#it’s like they think i’m just gonna take the info and rob them

[carrionsflower]

i will NEVER understand why customers get so irritated when i ask them for basic information. like … YOU called ME???? does it look like i have a drone on you to know your address? thst i magically hacked your phone to get your number???? they act like i’m asking for their blood type and social security number like shut upppppp 💀

[charmac]

hey seth! i'm just a random guy that's been really into sunny for the past year, and i always love your tweets. you, loren, and anna have been on my fyp a lot the past weekend, and i know a lot of people are being assholes about it, but it's genuinely so heartwarming to see. you three definitely deserve it and are the best kind of people for this to happen to. you always come off as respectful of rcg. hope you can pass the message along to them both too! have a great day

Thank you for the kind message, I really really appreciate it and so do Anna and Loren! Glad you got into the show :)

Honestly I get people are lashing out/shit talking because it does seem kinda weird to witness through a screen how much we’ve been able to interact with them and the interactions we’ve had. I know people are jealous, too (as in have told me they are, and I was certainly jealous last year when Rob didn’t do any events in NYC bc he was sick but did them in Philly a few days later) and I totally get that. Whatever the reason for people being assholes is, I don’t really take it personally. They don’t know the full story of literally anything that happened, they’re just watching through a screen and making their own assumptions of before, after, and in between all these clips they’re seeing, and trying to find something to justify how they feel. The claims that I’ve been ‘stalking’ them or ‘overstepping boundaries’ are genuinely just funny to me when every place we’ve met them has been an event that was publicly posted to Instagram/Facebook well in advance.

(And I’m not gonna talk on Twitter about certain details of this, but I feel like I can probably disclose here that the Four Walls people approached me to tell me/give me things and not the other way around. Their socials dmed me, followed me, Rob followed me, etc. I had literally no sway in them choosing to do those things or introducing themselves to me in person and organically engaging in conversations with me.)

We want to share our interactions with RCG on social media because we think most people appreciate and enjoy their interactions with fans (and also the small amounts of Sunny info we got), and that’s it. I don’t need to share or brag about anything. I would be perfectly content keeping everything that happened this weekend to myself (I very much avoid otherwise sharing my face or voice on social media, so I genuinely have to overcome that insecurity to even be able to share these things), but we know the majority of fans like to see this stuff and that’s why we have been posting everything.

Your message (and others i’ve received) means a lot. I’m glad the majority of people are enjoying our interactions with them and I really appreciate the time you spend to send this ask, really! And I’ll be back to posting regularly scheduled actual Sunny content very shortly :)

[lamuradex]

40K In 42 Days Update: Week One

@the-wip-project

Started with 20,191. I'm now at 24,331.

So that means I'm 4140 Words in. 10.35%.

I think I might be a little behind a week into the challenge, but I'll catch up. I'm not gonna let myself get too stressed by all this.

For this challenge I'm continuing my latest novel The Madman and The Princess, a comedic crime drama, which features a pair of crooks, Gideon and Madeline, trying to make their way in the world, all the while dealing with bigger criminals who keep trying to cause them trouble.

And, just because I'm bored, I'm going to post the last section I've been working on, where Madeline is part of a heist crew, and she's stuck with the insufferable team hacker while robbing someone's house and disabling the security.

Excerpt below the break

Madeline started looking around the room. A few bookshelves, multiple hard drives, a few processors branded with SuperTech, so they were almost certainly in the right place. No valuables though, which was disappointing.

“So, what I’m doing is, I’m plugging into the system and attacking the Log In Protocols with various programs. One’s that will bypass the password and let us in,” Charles explained.

“Great,” Maddy answered with very little interest.

“I just need to get something into the OS, make it boot up in safe mode, and thus bypass the log in altogether.”

“Grand,” she said with more emphasis.

“And then I’ll be able to-”

“Fantastic!” she interrupted sharply. She was still searching the room by torchlight, but could hear how put out he was. She didn’t care. “Isn’t all the security footage usually stored in a hard drive anyway? Couldn’t we just steal that?”

Charles flapped his lips like she’d just proposed flying out of there. “Are you insane? There could be so many back-ups. And even if not, it’s better to make sure the footage isn’t still on the computer.”

“Then why don’t we just take the whole computer? I’m sure it’s worth something,” she suggested.

“Yes, but I’d love to see you carry it out of here,” Charles shot back.

Maddy glared. “Ever been slapped by a plastic hand, Charles?”

“Pardon?”

“Would you like to be?” She brandished her prosthetic.

Charles grimaced, priming some insult. Likely one concerning dexterity. But Maddy didn’t give him the chance.

“There’s a safe over here, by the way.” She shone her torch at it. No picture to hide this one, it was a black rectangle in the wall with a keypad on it.

“Interesting,” Charles sprang out of his chair. “Let’s see what goodies are in here.” He popped on his headset and got Gloria on the line. “Gloria, I need info on a Hazard Safe 4013, serial number 345-” and Maddy stopped listening. She wandered to the computer, the tablet plugged in and doing… something. Then she paused. A metaphorical bulb came on over her head.

Security’s greatest weakness was always human error, or so Gideon had always taught her. You could walk right in to or out of any building with the right uniform and a confident enough attitude. All it took was a lazy guard who didn’t want to check credentials, or someone who could be intimidated out of doing their job.

And this security room was inside someone's house. Surely, if someone was in here, as they already were, then that meant they’d already beaten the security, right? And from what she knew, Efram Malik was in his forties. He was old. The kind of man who may have forgotten his dog and left it to his staff to manage for the weekend. 

She leaned around the monitor and checked the back. And, while not on the monitor itself, there was a little scrap of yellow paper sticking out from under the mouse mat. It was a post-it note. On it was written “Mailk1985SUPERSTAR!” in messy handwriting.

Without checking with Charles, she typed it in and unlocked the computer.

“I’m in,” she said dramatically.

“What!” Charles looked back.

Maddy got up and didn’t care to explain. “You two got that safe open yet?”

“What? No? How did you-”

“Have you tried powder on the keypad to check for fingerprints. That’s worked for me in the past,” she bold facedly lied.

“I’ll… I’ll get to that computer in a minute. Don’t touch anything else.”

“You sure? I could check the cameras to see where the valuables are?” she suggested.

Charles flapped, stuck between working on the safe and working on the computer.

“Do you want me to work on the safe? You can hack the system or whatever?”

“Um… Yes, that sounds right,” Charles agreed, sounding a little confused at even that decision.

“Then I’ll need your headset, right? Have Gloria walk me through the safe?” She stuck out a hand to accept it.

Charles thought, but clearly couldn’t come up with an argument. He passed over the Bluetooth earpiece and a small bag of tech tools. Maddy clipped on the earpiece.

“…and what do you mean you’re alone with her? Charles? Answer me?” Gloria called.

“Charles can’t come to the phone right now. He wants me to get the safe open while he deals with the cameras and such,” Maddy answered in her best call centre voice.

“What? Why are you on Charles’s phone?”

“I literally just said,” Maddy stated. “Now, how am I getting into this safe. Because I could just take a crowbar to it if it’s easier.”

“No!” Gloria stopped her. “Seriously, Charles wants you to open the safe?”

“He’s very busy,” Maddy brushed her off, temper rising.

“How much do you know about private security?”

“I’m going to say very little.”

“And what about coaxial ports and cables?”

“Even less.”

“And you’re supposed to get a safe open? Oh, honey,” Gloria crooned.

Maddy took a breath, counting to ten in her head. “Look, all you need to do is tell me what bits go where and we can do this. If not, we can wait until Charles is done with the computer. So, what are we doing?”

Gloria sighed. “If I must. Tell me, are there any ports on the front of the safe?”

Maddy looked. “No.”

“No little divots? Little plug sockets? You know what a plug looks like, right?”

Maddy did her best to shoot a scowl down the phone line. “Did you really just ask that?”

“Are there any holes on the front of the safe?” Gloria asked slowly.

“No there are not,” Maddy answered slower. “The front is a clean matt-black with a ten number keypad. There’s a digital display for the numbers but the classic sort like a calculator display. There are no ports of any kind. So, now what?”

Gloria thought a moment. “Can you find any powder in your vicinity? There might still be residue on the buttons.”

Maddy gritted her teeth so hard it hurt.

[f1nalboys]

Peacemaker Season 1 Episode 2 Live Post

(just my live reactions to the episode as it goes)

-HOPING FOR MORE ADRIAN love the pacing so far a lot happens without it being overwhelming!! very excited to see where the plot goes :3

ALSO if u want to mute this tag to avoid my love posts then black list b reacts live <3

-“you can’t see me jerk off through that thing can you” ITS IN HIS SKILLFNWKDNWKND

-i love eagley

-i like the intro but i will be skipping it it’s too long

-ok so i knew the butterflies were gonna be something fucked up

-“where the fuck are my SOCKS”

-him having to sit down to put his socks on JFKSKND

-LEOTA ASKING IF THE OUTFITS HER DOG WEARS WILL MAKE IT A BIGGER TARGETBDISNJDEJ

-i love her

-“almost hit that bitch” JFKWKFJEJ

-HELWJCKKWD

-OK eagley bringing the possum over to the thing was to make it the reason behind the explosion 😭😭😭 giggles

-LOCHLYN MUNRO???

-leota loves her little dog emerson :3

-“i think he just likes looking smart” JFNWKFJJD

-HIM ROBBING THE LADYJDKWNXKNWKD

-his stupid ass ringtone

-peacemaker feeding eagley chips

-THE COP SINGING SBT CATCHING A BAD GUYDJFIRJ

-him holding a bloody knife CMONNNN

-HES OBVIOUSLY A PROFESSIONAL LOOK HOW HES DRESSED AMBER

-him flirting w this guys wife

-HES LIKE 😦🤨

-“ARE YOU SERIOUSLY TRYING TO GET HIM TO FUCK YOU RIGHT NOw AMBER”

-peacemaker watching them fight like 😳

-“YOU ARE FUCKING MY SPIRIT”

-JFKWJCKE

-SHE WANTED HIM TI FUCK HER HE LEFT AND HER BF LAUGHED ST HER

-the baby waving at him :3

-him breaking his bones again

-where’s adrian i. want. adrian.

-this man is fucking himself up fr 😭

-IS FHIS VIGILANTIE

-oh :/

-it’s emilia whatever

-SORRY I LOVE HER I DO i jsut need adrian

-eagley :3

-“you can’t house train an eagle dude, not without stealing its soul”

-leota getting everyone else hyped!!! my beloved

-HFNSKNFKWND

-james or whatever his name is changed christopher’s finger prints to his dads 😈

-oh so that didn’t work very well

-“am i supposed to text you when i’m taking a shit???” “I WOULDVE AOORECIATED IT” JFNOWNCKWND SHUT UPPPP

-“and now i feel like you’re mad at me” and “don’t use the i word man” are such stupid but funny lines 😭😭

-i like the lady cop whats her name

-sophie song <3

-“YOU EVER BEEN SHOT AT? :D” “……………..…no :(“ JFKOSNDIW

-christopher and james r besties but also worsties

-if emilia accuses leota of doing shit one more time… like YEAH she is feeding info to waller BUT FUCK YOU

-“i trust her the most because eagley likes her :D” “he tried to bite me” “yeah but not as hard as he tries to bite everyone else”

-“john didn’t do it” “thank you!” “he’s too big of a pussy to betray us” “alright :(“ JFKWNDJ THE CONVOS R SO FUNNYYY

-“I DONT EVEN LIKE WHEN MY BALLS ARE IN SOMEBODYS MOUTH OKAY? it gives me the wrong type of chills and all i can think about is how long it’s been since i’ve gotten checked for testicular cancer” PNFKWNDKWNDJ

-this thing isn’t even my thoughts anymore it’s just me quoting the funny lines

-PEACEMAKER IS SO STUPFIWJFJNS

-he left the dossier of his assasination target in the apartment of the girl he fucjed and murn was like “u left it in the apartment of some girl who blew u?” and he goes “SHES NOT SOME RANDO WHO BLEW ME MAN, we fully fucked”

-nah peacemaker is right they haven’t told him shit like y’all sometimes a little info is necessary

-“am i a fucking dick vampire now” HE MAKES ME SO SICKWJDOWJJD

-“when we’re u gonna tell us there were witnesses?” “i did kidnap a couple for a minute :/“

-his trailer sucks like the color scheme is awful

-he’s a records guy :3

-WHERES ADRIAN. i’m starting to get pissed i want my man 🗣️🗣️

-HIM CRYIDNOWCNWOND

-he’s just like me

-ADRIANNNNFJWJDKNWICS

-HES HEREEEEE

-GOD HIS VOICE

-his costume is sexy

-sorry the whole interaction w these two abt louis c k 😭😭

-adrian’s voice 😵‍💫😵‍💫

-“can you maybe teach em to me :3” OHHHHHHH IM FUCKED HES SO BABY GIRL I WANT GIM SO BAD

-leota <3

-“r u trying to fucking bribe us?” “no!!” “oh i was hoping u we’re trying to bribe us” “yes yes i am bribing u :D”

-adrian wanting to clean his place up :(

-PEACEMAKER SAY HES UR BFF

-he’s so silly asking where everything goes

-HE FOUND HIS POCKET PUSSYKFNWKFNS

-i always found the “adult character not knowing what a sex toy is” thing weird bc ur telling me adrian hasn’t gotten pussy before???

-ADRIAN USES POCKET PUSSIES OK???? it’s my canon that scene didn’t happen or it did and it was funny in a different way bc that man uses one and goes Hard.

-anyways sorry. got distracted.

-“YOU THINK THEYD LET ME OUT OF PRISON TO DELIVER FUCKING MAIL” “idk it was the first government job i could think of” adrian said support the post office <3

-not the graffiti artist kills 😭😭

-“well it does 😂🤣” SHUT UP ADRIAJFOWNDJS he’s so :3

-THE SCENE OF THEM BLOWING AND SHOOTING SHIT UP <3

-besties for life!!!

-also yes fuck u auggie i’m glad ur getting arrested

-wait sorry guys the cop….larry….. hes uhm. yeah. sorry

-SORRY. he’s just

-ok moving on

-THE DOG W THR UKELEIELWKD

-leota sending her wife away :(((

-she knows it’s dangerous for her wife to be there :((

-HE FUCKED AMBER????

-AND VIGILANTE?????

-THEY HAD A THREESOME???

-adrian doesn’t like weed whatever

-sorry adrian mmmgmmgmgmdnsd

-that’s a cool thing

-hehe his dads in prison <3 i hope he dies and then also christopher doesn’t visit him

-his racist piece of shit dad DIE DIE DIE

-racist fucks

-they have him at a place where he’s a liter nazi god???????

-WHAT THE FUCK????

