#it would also be nice if we had a clearer timeline of when to expect more info on this version but thats also whatever

[bmpmp3]

grabbing kanru hua by the collar. where is manual mode kanru. where is she.

[slothquisitor]

Invisible String: Chapter Fifteen

A Baldur’s Gate III Modern AU.

Chapter Summary: The night of the exhibit opening.

Read from the beginning.

Read on AO3.

____________________________________________________________

“It is sometimes easy to forget when we experience reading a book or watching a film the work that’s gone into making it. The hours of revision and editing that have produced the text we’re enjoying. This exhibit is a celebration of the process of writing, the revision and the changes, and a reminder to us all that writing is not only about a finished product but also the journey,” Florrick says, smiling at the podium. “We want to recognize our curator, Liv Vires for putting together this exhibit on an accelerated timeline, and all of the other university faculty and staff who helped in any way. Special thanks to the Archives Office for the use of items from their collections and to the Literature Department for their contributions.”

Liv stands to the side of the podium and tries not to fidget in her new dress. She’s doing her best to drink in this moment, reminding herself of the hard work that brought her here. The crowd gathered for the opening is much larger than she expected it would be, but it includes her friends from the archives and several of the professors and specialists who had been kind enough to lend their expertise. The whole event feels like an eclectic mix of a cocktail party and a university lecture. The crowd applauds politely within the foyer area of the new library building that’s been transformed into a reception area, all high tables in white tablecloths and hors d’oeuvres. The foyer is bright and open despite the evening hour, and Liv loves the view here of the area she calls the ‘book bridge’ which is a hallway suspended over the cafe area of the ground floor. The floor-to-ceiling windows give a view of the old books even from here. 

“On behalf of Baldur’s Gate University Library, please enjoy the exhibit,” Florrick finishes with a smile. And then the crowd begins to slowly make their way into the exhibition area. 

The exhibition space isn’t really anything more than a fancy stone hallway with display cases, and Liv has spent a lot of time there over the last month, so she opts to stay in the less crowded reception area. Plus there’s champagne. And friends. 

As the crowd disperses from around the podium she catches sight of Petras. He’s dressed rather more muted than his usual, wearing a plain brown blazer, and hilariously, a pair of fake glasses. He steps up to her and opens his arms. “Liv, this is amazing!”

She easily steps into the hug. “Thank you.”

He looks around the space in awe. “I don’t think I could tell you the last time I was in a library.”

Part of her soul withers a little bit at that. “Well, better late than never I think.”

He adjusts his glasses. “Am I blending in, alright?”

She can’t help but laugh. “Do you need to be blending in?” 

He shrugs. “I don’t know; I wanted to look smart.”

“The fake glasses are definitely selling it,” she says, trying to sound like she means it. 

“You look really nice,” he says and then gets very serious. “Look, I…uh…I heard what happened. With you and Astarion, I mean.”

It’s been a rather herculean effort, but she’s managed to spend the last twenty-four hours actively not thinking about Astarion. She’s been telling herself that the moment this evening is over, she can finally sit and deal with it. But even today, some of the sting of his revelation has left. After a decent night’s rest and with a clearer head, she thinks she might just be a bit too sensitive and overwhelmed to view this situation objectively. Some part of her had hoped to see him in the crowd tonight…another part of her is afraid, worried that seeing him might break the careful composure she’s been cultivating. 

“Yeah?”

“I’m sorry, and I really hope you two work it out because I care about you both,” Petras says simply. 

She hadn’t considered what an uncomfortable position the situation might put Petras in. The fact that he’s here speaks volumes. “I really appreciate you coming.”

“Like I would miss your big night?” Petras replies, offering his arm. “Now, will you show me your exhibit?”

She links her arm in his. “Absolutely, I will.”

He leans in to whisper in her ear. “And maybe introduce me to Gale? Karlach talks about him a lot.”

She laughs. “Oh, now I see what the wardrobe one-eighty was really all about.”

“I stalked him on social media and it’s just like…pictures of his cat. I’ve never been more intrigued by a man.”

“Well, maybe opposites really do attract.” 

He shrugs. “If there’s time, but I’m here for you.”

She gives Petras the grand tour since all her other friends present helped work on the exhibition. She spends a little extra time telling him the drama of Mary and Percy Shelley since she knows he’ll enjoy it more than the scribbles and drawings on a draft of Onzymandias . And she does introduce him to Gale, who seems somewhat bemused but not displeased by Petras’s attention and questions. 

Gale eventually steps away to retrieve them all more champagne and Petras sighs. “I really hoped I wasn’t going to need to do this.”

“Do what?” she asks. 

“Tell you that Astarion is outside.”

She freezes. “He’s here?”

Petras nods. “We both got all dressed up to come and support you and he chickened out at the last minute. Sent me in alone, said he’d join later. But…”

So he had come. Or tried to anyway. “You’re sure he’s still out there?”

Petras nods. “Pretty damn. Is that…a good thing?”

Maybe? She’s not really sure how she feels about the whole thing, but the fact that after everything he’d come here…that means something. “I don’t know. I’ll be back.”

Petras smiles, looking hopeful. “I’ll be here.”

Outside could be anywhere, but Liv doesn’t grab her coat, instead heads out the double doors to the cobblestone street. The road curves and narrows on this side of the library building, so there’s not really anywhere to be. She looks around, but she only sees the odd bundled groups of students walking in the glow of the streetlights. Her breath puffs out in front of her like a ghost, and she folds her arms against the cold breeze. 

He’s not out here. 

She turns to go back inside, but then she notices a dark figure sitting on the steps in front of the Caldwell Building a ways down the street. It’s dark enough she shouldn’t be sure, but somehow she knows it’s Astarion. She starts making her way toward him, careful on the uneven stones in her heels. 

 “You know that the exhibit is inside the library, right?” she calls as she approaches. 

His head snaps up and he is immediately on his feet. “Liv!” He looks good, dressed in a dark navy suit that she’s surprised he’d risk ruining by sitting on the stone steps. “How did you…Petras.” His surprise immediately shifts to a scowl.

She pauses some distance away. “He said you chickened out. I didn’t realize that Lae’zel was that scary.”

He shakes his head at her. “Would that she was the scariest thing in there. I was going to come in, but then I worried that my being here might ruin your big moment. You know, after I’d already ruined everything else,” he says. It’s clear he’s trying for sarcasm, but it’s really working for him. “And then I was worried that with your sister here, I’d be unwelcome, and I don’t know. So I just stayed out here.”

“My sister couldn’t make it.”

He looks unsurprised. “Of course, not. Was her excuse at least a good one?”

“Her and her wife are both sick,” she explains. 

Astarion sighs. “After you went all the way to Neverwinter for her?”

“It’s not a big deal.”

“You say that, but…”

She shivers against the cold winter breeze. She’s not sure if she wants to do this now or out here, so she stalls. “Would you like to come see the exhibition?”

He seems to realize that she’s cold and that she’s changing the subject. He inclines his head, exuding a sort of fragile charm. “I would love nothing more.”

***

There is much Astarion wants to say. He wants to offer apologies and explanations and he wants to ask her if she can forgive him. He stays quiet and, instead, lets her lead him into the library. He remembers this area from their tour, remembers her telling him about the exhibition spaces and the book bridge that spans the ground floor. Memories from a happier, easier time. 

There are a lot of people in the reception area all talking and smiling and drinking. It’s a polite affair. There’s not even music. Most everyone seems to know each other and people are dressed in anything from ill-fitting tweed to chiffon. Liv has done neither, opting for something that walks the line between business and a cocktail dress. The deep blue color suits her, and the sleeves are structured, cutting a pretty silhouette. He’s never seen her wear this. He wonders if she bought it for the occasion. He hates that he doesn’t know. 

“Here we are,” she says at the open doors that lead inside the warmly lit exhibition space. Just before one enters, there’s a large, framed digital screen proclaiming the exhibit: “Write, Cut, Rewrite”. He hasn’t even gone inside yet, but it looks very official. He remembers when the whole thing was just an idea she brought up on the couch in the living room, and now it’s an entire exhibit. 

“It looks great,” he says. 

Rolan appears through the crowd, catching Liv’s attention. “Florrick wants to get some pictures with the team.”

“I’ll meet up with you after. I hope you enjoy it.”

And then she drifts away. He watches her go, weaving through the crowd that offers her smiles and greetings and recognition as she goes. Liv is perhaps the only person in the world who can’t see how much she’s universally adored. And this is all he’s entitled to, her walking him in and then disappearing. Reduced to nothing more than an acquaintance…to someone…unimportant to her. 

He hates that it’s his own fucking fault. 

He heads into the exhibit. There are people floating between the plaques and display cases, but it’s not busy. And he normally wouldn’t care to read every single thing in here, but he does because this is hers. If this is the only way to feel close to her tonight, he will take it greedily. 

He doesn’t know, of course, which descriptions and pieces are entirely hers or someone else’s but he’s struck by just how much of her he sees in the exhibit. He wanders through cut words, rewritten manuscripts, and things that went unpublished entirely. There’s even a section about censorship and Waiting for Godot. It’s beautiful, interesting, and even touches on how the digital medium means that we’re losing access to more and more of the rewriting process and instead only seeing completed works without the struggle. 

And ultimately, the exhibit is about celebrating the struggle. That creating something worth sharing means that it must pass through many iterations and that it must be rewritten, cut, and revised. That the messy, indelible process is worth doing. He knows that this is an exhibit about books, but he cannot help but think of himself. And perhaps it makes him selfish, but he finds himself rereading over and over the last and final plaque in the exhibit, somehow wishing it wasn’t over yet. 

Standing there, in this moment, he realizes all of the ways he’s spent the last two years avoiding his own messiness. Refusing to engage with the things about his life, himself that made him uncomfortable. From cutting off every match on the Weave before it could turn into something real, to covering up his connection to Liv, to the quiet and lonely life he’d been living. It had all been about avoiding the mess, even the ones of his own creation. And if he’s learned anything from Liv, it’s that creating something beautiful and worth sharing means that you have to wade through it. The only way out is through . And that thought alone is terrifying. 

He’s so deep in his own thoughts that he doesn’t realize he’s the only one left in the room. And then she’s there, making her way toward him. His breath catches. Sometimes, he looks at her and feels overwhelmed that she exists. 

“They’re closing up soon,” she says. 

He nods, runs a hand down his face only to find his cheeks wet. He’s been crying. He never cries. “It’s really beautiful. You’ve made something really wonderful here, Liv.”

“Thank you for coming. It…it means a lot,” she says, finally green eyes shining with emotion. 

There’s a lot he wants to say. “I know that this isn’t how you wanted tonight to be. I’m sorry.”

Her mouth presses together, and she looks away from him. “I know you’re sorry, and I even understand why you did what you did…I just…”

She just can’t forgive him. Can’t move past it. And that might be for the best. He worries that he is only ever meant to break things. He is trying, but she deserves someone who doesn’t have to wade through past traumas and heartbreaks. Someone already whole . 

“You don’t have to explain. It’s alright,” he says. It is decidedly not alright. He loves her and it is breaking the heart he didn’t even know he had to let her go. But what else can he do?

“Were you crying?” 

He sighs. “Just realized something about myself, is all. Through all of this,” he gestures at the exhibit. He wishes he could walk through it for the first time all over again. 

“And what is that?” 

“I’m a bad draft,” he replies, aiming for humor and missing it by a mile. “But nothing beautiful gets made without a bit of the messiness, and I’ve…I’ve been avoiding mine, and in doing so, I hurt you.”

“You are not a bad draft,” she replies. “You’re just…you’re just like everyone else. Just…figuring it all out.”

“Like everyone else?” He finds that hard to believe. 

“Yes. We’re all just making it up, moment to moment. That’s the secret of life.” She says the words with such vulnerability, such quiet surety, it’s hard not to believe her.  

“I miss you,” he whispers. “I don’t know if I’m allowed to say that. But I do. I miss talking to you, seeing you…I know that I might have made it impossible for anything more…but…”

She folds her arms, looking almost as though she’s trying to keep herself together. “I haven’t really had a chance to even breathe since the other night. I’ve just been trying to get through this.”

“We don’t have to talk about this tonight…” Of course, she wouldn’t want to deal with this tonight. He just…she’s right here and he needs to know…

“I just need some time.”

He’s pushed too hard here. He nods. “Of course. I…uh…Petras is threatening to move into the apartment if neither of us is staying there…and I…I’m fine staying with him if you…want to go back. I know you hate sleeping on Lae’zel’s couch.” He’s careful to avoid the word home. 

“You’ve been staying with Petras?” she asks, looking surprised. 

“What can I say? I’ve become a roommate person.”

That earns the slightest smile. “If you really are alright with that, it does sound nice to sleep in my own bed.”

That feels like progress of a sort. “Take all the time you need. You know how to reach me.”

She nods. “Even with everything, I am glad you came.”

He thinks this might be worse than her hating him. The polite kindness is almost unbearable. A gulf of distance has opened up between them in this moment, and he almost wants to fling himself into it if it means an end to this torture. 

“I was always going to be here to support you.” He stands there a moment, unsure what to do. He wants to reach for her; he has to bury the desire to touch her. It hurts to simply stand there like this so slips his hands in his pockets so that he doesn’t try to do anything he’ll later regret. “Goodnight, Liv.”

“Goodnight.”

He strides out of the exhibit and back into the reception area. Petras stands with Gale and Lae’zel wearing his ridiculous fake glasses. Lae’zel is glaring daggers at him, so he decides not to approach and instead simply gestures toward the door and allows Petras to follow or not. He’d rather not be alone, but just because he’s having a shit night doesn’t mean Petras should. But it would be a nice act of solidarity if he did.

He makes it out the door without sustaining a life-threatening injury, so it’s nice to know that while Lae’zel might not be his biggest fan she isn’t going to kill him. He hears Petras’s approach as he hurries to catch up to him as he’s nearly to the doors. 

“So…not good then?” Petras asks, face twisted in concern. 

Astarion steps out into the darkness of the evening. “I don’t know.”

[veerim]

Thoughts about the Reckoning of Roku but I'm only halfway through.

Very Unpolished. Also spoilers, I guess.

The Reckoning of Roku by Randy Ribay is the fifth novel in The Chronicles of the Avatar, a series of young adult novels set in the universe of Avatar the Last Airbender and The Legend of Korra. The novels follow various past Avatars and tell relatively contained stories, while expanding the world. So far, each Avatar gets 2 books to tell their story, Avatars Kyoshi and Yangchen both have had complete duologies written by F.C. Yee. Both of those douologies were, in my opinion, very good. As I write this I'm halfway through The Reckoning of Roku, and there are some worries I have about the direction in which the story is headed that I don't know how I would write around absent changing the fundamental premise of the story. Namely, this is the first time that already established narrative has loomed quite so large over the story being told, and I worry that continuity will require an unsatisfying ending to the novel and possible the entire duology.

The Reckoning of Roku follows a young Avatar Roku, about 3 months after he was announced within the Fire Nation as the Avatar. Naturally, Roku had to leave the Fire Nation for the Southern Air Temple, to begin his airbending training. Ribay takes great pains to characterize the young Avatar as nervous, humble and often enough homesick. Roku clearly misses his friends from home, most of all Prince Sozin. I think this is a nice premise, it sets up nicely the core internal conflict that is at the core of Roku as a character: the rift between Roku the Avatar and Roku the Fire National. This divide is made even clearer with another past Avatar introduced by the novels, Szeto (the fire Avatar before Roku) who clearly fell on the latter half of that dichotomy, serving as Grand Advisor to the Fire Lord. There's also a nice little bit of fictional historiography about Szeto, Fire National historians exalting him and other historians painting him as irresponsible.

The novel also follows Prince Sozin, who is shown to genuinely care for Roku. Sozin also continues the tradition of the Fire Nation's royal family being completely awful. Sozin has some seriously unreasonable expectations set for him by his father, to the extent that his father asks him to exploit his friendship with the Young Avatar to benefit the Fire Nation politically. This culminates in (major plot spoiler) Sozin staging a failed assassination of Roku under the flag of the Earth Kingdom to convince Roku to intercede on behalf of the Fire Nation in some small matter he initially refused to interfere with.

The plot is simple, to the point and thematically appropriate for the characters in play. What's the problem then? Look no further than season three, episode six of Avatar the Last Airbender: The Avatar and the Fire Lord. The episode follows much the same premise as the novel: a young Roku is revealed to be the Avatar, must leave his home and best friend Sozin, Sozin later takes actions that tear Roku between his allegiance to Fire Nation and his duty as the Avatar. So what's different, and why does it matter? The biggest difference is timeline: Roku's training in the cartoon is mostly glossed over, we see Roku train, but we don't see any of his specific exploits. We also don't see friction between the Avatar and the (now Firelord) Sozin until after Roku had mastered the elements. Moreover, the relationship between the two previous best friends didn't truly fall apart until Sozin invaded Earth Kingdom territory. This makes Sozin's scheming feel rushed and unreasonable to a reader familiar with the timeline presenting in the cartoon. Either Roku doesn't realize Sozin is playing him, even though that exact idea was pointed out to him by a young Monk Gyatso, or Roku forgives Sozin's heinous actions when they are ultimately revealed, to the point of making Sozin his best man. Both feel wrong to me, like they aren't the natural conclusion to the story being told, and I don't know what other more satisfying conclusion to the first half of this story is.

This is the first time the cartoon has caused such a problem for the Chronicles of the Avatar novels. The Kyoshi books are set in young adulthood, over a hundred years before any of the actions we see her take in the show. The story is thus unburdened from having to worry about events that happen later, and spend time building Kyoshi into the character she would become. The Yangchen books had a similarly easy time, Yangchen had very little about her established before the books came out.

[z-haven]

Episode 10 thoughts

The following spoilers mentions AZ, IFYLITA, B*ngtan's S*ve M* (webt**n), Tri*ge, The Fl*sh and D*ctor Wh*

All deal with time travel except well B*ngtan's S*ve M* and Tri*ge both deal with a type of Groundhog day (still time travel) where you basically repeat a timeline over and over again. But this is where my mention of these two will stop for now. The real comparison is between AZ and IFYLITA in the air and I'm looking at how they're handling the MCs being 'transported' to a different timeline. Time travel is a catalyst. Well, more like a catapult for Jom because he was literally yeeted from his car and Suansoon got a nice taxi "Thank you for using our services and have a nice day" ride.

Btw this isn't to hate on AZ btw but just to compare and contrast how they're both dealing with time travel and its effects on the 'traveler/passenger' in question. And for that I'd need to bring up The Fl*sh and D*ctor Wh*. Like B*rry All*n in The Fl*sh, he's had to deal with time wraiths - beings who are enforcers who go after speedsters for breaking time travel rules. Of course Jom isn't a speedster and hasn't dealt with time wraiths but his 'consequence' is either his body or reflection fading out of existence or actually being pulled back to his original timeline. Like DW and The Fla*h, time can be rewritten and Jom not being from that time period is 'rewriting' time. But maybe it isn't him rewriting time but I'm theorizing that it actually feels like he's meant to be there, even if his time is 'limited'. This is also due to the fact that Yai and Jom shared a connection during another time period when Yai is a commander (possibly a prior one). However we don't see any consequences for Suansoon in AZ. But we do see time being rewritten and there is a possibility that Adult!Ongsa could wake up with new memories. Jom, however, already has those memories because he has been dreaming of Yai before he ended up in the 1920s. Yai has been dreaming of Jom but it doesn't look like he's dreaming of the future (his shock at Jom being from the future says it all). But one of the more clearer differences between Jom and Suansoon is that Jom isn't deliberately trying to insert himself or act like a usurper (that's Suansoon) within the timeline. Even when he crashes Yai's engagement, he never makes it about him but was basically indicating to Yai's parents Even if you (known to at least one of you) do not accept me for your son and you care about your family's reputation please do not join hands with someone who can ruin it. (my own words btw). But Suansoon, however is a usurper. A usurper is one who unethically takes over a position of power or importance. Suansoon isn't a king or a person in power but he is of importance to young Ongsa's love story but not him as an adult but his teen self. It would be the same as if Jom ended up in the past, sees another him and then ends up taking his place. Both are sort of going along with the 'flow', Jom more than Suansoon because he's following the 'thread' where it takes him and making decisions along the way because naturally, trying to make him 'fit' in will never work out and he has to be himself in order to be authentic. But even after Adult!Suansoon is however, ripping that thread out and trying to sew a new one by unethically taking Teen!Suansoon's place in Teen!Ongsa's life which makes him less authentic in my book. It's also why I'm enjoying IFYLITA a lot more.

Post 2

(Before this - sometimes I think people are just being unfair to Jom, like you really expect him to automatically have all the answers and that freaking out is some sort of character flaw. Enough).

I still think it's natural for him to freak out. Anyone would, especially since one body part going out of focus would make anyone think they need a psychiatric check up (and I'm sure Jom has been thinking it), but your whole reflection just going transparent like that? Absolute bonkers. Unfortunately there isn't a guide book for time travel but at least he realized that it was the cause.

Post 3: Yai and Jom are my favourite kissers. Along with K*ngU*a. Alright just leaving that here. I don't want to think about anything else.

[tomatograter]

What are your Thots on jake’s pq route?

I already wrote some about it in this post where I discuss the problem with taking dirkjake as a literal parallel to tavris (Mainly, that it’s inaccurate to both situations and misrepresents the dynamics at play) but it’s been long enough since release that I feel like I can talk about it without that criticism being taken as a personal witch hunt. TL;DR: As a general rule of thumb I don’t cite Jake’s PQ as part of his characterization, and I think basing your Jakewriting on it will only lead you astray.

