#rather than actually connecting with her daughter

[bookdragonideas]

Here's the thing. I'm a girl, and as a girl, I really like it when girls are portrayed in fiction. Especially fantasy.

But so much fiction/fantasy mixes up 'girls' with 'unstoppable forces of female badass' and there's not necessarily anything wrong with having a character who is an 'unstoppable forces of female badass'. But it gets old real quick. And it is not the same as portraying normal girls, or having good female characters.

And that's one of the many reasons I love Avatar the Last Airbender.

Because all the girl characters have flaws and weaknesses and sometimes act like idiots or jerks. They get emotional and make mistakes. They lose fights or arguments or are just wrong sometimes. Some of them are amazing warriors, and some aren't. Some are powerful or special and some are normal, with nothing special about them.

And I Love that.

I was around the same age as Katara when I first watched Atla. And I instantly connected with her as a character. I loved her optimistic attitude and her fighting spirit. And I could relate with her anger, and with her maternal instinct. I admired her fighting skills of course, but I loved how the show portrayed her compassion and kindness, the way she could both beat up a bunch of bullies AND enjoy a relaxing day at the spa. She was a baddass warrior that should never be crossed. But she was also a normal teenage girl who had a lot of the same internal struggles and problems that I did.

(I never connected to Toph on the same level, but I did relate to her on a few things. She's an adorable trash gremlin who would commit any crime for fun and I love that. But she struggles with being both independent and letting people help her, and I still struggle with that sometimes. I've learned that sometimes, you can help others by letting them help you.)

Yue is, in my opinion, a perfect example of a type of hero that seems to be disappearing. She is not a warrior. She is not a fighter. She's not even a bender.

Yue is a perfect princess, a perfect daughter. She is extremely feminine in a rather older sense.

And she was the only one who could save the world. She gave up everything for her people. She saved everything, everyone, the entire world. Without ever becoming a fighter.

Yue is a perfect example of a girl who was never more than a girl, and how that's okay. Not every girl has to be rough and tumble and fight for her rights in order to change everything. Sometimes it's okay to just be a quiet obedient girly girl. Sometimes that's all it takes to be a hero.

And I love that. Yue is strong in her own way. She is unique and interesting. She appears in only a few episodes and yet manages to be one of my favorite characters.

Song is another great example of this. Song is a healer in a small town. We don't see much of her but we see her compassion and empathy. She is gentle and generous. A healer not a fighter.

She watches Zuko steal her ostrich horse and does nothing.

Is that because she's kind and generous and knows he needs it more? Or is it because she's a healer girl who knows she can't actually stop those two from taking the horse? Maybe neither, maybe both. I have always thought that the scene where Zuko steals the horse and only the audience knows she saw it is one of the most thought-provoking in the series.

Suki is a badass warrior woman who is an awesome fighter and good leader. She is one of the best non bender fighter we see in the entire show. She was one of the smartest, most efficient, and powerful characters we ever saw.

She kissed a boy she had just met because she thought he was cute.

Now don't get me wrong I love SokkaxSuki. Its one of the best couples in the show.

But Suki totally did the old 'love at first sight' thing. And that is awesome. Because when she kisses him she delivers one of the best lines, not only from her, but, I think, in the entire show.

"I AM a warrior, but I'm a girl too."

Being a warrior doesn't mean that she isn't also a teenage girl. She might be a fighter, but she still gets crushes and likes to flirt with cute boys. And hey, she picked a good one. Not every boy is going to come break you out of prison.

Anyways, let's have more realistic girls in fiction. And please enjoy the next 24 hours.

[offkilterkeys]

I feel like this is something that’s never talked about, especially in relation to Rose and her alcoholism.

sorry for being vicious and hateful for a moment but every time someone acts like rose's mom was A Good Parent Actually and conveniently ignores the fact that children with good parents generally do not sneak around the house to avoid face to face interactions and heavily resent them and make frequent suicide threats i have to bite my tongue it's so annoying. just because rose was Previously Wrong about her mother doing things to spite her specifically and Acts like she (13 year old at the time child) was the major one at fault for their strained relationship doesn't mean that was actually the case. mom lalonde was a bad parent!!! she emotionally neglected her kid severely and was drunk all of the time and substituted elaborate gifts for actual tangible and meaningful gestures of affection!!! even in pesterquest (which i don't necessarily count as canon at all by the way but it's still something to note) it is implied that rose has to make food for herself (the oatmeal line)

(this is not something a 13 year old should have to do frequently)

it's just very frustrating can these people please understand that most if not all of the homestuck kids/trolls all had suboptimal upbringings (at best). sorry for going on about this i just think people need to realize when a child is going through abuse (in the form of neglect in this case) even when it's not explicitly said

[bouquetface]

Astro Observations 5

ACCURACY BASED ON ENTIRE CHART. Looking at only one placement can only give general/surface level info.

💜 Scorpio moon can have a karmic relationship with women in general. They can have resentment and jealously for other women - although in their younger years they are reluctant to acknowledge this. There is a sub conscious/silent competition for power. Possible examples: Needing to be the most liked gf in your bf's friend group. Needing to be the most liked daughter-in-law your husband's family. However, this is not always the case.

Scorpio moon in a man's chart, I have noticed the above traits are seen in the mom. Their mom might share traits with the stereotypical boy mom. However, when the scorpio moon is placed in 7th house, I have seen these traits be less problematic. In 7th, there is almost a balance, the mom is deeply protective and involved with the child’s relationships but without being controlling. Rather, she may just like to be informed. Now whether, the child will submit the mother’s wishes depends on the child.

🧩 Virgo rising are ruled by mercury. They naturally want information. They’re good at researching & analyzing. They’ll try to get as much info as possible.

Virgo placements mixed with scorpio can create the best detective or stalker. EX: My virgo rising, scorpio sun friend stays updated on all her exes, her friend's exes even exes of her family members. She even has random info on the live's of people she barely talked to from her hometown.

☀️ All the eldest siblings I know almost always have prominent cap placements - cap sun or moon most often seen in my experience.

🧩 Middle & youngest children often have a prominent pisces or aqua placement. However, this won’t always be accurate. It’s just something I’ve noticed in the chart’s of people I know.

🍂 My cousin whose birth was a surprise was an Aqua sun. Aqua’s modern ruler Uranus is connected to themes of shock & sudden surprises.

❣️My cousin whose mom had several miscarriages before her birth is a scorpio sun. Scorpio is connected to taboo topics & endings.

🍎 My friend whose birth prompted her parent’s to move abroad is a sag sun. After her birth, they felt the need for a fresh start away from their own toxic families to start a new one. Sag is connected with themes of travel.

🌊 Neptune square ASC or First house ruler can be the worst. People make bullshit assumptions about you immediately. I’ve noticed most people with prominent & harsh neptune in their chart often have prominent aqua or pisces placements. You can need that ability to detach & shut out the outside world to handle the things people falsely believe about you.

🧩 7th House ruler in 1st House can indicate partnerships (romantic, platonic or business) want control of you & your image. You may encounter relationships with controlling & aggressive people. However, you may like people that take control for you.

🍎 Mars in 1st house & Mars in 10th can be a dangerous placement. You become a target for insecure men & women. They see the power you hold and sub consciously wish to take it away from you. The same can be seen in those with mars square or opposite asc. Certain people will want to compete with you.

mars in 1st may deal with physical abuse in relationships. This is an extreme though. For most, you encounter people who belittle you. People challenge your power & confidence.

🌙 Moon in 4th can manifest as having more femininity in the home. The number of girls could outnumber the boys in the home. You could have more sisters than brothers. Or you end up having more daughters than son.

❤️‍🔥 In my mom's chart she has asteroid child (4580) in sag conjunct neptune. My sun is in sag & my younger brother's sun is in pisces. However, rarely do I see the asteroid being this accurate. Sometimes, the sign of child can be more how you view the child rather than the actual sign of the child.

🧿 Groom (5129) conjunct Moon can give a spouse who takes on a traditional feminine role. The positive outcome would be a family orientated spouse who is very nurturing - ex: enjoys cooking, enjoys house work like painting, mowing the lawn, etc. They enjoy taking care of the home and family.

If harshly aspected, I have seen this as a women's husband refusing to work and provide for their family in any way. He became very lazy after marriage. He threatened she'd have to pay him alimony. Chiron was near her Groom conjunct Moon in Aries.

❤️‍🔥 Fama in 7th H - 7th H isn’t limited to spouse & friendships. It can show business partnerships & clients. I have this in my chart & I worked for a notable influencer. They aren’t A list or anything too extreme, she does have a fan base & make money through her social media though.

🩻 I’ve noticed doctors, nurses & vets often have prominent influence in 8th & 6th house. Most common: 2nd or 10th ruler in 8th or 6th H. You will see people at their most vulnerable, investigate & find/keep secrets about their health (8th H) and offer service (6th H).

