#oooh I wanted to do my own versions but these are so gorgeous and perfect ! ! ! <3< /div> Explore tagged Tumblr posts

[amydancepants-peralta]

89, 91 or 98 please if you're taking prompts!! i can't decide !!!🥵🕊🕊

Me neither haha!  So ... here’s all three. 😅👶🏻💖

(89: “Mondays are your diaper days”, 91: “Oooh... someone’s got a tummy ache and 98: “I think we should have another.”)

i think our story needs more pages

There’s an unmissable smile of contentment on Jake Peralta’s face as he wipes down the last section of the kitchen bench, softly humming the theme song to Transformers while he rinses the washcloth under the tap.  (The original, of course - the remakes all have their merits but when it comes to theme songs, nothing beats the classic version, and that is the hill he will die on.)  

Not so long ago, a perfect day for him would have undoubtedly involved some sort of high-speed chase (or diffusing a hostage situation … or jumping from an exploding chopper with a knife between his teeth … he’s not fussy when it comes to the details, really) - but after spending the majority of today at their nephew Aaron’s third birthday party, he finds himself completely unable to hide the sheer joy that is thrumming through his veins.

He knows that he could attribute a certain portion of his great mood to the lasting effect of that second slice of ice-cream cake he’d had mere hours ago (or the light-up keyring he won during pass the parcel), but it all really came down all of the sweet moments in-between: standing in the shaded sun, surrounded by family, and watching as his son played with all of his cousins.  

It’s the kind of life that once upon a time would have seemed totally implausible, but now was absolutely his reality, and just the mere thought of a thousand more days like it put Jake on an all-time natural high.  

It has been fifteen months since the birth of their son, a child born of liquid fire that went by the name of Mac.  Fifteen months of diaper changes, screaming fits and mashed food everywhere.  And also; fifteen months of the softest of cuddles, impossibly tiny hands wrapping themselves around his fingers, and the deepest of brown eyes that took in everything imaginable.  He misses sleep (oh, how he misses real, uninterrupted SLEEP), but if that was the tradeoff for having a miniature version of him and Amy taking wobbly steps around their apartment, Jake would do it all again in a nanosecond.  

He had no idea how powerful the sound Dada would be, but the first time he heard it on his son’s lips, he straight-up cried.  And … maybe again when Mama followed shortly after.  Now, Mac’s vocabulary has expanded to five whole words (including Wowo, which both he and Amy are 90% certain stands for Aunty RoRo, and have agreed that it’s best for everyone if Charles just simply doesn���t know), and both parents couldn’t be prouder if they tried. 

There’s been an idea in the back of his mind for a few months now, one that has grown all the more after today’s festivities, and after pouring both he and his wife a half glass of wine each Jake makes his way over to the living room, still unable to wipe the smile off of his face when he takes in the scene in front of him.

Mac lay stretched out on the couch, his tiny duck printed pyjama shirt riding high and exposing his belly button as he rests his head on Amy’s lap.  Fast asleep, his eyes remain closed as Amy’s fingers run gently through his hair, his tiny chest rising and up down in even breaths.  It’s a sight Jake’s seen a hundred times before, but one that he never truly gets enough of, and after quietly placing the wine glasses on a nearby table he reaches out to tug Mac’s shirt a little lower.  

“I think someone’s got a tummy ache,” Amy whispers, mirroring Jake’s responding pout as he settles down on the couch, their sleeping son in between them.  “He only had the smallest taste of the cake .. but I guess when combined with the excitement of the day and all the dancing he did, the poor little guy is just completely wiped.”

(Mac’s ‘dancing’ was really just an unsteady yet adorable bouncing in place, both feet planted to the floor as his arms flail about to whatever music just happens to be playing, and the similarities between that and some of Amy’s dance moves have not gone unnoticed.)

Jake furrows his brow in response, instinctively reaching out to run a soothing hand over his son’s stomach.  “He’s all Mac’d out.”  He’d watched from the rear view mirror on the drive home as the gentle bumps of the road lulled Mac to sleep, his tiny curls squished along the edges of the carseat he was buckled into.  His (at times, endless) energy had been renewed by the time Amy had carried him up the stairs, the sneakers that Uncle Charles had given him making high-pitched squeaks as he’d run with tiny toddler steps around their apartment (the contents of which by now were entirely child-proof) for the rest of the afternoon.  

It was exhausting chasing after a toddler, but also strangely exhilarating, and watching Amy settle onto Mac’s play mat and help him with his building blocks as Jake had began to prepare dinner had just felt so right, it was hard to imagine what their afternoons used to be like pre-child.  

With his fingertip gently tracing the outline of one of the ducks on his son’s pyjama set, Jake watches as Amy uses her free hand to take a sip from her wine glass before speaking.

“I think we should have another.”  

His eyes squeeze shut as soon as he’s blurted it out, twisting his mouth into a wince.  There were a thousand different ways he could have phrased it (and lord knows he’s practised a few versions in the past few weeks), but nooo.  Great work as always, Peralta.

Amy’s head is cocked slightly to the side when he opens his eyes again, and she gestures vaguely at the glass.  “Another wine?  I’ve only just started this one.”

“Oh.  Ahh, no - sorry.  Ugh.  That was my terribly unsubtle way of saying that I’ve been thinking that maybe … we should try and have another baby.”

Raising her eyebrows, Amy’s hand stills amongst their son’s curly hair, and after a (thankfully brief) pause, she replies.  “You do?”

Jake can feel a soft smile begin to grow on his face, and he nods.  “Yeah, I do.”  Lifting his hand so that he can run his fingers ever so lightly along the bridge of Mac’s nose, he gives Amy a half shrug.  “I mean … I’ve watched you with your brothers over the years, and it’s just amazing the kind of bond all of you have.”  Mac’s eyelids begin to flutter, and Jake pulls his hand away before he accidentally wakes him.  “Even when you hate them with a passion, you still love them, and there’s just some things that you intrinsically know about each other without any prompting.  It’s the kind of closeness that can’t ever be replicated, and I would just really love to give Mac that kind of childhood.”

Amy smiles at the thought, giving Jake a tiny nod of encouragement to continue.

“I know that I had Gina a lot of the time, but at some point she would go home to her family, and then it was just me and my mom … and don’t get me wrong, that was great, but there were definitely times when I had wished that I could have had somebody to hang out with.  Especially when my mom started working two jobs and I saw her less and less.  TV and cake did an okay job raising me, but I do sometimes wonder … what if.”

With her nods growing bigger, Amy glances down at Mac.  “I’d be lying if I said I hadn’t been thinking the same thing.”

Jake’s heart skips a beat, and he leans forward slightly.  As much as he might want to try and expand their family, it all really came to do Amy, and how she felt about it.  He’s never pressured her into anything, and he certainly wasn’t about to start now.  “You have?”

“Yeah.  Been thinking about it a lot, actually.  My family was loud growing up, but it was also kind of great.”

They grin at each other over their son’s sleeping form.  Maybe, this was actually going to happen.  

Mac wriggles in his sleep, his sock-covered feet stretching out slightly and nudging against Jake’s thigh, and Jake lifts them up to rest on his lap as he shuffles a little closer to Amy.  “This morning, when I picked him up out of his crib, he just had the biggest, gummiest smile on his face, and then he hugged me like there was no tomorrow and I just … it’s only the best feeling and … well, you know.”

“I do.  That little Mama! that I heard this morning?  I wish I had recorded it, it sounded so sweet.  He’s just the cutest.”

“Exactly!”  Jake reaches his left hand out, resting it on the portion of Amy’s leg that hasn’t been occupied by their sleeping son.  “And honestly, I just keep getting this image in my head of a mini Amy walking around; with tiny little binders tucked under her arm and the same gorgeous eyes as her mother, learning so quickly whenever her big brother shows her how to do something.  Can’t you see it, Ames?”

Laughing, Amy shakes her head.  “She wouldn’t have binders, Jake” and he nods because obviously a toddler wouldn’t have a binder, but then she continues.  “She’d have a notepad.  Binders are serious business.  You gotta work your way up to them.”

“Right, of course.  My mistake, babe.”

Covering his hand with her own, Amy links slides her fingers in between Jake’s and rests them there.  “It does scare me a little, though.”

Picking up on the sudden softness of his wife’s voice, Jake looks over carefully.  “Having another baby?”

She nods, a tentative smile lifting the edges of her lips for a mere second before falling.  “Yeah.  I mean … it wasn’t exactly easy last time.  What if next time, it’s even harder?  Or it just … doesn’t work?”

Jake’s eyes fall back down to their son, this miniature version of both of them had wished so hard for.  Amy was right - it hadn’t been easy last time, and there honestly weren’t any guarantees that it was going to be any better the second time around.  It’s one of the main reasons why it had taken him so long to talk to her about it.  But as he feels her fingers gently shift against his own, Jake realises the most simplest of truths, and looks back up at his wife.

“I know that this is probably going to go against all of your instincts, but when it comes to this I think we just kind of need to let fate play it’s hand.  We can only try, you know?  If it doesn’t work, it doesn’t work.”  Shifting his weight, he rests his shoulder against hers.  “We’re a family, no matter what.  Whether there’s three of us, or four, or five.  We can get through anything, Ames.  If there is anything the past ten years have taught us, it’s that.”

The side of Amy’s head rests against his, and he feels her nod.  “I love you, Jake Peralta.”

Squeezing their fingers, Jake cranes his neck marginally to the left to leave a kiss against Amy’s hairline.  “I love you too, Ames.”

From below them, Mac rolls onto his side; one hand curling into Amy’s sweater, and both of them seperate slightly to watch him sleep.

Taking another tiny sip from her glass, Amy sighs happily.  “You know … if we do this, we’d really need to look into moving somewhere bigger.”  Her eyes wander over the room, eventually landing on a framed photo of the three of them that had been taken five months ago.  “Maybe even buying something, if we were really careful with our finances.”

Jake’s smile grows impossibly bigger, and briefly he wonders if he’s going to have sore cheeks tomorrow from all of it.  “Honestly?  That sounds kinda amazing.”

“Yeah?”

“Yeah.  I mean …” Jake pauses, sliding his right hand along the back of his neck in a move that his wife has long since called ‘The Dropping of Peralta’s Guard’, feeling one side of his mouth slide up ever so slightly as he turns his attention back to Amy.  “I love this apartment, and living in the city, but … the only thing I’ve ever really owned is your heart.  And that beat up Mustang I had for a while there, but money-wise that was mainly on loan, so … yeah.  Just you.”  His hands raise quickly, showing his palms in surrender.  “Not that I own you or anything, because that’s ridiculous, I just meant that you totally own mine and that’s - mmff” the rest of his sentence is muffled, the press of Amy’s lips against his stealing the last fragments of thought, and by instinct his arms wrap tightly around her waist, as best as he can with Mac still resting on their laps.    

Amy’s smiling as she pulls away, her hand sliding down his cheek until she’s resting her thumb in the tiny dimple at the bottom that he’d always hated until the love of his life made it a favourite, and honestly, how she makes his heart flutter even after all this time is just pure magic.

“I know what you meant, babe, and I love you for saying it.  You absolutely own my heart … well, you and Mister Mac do, anyway.  And I wouldn’t have it any other way.”  

Sliding his right hand further up his wife’s back, Jake pulls in her for another kiss.  He would happily share the space with Mac, and any other children that they might end up having, for the rest of his life (and maybe a hundred or so more years after that).  Toying with the ends of her hair as they part, Jake’s shoulders rise in a tiny shrug.  “Honestly, falling in love with you is the best investment I’ve ever made.  But the thought of actually buying a house with you, and turning it into a home that our kids will grow up in?  A backyard filled with toys and swing sets and maybe even a cat or two?  It sounds like the greatest idea ever.”

“And maybe a park nearby, where we can teach our kids to ride a bike?”

“Plus a basketball hoop over the garage door - because their Dad can dunk, and he’s totally going to show them how.  Not to mention a study lined floor to ceiling with bookshelves, all of them filled to the brim.”

Amy’s eyes begin to glisten slightly, and she leans in to rest both of her hands on Jake’s forearm.  “Don’t forget the front porch for us to sit on when we’re older, rocking in our chairs and stealing all of the other kid’s frisbees when they land on our lawn.”

“Of course!  We’re going to be the COOLEST house in the neighbourhood, with the dopest Halloween decorations.  Acting purely as a distraction, naturally, while we carry out whatever version of the heist we’re up to by then.”

Raising her chin slightly, Amy’s eyes turn suddenly serious.  “Your mind is going to be blown when you realise what I already have planned for then, Peralta.”

“Yet another reason to have a second baby!  One on each team!”

One of Amy’s eyebrows raises coyly, and she whispers “That’s what you think” as she leans in for another kiss, shortened by the soft laughter that falls from Jake’s mouth.  

“I really do love you, Ames.  Pre-emptive plotting for my children to heist against me and all.”

She giggles, and Mac lets out a tiny grumble as he begins to wake.  Scooting his butt to the edge of the couch, Jake slides his hand along his son’s back, holding him warm against his chest and tightening his grip as Mac nuzzles into his neck, still half asleep.  “Okay, time to take this party animal to bed.  Say goodnight, mommy!”

Raising herself up until she’s kneeling into the couch cushions, Amy leans in to press a kiss against Mac’s cheek, replicating the action on Jake’s as she pulls away.  “Goodnight, my sweet prince.  And babe, I think a diaper change might be in order.”

Wrinkling his nose, Jake nods.  “Yeah, I agree.”

“Want me to do it?”

“Nah.  Mondays are your diaper days, Sundays are mine.  I’ve got this.  You sit back and relax, and have a look at our schedules for when we can book a babysitter so that we can … practice.”

Resting her weight back down on her heels, Amy sinks her teeth into her lower lip.  “You know I’m a big believer in practice makes perfect, Peralta.”

“Indeed I do, Santiago.”  Lifting up one of Mac’s arms to mimic a tiny wave, Jake heads slowly towards Mac’s bedroom, intent on getting him changed and into bed with minimal disruption.  

(There ends up only being one tiny meltdown, but it’s nothing that a combined goodnight hug from both Mommy and Daddy can’t fix.)

*

In fifteen years time, there will be a house in Brooklyn - just outside the city centre, so close enough for the daily commute - that has contained so much love within its four walls that it has long since seeped into its foundation.

There will be a doorframe near the kitchen, marked with a variety of ascending lines drawn in marker, catalogued by both name and year as they rise.  A myriad of photos and commendations will line the walls (in no particular order, a fact that is made very clear), and the memories of each captured moment will last long after the images have faded.  

It will be their home - the Peralta-Santiago fortress against the rest of the world - and although life will forever throw curve balls their way, if there’s anything their children know for sure it’s that as a family, they’re always going to be there for each other.  No matter what. 

(Also, that Wario cheats.) 

[guyinlovewitheremika]

Oooh could you expand on why you liked the op?? I honestly don't know what to make of it yet, especially since it felt so different from other ops, but I'd love to hear your thoughts!

Absolutely will do!! This took longer than I wanted cause everytime I sat down to write I started getting distracted from the OP and just listening to it on repeat lmao

To start this off, I should add that throughout the week leading up to release date, I was following a couple of leakers on twitter who did drop some info on the OP; mainly that Shinsei Kamattechan were returning, the title, that it wasnt gonna feature any characters and instead be a metaphor for the “cruelty of war”. Knowing all of that had me pretty excited but also gave me the right expectations, so it wasnt too jarring to see at first. 

But, to jump into this, first of all, I just loooove the visual style in general. It mostly just being static shades of white and light grey, with these very washed out colors exploding and flowing onto the image...it’s absolutely gorgeous! Like I just really dig this color scheme. And it’s highlighted even further by the gorgeous, fluid animation...these explosions look so good! I’m also just a big sucker for familiar characters/entities being represented in a sort of timeless way...be it a portrait, a statue, a monument, whatever (think smth like this), so seeing Eren and the other titans at the end there was just an absolute treat. Whatever that thing is, I want some kind of print/purchasable piece of merch of it because that heap of titans looks amazing. 

The song also just bangs tbh. It’s such a weird agglomeration of instruments and vocals but I find it comes together really well. The childrens choir, the piano at the beginning, the distorted vocals and most importantly that E-violin!!! so fucking good! Honestly I just love the way this song sounds and Im more hyped for the full version than the ost release atm (even tho I love what we heard so far from that too). The combination of the visuals with the music too is great here...I’ve never seen a flamethrower used in combination with the beat of a song before (outside of mad max fury road I guess lol?) but goddamn its just such a cool fucking combination I cant get over it. 

I have some thoughts on the imagery and the symbolism and my interpretations of it all, and I wanna get into those too, but really, the main thing I absolutely love about this OP is how different it is. Just as the marley arc is probably the most different of all in the manga, just as the new studio has made a show that, in many ways, looks feels and sounds vastly different from the old Attack on Titan, the OP encapsulates all of that by just being this new thing and succeeding at it

I love WIT’s OP’s, I love Linked Horizon’s work on the show. But honestly, the “Linked Horizon hype OP” genre pretty much peaked with Guren no Yumiya for me. I still like all the others, but overall, OP 1, 2, 3 and 5 just feel a bit too same-y for me, especially given that I honestly don’t think any of the follow ups surpass the original. Heck all these other songs even reference GnY in some capacity--I cant help but feel like they could never let go of Guren’s success and never tried something else. Except for Red Swan of course, which is also my 2nd favorite WIT OP. It’s slower, it’s sadder, it’s melancholic, and vastly different from all the others, and I really appreciate that. It tries to be its own thing and it succeeded for me. And “My War” even more so feels like it has a very distinct, unique vision, goes all out in that way, and it just works beautifully.   

And it’s that distinct, unique vision that I wanna dig into lastly here, because, just as the marley arc does for this manga, I find that out of all the OP’s, My War most explicitely depicts and visualizes many of the core thematic ideas of Attack on Titan and brings them directly into the forefront. I’ve seen a bunch of cool interpretations of the song at this point, and someone may have somewhere already said all this, but I wanna throw it in here regardless

After countless battles, sacrifices, victories and losses, Eren and the survey corps were able to win the war against the titans that their walled world was stuck in for a hundred years. Their gigantic enemies were defeated, and freedom ought to lie ahead. But no, beyond the shores is just more...more oppression, more war, more death and more sacrifice. The history their king to from them is one of war and oppression, a never ending cycle of violence, spanning back 2000 years, continuing forward. One oppressive regime falls, only for the next to take its place. This has been the history of mankind since the dawn of man, and it continues on and on and on. 

This is what this episode shows us, another military battle around another walled encampment, and this is what this opening shows us...a world perpetually at war. Man’s hatred for one another leads to conflict, to war: it’s continued existence in history and continued technological advancements are the perfect visual representation of this. Man’s capacity for war breeds more war, and it takes lives and it takes freedom and it doesnt stop, it just keeps consuming. 

The Opening starts off with battleships, artillery fire, mortars, flamethrowers, nuclear explosions and a titan spine forming among them all, until the birds of freedom fall dead out of the sky. Neverending armies of soldiers march the streets, airships rule the sky, but all the soldiers, all the military craft, the marleyan military and the paradisian soldiers all fall to pieces and get destroyed. War and conflict rage on and all the pieces fall to the ground, littering the earth in nothing but death and destruction. And at the end, atop this mountain of corpses and mayhem, the titans arise, reaching forward, attacking. They are born from mankinds neverending cycle of destruction, the physical manifestation of our inner demons that lead us to kill each other. 

I thoroughly believe that this sequence of events most perfectly encapsulates all of attack on titan. Look at the marley arc: the years of their attempts to wipe out Paradis island lead the island and the attack titan straight to them, delivering a terrible blow to them during their declaration of war. 2000 years ago it was the warmongering, slave hording king fritz who had a girl hunted for sport who brought about the era of the eldian empire, creating a system to eternally maintain the titan’s ability to wage war and rule the lands that would wind up ripping humanity apart. Look at the final arc: all of humanities hatred towards the island devils birthed the final attack titan and his horde of demons who have come to trample the world underfoot. The titans have always arisen as the consequence of man’s tendency towards conflict and death. Eren’s titan first formed from inside a titan who just killed him, his last titan was born out of his own death yet again. Titans are man’s desire to kill given shape, and the more man kills and fights, the more titans arise. 

It’s a bleak and terrible look at the cruelty of the world, that I think the OP highlights immensly well. It’s a gorgeous looking and sounding 90 seconds, and despite its contents being essentially horrifying, its fun to look at and listen to. Isayama once said about Eren’s attack in marley that “what eren does here is the worst thing. but if you were able to feel just a little bit of excitement from it, then it was worth drawing manga all this time”. Somehow, one way or another, we’re drawn to conflict, despite how terrible it is. And I think this opening manifests this beautifully 

[hazelandglasz]

Hi dear, how are you? May I prompt a silly thing? I saw Magnum's commercial, so: Kurt and Blaine first met at the beautiful wedding of a couple of girl friends of theirs (idk why, but they never actually got to be introduced to each other before... and maybe they're the bridesmen? eh, what a coincidence!). Of course, each of them catches a bouquet... *wink wink*

Oooh

Link to the Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jJXuDkmoFfc

I know it may sound tone-deaf to post a cutesy fic right now, but I feel like we need the levity and relief of just a moment spent in a different universe

I hope you’ll enjoy this little one :)

On AO3

Kurt is just so happy for Santana.

For all her brashness and hard exterior, he can’t think of anyone else who deserves a happy romance, and Dani certainly brings it for her.

They both complement each other so well, it’s uncanny.

And Dani fits so well into the group of misfits who travelled from Ohio to settle in New York, some days, Kurt feels like she was always meant to be with them.

As such, he thought he had met all of her friends, including the potential bridesmaids, bridesmen, and honorary person.

(His money was on Graced Lightning, if someone cares for his opinion.)

Though there is a name that has been repeated enough without Kurt being able to associate a face with the name.

