in on the giant building as he didn’t dare to let himself hope anymore. The rain around him had him fully drenched by now, his loose shirt clinging wetly to his body. Already he felt hot tears adding to the uncomfortably cold rain running down his face.

When he finally came around the manor, he found nothing but an ill-fated stable hand rushing through the downpour, perhaps tasked with a few last things before being allowed to flee the bad weather. Not even hesitating Staeve rode up right next to him making the poor boy shriek and stumble back from the horse making the gravel fly with a sliding stop.

“Astarion Ancunín?” he only managed to scream against the rain.

The boy just stared up at him, obviously too startled at the sight of Staeve like this. He probably looked like a madman. And he felt like one: not properly dressed, drenched to the bone on his equally aggregated steed. Even more so the more time he spent chasing down a man in this storm who so obviously tried to get away from him without him knowing.

But he needed to see him, at least a final time. One more try.

“The Duke’s son?” Staeve shouted again at the stable hand. And finally the boy seemed to have recovered from his stupor.

“Left. With his father the Duke, in the fancy carriage,” the answer came back, shouted against another thunder in the distance - the heart of the storm was coming closer.

Staeve’s chest clenched. Freckle became nervous beneath him. Even a well trained horse like her didn’t want to be out longer than needed in this weather. But just a moment more.

“When?” he screamed.

“Dunno exactly, couple of minutes, just when the storm started.”

Staeve needn’t hear more. Time was of the essence now. He spurred on his horse once more and left the befuddled boy behind who even forgot to finally rush inside and instead stared after Staeve racing off again.

The roads were already muddy, an endless amount of puddles strewn across them while Staeve made the decision to go for the hill overlooking the Ancunín lands, the one with the weeping willow. There he’d be able to see how far out they were already on the country road leading away from town.

But when he arrived at the foot of said hill and dashed on with Freckle, his horse slipped and almost took a tumble. And since his or his horse’s broken neck surely wouldn’t make him be any faster, Staeve slid off his mare’s back and continued on foot.

The rain kept pouring onto him as he rushed up the hill, his booted feet sinking into the wet ground. Several times he almost took a tumble when his boots sank in too deep. Illustrious curses that would have made his mother blush and his father scold him, left Staeve’s lips as he ran up the grassy hill as fast as possible, barely able to see anything anymore with the rain slashing his face. He didn’t even notice how the freezing cold crept into his body, his limbs, how his fingers began to become stiff. His whole body was shaking, as much from the cold and the wet, as from the feelings still burning inside his chest - the only thing still spending a bit of warmth.

Staeve reached the top of the hill and the weeping willow atop of it - honouring its name as rain kept dripping generously off its tendrils. Trying to wipe at least some of the rain out of his face and panting heavily from running, Staeve’s eyes flew along the road leading out of town, willing the carriage to be there, so he’d know he could still catch them. Or at least a glimpse, of him. To at least wave a last goodbye. Because he didn’t know when - if - his friend would ever return.

