#its only cos he looks like Theo

[choppedbouquetswhisperedsecrets]

Me when i see that one Theodore Nott lookalike in school:

[hiwelcometothemonstersancturary]

I’d love to hear your headcanons on the relationship of Catnap/Theo and The Prototype…especially when the poor kid became wee little baby Catnap. The Prototype must have a lot of guilt over that, and many, many other things…

Oh, boy, I have so much to talk about!

First, for me their relationship is and will always be of father and son. Even during the time Theo/Catnap starts looking up to Prototype as his god, it is still, at its core, a parent and child relationship. The religious imagery is just another layer it has, even if it's a very bad and unhealthy one. For me the whole cult thing was something Prototype only allowed to happen because it gave him more control over the factory, and, by extension, more protection to his kid, because if anyone dared to mess with him, they would know they would have messed up with the Prototye himself. And also because Elliot was used to people looking up to him and "lost" his "window" to cut it off before it became too much, like how we see in-game.

I think Theo met Prototype by accident, when he was running from bullies and accidentally got lost. He called for help until Prototype heard him and made a "mental link", gently guiding Theo out of where he was. Prototype was in the middle of an escape attempt, btw, and stopped because Theo was just a child and needed help. He would have done the same for any other kid in Playcare, and this is an important part of his personality to me. Proto would never hurt a kid (except if he thinks said hurt will free them from their suffering, which is why he kills CatNap during the og game).

Theo, very young and a bit religious, thought that the voice was actually a guardian angel guiding him out, and tried to contact the Prototype by praying. Proto, who still had the mental link with the kid, was very amused, and told him that no, he's not an angel, just another creature trapped inside Playtime Co. Prototype would often silently escape his cell in order to talk to Theo, or use the mental connection to make his hand appear in front of him. The kid was lonely, terrified, and no other adult seemed competent enough to just do their job as a person and help him, and Prototype knew what it was like to be lonely and terrified. He wouldn't allow this little one to be alone like he himself was.

He protected Theo the best he could. He wouldn't scare the bullies, knowing well that if he did, the higher-ups would immediately make a connection and end any attempts at contacting Theo. At this point Proto was already with the adoption papers all signed up inside his head but he just thought it was normal behavior for him until years later. Prototype helped Theo with homework, taught him how to calm himself down, and, little by little, started showing more of himself. First he made it so that Theo would only see his hand, then his arm. He warned the boy that he had a very scary appearance, to which Theo replied that even angels look a bit scary the first time you see then. Surprisingly, the little boy was amazed by how the Prototype looked like! He thought he was the coolest thing EVER.

Prototype's influence also made Theo start scoring higher at the Game Station. He was a very frail and clumsy kid. If it wasn't for Proto being gentle and encouraging, Theo would have never been fit for the Bigger Bodies initiative. This is something Prototype didn't realize until he accidentally overheard Sawyer talking about the Smiling Critters "line" of Bigger Bodies and saw the test results for Theo. By this point, Proto was planning an escape, with him and the boy freeing all the orphans trapped inside Playtime Co, but when he saw these papers, he decided that the plan must be done as soon and quick as possible. He would allow anyone else to be hurt. And he didn't realize it at the time, but he wasn't going to allow Sawyer to just take his kid away from him like that.

And then Theo almost fucking died. Haha. Lmao, even.

Maybe the fact that Proto didn't have more time to "train" him could be part of the reason why the accident happened. Maybe Theo was just too young. But what matters is that he almost died, and Prototype kept on calling to him, begging him to survive, to get up, but the boy wasn't moving. The Prototype had failed yet another child, and this time it almost costed their life. I think this is how he found out he could cry in his new body, because he was sobbing, and if he wasn't so focused on getting help and not being silent I think he would have screamed a bit.

And then he saw his boy being brought to that room, and he couldn't do anything to stop it from happening. And at least to me this was one of the worst things that ever happened to Prototype, because he loved that kid just like how he loved Poppy when things weren't like this. Taking care of him, raising him... He did that to Poppy as well.

And he failed the two of them.

I think that after Theo became CatNap, Prototype tried to keep a certain distance between them, because he almost killed that boy. He's not a good parent, nor a good friend. He tried to hard to save him, and for what? But to Theo, this wasn't a case of his parent trying to protect him. The last thing he heard was Prototype calling himself a failure: "You failed another one", he said, and Theo thought he was calling him a failure for almost dying. And combine that with the distance post-Bigger Bodies transformation, and the fact that to Theo he was still alive because Prototype saved him, and you have just the right amounts of guilt, second chances and redemption to kickstart the worship.

Theo/CatNap wanted to prove himself to be useful, to be better. Prototype wanted to free him and everyone else inside, and told him about the Hour of Joy. CatNap delivered the news to other toys, grateful that he was being useful to his savior, and helped him set everything in motion for the following months. After the HoJ, Prototype realized he had to feed all the toys inside, and food is not an infinite supply. He taught CatNap how to protect himself from other hungry toys and how to hunt and scavenge for food, and in CatNap's eyes his god was teaching him everything he knew just like old times. It was a reward, he had proved himself to be useful, things will be okay once more.

@/lassieposting made some really interesting posts about their relationship post-HoJ, and I recommend checking the poppy playtime tag on their blog! I love the idea of CatNap eventually leaving Prototype's wing/"area" after a certain amount of time, coming back to the Smiling Critters as a hunter and thinking it's stupid how the group doesn't want to hunt for other toys. However, I like to think that Prototype one day came up to him and told him there wasn't anything else for him to learn, and that he could go, once again creating a distance between them, as Prototype/Elliot still thinks he failed the kid and that he will fail him again if he stays close. In CatNap's eyes this was his savior asking him to prove himself so he would be allowed to be close to him again.

With enough time, CatNap made his Prototype cult, which was allowed to keep on going because Proto firmly believed this would protect him and the mini critters. Plus, more control over the factory, stopping toys from going on a rampage or trying to leave and risking making the experiments known to the authorities. Meanwhile CatNap had to provide food for the mini critters and was finding the same problems Proto himself was having with feeding the toys, and this just made his admiration and worship of him grow more and more (hc also by @/lassieposting).

There's also another element to their relationship: Elliot was a very kind man who was shaken up by war. He raised Poppy to be kind, as much as she possibly could be. For her, kindness was a choice she must make every single day. But for Theodore post Hour of Joy, kindness was something that could cost him his life. Prototype taught him how to be a hunter, and this meant not playing around and not being able to be a kid anymore. CatNap feels like a part of him went missing when he was forced to stop playing because he needed to survive, and a part of him does resent Prototype for that, but he will never admit it out loud.

By the time Angel enters the factory and the game starts, Prototype is being eaten alive by his own guilt. He failed every single child in that damned factory, he failed his two kids (Poppy and Theodore), and he failed himself and his principles. Meanwhile, CatNap is starving not just for food, but for any love and attention he can receive from Prototype. All he wants is for things to go back to how they were once before, but the distance between them just keeps on growing. The cult, the worship and the guilt are killing this relationship for years, and neither of them are able to talk about it.

CatNap just wants his dad back.

Prototype just wishes Theo never had to meet a monster like him.

[rainbow-neko-artblog]

Wait I think I missed the part of the game where it says all the characters (like Catnap and Dogday) are kids and when I looked it up all I'm finding is theories?? (This has nothing to do with the sexualizing them conversation)

Before the release of chapter 3, we received an arg from mob entertainment games- the makers of poppy playtime. In said ARG you can learn about an orphan child named Theodore Grambell.

Through this arg you learn that Theodore has been seeing and interacting with The Prototype- and The Prototype supposedly was trying to save Theo from playcare before he was experimented on, but it failed when the workers of Playtime co severely injured Theo, and the prototype basically came back with theo to make sure he could receive the help he needed to survive- leading to the prototypes capture. Theo views this event as The Prototype giving up his own freedom to save him- and as such, when the workers of playtime co turn Theo into Catnap after he's returned, Catnap worships the prototype as a savior. This is then all doubled down on when the chapter actually released, because you can find a tape of a doctor speaking to catnap, but referring to him as "Theodore" and wouldn't you know it, Theo is the only one ever to have that name in lore.

Kissy Missy can be found in Chapter 3 looking longingly at a picture of a little girl who is believed to be her from before-

and even FURTHER back many MANY people believe that poppy herself is the founder of playtime co's adoptive daughter.

Its also said over and over and OVER again that playtime co would be nothing without the kids. Many people believe this to be very literal. Without the kids- their toys wouldn't be successful.

There's also other tapes in Chapter three, one is about a kid being pulled from class because hes been "selected", one is about a woman and man (presumably a couple) crying because the orphan they wanted to adopt is no longer available as hes been taken for "testing", and in another we hear a doctor have to turn a kid away because he's trying to "fix" his friend who is "sick".

The toys are not always kids, but a lot of them are as that was the WHOLE POINT of playcare, the onsite orphanage. It's why in my AU i am trying to save them- because they are just that. Kids. Who have been traumatized beyond any understanding of the word. It is horrific- grotesque- and honestly stupid because where does playtime co even GET that many orphans.

[lilbeanz]

Hello! Not an ask, just wanted to say I adore your content; you're so skilled. I came across your art first, and the drama of even the smallest panel; I'd been eyeing JoDT & sequels for awhile because it was a WIP, but I caved and binged bks1-4 in about three days. I reread the "Eat your heart out Pureblood society" scene at least once a day, thank you for that, superb execution. I also really liked, in the first book, the interactions between Malfoy & Harry, and the very gradual "well, he's our friend now." The development of their friendship has done a great job of re-defining the characters and their relationships. The series feels like its own thing, and the fact that Ginny never even had the diary in book 2 only cemented that. I've really appreciated the deviation from Draco-the-tortured-hero/Draco-making-amends (which I also love to read). Horrors of the Heir was a great twist and really put the whole series in another tier, tbh. CoS was like, my least favorite of the series as a kid (alongside GoF, which has grown on me as I read fanfic) and your version of bk 2 easily established the micro-obsession of your series for me. Also, Crabbe & Goyle?? "They're actually really good friends"?? "Just to see if we feel anything"?? Adorable. Obsessed.

tldr; Your rewrite of the series is incredibly unique, and I admire how you've really taken the series and made it something completely fun and new and modern 💜💜💜

Looking forward to the rest. Thank you for sharing!

AaaAaaAaaHhhHhhHh?!??!?!

This is such a lovely comment, I can't even -- I -- I'm --

Thank you so much! I'm so glad you're enjoying the series so far! It really has been such a challenging, fun project!

I adored writing the "Eat Your Heart Out" scene. People tend to forget that Draco Malfoy is canonically *very* dramatic when he wants to be. Yes, he can be sulky and scheming, but he also shouts taunts across the courtyard, and puts on scenes to make older students laugh at Harry’s expense, even going so far as to dress up as a Dementor to make his "rival" lose in Quidditch.

The Horror of the Heir was such an experience for me as the author, because CoS is my favourite book from the series (weird, ik) and looking back, I sort of realise I could’ve squeezed in so much more. But last May, 45k was a HUGE amount of words for me! And now I'm churning out 100k like nobody's business 💀

✨️Growth✨️

And speaking of growth, the reason I had Draco take Tom Riddle’s diary was purely because of growth. It would've taken him far longer to change as a person if he hadn't taken Ginny's place. A pivotal character development moment, as he reflects on his upbringing etc...

