#it was always going to be evil viktor or dead viktor

[mochimochimona]

Analyzing Viktor and Jayce from Arcane - S1 EP5 Part 1, because I am overanalyzing and having way too much fun.

PART TWO: Link.

So we are starting right into the fifth episode, so far no yearning from Jayce because he is too busy to be counselor, but this scene re-affirmed my standing about Viktor beaing actually really confident, except if he is in closed proximity with Jayce (or angry lol). He is arguing with Jayce about him being not there for the progress they wanted to make. But I actually found something else, so hear me out: It is argued that Victor is somewhat reflecting the Undercity, I get that because he is from Zaun. But honestly I think his urgency and agency is actually to help himself, maybe even more as the people in the undercity. At least it's getting clearer here, because he gets angry a tad bit. "There are people who need our help now!"

I think Viktor is not always this outcalling and frustrated, that's why Jayce looks like he feels guilty. And again, this makes me rethink Viktors Charakter, because he IS GODDAMN CONFIDENT and quickwitted and goddamn panicked because he fucking dies omg.

Jayce is pissed off he gets interrupted (again probably) by his job as a counselor while he is talking with Viktor, whom he thinks is an important person to him, but not important enough to get back to the lab with (which is really important for their arc). Again, I do think they are still lab partners here. I am looking forward to get to the scene what made me re-think that, because I doubt myself already LOL.

And also Jayce sassy answer "today is your first day" - he: "second!" hahahaha. Getting off tracked I am sorry.

This post is getting too long, so read further if interested:

Now we get - again - back to my conspiracy theory that Viktor is influenced by Old Man Viktor or something, because the next scene is AGAIN weirdly presented. So grab your tinfoil hats we are going for a ride! So Jayce is like, in the hexgate, "The corruption runs deep, I try to root it out" (boy, WHAT FORESHADOWING I AM CRYING) and asks about the gemstones, giving Markus (it was Markus?) his attention and Viktor is like:

Vomiting his guts out and since he is not on mushrooms as far as I can tell this trip is a bit weird, BECAUSE:

Blood hits the railing and

He touches the blotch of blood coming from his nose, everything as normal as it can be. So if you wanted to tell that he is sick and he doesn't feel good you could easily make him shake, kept this angle or shot and blurred his view. Except they are doing this:

The shot changes and we see the hexgate in it's glory, warping.

And Viktors reaction is interesting.

The colors change from blue to red/purple and my boy is he on a trip or something.

Do you see the red inside the blue?

You can hear his (or a) heart beating. And his panicked face? Viktor, What do your nearly dead eyes see? (sorry, and sorry for making a lord of the rings reference)

More trippin', don't do drugs people.

It warps and Jayce is on Viktors side immedietly, asking if he is alright (ARE YOU BLIND BOY OR WHAT WTF).

The animation made a weird resonancing effekt here, before Jayce says "Viktor" in a bit of a panic.

Viktor: Realization it's Jayce, but this time he is not affected by the touch, but angry (still) and moves on to his lab. This is foreboding of their fallout by the way, because Viktor is not honest with Jayce (and Jayce is dumb oh good lord).

So first thing what comes to my mind, I hope you still have your tinfoil hat on....because it would be funny if he somewhat has a vision or some sorts from Old Man Viktor? From the Rune? If they wanted to frame it as an idea, again that would have been easier to convey.

this scene is either brilliant foreshadowing with the blood near the hexgemgatestone whatever, his reaction and resonance to the hexgem and the choice of color. I don't know shit about the void (which might be shimmer here I guess?) but what I get is that it's a power to corrput and is evil, not neutral evil but (chaotic) evil evil (wait, another reference, this time to dungeons and dragons, I am sorry my brain melts). So the choice of color is really great here next to what Jayce said seconds before. You see, I think nothing what animators do is without something in their minds, they intend to convey something. I bet foreshadowing, but since we are wearing our tinfoil hats I might add it could be that Old Man Viktor is guiding him through the Hexgate/hextech, or whatever else there is. Again, I don't know shit about shimmer, the void or the runes, so if you have something to add here I would be delighted.

You can ditch the tinfoilhat now. Back to the animators intentions: And that's why I think we are reading so much into the relationship of Jayce and Viktor (later on I guess), because a lot of people working on the animation were probably shipping them (I guess? Did anyone confirmed that from the animation team at Fortich?).

If it was foreshadowing (which I highly think) it is BRILLIANT again, can someone give the team a huge raise and also an oscar or something? Also, can we agree to smack Jayce in the head for NOT THE FUCK NOTICING. There is fucking blood on the railing?!?!? Get your head out of your ass and Mel (sorry). I am like ten minutes in this episode and I am loosing my shit.

Also Viktors limping is way way worse. Again, can someone tell me why no one is adressing this? Is Viktor making excuses like he has headaches (yeah of course, who would believe that while he has nosebleeds boy).

Back in the lab and we are cooking. I don't know how much time has passed or how long Viktor is working on that so I guess he just had an idea while he was coughing blood and ruining the nicely polished railings at the hexgates

(This shot is giving me motherly feelings, how Viktor is so hard working, though he must feel miserable. Also it gives me vibes of jayce beeing a little narcissist because he is staring at his reflection and also signing all of his notes, bru)

Also Jayce saying "So you had a vision" BRO I AM ONTO SOMETING. Go get your tinfoil hats people! The WORDING. They could have said "So you had an idea, inspiration". Are visions normal in runeterra?

Also I reached the limit of 30 pictures, so we will have a second post of this.

PART TWO: Link

[posalis]

"Our Hextech dream." // "We finish this together."

Our fate was carved in starlit streams, Bound by more than earthly dreams.

[c0ffeeb1ack]

i know there are technically no individual "main" characters of tua bc it's an ensemble show but five and viktor always Feel very Main Character to me bc they're the only ones actively participating in the overarching plot and everyone else is lost in the weeds doing whatever the fuck

like take season 1. five shows up and is like Okay! i will now figure out how to prevent the apocalypse from happening. kill temps commission goons. find the owner of the glass eye. make a deal with the handler to get insider commission info and save the fam. turn back time. etc etc etc. and viktor is like yes, i will stop taking my evil power suppression pills and date the guy five has been looking for all season and also explode the goddamn moon.

whereas luther & allison are like omg what if we were two estranged adults thrown back into close quarters and we were both siblings lol 😳 😳 and diego is going on a revenge quest for his fridged cop gf and klaus is on a sidequest to the goddamn vietnam war and also having a brotherly bonding moment with his beloved dead brother ben 😭

[otomiyaa]

Stress Relief | Jayce x Viktor

Random drabbles 2/?