-i’m pissed

-anyways

-her asking to keep peacemakers mugshot girl stand up pls 😭😭

OK END OF EPISODE THOUGHTS:

ADRIANNNN!!! i love him <3 i am excited to see how they deal w his superiority stuff + his ‘moral’ compass when it comes to killing all criminals!

i’m expecting the plot of christopher’s dad being the white dragon to matter bc if it’s just thrown in i’ll be ? very weirded out but i’m assuming that a major thing lol

leota <333 everyone needs to be nice to her rn!!!! idc if she’s a mole, she’s my WIFE! i like her and emilia together like bonding and stuff :3 also i rlly love james i think him being called sue beard is funny

excited to see where this goes but i’m going to bed so i shall finish the next 6 episodes tomorrow probably :3 we’ll maybe not tomorrow bc i’m supposed to hang w my friend? so we shall see!!!!

[cyclone-rachel]

2022 Omniverse Rewatch + Episode Ranking

Part 4: Arc 4

assorted thoughts and observations:

• This is just a wild way to start a season, really. • Are you sure, Ben? • Also, I see they updated the intro to have teen Ben’s Feedback design. • And what exactly do they want? • I still love that they got Jim Cummings in this episode. • How does Max know about the fleas? • These idiots. • Well that can’t be good. • You can order different things, you know. • Okay, that’s a good one. • This guy really sucks. • Yeah I’m sorry I don’t have more notes on this one, it’s just real weird. • Wouldn’t expect Albedo to use incorrect grammar. • It would be neat to see Albedo have a version of Ben’s Omniverse hoodie in his colors. • Also never thought I’d see this guy again. • Albedo is goofing up just enough that it’s believable he’s Ben. • It would also be interesting if Rook knew this was Albedo, but was going along with his pretending to be Ben because he wanted to see what Albedo would do. • You know a lot, obviously. • That portrait is still outstanding. • Nobody eats chili fries like that. • Yeah, he has the wrong colored Omnitrix to be Albedo. • Rook should definitely know something is up. • So why is his Omnitrix the same color as Ben’s? • Man, poor Ben, and Rook honestly. That sucks. • Why does she need a containment suit? • Do you ever shut up? • Albedo as Goop looks really cool. • As does I can’t spell his name. • Oh hell yeah, Argit. • Classic alien abduction style. • God, I missed Khyber. • And of course Khyber’s used to his coworkers constantly shit-talking Azmuth. • I was just about to ask, did they just steal from a museum or a library? Okay, so it’s museum, nice. • Also to be completely fair to them, some museums do have excellent weapons displays. • How about actually using some of those weapons? • Wait, so Ben seriously has a flip phone? • Aww, so this isn’t the first time that Ben has brought Rook over to his house. • Also I guess he doesn’t go home that often? Like, does the Plumber base have a bed for him, or something? How often does he sleep? • Then what exactly is it? • Is she serious about that? • So you are saying you’re dumb. • Did Ben just slide into the Plumber base? • Like Ben, I think Bloxx is a good choice. He is neat. • You have 14 Necrofriggian children, Ben. Come on. • Wait, is that a real thing? • I can think of something that would match that description. • Okay, that is pretty funny. • I love Rob Paulsen so much. • Who even builds a train track that goes up that high? • Take that hat off, Ben, there’s probably something gross in it. • Rook has the right idea. • That’s nice. • So this version of the theme song has more sound effects. • Maybe he’d be quicker with the info if you would care to listen to him. • Don’t you remember? • That’s real creepy. • Also, if it’s going to be all electrical aliens like I remember it being this episode, they definitely could have had Brainstorm, and then also did a proper flashback with Malware, so Corey could be in it as two characters. • So Max cares about Phil’s condition but not another character who definitely suffered and was in a lot of pain? • And I know it isn’t in this order in terms of production of course, but airing it as the last episode of the season does kind of match with/foreshadow the Galactic Monsters arc to come (like it has the same vibe), which is cool. • “Magister Tennyson’s monster” does that really describe him? • Not gonna hold him for long, judging by the amount of time left in this episode • Again, major props to Rob Paulsen, he’s doing a very good job! • Also funny that he mentions Patelliday, given who voices him as well. • “we’re not Cerebrocrustaceans” oh come on. • Ben, please chill. • I was just going to mention Kevin, yeah. • Appreciation for how Shocksquatch has a Canadian accent, and is voiced by a Canadian. • Oh YIKES • Well shit, this does make episode 3 more relevant. • And that makes sense. • But without them, what’s powering Undertown? • Poor Max. • I guess this is when he hooks up with the Rooters? Unless he was with them before finding a way back to Earth. • What are you even doing? • Also, why is he in Plumber jail? He’s just a regular guy, right • Oh yeah, I guess Yuri isn’t in this episode. • Uh, Zs’skayr did this once, and it definitely didn’t work. And yeah, he did it too. • Kind of impossible to keep him away from it, if they’re driving towards it. • Also, maybe letting it get destroyed wouldn’t be such a bad thing? Given what it is. • Also also, maybe it’s not the best idea to mention Malware to him? Not sure how long after the Feedback thing it is. Or maybe it’s before that? I don’t know. • You didn’t get the point of what they were trying to say, Ben. • Okay, that was funny. • Could’ve at least gotten out of the Rustbucket. • Well that’s clever. • So when exactly did Gwen’s magic change color? • It would’ve been neat if at some point, it turned yellow, because that was its color in the 10K timeline. • Why’d he call her Ben? • Wildmutt is so tiny! Or at least he looks tiny here. • Of course they’re tech support • Is climbing that thing really that much of an effort? • I love how that line was read. • And when were those systems last upgraded? • Didn’t she pronounce it differently last time? I guess that would make sense, if you want similar spells to have different effects, like in the OS. • He has a point. • Just eat the helmet! • So what does Upchuck’s poop do? • I still don’t get the episode title. • That guy has a great design. • Gosh, this is really the season of “Rob Paulsen is great/has a ton of range”, isn’t it? • I like that Jimmy has the UAF jacket.

• So Steve Ahn is an actual guy, who did in fact work as a storyboard artist on this episode and many others in this show, and worked on other shows like Generator Rex, Legend of Korra, V*ltr*n (Legendary Defender), Guardians of the Galaxy, the 2012 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Ben 10 Ultimate Alien, and recently directed episodes of Star Trek Prodigy and The Boys Presents: Diabolical. Very cool. • If I had a nickel for every “haz cheeseburger” reference in this series despite that being a big popular thing about six or seven years before this show aired… well, we’ll get there. • “bloag” vs “blob”, choose your fighter • Of course aliens would know and hate those guys. • Insert other conspiracy theory about frogs here. • If they’re not metal, then what are they? • So what would you call him, if you don’t consider him a nerd? • “medieval minds” is a great phrase • It does make a lot of sense that Harangue would work with the Knights. • Tim Curry is great, as well. • I’m sorry, HIGHBREED pulse generator? Genuinely didn’t catch that before now. • How many aliens live on Earth and not in Undertown? • Would that even work? • “reheated leftovers” is a very good way to describe them. • Not wrong. • Those are alien cows? Also this is good teamwork, I like it. • Never say “impossible” to Ben. • So how old is Jimmy at this point? • Uh. Yikes. • “ignore my calls” so are they dating or something • Forever Nuts is a great name for them • Yes, Ben! • “ah, the classics” aww I like that • Again, excellent teamwork this episode. • Actually, yeah, if he couldn’t get Gray Matter, that was a very good alternative. • “America the Beautiful” plays” oh my god

• FORESHADOWING! Harangue is the one who supports the Vengers, isn’t he? • Man, what perfect karma for him, I love it. • I will never get tired of Ben’s motorcycle, it’s very cool. • That’s nice of him. • He even has a 10 on the keychain. • For a second, XLR8 had his 10-year-old design. • That can’t be good. • “Have a good time at the car show… but not too good a time.” What, is she expecting him to fuck a car? • So glad nobody has to actually go through any toilets. • Gosh, Gwen has a sad cat poster on her bedroom wall. • Is that not your only shirt? At least for now. • Lucy is a cutie pie. • This really is the Rob Paulsen season, isn’t it. • “There’s a traitor among us” someone please do that edit. • So how old do you have to be to enter Plumber Academy? • Also don’t be insensitive, Max. • That’s a real scary face, Gwen. • Wait, is that actually how they’re related? • Wouldn’t that make them not really cousins? • Why was that your line to begin with? • Gwen is so powerful • How does Ben know about the borrowed shirt thing? • Also I guess Ben now has a smartphone? • She didn’t like Kevin for another 4 years, come on. • Of course it’s that thing again. • That’s a very cool ship design. • Did he mean to rhyme? • So she’s been taking judo since she was 7? • Oh my god, Ben. • Why the emphasis on that phrase? • First of all, it is cool to have two episodes being linked and taking place at the same time in different locations • Also I do really like the look of the Null Void here? I just think it’s neat. I don’t remember how it looks in the other versions, but this one is cool. • Awwww, tiny Argit! • And what’s wrong with cell phones? • The proto-tool isn’t just a weapon. • Of course he’s here. • What does a Plumber look like, exactly? Also what does “depending on the configuration” mean. • Oh my god, is Argit jealous • Wasn’t that technically Albedo’s idea? • In only that definition of “straight”. • I would’ve liked to have seen an episode about that. • How many times has Ben said that word? • Otto: “Quite a remarkable vehicle you have here. It would be a shame if something happened to it.” *turns it into a giant robot* • So the transformer… LITERALLY turns it into a Transformer. I don’t think that’s how it works in real cars, but it’s still cool. • I mean, if you couldn’t go for a pun that would probably get you sued, this is the next best thing, because the actual meaning of the word “gestalt” is very accurate. • Again, incredibly nice of Azmuth to teleport you there at all. Also, never mind I think Ben could’ve just contacted Azmuth through the Omnitrix, that makes sense. • “it’s hard enough just getting him to return a message” how many messages have you left on Azmuth’s answering machine, Ben? • What would he want with a star system? Can you buy the stars? • UPGRADE! YEAH THAT’S MY BOY! • I mean I love Diamondhead and Heatblast too, they’re probably my top 3 OG series aliens. But gosh Upgrade is cool. • He has a point. • OH HELL YEAH • If anyone wanted to know what Ben as a Cybertronian would look like, there’s your answer, kind of. • I do wish that would’ve been more explored, what he thinks of Galvanic Mechamorphs and all. • Also it feels weird that he’d have an “11” on him instead of a “10”, but I guess that’s just because he’s using Kevin’s car. • Damn, Ben did the Malware move. • Every time. • Couldn’t he just break it off into pieces and sell those? • Do the colors look different, or is it just me? • Also I guess Khyber knocked him out again. • Again x2, I think this would’ve been an excellent opportunity for Ben to use Upgrade, because he has no “natural predator”, only for the Nemetrix to turn Khyber’s new pet into a more feral version of Malware. • I mean, Albedo and Ben have the same DNA while Albedo is in human form, so I don’t know if that would help. • So is Azmuth not answering Max’s calls because he was captured? • Also again, I guess this is the episode where Albedo learns about Malware being kept in the Galvan museum, because there’s no other time he could’ve learned that before teaming up with Vilgax to take his remains and have Vilgax wear his corpse as armor. • It is weird that aside from Ditto’s, we don’t see any new predators in these two episodes. • Also I guess there was some time in between last episode and this one, so Rook got his truck repaired? • Hathor? Very interesting name for a planet. • Max is right. • Yipes. • So which one is the original? • Is that all the predators in the Nemetrix, period? • Ben getting his Katniss Everdeen moment. • I still think it’s so funny that an episode where Ben is trapped in an arena, hunted down by a bunch of creatures, and ultimately escapes by making a hole in the “sky” which is really just the roof of a big dome, aired the day after Catching Fire’s premiere, a movie wherein the same thing happens to its heroine. Also, Catching Fire is just really fucking great, as a movie or as a book. • Albedo wouldn’t be satisfied with that. • So when is Eric Bauza going to play MODOK? • They’ve come so far, it’s really nice. • I definitely remember these lines being in trailers. • Of course, Feedback again. • Khyber going all Vanna White here. • The way he said that is just really funny to me. Also, if anyone can find any interviews that Rene did where he mentioned playing Azmuth, please let me know. • Uh, don’t you say in Malgax Attacks that you always plan ahead, and that’s why you’re the First Thinker? • That looks incredibly uncomfortable. • Smarter than Azmuth, you’d think. • So why is his intelligence presented in that way? • And how do you know so much about Galvan brains? • That’s not good. • What a big explosion. • I don’t think Rook’s truck can take much more of that without being repaired. • Let me guess, and pocket change? • This is incredibly important. • Also, I would’ve appreciated getting to see some more ultimates from Albedo? Besides Arcticguana and Gravattack, and Rath who we’ll see later on. • This just reminds me of the headcanon of Ben being a Ke$ha fan. • Maybe Ben would have a Tiktok? Although I guess he’s on the youngest Millennial/oldest Gen-Z side, since he’d be a little older than me if his timeline roughly lines up with our own. • Again, I really wish Dadzmuth had shown up at some point. And I wish we’d have learned more about Azmuth’s parents. • He does look very cool. • I love Kevin so much. • Why do you even need glasses? • “I am no man’s quarry” yes, but you’re now actually a woman’s quarry. • That does make a lot of sense. Although I don’t think it was a good idea for you to just straight-up eat Khyber’s new pet. • Oh that does look cool. • Did Pesky Dust just almost do the Sailor Moon pose • Okay, I do kind of love this, and would like to see an official AU where Khyber joins the team even though it is I guess his nightmare/dream/whatever here. (or another one where Malware does, for obvious reasons). Also it’s doubly hilarious because David Kaye does voice Max in the reboot. • And we know how much Khyber loves trophies. • Oh hey, it does come back! • We love a man who drinks his respect women juice in this house. • He feels power building inside him and sees a world that only he can create. They really are more similar than Albedo would have thought. • I love that, at the halfway point of this series, we have this moment, where Albedo acknowledges that this is an Omniverse. Which of course will come up later, and we’ll see it in 10 more episodes. • Also how cool would it have been if we did have Albedo literally say the words Malware did, and have him realize that they’ve become so similar? Also I’m sorry that I keep bringing up Malware, I just think he’s neat and had a lot of potential. • So why exactly was he with Vilgax and Eon and the other Bens? • ATOMIX! • Ben just yeets them into the sky • Not every time, Ben. Come on. • How much does Ben call Azmuth? • So he did get his truck fixed. • You had to ask, didn’t you?

Arc 4 rankings: 1. Max’s Monster 2. A Fistful of Brains 3. Return to Forever 4. For a Few Brains More 5. Mud is Thicker than Water 6. The Ultimate Heist 7. OTTO-Motives 8. Evil’s Encore 9. Food Around the Corner 10. O Mother, Where Art Thou?

