#just I'm not sure Alice would after some of the shit he did to put his plan in motion

[kazz-brekker]

hotd episode 6 thoughts

boy oh boy this episode was so full of many delicious character moments, i feel very well fed

aemond really was in his best goth villain era tonight, honestly good for him!

i have never seen tyland lannister look more uncomfortable than he did with aemond looming over him lmao

i enjoyed the scene where aemond is firing alicent from the council while also simultaneously holding her hand in place so she'll keep touching his face…tasty tasty family issues

loved that song that the dragonkeepers were singing while summoning seasmoke, it was a very cool detail

also, it was really fun seeing seasmoke again, especially since he's grown bigger since we last saw laenor riding him

man, aegon and rhaenyra really need to put out an ad in the paper for new members of the kingsguard and the queensguard, those guys are dropping like flies

ever since daemon's visions at harrenhal started i really hoped that we would get to see viserys since so many of daemon's issues stem from being cast aside as heir by his brother so i'm SO pleased we got those scenes, it was a present Just For Me

daemon bro stop threatening simon strong he's a nice old man who's done literally nothing bad to you

greatly enjoying this dynamic of daemon and his new bestie the weird witch who may or may not be psychologically tormenting him with visions of his past mistakes and issues

genuinely alys is my favorite new character this season, she's so fun and i just adore her scenes

madam sylvi, dyana, and ulf getting together to bitch about the food shortages…the greens better look out the smallfolk are unionizing

i am getting the sense that aemond and madame sylvi had a…less than amicable end to their working relationship

aemond tormenting aegon in his sickbed really made me go c'mon dude haven't you made him suffer enough, leave him ALONE!

from rhaena's scenes in the vale it appears that they've cut the character of nettles and give rhaena her storyline instead. not sure how i feel about this…i'm all for rhaena getting more to do but nettles is also an interesting character in her own right

knowing alyn and addam's parentage going into the show i suspected that alyn shaves his head because he inherited the velaryon white hair and i was pleased to see i was right

baby stormcloud is so cute! but holy shit my the pit of my stomach really dropped when jeyne arryn mentioned the ship the gay abandon. my fellow book readers, i am full of dread!

i really liked the scene between gwayne and alicent, since he wasn't in the first season it's interesting to see how their relationship with each other and otto has been affected by that huge distance

i kind of miss otto, i hope he comes back by the end of the season

daeron mention! facts about daeron! a personality! never thought i'd see the day!

one of my favorite hobbies is being emo about scenes of alicent physically putting herself between her children and physical harm so i liked her and helaena fleeing from the riot together

that scene with larys and aegon was sooooooo interesting, there's definitely some manipulation/attempts to curry favor coming from larys, but i also hadn't considered that he might now feel some genuine solidarity with aegon after his injuries and can speak frankly about his disability and offer advice

i have been waiting since daemon got to harrenhal and began being tormented for him to have a breakdown and start crying so i was quite pleased when that happened :)

knowing that seasmoke is chasing after addam because he wants him to be his rider made that whole sequence really funny to me

i have often blogged about how daemon and rhaenyra each have what the other one wants (freedom and patriarchal status vs. viserys's love and position as his heir) so it was super fun for me to hear rhaenyra actually verbalize that

i have been super into queer readings of this show since the beginning and all season whenever rhaenyra and mysaria interact i've been like "hmm…are they flirting…" but i truly did not expect them to actually kiss. rhaenyra targaryen canonically queer! on my tv screen! never thought i would see the day!

crazy to think that we only have 2 episodes of this season left after this, can't wait to see what unhinged drama still awaits us

[cassiebones]

Character Analysis: Alice Wu Gulliver

Disclaimer: I don't read Marvel comics, so I don't know if Alice is mentioned in the comics and, if so, I don't know her role there. I am only talking about the Alice Wu Gulliver from the MCU (played by Ali Ahn), who is a precious baby who was rightfully protected by her mother, who loved her so much.

Okay, so first up: Alice has mommy issues. They've gotten better, I think, after episode four, but she definitely has a whole new batch of mommy issues, too. I have a pretty contentious relationship with my mother, but I know that she loves me and I love her. Alice, I believe, didn't really know that. She grew up thinking that her mother was "unwell" and that she cared more about her fans than she did about her own daughter, that her obsession with this curse was putting up a wall between them. And maybe it was, in a way.

But Lorna Wu did everything she possible could to ensure her daughter's safety. She probably tried dozens, hundreds, even thousands of protection spells before realizing that if she just had a popular enough song, then the spell might never have to end and her daughter would be protected for as long as possible. And she made that her legacy; protecting her daughter to the very end--and past--of her own life.

The fact that Alice didn't know that is heartbreaking.

And that's nothing to say of the lyrics of the song, which make a lump form in my own throat because all Lorna really wanted Alice to know is that she loves her and she would do anything to protect her, like any good mother should.

Example: "If I can't reach you, let my song teach you, all you need to keep our love alive. If I can't hold you, remember what I told you: it's the only way we survive. We survive!" This part specifically has me fucked up, because it's so filled with affection (holding her daughter? I'm crying) and implication that Lorna spent all her time with Alice trying to convey her love for her and how much she just wants her to be protected. It's very powerful. It's why I have listened to this song no less than 5000x over the last week (also to protect Alice ofc).

Also, Alice, despite having a complicated relationship with her mother, knew how to play every note of that song PERFECTLY on the piano. I bet you anything that her mother taught Alice herself how to play as many instruments as possible when she was little, so that she could play the song herself if need be. It's probably muscle memory for her at this point. This was probably their bonding time. I can see why Alice may have resented it (if I was forced to take part in a hobby by my seemingly neurotic mother, I would definitely be bitter about it), but everything Lorna did was for her. Lorna didn't even care about herself staying safe; all she wanted was for Alice to be protected.

Alice, herself, is also pretty remarkable. She was a cop, I think? So she got through the Academy and training and all that, but probably got canned because of this damn curse. She says that everything she touched turned to shit, so I can only imagine how hard her life must have been. I'm not sure that Lorna left her much else but that song and the tattoo she forced her to get at age 13.

But she's also incredibly kind. She talks to Teen with affection, talks to him like he's her equal, which is not common for a lot of people. She praises him and worries over him. She was the first one at his side in the booth after her curse threw him through that window. She helped dig Sharon's grave. She and Jen share some moments (am I the only one that ships them, btw?) And she and Lilia seem to have a good rapport going, as well.

Alice Wu Gulliver has a lot of baggage from a misunderstood childhood and a pretty shit life, but she's probably the person in that group with the biggest heart. She is very compassionate to all around her and I love that about her.

I really hope she makes it to the end (I hope they all do, but I'm trying not to have too much hope. Marvel has broken my heart before.)

We love Alice Wu Gulliver in this house. May she stay protected forever.

[quoththeowl31]

Partner

(Post-Manor AU)

Mr. Campbell was asleep next to the stoop of her apartment.

Alice never really thought she'd see him again after the manor, let alone at her apartment building. The last time she saw him, he was recovering from injuries at a hospital near the manor; Mrs. Plinius...Melly had offered him a place to stay while he recovered as well as a job that would've been even more stable than a Prospector job. He was moving up in the world like he said he wanted so...why was he here?

"Mr. Campbell?" Alice tapped his shoulder, startling the taller man awake, a snort escaping his lips. It took a minute for him to catch his bearings before looking up at the presence stand above him.

"Alice" He immediately stood up. "Uh I mean...Miss DeRoss, hi!"

"Uh...Hello...Would you...like to come in for tea?" Alice asked.

"Sure...uh..sure, yes." Norton cleared his throat. Alice nodded and led him to her apartment, trying to also ignore some of the strange looks from passers by.

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

Boxes.

The first thing about her apartment Norton noticed were the boxes and empty shelves. Alice was busy prepping some of the tea she left out; the air between them was thick, awkward, though it was clear Norton was more anxious than she was.

"You're recovering well." She poured two cups and set them on her table, setting out the sugar and some cream as well. Norton rubbed his bandaged arm; truly he was. Aside from retaining a limp that was slowly going away, most of his bruises and his nose were healing up well.

"Thanks," He placed two sugar cubes into his tea. "I see you're moving..." There was a melancholy in his voice when he said that.

"Yeah...After everything that happened with...with Orpheus and what we discovered...I thought it'd be best to start over somewhere else and where I won't be found as easily." Alice felt a lump form in her throat. It didn't feel safe in England anymore if she were to be honest; as much as she was loath to leave, she couldn't stay either. She felt like eyes were on her all the time now.

"Where are you moving to?" Norton's demeanor was a little more relaxed.

"America...A friend of mine suggested a big country like America. It'd be easy to get lost in a crowd in a big country." Alice could've sword she saw a flash of desperation in Norton's eyes.

"So...you're just leaving..." She nodded. They sipped their tea in silence for a few minutes, simply listening to the clock before its chimes went off after a few minutes.

"So Mr. Campbell, what brought you here?"

"I...I uh wanted to thank you...y'know...for saving me back there when things went...well...the way they went. I wouldn't really be here right now if it weren't for you. Thank you."

"I'm glad you're okay Mr. Campbell. I hear Mrs. Plinius offered you a wonderful job." Norton's fingers were tapping.

"She did...It's nice but..."

Norton's brow furrowed as he tried coming up with what he wanted to say.

"Letmegowithyou!" Alice choked on her tea and Norton put his hand over his mouth, a deep red spreading across his face.

"Cough! I'm sorry? Cough!"

"Dammit that came out wrong!" Norton looked away from Alice cursing at himself, his cheek completely red. "What I mean is...uh...shit...I mean...I kinda owe you right?

"Owe me?" Norton nodded.

"You...I was a prick to you for most of the time at the Manor and you still dragged my ass out of the dirt when I was down...I kinda...feel like I owe you."

"Mr. Campbell..." Norton held up his hand.

"Norton...Just call me Norton." Alice sighed.

"Norton. You don't owe me anything, I just couldn't leave you like that." Norton pulled at his scarf to try and cool down.

"Thing is...most would've probably left me there...I'm not exactly...y'know...worth saving to most." Alice couldn't quite come up with the words she needed as she listened. Mr. Campbe...Norton's demeanor was open. He was making himself vulnerable to her and it was catching her off guard.

When they first met, he was closed off with only money being a motivator to at least put a small chip in the wall he built. Now here he was, fidgeting, stuttering, opening himself to her.

"It's just...uh...what would you do?" Alice asked.

"I mean...I doubt you're going to give up the journalism thing, right?" Oh, he could read her too couldn't he? Now it was her turn to blush a bit.

"Well...maybe it's not a good idea to...y'know...go it alone?" Alice looked away, the blush growing stronger. She had been warned by her friend that going it alone was a bad idea but she couldn't bring herself to trust anyone else. Besides, she could take care of herself....mostly.

"I'm...not sure..." Alice said.

"I...*sigh* I thought the same way....I've been alone for most of my life since...since Pa died. I couldn't trust people because they'd stab me in the back and then you come along and even without asking for something in return, helped me. Even after I was a complete ass to you. It got me thinking that maybe...maybe things aren't like what I'm used to. You're kinda closed off too, right? Maybe...maybe I can watch your back so you don't feel...y'know...alone? Especially now since you're gonna be in a new country and all."

Alice had to admit, he did have a point. She hated to admit it too but she felt she'd always be alone in this world and the manor and Orpheus had nearly convinced her it was true. Now here was Mr. Cam...Norton expressing his loneliness to her. Could she really say no when she herself desired the same thing?

"...You could help me in my journalism," Alice saw his eyes light up. "You have a better understanding than I have of what life is like in the working class and you've got quite the silver tongue. But what about your job with Mrs. Plinius?" Norton looked her in the eye.

"It's not what I'm looking for."

"Journalism doesn't always pay well."

"It's better than being trapped underground for 12 hours."

"It's a lot of travel. I probably won't have a stable home for awhile."

"I've always wanted to see the world outside of the mines."

She couldn't help it, a smirk bloomed on Alice's face. This feels right; this will work.

"Alright, lets get packing, Partner." Alice held out her hand for Norton. They'd work out the details later as they traveled. Norton took her hand and they shook on it.

"Sure thing, Partner."