Chalk on the floor. Pieces of paper scattered around in a mess. Loud inhumane noises that filled the room. Good thing they were alone... This was an unsightly chaos no one should walk into.

Jayce was the one who started it. Of course, he always did. It was a natural chain reaction of things as he would call it. Stress because of deadlines and the council whining for results. Frustration because of failed experiments and dead ends. Long working hours, lack of food and sleep.

Maybe later, on some lower priority, they should invent something that could help people with their stress relief. Like something to squeeze in or for restless hands to fondle with ー since not for the first time, Jayce had resorted to digging his fingers into his lab partner as a way to cope.

And his partner, that silly Viktor, well.... It wasn't Jayce's fault that he was so ticklish. But it was his fault for not keeping up that momentum.

"Viktohohor! D-don't do thihings you'll regrehehet!" Jayce cried hysterically. Viktor was still catching his breath as well while his fingers did manage to activate that embarrassing pitchy tone in Jayce's voice.

"Hmm... I'm actually still considering... what to do with you."

Viktor's answer sent a series of funny chills down Jayce's spine. He said this while he was already making a mess of him! He knew exactly what to do with him!

"AAHhah nohoho you're hohorrible!" Jayce knew he had no right to complain. From his stress-relief-squeezes-turned-to-tickles came a merciless tickle attack on Viktor. It would always go that way. One does not just simply make Viktor giggle for a bit, and then stop. Ticklish Viktor was one of Jayce's best inventions yet.

He knew exactly where to get him to make him squeak in a way that would make both of them blush. He knew the ticklish areas that would get him the special silent laughter treat. He knew where and how to tickle Viktor in order to get the very best results.

But today was different. Jayce was mentally and physically exhausted from overwork. And Viktor? It seemed that at last, Viktor was very done with his shit, and Jayce howled like an animal as his own weaknesses were exploited just like that in his partner's well-deserved revenge. That he deserved it, didn't mean it didn't tickle any less.

"Nohoho not there- not there Viktor I'm wahaharning y-aaahhaha!"

They were in a position on the floor which he thought would seem somewhat suggestive. Viktor was straddling him and Jayce lay in cramped position, partially underneath the desk and unable to get up, doomed to laugh forever. Yes, he was being dramatic about it.

"All this time you did it to me. While being this ticklish yourself." Viktor's calm monologue only made it worse. Jayce arched his back when his partner's fingers managed to find their way under his arms, and he bumped his head charmingly against the desk while he laughed like a madman.

"AHhhah okahahay! Okay Vihihiktor!"

Viktor cocked his head. "Okay, what?" he asked. Jayce felt tears in his eyes from laughing so much.

In this position, Viktor had the advantage. Jayce would need to give a lot of strength to throw him off. Maybe a little too much, and even if he tried, he did not want to hurt him. He also didn't want to laugh like this forever.

"I gihihive!" Jayce howled in defeat.

Viktor scoffed. "What? You do not give anything, Jayce." What even was that! The cocky little...!

"Plehehease Viktah-ahaha!" Jayce squirmed like a worm and bumped his head again. Viktor was evil enough to just chuckle at that.

"Hahahave mehehercy!" If Jayce knew that his exhaustion would have him end up in this state, miserably tickled to death by Viktor of all people and begging for him to stop in such a pathetic way, he would have reconsidered that last all-nighter.

Finally Viktor's evil smirk made room for a fond smile. "Alright, alright. Repeat that final part. Then I might stop."

Jayce would roll his eyes if he could. "Have mercy - heheheh!" It must've been so satisfying for Viktor to finally get Jayce back for the times he tickled Viktor until he couldn't breathe. Which were many.

"I trust you'll help me up," Jayce said breathlessly when Viktor finally climbed off him. Chuckling, Viktor took his hand and helped him back on his feet. Jayce bumped his head once more against the desk just as he got back up, and Viktor reached out and rubbed his head to soothen the slight pain.

"Let's call it a day," he said. Jayce sighed and glanced at the mess they made. Of the room, and of themselves. He nodded.

"Agreed."

Together they stumbled out of the room. They could continue again tomorrow, and if Jayce would give in to the burning feeling in his chest, he would also make Viktor pay for this stunt by tickling him twice as much.

But he also knew this was Viktor's first real revenge on him, and it worked magically as a better way of stress relief than anything he had tried before... so yes, he deserved to get away with that. For now.

[i-gwarth]

Did anyone notice that, in the exchange between Viktor and Reveck/Singed, it was Reveck who had the factually correct description of evolution? A permanent force of nature, adaptation fueled by violence and death.

Did you notice how Viktor was *wrong* in his description of evolution? How he said it has a destination, to supplant nature? Did you notice he is not describing Evolution, but Progress? Did you notice that he is talking like Jayce? And that the only thing that stopped him from following Reveck and giving him Vander was his own personal decency, his moral compass. Because in principle he agreed with what Reveck was selling, a rejection of nature, of death and of suffering?

Viktor exists in tension with himself. He is committed to progress, to helping people, but in the right way. Without leaving others behind, without collateral victims and force.

The same tension is reflected at the heart of Arcane, in the duality of order vs chaos. Neat and orderly, straight lines deco Piltover vs chaotic, chthonic, curvilinear nouveau Zaun. The cold control of Hextech vs the uncontrolled fury of Shimmer.

The thesis of Arcane is the (rather simple, basic) idea that one side of human nature cannot exist without the other, and attempts to escape this duality are tragically doomed to failure. There will be a Zaun to every Piltover. A victim left behind by every leap of progress. And if we forget this, the world will waste no time to reminding us. Tension against duality is always resolved, reinforcing duality.

Viktor fell into this trap. Confusing the two, trying to separate the duality. In his final moments he realized that his attempt to escape it was always going to fail. This slots neatly into his LoL-self's agenda of mechanizing humanity: if humanity's nature is inescapably bound to chaos, the solution is to leave humanity behind. Escaping the tension. Smashing the coin.

I almost hope they don't go that route. I hope he is dead, a tragic figure who attempted a gentle uplift of the poor and destitute but failed to account for the human factors leading to them. He doesn't need to become a fanatical robot man on a crusade against flesh.

But more importantly we do not need a stereotypical Bad Guy embodying axiomatically evil conformity and forcefulness. We don't need a simplistic, childish narrative about overcoming a demon. It is good that the show so far has stained every villain with empathy, every monster with love. It is good that each character embodies the inescapable duality, so that we can never have absolute good without absolute evil.

Arcane should not aim to provide villains or solutions. It is at its best when painting a beautiful picture of our malformed humanity. Anything more would lessen the impact. We need the coin landing on its side.

[1296-very-good-year]

What I absolutely adore about Arcane in season 1 was its dedication to treating magic realistically. Science is the study of the natural world after all, and in Arcane's world, magic IS natural. Scientists would be the ones pursuing it.

