#it's chekhov's owl

[thisqueernerd]

Malevolent Part 45 spoilers in the tags

[thechekhov]

I know you have been super busy, but I was wondering if you managed to fit owl house into your tight schedule or if you had to pass on it. Which is totally fine! Just wondering if you managed to watch the finale. =)

To be honest, I haven't watched Owl House past the first.... season? If that. I don't remember where I stopped. But I'm definitely not going to watch the finale anytime soon.

I also wouldn't say I passed on it. I'm just busy with other things at this time. I may still return to watch it later, I'm just really caught up in the other 300 things people are recommending to me.

[everysongineverykey]

so in king’s tide lillith responds to eda promising she’ll be back with “that’s not a spell. doesn’t even rhyme.” and then in for the future we see that the promise in the collector’s storybook to “clean the planet and scorch the air” if mortals mess with them has been crossed out and replaced by something else. so it no longer rhymes. so... ???

[timkontheunsure]

I’d like your opinion on a few theories about something Viv teased about the next episodes. She said that they culminate in the ending of an arc they’ve been building up for awhile. I have 3 theories what that could be

1. Blitz-overcoming his low self esteem and demons, able to move on

2. Stolas- he stands up for himself against the goetia, possibly stripped of his title.

3.stolitz- they finally talk, possibly confess and reconcile

Or it could be a combo of all 3. But it sounds like she’s talking about a specific arc, and while I’d like for it to be Stolitz development, I have a feeling it’s a specific character arc.

What do you think?

Humm ok (again obligatory warning about head injury, so sorry about typos, or not connecting things properly ect).

But kinda think all 3 are getting advanced, but only 1 of them finished by the end of this season.

1)Blitz-overcoming his low self esteem and demons, able to move on.

Well we've definitely had some of that Oops and Blitz getting the unattainable of Fizz forgiving him, and being his best friend again.

And I think we're going to see some of that trauma get explored in Ghostfuckers.

It's also likely that it's going to be the episode with Blitz's hearing he makes everything worse from evil Millie.

But I don't think that's going to be neatly packed away, because Barbie's met to be back in s3.

It also doesn't quite make sense if that's not the main focus of the last two episodes. Mastermind and Sinsmas don't seem to be able that. Though we do appear to have the least clips about those.

But honestly mostly because this show understands trauma is with us for the long haul. We can unpack it, make it lighter to carry, but it's always with us.

2) Stolas- he stands up for himself against the goetia, possibly stripped of his title.

Could be. A big theme is Stolas learning he's allowed to choose, but also setting up one hell of a backlash for stepping out of line.

We've had a theme of people standing up to the powerful.

With Blitz standing up to Ozzie for M&M,

Loona standing up to Bee,

Fizz standing up to Mammon.

Stolas either telling Paimon, or the Goetias council, that he's getting the divorce no matter what they do; could play into that theme.

The tile striping seems fairly likely, but possible down the road. Maybe suspension first?

But again I don't think that's going to be nice wrapped up either. With the trail plot starting in series 3.

Assuming that'll be about the book deal, because chekhov's gun says it's gotta blow up in their faces at somepoint.

Also Stolas coming out in his 30s was always going to be a bit messy.

Can't really see that being fully over in a couple of episodes because this show gets trauma, and missed developmental stages and secondary adolescence take a while to work through.

(Take it for someone who was parentified from an early age, you don't really get to move on till you've dealt with it. Even if it's as small as being silly every now and again. Or just keeping a teddy.)

Pretty sure this is why Stolas has to hug himself to sleep. (Link for people that have no clue what I'm on about here)

3)stolitz- they finally talk, possibly confess and reconcile.

Yer this would be my bet for the one that's getting nicely tied up.

Best guess it'll be them both admitting they love eachother.

Because Blitz has spent the first 2 series pretending as hard as possible that he doesn't like Stolas, and definitely doesn't love him.

(Despite everyone around him, but Stolas, able to tell he's head over heels for his fluffy owl).

I'm not expecting miracles with our sweet dummies though.

That's kinda all I'm expecting to sort.

With them probably not full getting together because of issues they need to work though, the divorce, Stella's abuse and plot to kill Stolas, and Via being against them dating ect.

(She's gotta be called CockblOctavia for a reason after all. Ok had to add the other link to Brandon calling her that, cus too funny).

[that-ari-blogger]

A Gift (Labyrinth Runners)

One thing about The Owl House that fascinates me is its relationships. The series is about complexity, and so the relationships function a lot like the characters. They have tropes they appear to fit into but are more intricate upon closer inspection.

Labyrinth Runners is an episode that highlights this specifically, to the point where the theme shows up in almost every single shot.

Let me explain.

SPOILERS AHEAD: (The Owl House, One Piece, Lord Of The Rings)

Let’s start with the opening scene. Gus makes a friend, except that friendship is built on a manipulation, then he makes a real friend in Willow. We have a bad relationship, and a good relationship established, and that recurring motif/Chekhov’s gun that is the breathing thing.

We also have our perspective character, who is neurodivergent. Now, despite being neurodivergent myself, I am about as far from an expert as you can get, but I can see myself in Gus.

This actually relates to the themes mentioned above, because in my experience, neurodivergence affects how a person interacts with people. It makes interpersonal skills less intuitive, and as such, makes relationships more complicated to navigate.

There is a cannon event amongst neurodivergent folk of catastrophically misreading a room and having that memory burned into your brain. That’s what I mean here.

I am not going to go into depth on this reading of Gus and how it impacts individual scenes, purely because I don’t know enough and don’t know what is neurodivergence and what is just me projecting. I am more complex than the label, and judging by what show I’m analysing, I would hazard a guess that Gus is as well. But again, I can barely identify that the term fits us both, I don’t know what is and isn’t part of that.

If someone does know more, please enlighten me in the replies and reblogs and stuff.

Anyway, the episode then begins in earnest, and let’s just highlight a few small elements before we get into anything big.

Bump and the illusions professor immediately move between the fake coven head and Edric. Their relationship with each other is displayed by how quickly they both make the exact same decision, and the fact that they move in tandem. They are co-ordinated, they have a history, and they have a shared set of values.

