#jinx and cait will not make it easier

[sieglinde-freud]

timebomb arcane spinoff but its no longer the gritty action show we’ve all been watching its a comedy where jinx shows up in front of ekko like “boo! im not dead but dont tell vi…” and ekko has to deal with trying to date his friend’s sister while also pretending shes dead. “i miss her so much, ekko,” vi says. ekko nods solemnly. jinx is hiding on the ceiling. they have a date planned in two hours. what will he do now.

[the-dumpster-fire-of-life]

Hiii, loved to see that you a writing for arcane again. Tbh I just loved Isha and Jinx, so could could you make headcanons for how Jinx, Vi and Cait would be like taking care of or rising a kid with a girlfriend or s/o?

Sure I can! I don’t want he post to be huge though so I’ll break it up into three separate ones! Enjoy!

Family Bound

Raising or looking after a kid was not easy by any means, but taking care of one with Jinx was even harder

Jinx does not know how to be a paternal figure, or an older sibling kind of figure

She has really bad experiences with the only ones she’s ever known, so how was she supposed to fix that with some kid she’s not even related to?

But, for your sake, I feel like jinx loves you enough to try

If the kid was your sibling, I feel like she would be more reserved and distant from the child

In some way you and your little sibling remind her of herself and Vi when they were young and it’s not a good thing

She’s only able to take care of the kid once she separated those two things and finally able to bond with the kid

It takes a lot of time and patience from you for Jinx to be able to bond with the kid

If y’all found the kiddo, I feel like it would be easier for her to take care of it more than it being your sibling

When she does come around, Jinx can be very protective of the kid

She’s more the parent that doesn’t discipline and lets the kid get away with stuff, which causes some behavioral issues and arguments between you two cause that’s not really a good thing

So she has to learn from you how to take care of the child

She teaches the kid lots of things like how to invent gadgets, to make sure they work, how to protect yourself, and lots of other things like that

On more positive notes:

You’re the main bridge between the two so when they’re left alone together, they have no clue what to do or how to bond

But you do find little bits and pieces of a genuine bond forming between the two

You see the little smile Jinx wears when she finds genuine joy in taking care of them

She wonders how anyone could abandon their child or harm them when the one she takes care of with you is so beautifully innocent and childlike

In a way the kid heals the inner child and the Powder still inside of Jinx

She takes care of them in the way she wished Silco or Vi was

And she understands them in a way not even you can, especially if they show signs that Powder and Jinx did when she was young

She likes goofing off with the kid, and she likes playing around with them

You’ve found them roughhousing and giggling more times than you could count

and you’ve found them testing out bombs, which only happens when it’s in a safe place and a safe distance away

Jinx would never intentionally harm your guys’ child

She loves them so much that sometimes it’s scary to see how attached she has become

She doesn’t know what she would do if anything happened to you or the kid

She doesn’t ever wanna scare them, which has only happpened once

Jinx was having a freak out after everything has happened, probably after Vi was found to be an enforcer or after their fight

She was going through it, yelling, breaking things and crying and screaming

She didn’t notice how scared your guys’ child was until they started crying

Jinx felt her heart break, and even if she was ashamed of doing it, she ran out

She didn’t know how to handle the gaf she scare them so much

She was gone for a while and when she came back she was visibly distant

It took a lot of patience and reassurance for her to come back around the kid without being hesitant about every move

But the kid loved her, and when she saw your child was more sad about the fact she was gone, it broke her heart and almost healed it at the same time

She doesn’t know what she would do if they feared her badly

She loves coloring with the little girl or boy, and she likes helping them figure out outfits

She likes running around the lanes with them, or going to the old hideout

The two also love messing with Sevika as the woman has now joined your little mini family

Jinx and the kid often pass out together, both on the ground or wherever and limbs tangled and snoring with drool on the corners of their lips

Which means you have to carry both to bed a lot of the time

Jinx loves. Showing he kid to invent, and how to fight and everything

She loves seeing the sparkle in the kids eye when she shows them fireworks and anything Jinx

She and the kid have a bond you don’t know how to describe

She also doesn’t try to keep the fact of who she is and the things she’s done a secret from the child

Sometimes she can be harsh, but it’s from a space of love even if the kid gets hurt feelings

She always makes up for it though

[deathbxnny]

Hi I just wanted to say I loved the arcane adhd headcannons u wrote, the viktor one made me cry bc I want to be seen like that sooo bad. Do u think u could do some more characters? No pressure tho ur an amazing writer

Arcane characters with an S/o who has ADHD. | Caitlyn, Jinx, Ekko x Gn!Reader

(Previous part)

Aww, I'm so happy to hear that you enjoyed the last part, anon! I hope this is to your liking as well!<33

Content: Fluff, ADHD, established romantic relationships, sfw

Reader has no mentioned pronouns.

((Not proofread))

》CAITLYN

She noticed from the start that you were a little different from everyone else. Not that she necessarily cared much about it. You were still you after all, and your diagnosis is just a part of you she considers endearing.

With that said, Caitlyn always listens to your needs very closely and does everything in her power to help you out with them. She'll get you anything you ask for in hopes of making life easier for you. Whether it's medical help or just something to help with your fidgeting in general, you'll have it in no time with her.

Cait can, therefore, come off as kind of overbearing or overprotective at first. She wants you to lead a smooth and successful life, so she'll always be around to make any task doable for you. Procrastination does not exist when she's there, to say the least.

Her patience is an important part of your relationship that's practically invaluable. Your fidgety and unfocused nature took a moment for her to get used to, but she never makes a big deal out of it. Instead, she simply adapts to your needs and learns to cherish them as well.

》JINX

Probably the most understanding out of everyone, albeit in the most chaotic way possible. You two are a rather troubling duo, as she herself isn't in the best position to help you out properly. Her ideas are always outlandish yet somehow still work out in the end anyways, which is rather impressive.

You're both very fidgety, but she makes up for it with her hyper awareness. Procrastination is never a thing with her, considering how focused she always is on every project she has and so it becomes somewhat of a normal thing for you to simply work in the same space together, even if it's with just music playing in the background in-between you two.

She's the last person to ever treat you any differently for your diagnosis and doesn't ever let you feel bad for it either. You accept her, and she accepts you. Anyone that tries shaming you for it is as good as dead anyway.

You two learn how to take care of each other better than anyone else ever could. Jinx may not be able to help you out like a professional doctor could, but she'll do anything to help you out no matter what forever.

》EKKO

He doesn't entirely get it at first, mainly as he was always surrounded by people who were rather unique in their own way. But as always with anything, he still does his best to learn everything he needs to about your diagnosis and how he can help you with the resources he has. Which aren't many, but his creativity truly shines at times when it comes to you.

You're not treated any differently from everyone else, and he sure as hell doesn't allow anyone to do that either. You are normal, just with more needs that he tends to carefully. So whether it's your inability to focus well or stay still for a long time, he'll find a way to make things easier. He understands your procrastination and doesn't really push you to do things unless it's very important. But he'll work with you on any projects or missions you may have.

His patience is endless for you and his kindness even more so. He understands if you feel frustrated sometimes and tries his best to soothe you when your emotions are a little harder to process. He'll let you fidget and be yourself as much as you want to, never the type to stop you. You should be yourself around him, and he appreciates how vulnerable you are with that.

Ekko loves you no matter how hard things can get with your diagnosis. He takes every challenge on with ease and never judges you for it either.

[fishbonex]

Under The Influence (of Regret)

Vi x fem!reader

Summary: An already altered discussion has an even worse consequence.

Word Count: 1,2K

Warning: HEAVY ANGST, mentions of alcoholism, canon-typical violence, arguments, screaming, BLOOD.

note: this story takes place after the end of arcane.

ENGLISH IS NOT MY FIRST LANGUAGE.

War and grief have the power to change a person. Maybe for a while, or maybe forever, but change is a certainty.

