#last night i was explaining the ongoing plot to my partner and he was like

[nekosd43]

dungeon meshi really tested the limits of my very specific phobias in the last couple chapters but I finished the whole series and enjoyed it as a whole!

[djmarinizelablog]

Angst no. 41 (the viewers everytime Dalisay fails to die)

#41. Angst: “No, not again. Please!”

I'll make my own spin here---Levi and Hange are watching Cardo Dalisay, the vigilante extraordinaire from the mountains, on TV. Hilarious angst (what the heck is that?) ensues.

Prompt list (pick a prompt with your fave ship and send it to me; I’ll write something about it)

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It's Friday after a long week of work, thick blankets and a hot choco kind of night, and Hange's propped on the couch while snacking on some popcorn, the TV playing in front of her.

"What the fuck are you watching?"

Levi has entered their room, confused at the fact that Hange's eyes are glued to the screen---probably for the first time since... forever?

"Just some action series I found on this channel." She munches some popcorn. "Got me hooked on the first season, and now I'm already halfway through!"

The opening credits of the next episode start with some poorly-done CGIs of the protagonist jumping off a building before said building gets blown up, flash forward to some highly-exaggerated fighting scenes where one punch from Cardo, the vigilante extraordinaire, knocks out this huge evil henchman in front of him. It's a pathetic stunt; in reality, that blow would have broken his teeny-tiny wrist. But the director didn't want that, Levi supposes; Cardo Dalisay would have been recuperating in the hospital for weeks. There would be no show without him.

Levi shrugs his shoulder and grabs some popcorn. "Looks like shit to me."

Nevertheless, he sits beside Hange, slings one arm around her while Hange lifts up the blanket high enough for both of them to snuggle underneath.

The show doesn't really interest him, really. It's Hange's reaction to it that does. Hange's eyes widen at every kick, every punch that Cardo lands at his enemies, eyebrows furrowed each time he narrowly escapes a blow.

"This guy," Hange explains, pointing her foot towards the face of Coco Martin on TV, "he used to have a twin brother who died so he avenged him and then Cardo, he's the main character, in case you haven't figured it out, gets involved with drugs and the police, but he's innocent and now he's on the run with his wife and a couple of military-people-turned-rebels---oh, shit, no!"

The main nemesis of the season shoots Cardo Dalisay right on the chest. The protagonist drops dead in the water, his body floating in the middle of the lake, and then it's a cliffhanger. Hange's face is in pure horror, like she hasn't expected this plot twist at all.

"Don't die. Survive!" Hange shouts with all the eagerness in her voice.

The popcorn merely falls out of Levi's mouth as he stares at Hange, dumbfounded. It's his motherfucking line.

"Don't tell me this is what you've been binge-watching lately. A dweeb can do better CGIs than this..." he gestures towards the screen, and thinks of the first word that comes to mind. "Shitshow."

Hange doesn't respond, but merely plays the next episode she has recorded.

Apparently, Cardo Dalisay has escaped death that time and is back for some action-packed scenes ("I knew it! Somebody found him and nursed him back to health!" Hange cheers). Little does Levi know, it's the first of many, the almost-but-not-quite "deaths." A hostage is now tied up high in the air, but Levi can still see the stupid green screen behind them like a badly photoshopped meme. Hange, however, is thoroughly engrossed.

All the death-defying scenes happen one after the other, and Levi is forced to watch, cringing. Well, because Hange would end up staying all night and wouldn't probably wake up to run some errands in the morning. He'd rather make sure she gets to bed by 1 am, at the very latest. The two of them are partners-in-crime in this household.

The next episode cuts to Cardo Dalisay hanging for dear life with one gun in hand while he's being rained down by bullets from above. Said enemies, trained assassins are they are, miss all their firing shots at him, and Cardo Dalisay miraculously escapes without a single scrape in his body.

"This doesn't make sense," he complains to Hange who's fanning herself from the adrenaline rush. Levi continues, "Nothing does in this show. Did the producers even study the laws of physics?"

Hange looks at him, curious.

"What?"

"Nothing."

She continues watching. The fact that she majored in Physics and aced all her classes in college baffles him all the more.

Cardo Dalisay dies the nth time by being shot (again). About time, Levi thinks. And then Cardo's wife Alyana wakes up with Cardo right beside her, completely unharmed. It had all been a dream.

"This guy seriously has one hell of a plot armor."

"I know! It's so cool, right?" Hange says, and he doesn't know if she's being ironic or not. "I've been so attached to his character, kinda reminds me of you."

"I can do so much better than him." He crosses his arms and slumps back into the couch. Levi has had enough of plot armors so thick nothing could penetrate the person.

"Maybe you can audition and then ask if you can replace his titular role," Hange teases him before putting all her attention to the ongoing episode. "Apparently, it's been running since 2015."

He counts the years with his fingers. "Shit, for real? It's fucking 2021."

The hours go by so slow, and Levi's back is already hurting from sitting on the couch this whole time. They're coming to the end of the last season, and he's trying his best to blink away the sleep from his eyes. He does wake up, though, when Cardo Dalisay gets repeatedly shot and stabbed by his archenemy in the most gruesome episode to date.

“No, not again. Please!” Hange shouts, fists clenching the blanket too tightly.

Please what? Please come back? Or please die this time?

Cardo Dalisay is vomitting blood on the floor and Hange is crying.

"Alright, that's it.” He stands up. “If this guy comes back alive in the next season, I'm---"

Hange grabs hold of his shirt and cries. Not a crybaby kind of cry. But a serious, I-swear-it-is-real kind of cry. Cardo Dalisay remains dead. Bad guy celebrates, laughing in triumph. The rest of the characters mourn. So does Hange. And Levi, tough guy as he is, doesn't have the heart to make fun of her when she cries.

"I can't, I can't," Hange sobs, as the ending credits roll. "I can't deal with deaths anymore."

"Oi, Hange. It's alright."

He looks at the clock and it's already past 1 am. After turning the TV off, he carries Hange to bed and tucks both of them in, wrapping his arms around her as they settle into sleep together.

Hange curls up closer to him and, being the longer-legged person between the two of them, hooks her leg on his thigh. "Levi..."

"Hm?" He cracks one eye open.

"I'm just glad you're still here."

He pulls her towards him, right where his heart is, and he's sure that Hange is listening to the thumping of his heartbeat. So much for heroes, he thinks. He's thankful enough he doesn't have to act like one to be one in Hange's eyes. He hopes the story doesn't end there.

A few episodes later, the scene zooms in to Cardo Dalisay on a hospital bed, severely injured but nevertheless, alive.

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(I hope you like this, Anon, 'cause I definitely enjoyed writing about your prompt)

[roleplay-abiogenesis2]

Big Starter || The Other Side of the Mirror

This is the starting piece of a massive project I have previously roleplayed with another partner, and that I’ve been continuing solo for over a year. In order to participate to this RP plot, you must read and follow my Deep RP Rules. Message me if you’d like to join in!

[Tag: #SaruSaru

Universe: K

Headcanon/Ships: A Strain with time-traveling powers who has joined Homra.

Timeline:

-Young Fushimi: He comes from January 2010 (After the events of “K SIDE: RED” where Anna joins Homra, but before the events of “K R:B” where Munakata becomes Blue King and restores Scepter 4. In “Lost Small World”, this would be 10 months after Yata and Fushimi joined Homra, and 8-9 months before the Minato Brothers incident).

- Present Fushimi and where the story takes place: January 2013. (One month following the death of Mikoto Suoh in the first season of the anime. Homra is considered as disbanded).

Players: @roleplay-abiogenesis2​ (Homra Saruhiko Fushimi)

Accepting as RP partners: Saruhiko Fushimi (19yo) or Misaki Yata (19yo); any character within the canon timeline and universe of K Project.

Status: Semi-Open/Ongoing

Scene Concept: Following a suspicious new clansman who has joined Homra, 16-years-old Saruhiko Fushimi finds himself thrown three years into the future. Here, the Red Clan he belongs to seems to have disappeared without a trace, and on top of that he learns his future self works for a mysterious Blue King he’s never heard of before. How will the two Fushimi deal with each other?]

____________________________________________________

It was just a theory, but what if he had died in that fall actually?

Saruhiko wasn’t taking his own thoughts seriously, of course. But while he was there, sitting in that train waiting for the stop to Chiyoda-ku Station, his thoughts were all he had to go by. And trying to wrap up his head around the situation was getting harder the more time passed…

He tried to sum it all up in his mind again to see if he’d remember anything new.

The last thing he knew for sure was that he had been trying to be helpful. No matter how others put it. So if he was in some kind of trouble, he had no reason to feel guilty.

The new guy that had approached Homra to join had looked suspicious to him from the start. The way he stared so warily around himself, how he seemed to choose his own words carefully… it had smelled like trouble right away for him, setting off all his alarms.

But Suoh Mikoto didn’t care to look into the motivations and agendas of those who came to ask for his power, and had made him a clansman. The test had been passed. From there, any hope to have Misaki’s support on the matter had been lost. Because anything with Homra’s mark on it was sacred and unquestionable for Misaki Yata.

So when he had decided to steal the guy’s phone and look into it, Saruhiko had been acting on his own. Hacking it hadn’t been difficult, but what he had found inside was something he had never expected.

There was a video there, of a cold night scenery. There was a gunshot, and then… yes, the guy who had fallen to the ground in a pool of blood in that video had definitely been Totsuka-san.

Which couldn’t be, obviously… since Totsuka-san was perfectly alive and irritatingly cheerful as his usual.

Because of many doubts and his inability to explain to himself the meaning or purpose of that file, Saruhiko had decided to confront its owner directly. He was older than him, but not by much. And he obviously didn’t look like a fighter. Saruhiko’s experience with the knives made in the ten months spent inside the Red Clan would be enough to deal with him if he tried anything sketchy.

But all he had done when Saruhiko had isolated him for questioning had been get scared and run away. Saruhiko had expected that too, and found a way to lock the only way out. The only way the newbie could go was up and that’s where he had gone.

So when he had reached him on the rooftop, the middle school drop-out thought he had him cornered, and the last thing he’d expect was to see him leap over the edge to plunge down what had to be at least a six stories fall. Rushing to look down, he had been almost certain he’d be about to witness his first suicide. There had been both horror and thrill inside his chest at that notion, for some reason.

But none of that had happened. What he saw instead, was a large, white door – yes, it looked like a huge trapdoor of light – materialize in the thin air, and swallow the falling dude into its blinding whiteness.

“A Strain…?” He remembered he had muttered that to himself. It certainly had looked like some kind of supe phenomenon. There was no other explaination. Quickly, he had reached for his phone to do something… anything to collect evidence and show it to the others.

The phone had escaped his grasp on the way out of its pocket and that had been his doom. Half-turning to pick it up in a hurry, Saruhiko had lost his footing on the rooftop’s edge and slipped. His weak grasp on the metal gutter had lasted less than two seconds, and then he was falling too.

He had expected death. He didn’t think it would be painless, but he hoped it’d be short. Time had gone too fast for him to even have any bittersweet regret or thought for those he’d leave behind. It seemed those stories about your life passing before your eyes in a flash were bullshit. He had none of that, just shock and the underlying rational awareness of his own demise.

Then whiteness had swallowed him, and his body had impacted with the ground, but in a much lighter way than he had expected. It still hurt, of course. Hitting concrete with your face always hurt. But it had been more like what he’d expect from falling off a bike than a roof.

He had remained still on the ground for a minute, to let his own shock pass and sentience get back into gear, before pushing himself up on all-four. His glasses had a crack on one of the lenses, but he was alive… and unexpectedly well for someone who had just plunged down a six story building. Looking up, he had found that strange white trapdoor still open, just above his head. It shone brighter one last time and then disappeared.

Back then, he had figured it had worked as some kind of safety net. Something to slow down his fall and allow his target to run away unhurt. Why else wouldn’t he be there with his guts scattered all over right now?

The weirdness hadn’t ended there though. For one, upon reaching the rooftop again, Saruhiko had been unable to find his phone anywhere. He could only suspect that some accomplice or other person had gotten to it before him, because it wasn’t on the ground level either.

Unable to call someone, heading to the bar HOMRA had been his second option. However…

[Sorry, we’re closed]

The sign on the door hadn’t lied, and neither had the lights that were all off inside the building. Of course, bars closed. That hadn’t been the shocker. The weirdness of this had been that it was nowhere in the right schedule… and he hadn’t heard of anything sudden like broken plumbing or a trip that’d force Kusanagi-san to close up shop for the rest of the evening today. He had been in there not even two hours ago…. right?

Oh, whatever. Saruhiko had been officially fed up with those idiots and their problems for the day. He had been through hell and back. They could remain ignorant of the trouble they had brought on themselves with their loose criteria for recruitment for an extra day. Maybe two. Time to go home.

Or not? If there was a God somewhere, it had to be one in a real mood to make him miserable today, because all of a sudden, his key just wasn’t working in the lock anymore. Knocking had done nothing either. Had Misaki forgotten to turn in rent this month? Normally he had known better than to let him handle it, but he’d remember if he had messed up so badly.

It took Saruhiko half a hour to go find the exit of the secret escape way he and Misaki had created that connected the duct of the next building to the room above their apartment and climb down through it. And then only two seconds to just grasp on how everything didn’t make sense anymore…

…Because it was empty. All gone. His stuff. Misaki’s. The loft had nothing left and neither did the space beneath. The kitchen and bathroom were also empty. There was dust and cobwebs everywhere. It looked like this place had never been a house to begin with.

‘Just what the hell….’

A train blared through the tunnel alongside the one he was in, heading for the opposite direction. It snapped Saruhiko out of his trance and he looked up. His stop was the next one, thankfully he hadn’t missed it.

Though he wasn’t even sure this was the right thing to do, either. But what other answer was there? He didn’t really die, did he? He was breathing. There was blood in his veins and his uneasy heartbeat and sore spots from his fall hours ago reminded him that very well.

The Tsubakimon, that was his destination. The bar was closed and his stuff was gone. The only possible explaination he could give to it… that was remotely reasonable… was that in his absence the Blue Clan –which he had believed to be disbanded ever since the Strain Research Facility’s destruction the previous summer– had gotten back at Homra. Probably to try and get Anna back, or something like that. His stuff had to have been seized, and Misaki arrested. Maybe Kusanagi-san too. Maybe everyone was on the run and that was why the bar was closed. But with what balls would a kingless clan like Scepter 4 venture into the Red King’s territory like that?

Seeding doubt in his weak theories was of no help right now. Saruhiko felt now more than ever, the need for some kind of certainty. He was alone and there was nobody around to give him the answers he needed… so he’d find them on his own.

Infiltrate the Blue Clan’s headquarters to see what he could find out about the known status of the Shizume Town gang. That was his first course of action now.

When the large building appeared into view, Saruhiko stopped and hid behind a parked vehicle to gauge the risks, and scout for entryways that wouldn’t get him caught like an idiot.

[popculturebuffet]

Analysis of X: Uncanny X-Men #159 “Night Screams!”

Happy Halloween! For our Halloween special, I take my first dive into Claremont’s classic X-Men Run proper, as Claremont’s future New Mutants partner Bill Sienkiewicz drops by just in time for the X-Men to battle Dracula for the soul of Storm! Get your stakes ready and join me after the cut.

Welcome everyone to my special Halloween Edition of Analysis of X. I love this holliday: Scary movies, adorable children in costume, more sugar than I probably need… it’s the best. And it’s on this sacred day I’ve decided to take a second look at one of my faviorite X-Men stories and see if it still holds up to me the second time around. I first heard about this story in the back of Wizard Magzine in this old beatup issue I got from my brother,  and was blown away by the descrption of an event we’ll get to towards the end. When I finally read the issue years later thanks to an issue of Classic X-Men, it exceded my expectations, and hence here I am to see if it still holds up. And since the few bits of exposition needed can just be done as we go, let’s sink our teeth into “Night Screams”

We open on the Uncanny, the powerful, the misunderstood, the brave X-Men!... barging into someone’s apartment and being confused by the occupant. Naturally both parties are confused: The young lady because it’s her damn apartment and suddenly a blue elf, a smelly hairy Canadian, a metallic Russian, an African goddess and a masked teenager come rushing into her place. The X-Men are confused because this apartment belongs to their friend Misty Knight. Those of you who watched Netflix’s excellent Luke Cage series probably remember her from that. In the comics she’s not far off from where she ended up by the end of the Netflix/MCU partnership: a private eye who used to be a cop and has a robot arm, in the comics provided by Tony Stark because back in the 70’s and 80’s tony would make some sorta gadget for anyone who pulled a dump truck of money up to his house. As I mentioned in Excalibur, Chris Claremont never really forgot any character he ever had anything to do with, and since she was a major supporting character during his run on iron fist along with her partner in asskicking Colieen Wing, who you may remember as the best part of Iron Fist’s own Netflix series, he had the two pop up in his X-Men run during a time when they thought the professor and jean were dead, because no one bothered to pick up a fucking phone. As such Misty had apparently offered her place to the X-Men any time they were in the city proper… but herself didn’t pick up the damn phone and tell her in the past few months she got a roommate, so said roommate is understandably pissed off to find a bunch of strangers in her place.