They also show of their connection to their students here. This is the law of the Boiling Isles, these teachers do not know about the Day of Unity’s true purpose yet, and yet they are willing to risk confronting an emperor for their student without having to think about it.

Meanwhile, the wall in Gus’ room features a ton of photographs, none of which are of a single person. Even the “BANNED” images relate to each other to become one image. They feel like one photograph cut up rather than three separate images. The memories meanwhile are all about Gus’ relationship with Willow, Luz, and Matt.

For the record, this episode gives credit to the Gus x Matt and Viney x Skara ships, and I would like to step in with all the authority that my pretentiousness affords me and claim the former of those two for the romantic aces. I am genuinely going to come back to this idea later.

Focusing on the actual plot of the episode, I don’t need to point out that Adrien is a foil for Gus, but I think how that operates is fascinating.

Both intentionally present themselves as different to how they truly act, and both wield illusions. But even in these details, the characters diverge wildly.

Gus presents himself as more confident than he actually is, constantly making himself appear tough, or clever, or whatever the situation demands. When he meets Hunter again, for example, he is immediately no nonsense in a way that he really shouldn’t be considering the Golden Guard’s reputation.

But you will notice, all he is doing is matching Hunter’s intensity beat for beat. When Hunter dials it back a bit, Gus backs off as well. It’s a prey behaviour, like a frog puffing out it’s chest to seem bigger.

Adrien presents himself as an underdog when he infiltrates Hexside, and reveals himself to be oozing confidence on a level that makes me want to clarify something.

This man isn’t brave, he’s an eejit. He gets challenged multiple times in this episode and doesn’t take it seriously, which leads to his downfall. His confidence is built on a lie.

I love that he just has a coffee at all times, that fits the director vibe so unbelievably well.

Then there is the thematic parallels, and this is where we get theme inception as the episode loops in on itself. The relationship between Gus an Adrien is defined most of all by their different relationships with others and each other.

With Gus, we have seen how important people are to him. He compares himself to others, he is unquestionably the team support.

With Adrien, however, we are introduced to this man berating everyone under his command. The illusion was perfect, the captain’s performance was flawless in my opinion, and yet Adrien wasn’t satisfied. He sees himself as infallible and can’t be bothered to even guide those under him.

I also want to point out that I have acted on stage, and I am studying to go into filmmaking, so I do recognise Adrien’s style of direction as something I have encountered in real life.

Adrien is the type of person who, if this operation had gone well, would have turned on a dime and very publicly cried about how much he knew the people under him cared, and even bought him flowers. He had a vision, and he wasn’t sure they could achieve it, but the performers surpassed expectations under his careful guidance. You know he's talking out of his arse, but he wants to convince the audience, not you.

Me? Petty? Nonsense.

"Oh yeah?' "Yeah" I'm sorry, that is the best line and line read in the series. I am not accepting debate on this subject. I am right.

At this point, we need to talk about Bump, of all people. Because authority is a type of dynamic that The Owl House has been playing with for a while.

The series is inspired by One Piece, for which every villain factors into the idea of abuse of authority. So naturally, The Owl House has featured the same idea presented through Faust, Bump, and now Adrien. These are people who use their authority for personal gain, but that’s not what authority is.

According to One Piece, and Lord of the Rings, authority does have a place. There are kings and pirates, but it’s a duty, not just a position.

In One Piece, the role of a captain is the leader, the person who has the spirit to push on forwards, the person who will protect everyone when the time comes. Luffy is the captain because it is his dream, but because these people are loyal to him, rather than the other way around.

This keeps coming back. Authority comes from loyalty. If you just have someone who claims leadership, they have nothing. This happens in Drum Island specifically, when the king Wapol is contrasted with Dalton. Wapol claimed authority and expected everyone to bow to him, Dalton was chosen by the people to be king.

For Lord of the Rings, it is important to understand that Tolkien was a soldier who fought in the First World War, so his grasp of authority is slightly different to what you might expect. I’ve mentioned this before, but in Lord of the Rings, there is only one perfect king, and he doesn’t have a kingdom, he has a sword.

Every monarch in Lord of the Rings biffs it in some way shape or form, except for Aragorn. The power to do what you want corrupts here, and when a king forgets his purpose, that being to lead and protect his people, his kingdom fails.

Remember, a soldier wrote this book. The top role of those who are in charge of Middle Earth is to protect those who they look after. It is not a position of power; it is a position of service.

In The Owl House, Bump’s primary role at all times is the defence of his students. Once again, he doesn’t know about the day of unity’s true purpose. He is just casually willing to stand infront of agents of the highest authority on the Isles and call them out on their bollocks.

Linking back to when I mentioned the ships. I declared that I had authority, but there was nothing actually there. Bump has asserted his role as a protector and leader, and when questioned, his response was to show off his team. This man is a leader because he is trusted and respected, not for any other reason.

That idea of authority comes back in a minour way at the end of the episode, when the Captain gets given power and immediately turns it on Severine, who is fed up and quits.

Hunter works out how to navigate the labyrinth rediculously quickly. He's not immune to magic, but he's got skills, even on the worst week of his life. So far.

Which brings me to Hunter, who exists in this context of Gus, and that breathing technique. The friendship between these two has been extensively documented, but I want to highlight the breathing technique in contrast to the Captain.

People reciprocate what they have been shown. The Captain was only shown power as a cudgel and used it that way when he got it. Gus, meanwhile, was shown how to recover from a panic attack by Willow, which he then passed along to Hunter, who gave it back later on. It’s a demonstration of healthy friendships giving back and re-enforcing themselves, but there is something incredibly meta about the gesture.

This is the moment The Owl House establishes a relationship with you, the reader. Specifically, that of a friend who will help you out when things get tough. The technique is called box-breathing, at least in circles I’m in, and it genuinely works as a method of getting through panic attacks.

If you feel rough, you can think about this, and you can use it. The episode has shown you how it works, and even given you something to laugh about to take your mind off your stress. It’s a gift, and it feels like something the writers were taught and wanted to pass on to their audience.

I like to think that this episode has helped a few people on a very personal level.

Final Thoughts

This episode does present me with a rare opportunity. The voice actor who played Adrien, Noshir Dalal, has a Tumblr. Which means, I can ask a question to him directly.