But who is this Blaine? Where is she?

That is, until the rehearsal dinner.

Kurt is minding his own business, going down the stairs while arranging his cufflinks, when he spots someone standing in front of the mirror, fixing their outfit.

“Excuse me,” he calls. “Are you here for the Lopez-Ochoa dinner?”

The person turns on their heels and Kurt has to remember that he is an adult man now, not a teenager who can (and would) giggle when faced with a gorgeous man.

Because this, Sir, is a gorgeous specimen of a man, and what he was arranging in the mirror must have been his bowtie.

A bowtie which manages to both be elegant and pay homage to Dani’s profession, Kurt has to give the man kudos on this particular fashion jujitsu.

“I am indeed. I am Blaine.”

Ah. So Blaine is a he.

“The infamous Blaine,” Kurt says as he shakes Blaine’s hand (manicured, clean, soft. Kurt likey.). “I have heard so much about you, but I didn’t know…”

“That I was a man. Dani loves spreading confusion about me.” Blaine smiles fondly, much like Kurt does when he is faced with Santana’s idiosyncrasies. “And you must be Kurt.”

“Indeed,” Kurt replies, preening under Blaine’s gaze. “And whatever you heard about me is probably true to an extent.”

“To an extent?”

“Santana can exaggerate, and Dani tends to calm her, so. Overall, ya know.”

Blaine’s smile deepens, making his eyes crinkle. 

It’s a testimony to how far gone Kurt is that he finds it adorable already.

They start walking around the corridors, and Kurt knows that it’s actually the longer way to the venue, but he can’t find it in himself to care. He’s walking side by side with a gorgeous man who has been giving him the Look™, and he will appreciate it for as long as he can.

“It’s a bit odd, isn’t it,” he starts, following his inner monologue.

“What is?”

“That we’re the best men in a lesbian wedding and we’ve never met each other.”

Blaine nods. “It is odd,” he replies, hands in his pockets. He truly exudes some old Hollywood vibes—really attractive and really inspiring—which Kurt really wants to appreciate in detail.

(Before messing it all up as he would ravish Blaine, but that’s for him and his mind to know.)

“In the past year, I have travelled a lot, I guess,” Blaine continues. “I kept in touch with Dani whenever I had a moment, though, and she let me crash at her place when I was back in town. But now I’m here to stay,” he adds, giving Kurt a sideway glance, “and I will not live with them as a married couple.”

“Wise. Trust me,” Kurt laughs, “you wouldn’t have handled living with them as an engaged couple.”

“Oh?”

“I know I didn’t handle it the most… gracefully, shall I say.”

“No, you did not,” Santana interrupts them, looking smoking hot, if Kurt may say so, in her three-piece suit. “But I forgive you.”

“How generous,” Kurt says in a deadpan, before pulling her into a hug. “You look amazing, ‘Tana.”

“I know,” she replies, brushing invisible lint from her lapel. She blushes as she does so, though, softening her statement. “Thank you. And you must be Dani’s Blaine.”

“You must be the love of my girl’s life,” Blaine replies, opening his arms and waiting for Santana to hug him.

She mutters something Kurt can’t decipher, but she still goes in for the hug. “She didn’t tell me her best friend was also her dad, though.”

“An old man in a young man’s body,” Blaine chirps back, making her laugh and making Kurt look down at the aforementioned body.

His glance doesn’t escape Santana’s attention, and he glares at her smirk.

“Now, come on, let’s get this rehearsal dinner over with,” she says, linking her arms with theirs to pull them along. “Dani’s nana is already hitting on the bar staff.”

“Leave her to me,” Blaine replies, patting Santana’s hand. “I’ll take care of her.”

“As in?”

“I’ll let her hit on me for the rest of the evening.”

“Cocky.”

“Knowledgeable. Nana Francesca loves to pinch my cheeks.”

“Which cheeks?”

“Yes.”

Kurt can’t help the roar of laughter that comes out at that cheeky reply. He doesn’t even notice when Santana leaves them alone to join her fiancée.

Where has Blaine been all this time?

Why didn’t Santana play matchmaker before?

Kurt mentally shrugs it off. What matters is that they do meet, doesn’t it?

“You’re…,” Blaine starts, beaming at Kurt before hesitating. “Um.”

“If it’s a compliment, go ahead.”

“You’re really beautiful when you smile like that.”

Kurt instantly runs his fingers through his hair to keep them from coming in front of his face. “Oh. Um, thanks. I usually… don’t.”

Blaine nods, like he understands what Kurt means by that, and maybe he does.

In which case, they have even more in common and why on Earth did Santana keep Kurt from his soulmate?!

“Come on, let’s take advantage of the bar,” Blaine offers, gesturing toward the already crowded section of the venue.

“Not planning on getting drunk tomorrow?”

“I’m a best man of honor,” Blaine replies, holding one hand to his heart. “I need to be at the ready to fulfill such a position.”

Kurt mentally goes through all the positions he would like Blaine to fulfill while, well, “at the ready,” but he quickly closes that file.

For now.

“And knowing Dani and her family,” Blaine continues, seemingly unaware of the depravation going through Kurt’s mind, “all she will need from me tomorrow will be to keep her mom and her nana away from the waiters. And the bar.”

“Which is a job that requires a full vigilance,” Kurt comments, observing the way the Ochoa women seem to be able to drink everybody under the table.

“Indeed.”

“As Santana’s best man of honor,” Kurt muses, “I guess my job will be to make sure she’s staying hydrated and she doesn’t get her hands on a microphone.”

Blaine looks doubtful. “You know they have a first duet planned, right?”

“What?”

“They rehearsed a song to sing as a married couple’s first duet, to surprise everybody who would expect a married couple’s first dance.”

“Oh Lord.”

“But Santana wouldn’t…”

“Oh she would.”

Blaine winces and Kurt nods. “You haven’t been around her much, have you?”

“Just every now and then, and she’s been perfectly nice.”

Kurt can’t help his snort. “Santana Lopez, nice?”

“In a rather delightfully brash way, yes.”

Kurt snatches two glasses of champagne and hands one to Blaine. “If you find Santana delightful, you’re definitely the man for the job.”

Blaine holds up his glass and clinks it with Kurt’s, a glint in his eyes. “Here’s to being the right men for the job.”

“Here, here.”

---

The rest of the rehearsal dinner is, Kurt must admit, quite a blur.

After a while, the waiter just leaves the tray of champagne glasses at the table Kurt and Blaine chose as their own, and they keep on talking all night long—they briefly pause when Santana’s grandmother and Dani’s father make their speeches, but otherwise, they only go their separate ways because both brides pulled them apart to go to sleep in the early morning.

Kurt can’t believe it took him this long to meet a man like Blaine. So perfect in his imperfections, so in tune with Kurt’s unspoken feelings and thoughts, so funny in a subtly dry way.

So handsome, too, especially at the end of the night when he untied his bowtie and left it hanging around his neck, two top buttons opened…

“Kurt, stop daydreaming about your man and come help me get in this dress!”

Santana’s call effectively wakes Kurt up from his fantasizing and he gulps down his mug of coffee.

“Don’t worry, ‘Tana,” he says, pulling down on the laced top of the dress to keep it in place in the back with tape, “nothing is going to go wrong.”

Santana takes a deep breath and looks at him in their reflection. “I know,” she replies softly. “Nothing can go wrong since I’m marrying my soulmate.”

The certainty in her voice makes something in Kurt’s chest tighten, but he brushes it aside.

Today is not the day to let self-pity take over. 

Besides, who knows; today may end with a slow dance in the arms of a perfect man…

“Ready?”

“Ready. Let’s make an honest woman out of me.”

“Ha, as if!”

---

Kurt has not been to a lot of weddings, and he may be biased, but he has never seen a more beautiful couple of brides.

And Blaine looks even more scrumptious today that he did the day before, in his pink suit.

Dani really did a good job of finding a color to compliment Santana’s simple cream choice.

The pink and cream colors are everywhere in the reception, with some darker highlights to remind everybody that those brides are first and foremost badasses, including in the married couple’s bouquets.

Once Santana and Dani charm everybody with their “first duet”—an acoustic version of “Here Comes The Sun” with Dani playing the ukulele—Kurt can finally breathe and enjoy the wedding.

Namely, he can spend all of his time with Blaine.

Or watching Blaine smoothly taking the bottle of tequila from Mrs. Ochoa Senior’s hands and replacing it with tall glasses of cocktails that are more fruits than alcohol, without a word of complaint.

Kurt also enjoys the sight of Blaine’s blush when the same woman manages to spank him lightly as he passes by with a plate of mini cakes.

On his way to Kurt, oh my.

“Hey.”

“Finally taking a break from your bridesman’s duties?”

“Yep,” Blaine says, popping the last sound as he drops his whole body into the chair next to Kurt. As he puts the plate of pastries between them, the back of his hand brushes against Kurt’s wrist, and all at once, Kurt understands the woes of all the Victorian heroines. “In about, oh, ten minutes, they’ll throw the bouquets, leave, and I will have performed my duties as best I could.”

Kurt blames the numerous glasses of Moscato wine he kept on taking away from Santana and drank on the multiple things he would like Blaine to perform, hopefully on him, preferably on a comfortable surface, but he’s not picky.

“Ah yes, the bouquets,” he says instead, picking up a strawberry tartlet. “AKA the Hunger Games of bachelorettes?”

“Yep. Except Santana and Dani want us in the crowd.”

“No.”

Blaine snickers, looking down at his shoes before looking back at Kurt, his smile boyish and Kurt could kiss it off his face. “Something about gender stereotypes being fought on the battleground or something.”

“Eurgh.”

“Hey, it was yours, not mine.”

“They’re ours, now.”

The words come out of Kurt’s mouth before he can stop himself, and he can feel a panic rising in his chest.

Blaine’s smile softens as he cocks his head to the side. “I like the sound of that,” he says, voice barely above a murmur.

And yet, above all the mayhem and the music and the shouts, Kurt only hears him.

“Oh.”

“Come on, let’s stand with all these young people,” Blaine says, standing and offering his hand. “And then, hopefully, you’ll allow me to have a dance.”

“And then?”

“And then we will see.”

Kurt takes Blaine’s hand. “That’s a program I can get on board with.”

There is quite a crowd assembled at the bottom of the stairs of the venue, where Santana and Dani stand, already changed in their traveling outfits, but still holding their bouquets. Blaine squeezes Kurt’s hand before going to Dani’s side of the crowd.

“Ready?” Santana calls, peals of laughter and wolf-whistles answering her. “Alright!”

They both turn and in the same move, throw their bouquets towards the crowd.

Kurt sees it happening in slow motion, lifting his arms to protect his face from the hands and elbows going in his direction.

And yet, his fingers close reflexively around the thing that lands in them.

“Oh,” he says when he opens his eyes and sees the bouquet in his hand, Mercedes clapping her hands and Santana shouting like he just scored a goal.

Over the heads and the crowd, Kurt immediately looks for Blaine.

And finds him with a matching bouquet in his hand, looking as dazzled as Kurt feels.

“Oh,” he repeats.

When Santana passes him by, she pulls him in a hug. “Go get him, Tiger,” she whispers before kissing his cheek. “We can wait for you to get together before we start having babies so they can grow up together.”

“Cart and horses, Santana,” he replies, shaking his head as he kisses her and sends her on her honeymoon way.

Kurt shakes his head, but his imagination is already considering the color scheme that would best suit both Blaine and himself.

“May I have this dance?”

Blaine’s voice cuts through Kurt’s planning, and here he is, holding up one hand with one cream rose tucked behind his ear.

Kurt beams at him, before pulling a pink rose to mirror Blaine’s new attire. He hands over the bouquet to Santana’s little niece who apparently won Dani’s bouquet from Blaine already and who shrieks in delight when she gets his.

“Yes,” he replies, wrapping his arms around Blaine’s neck. “Yes, you may.”

Blaine puts his hands on Kurt’s back, and they stay slow-dancing there, on the grass in front of the venue where the party kicks back to life.

Not a bad way to end a stressful month, as far as Kurt is concerned.

And turquoise and purple would make for a wonderful wedding theme, wouldn’t it?

(It would, but Kurt won’t know for sure for another couple of years.)

_______________________________________________________________

(Should I add a small NSFW chapter?)

[onceuponalegendbg]

Birds of Prey Reaction

Bout to watch Birds of Prey for the first time. Sadly I do know a lot of what happens from just being on social media but this should still be fun.

I really like this animated intro. It’s a unique way of doing the backstory that most DC fans already know and for any newcomers it’s quick and simple.

Margot Robbie really is fantastic casting for Harley. And she finally gets a movie to really show that off.

I love that she just... has a Hyena.

Ah the pickpocket/macguffin.

Oh my. I forgot that Obi-Wan was the villain. Ewan McGregor.

This soundtrack is killer. .... Is that a pun? Mmm. Sure.

Renee Montoya. The Cop.

Yo. I know you. Huntress. Helena.

If I had a dollar for every time I saw Ace chemicals blew up... I’d have two dollars. Which isn’t a lot but it’s weird that it’s happened twice. (First time was in Arkham Knight).

Black Mask gets a theatrical role. Never would have suspected he’d get here. That is gross man.

God that egg sandwich looks so amazing... Which can I get food that looks that good?

Love the Name and Greviance cards.

Wow. Yeah. Screw these guys. That sandwich was an innocent bystander.

“Parlay?” PotC flashbacks.

Cassandra Cain.

Helena’s family if I’m not mistaken.

Oh I just realized what her shirt says.

Hey, Dinah.

That is an excellent look, Dr. Quinn. And confetti gun is so Harley it hurts. Hurts the cops I mean.

That, oh. That voice. Killer is right, of course, but it’s also just gorgeous.

Really really love her voice.

A harlequins role.

Ooh. Margot. That acting.

Yeah! There we go, Dinah!

It’s all connected. Obviously.

Ooh. Backstory for Dinah.

Black Mask is a child.

How the frick do you swallow a diamond, I’d be terrified it would slice my throat or something.

Love when she uses that degree man. It gives me life.

Wow this sequence is trippy.

Lol Boomerrang.

Fight scene incoming.

Ah yeah! Bat time!

Ah, yes. Let’s give this girl a “sugar” high. And there goes another kneecap.

I thought that beard was lit. .... okay that joke wasn’t great.

Either you crap it out or she cuts it out.

Paying is for dummies.

“Sounds like a dick.” “...Huh.”

Oh hey Helena.

Oh my god she’s such an awkward mess.

This guy is such a frickin child. F this guy. Like I get he’s the bad guy but F him.

Love the acknowledgment of the cop movie cliche.

Please tell me they didn’t kill Bruce.

Oh Doc.

Oh a slow version of Hit Me With Your Best Shot. I really like this soundtrack.

Oooh that establishing shot of the park.

Renee is frickin drunk.

“You killed my sandwich!” I feel that.

Oh!!! That’s Zsasz?!?!? I only know him from Arkham Asylum (the game).

Great timing Huntress.

“I feel like I just walked in on something I don’t give two shits about.” Lol

“Bravo.” The little clap makes it.

“You just killed his BFF.” And Helena freakin smiles. I love her. She’s so proud of herself.

Suicide Sqaud and Animated series reference.

“It’s not a bow and arrow! I’m not twelve!”

Really this is the perfect backdrop to a fight. The lights and stuff.

Barracuda!!!!

Time for the mallet!! Or should I say, “Stop! Hammer time!”

Aw. Huntress is a sweetheart.

Frick yeah Canary Power!

I think now would be an excellent time to bring up that I know Margot did a lot of her own stunts and fighting and I love her for it.

And that F’in jackamule is finally dead.

I want tacos.

“Does she always talk like the cop in a bad 80s movie or is it just me?”

Bruce!

Great. Now I want tacos and an egg sandwich.

That was a really good movie.

[natsukitakama]

Headcanon : Celebrate Valentine’s day with the Wells

Author note : I know this wasn’t on my list but I couldn’t stop thinking about that so here we go hope you’re going to enjoy it ! 

It may have been a lot longer for Harry my apologize  : I am going to include Eowells too cause why not ? 

I hope HR wasn’t too OOC it took me time to write his part cause I haven’t seen season 3 since a long time ago

i do not own those gifs so credit to owners 

Warning : slight mention of NSFW / I tried to be gender neutral

Eobard Thawne as Harrison Wells

At the very beginning of the week he didn’t plan to celebrate Valentin’s day. Its not like he doesn’t love his kitten 

Buuuut they weren’t a part of his plan and yet he let them be a part go his life. However they couldn’t stop him from his plan : especially when he was so close to go home 

Yet let’s say some people (Cisco) decided to decorate the whole lab with a lot a of Heart a cute cupidon and also some sweets like chocolat 

It wasn’t wrong to say the whole mood was oriented about Valentin’s day 

So do you 

You weren’t a huge / desperate romantic like some membre of the team flash (we’re talking about you Barry & Cisco) but it was good to say you were pretty excited. 

It will be your first Valentin’s day with Harrison Wells your amazing boyfriend. Since all the things who happen to him you though he deserves some good quality time 

And of course being the good calculator he was Eobard knows about that. The way you were so excited and so focus to prepare the most precious day for him has definitely melt his heart 

He just couldn’t not celebrate that with you. 

Spoil is the key word 

He gave you so many gifts and compliments : Eobard has dedicated the whole day to you : literally 

it all started with a cute breakfast a lot of cuddle before going to work 

Blow a wink time to time 

Sharing a coffee 

A lot of holding hand and knuckle’s kiss when no one was watching

You thought Barry could be gross with his PDA ? Think about it, It’s like both of you were the only one on earth 

You definitely have a big belly burger together (he even share his fry with you)

He bought you a gorgeous ring which he gave you with a red rose 

A lot flirting this day more than usual 

And then the night begin

You were so nervous about the meal but you work so hard (he saw you) you wanted everything to be perfect for him

Classical music candle a dress (he will never the way that dress was good on you). The dinner was nothing but sweet like the day

« It’s really delicious Y/N I do not deserve you » 

« Thank you but it’s not a big deal » 

« Don’t Y/N it was »

After a good day fighting meta you definitely deserve a cute night together 

Like I said the day was dedicated to you : so be ready for a night of love about you 

WORSHIP/100 

You made sweet love this night 

And at the end of the night he gave you the most precious gift 

3 words 

« I love you Y/N » 

He means it 

You will probably question his sincerity in the futur 

But he was 

Earth 2 Harrisson grumpy wells 

Not all people know that : But Harry is actually a romantic dude 

Of course he claimed he wasn’t « I am not a teenager anymore Ramon » 

But we know better 

Despite his 7 phd he couldn’t organise the day. Not that he sucks about organization quite contrary 

But all he wants was to make the better Valentin’s day you never have,  cause deep down he was still selfconcious about your relationship 

I mean you were so incredible gorgeous … 

And he was him grumpy and a DAD 

Not that you mind 

But still he couldn’t erase the feeling on his heart : he doesn’t deserve you 

So during the whole week before the big day he was tensed. Like more than usual : Let’s say he was grumpy x 10000 

He took two days to Cisco to realize what’s going on (cause he was sick to work and being hurted by a marker every time). Since he knows his friends he decided to confront him directly 

First Harry denies everything « I am angry because you weren’t work harder enough » « I’ve the feeling it’s something about th 14th February » « I don’t know what you’re talking about Ramon »

After a argument or two about how stubborn he can be Harry confess : Yes the reason he was so tensed and so grumpy was you he wanted everything to be perfect and he may stress him too much. Cisco listen all the thing and give him a simple advice “be yourself” which Harry thought was ridiculous what does that even mean ?

And then you came by his side knowing by team flash your boyfriend was upset about something. Which definitely concern you. 

when he saw you coming for him to cheer him up that he understands what Cisco wanted to mean 

So your day was pretty simple and yet unforgettable 

First when you wake up Harry was still by your side to cuddle with you (while other time he prepares himself to go working). You guys have breakfast on the bed close to each other talking about everything 

You take a hot shower together (and I am not talking about the temperature of the water) 

Both of you go to work and then have a big belly burger together 

Then the night begin 

Before leaving your job you saw a text on your phone : « let’s celebrate properly go to see the box in your bedroom ». Curiosity help you to go faster on your home. You saw a gorgeous velvet dress with a necklace that look expansive��

Then you got another text « I’ll take you at 7pm ». Which leave you one hour to make yourself pretty for this mysterious night 

And as planned Harry was at your home at 7pm with a particular thing on his hand and his gorgeous suit with white shirt : it was a vibe’s tool to go to his earth. 

In fact he planned to spend the whole night with you on his earth. Your date was really cute : first he took you to a very famous restaurant on his earth not without showing you in compliment then you have walked on a parc which was illuminated by the light of the stars. 