As the above should make obvious, the young lady is Harmony Young, famous model and misty’s new roommate. At this time Mary Jo Duffy had taken over Luke Cage, at the time Power Man,’s book and, in an attempt to keep the book from being canceled, brought Iron Fist in as a second protagonist and made the book into a buddy picture with the two’s contrasting personalites and backgrounds playing off each other. Having read this run, it’s fantastic and well worth a read and is the backbone of later runs of Luke and Danny while creating one of the best friendships in all of Marvel.  As for how the hell this relates to this story, Harmony is a supporting character from that run and at the time, Luke’s Girlfriend and thus moved in with Misty when Misty needed a roommate.

With the confusion cleared up the X-Men try to smooth things over, minus Logan who, now knowing he dosen’t have a fight on his hands is going to get drunk because logan frankly has three states: boning, drinking and killin, and Kurt’s already swooping in there, and while you’d think hitting on Luke Cage’s girlfriend would be dumb, Luke is not above a three way. I mean why do you think danny sleeps at his and jess’s place every other Sunday? Storm being the leader she is offers to leave, but Harmony, seeing three handsome young men and likely having an open relationship with Luke, decides what the hell and lets the X-Men stay. Kitty scoffs at her and.. oh god I’m going to have to talk about the Colossus and Kitty thing aren’t I? Fuck me…. Yeah for those of you who weren’t aware, Kitty had a crush on Colossus.. a grown man at the very least 6 years older than her. They eventually DID enter a relationsip, that THANK CHRIST, wasn’t sexual till Jim Shooter, in one of the few times he actually made sense as Marvel’s Editor in Chief outright told Chris to cut it out and broke the couple up himself by having Pitor fall for someone else. And while that whole romance was forced and rushed, it both ended an annoying subplot and gave us a DAMN good issue of Uncanny I’ll get to some day. We soon find out WHY the X-Men are in town in the first place:

I do like the story progression so far: it feels organic and the opening of the X-Men barging in on an apartment is a nice hook and the following pages quickly explain the situation without feeling too clunky about it. But yeah Kitty’s Parents want to see her and while as Ororo notes she dosen’t have anything to wear, Harmony being a true friend to this person she just met offers up her vast wardrobe which Kitty herself quickly gets herself a piece of. The two get dressed and head off to meet the Prydes. We then get a short scene of Cyclops, whose on vacation visitng his brother Alex alongside his space pirate dad. As you can tell i’m not really going that much into it as it’s only one page of the isssue and has nothing to do with the rest of the plot other than informing us Professor Xavier’s in a coma, which tells me why he wasn’t with the rest of the team.  Back in NYC, Kurt is still flirting with Harmony when the team gets a call from Kitty... who wonders if Ororo got home okay. Kurt’s instantly put on alert because she’d told kitty she was heading straight back.. hours ago. And as we see bellow, she’s been attacked with two marks left on her neck... which can only mean one thing.. NEIL BREEN HAS KILLED AGAIN.. or you know vampires. 

Storm is rushed to the hospital and Logan and PItor soon get the call thanks to Storm’s wallet to come get her. While the doctor wants to keep her overnight Storm is.. oddly calm, finding the night realixing and getting the feeling something’s watching her, but shaking it off. The fact she’s not CONCERNED about that or seems chipper after having her throat torn open just screams red flag don’t’ it? Storm returns home to rest , shooing the rest of the X-Men away and well. if you were wondering when the hell this turned into a vampire story besides the whole neck bites thing... 

The scene is haunting and well done and Bill, since his last name is hard to spell and I’ve mangled enough names as is on this blog, does a fine job with it, portraying the horror of it as well as how entrhaled Ororo is well. IT’s this sort of moody atmospheric stuff that would serve him well when he became artist on New Mutants and thare’s damn good reason his run is where the book really starts to pick up steam. Kitty returns home.. and is greeted with the news Storm has turned ill. When kitty tries visting storm is afraid of the sunlight, has a mysterious scarf from an admierer with a large D on it, and flinches when Kitty’s star of david brushes up against her. Kitty, sensing the obvious heads off to do some errands. Later that night Ororo lets her her “lover” and the one behind all this...

Yup. I wasn’t lying or exaggerating in the teaser: The one behind all this is DRACULA. That Dracula, not some alien or some other vampire. The prince of Darkness himself has designs on Ororo. And if your wondering if this is just some one issue weirdness… NOPE. Around this time, Dracula had his own ongoing started in the 70’s, Tomb of Dracula and what I’ve read is excellent. As a result Dracula was a part of the Marvel Universe, had his own backstory and enimies, and fought the likes of Dr. Strange and Spider-Man and earlier this year was the center of a major plot in Jason Aaron’s Avengers run. But before he can turn her, help arrives..

IT’s kitty who got a nifty Van Helsing getup and a cross.. but in an intresting twist on the mythos the cross does nothing. But not for the by this point cliché reason of “we’re just not using that old chesnut”, no in the Marvel Universe one needs genuine faith for the religious symbols weakness to work… and as the star of david showed earlier, Kitty is Jewish .. but when Dracula tries to choke a bitch, it’s said star of David that saves her. Tragically, Storm is too brainwashed to run and leaves with Dracula, begging Kitty to forget her and leaving the poor child in tears as her surrogate older sister leaves with a monster, possibly forever and there’s nothing she can do to stop it. On a side note though nice entrance line. While it’s no “Begone monster you do not belong in this world!” it’s still pretty sweet. 

The rest of the team burst in and Kitty explains what’s going on: that while she didn’t know it was DRACULA till now, she was supscious but rightly suspected the others wouldn’t belive her and Logan dosen’t, trying to write off the scarf as Harmony or Misty’s.. but Kurt shoots it down, stating that Kitty is no child and her word means as much as Logan’s own, with his own time in Bavaria telling him to not take vampires lightly.. ESPECIALLY Dracula. Even if Logan still isn’t buying it, Kitty does point out that wether she’s right or not, Ororo is too injured to leave out in the wild, let alone with some strange man who may or may not be Dracula. Given this is a superhero comic, a fight naturally breaks out, with Dracula summoning his wolves, where’d he purchase those, to fight while Kurt tries fighting the big man himself.. and quickly gets his fuzzy blue ass handed to him. Colossus and WOlverine take the wolves out and prepare for the big man himself. 

As you can see Dracula is handing them their asses.. which is no surprise: not only are the X-Men two members short, and even if they weren’t Dracula would still be able to take them. It also helps ease him into this shared universe: the reason why he hasn’t been beaten for good with so many heroes out there is simple:  besides having the cover of being so famous that most wouldn’t belive he’s real, he’s also really damn powerful and only one vampire hunter after him has any sort of powers, that being Blade who was introduced in Tomb of Dracula. And while he’s a vampire, he dosen’t have Drac’s broken number of extra powers.

With it now being clear given he fuck slammed Colossus that Dracula is out of their league Kurt suggests a straight up fight won’t work and they need plan B.. and with that we get the best scene in the issue, the one that made me want to read it in the first place. 

Just as a recap, in a brilliant callback to a few pages ago, Wolverine tries, cleverly, to use his claws as a cross.. but as Dracula mocks him, it won’t work. Like Parappa the Rapper says you gotta belivie.. and unfortunately for Dracula, Kurt does in what is, to my suprise, the first time his religion comes up but it works well and adds a sizeable amount to his character. Sadly as fucking epic as this is, it only holds him off for a second and he soon sendds lightning after him because.. apparently he can do that now? I dunno.  While this goes on Kitty runs into the castle which Dracula has morphed into his own kinda castle, and while Kitty dosen’t find dracula she does find an almost turned storm and readies a stake, though Ororo points out it won’t do much good.. and we get another powerful scene as Kitty decides she’s right. 

While that goes on, the rest of the team presses on but have no more luck and soon Dracula has them beat and Storm arrives seemingly having slain kitty.. only to shed her Dracula outfit for her uniform and start kicking Dracula’s ass, kicking off an awesome fight between the two.

She ends up slamming him into a party where Drac, being a sore looser, tries to force her to submit.. but she stays her ground and he gets desperat holding a hostage to try and get her to submit

But as seen she will not and refuses to.. and Dracula admits defeat, realizing he was genuinely attracted to her and he’d have to snuff out what made her worthy of being his queen to do so. Granted he’s still a creepy mind rapist, but it’s still a nice character touch. He books it out of there, and being good at evading people as his solo would show, tells Ororo following would be a fools errand and givne how beaten down her team is , even with her back to give them the edge, he’s right. So for now he escapes, but the X-Men have one the night and Ororo is free and back to being just a mutant again and tearfully reunited with kitty at misty’s place.

With that touching scene done, our heroes runite with Harmony, with Misty and Coleen now present and celebrate their narrow victory. There’s also a quick stinger with Moira MacTaggert telling the X-Men xavier’s condition has gotten worse, but for the most part, it’s a happy ending as our heroes, however narrowly have won the day and I thankfully got this done before Halloween ended.

Final Thoughts: This issue is every bit as good the second time around, if not more so now I know who Harmony is and have read some of Dracula’s own title, though it’s not a necessity as none of the stuff from Tomb is important here, and Harmony is introduced well enough. This issue is a masterpiece, having atompsheric moody horror, the drawings well done and there’s so much I didn’t show that’s just awesome and Bill would only get better from here. The character work is also great as most of the X-Men get moments to shine. While wolverine is mostly there for his usaul schtick as is Colosus, how easily dracula manhandles them shows just how strong he is without feeling forced. But the real stars are Kurt, who gets one of his finest moments here and even after that fails still presses on anyway, Storm whose transformation is truly horrifying and whose ultimate victory is made all the sweeter and Kitty, whose at her best with: her youthful naivity matching well with her refusal to give up as she stares down both Dracula and her big sister in equal amounts. The issue is a must read for what’s left of this Halloween and every one after it and a great little done in one. Even with the btis of other storylines, it’s still easy to read and understand on it’s own and is one of the best one and done issues i’ve ever read and still holds it’s position in my eyes as one of the best X-Men stories period, taking what should be a rediculous premise and owning the hell out of it. A must read if i’ve ever read one. 

[official-michael-afton]

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Michael Afton

23, Demiboy, he/him, homoflexible, polyamorous

Michael is the son of William Afton, twin brothers with Red, and has two younger siblings: Elizabeth and Crying Child. He is the older brother in FNaF 4, Eggs Benedict in Sister Location, and the guard in FFPS. Thanks to Officialverse shenanigans, he was brought back to “life” and now lives in the Officialverse with his family and loved ones.

Red

23, Trans Man, he/him, biromantic, asexual

Fraternal twins with Michael, Scott goes by the nickname “Red” to avoid confusion. He actually came from an AU, and angsts over the fact that he “wasn’t meant to exist”. He’s very overprotective of his brother and really enjoys playing Pokemon. Also has glitch powers, but hardly ever uses them. Red is a Phone Guy, but not to be confused with PG!!!

Ennard

Age Unknown, Genderfluid, he/him they/them or she/her, pansexual

Originally the robot that inhabited Michael, Ennard was recently struck with anon magic that turned her human, and he seems to be permanately this way. Their personally tends to be all over the place due to being made of four different robots, but “mischevious” always seems to describe him well. She’s in a queerplatonic relationship with Michael.

Sasha Catter “Beans” Afton-Cawthon

Michael’s cat! Also lives with Scott, hence the same last name. She was adopted from a shelter.

The Night Shift

My interpretations of the night guards from Michael’s timeline, they’re open for questions but aren’t featured often on this blog.

It would be way too many images to go through, so go through their tag if you’d like artwork!

Phone Guy(PG): 30, Transmale, he/him, homosexual

Jeremy Fitzgerald: 25, Male, he/him, bisexual

Mike Schmidt: 21, Male, he/him, homosexual

Fritz Smith, 35, Male, he/him, pansexual

Li DeLacey, 31, Transfemale, she/her, heterosexual

Brandon Fischer(PD), 28, Nonbinary, they/them, aromantic asexual

Mahsa Smith(Cassette Girl), 34, Female, she/her, pansexual

Jonas(OC), 30, Male, he/him, polysexual

Terrence(OC), 30, Male, he/him, bisexual

Kiki(OC), 29, Female, she/her, lesbian

Scatter A. Patter

20, Transmale/Genderfluid, he/him, homoflexible asexual

The mod of the blog and as such, sometimes appears to mess around with Michael. Doesn’t interfere much, but occasionally goofs off with Michael and Ennard.

Important people in Mike’s life!

Family

William Afton/Springtrap/Scraptrap: Michael’s father and antagonist of the series. There are numerous Williams in the Officialverse, and Michael doesn’t seem to favor any particular one.

Mrs. Afton: Michael’s mother. Jennifer in Michael’s timeline, though he loves any interpretation of Mrs. Afton

Red: Michael’s twin brother, explained above.

Crying Child: Michael’s younger brother. Anthony in Michael’s timeline, though he loves any interpretation of Crying Child and always tries to make up for his mistakes.

Elizabeth/Baby: Michael’s younger sister. He’s forgiven Baby for the events of SL and FFPS and still loves her as a sister.

Henry: Basically adopted Michael since William is a terrible father. There are multiple Henries in the Officialverse and Michael doesn’t seem to favor any particular one.

Jack Kennedy has been adopted as a brother to Mike and Red, and they treat each other like family.

Dave Miller is Jack’s husband, making him Michael’s brother-in-law.

Henry Miller is a stinky piece of shit who adopted Dave Miller and tried to adopt Mike and Red too but he’s just- he’s a stinky!!!

Significant Others

Michael is polyamorous, so he can have multiple partners at once!

Sammy Lawrence: Michael has been dating Sammy for a few months now, and are unafraid to admit their love for each other. Mike wants to propose, but he’s still struggling to even get a ring.

Scott/Animdude: Both Michael and Scott have admitted to loving each other, live together, and certainly act very romantic around each other, though I’m pretty sure they STILL never made it official despite totally being boyfriends.

Phone Guy: Michael and PG have a thing for each other, and have gone on dates before, though this is merely the PG from Michael’s timeline, and does not have an Officialverse counterpart, so their relationship is pretty non-existant on this blog.

Oh, Michael is also extremely gay for Percy.

BFFLS

Ennard: Explained above, Michael and his Ennard are in a Queerplatonic relationship. For other Ennards in the Officialverse, Michael treats them as if they were a sibling.

Charlie Emily: Charlie and Michael grew up together, and have remained best friends this whole time. True wlw mlm solidarity.

Shawn Flynn: … Okay no they’re not friends. Actually Shawn is Michael’s enemy after Ink Stains(see below), and they hate each other… though, Michael is extremely empathetic to Shawn’s suffering.

Events!

These events are either ongoing or have happened in the past and left a lasting impact on Michael

Ink Stains: An event run by Drew Studios in which Shawn Flynn is the antagonist, using ink to corrupt everyone into a hivemind-like state. Michael along with a few others have banded together to reverse the effects and return everyone to normal.

Wandering is a Terrible sin: The aftermath of ink stains, in which Sammy and Michael attempt to find Joey while Shawn plots again.

The Joy of Creation: An au ran with Animdude, following the events of The Joy of Creation: Story Mode. Never finished!(If you just want art and general content!)

Mike and Scott go to Hell: Scott gets killed, goes to lakeside hell, Michael goes after him, feels ensue.

Human!Ennard: Ennard gets turned human for an m!a… turns out that ended up becoming permanent.

Family au: An au where Michael gets a twin brother, a fellow Phone Guy named Scott. … Then I gave Scott the nickname “Red” and now he’s a permanent member of the blog. WHOOPS.

Various Tags!

Art Tag: My art!(also related- my animatic, my edits, my moodboards, my audio, my stimboard)

Mike plays….: When I play various games like DSaF 2, DSaF 3, and FNaF World Redacted!

Fanart: When people draw things for me! My personal favorite tag!

Squad up!: When I draw other characters/officials- typically in a squad!

Batim stuff: Tag for Bendy and the Ink Machine content!

Sness Blunderall: Sans Undertale-themed shitposts

Big Fav: Tag for personal favorite posts

Ship/Relationship tags: Sammy/Lawrafton, Scott/Smike, PG/MichaelPhone

Animation Weekend: I like cartoons. Featuring Drew Studios Saturday and Disney Sunday

Henry Fan Club: Started off as a fun little rp thing, ended up becoming a discord server.

Aesthetic/Musings: For Aesthetical blog fun!