And he spotted the carriage. Right there, at the very end of what Staeve could make out. Just before it disappeared around a final turn of the road - and out of sight.

~~~

Inside the carriage Astarion was craning his neck only a little to see Ancunín manor slowly disappear behind the lazily sloping hills of the countryside as the wagon rattled along the road leading away from town. Now the ancient weeping willow was the last familiar landmark before the road would lead them along faceless fields and forests rushing past them, only there to be forgotten again in an instance. The storm was doing its part to make Astarion’s last impression of his home even more dull: clouds and the rain almost washing all of the colours out of this final sight.

This might very well have been the only time in his life when his heart actually ached at the thought of leaving home - or rather him.

Only a few weeks ago had he hoped to spend an incredible last summer with Staeve, his childhood friend. Especially as he had been sure of something new budding between them, something that could have meant them being more than companions possibly. Something that either might have been honestly terrified to explore. They could have gone down this road together.

But it seemed that instead of choosing this final adventure and what treasures and secrets might have been ahead, Staeve had chosen utter and complete silence. To his letter as much as his departure. Astarion had been unable to figure out what to make of it.

However, wasn’t the absence of an answer a response of its own?

Questions, regrets, fear and hurt were all swirling around inside of Astarion’s chest as he feigned indifference staring out the small window the rain kept drumming on. He was covering most of his face with his hand turned away from the other passenger in hopes it would make him look bored and hide his frown - and more than anything, the tears burning dangerously in the corners of his eyes.

Writing that letter, taking a leap of faith had taken nearly all of his courage.

When that kiss had happened after that invaded soiree, it had been easy. Fueled by the evening, laughter and lots of liquid courage it had been easy to fall into Staeve’s arms. It had been easy to be open about what had been building up inside of him for so long.

But writing this letter stone cold sober had been near impossible: opening up about everything that, all his life, he had been taught to keep hidden behind his orderly closed button border, tugged away behind a starched collar closed so firmly it made one choke. Admitting to desires that would make him a wretched sinner in the eyes of his family and society. And finally confessing his feelings to his lifelong friend, risking everything they’ve had. It had been taxing, hard, painful.

And in the end, apparently, he had paid the price.

In front of him, the Duke Ancunín kept talking about their travelling plans while Astarion could feel his heart get torn into pieces the further away from home they travelled. A piece of it begging to be allowed to stay.

“Son, it is a great honour that Monsignore Constantin will take you in for a few extra weeks as his disciple. He is very strict but he is the best,” the Duke repeated his words in a sharper tone when he noticed his son not paying attention. “He will make an upright man out of you, Astarion, I know it.”

“Oh, will he? I can barely wait,” Astarion replied with bitter sarcasm in his voice. His father, in response, was near boiling with anger at his son’s insolent behaviour.

“He has his methods, son, you will see. He will let none of your nonsense slip, I will make sure of it!” The Duke’s words cracked like a whip. But the young man didn’t care, his eyes were still trained on the outside, on the weeping willow becoming smaller in the distance. He didn’t honour his father’s wrath with another response.

The carriage filled with nothing but the sound of drumming rain and thunder rolling ever closer. When the older Ancunín apparently realised his anger would get him nowhere he tried a different route of grasping his son’s attention.

“Hasn’t the young Brimstone come to say his goodbyes to you, my son? Is that why you keep brooding?”

Astarion’s gaze snapped to his father, immediately betraying that he had spoken the truth. He felt how his brows drew together as pain flared up in his chest even more. Trying to get it back under control quickly he looked back outside the window as the carriage shook along the road in worsening conditions.

But his father had cracked right open what had been bothering him and finally Astarion gave up on trying to hide. What did it matter now anyways? The cards had been dealt.

The young Ancunín let his hands fall into his lap but kept looking outside as he felt how the tears in his eyes threatened to become overbearing.

“He hasn’t actually,” Astarion admitted. “In fact, I haven’t seen him in a few weeks. Not since I’ve sent him a letter a while ago,” he continued, voice flat and emotionless.

“A letter? How uncommon for the two of you,” the Duke threw in with a tinge of irony coating his words like bile. In a knee jerk reaction Astarion’s crimson gaze burned in anger at his father’s vile words. But in the end he wasn’t wrong. The young noble resorted to throwing a last glance upon the willow up on the hill.

“Come to think of it though, my son, I do remember seeing the letter,” the Duke rambled on. “And I remember handing it over to the butler so it may get delivered quickly.” Astarion turned away a little further once more from his father as he felt his composure threatening to break fully. “A difference of opinions maybe?,” his father finished.

Astarion didn’t see the slight tilt of the corners of his father’s mouth as he let the words roll off his tongue, not hiding his distaste for the young Brimstone.

The young Ancunín only could feel the final nail being put into the coffin with his father’s final words. His last string of hope he had been holding onto snapped in two just like that.

“Possibly,” Astarion simply replied, kneading his hands in his lap, emotions threatening to overwhelm him fully.

“Maybe even more than that,” he added after a while as he finally let his gaze fall from the last sight of his hometown.

Had he averted his eyes just a moment later he would have made out the figure of a dark-skinned, green-haired young man appearing beneath the weeping willow in the storm. But like this, thunder cracked as the carriage took a turn and Astarion’s home and his lifelong friend went out of sight.

[dsireland86]

It's Folio Friday and My Birthday!

If you're the one who left the request/message in my inbox earlier in the week, I had a plan that day to work up something sweet and fluffy for you for your special day! Happy Birthday, friend! You share it with our favorite bassist as well 😊And, my favorite day of the week... Folio Friday! It's a 3 for 1 special today; A brand new Folio Fic, A Happy Birthday Message, And Folio Friday Honor.

Hope your day is wonderful! Happy Birthday!!!

Happy Birthday, Sweetheart

Tag list: @philomenie @supersquirrel1996 @foliosgirl @angelmarie89 @fadingintothegrey @thisbicc @lma1986 @dominuslunae @shayzillaaaa @mrsnoahsebastian @flowery-mess @iloveyoutodeathbutimdrowning @stardustsirenmelody @romanreigns-supreme @anything-more-than-human @into-the-grey @rumoured-whispers @myownthoughts12 @sister-sebastian @nyxthedestroyerofworlds-deactiv @missduffsblog @bngurngheart  @somebodyllelse @xxkittenkissesxx @fadingangelwisp 

He's never done this before. He's never had a need to. Past relationships have just been flings that never amounted to anything. But this, what Folio has with you, it's different. Completely different. The last few months with you have changed him, making him want to strive to be a better version of himself. You bring out the softer side of him and give him a reason to want to show it. Folio is head over heels in love with you, and today on your birthday, the very first birthday you're celebrating together, he's going to prove it.

"No, not that one. She hates pink and absolutely anything princess!" "Whoa, okay dude, chill," Nicholas mutters. "What kind of girl hates pink and princess stuff, anyway?"

Nicholas looks at Folio like he has two heads.

"The kind that isn't girly." "What's wrong with being a girly girl?"

Folio shrugs.

"I didn't say anything was wrong with it. I just said Y/N isn't one of them."

"Well," Ruffilo says, tossing the pink princess crown cake topper back on the shelf. "What does she like?"

He looks at Folio who stops to think for a moment, thinking of what it is that would make his girl really happy on her birthday. Then it hits him.

"Dude!" his eyes grow wide. "I know exactly what she'd like Come on." Folio rushes past Nicholas, betting feet out of the party store. "Finally," Nick groans, following his friend out the door.

Y/N gets out of the shower, wrapping the towel around her. Wiping the mirror to rid it of the moisture, she stares at herself. Another year older and she doesn't look any different, but man does she feel different. So much in her life has changed. New friends, new job, new house, and a new relationship. She smiles just thinking about him.

Folio fell into her lap months ago, by mere coincidence. They hit it off instantly, the connection between them being a first for both. Folio was the best thing to ever happen to her, and she never waisted a moment to make sure he knew it.

A subtle knock on the door and it opens, revealing the man who has stolen her heart. He looks delicious in his Harley hat, black t-shirt, jeans, and boots. His smile is infectious, bringing one to your lips.

"Happy birthday," Folio says, a small smirk lucking in the corner of his lips.

"Thank you," you bashfully reply, looking away from his intoxicating stare.

"You don't have any clothes under that towel," he observes, eyes etched on your body. "Yeah, no duh, Sherlock," you sarcastically reply, raising an eyebrow.

He moves in closer to you, pressing his body against yours, wrapping his arms around you. His soft kiss to your lips is enough to send your head spinning out of control, forcing you to suppress the impulses running through you.

"I have a surprise for you. But I need you to put some clothes on first." You chuckle, closing your eyes briefly. "I think that might be possible." "Good." He kisses you quickly again, patting your bottom before leaving the bathroom, leaving you to giggle and squeal to yourself like a teenager in love.

Folio helps you out of the car, a blindfold covering your eyes tightly. The smile that's been stuck to your lips since leaving the house has made his heart race, the anxiousness swelling up inside him making him shake a little.