So, @noshirdalal, what was the process behind this character, especially the voice? Were you given a specific brief for everything? Or were you given free reign to do whatever you wanted? Or somewhere in the middle?

Anyway, next week is Oh Titan, Where Art Thou, so stick around if that interests you.

Previous - Next

[oncemorewithqueering]

human!au star trek tos--at the airport

imagine:

Kirk becoming the mom friend and holding onto everyone's passports (which are actually being held by Spock but shhhh

Bones being stopped in security because he's literally carrying 5 litre bottles of booze on board and also a penknife. He's been steadily drinking and threatening Jim throughout the day (out of love)

Uhura is doing Duolingo and is making even the owl nervous with how good she is

Sulu and Chekhov are rushing to the gate bc they're racing

Their flight is delayed, so Scotty goes to see what's going on but gets increasingly frustrated by them not telling him anything

Spock is meditating because all this human stress is starting to grate on him

Bones stops Kirk from buying snacks because he's "on a diet, damn it"

On the plane, Spock is perfectly still in his chair while reading his book and Kirk is practically sprawled across his lap

Bones is fit to kill him, because Bones is beside Kirk

Uhura and Nurse Chapel are using eachother as pillows

Chekhov and Sulu go up to the pilots and spend the whole flight with them

When they land, it turns out that Kirk has lost their passports! Uhura is trying to explain the situation in the language of the country, everyone else is so tired, and Kirk looks incredibly upset

Then Spock comes out of the bathroom with the passports, which he took from Kirk

Kirk is very upset because Spock didn't trust him and Spock is just like "it was logical babe"

[fallensnowfan]

It's time for my 2000th post celebration!

It has been a lot of fun getting to this point! Thanks to those who have stuck around over the years and to newer followers as well.

Rather than making this purely focused on One Piece, I thought it may be fun to look back at the beginning of this blog, and give a bit of spotlight to the transitions it has been though up to this point.

I began this blog back in April of 2020, mainly out of an interest in keeping up with artists who were creating AU fan comics of Steven Universe, a show I began while it was in the middle of airing its fourth season, and caught up to soon after. Three fan comics I especially enjoyed reading were a White Diamond Steven AU by Chekhov, a comic where Steven has a sister(Twiniverse,) and a special shoutout to makingfriendos/court and snidy for being a great source of joy and whimsy with their SU art back then, being the creators of one of the first fan comics I really delved into.

The comic they worked on, Steven Universe B-Sides, focused on the trio of Lapis, Peridot, and Bismuth being Steven's guardians and is a joy to read. Captured the essence and humor of season one very well.

In fact, one of their drawings is the origin of the original name of this blog "showergelfan." Sourcing to a lovely doodle they drew of Peridot not understanding human cuisine and thinking that a shower gel recipe was acceptable for human consumption.

Moving forward a bit to September of 2020, Steven Universe had finished airing a few months ago and I shifted into mainly focusing on Amphibia and Owl House around the time, both shows having very active fan bases during their runs(shoutout to the-lone-witch-and-secret-room for being a cool and friendly presence within the Owl House fandom during the show's air.) Amphibia especially resonated with me for its humor, characters, and fun to explore world. Frogs being one of my favorite animals gave it a boost too.

A few other cartoons found their way into the mix as well, namely Hilda and Infinity Train. Both also good shows which I still recommend. I didn't explore fan works for these shows as much I did with Steven Universe, though enjoyed them all none the less.

Then finally, around August/September of 2021, I began the most recent and current focus towards One Piece from then on, with the name switch to fallensnowfan and greater attention to Kiku and friends happening in July of 2022. Being in part due to discovering the blog of cool friend basedkikuenjoyer around that time. Hi!

Going to conclude this celebration post with a small section dedicated to the much anticipated episode 1084, directed by Kenichi Takeshita, and the episodes he has worked on previously:

935 - Komurasaki's true identity is… 949 - Udon Prison liberated 965 - Whitebeard versus Roger 980 - Jinbei arrives 998 - Shinobu and Sanji rescue Momonosuke 1018 - Zoro scars Kaido with Enma 1039 - Tama flips the Beast Pirates to our side, and Who's Who backstory 1067 - Big Mom's fall

Tomorrow's episode, 1084 will be about an "untold story from before the Straw Hats' departure," and I am very excited to watch!

[loss-protocol]

i love chekhovs gun as a concept its so cool dude. TATT fans r real ones because i use SO much of it as foreshadowing there

weather also plays a rlly big part in TATT, The amount of weather descriptions I have in there as build up is kinda crazy

and things with meanings, I eat that shit up. the repeated mention of owls, specifically barn owls are intentional!! they're thought to be a symbol of bad luck

subtle ways to include foreshadowing

one character knowing something offhandedly that they shouldn't, isn't addressed until later

the crow rhyme

colours!! esp if like, blue is evil in your world and the mc's best friend is always noted to wear blue...betrayal?

write with the ending in mind

use patterns from tragic past events to warn of the future

keep the characters distracted! run it in the background until the grand reveal

WEATHER.

do some research into Chekhov's gun

mention something that the mc dismisses over and over

KEEP TRACK OF WHAT YOU PUT. don't leave things hanging.

unreliable characters giving information that turn out to be true

flowers and names with meanings

anything with meanings actually

metaphors. if one character describes another as "a real demon" and the other turns out to be the bad guy, you're kind of like...ohhh yeahhh

anyways add anything else in the tags

[crackspinewornpages]

Jim Henson's Labyrinth 4/19 -A.C.H. Smith

1 

While nobody saw the owl, the owl saw and heard everything as he settled in a tree and watched the girl below. She moved with deliberate purpose, concentrating as she recited her lines. “Give me the child,’ she repeated. ‘Through dangers untold and hardships unnumbered, I have fought my way here to the castle beyond the Goblin City, to take back the child you have stolen.”- “For my will is as strong as yours...”p.11 She fumbled her lines and checked the playbook for the next one. “You have no power over me...”p.12 (and now Chekhov's gun is cocked and loaded) She couldn't continue as a clap of thunder startled her and her sheepdog, Merlin. (I know Merlin is a sheepdog but my cat’s name is Merlin so I just keep picturing him) She repeated the last line until the pavilion clock chimed and she realized the time. She and her dog started running home with her muttering it’s not fair as an owl watched it all in, no hurry, he knew what he wanted. (Merlin doesn't like the owl thinking it was why Sarah was running) 