Hextech was always going be invented, if not by Jayce and Viktor, then by somebody else down the line. By trying to stop them, Heimerdinger was only delaying the inevitable.

We get to see exactly how "science" can go wrong, both with Jayce succumbing to political manipulation to build weapons on behalf of the ruling class, and with Viktor throwing caution to the wind in his desperation to save himself. BOTH of them fuck around and find out. Dead child and dead Sky. (Singed is also used to explore a lack of ethics).

BUT Heimerdinger is not proven right. His position of trying to stop their research for the harm it could cause was wrong, because all scientific/technological progress can lead to harm. Harnessing fire allowed us to cook food and boil water to kill germs, dramatically improving and saving lives. It also lets us burn down cities, but that is no reason to avoid using fire altogether.

Season 1 does end with a Hextech-powered bomb going off in Viktor and Jayce's face, but it is clear that the corruption of the council and the systemic injustice the rich profited from is what created Silco, Jinx, and ultimately that bomb. Happy people don't burn down cities.

The council had control of all Hextech development from the beginning. They demanded the creation of the Hexgates - which did nothing to help the people of Zaun - and Piltover flourished. Zaun only got worse in those 6 years. All Viktor and Jayce wanted to do was give magic to everyone, but Heimerdinger made them delay it, and so their work was only used to serve the wealthy. They were never allowed the freedom to give magic to the common people.

Heimerdinger's stagnation as leader on the council for decades was infinitely more responsible for that bomb than Viktor and Jayce.

End of Season 1. Brilliant. Showstopping. Spectacular. Etc.

How does season 2 expand on this? Spoiler alert....

NOT WELL

We are introduced to the concept of the Arcane itself reacting negatively to use of Hextech. The anomaly appears that begins to poison life that comes in contact with it. Here is our metaphor for environmental destruction/pollution by industry. Interesting, let's see where that metaphor leads! (The answer is it leads nowhere).

While Heimerdinger was never shown grappling with the results of the terrorist attack that killed people he was presumably close to, he did FINALLY change enough to help Ekko create an anomaly to get home. He also worked directly to improve the lives of people in Zaun in the 3 years he was in that alternate timeline. Good stuff!

AND THEN

We are told that in all timelines Viktor goes crazy and tries to assimilate everyone into a single emotionless hivemind. Inevitably. Except, the alternate timeline where Ekko and Heimerdinger go is one without Hextech at all, where Jayce likely killed himself, and Viktor would have died from his disease. So, either there is an evil Viktor running around offscreen in that timeline, or he only ends the world if Hextech is invented.

If we make the more obvious assumption that Viktor only goes crazy in all timelines where Hextech is invented, then the through line here is that apparently Hextech should never have been pursued in the first place, and Viktor should have just let himself die.

"Hextech is a curse," Jayce says, and this is not once challenged by the narrative.

"I used to want to give magic to the world, now all I want is my partner back." .....what the fuck...

Jayce and Viktor's arcs are complete when they decide to kill themselves TOGETHER this time, along with destroying the Hexgates, the anomaly, and Ekko's Z drive, symbolically removing Hextech from the world to save the day. This is - in the writers words - the end of their story.

Season 2 says Viktor and Jayce should never have stopped each other from jumping to their deaths. Hextech was bad all along, actually.

Mel's magic is natural and wonderful because she was born with it.

And Singed apparently didn't try to use magic for his unethical science, so he gets his happy ending :)

[abysshare]

Wow..i saw the leaks and just. Wow.

I was hoping they were fake and its everything i hate in a series. I was biting my tongue until i saw the episodes but here we are.

Before i go into spoilers i do want to say that i AM grateful that we even got anymore of Arcane, but sometimes less is more.

Spoilers underneath

Edit: these are kinda messy thoughts.

My biggest gripes:

Too many plot points for a finale

Family trade in ( Bio sister for found sister for bio sister again )

Vander dying, Alive but fucked up, okay, fucked up again, dead, alive but fucked up, dead.

Not bringing up Isha at all??? Not even a quick funeral?

People being brought back to life but Isha and Jinx has to die.

Jinx has to sacrifice herself to save Vi and herself. 😒

The SEX scene.

Better explaination:

Too many Plot points:

I knew it was gonna be too many. I KNOW we needed answers/resolved plots, as well as needing things to make sense. But it.. was too much. Like most media at this point.

Family Trade In:

So... no one really talks about this trope? Or whatever you want to call it. But it bugs me, so much. If you don't know what I'm talking about..

To me a family trade in is when a Character, no matter their role, has family, turns evil or gets lost and finds a family of their own, and then when it seems perfect for them, they end up back with their original family because the new family died for them/their old family or they just.. don't belong/want to go.

Perfect example that isn't Arcane: Amphibia. Anne has to leave her adoptive found family from another universe and can never go back ( until she dies basically ). As well as her friends have to leave their found families as well and also cannot go back. Anne loves both her families..

And while i understand life isn't fair, and that people are allowed to not want to stay here or there.. it just bugs me the trope is to always trade back in for the old.

With Jinx, she "loses" Vi ( and yes Silco but it isn't about him right now ), And gets Isha. I KNEW the second i saw her she was gonna die ( this isn't a bash against those who didn't see it coming ( /genuine ) at some point. While i adore Isha and i am fine with Jinx adopting her, i am not okay with the writers choice of adding her just to kill her and be practically a trade in for Vi later on.

It sucks. I'll just say it out right.

And i want to be very clear. By trade in i do NOT mean replace. I know Isha was never a replacement for Vi ( or Powder ).

Again, i know life sucks, and you just don't get everything you want in this world, especially when it comes to war. But since this is a trope or at least a thing i see constantly, whether its in a pg way or an R rated way... its annoying.

Which brings me to....

People dying / Jinx / Vander:

Why? Other than shock value?

Jinx Dies, and it felts uncomfortable to me as a Psychotic/Schizospec person like her. She should have lived, she should have been able to find her own happiness after properly grieving Isha.

Isha Dies, happy to do so for her big sister(s), but like.. it ends up not being worth it. It both does and doesn't. She saved them time but then-

Vander. Vander is killed, then brought back to life in a fucked up way, then okay for awhile, then fucked up again, then dies ( by Isha ) and then is fucked up again and alive, and then dead.......... and then fucked up and alive again! And then dies, with Jinx!

It doesn't feel satisfying. Of course that one moment was very sweet and worth it. But oh my god? Why do it at all if you're just gonna kill and reanimate him again and again. Its not shocking its annoying by the third time and a joke by the fourth.