"Nick, I'm scared," you giggle, gripping his hand tightly. "Why are you scared? Do you think I'm leading you out to the middle of nowhere to torture you and bury you alive?" You stop suddenly. "Sweetheart, I'm kidding."

Smacking his chest and hearing him laugh, you let him lead you to wherever it is he's planning, trusting him completely. "Alright, stop." "Nick, can I please take this stupid thing off now," you beg. "Yeah, yeah, okay," he mumbles, carefully removing the blindfold.

The light is bright, almost blinding. You squint trying to focus your yes and allow them to adjust. A national park sign stands before you, along with a visitors center building. You have no idea what is going on.

"Okay, I'm confused." Folio chuckles. "I figured. Come on," he says, kissing your forehead, and leading you up the hill.

You enter the building and you look around, trying to find any clue to lead you to an idea of where you are. The images you see are slowly registering with your brain the more you walk around. As the realization of where you are hits you, your eyes swell up with tears, forcing your hands to your face to hide your emotions.

"I'm really hoping those are happy tears, because if they're not, I'm going to feel like the worst boyfriend ever.” You silence Folio by pressing your lips to his and throwing your arms around his neck. He responds by wrapping his around your waist, hugging you tightly.

The Sequoia National Park visitors center is mostly empty, giving the two of you a little private time.

"I know it's not a lot, but I know how much you've been wanting to come here. You've talked about it a lot since we've been together, and I figured now would be a good time to bring you.

You stare at your boyfriend, absolutely starstruck at his thoughtfulness and kindness. It is one of the reasons you fell for him so easily.

"Nick, this is the best birthday gift ever!" "Really?" Folio gushes, a small smile breaking out over his face. "Really. I love it. And I love you," you reply, laying your hand on his cheek. "Thank you." Closing yours around his sweet face, you smother his smile with more of your kisses, which he gratefully accepts. Your words to him, the I love you, pierce his heart deeply, making his stomach flutter.

"You love me?" he replies, stunned. At first you think you've said the wrong thing to him. It's only been a few months. How could you possibly be in love with him enough to tell him that you love him. But looking at him right, so happy, you realize that it's not too soon. You are in love with him.

"Yeah, I do. I'm in love with you, Nick."

Slipping his hand behind your neck, he pulls you in and kisses you passionately, gently slipping his tongue in your mouth and tasting you. It makes you whimper as you cling to him, gripping the sides of his shirt in your hands.

When you part, Folio stares at you, but differently than a minute ago. His gaze is confident, strong, and on fire for you.It makes you weak, makes your heart race and the butterflies in your belly come alive. You're his now. And he's yours.

"I love you, too, Sweetheart. Happy birthday!"

[worlds-oldest-teenager]

I’m interested. How do Apollo and Artemis’s desire to protect each other drive a wedge between them?

I'm glad you askeddd. Thank you for being my first anon ever btw. (@crowmakeska-boom idk if you are the anon but anon, whoever you are, sorry for the wait). This is probably not a very good meta cause it's mostly vibes, gut feelings and filling in the blanks with below the bare minimum of textual evidence but oh well. 

First I'd like to talk about why I think Artemis and Apollo's relationship is kind of distant. They're a confusing duo. When you first meet them in the titan's curse it may seem they don't like each other much or atleast Artemis seems to not be paticularly fond of her brother. Calling him “irresponsible”, “lazy”, “big headed”. But reading between the lines reveals how much the two of them care for each other, especially on Apollo's part from all the illegal help he was dishing out to the questers.

But then when you read some more, their relationship just feels a tad too distant to completely take what they say as just banter. When we see them on Delos in Blood of Olympus the distance is literal. They're recycling banter that's getting old and you can tell that even if it had been lighthearted before, it’s definitely getting on both their nerves now (stolen from fsinger lmao). They’ve both been playing the part for a long time but it feels like they don’t have the closeness anymore to recognize they’re both just playing parts. 

So what happened?

I think it's their need to protect each other that's causing this rift between them. From my point of view Artemis & Apollo are protecting each other from different things but Olympus is at the core of it for the both of them.

The twins have a very different experience of Olympus. Since her introduction Artemis seems pretty critical of Olympus. According to the hunters she's the only one who can get the ball rolling during solstice meetings and she's shown to not really act the Olympian way. Taking the sky off the shoulders of a mortal girl. Shrinking herself down to make the human heroes feel more comfortable and demanding they get rewarded.

It wouldn't be far fetched to assume that she's never fit in with Olympus and doesn't agree with most of the views of her family.

Then there's Apollo.

Who fits in so perfectly with the messed up inner workings of Olympus or so people think. He's perfected his mask over the years and no one is the wiser about the abuse he's gone through or even the fact that this isn't actually who he is.

To me, Artemis wants to protect Apollo from Olympus' true nature. In her head she's got every part of Olympus figured out and for the most part she has. Even if it's not something that works for her I think she would want to protect her younger brother from knowing what the kind of people he surrounds himself with are truly like.

I feel like Artemis would be conflicted on it for other reasons too because if Apollo is aware of the kind of people the Olympians are and he's alright with that, what kind of god is Apollo?

So she'd much rather think of him as stupid and irresponsible cause those atleast mean that it isn't he isn't a bad person. But I feel deep down she doesn't really believe completely that what she knows of her brother is correct.

But then she sees the way Zeus loves Apollo and cares for him and in her mind it's the right decision to let him live this way. He is safer now than they ever were as children.

Apollo on the other hand wants to conceal their father's true nature from Artemis. We know that he cares deeply about appearing fine on the surface because of how others would worry and who would worry more than his older sister.

Artemis and Apollo may be the protectors of youth but the first ever youth they protected were each other. It's the foundation of their relationship and caries on into the present day. Both of them feel a desperate need to protect each other.

I would go so far as to say that this is THE relationship they have with each other. The both of them never find comfort in each other, only protection. You can tell that comfort is not something they usually derive from each other from the way they're both completely blindsided by simple things like an "I love you" , a hug and just concern in general.

Comfort from each other is not a priority for them no matter how much they crave it. The twins purpose to each other is to protect.

So of course Apollo would never tell Artemis about the way Zeus hurts him.

I also think there's a little bit of denial on Artemis' part on just how abusive Zeus is. Cause Apollo is dropping hints. Even the way Artemis talks during Blood of Olympus makes it clear that she understands Zeus is gonna massacre the guy. She just doesn't want to believe it will be permanent.

And it's got a lot to do with the fact that she wants to protect him. Because if she acknowledges this isn't a situation Apollo is gonna come out from unscathed that means that she's incapable of protecting him. That means that she's failed to protect him before and cannot protect him again.

So she'd much rather pretend that Zeus is persuadable and not that bad. That it's Apollo's fault Zeus comes down so hard on him and if he were a little better and a bit more like her he could be safe.

And this would hurt Apollo because Artemis can pinpoint exactly what Zeus is like. But instead of comforting him she confirms for him that this is his fault. That if he could be better none of this would happen. Artemis helps prevent but never helps heal because helping her brother heal means he was in a position to be hurt in the first place.

All this mess and miscommunication and disbelief stemming from the fact that they love each other and never want to see each other hurt creates an impossible distance between them.

But there is light at the end of the tunnel. Slowly but surely they're trying to comfort/ seek comfort instead of just protect each other.

I wept on my sister’s shoulder. I felt like if I let go of Artemis, I would fall back into Chaos. Huge parts of my identity would shake loose, and I would never be able to find all the puzzle pieces. “Whoa, there.” She patted my back awkwardly. “Okay, little fella. You’re all right now. You made it.”

Apollo's trials sucked. But I'm glad it's given the twins the opportunity to bridge the gap between their relationship again.

[keepsmagnetoaway]

Uncanny X-Men 148 (August 1981)

Chris Claremont/Dave Cockrum & Joe Rubinstein

The soap-like, arc-driven storytelling of Uncanny X-Men occasionally necessitated an issue like this one, full of loose ends and plot threads that feel both like too much for a single issue and yet not enough like one satisfying story. There's some very gay sparring between Kurt and Logan...

...a baffling hissy fit from Angel, who maybe sort of quits (?)...

...an appearance from Piotr's little sister (who I'm vaguely aware will shortly become an important character)...

...and the extremely unexpected reveal that the recently introduced Siryn is actually Banshee's daughter. This is basically discussed and then concluded in these three panels, making this - presumably quite significant - revelation feel extremely rushed.

None of these, though, are either of the two main threads in this issue, somehow. Instead, we have one story that, while inevitably feeling rushed, I really like, and one I really don't. The former is the storyline that provides the fighting and action in this issue, although it's all squeezed into, like, eight pages, and includes the Mandatory Dazzler Appearance as well as - my god, as if this issue needed more characters - Spider-Woman.