Crabbe and Goyle generally get overlooked in the fandom, and it really bugs me. Vince dies canonically, yes, but I absolutely love it when fic writers incorporate Greg as an actual character in post-war fics, and acknowledge that Vince was Draco’s friend.

It's always Blaise, Pansy, and Theo because they're intelligent and societies definition of "attractive." I mean, each to their own of course, but I could write an entire essay on the injustice I feel for Crabbe and Goyle!

And then, of course, the development of Draco’s relationship with the Golden Trio, specifically Harry. Just -- Ugh-- these silly kids make me so unhinged!😂

It wouldn't be all sunshine and rainbows to begin with. Of course it wouldn't. It's a rocky start, with bumps along the way (and more big bumps to come), but I really do love the way I have progressed their relationship, and I'm not even gonna be humble about it! I really do love my own fic!!!

All this to say, thank you so much!!! I realise fix-its are a very popular type of fic to write, but I really do try to keep it as fresh and unique as possible, so the fact that I really am able to give my readers an experience means the world to me💖

[puddleofpins]

Why Catnap/Theodore worships the Prototype

This theory contains spoilers for Poppy Playtime Chapter 3. Buckle up, this post is not short. tw for mentions of abuse, many mentions of Christianity/Catholicism and its teachings, enforced religious (specifically Christianity) doctrine, mentions of fictional torture/punishment and inhumane experiments

I’ve seen a few people noticing Catnap/Theodore Grambell was…religious in his devotion to the Prototype, and asking why he’s like this. There’s some hints and pieces to put together that puzzle

1. Catnap uses many words/phrases associated with Christianity (and pretty much all of its branched off religions) to refer to the Prototype and what he means to him. Such as:

• “Salvation”- which means liberation/given freedom from suffering, sin, and evil (referring to the experiments being done on the children by the scientists) This word is used 114 times in the Old Testament of the Bible

• “Rejoice in Him” - Luke 1:47: “and my spirit rejoices in God my savior”

• “my somniferous flock” - referring to Jesus, the son of God, being a shepherd of sheep and also his disciples (yes this does imply Catnap sees himself as a higher being, but only after he is turned into Catnap)

2. Having a shrine to the Prototype, and holding his hands up in prayer/worship to him, like a priest or pastor (or now that I look at it, like Jesus is depicted in many statues)

3. Punishing “heretics” like Dogday, who don’t believe in Catnap’s belief that the Prototype is their savior (this honestly even resembles crucifixion {a punishment used against criminals in the time of the origins of Christianity} with Dogday being held up in a ✝️-like position)

But again, why does he do this? Theodore Grambell seems like a normal child up until then.

We gotta look at the location of Playtime Co.

Now, we haven’t yet been given an exact location, but in a poster in one of the prior chapters it says the Midwest, referring to the Midwestern region in America

doing a few google searches, I found this

Catholic churches, and (I’m assuming the orphanages they hosted) run on donations, and that’s why they are not taxed by the states that they’re in. Oftentimes these orphanages had extremely poor conditions because of low funding and in turn high rates of abuse and even death of the children.

Playtime Co. could’ve bought out countless Catholic orphanages with “donations” to the churches they’re connected to. This would’ve been extremely easy with the lack of regulations and the power of money

There aren’t anymore traditional orphanages in the states today, but 300 is not a number to scoff at. And I’m aware that orphanages in the USA were all closed by 1960, but Poppy was created in 1950. I believe that MOB Entertainment got wonky with the timeline for storytelling purposes because creating Living Sentient Toys in 1950 does not align with real life technological advancements.

What I’m getting at is: I believe Theodore Grambell and other orphans were bought from Catholic orphanages (not all of them of course, just a good chunk of the orphans). Either that, or Theodore was an orphan attending a Catholic school, who was then bought out by Playtime Co.

Think about it, at first, the Playcare must’ve been like heaven to little Theo, especially in comparison to the possible abuse he experienced due to being raised in a Catholic orphanage. Everything is colorful. The adults are so nice and caring, unlike those mean and strict nuns. There’s even toys who can talk and interact with them! All of their needs are provided for, and there’s even dedicated areas to play and have fun!

but then Theo probably starts to see the cracks in this oasis, this heaven:

• Playcare is literally underground and the children are not allowed to go outside

• Anytime one of the children experiences something horrific or abnormal because of a feature of Playcare/Playtime Co. (like Marie Payne who become Mommy Longlegs, or the mentioned “Kevin” in the third tape found in Ch.3) they’re never seen again

• The orphans being said “selected” by the doctors, instead of saying that they were adopted, in I believe the 4th tape

And definitely a lot of other signs I haven’t mentioned, because there must’ve been much more than just what’s been listed.

So Theo starts to get a little wary of what’s around him, a little less trusting of the adults who have been taking care of him and his fellow orphans. This place becomes a little less like heaven and a little more false.

but then he meets a friend!!!!

{insert the picture Theo drew of the Prototype under his bed, because I’m on mobile and have already hit the limit of 10 pictures per mobile post}

A friend that only interacts with him. A friend that is only seen by him, only heard by him, that disappears whenever anyone else comes around. A friend that people don’t believe is real. A friend that sees and hears everything. A friend that gives him little missions because that friend has deemed him worthy of them.

Do you know who that friend sounds like?

God. Or one of the angels sent by God.

THEN on one of these missions, Theodore accidentally gets hurt. He’s electrocuted and close to dying, but his friend who was watching over him saves him from death.

And even after Theo almost dies, he stills tries his hardest to complete these missions give to him by his friend. Because why wouldn’t he? This friend is so special. This friend saved his life because Theo almost died trying to complete the mission he gave him. This friend who is so knowing to the point of being “divine”. This friend who is so similar to the “God” that the nuns he spent his early days with talked about nonstop, he has to be Him.

This leads to Theo being found out and taken as a test subject himself, and subsequently being turned into Catnap; which meant going through horrific and painful experiments. Theo may interpret this as “punishment from following the words and teachings of his God” (definitely an equivalent of Jesus being tortured before his death on the cross), so he might consider himself a bit of a martyr.

Now Theo is no longer a little human boy. Theo is Catnap, and Catnap is much more powerful than humans. He became Catnap because he followed what his Lord told him to do. He was reborn as Catnap because he was such a devoted follower, and now he can complete his Lord’s work even better than he could as a human (literally paralleling Jesus being resurrected).

If we want to get even deeper into this theory and the Christianity parallels, look at Theo’s age and when Catnap was created. It says on the wiki that he was born in the 1980s, and he’s 7 at the time he’s introduced to Playtime Co, which means the year is now 1987. Catnap is made in 1990. That’s 3 years. Jesus after he was beaten, tortured, crucified, and killed, was sealed in a cave. It took 3 days for Jesus to resurrect.

So yeah, Theo was a kid from a Catholic orphanage that was bought out by Playtime Co., who was indoctrinated into Catholicism because he was taught it at such a young age. He’s freed from a hell of an orphanage, to be brought to a false heaven, which leads him to meet his God. That’s why Catnap acts the way he does.

[mischief-lies-and-stories]

Loki Episode 5 Coherent Thoughts

Spoilers for Episode 5. Once again, I have not rewatched before posting.

Most of this is lokius related because I'm still a damn fool.

I want the twist at the end to be that Loki gives Mobius (and the others) back his memories to give him the choice to go back to his life, and is just really sad about it, because he expects Mobius to want to go back to his kids who don't have a mother. But he gives him his memories of his past and they're... not what he saw when he found him. Like at all. I'm not gonna speculate on specifics (*cough* Theo Bell *cough*) but he doesn't have the responsibilities of being a single parent. And Loki's like 'No, but you had two boys,' and he tells Mobius about them and they both kind of realize at the same moment that they looked like Mobius but acted like Loki. None of that was real. Mobius made all that shit up and it somehow manifested. Because he's got it B-A-D for Loki, like a middle schooler with their first crush imagining an entire life with them.

Alternatively, I saw only one other post about this but maybe it's gotten some traction by now, but maybe Mobius's wife got Blipped four years prior. So the good thing is the boys are gonna have a parent in a year even if Mobius decides to stay with Loki.

Hi hello I'm still disturbed that these very young children have been possibly left home alone for eight hours (he says his shift is 9-5), and Mobius couldn't even answer the phone when they called. We don't see a babysitter. Mobius, this is neglect. For the children's sake, I fucking hope either A. they aren't real, or B. a more responsible parent is about to come back and take care of them in 2023. (Ugh, but Love having cousins who are about her age and just as chaotic as she is would be amazing.)

I've come up with the worst Dad joke and a way for Mobius to get out of his bribery with his kid he for sure cannot deliver on. He brings OB around for dinner. OB's timeline name (if I read the subtitles correctly) is A.D. Doug. ADDOUG=A DOG. And his TVA name is Ouroboros, the SNAKE eating its own tail. (Alternatively, you now know Loki, you can borrow his sons Fenrir and Jormungandr. Blended family.)

I know it hasn't been explicitly stated, but I thought the whole thing with Alioth in season one was meant to imply that Loki now knows how to restore memories. So why the fuck doesn't he try it in this episode? Even if he's pretty sure they're all where they were prior to the formation of the TVA, it's still after for him, so why wouldn't he at least try it? When he kept moving toward Mobius in the garage scene I thought he was gonna grab his head but he doesn't. (Maybe he was interrupted by OB, but he has ample opportunity later.)

It just needs to be said because I love history. I am obsessed with Casey being Frank Morris. Both he and Loki being central to these ongoing (technically) mysteries is amazing. Like unlike Cooper it is generally accepted that Frank and his co-escapees drowned during the attempt, but no bodies identified as the men were ever found (if my shallow dive into the wiki article immediately following the episode is to be believed). OB, your boyfriend's a convict lolololol!

AD Doug is still gender-neutral though. It's 1994 but my boi can still be enby. (I'm aware enby people existed well before this but, and the wiki is not being helpful, I think the specific term was coined in the mid to late 90s or possibly later, so OB may not have been aware of it.)

I don't think Marvel is moving toward Casey/OB (at least not before the end of this season, if we get another season it MIGHT be a different story), but fuck it would be so funny if they met so much later than lokius but were able to get their shit together faster than lokius. I think it'd check out for for everyone involved. Hell, maybe they're already together and it just hasn't come up yet to the group. That'd be funnier (bonus points if B-15 already knows though).

Loki for some fucking reason: Hold on, I gotta look cool and suave for this dork of a single dad who's already informed me at least three times of his own volition that he's single.

[crazycoke-addict]

Smiling Critters Theory Part 2 (KickinChicken and CraftyCorn)

I'm continuing with my previous post, so let's just start. KickinChicken is known as the cool kid of the group. On his cardboard cutout, he suggests the player that they should go outside and hang outside but also say he had never been outside before. This is in reference to how the orphans weren't allowed to go outside fully but rather a fake one that playtime Co. Created. Since KickinChicken was likely a bigger body experiment , it's interesting for him to say he's never been outside before because it would've been or at least in the fake one. The only solution is that KickinChickin and another smiling critter (possibly bubba bubbaphant) manage to get out where they are the front entrance, KickinChicken being the cool and confident decides to go out first. KickinChicken is killed first by most likely CatNap than is served him to PickyPiggy.

