#please guys i get enough spoilers scrolling through my dash-

[thebestsencen]

OOC MESSAGE!

Hi everybody! <3

Just letting you all know- I have not read Unraveled yet!

I just got a spoiler in an ask I received, so I just want to let you all know that I would prefer it if you DID NOT send me spoilers in asks!

Thanks everyone! <3

[reynie-muldoons]

"A Gold Bar in Fort Knox" Liveblog!

Good morninggg. It's early here, but not very bright 😂 there's been a lot of fog the past few days.

Today's a fun day because season 4 of The Dragon Prince came out today too!! I can't wait to consume all of it and spam reblog things from the tag LMAO.

Anywaaay, I have some hot tea and brekkie, so it's new episode time. Spoilers under the cut :)

1:08 oh shit here we go, water polo raid

1:20 I bet they're above, like clinging to the wall or something

1:38 LMAO THEYRE DANGLING????

1:40 theme music my beloved

2:37 are they in like the boiler room?? That's kinda sick

2:50 OHHH are they plants?? Did Curtain's goons put them on the boat???

2:56 ayy same brain Reynie

3:12 Constance says "have faith in yourself". You go bbg 😂

3:36 they're just going to stay in the boiler room?? Do they realize how dangerous that could be, or how easy it would be for them to be spotted if a crew member came down for maintenance???

3:47 Constance has seen things

3:54 AYYYY blorbo

4:00 number two baby I love you but why are you going through the trash

4:08 both. both are correct. It's a scientific breakthrough that relies on manipulation

4:26 he's like "why, just why" 😂😂

4:34 LMAO why doesnt he want to tunnel? Do I detect some claustrophobia, hmm? 🧐

4:39 mold? Okay RE Village

4:49 HOW LONG WOULD IT TAKE TO GROW MOLD IN EVERY BUILDING LMFAOOO

4:59 "I didn't sign anything 🤨" LMAO TRUE ENOUGH BABE

5:01 okay but "troubling, but clever" describes SO MUCH of this show hahahaha

5:11 bestie..... I hate to break it to you........ but he is simply not interested in things that arent control

5:35 "to show how much of a genius he was" early signs of narcissism maybe? Cause that's the vibes I'm picking up

5:46 I think I see where this is going. Mr B desperately wants to get through to Curtain, Curtain ends up getting him in a vulnerable place, ends converting him to the fake happiness shtick. Please let me be wrong

5:55 "well that was on his turf." "SO IS THIS." she has a point there dude 😂

6:03 CO👏🏻RRECT👏🏻

6:08 "and I would love to find a phone" number two wants to scroll on that dash 😂

6:10 "Rhonda and Milligan must be sick with worry" I know that's what she meant but it made me laugh all the same

6:21 ohhhh nooooo. NOOOO. "At least Rhonda and Milligan are at home, away from danger." NOOOOOO

6:26 HARD cut to the blimp in a storm 😂

6:39 Milligan my love your original arrival was set to be 25 hours ahead of the kids, I think you'll be okay with a slight delay

6:49 Miss Perumal, as always, you are lovely and composed despite being full of worry

7:03 RHONDA MY BELOVED 😂😂😂 You truly know someone's character from the way they treat service workers!!!

7:08 I love her so much ahshdjjd

7:11 every shot of this ship is just fucking gorgeous

7:17 okay if the sugar was so all-important WHY LEAVE IT OUTSIDE DUDE LMAO

7:43 the speed check comes back to bite them!!

7:49 he looks genuinely scared to deliver this news 😬

8:03 low blood sugar, a faltering marriage, and liens on his big shit. Poor guy. btw I looked up "lien", it's basically legal rights to keep something, like a mortgage

8:17 awwwww. they're adorable. protect them at all costs

8:56 oh dang, they stumbled upon the crew's party space!

9:05 "Constance wants a taste" LMAO KID

9:18 "the inflation rate in Portugal is alarming" lmao kid the inflation rate *here* is alarming too

9:18 what money are they even going to gamble though?? Surely they're starting with pocket change

9:39 oh my gosh the chips 😂

10:23 the crew with those sly looks. These kids are about to wreck house LMAO

10:29 DEATH OR GLORY

11:11 not gonna lie I know almost nothing about gambling so this is a little over my head

11:34 sunglasses? Wow, he saw the cards from the reflection on his eyes, that's impressive

11:57 I had two reactions to reading "Enzo's pies & pastries":

1. Stranger Things date night with Hopper and Joyce 🥺

2. MOOCHO?????

12:09 okay it's kinda sick that number two blends in with the lemons so well

12:20 another interview? And was that SQ on stage???

12:27 it was not SQ 🙃

12:33 "we've been expecting you" well that's concerning

12:47 their wardrobe choices are just. Strange

13:07 I think I just gagged

13:24 two things:

1. Every time we cut to Milligan I think about how good he looks in general. Well kept in that cute suit. He just looks nice.

2. WORRIED DAD IS WORRIED

13:36 awwww Rhondaaaa

13:48 "I am not scared" you fooled me 😂

13:57 "is a gold bar scared in Fort Knox?" ROLL CREDITS! Kind of!

14:09 and the dam breaks 🥺 the pain and mutual understanding from both of them makes this a perfect opportunity to open up

14:20 "but I'm learning that worrying is not a form of preparation" I need that tattooed on the backs of my eyelids, maybe then I wouldnt worry so much

14:31 awwwww 🥺🥺

14:49 damn 😂 the captain is becoming his own character at this rate

15:14 ....are they about to maintenance the ship?

15:27 LMAO STICKY

15:49 Sticky out here playing 5D chess

16:08 he's totally right, keeping track of the cards isnt cheating. It's just smart 😂

16:25 LMAO KATE WTFFF

16:52 you know, as much as they're talking about winning money, all they have is the chips. They need to cash out

17:08 Reynie, my love, I know you're trying to make a moral choice but in the long run that's pretty stupid. Also Sticky didnt cheat lol

17:25 they're innocent victims and so are Mr B and Number Two. The kids dont know this, but so are most of the acolytes

17:43 okay fair

17:56 yeahhhh idk how they thought the crew would take this

18:25 LMAO KATE

18:34 what the fuck was that Reynie 😂😂

18:48 yeaaaaahh that's kinda what I expected

19:15 wooow. Okay, not what I expected

19:29 why do I feel like the other boot is going to drop

19:40 wait huh? Did the guy just give them cash?

19:50 LMAO at least they have actual money instead of just chips

19:57 "you're an insult to real water polo players everywhere" KATE HAHAHA I bet she's been waiting to say that

20:23 "everything has an end, only a sausage has two" is that an actual German saying, can anyone confirm

20:33 ayooo this is the actual perfect time for Cannonball to find them

20:42 poor guy 😂😂

21:02 and there it is

21:27 STOP MR B'S FACE IS SO FUCKING FUNNY

21:52 HIS FACE LMAOOO. Apparently they clap at everything

22:20 "you have no idea who my parents are, do you?" He doesnt and neither does anyone else, so I'm all ears

22:40 I cant tell what's true and what's bullshit with her 😂😂

23:13 "the raw, terrifying beauty of nature's power" NOT HELPFUL CAP

23:19 oh shit. They're not making it to Lisbon, are they?

23:33 whooooa. So not only are they making an emergency landing, they're tossing everyone's stuff. RIP

23:53 the kids have officially met Captain Noland!! I've been waiting for this

23:59 "like rats." I dont like how he said that 😬

24:40 damn, are they about to bargain their maintenance services to dodge maritime court?

25:06 hey, play your cards. Cant hurt to try

25:22 "get us to Lisbon on time, and you go free" daaaaamn. Captain Noland is putting a lot of faith in them, considering this job means so much to him

25:35 the fruit 😂😂

25:50 what happened to "I moved on" hmmm? Hmmmmmm? 🧐 bitch

25:57 whoooa I did NOT like the shifting of his eyes over to Mr B. Super subtle but incredibly effective

26:16 fucking weirdo. Bye

26:36 LMAO IS SHE BUSTING HERSELF OUT IN THE PIE TRUCK

26:52 NICE

26:57 oh good grief they had to do this at night too. Get ready for a jump scare

27:21 daaaamn. Weird, eery.. I guess we'll find out what's going on later?

27:34 eughhh.

27:35 ugh he's doing the thing again with the rods and cones bs

27:47 okay I dont like that mr b is listening like that. Please dont get got

27:49 NO DONT LOOK AT HIM DONT DO IT EUGHGGJ

28:01 NOOO. NOOOOOOOO

28:12 oh shit they got there on time!! Cap looks good in the cap

28:16 OOOH THEY GOT THERE EARLY??? DANG!

28:24 one of those suitcases has the kids in it :) like for sure

28:47 ayyyy, there they are. That was smart!

28:50 awww the hand :) she's not going to accept but the gesture is there

29:00 god that was so sweet

29:04 AWWWW

29:16 AYYYY MARITIME JOB OFFERRRR

29:26 THE SALUTE

29:31 I'm sad to see him go, I want to know more about him!!

29:42 oh THATS why she stole fruit 😂

30:04 them 😂😂😂 give me that sibling dynamic

30:36 fair enough Kate LMAO

30:49 "Mr Benedict is not strong. he's a glass house held together by desperate optimism." Two things:

1. Standing tall and keeping yourself from crumbling when you're constantly in a state of self-sabotage seems like a form of strength to me. It takes so much to keep yourself going when it feels impossible to

2. Damn, she knows him really fucking well 😂

30:55 "that guy? Again?" I mean all of the passengers did have the same docking point, so yeah 😂

30:58 "must be hard to see" she knows he's jealous 🥺

31:08 omg did Sticky talk Reynie up??

31:11 OMG HE DIDDDDD

31:13 HIS BEST FRIEEEEND

31:26 AWWWWWWW

31:28 oh lord here we go again

31:37 this guy again! I dont remember his name

31:44 well yeah, that usually happens when someone's missing

31:48 ohhh I Dont Like that he's using their title, that shows respect for them, which means he's taking their threat seriously. Yikes.

32:04 yep. Yep. It's weird, and he's weird, and unfortunately, he's taking it seriously.

32:12 "I respect them deeply. Deeply enough to... treat them without mercy." BELGUHDOWHDHD EUGHH

32:19 ayyyy this is where the Portuguese on his name card comes into play!

32:21 dang he was really just in plain sight

32:26 I dont like that we cant see the driver

32:44 NO WHY IS HE SMILING DONT PROVE ME RIGHT

32:48 NOOO ITS OVER??? NOOOOOO

Okay I'm fucking shook??? You mean to tell me we have to wait a whole ass WEEK to find out what the hell's happening? Something something the driver works for Curtain, something something Number Two breaks out just to break back in, something something the adults have to improvise

Ahsjdjdjd 🥴 welp, time to scream and theorize. See y'all in discord, love you byeeee

[itsnothesameasitwas]

hiii! this month I’ve read a lot of great fics, so I decided is time to start my monthly fic rec… that means I’ll be doing a short fic rec and recap every month with my favorite fics of the month

note: the fics I’ll be mentioning weren't necessarily posted recently

!!! - please be careful and read all the tags and/or warnings before start reading and left kudos and nice messages to the authors <33

❀ Divinely Blessed by thinlines @thinlinez  | 17k | Explicit | ABO | fic post

“I heard you, Ni. But what do you mean?”

“What do you mean what I mean?”

Harry rolled his eyes as he shoved his alpha friend down onto a seat. “Did you mean you lick someone out or…?”

“Nah, mate! It was me! I got licked out!” Harry could only stare at Niall in horror.