I liked a lot of the Pesterquest routes and the alphas were among some of my favorites, but I think when you play the four of them in sequence Jake’s really... stands as the odd one out. It’s almost as if he’s afforded way less sympathy from the get go for some indiscernible reason, or like MSPAR took a day to say ‘I can’t stand this kid in particular’ after dealing with waaaaaaaay more mindboggling troll customs or stupid dangerous situations that tested their patience and their limits. When it comes down to it, it’s mostly an issue of framing.

Let’s go with the “Just the Alpha routes” example, because I think that makes the overall context clearer and the response/reactions it gathered (or the lack thereof) easier to understand. The alpha kids were the last 4 Pesterquest episodes. They were also afforded entire volumes just for themselves, which cemented our expectations on “oh, they’re going to really dig into unexplored territory!” and for the most part, that’s what we got! It was really nice to see the internal mechanics of Jane as someone raised within a corporate echochamber, Roxy as a grieving, isolated kid, deprived of all human contact, and Dirk as a nerdy doomsday prepper haunted by private flashes of himself as a supervillain. It all works! Those are things the alpha kids were dealing with on the background of the broader Homestuck story, things we were only hinted at as the *larger* problems played out. It makes you understand their point of view. Except on Jake's route, where nothing about his life seems to be relevant at all? 

With Jane we get discussions about HIC and her family, with Roxy beautiful passages about a mother they never met and growing up alone— Same for Dirk, who gets a whole brother zapped from an alternate timeline. But on Jake's route there's not even an expansive dialogue path dedicated to Grandma English, Skaianet, the rebellion, or the giant red ship that came and murdered her in the night and then bombed his house, leaving him trapped inside his only surviving tower. No understanding passage realizing that this kid has had to fend for himself in an island full of Actual Giant Alien Monsters trying to eat him alive, or that he cremated his guardian specifically to avoid attracting predators to the scent of fresh blood drying on her mutilated corpse at the age of an actual toddler. The text refuses to dig into any of the psychological implications or impact an environment like this could have on a kid, which is even weirder when you consider MSPAR has met and helped Vriska get out of a similar situation. The whole thing with Jane in the previous volume has just happened, even, while Jake's particularities go unremarked. He was just supposed to deal with it. And that's because a choice was made to portray all of Jake's problems in this route as sort of... single handedly Dirk's fault? Something he should have Just Dealt with?

There's not even a hint that Jake knows Hal exists. Which is important! Jake can pick out Hal from Dirk based on *verbal cues*, and the fact that he considers Hal a barrier between him and his "real friend" getting to communicate with one another is a whole point of contention (and even comedy) in the story proper. Instead of examining Jake's isolation, or grief, or how he literally locks himself in his room and plasters it with cinematic posters to pretend he's just the main lead of a wacky adventure movie in the face of the immense shitshow outside, we get brobot acting nonsensically and threatening to break into Jake's room to beat him up. 

A general reminder on brobot: He was programmed to scout the jungle and deal with predators so Jake could a) Be allowed to safely leave his room (something he simply didn't do before age 13 out of sheer terror, and we know this because dirk and jake talk about it on his birthday conversation, when he first gets brobot) and 

b) Learn how to defend himself in the case of a surprise attack, with different combat settings adjusted to his level. The brobot has a novice mode Jake feels patronized by, but pushes him up levels quickly enough. In Homestuck proper, the brobot only enters "stalking mode" after Hal gets pissy with Jake for finding him out, and forcefully switches the setting on to make Jake work for the Uranium inside it. When you take Hal out of the picture, this plotline makes no sense! Jake's route is set way before the Alphas even think of entering the game, so this particular event hasn't even happened. Jake goes on to text Roxy and she turns the stalking setting off remotely anyways, so even if brobot was programmed to murder Jake in his sleep, or jump him inside the safe zone of his room (he's not) he has literally no reason to be acting like that when he's been set to Baby Buff Up Mode.

(Brobot does end up spontaneously pulling himself apart to give Jake his reward after this)

Which brings me to my other problem with the general framing of this volume; the alpha kids don't feel present in Jake's life as friends at all. It's all "romantic options" and "shipping discourse" and MSPAR making these silly logic jumps to justify insisting on this line of query, and all it does is completely flatten out anything of interest having to do with Jake as a Person, to build up an image of Dirk as being suspicious and shady for his volume and more or less come to the conclusion that Jake sucks because he just Cant Choose Who To Date Between All His Friends! And that's why jake is just like tavros… and dirk is just like vriska! Or something. 

And just as a reminder, here's Jake talking with Roxy so I don't have to explain why that feels like a weird choice to me. (click to zoom)

And then there's the endings. On the vriska ending, MSPAR just ends up weirdly angry at jake for being such a piss baby and not getting that he's tavros and dirk is vriska so he had to… uh… take all his anger out on this 13 year old alien girl he has never met and teach her a lesson to prepare to do the same on dirk, or something. And on the other ending Jake mentions his pen pal, is zapped to meet jade, they have some non-committal greetings and then a cosplay party where Jake insists that he totally likes Lara croft not because she's a femme fatale and he relates to that, because he's never ever in his life thought of anyone being interested on him. Or Something. He likes Lara croft for normal reasons only. He wears really tiny shorts and does sexy poses because he's not aware at all of how other people find him attractive. He's just too dumb to get this, or the shipping thing, or that he's tavros and Dirk is vriska (who the hell are these people?).

Jake feels like an afterthought in the grand scope of events. Sidelined on his own episode. This volume is busy with rehashing age old fandom arguments that have little to do with his character, because said arguments were started and maintained by bored teens engrossed on fighting online instead of analyzing Homestuck; we introduce vriska for no interesting reason at all (thank god at least Jake has enough decency to say he's not into hitting on 13-year-olds, because that would have been particularly rancid.) And aside from catchphrases and old slang sprinkled liberally into his dialogue like a fog making machine, none of the motivation for the character is there. What does he want? What does he fear? Why does he act like the way he does? What would accommodating him look like? What would helping him look like? We get this on Jane's volume, Roxy's volume, and Dirk's volume. To really heart-wrenching and dramatic results, too. You get to know who they are, where they live, what they want, what they fear, what might help them get better, but Jake is just sort of There. He's a burden. MSPAR either ends this volume berating him for not doing what they want or finding him weird and confusing and like they don't know each other at all, and the fact both of those were marked as dubiously bad ends in the game files speaks for itself, I think.

[period-dramallama]

Spanish Princess Episode 5: many many thoughts

Strap yo selves in 

-WHERE WAS THE APOLOGY?? Lina’s just back with Catherine like nothing happened?? 

-Katherine, I get why you’re upset, but you kind of should be unsurprised?? Your dad was unfaithful to his wife, most kings were. Henry VII and Richard III were the exceptions, and even they had illegitimate sons before their marriages. Many kings also had official mistresses that everyone knew about, so by the standards of the time Henry and Bessie are actually being pretty tactful in at least trying to keep their affair out of sight. (Sexy dancing aside). 

-Honestly it would have been so much more moving if KoA was like “I know kings take mistresses...but I thought...I was so sure... he would be different...”

-”they gave me a purse of gold!” It’s expected that you give the monarch lavish presents, lmao Ursula and Stafford would do that even if they hated each other and you

-”everybody loves a masque” the only sensible thing Henry has said so far in this show. Also court probably had way more masques than we see in the show, and it would standard to have a masque every holiday. 

-”she is not a boy” hurry up with your character development and learn to love Mary already i am so TIRED of this miserable BS

-seems a rather depopulated masque? If the Chateau Vert pageant is anything to go by putting on a masque was a court activity, with most of the ladies performing.  

-Bessie Blount in her cute masque costume... sweet mother i cannot weave Aphrodite has overcome me with GAAAAAAAAAAAAY

-”I never enjoyed carousing...my mother scolded me” look i love the Neville sisters with my whole heart but a) Margaret was 3 at most when her mother died, how does she remember her? She’d have clearer memories of her double-uncle and double-aunt, Richard III and Queen Anne b) Isabel Neville in the White Queen was established as very prim and proper, a well-bred girl who cared about enforcing decorum, she refused to ‘carouse’ and she certainly would never bring a 3 year old to a party c) we saw little Margaret as a girl at the end of the White Queen and she didn’t seem at all shy. 

-”she died young, didn’t she” ...yes? most people did?

-”they both did” understatement of the year. Isabel Neville died young because she was ill, George died young (in the universe of The White Queen, at least) BECAUSE HE WAS FORCEFULLY DROWNED IN A VAT OF MALMSEY WINE. THESE TWO THINGS ARE NOT THE SAME! I do at least trust the writers of this show that the understatement was intentional, I’m sure even Emma Frost couldn’t forget a major character getting violently drowned.

-So the court only noticed the plague when one of their own got it so obviously and then died? Yes, plague could move fast, but if there was a whiff of plague the court would flee with the speed of the Looney Tunes road runner. If an acquaintance of an acquaintance of a cook had a cousin who saw someone with the plague, the court would flee to the country. How have these people not died of terminal stupid?! Like Compton was in the same building as the heir to the throne

-To be fair, it makes sense that they’re surprised Compton’s dead. Because the real Compton died of the sweating sickness. In 1528. Also he was involved in Buckingham’s downfall so... you just wrote yourself into a corner.

-Oh wow an actual good reason for More and Pole to be quarantined together i am amaaaaaazed

-”attend the queen” Boleyn, what do you think your daughter’s been doing all season if not attending the queen? Playing tetris?

-Katherine helping Anne into the wagon...I actually like that little moment. Like it does make sense, because the two have no reason to hate each other yet. (And who couldn’t like Anne? She’s such a babby!)

-Thomas More in the Tudor equivalent of casual clothes... much better. Shame about the 1930s lady’s wig.

-”what else should we do?” Maggie, this cannot be the first epidemic you’ve ever lived through. Have you forgotten the sweating sickness of 1485? You’ve probably lived through more epidemics than Oviedo has, you should know the protocol better than him.

-Oviedo continues to be the only man with rights. I wish we could see him crying and missing his wife and babies, but then my lil heart would break so maybe it’s for the best.

-They burn Maggie’s weird blue hood AS THEY SHOULD! IT WAS UGLY AND STUPID! I NEVER HAVE TO LOOK AT IT AGAIN NOW! THANK YOU SO MUCH! yes they also burned her nice dress with the strawberries on it but honestly it’s worth it, bc now i can rest easy, knowing the evil hood has been defeated.

-”you were a plaything” Katherine is so obviously insecure. I’m getting second-hand embarrassment. Like if she really was certain Bessie wasn’t important, she wouldn’t need to say it, would she? Except to rub it in. Which this KOA would absolutely do. 

-literally all Bessie said was good morning?? Like Bessie is doing her best?? The masque was Henry’s idea, not hers, she hasn’t shown off about her affair, she hasn’t demanded money or titles, she hasn’t demanded any status to rival Katherine’s, she doesn’t flirt with or even speak to Henry when Katherine’s around, she acts like they’re strangers, she doesn’t even react when Katherine loses her temper...someone please please stick up for Bessie!

-”the rocking of the cart is unsettling to the stomach” is Anne naive, or is she covering for Bessie? I hope it’s the latter, in which case Anne is the one person looking out for Bessie...the babby is Soft, I repeat the babby is Soft!

-the irony of Mary being cold to Bessie when she’s next in the firing line...

-”it is not the rocking” Thank you Lina, where would we be without your gift for stating the obvious?

-”where did Wolsey get his money”...He’s a churchman...at the top of the church hierarchy...how do you fuckin think he got wealthy. Have y’all not been in the sixteenth century for five minutes? Why do you think Luther is so mad at the church?

-”I know of no other man in her bed most nights” Honestly wow I’m surprised KoA wasn’t like “well :/ a girl like that :/ who knows how many men process in and out of her bed :/” KoA gets half a point for being less bitchy than usual. Also Bessie looked so uncomfortable with Henry groping her stomach in front of Katherine. I pray the next man in her life treats her right and that Fraham don’t prematurely kill her off like they did with Compton.  

-”the future king” if you’re regent on his behalf, then he’s already king! “Civilised companionship” back at it again with the Scots-are-barbarians.

-Laura Carmichael is utterly stunning this episode, with her hair down. The cinematography was beautiful in general this week.

-”freedom to speak and licence to speak are two different things” hey look at that one of Thomas More’s actual beliefs. I am giving all the credit to the historical advisor for that, I don’t believe for one second Fraham knew that beforehand.

-Maggie I love you but no, God does not sanction adultery. For any reason. 

-KOA smirking and gloating about Bessie’s pain...she has never been so punchable. I would understand, if not condone it, if Bessie was manipulative, or greedy, or ambitious, or trying to supplant Katherine. But Bessie’s been betrayed by Henry too, and there’s no concrete evidence she ever gloated about her affair, to anyone let alone Katherine.  

-”You think only of your own fate while London is struck down with plague” Earth to Katherine?? What concern have you shown for the Londoners?? Also calling Bessie selfish...Bessie’s not the one who lashed out at Lina, was jealous at Lina for having twin boys, and who wanted to continue a war for personal reasons. And then Bessie proves KoA wrong 5 hot seconds later by sticking up for Mary. Bit rich of KoA to be all “how dare you leave my daughter unattended” when she herself won’t even hold Mary. 

-”Louis didn’t last a year” What! Is! The Timeline!

-Meg in that cloak reminds me of the Scottish Widow adverts. Georgie is so greedy- she steals every single scene she is in! Even when she’s raging she has more dignity and more presence than KoA ever has.

-”YOU LYING SOD” i burst out laughing it’s really not the little two-timing shit’s day, is it?

-Mary receiving Charlie B in the most Extra way possible. A++

-Why does Wolsey look like he’s about to cry?

-”thoughts are not actions” Lina I love you but... that is NOT what the New Testament says. Jesus said evil thoughts are very very much sins. I’ll give you a pass because maybe you haven’t been Catholic as long as Katherine has? Idk your backstory.

-Aaand now she’s wishing death on Bessie and her unborn baby and Lina isn’t disgusted? At least Katherine is feeling guilty. AS SHE SHOULD.

-”must it always fall to me to be magnanimous?” Katherine, you think only of yourself, for 23 out of every 24 hours. 

-”God wants me to be compassionate to Bessie because of my sins” God wants you to be compassionate because that’s how Christianity is supposed to work. It’s not very selfless of you to decide to be selfless so that you can get what you want. 

-oh wow look at that! She’s getting some self-awareness, i never saw that coming.

-”you betrayed Bessie” 5 points to Katherine of Aragon for standing up for Bessie when Henry screwed her over. Finally, some positive character development.

- MINUS 20000 POINTS FOR BABY STEALING

-WHAT THE FUCK

-is henry so dumb he thinks that baby is Katherine’s? Katherine was so obviously not pregnant

-When a baby’s born his skin needs to touch his mother’s skin so they can bond. They should have at least an hour’s cuddle time. Katherine of Aragon is literally traumatising a baby the very minute he is born. For her own selfish, selfish desires. 

[thiswasinevitableid]

Gift (Indruck)

A second fill for @crepuscularlives

16. we didn’t read the invitation that said this party was formal so we’re in our ugly christmas sweaters. SFW

Duck’s fully prepared for Aubrey, and maybe even Mama, to tease him for his Newton family christmas sweater. When he gets to the Lodge to find everyone dressed swanky, he thinks it’s some sort of elaborate prank. He decides to ask Barclay, since he tends to be less invested in pranks than the others. 

“Uhhh” Barclay points to a stray invite, “it said formal, see? We thought a change of pace would be fun.”

“Fuck. I just came straight from a family thing, didn’t think it’d matter.”

Barclay pats his shoulder with a warm smile, “Don’t worry about it, man, it’s not like anyone’s gonna toss you out for it.”

Duck grumbles something about not wanting to stick out as he turns, and spies an even uglier sweater across the room. It’s bright green and fire-engine red with, covered in old-school colored bulb christmas lights, blinking like fireflies. 

Somehow, it suits Indrid perfectly.

The Sylph waves when we spots Duck, coming over to join him by the drinks table. 

“Hello Duck, I’m glad this is the future where you’re here.” He ladles himself a mug from one of the two crockpots of eggnog. 

“Howdy, ‘Drid. Glad I ain’t the only one who went for the ugly sweater vibe.”

Indrid cocks his head, “This is the nicest thing I own.”

Duck groans, reaches up to hide behind a hat that isn’t there.

Indrids smile widens, “I’m joking. It was a, ah, what do always call it...ah yes, a goof.”

He laughs, relieved, “Jesus, you got me good.”

“It’s payback for the time you convinced me that squirrels were carnivorous.” 

Duck snickers at the memory of Indrid, in his moth form in the woods, eyeing the squirrels warily. 

He joins Aubrey, Thacker, and Dani by the fire, and Indrid wanders over to oin them, taking a seat next to Duck when the human scoots over to offer him it. Thacker talks about the library and the regrowing cities, and Indrid’s face turns wistful. Duck suspects only he can see it, Indrid’s glasses showing enough of his eyes from the side to make emotions clearer. 

(Indrid always sits across from people. The last few times they’ve met up, he sits next to Duck).

In spite of only some gentle ribbing about his clothes, he keeps picking at the sleeve of the sweater. It’s a little itchy, and he could have worn that nice green shirt with the pine tree tie that he likes. And every time he catches a glimpse of himself in a window, he’s back in space, watching an evil hivemind recreate it’s pattern on a mimic of his sister. 

“Is it bothering you a lot?” Indrid murmurs.

“N-no, uh, I, uh, just, fuck, it’s nothin,” He stops talking, flees Indrid’s red stare to refill his cider. He pauses to talk with Kirby and Ned, is looking around the room for a new spot to sit (and for Indrid), only for a tan hand to wave him into a hallway. 

“Here, try this.” Indrid ties a discarded gift ribbon around his wrist, and he’s no longer looking down at the wool sweater and jeans. He’s in a deep gray suit, with a green shirt and a silver tie. 

“Holy shit. Wait, do I look-”

“-different? No, I left your physical form intact. I can make disguises of different magnitudes. A simple clothing swap is easily done. And I, ah, I did not want you to spend a night with friends lost in frightening memories.”

Duck’s about to thank him when the words sink in. 

“There was a future where you told me. I, ah, you’ve mentioned what you saw at Reconciliation before, but not that detail.”

“Wasn’t scared so much as pissed.” Duck glances at his shoes, now well-shined loafers. 

“Understandable. And useful; the odds were not in your favor, believe me. But well-timed anger can change the course of fate. Just as choosing mercy--even when others urge for violence--can. Punching me also reset fate rather dramatically.”

“Yeah, sorry about that.”

Indrid’s smile is small, and stunningly fake, “It was for the best. I’m going to get some more nog. Would you like some?”

“Nah, still gotta finish this. But I do wanna try some of that salmon dip.”

“In true bear fashion.” Indrid’s smile turns genuine when Duck snorts and elbows him. 

They talk and mingle with their friends, Indrid making frequent returns to the nog bowl. Duck steps outside for air, comes back and spends a moment watching Indrid by the fire. Stern notices him, steps away from an animated conversation with a ghostly Boyd about art forgery to join him. 

“Quite the dapper costume change.”

“Thanks. ‘Drid did it for me.”

Stern follows Duck’s gaze, then casually sip his wine, “Have you told him yet?”

“Told, uh, told him what?”

“Duck, you spend more time with him than almost anyone else.”

“Half my friends live on another planet now.”

“And every time you look at him, your smile changes. His does too. According to Barclay, he talks about you like you’re the most fascinating thing on earth. Right, love?” He kisses Barclay’s cheek as the cook joins them.

“Yep.”

There’s a crash as Indrid loses his balance and knocks over a lamp, which Aubrey freezes mid-air.

“Shit, he’s hammered.” Barclay sounds surprised. 

“How much rum did you put in the nog?” Duck doesn’t remember the sip he had from Indrid’s cup tasting that strong. 

“I made two batches, one with booze and one without. Indrid was drinking the non-spiked one earlier. Wonder when he switched.”

“About the time Duck changed clothes.”

“...How did you not catch us durin the Pine Guard days again?”

Stern smiles, “Barclay can be very distracting when he wants to be. And none of you have ever asked exactly how much I worked out.”

He has a point. As does Barclay when he points out that Indrid should have someone take him home after the party.

When Duck offers him a ride, Indrid chirps excitedly, bonks his forehead on the roof of the car, and climbs in. By the time they get back to the ‘Bago, Duck knows he can’t just leave Indrid here.

“You’re staying?” Indrid bounces on the bed as Duck turns on the space heaters. 

“Just ‘til you sober up. I’ll stay out in the main cab so you can sleep.”

Indrid lets out a chirr that intensifies when Duck slips the ribbon from his wrist. It almost sounds perturbed. 

“I mean, uh, I can go if you really need me to.”

Indrid shakes his head, barely managing to get his shoes off before burrowing under to covers, “Please stay as long as you want.” 

Duck nods, excuses himself to use the bathroom, and comes back to Indrid chirp-snoring into the pillows. He’s such a cute, weird man. Duck will just sit down a second to make sure he doesn’t wake up and need something. 

The one small seat is taken up by a binder, which opens when Duck lifts it. Instead of the expected paper avalanche, he finds drawings, each in their own plastic slip. He flips through it as he settles in the chair. Interspersed with the drawings are papers labeled in one or two two words of Sylph, and Duck reverse engineers their likely meanings from the images that follow them. The section with all the plants and animals must be “nature,” the one with parties and state fairs “events.” There’s even a section that’s all elements of winter holidays; the Rockefeller tree with decorations that suggest the 1930s, a menorah in a window, candles on the table of a house that’s seen better days.  Towards the back is a section that has to be “friends.” There are one or two people who appear in images with Indrid. Including the kind that make Duck quickly turn the page. The further he gets in that section, the more familiar faces he sees; Barclay, Aubrey, Jake, Ned. 

He sees himself, returning from saving the world, battered but alive. 