CraftyCorn is the shy and sweet unicorn that loves to be creative. In their cardboard cutouts, CraftyCorn asks for certain colours where it seems like they are probably painting something. However, there's one specific colour that she needs, and that is red. You hear her attacking someone since they are discussing red. They are actually talking about blood. CraftyCorn is a perfect example of losing their sanity through what they were created for. While her cardboard cut-out doesn't exactly give us any information on her death. It's most likely that they tried to escape and are stopped by catnap where they were food offering for PickyPiggy as a warning to the other smiling critters.

I don't really need to analyse DogDay and CatNap since we know what happened to them. Its possible that the reason why DogDay survive longer than the others because just like his canine counterpart, he obeyed the rules and understood what happened if they tried to escape. DogDay gets his legs sawed off instead of death, and this could also be the mini smiling critters can use him as a vessel just in case unwanted people or things go over there.

CatNap is electrocuted, which parallels what happened to Theo Gamble, which caused them to start the experiments and put Theo in CatNap. I do believe that CatNap offered himself to the prototype. Since we know what happened to them, we also need to ask where they went? Throughout the game, you see dead bodies of the toys across the factory. It's heavily implied that the prototype is collecting toys parts from dying or dead toys. We see it happened with mommy long legs where we see a metallic hand takes the upper half of mommy long legs. So, if the prototype was collecting the parts of Beary BearHug, Hoppy Hopscotch, and PickyPiggy, then we at least should have seen some of the body parts around playtime Co.

That's because the prototype never collected them for himself but rather food for the orphans that are trapped underground. Throughout the playcare, you will see the vending machine, but you'll notice that the vending machine still has food. It looks as though the vending machine hasn't been touched in years. So, if they weren't the food in the vending machines, then it's likely they were given parts of the smiling critters to the orphans.

There are two questions we need to answer: How would the orphans even eat the bigger body version of the smiling critters? And why would the prototype or even catnap feed them something like that? Well, it's heavily implied that human organs are the biggest factor for the bigger body toys to come to live. While walking through home sweet home, we hear a news reporter mentioning how a body of a boy was found at the front of Elliot Ludwig's house. The organs were missing.

While you could say that we were hallucinating because we did go through the red smoke, it is likely that the player has heard about this around time with Elliot Ludwig's passing. So, it's possible that the orphans were eating the organs. It's not that far-fetched for humans to eat animals like pigs and rabbits. But what's most disturbing is that the bigger bodies of the smiling critters could've been children themselves.

Cannibalism has been mentioned many times in the games. The dead toys like around, Miss Delight eating her sisters to survive, The bigger body toys who have subconscious of humans eating the bodies of the employees to survive,PickyPiggy eating three of her friends and two of Thomas Clarke's organs through Bron Dinosaur were devoured.

From this information, it is most likely that they were changing diets of the kids to get them used to human meat. We see this through Boxy Boo was the first successful of the bigger bodies initiative and was used to eliminate any employees that got too close. Rowan Stoll was the unlucky person. The way that Boxy Boo grabbed him so quickly shows that this isn't the first employee that was offered to Boxy Boo as food.

Because the prototype and the other bigger bodies have been abused. The abuse really took a toll on them, especially on the prototype, who was around the longest that they were brainwashed to believe that cannibalism was the best for them. So it's likely that's what they are doing with the orphans have been trapped underground.

[mewintheflesh-2]

Team sky people I haven’t talked about yet:

June/Junebug: Higher Grunt. Team Sky’s Official Tumblr Account manager. Gets into a lot of arguments with people over which Pokémon should be allowed into the team. Has to be convinced to stop arguing endlessly with people. Dresses in very scene clothes/makeup

Victoria: Grunt. June’s queerplatonic partner. Co manager of Team Sky’s Official Tumblr Account. Very gothic, loves the vampire aesthetic. Is the one who has to convince June to stop arguing with people online by letting her just talk about how stupid they are to her instead, who she herself shares the same feelings.

Millie: Not exactly an official member, as a result he doesn’t have a rank, but he might as well be an official member. Professional Artist. Hired/frequently commissioned by Mikey to make paintings for him. A lot of his paintings seem to depict future/sinister events of “other realities” said by Millie himself. Mikey will just walk up to him like “Hey Millie! What’re you painting this time?” And it’s just him being overcome by sinister shadows and being curled up into a ball and Millie’s just like “Have you ever wondered what would happen if Team Sky turned truly evil?” And Mikey’s looking at it bewildered, first of all because of the concept, but also because the art is just absolutely stunningly beautiful. And Mikey’s just like “No, I haven’t, but holy shit your art is beautiful.” And Millie’s just like “Thanks :)”. Millie also kind of has a giant crush on him. No biggie!! Mikey is a very striking muse to him.

Trixie: Grunt. MANIC PIXIE DREAMGIRL kind of. She’s like 14 (no she’s like 16), straight light pink hair, dresses very scene, has little wrist warmers that are majority black with neon green stripes. Has just straight up pilot goggles without the little flaps on them. Has a Noivern and Swoobat :)

Tricky (v similar names I know, it wasn’t me though): Higher Grunt. Very much punk. Most of her head is shaved aside from the front part of the right side of her head, where her light purple hair falls over her face, curled in the fashion of a cartoonish tornado. Wears leather, studded jackets and a lot of fish nets. A lot of piercings, even in the most painful places, stretched out earlobes, and lots of rings, along with thick platform boots. Her fav drink is passion fruit tea and she is very bisexual. I think she has a big sister kind of relationship with Tricky.

+@##83: h43$@+53$j

and I’ve already talked about Theo, but I want to talk more in-depth about him!:

Mechanic. Despite how young he looks in the only art I’ve posted of him on here, he is actually 16-19! He is trans, uses he/him, and is a faller from a similar reality as Nightsky is! Back at his home, he very much viewed Nightsky as somewhat of a father figure to him, as they were decently close, virtue of Theo not having a family of his own. When Theo fell into the world he lives in now, he was very much bewildered at the state of the world. Why was it back to its “normal” state?

That’s when he found Team Sky again. He was very very weirded out, but after awhile of trying to go back home, he eventually realized the best he could do was settle for a new life here. He was very intrigued by Mikey, who he himself was very intrigued about Theo. Mikey and Theo ended up building a very much passive father/son relationship, which Theo was content with as he continued his life in this alternate reality from his own. Theo ended up being brought into Team Sky as a trusted and skilled mechanic, as despite his age, he is very handy with all sorts of tools.

In an alternate timeline, Nightsky does end up coming to his reality via the Time Machine in Area Zero. Theo finds Nightsky alone and is very much shocked to see him “again” (it’s a different guy entirely, but he’s similar enough.) Nightsky recognizes him as the Theo from his own reality, neither of them are aware they’re not talking to who they think they’re talking to. Either way, Theo is just relieved to see someone else from his home, as is Nightsky, though he doesn’t admit it. It’s settles the anxieties in his chest somewhat.

Team Nighsky has a salute that every member is to memorize and enact when appropriate, this is how Nightsky identifies that Theo isn’t lying about him previously being a member of Team Nightsky. I like to think since Theo gets to know both of the Sky Mikeys very well at some point, he’d be the one to start negotiating between them until they can talk face to face. Theo does get tired of them refusing to negotiate at first and just using him as a messenger-boy to hurl insults at each other back and forth, so he ends up refusing to carry over the messages unless it’s to actually speak about their problems with each other.

[lqfiles]

user lqfiles i have no idea what to call you.

see saying "hello tumblr user lqfiles" sounds ominous and it's giving sigma... god i hate that word. i have beef with the gen alpha slang, everytime i hear a reel with "what the sigma" i grow a little closer to throwing that toaster right into the bathtub. ANYWAYS, my point is that i'm going to figure out how to come up with a nickname for you. it'll come, eventually trust. i'll think of one okay. something to do with l & q idk. unless there's something else you want me to call you? ALSO NOOO IM NOT RICH. 😭😭 as i mentioned before i bought like... 3x the amount of pcs i OWNED BEFORE i went on a buying spree. so all i had was just the pcs i collected from albums that were gifts from friends... (i never thought it a good idea to spend money on this stuff for myself.) I was actually traveling abroad which was why i hadn't checked in for a bit, and the prices... were just so much cheaper!! So I decided, why not? fuck it we ball! (my life motto to everything at this point...) and i'm in a decent financially stable point in my life where i can indulge in this stuff, so i bought quite a bit... i tried to focus on buying pcs... cause storing albums in my suitcase makes it a lot heavier.

i definitely have a hand kink its not a joke anymore. IT REMINDED ME OF THIS IMAGE (idk if it's going to work if it doesn't uh.... ignore! cause i've never sent links on anon and tumblr hates making things easier for us.) https://postimg.cc/1gWC0B48 AND IDK IF YOU CAN SEE IT BUT ITS SO FUNNY I COULDNT STOP LAUGHING. they're both me

i also have no idea who louis partridge is BUT HOLY FUCKING SHIT I JUST LOOKED HIM UP AND GOD DAMN. like my taste in men is obviously questionable, and like most people i did have a thing for andrew garfield and theo james... but i think i often find myself crushing on east asians half of the time, mostly because i am eastern asian myself, and it's not like on purpose cause i do find other races hot, it's just the way i grew up finding famiiarity in those faces? does that make sense idk im yapping at this point.

ALSO THE SMAU IS SO FUNNY IM CAUGHT UP NOW.... HAECHAN LITERALLY GOING THROUGH ALL STAGES OF GRIEF. HE WANTS HER SO BAD BUT ALSO THE COMPLAIN ABOUT THE WHOLE PINTREST BROWSING.... LIKE HES SO REAL AND CUTE AT THE SAME TIME I LOVE HIM. (chatgpt is too real AND THE FACT THAT y/n IS EATING IT UP IS SO FUNNY LIKE I WOULD'VE ALREADY BEEN LIKE.... why does this sound like it's written by ai...) holy fuck that's a lot i ranted a lot anyways hello, look forward to the next chapter. love you and hope u have a great day TUMBLR USER LQFILES - 🤠

hejdhskdj sometimes i’m tempted to put my name back in my about me so you guys can put a name to my account but then i remember how don’t wanna be perceived THAT much and rethink #SOZZZZ idk maybe i’ll come up with a new alias that you can start addressing me by, tho if you’re curious you can figure my name out if you find my main blog and check my tags 😭

you’re gonna hate me omgg bc except for the word sigma (cos that cringe) i unfortunately love brainrot content atm… like yess give me the skibidi toilet rizz party, give me the ohio fanum tax, GIVE ME RHE MAXIMUM AURA 😅😂 the effect of living with little boys..

FUXK IF WE BALL IS SUCH AN AMAZING LIFE MOTTO like exactly.. we are ballin.. anyways you not spending any money yourself on albums is sending me lmaooo but at least you were able to use the money you had saved to buy yourself some cheeky pcs. tbh i think pcs are the only appealing part for most part when buying an album anyways so it’s a good thing that you didn’t buy albums lmaooo

THE IMAGE IS SHOWING LMAOOOO i love this pic so bad ughhh he has such nice hands i wish i could hold his hands and play with them.. the perfect mix between girly dainty hands and manly veiny like I WANXTHU SO BAD HAECHAN

MOST PEOPLE MUST NOT INLCUDE ME… but tbh i don’t think i have a specific race i like in men, THO IM IN MY ARABIC BOYS ERA RN… idk if anyone knows slushynoobz but hamza.. i wantchu saaaur bad like GIVE ME THE YEMENI BOY.. also i don’t think it’s weird to prefer your own people!!! its something a lot of cultures have too so don’t worry about it you’re not yapping, my mum is the same 😭

LOLLLL HAECHAN EXPERIENCES THE LOSS OF HIS UNOFFICIAL GF he was probably with his head in his hands when she didn’t respond to his apex request. and ntm he tweaked the letter a bit to make it more personalised!!! a bit of ai here and there but still personal!!!!