Alpha Harry prides himself on having the bravest and most caring omega who might or might not just fulfill his sudden curiosity.

note: for some reason i don’t know i fell in love with the ABO and found this fic someway and WOW! it’s really fluffy and sweet and while i was reading all i could think about was “god! i really want someone who love me like Harry loves Lou and viceversa” and also has a great smut scene, funny and well writen (cliff ily babe)

❀ Promise me you won’t run away by thinlines | 23k | Explicit | ABO | Español

“Does kissing me stop you from having bad thoughts?” Harry asked, voice muffled into the collar of Louis’ dress shirt. Louis chuckled at this. He trailed a hand down Harry’s back, feeling the muscles tensing along with his touch.

“I guess you can say that. You’re a good distraction.”

“Then I will be the best distraction.” Harry answered, pulling back and watched Louis’ lips unashamedly.

“Come distract me, then.”

Or the Prince/ Knight AU in which Harry left Louis, but the omega never once gave up on them.

note: this fic is beautiful and really REALLY well written, i need to say i cried and im the most cold person in the world but this caught me and I LOVED IT! but also when i finished it i got mad because in the end notes was the spanish translation and i read it in english lmao; anyway i love it!!!... summing this up, the fic made me thought about that LOVE ALWAYS WIN <33

❀ Twist the knife by jishler @jishlerfics | 6k | Explicit | Angst / Smut | fic post

Infuriating, but Louis missed it. Louis missed him. His thighs and his chest and breath and warmth and toothbrush next to Louis’. He missed sex with Harry but he missed his presence more: Louis would settle for watching Harry get himself off if it meant he got to see him; hear the voice that was like a soothing balm over all his wounds.

Two weeks after their breakup, Harry wants his toys back.

note: i definetely don’t read smut in purpose and the reason i’ve read this was because i love the moodboard BUT i need to thank the person who put it on my dash because i liked it so much!! was fun to read and the smut is pretty well written :))

❀  Hold you now by solvetheminourdreams @solvetheminourdreams | 131k | Angst with happy ending | fic post | playlist

The string within Harry's own sweatpants is now dangling outside of his pocket, stretched so far out that the seams of his pants have tightened. His eyes remain hyper focused on Louis, how oblivious he is—scrolling through his phone without a care in the world, while Harry feels his tilt on its axis.

Three years ago, Harry Styles said goodbye to communications consultancy firm McQuiston Worldwide, leaving a life of travel and agency PR behind. When he accompanies his best friend to a family wedding across the Atlantic, he'll be forced to reopen old wounds and face his past—one that no one wants to hash out, but may just have to.

note: at the end of the first chapter i was emotional, is the kind of fic that you feel every single emotion, the one you literally feel are part of it... it’s perfectly well written and please give it a chance and  check all the stef’s works because she’s a super talented writer... if i say something else i’ll probably do spoilers so, shut up ana.

❀ The money mark by brightgolden @brightgolden | 52k | Explicit | ABO | fic post

Harry's heart beats faster in his chest as the name sinks in. The Tomlinson name is awfully familiar, and he isn’t sure how many rich Tomlinsons are out here in London, but he knew one. Seven years ago.

Like all fine things in the world, Louis Tomlinson ages exceptionally well.

OR

Where Louis is Harry’s first sugar daddy who dumped him over text and their paths cross, seven years later.

note: THIS IS MY FAVORITE FIC OF THE YEAR. sorry, but this fic is super well written, is omega harry + alpha louis and find smth like this is almost impossible! but i loved the fact that harry could be an omega and a sugar baby but he’s independant and strong and wow! it’s amazing; everyone should read it because it’s really good!! (ps. louis is the alpha of my dreams, he’s a complete gentlemen)

❀ Sweet like candy by neodiamond @neondiamond | 4k | General Audiences | ABO | fic post

Louis is an Alpha with an odd obsession for gummy bears. Harry is an Omega who makes friends a little too easily. They meet on the bus.

note: this is the cutest fluffy fic I have ever read! strangers to friends to lovers <333

❀ Literally making love by Brooklyn_babylon @twopoppies | 30k | Explicit | Robot/Human Relationship | fic post

Holding up one of the android's eyes to the workshop’s windows, he smiled as the light picked up the gold flecks in the pale green of his irises. Louis had always paid attention to even the tiniest details.

--

All Louis intended to do was rescue someone in need from loneliness. He had no idea it would be himself.

note: science + me = signal error BUT this fic. OMG. how to say this is one of the fics would be in my recap at the end of the year; i have read another fic by Gina and was really good but this is probably my favorite between both of them... all i know and want now is to create my perfect partner lmao. 

❀ I’m gonna keep this love, if you let me by pixies @tomlinbuns | 26k | Explicit | ABO | fic post

Louis makes Harry pretend to be his boyfriend one night out. The rest is history.

note: this one is simple to discribe... the best of the best. one of my favorites abo fics, funny, teasing and very romantic. i enjoyed so much read how these two guys fell in love with each other. god bless this fic <33

❀ Beautiful stranger by lovelarry10 @chloehl10 | 66k | Explicit | ABO / Mpreg | fic post

“Did you want to- oh. Uh, sorry, I-” Harry stuttered, licking his lips as he looked over Louis’ bare torso, not focusing on the ocean ahead of him. “You’re very distracting, Lou.”

“Trying to tell me you haven’t seen a topless Omega before?” Louis asked, walking back to his rucksack and grabbing a bottle of suncream out of it before returning to stand by Harry.

“Not one as stunning as you,” he thought he heard Harry mutter as he started to rub the cream into his shoulders.

*****

When Alpha Harry Styles attends the Gucci Cruise 2020 show, he knows what to expect: clothes, clutch bags, and a few too many pretentious people. What he doesn’t expect, however, is to run into an Omega who is more beautiful than anything on the runway.

note: this fic is from 2019 but who cares, i loved it so much and i want to thank/blame @justalarryblog​ because she unintentionally recommended it to me in her abo fic rec post and now i want someone like this harry in my life... is it too much to ask? because is one of the most beautiful abo fics i’ve read this month and wow. if you haven’t read it yet, what are you waiting for??

❀ Waiting on you by beckywritesthings @beckydoesthings  | 21k | Mature | Mpreg | fic post

“Do you want to touch?” Harry asks, taking one of his hands off to tangle with Louis’. His open invitation finally drags Louis’ attention away from his baby and up to his face, blue eyes wobbly with emotions. It’s clear that he’s too taken to really form words, so Harry takes the initiative to press their laced hands against his shirt fabric, warmth from the skin radiating through.

Louis pushes his shirt up to his chest, taking Harry’s hand and pressing it to hold the fabric in place. His hands return to warm skin, palms even more scalding now that there’s nothing in between them. And then, as if that wasn’t enough for Harry’s heart to handle, Louis leans in, pressing his lips right above his belly button.

“Hi, baby,” he says, lips moving across his skin softly. “I’m your… I’m Louis.”

Or Harry is pregnant with a stranger’s baby and Louis doesn’t know. It’s a minor detail that Harry’s both living with Louis and in love with him. No big deal.

note: this fic is really new, someone reblogged the fic post and when i saw it first i was like ‘huh?’ and then suddendly (in less than a minute) decided it was the next thing i’ll be reading and now i’m completely in love with it. Lou i need to say you’re the kind of guy everyone wants in their life <3 

-----------

❀ all the love, ana. xx

[smorgasbordofobsessions]

shoutouts: bnha/mha

october is done, and, boy oh boy did i have fun getting into this series!! i hope you guys enjoyed the ride as well. keep in mind that not all blogs are spoiler-free.

this is another long shoutouts post but i felt that everyone here should be featured! i’m gonna put everything under a read more just so i don’t take up too much real estate on your dash! (but please click on to check out all the blogs!)

in no particular order, onward! (do not be surprised at the amount of bakudeku blogs i have listed)

general:

bnhasource: fansite for all your general bnha needs. you probably follow them already.

katsugou: sideblog that’ll definitely cover your bases for content.

lazyspider16: there are spoilers on this blog, and what looks like a lot of official art as well!

angryrantsofdomesticity: meme/shitposting blog

fyeahlov: blog dedicated to the great villains we all love

bnha-fashion: “fashion for the characters of bnha”

fymyheroacademia: fansite for the series!

thesamepictureofallmight: because consistency is key

thelovandnatsutodoroki: lives up to their url

izukutodo: lots and lots of izukutodo/tododeku content, plus some other series

all-horikoshi-sketches: a blog that has sketches by horikoshi himself, with links to his twitter and the bnha twitter in the description

cryeyelashes: has sourced art, mainly bakudeku but there are others as well!

fgkween: has a shiragaki bias, and also does some good fanart! also has jjk

fi-nn: does fanart as well. this piece is beautiful

bun4all: focuses on izuku and bakudeku, but i thought has enough other content to put here

dekuskacchan: definitely not spoiler-free! has a bias for izuku and bakudeku, but their enthusiasm is for the whole series

cittsah: posts about their ‘human is a space orc au’ and it’s really interesting! so have fun scrolling through!

todoscript: blog’s fave character is shouto! they also write and make gifs!

a-hobit: does fanart as well! their pinned post is honestly so good. also ships bakudeku, but has plenty of other content

bnhafandomcalendar: “This blog is a place to archive and promote BNHA fandom events and activities”

welovethecloudboytoomuch: a blog dedicated mostly to mha vigilantes!

mhabirthdays: a blog listing all the characters’ birthdays

hoodbnha: pretty sure this is the same guy who did hoodnaruto. definitely some funny stuff here.

specific:

characters:

dailyallmight: a blog dedicated to all might!

pr3zentmic: a blog dedicated to present mic!

dailyhawksonly: a blog dedicated to hawks!

daily-izuku: a blog dedicated to izuku!

i-love-oboro-shirakumo: a blog dedicated to oboro shirakumo!

dabisdaily: a blog dedicated to dabi!

shoutosdaily: a blog dedicated to todoroki shouto!

headempty-kaccahnonly: a blog dedicated to bakugou!

awkwardbakugou: a blog dedicatted to bakugou!

awkwardizuku: a blog dedicated to izuku!

kaminari-loving-hours: a blog dedicated to kaminari!

bakudeku:

myherosacademia

bakudekuao3feed: automated blog; the amount of bkdk fics i’ve read because of seeing this blog on my dash...

bkdkfandom

bkdkkinktober: “Official home of the BKDK Kinktober 2021 prompt list. Owned by the "Chaos is a Moodboard" Discord server.“

bkdkweek: happened december 12-18, with a bonus of dec20! prompt list

bakudekufan

rb-sketches: does fanart

procrartist: does fanart. this piece is so good! but honestly their work is just amazing

kawaiikrisschan: does fanart. this piece is just great and i hope thhey expand on their vampire au!

spicy-sakura: fanartist, started blogging recently! posted for bddkkintober

kiisaes: fanartist

mathematicats: fanartist

ll0v0lle: in love with the way they draw bakudeku

misc:

todobakusource: “a fanblog dedicated to the relationship between Bakugou Katsuki and Todoroki Shouto“

class1akids: a blog dedicated to the class 1-A kids!

commonsensekings: blog focused on class 1-B, but has some others

2toplibrary: “a todobaku fanfic rec hub”

kiku-ojou: a kaccahko blog!

shinkami-events: “a blog dedicated to any ShinKami related events, both modded by us or promoted for others!”

kiribaku:

kiri--baku: dedicated to kiribaku, but has other posts. currently working on a necklace that looks like it’ll come out nicely!

pebsan: does incorrect quotes, but also has other fun kiribaku content

kiribaku-headcanons:

vamtres: fanart!

alythekitten: this made me follow

tododeku:

tododekushrine:

todedeku:

ao3feed-tododeku: again, the amount of fics i’ve read just because i’ve seen this on my dash...

todoroki-and-midoriya:

tsukk1: their fanart is quite nice

bnha-tododeku: “A BNHA blog with a focus on Tododeku”

pawsandbarrens-tdiz: a tododeku animal au that’s honestly really good. the art’s fantastic and while the whole blog is 11 posts, a good read since it leaves you wanting more.

tododekubigbang: currently in progress! can’t wait to see what everyone creates!