Basic thoughts: So, this was a really weird season? I feel like we probably could’ve used one more arc episode, with Albedo meeting Khyber and teaming up with him, fleshing out where Albedo’s been since we saw him in Ultimate Alien and what Khyber’s been doing since we last saw him in Showdown part 1. I was surprised at how much I really liked my top episode this season, I didn’t remember it much but it was great! Return to Forever was also really, really good, and I liked that we got an interconnected pair of episodes in this season as well, even if it wasn’t connected to the main arc. I think this is also when we start getting 3-episode arcs, which is fine, but I’d still prefer 4 per season. We also get a classic Animo episode, a very strange season premiere, and an episode that’s funny but unconnected to anything else here.

Original rankings: 1. A Fistful of Brains 2. For a Few Brains More 3. Max’s Monster 4. OTTO-Motives 5. The Ultimate Heist 6. Mud is Thicker than Water 7. Return to Forever 8. Evil’s Encore 9. Food Around the Corner 10. O Mother, Where Art Thou?

[anime-lover-forever-1127]

Good Girls {Klaroline}

Good Girls

*****

Disclaimer - (Cause fanfiction is tricky ground and I hope not to offend the creator of the original story and get sued)

I do not own "The Vampire Diaries", it belongs to its original creator Kevin Williamson, Julie Plec, and L. J. Smith. Nor do I own "Originals", which belongs to it's rightful creator Julie Plec, Michael Narducci, Leslie Morgenstein, Gina Girolamo. This is only a fanfiction that I was inspired to write by the original work. Please support the official release of "The Vampire Diaries" and "Originals". Most of the media - such as the art and illustrations, gifs, video's, etc. used in this fanfiction - are from the web. Thus, most of them aren't mine (because I really, really can't draw) unless mentioned. To fit the story, images are also edited by various apps and websites. So they aren't mine, just edited.

Also if you own a picture or Video that I found online, and you either want your name added, or me to take it down. Please contact me and we can talk it out. P.s. I also ask that you do not copy my work and publish it onto any other website.

If you're gonna use my idea, please ask me (If you ask nicely, I for sure, will agree). If I don't contact you within a week, then just assume I'm giving you the all clear and go for it. Just remember to credit me and the story you are getting the idea from.

Warnings: Spoilers for Good Girls Episode 1

Info You Might Need To Know: "Speaking", Good Girls AU, Human AU

Word Count: 1.8K

Requested By: No One

Summary: Caroline had expected something to go wrong during this robbery, but meeting this cute, hot dad, in the toys isle, wasn't it.

*****

Today's Special

There are no good girls gone wrong - just bad girls found out.

~Mae West

*****

Caroline was just finishing telling Katherine her story about how her card was declined during her wax, when Bonnie came to their table to refill their coffee.

"What happened?" The brunette asked, smirking. She already knew the answer, but wanted the blond to say it, just for kicks.

"Well now I'm very uneven." Caroline answered, popping a fry into her mouth.

Bonnie saw Katherine's shaking shoulders and the Kat-like smile on her face, and put her hands into the air, "I don't even want to know."

But Katherine, being Katherine, filled her in anyway. "Tyler, being the idiot that he is. Maxed out their credit card at a lingerie store.

"Do you think he's sleeping around?" Caroline asked, turning to Bonnie for help.

"Please." Bonnie rolled her eyes. "It's Tyler."

"Nobody wants him." Katherine added, stealing a fry from Caroline's plate.

Bonnie glared at the brunette, but continued, "It's a Christmas gift." she reassured her friend.

"In October?" Caroline pointed out.

"Maybe it's an anniversary present." Bonnie corrected.

"He already got me 100 coupons for 'Bed, Bath, and Beyond'." Caroline reminded her friends.

Even Bonnie couldn't keep a straight face at that, well Katherine gagged. "Eww, really?" The Bennett asked.

"Son of a bitch." Katherine cursed.

But Caroline shook her head, ready to defend her husband. "No, I really do love it there."

"No." Katherine said, pointing behind the girls. "That old guy is stealing your tip." she told Bonnie.

The other two followed her finger to see an old man making his way towards the table Bonnie served, indeed intending to steal her tip.

But Bonnie brushed it off, "He can't even walk."

"Go get it." Katherine ordered.

Bonnie sighed, but did as she was told. She managed to snatch the dollar bill up right before the old man's fingers brushed against the paper.

She gasped, she held the dollar up to show to her girls. "Shady SOB"

"Huh?" Katherine smirked.

"Shady." Bonnie shook her head.

"My old job, we got robbed all the time. So I got the sixth sense." Katherine bragged.

"Are you serious?" Caroline asked, concerned.

"I wouldn't be too concerned?" Bonnie added. Remembering how their friend could easily hold her own in a fight.

Katherine shrugged off her friend's concern. "I mean it's no big deal. All the stores I work at eventually get hit."

"You could get shot." Caroline pointed out.

"Ugh, one can hope." Katherine said, teasing her friends with a dreamy tone.

Caroline frowned, she would actually be concerned if she knew her best friend would never leave behind her daughter, Nadia. Especially if it meant her stupid ex and idiot twin sister would be the ones who'd get to raise her.

"These guys, they don't want to hurt anybody." Katherine explained. "They just want the money. So we let them have it. Nobody's trying to be a hero. I mean we aren't Stefan Salvatore."

Bonnie cracked a smile at the joke, but couldn't help but ask. "Do they get caught?"

"Yea, the dumb ones do." Katherine scoffs. "Cause they park in the front with the security cameras." she laughs. "You gotta put your getaway car in the back by the loading dock. And you never dick around with the registers." She added. "The real money is in the back, with the vault."

"You've really worked this out?" Caroline commented, with a nervous laugh.

The Bulgarian shrugged, "Just keeping my options open."

Bonnie grew serious, "How much is in the vault?"

"Thirty grand, giver or take." Katherine answered, eagerly.

"Damn, I could use that money." Bonnie says, amazed.

"Oh, my God. Me, too." Katherine sighed.

The three girls shared a look before Bonnie leaned in and asked, "So, when do you wanna do this?"

"Well, I already bought three automatics and filed off the serial numbers." Katherine said seriously. "So, really, name a day."

Caroline was a little concerned that she couldn't yet tell if her friend was joking or not.

The three women shared a look, before they broke out in laughter.

*****

As Caroline looked around the store, her toy gun, with the painted black tip, held into the air. She wondered how laughing about a fake heist plan turned into a real one.

"Get your cell phones out of your pockets and keep your hand where I can see'em." Bonnie shouted. "All right, good."

"Now, I need you to get your manager up here." Bonnie ordered. When nobody moved or step forward. Bonnie began to panic. "I said you need to get a manager up here right now."

When once again nobody moved, Bonnie sent a panicked look at her friends.

"Hey, where's your boss?" Caroline shouted.

Katherine looked around, before going full crazy. "I better get a manager up here right now or I will start capping people!" she screamed. She waved her gun around, and kicked over a pile of boxes. "I'm not even joking, mother–" she cut off mid curse, looking at a woman behind a til. "You the manager?" she asked.

"Over there." The employee pointed at a man. Katherine looked on in disgust as she watched Damon crawl around on the ground like a little worm.

Caroline, unable to watch the pathetic display, walked away, intending to check the isles to make sure nobody was there, trying to make a call.

Caroline walked pass the isles, giving a quick glance into each one. She stopped, when she saw a man in the toys section, in front of a section of little girl toys. "Hey, you!" She called. "Don't you know this is a robbery."

The man turned around to look at her, and Caroline felt her heart skip a beat. He had sandy blond hair that curled at his nape, gorgeous azure blue eyes, and a perfect dimpled smile that he was currently flashing her without any fear.

"Oh, I know." He answered.

Was this guy crazy?

God, her mother was right. God never gave with both hands.

Why were the gorgeous ones always psychos?

"Then get moving. Phone and hands on the ground, now." She ordered.

The man shot her a smirk, a dangerous glint in his eyes. "I'd be more than happy to. As long as we can switch for round two, and I get to be on top."

Caroline felt heat creep up her neck and rush to her cheeks. "W-what."

"I'm going to need a moment though love. You see I have a bit of a problem. I can't decide what gift I should get my seven year old daughter as an apology." He confessed, turning back to the selection of toys. "Normally I'd shop a little more high end. But I got to hurry, so I needed to do a quick drop in."

Caroline, distracted, turned her attention to the toys. "You said she was seven?" At the man's nod she continued, "Mine are six. I have two twin girls. I suggest going for the My Little Pony dolls. They're all the craze right now. Though I can't tell you which one would be your daughter's favorite character."

The man smiled at her charmingly, "That's easy to solve. I'll just get all six for her." He then walked closer to her, startling her.

Caroline tried to take a step back, but fumbled over her feat. As gravity pulled her down, the sandy haired man wrapped an arm around her waist, steadying her.

The blond was about to pull away, but before she could, he pressed her body into his own. "W-what."

"You gave me some great advice. Now let me give you some." He learned it close to her ear. And even through the mask, his warm breath sent shivers down her spine. "I suggest next time, you use a real gun." Smirking, he finally let her go.

Caroline, froze, unsure what to do. Until her anger and annoyance took her. She pulled the trigger, shooting the man in the chest with a toy bullet.

He continued to smirk, and raised an eyebrow questioningly. Clearly amused.

Caroline growled out in annoyance. "Don't move. And don't call the cops." She ordered, before turning on her heels, going to join Katherine and Bonnie

*****

Jesus. I know I'm already juggling so much Karoline... but I'm honestly thinking of turning this into a full blown fic.

You know what, I'm doing it!

I'm gonna be turning this into a full story, that's why I figured it was ok to leave the ending like this. Just consider this a teaser of sorts.

Also, I'm struggling between deciding if I should make it a human AU,

or keep the supernatural aspect, with Caroline and Katherine as humans, and Bonnie as a witch. There would be no vampires, but there would be werewolves and witches. Because right now, I'm REALLY leaning towards the second option.

Also, should the world know about werewolves and witches? Or should it be more like a secret society? (Please actually vote for this, because I keep teeter-tottering between the two and I am having a really hard time deciding)

What do you guys think?

Also, you should check this out. If for no other reason then when it refers to Katherine and Caroline as *Team Mikaelson Queens*

the vampire diaries | "elena, meet crazypants." {5x06 - HUMOR}

Anyways,

KLAROLINE FOR LIFE BECAUSE I WILL GO DOWN WITH THIS SHIP!

[sunriseseance]

please,,, even if you dont answer this publicly i wanna know your In Depth Thoughts on fanon klaus and the issues w him bc i also have issues w fanon klaus but i cant put it in words

This got SO LONG, so I hope you meant it when you said you wanted in depth! Holy shit I sorta lost my mind on this.

In my early days as a bear-poker in this fandom, I described fanon!Klaus as that person who gets resurrected in a horror movie and comes back different. As an audience member, I can tell he's wrong, but nobody interacting with him directly seems to know this. I've also talked a little bit about Klaus and intelligence before, which plays into any discussion about fanon!Klaus, but I'll be more specific here. Before I get started, I wanna say that fandom is a fun space and I don't think anyone is *bad* for creating/enjoying fanon!Klaus, especially not for the third reason I lay out. I just think he's awful, and has some harmful roots that I doubt the people writing him even know about on a conscious level.

Okay, let's get into this. Because I'm me and Wittgenstein's early work that he later disagreed with has changed my entire way of interacting with the world, I'm gonna define my terms. Let's talk about what fanon!Klaus is LIKE before we talk about why I REALLY DON'T LIKE HIM. Fanon!Klaus is a happy, stupid, sweet, childish, bubbly, luminous free spirit. He wears bubblegum pink skirts and he cries when Diego eats his cookies. He doesn't know what numbers are, he can't count, he can't walk and chew gum, he thinks that Africa is a country, he forgets that homophobia exists, he doesn't know that drugs are bad for him, the list goes on (These are all real examples. Can you tell what part of fanon annoys me the most?). He cries at the drop of a hat, and doesn't understand his place in the family. He'd move heaven and earth to help the people around him, and he'd never be mean to anyone but Luther (and even then just barely) He constantly needs attention, supervision, etc. He makes jokes about modern memes and listens exclusively to pop music. He's really damaged but it's only because nobody Took Care Of Him and he needs someone to Rescue Him.

Canon Klaus is mean, and quick, and sharp, and miserable, and hiding, and funny because you're laughing WITH him, and an old soul, and a goth, and chronically apathetic, and selfish, and so fucking smart, and acutely aware of just how much he matters to other people. He makes rape jokes, he figures out how to get info on the eye while high out of his mind, he speaks like 10 languages, he listens to Nina Simone, he uses people's inherent fear of the dead to buy himself time, he finds the perfect story within the dead to cause a rift, he tells Luther TO HIS FACE that he doesn't care if the world ends. Klaus is a fascinating study in queer trauma, and robbing him of these traits is a complete disservice to yourself AND the character.

I say this often about fanon!Klaus, but WHO IS THIS??? Like…. Okay, if I gave you this list and you didn't know it was about Klaus, would you think it was? I think he's literally unrecognizable. He's not any of the things I know or love about Klaus. He's nobody to me, except a nuisance wearing the same skin suit and clogging the tags. He is also, weirdly, the most popular character in the entire fandom. I wanna think about why, and I have 3 theories that I think can all be true separately or simultaneously instance to instance.

First, fanon!Klaus exists because of internalized homophobia, classism, and anti-addict rhetoric. I think that on some level people don't believe addicts, feminine queer men, or homeless people are capable of intelligence. I think people see Klaus's canonical positive traits and they sort of throw them out the window because they don't make sense with their world view. A queer addict is a helpless tragedy, and he's someone that needs rescuing by Kind Strong Dave. A queer addict can't be smart, because then he wouldn't be an addict. A queer addict can't be wily, or interesting, because then he wouldn't be an addict. Fandom sees a feminine queer mlm and knows he should be in a sparkly bubblegum pink skirt, and saying "dahling" or "wig" or whatever else all the time. They know he should be bashful and submissive and always falling into the arms of Kind Strong Dave who protects him from Evil. They also know he should really, really like Britney Spears, and not give a shit about Nina Simone.

Second, fanon!Klaus exists because people want to excuse negative behavior in their favorite characters. Klaus is selfish and mean and apathetic. He just is. These are flaws that haunt him, and define a lot of his interactions. These are, also, pretty tough flaws to excuse (which… Hey…. I have a solution for that). I think that fanon Klaus, who just doesn't GET that he's being mean, and is too stupid not to become an addict (I don't think addiction is a flaw, but I do think that addiction plays into this), and is too out of touch and childish to understand that he shouldn't just fucking leave, comes from a place of wanting Klaus to be a good person who does good things. I'm sorry, but he isn't. Not always. I think the impulse to make him constantly sweet and constantly stupid comes from wanting Klaus's actions to be fundamentally excusable. He can't help it! He's just too much of a useless twink to know that it's bad to lie! (also, side note, fanon!Ben comes from this side of fanon!Klaus. In canon, Klaus is self destructing on purpose and Ben's presence helps…. Maybe, possibly, twice. In fanon, Klaus is just stupid and he needs a babysitter and that is Ben, the motiveless, endlessly loving but Exhausted braincell holder. This is fucked up on many levels. Ben is an asshole, and we all need to get used to that idea quick).

