#just to flag too that just because i don't think they'll be back together doesn't mean i don't think they'll hook up lol

[pynkhues]

Wait u don’t think they r getting back together?😨 would love to know why!

I think they'll get back together eventually, but it would completely undermine Louis' s1 and s2 arc to have them back together right away. He's just left an almost-century long marriage, and him saying that he's companion enough for himself now in the finale needs to be true for that arc to contain the weight he as a character deserves. Plus Lestat's pretty clearly not in a great place from 2.08 and the s3 teaser, and in a lot of ways, it makes sense for the show to have Lestat do the work on himself that Louis' done on himself before they get back together.

Plus - book spoilers - but honestly, the timeline with TVL and Queen of the Damned works so well! Having them get back together right at the end of TVL, only for Lestat to be abducted by Akasha offers so much emotional carnage both for them as characters, and for us as viewers, haha.

[grandlinedreams]

I forgot you had that list of prompts!! Could I please please pleeeaaase request 71 Law x reader? “I’ve never seen this man before.”

Maybe like Law pisses them off and they pretend to not know him? 🥺

ofc!! I need to figure out my tagging system 'n make stuff like that easier to find when it gets buried but also I gotta get my masterlist put together at all wlkjadf but YES i live for that kind of trope as long as it's not like,,,an indicator of bigger issues bc communication is key in relationships my friends!!

[heads up!: both reader and Law are a touch of orange flag behavior, touch of angst]

"How long are you going to stay mad at Captain?"

"I don't know, Bepo." The mink looks far from reassured by your answer, eyes flicking nervously over your shoulder and then back. You don't have to turn around to know Law is staring at the pair of you, the weight of his gaze square on the back of your head. "Did he tell you to come over here and ask?"

Bepo flinches, squirming nervously. You know he doesn't want to be caught in another of your spats ㅡ though they rarely happen, it's hard to keep your crew out of them when you're all typically confined in such a finite space.

There's a lot that anger dictates you say ㅡ that it's childish of Law to make Bepo come over here to ask instead, to try and wheedle his way into getting you to apologize first because he knows there's not much you hate more than upsetting Bepo and that it's not fair to the mink to make him choose between picking sides or playing mediator.

"Are you mad at me too?" Bepo's question pulls you out of your thoughts and you shake your head, expression softening.

"Of course not, I could never be angry with you." Again, you have to bite your tongue not to add more that'd further the distinct air of a pair of parents at odds with each other. "You can go back to Law, if you want."

Bepo still looks uneasy, but he slides off his seat and moves back towards where Law is sitting with Shachi and Penguin. Even though you know that you shouldn't assume, you don't blame them for taking his side. After all, they've known him longer, been through more with him, he means more to them.

But you? Even though you know they don't see you as such, you're temporary. The crew won't fall apart without you. You can leave and while it'll hurt for a while, they'll get over it.

You've never once feared that Law would demand you leave, but the fury in his eyes during your argument makes you reconsider it. Maybe you'd finally gone too far, and he's finally truly tired of having you around.

The idea of leaving the vessel that's been your home for the last handful of years and the people who have become your family makes your chest ache and your eyes burn with the threat of tears. You don't want to leave.

Lost in your your thoughts and the spiral that your mind threatens to tumble into, the hard clink of glass against the counter makes you jolt. Looking up at the bartender, you watch him jerk his head. "From that gentleman. You know him?"

The drink in front of you is your favorite. Normally you'd be touched that Law remembers such an obscure detail you've only ever mentioned off-handedly, but right now it feels like a slap to the face. Law is still trying everything he can but talking to you.

"I don't know that man at all," you tell the bartender flatly, handing over a couple of berri for your already finished drink and get to your feet. The path you take is intentional as you stalk past your crewmates' table, giving Law a look of icy fury before you continue on.

"You know Captain," Penguin suggests tentatively, "you could always just apologize. [Name] looked super pissed."

Law scowls. "More like being stubborn," he huffs, but guilt still pools in his stomach as he glances at the untouched drink on the counter. It feels like a cheap attempt at forgiveness the more he thinks about it, and he groans. "Fine, fine. I trust you can find your way back on your own?"

"We've got it, don't worry!"

Law gets to his feet, dropping off the appropriate berri for his drink as well before he moves off in the direction that you'd gone. The Polar Tang is quiet by the time he reaches it, lights dimmed for nightfall ㅡ and he slows his pace as he approaches his room.

What is he going to say? He knows he should apologize, but so should you ㅡ you've always had an innate talent for getting under his skin, something that he both loves and hates for how easily you do it. And while fights are truly something few and far between, this last one has left a bad taste in his mouth that only worsens the longer he lets it go.

Exhaling, he reaches for the handle. Part of him expected it to be locked ㅡ but it isn't, and his gaze flicks to you as soon as he walks in. Your back is to him, blanket pulled to your ear ㅡ but he knows the various rhythms of your breathing well enough to know you're not asleep.

He doesn't talk right away, busies himself with getting ready for bed as well before settling behind you and resisting the urge to roll his eyes when you scoot further from him. "Can we talk?"

"I guess." Your tone is clipped, and Law frowns as he reaches for you, hand on your arm.

"Are you going to look at me?"

"No."

Sighing, Law waits a moment before he begins tracing idle shapes against your arm, trying to soothe some of your anger. He knows you well, the way you can never quite stop yourself from leaning into him just a little bit, no matter how upset you are. "...this got out of hand."

You snort. "An understatement," you answer, but you lean a little further into him, and he takes it as a good sign.

"We both said things we didn't mean, and I wanted to apologize for how I talked to you." Law pauses. "And for sending Bepo to talk for me. And the drink."

"I would have drank it, but it felt like a cop out." You roll to face him properly now, and Law hates that he can see the red tinge around your eyes that always means you've been crying. "I'm sorry too, I shouldn't have said any of that either. But you need to talk to me Law, you can't just shut me out because you don't want to be a bother."

"I know." It's easier said than done, but you're patient. He knows that, knows that because you've told him time and time again that there isn't anything that will make you love him any less, either from his past or in the future. ("You're stuck with me," you like to say proudly, and he's never heard better sounding words than that.) "I'll keep working on it."

"We can work on it together," you answer as you press closer and he finally, finally gets to hold you the way he's wanted to since you stormed off after the argument. "We're a team, you and I. You're stuck with me until you don't want me anymore."

Law stills for a moment and then wraps his arms around you, tucking his face into your neck. "Forever," he mumbles. "That's how long I want you. Is that okay?"

You shift against him just enough to press your hand against the back of his head, fingers brushing soft, dark hair. "That sounds perfect to me."

[imsodishy]

I need another wip like i need a fucking hole in the head... but I am being plagued by thought of a what-if? situation for harringroveson. Like;

Instead of white-knuckling through years of strained, WASPish, unhappiness, Steve’s parents went through an awful, acrimonious divorce sometime when Steve was in grade school. Steve was treated like nothing more than a chess piece in the negotiations, same as the cars and the lake house.

It makes Steve angry and bitter, turns him into a little punk and a delinquent. He's not worried about being an embarrassment anymore. God he hopes he embarrasses his parents every goddamn day of their lives. He's not a lifestyle accessory, he's not a jewel in their collection. He is a Problem, and proud of it.

Meanwhile, in California, Neil and Susan got together way sooner (like maybe even Susan lied to Neil and he thinks Max is his, i dunno), so she's been Billy’s step-mother since he was like 4.