[shogetsus]

Stripes of Auburn, Eye of Sapphire

13. Mai

Read on Ao3 | Read on FFN |  Masterlist

Summary:  “Lady Mai, are you up?” Recognizing the owner of the voice as Mitsunari, she replies in affirmative without giving it too much thought. “Good. I came to let you know, Lord Nobunaga is requesting your presence. He’s asked you to come to the audience chamber,”

At the missive, Mai’s eyes blow wide, a hand flying to her mouth in sudden fright. Oh, no. That can’t be good. Could it be… do they know… oh, gods!

Could she have been spotted with the Oda’s enemy, Shingen Takeda?

Spoiler alert! - Masamune’s route.

Mai

“I’ll hold on to your answer for our next encounter. It will give me something else to look forward to,” Shooting a last dashing smile at her, Shingen turns around with a flourish, “I’m afraid I must leave you now. I need to find a place to rest tonight, if not in the warm embrace of your dreams…”

No matter how hard she tries, it’s impossible for Mai to get the most handsome guy she’s ever seen in her entire life—both in present and Sengoku periods—out of her head. His melting smile and sudden offer linger in her mind quite into the night, haunting her thoughts, barely letting her put her mind into anything else.

“A beauty like you, in many means of the word, is way too wasted in the Oda forces. I want to make you an offer to come with me instead,” Shingen tenderly brushes his thumb over her cheek, deep grey eyes filled with conviction, too certain of his statement, “You may not be aware of it now, but Nobunaga corrupts everything he touches. However, I can save you from him…”

She’s no stranger to Nobunaga’s fame, but what did he even mean by that? In all honesty, she was quite alright with just keeping to their flirting and not getting involved in any side of those damned wars running about in the current period. Pah! That’s easy to say. To these people I’m the ‘Oda Princess’ now…

��Ugh! I didn’t ask for this!” Frustrated and restless, Mai pulls her pillow over her face; her treacherous mind recalling the heavenly feeling of Shingen Takeda’s lips on the back of her hand. “What I’m even going to do with this guy? Argh!”

As the moon waves farewell for the night and dawn arrives, the first rays of sunlight meet her after not having an ounce of sleep. Not as surprisingly—to her own disgrace—instead of heading to get some breakfast, her racing thoughts guide her feet to one certain place Mitsunari had walked her to the past week, craving for some answers to her distressing pile of questions gathering around.

“Oh, Princess! What a lovely surprise to see you here!” A sunny smile greets her after stepping into the Azuchi Archives; the room scented in pleasant biblichor, wooden shelves so full of books they muffle all sound on the outside.

It’s no wonder to find the young strategist already clogged up in there, most likely either having any beauty sleep or some proper food in his stomach. However, whatever scolding Mai considers to shoot at him, it dies quickly on her lips, admittedly not being in any position to do so in the current moment.

“Good morning, Mitsunari,” Even when not quite feeling like it, it’s easy to manage a smile back at the man, his angelic face brightening any sour mood, if briefly. “I don’t want to disturb your reading. I’m just here to find something to read on my own…”

“My, you couldn’t possibly be of any bother, my Lady. Do let me know if I can assist you in any way, though. I’ll be happy to,” He says with his ever so natural politeness.

Mai meets his amethyst eyes only for a moment, before her own fall to the cover of the book in his hands. To her disappointment, she notices she’s barely able to figure out the characters written—something about war resources but impossible to pinpoint the proper context.

Turning to the shelves in an attempt to find something readable, her thoughts run wild once again. Mitsunari does a lot of reading about war, but that’s not unexpected, coming from a remarkable tactician as he is and warlord in the service of Nobunaga. Damn, even a sweetheart like him has surely had to fight and kill.

Everyone around her seems accustomed and deeply ingrained to war and death, except for her—their whole lives revolve around it, even. A sad sigh leaves her lips, feeling quite lonely and somewhat hopeless all in a sudden. It’s so difficult to come into terms with Nobunaga, or Masamune, or even Shingen Takeda’s vision of the world when she grew up in a time of peace; where weapons are words instead of swords, and order and safety is found around laws and regulations according to each country. And surely the people of the Sengoku period couldn’t even think of such a thing being possible.

It feels like everything in this world is pressuring me to fight for survival, gather under a banner to be safe, pick the side that fits my ideals the most… kill or be killed.

But how could she even consider that? She’s grown up learning defense techniques precisely to avoid any violent confrontation whatsoever; the mere idea of hurting someone—a father, a field worker, even a samurai—is just unfathomable to her.

“That’s a good one to borrow, if you’re interested.” Mitsunari’s sweet voice prompts her out of her thoughts, making her startle just slightly, “Any of the staff are allowed to borrow books as they please,”

With fingers twitching over the hardcover of a book, Mai turns to him, inwardly grateful for the interruption. “You seem to enjoy that policy!” She smirks in amusement, casually nodding to a bunch of tomes piled up in his hands.

Naturally, Mitsunari doesn’t pick up on her slight teasing, “Well, I always try to be up to date on the latest notes and researches,” He approaches her to, apparently, return some tomes to their proper shelves, “To my benefit, Lord Nobunaga is constantly expanding his collection in search of knowledge, so I always have something to read and keep up with,” Admittedly so, having access to such a library’s got to be pretty rare in a time when books seem to be so precious.

His words make something click in her. “Huh, so that’s why you’re always having your nose glued to books about war and stratagems? To just become more educated?”

Mitsunari nods, “It’s what I must do if I intend to serve my lords to the best of my extent, yes.” He has a fair point with that, and Mai is no stranger to how powerful being knowledgeable can be.

She sighs tiredly, idly helping him with returning some piles of books to their shelves. “That’s very thoughtful of you, Mitsunari. But personally, war is just so… senseless to me,” Her lips purse tight, growing troubled, “I’ve grown up loathing violence of any kind, it’s quite hard for me to fathom how people are hurt and killed for goals that, most of the times, aren’t even their own,” Soon enough, Mai shakes her head and her thoughts away, realizing she’s in no position to make snap judgments. “Well, in any case, it doesn’t really matter what I think about it. It’s the point of view of someone who’s never been anywhere near a real war, after all…”

Mitsunari listens to her intently, nodding thoughtfully and indulging in her small vent. “Have you considered studying war, though?” He brings up the idea so naturally it takes her aback just a bit.

“Huh, actually I didn’t…” Mai worries her lip, pondering about it. Why hadn’t she thought of that in the first place?

“Well, I’m unable to say with certainty whether war is good or bad. It has often been the deciding factor in complicated issues of state, geography, resources and, of course, human emotions,” He says rationally, bringing up plain facts, “I’m inclined to believe unless I study all of those, I may never come to a satisfactory conclusion,”

“You bring a very fair point, Mitsunari. Maybe I should do it,” It’s when she catches a glimpse of one of the covers when Mai realizes she’s in a tight spot. Damn, I can hardly make a character out of this. “But, um, I’m afraid I’m a little rusty on these characters, though…”

To be sincere, it feels quite embarrassing to admit in the open she’s not able to do something as basic as reading, her nose scrunching and not knowing what she should truly do. But Mitsunari doesn’t seem disconcerted by that fact in the slightest, his bright smile never leaving his face.

“In that case, all of us would be happy to assist you in any way we can,” He drops a friendly hand on her shoulder, looking truly genuine, “You’re a member of the Oda forces now, Princess. You only need to ask,” He insists.

A sheepish smile clings to her lips at that comment. Regardless of the sides they may pick on, it certainly is nice to think of sharing something with the people she’s spending most of her time with—it makes her think of them as promising friends, not captors, daimyos or conquerors.

“You know, when you have some free time, I think I’ll take you up on that offer, Mitsunari…”

The rest of the day goes by in a much more refreshing light, feeling as if a sort of weight has been lifted from her shoulders. Sure thing, she hasn’t yet been able to find the answers she was looking for—and the mere idea of telling someone she’s stumbled upon Shingen Takeda, the Tiger of Kai in the flesh, appears for all it takes completely out of the question. Although, having a basic idea of how to face and come into terms with the current conflicts of the period and the people in it has somewhat given her a much-needed peace of mind.

She sleeps much better that night, waking up refreshed the next morning and stretching languidly. Feeling like lazing around for some more minutes, Mai barely puts in some effort of pulling her handbag closer to her futon, pulling out that amusing guide she’s purchased.

Scrolling through the pages, her curiosity prompts her to a stop as the name of a certain someone comes up. “Masamune Date, the One-eyed Dragon.” It reads on the top page. Snorting in amusement, she plops her head down to the pillow, getting comfortable.

“With his sexy eyepatch, he’s a stand-out among Sengoku warlords. He could do everything from cooking to killing!” Why, that’s an intro if there ever is one. Reading further on, there are more interesting lines, “United the northern region of Oshu by age 23!” The fact makes her hum in approval—it’s fair to admit, that’s a huge part of the country. “Founded the city of Sendai, including many of its culinary traditions, and is famed as a patron of the arts on his era,” In that regard, it kind of hits her personally, for Sendai is actually from where her paternal family comes from.

For such a free spirit, he definitely left a huge mark on the northern region of Japan. Sadly so, there’s barely anything for her to recall from her memories of Sendai, being too young to really remember for certain. What would Yoko, her grandmother, think of the guy? Most likely her own mother, Natsumi, would have some juicy comments about him—after all, it’s what her job entails her for.

However, when she tries to compare the wild Masamune Date she knows in the flesh with the aforementioned man in the guidebook, it gets to be quite difficult to do so. For all intents and purposes, all Mai could see in common so far is the ‘sexy eyepatch’, maybe the affinity for cooking, and that’s about it.

A couple of knocks and someone calling her from beyond the door prompts her out of her reverie. “Lady Mai, are you up?” Recognizing the owner of the voice as Mitsunari, she replies in affirmative without giving it too much thought. He doesn’t come in, though, “Good. I came to let you know, Lord Nobunaga is requesting your presence. He’s asked you to come to the audience chamber,”

At the missive, Mai’s eyes blow wide, a hand flying to her mouth in sudden fright. Oh, no. That can’t be good. Could it be… do they know… oh, gods!

Could she have been spotted with the Oda’s enemy, Shingen Takeda?

Why would he ask her to show up at the very place they hold war councils otherwise? Multiple dire scenarios race through her mind, one worse than the other—most likely, she wouldn’t be killed for fraternizing with the enemy straight away thanks to her current Princess title… but it’d be a matter of time. What am I supposed to do now!?

Mitsunari’s waiting for her outside when she peeks her head out of her room, but not even his angelic smile helps with soothing the sheer panic gripping at her throat as they walk together, pretty much feeling as if walking to her doom. They reach the chambers in short time, being greeted by the same impressive gathering of Nobunaga Oda and his allies as she’s been the very first time she arrived at Azuchi.

Even Masamune’s there, flashing an inviting smile at her before subtly pinpointing the empty spot at his side, where Mitsuhide should be. As for being practically the only one among his group to be the slightest bit welcoming, Mai keeps her skepticism in check and takes his offer, followed by Mitsunari and taking a seat at her other side.

