#please just use a crumb of common sense

[felucians]

lol people are arguing if rachel zegler is a white latina again so she can play snow white because she isn't pale, she's tan.

i'm the only latina weighing in and they have absolutely no concept of race whatsoever aside from the basic "dark = not white" "tan = not white" "pale = white" which doesn't account for anywhere outside of the western world

[darkficsyouneveraskedfor]

A Touch of Sweetness 5

Warnings: non/dubcon, mentions of crime, and other dark elements. My username actually says you never asked for any of this.

My warnings are not exhaustive but be aware this is a dark fic and may include potentially triggering topics. Please use your common sense when consuming content. I am not responsible for your decisions.

Character: mob!Loki Laufeyson

Sister series to mob!Thor

Summary: you make a new friend, but that’s not all. (short reader)

As usual, I would appreciate any and all feedback. I’m happy to once more go on this adventure with all of you! Thank you in advance for your comments and for reblogging ❤️

“I can’t wait to try one,” you beam at the tarts on the cooling rack. 

“Why don’t you?” Queenie asks as she wipes her hands on her apron. 

“Well, it’s only polite we let others try them, right? Thor? Loki?” 

“Oh, I don’t know if we should bother them right now,” she puts her hand behind her. “I’m sure they’ll find us when they’re ready.” 

“Uh, yeah, makes sense,” you raise your shoulders to your ears. “Sorry.” 

“Please, don’t be. I just don’t want to be in the way.” 

“Me either,” you smile. “I feel like that a lot. My sister always makes me the odd one out. Her and her friends.” 

“Oh, really. I’m sorry.” 

“Not your fault. I don’t want to tell on myself but I’m really happy we met. I hope... we can be friends.” You chew your lip as you look around. 

“We already are, aren’t we?” She asks. 

Your cheeks hurt as you smile gets even bigger, “really?” 

“Sure. You think I bake for anyone but friends?” She snorts. “I don’t know if you can tell, but I’m not much of a homemaker.” 

“No, you have to be! You always look so nice,” you insist. 

“Ha, yeah, well... that’s what they like,” she swallows. 

“They?” You wonder. 

“Ladies,” Thor’s booming voice thunders in and you whip around to face him. “I smell something sweet.” 

Queen mumbles but doesn’t respond clearly. You perk up, “tarts! They’re all done, if you want to try some.” 

“Tarts,” he echoes in excitement and claps his hand, “I was of the mind for a different sort of sugar,” he steps around you and nears Queenie. He puts his large hands on her shoulders and draws her into a kiss. You avert your gaze embarrassed. “But a dessert would be nice too.” 

You shift and wave at the tray of pastries. “If Loki wants some, there’s a lot to go around.” 

“My brother? No, he disappeared a while ago. So is his nature,” he plucks a tart from the array. “But perhaps we will set one aside for him.” 

“Okay,” you agree as Queenie turns and wipes the counter. She’s already done that but she seems to prefer the distraction. 

Thor bites into tart, nearly taking half of it. He purrs and nods. “Very delicious.” 

“She did most of the work,” Queenie says over her shoulder. 

“We both did a lot,” you counter. “Really, it’s good?” 

“Haven’t you tried one?” He asks through his mouthful. 

“Not yet.” You turn and carefully cradle one. You lift it over your cupped hand to catch the crumbs and bite into it. “Mmm.” 

“Queenie, please, you must,” Thor turns with what’s left of his and offers it to her. She turns to him and hesitates. She lets him feed her the tart and chews tightly. 

She hums and hides her mouth behind her hand, “very good.” 

“Well, it seems you’ve been quite productive,” Thor praises. “You should show sweetness around. Give her a lay of the land. Have a bit of fun. Can’t save it all for the night time, eh?” 

He winks and she bats her lashes bashfully, “sure, um, come on,” she brushes by him and grabs your wrist. “I’ll show you the garden. It’s my favourite place.” 

“Aside from the bed,” Thor chortles. 

She squeezes you tight as she drags you away. It’s cute how much he loves her but you imagine you’d be just as embarrassed. You go with her easily, chewing on what’s left of your tart. 

“You’ll have to take some with you,” she says. “I can’t possibly eat so many.” 

“Oh, thank you.” 

“Yeah, don’t worry about it,” she takes you through the back door and finally stops. You can sense her dismay. 

“Are you okay?” You free yourself from her grasp and touch her shoulder. She winces. 

“Fine,” she insists and crosses her arms. She marches ahead of you. “Just need some fresh air. It was getting warm in the kitchen.” She stops and glances back at you. “I don’t know how you’re not dying in that.” 

You look down at your turtleneck and shrug, “guess I’m used to it.” You follow her and glance around. The yard is huge. There’s a pool and grotto, a canopy over a dining set, a gazebo at the far corner surrounded by lush rose bushes, flowers at the middle arranged around the immense fountain. It’s like a fairytale. 

“This is so...” 

“I know, it’s beautiful,” she agrees as if it’s a bad thing. “Do you want to see the birds?” 

“Birds?” 

She nods and beckons you after her. She takes you toward the gazebo and around to the rear corner of the yard. The stone wall is woven over with vines and you can hear the steady cheep within. Bright yellow heads poke in and out as wings rustle through the leaves. 

“Wow!” You say. 

“He gets them imported,” she explains. “Pretty but... stuck here...” 

“They can fly away.” 

“They are tracked,” she sighs. “Not that they get very far with clipped wings.” 

You frown, “oh.” 

“Well...” she sniffs, “things are a bit nicer with someone to share them with,” she stands beside you. “Aren’t they?” 

You agree with a nod and gape at the wall of birds nesting between the vines. After a while, you trail after her into the gazebo and play on the wooden chessboard inside. The air smells like pollen. You while away the time, enjoying the lull as the breeze gently flows through the arches. 

“Checkmate. I think.” You say. 

She clicks her tongue, “yes.” 

“Wow, I never played before,” you snicker. 

“Don’t be a sore winner,” she sticks her tongue out. 

“I’m not,” you retort. 

“Well, maybe I’m a sore loser,” she pouts. 

You laugh and when she does, you laugh even louder. It’s infectious as the two of you giggle in the curtained dim of the gazebo. 

“Ahem,” the clearing of the throat also clears the air. You choke on your laughter and look in tandem to the shadow in the doorway. “I was told I am to return you to your home.” 

Loki stands with a placid expression. Despite his unaffected demeanour, you notice that a strand of his hair has fallen forward away from the rest of his neatly combed locks and there’s a dark stain on his collar. 

“Oh, already?” You wonder. 

He checks the watch on his wrist, “my brother said so. It is after dinner time. I believe he has plans with his... companion.” 

Queenie rises, “maybe next time you can stay.” 

“Hm, yes, maybe next time,” Loki repeats deliberately. “Come on then. I’ve not got all night.” 

You stand and give an apologetic smile, “bye, Queenie,” you murmur as she passes Loki. You follow her and stop just before him. “Did you have a tart?” 

“A tart?” His brows arch. 

“In the kitchen. We baked tarts.” 

“Mm, perhaps another time,” he drawls. “Let us not linger.” 

“Yes, sir,” you agree and wait for him to move. He doesn’t. You stare at each other. Finally, he shifts and extends his arm to gesture you out ahead of him. “Thanks,” you bounce past him and down the steps. “Oh look, you can see the moon already.” You point ahead as you cross the lawn ahead of him. 

“Mm,” he follows you at a pace. “Suppose that is rather amusing.” 

[rottenpumpkin13]

Out Of Context Shit Heard On The SOLDIER Floor #6

Previous: #1, #2, #3, #4, #5

Angeal: No, Genesis, you spaghetti-noodle-spine-having-ass bitch.

Sephiroth: I identify as a tonberry *chases Cloud with a kitchen knife*

Zack: Ra Ra Rasputin *kicks Sephiroth over*

Genesis: Unhand me you cretin *alone, talking to no one*

Angeal: Zack just showed me a picture of the Grinch and said "hear me out"

Lazard: No, Sephiroth, you cannot have a human-sized cat bed in your office "for enrichment"

Cloud: Parkour time *crashes through the air vents*

Sephiroth: I'm the biggest lesbian ally in this department, actually.

Angeal: For the sake of my sanity I'm gonna pretend I didn't just see Zack twerking to One Winged Angel.

Luxiere: I would commit unspeakable atrocities for a crumb of Zack's attention.

Lazard: That stripper pole better be gone when I get back or so help me, Genesis, I will return you to the goddess.

Sephiroth: *does a single pump of sore throat spray* This is enough for sustenance for the day.

Kunsel: Care for a deep-fried cigarette?

Angeal: You look like an AI-generated twink.

Sephiroth: I've grown so tired of Genesis's voice that we now communicate solely through interpretive dance.

Lazard, over the speakers: Whoever heated fish in the break room microwave, please come by my office so I can break your knees.

Zack: Aww, I forgot to feed the Roomba :(

Genesis: I don't know why me and Angeal are being judged. Simulating a birth with a watermelon is a perfectly normal activity for two people.

Kunsel: Hopefully this office party won't end in accidental weed use.

Angeal: WHY IS THERE A FAMILY OF RACCOONS IN THE TRAINING ROOM?

Genesis: I noticed some homosexual subtext in your screams, do you want to talk about that?

Angeal: *sniff sniff* Ooh~ who's barbecuing? OH MY GOD IT'S AN ELECTRIC FIRE.

Roche: Every time I think about chopping my hair short I think "Sephiroth wouldn't want this for me" and the feeling is gone.

Genesis: I made a friend *drags in a skeleton with a Sephiroth wig*

Cloud: *points at Angeal, Genesis and Sephiroth* Pure of heart, dumb of ass, big of tit.

Lazard: I told Zack to use Excel and he started sobbing.

Angeal: WHAT DO YOU HAVE AGAINST SEASONING YOUR GROUND BEEF?

Sephiroth: It's extremely rude to ask someone why they're eating a salad bowl of udon at 8 AM. Mind your business, Zack.

Cloud: Genesis likes Loveless so much because the title resonates with his love life.

Zack: You keep your anxiety pills in a takeaway to-go box? Dude that's so fancy.

Lazard: Why is Sephiroth the only one wearing a shirt??

Angeal: Common sense has chased Zack all his life but he wears wheelies so he's faster

Sephiroth: I personally don't use the peace sign because I haven't had a day of peace since I was 12.

Kunsel: I'm never going out in public with Zack again. A child's balloon popped when it went near his hair.

Angeal: No I'm not giving you an aspirin. Last time I gave you one you crushed it and snorted it like cocaine.

Lazard: An overwhelming majority of you peaked in kindergarten.

Sephiroth: Zack, I'm becoming increasingly concerned by the amount of potatoes in your pants right now.

Zack: This year I want an A/B/O themed birthday party.

Sephiroth: Please don't commit tax fraud, Genesis. You won't thrive in prison.

Genesis: Does anyone have an extra ramen packet to give Sephiroth? The 64 he consumed this morning weren't enough.

Roche: Commander Rhapsodos and his emo fringe is our culture.

Zack: I'm at my fucking limit! I'm about to eat a vegetable!

Genesis: He's a son of a bitch Sephiroth: That implies he has a mother, so I don't see how that's an insult.

Zack: Fuck around and find out *said with a chunk of Genesis' red coat hanging from his pocket*

Cloud: Does anyone have an extra brain cell? I lost my remaining one when Genesis spoke to me this morning.