🌙 Tropical Pisces Moon / Sidereel Aqua Moons tend to develop the habit of avoiding their emotions. They escape through daydreams, music, books or films. They can feel their own emotions through the character. It can feel safer that way.

& this placement can struggle with the inability to cry for months (maybe even years). They don’t properly process the situation until months or even years later. When it becomes too heavy to hold back, they can cry a lot. Randomly tearing up through the day, crying themselves to sleep.

[lordofdestructionm]

Viktor and Elsa

A secret passion?

Viktor Vasko and Elsa Bastion (formerly Arbogast) clearly share a connection. This has been clear since the Defiance flashback

This perhaps shouldn't be that much of a surprise. They are both veterans of the Great War, they have both experienced and still bear the inner scars that come with the tragedy and brutality of war and the suffering it brings.

Elsa in her capacity as a nurse, who no doubt saw all manner of mangled and broken men, and Viktor the muddy, bloody, living hell that was the front line of the trenches. It only makes sense that such people would be able to understand each other in ways others wouldn't.

Elsa has no doubt spent plenty of time treating wounded soldiers and seen the emotional anguish, and so would be able to see through that sour intimidating facade that keeps most people at arms length. While Viktor could find reassurance in the company of a kind and compasionate woman like Elsa

But many fans have found themselves wondering if there could be more to it than that.

Viktor spent some time staying at the arbogast household, and it seems in that time Elsa got to know Viktor very well, learning more about his life than even Ivy, someone that can approach Viktor much easier than most as a stand in daughter to him, and even to the extent she knows Viktor would never have agreed to let her put herself in danger

Viktor for his part may also feel more than just friendly towards her, if the face he makes when she is finally able to get through to him by phone to inform him about Ivy putting herself in danger is anything to go by.

Having been in a pit of deep despair over the memory of his far away daughter, plus the poor state of his health with compromised knees and a hole in his chest, hearing from her seems to make that normally scowling face soften

But before we all jump on that bandwagon and "Viktor x Elsa" become our new Lackadaisy otp, we have to consider the jolly British elephant in the room.

Bobby Bastion

Bobby is another war veteran and it was though their service that they met just after the war and later married.

He appears to be a very jolly and affable chap (relative to most bootleggers anyway), which may well be what drew Elsa to him in the first place. Someone who could counter her melancholy from the dark times they went through

He seems to be very aware and considerate of his wife's relative melancholy, by Elsa's own admission leaving a very lucrative funeral trade in the big city to move too a small quiet community that offered little business but gave Elsa the peace and quiet she needed (like Viktor it seems she hates "noise, noise, noise" thanks to the war).

Their involvement in bootlegging in the first place it seems was to compensate for this and provide the income to sustain this relative isolation

But despite this, perhaps their diffent mindset has become more of a barrier between them rather than something that compliments each other?

As the family illustration suggests, Bobby is relatively content and able to smell the flowers, while Elsa remains haunted. Bobby's humour also seems to have little effect on Elas's mood

Could it be that Elsa would be drawn to someone like Viktor, someone who suffers from the same trauma as her and may be more willing to admit to the pain, than a husband who despite the best of intentions is trying to just smooth over the problem? Quite possible

But even with that strong connection and bond between them, even if there is a mutual spark, does that suggest an actual affair? That's the big question here.

While arguably not handling his wife's troubles in the best way, Bobby seems to be a loving husband doing his best for his wife who he cares for deeply. Is Elsa the type of person who would cheat on her kind husband for helping in the "wrong way"?

Plus Bobby not only shows no sign of concern about Viktor staying with them and being around his wife, but, (despite his brother in laws interuption) mentions that he was very grateful for Viktor's help and actually saw him as almost "part of the family"

Is this a case of "ignorance is bliss"? Does he simply blindly trust his wife so much that the possibility doesn't even occur to him, or does he know her well enough to be certain that infidelity is something she simply would not do?

But this is all speculation at this point. What do you think?

Is poor Bobby blind to what happened under his own roof? Is it a matter of two people feeling an attraction but tragically unable to act on it due to circumstances? Or is it just an innocent matter of two wounded souls with shells and screams still ringing in their ears recognizing the scars on each other and offering some understanding?

Thanks to @ursiday whose Viktor and Elsa art got my over analysing brain juices flowing again ;)

[channelisuneh]

𝐒𝐊𝐈𝐍 𝐓𝐈𝐆𝐇𝐓

𝐒𝐔𝐌𝐌𝐀𝐑𝐘—a brief rundown of you and paige's history

𝐂𝐎𝐍𝐓𝐀𝐈𝐍𝐒—singer!reader, angst (i guess), sexual innuendos, miscommunication, use of y/n (trust i'll get better at writing the summaries)

𝐏.𝐒. this is my original work, just copy and pasted off of my wattpad so if you see the name naiva anywhere that's why 💃🏾

𝐘/𝐍 𝐀𝐍�� 𝐏𝐀𝐈𝐆𝐄 were the perfect couple. they met in y/n's first year at UConn which happened to be paige's second. they quickly found a friend in each other and it moved from there.

sometimes they bonded over music since naiva was friends with some of paige's favorite artists and because the blonde actually knew how to sing. a little.

other times they talked about basketball because it was a sport that ran in both of their families and y/n's younger cousin so badly wanted to go to uconn.

soon, their relationship developed from friends to girlfriends which was something a lot of people saw coming. they hung out so much it was a surprise that neither of their fan bases knew they were associated with each other.

the only thing connecting them in the public eye was y/n's cousin who ended up going to uconn like y/n said she wanted.

despite having two busy schedules, they worked out perfectly. until they didn't.

𝐖𝐈𝐓𝐇 summer around the corner, y/n found herself off campus a lot more. los angeles, houston, chicago- you name it. she wanted nothing more than a nice nap and cookies 'n cream ice cream. instead she was running around like a headless chicken.

"is there no a.c. in here?" valentina wilson, daughter of a retired nba player and one of y/n's best friends, questioned, fanning herself with a paper plate. her and y/n had just met in january and they were surprised they hadn't met earlier considering their girlfriends were best friends.

from the moment they did, they basically combined their trios into a friend group. "no deadass. i'm dying." she muttered. "it's just nerves, let's get you two seated." danny reassured, ushering the two girls away from the treat filled table and towards their seats where three other people sat.

"i'm seated in the back so i'll see you two in a little while." the ginger man didn't wait for their response before jogging towards his seat. "we should've stayed in connecticut." y/n muttered as a woman walked onto the stage.

"hey, congrats on the nominations." a girl spoke to her and valentina across from y/n. flashing a nervous smile, she said thank you as did val before going silent once the women began to speak.

"good evening everyone. thank you for joining us for our 24th annual women in arts award show. i'm your host candace stevens-." the woman continued speaking but y/n slightly drowned it out as her phone vibrated, indicating she had received a text.

a smile replaced the confused expression as she saw a text from her girlfriend. "i know you're not looking at those award predictions again." valentina spoke lowly once she saw the glare of light coming from the girl's phone.

"i'm not." she stated, turning the phone slightly so her friend could see that she was in fact texting paige. "in that case, i'd rather you be looking at award predictions. you can text her later, tell her you're busy right now!"

"okay, just let me respond to this last text." her fingers glided across the screen before she turned her phone off, placing it back in her lap.

but paige would be just as busy. she found herself at the WNBA draft about a month later alongside aubrey, azzi, and valentina. they were currently talking to someone who was actually thirty five despite looking far from it.

"no, paige up here tryna lie about her age!" aubrey laughed as she'd told the woman she was twenty six. "you heard her. we're just youngins." valentina shrugged. "you're the youngest out of all of us!" paige called out making the dancer wave her off.

"i'm gonna go find serenity." she spoke, mostly to azzi who nodded. "why? so you won't be the youngest one over here?" the blonde questioned. "alright peppa, calm it down." the three basketball players laughed as valentina walked away.

as they began to talk amongst themselves and to people around them, paige's phone dinged with a notification. she'd promised herself that she'd keep her phone up unless she was taking a photo or video or if it was absolutely necessary, so she spared her screen a quick glance to see who it was.

y/n's contact sat above the new message notification and the blonde found herself stuck on answering the message and letting it sit until they left the draft. silently, she turned her phone off before stuffing it into her purse. "are you not gonna text her back?" azzi questioned, making paige jump slightly.

"jesus, you scared me.

the curly haired girl didn't respond, only squinting as she waited for her friend's answer. "i was gonna text her when we leave from here." paige informed. "we're going to the after-party once we leave here." azzi reminded the girl who just nodded.