Viktor.. Same deal with him? And I'm not even clear if he is dead or just fucked off to space-time with Jayce, but still. It wasn't shocking anymore. Or thrilling. Just like "ah. Okay. Cool mask".

Heimerdinger... when i read the leaks i thought he was gonna die. Then i was watching and thought "oh no okay, he's gonna stay in that universe. Thats nice he deserves that". Nope. He's either also dead or also in space time. I just sighed really hard rather than be sad.

And finally.. The Doctor's daughter gets to live- AND HIMSELF- even he gets a happy ending? Over Jinx or Vi? What.. i mean yes Vi gets Caitlyn , but.. ? Ugh

The Sex scene:

I'm glad for Sapphic rep i really really am. I like Caitvi a lot as well. But this didn't feel comfortable for me. Not because it was an intimate moment, but because neither of them talked things out properly. On top of that it was really random.

Vi was upset, then suddenly horny for i guess.. make up or grief sex? Or both? And Cait was obviously fine with it, but then to suddenly try and talk about Maddie. I'm glad Vi wasn't the typical ">:( you fucked someone else while i was hurting?!" It was so... random. This is why they needed to talk before hand. At LEAST say it before getting into it.

And doing it in Jinx's cell? It feels so.. weird and wrong in a way? I don't know how to describe it.

TLDR: what in the five marvel hells was that other than visuals pretty

[lylathewise]

S2:E6 First thoughts

So, we already knew Viktor was Jesus, now he's straight up God? Cool

Man, this initial sequence is beautiful

Getting flashbacks of Connie being trained by Pearl in Steven Universe

Oh, so no longer being subtle about making her 'family'?

No fucking duh, Singed, of course Vander is in Zaun

Isha stole one of the Gemstones?!

Viktor was always beautiful, but now, Wow

Really? I'm so used to these healer types getting a really big case and turning away when they can't immediately help. It's so cool to hear Viktor say "No. I'm doing this. He's worth it."

Isha offering him water 🥹

She's being given another way? Yessss

THE PLANTSSSSS

I'm getting real Beauty and the Beast vibes from them

Cerberus guarding the dead!!!

More silco, my beloved!!

Actual details about the parents, we are so blessed this episode!

Wait, could Silco have been around the children before the parents died?

Oh no, I forgot about Singed

Oof, whenever I hear the word 'glorious' I know it's bad news

The exes! They meet again!

Still using cupcake? You miss her so bad, Vi

Why is it every time Caitlyn shows up around Vi, it's bc she wants to take down another member of her family?

Yeah, there's no way Caitlyn actually took down Vi without a scratch, that's a ploy

The wasted fruit, no!

The fondness in her eyes 🥹

Aww, I love a monologuer get their evil plan wrecked!

Caitlyn, you want to kiss her so bad

The kid almost died and he still held a hand out to Jayce? Beautiful, hurt people hurt people, let's help you not hurt anymore

SPIDER VIKTOR!

Jinx fight scene, always a pleasure

Viktor?!?!?!?! NOOOOOO

WHAT THE FUCKKKKKKK

HAPPY FAMILY TIME OFFICIALLY GONE

Oh, so Ambessa actually considered her kin?

Isha's looking at her like, "Vi has Caitlyn. Who does Jinx have but me?"

Oh no, they're going to kill the child

AAAAAA I WILL NEVER BE OK

[wisefoxluminary]

Arcane Season 2 Act 2 my thoughts (+analysis)

Wow just wow…this show really is a rollercoaster and this set of episodes really delved into the family dynamics of Vi and Jinx, two broken characters trying to fix what was lost between them. Jinx being forced to reckon with who she is as a leader in Zaun, inspiring those to stand up against the injustice wrought by the enforcers and this time we get to see the innocent and more soft side of her as she realises all these people look up to her as their saviour when all her life she was led to believe she was a monster who gets everyone she comes close to killed but she realises that she is making an impact on everyone around her including Isha who reminds her of her past self that she buried and is bringing that back out to the surface. Their sibling relationship was really beautiful to witness because they would save each other every damn time. It was cruel watching that get taken away from us because Isha’s final act was saving Jinx from Warwick’s rampage, though her life was short lived just like Powder’s, her sacrifice really showed the impact Jinx had made on her life and that act of preservation and love will help her finally embrace the role of a saviour complex the people of Zaun need, in the shadow of Viktor’s passing, a fallen messiah who used his power of healing for good. Jinx takes that chance and must weaponise her own destruction for good, to liberate her people and what remains of her family from Ambessa and the Piltover Guard and also Jayce who seeks to wipe every last remnant of Hextech.

I really liked the twist that Vander was Warwick as it added loads of tragedy to his character and really fuelled the emotional beats for the reminder of the story, in particular Vi and Jinx’s journeys respectively. The idea of Vander's love being the one thing that ties the sisters together was really beautiful to me because every time he saw Jinx, he was reminded of Powder which brought back his humanity which was slowly being corrupted by the beast. Powder is his tether to humanity thus why he protects her with all his might (“they don't touch my daughter” scene comes to light). This link to humanity, his memories of Ponder is what helps him overcome his monstrous impulses. He's a dead man who has turned into something unrecognisable and yet the memory and warm love Vander once embodied still resides within him and Vi and Jinx are working so hard to persevere that. This is shown in the memory sequence Viktor observed in his mind because Vander's impact is always felt on Vi and Jinx. He gave Vi her name, he was a loyal friend of their mother. His dying words to Vi was for her to protect Powder. That's why he recognises Jinx and sees her for who she used to be, why he saved her. Jinx may blame herself for his death but that only brings him closer to her. So when that perfect image of family was taken away from them, the monster from within won and every last memory of Vander is stripped away from him because that light Viktor was trying so hard to untangle from him was gone the moment he was killed.

Jayce really lost his mind because who knew one senseless action could cause this horrific chain of events to happen because being trapped in that anomaly caused him to see a false and corrupted vision of the future and it descended him into madness. Jayce is the reason Viktor loses his humanity because as he said in his dying moments the greatest good can also become your greatest evil. So what Jayce believed he was doing right by killing Viktor and stopping him from going down the wrong path only was the fuel to the fire that caused it. Betrayal and the tragedy it brings and how it melds us into the worst version of ourselves is a very integral theme in Arcane as seen with Vander and Silco, Vi and Powder, Vi and Caitlyn etc. Jayce and Viktor is just another representative cursed by the narrative and the ramifications of this betrayal will be dealt by them in terrifying ways and how they'll overcome that is going to be very central heading into the last three episodes. There is no changing the past, but there must be a way to make a better future with it as well.