Sephiroth: Damn.

Kunsel: Zack owes me so much money that if he sold his box of random shit he stole from Angeal, he still couldn't pay me back.

Angeal: Why are you guys playing Queen's Blood in the closet? is this a metaphor?

Genesis: Have you prayed to your Sephiroth cardboard cutout yet today?

Sephiroth: Alert me once Rufus Shinra arrives so that I may greet him adequately *said while building a pipe bomb*

Lazard: It's all fun and games until the timeout cage that I ordered online arrives.

Genesis: I will atone for my sins by becoming a nuisance to the environment.

Cloud: If Zack were a scented candle he'd smell like ADHD and crayons.

Sephiroth, standing on a table: DO NOT. EAT. THE CHEESECAKE. IN THE FRIDGE. It's mine.

Angeal: *with a bucket while it's raining hale* Free ice baby.

Zack: I finally have enough gil to buy a sixteen bouncy castles.

Genesis: Being overcome with the desire to eat pasta and call your mother at 2 AM and wondering if you're having a mental breakdown or are possessed by Sephiroth.

Lazard: I can't fire any of you, but I'm about to start setting things on fire.

[ericsprincess]

let me tell you how I got this ring

Hyunjae invites you for a nice dinner date at home.

~~~

“Ohhh, that was so good,” you moan, your fork falling on your plate with a clunk. You take a sip of your glass of wine and lean back on your chair. “You really surprised me, Hyunjae, I admit I did not have much expectations from your cooking skills.” 

“What?” Hyunjae laughs. “Did you think I would serve you a bowl of instant ramen as a romantic dinner?” 

“Pretty much, yes,” you snort. “But like, with egg and garnished, so I could not say you didn’t try,”  you laugh. It’s true - you know he doesn’t really cook and you did not expect anything special when he invited you for a date in his apartment. You know he’s not one for big or romantic gestures, so seeing him make an actual effort put you into a really good mood. Well, the shared bottle of red wine didn’t hurt either. 

“Come on, that would be too low even for me. You know, I want to do nice things for you too,” he smiles, reaching for your hand over the table. He intertwines with your fingers and you take a moment to admire how good your and his hand look together. His hands are really pretty, manly, but not too big or brutish, with nice long fingers and they not only look good, they also feel good, which is a knowledge you’re intimately familiar with. He puts his hands on you at any possible opportunity - sometimes he’s content with just touching or holding you, but more often than not he will push and escalate, grabbing you or squeezing, wherever he can reach, until the point you have to stop him, especially when you’re in public. It already happened many times that  you had to slap his hands away, because he tried to slip a finger anywhere inside you at some inappropriate occasion. It makes you hot and stutter and you don't really want him to stop, but someone has to have common sense between the two of you. 

“Oh really? Well, I guess I should also do something nice in return,” you wink at him. 

“Please, Y/N,” he sighs and squeezes your hand. “Will you?”

“Sure, and I have just the idea, what you might appreciate the most right now,” you laugh, let go of his hand and pretend to brush off some crumbs from your dress. 

“You know I do,” Hyunjae moves his chair away from the table and starts unbuttoning his trousers. 

 “Yeah…so as a thank you for this nice dinner, “ you say while standing up and coming over in front of him, “I’m gonna go wash the dishes for you now.” You laugh and turn to leave into the kitchen, picking up both of your plates with you. 

“What the hell! Y/N!!!” 

~~~

You’re sort of regretting your joke now, elbows deep in pots and pans. How the hell did he manage to use every single piece of cookware for a dish this simple? You wonder, but you’re sticking to what you said. 

You’re deep in your thoughts, thinking about any possible ways you can play out the dish tetris on Hyunjae’s drying rack without having to dry anything manually, when you get startled by a presence and a touch of hands on your hips. You almost drop a plate.

“Oh damn, you scared me,” you breathe out. 

“Just continue doing what you’re doing,”  he whispers in a low voice against your neck. He starts leaving little kisses on your neck while his hands touch your hips firmly.

You decide to just ignore him and focus on scrubbing a particularly burnt something in a pan. Looks like a first attempt , you ponder. 

Hyunjae in the meantime moves his hands slowly upwards, cupping and squeezing your tits over your dress. He sucks a hickey on the back of your neck and despite your best efforts at ignoring him, you can already feel blood rushing down and getting wet and slick in your panties. 

He licks over the hickey and then bites, and the feeling of his wet warm tongue on your neck should feel a bit disgusting, but at the same time, it’s so typical of him, it makes you even more aroused. 

His hips press against your ass from behind and he grinds a little, you can tell he’s already fully hard and it’s distracting. You completely forgot what you’re even doing and did not even realize that you’re just holding onto the sink, until he reminds you. 

“You still have dishes left, why are you not continuing?” he asks in a low voice and just by his cocky tone it’s obvious he knows he got you here. He keeps kissing you and you like any little sound it makes, or even when he sighs a little. 

You try to reply, but all of his touching, kissing and the feeling of his hard cock against your ass is so good and overwhelming, that you just nod, pick up the next thing and try to do your best. 

He steps back a little and goes to lift up your tight dress and bunch it up on your waist and you use the moment to sober up a bit: “Hyunjae, not now, at least let me finish this,” you protest, but it’s weak and you both know it. 

“But Y/N, I’m not stopping you from doing anything,” he mocks you, pulling down your soaked panties, body back again flush against yours. He rubs his fingers over the folds of your pussy. It’s so slick you can hear it and you wonder if you are actually dripping.  

He’s playing with you, gently rubbing over your clit, which is only making you push out your ass against him more. He slips two fingers into you at once, that’s how aroused and loosened you already are.  

“As much as I would like to torture you a bit more, I don’t even need to finger you, you’re already so ready for me.” You’re doing your best to tune out the sound of his zipper but when you feel the head of his cock touch against your pussy, you move back as if to get him into you sooner. 

He pushes and once he’s completely in, he stops, letting you both just savor the moment. His cock feels so big, but comfortable. You can feel him so deep that it turns on something really primal in you and you are losing the last bits of your focus. 

He’s slowly starting to fuck into you with long strokes and you can only hold on to the kitchen sink for your dear life. 

“Y/N, don’t you have anything to do?” he teases, slowly quickening his tempo. At any other chance you would hit him back with a snarky remark, but you can barely concentrate on forming sentences. 

“I-I am out of fucking dishes to wash, oh god” you gasp, eyes closed, just enjoying the feeling of Hyunjae’s cock thrusting into you. It always feels so good, and you would even shamefully admit that while his personality had to grow on you, his body and the way he fucks and makes you feel good - that was love on a first sight. 

“That’s a shame,” says Hyunjae, emphasizing with a squeeze of your tit. “Enjoy the ride then.” 

And with that he starts fucking you with full force, your’re bent over the sing and just moaning and whining. You sneak a hand down there and rub your clit and in a moment you’re coming so hard your ears are ringing. 

He has to hold you firmer while you come, so that you don’t fall, but once he sees you getting relaxed, he begins to just get off with your body, fucking you hard and quick to get himself off. You’re slightly wondering if he will take enough time to make you come for the second time, but you have barely even finished that thought and his hips are stuttering and he’s gasping for air, you can feel the glide getting even wetter with his cum. 

He’s out of breath and sweaty and he rests his forehead on your back for a moment. 

“Everything okay?” you ask.

“Y-yeah, I just feel like I cummed straight from my brain, sorry” he chuckles and slowly pulls out. Everything drips straight out of you right on the floor. 

You look under you at the mess on the floor and fix your dress. “Well, good to see what’s inside your brain then,” you raise a brow at him. “I’ll be in the shower” 

“Hey!” he shouts at your back. “Am I cleaning this up?” 

“You guessed it!” you shout back. “I cleaned enough for today!”

[thegreymoon]

The Story of Minglan

I probably won't be able to pull off a whole episode tonight but I. Must. Know 😭😭

***

The way she keeps begging her worthless father for even a crumb of acknowledgement that he had any feelings whatsoever for her poor mother, smh.

***

Oh, fuck you.

All he ever thinks of is his dick and his pride. I don't think he has ever truly loved anyone except for himself.

***

Oh, baby 😢

Why are you even still expecting anything from his worthless, selfish ass?

***

YES. SEE HIM FOR WHAT HE IS.

He deserves neither your love nor respect. Please stop crying because of him!

***

Ugh, this evildoer.

Don't worry, I have no doubt you'll eventually get yours too! 😡

***

Who?

What are the names of those two princes again? Yan and Yong?

***

I am suuuuuuper confused.

Are Consort Yong and Duchess Ying the same person?

(Also, finally! These Yan and Yong people appear! I have been trying so hard to remember these names because this drama keeps hinting they will be important.)

***

No, not the same, because Consort Yong is a princess, not a duchess, smh. Then what are they both wearing pink for? A little consideration for us face-blind people would have been nice!

***

So.... let me see if I've got this straight.

The Princes Yong and Yan are the current Emperor's brothers?

***

Oh, wait, I just realized that this toxic gossip is Yanran's shitty younger sister!

I didn't recognise her in fine clothes, lol.

What the hell is her problem? She's still mad about being beaten at a game of polo?

***

Jesus Christ. Now she has the attention of these witches on her.

This is all Qi Heng's shitty doing. I hate him more than I can express 🤬🤬

And it's not just Minglan, these Imperial fuckers can ruin her entire family too!

***

LOL, who's the little whore?

Is there a single woman in this drama who doesn't have a problem with mistresses, concubines, serving maids and prostitutes? 😅

***

NOOOOOO, DON'T GO MEET WITH HIM!! 😭

AND THIS CREEPY WITCH SAW!! 😭😭

***

STUPID. STUPID. STUPID.

Minglan, where did you lose your brain??

***

WHO GIVES A FUCK ABOUT YOUR MISERABLE BODY

YOUR EVIL MOTHER BEAT A WOMAN TO DEATH BECAUSE OF YOU. FUCK YOU AND FUCK HER AND FUCK YOUR ENTIRE HOUSE

***

There is no chance this will not pulverize both her reputation and that of her entire house.

First of all, the Emperor would never offend his parents by granting this marriage and second, the scandal of it will do soooooo much damage to her and her family. Just imagine how pissed off his parents will be, in addition to every other snooty noble who is very much going to take her trying to marry above her means as a personal insult. Sheng Hong has neither the power nor the mental capacity to deal with the fallout of that.

***

LMAO, where did his stupid ass come from? 🤣🤣

He's like a jack-in-the-box, always popping up, it seems.

***

LOL, bribe him with the cake to keep him quiet 🤣🤣

***

Yes! Finally, somebody is speaking some common sense!

All her stupid maids to is enable her because they think it's sooooo romantic 🙄🙄

***

Yes, baby! Here for you and your petty goals! 🤗

***

Oh, nooooooo 😬😬

Of course Buwei gets blamed. Of course!

[ok-boomerang]

what casual viewers take away from ATLA

My partner finally watched ATLA with me, and I kept mum about my Zutara shipping until the very end because I wanted to see his reaction.

When Zuko saved Katara from being crushed by rocks, he said, “I think they’re gonna get together” (because we’re soulmates 😭❤️).

Then, when Zuko and Mai hugged during the finale, he was legitimately mad. He went off about how the narrative set them up to be terrible for each other and how them getting together made no sense, and how Mai was mean while the whole point of Zuko’s redemption was that he was not. Please know that he didn’t remember Mai’s name and was just calling her “the bored girl.”