"well, she knows i'm busy. she'll understand." she stated. "it takes two seconds to let her know you're alive, p!" paige simply waved her friend off.

that's how most of their summer went. short moments whenever they were in the same city that lasted three hours max and hours- sometimes days- without contact. at times it felt weird to not be able to speak to one another, but they were two busy people with two completely different careers.

𝐄𝐕𝐄𝐑𝐘𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐍𝐆 was fine until the end of august. they were both still fairly busy but paige had took a free day to surprise y/n who had no clue. her day was spent with valentina at a dance studio which lasted hours.

after they'd finished their time there, y/n found herself helping val pack to go spend a couple days with azzi which took another hour of her time. earlier that day, paige had told y/n to call her when she got back to her hotel room and the girl told her it would be a little after six when she did.

it was well after eight when y/n stepped into the hotel room and to say she was excited to see her girlfriend would understatement of the year.

dropping her bags, she ran to the girl who now stood feet away. "paige!" she screamed happily, jumping onto the taller girl who was upset but nonetheless caught her. "hey babe." she answered monotonously, but y/n was so excited she barely noticed it.

"when'd you get he- are you okay?"

"honestly? no." paige spoke truthfully. "oh. what's wrong?" she asked as paige set her down before taking a step back. "you're what's wrong." she stated, but quickly regretted it when she saw the way y/n's face scrunched up.

"not like that. it's just- you were supposed to be here two hours ago and you haven't been answering my texts or calls." paige listed. "i'm sorry, but i didn't know you were coming and i was busy. i ended up having to stay an extra hour with val at the studio and then i helped her pack because she's going to visit azzi."

"you couldn't at least respond and let me know?" she retorted. "i didn't see you calling and it slipped my mind to let you know." y/n reasoned getting nothing but a scoff out of paige who moved towards the couch to grab her phone.

"paige, it's not that big of a deal. plus it's not like you haven't done the same thing before." she shrugged making her girlfriend laugh dryly. "really?"

"yes! there have been times where we didn't speak for days and now the one time i'm the cause of it, it's a problem?" she questioned. "well it's not like you made an effort to ever reach out!" paige exclaimed.

"because the one time i did, you still didn't respond!" y/n argued. "that was one time-" "what would be the point of trying again if nothing is gonna change paige?" she questioned.

neither of them could tell you how after a few more minutes of arguing and a few shed tears, they ended up tangled together in the soft sheets of the large hotel bed. paige's fingers ran through y/n's hair as they clinged to each other, refusing to let go because they knew what would come next.

"if that's how you feel then why are we even together?" paige shouted. "you know what? i don't fucking know." y/n responded, stepping closer to the girl who easily towered her even though she was average height. "right. i'm done y/n!"

"fan-fucking-tastic because i can't do this shit anymore!" the both of them spoke before the words could process in their brain. "this shit? you mean a fucking relationship?"

"no, i mean the constant neglect and distance whenever something doesn't go your way paige!" y/n corrected. "you do the same shit to me! anytime something goes slightly bad, you push me away."

words they spoke just two hours ago that they couldn't take back. y/n's wet tears hitting paige's chest was enough to snap her back to reality. "y/n/n. we gotta talk." she spoke up, her voice raspy which could've been from the silent crying she'd been doing minutes ago or the loud screaming from their previous activities.

the smaller girl glanced up at the other, "yeah." she said silently before moving off of the tall girl. as they sat up and turned towards each other, they knew what was next.

"i really don't wanna do this," paige started, looking down at her hands that were shaking ever so slightly you'd think she was shivering. "but, i think we should break up." in that moment, the blonde wished she could cut her own tongue off or turn back time.

everything in the moment felt unreal, but she knew it was once y/n nodded. "yeah. that seems best for the both of us right now." she spoke, although her mind was telling her to speak up on her actual thoughts. silently, paige nodded. "i should probably get going."

this time, y/n nodded even though she wanted nothing more than for her to stay. "i'll walk you out." she insisted. and with that, they silently got dressed before exiting the room.

the two of them reached the door quicker than anticipated, feeling overly awkward, fighting the urge to say text me when you get home and i'll call you tonight. "so, um-" "i love you." y/n blurted out quickly once the blonde went to speak.

paige sat quietly as she looked at her making y/n turn away from her, suddenly finding the coffee mug on the counter extremely interesting. "i love you too." she said breathlessly. those four words was all it took for naiva to start crying once again.

"'m sorry." paige muttered, feeling her own eyes start to water as she pulled the girl into a hug. nothing else mattered in that moment to them as they squeezed each other as if they'd slip away.

as if they had read each other's minds, a soft kiss was initiated by the both of them, lasting a few seconds too long to feel like closure. "i have to go, i'm sorry." paige stepped back from the teary eyed girl who felt like a heavy weight was on her shoulders, stopping her from reaching out to the girl.

instead she just nodded once again, watching as paige grabbed her phone and bag off the counter hurriedly and left, shutting the door gently behind her.

just two hours away was azzi and valentina who were having the time of their life despite it being the middle of the night. at the moment they were waiting for y/n to answer the phone so they could show her what they had just discovered- which was the fact that val was strong enough to put the basketball player on her shoulders.

"please, don't drop me." azzi called out for what felt like the hundredth time. "i'm not! have faith in me." y/n accepted the call after a few seconds, but valentina was too far back to notice her tear stained face. "look!" she smiled widely as azzi waved.

thankfully azzi was wearing her glasses for once so she could see their friend. "are you crying?" she questioned making valentina squint to see her friend was in fact in tears.

"oh my gosh, one second!" she called out, squatting down so her girlfriend could get off her shoulders before the two of them rushed over to the phone. "what's wrong, babe?" valentina questioned receiving a quick side eye from her girlfriend.

"babe?" azzi repeated. "i call everybody that!" she exclaimed looking over at the taller girl. "well find something else to call everybody!" valentina just shook her head, "the couch is sounding real comfortable. what's wrong y/n/n?" she asked again, looking over at azzi who smiled once she heard the girl call her by her actual nickname instead.

"we broke up." y/n spoke up, her voice faltering as she tried to speak as calm as possible. "who? you and paige?" the girl nodded as azzi's phone began to ring. "it's her." she spoke lowly although y/n could still hear her.

"why'd you guys break up? i thought things were going good!" valentina questioned as she moved a few feet away from azzi who was now in the same predicament as her.

"hey p." she answered, trying to sound normal. "we broke up azzi." the blonde spoke quickly, sniffling. "wait, what? why?" the girl responded if she didn't know. "we got in an argument- i regret it so bad, i don't know what to do."

valentina looked over at azzi who was already glancing at her. what was once a long night, turned into a long week, and they now were going on a month. their friends thought if only they weren't so damn stubborn. but they thought they should've just held each other while they still could.

[bella-goths-wife]

What would have happened if Vs pet made a deal with a different overlord

So basically we know what would happen if Vs pet made a deal with alastor and obviously vox, but what would happen if they sold their soul to Velvette, Valentino, Rosie or Carmilla instead

Warnings: obsessive behaviour, SA mentions, abuse mentions, forced affection, forced cannibalism, reader is uncomfortable, violence mentions

Velvette:

Now we know that even though you’d still belong to all the Vs collectively, if you made the deal with Velvette instead of Vox there would be a large power dynamic shift in terms of your care

Let’s say that Velvette found you first and was the one to make a deal with you, you wouldn’t be working for vox as his assistant in this scenario and would instead be a model or assistant to velvette

In the usual au where vox owns your soul, he is the one who creates your rules and enforces them

He’s the one who decides whether the other two can see you

But if velvette owned your soul instead then that entire dynamic is turned upside down, she’s the one who makes your rules and she’s the one who decides whether or not she’ll let vox spend time with you

This would absolutely infuriate him, and velvette can’t help but smile at that

Your rules would be much less restrictive if velvette was the one who owned your soul

Unlike vox who sees you as a surrogate daughter figure most of the time, velvette only sees you as a delightful little pet and occasional friend

And she understands that sometimes pets need a walk or a new toy to keep them occupied until she’s ready to play with them again

So you’d be able to leave the tower by yourself more often and you’d be able to hookup with people, but there is still a strict ban on forming intimate connections or starting relationships

Velvette requires your attention almost all of the time, and you can’t give her that if your chasing after some romantic partner

She should be enough of a connection for you!

