#mainly just because he doesn't want to deal with any drama though

[arcxnumvitae]

It would not be the first time he was the cause of a couple splitting, but....that was not his intention in this case.

Sigh.

[kyokosasagawa]

Fran in Wonderland - A analysis post, of sorts. Maybe more like rambling.

Future Arc --- "Who the hell is this?" Introduced as the latest Varia member to replace Mammon, Fran is a completely new face. No one knows who he is or what his deal is. Not even Byakuran expected him, and it was one of the few moments that indicated that Byakuran had a weakness in his ability to see different worlds..

Fran of the Varia Arc is a complex figure. I cannot analyze him chronologically---no, he leaves crumbs of himself in extras. Interviews. Character songs.

But lets start off with his key trait:

Curiousity.

Fran is an immensely curious young adult. That is his fundamental trait as a character that spreads through both Rainbow and Varia arc.

What he does, he mainly does to satisfy his curiosity regarding powerful people.

In the manga canon itself, he lets Rasiel go away free just to find out if he would be able to beat Xanxus.

Speaking of Xanxus, in an interview he joins the Varia to find out why Xanxus can command respect. In a character drama, he tricks Hibari with his illusions and is impressed by Tsuna being able to see past them.

In his character song, he has Wonderland motifs. But the interesting part about it----he prolongs the torture of the victim in the song, curious to see if they could beat him. if given the chance.

Fran is a curious man that could, in fact, be interpreted as being….well, bored. He wants to find something interesting, so he follows his curiosity.

But he's also fickle, and distasteful, which brings me to the next point.

Lack of Respect / Respect towards Power

Future Fran does not respect other people easily. But to those who he does, they get power beyond all belief. Mukuro is freed with his power, a power that can fight against what we now know is a gang of ex-Arcobaleno.

He insults the rest of the Varia, while never saying anything particularly….mean, about the Xanxus he's curious about. In fact, Xanxus didn't have a single bad thing to say about Fran in the Rainbow arc, while the rest of them remembered nothing but insults.

Essentially, Fran only respects powerful people in the Varia arc. Perhaps its because he himself is powerful, so he doesn't feel a need to care about those who aren't. After all, Lussuria even admitted that Fran could escape from the Varia in the aforementioned interview---but he chooses not to, curious about Xanxus. He thus gives Xanxus his power in battle.

He respects Mukuro, calling him his Master. He helps the man escape.

I think, fundamentally, Future Fran doesn't care for weak people.

In a future where the world is ending, where only three people can trick the Vindice---clearly, he's better than the rest, especially if it was so effortless to trick them like its hinted by him not being even the slightest bit exhausted afterwards.

The thing is though, its hinted that he was always this way.

Rainbow Arc -- Again, who the fuck is this?

Fran. Fran, Fran, Fran.

He's introduced as a child playing in the forest and waterfalls of Jura, France without any supervision. A place that takes the Varia and Kokuyo some effort to get to. Even the Varia admits that he's no ordinary child.

Later, its shown that he's still able to trick the Vindice with his illusions.

So we know he's always been like this. He has, since he was young, always been more powerful than others.

What a wonderful way to get a bloated head like in the Future Arc.

But, in the Rainbow Arc, he's proven he's not the strongest person around.

He's scared of the Shinigami, he's intimidated by Chrome yelling at him.

Sure, he still has to fight in the final battle, but that could just be because the glove didn't fit Chrome. Chrome still had to instruct him.

So how does he grow up, in the Rainbow Arc?

Healing of a Childhood?

Rather happily, actually.

In the future arc, Fran smiles rarely. You get most of his smiles in artwork outside of the manga and anime, or if he's smiling, its for snarky reasons. It's one of the reasons why for the longest time, we had "depressed!Fran" fanfiction everywhere.

No, he chose the Kokuyo to grow up with, and he seems to enjoy their company a lot.

Surprisingly, its Ken who gets the most attention from him and where Fran's character development seems to shine the most.

He goes from considering Ken an idiot, a wild animal in the future arc---to considering him a big brother figure. He even changes honorifics.

He also seems to enjoy the company of Verde, despite bullying him all the time.

And don't forget about Chrome, who he instantly develops a crush on after getting yelled at. Or M.M, who carries him around and protects him.

Family!

The Kokuyo is depicted as a family, unlike the Future Arc.

In the Future Arc, Fran floats around place to place looking for someone powerful. He hangs out in the Varia, hangs out in the Kokuyo, tricks Hibari and tries to trick Tsuna, tries to give that nameless victim in the Special Illusion song a chance to survive and see if they're stronger….

But in the Rainbow Arc, Fran is…he's happy. He sticks with the Kokuyo from day one, and doesn't leave their side, and he becomes an actual kid.

Fran is healing in the Rainbow Arc, and I love that for him.

Conclusion Fran of the Future Arc is fundamentally a different person from Fran of the Rainbow Arc.

Future Fran is curious and bored. He's strong, and he knows he's strong. He's equivalent to a Saitama-like figure in KHR.

But Fran of the Rainbow Arc is still learning how to be a kid.

He's strong, yes, but the Kokuyo is giving him the chance to be better. To become strong, yet loved.

To have Fran without the Kokuyo is to have a unhappy Fran, who calls Ken "-san", who looks at the Varia with distaste and hate.

I don't know what he becomes in the future of the Rainbow arc, but I'm sure its going to be happier.

[tevantarlos]

Hurting People's Favorite Character's Is Not Entertaining

The writers of 911 thought it would be entertaining to hurt both Buck and Tommy, with the excuse of 'Buck needs to fuck around and play the field and explore himself'. Which not only leaves Tommy alone and heartbroken, but regresses Buck's character back to the simple playboy manwhore that he was in season 1. So much for any growth he showed in the last few seasons.

The writers of The Magicians wanted to hurt Queliot fans by giving Eliot man pain over losing his best friend + deep emotional pain over losing the love of his life, which comes from losing the same person as Q was both Eliot's best friend, and the love of his life.

The writers of BTVS wanted to further Willow's plot by killing off Tara. Instead of having them go the route of showing love can conquer all, they turn Willow into a killer, and then have her best friend show up for her and pull the love conquer's all trope from there.

The writers of South of Nowhere were constantly using Ashley's bisexuality as a means to create drama between her and Spencer. Ashley's former relationship with Aiden is brought up numerous times, and the fact that they were going to have a baby together, but it ended in miscarriage, created a large crack in the Spashley relationship. Also doesn't help that Ashley had many other personal issues with noncaring parents, Spencer's mother hating her for "turning" her daughter gay, judgement from lesphobic assholes at school and in Spencer's own brother, Glen.

The writers for Queer as Folk thought they were being edgy or cool by making Brian an asshole and playboy through the entire show, but all it really did was piss off fans. Brian and Justin spend the whole show trying to be together, fighting Brian's emotional issues from having abusive homophobic parents, dealing with Justin's homophobic parents, Justin getting nearly killed, Brian dealing with the fact that he thinks he's only capable of fucking around and not finding love, and when he finally does at the end of the show, he pushes Justin away with the excuse of putting Justin and his career first. Tell me why Brian couldn't have moved to New York to be with Justin? Just saying. He could've opened another branch of Kinnetik there, and Justin still would've been able to grow his career, grow as a person, but also continue in the relationship with Brian, and be allowed to be happy.

The writers of the 100 killed off Lexa because the actress needed more time for her to be on FTWD, which is just stupid. They could've put in some kind of storyline where Lexa went missing, but instead they furthered the 'bury your gays' trope and pissed off all the Lexa and Clexa fans with that bullshit. Showing that once again, gays/lesbians/bisexuals, don't get to be happy.

The writers of Glee did a number on Blaine's character. He's bullied for being gay, harassed and nearly blinded for sticking up for his boyfriend. He's ignored by his boyfriend because of a job, written as a cheater because of his insecurities, made to date his former boyfriend's high school bully when he both knows how horrible being bullied is in the first place, and more than likely knows how horrible Dave made Kurt feel when Kurt was in high school.

Blaine doesn't have much of a support system. We barely ever see him with the Warblers, when he joins McKinley, those people are mainly on Kurt's side as they were his friends first, though Tina and Sam are later shown as closer to Blaine than Kurt. His brother is shown only once on the show, and his parents, too, which goes to show that they don't really support Blaine or are there for him. I mean, sure, he got his happy ending and he and Kurt get married, but Kurt is really all he has. So tell me, is Blaine really happy? His family isn't in much in his life, he has two best friends, but they're off living their lives most of the time, and Kurt is focused on his career, so Blaine's basically alone. Oh, and also, apparently Sebastian ends up alone. Which, another gay man ends up sad, miserable and alone? Color me shocked. /s

Why the hell would gay men/lesbians/bisexuals want to watch shows with characters like themselves when they just aren't written well? Why are these three kinds of people/characters doomed to not be allowed to be fully happy?

[boykingscourt]

thoughts on spn s8

ahh... good old s8

though it's been a while since I've watched it all the way through (currently in s6 with my friend) s8 without a doubt brings out the most mixed feelings for me compared to any other season

fair warning this got kinda long

let's start with the good:

1 ) the sam and dean drama

if you can look at it objectively, shutting out the narrative's dean bias and the general fandom reaction, it's just delicious. I've seen it referred to as the samndean dual cheating arc, which I love rather you consider that romantic or just in the weird brothers way lmao.

I'm a big fan of benny and unlike most of the fandom don't mind the sam/amelia plot. I like it what it represents for sam's character, showing just how mismatched sam and dean's priorities are in the beginning of the season. and even though sam would cop shit from dean, the narrative, and the fandom at large, those rare moments where he stands up to dean feel like mana from heaven

2 ) TRIALS TRIALS TRIALS

this is the most important aspect of s8 for me and maybe what I should have led with, but I'm sure it's not surprising coming from a sam stan or just if you're at all familiar with my blog (hopefully you are <3)

the trials arc is one of my all-time favorite sam arcs. it has unique whump, deep and meaningful revelations for his character, and ends with one of spn's greatest season finales (to me, and I'm always right)

it also spawned one of the scenes of ALL TIME, 8x21's "I'm not clean" iconic 10/10

the trials arc is of course absolutely heartbreaking from a sam perspective, especially when thinking about s8 collectively. sam going from defending himself and his choices against dean's unfair criticism -> choosing to leave his life with amelia behind -> bravely undertaking the trials but wanting to come out on the other side alive -> not caring if it kills him in the end because of his feelings of unworthiness, guilt over his past mistakes, and (chiefly) dean's infantilization and constant reminders of all that sam has done "wrong" is one of the most sickening (affectionate) journeys I've seen a character go on. even if most of the fandom doesn't recognize it for what it is, at least the dedicated sam corner of the fandom does, and I will never tire of reading trials-related meta

3 ) very distinct arcs

this probably seems trivial in relation to the other two but I like how s8 feels like two or three different seasons mashed into one

now let's talk about the bad:

1 ) wasted potential

you could say this about a lot of spn seasons/plotlines, especially the later ones, so of course it applies here too. as much as I like benny, I think there's more they could have done with him, mainly giving him more interactions with sam! I feel the same about henry winchester too. I didn't need peepaw to stick around forever, but without a doubt they should've given him more than one measly episode. he and sam had serious potential to bond and grow close, making his death (ideally later in the season) much more impactful

2 ) too much angel crap

I really can't tell you how sick I got of angel politics, and s8 only gives us a taste of many more boring conflicts to come. the angel "trials" do nothing for me, I hardly remember anything that's going on with c*s once he comes back from purgatory minus that cringe ass swan song imitation they give him and dean (and it's memorable for the wrong reasons), and the angels falling, which seems to be a big deal at first, is extremely underwhelming once s9 rolls around (maybe it's not fair to pin that on s8 but whatever)

3 ) narrative bias towards dean/fandom reaction to sam

maybe this is also not fair to pin entirely on s8, but these things are unfortunately forever intertwined in my mind and color my view of the season as a whole. s8 sam is arguably the most misunderstood and slandered sam of the whole series. you could certainly make that argument for s4 sam, s9 sam, even s5 sam, but I'm sure you will agree s8 sam is up there no matter which sam wins that crown for you

the significance of the trials and what they reveal about sam's character is entirely lost on most of the audience. all we seem to hear about instead is how stupid and pointless they find the amelia plotline, how jealous and unreasonable sam is regarding benny, and (you already know it!) endless endless ENDLESS "waaaaaahhhh sam didn't look for dean!!" just one of the three of those is enough to drive me insane, and we are instead treated to all three and more!

couple this with the narrative's dean bias (and s8 just happens to be the moment where, in my opinion, this bias becomes fixed and permanent) you are left with some of the worst takes and most fuck ass sam meta you can imagine, some of it being so bad I've heard of many instances of sam stans taking a break from spn or just checking out entirely around this time

s8 my beloved and s8 my beloathed

although maybe this is all entirely too serious and I should instead just thank s8 for its greatest gifts: estrogen!jared sam with his beautiful tan and glorious long glossy chestnut hair AND sickly trials era bella swan sam, both of whom I want to abandon the silverware for and eat with my bare hands

thanks so much for this ask, and if you were expecting a succinct response instead, I sincerely apologize

[hello-nichya-here]

How do you feel about Monica and Richard's relationship? Do you think he was her soulmate instead of Chandler?