You didn't escape it, neither did Vi.

You were a constant presence at Caitlyn's mansion, at her insistence. She knew that having a friend around would be good for Vi and for herself. And you didn't want to be alone either, after everything you'd witnessed.

With the periods you spent away from your apartment, it was necessary to always have a small suitcase with your things, despite Caitlyn's insistence that you occupy one of the closets in the room you were assigned.

The problem with taking your clothes was that Vi got into the habit of borrowing them, or just taking them out of your suitcase and then showing up wearing one of your shirts.

But you didn't care. Stealing your clothes seemed like a pastime to her, or pestering you to read to her in front of the fireplace. You didn't mind any of that, since you'd rather have her doing those things than drinking whole bottles of booze.

Vi's addiction to alcohol has always worried you, you closely followed the bad period she went through after the fight with Caitlyn.

She scoffed the first time you suggested she try cutting down on her drinking, got angry the second time, and only softened the third time when she saw how upset you were about it..

The first few months after the war were the hardest, as she grieved over Jinx's death. But you tried to make her comfortable, giving her space and staying close when she seemed more open. The following months were easier, even though the pain was still there, she knew you would be there for her.

With a soft knock on the door of the room she shared with Caitlyn, you waited only a few seconds before hearing permission to enter.

Vi smiled softly as you poked your head in the doorway before stepping all the way in. She was sprawled out in one of the fancy chairs near the fireplace.

"Hey, smarty pants." she held out a hand as you approached.

"Hey, what are you doing?" you rubbed your thumb gently over her bruised knuckles. They were already healing.

"Just... nothing. I couldn't find you and Cait is working in her office." she replied, leaning her head against the back of her chair. "What about you?"

"I'm sorry to tell you, but I need my brown jacket." You replied, seeing her look up at you. "I'm going home today."

"Why?" she asked, letting herself sound fragile, something she rarely did.

"I need to wash my clothes and, I don't know, live in my own house? For a while. Before they kick me out." you shrugged.

"There's a washing machine here, I bet you can use it. And Cait already said you can live-"

"Vi." you interrupted her with a warning tone. "I don't want to talk about this again, you can come see me, or I'll come here when I have time, I don't know. Where's my jacket?"

She let go of your hand and frowned cutely, making her look like a kitten.

"In my middle drawer." she nodded towards the large closet that took up almost an entire wall in the room. "On the left side of the closet."

"In the drawer?" you asked, frowning as you walked over to the closet, opening the doors and looking at the drawers she indicated. "You know where you're supposed to hang a jacket, right?"

"Nonsense," she replied, turning her face back to the fire. "I saved it, that's what matters."

"It must be full of mold, yuck." you joked as you opened the drawer, soon spotting the thick lining of your jacket, picking it up and bringing it close to your face.

You were about to close the drawer again when you saw a smooth surface, glass? Against your better judgment of leaving Vi's privacy alone, you opened the drawer wider and moved the few clothes that were covering the small bottle out of the way. Bottle. A small, light bottle of liquor. Someone had drunk more than half of it.

Your stomach sank and you stopped listening to Vi's voice rattling off a response to your earlier taunt. You lifted the bottle and turned to her.

"Vi, what the fuck is this?" you sounded harsher than you intended. "I thought you were done with that."

She turned her face to you, her expression darkening into anger, "Gimme that." she stood up and walked over to you.

"What's this nonsense?" you took the bottle out of her reach as she stepped forward and tried to take it from you.

"You don't have to get involved in this. Give me the bottle." she held out her hand and you stepped back even further.

"Please, you've come so far. Does Cait know? She'd hate to see you drinking again." you could feel your eyes burning with tears that wanted to come out.

"You don't know anything about me and Cait. Give me that." she advanced on you and you felt anger.

"No!" you shouted. "I thought you-"

"I told you to give me that!" she raised her fist in the air and you felt your head being thrown back hard, making you stumble.

You lost your balance and the things you were carrying fell. Your vision blurred slightly and you soon felt blood running down your now sore nose. Bringing your hand up to your face, you panicked slightly when you saw the thick liquid covering it.

You turned your wide eyes to Vi, who was staring at you, transfixed. Getting up from the ground, you quickly walked past her and stomped away.

The large bandage on your nose was uncomfortable and unsightly. Your nose throbbed and every now and then a wave of pain would hit you, making you curl up even more.

But the pain you felt when you remembered Vi's words was greater, she was right, after all. You knew nothing about her and you shouldn't meddle in her life.

The next day came in a blur and you only realized it when you heard a knock on your door. Groaning in discontent, you dragged yourself over and opened the door a crack.

Your expression quickly fell when you saw Vi standing there, your suitcase slung over her shoulder, your brown jacket in her unoccupied hand.

"What are you doing here?" you spat.

"You... you left your things at Cait's house, I just wanted to bring them to you." she said, her gaze roaming over your face, a hint of worry present.

You reached your hand through the door opening, "Okay, give it to me."

"It's heavy, I'll put it in there for you." she lowered her face and continued to look at you, so that her eyes seemed bigger. "Please."

You huffed and opened the door wider, stepping aside for her to come in. She walked past you with cautious steps as you left the door ajar. You crossed your arms, watching her place your suitcase on the coffee table, resting your jacket on top.

Vi turned to you, her gaze lingering on your face. She looked shy, which was not like her.

"I didn't mean to hit-"

"You said you came to bring my things and you already did, you can go." you interrupted, your nose starting to hurt again.

"I would never hurt you on purpose." she took a step towards you, making you step back. "I didn't mean to do it."

"But you did. And you were right, anyway. I don't know anything about you and I'm not going to interfere in your life anymore." you replied, your voice serious. "Go away."

Vi's eyes shone, the shine of tears she didn't want to shed. She shook her head and walked past you.

[nyxi-pixie]

ambessa straight up saying that vi leaving left a vaccuum in cait that she could fill is SOOOO. bc fascism Does prey on loneliness and hopelessness and grief by offering a false solution. its Easy to blame and hate people instead of pursuing the gruelling process of actual change, but its easier still when hating people gives you community. cait blames jinx already, and expands it to zaunites at large because thats easy for her, and ambessa is able to stoke that by putting her on a pedestal For that. and with no one else, with her mentor dead, her mother dead, her father withdrawn, jayce gone, and having denied vi the chance to stay, cait is completely alone. and ambessa benefits from it by offering closeness and understanding, by drawing similarities between them to make cait feel seen.

but the way out of a mindset caused by misdirected hatred, and the kind of irrational thinking and instability that solidifies it, is finding community outside of it. when it comes down to it, despite how she thinks at her worst, cait still loves vi. She still loves her mother. Seeing someone she loves have a chance to save a parent by going against the side caits chosen for herself, the side only resulting in death and destruction, is enough to bring back some recognition of right from wrong, enough to convince her to do some good after so long of only causing damage.

[shentheauthor]

Breaking my Arcane silence to say Caitlyn Kiramman is my favorite character and s2 has not changed that.

Bigotry preys on vulnerable people like her. It gives them someone to blame rather than helping them through whatever it is they’re going through. It’s like how lonely, depressed men often become incels. They are given someone to blame— women— and become misogynists because of it.

Of course there is often some internalized bias there. I don’t think Cait has deconstructed her classism much by the end of s1, and right now, that’s being made worse. She’s been given an enemy rather than support, so she doesn’t have to stop and think and process her grief. It’s easier that way.

She’s also great representation of what happens sometimes when grief is incredibly fresh. You don’t WANT support or help, because those people want you to process it. They want you to think about it, and right now, that hurts too much. Or they’ll tell you that you’re wrong, and even if they’re right, you don’t want to hear that. That’s Cait right now. Vi is right, and Cait doesn’t want to hear it because it HURTS.