“The odds were not good”

Tucked at the very back of the section, between the final empty pages and the binder, is a folded paper. Curious, Duck opens it. 

It’s him. With Indrid. They’re on Indrid’s tiny bed, kissing.

God that looks nice. 

Startled by his own thoughts, he tucks the picture back into the binder and sets the whole thing on the floor. Decides one of the paperbacks strewn on the floor is a better way to occupy himself then accidentally finding more personal images. 

--------------------------------------------

The world is ending, everything is ripping away into the sky, everything he’s fought for is gone. He failed. He didn’t want a destiny, and he’s failed the fucking thing anyway and it’s all gone and there’s no future for him now but to be torn into ash-

“Duck, Duck wake up” 

He jolts, whams his head into the wall of the very intact Winnebago at the edge of the still standing Monongahela while a very alive, now-sober Indrid leans over him. 

“Owfuck.”

“Oh, oh no, I’m sorry, you were very clearly having a nightmare and I figured you’d like it to stop.”

“Yeah” He rubs his head, “yeah I did. Thanks. Sorry if I woke you up.”

“Given that in many futures our positions were reversed, I don’t have a lot of room to complain about someone shouting in their sleep.” Indrid sits down on the floor next to the chair, stays silent as Duck coaxes his breathing to even out. A hand hesitates in the air, then touches his arm, rubbing it reassuringly. 

No one else saw it. Not even Minerva or Leo, the only people who could understand the horror of seeing a thing unfold with scant chances of stopping it. 

Indrid’s hand brush lightly over his own before returning to his arm. 

No, not the only people. 

“Indrid, can I ask you somethin?”

“Of course.”

“The day we let The Quell through and saved the worlds did you, uh, did you see what woulda happened if Aubrey hadn’t blown the gate apart?”

“Yes.” The reply is quiet.

“Do you, uh, still see it sometimes?”

“Now and then, but I have far more bad timelines in my mind, and more failures in my past, for my nightmares to draw upon than you do. That is half the reason I drank so much tonight. Around the time of the winter solstice, my nightmares increase in frequency and intensity, Sylvain only knows why. Sometimes substances dull that.”

“Oh, ‘Drid.” Duck turns in the chair. Indrid’s gaze stays straight ahead, but his fingers shred a nearby scrap of paper. 

“The irony is, I love this time of year on Earth, in spite of the chill. I love the winter holidays, the gathering of warmth and light to hold one over until the spring returns. But my enjoyment of it is dampened by the workings of my powers and mind.”

“Fuck, guess I oughta count myself lucky I only got a few bad visions to remember.” The joke falls flat, and Indrid glances at him. 

“That vision is nothing to laugh at. I’m glad you had it all the same, glad you triumphed and survived.”

“Woulda really sucked to accept my destiny only to fail at the last fuckin second.”

He shuts his mouth to stop the next thought from escaping; Indrid doesn’t need to know that he sometimes fears that everything he’s done and wants to do now that fate is no longer hanging a talking sword over his head will somehow be hollow.

“You were so much more than your destiny, Duck Newton. You still are.” 

The sincerity, half-obscured in shadow and red lens, is too much. He doesn’t know what to say, or if he should say anything at all. 

“Guess, uh, guess you likin the holidays explains that section in the binder.”

“Yes. Wait. Did, ah, did you look through the whole thing?” Fear slips into his voice. 

“Uhhuh.”

“Even the, ah, the last page?”

“Yep. Some real beautiful drawin’s in there. Some mighty interestin ones too.”

Indrid nervously taps his fingers together, “Since you are about to ask, that future took place shortly after the cottonwood. You, you came by to apologize for punching me and to tell me you were glad I was alright and, and ask me to stay in Kepler and when I asked why, you did that. Just one little kiss. That’s as far as I got before the timelines changed. It’s, it’s alright, of course, that’s how timelines work, and you did eventually apologize.”

He did, two or three separate times, and each time Indrid brushed it off, insisting it was what needed to be done.

Duck sinks to the floor, turns on his knees to bring them face to face. 

“What are you-” Indrid stiffens as Duck gingerly pushes up his glasses. He’s never seen Indrid’s face like this, uncovered but still human, and it takes all the air from his lungs.

“Which eye did I hit?”

Indrid touches the right side of his face. Duck tips forward, balancing his fingers on Indrids thighs, and kisses the corner of his right eye.

“There. Now it’s a real apology.” He whispers in Indrid’s ear, close enough that faint, hopeful chirps reach him. He moves a few inches down and over, lips the barest strip of air away from Indrid’s own. 

“You, you don’t have to. Just because something appears in a future doesn’t mean it’s fated to happen.”

“What if I want it to happen?”

Indrid surges forward, cupping Duck’s face. His kisses re feather-light and sweeter than nectar, and Duck wants to drink them down, knows that after this taste he’ll never be full. 

“Duck I, h, I want” Indrid clings to him, his words turning to chirps nd clicks, as he’s so overwhelmed by a little kissing.

“Want me to keep, uh, ‘apologizin?”

“So very much.”

“Then take me to bed, darlin.”

The instant they hit the bed Indrid pulls Duck atop him, fingers fawning over his body as he kisses him over and over. When they stop to catch their breath, Duck remembers something,

“‘Drid, what was the other half of the reason you got drunk?”

“A problem of my own making. I did not foresee just how you would look in your suit, and I was trying to avoid an, ah, embarrassing bodily response. Alcohol helps my kind of Sylph in that regard.”

Duck chuckles, nips Indrid’s lower lip, “want me to put it back on?”

“Not just yet.”

“Want me to kiss you ‘til we fall asleep?”

“More than I’ve wanted anything for Christmas in a long time.”

Duck kisses him, keeps teasing their lips together as he murmurs, “then consider me your resent, darlin.”

[icharchivist]

Okay so done with Ardyn and Ignis’s dlcs, meaning i am done with the game for good! what a ride! what a blast! i had so much fun with everything, i don’t have anything i’m disappointed about so DLKJFDF a good ride for me.

Starting with Ignis, i really liked his DLC. 

The first part, which mostly just talks about how he got his eyes injury, was very fun to play through. Compared to how much i struggled with Gladio and Prompto that was a blast to play through ahah. I liked the gameplay and i liked being back in Altissia.

It was nice also to see Ravus’s actual turn around in game, since his whole part in the main game was... all over the place. So it was nice to see his actual motivations being laid out, and his teaming up with Ignis was pretty neat, they worked out well with one another, both as Guardians, and working as parallel to one another, with Ignis wanting (originally) for Noctis to see his goal through while Ravus wanted his sister to be freed, and in the end after Luna’s death, Ignis joining Ravus in not wanting to lose Noctis just to “his duty and fate”

The way Ignis got blind had me yelling. Putting on the ring of Lucii to try to protect Noctis, a ring that famously burn off anyone who tries to use it and isn’t of royal blood. Lowkey wondering if it works in a “truth from FMA” way where the people who ended up burnt by the ring all lost part of themselves that were important to them. Nyx wanted to live as a hero and he had to die as one. Ravus was the arm of revenge for his family and he lost his arm to it. Ignis was the analyser, the one who looked after Noctis and looked for his future, and his eyes were burnt. Like a way to prevent them all from even fighting destiny again. 

Anyway the whole canon complient part was so fucking sad and the goodbyes with Ignis and Noctis had me cry so hard i couldn’t look at the screen anymore. It was so sad and intense to me my heart is still broken.

So jumping on the fixit future just afterward, well, to me was kind of healing lmao. The whole thing, how Ignis even manage to win protecting Noctis, doesn’t really make any sense but it doesn’t have to, it’s just a happy ending that was sorely needed after all this mess, for me at least. 

It also made me cry to see Noctis’s resolve being that he would not let himself be separated from his friends. Makes me wonder if it has to do with the fact the alternative timeline pretty much therefore prevents the train incident from happening, meaning Noctis didn’t hurt Prompto, and didn’t have to play Ardyn’s mindgames about Prompto back then. Regis and Luna’s death were symbols of stuff Noctis couldn’t have protected. But hurting Prompto was Noctis ealizing that he would be harming his friends if he tried to end Ardyn. With the way Ignis’s ep goes, Ignis is another “stuff Noctis couldn’t have protected” so instead of fearing hurting his friends he’s more dedicated than ever to not let them go this time. Kinda liking this.

The alternative ending wasn’t as detailled as i expected (i swEAR i thought i’ve seen something about Luna surviving which?? i didn’t see at all so??) so i’m kinda happy with it? The gist of it is just “even if Noctis spent ten years into the Crystals his friends stayed together (which they didn’t in the ten years in canon) and once they were reunited they never let go of one another again”. I’m fine with that!! v good with that!! and i’m just happy Ignis can feel like he protected Noctis to the end, like he was meant to do. He’s so happy at the end i am tearing up just thinking about it.

so i really liked episode Ignis personally.  The alternative ending is just that, an alternative ending if we want to indulge in it and i’m happy with it, meanwhile the rest of the episode was pretty good to me. 

my only problem with the DLCs (and that is all of them) is also kinda just, the reason they had to exist, is that well. Honestly i’m not against dlcs and all but those were really scenes that would have benefited from being clearer in game. Not knowing how Ignis’s injuried himself really didn’t sit right with me, not knowing where Gladio was gone to was bothering me. Prompto’s ep itself wasn’t something i expected, wasn’t a gap i thought needed to be filled, but they filled it with more clarification about the magiteks in a way that i think is sooo much more impactful than just the game. 

I guess what i mean is that, they are filling holes that were in the games that bothered me, and on one hand i’m thrilled to have complete stories that specifically addresses them, on the other, i just kinda wish i didn’t have to wait until the end of the game to have those answers. 

Ardyn’s dlc has a huge lore dump at first which, imo, should have been clearer in the game too, but as it is i like how it’s done in the Ardyn’s dlc. In the end it just really gives the feelings the dlcs are course correcting DLKFJDLKJFD

ANYWAY Ardyn’s DLC. It was a blast to play through, the whole game itself was pretty fun. I really wanted to explore Insomnia (i also really want to explore the royal palace  but well that won’t be...), so even if it was by fucking around and finding out, it was hella fun.

Plotwise i am glad it makes Ardyn’s motivations very clear and in the end well, Ardyn is a really tragic figure and i’m really sad for him even if i remain angry at everything he has done. It’s just, what other choices did he have when he was doomed from the start?

It was sad to see how nice of a guy he was, how he just wanted to heal and help people, only for the gods and his brother to betray him. Somnus is such an ass bc of that lol. Originally i wondered if the recalling at the begining was Ardyn being an unreliable narrator but the final fight with Somnus confirm that Somnus did betray Ardyn because he was jealous of him, and even if he grew as a leader to see the horror of the daemons, he still fucked his brother’s life up for all of this man.

As for the Gods... wow major, major fuck you. The starscrouges is a Gods’s thing and they had a family line try to “fix it” and they made Ardyn the hero to fix it..... and then the moment he did, they made him the bad guy, refused him salvation, just so in the future the Lucii line will be able to end properly once the Chosen King will clean Ardyn. The Gods really set both Ardyn and the Lucii to fail to start with. The Gods wanted more for the “Chosen King” to have a painful sacrifice than they wanted to clean Ardyn’s up and Ardyn was just a tool in all of that, not allowed to fight his fate. No wonder he ended up embracing it and did the worst he could with what he was given.

That does bring home how much technically Ardyn won,  he got all he wanted. He destroyed the world that forsaken him, he spited the Gods ‘till the end, he ended the Lucis family line, and he finally was allowed to die. The Gods also got what they wanted since they WANTED Ardyn to spread darkness onto the world to set up their champion. That fucking blows.  The Gods are the real bad guys there. Noctis deserved better so i welcome Ignis’s dlc even more.

so yeah i’m leaving Ardyn’s dlc extremely bitter against the Gods and how they didn’t leave neither Ardyn nor Noctis a choice in all of this. They had their plan from the start and just expected them to play their parts. 

fucking tragic.

but with all of that i’m done with FF15 and i loved it. I had a blast. It was fun to play through, the gameplay was so fun and fantastic, i love the four guys with so much love that just thinking about them makes me want to cry. I like the original ending, in a “i love to suffer” way, and i love the alternative ending in a “now some healing” way. I liked what all the dlcs brought to the story, and i’m glad i played through all of this. 

I think it’ll take me some time to think about replaying the game and if i do i’ll probably try to ignore chap 8 and onward lmao. But i’m really glad i gave it a chance in the end. 

eff u Peten for making it happen though it’s all your fault. 

so yeah, i had tons of fun that’s for sure!

[moonlightstars16]

‘Only Hope’

Years before a certain shy book lover and friendly part-gem sweetheart met Connie Maheswaran did a lot of things her parents told her to do. One of the many activities/hobbies was singing. At first in her schools choir, then she got solos. Her vocals were beautiful and something you might a-kin to a classic musical like 'My Fair Lady' or 'The Sound Of Music'. However it wasn't something Connie felt okay doing in that particular setting. But she did so anyways with hardly any complaint. Thankfully she had her violin lessons to replace it. That was something she did find enjoyment in, but the constant mom-over-her-shoulder about practicing was getting tiresome. Until they sorted things out year later...among other things.

Besides the arts she was dedicated to her studies. At first it was difficult to keep up. Then she began to do nothing but study and practice and soon, learning all different types of things became second nature. When it came to astrology and space, she was enthralled. Even more so when Steven came into her life. He was right, being to space multiple times was not something to just gloss over. Those memories where kept close in her heart. Still space camp was something she wanted to experience as well. A part of her wanted to see the differences and similarities of all she gathered already.

One of the things she loved most about were the stars. As cliched was it sounds, Connie loved every aspect of the stars. The scientific and the more ethereal essence they each seemed to hold. One of them was a comet she had dreamed of seeming again since she was a child. It was coming around to earth that evening and, with the help of a few gem friends, they had planned to watch it together with a huge telescope and with Steven's old warp/greenhouse room roof pulled back it was going to be a perfect night. Well it would've been a perfect night.

While they had discussed things post the whole 'corruption' ordeal and his therapy visits, about their relationship. They knew they were more than just best friends. Connie felt it for a long time. But when cram school and other aspects of her life began, worry set in. Questions of 'What if's?' and others about the future flowed through her mind. Asking Garnet would be nice but unpredictabilities were possible and the future could change so she didn't feel like asking. When she realized how much Steven was holding in and going through, that's when things began to shift more clearer. Yes she had school, but she called to check up on him every single day. Yes she had other friends, but he was still on her mind whether its concern about his physical or mental health or just because he makes her smile.

Life is chaotic and odd but she knew, or rather hoped, that Steven would always be in her life in one form or another. It was increasingly obvious with each passing day that her feelings for him grew bigger and bigger. It was love. In love. Of course she wasn't going to rush things, I mean besides both being still young and neither ready for commitment like that of any kind. Well they both now know. It was the hope of someday that kept them going. Tonight was going to be the night she would finally confess all that she was holding back(because of fear and for making sure he was in a stable place to handle any sort of new emotional truth bombs). However she didn't expect things to turn out so unexpectedly.

Upon arriving at a specific time, she let herself in per Steven's request (which took a lot of convincing), and headed up to the roof. However he wasn't there. Everything was set up and ready, including hot tea, some snacks, a few blankets and pillows, the huge telescope and speakers for music. Even the telescope was set up in just the right direction. Connie sighed with a smile briefly before returning to a confused look on her face. It wasn't like him to be this late, even now. Her phone buzzed and she looked down to see a text from her best friend.

'Hey sorry I got caught up in some gem related stuff. Don't think I'll be able to make it. :'( But please enjoy the comet and your welcome to stay for however long you like. :)'

Her heart sank a bit. She understood things happened and he loved to help. Of course being careful in that area. However she desperately wished he was here with her and not anywhere else. After a thoughtful moment she decided to stay. Thinking it was best to not be rude after all he did to set things up. Pearl probably got involved with the telescope positioning but other than that Steven did go through all that trouble. Putting her bag down she pulled up her music and connected it to the speaker. Laying down as her favorite songs rang throughout the echoed walls, even though the roof was open.

It was a nice evening, many stars filled the night sky, the temperatures were great, it was a beautiful night. Still, she was lonely. Checking her phone for the time, noting how much closer the time was for seeing the comet, she wished that he was here. Hoping he would make it after all. Then it occurred to her that she didn't text back. quickly she typed up her reply.

'Aww man! Well maybe another time. :)'

It was a small reply but it was all she could say in the current moment. Afterwords she set her phone to the side and looked above at the stars. Her thoughts only around one person. Steven. He brought out a side of her that she never thought was possible at the time. Maybe she would've discovered it later in life, but he made it more special. With a hand over her heart she closed her eyes and sat up.  Listening, humming and soon singing along to her music. Specifically one certain song she adored.

There's a song that's inside of my soul It's the one that I've tried to write over and over again I'm awake in the infinite cold But you sing to me over and over and over again So I lay my head back down And I lift my hands And pray to be only yours I pray to be only yours I know now you're my only hope

Standing up she walked over to the telescope, leaning against it slightly as her eyes, glazed over with tears looked up towards the twinkling evening sky. Sing to me the song of the stars Of your galaxy dancing And laughing and laughing again When it feels like my dreams are so far Sing to me of the plans that you have for me over again

Stepping away towards a bush filled with flowers, she picked one up and held it close to her heart. Glancing upwards once again. So I lay my head back down And I lift my hands and pray To be only yours I pray to be only yours I know now you're my only hope

Her skirt flowed with her slight twirl and the slight cool breeze that brushed passed her as she aimlessly walked by the table. One hand gliding across the smooth surface. I give you my destiny I'm giving you all of me I want your symphony Singing in all that I am At the top of my lungs I'm giving it back

Stepping towards the room she poured out everything she felt inside. Lifting her arms up, entwining her hands together as she hoped so desperately that he would soon know this about her. The love she felt for him. He had a symphony and she wanted to be apart of it. Apart of his life, forever. So I lay my head back down And I lift my hands and pray To be only yours I pray to be only yours I pray to be only yours I know now you're my only hope

Sitting back down she leaned forward and hunched over slightly. Clutching the sweet flower to her chest. Trying to ignore how ridiculous she was being in the moment. Still her heart felt heavy and she needed to let it out. Even if it was silly because it was just one night their will be others and she will tell him one day. But still it was hard to ignore a few tears staining her cheeks as they fell. Her breathing was deep as she tried to contain herself. Suddenly, she felt two arms wrapped around her and she gasped at the familiar sensation.

"Connie..."

"I thought-"

"I got out of it when I realized I rather be here. Besides it turned out to be not that important anyways."

"Oh.....How much did you hear?"

"I heard it all of it. In fact I was surprised that text I sent was just given to you now and not like two hours prior." Steven slightly laughed as he breathed out air. Connie giggled under her breathe slightly, though her cheeks were probably prominently red by now. Steven reached up with one hand and gently placed it under her chin. Encouraging her to match his gaze. "Is this why you were so eager to come here tonight?"

"I-...I do want to see the comet with you of course. But...I also wanted to tell you all that I was feeling since you told me a bit ago that you felt okay for anything. I mean since you were talking with your therapist and all about it. The emotional stuff I mean." Making a mental note of her bad word choices didn't make this much easier. He sucked in her breath sharply upon hearing those words.

"How long?"

"I-....about two months...." Her face fell once more hearing herself say the timeline out loud. Perhaps this was too soon.

"Connie I-....I'm glad you finally told me."

"Inadvertently so." She mumbled as he chuckled a bit more loudly.

"Either way I'm glad you did....Because now I need to tell you this properly." Pulling back he turned to her back and draped a beautiful heart shaped locket over her neck. "I once knew this girl I was trying to impress. When really all I needed to be was myself. We became the best of friends and now I don't want to be apart from her ever. I screwed up on a certain relationship concept and my own insecurities didn't help things. But through it all she stayed and still held her feelings for me. One I want to give back properly. " Clasping the chain he turned her around, seeing one hand over the beautiful pendant as her eyes locked with his own.

"What is it?" He took both her hands in his and pulled it to his chest. Laying them both over his beating heart. Letting the position linger before letting them go and slipping his hands around her backside. Pulling her close as she leaned against him. Both sitting on their knees and not caring for the pain that they felt. A smile spread across both of them. First Steven then Connie as he told her something wonderful.

"I love you"

"I love you too"

It was a magical moment as their lips touched and the kiss grew. Later they could be found laying on the blankets, holding onto one another as her head rested against his shoulder and his arm wrapped around hers and her waist. Looking up and reminiscing everything and nothing. Including the beautiful and colorful comet.

It was a moment where their hopes finally had an answer.

They relished in it deep in their hearts.

[nonsensical-shitposting]

Petrichor (Seeker fanfic): Chapter 1

Here’s the first chapter of a @seekerquest reader-insert fanfic, the general premise of which is that the reader appears at the beginning of the story and proceeds to try to make things better, only to end up… not doing that. Huge thanks to @the-sans-the-sans-the-sans for cowriting parts of this- they were a massive help with dialogue, planning, and generally everything. The next chapter should be coming soon!

.

You open your eyes, and your first thought is that grass isn’t supposed to be purple.

Your second thought is that somebody’s hesitantly poking your shoulder.

Your third thought is that this feels way too real to be a dream.

You sit up abruptly, ignoring the sudden dizziness filling your head as you look around you. Purple grass, fog lingering over everything, gray cloudy sky…

“Uh. Who are you?”

Your fourth thought is whoever that voice belongs to, they sound kinda like John Mulaney, but female, and then you spin around and where you are suddenly becomes much clearer.

The “person” speaking to you is a small, white bunny with big yellow eyes, who is currently staring at you in confusion- not total, abject confusion, but it’s clear that she doesn’t know what’s going on.