You don’t need anyone else

You’d still be shared with the other Vs unfortunately as they share everything, so you’ll still have to deal with Valentino and voxs antics

But at least velvette will draw the line if she thinks they take up to much of your time

Your her pet after all, you sold your soul to her

A downside to velvette being your souls holder is that you’d be the weakest with velvette when it comes to your abilities and fighting skills

She doesn’t want you to improve so you don’t, you only use your power for frivolous purposes and for velvettes entertainment rather than actually using like a weapon like you would with vox or alastor

She doesn’t push you to get better, so you don’t get better

You’d have twice the attitude with half the power because of how velvette taught you and how she spoils you with materialistic things

Rosie:

Rosie would absolutely adore you

She has a soft spot for strays, and she’d heard quite a bit about you from alastor before he disappeared

And she once she met you she thought one thought, what a good friend she’d be if she took your soul in exchange for care and shelter before offering the contract to alastor when he gets back from his extremely long break

So she’d give you a job in cannibal town and she’d give you an entire makeover so you’d fit in more

She’d actually spend time to get to know you and what your life was like before you died

She can’t help but miss alastor when your around, you just remind her so much of him

She’d use your ability to create background music for her gossip sessions and for her party’s, but she’d also encourage you to use it as a weapon and practice with it in your own time

So you’d be more powerful than you would be with velvette but less powerful then you’d be with Vox or alastor

A downside to being in her care is that she wouldn’t be as protective as the others

She’s a busy woman who can’t be with you at all times, so there is a slight chance you may end up hurt while being in her care

She’d do her best to prepare you in case that happens, and you like that she offers you enough freedom to come and go freely enough

Another downside to being in Rosie’s care is that you’d have to adapt to her appetite unfortunately, it’s not like you can find a non cannibal place to eat in a cannibal town

So you’d be practically forced into cannibalism

But Rosie absolutely adores you, so she’ll look the other way sometimes if you want to eat something less gorey

She calls it a nice treat :)

Rosie would consider you a companion more than anything, maybe a goddaughter but she certainly doesn’t see you as a pet or a toy

So you’d be pretty happy with Rosie

But she gets so attached to you that when alastor does return, she refuses to give him your soul no matter what he offers

But it’s okay, because she says he can visit you any time in your home in cannibal town

He hates it but oh well, your her little darling fawn now

Valentino:

Oh god

He’d be the absolute worst choice on the list

If you sold him your soul, your guaranteed a situation similar to angel dusts

Maybe less abusive, but wayyyy more obsessive

You’d be a simple actress in a few of his videos until he becomes obsessed with you, and then you become his personal assistant

And when I say personal, I mean extremely personal

As in the ‘sleeps in his bed every night because he’s afraid you’ll run away’ personal

He wouldn’t see you in a romantic light, more of just a ‘your my possession’ light

You’d be absolutely miserable and constantly in his presence while also dealing with the other Vs

He’d force you to do videos for him and instead of your rules he’d use a ‘reward’ system

Rewards like ‘hold me for a few minutes and I’ll let you be on your own for an hour’

He’d be unbearably clingy and can sometimes get abusive with you, the same way he can be abusive with angel dust

You’d also be extremely weak because he won’t let you practice or explore your abilities at all

If he’s there to protect you at all times, then why would you need to be able to use your silly abilities?

He’d at least allow you to have your friendship with angel dust, but that’s only because he’s using you both to manipulate each other

He’d definitely get you hooked on something so you’ll be relying on him at all times

This would be the worst possible situation for you

Carmilla:

Carmilla would be interested in you because of your ability and how she could use it

She’d find you living on the streets and using your ability to get by and she’d wonder if she could incorporate your skills into making a new weapon designed for people with animal like ears which would be more sensitive

So she’d exchange your soul for her giving you shelter and a job in return

You would stay with her and her daughters and you’d spend most of the day with carmilla helping her design new weapons

It would be during this time that carmilla would become more obsessive with you and start to view you as a daughter

You were so young and so vulnerable, it reminded her of her two young girls and how she’d hate it if it was them

So she’d start acting more motherly with you, but she’d do it slowly so you could get accustomed to it

So she wouldn’t go straight to giving you rules and demanding you call her mom, instead she’d just make it more obvious that she views you as one of her family and that she’d appreciate it if you felt the same for her

But once you do accept her in some form, those rules are coming fast

And you know carmilla will not tolerate back talk or breaking rules

You’d have typical teenage girl rules, stuff like a curfew and drinking rules

But she’s still take the time to respect your boundaries and acknowledge that your an adult in your own way so she can’t act too overbearing

Which is more than you can say for the Vs

You’d also be quite powerful in this scenario because she’d give you training sessions to help with your personal abilities and your fighting skills

So I’d say she’s one of the better options

[no-charity-case]

Let's Discuss the Jacobs' Family Dynamics.

I've read plenty about the Jacobs' family and have seen many interpretations of the dynamics in their household, so I figured I'd chip in with an informal essay.

Firstly, I see many accounts stating that Les is Esther's favourite child and Sarah is Mayer's. Although I do see evidence for this, I do wonder why many perceive this to be the simple truth.

Esther does rush to Les as soon as her sons return, and is somewhat impatient in greeting David. However, she'd also just seen her half-conscious young child being carried by a boy she had taken an immediate disliking to (which I will discuss shortly), so she was likely rushing to take Les away from Jack. This interpretation is further supported by the stage directions from the 1992 script:

The boys enter, Jack carrying the sleeping Les. ESTHER, 38, is setting the table. ESTHER (seeing Les) My God…! What happened? DAVID He's just sleeping, Momma -- She quickly takes him from Jack.

She does baby Les, which does indicate that she has a softer spot for him than her other two children. However, it is important to note that Les is only 9, while her other two are significantly older. Perhaps Esther similarly coddled Sarah and David when they were little too.

Many interpret Sarah to be Mayer's favourite child due to their shared socialist sentiments (as seen in the Hard Promises script), which is likely something they bond over.

SARAH My father and I are Socialists. ESTHER and DAVID roll their eyes. JACK impressed.

This can especially be seen when Sarah reads to him. Before speaking on the author, I figured I should note that the gesture of reading to her father is sweet and shows a fondness between them. The script is referencing Eugene V. Debs. He was an American socialist and political activist of their era and supported trade unions. Reading to her father is very sweet and reinforces their close relationship.

SARAH reads to MAYER from the "Debs" BOOK.

They both share this appreciation for Debs and it is certainly something for the father-daughter pair to bond over.

MAYER "While there is a lower class, I am in it; while there is a soul in prison, I am not free." (closes book) Eugene Debs.

On top of this, Sarah seems more protective of her father than David and Les, which could imply they have a stronger connection. In the Hard Promises script, Sarah glares at Jack when he raises the sore subject of Mayer's unemployment.

JACK I agree with ya there, sir. (All wait for more) What do you do for a living, sir? A sore point with the family. Mayer put on the spot MAYER Not much with this arm, son. But I have worked as a tailor. JACK What happened to the arm? (Mayer hesitates) DAVID He was striking. They busted it for him. MAYER I try to do what's right. But sometimes that makes it hard to make a living. A silence. SARAH glares at JACK in defence of her father.

We don't really see Davey talk to or interact with his father, but we do know that Mayer feels guilty that David is working instead of being in school. He is angry, but it seems to be directed at himself rather than at his son. Despite the exclamation mark in the transcript, Mayer actually delivers the line quite softly in the movie.

DAVID It's only the beginning -- the longer I work, the more I'll make -- MAYER You work only until I go back to the factory! Then you go back to school, like you promised. All activity stops, an awkward silence. Mayer looks at his bandaged hand. MAYER It will heal… they'll give me back my job… I'll make them…

Although Mayer is kind to David, this doesn't negate that Sarah is likely his favourite. Based on their representation, the father-son pair don't have as much to bond over.

Mayer tries to find work with an injured hand (this scene is not on the Disney plus version, but it is in the transcript). It is also included in the novelisation, but I've inserted an extract from the 1992 transcript as it's shorter. This shows how Mayer wants to go back to work (even if it will hurt him) so David and Les can return to school. So, even though he has the most fondness for Sarah, he still loves his sons (which should really be obvious, but not all families are loving).

Mayer is removing the bandage from his injured hand, helped by Les. Sarah and Esther work on lace piecework. ESTHER That hand is not ready to work. Mayer flexes his fingers, pale from being bandaged so long. MAYER Ready or not, it can handle a broom.

Interestingly, he shows his irritation with himself more in the novelisation. Unlike the 1992 movie, this interaction includes a response from Davey. His defeated response after the outburst may suggest a strain in their relationship, but this may speak to the current family situation rather than the normal dynamics in the household.

"And this is only the beginning," David said. "Once I learn the ropes, I'll be making double or triple …" "You'll work only until this blasted hand heals and I can go back to the factory!" Mayer said. "Yes, Father," David said quietly.

He does speak softly to David when he tells him it's time to come in, and appears to be a gentle father based on the movie's portrayal of him. After Jack scabs, he does try and comfort Davey (again, cut from the Disney plus movie but is in the transcript).

MAYER (to David) Don't be too hard on your friend. Maybe he had his reasons for doing what he did.

When analysing Davey's relationship with his father, it's important to note that not much is actually shown. It seems there is more evidence to support Jack and Mayer or David and Denton having a father-son bond (which are two entirely different topics for two entirely different posts). But this may show a lukewarm relationship between Mayer and David as he appears to treat Jack like more of a son.