I LOVE YOU TOOO COWBOY ANON!!!

[simmerdowndee]

windenburg years episode three part three

(I realized I forgot to change Chloe's dress, so please just ignore that)

Today is my bridal shower! I am happy my besties are here to celebrate with me. They have made sure to be present every step of the way, and I cannot thank them enough.

Laura did a great job with the decorations and table setting. Its very cute and quaint seeing only have three guests besides the host (and an unexpected one at that)

After we finished taking pictures, I see Ana arrive.

Ana: Hi everyone. Thank you for inviting me. I wasn’t expecting it.

Laura: Welcome. Here I’ll take that gift.

I need to say something….

Dakota: I like your dress.

Ana: Thank you. You look very pretty as well.

We all head to the table to wait for the others.

Ana: You and Theo have a very nice home.

Dakota: Thank you.

Ana: I think I remember him looking at it before you guys came to see it. He was really excited about it.

She just knows everything doesn’t she?

Dakota: Mhm.

Chloe: How about we play a little game before we start. Just a mini warm up game.

Laura: Oooh, lets do a mini round of who knows the groom.

Chloe: I’ll start. When is Theo’s birthday?

Dakota: -

Laura: You cannot answer Koda.

Dakota: Oh, got it.

Ana: October 15.

Chloe: That’s correct!

Ana: I remember because during our internship, we all went out for it. If it gets me bonus points, he likes to drink Manhattans' with rye whisky.

Oh, she has to fucking go.

Dakota: You just know a lot about him, don’t you?

Ana: *nervous laugh*

Laura: How about we go get the food ready and you guys can talk.

Laura and Chloe leave and Ana sits closer to me.

Ana: Dakota, I really like Theo.

Girl, that is not the best way to present your case???

Dakota: Oh, I am aware.

Ana: But only as a friend. He was someone good to talk to during some harsh times.

Dakota: Yeah, he’s good at that.

Ana: I don’t want you to think I am pushing up on him or hung up. I’m not.

Ana: I assume you know about what happened in the past….

Dakota: Mhm.

Ana: That was the end of anything like that between us. He even admitted to me it was only due to being so hung up on you. He regretted it, and said to me it felt like he cheated on you.

Dakota: He’s kind of dramatic.

Ana: *Laughs*

Dakota: I hear you. Nothing is going on, nothing to worry about.

Ana: At all. I am in fact seeing someone, a woman.

Dakota: A woman you say?

Ana: Yes. She’s wonderful.

Dakota: I’m happy for you.

Very, very happy in fact.

Ana: So, can we exist peacefully?

Dakota: I think we can.

Ana: Thank you for listening to me. I know Theo loves you so much. You are all he talks about when I happen to see him.

Dakota: Good, as he should.

Dakota and Ana: *Laughs*

Laura comes out to check on us.

Laura: Everything okay?

Dakota: Yeah, were good.

Chloe: Okay, good because Diana and Kelly are here and I’m ready to party!

Dakota: Well, let’s get the drinks going.

I actually had a great bridal shower. Ana is actually pretty funny, especially when you get a few drinks in her. I won’t say we’ll become best friends or even friends in general but I can co-exist with her and not want to become violent.

[somethingscft]

“it is…it’s very intimate, but i know that, at the end of the day, it’s porn. we’re making it for other people to watch, so i have to keep that perspective in mind,” theo sighed, “it’s a lot, but i enjoy what i do…can’t complain too much.” the urge to hide away was strong when billie mentioned how shy he got, how cute it was, but the mention of their future marriage has his heartstrings in knots. “oh, so this is my last first date? you sure about that?” he teased her back, blowing raspberries into her neck. god, he hoped so.

theo had a feeling that an edible arrangement was a foreign concept in the hendrix household, if billie’s reaction to the phrase was anything to go by. “the fact that you had to clarify that was a joke…terrifies me,” he laughed warily, swiping a citrusy hand over his mouth. “have you gifted a house before, billie? tell the truth,” he grilled her, tongue-in-cheek. he sputtered out another round of laughter at billie's rhetorical question. "okay, alright." the kisses were his white flag, surrendering to her irresistible wiles.

no one outside of work had ever asked him about aftercare, and even then, it might have only been a couple recurring co-stars. theo was taken aback. judging by how the night had gone, he shouldn't have been. "well, it looks a lot like this...getting clean together. talking...cuddling. a massage if we're not too spent -- snacks! that's pretty much it." his smile was so wide. he looked over at billie, asking him about his boundaries and feelings. right then, after all that happened that night, it overwhelmed him. he thanked the heavens that they were already wet, so the hot tears weren't so obvious. "uh..i don't...i don't know yet. i have to work on that -- you're amazing, by the way," theo nodded, wiping his mouth to hide the tremble of his lip, "i just...i really like you." he recovered quickly with a small grin, and a kiss to her temple. billie's list, along with her physical demonstration, offered a welcome distraction. "i mean...i loved it. let's just say in no particular order," theo met her halfway with another world building kiss. "your lips are number one," he whispered against them, paying special attention to each one.

then they're gone, back into something erotic and filthy. he'd felt himself growing stiff against her back since he brought up their time in the back of eddie's car. by the time billie faced him again, he was aching for her -- only her. "i never said it was a bad thing...i can't get enough of you either." it was true. he was obsessed with her. "you scared?" theo teased -- he was terrified, but it felt too good to deny himself. there was a hunger in the way he kissed her, with a firm hand at her throat, holding her jaw steady until his cock twitched with need. his hands moved to grip the tubs edged, and he could barely catch his breath as she pumped, determined. his eyes darted towards their reflection at her words. it was a scene -- a contrast of theo's pale, sharp lines with billie's umber curves -- just as she took him to her mouth, soft and warm. "you feel like heaven," he countered the persimmons claim between deep sighs. as her head dipped further into his lap, the crinkle in his brow grew more defined. "billie...what the fuck...it feels so good." catching her gaze, he pushed any wet strands of hair out of her face, "and you look so pretty." he glanced up at their mirrored image. a wave of pleasure sent shivers up his spine at the feeling of his cock, nearly swallowed. he pushed himself to stand in the body of water -- hips thrusting gently as he kept her head against him. "good girl," theo finally exhaled when he pulled out after a beat, bending forward to kiss her. and it was messy and wet, and he loved every second of it. "you okay?" he ran his thumb across her bottom lip. "you want some more? ...say please," theo held his length, gently grazing the head against its plumpness.

“Sounds like it must be disorienting— in some ways. From the way you describe your work it just— it’s so intimate.” She pauses for a moment, wondering what it must be like to share that part of yourself with the world. “I get not knowing how to feel about it— it must still just be a lot.” she laughs when he rolls his eyes— and sticks her tongue out at him. “Listen it was kind of cute actually. Very endearing watching you stutter. And as for saying it on the first date— “ she smirks and places a small kiss to the corner of his mouth. “Is this before or after we get married? Cause at that point I’ll already know so— no need to state the obvious.” She ribs, playfully. She couldn’t think through seeing someone else right now— and she doubted he could either.

“…Edible arrangement—“ She gives him a small smile. “That man has known me since I was 8, it won’t cut it. I am joking about getting him a house though—“ She shakes her head slightly. “…What exactly was subtle about the way you were whispering in my ear? I could hear how wet I was in that car—“ her argument fades as he kisses her neck, and she bites back a whimper at the soft touch. She isn’t sure she’ll ever get enough of being pressed up against him like this, his mouth on hers, their bodies wrapped around each other— it’s blissful. “Mm— bit one. Huge. Don’t do it—“ She can’t seem to stop touching him, chasing the buzz of his skin, his mouth— this desire is bone deep.

He never stops touching her, his hands press into her arms, massages her gently, pulls away whatever tension might have lingered before she’d fallen into the blue of his gaze. What was she going to do when he left? “Mm. No— thank you.” She nudges his nose gently, a smile on her lips at the quiet intimacy he offers her. “Mmhmm. Happy to. What’s… after care like for you? What makes you feel good..? Safe.” She contemplates his answer, it makes sense that boundaries were harder to maintain. “Well—What do you want the boundaries to be? Or rather how do you want to feel?” She doesn’t mind talking about this, is more curious than anything about how he wants to navigate— what they are and his work. “Because boundaries just have to…facilitate that, I guess.” She isn’t sure how she’d feel about him fucking his coworkers outside of a shoot, but she shakes her head—and the thoughts she has no right to, out of her mind. They are still so new, but he makes it so easy to forget that. He shifts the topic and she feels something unknot in the pit of her stomach. This list is easy enough to rattle off. “Yeah— okay, well your eyes are number one, feels like you can look right through me. Number two for me— is your mouth. For obvious reasons." She punctuates her sentence with a soft kiss. "Number 3 is your neck...." her mouth drifts lower, pressing her mouth to his neck and nipping. "I..... i think I may have given you a hickey. Sorry--" she doesn't look sorry, in the least. "Number four is your chest--" her hands trail down his chest-- lower and lower until they go past the water line and brush against his cock. "number 5— is— well-- you know--" she lifts her hand above the water. " Your ass is number 6. Oh— I forgot your hands. I really like your hands. Maybe they’re number 2?” She hums in quiet contemplation. “I might have to do this over.” She leans in, and presses a lingering kiss to his lips after he speaks.

His agreement sparks more warmth in the pit of her belly. She can feel the press of desire, shifting from something soft in the background, to an urgent need. He kisses her and it’s filthy sweet. He's intoxicating. Her hands slip a little lower, brushing against his cock. Before she can really touch him, he shifts, sitting on the edge of the bathtub. She pouts slightly—a complaint on the top of her tongue. “Baby—" but then she glances up and sees what they look like now, him on the edge of the tub, his cock hard-- begging to be touched, and her shifting, until she's in front of him, in between his legs. it's a pretty fucking picture. "yeah well-- when i find something i really like-- it's difficult to get enough." and i'm completely obsessed with you. his words put an almost shy smile on her face, make the lust in her stomach bloom into something more. "yeah?" she kisses him deep, pours her assent into it-- pours all of her me toos, and her need to seemingly always have him deeper--closer. hunger. when he pulls away, she does too, glancing up at him with her kiss swollen lips. her hand wraps around his cock again, and this time there's a little more impetus. gone is the gentle exploration-- in it's stead is need. she wants to feel him twitching in her palm. she settles between his legs, lifts her head, so her breath fans out along the length of his cock as her hand starts to stroke him. "look...at you." she can't help herself--doesn't even really think about it before she's leaning in and tracing the shape of the head of his cock with her tongue. "oh-- you taste like persimmons." she remarks playfully. she takes a little ore of him in, wraps her mouth around his cock in earnest, eager for as much of him as she can get. after the persimmons fade, there's just the taste of him-- a little musky--a little sweet. she hums in contentment before taking a little more of him in her mouth. she looks up-- watching him and the way he reacts to her touch. she hollows her cheeks, and bobs her head slightly. the heat of her mouth moves up and down his length, leisurely, until he's half buried in her throat, and her nose is brushing against the base of his cock. she catches a glimpse of herself in the mirror, her mouth--her throat full of him, her eyes wide and eager to please. it's obscene. it's hot.

