#once again. this is not about the allegations. this is about misogyny being peoples first reactions

[trekkele]

anyways if your reaction to a woman speaking about harassment or assault is “well i don’t like her very much so she’s probably lying” i think you should be banned from sharing your opinion about it forever

[booksandabeer]

Ramblings on Fandom: Peggy Carter, Steve Rogers, Delusional Shippers, and Alleged Misogyny

So with the release of Season 2 of What If…? emotions are once again running high, the outrage is outraging, and people are up in arms about the whole Captain Carter situation. While I do think that some reactions are a little overblown, even needlessly aggressive in tone to the unfortunate detriment of their otherwise convincing arguments, I share the confusion and frustration about the sudden centering of a long-dead & never excessively popular character, the sidelining of the Steve-Bucky friendship, and the as-inexplicable-as-it-is-total exclusion of Sam Wilson as Captain America. However, I’m not here to talk about the show because (1) I haven’t watched this season and have no plans to (why waste time torturing myself with something I know I’ll hate?) and (2) other people have already written dozens of metas about it, so what could I possibly add at this point.

What I do want need to talk about (lest I explode) is something that has irritated me for a long time and that is now happening again: Every time someone even mildly criticizes Peggy Carter, expresses doubts about her suitability as a heroine, or even just questions her disproportionate importance to the franchise post-EG, inevitably a certain section of fans will come out of the woodwork to immediately throw around accusations of misogyny and yell about how we’re all just a bunch of delusional Stuckies who are mad that she got "in the way" of our ship. Sigh.

This is gonna be a long one, so I’ll put it under a cut. Rant incoming. You've been warned. If you don't want to read, simply keep scrolling.

First of all, let me state very clearly that I’m not debating the existence of misogyny and sexism in fandom spaces—or in the media from which these fandoms originate. At all. It exists, it’s a thing, I’m not denying that. Which is exactly why it frustrates me endlessly to see these accusations thrown around as a gotcha! argument to shut down any and all critical debate around a female character. All it does in the end is escalate rhetoric and radicalize attitudes.  

In the case of Peggy Carter, specifically her treatment by Stucky shippers, I’ve always found 'misogyny as a motive' to be a largely unsubstantiated accusation.¹ Now, I neither presume nor do I want to speak for the entirety of Stuckynation, so I will not claim that there aren't corners of the fandom where people discuss her in ways that I find off-putting and deeply unserious, but I will say this: If you genuinely believe that disliking one (1) fictional female character equals “hating all women” and wanting to suppress and marginalize their presence in fiction and real life alike—then I think we need to take that word away from you until you’ve learned its true meaning.

You might also want to ask yourself how exactly reducing a female character to a mute trophy wife or a heroine who has to act out her love interest’s recycled storylines helps your feminist fight.

As for the “getting in the way of your ship” part of the argument. Very simply put: No character can get in the way of something if there never ever was “a way” to that something to begin with. “Being mad” implies that there was a reasonable expectation that wasn’t met, a substantive hope that was crushed. Now, I’ve said this before and I’ll gladly say it again a million more times: No Stucky shipper in their right mind ever truly thought that there was even the slightest chance that Marvel Studios owned by the Walt Disney Company would allow Steve “Captain America” Rogers and Bucky “Winter Soldier” Barnes to be canonized as an explicitly romantic pairing in their billion dollar franchise. Be serious. That was never in the cards. I wish we all lived in a world where it was, but we don’t, and it wasn’t. The best we could ever hope for was for Steve and Bucky to get a good, satisfying, in-character ending. And if, in Steve’s case, that would’ve included hints (or more) about a possible rekindling of his, uh, aborted romance with Sharon—then so be it. But we never got any of that. The characters never got any of that. Instead they sent Steve into 1950s suburban hell, literally trapped him behind a white picket fence, and condemned him to a life of passivity and lies, all so he could be married to a woman he barely knew a long time ago in a completely different world; who built and ran a top-to-bottom Hydra-infested organization, but apparently never noticed that there was anything wrong with her life's work. For decades. Great. As for Bucky—well, we’ve all seen the devastatingly grim-faced, utterly lonely, and deeply sad version of him that was presented to us in TFATWS. Happy endings all around, I guess.

So. Am I mad that Steve didn’t get to ride into the rainbow-colored sunset with Bucky at the end of EG? No. Because that was never going to happen anyway. Would I have been mad had he ended up with Sharon or another female character in the 21st century? Also no. Granted, I wouldn’t have been ecstatic about it, but mad? No. But am I mad that Steve ended up with this specific female character under these specific circumstances as presented in canon? Fuck yeah, I am.

The thing is: I personally believe Steve and Peggy to be fundamentally incompatible when it comes to the way they view the world and their respective places in it; their morals and values; their capacity for compassion and empathy; their ability and willingness to compartmentalize, compromise, and collaborate with people and institutions whose ethics and/or politics do not align with their own. I have a real hard time believing that a relationship between these two (or worse, a hasty marriage) could be either happy or long-lasting.

I don’t believe Peggy to be inherently evil, I don’t hate her, I simply think she operates within a different moral framework than Steve (and even genuinely believes it to be a righteous one).² Your mileage may vary, but I personally happen to find that framework reprehensible, even indecent, and ultimately dangerous. After all, over the course of the 20th century, we have seen exactly where that kind of “the ends justify the means” brand of pragmatism leads—over and over again. Not to mention that the people who use this line of argument to defend characters like Peggy (or real-life politicians for that matter) never seem to want to look too closely at who gets to define what "the ends" are in the first place and who decides when they've finally been met.

(Never. The answer is never.)

And to be clear, there is absolutely nothing wrong with depicting, and even centering a narrative around a morally (dark)gray character—oftentimes it’s actually the more interesting option—but you cannot at the same time claim that they are purely good and should be only admired as such when their actions literally tell an entirely different story.

So, no. I will not accept Peggy Carter as the shining aspirational heroine that the MCU so badly wants to sell her to me as—while simultaneously continuing to reveal things that paint an increasingly darker picture of her character. And I will certainly not celebrate seeing one of my favorite characters of all time—whose defining trait was that he couldn't ignore "a situation pointed south"; who used to fight for the little guy and against the establishment; who once said about the very organization that Peggy Carter helped build that it was so corrupt, it all needed to go—rendered morally inert for some hollow happy ending that may as well be a conservative’s wet dream full of false nostalgia for an America that never really existed. I cannot find it in me to be anything less but mad about that.

But that does not make me a misogynist. It does not make me a delusional shipper. It makes me someone who looks at what the MCU has been telling me about Peggy Carter for years now—over and over again—and takes them at their own word.

--------

¹ If you’ve actually read a a fair number of Stucky(!) fanfics you will have noticed that the reverence afforded to and "page time" devoted to her character and her relationship with Steve is somewhat disproportionate to anything that's backed up by canon—well, up until EG, where she was suddenly reanimated as The Great Love of Steve’s Life—and in my experience, it's highly unusual for any fandom to put so much (mostly) positive attention on another character, let alone a potential love interest that is not part of the endgame ship.

² I also want to emphasize that if you love Peggy and she's your fave: good for you! I genuinely have no beef with you. People can agree to disagree. All I ask for is that we maybe stop willfully ignoring the less savory aspects of her character. You don't need to pretend she's perfect to justify your affection for her. I LOVE Steve, and yet I have no problem conceding that he is FAR from perfect.

[qqquib]

tubbo calling dream up until from 6p-6:46p england time.

second summary until 7:15p

they talk abt the use of the r slur, he apologizes and says he just shouldn’t have done it at all. talks about his impulsivity and says that he has gotten better at it over the years, but still has work to do on it

talking about using tubbos clips first before anything, dream says it makes sense bc “chronological order” with tommy + his friends joking about grooming and pedo stuff with dream. says he wants that first to get it out of the way. says he gets what it feels like from tubbos, and is asking TUBBO what HE recommends. tubbo is then giving his advice saying he should’ve included clips of tommy and co making the jokes before using clips of tubbo.

taking about chronological order, asking why dream didn’t mention his psycho stream then. he said “that’s a good question.” dream says it’s because the video was condensing what he said in the stream and saying it better more cohesively. says it didn’t feel right to mention the stream.

tubbo brings up dream asking about context for misogyny. dream says tommy separated them in the video, and that it wasn’t the same point. tubbo says that’s a weird assumption to make, and describing why catibugz situation was exactly what tommy was referencing. dream is like “what about the background stuff?” and tubbo brings up dream calling two women whores.

dream says he has no idea what ludwig is talking about, or who at all came up to ludwig. dream is talking about his giant reply (reply has been copy and pasted into a reddit post), says robbo is lying about dream getting slapped for calling a women a whore, that that never happened. said everything blowed into proportion, and that ludwig wasn’t comfortable talking about the situation in more detail. dream (correctly) says it’s hard to navigate a situation like this, saying when he doesn’t know it’s about and that he can’t communicate with the person themself.

tubbo asks why two different people with two different accounts, would say that. dream says robbos occurred during the nicholas cantù(gumball VA) situation, and entirely a lie of a situation. says the situation with robbo should be “thrown out” partly because he sided with nicholas cantù during the whole situation. dream says he hasn’t used the word sense then. says it’s hard to navigate bc he doesn’t think he would ever be in that situation or do that, but he trusts ludwig. dream says he’s going “i’m so sorry” when in the message he showed, he did not apologize once. says all this happened during the peak of his allegations. says it’s hard bc he can’t prove that it is true and/or can’t even apologize if it was true.

tubbo brings up catibugz again. dream says he’ll simply, and that tommy has provided no context, tubbo mentions again catibugz. dream says again that those were two different parts of the video. that because tommy separated the sentence, it is not the context that he meant for calling his friends sexist. asks tubbo for clarity on the catibugz situation. tubbo says it’s not unreasonable to assume that negative reactions to cati were from dreams and george’s community, dream neglects an answer. tubbo says that it’s partly that he didn’t do anything in the situation. dream says he did go live and did talk about it a lot.

dream says it wasn’t brought up in the video bc he wanted to address the more potent point about them being sexist behind the scenes. dream says the situation wasnt hidden or run from, says it opens old wounds. says it feels not needed bc it wasn’t a him and tommy thing, and that’s why he didn’t include it in his video. dream pulls up tommy’s video to directly quote what tommy said abt calling him and his friends sexist.

kill me oh my fucking god, short intermission for my own brain power jesus fucking christ.

dream is mad about lack of context, and just rambles and rambles holy shit guys my head hurts. tubbo mentions old wounds point dream said and how thats “weird” but i would use hypocritical. dream said it’s different bc it doesn’t directly involve him? i guess? i’m kind of confused.

dream is talking SO much that tubbo keeps forgetting. tubbo brings up how the situation DOES involve him, dream is arguing that his personal feelings and involvement don’t really matter in the context bc he is less affected by the other parties in the conversation. tubbo corrects, it’s weird that dreams reasoning is that he is not involved, dream says yes and no. he’s saying a lot of stuff. dream asks tubbo if his involvement is sexist, tubbo says it’s difficult. tubbo says his initial involvement feels weird.

tubbo talks about community, says that dreams is somewhat toxic, and getting involved with his giant toxic community is a weird thing to do. dream says he was very open and honest with the entire situation.

i can’t do this as an english major as someone who is paying thousands to study the usage of words? i can’t summarize this anymore.

[namorslutfanfiction]

This woman has let the world believe that Tenoch is a rapist that goes after little girls for SIX days before adding context. No one has picked up on the latest statement she released, so the world still believe Elena's first statement. Even if Tenoch manages to prove his innocence somehow, there's gonna be people that won't know because it won't be spread as major news like the accusation was/they will still decide to believe Elena by default because she is a woman. This makes me so so mad. His name is stained, his reputation ruined, his career and life will never be the same. And for what? I hope he sues her into the ground and gets every last penny from her.

Unfortunately, it does seem that her statement which, from my interpretation doesn't accuse Tenoch of anything criminal, is not getting as much distribution as her previous tweets.

It's disheartening. I've already seen people who have dropped Tenoch since the initial allegations not wanting to put in the work to understand what is really happening. They choose to side with her because of the 'minute chance that she is telling the truth' which seems incredibly unfair.

Tenoch announced that he was leaving his current project. And he has been edited out of the teaser trailer for The Chosen One.

He does have a legal team, and I hope he can at least sue her for loss of revenue and employment due to her claims. I feel that with Disney/Marvel regaining the rights to Namor that they may aid him if this continues to grow as an issue.

I know defamation cases are hard to prove as it is, and the Mexican judiciary system is not the best. But I hope people can see through all the clutter.

I've personally had to delete a few anons that have been incredibly hateful. A few accused me of misogyny because I didn't believe Elena from the start. I remained neutral until further information was released. There are also others that say men don't need defending regardless of if they are innocent because the world is always on their side. This has been proven to be untrue in the face of the countless acts of racism against Tenoch and other males, some that resulted in death or false imprisonment.

I believe those accused have a right to defend themselves.

I believe that accusations without substantiation are invalid.

I believe that the impact accusations can have on someone's life, especially those without evidence, can truly be horrific.

I am incredibly disheartened that Elena chose to lie and overblow her experiences. I feel for her and her broken heart but what she did is a step back for the feminism she supposedly fights for.

I hope she realizes what she's done is far worse than Tenoch's act of ghosting her and leading her on. She has once again put a target on his back and it is no doubt having an incredible impact on not only Tenoch, but his family. But, it seems that, from her previous actions, that she rarely feels any guilt or remorse for using others to further herself.

Sorry for the rant.

I'm just really saddened by everything.

Tenoch may be innocent of a crime but he is still being treated like a criminal.

It's even worse when I see people posting about Ezra Miller who is walking red carpets even after all that they have done.

[xtrablak674]

White Bitch

[Originally posted on my Livejournal, Saturday July 22, 2000 at 1:53 pm, from a copied AOL Instant Message, mildly edited for clarity]

Bluest0: what made you think i was white? ...just curious won't get mad no matter what you say

TrevorBrklyn: your first response to me....

Bluest0: what did i say?

TrevorBrklyn: and on the internet its not alway to easy to detect race

TrevorBrklyn: i dont chat with womyn online, so i thought if its someone responding to me it must be some white bitch

Bluest0: some people say i speak like a white person ( which is like hearing fingernails on a chalkboard for me to hear), i was just wondering if i write like one 2.

Bluest0: damn

TrevorBrklyn: i get that too. my best friend loves to tell me how white woman i am.

Bluest0: just a brotha to sista thing why would she be a bitch?

TrevorBrklyn: the white woman is my anti-thesis, enemy, never got along, alot of bad energy there

TrevorBrklyn: like the dynamic you read about on my tour

TrevorBrklyn: that little white bitch said just cause i was angry i assaulted her

Bluest0: i see clearly what you mean

TrevorBrklyn: in my career i have intimidated many a white woman

TrevorBrklyn: being an intelligent dark-skinned gay black male is not easy

TrevorBrklyn: in corporate america

Bluest0: i have observed that a lot with white women they will take things to a very dangerous level very quickly and without true cause,

brothas really should watch themselves

Bluest0: most brothas learn that the hard way

TrevorBrklyn: yeah and imagine here we were in a foreign country

Bluest0: what country again?

TrevorBrklyn: Switzerland

Bluest0: you know, it my experience, they don't just do that to brothas, they'll do it to anybody, it's just that brothas are not aware, because it's not the way sistas behave

TrevorBrklyn: i dont think brothers are not aware its just they can get caught out there

TrevorBrklyn: i am very aware of siddity white women and their ways

Bluest0: this white chick drove me home one night told me she knew a white guy who lived across the street, then told me the guy had raped her, i was ready to go with her to the police station for emotional support

Bluest0: then she says, i was drinking and he should have known better

Bluest0: i'm like NO white chick, you should have known better

Bluest0: just a little story

TrevorBrklyn: well that is white privilege

TrevorBrklyn: the right to be flighty and stupid

Bluest0: true that..

Bluest0: so.... do you prefer white men?

TrevorBrklyn: i dont prefer anyone now a days

Bluest0: guess i don't either.

TrevorBrklyn: black men have not done right by me either i was never "BLACK" enuff

Bluest0: really?

TrevorBrklyn: or "MAN" enuff

Bluest0: i ....occasionally get people who don't like me based on speech patterns once i know that, i deal with them as the idiots that they are

TrevorBrklyn: well i get that all the time

Bluest0: our people can be very hard on homosexuals

TrevorBrklyn: can't be an intelligent niggah, then if your a faggot forgetabout it

[Afterwords: I stand by my using the term "white bitch", not to encourage misogyny, but to embrace my genuine disdain for whyte women collectively. At this time I had so much trauma from whyte womens, Julie Crosby and her false but deadly allegations against me in Switzerland. Amy Van Aarle and her under-current of bad vibrations. She always seemed to think someone was coming for her, and I was barely even studying her, just trying to avoid her energy.

Even the whyte girls, because they were so young they were barely women, who got me fired from a gig for calling them out for promising a client something I knew the agency couldn't deliver. The most curious thing for me is that prior to interacting with whyte womens in usually some kind of working dynamic, I never really had much consideration for them. But repeatedly they showed extremely bad behavior towards me if they felt they had the least bit of authority.

So in the year of our lord two-thousand "white bitch" was the embodiment of my relationship to all whyte womens.

I will acknowledge that this may have been shocking and a bit surprising to Bluest, I have never been one to mince words, I attempted to give her a bit of context, but I wasn't going to apologize or pretend to be politically correct to mask my general animosity to whyte womens, which in large part started because of THEIR perceived insecurities.

Both of our relationships to Black straight men also seemed tentative and problematic, its so interesting to me to hear a perspective from a straight Black woman about their experiences with straight Black men. Bluest gets into it more in the part of our chat that isn't posted here, but like myself I felt she wasn't the biggest fan.

Coming from a Black straight woman her question about me preferring white men is suspect. It seems to be laced with this built-in nationalism where Black people always think we should choose Blackness over everything else, even if patriarchal Blackness has dogged you out. I am not with that, full stop. I don't think my Blackness is reduced in anyway by whom I choose to date or fuck. I feel its extremely problematic to continue to have interactions with someone who is openly hostile and despondent towards you.

As I have written about lately I had a very antagonistic relationship with Black men since I was a child, their apathy and sometimes open hostility to who I was based on how they perceived my performance of masculinity, or who I chose to love. Black men were never even a romantic consideration for me due in large part to once again their own behavior.

I find it reductive to even attempt to equate my dating other races as an indicator or a lacking in my allegiances to Blackness. My own nephew pointed out to me that Uncle Trevor you're #ExtraBlack, meaning that this young person saw that I might be slightly over-compensating for the fact that I was queer, femme and didn't necessarily talk Black, by making sure everyone knew I was BLACK AS FUCK!

Lastly I am most amused that both Blue and I struggled with the acceptance of our Blackness based on how we performed it. We were both clearly educated, cultured and respectively both white collar workers. We had interest beyond the mandated Black-approved topics, and actively had friendships and even romantic dalliances outside of the race.