Okay, so let's explore David's relationship with his mother. As seen in the gif from the beginning, she does disregard him when he and Les come home. Yet, as explained, this may have little to do with favouritism and much to do with Jack's presence.

Esther does cradle Les and sing him lullabies, but this is likely down to age rather than favouritism. Although she could have a strong connection to the youngest child, as some parents do. There is a large age gap between David and Les, so maybe she missed having a little child to dote on. After all, she already had a daughter and son, so (since there'd be less social pressure) why try for another?

In the musical, Davey apologises for being late on his second day, explaining that he and Les had to help their mother. David values helping his mother more than being on time, so he obviously doesn't resent her and they likely don't have a negative relationship.

DAVID Morning, everybody. Sorry we’re late. We had to help our mom with something.

But, In the Hard Promises script, Esther slaps Davey after he announces the newsies are on strike. She does instantly regret this and David is shocked she'd do such a thing, so this strain in their relationship likely stems from their financial struggles and isn't the norm. It is interesting that she immediately instructs Les to stay home (therefore stay safe) instead of going after David to apologise. In fact, she never apologises for this.

DAVID I'm a newsie, mom! The newsies are on strike, so I'm on strike. That's what father taught me. And that's what I'm going to do! ESTHER impulsively strikes DAVID across the face and instantly regrets it. DAVID is shocked. Then he turns and climbs out onto the fire escape. ESTHER turns and looks at Les. ESTHER From now on, you stay home.

It is made abundantly clear that Davey is not his parents' priority. Historically speaking, Sarah is a woman and Les is a child, so their parents worried more for their safety than they did for their (not quite an adult but likely seen as such) son. In the novel, when detailing what they spend their spare money on, Davey isn't mentioned at all. This does support that both parents do have a favourite.

What was left—minus a few pennies to buy Les a red wooden top, or some pretty ribbons for Sarah's hair—had been deposited directly into the cookie jar.

However, some feel that Davey isn't very loved in his household, and (so far) I don't agree. They both care for David, as seen in the extract from the novelisation below. Esther clearly cares for David's future, and Mayer defends his rights to make his own decision. Even though they both contrast in how they show it, it is clear that Mayer and Esther care for their oldest son.

"I won't have it," Esther said. Those newsboys are orphans and toughs. They'll turn you into a criminal" "Now, now Esther," Mayer said. "They're not so bad. Maybe he'll make them into scholars." "This is no time for jokes, Mayer." "If he's going to work, he's a man. If he's a man, he should choose his own job." They argued about it long into the night. Esther cried, Mayer tugged at his hair, but David finally won out.

From this quote (and what I will go on to discuss later), his mother seems to be highly critical of his choices. I figured I'd make this observation here to both save repeating myself with every quotation, and so you might consider the validity of this argument too.

David is held responsible for Les, mostly by his mother. In the 1992 movie, she asks him what Les is singing in a half-joking, half-reprimanding tone. And in the novelisation, David worries about losing Les because he fears his mother's reaction. With their age gap, it is also possible that Davey has an instinct to keep Les safe.

David clutched Les' hand, terrified that his little brother would be swallowed up by the sea of boys and never seen again. How would he explain it to his parents? Um, Mother? I lost Les today. I didn't mean to, it just happened. Why had he ever agreed to let the little pest come along? What a mistake!

It seems family is very important for all five of them. Esther likes to be motherly (especially towards little Les) and Mayer longs to provide for his household again so his sons can return to school. In the worsened financial time the family suffer during the strike, Esther does try her hardest to keep her family sufficiently fed.

INT. DAVID'S APARTMENT NIGHT ESTHER scrapes the pot to get the last soup into the family dinner bowls.

Sarah glares at Jack when he brings up a sensitive subject for her father. Les fights the Delancey brothers (despite being 9 years old and unlikely to win) to protect his sister. And Davey (as seen in the novelisation extract below) sets his ego aside to better provide for his family.

He especially didn't want to be dependent on his own little brother. But a thousand papers a week! If Jack was right, David and his little brother would be able to support the whole family. "We've got to split the profits fifty-fifty," David said.

In the musical, Davey initially objects to the strike because he has a family to provide for, again suggesting the importance that the Jacobs place on family. But, it could also imply that Davey fears what would happen if he stopped bringing in food or money.

DAVID Leave me out of this. I’m just here trying to feed my family.

Sarah and David are close. According to the Hard Promises script, they know what each other are thinking without exchanging a word, which is good evidence for their close bond.

INT. DAVID'S APARTMENT SAME TIME NIGHT Sarah slips into bed. Unable to sleep, she looks over and sees DAVID watching her. They read each other's thoughts.

From this quote, and the glimpses of the Jacobs' apartment we get in the movie, it appears her and Davey share a room. So there's no surprise that they care for each other (after all, sharing a living space will create either a strong love or extreme loathing).

In the Hard Promises script, she takes his clothes to walk safely at night (although, Jack did claim it made her a target). Nonetheless, it implies that they don't fight too often about petty things as they seem open to sharing.

She also cares deeply about repairing Davey's and Jack's broken relationship, insisting Jack should talk to her brother. Although her advise benefits Jack, she likely had Davey's best interest at heart.

JACK (intense, aggressive) I ain't lying. I just ain't telling you the truth. I know my brother's dead. I know what's real. (walks away, stops) It's easier sometimes to make up a family then to have a one. SARAH You do have one. JACK looks back at her, his emotions raw. SARAH Talk to David.

Most importantly, Sarah and David communicate with each other (both examples from the Hard Promises script):

One:

JACK They'd'a locked me up again. I hate that place. It reminds me a.... (trails off) SARAH Your brother? (Jack surprised) David told me. JACK That's what I hate about families. Nobody keeps their mouth shut. SARAH You don't have to lie to us.

Two:

Jack pushes past David and heads out the door. EXT. STREET SAME TIME DAY JACK emerges from the building and starts down the street. DAVID calls down from the fire escape. DAVID Jack! Wait! JACK, too agitated to wait, walks on, tugging at his collar, ripping it off, tossing it aside. DAVID scrambles down the fire escape, drops to the alley, and runs to catch up. DAVID Sarah told me what happened. (Jack nods, keeps walking) I didn't mean what I said to you the other day.

The intricate details of David's and Les' relationship needs to be dedicated to an entire post. However, to put it simply, they're typical age-gap siblings. The novel puts it nicely:

As is often the case with brothers, while David considered Les a pest, Les worshiped David and wanted to copy him in everything he did, from the way he shot marbles to the way he combed back his hair.

Although, this is not reflected too much in the movie (sure, Les looks up to David but he idolises Jack), and the opposite is arguably shown in the musical. Les does not worship or heed his brother's command whatsoever:

DAVID I’m no charity case. I don’t even know you. LES His name’s Jack.

(Basically, what's going on here is that Davey begins walking off, rejecting Jack's offer, and Les supports Jack despite hardly knowing him).

Or:

DAVID Pleasure. [Les is distracted by the dancers, David pokes at him.] What is wrong with you? LES Are you blind? She got no clothes on! DAVID That’s her costume! LES But I can see her legs!

(With this one, Les argues with David when he corrects his behaviour, showing that Les doesn't worship him in the slightest).

In fact, Davey often rolls his eyes at Les' outbursts, especially when he is blunt.

KATHERINE Oh. I gotta tell you Jack. This “Go West Young Man” routine is getting tired. Even Horace Greeley moved back to New York. LES Yes, he did. And then he died.

But I think we can see where Les got it from. So Davey clearly influences him significantly, which supports that Les looks up to his big brother.

DAVID Lighten up, no one died.

As seen in the gif above this section, Les drags David into the square. Davey is an anxious character, and Les is comparatively reckless (as seen in the 1992 movie where David is reluctant to strike and Les yells his support, causing David to clasp a hand over Les' mouth).

Les pushes Davey out of his comfort zone. After all, in all versions, he is the one insisting they partner with Jack. And David brings his kid brother back to reality (especially when he has to explain to Les how Jack was a traitor).

Plus, (mostly seen in the musical), Davey prioritises Les (reflecting the dynamic Les has with Esther), keeping a close eye on him at all times and risking his safety for him in fight scenes.

Linking to this, Davey abandons his strong pacifism to keep his sister and brother out of harm's way.

Example of pacifism from movie:

BOOTS What's to stop someone else from sellin' our papes? JACK We talk with 'em. RACETRACK Some of 'em don't hear so good. JACK Then we soak 'em. DAVID No! JACK WHAT'S IT GONNA TAKE TO STOP THE WAGONS? ARE WE READY? NEWSIES YEAH! DAVID No! We can't beat up kids in the street! It'll give us a bad name! CRUTCHY Can't get any worse.