The third and final reason is that fanon!Klaus is… More fun, in the traditional sense of the word. Fanon!Klaus seems like he comes from a very emotional romcom or sitcom or something. He's like a barbie. He's fun to play dress-up with. He's fun to make incorrect quotes about. He's fun to write about, especially when it's about his siblings herding him or coddling him. Good ol' useless, loveable Klaus. I think this is partially because Klaus is a pretty fucking heavy character. He's a traumatized homeless queer drug addict, and that's sort of hard to make jokey fandom content about. Not impossible, I don't think, but not easy. This isn't to say that angsty fandom content isn't guilty of fanon!Klaus, though. It absolutely is. Often when Klaus willingly shares his feelings, or cries in front of someone, or asks for help for something more intense than tying him to a chair, it's fanon!Klaus. Hell, any time he GETS rescued it's teetering into that territory. He's still completely devoid of all of the grit and intrigue of canon, but he's fun to write about, and fun to project onto, and fun to rescue. He's also EASIER to write. People know that Klaus is a funny character, they know they laugh when he's on screen, but it is WAY harder to write a character you're laughing with than it is to write a character you're laughing at. It's WAY easier to write a character who moves your angst plot on by asking for help, or necessitating rescuing, than it is to work out how these things would happen without initiation. I get it, and in spite of the length of this, I don't think it's the end of the world.

I guess as I close this out, I would remind everyone that Klaus is smart, and mean, and over 30 years old. He's not a babe in the woods, or a damsel in distress, or a useless silly junkie twink. I promise that the real Klaus is worth the time and effort it takes to engage with him.

[natromanxoff]

20 - Rockin' in Rio

Greetings one and all A quick return from the Bondi Bard. Last weekend there was a surprise party for Gerry and Sylvia in San Francisco, and judging from the email I got from Ratty a good time was had by all, and a few of our old mob were there. I would loved to have been there but I was committed to go to the wedding of a good buddy of mine. James and his new wife Suze got married on the original Manly ferry, which has been converted into an amazing houseboat and is moored at Balmain. The ceremony was at 7pm, just as the sun was setting to the left of us, and the Harbour Bridge to the right, very picturesque. An Aussie band called Leonardo's Bride sang their top five hit to the couple (of course I can't remember the name of it) and the girl singer has an incredible voice, and is also gorgeous and a very charming lady, who is shacked up with a DJ mate of mine. Lucky bastard. The booze was good, the food even better and a fun night was had. I can hear that question again, "Whats this got to do with Queen?" Well I shall tell you. James worked as an engineer at Metropolis Studios in London, along with the lovely Heidi, where the Queenies did a lot of recording, he also did some work with the band, but did a lot on BM's first solo outing. The next link is even weaker. I spent a good part of the evening chatting with Rob Hirst, who is the drummer with Midnight Oil, and is also a fabbo chappie. And being a typical drummer, while the Oils are not working he is recording his own solo album, as a singer/guitarist.......sound familiar. We had a couple of drinks and swapped a few stories, and as his wife was with us we managed to keep them all clean.

Staying on the subject of drummers I had an email, via Jacky, from a drummer who didn't seem that amused by the joke I told in my last ramblings, they might hit things but they are really quite sensitive deep down. So I suppose I should say I'm sorry, well I'm not. But here's another little jest to piss him off some more. Q: Whats the most asked question to a person with an IQ of 2? A: What sticks do you use?

Onto Sonia's request for some info on our trips to Brazil. What can I say about Rio except that it is a fun city and we all had a great time there, maybe that's why we went back a second time. On the first venture there I was still looking after the kit, and on one night myself and a few of the crew hit the town and got very drunk on the local drink, I think it was made from sugar, which I can pronounce but I've no idea how to spell it. (Help me out Sonia) We were in a bar getting louder and louder when a Welsh Rugby team came in, and they were big boys, and they are also on the tipsy side.

I'm 6ft, Jim Devenney makes me look small and Bob Bickleman made him look small, and the rugby players are of equal size, so we now have a contest on our hands as to which team can sing the loudest and dirtiest rugby songs. To start with the Welsh were winning because they had a couple of good looking women with them, and even though it was loud it was also in good fun. Devenney then comes up with the great statement that rugby is a girls game, the Welsh reply that at least they don't need padding when they play, unlike Gridiron, to which our team say, "OK, lets have a game on the beach tomorrow morning." This to me sounds like a really daft idea as I hate Gridiron, Rugby and Soccer, so one of the lighting guys and myself decided to leave, which means the Queen crew won by default cause neither team turned up on the beach to play, and as the two of us were leaving the bar we took their gorgeous ladies with us. Sorry Wales.

Our second visit to Brazil, when I was traveling with the band, was for the first Rock in Rio which was a two week festival with a host of big names on, each playing two nights. We did the opening night with three Brazilian acts, then Whitesnake who had Cozy as drummer, then Iron Maiden and then us. The second show was at the end and our opening acts were the B52's and the Go Go's. After the show I ended up in my room with a couple of Go Go girls, and boy were they party hounds. Apart from the bands I've mentioned there were other big names like Rod Stewart, AC/DC, Yes, George Benson and more. It was fun because we got to see old friends of the road, but it was also a nightmare cause we were almost prisoners of the hotel, due to the fact there were far to many fans outside the hotel, so we hung around the pool most of the time. The press were paying guests with poolside views so they could use the room and snap rockstars by the pool, which, of course, put an end to that.

The only thing left to do between shows was to get out of Rio and Roger and I heard of a great place called Buzios (Hope I spelt that correctly) which I suppose is about 100 miles away. Deaky and Wally decided to come as well, and being wimps they took a limo, unlike us drum type people, we don't eat quiche, we're gonna drive. The locals were all driving around in beach buggies, they look like fun, thats us, lets go. A buggy is basically a VW beetle with a different body, and our gleaming white buggy turns out to be the biggest pile of crap ever allowed on a road.

I take the wheel and we're not too far into our journey when 1st gear goes on the missing list, I don't care, I'm a good driver, I can start in 2nd. The gearstick decides to loosen on us, so trying to get it in gear was like stirring soup, who cares, onwards and by now our buggy decides to dump the clutch, so when it came to pulling away I just pushed the stick, and whatever gear it went in was the one we drove in. At least we can see the funny side of it all. What else can God give us to make this mission harder, how about torrential rain, which is great fun to drive in when you don't have a roof on the car. Needless to say the buggy rapidly filled up with water. Five minutes of this downpour and we get our next treat, the wipers pack up, so RT has to stand up and lean over the top and wipe the windshield so I can see where I'm going. By this time we look like a couple of soaking wet tramps, but we are killing ourselves laughing as we watch the red mud flow down the hillsides into the river we are trying to drive through. As we go round a bend we both screamed out "OH F***" at the same time. A huge truck was heading in the opposite direction to us, and as it passed at high speed a tidal wave of red water engulfed us and our crappy little car. I have to be honest here, that did wipe out a bit of the humour. We got to our destination, found the hotel and as the drowned rats walked in, the wimps were sitting in the bar, very dry with very cold beers. Next time, I'm with you Deaky. You would think the first thing I would want was a shower, nope, top of the list was a nice quiet chat with the company that rented us our friendly little buggy, and after a couple of well placed words they didn't charge us. Once there we had a good time. Oh, I nearly forgot, we did a couple of great shows as well.

Loads of the usual stuff

Crystal

[chromatic-lamina]

intrigue—chapter 1017 spoilers

Okay, we all know the most important frame of the whole chapter is the one below.

Oda’s really kinda giving everyone a little bit of time in the sun or submersible. Though I’m not sure who the guy on the right is (like, I don’t have a nickname for him). But Ikkaku and Jean Bart have been featuring quite prominently in the few frames afforded the Hearts (and we’ve been seeing a fair-ish bit of Bepo and co in the fighting as well).

I was hoping to see how they actually rescued him, cos subs can do repairs and all underwater, but it’s quite a process from what I’ve read, I think. Plus, it would really depend on how far below you were. 

Guessing Luff hadn’t  sunk that deep, BUT that’s where Ikkaku shifts into Narwhal form, cos those whales can really dive! Fingers crossed there’s anime filler. What’s Luff got in his hand, btw? If anything.

I’m gonna pop in the link to my meta about the Polar Tang and this arc, because I think it’s relevant. 

And next. Shinobu might not like sharp things, but she’s got no fear of heights. Maybe sharp things deflate mature things? I wonder what the story is, considering she was pretty adept at sharp things in the flashback.

It’s understandable that heights freak Momo out. He’s been dangled over them at high stress moments a number of times. And he’s still only eight. The mourning is understandable. I’d imagine he’d be super-conflicted over Kanjuro too, considering the time he, Kin’emon and Kanjuro had spent together.

Then, things aren’t going quite right for CP0, and the reveal that Who’s-Who is ex-CP9, and CP0 must have known if Jinbe/Jinbei knows, is really interesting. As is the shout out to Rob Lucci. We last saw him at the Reverie. I can imagine the predictions and theories are going wild.

But before we get to Who’s-Who, let’s check out these two:

Queen in Cyborg form. The fic of Queen, Franky and Kid hanging out needs to be written. Kid’s not cyborg, but he does have a cool arm. AND what is MADS. MADS became SADS? Ah, Sanji, what secrets are you holding up your non-electronic sleeve?

It doesn’t seem to pop up on the wiki, but I didn’t pay really close attention to Germa, so if anyone has the info, drop a reply and let me know please. It might be a translation thing, as these are scans, but I’m assuming it was an acronym in Roman letters.

Don’t get MAD, get SAD, and then you SMILE, or something like that? Anyhoo.

Was there ever anyone more Little Mermaid than Zoro, and I mean the Hans Christen Andersen version, not Disney?

But First! Chopper as Baby Gramps! Like, is the corny speech pattern part of that? I’m figuring so.

Second, there’s Zoro walking and each step feeling like knives (glass I thought), so long as he can shed his mer-tail, walk on two legs, and be in the presence of his prince (who doesn’t love him). I mean, that’s the Little Mermaid. 

God that was a sad story. I just reread the wiki, and she lost her voice following her desire to be with the prince (part of a sea-witch potion), and the prince also never realised that it was her who saved him when he fell from his ship, but he was in love with whoever he thought had. I guess mermaids of this era might not have been able to write. But anyway, Zoro’s role, like Christ on the cross it seems (fitting that he’s still in crucifixion pose), is to take on the pain of others. Except, unlike Christ (but like the Little Mermaid), they never know it. Of course, lots of philosophies have similar stories, ideas and models but, just as Oda has designated it so that Law gets beaten up and chained on a fairly regular basis (second being Sanji, perhaps), Zoro just takes on the pain of others as if it was a very requirement of his very Bushido nature. Heh.

Little Mermaid from the wiki: 

she will obtain a soul only if she wins the love of the prince and marries him, for then a part of his soul will flow into her. Otherwise, at dawn on the first day after he marries someone else, the Little Mermaid will die with a broken heart and dissolve into sea foam upon the waves.

LawLu shippers, you can’t do that to Zoro. Anyway, the mermaid does die, by suicide once the prince marries someone else (she had the option to murder him to keep her life), but kinda becomes an ethereal spirit, and Zoro’s gonna have a better life than that, and has had so far, I think. Maybe. 

The Little Mermaid dances because she’s good, the prince likes it, but he doesn’t realise it’s like stepping on knives for her with every step. Literally. That sea witch and her potion, man.

Back to Zoro, I’m guessing his actions fit into  the “Heroic Courage” aspect of the eight virtues of Bushido (just relying on Wikipedia here). And Zoro’s right. At this point, if he could not fight, his particular role and purpose and perception of self would need some serious reassessment.

But we’re in for some angst, and angst fics once the battle is over, for sure. Considering the encounter with the bible-wielding Bartholomew Kuma almost killed him, and that it was only through taking on Luffy’s pain at that time that Luffy could continue. So. Broship and all to the fore. I’ve got a feeling his missing eye, or the story behind it, is gonna have a role to play soonish.

Tama’s way of fighting also needs a special Bao Huang broadcast just here. Heroism comes in all shapes. Look at how many people she’s manipulating. King, or queen, and definitely awesome.

And, finally—

Who’s-Who is ex-CP9 and it seems he was imprisoned due to not properly guarding the gomu gomu no mi. Shanks and co had that, so yeah, full circles and new things to ponder.

[peacesmovingcabaret]

Ok so I think it’s time we talked about Laurent. Specifically his widely unknown backstory and the fact that he’s a con artist with a savior complex! 

I took a bit of inspiration from both @edaurents and @ikbonbon excellent posts here and here and here involving Laurent’s elaborate role in the plot, a little bit on his backstory, and his past/current habits. So I’m gonna incorporate some of their theories into my meta. (Also if you already came up with some of these theories, I don’t mean to copy you and I’m sorry if it seems like I am.) I just might end up breaking this into multiple parts since it’s probably gonna be pretty lengthy. 

So without further ado. Spoilers Ahead!!!!!!

Great Pretender is a comedy/heist anime about a group of con artists or “confidence men” as they put it. Whose stories involve conning several corrupt figures out of their money with some really elaborate scams. 

And the mastermind behind those schemes is none other than our lovable, French bastard Laurent Thierry. 

Now off the bat, we can sum up this guy as this suave, charismatic, conniving, smug, super intelligent, ‘always three steps ahead of any and every one’ and ‘makes 5-6 different plans for the job while in his sleep’ kind of con man. He also has a Robin Hood complex, in that he only targets the rich and corrupted, robbing them blind and then exposing crimes to authorities. While helping honest and underpriveleged people who were victimized by those corrupt targets.  So he he clearly has a conscience and a good heart underneath. 

Now his backstory, however remains an enigma. In all three of the cases presented in the show so far, Laurent’s is the only one out of the main four characters that isn’t explored. The only tidbit of information we get from the show is that one line he says towards the end of episode 14, while holding up a ring on a chain.

“Men are such miserable creatures. Isn’t that right, Dorothy?”

Now, who is Dorothy? You might ask. Well judging by the ring, our best guess is maybe an old flame, lover or some type of significant other. Whoever she was, she was a woman who clearly impacted Laurent’s life (if him carrying what I assume was her ring on him is any indication). And I think it’s safe to say that she is no longer among the living. So this is really the only piece from the show that gives us any direct bit of info about his past.  

However, there are elements in this show that do give us some clues on his background, the type of person he was in the past and even his motives. 

And they include: His profession as a Scam Artist, this ‘Dorothy’ woman and his relationship with her and finally, his strange fixation on Edamura. 