[lemonhemlock]

It sucks HBO cut the season short so close to filming and it sucks they had to keep going during the writer’s strike, so I don’t doubt we would have had a better season if that hadn’t happened. But I’ll be honest, that’s only the main issue if your problem with this season was a lack of action, awkward dialogue, or that the finale “didn’t feel like a finale”. If your problem was the jump in characterization from season one to two or the fact that Rhaenyra and Alicent need two contrived meetings, or the massive lack of depth the Greens are afforded- not sure much would have changed on that front. Even within the shortened season, we still have some things that make no sense, especially knowing they were working with such a condensed timeline. Remember when Aemond found out B&C came through his room, looked at the tunnels, and then did nothing about it? Remember when we had 5 min of Alicent and Rhaenyra in the sept, agreeing it’s too late to do anything, only for that to be undone 5 episodes later? Remember Alicent’s two bath scenes that both convey the same thing that also conveyed in nearly every Alicent scene (her big eyes are sad and she feels guilty!)?

Idk, I do understand they worked within contraints, but they then made some bizarre choices within those constraints. Especially knowing things like a final shot of Rhaenys’ body on the ground, or even a brief second of Cregan with the winter wolves was cut- but we have 45 seconds of Aemond getting on a horse to get to his dragon? Would we not have understood the urgency otherwise?

^^^^^^^

to be honest, aemond getting on a horse was one of the few entertaining moments bc at least there WAS a sense of urgency to it and a real stake, you know? imo the problem was the intrigue: why was it necessary for us to see ulf flying right over king's landing after having just claimed silverwing?

in a season where we have seen only seconds of sunfyre and nothing of dreamfyre?? all the dragon budget wasted on dumbass shit like extra scenes with caraxes and syrax, dragons we already know have a bond with their riders

meanwhile ulf is such a natural at dragon-riding that 5 minutes after claiming one he flies the entire fucking distance from dragonstone to KL, meanwhile helaena "doesn't have a taste for riding" and they wanted to make aegon incompetent at flying before tom put his foot down 🙄 what a joke

and yeah this was??? absolutely should have been cut!! they didn't even show him at the small council meeting! where was the editor?!

honestly incredible that reviewers were praising the writing for the greens the first four episodes 🤡 i'm this close 🤏 to employing r/freefolk-level insults

[darkpoisonouslove]

HotD S02E08

I do not want to do this but I also want to be fucking done with this season so I'm powering through.

TL;DR: What the fuck even was that finale? Also, a relevant question - WHERE is the finale? 'Cuz, like, nothing happened except for more setup and the total assassination of the source material. This is gonna be full of negativity.

gif by oscarwildebutwilder

(Couldn't resist when I saw Freddy Fox.)

Tyland Lannister was the only good part of this episode. He was having such a bad time but he did not give up and not only did he secure allies for the war, but he also got to sleep with a whole harem. Good for him!

The way that they have Larys smuggle Aegon out of King's Landing to protect him from his own brother instead of from Rhaenyra... Though, he also inadvertently ends up protecting him from Rhaenyra but that whole thing is purely because of Alicent. I just... RIP any sort of integrity this show fucking had. But I'm gonna talk about that later. At least that provides us with an interesting parallel between Alicent and Larys. She was horrified when he killed his family but now she's the one sacrificing her son and Larys ended up saving him? Again, for his own benefit but that doesn't change the fact that he has taken on the burden that caring for Aegon will be for the next however many months while Alicent just... did that (*whispers* what the fuck). What we need now is for Alicent to get Helaena's development from the book. She knowingly chose to give up Aegon to death but then he is the last of her children that evades death. Imagine her seeing him come back to King's Landing and being unable to look him in the eye, knowing she chose to let him die but at the same time wanting to hug him because he is all she has left... because of Larys. Insane!

I can see how much everyone cares for Rhaena since she disappeared from the convoy and no one even fucking noticed apparently! Or if they did, they just didn't give a shit. They really are putting her through the wringer for that dragon... and they didn't even give it to her. I cannot believe that they just decided to fucking leave it there. At least let her claim it to close the season. That way the Blacks would gain even more power even if no one knew it yet. It would have been some kind of closure if only on 1 out of 10 fronts. But no!

Jace and the horrible, terrible, no good, really bad days. His face when Rhaenyra asked Addam to go with her AND left him to deal with the "mongrels". Ooh, sorry for that rough patch, buddy, hang in there! (Not Baela only appearing when she has to tell him how awesome and totally Targaryen and fit for the throne he is after her last appearance was her telling her grandfather how awesome and totally fit for the throne of Driftmark Joffrey would be. Hmm... almost like there's a fucking pattern!) I think it would have been more interesting if Jace had suggested that they get bastards to ride the dragons. That would have required them to write him an arc during this season where he confronts his feelings on it first but think about it! He knows he's a bastard and that's enough to let him have a dragon. So it should be enough for other Targaryen bastards. Rhaenyra would be the one to protest based on her ideas of the dragons being the Targaryens' key to ruling but she's already bending the rules for her own sons. What if she bends them further to win this war? And that way Jace would be the one to slowly but surely be dismantling the pillars upon which the Targaryen supremacy is built like he's already done with his very existence. Rhaenyra would have still started this but it would be Jace realizing that he's probably going to face another war for his own succession anyway and he decides to pull out all the stops and prove himself in this war plus simultaneously watch out for those who would be future obstacles to him and weed them out right now.

Fucking clown behavior from Corlys once again. I am so glad Alyn just ripped into him like that.

What exactly was Gwayne thinking bringing up Criston and Alicent's affair so publicly and drawing everyone's attention? There's no way none of the other soldiers around them didn't hear what they were discussing. Great way to protect your sister's virtue, buddy! The way Criston also went through an existential crisis this season - just like Alicent - and has come out of it just as jaded, having lost his faith and his sense of purpose. The writers really fucking copy-pasted that arc, huh? On both characters obsessed with Rhaenyra. As if they're trying to imply that without Rhaenyra the world will end. Oh, wait! Did I say imply? They are outright stating it! But yeah, I want to be invested in the Alicole angst of him sniffing her handkerchief but I can't, knowing that Alicent was on her way to betray him and everyone else on her side. (*whispers* what the fuck)

Aemond is coming up so desperate and this could be interesting if they explore how he was so sure he could do it himself but now he has to face the fact that he's not a one-man(-and-dragon) army and he needs help. Which would have been easier to get if he hadn't torched his brother. He might have even persuaded Helaena to join him then, or at least Aegon could have if they had fucking let him and Helaena seek comfort in each other over their son's death. Aegon, due to their extenuating circumstances, could have chosen to stoke her feelings of anger and grief over Jaehaerys contrarily to how he tried to avoid that in 2x02 when he didn't say anything to her on the stairs because all he had was rage and she wasn't looking for that. The world we could have been living in! But no! We have this instead where Aemond is now turning on all of his family members and threatening their lives while Daemon has overcome his ideas to overthrow Rhaenyra and is now a loyal little soldier. At least can they give us some Aemond and Jacaerys parallels? Both feel that that is something making them not enough rn and if Aemond is to have a relationship with Alys, it would be interesting to see him struggle the same as Jace, who is also a bastard like her.

Apparently, if you are tripping balls for long enough, you will completely change your entire personality and start believing in magic and fate and the divine right of kings - oops, sorry, queens - even though you were the one character that openly admitted that it wasn't some magic-prophecy bullshit that got your house the throne but your flying nuclear lizards. Good to know! At least the writers had the decency to give us two different visions that clearly intersect somewhere but also wildly diverge. We didn't get to see Helaena's vision but she was just as certain in Aegon sitting the throne as Daemon was in Rhaenyra sitting it. Though, clearly Helaena sees further since his vision ended at that point but Helaena was also there and has seen beyond it. At least that way they keep the intrigue because if we know for certain one side is ordained by the gods to save the realm, then what's the point of watching the show further? That is to say, they could have fucked this up even more but they managed to not destroy their basic premise.

Love how they kept Helaena's dreamer side so vague until now and suddenly bam! She has a very clear map of when and how Aemond will die. She might not know the exact day but that was pretty specific, especially compared to her other visions. I am at least relieved that it's mostly because of the visions that she doesn't want to join Aemond, since she knows what will happen. It still feels like "women don't like war because they're so gentle" but a little less annoying nonetheless. (Not Rhaenyra saying that Helaena doesn't like riding Dreamfyre. And that on the heels of Aegon saying that Sunfyre is dead which is a confirmation because he would be able to feel it. My inner monologue rn: kill kill die kill.)

Ser Alfred when Daemon declared for Rhaenyra:

I was starting to think that he had just decided to cut his losses and fuck off to another kingdom. Rhaenyra clearly sent him away to get rid of him and showing up at Harrenhal to demand from the Daemon that left Dragonstone to check with his wife would have gotten him killed. It would have made sense for him to bail. Why did it take him so long to arrive? I know he wasn't on a dragon but this seems like some awfully convenient timing.

Rhaenyra still wringing her hands after she had 30-40 people die a horrifying, excruciating death AND broke the rules so bad that she pissed off all her dragon tamers is ABSOLUTELY. FUCKING. RIDICULOUS. Crack? Is it crack you smoke? Mysaria being there to urge her further into war while telling her how right and just she is is starting to feel a whole lot like they're setting up Mysaria to be the devil on her shoulder while Alicent, who wants peace, is the angel on the other shoulder. It's completely devoid of logic and stupid. I wish they would just cut that shit out.

This episode completely turned me off from Rhaenicent. I just cannot support this bullshit. I don't care how many parallels they've woven in between Alicent and Rhaenyra and how they were always each other's answer because they had what the other wanted and balanced each other out. This behavior is just completely unacceptable from a storytelling perspective, from a character perspective, from any kind of perspective, especially from Alicent.

What the fuck are they implying that Alicent is now fReE and she has shed the chains that kept her suffering and self-sacrificing?! She just agreed to let her son get killed so that she could save the realm from a war. That sounds exactly like self-sacrificing! Except that it's worse because she's not just sacrificing herself, but her child! (Also, fucking watch the writers imply that being disabled means you're completely disposable because you'd be better off dead anyway!) And that's coming after she spent 15-20 years agonizing over the fact that Rhaenyra will kill her sons just because they're a challenge to her claim to the throne! That was the whole reason why she put Aegon on the throne in the first place! How did it even occur to her to go to Rhaenyra at all when now more than ever there is no way to end this war without one of the claimants to the throne dying?????

Season 1 Alicent: *stands in front of a dragon for Aegon*

Season 2 Alicent: *agrees to let Rhaenyra execute Aegon*

Like??????????? WHAT. THE. FUCK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I hate, haTE, HATE how they are still trying to present Rhaenyra's bid for Aegon's head as just or at least deserved because Lucerys got killed. Aren't you fucking forgetting that her husband ordered the decapitation of Aegon's six-year-old child????????? There was a son taken! Rhaenyra was allegedly horrified but now she is still thirsty for blood and wants Aegon's head. And when she kills him, she'll want Aemond's head - for Lucerys and because of all the innocent people he's killed, of course, not because he's also a threat to her claim. And when he's dead, she'll want Daeron's head if he dares to join his family and try to fight her. The attempts to present her as the hero are so outrAGEOUS... Why am I even watching this show? I should stop watching this show!

Otto being imprisoned was both "I fucking knew it!" and "Thank god he's alive at least!" I knew to be worried when Aemond wanted him back and Alicent said he hadn't responded to her letters.

[thecountesstribe]

I got a few things to say and this might be a long rant. Spoilers below and please understand that I'm following the show's timeline not the book. There are also some book spoilers as well.

Aemond Targaryen, Daemon Targaryen, Alicent Hightower, Otto Hightower, Aegon II Targaryen you'll all pay for your crimes!

PSA for all the people that need to hear this, AEMOND TARGARYEN INTENDED TO KILL LUCERYS VELARYON. I REPEAT, AEMOND TARGARYEN INTENDED TO KILL LUCERYS VELARYON. If you think otherwise I need whatever alcohol you're having. He was directly responsible for getting Lucerys killed. He was chasing and antagonizing an inexperienced rider and dragon, on an old war dragon (who apparently likes standing on business) during a storm no less, what did he think was going to happen? “BuT VHaGar" nothing! Yeah that old ass lizard wasn't listening but Arrax in a scared attempt was trying to protect himself and Luke. He stole Vhagar when they were younger, claimed it, got jumped (which was the funniest shit though), beat up his cousins in that same fight and was about to bash in the head of the next heir in line to the throne when his feral little brother cut out his eye. Which he himself said was a fair price so there was no reason to be harbouring that animosity towards his nephew and allowing him to live rent free in his mind. He won in the end; the fight when they were children and the oldest, largest dragon. Aemond is one of the few people directly responsible for the suffering of our sweet girl Helaena and her children. You'll pay for your crimes!! I'm not going to say he kick started the dance he just fast tracked it.