Stimmy Stuff: I’m just really ADHD so I keep all of my stimboards here!!!

Kin-etic energy: Harmless fun for fnaf fictionkin!

Other Blogs!

Main Blog

Art Blog

Sammy Lawrence T-Poses

[theearlymorningmist]

Strawberry Pancakes Part 6

TONY STARK X READER, TONY STARK X PREGNANT!READER

Plot: You and Tony are best-friends and partners in crime, but when you find out you’re pregnant Tony steps up in more than one way… An ongoing series.

Warnings: Pregnancy issues, C-section

Word Count: 2400

Part One, Part Two, Part Three, Part Four, Part Five, ------

(Y/N) = your name, (Y/F/N) = your full name, (Y/H/C) = your hair colour

A/N—After the wait, the final part is here! Thank you so much to everyone who read or liked, and especially to those who followed! Hope you like it! Love, -J/E

You and Tony sat on the couch in silence as you awaited to arrival of one of the best specialists in the world to come look at you and the baby. The tension was palpable and it made you even more uncomfortable.

You looked over at Tony, but he just stared off into space. You were worried about him, seeing as you hadn’t heard the man speak a word since your conversation last night.

You laid in bed, head resting on Tony’s chest as he wrapped you in his arms tightly. He was so still and silent you thought he had fallen asleep until he suddenly whispered. “It’s my fault.”

“What?” Was all you could reply, out of shock.

“If there’s something wrong with the kid, it’s my fault.”

You sat up, and turned your body to face Tony, placing your hands on either side of his face. “You listen to me, Stark. We don’t even know if something is wrong or not yet. And if it is, we can handle it, and most importantly- It is NOT your fault. It’s no one’s fault. This is just one of those things that happen…We’ll be okay.” You removed one of your hands and used it to gently take the man’s hand and place it on your stomach. “They’ll be okay.”

In that moment, you saw one of rarer sights in your relationship- a tear falling down the face of Tony Stark. Your heart clenched and you kissed the man’s face, wiping the tear away.

“I love you.” You whispered.

“I suppose I love you too.” Tony said back, in a weak joking tone.

You could tell he wasn’t quite comforted yet, so you suggested trying to sleep. You faced Tony’s back, wrapping your arms around him and holding him tightly. You had to be strong right now, because Tony wasn’t.

“Everything’s going to be okay…” You mumbled, for both your sakes, before drifting off to an uneasy sleep.

You reached over and gently entwined your hand with Tony’s. He gave your hand a soft squeeze, but made no other motion to communicate. You could tell he was trapped inside his mind today.

“I should go check on Maria before they get here…” He muttered, but you didn’t let his hand go.

“Sweetie… Nat came and took her earlier this morning, remember?” You gently reminded the man. He seemed confused for a moment before nodding and sitting back down.

He wasn’t seated for long before the elevator door opened, and Tony near leapt up to go greet the doctor. You followed, anxiety for the situation and for Tony’s wellbeing making you feel slightly dizzy. So you leaned on Tony’s arm as he spoke with the Doctor; but all the words were starting to blur and all that was registering was faint echoes.

You knew something was wrong when everything started going dark. The last thing you heard was Tony calling your name in a muffled voice as everything went black.

You woke up on a medical bed, with Tony holding your hand.

“What happened?” You asked, voice hoarse.

“Shh, you passed out…Doc said it was a combination of high blood pressure and a mild panic attack.” Tony explained. “Listen, we had to go ahead and do the test while you were still out because this guys on the world’s tightest schedule.”

“What!?” You exclaim, confused and alarmed. “Well, do you know what’s wrong!?” The rational next question to ask.

“Not yet, Docs coming back any—“ The door to the room opened and the doctor came in. “—now.” Tony finished.

“You’re awake, that’s good.” The man said, with a warm smile. “I’ll catch you up. We performed a fetal echocardiogram. It’s sort of like a more detailed sonogram.” He sat down in the seat Tony had previously been sat it, but was now standing up with his arms crossed.

“Tony…” You called, holding out your hand. He took it immediately, pressing a soft kiss against the skin before clutching it to his side.

“So, I did see something.” He began in a soft voice. “It’s not ideal, but it’s not the end of the world.”

“Just tell us.” Tony said, pinching the bridge of his nose.

“Of course… Well, it’s an Atrial Septal Defect. Or basically, a small hole in the heart.”

You felt tears falling down your face and Tony’s grip tighten around your hand.

“Now it’s not ideal, like I said, but we can handle this.” The man continued. “He’s going to be okay.”

“He?” You echoed, quietly.

“Oh, I’m sorry, did you not know the gender?” The man asked.

You wiped some of your tears, and exchanged a sad smile with Tony. “That’s okay, Doc…we had a feeling.” You replied, but Tony had gone back to solemnly staring at the ground.  

“Right. Well, basically the course of action here is that we continue to monitor it, and if there’s no changes by the time of birth, a minor invasive surgery to stitch the area would be needed.” He finished.

“What do you mean changes?” Tony asked. “Could it… could it get worse? Put his life in danger?” The man’s voice began to break.

“Rather the opposite. This is a fairly small ASD, and they can sometimes even close on their own. If not, it’s really not a worrisome procedure to close it.” The man sighed, “However, you will need to stay on bedrest. If not to aid in this, but because for an ASD pregnancy your blood pressure is way higher than I’d like it.”

“Her feet won’t touch the ground.” Tony nodded, but it lacked his usual joking tone.

“Good, I can be back in a few weeks to check on you both again. It’s good we caught this early.” And with that, the doctor and Tony went off to talk specifics, leaving you alone. You put your hand over your stomach and tried not to think about the supposedly non-threatening hole in your child’s heart. But how could you ignore something like that?

………

That night you finished the last chapter of your book, and placed it down on the side table. Tony noticed, and put down his stark-pad as well, looking over at you. “Ready for bed?” He asked, quietly.

“Yeah, sure.” You nodded, turning off the lights. The two of you hadn’t actually discussed what was happening since you found out about it this morning. And you weren’t sure Tony would ever be able to. For right now you were both in this sort of limbo. You couldn’t do anything productive really, and you also couldn’t ignore the matter fully. It was just there, hovering behind every breath, every thought, and every action. That nasty little hole.

You couldn’t sleep, but you wanted Tony to, so you pretended to be asleep, knowing it was the only way he might be able to sleep. You stayed silent and still as you felt Tony’s body shift, turning to face your back. You felt the man as he gently reached over, touching your stomach leaning down close to your to whispering softly against it.

“Come on little guy… be strong. I know you can. You’re half Stark and half (Y/L/N)….and we’re fighters. I promise, this is the only time you’ll ever have to be strong for us. Because for the rest of your life I swear I’ll protect you, I’ll be the strong one. But for now…please…be strong.”

……

The next morning you woke up alone in bed. You curled your arms around yourself, and let out a soft sigh. Was this what the rest of the pregnancy was going to be like? Tony, quiet and reserved, only seeing you at meals and the rare times he slept. You couldn’t handle this on your own.

Just then, the door swung open, interrupting your thoughts. Tony came hobbling into the room carrying a large tray with multiple plates of…pancakes?

“Tony?” You questioned, sitting up in bed.

The man gave you a million dollar smile and shut the door behind him with his foot. “Alrighty baby, here we go! I’ve got normal pancakes, banana, chocolate chip, cinnamon, and blueberry.”

“Tony what is this?” You questioned again, with a giggle. Looking for a real answer this time.

“This, my dear, is The Great Pancake Pentathlon of 2018!” He placed the tray down on the edge of the bed. “You can’t eat strawberry pancakes, your absolute favourite, so I thought we’d try to find you a suitable replacement until such time as my strawberry pancakes no longer thoroughly disgust you.”

You couldn’t help the wide smile on your face. You tugged at the front of Tony’s shirt pulling him close and connecting your lips. “I love you so much.” You mumbled against his mouth.

“Not as much as I love you.” Tony replied, tucking your (Y/H/C) hair behind your ear.

Things seemed to go on like that for the rest of this difficult time. Tony found some new way to make you laugh everyday. You almost didn’t recognize the man sometimes, he acted so carefree.

A few weeks later you were laid on the couch with Maria, showing her your belly. “Baby.” You said, pointing to your stomach.

Maria just smiled then yawned. You laughed, playing with the soft brown hair on the top of her head. Knowing she probably needed a nap, you laid back hugging the young girl to your body, and snuggling against her neck. She settled and seemed to drift to sleep immediately.

A few moments later, you heard two sets of footsteps enter the room.

“So, you’re handling everything pretty well.” You recognized Bruce’s voice.

“Not really.” Tony scoffed in response.

“So how are you really then? Because you’re not showing anything.”

“I can’t.” Tony sighed. “I’ve got to keep a strong face for (Y/N). Her worrying about me will only be worse for her and the baby. So as far as everyone else is concerned, I’m absolutely fine. Got that Banner?” Tony asked.

You couldn’t see, but you heard a sigh, and assumed a nod went along with it. The footsteps then started heading around the couch and you pretended to be asleep as the men finally noticed you there.

“Think she heard?” Bruce whispered.

“Dunno…” Tony sighed. You heard one set receding footsteps, presumably Bruce’s. “Okay, he’s gone.” Tony continued. “You can stop faking it now.”

“How’d you know?” You asked, pouting.

“Your nose twitches when you’re asleep. It wasn’t.” He sat on the coffee table and took your hand, looking down at his feet.

“You don’t have to be strong for me, Tony.” You began. “I’m going to worry no matter how many breakfast surprises and fake smiles you give me. So I’d rather just know what’s going on in your head.”

Tony cleared his throat and nodded, kissing your hand. “I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be.” You assured the man. But you still weren’t satisfied, you wanted a real smile from him before you could let this matter go. “Hey…Marry me?” You asked, grinning.

“Not a chance.” Tony grinned. It had become a running joke between the two of you. One would propose and the other would reject them. It always cheered you both up, because you knew you would get married one day- when the time was right.

…..

Finally the day had come. It was towards the end of your pregnancy and it was your final appointment with the specialist. Today was the day you found out if the hole in your son’s heart had healed, or if he would need surgery after birth.

You and Tony waited in the lab with bated breath as the doctor read the echocardiogram and he held an unreadable expression as he did so. “Okay, I’m happy.” The man finally said.

“You’re happy? Does that mean…?” You began, unable to form the rest of the sentence.

“The hole hasn’t entire repaired, but it’s made very significant progress that I believe will continue.” He said with a smile.

Tony let out a shakey sigh, and sat down in a chair. “Thank god….all the gods…even Thor…” He chuckled.

“I would suggest however, when the time comes you opt for a C-section.”

“Yes! Of course! Hell I’ll even let you do it!” You laughed, to which the man gave a polite smile.

You son was going to be okay. Edward Anthony Stark was fighting and he was going to be okay.

…..

You took the doctor’s advice and ended up having a C-section for little Eddy. So the entire process was a lot calmer then the rushed, unexpected way Maria’s birth went. And Tony was with you the entire time.

He was still with you now, literally laid in your hospital bed with you. Tony had one arm around your shoulders and the other helping support Eddy.

“Perfect.” You whispered, staring at his little face.

“I know I am, but what about our son darling?” Tony teased.

“Shut up, Stark.” You laughed quietly. “He’s perfect... this moment is absolutely perfect. Everything is okay, and it’s only going to get better from here on out.”

“It is perfect…” Tony trailed off. He thought for a moment before asking, “Will you marry me?”

“Aha, never...” You joked, assuming it was another bit.

“(Y/F/N), love of my life, mother of my children, I love you and I want to show the whole world how much we love each other. So will you make me the happiest man in all the universes and finally say yes to this question; Will you marry me?”

Your eyes drifted down to Tony’s hand where he had produced a ring from is pocket, your birthstone with diamonds around it, and held it out to you, the world’s biggest smile on his face.

“Anthony Edward Stark… Yes, I will marry you.”

“Finally.” Tony chuckled as he slipped the ring onto your finger.

“Worth the wait.” You teased back, kissing the man.

The two of you were wrapped in your own happy little world. And that beautiful moment turned into a beautiful life full of struggles, hopes, growth, happiness, and most of all- love.

The End…

Tag List:

@selenakaulitz, @ghostslikemydoubts, @lilylovelyxo

[theonyxpath]

Chicago is!

If you remember the original Chicago By Night cover art, this is the same scene – this time illustrated by Adrian Majkrzak – but the point of view is reversed. A nice call-back!

Of course, all this Chicago referencing is because we are currently running a Kickstarter campaign for our new Chicago By Night book for Vampire 5th Edition. So far, we crushed the funding goal in half a day and have blasted through several Stretch Goals.

Sincere thanks to all of you who have backed and made this possible!

We’re very excited about the additional projects being built by the Stretch Goals: first, the Chicago Folio, an in-character artifact book compiling diary entries, transcripts, emails, and other treasures to use in the course of a V5 chronicle, especially useful when utilizing the characters and plots from Chicago by Night. We’ve already added the Camarilla Record section and the Anarchs Accounts section to the Folio via Stretch Goals, so let’s see what else we can add!

Second, we have Let the Streets Run Red, a PDF supplement set in and around the Chicago and Midwest area, incorporating characters absent from V5 Chicago by Night and exploring the activities of Indianapolis, Milwaukee, and the rural Illinois, Wisconsin, and Indiana areas. The first section, starting in Chicago, is our current Stretch Goal and almost achieved at the time I’m writing this!

If you are interested, you can check it out here:

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/200664283/chicago-by-night-for-vampire-the-masquerade-5th-ed/description

Like all of our recent KSs, backers are getting sections of the text that will add up to 95% of the full text for the book before this KS is over. So if you are concerned over the writing direction, or that it might get changed before it’s published, here’s your chance to see all the words before they go to editing.

    Trinity Continuum: Aeon illustration by Michele Giorgi

    As part of our ongoing outreach to let our community know all about the V5 Chicago By Night Kickstarter, the developer, our own Gentleman Gamer Matthew Dawkins, will be hosting a Q&A to answer your many many questions! In fact, here he is now:

“Matthew here! I’ll be hosting a live Q&A on my YouTube channel focused on Chicago by Night, but in which you can ask me anything (within reason) and I’ll answer (probably)! I’d love for you to join me, and we can all discuss the Chicago project and how it’s doing so far.”

  It’s on Friday 9th November at 22:00 GMT right here: www.youtube.com/user/clackclickbang

    Trinity Continuum Core illustration by Felipe Gaona

    Mirthful Mike Chaney wants all of you prospective Exalted artists out there that he’d love to see your stuff! Just follow the submission guidelines on this site, and if you can create illustrations along the lines of the artwork you’ve seen in Exalted 3rd, the monthly EX3 releases, and the previews of Dragon-Blooded – then he wants to see your stuff! (As a note, Chibi style isn’t really what we’re looking for, as much as we love it).

  Eddy Webb notes that he has a special deal going on with Pugmire‘s Canis Minor Community Content site, like so:

  I need to cut this one a bit short this week folks. I lifted weights with the intention of getting back some tone in my shoulders and now that one muscle sort of along the shoulder blade is REALLY hurting.

  Makes it very hard to type, actually. Fortunately most of my work this week is talking and coordinating and not art and writing!

    Trinity Continuum: Aeon illustration by Jon Reed

    So, one final note that this Friday’s Onyx Pathcast features an interview with “Diamond” Dave Brookshaw, who is not only developer of the Mage: The Awakening line and lead dev on Deviant, but I think still holds the record for the writer who has worked on the most of our game lines. Certainly, his knowledge of our lines (and other things) is vast, so expect some excellent talkin’.

  Plus, Dave having worked on so many of our game lines means I can segue right into him knowing all about:

  Many Worlds, One Path!

  BLURBS!

KICKSTARTER:

Lo the darkness that lies like a pall over Chicago.

The V5 Chicago By Night Kickstarter went live as planned last Tuesday and blew through its funding goal in half a day, and is currently at over a thousand backers in just one week ! Congrats to the whole team and all our backers, and we’ve already started to pass through several Stretch Goals and activate additional projects!

We’d be thrilled if you’d give it a look here: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/200664283/chicago-by-night-for-vampire-the-masquerade-5th-ed/description

Next up, we’re working on the Kickstarter for They Came From Beneath the Sea! (TCFBtS!), which has some very different additions to the Storypath mechanics we’ll be explaining during the KS.  They take an excellent 50’s action and investigation genre game and turn it to 11!

  ELECTRONIC GAMING:

      As we find ways to enable our community to more easily play our games, the Onyx Dice Rolling App is now live! Our dev team has been doing updates since we launched based on the excellent use-case comments by our community, and this thing is both rolling and rocking!

Here are the links for the Apple and Android versions:

http://theappstore.site/app/1296692067/onyx-dice

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.onyxpathpublishing.onyxdice&hl=en

Three different screenshots, above.