Nobunaga’s face is blank, barely sparing her a glance. “Everyone’s here. Hideyoshi, give them the report,” He deadpans with a vague tilt of his head.

Due to proximity, Mai notices the concerned quirk of Masamune’s brow, making her assume the meeting doesn’t seem to be a standard one at most. Please, don’t let it be about me!

Hideyoshi clears his throat, facing the audience, “This morning we received a certain piece of information. It leads to daimyo Yoshitoshi, a former Takeda vassal now serving our Lord, having made a pact with the remnants of the Uesugi clan.”

The word ‘Takeda’ makes her shoulders tense, but said report ends up making her more confused rather than anything else. It’d be rude to ask him to repeat that, right? Mai turns to Mitsunari at her side, shooting him a questioning look.

He clarifies for her with all the patience in the world. “Lord Yoshitoshi is one of our newly sworn allies, and has been reported to be sending messages to an enemy of Lord Nobunaga’s. The messages indicate he is liable to revolt.”

“I see no reason to wait for him to betray us,” Nobunaga says as dispassionately as Mai’s ever heard him, “Masamune, this concerns northern territory, so I’m placing you in charge of this endeavor. Hideyoshi, you shall seize his troops and resources. Ieyasu, I’m aware you’re with other matters at hand, but you can put them to a halt and assist them.”

All three of them nod firmly, Masamune being clearly the most excited with the idea, his mouth curling into a wicked grin. “Bring as few troops as it’s necessary to find out the truth, and take whatever measures you deem appropriate.”

Mai’s heart still tries hammering its way out of her chest. Does all that mean they’re going to kill the guy? If they’re taking such actions against a man merely for interacting with the enemy—and based only in vague reports—then what should she expect for herself if they find out about her own situation?

Her hands start shaking, already anticipating the worst outcome for herself. How long it’ll be before any of them find out? Which torture methods should she expect?

For all it takes, nobody truly seems to notice her fright. “Maybe we’ll see some action!” Masamune beams, his eye gleaming in exciting anticipation. Admittedly so, with news of a possible traitor and the threat of revolt, Mai has to agree it does sound like a big deal.

But she can’t help her hairs standing on end when Nobunaga fixes his gaze on her from across the table. Oh, no. No, please, just—

“Mai, get ready. You shall go with them.” He proclaims.

She stammers, eyes blowing wide. “What!? I-I mean, why?” All heads turn to her, yet only Masamune appears particularly happy with the news. “What am I supposed to do? Greet this guy’s staff and ask if they need anything?”

“Take it as a test from my part,” Nobunaga says simply before coming to a stand, the rest following by cue.

With so much tension coursing through her, it’s nearly impossible to hold the reins of her tongue. “And what should I possibly need to prove to you now?” Hideyoshi frowns at her manners, but she ignores him as Nobunaga approaches her with a curious smirk.

Looming over her, a cold shiver runs down Mai’s spine, frozen in place as Nobunaga leans down to, apparently, whisper something to her ear. “That you are worthy of being kept around,” With an unexpected subtlety, he slips something metallic into the folds of her kimono, her breath hitching at the sensation.  

She quirks a confused brow, but Nobunaga doesn’t bother with leaning anyone in on what exactly he’s given her, and she doesn’t feel in a proper situation of outright asking about it—everything leading it to assume he may want to keep whatever that is as a secret. “Besides, you are my lucky charm. Your presence will bring success to their mission.” He continues with a proud smirk.

Right, aside from his chatelaine, she almost forgot she’s intended to be his four-leaf clover in the first place. And that is how her growing liking for Nobunaga suddenly falls down like a house of cards once again, not comfortable at all with the idea. “This sounds like a situation fit for warriors. I am not one, as you can see, so I think I’ll decline this time—“

But Hideyoshi appears quite fed up with her, interceding, “Do not disobey a direct order from our Lord,” He says sternly, crossing his arms, “Now fetch your maids and pack up to depart, Princess.”

Mai opens her mouth, ready to come up with another complaint, until she meets Masamune’s eye as he walks past Hideyoshi. He gives her a reassuring look and a slight nod, fast enough for her only to see, before disappearing to the hallways.

Pondering about it for a hot second, she’s quick to deflate and admit defeat, pretty much looking like she doesn’t have a true say in the matter. Well, at least I’ll have Masamune to turn to if things go south. The thought isn’t particularly encouraging in the slightest, but it’s the only thing she feels like relying on for the current moment.

Keeping her head low and taking her leave, she wastes no time in sneaking around a lonely corner on the hallways, too curious to know what Nobunaga actually slipped into her kimono.

Her eyes almost bulge out of her sockets at the mere sight of the token in her hands.

Some hours later, she’s fortunate the female attendants knew what to pack for her. Mai still stands out among the group of armed, mounted samurai, with only her formal and not at all fit for combat kimono and barely some provisions for the road, pretty much looking like a fish out of the water.

Hideyoshi shakes his head at the lost sight of her. “Stop standing around, Mai. You’re just in the way,” If I promise to be a nuisance, will you leave me behind? Pretty please? Sadly so, Hideyoshi doesn’t look like he’s in the mood to hear her complaints and probably that’ll make it worst.

Masamune joins his colleague not long after, a small troop—presumably Masamune’s men, judging by the blue and black armor—stationing at the gates, ready to depart. “Who’s the lass riding with?” He wonders.

“Whoever will take her—“ Hideyoshi doesn’t get to finish the sentence before Masamune prompts her to approach his mare and get on with him, looking like he just asked out of politeness. “Masamune,” He groans his name as he always does, “I don’t want you going wild the way you do. You may be in charge of this mission, but be cautious for the rest of us, at least.”

His characteristic wicked smirk wordlessly confirms otherwise. “Can’t promise you that. I have to do things my way.” For some reason, he turns to her for some reassurance, “Mai knows that, right, lass?”

“Well, you could say I’ve seen some evide—whoa!” Just as effortlessly as he’d done before, in the next second Masamune’s sweeping her up and bringing her onto his horse. “Hey! I’d like some warning first!” Mai practically wheezes, trying to catch her breath at the sudden motion.

She’s aloft for only a moment before she finds herself sitting side-saddle with him, nicely tucked between his arms. Her thoughts instantly drift to the first night they met. “Guess this means I’m riding with you, huh,” Although just remembering their insane speed on the way back from Honno-ji is enough to start making her head spin, “I… don’t know, though. Maybe I can switch with someone else just this time?”

Masamune appears almost offended by that, “What’s the matter, lass?” He gives her a sideways look.

“I get horse sick, alright?” Mai casts her eyes down, slightly ashamed to meet his gaze, “And last time we rode together you were sickeningly fast…”

He stammers for a moment, before breaking into a loud cackle, “Oh, is that all? Well, we were in a hurry that time,” It’s relieving to hear that from his part, as Mai had formerly assumed he always rode that way.

Near his mare, Hideyoshi grumbles something but doesn’t come up with another complaint. “I guess that settles it. Let’s depart now. Ieyasu, you ready?”

The young blonde merely nods in affirmative, and Masamune turns his horse to the squadron at their backs. One of his vassals with outstanding armor from the rest prompts a small gallop to their side—what was his name? Kojuro?—bringing his lord nothing less than… his iconic helmet.

The sight of it makes click something within her, kind of grounding her to the reality she’s living in. Being there atop a horse, surrounded by a small troop of blue and black armored men, it truly feels like the Sengoku in the flesh. Certainly, the mere word says it all, with the whole country at war; although the thought of actual, real battle, real violence, and real people dying, that’s way scarier than when she first considered the idea.

Masamune turns the helmet in his hands, the golden half-moon catching the light of the afternoon, before tucking it at the sides of his saddle—so naturally and so at ease it baffles her for a hot second, not knowing how to take it. Everyone’s so accustomed to prepare and ride to their possible deaths, but how is she, a total outsider of war, supposed to handle something like that?

Without further ado, Masamune claps his vassal’s armored shoulder in thanks before speaking to Hideyoshi. “We’ll be your vanguard. See you when you get there!”

“Uh, aren’t we all going together?” Mai can’t help but wonder, her voice thin.

“Masamune, I just told you not to act on your—“

Hideyoshi’s new rant plainly falls on deaf ears. “Hold on tight, Mai!”

Reins in his hand, he ignores the rest of them and gives a quick verbal command. Before she knows it, she’s practically floating; the black mare kicking up its front legs before breaking into a gallop, racing like the wind.

Anxiety creeps up her body like spider webs, tingling her all over. Hells, we’re going so fast! Oh dear, I’m so sick, I’m going to fall off!

“I k-knew I sh-shouldn’t have trusted you!” She cries, the wind whistling in her ears and prompting her to curl up tight, desperate to stay on the saddle. Reaching back with one trembling hand, Mai clutches Masamune’s chest armor for dear life, his idiotic laughter all around them. “You said we’d go slower, you liar!”

“I said no such thing!” He guffaws even harder, “I just said we were in a hurry, but doesn’t mean we wouldn’t be in a hurry now!”

Masamune Date, I hate you so much right now!

They keep picking up speed, making bunch herself up tighter, holding on hard onto him, knuckles going white. She should have taken horseback riding with her father back in the day when he insisted on it, and now she’s facing the payback of it, but it’s still unfair. Her heart races just as fast, tears of fright brimming her eyes, not even daring to wonder when her torment will ever end.

Then, Masamune’s voice muffles the noise of the wind, warm on her ear. “Relax, Mai, it’s all right.” He reassures her, his smile more heard than seen, “Let go of your fear, look at where you are. Enjoy yourself!”

“C-can’t… I’m going t-to fall…” She nearly chokes on her words, a hard lump obstructing her throat, feeling about to burst into panicked tears in any moment. “W-why are you doing this to me… Oh dear gods…”

A strong arm snakes its way around her waist, securing his hold on her. “Hey, come on. You really think I’d let you fall?” Masamune sounds a tad bit hurt at that assumption, but doesn’t prod further, “Trust me, Mai, and look ahead. Feel the wind!”

It’s not truly for him, but she has to try it for herself. And so, clutching hard at the arm on her waist, she dares cracking an eye open and take a small peek. “I-I feel—“

… Honestly, not sick as she’d intended to say.

In fact, the feeling is exhilarating.

The wind rushes by, cooling the side of her face Masamune’s breath recently warmed, the smell of sweet grass and wild flowers greeting her nose, feeling more refreshing than she could have expected at first. Ever so slowly, she relaxes, still holding onto his chest armor, but easing into him this time rather than fighting it.

“There you go, kitten…” Mai has to wonder who truly the kitten is when Masamune pretty much purrs to her ear. “You can’t enjoy life if you spend all your time huddling in fear, hiding your eyes,”

Deep down, she wholeheartedly agrees with that, yet can’t help it when anxiety takes control of her rational senses. “We’re going so fast though!”

“It’s only scary if you tell yourself that. Now tell me, is it really?”

Their closeness and the warmth he radiates soothes a considerable amount of the sheer tension she’s been bottling in, her limbs relaxing some more. Masamune’s ever alluring eye tempts her to forget about the scenery around them, although even more so it’s those too appealing lips what draw her so, barely a breath away from hers.

As far as she knows, he must probably be aware of what he’s doing to her; even most likely taking some pride of it, if his sapphire gaze traveling south and lingering on her lips ever so fleetingly is any indication thereof. However, when he nudges her cheek with his chin, urging her eyes away and forward, Mai is half thankful and half disappointed for it—although mostly the former, feeling like breathing again.