And when the KA happened during the finale, he was really confused. (“She clearly didn’t like Aang back!”) But mostly he was still mad about Mai.ko, because he felt it undermined Zuko’s redemption—a redemption he had called since s1, as the narrative made clear even to casual viewers that there was more to Zuko than being a bad guy. This was pretty interesting to me, because at the time KA made me angrier than MZ, because Katara was my priority. But my partner was frustrated that the show had gone to such lengths to show us that Zuko and Mai were wrong for each other and then ended with them together. It’s lazy writing; it’s insulting to your viewers.

I love hearing reactions of the ATLA finale from casual viewers (at least those that I respect lol). It’s one thing for us big fans and shippers to analyze the scenes and storylines but it’s another entirely to see what a casual viewer notices, someone who’ll forget the names of the main characters in a couple weeks but won’t forget how the ending left them unsatisfied, even if they don’t have the words like meta writers do to explain why the canon ships don’t work. What casual viewers do have are understandings of the implicit themes of the show, the major characterizations, the big plot moments—you can’t let the casual viewer be surprised—you can’t merely rely on major fans to pan the show for crumbs, like what one would have to do for any evidence that Katara returned Aang’s feelings. To my partner, Mai was "the bored girl"—that's what stuck out to him from her characterization. But Zuko is anything but indifferent—he is defined by his passion, whether we're talking about s1 Zuko searching for the Avatar or s3 Zuko joining Team Avatar.

Meanwhile, Zuko and Katara’s relationship arc fits the big themes of the show (e.g., harmony and balance between things that seem to be opposites but have much more in common than we realize) so their relationship development is not surprising. It makes narrative sense—it’s natural. It would have made sense to the casual viewer.

This post was inspired by this beautifully titled post, THE DUMPSTER FIRE OF MAI.KO, by @burst-of-iridescent

[boygiwrites]

Harley D. Dixon 33

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📖Chapter List.

Author's Note.

TW: CHARACTER DEATH. OFF-SCREEN SUICIDE.

This chapter is heavy with a bittersweet/happy ending. As for the intensity level of the death, think back to the chapter where Shane died. If you want to know more, look at the first tag of this post. Please be wary of this before you read!

Through the wire circle, down at the bottom of the hill, the tiny prisoners are being kicked out.

Curling my fingers tighter around the fence, I squint against the sun, watching as the gate is closed in their faces. They're left to stand there, without direction or purpose, in a sort of purgatory. They can either stay there and eat gravel until they starve, or they can face the outside world. If Dale can hear me, I'm sorry for thinking this, but, good riddance. There certainly ain't no phones out there no more, or even any food, and I know they'll die, but, good riddance. We'on know them. If we let them into our cell block, we'd be downright fools.

You don't put foxes in a chicken coop. It's just common sense, and we don't have much, but we have that.

As our group walk off to continue their chores, content with the death sentence, T-Dog lingers by the gate, digging into his pocket.

Surprisingly, he passes them what looks like a granola bar.

"They're gonna need more than that," Carl muses from beside me. "They need weapons. Ammo. Water."

The two prisoners are less than enthusiastic to receive the snack, but pocket it with a nod anyway. Rick went back into their cell block and packed up their half of the food for 'em, because a deal's a deal, but every crumb counts. A snack can save yer life same way a gun can. 

As they turn into the field beyond the prison, I shrug. "Rick'll prolly let them back into their cell block if they come back."

"You think they will?"

If they don't die out there first, then the answer is obvious. "S'like when ya put'cher dog outside when they's naughty!"

He giggles, "They always wanna come back in."

"Them two fellers ain't no wild dogs," I agree. "They's a pair of chihuahuas."

Before Carl and I can watch the two prisoners for any longer, the door to our cell block opens behind us.

Turning around, a smile makes its way onto my face as Herschel shakily plods down the steps, a crutch wedged underneath each of his armpits. Beth and Lori are dutifully fussing over him, ready to catch him if he falls, but he's managing just fine on his own.

"Whoo-hoo, Herschel!" Carl whoops as we walk over, earning a grin from his Momma. "You ready to race me, yet?"

"Give me another day. I'll take you on," He chuckles breathlessly as he breaches the last step, noticing Mouse. "Hey, boy."

I ask him hopefully, "Will ya race me, too?"

"Oh, no," He exclaims as he rests against the rusty railing, the white sunlight curving over his face. "Now, you're a different story."

"You're being silly," Lori smiles to him.

"I hope so."

"Don't worry, Herschel," I knock my elbow into his. "I'll go easy on ya!"

"How generous. Perhaps Carl and I will just have to verse you as a team?"

"Then it'll just be twice as embarrassing when she beats us both," Carl snickers.

Everybody down in the field can be heard shouting cheers up to us, as Herschel lifts his hand off the crutch to give them a wave.

"Come on," Lori says, eyeing his free hand until he grips the crutch again. "What do you say we go rest at that table over there?"

"Well, I'd say I've got no choice."

"You're right about that," Beth says as we guide him across the courtyard. "Carl, what do you think of his new pants? Stylish, huh?"

The boy glances down, only just noticing the change. "Hell yeah."

"Beth was telling us she tailored them herself," Lori says, sounding impressed.

"Well, I didn't do it alone," The girl smiles as we reach the picnic table, carefully sitting Herschel down. "Harley helped me."

"I just held the string," I say shyly.

"No job too small," Herschel muses to me with a smile, before gazing out at the scenery around us, sighing contentedly.

As grey and bleak as this place may be, with its dead walkers and concrete walls, it's a nice day out, which is always a consolation no matter where we are in the world. The sky hangs bright and blue like a polished dome over our heads, painted with smeared, fluffy clouds. If I really wanted to, I could pretend it's just another summer's day back on the farm, but I'on think I do. I don't need peaches and cows to be happy.

"Good to see you up and at 'em again, Greene," My Dad smirks as he comes through the gate, taking the man's shoulder.

As he squeezes and pulls away, Herschel exclaims, "It's good to be up. I couldn't stand to be in that bed a moment longer."

"I bet. You could come help me clear the fence if ya wanted," He jokes as he walks off. "My students are on break."

"We're just leaving the grunt work to the grunt," Carl calls after him.

"Sure you are," Dad says over his shoulder, before drawing his knife and downing one of the many walkers at the fence.

As he gets back to work, Mouse runs up to us with his tennis ball between his slobbery teeth, dropping it at my feet.

Picking it up, I hold it out to Herschel. "Wanna throw it for 'im?"

"Absolutely," He says, taking it.

He throws the ball across the courtyard, sending Mouse scrambling after it like it's a little animal he's gotta catch. It's nice watching Herschel play fetch with Mouse like this, spending the morning chatting with each other about useless things like the weather and seasonal crops. 

After about ten minutes, when he gives me the ball to throw, it skips like a stone into a pile of trash near the dumpsters. Whoops!

"Ohhh," Carl exclaims dramatically, watching Mouse nose through the junk. "Foul ball."

Giving him a bit of a shove on the shoulder, I laugh, "Shut up, Carl!"

"She never claimed to be a pitcher," Beth giggles. "She's more of a kicker."

"Yeah, I'm a kicker," I agree, with twinkle-toes Carl dodging me as I try landing a kick to his ankle, "Lemme show ya!"

"She's attacking me!"

"I'm a biter, too!"

"Kids will be kids," Herschel chuckles heartily to the girls, shaking his head. After a short pause, I hear him utter, "What—...?"

It takes me and Carl a moment to settle down, pushing at each other and swallowing down our giggles, before we look in the direction of the dumpsters, where everyone has pinned their attention. The laughter dies in my throat just as quickly as it had come alive. Mouse has completely abandoned his search for the ball — My first clue something's wrong —, staring unflinchingly around the corner.

He starts growling lowly, making my Dad turn around just before a rotten foot steps out into the open.

A face peeks out, melted and dripping.

A walker?

Out here?

Then there's a second, and a third, and a suddenly obvious cacophony of groans that could only come from a mob.

As another walker appears on the opposite side of the courtyard, sandwiching us in, Lori gasps.

I exclaim, "What the Hell?"

Where'd they come from?

"Get inside!" My Dad shouts at us, drawing his crossbow, shooting, killing the closest corpse. "Get inside, quick!"

"Come on," Lori grunts as she and Beth haul Herschel onto his crutches. "Come on, we have to go. We have to go!"

The rest of the group are running up the road, screaming our names and fumbling with keys and guns, ripping the gate to the courtyard open, but it's total and sudden chaos, walkers scattered everywhere. Rick rears his axe back, slamming it into a rotting forehead. The blood spurts. The body falls. We can't take this many on, not like this. Dad was right. We have to run. I unsheathe my knife as Herschel and the girls hobble across the courtyard, my eyes darting from face to face, from yellowed mouth to cloudy eyes to melted skin.

"Mouse?" I call out, feeling almost guilty for wanting to run off and save him. "Oh, my God!"

A body breaks apart from all the others. It reaches out for us, its fingers curved like scythes.

Beth squeals, terrified. "Get away from us!"

There's a disgusting SQUELCH as I drive my knife into its knee, the cold blood splattering my cheek. Twist. Pop. Its knee buckles.

Herschel and Beth scurry up the steps as I pull my knife out — I don't have to kill it. It'll only waste time — shouting coming from all directions as I watch another walker lunge for Herschel and Beth. He raises his crutch, bracing the rubber stub on its chest.

I stand up, ready to help.

As soon as I'm back on my feet, a loud alarm rings out, freezing me to the spot. Who turned those on?

"Harley!" My Dad's voice roars from across the courtyard. "Come here!"

"Let's go, girl!"

T-Dog takes my arm. I'm being dragged toward Dad, tryna spot everybody else. Rick, he's with Lori, Maggie, Carol, and Carl, shoving them all into a big, red cage, closing the door, and fending off more walkers with Glenn. Maggie shoots the lock. They huddle through the door to the prison. They're out. They're safe. Herschel and Beth, they're gone. I think — I hope — they managed to escape, too.

Where did all these walkers come from? We blocked the courtyard off, didn't we?

We reach the back of the courtyard. There's my Dad. He lowers his crossbow, a walker collapsing to the ground in front of him.

"Daddy!"

"Get over here!" He shouts, using his bow to bludgeon walker about to bite into his arm. "We gotta go! Gimme 'er!"

T-Dog shoves me forward.

Dad grabs my hand, his grip turning my skin a pure white, and we're running past walkers again, approaching a big, metal door.

He unholsters his gun and — BANG — shoots the lock off.

"Come on!"

"We can't close this behind us, man!" T worries as we run into the dark corridor, walkers following after us. "What we gonna do?"

Without answering, my Dad leads around a corner, cussing under his breath as he frantically looks around for another door.

After he takes us down what feels like a hundred more corridors, he finds one. "In 'ere! Quick!"

We slip inside. He slams the door shut, taking a step back, staring at it for a moment before it starts to shudder under the weight of the walkers pawing at it on the other side. No more running. God. We've trapped ourselves in here, but at least we're safe, at least we're alive. I wasn't so sure at first, but I can feel the blood pulsing through my muscles now, my breath leaving me in short, panicked bursts.

"Shit," My Dad pants hotly, his sweaty brow glistening even in the dark. "We okay? Baby, you okay?"

"I—I'm fine," I nod shakily, the blaring alarms suddenly cutting out. "W-What happened to everyone else?"