DAEMON TARGARYEN IS AN ABSOLUTE VILE PIECE OF SHIT! Look if you read the books and watched the show you'll know that this man isn't a ray of sunshine or a breath of fresh air, I'm sticking to the show timeline, he's an absolute ass. Good father and semi decent husband aside (the bar and standard for both those claims are in the 1000th level of purgatory btw) he's a vile piece of shit. Sure it's just Daemon doing demon Daemon things anyway but BLOOD AND CHEESE? BLOOD AND FUCKIN CHEESE?!!! And the one that has to suffer for it is Helaena and those babies? Go after Aemond and euthanize him, not after Helaena and her kids. He's trash. He knew they didn't deserve that.

Alicent Hightower is a bitter hating ass bitch. I'm not sorry. Otto raising her aside, she needs to pay for her crimes. Alicent knew good and damn well that Viserys didn't want Aegon on the throne. So what did she do? Help her father usurp the throne. It was a fickle reason for her usurping the throne too. Realistically speaking that wasn't to protect her children. She just hated Rhaenyra and couldn't stand the fact that she was to be crowned. Not accepting the marriage proposal between Jace and Helaena because she was bitter was dumb as hell too. Putting her disappointment of a son on that throne, who is also a rapist was/is bound to end in shambles. She's also directly responsible for Helaena suffering as well. Marrying that poor girl to him even if it would've made her his queen.

Otto Hightower is a bum. He's a manipulative piece of shit and he deserves the absolute worst. Why would he do that to Alicent? She got stuck with the asshole for a dad and he suffered his daughter which in turn suffered his granddaughter and her children. For all his cunning and brains he didn't have the merit to do it on his own. So he unwillingly involved his daughter to put a green on the throne and they chose the worst of the worst green too. He orchestrated their own downfall. He'll pay.

I don't even want to give that bum a spare thought but AEGON II TARGARYEN IS FILTH. There isn't anymore to say. He wasn't a good husband, certainly not the father of the year, he isn't a good king and he's also a rapist. He knew he wasn't supposed to be on that throne. He said it himself. Instead of growing a backbone and standing up to his mother and her entourage, he decided to play a major role in usurping Rhaenyra's birthright. Which was reaffirmed again and again and again. He's responsible for his suffering and the suffering of Helaena and his children, the ones he claimed and all his other illegitimate ones. Rhaenys should've ended it at his false coronation. He needs to pay.

All in all, Helaena doesn't deserve anything that's going to happen to her and her children. Jace, Lucerys, Rhaena, Baela, Joffrey, Aegon III and Viserys II didn't deserve to get wrapped up in it as well. They were kids. If Alicent wasn't hating so hard and had raised those boys with a shred of decency we could've seen one of the best eras to come out of a Targaryen dynasty and I'm not talking about if Jace did indeed marry Helaena (wouldn't necessarily have been possible either cause book spoiler, Jace and lucerys were already betrothed to the Targaryen twins since they were kids), I'm just talking about all the kids getting along and being friends. I want a slice of life hotd now 😭

[neverwalka1one]

Magnus Protocol 18

In which Alice might not be getting out the corkboard and red string, but I am.

Note: Sure, Teddy can 'leave' to OIAR. Sure. Just can't get a job anywhere else. That's. So comforting.

Alice and Teddy are cute. Also, ... Alice as the office matchmaker? Huh. IDK. Was she trying to shove Sam and Teddy together because it obviously wouldn't work and thus was not worrying? Sticking a pin in that.

Hi Augustus, long time no hear!

Royal Mint Court... hey! I've been there! I mean, not _there_ there, but the Tower of London is literally across the street, and I've been there. Got some tasty roast chestnuts. ... So, across the street from where they used to put traitors, where they've executed people, where there's the ever-important ravens, etc etc. hmm.

Lena, your people skills are, as ever, astoundingly bad. I'm getting you one of those 'world's worst boss' cups. You can share with Elias.

Hi Augustus! Long time no hear!

Huh, another malnutrition case. Is this another Magnus Institute reject?

Another body that talks after death. Reciting a 'story'. Hey Medical Examiner dude, my buddy, my pal, I don't think this is fiction.

So, I'm clocking the Spider, the Lonely, the Spiral, the Corruption, the End, the Eye, maybe the Vast if I stretch a bit (I must be careful on the stairs, or they will break and I will fall)... that's more than half of the fears. Who else do we know that had multiple fears mark him?

So again: was she a reject from the Magnus Institute??

Hey Alice, I'll take the corkboard and red string, don't you worry.

... Is it just me, or does Alice's steadfast refusal to be curious sound a lot like S1!Jon viciously mocking real statements because he was convinced that if he didn't sound like he believed them, they'd leave him alone?

to be fair to Alice, if someone told me they didn't want the job they'd spent the last however long demanding to get because it wasn't 'fun', I'd also mock them. Please pick better words Gwen.

Oooh, Alice has picked up on Gwen's classism tendencies. And Gwen is not the one to protest the charge.

To be fair to Alice and Sam, if someone told me the super scary person that is making their dream job a nightmare was an annoying children's tv character, I to would mock the shit out of them. That sounds like a joke. It should be a joke.

Mr Bonzo is never a joke.

Mr Bonzo's on his way he wants to stay he wants to play

'Who keeps taking Georgie’s face' is not a question you ask of a baby, Georgie. Also, is this alt!universe Georgie?? She's got the vibe.

... Did Celia end up on the side of the road again? In her PJ's?

So just gonna throw this out: We've got dopplegangers. We've got bodies that sometimes forget to act like they're bodies or like they need air or blood or anything to work. We've got supposedly innocent people asking face-stealing questions of BABIES like that's a THING. Did this world get taken over by the Stranger? I'm JUST SAYING.

[witchy-v1xen]

No , because I agree and disagree at the same time. Analyzing the trailers and posters.

What I agree with-

Both sides doing some fucked up shit.

Corlys not being a person who sucked (bro lowkey made it to the end until his execution , was just an ass kisser , and was trying to live his life by doing what was asked of him)

Both being highly hypocritical.

Blaming Viserys (no need to explain)

Blaming Daemon (He has good fathering qualities but , he's a walking red flag and the blood and cheese incident in my perspective was psychological warfare to a certain degree. I'll explain this in another post)

Blaming Rhaenyra (to a certain extent , yes!)

Blaming both sides to a certain extent (All the way because , they weren't thinking about how this could effect their children)

Yes viserys could of got a paramour to help cope with Aemma or find an AGE APPROPRIATE suitor for himself (Not some innocent 14 , 15 , 16 , or 17 year old girl who wants to be teen idle and enjoy her girlhood)

Yes , Viserys treated Alicent like a glorified mistress and the children did get treated second-class.

What I don't agree with-

Blaming Alicent entirely (she was maritally raped; she was married young into an unwanted relationship she could not refuse at the hands of her manipulative, mentally abusive father and King Viserys himself) I do, however, know she did things out of fear, and we can see that in the trailer, she's slowly reverting back to her childhood self, hence why she's looking at Rhaenyra in the posters. She still feels guilty over what happened twenty years ago, and it's sad. Rhaenyra, however, is just like, "Fuck you, I'm coming for your son, no if's or but's about it." I do believe she is to blame for her children's deaths (to a certain extent , not all the way because , remember we've got Daemon , Viserys , Rhaenyra , and Otto in the conflict as well.)

Blaming Aegon (Yes , I agree with blaming him for his personal mistakes. Him being put on the throne obviously wasn't his fault. Aegon is quite impulsive and it shows. As the abused becomes the abuser.(This is shown with how Otto treats Alicent and how Alicent is with Aegon when it comes to fulfilling his forced role as king. I honestly do hope we get a good character development with Aegon. I'd like to see a very serious side to him especially after the future incidents that'll take place besides blood and cheese.)

The Jaehaera hate club (Like the Blackcels need a moral compass. I don't understand why some of you have hate towards a girl who has nothing to do with what happened, though she saw events take place and they affected her. She also succumbs a fate familiar to her mother.)

When "He or she is nothing but a victim" card is pulled on characters who've done some deceitful and feisty shit. The only characters who get the green light to pull this card is Jaehaera , Laena Velaryon , Aemma Arryn , Aegon the third , Viserys the Second , Laenor Velaryon (He just wanted to be in peace and live his life. People that he did justice for did him dirty.) Maelor (Aegon II's second son) , Helaena , and Jaehaerys the second. (I would add Joffrey Velaryon onto this list but , I'm not sure.)

Alicent deserved what happened to her; she deserved better to some extent, and so did Rhaenyra. Rhaenyra, however, is wrong for blaming Alicent and having beef with her two-year-old son. Both made mistakes to some extent, and what can be rightfully defended can be rightfully defended with logic.

Viserys not being bashed. He paved the way for people with daddy issues , mommy issues , anger issues , Depression (different types) , sociopathic issues , and adhd (Aegon) to all go to war with each other. He failed his children and set them up. They all deserved better to some extent. It's an ongoing domino effect that happened with Aegon the conqueror, his two sister wives and their children , Aegon the unworthy and his illegitimate children who he legitimated upon his death. The dynasty got fucked over multiple times in history but the dance made the biggest permeable impact. Everyone's desires came at a cost and most did not take accountability. In conclusion, that is my analysis.

[stuffymcstuffsworld]

Shovel talk

It was rather obvious that your child attracted weirdos. It was sadly a truth you had come to terms with. Iruma just had that magnetic charisma that drew people to him.

Now, just because you had come to terms with it did not mean you were turning a blind eye. Hell no! The netherworld was full of too many psycho's.

And while you couldn't constantly monitor your child 24/7. Despite some demons' attempts, **cough** Sullivan, Opera, Alice and Clara.**cough** You at least knew he needed to make his own choices without pressure.

Although...that didn't stop you from weeding out those with questionable intentions. That was a rather nice way of putting it. All things considered.

It was so cute how many students got frightened. All it took was a few well placed words. They'd run away crying after that.

But for the more persistent bunch.... it took more. More than just words. Actions were also necessary at that point.

So you may have asked for a little assistance from Balam. Nothing physical! You would never ask him to harm a student!

But his vines were certainly helpful in keeping them in place. After all, you'd rather not wrestle and chat at the same time. His bloodline ability was also useful.

Because it assured the young demons in question that you weren't a liar. That everything you said you'd do would happen. Not threats, promises.

So this is where you found yourself on a lazy Thursday afternoon. Classes had just ended, and no one was nearby to hear the conversation. You stared at the stubborn imp bound to the chair across from you.

"Balam." "Yes?" The nervous teacher stood behind you. Not that the student mood tell his teacher was nervous. It was just another intimidation tactic you utilized.

"Please be my lie detector for this conversation." The professor nods. The student straightened up. Obviously, thinking they were about to be interrogated.

How quaint, you really didn't give two shits about the brat on the chair. The less you knew about the creep, the better in your opinion. "Opera's cooking is the best." "Truth." "I'm really eight feet tall." "Lie."

You leaned back in your chair, crossing your legs. "Perfect! Now that we've established that Balam-Sensei's magic is working, let's get started."

"I am not pleased with your behavior towards my son." Your words flat and to the point. "Truth," Balam says quietly behind you.

"What makes you think you have the right to stalk him and his friends? Or to try and drop random gifts in his locker?" You hold up a bag with questionable sweets.

"I... i..." They stutter. "Did you put a love potion in these? Yes or no?" You asked firmly. "N-no i-" "Lies," Balam rumbled.

His eyes narrowed, and he gripped the back of your chair. You could tell he was upset. Not that you could blame him.

Love potions on school property were made under careful supervision. Even then it wouldn't cause more than puppy love. This, however... was stronger.

"I'm not going to waste my breath asking where you got this. I'm sure the other teachers will be happy to squeeze the information out of you. " The gargoyle looms behind you a dark look on his face.

The student trembles as the vines tighten around him. "My concern is that you tried to use this on my precious baby." You toss the bag up, allowing Balam to collect it as evidence.

They pale drastically as you raise your gaze to meet theirs. "That doesn't settle well with me, you see." Your tone sends shivers down your listeners' spine.

"See, I was going to go easy on you for the stalking, Iruma has too many of those to count at this point." You sigh. "But you had to be stupid and want more."

You lean forward, keeping eye contact. "Do you know what I do to little imps like you?" You ask lowly. They frantically shake their head.

You hold up your hand, and Balam drops a tool into your palm. You hold it out in front of you. Allowing them to see. A large shovel.

"I cover them in honey and bury them in Anthills. I leave their heads above the surface so that I can hear their screams." You trace the shovel idly with one finger. "Truth." Balam stated.

The student was a crying and sobbing mess. Truthfully, you had only had to follow through with your words once. Once was enough truth that all others who heard were terrified.

"But seeing as you've gone against school policy, your teachers are in charge of your punishment." You could see them tremble, unsure of which was worse. You can't help the small smirk.