As Gloria Naylor pointed out in her book the Women of Brewster Place, Black isn't any one thing, Black just is. And it is perfectly acceptable for a Black person to choose how they will manifest their Blackness, because at the end of the day in this country, they will always be Black ergo their interest are also Black.

It is silly to me that due to patriarchal white supremacy that those of us who are not cis straight whyte men fight amongst ourselves, perceive unfounded threats and creat animosity where there should be collaboration and friendship. In this piece I have talked about groups who are collectively disparaged for being "other" and not being the default which is white manhood. It doesn't elude me that we have drank the Kool-Aid and have ended up fighting each other when we all have a common enemy.

White women, straight women, Black women and queer people all face discrimination with nuances of difference, it would behoove use to come together and work to dismantle the hegemony that would seek to set us against each other as we fight for scraps from the masters table. There is plenty for all of us, and we would do best to acknowledge we can all get to the promised land if we link hands and try to get there together.

[Photos by Brown Estate]

Reprimand

Cece's Letter

Betrayed

[would-you-punt-them]

Alright, more specific horror stories from verified contestants and production staff

The Beast Games story was originally broken by Vital Vegas, and although they weren't considered to be entirely trustworthy at the time, their claims would later be corroborated by other independent sources. They've also produced photos of the actual set. All confirmed evidence points to their claims being 100% true.

The most reliable source is the New York Times, who independently verified a lot of the information. A YouTuber named Rosanna Pansino has also been making short videos recounting some of the verified stories she's been sent.

These aren't the only sources, but are the most talked about ones.

I've also found some other stories on various sites from people claiming to be former contestants, though none of those allegations have been verified so should be taken with a grain of salt, which is why I didn't include them in the post.

The only reason I'm bringing them up at all is that a lot of them do seem to be consistent with verified accounts that would later emerge. Those claims include:

People with celiac disease saying they were given wheat bread without being told, and weren't offered an alternative. Multiple serious allergic reactions resulted from people being given food they were allergic to without being told.

Contestants who complained too much about food, water, underwear, medication etc. being threatened with elimination.

Players forming a "black market", secretly bartering for food and Feastables amongst themselves.

Homophobia and misogyny from both contestants and the MrBeast team themselves, with the male contestants receiving preferential treatment.

Violence from MrBeast employees toward female contestants.

Med staff repeatedly running out of basic first-aid supplies.

Production staff and medics who were hired locally being demanded to work 24+ hour shifts in extremely poor working conditions, resulting in many walking out.

Players not being able to communicate with anyone outside the contest at any point, only realising this once their phones had already been taken.

Male contestants hoarding the limited amount of water, forcing the women to go without.

Players being denied access to showers.

MrBeast employees laughing at female contestants being injured - some say this included Jimmy himself, though this claim is unsubstantiated.

Open infighting within the production team, with those provided help to individual contestants (such as extra water or food) being screamed at by their superiors.

Women having their dirty underwear stolen.

Contestants suffering PTSD (supported by the fact that MrBeast would later offer them free therapy).

Additionally, one less reliable rumour that's been circulating a lot originates from a guy on TikTok who claims MrBeast told his group that one of them would be picked as the winner. Other people have said that they saw Jimmy's friends being given help by staff to keep them in the contest, though neither of these claims have been substantiated. Jimmy has been proven (contrary to what he has continued to claim) to consistently rig challenges to make associates of MrBeast win, but that doesn't necessarily mean that he's rigging this one. It's possible that now that reputation is being solidified these past two weeks, it's affected how they reinterpret specific things they saw or overheard retrospectively.

Again, none of these claims have been verified, so please don't take them as the truth. These are just claims that are just the most common unverified accusations which do have some significantly strong supporting evidence, but are not considered 100% reliable as of yet. It's possible that some of them may be verified in the future.

The Mr. Beast situation honestly gives me McKamey Manor vibes but on steroids. If someone would've died, they would've definitely try to cover it up.

Some players did come very close to death - during the first challenge, some of the players were strangled by a rope attached to a weight, and only survived because the Red team threw the challenge so they could go rescue them (they had begged the production team for help, but they refused, and said they wouldn't stop the game)

We do know what happened in the first and second challenges at least, if you want more details I can add it to the previous post

[harringtonspolaroids]

𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐩𝐭. 𝟔 | 𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐠𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐞

a/n: this took me so long to finish but i hope the length makes up for it! also if you cant tell i started listening to tosotd near the end so yas ig? this is also not proofread so enjoy

word count: 3359

warnings: slightly toxic relationship? some angst? not rly tho; bad characterization and development; allegations to billy's abuse but not rly; a twinge of misogyny; cursing; mentions of sex but no smut; a happy ending but im 100% going to make it angsty next time so; underage drinking

relationships: billy hargrove x reader; steve harrington x reader except not really y/n is mean to him tho; platonic! nancy wheeler x reader

read: part 1 | part 2 | part 3 | part 4 | part 5 | part 7

It had been raining when Billy had shown up to your house the first night.

You hadn’t been doing much, after all it wasn’t even ten, until you heard the knock on your door. Fixing up your nightgown you opened the door, and there he stood. Billy. Except, he didn’t look like himself. He was bleeding from a cut on his cheekbone.

“Oh my god, are you okay?”

“I’m fine,” Billy mumbled as he stepped past you inside. “Do you have something to clean this with?”

“I can try to find something, just… sit down.”

Billy absentmindedly nodded as he sat on the far edge of your couch, his leg bouncing impatiently.

You searched through the nearest closet until you found a random first aid kit you had bought several years ago. Taking out a gauze and saline you sat down next to Billy, holding his face in your hand.

Billy hissed as you applied the cool liquid on the cut.

“I’m sorry.”

“It’s fine. It doesn’t hurt.”

“Are you gonna tell me how you got this?”

“I got in a fight.”

“With who?

“I dunno. Some guy in the alley.”

“Billy. Look at me.”

Billy finally shifted his gaze towards you. “Like I said. Some guy in the alley. He was acting like an asshole. It wasn’t even that bad. He ended up worse.”

“Who started it?”

“Doesn’t matter.”

“B-”

“Look, I came here, because I figured you wouldn’t ask questions. Jesus, if I wanted this I would just gone to the police station. Can you please just- hurry and finish this.”

You could feel like he was lying. His eyes were shifty and he was avoiding your gaze. Still, you didn’t press.

“I’m done.”

You looked into his eyes, trying to find some warmth in them but it was gone. It surprised you how quickly he could change from such a sweet, caring guy to… whatever this was.

“Do you want to stay?”

“I’m good.”

Billy stood up, ready to leave as quickly as he had arrived.

You grabbed after Billy’s hand, “Are you sure?”

“I’m sure.” Billy pulled away from you and grabbed his jacket, leaving once again.

This was only the first of several times.

✧⋄⋆⋅⋆⋄✧⋄⋆⋅⋆⋄✧

Once again your relationship with Billy was a mess. You would hook up, talk about whatever meaningless things were on your mind (most of it being shit talking the people at school), and leave, letting you feel even more in love. Then he would randomly show up to your house for you to do your best to comfort him after the dozens of fights he got into, only to ignore you for a day or two until he needed you. It was exhausting.

“What are we?”

“Excuse me?”

“I said,'' What are we? Or am I not allowed to ask that question too.” You leaned against the brick wall behind the gym, where you and Billy had just “coincidentally” met, and waited expectantly for his answer.

“I don’t know.”

“Well, you take me, sometimes, on dates. And we hook up. But you also don’t want me around you. So what is that supposed to mean?”

“Like I said I don’t know.”

“Do you even like me?”

“Yes- no, I mean, define like.”

“So you do like me! You just don’t have the guts to say it. Who would’ve guessed?”

“It’s not that, it’s- I don’t know what we are yet, okay? Why do we even have to put a name on it, Christ, you’re… fun and smart and I like talking to you.”

“You know what, I think that’s the nicest thing you’ve ever said to me, without adding just a twinge of some disgusting remark.”

Billy scoffed and stepped closer to you. “As if you don’t like it.”

“And so you ruined it.” You let out a quick laugh, a plan of sorts starting to form in your mind. “So�� if we aren’t anything, then you wouldn’t mind if I maybe went with Steve to the Fall Break party this week, would you?”

“And why would you do that when I’m right here, doll?”

“Maybe you’re getting a little boring.”

“I highly doubt that.”

You pulled Billy closer to you, fiddling with his collar of his half buttoned shirt. “Just think about it. It’ll be a fun… game for us. ”

“This isn’t like you at all.”

You shrugged, smoothing out the wrinkles on Billy’s top. “Maybe. But someone’s gotta keep having major mood swings too, right?”

You turned, walking back towards the school. All you could hope was that Billy would get the hint.

✧⋄⋆⋅⋆⋄✧⋄⋆⋅⋆⋄✧

“So… we’re good?”

You put on the sweetest face you could manage and leaned closer to Steve, “Of course we are silly. I could never be that mad at you.” You were just lying through your teeth at this point. You didn’t care about Steve. You cared about Billy. And you were willing to do whatever it took to get his eyes back on you.

“That’s awesome! You know, I kinda thought you had a thing for that jerk but I knew you’d come to your senses soon enough. Want me to walk you to class?” Steve gave you a crooked smile, his hand reaching for your shoulder. You immediately shrugged him off, ignoring the first part of his sentence. “No thanks. Let’s just try to keep this… private. You aren't exactly high on the social ladder, so to speak.”

“Oh,” Steve’s smile faded. You had forgotten how whiney he could be sometimes. God knows how many times you had deluded yourself into thinking you liked him.

“I’ll see you later though, at my place, for the party. Got it?”

Steve gave a weak nod and you stood up from your chair, you were ready to leave this awkward hellhole. Careful to check no one was there, you exited the library. This party had to be one of your best.

✧⋄⋆⋅⋆⋄✧⋄⋆⋅⋆⋄✧

You felt Nancy’s eyes on the back of your head as you applied the final layer of polish on your nails. You had invited her over, as sort of a peace treaty, before the party. You two had a type of truce going on. You weren’t exactly the bestest friends you used to be but you didn’t hate each other.

“So what's with you and Jonathan?” You asked in an attempt to spark a conversation.

“Oh, um, we’re just friends.”

“You sure about that?”

“Of course! Why would you think it was anything more?”

You turned around from your spot on your desk to meet Nancy’s eyes. “Hellooo, have you seen the way he looks at you? He gets all like puppy dog eyed.”

“Shut up he does not!” Nancy was starting to turn red at your comments. “If anything, we should talk about you going out with Billy!”

“I am not going out with Billy-”

“Oh you so are, everyone knows-”

“They do not because there is nothing to know in the first place!”

“They do! Please, he’s always looking for you in the hall and he’s always giving Steve shit about you.”

“Really?”

Nancy slid off the bed to sit next to you on your loveseat. “Uhhh, yeah! C’mon you can’t tell me you haven’t noticed.”

“I haven’t!”

“You’re lying! Look at me.”

You gave Nancy the most deadpan look you could manage and she snorted. “You’re kidding right? He even asked me about you once.”

“What? When? What did you say?” If you were honest you thought Billy hadn’t even remembered that you had told him you and Nancy were friends.

“He asked on like the first day, in Chemistry. He sits behind me and he asked me if I knew who you were. I just said you were, like, a cheerleader. I didn’t give him much.” Nancy gave you an awkward smile.

You let out a sigh of relief. Nancy hadn’t been a bitch and Billy hadn’t tried anything with her. “That’s not too bad.”

“Yeah.”

After a pause, you felt like you were about to burst. You had to tell someone. “I’ve been hooking up with Billy for like 2 weeks now.”

“Excuse me? Y/N you’re- are you serious? I thought you just like flirted with him, I was totally joking, you’re actually sleeping with him? Do you have any idea- I-”

You flashed Nancy a stiff smile, you’re voice getting tenser as you spoke, “What it’s not like a crime, he's a good lay, and it’s nothing major it’s just that, no emotions or feelings involved whatsoever, it’s not like I care about him and he cares about me, right? Right?”

Nancy stared at you, her mouth open. “Y/N… does Steve know?”

You groaned and leaned on her shoulder, “No, he thinks I don’t even like him. Nance, you have to promise me you won’t tell anyone. Please.” You moved away from her to look her in the eyes.

Nancy grabbed your hand, “I swear I won’t tell anyone, okay? You can trust me.”

“Good.”

You had missed having a best friend, someone you could rely on. Even though you couldn’t open up to Nancy completely, you could at least tell her some things, and that had to count for something.

Just as Nancy started to ask you a question the doorbell rang. You turned to look at the clock, it was already 8. The time you had promised Carol and the group you could start pregaming.

“Shit. You wanna stay up here until it’s time or?”

Nancy nodded, “I don’t really want to see them and I don’t think your friends really want to see me either.”

“Okay.” You stood up, squeezing Nancy’s hand for some reassurance. You heard Tina’s scratchy voice yelling at you from downstairs, telling you to hurry up. Hopefully the party won't leave your house completely in ruins.

✧⋄⋆⋅⋆⋄✧⋄⋆⋅⋆⋄✧

You feigned interest as Steve talked to you about his day. You were in the most “isolated” corner you could find, though you still felt cramped. You weren't paying much attention to the boy in front of you, you were more focused on what Billy was saying that made some girl laugh so hard. The guy was fun, but not that much.

“I’m gonna tell him- Y/N- Y/N/N, hello are you here?”

You looked back at Steve, his face scrunching up in annoyance. “Did you even hear me?”

“Yeah, yeah, you were, uh, talking about the basketball team right?”

“Uh huh. Coach is thinking of benching and so, what I’m going to tell him is to-”

You smiled and nodded once again, as you started to tune out Steve, barely hearing what he had to say. The girl seemed to be having the time of her life with Billy and you were stuck with option number two. The whole point of this game was for you to make Billy jealous, not the other way around.

“Hey, I’m going to get a drink, why don’t you go mingle for a bit, I’ll be right back,” you interrupted.

“Sure, I’ll see you in a few.”

You gave Steve a quick kiss on the cheek, hoping Billy would notice, as you walked over to the kitchen, taking a shot of who knows what, that was laid out on the table.

You scanned the area around you until you found Tina laughing with some guy on the football team. The moment she noticed you watching her, she stopped and went over to you.

“What’s going on?”

“Do you know her?” you motioned to the girl who was now resting a hand on Billy’s shoulder, leaning onto him on the couch.

“Oh, her? That’s Heather Holloway. She's in my Math class. What about her?”

“What’s her fucking deal? Who does she even think she is?”

“I don’t know, I think her dad’s like the owner of the newspaper or whatever.”

“You got any dirt on her?”

“Uhhh, no. But- I can try to find some things about her.”

“Good. Come find me if things escalate between them”

You found another shot glass and drank it, leaving Tina. You moved throughout the bodies in the room, unsure of where exactly you were planning on going. Jesus christ this party was gonna be a horrible mess to clean up.

Rolling your eyes at Carol and Tommy making out in a corner, you spotted Nancy holding a water bottle, and went straight to her.

“You’re not drinking?”

Nancy looked back up at you, shaking her head, “After Halloween, I don’t think I’m ever gonna be in the mood for alcohol ever again. What’s wrong with you? Is this not fun?”

“It is- it’s just exhausting, y’know. I just wanted to ask you something.”

Nancy shot you a smile, “Spill.”

“Would you mind if I got back together with Steve?”

“I thought you were into Billy-”

“It’s hard to explain but I just need Steve for a-”

“A scheme? Y/N/N you can’t just play with people’s emotions, it's wrong and you know that.”

“I’m willing to face the consequences, Nance. Trust me, it’s gonna work out, I’m sure of it.”

“You don’t need my permission. If you want to date Steve, that's your issue. I won’t be mad.” Nancy looked worried, like she always did whenever you came up with a plan. “Just- please don’t get in trouble.”

You gave her a tight smile, “I won’t.”

You left Nancy, figuring enough time had passed for you to go look for Steve.

You found Steve wallowing against the stairs, paying attention to Jonathan who seemingly just showed up. You were so giddy with anticipation of how you were going to win in the end that even he couldn’t even annoy you. And just in luck for you, Steve was just within eyesight of Billy and Heather.

You grabbed Steve’s hand and dragged him closer to you, making sure you made a show out of it. “What are you doing right now?”

“Uhhh… nothing waiting for- for you, why-” Steve looked around nervously.

You cradle his face in your hands pulling him closer to you. “How about you do me?”

“Jesus, Y/N-”

You smiled and kissed Steve’s jaw stopping to turn around, acting as if you were shy, when in reality you were trying to spot Billy. And you did find him. Heather was trying to practically sit on his lap, all while Billy was glaring daggers at you. But you didn’t mind. If Billy said you weren’t a couple and he could flirt with other girls, then you could be with Steve. After all, isn’t all fair in love and war?

“C’mon” you nipped at Steve’s ear. “I’ve never wanted you more than I do now.” You had never lied more than you were now.

You giggled as you grabbed Steve’s hand and walked him upstairs heading to your bedroom.

The moment you shoved him on your bed you heard a knock at your door.

“It’s busy!”

The knocking remained. “I said, I’m busy!” You yelled back. Of course the universe wanted to stop you now that everything was finally falling into place.

“Just ignore them-”

“Shut up Steve.”

You got off Steve, and walked to the door, opening it up to a stressed looking Tina. “Did you not hear me? I said, I’m busy. Unless it’s an emergency, I don’t want to hear it.

“It’s Holloway. She’s trying to convince him to ditch.”

“Oh you’ve got to be fucking kidding me.”

Tina moved away from you, trying to not get in your way.

You turned to look at Steve, “I have to go. Sorry!” Steve only gave you a half hearted smile.

At least you didn’t hook up with him. You shoved Tina to the side as you walked downstairs, hoping maybe you could spot Billy and Heather leaving so you could chew him out for it later. Instead you stumbled into him right as you reached the bottom of the stairs.

“Why are you leaving him so soon? Could Stevie not get it up or did he finish too quickly for you?” Billy snickered, he was practically rubbing it in your face now. You thought his reaction would’ve been more different.

“Oh you are in no position to be talking right now, how could you?”

“How could I what?”

“Heather? Really? That bitch?”

“What did she do to you?”

“More like what didn't' she do! Why would you hook up with her?”

“Did you forget you were about to fuck Harrington?”

“You knew I would have never.”  

Billy snorted, “Of course you wouldn’t have. The same way I wouldn’t have hooked up with Heather.”

“You are so frustrating! Why don’t you just leave like you were planning on?”

“So that girl was eavesdropping on me!”

You rolled your eyes at his comments.

“C’mon, I thought you wanted a break.”

“And I thought you wanted to date me, so I guess we were both wrong,” You spat. Sure, you were pissed at Billy and Heather but you were mostly mad at yourself. You hated how Nancy was right that this was going to fail and you hated how now, Steve probably thought you were after him.

“I’m going to take a breather. Maybe you should just leave me alone.”