I think I managed to help Herschel and Beth get out safe, but we got separated before I could catch up to them. 

"I'on know," He admits, "I'on know. Seemed like we all scattered, but they'll look after each other. Least we're together."

The walker's shadows twitch and warp in black shapes against the grey of the floor, their fingers curling up underneath the bottom of the door like rotten little shrimps, tickling the metal with their chipped nails. They're wild dogs clawing at a rabbits' burrow, thirsting for blood.

When T-Dog doesn't respond, the only noise in this small, dusty room the snarls from outside, Dad asks, "T, man? You okay?"

I turn to look at him, the lack of sunlight making my eyes hurt.

T-Dog is staring at his feet like there's an interesting bug crawling on his ankle, wordless, looking up at us with wide eyes.

"Oh, my God," I breathe, watching the blood pour out.

There ain't no bug on his ankle.

There's a gaping bite.

"My sister used to babysit our neighbour's dog from time to time," T-Dog chuckles to himself, sat up against the wall opposite us. His legs are kicked out lazily in front of him, his smile plump and warm, like he's relaxing on his porch. The only thing missing is a cigarette between his fingers. I'on think he realizes that me and Dad ain't fully listening, or maybe he doesn't care. "Man, he was an ugly thing."

Already, this room smells like death, and there's nothing we can do except stew in it.

The door shudders violently in the background. 

"A lil' Scottish breed, or sum. One of them dogs with the big moustache and the angry eyes. Anyway," He sighs. It's difficult to look at him, in a way that makes me feel an aching sense of guilt for averting my eyes like this, but I just have to. I can't look at his smile anymore, or at the puddle of blood, or at the bite, or even at the walls, my gaze stuck unwaveringly on my boots. "There was this one weekend. She'd just got done takin' the lil' guy for a walk, and she was on the phone with her friend, talkin' about a party. 'Course, I was eavesdroppin'."

He wheezes a laugh to himself as my Dad continues to stare emptily at him, not entertained in the slightest.

"I thought to myself, 'Girl. Our parents are gonna kill you if they find out.' She was never the bookworm type, or anythin' like that. She was a bit of a bully, mind. Used to invite me to get ice-cream with her and her friends and make fun of me the whole time-type stuff."

Shut up, I wish I could shout in his face without angering the walkers outside, It doesn't matter now. You're bit!

When I thought I'd gotten scratched back at the quarry, I spent all night thinking of things that didn't matter, so maybe I can't blame him.

"I just got so jealous," He whispers, his smile fading, a sad look in his eyes. "I'on even know what pushed me to do it, but I went into the backyard and I opened the gate. Let the dog out. I knew I'd done the wrong thing when I saw the look on 'er face. I even went with her when she was puttin' up missin' posters all over our neighbourhood, shoutin' his name. Pepper, pepper. We ain't never found him."

"Don't you just sound like a pair'a angels," My Dad dares to joke.

He laughs. "That's what Grimes said."

That was back on the farm, when T was tryna make me feel better 'bout my fight with Carl by telling me a story 'bout his sisters stealing from him. He's always had the most ridiculous stories that make us all laugh, and he would let us, even if it was at his expense.

If I were to think about useless things, too, I'd think of him nicknaming me and Carl, little nerds, him sharing his pretzels with me while I was unwell, how he went with Rick and Dad to save me from Shane, those stupid shirts we got him and Glenn for Christmas.

"Well, ya know what they say about great minds," Dad mutters non-committedly, before there's another thud on the door.

"Daddy?"

"Hm?" He grunts, leaning toward me.

Into the shell of his ear, I shyly whisper, knowing he can't do nothin' about it, "I'on wanna be in here, no more. I wanna leave. Please."

"I know, chicken. I know," He soothes, putting his arm around my shoulders, cradling my head against his side. "M'sorry."

T-Dog asks, "What'd she say?"

"She don't like it in 'ere."

"Well, I'm sorry, too. I'm gonna die," He chuckles incredulously, his belly shuddering. "And all I can think about is that damn dog."

"How you feelin', man?"

"Like ten pounds of shit in a five-pound sack," T-Dog slurs, his head lolled onto his shoulder. "Thanks for askin'."

It's been hours since we trapped ourselves in this room. I can tell, not only because of the way my stomach has begun to roil with hunger and my mouth has gone dry like two pieces of sandpaper rubbing against each other, but because of poor T-Dog. His bald head is slathered in sweat, the droplets sliding down his face as if he's sitting under a showerhead, but I know it's the work of the germs inside his body.

Dad, Merle, and I saw this hitch-hiker get bitten back in the beginning, while we were staying with this group of people whose supplies we ended up stealing. They was the types to pick up needy travellers on the side of the road, even if they'd just been bitten.

Merle wanted to kill the guy when he found out, but it only took half a day for the bite on the man's leg to do it for him.

"I think we gotta start thinkin' about—," My Dad cuts himself off, before muttering, "What we gon' do."

"We wait here until somebody finds us," T-Dog insists, repeating the plan they had came up with hours ago. The walkers won't leave us alone with him bleeding all over the floor the way he is, and to go out there would be suicide. "It can't be much longer, now."

"I'm—," Dad sighs. "I ain't talkin' about the walkers, T. You know I ain't."

He nods his head in jerky movements.

"I-I know," He says.

"I'on think they're gonna find us before it matters." His way of saying, Before you turn. "I— I can't have you in here with Harley."

When T-Dog doesn't have anything to say in reply, Dad forces himself to continue. "So... I got a bullet or a bolt. That's where we're at."

"No." He adjusts himself against the wall, lifting his head to look him in the eye. "I don't want you to."

"I know," He placates. "I'm sor—"

"I'mma do it myself," He says matter-of-factly. "I'm a man of God. It might be a sin to take myself out, but I'll be damned if I fought this hard and got this far, only to let another man kill me. Even if he's my brother. So, I'm doin' this on my own terms. It has to be me."

Stomaching his words, my Dad slowly nods to himself, before he sends me a sympathetic look.

T-Dog bides his time for a couple more hours by telling us what must be every story he has, but it's after he throws up into the corner of the room that it becomes obvious to us that we just can't afford to wait any longer for the group to find us.

"We ain't gonna be sappy about this," T-Dog warns us as he sits back down, wiping his mouth.

"C'mon. You're one'a the sappiest bastards I know," Dad deadpans. "And I know a lotta sappy bastards."

"I guess I just always wanted to go out in a blaze of glory, if I had to."

"You don't want yer last moments to be with us?"

Coughing up a laugh, T-Dog jokes, "I didn't say that."

I almost want to ask him to wait just one more minute — That's not a long time. He could do it — and after that minute passes, I'd ask him again. I know it wouldn't save his life if the group found us right now, but I wouldn't be asking for them, or even for him. I'd be asking for myself. Selfishly, I want just one more minute with him. What if—? What if he didn't get any sicker? What if he turns out fine?

It's a question only a fool would ask, and I know all I can do now is appreciate all the thousands of minutes he had before this.

"Okay," He sighs, reaching behind him, pulling out his gun and resting it in his lap, staring down at it. "This is it."

It ain't how my Momma did it, but it's just as awful.

"We could still wait," My Dad suggests, giving him an out I know he won't take. "If they find us, they find us. If they don't—..."

"You heard me, man. Blaze of glory." He looks up at us, his sweaty fingers gently curled around the gun. For the first time since the door closed, he meets my gaze, but he just looks tired, like he could use a long, peaceful sleep. "This is gonna be hard. I'm sorry."

I watched Shane die in front of me, watched him bleed much the same way. At least this time, I'll get the chance to close my eyes.

"You're a tough girl," He gulps. "You been through more shit than most."

"Thought'chu said we wasn't gonna be sappy," I complain, just to get him to stop.

"The first time I saw you, I just knew you were gonna be a lil' terror." He continues, anyway. "Dale, too. Said he knew you'd make it."

Dale always did say the darndest things. The only reason I've made it this far is because of other people. I ain't no clueless airhead can't skin no animal or kill no walker, but my beatin' heart can be accredited to a small group of people, one that includes T-Dog. There's been countless times where I should'a died and didn't, and this is one of them times that somebody else shouldn't be dying, but is.

I ain't special. Just because I ain't died yet don't mean everybody else can't still be alive, too. My Dad says, Ain't no such thing as good or bad luck. Just strong people, but T-Dog ain't weak and there is such a thing as bad luck.

"I thought you would, too," I tell him, hoping it's some sorta comfort.

"C'mere," Dad mumbles, helping me climb into his lap and rubbing his big hand between my shoulder blades as I press my brow to his neck, squeezing my eyes shut. He takes out my hearing aids, and after that, I don't open my eyes for the next few hours.

Like this, I can pretend it didn't happen.

But I can still smell the gunpowder in the air.

"Hush little baby, don't say a word," My Dad's voice rasps quietly in my ear, "Daddy's gonna buy you a mockingbird."

I've never wanted to leave a room more than I want to leave this one in my entire life. If I could, I think I'd claw my way out.

"And if that mockingbird don't sing, Daddy's gonna buy you a diamond ring."

The singing helps. It don't make the smell any more bearable, but it helps.

"And if that diamond ring turns brass, Daddy's gonna buy you a looking glass."

One more minute, I tell myself just like I wanted to tell T-Dog, one more minute, and then another after that. The others have an entire prison to search for us in, with twists and turns every few feet, dust in the air and walkers lining the corridors, and I can't even guarantee they ain't already dealing with the deaths of any of our other people, but I know they'll refuse to stop until they find us.

I keep replaying the scene of the courtyard in my head, remembering everyone who I saw made it out.

"And if that looking glass gets broke," He sings, "Daddy's gonna buy you a billy goat."

Sometime later, I realize I've managed to block out the sound of the incessant groaning because there's suddenly another noise amongst it all — A grunt too pronounced to come from a walker, then a squelch and a dull thud, like a sack of flour dropping to the floor.

Lifting my head from Dad's shoulder, I look at the door as the groaning becomes lesser and lesser until it disappears.

"They're here. They're here," I say in shock, climbing off Dad's lap just as the door is opened.

"Holy shit," Glenn exclaims as Maggie wraps her arms around me, returning my brutal hug. "You're here."

"We drew them away," She says, pressing a kiss to my cheek. "Oh, I can't believe it. We searched everywhere for y'all."

It's when she pulls away that I make the mistake of following her and Glenn's gazes into the corner of the room, where T lay exactly where I last saw him, the only difference being that his brains are now plastered against the wall in the shape of a flower.

"Don't look," Dad gently scolds me, turning me back around so I'm facing the door.

She stares at the carnage, her lips slightly parted without knowing what to say, before she has to look away, too. "What happened?"

"He got bit," Dad mutters. It's impossible to recount what we just went through in any poetic way, and the rest, they can guess.

"Horrible," She croaks.

"We can come back for him later," Glenn struggles to say, urging all of us outta the room. "Let's get you two back to the cell block."

"Is everyone okay?" I ask him desperately.

As the door closes on T-Dog, Glenn gazes down at me, his face just as exhausted-looking as Dad's, but with a slight glint in his eyes.

"Everyone's okay," He manages to smile, glancing at Maggie before he adds, "Even the new baby."

I look up at my Dad, his shock mirroring mine. "Lori had her baby?"

And that right there is good luck.

Glenn steps over a body. "Come on."

Author's Note.

In exchange for T-Dog's especially intense death, Lori lives.