"I'm sure Kalego-Sensei would love to hear your disregard for the school's strict rules on love potions. And Dali-Sensei, oh! And we certainly can't forget about Marbas-Sensei!"

The sugary sweet tone you used as Balam starts to drag the student away. It's more terrifying than the icy tone from before. It was one that screamed. "You're screwed!"

But that's to be expected. You loved Iruma to bits. Anyone interested in him had to go through you first. It would be over your rotting corpse before anyone with ill intention touched him.

Speaking of which. You lift up your shovel, blocking the spear about to impale you. "Too slow." Some demons just took words too literally.

[givemea-dam-break]

Your Lockwood. Enemies to lover was sooooo good, please I need a part 2🥺

a/n: so glad you liked it! of course i’ll write a part 2 i am extremely emotionally attached to this series. also to the person who requested the lucy carlyle x reader, it is on its way i promise

warnings: language gn reader

full series collection: here

"You, again? I saw you last week. My eyes can't handle this pain anymore."

Lockwood grins in your doorway. "Come on, last week wasn't so bad. We made it out alive. How are your hands doing, by the way?"

"I almost fell out of a window because of an abusive old man," you grumble. "And they're fine, but they still smell like Savlon, thanks to you. I suppose you'll want to come in?"

"If that's alright," Lockwood says. "I've got more business for you."

Groaning quietly, you move out of the way and gesture for him to come inside. "Alice left for work not long ago, so you won't scare her away. Come on, I'll put some tea on. Milk and sugar?"

"Just milk, please."

You direct Lockwood over to your sofa, bought second-hand from some old couple in north London. That much is evident from its less-than-appealing pattern, but it's comfortable enough. Lockwood sinks down onto it, smiling gratefully when you hand him a mug of tea.

"So, what is it this time?" you ask, leaning against the kitchen counter.

"Haunted mansion out in Harrow. A bit of a trek away, but it's good pay. Type Two again, but Lucy will be coming along this time, so hopefully a repeat of last time doesn't happen. We just need an extra pair of hands. It's a big space to cover for three people."

You cross your arms. "Bold of you to assume I want to work with you again. I could've died last time."

"But you will come with us, won't you?"

"I might as well," you grumble. "Nothing else on. Rent's this week. Any information on the house, possible ideas of who the ghost is, or will Lucy and I have to find that out for you?"

Lockwood smiles and, surprisingly, it doesn't piss you off as much as it used to. "George is neck deep in newspapers right now - I've just come from the Archives - so I'm sure we'll have much more than we did last time."

"Alright," you say. "I'm in, but I'm going nowhere near a window again, okay? You can fall out of it this time."

"Deal." He stands, and you almost forgot how obnoxiously tall he is. It's infuriating having to tilt your head to look at him. "Meet us at the station at four."

Making your way to the door, you say, "Be on time, this time. In fact, be early. That would be preferable."

"We'll try." Something about his smile makes your stomach flip. "Thanks for the tea. See you later."

--

The train ride is relatively peaceful.

You sit next to Lucy, who smiles upon seeing you, and across from Lockwood, who wears a shit-eating grin the whole ride, saying something about 'feeling good about this case'. You'd stopped listening to him two seconds after his arrival. You only start paying attention again when George starts to explain his research.

"Apparently," George says, consulting his notebook, "there was a fire at this house in the mid-eighteen-hundreds. The exterior of the house didn't burn down, being made out of sandstone, but the inside was wrecked. Most people managed to escape the blaze, but three died - the lord of the house and his two daughters. The interior has been rebuilt, since, but I managed to find the original plans for the house's layout."

Lucy leans over the architectural plan. "The rooms have all moved around. Where do you think the fire stemmed from?"

"Reports say the lounge, which is now the dining room," George explains. "Lord Ammenby and his daughters, Susanne and Marcella, had seemingly fallen asleep there during the evening, and the fire was left unchecked. It consumed them before anyone could save them."

"So the source could be where the fireplace was," Lockwood guesses.

"Or where they were," you say. "Maybe even where they are now. George, do your notes say anything about where their remains were buried?"

He takes a minute to scan through his notes, flipping through pages. "There's apparently a big sycamore on the estate where the girls had a swing. The servants buried the family there with the thought that they could play in the swing for the rest of eternity."

"Bit grim," Lucy says, "but sweet, I guess. So, are those our three main guesses?"

"They're possible sources," Lockwood says. "Vague, but the best we've got."

"Better than last time," you say, frowning. "So, plan of action?"

Lockwood sits forward. "Lucy and George, you guys scout out the house. Lucy's Listening is more powerful, so you're more likely to hear if anything is going on in the house. (name) and I will take our chance with the tree. If we get nothing from it, we'll join back up with you guys."

"Should we have a signal or something?" you ask. "To save us shouting for help, or running backwards and forwards and risk getting ghost-touched? Like adjusting the lantern light a few times, or flashing our torches."

Goerge nods. "Good idea. Seeing as that ghost last week prevented me from hearing you guys, that's probably our best bet."

"One flash means everything is clear," Lockwood says. "Two means potential finding. Three means -"

"Ah, shit, there's a ghost, come help," you finish.

"I suppose that's one way of putting it," Lucy says with a snort.

It doesn't take much longer to reach Harrow, and the taxi ride to the mansion passes in what feels like mere minutes. Before long, you're all crawling out of the car, duffle bags in hand, chains looped over your shoulders, and rapiers at your sides.

Wrought iron gates tower before you, towering over you and casting twisting shadows on the slowly darkening pavement. You all pass through it and begin the trek up to the mansion - a hulking beast of sandstone, pinpricked with large windows and balconies. It's shaped so that there's a large courtyard in front of the entrance, hosting a large fountain with some kind of statue in the middle.

"Everyone remember the code?" Lockwood asks, eyeing the large double doors just ahead.

"One is good, two is alright, three is bad," George says. "Yes, we remember. Now, go. That's the tree over there, I think."

The four of you turn to the right, where a massive tree looms, covered in bright green leaves. In the breeze, a few flutter down from the branches, and a small swing moves softly. A shadow hangs below it, so large it almost reaches the mansion.

"Not creepy at all," you murmur. "Are we ready to start this happy journey?"

With big sighs, George and Lucy make their way into the mansion, holding the old and new plans of the layout. You and Lockwood share a look, a mix of confidence and worry - more on your part than anything - before trudging over to the massive tree.

"At least there are no windows for us to fall out of," you say, staring up at the tree. Its roots are so large that you're still standing at least six feet away from the trunk.

Lockwood breathes a laugh, checking his temperature gun about fifteen feet from the tree. "Fifteen degrees over here."

"Ten here." You frown at the hulking mass of bark and leaves. "Should we signal Lucy and George? I don't think this is just a chill from standing in the shadow."

"Not yet," Lockwood says, turning on a few lanterns. "See if you can hear anything first. I'll keep a lookout and see if they signal us."

Nodding, you look up at the twisting branches. Sounds around you drain out until you're surrounded by silence, thick and heavy, broken only by the faint sound of a rhythmic swoosh, swoosh, swoosh of a swing. Someone, a young girl, giggles, followed by the sound of a man's chuckle. You can feel a smile play on your lips. They're happy. So happy.

A hand closes over your arm, grip tight. "Lucy and George are signalling," Lockwood says, his tone urgent. "Three flashes. We need to go."

"Wait," you murmur. "There's something..."

"(name), we need to go now. They're in danger."

"No... I can hear something... A woman's voice. Did George mention anything about a Lady of the mansion? I can't remember."

Lockwood tugs your arm. "I don't know, but we need to go help -"

"Get away from the tree!" Lucy's voice shrieks. "It's a trap!"

And then you hear it, the words, the malicious tone of a woman speaking to nothing but tree roots. Your heart thunders in your chest, and a heavy wave of nausea hits you. You stumble backwards, falling into Lockwood's chest.

"His wife, the mother," you manage. "She started the fire. She -"

"Get away from the tree!"

Suddenly, there's a bright light directly in front of you and you can't move. A ghost hovers over the tree roots, but it doesn't appear as it once was. No, its skin is charred and burned, oozing with liquid - blood, maybe? Clothes have melted onto its skin, and the sight is enough to make you even more ill. You'd throw up if you weren't in a ghost lock.

"Snap out of it!" Lockwood yells. He wraps his arms around you, pulling you into the iron circle he must have made while you were using your Talent. "It's Lord Ammenby."

Your joints feel a little loose-jointed and disoriented, but you're no longer ghost-locked. "He's a Wraith. He was burned alive by his wife..."

"We can discuss the fate of his death later," Lockwood says. "For now, we need to get to the source."

"Did you manage to see where he appeared from?"

Lockwood points. "In between those roots, there, but we don't have shovels."

You swallow your fear down, watching the Visitor approach slowly. "Crowbar?"

He bends down and retrieves a crowbar from his duffle bag, handing it to you. "I'll distract him, you get the source. George and Lucy will be here soon, so we'll hold him off."

"Wonderful," you grumble. "Because that went swimmingly last time."

"Hey." His hand clutches your wrist gently, and a tingle runs up your arm at the contact. "You'll be fine. Lucy and George are almost here. And I'll keep you safe. I promise."

You glance back at him, finding nothing but sincerity in his eyes. "Okay. Ready?"

His grin gives you confidence. "I was born ready."

Drawing his rapier, he leaps out of the iron circle, drawing the attention of the Wraith. Almost instantaneously, Lord Ammenby's ghost launches at him, wailing.

You take your chance and sprint for the tree's roots, crowbar in one hand and a silver net in the other. Stumbling across the thick, gnarled roots, you manage to reach the area Lockwood pointed to - a gap, no larger than your fist. With a grunt, you slam the crowbar into the ground and begin hacking away at the soil.

Behind you, the ghost wails again, followed by a chorus of salt bombs and shouting. By the sound of it, Lucy and George have joined the fight.

The ground is packed hard and laced with roots, thinner than the ones protruding from the ground, but still tough, and the crowbar is proving to hinder you more than anything. As much as you don't want to, you reach into the hole you've created with your hand, digging around as deep as you can.

"(name), look out!" Lucy cries.

Looking up, you can see the ghost racing towards you. As quickly as you can, you tear your arm out of the ground and throw a salt bomb, momentarily stopping the attack, but Lord Ammenby is back sooner than you have time to process.

"(name)!"

A rapier blade passes clean through the ghost, and as the other-light dissipates, Lockwood's face, splattered with a little soil, appears. "Hurry!" is all he says.

Once again, you shove your arm back into the ground, scratching around with your hand until you finally feel it - the rough, scratchy feel of bones under your nails. Screams overtake your mind, and you can feel heat on your skin, but you push through it, shimmying the small cluster around until you're able to pull them free of the hole.

As you wrap the charred remains in the silver net, the ghost vanishes, and the dark estate becomes silent.

Lockwood, standing just in front of you, is panting, still in a defensive stance. Lucy and George aren't too far off, hunched and holding onto their knees as they catch their breath.

Standing, you wipe as much dirt and soil from your arm as you can. "Well," you say. "It seems we have a thing for men murdered by their wives."

--

"Lockwood, if you'd told me sooner that your tea tasted this good, I would've forgiven you sooner and worked with you more."

The boy in question laughs, reclining in his seat in the living room. "At least I know now."

"As long as I get paid, I don't see any more mishaps occurring," you say, leaning your head back against the cushioned armrest.

Despite closing your eyes, you're well aware of Lockwood's gaze on your face. You can feel it, like little pinpricks on your face, but you're too tired to mock him for it.

"You know," he says, and something in his tone confuses you - caution. "We make a pretty good team, you and I."

A small smile tugs at the corners of your mouth. "As much as I hate to admit it, we do. Thanks for having my back out there."

"That's what friends do."

Something in your chest tugs. Other than your flatmate, there hasn't been anyone you can call a friend for a while.

"As long as that notion is correct?"

"I suppose it's not entirely out the window," you murmur. "As long as I get more tea."

"As much as you want." You can hear the smile in his voice, and, funnily enough, it makes your smile grow. "Do you want me to walk you to the nearest night cab station? It's quite late."

Opening your eyes, you slowly sit up. "That's alright. I'm sure I can manage."

His smile has softened into something unfamiliar. It's not his usual cocky grin, or that one of triumph, but rather something more personal.

"As long as you're sure," he says, his dark eyes fixed on yours. "But know that you're welcome to stay here if you like."

You roll your eyes. "God, it's like you don't want me to leave! I'll be fine. Want me to call you when I get home, mum?"

He laughs, and the sound of it makes you feel inexplicably content. "Just get home safe, yeah? I know where to find you if we need your help again."

"I specialise in husband-murdered-by-wife cases, so you're aware," you inform him. "And I'm particularly adept at window removals and gardening."