“Y/N-”

You moved past Billy and left the party, heading straight to your car. You didn’t know where you were going to go, but you figured anywhere was better than here.

✧⋄⋆⋅⋆⋄✧⋄⋆⋅⋆⋄✧

It looked like a thunderstorm was about to happen. You tugged on the sleeves of your cashmere sweater trying to let your thoughts drift away from the party. It had been three days since the Fall Party. You didn’t want to call what happened between you and Billy a fight but it sure felt like it. He hadn’t called, or shown up to talk to you, and you ignored him as well. You had told him to leave you when all you really wanted was him yet you just had to self sabotage. You rested your head against the cold window of your bedroom, trying to let the pitter patter of the rain lull you to sleep, when you heard a harder tap on your window, that was certainly not the rain. You ignored it for a few seconds until it started to annoy you, and so you looked down the window seeing a sight you didn’t expect.

You opened the window quickly rambling“What the hell are you doing- are you insane? You’re going to freeze out there! Why didn’t you just knock-”

“Look I just want to talk- can we just do that?”

You slammed the window shut and ran down your staircase opening the door. Billy stood there, his jacket soaking wet from the pouring rain. You immediately reached for him, getting him inside. You crossed your arms as you spoke, “You could get a cold B, that’s not.. safe.”

“We’ve done worse things.”

“What do you want?”

“I wanted to apologize.”

“Excuse me?” Billy was a lot of things, but he was not the type to admit his mistakes.

“I don’t like it when we… argue. I was mad. I don’t want to see you with Harrington.”

“And I don't want to see you with Heather.”

“I swear, I don’t like her. She was just the first chick who came up to me.”

“Billy-”

“Look, I- I have a lot fucked up shit going on. I don’t want to get you involved.”

“But I want to be involved. You should be able to trust me.”

“I don’t want you to leave.”

“And I won’t.” You stepped closer to Billy holding his hand in your face. “No matter what happens, if you let me, I’ll be here for you.”

Billy stared at you with those deep blue eyes of his. “You really mean that?”

“Of course I do.”

For the first time, Billy didn’t say anything, he just pulled you into a hug. There was nothing vulgar about it. It was just sweet, something that you had longed for. You held each other like that for god knows how much. You knew you loved him, and you hoped he could know that without needing you to say it.

[jasmariswonderland]

Shining Hearts Chapter 13 ~ The Point Of No Return

Chapter 1 |  Chapter 2 |  Chapter 3  |  Chapter 4  |  Chapter 5  |

Chapter 6 |  Chapter 7 | Chapter 8 |  Chapter 9  | Chapter 10 |

Chapter 11 |  Chapter 12

Chapter Summary: With Vil behaving strangely, Danica recall’s Rook’s previous proposal to her and believes she’s finally made a decision. But just as she begins opening her heart to him, he begins closing his to her. 

⚠General Warning For Chapters 12-17⚠: First off, thank you for sticking around with this fic for this long. As we inch closer to the moment of the overblot and it’s aftermath, be forewarned, the final chapters of this fic are gonna get…kind of intense. And may or may not include the following: Vil being mean, Rook being tactless, canon typical violence, language, sex*al harassment, misogyny, near de*th experiences, suic*dal thoughts and very, VERY HEAVY angst.

Warnings Specific To This Chapter: PAIN! PAIN! FUCKING PAIN!!!!!!

~~~

While all this was happening, Taima, Ione, Iman, and Vidaria stood outside the door, listening as best as they could. It didn’t require much genius to understand that Vil and Danica were arguing yet again. This time, it was worse than ever.

Many times, they could hear Vil angry, booming voice punctuated by Danica’s tearful sobbing. Soon enough, Taima’s concern for her friend became impossible to ignore, she wanted to burst through the door and to her surprise, Iman wanted to as well. But Ione and Vidaria held them back. Whatever was happening between Vil and Danica, they felt, should stay between Vil and Danica and it wasn’t their place to interfere.

“Danica is a strong person, stronger than most give her credit for,” Vidaria said. “She doesn’t need us to defend her, she probably wouldn’t want us to do that anyway since this is her battle to win.”

“Not to mention, there are a lot of press outside,” Ione added. “An overheard fight between Vil Schoenheit and his alleged love interest could cause a scandal that Danica would be implicated in.”

Taima and Iman grumbled, objectively, they knew Ione and Vidaria were correct but it didn’t sit well with either of them. Iman couldn’t bear thinking of how Vil could be tearing Danica’s confidence to shreds, after how long it had taken her to build it up in the first place. And imagining all the awful things he could be saying to her, along with the sound of her muffled crying, was all but unbearable to Taima. Objectivity often did not vibe well with either girl and Ione actually had to reach out to Iman to prevent her from opening the door.

“So what are we supposed to do?!” she asked, smacking Ione’s hand away.

“I’ll tell you what we’ll do, Sister,” Vidaria answered her. “Once they’re done, we’re going to go to Danica and be the support she needs. In the meantime, we should probably move away from the door so Vil won’t be on our behinds for eavesdropping.”

“Screw Vil’s opinion! What about…”

“No, Vidaria is right,” sighed Taima. “Plus Dani might not appreciate us trying to help either.”

“Actually, weren’t we supposed to go meet up with Ayse and the other RSA girls? Maybe we should do that.”

Iman bit back a scoff, irked with the knowledge that her best friend was correct and that Ione of all people agreed with her. In a fit of frustration, she turned her back to the others and began storming down the hallway with Vidaria following behind her. Taima and Ione remained at the door, the dressing room had gone silent and they hoped that the worst was over.

“You’re talking strangely! What are you going to do now?!”

They received their answer when they heard Danica shouting after Vil as the door slowly opened. He walked out, his demenor eerily detached and not even acknowledging Taima and Ione next to him. His eyes were completely glazed over and he moved as though he were in a trance, not aware of anything, or anyone around him.

“Vil-san!” Ione snapped. “What did you say to her?!”

But Vil did not answer her. He didn’t even glance her way as he walked past them and down the hall. Leaving her and Taima to go into the dressing room and find Danica shaking in the corner, looking as bewildered as they both felt at that moment. Ione went to shut the door and Taima immediately embraced her friend.

“What have I done?” Danica whispered, placing her arms around Taima.

“Nothing, that’s what,” Taima answered her. “This isn’t over. The contest hasn’t started yet, we’re still going to win and we’ll…

“No! No! That’s not what I meant!” Danica’s body began to tremble and she let out a whimper. “It’s Vil, something’s happening to him! This isn’t just about us changing our performance, it’s something else!”

“What do you mean?”

“I know what she means,” Ione murmured, sitting closer to them. “I saw it, just as Vil was passing us.”

“Are either of you going to tell me what’s happening?!” Taima asked.

“I really can’t say. It was literally only a second, just something about Vil’s eyes gave me a very sick feeling. And it reminded me of something that happened at Heartslabyul a few months ago. Something horrible that…” Ione paused, wrapping her arms around herself as she was taken by a sudden chill.

“Ione?”

“No, no. It’s nothing,” she quickly shook her head. “That was an outstanding circumstance. Nothing like that could happen now.”

“Like what?” Now Danica was curious as well. “What happened at Heartslabyul?”

“Ione, we really need you to NOT be cryptic right now!” said Taima. “What happened?”

“NOTHING! Really, it was nothing!”

Ione said this, more for her reassurance than anything else. But even as the words left her mouth, she felt a nauseous sensation twist at her stomach. She knew she wasn’t doing her teammates, especially Danica, any favors by concealing what she had seen in Vil’s eyes. And how it was so frighteningly similar to something she had seen in Riddle’s eyes months prior. Another chill seized her as she recalled the horrific events that proceeded.

But again, she reminded herself that those were outstanding circumstances, triggered in part by the gross stupidity of Ace and her other dormmates. Whatever his issues with Danica, Vil still had the support of NRC Tribe and their performance was worlds better than RSA’s. The situations between him and Riddle couldn’t be more different.

“I’m sorry,” she sighed. “I don’t mean to be cryptic. I’m just worried because I feel like in this state…Vil could be capable of anything.”

“That’s what worries me too,” confessed Danica. “He’s not just angry about our performance change. Neige and his group had a far better reception to their rehearsal with considerably less effort. And they very well might win, can you imagine Vil’s rage if that happens?”

“Really, Dani?” Taima couldn’t help but smile. “You honestly think such a childish gimmick could go up against our boys? Hell, we were more polished even in middle school!”

“Look I know it sounds strange but you gotta believe me! NRC Tribe might end up losing and when that happens, Vil is going to snap and it’s not going to be us he snaps at!”

“Danica, you can’t possibly mean…?”

Ione paused again, another chilling memory intruding upon her mind. She and Taima briefly locked glances, subconsciously thinking the exact same thing. And as the same concern washed over them, there came from the hallway a burst of high-pitched laughter that they immediately recognized as belonging to Neige and his friends. They listened until the sound faded, followed by footsteps coming closer to the dressing room door. The knob turned, it was Yuulan and Grim.

“Hey, I was wondering where you three were,’ said Yuulan, looking around the dressing room and then at the dejected looks on the three freshmen. “Is…everything alright?”

“We don’t know yet,” Ione replied. “Vil was far from happy about our performance change but now there’s something else we’re worried about.”

“Hmmm.”

Yuulan closed her eyes, visions of her ominous dream returning to her. It was happening again, now for the fifth time. “I think I know what you’re worried about, Ione. And honestly, so am I.”

“What are you worried about, Yuulan?” Danica asked. “Did you notice how Vil was behaving too?”

Immediately, Yuulan locked eyes with Ione and Taima. Yes, they had all seen it and by now, even Ione was beginning to worry that it might not be a coincidence. A horrific memory mutually shared by the three. But even as they all came to the same understanding, they also silently agreed not to voice a word of it, not yet.

None of them would dare distress Danica with what would soon happen to her down leader, not while there was still time to avoid it.

“What are you all goin’ on about?!” Grim snapped. “Why are we still talkin’ about Vil anyway?! I’m hungry and the dwarves are gonna clean out the food table if we don’t act fast!”

“Merciful Sevens!” Ione glared at the creature. “When are you NOT hungry?!”

“Seriously, Grim,” Taima added, rolling her eyes. “We’re trying to have a serious conversation here and all you can think about is your stomach?!”

"Well, that's Grim for you, ” Yuulan chuckled. “How about this: Ione, come with me. We’ll follow Vil around for a while to make sure he’s still in a stable headspace. I think Iman and Vidaria have the same feeling too because they haven’t left yet even when Jamil suggested it.”

“Iman turned down time with Jamil?!” Taima forced out a laugh in spite of her worries. “Damn, that’s how I know this is serious!”

“And what about Taima and I?” Danica spoke up.

“Dani, you need to rest,” replied Yuulan. “This has already been enough on you and you need to refocus your mind on the VDC. And giving the best performance you can.”

“You’re right. Come what may, the show must go on. That’s what we always said at my ballet school. And it’s true.” Danica stood up. “I’m not giving up yet. And as long as there is still hope for victory, I’m not even going to entertain any more doubts!”

“Spoken like a true queen,” Ione smiled before turning to Taima. “You should stay with Danica so she isn’t alone. If anything happens, either I or Yuulan will text you.”

“And can we PLEASE find something to eat at some point?!” Grim asked.

“YES YOU GLUTTONOUS CAT!” Yuulan snapped. “I promise! At some point, you will be fed!”

“NOT A CAT!”

“Thank you guys,” Danica sat back down. “We’ll stay here for a little bit and then go look for Iman and Vidaria.”

Yuulan, Grim, and Ione left, leaving Danica and Taima alone in the dressing room. The air swirled with anxiety, still thick with the tension of Vil and Danica’s argument. For a while, there was silence save for Danica’s heavy breathing and the occasional sound of voices outside the door.

At one point, Danica thought she heard Vidaria shouting angrily at someone. But Vil’s name was not mentioned and her mind was too preoccupied already for this to pique her interest. And with only the presence of her best friend, all of her thoughts and emotions had time to fully take shape.

Danica understood now. She understood everything. Despite his tenacity and drive, regardless of his beauty and talent, Vil would never top Neige in the public eye. Only the delicate allure of innocence could be deemed approachable to the populace. Vil’s intense elegance, on the hand, would always be seen as threatening. As he had so eloquently put it, beauty was often a double-edged sword; admired yet feared, coveted yet despised.

There was nothing threatening about the saccharine charm of Neige Leblanche. Nothing that would ever make people uncomfortable, fearful or think on a deeper level. He was adorable and made people feel good, but that was it. He would never match Vil’s intense elegance and Vil in turn could never match Neige’s innocence. People would always prefer the Neige over the Vil simply because it was impossible to be intimidated by someone so agreeable and childish.

Danica becoming Vil’s white swan was his only redress to make him more approachable, meant to prove to the world that he was indeed worthy of being a hero. It sickened her that people would be so fickle, so afraid of Vil’s brilliance that they couldn't acknowledge it for what it was. Regulating him to the place of a villain in order to confirm their own biases. Without ever giving him a chance to prove himself.  

But while that was all true, there was something else that sickened her even more: that Vil himself would so willingly comply with such a cruel dichotomy. Considering the progressive values he tried to instill in others, she found it incredibly hypocritical. For someone normally so forward-thinking, it made no sense to her that he’d want too subject her to the same unfair treatment he had endured. Forcing her to shrink herself because some people were foolish. Vil was smarter than that, he was better than that. Why would he possibly want such a thing for her, when the public had subjected him to the very same thing for most of his life?

You told me that I captivated you, that I had the power to capture hearts. Why then would you want me to give that power away? And for what?

“Are you alright, Dani?” Without noticing, Taima moved closer to Danica, softly touching her arm to draw her attention. “I guess the better question is, are you going to be alright?”

“Tai-chan…” Danica exhaled deeply. “I’ll be alright. I’ve said that many times over the last few weeks and it hasn’t always been true. But I mean it this time. I’ll be alright, I’m just so confused.”

“What do you mean?”

“I never imagined that someone like Vil Schoenheit would take interest in a girl like me, for any reason. I was so ready to remain invisible for the time I was at NRC because before coming to NRC, I’d always been invisible. And I was okay with that!”

“But Dani, you’re far from invisible!” Taima clutched her hand. “And you don’t deserve to be invisible!”

“I might not have been invisible on the stage of Three Graces Academy or in the classrooms of the Pyroxene Royal Ballet Academy, but in every other part of my life, I was, especially at home. Fiona was the golden child of our family and anything I ever did was simply me just wanting to be like her. And it only became worse after she died.”

Danica pressed her hands to her face. “But on the other hand, in the few places in my life where I wasn’t invisible, I sometimes wished I was. The way people would look at me, made me wish I was invisible. I seemed to only attract jealousy or bewilderment, but never admiration, until I came to NRC.”

“You definitely seem happier since we came to NRC.” Taima observed. “Even when you are stressed.”

“It’s true, and one of the reasons I’ve been happier is because, for the first time in my life, I’ve found a place where not only was I not invisible, I wanted to be seen. I’ve met people like Kalim and Joker and my other clubmates who love seeing me perform. I’m in a dorm with other like-minded people who appreciate me for who I am. But most of all, I had a dorm leader who wanted to see me succeed. Who never ONCE compared me to my sister! That's why I don’t understand…”

Danica exhaled again, somehow managing to fight off any tears. “That’s exactly why I don’t understand why Vil wanted me to undermine myself for the very same kinds of people who made me want to be invisible in the first place! After all he has done to help my confidence, why the hell would he want me to go back to being the person I was before coming to NRC?!”

“I don’t understand it either,” replied Taima. “I haven’t understood anything Vil-san has done these last few weeks. But there is one thing I do understand.”

“What do you understand?”

“I understand that someone who loves you would want you to be the best version of yourself you can be, even if others don’t like it. That’s what mom always says. Vil might have been kind and encouraging to you in the past but now he’s different. He’s not the same person you fell in love with, I don’t think.”

“He definitely isn’t,” Danica lowered her head sadly. “That’s what hurts the most.”

“But on the other hand, there has been another person that you also like, one who has always been consistent in how much he cares about you.” Taima smiled. “Someone romantic and sweet who has been crazy about everything you do from the moment he set his eyes upon you.”

A soft tint of red spread across Danica’s cheeks. She knew exactly whom Taima was referring to and for the most part, it was all true. Between the two, Rook had always been the kinder one compared to Vil. She never had to wonder if he actually liked her as he made his feelings known from the beginning.

Even with his more unorthodox tendencies, even with him recently taking interest in other girls, Danica still believed that Rook had eyes only for her. And the only thing preventing him from getting closer to her was her own indecision.

It is my greatest desire that you will allow me to pay tribute to your radiance. You are an angel walking amongst mortals, cherie, and I see in your eyes what your lips hesitate to say. You want this don’t you? So why do you deny your heart what it so earnestly desires?

When they met during winter break, Rook had confessed a desire that they become lovers. He had always been honest with her, which was why she still believed his words even now. She had begun the new year with a confused heart, her emotions pulled in two different directions, towards two different people. And now, after everything Vil had done, the path she wanted to take was becoming progressively more clear.

I know you’ve warned me about swimming against the current, but I also know you would never hurt me in the way Vil has hurt me. Isn’t that right, Rook-san?

“Rook-san would never hurt you.”

Danica turned around, not realizing that she was thinking aloud. Softly, but loud enough for Taima to hear. With a nod, silence fell once again upon the dressing room. Several more minutes passed before another voice could be heard outside the door. It was Rook’s voice.

“I think that’s our sign,” Danica said, rising out of her chair at last. A new smile came to her face. “Everythings going to be alright, and best of all, I finally know what to say to Rook-san!”

“That’s awesome!” Taima beamed. “How ‘bout I come with you! For something like that, you’re gonna need moral backup and that’s what besties are for!”

“Sure, Taima,” Danica went to the door but turned to her friend with a mischievous little grin. “But only if I can be your moral backup when you eventually confess to cabbage-head!”

“Ohhh, NOW you wanna be cheeky!”

Taima got up but Danica just giggled and rushed out with her friend coming close behind her.

~~~

A small bubble of anxiety returned to them as they walked down the hall, anticipating the possibility of running into Vil. But he was nowhere to be seen. Everything seemed relatively normal and Danica noticed Rook’s silhouette further down the hall and eagerly walked over to him. Her heart was racing with excitement but it quickly stopped when she saw that Rook wasn’t alone.

Isabel and Minette were talking with him and he seemed particularly focused on the latter. His eyes narrowed on her in much the same way he was gazing at Athena earlier. When he didn’t appear to notice her presence, Danica stopped to listen. Her mind immediately returned to how she had seen him muse over Minette’s appearance earlier and the way he spoke to Athena right in front of her.

Unlike Athena however, Minette was smiling and enjoying the conversation. Or at least, that’s how it appeared at first glance. But sadly, at this delicate moment, one glance was enough for Danica to think the worst.