“… It’s beautiful,” She can’t truly say for sure what she is actually talking about, though, hearing her heartbeat pulsing in her ears. Sunset spills golden light over the field, the surroundings passing her in a blur, mixing, blending into a gorgeous orb of color. “Wow, you were right. This is… this is amazing!”

Masamune chuckles softly, appearing quite satisfied, “Isn’t life more fun this way?” He points out, and that statement is the key to brushing the remnants of her fears away, the breeze toying with her hair as she smiles back and nods in admission. The gesture prompts him to flash a wicked grin back, “Good. Then let’s pump up the fun and go faster!”

Snapping the reins, Mai can barely contain a yelp. “This is fun enough! Agh, Masamune, please don’t—!”

It’s no use, though, and the black mare breaks into a faster run at his command. To her dismay, Masamune’s confident—or extra cocky—enough to drop the reins at her lap and throw his arms around her middle, rubbing his chin against her cheek in a teasing manner. “Ssh, kitten. Just enjoy it…”

Her thoughts threaten to scramble in several different directions, throwing an arm around his neck in an act of reflex. “Just who are you calling kitten? Because right now I’m hearing you purring…”

“Mmh, is that so?” It takes her a full minute to realize what she just said, a full blush creeping up her entire face. “I see you may be considering another source of fun?” Masamune’s breath fans her ear, his teeth scraping her earlobe ever so slightly.

It makes her flush considerably worse, but she can’t help the little giggle escaping her, squirming at the tickling sensation. Thankfully and to her sake—or to ignite some frustration—his teasing comes to a pause, his laugh echoing all around them as they pick up speed.

Oh, boy. You’re going to be the end of me, isn’t it?

[copper-dragon-in-disguise]

I posted 19,364 times in 2022

That's 10,771 more posts than 2021!

72 posts created (0%)

19,292 posts reblogged (100%)

Blogs I reblogged the most:

@kiwifluid

@professor-rye

@lightasthesun

@radley-writes

@talesofsorrowandofruin

I tagged 1,352 of my posts in 2022

#reblog! - 205 posts

#chocolate guy - 35 posts

#huh - 24 posts

#asks - 12 posts

#nice cat op - 11 posts

#cr spoilers - 9 posts

#boost! - 7 posts

#soul sensing uquizzes - 6 posts

#unreality - 6 posts

#find later - 6 posts

Longest Tag: 139 characters

#oh you're like extremely cool congrats. you have a taste for the finer (read: shiny) things in life but ur still grounded enough to take th

My Top Posts in 2022:

#5

I have found my cat drinking water in the oddest way possible

12 notes - Posted August 11, 2022

#4

Me, scrolling through my dash on a Friday morning after critical role aired last night and I am two episodes behind now: sorry, Chentey is a WHAT? And Orym and Dorian rolled nat 20s on death saves??? Also new lore? Cool! But only the new lore bit this is worrying.

Me, several minutes later, having reached a point where there is not any spoilers bc this latest person doesn't watch it: oh that's some nice art, good luck with that comic it sounds hard.

Me, remembering something I saw at the dash as I see a new post: WHY DOES IRA RECOGNIZE FEARNE? WHO IS IRA? ISN'T THAT THE GUY FROM THE SONNOVOM? WHAT IS GOING ON I HAVE LESS THAT A WEEK TO WATCH Approximately TWELVE Hours OF CRITICAL ROLE PLEASE SEND HELP!!!!

13 notes - Posted January 21, 2022

#3

Look what I (& my parents) found in a parking lot at a gas station in Ohio!!

Is mallard ducks!!!

13 notes - Posted March 8, 2022

#2

A hasty pen & sharpie drawing of FCGs current (?) petrified state because why not

22 notes - Posted November 10, 2022

My #1 post of 2022

Happy April fool's. Have a picture of my cat.

There is no joke here I am simply giving ye a picture of a cat.

31 notes - Posted April 1, 2022

Get your Tumblr 2022 Year in Review →

[brilliantorinsane]

The Speckled Band on Stage:      Yep, Still Gay

Note: I tagged those who reblogged the first part of this series. Please let me know if you would prefer not to be tagged in future posts.

This is the second installment in my series on obscure Sherlock Holmes film adaptations and their depiction of Holmes and Watson both individually and in relation to each other. (For a discussion of the 1921-23 silent films starring Eille Norwood, which appears to have been Doyle’s favorite adaptation, see here.)

I really didn’t mean to write a post about this one, seeing as it doesn’t strictly fit the theme of this series. It is a play, not a film, and it is only sort of an adaptation—although a retelling of The Speckled Band, it is written by Doyle himself. But while researching a very gay and very terrible 1931 film, I discovered that it was loosely adapted from this play. Naturally I read it as part of my research, telling myself that I wouldn’t get sidetracked writing a post about it. The failure of my self-control now lays before you.

In my defense, this play really is … well it really is Something. All sorts of wonderful and all sorts of tragic. If you’d prefer to read it for yourself before encountering the spoilers in this post, hop on over here and scroll to the second half of the webpage. And if you’ve got your subtext glasses so much as perched lightly on the end of your nose, be ready to be sent reeling by what you find.

(Spoilers below the cut)

Production and Reception                                  

Doyle’s decision to adapt The Speckled Band for the stage was rather spur-of-the-moment. He had leased a theater for six months in order to showcase The House of Temperley, an adaptation of his novel Rodney Stone, but the play was largely unsuccessful (x, x). Threatened with considerable financial loss, Doyle set to work and within a week had written The Speckled Band. Despite its rushed composition the play was decidedly successful, and Doyle seems to have been quite pleased with it (x).

The play alters the original short story considerably. Some changes are so inconsequential as to be puzzling—the villain’s name is changed from Roylott to Rylott, the names of the stepdaughters are switched, etc—but other alterations are structural and make a significant difference. In particular, instead of following Watson’s pov, the audience’s perspective revolves primarily around the Rylott house. The scenes introducing Holmes and Watson are also considerably altered and expanded for potentially unfamiliar audiences, and a good deal more shouting and action is introduced throughout. 

Oh, and Watson is engaged to Mary Morstan. Yeah. More on that later.

I have two complaints: First there is an uncomfortable dash of orientalism (i.e., western depictions of the east which cast it as mysterious, dangerous, and Other, and which played a largely unintentional but nonetheless significant role in justifying British imperialism), which is present in the original story but rather more prevalent in the stage play. Second, the female protagonist, although commendably brave, loses what little agency she had in the original story. But aside from these elements, I loved this play. The pacing is good and kept me engaged even when neither Sherlock or Watson are present, Dr. Rylott is genuinely frightening and I was really rather tense at times despite knowing the ending, and the occasional humor is on point—I actually laughed aloud once or twice. Further, ACD’s allegiance with the oppressed is out in full force, and there’s some genuinely touching commentary on the debilitating effects of abuse. And then, of course, there is Sherlock Holmes and Doctor John Watson …

Sherlock Holmes on Stage                                      

Guys. This is, pure and undiluted, Sherlock Holmes at his best. If you ever start to fear that Sherlock really might be the cold and detached reasoning machine some folk have fixated on, just read the way Arthur Conan Doyle writes him in this play. You will never doubt again that he is anything besides a snarky ahead-of-his-time genius with a heart of literal gay gold. We’ll get to the ‘gay’ part in later section, so we’ll set aside his interactions with Watson for the moment. There is plenty else to discuss.

You see, this Holmes does spout a variation of that much abused line from A Scandal in Belgravia, saying: “[love] would disturb my reason, unbalance my faculties. Love is like a flaw in the crystal, sand in the clockwork, iron near the magnet.” I understand that the statement, here and in Scandle, refers specifically to romantic love. Yet I cannot think it’s an accident that nearly the very next moment Holmes is flatly refusing to find the wife of a clearly abusive husband, asking only enough questions to ensure that she has found a safe refuge, even though the law is on the husband’s side and the man offers a whopping fee of 500 pounds. As if Doyle wants to drive home that Holmes accepts cases purely on the basis of empathy for the downtrodden and not finances, Holmes then remarks: “I’m afraid I shall never be a rich man, Watson.” Added to this, the manner in which he listens to, comforts, and puts himself in danger for Roylott’s step-daughter Enid is genuinely touching. As many of us have asserted for years, Sherlock Holmes is the champion of justice, ally of the oppressed, and altogether a beautiful smol man. ‘Love is a flaw in the crystal,’ indeed.

There is also a pleasing dash of Holmes the psychologist. It appears most obviously in an early analysis of Dr. Roylott, but most touchingly toward Rylott’s mercilessly abused servant Rodgers. The man is essentially good-hearted but entirely incapacitated by fear of his master, and this leads to his betraying Enid’s attempts to contact Sherlock. It was obviously a shitty move, but Holmes, who earlier expressed understanding of the thoroughgoing damage caused by the man’s long, forced dependence on a maniac for his basic needs, responds compassionately: “He is not to be blamed. His master controls him.”

Added to this we have Holmes in disguises, bamf!Holmes, Holmes calling people idiots and taking far too much delight in dancing circles around them, and of course utterly brilliant Holmes (though that’s a given), so it seems almost an embarrassment of riches that we also get peak sassy Holmes. He makes a number of delightful appearances, although my favorite is the following, which occurs after he has agreed to protect Enid from Rylott:

RYLOTT: What I ask you to do — what I order you to do is to leave my affairs alone. Alone, sir — do you hear me? HOLMES: You are perfectly audible.

As utterly delightful as all of this is, Holmes’s darker side is not entirely absent, at least in his personal habits—the cocaine does make its appearance. But more on that later.

John Watson on Stage                                             

To be honest, I found myself rather anxious about how Doyle would depict Watson. We fans have been in the habit of discovering Watson between the lines of the cannon stories—as the man is far more interested in talking about Holmes than himself, it takes a bit of digging to discover Watson’s outstanding qualities. But what if the Watson we love so dearly is our own invention, and Doyle himself was simply uninterested in the man except as a conduit to portraying Holmes?

I really shouldn’t have worried.

It is true that Watson rather disappears into the background once Holmes is working. But that is not to say he becomes at all useless. In fact, the Watson in this play is quite simply our Watson—kind, steady, intelligent, dangerous, and with something of a temper hidden beneath the steady veneer.

In the play, Watson is the doctor who examines the body of the first murdered sister (who is here called Violet) two years before Holmes becomes involved in protecting the remaining sister, Enid. Watson, bright fellow that he is, clearly suspects that something is off. Ultimately there is nothing he can do at the time, but his involvement allows for one my favorite moments: Watson employing Holmes’s deductive skills. True, it is for a single,  relatively inconsequential matter; but he does it and he’s right and he impresses the whole room and guys! Watson! is! an! intelligent! man! I mean, we’ve all known that for forever, but its rather nice to get such a clear nod of agreement from Dyole.

In addition to his intelligence, Watson exhibits a empathy and compassion that in this story will be matched (not surpassed) only by that of Holmes. As an old friend of Rylott’s now-dead wife, Watson acts as comforter to the surviving girl. We are told that he came immediately and probably well in opposition to his own convenience when first he heard of the tragedy, and his treatment of Enid is gentle without being patronizing. Unsettled by the Rylott household and clearly wishing he could do more, he also repeatedly urges Enid to contact him if she has any suspicion of danger. All of this prompts Enid to declare: “Your kindness has been the one gleam of light in these dark days.” It is a lovely description of the man who has been a light in the dark for at least one other—the sort of testament we would have been unlikely to hear of if this story were reported through Watson’s own narration.