Both of you have nothing but love for each other 

When you go home the celebration begin : Since he wasn’t good with his words especially when it was about feeling he decided to show you how much you mean to him in bed 

You were never that satisfied before 

Sure Harry was an amazing lover 

But this night was different it was like he was saying all of his love by every touch every kiss every caress was a way to say «  I love you » 

He loves you like he thought he couldn’t anymore 

After this passionate night you talk about the day especially how sweet he was and how you didn’t deserve his kindness to you 

« Don’t be silly Y/N you’re my everything … *blush* I-I mean with Jesse too » 

He may wasn’t confortable with showing his feeling but when he does it worths it `

HR Wells 

Unlike Harrison and Harry it’s been a whole month Since HR knows how to spend the day with you 

He has already bought your gift planned the meal etc

He just couldn’t wait but to be at 14th 

With Cisco and other membre of team flash he decided to make a full decoration for the big day. A lot of heart everywhere much to Harry’s chagrin (too childish according to him) 

You barely go into Star labs that you saw a big bouquet of rose on your desk with a lovely note « to my lovely Y/N the person I couldn’t live without » 

But that was just foreplay 

HR goes as fast as he could to Jitters to create your own (favorite drink) and then go back to star lab with 

« Oooh HR this is way to sweet how did you call it ? » « Sweet Y/n » 

Your heart couldn’t melt more at this poin. But that’s wasn’t enough. After working on a huge physics problem for Harry you felt two heavy and yet fluffy arm on your back : it was a big teddy bear wearing the same hat as HR « I thought he could be there with you when I am working with team flash like a number 2 » « no one can remplace you HR but thanks he is pretty”

But gift wasn’t enough to express all the love he has for you so HR cook you a delicious date meal for your lunch time. Which was incredible « I didn’t even know you can cook » « I am full of surprise *wink* » 

Basically you spend the whole day cuddle and flirting. It was a way too PDA even for Barry/Iris so you were temporarily exclude from work 

It gave you a lot of time if you know what I mean 

Beside the whole passion time 

It gave a lot of time to make a lot of activity 

Going to the carousel together taking a lot of photo 

Eat a ton of toffee apple 

Watch a romantic movie at theatre 

Go shopping (please he would do anything to admire you by any angle while wearing dress or even better lingerie) 

Then you go on an intimate restaurant you never eat before

It was both chil intimate and quite romantic : lot of color led some velvet chair 

By the end you go home with a lot of star on your eyes because of this sweet day with your boyfriend 

«  I love you HR » 

« I love you too Y/N »

Sherloque 

So apparently French people is seen as romantic 

Not sure if he could be described as romantic 

Let’s say he has is own version of romanticism 

He already prove with his ex wife that he could be a mess when it was about showing emotion by action 

But for you he decided it won’t be the same 

« Cisco mon ami, could you help me with the way you express l’amour here? » « Wait what ? Are you asking me advice about seduction » « yeah you still crying about your breakup  nevermind » « ok fair Sherlock » « SherloQUE » « Yeah yeah nevermind how about buy them something they like cooking meal just enjoying a chill day no Cicada no case to solve you know ? Just FOCUS on her ? » 

So did he 

While you were busy chatting with other girl he took advantage of it and go to central city for some shopping 

Bought you everything that remind him you : black lace lingerie (not sure if it was for his pleasure or yours), camellia, book that you once said want to read , chocolat, and some toys for the night 

He made a gorgeous box with he put on your bed and then proceed to text you « Let’s celebrate Valentin’s day together xoxo SherloQUE » 

You got the text while taking to Cisco even though he couldn’t see your phone he just give you the « go have fun girl » smile 

When you back to your home you saw a lot of rose petal on your stairs to what you believe was your bedroom 

So you play the game and follow those petals

You weren’t ready for this 

When you went to your bedroom you were hit by the glorious picture of your boyfriend : Sherloque was laying on your bed shirtless with nothing but his pant on there were some candle and your Buch of camellia  

You were taken aback by this picture : the way he looks so hot and yet so adorable 

All you thought was to take your cloth and jump to him. But he stopped you 

« Go see the bathroom mon amour »

Which you did without a second thought 

You found the sexy lingerie he bought earlier and some oil 

When you went back to the bedroom with nothing but the underwear and the oil it was Sherloque’s turn to be breathtaking by your glorious figure 

« Tu es magnifique » 

You were sure a blush mess at this point but nevermind 

You joined Sherloque for the most intimate night you both share 

After literally broke the bed 

Sherloque dedicated the day to you as Cisco say to him he has to focus on you and only you which he did. And it was gladly appreciate 

You know your boyfriend loves you but sometimes he got super excited by a case he may forgot to give you attention 

So when he told you he’ll spend the whole night chilling with you 

You knew he was the one 

You decided to watch a lot of movie and série about murder and investigation just to see your boyfriend get super excited and focus about it. Plus he tends to cuddle you a lot when you watch movie together 

You read a lot of book and initiative him to Harry Potter and some video games 

By the end of the Day sherloque wanted to surprise you by cooking the meal. Despite the whole smoking it was good 

Before going to bed for some sleep he took your hand and look at you right in your eyes

« Y/N I know sometimes I may have been too focus on the case mais I want you to know that je t’aime I mean I love you like a lot I-I thought I will always be miserable in love but you prove me I was wrong and for once it felt good » 

Here the translation for Sherloque : 

Mon ami : my friends 

L’amour : love 

Mon amour : my love

Tu es magnifique : you are gorgeous or You are breathtaking 

Je t’aime : I love you

I hope you have a beautiful day with your significant other or on your own enjoying your life ! It’s actually 11 pm for me I am super tired but wanted to writing it down and publish it so I hope you enjoy it too ! ♡ 

[melly1]

Selena (the healer fox of Redwall Abbey)

(This is my gift to @mongoosefangs for the @redwall-midwinter-gift-exchange. (Sorry this post has taken so long.) This is my version of Redwall and a story about my Redwall character  with @mongoosefangs character. I made up my own “back” story for mongoosefangs character since I did not know if they already had one or not. @mongoosefangs, I hope you like the story.)

 Ever since she could remember, she had lived at Redwall Abbey. She knew her biological parents had given her and her twin brother up for adoption to different families, but they had both lost their adopted parents at an early age and wound up at Redwall. But Selena knew that her brother had lost more than her when his adopted family had died and their older sister brought him to Redwall and then died as well. How she knew that he had lost more was because she had been a few weeks old when her adoptive mother left her tucked safely away at one of the small Abbey wicker gates with a note for Abbot Mortimer and Constance as to why. When she was old enough to understand Abbot Mortimer told her about how she came to Redwall Abbey and what happened to her adoptive mother. It was at that time that as well that Abbot Mortimer had told her and her twin brother, Matthias that they were siblings. And twins at that!

It had shocked them both at first, since Selena was a fox and Matthias was a mouse, but they soon realized it to be true when Abbot Mortimer pointed out the necklaces they both wore and had had since before they came to Redwall Abbey. He even told them about their biological parents (that Selena’s adoptive mother had told him about), that they had a total of four other older siblings, and that Myrtle (Matthias’s sister) had been the oldest sibling. It even made sense when they thought about the bond they have had since the day Matthias had come to Redwall Abbey.

Since Selena had been brought to the Abbey, and that she could remember, she loved hanging around the Infirmary. Even as a dibbun she would usually find herself at the Infirmary watching the Infirmary Keepers help those that were sick or injured, and it fascinated her. Then one day, Constance brought in a very young mouse, about her age that had a fever and seemed to be delirious all the while crying out for his sister, Myrtle. After Constance had shooed the other dibbuns and young ones away, Selena had climbed up onto the bed to comfort the young mouse. She had even felt a connection to him, but she didn’t know how or why at the time.

“Shh. It okay. You safe now fwiend.” Little Selena whispered to the young mouse. “The Infimawy sis’s will help you feel better weal soon. They fix all you huwts and make you feel better.” She continued while gently petting the top of the young mouse’s head that she had placed in her lap.

“Selena, what are you doing?” Constance Badger asked when she turned around and saw little Selena the fox sitting on the bed with the young mouse’s head on her lap.

“I help him feel better. He needs me.” Was Selena’s reply.

“Well, Sister Agnus and the other Infirmary Keepers can take care of him. You should be outside playing with the other dibbuns.”

“But he needs me. He sick. He needs my help.”

It was then that Constance and the rest of the Abbey realized that Selena the Fox wanted to help others and would make a great healer one day. Also from that day on, Selena had been inseparable from the young mouse and called him friend until the day that Cornflower got him to say his name, Matthias. Then whenever Cornflower was around you would always find the three of them together.

 ...

After the war with Cluny, Selena’s brother became Abbey Warrior and married Cornflower. Selena on the other paw was asked by Abbot Mordalfus if she would become the new Infirmary Keeper. She had asked him to give her a few days to think about it and he had obliged.

“Ah, Selena. Brother Rufus said you wanted to see me?” Abbot Mordalfus said as he came into the Infirmary where Selena was putting away the new herbs she had brought back to the Abbey from her journey into Mossflower Woods.

“Yes Father Abbot. I wanted to tell you my decision about being the Abbey Infirmary Keeper.”

“Okay. And what is your decision, my child?”

“No.”

“No?” He asked surprised.

“That is correct.”

“May I ask why it is no?”

“Of course you may. Why I am saying no is because I feel like I would not be able to leave and help others out in Mossflower that would need my help. Like the badger family I helped out, on the Western Plains, a few weeks ago give birth to their daughter.”

“Oh. That makes sense.”

“Buuut… I would be willing to be a second or co-keeper when I am at the Abbey.” Said Selena.

“I think that would work.” Replied Abbot Mordalfus. “Do you have anyone in mind to be the “head” keeper?”

“As a matter of fact, I do. I was thinking that Sister May would be perfect for the job. She also trained under Sister Agnus and Sister Steffine.” Replied Selena.

“Okay. I will ask her then.” Said Abbot Mordalfus as he headed for the door.

All that happened a few days ago, and now Selena was out in Mossflower trying to find some rare herbs that the Infirmary had run out of. The Abbey didn’t use these particular herbs too often since there usually were not that many births at the Abbey, but this fall seemed to be different with Cornflower pregnant again. Everyone had been surprised when Cornflower gave birth about 8 weeks ago to a baby boy mouse, who looked a lot like his father. Even Cornflower hadn’t known she was pregnant until a few days before she gave birth. It had taken a few days for Selena’s nephew to be named, but her brother and his wife had finally decided to call him Matthias Methuselah Mortimer. Now the happy (and productive) couple was expecting again, and this time Cornflower was showing just a little bit.

“WHOA!” Selena said in surprise as she stumbled on a rock, catching herself with a tree before she could fall down the small ditch she had come across.

“Careful there.” Said an unfamiliar voice to Selena.

“Who’s there?” Selena asked while looking around.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to startle you.” Replied a handsome looking fox as he stepped out from behind some bushes and trees. “The names Rogan. What’s yours?”

“Hi, beautifully handsome fox, I’m…Rogan. I-I, I mean Selena.” She replied nervously to Rogan.

“What is a beautiful vixen like you doing out here all alone, Selena?” Asked Rogan.

Having gotten over her surprise at the gorgeous fox standing before her, Selena replied, “Looking for some rare herbs that I have run out of.”

“What kind of herbs?” Rogan asked while getting closer.

“Herbs for birthing. Like him-hemlock.” Selena replied nervously while slowly reaching for her dagger to protect herself if need be.

“Hemlock?”

“Yes!!”

“Hemlock??”

“Yes! Hemlock!” Realizing her mistake the second time she said yes, she continued with, “so I can totally poison my brother’s wife and baby and kill them.”

Rogan, not realizing right away that Selena was being sarcastic and trying to turn her mistake into a joke, became a little bit worried for her brother’s wife and baby.

“No. I am not really going to use hemlock. Nor am I looking for it.” Selena said to relieve Rogan’s worried look. “When I saw you earlier, your handsomeness took me by surprise. Then when you got closer to me you made me nervous again, but this time from possible harm, and my brain thought herbs for death… HEMLOCK!”

“That makes sense. Since you do not know me and there are many bands of evil foxes around this area.” He replied. “I on the other paw, am a simple healer fox that can amputate a paw or footpaw if need be with a bone saw. And I will not hurt anyone, unless attacked or needing to defend.”

“A simple healer fox?”

“Yes.”

“I’ve never heard of a “simple healer” anything that can amputate with a bone saw. Usually those are Great Healers since the patent has to survive the cutting off of a paw or a limb.” She answered.

“I see what you mean. Well, I don’t normally use my bone saw, so I figured I was a simple healer.” He explained. “By the way, what herbs are you actually looking for?”

“Ones that Redwall Abbey does not grow.” Selena replied, to see what Rogan’s reaction would be, and if he was truly a good fox instead of evil.

“Redwall Abbey you said?”

“Yes.”

“They don’t usually let foxes in… Especially since most have turned against the Abbey.”

“So far I am the only one they have truly trusted. But that could be because I was raised there.”

“I’ve always wanted to visit Redwall Abbey… Learn about the healing techniques, share some of my own techniques with them…” Rogan rambled on.

“Well you would have to get past my brother, the Abbey Warrior, first!”

“They have a fox for a Warrior?!?!” Rogan asked surprised and excitedly.

“No… What part of “So far I am the only one they have truly trusted.” didn’t you understand?”

“So your brother is not a fox then?”

“Nope. He is not. He is a mouse.”

“How does that work? Unless you are a Sister of the Abbey and he is a Brother of the Abbey.”

While Rogan spoke, Selena crossed her paws, leaned her weight on her left side, and gave Rogan a “seriously” look.

“For your information, I am NOT a sister of the Abbey and MY brother is not a brother of the Abbey.”

“Really? How is that possible?”

“We have the same parents…”

“I got that, but you’re a fox and he’s a mouse… and you are siblings? How does that work?”

“Oooh. Well our mother is a fox and our father is a mouse. It’s very strange I know, but it can happen.” Selena answered.

“I never realized it could happen since most can’t or don’t.”

“Yeah… My family species history is really interesting and strange.”

“I can see that. I guess that explains the five claws you have on each paw. Which I think is really cool by the way.”

“Thank you.” Selena said with a blush.

“You’re welcome. You are a beautiful vixen. I am surprised you don’t have a mate with you out here.”

“Well it’s kind of hard to find one when I live in an Abbey and majority of male foxes are evil.”

“Yeah. I get that. So, back to my original question about what type of herbs you are looking for…”

“I am looking for raspberry leaves, crampbark, scullcap, chamomile, geranium, shepherds purse, yarrow, and uva ursi.” Replied Selena, finally feeling like she could trust Rogan.

“Well, you’re in luck.”

“Really?”

“Yep. I know where to find every one of those herbs.”

“Really?!” Selena said excitedly.

“Yes. Really I do.” He said while offering Selena his arm.

“By the way I really like your gloves.”

“Thank you. I really like wearing them and they help keep my paws clean.”

“I can understand that.” Selena replied as Rogan pulled on of his gloves off to show his paw to her.

 Over the next few days Selena would go out into Mossflower for random reasons and excuses so she could meet up with Rogan. She would always come back with something new, rare, or different. When questioned about it, she would give a vague answer or some sort of lame excuse. After a while she decided to meet up with Rogan about once a week so she wouldn’t raise suspicions. Then one day, a few weeks later Cornflower went into labor just as Selena was crossing the Abbey grounds to meet up with Rogan. So, Selena was delayed in getting to their special meeting spot.

“Okay Cornflower, on the count of three I want you to push as hard as you can. One, Two… THREE! PUSH!!!”

Soon, Cornflower had given birth to a beautiful baby fox vixen, with the help of Selena, Sister May, and a few other females that lived at the Abbey. During Cornflower’s laboring, a small band of vermin decided to try and attack the Abbey as well as put it under siege for about three weeks. During the siege Cornflower and Matthias decided to name their little fox vixen, Katelyn. Selena was so excited to have a niece that was a vixen as well. Selena even hoped that Katelyn would want to be a healer too. After the vermin band had been dealt with and dispersed from the Abbey, that Selena went out to her and Rogan’s favorite spot to meet, hoping he would still be there. But he wasn’t there. So, she decided to wait a few days to see if he would come back. A couple of weeks later Matthias showed up to check on his sister and make sure she was okay.

“Selena? Are you here?”

“Yeah. I’m here.” She replied sadly while stepping out from behind a huge rock.

“He hasn’t showed up, has he?”

“No. He hasn’t”

“I’m sorry,” Matthias said, moving to give his sister a comforting hug.

“He must have moved on after I did not show up. He must not like me like I thought he did.” Selena said hugging Matthias with tears in her eyes. She had told Matthias and Cornflower about Rogan while the Abbey was under siege by the vermin band. She had been so happy and excited when she had told them. But… Now… Now, Matthias could see her heart breaking in two.

“He’s foolish to not like you, like you thought he did. Something could have happened to him to make him not come back. He must have been badly injured or kidnapped or…”

“Matthias.”

“Yes?”

“Thank you for trying to cheer me up, but, please stop. Because now you are worrying me.”

“Sorry.” Replied Matthias.

“It’s okay.” She said wiping away her tears and gently pulling away from Matthias’s hug.

“Are you ready to head back to the Abbey yet? Or do you want to wait a little longer?”

“No. I am ready to go back to the Abbey now. I actually have everything already packed to go.”

“Okay.” Said Matthias going around the rock to help Selena gather her stuff up to take back to the Abbey.

 ...

It had been seasons since Rogan had been in this part of Mossflower. He was a little farther south than the last time he had been here, but still close enough to Redwall Abbey that he wanted to visit the Abbey and see if Selena still lived there. But first, he wanted to find out what all the commotion was all about at the edge of the woods. When he got to the edge of the tree line he found a huge group of Woodlanders filled with mostly shrews, some mice, otters, squirrels, a hare, some hedgehogs, two badgers, a cat, three foxes, a rat…

“Wait a minute? This is a group of Woodlanders. What are three foxes doing in the group?” Rogan asked himself out loud.

“I don’t know FOX! What are three foxes doing in a group of Woodlanders?!” Asked a dangerous sounding voice of a male badger behind him.

Rogan slowly turned around to find the big male badger of the group, behind him, along with a mouse that had a dangerous, but beautiful, looking sword at the ready for a fight from Rogan. But Rogan could tell that there was no way he could take either warrior even if they were by themselves.

“What do you want fox?” Asked the mouse with the sword.

“Well… I am still curious about the three foxes in your group since most foxes would not be in a group of honest Woodlanders. I mean, I myself would love traveling with Woodlanders and would be willing to help them where—“

“Matthias? There you are. You disappeared on me before I could ask you something… Hi Rogan… I was going to ask if—“

“Rogan? You mean this is Rogan, Selen?” Matthias asked, pointing towards Rogan.

“Yes. Wait! Rogan?!?!” Selena said now realizing who she had just greeted and Matthias was talking about.

“Hi Selena.” Rogan started to say to Selena.

“Don’t you ‘Hi Selena’ me! You broke my heart!!!” Selena yelled at Rogan while Matthias put away his sword. “I trusted you and you left! You never came back to our spot! I—“

“SELENA! Calm down.” Matthias said while gently pulling his very angry sister away from Rogan, since she had backed him into a tree.

“But, but…”

“I know.”

“Wow! Did you ever get on her bad side!” Orlando said to Rogan while Matthias dealt with his sister. “I have never seen her that mad before.”

“Yeah, and I have no idea how I did either.” Replied Rogan. “I am so glad that her brother is here though. Although I am surprised that he stopped her from tearing me a new one. I mean… since she said I broke her heart, ya know?”

“Well, he is a fair Warrior that wants to know both sides or find out what is going on before taking action. He really thinks things through majority of the time. I, on the other paw, would have let her tear you a new one.”

“I kind of gathered that from you, sir.”

“You know, for a fox your very polite.”

“Well, I am not like most foxes.”

“I can tell.”

“FINE! I will give him a chance to explain himself, Matthias, BUT! If it is not a good enough explanation, I get to cut off his—“

“Let’s not do anything like that just yet Selena.” Replied Matthias to stop his sister from continuing her sentence.

“You better have a really good explanation for her.” Orlando whispered to Rogan.

“Yep.” Answered Rogan.

”Why don’t we go back to camp for lunch. And you two,” Matthias said while pointing at Rogan and Selena, “can talk.”

“Fine.”

“I’m okay with that.” Replied Rogan.

“Good. Let’s go then.” Matthias commanded.

 Everyone stared as an angry Selena, followed by a nervous Rogan, and then Matthias and Orlando, came into camp and went to wait for lunch. Selena soon quickly went to check on her charge, the third fox in the group, and see how her nieces where doing in getting the medicine on his face (it had turned out that Slaygar the Cruel was one of Selena’s and Matthias’s siblings, so now Selena, and Matthias’s daughters, Katelyn and Rosemary (the cat), where trying to help heal the huge scar on Slaygar’s face.

“So, is the male fox over there Selena’s mate?” Rogan asked Matthias as they waited for lunch. “And is that young vixen her daughter?”

“Uh… No.” Replied Matthias. “The male fox is actually our older brother, and the young vixen is my daughter.”

“Oh! Wow. Sorry. I did not realize that. I forgot that it could be possible for you and your wife to biologically have different species of young ones.”

“That’s okay. I can see how you would forget.”

“Did Selena ever find a mate/husband?”

“No.”

“Oh. I waited a couple of weeks for her, then I left to go help someone in need when I saw a pillar of smoke coming from the opposite direction of Redwall Abbey. She must have come not long after I left. I never realized I had hurt her. So, do you and your wife only have two children?” Rogan asked Matthias.

“No. We actually have four.”

“Four. Wow! Mice and foxes? Boys, girls?”

“Hahaha. No. we have two boys that are mice, a daughter that is a vixen, and another daughter that is a cat.” Matthias said. “Katelyn, the vixen, is the oldest daughter, and second oldest child.”

“And your kitten daughter?”

“She is the youngest of the four.”

“Cool.”

For the next few minutes, before lunch, Matthias and Rogan talked, getting to know each other, and Matthias figuring out what had happened between his sister and Rogan. Orlando even joined in on some of the conversation at times.

 Soon, Log-a-Log called for everyone to come line up for lunch, and then made Basil go to the back of the line for cutting in line (again). After getting their portions of food and drink Matthias, Selena, and Rogan went off to the side away from everyone so Selena and Rogan could talk while Matthias mediated between the two of them to keep the peace and quiet for everyone else whilst they ate their meal.

“Okay, Selena. Why don’t you go first and tell Rogan why you are upset at him.”

“Fine, Matthias. Rogan, I am upset at you because you never came back to meet me at our spot. And I thought you had loved me and then changed your mind.”

“Selena, there are a couple of reasons I never came back.”

“Okay. And what are those reasons?” Selena asked, a little bit irritated at Rogan.

“Well the first reason is because you never came back first.”