The only way this show can end is if Vi and Jinx finally forgive each other and themselves and finally use love as their greatest weapon against the evil that threatens to supress them, how sacrifice impacts them and encourages them to carry on what the people who are gone had taught them. Love is what united them rather than hate and I think that's a beautiful thing. The resolution of their arc would be those two sisters reconciling, living in peace knowing their family is in a better place. For Vander to be ressurected and for Zaun to return to what it used to be under his resistance, finally at a peaceful agreement with Piltover where no more blood is shed. Where Hextech isn't used as a weapon anymore.

But overall, this episodes truly were a masterclass in storytelling and animation with its vibrant and colourful visuals. Truly can't wait for Act 3 because the symbolism of this show goes crazy.

[wren-galathinyus]

alright bitches, screaming into the void again, act two of the second season just dropped and I am sobbing and inconsolable, as always, spoilers for arcane season two under the cut

-CAIT AND MADDIE?????? YOURE FUCKING KIDDING ME?????? HOW DARE THEY. the scream i scrumpt. but okay genuinely, I'm very curious how that dynamic works and started, I really am praying that it's just a casual thing and cait sort of rebounding, because to me caitvi is always gonna be endgame (side note, get it I guess, at least one of the girlies is getting laid)

-also I loved the paint the town blue music intro and how it can be interpreted and the way both sides can be seen with so much nuance but also how both sides can feel black and white about each other

-Mel being a bastard child is genuinely so funny to me with the notion that Mel didn't believe that her mother could fall in love, and now she's stuck with these freaky magic people. it's actually so interesting as it reminds me of the sorcerer class in dnd and how magic is inherent in the blood, but also, if you're a wizard, it's something you learn. as seen with Mel and the people that learn the arcane (the guy that saved baby jayce) (also the artificer which is everyone who utilises modern hextech, but specifically the inventors)

-the reuniting of Vi and Jinx!!! omg the tension, the grudge being held, but also the very clear longing for the sisterhood to be rekindled. and how this time, when Vi hits Isha (even though by accident) there's someone there to smile and ask if she's okay and to keep going. something something breaking the cycle of trauma.

-then to add onto that the fam reunion of Vi Jinx and Vander! and of course the fact that Vi chose to trust, again. despite how many times her trust has been broken and betrayed, she trusted again, and it payed off, because even if only for a couple days, she had a father back. she had a family, this time with a new younger sister addition

-and to add onto that even further!! the reunion of all of them with cait!! all of them are chosing trust and chosing forgiveness to try fight for a greater good and a future they wanted to fund!!

-the small family dynamic in the first episode that is sevika, Jinx and isha is so perfect to me. and I find it so curious that with isha, Jinx wants to leave behind revolution and violence to try and have something bordering on domestic. idk, I just love the three of them and how they would go to any end to save each other

-meeting young vander, silco, and the girls mum! it all started out so pure with so much hope. they wanted to leave a legacy and a world where you could raise children. and though they have failed initially, those children are now picking up the mantle. brimstone and blisters is an amazing phrase and goal

-small side note, I love seeing sevika try to step into a leadership role

-y'all what happened to ekko???? please, why is he on the mural?? I swear he better be in the final act. but I love to see that the fireflys are still thriving

-viktor and jayce truly are doomed yaoi and it's going to doom the whole rest of the narrative... and I kinda love that for them. all jokes aside though, it's amazing to see both of their developments and how viktor grew and created this amazing (if very uncanny valley) society (cult), and jayce, tormented by the touch of the arcane, driven close to madness, is so destructive. and despite one promoting growth, the other destruction, I'm actually not sure which one of them is in the right! like is the hexcore inherently evil and thus viktor and his community, or is Jayce delusional and going to self destruct in the worst possible way? or both! or neither! we'll see

-haha omg Jinx not being recognised and then also being laughed at for her pants

-the warden of stillwater is dead and all I can say is thank fuck 😌

-the scene in the prison! holy fuck. Jinx and sevika releasing everyone and Jinx making the sarcastic proclamation, only to be met with genuine connection from her fellow Zaunites. all of them touching her shoulder as they pass. "we see you, we know that you have done bad, we choose you, you are our hope" is what it says to me. and you can see that it really gets to Jinx, that she's having this holy shit people cherish me moment

-ambessa is amazing and awful. I don't love her but what a character she is. she's driven and corrupt and full of so much love and hate (fuck that other guy tho, the one that always stands near her who I can't be bothered to remember the name of, glad he dies, acab)

-so much diverse animation in these three episodes you absolutely love to see it! vander with his almost abstract view of the world when he's in a rage, only seeing in colours of blood red. the way that isha sees the world in her childlike sketch while reliving moments. the soft and peaceful almost watercolour sketch of vanders mind behind Warwick's animal brain. how much peace and love goes into every detail of this show will never cease to amaze me

-that one guy will never catch a break from Vi and it's the funniest running joke in the series

-Caitlyns face when Vi calls her cupcake

-the way Jinx draws her name under her eye with Vi's pitfighter paint in the same fashion as Vi's tattoo. it really says to me that Jinx still idolises her and wants to be like her sister still, no matter how much they've changed. while also accepting that there are parts of each other that neither want

-Caits character... ooh boy this one's a doozy. so yes, fascist dictator style, but we still see remorse from her. a want for things to be better for everyone. the deep desire to be able to change things for the better without mass acts of violence. but again clinging to the need for revenge. at least at the start. she still very much betrays ambessa when she sees how much pain she's willing to cause to fuel her own purpose though. I think she's come to terms with the fact that what she wants is something she has to try to achieve without becoming a monster. she's deeply flawed. she's amazingly complex. I'm in love with her. she's a cop. she's a heartbroken daughter. she wants to fix the world. she may have broken it a little under the deeply misguided tutelage of Noxus. I really can't wait to see her in the final act. especially since I believe she is going to be part of the revolution now

-Jinx calling the gauntlets bitch mittens 😂😂

-he's your father too (ouch)

-yknow, genuinely thought the pitfighter arc was gonna be longer than that but I'm not too bothered by it. I'm also really glad to see that Vi is allowed to be wrong! she is amazing but also makes a lot of mistakes, and she has people in her life that aren't afraid to call her out for her shit. I feel like a lot of people think she can do no wrong because she feels like the main protagonist, but the show continues to remind you that she's just a person, and one who is deeply fucked up by her trauma, but she is trying her best

-also just noticed the detail of the black rose having the red galaxy as their sort of ethereal plane, while viktors is a deep blue. I wonder if that's to do with the combating magics that they posses and if they are in opposition, whether thematically, morally, or any other kind of way. just thought it was cool

-also is it just me or does the dog on Vi's jacket look like a domesticated version of the wolf that Singed used to revive Vander??