So she's actually been a major presence in his life and influence on him. Billy’s... quieter. He's not aggressive and brash. He tries not to make waves. After the disaster that is little league Susan and Billy decide that maybe sports just isn't for him, nothing that Neil might get too invested in. So, Billy just tries to keep his head down. Does well in school. Really well, actually. He's kind of a nerd, and a loner. It doesn't really help (he's not the son Neil wanted, too meek, too quiet, too bookish). Susan patches him up every time, holds his hand with a strained smile and says they'll just have to try harder, and Billy just chokes on his anger.

I'm fuzzier on the details of exactly what would have to change in Eddie’s life to turn him into a jock (largely because his backstory is fuzzier) but I'll get him there!

Maybe he doesn't go directly to Uncle Wayne after his dad gets locked up long term. Maybe he's placed with a foster family that's much less permissive of Eddie letting his freak flag fly, much more invested in him being normal. And Eddie, unaware that Uncle Wayne is even a possibility, is pretty invested in not giving them a reason to send him back to a group home.

So they try sports! Anything involving a ball is a lost cause (Eddie’s hand-eye leaves much to be desired) but track is kind of a revelation. An outlet for a lot of the excess energy he's always had that made him 'difficult'. And he likes it, being alone with his thoughts, he can think about whatever weird thoughts he wants while he runs and no one ever needs to know, or call him a freak about it. And, he does genuinely enjoy running, who'da thought? Look at that, he can be normal, and popular!

Ultimately he does end up with Wayne in Hawkins, just later (maybe the family he was with finally get pregnant and start their "real" family, i dunno), like right as he's starting highschool. It's strained between them, because Eddie’s really invested in the idea of being normal, and living with his (admittedly, very kind Uncle) in a trailer doesn't really fit the act.

Anyway, like I said, plagued with thoughts... and i really don't need another wip...

[yallstar]

hows the new wind breaker chapter made u feel? what do u think about it >:)

I THINK IT IS VERY GOOD FOR VERY MANY REASONS. like aside from the low hanging fruit (lol) of sugishita dreaming about his rival's smile and everyone talking about it like a first crush - i just continue to adore how the ensemble cast is handled in this story ♡

(minor spoilers under the cut)

we got so many little interactions this chapter that strengthen everyone's characters and individual dynamics: sugishita is raised by his grandparents, both of which adore him and he gets his toughness from them in very different ways - the kings regularly share meals together - umemiya helps with the younger kids at the group home - tsubaki-chan has been teaching sugishita how to take care of his hair - hiragi can read him easily and teases him gently but also keeps the others from pushing him too much - like all of these little moments are so sweet and the idea of all these dynamics comingling into one big loving friend group is so !!!!! my heart is WARMED y'all

okay and then the actual point of the chapter being?? sugishita thinks sakura is cool and is having an identity crisis over that lmao?? tsubaki hit the nail on the head, sugishita really HAS only shown interest in umemiya before and now sakura has managed to be impressive enough to draw even his attention. like everytime someone joins the sakura loving club it's for a slightly different reason and i'm super excited to see how sugishita's version turns out!!

like here's a guy who basically only knows hero worship or indifference, being faced with his first real experience with wanting to make a friend - to the point that he doesn't even realize that's what's happening hahaha~ i can't wait to see if sakura acts as like, a gateway to him becoming more chummy with their other classmates as well, which would be delightfully ironic given sakura himself still has a hard time being openly affectionate with his friends.

ugh this story is just!!! every arc has something so good and interesting to say and i can't wait to see what the big emotional climax of this one is. maybe sugishita and sakura will acknowledge that they actually have pretty similar world views in regard to other people, and realizing they're on the same path of reworking those assumptions will help them on that journey. maybe they'll hug and make each other friendship bracelets. i don't KNOW okay!! nii satoru seemingly approaches every character interaction through the lens of "how would this go if it were a self indulgent fanfic" and then Does That and i respect the hell out of them for that

(actually with that last point in mind, and because you came into this particular ask box, i would like to stake my flag in the headcanon that hiragi is drinking coffee all of a sudden because he's been hanging out with sako again and it said in sako's character sheet that he likes lattes and going to dessert cafes. give me the hiragi/kaji/sako brunch dates to a popup cafe where kaji and sako splurge on sugary desserts and hiragi just sits back with a plain black coffee and an indulgent smile)

[thebroccolination]

Im the anon from yesterday who asked about your favourite win x team scene :)

Your favourite kiss scene?

Your favourite cuddly scene?

Your favourite romantic scene?

Your favourite “tease” scene?

I like to know peoples opinions so i hope this isn’t too hard for you to answer :)

Hello, Anon! Sorry for the delay! I wanted time to collect screencaps and the energy to write a lot of feelings. <3

This is a beautiful ask. A phenomenal ask. I applaud this ask.

LET'S BEGIN.

• FAVORITE KISS SCENE

I genuinely can't choose between two of them. From the same episode.

FIRST UP:

Team's heel is the star of this shot. Prem is a genius. Even if he didn't do it on purpose, his subconscious is a genius. I know some people didn't like this wide shot and wanted to stay rammed up on their faces, which I totally understand, but I love the wide shot because it introduced me to my good friend Team's Popped Heel.

ALSO.

FUCK?

The panting as they change angles? GEE. ZUSS.

Okay, fine, this one is my favorite. Like, holy shit, to bring this out in episode two was brilliant. There's no, like, "Team was so shaken by his first time, he doesn't know what he really wants." Nope. This is clear attraction.

(The BU specials honestly worried me when I first saw them in 2021 because of how hard they leaned into the weird heteronormative Nooooo I Don't Want to Have Sex with You for I Am and Have a Pure and Chaste Bottom angle, so watching this kiss at, like, 2am while I was in Japan for work reassured me that they weren't going to show Win as, like, some predatory bisexual and Team as stereotypically reluctant. Team's just as into Win.)

That kiss is legendary. They just look like they'll die if they don't make out next to the pool on camera. (Moment of silence for Dean.)

BUT I ALSO WANT TO TALK ABOUT THIS KISS:

Not just "the locker room scene kiss" because 1) they kiss a lot while they're back there, and 2) this one specifically. Look at Team! You can't see his lips (because Win is on them) but you can tell that he's smiling.

And whyyy?

'Cos Win's a menace. <3

I love this whole scene because it doesn't exist in the novel! After their one-night stand in the novel, WinTeam don't kiss again until much, much later. Including this scene really establishes the nature of their physical relationship that, for me, made the upcoming struggle between True Intimacy and Casual Sex all the more turbulent and realistic.

I mean, you've got Team biting his lip, the wrist-pinning, the panting. They're viscerally attracted to each other. This isn't just Win pursuing Team like he does in the last scene of episode one; this establishes interest from both of them. Team followed him in episode one, but he didn't give it much thought there. And he looks kind of like, "……Well, fuck it, I guess."

In episode two, he thinks about it much longer, and his expression is

much more determined. He wasn't caught off-guard this time. Win asked for consent, he got it, they kissed, and then Win gave him space to decide if he wanted more. Team could have easily left! He already had his backpack, and he had his own car to get home.

Win, my Green Flag Son. <3

I think this was one of the more challenging scenes for Prem based on comments he made early in filming, and I can honestly see why. Kisses are difficult to film. You have to think about technical aspects like what the camera can see while balancing the authenticity of what you're doing, and you're working with another person, so even if you're doing fine, your partner might not be. Like, I'm obviously biased toward WinTeam and BounPrem, but I genuinely think this episode has the most realistic kissing I've seen in any series. Because they both look starving for it. They don't just mash their mouths together and wait for the scene to cut. The heavy breathing, where they're looking, all the little details create a really nuanced atmosphere to the scene.

I don't know that I'd call New a great director from an audience's perspective (especially if he was the one in the editing room for this series), but he's undeniably fantastic with actors. Filming a scene with this much raw honesty and physical passion could have been wildly awkward, but Boun and Prem are both visibly comfortable and that allows them to show the best of their abilities. Award-winning kiss, mwah.