“Yes—“

“Secondly, I saw someone in need and went to help them after waiting two weeks for you to come to our spot. I figured your brother’s wife may have gone into labor when you didn’t come on the day we had planned on meeting up, but then you never came the days after that.” Rogan continued.

“Oh. I never knew you had waited that long.”

“I know. That’s why I wasn’t to upset when I saw you earlier. Plus your anger scared me a little bit.”

“Sorry. The reason I never showed up after Cornflower gave birth was because there was a band of vermin that put the Abbey under siege for three weeks. After that, I went to our meeting spot and waited about two weeks for you to come back. But you never did.”

“I’m sorry I never returned. As you can see, I pretty much thought the same as you. That you didn’t like me like that.”

“Are you kidding? I thought that was why you left me!” Came Selena’s reply.

“No. But I also had to wait for my paws to heal as well.” (At this point Matthias had pretty much stopped listening and was focusing on his food for a little bit).

“Really?! Why?”

“Because of the creatures in need. Their home was on fire and they had some little ones still in side and I went in to rescue them and burned my paws really bad see.” Rogan said while taking off his current gloves to show Selena. “Burned my gloves too.”

“I’m glad you were able to save the family.”

“Me too.”

“I’m sorry for being so upset at you.”

“It’s okay. I’m sorry for not leaving a note or some other way to communicate with you.”

“Well, I can understand your hurry to save some creatures.”

 “I love you!!!” They both said at the same time.

“Well. Now that my job is done,” Matthias said, getting up with his food and drink, “I will leave you two to it.”

“That’s fine, Matthias. We’re staying here for a while, correct?” Selena looked up at him asking.

“Yes. We were going to stay here for the night, then leave tomorrow for Redwall.”

“Redwall? May I come with you all?”

“What do you think, Selena? Is it okay if he comes with us?”

“I’m okay with it if you are, Matthias.”

“Looks like you can come with us, Rogan. But, you will have to earn your keep. Just like everyone else.” Matthias told Rogan.

“I’m okay with that. Especially if I can be with Selena.” Rogan said looking lovingly at Selena while she blushed a little. “Also, Selena. Does this mean you won’t cut off my—“

“Okay! I don’t need to hear this right now.” Matthias said quickly walking off.

 Epilogue

It has been three seasons since Aunt Selena and Rogan where reunited. Abbot Mordalfus has decided to name this summer, the Summer of the Lovers, since Aunt Selena and Rogan are getting married Today! Everyone is so excited, especially my parents. They know how much Aunt Selena loves Rogan (and how much Rogan loves Aunt Selena). Uncle Slaygar is even doing better since Aunt Selena and Rogan have been working to help heal his face. He is even thinking about going back to being called Chickenhound, but I (and my siblings) think that Uncle Slaygar sounds better than Uncle Chickenhound! Dad told him (and us) that he could change it if he wanted to and that the Abbey would support his decision, but it was up to him. Since coming back to Redwall, Uncle Slaygar and Dad have spent quite a bit of time together bonding and working past their problems.

For your Information: Uncle Slaygar is a terrible fisher. He actually tipped the boat he and dad where in the other day sending them both into the water. Mom, Aunt Selena, “Uncle” Rogan, Mr. and Mrs. John Churchmouse, Abbot Mordalfus (who normally goes fishing with Dad), and Orlando the Axe all had a good laugh from it. Well, I better go as the ceremony is about to start and I am one of the grooms “mice” for Rogan along with my brother, Mattimeo, and Uncle Slaygar is Rogan’s Best Fox. My sisters, Katelyn and Rosemary, are Aunt Selena’s Bride’s maids, and Mom is the Matron of Honor. Dad is the one giving Aunt Selena away to “Uncle” Rogan. If you are ever in the area, then please stop by if you can, for all are welcomed at Redwall (especially if you come in peace).

  Jonathan the Scholarmouse

of Redwall Abbey in Mossflower Woods.

Third born and son of

Matthias the Warrior

& Cornflower Fieldmouse.

  The End

[caranfindel]

Recap/review 15.12: “Galaxy Brain”

Oh, my friends, so many things have happened since we last got together. Most of them bad. But let’s try to forget them and immerse ourselves in our favorite show again, shall we?

THEN: Sammy lost hope (Saaaaaaammmmmm!!!!), Chuck needs to visit his other worlds, and oh. Crap. Kaia. Claire’s wooden response to Kaia’s death, Dark Kaia’s stupid dramatic poses… ugh. I’m not here for any of this. And also, Jack has to do exactly what Billie says if he wants to kill God.

NOW: Four weeks ago. Earth 2. Apparently Radio Shack Shed is still in business in this other world. Maybe because Hillary Clinton is the president. Oh, but things are going to go downhill for Radio Shed, because Chuck just walked in.

I take it you’re unsatisfied with your viewing experience at home?

You have no idea.

Hee!

The friendly Radio Shed employee tries to interest Chuck in his giant wall o’televisions, but he’s not here for a TV. What is he here for? “An audience. It’s monologue time.” Each of the TVs begins to show scenes from one of Chuck’s worlds, including the interior of the bunker in our world, as he begins his monologue. As we watch Sam’s visions from the other worlds, Chuck complains that he created his one world, created copies, and should be happy. Because he’s gotten what he wants from hundreds of Sams and Deans, and could get more. But the other worlds don’t spark joy like the original Sam and Dean do. “They challenge me. They disappoint me. They surprise me. They’re the ones.” Chuck doesn’t need more. He suddenly realizes he needs less. It’s time to cancel “all the other worlds, the alternate realities, the subplots, the failed spinoffs.” YES, CHUCK, ESPECIALLY THE FAILED SPINOFFS.

Title card!

Sioux Falls. Our version. Jody is examining a dead cow. Alex calls, wanting to know when she’ll be home to eat vegan lasagna. Which sounds nasty. I’ve got nothing against vegan cuisine, but I think taking a dish that’s supposed to be loaded with cheese, and loading it with not-cheese, is a mistake. Just make spaghetti. Jody says she thinks her dead cow is evidence of humans, not monsters. She sees something suspicious in a barn and heads inside, where she is promptly clobbered.

Bunker. Sam’s wearing that orange plaid shirt that fits him just right, although the collar is higher than I’d like, and we’ve discussed my feelings on orange. Whatever TFW is talking about, he doesn’t like it. “Which part?” Dean asks. “Jack’s deal with Death, or the part where she’s got him eating angel hearts?” Yeah, there’s a lot to dislike there. Sam doesn’t think they should trust Billie, and he’s concerned about Jack’s state of mind, considering that he is still soulless, and was in the Empty for months. And I’m sure this was not intentional on the writers’ part, but I like the way this played out. When they first saw Jack, Sam was the one who immediately reached out, because his boy was back, and it wasn’t until later that he thought oh, things might be fucked up. Dean, on the other hand, immediately had his guard up, and took a moment before he decided it was okay and accepted Jack. This feels true to the characters and I like it. But as I said, I’m sure it’s an accident.

For his part, Jack is wandering the dark rooms of the bunker. He comes across the initials scratched into the table and touches Mary’s, then retreats to his room. Where a strange woman suddenly appears behind him and says she’s answering Jack’s silent prayer to Death, who is busy at the moment.

Meanwhile, Cas says he has some concerns, but Jack trusts Billie and he trusts Jack. And that makes sense. Jack is, what, two years old now? So of course he’s learned who is trustworthy. It’s not like he ever trusted Lucifer or anything like that. Sam reminds them of the required cosmic balance, what with Amara needing to be cancelled out by God. Dean says, having spent time with Billie and visited her library, that he believes in her and her commitment to the rules. He thinks she’s probably got it all figured out.

��Probably?” Sam says. “Like she had the Ma’lak box figured out?” Well, there’s an interesting point. Billie was sure there was only one road that didn’t end in chaotic destruction, and she was wrong. {Or she was lying. Discuss.} But Dean’s still willing to put his faith in her. After all, she was right about Rowena. And it’s the only plan they’ve got, which Sam reluctantly agrees with. Well, he doesn’t agree as much as he just stops arguing.

Skeptical Sam!

Jack is telling his visitor about how he called out to Billie for help with the Grigori, but she didn’t respond. The visitor must be a reaper. She’s a pleasant change from other reapers – a middle-aged woman with gorgeous silver hair and a matronly outfit. She assures Jack that Billie must have known everything would turn out okay, or else she would have stepped in. All Jack has to do is follow Billie’s rules – lie low, wait for instructions, and don’t use your powers under any circumstances, because God might find you. Oooh, what could possibly happen now? Whose life will be in jeopardy, forcing Jack to use his powers?

Approaching Jack’s room, Sam hears him talking to the reaper. Sam knocks on the door and then opens it, which is not cool. {Sidebar: A knock is supposed to say “can I come in,” not “here I come.” You should wait for permission to open the door.} Anyway. When Sam enters, the reaper is gone. Jack claims he was talking to “no one,” and Sam lets that pass. He tells Jack he’s just checking in on him, and stumbles a bit when trying to express how glad they are to have him back. He tells Jack that he could have come to them, even though I’m pretty sure Jack said he couldn’t because he was hiding from God, but that was so long ago that I’ve forgotten. But let’s concentrate on the important part of this conversation. Sam’s face.

He’s awkward and endearing and I adore him.

Dean and Cas are sharing a decanter of whiskey now that Sam’s finally out of their hair. {waves to the Destiel shippers.} Cas explains that he was sure Jack would save the world somehow, and he was “lost” when Jack “died” because he knew Jack’s story couldn’t be done yet. And now, he is absolutely sure that he was right all along. “Here’s to being right,” Dean offers as a toast. He’s also excited about the idea of revenge against Chuck, though Cas says he’s only interested in “Jack fulfilling his destiny.”

Can we just have several minutes of Dean drinking whiskey? Please?

But before Dean can spend a lot of time basking in his anticipated revenge, his phone rings. It’s Jody. Someone’s holding a phone up to her face, so she must be tied up. “Dean, I’m in trouble. Route 11, Fletcher Farm, the old barn. If you don’t come, I’m dead.” Yeah, looks like trouble, all right.

Fletcher Farm. The Impala pulls up next to Jody’s Sheriffmobile. (Aw, typing that makes me miss the Pimpmobile.) It’s just Sam and Dean, though Sam is on the phone with someone when they arrive.

Hello, gorgeous.

The guys find Jody tied up, as predicted, inside the old Fletcher barn. Sam starts to untie her, as Dean conveniently looks the other way and therefore completely misses someone attacking Sam. You will probably not be surprised to hear that this someone is Dark Kaia. She dispatches Sam easily, as people always do when it’s convenient for plot reasons, and gets Dean by the throat. “You have something that belongs to me,” she says. Which, as we know from the Then, is her magic spear. That got broken. Oops. Dean doesn’t care that he promised her he’d get her back to her own world, or that he promised to return the spear, because “that promise expired the minute you hurt our friend.” Although, Dean, you were conveniently ignoring that promise long before Jody got involved, but okay. Luckily, Jody is able to sneak up behind Dark Kaia and hit her with something, allowing Dean and Sam to pull their guns. Yay! {Sidebar: I love Jody, y’all, but that doesn’t mean I want her being the badass instead of Sam.} Sam asks Dark Kaia why she’s so desperate to get back to “that hellhole,” because apparently Sam doesn’t get that your home is your home, even if it’s a hellhole, which makes perfect sense, she said sarcastically.

It turns out the awful orange jacket doesn’t actually match the orange plaid shirt all that well.

Dark Kaia explains that her world is dying, and she knows this because she’s psychically connected to Kaia 1.0. Who is still alive, somehow. Jody feels awful, but Sam and Dean are the ones who didn’t even bother to haul her carcass back through the rift, so. {Sidebar: Coincidentally, I just watched “Defending Your Life.” I wonder if Dean’s feelings of guilt have changed since that episode?}

Bunker. Jack is beating Cas at Connect Four when they hear the creaky door open. {Sidebar: The Husband winces every time he hears the Impala’s squeaky doors. Do the Winchesters not know what WD-40 is?} Sam comes downstairs with Jody, and we have this weird conversation.

Jody!

Hey, Jack, Cas.

Nice to finally meet you in person.

Have Jody and Cas really never met? And if not, why did she casually greet him with “hey, Cas?” Weird. Carrying on. Dean appears with Dark Kaia, who also greets Jack, because I guess she knows him from Kaia 1.0’s dreams or whatever.

Time jump. Cas insists Jack can’t help Dark Kaia, and the guys are like, no shit. But they still want to rescue Kaia 1.0 somehow, so they send Jody into the depths of the bunker to look for something they might not have thought of that can help them jump worlds. Let’s just think about that for a minute. These two, experts in hunting and lore, residents of the bunker for the past 7 years and at least one of them a cataloguer of its contents, who spent a huge part of previous seasons trying to break into a different world and scouring the bunker for anything that would help, think Jody will find something they didn’t?

Oh, for fuck’s sake.

Cas says he’s going to call Sergei to see if he has any more archangel grace. Sergei? Sergei who almost killed Sam recently, and had to be threatened with death to fix what he’d done?

Oh, seriously, for fuck’s sake.

Carrying on. Cas wants archangel grace because, other than Jack, it’s the only thing that’s opened a rift before. And Sam agrees, because both Sam and Cas have forgotten that an angel’s vessel retains some grace which can be extracted after the angel is gone.

Come on, guys. I’m trying, but you’ve got to meet me halfway. And this isn’t even a Buckleming episode.

Shhh. Concentrate on the pretty.

Dark Kaia yells that they’re wasting time, and Jack is right there and could get them to her world right now. “Hey, Not Kaia?” Dean says. “Not helping.” Hee! Jack decides he’ll do research instead, and then they have to decide what they’ll do with Dark Kaia. Jody says “She killed a prize heifer just to get my attention, then she jumped me, beat me up, and threatened to kill me. Do I get a vote?” Oooh, I like Dark Jody.

But the worst thing that happens to Dark Kaia is that they handcuff her to a table and force her to read a fashion magazine. She pretends she’s not interested, hurling it across the table, but sweetie, you’re not fooling anyone. I’m looking at your hair and makeup right now and I can tell you’re into it.

{Sidebar: Is this model supposed to remind her of Claire? Is that why she got upset, because she feels Kaia 1.0’s love for Claire? Discuss.}

Jack throws himself into the research and finds an old Italian spell that requires the liver of a monster which is, unfortunately, extinct because John Winchester killed the last one. Awkward. Dean suggests Jack check on Cas and Jody, and Jack does the oh, because I’m a failure look. The guys are sure they won’t find anything, but to me, the possibility of one spell that requires a monster’s liver implies that other spells might be possible. I mean, how special could that one monster be? Unless it was an archangel monster. Sam suggests he might be able to jerry-rig some magic using a substitute, and oh, guys, once again I’m sure this was accidental, but I love Sam being able and willing to do magic. Love it so hard. Unfortunately, he abandons this idea, since no substitutes are available.

In another part of the bunker, Cas is leaving fruitless messages with Sergei, who presumably remembers the last episode he was in better than Cas does. And Jody’s not having any luck identifying what she finds. They have a little chat about Claire, who is out of cell phone range (which means she won’t show up in this episode, thank you baby Jesus). Jody doesn’t want to involve her anyway, because she loved Kaia so freaking much after knowing her for, what, a day, and if they’re not able to rescue her, Claire would just be crushed.

I don’t know how we’ll be able to tell, since this is Claire’s crushed-by-the-loss-of-her-true-love face. And it’s also her Alex-borrowed-my-sweater-without-asking face. And her Patience-ate-all-the-Cheetos face.

Uh oh! Jack was listening! What will that do to him? He goes to see Dark Kaia and apologizes for not being able to do more. Dark Kaia blames him for Kaia 1.0 crossing over, and reminds him again that she’s going to die soon. Oddly, she doesn’t try this guilt trip on Dean, who pointed a gun at Kaia 1.0 and forced her into the car, as we saw in the Then. Dark Kaia says she crossed over into our world because she envied Kaia 1.0’s peaceful world, but it turns out she hates it, and desperately wants to go back to her own world. She grabs Jack’s hands and begs him to fix it. Jack touches her face, like he did when he was showing the Winchesters where Mary was being held in AU World, and sees Kaia 1.0 in the Bad Place. She’s got a shelter and a campfire and a lizard in a cage, so I guess things could be worse.

He goes to Sam and Dean and tells them he saw Kaia 1.0 and is going to save her. He confesses to dreamwalking, which is against Billie’s rules, but he insists it’s the right thing to do. “You’ve gotta be kidding me” says a voice from the shadows. Jack introduces Merle, his silver-haired reaper. “How did you get in here?” Dean asks, because he’s forgotten how reapers work, I guess.

(Checks again to make sure this isn’t a Buckleming episode.)

Merle says being willing to risk everything for one person isn’t just dumb, “that’s Winchester dumb.” Dean is offended but, well. She ain’t wrong. Merle says if Jack tries to use his power to save Kaia 1.0, she’ll tell Death. Jack says she should go tell Billie, but while she does that, he’ll open a rift, and therefore Merle will be in big trouble. And I kind of had the impression that reapers didn’t have to, you know, physically go find Billie to tell her anything, but maybe I’m the one who forgot how reapers work.

{Spoiler alert: I don’t think I am.}

Anyway, Jack’s threats work. Merle agrees to fix the bunker’s cosmic warding, which the Winchesters did not completely repair after Amara destroyed it. It can’t be restored permanently, but she can put up a temporary fix that will hopefully hide Jack from Chuck. And she’ll need to use Cas to juice it up. Oh, so many possibilities for disaster here. Later, Sam performs a spell and we see glowing sigils appear on the walls, which is a nice effect.

Sam reading the spell is also a nice effect.

Another time jump. The guys are packing for their journey. Dean asks how Sam feels about it, and Sam says “Honestly? It feels like we’re taking a big, probably stupid risk. It feels good. Disobeying cosmic entities, doing the dumb right thing. Feels like we’re back.” Aw yes. My boys, doing the dumb right thing.

Jody thanks Cas for staying, and he asks her to stay too. Because he’s concerned that if she gets killed, Claire will never get over it. Jody agrees that he’s right. And I’m pretty sure this is going to be important somehow; that something awful will happen because Jody isn’t there, or Jody staying behind will mean she’s able to save the guys somehow. {Spoiler alert: I’m wrong.}

Oddly enough, Jody doesn’t seem to actually tell the Winchesters she’s not going. I guess it happened off camera. Merle and Cas power up the sigils, Jack does his thing, and the rift opens. Dark Kaia goes through first, followed by Sam and Dean.

Bad Place! It’s dark and windy and there are lots of those weird little red-eyed dudes around, but they don’t attack. Dark Kaia says they’re afraid of the oncoming storm. {Sidebar: What evolutionary purpose is solved by glowing eyes? It seems like a hindrance.} They yell for Kaia 1.0, and she comes out to meet them, grabbing Dean for a hug. {Sidebar: Yeah, of course it’s Dean.} They turn to leave and wait, you’re just going to leave your lizard? He’s in a cage! He’ll starve! Dark Kaia doesn’t follow, and says she’s going to stay. Sam reminds her she’ll die, but she doesn’t care. She can’t live in our world. Which, well. It sucks sometimes. No judgment here, kiddo. And I guess she can take care of Kaia 1.0’s lizard. The Winchesters head back to the rift with Kaia 1.0 just as the lightning picks up and a huge cloud of destruction approaches. Oh. I guess that lizard didn’t need anyone to take care of him after all. Bye bye, Bad Place!

Bunker. Jody is sitting in front of the rift when the boys burst through with Kaia 1.0. Big hug! Later, we see Kaia (I’m gonna just call her Kaia now, since I think she’s the only one left) wearing Jack’s clothes. It’s cute. Jody invites her to move back with her. “Will Claire be there?” Kaia asks, because, you know, the love story for the ages, blah blah blah. Kaia thanks the guys, and leaves with Jody. Yay! Job well done, right? Except there’s a little too much time left in this episode for a happy wrap-up, so.

Merle tells the guys that if she gave a rat’s ass about Kaia, she’d call this a victory. But she’s pretty sure their scheme worked, since none of them are dead and oh crap, she’s impaled by a scythe. Guess again, Merle!

So, yeah, Billie’s here and she’s not happy. She lectures everyone and points out that one life isn’t important, because all the worlds are dying. All of them except this one. Sam angrily asks Billie what her plan is. She tells them everyone has a death book in her library, even God. God didn’t plot his own death, but “the books wrote themselves,” so Chuck’s death is in there, pre-plotted. But no one gets to read their own book unless Billie lets them. Jack is in Chuck’s book, and so are the Winchesters. “This is your destiny. You are the messengers of God’s destruction.”

Back at the Radio Shed, Chuck is watching his worlds self-destruct on the bank of TVs. He’s been there a while, judging by the number of takeout containers. The sales clerk is curled up on the floor, having served him “for weeks.” He asks Chuck if he’ll be spared, and Chuck says “You’ll be fine. Everything’s just fine.” Then he walks out of the store just as the sky fills with falling meteorites. Hey, I think that was a lie!

So. Several annoying things happened (yes, we know, because you wouldn’t shut up about them) but I can’t call this a bad episode. But I can’t call it a really good one, either. As mytharc episodes go, I guess it could be worse. What did you think? (And what does the title mean?)

Please help me stay unspoiled, thanks!

[britesparc]

Weekend Top Ten #454

Top Ten Launch Games 

Oooh, it’s finally here!  