Anyway, the party is crashed by a new bad guy who turns out not to be a bad guy at all: Caliban, the weird third-person-talking sewer mutant with the power to find others of his kind, driven by a terrible loneliness.

I'm a sucker for this kind of stuff and immediately love Caliban. Poor Caliban! It's also obviously a very fruitful angle for the comic to want to look at - the X-Men, after all, for all their troubles, are the privileged mutants, and what must life be like for the others?

It all ends amicably and although he appears to vanish, obviously he'll be back, and I look forward to it. I also just love his design, the appearance that he eventually reveals. We Calistan.

But all these storylines are bookended at the start and end of this issue by yet another one, answering the question: what the fuck is Scott up to with his weird sea captain girlfriend?

I don't know if the art for these bits was being farmed out to someone else - although the whole issue is credited to Cockrum, so officially it wasn't - but there's something very odd about the faces and figures of these two. It seems like Lee - the sea captain - was meant to have some very specific face, although she ends up always looking just...odd, with huge, exaggerated features atop a Barbie physique.

But the same strangeness also extends in these sections to Scott, who as we all know is meant to look like Mr Generico White Guy but here is a romance comic hero with constipation instead.

What the fuck was I talking about? Right, anyway, they got shipwrecked, they're on this island, castaways or whatever. Also the island is basically - not officially, but basically - R'lyeh.

I mean, that is a cool design. But again, look at those faces down in the corner. Why are they like this. Why is any of this plotline happening. But wait...

Yes! YES!

He's back, baby! I forgive this bizarre plotline everything if it gets us back to Magneto. And I hope you can forgive me this absurdly long post about a very forgettable issue.

[leighlew3]

Hi Leigh, hope you are doing well!

Maybe you have answered this question before: how would you have written the Supergirl reveal to Lena?

You still have the elements of it being so late in series and that Lena actually already knows.

I wonder how a good writer would approach this because in the show it was an actual train wreck- Lena wanting to expose Supergirl’s identity at the Pulitzer party before Kara actually said it?! So out of character. And all that stuff after? So stupid.

Anyway thanks for answering this question :)

Hi! Hangin' in there, thank you. 🤗

Well, it depends on what point the launch off was.

Let's say she learns via Lex, just like in the show (rather than rewrite the whole damn series in this post, haha).

Just thinking on the fly, here goes... I woulda just had her reeling, feeling betrayed, and isolating rather than putting on a front.

Kara doesn't understand what's happening, but wonders if maybe Lena is secretly angry with her for killing Lex (remember, Kara believed she took him down in that final fight at the end of S4). This is hammered in further after Alex plants the seed that, evil or not, Lex was still Lena's brother, and so some level of sadness is likely to still exist there. She advises Kara to give Lena time and space.

Kara, further worried by Lena's worsening isolation and mood, ignores her sister's advice and makes efforts to connect, but increasingly senses the distance and her guilt grows.

Meanwhile Lena -- between finding out the truth that Kara is Supergirl in such a terrible way, while also hiding that she killed Lex (to protect Kara, ironically) truly spirals and starts to think that Kara perhaps never was truly her friend at all, only using her to be able to eventually take down Lex. A means to an end. Feeling like that's all she's ever been to anybody, including her "best friend" who meant the world to her, Lena becomes darker and more cold, sure -- but never takes those ridiculous 'villainous' actions of any kind.

Alex pulls a typical Alex move and starts to suspect that Lena's isolation and darker vibes could mean trouble as "She is a Luthor." and she's worried she'll carry Lex's torch now that he's gone, and her isolation means she's up to something. Kara of course doesn't buy it -- much like in the show, defending Lena, rebelling against the notion.

After ramping the tension throughout Season 5A on these fronts, a dramatic series of events eventually leads Kara to go to Lena and try to have a much needed conversation. Lena thinks she's perhaps finally going to confess, and she allows herself to feel hopeful again -- alas that hope is dashed, when instead Kara simply apologizes for killing Lex (so she thinks she did), and not realizing how much doing so would cause Lena pain. Lena finds this ironic, Kara's concern for her pain, considering she's lied to her all this time and still won't be open with her. Lena then decides that if nothing else, she won't lie.

She tells Kara that Lex died at HER hand, not Kara's.

Kara is shocked. She's pulled away by an emergency before they can discuss this further. And thus, Kara now believes Lena's distance and darkness is driven by guilt over killing her own brother, and Kara now feels more guilty than ever that she went through that, and that she continues to keep Lena in the dark, even though Lena opened up to her. As we approach mid-season, the two have several 'almost' moments where it seems Kara might actually confess her identity. And we make it clear that she wants to. But the more she sees how hurt Lena is about having to kill Lex, to protect her no less, the worse she feels and the more she's terrified to tell Lena her secret, believing that Lena's done so much for her, meanwhile all she's done -- is lie. It wrecks Kara. And her anger issues start to rise up again, and that comes out a lot in Crisis crossover (in which our world's Lex is NOT yet present again btw), which is of increasing concern to everybody.

Post Crisis, in which Lena and Kara work together to save everybody even though they can barely even look at each other, we have these two idiots with their secrets, both struggling tremendously -- Kara with her anger and guilt, and Lena with her sadness and pain. And both with their regrets. And the rest of the group is noticing these tensions, between missions / various genre adventures.

It ramps up, until finally, shit hits the fan in a 100th episode. Lena is held hostage by someone threatening to kill her if Supergirl doesn't reveal her identity (similar to how it was in the show, but without the Mxy stuff, or at least using it better) -- Kara is fully willing to reveal herself to save Lena. She prepares to do just that, and even goes to the press conference, but just before she has to do it, her friends find a way to save Lena without the reveal needing to happen. But Kara is also nearly killed in the battle. The closest she's ever come to dying.

In the aftermath, Lena has now seen how far Kara would go to protect her -- both in terms of being willing to give up her life AND reveal her identity to the world. Lena of course forgives Kara (quietly, to herself) and decides to let Kara have her secret, even if it means they both pretend the other doesn't know, silly as it it. Alas, what she doesn't expect, at the end of the episode --

Kara reveals her identity to Lena (at Kara's place after everyone else goes home). Turns out almost losing her life made her realize she didn't want to die a coward and a liar on this front. And also, Lena not knowing put her at worse risk than knowing. And she deserves to know, so she can protect herself. So Kara can better protect her.

After/during her confession, Lena sheds a tear, and Kara starts to profusely apologize, thinking Lena is devastated by the revelation. But Lena confesses that it's tears of relief, because she's already known. She was just wondering if Kara would ever trust her enough to tell her the truth. Kara is shocked to know Lena knew, grateful she's kept the secret for her, and heartbroken to know she learned it from Lex, before killing him. She also makes it clear she didn't keep it from her because she didn't trust her, it was never about that. It was simply the belief that not telling her protected her somehow. But now she's seen that was foolish, in this case. Realizing now they've both been dumb and their secrets have done nothing but cause each other, and themselves, so much pain -- they agree: no more secrets.

And they hug it out -- because besties! Just gals being pals right?!

*eye roll*

Then the rest of 5B becomes all about Lex popping up alive, and being furious that Lena and Kara are closer than ever, and that his attempt to destroy their relatio- I mean "friendship" failed. And he comes at them harder than ever, with Lillian's help. And so on. And by the end of S5, in an epic battle, Lex is finally stopped and captured once and for all and hauled off to prison, but not before sending Kara to the phantom zone.

Lena is devastated, as she and Kara only recently had all cards on the table and were growing closer than ever, so S6A then becomes all about the super friends trying to find Kara in the Phantom Zone (with a LOT less cheesy stupidity, and a lot more focus on Kara's traumas and torture while in the PZ rather than any dumb filler crap with her dad being alive -- perhaps she sees him, but it's just a cruel illusion).

Meanwhile, Lena, at wits end, visits Lex in prison, hoping to get information out of him as to where and how they can find Kara in the PZ. But he taunts her, plays games with her, etc until finally, she tells him goodbye for good. He doesn't believe she'll be able to stay away forever, especially as long as he knows how to find Kara. But she finally sees through it all, basically tells him he's full of shit, that he has no idea how to reach Kara in the PZ, he's a liar, always has been, and his power over her is gone. She vows to find Kara on her own and to never be anything like him, as he's selfish and cruel and insane. And she finally walks away from him. And he can't believe it.

Now that she's found her inner strength, Lena is able to think more clearly, less out of anger and desperation, and thus she, Alex and the Superfriends eventually embark on an action-packed retrieval of Kara in the Phantom Zone, ultimately saving her in the mid-season finale.