"Come on," Lockwood says, standing. "Get home before it gets any later."

"You're a bossy one today, Lockwood. Don't get your knickers in a twist."

"Go on. Get out of my house, you twat."

"Anthony Lockwood! I never!"

As you leave his house, you swear that his laughter follows you into the night like a companion.

[mrsclearwaters]

Paul Lahote x Emmett Cullen imprinting fic

Paul imprints on Emmett at a meeting and tries to fight it.

Some angst, fluff

3,068 words

(I originally uploaded this like a month ago on another account that I’ve had for years. It was my first ever post but I’m stupid and the email I used for that account was from when I was 13 and I don’t have access too it so now I’m logged out permanently which is kinda heartbreaking. Luckily I still have the story in my drafts so I’m reposting).

Paul was unable to make it to the treaty meeting after Jacobs imprint and didn't witness Seth and Leah's imprints but he was less than pleased when he saw it replayed in the shifters minds.

He likes to think he could've stopped this madness, not the imprints but at least the treaty mishap, if he was there.

The leeches claimed 3 of his friends, his family, and it pisses him off to no end. He knows he can't blame his pack mates for their imprints but he can sure as hell blame the vampires for choosing Forks, for meeting the pack, for everything that led to this moment.

Sam decided to make them come to this meeting in their human forms, something he'd argued against for hours but eventually had to give in to his Alphas decision.

Seth, Leah and Jacob seem to have warmed up to their imprints, Leah more reluctantly than the others and as much as it infuriates him, he can't exactly expect them to deny their fated mates.

This meeting is to discuss fighting techniques for future issues that both may encounter and he reluctantly follows Sam and Jacobs trucks on his bike, with Seth clinging onto him as he drives and the others riding with the Alphas.

When he finally pulls up and Seth runs towards his imprint before he fully stops, he groans at the inevitable torture.

Leah and Jacob stay put on either side of Sam but they aren't as tense as Paul in front of the vampires.

"Hello Carlisle," Sam addresses their leader who smiles and greets him back.

"I'm glad you're open to building trust with us." Sam nods,

"It'd be best for the future of both of us. You said we we're going through fight techniques?"

"Yes, Jasper is a trained general, he knows how to fight vampires, specifically newborns who would be a great threat should we ever come across them. It would be a useful tool to learn."

"Okay so let's do that." Carlisle nods and Jasper steps forward, he goes into an explanation and then a demonstration with all of the Cullens.

Paul thinks this is a pointless exercise, they know how to fight, and vampires are their natural enemies, they don't need tips.

He watches Sam go against Quil, Embry against Colin, Rosalie against Jared and Alice against Seth until Jaspers eyes land on him.

He rolls his eyes and steps forward, cracking his knuckles.

"Who am I fighting?"

"I think Emmett should be a good fit against you." He learns that Emmett is the brute when he steps forward with a shit eating grin but his eyes shift when they land on him.

Edwards eyes widen and he looks at him confused, the mind reader just shakes his head as if to tell him to wait.

He shakes it off but he feels them eyes stay on him as he goes behind a tree and shifts before coming back to face his opponent.

When he does he regrets everything. He should have skipped this meeting too, because the universe clearly hates him.

His imprint, his whole world, his sole purpose for living, is a fucking leech. That must have been the reason for the shift in the brutes eyes, he'd mated and when Paul shifted so did he.

The shifters who'd already had their matches started exclaiming their shock in his mind until Sam silenced them all.

'Oh my god! Paul, you too man?!' Jared, he didn't fucking ask for this.

'This is so good!' Seth, and he rolls his eyes because this is anything but good.

'Maybe this is a good thing,' Colin, he appreciates the effort but he wants to fucking scream at the thought of this.

'Come on Paul, he's your soulmate, there's clearly a reason for this.' Embry, yeah and the reason is that the universe has it out for him.

'I still don't get how this shit is possible,' Quil, the voice of fucking reason.

'Everyone Quiet!' Sam, now he's going to get a lecture about accepting this and not breaking both of their hearts or some shit.

'Paul-'

'I don't wanna hear it Sam.'

'I won't lecture you. Just talk to him before you do anything you'll regret.' Too late.

As soon as his imprint steps forward, he moves back and then before he knows it he's running.

He hears the pack shouting for him, and Jacob telling his imprint to, "give him time," but he doesn't dwell on any of it.

He's outside his house and he's unshifted. He thinks about it for a moment and decides he'd rather not face his parents right now, he's too out of it too make anything up.

So he does the next best thing, and climbs in through his bedroom window.

The only thing he can think to do is sleep, he doesn't want to think about what just happened and what it means.

He's fated to a leech, what a fucking nightmare.

When he wakes up his head is throbbing and he knows it's not normal but he ignores it and goes out for his usual run, pushing through the pain and ignoring the occasional tug from the new link in his mind.

Every day that goes by with him ignoring the imprint, the pain gets worse but he forces himself to push through it.

His heart feels like it's being ripped apart every time he thinks about Emmett's face when he ran away but all he can do is push it to the back of his mind and ignore it.

On day 5, Sam asks him to do patrol, he's avoided shifting for this long knowing how much worse it will get when his wolf has control. He's been pushing his wolf down for so long and it's been fighting back, pushing him towards Emmett.

When he finally shifts with Quil and lets Jared end his patrol he feel's everything tenfold. The pain from Emmett is mixed with a hunger he's never felt before and he realises his mate hasn't been feeding.

'Ffs, I need to hunt for him now.'

'Mate, you should just speak to him. Clearly it's affecting you. You can barely function.'

'I'm fine. Quil, you need to give this to him. I can't be near him.'

'You can't trust yourself with him?' Quil laughs and he gives him a deadpan look knowing how weird it looks in his wolf form.

'Alright, I'll do it.' He rolls his eyes and begins his search for prey.

He comes across a deer and slowly sneaks up on it, attacking the jugular and making sure it's dead before dropping it in front of Quil who grabs it and runs towards the Cullens house.

He watches through the pack mind as Quil comes to a stop in front of the mansion and a confused Carlisle opens the door.

"Quil, right?" He nods and Carlisle smiles still confused before Edward joins him and reads his mind.

"Paul knows Emmett hasn't been feeding, he sent Quil to give him the deer. He hunted it himself."

Emmett steps onto his balcony as soon as he hears his mates name and jumps down in front of the wolf who drops the food in front of the vampire.

"Thank you." They all know it's aimed at Paul and he practically swoons at the small smile sent his way.

'You're already sappy for him bro.' Quil laughs.

'Shut the fuck up.' He watches Edward laugh a bit at the conversation and tells him to fuck off too.

Quil nods at them all before leaving and making his way back.

Slowly the hunger Paul could feel through the link dissipates and the pain that has been lingering for days also dulls slightly.

He repeats Emmett's smile in his head through his whole patrol and Quil practically runs home when they're done, glad to be done with his pining.

'Just talk to him man,' he hears before the pack mind is empty. He rolls his eyes and unshifts himself to go back to his usual routine, sleep, eat, and then sleep some more.

Sleep is the only thing that dissipates the pain, heartbreak and throbbing head alike.

But at the 2 week mark his mind is playing with him, his days consist of staying in bed, his parents and the pack forcing him to eat, he can't shake the squeezing of his heart and the feeling that his very being and soul is hurting, his dreamless nights have turned into a nightmare.

Emmett being chased by some random vampire, she's right on his tale until she starts jumping through trees in the preserve and then finally lands on him and rips his head off.

He wakes up screaming and sweating when it happens. Sam comes running in with the rest of the pack in tow, they were discussing what to do about Paul's imprint when they heard his cries.

"Paul! Paul, what's happened. Calm down, tell me what happened."

"Em-Emmett. He died- ahhhh." He thrashes and screams at the pain that fills his whole body now, his heart is breaking, the guilt of not being there, of not saving him is overwhelming.

He hears muffled talking and shouts until Jacob and Leah are in front of him, "Paul, he's okay. He's alive. We just saw him."

He looks up at them, trying to find out if there's any truth in their words, and he finally feels the link in his mind still exists. His heart rate picks up in relief and he lets out a sob.

"Paul, please. It's killing you. Just go see him." Sam begs and he looks at the alpha.

"He's not doing well either." Seth starts, the look Jacob and Leah share with him doesn't go unnoticed.

"He's been begging us not to tell you, to let you figure it out on your own. But you haven't shifted, so you haven't seen it. When you told Quil to give him that deer because you felt the hunger when you shifted. It's the last thing he let himself eat because you got it."

"He's been getting worse, like he's punishing himself for not being good enough for you. He won't leave his room, he shouldn't get sick but he looks paler every time we see him, like he's disappearing before our eyes." Jacob adds and he reels in anger, shock, and guilt.

He knew ignoring his imprint would hurt him, he didn't know that mates worked the same way, he thought Emmett would be okay without him. Albeit hurt but okay nonetheless.

"What the fuck?! Why hasn't he been feeding? Why does he think he's not fucking good enough?!" Before the pack can say anything else he storms out and shifts.

He pauses when it hits him, agony. He feels like he hasn't eaten in months, the link between them that's stronger when shifted is weak, he can barely feel him.

His wolf cries out and he runs as fast as he can towards the Cullen house.

When voices pop into his head one by one he ignores them and pushes through, finally reaching the mansion.

He shifts back, pulling his shorts on and speeding to the front door, where Alice opens it with a sympathetic smile.

He doesn't deserve that, he's pissed at himself more than anything. He could take the pain, but how dare he cause his mate the same fate.

"Where is he?" She points to the stairs and he rushes past her, the rest of the Cullens scattered across the living and the pack piling into the house behind him.

"It's the second room on the left," she says to him as he goes and he mutters a small thanks as he runs up.

He barges into the room, and the sight he's met with makes him want to throw up.

Emmett quickly stands from his bed and smiles softly, "Paul." He looks so pale, even for a vampire this doesn't seem natural, his eyes are bloodshot, there'd be tear tracks down his cheeks if he could cry.

Paul rushes forward and shoves him into the wall next to the balcony,

"Why haven't you been feeding?!" Emmett looks confused and shakes his head,

"How could I? I don't deserve to feed. I'm a leech remember, you could never love me." Paul reels in shock, his grip loosens and he feels a lump in the back of his throat.

"You- you're."

"Im sorry you had to come here Paul. You can leave if you want." He knows neither of them want that. He can see in Emmett's eyes that he's hurting at even the idea.

He doesn't know what to say so he does the next best thing, he holds out his arm. Emmett looks even more confused now, eyebrows knitted together, it's kind of cute.

He shakes the thought out of his head, right now he needs to help his mate, and his blood should bring back his strength faster than anything else.

"Eat." He demands and Emmett's eyes widen. "I- I can't. I haven't fed, I don't think I could stop myself."

"I'm willing to take that risk... and.. I trust you." Emmett shakes his head,

"I'll hurt you. I can't."

"Emmett, you're weak, this is the only way to bring your strength back. I'm your mate, I know you won't hurt me."

Emmett looks at him, his eyes conflicted and he brings his arm too his own mouth, using his sharp wolf teeth to penetrate the skin, hissing a bit, before pushing his arm closer to Emmett's mouth,

"Eat." He says again and finally he gives in, gently holding his arm and bringing it to his mouth. He hesitates for a second before licking the dripping blood and then allowing himself to continue.

It doesn't hurt the way Paul thought it would, it's like the more his mate drinks, the more satisfied he feels. When Emmett finally feels the liquid he worries for a second that he won't stop. It's better than anything he's ever tasted, and he knows it's because it's Paul. But he also knows he could never hurt him and allows himself to enjoy it for a moment.

Paul feels weak, not from his blood being drained but from the feeling of giving his mate strength. It's overwhelmingly good.

He rests his head on Emmett's shoulder and feels the vampire pause, "it's okay, keep going." He says it in the softest tone and he doesn't think he's ever heard himself use that tone with anyone.

When Paul actually starts to feel lightheaded he lets Emmett keep going for a few seconds before he stops him.

"Emmett.. that's enough." He thinks the vampire can't hear him for a second but then he feels the fangs retract and Emmett licks the wound to clean it up.

When they look at each other they realise what just happened, Paul can't help the blush that spreads across his cheeks. He'd ignored it for so long and when he finally gave in it was so intimate that it was overwhelming.

"I'm sorry I caused you pain," he whispers and Emmett just smiles at him,

"You don't understand how long I've wanted this."

"I think I do." Paul can't help but steal a look at his imprints lips before looking back into his eyes.

"You're the most stubborn man I've ever met you know." Emmett says. He laughs a bit and nods.