I know it seems like she’s had plenty of time to think about what she’s doing, and she definitely has… but the real key here is she hasn’t given herself time to think about her mother. She threw herself into finding Jinx almost immediately, and it doesn’t help that Piltover is on the brink of war with Zaun. She hasn’t had any time to process her feelings, which is incredibly important to making good decisions.

I love her so much. She’s flawed, and she’s going down a terrible path, but her writing is so important. It’s important to see these stories, because this happens in real life (although most of the time it isn’t as extreme as war and gassing people). Cait is such a well-written character, and that’s why she’s my favorite character in Arcane.

[moldybonessmell]

Sevika character analysis post

Because it feels like everyone's miscaharcterises her and she's being treated only like a "hot mommy" I think I got an aneyrism writing this sentence sorry

// ARCANE spoilers season 1 & 2

So, a little disclaimer, I haven't rewatched season 1 so I might get some stuff wrong from it, feel free to correct me in case I get facts wrong

I want to start from the first impression we get from her. In season one she's a brutal right hand of an undercity mafia basically, a gambler and a card player, smokes, a frequent visitor in brothels (tiktok thinks she and Ambessa fucked the same twink and it changed the course of my life, I feel). She's a brutal and strong fighter. All in all, scary bitch (slay, if I may).

But the other aspect of her charcter in season 1 is that she's ridiculously loyal. She's loyal to Silco like a dog. The way she kept following him even after many many opportunities to get deals with his enemies. What it tells us is that even if she seems like a typical villian, she has a strong moral code. "But what about Vander?" You may ask. Well, her moral code also tells her to support the idea she sees as right. Her and Silco both disagreed on Vander's view, and decided to go their separate way. So even if she's loyal, she's still not going to support someone she doesn't agree with, which distinguishes her from a common minion trope.

In the same loyal theme, I would like to touch upon her relationship with Jinx. Yes, they were openly hostile to each other, but in season 2 Sevika decides to follow Jinx at some point. I have yet to decide if it's just because of Jinx being dear to Silco (a gesture of goodwill) or Sevika actually saw the girl growing up and had warm feelings. I firstly thought Sevika collaborated with Jinx on attack on Cait n Vi just for the sake of revenge (the entire Grey ordeal), but the way she instinctively covered Jinx n Isha with her entire body in this one scene, I fall more on "warm feelings" scale than "cold alliance".

Also don't forget the episode where Jinx gifted Sevika her new hand (which didn't last long but oh well). That was a gesture of goodwill, which is crazy concidering all the curcumstances ngl.

The way Sevika told everyone about Jinx they are not handing over their people even before she knew Jinx was relatively stable or even if she wanted to kill Sevika or not shows really well where her loyalties lie. Whether it was in memory of Silco or Sevika changing to be more like Vander and prioritize community.

And now her relationship with Jinx leads us to a revolution in Piltover. Right after Silco's death Sevika, who has always been a number 2, a right hand, tries to become a leader... but kinda fails. Which is expected. If you folow orders your entire life, it's difficult to make people listen to you even if you have a strong character and morals. And she tries again with leading a revolution against the Piltovian regime.. and fails again. But Jinx somehow has people folowing her without even trying. And Sevika decides to support her in hopes of making Zaun's life easier.

I bet she has complicated feelings about Jinx: maybe some warm ones from seeing her growing up, definitely hatred from all the stuff Jinx did (we still don't know if she knows Jinx killed Silco, right? I bet she figured out tbh), but also the sense of hope for change. And so Sevika becomes a number 2 again. The problem is, this new leader to follow doen't have any ambition or even care about community (she only cares about Isha let's be fr).

And Sevika, who very obviously craves community and connection loses everyone. No Vander, no Silco, and now no Jinx.

But you know what she has? The strong desire to make people's lifes better.

And this is why she doesn't stay back during the Ambessa's attack on Piltover, even tho it's not her, as a zauntie, fight. There's a possibility of Zaun getting in danger (bc let's be honest, Ambessa would just obliterate Zaun in case she reighns) and Sevika stands up for a fight.

And this is why I think she's the perfect candidate to end up in the new Piltover senate.

Tbh the first one would definitely be Ekko with the way he build up his community. Yeah he seems kinda down after all that, but for me personally it's a weak plot to make him all about Jinx in the end, sorry, we need TWO places in the council, you know (on my planet they are both there together)

Sevika tried several times in the past to be a leader and failed, but she still tries again, as her sense of responsibility for her people is stronger than her personal doubts.

(And you know she would have them after whole 2 times oof)

I've seen people on multiple platforms make jokes about Sevika in the council being ridiculous, but I strongly disagree, as you can see. No, she does not have anger issues, Jinx's just annoying/j

All in all, I think she's a very interesting and complex character.

Thank you for reading, feel free to share your thoughts.

[bluntblade]

There's something interesting that I haven't seen remarked on; both Cait and Vi's "coping" mechanisms in Act 2 turn out to be anything but, once you dig down. To me, they feel more like the two women punishing themselves.

Vi's case is the more obvious: her pit-fighter era is a red-misted oblivion. At first, the montage shows us a bravado-filled highlight reel, but as it goes on the focus starts to slide, and not just to the drinking. We see Vi being smacked down and biting dust as often as she wins. When she thinks of Caitlyn it's dreamy and peaceful for a second, only for that to shatter. Reality snaps back violently, and that violence means another wall between her and the rest of the world. Everything speaks to a loss of control - the same problem Vi has had before in her need to look after her loved ones, but now without even that focus. Her life is dictated by the schedule of matches, by her anger and by drunken, gut-level impulses. I was going to flippantly call it her Raging Butch era, and then realised the parallels to Lamotta's self-destructive slide in Raging Bull are actually painfully acute.

With Caitlyn, it's subtler. Her hairshirt is the cloak Ambessa drapes over her: Caitlyn is now enacting the occupation she wanted to avoid, after her more limited (yes, harmful, but more limited) method failed (and indeed caused harm in Piltover too when Jinx hijacked the Grey). She plainly dislikes it (just as she bridles against provocations by the Noxians) but there's also a sense that she's punishing herself, again, for her mother's death and her own previous failure (as she sees it). It would be easier to back down, or more comfortable... and in her current headspace, comfortable is wrong. She failed her mother already, fatally. She doesn't deserve comfort.

It's also there in her sleeping with Maddie. There's no real warmth there, and I think you can perceive a sense of guilt in Caitlyn around that. Again, I think it's plausible that she welcomes that sense of guilt. Especially as she leans away specifically from Maddie's displays of affection (leaving aside the fact of the little traitor being a little traitor).

And these are really the same flaws that led them making the mistakes they did during the raid. Caitlyn assumes as much responsibility as she can (and more than she can shoulder safely), while Vi lets herself be carried along as support, challenging Caitlyn too late to avoid the situation going horribly wrong.

So when they come back together, the thing which makes it work this time is that they let themselves want the things which they really need. Cait gives up her need to assume all the responsibility and all the choices, even as she looks as Jinx, sees someone swept up in the same cycle as her, and tries to break them both free. Vi finally acts for herself - she still fights for others, but it doesn't consume her own interests like it did before. Where they both got lost in loneliness, now they come together (no sniggering at the back!), and that's a real solace for the two of them.

[possibilistfanfiction]

CaitVi prompt: hospital

[u are all so silly, i got four asks with 'hospital' so here's the first of probably a few more :) also on ao3. there's not any real angst as i've tried to stick to in this little au lol. some more jinx pov, cait being kind. just the little family they all deserve!]