-the way that both Vi and Jinx sound like their mother

-the hug? I actually cried

-and finally. omg isha why??!?!?!?!? holy fuck I know that it was desperate, but child just pulled a season one act one powder move. what is the fallout of this explosion gonna look like? are we going to lose vander for a second time? is isha gonna die? how will our main crew fare? I can't wait for the final act. it's gonna be amazing!!!

-I lied, final final thought, Cait disarming Vi was so funny (and also hot)

sorry is none of this is very articulate or if some of it is a bit repetitive, but I needed to get it out of my system. please feel free to add thoughts or even tell me if you think I've got some things wrong!

[sweetpastillas]

tom & elliot's role swap video is interesting to me because . what if luther and viktor Did switch some places in s4?

this would likely include [this is an au idea]:

a down-on his-luck luther, shifting through various jobs

in hindsight i just want more depth back for him

in this au, sloane is fully dead via reginald incompletely programming the universe & allison pressing the button early. let's visualize all the flashback montages we should have gotten over their 6 years, and insert in one where he finds her grave.

(this would cut to ben finding this out in a phone call, scowling with a hint of mourning, before turning away to greet more of his crypto buddies)

it says something like "sacrificed her life saving people from the fire of the hotel obsidian [or something heroic]."

he has no picture of her

it's not a timeline where he's fucked up, like the unshaven floorcrying on the moon or s1's furry rave breakdown. he's numb. happy to go to family events, not as stoic as s1, but numb every once in a while

he still picks up ben from prison. hugs him too tight – ben complains once.

he actually squeezes more often in his hugs. death is too real. klaus gets it but still panics for closeness and germs as they meet at the party

viktor, on the other hand, is as neutral as he's always been. happy without his powers, able to take deep breaths dealing with annoying regulars at the bar without rattling all the bottles on his shelves

he's happy to be part of the family – it's not like he has sissy or harlan left. so he answers his calls, sends the niblings pictures of canada wildlife, and is happy to go to every meetup. he's missed only a couple, because distance.

viktor's still the one most pissed about his powers coming back, at least. "i could put us at risk and the end the world again."

it's luther who's even more visibly awkward when allison shows up to grace's 6th. everyone can assume it's because of oblivion, but we the audience can guess it could be about the rumor SA and their complex history

we can take it to the town with keepers and evil santa – viktor and allison could have a different scene, one that acknowledges where they are now

("we've killed each other's children, we've hurt each other, but you asked me to trust you and i did." "i guess i can't ask you to be in my corner then." "show me a good reason to; i know you can" *cue proper alli redemption arc*)

but alli/luther... there's more hurt there because really the show broke their closeness and put a transparent bandaid to pretend it's still there despite s3. they used to be besties with a childhood that turned them into exes and circumstances have changed that into worse

so it's luther who tells her that "we can't be anything else, right now.. i don't think we can even be friends. i'm sorry"

allison and that brilliant thing where emmy raver lampman acts out trying not to cry

take your pick of reasoning – the SA, or he blames her in part along with reg for not programming sloane into the timeline. either because she went with it, or because she pressed the button early

in my au we settle loose ends btw. they talk it out or help each other in battle, as long as they make truce at the end.

we keep the exact scene as from the roleswap video. we also keep the deleted conversation with diego later on.

if we have to actually integrate the cia in any way (bc in this world, five works at an actual deli and spies on the keepers at night) one of them finds various files on them, and sloane too. takes the picture of her to keep it.

i say one of them because a viktor-diego arc would be cool and luther travelling with reg, actually calling the shots better would be interesting.

viktor's the one who both gets an insight into diego's vigilante fighter style, and is also there to let him figure out that change is ok. "the civilian life isnt so bad, here's an anecdote from something i actually liked about being ordinary back in the original s1 timeline."

(have i also said this au is just lila and diego missing the action in their lives but without cheating. they both work 9-5s and are tiredly trying to keep up and this is settled later)

no matter what the picture ends up in luther's hands by the end

it's what luther clutches amidst a proper final battle and ending, hoping to find sloane in the next life

[mazojo]

Final thoughts of Arcane’s season not from someone who just hates the ending for the sake of hating it but just feels disappointed.

Arcane puts so much attention throughout the show in the small details, I always considered it an amazing source of inspiration for storytelling which is why fumbling the last two episodes like this feels SO heartbreaking

Because how is it that by paying attention to the small details you lose sight of the bigger picture somehow?

How is it that in the end Ekko, a character who kept sacrificing so much throughout the narrative for everyone got NOTHING while the antagonist got the best ending? It feels like such a slap in the face

I can’t even happily enjoy Caitvi’s ending because of how heartbreaking it is knowing Vi in the end couldn’t even have one last conversation with her sister and they are just going to keep…. Fighting? Fighting what specifically?

Why was Maddie evil? Where did the explanation for this happened and then why would she said what she said to Vi back in Act I?

Why did we never see what exactly happen with Vander, Silco and Vi & Jinx’s mom? Why didn’t we see it maybe as a flashback when the memories were burning off Vander’s mind if it was something so important that literally was the catalyst to Silco’s and his fallout?

Why was Mel’s entire backstory relegated to like 15 minutes in ep 8 and some back and forth in ep 9 when she is literally possibly one of the most if not the most powerful mages to fight against the arcane due to her connection with it but we just? Will brush over it bc we need to wrap the ep up in 40 minutes?

Arcane s2 act 3 really dropped a Sevika poster just to say who the FUCK is that never heard of her. She can be a council member or smth in the end ig but she isn’t relevant after that cool fight scene with Cait, Jinx and Vi for reasons

And was Isha’s whole character meant to be a parallel to Jinx’s death then? What cycles is being broken? Even if the theory that Jinx is alive is true, how is the cycle necessarily broken if everyone believes her to be dead and Vi and Ekko are now reeling with the loss of yet the most important person due to the cycle? What was the symbolism in that?

Jayce honestly felt like the only concluded character arc in my opinion. Maybe you could argue Cait and Viktor too ig. But having the main two characters, Vi and Jinx, being treated like this by their own story just feels like a slap in the face and even though it wasn’t all bad, the lack of care and stumbling to deliver the narrative in the end really left a sour taste after such a beautiful series

[low-budget-korra]

My comments on Arcane s02 e7-9

- Not everything going to shit while Ekko is living the best life in some alternative reality (except Vi is dead in this one). It is so weird to see Jinx as powder.

The way he ran to hug Benzo...He is strong cuz Idk if I would come back to a shitty reality after be in one were basically all my dreams came true.

And for a moment I thought the sex scene was gonna be about Ekko and Powder 😭

Not Jayce carrying his weapon like he is Pyramid Head and no wonder he came out that way, damn. Everyone was judging him but I knew there was a good reason for all that in episode 6

Is Heimerdinger dead?