Now judging by how intricate his schemes are along with the amount of resources and people he has on hand for his plans, we can say that he’s been doing this for a while. Like no one is this skilled and this talented at conning rich, influential people out of their money with these super elaborate plans after only a little while. No, these are skills he’s been honing for years. However, I don’t think he obtained these skills from Dorothy. I think he’s been a scam artist way before he met her.

Here’s the thing: The overall idea of scam artists is pretty scary. You’re essentially exploiting people, taking advantage of either their trust or ignorance and stealing their money. With Laurent, he takes it to another level. He doesn’t just steal money from his targets, he gains their trust, gives them a false sense of security and satisfaction, then he psychologically torments them by exposing their crimes and fucking bankrupting them. And sure all his victims were bad people, but imagine if they weren’t. Like Laurent is lowkey terrifying, his character’s like a Bond villain on the light side. Which leads me to believe that Laurent had some pretty dark, fucked up shit going on in his past in order for him to turn out that. Maybe involving some dark corrupt figures he dealt with that turned him bitter and even broken. Especially if these pictures from the Case 4 preview are anything to go by:

Now these pictures could mean a lot of things. But what’s important to note is that this is clearly a low point in his life. He’s sitting in the garbage smoking, he’s visibly drunk, and he looks roughed up a bit. He’s also noticeably younger so likely this took place in his past. Clearly he went through some tough shit. @ikbonbon Brings up in their post that Laurent possibly had a drinking problem when he was younger (in which they speculate based on some of his current lack of drinking habits in the show). I think it’s possible that some type of trauma (maybe as a result from those corrupt rich figures I’m mentioned before) took a toll on his mental health which caused him to resort to drinking and other self destructive tendencies.

Enter Dorothy.

I kinda speculate that he’s speaking to her in the first picture, but I don’t have enough evidence to back that claim. But she was someone who became a positive influence on his life (If him becoming some vigilante type who uses his cons to help others and carrying around the ring of his likely deceased lover with him is any indication). I think it’s likely that she was the one who encouraged him to help people, not only with the money he earns from his cons, but also via a sense of closure from past traumas and current struggles. Like with what he does with Edamura, Abbie and Cynthia in the three cases. It’s also likely that she got him out of that slump and played a part in his schemes to take down some corrupt, rich assholes. And after Dorothy’s supposed passing, he decided to continue with his mission in her honor.

So we now have clues on Laurent’s motives and a little bit on his backstory. Alongside who Dorothy was and Laurent’s relationship towards her. But I think there’s more evidence in the show that delves into his backstory a bit and kind of supports my theories that I’ve presented here.

And it involves his odd fixation on Edamura in the show and how he goes out of his way to recruit and incorporate him into his plans. Which I’m going to discuss in a different post because I’m gonna be in full tin foil hat mode and it’s going to be too damn long to incorporate in this post that I’ve already started.

Part 2 is here.

[secondhoekage]

Ignore this long rant I’m high as shit but I... can’t take the hero commission oR HONESTLY THE HEROES THEMSELVES, seriously anymore

They’re BRAINLESS they all share one (1) brain cell and it belonged to Crust. THESE GUYS had MONTHS to strategize this attack and what did they do? They fucked it up. They want me to believe this was planned and not written on a chalk board the night before? Sent out to all heroes the next morning at 8am in a CHAIN EMAIL?

Unpopular opinion(?): they sent the worst possible, ill-suited heroes to each location for this PLF raid and I’m mad at them for it and I’m mad at Hori for making me be mad at it even tho he had to do it beCauSe oF pLot but I’m mad.

The MLA’s plans to take on The League of Villains? Spotless. Chef’s kiss. The detail. The one-on-one counters they planned out. Accounting for each enemy’s quirk. Yeah there were like 6 of them to account for but?? Heroes, yall had enough info and enough time to think of ways to go about this raid and I’m supposed to believe that you did, BUT DID YOU REALLY? MONTHS TO PLAN, and saw one electric Sir Crocodile rip-off and immediately threw Kaminari on his ass. Good move. Kinda. But the rest of the PLF? Heroes just gonna make shit up as they go I guess?? 

To make myself feel better here’s a long ass useless rant on what could’ve damn happened and which heroes should’ve gone where and to make this an epic ass rumble. ugh. Even just doing some of these things would’ve made this arc (imo) feel more... convincing and delicious

under the cut tho bc damn this is too long

In this essay I will—

Edgeshot??? EDGESHOT??    EDGESHOT?? i’M GOING TO GO OFF. 

I swear to shit Edgeshot could’ve soloed the hospital but they had him at the PLF mansion for Some Reason like... like they didn’t make him run up on the League’s bar instead of the Nomu factory bc they knew he would take care of shit immediately. Make it make sense. If he was at the hospital eye just—Nomu in the way?? Doctor running off? Say less. Electric slide all the way in there Shinya. DID NO ONE SEE HOW EASILY HE HANDLED KUROGIRI? Did everyone just forget this man can pull a K.O in .3 seconds flat? Heroes didn’t think it might be a good idea to have him there, ready to give Shigaraki the paper cut of his life the second he woke up (if he even did bc my mans likely could’ve prevented the ‘doctor getting away>high-end awaken>rush to get shiggy out of the tank>shiggy wakes up’ chain of events)? Didn’t think to send him instead of this guy X Less just sitting there with That Look on his face? 

I get they needed heroes like Edgeshot at the mansion to take out a handful of enemies in one go but COME ON NOW. There were more than enough long-range AOE heroes there. And even if you don’t wanna believe he could solo then STILL, EDGESHOT DUOING WITH MIRUKO, ANYBODY? If anyone was gonna keep up with her happy ass zooming into the lab it could’ve been him. We were robbed of an Edgeshot/Miruko teamup and I’m not okay. Could’ve had a sexy ass panel of the hospital-team hyping up Miruko and Edgeshot as they dashed to Ujiko’s lab, two fast as shit bad bitches, zooming through these Nomu, absolutely obliterating them at lightning speed, watching each other’s backs too, PROBABLY SAVING MIRUKO FROM BECOMING THE PRE-DEATH ORGAN DONOR THAT SHE IS NOW. I know it was hot watching Miruko take on these high-ends but I’d have rather Edgeshot share the spotlight if it meant Miruko was in one piece rn. Hori played her

Anyways the literal dumb bitch energy that went into not sending Edgeshot to the hospital is sending me. Could’ve at least let him just be on the team and on standby while Shigaraki was waking up. With those sharp as shit reflexes of his we’ve seen? Shigaraki would’ve been out like a fucking light the second Edgeshot saw him sit up. X-Less you had a nice thicc upper lip that lip was too shaded for you to die, but F in the chat bitch. Useless plot fodder I’m sorry X-Less. There isn’t a hero there right now (besides Aizawa but like... idk, plot is nerfing him) that could’ve incapacitated Shiggy so quickly and prevented the mess they’re in now like my guy Edgeshot could’ve. Feels like a cop out

In conclusion: Edgeshot sweety I’m sorry they did this. I’m sorry you were nerfed. I’m sorry they didn’t let you deliver Kamino Pizza to this hospital. I’m sorry they ignored you and now everyone’s gonna die bc they didn’t they respect your Ninpo rights

CEMENTOSS??? y’all sent him to fuck up the mansion FOR WHAT??? If I were the hero commission and thought :

“Dang we need to completely ass blast this huge PLF resort to make room for our heroes to run in... but it would also be good if we had someone to do that at the hospital too just in case things get tricky and we need to pave a quick way to Ujiko’s secret hideout... but I’m single-celled and can’t weigh my options logically so ok. Cementoss, to the mansion.”

...................... Ok but can I in interest you in PIXIE BOB? I get the mansion is huge but going by the shit we’ve seen her do?? I’m not about to underestimate ol’ girl. I know she could’ve fucked that place up if they let her, switched her out for Cementoss, who could’ve made THE EASIEST route for the hospital team to get into the secret lab, trapped Ujiko, also trapped a couple nomu/high-ends in cement while he was at it, rearranged some tunnels for optimal tactical movement, probably could’ve done a decent-fucking-job at slowing the onslaught of Decay too if it got to that point (AND IT MIGHT NOT HAVE BC THE WHOLE POINT OF THIS RANT IS TO INSIST THAT A BETTER SELECTION OF HEROES WOULDN’T HAVE RESULTED IN SHIGGY’S CURRENT THANOS SNAP ORdEAL)

I know Pixie’s mostly on rescue operations and that’s what she’s doing at the hospital/surrounding city but WHY?? EVEN IF THEY REALLY NEEDED CEMENTOSS AT THE MANSION—WHY NOT HAVE PIXIE BOB DOING SOMETHING IN THE ACTUAL HOSPITAL BATTLE? JUST A LITTLE? The hospital is built on uh.. oh yeah... EARTH? And considering in the Forest Training arc she was using her quirk from a remote location (to make that Earth golem, or whatever) she wouldn’t even HAVE to be IN Ujiko’s lab to be useful

Can y’all PLEASE put at least ONE of your terraforming heroes at the place where y’all REALLY need them?? And not after-the-fact like y’all just did with Pixie Bob? Because clearly she didn’t do shit this last chapter trying to stop Decay. I’m sorry girl. You may be dead. Terrible.

I would have legitimately sent Snipe to get Ujiko before I sent Miruko and that’s that on that. Where is he even? He was there during the briefing but he’s gone? MIA? Idk. No way Ujiko is getting away from those bullets. Target locked: Ujiko’s hand. Fire. High-end Nomu remote goes bye bye. Then another bullet in the leg. No need to worry about him escaping and waking up high-ends/Shiggy when he doesn’t have kneecaps. Problem solved. No way it would’ve taken that long to break Shiggy’s tank either with a few well-placed pew pews zigging around some Nomu (not that we really wanna break him outta his tank bc look what happened). Snipe’s 6/5 technique stat deserves better!!!!!

Gang Orca did not go off and give a bunch of kids brain damage during the License arc to be so thoroughly ignored here. He’s clearly about to get his shit rocked by some gauged-out ex-Hot Topic employee in the next few chapters and ugh you’re TOO GOOD FOR THAT ORCA. COULD’VE BEEN OF USE AT THE HOSPITAL. PARALYZING SONIC WAVES? WE’LL TAKE IT. Who knows if any of the high-end Nomu would’ve been affected by paralysis but the small fry? Probably. Shiggy’s little twink ass? I would bet on it. Not that it would really stop him from using Decay but still

At the risk of sounding like someone I know who endorses child labor (the hero commission) here me out: CAN I GET A UHHH JUZO HONENUKI??? AGAIN YEAH good that he was at the mansion to do some long-range AOE action but if y’all are gonna force kids to join in on this war anyways, put your strongest and most useful ones at the place you need them. Shit it would’ve been real nice if Honenuki was there to trap some Nomu—uncertain if it would work against the high-ends that show some pretty flexible quirks but who knows—and even at the risk of reaching, maybe in some universe where Shiggy and Honenuki face off, it would be interesting to see Decay against Softening, since Decay’s one big weakness is that it can only work on solid objects sooOooOo? Idk. Would’ve been a cool match up but I hate that the kids are fighting anyways so we’re gonna ignore this Juzo rant. Just know it would’ve been cool

And as for the mess that’s going to be this fucking mansion soon... .. We’re just gonna ignore a whole ass Geten, big destructive power, big fucking threat, and not gonna throw Endeavor’s ass in there? Makes sense. They’re leaving it to Shoto I guess. They said time for you to fucking shine kid. Get in there. I mean really trading Endeavor for Edgeshot would’ve been top tier strategy but...

I MEAN THEY?? Made up a whole ass plan to counter ONE greasy-looking PLF guy by throwing Kaminari in there, but they couldn’t make up a plan to counter Geten? Are they just?? Pulling names out of a hat to see who gets to fight who? Did they spin a bottle to see who it landed on? Did Mt. Lady pull the short stick? I swear on shit when Geten starts going feral soon I’m not gonna feel sorry about it. Unless heroes got a plan and someone’s gonna make a sexy ass top 10 anime entrances to counter his ice then I’m disappointed. We went ape shit over Kaminari countering one of the commanders but are we not gonna get anymore ‘I’m your perfect counter and I’m here to stop you’ moments? No? I’M PISSED. 

I would have also settled for my kween Nejire being there to blast away some ice because who tf else is gonna do it? But eh. 

Dabi will also be trouble depending on what he decides to do. He only has about 3 good ideas a month and he’s used them all up by now so he’s in dumb slut territory as we speak. But you’d think that a villain as widely recognized as Dabi with such a destructive quirk would urge the heroes to have some plan to take him on but?? So far I don’t really see anyone quick to take on the role. Not that it’d be that hard bc he’s dangerous but also dangerously dumb. Where is Inasa. Maybe he can just blast the flames back in Dabi’s face. I love him but at this point he deserves to have some of his rights taken away

Don’t even get me start on Gigantomachia. I get the heroes had little choice except to attack before Shiggy was full-power but just?? NOT having a plan in case by some little chance Gigantomachia DID wake up? You stupid bastards. You absolute fools. I guess there’s not much you CAN do but FUCK y’all just gonna let him SIT THERE? No counter measures? No ‘Let’s execute this incredibly thorough and thought-out plan we’ve spent months formulating to restrain Gigantomachia in case he does end up waking up, because better safe than sorry’? When he tramples like 50 students I bet that shit gonna hurt

I hate it all. I was really happy about seeing Shiggy go off 272 bc he’s a king but after rereading from like, 258 I feel... weird. Maybe this will be resolved with more chapters but. eh. Now that I’ve thought of this, I can’t go back. I miss the brain power that was behind the MLA fight

[elenatria]

I saw in "Papillon 2017" Michael Socha (Mikhail). We didn't discuss about Michael so often. I think he's so underrated. He was on set amongst with Rami Malek and Charlie Hunnam. He also attended the Papillon premiere in Edinburgh. He is a big fan of the Papillon book and 1973 original film. He had an appearance at the beginning of the film. And his character's name is Julot.

Ok but THIS is why I love anon asks, it’s amazing what kinds of info and film recs people share with me. I watched “God’s own country” because of an anon ask, same with “Radioactive” and now “Papillon”. Can’t say I have regretted it.

For starters omg I had no idea that Chernobyl’s “Mikhail” was in “Papillon”...?

I also didn’t know  Michael is a big fan of the Papillon book and the original film, or that he has Polish, English, Irish, and Italian ancestry. What a great coincidence though, he’s perhaps the only Chernobyl actor who shares a name with the character he played. 

Talking of Rami Malek and Charlie Hunnam, guys, GUYS, if you want heartbreaking bromance and buckets of gay coding, “Papillon” is your film. 

I’m gonna give a short description of most gay coding scenes so watch out because 

SPOILERS.

Henri Charrière aka 'Papillon' ( Charlie Hunnam) is imprisoned for a crime he didn’t commit. He has the muscles and the know-how but he doesn’t have the money to bribe the right people and escape the hellish island they’re being sent to. But Louis Dega (Rami Malek) does. 