It’s also clear, at least to you, that she is Seeker, the titular protagonist of the webcomic by the same name.

Under any other circumstances, you’d expect yourself to start thinking things like how did this happen and then quickly move on to freaking out over the implications of this, but somehow you’re able to keep your cool as you get to your feet and brush yourself off. Okay, looks like we’re in Pax’s world right now. When is this in the timeline? Seeker isn’t gray yet, so it’s still early- actually, hang on… You tilt your head to look behind Seeker, and sure enough, there’s the pillar/column thing she appeared on. So, probably really early on, then.

“Did you meet Darth Noodlecat yet?” you ask her.

Seeker furrows her brow. “What… does any of that mean? You’re the first person I’ve seen here, if that’s what you’re asking. I turned around and you were just…” She gestures aimlessly. “…lying there on the ground.”

Okay, so probably the very beginning of the comic, then. Great, you think, pressing your palms against your temples as you do your best to stave off the probably-inevitable panic attack looming at the back of your mind. Okay, think. What do you… actually, no, first things first, you need to find somewhere to hide before Impaxter shows up. How…

“Hey!” Seeker snaps her fingers directly in front of your face, causing you to flinch. “Can you hear me?”

“I need to hide.” you say, less to her and more just in general. You have a feeling Impaxter won’t react well if he sees you. Feeling distinctly idiotic, you crouch behind the column, glad it’s large enough to conceal you. “Pretend I’m not here,” you tell her. “I’ll explain as soon as the Impostor finishes his spiel, but I don’t want to find out what’ll happen if he sees me.”

You can tell Seeker’s still confused, but to her credit, she nods and gets back up onto the column. Honestly, you thought she’d be more argumentative. “Who’s-”

You shush her immediately, hunkering down even more behind the column in a desperate attempt to conceal yourself. Dread roils within you as you realize you don’t remember which direction the Impostor came from in the original comic- what if you’re crouching directly in his line of sight?

Fortunately, luck is on your side, and the footsteps you can hear approaching come from the other side of the pillar. You hold your breath and keep as still as you possibly can.

“You are back here.” the Impostor says. His voice “sounds” more like one of your own thoughts than anything else, but… clinging, somehow, as if it’s gradually filling your skull with a rotting, cloying odor until it spills out of your eyes and nose and mouth in horrible spidery tendrils. You’re distantly aware that you’re shaking and pray that he can’t hear you. “That is interesting. You moved, and then you came back to where I put you.”

“What?” Seeker asks. She sounds… scared, at least a little. Then again, given how you acted right before he showed up, you might have something to do with that. Oops.

“You are fearful.” observes the Impostor slowly. “That is also interesting. Why?”

Because you’re a creepy cat-shaped toothpick, that’s why, you think, desperately hoping Seeker doesn’t say something stupid in response.

“I’m not!” Seeker insists before jumping right into interrogating him. “Who are you? Why did you put me up here anyway? And what’s with your ears?” You would laugh at her last question- you almost forgot about that line- but you’re just too terrified to find any amusement in this.

“Ears.” the Impostor repeats.

“Yeah, you’ve got big, long ears. Is there a reason for that, or… are you just gonna keep staring at me?”

Their conversation seems to be back on track to how it was in canon, so you tune it out for now. Your lungs are starting to burn, so carefully, quietly, slowly, you allow yourself to breathe. Luckily, the Impostor doesn’t seem to hear you, which is weird considering how ridiculously large his ears are. (This time, you can feel nigh-hysterical laughter bubbling up in your throat at your internal quip, but you force it down.)

“The Seeker. That is you,” says the Impostor, drawing your attention back to their conversation.

“Is that my name, or my job?” Seeker asks.

“I will wait up there. Return if you find the truth.”

“Woah woah woah, hang on!” Seeker shouts, earning a slight smirk from you despite your fear. There’s the Seeker we all know and love. “What makes you think I’m just gonna do what you say?”

“You have something else to do?” the Impostor asks rhetorically. You hear his footsteps receding, and the creeping feeling of his presence leaves with him.

Once you’re sure he’s out of earshot, you sigh in relief (cliched a thing to do as it is) and sag back against the column, parts of you that you didn’t even know were tensed relaxing. If there was any upside to you being scared out of your mind for the past however many minutes, it’s that the majority of your existential panic over what might have put you in a world that is, as far as you know, supposed to be fictional was rerouted into being afraid of the Impostor.

There’s a sudden fwump noise, and a pair of bright yellow eyes are abruptly staring into yours as two floppy ears sort of swing awkwardly down and smack you in the chest and stomach. All you need to do is glance up to see that Seeker apparently thought it would be a good idea to flip her head upside down and over yours to stare at you, instead of just getting off the pillar and approaching you from the front like a normal person. “Okay, back up a little there, Seeks,” you say, instinctively leaning away from her.

Seeker grumbles but complies, pushing herself down off the column again and flopping inelegantly into a seated position next to you. “So. Talk.” she demands.

You sigh, pinching the bridge of your nose. “Where do I even start?”

Judging by the look she’s giving you, Seeker clearly thinks it should be obvious. “Uh, how about… who are you? What are you? Where’d you come from? What’re all these weird fabric things you’re wearing?”

“I’m a human, and these are clothing. Do you not know what clothing is?”

“Not like that.” Seeker pokes your hoodie. “Why were you hiding from that bossy weirdo- what’d you call him, ‘Darth Noodlecat?’”

You can’t help but laugh a little at that- you almost forgot you called him that in your panic to hide. “No, that’s just… an insulting nickname I came up with for him on the spot. I don’t know if he has an actual name, but I just call him ‘the Impostor’ or ‘Impaxter.’”

“You sound like you know him.” Seeker observes.

You shrug as nonchalantly as you can. “I guess you could say that.” You can’t exactly tell her the truth, after all. Given that she’s probably only a few minutes old at this point, and also that she’s Seeker, she’s probably pretty gullible, but you doubt she’d believe you if you told her she was the main character of a webcomic- though, if she did, you have a feeling it’d result in quite the ego trip. Speaking of which… “You don’t happen to have any stupid voices in your head telling you to do dumb things, do you?”

“Uh. No? Is that something I’m supposed to have?”

“No, it just means things are going to be simultaneously easier and harder for us.” That is strange, though- why did she ask Impaxter the same things as she did in canon without them prompting her? Furthermore, the only reason you can think of why she wouldn’t have the askers telling her what to do is because you’re here, which raises a whole lot of other questions. On the other hand, if it means that Seeker’s going to do what you tell her to as if you were the askers… well, you can figure that out later. Right now, you need to come up with an excuse for why you’re here and then try to make things better. Other than exposing Impaxter earlier, though, you’re not sure there’s much you can do right now with what you know- last time you saw it update, the comic had only gotten up to-

Seeker snaps her fingers in front of your face several times again, bringing you back to reality. (Your new reality, anyway.) “Right, sorry. Uh… do you have any other questions?”

“Why’s that guy an ‘impostor?’” Seeker asks impatiently.

“Long story short, this world belongs to someone called Pax- nice dude, made a lot of cool stuff. Now that guy’s there in his world acting like it belongs to him, and I don’t know where Pax is, hence…” You shrug. “The Impostor. Or Impaxter- y’know, combination of ‘impostor’ and ‘Pax.’”

“Did you know this ‘Pax’ guy?”

“Not really?” While you can be honest, there’s no reason you can’t leave a few things out here and there. She wouldn’t believe the full truth anyway. “I never met him in person, if that’s what you’re asking. I… know some things about this world and the people who’re supposed to be in it, but not a lot, and I can’t say how I know them, either.” Tone is everything, and if yours just so happens to make Seeker interpret “I can’t say” as “I don’t know,” then that’s her problem. “I don’t know how I ended up here, but I don’t think I’m supposed to be here.”

“Yeah, that’s the general feeling I’m getting off of you.” Seeker nods.

“Wait, what? What do you mean by that?”

Seeker’s eyes narrow as she stares at you more closely, simultaneously demonstrating how little she understands the concept of personal space. “I… don’t really know? I dunno how to explain it, it’s just that… just looking at you makes me feel like you shouldn’t exist.”

“Huh.” You don’t have much of anything to say to that. You know what she’s saying is true on some level- you shouldn’t be part of this story- but yet, somehow, you are. “…okay, I have an idea.” you say, shaking your head. “I’ll help you figure out what happened to this world, and in return, you’ll help me figure out why I’m here. Sound like a deal?”

“…I mean, what are you gonna do if I say no?”

You hadn’t thought about that, actually. You should be able to find Fen as long as you get to that pipe thing and wait for him, and if he doesn’t show up, you think you know how to get to the door into the Family’s hallway, but you have no clue what you’d do after that or how you’d convince them to help you out. “I dunno. I guess I’d be kind of screwed.”

Seeker sighs reluctantly. “Alright, fine. I guess if helping you out means that… um, the Impostor has to wait longer to find out what happened to this place, it’s worth it.”

“That’s the spirit!” You try to give her a reassuring grin, but even you can tell it’s shaky. For a moment there, you were genuinely concerned she’d refuse to help you.

“Just, uh, one thing. What’s your name?” Seeker asks. “Do you even have one?”

You’re about to answer, but you realize with a shock that you don’t know what it is. You remember what your life before waking up here was like, you remember your family and friends, you remember every other detail of your however many years of existence- just not your own name. That seems like a very specific and arbitrary thing for whatever (or whoever) brought you here to make you forget, but what with how implausible everything else that’s happened to you in the last few minutes is, you’re inclined to set it aside for now.

“I don’t know.” you answer, brow furrowed. “I… don’t think I remember?”

“Well, how about ‘Speaker,’ then?” Seeker suggests. At your confused look, she adds, “Because you’re a weird… thing speaking to me, and it rhymes with Seeker!”

“Speaker?” You can’t stop a small grin from spreading across your face- somehow, that feels right in a way you can’t quite describe. “Yeah, that works. Alright, ‘Speaker’ it is, then.”

“Okay!” Just like that, Seeker immediately jumps on to a wholly different topic. “You said you know about this world and stuff, right?” At your hesitant nod, she continues, “Alright, so where should we go first?”

“Uh…” You consider. It’d be a good idea to find Fen as soon as possible- he probably has the best chance out of anyone at figuring out what the hell’s going on- but you also don’t think it’d be a good idea if Seeker skipped any of the memory orbs. With your luck, whichever one she missed would probably contain some major plot-relevant information that wouldn’t have become apparent until the end of the comic or something like that. “There’s some ruins in the fog over…” You spin in a circle, trying to figure out which way she would’ve headed originally. “Thataway. It’s probably a good place to start exploring, I think there was some important stuff going on there.”

“Alright,” Seeker nods, and just like that, she’s up and heading towards the ruins, and you hastily follow her, your mind immediately spiraling back into what comes next. At the very least, you can probably predict what’s going to happen in the near future, but everything after that is going to be more difficult to figure out as it diverges from the original comic- just Seeker knowing that the Impostor isn’t Pax is going to change a lot of things right off the bat as soon as the two of you encounter Fen. Furthermore, you think you remember the creator saying that the comic was about halfway done maybe a month ago, so that’s a lot of lore and plot you know nothing about that you’ll have to improvise your way through. While Seeker seems to have bought everything you told her, you have a feeling the Family’s going to be a bit more inquisitive about how you know the things you do know, and you’re not sure what you’re going to do then. You sure as hell can’t tell them they’re fictional characters, that’s for certain, but you don’t know what else you can tell them- pleading ignorance is only going to take you so far, and-

Your thoughts and worries are abruptly cut off by a sudden tug on your hair- not painful, but hard enough to make you flinch. You whip your head to the side and glare at Seeker, who raises her hands and takes a step back, face full of feigned innocence. “Don’t pull my hair.”

“I didn’t know if it was attached to your head!” Seeker protests. “It’s weird.”

You almost want to laugh, but it probably wouldn’t be a good idea to give her the satisfaction. Her antics were a lot funnier when there was a screen separating you, that’s for sure. “Just. Don’t, okay?”

“Okay!” Seeker keeps her hands raised, a slight whining tone entering her voice.

“Okay.” you repeat, shaking your head. I have a lot of work to do.

[badchoicesposts]

Don’t Dream It’s Over Chapter 19

Series Summary: Liam and Ali thought that their relationship was perfect, but their whole world came crashing down when Constantine called him back to Cordonia. Four years later they meet again at Liam’s bachelor party, determined to make things between them work even if it isn’t always easy.

In this AU, Liam and MC (Ali Moonessar) dated for a year in New York while Leo was still crown prince. They broke up when Constantine asked Liam to come back to Cordonia, but they meet again at Liam’s bachelor party before the social season. The story will contain flashbacks, which will be italicized, of their relationship and follow them as they try to navigate the season with Ali as a suitor. I’ve messed around with the timeline a bit so that it fits the story better. I’ve also added in a few OCs of my own.

Pairing: Liam x MC (Ali Moonessar), Platonic!Drake x MC

DISCLAIMER: I’ve changed up the timeline of the social season a bit to fit my story better. I’ve based it off of some research I did on the British Social Season. Some of the dialogue was taken directly from Book 1 of The Royal Romance but was changed a bit to fit my fic.

Also, I’ve never been pregnant so the small amount of information about pregnancy that I stated in this chapter was based purely on my research on the topic. I apologize if any of it it inaccurate.

TRIGGER WARNING: Mentions of a panic attack and abortion.

Taglist: @flowerpowell, @ao719, @kingliam2019, @emceesynonymroll, @hopefulmoonobject, @dcbbw, @qammh-blog, @liamxs-world, @drakesensworld, @i-only-signed-up-for-fanfiction, @lauradowning29, @texaskitten30, @senseofduties, @indiacater, @alexintheskyy, @jared2612

A/N: This is my first time ever posting a fic. Please let me know if you enjoyed it and would like to read more. I thrive on validation, lol. Thanks for reading!

Catch Up: Masterlist,  Costumes (Don’t Dream It’s Over One shot)

Ali’s shoulders relaxed under the warm spray of water, and she leaned her head against the shower wall, trying to focus on her breathing. It had been two days since she spoke to Maxwell and Bastien, and she had definitely noticed Charlie hanging around more since then. She was glad it was him and not some random member of the guard that she had never met, but it was still strange to know that she needed security.

She turned off the water and wrapped herself in a towel, before wandering back into her bedroom. Her brown eyes swept over the gold dress that she would be wearing tonight, and she bit her lip nervously in anticipation of what was to come. 

Liam had decided that it would be nice to get everyone together for a dinner. He believed that it would be a good chance for all of the noble children to get acquainted with one another. They were the future leaders of the country, and he wanted them all to be on good terms. However, the dinner wasn’t the cause of Ali’s anxiety. Now that they were back at the palace, Liam had taken to spending nights with her again, and she knew that she needed to tell him everything tonight. She couldn’t put it off any longer. He deserved to know. Not to mention, it was dangerous to keep it from him with the looming threat of someone leaking it to the press hanging over her head.

Ali slipped on her dress and shoes, pausing for a moment to look at her reflection in the mirror. The small heart shaped pendant that Liam had given her the night of The Masquerade twinkled as it caught the light, and for some reason it was calming to her. Her eyes travelled down to her stomach, and she placed her hand on top of it. She had been researching pregnancy nonstop for the past few days, and she knew that she probably wasn’t going to be showing anytime soon. By her calculations she was only just barely two months along, and it was by sheer dumb luck that she even found out this early. But, knowing that there was a baby growing inside of her caused her heart to swell with happiness. That is until she remembered who the baby’s father was. 

She dropped her hand, straightened her posture, and left to meet Maxwell. 

“Hey! You’re early,” he said, opening his bedroom door.

He had expected to meet her right before they went downstairs the way he always did. 

“Yeah, I wanted to make sure I was on time,” she said, awkwardly rocking back and forth on her feet. 

Maxwell moved aside so she could come in, and she perched herself on the edge of his bed as she watched him tie his shoelaces. She glanced around his room, her eyes going wide at the book she saw on his nightstand.

“Are you reading a pregnancy book?” she asked with a smile as she grabbed it and began flipping through it.

“Yeah! I figured if I wanted to help you I would need to understand what your body is going through,” Maxwell said as he finished tying his shoe. “Not that I could ever fully understand what your body is going through. You know, with me not having a uterus and all.”

Ali smiled at Maxwell’s sweet words. 

“That’s really nice of you, Max!” 

“I’ve been brushing up on my prenatal yoga too! Not to toot my own horn, but I think I’ll be ready to start teaching classes any day now,” he said, with a smile as he shrugged on his jacket.

“Brushing up? As in you already had prior knowledge of it?” she asked with a playful smile, not really thinking anything of her words. 

A blush rose up onto Maxwell’s face, and he sputtered for a moment. 

“Pshhhh, what! No! Why would I know anything about prenatal yoga? You’re the only pregnant woman I’ve ever met before in my life. Like ever,” he said nervously. 

“Um, okay,” Ali responded confusedly, “Thanks anyway. It’s really sweet of you. You’re gonna be a great uncle!” 

“Not just a great uncle,” Maxwell said returning to his usual demeanor, “I’m going to be Maxwell Jr.’s favorite uncle!”

“Maxwell Jr.?” Ali questioned with a smile. “What if it’s a girl?”

“Maxine,” Maxwell responded immediately. He had obviously given the topic a great amount of thought. 

Ali watched as he made his way around the room, grabbing his wallet and shoving some dirty clothes into a hamper before making his way back to stand in front of her. 

“So, are you excited to tell him?” he asked.

Just like that, the previous fun that they had been having disappeared. She began to fidget nervously again.

“No, I think I’m going to throw up,” she said, running her hand up and down her arms, in attempts to calm herself down.

“Maybe that’s just morning sickness,” Maxwell responded. 

“Trust me. It’s not.”

“I think he’ll be happy,” he said, trying to make her feel better.

Ali looked up into Maxwell’s eyes and saw genuine hope there. It almost made her feel bad for being so cynical. But then she remembered that Maxwell wasn’t the one carrying the future king’s illegitimate child. 

“I guess we’ll see,” she said, wanting to just drop the topic. “So who’s going to be at this dinner?”

“All of the suitors, Ben, Bertrand, Drake, Tariq, me, and two other noblemen I don’t think you’ve met. Neville and Rashad,” Maxwell responded.

She had been briefly introduced to Tariq already, but neither of them had ever gone out of their way to speak to each other, and he had seemed rather dull if she was being honest.

“Is there anything I need to know about these other noblemen?” she asked, as they began to make their way down to the dining room. 

“Well, Rashad is pretty laid back. His only issue is that he doesn’t mind spending time with Neville,” Maxwell continued.

“Wow, Neville’s that bad?” 

“Just be prepared to hear him insult Drake for being a commoner all night.”

“But, I’m a commoner,” she said as they walked through the palace halls.

“Yes, but he can’t insult one of Liam’s suitors right in front of him.”

They lined up with some of the other guests outside of the dining room, and Ali quietly observed the two men that she hadn’t previously met. 

“I better not have to sit next to the commoner,” said one of them as the dining room doors opened. 

“I’ll take a guess and say that’s Neville,” Ali mumbled to Maxwell under her breath. 

He nodded wordlessly, and they found their seats. 

“Of course she’s seated right next to the prince,” Kiara said to Penelope in an undertone as Ali sat down. 

She took a deep breath and psyched herself up for what was sure to be a long night as everyone took their seats as well. 

“Thank you all for joining me this evening,” Liam began once they were all seated. “As we are the new generation of leaders I thought it would be nice for us to spend an evening getting to know each other.”

“I think that’s a wonderful idea, Liam. However, many of us are already acquainted with each other,” Olivia spoke from her place on Liam’s other side. 

There was a brief pause in conversation as the first course was served, and everyone began eating.

“Well, it’s been some time since we’ve all been together like this, and I do believe there are a few new faces here as well,” Liam said with a quick glance in Ali’s direction. “Lady Alison, I believe this is your first time meeting Lord Neville and Rashad.”

“Yes, it is,” she said, placing a kind smile on her face. “It’s very nice to meet you both.” 

“It’s nice to meet you as well, my lady,” Rashad responded politely. 

“Rashad spends most of his time on business trips. He’s often away from Cordonia for long periods of time,” Liam explained. 

“I do enjoy my travelling, but Cordonia is my home,” Rashad elaborated. 

“I completely understand. You can build a new home anywhere in the world, but there’s always a special attachment to the first,” Ali said. 

“Exactly,” Rashad said, a small smile on his face.

“And where was your first home, Lady Alison?” Neville asked. 

“I was born and raised in New York.” 

“Oh,” he said.

“You seem surprised, Lord Neville,” she said, an amused smile on her face. 

“It’s just that you look…” he trailed off, nodding in her direction as if that was supposed to make his point clearer. 

“I’m sorry. How do I look?” she asked. 

“Exotic,” he finished. 

Ali had to stop herself from gagging.

“Yes, well my parents were first generation immigrants. They moved from the Caribbean to The States before I was born, so I was born and raised in New York,” she said, the displeasure evident in her voice.

“Good to see you’re as charming as ever, Neville,” Lizzie said sarcastically, causing the man to narrow his eyes at her.

Liam nudged her foot gently under the table, and when she looked over at him she could see him holding back a laugh. She narrowed her eyes at him and kicked him back harder, biting back her own smile. He let out a small cough to mask his laughter, but this did not go unnoticed by Olivia who was watching their interaction closely.

“Liam, it was so nice of you to set up this lovely dinner. Although, I have to admit I’m not completely sure why Drake’s here,” she said, smirking over at the other man.

“It’s because I’m a joy to be around, Olivia,” Drake shot back sarcastically.

“Yes, the man who never smiles is such a joy to be around,” the redhead responded. 