And our latest, the dice for Werewolf: The Forsaken 2e:

  ON AMAZON AND BARNES & NOBLE:

You can now read our fiction from the comfort and convenience of your Kindle (from Amazon) and Nook (from Barnes & Noble).

If you enjoy these or any other of our books, please help us by writing reviews on the site of the sales venue you bought it from. Reviews really, really help us with getting folks interested in our amazing fiction!

Our selection includes these fiction books:

Vampire: The Masquerade: The Endless Ages Anthology (Kindle, Nook)

Werewolf: The Apocalypse: Rites of Renown: When Will You Rage II (Kindle, Nook)

Mage: The Ascension: Truth Beyond Paradox (Kindle, Nook)

Chronicles of Darkness: The God-Machine Chronicle Anthology (Kindle, Nook)

Mummy: The Curse: Curse of the Blue Nile (Kindle, Nook)

Beast: The Primordial: The Primordial Feast Anthology (Kindle, Nook)

Vampire: The Masquerade: Of Predators and Prey: The Hunters Hunted II Anthology (Kindle, Nook)

Werewolf: The Apocalypse: The Poison Tree (Kindle, Nook)

Werewolf: The Apocalypse: Songs of the Sun and Moon: Tales of the Changing Breeds (Kindle, Nook)

Vampire: The Requiem: The Strix Chronicle Anthology (Kindle, Nook)

Werewolf: The Forsaken: The Idigam Chronicle Anthology (Kindle, Nook)

Mage: The Awakening: The Fallen World Chronicle Anthology (Kindle, Nook)

Vampire: The Masquerade: The Beast Within Anthology (Kindle, Nook)

Werewolf: The Apocalypse: W20 Cookbook (Kindle, Nook)

Exalted: Tales from the Age of Sorrows (Kindle, Nook)

Chronicles of Darkness: Tales of the Dark Eras (Kindle, Nook)

Promethean: The Created: The Firestorm Chronicle Anthology (Kindle, Nook)

Demon: The Descent: Demon: Interface (Kindle, Nook)

Scarred Lands: Death in the Walled Warren (Kindle, Nook)

V20 Dark Ages: Cainite Conspiracies (Kindle, Nook)

Chronicles of Darkness: Strangeness in the Proportion (Kindle, Nook)

Vampire: The Requiem: Silent Knife (Kindle, Nook)

Mummy: The Curse: Dawn of Heresies (Kindle, Nook)

  OUR SALES PARTNERS:

We’re working with Studio2 to get Pugmire out into stores, as well as to individuals through their online store. You can pick up the traditionally printed main book, the Screen, and the official Pugmire dice through our friends there!

https://studio2publishing.com/search?q=pugmire

And we’ve added Prince’s Gambit to our Studio2 catalog: https://studio2publishing.com/products/prince-s-gambit-card-game

  Looking for our Deluxe or Prestige Edition books? Try this link! http://www.indiepressrevolution.com/xcart/Onyx-Path-Publishing/

Here’s the link to the press release we put out about how Onyx Path is now selling through Indie Press Revolution: http://theonyxpath.com/press-release-onyx-path-limited-editions-now-available-through-indie-press-revolution/

And you can now order Pugmire: the book, the screen, and the dice! http://www.indiepressrevolution.com/xcart/manufacturers.php?manufacturerid=296

    DRIVETHRURPG.COM:

This week, we are releasing the Advance PDF for the Promethean book Night Horrors: The Tormented! This Wednesday on DTRPG!

“The Pilgrimage ain’t got no shortcuts, no quick fixes. Heck, even death’s not a reprieve for us. So you pick yourself up now, and you keep goin’. I promise there’s light at the end of this tunnel, even if the walk takes forever and a half. Just mind those that’d get in yer way.”

— Sister Meshé, Tammuz Sage

Night Horrors: The Tormented includes:

• More than 50 Storyteller characters, including Centimani, Pandorans, alchemists and genitors, qashmallim, clones, and Zeky

• A new way the Pilgrimage can go awry: petrificatio

• Two new Flux Alembics

• Plot hooks and story seeds for your Promethean: The Created chronicles

• An in-depth look at the Zeky, complete with rules to play one, and clones

• A close examination of the enigmatic Jovian

        CONVENTIONS!

THIS WEEK! Matt, Monica, Bill, Crystal, and other Onyx Path writers and developers will be at GameHoleCon in Madison, WI November 8th – 11th running demos of Pugmire, Scarred Lands, and more! https://www.gameholecon.com/

Rich, Lisa, Matt, Eddy, Dixie, Danielle, and other Onyx Path writers and developers will be at PAX Unplugged in Philly, November 30th – December 2nd running demos of Scion, Monarchies of Mau, Exalted, and more! http://unplugged.paxsite.com/

Start getting ready for our appearance at MidWinter this January in Milwaukee! So many demos, playtests, secret playtests, and Onyx Path Q&As you could plotz!

  And now, the new project status updates!

DEVELOPMENT STATUS FROM FAST EDDY WEBB (projects in bold have changed status since last week):

First Draft (The first phase of a project that is about the work being done by writers, not dev prep)

C20 Novel (Jackie Cassada) (Changeling: the Dreaming 20th Anniversary Edition)

M20 The Technocracy Reloaded (Mage: the Ascension 20th Anniversary Edition)

M20 Victorian Mage (Mage: the Ascension 20th Anniversary Edition)

City of the Towered Tombs (Cavaliers of Mars)

Mummy: The Curse 2nd Edition core rulebook (Mummy: The Curse 2nd Edition)

Scion Ready Made Characters (Scion 2nd Edition)

Scion Jumpstart (Scion 2nd Edition)

Geist2e Fiction Anthology (Geist: The Sin-Eaters 2nd Edition)

Memento Mori: the GtSE 2e Companion (Geist: The Sin-Eaters 2nd Edition)

Pirates of Pugmire (Realms of Pugmire)

Distant Worlds (Trinity Continuum: Aeon)

Dragon-Blooded Novella #1 (Exalted 3rd Edition)

  Redlines

Deviant: The Renegades (Deviant: The Renegades)

Night Horrors: Nameless and Accursed (Mage: the Awakening Second Edition)

Witch-Queen of the Shadowed Citadel (Cavaliers of Mars)

Heirs to the Shogunate (Exalted 3rd Edition)

Scion Companion: Mysteries of the World (Scion 2nd Edition)

  Second Draft

Tales of Good Dogs – Pugmire Fiction Anthology (Pugmire)

  Development

Hunter: the Vigil 2e core (Hunter: the Vigil 2nd Edition)

CofD Contagion Chronicle (Chronicles of Darkness)

Night Horrors: Shunned by the Moon (Werewolf: The Forsaken 2nd Edition)

Lunars: Fangs at the Gate (Exalted 3rd Edition)

Spilled Blood (Vampire: The Requiem 2nd Edition)

WoD Ghost Hunters (World of Darkness)

Wr20 Book of Oblivion (Wraith: The Oblivion 20th Anniversary Edition)

Trinity Continuum: Aberrant core (Trinity Continuum: Aberrant)

Oak, Ash, and Thorn: Changeling: The Lost 2nd Companion (Changeling: The Lost 2nd)

CofD Dark Eras 2 (Chronicles of Darkness)

  Manuscript Approval:

V5 Chicago By Night (Vampire: The Masquerade)

Tales of Excellent Cats (Monarchies of Mau)

  Editing:

Signs of Sorcery (Mage: the Awakening Second Edition)

Aeon Aexpansion (Trinity Continuum: Aeon)

C20 Players’ Guide (Changeling: the Dreaming 20th Anniversary Edition)

Dystopia Rising: Evolution (Dystopia Rising: Evolution)

M20 Book of the Fallen (Mage: the Ascension 20th Anniversary Edition)

Adventures for Curious Cats (Monarchies of Mau)

In Media Res (Trinity Continuum: Core)

  Post-Editing Development:

Ex Novel 2 (Aaron Rosenberg) (Exalted 3rd Edition)

  Indexing:

    ART DIRECTION FROM MIRTHFUL MIKE:

  In Art Direction

Dystopia Rising: Evolution – Pretty much all contracted.

Geist 2e

The Realm – Yihoung on the fulls. I will probably get Gunship going soon.

Trinity Continuum (Aeon and Core) – Aeon sketches coming in.

Ex3 Monthly Stuff

Chicago By Night – KS moving along.

C20 Player’s Guide – Contracted.

Aeon Aexpansion

They Came From Beneath the Sea! – Getting more KS art since we have a little time.

Lost 2e Jumpstart – Art contracted.

EX3 Lunars – Getting KS art.

Signs of Sorcery – Contracted.

  Marketing Stuff

  In Layout

Trinity Core – Working.

Trinity Aeon – Inputting 2nd proof notes.

M20: Gods and Monsters – With Josh.

Pugmire Roll of Good Dogs and Cats

  Proofing

Scion Hero – Backer PDF is out, errata coming in.

Scion Origin – Corrections are in.

Ex3 Dragon Blooded

CtL2 Jumpstart – Adding in corrections.

  At Press

Monarchies of Mau and Screen – At Studio2. Dice and buttons at Studio2. Shipping to backers soon.

Wraith 20th – Printing the Deluxe interior, proofing cover this week(???).

Wraith 20 Screen – Printing.

Scion Dice – At Studio2.

Lost 2e Screen – Off to printer.

Scion Screen – Off to printer.

Changeling: The Lost 2e – Printer getting started.

Fetch Quest – Files sent to printer.

Exalted 3rd Novel – Going out to backers this week.

PTC: Night Horrors: The Tormented – Advance PDF on sale this Wednesday on DTRPG!

  TODAY’S REASON TO CELEBRATE: 

Remember, remember, the fifth of November Gunpowder treason and plot We see no reason Why Gunpowder treason Should ever be forgot…. I just love V for Vendetta!

[astravarra]

processing my complicated kylo ren/rey emotions

(ALL OF THIS IS ASSUMING THEY’RE NOT RELATED AND IF THEY ARE I’LL PROBABLY DELETE THIS IN 2019 BUT ALSO I’M LEANING TOWARD THE CAMP OF BELIEVING THEY’RE NOT RELATED BUT ANYWAY)

okay okay so i’ve been contemplating this and i think i finally figured out how to frame my emotions about reylo

firstly, as someone who has a minimal to average attachment to any given star wars character or ship (THIS WILL CHANGE VERY SOON), i was COMPLETELY CAUGHT OFF GUARD by the force connection scenes and kylo’s and rey’s story arcs in relation to each other and the PHYSICALLY ELECTRIC chemistry in adam’s and daisy’s performances. like. suddenly i was here for this.

BUT ALSO it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to see that kylo is absolutely as far as can be from being ready for that kind of relationship, or well any kind of relationship when he still has SO MUCH to work out personally, and also that his attempt to manipulate/convince rey at the end shows the kind of behavior an abusive partner would have. so like. no. obviously.

(gigantic) crush on adam driver aside, i do find kylo ren’s character really compelling. i feel like he could truly go either way and that it’s still too early to tell (but that’s just me and my untrained, unknowledgeable opinion as a casual viewer). 

i can see him becoming so incredibly tortured that he loses his actual humanity and becomes an empty shell to be filled with a spiraling, eternal darkness. but also, i can see him turning to the dark side but still spending the rest of his entire life trying to snuff out the miniscule spark of light within him, it being his deepest secret and constantly threatening to undo everything he’s built (and maybe even doing so one day). and, i can see him turning to the light but having to live with all that he’s done, and with the reality that his deeds cannot be forgiven by everyone, if they are forgiven by anyone at all, and STILL having to basically struggle to keep himself balanced for the rest of his life.

BUT BUT ALSO i could feel moments in the last jedi that skirt around the possibility of rey turning to the dark side which is like WHOA but that’s a whole other essay

SO ANYWAY, with where the two of them are now and their paths in the future, i don’t see the possibility of an actual normal romantic relationship between them UNLESS they reach a certain level of maturity (emotionally, mentally, etc), especially for kylo. also, i don’t see it fitting in as a major plot point unless they really wanna be that disney about it.

what i CAN see though is that, in the event that they are developing/will develop a more-than-platonic attraction to each other, they will not be able to address it out in the open in a proper way. a video essay i watched earlier discussed the possibility of them even having a one night stand (possibly resulting in another addition to the skywalker bloodline DUN DUN DUN) and i was actually intrigued by that idea since it fits in with them both processing their ongoing relationship to each other, feeling that strange intimacy and solace in each other, and also just being humans trying to human in the middle of a galactic battle for the fate of the galaxy you feel

if they do end up in some sort of romantic entanglement, i imagine it being messy and tragic, and lending influence to critical moments in the trilogy’s conclusion (their relationship/influence to each other would likely be prominent whether their relationship is romantic or not). one or more of the video essays i saw earlier, i can’t remember but possibly from the channel for the video i linked above, talks about rey being kylo’s “downfall” and her possibly having to kill him which both make sense to me as well, or at least a similar plot point. 

but ALSO, another video essay i saw highlights a love story between them as being a potentially powerful part of the plot that would also serve as a parallel to the story of anakin and padme but in reverse, in a sense. i barely remember anything about the prequels but i will rewatch them soon for science (i started a star wars rewatch today). the video explains it better and is actually super interesting and cites george lucas’ “strange magic” which i now need to watch but anway

i literally have twenty minutes because i need to get ready to go somewhere (oh you know just christmas eve stuff) but I WILL DO MY ABSOLUTE BEST TO TL;DR THIS:

1. i felt the reylo tension so much in the last jedi i was shook 2. i don’t straight out ship it because 1) kylo ren is just not someone to be in a healthy relationship of that type in his current state, far from it, 1b) rey is also still very young and figuring things out for herself, 2) i feel like it would take A LOT of time to get there if it does happen, and 3) i don’t think their relationships with each other, themselves, and the greater story are That Simple 3. i do think it could be a powerful part of the story if they utilize the possibility of them having romantic feelings for each other 4. i’m gonna be thinking about those force connection scenes and the elevator scene and the fight scene (you know the one) and adam’s brooding shirtlessness for a long time okay bye

[potatowunderkind]

He found the journal on the train.

Lately I’ve gotten into an interest in writing more creatively.  I’ve been searching for different prompts on Google (the title being one of them), some I have found an interest in, others not so much.  I don’t typically share these things with people I know, sometimes I share my writings with a close friend.  I’ve been experiencing a large amount of writers block for stories Fan-Fictions I post to Wattpad so I figured if I have something else to write for the time being I can keep the creative flow going.

I figure that if I continue to write for prompts, I will post them depending on my opinion.  The title of the post will be the prompt I find.

So here we go.  I hope anyone who finds this enjoys reading.

A one way train.  Destination is pointless, most passengers just go where the train takes them.  Few leave the train at certain points but many remain not caring where they will end up.  Many take this train to get away from their lives at home, some eventually return.  Others are long-time passengers occasionally getting off at a new stop.  At one point the train made a stop in the middle of a prairie, a lone station waiting for the passengers.  They soon make their departure and the train pulls away.  A man, no older than twenty-five finds himself alone in the car.  He, himself, has been looking for a way to travel without interruption.  The peace and quiet of the car keeps his nerves calm.  The man had recently boarded the train around four stops before the recent destination.  Home hadn’t been enough.  He found nothing to be important in the small town and family cared not to visit or call.

Though the man of this story’s name is unknown, we will call him Dan.  Dan took a few quick glances around the car before his eyes set upon a small, leather journal sitting on one of the seats.  Finding himself baffled by the object, he stood and moved towards the window seat in the section.  The journal felt small and, upon inspection, not that old.  The cover was a light brown, a leather strand attached to the back was securely tied on the front.  The front cover had a bird engraved along with the words:

          When all else fails, remember to put one foot in front of the other.

Dan began wracking his brain trying to think of who had been in the seat.  The image of a woman around his age had appeared.  She looked to be tired though not unfamiliar with the stops or the ongoing stretch of track.  Her long blonde hair had been loosely braided and set to rest upon her shoulder, few strands coming loose with the passing hours the more she moved.  What appeared to be a pastel color had faded within her hair over time, but continued to give it a lilac tint in the light.  She wore a pair of skinny jeans and a loose fitting long sleeved, faded grey Pink Floyd shirt - the sleeves rolled to her elbows, the whole outfit being completed by a pair of hiking boots.  A large backpack and a heavy jacket sat on the floor next to her while a camera and map sat in the seat beside her.

Ever since he boarded the train, Lord knows where, Dan would steal a few glances at the young woman.  Occasionally she would take a picture, write in the journal, glance at her map or phone, or change the song on her mp3 device.  The young man had begun to wonder what drew her to the train and how long she had journeyed; had she been a newcomer like himself or a regular.  Something in his mind wanted him to get up and speak to her, but another part wanted him to refrain from doing so, to hold back from any conversation which would interrupt her peaceful trip.  However, one or two times Dan would catch what looked to be her tearing up or hiding any crying she may have done.