Again, I’ll leave the majority of his interactions with Holmes for the next section, but it is worth mentioning that there is no objection from him when Holmes turns down an easy 500 pounds. Watson is intelligent and he is good—he saw the signs of abuse and he would not have his friend benefit on those terms. These scenes also provide a wonderful dose of protective Watson. And while Holmes is of course at the head of the investigation, he and Watson are wonderfully in sync, and Watson proves his worth.

When it comes down to it, the Holmes and Watson in this play are transparently the two deeply compatible men we seek to dig out of cannon: mutually sharp and compassionate, courageous and quick to protect, with Holmes giving Watson stimulation and purpose and the means to aid others, and Watson providing Holmes with a firm right hand and a ready ear and a steadiness that counteracts the extremities that drive Holmes to cocaine. Watson and Holmes as Doyle portrayed them—as no other adaptation would portray them for far too many years—are just kinda perfect for each other.

But Watson is engaged.

So … What About Johnlock?                                  

*buries head in hands* *giggles* *sobs* … Yeah. Yeah, it’s here. Yeah.

I really wasn’t sure what to expect from this play. I thought that perhaps the stage would strike Doyle as too exposed and vulnerable, or that perhaps he wouldn’t trust the actors, or that he would feel unsafe without the veneer of Watson’s narration—that, one way or another, he’d be persuaded to leave the gay subtext out of this one. But, um, Doyle? Buddy? Don’t get me wrong, I’m absolutely chuffed that you managed to avoid allegations a la Oscar Wilde. But also … how?

Honestly, I’ve always wondered whether Doyle was aware that he was writing a love story or whether that’s what wound up on paper regardless of his intent. This play just might be my answer.

a.) Sherlock Holmes: The Work as a disguise

The most blaring subtext is concentrated in Act II Scene II, where Holmes first enters the stage and his primary interactions with Watson occur. This play takes place during one of the dark times when Watson isn’t living at Baker Street, and when he visits Holmes to present him with Enid’s case, Holmes comes out disguised as a workman. (Before this Watson comments with dismay on the evidence of Holmes’s continued cocaine habits—this will be significant later). The disguised Holmes pokes fun at Watson, who doesn’t recognize him, accusing him of being responsible for Holmes’s untidy habits. There may be a rather tragic subtextual undertone to the whole conversation, but there’s too much else to discuss. So I’ll leave that aside and instead highlight the exchange that occurs when Holmes drops his disguise:

WATSON: Good Heavens Holmes! I should never have recognized you. HOLMES: My dear Watson, when you begin to recognize me it will indeed be the beginning of the end. When your eagle eye penetrates my disguise I shall retire to an eligible poultry farm.

Now, this could be innocent enough—just a fun way to introduce the clever detective. But if one is at all alert to the mere possibility of subtext, alarum bells should be ringing full force at the fact that the first on-stage interaction between these two characters consists of Holme demonstrating his ability to hide his true identity from Watson, and then saying that if he was unable to deceive Watson it would literally be the end of his life as he knows it. And it’s worth taking note of his phrasing: not “when you begin to recognize my disguises,” but rather “when you begin to recognize me.” Is this just a matter of professional pride, or is there something deeper that Holmes is afraid of having discovered?

But you know, maybe I’m just reading into this. This is a story about preventing Enid’s murder, its got nothing to do with romance or love, that would be thematically inconsistent and out of place—

HOLMES: Well, Watson, what is your news? WATSON: Well, Holmes, I came here to tell you what I’m sure will please you. HOLMES: Engaged, Watson, engaged! … The successful suitor shines from you all over.

Oh. Okay then.

Now, it is important to understand that Watson’s marriage has literally nothing to do with the Rylott plot. The engagement in no way affects Watson’s movements, and Mary never appears on stage. No; the first half of this scene is devoted entirely to introducing us to Holmes—the few clients he sees in this section are clearly selected to give us a sense of his character, methods, and values. That means that for some reason Doyle thought that a proper understanding of Holmes requires a discussion of love and marriage—specifically, Watson’s marriage.

Watson, being an imbecile as well as an intelligent man, thinks Holmes will be pleased with his news. Holmes rises to the occasion as best he can, calling the news “better and better” when he discovers Mary Morstan is the woman Watson has chosen, but not before he lets slip the sentence: “What I had heard of you, or perhaps what I had not heard of you, had already excited my worst suspicions.” Worst suspicions, Holmes? I thought this was supposed to be giving you pleasure? Well, perhaps he’s merely being facetious.

But next moment he slips again, saying, “You lucky fellow! I envy you.” When Watson suggests that Holmes might find a woman of his own one day, Holmes cryptically replies: “No marriage without love, Watson.” This might have been the first line that really floored me—the bare fact of Holmes’s conviction that he will never love a woman (‘woman,’ of course, being implied in the concept of marriage at the time). But when Watson asks why, Holmes falls back on the “[love] would disturb my reason” nonsense.

Now to be clear, I understand that Holmes is specifically discussing romantic love here, and that there is no connection between a lack of romantic attachment and a lack of sentiment and care for others generally. But here’s the thing: Holmes’s self descriptor doesn’t depict him as aromantic—i.e., ‘I just don’t feel romantic stuff.’ It depicts him as a reasoning machine—‘strong emotions disrupt my process.’ And in context of literally every friggin thing he does in this entire play, that’s nonsense. It is abundantly clear that reason is his tool, but compassion and sentiment are his motives.

One might argue that this is slightly sloppy writing (it was composed in a hurry, after all), or that Holmes simply doesn’t have the words to describe his aromanticism. Yet just moments before he said he envied Watson’s relationship, and moments before that revealed himself to be a consummate actor whose very existence as he knows it depends on disguise …

The already unwieldy length of this analysis requires that I speed a bit through the goldmine that follows: through Holmes punting aside requests from a royal family and the actual Pope because Watson has a case in which he has a personal interest—and I can’t resist pointing out that Holmes says he will of course take the case if Watson has “any personal interest in it.” It’s not ‘I’ll make time in my busy schedule if this is really very important to you,’ it’s ‘oh, you have a thing that you at least kinda sorta care about? The Pope can wait.’ I must gloss over Holmes transparently wanting to get as much of Watson’s company as he can, declaring that he has always seen Watson as his partner, and wishing for a plaque with his and Watson’s names on it, despite heavy implications that Watson has been almost entirely absent from Holmes’s work for some time. I’ll just mention in passing the truly remarkable number of “my dear fellows” and “my dear Watsons" Holmes manages to drop in a brief space of time, his clear desire to protect Watson from the dangers of the case despite later informing Enid that he is “a useful companion on such an occasion,” and his cry of “No, Watson, no!” when his friend leaps up to protect him from the poker Rylott is threatening him with.

I will not, however, pass over what occurs when Watson leaves Holmes, intending to meet him at the train station later that day. Watson’s final words on his way out are: “Good bye—I’ll see you at the station,” to which Holmes replies, “Perhaps you will,” adding to himself: “Perhaps you will! Perhaps you won’t!” Ah, what’s that? On about disguising yourself from your best friend again, eh Holmes? But then, within the play this refers to the fact that Holmes intends to actually disguise himself at the train station, so it has a literal meaning and not a metaphorical one, it has nothing to do with a deeper hiddeness, certainly nothing to do with love—

HOLMES: Ever been in love Billy? BILLY: Not of late years, sir. HOLMES: Too busy, eh? BILLY: Yes, Mr. Holmes. HOLMES: Same here. Got my bag there, Billy? BILLY: Yes, sir. HOLMES: Put in that revolver. BILLY: Yes, sir. HOLMES: And the pipe and pouch. BILLY: Yes, sir. HOLMES: The lens and the tape? BILLY: Yes, sir. HOLMES: Plaster of Paris, for prints? BILLY: Yes, sir. HOLMES: Oh, and the cocaine.

Oh … oh. Shit.

Please understand that this exchange—consisting of Holmes again raising the topic of love immediately after returning to the subject of his disguise, both of which he addresses as soon as Watson has left, as if he could not discuss them in front of his friend—comes apropos of nothing except Watson’s announcement of his engagement far back at the beginning of the scene. And I don’t see how the way he raises the subject and dismisses it can be seen as anything but the covering of some deep emotion—there is longing in the way he immediately brings it up, showing that it has stuck in his mind the whole while, and something tragic in the way he next-moment dismisses the clear preoccupation with the claim of being ‘too busy,’ clearly echoing the ‘I envy you … love is not for me’ progression of his earlier exchange with Watson.

And I get that in theory this longing for but dismissal of love could be read in a number of ways besides a socially forbidden love for his recently engaged partner. One might argue, for example, that he is aromantic but lonely and longing for the consistency of attachment others find in romantic love, or that he’s bursting with all sorts of hetero affections that he has chosen to sacrifice for the sake of The Work.

I would simply ask any inclined towards those arguments to consider the framing of this scene. I would ask them to question why ACD chose to introduce and conclude the scene which functions as an introduction to Holmes with the detective’s ability and need to disguise himself from Watson specifically, immediately juxtaposed with discussions of romantic love and Holmes’s desire for it which is clearly present but immediately veiled—disguised?—by his commitment to the work, with the cocaine hovering ominously behind. Then consider that between these mirrored book-ends we watch Holmes allow the man from whom he must disguise himself to disrupt the flow of the work which he claimed was supreme, making clear his wish that Watson be drawn into that work—a desire counteracted only by the transparent fact that he would prefer to risk his own bodily injury rather than put his friend in harm’s way. Add to all of this that Doyle works in a mention of the Milverton case and thus allows Holmes to comment on how his ruse to undermine Milverton involves courting and being courted by a woman and how distasteful he finds the experience and—well, you much reach your own conclusions. I have reached mine.

b.) Watson: Substitutionary desire

I began by speaking of Holmes because the subtext is monumentally more apparent on his part, and unlike Holmes it would be easy and even (though I cringe to say it) reasonable to read Watson as a comfortable heterosexual in this play. Does this mean that Doyle wrote one of those dreadful adaptations in which Holmes is pining away with an unrequited love for a Watson who is incapable of returning his romantic affections?

Not necessarily. As far as I can tell, without the clear implication of Sherlock’s affections one would be on shaky ground arguing that Watson was intended as anything besides a Hetero Bro. However, the clear coding of Holmes as in love with Watson causes one to wonder whether the affection might not be returned, and the results of investigation are inconclusive but intriguing.

Although he doesn’t make an appearance until the second act, Holme is mentioned by Watson in the first scene. Assuring Enid that she can turn to him if she is in any need, he admits that there is little he can do on his own. But he then adds: “I have a singular friend—a man with strange powers and a very masterful personality. We used to live together, and I came to know him well. Holmes is his name—Mr. Sherlock Holmes. It is to him I should turn if things looked black for you. If any man in England could help it is he.”

To be fair, it is not unusual in stories for someone to describe the hero in grandiose terms before he is seen directly by the reader/audience. Still, that’s quite a way to describe one’s friend. I find myself particularly fixating on “strange powers and a very masterful personality.” You do realize that you could have just said he’s smart, right Watson? I mean, maybe things were different back then, but if I described my friend as having a ‘masterful personality’ and then tried to claim they were my platonic bestie, I’m pretty sure I’d get my fair share of dubious glances.

Watson mentions his friend once more when his application of Holmes’s methods to clear up a detail of the investigation prompts an impressed exclamation from the coroner, to which Watson responds: “I have a friend, sir, who trained me in such matters.”

So at the very least, we have a Watson who idolizes, respects, relies on, and emulates his friend—all of which makes the fact that he is no longer living with Holmes something of a puzzle.