“Drake has been a fixture at court since he was a child. He has also served as my trusted counsel more times than I can count. It seemed inappropriate to do this without him present,” Liam responded, ending the conversation with a hint of amusement in his own voice, obviously entertained by the interaction. 

“I think Drake’s great!” Maxwell said happily from his spot on Ali’s other side.

“Yes, I’m sure Ali does too,” Madeleine mumbled as she brought her wine glass up to her lips.

Ali narrowed her eyes.

“I’m sorry I didn’t quite catch that,” she said, smiling sweetly. 

Well, this night was going just about as well as she had assumed. 

“I just said that I’m sure you agree with Maxwell’s sentiment. We all know that the two of you are quite fond of each other, but I was wondering when you planned on telling Prince Liam just how fond,” she said, a venomous smile on her lips. 

“I’m sorry. I’m not sure what you’re referring to,” Ali said, bringing her own water glass to her lips and taking a sip of the cool liquid in attempts to calm the butterflies that had just erupted in her stomach.

“I’m referring to the fact that you’re pregnant with Drake Walker’s child,” Madeleine said, getting straight to the point and looking extremely proud of herself.

Ali, who had still been drinking her water, choked on the liquid and brought the glass back down to the table, attempting to clear her throat as several gasps were heard throughout the room. Maxwell patted her back in a way that was well meaning, but still unhelpful when you were choking on water. 

“I’m sorry, but I’m still not sure what you’re referring to,” Ali said, her voice hard now and her shoulders tense. 

“Oh, aren’t you?” Madeleine said, placing her phone on the table.

Ali and Drake’s voices filled the room from the speaker, and it felt like all the air had been sucked out of it as everyone heard their conversation from the first day of the Apple Blossom Festival. 

“You’ve been avoiding me.”

“Yeah, I have.” 

“You can’t ask me to get you a pregnancy test and then pretend like it didn’t happen.”

There was a momentary pause as neither of them spoke.

“Damn, what are you going to do?” he asked.

“I don’t know. I’m scared, Drake.”

“We’ll figure it out. I promise,” he said.

“I can’t have a baby! I’m still a baby!” 

“Eh, I think you’re more of an angsty teen than you are a baby.”

“Sorry,” Drake said. “Look, I know you’re scared, but everything’s going to be okay. You’re not alone in this.”

Another moment of silence followed. 

“You have to tell him,” he continued.

“I can���t. I don’t know how.”

The recording cut off after that point, but that didn't matter. It had already confirmed that she was pregnant. 

Ali couldn’t breathe. Her initial reaction was to believe that this was all her fault. If she had just told Liam when she first found out then they wouldn’t be in this situation in the first place. He wouldn’t be finding out like this. The room seemed to be closing in on her. She was having a panic attack. 

“Ali,” Liam said her name as he gently touched her arm. 

He was sitting right next to her, but it sounded as if he were a million miles away. Kiara was muttering rapidly in French, and Olivia looked as if she had just been slapped in the face. She refused to even look at Bertrand. Then, a thought occurred to her.

 “You didn’t hear the entire conversation,” she said, her voice hoarse as she tried to breathe normally.

“What?” Madeleine asked, the smile on her lips wavering the slightest bit. 

“The entire conversation. That wasn’t the entire conversation,” she continued, trying to ignore the tightness in her chest. 

“Y-yes, it was,” Madeleine responded, defensively. 

“Actually, it wasn’t. You only heard what the person you had following us bothered to listen to,” Drake finally spoke up. “If you had heard the entire conversation you wouldn’t be making careless accusations.”

“What are you talking about?” Madeleine asked, her anger now evident.

“It’s not his baby, you idiot!” Olivia spoke up, quickly realizing what was going on. 

Ali looked over to Liam for the first time since this conversation began. He hadn’t taken his eyes off of her the entire time, and his mouth was still hanging open in shock. 

“I’m sorry you found out like this. I was going to tell you tonight,” she said, rising from her seat and walking to stand next to him. 

Ali grabbed Liam’s hand and placed it on her stomach, still holding onto his wrist tightly. Liam was looking down at both of their hands intently. He didn’t speak for a few moments, but there were tears shining in his eyes when he looked back up to her.

“Are you sure?” 

Ali nodded, and she was surprised at the large smile that crossed his face. Liam shot out of his seat and pulled her into his arms. He effortlessly lifted her off the floor and spun her in a circle. She wrapped her arms tightly around his neck in surprise and didn’t bother to stop the laugh that fell from her lips. In that moment they both forgot where they were. They forgot that they were in a room full of people, of women that were supposed to be vying for Liam’s hand in marriage.

“We’re going to be parents?” he asked, pressing his forehead to hers.

“Yeah, we are,” she said, gripping onto the lapels of his jacket tightly. 

Happy tears were streaming down his face as he pressed kiss all over her face. His lips brushed against her forehead, her nose, her chin, and both of her cheeks before he finally pulled her into a sweet kiss. Both of them getting lost in each other.

“Well, this is awkward!” Lizzie said loudly, in attempts to draw them back to their current setting. 

The two of them looked back over to the table to find a mixture of both shocked and confused expressions. Maxwell, Ben, and Lizzie were beaming at them excitedly. Olivia and Madeleine both looked furious but neither of them said anything, while Penelope and Kiara both looked upset, but resigned to the fact that they were never going to be chosen anyway. 

Ali nervously glanced at Liam, but even though they were in an uncomfortable and unconventional situation, the man couldn’t keep the smile off of his face. He kept one hand on the small of her back, and she was interested to see how he would diffuse this situation. 

“Prince Liam, Lady Alison, please come with me,” Bastien said, opening the dining room door and striding purposefully into the room.

Ali shot Liam another nervous look and followed Bastien out the room without a second thought, listening as Liam remained behind for a moment to address the dinner party. 

“This wasn’t exactly what I had in mind when I told you to tell him,” Bastien mumbled to her under his breath.

“Yeah, it wasn’t what I had in mind either. But, at least we know who was following me,” she said back as Liam joined them. 

“This is bad isn’t it?” Ali said, as he placed his hand on the small of her back.

“It is. But, I can’t seem to care right now,” Liam said, smiling down at her with love in his eyes.

“I’m sure your father will,” Bastien stated, breaking up their conversation and beginning to lead them up to Constantine’s office. “I already have someone up there explaining everything to him.”

They stopped outside of Constantine’s office just in time to see another member of the guard emerging from the room. The man looked shaken up, and he glanced nervously in their direction before continuing down the hall. Liam squeezed Ali’s hand reassuringly before entering the room with Bastien following behind them. 

Constantine was leaning back in his office chair, his hand resting on the desk in front of him. The only light in the room was coming from a lit fireplace in the corner, and it was casting menacing shadows across his face. It almost made him look like a Disney villain. 

“Please, sit down,” he said, gesturing to the chairs in front of the desk. 

Liam pulled one of them out for her and allowed her to get situated before sitting down on a chair next to her. He rested a hand on her knee protectively and looked over at his father, an unreadable expression on both of their faces. 

Ali was doing her best to refrain from showing her nervousness, but it was still obvious by the death grip she had on the wrist of Liam’s hand.

“So, it seems that the two of you have had an… eventful evening,” Constantine said, his voice filled with controlled anger. 

She wasn’t sure what she was supposed to say. If he was looking for an apology he wasn’t going to get one. Her initial reaction was to blame herself, and she still did. She felt terrible for how Liam found out, but Madeleine was the one who had caused a scene.

“Yes, we have. I should be congratulating you. You’re going to be a grandfather,” Liam said, a smirk on his face. 

Ali could tell he was trying to keep the mood light, but it seemed to have the opposite effect on the king. 

“How long have you known?” Constantine asked, his gaze hard as he looked her over. 

“A few days, sir,” she answered, her voice cracking slightly.

Her grip on Liam’s wrist tightened even further, and he reached over to place his other hand on top of hers, gently rubbing circles on her skin.

“And how long did you plan on keeping this information to yourself?” he asked, grabbing a bottle of bourbon from the side of his desk and refilling the glass next to it. 

Liam’s eyes narrowed at his father’s accusatory tone, but he said nothing, his jaw clenched tightly shut.

“I was going to tell Liam after dinner tonight. I didn’t know that Madeleine knew or that she was planning to announce it,” she responded, her voice quiet but stronger this time.

Constantine looked at her appraisingly as he sipped from his glass. 

“You were reckless,” he said, turning in his seat to meet Liam’s eye. 

He laughed humorlessly before continuing. 

“Leo has been reckless since the day he was born. He’s caused countless scandals that we’ve all had to help cover up and do damage control for, but never once has he gotten anyone pregnant!”

“That we know of,” Ali mumbled sarcastically under her breath. 

She saw Bastien hold back a smirk at her comment, but Constantine didn’t seem too pleased with it. 

“Get out! Both of you, get out of my sight!” he yelled, motioning for Ali and Liam to head to the door. “Bastien, stay behind.” 

The two of them didn’t need to be told twice. They both scrambled out of their seats like scolded children and were out of his office in a heartbeat. They stopped once the door had closed behind them, exchanging nervous looks. 

“Maybe I shouldn’t have said that,” Ali whispered. 

Liam broke out into a grin and went to pull her into his arms, when they heard Constantine’s voice through the door. She brought a finger up to her lips in a shushing motion and pressed her ear to the door, pulling him to do the same.

“You’ve known this for a week, and you still didn’t come to me with it?” Constantine questioned, the same controlled anger in his voice as when they had first entered the room. 

“I’ve only found out for sure a few days ago, sir. I’ve already set Lady Alison up with a guard, and I’ve been keeping her safe since,” the other man responded.

“That’s not the point! I told you to come to me with anything you found out about her, anything that could stop her from becoming queen. But, you kept this information to yourself and now look at what’s happened!”

Ali’s jaw dropped at his words, and Liam had a similar reaction. However, his shock was quickly replaced with anger, and she was forced to grab onto his arm to keep him from storming back into the office. 

“I’m sorry, sir. I believed that due to the… sensitivity of the situation, Alison should have had time to come to terms with things before it was brought to anyone’s attention,” Bastien responded. 

They didn’t stick around for the rest of the conversation. Ali pulled Liam away from the door, and led him back to her room. She shut the door behind him and turned to look to him. They were truly alone together for the first time since he found out about the pregnancy, and she wasn’t sure what to do now. There was a mix of anger and sadness on his face, and she wasn’t sure which topic she should address first: the pregnancy or his father’s intention to keep them apart.

She opened her mouth and closed it a few times, trying to figure out what to say. She kept searching for an articulate and neat way to tell him everything that was going through her mind, but when she couldn’t she just let the words spill out of her mouth. She told him about the Drake and the pregnancy test, about how someone (apparently Madeleine) wanted to make the press believe that Drake was the father. She told him about the guilt she had been feeling for keeping the pregnancy from him and how sorry she was for not doing it sooner. She let out all of her fears about what was going to happen now that everyone knew, but reminded him that she loved him and wanted this baby more than anything in the world. 

Liam listened intently as she rambled on. She was about to start talking about what Constantine said when Liam stopped her. 

“That was a lot of information to get in thirty seconds,” he joked, pulling her down to lay on her bed beside him. 

She cuddled into his side, her face burning with embarrassment.

“Are you mad?” 

“About what?” he asked, furrowing his brows in confusion and running his hand up and down her back. 

“That I’m pregnant. That I didn’t tell you sooner,” she said.

He sighed and pulled her closer into him. 

“I understand why you needed some time, but I do wish I hadn’t come out the way that it did,” he said. 

“I’m so sorry. I was so scared, and I wanted to tell you, but I just kept picturing the worst case scenario, and every time I decided to tell you I would remember that your father didn’t think I would be a good queen, and-” she began rambling once again, her words coming out in a nervous jumble before Liam quieted her. 

“I know that it wasn’t your intention for this to happen. I’m more upset with the situation than I am with you. If I wasn’t crown prince, if we didn’t have to worry about the press or the people, if I was just a normal man, then we could be celebrating instead of worrying right now,” he said more to himself than to her. “I still can’t believe we’re going to be parents.” 

His voice was more cheerful when he said this than it had been a moment ago.

“Are you okay with everything?” she asked. 

“I should be the one asking you that,” Liam chuckled.

“Well, you just found out that you’re going to dad and that your dad is a snake, so I just figured you may need more comforting than me right now,” she tried to say nonchalantly, but the bitterness was still evident in her voice. 

“I can’t believe he was looking for ways to discredit you,” Liam said, running his hand down his face.

“I’m just glad he never found anything. I’ve never been more thankful for my boring ass life,” she said with a laugh. 

“Your life isn’t boring,” Liam said, leaning down to press a kiss to the top of her head.

“It was! Before I came here my time consisted of me going to work, class, and then going home to binge watch Criminal Minds,” she said, pulling herself out of his arms and sitting up. “But, look at me now. I moved to a different country, and got knocked up by the future king.”

Ali looked into Liam’s eyes and smiled softly as his hand came up to cup the side of her face. 

“We’re really having a baby,” he murmured, sitting up and pulling her into a gentle kiss. 

Ali sunk into his embrace, her body falling on top of his as he lay back on the bed once again. He kissed her softly, not willing to pull away from her until they were both desperate for air. 

“I love you,” he mumbled, before flipping them over and moving down to lay his head against her stomach where he repeated the words once again. 

Ali smiled and began running her fingers through his hair. Liam’s arms wrapped around her hips as she did this, and it was just a matter of minutes before he was lulled to sleep by her gentle touch and soft breathing. 

Ali woke the next morning to find Liam sleeping soundly beside her. She was still in her dress from the previous night, but he had woken up at some point in the night and pulled her blankets over their bodies. She sat up in bed and raised her arms above her head, stretching her muscles. Two arms snaked around her waist, pulling her back into the bed. Liam rested his head against her shoulder and pressed a few soft kisses to the exposed skin of her neck as his hand lovingly caressed her stomach.

“Good morning, my love,” he mumbled sleepily against her skin. 

Ali turned to rest on her side so she could face him.

“Good morning,” she said, tracing the stubble on his jaw with the tips of her fingers. 

He turned his head and pressed a gentle kiss to her palm, opening his eyes fully for the first time that morning and taking in the expression of the woman lying next to him. 

“You look upset,” he observed, his voice still gravelly from sleep.

“I’m not upset. Just a little anxious,” she admitted. “What do you think your father’s going to do?”

Liam sighed and pulled Ali into him. She buried her face into the crook of his neck and closed her eyes. 

“I’m not sure,” he began, his mind already reeling with ideas of how to proceed from here. “By now the news has probably made its way around. He can’t deny the pregnancy because a room full of people heard it confirmed.”

“I still can’t believe you found out like that,” Ali groaned, pushing her body closer into his. “I always imagined telling the father of my child that I was pregnant in a cutesy way. Not by being outed at a formal dinner party.”

The sound of Liam’s laughter filled her ears, and she pulled herself up so that she could glare at him.

“It’s not funny!” 

Liam tried to suppress chuckles and sat up next to her when he failed. 

“I don’t know how we ended up here, but I wouldn’t trade it for the world,” he said, pressing a gentle kiss on her forehead when his laughter finally subsided. 

A loud knock interrupted their moment and they exchanged looks of disdain. 

“So, time to face this, huh?” she asked, getting up and trying to straighten the dress she had fallen asleep in. 

“We’ll do it together,” Liam reassured her, getting to his feet and grabbing his jacket from where he had carelessly thrown it on the floor the night before. 

Ali took a deep breath and opened her room door. A pair of blue eyes were looking back at her with sympathy.

“The queen wants to see you and the king wants to see Liam,” Charlie said, taking in their disheveled appearance. 

“What are they trying to do by separating us?” she narrowed her eyes and looked back at Liam. 

“I don’t know, but you should change before you meet with Regina,” he said, stepping forward and giving her a gentle kiss. “Don’t worry, I promise everything will be okay. And, don’t let her intimidate you.”

“That’s a lot easier said than done!” Ali called after his retreating frame. 

“Everything will be okay!” he called back. 

Ali looked over at Charlie incredulously, but the man simply shrugged in response. She rolled her eyes and let out a sigh. 

“Give me a second to get changed.”

She dressed quickly, not wanting to keep the other woman waiting, but also not at all looking forward to their meeting. The fact that Constantine and Regina wanted to meet with them separately didn’t sit well with her. Why couldn’t they speak to them together?

“How bad do you think this is going to be?” she asked Charlie as he trailed alongside her on their way to meet the queen. 

“I don’t know, but remember she can smell fear,” he joked in attempts to cheer her up. 

Ali glared at him and he shrunk away from her gaze, shooting her a sheepish smile in apology. 

“Okay, I can do this,” she said to herself, straightening her spine and knocking on the door to Regina’s study. 

“Come in,” the queen called through the door. 

“Good morning, ma’am,” Ali said as she entered the room .

“Lady Alison, please join me,” she said, motioning to the small sitting area of the room. 

Ali awkwardly perched herself on the edge of the chair next to Regina’s.

“Tea?” the woman asked, already pouring hot tea into a small teacup and handing it to her. 

Ali accepted the cup and took a small sip of the liquid. She had always been a coffee person and didn’t really care for tea, but she thought it would be inappropriate to refuse it. 

“So, it seems that we have run into a spot of trouble,” Regina began, leaning back comfortably in her chair. 

Ali mustered up a small smile, but remained silent. 

“Of course, we can’t deny the rumors that have already begun to spread. Not when an entire dinner party heard it confirmed.”

“I’m sorry that happened. It was my intention to tell Liam in private, but Madeleine announced it before I had the chance to speak with him,” Ali said, bringing the teacup back to her lips again. 

“Yes, well Madeleine’s actions were unfortunate for all of us,” Regina responded, a hint of anger in her voice. 

Ali nervously glanced out the window, unsure who Regina was more angry with, her or Madeleine.

“But, that being said, we can still take care of this before it gets out of hand. So, how much?”

Ali furrowed her brows in confusion.

“I’m sorry, how much what?” she asked, placing the teacup back onto its saucer and putting it down on the small table in front of them.

“How much do you want to make our little problem go away,” Regina said casually.

Ali’s jaw dropped, and she made no attempt to regain her posture, her mind moving a million miles a minute. 

“M-make our problem go away!” she said incredulously. “You mean to get rid of it?”

“Yes,” Regina replied calmly. 

“Oh, my god!” she said, shooting out of her chair and pacing up and down in front of the queen. “I- I can’t believe… I don’t want money!” 

She continued her meltdown, the queen relaxing in her chair, watching her reaction with a look of amusement. Ali felt sick to her stomach at the proposition. Even more so to the fact that Regina seemed to find her reaction entertaining. 

“Come now, you can’t possibly believe that you and Liam are just going to have this child and live happily ever after can you? The fact that you’re carrying an illegitimate heir to the throne is bad enough, but that can still be remedied. However, Cordonia would be doomed if you became queen,” Regina said with a laugh. 

Ali opened and closed her mouth repeatedly in a way that resembled a fish. She had no idea what to say to that. 

“Yeah, cause I’m sure the people would just love the thought of me aborting Liam’s baby,” she finally said sarcastically. 

“Oh, no, not an abortion. You lose the baby and run home to New York overcome with grief. Liam mourns for a day or two and then chooses another one of the suitors and moves on with his life,” Regina states, a feigned look of sympathy on her face.

Ali let out a humorless laugh and gripped the sides of her head in her hands. 

“So you would just lie to everyone?”

“Yes.”

“Wow, you really have it all figured out, don’t you?”

“Yes.” 

“Well, sorry, but that’s NOT going to happen,” she said, turning without another word and walking out the door. 

She ran straight into the Charlie in the hallway, tears welling up in her eyes as the weight of Regina’s words fully came down on her. 

“Where’s Liam?” she asked him through gritted teeth. 

“I think he’s back in his office. I take it the meeting didn’t go well,” he said, looking over her red rimmed eyes. 

She turned and walked into the direction of Liam’s office without another word, barely aware of the man trailing behind her. Already overcome with emotion, she threw his door open without even bothering to knock. 

“You’re stepmother just offered to pay me off to have an abortion and leave the country!” she shrieked.

“What?” Liam asked, caught off guard because of her sudden appearance and not fully processing her words.

“I’ll make a terrible queen anyway, so you can just tell everyone that I lost the baby and decided to leave, and then you can just move on with your life!” she continued, beginning to pace the length of his office now instead. 

“My love, please calm down,” Liam tried to say in a soothing voice.

However, this only served to agitate Ali even more.

“Don’t tell me to calm down!” she yelled hysterically. “I’ve never been more insulted or disgusted in my life! And that’s saying something considering I’ve spent the past three years as a waitress for drunk frat guys!”

“Bastien, Drake, please give us a minute,” Liam spoke into the corner of the room behind her. 

Ali turned and noticed the two men standing there for the first time since she entered. They both looked extremely uncomfortable and wasted no time in heading to the door. 

Liam’s heart broke as he looked back at the woman he loved. He had seen Ali upset on several occasions. He had seen her break down and have panic attacks. He knew what her bad depression days looked like, and he knew what she was like when she was feeling insecure. But, the man had never seen her look this distraught. There were tears streaming freely down her face, and her entire body was shaking. 

“My love, look at me,” he said, walking over to her and taking her face into his hands. “That is not going to happen.”

He leaned down and pressed a gentle kiss on her forehead, keeping his mouth against her skin for a few moments longer, in attempts to calm her down. His thumbs unconsciously stroked her cheeks, wiping away her tears. Ali wrapped her hands around Liam’s wrists, desperate to keep him close to her after the things that Regina said. As they stood there, the sound of Ali’s sobs the only noise filling the room, neither of them knew what to say, only that they needed to be near each other. 

After her breathing had finally returned to normal, Ali released Liam’s wrists. She was about to move away from him when he pulled her back into him, their chests pressed together and his forehead resting against hers. 

“Marry me,” he whispered softly.