I think they were a pretty great, adorable couple (Richard trying to find a neurosis of his own to make Monica feel better about her OCD lives rent-free in my head), had a lot of things in common, did their best to work through their relationship issues and the actors had fantastic chemistry. Richard was THE perfect guy for Monica in my eyes... until I saw her fall in love with, date, and marry Chandler, her actual soulmate.

Now, I know a lot of people are creeped out not just by their 21 year age gap, and, more importantly, by the fact that Richard knew her since she was a child because was best friend's with her father (they even say they're like brothers, and at least here in Brazil she'd have absolutely grown up calling him UNCLE Richard).

However:

1 - They're not real, so who cares?

2 - I'm a degenerate and I'm into it.

3 - They did spend years without having any contact (to the point that he doesn't even recognize her at first) and it's very clear that Richard only ever started feeling attracted to her when she was an adult - and not in a "He was waiting to get on her pants the very second she turned 18" kind of way, but rather as "She's literally 27-years-old, she's been a fully grown, adult woman for a LONG time."

And even though Friends, like any sitcom, is known for having the characters in very unrealistic situations for the sake comedy, drama or both (and that's a feature, not a bug) the way Richard and Monica's age difference was handled was pretty realistic.

Monica clearly likes that Richard is this suave, cool older man - but unlike with the rich guy she dates after him, it's obvious that she actually does like him for who he is beyond the superficial stuff, and isn't just giving this relationship a shot because she wants to get married and have kids, and needs a guy to achieve that. I felt soooooo sad for Richard when he was feeling like "one of the guys" then Joey and Chandler let slip that they like hanging out with him because their DADS were not as cool, and Monica was super sweet to him after.

The entire episode of her parents finding out about them on her dad's birthday was freaking amazing, mainly because the writers took full advantage of literally every opportunity for a good joke. Monica is asked if she'll tell them that night, and replies with "Yeah, for my father's birthday I decided to give him a stroke." Their mother asks if they thanked Richard for the ride, innocently just acting like a mom making sure her kids are being polite to their father's friend, and Ross just says "I'm sure Monica thanked him for the both of us." And, of course, everyone awkwardly singing happy birthday right after they had a falling out.

And that episode was also an exemple of Friends, a show that both fairly and unfairly described as very sexist, actually being pretty ahead of it's time when it comes to pointing out the full on misogyny that people often give themselves permission to engage on the very second a girl dates someone much older.

All of the guys are talking about Richard banging a younger woman (that they don't know is Monica) in a really gross way, with her own father even comparing it to the time he bought a cool, expensive car to deal with his mid-life crisis, and, much to both Richard and Ross's horror, suggesting they trade for a day. Sure, it's painting Richard as at least a bit of a loser for dating a younger woman after a long marriage that ended in divorce, but they're still expecting him to brag about it, seeing it as something cool and worth envying him for, and quite literally treating the "mystery younger woman" as an object instead of a person that genuinely cares about him, and that he cares for as well.

The women at the party aren't any better either, making wild assumptions about how Monica is probably just a stupid slut with nothing to offer, and that maybe she's even ugly and the only reason Richard is into her is because she is "Just young enough that everything is still pointing up." They literally know nothing about her beyond "She's younger than him, met him after he got divorced and started dating him" and are all still acting in such a spiteful way that, hearing one of them talk without any context, people could easily assume something like "Oh, she was with Richard first, and this story about him meeting this younger girl after the divorce is bullshit. He met while he was still married, had an affair, filled for divorce, and now the ex-wife hates this girl"

Even Monica's own mother gets all condescending the second she hears her daughter say the word RELATIONSHIP. It all makes for great television because it's a conflict that is not at all forced, makes you really root for the characters' romance to last, and, again, the writers took ALL the opportunities to make jokes about it.

But more importantly, when it was time to make their age gap be the real why they broke up, they didn't do it by turning Monica into an immature moron that was not good enough for him, or retconning Richard's characterization to make him all condescending, arrogant and assuming he knows better just because he's older - or worse, adding a cheap twist that he actually IS a creep that only liked her because she was an adventure/trophy, would cruelly toss her aside the second he got bored, and that he had secretly been screwing younger girls all the time behind his ex-wife's back. NOPE! None of that.

Instead the writers did the smart thing and acknowledged that both Monica and Richard wanted to get married and have kids... but Richard already did it. He got married, had kids, had grandkids, and then got divorced. If he marries Monica now, even if she turns out to be the love of his life and his absolute soulmate he is simply not gonna do all of that again just for her sake, nor should he, because he is in a different state of life and just wants someone to grow old with. It would not be fair of Monica if she tried to force him to have kids again - and it would not be fair of Richard if he expected her to just skip a whole stage of life that she had been super excited for, all because HE already got to have it, enjoy it, and reach the stage where HE was done with it.

And sure, during the drama when Chandler is pretending he will never be interested in marriage and kids, just to surprise Monica with a proposal, they kind of retcon that a bit by having Richard say he regrets that decision and WANTS to have children with her, but I accept that writing choice because:

1 - Literally no one else could fit that role as Chandler's rivals for that storyline without it feeling completely, and it was one of highlights of the last seasons of Friends, aka part of why I'll defend said seasons forever despite the drop in quality.

2 - Richard doesn't seem to have had a truly serious relationship with anyone after Monica because he's clearly not over her, so the pain of seeing her happy with someone else could easily make him start seeing the absolutely correct, but still very difficult choice he made in the past look like THE biggest mistake of his life. When he hear of him later he is not becoming a dad again, so I'll just choose to headcanon that once he found the right person he realized he dodged a bullet when Monica chose Chandler.

3 - Monica did, in fact, choose Chandler. Over Richard. The guy he had been all insecure about, for good reason because Monica would have clearly married him if it wasn't for the not having kids thing, and they had lingering feelings for each other for a looooong time. Her being given the perfect chance to go back to him, and not doing so, is the best way to show to the audience that no, she's not just settling for Chandler because she couldn't have Richard.

4 - Chandler and Richard's talk in which Richard agrees that he already had his chance and that he needs to step aside now because what he is doing isn't fair, Chandler calls him a good guy, and Richard then brags about AND says he hates that is adorable and very funny.

So there you have it. Richard is not Monica's soulmate, but in an AU in which she never met Chandler, or in which they remained purely platonic forever, Richard would be the ONLY acceptable endgame for her because That. Storyline. Was. So. Fucking. Good.

[cuntycassandra]

Okay so I fucked up with the original post as it wouldn’t let me edit it from drafts after putting a video in there, so I had to start from scratch. So this was the ask, thank you @practically-an-x-man !

Oh wow this is quite a lot to get through! Alrighty let's get going.

Alexander Summers:

First impression:

l'm just going to talk about movie Alex, because I have other thoughts on comic Alex. I knew Lucas Till from other things like Hannah Montana and the YBWM music video, and also because after the drama with Ezra Miller everyone wanted LT to play the new movie flash, so I remember recognising this face when I first watched FC and thinking "oh yeah he's cute", and I liked his whole broody demeanour, but like, that was it. He became an honorary fave just because I knew he was around the mansion when Peter would've been young, so he was in a lot of the 'Cherik raise Peter' fics.

Impression now:

Jamie will tell you that I always develop a love for the more 'obscure’ characters in media, the smaller amount of screen time, the more likely I am to become obsessed. And so when I went back to rewatch the movies I was just pulled in when it came to Alex. I thought he was so interesting with soooo much potential, his dark but almost juvenile demeanour was like a hook, and I loooove his relationship with Charles. It's also amazing to get to experience a movie you love with a new found appreciation for a certain character because you notice so many new things. Every acting choice LT made for this role l've picked up on now, not to sound dramatic but every little detail helps fuel how I see Alex as a character/person, which is someone with so much complexity and depth.

Favourite moment:

Pretty much all of his scenes in Apocalypse, except his death. Even though I prefer FC, I love seeing how much he's grown and how much he's improved just in general. It's so lovely. But also this one specific deleted scene from FC that gives me all the feels,

Idea for a story:

I have a lot of ideas for Alex in the works, they're mainly on hold just because I went to uni this past September so l've been taking a fanfiction writing/reading break. My current main fic that l'm working on (that Jamie will be happy about), is Alex meeting and bonding with six/seven year old Scott after Vietnam. You'll know because you've read my fic but I picture Alex's relationship to be very strained with his parents, but he's making an effort because he's like, 89% sure Scott's going to be a mutant and he doesn't want him to have to deal with the same reactions he got all by himself.

I also have ideas around an OC of mine but I don't tend to talk about my OCs very much.

Unpopular opinion:

Hmm. The Alex fandom is very small so I don't think there are many 'unpopular' opinions. If we circle back to comic Alex, l'm not really a big fan of any of his romantic relationships. I like the characters respectively, I just don't tend to like them together.

Also I just prefer Alex to Scott, which isn't unpopular but it'll piss Jamie juice off :)

Favourite relationship:

Love love love looooove his platonic mentor-student relationship with Charles.

Favourite Headcanon:

Love the idea of Alex picking up on Charles’ British slang while living at the mansion between FC and DoFP. He wouldn’t say them in a British accent, but he’d say things like jacket potato, not baked potato (the second chapter of that fic will be dropping soon), and football instead of soccer, and I feel like Charles would really appreciate it because it would be something Raven used to do. Although I see her doing it in more of a teasing way compared to Alex, Alex is just adapting to his surroundings.

Hank McCoy:

First impression:

I remember quite liking Hank when I first watched FC, I don’t think I had a huge opinion on him but I did enjoy his presence. I liked his bashful relationship with Raven and I think Nicholas Hoult played the character well. He was like in between Alex and then Cherik and Peter for me, I cared about his presence because he was often involved with my top three, but he wasn’t obscure enough for me to develop a proper obsession with.

Impression now:

Kind of the same to be honest, if anything I think I may have gone off him a little bit. Not because of anything huge, but the way he is with Raven in that one scene in FC irks me a little. I do understand his reasoning, as someone with a physical ‘deformity’, I’d do anything to fix it, but I’m also like dude don’t tell this girl she’s not naturally gorgeous-. But overall I do still like him, and I did like his ending in DP too. (Even though I don’t like DP.)