///

immediately there’s, like, a lot of blood. you wrap a towel — greasy, but better than nothing — around your arm and take a deep breath so you can stop yourself from feeling like you want to pass out. after a few perilous seconds, the wave of nausea and lightheadedness passes.

not that things even get easier, though, because you remember quickly that ekko is out of town on some arborist soil sample something something trip, and vi had texted you ten minutes ago that she was going out on a call — she always does, so you know what’s happening and can work through your anxiety without spiraling into a panic attack — and vander is picking up some new stools for the bar two towns over. the voices start immediately, partially because you’re in pain and partially because you’re really starting to panic: your arm is going to be fine, probably, but the cut was deep and messy, a clumsy slip in the lab; you spent a lot of years trying your best not to take care of yourself, but you know that’s not what you should do now.

you’re a burden, you hear, flashes of ugly images following. you close your eyes tight, as tight as you can, and shake your head. you’re still not used to not having your braids, but vi fixed it as much as possible and told you that you look badass; you look like your big sister more now, and she’s the most badass person you know, so it’s fine. it’s okay, you tell yourself, even though you don’t deserve care runs through your mind, so loudly, in a voice that isn’t yours. you know what to do now, though: you breathe into the bottom of your spine, just like you practice with your therapist all the time. you sniffle and blink away some tears and say some affirmations to yourself, ones that vi and vander and ekko and even caitlyn tell you all the time, big and small compliments and reassurances all the same.

it’s hard, though: you’ll only annoy her, you think, the second you remember what vi had told you a few weeks ago — caitlyn wanted to make sure you know that you can text het whenever you need. caitlyn will be mad at you; she’ll break up with vi and then vi will be mad at you, or vi will choose caitlyn over you, and either way she won’t want to live with you anymore, and you’ll be back on the street, and you won’t be able to stay on your medications, not without vi’s help, and ekko won’t want to spend any time with you when you’re like that, and—

‘no,’ you say out loud, ‘that’s not true.’ you take a deep breath. ‘none of that is going to happen.’

it feels like a miracle, even still, every time you’re able to come back to reality without hours of spiraling, and especially when you’re able to do it on your own. you still feel like you’re itching just under your skin, like everything is a little off-kilter, too fast and too bright, but you’re able to take one more deep breath and then find your phone.

your hand shakes as you press on the contact info and then call, and you put it on speaker and place it down on your work table before you put pressure back onto the towel over your cut. after only one and a half rings, caitlyn’s very proper accent comes through with a friendly, ‘hello, jinx.’

‘hi,’ you say, try your best to not sound as stressed and near tears and a little bit crazy as you feel.

when you can’t bring yourself to say anything else, after a few seconds she asks, ‘can i help you with anything?’

‘you’re probably busy,’ you say. ‘you’re at work, and i really shouldn’t be bothering you.’

you can almost see her shaking her head as you hear a little tisk. ‘i’m between meetings,’ she assures, ‘but, even if i wasn’t, if i can do something, i’d like to.’

there’s flashes of intrusive voices and images and thoughts, but you count to five and then nod. ‘okay.’

‘great. what can i help you with, then?’

‘well, i was being safe, i swear, and i would’ve asked vi, but she’s out on a call, and ekko and vander aren’t in town, and —‘

‘— jinx,’ caitlyn says, gentle enough you would cry if you weren’t as tough. ‘i’m happy to help, especially if you’re hurt.’

‘it’s just a cut on my arm.’

‘okay.’ she sounds unfazed, not angry, just concerned. ‘do you think you need stitches?’ i’m not too far; i can come pick you up and bring you to the hospital.’

‘are you —‘

‘yes,’ she says. ‘i am sure. i actually have a meeting there this afternoon anyway.’

‘well, okay. i guess.’

she laughs. ‘keep pressure on the wound, and i’ll see you in fifteen minutes. i can come up if you need.’

‘no, that’s okay.’

‘i’ll text you when i’m here, then.’

‘yeah. okay. and, like, thanks, i guess.’

you hear the fondness in her voice when she says, ’of course.’

/

it’s been eight months and you’re still kind of blown away by how neat caitlyn is: her new car that’s always clean, no matter how dirty you get it on your climbing trips; she irons all of her work clothes, which you only know because vi teased her the pleats in her slacks a few weeks ago; her hair is always perfectly sleek, not a strand out of place. it would be kind of scary if you haven’t also spent the last eight months watching her trip over herself to impress your idiot sister, and wear vi’s hoodies, and make truly shitty coffee when she stays the night at your apartment.

still, you’re a little scared to get blood on the pristine leather seat, but caitlyn gets out of the car when you get out of your building after she texts you and looks at your arm. she frowns — less in concern than, like, compassion or something — before she pulls you into a side-hug, making sure to not jostle your bad arm, and then opens the passenger door and makes sure you get in safely.

she’s in a neat dark turtleneck and slacks, a white coat actually hanging up on the hook in the back, which is comforting; the voices are quiet because your own is so loud wanting to scoff and tease her. but she turns on music she knows you like, and she doesn’t bother with trying to get you to make small talk. caitlyn drives carefully, she always does, and you rest your head against the window, the pain finally catching up to you.

‘i let vi know,’ caitlyn tells you as she pulls into a spot with her own name on it in the parking garage at the hospital.

you thank her quietly, feeling relieved that you don’t have to, even though she’ll definitely make you explain later how, even with all the new safety equipment jayce had given you, this could happen. still, the voices calm more and more as you walk in. caitlyn shrugs on her white coat, and she tells you to sit in a chair in the ER waiting room while she checks how busy it is.

‘dr. kiramman,’ you hear a nurse happily greet her. you lean your head back and close your eyes — the pain finally hitting you fully as your adrenaline has worn off — and grumble, ‘so fancy,’ just for posterity.

soon enough, though, only a few minutes, she gently says your name. ‘we’ll get you settled in the back,’ she explains. ‘it’s a little busy, but there’s a bed, and we can get you some pain medicine while you wait. it’ll be much more comfortable.’

you nod and she helps you up and then wraps a gentle hand around your shoulder, guiding you comfortingly. a nurse comes in and takes your vitals, which are normal enough, and then bustles out to get pain meds and a suture kit.

‘i — i can’t have opioids,’ you tell caitlyn, quietly. vi is always the best at leaving the details of what you’ve gone through up to you to tell people, but you’re still surprised when caitlyn doesn’t know things.

she just nods, though, unfazed. ‘i put in an order for local anesthetic, which should be the most helpful. otherwise, we can have you take tylenol and then see how your pain is; there are stronger options we can explore if you end up needing it.’

you kind of want to cry, but you don’t because you’re big and tough and strong and crying is for babies, obviously. you look around at how nice everything is, how shiny and new, and you take a second to really see her. caitlyn sits calmly in the chair next to your bed, perfect posture and slightly tired eyes; you know how strong she is since you climb together often, and you also know how kind she is.

‘this is a way nicer hospital than the ones i’ve been in before.’

her smile is a little hesitant but pleased all the same. ‘i’ve been working on improving all of them in the region.’

‘even the psych wards?’

her smile grows a little, genuine, and just for you. ‘especially the psych wards.’

it’s impossible not to return it. ‘really?’

‘compassionate and comprehensive mental health care has always been a priority of mine,’ she says, completely serious. ‘it’s part of the reason i went into public health policy, rather than just practicing.’ you’ve tuned out whenever she and vi have talked about caitlyn’s multiple degrees, because usually you’re climbing or someone has just brought you food, both of which are much more interesting than, like, seven million years of fancy school or whatever, but maybe it’s less dull than you thought. ‘i’ve grown to care about it even more in the past year, though.’

it takes you a second, but then you understand. ‘oh. huh.’ it seems impossible, but she’s not joking. ‘because of me?’

‘yes,’ caitlyn says. ‘we don’t have to talk about anything that makes you uncomfortable, but i’ve noticed how hard you work, and i know how much vi helps coordinate your care.’

for a second, you want to argue, or yell, or storm out and crash a car or fall into a hole or something, because you are a burden and vi does do so much to help you stay as stable as you can.