[ladylynse]

Whirlwind: Jake should be used to ominous predictions by now. Randy should know better than to blindly follow McFist. Adrien should think twice before sneaking away. And Danny should’ve expected something like this when he got that phone call. (Secret Quartet crossover) 

Part 6 [FF | AO3] - for the :D Anon, who very kindly donated to my ko-fi. 

(Part 5 | Timeline post)

-|-

6:46 PM

“My name’s Phantom,” Danny said once they were inside. The fire and subsequent soaking had not been kind to any electronics in this place, so he didn’t mind talking plainly. No one was going to follow them inside without them noticing, especially not with the dragon basically guarding the entrance, and it wasn’t like any cameras were going to be functioning right now. “I’m friends with the Am Drag.” He’d avoided flying or any other obvious uses of his powers while they were out in the open. No need to parade his secret (or rather, the fact that ghosts are real) around to the public, after all; this was going to be enough of a mess for Jake to deal with without that.

The dragon hadn’t exactly been inconspicuous.

“Why the cheese are we in here instead of fighting out there?” the Ninja asked, flinging an arm behind him. “The Am Drag might be a friendly dragon, but that one isn’t!”

Danny sighed. “Look, um, there’s something you need to know about dragons. Hopefully I’m not violating some super secret code thing by telling you this, but they can take a human form. I mean, they have a human form, not just a dragon form. Which is probably the only reason they still exist and aren’t, y’know, just a myth.”

Danny couldn’t see much more than the Ninja’s eyes, but they didn’t look impressed. “Okay, so the lady I saw turn into a dragon is a dragon, and she just snapped?”

“Not…exactly.”

The Ninja rolled his eyes. “So what, exactly? Do you even know?”

“I think so.”

“That’s encouraging.”

Danny frowned at the Ninja’s sarcastic tone. “This is a big mess, okay? The magical world is supposed to be kept secret. So that dragon? Not easy to explain away!”

“Magic’s not secret,” the Ninja said incredulously. “It’s just…. It’s just magic. I mean, the people in my town don’t know there’s a sorcerer trapped beneath it, but they aren’t total shoobs. They know it’s not normal for people to regularly turn into monsters. But they just kind of…accept it, you know? Because I’m around to protect them. Or at least I’m supposed to be. But it’s not like they think it’s all some kind of new technology. People have been getting stanked in Norrisville for centuries.”

Danny blinked. He wondered if Jake knew any of that. He still wasn’t really clear on how the whole ‘American Dragon’ thing worked, and he had enough trouble keeping Amity Park safe, let alone feeling responsible for an entire country. Maybe there were different magical creatures who monitored smaller regions—individual states if not counties—who were then expected to report back to Jake when something was amiss. That would make more sense. Gramps was probably fielding all that stuff for him right now, while he was still in school….

“Hello, Earth to Phantom.” The Ninja was waving a hand in front of his face. “Is it normal for you to space out like that?”

“Shut up,” Danny scowled. “I was just thinking.”

“About how to get us out of this honkin’ mess?”

“About how it started,” Danny said, though that wasn’t strictly true; he’d been thinking about that earlier, though, so he figured it still counted. “The woman you saw. I think…. If it’s who I think it is, her name is Susan. She’s nice, normally—”

“When she’s not flaming people?”

“When she’s not corrupted. Did you see any butterflies?”

“That’s what does it?” The Ninja didn’t wait for Danny’s nod of confirmation. “Yeah. It’s, um, not the first one I’ve seen today, either. The first lady didn’t go all dragon-y. More…weird fashion sense, with this pen that could create invisible walls and trap you while she criticized you. That was her thing. She was a critic. The Critic. Chat Noir helped me defeat her. You know him? He distracted her while I got her pen.”

“I…know of him,” Danny hedged.

“He’s a good guy,” the Ninja said, confirming what Danny had suspected since his fight. “These corrupted people? They’re after him in particular. And, like, other stuff, but definitely something he has.”

“His ring. A Miraculous.”

“So you know this already?”

“I don’t think I have it all straight.” Danny bit his lip. He and Jake couldn’t do this alone, and he might’ve accidentally burned his bridge with Chat Noir. He might not be willing to help them. The Ninja, on the other hand, probably still would. At least, he hadn’t given Danny any reason to think he wouldn’t. “I know…. I know we have to beware of the butterflies.”

The Ninja nodded. “Sounds like. They’re probably connected to this Hawk Moth guy. Or girl. I dunno. I just heard the name. Susan or whoever you said she was was talking to them.”

“You saw him? Them?”

The Ninja shook his head. “No, I just heard half a phone conversation, except without phones being involved. Thing is, this guy’s MO is super familiar to me. I think they might’ve teamed up with someone I know. The Sorceress.”

Danny could not recall anything in the vague prophecies Jake had repeated to him that might allude to a sorceress. “Are you sure?”

“Well, not exactly, but from what I’ve seen? Definitely a possibility. Just because I trapped her in the Land of Shadows, doesn’t mean she didn’t find another way out. Again. And she might be trying to gather her power before attacking Norrisville.”

“She’s the one you were worried about, then.” He figured he could grill the Ninja on this whole ‘Land of Shadows’ thing later—when the Sorceress turned up, if she did, or when this mess was over, if she wasn’t involved.

The Ninja shrugged. “Yeah. Worrying about her is practically a requirement. And if she’s not involved, good, but she might be the reason this Hawk Moth person can do whatever it is with the butterflies. It’s basically stanking people.”

Danny didn’t need to know what stanking was to guess what it meant. “I think Hawk Moth is using the Brooch of Metamorphosis to change people. That’s what gives them their power. We were told we had to beware the butterflies. It’s the Butterfly Brooch.”

“The what?” The Ninja stared at him. “And what do you mean, you were told to beware the butterflies? Who told you?”

“Um. Would you believe me if I said oracles? The Am Drag has friends.”

“Wait, there’s a honkin’ prophecy?”

Danny sighed and recounted everything the oracle twins had told Jake—about him having friends to help him fight off the attacks, how they’d be facing threats they hadn’t dealt with before, and how they needed to beware of the butterflies.

The Ninja looked torn between incredulous and impressed. “That’s a lot clearer than anything I’m ever told,” he complained. “All I got was that to cleanse the soul, one must first clear the mind.”

“That’s…not straightforward?”

“No! It doesn’t tell me how to deal with the Sorceress!”

“But that’s my point. Maybe it’s not the Sorceress. Maybe it’s just this Hawk Moth. I know Jake’s dealt with magic users before. He might’ve run into her, or at least someone like her, so she wouldn’t exactly be a new threat, or a new kind of monster, or whatever.”

“Who’s Jake?”

Oh, crud.

Danny knew there were a lot of secrets Jake was tasked with keeping surrounding the magical world. He’d even kept Danny’s, once he’d learned it, from his family and friends. But if the Ninja had dealt with a sorceress and a sorcerer on what sounded like a fairly regular basis, maybe that counted as already knowing about the magical world. And maybe, if he used that as a technicality, Danny could fill in the Ninja without getting into more trouble. (He’d never asked Jake how much trouble he’d caused last time. He…hadn’t really wanted to.)

Besides, it would be a lot easier to get through this if they could use their real names, too.

And there had been that thing in the prophecies about getting help from friends.

And the Ninja had been trying to help.

“Jake’s the American Dragon,” Danny said. “Susan’s his mom. She just…shouldn’t have dragon powers. Normally. It skipped her generation.”

“Wait, what?”

“And I’m…not just a ghost.”

“You’re supposed to be a ghost?”

“I go by Phantom! How did you not figure that out? You call yourself the Ninja.”

“Yeah, because I’m actually a ninja. But Phantom could’ve just been a cool nickname. It’s not like you….” the Ninja trailed off, probably because Danny had crossed his legs and started hovering before holding up his hands and turning them invisible.

“Ghost,” he repeated, dropping back down the floor. “But also…not.” He changed back, watching the Ninja’s eyes widen even farther. “I’m Danny.” In for a penny, in for a pound. “Danny Fenton.” He stuck out his hand. It felt a little formal, but it would confirm that he was flesh and blood, which would be kinda important after insisting that he was a ghost.

The Ninja reached up to pull off his mask, and there was a flash of red and a flourish of cloth, and then a purple-haired teen grinned at Danny and gave his hand a quick shake. “Randy Cunningham. This is so bruce. I can’t believe you’re a real live ghost. I mean, I get to meet a dragon and a ghost in one day? This is the cheese. Howard is never going to believe me.”

“Don’t tell him,” Danny said quickly. This Howard obviously wasn’t here, but the fewer people who knew the details, the better. “People really aren’t supposed to know, and it’s bad if this gets out.”

“You have people like McFist after you, too?”

Danny had no idea who McFist was, either, but he nodded. “Yeah, we all do.” He hated to admit how wrong they’d gotten this, but— “This Hawk Moth person is probably after Chat Noir, and—”

“I don’t think Hawky knew Chat Noir was here,” interrupted Randy. “The critic lady was surprised to see him, and she said something about him being in a foreign country. And she wouldn’t know that, so Hawk Moth must’ve told her. Through their mind meld or however that works.”

Danny pulled a face. “Great.” To think Jake had thought Chat Noir might be working with Hawk Moth. They’d really messed this up. “I’m going to call Jake and catch him up. You…keep an eye out for Chat Noir. I don’t think we need to worry about Susan until she makes a move.”

“You still want to call the evil dragon lady Susan?”

“She’s not evil. She’s corrupted. And…I don’t know what else to call her. It’s not like she’s told us. But just…don’t use her name unless you’re talking to me or Jake and no one else can hear you.”

Randy frowned. “You said Jake’s her son, right?”

“Yeah?” Danny hoped Randy wasn’t about to ask for clarification on how dragon genetics worked, since he had absolutely no idea beyond the whole ‘skipped a generation’ thing. He couldn’t even explain his own genetics.

“He’s the shoob who’s responsible for all this.” Randy waved a hand around at the destruction. “I saw him and his mom. They looked like prime targets for the Sorceress. That’s why I saw what happened to her. I was keeping an eye out because I thought she was gonna get stanked.”

“So you know what Jake looks like in his human form.” That would make things easier. “Great.” Danny dug a couple of Fenton Phones out of his pocket and handed them to Randy. “Here, keep these on you. One’s for Jake; the other’s in case you see Chat Noir before I do. I wanna loop him in. And, um, apologize.”

“Apologize?” Randy echoed, but he was already shoving the Fenton Phones into his pocket. “For what? And why do you have spares? Did you invent these things?”

“My parents did.” He wasn’t going to go into the whole ghost hunter thing; it wasn’t important right now. “And, yeah, they’re useful, but they’re not always the most durable, so I’ve got spares. Just…a limited number, so try not to break or lose too many. I don’t exactly live around the corner.”

Thankfully, Randy didn’t press him on the whole ‘apology’ thing. Or maybe he’d already forgotten about it. “So what’s the plan? I’m still going to keep my eyes peeled for signs that this is the Sorceress, just in case, but I can’t fight that dragon by myself.”

“I don’t think you need to. Remember how I said she was testing you?” At Randy’s nod, Danny continued, “Well, now she knows you can do whatever you did to try to fight her. Which means she’ll be that much harder for you to surprise. And if you’re right about the weird mind meld thing, Hawk Moth will know, too.”

“So?”

“So that’s bad. Because Jake thinks they’re after something. Something besides Chat Noir’s Miraculous, apparently, if they weren’t expecting him. Look, Jake’s family…. They have a shop full of magical artefacts and stuff like that. So he’s probably not wrong about Hawk Moth’s motives. I mean, half the ghosts I fight want to take over this realm, so bad guys being obsessed with power isn’t exactly rare.”

“You’re a ghost and you fight other ghosts? What, do you live in the most haunted town in America or something?”

Danny rolled his eyes. “Safe bet that I do, yeah.” He held out his cell phone. “New plan—”

“Wait, what was the old plan?”

“—you call Jake and tell him about Chat Noir and Hawk Moth and what you saw happen and everything else. He’ll fill you in on whatever else you need to know. I’m going to do some recon.” When Randy took his phone, Danny changed back. “The fewer people who see what we’re doing, the better.” He tapped his Fenton Phone, adding, “Shout if you get into trouble,” before turning invisible.

He wasn’t sure if Susan had the same dragon abilities as Jake, so he wasn’t sure if she’d still be able to see him, but he knew he wouldn’t be easy to spot this way.

And whether they were fighting a magic user or a Miraculous user or both, he didn’t want to make this easy on them.

XXX

6:54 PM

Jake went ahead to do a quick scout to assess the situation so he could tell the others what they were flying into.

Trouble was, he didn’t see anything out of the ordinary.

Most of the crowd was still there, grumbling and wet and talking amongst themselves or on the phone, and he could see TV crews and paramedics and other people like that, but no ninja.

And, more importantly, no dragon.

He flattened his wings to his sides and dove into an alley, pulling up at the last moment and startling a leprechaun who looked like he’d been on his way to the stock exchange. Mumbling his apologies as the leprechaun muttered curses and picked up the fallen gold pieces, Jake let fire burn away his dragon form and peeked carefully out of the alleyway.

Predictably, the view wasn’t any better down here than it had been from above. But as he walked closer to the crowd and could pick up more of the scattered conversations, he knew there had been no miraculous fix, no magic that had caused everyone to forget what they’d seen. They all knew very well what they’d seen: a ninja fighting a dragon. Thankfully, the conversation tended to be more along the lines of how such a stunt had been pulled off than the fact that it was real.

“I don’t care how you do it, Viceroy! I want a Robo-Dragon! If this Ninja is anything like our Ninja, your next WND won’t be a failure!”

Well, most of it, anyway.

Jake tried to get a good look at the speaker without making it too obvious that he was looking. He didn’t know what a WND was supposed to be, but while robot dragons and ninjas weren’t exactly magical, there might be some overlap of relevant interests. And he did not want Rotwood to make friends with someone who could provide him with new technology to capture proof of magical creatures. Especially someone with enough resources to both attend this spectacularly expensive gala and just demand that a robot dragon be built, with no doubt in his voice that it would happen.

“Hanni, honey, you promised you wouldn’t work while we were on this trip,” the woman next to the man said. There was a steel edge in her voice that even Jake could recognize, and the man blanched.

“You can have another week of vacation if it’s done by the time I get back! Just get to work!” he yelled, and then he hung up and turned to the woman that was probably his wife. Jake realized with a start that he had a robotic arm and quickly looked away, not wanting to be caught staring. He was pretty sure the prosthetic had had a brain in it. With eyes. That was…messed up.

Even by his standards.

“You can buy a second dress,” the man offered.

“I don’t want a second dress. If I decide I do, I’ll buy it anyway. What I want is for you to do what you promised. The Ninja’s back in Norrisville; can’t we enjoy our vacation here?”

“Of course, sugar plum,” the man answered quickly. Jake wasn’t sure he believed him—and he rather doubted the woman would—but he couldn’t afford to eavesdrop much longer. He didn’t need anyone recognizing him from earlier, especially when he hadn’t even been thinking long enough to put on a different jacket. He was lucky he was dry; that might be his saving grace, since everyone else who’d been caught inside was still dripping or at least distinctly damp.

He would probably have to figure out where Norrisville was, though, and bring it up with Gramps. It sounded like another place they’d need to keep an eye on. Ninjas and robots didn’t scream magic, but it was…weird. And any place that was weird enough had magic somewhere, even if it was buried deep.

“I’ll see if there’s any word from the organizers,” the man said. “See if they’re setting up another venue or what the plan is, now that the dragon’s dealt with.”

He didn’t say it like the dragon was something that surprised him.

Okay, Jake was definitely going to have to check out this Norrisville place when this mess was over.

He waited a moment longer, hoping the man would say how the dragon had been dealt with, but he didn’t, mostly likely because his wife had been beside him the entire time and knew the answer. Jake wished he could ask, but that would mean drawing attention to himself. He moved on instead, avoiding the various TV crews and the police and grateful that he couldn’t spot Rotwood.

Trixie and Spud were on the case, but Rotwood would try to get around them. Not that there was anything he could do if the dragon was gone. Well, not anything beyond talking to a news station and insisting that, now that everyone else had seen the dragon, it was proof that he hadn’t been making anything up. Proof that the magical world did exist, that his studies weren’t theoretical, that—

Jake’s phone started to ring, and he answered immediately. “Yo, Danny, what happened to the dragon?”

“What do you mean what happened to the dragon?” It wasn’t Danny’s voice. It was the Ninja’s. Oops. “Can’t you see her? Isn’t she there? Or aren’t you here?” While Jake tried to figure out how to answer that without giving everything away, the Ninja added, “I’m Randy, by the way. Danny filled me in.”

Aw, man, why did Danny keep doing this to him?

Well, at least if Randy ran around dressed as a Ninja, he might already know about the magical world and get a pass. Hopefully Fu or Gramps would be able to come up with a good reason to let him keep whatever magical artefacts he had his hands on. They’d gotten the Dragon Council off Jake’s back about this secrecy before, at least when he could vouch for the people who had found out about it.

“Whaddaya know?”

Randy caught Jake up on his conversation with Danny and everything else he seemed to figure Jake had missed and needed to know. Jake wove through the crowd, trying not to give away much of anything in case someone happened to be listening to his side of the conversation, and tried to figure out if he could get into the building without being seen. He had his doubts. Why hadn’t Danny come to grab him instead of going off to do reconnaissance on his own? That would have been so much easier.

But Danny wasn’t terribly used to help, aside from whatever his sister and friends could give from the ground, and something like scouting would have always fallen to him—at least when he needed to fly to get the best view of things.

“Meet me outside,” Jake finally said. They might as well have the rest of this conversation face to face. He wanted Randy to be wrong, for this dragon lady to be someone other than his mother, but he had a picture of her on his phone. It would be an easy enough thing to verify. And then he’d know to warn the others. Especially Haley. He hadn’t given her too many details when he’d called her, figuring the fact that he was calling her to begin with would be enough for her to understand that this wasn’t some practice drill, but now that he knew it was their mom…. “I’ll wait on the corner across the street.” He didn’t need to give a description, not if Randy really did know who he was.

He just…. If Chat Noir really wasn’t their enemy, how were they going to figure out who was? It wasn’t like cat boy would be in the mood to tell them now. He might just attack them on sight, and Jake wouldn’t be able to blame him for that. He kinda doubted Randy would be able to act as much of a buffer, either.

He'd messed up.

You’ll have friends to help you out, Kara had said, but why couldn’t Sara have warned him that he’d make a powerful enemy if he didn’t think things through?

Well, Jake knew the answer to that, but that didn’t mean he had to like it.

Sometimes, it would be a lot easier if he didn’t know anything about the future.

XXX

6:48 PM

Adrien didn’t have a clear view of the dragon. Getting to where he’d needed to go had taken longer than he’d hoped—he wasn’t convinced he was that much faster in Paris only because he knew his way around; these buildings weren’t what he was used to, either—and now that he was closer….

Now that he was closer, he couldn’t even see the dragon anymore. He’d had a glimpse of a shimmering purple-pink wing a few long seconds ago, enough to tell him that it wasn’t the same dragon he’d seen earlier, and then it had gone behind a building. By the time he’d gotten onto the rooftop of said building, the dragon was gone.

He spent more precious time scanning the skies for a departing akuma, just in case the Ninja had gotten here ahead of him again and figured out where the akuma was hiding, but there was nothing.

There were, however, television crews on the ground, and no longer just the ones who’d been sent to cover the gala. He’d taken enough of a risk showing his face earlier; how many times could he potentially be caught on tape before footage of Chat Noir in New York City turned up on the internet in a spot where Alya could find it? Sure, she wouldn’t necessarily connect the fact that Adrien Agreste and Chat Noir were in the NYC at the same time, not with any seriousness, but….

He couldn’t afford to risk it.

Of course, he couldn’t afford to let Hawk Moth get away with whatever he was trying to do, either.

If Alya figured it out, if her accusations of him being Chat Noir went beyond a joke she sent to Nino, then he’d…. He’d have to give up being Chat Noir. Give up Plagg, give up spending so much time with Ladybug, give up the freedom wearing the mask gave him.

But he wouldn’t deserve to be Chat Noir if he didn’t act now, all because he was too selfish to risk losing everything.

Still, that didn’t mean he shouldn’t be careful. The hooded sweater he’d bought wouldn’t do much to conceal his identity, but he’d be less conspicuous wearing that—even with the hood up, even in a crowd like the one below—than he would be as Chat Noir or Adrien Agreste. He should be able to pass as a curious bystander. Hopefully.

The alley below was empty, so Adrien extended his staff and then let it slowly collapse, bringing him back to ground level as quickly and quietly as possible. He ducked behind a dumpster before whispering for Plagg to pull his claws in, and he tugged the hood as far down over his eyes as it would go before straightening up.

“We shouldn’t be here,” Plagg whispered to him as he settled next to Adrien’s neck, hiding himself in the shadow of the hood. “I can smell the magic from here.”

“It’s just Hawk Moth,” Adrien murmured back. “You saw the Critic earlier.”

“This isn’t the same. It’s not the same as that ghost kid, either. Or the Ninja. They all smell different.”

That was enough to give Adrien pause. “Hawk Moth didn’t send Phantom? Why didn’t you tell me that on the roof? Or in the mall?”

“There were more important matters to discuss.”

“Like what?”

“Like getting me my camembert.”

Adrien rolled his eyes, even though he knew Plagg wouldn’t be able to see the movement. “I gave you the last of what I had with me.” He’d eventually decided to go back and ask the concierge at the hotel where would be the best place to go to get some more, and the man had graciously offered to order some in for him and have it sent up to the suite. Sure, the Critic had attacked before Adrien had had a chance to rest, and then Phantom had attacked him, and now this dragon had turned up, but…. But even if the cheese wasn’t there when Adrien went looking for it, Plagg would at least be able to eat something.