Example of pacifism from musical:

HENRY Let’s soak ‘em boys! DAVID No, no, no! We all stand together! Or we don’t have a chance! Jack!

When he does involve himself in fights (especially in the musical), it is to protect Sarah and Les. In the movie, he charges at Oscar and gets beaten up by him and Morris when they are harassing Sarah. In the musical, his only involvement in the large fight is being hurt by other whilst he tries to get Les to safety. This supports his strong relationship with his siblings and the importance Davey puts on family.

The main aim for Davey (and Jack, but that's a discussion for another post) is to get Les and Sarah away. As already stated, Davey gets harmed because he gets attacked during his attempts to evacuate Les. And in the rally fight from the movie, he ushers Sarah and Les to safety before joining the fight (so, although it is a stretch, you could say he values their safety over the success of the strike).

We can also see when David begins to see himself as part of the newsboy family. He is terrified, but puts Jack's safety over his, just as he does his sister's and brother's (but again, this is for another post).

Sarah and Les quite clearly have a close relationship too. She seems to baby him in a similar way to their mother and seems to find him adorable (despite the transcript claiming she held Les' wrapped up, half-eaten knockwurst distastefully, she seems quite amused in the movie).

Much like with Davey, Les doesn't always listen to Sarah: (this was cut from the movie, but this interaction is in the transcript I have access to):

Sarah, with a basket of lacework, is coming down the street, Les dawdling behind, in a bad mood. SARAH Les, come on -- you're supposed to be helping me today. LES (sulking) I'd rather be soakin' scabs.

But, even though he sulks with her, Les does love Sarah. He shoves Oscar when the Delanceys crowd Sarah, telling him to leave his sister alone. This is incredibly brave of Les and may even be something he learned from his big brother.

When David is being attacked by the Delancey brothers, Les rushes to hug Sarah. This moment of the pair comforting each other is sweet, showing their fondness.

Interestingly, David was nervous to introduce Jack to his parents. With such a caring family, it is strange Davey feels this way.

DAVID This is our selling partner, uh, and our friend. Jack Kelly, my parents.

Why is Davey so awkward?

Well, as I see it, there's two reasons. Firstly, that he was worried about how Jack would be perceived. After all, he is dubbed an 'orphan' and a 'tough' by Esther (of course, she was speaking broadly of the newsboys but the sentiment still stands). Perhaps Davey was worried Jack wouldn't know how to act around a family or may be ill mannered.

The other reason (for you Javid/Javey shippers out there) is that Davey has a crush on Jack, or maybe they already had a bit of romantic tension going on (I mean, did you see them in Medda's theatre?). Either way, it's like taking a boyfriend home for the first time.

David was right to worry about his mother's reaction as Esther took an immediate disliking to Jack. As seen in the first gif of the post, she looks Jack up and down distastefully as soon as she spots him. She then rushes to take Les away from him, so doesn't trust Jack with her children.

She continues her judgement as she is formally introduced to him. Esther likely looks down on Jack because he's a newsboy, and it shows how she may dictate who her children can or cannot be friends with based on social class (the Jacobs aren't particularly well off but they are compared to the newsies).

When Jack explains what makes a headline good, Esther (as seen in the gif above) is uncomfortable. The transcript says shocked, but this implies that she expected him to have an ounce of etiquette after her initial distaste for him, which is strange. Nevertheless, she does not like Jack and somewhat judges David for bringing him home.

SARAH What makes a headline good? JACK Catchy words -- like, uh, 'corpse' or 'maniac,' or, let's see, 'love nest' or 'nude' -- Sarah and David giggle; Esther looks shocked. JACK (embarrassed) 'Scuse the language there, uh, maybe I'm talkin' too much…

We don't get to see how her view on Jack changes, although we do get a glimpse in the Hard Promises script, we still don't know why she suddenly cares for his appearance (the hole in his trousers) or his comfort (the blanket for privacy).

ESTHER Wait! DAVID Mama, it's the big meeting... ESTHER Jack. You can't go with a hole in your pants. JACK, embarrassed, looks down at the hole in his knee. SARAH I'll fix them, Mama. (prepares a needle) Give me your pants. JACK would rather die than take his pants off. ESTHER gives one end of a blanket to DAVID, and offers one to LES. ESTHER Hold this up, give him some privacy.

However, she does put the safety of her family above Jack when she insists he leaves. This doesn't mean that she doesn't like Jack, but it does show how she values her family more than sheltering some boy David brought home.

INT. DAVID'S APARTMENT LATER SAME NIGHT ESTHER slips out of bed to check on Les and sees JACK sleeping on the floor. She shakes her head, dismayed and moves back to bed. Jack's eyes open. He listens to Esther and Mayer talk behind the curtain. ESTHER Jack's here. MAYER I know. ESTHER He can't stay, Mayer. If they come for him, they'll take you. What will happen then? MAYER Don't exaggerate, it's just for the night. Now go to sleep. JACK picks up his boots and slips out the open window.

In Hard Promises, she also helps hand out the flyers and joins the newsies in a parade, showing her growing support for not only Jack but also for David. She seems to finally support her son's decisions.

One:

EXT. STREET DAWN The streets are just coming to life with PEOPLE heading to their jobs. SARAH, LES, head bandaged, ESTHER and OTHER GIRLS hand flyers to every child worker.

Two:

IN A STREET OFF NEWSIE SQUARE JACK and DAVID in messenger's uniforms and riding bikes lead a CROWD into the square. Behind them are THE MESSENGERS, SPOT, KID DIAMOND, BOOTS, MUSH, MUD, RACETRACK, FACTORY WORKER KIDS, SWEATSHOP KIDS, ADULTS, WOMEN'S GROUPS, LES, DENTON, MAYER, ESTHER, SARAH and THE NEIGHBORS ... with more children joining the parade at every step.

By the movie's end (in earlier works, of course, because most of the Jacobs' family scenes get scrapped), she gives Jack food to bring to Santa Fe. This does show that she grew to respect Jack, but also implies that she is content with David's choice to be a newsie (which she did not initially support, as we see in the novelisation). She isn't as warm in her affections as Mayer is, but she still shows her kindness.

Mayer with a bundle of clothes; Esther with food come to the window. She gives it to Jack. ESTHER Who knows what's to eat where you're going?

Mayer's reaction to Jack is different. He smiles and shakes his hand. I'd say this shows that Mayer trusts Davey's judgement more than Esther does. After all, he does seem to believe in David (unlike Esther) and often defends him like this Hard Promises extract shows:

INT. DAVID'S APARTMENT LATER ESTHER and MAYER lie awake in bed. She speaks softly. ESTHER God help us, Mayor, he's just like you … he thinks he can change the world. MAYER Maybe he can.

However, Mayer seems to be more idealistic. Esther cares most about her family's survival and wellbeing whereas Mayer seems to cares more about the collective. Hard Promises:

JACK What happened to the arm? (Mayer hesitates) DAVID He was striking. They busted it for him. MAYER I try to do what's right. But sometimes that makes it hard to make a living.

It is important to note that Mayer's opinion of Jack wasn't overwhelmingly positive until he saw the money. So perhaps the reason he was keen on Jack wasn't because he respected Davey's judgement, but rather because he supported Jack for bringing what they needed most: money. The evidence provided is from the novel, but a similar conclusion can be drawn from the movie.

At first Esther and Mayer were angry because David and Les were so late, and they were puzzled that David would bring home an Irish boy he hardly knew. But when David emptied his pockets and Mayer saw the magnificent mountain of coins, his frown turned to a smile. He even insisted that Jack join them for dinner.

In Hard Promises, Jack pays for a doctor to treat Les, which Mayer is grateful for. This supports the point that Mayer's appreciation for Jack could stem from the money he provides. Jack is mistaken for his son, but again, that's another topic for another time.

INT. DAVID'S APARTMENT LATER SAME DAY A DOCTOR packs his bag. LES lies in his parents' bed, head bandaged. SARAH holds his hand, looking up at JACK. MAYER and ESTHER are focused on the Doctor. DOCTOR It's a nasty bump. Keep an eye on him. MAYER I'm afraid ... we can't pay you now. DOCTOR (mildly surprised) It's all right. (refers to Jack) Your son already paid me. Mayer cuts Jack a look as the Doctor leaves. MAYER Thank you, Jack. I'll repay you. JACK Forget it.

Mayer gives Jack some of his and David's clothes to take with him to Santa Fe. He wishes he could give more, including money, and he tells Jack that the Jacobs are his family. This implies that Mayer has learnt how family is more important than money.