[choppedbouquetswhisperedsecrets]

~Caught red handed~

[Part one]

Pairing – Theodore Nott x fem!Gryffindor!reader

Summary – y/n acts as cupid for her friend (which means risking her life or worse getting expelled), but what happens when nothing goes according to plan?

Word Count – 3,478

Warnings – (nothing serious) fluff, swearing (if you count idiot), very lengthy, pangs of jealousy, miscommunication

A/N – this is my first one yet, and I wrote this cos I’m sure I’m not the only one who’s hopelessly crushing over our boi Theo. I hope you enjoy! (Even though its sooo long) Love you lots <3

You hear your heavy breaths underneath Harry’s Cloak of invisibility as you stand silently in place, waiting for someone to come. The dungeons aren’t the brightest of places and it isn’t the most comfortable either. Underneath the cloak, you start to feel yourself sweat, when a bunch of students in Slytherin uniform stop in front of a wall and, giving the pass code, the entrance is opened. Before it’s too late, you scurry after them, making sure not to make a sound. 

You don’t know how well Harry’s cloak works. But this, as Sophie claims, was the only way she could truly show Mattheo Riddle to what extent she was going, to show how much she liked him. And that included having to sneak into the Slytherin common hall. Trust Sophie to chicken out and bribe you with chocolate to get you to do her bidding. Of course you refused her at first- you couldn’t risk an expulsion. But then she got Ginny in on it, and here you are: sweating and exhausted, wrapped in Harry’s cloak and not to forget, the letter Sophie wrote for her “one true love” weighing in your hand.

Following the students into the hall, you muse to yourself that if you succeed in this mission without getting caught, maybe you could become a spy in the future. You chuckle softly, when a small gasp escapes your lips as you take in the sight of the hall. A formal and elegant ambiance fills the place while streaks of green and silver run everywhere: from the curtains to the furniture, along with the carpets and tapestries. Silver chandeliers hang from the ceiling and even though it’s dim and creepy, it’s cozier than it looks.

You carefully navigate through students who come your way as you make sure not to bump into anyone, walking slowly. You scan the place for the boy’s dorm and see a few Slytherin guys walk out from an entrance to the right. Amidst your gut telling you to stop and just run back out, you walk ahead, convincing yourself it’ll be over soon.

You mumble the room number repeatedly under your breath as you search for Mattheo’s room, almost giving away your presence once or twice. Finally, you reach the idiot’s room and thankfully the door isn’t locked. You manage to squeeze through the small door gap and seeing that nobody is around, you can finally take off the cloak, even if it’s a little bit.

You take deep and relaxing breaths before you’re about to place the card on the bedside table, when you hear someone enter and the door close behind you. You quickly turn and your eyes widen in horror as you remember you didn’t cover yourself yet.

Guess spy work isn’t for me.

Your eyes lock with a set of green ones belonging to a charmingly handsome guy. He looks as perplexed as you, but there’s a hint of amusement on his face and his lips crack into a smirk.

‘This is new,’ the green eyed guy says as he leans against his bed frame, hands crossed. ‘I wasn’t expecting a girl to be in my room, let alone a…Gryffindor.’ He raises an eyebrow and grins.

Your palms are forming pools of sweat and it feels like as if you’ve completely froze, not being able to move or say a word. Is this Mattheo??

‘I-I was only meaning to….’ You start, but what can you say? You were doomed, by Merlin’s beard. You swallow hard, trying to process what to do as you clutch the letter tighter. The guy comes closer to you, where you can smell his citrusy scent at the back of your throat.

‘Yes? Merlin got your tongue?’ he chuckles at his own joke and the sound of him laughing does something weird to your stomach. ‘No, I was only…I’m here to give something to someone,’ you manage to blurt out. The guy looks carefully at you and his eyes trail down to the letter in your hand. With a coy look on his face, he goes ‘Is that-’

‘Just read it!’ you yell abruptly, interrupting him as you shove the letter into his chest, earning a slight groan from the guy. You quickly cover yourself with the cloak again and rush out, ignoring his calls for you.

…..

‘You’re the best, y/n!’ Sophie squeals as she hugs you. Ginny is sitting on her bed, shaking her head in disbelief as she tucks away Harry’s cloak of Invisibility. ‘You actually did it,’ she says and grins. You fall to your bed, sighing and throw a pillow at Ginny. ‘Of course I did. Except-’

You relate the little incident you had with the guy and wince as you think back to it. ‘You don’t think he’ll report me, do you?’ you ask your friends. Sophie confidently answers in the negative. ‘He’s a Slytherin; if there’s anything he likes, its rule breaking and trouble. Besides, Mattheo isn’t the type to snitch,’ Sophie says and dreamily sighs as she falls back down on her bed.

‘His green eyes were mesmerizing for sure,’ you add and chuckle, but a confused Sophie interrupts you. ‘Green eyes? Mattheo has brown eyes, y/n,’ she says and suddenly her eyes widen as she pieces two and two together. ‘Wait, y/n, who did you give the letter to?!’ Sophie wails as you bring your hands to your mouth, aghast. You see Ginny thinking hard.

‘Green eyes…don’t tell me you gave that letter to Theodore Nott, y/n,’ Ginny says, causing Sophie to go into another fit. You feel your insides twist and you wince as you look at Sophie. ‘What are we supposed to do?’ you hear yourself asking. Sophie looks accusingly at you. ‘You are going to get that letter back-‘

‘I’m sorry, Soph, but I’m not returning to that place again,’ you snap, shaking your head. ‘This wouldn’t have happened if you just gave the letter directly to Mattheo.’ You reason with her, angry, but become filled with guilt when you see her pouting. ‘But, if it’s any consolidation, I’ll get the letter back if you’d like,’ I give in with a sigh. Sophie’s face lights up and she nods like a puppy. ‘That’d be great!’ she says and you groan, before landing face down on your bed.

Godric knows what you’ve got yourself into.

…..

He’s supposed to be here.

You’re scanning through the flock of students that pour out of Professor Snape’s class, searching for Theodore Nott. He should have been out by now, since he has to catch Transfiguration next. You know this because you’re supposed to be there too, and you’re running out of time. You frown as it starts getting awkward, with the students giving you looks as they walk past you wondering what you’re doing.

When you approach the classroom a little closer, your eyes land on a tall figure standing in front of Professor Snape, who looks like he’s lecturing whoever it is in front of him. You realize its Theodore and can’t help but wonder what happened.

The look on Theodore’s face is amusing enough for you to crack a wide grin, which catches his wandering eyes. He quickly glances at you and raises an eyebrow. However, this causes Professor Snape to pinch his ear. You wince as Professor Snape twists Theo’s ear. ‘Are you even listening to me, Mr. Nott?’ Professor’s voice booms while Theo is wincing in pain, but suppressing a shameless smile nonetheless.

Professor Snape follows where Theo was looking before and he sees you. You’re startled of course, but you can’t do anything, so you just stand there, while Prof. Snape walks to you at the entrance of the class. ‘Is there anything I can help you with, Miss y/l/n?’ You hear the Professor ask as your brain tries to come up with an excuse. ‘Prof-Professor McGonagall requests Mr. Nott’s presence,’ you blurt out a lie and your heartbeat increases as Professor Snape eyes you up and down with a scowl.

‘Alright.’ He finally says and turns his back on you, as you let out a breath of relief. ‘Professor McGonagall is asking for you, Mr. Nott,’ the Professor says. ‘I will allow you to go this time, but don’t let me catch you sleeping in class again,’ he adds sternly before Theodore apologizes and heads out with his books.

‘Professor McGonagall isn’t asking for me, is she?’ Theodore asks, smirking at you after you’ve lead the two of you to a more secluded spot. You shake your head embarrassingly as you tighten your grip on your books. ‘Godric knows he’ll be fuming if he finds out you lied to him,’ Theo adds and chuckles lightly.

‘It’s about yesterday…’ you start, and Theo’s face light up. ‘Ah, yes, I remember. Don’t worry,’ he says with a wink. ‘I have the letter with me. Who knew someone could be so madly in love?’ you hear him chuckle. ‘That’s the problem: it’s not for you,’ you break it to him and his face relaxes into a coy one. ‘I figured. Like I said, don’t worry, I handed it to Mattheo,’ Theo assures as you release a breath.

‘Thank you,’ you mumble and Theo nods. ‘I was supposed to give it to him, but I got…let’s say confused, when I saw you, so,’ you explain and Theo smiles. ‘I understand,’ he says and suddenly silence fills the atmosphere as you realize you’re staring into his pretty green eyes again. You shake your head and snap out of it as you remember your next class.

‘Merlin! I’ve got Transfigurations,’ you say and watch as Theo’s face turns into realization. ‘Me too. Want to walk together?’ He asks, rubbing his nape. ‘We are going to the same class after all.’ He shrugs and you nod. ‘I don’t think we’ve properly introduced each other. I’m Theodore Nott,’ he greets. ‘I know,’ you say abruptly, realizing there’s a smirk on his face. ‘I mean, we’re in the same class. But I’m y/n y/l/n,’ you give a small smile. ‘I know,’ you hear Theo say and raise an eyebrow. ‘Let me guess, we’re in the same class?’ you ask with a smirk and he nods. ‘You got me,’ he chuckles.

‘You know, I’m curious as to how one doesn’t remember their crush’s face,’ Theo asks as the two of you head to class. You glance at him just in time to see his toothy smile, eyes closed and head shaking in disbelief. You catch yourself smiling and quickly give yourself a mental slap.

‘I don’t like Mattheo,’ you explain, clutching your books closer to your chest. ‘I was helping a friend, who was too chicken to do anything,’ you say the last part in a bitter way, remembering Sophie as you roll your eyes. ‘You didn’t write that letter for Riddle?’ Theo asks, sounding surprised and a slight hint of relief. You look at him and shake your head. ‘Not at all,’ you say in disbelief. ‘Mattheo is the last person I would ever like.’ You catch a subtle frown on Theo’s face.

‘Because he’s a Slytherin?’ He asks, much to your surprise. You’re left thinking but just shrug. ‘That, and other things.’ You nod. ‘What other things?’ Theo asks, making him look suspicious to you but you just comply. ‘Well, for one, I don’t know him,’ you say, tucking away a strand of hair and clutching your books to your side. Theo nods and goes silent. ‘Do you have someone you like?’

Your neck snaps at Theo when he asks the question. ‘What?’ He shrugs and you see a grin on his face, looking innocent. Your eyes narrow a bit comically. ‘You’re being suspicious, Nott,’ you joke. ‘Besides, why would I tell you if I had a crush or not?’ you keep up with the sassy attitude and even walk a bit with your nose held high. But you break character next second and go into fits of laughter as Theo chuckles with you.

‘Don’t get me wrong; I was only asking to...you know...make small talk,’ Theo says and you can’t help but notice a shadow pass through his eyes. Could it be…? You shake your head even thinking of it. The two of you barely know each other; how can you expect Theodore to have something for you? You almost laugh out loud.