By the time you read this, the Xbox Series X/S consoles will be out, and the PlayStation 5 will be imminent if not already with us. At the time of writing I’ve yet to sample either console, although hopefully that will soon change. However, it’s a bit of a weird console launch, especially for Xbox owners, as there’s not much in the way of actual launch titles. PlayStation has the excellent-looking technical showcase (in that it shows off their sexy new controller, if not necessarily the excesses of the console’s visual prowess) Astro’s Playroom. But on the Xbox side, the only genuine first-party exclusive (not including the port of rather smashing PC title Gears Tactics) was to be the troubled Halo Infinite, which has now been pushed to next year to deal with some of its apparent graphical deficiencies. For what it’s worth, as a Halo fan, I thought the actual gameplay presented looked as good as it always has, so I’m still very excited, but it’s a shame not to sample something genuinely new and shiny at launch. For me, then – as someone not getting a PlayStation this year – I’m going to have to contend myself with updated versions of older games, and hopefully something like the really exciting-looking The Falconeer or, eventually, Cyberpunk 2077.  

Of course, it’s not always been like this; in the past, a landmark game has often been the core reason to upgrade to a new console. Certain titles have defined their hardware platforms, offering a taste of the experiences to come, be it through revolutionary control systems, previously-unimaginable graphics, or simply by shattering preconceptions and expectations. As such, this weekend I’m celebrating my favourite launch titles. 

Now, a couple of my usual caveats. I’ve hardly owned any consoles in the grand scheme of things; I was a computer gamer until the launch of the first Xbox, and even then was PC-first until about midway through the 360’s life. As such I came to a lot of these late, or played them on friends’ systems. I’m sure a videogame historian would give you another list, one that was able to put each title into its historical perspective. For my part, I’m mostly basing it on how much I like the game, but I am also trying to weight it in terms of its “importance”. I mean, one of my favourite “launch titles” of all time would be Lego Marvel Super Heroes on the Xbox One/PS4, but that seems a bit of a ridiculous game to call a launch title, especially as it doesn’t really show off the hardware or define the generation in any particular way. I just think it rocks. So I’m trying to judge it also in terms of how effective a given game was at being a launch title, as well as my personal preference; as such, some games, which I think are more emblematic of their time or their hardware, might end up higher in the list than if I was otherwise just ranking my favourites.  

Christ, that was boring. Look, here are ten games that I like that came out when a console came out. Have at it. 

Halo: Combat Evolved (Xbox, 2001): it’s not just that it made playing an FPS on a console as comfortable and enjoyable as on PC, but it revolutionised what an FPS could do. Expansive open landscapes, dynamic combat with intelligent enemies, an ingenious shield/health combo, two weapons, drivable vehicles, and frankly outstanding graphics. And for Xbox – a curious underdog, a big black sheep devoid of cool or class and feeling like Microsoft was trying to buy its way into the console space with a hefty dose of brute force – here was something unique, something incredible. I don’t think anyone quite expected Halo, and it’s arguable that it single-handedly changed not only Microsoft and Xbox’s fortunes but the entire game industry too.  

Wii Sports (Wii, 2005): the Wii was this strange outlier, a tiny white box that eschewed the grunt and girth of its rivals, and seemingly built around its unique motion controller. Would it work? Wii Sports proved that yes it would, a delightful bundle of games that perfectly showed what the console and controller could do. Immense fun in and of itself, but the Wii’s ability to lower the barrier of entry to non-gamers meant that your dad could thrash your brother at bowling. And that is a thing to cherish forever. 

Tetris (GameBoy, 1989): depending on where you look, Tetris may just be the best-selling game of all time. It’s on everything now, from the Xbox Series X to your watch. But there was a time when “Tetris” meant “GameBoy”; that four-colour greenscreen box of wonder that everybody had but me. It was beyond ubiquitous, and its short-form nature and simplistic styling made it ideal for the portable console, its chirpy and iconic music sounding perfect coming from those tiny speakers. And above all else, of course, Tetris is fantastic, one of the greatest games of all time. It was a perfect marriage of software and hardware. 

The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild (Switch, 2017): so here’s the thing: I like Zelda, but I’ve never fallen in love with it. I didn’t grow up with it, so coming to Ocarina of Time, there were too many old-fashioned trappings in the way; it just didn’t feel as enthralling or as fun to play as, say, Half-Life or Deus Ex. BOTW changed that; the limitations were gone, the world was blown wide open. It no longer felt like an 80s game in three dimensions, it felt new. Better than new – it felt like tomorrow. Despite the Switch being graphically weaker than its contemporaries, BOTW was and is simply gorgeous to look at, but it’s how it plays, how it feels like a vast but real world, how it has its own rules and they make sense instantly. It’s the greatest open world game of all time, and emergent physics sandbox, and yet it’s still unquestionably Zelda, emphatically Nintendo. Okay, it technically came out on the Wii U at the same time, but who the hell played that? This was the game that made you want a Switch.  

Super Mario 64 (N64, 1997): this is often the game people cite as being one of the great revolutionary launch titles, but I must confess its charms were lost to me at first. Taking what was great about Mario and converting it expertly into 3D was a heck of a feat; graphically for the time it certainly impressed in the scale of its worlds, and whilst back then I felt it lacked the detail and granularity of some PC titles, in retrospect it was a perfectly-suited art style, offering smooth textures even when right up close. But it was its precise controls and the open, hub-based nature of its worlds that was revolutionary; many games aped its style, but it took a long time before anything really matched it.  

Hexic HD (Xbox 360, 2005): not every game here has to be some genre-busting graphical powerhouse; they can be simple but quietly revolutionary. Hexic HD is a terrific puzzle game with a simple hook, brilliantly executed, and enough intrigue and nuance to keep you coming back for one more go, to beat your high score, to get to the next tricksy level. But the time and manner of its release, and what that signified, marked it out as something more important. It was the first Xbox Live Arcade title; Microsoft’s curated gallery of smaller, more indie-flavoured games. More than that, it was free, coming pre-installed on all Xbox 360 Pros (the ones with the removable hard drive). It was a taste of what was to come, introducing audiences not only to the idea of playing these kinds of smaller, less intense games on a console, but also the idea of purchasing and downloading them digitally. It was great and ground-breaking in equal measure.  

WipEout (PlayStation, 1995): I kinda missed the PlayStation generation. I was still, more or less, in my PC-centric “consoles are toys” mindset (which I wouldn’t fully shake off till the release of the N64). But I came to appreciate its qualities as a cool, exciting, super-fast futuristic racer. I’m pretty sure it’s not the first 3D hover-car racing game, but it was presented in such a groovy package that it ticket all the boxes, and helped show off just what the PlayStation was capable of in terms of its 3D graphics and CD sound. And, of course, it helped define the console as being a bit more edgy and grown-up than the previous Nintendo and Sega stalwarts. 

Super Mario Bros. (NES, 1988): what can be said about one of the most iconic games of all time? Mario Bros defined not only a console, not only a generation, but arguably an entire artform. Creating what we now know as a platform game, it expanded and surpassed the basic template of Donkey Kong into a roaming adventure, part twitch-gaming reaction test, part puzzle game. I played a lot of copycat games on my Amiga, but even then, as a whiny computer brat, I knew that Mario was better. Even when my cousins got a MegaDrive and Sonic, I knew – deep in my heart – that Mario was better. It's a deep game, an endlessly replayable game, a supremely fair game despite its difficulty. I think it’s hard to overstate just how good, or how influential, Mario was. 

Project Gotham Racing (Xbox, 2001): I tried hard to pick a different platform for every game in this list, but I couldn’t exclude PGR. This may be tied up with my biography a little bit, but my other half and I played this game to death. I never think of myself as a big racer fan, but every once in a while a title comes out that I just really, really get into – Jaguar XJ220 on the Amiga, Midtown Madness on PC, the Forza Horizon series nowadays – and PGR did that in spades. A gorgeous arcade racer, it was a great launch title to show off the sheer grunt of the Xbox; then, as now, the most powerful console on the market. It also offered a terrific four-player split-screen. But its Kudos feature – borrowed from semi-prequel Metropolis Street Racer – offered ways to win outside of sheer racing graft, awarding cool driving. I still love the original, and I kinda wish they’d bring back or reimagine its city-based driving for a future release or Forza spin-off. 

Lumines: Puzzle Fusion (PSP, 2004): okay, so this is a bit of a cheat as I've barely played the original PSP version, but Lumines is just phenomenal; the best moving-blocks-around game since Tetris, and probably the most influential one since then too (for the record, I've played it extensively on multiple other platforms). An excellent spin on a Tetris-a-like, its use of music and colour made it a beautiful, brilliant sensory experience. With Sony entering the handheld market, the PSP needed a USP, something vibrant and cool that suited a portable experience, and Lumines provided it in spades; also its funky visuals and music was a good fit for Sony’s brand.  

Well, that was fun, and a lot harder than I expected. If you’re enjoying a new console this Christmas, then hopefully you’ll have fun with one of the new launch titles too – even if I doubt any (apart from maybe Astro) would trouble a list like this in the future (although I do think The Falconeer looks all kinds of cool). 

[cookiedoughmeagain]

Haven DVD Commentaries: 4.08 - Crush

Commentary with Speed Weed (yes, that is actually his name), writer for the episode and Shernold Edwards, writer for the next episode

[As we see Duke burying Wade] SW: “This was the very first day of filming for this episode and I thought Eric just knocked this out of the park.” They really dug a hole in the ground for Eric to roll a dummy into. The location is near their production office in Chester.

Both commentators agree on the cuteness/adorableness of Emma Lahana as Jennifer.

SW talks about the deleted scene of Nathan and Audrey waking up together; it’s on the DVD, it’s also online. “Since 4.07 ended with them jumping into each other’s arms we wanted to open with that, but it got cut basically for length. Because of the big emotional scene at the end of the episode (which also takes places in Audrey’s apartment), we wanted to have space for that to breathe.” SE: “Don’t be upset about that though fans, because I try to throw in them making out wherever I possibly can.”

[As Duke is telling Jennifer in the Herald that he’s leaving town] SW: “I just love what Eric did here. He’s an actor who when you push his character to the edge he really performs well. We get him to this place where because he’s killed his brother he decides he should leave town, and I just love this moment of performance. And actors tell me that when you’re acting against someone who’s really solid it makes it all the more special, and to have Emma on the other side of it was great.”

[As Duke first sees the effects of the pressure Trouble in the road] SW: “We had originally scripted that the effects of this pressure Trouble were to be seen as an advancing sea-green wave. For a variety of reasons we decided not to do it that was but that mean production had to make all of these things implode because of the growing pressure .. and just hats off to the production team who created all these things with a pressure differential and got them to crush like that.” SE: “In case you haven’t figured it out already, Speed’s the science guy.” SE: “It’s true. I spend about 10 years writing science magazine articles for Discover Magazine, National Geographic, popular science.” And as this is the first commentary he’s ever done he just wants to take the opportunity to say “Speed Weed is my name; Weed is my family last name, and Speed is not my legal name but is a nickname my parents gave me the day I was born. I’ve had it my entire life and I’ve never used any other name.”

[As we see the decompression chamber that Duke and Jack put Vince and Dave into] SW: “So they built that. [*surprise from Shernold*] Our fantastic art department headed by Jennifer Stewart built that out of metal and wood and cardboard and it looks so good and so real. And they did it in a way that you can shoot the inside and the outside.” SE: “It looks really good! They even dirtied up the windows.” It was set up at a location called North West Cove, and is about 300 yards from the Grey Gull [the location in reality that is, not in the story].

[As we see Duke argue with Audrey and Nathan on their way to speak to Vince and Dave outside the compression chamber] SW: “This is one of my favourite scenes in this episode because I love it when you get your main characters hot at each other. And they are really hot here and they have reason to be. The challenge as we designed these epsiodes is to make sure that things are grounded and real and people have real emotional core as to why they feel the way they feel and argue the way they argue. By the way the light up there is phemnomenal. This scene was at sun set and the light was gorgeous.

They have a selection of questions soliticted via Twitter and pick one out of a hat; “I’d love to know the reactions of some of the actors when they learned what their characters were doing next.” SW: “This is a really good question, but the truth is the actors read the scripts when they get them; alone at their houses or in their trailers. And I would love to be a fly on the brain, if you will, to know what their first thoughts are. Because they are the people who inhabit these characters and it’s our job to make sure that we take them in interesting and suprising directions and yet ones that are also emotionally grounded. And we have actors that care about their characters and they push back on us if they don’t feel that what they’re doing is justified…. And they’re fiercely protective of their characters in a really great way. So I wish I could answer that first moment of what they feel like when they react.” And he talks about the process of shooting, about how for the 7 days they’re shooting one episode they will also be prepping the next one - and so that’s the point where actors get to talk to the writers and make any comments. “And more often than not it’s just a case of having a conversation and coming to an understanding. On this particular episode I don’t remember any reactions other than, ‘That’s great!’”

Another question from Twitter; “How long had William’s existence been plotted?” SW: “So, we had never imagined that whoever created the Troubles acted alone. So in a sense, William has been around for a very long time. I will say that the specificity of William came about in the very early stages of our designing season 4 (which would have been January 2013 when I first joined the show).

They both talk about the actor playing Aiden (lead on a Canadian show called The Listener that Shernold worked on) and what a good job he did and how he had no prep; they only got to talk to him once he was on set in costume already. And about what a great job the director for the episode did, how he is great at bringing out performances from the actors.

The horseshoe crabs with human eyes that Jennifer sees where built by the production team using a real horseshoe crab carapace (which curiously enough are all over the place in Maine but don’t exist in Nova Scotia, so they had to buy one from afar). And they painted human eyes on it and mounted it on a little remote control car.

Another Twitter question; “Since you were new to writing for Haven last season, what did it take to up to speed with the series?” SW: “This is my first genre show. Prior to writing for this, I wrote for police procedurals and political shows largely, and this is my first sci-fi/fantasy show and I have to say I’m so excited that this is the show I landed in on because if I’d landed on a zombie show or a vampire show or something like that, you have maybe five rules that you have to follow. This show tests you so hard as an intelligent human being because every week we reinvent the wheel. We invent the rules of the day. And so to answer the question, it took me a long time. And the writing staff here was incredibly welcoming to a guy who didn’t have a lot of genre experience. Honestly, in this room a lot of pitches start something like this; ‘Do you remember in the third reel of the second resident evil movie….?’ and I’m totally lost with that kind of thing. I look around the table and everyone else is nodding like they know exactly what’s going on and I have no clue whatsoever. But it’s such a warm and familial room… and I guess the nice thing is that you can make up your rules with every episode. So we were very specific with the pressure rules of this and we spent a long time on the paranoia rules of episode 4.09.”

SE: “What is Duke doing with that flip phone? You know he wants to press some buttons.” SW: “Duke only has like, steampunk phones.”

[As Duke and Nathan argue after talking with Jack] SW: “Oh here comes the punch, I’m so excited for this punch.” SE: “He is so good looking.” SW: “We have actors who largely do their own stunts. There!” SE: “Oooh that was good!” SW: “Yep. And so the way they do that is, they will shoot two versions of that. They will go full speed to the moment where the fist hits the face, and they freeze. And as they freeze, the AD calls make up and make up runs in and puts the blood on Duke’s fist and Nathan’s chin and they continue through the action. And then in post you marry it together so you have a full sweep of the fist going through.” SE: “How often do they forget to pull the punch though? Do they smack him for real?” SW: “Well, on that they were perfect. He moved his fist really fast, and stopped it immediately as he touched Lucas Bryant’s chin. They’re good at that..” [As Duke pulls up in the van with the deep sea diving equipment inside] SW: “There’s a moment here I wanted to shout out to about Eric Balfour’s physicality … Oh here it is, so I hope this ends up on the blooper reel; in one take, as Duke got out of this Dominion Diving van - we’re at the top of a giant hill in Lunenberg here - he forgot to put the parking brake on and the van started rolling downhill and honestly all of us thought that this van was going to go 200 feet vertically downhill and kill someone. And Eric Balfour god bless him, got in that van and stopped it in a way I don’t think any other actor could have.” SW: “OK so the suits; these are real, deep sea, pressure diving suits. They were provided to us by a deep sea salvage company near Halifax called Dominion Diving. It was part of our agreement that we got to use their van and show their name in the take. So for most of this, unless you can see the actor’s face, these are actually the Dominion Diving guys walking in their own suits. And they are really heavy suits because they’re meant to be used under water where they’re neutrally boyant, but on land … All I can tell you is Eric and Lucas spent the better part of a day in those suits and if they put them on for 10 minutes they were sweating like hell. And the same is true of Emily and god bless her because she did a great job and she had a baby just a few months before and she was totally game getting in these suits and doing all this stuff and it was very physically challenging.”

Another Twitter question; “Since it was the same day from one episode to the next (8 and 9) how much time is spent discussing the transition?” SE: “We have to plan that, we have  to make it realistic. And I thought it was particularly clever with these two episodes because there’s the drama of the shot going off in 8 and then rolled it back in 9 to see what actually happened… So yes, to answer the question we do plan - hopefully effectively - between transitions like this.” SW: “It is very tempting in these shows to not have a nighttime and a session of sleep pass. And there are differing opinions (both in this writers’ room and writers’ rooms in general) to not slow down the drama by having a day pass. One feeling is that you have to be true to reality; you can’t have a 26 hour daylight day. The other feeling is; most people don’t notice. And in the tension between those two; you get what you get. It’s a great question because it means that people are really paying attention.” [As Duke and Nathan get their helmets off] SW: “You can see here how sweaty these guys are and in this take they haven’t had the suits on for very long; they’re just super heavy. And those guys loved that. They had so much fun in those suits; it was such a departure for them.”

SE [About Duke]: He is /so/ good looking. I guess we know which team I’m on. Actually, I am neither waffle nor pancake, I am team Shuke because if Duke was real character there would be no competition. He would be like ‘Shernold, where’ve you been all my life?’ And I would be like, ‘I’m right here, what took you so long?’” SW: “Have you told Eric that?” SE: “It’s Duke. Not Eric. Eric and I have a friendship that’s based on professionalism and respect and fun. But if there was a Duke-Duke, like a /real/ Duke...” [As we see Jennifer inside the Rouge] SW: “Oh here it comes … this scene. Duke’s changed his mind. So as this is being shot [Duke kissing Jennifer] I’m sitting about where the kitchen is and this was really hot. I’ll just say it; it was hot. These two had a chemistry for sure.” SE: “And she is adorable.”

[As we see Audrey and Nathan in her apartment] SE: “I can’t say enough about how great these two are in this scene.The truth is our actors love - they’ve have fun with the suits and all that, but when they get to do what we call a two-hander and just play the emotion (especially something that’s built up over three seasons) and dig deep into how their characters feel about each other, I do think I’m not speaking out of turn when I say that this is one of their favourite things to do. And it seemed like this, they treated it like a short play, and they get to run it through without stopping. And I think that’s when we see them at their best.” SW: “There were lot of questions about this scene from the Twitterverse and someone asked a very smart question about how the actors prepped for that scene.” So this conversation where they are coming to the decision that maybe Audrey should shoot Nathan, is cut into three or four scenes in the edit, but on the day they shot it through all in one go. “And I really want to take my hat off to the director and to Emily and Lucas, because, we live in a world where supernatural things don’t happen …” SE: “That we know of.” SW: “... people don’t have to shoot their one true love in order to end supernatural Troubles. And yet for this scene to work, it has to be real and grounded, and you have to decide that the greater good and the best thing is that you have to kill your one true love. And they (the actors) knew that’s a tall order; it’s not easy. And they took this so seriously. And I was so affected watching this. And we didn’t do a huge amount of sizes because we knew we wanted to be close in this - by that I mean how close is the camera on the actors. If I remember correctly the director was thinking that they might want to break them up and shoot them bit by bit,” so that Emily could do multiple takes at the emotional level 1, then move to the next level for multiple takes, then stay at the final level for multiple takes, “but god bless her Emily decided to do the whole rise and the whole arc of it time after time, take after take. And I can’t really answer the question because when they were at home two days before this I don’t know how they prepared for it. But I do know that when they showed up on set that day they were ready. Both for the lovey-dovey scene at the beginning of the episode [which was shot directly before this] and for the awfulness of this scene at the end of the episode. The emotional difficulty of it.” SE: “And I would gues that these two - they’re such terrific friends too and their families are close everything - would pick up the phone and talk to each other about it, or that they would get on set and just be in the moment.”

[As Duke, Jennifer, Vince and Dave are talking at the bottom of the steps outside the Gull] SE: “Quick point of local interest; John Dunsworth who plays Dave, you can almost see it in that shot of Duke, his family owns like a hundred acres of coastal land right next to the Grey Gull. And at lunch on this day, he took me to his private dock and out on a boat ride around the cove and it was one of my most memorable experiences from my time up there I really enjoyed it.” SE: “He’s so much fun.”

[lalunaunita]

The Purrfect Crime: Chapter 1

I’m very pleased to share that this old WIP is finally done!! I started writing it back in 2018 (I think) and when the WIP Big Bang @wipbigbang revved up for 2019, I knew it was a perfect piece for me to finish. Per the Bang rules, I’ll publish the last chapter on my posting date of August 17th. I’ll be updating every week until then.

This story is based on a 1991 children’s book of the same name by Andrew Helfer. When I heard about it, I thought it was such a great (and cute) plot that I wanted to try writing my own version! Major plot points and storyline are all credited to Andrew Helfer. New story text and new subplots are by me. Copies of the original book are available and the ISBN to find the book is 0307126218. Many thanks to @haveievermentioned for remembering this book and bringing it to my attention.

Chapters: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7    Music Fanmix by @pennywaltzy

Rating: Teen

Summary: All kinds of cats in Gotham are disappearing! When several expensive animals are stolen, Batman's top suspect is Catwoman. But is there more to these thefts than meets the eye?

The Purrfect Crime: Chapter 1

Forty squirming, squealing kids threw popcorn and chattered at each other in the rows below Bruce Wayne at Gotham City’s Circus Charity Night. Charity Night at the Circus had become a tradition in the Wayne household over the last few years. Shortly after adopting Dick Grayson, the young man had requested these circus outings for the children at his old orphanage. Bruce had readily agreed.