Favourite moment:

Either when he and Logan are fighting in the foyer in DoFP or just his involvement with the montage in FC. Him being like “am I still a bozo?” to Alex, like bro what do you think the obnoxious little blond is gonna say-.

Idea for a story:

I like the idea of potentially writing a small oneshot about Alex and Hank having a conversation, maybe just before Alex leaves for Vietnam. I feel like it’s the only time they’d ever have a vulnerably emotional moment together. Alex wouldn’t admit to Charles he’s worried about going, and Hank would’ve picked up on enough of Alex’s social behaviours to realise it.

Unpopular opinion:

Not sure if this is unpopular but I don’t really ship him endgame with Raven. I ship them as a midgame, but if she had lived in the new timeline I don’t think they would’ve lasted, I think they’re a classic case of right person, wrong time. They were at totally different stages of life.

Favourite relationship:

Love his annoying brotherly relationship with Alex, and his mentor relationship with Charles.

Favourite headcanon:

Sean was the one who got Hank to smoke his first joint, and Hank was so concerned about what it would do to his brain/mutation that he caved and told Charles, as if they aren’t all adults who can make their own informed decisions. I don’t like reducing characters to a caricature, but the idea of Hank shyly telling Charles he’s stoned and has some minor concerns is so funny to me.

Patricia Thornton:

First impression:

In typical Summer fashion, Thornton wasn’t a favourite when I started MacGyver, that was solely Mac and Jack. I just thought she was pretty and badass, and I really enjoyed her banter with Jack. That was kind of all I thought on her.

Impression now:

I. Love. Her. Literally she is such an icon. I came to appreciate her pretty quickly because I binged a lot of MacGyver while I was recovering from my hip surgery, and then when I found out about the traitor storyline I was devastated. I love her snark, her facial expressions, how much of an amazing spy she actually was? I still love her relationship with Jack but I’ve also come to appreciate how she was with Mac and Riley. She wasn’t a helicopter boss/parent, but it’s so clear that beneath the sternness and consistent annoyance, she loved those brats so much.

Favourite moment:

During the Christmas episode, at the end, she’s talking to Mac by the Christmas tree and it’s a clear moment of how she wasn’t just the boss of this team, she was also a friend. She kisses Jack’s cheek, she lets Bozer touch her, she and Mac talk about Christmas gifts, I love it. (I also love her in the fourth episode of season one where she’s beating the shit out of people.

Idea for a story:

I want to write more of her and Mac, I like the idea of her going to see him in the hospital after the incident in S1E1, but he’s at a generic hospital in Italy, and when she and Jack arrive the doctors are like “are you guys family to the patient? 🤔” and they’re like “uh…”. And Jack is like “oh yeah, we’re his aunt and uncle, this is my wife” on a whim and Thornton looks at him like she’s going to take off her shoe and shove the heel up his nose.

Unpopular opinion:

She’s better than Matty. That’s ragingly unpopular but to me she just is, I prefer her dynamic with everyone compared Matty’s character to dynamic with them. And there’s no problem with Matty, I just haven’t warmed to her, like at all. I don’t find banter in her sternness, whereas with Thornton it was more of an exasperation.

Favourite relationship:

I love all of her relationships with the main team, Mac’s is probably my favourite, but I do love how she is with Riley, and Bozer. They’re like her exhausting children and she’s just DONE. And of course her love-hate relationship with Jack is top notch.

Favourite headcanon:

I’ve never talked about this before but I have this deep rooted lore idea that Thornton had a lung transplant as a child. There’s even more lore behind why but I won’t bore you with that, but anyways I have this hc that while on a mission with Jack when they’re first working together, he finds her immunosuppressants in her backpack, and because she hasn’t declared them to anyone on the team, except Oversight ofc, as nobody knows about her lungs, Jack’s first thought is “…she’s dealing drugs.” And confronts her about it, and she’s just like “😒”.

After that, only Jack knows about it, and I like to think that while she’s in prison, he goes to see her and even though he’s mad because he thinks she’s a traitor, he’s still like “they’re giving you your pills for your lungs right?”

Warren Worthington III:

First impression:

I don’t really remember my first impression of Warren. I remember in TLS, when we see him trying to cut out his wings, my first thought was “WOAH IM UNCOMFY”, but overall I think for me he was just sort of…there?

Impression now:

I like him a lot more in TLS than I do in Apocalypse, in Apocalypse I find him a bit obnoxious, but I like the complexities of his situation in TLS, as much as I don’t like the movie itself. I think it’s really interesting to see his development throughout that movie considering he has such little screen time.

Favourite moment:

I do actually quite like the scene where he flies away from his father before he’s forced to have the mutation cure. Very powerful and I think the actor did a nice job.

Idea for a story:

I don’t have one off the top of my head but I like the idea of something to do with he and Alex talking, for my universe they both have somewhat ‘unsupportive’ parents, so that could be an interesting exploration.

Unpopular opinion:

I can’t say I have one because I don’t know the character well enough. Maybe that he kind of annoyed me in Apocalypse? Like I get why he was the way he was, I just didn’t feel emotionally connected to him. I wish they could’ve fleshed it out a little bit more.

Favourite relationship:

I have no idea.

Favourite headcanon:

Again, not really any idea cause I don’t know enough about him, but I’d love to hear a few of yours sometime.

[maia-and-ria]

MaiRia's Relationship Chart and Appellation

credit to @/lesbianmido for making this chart!

Further detail below because I need to yap. Also Maia is an ex-Ultio and might (or might not be) involved with certain Darkwick incidents in the past. Same as Ria but she's always been in Sinostra. Some of these things are subject to change.

I am not in any way disregarding their characterization to the canon, I am merely interpreting them in a way that would fit to my original characters' interactions with them. If you don't like my interpretation, or if you're a non-sharing yume, you might want to step away.

Also these are hella long.

1. Maia's

Maia prefer to keep her nose out of Frostheim students. Mainly because the ones in power (Jin and Tohma) never poke into her business first. Sure the general students have reported her and Ria to them a few times due to some silly drama that those students started, but it's not worth having bad blood with someone who has influence in the police department.

Maia -> Jin: Tyrant Jin -> Maia: Lowly cop Maia -> Tohma: Three-eyed Creep Tohma -> Maia: Inspector Hasegawa

She feels indebted to Alan for accepting her in Vagastrom. She hoped to share his burden by being vice-captain but Maia was missing from Darkwick's radar because of her work (she was even presumed dead at one point). If you add that to her already-strained relationship with the institute, appointing someone else to take the job was the perfect way to spit on her face. At least that's what she feels about it. Regardless, she take it upon herself to be useful in Vagastrom by bailing those thugs students from jail. Of course they'll still be punished but it's in terms of Alan and Maia. She respects his way of handling them but still thinks he's being too soft sometimes.

Maia -> Alan: Mido Alan -> Maia: Officer

She dislike Leo for carrying the title of Vagastrom's Vice-Captain, but she still acknowledge his effort in fulfilling his duties– the results at least. She doesn't like that he tend to mess around and abuse that power, but as long as he's not putting the house in danger she could let him do whatever. And that doesn't mean Leo is free from having a target on his back either. The second he messed up Maia won't hesitate to take over his title. One day she would expose his police record (which she already has on her hand) to the public but she would rather use that for later.

Maia -> Leo: Mutt/Kurosagi Leo -> Maia: Bitch (behind Maia)/Miss cop

Sho sees her as somewhat a mentor. Like Alan, she order ask for some rounds in the Pit. Still, she's not as brutal as to go multiple rounds like Alan because she has other things to do. Maia would never say it out loud but she wouldn't be as resentful if Sho was the vice captain instead of Leo. But then again she's also aware he would abuse it for Leo's sake. He still thinks she's scary until now but there are times when she actually acts like a human being too. "Sometimes you're a bitch, senpai. But I've spent years with a meanie (Leo)." He feel a sense of pride whenever she compliments his cooking– making her one of his favorite HTH customer.

Maia -> Sho: Sho Sho -> Maia: Mai-senpai

Maia has some dirt on Haru and that makes her scary in his eyes (it's not that big of a deal, to be honest. It's just that Maia acts like she just discovered kilograms of cr4ck in Jabberwock hence why Haru is always on his toes). They used to be drinking buddies though even if only a few times. She sometime visits the safari for a jog and it's free of charge as long as she visits during closing hours.

Maia -> Haru: Sagara (Sagara-san) Haru -> Maia: Sir Maia

When Maia visits the safari and run into Towa, he would help her with physical training a little. Towa sees it as... more of a play-time but Maia doesn't care. He loves playing hunt-the-anomaly (no anomalous creature harmed) with her and hearing her talk about her case. The bloodier the better. Towa is like her personal therapist and trainer (please seek actual help, Maia)

Maia -> Towa: Towa/Towa-sensei Towa -> Maia: Sakura 🌸

Taiga creeps her out in a way that he's too unpredictable to figure out. One of Maia's specialty is solving ghoul crime and capturing them, so she hopes to never see his name on any of her case. Taiga remember her as the friend of his relative (Ria) and Maia wants it to stay that way. She does not want him to remember her name nor call her out. Maia doesn't want anything to do with him ever.

Maia -> Taiga: Hoshibami Taiga -> Maia: Lily's (Ria's) friend

Maia dislikes Romeo for two reasons: he is Leo's close friend, and that he had a history with Ria. Not a good one. Back then Romeo thought he could really use a high-ranking cop in his network but changed his mind after Maia made it clear she loathes him for what he did to Ria. Even though Ria herself choose to turn a blind eye on what happened, Maia continues to dislike him still.

Maia -> Romeo: Bastard Romeo -> Maia: Dog

Maia learned that Ritsu is a part of Shinjo family who had some history of making it difficult for criminals to meet their punishment. It's infuriating especially when their clients are criminals that Maia had caught with her own blood and tears. She might be a rule breaker despite her job as the upholder of justice, but there's a line to how far you can play with the law. Even though she bends the law here and there to her advantage, a punishment is always necessary when things go too far no matter who you are. But when a Shinjo is involved, any criminal can walk free if they have enough money to afford it. She hates that Ria is so doting to that Sinostra freshman, and now she's the only thing standing between Maia and her plan to balance the score with that family. As for Ritsu himself, he thought about one day partnering with Maia as he could use someone with her expertise. Had Maia wasn't so hostile to him, he could've looked up to her.

Maia -> Ritsu: Little Shinjo/that junior Ritsu -> Maia: Inspector Hasegawa

Maia has a good relationship with the current Hotarubi ghouls and she exchange friendly greetings when they pass by. She often see Subaru lining up in HTH, so they'd indulge in a little chit-chat as they wait for their turn to order. Maia knows about Subaru's mission (Lyca) but decide to keep her mouth shut about it since the order was from the Institute.

Maia -> Subaru: Subaru (Subaru-san) Subaru -> Maia: Maia (Maia-san)

Haku and Maia are also on good terms. Although they both seem to always half-ass their way when it comes to duties but at the end they still get the job done. She was disappointed when Haku decide to quit smoking since they're both partners in that area. Now she wouldn't stop bullying him for it with "Have you found that light(er) you're looking for?"