You see, the play never gives us a reason for Watson having moved out. The comment to Enid in which he mentions that they “used to live together” occurs two years before Sherlock becomes involved with the case and Watson becomes engaged to Mary, so it clearly has nothing to do with her. Yet not only has he moved out, his involvement in the cases is implied to have dwindled significantly or even stopped altogether—in one of the saddest lines of the play, Holmes comments that of course Watson wouldn’t remember Milverton because: “it was after your time.”

But why these degrees of separation? At no point are there signs of any ill-will between the friends. The danger certainly wasn’t an issue for Watson: when Rylott threatens Holmes Watson literally “jumps” to protect him, and he insists on sharing the danger of the Rylott house. Nor does it seem viable to speculate that Baker Street’s location became inconvenient for Watson—the speed with which Rylott makes his way to Watson’s home and from there to Baker Street demonstrates that they still live quite close. One might more plausibly theorize that Watson was becoming more invested in his medical practice and involvement in Holmes’s work was interfering, but why would ACD make an alteration so irrelevant to the story and then not even explain it? After all, the friends were still living together in the short story from which this is adapted. What could be the point of such a change?

Well, the fact is, while their bond is undeniable and remarkably strong, there are hints of something … off between the friends. Despite claiming to see Watson as his equal partner, Holmes fails to communicate with him about how they will be involved in the Rylott case, telling Watson to come on the 11:15pm train but neglecting to mention that he will be going to the house in disguise some hours earlier. The motive behind this omission is unclear—he previously tried to dissuade Watson from joining the case on account of the danger, so perhaps Holmes intends for Watson to give up and stay away when Holmes does’t appear. (Watson, of course, comes anyhow). Or perhaps Holmes wished to be apart from Watson for a time in the wake of hearing of his engagement (Holmes calling for the cocaine comes unsettlingly to mind here) but knew Watson wouldn’t allow him to go to Rylott’s alone. But whatever Holmes’s motive, Watson knows only that he has been excluded and cut out. Similarly, if in the past he has sensed that Holmes was on some level disguising himself from him would he would not have been likely to imagine a flattering cause. One cannot help but wonder whether it is these exclusions that cause Watson, despite inserting himself determinately when Holmes’s safety is at stake, to feel that he must offer to remove himself from the room when Holmes calls in clients. Certainly Watson has no inkling that Holmes might be in love with him—no kind friend who suspected as much would introduce his engagement by saying: “I came here to tell you what I am sure will please you.”

This then, is what we have: two men who deeply admire each other, long for one another’s company, and would clearly die for one another, and yet one of them is hiding and the other running first from the house and then into marriage. We have good reason to believe the one is hiding because he fears revealing his love; is it unreasonable to suppose the other is running for the same reason? Is it strange to think that Watson, feeling unable to trust to his powers of disguise in the way Holmes can, feeling the continual sting of Holmes hiding from him and cutting him off and unable to interpret those actions as anything besides distrust or indifference, would have sought safety in distance and ultimately comfort in binding himself to another?

A final note: we know nothing about Mary in this play. Despite having come in part to announce his engagement, Watson has no rhapsodies to offer on behalf of his fiancee—he seems far more interested in Holmes’s propensity for love, and, failing that, in Holmes’s work. Although Holmes’s (admittedly not impartial) deductions imply that Watson is genuinely pleased with his engagement, we learn precisely two details about Mary, both from Holmes: first that she has red hair, and second that Watson chose a woman who Holmes “met and admired.” Despite their seemingly limited contact over the past two years, Watson still seems unable to be married without at least some reference to Sherlock Holmes.

c.) Sorry … have some petty ACD as recompense

I feel I owe you an apology. I am aware that if you had the patience to read my ridiculously long ramble and are convinced by my interpretation of the Holmes and Watson’s relationship in the play, your ‘reward’ is having a dark but ultimately triumphant detective story transformed into a fucking tragedy that ends with two broken hearts. All I can offer is the comfort of knowing that for 130 years neither marriage nor death nor the near erasure of Watson from the first forty years of stage and film adaptations have been able to keep these two apart. They will find their way back to one another.

Oh, and you also might enjoy hearing that this play is totally ACD’s revenge on heteronormativity.

Okay, I can’t prove that. But it really looks like it. You may be aware of the 1988 play Sherlock Holmes, written by Doyle and William Gillette. If you’re like me a week ago, you may not know that Doyle wrote the original script himself, and Gillette became involved only when Doyle’s script was rejected and the producer urged him to bring Gillette on to rewrite it. I like to imagine that the rejection letter went something like: “Look, buddy, you can’t have Holmes staring forlornly after Watson while instigating a wistful conversation about love with Billy. You just can’t,” but realistically we don’t know why the first draft was rejected. But we do know that Doyle specifically requested that Gillette not give Holmes a (female) love interest, and that Gillette sent Holmes off into the sunset with a woman anyway (x).

Then, eleven years later with a failing theater on his hands, Doyle locks himself away in a room and says, “Fuck it. Imma write a Holmes play, and when I introduce him the first thing everyone is going to know is that he’ll never marry a woman, and the last thing the introduction will tell them is that he’ll never marry a woman and—you know what, I’ll take that Milverton story where Holmes groans about needing to date a woman and throw that in the middle.” And that’s true of the play even if you don’t buy the queer reading. But also, its super gay.

And frankly I just love that not only did Doyle refuse to give in to society’s attempt to fit his story into their heteronormative mold, it actually worked and Doyle made up all the money he was poised to lose and more by shoving a gay love story into his audience’s face.

Well done, ACD, well done.

Conclusion: Should You Read It?                            

I mean, I think my answer is fairly obvious by now. If you’re interested and have the time, it is 100% worth it. And I hope it doesn’t feel like I’ve spoiled all the good parts. There are reams of gems I didn’t even allude to—and that’s not counting everything I doubtless missed.

I just have one request: if you do read the play and end up posting about it on tumblr, would you tag me in your comments? Hearing someone else’s thoughts on this hidden treasure would be a delight. 

@thespiritualmultinerd @a-candle-for-sherlock @missallainyus @steadymentalityengineer @iant0jones @devoursjohnlock @disregardedletters

[hotarla]

My Thoughts: “Quan Zhi Gao Shou” Episode 9 Summary and Review: “Everyone’s Public Enemy”

Excited greetings to you, my fellow QZGS fans, here is another edition of “My Thoughts!” This episode has a lot of reshuffling of events when compared to the novel so I'll try to point them out to you. I was actually genuinely surprised at a few things which I will discuss later. (BTW, I translated the title myself so it could be wrong...)

As with always, a warning about spoilers ahead! As an FYI, the start of the episode has us around chapter 148 and ends around chapter 178, (give or take) since some of the chapters were completely cut out from this episode (or are, in fact, going to be shown in episode 10).

The episode starts us off with some totally unnecessary fan service (I'm joking, it's TOTALLY necessary for all the screaming fangirls lol!) of Zhou Zekai’s dreamy visage before cutting to the Internet cafe where Ye Xiu is talking to Wang Jiexi about how the constant challenges from Tiny Herb are wearing him down. Tang Rou disagrees with him, saying that he's just playing around with a bunch of champion “three-legged cats” (in Chinese, a “three-legged cat” means that you're a “jack-of-all-trades and master of none”). At this point, Bao pops his face in and asks about what they're going to do in-game today. Just as this happens, Ye Xiu gets a PM from Seven Fields…

We cut over to Congee City’s Exchange Market where Bound Boat from Blue Brook Guild is talking to Blue River about Lord Grim setting the record for Desolate Land for the Full Moon Guild for the cheap price of four parts of the Scarlet Moon set (a level 30 set for Battle Mages). Blue River reacts to this with disbelief but it's all true. His QQ messenger lights up and he watches as leaders from some of the other big guilds complain about this. When the server announces later on that the Full Moon Guild has beaten Blue Brook’s record, the other guilds begin to declare: this Lord Grim is our enemy!

Left with no other choice, Blue River has to make a tough decision: ask for help from a higher dimension...

Meanwhile, Lord Grim and Co. are in Congee City as well, picking up new weapons for themselves now that they're at level 30. In the novel, this event actually happens before setting the record for Full Moon. Steam Bun dashes from one stall to another in excitement while Tang Rou wonders out loud about the steep prices. Lord Grim goes up to a stall and asks if they're buying uncommon materials. The man gives him the affirmative as he turns around and...ah! It's Bound Boat from Blue Brook! Why are you selling back the materials we gave you!?

Elsewhere, Blue River has arrived in the Heavenly Domain on his main account, Blue Bridge Spring Snow. I have to admit, the detailing and almost divinely-inspired instrumental for this scene is totally on point and totally gorgeous! Also, if you pay close attention, Blue River’s main account has a ponytail! Not QUITE the long hair I was imagining though!

We finally get to meet two characters I was actually not expecting to see: guild leader of the Heavenly Domain for Blue Brook, Changing Spring, and Poplar Beach, Blue River’s biggest rival in Blue Brook. To be honest, with all the stuff the donghua was cutting out, seeing these two characters was last on my list. I am a bit disappointed on the totally bland character designs for these two though.

Blue River informs Changing Spring about Lord Grim’s efforts in the 10th server while Poplar Beach scoffs in the background. Changing Spring decides that it's time to bring out the big guns: he will personally go to the 10th server to set the record for Desolate Land! Blue River goes to inform Bound Boat but, instead, he gets a complaint about Lord Grim’s shameless bargaining techniques! And, somewhere in the shadows, danger lurks…

Lord Grim and Co. group back at Desolate Land after getting some new weapons. Steam Bun detects a killer intent and dashes away to ambush the person. But, it turns out that the newcomer is not an enemy but a friend!

It's my favourite cinnamon roll, Qiao Yifan! He's come to the 10th server on his new level 30 Ghostblade account, One Inch Ash, to get some God-level training from Ye Qiu (Ye Xiu). Steam Bun is confused: was I wrong about that killer intent I felt? Lord Grim smirks: you're not wrong, it's right above you!

Looks like they've been surrounded! And, judging from the Battle Mage who attacks first, it looks like it's Chen Yehui, guild leader of Excellent Dynasty! A battle ensues and we finally get a bit of action! I was starting to despair a bit about the lack of action. The novel covers a lot of battle scenes, including lots of monster battles from Wild Bosses to dungeoning for records. The donghua, unfortunately, cuts out a lot of this, probably due to budget and animating concerns. On top of that, a lot of the battles in the donghua have become what I call “dust covered light shows:” all you see is dust and flashy lights.

Another FYI: this particular “encirclement” actually occurs before the record setting of Desolate Land and before Blue River goes to the Heavenly Domain to ask for help. For more information, please check out chapter 155-56.

Secondly, the members on Ye Xiu’s side actually included Seven Fields and Sleeping Moon (from the Full Moon guild) and Thousand Creations (from Blue Brook); Yifan’s character One Inch Ash hadn't even joined up with Lord Grim’s party yet as his level wasn't high enough. I believe the reason that Yifan and his Ghostblade appeared earlier than expected was because they had to make up for the fact that they wouldn't be animating the record setting of Desolate Land that included Yifan helping them. Lastly, this “encirclement” actually occurred in Line Canyon (the dungeon after Desolate Land), not in Desolate Land itself, which is what happened in this episode.

Anyways, getting back to the episode at hand, the members of Excellent Dynasty attack and we can all see the merits of having a supporting Ghostblade member on the team with the usage of Sword Souls (and Dual Linking Ghost Boundaries) buffing up the team. I have to admit, it's all very flashy! I love the action sequence for Lord Grim’s Sword Soul and how his umbrella splits apart into a sword and sheath. Ye Xiu praises Yifan on his timing for his Boundaries and Yifan just lights up at the compliment. You can truly see the way Yifan works so perfectly with the team, and how happy he is to just be a part of it!