The final half of the final season (6B) focuses on Kara's deep traumas experienced/re-lived in the phantom zone, as she struggles with doing her job as "perfect" Supergirl while mentally screwed up. No one really notices but Lena, because Kara hides it well. Alex is just happy her sister is back, busy planning a wedding, focusing on vigilante work, etc. And the Superfriends have lots of other issues to focus on as well. But Lena sees Kara's struggles because she knows a thing or two about trauma, and she's there for her. Especially after Alex and Kelly get married with a few episodes to go and Kara doesn't want to burden her sister, who is finally so happy.

The final episodes feature Kara facing her demons, internal and external (as villains from past seasons pop up to haunt her, as it turns out the events post Crisis brought them into this universe, and now they've come after her, and they've all got to take them down).

In the end, the show wraps up with Kara finding a level of peace she never had before, having faced the past and all she's gone through and lost, in great part thanks to having Lena by her side.

And the show ends focused on Kara, for an episode called KARA. Not focused on Lex, nor the supporting characters, not on shoe-horned cameos, nor other bs. But Kara herself, and her journey, her healing from a lifetime of loss and trauma, her relationships to her family and friends, and rediscovering that which is always going to rest deep within her soul, even if it gets a little lost sometimes...

Her unbreakable sense of HOPE.

The End.

[buddiebeginz]

Since everyone is so up in arms over Ryan's recent interview I wanted to compile some of what he's said in other interviews this season. There are a lot of breadcrumbs here that show Eddie's sexuality storyline is in the works it's just going to take some time to get fleshed out especially since there has been so much focus on Buck and his coming out this season.

----

But what about Eddie and Buck? Is there still a chance for romance between them?

"As far as [Eddie's] sexuality, I think it's pretty clear that he's tried to fill in this motherly, this wife type role—that's all he knows," Guzman explained. "And he's a man [that] first off, he's Catholic. Second off, he's from the military. So those are very straight-edge kind of lifestyles that don't offer too much of exploring. But through the 118, he's had this epiphany each year, like, 'Well, maybe I don't know as much as I thought I did. And maybe I should be exploring a little bit more and maybe I should understand myself a little bit more and even seek a therapist,' which is something new for Eddie. So I feel the representation is reflective of the inclusivity that Ryan Murphy's show likes to have and Tim Minear likes to write."

Parade

----

Did you have a personal reaction when you found out about the reveal of this moment and the change in Buck's character? Was it something you saw coming, or was it a surprise?

GUZMAN: Since there's so much talk about our characters, it wasn't a shock to me. For Buck's character, I feel like it kind of tracks. And I think that we trust Tim [Minear], to be honest. He's such a great, incredible writer, and he's very inclusive in his writing. And it shows beyond the sexuality, beyond representation. It shows humanity, and that's what I love about these characters. You can do whatever you want in the bedroom, but at the end of the day, that love remains, brother-sister, intimate relationship, whatever that kind of connection is. We allow the audience to get a sense of the human side. And I think we explore that in new ways every single season. So, this season, getting that opportunity to see Buck evolve into who he is has been just a beautiful storyline.

You've mentioned it a little bit already, but I can't not talk about the potential of romance between these two characters. It's such a huge aspect of the fandom around this show and around the commentary of this show. Did the reveal make you consider a romance between these two characters? Have you considered it seriously before? Or was it always, "We'll see where it goes, we'll see where it takes us"?

GUZMAN: It's always kind of been a "we'll see where it goes, we'll see where it takes us." Because, at the end of the day, it's a fine line between giving the fans what they want and also staying true to the characters themselves. As an actor, your one job is to give your character truth. And what I love about this whole world that we play in 9-1-1 is that truth changes at a moment's notice. So, we allow ourselves to stay open to all possibilities. At this moment, Eddie's got so much going on in his life as far as his relationship with himself, and Marisol, and God, that he's got his plate full. And to take on anything else at this moment, I don't know, he might crack again! [Laughs] So, who knows what happens with him, and we're here for Buck and his relationship. And, again, I think that strengthening of that bond is crucial.

I don't think either of these characters are ready for this yet. They need to settle their own lives first before anything happens in that direction!

GUZMAN: Yeah.

Collider

----

Do you think it was the right decision for Marisol to move back out?

Eddie has shown himself to go from zero to 100 all the time. He finds one girl that checks off a couple boxes in his list and he's like, "Ah, that'd be good enough. Let's get married." This time, thank God, he didn't need a Carla in his life to say "Slow down." He did it himself. He had a conversation with Bobby, he had a conversation with Buck, he figures it out and he goes, "Okay, maybe it's time to have some growth on my end." He is doing a big thing for not only him, but for his son. He's not trying to fill in this space that was left open by Shannon and he's taking care of that relationship that [Gavin McHugh's] Christopher has with his mother that passed. He realizes he has to take it a lot slower. It seems like a step back, but it is so many steps forward for Eddie in what that means to him and his family dynamic.

How did you react when you found out Buck was going to explore his bisexuality? And what did you think when you first read the scene where he comes out to Eddie?

I think we felt this scene was coming one way or another — and we knew we had to handle this with care, because there are so many people who have attached themselves.... Oliver and I are so grateful for the people who have attached themselves to our characters, and what they do with it. And so we really wanted to give this scene a sense of groundedness. And luckily for me, I've had an experience in my life where a friend trusted me with their own coming out, and I got to understand first person that it wasn't so much about me accepting them, it was more about me allowing them to feel safe and loved. So I wanted to exemplify that in this scene. Like, "Hey man, you can say whatever you got. I'm not going anywhere. Okay? This connection remains." That was something that forever changed my life — in my personal life, with my friend — so this had to feel the same for the millions of people who are going to see it, because some may not be getting this from their friends. Some may be scared to do this in front of their friends, and maybe this gives them the opportunity to find their own bravery, as Buck did, and go to their closest friend and say, "Hey, this is how I feel nowadays. Can you explore this with me?" I love that scene.

What else can you tease for Eddie this season?

Now that Eddie's taken that step forward with Marisol, that offers a lot of new obstacles. This is unknown territory — much like Buck's character, it's unknown territory. And that is something to be a little bit more scared of, to be honest, because we have no clue how to handle the unknown. So I think with Marisol and Eddie, their relationship is strengthening, but there's so many traumatic moments that Eddie still has yet to answer for himself in his own past. So how that plays into this present moment is a balancing act. And what I'd like to see is him handle it with ease, but that doesn't offer great TV. So yeah, he's going to be a mess just as much as he was — as we all are, really.

EW

[maximumwobblerbanditdonut]

…..continue

SK: Is there a story about Sam that you’d like to share that stands out?

JB: We did an emotionally-charged scene in Season 4, where Ian reveals the details of what happened to him in Jamaica with Geilles. That day was incredibly challenging, emotionally, physically. It was my 20th birthday. I remember feeling so supported and encouraged by him. He’s a great encourager. So, if Caitríona is the facilitator, he’s the encourager. He will always tell you, “That was a great take there. Loved that right there.” As actors, we can get in our head a little bit. But he’s like, ‘No, you’re doing a fantastic job here, John, it’s an honor to be doing this scene with you.’ So yeah, that’s where it goes with Sammy.

SK: Like a cheerleader, till the end.

JB: Yes! A cheerleader, exactly!

SK: Tell me what’s it been like working with Sophie, your on-screen cousin, who you accidentally proposed to. Oops!

JB: [laughs] Sophie’s one of the most loving people I know. Whenever you’re with her, she’s like, “How are you doing, Baba? What’s going on? Where are you at emotionally today?” She is someone that you can’t help but trust and become immediately quite close with. Her contribution to this whole journey has felt like somebody who really is in my corner and is ready to, protect, fight, uplift me in whatever I’ve needed. She’s just that classic sister energy. She’s curious and listens to you really deeply. I really appreciate her kind of love. She’s got endless, endless love.

SK: What a great way to describe her. How about Richard?

JB: The Ricardo himself. I love that man dearly. He has been a rock for me, throughout this entire journey. Someone that I have leaned on a lot. He’s someone who I trust wholeheartedly. He has an energy that you feel very safe around. He’ll make the laughs happen. He’ll make you funnier just by being around him. He may come across as a little guarded or dry, but the drier he is, the more he loves you.

SK: Tell me, what do you carry in your wallet?

JB: I left my wallet back at a party we were having at his [place]. I went over, picked it up, gave him a cuddle, went off. I had to travel to New York. I go to pay for a bottle of water at the airport. And there’s so many tiny cutouts of Roger that he had snuck into my wallet. So, we’ve got the lover, the facilitator, the cheerleader… he’s the joker. They made me giggle so much that I can’t take them out of my wallet now. I love the fact that there’s a little Ricardorito in my wallet at all times.