They're so close that their breaths are mingled and Paul can't help it anymore, he leans in and closes the gap, catching Emmett's gasp and deepening the kiss.

When they pull away so Paul can catch his breath their lips are bruised and Emmett is beaming at him.

Paul feels even more lightheaded after that and stumbles the tiniest bit, but Emmett catches on and helps steady him, moving them towards the bed.

"Did I go too far," he panics and Paul shakes his head, "no, I'm fine. It's fine." He whispers softly.

"Do you want to sleep?" The thought of climbing into his imprints bed and being surrounded by that smell is so tempting. He nods and moves to get under the covers.

When Emmett sits on the chair next to the bed he looks at him confused and the vampire looks back with a similar look.

"Why are you over there?" The vampire grins cheekily, "you want me to lay with you?"

The growing smirk makes him blush and he rolls his eyes indignantly, shaking his head.

"Nah, I'll just sleep on my own." He turns to his side and hears a laugh that makes his heart race.

"Paul?" He ignores it, "pauul," and he shakes his head.

It's silent for a second but then he hears ruffling and their's a breath on his neck, "Alright, I'll lay here with you." The hairs on his neck rise and he turns around quickly. His breath hitches at how close they are again.

"I didn't think you'd want me too." Emmett tells him honestly.

"I just let you drink my blood. I think sharing a bed is a small step compared to that." He whispers back and Emmett laughs a bit.

"That was a hell of a way to start wasn't it?" And Paul just nods in agreement, closing his eyes.

"Does this mean you've accepted me?" Emmett asks after a few moments of silence. Paul peeks an eye open to see if he's being serious and when he realises he is he looks at him incredulously.

"Okay, okay. You have. I was just making sure you won't leave again." Paul feels a pang of guilt hit him again when he realises how much he's hurt his imprint and shakes his head.

"I'm sorry. I should have come sooner." He whispers and Emmett smiles softly, "I understand." Paul shakes his head, "no, I won't ever forgive myself for putting you through that." Emmett rolls his eyes now, "you put yourself through it too. You're just stubborn." Before Paul can speak, Emmett kisses him softly.

"Sleep," Emmett tells him when they pull away and he sighs but obliges, closing his eyes and falling asleep comfortably for the first time in weeks.

[atopvisenyashill]

In your Male!Rhaenyra (let's call him Rhaenor) only having daughters au what else might change? Like does Daemon try going after Helaena since she would be Viserys only daughter? What about Criston Cole? What about Aemond? Does he still lose an eye if Laena is still alive and there are no strong boys? And how do Aegon, Aemond and Daeron feel about Rhaenor and his daughters as opposed to Rhaenyra and her sons in canon? And as for the names of Rhaenor's daughters maybe Baela and Rhaena could be Rhaenor's in this au and after them he has Visenya, Alyssa and Aemma.

Well the thing is that Rhaenor is still quite young when Viserys dies - only 33. I think there’s no reason anyone would suspect he won’t eventually have a son and name that son. It’s not like people were itching to cut Aemon out just because he only had Rhaenys - it wasn’t until Aemon died that anything happened on that front. So things are likely a lot more chill for several years - Alicent marries Viserys probably figuring her children will marry Rhaenor’s and is fostering feelings of friendliness between the kids while Viserys is still alive. I mean, it’s not to say I don’t think there’s some tensions here because I’m sure any 10 year old is going to be a bit hostile towards the lady who married his dad before the grieving period is even over for his mom, and I’m sure Otto feels some type of way about this whole thing. But Viserys isn’t making the succession confusing by keeping Rhaenor as his heir - he’s literally just following every single law of the land including Dorne (bc Rhaenor is the oldest). Rhaenor probably does marry at roughly the same time since Laena is five years older, and they might have their first daughter at around the same time as Daeron. So this issue doesn't come up until Laena has had three kids and they're all girls but it's not something that's going to be pressing yet, not only Rhaenor is king himself and has surprised everyone by stubbornly naming his first born daughter his heir instead of keeping Aegon as his heir. So to answer some of your questions-

Yeah I definitely think Daemon is feeling particularly neglected in this scenario without a Rhaenyra OR a Laena to marry. I'm not totally sure if he would get fixated on Helaena but that is his only way back into the main line/keeping his kids pure Valyrians. But part of Daemon's fixation on Rhaenyra was not just that she was Viserys' daughter but that she was his rival for the throne - it's the same reasoning as Visenya uses, this "let's tie our blood lines and claims" type deal, and Daemon is conflating the Iron Throne with acceptance and love and family. Helaena is not his rival for anything, and Daemon wasn't ever heir presumptive because Rhaenor has been a man this whole time and therefore prince of dragonstone since birth.

While I can see a little boy being enamored with Criston Cole managing to best Daemon Targaryen, there's also less opportunity here for Criston to become Rhaenor's sworn sword, since he's not asking a prince for a favor in tourney. I think regardless of whether Criston can impress a young Rhaenor enough to get named to the Kingsguard - or perhaps a slightly lesser position, like the City Watch - Criston is just less likely to turn so violently against Rhaenor because even if Criston catches Rhaenor fucking and sucking on the Street of Silk, Criston is not going to take it so badly because Rhaenor is a man. LIke, he clearly doesn't give a shit about Aegon being a slut, why would he care about Rhaenor? He's also not technically opposed to women inheriting over men - he did support Rhaenyra initially - so imo if Rhaenor's daughters aren't insane, I can see him continuing to impress Rhaenor and being a friend. The problem is if one of Rhaenor's daughters get fixated on Cole. Or, I suppose, if Rhaenor ever puts the moves on Criston lol.

I think it's unlikely Aemond loses an eye in this scenario. Again, while I'm sure there's significant tension between Rhaenor and Alicent's kids - the only remarriage we have outside of the dance is Nymeria and we don't have enough information on her to know if things between her daughter and her sons were intense, but I do imagine Alicent is very aware that if Rhaenor dies, Aegon is king - but even if Aemond has the same issues with getting a dragon, he's not likely to take it out on Rhaenor's girls because they aren't training with him, they're legitimate, and things aren't as tense between them.

In general, things are probably okay for a while. No Driftmark issues to fight over, no Vhagar to fight over, Rhaenor's ascension makes perfect sense, etc. It's probably at some point in the mid 120s that things get tense, because at this point they've had several daughters. If Rhaenor brings this up with Viserys - ie, listen dad i know i've had a bunch of girls but can't they rule after me anyway? - and gets support from him, that's likely to piss Alicent off the same way Viserys naming Rhaenyra pisses Daemon off. BUT if Rhaenor deals with this by marrying his oldest to one of Alicent's, that calms things. HOWEVER. If Rhaenor deals with this by refusing to marry their kids, that's when things get tense. Rhaenor can also just not say anything until his father dies, and then name his oldest princess of dragonstone. Obviously this is still going to cause an issue, but that way he can deal with it however he wants.

I actually think it's more likely Rhaenor names his first born Visenya or Aemma lol. Visenya not just for Visenya but also for his father, Viserys. But yeah after that I can see Baela, Rhaena, and Alyssa for sure. I wish there was an Aegonette name because it would be funny if he named one of his daughters that one.

[mizusswordtip]

Down The Rabbit Hole ⚝ Killian Jones x Reader (23)

find the story on wattpad

summary: Alice's plan to overthrow the Queen of Hearts is thwarted by a dashing pirate with a hook. Years later, after the curse is broken, they reunite once again.

masterlist

Thankfully we manage to find some poppy seeds before sundown. Well, Mulan found them and we followed. She uses her blade to carefully crush the seeds into a fine powder.

"The powder's nearly ready." Mulan doesn't look up from her task but spares a glance at us over her shoulder. I nod my head.

"How long will the effects last?" Snow asks, settling down against a tree. Emma sits down next to her and grabs her hand.

"It's difficult to say. Maybe an hour. Or much less." Mulan guesses. I give Snow a nod of confirmation.

"That sounds about right. The giant wasn't out for long." I say and she looks a little relieved.

"Well, I shouldn't need much time. So long as Henry is in there when I am." She gives Emma a small smile at the mention of Henry. I sigh heavily.

"I hope you don't mind but I'm also gonna get some rest while I can. You guys will keep watch?" I ask, feeling the strings of exhaustion threatening to pull me under. Emma gives me a small smile.

"Of course." She reassures before turning her attention to her mother. "I'll be right here. Say hi to my son for me." Mulan stands up, clenching the powder in her hand before bending down. She uncurls her fist and delicately blows the powder in Snow's face. The effects are almost immediate. Her head falls to the side and her eyes flutter until they're closed for good. I give a nod to Emma and settle back, allowing myself to truly rest for the first time since coming here.

I awake with a start, having been elbowed by Snow in her haste to get up.

"What the hell?" I sit up quickly, watching as Snow runs over to the rock Mulan had been using to make the powder.

"What happened? What are you doing?" Emma asks, an incredulous look crossing her face. Me and Emma both stand as Snow frantically looks at the rock.

"I'm looking for more powder." She sounds like she's on the verge of crying but I can't help but let out a frustrated sigh.

"Going back to sleep isn't a good idea Snow, what happened?" I ask, leaning down in hopes of getting her attention to no avail.

"No, I have to go back in. He's all alone." She says and Emma's confused face becomes just as frantic in an instance. My own brows furrow.

"Henry? Is he okay?" Emma kneels next to Snow.

"I'm sure he is, he can just...wake up." I say, putting my hand on Emma's shoulder.

"No, it's David. He went under a sleeping spell so he could see me. He thought that my kiss would wake him, but it didn't and now he's trapped." Snow shakes her head, tears threatening to fall any minute now. Thankfully, her behavior is starting to make sense now.

"Okay, slow down. David is trapped in there?" Emma sounds more shocked now than anything.

"I have to get back. There's only one way to help him." Snow ignores Emma's question, continuing her frenzied search of the rock. I look around and I feel my heart drop to my stomach whenever I see a certain warrior missing.

"Yes, yes. True loves kiss. Emma, where's Mulan?" I snap and she shoots me a confused look at my tone shift.

"We have to get back, if we don't-" Snow starts up again, a single tear falling down her cheek.

"We will." Emma wraps an arm around Snow and I squeeze her shoulder hard.

"Emma!" I snap and her head shoots up to look at my irritated face. She glares at me and goes to say something but I interrupt before she can get a breath in. "The compass! Where is it?" Her brows furrow as she stands, putting her hand in her pocket. The look of realization on her face would have been funny if it didn't make my breathing stop.

"No..." She whispers and I clench my jaw. I bend down, helping Snow off the ground before grabbing both her arms firmly.

"Shit. Snow, what did David tell you? How do we stop Cora?" I demand as softly as possible, given her state of mind.

"He said the key to stopping her is in his jail cell." She says with a nod, almost as though she's comforting herself. I let go and run.

"We need to catch up with Mulan, come on!"

It doesn't take long to catch up with Snow's tracking skills. I'm the first to spot Mulan's flashy armor not that far ahead of us.

"There!" I whisper-shout and Snow draws her bow and fires off an arrow right next to Mulan's head. She stops dead in her tracks. I draw my sword and Snow approaches with her own weapon drawn.

"That was a warning shot. Try to run and I promise the next one won't be." Snow's voice is cold as ice. Mulan slowly turns around with a frustrated look. Join the party. I think bitterly.

"How did you find me?" She asks.

"I know a thing or two about tracking." Snow doesn't back down but I lower my sword once I see Mulan put her hands in the air in surrender.

"And it's not like you were covering your tracks. Have somewhere to be?" I ask sarcastically.

"All we want is the compass." Emma reasons and Mulan looks down for a moment.

"Very well." She says and goes for her sword. Before either Emma or I can even take a step, Snow has her pinned to the ground. She has an arrow in hand, holding it flush against her throat.

"Give. Me. The. Compass." She demands through gritted teeth. I raise a surprised brow at her sudden aggression.

"And seal Aurora's fate?" Mulan doesn't flinch away from the arrow. In fact, she looks even more defiant. I have a feeling that won't bode well for us.

"We learned how to overpower Cora. Once we get what we need, we will defeat her and Aurora will be free!" Snow snaps, also not willing to bend on the matter."Another journey. Just as I predicted there would be! Our best chance to save Aurora is to make that trade now." Mulan seethes and I take a step forward.

"Mulan-" I start.

"Not gonna happen. Without that compass, we can't go home." Snow presses the arrow harder against Mulan who tilts her head up.

"Then I hope you're prepared to use that arrow." She says decisively. I can see it on Snow's face, that she's fully prepared to kill her.

"Snow. Don't." I demand but she doesn't listen. To mine and Emma's horror, Alice brings the arrow up, getting ready to strike.