He might not be able to get back out into the fray as quickly as he’d like the next time he transformed and used Cataclysm, but it wouldn’t be the first time he’d had to duck out in the middle of a fight to feed Plagg.

Even if it would be the first time doing so without Ladybug around to cover for him.

If the Ninja was still around, whoever he was, maybe he’d be willing to step in again.

Adrien would certainly need help cleaning up this mess and the one ahead, whenever Hawk Moth decided to activate the Critic’s akuma.

Granted, he hadn’t seen any statues of the Critic about, not like they had with Stoneheart. Maybe the akuma hadn’t proliferated yet? Or maybe the dormant akuma had taken on a different form?

Or maybe Hawk Moth had found a better target and recalled the Critic’s akuma before it had multiplied. Adrien only hoped he could be so lucky. But if this dragon wasn’t someone who’d been akumatized by Hawk Moth…. “Plagg,” Adrien said, overriding the kwami’s complaints, “if this isn’t Hawk Moth’s doing, whose is it?”

The kindly old man in the electronics store in Chinatown had reminded him more of Master Fu than anyone else, and the teenager hadn’t exactly struck him as evil, either. He’d been helpful, if a bit preoccupied, and if Plagg hadn’t warned him to leave—

“It’s an old magic you don’t want to get mixed up in.” Plagg paused, but he must have known that wasn’t enough. “Dragons are real,” he finally said, “and I can smell their magic at work here. It’s very distinctive—a little similar to Longg’s, but sharper—and if you have any doubt, the fact that you’ve seen two dragons should put that to rest.”

Adrien didn’t know who Longg was. He didn’t ask, figuring Plagg would tell him if he could, at least if he figured it was important. Of course, Plagg’s idea of what was important could be fairly skewed, but Adrien had learned to live with that. “What about Phantom? Or the Ninja?”

“Phantom’s a ghost.” Something in Plagg’s tone made Adrien’s spine crawl, but maybe that was because he’d seen firsthand how dangerous Phantom could be. And to find out he wasn’t even alive…. How could Adrien hope to stop him, if it came to that? If he decided he wanted the Miraculous— “The Ninja’s magic is more recent, relatively speaking. This millennium, anyway; not like the dragons. He doesn’t have a Miraculous, but he’s got at least one magical artefact helping him out.”

“And at least he’s an ally,” Adrien murmured. “He only ever tried to fight the Critic, not me, even after she mentioned the Miraculous.” But he was an ally Adrien might never see again. Whatever he’d said earlier, he wasn’t really a partner, not like Ladybug. He might have just been passing by, in the right spot at the right time, and come to help because he was a hero.

He could just as easily be gone, leaving Adrien to deal with this mess by himself.

Between Hawk Moth, the ghost, the dragons, and the fact that Nathalie and the Gorilla were surely looking for him by now….

“We need to figure this out fast,” Adrien said. “I don’t know how much time we have.”

“Not enough,” Plagg murmured. Adrien might not have heard it ordinarily, soft-spoken as it was, but with Plagg right under his ear, he heard it this time.

He hoped Plagg was wrong, and not just about how much time they had, but he couldn’t afford to take any chances.

Taking a steadying breath, Adrien left the safety of the alley and went in search of the dragon.

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[oswednesday]

could we possibly get an update on your tmasona :3c i feel like maybe some things have changed, or i'm just getting confused...

omg yeah i need to update their art ref! ill get to it, i have to finish up some other stuff first! omg yeah ive been adjusting things as i go, making themes clearer i guess! or w/e fits the setting better a i listen again, omggg thank you for asking, also im so rendered playdough soft that youre keeping track enough to feel confused like,o mg ;x ;, okay so updates!:

-theyre born in america to a beholding cultist group, their parents are like Teachers With Doctorates, they have six other siblings (who also all go different ways) the upbringing is like zero privacy 100% authoritative, they live on the compound which doubles as like a high end Alternative Schooling, i imagine they would have called their parents ma'am and sir more than mom and dad, its competitive family dynamic and theyre being Trained to take the archivist position on the off chance that gertrude dies of old age (i think given that a branch in china had a guy lined up thats a reasonable thing to assume the cult does as a whole?), they attend like a compound boarding school with other cultist children (like, america has A LOT of cult compounds,, so i think it would be def a thing for dread god followers, and since tmi has like Some kind of academic standing, with american culture there’d be some kind of accredited legitimacy to the school)

-they go to whatever fancy university for a weighted accelerated library sciences program that their family has a connection to, with like the smallest bit of experienced freedom they also take art classes at a Less Nice For Profit liberal school thats just a block or so away from the other as it tends to be in small american cities that are designated college towns, theyre like so paranoid about being caught and watched and judged that they go through the whole trouble of fabricating a whole entire different person to be for the other school which does not check anything ‘cause theyre getting paid, which like the money dries up a bit enough for them to start up some Fraud, i think the very start of like the identity theft is the End, but before that they would keep track of everything like taking notes about different places different selves needed to be, keeping track of lies the best they could, theyre the only one of the siblings left who havnt made it Super clear theyre with a different patron, so they feel the obligation to keep it up, i also think there’d be a lot of, wow no one can ever know anything about my terrible fucked up monster life so no one can get close, i cant even get close to me, vibe going on with all that

-this is the lead up to the psychotic break they have, and it Looses them up enough to experience the spiral, during the break down they find a book that Feels Familiar and its like, transcribed recordings of children in therapy conversations accompanied with art from the patient , it probs has a Misleading title like “my wonderful changing body and me!” like one of those youre going through puberty and instead of helping you emotionally im going to toss a book at you and leave the room kind of thing

-so they get lost a while, read a book in peace, break a mirror in a way thats v symbolic, like a representation of their sense of self becoming fractured, they use their blood to mark where theyve been, its all very trans formative and dramatic, (like they def arnt using they/them before this, they embrace the multiplicity of it all)

-their Purpose is to lead victims through, they create and maintain narrative mazes for people to get lost in and lead them to madness (so, like the metanarrative function of pyramid head, or like the bartender+delbert grady in the shining, or like the night clerk in the first downfall game? i guess the second one too but the first one has that vibe im going for and is less symbolic over all), this also means they like vacuum up after a messy meal

-the title that old fashioned people use is the minotaur, but stuff about their role within the cult as a concept is like jaws of madness, the teeth, the porter, doorman, caretaker, maid, whatever nondescript jobs victims see them having

-happening simultaneously to that metaphysical stuff, their physical self drops out of everything and a distant aunt offers to take them in which their family is Fine with cause their a disappointment and all, but it turns out their aunt is a house that like uk buzzfeed and travel blogs calls the mouth of madness, its like a winchester house, m takes it over and converts it to a bed and breakfast tourist spot for the income and it just, becomes a legit hotel business (but i think thats after the great twisting fell through)

-so timeline wise its, breakdown, impulsively marrying the physical embodiment of the lonely,the great twisting, hotel

-like cause they had no place of their own there was no place for them to go after the twisting fell through so they went no where, it was real upsetting tho

-things that not every minotaur had but some could do so this is like personal quirks! is they can move the understanding of physical things to create obstructions as long as its repetitive,so making mazes and labyrinths! and sometimes their fabricated spaces are like noticeably fake, they also cant balance a lot of victim plots and make new space like the first purpose comes first even when the second function would benefit

- they look however you expect them to look whatever that means for you but they also have a static like base self that they can like, replace with other selves

-like seeing the pure concept like how the distortion is that weird long fuckhands thing, their True shape is like a vitruvian man in constant motion like a photographic blur, you could probs see how a leg could be a tail and how shifting heads and shoulders could be horns and how weapons held by many hands are hooves of a beast

-there’s not always time for any of that so sometimes they have to just lock someone up, let their mind fill in the blanks and do them an insanity, box cutters have a nice sound but power drills are more appropriate for quick jobs

-they can fully Check Out of their physical body and just leave it there, they eventually have to go back and get it tho, it can do its own thing but its primarily customer service auto pilot

-their dreams are like realistically mundane, with the occasional interruption of something that catches up with them (like if they cut their hand off irl itll be fine but theyll eventually have a normal dream where their hand gets severed) (they also do a lot of work in dreams but they like differentiate between like im consciously doing stuff in the dreamscape and im a victim here dreams but theres no real, difference, thats not really their thing to be in control of)

-i think the sum of their personality would be like someone who exclusively talks in customer service voice and when theyre not working theyre a nervous wreck, they hide behind stuff when ever they can and feel more comfortable with something between them and other person like a wall or a magazine or a counter desk, that sort of thing

[mysterious-prophetess]

Triple Cross Section

Recently, I played and beat the main plot of The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt. I also recently read (in this order mind you) The Blood of Elves, The Last Wish, and The Sword of Destiny. 

I know. I screwed up the timeline there.

Finally, I just finished the 2019 Netflix Witcher show (and actually part of me reading The Sword of Destiny overlapped with the first half of the show).

So, despite not having played the prior two Witcher games (because 3 is semi-standalone) I feel comfortable enough to do a triple cross section of this multi-faceted set of adaptations.

I’ll start with the books because they came first.

My thoughts on The Blood of Elves is that it felt like a D&D campaign for a good chunk of the story. It also had a feeling to it that made it feel half-way between D&D, The Hobbit, and GoT in that there was a weight to the world--a magical one--that GoT just never had for me but there was enough of the mundane misery GoT was steeped in mixed into the fray. It was full of wonder and pain to sum it up. 

Then I jumped back to the short story collections and it just felt like a bunch of edgy fairy tales. Side note: Sapkowski sort of did Beauty and the Beast twice with the actual outright Beauty and the Beast parody-”A Grain of Truth” and the story called “A Question of Price” AKA Ciri’s parents’ love story. 

The stories I liked best from the short story collections were the ones that didn’t do that fractured fairy tale routine. Every time they referenced a fractured fairy tale within the Witcher-verse I rolled my eyes a little. We get it: your fantasy world is even edgier than the Brothers Grimm. 

So, yeah. The times where Sapkowski was original were where he shone the brightest. 

Now onto the Games which came next.

SIDE NOTE: Now, I know there was a Polish movie and  a TV adaptation, but I never saw them and I don’t understand Polish (and I doubt the Hexer is available to me). So, they are going to be skipped despite proceeding the games into existence. I am also aware of the comic books’ existences too.

Now, I was sort of aware of Witcher 2 back when it came out, but for some reason or other I never played it. I was much more aware of Witcher 3: Wild Hunt whenever it was released because it was everywhere. Having now played it, I am very much aware of why. I enjoyed every last minute of the game. Ok not every last minute. There were times it’d kick my butt and I’d get mad (and I’d get extra ticked when the game crashed on me). However, I had a genuinely good time playing the game despite not fully knowing what’s going on but thanks to the book I’d read before playing -The Blood of Elves- I knew enough about the secondary characters to keep afloat. 

it’s funny but because I played the game before reading The Last Wish or The Sword of Destiny, it turned out that while reading those books I was given clearer background context for certain things (like the incest joke that was made about Foltest on his Gwent card and Crach an Crait’s past with Geralt). 

However, the game did ruin a few things I’m sure were plot-twists later in regards to Ciri’s backstory which I won’t write here. 

Witcher 3 the game was enough of its own entity, from what I can gather, that it borrows a lot from the books to make its world but ultimately does its own thing. 

Adaptation did have to yield to game mechanics in a few places. Especially since there were moments where choices affected what ending you got. I, personally, used a guide to make sure Ciri got a happy ending. Because even from only reading one book prior to playing this game, I wanted Ciri to be happy. Naturally, there were times where plot overruled player actions but in a story heavy game, that’s to be expected. Overall, it was a fun game and a really interesting interpretation of Sapkowski’s world.

Now last, but certainly not least is the Netflix series. 

I know there are many camps of people and their feelings about the show. I’m sort of a mixed bag regarding it.

Season 1 is definitely most influenced by the two short story books, The Last Wish more so than The Sword of Destiny. I personally don’t know where all of the Yennefer backstory bits come from, but I assume they’re in the other books as some of the stuff I did recognize from The Last Wish, The Sword of Destiny and The Blood of Elves. On the other hand, I’m not a fan of how they would give the stories a sort of new twist. 

I did not enjoy them granting what was (originally) a mostly one-and-done character like Renfri more staying power/screen time. Mostly because (as I already said) I was annoyed by the edgier fairy tale stuff and she’s edgy Snow White. 

I was mixed on my feelings towards extra Jaskier/Dandelion being thrown into situations he wasn’t around for in either collection. I do actually like Dandelion/Jaskier, and his show counterpart is delightful. On the other hand, it just scrambled a lot of things around to have him there.

I really do not like how they handled Geralt’s last wish in this show at all. It took both parties knowing about the wish binding their fates together and made it almost look like Geralt did to Yennefer like what Triss had done to Geralt in the books: using magic to make someone love you.

Oh yeah, Triss Merigold. As I already didn’t like her for that bit of using magic to seduce a man and entice him to be her lover and then further being pissed at her game counterpart for pursuing a relationship with an amnesiac Geralt (and therefore taking advantage of the fact he’d forgotten all about Yennefer and his past with her), her inclusion earlier in the storyline annoyed me. So far, Show!Triss is the form of her I like the most but that’s not really saying much.

I’m sure she redeems herself in the next four Witcher books or something but please don’t tell me. I’d like to read them and see if my opinion of her improves from the books alone.

Back onto the show. 

The Geralt of the show is a sort of half-way between the book and games Geralt in characterization. Which, for this show, works well enough. The more eloquent Geralt of the books and short stories makes sense for a written medium. A much less talkative Geralt works for games and in-between works best for a show (though he does admittedly make more mono-syllabic noises than speak). 

What I did like without any caveats was the casting. Mostly because while they didn’t match book descriptions in some cases, the actors did a damn good job. Plus, being shallow, aesthetically speaking putting Henry Cavill in the various outfits(or lack there of) of Geralt was very nice. And....well....Superman is my favorite hero ever so Henry Cavill would have always gotten a pass from me.

The show’s timeline thing only threw me for an episode because I was very much aware of the fact that a bunch of the stories were in different parts of time in the short story collection and I recognized Yennefer as her past self. So, three timelines was something I was aware of very quickly. It wasn’t a bad way to deal with backstory and the various bouncing through time that Geralt’s stories were doing, on the other hand if someone didn’t have any knowledge of The Witcher going into the show, they would be so very confused.

Which brings me to how each adaptation dealt with magic.

The books reference it a lot and it’s much easier for them to do so since special effects aren’t an issue. The games being games also have less to worry about when concerning special effects. 

The show, understandably, had to scale back the magic a lot.

With the constraints of dealing with VFX and budgets, I think the show did an adequate job. 

I was sad to see my favorite sign snubbed by the show (Igni because I like to set stuff on fire, ok?) but I understood why it’d be hard to use in a live action show. 

So, final thoughts.

The books by far have the most magical feeling to them, then the games, and the show being the least magical. Yet that’s all ok for each of these mediums.

The characters are sort of else worlds versions of themselves which is also ok because it’s an adaptation and things need to bend for an adaptation. Especially in the case of live action since there is almost no chance that people in the real world look like the characters from the books. 

Some might come closer than others but in that adaptations can take license. 

They all do different things, but in the end all three are very clearly The Witcher.

[bearpillowmonster]

Heir to the Empire Review

So when I figured out about Star Wars Legends as a kid, I got excited because I wanted to know what happened post-Return of the Jedi so I got a book called "Shadows of Mindor" seeing as it took place right after and I have to say that I was kind of bored with it and never finished it. I tried again when the sequel trilogy came out because they had at least an outline to go off of, coming before The Force Awakens. It was called "Aftermath: Life Debt" and I knew it introduced some cool new droids and with my obsession with BB8/BB9 at the time, seemed interesting enough to try and explore. I have the two books but I quit both and I want to talk about why.

Legends is known for having a good amount of crap but also a few diamonds in the rough, one problem I came across is that they start the books with new characters and technical terms we've never heard of and then don't explain it right off the bat so it's hard to get invested and get a clear picture. There is also a lot of fluff in there to replace that and sure there is some good content in there like Shadows talking about how Luke didn't want to take credit for the Death Star or be considered this icon or hero, he was being humble about it and kind of missed the days of being a moisture farmer. That was a great version of Luke and how I envisioned him, but it's what they did with those characters that rubbed me the wrong way. They will have them do things like "Let's take the X-wing somewhere." but it's easy to get lost because of how much it talks about, like you can't just say you took the X-Wing? Then you have the literal versions of the book; they are usually pretty thick but not very wide and have a small font which isn't a very comfortable way to read in my opinion (yeah I usually use physical books, with digital I wouldn't have that problem) At the beginning of this book, they start with new characters and terms that I never heard of and expect me to know what it is. I'm like "Here we go again." but I started trying to visualize it and it all became clear to me.

I'm going to review this as if it were a Star Wars movie, seeing as it's so beloved by many fans and considered to be a better sequel trilogy (I'm only on the first book so I can't make that call yet) This author had some science fiction background even before he became a big Star Wars writer and it shows but he also brings a little bit of an Earthly vibe, which is very odd with things such as years and times, like if you're in space then why is there time when our world alone has more than 24 time zones? (not to mention hot chocolate) I get that minutes and such all work the same but I still never heard it used in Star Wars. This book introduces Thrawn which I've never been a big fan of...that is until now, it's starting to make more sense. They call his throne room "an art museum" and things started to visualize into my mind better and I started actually getting into it. Thrawn reminds me of Legend of the Galactic Heroes, the way he's strategic and he always tries to be one step ahead which makes for an interesting character because it's a game of tug of war between the heroes and Thrawn, he can always predict their movements due to his experience and intelligence based on pattern, I mean it is an art how he keeps up, it really makes you feel like the heroes can't get any sort of handle. He's so precise in fact, that Pellaeon, the captain, is used to sort of show off how far he can get just by using statistics but it's more like a game or challenge to him. They contrast him to Vader, same with Leia, and show how calm they are about certain things while everybody else is on edge "Please don't hurt me." Something Kylo Ren fully adopts. That isn't to say he's not cold blooded or less menacing. He makes you believe he's good, he has good intentions. There's a scene where he seeks to get someone to admit their wrongdoing, he has no reason for this information, he's not mad, he just wants to get inside his head, he's a psychological villain, he gets his answer and then shoots the guy because it had no place in his "elite" force, he has class and standards to uphold, there's something classic about it, he sees things through and if they turn sour, he easily just turns the table.

They also add some background to these characters that I appreciate such as Winter, Leia's childhood friend/assistant in her role as Princess. And also the feelings they get, it's like the force amplifies their feelings. With that, I'm sure you can imagine we explore their weaknesses and strengths extensively. We're also given more depth with some previous side characters such as Wedge and Admiral Ackbar, we've seen them in battle but what are they like outside of the ship? I never even really thought about it but it's interesting to note.

Now I'm going to compare it to the current "sequel trilogy" It really bothers me at how much Disney Star Wars has been inspired from yet hasn't really adapted. Look at the twins and tell me that isn't Kylo and Rey. Look at C'Boath and tell me that isn't Malekith from Jedi Fallen Order. Then the whole line that Han says "You know it was a lot easier back when we were just taking on the Empire, at least then we knew who our enemies were." A lot of things in the Last Jedi alluded to this, how the rebellion/resistance wasn't everything it was made out to be but then they scrapped it for the next movie. I waited until after I saw TROS to read this but honestly I wish I had read this before any of the sequel trilogies because that way I would really see what's been going on, Kathleen's "We don't have any source material to draw from." Is a piece of crap, yeah maybe nothing from that specific timeline, 30 years after ROTJ, but you've been drawing it from elsewhere, I've saw some KOTOR vibes here and there too, which bothers me. It actually made me feel sick to my stomach when I realized this, just how zombified they made Star Wars, pieces from here, pieces from there so it doesn't seem too much like a retread again, but the new content is rare and too far between. This (so far) doesn't have that problem, it came out in the early 90s and takes place only 5 years after ROTJ, I'm still interested 30 years after the events but this is more in line with how people imagined it. A big complaint about the sequel trilogy is that Anakin's prophecy was a hoax considering it didn't mean much anymore, this doesn't have that problem, as I've said, Thrawn is a very different villain, it's not about the "balance to the force" (just yet). As a side note (because I didn't know where else to put it): There is a gambling scene that could have been a bit clearer, I didn't really understand what Torve was doing but it was still cool.

I can't mention this book without mentioning the debut of Mara Jade, I kind of want to keep everything about her a secret though since that was part of the reason I started this book in the first place. They introduce her, well kind of just how I would have wanted, the fandom has made her hypeworthy and made me consider her apart of Star Wars from the start because in a way we all have our own version of Star Wars. It's nice to know that she's living up to it. They even made a backstory book for her as well as various spinoff books, I've looked into them but it seems like this trilogy holds the most weight so I'm going to stick with it for now.

I'm just saying this is a thick and long book so every page could've seemed like a chore but it follows the Star Wars formula visiting different places within the same chapter to get all the sides of the story and then at the end it converges, some apparently don't like that about movies but you can't argue that that's how Empire was structured. It's a good book and I'm interested to read the other two in this trilogy at least. I felt that way with The Force Awakens so you could say in terms of sequel trilogies, it's 1 and 1.

[sailor-cresselia]

Zi-O 48-2: In which I cry

Because RiderTime really needs to include a link to their twitter on their page, I was unaware that they’d uploaded their subs elsewhere due to technical difficulties.

Here’s to knowing what’s going on, and to the further suffering it’s going to lead me to!

(Warning for Decade endgame discussion within, because holy shit this really is Decade Season Two, existential crises and all.)

–––– ––––

Okay, opening with Tsukasa repeating that he’s going to destroy the world, even though he totally just says this to keep people from messing with him, but they’re a tad outnumbered right now, so they should withdraw.