Maia -> Haku: Haku/Priest Haku -> Maia: Officer

Maia doesn't know Zenji still roams around as a ghost. Nothing much going on between them other than Maia finding his eccentric act amusing. If he was alive, she would love to chat about her crime cases with him. He would get new materials to work with and she got to feel that the things she'd done were not as bad as she thought they were. (Zenji was her #2 therapist after Towa lol)

Maia -> Zenji: Zenji (Zenji-san) Zenji -> Maia: Supreme Detective

She's always on guard when it comes to Edward because Maia was involved in kidnapping catching him, he could be holding some resentment and Maia would understand. But this is Ed we're talking about. The strongest ghoul she ever hunted. She couldn't care less if she's the one being targeted but she couldn't shake the feeling that Ed knows Ria's stigma— and now he is the reason Maia won't ever let her near Obscuary. Even interacting with any of students from that house will result in big argument between the two. Ed finds the irony very amusing and she does not take that in a positive light. Does she trapping him in this place or does she the one being trapped with him?

Maia -> Ed: Bloodsucker/Hart Ed -> Maia: "Hunter"

Maia knows Rui and Ria are friends, and knowing that she's being all buddy-buddy with a flirt irritates her. The big reason is despite his complaints about taking care of the vampire he's still an Obscuary no matter what, and Maia will do anything in her power to keep Ria away from anything or anyone relating to that. Rui once took a signal wrongly (and flirted with her) and it did not end well for him.

Maia -> Rui: Mizuki Rui -> Maia: Inspector

Maia only goes to Mortkranken for a small check-up or when she need sleeping pills. OR when she's badly injured that she needs to take off her left hand glove. She only let Yuri to treat her since he's the only one that knows about her stigma effect (besides a small number of people). As long as he keep it a secret, she will not sniff around on his experiments. With or without with a warrant. She dislike hospitals in general so she prefer to stay away from that place as much as she can.

Maia -> Yuri: Doc/Isami Yuri -> Maia: Hasegawa

2. Jyuria's

Ria and Frostheim general students tend to have problems a lot. Even though Ria is always too busy to care, these rich snobs would still want to poke her with mommy and daddy's money just for the sake of revenge. Well, everything that Ria did was all in the name of defense (supported by Maia). Fortunately, Jin and the Captain's bitch – Tohma – never put much thought into any of their silly conflict (thanks to Maia). Although she wished they could be her client one day so she can plant one of her spy even for one night but Tohma would most likely not let it happen. Having a patron like Jin would benefit her a lot but at the same time why would he ever need in the first place? Especially in that sort of thing. But hey, a girl can hope and that monocle is always standing in the way. People would think Tohma and Ria flirt with each other when it's all sarcastic remarks in the air.

Ria -> Jin: Your Majesty/Momma's boy (behind his back) Jin -> Ria: - Ria -> Tohma: Mr. Tohma Tohma -> Ria: Madam Ria

Despite not directly interfering with the casino, she still knows what's happening there from time to time. Meaning she's aware that Kaito has been playing cat and mouse with Romeo for some time. Lately she heard from one of her minion that he has trouble getting a girlfriend— and people like Kaito are simply Ria's favorite. A pathetic fail-guy who longs for love. A perfect client for her to find a match through her matchmaking business. Although if he's just looking for an arm candy to bring as lucky charm in the casino, he can still come to Ria and pick one of her talents. Or a few! Or even Ria herself if he could afford it! Kaito almost fell into her sweet trap numerous times but refrain because Romeo would be standing behind him in seconds. What's more terrifying than having a stalker screaming about your debt in front of a Hot (capital H) chick?

Ria -> Kaito: Cutie (for business purposes) and Kaito (Kaito-kun) Kaito -> Ria: Madam

Alan's aloofness sometimes makes it difficult for her to talk to him. But since Maia respect the guy, and that a friend of her best friend is also Ria's friend, she will treat him as such. One time Alan accidentally scared a pushy guy away with tail between his legs, it was comical. Ria is always open if Alan wants to work for her as a bodyguard.

Ria -> Alan: Mido (Mido-kun) Alan -> Ria: -

With Alan it's, "The friend of my best friend is my friend". But with Leo it's, "The enemy of my best friend is my enemy (and I will be 10 times worse than her)." Leo is eating up all drama surrounding Ria and doesn't hesitate to tease Maia about it– which most likely will earn him to lose a teeth or two had Alan not interfere. He got to say that he agrees with the public opinion that Ria is attractive, so a scandal with her is always an option in his book – that is until Romeo gave him that look of disappointment with a hint of something he can't quite put a finger on which intrigue Leo even more.

Ria -> Leo: Romeo's bitch little sidekick Leo -> Ria: Pimp Chick

Haru is a good friend of hers. She loves to have friendly-flirt with him in Rui's bar right in front of the owner. Haru is well-aware that they can never be a thing so he might as well enjoy whatever she throws at him. She genuinely laughs at his jokes and sympathize with his complaints (especially when it's about Taiga) which he really appreciate. So whatever things they do or say, they're all stay in the bar as little secrets between the three of them.

Ria -> Haru: Harry (Harry-chan) Haru -> Ria: Lily (Riri-chan)

Towa is simply adorable in her eyes – not in a way she would flirt with him but it's more like how she would act around a little baby. But make it one hell of a big baby. She love to hear about him from Haru and she also like to feed him flowers when she's not busy – in which a lot of them are expensive flowers she used to decorate her private office. After all, a friend of Haru (who is not a a headache to him) is a friend of Towa ;3 (Ria's words)

Ria -> Towa: Towa (Towa-chan) Towa -> Ria: Stargazer Lily

Despite the two being distant blood relatives, Ria is not that fond of Taiga and would prefer it if people doesn't label her as "Taiga's family" when they first get to know her. Of course it wasn't always this way until he changed. Ria built the casino together; all three of them, with Taiga and Romeo. She love the place as much as they do because it stands as a symbol of their bond, but after what happened she couldn't bring herself to handle things like she used to. Her feeling of dislike mostly comes from fear because Taiga doesn't act like someone she once knew. He's now a stranger in her eyes, and up until now she's still trying to familiarize herself with whatever is possessing her boss.

Ria -> Taiga: Boss/Bami (childhood nickname) Taiga -> Ria: Lily (Riri)/Crybaby (childhood nickname)

Rumor has it that Ria and Romeo had a past before. Everybody knows the three Sinostra seniors were always glued together but Ria and Romeo had a different relationship. They had a world of their own until things were changed. No one dares to find out why. Even as small as mentioning her name in front of Romeo would result in a sudden change of air. It is said that the big reason she stepped back from the casino was because of him, resulting in three of them having each of their own faction inside of Sinostra. Romeo and Ria give each other the cold shoulder and would rather send their minions to deliver messages instead of talk things out (mostly about the casino when it's absolutely necessary for her to be involved)

Ria -> Romeo: Romeo Romeo -> Ria: S.I.B (Sad-Ignorant Bitch)

Ria dotes on Ritsu like a big sister would do to her little baby brother. She would stalk follow him around like some crazy fan and will die of cuteness every time she sees him working hard on his case. You know... the type that would go "KYAHHHH >///<" and SHE WOULD MELT INTO PUDDLE OF MUD THE SECOND RITSU GREETS HER WITH A SMILE EVEN THOUGH IT'S A FORMAL GREETING! To her, his existence in Sinostra is like "a breath of fresh air in this bleak and murky house." Whatever the hell that means. Her dream is to one day being able to squish his cheeks with both hands, after that she would die peacefully. (Ria are you a pervert wtf...)

Ria -> Ritsu: My Little Ritsu/Ritsu-chan Ritsu -> Ria: Ria-senpai (She forgot to include her term of greeting in their contract. Initially she wanted him to call her "big sister" or "nee-chan" but the best she could get is being called senpai by him and even THAT negotiation took a long time to consider on Ritsu's part. Which is pretty understandable if he wants to keep things professional after receiving her signature.)

Unlike with Maia, Subaru finds interacting with Ria is rather eerie. Her boldness scares him a lot and you don't find people who can tell you're nervous from the sound of your heartbeat every day. She tends to make him feel visible when she's around, and it's not in a good way. Sad to say he's the only one feeling that because she likes teasing him. But she's also not looking forward to another one of Maia's scolding when she gets too far for teasing the poor guy.

Ria -> Subaru: Kagami (Kagami-san) Subaru -> Ria: Jyuria (Jyuria-san)

"You look lonely. I can fix that." By suggesting him to use her service and find a partner, but sadly he always refuse. She doesn't flirt with him but would definitely flirt with MC when she's caught walking with him.

Ria -> Haku: Haku Haku -> Ria: Madam

Swanky guy who loved to praise her beauty and Ria ate that shit up every time because she knew all of them were sincere. Zenji did not try to get anything from her in return like other guys. She literally couldn't understand why people would dislike him let alone hate him. It's unfair that someone like Zenji was gone so soon.

Ria -> Zenji: Zen-zen Zenji -> Ria: My Dear Pearl

She met Edward only once during her visit to Obscuary and that was also when she found out her stigma couldn't detect his presence— which was scary. Any hearts that she couldn't detect nor feel could only mean one thing, but in Ed's case it's because he doesn't have a heartbeat to begin with. As for him, Ed is simply curious on why his captor – Maia – is so hell-bent on never letting Ria step foot in his lair. After that encounter Ria is more cautious on her business visit.

Ria -> Ed: Mr. Hart Ed -> Ria: Young Lady

Rui loves Ria like he would to his own sister and so does she. He's the one who taught her all about mixing drinks up until she runs her own bar in Sinostra. Rui rarely leaves the two (Haru and Ria) when they visit because of a certain friend. That friend never asked him to do anything but Rui was perceptive enough to understand and do something about it. Sometimes he feel bad for keeping secrets from him. He wish that one day the four of them can be sitting together in the same place so he doesn't have to watch out for them like keeping eye on two broken ex-lovers who hate each other but couldn't let go of one another.

Ria -> Rui: Mickey Rui -> Ria: Ririn

He's amusing to tease but she would rather keep things professional with him. She often borrow students from Mortkranken to check on her talents' health and indicate whether they were exploited during their working hour or not. Even a scratch will not go unseen and she will hold them accountable for hurting her employees.

Ria -> Yuri: Doc/Isami Yuri -> Ria: Hoshizumi (Hoshizumi-san)

[lonestardust]

"not trying to speak over your experience" yeah except you are anon! I am sorry but I'm not going to be nice or coddle feelings here, be it good intentions or otherwise. And I'm going to mainly speak within a broader context here about the use of this very language in general even though you brought it up in the isolated context of analysing a character.

Long answer :

So when you try to make the reaction to injustice (of any kind, whether by a system, entity, or otherwise) look neat and collected and can be "talked out" in a nice therapy clinic you pay so much money for, you're directly framing this injustice and aggression as not grave or urgent enough and most importantly something you can't physically fight back. There is nothing neat and collected about murder and sudden ugly loss so why do you want to pacify rage and tone down the impact of assault and the right to a righteous revenge and seeking justice??!

Also we haven't even watched the season yet to be here!!

And please stop viewing carlos as this complex crazy man who needs to be fixed and treated like a baby. he's very normal with very normal human experiences I promise. AND HELLO???? THIS CHARACTER IS A COP IN A PROCEDURAL DRAMA!! He deals with crimes for a living!!!!!!

hell, anon, I don't wanna even talk about Carlos, but about the fact that people like you speak stuff like that into the world we live in very often and very confidently and you normalize this industrialised colonial version of "healing" when there is more to the matter than just "feeling good and collected as fast as possible because you're not supposed to struggle ever!!"

This policing language is used on us, people of the global south, in real life, all the time. Do you know how many times I was told exactly this in the past year?!?! It's the same language that currently insists on framing fighting against Genocide and a satanic empire as "peaceful" : "peaceful protests", "peaceful talks", as if there is anything peaceful about mass extermination with mass destruction weapons and the bodies of our families incinerated and shredded into pieces and scattered under tons of rubble. It's the same language that tells victims of colonial violence to forgive and forget and soften, compromise on their dead bodies and stolen houses and coexist with their rapists and murderers instead. This is the same logic used that give oppressors and criminals impunity while simultaneously vilify and question those who go after their abusers.