“C’est vrai? Your grandmother was the famous opera diva Adelè Belchatte?” Rook asked Minette. “Magnifique! I myself am a connoisseur of opera and am well-versed in her work. She was a marvel on stage, blessed by the muses themselves!”

“And not just her grandma,” Isabel spoke up. “Minette’s mom is also pretty famous too, mostly for piano. But she’s very talented too.”

“No need to brag on my behalf, Issy,” Minette blushed, but took a subtle step away from Rook even as he stared down at her intently. “Merci, monsieur, I come from a very musical family. But my true forte is in acting.”

“Ahh, that is tres admirable as well. It is good to be well versed in many skills and I see that the muses have also blessed you as well, ma cherie,” he leaned into her face. A delighted smile upon his lips. “Blessed in both talent and beauty.”

Rook…no…

Danica’s heartbeat was racing and she felt her knees buckle under her. Taima had caught up to Danica and noticed her trembling, placing her hand on her shoulder. At once, she knew she should say something but Danica squeezed her hand, silently telling Taima to hold her tongue. She was at a loss for words in any case. And just after she had tried to convince Danica that such a thing wouldn’t happen. After she herself was so sure of his fidelity. Guilt silenced Taima as much as shock.

They watched the way Rook spoke to Minette with increasing sickness. This time, there could be no misunderstanding. Minette was certainly charming, with very beautiful hair and eyes and an equally beautiful singing voice. As one devoted to beauty in all forms, Rook was sure to be taken with her.

Danica tried to mentally rationalize this, but it did little to soothe the sting.

No…it doesn’t seem like I’m good enough for anyone. Not Vil, not my parents, and now…and…now…I’m not enough for Rook either.

“You both were so lovely during rehearsals,” Rook continued. “Comme deux etoiles brillantes.”

“Th…that’s very kind of you, monsieur,” Minette shyly lowered her head. “But you really shouldn’t say such things. After all, we are from rival schools and singing on rival teams.”

“Ah that may be, mademoiselle. But you see, I’m not one to ignore something I find beautiful."

Rook smirked, coming closer to Minette even as she and Isabel took a few steps back. Her back hit a wall and she glanced up at him, eyes fluttering as she realized how close he was. Too close for comfort. His sharp green gaze narrowing up and down her form.

"And when that beautiful thing is out of my reach, I find it all the more impossible to ignore.”

“Monsieur, what do you mean by that? Do you…ahh!!”

Minette and Isabel were already finding this conversation more than a little peculiar. Rook had sought them out as they were leaving the coliseum to explore the festival. He seemed nice enough, extremely complementary if not a tad flirtatious. But the more he spoke, the more they felt uneasy.

A feeling that only increased when Rook boldly reached out for Minette’s soft white tail, taking it into his hand. Danica saw this happen, feeling sicker than ever, and even Taima was taken aback by Rook’s audacity toward their friend.

What the…?! No, he did NOT just do that?! Rook-san! Why?! Why the hell would you…?!

“Aahhh! Monsieur, please!” Minette yelped loudly, jumping to her side and moving away from Rook. Unfortunately, this was followed by a fit of giggling that was just as loud. “You flatter me, but please…”

“Sir, what the fuck?!” Isabel pulled Minette to her in a protective manner. Her normally cool nature swiftly set ablaze. “I don’t recall her saying you could grab her tail!”

“Ahh, pardon moi,” Rook attempted to laugh this off, but neither girl found this amusing. “Forgive me, I meant no harm, cherie. I was simply taken by the elegance of your pure white fur. It is as lustrous as a pearl, but far, far softer than I imagined.”

He leaned into her face, not noticing at all the mortified look. Even as she continued her frantic giggling.

“Monsieur!”

“Ahhh, and such a lovely scent, like jasmine and vanilla.”

She felt his hand land gently atop her head, between her ears. Minette shook her head, but he continued to pat it. This was enough for her to move further from Rook even as he advanced closer to her, grasping her tail to keep it out of his reach. Danica and Taima had seen quite enough.

“Monsieur please!”

“What the fuck is this?!” Taima pretended that she and Danica had just arrived and placed herself between Rook and Minette. “Rook-san! What the hell were you doing?!”

“What was I doing?” Rook repeated Taima’s question. “I was merely getting acquainted with the lovely ladies of the RSA team.”

“Are you sure about that?”

Danica stepped forward, speaking loud enough that Rook was finally forced to confront her presence. She was looking directly at him, but her next words were directed at Minette. Despite her shattering heart, she smiled at her friend. Her betraying not even the slightest hint of her hurt.

"Rook-san is very charming. Isn’t he, Mimi? Yes, I think so too.”

“Dani…I…I…” Minette stammered, seeing in Danica’s eyes a look of complete and total devastation. She then looked at Rook again, and then at Danica, understanding exactly what her friend was likely thinking. “I…I’m sorry! I’m so sorry!”

Without another word, Minette pushed past them and ran back down the hall. Tears of shame scorching down her cheeks. Isabel went after her, but not before shooting a murderous glare at Rook.

“Like hell he’s charming! If getting acquainted with us means being handsy and a creep then that’s exactly what he was doing!”

She hurried to catch up with Minette, leaving Danica and Taima standing alone with Rook. Both of them were still in shock at what they had just seen. Surprisingly, Danica was the first to speak again, somehow managing to push swallow all of her rage and sorrow back down her throat long enough to ask Rook a simple question.

“Why, Rook? Why would you do that? I thought…”

“I do not understand,” he interrupted her, looking ahead of the hallway and avoiding Danica’s eyes. “We were only chatting, did I do something wrong?”

“Something wrong?!” Taima gasped angrily at him. “Rook-san, you grabbed Minette’s tail! She hates being touched by people she doesn’t know! And beyond that, look at Dani! She saw the whole thing! How do you explain…”

“I truly meant no harm! And she was laughing the whole time, I figured…”

“THAT’S SOMETHING SHE DOES WHEN SHE’S NERVOUS OR SCARED! YOU WERE MAKING HER UNCOMFORTABLE! DON’T YOU GET IT?!”

Danica screamed at Rook before stepping back from him and Taima, realizing what she was doing. She buried her face in her hands with shame and began breathing heavily to stave off tears. Rook and Taima looked at her with genuine shock.

Both had seen her angry, but never like this, and Rook in particular couldn’t recall a single instance where she ever raised her voice in his presence. He understood now that he had made a serious faux pas with Minette. Yet somehow still failed to understand exactly what that faux pas was and, more importantly, how much it had hurt for Minette to endure and for Danica to see.

“I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have shouted,” Danica glanced over her hands and saw Rook and Taima’s bewildered faces. She immediately calmed down. “But Rook-san, Minette is an old friend of mine and…”

“No, Dani, you had every right to shout!” Taima interjected. “Rook, you should have known better! Mimi’s bad habit notwithstanding, what made you think that would be okay to do?!”

“Mon Dieu,” Rook sighed. “I certainly did not mean to come off as vulgar or rude.” He shook his head. “Sometimes, I briefly miss my better judgment when enamored by one as enchanting as your friend.”

“You miss your better judgment,” Danica repeated his words aloud. Biting the inside of her lip as her chest burned with anger. “Miss your better judgement?! But Rook…what about me? I thought…do you no longer wish to…”

Do you no longer like me?

She tried to find the words. They were right there in her mind, but no matter how she tried, they would not pass her lips. In truth, Danica could still scarcely believe it herself and in spite of everything she had just seen, still wished to believe that this was all just a misunderstanding. And for the sake of that very fragile hope, she bit her tongue.

“I should apologize to her,” Rook said, beginning to walk away from them. “I truly did not mean any harm and I would hate for there to be bad blood between our teams or schools.”

“As if there hasn’t been bad blood between NRC and RSA for literal decades!” Taima sharply replied, jumping in front of him to block his way. “No, Rook-san! We’ll apologize to Minette on your behalf! That would be much better, trust me on this one and stay out of this!"

Before Rook could agree or object, Taima grabbed Danica’s arm and pulled her down the hall. They followed the sound of familiar voices to the dressing room meant for the RSA Divas. Minette was there, still looking shaken as Ayse comforted her, and surprisingly, Iman and Vidaria were as well. Isabel appeared to be arguing with them.

“Forgive me if we find your lies hard to believe!” Iman said. “This little kitten has been acting flirtatious around our boys all day!”

“I’m sorry!” Minette whimpered. “I really didn’t mean…”

“So what?!” Isabel snapped. “Mimi might have a playful personality, but that wasn’t an invitation for Rook to do what he did!”

“No, it certainly isn’t,” Vidaria agreed. “But we saw her and Rook alone not long after your rehearsal.”

“What?”

Danica cut in, walking over to Minette and kneeling down beside her with Taima following suit. She gave her a little smile, showing that she wasn’t upset at her for what she had seen. Iman scoffed.

“Don’t be nice to her! She was making moves on your man! Vidi and I saw!”

“I wasn’t!” Minette pleaded. “I swear I wasn’t! He was the one following me around! That’s why I asked Issy to join me while I was looking for Lilianne.” She glanced up at Danica with eyes red from tears. “I’m sorry, Dani! I didn’t mean…”

“Then why were you giggling, hmmm?” Vidaria impertinently asked. “If you didn’t like Rook-san flirting with you, why did you…”

“Your Highness,” Ayse spoke up. “I know it sounds crazy, but Minette really cannot control her laughter when she’s nervous. You should have seen her when we went to a haunted house this past Halloween.”

“I know it’s a bad habit,” Minette added. “I’m trying to work on it but…”

“Mimi, it’s alright,” Danica finally came to her friend’s defense, hugging her for good measure. “I believe you, I know you’re not to blame.”

“Dani…” Minette sniffed, returning her embrace. “I’m sorry, I didn’t know…”

“Mimi, Dani said it’s okay. We aren’t mad at you. Honestly, we should apologize to you because you are a guest of this school today and it sucks this should happen on our turf,” Taima smiled at Minette before turning to Iman and Vidaria. “And you two should apologize too! I get you were just trying to defend Dani but yelling at Mimi wasn’t the way to go about it!”

Vidaria made a quick but very sincere apology. Considering her own experiences with Rook, it wasn’t difficult for her to figure out what really happened between him and Minette. Her indignation quickly turned to disgust. How could Danica still have eyes for him? Iman however required a little more convincing, but eventually apologized as well.

“But while we’re on the subject,” said Isabel. “You NRC ladies should really know that Minette wasn’t the only one among us Rook has been sniffing around! Athena told us that he was following her around the festival earlier, trying to impress her with his archery!”

“Yeah, we saw that,” Danica sighed. “Apparently Rook and Athena competed in an archery tournament a while back and she beat him.”

“And not just them!” Ayse spoke up again. “There was an incident where one of the dwarves spilled water on me. Rook helped me dry off but he saw some of my changed skin and kept asking me all sorts of weird questions.”

“I don’t know if Ivy and Nadia dealt with anything similar but I wouldn’t be surprised,” said Isabel. “It doesn’t help that most of us are beastmen, fae, or in Nadia’s case, a mermaid. We weren’t gonna say anything since Athena is fully human but it just seems extremely fucked up to me!”

“No, no, we understand perfectly,” Vidaria replied. “At least I do, he’s the same way around me and I’ve even seen him act impertinent around Malleus.”

“WHAT?!” Ayse’s eyes widened. “He’s acted that way around Malleus Draconia?! Does Rook desire death?!”

“Guys, that’s enough,” Danica listened to all of this but she was becoming increasingly uncomfortable. Isabel shook her head.

“I’m sorry, Miss Ledelle. I understand you might like Rook, but you really ought to know what he’s capable of if you’re going to set your heart upon him.”

“She’s right, Danica,” Iman added. “This is exactly why you need to go ahead and tell him how you feel!”

“Hmph, really, Sister?” Vidaria normally agreed with everything Iman said. But this time, she laughed. “Do you honestly think Rook would stop acting weird if he knew Danica harbored feelings for him?”

“It is possible,” Danica replied. “After all, I never actually told Rook how I felt. I’ve been too focused on Vil-san and preparing for today. But Rook has asked me in the past to be with him. If he thinks I’m not interested, it makes sense then that…”

“No, Miss Ledelle, I’m going to have to agree with Vidaria on that one,” Isabel said. “But on that note, we’re definitely not going to hang around here if we can help it. We talked about checking out the festival together so that’s what we’re gonna do until it’s time for the show to start.”

“Yeah, I still hope Ione is down for joining us,” said Ayse. “I haven’t seen her in a while.”

“If we see her, we’ll tell her you were looking for her,” replied Danica. “But we’re going to hang around here for a while since there are…a few more things we must take care of before showtime.”

“Okay, Dani. I hope we can hang out a little later after the VDC,” Minette, now calmer, smiled at her friend. “And I hope Rook’s behavior is one of the things you take care of!”

~~~

Danica decided that it would be best if she, Taima, Iman, and Vidaria walked the RSA girls to the outer part of the coliseum, watching them leave and longing to join them. Once they were gone, Danica was once again confronted with the sad reality of their situation. Vil’s strange behavior was worrying to them all and now he was nowhere to be found. And just when Danica thought she was ready to open her heart to Rook, he appeared to be closing his heart to her. Even going as far as making a move on her friend —an image she couldn’t shake from her mind.

And it wasn’t just the fact that Rook was flirting with Minette, or even that she felt that Minette was far prettier and more charming than her. Many of the words he had spoken to Minette paralelled things he had said to her. Words that had moved her heart and compelled Danica to trust him. And words she had been naive enough to believe that Rook would only ever say to her.

It was indeed naive, after all, just as Vil had told her, a black swan could never stand beside a prince. Danica was beginning to wonder if she would ever be good enough for anyone.

“We haven’t heard from Yuulan or Ione in a while,” Taima said as the four of them went back into the coliseum. “Do you think they’re still tailing Vil-san?”

“Yeah, but they haven’t tried to reach out to us,” Danica replied. “Maybe we were worried about nothing after all.”

That’s what she said and she truly hoped that was the case. It would subtract at least one thing from her list of concerns. It was their plan to return to their dressing room for a while longer, but as they walked back down the hallway, they saw Rook again. Epel was talking to him, but for once, Rook’s focus seemed to be elsewhere. He listened intently to the boy, responding to everything he said, but it was clear there were other things on his mind.

Vidaria made a small sound of disgust at the sight of him and began walking down the hall to their dressing room. Iman followed her, Taima did too, but Danica lagged behind.

“Dani, we should probably rest some before showtime,” Taima said. “And it probably would help to have a quick bite too.”

“I know, I know,” Danica nodded. “I just…I want to see something first.”

“Are you gonna try talking to Rook-san? If you do, can you please make him understand how uncomfortable he’s made the RSA Divas?”

“I…I’m not sure how much of an effect my words will have on him,” I’m not even sure if my words even matter to him at this point. “But I’ll try my best.”

Taima hurried to catch up with Iman and Vidaria, while Danica walked in Rook and Epel’s direction. Epel was the first to notice her and waved her over, their relationship having somewhat healed as he was beginning to see the error of his ways.

“You guys were soooooo amazing during rehearsal!” he grinned. “I know…there isn’t anything wrong with cute things, but I really do think your new song suits your voice better than the other one.”

“Thanks Epel. I think so too,” Danica smiled, though she couldn’t help but notice how Rook subtly frowned at this. Her uneasiness returned. “But do you mind if I talk to Rook alone for a few moments? I need to ask him something.”

“Oh? Yeah, that’s fine. I was just about to go look for Deuce anyway,” Epel looked up at Rook. “I’ll talk to you later, Rook-san.”

Epel left them, and as she waited for him to be out of sight, Danica pondered how to express her feelings to Rook—how hurt and confused she was, yet how she still wanted him despite everything. She thought about this, but was surprised when Rook was the first to speak. And was even more surprised by what he said to her.

“It seems that mon petit cygne has learned to swim with the current. And for that, I am thankful.”

This seemed odd to her. Considering his previous words, it seemed that the opposite was true. Danica had not accepted Vil’s wishes for her at all, but in the end she was still able to succeed without drowning, for the most part.

“More like I was able to brave the current,” she replied, allowing herself a small smile. “But there was something else I wanted to ask you, Rook-san.”

“How is your friend? I truly did not mean to make her uncomfortable,” Rook sighed. “Ah, such an enchanting creature, it grieves me that I might have caused pain to one so lovely.”

A sharp twinge of anger and jealousy jabbed at Danica’s chest. She shook her head to dispel the feeling.

“Minette is fine, but on that same note, Rook-san, I think it’s time we had a conversation we’ve been talking about for a few week now.”

“Oh, about my proposal to you?” he asked, smiling. “Has mon petit cygne finally come to a decision?”

“I have! I have!”

Danica’s heart began to race and her face went hot. She softly pressed her hands to her chest as she forced her heart to remain calm. After all, there was one thing that Danica had to know before giving herself to Rook. Something important that could very well change her answer before she had the chance to voice it. She took a deep breath, looking up to meet Rook’s gaze with scarlet cheeks and expectant eyes.

“Before I give you my answer, there is something I must ask you. Something I must know,” she closed her eyes as she formed the words in her mind.

“Rook-san, if we become lovers, will you…have eyes only for me? Or will you still be enamored with every beautiful thing you see?” Danica lowered her head. “Even things that are far more beautiful than me?”

Rook smiled and wasted no words. “As your lover, cherie, I will shower you with all the adoration that you deserve,” a bright scarlet tint rose to Danica’s cheeks. Unfortunately, his next statement made her feel cold. “But you cannot expect me to shut my eyes off to all the beauty this world has to offer.”

“I would never ask that of you. But does that mean…” she felt her voice breaking as her worst fears began taking shape. “…does that mean you would…continue pursuing beautiful things, and beautiful people? Even if…if…”

“Mademoiselle, I will cherish you completely,” he replied. “But as a hunter and one devoted to beauty, it is my nature to pursue it in any form. And support it in any way that I can.”

Danica felt the rage returning, as well as her heartbreak. It might have been too heavy a request, to ask Rook to be wholly devoted to her considering what she knew about him. But at the same time, she wondered if Vil would have given her a similar answer. And it was a pity that she now would never know.

But as she tried to find an adequate response to this, she noticed that Rook’s eyes were not no longer at her, but at something around the corner. She turned around to see what he was looking at, her face becoming hot with further anger.

Lilianne was down the hall, and after what Rook had just said to her, Danica’s immediate thought was that Rook was eying her. He certainly was, but there was something else he was looking at as well. Neige was talking to her, and neither of them realized that Vil was coming up behind them.

~~~

“Lili-chan, I know the VDC hasn’t started yet,” Neige said to her. “But have you given any more thought to what we talked about?”

“Come now, Neige-san,” Lilianne cooly replied. “We made a bargain, do you really expect me to go back on my word when we’re so close to the moment of truth, so to speak?”

“No, no, I would never want you to break an agreement, especially with me!” He tried to maintain a light and hopeful tone, but found her words made it difficult. “It’s just that…”

“It’s just that my statement still stands and our agreement still stands too,” she gave him a tight smile. “If you win, you’ll take me on a date, and if I win, I will kiss you. But we aren’t doing anything before then because that would be breaking the agreement.”