MAYER (gives the clothes) A few things of mine and David's. Wish we had money to give you… JACK (very moved) Who needs it…? I go down to the train yards, hop me a freight, go in the best style -- free… MAYER I don't know what's waiting for you in Santa Fe, but you'll always have family here. They embrace him and move away. An awkward moment

Jack seems to be a main topic of conversation in the household as the transcript shows:

SARAH David said you spent all your money to rent the theater. JACK Sounds like you and Dave don't do nothin' but talk about me. SARAH We do not. JACK Not that I blame you -- me bein' such an interestin' guy and all

The movie shows this too:

SARAH Papa's so proud of you and David. You should hear him talking about Jack Kelly, the strike leader who occasionally takes his meals with us.

So, Jack seems to be the person who keeps the family going during the strike. Interestingly, Mayer speaks nonstop about the strike leader who occasionally takes his meals with them rather than the strike coleader, who is his son. Again, another discussion for another post, but why does Mayer have a more father-son relationship with Jack than he does with his own son, Davey?

The difference between David and Les lies in their willingness to deceive. Les admires Jack more than he cares to listen to his father or brother.

As seen in the extract from the novelisation below (and the two gifs above), Les gladly lies to potential buyers even though Mayer taught him to not lie.

"Does your momma know you're working?" the woman said. "Ain't got no momma," Les said. "Died of the cholera." "Then who takes care of you?" "Cares for me-self," Les mumbled, and began coughing in perfect imitation of the Jacobs' downstairs neighbour who'd been stricken with tuberculosis. "Here's a penny," her boyfriend said. "Now get lost." "Alfred!" she scolded him, "how can you be so heartless? The creature is alone and helpless in the cold, cruel world. Give him a dime at least." "A dime?" the boyfriend said. "Oh no, ma'am," Les said. "I couldn't accept that. Me father taught me not to take charity."

Davey, on the other hand, obeys his father's lessons. Les is just a child, whereas David is nearing adulthood, so it makes sense that Davey has a stronger sense of morals (as Les' mind is more malleable and lying likely makes the job more fun for the child).

In all versions of Newsies, David shows his respect for his father by condemning lying on his behalf. The musical and movie examples are shown in the gif above and the novelisation extract is provided below:

"Our father taught us not to lie," David said. "Yeah, well my father taught me not to starve, so we both got an education. Anyway, I ain't lying. I'm improving the truth." "Improving the truth. I'll say." David snorted scornfully.

Hard Promises has a more morbid answer from Jack:

David looks at Jack disapprovingly. DAVID We were taught not to lie. JACK I was taught not to starve to death in the gutter. Who ya gonna believe?

In response to Les' lying in the novel, Davey demands that Les return the extra 'pity money' he got. Influences from his mother and father are evident here, as his father cares about honesty (Les lied to earn this money) and Esther cares about appearances (David doesn't want to be reduced to a beggar). This is likely also why Davey refused to accept Jack's "charity".

"You'll turn around right now and give it back to them!" David ordered. "Are you nuts?" Jack said. "The kid worked hard for that money." "I don't consider that work," David said. "I consider it begging. We may be in hard straits, but we will not be reduced to that."

David does change his mind when Jack angrily explains how his family would suffer if David and his brother didn't bring in enough money. So, the importance of family is more important to Davey than the lessons his father taught him.

"Should I give it back?" Les asked. David hesitated. He didn't want to admit it, but he knew that Jack was right. "Keep it," he said, finally.

Esther and Mayer care about being good hosts. Mayer invites their houseguest to join them for dinner, and Esther is embarrassed when Jack knows she needs to water down the soup (even though Jack is quite literally a half-homeless, hungry newsboy).

MAYER Esther -- maybe David's partner would like to stay for dinner. Add some more water to the soup. ESTHER (mortified) Mayer…!

The parents are not always a united front, which likely makes it harder for either of them to assert authority. From Hard Promises:

INT. DAVID'S APARTMENT NIGHT The family sits in silence at the table, eating dinner as the door opens and DAVID enters. He stops when he sees them, he knows something is wrong. As he hangs up his coat, ESTHER dishes out and serves his dinner. David sits. He and SARAH make eye contact, but she can't warn him. MAYER Your mother and sister lost their jobs today. (David shocked) Some boys from the paper ruined their lace. LES Otto and The Delanceys. ESTHER This has to stop, David. Mr. Fisher needs a delivery boy. I want you to - DAVID I can't quit now, Mom, even if I wanted to. ESTHER Mayer. MAYER He'll do what he has to do, Esther.

Although he doesn't always agree with his wife, he does understand why she is angry with David. So, even though they may not always be the most efficient parents, they seem to be great life partners.

END OF SONG. INT. DAVID'S APARTMENT - NIGHT The Sun is on the table; the headline reads "Newsies in Revolt." DAVID faces down ESTHER'S fury as MAYER, sympathetic, supports his wife. LES watches. SARAH sews, listening.

Interestingly, Mayer is both supportive of his wife and sympathetic to his son. The family seem to not be pointing fingers or fighting constantly. In fact, they seem to try their best to understand one another.

Although they aren't always on the same page, Mayer and Esther are a united front when it comes to keeping their children at home. When David (in the Hard Promises Script) wants to move out (so his family don't become a target) until the strike ends, both parents insist that he stays.

DAVID I'll move out till this is over. Esther looks at Mayer, pleading him to stop David. MAYER That won't be necessary. We'll manage.

As a three, the Jacob's children are close. When Jack leaves for Santa Fe, they huddle together and cry, clearly comfortable to do so in front of each other.

We don't really have many scenes with the three of them. But, from what we do have, they argue like siblings (like when Sarah reads out Denton's article that Les wrapped his food in and Davey storms out), but they also love like siblings (seen in the three comforting and supporting each other).

To conclude this post, the family have a close, loving dynamic. They have their ups and downs, but these arguments are caused by them looking out for each other. Esther does favour Les, and Mayer does favour Sarah, but they both still love David very much (still unfortunate to be neither of your parents' favourite, but at least you're Denton's favourite, I guess).

This was a long one, so thank you for reading it all (if you did), and I won't resent you if you didn't, as I believe this post is nearing 6000 words. There are obviously more observations to be made, but this post was getting far too long. Feel free to share any thoughts as I'm always up for a good discussion!

[maythedreadwolftakeyou]

idk man i have seen a lot of speculation about Illario being a better candidate for First Talon rather than Lucanis, how he wanted it more/would be better at it etc, that maybe it was just Caterina projecting her desires for her favorite daughter onto that daughter's son...

but honestly I get it. like in game we see that when he DIDN'T get what he wanted, Illario made some huge power moves (arranging the death of his only rival, allying with the Venatori, kidnapping Caterina, sacrificing Treviso's independence) despite the major consequences that came with them (losing his only "brother", giving another organization an in/power over the Crows, kidnapping fucking CATERINA, giving the gods/Venatori a stronger foothold in Antiva). We don't actually know why he wanted the title or what his plans would be as First Talon--was he really gonna be content to just be named as in charge? Or was he gonna wanna make further big moves and leave his mark, or go for an even greater degree of power? We don't get that answer in game, but I really don't think his ambition would just stop. In part because I do think his desire for the role was tied up in just wanting Caterina's approval as the "lesser" Dellamorte, and so he WOULD probably keep putting more and bigger things at risk as he fails to find satisfaction in the title alone. He has the potential to not only throw their House into chaos, but the entire Crow organization, which is so ingrained with Antiva that this could shake the very foundations of the nation itself.

Even if we look at it as "Illario is more like Caterina so she should prefer him", i mean, Caterina got almost her entire house slaughtered. She failed, actually, at being a great Talon to her own house because her family ended up almost entirely dead. While I'm sure there's non-related members of the house (at the very least, trusted staff for the Dellamorte estates, contract negotiators, the people in charge of payroll, etc), and possibly even other assassins (orphans or whoever), they make it really clear in the game + wigmaker job that the only two left besides her who matter are Lucanis and Illario.

So if we take the traits the traits he shares with Caterina, that would make Illario more suited to it than Lucanis--he wants the title, he likes being in charge, he desires more power and is willing to compromise other people's wellbeing to get it--well that all already didn't work once. Caterina got a rough awakening for her actions and reputation, but Illario has--what, exactly, to reign him in? He already tried to get rid of his own biggest emotional liability, with hiring Zara to kill Lucanis. He already kidnapped and imprisoned grandma, and was working on a deal to sell out the city. What's left to shake some sense into him after that? If she picks him, is she just letting history repeat, ensuring the few left die and House Dellamorte itself falls to pieces, to be lost to history?

I do think it's telling that it's after seeing how badly all Illario's schemes went down that Caterina makes her choice and officially passes on the title to Lucanis. As far as we know, she never actually said who she wanted for the role--only that there were rumors she favored Lucanis over Illario, from the one line in the Wigmaker Job. We only know Illario believes it, not if it was true. So I think it's very possible she was hesitating in part because she really hadn't decided.