• FAVORITE CUDDLY SCENE

OKAY SO. There are so many? SO MANY OF THEM in Between Us. And I'm very grateful for that because cuddling is my favorite. So it might be surprising that in the vast array of options I picked something so quick, but it's this:

It's only seconds long, but there's something especially soft about WinTeam asleep together on Valentine's Day. Win's arm around Team all bundled up because Team runs cold, Team tucked into Win's side, the two of them all peaceful before Tul ruins their night. :'(

Also, like, poor View. Win probably called him like, "Go next door, our brother is unconscious," and View just like, "How…did you know? HIA, ARE YOU PSYCHIC."

Like, it's the implication that this is their new normal. They know what they are to each other now, and they're happy and safe with each other. I'm going to cry I love them so much.

• FAVORITE ROMANTIC SCENE

Maybe it's an odd choice for this category but honestly, this scene:

For multiple reasons!

Because I think it's the first time Win actually decides to rely on Team, which is something Team's made clear that he wants.

Because I think it's the first time they're acting as true equals on an emotional level. Team wants to know Win better than anyone, and this is Win letting him see what he hides from literally everyone else in his life.

And I think my definition of romantic has changed as I've gotten older, but to me there's nothing more romantic than trusting your moments of fragility and vulnerability to someone.

• FAVORITE "TEASE" SCENE

Hands down this one:

Because as much as I love cuddly, sweet WinTeam, at their core they're a feral pair of loud dumbasses. <3

[sessakag]

I guess I'm the odd woman out because I wasn't really mad with Naruto this update. Sure, his whole Sakura monologue was irritating, but it said a lot more than I think a lot of people read into. I feel like you were very deliberate in the way you detailed the reasons why Naruto "loves" Sakura and how they got together in the first place and it's not the endorsement it seems like. I read and immediately knew why they keep breaking up and why they'll never work out and why Naruto wasn't really expressing love when he talked about her. That wasn't love to me, it was something else. His actions too! Before and after this latest chapter speak far louder than what he sees from his perspective. Naruto said he was tired of Kiba's nasty mouth but it took Hinata for Naruto to finally blow up and I think that speaks volumes, and it reminds me of the Pain arc where Naruto didn't lose his mind until Hinata was hurt, or when he saw all his friends get wrapped up by the Infinite Tsukiyomi but it was when Hinata called out to him that he almost went out there and got caught himself. There's a lot of "underneath the beneath" going on! When I take all of that in, I can't be angry with him. I'm more excited knowing that's what he thinks and when he realizes the truth its going to hit him like a meteor! Even though he's a few months shy of being an adult, he really does still have the mind of child and I'm okay giving him time getting his head on straight. Hinata will certainly help him with that!

I would agree you're the odd woman out, lol, though there were some other commenters that felt the same as you, more contemplative and analytical about the situation 🤔there's a bunch of red flags littered in his monologue, and yes, they were purposefully placed there for a reason😄there's definitely a lot more going on than surface level that might have been missed, but I do understand, it's hard to stomach NaruSaku for me too🤢but it was an important segment for a number of reasons, lol. And you're right I do incorporate a lot of the canon Naruto themes and situations into the story and it's very satisfying for you to peep that, though, I won't say which scene(s) I used this time🤭but yeah, back to the analytics, our perception as humans is a really narrow thing, and it doesn't always reflect reality, we don't always really know how we truly feel until something happens and we're like "oh shit, I didn't know I felt this way". I really do try to bring a human element to my stories and characters and that means contradictory thoughts and behaviors, decision making that makes no sense, being blind to your own hypocrisy while wagging a finger at others, hurting other people just because you yourself are hurt, like humans are flawed, messy creatures and I enjoy that in a story far more than a character that makes all the right decisions, never has an inconsistent thought and always takes the right path. So there's gonna be a lot of moments that are gonna piss people off, lol, me as well, however, I do encourage everyone to look a little deeper🕵🏽‍♀️

[cadybear420]

Cadybear's MC Wardrobes: Harper Addison Vance-Fisher, ILB. Featuring some edits by me!

How this series goes: With each book, for a MC I'm invested in, I'll assess each of their in-game outfits. How much do I like or dislike the outfit? Is this something that suits my MC's style, or does it make me go "My MC would NOT wear/own this"? And for the outfits that my MC would not wear or own, how would I alter or replace them? I'm not going to use screenshots from the actual game because I can't be arsed. Also I want to use the different sprite expressions to express how my MC would feel about each outfit.

I like to think this is a good opportunity to elaborate on my MCs' dress styles, and show off some edits :D

Now that we've done Jo from ILITW, up next will be my ILB MC, Harper Addison Vance-Fisher! Let's see how much they'll like the outfits that the story gives them!

Ch 1: Pajamas

They suit Addison and look cozy. Keep them.

Verdict: Part of Harper Addison's wardrobe. Keep it as is.

Ch 1: "Punky Town" Starter Outfit

This one is personally my favorite of the three, and it suits Harper. Her favorite colors are by far red and black, and it just looks cool. Sort of badass, but also chill. It's also good for a summer-setting book.

Verdict: Part of Harper Addison's wardrobe. Keep it as is (and use as her official casual outfit for ILB).

Ch 1: "Pretty In Pink" Starter Outfit

Fun fact, I headcanoned Harper as a generfluid demigirl before I remembered that this outfit exists. While the outfit isn't quite my taste personally, Harper would absolutely love to wear something with the color scheme of the demigirl flag. And they'd like this style too.

I went with the punkytown outfit for her causal outfit for the book because A) I like it better, B) red and black would be Harper's favorite colors, C) it feels a tad more season-appropriate, and D) they doesn't fully realize themselves as a demigirl until after the ILB timeline. But they'd still absolutely have this in their wardrobe, and would totally wear it as their school casual outfit.

Verdict: Part of Harper Addison's wardrobe. Keep it as is (but save it for ILW/school era).

Ch 1: "Jean Genie" Starter Outfit

I think it's decent, but I don't think Harper would like it much. She'd probably own each of these items, but probably wouldn't wear them together. The shirt flairing out from under the jean jacket just doesn't look quite right to me.

Verdict: Somewhat a part of Harper Addison's wardrobe. She'd own the pieces, but wouldn't wear them together.

Ch 1: "Leather Lady" Premium Outfit for Imogen's Yacht Party

Not quite for me, but Addison would love it. It's their favorite colors, and it has a touch of "badass yet chill" to it. It would 100% be their style for formalwear and semiformal wear.

Verdict: Part of Harper Addison's wardrobe. Keep it as is.

Ch 7: "Drop Dead Red" Premium Outfit for Gala

It's not quite Addison's preferred style of formalwear, but she'd like it. Though perhaps better if it had the leather jacket over it.

Verdict: Technically part of Harper Addison's wardrobe, but needs the addition of an extra piece. Keep the outfit itself as is, but alter by putting leather jacket from yacht party outfit over it.

Here's the outfit in the style that suits Addison better.

Ch 7: "Back in Black" Free Outfit for Gala

It's alright for them, but preferably as a casual dress.

Verdict: Part of Harper Addison's wardrobe. Keep it as is (but save for casual events).

Ch 10: "Beachin'!" Premium Outfit/Swimwear for Lake Day

The top is super pretty! But to the surprise of absolutey no one, Harper does not like short shorts or bearing her midriff.

Verdict: Only partly in Harper Addison's wardrobe. Keep the top and the jewelry, but replace the bikini top and shorts with a one-piece.

Here's what it'd look like in Harper's preferred style. Outfit-wise, she'd be perfectly happy wearing their regular casual outfit over this swimsuit rather than a fancy new outfit.