I went over SO many iterations for this chapter after receiving a comment suggesting I consider letting Lori and T-Dog live, and honestly, this version was the most suitable one. I decided the other versions were either just too indulgent or didn't fit with the story, but I liked them, too 😭

Thank you to ermynee, because without them/you, Lori would also be dead right now!

I hated doing that to T-Dog, but I thought it would make for an interesting non-canon scene and wanted to balance out the fact that Lori lives. You'll see also that Carol doesn't get lost, so the whole 'getting stuck and being found' situation was given to these guys instead. RIP T-Dog.

Thank you for reading. Always appreciate you! 💙

@poetoflawed

[rainystarters]

* ☔ : dialogue from the novel SORCERY & CECELIA by patricia c. wrede and caroline stevermer. ( adjust pronouns, etc. as needed. )

" so i set a trap, as you see, and you have fallen in. " " i find that most amusing, don't you? " " it's no concern of yours. just mind your own affairs. " " what a rude thing to say! " " you are odious. " " i didn't mean to snoop. " " what are you doing skulking about in these bushes and spying on us? " " assignations are not at all the thing for a young lady of quality. " " you are the most unprincipled man i have ever met. " " you aren't planning to do anything...indiscreet, now, are you? " " only—i was admiring the way you tie your cravat. " " how dare you accuse me of any such thing. " " i thought i told you to stay in well-lit ballrooms. " " ill met by moonlight, my dear _____. " " nothing elegant, but it ought to do the trick. " " you shed hairpins the way hansel and gretel shed crumbs. " " now let us return to light, safety, and society. " " i never meant to flirt with any of you. " " you must stay the night, at least. " " are you concerned what the local gossips will say? " " well, but one must be practical, after all. " " in that case, we must clearly do something. " " will you take some more tea, _____? " " do you really dislike me so much? " " i wish you would accept it as the first of many things i wish to give you. " " are you foxed? " " i need a fiancée rather urgently. " " you'll be perfectly free to cry off when the season is over, you know. " " i'm neither rich nor titled, and as for prospects... " " i hardly think our marriage will last long enough to inconvenience either of us. " " don't play the innocent with me. " " i won't let you tangle me up with your sardonic remarks. " " i believe i owe you an apology, _____. " " what are you planning to do, drown me? " " i don't know what to make of you. " " lie down until you've got your breath back. " " you're the one who almost got killed. don't you have any sense? " " i had no idea you were a wizard. " " oh, dear, i am so dreadfully sorry! i can't imagine how i came to be so clumsy. " " what _____ tells me is none of your affair. " " please use your common sense for once and stay home. " " you said you could handle things by yourself. plainly you are mistaken. " " thoughtful behavior from a man who looks as though he'd like to kill me himself. " " save a waltz for me at the ball next week. " " it is one of the most unethical, immoral uses of wizardry imaginable. " " that is hardly a lady's mount. " " so this is where i find you, playing cards and drinking claret. " " a lady has no knowledge of such pursuits. " " i wish i could insult you in turn, but you are looking very healthy indeed. " " remember the promise i made you once, that i would dance at your funeral? " " i do not think i would ever expect you to do anything sensible. " " just because you dislike magic, you think everyone who uses it must be wicked! " " these magical bonds can sometimes prove painful. " " how dreadful to be caught up in a game and have no idea of the rules. " " i won't offer you such a pleasant fate now. " " it will be amusing to witness their reaction to your death. " " what do you know about anything except to hurt people? " " i like the idea of marrying you. " " you can't steal my magic! "

[bottombatch]

Fanfic Writer Questions

thanks for the tag @optiwashere!

If you're reading this, consider yourself tagged! But here is one more for the road: @collegeoflore

1. How many works do you have on AO3?

Apparently I have 20? That's news to me lol. I would have guessed like 10 to 12. I've used this AO3 account for a while, I guess.

2. What's your total AO3 word count?

62,119 words, according to the statistics.

3. What fandoms do you write for?

Currently, only Baldur's Gate 3. Before that I was writing lightcanon for League of Legends.

4. What are your top 5 fics by kudos?

1. And They Were Roommates

2. To Muzzle a Gith

3. Misfit and Nomad

4. I Thought About You

5. Workouts in a Winter Hellscape

Damn. Some of these are callbacks.. Not too surprised, though. These either have popular ships or popular fandoms. LoL lightcanon in 1, 3, and 4 make sense to me, even if I'm embarrassed by the writing in them. Continually shocked by To Muzzle a Gith. I guess Shadowzel is that popular? I don't know. I have so little desire to write for them again and the writing in it makes me cringe, tbh. Same with #5 LMAO. You couldn't pay me enough to reread the fics I wrote in highschool.

5. Do you respond to comments?

Yes, always! Well. If someone comments on something really old I might not? But only because im scared they'll ask me to update it lmao. But in general, yes! I love talking and hearing what people liked!

6. What is the fic you wrote with the angstiest ending?

If I'm including the 20 QOTD Challenge fic (and i am because this is my post), I'd have to give it to Nerves, ch19 of that challenge. I mean, its a flashback scene about killing a childhood friend (and maybe lover) for a crumb of an uncaring goddess' attention.

It's pretty much the only piece of angst I've written that doesn't have some overtone of hope to it. I'm hoping to work it into my act 1 rewrite because I like it so much.

7. What's the fic you wrote with the happiest ending?

To me, its Savoring Seconds from the challenge. It's bittersweet but after everything those two have been through... It's the happiest I can envision them ever being. Maybe that's just my bias tho :P

8. Do you get hate on fics?

No? Do most people get hate on fics? I haven't had anything of the sort. Hard to imagine what that would even be like..

9. Do you write smut? If so, what kind?

Yes, I do. Outside of To Muzzle a Gith, I think I write pretty tame stuff? More emotional than anything.

10. Do you write crossovers? What's the craziest one you've written?

A Common Song was really the only crossover, but even then.. it was really just a League of Legends fic with a cyberpunk2077 au. It had some good ideas tho.. maybe I'll return to it some day.

11. Have you ever had a fic stolen?

Not that I've noticed?

12. Have you ever had a fic translated?

Nope!

13. Have you ever co-written a fic before?

Not really. I've helped with brainstorming before but that's really all.

14. What's your all time favorite ship?

This.. is tough. I change fandoms too often for something like this 😭 If I had to pick a bg3 ship... Laz/Karlach. Is it cheating to say my OC ship? Probably. But fuck you, its MY post. I've cried multiple times on the bus just thinking about these two, no one else had quite the strangle hold on me. (I was thinking abt Karlach's funeral btw).

15. What's a WIP you want to finish but doubt you ever will?

A Common Song. I was cooking on some of those ideas but I was FAR too ambitious lmao

16. What are your writing strengths?

I'm... Not totally sure, to be honest. Its hard to read your own stuff and see what's uniquely strong. If you have any thoughts, please let me know!

17. What are your writing weaknesses?

I don't think my writing has much rhythm to it. I'd like to work on that. Also my grammar is shoddy at best. English classes were always my lowest grades :,)

18. Thoughts on writing dialogue in another language in fic?

For fantasy languages I think it's fun! It can add a lot of depth and creates a lot of insight to a characters culture. Dabbling with Drowic for example was a lot of fun.

But like, a real language? Naw. I don't know any other languages so unless it was a phrase I knew a character said in canon.. I wouldn't want to risk a shoddy google translate.

19. First fandom you wrote for?

Uh. It was either Invader Zim, Mass Effect, or SAO? I'm not totally sure. This would have predated AO3, when I was in middle school or something. I've tried to find those fics but I think they're genuinely lost.

Probably for the best lol.

20. Favorite fic you've written?

Currently, it is Snowfall. Once I post it, I think it'll be the act 1 rewrite.

[cvlutos]

I think I remember I saw your old blogs being deactivated that's why I couldn't find the old zombie post till now 💀.

But all that aside I'm here for ZOMBIE AU CRUMBS. I'll just give my theories about it and as well headcannons.

Jack is the first person we come across in the first year group in this au. If according all into the plot ( albeit slightly different ) we would meet Grim after the shade attack in an abandoned house? Though I'd like to think he has the Gene X virus but he's immune to it just like how Grim eats blot in the original twst wonderland.

If everything follows the plot of who we meet next, we would meet Adeuce on a random scavenge hunt for food,water and weapons. Though they're probably got caught up with the shades until Yuu saved their butts

Will overblots be the people who have Gene X virus? They probably are trying to find the cure for themselves bc the virus doesn't take over people with high magic that easy, it's a battle of time for them.

I can imagine Crowley giving us dangerous task in this au💀 but we ace it...barely

Would we randomly meet Malleus during a shade chase? I'd assumed he saved us in exchange for company

Self indulgent crumbs ueueue 😭

I've been waiting all damn day to answer this ask! 😤

But I'm simply going to go down the list of theories and maybe plans I have. But please ask questions, I love sharing for about AUs.

| OVERVIEW |

#1) Will overblots be the people who have Gene X virus? They probably are trying to find the cure for themselves bc the virus doesn't take over people with high magic that easy, it's a battle of time for them?

In simple terms no. The Gene X Virus which is the main known thing that caused the zombie outbreak, is because it feasts and mutates in people with low levels of magic. So someone like Leona, becoming a zombie/shade is little to none due to his high levels.

The Housewardens overblotting would be because of them purposely keeping their magic levels high, so not only for themselves but others around them or entire territories. Which would wear them down overtime due to excessive you.

Shades/Zombies cannot only hear extremely well, they're fully capable of sense magic, and the weaker the magical person, the more alluring. Though in large groups of Shades, this can easily be an advantage or disadvantage since shades, even dead, have slight magically energy and can confuse each other or easily tell the difference between human and shade. Theyre intelligent.

So overblots would work the same as they usually do, with stress, overwhelming situations, trauma, and overusing magic.

I didn't mention this in the overview, but overblots also are more common, and that phantoms are also extremely dangerous and are immune to shades. There are legitimate cults who purposely overblot, plus the selling of overblot harden matter.

#2) Would we randomly meet Malleus during a shade chase? I'd assumed he saved us in exchange for company?

Without giving too much away, Malleus under zero circumstances is not leaving Briar Valley Territory. He is one of the strongest mages and has some of the strongest magic, his existence alone guarantees a lot of safety for Briar Valley, from both Shades and Phantoms. There aren't really any weak nor low level magic users in Briar Valley, but there are a few and to avoid total out war between fae and humans, Malleus is a pinnacle and absolutely important he stays within his territory.

So if him and MC were to meet, it would be due to Crowley sending them to Briar Valley. It would be an honest Malleus being the damsel and MC being the knight that saves him. If anything his freedom would be the catalyst to finding a cure.

3) I can imagine Crowley giving us dangerous task in this au💀 but we ace it...barely

NRC is definitely the worst place to be due to it's overpopulation and common run in with Shades. If it wasn't for Octavinelle being in the city, NRC would've been overrun. Crowley putting you on dangerous tasks would be common, do to NRC being that horrible and dangerous.

4) If everything follows the plot of who we meet next, we would meet Adeuce on a random scavenge hunt for food,water and weapons. Though they're probably got caught up with the shades until Yuu saved their butts

They would be the next you meet, but the order of Overblots are random. If you meet Ace and Deuce it would either be because they've been sent out scouting and got in a dangerous situation and you've saved them. Which would lead you to eventual having to go to the Queendom of Roses to drop them off.