‘i’m in awe of you both, really, for navigating it all, even now,’ caitlyn continues, though, and the storm of your bad thoughts fades. ‘however, it should have never required the effort it did to get your care and social supports at first, and it still should be easier to coordinate presently. and,’ she continues; you have to fight a smile because, sometimes, it is fun when she really gets going; caitlyn can be terrifying when she wants to be, ‘if you or anyone else needs inpatient care, you should get to be in fully fundedfacilities that promote healing, grounding, and stability — mentally, but also physically. we know scientifically that aesthetics play a role.’

‘well,’ you say, your voice a little thick, ‘can’t argue with that, can i?’

she laughs, and then the nurse comes back in with a man in a white coat trailing behind her; he has a greying beard but is otherwise tall and stately, with a gentle eyes and a smile that is exactly the same as caitlyn’s. she smiles and hugs him tight, which he returns happily; you don’t wonder where caitlyn got her easy affection from.

‘jinx,’ she says, ‘my dad will be able to give you stitches today. i do have a meeting in about five minutes, but if can push it back if you’d like me to stay.’

‘what’s the meeting for?’ you ask, mostly to be annoying, but also because you’re lowkey curious.

unfortunately, by now caitlyn is unfazed. ‘a plan for the improvement and expansion of our regional gender affirming healthcare program.’

you almost groan; you can’t believe you’re going to have to suffer through your sister — world’s number one Good Person™️, as far as you’re concerned — and caitlyn — another Good Person™️ — for the rest of your life, if things go the way they have been. it’s kind of a big thought, but you find it makes you happy. ‘well, can’t postpone that.’

she smiles. ‘vi texted and should be on her way soon to drive you home when you’re done. i already put in your prescriptions at the pharmacy, so you can just pick those up on your way out. i’ll stop by later with some dinner.’

‘you don’t have to —‘ you catch yourself and take a deep breath — ‘thank you, caitlyn.’

she hums, squeezes your shoulder, and then gives a little wave on her way out, perfectly pressed coat and all.

‘dr. kiramman, the original,’ you say as caitlyn’s dad pulls up a stool and sterile tray next to your bed.

‘tobias, please,’ he says, easy warmth to his voice. ‘caitlyn and vi have both told me so much about you.’

‘terrifying.’

he laughs as he readies a syringe. ‘this is just local numbing agent. you’ll feel a little pinch, but it shouldn’t hurt any significant degree.’

he waits for you to nod before he starts, and it stings but not bad.

‘and only good things,’ he assures you, finishing up. ‘mostly about your school, and how much they both enjoy climbing with you.’

‘oh.’

he nods, and then quickly and clearly explains the process for stitches. again, he waits for your consent before he starts.

‘you and mrs. kiramman like my sister?’

he expertly ties off a suture. ‘i loved vi right away. cassandra is, well —‘ he rolls his eyes, like you for sure know and are in on it, and, like, vi is still kind of scared shitless of caitlyn’s mom, so you can figure it out.

‘intense?’

he laughs. ‘i don’t think anyone caitlyn would’ve grown serious about would’ve impressed her at first, no matter what.’

maybe it’s because you’re in pain, or because the routine of your day has gone to shit, or because everyone is being nice to you and it’s kind of overwhelming, but you feel a little defensive. vi’s, like, the best person in the world though. she knows that, right?’

‘she does.’ tobias is serious and gentle. ‘she’s actually been pestering the girls to have you and your father over for dinner soon.’

‘really?’

‘i think they’re both just working up to having to endure hours of embarrassing childhood stories at their expense, to be honest.’

you perk up; tobias has to remind you to stay still through a fond chuckle. ‘i’ve got some really good ones.’

‘i’m sure you do.’

and the rest is easy: tobias asks thoughtful, genuine questions about your senior thesis project, about your work with jayce and viktor, even about ekko when you mention him. it’s, well, easy, and you know when you share all of this with your therapist they’re going to go on and on about how good this experience will be for your continued work of remapping your thought patterns, helping you through trauma responses the more good things happen, blah blah, even if they’re right and it has helped a lot. he places a bandage gently and explains what you should do the next few days; vi has had more stitches than you can even count, with her younger propensity to fight anyone and her current propensity to run into burning buildings, but you listen closely anyway.

vi comes rushing in, a little out of breath and flushed in a fire department crew neck sweater and her uniform pants and boots, a smudge of soot still on her cheek, one of caitlyn’s nice patagonia tote bags you’re pretty sure vi has stolen at this point slung over her shoulder. when she sees you, intact and fine, and then tobias, she deflates in relief as she skids to a stop.

‘all fixed up,’ tobias says, and gives her a hug that strikes you as familiar; your chest aches a little, but it’s a good ache.

you can tell vi is still resisting the urge to take your face in her hands and check over every inch of you, so you roll your eyes. ‘i’m fine, vi.’

it seems to appease her for now, and she listens so intently when tobias explains everything to her, and then gives her directions to the pharmacy. ‘and bring jinx and vander for dinner soon, please.’ it’s accompanied with an expression that is so caitlyn — generous but demanding; there’s nothing vi can do to argue — you have to laugh.

when tobias leaves, vi hugs you tightly. ‘i’m glad you’re okay.’

you really don’t want to suddenly start crying, so you shove her back after a few seconds. ‘no big deal, sis.’

she looks at you carefully, now that it’s just the two of you, to make sure you’re not putting on a brave face.

‘i will say, it’s pretty sweet to have an in with the head of public health and her dad.’

vi smiles. ‘now you know why i’ve paid attention when she talks about her job.’

‘it’s still boring to hear,’ you insist. you realize, belatedly, as vi gets out one of your comfortable jackets from the tote bag, that you’re just in an old ratty tank that you wear when you tinker around; you let her help you into the jacket, taking comfort in the gesture even if you don’t want to acknowledge it aloud. ‘it’s cool in practice, though, gotta give her that.’

vi hums happily and then pulls a beanie over your head.

you roll your eyes. ‘i can do that on my own. plus, i don’t even need that.’

‘it’s starting to snow outside.’

you humph, just because you can. sometimes it’s grounding to be stubborn.

‘plus, take it from me, your head will be cold now if you don’t wear a hat.’

she has a point, maybe,so, ‘where’s your hat, then?’

she produces another beanie from the tote, a very nice arcteryx one that you’re sure belonged to cait a few months ago.

you roll your eyes and shove off her help when you get up from the bed, and she rolls her eyes. still, she walks close to you as you head out, and she gets your prescriptions for you when you don’t feel like going to the counter and talking, and she drives home safely in the snow. you doze on and off on the couch under your favorite fleece blanket after you change into one of vi’s softest hoodies and shorts and the best fuzzy socks, and you wake up drearily — the disruption of your routine and the adrenaline wearing off catching up to you — when cait lets herself in after it’s gotten dark. she brushes snow from her coat and takes her boots off on the welcome mat and racks them neatly next to vi’s, and then kisses her hello.

‘is that pizza for me?’

she laughs at the way you’ve perked up, your head just peeking over the back of the couch. ‘you’re feeling hungry? that’s a great sign.’

you get up and wave both of them off when they try to help you get a plate; you take a slice straight from the box and go back to your little nest. vi brings you a plate anyway, and, after caitlyn changes into comfortable clothes — hers, left here consistently in a drawer or two in vi’s dresser — they cuddle up on the far end of the couch with their own slices.

‘since i faced a life-threatening medical emergency today,’ you say, ‘i get to pick the movie.’

they both groan in protest, but vi hands you the remote anyway. you take pity on them — and maybe a little bit of gratefulness — and pick something all three of you had wanted to watch anyway, which vi seems especially pleased by. she’d told you on the way home about her shift, how she’d basically worked through the night and then had another call this morning, both pretty intense burns. she has a beer and cait has a glass of wine, and, unsurprisingly, vi falls asleep on cait’s shoulder about halfway through the movie, after she’d put away the leftover pizza in the fridge and done her nightly routine of checking all the locks on the windows and doors, a habit that you don’t think she’ll ever break.

you smile at the two of them, and unfortunately caitlyn catches you out of the corner of her eye. you wrinkle your nose at her and she laughs softly.