With a sigh, the young man pulled at the tie of the journal and opened to the first page expecting a name written inside.  None was there.  The first couple of pages had been filled with what looked to be bullet lists, only few topics had check marks beside them.  The date had been from five months prior.

04 February

-Clean apartment

-Look up travel route

-Pay bills (Checked off)

-Organize photos (Checked off)

After the list had been sketches of various subjects.  Most were of a woman who may have been a friend of the blonde, others had been city landmarks.  Strip of photos from a photo-booth and a couple polaroids had been clipped to one page; the blonde and what looked to be her muse.  Flipping to another page, an entry was found.

09 March

Last night was a first in our relationship.  And we’ve had many firsts.  First meeting, first date, first kiss, first fight.  But this… this was something different.  It was around 12:30 in the morning, rain had begun earlier that night.  I woke to the feeling of something soft against my skin.  In waking I could see her outline.  The curtains were somewhat open allowing light from the street to shine through the window.  I registered the soft feeling to be lips gently pressing butterfly kisses to my cheek and neck.  I remember having fallen asleep while reading.

Something was different.

I allowed myself to wake before acknowledging her presence.  Once I got the light on she smiled up at me, a gentle and loving smile. The sight of her had been enough to make me feel, dare I write, arousal.  Her petite frame was hidden by a large t-shirt, curly hair in a mess, her curvaceous thighs…  Her dark skin shone in the dim tableside light.

She returned those irresistible lips to my neck, moving towards my jaw.  I tried to find my voice, wanting to ask if it could wait until morning or another night.  I couldn’t speak.  I found myself out of control my own self.  I found myself returning the affection and not wanting to stop.  The situation had been new, and I loved every minute.

Dan found himself wondering who she was and took a minute to let the words sink into his mind.  He couldn’t help but want to put the journal down, forget he had found it in fear of getting caught reading something from someone’s private life.  A nagging in the back of his mind made him continue flipping through the pages.  A new bullet list appeared after two pages.

30 May

-Pick up final paycheck (Checked off)

-Search for new job

-Download photos

-Meet with Trish in Philly (Checked off)

-Buy medical supplies and kit (Checked off)

-Finalize travel plans (Checked off)

Dan mentally noted the young woman had been from Pennsylvania.  He turned the page expecting another drawing.  Another list, this one shorter.

03 June

-Say goodbye to mom

The written words caused Dan to feel a small amount of heartache.  He wasn’t sure whether it had been for the girl or his own situation, or both.  The ink of the writing must have been hit with water, the dark color causing the words to smudge.  He recognized the bullet hadn’t been checked off and wondered if the woman forgot or couldn’t visit her mother.  The next couple of pages had been blank.  Dan found himself desperately wanting to find more, solve the possible mystery behind the lone woman.  What made her leave?  Why had she left the journal?  He wanted to find out.

The train began to pull into another stop, another small station.  This one being on the edge of a small town.  A small handful of passengers boarded, some with suitcases, others with backpacks like Dan and the young blonde.  His attention turned to the newcomers that found seats in the car he occupied.  Remembering he left his bag in his original seat, Dan quickly stood to carry it over to his new seat as an older woman sat across the way, her greying hair pulled back as she carried travel supplies.  He offered a quick smile her way before placing the backpack on the floor.

The young man turned his attention towards the outside of the train, wanting to watch the scenery and get a look at the town.  Small shops littered the area; coffee, antique, art.  Passing through the suburbs the train began following the tracks passing a marsh.  Dan had no idea where he was if he were to glance at a map, and he had no idea which direction the train traveled.  The marsh was flooded from the high tide.  Small tufts of grass rose from the water.  Not far in the distance was a small, raised plot of land on which stood a two-story house and a single tree.  He began to wonder how someone would reach the house with the high tide and how it must be living there.  When the house passed, Dan glanced back at the journal.

Returning to the blank pages, he flipped through the next couple before finding more writing.

16 June

hold on tight to your dreams.

own your dreams.

live everyday with intention.

start each day with an open heart.

be brave with your life.

sometimes you will have to take chances.

come what may,

follow your heart.

never doubt your instincts.

life was meant for a great adventure.

be open to whatever comes next.

The next page.

29 June

I’ve been on this train since the fifth.  I’m sure it has been around the country by now.  Leaving Philadelphia was different but I needed the change.  Ever since I was a kid I planned for a trip across the country.  I figured it would be with a friend or partner, never alone.  Maybe it’s for the best.

Another sketch.

01 July

We just stopped at the Philadelphia station.  I never thought I’d find myself here again.  I found my life began to fall apart a month after Trish and I first had sex.  I had become stressed at work which led me to leaving my job.  Being an interior designer, having to continuously travel into the city just to work, was not worth the effort.  After finding out I resigned, Trish and I wanted to finish the day at a bar in the city.  We had a beer or two.  The night was spent laughing and crying over our problems in life.  The night was shared from start to end.

It wasn’t until a few weeks later we ended the relationship, Trish saying it was all her, but I saw through the lie.  I knew I had become difficult despite her kindly explaining it was all her.  We decided to remain friends, continue living as roommates, but it became more difficult.  I had offered to sleep on the pullout couch and found myself staying up past one searching of places to go, to see.  I wanted out.

Dan let out a deep breath.  He could understand what the woman may have been feeling.  In his own life he had begun to feel lonesome, also coming out of a breakup.  It didn’t help when most of his friends dropped him or when family had never bothered to call - not that he had much family left.  Finding the entry ended, he turned the page.  A couple had been torn from the section of the journal, however, another drawing of the blonde’s muse had filled the blank space.  Trish.  The young man smiled softly to himself before turning to the next page.

09 July

To whomever finds this journal, please know I am all right.  I have merely found myself elsewhere all for my own sanity.  I realize now that I have not checked off saying goodbye to mom…  I simply couldn’t.  I wouldn’t be able to bare the sight of her face if I said I was leaving home.  I was the only one who remained in Pennsylvania.  My brother had left and gone West, even dad has gone elsewhere.  Mom had hopes that I would remain in the city, at my job.  I hadn’t told her I left.  I hadn’t told her about Trish and I breaking-up.

Trish.  She was a part of me, as corny as that may seem.  I hadn’t found a new job and knew that it would have been a pointless act.  Most of my days at the apartment were left searching for ways of traveling and getting out.  I had to leave.  It’s unfair to her that I left unexpectedly.  Trish has been texting, continuously, asking where I am, why I left, saying that mom is worried.  I am sorry.  Maybe I will return.  One day.

“Hello,” a gentle voice spoke.  Dan slowly moved his gaze up and let it rest on the person before him.  There she stood, the owner of the journal, a soft expression on her face.  She gazed down at Dan with gentle green eyes and a small smile.

The young man found himself become flustered, having been caught reading the journal. “I-I, uh-.” Rather than continuing his stuttering, Dan quickly shut the book and handed it to the young woman who now sat in the seat in front of him.  He heard a giggle escape the blonde.  “I’m sorry.”

“It’s all right.”

“It’s just- I thought you got off the train.  I noticed you left that behind.”

She smiled.  “I almost got off.  I don’t know why I didn’t.”  The two shared a short laugh before letting silence take over.  “I’m Katie by the way.”  Dan glanced up at her quicker than he anticipated.

“Dan,” he softly replied.

“Where are you headed?”

“Anywhere.  I understand the same goes for you?”

Another giggle.  “Yeah, that’s true.”  The young man felt himself relax the more they conversed.  He realized the blonde’s beauty captivated him but he figured that happened with most who meet her.  No wonder Trish was in love with Katie.  As the train continued down the tracks, the two found themselves speaking more.  Dan gave Katie a view of what brought him to the train and she gave him an empathetic response.  After an hour of speaking Katie insisted on taking a picture, on her phone, with Dan to keep as prosperity of not only her trip, but his.  Exchanging numbers Katie sent the picture his way.

Hours on the train soon turned into days.  Surely a wonderful beginning to his adventure.  He who had found the journal on the train.

[adventure-hearts]

the tri. plot megapost _ Chapter 2

Here’s Part 2 of my Ongoing Project! It’s certainly been interesting to watch tri. with a clinical eye and taking notes for the very first time...

As always, suggestions and corrections are most welcome.

Prologue

Primary Village, under a red sky: digi-eggs are being destroyed; their data is flowing up.

An infected Ogremon attacks Elecmon, who tries to protect an egg.

Leomon gets in the way, and faces Ogremon.

Leomon and Ogremon fight in Primary Village, while Elecmon escapes.

Leomon is injured across his chest.

A Mysterious Man, who looks like the Digimon Kaiser, watches the scene and smirks.

“All were born out of the scorching heat… Beings that create and those that destroy… coexisting, yet mutually opposed… Both created the entire universe… Finally to return to the scorching heat…”

Saturday (or Sunday) Morning, Odaiba (some unspecified time after the battle against Alphamon)

Hackmon watches the buildings.

Meiko and Meicoomon get ready.

We see a destroyed Odaiba being rebuilt.

Taichi and Hikari talk in the balcony, as they watch the reconstruction works.

Mimi drops by to pick them up.

Himekawa and Nishijima drive to the hot springs. Nishijima reminisces about the first time they went to one. But today they are going “out of duty”.

Himekawa hands Nishijima an evelope containing “the latest analysis”.

Himekawa: “By comparing the areas of distortion and the Infected Digimons’ movement patterns, a hypothesis was reached.”

Nishijima: “The Infected Digimons show up to hunt someone in particular?”

Himekawa: “They say ‘someone in particular’ as if they didn’t know.”

Nishijima: “I know. They’re after one of them, or one of their partner Digimons.”

Takeru says the trip is Meiko’s “welcome party”.

There’s tension between Taichi and Yamato.

Jou can’t make it because he has to study for exams.

The Chosen Children decide to take the Digimon “normally”, rather than them entering into the cyberspace.

Mimi asks Meiko if she’s changing schools because of her parents; Meiko says yes, hesitatingly.

The hot springs is called Ooedo-Onsen Monogatari (it’s a real place!)

Jou is at home studying. He receives a text from Sora, telling him not to worry and featuring a photo of Gomamon having fun.

Nishijima meets Taichi, who is surprised to see him there.

Himekawa greets Meiko, who calls her “Hime-chan”. She says Meiko and Meicoomon seem well.

Takeru notices Himekawa and Meiko together at a distance; he approaches them.

Takeru asks Meiko if Himekawa is her oldest sister. As Meiko begins to answer, Mimi and Sora show up and recognise Himekawa.

Nishijima shows up and calls “Hime-chan”, who looks furious.

Mimi is excited and asks if they are on a date and if she’s his girlfriend.

Nishijima says they’re actually exes, and gets slapped by Himekawa: “That’s too much information!”

Sora talks to Meiko about her having met Himekawa before. Meiko says that “Hime-chan” helped her out a lot when she first came to Tokyo.

Meiko: “I think she worried about me since I’m one of the Chosen Children.”

Sora is surprised; she though Himekawa was “unapproachable”.

Nishijima has lunch with the Chosen Children and their partners.

Koushirou asks if the Digimons “have been safe being out because you teachers were around” 

(NOTE: I believe this may be a translation mistake – he says “sensei-tachi”, which in context probably means “sensei and the others”)

Nishijima: “No, this is the only area under patrol. We are a small elite unit.” (On a separate table, Himekawa is eating with two men).

Koushirou says that although the criticism of the digimon has gained steam, “perhaps we have yet to see a great effect on daily life.”

Taichi starts asking about the patrol, but is interrupted when Nishijima burns his tongue on his food.

Nishijima: “No need to worry, all has been calm. We came to keep it that way.”

Meiko says that Meicoomon is an Adult.

Mimi asks if Meicoomon “sprouts wings” during evolution, but Meiko says that she hasn’t evolved yet.

Meicoomon hears some music and slips away from Meiko. She finds herself alone, starts getting… weird. Hikari’s camera stops working. But suddenly Meiko shows up and hugs her partner, telling her “she’s okay.”

Meiko warns Meicoomon not to run off alone.

Takeru shows up and asks Meiko is she’s okay. She says yes and explains that this place is new for Meicoomon and her.

Takeru says they should have asked where she wanted to go, but Meiko says she’s the one who should apologise for making them all come together. Takeru tells her that the trip is actually for Taichi and Yamato.

Meiko didn’t know that Takeru and Yamato were brothers. Takeru explains about the divorce and why they have different surnames, and Meiko says it’s good that they are close.

While Meiko is looking for her glasses, Meicoomon and Piyomon fall into a closet of towels, which is taken away.

Meiko runs to tell the girls the two Digimon are missing.

In the men’s side, Nisijima is enjoying a bath with Takeru, Taichi and Koushirou.

Taichi calls him a geezer, but Nishijima insists that he’s “not that old yet”.

Taichi asks Nishijima to tell them more about the Infected Digimons and the Digital World.

Nishijima says that he doesn’t know much, since he’s just a “mid-level administrator”. Takeru asks him if he’s only Himekawa’s “flunky.”

The girls look for the missing Digimon, who are trying to get back. Meicoomon seems upset and calls out for Meiko. Instead, they end up in the men’s sector.

Meiko is worried about Meicoomon. The girls overhear men joking about “animal suits in the bath”.

Taichi and Yamato sulk together in the sauna.

Meicoomon and Piyomon run around the men’s sector.

The girls decide they have to get inside to find them. Mimi bursts in and starts singing “I wish” to distract people while the other three girls run to find the digimon.

After they say goodbye, Nishijima asks Himekawa if the thinks the children are happy or unhappy. She asks him what he thinks, and he says he wants them to be happy.

Himekawa turns around. She tells him that “personal feelings only hinder the mission.” He says she’s cold, and she says he’s too warm to them.

On the bus home, Meiko tells the kids she’s from Tottori, known for its sand dunes.

That Same Evening

Gomamon tells Jou about the events of the day, but he’s not paying attention.

Primary Village, under a red sky: Ogremon jumps around, chased by Leomon.

On the phone, Himekawa says that everyone made it home safely, and there is “nothing out of the ordinary”.

Before she and Nishijima can go home themselves, there’s the sound of an alarm.

Radio com: “An intense radio disturbance has occurred at Point Tango. Warning signs put the chances of extraordinary disaster at 95%. Grade 1 Management Officers are requested to take measures.”

Nishijima says it’s a distortion.

Tanks and military personnel, as well as Himekawa and Nishijima, surround an empty area. 

A distortion opens in the sky, and Leomon shows up.

Nishijima wonders if they should call the Chosen Children.

Himekawa: “No, they’re our trump card. And look at how huge it is. This is ideal for testing the new weapon.”

Himekawa, to an armed officer: “We’ve confirmed it’s an extraordinary electronic disaster. Due to the emergency, I request immediate action from the Disaster Responses Force.”

Officer, saluting: “We recognise the call for mobilisation of government-designated personnel. Commencing disaster countermeasures.”

The troops aim ahead… and fire at Leomon.

It seems to be working at first, but Ogremon destroys a vehicle and threatens Himekawa and Nishijima – but before he can cause more harm, Leomon shows up and drags Ogremon back into the portal, which vanishes at once.

Two Days Later (Monday or Tuesday), Morning

Taichi, Sora, and Koushirou meet Nishijima at his office. He arrived late today.

Sora: “It must be rough for you wearing so many hats.”

Nishijima: “Well, not as bad as you guys.”

Koushirou says he heard about the distortion that appeared “the night before last.” Nishijima says they took care of it.

Koushirou seems astonished: “You mean it was small enough that your organization handled it? Or do you mean…” 

Nishijima tells him to calm down.

Nishijima: “Using data of where the distortions have occurred until now, we can speculate the places they may appear in the future. Our plan is to reinforce security in those locations.”

Koushirou: “You’re saying we’re not needed anymore?”

Nishijima: “No. The Infected Digimons are very likely to continue to appear around here. Please be ever vigilant. Especially you guys.”

After they leave, Koushirou wonders what Nishijima meant by “especially” them. He wonders if the Infected Digimon could be after them.

Koushirou: “To prevent potential enemies of the Infected Digimons, they might try to eliminate the Chosen Children and our partner Digimons.”

Sora: “What for?”

Koushirou: “I don’t know. If it’s true, why are they trying to conceal it as well? Either way, it pays to watch out. To keep the Digimons safe while we’re out, I’ll increase security in the server room.”

Days (?) Later (Either Tuesday/Wednesday or a different week)

Meiko and Mimi are in the planning committee for the school festival.

Mimi, Meiko and their partners are at a café when a helicopter flies by.

Koushirou sends a message saying an Infected Digimon has appeared.