Ch 7: "Little Lacy" Underwear/Free Swimwear

They're okay. I never really vibed with the style of panties though.

Verdict: Somewhat part of Harper Addison's wardrobe. Alter by darkening, making them more opaque, and perhaps adding boxers.

Here's what they'd look like in Addison's preferred style.

Ch 13: Cultist Robe Disguse for Premium Option to ambush other cultist members

It looks cool, and Addison would definitely want to disguise and ambush. Not sure she'd wanna keep it though.

Verdict: Not quite of Harper Addison's wardrobe. They'd look good in it, but probably could not keep it. Keep it as is (but do not add to wardrobe).

Ch 16: Premium/Determinant Rune Armor

She looks so BADASS!!!! LET'S FUCKING GOOOOOOOOO

Verdict: Part of Harper Addison's wardrobe. Keep it as is (and use as her official casual outfit for ILB.

[jellybeanium124]

re: ed feeling kinda off. he’s felt kinda off all season? he’s had a few moments where he’s felt like himself but his catgirl era he felt so moe he felt kinda bland for half of it and i can’t get a read on him. maybe that’s intentional. but so far he’s had only a few sparing moments where he’s seemed like himself and i’d say the same of stede and izzy and the some of the others too. the writing is off this season. something feels weird. i almost wish episode 8 would be them all waking up and realising it’s been a dream.

oh izzy 1000% got it the worst, and people have been talking about that. but no one's been talking about how ed seems off. I think he's written very well in 2x01-03. They knew exactly what they were doing with him there in the kraken era and then his little journey inside his own mind. but 2x04-07 he's just been... idk not as deep? where's the mad genius vibes? I've kind of been dancing around saying this out loud but... knife parade sounds like something someone outside the show who believed izzy in 1x04 would say. "erratic" and "insane" come to mind. s1 ed wouldn't do knife parade because izzy isn't telling the truth in 1x04!!!! at least... in season 1 he wasn't...

I also think my post about ed's memory issues was unintentionally offensive, and I'm sorry for that. what I'm about to say might also be offensive, and I really don't mean for it to be. but basically, just because something's realistic doesn't mean it's good for a story. ed's memory issues are realistic. but when a fictional character doesn't remember something, the answer to "then did they do it?" usually winds up being "no." (versus, a real person, where the answer to that question usually leans towards "yes.") if ed doesn't remember the talent show, did he even suggest it? (again, ed is a fictional character, not a real person. I wouldn't ask that about a real person)

stede has been the most consistent with his s1 characterization imo. I think he's been coping waaaaaayyyyyyy too well tho. like we only finally get flashbacks to his trauma in 2x06. like the fact that he kept it together so well in 2x03 when he thought ed was DEAD??? DEAD FOREVER???? but other than that I don't have really any problems with him. I was shocked he actually killed Ned. I honest to God thought he was gonna hand him a violin and say "Play." which would fix Calypso's birthday by bringing the music back. However, Stede initiating sex after that made perfect sense. Stede partying in 2x07 made perfect sense. Stede fighting Zheng made perfect sense (he just lost the love of his life. again. and now his friends are leaving him too).

I don't want everything to be a dream tho bc I hate that in general.

My diagnosis: rushed and cheap. everything was rushed. everything had to be cheap. these scripts needed more time to work out all the kinks. they needed more money so they could pay for Ewen Bremmer to be in the whole damn thing, let alone the rest of the cast ~mysteriously disappearing~ sometimes. they needed an extra hour in the form of two more episodes. but like also... do they think izzy's character arc is good? like deep down inside, not what they'll say publicly bc they have to. maybe that's really mean. I'm not sure. I'm sure the writers worked hard. I wish they had more time... I wish they worked on those scripts for another month or two. I wish they shot s2 later and longer for a whole 10 episodes... I wish we weren't getting it till next year if it'd mean it'd be better. But alas. This is the our flag season 2 we will have for the rest of their lives unless we figure out quantum jumping

[remypat]

Theories for Episodes 4 & 5

If you haven't watched the first 3 episodes, beware! Spoilers up ahead!

Ok, so Blackbeard tried to murder literally everyone on the revenge. There is not a single person person aboard that would be cool with him just hanging about (with the exception of Stede ofc). My thinking is that for episode 4:

-the crew will be begging Stede to maroon Ed, or just leave him at their next stop, Stede's gonna be all, 'i can change him, we can make this work'

-the Bell comes into play here because Ed is alive and terrifying and his presence must be known at all times. When he is near, everyone flinches, Fang nearly cries and that sets everyone off.

-Ed isn't going to want to stay aboard the revenge anymore. He would be happy to leave especially with Stede being so close by, it's just a stab wound to the heart everytime they're near, which brings me to my next point

-We all know the reunion is gonna be awkward as hell and Stede's heart is gonna fucking shatter, because yeah they love each other and yeah, Stede literally brought Ed back from the purgatory, but as if Ed's gonna just be straight up with him about it. Nah, he's gonna downplay it all and they are gonna pine for each other and it's gonna drive EVERYONE INSANE

-Just imagine it, the pining, Stede and Ed wistfully glancing at one another from across the ship, Ed turns away, Stede looks down all sad, Ed looks back at him, you can hear the swell of their hearts, its gonna be ridiculous, it'll be very akin to the "Ohmygod this is happening"

-Auxiliary Wardrobe reveal!!! Since only Ed and Stede know of it's existence, I am willing to bet that they spend some time talking in there but what is the state of the room? Is it pristine, untouched and unsoiled? Is it Ed's personal crying hole? Has he been sleeping in there, running his fingers across silks and throwing stuff around in fits of anger? I'm not too sure, but it'd be sweet if it's almost as Stede left it. Ed already destroyed so much of Stede's but this was something he also loved.

-Mary and Anne!!! The crew of the revenge decide to port and lo and behold, Ed knows where to go and finds his old friends! I have a feeling that after that whole awkward dinner double date, Ed will finally tell Stede that he isn't coming back aboard the revenge. That he doesn't want them to be like Anne and Mary just doing crazy shit to make their romance interesting. They'll see the red flags in their own relationship and well

-Ed leaves...

Something interesting that I noticed upon my rewatch of the teaser for episodes 4 & 5 is that when Stede is talking to Izzy and is basically asking him to teach him all that he knows, Stede says, "Blackbeard did say you taught him everything you know" Blackbeard??? Why isn't he calling him 'Edward'??? Just an interesting lil detail.

-the curse episode is gonna be goofy as hell and a much needed palate cleanser after all the angsty shit we've witnessed.

-another lil detail from the teaser, Stede has made they captain's cabin his again! He's getting dressed up, he has fixed the furniture or gotten new stuff, and it's very telling to me that Ed is gone . Izzy is even sitting in the cabin, entertaining Stede's antics .

-So, Izzy will become (somewhat) loyal to stede. After all, he saved their lives,didn't take out his anger upon them even after they admitted to killing Ed. No, Stede is flourishing as a captain and Izzy sees the potential to serve under Stede, and now that Ed's gone what else really is he to do?

-Izzy and Stede become (somewhat) besties!!! They train together, probably mourn the love of Ed together too. The crew grows back together and it's fun times again! But Stede still misses Ed deeply..

OMG actually what if they do indeed 'break up' so when we see Stede back at Spanish Jackie's, he's gone full 20-something-year-old, and is all 'Yeah, see this Ed? I'm having a great time without you! I don't feel even a sliver of sadness since we broke up, I'm gonna get absolutely trashed, I don't miss you at all-'

I'm gonna scream into the next year if that happens.

Anywho, these are just my predictions! Literally had to write 'em down because we still have 3 more days until we get our next episodes and I'm losing my mind!