Please understand why you need to stop using this language of calling injustice just "trauma" and leaving behind your dignity and right to an honorable righteous path of justice "healing", because forgetting about things is easier in your opinion. This life doesn't operate like that. There are guidelines and moral systems we stand on.

So no. injustice does end when you stop it. How do you think entire nations manage to successfully liberate themselves then

I feel like I'm crazy and I'm sorry anon but I'm not sorry for dragging this into the broader context because I'm angry and fed up of hearing this language of toning down people's reaction to crime — a language that materialized into making the carnage of our people become mountains and mountains because it debilitates the urgency and emergency of stopping it through the hands of the Resistance we stand behind.

And let me point out something very important here. Dwelling in defeatism is not helpful! It spreads paralyzing panic and creates more obstacles. Those who give up to an assault and a crime without responding, resisting and acting accordingly have a broke moral compass. this is in my opinion what Owen meant when he warned him about obsession — or when there is nothing you could do about something anymore. Except that Carlos can do something about it! And especially now. It's literally his job. And he's good at it and he's capable. There is literally a murderer on the loose and that's not past, he's still here, currently taking advantage of impunity.

So back to character analysis : we're talking about Carlos Reyes here. that man is so strong and resilient and he's not that crazy person lost in darkness. from day one he was trying his best to be strategic and tactical and catch the killer and put him where he belongs. Yes his first attempt was clouded by staggering pain and vulnerability to calculate everything correctly but he was on the right path nevertheless, because he has a healthy and normal moral compass. That man did not dwell in defeatism or chose to fuck everything up — I mean he listened and responded to the warning when he was about to do that. Carlos chose to carry on with the wedding and have it despite the shell shocking impact, that man didn't abandon his job, he pursued his career and his life, he worked on himself to be in a higher position and he is now resolved on solving that case, he's stronger now and he's employing his tools, his morals and his will to do the right thing just like he did with Iris (and because — again — it's literally his job). That man is more than normal, he's righteous and he loves deeply and honours that love and respect he holds for his people and his principles.

And he will struggle!!!!! Because none of this is easy to carry or balance. That's literally what this whole chapter is going to be about. And WE HAVEN'T EVEN SEEN IT YET TO JUDGE WHAT'S COMING NEXT 😭😭 Also we have TK!! TK is another example of being a Resilient Fighter. We really start the story of lone star with him fighting against odds and holding onto his strengths until he ended up where he is now (and Owen tells him that during the rehearsal dinner). Him and Carlos can handle whatever they're going to go through I promise. They both are capable, strong and smart. They both know what is it like to grieve and what is it like to be a first responder. And they do provide each other with the kind of support the other needs.

And whether carlos is going to get answers or not, whether he will be able to bring about this justice and solve the case or will find himself putting himself and his family in danger beyond his capacity to control. Whether he'll find himself becoming more distant from the life he build and the person he chose and on top in a predicament of adopting a child and being responsible for that. Him choosing that path from the beginning was right. And it naturally comes with heavy consequences just like the weight of being subjugated to the crime itself. And because that's the price of being a first responder and in law enforcement in the first place!

Also something else about the "should see a therapist" part. therapy could be helpful and it offers support and guidance and Carlos might want to go to these grief counselling sessions if he feels comfortable to do so especially because he's a first responder after all and his work life makes him witness more than just Gabriel’s case but therapy in general shouldn't be treated as the default of healing or support simply because it's not. It's a tool and it's an expensive tool. But again we're judging prematurely what a character would or wouldn't do so that's sort of in vain anyway.

our experiences shape us into who we are anyway, they give us our weak spots and they crystallize our strengths and good qualities more. that's simply how humans work and Carlos is no different, he doesn't have to change his emotional self-defense mechanism of not being emotionally vulnerable all the time and the way he operates and carries himself in order to be "okay". and he already found what he needed with TK. Who impacted him in every way and best way possible. And he does tell him that himself in 4x02 and during their vows.

[vancilocs]

30-40 for new spymasters if you're ready to write about them (otherwise silva and kyoko) aaand long time no space pair, persephone and rhys?

ive been thinking of the snakes......

30. What is their favorite place to kiss the other? (Cheek, hand, closed eyelid, neck, nose, etc.)

Lowri (the wife) likes kissing Mara (the husband) on the mouth and neck mainly, he likes to kiss her forehead and mouth. Also she's welcome to nuzzle her snakes against him and he will give them kisses too

Persephone kisses Rhys on any bruises he has, he kisses the top of her head or then her shoulder

31. What’s the relationship like? Smooth? Rocky?

They're incredibly in love and tightly knit, trying to kill each other every other day but that's just romantic. They'd die before separating. It's toxic but in a romantic way.

It's pretty icy and not good for either of them, but neither wants to leave (both because they don't want to be alone, and they don't want the other to be alone) and there's enough romance at times to keep their hopes up. They don't fight or anything they just sit on the opposite sides of the room in silence

32. How do they resolve their arguments?

By trying to kill each other until they get too horny to continue

Silent treatment, Rhys saying sorry after a while

33. Who has the most nightmares and how do they deal with them?

Lowri has nightmares from living in the castle walls since she was quite young and being hunted by the occupiers (she hunted them back and ate a few of them too though), Mara has spirit/possession related nightmares from where someones mind left a piece stuck in his. They cuddle each other until it's alright.

Rhys has more nightmares, he doesn't bother Persephone about them. She sometimes has a nightmare he's left her or is cheating on her and she just stares at him sleeping until she's okay again (if he's not in her bed she will wake him up under the pretense that she needs help going to the bathroom, and then allows him to come to her bed)

34. Do they give each other nicknames?

Sure, calling each other all kinds of deadly things. Nightshade. Belladonna. Viper. Butcher. Trebuchet

Not really. Just a sweetie if they want to try being cute

35. What movies do they enjoy watching most?

They'd watch true crime docs if they could

Romance, drama mainly

36. How’d they meet each other’s families?

Lowri was sent by Angharad to get rid of a cult that was a threat to her taking the throne back, Mara was an important member of that cult, but they fell straight into deranged love and she was introduced to his family when she showed up with Mara and killed them. Being part of the court was a side bonus he just wanted to be with her. He met her few living family members when he arrived into court

Introduced normally while going out for coffee

37. What do they like the least about each other?

They don't think the other one has any flaws. If they had to pick anything they'd say the other one needs to come up with better murder stratagems because dodging a dagger attack from the ceiling is getting stale

The cold shoulder and claiming nothing's wrong for Rhys, meanwhile Persephone doesn't like how passive he is

38. What was their most memorable date?

Getting rid of the cult together (with Angharad's forces assisting)

Something completely normal before things went tits up. Like a fun fair date with cotton candy kisses etc

39. What other couple would your otp get along with the best?

They don't really socialize like that, and they'd weird others out

They also don't really socialize, it would get really awkward. Also Persephone doesn't want him talking to other women

40. Who makes the other smile with almost no effort at all?

Both, just the sight of the other is enough

Any affection from Persephone is enough for Rhys tbh. And him smiling makes her smile too

[thoughtfullyrainynightmare]

Hiiiii matchmaker! I'd like to request one if that's okay!🙈🙉🙊

i am a entp and a libra and my friends tell me im very funny and sometimes obnoxious. But a lot of the times my brand of funny is roasting and being mean (not toxic mean, I don't hurt other people). i make friends really easily and im reliable. any job you give me, ill give it my best and bring you great results. though sometimes i can go into deep slumps and become lazy. I enjoy arguments like productive debate and MUN.

my love language is acts of service. i rarely get outwardly angry, mainly i just keep everything bottled up so as to not cause any drama. i love trying out different fashion styles and as for my appearance....i have short brown hair and green eyes and im 5'5 in height. My pronouns are they/them and I'd like to get paired with a male character.

Hiya~!

You certainly may ^^ and I'll match you up on a blind date with...

(trying to avoid big manga spoilers)

Yosuga Musyogatake

Yosuga is a driven and passionate man, who is looking for an opinionated and fiery spouse for himself, because he wants them to challenge him, and him to be able to challenge them in return.

Overall Yosuga is a laid back man, and has some friendly banter with his friends, but he also has their backs when push comes to show. He's also able to work/fight alongside others, but is more of a loner, who has a somewhat solitary fighting style. And he has also determined that for himself, it's best to be a ronin/fighter than a shogun, which showcased his ability to self-reflect.

He is a goal oriented person, and works better through things that are tangible and straight forward; acts of service, or tasks. While he might be able to self-reflect, he's not that much about talking about emotions, but his methods of dealing with things are much more forward. This doesn't mean that he would be incapable of a conversation, just that he prefers to let actions speak for themselves.

You two would be able to be go getters, and achieve milestones together, while having friendly banter and teasing

[sapphire-weapon]

Do you think that people are getting their hopes too high for Leon appearing in RE9? Like yeah, RE4make was a huge success, but it is a retelling. OG Leon hasn't appeared in any games (?) since RE6, which was slammed because they fucked up his character so bad. If he's going to appear again, I'd argue that most players (or at least a large chunk) are not paying attention to how the movies tie into game canon, meaning that his better written personality in RE9 is NOT going to make sense. Many will wonder how he came from RE6 to a more carefully thought out RE9. What fills in the gaps?

It makes more sense to exclude him and instead focus on his younger self throughout the new script, should they continue down that path, so he's consistent. Regardless, I'd want newer games to mainly focus on what the fuck is happening in the BSAA. What HAPPENED to Chris? Why are they using B.O.W.'s!? Where does Rose go from here? I enjoy Leon, I do, but he's not a the main character in the RE franchise and I don't think a lot of people get that.

I could be totally wrong though, lol. I do not speak on behalf of the billions of people playing this game, just my thoughts. Also to clarify bc social anxiety, this isn't hate to your last anon! I liked their question too! It was established that Chris was in his own mission, with his own team DESPITE what he was told. There was strong references to a whole lot of drama between him and his superiors, because he stropped trusting them almost entirely, from what I remember. He technically wasn't supposed to be there and finding B.O.W.'s in the BSAA was an ending scene twist. So I don't understand the connection between him and the people keeping Rose on a leash, either. The closest I can guess is that he made some type of deal to keep her safe and train her to use her powers safely and ethically.

You are giving the CGI films way, way too much credit. You will not at all have to watch Vendetta or Death Island to make sense of Leon's character moving forward, just like how you didn't have to watch Damnation to make sense of him in RE6.

Say RE9 deals with Leon's self-awareness about his status in the government. Well, in RE6, Leon is so much at odds with the government that he had to fake his death at one point in that game. Going into an RE9 that deals with him breaking free and going his own way doesn't really seem crazy to me. In fact, it makes more sense than any other title progression for him.

Answer me honestly: Do you really think that his character's personality progression makes sense if you just go straight RE2 -> RE4 -> RE6?

Because it doesn't.

OG RE4 still gets criticism to this day for how much they changed him from RE2, just like how RE6 gets shit for it.

Also, like.

What's the implication here? That he should never be in a game again because it won't "make sense" to players?

Resident Evil is a video game series first and foremost, and Leon has been its deuteragonist since 1998. I don't understand this mentality that he won't/shouldn't be in a numbered game title again and should be contained strictly to supplementary material moving forward in order to wrap up his story. Why on earth would/should they do that, when Leon's presence in a game helps move units?

Leon is going to be in either RE9 or RE10. This is not really up for debate. Capcom is going to have to close out his story soon because of his age, and it's going to happen in a mainline title.