Neige sighed, at least Lilianne was committed to their agreement and he couldn’t help but find that admirable. But he also couldn’t help but feel discouraged by her continued cold shoulder. He was aware that VDC prep had been stressful for her, but it was his hope that once they were there, once Lilianne had seen him and his friends on stage, she might begin to have a change of heart.

Unfortunately, the opposite seemed to be true. Lilianne was as indifferent as ever and Neige was at loss as to what he could say or do to see her smile again. From the moment Neige first set foot upon a stage, people were always captivated with him. He was friendly and charming to every person he met and had a way of capturing hearts. People were taken with his adorable nature and he frequently brought people to tears with his talent.

With all of this true, if he was able to capture people’s hearts, why then was Neige unable to capture Lilianne’s? Her indifference cut deeper than he liked to admit, making him question himself in ways he never had before. Why couldn’t he, Neige Leblanche, who had always been able to charm anyone, reach her? What was he missing?

In truth, he already knew the answer. He didn’t want to admit it, for it secretly shamed him, but there was a reason he wanted to go against their bargain now. After seeing Vil’s dynamic performance and the equally exciting performance of the Black Swan Quintet, Neige was beginning to worry that victory might not come as easily as he had initially thought.

“Hello, Neige. I was hoping to find you,”

Their conversation was interrupted when a familiar voice forced Lilianne to turn around. She quickly stifled a gasp when she realized that Vil Scheonheit was now standing beside her. He was much taller up close, and far more regal than she could have imagined. How could Danica stand by his side so easily without always fairing on the spot? Because that’s exactly how she felt at that very moment.

“We didn’t get much of a chance to talk before rehearsal. I was hoping we could chat more, Neige,” Vil smiled warmly. “Oh? And who is this?”

“P…pleased to meet you, Mr Scheonheit,” Lilianne replied shyly. “I’m Lilianne Abilene and I am a huge fan of your work.”

“Thank you,” Vil’s smile became a little wider, at least there was one unswayed by Neige’s charms. But where had he heard that name before?

“Miss…Abilene? By any chance are you related to Taima Abilene?”

“Ohh!!” Lilianne blushed, forgetting her promise to her sister to keep their relationship secret. “N…n…no! I mean yes! I mean…uh…it’s complicated but…ohhh…”

“No need to explain, Miss Abilene,” Vil chuckled a little. “It was mentioned to me some time ago that Taima had a sister who went to RSA. I’m certain your parents are very proud having produced two very lovely, very talented daughters.”

Lilianne smiled, the red tint on her cheek darkening. Neige watched this with a heaviness in his chest, feeling an uneasy mix of admiration and envy. How was it that Vil could command such effortless attention. He wished he could cut this conversation short but also that such would be out of character for the sweet and wholesome Neige Leblanche. Thankfully, their moment was brief and Vil did so without Neige having to interfere.

“But Lilianne, would you be so kind as to let Neige and speak alone for a few moments?”

“Oh, certainly. My teammates and I were about to go check out some of the festival in any case,” Lilianne began walking back up the hallway, but not before turning to smile again at Vil. “Best of luck, Sir! I can’t wait to see you perform!”

For once, Neige was glad to see Lilianne leave. Happy at least that she was no longer in Vil’s presence and under his spell. And aside from that, he also wished to chat with Vil, hoping for some time with someone he deeply admired and considered a colleague. He smiled.

“I’m glad we can chat again like this, Vi!” He said.

“Where are your little friends?” Vil asked.

“Oh, they decided they wanted to check out some of the festival booths,” Neige gave a subtle frown. “Those guys can’t stay still for a second.”

Ah, so you’re alone. Perfect! No one will ever know! Vil smiled as well, a slight malicious glint in his eyes went completely unnoticed by Neige.

“The rehearsal of your performance was splendid. You have such a way of captivating everyone around you,” Vil sighed. “You always have. So adorable, so charming. Everyone is always in awe of you.”

Neige smiled, but Vil’s words did not have the flattering effect that he was seeking. Not everyone was in awe of Neige and as he thought of how to respond, there came from down the hall a mix of feminine voices and laughter. Neige took a brief glance down the hall and saw Lilianne chatting with Danica before she ran off on her own. She took one last glance over her shoulder at them, smiling, but her eyes were directed only at Vil.

“Being adorable…isn’t always the most important thing…” he muttered sadly.

“Hmm?” Vil asked. “What did you say?”

“Ohh, oh it’s nothing!” Neige quickly smiled, abandoning his pensive thoughts and returning to his cheerful façade. “Your performance was incredible too, you know! I could never pull off a song as cool as that one! My eyes were glued to the stage!”

“Well thank you, I suppose we both want what we don’t have,” Vil nodded, pulling from his jacket pocket a glass bottle. “Say, Neige, are you thirsty at all?”

In his hand was a bottle of apple juice, a homegrown brand of Epel’s family. Harvested with apples native to his hometown. Vil’s recent endorsement of the brand had brought a massive boom in business for Epel’s family and was in part responsible for his recent change of heart. Vil smiled as he offered the bottle to Neige, who took it cheerfully, blissfully ignorant of the lethal sorcery brewing within.

“By all means,” Vil said. “Drink it up.”

Neige brought the open bottle to his lips, savoring for a moment the sweet apple scent that wafted through his nose. He was about to take a sip when a loud voice rang through the hallway, calling out his name and stopping him.

“Rook!” Vil started. “What are you…”

“My apologies for interrupting your chat,” said Rook. “But Neige, the staff were looking for you outside.”

“Were they? Well then, I should probably be on my way.”

“Yes, Roi des Neiges,” Rook smiled, narrowing his eyes wistfully at him before realizing the façade he himself still had to maintain. “Ah, pardon, Neige.”

“Roi des…” Neige’s eyes widened. “Wait…are you…?”

“That apple juice you’re holding looks so refreshing. Might I trouble you to let me have it?”

“Oh this?” Neige handed the apple juice to Rook. “Sure, go right ahead.”

Rook…ROOK!! What the hell are you…?!

Vil watched helplessly as Rook took the bottle and beseeched Neige to leave immediately, which he did without question. Rook mused over the bottle, smiling as he envisioned a bright and tempting red apple, begging to be eaten. He brought the bottle to his lips.

“I shall drink it to the last drop, Roi du Poison.”

“Ah…!!!”

“ROOK! NOOOO!!!!”

As quick as lightning, Danica snatched the bottle away from Rook and Kalim flung it to the ground. A loud shattering sound echoed off the walls as Rook and Vil were confronted by them along with Yuulan, Grim, Ione and Taima.

“Why are you all here…?”

Vil asked this, though the question was completely rhetorical. But before he could receive an answer, the spilled juice flashed and began to bubble on the floor. Morphing from a pleasant golden brown to a sickly, poisonous purple. Danica’s eyes widened; she didn’t want to believe the worst, but the worst was right before her. She gazed up at Vil, struggling to find the right words to describe what she was seeing.

“Vil-san…why…? What did you…?”

“Vil-san!” Ione shouted. “You used your unique magic on the apple juice didn’t you?!”

“Poisoned apple juice…” Yuulan murmured. “You were…you were trying to take out your rival weren’t you?!”

“I had a bad feeling about this…” Kalim added. “I saw that look in your eyes during our rehearsal, when Neige came on stage. It was practically the same look Jamil had when he…when he…”

Taima placed her hand on Kalim’s shoulder, remembering exactly what happened and what he had seen. And Danica had heard about it as well —the nightmare was just continuing on without end . She took several steps back from Vil, her hands trembling as she was confronted with the frightening reality of what he could have done.

“Rook, why did you try to drink that?” Vil asked. “You should have known what would have happened. That it wouldn’t have ended well for you.”

“I wanted to believe in you, I didn’t want you to besmirch yourself by doing anything foolish,” he smiled slyly. “And if the juice was poisoned, I wanted to taste it. I wanted to taste the fruit of a poison derived from an obsession with beauty bordering on madness.”

Vil’s eyes widened. It was as though Rook was holding up an invisible mirror, showing him for what he truly was. And within that mirror, he was not the fairest one of all; far from it, he was a monster. He was mad, horrific, and he would never have what Neige had because at his root, he was indeed a villain. Never beautiful, never innocent, and never good. Worst of all, in trying to attain what he could never have, he had attempted the unthinkable. Vil truly was cursed.

But at that moment, Danica saw something completely different. Yes, Vil was horrific, because the world had made him horrific. Vil was far from mad, but he was very, very stupid, and apparently, Rook was as well. She’d had enough of both of them, and in a very rare moment of full courage, she finally took every ounce of her pinned-up rage, her suppressed sorrow, took it, and set it all free.

“Madness…how…HOW THE HELL COULD YOU SAY SOMETHING LIKE THAT?! YOUR BOTH MAD AND YOUR BOTH IDIOTS!”

She shouted, no longer caring who heard her or that her words were causing the very walls to vibrate with her rage.

“ROOK! YOU COULD HAVE DIED AND THAT’S ALL YOU CAN CONCLUDE?! VIL’S OBSESSION MIGHT HAVE PROMPTED HIM TO DO THE UNTHINKABLE BUT YOUR OWN OBSESSION WITH BEAUTY JUST NEARLY DUG YOUR FUCKING GRAVE! WHAT THE FUCK IS YOUR PROBLEM?!”

“Danica!” Ione gasped. “What’s gotten into you?!”

“NOTHING HAS GOTTEN INTO ME BUT I HAVE HAD ENOUGH! I’VE HAD ENOUGH OF THESE TWO AND THEIR HYPOCRISY AND FOOLISHNESS! AND AS FOR YOU VIL! AFTER ALL YOU AND THE BOYS HAVE DONE TO MAKE A PERFORMANCE THAT MADE ALL OTHERS TODAY PALE IN COMPARISON, THIS WHAT YOU DO?! WHY?! JUST WHY?!”

“She’s right, Ione!” Kalim jumped in. “After all that, Vil, why would you stoop to this?!”

But Vil merely laughed, folding his arms, smiling in a way almost maniacal as he pondered the question himself.

“You see, I’ve finally come to the realization. THAT I CAN NEVER WIN! And that’s why…I’m going…I’m going…”

“Vil…” Danica murmured. “You…you don’t mean…”

“I’M GOING TO HANDLE NEIGE MYSELF!!”

But even as he spoke these words, even as he finished his statement, something in Vil’s eyes shifted once again. For a moment, the light returned to his eyes and what was once rage immediately melted into horror, and then sorrow.

“No…no…”

His mouth went slightly agape, and his eyes widened, as if realizing the words that had just been spoken and his complete and utter disgust that such words could pass from his lips.

The poisoned juice bubbled again, turning darker and fizzling across the floor, down the hall, transforming into an opaque smoke. A peculiarly pleasant apple aroma filled the air but Danica, Taima, and Ione were immediately seized by dizziness and a violent fit of coughing. Yuulan suddenly felt paralyzed, trying to cover her mouth as the apple scent assaulted her lungs. A poison as tempting in scent as it was deadly in impact.

“What’s…happening…” Kalim struggled to speak as the dark mist surrounded him and the poisonous apple scent clouded his nose, burning his throat.

“Everyone! Don’t breathe in the mist!” Rook said. “This is Vil’s unique magic. He can curse anything he touches and that mist evaporated from the cursed juice on the floor!”

“So…it’s true…” Danica brought her hands to her mouth as she tried to keep the poisonous fumes away. “Vil…you didn’t!”

She looked up at him, seeing in his eyes as much shock and disgust as she felt.

“Please…don’t look at me…DON'T LOOK AT ME!!”

Humiliated tears rushed down his cheeks, along with something else dripping down his arms that she could not make out just yet.

“DON'T LOOK AT ME WITH THOSE EYES! Why?! All I wanted was to be the fairest one of all. So why…why am I so…so…”

“No…”

“...ugly…?”

“Vil!!”

“UGLY?! UGLY?!”

He fell to his knees, sobbing loudly. More of the mysterious substance dripped from him as his shame overwhelmed him.

“WHY AM I SO UGLY?!”

Vil’s mind spiraled, his thoughts becoming a chaotic storm of self-hatred and despair. He had always prided himself on his control, his perfection, but now that veneer was shattered. Each tear felt like a drop of acid, burning through his carefully constructed identity. But the others still struggled to reach him even as he felt the darkness taking root.

“No, Vil, you’re far from ugly!” Danica said, tears streaming down her cheeks as well.

“Not ugly in the slightest, Roi du Poison,” added Rook.

“Yeah! And neither Neige nor Rook drank that juice!” said Kalim. “You haven’t hurt anyone!”

“They’re right!” Danica pressed her hands harder to her mouth even as she tried to speak. But it was getting harder by the second. “You haven’t hurt anyone, Vil! So please snap out of this! Please!”

“SILENCE!”

The poison spread further, its reach a metaphor for his consuming despair, and as the darkness enveloped him. Vil's mind was teetering on the brink of madness.

“What do any of you know?! It doesn’t matter who forgives me! I CAN’T FORGIVE MYSELF!!!”

What was dripping down from his arms suddenly made a rapid flush, spreading murky viscous darkness across the floor that mingled with his poison. Taima and Kalim gasped out and Ione screamed, but Danica was not yet aware of what was happening and ran towards Vil. Rook held her back.

“Stand back, Danica!”

“NO LET ME GO!” She struggled against Rook, managing to free one arm that she used to reach out to her dorm leader. “Vil, please! Rook! Let me go!”

“I cannot, cherie, and don’t touch the ink!”

“What’s happening?!” She cried, continuing to look at Vil with pleading, teary eyes. “Vil…what’s happening to you?!”

But Vil only laughed, the light in his eyes now completely extinguished. There could be no speculation now. It was the exact same horror that had taken over Riddle, the exact same dark transformation that consumed Jamil. Yuulan was well aware of what was happening to Vil and knew all the signs, having already seen this four times before. But the knowledge did nothing to relieve her. She, Ione, Taima, and Kalim managed to take several steps back, mentally preparing for what was about to happen.  

“Yes…of course…”

A sick smile spread across Vil’s face as his mind finally, completely broke. All reason was lost and the ink flowed more rapidly, enveloping him its dark embrace.

“If I just melt everyone else into a hideous mess…then I shall be the fairest one of all, won’t I?!”

Somehow, Danica managed to rip herself free from Rook’s grasp and made one final attempt to call out to Vil as he was overcome by all of his sorrow. Screaming, sobbing and opening her arms to him as the ink wholly consumed him. Kalim and Taima barely managed to restrain her.

But it was too late and Vil was past the point of no return.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The ink cocooned him before melting away like a sleek black curtain. Revealing a hideously gorgeous specter that embodied all the horror of Vil’s psyche. Gowned in regal, blot-stained blue and adorned by sharp, abrasive gold. Ink cascaded gracefully down his arms and legs and he wore a frayed black veil crowned by an unholy diadem of golden peacock feathers. A monstrous mass of black blot writhed behind him, taking the form of a hag that, based on its movements, also seemed to despair at this descent into madness.

Corrosive black tears ran down his cheeks yet somehow, his eyes retained their color and shape. Revealing the identity of this specter and the tragic transformation he had undergone.

“Don’t worry; this won’t hurt for long,” Vil said slowly, his voice taking on the haunting cadence of those affected by this horror. Your blood will run cold, and you will never wake up again.”

He laughed, a beautiful, terrifying sound that chilled them to the very bone. Danica could scarcely believe it. Taima had told her about this, she had heard whispers of something similar happening right before the interdorm spelldrive tournament back in October. And she had even heard Joker, Cater and some of her Heartslabyul friends mention something like this happening in the past. But nothing could have prepared her for seeing overblot firsthand, nor did she ever imagine that such a thing could happen to someone normally so calm and composed. Someone she admired and loved.

This clearly ran deeper than just petty jealousy of Neige Leblanche. What turmoil was Vil suffering for such a thing to happen?

“Oh Vil, what a frightful sorrow you are,” Rook sighed, captivated yet disturbed. “And yet so darkly dazzling. I can scarcely take my eyes off of you. However clouded they may be.”

“Really, Rook-san?! REALLY?!” Ione snapped. “Vil-san just overblotted and that’s the FIRST FUCKING THING to come to your mind?!”

“Uhhhh, I feel like that’s pretty on brand for Rook-san at this point…” Taima sighed.

“No…Vil-san…it can’t be…It’s getting harder to see…I can’t…I can’t…”

Through increasingly clouded eyes, Danica found herself frozen and Yuulan tried to pull her back further but she too was falling fast under the poison. Danica shut her eyes, not only because it was less painful, but because she couldn’t bear to look at what her dorm leader had become. Through her shut eyes, she began to weep again.

“Vil…why…”

“How dare you gaze upon my hideous visage,” Vil reached a sharp golden claw towards Danica. “Pitiful little potato, do I frighten you? Then you shall be the first to fall.”

“No!” Yuulan pulled Danica away from the apparition of her afflicted dorm leader. “Danica, everyone, we have to get out of here now!”

And just on cue, like a blessing from above, a streak of red and golden of fabric whirled quickly around Vil, temporarily getting his attention. Kalim jumped.

“My carpet! Is that…?!”

“Come on, guys! Everyone hop on!”

Jamil jumped down from the magic carpet, quickly motioning for everyone to hop on. Everyone did so without a moment’s hesitation. As soon as they were all on, the carpeted speeded past Vil and down hallways towards the exit, but even with magic, the carpet could not handle so many bodies upon it at once. It began to buckle and before escaping the coliseum, it began to falter. All the while, Vil had begun to give chase to them.

“Come on, carpet!” Kalim urged. “You gotta go faster! Otherwise we’ll…”

The carpet made a quick jump over some stage equipment, forcing everyone momentarily up in the air. Everyone landed back on the carpet safely but Danica’s leg was hanging off the edge and sliding off. She screamed as Taima tried to hold onto her.

“Please don’t let me go, Taima!” She cried. “I’m begging you!”

“I got you, bestie! Don’t worry! Don’t…ahhhhh…!!!”

Vil had caught up to them and yanked Danica off by her ankle with frighteing ease. Her body crashed onto the floor, watching from the corner of her eye as the carpet continued flying on. But Danica couldn’t stay down for long, a pair of razor-sharp golden heels floated before her and she didn’t have to look up to know whom they belonged to. And as much as it pained her, she refused to look at him. She couldn’t.

“Off the floor, Danica! You’ll get dirt in your hair!”

Iman quickly pulled Danica up to her feet and began dragging her back down the hall.

“We can’t die like this! Not before we win the VDC!” She closed her eyes. “Vanish with the sandstorm! A deception like fools gold! See me, follow me, into this desert mirage!”

Her unique magic activated, she and Danica watched as a double of the two of them formed out of thin air. They continued running and Vil, fooled by the deception, continued chasing the mirages. This gave them time to run in the opposite direction, until they managed to reach their dressing room. Vidaria was already hiding there and screamed when the door flung open. Iman and Danica were still invisible.