"Stop!" A familiar voice calls out from in front of us. I look up to see Aurora standing there, as healthy as she was when she left.

"Uh." I say dumbly.

"Okay, don't take this the wrong way, but how the hell did you get here?" Emma's face is just a confused as my own. We all stare up at her, frozen in disbelief.

"Let Mulan go." She walks down the hill, approaching Snow and Mulan. Snow is too shocked by Aurora's sudden appearance to process anything she's saying. "I said, let her go." Snow finally does, standing up slowly.

"Were you followed?" Mulan asks with a relieved smile.

"There's no way you escaped Cora. How are you here?" I interrupt, grasping my sword a little tighter. This could quickly turn into another Lancelot situation.

"It was Hook. He let me go." Her answer shocks me and I almost drop my blade. I knew he'd be able to get off the beanstalk just fine but evading Cora? I couldn't believe it.

"Why?" Emma asks. Aurora looks at me with a soft smile.

"Because of you." She says and I feel like the breath has been sucked out of my lungs.

"Me?" I ask with furrowed brows. I look around at the others who look just as confused as I do.

"He said he wanted to prove to you that he's done working for Cora for good. That you can trust him. He said without him, you'll have to go up against her all by yourself." She pauses and looks down with a knowing smile. "He only wants to help, I...I think he may care for you." My traitorous heart skips a beat at that. I shake my head and smile a little, turning my attention to Emma.

"I told you." I say and she looks down at the ground sheepishly.

"You where right. I'm sorry." She admits with an apologetic smile.

"Did you find a way to stop Cora?" Aurora looks at us hopefully and I nod my head.

"Yes." She looks relieved, her shoulders sagging. I can't really say I blame her.

"Where are we going?" She asks.

"The Dark One's cell." I answer with a shrug of my shoulders and she nods her head.

"Lead the way."

[pregnant-javert]

Tell me an unpopular opinion you have about all the SP main characters if you have time

BESTIE YOU ASKED AND I WILL DELIVER i'm prolly gonna put this shit under a cut in case I ramble lol. I wasn't sure like,,,what you meant by main characters? So I just picked all the characters under "main" on the Wikipedia page.

Under the cut! Please don't shade me <3 no disrespect if you like the characters or disagree with what i say <3

Melanie: The show got better when she was away for most of it. That's when the writers had to make the train and the other characters stand on their own two feets and it made the show even better when she came back.

Layton: What can I say about this man that others have not said? I think neither of his canon love interests deserve him and why does Till love him so much?

Till: I feel like sometimes her soft uwu lesbianness crosses the line into infantilisation/immaturity and I don't like that. S2 was her best moments and then in S3 as soon as Audrey came back it was like she reverted to S1 in a bad way. I also don't think the writers know how they want to retroactively look back on Till either. If that makes sense.

Ruth: Her endless fucking cuddling up to Melanie got annoying when it was pretty apparent that Melanie didn't ever treat her that well. I dislike characters with little self-respect. Get a better mentor/friend, Ruth - and I say that with love! She's a great character but her constant going back to Melanie annoyed me. I was glad she put her foot down in S3.

Audrey: She should have died in S3. And I don't know why Till went back for her.

Bennett: Maybe if he banged Wilford five ways to Sunday they'd both calm down

Jinju: She would have been a great S2/S3 character. And I think it was right of her to lie to Till considering Till was just. A bit too idealistic in S1 lol.

Josie: If developed properly, her relo with Bennett could really take off. Both of them are similar in that they pine after people who just. categorically put other people/the train ahead of them. It could be a nice bonding moment.

Osweiller: I don't like the way the show tried to make him into this uwu boyfriend character.

Zarah: I take her side in the argument she had with Layton about giving the cold-resistance genes to Liana. Layton fucked off for six months, so he's not exactly an active parent, and what parent wouldn't want to protect their kid from the cold? The whole 'you stamped her with Wilford' was a low blow, man.

Javi: He's way too well-adjusted in S3. I needed to see him sobbing more.

Roche: I'm not sure why they made him so like...unsympathetic to his own daughter late S3? I didn't get the progression there.

LJ: The way she died was fucking hilarious. Perfect way for her to go.

Miles: He's way WAY too nice and buddy buddy with Melanie considering what she did to his birth family, to Layton, to Josie, to the Tail. Like. Come on.

Pike: He looked so much better clean shaven in S3.

Alex: She was kinda annoying at the beginning of S3.

Wilford: Literally anything I've ever said about him ever. He needs to faint and throw up next season. Ben needs to give him some dick too. <3

Sykes: She doesn't really stand out though I think her and Javi's relationship was a big missed opportunity to bridge the gap between the Big Alice and Snowpiercer ways of life.

Asha: Unnecessary! We didn't need her if she was just going to fall off the face of the earth in the way she did, and also they have those new people in S4 so like. WHY?

[lucian379]

How did this happen?

By AclinuAzurosan

Summary:

My own take on Iruma being discovered for having a lack of wings. Snippets of before shit goes down. A somewhat crack-fic vibe (low-level) Alice is blissfully ignorant (of Iruma and his feelings) People worry (rightfully so) Iruma is too much of people pleaser Author put low effort........sorry but not really

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Chapter 1:

'How did I end up in here? I need to get away from here! They’re gonna find out!........ Why is my shirt lifting? Wait...' 

"NO DON'T-" 

*Collective gasps from the teachers* 

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Iruma Suzuki, age 14, has found himself in trouble. A great challenge any high schooler must face. Yes, Iruma is facing the dreaded... FINAL EXAM . Now this wouldn't be such a huge problem for most students, expect for the fact that Iruma has never gone to school before Babirus. Meaning he has absolutely no studying skills at all. Why should he? It's not like he was doing everything he had to survive all the dangerous situations his parents put him through. Pssh yeah that's just crazy talk. 

..................... 

'Mom, Dad, why?' Iruma thought crying to himself as his soul leaves his body. 

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Asmodeus Alice, one of the top students in not only the Abnormal Class, but among the first years as well. How would he react to seeing just how bad Iruma is at school? Would he laugh? Would he be shocked into silence? Is he disappointed with Iruma?! 

Answer, blatantly ignore all signs and cry his heart out to Iruma since the image of him being the next demon king is seared into his mind. Az......

"I'm sure you can ace the tests!! I will help you in anything you don't understand Iruma-sama!" 

"Whaa- UH, thank you Az-kun?" 

Oh Alice, when will you realize, Iruma isn't any old demon off the block. 

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Iruma Suzuki, age 14, deceased after one day of 'studying'. 

'I just don't understand anything said in the textbooks. What is this written in? Ancient Greek?' I head down to the dining room, maybe some food will help. 

"Do you want me to tell you what's on the test?" Grandpa says to me, honestly, I don't think that would help me. "Or if possible, we'll give Iruma-kun only the easy questions!" 

'Grandpa nooooo, please, I couldn't even get the easy questions right. Plus, I don't want to be caught cheating.' 

"There is no need to go so far for Iruma-sama. He will definitely score the test with F.L.Y.I.N.G C.O.L.O.U.R.S." Opera, I can't deny that when you say it with such confidence and expectation. 

*weeps heartbrokenly* 

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A classroom, filled with heavy tension, everyone with a book in their hands, "Um..." Asmodeus Alice looks upon the strange scene unfolding before him. 

"Let's leave them alone Iruma-sama. Let's study together instead and see what you need help with!" 

"Ye-yes! Ok let's do this!" 

*one quizzing session later* 

'I'm gonna die.... none of these make any sense. How am I supposed to know what any of this is?' 

'I'm HUMAN! If only I could tell them that, but then I might get eaten.........waaaahhhhh.' 

Iruma Suzuki, yet again defeated by his greatest enemy, school work. 

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Study High; the pleasure of scoring points it causes the person to get a big head on their shoulders. Who do you think became an idiot after scoring full marks on a subject he would obviously know about? 

Is it, (A) Shax Leid, (B) Saboro Sabnock, (C) Keroli Crocell, or (D) None of the above? 

Place your bets down people! 50 grim for the winner! 

......................................... 

The answer? D OF COURSE BECAUSE IT WAS IRUMA SUZUKI THE WHOLE TIME! 

Again, smile and wave boys because Az-Az over blatantly ignores the strangeness of Iruma's lack of netherworld common knowledge. Which brings us to the point before disaster strikes. 

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You know, there are moments in your life where you look back and go, "Yep, should not have done that lol." 

This was one of those moments. 

........................................ 

Clara, Az, and I are walking to Darry sensei's class on 'Demonic History.' Everything is going great! I've got full marks on 'Imaginary Creatures', I must have a talent for things like this! Az-kun said so and everyone else in class! 

Only Darry sensei isn't in class, it's.... Balam sensei? 

"Isn't that...." 

"Ahaha Iruma-sama, maybe we should come back another time."  

"Don't worry Az-kun, I'm sure Balam sensei is-" 

*slither slither up in the air* 

'AH! STOP! WAIT! NO! HUH?! WHO-' 

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'Hehe... I guess Balam is just a touchy guy? Whooooo, at least he didn't seem to notice. Haha.........I just wish he'd take these vines off my back' 

"Creatures like imaginary beings.....The research of imaginary beings.....vastly unexplored place...possible that new........DO YOU KNOW WHAT IMAGINARY BEINGS EAT!?" 

"UWAH! UH-" 

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'Balam sensei is just going over what humans are. Phew, I guess it's good that I'm human. Maybe learning from him won't be so bad.' 

'This Balam person is certainly one to look out for. Grabbing Iruma-sama like that! Oooh, at least you're keeping to yourself now.'  

'BABA SENSEI GIVE PATS! HEHEHE BABA SENSEI MUST WANT TO PLAY TOO!'  

"But the demon world is a very dangerous ecosystem, that's why demons have evolved to gain tails and wings." Balam sensei drones on walking towards his new students. 

"Even without horns, with wings at least you could es...ca...pe...HUH?!" 

'I really should be paying attention to what Balam sensei is saying but I already know all of this. Hmmmm, maybe I can pass with just getting- UH WHAT IS TOUCHING MY-' 

"AHHHH!"  "WHOA!?" 

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'WH-WHERE ARE GOING?! OH NO BALAM SENSEI! WAIT, NO STOP! WHAT'S HAPPENING?!?!' 

Balam sensei is forcefully carrying me on his shoulder. He's running so fast, turning this way and that, I've lost all sense of direction. Ugh, I feel like I'm going to throw up. 

Suddenly we burst through these doors, startling everyone inside. It's...the faculty room? Why- No wait, first I need to get off of Balam sensei. 

"THIS IS BAD!! THIS KID HAS NO WINGS!!" 

'UAAAHAHAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH!' 

"Balam sensei what are you saying? No wings?" 

"Yeah, they're probably just in his back." 

"THE ROOTS AREN'T THERE! FEEL FOR THEM." 

'How did I end up in here? I need to get away from here! They're gonna find out!........ Why is my shirt lifting? Wait...' 

"NO DON'T-" 

*Collective gasps from the teachers* 

-------------(Talk about back scars)-------------

Iruma Suzuki, age 14, attack: 0, defense: ∞. 

That is, only now. You see, Iruma wasn't simply born with the ability to dodge everything that came his way. He had to learn and teach himself how to dodge. To the point where it became second nature to him. 

Iruma Suzuki...... wasn't always lucky enough to escape a dangerous situation unscathed. He's suffered, and suffered hard from the consequences of his negligent parents. 

He's scarred. He's hurt. And these scars will never go away. 

And that is exactly what he had been trying so hard to hide from everyone, even his adopted grandpa. And now everyone will know. Iruma Suzuki isn't super strong, he didn't train to dodge out of achievement, Iruma had to dodge to survive . 

"Wha-what is this?" A female teacher says horrified. 

"His back... it's..." said a male teacher this time. 

"Iruma... How did this happen?" Balam sensei, you shouldn't have done this. 

I quickly pull my shirt back on and run as fast as my legs can carry me. I can't see, I can't breathe, I feel nothing... nothing but pain and panic. Everything is blurred around me. The lights are too bright. The sounds of everything, too loud. Hide. I need to hide. I need to run away. I need to protect myself. 

'Please, stop. Don't look. Don't look at me! DON'T AT LOOK ME! '

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This is also available on Ao3 and Wattpad under the same name.

[nel-world]

hi--

with roommate ALICE You can't be putting your mouth all over it like that.

JASON You're right, I should probably stick a bit of tongue in too.

ALICE Does everything have to be an innuendo with you?

JASON Haven't you heard? I'm the innuendo champ. I had to beat off some pretty stiff competition. Hashtag dad jokes.

ALICE It's not a dad joke. I'm not even old enough to be a dad. Even I'm old enough to be a dad, technically.