Sarah’s stepmother was waiting for her, “The world at large was not fair, hardly ever, but in particular, her stepmother was ruthlessly not fair to her.”p.13 She could already hear her baby brother crying, she didn't call him her half-brother since her friend Alice (like Alice in Wonderland a girl who went through a nonsensical other world I see what you’re doing book) asked what his other half is (a horse) and she couldn't answer. Sometimes she felt protective of Toby, wanting to take him away to a better place but times like this she hated him since he had twice as many parents as she did. “When she hated Toby it frightened her, because it led her into thinking about how she could hurt him.”p.14 There must be something wrong with her, she wished she had someone who could understand, her friends would think she's a witch and her father would be more frightened of it than herself. (well she’s not wrong a teenager holding onto this much hatred and dark thoughts towards a baby is concerning)  

Sarah unapologetically said sorry for being late and Irene (the Labyrinth wiki says her name is Irene but in fanon Karen is popular too) told her to come out of the rain (Sarah made sure never to touch her even on accident) but the dog has to go in the garage. (well yeah Merlin is a big shaggy sheepdog that’s now soaking wet and covered in mud) Sarah thought Irene’s style was tacky and her performance every evening was hammy, her favorite word since her mother's boyfriend Jeremy used it to put down an actor, she was determined to be an actress so she could sound sophisticated like him. (that’s not how I would describe it) Irene started scolding her for being an hour late, they only ask her to babysit if it doesn’t interfere with her plans. Sarah cuts her off, how would she know if she has plans, she doesn't ask, Irene assumes she’d tell her if she did. “I would like it if you had a date. A fifteen-year-old girl should have dates.”p.16 (it was the 80’s how many well adjusted fifteen-year-olds at that time were cosplaying by themselves in the park) Sarah thought if she did have a date, she wouldn't tell her, and she wouldn’t like who it was. (she has a whole fantasy of escaping in a limo and they’d only hear of her in magazines) 

Sarah’s father came up holding her brother and telling her they were worried, (as any good parent would be if their teenager was off by herself and an hour late coming home in a storm) Sarah says to leave her alone and runs up the stairs. They were so reasonable, convinced they were in the right, only a matter of time until she did as they wished. Why did he take that woman’s side, her own mother never had that look of tolerance. “She was a woman who could shout and laugh and hug you and slap you all within a minute or two. When she and Sarah had a quarrel, it was an explosion. Five minutes later, it was forgotten.”p.16 (this hits close to home the result of which is I haven't spoken to that woman since December 3rd) Irene lamented how she tries but Sarah is determined to make her the wicked stepmother, Robert says it’s hard to have a mother walk out on you, (this is common the child has a tumultuous relationship if at all to the one parent they want love and acceptance from and will try to mold themselves to that parent’s image or expectations all while dumping their frustrations and lashing out to the other parent because it’s safe to do so) he’s right but will she ever change, Robert goes to talk to her. 

Sarah’s only safe place was her room, and she checked it every day that everything was where it should be. Irene rarely came in, she couldn't be trusted, she tried to clean but misplaced things. “It was essential to ward off that disturbing spirit.”p.17 Shelves were filled with books, toys and dolls positioned to Sarah’s affinities, everything had to be a certain way or it would be unsafe once disordered the room wouldn't be familiar. (ah so she’s trying to stay at the time in childhood where her family was together clinging to order in her disordered world but in turn stifling her own growth) Sarah was so against disturbances she learned how to do her own repairs so even her father would hardly have a reason to come in. 

Sarah now stood in her room sniffling and looked at an old family photo, all around were photos and posters of her mother's plays. One had her mother and her boyfriend Jeremy posing together and signed by them for Sarah, there were newspaper clippings from paparazzi following the two on their romance. Sarah picked up the music box (it plays Greensleeves) her mother gave he on her fifteenth birthday, the three went to the country club to swim, (the dick pretended to drown) Jeremy gifted her a gown to wear to dinner and a musical where he gossiped about the actors. He had danced with her and after a photo flash joked, they’d be in the gossip columns the next day (presumably because it would be a scandal of him being seen with an underage girl) and he drove wildly to shake off the phantom photographers and at home Sarah’s mother gifted her the music box. 

She could easily remember poetry, so why was the line in the park difficult, how could she make it on stage if she couldn’t remember her lines. She tried to get into the part with the right props as her mother told her and costumes as Jeremy told her. “They helped you escape from your own life and find your way into the part, as Jeremy said. And after each show, you take it all off, and you wipe the slate clean. Every day was a fresh start.”p.20 She was putting on lipstick when her father came to her door wanting to talk, she wouldn't let him in. At a loss he tells her Toby’s asleep, and they’ll be back by midnight and walked away and Sarah sniffed how he used to kiss her goodbye and now didn't try to come in. (would you throw a fit if he did you made it pretty clear you don’t want anybody in there) 

 As she threw away a tissue, she noticed her bear Lancelot was missing and she was angry the order of her room was violated. (if it really mattered would this be noticed when you first came in) She blames Irene yelling out the window towards the taxi that she hates her. She knew Toby had it, he was given everything but given more than she ever was. Lancelot was on the floor of the nursery, (hmm seems more like it was placed there deliberately) Sarah picked him up and her entrance woke Toby who started to cry. Sarah bemoaned for someone to save her and take her away, among the cacophony of the storm, Toby crying and Merlin barking it stirred the goblins in the castle of the Goblin King.  

Trying to calm Toby and herself down she told him the story from her playbook, The Labyrinth, (there's the title) how the evil stepmother made the young woman stay and watch the spoiled baby. (hmm I don't think that’s in the play) “But what no one knew was this: the King of the Goblins had fallen in love with her, and given her certain powers.”p.23 Now the goblins were paying attention as Sarah went on, the woman called the goblins to help her say the words and they’ll take the baby and she’ll be free. The girl knew the king would keep the baby forever and turn him into a goblin, so she kept quiet for months until she couldn't bear it. 