‘I know, I know, I was just kidding,’ you say instead and grin at him. ‘We need to pick up the pace; time’s ticking,’ you raise your eyebrows as you motion to your wrist like a watch.

‘We won’t reach there on time, not unless we…’ Theo trails off and you feel a smirk forming on your face. ‘I’m not a track champion for no reason,’ you challenge and suddenly the two of you are running to class, sprinting past students and across corridors, thankfully reaching on time, although tired and panting.

‘First,’ Theo says as he looks down at you, and you shake your head. ‘You wish, Nott. I reached sooner,’ you say and your Professor puts an end to your bickering by calling the two of you in as the class looks on. Soon you’re sitting in your usual seat next to Ginny, who’s giving you a weird look after seeing you come in with Theodore.

‘What was that about?’ Ginny whispers as you try to focus on the lesson at hand. ‘What was what?’ you pretend not to understand what she asks, and hear her eyes practically roll. ‘Don’t act dumb, y/n. You and Nott, of course.’

‘I cleared the misunderstanding, that’s all,’ you huff in response. Why did she have to be so nosy? ‘And now you’re friends?’ Ginny continues pestering you. ‘No,’ you whisper, but loud enough that you get a few weird stares from some students, even Theo, who shoots you a smile from his seat. ‘Yeah, not friends. Understood,’ Ginny smirks and finally leaves you alone as you roll your eyes and sigh in defeat.

‘He is cute,’ you hear Ginny creep up to your ears after a few minutes, and almost hit her hard enough to send her to Godric’s Hallow. ‘Ginny!’ you whisper-shout and glare at her but she just shrugs. ‘I’m just saying,’ she defends and you shake your head as you get back to your worksheet. ‘I wouldn’t be so friendly with him though; he’s bad news,’ Ginny adds. ‘Oh well, at least he has a girlfriend, so I know he’s not trying to get his hands all over you, break your heart or something.’ You only roll your eyes at her but the girlfriend part piques your interest and you can’t help but ask, ‘He does?’ Ginny nods.

‘Well, obviously. He’s always surrounded by a crowd of fan girls wherever he goes,’ Ginny mentions casually. ‘But remember,’ she points with a finger to her temple. ‘Bad news.’  For some strange reason, you feel a pit open in your stomach, as you glance at Theo but catch him already staring. Your eyes widen a bit, and Theo smirks.

What happened? He wiggles his eyebrows and you shake your head. Done? He holds up his worksheet and you glance down at yours, before shaking your head again. He chuckles softly and just then, before you’re able to finish your work, the bell rings, indicating lunch.

You arrange your books as your Professor gives the closing remarks and this time you head to the dining hall with Ginny, catching up with Sophie and the others, while Theodore is with his friends. At the hall, you sit down at the Gryffindor table, where Sophie impatiently pulls you down before you’re fully seated.

‘Ow!’ you yelp as Sophie tugs at your sleeve and looks over at Theodore, next to him is seated Mattheo. ‘I trust the problem is solved?’ she asks and you nod, wincing as you rub your arm. ‘Good. What’s up with you and Nott though?’ Sophie asks as she resumes eating.

‘What’s wrong? Does it look like something happened? Why are you asking?’ You question frantically. ‘No, nothing happened. Why are you so worked up? Calm down; I’m only asking because he keeps looking this way,’ Sophie points with a chicken leg at the Slytherin table, where you look over. Sure enough, you catch Theo staring at you with a small smile. He wiggles his eyebrows again, and you return a small smile.

‘See, something is definitely going on between the two of you, but you’re not telling us,’ Sophie accuses and you only roll your eyes. ‘If I were you, I’d be a little careful around that one, y/n,’ Sophie whispers and you glare at her as she shrugs innocently. ‘What is y/n not telling us?’ Ron suddenly asks, mouth half filled with food. ‘Gross, Ron. Atleast swallow your food and then talk,’ Ginny grumbles but Ron ignores his sister.

‘Did you put my cloak to good use?’ Harry asks, as you sheepishly look at him and remember what you used his cloak for. You nod. ‘I never did ask you what you wanted Harry’s cloak for,’ Ron says casually, picking at a piece of his food, which catches you off guard.

‘Uh…i…I used it for…’ you look at Sophie and Ginny for help, since they were the main culprits. You didn’t specifically tell Harry what you were going to use the cloak for but made sure to add ‘for educational purposes’. Besides, the whole table knew about Sophie’s crush on Mattheo, but you were sure fewer people would be willing to help them get together, even people like Harry.

‘It was a little prank, no worries,’ Sophie shrugs and you awkwardly agree with her, Harry and Ron thankfully getting off of your back. But Hermione has new suspicions. ‘Was it you at the library the other day? The one who kept knocking down books to annoy me?’ She narrows her eyes down at you and you shake your head quickly, wondering what you did to ever deserve this much trouble.

‘What happened?’ Ron asks, thankfully diverting the attention, making Hermione launch into her woeful tale of how she couldn’t concentrate in the library the other day when someone kept knocking books over and over again. ‘I kept placing the books back in their shelves but got frustrated in the end,’ your ears caught Hermione saying, but your eyes kept hovering over to Theodore. What if he was staring again?

Right now, he was chuckling with his friends, their laughter echoing in the Great Hall despite the constant chattering of other students. You can’t help but feel a faint smile on your lips as you see him so happy.

‘Y/n?’ you feel someone nudge you and you suddenly get back to your senses. ‘Wow, you guys hate me so much for liking Mattheo, but looks like we have to worry about one more Gryffindor falling for a Slytherin,’ Sophie says and avoids your eyes, while you look at her aghast.

‘I do not like Theodore Nott,’ you state sternly. ‘She never said you did,’ Ginny butts in and your neck snaps at her, glaring. ‘You did walk in with Nott for Transfigurations, didn’t you?’ Hermione asks and you look at her desperately. ‘Maybe something is going on between the two of you,’ Hermione says so seriously you want to bury yourself and die.

‘Guys, that is only a one time occurrence,’ you blurt out. ‘It’s not going to happen often. I just had to take care of something.’ You go back to eating your food silently, but feel your body temperature rise inside. ‘Did the cloak have something to do with him?’ Harry abruptly asks. Having had enough, you stand up, and excuse yourself before walking out.

You’re strolling around in the corridors, wondering where you should go, when you hear your name being called. ‘Y/n!’ Your eyes roll as you wonder if it’s Ginny or Sophie, trying to catch up with you. But as the person gets nearer, you hear it’s a deeper voice than your girlfriends. ‘Y/n,’ the voice calls out again, right behind you this time and sounding breathless.

‘Nott?’ you turn back and see a panting Theodore, catching his breath. He gives a small smile as he pants. ‘I was wondering...if you’d like to catch up on Transfigurations at the library?’ he asks. You frown a little; you were hoping it would be for something else. Something more casual than studying.

But you just smile. Because, strangely, your gut was telling you to go with it. If it was with Theodore, you were up for anything. Even studying. ‘That would be nice; maybe I can finish my worksheets then,’ you say with a nod. Nott smiles adoringly. ‘Great. See you in five?’ he asks and you nod again, before he leaves you to collect his books.

A/N: guys, I’ve realized this is way too long to begin with :[ So bad news is im ending it here, but good news is there’s part two!! So if you wanna read part two, please be patient! I’ll definitely post it :) Thanks for understanding! <3

PS: part two is out!!

[byneddiedingo]

Mads Mikkelsen in The Hunt (Thomas Vinterberg, 2012)

Cast: Mads Mikkelsen, Thomas Bo Larsen, Annika Wedderkopp, Lasse Fogelstrøm, Susse Wold, Anne Louise Hassing, Lars Ranthe, Alexandra Rapaport, Sebastian Bull, Bjarne Henriksen. Screenplay: Thomas Vinterberg, Tobias Lindholm. Cinematography: Charlotte Bruus Christensen. Production design: Torbin Stig Nielsen. Film editing: Janus Billeskov Jansen, Anne Østerud. Music: Nikolaj Egelund. 

Thomas Vinterberg and his co-screenwriter, Tobias Lindholm, load so much misery on the protagonist of The Hunt that they find themselves in a bind: How do you resolve a plot that inflicts so much suffering on an innocent man without resorting to either a saccharine happy ending or a depressingly cataclysmic one? When Lucas (Mads Mikkelsen), a man in his 40s who teaches in the kindergarten of a small Danish village, is accused by one of the children of exposing himself to her, his life goes to hell. He loses his job and his friends, including his girlfriend, and ruins his chances of a more favorable custody agreement with his ex-wife. And even after the authorities find that there is no evidence to substantiate the little girl's charge, he is still harassed by his neighbors and even denied service at the local grocery store. It's a superb part for Mikkelsen, but the film depends equally on the performances of Susse Wold as Grethe, the principal of the kindergarten; Thomas Bo Larsen as Theo, the father of the little girl; Lasse Fogelstrøm as Lucas's teenage son, Marcus; and especially the very young Annika Wedderkopp as Klara, Lucas's accuser. The suspicions directed at Lucas gain credibility from the fact that he's an anomaly in the somewhat macho culture of the village: Well into middle age, he is the only male teacher in the kindergarten -- it was apparently the only available teaching job after the school he once taught at closed. Klara is drawn to him as a kind of father figure: Her parents spend much time fighting with each other. Somewhat withdrawn, she has a childish ritual of never stepping on the lines in the sidewalk, and she gets lost because she looks at her feet and not where she's going. Lucas finds her one day and gets her home safely, and promises her that she can come to his house and play with his dog, Fanny. But Klara develops a kind of crush on Lucas, and when she gives him a present and tries to kiss him on the lips, he is forced to establish some limits. Hurt by the rejection, Klara tells the principal that she doesn't like Lucas because he's a man and has a penis. The principal unfortunately takes her remark too seriously and pursues the matter, whereupon Klara remembers a pornographic image that her older brother had shown her on his phone and describes it as if it were Lucas's penis. The principal's amateurish investigation feeds parental hysteria which ultimately provokes other children to come forward to accuse Lucas. The film recalls the widespread incidents of sexual abuse accusations that took place particularly in the 1980s, as in the notorious McMartin preschool case in Los Angeles. Fortunately, Vinterberg and Lindholm keep the larger issues in the background as they concentrate on its effect on Lucas, his family, and his friends. The end of the film is, however, something of a muddle: Lucas's life has returned to normal, as far as we can see, as he celebrates Marcus's coming of age by letting the boy join a deer hunt. Only in the concluding sequence do we get a suggestion that the incident will never be fully resolved.