‘hey,’ you say, ‘thanks for today.’

‘of course.’

‘and, like, for your work, i guess. or whatever.’

she pats your hand, then squeezes once as you get up.

you wrap yourself in a little blanket cape, hooded over the top of your head, so just your face sticks out. you debate telling her to be sure to be quiet if they have sex tonight, or to please not bother making coffee tomorrow morning, but you’ve learned that there are lots of ways to say that you care about — and even love — a person.

‘sleep well, caitlyn.’

she smiles. ‘goodnight, jinx.’

[bwat5-blog]

**Spoilers for all of arcane**

Vi and Vander

I am continuing to see lots of talk about Vi not moving off of the platform at the end, which makes her vulnerable to “Vander’s” attack leading to Jinx’s sacrifice. People are blaming Vi like she was being stupid, or stubborn not listening to her sister. It is just so, so much deeper than that. I have already touched on this moment in another post, so will not go as deep. But man people are so badly misreading what happened it needs repeating. Before we dive in let me say none of the emphasis on Vi in this post is taking away from Vander and Powder’s relationship. Vi is just the focus here.

For a quick refresher:

1. Vi and Powder’s birth parents are killed

2. Vander rescues them from the bridge and raises them, becoming their dad.

3. Vander teaches Vi the lessons that will become who she is:

A- He literally teaches her to box which is her whole thing

B- “When people look up to you, you don’t get to be selfish”: This becomes such a foundational part of who she is that it’s bordering on a flaw. She has SO. MUCH trouble putting herself first in any instance. That’s why her finally giving in and having sex with Cait was such a win (among many other reasons). Rather than chasing her sister running in circles again, she finally made the decision to be happy

C- “You’ve got a good heart, don’t ever lose it”: Obvious but come on. Vi spends the WHOLE SHOW fighting tooth and nail for those she loves, only giving up when she is at her absolute lowest

D- I can’t find the exact quote but when he speaks on the cost of war and who is she willing to lose. This talk is what leads her to try and turn herself in beginning a long cycle of always putting herself last and shouldering the blame.

There is of course more to it. He speaks on protecting Powder. On continuing to fight even though it doesn’t get easier. Not to mention he is a big, strong, protector of the people who fights with his fists. On top of being a loving and attentive father figure who validates Vi’s feelings while still teaching her responsibility, he is just everything she wants to grow up to be.

Now that being said. Time for the pain:

1. She watches her father/hero die shortly after her brothers, and after she herself narrowly survives a brutal fight herself

2. She gets him back in a completely mutated form that almost kills her

3. She watches as he seemingly dies horribly AGAIN, barely any time after they get him back

So when the time comes. When they seem to have defeated Drone-Vander for the last time, Vi just.. breaks. After being strong almost the entire show, fighting for her loved ones endlessly through stabbings, beatings, heartbreak and loss, looking down at her dad, dead, again, is just too much. We even see her flashing back to that first horrible death and she just can’t move. It seems like she doesn’t even hear Jinx when her sister calls. And when the Drone-Vander attacks that final time Vi isn’t even defending herself. She is afraid, and hurt, and just wants her dad to love them again.. and he cant.

This is a heartbreaking, human, fragile moment. I’ll speak more on the Jinx aspect of it when I write about her soon. But people are taking this moment and just dragging it through the mud in the worst way. The show and the character deserve better.

[nyx5133106]

The second I think I am safe from Adolf Caitler apologists they come at me swinging. I need to vent but I am also sick of people calling me "mentally deficient" or "fascist pig" on Twitter for calling them out on their bullshit arguments. Both are real quotes btw.

People really love bringing Jinx up in these arguments so I want to start there. Caitlyn stans find it hypocritical that so many people love Jinx but hate Caitlyn completely missing how one was a product of the oppressive system that had ruined her life multiple times leaving her with lifelong trauma and mental issues while the other is a ignorant person with privilege turned a FASCIST oppressor.

We all could see that Jinx's actions in S1 weren't right but were also a result of trauma and grooming (not in the sexual sense) and I think that most fans could see that she needed therapy and a support system, not prison or some other form of punishment. On the other hand, Caitlyn's arc in S1 was about learning to see beyond her own prejudice, privilege and ignorance and making a step to help the people. This was her goal - to help the people, this is the reason she became an enforcer in the first place, but in S1 she sees with her own eyes that they don't really help the ones that need it and were corrupt.

I personally believed that in S2 she would either change the enforcers for the better or leave them and fight for Zaun against the oppression. Boy, did it hurt to be wrong. S2 put her whole arc in s1 in a completely different perspective. One where Caitlyn cared for Zaun and what happened to the people there on a very surface level. It was more of a pity project than anything. All that while we see Jinx change for the better and have better character development than Cait or Vi combined making the contrast between the two even more striking.

At the end of the day, I will forever and ever find it easier to feel sympathy and forgiveness for characters (and actual human beings for that matter) who are products of a corrupt broken system but are anything but perfect victims and 100% harder for people who grew up with privilege and the second they were hurt sought revenge on the masses even if they weren't at fault for what happened. So arguments like "Jinx killed her mother" and "Cait was justified in wanting revenge" don't resonate with me in the slightest.

"But, in season two, she lost her mother bcs of Jinx, she just blew a blaze like Jinx broke one when she accidentally killed Silco, why want more of Caitlyn and keep defending Jinx constantly? Jinx did a lot of harm around her and everyone eats her hand as if she were a saint...."

...This is a real comment a person wrote to me. Some people are in fact mad that people see Jinx as a product of her environment and as someone who at the end of the day did more to break the cycle and change than the one that gassed people with a chemical weapon which can cause life-threatening long-term effects. I could say more but in the end, this person was just an annoying hypocrite who given a real-life example (Luigi vs corrupt ceo) could say which side was wrong but couldn't do the same for the show just because they liked the character. (People can like any character but arguing that every wrong they make is either justified or non-existent is wrong and annoying. Stand up with your cancelled wife and be proud of it or like them privately and quietly if you are too embarrassed to support them and their wrongs.)

Another one of their arguments that just makes the hair on my arms stand up is about the gassing. There are 3 types of arguments on this topic and they get progressively worse.

"Yeah, it was bad but it was better than going gun blazing like the annoying blond wanted." Here I am simply not sure. Would it have been as bad as when Vi and Powder's parents were killed, would even that have been better than making people live through what that gas causes, only to die young and in pain? I don't know much about the gas except that it is what caused Viktor's condition and the little we saw from the notes of Cait's mom. What are the chances of long-term negative effects? Maybe even if they are high, better painful short life than a quick death there and then. Who knows?

"The gas is not dangerous. It's like tear gas, stop overreacting!" I would understand missing how dangerous it is if we didn't have Viktor as a main character this whole time but come on

"They only gassed criminals and they deserve it" This one truly makes me sick. I once argued with someone about whether this was a war crime or not and if it even mattered because it's a show and not real life. Anyone who tries to justify gassing people and thinks that it's ok bc they are criminals (especially ones who were forced on this path by the broken system) should question where the line is for them. When do people deserve rights and when not? Also, Cait's fans will in one breath justify it saying that it was for the good of all especially the children forced to work in the factories and then say that no one innocent was harmed. Which one is it? Are there children there or only adult criminals?

Then comes the topic of Caitlyn's redemption...Minute for silent scream bc we all have neighbors. I can't say how I would have felt if she was given redemption because...I really liked her in S1 and I was Caitvi's shipper to my core. In S1 it was the only ship that mattered to me bc the others were either not my cup of coffee or I saw them as cute crack ships so maybe I would have been sold on her redemption arc... The problem is that there wasn't anything even remotely close to that. I didn't even hear her apologizing in this whole fucking season and people left and right are "she did all of that (imagine here are dumb examples of what they think her redemption arc was) but you all are just misogynistic/homophobic/racist and just want her to suffer". No, I just wanted the writers to admit that Piltover was the oppressor and they weren't just equally bad.