Papillon is quick to offer Dega his “protection” in exchange for money without promising to take Dega with him, but Dega turns him down; he trusts that his wife and well-paid lawyer will get him out of there asap.

Soon enough Dega realizes that he’s all alone and he has to rely on Papillon in order to survive (the prisoners know about his money), so he accepts Papi’s offer to cover each other’s back. Naturally they sleep next to each other and this is what happens:

Papillon wakes up only to find Dega’s arm draped over his shoulder. The look on his face as he removes the arm that has wandered off shows how perplexed he is, and Dega wakes up looking quite embarrassed.

But no matter how alien a male arm feels around him, seconds later Papillon has no qualms “accidentally” touching Dega’s hand, while Dega himself seems quite agitated by the unexpected contact. 

Later on there’s a bit of a misunderstanding concerning the money Dega has been hiding in a tube up his ass (butt plug, anyone?) but Papillon reassures him that he’d never rob him. So they’re openly flirting now.

To the point that everyone, and I mean everyone around them perceives them as a couple.

Soon enough we get the obligatory “attack in shower” scene. It seems Papillon is getting used to, or maybe just looking for reasons to touch Dega (even if just to warn him about the imminent danger) but don’t get your hopes up because Papillon is not ready for intimacy just yet. 

After Papillon gets rid of their attackers and goes back to rinsing the mud off him, just as Dega grabs his shoulder, he slaps the hand away.

He is in a state of shock and he knows very well why he put his life on the line to save the ass of that bespectacled forger. It’s not just about the money anymore: the intimacy is growing thick and he just. Won’t. Have it.

Dega now knows that he won’t survive prison without Papillon, that nobody’s waiting for him back home, and that he wants to follow Papillon no matter where he goes. Papillon is still in denial though. To him Dega is dead weight, or maybe an unnecessary temptation. 

 But Dega knows better.

At some point a guard beats Dega and lo and behold, it’s Papillon to the rescue  - again. He gets two years in isolation for attacking that guard, and all for the sake of his precious Dega.

Dega doesn’t forget. He even pays people to sneak coconuts into Papillon’s cell so as to keep his spirit and energy up.

And Papillon knows it’s Dega. He just knows. He mutters his name gratefully, like a prayer.

Two years in isolation have passed and Papillon is taken back. Dega has earned himself a higher place among prisoners (the head of the prison seems to have a soft spot for him so who knows what favours Dega had to do to get there). As soon as he realizes his friend is back he goes to the infirmary, desperately clutching at Papi’s unresponsive hand, fumbling with the sleeve’s fabric until he touches naked skin, begging Papillon for forgiveness. He was the reason why Papi ended up in isolation after all.

 Papillon is presumed insane and unresponsive so Dega opens up about his wife abandoning him.

But then “sleeping beauty” magically wakes up.

That line. Who needs women, amirite?

Dega is mad with joy to have his friend back while Papillon is already planning his escape. He tells Dega he’ll need a boat and a couple of other prisoners to help him. And then this happens.

The look of surprise and pure joy in Papillon’s eyes as he realizes that his friend wants to come with him, I mean.

“Us.”

As the film proceeds, there’s a lot of touching between them.

They survive their sinking boat, thinking they found heaven on earth, but just as Papillon decides to go back to France and leave Dega behind, he realizes they have been betrayed and the prison guards are after them - again. Instead of running away, he goes back to warn Dega and they both get captured.

For that, Papillon gets another five years in isolation. When he’s allowed to see people again, Dega finds him and takes him to that part of the prison that he calls home. As a forger and an artist, he seems to have spent the last five years drawing on the walls of his “home” and how do you know, he even drew a huge Papillon mural on the ceiling. Makes  you wonder why.

In the end, Papillon wants to try to escape one more time but Dega knows already he won’t be able to follow him, he can’t swim due to his broken leg plus he’s too institutionalized now to follow the man he loves. Without telling Papillon a single word about his “defection” he rolls one of his butterfly sketches and shoves it into a bottle, secretly tucking it among the things Papillon will take on his journey to freedom. A thing to remember him by.

When the time comes, Dega confesses that he won’t follow Papillon - and breaks his heart.

This is goodbye. This was always goodbye.

Years after his escape,  Henri ‘Papillon’ Charrière takes his memoirs to a French publishing house. He hasn’t forgotten a single thing and Dega’s butterfly is there to prove it. He’s filled with nostalgia as he fans out his fingers over it protectively.

He mentions a wife but the last thing we see is the butterfly that was painted on a piece of prison clothes years ago. It’s in the publisher’s hands now. 

“It’s the story of a lot of men.”

Thank you, anon, for telling me about this film. 

It was quite a journey.

[tinyboxxtink]

Hey so loved your black magic series! I read your post about using REE/Rafael. I’ll read anything you write but this idea to me is RPF and kind of squicks. ☹️ Maybe if you use another character he played? Nevada?! Someone sees “Barba” doing something super bad and they’re all “omg omg” and think it’s Barba? 🤷🏻‍♀️

I hear you, I do. HOWEVER, I made a "Version" of Raul Esparza in this story that is 5 years younger, and...I hate to say it, "more" famous?

IDK I wrote a 'prototype' chapter last night, so I'm gonna put this to you. I assume/hope you're an avid reader and I can gauge the public consensus, but also I want ALL my readers to be happy!!

So here, read this and then tell me if you still find the idea "Squicky".

That goes for anyone else! Maybe I should put my tag list in here....

The way I wrote him though anon, I truly feel in my heart that it's not RPF, because like I said RPF freaks me out as well.

Before you already go in skeptical, let me set up the plot I had planned. {As told to @madamsnape921 in an IM:

the thing was gonna start that someone sees Rafael proposing to the reader, and tells a tabloid that Raul Esparza is engaged to some rando. Because they think that it was him. And then Rafa, the reader and Chloe start to discuss on how either it's a multiverse thing, or a doppelganger thing because it turns out that Rafael and Raúl are very similar, like personality traits and the Broadway dream, except that Raul's childhood was basically the opposite of Rafael's so Chloe THINKS that Raul is Rafael from a "multiverse".

Right and then Raul goes to Rafael's office to confront him and then the reader and Chloe are there to take Rafael out to lunch and they're like holy shit!

And Rafael is super uncomfortable with the idea of the reader EVER being in a show with Raul because obviously they're like the same person and Raul probably has more in common with her

Oh and also Raul is five years younger, and thinner. So then Raul's like you shouldn't listen to him, I could really help you with your career.

Annnnd that's all I have so far.

Okay so read this really and tell me you honest opinion.

Screw it putting the tag list:

Tag List

@madamsnape921

@lolliepopsicle

@chasingeverybreakingwave

@milkshqke

@wanniiieeee

@word-scribbless

@gibbs274

@sassyada

@aprildecker-blog

@bookishfanfic

@stars-in-the-skies-world

@stars-trash-18

@omgsuperstarg

You were walking towards the exit of Central Park hand in hand with your now fiancee, when all of a sudden two giggling girls came running up to you.

“Oh my god!!!!! Raul we didn’t know you had a girlfriend!” One of them started squealing.

“Fiancee,” He corrected. “Wait I’m sorry, what? Did you just call me Raul?”

“Uh...yeah, duh,” One of the girls made a face. “Raul Esparza?”

“What?” You bursted out laughing. “I’m sorry, you think he’s Raul Esparza?”

“Um, we know he is,” The other one crossed her arms.

“Um, no he isn’t!” You wrapped your arm around Rafael protectively, as if the two girls were going to kidnap him or something.

“I can promise you ladies, I am not-- whoever you just said,” Rafael assured them.

“Why are you doing this? Are you trying not to embarrass your lady friend here?” One of the girls made a weird face at you.

“Wha? No--” Rafael tried to defend himself but the girls were already clearly ticked off.

“Wow, I have heard of actors trying to get away from fans but completely pretending to be another person, that’s pretty low Raul,” One of them glared at Rafael.

“Yeah, it wouldn’t have taken you much effort to just take a selfie with us,” The other one added with a scowl.

“I...um--” He looked to you for help, but you just shrugged. You had no idea how to handle such a weird situation.

“I guess we can take one--” He offered.

“Oh no, forget it now,” One girl scoffed.

“Yeah, jerk!” The other one stomped her foot and they both sauntered away angrily.

-----------

“...What the hell was that?” Rafael looked at you in utter confusion and disbelief, you just gave him a “wtf” smile.

“I have no idea baby--”

“Oh my god, are you guys ok?” Chloe suddenly came running up behind you. “What the hell did those teeny boppers want? To rob you with water guns or something?”

“No they-- they wanted a selfie?” Rafael was still confused, trying to figure out what just happened.

“A selfie? With you?” Chloe snorted.

“No-- With Raul Esparza,” You looked at her with a confused smile. It was pretty entertaining to think that your fiance looked like a Broadway star.

“I don’t get it, you said that I didn’t even look like him!” Rafael looked at you.

“I mean I said I didn’t see it, and that you were more handsome,”

“....Yeah well you might wanna rethink that answer babe,” Chloe’s eyes were wide as she handed you her phone. She had googled RAUL ESPARZA, and the images that popped up were-- Rafael’s face.

“Oh my God…” You whispered, showing Rafael the phone. He quickly pulled out his own and started searching for himself. You handed Chloe back her phone and did the same. Pages and pages of articles about Raul Esparza’s shows, and accelaides, and all with Rafael's face plastered all over them.

“He’s….me,” Rafael whispered in horror.

“He looks more like you than you do!” You teased, he looked at you with a very serious face. Clearly he was not ready to joke about this yet.

“Holy shit. This is some multiverse shit,” Chloe muttered as she went through her Google search.

“Excuse me?” You asked her.

“You know, the multiverse theory? There’s an infinite amount of universes in every decision anyone ever makes.”

“Meaning…?” Rafael asked.

“Isn’t it obvious?” Chloe raised an eyebrow. “Raul could be Rafael, if he hadn’t given up on his Broadway dream,”

“Oh my god,” Rafael started laughing. “Chloe, did you get loaded in the park or something?”

“Oh okay, so you have a better idea, big brain lawyer?” She crossed her arms.

“He might not, but I do,” You piped up, showing her your phone.

“Doppelgangers?” Chloe read with a face.

“Yes, it’s a fact that there are 5 people in the world with the EXACT same face,” You continued reading.

“And he just happens to live in New York, where Rafael lives? AND is on Broadway, the one thing Rafael gave up?”

“Look sure it’s a million to one shot that those events would line up, but what’s more plausible: Doppelganger or ‘Multiverse’?” You looked at Chloe, who looked at Rafael, so you turned to Rafael as well.

“...Wha--are you asking me?” He asked.

“I mean it is your face,” You shrugged. “What do you think, baby?”

“I’m leaning towards a doppelganger, sorry Chloe,” He shrugged as well.

“Yeah well, you’re probably right,” Chloe nodded as she read her own phone, still on Raul Esparza info. “Most likely because he’s five years YOUNGER than you,”

“WHAT?!” Rafael grabbed her phone; as he read it, his face fell. “Oh God, no…”

“Wha--What does it matter how old he is, Rafa?” You furrowed your brows.

“Or the fact that he’s clearly thinner and more attractive,” Chloe added with a smirk.

“CHLOE,” You scolded her. “What the ever loving fuck?”

“Well, I’m just saying-- Look at them side by side,” Chloe had a photo of Rafael from some mayor’s ball next to Raul Esparza at the Tonys, both in tuxedo’s. You wouldn’t admit to Rafael but Raul was definitely thinner, and...he looked a lot younger. It was probably Botox or something you were sure, but still….

“Okay but again WHY does it matter--?” You wanted to change the subject.

“Are you kidding me? Y/N-- This is what you want to do!” He gestured to Chloe’s phone.

“....I don’t want Raul--” You started.

“No, you want to be on Broadway though!! And, and what if someday, God forbid, you end up in a show with this guy? He clearly already has a leg up on me compatibility wise, and as Chloe so kindly pointed out, a leg up on me age and attractiveness wise, and--” Rafael started ranting and rambling, talking lightening fast, as he did when he got upset or excited.

“Whoa whoa whoa whoa, back up there counselor,” You put up a hand to his face. “Are you actually insinuating that if I worked with Raul Esparza, that I would magically fall in love with him?”

“Don’t say it like that,” Rafael was triggered by the mention of magic and love.

“Okay but I’m not even saying ‘magic’ magic, I’m just saying-- What do you think because he’s an actor, and younger than you I’m just going to think I’m better off with him? Just because he has your face?” You gave him a small “oh honey” smile as you placed your hands on either of his face.

“No, but if you have to play his love interest, and you spend every day with him, it might blur the lines--” He started grumbling.

“Rafael, baby--” You shook his head in your hands. “I am still in SCHOOL. I am nowhere NEAR being in a Broadway show as a freaking techie, let alone a love interest starring opposite Raul Esparza,”

“Yeah, I mean this guy is huge-- 3 Tonys, 2 Emmys, an Oscar--” Chloe rattled off, but stopped when she realized you were glaring at her. “What? I’m helping!”

“...See? He’s far too famous for me,” You pressed your forehead to Rafael’s.

“Right, and I’m just the lowly ADA,” He muttered.

“Lowly my ass, Rafa,” You hit him playfully. “You are the most respected ADA in all of New York,”

“I’m the only ADA of New York,” He made a face.

“Not true! Just the city,” You beamed, proud of yourself you did some research once you had gotten together.

“My point is Rafael,” You now put your hands on his collar and pulled yourself into him. “You are all the acclaim I need,” You kissed him softly. “You’re my everything, I mean for fuck’s sake you just held a one man flash mob to propose to me! Let’s Raul Esparza do THAT,” You laughed, hoping to make him feel better. As his scowl melted into a smile, you knew you had succeeded.

“That was pretty romantic wasn’t it?” He beamed, proud of himself.

“It was EPIC,” Chloe chimed in, for good this time.

“Your voice is beautiful by the way,” You had forgotten in the midst of all of the romantic hubbub to compliment him. “I’m really sorry you had to give up Broadway,”

“Yeah, well-- apparently some part of me didn’t,” He gestured to his phone.

“Well he doesn’t have me,” You pointed out.

“He doesn’t know what he’s missing.” Rafael grinned as he pulled you into a deep kiss.

“Now can we please just forget about--” You hesitated, deciding not to mention his name again. “Anything else, and just focus on our engagement night?”

“Well, I suppose--” He nodded as he put an arm around you, and the three of you continued to walk through the park.

-------

Across town in a swanky New York Penthouse, an alert went off on Raul Esparza’s phone. He had it set to notify him any time his name appeared in a headline on the internet. He glanced over and picked it up, reading the notification. As he read it, his eyes widened and his face grew red. He stood up and yelled to no one in particular,

“Who the FUCK is trying to impersonate me?!”