Tell me what you guys think!

[yourdearestaliengerbil]

Coming out as genderfluid to the Obey Me Brothers

TW: Mentions of dysphoria, swearing, Lucifer is a bit of an ignorant old man

-Lucifer

This old man has absolutely no fucking idea what genderfluid even is

You have to explain to him about it and even then he still doesn't understand it completely 

But he definitely tries to be super supportive despite the lack of understanding 

I could see him discreetly becoming one of those ally moms that don't understand it but buy a lot of crap to show their support like pins, cups, flags, etc.

He is also probably the type to ask ignorant questions just because he's curious and doesn't realize how rude it may sound until you tell him

After you tell him he makes sure he is more polite when he feels curious

-Mammon

I feel like he'd know the basics of being genderfluid 

Going out so often I'm sure he's had his fair share of run ins with people of all sorts

He'd ask for your pronouns everyday just in case and he's always open to you changing them up halfway through the day 

Would definitely be open to going to pride to show his love and support for his absolute favorite human!

Is somehow always there to make you feel better when your dysphoria is just bullying you, he will not stop until you feel even just a little bit better!

All in all he loves and supports you no matter what, he's your first man after all 

-Leviathan 

This man is the internet king, of course he knows what genderfluid is! He's not a normie like the rest of his brothers!

He would try his best to find games with genderfluid characters as the mc to play together 

He thinks it'd be fun to see that representation in something you both like

But other than that he'd treat you the same with just a few new additions to your friendship such as asking for your pronouns or just being there when your gender is confusing you a bit 

-Satan 

He knows what genderfluid is but of course he's open to learning more 

He will ask you a lot of questions to get a better understanding on the subject but only if you're comfortable with it 

He makes sure he is always respectful towards you by following your preferred pronouns 

Even introduces you to his other genderfluid friends if you want or need more people to talk about it with 

Will definitely research more on the subject just for you

-Asmodeus 

He is thrilled to know you're sharing something so personal with him 

But of course you would! He is Asmodeus after all!

Loves helping you choose outfits that make you feel confident in your gender to keep the dysphoria away 

He doesn't even mind if you decide like 30 minutes later that you need to change because you feel different now

He adores picking out outfits with you so much that it's kind of become a routine for you two

Just like Mammon he would love to go to pride with you, he just wants to show the whole world how much he loves you 

-Beelzebub

Genderfluid? What's that?

Poor baby is so confused

But once you explain it he completely accepts it and asks polite questions to make sure he's doing everything right 

He just wants to make sure you feel seen 

Whenever you have a bad day, maybe your dysphoria is being a bitch or maybe your outfits aren't going well for you he will drag you to his room

The two of you will cuddle and snack until you feel better 

Sometimes he'll even invite belphegor to join you two, leaving you smushed between the two 

-Belphegor 

You come out to him and he just accepts it before pulling you back down to take another nap with him

He doesn't care too much about you coming out as long as it doesn't take away from his nap time with you

But-

He's definitely the type to be petty when people get your pronouns wrong even if it's on accident 

They might have nightmares for a week if they're not careful or they'll have to deal with an onslaught of pranks he devised with Satan 

As long as you're happy he doesn't care if he has to give everyone nightmares :D

[davidmariottecomics]

Writing for your First Audience

Hello! 

Today's blog is mostly for newer to comics folks, though there's probably some useful stuff for old hats here too. As an editor, I see a LOT of scripts every year. Since I am reviewing a high-volume of them on a regular basis, I end up seeing some commonalities of both good practices and things that could make everyone down the line's life easier, so I thought I'd briefly talk about that! 

Who Reads the Script vs. Who Reads the Comic If you're making a comic and making it available to be read, the idea is you want someone reading the final product, right? The full execution of your (and your collaborators') ideas. But most of the time, unless you're quickly cartooning something, that final stage is not the initial execution of a comic. Exact workflows vary from person to person, team to team, but generally speaking, most comics start with a script that's going to be read and shared. 

Think of a good mystery. As a reader, you're compelled by putting the pieces together, seeing what's going to happen next, being surprised or vindicated (or both) when a reveal does happen, and these things work in tandem to keep you turning pages. A good script is like that, but you have to make sure you're leaving very clear signposts for the people you're working with to properly put together the puzzle. 

It's worth remembering at this point, that your comic is likely to have anywhere between 1 and 7 other people reading it at the script stage: an editor, a penciller/artist, possibly an inker, possibly a colorist, possibly a licensor, possibly a letterer, and possibly any of those sorts of people in duplicate! And because they are helping build and refine the story with you, they need to know what they're working on as early as possible. 

The very basic version of that is something like if a baddie is giving their grandiose speech before they blow up a bank vault or whatever, if you know they're going to thumb a detonator on page 8, you should probably make sure you show the detonator while they're speechifying on page 7, just so the action tracks more easily for the reader. And, more importantly at the script stage, so your artist knows that they should be drawing the villain with detonator in hand before they press the button. 

But there are a lot more complex versions, and a lot of those come down to formatting as much as the actual writing process. 

Where Do You Put the Information

Again, a lot of this is going to come to personal preference between the people involved, but I would generally consider what information the rest of your team will need and flag it as early as possible. Some of my favorite scripts to read as an editor start out with a reference section before the script itself. Some writers I work with will provide short descriptions of the major locations or set-pieces and props. If there's reference available--something we've seen previously in the series and are revisiting--maybe they'll drop in some pictures. If there's a new character joining the cast, they might have a short description of their appearance and personality. Some folks even go so far as to flag ahead of Page 1 word 1 to call out if they've got specific requests for the lettering. 

I am very grateful to my collaborators who don't mind that I don't tend to do that in my own scripts (though I try to be better). But I really appreciate it as an editor because it makes my life a lot easier knowing I can properly communicate that information not just to the rest of the team working on that issue's interiors, but also often by having that info and reference available for cover artists. 

The other place I see those larger reference archives added is the back of the script. Generally, I find if the reference is at the back of the script, it tends to be more photo-heavy with ideas for locations or specific callouts for characters (or sometimes memes). It doesn't reduce the helpfulness or importance of the reference, but I do find reference in the back tends to be for broader picture ideas that help set a more specific sense of place or build upon a reference, rather than helping to dictate the action. 

For myself, I tend to be a heavy in-script referencer. Which is to say, I add a lot of hyperlinks and comments to the things I have a specific idea on how they should look, as they enter the script. That's also a totally fine option, as long as you're planning your script for the other readers. Again, that's making sure the detonator's there before it's used, but it's also things like if you have a back-and-forth with your editor about something being unclear and you figure it out in the comments, make sure you also go back and add that clarity in the actual script so licensors or artists aren't having to track down and read through all your back-and-forth. Plus, as an editor, I tend to like to send licensors "clean" scripts, so I minimize the number of comments as much as possible. 

With all that said, figure out what works for you and your partners. A couple of times I've gotten scripts with accompanying thumbnails (usually when the writer is a cartoonist in their own right) and those have specific compositional ideas or funny little details that might not get illuminated in the script as written. I've had some writers drop like one link early on in a script to a shared folder that has all the references or mood boards or whatever for an issue in a single place. I've worked with teams who have created shared inspiration boards and reference boards that make getting a fill-in artist on-board super easy. 

Not Everyone Starts at the Start

I was talking with an artist friend at SDCC and she was mentioning how she likes to tackle issues in reverse page order. She reads it front to back, but then she starts drawing with the last page. Her reasoning, which makes a lot of sense, was starting at the back, she'll have the most energy for the most exciting pages, the cliffhanger or finale. And she'll know how things are set up at the end so as she works backwards to the front, she can keep continuity going because she already knows what she's supposed to be setting up. And I thought that was a very neat way of doing things! 