Toby started wailing again and Sarah was losing her temper, and the goblins eagerly listened for her to say the words. “Goblin King! Goblin King! Wherever you may be, come and take this child of mine away from me!”p.25 The goblins call them the wrong words, she didn't even say ‘I wish’. Toby was screaming now, and exhausted, Sarah started saying ‘I wish’ until he quieted down and she put him back in his crib. Right before she left, she said the words, “I wish the goblins would come and take you away...-”...right now.”p.26 To the goblins delight, and they scattered. 

2 

The thunderstorm picked up and Sarah listened to the unnatural silence in the room, Toby was quiet, and it scared her. She called his name and flicked the lights, but nothing responded, stepping into the room there were unfamiliar shadows. In the crib, under the blanket, weird shapes were bulging and Sarah thought she saw things that weren't a part of Toby poking out,  then there was stillness. Perhaps for hours she stared at the empty crib, mind blank and frightened by a thumping on the window by an owl, she didn't notice the goblins behind her. The clock chimed from the mantle at thirteen o clock, she was distracted by it until something nudged her leg, something scaly. Something else snickered out of sight and shadows crawled across the walls cavorting goblins evading her eyes. (you could easily lean into the horror of this book like Coraline) Sarah looked for a weapon and tried to beat them away with a broom when it also slithered out of her hands. 

Lightning flashed across the room and faces hid as thunder boomed and the wind blew the window open for the owl to enter. Sarah screamed covering her eyes and peaked through them to see a human shadow. Sarah recognized the stranger as the Goblin King, (he has a My Immortal description but you can just picture David Bowie however you want) he introduced himself as Jareth, (sounds a lot like Jeremy) he saved her, “I have liberated you from those bonds that distressed you and frightened you. You’re free now, Sarah.”p.32 Sarah doesn't want to be free, she does, but she wants her brother back, she didn't mean it, please bring him back.  

“Go back to your room. Read your books. Put on your costumes, that is your real life. Forget about the baby.”p.33 Sarah can't do that, so Jareth summons a crystal ball to show her her dreams, but it’s not a gift for an ordinary girl who takes care of a screaming baby, does she want it. Sarah didn't answer as she stared at it, “To see her own dreams-what wouldn't she give for that?”p.33 Jareth tells her to forget about the baby and Sarah was torn, the gift was seductive (yeah from a grown man to a teenager) but also from someone who understood her, (how much does he really understand about you) only for her to trade a spoiled child, (there’s no such thing as a spoiled baby)  only her half-brother. She appreciated it, but she can't accept it and wants her brother back. 

Jareth lost his patience, disappeared the crystal and threatens Sarah with a snake, warning her not to defy him, as it wrapped around her neck. Sarah tore it off, finding it was a scarf, then it turned into a snake again, she dropped it and it shattered into goblins who scattered around the room, they were all around now, watching her. Jareth warns her to take his offer, she no match for him, she can't do that, she has to have her brother back. He says she won't find him, so there is a place she figures and for a moment Sarah saw fear in his eyes, it was encouraging. 

He hesitates but says there is a place and points with his cane out the window towards a castle atop a mound the Goblin City. They were now no longer in the house but on a hill. “Turn back, Sarah, turn back, before it is too late.”p.36 She can't, the castle wasn’t too far off, it depended on what she comes across in the valley, was the darkness down there perpetual. Jareth warns it’s farther than she thinks, and time is shorter, she only has thirteen hours before her brother becomes one of them forever. She’ll start, he calls it a pity before disappearing, Sarah just glimpsed a white owl flying away, and taking one step off the hill, she fell. 

3 

Sarah slid down the hillside on her bottom terrified, getting jabbed by rocks and shrubs. She couldn't see in the dark, but she was determined, there was no limit to what she could do and maybe with luck she would save Toby. A lark call made her look up and see the sunrise, Jareth’s castle on the horizon, it seemed only a few hours away. She wondered if Jareth’s land worked by the same time as home, would her father and Irene find her missing and call the police. As the sun rose, she saw what was in the valley. “From the foot of the hillside where she sat, to the castle and beyond it, and from horizon to horizon on each sides, there stretched a vast, intricate maze of walls and hedges.”p.40 

She studied the Labyrinth trying to solve it and the impossibility started to overwhelm her. She went on through the rocks and shrubs to the great wall stretching farther than she could see. As she got closer she saw a little man and called out startling him and making him cross at her for disturbing him. He tried to look fierce but couldn't, he wasn't friendly but not hostile and Sarah asked if he could show her how to get through the Labyrinth. He ignored her and continued spraying the fairies to Sarah’s dismay calling him a monster. She picked it up only for it to bite her, the man said of course what did she expect it to do, grant wishes. “Shows what you know, don’t it?’p.43 (he’s not wrong Sarah has no actual experience with real fairies imagine someone picking up a horsefly thinking it’s just a little pony or something) The man goes on spraying and gave her leaves to rub on the bite, she did and cried out that it hurt more, the man laughed at her, payback for startling him.  

Sarah calls him horrible, he says his name is Hoggle and he goes on spraying, after he already knew Sarah was her name she suspects he knows a lot about her, maybe he’s a spy for Jareth, he’s not her idea of a spy. “If all her opinions were wrong, as he’d said, then this one might be wrong, too. But in that case, she thought, supposing he is a spy, then it might be his job to persuade me that all my opinions are wrong when really they are all correct. And if they are all correct, he is not a spy.”p.44 Her thoughts run in circles, it’s just like a puzzle from home unable to tell who is the liar. (so Sarah is definitely going to encounter this problem later) 

Sarah smiled at him and his face darkened unused to people smiling at him and when asked if he knows where the door to the Labyrinth is, he gives her the run around. It’s hopeless talking to him, “It’s hopeless asking you anything.” “Not if you ask the right questions.”p.45 The right questions depend on what she wants to know, how to get into the Labyrinth then she heard the same music that hummed around the Goblin King. “You got to ask the right questions if you want to get anywhere in the Labyrinth.”p.45  