[irishmacguirefucker]

Meeting Tilly Jackson

A.N: (So originally this was going to be for my au but I realized that if I wanna write Tilly in my AU i need to properly understand her background. We don't have a lot of specific details in the game, so i wrote this. Essentially its how Dutch found Tilly and took her in. She’s 14 in this. I will probably have a part 2 soon. Its a little dialogue heavy)

(TW: Sexual Assault of a minor is mentioned but nothing happens, blood)

Wordcount:  3110

-

Tilly Jackson has a family. They may be a little odd, different than what everyone else might consider a family, but a family nonetheless. Dutch and Hosea her father figures, Susan Grimshaw a motherly presence. Sisters in Karen, Mary-Beth and the other women of the camp, brothers in Arthur and John and most of the other men. The titles don't matter so much as the feeling of safety and comfort and appreciation among them. She missed her late mother of course, but she hoped on some level her mother would be happy with how things turned out for the girl in the end. Being kidnapped at the age of 12 was nothing short of traumatizing, and for a long while, things only got worse. The Foreman gang was the opposite of a family. They were nothing to her but the people who stole her away from her mother claimed to own her. The ones who tried to take advantage of her. The night that Malcolm Foreman tried to make advances on her and she killed him was the night she would consider herself grown. 

She's not sure exactly how long she was alone, it must have been under a year. She went to find her mother only to hear of her death, and with nowhere else to go she just kept running. The further she made it the less likely that Anthony Foreman would find her and pay her back for what she did to his cousin. She knows that it was early spring when she left. The snow had barely been off the ground, she supposed that no longer being wrapped in a ratty cloak and scarf was the reason that gang member thought to make his move. 

Dutch found her just when it was beginning to get cold again. 

Despite considering herself grown, her body disagreed. The shoes she ran away in were already ill-fitted, and by that autumn they were practically falling apart. Her toes stuck out the front. She had done her best to steal clothing off people’s clotheslines, but they rarely fit.

Dutch caught her doing just that. He had been watching the property of some well off folks, planning on casing it with Arthur later that week. He watched as a girl no older than 14, snuck out from the tree line in a torn-up blouse and a too-long skirt.

She was clearly not experienced in stealing as she tripped over her skirts up the property, but she made it to the side of the house mostly successfully. She quickly tore down a long dress and an undershirt and quickly started back to the tree line. She stared wistfully at the property's large orchard and nearly turned her course towards it before hearing the owner of the house open his front door and stealing away into the forest. Even from a distance, Dutch knew what that hesitation meant. She was hungry.

Dutch was hardly one to let a promising little thief like her starve in the forest, so with a passing glance at the house he stood from his hiding spot up the hill and mounted the Count.

Tracking was never one of Dutch’s strongest abilities but she made it rather easy, with footprints in the mud, a scrap of fabric where her clothing caught a branch, etc. Eventually, he reached a spot where she seemed to trip and fall, and then there were a few drops of blood here and there as he followed. He knew he was getting closer, the blood wasn’t dry. He dismounted his horse and began leading him forward when suddenly she jumped out from behind a tree wielding a large rusted hunting knife. 

“Don’t come any closer! You can take your clothes back, here.” She kicked over the items he had just watched her steal. “Don’t tell the law, and I’ll disappear. I don’t have anything more to offer you.”

Dutch grinned, she was strong-willed. But he also observed that her cheeks were sunken in, and her skin was dull. She was visibly malnourished, and there was blood dripping from one of her small hands. He hoped it was a branch she cut herself on and not that dirty knife of hers.

He put his hands up in a friendly gesture.

“I’m not the man you robbed earlier, don’t you worry. I watched you steal that dress, you’re quite the little thief.” 

She was doing a damn good job of hiding her fear, but Dutch was experienced in seeing past such facades. She didn’t seem scared of the weapon she was holding, as the young and inexperienced often were when they wielded such an item. She just seemed scared of him. 

“Why did you follow me, it ain’t your things I stole. I have nothing to give you, so you best just leave me be.” She didn’t stutter, her high pitched voice remained unwavering and strong. Dutch tried his best to look unthreatening, something he didn’t find himself having to do often. 

“Well, I myself was planning on robbing that house myself later with a few of my friends, perhaps I just wanted to see if you had any advice for me as a seasoned visitor of that property.”

She didn’t believe him and didn’t lower her knife, but she didn’t run either. Good. “Now if I reach for something in my saddle bag here are you gonna come at me with that big old knife?”

She narrowed her eyes. “Why?”

Dutch smiled. “Well if you and I are gonna talk business I thought that maybe I could pay you for your time, little lady.”

She finally lowered the knife a little, seeming less afraid but very suspicious. “You wanna pay me for information on that house?”

“I do. Information is worth a lot to us outlaws, you should know that well Darlin’” He slowly turned to the horse. Even if she did attempt to stab him, she wouldn’t get to him before he could turn around, so he wasn’t worried. As he was digging through the saddlebag she spoke up behind him.

“Don’t call me Darlin.” 

He smiled at her bravado but kept looking through the bag. “Well, you’ve yet to give me something else to call you Miss. Ah! Here it is!” He turned back to her holding a small stack of cash and a wrapped parcel. 

“Yeah, well neither have you!” There’s that reminder that he’s talking to a child. They’re always so petulant. John had been just the same, though a little more rabid. “Well, I’m Dutch, Dutch Van der Linde.”

He studied her face for any sign of recognition, but there was none. Good, less reason for her to be afraid of him. She didn’t give her name just yet. 

“Are you with the Foreman brothers?” She asked boldly. “I won’t let you take me back, I’ll kill you before you get me back there.” That would explain her fear, she wasn’t just a thief. She was a runaway from another gang.

“Now I’ll tell you right now Miss, I’m not with Anthony Forman or his little gang. The only gang I’m with is the Van der Linde gang, and I promise me and mine won’t bring you any harm.”

“You...You lead a gang?” She was shaking, it was starting to get colder as the sun was setting. 

“I am, but we aren’t like those bastards you knew. We’re just good people, looking to live free.”

Then he did something bold, a gesture to help her feel safer in the presence of a gang leader. Hopefully, she would be a little more at ease. “Do you mind if I sit down Miss-” 

“Jackson. Tilly Jackson.”

He smiled. “Miss Jackson. Do you mind if I sit while we talk? Tracking you was quite a little adventure.” 

“Go ahead, I guess.” 

“Thank you, Tilly.” He sat down on a log just to the side, and she lowered her weapon fully but gripped it tight. “Now, go ahead and take this.” He took a couple of bills and tucked them into the string around the parcel. She stared at it suspiciously.

 “I didn’t tell you nothing yet and I ain’t stupid mister Van der Linde, why are you giving me this.” 

He smiled and leaned forward to place the parcel on the ground in front of him, between them. 

“As I said, you’re quite the thief and I think you could help me out. Doesn't hurt to butter up the informant. There's some food in the package, I thought you looked a little hungry.”

She seemed to stare at the parcel longingly and something clenched in Dutch’s cold heart. The poor girl must be starving.

 “I…I don’t have no info for you, Mister Van der Linde. I just needed the clothes.” She seemed disappointed to be saying it, but she didn't lie to him like he thought she might.

“Well...maybe you could just keep me company then Milady. Good company is hard to find among us outlaws, as I’m sure you know.”

In a flash, she was back two steps and her knife was raised once more.

“I ain’t that kind of girl. you can keep your fucking money and go pay a real whore for your damned “company’”

This was the opposite of the outcome he was looking for, and entirely at the fault of his own poor word choice. He should have known better, there are only a few things that can happen to a young girl in this country to put her on the run and make her fear good company. 

“Now listen here, Miss Jackson. I am not that kind of man, I wouldn’t take advantage of you like I’m sure the bastards in Foreman’s gang tried. It’s like I said it, my gang is just good men looking for freedom and money. You can leave right now if you want and I won’t stop you, or you can stay and eat some, and I promise I won’t even look at you funny.”

She stood frozen, knife gripped tight. She seemed to be weighing her options. Dutch had yet to pose a threat to her, his weapons remained holstered. He hadn’t even tried to come close to her. She steeled her nerves and spoke again. 

“Then...Give me one of your guns. If you really ain’t gonna try nothing then give me one of your pistols and if you try and do anything bad I’ll shoot you.”

In any other circumstance, he wouldn’t have even considered it. But this wasn’t some criminal who he was wringing for information. This was a terrified little girl who was too afraid of the man in front of her to even eat food when she was starving. He slowly reached for his left holster and pulled out the pistol. He made a big show of flipping it in his hand so that his finger stayed away from the trigger as not to scare her, and he placed it beside the parcel. Gently he pushed them both over with his foot and sat back on the log with his hands beside him. 

She stared at him, and quick as lightning she grabbed the items from the ground. She backed up to her spot and slowly sat on the ground. The pistol was too big for her hand, and her other hand was getting blood on the side of the wrapped meat. Slowly she unwrapped the piece of dried venison, not breaking eye contact with the man sitting before her. “Why are you being so kind to me, I ain’t never heard of a ‘Good’ outlaw, we’re all just killers and thieves.”

He took note of the word ‘we’ before killers and thieves. Perhaps there was a reason she was so steady holding that knife. “I suppose no truer words have been spoken Miss Tilly, but I was never the type to watch a young lady suffer…You know, I found my son Arthur when he was about your age. The boy was just starving in the streets, stealing what he could. Quite like you are now.”

She didn’t respond, just stared at him a moment longer before taking a large bite of the meat. He hadn’t seen someone eat so ravenously since he fed John for the first time.

It took a lot of talking to get her to let her guard down. She didn’t reveal much about herself, other than that her mother died and she wasn’t part of the foreman gang, she was just there. Though the tension in her shoulders slowly sapped away as she filled her stomach and let herself calm down. They spoke for a few hours and he tried his best not to treat her like a child, god knows they hate when you do that. He couldn’t help but notice that she just seemed so sad. Once all that fear subsided and she spoke more freely, it was clear that she was lost. She mentioned her mother’s death with deep sorrow, her eyes going glassy before she seemed to catch herself and move on. 

Eventually, her hand stopped bleeding, and he tried to catch a look at it as she gestured. The sun was nearly set and he would have to get back to camp before they went looking for him.

He told her as much and he watched that deep-set sadness seep back to her features. 

“Oh… well. It was nice to meet you Dutch.” She used his first name for the first time. He stood up and she did as well, wincing as she used her injured hand to push off the ground.

“You know... you could come back with me and let our doctor take a look at that hand. Well...she ain’t exactly a doctor, but she can fix it. We wouldn’t want that getting infected, it’s far easier to be an outlaw with both hands.”

She wanted to go with him, he could see it in her eyes. Good friends are hard to come by when you’re a child with no home. 

“And perhaps, you could stay awhile. Learn how to be a real outlaw instead of a dress thief.” She seemed offended at the comment, a funny little scowl crossing her features. She was thinking about the offer, and he hoped it sounded at least a little better than sleeping alone in the forest. 

“If I come to your camp….nobody's gonna try and touch me?”

 “Absolutely not my dear, if they try I’ll cut off their hand myself.” She seemed to giggle a little at the notion, a sound he would take pride in. She sobered up and asked; 

“And I can leave whenever I want? I ain’t gonna let anyone try and say they own me ever again.”

“If you come to camp, Tilly Jackson will remain a free woman, but you’ll have a home to come back to if that’s what you would like.”

He watched her hesitate a little longer. Some coyotes barked in the distance and she shivered.  “Maybe just for a little while. Just to try it.” 

“And you can leave whenever you want.” he reassured.

“And I can leave whenever I want.” She repeated it back like she was convincing herself. He turned his back to adjust the Count’s saddle and give him a sugar cube, and he heard small footsteps come closer to him.

“Um. Can I give him one? He’s real pretty.” Dutch turned and she was at his side, staring at the large animal. She was even smaller up close, and he could see that her bones stood up against her dark skin.

“You know, I think he would like that. Now here, take just one of these and put it in your hand flat. Don’t worry, he won’t bite you.” She went to take it from his hand before realizing her hands were full with the knife and Dutch’s gun. 

“Oh. Here you go, Mister Dutch.” She tried to hand him back the gun. Bravely he thought, to give up her best defense, but he didn’t take it.

“I’ll tell you what my lady, It’s gonna be a bit of a ride to get back to camp and I don’t want you feeling like you can’t hold your own. You hold on to that one just until we get back, alright? We can put your knife in the bag safe and sound.” She obliged, putting the hunting knife gently in the saddlebag and holding on to the pistol. Then Dutch gave her the sugar cube and she held it out to the horse gingerly. The Count had no such hesitation and stole the treat from her hand quickly, the softness of his nose near her fingers making her giggle.

“Now, I think we might just be ready to move! Can I help you up milady?” He said, with a ring clad hand extended like a butler. The gesture made her giggle more and Dutch was happy to see the sadness put aside for a little while. She took his hand in her much smaller one and let him lead her to the side of the saddle.

“Now, can I lift you or do you want to go stand on the log over there?” She could read the underlying notion. The hidden meaning of ‘Do you want me to touch you’, ‘is it okay if I lift you’, etc. He was being more considerate than anyone she had ever met. She took a deep breath and put a little trust in him.

“You can lift me if that’s okay.”

“It would be my honor milady.” He lifted her onto the horse’s rump and tried not to think about how light she was. How he could feel her bones through the layers of her shirt. Once she was settled, he climbed up himself. Before they got going he pulled out his canteen and an apple from the bag. 

“Here. Dinner will be done by the time we get to camp and there’s no reason you should go hungry back there, that just wouldn’t befit such a distinguished young lady.” She accepted the food, and he set the Count into a walk to get them out of the underbrush. Once they were on the path he pushed into a more brisk pace, but he wouldn’t risk trotting with her back there, the count’s trot could be rather rough and she’s so thin she would just be thrown off.

It would be a long ride back to camp at this pace, but it just gave him more time to get to know her and tell her about camp. 

[silver-wield]

Hi! Can you do an analysis where after you do all the sidequests in chapter 3 and Tifa asks Cloud which outfit to wear? Thank you!

You're talking about the alone at last discovery, but you want all the dress options? I mean, the mature one is canon for her even if you don't do alone at last, so the other choices are optional within an optional scene – and the only reason it's optional is because you get the mature dress anyway.

Basically I'm just gonna do the mature dress lol

Ok, spoiler warning for ppl who haven’t played – do I still need to do this? Eh ok, (I tag FF7R spoilers as final fantasy 7 remake spoilers) and it’s gonna be medium.

Also, this is one person’s interpretation of the scene, so if you disagree that’s cool and we’ll agree to disagree.

You’re also gonna have to excuse the janky quality on some of the screens, I’m grabbing them from Youtube and it’s frustrating af trying to get the exact moment I want.

Please check my master post to see if I've already covered your question, thanx

Recap time!