Mimi decides to go there, and Meiko too, but she looks hesitatingly at Meicoomon…

Taichi bikes to the location.

Koushirou has put the digimon in the server.

Jou reads the email and ignores it.

At the location, helicopters fly over the scene.

Newscaster: “Witnesses reported a mysterious space in the sky, like a distortion, out of which appeared unidentified creatures. Access to the area has been restricted.”

People on the street: “Awful, those unrecognisable things again. What are they? This is scary.”

Mimi and Meiko arrive at the scene. They hear a roar and decide to take a closer look.

A distortion appears in the sky above, and Ogremon shows up.

Mimi recognises Ogremon, and that he’s infected.

Ogremon attacks the girls and the digimon.

Meicoomon fights Ogremon as they escape into the trees, protecting them.

Mimi calls Koushirou and tells him it’s Ogremon; Koushirou tells her they should hold tight because the others are on their way.

Mimi doesn’t accept this. She decides to push Leomon back into the distortion. 

Mimi: “Even if infected, it’s still Ogremon, right?”

Meiko reminds her of what Koushirou said.

Mimi: “It’s okay! And the live broadcast means lots of people are watching. We’ll make it perfectly clear there are good Digimons too.”

Mimi runs towards Ogremon.

Mimi: “I’m sorry. I promise it won’t hurt.”

Palmon evolves to Togemon and fights Ogremon.

Jou watches the helicopters around the scene. He reads messages from the other Chosen Chidren saying they’re on their way there. Koshirou sends him a message: “Where are you?”

Jou tells Gomamon he’s too busy to participate.

Togemon fights Ogremon, as a news helicopter flies by. Togemon’s Chiku Chiku Bang Bang causes the helicopter to crash.

The other Chosen Children arrive on the scene. Since it’s secured, they can’t get in.

The Mysterious Man walks behind them.

Meicoomon jumps in to help Togemon.

Leomon appears on the scene and pushes Ogremon back into the distortion again.

Later

The helicopter is removed from the water.

Koushirou fights with Mimi for not staying put as he told them; she says she’s “sick of Palmon and the others being criticised.”

Koushirou: “You acted out of good intentions. Now look at the result. It’s a very serious and delicate problem. Mimi-san, you have… a very egocentric side.”

On TV, images of the battle are replayed, with commentary by the injured reporter.

Reporter: “As you can see, we were attacked by the unidentified creatures, crashing our helicopter.

Jou’s parents are also watching the news. Jou’s school has been closed because of the incidents.

Taichi and Leomon show up at Koushirou’s office.

Taichi: “He said he has something to tell us.”

Leomon: “There are mutations occurring in the Digital World. I came to tell you about them. We first realised it when Orgemon started acting strange. The cause is unknown. But apparently there are the Digimons acting the same strange way.”

Koushirou: “Yes. We call them ‘Infected Digimons’. Is one of those mutations the distortions in space, that’s connecting the Digital World and our world?”

Leomon: “Indeed. It is how I came here. I had my eye on Ogremon to keep him in check but I was too late.”

Taichi: “You don’t seem infected. Why?”

Leomon: “I don’t know. I remember, though, that when Orgemon was infected, it was like something within him become deranged.”

(Background: Images of Orgemon being infected. His code is a series of 1s and 0s. For a split second, it turns into 0, Г, П)

Koushirou: “What came first in the Digital World, the distortions or the Infected Digimons?”

Leomon: “First came the infection.”

Koushirou: “I thought the distortions caused it all, but could the opposite perhaps be true? There could be something else causing the infection. For example, data or some program. Or some kind of creature. If the distortions too were a phenomemon born from infection, it would add up.”

The Digimon wonder if they could get infected as well. Koushirou tells them they’re safe as long as they’re in the server.

Koushirou: “It’s set as a stand alone ordinarily. But when connected to the outside, it has a robust anti-intruder system of my own design with threefold security. And you need my personal authentication.”

Hackmon stands in the balcony… Leomon is ticked off, and runs outside, but finds nothing. Hackmon now watches them from the street.

The Next (?) Day ( A Thursday?)

People at school comment that they saw Mimi on TV.

Mimi runs into Jou, and Hikari overhears the conversation.

Jou walks home in the rain.

Hikari asks Taichi to talk to Jou.

Gomamon brings Jou his midnight snack and Jou weeps.

Next Morning (Friday?)

Gomamon leaves for Koushirou’s office.

Koushirou runs into the office to investigate an urgent email that he received last night, “sender unkown”.

The email is in digi-code.

Koushirou: “It’s the same text as in the traces of the Digital World. (possible translation issue? Could he mean “ruins?”)

Message: “The two sides of the universe are like two sides of the same coin. Those who desire true power must know the darkness, and go beyond.”

Koushirou: “Even if it’s a prank, we need to ascertain who send it and why.”

In her office, Himekawa stares at the same message in her computer screen.

Himekawa, on the phone with an unkown character: “Yes. The Digimon in question is under control through its partner. Nonetheless, someone might try to take advantage of the opportunity. We need to continue to be vigilant”

(Meanwhile, a distortion appears at the school, and Mysterious Man emerges from it. We see images of Meicoomon and Meiko getting ready for the school festival, and Hackmon watching from the top of a building and vanishing.)

As Himekawa hangs up, Nishijima approaches her with “the latest data from the research lab on predicted locations of distortion.”

They study a map of Tokyo, and Nishijima says they “need to increase our security level in this area beginning tomorrow.”

Himekawa: “Request headquarters to increase security. Especially in crowded areas.”

Nishihima tells her that tomorrow is the school festival.

The Next Day (Saturday?)

Sign on at the school: “10th GEKKO FESTIVAL”

(Dunno what Gekko means, but it may be “moonlight” or “moonglow”?)

Himekawa and Nishijima arrive together.

Nishijima tells her that security has been increased and they “have permission to evacuate the school in an emergency.”

Himekawa asks him if he’s told the kids; he says he hasn’t, because he wants them “to have fun today” and “before the Digimon partners, they’re first kids.” Himekawa doesn’t respond.

Koushirou reads the mysterious message again and wonders what “go beyond the darkness” means.

Himekawa and Nishijima continue to walk around the festival. He tries to be upbeat, but she tells him “she can’t take the atmosphere of a school festival.”

Nishijima: “You said the same in high school. Even though you loved lively events like festivals in elementary school.”

Himekawa: “We can’t always remain children. That’s what I learned. I thought so much. But no matter how much I thought, I had no answer. I really struggled. That was high school.”

Nishijima: “You mean you were struggling to grow up? But there was nothing childish about you.”

Himekawa spots Mysterious Man in the distance and is startled.

Himekawa: “Ichijouji Ken?” 

But before she can do anything, he disappears. 

Himekawa looks around, furious and nervous. Nishijima asks her what’s wrong. Himekawa looks pensieve: “It’s nothing.”

Himekawa and Nishijima show up at Daters and are surprised by Meiko’s outfit; but Himkeawa ends up giggling at her.

Himekawa asks Meiko where Meicoomon is; she tells her, “At Koushirou’s office with the other Digimons.”

Nishijima asks her if only the digimon are there, but Meiko tells them that Koushirou is there as well.

Nishijima: “Izumi didn’t come either?”

Meiko: “No, apparently he’s researching something.”

Meiko and Nishijima watch Meiko and Mimi dancing.

Nishijima: “I wish Izumi could see this.”

Himekawa snaps a photo of Mimi dancing and sends it to Koushirou under the subject “Extremely Urgent”.

Koushirou almost dies, then emails Mimi saying he’s on his way.

Nishijima: “Himekawa-san, what did you do?”

Himekawa: “You said it earlier. You want them to be kids rather than the Digimon partners… at least today. (smiles) I simply agreed.”

Meiko wonders what the digimon will do, and Mimi tells her they’ll stay at Koushirou’s office.

Nishijima: “Maybe I’ll go check, just in case?”

Himekawa. “You are an employee here, so you stay here and watch. (gets up to leave) I’ll go have a look.”

The Digimon decide they want to go to the school festival, and convince Leomon to take them there (Meicoomon’s cuteness does the charm).

A distortion appears behind the the school, away from the main festival.

Leomon (under disguise) and the Digimon arrive at the school and start running around.

Himekawa drops by Koushirou’s office; no-one answers the door.

As Meicoomon appears in the Creepy-Cute Costume Contest, Mysterious Man watches from the rooftop.

Yamato confronts Taichi about “Why Omegamon’s fusion was broken up.”

Yamato: “I don’t care when Omegamon broke up, I want to know Why. At that time, between us two, whitin you, there were oubts Isnt that why?

Taichi runs off without answering.

Meicoomon leaves Daters, upset because Meiko didn’t get her any flan.

A pair of hands emerge ominously to catch Meicoomon… and Himekawa picks it up. She smiles at Meicoomon.

Himekawa takes Meicoomon to the back of the school (the same place where the distortion appeared earlier) and tells the digimon to wait there while she gets her a crêpe; Himekawa leaves.

Meiko and Mimi notice Meicoomon has left; Meiko is alarmed.

As Meicoomon happily explores some flowers, a distortion appears and Mysterious Man emerges.

The Chosen Children rush towards the distortion.

Mysterious Man reaches for Meicoomon.

Meanwhile, Himeakawa is getting the crêpes when Nishijima runs over to tell her a distortion has appeared behind the school. 

Himekawa drops the food, says “oh no!” and they run back.

Himekawa: “It’s my fault. I let my guard down. I made a mistake leaving Meicoomon’s side.”

Nishijima (surprised): “Meicoomon?”

Mysterious Man picks up Meicoomon, who seems paralysed with fear, as Mimi, Meiko, and Palmon arrive. Meicoomon screams for Meiko.

Mimi: “Ichijouji-kun!?”

Leomon shows up and orders Mysterious Man to let Meicoomon go.

Mystery Man takes Meicoomon deeper into the distortion.

Meicoomon cries for Leomon, who suddenly shows signs of being infected.

Meiko tries to run after Meicoomon, but can’t enter the distortion.

Palmon enters the distortion and decides to go after Meicoomon. Gomamon shows up and jumps inside the distortion as well.

Leomon (now apparently back to normal) also runs into the distortion.

The other Chosen Children (except for Jou) arrive on the scene.

Mimi: “Meicoomon has been taken by Ichijouji-kun!”

Inside the distortion (in the dimension we have seen before, featuring circular objects sourrounded by orbits), Mysterious Man grabs on to Meicoomon while Gomamon, Palmon, and Leomon face them. The others watch from the other side of the distortion.

Takeru: “Him again? Why?”

Inside the distortion, the red silhouette of Imperialdramon appears – and materialises in front of the Digimon.

Nishijima: “It’s…!”

Himekawa: “Imperialdramon!”

Agumon and the other digimon try to enter the distortion but they are blocked, as Meiko was earlier. They wonder why this happens.

Tentomon: “The distortion’s shut tight!”

Koushirou: “Some extraordinary force might be shutting out penetration from the outside.”

The distortion suddenly vanishes.

Taichi asks what’s going on. Koushirou says he’s trying to monitor what’s happening inside. The others gather around him and his computer to watch.

Palmon, Gomamon, and Leomon fight Imperialdramon.

Leomon is attacked by the infection. Mimi tells the others that this has happened before just now.

Koushirou: “Could Leomon be infected?”

Palmon evolves to Togemon and fights Imperialdramon alone. The digimon ask Koushirou if there’s a way they can go there, but he tells them there isn’t one.

Just when Imperialdramon prepares his final attack, Jou shows up – and Gomamon evolves in turn to Ikkakumon, Zudomon and Vikemon.

Koushirou: “What’s that one? I’ve never seen that evolution before.”

Motivated by Mimi, Togemon also evolves into Rosemon!

Imperialdramon transforms into Fighter Mode (Takeru and Hikari look shocked).

Vikemon and Rosemon fight Imperialdramon.

Leomon is under the effect of the infection again, but snaps out of it and joins the fight.

Imperialdramon dematerialises into green sparks.

Mysterious Man releases Meicoomon and dematerialises as well.

Hackmon also appears in the strange dimension, light shining on his head…

Leomon and the Digimon return to the real world.

Meiko runs towards Meicoomon, who turns its back on her and remains in Leomon’s arms.

Takeru (still looking shocked): “Ichijouji. Why did he appear?”

Hikari (also stunned): “And Imperialdramon too?”

Koushirou: “You both (Tanemon and Pukamon) went into ultimate evolution. What would cause that to happen? Wait, could it be…”

Koushirou rereads the mysterious message.

Koushirou: “Know the darkness, and go beyond. Could it be a prophecy of ultimate evolution?”

Meicoomon is still cuddling against Leomon, seemingly afraid to face Meiko. Leomon tries to calm Meicoomon down.

Meicoomon has a flashback of Leomon under the Infection.

Leomon’s eyes flash purple; Meicoomon is startled. 

The screen on Meiko’s digivice shines red and shows a strange image: DNA helixes forming an X. Meiko’s digivice turns black.

As the humans and the Digimon watch, stunned, Meicoomon (who has undergone some sort of transformation) attacks Leomon, slashing him across his chest.

The New Meicoomon’s eyes emit a bright, ominous light. As Leomon asks what’s wrong, Meicoomon jumps up (as Himekawa smirks) and finishes the job by killing Leomon!

Glancing for the last time at Meiko and the others, Meicoomon enters the distortion, which vanishes at once.

The others watch, stunned and distraught, wondering what just happened.

Himekawa turns to leave, and Nishijima follows her.

Nishijima: “You’re fine with just leaving things as they are now?”

Himekawa (calmly): “The distortion has closed and we can do no more. We must consider our next course of action.”

Nishijima: “Why in the world did this happen?”

Himekawa: “The distortions began and the Infected Digimons appeared for the same reason. It is all due to… Meicoomon.”

Meicoomon soars around the strange dimension.

[florrickandassociates]

TGF Thoughts: 1x06-- Social Media and Its Discontents

Thoughts under the cut... 

The Kings wrote this one, which always means it’s either a big episode or it contains a topic they’re passionate about. This episode falls into the latter category.

And Jim McKay directed. He’s directed many TGW episodes (and has directed at least one episode every season), and also lots of episodes of shows ranging in style from Rectify to The Americans.

The episode kicks off with a white dude in front of a solid green screen ranting about coding and how men are inherently superior to women. He is very mad about a change in Google’s algorithm that implies that women can invent things. Like, he’s seething. Over the idea that women could invent things. His resentment—and his complete lack of logical reasoning—would be almost comical if this weren’t based on a very real online harassment problem.

We cut away from the green screen to Neil Gross slapping a sheet of paper down on the RBK conference table and explaining that’s just one offensive post made on his social platforms.

The device used to illustrate the content of the posts is reminiscent of how the writers have brought cases to life in the past. Whenever a case requires a lot of talking, the writers like to bring in these illustrations to make the plot clearer and more captivating (see 3x07 and 6x18). In this case, they may also be trying to put faces to posts that would most likely (but not necessarily) be made anonymously.

Neil presents the RBK team with 4,758 “problematic” posts. What, is he only looking at the past hour?

Neil continues to comment on how cool it is that there are black lawyers… while only addressing Diane.

He brings a gift for the RBK team (no sign of it being RBKL yet…). It’s a Chummy T-Shirt with “Team Reddick, Boseman & Kolsted” written on it. I bought the Chummy shirt the CBS store offered and it’s super soft and comfortable. If CBS made this shirt—without the typo, of course—available, I would buy it too. Hear that, CBS? I am telling you I will spend more money on your product!

Barbara’s last name is misspelled on the shirt (it’s “Kolstad,” not “Kolsted’), and she notices immediately. When she points it out to Adrian, he just notes that Neil is bringing in $86 million a year. Wasn’t it $58 million last episode?

Neil needs a new Terms of Service agreement because two of his sites have become “like the Wild West of racism and sexism.” These sites are “Chummy Friends” which is Facebook-like (a way a real life Neil Gross would literally never describe his own site, but character Neil Gross has to because how else would we know what Chummy Friends is standing in for) and Scabbit, the Reddit clone from 5x09. (In 5x09, ChumHum definitely didn’t own Scabbit. Florrick/Agos represented ChumHum at the time, but they were the ones going up against Scabbit in court. I suppose they acquired it.)

Ah, one of the trolls is played by Ophelia’s boyfriend from Sweet/Vicious, which gives me a great opportunity to tell all of you to go watch Sweet/Vicious. Especially if the case this week made you feel angry and powerless. Go watch Sweet/Vicious.

Neil wants the posts gone on moral grounds… and because they’re hurting his business by scaring off advertisers.

“I notice only eyes for Diane,” Adrian comments to Barbara. This is true.

Neil sets a deadline: a new TOS by 5 pm. He then continues to talk about how cool it is that black lawyers exist and how it gives him hope, which he seems to see as a compliment but Lucca, Adrian, and Barbara all (correctly) read as patronizing.