-IN THE FUCKING CELL. OMG IT REALLY HAPPENED. IN THAT FUCKIN CELL. My depression is officially cured y'all

The way Caitlyn was like, telling about Maddie and Vi couldn't care less abt 😭😭 I love it for them

I wish we could have a scene like this with Korrasami, imma right Korrasami nation ? And Since Bryke couldn't care less about Korra now, we won't be getting any scene, let alone a sex scene one

- Damn Mel... You looking good.

Nah bruh, leave Vander alone. Let him rest. Viktor too

Okay, this glorious evolution doesn't seem nice and he is teaming up with Ambessa. That woman, I forgot her name, leaving Viktor now that he is turning evil, is so symbolic.

Viktor being the one that met Jayce as a kid, everything is a cycle. Not only them but Silco/Vader and Vi/Jinx. And it's fair to say that Viktor is the love of Jayce's life, as they are bound to be together.

-Damn Jinx, we never saw her so vulnerable and depressed. It's weird to see her in the same position Vi probably was for years in that prison. Being the older sister is hard.

At least she didn't go homicidal. She is THE big fat hero. Zhaun and Piltover fighting together. Hell yeah!!

And what a wonderful redemption for Jinx, but I'm in PAIN!

Vi always tried to save Jinx and in the end, was Jinx who saved Vi. 😭😭

- Not Vi reviving the trauma of Vander death, only for losing Jinx as well. IN THE SAME FUCKIN TIME.

She wasn't that present in this act, other than some fighting scenes. But something felt off about her in the end. We don't know how much time has passed but she was just too chill. Like? She fought so hard to have her sister back, only to lose it.

- That scene, with Caitlyn and Jinx was the closure Caitlyn needed. look so hot with that eye patch. I'm sorry. How is she gonna shoot now tho?

Caitlyn is tough man. What a fight against Ambessa and with a stab wound. And in order to win, she had to sacrifice her eye. There's a lot in sacrifices in Arcane really.

The pupil fighting against the master troope is perfectly done here and served as Caitlyn's redemption for her actions against Zhaun, as she fought, bled and defeated the monster who took advantage of her pain and "made" her do it all that.

-Damn, that battle was tough. Ambessa using Kratos blades of chaos was dope af.

RIP Loris, you were a real one. RIP Heimerdinger. RIP Jayce

FUCK YOU MADDIE . MEL YOU'RE A MOTHERFUCKING G and so are you Ekko

Daughter fighting mother, former besties in opposite sides of a apocalypse, two sisters fighting the beast that once was their dad... And all of this was perfectly built. High stakes at their best.

Never expected to see Sevika in the council, that wasn't in my card but it was nice.

-WTF was that ending. Is it all??? They took hours to make that open ass ending?? Why was Caitlyn looking at Hextec shit? Who was in that balloon? The scientist? I need answers cuz this felt too much like a season finale and not a series finale

[judgeitbyitscover]

Forest Kingdom series by Simon R. Green

Blue Moon Rising (1991), Blood and Honour (1992), & Down Among the Dead Men (1993)

Cover art by David Farren

Gollancz, 1991-1993

Blue Moon Rising (1991)

Rupert didn't especially want to be a prince. And he certainly never asked to be the second son of a royal line that really didn't need a spare. So he was sent out to slay a dragon and prove himself-a quest straight out of legend. But he also discovered the kinds of things legends tend to leave out, as well as the usual demons, goblins, the dreaded Night Witch-and even worse terrors hidden in the shadows of Darkwood.

Rupert did find a fiery dragon-and a beautiful princess to rescue. But the dragon turned out to be a better friend than anyone back at the castle, and with the evil of Darkwood spreading, Rupert was going to need all the friends he could get.

Blood and Honour (1992)

Jordan had always prided himself on his acting abilities, but now he faced the challenge of his career. Magicked into looking exactly like Prince Viktor, middle son of the recently assassinated King Malcolm, Jordan had been hired to pretend to be the prince as a war of succession raged at Castle Midnight. With both Viktor's elder brother, Lewis, and his younger brother, Dominic, only too eager to dispatch their middle sibling, thereby increasing their own chances to gain the crown, Jordan soon found himself hard pressed to survive. And in a castle where the winds of Unreality might at any moment sweep down upon the unsuspecting, leaving behind little that was recognizably human, Jordan could only hope for a very short run in the role of prince and a quick escape from the kingdom with the fortune promised him for a successful job.

But fate--or perhaps a magical conspiracy--was about to rewrite the script for everyone at Castle Midnight, and only time would tell who would live to claim the throne and who would rule among the legions of the dead...

Down Among the Dead Men (1993)

"Ten years have passed since the Demon War. The Forest's scars are slowly healing, the Darkwood is still and silent, and few demons ever venture out of the endless night. But in a clearing not far from the Darkwood boundary, in a darkness where a sun has never risen and a moon has never shone, an ancient evil stirs in its sleep and dreams foul dreams."

And with those words, New York Times bestselling author Simon R. Green begins the third of his Forest Kingdom novels, a classic sword-and-sorcery quest of four Rangers, three outlaws, and one Infernal Device that could reawaken a Beast that's best left sleeping. Travel along with Duncan MacNeil, the witch Constance, Jessica Flint and Giles Dancer as they -- and their buried secrets -- go down among the dead men on the adventure of a lifetime.

[the-dumpster-fire-of-life]

Yes, another idea. But this time I would like you to add Jayce (I love him too!). Viktor, Jayce x Fem!Paranormal Researcher!Reader. Paranormal researchers study ghosts, record paranormal activity in any place, try to catch the presence of a good or evil spirit. All this is done with the help of special devices. But! Reader is taking a big risk. She constantly goes to some abandoned places or cemeteries, because paranormal activity is quite high there. She can even make contact with spirits. But Jayce and Viktor didn't know about it until a certain point. How will they know that Reader is engaged in a rather dangerous business? Will it scare them at first? Thank you very much!

(Hey! Sorry this took a bit but here ya go, Enjoy!)

Viktor & Jayce x Paranormal Research Reader

Viktor

Viktor was never a really big paranormal believer

Sure he heard about it a lot but he never really cared about it

Never had any spooky ghost “Encounters” growing up

Even in the Undercity

The people there were weird and creepy enough

But the idea of ghosts and the paranormal always quite fascinated him

He grew up hearing Singed talk about it also

The man believed highly that the world was very spiritual

That's really the only time growing up he worked on paranormal things

But even when you worked with it he never really knew

You never talked about it a lot

The first time he learned was when you casually mentioned it

Example

“So at work we had this old grandma ghost who was angry. Her husband apparently cheated on her and hid it until she was dead and moved his mistress into their room.”