“Don’t worry, Vidi!” Iman called out. “It’s just Danica and me!”

She quickly slammed the door and began pushing chairs and other items in front of it. Soon her unique magic wore off and she and Danica were visible again. Vidaria sat in a fetal position on the floor.

“What the hell happened to Vil?!” Vidaria cried. “I felt when the poison began carpeting the floor and walls. We aren’t safe here either!”

“We just have to stay here until Vil is gone! That’s all!” Iman stopped what she was doing long enough to hold and comfort Vidaria before even more damage could occur. “We’ll be fine, Vidi. I promise.”

“But the poison is still seeping through the walls! Don’t you see it?!”

Vidaria pointed to the corners of the door. The sickly sweet apple scent brought on by the dark mist poured through the cracks and Iman and Danica both covered their mouths to keep from breathing it in. Danica quickly felt herself becoming weaker and she struggled to stand, Iman had to bring a chair over to her.

“What has happened?” She whispered. “How did it come to this?”

“Don’t you dare begin blaming yourself for this, Missy!” Iman said. “Whatever has happened to Vil is NOT your responsibility! But we have to find a way to combat this cause my UM clones only last for a few minutes!”

“But can we really fight him?” Vidaria asked. “I’ve never seen someone overblot before so I have no idea how to fight it!”

“Neither do I,” Iman admitted. “But if we don’t fight, we die, and I am NOT going out like this!” A sudden fit of coughing seized her throat as the apple poison burned her lungs. “No! I’m not dying like this! I refuse!”

“Sister!”

Vidaria grabbed Iman’s hand as she continued coughing, her eyes burning with tears. And Danica was quickly fading as she gasped and wheezed for any scrap of clean air her lungs could find. Vidaria was not affected by the poison, having an immune system stronger than regular humans. But it horrified her to think that her friends might be dying before her eyes.

“Neither of you is safe here! We have to escape!”

Suddenly, a loud crash came from the door as the walls of their sanctuary crumbled around them. They held onto each other as a heavy dark mist surrounded them and Vil discovered them huddled in terror together.

“Foolish spuds, you will never escape me!”

“Snap out of this, Vil!” Vidaria screamed. “Snap out of it or leave us alone!”

“Less talking, more running!”

Iman and Vidaria pulled Danica to her feet, though she was limping and struggled to keep up with them. The colosseum was falling apart and in the near distance, they could see the outside. If only they could reach it, if only…

“My unique magic…” Danica murmured. “Maybe…I could knock him out or…slow him down…if only for a moment…”

“But Danica,” Iman gasped through the poisoned fumes. “Your UM only has a 70% success rate. If it can’t affect fae, what makes you think it will affect overblot?”

“I…don’t know…but I have to try…I…”

Finally, it all became too much for them and Danica collapsed to the floor, still gasping for air. Iman screamed after her as she saw Vil approach her, but Vidaria pulled her away. They had to save themselves first and foremost before they could save her.

“Vil…I see your pain, please…”

Danica squirmed on the floor for a few moments, struggling to stand while keeping her head down. Vil’s shadow loomed over her but she couldn’t bring herself to look at him. Because if she did, she feared, she would never be able to look at him with kindness ever again.

“…this…isn’t who you are. Please…”

“SILENCE!!”

Vil grabbed her arm, searing her skin with his clawed grasp and making her cry out. He pulled her struggling form up in the air as she tried to kick herself free, screaming, pleading and wheezing all at the same time.

“You know nothing! And I shall drag you down with me! Along with all of them!”

“No…Vil…You…aren’t hideous.” She squeezed her eyes shut, with every voice in her head telling her not to open them. Not for anything in the world. “Not hideous…not…not…a villain…”

“Poor little potato, do not fight it. Accept your fate and all the pain will disappear.”

“Stop it…your hurting me…please!”

Danica hoped this plea would move him but it only made Vil tighten his grip upon her. She was fading fast, she knew it, she could feel her head fill with cotton as the poison quickly coated her lungs. Her head was throbbing and even with closed eyes, everything felt as though it were spinning as she struggled to hold on to consciousness.

No…I’m going to die…I’m really going to die…

A sinister chuckle filled her ears, and with her mind going hazy, Danica finally opened her eyes. Through her streaked, blurred vision, she took one last look at the beautifully grotesque figure that had taken over her dorm leader. What horrified her the most was that throughout this ghastly transformation, Vil maintained his facial features. He had held onto his beauty even in his darkest, ugliest hour. And when she gazed into his eyes, she did not see a lust for carnage; she saw anguish. Profound, heartbreaking anguish.

This couldn’t happen. It couldn’t end like this.

Vil might have been misguided, he might even have been cursed, but he was not cruel. His anguish might have pushed him to do cruel things, but his heart was far from cruel. The world might label him as a villain, he might even have believed it himself, but her was never cruel. To die like this, now by his hands, would only confirm the opposite. It wasn’t too late; Vil could still come to his senses and they could still win the VDC together. They could still prove their worth to the world. But she first had to survive.

With all the remaining fragments of strength she still possessed, Danica summoned her voice and sang out her final, desperate call for salvation.

“Silenced to my whim, en…enraptured to your…ruin…”

She struggled against the poison as it fought to take over her voice. Every note she sang was a visceral act of defiance against the pain searing through her body. Even as she felt the poison burn through her lungs, even as she felt her chest about to burst, she wouldn’t have it. She had to survive.

“A c…cursed serenade, my precious…swansong!”

Despite it all, her greatest fear was realized: her unique magic had no effect. She tried to sing out the spell again, but no sound came from her lips, everything felt numb and soon, there was nothing to feel at all. And with the rest of her body in agony, and with all her strength wasted on this fruitless effort, there was little else she could do now but give herself over to her fate.

In her mind, Danica whispered Vil’s name one final time before finally accepting the inevitable. More tears rolled down her cheeks as her eyes became too heavy to remain open. An array of images and memories played in her mind, which quickly became black as consciousness was lost. The final of these images was a memory of her and Vil at the new year's masquerade, right after their pas de deux.

A captivated audience applauded them as Danica made a deep and elegant reverence to her partner. Vil gently pulled her to her feet and took her hand to kiss it. Together they faced the audience and what he whispered to her was something that those watching could not hear. But in that moment, made her heart soar.

“You did wonderfully, see how you’ve captivated them? I hope you understand now, this, my little potato, is the power that you hold. At this moment, you are the fairest one of all.”