5) Jack is the first person we come across in the first year group in this au. If according all into the plot ( albeit slightly different ) we would meet Grim after the shade attack in an abandoned house? Though I'd like to think he has the Gene X virus but he's immune to it just like how Grim eats blot in the original twst wonderland.

Skipping over the first part of plot purposes.

The Gene X Virus is removing all magic basically, using it as a life source and once that life source is gone, the person is dead and is a vessel that leads the virus to find another host. So Grim wouldn't be immune, but merely not a target but moreso a shield that hides away MC magiclessness. So he basically covers MCs weak presence with his. Now this doesn't completely prevent MC from getting caught by shades of their loud and drawing attention. But stops them from being able to track them.

[wallflowercrow]

Some thoughts on Kanej this season (Spoilers!!)

First of all: I loved Kanej in this season. I understand that a lot of fans didn’t like that so many events from Crooked Kingdom were adpated but I personally see the show as an AU that freely includes scenes from the books. I, personally, can live with that because I think they really got the character dynamics . Kanej is still a slow burn and I love it.

They showed how Kaz tries to come close and then pushes her away. They showed Inej having hopes about them but tries to supress them to not get hurt. They both have their armors up and they will need so much time to figure that out.

That dream sequence with Inej realising that it could not be real… that broke my heart. Because she wanted it to be real so badly. And also, the way Freddy and Amita acted in the „I will have you without armour“ scene… my heart. You saw how much they want each other but can not be together yet.

But Inej knows what she deserves and I love that. It hurts to be pushed away all the time. For me it totally makes sense that she leaves at the end of the season (even if it doesn’t have the huge impact it has in the books, imo) and she will not settle for his crumbs.

However, I didn’t like the Tolya/ Inej moment. Not only because Kanej is the one and only for me but also because I am scared now. Will they ignore Inejs trauma over that? Like, it makes sense that she might enjoy some affection/ attention that Kaz is not able to give her yet. And a Tolya/ Inej dynamic would also be interesting to explore (in a friendship way HAHA) because I think they have a lot in common (and Tolya is an amazing character. Really, I love him). But I don’t want a love triangle, not with Kanej and not with Tolya, who is implied to be aroace in the books. And with Inej having flashbacks because of hugs or scents in the books, I really don’t see her just flirting with a guy she barely knows and everthing is fine and easy about that.

Aside from that I don’t want Inej to be focused on another man right now. The whole point of her going away is to be her own person and about her purpose.  Not her being focused on another possible romance thing (even if it is just flirting / teasing which I think it will be. Because, I mean, who gets in the way of KANEJ?!). Anyway, if they do that I hope they use it as a chance to explore Inejs trauma more deeply and for her to realize that she also has a lot of healing to do. That could be a possibility.

I also don’t want Kaz to be motivated by jealousy. Everthing he does for her is about setting her free, about her happiness.  At the end of the season it is heavily implied he wants to fight for her. Please don’t throw that away and make it about his ego.

Well, we will see what will happen for them (if we get another season and / or a spin-off). I don’t think they will throw away Kanej over that. I am just worried about this being an unnecessary subplot that will not do any justice to the characters. (Not that Tolya wouldn’t treat Inej very well, like he would. But still. I don’t want the Kanej dynamic to be ruined. They just mean too much to me. And I would also be happy about some ace representation.)

(Sorry, for the chaotic thoughts and also, English is not my mother tongue xD But I would love to hear your toughts about that! 😊)

[darkficsyouneveraskedfor]

Just One Reason: New at This

My warnings are not exhaustive but be aware this is a dark fic and may include potentially triggering topics. Please use your common sense when consuming content. I am not responsible for your decisions.

Character: Lloyd Hansen

masterlist - to be added

Summary: A chance encounter at the sandwich shop doesn’t end how you expect.

As usual, I would appreciate any and all feedback. I’m happy to once more go on this adventure with all of you! Thank you in advance for your comments and for reblogging ❤️

Lloyd tugs in his ear lobe as you get up to take your empty bowl to the counter. The lone cashier smiles and gives a nervous look past you to the corner. You return to the table and wonder if he has a reputation here. You wouldn't be surprised with his behaviour. 

"Is your ear alright?" You ask as you take the cup of iced tea. 

"Huh?" He turns to you and drops his hand. "Yeah, hearing's f-- off. Just got back from a job and... the machinery was loud." 

"Hm, it could be a busted ear drum. I know someone who had that. He never could hear me but that coulda been the TV too," you shrug. 

"It's fine," he taps his fingers on the table as you stay standing. "So, you headed out?" 

"Yeah, I guess I should. Getting dark." 

"Right," he nods. "Well," he stands and tugs at the bottom of his shirt, shaking off the crumbs. "You need a ride?" 

He zips up his jacket, the collar ending just below his chin. You button up your blue houndstooth coat. "No, I can make it." 

"Wait, you're not walking are you?" He asks as he gathers up the wrapper and napkins. 

"Not too far if I cut behind the barbershop--" 

"Cut behind-- are you serious? You can't be walking down alleys in the dark. Trust me." 

"Oh?" You give him a curious look, "you hang out in dark alleyways a lot?" 

His brow tweaks and his lips twitch, "is that a joke?" 

"Not a very good one," you smile. "I always make it." 

"And this might be the time you don't. Least I can do. You bought me dinner, I feel like I owe you a ride." 

"You don't owe me anything," you assure him. 

"Huh, you're too nice, you know that? You could give a guy the wrong idea." l

"No, I don't think so," you sigh. "Being nice isn't anything but. I hope your enjoyed your dinner." 

"You know what? The chipotle wasn't bad," he says. "So now that's two things. I owe you for paying and for the good advice. What's that you said about paying it forward?" 

Checkmate. Using your own words against you. As it is, you're starting to feel rude for saying no so many times. It would be nice not to have to walk home with your phone light on. 

"Is taking a ride from a strange man better than walking home alone?" You ask, "since you're the expert?" 

"Wow, you can be mean," he snorts. "Reading me like a book." 

“Oh, I’m sorry. I’m kidding.” 

“I know, tootsie roll,” he says, “sweet like candy, aren’t ya?” 

You smile again, “well, you can be too. I’ll take the ride. Thank you.” 

He dumps the garbage in the bin and heads for the door. He lets you out ahead of him. It’s colder than when you got there. 

“It’s cold as... hell out here,” he says follows you out. He points you ahead, “the white one.” 

He blows into his hands and rubs them together. You’re no fan of the cold either but you can see his nose already turning red. You approach the white car; it’s sleek and shiny. You’re not sure what make it is but it must be expensive. 

The doors click loudly, “should be unlocked.” 

You nod and open the passenger door. You sit daintily, wary of the luxury interior. You shut the door just as carefully as he gets in the other side. He grumbles as he starts the engine and flicks switches. 

“Get those seat warmers on,” he says. “Ah, better.” He puts his palms to the blast of warmth from the vent before he grips the wheel. “Help me out, tootsie roll, where am I going?” 

“Right down to Harbour. East.” 

“Harbour East... you kidding me? You were really going to walk there alone?” He scoffs. 

“It’s not so bad once you get to know the area,” you say.  

“How’d you end up there?” He pulls into a three point turn as he reroutes. 

“I guess it’s just where I am right now. Thing’s changed fast and I had to make it work,” you lean into the seat. You’ve never been in a car with seat warmers. 

“Huh, that’s too bad,” he clucks. “You still looking for a place? I know a guy, owns a few properties...” 

“Oh no, it’s okay,” you hum lightly. “Really. It’s nice. I got my own space, I got food, I’m happy as can be.” 

“Simple things, so I’ve heard,” he mutters. 

You let a lull wash over you. Judging by his car, simple isn’t exactly to his taste. 

“So...” you brush your fingertips over your palm, “what do you do for work? You travel? When you mentioned your ear...” 

“Ah, yeah, er,” he squeezes the wheel tighter and coughs, “you know, I’m on the road when I need to be. Work can be sporadic but pays well enough. Specialty type of work.” 

“With loud machinery...” 

“Military engineer. You know, artillery, tanks... whatever,” he peeks over at you as blows through a four-way. 

“Hey, you missed the stop sign,” you crane to see behind you. 

“It’s fine, no one was crossing,” he says. 

“Yeah but... it’s not safe.” You turn forward again and frown. 

He’s quiet again. He sucks his teeth, “fine, you’re right. Not fair of me to offer you a ride then drive like a maniac. I’ll do better.” 

You let out a breath and subtly grab onto the door. Despite his promises, he doesn’t let off the gas. With how quiet the car is, it must be easy to go over the limit.  

He pulls onto Harbour and finally slows, “so, uh, why don’t you give me a call next time you head down to the shop? We could do it again. I’ll be nice this time.” 

“I don’t go too often but sure, I could use a friend,” you perk up and direct him to your building. 

“You telling me you don’t got friends, tootsie roll?” He stops in front of your apartment. 

“I... did. They’re gone now,” you look away. You try not to get to wistful about it. “Anyway, thanks--” 

“Holy f—moley,” he corrects himself as he leans forward to see around you, “this place can’t be up to code--” 

“Lloyd,” you blurt out. “I’m fine. Really. Home safe. Thanks to you.” 

“Mhm, well, friends are supposed to worry about each other, right?” 

“And as your friend, I’m telling you not to worry,” you smile and pull the handle, “have a good night.” 

He huffs as you undo your seat belt, “yeah, good night.” 

[ridgemoor-blog]

An amoeba's guide to Agile scaling

Cropped version of image created by Bing Image Creator, powered by DALL-E

(Originally posted on 23rd August 2023)

Pretty much all large organisations have tried-out Agile in some form. Maybe it’s just a few pockets of Digital development in the outer orbit of the CIO’s purview, but more likely by now you’ve seen an large transformation attempt.

If so, how did it go?

Swingingly?

I’m betting it didn’t.

Agile approaches are well-proven, and should benefit almost any organisation.  But it’s very easy (and all-too common) to jump straight from “Agile is useful” to “We must all implement Agile immediately”.

I get it. If we see something work well on a small-scale, it’s tempting to assume it will work at a larger-scale too … especially when there are numerous established frameworks whose sole job is to scale Agile.

But to me, this is far from the no-brainer it might seem.  Some attempts to scale Agile remind me of King Canute's proposed change programme for the ocean. Despite deliberate planning, there are unmanaged forces at play, so success is far from assured.

Why so difficult?

Multiple reasons of course:

Some pilot Agile initiatives happened in “the business” with limited IT influence, because they were desperately wanted there. We can’t magic-up that pre-condition everywhere immediately.

Others benefited from disproportionately high investment and management focus, which can’t be repeated every time.

IT vs. Digital feuds (often over legitimate issues) polarise some factions’ views against Agile.

Genuine concerns over job security can bring blockers at every level of the organisation.

Supporting functions such as Finance, Security, Privacy, etc. aren’t comfortable with Agile outcomes, and end-up in opposition despite good motives.

With 40+ Agile methods in town, there’s no shortage of competing terminology and opinion, slowing everything down.

Due to ignorance or impatience, some pre-requisites aren't recognised (or aren't met) so credibility wanes and traction slows.

Compromise is often expected, so organisations adopt hybrid Agile models which almost always work less well.

A cumbersome scaling framework is chosen, weakening and delaying real gains.

So how to reduce these risks?