“That sounds bad. How did he hide- Hold on, love. Did you say ghost and dead? Excuse me?”

Man was gobsmacked

He sat there blinking at you for a second before he finally composed himself

It was a lot for him to take in but he took it fairly well

He would ask a lot of questions

And by a lot I mean a lot

It took a long time for Viktor to get used to obviously

But after he did when you came home he would always have a series of questions to ask

When he heard about you going to cemeteries and abandoned locations he would be sketched out

Just make sure you’re being safe and please don’t go alone

He does worry a lot though

Why he’s always relieved to see you when you come home

Don’t bring back any ghosts or artifacts from work

He will burn those

He is freaked out you can make contact with spirits though

He doesn’t like the idea of it

But he will be cool with it

Just please don’t do it around him because he will feel weirded out

Jayce

Oh no

Jayce was always freaking creeped out by the idea of ghosts

Even when he was a kid

Was a firm believer there were ghosts in his house and under his bed

Would not sleep without a nightlight and believed the tiniest sound meant the house was haunted

When he found out about your type of work was the same time he found out you could come in contact with ghosts

“What are you doing- What the hell?! Why are you doing that?! Why is the thingy talking?! Nope! I’m out!”

He would lock himself in the room and hide

He is scared shitless

And when he heard about you going to cemeteries and abandoned places?! You might as well had given him a heart attack

He swore he was gonna die

You thought he did because he did faint on the floor

But he was all good after a good smack to the face

He hates shit like that

He will 100% call you the entire time you’re gone and worry until you’re back in front of him

In one piece though please

He doesn’t care if they’re good ghosts or evil ones

He’s still scared

He’s more open to the good ghosts that are proven good

But please no

He is always asking questions

“When I’m showering can they see my ass?”

“Jayce, nobody likes you that much.”

“Oh, thank God.”

Also like Viktor will not stand for anything being brought home

Doesn’t care at all

He will throw it, burn it or give it to someone else

Maybe Marcus

Or if you come in contact with that assholes ghost please tell him to go to hell

[honey-minded-hivemind]

Okok, so my list goes as follows:

Erik is my first choice for sure, not only are there endless possibilities for angst, but he's also one of my favorite marvel characters in general.

Charles is second, I honestly imagine him being such a sweet dad, and I don't see enough work with him being a parent it's a crime.

It's impossible to pass up on classic feral dad, so Logan gets third, uncle Viktor is an added bonus in that one.

I'm curious, which yans are higher on your list?

Lamb Anon

Those are good choices! And I see the points you've made! Erik has so many choices, not to mention if he was Reader's dad, you have Wanda as Reader's sister! And then eventually, when the kids get caught, Pietro finds out he's Reader's brother... Aaand it doesn't help the situation. At all. Because wow, he and the others had just watched Reader die, but it turns Reader was his sibling. His younger sibling. And they never knew, not until they were dead (which he isn't sure is possible, because they are alive then? He's confused on what's going on and why they're still around)...

Charles IS an underrated dad! And he would likely be the most understanding, tied with Hank/Beast! (The parents are all understanding to a degree, but those two are the most understanding of Reader and their... "situation"...) To be fair, he'd probably be a good dad, checking up on Reader, reminding them if they forget something, letting them interact with his other adopted children and friends, going on small adventures... He'd just... maybe keep an eye on them. At almost each waking second. Because that's his child, thank you, and he does not need or want them getting hurt or getting into trouble... (He also wants to make sure they don't turn to Erik... they are exes (friends, partners, etc. )) (and he does not want Erik to steal his child, or worse, convince them of his anti-hero ways...)

And one can never say no to Logan as a dad, because that is what he does best (besides kicking the *ss of every evil human or mutant in bothering the X-Men). He's dad-coded. He's protective, he handles any problems his kid has (especially bullies, he does NOT like those, and what better way to handle them than him?), he'll keep an eye on them, he let's them and his other kids be friends and hang out, and he doesn't mind if they're not perfect. So, he is a pretty good choice, too.

Okay, my top three favorites? Okay, let's see...

I'd say Logan, Victor, then Hank.

Logan because of the above reasons (I can't help it, he's a comfort character of mine, and he always comes with a kid in whatever media he's in) (it's also fun, writing for him)

Victor, because it makes sense for Reader to be his kid, due to their specific shape-shifting mutation (they can only turn into animals), and because I like him. (And he would also have a bit of trouble losing Reader, a lot of trouble, so that adds to the story, too) (he's also a comfort character)

And Hank, because he's nice, he's sweet, he's gentle, and he's underrated. He would be a great dad. Would accept his kid despite what mutation they have (or if they seemed to not have one), makes sure they're healthy and would make good meals for them both to eat, he's fun with his teachings, he's pretty gentle, he's an avid literature reader, the list goes on (why is he so sweet?? he's like a blue, extra fluffy marshmallow of goodness!)...

So... those are my top three😅

I'm okay with hearing your preferences, I just want to figure out which parent would be the best for Reader and the story of the 🖤Dark AU. I enjoy making it!😊 I just have to get in the specific mood for it to write about it. So that means a bit of action/chase music, some sadder songs, and perhaps a few dark ones (plus re-reading the posts about and for the 🖤Dark AU, to make sure I'm sticking to its theme!)

All in all, this IS for fun, so there's no pressure about any of this. I do want to make sure I think it over, though. What do you think of my choices, 🐑 Anon? Any thoughts on them?

(P.S.

A few songs I've listened to, to imagine and write to while I've been working on this AU:

• Black Betty by RamJam or Spiderbait (it's good for chases) (try it the regular speed or slowed reverb way)

• Pump It by Black Eyed Peas (2nd choice for chase scenes) (slowed reverb, or regular speed)

• Americano by Lady Gaga (it's fun, and it's also chase somg number 3) (regular speed or slowed reverb)

• My Demons by Starset (it fits the older platonic yans and how they're handling things) (slowed reverb)

• Summertime Sadness by Lana Del Rey (it works better with the older teen platonic yans, or with the four younger ones) (this can be sped up, slowed reverb, or regardless speed)

• Daylight by David Kushner (probably the older platonic yans trying to come to grips with their choices and how they're handling them) (slowed, possibly slowed reverb)

• Immortals by Fall Out Boy (it fits the theme, and it counts as a chase/contemplation song...) (sped up, slowed reverb, or regular speed, but I recommend slowed reverb)

• Down Under by Men at Work (it kinda fits how the four feel out of place. Surprise, they're about 3 to 5 years in the future, the world's pretty weird, aaand they're all out of place) (slowed reverb)

(Hopefully this helps, if y'all wanted a few songs to listen to for this AU!😊 Stay safe, drink plenty of water, and get some rest, okay?)