Because he is the secondary protagonist of a video game series.

[trixtersurvs]

003.

COVID

How is Covid where you live? It's been rampant here lately. Pretty much everyone I know has had it recently, even people who I figured would never end up having it. I'm not sure about the statistics themselves but it's definitely been going around again

Are you having a food shortage crisis due to drivers having covid and unable to work? Not that I'm aware of

Are you using check in QR codes or filling in manual check ins everywhere you go? I'm not sure what this is referring to

Are you washing your hands/using sanitizer when you can? Yes, I am obsessive about hand washing/sanitizing

What is one thing about covid that is driving you insane? That is just keeps coming back. I know it'll become endemic and we'll have to deal with it forever but I'm tired of it

Are you sick of everyone talking about covid? No one really talks about it like that anymore

Do you find you clash with anyone when discussing covid? Yes. My grandma doesn't believe it's real, I'm pretty sure, and my mom is really lax about masking so we get into it sometimes

What are your thoughts on the vaccinations and boosters? Necessary

What has covid taken from you or prevented? I'm strictly work from home now because of COVID, 3 years later, and it's so isolating

Do you know anyone that has covid? how are they doing? Currently? I think my friend has it but she was never diagnosed. She has the exact same symptoms I had though. I just recovered from my first round of COVID ever a week ago

LIFE

How is life for you right now? It's stressful

Are you Okay? Okay is pushing it but sure

What is impacting your life the most right now? Work

What is something positive that has happened to you recently? I don't know... I guess I got my writing groove back?

Any goals for 2022? It's 2023 now but yeah, I have some I guess. Mainly, find a new fucking job because my bosses are micromanagers who can't decide on what they want ever

Did you make any new year resolutions? No

Seeing many friends through the pandemic? Always

Are you studying? No, but honestly? I'd like to go back to school and do another degree program

Are you working? Unfortunately

Any new hobbies? No

FRIENDS

Who is your best friend? K, D, C

How long have you been friends? All between 11-14 years

What is something about them that makes you smile? K's sense of humor, D's sass, C's loving nature

Have they ever supported you through something major? Yes, always

Tell me a memory of you both together? K's wedding featured all 3 of us, but I have some great memories of each individually too!

Ever travelled together? K and I have. I don't think D or C and I have ever traveled together – at least not very far

Do you share similar interests? K and I do. D and C are a little less similar but we still share some interests

One band or artist you both enjoy? Lord, I don't even know

One hobby you both enjoy? K and I both love writing!

What is something you disagree on? I honestly couldn't tell you

Name a movie you both love. I don't know, man

Name a television show you both enjoy? ^

Any nicknames for each other? Oh yeah, we've all got nicknames for the others 😂

PARTNER

Do you have a partner? Yes

Where Did You Meet? In a Zoom meeting, funnily enough

Who made the first move? He did. He was such a flirt

Have you or have they said ‘I Love You’? Yes

Do you get bored in a long term relationship? No

Much drama in your relationship? We've had maybe more than most but not too too much

Are they loyal and loving? Yes

Name 3 things you have in common: We both love to cook, we both have traumatic childhoods, and our sex drives and kinks match so well

RANDOM

Where are you from? The US

If you could travel ANYWHERE right now, money wasn’t a barrier, where would you go and why? I'd travel all of Europe

[danwhobrowses]

House of the Dragon - Eps 7 & 8 Review

And there it is

The ever-thickening plot has begun its churn as the finale is in sight, all our backstory has built to this

The Tipping Point

Spoilers for the Episodes

Okay so, I loved episode 8, not so much episode 7. I think the reason is because of the character frustrations and drama, both have their flaws but 7 was a lot more glaring.

I think I've waited long enough to stop dancing around it all but: I am not on Rhaenyra's side. It's not to say I'm on Alicent's side either, but I think many understate or turn a blind eye to her manipulative and playing victim all the time. I'm sorry but this is the woman who on her uncle's wife's funeral went up to him and essentially pointed out that she's D2F, and then Fucked him, then planned the fake murder of her husband - whose whole speech about wanting to be a father falls flat given that he took the immediate out - and then married said uncle all in one episode, not to mention the several times she acts like her sons are no bastards calling it 'vile accusations' as she hides behind the authority of her father, even when he's on his deathbed she begs him to take her side as if that's not what he's always done. Also the 'we tried' thing is laughable, compared to Alicent who had to squeeze out kids from age 15/16 onwards as Vicerys' infection grew more pus-filled and septic, I doubt there was any 'joy' in her bedding either and yet she still managed 3 children. It's scummy of her to try and manipulate her father too, naming her incest babies after him and his son for flattery then bargaining with Rhaenys, all while calling the Hightowers 'vipers' when they were the ones who ran away from King's Landing because of the very true rumors about them. And overall they get away with it again, because Luke does become Lord of Driftmark, because Rhaenys decides to take Rhaenyra's deal for some reason even though she had the floor to do her planned action of having Driftmark go through Laena's children. It just annoys me that people cheer in support of Rhaenyra's lies and not Alicent's truth.

Daemon meanwhile still is a villain to me, he softened a bit in episode 8 but frankly I never buy Daemon's performances (Daemon being optimal, Matt Smith is acting great). I see through the deceit and his incessant desire to create or be the center of drama, and I don't give it a pass because I don't lust after him. Throwing away his brother's latest olive branch just so he could dramatically storm off for Rhaenyra to follow him, killing an innocent guard to fake Laenor's death, accusing Alicent of foul play with the Milk of the Poppy (which had been used on Ned to relieve pain in GOT so it isn't foul play, just that medicine is still Medieval and the Maesters - despite being the top physicians of Westeros - are set in their methods), it's all just plays, and he's only really content when he gets everything he wants: such as egging Vaemond to give him a reason to kill him - again with true accusations.

I am slightly annoyed by the timeskipping again, it feels like we glance over a lot of stuff which would've aided in developing the characters, specifically the children. Aemond's dragon flight was a good scene, which made it sucky that he immediately turns asshole. I can get Baela's reaction but for one, even though Vhagar chose Aemond just as much, but it seems out of character for Aemond to now act like this, he acted with a lot more compassion and restraint last time and he should be able to empathize with her, it kinda feels forced to make him seem as bad as Aegon just so we side with Jace and Luke - of whom brought a knife to a 4v1 fight when they are of the 4, tad excessive really, it's not like Aemond threw the first punch either.

And of course, the Bastard stuff. It annoys me mainly because people act like it doesn't matter; the room doesn't go silent for it not to matter, you don't draw knives for something that doesn't matter, you don't pretend to kill your husband and marry your uncle for something that doesn't matter, you don't cut your uncle-in-law's head for something that doesn't matter. I can't say I'm against Alicent when I share her frustration of Rhaenyra getting away with shunning her duty while everyone turns a blind eye to it. People treat Alicent like 'worse than Cersei', either by bookreading, wiki digging or blind and abashed bias towards Rhaenyra and Daemon, but right now she's just Frank Grimes from the Simpsons - driven mad by Homer's incompetence getting a free pass in such a highly sensitive position. It's not that I'm fully on her side, but I understand her distraught; ask any mother to see if they would accept the person who cut out their son's eye getting away with just an apology? No loving mother would, especially not a mother who consistently got told that her children would become targets for assassination by the family of the same culprit. Then by episode 8 she's driven again maddened by duty to protect her arsewipe of a son Aegon. Speaking of sons, I don't find it as believable that all of Rhaenyra's sons turned into humble boys while all of Alicent's boys turned into assholes and maniacs. Rhaenyra's sons are trained to succeed her on the throne while Alicent's children are not, and Aegon - the only one told he will take the throne of Alicent's children - has no interest in anything. I'm just saying there would be cockiness in the 'Velaryon' boys, they after all participated in bullying Aemond with the Pig.

Outside of Targaryen family drama I have to say Corlys lost me on episode 7, Baela as heir to Driftmark would've made history, but it's not the history that mattered to him, which is why it was confusing that Rhaenys ignored this agenda when Corlys was off-screen injured. Plus the 'night' scenes of episode 7 was done poorly, the blue hue made it hard to see anything. I will have to say finally that I did not like the way misunderstanding was played at the end: yes this puts Alicent's motivations to be more pure given that Alicent knew about Viserys' own prior vision of putting his son on the throne, but miscommunication is always a weak angle.

On positive notes, Episode 7's funeral setting was at least a clever one to put tensions to a head, since it also necessitated all the characters to be there. Episode 8's setting also foreshadowed the true calm before the storm, but also two sides of the fallout to come, because after the whole Driftmark debacle ended with the wife speaking for the will of the dying husband, it strengthens Alicent's position to do the same.

We spotlighted the children a lot more too, since they would become active in the wars more physically, including the conflict that costs Aemond his eye (even though Aemond did act out of character). Jace and Luke are meant to be the guys you side but they aren't really characters to me sadly, but Helaena's prophecies are adding intrigue without being turned into an asshole, although she is mostly absent in episode 8 save for the feast. Come the timeskip as well Aemond's actor is magnificently disconcerting, focused and dangerous-looking, as much a young reincarnation of Daemon who is both fascinated and bloodthirsty towards his targets (and Daemon even seems to respect that). One must admit that the roasting of Aegon does lighten the mood in one common goal, even if the kids are not mature enough to fully bury the hatchet, Aemond perhaps more reason to carry a grudge given the lost eye.

Also a shout out to that one extra mean mugging Alicent with the Blacks in ep 7, he knew his role o nameless one.

Alicent in episode 8 was great too, anti-Alicents kept waiting for a reason to jump on her; 'it's poison', 'it's a trap', 'they're keeping him sick', 'she's defending him', 'she's shutting Rhaenyra down', 'she's being unfair', 'she's gonna kill him in his sleep' all to be wrong. All in all she was very fair towards her people and has to answer to logic, let's be honest Luke shouldn't be Lord of Driftmark as both a child and bastard and she made sure Vaemond got to say his piece and gave Rhaenyra the platform to speak her own claim (which she then sulked about acting like it's a conspiracy), she even is willing to support Rhaenyra's claim and bury the hatchet and continually reprimands her sons for their shithousery. All falling towards tragic misunderstanding as she tries to carry out what she believes to be her husband's will.

I continue to say Fuck Otto, manipulator extraordinaire, he is Alicent's Daemon equivalent, of course a different dynamic at play but they are both poisonous influences on the main women working their own agenda. But at this stage it works to further the plot, including acting in ways Alicent doesn't intend which furthers disconnect.

Viserys, for all his now admirable ability to stay on the verge of living these past few episodes, remains the underrated gem of the show too. More Paddy is not something to be upset about, he deserves an award for his role, and considerable praise has to go to the makeup as well, they've aged him excellently to the point that in episode 8 I literally said 'good god' several times upon seeing him - it's as if Ser Criston is sucking out his lifespan because that boy does not fucking age. Paddy again puts on another terrific performance as the man reluctant to die as he valiantly - albeit in vein - tries to keep his family united. Alicent and Rhanyra's visible anguish upon seeing him is well-acted, but the top scene has to be Daemon helping his brother up the stairs, equal parts tragic but emotive as it showed a rare moment of Daemon being fully compassionate towards his brother without an ulterior motive.

It'll all go to shit, but at the very least one man got to die with a happy memory. And he will not live to see the bloodshed begin at full force.