Sarah saw a huge gate, now she had to find the key, it was sticking out under the mat, too heavy for her to lift and Hoggle refused to help her. Sarah snapped and called him names like she did to another girl when she was younger, (I think it’s already been established Sarah can be a real bitch) and Hoggle got angry. (pipsqueak really gets under his skin because he's a dwarf) “You! Ha! You’re so stupid you are, you take everything for granted.”p.46 If she weren't she’d just try the gate, it wasn't locked. (this reminds me of high school first period sometimes the teachers wouldn’t be there in time to unlock the classroom door so we’d all sit in the hall until someone came by with a key once we did that and the door wasn’t even locked it was just the lights were off and no one tried the door) Sarah says it’s clever, “You think you’re so clever,’ Hoggle said. ‘You know why? Because you aint learned nothing.”p46 

Sarah didn't like what she saw on the other side, it was dark, there was intense music (well yeah this is a musical) and the smell of things rotting. Two steps in and she was in a narrow hallway that was slimy and smelled of mildew. Hoggle got quiet asking if she was really going, yes, is there any reason why she shouldn't, every reason why she shouldn't, is there a good reason why she should, she has to. Should she go left or right, they both looked the same, then she won't get far, he wouldn't go at all. Hoggle repeats what he told her of taking things for granted. “This Labyrinth, for instance, even if you get to the center, which is extremely doubtful, you’ll never get out again.”p.48 His opinion is better than hers, she thanks him for nothing, Hoggle calls back not to say he didn't warn her, a few steps in the gate closed and wouldn't open. 

4 

Sarah went on her way as lichen watched her go and gossiped disapproving of her direction. After walking for a long while it still looked the same, not a turn or corner, and she thinks maybe she’s taking it for granted to go on and on. She wondered how much time she had left, “It wasn’t fair, not knowing.”p.50 She ran until she was exhausted and collapsed crying, there were still only walls, she beat on one in frustration and a little worm answered. (well she did knock on his house) Sarah realized if a worm can talk it may give her directions, it’s just a worm it doesn't know how to get through but invites her in for tea. She can't, she has get through but it just goes on, the worm says there are ways, she just doesn't see them. “There was no logic to it. Or maybe there was nothing but logic, and that was the trouble: all logic and no reason.”p.51 There was an opening right in front of her, things aren't what they seem here, so don't take then for granted. Sarah tried it and found another passage and thanks the worm (that keeps offering tea) who warns her not to go that direction, she thanks him and goes the opposite way to the worm’s relief as the other way would have led her to that dreadful castle. (remember what Hoggle said about asking the right questions) 

In the Goblin King’s chamber (it’s a pigsty) Toby was howling (even David Bowie said Toby was adorable but a screamer) as Jareth watched amused, no one else took notice of Toby, the goblins were skittering about doing their own things. Jareth wanted something to amuse him, the goblins were boring, too stupid to find their way through the Labyrinth, no wisdom or wit. (well you did kidnap them as babies what were you expecting) “In the old days, when many babies had been offered to him, Jareth had been more tolerant, reckoning that soon he would certainly find one who could be trained as a worthy companion to the throne, one whose young blood would serve to refresh Jareth’s, whose high spirits would dispel the thoughts of aging that oppressed the king of the Goblins.”p.53 (so what the youth from the infants also gave him youth) As calls became rarer Jareth became more dejected and avoided mirrors. (he’s as worried about his wrinkles like a twenty-year-old botox and filler addict) He might be lucky with Toby and he’ll help him rule his ramshackle empire, or just with mischief, nine more hours to wait, he needs something to pass the time. 

Sarah now came upon steps, a change from walls and turns, to make sure she didn't retrace her steps and marked a brick with her lipstick unknowing that a little creature behind her would turn the bricks over. She didn't see the goblins behind her as she went up to the dead-end chamber and when she turned around her arrow was gone. (What's That Sound Coming From The Ground Someone Is Turning All Of The Tiles Around~) Knowing something was fishy she called it unfair only for a voice to repeat the words behind her. The dead-end chamber now had two guards holding shields with two more guards holding on to them upside-down. (Find The Guards Hiding Behind Cards Ignore The One Outright Cause He Always Lies~) The way she came was now blocked off in a dead-end and she calls it unfair it keeps changing, what’s she to do, they suggest to try the doors one leads to the castle one to death.  

Jim and Tim can't tell her which door to use but Alph and Ralph can, but she can only ask one, it’s the rules. (the top two are Alph and Ralph and the bottom ones Jim and Tim because she though their names should rhyme) “And I think I should warn you that one of us always tells the truth, and one of us always lies.”p.57 (how do we know they’re not both liars and the both doors lead to the same place Samurai Jack taught me that) He accuses Ralph of being the liar, Ralph says he’s the one who tells the truth and it’s Alph who lies, Alph calls that a lie, Jim and Tim laugh at Sarah’s situation. Sarah thought of the question that will get the same answer (simple kill one and ask the other if the dead one is dead) and Tim laughed at her. Sarah tells them to answer yes or no, points to Alph and says to tell her that his door leads to the castle. Ralph says yes, so Sarah concludes the other door is the way because if he told her yes then the answer is no. Ralph says he could be telling the truth, then it would be a lie, if it were yes then the answer would be no. (ok point to one guard ask him which door the other guard would say is safe and do the opposite of what they agree on) Sarah is pleased with herself for getting smarter and walked through Alph’s door calling it a piece of cake before falling straight down a shaft. (see from the start the riddle was rigged by it’s own rules)  

NEXT

[ourplegaymer101]

My Ocs but theyre incorrect quotes

Violett: What are you drinking?

Arman: Vodka.

Violett: Straight?

Arman: No, gay. Why?

-

Violett: I got grounded for a whole week just because I came home late.

Renzo: Well, you deserved it. I mean, getting everyone's hopes up like that and then showing up again.

-

Violett: Just so everyone knows, don't ever try to climb a tree at night carrying a strobe light, owls DON'T like it.

Renzo: ...what happened?

Violett: I made a VERY bad mistake.

-

Stella: Damn, Lilianna, are you secretly cool?

Lilianna: Well, poker is just math, so I guess it depends on if you consider the mathematician, Carl Friedrich Gauss, cool.

Stella: I do not.

-

Valerie: *holding a salt packet* It’s just a little sodium chloride.

Lilianna: Actually Valerie, it’s salt.

Valerie: That’s what I said, sodium chloride.

Lilianna: Uh Valerie, that would be salt.