Whatever route you take, there’s one thing you’ll need right away: Usable Executive Team backing, ideally from the CEO. Strong support eases risks 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5—and goes some way to help with the others—but use it intelligently or not at all.

With the right support in place, it’s time to call an acknowledged expert for help. Having a credible, informed, humble “catalyst leader” for an at-scale Agile transformation immediately helps mitigate 5, 6, 7 and 8. (Let me know if you need help here.)

That just leaves item 9.

Please don’t assume that the framework is the answer. Sometimes it's the problem.

A heavy framework means heavy implementation effort, and also creates complexity, multiple new roles, and new communication and reporting overheads. Some frameworks deliberately lean towards project management methods—giving the PMO a few crumbs of comfort, yes—but also watering-down the benefits. Note that:

Donald A. Norman, Living with Complexity

So think very carefully about your method for scaling. In true Agile spirit I always vote for scaling as simply as possible, starting with a “zero-base” then adding complexity only when your average amoeba can see the need. Remember that refactoring the product space can reduce interdependencies between teams—sometimes allowing us to postpone scaling by years.

I'm very keen to hear your views on this one.  What makes sense to you, and what doesn't?

Disclaimer: These opinions are mine alone, so are not necessarily shared by my current employer or other organisation with which I'm connected.

[crimsonblackrose]

.

With how much Sam went to friends houses, how much they say they trust her, how they said whatever she does they hope she has fun, the fact she didn't get in trouble for note telling them about a party I'm kind of surprised they're freaking out that Anthony, whose head is always glued to his device hasn't seen her since he got home from camp the day before.

But they're totally allowed to worry, it makes sense, it's just...still surprising with how much freedom Sam is allowed.

They are teenagers who've been together all summer. Daniel immediately going to blaming Robby. "I trusted Robby. Sam better be okay." And I don't think he ever realizes or listens to the fact that Robby kept her safe all night, and just tried his hardest to reign her in and that's not on him. Sam wanted to go to the party.

It's sort of that overcompensation for guilt. They had a good time and while they were having a good time their daughter went missing.

Amanda knows Sam's password. Daniel does not.

Aisha's asking if Sam's okay. Probably not what her parents want to hear.

I forgot aisha was like you got soooo drunk. can't believe the cops came.

Who we never see btw. Did they actually come?

The realization that this is probably Robby's would be bedroom. Because that is not Johnny's lamp or bed.

ANOTHER BOX OF TROPHIES OMG JOHNNY. HOW MANY TOURNAMENTS DID YOU WIN? There's at least 8 more in that box.

Awww Robby art.

Johnny truly keeps every crumb of affection he's given by others.

Not the baloney again. Three, one for each of them.

Johnny's phone needs an update, I feel like that's a bad thing. But I can't remember why. Did Daniel try and call him and he didn't answer? I don't remember. I guess Daniel has his number because of the firebird.

Johnny: I gotta tell LaRusso, it's his kid. (Proud of you Johnny)

Robby: Please don't, let me take the blame.

Why didn't Amanda go with Daniel?

Johnny doesn't park in front of his apartment. How does Daniel know which apartment is his?

Johnny: Please calm down. Daniel: NO, breaks down his door.

Daniel hitting people with doors and gates since 1984. Freddy and Johnny now have something in common.

Also ow

To be fair, Johnny tried to be calm and said he'd explain what was going on then Daniel broke in. If Daniel's pissed about this then he shouldn't be mad about Johnny punching anoush.

This is why we don't fight in tiny apartments you two dumbasses. RIP TV #2, also a big ow for Daniel. That literally falls off and hits him on the head, pinning him a bit between the shelf and the TV landing him abdomen first into the corner of it, which had to hurt like hell.

Sam is awake and confused and totally lost.

Poor Robby, he thought he could protect Sam by taking the blame, not realizing he was in one of his mongoose brain modes which means Robby is in the same boat of black and white as he puts Johnny, aka pure evil.

Poor Robby. He wasn't expecting to get kicked out by Daniel over it. He's so used to Daniel being calm cool and collected and not this side of him that's so unforgiving.

You want to be like your father, be my guest. Daniel, get you were scared but you didn't even listen or try, you lashed broke in, fought your way through, yelled at Sam and then dragged her out of there without even really listening.

What a great way to start the school year for both Sam and Robby. Sam hungover, and Robby brokenhearted. Like Daniel the kid already has abandonment issues.

It's the first day of school, why are there parent meeting flyers up already? Also who puts flyers on random people's lockers? Like what school makes that a policy? It's weird. The one for varsity wrestling kinda makes sense, but still, weird.

Oof Tory saw the kiss and is ghosting Miguel and Aisha.

I feel like Miguel and Aisha's friendship is kind of understated, but she's truly there for him and i love their friendship.

So Sam and Daniel must've talked since she's grounded from her car.

Daniel's just pissed that Sam went to Johnny and not her, and it's unfair for him to take it out on Robby. Like yes it was Robby's idea, but still.

Sam is trying here.

"I thought I could help him but"

WHAT DOES THAT MEAN DANIEL? Are you not listening. Robby did nothing wrong. He spent the whole party trying to talk Sam out of drinking, but he couldn't force her to not, he got her out of there before the cops came and when SHE refused to go home he took her somewhere safe. How on earth does that mean you give up on Robby?

I can't. Welcome to the party Daniel, Robby does in fact have a family. A family you refused to tell that he needed a place to live and instead you just kidnapped him and now that you're no longer happy with him you're like abandoning him? No. That's not how this works. You don't go I want someone to train with me in karate, I pick this kid. And then decide to keep him only to abandon him when he did...what exactly wrong?????

Like yes you need to focus on your own family but my dude you're the one who told Shannon you'd take responsibility for Robby and then you...do this.

Meanwhile Johnny here excited to be a Dad

My guess is that Robby didn't get a chance to go to the LaRussos and get his stuff.

I couldn't find a trapper keeper, are those still cool? I don't know what that is. I had one with a fighter jet on it. It was awesome. Johnny you nerd.

Poor Robby, not even sad about school or nervous about school but he does feel that way about Sam and the LaRussos.

I feel like Robby misunderstands his father. Like Johnny didn't come get him earlier because he knew the LaRussos were good for him, probably thought they were better then he was, which was why when he realized Robby had moved in he didn't go get him but instead got drunk and cried on Carmen's couch. And sure Miyagi-do is good for him, I don't think Johnny's going to diss Miyagi-do or the LaRussos for what they did for Robby.

Ah, saved/moment ruined by a call from Miguel.

Robby, wise beyond his years, telling Johnny he thinks they could learn from one another.

I don't think Johnny knows Robby and Miguel are still feuding.

Robby's precious thanks for driving me dad with that tentative hopeful look.

I also want to point out that Johnny just listened. He didn't correct or say his opinions about Daniel or anything. He respected that Robby got a lot out of it all. He holds his tongue when he realizes he should. Not always. But sometimes.

Hi there you've reached the smart phone answering machine of Johnny Lawrence sensei of Cobra Kai Karate. Please leave a message and I will get back to you when I get a chance.

Robby being cute: Excuse me, I'm new to this school, could you help me find Ms Santino's class.

Robby how is it your fault, she didn't want to go home, you couldn't force her to go home.

Robby came clean about the medal of honor. Ah he's so hopeful.

People coming up and talking to Eli and trying to show support, something I don't think they used to do must be shocking. Even if it's for an embarrassing thing.

School's fall musical is Grease

Stingray applying to be a school security guard. How'd he even get this interview with principal Lopez? (stingray is not a yellow belt yet)

Robby's in a computer class, Miguel and Hawk are in what looks like a science class, and I think Sam's in English looking at the Outsiders book.

Does Tory even go to this school? She must right? Also Tory this was a terrible idea.

That was also the shortest class ever. It was literally get in, sit down, listen to announcements, bell.

Miguel and Robby just doing their hardest and putting their lives on the line to keep these two girls from fighting.

Meanwhile Alisha is right there.

And another LaRusso breaks Robby's heart.

Hawk and his bros recreating Freddy and his friends pushing Daniel back into the fight on the beach with Johnny. Hawk, how dare you. I'm going to give you some of the blame for Miguel's back. And also once again, the average citizen in the Valley is super bloodthirsty for fights. No one is trying to stop this.

Ow, Tory went for head shots, used Sam's backpack against her and slammed her into a locker. How on earth did Hawk, who was in the same class as Miguel get there before Miguel?

Y'all need to calm down. Robby's literally trying to be peacekeeper and to calm them all down but of course Miguel was late, despite, again being in the same class as Hawk and RUNNING the whole way there. What did Hawk do teleport? So of course Miguel just sees Robby with his hand on Tory and Tory pinned against the locker, he doesn't clock the please calm down body language.

Aisha, why didn't you tell Miguel that Robby was just trying to calm things down, you were there.

Chris: we gotta do something.

Demetri's brain cell returning: I'll go get a teacher.

Hawk, that was your fellow cobra you just shoved aside. He just wants to fight people.

Aisha finally woke up to yell at Tory and Sam to stop fighting.

It is a really good fight sequence though.

Moon's outfit is cute.

That's the second time Tory leans down and just picks Sam up and one of them screams as they run off screen, which had to have been hilarious to film

Demetri went to go get Mr. Palmer. Who watches another teacher get elbowed in the face, lose his glasses and flipped and is like nope.

Miggy that was rude. Like that move? Learned if from your dad. Low blow dude.

Robby, what a jump man! From the main floor to the landing. Jeez.

Also what I hate is, like Daniel and Johnny, Miguel and Robby want the same exact thing. But they're too caught up in their preconceived notions to realize it.

There are also flyers for a car wash.

Chris hits his friend with a Simply Macroeconomics book.

The rest of the fights are very, fun? But Hawk's hunt for Demetri is like a horror movie.

Well add it to lost in the heat of a fight hitting your s/o list. Tory kicked and hit Miguel

The one fight the security guard successfully stopped because he could pick them up and break them apart. 😂

Tory literally dragging Sam by her hair to teh stairs is so dangerous.

Sam, why'd you have to sass Tory with is that the only way you know how to fight? Dirty? Because Tory's not going to view it as honor or whatever, she's going to take it as a challenge.

That is a different bracelet then when Tory introduced it. Someone must've said, we need that thing to look scarier for this fight and less hot topic.

Proud of Demetri, this is his first real fight where he's had to use Miyagi-do to defend himself. (Probably the same for everyone else, but the difference is the new Miyagi-do were originally Cobra Kai and already knew some Cobra Kai/already ready to fight, Demetri is the only one other than Sam and Robby who are solely Miyagi-do.

Kicking Hawk into glass had to hurt. (For hawk) And Demetri even apologizes before he does it.

Ah, Robby thinks Miguel took advantage of Sam, not that Sam also made a move. These two are paying attention enough to talk and enough for Miguel to be horrified at the prospect.

Maybe if Miguel answered rather then fight the why did it happen...what eventually happens might not have happened.

Sam kicking Tory over the railing and down the stairs was horrifying, but thankfully Tory is okay. also teh fact she was going to totally maim Sam with that bracelet ala TKK2 hair hold end fight but dark version.

She doesn't love you she loves me, Miguel, you're with Tory now, don't say stuff like that.

The kick Robby does is pretty cool. Miguel catches one of his feet and Robby kicks with his other to get free.

Miguel's mercy 🥺🥺🥺🥺 he even apologizes.

this is why you should put your hair up Robby, you weren't focusing on where you were fighting and the possible dangers.