The ambushers are finally defeated in a team wipeout and Lord Grim and Co. pose majestically at the end of it. (Insert some more shameless Yifan plug in lol)

Suddenly, another attacker comes from above! It's Poplar Beach! He arrogantly introduces himself before attacking Steam Bun. Lord Grim and Changing Spring intervene and more introductions are made. Lord Grim makes a comment on the new record set by Blue Brook for Desolate Land: how come I don't see Blue River up there? His dungeoning is much more stable and consistent than Poplar Beach who would excel more at PKs. (Another small note: in the novel, this conversation actually happens before they set the record and Blue River is not on scene when it happens) Poplar Beach becomes incensed at the insinuation that he's bad at dungeoning while Blue River is visibly touched by Lord Grim’s words (his face has the most beautiful show of emotion I've ever seen on him!). Poplar Beach starts to arrogantly challenge Lord Grim in the world chat. Ye Xiu smirks at this while Blue River and Bound Boat worriedly look on…

At Excellent Era, Chen Yehui (FINALLY we get official confirmation that he IS Chen Yehui!) is grinding his teeth in anger after his failed attempt to kill Ye Qiu (Ye Xiu) in-game. We get a flashback of him getting denounced for having inefficient skill to play a higher position in the team, on the recommendation of Ye Qiu (Ye Xiu). It looks like he's not through with him yet though, as Chen slowly scrolls through his friend list filled with members from other guilds…

Yifan, on the other hand, is talking to Ye Xiu about the high record for Desolate Land. Ye Xiu tells him that he's confident that they'll be able to set the record with Yifan and his Ghostblade’s help. All they need are three chances (since after this, Lord Grim and Co. would reach level 31 and they would not be able to set the record anymore). Yifan panickedly tells him that he's still not very adept at using a Ghostblade but Ye Xiu reassures him: you're a pro player too! These words, spoken to him by a God-level player, is enough to convince Yifan: three chances are more than enough! And, as expected, the record is set!

I get so many feels from this every time I see it: Yifan needs this kind of acknowledgement of his skills more often. He feels overlooked because of his friend Yingjie so every time he gains a little bit more confidence in himself, I just get all teary-eyed and emotional.

After setting the record, Chen Guo congratulates them. Ye Xiu wanders over and asks Chen Guo something: can I borrow your Heavenly Domain maxed leveled account, Chasing Haze? And, at Blue Rain headquarters, we watch as the IRL version of Changing Spring (Liang Yichun for anyone who's interested) approaches Huang Shaotian while looking for Yu Wenzhou…

Eeee, Yu Wenzhou! Another hottie appears, like a rare Pokemon! (Although, the chances of meeting a hot guy in this series seems pretty high lol!) Glad to see Shaotian again, I miss that adorable chatterbox! I can't wait to see more of them in the next episode! And what does the next episode bring?

Oho! I wasn't expecting the donghua to cover the battle between Poplar Beach and Chasing Haze (played by Ye Xiu). To be honest, I thought that they would cut it out completely (it only lasted two chapters in the novel). And a covered up Su Mucheng? Wasn't this scene chronologically supposed to happen a bit earlier (like in THIS episode)? Well, we didn't see much of her in this episode so I guess it's all right. And that turbaned fellow, he couldn't possibly be Concealed Light, right? Goodness what is with the pacing of the donghua? It's all over the place! I guess all we can do now is wait and see! Until next week!

Profile of the Week - Qiao Yifan’s Ghostblade, One Inch Ash

[tatooine92]

MEA: From the Ground Up - Part 2

Fandom: Mass Effect Andromeda Pairing: Amanda Ryder x Reyes Vidal Rating: T Length: 2 parts so far (Part 1 here: https://tatooine92.tumblr.com/post/159231311635/mea-from-the-ground-up-part-1) Spoilers?: Depends on your definition of spoiler. It’s set post-game. Summary: Mandy Ryder enjoys a night in with her best gal pals, Vetra and Suvi, when lo, a suave smuggler interjects himself.

"And then he tried to kiss you?" Vetra asked, staring at Amanda over the top of her drink.

"Yep," Amanda said. She took a long sip from her drink, which was the closest Andromeda equivalent to a Long Island iced tea.

She, Suvi, and Vetra were sitting in the kitchen aboard the Tempest as it orbited Meridian, trying to have some kind of girls' night in. Cora was busy training colonists in basic defense and survival, and Lexi was busy with the thawing process. Peebee, of course, was nowhere to be found, adventuring around the planet. Maybe it was for the best. The kitchen wasn't exactly built for a large group.

"Oh, that's embarrassing," sighed Suvi. The steam from her tea curled up from the mug, framing her face. "How unfortunate."

"Yeah, that's one way to put it," Vetra said. "What of it, Amanda? You want me to shoot his kneecaps or something?"

"Bit drastic, don't you think?" said Suvi.

"I dunno. Seems about fair to me. He breaks her heart, I break every major joint in his body."

"That's okay, Vetra," Mandy said. "I don't want him dead or maimed or anything."

"Just saying. Wow, what a jerk. See, you should've demanded a title while you had a chance."

"She might still have a chance," Suvi remarked. "He tried to apologize, at least. That means something, doesn't it?"

"Yeah, if I want to get back with him." Mandy took another long drink and sighed, letting the buzz warm her. "Look, I don't know. He was great and all, but maybe I just made a mistake. It's okay, it happens. You make bad decisions, then you deal with them."

"I was really hoping he wouldn't be trouble," said Suvi. She gently patted Mandy's arm. "May I make you some actual tea instead?"

"Nah, but I'll take another one of these."

"Coming right up." Vetra stood, collecting her glass and Mandy's to make another round at the counter. "Don't even ask how I got the ingredients for this."

"Wasn't planning on it," Mandy said with a smirk. "Unless you plan on telling."

"And give away my contacts and techniques? Never."

Mandy laughed, already more relaxed. She wasn't sure if it was the alcohol or the warm presence of the two women on the Tempest who were most like sisters to her. She'd spent her entire life being Aaron's big sister; it was nice to have Suvi and Vetra be that for her.

Suvi busied herself making another cup of tea while Vetra mixed the drinks and warmed up some snacks. Mandy sat at the table and scrolled through photos she'd taken with her omni-tool. There was Cora, being all serious—ever the squad mother. Jaal, meeting a kitten someone had smuggled into their cryo pod with them (though how it survived, Mandy had no idea). So many good memories and pleasant—

Ding! An email notification blocked a picture of Liam posing so that a distant monolith rested on his palm.

New email from Reyes Vidal

Mandy's stomach jumped halfway up her throat.

"Uh... guys?"

Vetra and Suvi turned in a heartbeat.

"What, you want me to shoot his kneecaps out now?" Vetra asked.

"I--I don't know. He just... emailed me...?"

"Ooh, maybe it's an apology!" Suvi grabbed her tea and sat back down next to Mandy. "Read it, please?"

"Nix some of the enthusiasm, maybe," Vetra told her. She handed Mandy the second drink, complete with a little paper umbrella that really had no reason being in a Long Island iced tea.

"I can't help it. I just want her to be happy, with or without Reyes, whatever works for her. You know?"

"...yeah, okay." Vetra sat down with her own drink. Mandy was still staring at the notification. Her hand shook a little. "Want us to leave you alone?"

"No," Mandy said. She gulped. "I'd like you guys here if I try to punch something."

She tapped the notification and took a deep breath as the holographic screen expanded. She skimmed the lines, chewing her lip.

Amanda, my dearest,

It occurs to me that all our past communication has been incredibly one-sided. I find this unfair and highly unromantic. Please accept this humble attempt to speak my mind and sing your praises in the spirit in which it was intended.

I have never confessed that I fell in love with you. I hinted, but never said it in those words. So there they are. Someone once told me that if you write something down, it becomes true. Or maybe it just more accurately reflects truth? I'm not sure.

Just the same, there are the words. I fell in love with you. It was entirely by accident. I walked into Kralla's Song to meet the lauded Pathfinder, not the most magnificent woman in either of the galaxies I have called home. Did it feel like a vid to you? Perhaps I am overstating the emotion of the moment.

How would it go if it were a vid? There he is, the dashing and debonair smuggler, and there she is, humanity's last best hope. They look up. Their eyes meet. He realizes she has the most beautiful blue eyes, like a nebula. And he thinks, oh shit.

I cannot say if it was love at first sight. I think it was interest at first sight. But I spoke to you, and you were as smart and witty as you were beautiful. I could not wait to spend every waking moment near you. And I have not felt that way with anyone.

I hope one day I may actually have that opportunity.

Yours, Reyes

"Holy shit," Mandy breathed. She was still shaking. "It's... it's a love letter."

"Is he for real?" Vetra snorted.

"How endearing," Suvi murmured. "That's very sweet."

"Yeah, sweet like poison dipped in chocolate."

"Vetra!"

"Wow, guys, okay, we've got the full spectrum of emotions here," Mandy interrupted, closing the email. "Geez. I, uh... wow."

She chugged a lot more of her drink than maybe she should have at once. Both Suvi and Vetra watched her with concern.

"What are you gonna do?" Vetra asked.

"I don't know," Mandy replied. "I'm not gonna write him back. That's... nope. Not gonna happen."

"Probably wise," Suvi agreed. "I get the feeling you'd scream a lot if you tried."

"She'd scream, I'd scream, he'd scream for his mommy by the time I got done with him," Vetra said. "Look, Amanda, you're like a second sister to me. Which means anybody who hurts you gets the full brunt of my wrath. So just say the word and I'll arrange a few convenient accidents."

"Thanks, but no. Glad you view me as a sister, though. Now I feel all warm and fuzzy."

"Well, that might be the booze, but you're welcome."

Ding!

"Oh my God, he emailed me again!"

"Ladies, I believe we have a stalker on our hands," said Vetra.

Mandy opened the email and quickly read it to herself. "Wait a sec, Vetra."

Amanda,

It occurs to me I may have laid it on a bit thick in that last message. I got carried away thinking of you. I'll try not to startle you with such profuse declarations of passion in the future.

Yours ever, Reyes

"Yours ever," repeated Suvi when Mandy had finished reading the second message aloud.

"Profuse declarations of passion?" Vetra said. If she had an eyebrow, she would have been raising it.

"He's not Shakespeare, that's for damn sure." Mandy closed the second message and finished her drink. "It's... kind of sweet, I guess."

"Hard to be nice to him when he went months without even saying hello," Vetra said, pushing the plate of snacks closer to Mandy. Mandy took one--it was something vaguely cheesy, but wonderfully greasy--and chewed thoughtfully. "So... what now?"

"I think I'll keep quiet and see if he sends more," Mandy said. "I don't really want to jump to a response. Other than that... I don't know."

"Smart girl," nodded Vetra.

"Agreed," said Suvi. "I know I would want a lover to send me nice words until I got sick of hearing them."

"You're a romantic at heart," Mandy told her. She just didn't confess So am I.

Apart from those two dramatic emails, girls' night ended calmly, and everyone went to their own rooms. Mandy shuffled to her bedroom, buzzed almost to the point of replying and pounding out an email in response. She just barely resisted as she flopped on her bed, omni-tool lighting up her dark cabin as she reread the first email. Something about it wrapped her in warmth, like a tender hug--or like being held close while dancing.

"You definitely have style," she mumbled.

She just wasn't sure if style would be enough.