SK: Caitríona described you as the light of the Outlander cast.

JB: Did she?

SK: She said really beautiful things, which you’ll read.

JB: I feel like Cynthia Erivo [wipes a tear] and Ariana Grande.

Ed: This Wicked meets Outlander photo was taken before Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo’s viral moment… maybe they really are time travelers, how did they know?]

SK: Tell us about the fun things you’ve made the cast do that they have not wanted to do. You did manage to make all of them dance on set for TikTok. And then you peaced out of TikTok.

JB: I had a mission to get one with everybody. I don’t think I quite got Caitríona, though—

SK: You got Caitlin and Caitríona together.

JB: That’s right! I got Caitlin and Caitríona together dancing under a rainbow. I forgot about some of my greatest work. I haven’t gotten Caitríona on her own.

SK: There’s still time! You, Sam, and Caitríona have worked together so much over the years, how would you say that the three of you have impacted each other in a good way and not-good way?

JB: Am I the devil or the angel on the shoulder? We’ve impacted each other’s lives so beautifully through our performances together. It’s like people that sing together, something passes between you, right? They’ve taken on the responsibility to support all of the cast. They’ve shown us that when someone new is on set, you should be encouraging them, lifting them up. That lesson of ‘you’re no better than anyone else.’ That’s what they’ve taught me from such an early age.

SK: How about the bad? Or the evil?

JB: The bad! There’s no bad! Oh my gosh, the evil. I’m like, “Let’s go and have fun and party and be silly.” We’re like ships in the night. We just missed each other’s possibilities of being bad influences on each other. Caitríona and I often joke, “If I had just been in New York at the same time as you, we would have been absolute chaos together.”

SK: There’s still time!

This interview has been edited and condensed for length and clarity.

———————————-

Posted 12th December 2024

[beanghostprincess]

I was also thinking during this whole thing of Robin taking care of usopp he learns how to read poneglyphs. This was not intentional and did not teach him how to read it. After the incident with the buster call, she probably wanted to write down some of the stuff she knows about poneglyphs including the alphabet. So she has it with her all times. Also just in case something does happen to her, the information is still out there to be learned . He taught himself while looking through Robin's journals and kind of watched her while she works.

He thought it was a word game trying to decipher the squiggles on the paper. Well she's working he curiously asks like what's It's an ancient weapon? She's freaking out asking him how much he knows and how he learned how to read it. After giving his explanation she firmly tells him not to tell anyone that he knows how to read poneglyphs not sanji not his dad no one this is a secret between him and Robin.

Robin feels terrified and also guilty knowing that if the world finds out that this little boy knows how to read them, everyone will be after him whether to use him or to kill him. She spent years running she doesn't want that for usopp, if yasopp finds out he'll be pissed and would probably kick her out or turn her into the marines. (He would never do that yasopp is a lot of things but he's not a monster.) also someone finds out that he knows then they'll find her and they'll do a buster call on syrup village and she can't go through that again and she won't let usopp go through that.

So they keep it a secret. When he's older he insists on learning more about it and asks Robin lights so important to keep it a secret. She reveals her past her real name and her history doubling down on why he needs to keep his information limited. He doesn't push her further after.

Years later Luffy gets a hold of them. Water 7 happens. It's very traumatic but you know everyone is okay now. Robin pulls usopp aside and decides to teach him everything she knows about them. Realizing that what happened during water 7 was a close call If everything didn't happen how it did she would have been dead and all that information would be gone. She doesn't want that to happen. Someone has to know about this, someone has to keep this knowledge alive and Usopp is the one to do it. If something happens to her, He has to carry on her legacy. So he gets her inherited will of knowledge and keeping history alive.

This is killing me because she's such an older sister/second mom to Usopp and it's just,,, So sweet,, I love Usopp finding out on his own and Robin protecting him at all costs. Robin telling him all she knows after Water 7? I love them. I can't stop thinking about the fear Usopp might've felt when Robin was taken away from them. The way he shows up as Sogeking and she just knows it's him because he used to do that as a kid too. And,, It's just so sweet, the way they love each other,,

[lonesomedreamer]

“The Rings of Power” Liveblog: The Eye (Episode 7)

That ANY characters survived the volcanic destruction of Bronwyn’s village requires massive suspension of disbelief…that (almost) all of the named characters did so is laughable.

Isildur has plot armor. There’s just no tension created for me by putting him in danger.

Oh, thank goodness, the Harfoots are back.

Not-Gandalf’s sad puppy eyes when he does something else that scares Nori are so effective. My heart. :(

“I am no common Elf, but Elrond Half-elven” So…not even a common Elf, you’re saying?

“The fate of the Elves was decided many Ages ago” The fate of the Elves—the Noldor or any others—isn’t whatever this show thinks it is.

It’s a shame that the acting in the father-son Durin scenes is always top-tier, because the writing leaves much to be desired.

Give this man an Emmy!

Mithril being a literal magical cure for whatever physical manifestation of Evil that’s infecting Lindon is just so dumb.

All the Númenórean horses survived, too? Sure.

Nooo, don’t send not-Gandalf away. :'(

It’s elanor, see? Very sweet! But also: why does everything need an origin story?

Give him an Emmy, too.

“And my husband. Celeborn was his name.” Excuse me, Galadriel’s HUSBAND? Whose existence hasn’t even been hinted at for six entire episodes?? And now she’s saying he’s dead?!?

“We met in a glade of flowers. I was dancing, and he saw me there.” Beren and Lúthien called: they want their love story back. (I mean…there’s no reason this couldn’t have happened for Celeborn and Galadriel, too—they also met in Doriath. But a meet-cute that was actually unique would be preferable.)

She looks appropriately dreamy when reminiscing about him, at least.

Again, the scenes between the two Durins are so well-acted, but their feud over the mithril and the Elves, and the king ultimately disowning his son over it, feels wasted.

The Weird Sisters are also back, unfortunately…and it turns out they’re evil. For reasons. The Harfoots need to suffer. Everyone needs to suffer. (sigh)

Other than one of Isildur’s buddies, the only supposed casualties among named characters were Bronwyn and Arondir…and surprise: they’re both alive, actually! Isildur’s obviously alive, too—based on his plot armor and multiple unsubtle hints throughout the episode—so tl;dr see my first point: no one died. But they’re happy to show plenty of third-degree burns and severed limbs, because this isn’t escapism: it’s grimdark.

Suddenly Theo’s treating Arondir like his dad? (Hell, maybe he IS Theo’s dad.)

“We sail with the tide.” Asking again: how close was Theo’s village to the coast, and how does travel time work on this show?

A heartwarming Harfoot scene! Yay!

“I’ll not abandon these lands and condemn them to burn.” Lmao…please just reveal Halbrand’s actual identity already, I am begging.

Halbrand is just going to ride off for hundreds of miles on horseback with a gaping, infected wound in his abdomen so severe that it must be treated by Elves to heal? Good thing he’s actually [redacted]!

So a leaf…awoke the Balrog? Or maybe the Balrog’s just there as very heavy-handed foreshadowing of what will eventually happen to this kingdom. It’s also funny (and disappointing) that they kept the exact same Balrog design from the WB movies.

The Good:

Some good Harfoot moments, plus actual character growth among several of them!

Poppy sings! ♥

The acting is pretty solid all around: from decent (Galadriel, Theo) to good (Disa, Elrond, all the Harfoots) to excellent (the Stranger, both Durins) without any performances that stuck out as really mediocre or bad.

The camaraderie between Durin and Elrond (and Disa) is both fun and a little bit heartbreaking.

Celeborn’s existence finally being acknowledged!

The Bad:

The writing is abysmal. Even keeping in mind that this is Tolkien-inspired at best and certainly not any kind of actual adaptation, it stinks. Let me count the ways.

No one should have survived the volcano, much less everyone who matters in the narrative.

Mithril should not have magical properties (the light of a Silmaril…gag) that save Elves from whatever is supposedly and suddenly wrong with them, and the king of Khazad-dûm should not be antagonizing/disowning his son over it.

Three unnamed, “mysterious” and, apparently, evil witch/priestess figures should not be hunting for the Stranger—and hurting harmless Halflings in the process—all for No Apparent Reason.

It shouldn’t be revealed that Galadriel, the show’s central protagonist whose primary motivation is, after all, seeking revenge, was widowed (!) in the last war seven episodes into an eight-episode season.

The writers shouldn’t pretend to “kill off” a character the audience knows has to live (Isildur), because there’s no narrative or dramatic purpose.

Oh, and the writers keep veering into grimdark fantasy territory when it’s tonally inappropriate for Tolkien’s universe. Tragic things, indeed terrible things, can and do happen in Middle-earth, but they’re not described the way this show is portraying them, and they’re not unremitting and random a la Game of Thrones.

I have no hopes whatsoever for the season finale (unless it’s to get a few more of those gorgeous visuals…that’s why I’m still watching, really), but at least Halbrand’s identity will finally be out in the open.

[sasusakucore]

What would have happened if

1. Katniss didn't volunteer for Prim, so Prim and Peeta compete in 74th Games.

2. Gale and Katniss compete.

3. Katniss and Peeta's brother compete. Before, he volunteered for Peeta.

The Questions :

A.What strategy would Haymitch made for District 12?