I am mad that Caitlyn never apologizes for what happened with Vi. "She betrayed Ambessa" Yes, she did but I think we really needed her to apologize to Vi or at least admit she was in the wrong but I don't remember a scene like that. Also even if she had done it it would have been a step towards making things with Vi right not - redemption for everything she did to her or playing a dictator and terrorizing Zaun.

"She fought Ambessa in the end" ...yes but Ambessa was attacking her city and the end-goal would have been the end to them all so what is your point? If Ambessa was going only after Zaun I am not sure Caitlyn would have lifted a finger.

"She freed Jinx" - this again was towards repairing her relationship with Vi not about suffering consequences or working towards undoing everything she did to Zaun.

Now this one actually make me sooo mad. "She gave her seat to Sevika". I hate that from every angle. First of all if she did, that brings a larger problem with the writing this season for me - forgetting or brushing over the very real issue between Piltover and Zaun and minimizing Piltover's fault in the suffering and hardships of the Zaunites. Zaun not being independent by the end of the series makes me want to scream but if the writers' ending to the Zaun-Piltover conflict was Caitlyn giving ONE seat out of 7 in the council to Sevika letting her be surrounded and outnumbered 6 to 1 by people who see her as nothing more than dirt on their shoes I want a refund. If the council wouldn't have done anything for Zaun after the war and it was only Caitlyn... fuck me. I myself question whether she even had the power to give the seat because which dumbass would give a seat on the council to a person who until recently was playing dictator stripping them of their power and working with the very same woman that they were just fighting?

If you read until here I have to apologize for all my rambling and admit that it is only coffee and spite that kept me going. There are probably more things but this is on the top of my mind. If we weren't living in times like these I would look at all these people defending her, her actions and Piltover as a whole and have a good life but now it just makes me mad.

To end this on a positive note (said the person who wrote a whole fucking rant post) the songs from Arcane S2 are so connected to specific scenes and characters in my mind that seeing a sisterly Jinx and Vi eddit on Fantastic permanently traumatized me.

[zakib777]

complaining about season 2, again

I’m so bad at how they handled my boy jayce. In the first season he is shown to be very determined and kind hearted. But the issue is that he gets tunnel vision and before he knows, what he thought was right ends up causing more damage, this tunnel vision is what leads many to take advantage of him. Those that are close to him (Caitlyn) take advantage of his kindness and make a mess that he gets mixed up in. The whole scene where cait uses jayce’s seal to release vi (and indirectly unleash hell) wouldn’t have happened if not for Jayce’s desire to let Caitlyn feel independent. He wanted to make up for his offer and allow Caitlyn some independence, which only leads to jinx losing more and more of herself. So far this is pretty good writing.

then comes season 2, completely sacrificing jayce for the sake of that age of ultranationalist plot. He went through hell because uhhh the herald could only be stopped with time travel… and they just brushed off the fact that they were on the edge of full civil war because writing a noxian attack was easier and quicker. They took away jayce’s agency to make that messy plot make sense (which it still doesn’t, not really) and all that talk about breaking the cycle proved to be useless. Jayce’s dream cannibalised him and he wasn’t given a chance to use his knowledge for good, outside of his tunnel vision for magic. He was still a scientist and could’ve done much good without resorting to magic. It would’ve made more sense for his arc to survive and help ekko build the two cities after the after math of a civil war.

then there’s the Warwick thing, which I believe was unnecessary. It was a plot device to bring the sisters together. Because I guess there was no other way for them to reunite… except there was m a CIVIL WAR ARC. anyway, I’m done, I’m right and won’t accept criticism.

[imagine-a-sanctuary-like-this]

Some early thoughts on Arcane S2

Just a few thoughts on the 1st Act of the new season. No strong commitments or opinions just yet, it's still early on in the story. I'll start with what I especially liked, then cycle into things I'd have liked to see done differently.

Animation

Visually, this season's a step up from the last. I've especially enjoyed the differently-stylized into sequences to each episode (the charcoal-like funeral, the overlords' last supper and the Grey, respectively). I've read some complaints about the music-video-esque treatment of the fights, but I enjoyed that. The music's not my thing, but it fits the steampunk/sci-fi-fantasy aesthetic pretty well.

Vi/Cait

Good to see it become canon! I also like the tragedy they seem to be setting up, and I do like how they wrote their relationship. Again, have read complaints about them getting together and breaking up too quickly, but I think it makes sense - the kiss is a pay-off to almost a season's worth of build-up. The breakup is the result of the gap between the characters' beliefs, conditions and natures. There's always been tension between them, and they're not perfect for each other, so them getting together all at once would not have been believable. Also, since Act 1 sees basically everything uprooted and thrust into chaos, it makes sense for them to make impulsive decisions trying to find comfort. Sure, they're probably not deeply in love, they've known each other for a short time, but they've clearly liked each other for a while. I don't really get where the people that think it's rushed are coming from.

Cait's arc set-up

I really like where it's going! The arc they seem to be setting up looks like it'll be about the effects of grief on perpetuating hatred and violence, which fits right in with the story. I do wonder if they'll attempt to take Cait to the 'extreme' and then bring her back in a sort of redemption arc. It seems like that might be difficult to do after some point. But I'm excited to find out where it's going.

Jinx, Isha and Sevika

Not much to say here, I like how Jinx's family themes continue even after Silco's death. All kinds of nice parallels going on. I like it.

Alright, now for the stuff I'm not so positive on. There's quite a bit, but simply because it is easier to criticize than to praise, especially when S1 has set a very high standard.

Too many plotlines

I've seen people talk about pacing issues, and I do agree, but to me the more fundamental problem (which is the cause of the first) is that this season's juggling too many plotlines. Just the ones that come to mind:

(1) Zaun vs Piltover, undercity uprising (2) Mel and the Black Rose (3) Ambessa's Noxus interference (4) "The Arcane is waking up" (5) Vi, Jinx and Warwick family drama (6) Victor's becoming (7) Vi and Cait relationship drama (8) Singed

My hope is that these will be bettered by uniting some of the plotlines. Victor and the Arcane will probably end up one storyline, same with the Black Rose and Noxus. Still, the story feels over-loaded with STORIES, and not in a very water-tight writing kind of way, but rather in a 'there's too much going on' kind of way. I'm afraid that they will not have enough screentime to set up, develop and pay off all of these, while also doing justice to the character arcs. I might be wrong, we will see.

For now, I feel like they should have cut one of the plotlines above to make more space for the story to breathe. It's also a little thematically messy. There's usually at least a loose thematic connection (family, using magic/science for good/bad, dangers of the arcane, oppression), but sometimes it feels too loose. Again, I'm sure some of this will come with time as we get these 'looser' plots developed, like the Black Rose, Noxus's political interests, etc. Hopefully, they can pay it off right.

A consequence of so much going on is, yes, some moments are not given enough time. This was most evident for me in the Jayce/Viktor goodbye scene. Perhaps it is meant to be underwhelming and this will be relevant later, but as it stands, it's rushed. I've seen someone given another good example, Jayce and Heimer's reunion scene - it should have been tensed with residual conflict, but there's kind of... nothing.

Another consequence is that some characters screentime feels insufficient for their story importance (e.g., Jayce, Viktor, Ekko), while others', excessive (Maddie, the enforcer dudes). Isha's screentime is fine, since she works as a parallel to Powder, and Salo's is also alright because of politics plotline. I've seen some leaks about Maddie which I will not detail here, but I'm not sure that they justify her abundant screentime.

Scale of conflict

I quite dislike the seeming shift away from the core Zaun vs Piltover conflict towards a more 'global' feel. Makes sense for S2 to have a bigger scope, but this is a little too big for my liking. Both the Arcane waking up and the Noxus stuff is very global, and since the show is more about Arcane than about world politics, I would've preferred to have seen the latter cut down in favour of more screentime to the former, as well as main characters from S1.