JASON What are you doing up this early, anyway?

ALICE Got an interview with a record company today, don't I?

JASON What one? Guinness Worlds?

ALICE Portal Records, actually. They're sort of a big deal, run by Marshall Healy.

JASON Oh, Bruce and his old filters.

ALICE So, are you still having those nightmares?

JASON What nightmares? The ones that you wake up from every day, screaming?

ALICE That's just cramp. I probably need more potassium. Anyway, I need you to sign for a package that's going to be delivered when I'm out.

JASON Sorry, I've blocked out my day for reading. No interruptions. (SARCASTICALLY) Yeah, reading.

ALICE Those nightmares haven't got anything to do with Melody, do they?

JASON Melody? Haven't thought about her in ages.

ALICE Then why are you constantly checking her Instagram?

JASON Oh, I am so late for work.

ALICE You're up early. Is it the nightmares? ////////////////// ROOMMATE: Let's go, man!

KAWMI: I have to bail, you know.

ROOMMATE: But you said you wanted these tickets.

KAWMI: Trust me, this is huge.

ROOMMATE: Are you gonna bail on me? i need to get out after my break up

KAWMI: Look, man, I swear if it was anything else I'd come. But Amy got me this meeting at the production company. I can't.

ROOMMATE: Just remember that next time … oh i have a missed from my ex , she must b in trouble.

roommate calls her ANDY: why r u calling me?

GWEN: What am I doing ? You're the one who phoned me.

ANDY: That was a mistake. I was trying to delete your number.

GWEN: I call it a sign.

ANDY: Yeah, a stop sign.

GWEN: We had a fun few months but it is over.

ANDY:Look, I messed up but you understand, I was hammered. Me and the boys were playing truth or dare.

GWEN: We're not back together, Andy.

ANDY: But we were great together. Just give me one more chance. Do you remember when we were more than friends? ////////////////// i need to make money to pay .(moving on job) where are you going ? my company is looking for a few more people. How about I sign you up?

PAT: (smooth) This job interview could be your golden ticket. PAT (CONT'D): Nine-to-five, cushy gig. No more of this starving artist nonsense.

BILL: (conflicted) I don't know, Pat… Acting is my passion.

PAT: (scoffing) Is it paying the bills? Face facts, buddy.

PAT (CONT'D): (pressing) This kind of opportunity doesn't come around often. Just think about it.

ERROL: i need to make money to pay for the audition space.

////////////////// MAX:is that u playing, Where did you learn to play like that?

ERROL: yea. I've had a few lessons.

MAX: i know u said u play but I figured you were going to be shit like all the other kids.

ERROL: Can you play anything else?

Errol takes the guitar from Max and begins to play 'VIVA LA VIDA' by COLDPLAY.

MAX: Errol, how would you like to be in my band?

ERROL: Would I need a humpback and a dodgy eye?

MAX: No. Think about it, u could be Jim Morrison to my Ray Manzarek.

ERROL: sure

ERROL: Wait, wait, wait, "Last Place Hero" is one of our unrecorded songs. I wrote the lyrics. And I wrote the melody, so if I change the lyrics, then it's a new song.

MAX: There's a way to win And a way to lose If you're a hero Just like Nero

ERROL: How about… "Just like Nero, burning bright in the night, but in the end, he was the last place hero"?

MAX: That's perfect! It gives the song a whole new meaning.

MAX: Now all I've got to do is finish off these lyrics.

ERROL: Do you not think this could maybe use some keyboard?

ERROL: Really? Cos I think this could use a little EDM vibe.

ERROL: How about something like this?

He plays a catchy electronic melody that complements MAX's guitar.

MAX: That's it! That's perfect!

//////////////////

JOSH You're so sweet and saccharine I hardly can believe That when I see you coming I can feel you in my teeth Racing through my senses Candy in my brain Rotting everything inside You give me sugar pain Sugar in my blood making my heart flood Pumping through my arteries You hit me with a thud.

ALICE OK, thoughts.

JASON It's all right.

ALICE Just all right? It's just the "sugar in my blood, making my heart flood", kind of sounds like diabetes.

JASON Huh. It's a metaphor. But if sugar's a problem, I can always change it to honey.

GWEN It's not just the lyrics. It's the Father John Misty thing. You know, it's all a bit hipster, faux hippy, fake folk vibe. It's just not right for our debut LP.

JOSH We could change the arrangement.

ALICE It also has no appeal.

//////////////////MAX and ERROL talking about gals co worker

scene : with girlfriend discussing favorite film call from Mo Khan of Rage Records roommate

ERROL: Whoa, what are you doing?

MAX: What does it look like? I'm watching the news, i got nothing to do

MAX: Are those hearts you've got on your pyjamas?

ERROL: No, they're flowers.

RROL: I just really don't want to go to this party.

MAX: Why not?

ERROL: No reason. I just don't like parties.

MAX: Oh, man. But parties are great. Free food, free booze. Girls, drunk girls. What's not to like? You haven't lived until you've woken up in a stranger's garden, wearing nothing but a captain's hat and a smile on your face.

Parties are where you learn the art of pointless banter. Do you think I came out this charming? No. It was parties. If you don't learn to love parties, you'll end up being some weird, no party guy . Is that what you want? Is that what you want?

MAX: No!

ERROL: Get changed out of them Flower Power things and let's get you to a party! Are you sure he's going to like this?

MAX: Trust me. He's going to love it.

////////////////// ERROL and MAX find themselves in a whirlwind of excitement as they rush to meet Mo Khan of Rage Records

Right now? I mean, yeah, we can. OK. Thanks. MAX: That was Rage Records on the phone!

ERROL: That was Rage Records! I-I-I sent them a demo and a clip of us playing and Mo Khan at Rage Records, he wants us to come in right now for a meeting with them.

MAX: Who's Mo Khan?

ERROL: Mo Khan of Rage Records! He's like the Simon Cowell of Rage Records, . I mean, if he tweets about us once, we are pretty much automatically famous.

MAX: What do you think?

ERROL: You look like a vicar.

MAX: I look like a domino. I look like a sexy, sexy domino. People love dominos. Domino's Pizza, Fats Domino.

ANDY: Your face looks like a Furby.

ERROL: Only breath mints from Mo's desk. Didn't taste very nice though.

I keep my E in a mint tin.

ANDY: What?!

MAX: Yeah. tripping balls on Ecstasy.

ERROL: Errol, how many mints did you have?

////////////////// ERROL: let's have a game!

MAX: I've got a better idea. Let's write a song!

ERROL: When was the last time you wrote a really cracking tune? We haven't done anything together since,.

MAX: Yeah. I'm just kind of letting some ideas percolate at the moment.

ERROL: No. Are you telling me you haven't written

MAX: I don't have writer's block!

///////////MAX and ERROL turn their conversation about writer's block ~ ERROL: Let's write a song about it.

MAX: That's a great idea! strums guitar Restraining order! Restraining order!

ERROL: joins in Don't take away my happiness you BLEEP.

MAX: laughs Whoa! Whoa!

ERROL: What? Too much? I mean I could say, "Witch". It's not as good but it rhymes.

MAX: grinning Yeah, "Witch" works. Let's go with that.

////////////////// MAX: Your imagination's in a rut and we're going to free it.

ROOMMATE: I need tp get healthy. im throwing away the meat

ERROL: High in trans-fat. High in sodium. High in sugar. How often do you get exercise per week?

MAX: Please, this body takes care of itself.

ERROL: Zero exercise. ERROL: High in sugar. High in…

MAX: I was just high.

ERROL: Do you get regular bowel movements?

MAX: What's that got to do with anything?!

ERROL: Irregular BMs. When was the last time you were intimate with a lady?

MAX: Now, a gentleman never tells.

ERROL: Eight months and 23 days, all right? That completes the questionnaire.

MAX: It keeps the mind focused.

ERROL: I'm focused. Now let's play video games? //////////////////

MAX: Hello? Andy? Errol? What happened? Did you overdose?

ERROL coughs.

ERROL: I've got the flu.

MAX: Why aren't you running for your life?

ERROL: Oh, I've had the flu jab. I'm invincible.

MAX: Oh. What do you want? You came to give me a piece of paper?

ERROL: It's a song competition. I'll go and make a cup of tea and you can read the details.

[ERROL heads to the kitchen while MAX takes the paper and begins to read.]

ROOMMATE: Did you take the medication

STUDENT: I did. I've been feeling better. But now… I'm having cold sweats. And this headache won't quit, been pounding since 4:00 in the morning. (Student sets the glass down.)

ROOMMATE: What about your voice?

STUDENT: It's better.

ROOMMATE: Just… Just be careful.

////////////////// PAT: (smooth) This job interview could be your golden ticket. PAT (CONT'D): Nine-to-five, cushy gig. No more of this starving artist nonsense.

BILL: (conflicted) I don't know, Pat… Acting is my passion.

PAT: (scoffing) Is it paying the bills? Face facts, buddy

MICHAEL my company is looking for a few more people. How about I sign you up?

JON yesm i will

////////////////// ERROL: There you have it, the most dangerous animal in the jungle. The female human. One minute she can take you to the heights of ecstasy, and the next she can shatter your soul with a single glance.

ERROL: Morning, ladies!

They approach a group of girls.

MAX: So tell me about this Ruby. What is she out of 10?

ERROL: She's a 10!

MAX: All right, now bear in mind . a two can never go out with an eight. That would be suicide. but Some people are immune to the whole scoring system altogether. Mega rich bastards, athletes, talented musicians.

MAX: Now, jokes. Women love good jokes. ERROL: I don't get it.

MAX: Trust me, it's hilarious. Now, what jokes have you got?

MAX: We'll work on the jokes. Right, now let's practise asking a girl out. I'll be a girl. You ask me out.

ERROL: Erm…hi.

MAX: "Erm…hi"? Seriously? Your opening line is the most important thing you'll ever say to a girl. If you can't think of anything funny, give her a compliment, buy her a drink. Be charming. Be charismatic. Be mysterious.

ERROL: Can't I just be myself?

MAX: No! Are you crazy? Never be yourself.

ERROL, in his pajamas adorned with flowers, catches MAX watching the news instead of resting. ERROL: Whoa, what are you doing?

MAX: What does it look like? I'm watching the news, i got nothing to do

MAX: Are those hearts you've got on your pyjamas?

ERROL: No, they're flowers.

RROL: I just really don't want to go to this party.

MAX: Why not?

ERROL: No reason. I just don't like parties.

MAX: Oh, man. But parties are great. Free food, free booze. Girls, drunk girls. What's not to like? You haven't lived until you've woken up in a stranger's garden, wearing nothing but a captain's hat and a smile on your face.

Parties are where you learn the art of pointless banter. Do you think I came out this charming? No. It was parties. If you don't learn to love parties, you'll end up being some weird, no party guy . Is that what you want? Is that what you want?

MAX: No!

ERROL: Get changed out of them Flower Power things and let's get you to a party! Are you sure he's going to like this?

MAX: Trust me. He's going to love it.

//////////////////

PAT: (smooth) This job interview could be your golden ticket. PAT (CONT'D): Nine-to-five, cushy gig. No more of this starving artist nonsense.

BILL: (conflicted) I don't know, Pat… Acting is my passion.

PAT: (scoffing) Is it paying the bills? Face facts, buddy

MICHAEL my company is looking for a few more people. How about I sign you up?

JON yesm i will

//////////////////

MICHAEL You didn't show up for the interview.

JON No, I didn't.

MICHAEL I recommended you, Jon. I MICHAEL I recommended you, Jon. I put my name on the line for you. JON Tell them I had a medical emergency.

MICHAEL This is my life.

JON It's just a job. It's selling stuff people don't need.

MICHAEL It's how I make my living.

JON There's more to life than money.

MICHAEL Money may not buy happiness, but it sure helps.

Well, it doesn’t hurt. I’m sorry for enjoying my life while I can.

(stops himself)

I've got to run.

He heads off in the opposite direction.

//////////////////

ICHAEL (ON PHONE): I think let’s give it a minute and see what happens next week…

(Jon enters.)

JON: I need a job. I’ll apologize for the interview.

MICHAEL (ON PHONE): I’m going to call you right back. (Hangs up the phone.)

JON: I want to do what you do. I want to have what you have.

MICHAEL: What is going on?

JON: I spent a lot of time on a solo show that is never going to happen. I can’t do it again, Mike.

MICHAEL: Are you done? The script you wrote is good.

JON: I can’t keep waiting. This is my life.

MICHAEL: I understand.

JON: You don’t understand. I’m running out of time.

MICHAEL: (scoffs) You are not running out of time. (pauses) I… I have lung cancer.

//////////////////