B.What would Katniss do to them? Would she become an ally with those 2 boys?

C.Who would be the winner in the end?

Thank you so much :)

@curiousnonny

i) If katniss didn't volunteer for prim, so prim and peeta compete in the 74th hunger games

[Now, personally even if katniss was at the death door, she would have still volunteered for prim. She loves her sister so much that she would kill and die for her but let's just say for some reason katniss was unable to volunteer(prim might have prevented her or something because prim also loves katniss dearly)]

Personally haymitch would have lost hope on those two because those two are like the most gentle people out there. I think in this scenario, peeta had to get more aggressive with haymitch inorder for him to take both of them seriously. Now, knowing peeta, since he a gentle soul and has a crush on katniss, I think he would sacrifice his life to protect prim since in his eyes nobody needs him anyway and prim is loved by many especially his crush and that prim is young. So he convinces haymitch that prim is worth saving by telling her about her sister katniss' abilities and prim might have learned something from her. I think compared to katniss, prim has a little bit more charm and though she would hate to sacrifice a kind boy like peeta, she would agree with his plan plus I think peeta would reveal his plans to her because he needs her cooperation for the plan to work. Now onto haymitch's advice, while prim can't hunt let's assume that she has learned other survival skills(if she didn't the chances of her surviving are less)from katniss(like climbing trees, following animals to find food and water, snares(to subdue not kill)etc.) plus with the fact that she is good healer and is knowledgeable with plants and peeta might be gentle but he is good at wrestling(and since he is not planning to win the games), camouflaging and cooking, haymitch's advice would be for them to stick together, get supplies if they can but running away from the cornucopia is priority number one and find a place to hide. Now for the sponsors, one way would be if they get scores like 7 or above like how peeta got 8, I think prim can get a decent score of like(5-6 mostly) by her knowledge of plants and healing and I think only one or two would consider to do that just for the sake of rooting for the underdog so the next one is stylists and interviews. Both of them would heed haymitch's advice of being nice to their stylist(though I doubt they would get someone like cinna because he choose to go to 12 because he was moved by katniss volunteering for prim so let's assume they miraculously got a decent stylist) and now for the interview, both would work together unlike in the canon with katniss and perta and they somehow manage to create a story that would make some folks at the capitol like them(it's going to be like brother-sister angle or some platonic angle). So the best chances for them in arena to win is probably if most of the tributes kill each other and the mutts kill the remaining and those two avoid the mutts. I also like to think they might ally themselves in a typical alliance(haymitch might advice them to probably ally themselves with someone other than the careers, possibly district 11)with rue and thresh(I guess peeta could try to convince them separately by highlighting their similar situation but I think he would mostly manage to convince rue and it would be a miracle if thresh agreed). Between prim and peeta, I feel like peeta would sacrifice himself so that she could win and if due to circumstances prim dies and peeta survives the games I don't think he would be able to show his face to katniss since in his mind she would loathe him and that he feels guilty of not saving her. Now katniss would feel so hopeless in this situation because her sister is in a death match and she can't do anything to save her and I feel like if prim dies this might either radicalize her to join the rebellion or she might act like her mother did when katniss lost her father. But if prim manages to win, katniss would be so happy and relieved and would be protective of prim due to all attention she might get as the youngest Victor. She would give condolences to peeta's family regarding his death and would silently thank him and see him in a more positive light.

ii)Gale and katniss compete

Now in terms of fighting and surviving, they have way more chance than peeta and prim. Both have good survival skills and instincts and they are hunting partners so haymitch definitely thinks they will have better chances of winning compared to the previous victors. He tells them to get supplies and weapons if they can though running away from the cornucopia should be priority number 1(this is applicable to peeta and prim). He would tell them to hide and all though since they are good at archery and snares, if they manage to get their hands on a bow and arrow and some materials to make traps, they should use them. Now they would definitely get high training scores and this might put a target on their back but also give them some sponsors. Now these two would follow haymitch's advice of being nice to their stylists(though it would be hard for gale but if he manages to then its good news, plus katniss' stylist is definitely cinna since she volunteered for prim so they would get good outfits) but the main problem is interviews and that would be haymitch's main concern since both katniss and gale lack charms. So only by great difficulty, they would actually do decently well in the interview(haymitch probably told them to highlight their teamwork and their lives at home(with some filter), they won'tbe able to play the romance angle so I don't think they wouldget much sponsors from their interviews). So I think katniss and gale can ideally win if they manage to get their hands on bow and arrows and some snare materials, avoid getting injured,avoid killing unless necessary and if they have to kill, they can do it by shooting at the tributes while being at a safe distance(eg being on the trees). If had to pick a winner between the two, both have equal chances and I don't think they can kill each other so if they are the ones alive so they would go their separate ways until one of them gets killed by mutts or arena events/dies by illness etc. Katniss is both glad yet distraught that gale got reaped with her because on one hand she has her trusted friend with her but on the other hand either him or her will die. Both of them promised to each other that if one of them survives then they would take care of the other's family.

3) Now, we have zero information regarding peeta's brother so if we go by assumption that he has a lot of strength due to working in the bakery or probably like peeta has participated in wrestling tournaments so that's one advantage he has and i explained katniss' skills above. Now haymitch only has hope with katniss because the boy might be older and stronger but that's just it and those skills alone won't help. Katniss and peeta's brother definitely don't trust each other much though I don't think they would actively try to kill each other since both might feel guilty due to katnuss being the sole breadwinner and being the crush of peeta and peeta's older brother being peeta's brother. Now haymitch might tell them to coordinate for interviews since both volunteered for their respective siblings and it has touched the hearts of some capitol citizens. Now we don't know whether peeta's sibling is as charming as peeta but I think he is more charming that katniss so the interview part might go well if they coordinate properly(again no romance angle, just some sob story and probably the love for their siblings, they might get sponsors but it would be less). And since katniss volunteered, cinna might become her stylist and I think they can pull of being nice to their stylists so the stylist issue is not much of a concern. Now training scores, katniss gets a 11 which puts a target on her back as well as sponsors and peeta's sibling gets like a 8 or something if we assume he is good in the strength department(don't know about camouflage). So between the two it's definitely katnuss who would survive. I think katniss would most likely avoid teaming up with him because she doesn't want to be the one to kill him especially since he is peeta's sibling and unlike peeta with prim, I don't think she is willing to die for his sibling since she is breadwinner of the family. And even if they do tram up due to circumstances, I think in a scenario if the two of them are left then katniss might either shoot him or just avoid him until he dies of infection or something or gets killed by mutts. If she kills him then she would feel guilty because he is peeta's sibling and like peeta regarding prim, she would avoid peeta for the rest of her life.

Edit: Just realized that the winner question refers to who is likely to win the games overall and not who is likely to win the games between the two people mentioned above.

So in the first one, the ones most likely to win overall are definitely the careers, foxface and thresh. Prim and peeta would need a lot of luck on their side to win.

In the second one, it's definitely going to the careers, katniss, gale, foxface and thresh who are most likely to win.

In the last one, it's the careers, katniss, foxface and thresh who are more likely to win.

But we should never forget that while skill, charisma, good health and being capitol favourite is important, luck also plays a major role which even the capitol can't control.

[shanofarcadia]

i’m not one to tear down a successful queen ever, but there are moments throughout 3below where aja genuinely needed to get off the screen and let krel actually exist as one of the co-protagonists of the show, and allow me to drop some helpful examples:

the fight with halcon (1x07)

not saying that aja should be erased from this completely, but something that always pissed me off about this is that instead of letting krel help and fight alongside aja, he just gets knocked unconscious. which, okay, sure, stun him for a second like halcon did to varvatos, but when he comes to he can help! but then when he DOES wake up, he’s… instantly knocked out again, like literally instantly. what the fuck. not to mention, when halcon first attacks, it’s on krel (and ricky) alone (one of the rare moments that krel’s part of something without aja involved), so you’d think they’d give krel some stake in the final fight against halcon. and i’m not saying he needed to be the one to get the dramatic final blow on her either, in fact i love how varvatos just wakes up and one-shot blasts her to pieces in the sky. i’m just saying i think krel should’ve been an active part of the fight.