He always turned it into an event—playing at an exclusive park, followed by dinner, then the show under the Big Top. Curiously, Dick never attended. Bruce didn’t press him. He knew all too well the pain childhood memories could bring.

Bruce and his date sat wisely out of range of the concessions-turned-missiles. She turned to him, the elegance of her black velvet dress belying her giddy excitement.

“What’s your favorite part of the circus?” Tatiana asked him, tossing her lustrous dark hair over one shoulder.

“The big cats,” Bruce replied. “They’re so gorgeous and powerful.”

“Oooh, must be something of a kinship, I suppose,” she teased, batting her eyes flirtatiously.

Bruce tried not to roll his as he focused his attention back on the three rings below. Tatiana was an extraordinary beauty, just the kind of woman Bruce Wayne should be seen with around Gotham. Unfortunately, she was also an utter bore.

Music swelled and the children quieted as a spotlight focused on the Ringmaster in the center of the tent.

“Ladies and gentlemen, it is our privilege to bring some of the finest creatures in nature to you. Watch carefully, and don’t be fooled! Our trainer would have you believe these lions and tigers are tame as house cats, but they are not to be trusted! Remark the ferocious gleam of their fangs and the sharpness of their claws. Please do not tempt their murderous appetites with a stray finger or hand! And now… on with the show!”

The crowd jumped to their feet to get a closer look at the cats, applauding the Ringmaster’s speech. All eyes were on the thick red curtains that led backstage, but minutes went by and no cats of any kind paraded forth. The pregnant silence was interrupted by shouts behind the curtains.

Bruce casually pressed a button on the side of his cell phone and it rapped forth an irritating, high-powered ringtone. He gave an exaggerated sigh for Tatiana’s benefit.

“Hang on, it’s the Board. I’ll be back in a minute. Hello…?” he said, affecting frustration as he pressed the phone to his ear.

Bruce stepped into the aisle, pretending to converse as he quickly made his way out of the stands. He stuck to the shadows, slipping around to the back of the big top. Outside the main tent, dancers, acrobats, and clowns walked to and fro, prepping for their acts or chatting with each other.

The argument had crescendoed; Bruce could hear the Ringmaster desperately shushing whomever was shouting. Bruce hid himself in the darkness between two tall wooden crates. He discovered he was fortuitously close to a seam in the main tent’s canvas. He put his eye to the opening and caught a glimpse of Commissioner Gordon’s familiar face. Commissioner Gordon stood straight as an arrow and looked down his nose at a rather unkempt man in suspenders and a stained undershirt.

“We’ll find your cats,” the Commissioner assured him. “There aren’t that many places in Gotham to hide lions and tigers. Or that many places to sell them. My men are on it already.”

“They better be! Those animals are expensive. If my cats aren’t back by tomorrow, I could lose my job!” the unpleasant man screeched.

The Ringmaster put a placating hand on the man’s arm, but he shrugged it off. Bruce watched as the Commissioner cast an observant eye over his surroundings.

“Now, just to be sure I have everything down correctly, these are the cages for the big cats?”

He indicated four or five surprisingly small wheeled trailers arranged in a semicircle. They looked like old fashioned animal cracker boxes, although they did have the addition of thick rolled draperies that could be let down over the iron bars to fully enclose their tiny spaces. Bruce could see, and even smell, that they hadn’t been cleaned in a while.

“Yes, yes,” the trainer replied impatiently.

“And you did not take them out prior to their performance?” The Commissioner frowned under his moustache as he looked at his notepad.

“No! I already told you that!”

“And you do not have any kind of yard or pen for them to stay in—other than the cages?”

The man didn’t notice the steely glint in Commissioner Gordon’s eye as he shook his head. “They stay in the cages if we aren’t training or performing. Seriously, are you even taking notes?”

“I have to ask to be sure, Sir. Police procedure.”

Bruce grinned as the Commissioner turned away from the man and focused on the Ringmaster, completely dismissing the trainer from the rest of the conversation. The man’s mouth opened and closed a few times and his eyes bulged. But the Commissioner resolutely refused to meet his eye. With an exasperated sigh and a few muttered curses, the trainer walked away to go scold his assistants at the cages.

“As I said,” Commissioner Gordon continued, still standing tall in his most imposing posture, “I already have people looking into all possible locations that can hold big cats. We’re checking all cargo transports out of the city and taking every precaution to find your animals. In the meantime, detectives will be interviewing your employees—to see if anyone saw anything.”

Bruce heard the unspoken notion that the detectives would also be interviewing the employees as potential suspects. The Ringmaster picked up on it too, but nodded frantically.

“Whatever it takes to get George his cats back. He’s difficult at the best of times, but he knows how to train the big cats. We simply don’t have a show without them!”

As the Commissioner made his exit, Bruce leaned back from the circus tent canvas. George might be good at training, but it seemed that he and his staff were terrible at caring for their precious animals. Dirty cages and no room to run or play? He’d had no idea the Gotham City Circus kept their animals in such squalid conditions. Maybe there was a way to put in an anonymous tip… but there was no guarantee an honest city worker would look into the case. Issuing citations wasn’t likely to fix the problem. There had to be a solution, though. He’d think on it.

Later that evening, Bruce cruised the streets of Gotham after dropping off Tatiana at her penthouse. The woman is part octopus, he thought sourly as he recalled his struggle to extricate himself from her amorous embrace at her door. He’d pleaded an emergency board meeting and made tracks, leaving her beautiful pouting lips and sultry eyes behind.

Bruce stopped at a familiar intersection to wait out the red light. He looked up at the building on his left and noticed Commissioner Gordon’s light still on in his office.

Five minutes later, the Batman tapped softly at the Commissioner’s window. The silver-haired man looked up, startled, then smiled. He slid open the window and moved aside to allow Batman to descend on silent feet. The line of his grappling hook whizzed quietly as it retracted into his utility belt.

“You’re up late, Commissioner. Everything okay?” Batman asked as the two shook hands.

Gordon ran a hand through his wavy hair, sighing. “Just working on a weird one, Batman. Cats. Missing cats. With all the missing people in this town, you’d think that would take priority, but here I am, trying to track down animals like a dog catcher. Or a cat catcher, as the case may be.”

“I heard about the no-shows at the Circus. Are you saying there are more missing?”

Commissioner Gordon laughed without humor. “That’s exactly what I’m saying. A lot more, in fact. We’ve gone past ‘hundreds’ and are closing in on a thousand or more. I don’t know if we’re looking at some kind of predator or—”

“Are there signs of predation? Claw marks or other clues of struggle? Any blood, bones?”

The Commissioner shook his head. “No, thank heavens. God knows I’ve got my cat Ruffy secured at home, though. I was letting him out to roam every once in a while, but now I keep him indoors. I’m a little spooked about him getting grabbed.”

Batman nodded, thinking. “That’s a good idea, Jim. If you aren’t seeing any signs of violence, it seems more likely this is theft.”

“That’s where I was leaning too, Batman. I just got a call from the Southminster Cat show; one of the show cats has been taken. The night watchman didn’t see a thing. I’m going to follow up in the morning and talk to the owner. You want to join me?”

“I’ll bring the coffee, Jim. See you there.” With that, Batman stepped onto the ledge of the open window and disappeared into the night.

Commissioner Gordon couldn’t help it; he leaned out to see which way Batman had gone. But just like every other time, he never caught a glimpse of the Batman after his dramatic exit. He sighed. There was nothing more he could do for the case tonight. He closed the window, packed up his briefcase, and headed home, where he hoped Ruffy would still be waiting.

Dick was laid out on a comfortable Italian leather couch, flipping idly through a magazine when Bruce came through the den.

“And how was the lovely Ms. Aurbach?” he asked, lifting his eyes only marginally from the page.

“Grabby,” Bruce replied.

He loosened his tie and removed his cufflinks, dropping them into the pocket of his slacks. Alfred never failed to check his pockets before washing.

Dick closed the magazine and leapt to vertical, an effortless motion his acrobatic background afforded him. “Oh, really? That doesn’t usually vex you.”

“Who says I’m vexed?” Bruce retorted, just as Alfred entered with a tray.

The nascent argument was forestalled by a late night snack the butler had prepared. The trio settled in around a deeply stained and well-polished coffee table. Alfred poured tea from a silver service and passed the cups around.

“I trust Ms. Tatiana is well,” the butler began, “and that the Circus was a delight.”

“Actually, Alfred, someone stole the lions and tigers. But yes, the rest of the night was fine.”

Dick nearly spat out his tea and eyed Bruce incredulously. “The lions and tigers? Seriously? That’s kind of... specific. And heavy. It would be heavy.”

Bruce sipped his tea with perfect form, ignoring Alfred’s approving glance at his lack of slurp. “That’s not all. Tomorrow I’m meeting Jim Gordon to interview the owner of a missing show cat at the Southminster Cat Show.”

“Stolen as well?” Dick raised an eyebrow.

“I hate to make assumptions…”

“I know you do. I’ll wait for your conclusions upon examination of the evidence,” Dick replied, rolling his eyes. “Anything I can do to help?”

“Just be on call. You have anything else going on this week?”

Dick shrugged. “It’s summer break, Bruce. Other than a couple hot dates, I’m free.”

“Not too hot, I hope.”

“Alfred’s run background checks on them already. Well-bred young ladies from Gotham Academy, not a rebel among them. I’m just trying to be a normal teenager, Bruce. Promise.”

Bruce popped a water cracker topped with gruyere cheese into his mouth and leaned back, chewing. He swallowed. “I know, Dick. I’m glad. It’s not always easy with me, I’m aware.”

Dick grinned. “Easy is boring, anyway. I’m here if you need me.”

“Thanks,” Bruce replied.

He stifled the urge to ruffle his ward’s hair. Dick wasn’t a child anymore; he was a young man of sixteen. He was often impulsive, but he had matured greatly over the six years he’d been Bruce’s ward, both as Dick Grayson and as Robin. Bruce was grateful for their friendship and partnership, though he couldn’t deny Dick kept him on his toes. Thank goodness for Alfred’s impeccable timing and mitigating influence.

“Well,” said the butler, breaking the silence as he gathered the tea service and stood, “I’m off to bed. And you should consider the same, Master Bruce. You have an early morning in the office—”

“And an even earlier meeting with Jim Gordon,” Bruce finished, standing and dusting off his knees. “Thanks, Alfred. Good night.”

“Good night, you two.” Dick settled back onto the couch with his magazine as the older men left the room.

[johnhaos]

first impressions on the tracks of ly: answer?? 💖💖💖💖💖

i can’t believe tumblr wouldn’t let you send this ask until you took out the ily RUDE but ahhhh thank you for continuing to try we got there in the end!! ily

ahhhhh ok here we go!! so i’ve actually talked about all the songs, except the ones from tear, because i’ve never got to talk about the ones from her before (although i didn’t say much about some of them since i’ve heard them a lot so idk what to say really) so this is pretty long lmao

ahhh and like last time i listened again w/ lyrics and some of them a couple more times so it’s not exactly ~first impressions but close enough,,,, also this is a mess^tm and really inconsistent in terms of how much i say about everything (like, half of it is about trivia: love, epiphany and answer: love myself tbh omg)

ok firstly the progression on the first disc from euphoria to answer love yourself is incredible you really do get a sense of the journey that this series takes you on wow

euphoria: full studio version of euphoria i am YELLING i really love this song and jk’s voice sounds so lovely and ofc i loved the version we got in the video but with the extra parts it’s just beautiful, i love the ‘euphoria’ at the end of the last chorus, the way it rises is just lovely and hmm i’m,,,, not actually sure whether i’ve actually looked at the lyrics before?? but ofc it’s a beautifully written song

trivia just dance: JUNG HOSEOK OMG I’M !!!! holy shit my mouth literally dropped open like 5 seconds in lmao THE BEAT AND HIS RAP AND THE VOCALS OHHHH MY GOD wow this sounds incredible he did that!! it’s so,,, hobi?? g o d and the bit at @2.50 when he’s doing that low rap and repeating the word ‘baby’ hahaahah rip me

serendipity: g o d i adored the intro version i was so excited to see we were getting a full version and ahhh the additional part wow,,, i really love the sound of this song and jimin’s voice is so soft and beautiful i could cry tbh,,,, oooh and the little drum bit at ~3 mins nice,,,,, idk, listening to this song feels like being wrapped in a blanket?? like the combination of the music and jimin’s voice is just really comforting and ahhh it has such beautiful lyrics

dna: ahhh ok idk what to say about dna but g o d it’s really such a bop i always wanna get up and dance (i use that term loosely because i cannot dance lmao) and g o d tae’s voice still completely and utterly kills me in this whew,,,,, and i love the bit that alternates between yoongi and jk

dimple: asdfsa ok i remember being really unsure how i felt about this song when i first heard it but it’s kinda grown on me,,, the ‘so i call you illegirl’ bit always kills me though lmao but it always puts a smile on my face and it’s cute!!

trivia love: oooh i love the piano intro wow nice KIM NAMJOON K I L L I N G IT the background music is soooo nice i’m loving this vibe omg and he sounds amazing,,, ok i just read the lyrics and notes [x] before listening again and i am also so blown away by the depth of namjoon’s lyrics and the thought that goes into them, the way he can play with words and incorporate details about the pronunciation and written form of the language is truly incredible g o d,,,, and then also using the difference between live and love in english?? and god i remember him talking about both of those similarities during the interviews in america as well daaamn. he,,,, i,,,, i’m really struggling to put into words how i feel about this song and joon rn it’s a lot but god i have so much love and respect and admiration for him,,,,

her: THE TRANSITION from love to this ooof,,,, this is my fave rap line song tbh, i love the music they use and their flows are amazing and the chorus (and using wonder, answer, her and tear PLS) i honestly love it so much such an underated song can people please stop sleeping on the rap line tracks istg and appreciate them pls it’s what they deserve

ok god i wasn’t gonna talk about the ly: tear tracks but singularity really owns me and i still cannot get over this song and how absolutely perfect it is for tae and how good he sounds and asdfdsa possibly my fave intro tbh and just a fave in general wow,,, ok right moving on

trivia seesaw: *whispers* suga HE’S BACK asdfgsa,,, HIS VOCALS HOLY SHIT MIN YOONGI !!!!! GOD this is soooo good the music and the mix of rap and vocals i am YELLING he really did that and his voice at the end fuck i am dead

epiphany: (ok the bit until // is what i wrote after the mv dropped and then i added some stuff listening to the album) you know how we both said we were !!! every time jin sang on tear?! this was a whole song of that wow truly blessed!! ok so firstly, the style of song is the kind of style that i really like, i’m always drawn to their more ballad-esque songs and this is no exception. and god it’s so perfect for jin?? he voice sounds heavenly and just works /so/ well with this style of music (the same for the other intros & euphoria, they really killed it with showing the individual voices of the vocal line throughout the love yourself series bless) ahhh and the lyrics are so beautiful and the message of love yourself within them just wraps the series up so nicely like ‘i’m the one i should love in this world’ and ‘not so perfect but so beautiful’ are so meaningful,,,, // OMG AND THE BITS THAT WEREN’T IN THE MV I JUST GASPED and god the lyrics for the new parts as well this whole song and message makes me so emotional i,,,,,

i’m fine: ok i read the description yesterday that this drew on save me but i literally had to pause like 3 seconds in because i was not ready for that DAMN though this is so good,,,, tae’s voice at the beginning and joon’s verse !!!! hobi saying hope world my heart soars tbh and damn yoongi’s verse my god he sped off it made me breathless just listening to it what a legend and the vocal line ahhhh this is a bop,,,, ahhh right ok second listen with lyrics, i actually listened to save me again with lyrics first gosh and the parallels [x] esp. w/ joon’s verse in the two i’m,,,,, these boys are really something else this is amazing

idol: ahhh i always end up struggling to talk about the title track because i always watch the mv a few times first but don’t note down any thoughts rip,,,, but i love the use of traditional instruments in this and it has such a good beat i cannot wait to see a full choreo for this,,,, and the lyrics!! THE LYRICS!!! (wow i’m so good at explaining my feelings rip) like ‘i know what i am / i know what i want’ [x] and ‘i do what i do, so you just focus on yourself / you can’t stop me loving myself’ but YEAH i really love this and it’s so high energy i was jamming away lmao

answer love myself: was that a *whispers* suga i heard?? i love that this has become a thing i really do,,,, the vocal line sound so beautiful and the rap line parts are incredible,,,, AND i just burst into tears ok wow i’m not even listening with lyrics so i bet that’s gonna make me sob even more gosh what a beautiful way to round off the ly series. oh god and magic shop right after?? this is unfair i was already crying and now it’s gonna be even worse asdfdsa,,,,, ok here we go second listen with lyrics helP god ok so i just read them to begin with and i’ve got goosebumps these lyrics are really,,,, just pretty relatable tbh like ‘perhaps, more so than loving someone else / it is even more difficult to love myself / let’s honestly accept what needs to be accepted / the standards you set are stricter for yourself’ [x] just,,,, yeah,,,,, and the ‘you’ve shown me i have reasons / i should love myself’ part sounds gorgeous,,, oh and hey guess what?? i’m crying again god this song is really something

best of me: i,,,, don’t know really,,,, it’s not my fave track tbh but it’s still a bop,,,, the transition from magic shop to this is cool though with the ‘you gave me the best of me so you’ll give you the best of you’ / ‘you got the best of me’ lyric parallels though

go go: BOP!! BOP!! BOP!! ahhh i really love the music used and wow all of hobi’s noises and backing vocals really add to it this song would sound so different without them,,,, ohhh and this followed by anpanman?? iconic incredible amazing

mic drop: god this always makes me start jamming out and mic mic bungee remains iconic ok that’s all

dna pedal 2 la mix: OH OK i mean i had no idea what to expect because wtf does pedal 2 la mix mean?? and i would not have imagined that but HOLY SHIT?? god this goes so hard i’m yelling and tae’s voice works so well with this mix wow

fake love rocking vibe remix: ok we’d already heard this but ahhh i do love this version

mic drop steve aoki remix: i am so glad we’ve finally got this version on spotify because i really enjoy the remix but i don’t listen to the version w/ d*siigner and this has the dance break bits as well!!! so this is what i really wanted!! good stuff!!

and we’re just gonna ignore idol feat. n*cki m*naj ok good,,, bye

overall conclusions, g o d the new songs are incredible and exceeded any expectations i had of them tbh i’m really just super emotional about the boys at the moment i love them so damn much

[aliceflutez]

@duskthicketbonepicker​

Here you go! I’m hiding this under a cut because, well

Soot:

               Mercenary queen with way too much attitude and a triple coal? I love her already tbh. Plus, what lesbian doesn’t love antiquing? She kinda just seems like every protagonist I’d love way too much.

 Kizmetto:

                 A+ dragonsona, definitely has this adorable look of “scattered but ridiculously friendly” to her. She kind of reminds me of an old friend of mine in all the best ways. I’d let her decorate my house for sure, although I’d have to tell her to stick with jasmine since I’m not a fan of sandalwood. Some amazing art in her bio too!

 Lotus:

               So, my impression from just looking at her was geek, and then I read her bio and realized that she’s more of a socialite with her life 1000x more together than mine will be for years! I love her colour scheme, and all the little touches in her bio that make her really come to life. She just seems like she’s one of those people who it would be calming to even just be near. I love her.

 Tolarian:

                 Tolarian just looked like a friend right from the start and oh boy was I right. I just want to sit with her somewhere in the resort and relax and chat about whatever she felt like that day. I think she’d have the same sort of vibe as my best friend. I’ve gotta ask, was she intended to be kind of autistic coded? The friend I mentioned has Asperger’s, and so many of her quirks seems similar to him.

 Itzel:

                 Itzel seems like she’d be the sort of person who would be coming through my work ordering eight shots of espresso three times a day along with her boss’ coffee. Always weighed down with at least one massive bag and a list of things to get done before she could stop to think. I love the feeling of ambition and energy I get from her though? I’m guessing her relationship with Xoco is mostly strained because of her sister’s… religious choices?

 Caius:

                 Caius just seems like he should be giving me a quest already. I’ve got such a clear image of him from just his bio though, I love it! Plus he’s got such gorgeous colours and an amazing outfit to go with it… I’d definitely spend a day chatting up that mysterious old guy on the beach. I think I’d learn a lot.

 Rhonda:

               Okay so I’m in love with this adorable lifeguard already? Her and Ketut seem like such a great couple, especially since you go into how much they’ve grown as a pair. I’m not generally into reading romance stories but oh my god I want to read about those two. Plus, she just seems like such a kind person in her own way? It just makes me happy that she’s happy.

 Ketut:

                 The other half of the happy couple! And he’s a fellow bisexual who’s a little useless with his feelings, I love him already! He’s also another one who just falls into a personality type that I love the second I read about them. Totally unrelated to most of my thoughts on him, I have a feeling at some point he’s tried to make a drink to match Rhonda’s scales, but given up since he can’t make it half as beautiful as her.

 Aria:

               I remember seeing Aria when you first hatched her, of my gosh she’s so pretty gened up with  that accent! I’m weak for skydancer girls even on the worst of days, but she just looks so delicately beautiful I want to protect her with my life? I can see her just lounging in the shade on the beach, watching some hatchlings splash and play in the surf and just loving life.

 Jaya:

                 Right off the bat I just got the vibe of “Queen” from Jaya, but I couldn’t be more happy that I was a little bit off. The area where I live is a semi-desert, so the feeling of a warm summer wind is one that I’ve known all my life. All the dangling trinkets in her outfit are such a cute touch, I’m guessing it’s kind of a sensory thing with all the sounds of them moving in the wind when she flies?

 Noir:

                 OH my gosh his backstory makes me want to cry. He definitely didn’t deserve to lose his charge, and yet he hasn’t let it make him bitter. I just want him to find a nice, loving home and settle down. He deserves it.