Vil smirked as the light in her eyes vanished and her eyes finally shut, tenderly laying her lifeless form upon the ground. “Sleep soundly, my little potato. For you will never wake up again.”

~~~

[mayascherub]

ethan ramsey x mc fanfic - “dirty pig”

pt. 2 of the ethan ramsey x mc fanfic “I love you no matter how you look. From the beginning, I was attracted to you. Not your appearance”

⚠️ warning: talk about fat shaming, sexual harassment, sexism, misogyny

Tag list:

@drethanramslay @sekizincimektup @ethandaddyramsey @openheart12 @noboundariesplease @caseyvalentineramsey @kaavyaethanramsey (tell me if you want to be added or removed!)

Thank you guys so much for the support! I am glad how much the last fanfic meant for a lot of you🥺

————

The weeks got by quickly. Ever since Ethan had confessed his love for Casey, her brain was only occupied by him. And his by her. It would not be nearly enough to only say thoughts, as every intention, action and dream screamed “Casey! Ethan! Together!” in both of their brains.

It could not be explained exactly how they got through the diagnostic team meetings, interaction with patients and medical staff without sounding and looking completely dumbfounded - but they did, amazingly enough. Only twice did someone comment suspiciously. June had to ask Ethan a question four times before he finally could focus and give her only an mildly adequate answer. Casey giggled, well knowing of the look in his eyes - all it screamed was “Casey”.

Casey was pouring Jackie a cup of coffee in their apartment, being so unfocused on the coffee, since she tried her very best at remaining cool whilst her roommates’ conversation was about Ethan. “Casey! What are you doing?” Jackie yelled as Casey accidentally poured coffee all the way down Jackie’s wrist. “Are you immobile?”

“What? Sorry!”

Now it’s important to state that Ethan and Casey never slept together after their talk, nor did they simply kiss or share any other romantic interactions. Although, his love was confessed and Casey wanted answers.

Casey looked at the door with his name on it for quite a while. Casey, you have to act now. People will think you are paralyzed. She thought and therefore quickly grapped the door handle. Ethan was standing with his arms crossed, looking sternly at a man in his mid-forties.

“Oh! I’m so sorry Eth- Dr. Ramsey”

Ethan looked annoyed at Casey but his gaze quickly softened.

“It’s fine, Dr. Valentine. Dr. Talbot was just about to go”

Ethan waved his hand at the middle aged man and gestured towards the door. The man looked mockingly at Casey and snorted.

“Are you serious, woman? We are having a conversation. Get your ass out”

Ethans jaw tightened, but kept his cool.

“Well Dr. Talbot. Or, now Mr. Talbot I guess. You have received your punishment from Dr. Banerji, I frankly don’t understand why you came to me in the first place.”

Casey swifted uncomfortably on her feet, realizing which man she had met. Dr. Talbot was fired by Naveen, since a patient had reported sexual harassment against him. After that, several of the nurses and a few of the interns also came forward with sexual harassment allegations against him. He was currently on trial, and therefore finding the circumstances of his firing unreasonable - he was now asking Ethan if it could be reduced to suspension, since he wasn’t proved guilty yet. Naveen couldn’t be persuaded into doing it, so Dr. Talbot instead went after Ethan - thinking he would be on his side.

“Well.. Dr. Ramsey. I can’t imagine that you haven’t.. a few times.. made some mistakes, y’know? Mistakes like thinking some women would appreciate some attention, I mean.. they usually do. And then they just blow up with all this sexu-“

Ethans face welled up with so much anger and disgust as he interrupted Mr. Talbot, making Casey able to feel his revulsion.

“No. Mr. Talbot. And don’t you dare make your actions sound like small mistakes. It clearly is a pattern of yours, being extremely misogynistic, disgusting and overly inappropriate. And if you think every man in power is misusing his power and privilege to do such vile actions, you are wrong. Very. Wrong.”

Ethan grapped his arm and shoved him towards the door, making Mr. Talbot pass Casey on his way out.

“Go. And if I see you around here I promise I will fucking punch you.”

Mr. Talbot looked suprised at Ethan, and stopped right beside Casey. He gave Ethan a smirk as he swifted his attention to Casey.

“I see. You are putting on your feminist for this little thing.” He looked at Casey and let his eyes rest on her chest, but continued to her stomach. Casey felt her hairs on her neck rise as she uncomfortably hugged her torso and looked down in the floor.

“Or. Not little. Are you banging this fattie, huh Ethan?”

Mr. Talbot let out a chuckle and looked up at Ethan again. Just as Ethan have had enough.

It was like a little switch inside Ethans brain got turned on. Unfortunately for Mr. Talbot, it was the switch-of-protection-for-Casey. It was only one, but a very tough and quick punch directed right in the middle of Mr. Talbot’s face. Swuush. Continued by a loud bang as he lost his balance and fell to the floor.

“Argh!”

Ethan retreated, coughed and straighted his tie as he opened his mouth.

“And that was for fat shaming.” Ethan bend his knees so he was in eyesight with the fallen man.

“Want one more? You deserve a hell of a lot more for what you’ve put the other women through”

Mr. Talbot finally realized the much taller doctor’s intimidating glance.

“I.. n..no. Dr. Ramsey. I..” he got on his feet “I’m sorry” Ethan also stood up, crossing his arms.

“You are sorry?”

Ethan mockingly snorted and looked to the side, his jaw clenching once more.

“Don’t apologize to me. I can’t use it for shit. Apologize to Dr. Valentine. And after that, you can get the fuck out of this hospital and write apology emails to the other victims. I don’t think they want to see a dirty pig like you again”

Ethan took a step closer to Mr. Talbot and looked intimidatingly down at him.

“I know I won’t”

“I... I’m sorry Casey” Mr. Talbot stuttered and looked scared at Casey.

“Well.” Casey just realized how she had been almost completely silent throughout the whole interaction. She was baffled with Mr. Talbots behavior, but still relentlessly falling more and more in love with Ethan. What felt like just the other day, he was being supportive and body-loving, which made her feel comfortable around him - even though she still was working on her insecurities, it was delightful to know how he felt. She knew she didn’t need his validation, but how his views were, made her able to focus on herself.

Now he had literally punched a guy for her, because - of not only fat-shaming, but also because of his views on misogyny, sexism and the #metoo movement. Ethan was a feminist, and she would lie if it wasn’t attractive as fuck.

“Well. To you Mr. Talbot, it’s Dr. Valentine. I am an educated doctor, y’know. Just like Dr. Ramsey. Only my close friends can call me Casey. Thank you for protecting me, Dr. Ramsey. But I would like to say something myself”

Ethan smirked and looked annoyed at Mr. Talbot as he coughed uncomfortably. “Of course. Sorry Dr.”

“Promise me that you won’t ever do this again. And I will put in a good word with Dr. Banerji”

Ethans face quickly fell as the smirk turned into a confused glare at Casey. But he kept silent as she continued.

“I want you to beg.”

Mr. Talbot just chuckled but quickly realized she was being serious.

“Oooh. Ok.” He scratched the back of his head and opened his mouth once more. “Please talk to Dr. Banerji for me, everyo-“

“No. This is not working. On one knee”

Casey smiled from ear to ear. Ethan tried to hide his, but knew what she was doing. Mr. Talbot was about to refuse, but got on one knee.

“I.. Please. Everyone deserve a second chance”

He held his hands together and begged.

“Ok. That’s quite enough. You can go, Mr. Talbot”

He glanced once more at Ethan but hastily left the office. Casey closed the door and bursted out with laughter.

“As if I would ever mention him again to anyone.. and to Naveen??? Is he mental???”

Ethan just smiled at her and sat down on his desk.

“You did well. I’m sorry if I was being.. a little..” he was searching for the words “Over-protective? Perhaps? I just.. i’m tired of men like him”

Casey bit her lower lip and let out another of her bright smiles. “No! I.. I appreciate it.”

They locked eyes, feeling relieved and lost in each other’s presence.

“So? Ethan the feminist?”

“Yes. And people - especially other men - like to make jokes about it. I am proud of it.”

“You should be.”

Casey knew why she originally entered his office. To find out more about the love for her, that he had declared. But now she couldn’t. She was loving the moment to much to harm it. Casey was not dumb, and she knew her mentor pretty well. It would get awkward and probably uncomfortable if she mentioned their former talk. She knew he wanted to keep it professional. But.. he already told her that he loved her. Why back down?

“I should.. go to my patient” were Casey able to say.

“Oh. Ok. Yes. You.. uhm. Yes” Ethan stood up and turned his back to her.

Both with unspoken words left behind.

[metallicarules5]

My Big Takeaways: Thoughts and Opinions on TDP Situation

It has been almost 72 hours since the most recent accusation and allegations were brought forth by Danika, Lulu, and Diandra. Aaron Ehasz has finally decided to respond to the allegations brought forward. For many of us, opinions have changed, and despite me and others advocating against it, many have vehemently already picked what sides we lay on, either staunchly in support of the women, or staunchly in support of Ehasz. I have read the perspectives given by many people here and on Reddit (since these have been where most of the discussions have been taking place), have read and reread the accusations, as well as the statement by Ehasz. These are what my thoughts are based on what we do know:

1. Aaron Ehasz is a shitty boss. Whether you 100% believe the accusations, mostly believe, or even somewhat believe, I think there’s enough evidence there to say that Ehasz, who is a talented writer, is an incompetent manager. He is not a leader. He is either incapable, or simply doesn’t want to, communicate with his staff, treats surrogates and those beneath him less than professionally, either outright lies or makes promises he ends up not being able to keep, and is someone who’s stuck in his way of doing things.

2. That being said…I’m not seeing evidence of sexism, abuse, harassment, misogyny, or bigotry. Sure what’s accused of is bad. It makes him look like an asshole, a douchebag, an egotist, an authoritarian, and various other names. However, sexist is not one of them. Even Danika mentioned in her tweet thread that his behavior extended to both men and women alike, and none of the accusers said that the reason for his behavior was solely because they were women. While certainly unprofessional, the behavior he displayed isn’t criminal.

3. In any workplace, not all of your ideas are going to stick. One of the most common accusations made in the accounts was that Ehasz supposedly didn’t listen to or acknowledge their creative input all the time. On the surface, this seems horrible and bad, but the fact of the matter is that this happens all the time in the workplace, regardless of where you work. I’ve come forward with ideas or suggestions to my managers as to ways I think we can run the business better. Sometimes, my ideas were accepted, but other times, they weren’t and were flat out rejected. It sucks when you have what you think is a great idea and it gets shot down by a higher up, but that’s the reality. Other times, the managers would enforce a new policy or a change in the workplace, despite the fact that I preferred the old way of doing things. Did it make me angry, sure, but to call that harassment, abuse, or anything along those lines, definitely not. I figured out how to work within the new system, even if I didn’t like the change, and made it work. They’re the manager, and they have to make the ultimate decision that they believe is the best direction to go in. If I’m unhappy, I am free to leave. Look at it this way, we’ve all written essays or papers for school, and for some of them, you were asked to hand in multiple drafts of it. You get a draft of yours back with comments and suggestive edits from the teacher. Did you listen to every single one of those suggestions? My guess is probably not. Sure, some or a lot could be true and you work to incorporate it, but others you believe would actually hurt the quality of your writing rather than enhance it. Maybe the suggested edit works against your point, or weakens your argument, or messes with the overall flow. At the end of the day, it’s your paper, and you make the final decision.

4. As the boss and creative head, Aaron will always have the final say. This sort of plays off the previous point, but it deserves it’s own spot. Whether he was at Riot or Wonderstorm, he was the head of these teams, and thus, he makes the ultimate decision on which direction to go. Diandra admits that their mutual superior did give Aaron complete freedom: “He was told that he had cart blanche to change things.” So when he decided to make editing a group activity with people sharing notes, she may not have liked or agreed with the situation, but that’s all there is, someone who didn’t agree with it. Aaron’s responses to her are rather dismissive, but that’s all they are. It again shows he doesn’t communicate with his staff, is egotistical, and is a “My way or the highway” type person, but it’s not abuse.

5. Neither Danika or Lulu were writers. This is not meant to be derogatory to the two of them, nor is it meant to diminish the work they did while at Wonderstorm. But here’s the thing, their jobs were not to be involved with the creative process, to my understanding. Danika was responsible for social media, and Lulu was a writing assistant, not a writer herself. Sure, the aspiration was most likely to become a writer one day for the show, but that still doesn’t give her creative input on the show’s direction, nor did that fall in line with the responsibilities of the position.

6. Memories are malleable, they do change over time. Scientific studies have actually proven that, over time, memories become disjointed and change as a result of not only the passage of time, but the more we try to remember those events. “A memory is not simply an image produced by time traveling back to the original event – it can be an image that is somewhat distorted because of the prior times you remembered it…Your memory of an event can grow less precise even to the point of being totally false with each retrieval.” These were the words of one Donna Bridge, the lead author of a research paper on this subject matter. Now obviously, when you read this, your first response is going to be denial that this is possible, how can I forget an event that clearly had a huge impact on me. Well there’s a lot of factors that play into this and our changing perception, causing us to remember the situation differently each time. “Memories aren’t static…If you remember something in the context of a new environment and time, or if you are even in a different mood, your memories might integrate the new information.” These findings have been further explored and proven by other studies, such as one done by Liz Phelps, a professor of Psychology and New York University. 

…Phelps explains that our memories can change because each time we revisit them they become vulnerable. When we first lay down a memory, it takes the brain a little while to solidly store the information—a process called consolidation. And every time we subsequently recall that memory, it has to go through a new storage process—another slight delay for another consolidation. During that window, new information can interfere with the old information and alter the memory. Phelps says it is like playing the school game of telephone, where one student tells a short story to a second student, then that person retells it to a third, who tells it to a fourth, and so on. By the end of the chain the story is usually quite different from how it began.

So again, this makes it hard to determine who is telling either the full truth or even just the partial truth, because both sides are probably remembering the situation wrongly or have led themselves to believe that their side of the story is the truth. Maybe it is Ehasz gaslighting, maybe this is also at play, both can be true at the same time, these are not mutually exclusive.

7. Aaron’s statement is bad, like, really bad. Frankly, he could have admitted to everything he was accused of and offer the most sincere apology ever, and people would still not accept it. However, what this statement ultimately is, is Aaron stroking his own dick and that of Wonderstorm’s. I’m not surprised he denied the accusations, and regardless of what side you’re on, this shouldn’t be a surprise to you either. If you’re on the side that he’s innocent, he shouldn’t apologize for something he didn’t do. If you’re on the side he’s guilty, then that just further proves many of the women’s points about him gaslighting and not understanding when he did things wrong. That doesn’t change the fact that this is just a diversion and a bare bones, vague statement meant to try and shield him, downplay the situation, and make it go away. I do think there’s enough corroborating evidence to say that he can be less than professional in the workplace (read Point #1), to which he could apologize for. However, while he says he is imperfect, he’s still acting like he did nothing wrong and everything is completely fine. For those defending Ehasz, this statement seems more than enough, but for those undecided or siding with the others, this only sows more discord and animosity, meaning his attempts to try and defuse the situation have failed. For a guy who’s so gifted at writing, he sure couldn’t write a better defense.

I’m sure there’s more I can say, but these are the biggest points and my biggest takeaways.

Here’s the truth of the matter, we can only judge based on the evidence at hand. We were not in those rooms, we were not on those phone calls, we were not in those emails, etc. As a result, our knowledge is limited. Maybe some of those claims are blown out of proportion, which I have seen some women say about it. Maybe things are worse than they actually are and there’s more stuff that Danika and Lulu haven’t come forward with yet as they alluded to. We just don’t know, and that’s why it’s important to always keep an open mind, question and scrutinize, and listen to each other, not be at each other’s throats. There will be those that vastly disagree with some or all of the content of this post. Okay, then we can have a discussion about where we agree and disagree. I’m not in the business of trying to “defend abusers” or “believe all women,” I’m just a fan who wants to be able to enjoy something without it falling into controversy, for once.

[shutterupp31]

Toxic masculinity-Whats wrong with our boys?

For centuries men have been condemned for acts of aggression, violence, and sexism, contributing to the ongoing popularity of the phrase ‘toxic masculinity’ which distinguishes these traits as toxic and unhealthy. The American psychological association have even recently introduced new guidelines for therapists working with both men and boys, indicating that early signs of extreme ‘traditional masculine behaviour’ can root themselves in personality traits that encourage outcomes of violence and misogyny, and must be disestablished early.

With the increase in male suicide rates and drug overdoses in the western world, combined with the rise of fourth wave feminism, as you can imagine, the debate on toxic masculinity is becoming all the more relevant amongst both genders. Mass media have blamed toxic masculinity for rape, mass shootings, online trolling, climate change and even the election of Donald Trump.

BUT is the phrase toxic masculinity actually helpful, accurate or universal? Let's discuss. 

Like any phrase or term regularly recycled within gender debate, the stereotypes it highlights have divided peoples opinions drastically, a predictable conflict that has most definitely contributed to the terms rise, (Yay politics). On the right we have many conservatives who allege that the charges of toxic masculinity is itself an attack on manhood. With mental health problems amongst males consistently rising, combined with the challenges the men's right movement already face, including paternity rights, homelessness, education to name a FEW, these people argue that it is dangerous and unfair to strip boys of what some would say is a necessity for them to discover their true selves as men in their time of need.

On the other side we see many ‘progressives’ who believe that the detoxification of masculinity is absolutely essential on the road to gender equality.

NOW, i'm sure (I mean I hope) we can all agree that issues including sexism, rape, violence and so on are obviously important and anyone male or female that possess these traits and/or actively defends them, needs help! Research consistently shows that those who hold sexist attitudes are more likely to perpetrate gendered violence. (DUH), but the potential biological and cultural contributions to why these figures are disproportionate amongst men and women is not something I wish to discuss at present, that's a whole other debate. 

What I do want to talk about (and what a lot of people aren't talking about) is this ‘painting every male with the same brush’ phenomenon and the extent to which this could be harmful.

My issue with the shift we have seen in which masculinity is rapidly becoming a dirty word, is that it genuinely encourages a narrative in which masculinity is fundamentally toxic. 

The assumption that the majority of what can be considered as male specific characteristics, as fundamentally harmful, is becoming increasingly worrying within socialist politics. Traits such as aggression, violence and dominance are more and more often being lumped in with those such as strength, confidence and independence and this is the problem. Yes masculinity can indeed be somewhat destructive, (AGAIN VIOLENCE IS BAD VERY BAD, NON VIOLENCE GOOD VERY GOOD) but both conservative and liberal stances on this issue commonly misunderstand how the term functions.

When people use it, they tend to diagnose the problem of masculine aggression and entitlement as a cultural or spiritual illness, something that has infected today’s men and leads them to reproachable acts. But toxic masculinity itself is not a cause. Over the past thirty years, as the concept has morphed and changed, it has served more as a barometer for the gender politics of its day and as an arrow toward the subtler, shifting causes of violence and sexism.

Acts of violence, aggression and sexism arise for a whole host of reasons, including socioeconomic factors such as education, class, and poverty, NEWSFLASH, not all men that celebrate the idea of being emotionally or physically strong intend to murder and rape the entire female population!

THOUGHT EXPERIMENT TIME

How often do you see women on social media celebrating what it means to be a woman? All the time right? Now, don't get me wrong, this rise of what I'm gonna call ‘girl power culture’ is phenomenally empowering.  

But how often do you see men innocently celebrate their manhood or say they are proud to be a man online in the same way?

Very rarely, and if they do they are often immediately attacked for being misogynistic and failing to recognise their privilege by Feminazi’s who fail to read context and get triggered by buzzwords. 

Ooooo Controversial? Perhaps, but AGAIN, I'm not failing to recognise that things like lad culture, and boys will be boys culture exist, and perhaps this obvious difference on social media has something to do with the years of oppression against women up until very recently, in fact it probably, most certainly is, however not acknowledging the multiplicity of reasons for these toxic behaviours, and not allowing men to celebrate that they like and may even enjoy being one, in the same way as its widely excepted amongst women, is well, kinda just dumb.

Don't believe me yet? Let's look at the evidence. 

First I think it is important to establish where the term originated. Despite the term’s recent popularity among feminists, toxic masculinity did not originate with the women’s movement. It was coined in the mythopoetic men's movement of the 1980s and ’90s, motivated in part as a reaction to second-wave feminism. Through male only workshops, wilderness retreats, and drumming circles, this movement promoted a masculine spirituality to rescue what it referred to as the ‘deep masculine’, a protective ‘warrior’ type masculinity, from toxic masculinity. Men’s aggression and frustration was, according to the movement, the result of a society that feminized boys by denying them the necessary rites and rituals to realise their true selves as men. 

The claim of a singular, real masculinity has now been roundly rejected by a new sociology of masculinity. Led by the sociologist Raewyn Connell, this school of thought presents gender as the product of relations and behaviours, rather than as a fixed set of identities and attributes. Connell’s work describes multiple masculinities shaped by class, race, culture, sexuality, and other factors, often in competition with one another as to which can claim to be more authentic. In this view, which is now the prevailing social scientific understanding of masculinity, the standards by which a “real man” is defined can vary dramatically across time and place.

Connell and others theorised that common masculine ideals such as social respect, physical strength, and sexual potency can of course become problematic when they set unattainable standards. Falling short can make boys and men insecure and anxious, which might prompt them to use force in order to feel, and be seen as, dominant and in control, HOWEVER Male violence in this scenario doesn’t emanate from something bad or toxic that has crept into the nature of masculinity itself. Rather, it comes from these men’s social and political settings, the particularities of which set them up for inner conflicts over social expectations and male entitlement.

The popular discussion of masculinity has often presumed there are fixed character types among men, and I think it's become increasingly more important to be skeptical of this in order to understand the situations in which groups of men act, the patterns, and the inevitable consequences, because without doing so ,YOU may be contributing to the reinforcement of the toxic masculinity in which you despise so much, which brings us on to….

The blame game-are you contributing to toxic masculinity?

Where do these sexist attitudes come from? Are men and boys just the victims of cultural brainwashing into misogyny and aggression, requiring reeducation into the ‘right’ beliefs? Or are these problems more deep rooted, and created by the myriad of insecurities and contradictions of men’s lives under gender inequality? The problem with a crusade against toxic masculinity is that in targeting culture as the enemy, it risks overlooking the real life conditions and forces that sustain culture.

It is more than likely that you have somewhat contributed to the reinforcement of toxic masculinity without even realising. Something I see so often is both men and women emasculating men for being emotionally vulnerable and this specific topic is something I personally find alarming. In the same way I defend a man's right to choose how and whether he verbally expresses emotions, I strongly believe that there is work to be done to deconstruct the stigma that is attached to this, when and if they choose to do so.

In similar fashion, in the way we have fought so hard to reject female beauty standards, it's really essential that we consider the male equivalent. Don't think there is one? Ask any man under 5 foot 8, ask any bald man under the age of 30, ask any man who has been shamed for the lack of, or excess of body hair. We have to start recognising that there is a double standard, and without too much speculation, could these expectations and lack of attention we are giving them in comparison to a lot of feminist issues in mass media, be somewhat contributing to the frustration and anger that manifests into these toxic traits we have been discussing. YEAH, FUCKING PROBABLY.

Anyway, in summary what I'm saying is, in the same way that the toxic traits we subscribe to masculinity are not universal amongst all males, the solutions to those issues that we have identified within this culture, are also not universal. Recognising differences in the lives of men and boys is crucial to the effectiveness of efforts to resolve gender violence and inequality once and for all, some food for thought. 

Stay kind always, Abbie x

[bluerosesonata]

NaNo writing log, Nov 24th:

Oooooooh man today was a GOOOOOD day. Wrote nearly 2000 words, and I’ve managed to block out some good beats for the middle/climax of the story. Two characters whom I initially just had as “ominous supportive NPCs” came back and established themselves as important: the as-yet-unnamed town doctor, and Marlena, a young woman who works at the inn and warns Norman to ignore the invitation to Redmont Keep. Time will tell how relevant they stay to the story, especially after I finish my first draft and have to make things feel semi coherent, but at the very least, her existence provides Norman with an unlikely ally, and definitely helps me beat the misogyny allegations (this is a joke).

Speaking of victims of misogyny, I’ve also built more into Leda’s character and overall (unfortunate) arc, and found some good places to utilize Lady Olstad in the plot outside of using her existence as creepy background stuff. Again, time will tell how much of these ideas stick around, lol

Balthazar also finally has things he’s doing in the story besides being a big nerd! I’ve decided that he is not completely oblivious to how weird all of this is, but he is a champion of the Rational Explanations to what’s going on with this castle and the people in it, and a man of action once confronted about it. It really sucks he’s in the wrong genre, because I think Baz would make a good protagonist in a detective story. Unfortunately for him, he is in a story about how much his boyfriend sucks.

Lucien has managed to become even more of a Sadboy with these plot updates, but rest assured, the central pillar of his character will always be “horny and weird little freak.” This is my guarantee to you.

[maewestside]

YOUR DATA, THEIR GREED: Cyber Boxing in America... by heidi siegmund cuda, aka @maewestside