the battle of the bands (1x12)

this one’s not really as major, but it only slightly annoys me because i’ve always felt like most people were cheering because of aja’s vocals/dancing rather than krel’s music (save for eli and seamus who directly compliment him, they’re real ones) especially when krel literally has to clarify that HE’S the main act when someone in the audience cheers for aja. again, not the biggest deal, just a silly music competition, but it feels weird for the show to frame it as krel’s major legacy moment when moments earlier he was still being sidelined by people in favor of his sister.

rescuing varvatos (2x02)

this is by far the one that pisses me off the most. as we see in both 1x12 and 2x01, krel is VISIBLY more emotional and affected by varvatos’ betrayal being revealed. to the point where tears ROLL down his face, and he ALMOST EXECUTES varvatos on the spot, and his emotion in the season 2 premiere coming out in apathetic anger, but then we see him curl up and break into more tears when finally confronting his feelings on what happened. it’s literally HIS IDEA to go to the moon to save varvatos anyway. only, when the plan gets enacted, it’s… aja who gets to free varvatos from his cell. so where’s krel? playing dress up in the space tavern’s main room and getting hot-potatoed between dozens of bounty hunters. this makes me unbelievably upset. you show that krel is massively more affected by the events than aja is, but then he’s not even granted the courtesy of the 1-on-1 that aja and varvatos get as she frees him? say what you want about anything else i’ve mentioned, but this is a moment that 110% should’ve belonged to krel and not aja. also the fact that krel doesn’t even really speak directly to varvatos for the remainder of the episode once he’s freed. if anything, they kind of just gloss over krel’s internal conflict of being angry at him vs wanting to rescue him, another flaw in the usage of krel as a character.

also keep in mind that this is in no way meant to come across as anti-aja or anything like that, especially when she’s my 2nd favorite protagonist and 3below is my favorite show in the trilogy by a long shot. i mainly am just trying to criticize the show’s handling of its one and only dark-skinned protagonist and how him going severely underused in his own show and look at things through nuance, because there were plenty of moments krel could’ve been a part of things where he wasn’t, and it sucks that in both canon and fan spaces he goes so criminally underlooked. this has just been my two cents. this is longest tumblr post i’ve made in a while actually.

[goodqueenaly]

You're great at answering Asoiaf what ifs, so I'm hoping you could give me your opinion on one. Do you think anything would have changed for the Starks at KL during AGOT if Ned had given Sansa the wolf pack lecture instead of Arya? It seems that Sansa was more in need of it after everything that happened. Or did he pretty much consider her more of a Lannister than a Stark at this point, and knew she needed to put Joffrey ahead of her family?

To be clear, it's not like Ned didn't give Sansa something of the same lesson very shortly before his conversation with Arya, albeit in warning rather than in private discussion:

Sansa lifted her head. “It will be a splendid event. You shan’t be wanted.”

Anger flashed across Father’s face. “Enough, Sansa. More of that and you will change my mind. I am weary unto death of this endless war you two are fighting. You are sisters. I expect you to behave like sisters, is that understood?”

Sansa bit her lip and nodded. Arya lowered her face to stare sullenly at her plate. She could feel tears stinging her eyes. She rubbed them away angrily, determined not to cry.

As far as Ned might have seen in that moment, Sansa had taken his words to heart - openly nodding in agreement - while Arya had resisted any outward show of the same. In turn, when Arya lost her temper at dinner and locked herself in her room, Ned may well have thought that he needed to give Arya a more personalized version of the reminder he had tried to impress upon both of them earlier.

Nor do I think it's fair to say that Ned at any time "consider[ed] [Sansa] more of a Lannister than a Stark ... and knew she needed to put Joffrey ahead of her family". Indeed, the above is not the only time he showed open irritation toward Sansa's lack of sororal feeling toward Arya. When Sansa assumed, following the dress incident, that her father had called the two of them in for some parental censuring and immediately blamed Arya - even adding that Arya "tries to spoil everything, Father, she can’t stand for anything to be beautiful or nice or splendid", Ned told Sansa "Enough", in a voice "sharp with impatience”. Likewise, following his announcement to the two of them that he would be sending them back to Winterfell, Ned pointedly responded to Sansa's protest by saying that "I'm not sending you away for fighting, though the gods know I'm sick of you two squabbling". Naturally as well, Ned was not at all afraid to break the betrothal between Sansa and Joffrey, even before he confronted Cersei about her children's paternity, because of the danger he (not incorrectly) saw was posed to the Starks by the Lannister faction; in this moment certainly, what mattered to Ned was Sansa's status as his daughter and a Stark, not any loyalty she should have to Joffrey.

I'm not saying I don't wish we had more Ned-Sansa scenes, and I'm not saying that Ned could not have been more communicative with Sansa during their time in King's Landing together. But I don't think what happened to Ned, Sansa, and Arya (as well as the Stark household in King's Landing) had anything to do with Ned not telling Sansa (in a heart-to-heart conversation, anyway) that she should show Arya more familial love. Ned, as an ask I got once put it so well, kind of done goofed in his role as Hand; additionally, his unwillingness and failure to explain anything to his daughters about why they were leaving King's Landing on the day he decide (and why Sansa could not say goodbye to Joffrey before they left) motivated Sansa to reveal information to Cersei which Cersei then used to imprison Sansa and set a trap for Arya (as well as attempt to catch her).

[lobotomy-maybe-bestie]

so after my computer broke and i couldn't play any games for a month i finally finished pentiment! it's good! play it if you like a mystery, medieval (german) culture and lots and lots and LOTS of reading. spoilers for the big reveal under the cut be warned

magdalene's whole thing felt a bit more linear than andreas', and way lower stakes. the stakes was unavoidable, figuring out a murder mystery and painting a mural are not the same kind of stress level activity, but i feel like the linearness could have been avoided by just giving magdalene more things to do And by giving the player a chance to kick off major plot before doing all the little things first? like andreas could always decide to forward time by eating with people or deciding to do a subplot activity that cost time, and you frequently had to decide between options that would become locked afterwards (or at least the game made you think so)

magdalene really had to do Everything. i noticed that several times. the order in which she talked to people was up to the player, but she Had to talk to everyone for plot to continue and that was. a little annoying? i didn't Need to sit down and hear Everyone's version of the revolt like i was there. i know what happened. sure magdalene doesn't but having all this exposition for the sake of the character and not the player is an odd choice. sure it should have been available but did you really need to Force me to listen to it?

in the later chapters, the story really became very linear and like. that didn't bother me in the tense plot-heavy situations but it did bother me in the normal ones.

what the game really blindsided me with was andreas being alive. i expected that at the end of his arc, but then magdalene took so long and hints about his being alive were so far and few between that i genuinely thought that the hints we did get were about the thread-puller being after magdalene, not andreas. doesn't help that the paintings over the dance of death mural looked like child's paintings. sorry buddy but it did NOT make me think "skilled craftsman who is a professional artist" it made me think "some kid put some graffiti here".

i did enjoy seeing him again! loved the little jaunt through his mind. and speaking of i LOVED how they did the reveal. it was so good, peak drama! and i absolutely did NOT see it coming. when sister amalie's script changed i GASPED it was so exciting!!

father thomas' motivations were. okay they weren't Thee most convincing. when magdalene was like "i think you're shit at reading people actually" i was like yeah so true. EVERYONE AND THEIR MOM FUCKING KNOW THE ROMAN STORIES. it's not uncommon for older faiths to mix with christianity it would have Literally been fine dude nobody would have been discouraged by finding out about the saint origins. although those thoughts sort of go between doylistic and watsonian because like. is it a weak ass argument and something most regular people of the time would disagree with? sure! would some priest who thinks he's the keeper of the poor uneducated simple people's souls think that way and make those choices? fuck yeah those guys can be entitled as shit!

i loved seeing the mural. the epilogue was. fine. i think my favourite part about magdalene's storyline was sneaking into the poor clare's.

i liked andreas' section of the story way more but i'm also heavily HEAVILY biased because i loved that liturgical hours wheel and i hated the rathaus clock, and of all parts of the game i have by far the most interest in benedictine monks and nuns. so i felt a bitter absence in magdalene's part of the story.

also i feel like they should have given her like. maybe not something similar but something adjacent to andreas' little dream realm? like just a visual representation of how she coped with stuff? maybe inbetween the longer breaks of in-game time between playable chunks? it always felt like you would go to bed and then three months would pass and she would literally not change as a person one bit idk

these are complaints on a very high level though. like it's a really really Really good game don't get me wrong! i'll probably need a good Long break before i can play it myself again but i might watch playthroughs or look through some alternate dialogue options