Aegis:

                 I have a vague memory of seeing him in posts of yours before since the second I read his name I thought “Oh you little shit.” I hadn’t read his backstory before though, and that would certainly explain some of why he might be a bit of a hooligan! I think he and my random progen Karmanor would probably get along really well, but get into way too much trouble.

 Angelo:

                 My first thought with him was “What a soft boy” and then I read the first line of his bio and burst out laughing. I just want to sit with him in his garden by the lavender and relax? Also I hope that mysterious tundra gal is his sister, but if she hurts him I might die.

 Rinoa:

                 Oh sweet, she IS his sister. And a ranger too! She seems pretty mellow, although that might just be the feeling I get from anyone who likes the smell of pine. It reminds me of hiking in the summers with my family, there’s not a more relaxing smell in the world.

 Xoco:

                 Back to the little sister! I love her aesthetic, it’s an unexpected mix but it works so well. It adds so much depth to her character that she isn’t just your stereo typical vicious “A sacrifice for my gods” type. I like her more than I expected to when I heard about her rocky relationship with her sister?

 Quill:

               I had such a clear feeling of who he was from the first three paragraphs of his bio, oh my god! I’d love to be able to write like that. Plus, I’ve always got a soft spot for calligraphers since I dabble in it a bit myself. Do you think Lotus plays at his exhibitions?

 Trellis:

                 The last sister! I love how each of them has such a clearly different personality from their apparel without sacrificing the colour scheme that makes it so clear that they’re related. It’s cute that she’s so shy with Dahlia, do they end up together eventually? Also, does she ever braid some of her flowers into Xoco’s mane? I’d kind of like to think that’s where she gets the roses from.

 Karazh:

                 Oooh, progen time! He seems so nice and relaxed! I’m not much of a tea person myself, but I’d definitely give his a shot. I like that he has almost the same feeling to him as Caius, but almost… gentler?

 Almasi:

                 And progen #2! I love how her personality is a bit of a foil to Karazh’s. It’d definitely take a lot of mutual respect for that relationship to be work well. Her bio seems to hint that she did something in the past that it felt like she needed to be punished for, was that how you switched from your old lore clan to the new one?

 Apollo:

                 Oh my gosh, I love Apollo’s aesthetic, but that boy is just so damn bitter. Like, bought an entire hot topic and writes terrible poems bitter. I hope he gets a happy ending, but he’d better change that damn attitude to deserve it.

 Zanthe:

                 I love the concept behind her backstory! I’m not generally a huge fan of pearlcatchers, but the kelpie mane looks great on her and really adds to that half-imp look. For her singing, is there a person you have in mind that she might sound like?

 Ylva:

               Ylva is tough as nails, and I’m not talking physically! I’m guessing she was a bit of a therapeutic character for you, and I’m so glad you let her have a happy ending! She kind of reminds me of my girl Nemesis when it comes to looks, although Nemesis is shade-touched.

 Dock:

               To be honest, all I can think to say about Dock is that he’s so completely dumb and I love him. Also he looks great with that skin! Seems like a nice buoy overall

 Raine:

                 She almost gives off a kind of burlesque/jazz vibe? I love the mystique and charm in the way you write her, it makes me want to go hear her sing. I can see her singing Don’t Know Why (maybe not the original version by Nora Jones though)

 Pjeper:

                 Pjeper just seems like such a chaotic little imp and I love him. So much energy and nothing to do with it, poor guy. Hopefully he gets a job soon.

 Dahlia:

                 She’s such a stubborn, gentle mess and I love her? I’m always 1000000% here for ace nerds, and she just seems so sweet with her tea and her cats. I think she’d get along well with my progen Khione, although Khione’s research mostly focuses on magic.

 Apex:

                 I love the fact that in spite of being an antisocial person Apex still does an incredibly important job at the resort! It kind of surprises me that she’d ever leave, even for important research. Is the resort her charge or does she not have one yet?

  Toxicity:

                 Ooh, the radioactive version of my boy Visha! He’s definitely quite the character. I can’t decide if I love him or hate him, and I think that’s exactly the perfect place for him to be as a character. I wonder how a lab coat would look layered under his jacket, but I doubt he’d ever bother to wear one.

 Nylon:

                 She gives off the creepiest vibe and I love it. Toxicity may be love/hate, but she’s definitely more love-to-hate. I feel super bad for their kid tbh.

 Baleful:

                 Oh my gosh I want to rescue this potentially sweet child. I’m sure one of the dragons in my clan could make her some special sunglasses and noise cancelling headphones so she could go out and enjoy the world. Visha’s used to leaking toxins, I’m sure he could help with the spines.

 Jargon:

                 I love this clumsy formerly little nerd? I mean, he might not have much in the way of social skills but by golly he knows what he likes. I feel kinda bad for Raine, Zanthe, and Khayyat though. Hopefully he gets the hang of dealing with things like that.

 Glyph:

                 It hurts me a little that Glyph isn’t an Arcane dragon but I love her anyways? I bet she can do a lot just by humming with a bogsneak throat. Her art is so cute too, I love how innocent and sweet she looks in it!

 Arjun:

                 At least he’s honest about being a jerk? Honestly though, all I can think about is which of the girls in my clan could kick his ass in the most humiliating way possible because pretty much all of them would hate him.

 Fafnir:

                 Oh my gosh she’s so beautiful! Too bad she’s stuck with Arjun. I think my girl Nerio would literally love her to pieces. Her accent is amazing too, I might have to see if I can hunt down a copy.

 Kataki:

                 Honestly from the feeling I get of her, that chibi in the top of her bio sums up Kataki perfectly. I feel like she’s always diving headfirst into literally everything in her life, and it’s such a beautiful mess. I doubt Fafnir always appreciates it though xD

 Rosyth:

                 He seems like such a friendly, quirky guy? If he ever stopped by my clan he’d get along great with Nyx! I love that in spite of being an astronomer he’s still so social and charismatic, it’s a neat little detail to him.

 Rug:

                 Ooh, another little twerp!! I can see some of his personality really suiting a ridgeback, but he’s so perfect as a mirror. Another boy Karmanor shouldn’t be allowed within a few hundred kilometers of or they’d somehow cause even more trouble than they normally would.

 Fatalis:

                 Her art looks so cute oh my gosh! I love the concept behind her revival, and the detail with the wings. Hopefully she settles into modern Sornieth soon, she deserves it.

 Xiack:

                 I just knew he was going to be a bit of a dick just looking at him. Awesome fandragon though, and I love all the little details about his radio station! (I’d probably listen to it)

 Prompto

                 I love all his pets oh my gosh! I bet his room is stuffed full of photos of them all. I have a feeling he’s a fandragon for something I don’t know, but even without knowing he’s a really neat dragon. Based on his looks and the theoretical photos of his pets it wouldn’t surprise me if he’s made a ton of “memes”  (or whatever Sornieth’s equivalent might be) based on them

 Melon:

                 Oh my gosh that drink sounds delicious. And I’m so glad melon is as sweet as her drink! I bet she and Ketut get along great!

 Pina:

                 Tiny dragon with a mouthful of a name there! She seems like such a sweet kid, I’m glad she’s found a great older sister! And that art is so sweet,  it’s a whole story in one photo.

 Levia:

                 Oh my gosh she’s beautiful! I have a feeling there’s some great big myth about what might’ve happened when someone ticked her off that she just laughs at. Her accent is incredible though, I might need a copy for Artemis.

 Thayne:

                 Baby sis sea monster! She’s just so sweet and ethereal. I love that choice of gif for her bio too, bioluminescent algae is neat stuff.

 Voltaic:

                 Oh my gosh poor boy! He did so much for Mercury… I don’t see him in your lair so I’m guessing nothing there ended well at all. I hope he gets over it…

 Dune:

                 Oh my gosh that boy is so impossibly lucky! I bet his honey gets used in a ton of wines around the resort. And with all of Trellis’s flowers around they’d taste amazing!

 Max:

                 Her bio really makes me want to finally play life is strange. I love the layout on it too, it was incredibly easy to keep reading through. Overall she’s a really great fandragon!

 Chloe:

                 She’s so beautifully blue oh my gosh! Her outfit matches the character so well too.  A great match for your Max.

 Rachel:

                 Her outfit is simple but I like it? The fire is a nice touch from what I’ve read in her bio too, plus is brings out her tert so well! Maybe the teardrop jade earrings would match the ones she wears in the gifs?

 Ixalan:

                 I love how humble Ixalan is about his skills! He seems like an incredible person to work with/under, I’d love to have a mentor like that someday myself. That’s some awesome pixel art in his bio too, it’s a great touch.

 Swampthing:

                 Oh my gosh she’s the most catlike griffin I’ve heard about in a long time. Hopefully the hatchlings stop treating her so badly eventually, she’s just trying her best. Also, I feel the pain of that scatter history, that’s why I stopped keeping them.

 Aquila:

                 I just looked at him and gasped tbh. That accent looks so gorgeous with his colours! He may not have much lore, but damn that boy is a warrior.

 Aerie:

                 Oh my gosh she’s so striking! If she’s a little arrogant at times she’s earned it in my opinion. Who’s her main contact at the resort? I can see so many funny communication errors happening with her and a few of the dragons xD

 Escha:

                 Almost as striking as Aerie, but so much gloomier, geez. He’s like the worst traits of a vulture and a magpie all rolled up into one. I’d say he’s quite the character telling stories around the fire, but he probably avoids them like the plague.

 Odary:

                 She may not have lore yet but oh my gosh she’s so elegant! I could totally see her being some type of priestess or dancer. Either way she’s amazing.

 Horus:

                 Well this boy is just a recipe for disaster. Amazing outfit and accent though, I love how the light plays against the dark.

 Gil:

               Oh jeez Gil don’t let Tox and Nylon make the next Frankenstein. I love his colours though, that greyscale with the hints of blue and red is incredible. I never realized powerpack added those extra horns until I saw it on him. I think my brain is broken now.

 Matoya:

                 Such a gorgeous geode oh my gosh! Now if only all her grandkids weren’t so darn ungrateful… At least she has Jaya and Angelo around. I didn’t realize her name was from final fantasy until I clicked on the theme song link, but I forgot how much I love the soundtrack for those games! (Never played them, just love orchestral/classical music)

 Eirin:

                 Jeez, what a nerd xD He’s such a sweet boy though, and I love that idea of the comet being used as a lens/projector! Maybe since he’s from wind he could even have enough magic to stir up a fog and do some 3d?

 Able:

                 Such a cute messy boy! I love that autumn aesthetic, and the flower nymph is a perfect match!

[heatherfield]

Tagged by the lovely @a-mi-zivi. Thank you!

Answer the questions given to you. Make 11 questions of your own. Tag 11 people.

1. Can you tell me about a dream that you still think about sometimes? I’ve had a lot of weird dreams—and ones that I remember—but nothing that I think about regularly. I did just remember a dream I had as a kid where I had the “Beauty and the Beast” book and cassette tape that “read” the book. I just saw it at a church bazaar sale and picked it up for 50 cents because, why not???

2. How about top 5 things that made you smile this week?

The new “Little Women” miniseries

My dad pulling out “To Walk Invisible” on Christmas day ‘cause he happened to see it at the library and knows I love the Brontës

MY UNCLE’S NEW KITTEN

The pretty Christmas decorations

Seeing various family for Christmas

3. Is there a book you would buy multiple editions of? TOO MANY. I want to collect all the pretty versions of classic books but there’s so many it makes my heart hurt. I do own at least two versions of every Jane Austen book though. 

4. What does your dream living space look/smell/feel/sound like? A cozy 19th century-esque cottage/small house with lots of books and natural light.

5. What are some tropes that would be included in the perfect story for you? A couple that slowly grows to love each other when they get to know each other (the guy falls hard for the girl first, of course, and the girl realizes how great the guy is). There has to be some painful, mutually unrequited pining going on before the big happy ending. Usually takes place in the 19th century.

6. What’s your go-to meal when you don’t really feel like eating but you still have to? Hahaha you mean me every day?? Microwave butter chicken dinners, or my own pasta dish with kale and butter and lemon and penne. Mmmmmm.

7. Tell me one unpopular opinion? Um... oh, one is that I don’t really like Benedict Cumberbatch.

8. What kind of dystopian future do you think you have the skills to survive? Oh, probably non at all.

9. What is a huge popular thing (movie/book/tv show/song/celebrity) that you find underwhelming? A lot, too be honest. :P Oooh, Game of Thrones. Downton Abbey.

10. What is your most surreal experience? Meeting Raphael Sbarge.

11. Which song would you sing to introduce yourself? Oh, goodness, I have no idea!! Oh, wait, probably “Belle” from “Beauty and the Beast” XD. 

And then I was tagged by the lovely @misscamthenorwegian. Thank you!

1. If you could go one places absolutely free of charge and stay for two weeks, where would you go? Travelling around Scotland and Ireland and England would be amazing. Although it would also be great to relax somewhere in the Mediterranean. 

2. What’s the best season? I appreciate them all but I love summer and the nice weather.

3. What’s your favorite joke about a neighbouring country? *snort* There’s a lot that can be said about the United States...

4. You can make one thing come true tomorrow. What would it be? That... Meghan Ory and Raphael Sbarge star in a Hallmark movie together? :P

5. What smell reminds you of your childhood? Ooooh... I don’t know! But I still live in my childhood home with my parents lol.

6. What’s your favorite fictional dragon? I’m super boring but I can’t think of any!

7. A thousand years from now your hardrive is recovered by archeologists, and they manage to restore the contents. What will puzzle them the most? Dang it, that’s hard. Maybe how both a complete mess all of these files are (like, everything I’ve done since the mid-2000s-ish) but in some areas how things are completely organized to the most miniscule degree. 

8. Your favorite artist or composer has agreed to make the theme for your favorite TV show. What will that theme be like? Hmm... probably whimsical and dramatic, and very reminiscent of an Alan Menken score mixed with a bit of Bear McCreary? Ooh but also Dario Marianelli.

9. Most overrated book you’ve ever read? Anything by Francine Rivers.

10. What’s the nerdist thing you own? ...I have the action figure of Robin Hood from the BBC’s “Robin Hood” TV show.

11. Who would you want to swap lives with for just one day? Oooh, just one day would be cool. Hmm, would I go for someone whose secrets I want to know? Or just overall cool experience? I think it would be fun to be some random rich person who’s not famous so I could just be pampered for a day. Or better yet, it would be fun to be an actor in a period drama so see what it’s like to be on set and wear all the gorgeous costumes.

Okay, here are my questions (I’ve been putting this off for way too long and I’m sorry if these are too generic but tough beans):

What is something you’d like to be remembered for?

What is one thing you own that you’ve never get rid of?

What is the most embarrassing crush you’ve had? (Real or fictional)

What is one of your favourite scents?

Is there a writer/artist that you emulate e.g. incorporate into your own style?

What’s one song that you could listen to every day for the rest of your life?

What’s your least favourite word?

Do you have a favourite trope that you could see play out over and over?

What’s the one chore you don’t mind doing?

Do you like to go away on vacations or do you stay home?

Is Valentine’s Day fun or overrated?

Tagging, should you wish to do this: @ilovecorgibutts, @jadelotusflower, @dreamlikemusings, @boleyngirl39, @lunasink, @loveofromance, @ashadeofpemberley, @austennerdita2533, @zoe19blink, @4vrafangirl and whoever else would like to do this. :D

[sveasauvageon]

Svea's Instagram || HSWW

☾♔; February 26, 2018 ☾♔; sotd: idk yet ☾♔; comedian otd: JOHN OLIVER ☾♔; Svea's Insta ☾♔; {G} https://goo.gl/PnjH23 ☾♔; Mod(s): @.miky94

Whilst I've got you here, please, please, PLEASE join us at Hogwarts, group link here {https://goo.gl/PnjH23} there's only a few spots left, and I SO need this group to succeed!!

And onwards to the posts

|| featured not-mine characters (comments and insta) || - Syn Lothbrok | @.ghostpastey - Eloise Avery | @.themadmonarchist - Xander Carlyle | @.lady-stoneheart - Damien Greaves | @.natasha-maree13 - Henry Clark | @.lady-stoneheart - Moses Park Jr. | @.koby - Chanel Black | @.daily-donuts

*feel free to add comments you want to add from your characters, just write it in the comment section below and include the post number as well please*

1.@.seven.deadly.syns most people sit on these things called "chairs" Syn: ya, but I'm not "most people" I'm awesome! Chanel: Syn, those socks just blinded me Syn: ur welcome ❤

2. Cutest little baby ever, your cat could never be as precious as my little Vhagar. Syn:  Idk~ Zeppelins a little cutie 🖤🤘🐱 Svea: sure, but Vhagar is the cutest XP Moses: Your cutest little baby bites me. Not as cute as it looks TT_TT Svea: It's not Vhagar's fault, it's Galileo's fur that sets her off. :P   Eloise: Adorable. Chanel: My cat is cuter than all of yours combined Svea: please, Vhagar demands more adoration than Fabergé demanded perfection.

3. I know I'm hot, but damn you're blinding @Elo_Vera Syn: yeah she is W O W Z A H 😍 Eloise: Oh that's what you were doing.. But yes, I am blinding :) Chanel: Eloise always looks blinding Eloise: Loving the love guys @.Chanel, @.svea Svea: 😘

4. Swedes v Brits in ice skating. Guess who won? Henry: why do you two have to make everything into a game? Svea: is this about paintball again? Henry: YES!!! Not everything has to end in bruises and loss! Lili: chill Mr Clark, ice skating is a game. Paintball is life! Henry: Life is life little Ruski Chanel: Hope you didn’t get frostbite brrr! Svea: please, winter in Cornwall is nothing compared to Sweden year round.

5. There is nothing more enjoyable than introducing people to the glitter EXPLOSION that is Eurovision. Eloise: Yes! Eurovision! Are you watching? Svea: ALWAYS! ZIEBEN ILULU~~~~ Eloise: ooh, I am almost done with this, where are you watching? Svea: Gryffindor dorms, I'm inducting young Xander to the glitz and glamour that is European music. *Cue Te Deum* Chanel: Eurovision is a joke but fun too watch Svea: fúcking excuse you! Eurovision is the greatest thing the muggles have ever made, and I would remind you, they've landed on the bloody moon. It's a multi-national effort of cooperation and friendship, a muggle version of the triwizard tournament if you will, and no one dies in it! Eurovision is an absolute joy and my country is the best at it, so screw you! 😠👿🖕 Eloise: Eurovision is not joke. It is a way of life. @.Chanel Henry: Svea, Älskling, remember that chat we had about being nice? Svea: that and Eurovision are two every different things, don't be a dotard because you guys haven't won since 1997. Henry: that is not the point Svea: yes, the point is that Eurovision is the best. Fúck you too, sötis.

6. There it is, the "I'm better than you" face.   Moses: It's also "I knew you'll mistake that part" Chanel: What’s the bow for Greaves?

7. Sometimes I surprise myself with how gorgeous I am. XP Henry: vanity is not one of your most redeeming qualities Svea: yeah, but it's not vanity if I am ridiculously attractive. Henry: you are, but still the height of vanity Svea: whatever you say pretty boy Henry: as you command, your royal highness :p Chanel: Got to admit it, you’re stellar ugh

8. The Viking and The Frank, and the awesome Scandinavians. Your countries will never be as cool as ours! Syn: preach Chanel: Can someone go with me there?? Svea: We're modern countries and our English is excellent, you'll be fine on your own. Except Copenhagen muggle zoos, "fūcked up" does not even begin to describe them.

9. Paintball is the greatest thing muggles have ever made! apart from # eurovision Henry: I still don't understand how I got bruises from a game involving paint. Lili: it's because you're weak Henry: that was rude, Ruski Syn: Henry, u r weak tho Henry: I'm not weak! Paintball is just more vicious than quidditch! Eloise: What is this paintball you speak off? Svea: omg, you are coming to Sweden this christmas so that we can play a massive game of paintball assassins! Bring your cheapest clothes, it's a messy muggle game. Eloise: Want to tell my grandparents that? Svea: I'll tell them you're coming to explore and "observe" the ways of Scandinavian nobility. If they don't like that, tough. What are they going to do, call me a blood traitor? Oooh, I'm quaking in my boots. Chanel: Looks fun! When is your next to the death fight? Svea: You'll need to wait for an invite from my Grandmama, she's the Grand Duchess of Paintball. Eloise: Maybe with a little fire-whiskey I'll send exactly all of this to my grandmother. Of course, you'll probably never see me again, but that is a problem for future me. Svea: don't worry, I'll just expecto patronum the fúck out of her, 'cause she's definitely a dementor. Eloise: my grandmother is not a dementor. she's just very... dementor-like. most of the time.. Svea: I would bet 1000 galleons that she's sucked out at least one person's soul. Eloise: I don't ask what I don't want to know (I am 300% sure that it's been more than just one person tbh) Svea: -nods in solemn agreement-

10. GOOO VRASTRA VULTURES!!! Henry: PUDDLEMERE UNITED ALL THE WAY! Svea: THEY'RE NOT EVEN PLAYING LOSER Lara: neither are as good as Germany Syn: excuse you Svea: she means in a muggle sport, and OH! YOU WANNA GO THERE? Henry: TWO WORLD WARS AND ONE WORLD CUP, DO-DAH, DO-DAH!!! Lara: I can't hear you over the sound of us winning~~~ Svea: I'm not showing you my cool textbooks anymore. Syn: FIGHT ME LARA! U TOO HANK! 😡🖕 Henry: How dare you call me Hank, my father is a literal lord. That's offensive. :P Chanel: Jealous of that view though

11. Someone thinks they're hot af. Henry: no, I'm thinking flash photography is a rude way to be awakened. Svea: XP Chanel: Get out of bed Clark! How did you get into the Gryffindor common room Svea? “I have my ways” doesn’t cut it hun Svea: first, that's the Clark Manor in London, and second, I have a special favourite who adores me and tells me everything in Gryffindor House (and no, I don't mean you Henry).   Henry: Xander!!! I told you to stop doing that Xander: 🤷 wake up on time then, you're storasyster's problem now

12. You wish you had a little sister as cute as mine Lili: aww, you're the cutest big sister (also the creepiest, when did you snap that) Svea: I'll never tell~~~ Henry: no offense, but my little brother is clearly the cutest Xander: I'm your cousin Henry: :O Xander, who taught you to be so cruel Svea: you're totally my little bro though right? Xander: storasyster <3 ^_^ (Swedish for "big sister") Henry: THIEF!! TTwTT Chanel: Wish I had that opportunity :/ Svea: to steal Xander? Soz, but he's already my lillebror (Swedish for "little brother") Lili: excuse me, but this post was about how cute I am! I'm sending you people a curse from Mother Russia. Henry: I'm pretty sure one of you have already cursed me.