“We’re outnumbered here, so let’s pull back.” No, you don’t say?!

––––

Woz’s recap turns out to have been pretty much on the nose for what I thought – previously defeated enemies are returning, Swartz is planning to destroy all the worlds, and there’s only two pages left until the world ends.

––––

Hey, so, you know how during the OP, when we get those individual shots of Sougo, Geiz, and Tsukuyomi, the background rotates behind them?

Remember what happens whenever someone transforms with a Ziku Driver for the first time?

:)

NICE.

––––

Tsukasa’s exposition in 9-to-5… hng.

Okay, so he’s saying that originally, all the riders were on different time axis, which we’ll allow for the conceit of the plot, even though it hasn’t been quite true since 2009. But then the space time continuum converged. I’d like to point out that he’s looking directly at the camera when he says that particular bit.

When Sougo asks how Swartz brought all the worlds together, to destroy them all at once, Tsukasa says that it was by using Sougo. He came to young 8-year-old Sougo, gave him the latent power to manipulate time, and eventually set him on the path to needing to collect the watches. Once Sougo had all of those, the worlds were completely merged.

Sougo, Geiz, and Tsukuyomi are in shock. By fighting all of this time, they’ve played right into Swartz’s hand.

Woz points out that, to be fair, Swartz has been playing the long game here.

Geiz asks what they’re going to do now.

Tsukasa sets down his mug, saying he’d already told them. He’s going to destroy this world, and it’s already coming to an end. However… even if the world is a loss, the people still need to be saved.

Saying he’ll follow Tsukasa’s lead, Sougo mentions that Swartz said he had three choices. Those being Save Tsukuyomi, save himself, or go down the road to become Oma Zi-O. But those are all terrible options. Let’s take a fourth.

Tsukasa points out that he’ll be putting the fate of the world at risk. Nobody speaks up against that, so he starts detailing the plan to them. Not to us, though.

––––

… …

Ah.

This scene, between Sougo and Tsukasa in the lobby… this hurts so much more. Before, when I didn’t know what they were saying, I assumed Tsukasa was trying to warn Sougo of how risky it was.

And it is that, but not how I thought.

Tsukasa’s saying that there’s a drawback, one that he didn’t mention in front of anyone else. That Sougo-

Sougo’s already aware. He knows that… Sougo knows that he’s the only one who’s not going to make it out.

(Someone has to be there to close the door to the new world behind them, perhaps?)

Tsukasa’s sound of surprise? I don’t think he expected Sougo to have realized this. He definitely didn’t want to say it. After all, Tsukasa wasn’t willing to tell anyone during his own finale that there was one person who absolutely couldn’t make it out alive, if they wanted to really stop the worlds from ending.

Tsukasa’s been through all of this before.

He was the center of it, last time. Was ready to die, maybe wanted to, even, but refused to go gently, and was too strong – none of the prior Riders were able to stop him. None of them were able to kill him. Only the very newest rider, who had just gotten her powers then and there, was able to. The one he trusted the very most, Natsumi, the newly named Kamen Rider Kiva-la.

Tsukasa has been through all of this before, so he knows what may have to happen – what will have to happen. But he didn’t think Sougo would realize it.

Sougo’s well aware that he’ll be the only one not to survive. But he’s… he’s been prepared for that since he got the belt. Maybe since he was born, even.

Sougo obtained his Ziku Driver when faced with an opponent that couldn’t be killed normally, after being told that he was going to become a demon king.

And one of the things he has sworn to do over and over throughout this season is to not become Oma Zi-O, to stop him.

But time’s been on a relatively fixed course the entire… well, time. There was only really one way he could not become Oma Zi-O… and that’s to not be around to do it.

Tsukasa’s expression… Sougo only said the bit about ‘prepared since he got the belt, or maybe since he was born.’ Tsukasa… even after all that he, himself, has done, wasn’t willing to go out easily. But Sougo? Sougo is smiling. Not resigned, not happy, but… at least he’ll be saving people. And that’s something, right?

“But before I ‘go’, can I make one last stop?”

That’s when he picks up the note his uncle left.

––––

Oh my god, Woz was sulking because he’s supposed to be Tsukuyomi’s escort?! Woz. Woz, you’re being petty.

Tsukuyomi’s not even listening, just yells at him indignantly. I’m not sure if that “Did you say something?!” is an ‘I can’t hear you on account of all the screaming’ or a ‘Quit being a petty little asshole’ version. Either way, Woz, sarcastically, says it was nothing, and transforms, sighing as he goes off to fight.

––––

When Swartz comes up to Geiz, he’s saying that it’s absurd that he’s alone. Geiz’s reply is telling Swartz to shut up and fight him.

––––

Junichiro, sir, what’s in the box? Because that’s about the right size for a pile of broken watches. I’m just saying.

Regardless.

He knew it was Sougo just from hearing him say ‘look out’. That was all it took. He knows his nephew. There have been so many cases of Riders being able to hide their identieis from loved ones just because nobody recognized their voice, but here? One yelled phrase, not even while facing him, and he knew.

Sougo goes up to his uncle, detransforms, and immediately bows in apology. He’s been keeping this a secret, but he’s a Kamen Rider. He’s gotten great power, and he’s been fighting bad guys, and he’s been able to protect people.

And he’s so, so solemn during this.

He doesn’t respond when Junichiro says that he really is like a true king. The kind of king that Sougo’s always wanted to be – the one who uses his power to protect everyone.

He doesn’t respond, instead, he just looks down when he says that it’s why he has to go, and he won’t be able to protect him anymore.

There’s a moment of hesitation, of both of them knowing full well what’s not really being said. And then? Junichiro tells him to go. He has a clock to repair – that’s what his duty is, as a clocksmith. But Sougo has his own duty to fulfill.

He says that with one of those tight lipped, determined frowns. The type when someone is trying not to say something that everyone’s avoiding, when they’re trying not to cry.

Even as they give the standard goodbyes – they’re both trying not to cry. They both know that this is dangerous.

I guess he hasn’t known about the Kamen Rider situation, not fully, anyway. But he knows that things have gotten incredibly bad. And that Sougo may or may not be coming back from this fight.

That Sougo may or may not be planning to come back from this fight.

––––

One last round of time travel.

Off to 2068.

––––

… … OH MY GOD. I figured that Geiz might be putting up token resistance. He’s usually a better fighter than he is in the stairwell, definitely good enough not to get dogpiled just because he got thrown down the stairs.

When Decade shows up and tosses the mooks off? Geiz, hushed, says that Tsukasa’s not supposed to be up yet. As in ‘on stage.’

That meaning is made even clearer when Tsukasa’s ‘whispered’ reply is that Geiz’s acting was so bad that he couldn’t stand to watch, so go out there and get his attention already!

I mean, I know that one of Tsukasa’s whole things is filling a role in whatever world he winds up in, and Hat Woz had his whole scriptwriter/director aesthetic going on, but this is taking it a bit far.

(Also, my throwaway, pre-seeing-Decade joke about him ‘basically being stuck playing the bad guy again’ just became a whole lot funnier.)

––––

…Yeah, I’m never going to be over how Ginga just summons a bunch of mini-planets to rain down on the mooks. That’s beautiful.

So is Mashin Chaser as he comes in and decimates the rogue Roidmude.

Even without his memories, even lost and confused, Chase is Chase. He will not allow humans to come to harm. He wouldn’t as the reaper before, and he can’t now.

Back during Drive, at first, he didn’t remember being a Kamen Rider before becoming the roidmudes grim reaper. When he started remembering? It was an awful lot like his reactions right now.

Woz hops down, far too flippantly for this situation, saying that he was protecting a human because he is Chase, that he was, once, a Kamen Rider, in the original timeline.

Chase tries to deny it, but… his flash of memory says otherwise. His flash to his first transformation into Kamen Rider Chaser, instead of his original identity as Proto-Drive.

His flashback where you can just hear him saying “Henshin” underneath the sound of water.

He refuses, and starts attacking a startled Woz.

Chase can get sloppy when his emotions run high… or he can go into a berserker rage, like now.

––––

2058

Okay, here’s what they were yelling about.

Geiz and Tsukuyomi are part of the last line. She’s telling everyone to stand their ground, and he’s yelling that they need to stand their ground until the main troops evacuate.

Oma Zi-O sets off a series of explosions that knock everyone down, and Sougo goes to help Tsukuyomi up.

Geiz yells, asking what a civilian is doing here. Makes sense. Sougo’s still in normal clothes, he’s not carrying any weapons that they can see, he doesn’t look nearly beaten up enough to have been a soldier.

Also, Geiz has his ridewatch already. We can see it on his arm, when it comes out from under his cloak. Interesting.

Sougo stays firm. It must be hard, seeing his friends before they knew him. Before they came back in time to kill him.

He tells them to run, and that he’ll cover their escape.

Tsukuyomi and Geiz’s eyes widen as he strides forward, pulling out his driver and watch, and transforms into Kamen Rider Zi-O.

––––

Oma and Sougo stand a distance apart, as they always do at the start of a fight between them.

“Greetings, younger me. I don’t recall you having come back to this time.”

“History’s changed. For you, this is the past. For me, it’s the future.”

Sougo isn’t showing much, if any, emotion. Oma Zi-O is. Oma’s gesturing as he talks, but Sougo? He stands almost perfectly still.

“That’s interesting, but still futile.” Oma Zi-O sounds amused, but Sougo’s reply remains level and calm.

“Won’t know unless I try.”

He charges, shots firing, before switching to the sword mode and trying to slice Oma Zi-O, only to be thrown back. As he picks himself up, he pulls out the Trinity watch. “Will this work?”

I’m not sure if that’s him asking himself if it’ll actually bring Geiz and Woz forward, or if he’s almost taunting Oma Zi-O.

––––

Geiz and Tsukasa take out the mooks who were assisting Swartz. He seems amused by their efforts, at least. But it’s a useless resistance. This world is doomed, and there’s nothing they can do about it.

Geiz shakes his head. “Oh, we’ll prevent your world from disappearing, don’t worry. But it’s not you who’ll be saving it.”

Swartz appears taken aback. “What was that? Wait-”

Tsukasa, ever smug, says that it’s Tsukuyomi.

Geiz tosses Swartz’s own words right back at him. She’s going to save the world, and there’s nothing he can do about it.

This enrages the bastard, and he immediately starts yelling in rage, and wailing on the two riders. Just as his finisher is about to land, Geiz disappears in a beam of yellow light.

––––

Mashin Chaser tries to land a finisher of his own on Woz, but just as it was about to impale him, because that’s what whip-cord attacks do half of the time in Rider, Woz disappears in a beam of green light.

Chaser turns his growling gaze to Tsukuyomi, who very much does not have armor.

––––

Trinity Time!

Geiz and Woz ‘land’ in the Trinity cockpit, looking rather confused. Sougo, meanwhile, smiles. “Great, you’re here!”

Oh my god he didn’t know if that would work. Sougo, please, you’ve made it work between realities, I hardly think fifty years is that much different.

Woz’s line is basically “I guess we’re in 2058 now,” and Geiz’s is “and that’s Oma Zi-O…”

Sougo, ever the center, says that for the moment, they have to keep Oma Zi-O busy.

They charge.

––––

2019

Tsukasa dusts his hands off as he stands up. Time to finish this with some Decade versus Decade. That should be an even match.

Swartz is very amused. Even match? Tsukasa only has the power of Decade. He, on the other hand, has the strongest powers of his family.

As he says that, advancing on the frozen Tsukasa, he himself freezes.

Diend strolls up behind him. “I’m sorry, did you forget? You gave me some of that power.”

In all honestly, Swartz probably didn’t think he’d see you again, so he may actually have forgotten. Pity he didn’t know there’s a ‘dere’ half to the whole ‘tsundere’ thing.

Daiki whacks Swartz with his gun, which will never cease to amuse me.

Tsukasa says that it looks like they’ve got the stronger hand.

“Let’s go, Tsukasa.”

They really can work well together, when they feel like it.

––––

2068

Trinity versus Oma Zi-O. Oma appears to have the upper hand. Even though he’s not attacking, he’s not taking any damage, either, letting Trinity wear themselves out.

Or so he thinks, until they pull the sword away and point it at his chest, and let the finisher propel him into the cliffside.

“What is this? I didn’t have this power in my youth.”

“It’s not my power. It’s that of my comrades.” Cut from the battle to inside the Trinity cockpit, where they stand side by side, the glow of their respective colors occasionally brightening around each of them.

“You might be the me of the future, but there’s something different between us.” Sougo steels himself, trying to keep any emotions past determination and resolve off of his face. He doesn’t quite succeed, and you can see where he just barely hides a smile when he says what that one key difference is.

He has friends.

Oma seems impressed, actually. “I see. So you would sacrifice yourself for these ‘friends’ of yours.’

Geiz and Woz have those apparitions over their respective shoulders again.

“Wait, what was that?!”

“You didn’t say anything about that, Waga Maou!!”

Sougo cancels the transformation by will alone, not moving a muscle, and sends them back to 2019.

He stands in front of his future self – untransformed, not wearing his belt, not moving… except for the slight shaking of his shoulders as he stares straight at the evil him.

––––

Woz reappears, rising from a slight crouch, confused and worried about what just happened. His concern only grows when he sees that Tsukuyomi’s not here anymore.

––––

Geiz lands as he reappears, slightly crouched, seeming to have materialized a few inches off the ground. He turns and sees that Decade and Diend aren’t doing too great against Another Decade.

Swartz says that he’s off to kill Tsukuyomi himself, and pulls a wall around him to leave.

“Well, shit.”

––––

2068, and I am afraid. This is one of the sections I really couldn’t understand last time.

Oma Zi-O sounds either impressed or surprised that Sougo didn’t tell his friends. Didn’t tell them that he wasn’t planning on coming back.

Sougo stands his ground. “That, and there’s no point in fighting you. I don’t intend to kill you.”

“Because you’re me.”

Sougo doesn’t answer that non-question. Instead, he ‘asks’ what Oma Zi-O’s powers are.

Oma Zi-O’s answer? “The power to destroy space and time. Swartz doesn’t have the power to end the world. I intend to have you destroy space and time.”

Sougo doesn’t quite shake his head. “But I’m not going to become you.”

(Sougo’s not planning to become anyone at this point. The simplest way to not become someone is to not be there.)

Oma’s still not so sure about that ‘not becoming him’ thing, because Sougo is him. And he’s looking forward to it, to seeing which time he will destroy, and how.

A muscle in Sougo’s cheek twitches, and I’m not sure which direction his mouth was going to go. But he still doesn’t show an expression.

Not even as Oma opens a portal to 2019 and sends him through it.

Oma Zi-O looks to the sky. “It may be meaningless, but… I may as well help you.”

He raises a hand, and motes of golden light spread out.

––––

Geiz and Tsukuyomi stop, as the rest of their troop keeps going. And now I get to know what they said.

Geiz can’t believe that he saved them. They knew who Zi-O was, of course. There’s a statue of Sougo, after all. It may not have color, but the Ziku Driver is a distinct belt, and the ridewatch calls out the transformation.

Tsukuyomi realizes it means that a younger Oma Zi-O traveled here from the past.

Geiz realizes that if that’s possible, if that’s something they can do, then if they go back in time-

Golden motes of light drift around them, and a blank ridewatch sparks in Tsukuyomi’s pocket. She pulls it out, but doesn’t really know what it means.

––––

So...

Sougo has just given Geiz the idea that will lead to them meeting properly, and perpetuates the self-fulfilling prophecy of his life.

He would never have had the chance to become Kamen Rider Zi-O if Geiz and Tsukuyomi hadn’t gone back in time. He could never become the demon king if he never became Zi-O, and there wouldn’t be a reason for them to go back in time in the first place. But Geiz and Tsukuyomi didn’t even know time travel was possible until they saw him there.

So if they had never gone back, not only would they have never had a reason to go back, but even if he had become Oma Zi-O somehow anyway, they wouldn’t know they could. Not without him having come to see them in their present.

And this helps explain why he seemed so different from what either of them were expecting, back at the start of the show. The time-displaced Zi-O they briefly encountered was stoic, didn’t say much, and was kind of hardened. The Tokiwa Sougo they found was kind of dim, chatty, and had aspirations of being a king.

Everything just keeps circling around and around – he could never be that person without being Zi-O, but he wouldn’t become Zi-O without having been that person in the future.

––––

2019

Tsukuyomi tries to plead with Mashin Chaser, asking him to stop, he has a human heart!

He’s not listening, he’s a Roidmude, he has no heart- but he can’t move. Some part of him, some lingering remnant of the hero he was and should be, the cybernetic lifeform imbued with an infallible sense of justice, a Kamen Rider twice over, keeps him from moving.

“Thats enough, Chaser. I’ll take over from here.” Swartz shows up, and advances on Tsukuyomi. “Farewell, dear sister.”

You just called him Chaser. Not Mashin Chaser, as is his name in this form. You used his title as a Rider. No wonder he was able to break loose and grab you.

And Chase’s comment is wonderful, getting to the root of the ‘what measure is a non human’ that Drive could have touched on, but so frequently failed to. “Aren’t you human? Is that your human heart?!” He shoves Swartz back. “Human hearts should be much more beautiful!”

While this does sound far more like the phrasing that would have been used in Ghost as opposed than Drive, the point still holds true. What is it that makes an emotion, that makes a person? Sometimes humans are the real monsters here.

Not the living androids who were twisted by their creator or by each other, but the man who is so willing to kill his sister. He’s the real monster in this plaza.

Chase tries to attack, but fails. He could never have won like this. Swartz delivers a burning kick to Chases back, saying that he’s just a remnant of what a Kamen Rider is.

What’s even harsher is that it’s true, in multiple ways. This Chase is from a dead-end timeline, one where he couldn’t have become a Rider again. He started as one, but was reprogrammed and rewritten into working with the Roidmudes. He only became Kamen Rider Chaser after leaving them, after learning about his past, and becoming someone who was no longer Proto-Drive or Mashin Chaser.

He stumbles backward, his transformation breaking and purple arcs of electricity sparking across him, and falls.

Geiz catches him.

“It’s ironic… it appears that I, too, am a Kamen Rider…”

Geiz is… he’s afraid right now, isn’t he? He’s seen so many riders just forget, at this point. But they’re all still alive, and they gravitated towards the same people, even without their histories. He can’t let Chase die without knowing what was supposed to be. So… he tells him. “You… You have a friend. One who’s trying to save you.”

“I… have a friend?” …oh, gaia, Chase is just… shutting down. This hurts so much.

Geiz nods. “More than that, there’s – you have us, too. We’re your friends, too.”

…They’ve only just met. Geiz only knows Chase from today, and from whatever Gou might have told them in Over Quartzer. And Geiz, stubborn Geiz, who came back to before he was born to kill a man before he could be king, who has been fighting at the side of that man for almost a year…

Geiz already knows that Sougo, Tsukuyomi, and probably even Woz would agree with him. He’s comfortable enough, knows all of the quartet well enough, knows himself well enough to be able to say that.

“Humans are… such good beings.”

Chase dissolves into purple lights, and drifts into nothingness.

Geiz stares, shocked, at his now empty arms.

Swartz strolls forward, towards his intended target of Tsukuyomi. “Now that that absurdity is over, it’s time for you to die.”

Sougo runs, yelling. “TSUKUYOMI! THE WATCH! YOU ALREADY HAVE IT!!”

“Eh?!”

Woz throws her one of his apparent plethora of Ziku Drivers.

“Henshin!”

Rider time!

Ka-amen Ri-ider Tsuku-yomi! Tsu-ku-yo-mi!

––––

The preview… the scenes haven’t changed, of course, but now I can tell what they’re saying, so I’m just going to copy paste the visual descriptions from my last viewing, while editing in the actual sound bytes.

Grand Zi-O versus Another Decade.

A brief flash of Kamen Rider Tsukuyomi.

A splitscreen shot. Kamen Riders Grand Zi-O, Double CycloneJokerXtreme, Wizard Infinity Form, OOO Tajador, and Gaim Pineapple Arms are on the top.

On the bottom… okay, so, I have no idea who most of these villains are. There’s Gamedeus in the center, and Evolt to the far end, but the others? Not a clue.

Over top of that, and the two groups starting to fight, we hear Sougo practically growling, saying ‘My powers are the powers of all Riders’

Flashes of Tsukuyomi and Woz, as themselves, looking concerned. At this point, they add in a subtitle disclaimer saying that Zi-O is fiction. (Thank you, Google translate for my phone, which allows me to hold it up to a screen and get an idea of what’s written.)

A quick shot of Oma Zi-O on his throne, his face obscured. The text that appears just says “The King of Time, Oma Zi-O”

I still can’t tell if it’s Oma Zi-O or Swartz, because Another Decade!Swartz sounds a lot like Oma, but he says “So that’s your decision.”

It’s played over the previous two sequences, and a sequence of Sougo, openly weeping, holding a very injured Geiz, who’s going limp.

And that line could be either of them, still. They’ve both been in ‘get Sougo to make a choice’ mode – even though Oma is certain of every outcome leading to him, he still offered the idea of deserting the belt, way back in December.

Then, we come to Sougo standing up, furious… and him activating the belt that Oma Zi-O wears.

In a defeated voice, “I’ll become Oma Zi-O…” and then, in that same growl as earlier, “HENSHIN.”

The final shots are two angles of Oma Zi-O. In armor. And in the present day.

…Okay, so, Rider-Time translated that last line as just ‘become oma zi-o,’ which is fair. Japanese doesn’t always use pronouns, and these are just clips, after all, so it could be chopped up. But I’m fairly certain it’s Sougo saying that he will. At least… for the duration of this fight. This fight that he probably doesn’t plan to come out of.