[fictumlibrary]

multiples of 5 for rina and taichi 🤡

how do they hide their pain when they’re upset? do they try to hide their pain?

they do what they do best: act. both of them have the bad habit of covering up any negative feelings with smiles and laughs because they're clowns. the thing is that they're close enough that they can tell when the other is just acting, so it doesn't work on each other.

if something already happened to tear them apart, what would make them come back together? is it even possible?

they were already separated when taichi was sent into mankai as a spy and rina was just super confused because she wasn't told anything, so she thought taichi had left god troupe without telling her and he also wasn't talking to her (since he felt guilty and reni didn't want her knowing, but she didn't know that) so they didn't talk for a while. they finally make up when she's told the truth and she becomes part of mankai instead. after that she resolves to never let that happen again and she is reLENTLESS so rip. as for taichi, he doesn't want to go for that long without talking, so it would definitely be possible to get over any obstacles. long story short: they're too soft and emo for each other to stay apart for too long.

who misses the other more, or really thinks about them more?

at first it's definitely rina since she was the one who had feelings first and was aware of them. while he's being a spy, it's definitely taichi, since he's consumed with guilt and can't stop thinking about what rina would think. after that i'd probably say rina again, just because, once again, she's more in tune with her feelings and therefore thinks about them more. taichi catches up soon enough, though.

do either of them have any vices?

taichi sometimes has the need for attention, though that mainly comes from a need to be accepted by his peers. rina tends to let her emotions build up inside until they spill over and she causes a scene.

what’s the one deal breaker for either of them (lack of communication, fear of commitment, etc)?

for both of them, it comes down to hurting people. they don't have any time for anyone who intentionally and unapologetically hurts someone.

who’s the first to blame themselves?

taichi. they both blame themselves, but rina will go through her emotions first before getting to that point whereas taichi will go straight there.

do they have any regrets (regarding the other, or just in general)?

most of their recent regrets come from what happened during the autumn troupe's show. taichi obviously regrets what he did to mankai, but he also regrets leaving rina out of it, especially after he realizes just how hurt and concerned she was. on the opposite side of that, rina regrets not getting involved sooner, if only so taichi didn't have to suffer alone.

who sleeps on the couch? can either of them sleep without the other?

neither since they have separate rooms, though taichi would definitely volunteer if that wasn't the case. they can sleep without the other, but rina can't sleep unless they've sorted out what's wrong first. she refuses to go to bed angry at taichi or anyone else close to her if she can help it.

who would be more likely to save who?

honestly it could be either of them depending on the situation. before they're even dating they're ride or die besties okay they would die for each other. it never gets that dire but they would sldkfjskldfj

if one of them were to come back after a long time, who would come to who? would it go well? would the other person take them back?

since rina is the one to come to taichi after the autumn troupe drama, i think it would be the other way around this time. it would go well because rina would see taichi and just immediately go in for the hug.

angsty relationship asks

[molamocha]

Dream As Young Bosses

A/N&Warnings: Re-watched boom and I believe I have rediscovered my mafia phase//rest assured, nothing violent

Renjun - The Huang Family

Given power at a young age after his father was driven into hiding, he became the new face of the family. Despite the lack of respect shown to him, he's one of the most dependable and feared heads. His choice to closely befriend one of the Lee brothers keeps the Clans together, knowing that any fallout would be the end.

Cares a lot about family, so for their safety he keeps them away. Is only ruthless to those he does business with, and due to his smart thinking is the most powerful. His intelligence is mixed with his conspiracies, making some believe he's a little out of it, but his overthinking is what keeps him out of most trouble.

Jeno - The Lee Family

Apart of, what is mostly called, the most problematic Family; is looked down upon as the new head after the last Lee disappeared under "mysterious circumstances". Closely watched by others due to his soft exterior, a contrast to the past head's actions and the runner-up's antics. Is only feared because they don't know what to expect from him.

The pressure of his family's reputation doesn't really stress him, he does his best to lead their name into greater things. The rumors of his brothers don't help business wise, but his close relations with the Na Family help tensions ease. 

Haechan - The Lee Family

The face of the family despite his brother's title, mostly because of the trouble he causes. Doesn't like doing business so he leaves Jeno to do the brainwork so he can go out and play. Is close to the two most powerful heads, Huang and Na, and the chaos he awakens within the duo makes everyone around them avoid leaving them in the same vicinity. Even with their biggest concern being Hyuck starting a Clan war, he's not even a bad kid. His sweet side is just either never seen or overlooked.

He knows what happened to his brother and has no problem speaking out about it, but he doesn't say much. Only what Jeno told him to say, and was forced to promise not to go off script for his own safety. Because of his outspoken nature he's under the threat of being silenced.

Jaemin - The Na Family

As the only child, and being as young as he is, he's in constant battle to keep his name as head, but his relationship with the Lee Family keeps most from crossing him. Well known for his power and perfectionist behavior. His irascibility intimidates others, using that to his advantage if he wants something done. Helps the Lees with connections and deals well business wise. With the way he operates, and his overall aura, it's easy to forget his age.

Even with the drama surrounding him he does his best to ignore and keep a smile on his face. On days where he can't take it, Jeno gladly acts like he's listening.

Chenle - The Zhong Family

The most well known out of all of them, and is easy to manipulate because of the reputation he has in the public eye. Is the least violet branch but has ties politically, so he knows how to get his way without much hassle. 

Crossing him is a gamble both parties play. With Chenle's ties he can do what he wants, though it takes a lot of effort to keep his pawns on his side of the board. Anyone "asking" for favors has a pretty big secret over his head, but they're also taking a big risk thinking chenle isn't content with taking the country down with him

Jisung - The Park Family

Low-key compared to the other families. Isn't fully in charge yet, but does a lot of things by himself despite his young age. Isn't the violent type and they keep their ties domestic to avoid much trouble. They don't really do much business wise anyway, mainly because no one takes him seriously yet. If it is a big deal he gets help from other families.

Adored by others, making it easy for him to get his way. 

His relationship with the other members make some worry for what type of future they might influence. Outsiders also mistake him for being powerful because of how nonchalant he is with the others. Pros to that are he rarely gets into anything, but if he is in something he's in automatic danger. 

[punkscowardschampions]