[biglisbonnews]

'White Lotus' Cast, Bread Bags, 'Choke' Tees: Inside the Milan Men's Shows K-pop stars, White Lotus actors, throngs of screaming fans — Milan once again brought the energy and chaos to Fashion Week for the men's shows that just wrapped up.JW Anderson, who revisited some of his most seminal fashion moments, was a new addition to the Milan men's schedule and he plans to keep showing there for good. Gucci showed its first collection without Alessandro Michele, Fendi turned the Baguette bag into a meme and Dsquared2 went raunchy with some Y2K slogan tees. Loverboy was another fresh new addition to the calendar.See all the biggest moments from the Milan men's shows, below.The 'White Lotus'-ification of Fashion WeekIt was only a matter of time. Much like how Gossip Girl became the cast du jour to take over Fashion Week last year, the cast of White Lotus Season 2 has become this season's front row flavor of the month. It started with Will Sharpe at Emporio Armani followed by Adam DiMarco at Prada. Italian starlets Simona Tabasco and Sabrina Impacciatore were both at the JW Anderson show and Theo James closed things out at Giorgio Armani (Sharpe and James said it was their first time attending a runway show). Expect more cameos from the cast come NYFW next month.Fendi's Baguette Bags Look Like Actual Baguette BreadFendi's Baguette Bags Look Like Actual Baguette BreadFendi's Baguette Bags Look Like Actual Baguette BreadAfter years of tweaking and updating their classic Baguette bag, Fendi decided to go the literal route, sneaking in a bag made to look like the actual baked goods: one model had theirs peeking out of a tote picnic style, another clutched one in their hands and another had theirs in the shape of an umbrella. (“This is very much for the French market,” Silvia Venturini Fendi told Vogue — those Parisians do love their bread after all.)Gucci's First Show Since Alessandro Michele's DepartureGucci was arguably the most anticipated show of the week with fashion insiders eager to see what direction the brand would take following Alessandro Michele's departure at the end of last year. What they got was one of those "transitional" collections that are viewed as a sort of placeholder until someone is named creative director. That's not to say there weren't any standouts: the boxy blazers, simple tees and elongated coats all with a tinge of indie-sleaze, making for some perfectly fine wardrobe staples. Unlike the last time Gucci showed a men's collection following a designer exit, no one stepped out for the final bow, leaving the guessing games to continue until an announcement is finally made.Dsquared's Sexy Y2K RebelsDsquared's Sexy Y2K RebelsDsquared's Sexy Y2K RebelsDsquared's Sexy Y2K RebelsDsquared's Sexy Y2K RebelsThe trashy teen vibes at Dsquared2 were rampant at the brand's co-ed show featuring TikTok stars and a collegiate dorm room set on the runway. It was signature Dsquared2 — a sexy, raunchy mashup of eclectic Y2K-style references (shoutout to Haley Wollens who styled the hell out of this show. A section of ironic slogan tees ("Choke" in the Coca Cola font and "Emo" in bold against "Demon" were some viral hits) and accessories like tiara caps and "I love beer" belts made for one of the more memorable (and best) Dsquared2 shows in years.JW Anderson and the Frog ShoeJonathan Anderson teased the funky green frog slip-ons before the day of his show in Milan. Turns out the slides and boots were from Wellipets, a brand that was once a certain British royal family offspring. There were frog bags, too, the latest addition to JW Anderson's quirky animal accessories range following the viral pigeon clutch that debuted last year. https://www.papermag.com/milan-mens-fashion-week-fall-2023-2659268390.html

[justingrxnt]

aurormax​:

The other Auror Commanders of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement had received invitations for the evening’s soiree. They were well-born, their families weren’t disgraced. But she was not Commander Maxine Squint, here. She was just Max, brought along only because someone of better stock wanted company.

And aside from her co-workers, and Theo… Max had no idea who anyone here, was. Not personally, at least. She saw their faces in newspapers and knew their names, vaguely, but Max didn’t know any of them personally. So when Theo went out to answer an urgent owl, Max was left alone in the ballroom full of rich wix who wanted nothing to do with her.

Max raised her chin and strolled to a table with some prepared refreshments, admiring a champagne tower that was constantly refilling itself, before taking a glass and having a sip. It tasted deliciously expensive, and Max hummed, wishing she could see the bottle to find it in a store some time.

She hummed over the beautifully adorned grazing table, taking a selection of dried fig, cheese and cured meat to taste in one swift mouthful. Max was just about to try another concoction when a green, stick-insect looking creature scrambled across the table, grabbing the dried apricot out of her hand. Max gasped, spilling her champagne as she pulled her hand back.

She looked around incredulously as the creature shoved the dried apricot into its mouth, swelling the little thing’s head to almost double in size. She reached for a different piece, but the creature swatted her fingers away, spreading itself over its mount of apricots protectively. “Well, am I allowed any of them?” Max asked, raising her brows at it.

@justingrxnt

Maeko had belly laughed when she saw his ascot, Slytherin green and vines of gold, matching the green-and-gold vine patterned vest that doubled as a men’s bodice, beneath his black suit and black dress shirt. He hated going to these damned pureblood functions, often coming as Maeko’s eye candy but also to represent the every-wayward Grant Clan, here to shake hands with anyone who wanted seats to the show as long as they greased their way through certain countries and kept the ICW off their backs about certain performers, performances, and... associates they had. It was the kind of work Justin hated and had escaped as soon as Maeko was drawn into a dance with some gorgeous brunette he didn’t recognize. Likely someone who wanted a marriage contract or to feel her up, both would result in him hovering with his fists and a soft smile that he’d been told was distinctly scary on his usually genial face.

So he retreated to the refreshment’s table, where several large potted plants resided behind the buffet filled with food so far out of season, country of origin, and frankly made far too ostentatious to be considered real food. But he was mostly interested in the colony of bowtruckles in the plants, several which skittered across the table to make a jump at him, three made it but the fourth had decided to make a detour for a snack right out of another guest’s hand.

Justin laughed low in his throat, “Looks like this guy has made a claim over the whole feast of ‘em,” throwing out a tendril of magic to the bowtruckle, who snapped its eyes towards him. He couldn’t quite mind-speak with insects, even magical ones; they hovered on the edge of his magical purview, but he could exchange general thoughts with them. This one is clear and loud - don’t get crushed. Though, as the woman tried to make another playful grab for an apricot, there wasn't so much as an inkling she'd hurt the creature. “You’ve got a gentle way about you, considered bowtruckles are both mischievous and nervous creatures by nature. Though also vindictive when suited, their bites sting.” Justin grabbed a plate and reached for a few apricots, the bowtruckle skirting his fingers as he plucked them, and a few choice slices of brie, apple, and jam.

“Here you go,” He handed the plate over and wrinkled his nose, pulling his wand out to clean up the spilled champagne, “let’s not get kicked out of these far too fancy digs tonight, darlin’, we’re both too pretty, for such a scene.” He couldn’t help but flirt, rolling his shoulders back. 

The other Auror Commanders of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement had received invitations for the evening's soiree. They were well-born, their families weren't disgraced. But she was not Commander Maxine Squint, here. She was just Max, brought along only because someone of better stock wanted company.

And aside from her co-workers, and Theo... Max had no idea who anyone here, was. Not personally, at least. She saw their faces in newspapers and knew their names, vaguely, but Max didn't know any of them personally. So when Theo went out to answer an urgent owl, Max was left alone in the ballroom full of rich wix who wanted nothing to do with her.

Max raised her chin and strolled to a table with some prepared refreshments, admiring a champagne tower that was constantly refilling itself, before taking a glass and having a sip. It tasted deliciously expensive, and Max hummed, wishing she could see the bottle to find it in a store some time.

She hummed over the beautifully adorned grazing table, taking a selection of dried fig, cheese and cured meat to taste in one swift mouthful. Max was just about to try another concoction when a green, stick-insect looking creature scrambled across the table, grabbing the dried apricot out of her hand. Max gasped, spilling her champagne as she pulled her hand back.

She looked around incredulously as the creature shoved the dried apricot into its mouth, swelling the little thing's head to almost double in size. She reached for a different piece, but the creature swatted her fingers away, spreading itself over its mount of apricots protectively. "Well, am I allowed any of them?" Max asked, raising her brows at it.

@justingrxnt

[laoih]

Review of "The Rings of Power": Episode 5

Part 2: Lack of coherence

It can be easily shown why The Rings of Power fails as an adaptation, and I have spoken about one of these aspects in the first part of the review.

But what is almost more disappointing is that it fails as its own story as well. If you watch it without much thought it may be entertaining, but on closer inspection the holes in this series' logic become very visible.

In this episode, the The Rings of Power moves through five different plotlines: Galadriel & Halbrand in Númenor, Isildur in Númenor, Elrond & Co. in Lindon, Arondir & Bronwyn (and Adar) in the Southlands, and the Harfoots. Unfortunately, none of these storylines receive the attention and care that they need. Even removed from Tolkien, the storylines continue to make no sense on their own.

The show can look pretty, but unfortunately the writing is bad.

Let's start with the positive...

...because that won't take long.

The show had some nice visuals once more – like the Stranger looking up to the stars, or Elrond looking up to the stars. Generally, the evening atmosphere in Lindon was nicely set up.

Story-wise I liked in this episode was:

Exploring how and why some Men side with the Orcs, and the guilt that may come with that. So far it's only a superficial exploration because the plot to explore this lies with the people in the Southlands, while the emotional part is hinted at by Halbrand. This could be interesting if done right. It's barely used potential, and I don't really trust the show to do it any justice. But at least it's a good idea in theory.

Poppy's and Nori's song is sweet and fits: Tolkien's work is full of music, and the Hobbits are known to sing songs during walks. There is also a nice callback to the line of "not all those who wander are lost". I would enjoy the reference even more if the show was actually revering Tolkien's work and not ignore, break or twist it as they have done it in this episode, as I have pointed out in part 1 of this review.

Pharazôn gets a scene with his son that lays out his motivation a bit more.

Arondir and Theo have a scene together that was quite nice for both of their characters, and Theo finally shows his evil sword to someone. I've been waiting for this ever since he found it, and I'm glad this isn't dragged out any longer.

A nice scene. But how did Arondir get his armour back?

Galadriel has a bit of a more honest emotional moment when she speaks with Halbrand, and in theory this could be a good moment. However, I only mention it because it is technically a good idea. In reality, a) I no longer care for Galadriel as a character in this show and so therefore the moment doesn't work, b) it is set in context of Gil-galad's dumb storyline and is therefore buildt on nonsense and c) within the scene she still tries to manipulate Halbrand and continues to be annoying. Too little, too late.

Now on to the stupid part of the show...

The Lindon plot:

Gil-galad's non-existent logic

This is directly connected to the dumb lore break that I've pointed out in the first part. I'll try to sum up the situation from his perspective as it's presented by the show:

Gil-galad noticed the blight upon the tree and takes it as an "outer manifestation of [the] inner reality" that the light of the Eldar is fading.

This was first noticed shorty before Galadriel had returned from her expedition.

Gil-galad then assumed that Galadriel's unrest and search for Sauron were the reason for this decline and so he send her away in the hope that this would stop the decay.

However, it seems that he wasn't too convinced that this would work, because right after Galadriel had left he sent Elrond to Celebrimbor, who was also aware of the issue.

We have to assume that at this point Gil-galad already suspected that the Dwarves had found mithril, and that it might help against the decline.

So his plans with Elrond have had to look like this: if Celebrimbor gives him a deadline for his tower, Elrond will reach out to the Dwarves he is friends with and then start spying on them, so that eventually Gil-galad can confirm his suspicion about the mithril.

Amazon's Gil-galad is among the worst characters of this show.

This whole train of thought is stupid. And it wouldn't even get Gil-galad any closer to the mithril. In fact, I believe asking for it openly would be a more sensible step. There has been no sign that the Dwarves are in any way hostile or especially cruel, so would they deline to help the Elves and all of them to die even though they could have helped? Surely not. So why didn't Gil-galad ask? Noone knows.