As soon as Neil leaves, Diane suggests splitting into groups to tackle the problem. Barbara immediately overrules her and says they are going to sort the posts instead. (Why wouldn’t ChumHum have given them a digital copy of these posts? That would be much easier to sort.)

Adrian suggests making piles for racist posts, anti-Semitic posts, and threatening posts. He forgets misogynistic, which Diane immediately realizes (and which is a weird oversight I have trouble buying, given that Neil mentioned sexism twice in his introductory speech). Is this meant to be a comment on how Adrian thinks (I mean, you know how I feel about the way he talks to Barbara!)?

Barbara also asks what’s missing, so now I’m confused, because… duh? It wouldn’t just be a white woman who’s bringing up issues of misogyny, even if I bet Diane would list misogyny as an issue before she’d list racism.

Diane calls Maia onto the project through the glass wall. Maia is currently busy, not with work (…) but with a personal phone call to her father. “Dad, I’ve been working pretty hard lately, but, um, I’ll try,” she says. STOP THE PRESSES: MAIA’S BEEN WORKING HARD? Maia hasn’t been on a case that we’ve seen in three episodes, and she’s had a seemingly endless amount of time during the workday to investigate her own problems. Is this Maia’s idea of hard work? Hahahahahahahahhahahhahahahahahahahahahhahahahaha

(Seriously though, SHOW, NOT TELL.)

“But the problem is, I’m an associate. I don’t control my own fate,” Maia says. Ah, so in her first two lines, she’s managed to announce that she’s working hard (when, obviously, she is not) and then inadvertently take my favorite Alicia theme about controlling one’s fate. I want to want your character on the show, Maia, but I kinda just want to buy you a one-way ticket to Mandyville. (To be clear, I don’t care that Maia happens to mention controlling one’s fate; Alicia doesn’t own that issue. I don’t like these lines because they remind me 1) of the ongoing issue I have with the way Maia’s being written and 2) of how much better the Kings did when they explored the same things with Alicia. I know they’re capable of writing better material than this.)

Maia agrees to go see her dad that night. She gets off the phone to go—GASP—do work.

In the conference room, Lucca’s reading a post about the abortion debate. Julius calls it “political” and I’m just wondering: what’s the difference between threats and politics? If your politics are to deprive people of their rights, and you’re stating them in the most abusive language possible, and directing it at a specific individual, how is that not a threat/harassment?

Lucca asks to call a vote on whether this is “political” or “threatening” (also, why can’t it be both?). Julius plays rank and reminds Lucca that she’s an associate and he’s a partner. Ugh. He’s just mad he’ll lose to someone he outranks. I love that Lucca always shares her opinions even when she’s not asked and she’s outranked. Some (like Julius) may not like it, but I admire her confidence. And, I love that she doesn’t speak up to show off or to prove her ideas are the best: she does it because she truly believes that what she has to say is important. (Even better: it usually is important.)

Diane calls a vote on another post, this one about rape. Barbara immediately says it’s a threat. Adrian says it’s not—he’s just making a distinction between a threat and misogyny. Lucca disagrees, vocally. Adrian says the person has to say “I am going to rape you” in order for it to be a threat, because otherwise it’s protected speech. Um, but, as Neil Gross already said, this is ChumHum’s call, not a First Amendment issue. Your right to be a dick on Chummy Friends isn’t protected by the Bill of Rights.

Diane reminds Adrian of this, and Julius goes, “Yes, but the terms have to be fair.” Do they? Legally? Or just for optics?

Maia speaks up to argue against Julius. “And if I’m attacked 50 times a day?” Maia says. Julius says that those who are the most harmed shouldn’t be judging speech. Maia takes out her phone and reads one of the abusive texts she’s been sent.

“But that’s about your parents’ scandal, right?” Julius argues, as though that makes a difference.

“My guess is yes. But sometimes they’re so busy discussing my rape that they, uh, they don’t have time to state their reasoning,” Maia retorts. Then the discussion shifts away from this.

A missed opportunity, I think, to have Maia be able to do more than say, “hey, I got a threat, and it was bad like all these others are also bad!” Has she perhaps noticed a pattern? Spoken with others who face the same threats? Read up on the issue? Picked up on other problems the TOS needs to address? Anything? This is Maia’s only contribution to the case.

Don’t get me wrong (especially since I’m always ragging on poor Maia, who hasn’t done anything other than be poorly written). I think it’s smart to bring Maia into this conversation. She has dealt with this problem personally (on Chummy sites or off), and that insight is valuable. She doesn’t need to save the day or have all the answers (she’s just a first year associate!), and I know that once they’re out of the brainstorming phase there’s not as much Maia can to do get involved. But this harassment stuff is the only thread we’ve gotten about Maia’s personal life that isn’t conspiracy drama about her parents (or the two appearances by Amy in the early episodes, #BringAmyBack), and now there’s a case about it, and the writers are only going to do the bare minimum to tie the two threads together? Maia jumps at the opportunity to help with this project. But is there more? Does she volunteer to help see it through, does it make her want to work on something else as a distraction, is she totally neutral about it to the point where people are whispering that shouldn’t she care, something, anything!?

This case doesn’t need to be a lens to develop Maia. I usually hate cases like that—the ones that only exist to parallel the main characters’ life. But if the show’s going to tackle the topic, why not loop Maia in to a greater degree? Especially after three consecutive episodes where she’s not doing any work. Just give her work to do. Tie her into the cases of the week, and not just the ones that she can relate to. Again, this was never a problem on TGW. If anything, the problem there was that Alicia was on too many important cases. That happened because TGW wasn’t an ensemble show, so, especially at first, everything had to relate to Alicia. TGF is an ensemble show, so it should be really easy for it to find the balance between “Maia’s on every case and everyone needs this one associate on every project” and “Maia never works.”

I KNOW I AM A BROKEN RECORD BUT I’LL STOP WHEN THE WRITERS DO.

Lucca gets a call from Colin and ducks out to take it. He wants to have lunch and also to know what color panties she’s wearing. She says she’s color blind—I think as a joke?

Why does “lunch” always mean “sex” on this show?

Colin goes to talk to his boss about Kresteva’s nonsense. The boss is more interested in his salad than in justice. His boss explains what Kresteva’s trying to do—scare off other firms from taking on police brutality cases by making an example out of RBK, even if that means letting Henry Rindell out on bail. Ah, this is what I suspected but at least we know the strategy for sure now.

Now Colin is “oversight head of whatever, we’ll figure out the title later.” He has no veto power, though. This boss seems fun.

Diane wants to ban every use of the n-word, which Adrian argues against because that would end up banning every rap lyric on the planet from being quoted, as well as Huckleberry Finn. Yeah, Diane. I was with you on the “adding a pile for misogynistic posts” but Adrian’s right here.

Barbara slips up and uses the word “tweets” instead of “posts.” But it’s okay; we all know we’re talking about Twitter here and not Chummy Friends.

I wonder if the writers contemplated calling it “Chummy Chums” or using the word “Chum” in it.

With no segue (deleted scene?), Julius begins talking about how there’s a problem: 50% of misogynistic tweets are sent by women. Okay, and…? How is that a problem? If women are being misogynistic and abusive, why wouldn’t they also be banned?

Lucca and Marissa chime in to say that study (which, naturally, they’ve both read) is bogus, because of how it defines misogyny.

Even Marissa is arguing against Julius. I love it. Diane taps Marissa’s arm like, “not your fight, drop off the coffee and leave” and Marissa, instead of quietly exiting, calls more attention to herself and says, “Yeah, I’m going.” Julius is all, “Who is that?!”

“I’m bored. Teach me something,” Marissa announces to Jay, who is working. People on this show have such odd ideas about their professional responsibilities. Or maybe it’s just Marissa.

Jay tells her to fuck off, I think. Marissa insists: she wants to learn how to investigate!

She asks Jay if he’s ever seen a dead body in person because he’s looking at crime scene photos. He says yes, six. “I’ve seen twelve,” Marissa replies. Jay didn’t expect that. Marissa doesn’t explain this happened during her time in the IDF. It surprises me we didn’t get more exposition there.

Anyway, this conversation makes Jay more receptive to Marissa’s questions, so he tells her she needs to get an investigator license unless she assists a licensed investigator. Marissa takes this as an invitation to join him.

Then Jax walks in and interrupts them and Marissa has to call Maia out of a meeting, because there are labor laws specifically in place for Maia Rindell that protect her from having to work for more than 15 consecutive minutes.

Maia and Jax go into a conference room to talk. There are three windows in the room’s window-wall, and there’s a great shot where Maia and Jax stand behind the window on the left and the window on the right, leaving a lot of distance between them.

Conspiracy stuff happens. Jax warns Maia against talking to her dad because he’ll be wearing a wire.

“I’ve got to get back to work,” Maia says. Do you really though?

(The answer is no, because we follow Maia through the hallways of the office and back to her desk, where she picks up her personal cell phone and phones her father to cancel their plans.)

(Rose is doing a very good job as Maia. I love the way her face changes when Henry insists that they can’t talk over the phone; it has to be in person. She takes it as an indication that Henry really might be wearing a wire, and begins to question everything she thought she knew… again.)

(I like the idea of this plot and the idea of Maia but the writing, ugh.)

More bickering about the TOS happens. I’m going to stop recapping this stuff because I think it’s pretty clear where I stand on it, and once we get to Felix… I just don’t have the time to break down why every argument he makes is wrong.

Colin texts Lucca to meet her now, so she smiles and then proposes a solution to the TOS dilemma: an appeal process. Users will be suspended after a certain number of harassing posts, a panel will review, and they’ll have a chance to appeal. I have questions about the logistics of this, but I like the idea. So does the rest of the room, Julius included. Adrian’s thrilled to have solved the problem well before the deadline.

The policy goes into effect IMMEDIATELY and without any notification (well, we don’t know that there wasn’t a new TOS agreement everyone had to click, but this would’ve been news) and begins to piss off/delight trolls. Now they get to troll lawyers!

Maia goes to meet with Elsbeth. This I’ll excuse because it seems pressing and affects the firm, so it’s kind of working.

Elsbeth doesn’t have furniture in her dentist’s office office, so there are only folding beach chairs.

I think Elsbeth’s “Ada” was designed just to fuck with me, because last week it interrupted an Alicia update and this week it’s playing a song by an artist called “Good Girl” because Elsbeth said, “Good Girl.”

Elsbeth wants Maia to feed her dad false information. Maia’s hesitant, but comes around to the idea. Elsbeth tells her to record the conversation if she does feed him the info.

Lucca and Colin are in bed together, and Colin asks Lucca out for dinner the next night. She wants to know if he means dinner or dinner dinner. The former just means “fucking” and the latter means a date (then fucking). Lucca, we deciphered this code (well, as it applies to “lunch”) during the Willicia affair, but it’s good to get confirmation.

Colin wants the date, and Lucca turns him down.

Ugh, fuck this Felix guy.

But, he reveals something interesting: Diane donated $18,860 to Hillary (which is well over the contribution limit, isn’t it? Where’s he getting this number?), and Barbara donated $23,000. Barbara donated more than Diane did. I’m surprised, but I really shouldn’t be, since a large donation lines up with what we already know about Barbara.

I don’t get how this panel works. They’re going to spend this much time on each Twitter Egg? All the name partners at RBK, for several days, hearing out every troll in person? Why did they institute a new TOS without a trial period or testing it out at all (with mock panels and etc)? This appeal system, in its current form, seems like a waste of time and money. And also weird, because… do you have to go to the RBK offices to appeal? Is there a standard procedure for who’s on the panels? For what happens during deliberations? Do you have to give up anonymity to appeal (that would make sense, tbh)? Are they a matter of public record?

For a show that comes around to the conclusion that we shouldn’t engage with trolls, it sure spends a lot of time on Felix’s antics.  

Now Diane and RBK are being harassed online. There’s a never-ending stream of hate. And somehow, in all that, Diane realizes that each account is keeping their harassment to 12 posts. This confuses me. Are their terms of service so vague they don’t tell you what would get you banned (probably; they could just say “continuous harassment” or something like that instead of revealing the exact number or that there is a number of harassing posts you can send)?

So, Adrian wonders if there’s a leak and asks Jay to investigate. Knowing that the trolls will probably talk to a white girl, he asks Marissa to help.

Lucca’s out at drinks with the dude whose ass we saw in the pilot, Zack. He’s her personal trainer. She doesn’t care about him at all, because the only reason she’s out with him at all is so that Colin can run into him and get jealous. Colin doesn’t. Awww, Lucca, you’re starting to care!

Maia goes to meet with her dad, and I wonder if she called first (which… would be the logical thing to do if she’s worried he’s wearing a wire, since he’d need to anticipate the conversation in order to actually be wearing the wire, right?) (unless “wearing a wire” means “making an iPhone recording” in this case?) because there’s a party going on when she arrives home.

At the end of the night, Maia and Henry have a chance to talk. Unfortunately, it plays out exactly as Elsbeth suggested it might, and Maia has to feed her father the lie about RBK.

This Ada thing is a running gag now. Hmm.  

Marissa goes to investigate and finds one of the trolls in person. Marissa compliments him, and suddenly he’s let his guard down and tells her everything she needs to know—namely that Felix has their transcripts.

Adrian asks Jay to investigate Julius as the source of the leak. Neither Diane nor Barbara seem to agree with this decision, but they don’t disagree strongly enough to argue.

Ugh, Felix.

I am not the hugest fan of these definitions that pop up in the mean posts. Not sure they’re necessary, nor am I sure those terms are what would confuse a viewer who didn’t already know exactly what this episode was about. Actually, who is the intended audience of this? It seems a little too widely discussed to be these writers’ usual material.

As Lucca, Barbara, and Adrian discuss what to do, Elsbeth arrives, carrying three Vera Bradley bags and grinning. “Oh my God, when did this law firm become a circus?” Barbara wonders.

Felix warns Diane that Neil Gross may have gone to her firm for the TOS for a reason.

Elsbeth updates Barbara, Adrian, and Lucca about the story she planted with Henry.

Marissa enjoys pretending to be someone she’s not for the purposes of investigating. Anyway, turns out Marissa and Jay are investigating Felix’s boyfriend.

Annnnd it works, and turns out the leak isn’t Julius… it’s ChumHum’s offices. Diane realizes it’s a set-up.

Marissa is alerted to a new problem: instead of using the n-word, trolls are now writing “Neil Gross.” Oh, no. (So they DID ban specific words?? I DON’T UNDERSTAND)

Marissa brings this to Diane and explains that one of the trolls really likes her. Diane is confused by how Marissa would even know the troll, and Marissa says, “It’s nothing. They’re easily confused when women offer them attention.” This is her best line since she told Elfman, “God, handsome men are so weak.”  

Lucca walks into Colin’s office, angry, and tells him she hates games and to knock it off. He’s not doing anything bad… he’s just not acting jealous, and that makes Lucca mad.

Colin figures it out, and realizes that Lucca’s plan didn’t work. “Let’s go,” she says. I can’t wait until these two just decide to become a couple and stop with the games.

Ugh, I am not here for this Lucca-kisses-and-fondles-Colin-while-he-drives-down-a-dark-and-twisty-road thing. I know these writers well enough to know the car isn’t going to crash, and so it just feels weird and unnecessary until Colin finally pulls over. It also feels exactly like the Kings’ (okay, mostly Robert King’s) idea of edgy sex, and there was more than enough of that on TGW. More 3x01 Willicia type scenes and fewer scenes that remind me of season 4 Kalinda, please and thanks.

Colin lives in a giant house. Why does one person need all those rooms?

Julius notices that someone’s gone through his things and storms into Adrian’s office (or maybe it’s Barbara’s office? They’re both there). Julius, understandably, isn’t happy. He says he was the most loyal employee they had, but no more: he knows he was targeted for this, and that people think differently of him now. He quits the firm and calls Andrew Hart, the lawyer who gave him his card in 1x03.

Diane has to inform Neil Gross about how his name is being used. He’s not pleased, and now he just wants this whole TOS thing to go away as fast as possible. What a shock.

Ugh, Felix. Diane says they’ll reinstate him and he’s sad he can’t keep trolling. Boo hoo.

Diane monologues at him about how he’s a clown and how he destroys his points by being racist and misogynist and how he’s a bully. It’s satisfying, but doesn’t really solve any problems. Like, is the show saying here that harassment is hard to control so it’ll never be controlled, so just don’t feed the trolls?

Diane confronts Neil about the leak, and he responds—even though she’s right—by calling Adrian and Barbara in for another meeting, one without Diane. Barbara is pleased with this: for the first time in weeks, her power doesn’t seem like it’s slipping away from her.

Lucca isn’t wearing high heels!