Lilianna: *takes salt packer from Valerie* This is iodized table salt, which in addition to sodium chloride contains anti-caking agents and potassium iodate, which is added to prevent iodine deficiency. So not only are you being overly pretentious by insisting on using scientific terminology for everyday items, you are factually wrong. Your arrogance is your downfall, you annoying little shit.

-

Chrono: You can’t have a gun on stage!

Vera: WRONG AGAIN! I can have a gun, and I must have a gun, that’s the rule of Chekhov’s Gun: have a gun. And now that it’s been seen, I will have to shoot someone before the end of the play.

-

Majorie: I have an idea.

Chrono: A good idea?

Majorie: Let's not get ahead of ourselves.

-

Vera: You ever see something that changes your life and you're just like "huh.."

Majorie: I saw you.

Vera: Honestly that's so cute and sweet but it kinda makes this awkward because I was gonna show you a picture of Chrono in a turkey costume.

-

Vera: I’ve made a spread sheet of all the crime in Brooklyn.

Vera: There’s so much crime in New York, no one should live here.

[thechekhov]

Another lil monthly request for y’all - beta Amity!

[schizononagesimus]

AH SICK I LOVE BEING TAGGED oke

Last song: linksrechts by chaotic hostility and gladde paling

Watching: Hannibal, Killing Eve, Owl House, Critical Role

Reading: Harrow again, Twilight, and as always multiple fics at once I'm all like. Paused on.

Obsession: my guy i have autism i dont like Anything a normal amount if you see me talk about it im so fucking crazy. Anyway as always it's tlt (actually im going kind of super insane about disco elysium rn i started dreaming abt it?????)

Tagging @faildyke @cavalierprimary @mayasaura @abigail-pent @chekhovs-tantrum

7 People You’d Like to Know Better

Thank you @skyrim-forever ! I pass the torch to: @john-liberal @theauthor27 @dynamite124 @kynarreth @rock-pikmin-is-funny @serbiadisturbia @gemsweater72

Last song listened to: Be my Everything (English Version). It’s a solo song from one of the members of a K-pop group named Purple Kiss, and it’s fantastic! Great vocals, even though I do prefer the other song from the single more.

Currently Watching: Nashville (2013) and the new season of The Dragon Prince. I only have one episode of Nashville left and it’s the finale, so that’s pretty sad. I’m three episodes into season 5 of Dragon Prince and really liking it! I’m glad the animation has improved since the beginning.

Currently Reading: Nothing now. I just finished Dear Mothman by Robin Gow and loved it though! It is written for young teens, but it’s a really great queer narrative and is written through some very nice free verse poetry.

Current Obession: It’s mainly Skyrim (liked it so much I made a Tumblr blog for it, after all), but since I talk a lot about that, I’ll also mention Hollow Knight. I’m playing it right now and it’s very hard, but very good! I like how little handholding it does.

[loosescrewslefty]

There was SO MUCH that happened this episode, but I haven't really seen anyone discuss This scene in particular yet and the implications of it, which is a shame because I am VERY excited about what it's setting up in terms of Hunter's relationships with Willow and Gus, Luz's friendship with them, and Gus and Willow's places in the plot.

One of the biggest complaints that fans have had of The Owl House is the fact that Willow and Gus are often underutilized. And a big reason for that seems to be the problem that we kept seeing crop up multiple times in Season 2; the fact that other characters keep them out of the loop about what's going on. Luz didn't tell them about wanting to steal from Belos in Agony of a Witch, they had to figure that out for themselves. She initially didn't tell them about going through the broken portal and seeing her mom in Follies at the Coven Day Parade. She doesn't tell them about helping Philip. And she is keeping the fact that King is a Titan from them, even though King is their friend as well. Anytime Willow and Gus are involved in the bigger overarching plot, they basically have to force themselves into it because Luz won't let herself rely on them the way they clearly want her to.

This is similar to the issue that Eda had to confront in O Titan Where Art Thou, where she hid the truth from Luz and tried to send her away, which ultimately ended up hurting Luz once she realized what was going on. And while it's for slightly different reasons, Luz and Hunter are both doing the same thing to Willow and Gus, keeping important secrets from them because they are afraid of how they'll react, or think that they're protecting them. But the end results are probably going to be the same as it was for Eda and Luz; Willow and Gus are going to discover the truth, and that they were intentionally kept out of the loop, and when it does come out it's going to hurt them way more than if Luz and Hunter hadn't avoided the conversations they need to have with them and had just been honest from the start.

[zecoritheweirdone]

folks i made art for @scorpionoesit’s vagabonds fic. it is a very good fic and you all should read it if you haven’t already.

if you haven’t heard of it,, basically,, think clinic, but tommy doesn’t have healing powers + he heals many different groups, not just villains(and vigilantes).

it is,, as i said,, verrrrrrry very good,,,, we got clingy duo, we got bedrock bros, allium duo, golden duo,, whatever the hell tommy and fundy’s duo name is i don’t know i don’t keep up with these things. we got bamf tommy,, we got micheal aka the best character,, we got peanut butter cookies,, have i convinced you to read this fic yet. do i need to send my not-so-good essay. i will do it. no i won’t actually it’s not good but still you should read the fic kdjdkdndk.

anyway, ranting aside,,,, the art!!

click for better quality,,,,, reblogs > likes!!

i feel like the rooftop itself could be better(it is. very empty,, dkdnkd),, as well as the poses,, and the background is.. eh,,, but i like everything else about it!!

and that’s not all i have! made a couple little extra doodles,, putting them under the cut!! hope you all enjoy!!

[cacowhistle]

the owl house spoilers ahead!

i wanna talk about a few things, namely: jacob hopkins, belos, and chekhov’s gun.

i’ve seen this theory floating around a bit already, but i wanted to expand on it--i think that belos and jacob hopkins are going to somehow work together as the villain for the shortened season 3. whether it’s via belos possessing the guy, or hopkins working with belos of his own volition, i don’t know--but i think it’s pretty much guaranteed that they’ll be working together for a few reasons.