[qrhymes]

My Fire Emblem Franchise Rant Part 2: Gaiden’s Remake and The path of Radiance.

So in my last post I wrote about the general appeal of the franchise to me particularly, so in this post, and before we submerges in the more particular elements of the franchise, I want to acknowledge my current concerns with the Remake of FE Gaiden and the absolute pick of the franchise, in my opinion, Path of Radiance.

First of all, I don’t have anything against remakes; moreover, as a concept, I think they are great.

In some respect a remake have the same appealing, to me at least, that a good fanfiction the possibility of explore the same world, character and ideas in a different way, expand the original themes, twist them, give them a new perspective, play with the possibilities, etc.

Hollywood have conditioned to believe that remakes (and similar) are shit, but they can be pretty good if done correctly. Just a few months ago a watched Bates Motel, the re imagination of 1960 Alfred Hitchcook’s classic Psycho, and you know what, it was great.

It wasn’t perfect in any mean, but it was everything that a remake needs to be. For the start the series  explore the origins of Norman in a new light, his relationship with Norma change completely in respect with the movie, they explore the relationship of both with the rest of the community and in the end was great experience overall. They acknowledge the original movie but, in its core, it was its own think.

But the funny things is that this is not the first revision of Psycho (Leaving aside the sequels), There is 1998 version, a remake shot by shot with Vince Vaughn…and I’ll be short with this, is the equivalent of a HD port for a new console.

And don’t get me wrong, I don’t condemn the mere fact of port old games to newest systems, in fact in some cases I think that is actually needed. Compelling the multi console franchise of Kingdom hearts in HD, in one console and with all of the Japanese exclusive extras, that is great

(..this is amazing, reallly great job guys…)

but in the other side of the coin we have things like HD ports of Majora’s Mask and Wind Waker…

ha(…Yoda is sad, sad and disappointed…)

And this came from someone that loves this games, Majora’s Mask, is one of my all-time favorite Games and I still have and play the collector’s edition from time to time…and yeah, the game looks great and have it for the go is awesome

But this is really enough to satisfice me? We had become so shallow that we can’t play 64’s era games anymore, we need that all of our games are in HD and have beautiful artwork to want to play…

“…Oh my god, the new artwork looks so great, and Celica looks gorgeous, a difference of her shitty awakening design, and she doesn’t show any skin, she by sure the greatest female…”

Oh..OOOH.

And look, this came from someone that actually put thinks, like the art directions and the characters design in a fucking pedestal

(…Guilty gear is my favorite thing ever created just in this fact alone )

I believe that a great design is not just an eye candy, is also an opportunity to flesh out a character even before that we can know them.

But cute Design don’t make great characters, good writing make great character…and if you wanna hook me with a design I more in the badass ladies kind of thing.

(…OMG TItania you’re so fucking gorgeous…Badass in deed…)

But I digress, my concern with the game is that it just will be this, a glorify port.

And this is my major issue, not just because this was what actually happened with Shadow Dragon, but because this is what the fanbase want and expect to be Shadow of Valentia…and I need to disagree.

Look, there a lot of forms of that you can love a videogame beside that is good.

I love the ridiculous Shadow the EdgeLord for the same reason that makes it a horrible game. I love the laughable plot, love the damns and oh my god the fucking guns…It’s fucking hilarious.

(…I don’t know who was the genius that think this was a good idea…but if you’re there, let me know you that I love you…)

It lives in his time as master piece of the so bad that is good and, i thnk that a lot of people see gaiden in the same e same way.

Revolutionary for his time doesn’t translate in good game for the here and now, you can respect it for what it did and enjoy it for the same reason, and a game (and everything for the matter) can be revolutionary and good, but if you wanna make this old mechanics that were perfected in the natural evolution of the same franchise, I just need to say not thanks.

And don’t misunderstand me, I want to like Echoes, and if intelligent system wants to make Echoes In a sub series I wish them for the best results because  I want a future remake for judgral series, for the Elibe Series and eventually for Tellius Series, but I want a remake in my terms, and if in the end Echoes only will be this graphical updated series of games, it would suck. The text book definition of wasted potential because it’s a lot of things to correct and improve if we end with remakes of this games.

Don’t just make the graphics pretty for the new fans, expand the story, include the support mechanic that is synonymous with the series, make Alm and Celica actually interesting (And no, that your plot don’t break your narrative doesn’t make you good, moreover I prefer a deeply flawed plot that at least takes chances over a by the numbers forgettable plot…In a side note the trailer looks as if were expanding the narrative of the kingdoms, only hope that they do this with the whole game), re design the maps, include the skills mechanics and holy shit if you need to keep the random encounters please, please, at least makes them fun to play (Because yes, during Awakening and Fates all of us were bitching about the disconnection between the chapters and the story and this is how you wanna fix this, with random and more inconsequential encounters)

…

I been too harsh with a game that hasn’t been even released?

Yes, and isn’t not actually Echoes fault, if the reception of the release would have been I little more colder, with a little more concern…I’ll still be bitching about it but I want to think I would be a little more nicer…I guess… but with the a good bunch of fanbase sucking his dick and claiming that Echoes will correct Awakening and Fates Issues and just ignore the fact that if we receive just a graphical update  we would end with a literally step back for the franchise.

I really hope that Shadow of Valentia ends being good …but we’ll need to wait to May to know that.

So in the mean time and,after finally get that shit out of my throat, is time to talk about something a little more nice, Path of Radiance.

If it’s no clear now, I’ll repeat myself, Path of Radiance is my favorite game in the franchise, I won’t call him the best FE game (I still believe that, this title goes to blazing sword for been the epitome of what a FE game needs to be) but it’s by far my absolute favorite.

The question now is why?

Because, If well regard, FE 9 has always been overshadowed for the more appealing and vastly more known Gba games, for his controversial sequel, it’s graphics issues and for been in a console.

So again the question what make it so good?

Simple and clean. The story.

Path of Radiance has by far the best narrative in any Fe game, and not just because it has a lot of themes and ideas that explore very well but, also, Path of Radiance has the best structure a rhythm of the series.

And this isn’t something that we discuss much in the community, and if is drag out is just to say how they fuck up in awakening (Let’s see, the Plegian war start in Ch. 6 and ends in Ch.11, there is not an actually campaign or a cohesive story about the wars progression, just random missions that ends with the player defeating the main bad guy) but if we look Path of Radiance’s structure we found out that is actually pretty great. The story it’s made-up from a well-rounded number of sub arcs, which form this mayor arc that is the Crimean-Daein War. Each of them has a natural progression and relevance in the majority of its chapters, with actual themes that are explored in each one and well-made resolutions that actual build up the world and the great story that are the game as a whole.

But why tell you if I can show you.

PoR starts low but consequential, not with a war breaking out, or random missions that don’t matter in the great scale of things, no, the game first chapters are entirely dedicated to develop our future protagonist, the Greil mercenary, we know them as individuals, as a mercenary group and as a family, and because of that they are infinite more memorable and interesting that the Shepherds because the game actually invest time in them before the plot actually starts.

Just then, after we gave a shit about or units, it’s is that the mad King’s war begins, we found Elincia and now we have the final goal defeat Daein an recover Crimea.

But this is not something that we can do from the get go, no, we first need an army and for that we need to bring Elincia to Gallia. In the paper is a simple escort mission but the game uses this to put in the table a lot of concept and ideas, we learn about the world, about the laguz, the racism between the species, we are introduced to the MOTHERFUCKING Black Knight, we gained a personal reason to take part in the war, set the bases to Ike’s character arc, etc.

Then we need to take Elincia to Begnion, and more information is given to us, we learn about the bird tribes, we explore more about Daein and the racism and in one of the more cleaver moves of the game we are exposed to The Black Knight sheer badassery, not through a cinematic, but through Gameplay. In the middle of the chapter The Black Knight, is there, he is a fucking beast, and if he catch you…it wouldn0t be pretty.

After that we have the Begnion arc, and again more about racism, a lot of gray tones ,the past relationship about the laguz and the beorc, the incorporation of actual politics, the corruption in Begnion and the best climax of the Game, the Serenes forest.

And just now we start the actual campaign.

We learn more of Daien culture, more gray tones, we have a lot of individual character arcs resolved culminating in the Daein capital.

And from here we construct all to the ending, we retake the core emotional path of Ike character after all this path of learning that has been the war so far, we learn about Greil and the Medallion, we close the reaming sub-arcs, if finally time to confront the Black Knight face to face (but not before he remember us how badass he is) and only then we face Ashnard in castle Crimea.

It’s great? Great in deed …even in the most well regarded FE the general management of the arcs is okay at best, there isn’t a natural progression between the begin of an arc and his closure (the 4 Fangs arc and Ephraim’s Grado invasion are probably the best out of PoR and are still kinda “Meh” in comparison to FE9). Just think about it how much personal would been Orson confrontation If we would have 2 or 3 chapter trying of recovering Renais, showing the actual chaos and consequence of the Invasion or better yet, just throw 1 or 2 chapters that revolves in the actual consequences and complication to march to the capital to save Emm (And also introduce Mustafa in them, then we actually may gave a shit when he dyes)

And this is why I love Path of Radiance, my favorite game of the series.

Next time I would explore the flaws of PoR, the core of the support mechanic and the lowest point in the franchise.

if you wann read part 1 is rigth here:http://qrhymes.tumblr.com/post/156090659343/my-fire-emblem-franchise-rant-part-1-why-i-played

[lalunaunita]

The Purrfect Crime: Chapter 1

I’m very pleased to share that this old WIP is finally done!! I started writing it back in 2018 (I think) and when the WIP Big Bang @wipbigbang​ revved up for 2019, I knew it was a perfect piece for me to finish. Per the Bang rules, I’ll publish the last chapter on my posting date of August 17th. I’ll be updating every week until then.

This story is based on a 1991 children’s book of the same name by Andrew Helfer. When I heard about it, I thought it was such a great (and cute) plot that I wanted to try writing my own version! Major plot points and storyline are all credited to Andrew Helfer. New story text and new subplots are by me. Copies of the original book are available and the ISBN to find the book is 0307126218. Many thanks to @haveievermentioned​ for remembering this book and bringing it to my attention.

Chapters: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7

Rating: Teen

Summary: All kinds of cats in Gotham are disappearing! When several expensive animals are stolen, Batman's top suspect is Catwoman. But is there more to these thefts than meets the eye?

The Purrfect Crime: Chapter 1

Forty squirming, squealing kids threw popcorn and chattered at each other in the rows below Bruce Wayne at Gotham City’s Circus Charity Night. Charity Night at the Circus had become a tradition in the Wayne household over the last few years. Shortly after adopting Dick Grayson, the young man had requested these circus outings for the children at his old orphanage. Bruce had readily agreed.

He always turned it into an event—playing at an exclusive park, followed by dinner, then the show under the Big Top. Curiously, Dick never attended. Bruce didn’t press him. He knew all too well the pain childhood memories could bring.

Bruce and his date sat wisely out of range of the concessions-turned-missiles. She turned to him, the elegance of her black velvet dress belying her giddy excitement.

“What’s your favorite part of the circus?” Tatiana asked him, tossing her lustrous dark hair over one shoulder.

“The big cats,” Bruce replied. “They’re so gorgeous and powerful.”

“Oooh, must be something of a kinship, I suppose,” she teased, batting her eyes flirtatiously.

Bruce tried not to roll his as he focused his attention back on the three rings below. Tatiana was an extraordinary beauty, just the kind of woman Bruce Wayne should be seen with around Gotham. Unfortunately, she was also an utter bore.

Music swelled and the children quieted as a spotlight focused on the Ringmaster in the center of the tent.

“Ladies and gentlemen, it is our privilege to bring some of the finest creatures in nature to you. Watch carefully, and don’t be fooled! Our trainer would have you believe these lions and tigers are tame as house cats, but they are not to be trusted! Remark the ferocious gleam of their fangs and the sharpness of their claws. Please do not tempt their murderous appetites with a stray finger or hand! And now… on with the show!”

The crowd jumped to their feet to get a closer look at the cats, applauding the Ringmaster’s speech. All eyes were on the thick red curtains that led backstage, but minutes went by and no cats of any kind paraded forth. The pregnant silence was interrupted by shouts behind the curtains.

Bruce casually pressed a button on the side of his cell phone and it rapped forth an irritating, high-powered ringtone. He gave an exaggerated sigh for Tatiana’s benefit.

“Hang on, it’s the Board. I’ll be back in a minute. Hello…?” he said, affecting frustration as he pressed the phone to his ear.

Bruce stepped into the aisle, pretending to converse as he quickly made his way out of the stands. He stuck to the shadows, slipping around to the back of the big top. Outside the main tent, dancers, acrobats, and clowns walked to and fro, prepping for their acts or chatting with each other.

The argument had crescendoed; Bruce could hear the Ringmaster desperately shushing whomever was shouting. Bruce hid himself in the darkness between two tall wooden crates. He discovered he was fortuitously close to a seam in the main tent’s canvas. He put his eye to the opening and caught a glimpse of Commissioner Gordon’s familiar face. Commissioner Gordon stood straight as an arrow and looked down his nose at a rather unkempt man in suspenders and a stained undershirt.

“We’ll find your cats,” the Commissioner assured him. “There aren’t that many places in Gotham to hide lions and tigers. Or that many places to sell them. My men are on it already.”

“They better be! Those animals are expensive. If my cats aren’t back by tomorrow, I could lose my job!” the unpleasant man screeched.

The Ringmaster put a placating hand on the man’s arm, but he shrugged it off. Bruce watched as the Commissioner cast an observant eye over his surroundings.

“Now, just to be sure I have everything down correctly, these are the cages for the big cats?”

He indicated four or five surprisingly small wheeled trailers arranged in a semicircle. They looked like old fashioned animal cracker boxes, although they did have the addition of thick rolled draperies that could be let down over the iron bars to fully enclose their tiny spaces. Bruce could see, and even smell, that they hadn’t been cleaned in a while.

“Yes, yes,” the trainer replied impatiently.

“And you did not take them out prior to their performance?” The Commissioner frowned under his moustache as he looked at his notepad.

“No! I already told you that!”

“And you do not have any kind of yard or pen for them to stay in—other than the cages?”

The man didn’t notice the steely glint in Commissioner Gordon’s eye as he shook his head. “They stay in the cages if we aren’t training or performing. Seriously, are you even taking notes?”

“I have to ask to be sure, Sir. Police procedure.”

Bruce grinned as the Commissioner turned away from the man and focused on the Ringmaster, completely dismissing the trainer from the rest of the conversation. The man’s mouth opened and closed a few times and his eyes bulged. But the Commissioner resolutely refused to meet his eye. With an exasperated sigh and a few muttered curses, the trainer walked away to go scold his assistants at the cages.

“As I said,” Commissioner Gordon continued, still standing tall in his most imposing posture, “I already have people looking into all possible locations that can hold big cats. We’re checking all cargo transports out of the city and taking every precaution to find your animals. In the meantime, detectives will be interviewing your employees—to see if anyone saw anything.”

Bruce heard the unspoken notion that the detectives would also be interviewing the employees as potential suspects. The Ringmaster picked up on it too, but nodded frantically.

“Whatever it takes to get George his cats back. He’s difficult at the best of times, but he knows how to train the big cats. We simply don’t have a show without them!”

As the Commissioner made his exit, Bruce leaned back from the circus tent canvas. George might be good at training, but it seemed that he and his staff were terrible at caring for their precious animals. Dirty cages and no room to run or play? He’d had no idea the Gotham City Circus kept their animals in such squalid conditions. Maybe there was a way to put in an anonymous tip… but there was no guarantee an honest city worker would look into the case. Issuing citations wasn’t likely to fix the problem. There had to be a solution, though. He’d think on it.

Later that evening, Bruce cruised the streets of Gotham after dropping off Tatiana at her penthouse. The woman is part octopus, he thought sourly as he recalled his struggle to extricate himself from her amorous embrace at her door. He’d pleaded an emergency board meeting and made tracks, leaving her beautiful pouting lips and sultry eyes behind.

Bruce stopped at a familiar intersection to wait out the red light. He looked up at the building on his left and noticed Commissioner Gordon’s light still on in his office.

Five minutes later, the Batman tapped softly at the Commissioner’s window. The silver-haired man looked up, startled, then smiled. He slid open the window and moved aside to allow Batman to descend on silent feet. The line of his grappling hook whizzed quietly as it retracted into his utility belt.

“You’re up late, Commissioner. Everything okay?” Batman asked as the two shook hands.

Gordon ran a hand through his wavy hair, sighing. “Just working on a weird one, Batman. Cats. Missing cats. With all the missing people in this town, you’d think that would take priority, but here I am, trying to track down animals like a dog catcher. Or a cat catcher, as the case may be.”

“I heard about the no-shows at the Circus. Are you saying there are more missing?”

Commissioner Gordon laughed without humor. “That’s exactly what I’m saying. A lot more, in fact. We’ve gone past ‘hundreds’ and are closing in on a thousand or more. I don’t know if we’re looking at some kind of predator or—”

“Are there signs of predation? Claw marks or other clues of struggle? Any blood, bones?”

The Commissioner shook his head. “No, thank heavens. God knows I’ve got my cat Ruffy secured at home, though. I was letting him out to roam every once in a while, but now I keep him indoors. I’m a little spooked about him getting grabbed.”

Batman nodded, thinking. “That’s a good idea, Jim. If you aren’t seeing any signs of violence, it seems more likely this is theft.”

“That’s where I was leaning too, Batman. I just got a call from the Southminster Cat show; one of the show cats has been taken. The night watchman didn’t see a thing. I’m going to follow up in the morning and talk to the owner. You want to join me?”

“I’ll bring the coffee, Jim. See you there.” With that, Batman stepped onto the ledge of the open window and disappeared into the night.

Commissioner Gordon couldn’t help it; he leaned out to see which way Batman had gone. But just like every other time, he never caught a glimpse of the Batman after his dramatic exit. He sighed. There was nothing more he could do for the case tonight. He closed the window, packed up his briefcase, and headed home, where he hoped Ruffy would still be waiting.

Dick was laid out on a comfortable Italian leather couch, flipping idly through a magazine when Bruce came through the den.

“And how was the lovely Ms. Aurbach?” he asked, lifting his eyes only marginally from the page.

“Grabby,” Bruce replied.

He loosened his tie and removed his cufflinks, dropping them into the pocket of his slacks. Alfred never failed to check his pockets before washing.

Dick closed the magazine and leapt to vertical, an effortless motion his acrobatic background afforded him. “Oh, really? That doesn’t usually vex you.”

“Who says I’m vexed?” Bruce retorted, just as Alfred entered with a tray.

The nascent argument was forestalled by a late night snack the butler had prepared. The trio settled in around a deeply stained and well-polished coffee table. Alfred poured tea from a silver service and passed the cups around.

“I trust Ms. Tatiana is well,” the butler began, “and that the Circus was a delight.”

“Actually, Alfred, someone stole the lions and tigers. But yes, the rest of the night was fine.”

Dick nearly spat out his tea and eyed Bruce incredulously. “The lions and tigers? Seriously? That’s kind of... specific. And heavy. It would be heavy.”

Bruce sipped his tea with perfect form, ignoring Alfred’s approving glance at his lack of slurp. “That’s not all. Tomorrow I’m meeting Jim Gordon to interview the owner of a missing show cat at the Southminster Cat Show.”

“Stolen as well?” Dick raised an eyebrow.

“I hate to make assumptions…”

“I know you do. I’ll wait for your conclusions upon examination of the evidence,” Dick replied, rolling his eyes. “Anything I can do to help?”

“Just be on call. You have anything else going on this week?”

Dick shrugged. “It’s summer break, Bruce. Other than a couple hot dates, I’m free.”

“Not too hot, I hope.”

“Alfred’s run background checks on them already. Well-bred young ladies from Gotham Academy, not a rebel among them. I’m just trying to be a normal teenager, Bruce. Promise.”

Bruce popped a water cracker topped with gruyere cheese into his mouth and leaned back, chewing. He swallowed. “I know, Dick. I’m glad. It’s not always easy with me, I’m aware.”

Dick grinned. “Easy is boring, anyway. I’m here if you need me.”

“Thanks,” Bruce replied.

He stifled the urge to ruffle his ward’s hair. Dick wasn’t a child anymore; he was a young man of sixteen. He was often impulsive, but he had matured greatly over the six years he’d been Bruce’s ward, both as Dick Grayson and as Robin. Bruce was grateful for their friendship and partnership, though he couldn’t deny Dick kept him on his toes. Thank goodness for Alfred’s impeccable timing and mitigating influence.

“Well,” said the butler, breaking the silence as he gathered the tea service and stood, “I’m off to bed. And you should consider the same, Master Bruce. You have an early morning in the office—”

“And an even earlier meeting with Jim Gordon,” Bruce finished, standing and dusting off his knees. “Thanks, Alfred. Good night.”

“Good night, you two.” Dick settled back onto the couch with his magazine as the older men left the room.