Savannah, Jac, Amelia & Isabelle

Savannah: What are we doing to get party ready? Savannah: because I vote we hit the spa to get our collective ✨ back Savannah: it should be ILLEGAL how my skin looks Jac: No way, I was JUST thinking how good your skin looked like THIS morning Jac: but it's never NOT a good time for the spa too though so 🤭 Savannah: your hype is everything! I don't even deserve how flawless you are in a beyond skin deep way Savannah: but yes to the spa being my go to fave ^^ Amelia: I can't Jac: only giving what you put out, it is beyond deserved ❤❤ Jac: Why not Meelie? Amelia: I'll be at the party but the only way I could be there too is if my mum comes with and NOBODY wants that Jac: Your mum is fun Amelia: not that fun Jac: Doesn't [some boujee place they'd like] have a 10% discount right now, Savvy? Jac: they do THE BEST facials Savannah: 👏🏾 Yes! You have the BEST taste & I think it's actually gone up to 15% 🙌🏾 Isabelle: Awh 😟 it sounds like so much fun but mine won't give me any money and I'm so broke after getting those new trainers Savannah: Don't be silly! It's totally my treat, Is Savannah: your pores shouldn't have to stay clogged for the sake of those trainers Jac: That is so generous of you 🥺🥺 Jac: I NEED a hot oil hair treatment like yesterday, I don't know why it's so dry right now but it's not a mood Savannah: your hair looked beautiful yesterday & if you don't believe me, I literally heard so many girls from the year above talking about it so Jac: 😳😳😳 Jac: well I KNOW Ty heard those 6th years talking about you, he was so jealous, bless him 🥰 Savannah: I was in the bathroom overwhelmed by sadness & I heard your name over & over, it felt seriously fated Savannah: oh my god, he refuses to tell me what they sad, I've given him the full 🥺 & everything Savannah: *said Amelia: maybe you need bigger eyelashes Savannah: Do you think? Jac: Oh my God, where even was I? Boo! 😖 You should have called so I could come find you Jac: no way, you like, INVENTED puppy dog eyes, your natural lashes are so thick and dark Jac: he's just saving your blushes, so cute Savannah: ugh, my phone was like dying because Sienna had all this drama with a girl in her class earlier Savannah: 🥰 you're so cute, I can't even handle all these compliments Jac: Is she okay or do we need to talk to this girl? Jac: her year is vicious, I swear Savannah: she says she's okay but she can't hide how upset she is from me Jac: You're way too empathetic, you know her inside out Jac: Poor Sienna, does she want to come too? Savannah: that's SUCH a great idea, I'll ask her Jac: We could all get matching nails Isabelle: Sorry...mum called Isabelle: won't that be really expensive though? are you super sure Sav? Savannah: of course, Is Savannah: it's not like I need a new outfit for Erin's house party Isabelle: Yay, thank you so much! 😁 So you can come too Meels? Amelia: No Amelia: it wasn't about the money, remember? Isabelle: 😥 you don't want to be left out though Amelia: there's nothing I can do about that Isabelle: oh that's such a shame Isabelle: I'll bring you back some of those mini cakes and sandwiches they do Amelia: thanks Amelia: I'll see you at Erin's Jac: Are you sure there's no way? Amelia: you've really forgotten the 📅 haven't you? Jac: Oh, it's her birthday Jac: right? Amelia: yeah Savannah: we should send her 💐 from all of us Savannah: I love your mum Jac: Are you definitely coming to the party then? Amelia: I'll be there Amelia: Erin throws a good party Jac: 💐 is a great idea, we can go pick them out Jac: what are you doing with her today then? Amelia: 🎭🩰 totally not my thing but my dad won't take her Amelia: she doesn't think I will either, so it'll be stay a huge surprise Jac: That's really nice, she'll love it Jac: I'd love to go sometime Savannah: Ballet lessons were the highlight of my Saturday when I was little, I was obsessed Savannah: mainly for the outfits though 😄 Jac: I can so picture you with your little bun 😊 adorable Savannah: [pics because she's that bitch] Jac: 😭😭😭😭 Jac: how have you always been PERFECT Jac: I was so ugly 😬😂 Amelia: no you weren't Jac: I so was Jac: you and Is were really sweet and I was so 😱😱 Jac: never mind the puppy fat, yikes Amelia: the fringe my mum forced me to have was not sweet 😣 Savannah: I'm with Amelia, you were definitely such an 👼🏻👶🏻 Amelia: she was Amelia: [pics of them all as kids but especially her being bffs with Jac to make that point to Savannah like] Jac: You guys are so sweet Jac: I love you Isabelle: I look exactly the same is that a good or a bad thing Amelia: 😂 Amelia: better than looking like 👧🏻 Amelia: I'm literally an emoji Isabelle: Iconic, some would say Isabelle: 🤭 Savannah: these pics are going to make me cry, I swear Savannah: too adorable Savannah: as if you've all been friends for so long Jac: It's so wild to me that we weren't friends before now Jac: we should've been friends this whole time too Savannah: I know, but I guess I wasn't ready until now Savannah: I had so much character development to do first Jac: 🙌🙏 ^^ SAME Jac: it had to be now Jac: you're all being nice about it but I would lowkey DIE if you knew me even a few years ago Jac: not cute Savannah: ^^^^^^ Savannah: Ty hasn't seen me before we got together & I 🙏🏾 he never will Amelia: he didn't go to another school, I think he knows that you existed before him Jac: the glo-up is too real to go back 💁 Savannah: I'm still waiting for my glow up Savannah: there's only so much the spa can do Jac: 😤 you're so FLAWLESS Jac: like literally, there isn't a single thing wrong with you Savannah: stop, I don't know if I'll start blushing or sobbing Isabelle: I would love to look like you, Savannah Isabelle: what should I wear tonight? Isabelle: I want Tom to notice me Savannah: I'm flattered but you need to embrace your own beauty, Is Savannah: it's so important Savannah: Oh, Tom R or Tom S? Isabelle: Ew, Tom S Isabelle: I made out with Tom R last year and it was baaaad bad Savannah: One second, I'll ask Ty about him now I have the right Tom Isabelle: I'm so excited I might puke Savannah: okay so he likes to make the first move, you'll need to dress like you're not the kind of girl who kissed Tom R Isabelle: How do I do that? I need help 😩 Savannah: maybe you can borrow something of Amelia's Isabelle: Can I Meels? Isabelle: I dunno if I'll suit your style though...I'm not cool Amelia: I couldn't get the grass stains out of the skirt you borrowed last time Isabelle: Whoops 😉 Amelia: and you don't need to dress to impress Tom S anyway, he's nothing special Isabelle: He's so lush though Amelia: 🤨 Isabelle: Come on! You have eyes Isabelle: isn't he so fit guys Savannah: I only have eyes for one boy, but he does have nice eyes himself Jac: You've done worse Isabelle: Yeah, Tom R for example Isabelle: 😨 Savannah: 😅 Savannah: You know who apparently is the worst kisser ever, Donovan! Savannah: have you ever kissed him, Is? Isabelle: Have I? Isabelle: 🤔 Amelia: he leaned in to 💋 but you 🤮 on his trainers Isabelle: Ha! Isabelle: Dodged a bullet, apparently Jac: He wasn't as fast Savannah: Oh my god! Jac: It was so shaming, we had to call her mum to pick her up Savannah: my parents would kill me Jac: Your mum is like, beyond chill, Is Jac: she lets you get away with loads Savannah: I'd be beyond jealous if I wanted to kiss Tom R, or fall down drunk in his path, at least Savannah: thankfully he's not my type Isabelle: Not even, she was so mad at me for ages Isabelle: I was sick in the fireplace Isabelle: it was so hard to clean Jac: Is that friend of Ty's going? Jac: 😶 Savannah: yes Jac: 🥴 Isabelle: oooooooooooooooooh, do you like someone J?!?!? Savannah: he doesn't usually go to house parties but as soon as he heard you were, he recognised that Erin's had potential Isabelle: who who Savannah: J doesn't want to make a big deal out of it Amelia: then why turn it into a big secret? Jac: It's no secret Jac: but Is has already got no chill and you know I'm shy Jac: I won't be able to cope with how blatant her 👀 is Amelia: you could've told me that you liked someone Jac: I am telling you Jac: like, right now Amelia: not really Jac: What do you mean? 🤨 Amelia: I mean, you're not actually telling me anything Jac: I'm not trying to like, commandeer this whole convo and make it about me Jac: but okay Jac: he's one of Ty's friends, he's on the team too Amelia: I could scroll up for that info but okay Jac: I don't know what you want me to say? Jac: I've not spoken to him properly yet, he's just interesting Amelia: interesting how? Jac: 😳 Savannah: is this third degree honestly necessary? Jac: maybe I shouldn't go now Jac: I'm feeling kinda off Savannah: Baby 😔 Savannah: we can do whatever you want to do Jac: No, I won't spoil your guys fun Jac: you should all go Savannah: it won't be any fun without you Savannah: & anyway, if you don't feel well you need someone there to take care of you Jac: You'd do that for me? Jac: you'll make me cry, I swear Savannah: It's just a stupid party, you're you Jac: Will Ty be mad at you? Savannah: of course not, all his friends will be there, he doesn't need me as much as you do Jac: I wanna still try to do the spa Jac: for Sienna Jac: but I just can't see him now, the anxiety is too high Savannah: she'll understand if we have to reschedule but it might make you feel better to be pampered Savannah: but I'll give you a facial if you can't cope with a full spa situation Savannah: it's totally your decision Jac: I do have this new mask I think will be amazing for your skin type Jac: bring Sienna, she can see the new pup we just got Savannah: you understand too, don't you, Is? Savannah: I'll take you for a manicure next week, I promise Isabelle: Oh, yeah, totally Isabelle: mum said it's too much to accept anyway Isabelle: Are you sure you don't want to come though? Isabelle: sounds like he really wants to see you Savannah: I'm here for you if you want any more outfit help for Tom, just facetime me Isabelle: Thank you sweetie, I'm really torn between these 3 dresses Isabelle: wait, 4 Isabelle: I'll definitely call Jac: You're a doll, Is Jac: Tom is gonna be 😍 Savannah: ^^ I can't wait to hear how blown away he is by you Isabelle: I'll give you all the rundown tomorrow morning 😁😁😁 Isabelle: do you want to go together, Meels? Amelia: I've got to put the time in with mum, I'll probably be late getting there Amelia: don't worry about waiting for me Isabelle: Okay, if you're sure Isabelle: come find me when you get there Amelia: yeah, Tom's tall, I'll be able to Isabelle: 🤤🤤🤤 Isabelle: he's so tall Amelia: play it cool, Is Isabelle: 😖 Savannah: you don't need to listen to Amelia, she's not an expert Amelia: I don't need to know about boys, I know her Isabelle: I don't wanna be sick on this one's shoes Amelia: of course you don't Amelia: trust me, drink less, dance more Jac: you should let him give you your first drink Savannah: 👏🏾 he'll LOVE that Isabelle: Ugh, thanks guys Isabelle: I am going to need to pre-drink though Isabelle: for my nerves Amelia: me too, for my 🎭🩰🧠 Jac: What ballet is it? Amelia: 🔥🐦 Jac: Your mum will love it Amelia: she hasn't already seen it, that's a good start Jac: I haven't either Jac: I mean, I just watch the performances at home but yeah Jac: we've sent the flowers via one of those postbox ones, they'll come tomorrow Amelia: she'll love those too Amelia: maybe even more than seeing me dressed for 🎭🩰 Jac: send us your outfit too then, yeah Amelia: no way, they're going nowhere but my mum's facebook Jac: I am her friend, you know Isabelle: hey, I'm not! Amelia: add her, she won't mind Isabelle: I'm so going to Isabelle: not my Insta though Isabelle: I've blocked mine 💁 Amelia: it's okay, I don't let her on my insta either any more Amelia: she leaves too many 😳 comments Isabelle: Mammys are the worst Isabelle: 😬😬 Amelia: at least she understands socials, my dad is clueless Amelia: and he's not THAT old Isabelle: My nan loves selfies Amelia: your nan is my everything Amelia: if I could bring her to the party tonight, I would Isabelle: 😂 you're so wild Amelia: tear yourself away from whichever Tom it is and you'll see Isabelle: not with Pam thank you 🤣 Isabelle: she has a boyfriend Amelia: get it Pamela Isabelle: his name is Brian Isabelle: they go down dolly mount every Friday, it's so cute Amelia: I'm so happy for them Jac: Awh, how sweet Jac: What about Jackie, has she been dating? Isabelle: She never tells me anything Isabelle: she says she's too busy working Amelia: Jackie doesn't need a man Isabelle: You sound just like her! Amelia: cut me deeper, Is 💔 Isabelle: sorry, you do though Isabelle: do you listen to the same female empowerment spotify playlist? Amelia: link me, I'd probably I'd be into it Isabelle: [does, imagine those single lady tunes lmao] Amelia: 😂 Amelia: this could save my life when I hate the 🎭🩰 Isabelle: no, no, take this Isabelle: [some dance sexy sassy playlist she's listening to] Amelia: you should send that one to Erin Amelia: save the party too Isabelle: Good idea Isabelle: [some cringy tiktok moment of her dancing, Isabelle stop] Amelia: [a video of amelia dancing amazingly at some party or other recently that Isabelle had to go home early from so she missed it, cos we gotta remind the lurking bae who we are] Isabelle: 🤯🤯🤯🤯 YOU'RE SO GOOD Isabelle: you should post! you'd get so many likes Amelia: I was so drunk, that's all Savannah: I can't believe that's you! Amelia: 🤔 am I flattered or offended Isabelle: Meels has always been a good dancer Isabelle: you should teach me Amelia: we can start tonight if it won't make Tom rage that he isn't teaching you something Isabelle: it's for his benefit Isabelle: so many lads are gonna be 😍 at you Amelia: they'll be looking at you if I do it right Isabelle: I'm fine with that 😋 Amelia: me too Jac: [some message between Ty and this Tom with some form of insider info they've made him get lol like you're welcome Isabelle but you also owe us now] Amelia: I'm seriously not understanding why you like him, Is Isabelle: 😲 OMG OMG Isabelle: it is so useful having a boy on our team Isabelle: thank you Ty, ahhhhhhh Isabelle: [pictures of him like hello] Savannah: We all want you to be happy Isabelle: 🥺🥺 awwwww Savannah: did you narrow down your outfit picks yet? Isabelle: no, I'm making toasties Isabelle: mum said I have to line my stomach 🙄 Jac: I hope that doesn't make a reappearance later Amelia: Erin's 🏠 is lovely, try not to redecorate it for her Amelia: can I stay over at yours, Is? Amelia: my parents will be all 😍🥰😘 Isabelle: 🤢🤢🤢 Isabelle: You can Isabelle: mum's on nights so she'll be gone and we won't have to worry about waking her up Amelia: if Tom's staying too, tell me now because that's as 🤢 Isabelle: Amelia! Amelia: I don't want to see or hear it, sorry Isabelle: he won't be staying, oh my gosh Amelia: okay Isabelle: I'm not a slag Isabelle: that's just what Kane put about when I dumped him for two-timing me Amelia: until I shut him up Isabelle: Ha, that was funny Isabelle: I thought he was gonna cry Amelia: he probably did when he went home Jac: 👏 Amelia: I should probably go get 🎭🩰 ready Amelia: 😣 this 👗 though Amelia: I'm going to look like I belong on Pam's 🚽 to hide her 🧻 Jac: 😏 Jac: it's not like you can wear your grass-stained skirt Amelia: It's long gone Jac: Shame Amelia: yeah, I liked it Jac: and Is had a good time in it Jac: fond memories Amelia: I'm sorry, okay? Jac: ... Jac: What? Amelia: for the 'third degree' earlier Jac: Oh, right Jac: well thanks for apologising, that's mature of you Amelia: I can be, sometimes Jac: I wouldn't suggest otherwise Amelia: I just had no idea you liked any of Ty's friends Jac: It's not like a thing, is all Jac: I'm not like in love with the boy Jac: you'd know if it was serious Amelia: would I? Jac: Obviously Jac: don't be silly Amelia: I have to go, I wouldn't have time to be silly even if you wanted me to Jac: Make sure your mum has a good time then ❤ Amelia: she will, I've booked a dinner reservation and everything Savannah: That's so cute! I feel like I should be a better daughter starting today Jac: Same Jac: putting us all to shame Isabelle: I only got my mum a necklace from the market for her birthday Isabelle: and it made her neck go green 😩 Amelia: she's been annoying me less lately Amelia: actually being helpful Isabelle: 🥳🥳🥳 Amelia: I didn't realise she was good for advice AND gossip Jac: You know you can talk to us too, right Isabelle: ^^ We're your best friends forever Amelia: it's nothing, I thought I liked someone too but I got it wrong Isabelle: but you never like ANYONE Isabelle: no offence Amelia: none taken Isabelle: you'll find someone Meels 😙 Amelia: maybe Amelia: maybe not Isabelle: Of course you will, you're lovely! Isabelle: right girls Jac: But she can take as much time as she likes, Is Savannah: Ty has so many amazing friends when you are ready, but there's no rush Amelia: Thanks Sav, but they're not my type Jac: I hate to think of your mum waiting on her birthday Jac: you don't wanna be late because Is still hasn't picked an outfit Amelia: don't worry, I'm going Isabelle: See you at Erin's 💖 Jac: Later 👋 Amelia: yeah x 2