I bring this up because it speaks to one of the most important things: like half of knowing how to format for the people you're working with is finding out how they work. And that's not always an option. I have heard a lot of folks talk about how--despite comics being collaborative--they haven't really had a chance to speak to the writer or the artist or whoever else they're working with. Which makes working with them really hard. As an editor, I tend to facilitate communication at the start, but if the creators ask to or seem like they should be in direct communication, I link them up ASAP. 

All of which is to say, unless you're operating in total isolation, someone else is going to access your script and when they do, make sure you're making it illuminating for them so they can do their best job, rather than having to piece too much together on the go. 

What I enjoyed this week: Blank Check (Podcast), Craig of the Creek (Cartoon), Honkai Star Rail (Video game), My Adventures with Superman (Cartoon), the beach, The Broken Room by Peter Clines (Book), Crime Scene Kitchen (TV show), Dumbing of Age (Webcomic), Barbie (Movie), Guy's Grocery Games (TV show), Dungeons & Daddies (Podcast), not being at SDCC. 

New Releases this week (7/26/2023): Godzilla: Monsters & Protectors Summer Smash (Editor)

New Releases next week (8/2/2023): Nothing from me! 

Final Order Cut-Off next week (7/31/2023 - AKA Preorder Deadline) Godzilla: Best of Mechagodzilla (Editor) Sonic the Hedgehog #64 (Editor)

Plug:  No big announcements, but maybe join my Patreon! You get this same blog, but without this part plugging my Patreon! Plus you get extra stuff! This week, I'm putting up Jimmy Squarefoot for all $5 and up backers and have my first "something weird" coming out for $10 and up backers: a presentation about some best practices on moderating (and making presentations for) panels! 

Pic of the Week: Took the day after SDCC off to recover at the beach, so that's what's here, but the real pic of the week if Becca's series of Freddie and Laurie's summer vacation! 

[papirouge]

I think the Americans are scared deep down of protesting like the French because many are just lazy and don’t want to be too uncomfortable by protesting. The French are based in that despite the hard shit and the tragedies, shit gets done. The Americans push back a bit, get scared when getting pushback by the elites and cling to their guns without using them to go back to their homes to whine at how awful their country is. Their country is huge and and if millions can come together to protest they can do it but they just won’t. I see it as they are only looking out for themselves deep down. They don’t care about others. They aren’t and probably won’t ever be “United” and fight together. That country is doomed to collapse probably soon so if any Americans reading this want to leave, I don’t blame you. Just don’t infect other countries with your bullshit.

Americans should start protesting because walking for hours is good for health and they'd be less obese. Being regularly chased by the police is good exercise, you work your endurance AND cardio🏃🏃‍♀️🏃‍♂️💨🚓. Now you know why the french are so skinny🤍🇫🇷

Yeah I always clowned American conservative/libertarians flexing their guns and mUh fRrEdOm but ultimately still getting finessed by a geriatric man out of his mind lmao.

If those men were that courageous you'd think they already done yet another Capitol stunt but right now they're busy crying & shaking behind their computers, saying about how the Left™ is coming for them, how the Capitol was a pSyOp to get every pAtrIoT arrested......but ALSO, it wasn't no big deal because the Capitol doesn't represent the American people anymore - and other copium nonsense...

And yeah the problem of individualism is a huge problem preventing Americans to resist effectively against governments. The USA is a veery young country too so its people have yet to build a sense of community ship beside the flag and the Bible - who never stopped good White Americans from treating other people as second class citizens if not barely humans flr most of its History ¯⁠\⁠_⁠(⁠ツ⁠)⁠_⁠/⁠¯ I cringe big time whenever I see ppl fawn over the concept of the USA, the "land of the free".... when its own founders had slaves 🤡

Social class awareness is what makes people break free from the bondage of corporatism. The USA have yet to have an ideologue like Karl Marx or Jean Jacques Rousseau to peak the masses.

Every french kid has to read "Le Contrat Social" of Rousseau during highschool ; that's why french citizens are wired to understand social class self awareness. Which ultimately make them more prone to fuck shit up when they feel their 'class' threatened.

I also always said that religion was relevant on that matter too. France is Catholic. I am not Catholic but I always said that Catholics knew how to do shit when it came to help the poor, organize mass scale social initiative, etc. Everytime I see Christians seething against giving money to the poor it's Protestants.

Here in France we have Caisses de Grèves (which can be translated as "Strike Pool") were ppl can donate money and then the money is distributed to all the people striking / missing days of work which take a tool on their finance. Lately, one donor gave 30 000€ !!! So even rich people have solidarity with strikers. Because social class awareness also helps rich people to be aware of their responsibility (use their privilege to help lower class people). OG Rousseau did the work centuries ago to slap some sense into the bourgeoisie, and now modern french citizens reap the benefits of his ideas. That's the perk of living in such an old country 🤍🇫🇷

....But when I look at American (Christians), they are often very contemptuous with this kind of initiative. Or they'll be like "I hope this money isn't going to lEftisTs !!" or even stupid shit like "handing stuff for free is the beginning of Communism"......but what they don't understand is that those leftist are socially closer to them than those millionaire they're white knighting online.

[queer-cosette]

15 Question Tag Game | OC Edition

Thanks for the open tag @just-french-me-up to answer these questions about my OC! I love talking about my beloved Carlotta Suero - she features in various Miraculous Ladybug fics, with focus on her in The world is still sleeping, while I keep on dreaming and these are times that can't be weathered (and we have never been back there since then), and it's been too long since I talked about her <333

Rules: answer the questions below as yourself and/or your OC. (I'd also add that you make your own post).

1. Are they named after anyone?

Yes! Her first name is after Carlotta Brown from Enid Blyton's Twins at St Clare's series. Carlotta Brown is, like my Carlotta, Spanish by birth and a bit on the wild side with a desire for adventure and refusal to bow down to a perceived authority determined to make her conform. Very fitting for my girl.

Suero is a Spanish surname that I chose because it was likely my dad's family's surname a few hundred years or so ago. We don't know at what point we left Spain for Ireland, but Suero is a common surname in the area we were most likely from. Lil shoutout <3

Her middle name, Estrella, is slightly after my friend Stella, who is possibly the coolest person I've ever interacted with in my entire life.

2. When was the last time they cried?

these are times that can't be weathered (and we have never been back there since then) actually addresses this! Carlotta made a (implied to be unhealthy) choice at four years old that crying is pointless after witnessing a beached whale die in New Zealand. Her mother, in an attempt to lessen her heartbreak, tells her that "We shouldn't cry at something so beyond our control!" and she internalises it very heavily until her mid/late teens when she discovers the horrific truth about Gabriel Agreste's favourite pastime, and slowly breaks down in tears thinking about how it's going to fucking wreck her friend Adrien (Gabriel's son) when he finds out.

3. Do they have kids?

No, largely because Carlotta has a lot of me in her, and I don't want kids. I also unintentionally designed her superhero alterego as having the colour scheme of the asexual pride flag, so make of that what you will.

4. Do they use sarcasm?

Yes, but mostly with her younger siblings. She tries not to with Adrien because he's (in my canon) autistic and also very sheltered, so he doesn't always get it and she hates being bitchy to him even by accident because it feels like kicking a small animal. She's more a deadpan snarker than anything else, sarcasm-wise. Marinette is very much the same way, so they'll watch bad movies together and snark their way through it as a bonding exercise.

5. What’s the first thing they notice about people

Voice undertones. Carlotta is visually impaired - she has occipital lobe damage from a skateboarding accident at age 13 and has hemianopsia as a result - so sound has become even more important to her than it already was. And it was important to begin with - as a diver, she spends a lot of time underwater, and sound travels faster and further underwater than light does. Since her accident, she's learned how to pick up on tonal significance very very accurately. She can hazard a scarily accurate guess within five minutes as to where someone is from and what they think of the person introducing her to them.