As the volunteer activists of the #freepress #truthsquad pass the baton of knowledge 24/7 on our twitter threads, making reading hep again, one of our favorite Austrians with great compassion for America @euphoriceuler weighed in with this reminder today: if it’s free, you’re the product.

In other words, our data’s been auctioned by billionaire misanthropes with t’axes to grind aiming for an #roi of global domination, and quite frankly, those billions in free publicity that corporate controlled media gave the #meinshitshow (cuz rating$) have the fossilized globaldom set still winning right now.

As the #altwrong neodoosh trumpery paid for by billionaire creepers to run interference on truth continues, I do want to make one thing clear:

Our country’s immediate future comes down to the character of two men:

Robert Mueller III vs the Real Fake President (RFP).

So as altwrong info$lime efforts ramp up to discredit Mueller, the former director of the F.B.I. now appointed to investigate the Russian meddling in the 2016 election, and as those same efforts attempt to legitimize the RFP, I created this timeline so Americans can judge for themselves that thing that Eleanor Roosevelt taught us is so critical to a man’s true value: character.

ROBERT MUELLER III VS THE REAL FAKE PRESIDENT: A TIMELINE OF CHARACTER

1944 Robert Mueller III, born in Manhattan to Alice Truesdale and Robert Swan Mueller, a DuPont exec who was class president at Princeton before serving in the Navy during World War II.

1946 Real Fake President (RFP) born in Queens to Mary Anne MacLeod and Fred Trump, a real estate developer sued for housing discrimination, investigated for profiteering and an illegal bailout of his son’s casino; and the subject of eviscerating song lyrics by Woody Guthrie, a former Brooklyn tenant. 

1966 Mueller graduates from Princeton, marries his teenage sweetheart Ann Cabell Standish, and would go on to earn a Master’s in International Relations from NYU (he resumes his education post-Vietnam at UVA).

1968 Mueller enlists in the Marine Corps to serve in the Vietnam War, where despite receiving a gunshot wound, returns to duty to lead his platoon. He receives a dozen medals of valor, including a Purple Heart.

1968 RFP graduates from University of Pennsylvania and goes to work in the family business. He avoids military service during Vietnam War with five deferrals, one for bone spurs in his heel.

1973 -1993 Earning a law degree from UVA, Mueller embarks on a career where he excels to become a top white collar crime litigator in both public and private sectors, specializing in international money laundering and public corruption; serving in the United States Attorneys office and the United States Justice Department, where he oversaw the prosecution of Manuel Noriega and the Gambino Crime Family boss John Gotti.

1972-1992 RFP marries Czech model Ivana Zelnickova; opens a tower in his name in 1983, publishes books, board games; in 1987, he’s turned down by Australia to build Sydney’s first casino due to alleged mob connections; and by 1990, is $900 million in debt; in 1992, three casinos go bankrupt and he and Ivana divorce.

1995-1999 Mueller returns to public service as senior litigator in the homicide section of the District of Columbia and in 1998 is named the U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of California.

1995-1999 RFP goes public with more casinos and hotels, buys the Miss Universe Organization and in 1999, forms a model management company and divorces second wife; in 1997, tells Howard Stern he was a “brave soldier” for avoiding STDs in the late ‘90s, a period he describes as his “personal Vietnam.”

2001-2013 Mueller becomes the sixth Director of the FBI, serving under both President Bush and President Obama, who asked him to stay on another two years past his ten-year term making him the longest serving FBI director since J. Edgar Hoover.

2004-2015 RFP becomes a Reality TV Star; opens a “university” (shut down amid lawsuits of it being a scam, prompting the first multimillion dollar settlement of his real fake presidency); marries the Slovene in 2005; becomes a spokesman for a multilevel marketing company accused by multiple states and countries for operating as an illegal pyramid scheme.

2016 Mueller wins the 2016 Thayer Award for Public Service from the United States Military Academy.

2016 RFP accepts the Republican nomination for President and is elected after a campaign rife with misogyny, bigotry and catchphrases that 62 million Americans thought were funny, despite losing the popular vote by about 3 million votes; investigative reporters work 24/7 proving RFP involved with an international crime syndicate that enabled cybertreason but depending on where you get your news, you might not have heard about it. Or you might not care.

2017 Mueller appointed Special Counsel for Russian Interference in the United States Elections of 2016, leading the investigation into Russian meddling in the election and ties to the RFP campaign; he’s joined by a team of the nation’s top experts in fraud, cyber crime, white collar crimes, public corruption and money laundering.

2017 RFP has weak turnout for the inaugural carny (cuz bots are fake), which was overshadowed by the Women’s March, and he struggles to keep press secretaries, cabinet members and advisors as #meinshitshow ratings wobble in the coveted 18 to 49 demo. Despite efforts to distract with fear mongering and fake patriotism, people are seeing the truth.

****

So there you have it. A tale of Two Americans. One is a man with a long history of integrity; the other a cunning carny, who in a previous era would have been charged with treason the first time he invited a foreign enemy to hack one of America’s leaders, a women he cheated out of the presidency.

No amount of infoslime thrown at Robert Mueller will distract from the fact that America is still capable of seeing the truth once the ratings dip, and truth becomes the only thing left to sell.

****

Author Heidi Siegmund Cuda is an Emmy award-winning investigative producer,   columnist and filmmaker, who was recently awarded a film grant from the Orcas Island Film Festival. http://www.orcasfilmfest.com/rigged

[joeygoespolitical]

Blaming Sexism and Shaming Female Trump Voters For Hillary Clinton's Defeat is Beyond Pathetic

If we all had a nickel for every time Hillary Clinton blamed sexism for her election defeat, poverty would no longer exist.

With the launch of her What Happened book tour (which has been more like a comedy tour because her lack of self-awareness is hilarious), she has been reliving the 2016 election over and over and over again. The failed presidential candidate has been mocked not just by conservatives but by late-night comedians and even by some people in the media for her never-ending blame game that included James Comey, Bernie Sanders, Joe Biden, Matt Lauer, Russia, WikiLeaks, Facebook, Fox News... you name it, she blamed it.

While passing the blame on all those things is laughable, it's when she uses sexism and misogyny as a crutch for her own self-imposed victimhood that has me chuckling. For over nine months, she has been pretending that more people hated her because she's a woman and not because she's corrupt, dishonest, un-relatable, inauthentic, and untrustworthy.

To me, it's always funny when Clinton points to sexism for her epic loss. However, I don't think it's funny when prominent, important American figures who supported her campaign do it. In fact, it's sad.

Just take a look at what said this week. First we have Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. She was asked by Charlie Rose if sexism played a role in the 2016 election. And big shocker, she thinks it did. She called it a "major factor."

Look, are there real misogynists out there who would hate to see a woman president? Sure, but in no way was that a "major factor" in Clinton's defeat. You know what's a major factor in her not winning Wisconsin? Not visiting Wisconsin! Even if you delve into her blame game, you can argue that Comey and maybe Russia were "major factors." We're learning more and more about Russia's efforts to influence voters on social media and pushing fake news- that if all of it was geared to take down Clinton, then she has a solid case. She certainly does with Comey, who reopened the investigation into her emails just eleven days before the election. I mean, if it weren't for Anthony Weiner being a pervert, Clinton may be sitting in the Oval Office today instead of a Barnes & Noble. But for a sitting Supreme Court judge and one as respected as Justice Ginsburg to invoke sexism so effortlessly diminishes actual sexism. Because the standard Ginsburg is setting is that if any woman doesn't get her way, she can look down at her private parts instead of taking responsibility.

And then came former First Lady Michelle Obama. In front of an audience at a conference, she insisted that "any woman who voted against Hillary Clinton voted against their own voice," adding that they "don't like" their voices.

In other words, Michelle Obama was saying women were obligated to vote for Clinton because she was a woman. That the 43% of all women who voted Trump aren't capable of making their own decisions. Does she not understand how degrading that is? To be forced to vote for someone because you both have vaginas? I'm Jewish and not once during the election did I feel the need to vote for Bernie Sanders because he's Jewish. It'd be silly for me to vote for him because of that. Yet, such a reason was embraced by women this past election cycle from feminists like Madeleine Albright who said that there's a "special place in hell" for women who didn't support Clinton and Gloria Steinem who dismissed women who supported Bernie Sanders because they were simply chasing boys. Such characterizations for women who think for themselves instead of thinking with their ovaries is in itself sexist.

What's absolutely shameful is that this came from a First Lady and one who is so well-liked and respected as herself. However, we shouldn't be completely shocked. After all, this is the same woman that said she was proud of her country "for the first time" when her husband Barack Obama was clinching the Democratic nomination back in 2008. Apparently back then she was "going against her voice" because she didn't support Hillary Clinton. In fact, she even attacked Clinton as a wife and mother, saying "if you can't run your own house, then you certainly can't run the White House."

For Michelle Obama to delegitimize millions of female voters because they didn't vote the way she wanted them to vote is a disgrace.

What I find humorous is when Clinton supporters pretend like she was a "champion" for women. While they can point to Trump's infamous Access Hollywood tape and the numerous allegations made against him, they conveniently ignore how the former First Lady stayed married to a serial cheater and accused sexual predator just so she can ride his coattails and shamed his accusers along the way. And whether you like Trump or not, having the ghosts of Bill Clinton's past (Juanita Broaddrick, Paula Jones, and Kathleen Willey) as well as Kathy Shelton, the child rape victim whose rapist was found not guilty with the help of then-attorney Hillary Rodham, at the second debate was an evil genius move on his part, especially since Clinton put herself in a corner during the campaign saying that sexual assault victims "have the right to be believed."

Liberals refuse to acknowledge that this type of condescension and identity politics had a bigger role in Clinton's defeat than sexism ever did. Ultimately, the 2016 election came down to who had the winning message and strategy. Donald Trump ran on promising economic prosperity and strengthening national security while Clinton ran on "breaking the glass ceiling." Trump embraced the media that desperately wanted him to lose while Clinton avoided doing any interviews for nearly three months since launching her campaign and went over 200 days during the election without doing any press conferences. Trump alone excited crowds of thousands at his rallies while Clinton relied on Beyoncé and Jay Z to give free concerts. Trump represented change and Clinton represented the status quo.  You only have to compare the slogans "Make America Great Again" and "I'm With Her" to figure out who was better at connecting with voters in battleground states.

In the end, Democrats made a huge mistake making Hillary Clinton their party's nominee because she ended up being the one person who could lose to Trump. Her email scandal dogged her campaign from beginning to end and over half the population thought the FBI made the wrong decision in not pursuing charges against her. And do you want to know how sexism had little to do with Clinton's defeat? Replace her with someone likable and trustworthy like Rep. Tulsi Gabbard (D-HI) or even Oprah Winfrey and they probably would have beaten Trump.

No one can stop Hillary Clinton from blaming sexism for her defeat. She's practically programmed as a default setting. But for highly-respected women like a Supreme Court justice and a former First Lady to stoop to such levels to defend the worst presidential candidate in U.S. history only makes them look pathetic.

[miscellanyblue]

Meet New Hampshire’s Satanist lawmaker

The man who may be the legislature’s first card-carrying member of the Church of Satan says he doesn’t talk about it with a lot of people “because they just don’t get it.”

“I'm not really a joiner and I'm not a person who likes to put a label on things,” says Rep. Brandon Phinney, “but I'm a Satanist because these words [in The Satanic Bible] are who I am. He's speaking about me as a person, so that book was very important to me.”

Phinney, who recently changed his party affiliation from Republican to Libertarian, shared his story on The Devil You Know, a “Satanically-inspired podcast” where he discussed he work as a corrections officer, his experience in the legislature and what Satan means to him.

"Satan is the ultimate symbol of rebellion…” the Rochester lawmaker said. “He represents the burning desire of people to accept their carnal nature and reject suppression by holier-than-thou uptights. Satan is a symbol, an image, a reflection of man's true freedom and liberty…”

From Christian metalhead to Godcrusher

Phinney’s outspoken religion beliefs have caused controversy before. He made national headlines in February with a letter to the editor in which he publicly identified himself as an atheist and described belief in religion as “foolish” and “archaic.”

“In an age of information, scientific progress and exploration and the understanding of the workings of our world,” he wrote, “it is difficult and to be frank, rather foolish, to hold onto archaic beliefs that deny reality.”

Phinney says he was an active Christian when he was growing up "even so far as to be involved in church ministries and music teams.” As a musician in a metal band, Phinney referred to himself as a “Christian metalhead” -- but by 2013 he had rejected the religion of his youth with a vengeance.

That was when he joined a band called Godcrusher (!) and embraced The Satanic Bible, which he said he first read in high school. “I was reading it again being in the mindset of ‘I hate religion and I hate Christianity because I’m so angry at myself for being duped for as long as I was,’” he said. “It made sense to me again. It placated a lot of that anger for me.”

Two years ago, Phinney made it official. He became a Registered Member of the Church of Satan and received the vaunted “red card” that members use to identify themselves to other members. Phinney says he also plans to apply for Active Membership, the next level in the church hierarchy for members who seek more involvement with the organization and with other members.

Metalheads react

When Phinney announced he was running for public office, the regulars who had interacted with him on a message board for fans of local metal bands were scornful – and not just because of his “endlessly changing radical religious beliefs.”

“This thread is to express your appreciation for Brandon Phinney,” began one message, “prolific sometimes-Christian, sometimes-white supremacist as he runs unopposed in the New Hampshire House of Representatives District Strafford 24 Republican primary.”

“Let's celebrate Brandon Phinney's long history as an RTTP poster (both as MillenialKingdom and ConquerTheBaphomet) with no real internal compass, wildly vacillating between religious and irreligious, secretly racist and openly racist - I'm sure he'll bring this rock-solid sense of self to state government!” the message concluded sarcastically.

“Brandon Phinney aka ‘ConquertheBaphomet’ as he was known here is a bipolar assclown,” another member wrote. “His endlessly changing radical religious beliefs, misogyny, dumbass racist Facebook rants, and real life connections to individuals associated with the white power movement are legitimate concerns for someone running for public office.”

“I met Brandon once years ago,” a third member added. “Seemed like a nice dude. His one man argument he seemed to be having with himself about religion was kind of strange, but when you're young you think you know everything and it comes out in weird ways sometimes.”

“Where I get off the bus though is Godcrusher and the quasi white power Cherry St circle jerk scene,” he continued. “The few times I looked into them they seemed to have this obsession with amending ‘minorities and their rampant welfare abuse are destroying our country’ to the whole god crushing platform.”

Allegations of fat-shaming, misogyny and racism

Phinney appears to have deleted most of the social media posts mentioned by his critics – the earliest public post on his personal Facebook page is from January of this year -- but a few remnants remain.

In 2013, Boston comedian Justin P. Drew documented a misogynist, fat-shaming rant from Phinney’s Facebook page. Phinney had posted a link to a Daily Mail article about plus-size women and wrote, “This isn’t what ‘real women’ look like. Men are attracted to fit, healthy women with actual good looks.”

“It’s just science, it doesn’t mean we’re all shallow and pathetic,” Phinney continued. “Women don’t like fat guys, it’s the same concept. You don’t see men traversing all over the internet demanding change on the social standard of what’s deemed attractive or not. Obesity is fucking disgusting and we need to stop celebrating this fucking epidemic. Shut the fuck up with your bullshit feminist agenda.”

And then there was this Facebook thread that journalist Dan Arel, who grew up in Rochester, labeled “super racist.” In the thread, Phinney took issue with a message from Arel’s brother supporting Hillary Clinton’s presidential bid that read, “Also, white men are the absolute worst human beings. It's time for our first female president.”

“Is this satire?” asked Phinney. “White men are the worst human beings?” With that, Phinney proceeded to ridicule the notion of white privilege and claimed whites are the real victims of racism.

“I can promise you that nothing in my life has ever been fucking handed to me because I'm white,” wrote Phinney. “Racism is defined as discrimination against someone based on their skin color or race. To say it can't be used against white people is the stupidest thing I've ever read.”

“I'm proud to be white and male. Oh no, alert the liberal thought police!” he added. “There is no such thing as white privilege.” Interspersed with his comments, Phinney posted a series of memes:

“Yea we can all make blanket statements about any group of people like Muslims, gays, women, etc and you'd be up in arms like just another social justice warrior harpy but doing it to white guys is A-OK,” Phinney concluded. “You sound stupid. So, in response, I post witty memes.”

[themattress]

The GOOD things about the OUAT Finale

The finale for the sixth season and original series of Once Upon a Time was sadly not on par with previous finales (save for Season 5′s) nor the ideal series finale it could have been.  But with that said, there were several positive aspects to it and I think they are worth looking at.

The Parallels - While the literal usage of the Dark Curse in order to give a sense of coming full circle was groan-worthy, there were many great parallels to the first season that came along with it such as Emma and Henry’s relationship, the evil gaslighting female mayor, Snow and Davd’s kiss and following exchange, the place they were married, Emma’s old apartment, Henry getting a sword from Mr. Gold just like Emma did in the finale, and of course the role-reversed True Love’s Kiss between Emma and Henry. That all worked.

Mayor Fiona - Fiona as the Black Fairy was a pretty lame villain, even with Jamie Murray doing her best in the role.  The awkward attempts to portray her as the Ultimate Evil and sheer unoriginality of combining many past Big Bad traits into one character left me very unimpressed.  But strangely enough, as the mayor of her cursed Storybrooke, Fiona finally became genuinely scary and despicable to me.  How seamlessly she could adopt the mask of being a kind, caring person made her even more hateful than the over-the-top Mayor Mills of Season 1, and her absolute psychotic conviction that all of her manipulative villainy was for a just cause made her frightening.  In the end, she was actually a pretty decent final foe.

The Multiversal Apocalypse - Even though the reason for it happening made absolutely no freaking sense (Why is the existence of all the realms suddenly bound to the Savior’s belief?), I still loved the stakes and intensity that it brought to the finale.  It was also a fantastic visual.  The image of a darkness consuming the world brings to mind the Nothing from The Neverending Story, which makes perfect sense for a show like this to reference. 

Operation Cuckoo’s Nest - Thank you, Henry. Finally a real nod to the fact that the psyche ward nurse and janitor are so clearly Nurse Ratched and Chief Bromdan from that story.

Hook’s Speech - In front of the beanstalk where the Captain Swan relationship officially began, Hook makes a passionate speech to David that sums up exactly why the couple, despite the missteps made with it in the past two seasons, is so great.  They weren’t some pre-destined pair that was guaranteed a happy ending by fate (the kind of relationship that Swanfire shippers insist that their ship was), it was two people who had to fight for their love and earn their happy ending.  Even better, Hook acknowledges the fact that is barely talked about in-show and out of it: that he and Emma made each other better.  Previously the show had been acting as if was just the love of a good woman than changed a bad man, while certain fans seem to think that Hook made Emma worse since S1 Emma is the pinnacle of strength and badassery (more on that later…), but in fact both characters have helped develop and improve one another over the course of their relationship. That is why CS > all.

Captain Charming - Following up from this, Hook and David’s beanstalk adventure and the reflection it shows on how their relationship has developed is beautiful.  If you ignore the bullshit retcon about Hook killing David’s father like the show does once its purpose of contrived temporary angst has been served, then the Hook/David bromance has been one of the show’s most endearing bonds over several seasons, and it culminates with the exchange where David admits to Hook that “he’s not trusting a pirate, he’s trusting his son….in-law.” 

Rumple’s Comical Misogyny - Rumple has always been a misogynist and usually it’s disgusting, but in both episodes of this finale it crosses the line into flat-out hilarity.  The first is when Fiona, after some dramatic build-up, reveals the supposed fate of Belle under this curse to him.  She has dared to pull a Milah, leaving her family to actually pursue her own dreams and sustain her own well-being by travelling the world!  Rumple’s horrified face as he looks through the obviously Photoshopped selfies of Belle at foreign landmarks is priceless. The second is when Rumple kills Fiona.  Not only is this another woman to add to his body count, but it’s his own mother!  Rumple’s habit of killing women who oppose him has finally reached the point where he kills the very woman whose womb he came from, the very woman who birthed him!  Again, his expression after this deed coupled with his shaking arm is hilarious, as if even he realizes just how fucked up his murderous misogyny has gotten!

The Book Burning Scene - The closing scene of Part 1, where Emma burns the Once Upon a Time storybook all while shit is getting real back in the Enchanted Forest, is excellently shot and scored.  I especially like when Fiona is to the side of Emma, tempting her, with flames seen just below her to signify how devilish she is, and when Emma sees the burning page of Hook’s picture which triggers something in her subconscious memory. It’s True Love, people.

“Hello there, Mummy” - Just…that line from Hook to Snow.  Best line in the whole finale.

The Evil Queen - One of the biggest surprises in the finale was the return of the Evil Queen who had been split from Regina and served as the main antagonist for the first half of the season.  Not only was the plot hole of her previous “happy ending” addressed (it wasn’t safe for her in the Wish Realm), but she proved to be noble and self-sacrificing in a way that Regina seldom has been.  I mostly liked the Evil Queen earlier in the season, and her performance in this finale just reinforces my firm belief that like with Jekyll and Hyde, it’s the alleged “dark” part who is truly the better half.  I can actually get behind her happy ending.

Gideon Gold - I never cared for Gideon throughout this season.  He was a whiny psycho who lacked charisma when he first showed up, and the retcon that his heart was being controlled by the Black Fairy still didn’t endear me to him.  But, like his surrogate mother, he was actually more effective here.  First he was a complete asshole under the curse which helped show how bad Fiona and what she has done is, then he was hilarious with his befuddled reactions to Fiona ranting on about magic and having his heart, and finally he was a truly sympathetic figure, forced to be a puppet who had to fight and kill Emma even when he didn’t want to, a huge improvement over his “I wanna be the Savior!” crap from before.  I actually felt for him, and was glad that he was reset into a baby, giving him another chance.

Emma’s Character Development - Whenever people say they want “Season 1 Emma” back, they seldom mean the Emma who had great plot relevancy who got to be the hero, nor the Emma who saw Regina for the sociopath that she was and stood up to her.  No, they mean they want the shallowly “badass” Emma who was cold and muted in her emotional reactions, wore leather jackets all the time, punched people, said snarky things to everyone, and who was cynical and unbelieving in magic…and who was also a sad, pathetic loner. She was someone with no life beyond her job, had no friends because she pushed everyone away with her “walls”, and refused to believe in magic that she was at the center of because her self-esteem was so low that she refused to believe she had any such worth.  All that bluster about “punching back and saying ‘this is who I am’?  Just a way to repress what she truly thought of herself: as an unlovable orphan.  In this finale, they brought Season 1 Emma back, were not subtle about how negative a person she was, and then showed just how she’s changed for the better.  Even when cursed to regress back to her Season 1 self, all of Emma’s development doesn’t just disappear.  It’s still there in her subconscious, and thus she ends up doing something the actual Season 1 Emma would never have done - believe in Henry and believe in herself because she wants to be the kind of magical hero he insists that she is and she’s willing to take a chance on becoming that hero. She’s truly punching back - against her own bleak outlook - and defining who she is: the Savior, giver of hope and light.

Rumple Beside Himself - Why did it take until the last episode for Rumple in his present-day Mr. Gold identity to stand opposite from his manic, sparkly past alter-ego?  Given how the Dark One was established to work in Season 5, this felt like a much more natural thing to have happen than Regina and the Evil Queen sharing screentime together.  Robert Carlyle is fantastic in both roles, as Rumple is tempted by his own dark side into once again making the wrong choice and screwing everyone over, but for some reason or other, he’s not having any of it this time and does the right thing.  This doesn’t redeem him by a long shot, especially since the current crisis is his own fault, but it’s nice to see him take a stand all the same.

The Final Battle - Fiona may go out in an anticlimactic way, but she does leave behind a pretty ingenious trap: she gives Gideon’s heart the command for him to kill Emma at all costs. If Emma is killed, then light magic as embodied by her will die.  If Emma kills Gideon, who is an innocent victim, it will cause light magic to die too!  In a callback to 6x02, Regina says Emma can find the third way that she could not when faced with a similar situation when the Charmings were attacked by the heart-controlled Edmond Dantes.  She finds that third way by allowing Gideon to stab her in order to save him, hoping that a self-sacrifice like this will spare light magic.  At the same time, Rumple gives Gideon’s heart the command to not kill Emma, which can’t fully override Fiona’s command but causes his stab to curse her rather than irretrievably kill her.  And because good as represented by the Savior and evil as represented by the almost-Savior both did the right thing, both combatants of the Final Battle are able to survive it.  I’ll admit it - that’s actually some decent writing. Still, I’d rather Rumple have died as a part of his contribution, since it’s pretty galling that he gets off scot-free. 

The Closure - The happy ending montage is beautiful…for the most part, anyway.  The “Swan-Mills Family” pandering moment is ridiculous, and Regina and Rumple’s big scenes are morally twisted and infuriating.  But the closing scenes for Snow, David, Emma and Hook are all perfect, with the first couple finally getting a better house complete with a barn and David’s old dog, and the second couple patrolling the streets as sheriff and deputy, with the hilarious added detail of a siren put on the yellow bug.  And if you’re actually able to stomach the presence of Regina, Zelena, Rumple and Belle, then the final shot of the big family dinner at Granny’s is pretty touching as well, especially when it turns into the final page of the book.