Furthermore, when speaking with Elrond, Gil-galad argues that without the Elves, "the armies of darkness will march over the face of the earth". So if Gil-galad accepts the existance of these armies, why send Galadriel away? Why wouldn't he consider their existence to be a reason for the decline? And how are the Elves are supposed to stop these armies, if even as little as Galadriel's expedition is already suspected of causing the blight on the tree? And did Gil-galad know that there are armies of darkness out there and still declared peace? How are the Elves supposed to protect Middle-earth if they turn a blind eye to the approaching darkness?

Or does Gil-galad still believe there is no evil in Middle-earth and they can truly have peace now? Why would he then worry about the fate of Middle-earth if there is no threat? What are they supposed to fight?

Gil-galad is holding two contradicting opinions at once, and it just doesn't work and undermine this whole plotline. It simply creates artificial drama, but does not work as a story at all.

Elrond's oath

This storyline was one of the aspect I kind of liked so far, because oaths have significance in Tolkien's stories and it was nice that the show was addressing that.

Unfortunately it was only nice until they completely butchered the implementation of this topic in this episode:

First there is the forced drama about Gil-galad wanting Elrond to break his oath just to confirm that the Dwarves have mithril. It's stupid because it's unnecessary: Gil-galad already suspects that the Dwarves have found it, and Elrond simply didn't want to confirm or deny it. But even if Elrond did it wouldn't change anything – Gil-galad wouldn't be any closer to actually getting the mithril. So with the knowledge that there might be mithril in Moria he could just inform Elrond that they need it in case it exists, and based on this information Elrond can take his own actions, just as he actually did. There is no reason at all for Elrond to break his oath, and for Gil-galad to demand it is stupid.

But it gets worse because Elrond actually and casually breaks his oath, and the show isn't even aware of it. Elrond when swearing his oath said that noone but him would hear what Durin said to him, yet he gave Celebrimbor the small piece of mithril that he had, along with the information that it's mithril and where it's coming from.

"Here, Celebrimbor. this is the ore that I'm not supposed to talk about."

And then he still wonders whether or not he should break his oath or doom his people? It's too late to ask that question because healready broke the oath when telling Celebrimbor about the mithril. And with that, the whole plotline about the oath goes down the drain.

And last but not least: this is the second time that Celebrimbor randomly brings up Elrond's father. It starts to annoy me because as before if doesn't really make any sense nor does it further Celebrimbor's character. It feels either like a setup for something later on (in which case it's a poorly written setup because if doesn't feel organic in the context of the scene) or it's some form of manipulation that Celebrimbor is doing with Elrond... in which case it's still confusing.

The Númenor plot:

Where to start...

Galadriel, as always, is the biggest issue in the Númenorean plotlines. This time, it's her repulsive attempts to manipulate and control Halbrand:

She constantly tries to tell him what to do and what to think, what his desires for his future should be an how he should find his inner peace, disregarding how she spent centuries on trying to find peace and failed. She uses him and his country as a motivation for Míriel and Pharazôn to fight against the Orcs and then tries to frame it as Halbrand using her. Once she no longer gets around with her lies and needs Halbrand actually to work with her, she apologises to him only out of calculation: she wants him to cooperate, so she tries to play nice for a little while. Her "sorry" is quickly followed by a "help me".

Why Halbrand is still even talking to Galadriel is a mystery.

There is one moment where they come to speak more about her, and the scene came close to her having some self-realisation, but in the end still don't get any real answer as to why she cannot stop fighting. She notes that her soldiers mutinied against her, that her "closest friend" and her king exiled her, and that apparently she has touched so much darkness that those people around her can "no longer distinguish [her] from the evil [she] was fighting". But is this realisation followed by any consequences? No, she stays on her path of touching darkness to find the light, on her path to continue fighting.

Now granted: Orcs are really out there, and since Gil-galad's plot makes no sense, the impact his plotline has on Galadriel makes no sense either. It's not wrong to oppose the "armies of darkness", but it's stupid to assume that it will bring her peace if it hasn't done that for centuries. I also resent the idea of touching darkness to find the light: according to Galadriel it's currently doing more harm than good in relation to her own people, and generally it's just a really bad advice? There are many dangers and temptations in Middle-earth that cannot be avoided, but the wise usually can be recognised because they can recognise evil when it presents themselves. At least that is what Tolkien's wise characters did: reject the One Ring because they knew it would lead them on a dark path.

According to the try-and-error motto of Amazon's Galadriel, she would have taken the One Ring when Frodo offers it to her, and indeed become a dark queen.

Maybe this character will develop in future seasons, but in this first season she is the worst kind of main character they could have gone for.

I also want to mention the fight scene for a moment: it surely was better than her other fight scenes so far, but it was completely pointless: we didn't learn anything about her character or about the other characters involved, and at best it showed us that the Númenorean army is a joke. It seemed to be in there only to once again show the audience how awesome Galadriel apprently is, but I'm not buying it. A thousands of years olf Elf against some noobs – this is not impressive.

Halbrand is now both a smith and a lord. For the smithing he got a crest for after telling Pharazôn in prison where Galadriel would go, and he is recognised as a lord because Galadriel found a king's crest that matches the mark that Halbrand carries around.

This development is barely addressed and can only be taken from a few remarks of Halbrand, Galadriel and Míriel. It's a jump in this character's story, but considering all the other flaws the episode has this is a rather minor issue.

What bothers me, however, is that everyone just takes this development without any further questions. Halbrand has denied being a king, yet Galadriel insists on it. Míriel believes Galadriel in this, but hasn't talked to Halbrand about it since Galadriel keeps interrupting. They get Halbrand's intel about the Orcs in the Southlands, and rely on it for their war planning. Nobody questions how he got out on the sea or why he didn't warn anyone about it. They don't actually know anything about him but what he tells them and what Galadriel assumes, yet they build an entire expedition on his intel.

I still don't know what to think of this character.

Because here is the thing: Halbrand implies that he has done horrible things that he would like to forget, maybe including collaboration with Orcs. But this once again hints at the Orcs being around for quite some time now, and yet nobody has warned anyone – not the Elves in Ostirith nor the other human villages in the Southlands.

How does "evil being a thing of the past" and Halbrand's horrible past fit together? I mean, assuming that he is his own character and not Sauron? It really doesen't, and Halbrand telling Galadriel "I'm sorry. For your brother. For all of it." just once more hints at him being Sauron – or once again a red herring.

Isildur's plot is just painful to watch. I suppose they want to paint him in a very bad light, so they are succeeding in what they are doing. But they aren't good at showing what motivates him.

He wanted to get kicked out of the Sea Guard, but now he wants to join the expedition to Middle-earth because he wants to do something worthy of Númenor.

Why? This change of heart is never explained. Because his friends got angry at him? This can hardly be the case because it wouldn't fix his previous mistake, and his friends are already settled. Because he is assamed of his actions? This can't be the reason either because he still tries to cheat his way onto the list by appealing to his father and his friends, and later by hiding on the ship.

So far neither his previous reason for wanting to get kicked out of the Sea Guard is explained (wanting to find the "true west" is never explained either so it doesn't work as character motivation) nor his his change of heart now. This character remains unexplained, and it's simply not good story telling.

Eärien is the most random character in this episode: she shows up in a few places but barely does anything there and we don't really get a grip of why she is there either or how she feels about what is happening in these places. We can get the impression that she may be on the side that stands against the Elves and so is politically opposed to Elendil and Isildur, but in general her appearance in the episode is just irritating.

Appearing in random places with nothing to do: Eärien.

Maybe they'll do more with the character later on and just try to set up the character, but it's once again done in a weird way: as a character she seems pointless, and she's not integrated well enough in the rest of the plot to work as a side character.

The Southlands plot:

Adar's ultimatum is discussed in the episode. Half of the people stay, half of the people want to join Adar, and nobody consideres leaving the area altogehter. Why?

Halbrand and the other refugees obviously left, and Arondir should have some place where the Elves were supposed to go to. Theo even asks Arondir why he isn't leaving, and the question should rather be: why aren't they all leaving? Shouldn't they at least try and leave, reporting the Orcs to other Men or Elves so that they are prepared? Why stay there and get slaughtered? And if they somehow can't but Arondir can, shouldn't he get some help? He alone won't make a difference against all the Orcs, but getting the word out about their presences could save lives. And what about the Elvish occupiers, where they all killed? How? When? Were there only the few seen in the Orc camp? How where they able to subdue the Men in the Southlands for so long? And if there's more, haven't they noticed the absence of their captured people? Shouldn't Gil-galad receive their warning right now, given how fast the message of "peace" was delivered in the first episode?

Bronwyn has an unexplained change of heart as well in this episode: first she wants to fight and resist, and calls on the others to do the same. Once Arondir shows her the sword, she is immediately ready to give up. Is this the sword already working on her, or do the writers just not care any longer?

Then there is also the question why she told her people of the ultimatum in the first place. If she had convinced them that the Orcs would kill them all and burn down the tower as they did with the burned down village, wouldn't the people be much more willing to fight and to resist?

Why won't you just leave this place?

Arondir somehow knows the sword is a key. How? Where did he get this knowledge? And how come that the Elves knew there was a statue in this watch tower that apparently was showing Sauron, but never tore it down? Why would the Elves keep that statue there for all this time?

Adar wants Waldreg to kill Rowan becaue "only blood can bind". By the logic, half of the humans would have to kill the others, is that what we are supposed to take from this?

There is also the question why Waldreg didn't try to take the sword with him when he left the tower. He expected to see Sauron as the leader of the Orcs, and knows that the sword somehow belongs to Sauron. Why wouldn't he have tried to get the sword so that he could offer it to Sauron?

... and I'm still annoyed that Orcs are vampires in this show. And that Adar's checkbones look really fake, like a blob of papier mâché stuck on his face. Why would the cheeckbone even grow this way...

The Wilderlands plot:

The timeline of the Hobbit plotline is confusing, because this episode makes us believe that quite some time has passed: the Stranger can speak a decent amount of words now, and the way the Harfoots have traveled is quite a distance.

This doesn't match the time that seemed to have passed in Númenor and in the Southlands – there it seems like only days have passed. However, it does match with the plot in Lindon, where at least the traveling between Lindon and Eregion should take some time.

In conclusion: the timeline of this show is a mess, and unlike Tolkien the show's creators don't really bother to keep time and distance consitent in any way.

They really came a long way on their short legs...

Nori's family apparently has caught up with the other Harfoots, but this is never really addressed. They run into each other when the wolves are around, and some people in the caravan continue to be aweful when they suggest to sabotage the cart of Nori's family. Later on Nori reports that the Harfoots see the Stranger in a more positive light now that he has defended them against the Wolves, but this all happens more or less off screen. Since this had been such a drama previously, it's really weird that it's told in passing now.

Nori touching the ice is my last complaint. Girl, what happens there is clearly magical, so you can only blame yourself if you touch the ice without need. You saw the man falling down as a meteor, if this didn't freak you out why would ice do that now? Anyone with a half-rational mind would realise that the Stranger had no evil intent in that scene.

Tl;dr

The writing of this show is weak, often illogical and lacking in coherence. By creating such a fragile and inconsistant foundation, all following seasons will suffer even if they improve the quality of their writing.