6. What’s their eye colour?

Dark brown with slight violet undertones, turning fully bright violet with her Whale Miraculous transformation.

7. Scary movies or happy endings?

Both, in a way; Carlotta adores high-stakes adventure movies with happy endings. A few jumpscares go down a treat, so long as everyone's found peace by the end.

8. Any special talents?

Besides learned skills (scuba diving, playing violin, skateboarding etc.) Carlotta is weirdly good at convincing people she's way more of a goofball than she actually is. All her childish antics do a good job of concealing how genuinely intelligent and sharp-minded she really is.

9. Where were they born?

Maternity ward in Asturias, Spain, in the Spring of 2000.

10. What are their hobbies?

Scuba diving, playing violin, and skateboarding!

11. Do they have any pets?

Her mother has a service dog, a golden labrador named Honey, after she had a workplace accident that left her with multiple severe burns from the waist down; Carlotta herself doesn't really consider Honey to be *hers* though. She did have a magical underwater encounter with a juvenile sperm whale off the Azores who she named Herman, but Herman is, of course, a wild animal, and more a friend than a pet.

12. What sports do they play/have they played?

Carlotta is very into swimming and diving! She's a very powerful long-distance swimmer, and has competed in diving competitions. She prefers outdoorsey activities to actual sports, though - things like skateboarding and tree-climbing.

13. How tall are they?

Five foot eleven inches (same height as me!). I wanted more tall girl characters, so I made one.

14. Favourite subject in school?

Biology. She wants to be a cetologist, and has thus far managed to find a way to turn the topic of every essay back towards oceanic megafauna.

15. Dream job?

Part time cetologist (she wants to be the first scientist to film the birth of a blue whale) and part time superhero. Maybe both at the same time!

Tagging @hanaasbananas @theladyfae @private-bryan @multimousenette and anyone else who would like to talk about their OC!

[alittlepudge-neverhurtnobody]

okay lol i just sent an ask about T/A but i thought of a specific question -- have you thought about whether they've met each other's close friends/family? i love the idea of characters being so excited and anxious to introduce each other to loved ones (whether they're officially together or just friends) because they're so enamoured. like "i can't wait for you to meet this new person they're so great and you will love them" and/or "they're so great and if you don't think so then i will prove you wrong if it's the last thing i do"

aww yes this is so good!! at the start of their story both T and A think that this is just going to be a fun summer fling, no strings attached, no big feelings. so neither of them is really planning to like do much introducing, like no, my parents probably don’t need to meet the stoner I’m hooking up with on the dl. except … obviously they catch feelings. and T begins working with A so her friends get to know him, and A studied in a similar field to the aunt whose house T has been banished to for the summer, so they hit it off (and they maybe sort of hatch a scheme to get his aunt back with the sapphic love of her life).

more under the cut bc (what else?) this got long

at first A’s friends R & M do not like T bc he comes off as kind of careless and flippantly irresponsible and they’re on defense bc A has had her heart broken before and they are Not letting it happen again on their watch. he kind of puts his foot in his mouth and keeps accidentally saying the wrong thing to them in the beginning and they’re kind of just waiting for A to get this whole thing out of her system. A keeps telling them no, it's not like that, he's actually really cool, but he keeps trying to make her friends laugh and it keeps falling flat and she's like :\ i swear you guys. but they've also been telling her all summer to have a fun hookup/friends w benefits/situationship so they try not to be TOO critical of him to her face. but gradually T keeps showing up for her and they see him really make her laugh and feel appreciated and they start to come around a little more.

(A does not get to meet T's best friend C, who's back in T's home state, but they'll get along. A is more outgoing than C they both love animals and k-dramas and bad reality tv. A is more outgoing than C but they are both good-natured gossips who live for the drama as long as it doesn't involve them specifically.)

T is absolutely terrified to meet A's parents. they run into her parents on the beach or something one day and her parents invite him for dinner and he just freezes. he does not give good parent! everything about him, from his sloppy eyeliner to his tight jeans to his steadily-snugger punk band tees to his badly dyed hair probably screams RED FLAG. he’s TERRIFIED. also getting to know her parents over dinner … aka food … aka the main kink thing he and A have been doing … seems like a total minefield. she is also very nervous bc she knows how it looks to bring home this dude who looks like he got sucked into a hot topic circa 2008 and like, she’s been having a minor crisis about what to do with her life anyway so are her parents going to see this as some kind of cry for help?? is it safe to do literally anything food-related with T in front of her parents?? if her FRIENDS don't always get his sense of humor, her PARENTS almost certainly won't.

but he actually does really well with them! they think he's funny and kind of awkwardly charming and very different than the people A has tried to date in the past, and they can also kind of tell that he is really desperate to impress them. they are very gentle with him and he also doesn't know what to do with that because he doesn't reaaaally believe he deserves it. it's only a matter of time before they, too, realize he's a fuckup!

(dinner itself is sort of torturous for both of them bc T is, for better or for worse, an emotional eater and he is SO NERVOUS that keeping his mouth full of food at all times seems like the best course of action, but of course that is also sort of murder for A. she is VERY relieved when they get to escape later and T can groan and squirm and burp to his heart's content and she can appreciate it all without having to worry about getting turned on at the dinner table.)

thank you!!

[zumpietoo]

Oooppppsss!!! Snortee opens by pretending a nerve has not been hit....

Errmmmm......actually, there was quite a bit of interaction during the mennyyyy times it turns out SH were on the outs, noooo??? Plus, again, remember how the BB endlessly insisted Cari were split when she visited her family, etc? Once again, you don't get to have it both ways....

To say nothing of, LBR, here.....by both ways I mean "Cole says "hi" to a fan = he's cheating they split/Cabana Pee never do stuff unless for cameras, are openly now doing separate things in separate places = epic twu wuv 4EVAH!!!

(and your track record on this shit real and pretend is hella weak, Snortster....)

Also.....it's SUNDAY???? Did Snortee just reveal she isn't merely not in the USA, she's in either east Asia or NZ?? And even THEN, it's still morning....(or you know, she's so wasted she doesn't know what day it is....)

And has been home all week, moping about a pimple/pimping herself for swag....

However, actually, Snortee, yes....it's long been abundantly clear this "healthy, loving relationship" is at least partially based on product promotion/$$$/pap walking/power coupling/pee arr.....that's actually quite obvious.

Tho I don't think they've fully split (or if yes, will, at least for a good while be back and forth, maybeee), just in a huge fight/he's avoiding her Debbie Downer ass, cuz she's also clearly in a big asses depressive episode...

Which, BTW, per y'all makes him a total douchecanoe....in fact, seriously? His sudden public faux chumminess could also indicate he's trolling....

But yeah, we've already seen how off again/on again, they are....

From the same person who last ACTUAL Sunday was legit outraged that Cole sang karaoke while Ari was visiting her fam/working in Montreal, insisted it proved they broke up, etc....

And yeah, but.....seems like PP was waaayyyyy too busy moping around the house over her period/pimple.

Plus isn't it weird how Cole/Cari are spotted out together all the fucking time....but somehow CabanaPee never, everrr are, unless the paps are called?

Hey....I get it's, apparently, Regency England all the fuck over again, and one must have a fine/fancee ball to announce your engagement, after the bans of your wedding are sung in church on Sunday AND I'm not "old $$$" (actually, once again, my mom WAS a debutante, etc), buuuuttt.....peeps don't always have big fancee receptions for engagements.

And even if they do? They also might have any number of smaller parties for it all, as well.....