1. jacob hopkins was set up as a minor antagonist. he was given a name--he’s a character we’re going to remember because of this. that being said, he never had a solid conclusion to his antagonist role.

camila essentially told him to “sit and think about what you’ve done,” and in guys like jacob, that can easily serve to make him more angry, and believe he’s even more in the right. he’s still out there. his story is unresolved, and therefore, i think he’s gonna come back to bite the protagonists in the ass.

it’s the rule of chekhov’s gun--if you mention something by name, it will come back later.

2. belos and jacob have very similar mindsets. obviously there is a difference between “tyrant who wants to cause a mass genocide” and “weird guy who believes aliens are real and out to get us” but both of them believe they are protecting humanity from the “unnatural.”

it would be very easy for belos to manipulate jacob into helping him. jacob likely still has a vendetta against vee and the demon realm as a whole, and i think it’s the perfect setup for him to come back for a more major antagonistic role in season 3.

3. literally what else could happen in the human realm. there are like. no other established antagonists, and with the shortened timeframe it would not only be easier to use jacob in the story, but it would still make sense writing-wise and could honestly end up being a really cool twist if they play it off right.

4. i wanna see jacob get his ass beat lol. that’s it that’s the last point. yesterday’s lie wasn’t enough for me i want him to get beaten up by a group of teenagers.

[crescentblossom66]

A hat in time writing prompts: Prompt 8 Dates

The bright hot midday sun made the sand of the Great-Dead-Bird-Desert almost sparkled as it got whirled up by the pride and joy of the Western director, the Owl Express. Today there were only 5 passengers and its conductor on the train, it wasn't every day that the yellow owl had some time to spend with his young grandkids.

The little owlets were in the engine room with him, two of them, Greg and Serena, were looking out the window on the side, chirping happily as they watched the sand and dust fly by outside. Molly and Cameron were drawing pictures with some old crayons that their grandfather had found in a drawer in his desk, after he remembered that they might get bored on the long ride. He turned around briefly and found that Molly was drawing some...yellow sun monster thingie? He couldn't quite tell. Cameron's picture on the other hand crudely depicted a train and some canyons, considering the owlet's age it looked incredible.

It was then that he noticed his favorite grandchild, he knew it was wrong to pick favorites, but Chekhov was basically the most like him. He loved trains, he liked action movies with explosions, and he never removed the conductor's cap that he had given him for his first birthday. Chekhov reached his tiny arms up at him, wanting to be picked up by the older owl, who did as he wanted and cradled him in one wing.

“Ye wanted ta see the view out front, eh? Cannae blame ye, I know it's the best.” The small owl hugged his wing as he watched the train run smoothly on the tracks, after a few minutes the Conductor noticed that the his grandson had fallen asleep from the slight rocking and the comfort of his arms. He couldn't help but smile at the sight.

The others looked like they needed a nap too, as Chekhov's siblings were awfully quiet, never a good sign. When he turned back around and found Molly and Cameron who had abandoned their crayons and used their drawings as bed sheets, and Greg and Serena had somehow manged to curl up on the small window sill they had stood on and watched the scenery go by from previously.

He went all the way back to the caboose, he was sure that he still had one of the spare mattresses for the VIP rooms there, it took him a few minutes but he found it easily enough. The yellow owl grunted and swore under his breath as he dragged the the mattress back, together with a bed sheet that he had found at the same place.

By the time he made it back, he was panting a bit and his wings ached a little, but it was well worth it when he watched the owlet snuggle up to each other and sleep comfortably, after he put the bed sheet over them.

An hour later they arrived at a station that was normally never used, nobody but him probably even knew it existed, they didn't know that it had the best spot in the whole desert. A small oasis with date palm trees was but a five minute walk away from it. To be honest, the owl was actually glad that no one but him knew this place. Those pecking tourist didn't even deserve a place as beautiful as this in the first place!

The moment he stopped and the train jolted ever so slightly, he slowed it down the gentlest he could, the young birds woke up and rubbed their eyes. They all followed him to the oasis, it took a bit longer than he anticipated due to them falling occasionally. Greg and Molly both had fallen face first into the sand once, due to the latter dragging the former down as she fell. He had to lightly scold both of them after they decided that sand was very clearly supposed to be eaten.

When they arrived he spread a blanket near the water and made sure that they steered clear of it, a drowning owlet was the last thing he wanted.

The small owls looked and wandered around a bit all but Cameron and Chekhov, who apparently were still tired so they leaned against him and fell asleep.

It didn't take long until he heard a loud high-pitched screeching, the perpetrator was Serena, who was looking up at a tree, stretching her wings out while jumping up and down.

The yellow bird got up, waking the two boys as he did so.

“What is it, lassie?” The young girl turned to him and then pointed at the top of the tree, he could see the ripe dates from below. He bent down to get on the same level as the girl.“Those are dates, lassie, you can eat those.”

The female owlet chirped happily and pointed at him and then at the fruit. Did...did she want him to go up there and get some?

“I ain't gonna climb up this tree, lass, it's one o' me only free days, I want ta relax too.” The wing of the owlet slowly drooped to her side and her ear-like feathers lowered. Just a moment later she started crying, which resulted in her four siblings also crying in sync. He felt like yelling at them to quit crying and to just enjoy the day, but instead he told them:

“Alright fine! But I better not be hearin' a peep from any of ye for the rest of the day!” They stopped crying, as if on cue, and nodded enthusiastically.

The yellow owl started to climb up the palm tree, his grandchildren chirping and clapping loudly, almost like fans that cheered for their favorite sports team. He got some of the dates down, but screamed in surprise and lost his footing, when something crawled over his wing and startled him. The young birds ran away as fast as they could as he fell into the sand, creating a big dust cloud.

The five kids were scared after the dust cleared and the older bird wasn't getting up, with lowered feathers they slowly approached and lightly poked him to wake him up. Molly started to cry after seeing that her grandfather wasn't responding, not catching the slight lift of his ear-like feathers.

“No need to cry, lass-” He groaned while he slowly sat up again. “-It needs more than a small tumble ta do me in.” They all hugged him in relief, it made him feel bad for worrying them so much. He pulled them all close and started to pet their backs.

“Ye ain't gettin' rid of me that easily.”

-

Sorry, I needed to write about good grandpa Conductor again. It marks half a year on the day that my own grandpa died. Felt a bit sad again due to this, 'a tough softie' released on the day after his funeral, so it's just me coping by writing my favorite character.