Hawk's the first one to Robby's side, followed by Sam.

Daniel looking at all of Robby's stuff, his clothes, his bed, his skateboard. The books he was reading: The history of Okinawa and the courage of the 442nd. Robby was truly all in on this life for himself.

Amanda got a call and comes running in.

Johnny's putting up his Third TV.

He's still struggling with his phone.

Carmen's scream is what gets his attention. They all go to the hospital together by the looks of it. Carmen blames Johnny, Rosa tells her to not have that fight now, but she tells Johnny she never wants to see him again and Johnny just accepts that.

Sam has three cuts, two of which require stitches on her inner right arm.

It was an accident. But Daniel's surprised Robby would do that and Sam blames herself. Which I mean...she did get super drunk and kiss Miguel which set the whole thing off, but generally you expect like a normal fight over that not a school wide brawl.

Amanda's crying.

Johnny's standing outside of Miguel's door.

Miguel calling because he had girl trouble and wanted advice and that's going to just be one more thing Johnny blames himself for.

He promises to come by after school to the dojo and says they can grab a burger at the place they like because his mom has work. And Johnny's crying with his hand to the glass of Miguel's door looking at him.

Just two grown men going to cry in an elevator together. Daniel looks pissed but leaves first without saying anything.

Johnny's drinking again.

Kreese totally made a copy of his keys. The dojo is unlocked, the lights are on.

Kreese also doesn't have them in the front room, they're in the back behind a closed door, like some underground secret society.

There's only 8 in this class. Also how did Johnny let them down when they needed him the most????

No Aisha, but Tory is there. Stingray and Hawk and a few others.

They block Johnny from Kreese. Johnny backs down. They blame Miguel's injury on Johnny.

Kreese has just been waiting. He talked to the landlord while Johnny was with Tommy.

I will never let my students lose, even if they have to learn the hard way. One day you'll thank me for this Johnny.

Johnny takes a step forward, all the students take a step forward.

Poor Johnny. This was a mistake, you want cobra kai it's yours. He literally wanted to take what he'd learned and to grow it into something positive, and his students betrayed him, Kreese betrayed him, Daniel struck every chance he got. And now the kid who believed in him the most might die because of his own son. Johnny literally did all the hard work, from the ground up to get Cobra Kai up and running, to create a dojo, to gain students, to teach them and then Kreese steals them and his dojo.

Sam has a favorite sandwich from il Tramezzino. Daniel shows his love through food.

The doctor thinks Sam might've cracked a rib.

Amanda snapping at the mongoose brain starting up again.

Johnny sitting on the beach drinking, watching the sunset .

The first time I saw this I sobbed and had to check the wiki to make sure Miguel survived and they weren't cruelly killing him off because the actor wanted to do something else. (too many shows do that)

His little lucky rabbit keychain sticking out of his backpocket.

Aha I knew I remembered he yeeted his phone towards the beach. He also throws his hard liquor at the car. Goodbye lucky rabbits foot. Like I get tossing the cobra kai car keys, and the dojo keys, but bud, aren't your house keys on that thing too?

ah yes the Ali friend request.

No phone, no keys, I guess Johnny just walks home and then is...locked out of his apartment unless he leaves keys for himself somewhere.

Also for some reason I always thought Johnny snapped at Robby but Robby ran away without interacting with his dad again.

[ryukyuin]

byi/rules!!

1.) BASIC DNI CRITERIA

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2.) Anti-Proship

Loving reminder that proship means that you don’t harass people over fiction. It’s only a stance on harassment and censorship, and it doesn’t mean you have to like what I do or that I personally approve and enjoy what everyone else does! Quote from fanlore:

"The pro in pro-shipper means for, to contrast with the anti in anti-shipper (anti meaning against). However, possibly due to Fannish Osmosis, in some parts of fandom, the pro in pro-shipper has come to be understood as short for problematic instead.[5][6][7][8] Due to this new definition, many fans (mainly on Twitter) started to insert proshippers in their DNI lists because they do not want any type of contact with problematic ships These fans may also use the term "proship" as a noun to refer to the problematic ship that the proshipper allegedly supports. Others have incorrectly osmosed the word proshipper to be synonymous with pedophile."

So like. Yeah! Dances around. I don't fw most "problematic ships" but I just need pookies to know the actual definition of the term they are using before they start rallying hate mobs.

Fiction DOES affect reality, and you should be aware enough of that to cultivate your own online experience and use the function of blocking/filtering tags, blocking people, and your own common sense to make sure that you stay safe and everyone has fun!!

(Also if ppl block me bc they misunderstood I will scream and wail and sob /lh, DM/toss an ask if you have any questions!!)

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3.) If you can't follow the Three Laws of Fandom/think Dark Media/Dead Dove: Do not Eat/Whump/Yandere enjoyers are normalizing what they are writing about, also shoo. Not the place for you.

I feel like this explains itself, esp since I kinda talked about it above. Please cultivate and foster the online experience you want, follow proper online social etiquette, and realize that just because I find Shaiapouf attractive doesn't mean I want him to gut and eat me in real life. (Most likely. Probably. Maybe. If he asks REALLY nicely and bats his little boytwink lashes and gayass wings /sillyj)

4.) Do NOT compare me with other writers.

They are them and I am me and we both deserve our own little gold sticker stuck to our forehead! I think it's important everyone gets the recognition they deserve and I've been inspired by SOSO many writers on here, so make sure to go send support where deserved!

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WILL WRITE:

JJK, KNY, MHA, GI/HSR, HxH!! Mostly Phantom Troupe + Harbingers + Sampo + Satoru and Suguru + Shouta and Hizashi but like. Throw some crumbs through the tray slot, if I'm interested I will respond.

Yandere/Dark Fiction, reader-inserts, minor character death, non-con/dub-con slash hesitant? (doubtful of my writing skills to bring that justice), body horror/gore, dr**ging, etc...... idk I wanna flap my gay little wings and see whatever horrific shit I come up with /lh

WILL NOT DO:

Detailed pregnancy. I just can't man I don't want kids get those little HEATHENS OUTTA THERE!! I'll consider asks about it/drabbles but don't expect like an entire oneshot about it unless a hybrid AU takes me into a fucking chokehold. Then I might be doomed!

OCs, detailed requests, character/character requests (I can't say character/character as a whole I can feel Satosugu + the other homosexuals beaming lasers into the back of my head), oooomegaverse? Hybrids are neat-o to me but. I think I have Omegaverse PTSD I'll be real, come back when there's a more stable system/lore and less breeding.

SELF-HARM/SUICIDE IS A NO-GO!! Idk not only is it not fun for the reader/mc to just fucking. Croak. Self-harm is just not the way for me I don't think!! I MIIIGHHHT consider it but really don't get any hopes up.

PLEASE LET ME KNOW TO TAG SOMETHING IF IT IS TRIGGERING!! I WILL NOT BE MAD I AM JUST VERY FORGETFUL!! Idm if you ask tbh it honestly helps me find my own stuff once I go back, so win for everyone.

[ellesliterarycorner]

Tips for Writing Plot Twists

Well, after a very long, unexpected House of the Dragon fandom break, we are now back to our regularly scheduled writing program! Funnily enough, this is kind of House of the Dragon related because today we are talking about writing plot twists. And not just any plot twists, plot twists that make sense and don’t leave your reader wanting to pull their hair out and throw your book across the room. Writing plot twists is a lot harder than it looks. I know that when I read a book with a great plot twists that I actually didn’t see coming, I always wanna give the writers a little round of applause because that is impressive my friends. Especially in the day and age of super common tropes and readers’ having particular expectations, it’s always nice when there’s a new innovative twist out there. Worry not, here are a few simple twists that will help you on your way to writing the best plot twist for your story!

WWTRD??

What would the reader do, my friends? In order to write a good plot twist, you need to try and put yourself in the shoes of the reader who will actually be reading this. This might seem like a pretty obvious tip, but it’s one of the most simple and effective ones out there! As you’re going through your story or even your outline, write down all of the ways that you would normally expect the story to go. What potential twists and turns immediately come to mind? Write every single one of those down and then make sure that your plot twist does not include any of them. Especially if you read and write in the same genre (like I do, fantasy and sci-fi all the way), then your brain probably works in the same way as most of your readers. Like I mentioned above, people who always read in the same genre are used to the conventions and standards of their genre. Unfortunately for us writers, that makes it a lot harder to come up with a plot twist. I recommend looking at the list of plot twists that we’re going to throw out and writing down the opposite of all of those. That’s always good advice, imo. If you feel like your story is getting too predictable, take it in the complete opposite direction. When even you’re surprised by what’s going on, you’re on the right track!

Bread Crumbs a la Hansel and Gretel

The original versions of fairytales are absolutely terrifying. I had to look into them for one of my English classes and boy, oh boy, childhood = ruined. Anyways, just like Hansel and Gretel with their little bread crumbs, you want to subtly guide the readers’ attention away from any potential plot twist, so the twist is all the more surprising. You always want to make your readers think they know what’s going on, then flip all of that on its head. There are a lot of different tools that you can use to do that like red herrings, false flags, or other types of MacGuffins. These decoys deliberately plant false clues, or other misinformation that leads the reader in the wrong direction. Sometimes, they even lead the reader to even think they have reached the happy ending only to reveal their devious nature. HOWEVER, you will noticed that subtly is bolded above because please remember the subtly. This is another one of my big problems with YA fiction because some YA writers seem to think that kids are like legitimately stupid. That’s why I don’t think, imo, there’s been a YA book with an absolutely great plot twist in a while because YA writers tend to spoon-fed their readers everything and try too hard to steer readers in the wrong direction. Readers notice when writers do this, and you don’t want it to happen.

BFFR

Be fricken for real, guys, and that means not only ensuring that your plot twist is believable and necessary but also MAKES SENSE. Plot twists making sense is a problem that seems to have popped up in the last five years in all genres not just YA, I would say. Authors seem to focus a lot on the part of the definition of plot twists that says sudden, unexpected and shocking change of direction whilst ignoring the part that includes realistic and reasonable. To me, the realistic and reasonable part is almost more important. If a super unpredictable plot twist pops up out of nowhere without even relating to the story, of course I’m gonna be surprised. Does that mean I’m going to be surprised? No, it does not. Which leads us to the most important lesson: SHOCK VALUE FOR THE SAKE OF SHOCK VALUE IS NOT GOOD. It’s just not. That means not resorting to gimmicks or having a plot twist just to have one. Just like everything else in your story, plot twists should serve to further the story in some way. Not every story needs a plot twist, and some stories are far better off without them!

Phone a Friend!

When in doubt, phone a friend! Writer’s block, phone a friend! Need advice on character development, phone a friend! Struggling with plot twists, phone a friend! In this case, beta readers. Like I said above, stepping into the reader’s shoes is a great way to think of ideas for plot twists, and getting beta readers to read your story is a great way to test out the believability of your plot twist once you’ve written it. Ask them wether or not they thought it was effective within the overall plot, did they believe it, did they see it coming, and overall what about it worked and didn’t work for them. But, don’t ask them about any of this until after they’ve already read the book. You don���t want them to go into the story hunting for a plot twist because they won’t react the same way that an actual prospective reader would. If they immediately come to you, gushing about how amazing the plot twist was and how much they loved it, you know you’re doing something writer. And on the flip side, if they say, wait what plot twist, you know you still have a little work to do!