Simple fact is, it appears SweatBoi's unfortunate looking sister/future brother-in-law did have some sort of social event AND CB did go to Six Flags (which Peepster loooovvesss) without her AND his bestie/roomie/maybeee sidepiece-seekrit luvr DID have a bday party....and PP was at none of the above, instead preferring to mope around at home.....

I will agree with Snortee about the staying friends/being friends post break up. Which is why Peepster currently isn't attending any of these SweatBoi galas....and, at best? CB seems to be trolling her ass.

(tho I suspect they'll reconcile for the umpteenth time when there is a pap camera)

Because she controls them by doling out small favors/$$$ and they like the reflected fame (despite it and she never doing dick for their careers).

Also, they're literally her only friends....and she and Sidepiece Austyn have also "broken up" mennyyy times.

Errmm.....so she can pee arr/power couple/"win" the breakup with COLE still and him? Yeah, nobody GAF about him otherwise...

Ummm....yeah, it is. They post each other all over the fucking place for clicks/when paps are around or have been called. What they don't actually do? Is spend real time together NOT for a camera. It's pee arr combined.

And yes, they do go through periods of no interaction, it's called on again/off again. So, actually? The narrative fits perfectly.

Fail, Snorts....

Ummm.....for nearly a year, SlaveTay claimed to really like Cole, post break up. She also made it verrryyyy clear when she was around him, even tho it's abundantly clear Cole did NOT like her.

Anddd.....given how fucking weird PP was after Cole dumped her (including staging a fucking anniversary photo shoot with somebody who looked like Cole/dressed like him) AND was only everrrr with SweatBoi so he'd cosplay Cole? Oh yeah, this is child's play.

But, again, on again/off again? Oh yeah....

Except they weren't "hanging out a few days later"----that's the entire thing. PP's spent the entire week moping. Cabana Boi's been out partying with everybody not PP....as I think of it, doesn't that make him a cheater?????

See above. They're not rich (soringry, BB) and all their friends are even poorer. Also, again, entirely possible to have multiple parties.....(some couples have no engagement parties, BTW), etc....

Again, still stands, seemingly, SweatBoi's out partying every second, PP can't leave the house to buy zit cream

[bunnakit]

last twilight episode 4 thoughts, feelings, etc.

as always, i'm just some foul mouthed gremlin online.

holy shit. the episodes keep hitting us like a truck immediately.

do you think Mhok's hands smell like jasmine? do you think someday in the future they'll lay in bed at the end of their day and Day will hold Mhok's hand gently to his face, press a kiss to the inside of his wrist, and smile because Mhok smells like jasmine from all the blossoms he has picked for him throughout their time together?

sorry, i'm mentally ill. anyway.

the correction from boss to friend, oh fuuuuuuck. and Mhok asking Day if he's coming with - once again as Mhok always does he gives Day a choice and make sure Day is an active participant in his own life. kissing him on the forehead, Mhok you're doing such an amazing job as a caretaker. you're not perfect, but fuck you're better than most trained professionals i've seen to be honest. and Mhok doesn't just turn the radio on for Day, he guides Day to turn it on himself. UGH. UUUUGH.

I can't look at you, look into your eyes, or confront you

Oh. Ough the pain is unending and forever. Day quite literally can't do those things, even if he reaches that point emotionally where he might want to. Life is great because there are so many vegetables you can saute, but also, the horrors.

Once again, Porjai and Mhok's friendship is so important to me. Porjai is just so important to me (ignore the fact that I'm half in love with her fuck she's so beautiful-) it's so important for Mhok to have this support system and this friendship and UGH. I'm so glad there's no fallout from the fight.

AND AGAIN HE ANNOUNCES HIMSELF TO DAY. Mhok does this every single time he returns to Day's side, he very rarely forgets to announce himself to Day. He's so fucking good about it.

AND DAY ONCE AGAIN TRYING TO ESTABLISH HIMSELF AS A FRIEND. AND MHOK'S SMILE. CHEWING THROUGH MY DESK.

I also love Porjai not making assumptions of how she should act, she just asks Day what she should do to make him comfortable. Punching my desk, punching my desk, punching my desk. It's so funny how these complete strangers to Day have treated him with so much more dignity than his own family (however, it is difficult for family to navigate a newly disabled family member because there is this inherent need to protect and sometimes that protection goes too far into coddling, so I don't want to shit on his family constantly. It's a really tricky situation to navigate for the people closest to you.)

His voice is like the scent of cigarettes.

I'm never writing fanfiction again because nothing I write will top this, hey Day what the fuck. I also think this is a good example of Day's major; we know he was majoring in journalism and the sensation he creates here is incredible - and it shows he's still fully capable of capturing the essence of the world, of a story, without his sight. He offers a new perspective that is no less beautiful.

MHOK'S BAG SAYS 'I LOVE TO HEAR YOUR VOICE' RIGHT AFTER THAT CONVERSATION I'M GOING TO THROW UP WHAT THE FUUUUCK IS THIS ALLOWED

Oh, the way Mhok guides Day where to look when he's taking the photo so it looks natural, so he can keep his secret from the general public until he's ready. Ouuugghhhghh.

Oooof. The trophy only having one handle; only one player remains, half of the duo is missing, an incomplete set. And Day can't even read the plaque anymore. He can no longer see his own accomplishments.

This isn't important but the transition from part 2 to part 3 being all Namtan fuck I'm so bisexual.

WHY WAS THAT HAND TOUCH SO SENSUAL- YOU'RE JUST GONNA STROKE EACH OTHERS HANDS LIKE THAT IN FRONT OF MY SALAD???

FUCKING RIGHT THERE ON THE BED WOULD HAVE BEEN LESS INTIMATE. I feel like I'm fucking intruding. Holy shit. Holy shiiiiiit.

Staring unblinkingly at every red flag Porjai dodged. Also want to point out the only times we've seen Mhok get violent has been to protect the people closest to him - even back at the garage. He's never once been violent for his own gain, it's always been to protect.

Oh, Porjai. The circumstances are absolutely shit but there's no doubt in my mind that your child is going to be so, so loved by everyone around them. I just know Mhok is going to adore that kid.

Coming into this scene at the party makes me so anxious. Reintegration into society can be so, so scary. Day has been dipping his toe into it but this is a big, chaotic gathering. This is so scary and I'm so proud of him but like hhhggg makes me nervy.

Ugh I have a feeling Day is going to be exhausted after this. He's already having to field (I don't want to say stupid questions) a whole slew of questions and over the top concern. It's going to be a lot.

"To our blind friend" bro I'm gonna kick you into the sun.

Oh Mhok you want Day to want you so bad it makes you look stupid, I love you.

I knew he was going to sing that song, I knew it in my heart, but it still makes me emotional with the rainbow background. (I also love "I don't sing that well" and then proceeds to sing with the voice of an angel. [What if he actually isn't that good of a singer but it sounds that way to Day because of his affection for Mhok???])

Tell me why my ass is crying at Day trying to see Mhok on his phone, and looking up and barely being able to see anything of him. He wants to see him so bad.

OH NOW I'M GENUINELY SOBBING.

I love that while the show emphasizes that Day can see Mhok in a way no one else can, he still has that desire to see him physically. It hurts and it's so painful to watch but it's just another element of this show that makes it so real. Just because Day is starting to adjust, just because he can gauge a lot about people from the sound of their voice, it doesn't magically replace the sense he's losing and it doesn't make him miss that any less. I'm just gonna blanket apologize for how long these are getting. I feel like I don't have much insight lately rather than just raw reactions but this show makes me feel so fucking much. for my tag loves (just lmk if you want me to remove you from these, or add anyone idk) @benkaaoi @callipigio