A pouting Cloud – who will always be my favourite Cloud cause adorable af – has been convinced by Tifa to help collect money for water filters to cover his pay for the reactor job. While they're making their rounds he gets stopped by Marle for a little heart to heart and a very important life lesson that he takes with him through the rest of the game.

Once that's over and he's changed the filter in his room, he pops next door to see Tifa.

AGH SHE'S SO CUTE! She's totally being cute on purpose too! Big eyes, hands behind her back, leaning forward, she's doing everything she can to put Cloud at ease because she's about to be nosy and we know Tifa doesn't push people.

The wide eyes, surprised “hmm?” and unguarded expression show he thought she had something else in mind besides this question lol

This isn't real!Cloud btw, it's just surprised Cloud lol

This is real!Cloud. After some back and forth between them, where Cloud seems to have a small deliberation with himself what he's ok to reveal while Tifa wears an earnest and hopeful look of expectation he'll share with her, Cloud turns away and gives some basic info that's emotionless and has very little attachment to his SOLDIER persona. A part of him seems to realise that and we see a flicker of grief cross his face. His mouth downturns and his brows pull together for a brief moment. He may well be getting a reminder of Zack's death, but it's so detached at this point he can't recall it or feel anything besides the slightest flicker. He grows confused and tries to muddle it through, but there's no conclusion. It's yet another odd feeling he has that comes with no reason why.

Tifa senses Cloud's upset and apologises for pushing him. She's very aware of his feelings and the distance between them from the long years apart.

We get a wide shot of them, showing the physical distance, which highlights their emotional distance. However, between them on the rug is the pattern of the reunion flower. This imagery has likely been placed there as a metaphor for them reuniting.

Cloud gives Tifa his profile as she talks about them maybe never meeting again and it being a strange coincidence they did. Since part of him assumed she was dead the entire time, it's likely a painful association to him and that's why he can't face her when she says it. With his head down and eyes obscured we can't really read his face very well, but from the glimpse we get, he looks hurt.

The distance between them closes when Tifa takes steps towards Cloud and he turns to her. She suggests they celebrate and Cloud looks surprised. Since he's probably wanted to ask her out since forever, the ease in which she does it makes him doubt she's sincere.

Tifa clearly becomes defensive here. The potential rejection from Cloud's “really?” has made her cross her arms over herself in a protective gesture. Her expression is hiding the hurt that Cloud might not want to go out with her. She tried to close the distance between them, but then took a small step back, indicating they're not quite comfortable with each other still. They're both wary and tip-toeing around each other, being careful. In Tifa's case, it's likely so Cloud won't up and leave all of a sudden. And for Cloud, we can guess it's because as much as he wants to be with Tifa, he feels like he always fails her and has no right to be around her.  

Cloud, you're a goddamn troll and I hate you lol

Caught the smile the third time I watched this bit back. I knew he was teasing her anyway, but his micro-expressions give me life and I need to find the exact moment they appear. He wants to see her dressed up. Just the idea of her dressing up for him is making him want to smile. Cloud joking around is adorable and I wanna see more of it. This is hints of real!Cloud teasing his crush because he thinks she’s cute.

Remember during their promise scene when Cloud would try and bait a reaction out of Tifa and she'd one up him and he'd end up being the one who got stuck in his feels? Yeah, this is that.

You'd think by now Cloud would've learned not to tease Tifa if he can't handle the come back. I mean, this is a clear, check me out, pose.

When Cloud says, “Something refined,” Tifa smiles and replies “we're not kids anymore” which is definitely suggestive of her. The look on her face hints that she's got plans already and she's pleased that it seems Cloud doesn't think of her as just his childhood friend anymore. Which is why she draws attention to them not being kids any longer. She wants Cloud to think of her as a woman.

And Cloud likes the idea of them matching. It's suggestive of a couple, which he'd like to be with her, so the fact she's asked him to match her is a huge hint that she still has a crush, although Tifa's so reserved her hints are very small and take a keen eye to spot. That Cloud smiles at the thought shows how much he's looking forward to going out with her, he does this tiny little shy glance away then back to her – we were robbed of a cute date up on the plate #cries#

More Cloud smiling. He's looking forward to it, even if he replies “maybe” to Tifa saying how much fun they'll have. He was asked out and agreed. That's how dates work. We were robbed #cries even more#

It's an introspective moment for him. He's likely wanted to ask her out for years and this is how easy it was the entire time lol

Conclusion

Get married, make babies, we're getting old here!

Cloud isn't pressured into going out with Tifa, the amount he smiles during this exchange shows he's excited to have a date with her – even if they're not calling it a date. Tifa got Cloud to open up a little and they closed some of the emotional and physical distance between them. It's a step on the path to them becoming a couple.

I say a lot that they have good eye contact and this is where they begin. Before this moment, Cloud looked at her, but didn't hold her gaze as much. After Marle telling him to try more, he's putting himself out there for her and making that emotional connection. Their eye contact in this scene isn't there at the start, because of the seriousness of the conversation at times, but Tifa's very sympathetic to Cloud's needs and does her best to cheer him up. It works because he teases her and by the end, they're on their way to that moment in the corkscrew tunnel when neither of them broke eye contact even after getting up.

[blue-eyed-korra]

Is Dylan really Kieran? A Theory Dissection:

So I’ve taken the time to process everything that’s happened in the amazing season finale of Purple Hyacinth because I didn’t want to rush into posting about it and I really wanted to let my thoughts about it simmer for a bit. I also decided to reread the entire season over the course of a couple days to get the best idea of how it worked as a whole. Once again if you haven’t read this yet please do yourself a favour and check it out it’s really phenomenal.

I’ll probably make a few posts about PH over the next couple weeks as we wait for season 2. However I won’t post an analysis of the finale mainly because Lanxyuu already did an amazing job of that already. Check it out if you’ve got the time, it’s 10000 words of pure analytical gold. Writing about any of that would be redundant. That being said the first thing I’m gonna talk about is the whole ‘Is Kieran actually Dylan’ theory that’s the new hot thing in the fandom, mainly because I’ve received a lot of requests to discuss it and also because I feel like I can add my own points to the debate.

So let’s just get it out of the way: do I think Kieran is Dylan? As of right now the answer is no. I just don’t think we have enough evidence to prove it, and what’s there is more circumstantial. That doesn’t mean I don’t enjoy theorizing about it. I’ve found that discussing and sharing theories and ideas is one of my favourite ways to interact with a fandom. So I’m gonna put all of the evidence that I’ve observed in the entire first season both in favour of and against this theory and show why I think we can’t say that Kieran is Dylan. I’m not telling you to not believe it. Believe what you want! Like I said it’s fun to do this. I’ve just been specifically asked my opinion and I want to be able to justify it through what I’ve seen in the comic itself. 

For more of my posts about Purple Hyacinth check out my ‘ph posts’ tag!

So with all of that out of the way, let’s get started!

Evidence in favour of Kieran being Dylan:

One of the things I think most of us can agree on is that Dylan probably isn’t really dead. In general if I’m not shown a body, I don’t believe they’re dead. I’ve seen far too many movies and TV shows and have read far too many novels to be fooled by that. As of right now, in my head, Dylan is alive, or at least wasn’t killed in the bombing. So obviously if he isn’t dead then that frees him up to show up in the plot at some point or maybe he was there all along...?

This kind of ties into my next point: what happened to him then? His hat was found at the scene, so he must have lost it at some point before the explosion. This is all speculative, but he could have been snatched up by Tim and the driver in Lauren’s parents car. We heard Tim mention that children were in the car so it’s somewhat plausible that Dylan could have been kidnapped. Maybe he saw something suspicious and snooped around a bit which lead to him being snatched up or something. From there he’s tortured and broken and made into an assassin for the PS. Only he isn’t broken. He steels his resolve and does as he’s told because he’s now set on biding his time and getting revenge on those who robbed him of his life and humanity. It makes for a pretty compelling character arc.

The tragedy of his character arc could also be supplemented by the fact that when he was young, he wanted to be a doctor and save lives, but they made him into an assassin who takes lives. Brutally. Violently. Painfully. All of this would emphasize why he views himself as such a monster. The person he is now goes against everything the person he once was values. It’s this dichotomy that reinforces his ‘monster’ persona and allows him to justify this view of himself.

Another point is that this could explain why Kieran hesitated when he could have killed Lauren way back in episode 3. Of course he would hesitate to kill someone who was his close friend. Most of his murders were of people he either didn’t know or didn’t know very well. If he’d had a close friendship with her in childhood, it would obviously make him stop for a moment when he realizes who she is, just like he does in that episode. We even see Lauren say that if she knew why he hesitated then ‘everything would be different’. Obviously if she found out that he was her-long-lost-thought-to-be-dead friend, the person who symbolized her guilt for not stopping the bombing, the plot would be waaaaaay different. Just like the line about being the most blind of all in the prologue, the implications of this line are going to play a major role in the story, and this theory could explain that.

Then there’s those god damned purple hyacinths. Obviously Dylan’s knowledge of these flowers, both in their cultivation and meaning, are things that Kieran must know too. We pretty much know that they’re his signature for both their royal symbolism and their use in mourning, and that Kieran must have a stash of them growing somewhere. There’s also the fact that Lauren, who we know is very intelligent and well educated even at 12, doesn’t know the meaning of purple hyacinths other than their use as a symbol by the royal family. This tells me that their symbolism outshines their meaning in the traditional sense within the pop culture. Honestly, I didn’t even know the meanings of most flowers except for roses until I started reading this Webtoon. I’m not saying that people don’t know the meaning at all, I’m just saying it may not be common knowledge.

The final point I wanna talk about in favour of this theory is their appearances, since that will bleed nicely into the points against it for obvious reasons. So many people, myself included, have noticed that if you switch Dylan’s hair and eye colouring for Kieran’s, he’d basically look like little Kieran, and yes, I see it too. You could say that he could be dying his hair, it’s not crazy to believe hair dye exists in this world. How else does Belladonna have pink hair if they didn’t have access to dye? Unless it’s just stains from the blood of her victims… Actually that could be a theory lol but that’s not the point. Point is Kieran could theoretically have his hair dyed black, but it’s a bit of a stretch, as I explain in...

Evidence against Kieran being Dylan:

While he maaaaay be able to change his hair colour from light blond to black, there’s no way for him to change his eye colour from grey to blue. If rectangular glasses don’t even exist in this world yet (thank you Soph for this justification for why you gave him Harry Potter glasses), there’s no way that they’d have access to contact lenses yet. The other argument is that his eye colour changed with age but that feels a bit too... convenient for my taste. Odds are our boy Kieran is sporting the look he was born with.  Additionally, with everything going on in his life and his priorities, when would he have the time to constntly maintain this look, and why would he feel the need to disguise himself in the first place? He already operates in the shadows of the night and none of the authorities, other than Lauren, were able to get close enough to describe his appearance. There would simply be no need for all of that extra disguising.

Speaking of his appearance, we’ve seen one of his victims recognize him before he murders them. He says something interesting: ‘You were that boy’. Now this whole thing is one of my favourite mysteries of the series, so you best believe I am jumping on this shit the second we get more info about it. But for now, I want to use it to show that this aristocrat, who were loyal to the crown and presumably hadn’t seen him in years, took one look at Kieran’s face and immediately recognized him from when he was a child. If this man knew he had these same features as a boy, then it’s safe to assume that he’s always looked like this. This also links him to the aristocracy, since there’s no reason why this man of high status in opposition the PS would know anything about him unless he knew him before he entered the PS. Dylan, on the other hand, was the son of a gardener. He was friends with Lauren sure, but he clearly was of a lower station in society than someone like Lauren or the other aristocratic families. It’s doubtful that he’d leave such an impression on this high society man.

On top of all of that, if he were really Dylan and this man really did see through his change in appearance, why wouldn’t Lauren see through it too? She was one of his best friends and thinks about him constantly. If this man was able to recognize him in a single moment but she still doesn’t recognize him after months, then odds are he just isn’t Dylan.

There’s also the fact that Kieran doesn’t lie when he tells Lauren his name. It’s the same name that people like Belladonna know him by and it’s the name he uses when he becomes the archivist in Lauren’s precinct. Like he said before: there’s no need for him to hide his identity. He’s protected by his reputation and the PS itself. I can see an argument where he could have ‘renounced’ his old name because the person he once was is dead and only the monster remains, which is again a cool theory , or you could say it’s to keep people from knowing that he’s actually alive. But there would be no real need for him to change his name. He could have two names just like the hyacinths have two meanings. I will say that this theory about ‘Kieran White’ not being his true name could also work in favour for him not being Dylan too as, if he was an aristocrat, the PS could have changed his name to hide him from his family as well, but that’s neither here nor there, just something to consider. For now we know that he really is Kieran White and there’s no evidence to disprove that (yet).

Finally, many of the points listed in favour of the theory; the motive, the character arc, the knowledge of flowers, it’s all circumstantial. For all we know, Kieran could be Dylan Rosenthal, or he could be some boy connected to the aristocracy or even the royal family. He could be Dylan Rosenthal, or he could be his own character with his own arc yet to be fully revealed who’s connected to Lauren somehow. The meaning of purple hyacinths could come from Dylan’s prior knowledge, or they could common knowledge and Kieran just bought ‘Gardening for Dummies’ or some shit to make sure he didn’t kill them. Any number of different things could really be at play that we simply don’t know yet. But we do know that a man recognized him at a glance while Lauren, Dylan’s best friend, didn’t recognize him whatsoever. We do know that there’s no proof that hair and especially eye colour can be changed in this world. We do know that we still have quite a ways to go in this story and that the answers aren’t what we expect.

Eph and Soph have done an amazing job of revealing the story to us in disjointed pieces so that when we finally get that one piece that fits, may of them fall into place too. How many of us realized it was her parents’ car in the picture before it was revealed in episode 49? Or thought that Harvey was a spy all along? I don’t think we know nearly enough about him to prove he’s Dylan, but what we do have at this moment is enough to disprove it. What we have now is primarily speculation versus hard physical evidence. We need to accept that we don’t have all the pieces to the puzzle yet and that we’ll only receive new ones little by little.

So, until we learn more about Kieran’s past or until we see ‘changing-eye-colour’ join ‘lie-detecting’ as a new supernatural ability, I’m afraid that I can’t fully get behind this theory. Again, this doesn’t mean I’m telling you not to believe it. Thinking about all the implications of Kieran being Dylan is a lot of fun, just like thinking about Kieran’s backstory and motives is fun. And I could be wrong about all of this, who knows? Writing this just got me really excited to see where his arc will lead us and even more excited for season 2!

Thanks again to everyone who wanted me to discuss this! I had a lot of fun writing it and would love to hear feedback from you guys about any thing you may want to contribute that I may not have mentioned. This post was born of a sleepless night into morning and a need to get all my thoughts out of my brain so it could finally turn off and let me sleep. I already have an idea about what I’m gonna write next so stay tuned and thanks again for all the support!!