I also quite dislike the 'let's put aside our political differences to save the world' direction that this all seems to be winding up to, because it kind of puts the more interesting, interpersonal conflict on hold, and takes what I'd consider the 'easy way out' of the moral difficulties of the conflict. I do not know if this is what they will do this season, but it feels like they're edging towards that with the Jayce, Ekko, Heimer and Victor stuff (and possibly the Grey?).

Viktor and Agency

Once again, with so little screentime it's difficult to tell, but the set-up seems to suggest a certain direction here, which I can't say I like. It's unclear whether Viktor is controlled or mind-addled by the Hexcore, but I do dislike the seeming lack of emotion. If he's controlled, it kind of takes away from what S1 was building towards. I do like that Jayce is pushed to use the Hexcore on Viktor (he chooses to do it, despite promising to destroy it), but I feel like the fallout would have been more compelling, especially in terms of Viktor as a character, if he'd seemed more in-control.

They seem to have chosen to go with something else, and I don't doubt they have an idea for his arc, but I wish there'd been more of the original League concept in Arcane's Viktor. As it stands, all the desperation from S1, the anger and helplessness, have sort of... gone, without a good conclusion (I don't really consider Sky's death a good conclusion). Or at least, without one for now. I thought that S1 had been building up to the Machine Herald stuff. Maybe this is an intentional subversion. I've never found Viktor's character to be very compelling, but he was at his best when pushed to desperate measures by his dying body.

This is a matter of personal enjoyment, but I do genuinely hope they bring some emotions back for him, and I really hope he is not controlled by the Hexcore.

[zaunitecait]

im seeing a lot of people being sad/annoyed/upset over the fact that vi is becoming a cop but listen. thats the best thing she could do if she wants the people of zaun AND jinx safe. (english is not my first language so bear with me)

putting jinx aside (for now): caitlyn is very influent in piltover, whether she likes it or not, so if shes now pairing up with a woman from zaun, and what she wants is a better relationship between piltover and zaun, then people might start thinking differently little by little. caitlyn would never want the people from zaun to suffer (her league of legends lore/personality makes it even more obvious), and vi is vi, so of course she wants to change the way people in zaun live and the police brutality they suffer.

now, about jinx: caitlyn wants revenge for sure, but i think, after all the anger fades out, she wont want jinx DEAD, you know? vi wouldnt be by her side if that was her plan. also, by becoming a cop it would make it much easier for vi to keep an eye on jinx and also on the police itself, knowing (and probably even being a part of, if cait becomes sheriff) all the decisions they make about her.

[glitter-garbage]

ok I'm not saying i disliked arcane season 2 at all, it was very fun to watch and gorgeous

but like. having rewatched season 1, season 2 really is all over the place with the plot 😵‍💫😵‍💫

(dont read below if you loved it? no reason to yuck your yum. these are just my personal opinions, and once again, i really enjoyed watching it nonetheless)

the first thing i disliked initially was Vi joining the police force. she is so heavily against it in season 1, spends years in prison, has the entire backstory of them killing her parents. that really diluted her character for me, it would be easier to believe she was aiding the police rather than joining

then Caitlin being appointed as General (by Ambessa?). i might be missing something here bc i don't understand why the city would go for that, why even the police would go for that. she seems to have very little success in anything she does in season 1 up to ep 1 of s2.

(that being said Ambessas's motivation is very clear and she sticks to it so well, it's great for her to have someone she can manipulate easily so she goes for Cait, etc. She is one of the high points of the season for me)

the black rose thing and Mel's kidnapping was fun but very confusing. In the end what bothers me is how generic Mel's powers are, and how they seem to be able to do anything but what they're described as (?)

Isha and Jinx adopting her was also very underdeveloped for me to believe in it. From the beginning it's clear they introduce Isha as a redemption and downfall for Jinx, though I do like the motif of parenting bringing humanity to "evil" characters. The flaw in this for me is how Isha has very little background, we know nothing about her so she serves as a plot point for Jinx and barely anything else. I did love the watercolor-esque memories sequence and that was what i wanted more of i guess, more of her perspective and her wants and needs.

also i don't understand why she would do what she did. its a bit beyond suspension of disbelief that she would blow herself up for me.

obviously Caitlin immediately flip flopping to Vi's side after that montage of training with Ambessa (where once again there is the motif of parenting) is very confusing. I believe in the power of lesbians but this is a bit too much even for me. Gimme a bit more to work with to make this believable yknow?

There's something about Viktor's arc that bothers me too but I'm not sure what yet?

something else that stuck with me is how the final fight is set up. isn't it a bit too easy to call for all people from topside to zaun to come together? they spend half the season making the relationship between these territories worse to then solve it immediately with the classic we must come together to face a worse enemy. i think it would have worked great if season 1 hadnt done an amazing job of showing how nuanced and complex this relationship is.

i just wanted to write all this just to organize my brain, so it's all scattered thoughts, sorry abt that

[sir-adamus]

So for curiosity, how do you feel about how Cait and Vi's reconciliation was handled? Is there anything you wish they'd had more time for or do you think it was handled as close to perfect as they could?

i didn't have a problem with it, i thought it was fine

i feel like - and i have to speak about this season in general, you can feel the constraints holding things back through this season. my overall enjoyment isn't affected but it's clear that they had to sacrifice a lot of stuff to fit in the limited runtime

season 1 is primarily centered around like 6 or 7 characters with only 2 or 3 narrative through-lines because until Jinx fires Jawbones in the finale, the story is contained primarily to those characters, but with the looming threat that it was going to spill out onto a wider scale. so season 1 ends with the event that's going to cause things to start rapidly escalating which season 2 had to deal with pretty much hitting the ground running

and the problem with the story no longer being contained to this small cast of characters but to an escalating conflict spanning both cities with outside actors also making their play is that a lot of scenes that would have helped convey internal character conflicts and fleshed things out as they progress either didn't happen or were instead inferred through the means of a music video as a bit of a narrative cheat to get a point across because there's only so much runtime that can be dedicated to it

because if you look at the soundtrack of this season compared to season 1, there's twice as many songs, and a lot of those were used for precisely that - because unlike with season 1 we didn't have enough runtime to get all the meat out of it because there's so many more moving parts (this is why episode 7 is one of the best ones because it's contained to three characters and completely removed from the main conflict - and even then, Heimerdinger's character arc feels inconclusive), and i think the final two episodes are where this is most noticeable because Jinx is at her lowest point, then Ekko shows up to talk her down and next we see her she's leading the Zaunites alongside him with a new look and seemingly in a better place (as her attempted sacrifice wasn't something she planned)

but the problem is you have to infer a lot about how we got from point A to point C because point B happened entirely offscreen to the point that it felt like they were really struggling to pack everything in and because you can make those inferences it was one of the easier things to cut, when those scenes would've done a lot to show that turning point for Jinx, and using her position as Zaun's symbol (could even use a music video sequence there to show Ekko sharing his experiences in the other timeline to set up a potential future reconciliation of Piltover and Zaun cos now he knows it's possible, as well as show Jinx and Sevika commiserating over Isha), and set up her choice to get the airship and leave without letting anyone know she's alive (again, inference, Caitlyn is holding the head of the same monkey bomb that Jinx used in her final scene, so you can conclude that when they got down there to try and recover her body they didn't find her or Warwick, and Cait's trying to figure out how she might've survived)

this season would've really benefited just from having an extra episode in each act to pace things out more and let us sit in those moments that had to be montaged past - like overall i had a good time, this is going to be a show i come back to over and over, it's the kinda show where it being bittersweet and open-ended makes sense, but i can see the holes that had they been filled would have elevated it from good to great, and that like a lot of good shows, it's an ending ultimately held back by the limitations of the run time, the structure (three episodes per act across three acts), and possibly budget limitations too