Colin shows up to RBK and meets with Lucca. He warns her to stay clear of RBK’s finances. Why? Because of the story Elsbeth planted. It’s sweet that Colin warns Lucca. She thanks him, genuinely, but she’s distracted… Maia’s right there, and Lucca knows this means Maia’s world is about to be destroyed even more.

[stickyyouthstudent]

No 10 rejects Brown's warning about world being at risk of 'sleepwalking' into new financial crisis - Politics live

Rolling coverage of the day’s political developments as they happen, including the publication of the latest batch of government no deal Brexit planning papers

Dominic Raab’s Today interview - Summary

12.32pm BST

In an interview with the Guardian, the former Labour prime minister Gordon Brown said that the world was in danger of “sleepwalking in a future [financial] crisis” because there is not enough cooperation between governments and central banks globally. My colleague Larry Elliott wrote it up here.

Related: 'The world is sleepwalking into a financial crisis' – Gordon Brown

Since 2008 we have built one of the most robust regulatory systems in the world designed specifically to ensure financial stability and protect taxpayers.

We have, obviously, reformed regulation to put in place one of the toughest systems in the world and we have made it easier to deal with any issues that emerge on the banking front.

12.24pm BST

The Daily Mail has backed Theresa May’s plans for a soft Brexit and described Conservative MPs plotting to oust the prime minister during the negotiations with the EU as “traitors”, my colleague Jim Waterson reports.

Related: Daily Mail backs May's Brexit plan and brands rebel Tories 'traitors'

12.05pm BST

The European commission has responded to the UK government’s claim that, in the event of there being no Brexit deal, it would not pay the EU the £39bn already agreed, the Telegraph’s James Crisp reports.

(It is saying it is not prepared to renegotiate the sum - although in practice, if the withdrawal agreement were to collapse and the EU wanted to recover money owed to Brussels, there would in practice have to be a renegotiation.)

.@EU_Commission responds to @DominicRaab in today's @Telegraph , where Brexit sec said UK would not pay Brexit bill if there is no deal. Spox said: "We will not be revisiting those areas of the Withdrawl Agreement that are now settled , including the financial settlement. " 1/

.@MargSchinas goes onto quote @JunckerEU speech yesterday. "The president said yesterday that we stand ready day and night to reach a deal. .This is something we owe to our citizens and business to ensure UK withdrawal is orderly and there is stability afterwards". 2/

Presumably there would not be much stability if UK refused to pay bill, which EC has always argued represents a settling of accounts (money owed) before leaving. Other Q's in play is whether UK would be legally liable or not.. ENDS

11.56am BST

In the Commons George Eustice, the fisheries minister, is making a statement about the scallop dispute with the French. He told MPs that the negotiations intended to resolve the dispute had failed.

Related: Talks to end 'scallop wars' between UK and France collapse

11.33am BST

Downing Street has confirmed that the Bank of England governor, Mark Carney, attended today’s special no-deal Brexit cabinet meeting, after he was spotted at No 10.

The Canadian, who has just extended his term for six months to provide some stability over the departure period, was at the meeting for the first half an hour, to update ministers on the bank’s plans, Theresa May’s spokeswoman said.

11.24am BST

Here is Yvette Cooper, the Labour MP and chair of the Commons home affairs committee, on the Home Office’s decision not to introduce protest-free buffer zones outside abortion clinics. She said:

This is a very disappointing response from the home secretary.

The whole point of having this review was because existing powers are not working or are proving cumbersome and difficult for councils or the police to use.

11.01am BST

The Home Office has rejected calls for buffer zones to be introduced outside abortion clinics across the country. In a written ministerial statement, Sajid Javid, the home secretary, said introducing protest-free areas outside clinics to prevent harassment of patients “would not be a proportionate response”. He went on:

Having considered the evidence of the review, I have therefore reached the conclusion that introducing national buffer zones would not be a proportionate response, considering the experiences of the majority of hospitals and clinics, and considering that the majority of activities are more passive in nature.

10.31am BST

And here is a full summary of what Dominic Raab told the Today programme, including lines from the interview not already mentioned.

It’s not a threat, it’s statement of fact as part of our no-deal planning that, yes, we would be mindful of our strict legal obligations, but the amount and the phased way it is set out in the withdrawal agreement would fall away because there would be no deal.

It’s not a threat and it’s not an ultimatum, it’s a statement of fact. I don’t say anything outside of the negotiation room that I haven’t and wouldn’t directly to our EU friends and partners, and I think it is well understood on both sides.

The reality of the ERG proposals, and the approach of saying we would accept the EU’s offer of a Canada deal, is not to look at the small print. The EU is offering in relation to the Ceta [Canada-EU trade deal] arrangements not just the deal that they have with Canada but a backstop arrangement which for all practical purposes would leave us indefinitely in the customs union. And that’s part of the offer they’ve made. So there isn’t an easy way round this.

In the past months, whenever we needed unity in the Union, Britain was at our side, driven by the same values and principles as all other Europeans. This is why I welcome prime minister May’s proposal to develop an ambitious new partnership for the future, after Brexit. We agree with the statement made in Chequers that the starting point for such a partnership should be a free trade area between the United Kingdom and the European Union.

But we also ask the British government to understand that someone who leaves the union cannot be in the same privileged position as a member state. If you leave the union, you are of course no longer part of our single market, and certainly not only in the parts of it you choose.

We’ve had some good news from businesses like Vodafone and Three. They have publicly said they wouldn’t introduce any roaming fees for UK consumers travelling on the continent.

What we have said is we would like to see other companies following suit, but, in any event, we would legislate for a limit on roaming charges to make sure in a no-deal scenario that we protect British consumers.

9.42am BST

In his Today interview Dominic Raab, the Brexit secretary, was also asked about the dozens of Conservative MPs who have indicated that they are opposed to Theresa May’s Chequers proposal. He effectively delivered an ultimatum: they would either have to back the Chequers plan, or see the UK leaving the EU without a deal, he said. In other words, it would be “deal or no deal”, to coin a phrase.

When it was put to him that, if May did come back from Brussels with a deal based on her Chequers plan, he replied.

No, I don’t think so. I think we’ll come back with a good deal. I think it will focus minds. And I think colleagues will look at the choices they’ve got and we all have to be responsible for that.

I do appreciate the concerns on all sides ... But when push comes to shove, there will be the choice between the deal that I’m confident we can strike with the EU and the no deal scenario. And we are making sure we are ready for the latter. But I think it would be by far the optimum outcome to have a negotiated deal, and I think that will focus everyone’s minds.

This is the crux of it for the govt - they hope, in the end, that there simply won't be enough MP s who'd risk it - Raab says.... “There will be a binary choice between a deal and no deal and I believe that will focus minds.”

9.23am BST

Mark Carney, the governor of the Bank of England, is in Downing Street for this morning’s cabinet meeting about a possible no deal Brexit, according to Steve Back, a photographer who covers Downing Street and who tweets as @PoliticalPics.

Breaking: Mark Carney the Gov of Bank of ENGLAND just been smuggled into back door on No10 to join the Cabinet Brexit meeting in top range electric car made in the USA

9.15am BST

One of the more interesting political developments of the last few years has been the growing rupture between the Conservative party and big business. The Tories used to be effectively the political wing of the CBI, but Brexit has changed that and we saw a relatively small, but nevertheless telling, example of that this morning when Dominic Raab, the Brexit secretary, criticised John Lewis for saying Brexit was contributing to a collapse in profits.

The company announced a dire first-half profit performance this morning. Sir Charlie Mayfield, its chairman, explained:

These are challenging times in retail. Profits before exceptionals are always lower and more volatile in the first half than the second half. It is especially so this half year, driven mainly by John Lewis & Partners where gross margin has been squeezed in what has been the most promotional market we’ve seen in almost a decade.

With the level of uncertainty facing consumers and the economy, in part due to ongoing Brexit negotiations, forecasting is particularly difficult but we continue to expect full-year profits to be substantially lower than last year for the Partnership as a whole.

Well, I think it’s probably rather easy at this moment in time for any business that isn’t doing rather well to point to Brexit. But let me just give you the facts; this week we’ve had economic growth accelerating, we’ve had real wages accelerating, we’ve had Relx, the Anglo-Dutch business information company, revise its structure to be headquartered in the UK. So, actually, we have got positive news on the economy this week ...

I don’t doubt that some of the uncertainty around these negotiations will have an impact on business. That’s why we are putting all our energy into getting the good deal that we want with our EU friends and partners ... All I’m just gently saying is that it is rather easy for a business to blame Brexit and the politicians rather than to take responsibility for their own situation.

Related: Day-to-day effects of no-deal Brexit stressed in new impact papers

Continue reading...

[wavenetinfo]

SPOILER ALERT: This story contains plot details from Monday night’s season 3 finale of Better Call Saul, titled “Lantern.”

Chuck McGill was not exactly an easy character to like. He was priggish, self-righteous, bull-headed, and dismissive. He claimed to suffer from an allergy to electricity that prompted him to wear a space blanket around the house and to force all people who came into his orbit to surrender all electrical devices. This illness, however, was ultimately proven to him (in a public hearing) to be more mental than physical. Let us also not forget he ruined his brother’s chances at becoming a partner at his firm, in part because he always felt his brother unjustly accrued the lion’s share of love from their mother.

Chances are that you wished some form of comeuppance upon Chuck. But chances are that it wasn’t that.

At the end of Monday’s season 3 finale of Better Call Saul, Chuck (Michael McKean) apparently decided enough was enough, and instead of continuing to face his daunting demons, he gave into the darkest instinct of them, taking his own life by literal lantern light. The decision, made by someone clearly in an altered, tortured state, came as a shock after he recently confronted the realities of his illness and seemed committed to change, putting in the hard work with Dr. Cruz (Clea DuVall). The results were tangible. He was shopping for groceries again, and could even hold a lamp for a short time.

But after his ego-crushing exit from the law firm he co-founded — his longtime partner/ally, Howard (Patrick Fabian), couldn’t usher him out the door fast enough, handing him a $3 million check drawn from his own personal account — and after a devastating conversation with his brother Jimmy (Bob Odenkirk), the sibling with which he waged many moralistic wars and the one he dismissed from his house by saying, “You’ve never mattered all that much to me” — something in Chuck finally broke. (It was all the more surprising after Jimmy showed up at his house and Chuck looked as good as we’d seen him in recent years, listening to music, surrounded by electrical light, etc.)

After taking a pill and reviewing the journal where he tracked his progress in exposing himself to electricity for the last time, Chuck decided he just couldn’t do it anymore. He shut down the power in the house, unscrewing lightbulbs, and ripping his home down to the studs in search of the one last electrical charge that was causing his meter outside to keep ticking. He never found it, spiraling further into chilling mania. In the final moments of the episode, Chuck sat in his office in a numbed-out state, robotically slamming his foot into his desk, where a lantern was perched precariously on some papers. Finally, one of the kicks did the job, sending the lantern tumbling onto the ground and quickly setting the room ablaze, presumably marking a fiery end to a fiery character who stoked the ire of fans.

RELATED: Michael McKean explains that Chuck shocker in Better Call Saul finale

One can only imagine the damage this tragedy will have on Jimmy, who was destroyed by that conversation with Chuck, one in which his brother also urged him to acknowledge himself for who he truly was. (“In the end, you’re going to hurt everyone around you. You can’t help it. So stop apologizing and accept it. Embrace it.”) The battle for Jimmy’s soul, though, was still ongoing. He attempted to right last week’s wrong of using innocent old lady Irene as a sacrificial lamb in his desire for Sandpiper lawsuit money. He returned her to the good graces of her mall-walking friends by trashing himself, ending his own elder law career that waited on the other side of his one-year suspension. (Yet another piece of ground-laying track for Saul Goodman.)

RELATED: The Cast of Better Call Saul‘ on the Pressures of Following Breaking Bad’ Elsewhere in the episode, Kim (Rhea Seehorn) finally saw the light of workaholic ways after her dangerous car crash and decided to focus on her recovery. She also more than hinted at a future, or at least future office, with Jimmy. Meanwhile, the dark-but-weak-hearted Hector (Mark Margolis) almost met his maker but was resuscitated by Gus (Giancarlo Esposito). This marks the second curious sparing of Hector’s life in a year by Gus, wasting the efforts of fellow Salamanca haters Mike (Jonathan Banks) and Nacho (Michael Mando). One of these men is already starting to find himself in the employ of Gus; the other’s fate remains unclear.

There are plenty of questions surrounding “Lantern,” so let’s flip on the circuit breakers and dial Better Call Saul co-creator Peter Gould, who just might illuminate a light bulb or two over your head.

ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY: Let’s start at the tragic end. When did you decide you were going to kill Chuck? Or rather, that Chuck was going to kill Chuck? PETER GOULD: It happened during the season. We had a choice, and Chuck had a choice. After the midpoint of the season — that great episode “Chicanery” that Gordon Smith wrote — there was this powerhouse confrontation between Jimmy and Chuck, and Jimmy won. Chuck was humiliated and there were a lot of choices that we could have made at that point. One choice would have been to have Chuck redouble his efforts to get his brother, to try another round of tricks. That didn’t feel right, and it’s interesting — the moments that I find most satisfying in the writers’ room are the moments where the characters surprise us, and our first reaction, of course, was what I just said: “Okay, now how is Chuck going to bounce back and be even worse?”

And the more we talked about it, the more we thought about what a brilliant man Chuck is, and what he would actually take out of this experience. We came to the conclusion that maybe this could be in some ways good news for him. Maybe there’s a chance for growth, even? [Laughs.] So while Jimmy is kind of wallowing in his anger — the winner in the conflict is the angry one — Jimmy is pissed that he has to go to community service, he’s struggling to make ends meets and keep the office with Kim — Chuck actually takes what we always used to call his hero’s journey. He goes out of his safe house and goes out into the world and makes the call to Dr. Cruz [Clea DuVall]. And of course, Chuck previously has been vociferous in denying that there’s anything wrong with him other than sheerly a physical ailment. Chuck has been dead set on avoiding any confrontation with the medical establishment. Of course, the whole end of season 2 turned on that. But now Chuck is actually reaching out to this person who he’s never trusted and never liked, and he does some of the work. And you see it in subsequent episodes that he’s under this doctor’s care, he’s starting to make real progress to the point that in episode 8, you see him go out to the grocery store and get his own damn soymilk, which for some of us is not a big deal, but for Chuck, it’s the equivalent of climbing Mt. Everest barefoot and without oxygen.

That just all felt very natural, but we then realized that it’s one thing to make the choice to get help, but the bigger, more difficult problem in life is to carry through with change. And there’s really nothing more difficult than changing yourself. We’ve all tried it, it’s not easy to do, and under stress, as things continue in the season, Chuck reverts. Instead of taking it step by step as Dr. Cruz suggests, instead of really starting to understand himself in a deep way, he turns to the outside world and he starts blaming the outside world for what’s happening on his insides. Of course, the ultimate version of that is, after he has what might be the terrible final confrontation between the brothers, when Chuck says those terrible things to Jimmy, then he’s got an itch that he just can’t scratch. That’s when it all falls apart. And for me, one of the most heartbreaking moments in the finale is when he actually does call Dr. Cruz and there’s a moment where he could actually say, “I’m in crisis. I need help right now,” which is, by the way, what I would encourage anyone who’s in that position to do, but his pride won’t let him. Somehow, his pride keeps him from asking for help when he really needs it the most. And the results of that are, to my eye, tragic.

Now that he has been suspended from the law for a year, we’ve been asking a question in the second half of this season: Who is Jimmy McGill without the law? But for Chuck, in a way, he was nothing without the law. How much did Howard calling his bluff and removing him from the firm contribute to that downward spiral? And he really had no family left after what happened with Jimmy, including that devastating last conversation. What, in sum, led him to take his own life? It’s a little bit of a watercooler question: What drives Chuck to do what he does? I would point out, though, he is expelled from HHM with a giant bonus, and he still has his law license. As he said to Howard in the previous episode, he is getting better. There’s nothing to say that he couldn’t practice law himself. There’s nothing to say that he couldn’t turn around and try to hang his own shingle out in a very luxurious office or even join Schweikart & Cokely, or any of the other firms. There’s the possibility for renewal, and when Jimmy comes to Chuck’s house, Chuck is dressed properly, he’s listening to music, and he’s got it together enough to confront his brother and just cut him to the core. It’s only after he has that terrible scene with Jimmy that Chuck’s downward spiral begins. So to me, that means — however important what happened at HHM might have been — somehow it’s the scene with Jimmy that’s the trigger.

NEXT PAGE: Gould on McKean’s reaction when he learned the news, fan hatred of Chuck

20 June 2017 | 6:16 am

Dan Snierson

Source : Entertainment Weekly

>>>Click Here To View Original Press Release>>>

June 20, 2017 at 12:46PM