One grandson craves power too much, the other not enough. One has the social skills and charm to get people to do what he wants, but uses it for personal gain--while the other is so closed-off and unwilling to form connections he has no one he trusts outside the family. Neither of them are good choices, pre-Veilguard, and so she doesn't name either heir and puts the problem off for later--and it's in this way, funnily, that Lucanis takes after her more, with his allergy to planning ahead/making choices.

And finally the choice DOES make itself for her: when left to what fate brings for them, Illario's coup falls apart and despite all his charm he's left with "allies" who are just waiting to stab him in the back themselves. Meanwhile, Lucanis has somehow managed to break out of his shell, has new companions he trusts who are shown to support him, and he has lost some of his paralyzing fear of taking action on his own. He finally IS the clearly better choice in this moment--even if he doesn't actually want it still. I do truly think despite his hesitations, with how he grows over Veilguard, he wouldn't actually be bad at the job with some time to adjust. So while I certainly have my share of criticisms of the writing/spaces in Lucanis' personal quests, and just how cartoonishly villainous the game makes Illario to be, I don't think it's unrealistic that this is the moment when Caterina passes on the mantle of First Talon.

And I think Illario is a more interesting character when we keep in his desperation for power and approval, and where this could eventually lead post-Veilguard as well. Even if Lucanis decides "actually I am not subjecting myself to this" and promotes Illario in his place, is getting the title secondhand as a cast off really going to be satisfying to him? Even if he gets friends and his brother or even a lover afterward, how many times is it going to take before he believes it's real and not just something else he's going to have snatched away? For me personally I think the really interesting potential here is less in Fixing Him and more about just how many times he can bite the hands trying to feed him in a row. He's a very messy character and that's the part that's juciest to me.

[lay-z]

I'm sad for some reason I think I'm getting close to getting my period, so... I'm yearning for a fictional man and I'm hurting, because I can't have him 🥺❤️‍🩹 Also, I'd like to explore some slow burn type of romance and keep Simon's past traumas in mind! Pairing: civvie!F!Reader x Simon 'Ghost' Riley Warnings/Info: Reader is demisexual; cussing; tw: mental issues; insecurities; slow burn; awkwardness; humor Word count: 3.5k The one where two broken people connect.

You've already decided that you've given up on finding, not love, but companionship.

You've given up on love a long time ago, long before you'd reached your late 20s.

An old, creative and gentle soul, weighted down and scarred by childhood bullying, constant criticism by your family, societies bloody beauty standards and things you suffer from which you didn't even know how to describe let alone name in your youth.

Demisexuality? Body dysmorphia? Eating disorders? Anxiety? Insecurities, so deeply rooted, that they border on self-hatred?

And no, you never went to therapy – no. Gods, no, because if you go to therapy, you're mental, right? And how can your poor mother tell the rest of the family that you're mentally unstable? That something is wrong with her little, darling daughter? Hm?

So, no therapy, because your hyper-independence got your back. You're used to that, learned it in your younger years; always there for others, but no one ever stepped up for you, except yourself. Yet you're cursed to be an empath, so you never stopped caring for others, even if it killed you inside.

Giving. Giving. Giving. Tearing yourself apart to please and give up the love that brimmed in your kind heart. Never receiving anything good and soft, like some cheap whore, until there was little left of love to give.

Now you've turned cynical, cold, and lonely – or that's what you keep telling yourself to keep the façade up. Hiding behind humour and feigned nonchalance, because you're an entertainer. Always have been. You would've been an amazing actress, but when you were younger, your mother told you that you could never be the love interest, so why bother go to acting school and actually do something you enjoy?

You rarely wallow in self-pity anymore; only occasionally, right before you get your period and your hormones make you feel sad and depressed, make you break and hate yourself. Quiet and in secrecy, in the safety of your dark bedroom, or in front of the bathroom mirror – just to play out a sad scene in your delusional mind. Probably with a fictional man, someone who'd never hurt you – in your alternate universe.

Accept. Adapt. Overcome. Repeat.

It isn't ideal, but you've found coping mechanisms that work for you, albeit some unhealthy ones and you've survived so far. Emphasis on survived, not lived.

You're so deep in your thoughts, on the brink of dissociation, that you don't even realize you've been staring – again.

Your eyes flutter briefly, focusing back on the here and now until you realize what or, rather, who you have been staring at like some creep.

Fuck.

It's that man with the skull mask, not a ski mask, but a balaclava – you've googled it the first time you'd seen him around the café. You'd even researched if face coverings like that are illegal in the UK – turns out they're not, unless you refuse to take it off when a police officer orders you to.

He's staring right back at you; dark brown eyes unblinking, skin around the eye holes covered up by some black smudge – combat or war paint, probably. Sitting at the table right across from you by the cafés large windows; incredibly out of place for such a soft and quaint establishment. Nursing a tea, looking menacing and intimidating with his massive physique and black clothing, yet his eyes hold something more than stoicism in them. You know, because you see it yourself when you look into any mirror.

Bottled up emotions, a myriad of them, simmering just below the surface like a dormant volcano, ready to erupt someday.

You narrow your eyes then, force yourself not to tilt your head to the side like a curious puppy would do, because you don't want him to know that you're actually perceiving him this time – and not merely daydreaming and brooding like you usually do. Cursing internally, when you eventually lose this staring competition that you've completely just made up in your mind, because his eyes are too intense and he's obviously immune to social awkwardness, you reach for your lukewarm  matcha latte, taking a small sip as you turn your head away to stare out of the large shop windows, pretending to watch passers-by.

You force yourself to focus on the shitty UK weather outside, resting your chin on the back of your hand, elbow propped up on the cheap table. Rain and wind and colourful leaves grazing the wet pavement as the seasons start changing and autumn begins creeping in. You like autumn, prefer it over summer every year – and your mind begins to drift again, distracted by random strangers outside, grey clouds in the sky and fat raindrops pitter-pattering against the windows.

Meanwhile, his eyes never waver from you, and Simon catches himself wondering, what you might be thinking about now.

Time passes, and you try to keep your routine up – going out for a coffee once or twice every week, so you won't die of loneliness or isolation. At least, the café is nice, the baristas as well, it's not far from your flat and it's usually not that crowded nor busy.

Or so it was during summer.

Now, all people want to do is drink their coffees and teas inside, apparently, since the temperatures have dropped, along with the leaves.

After ordering your matcha latte, you turn around to see that your favourite spot by the window has been occupied in the past six minutes of standing by the counter. If only the lady in front of you had ordered her bloody tea and biscuits a smidge faster, but nah, you're not that lucky.

Groaning internally, you move to the table across from your fave, pulling one of the two plastic chairs out with more force than necessary because you're petty and annoyed. It's loud – not too loud, actually, but louder than it usually is – and you curse yourself for going out. You should've just stayed in this afternoon, curled up on your couch, playing some Baldur's Gate or so.

Some minutes pass after receiving your hot beverage and you've managed to drown out the noises and successfully ignore the sudden hubbub around the café.

That is until you notice a looming presence next to you; aura thick like molasses and prominent like the smell of gasoline, you don't know if you like it or not. It does catch your attention, though, and you turn your head to the left, eye-level with his denim-clad crotch, perhaps a little too close for the acceptable social standards.

Furrowing your brows in both confusion and offense, you have to tilt your head back and lean back in your chair to meet his eyes. How can those eyes be soft and aloof at the same time?

"Uh, hi?" You say then, brows still furrowed; not a greeting but an out for him to excuse himself for getting too close and fuck off again.

"Yer in me seat." He counters bluntly, voice incredibly rough and accented and muffled by the fabric of his mask as he gestures at the table with his gloved hand and holding a small coaster with a steaming cup of tea on top of it in the other one delicately. It looks comical and stupid, yet somehow endearing.

You're dumbfounded for a moment, blinking up at him in disbelief before finding your wit again, nodding your chin at the two chatting women sitting at your favourite table.

"And they're in mine," you say matter of factly, "If we go by that logic." You add dryly, picking up your latte, because the conversation is surely over.

He stays by your side, unmoving like a marble statue, dark eyes flickering somewhat nervously between you and the empty chair across from yours. Simon doesn't know how to properly interact with a civilian anymore; let alone a female civvie, and he ponders for a moment if he should just leave again, have a cuppa at his own flat.

But Simon's therapist had advised him, pleaded with him, to at least try and make a friendly connection with someone outside of his military comfort zone and well, here you are. At least your face is familiar already and you look harmless...safe.

"May I...sit with ye, lass?" He almost grits through his teeth, doing his best to ignore the way his heart beats hard against his ribcage as he waits for your rejection.

You pick up on the vulnerability in his voice, his demeanour, as if asking costs him some courage; truth be told, it would cost you some, too. Perhaps it's the fact that you've become silent acquaintances over the past few weeks; meeting up at this place without even meaning to. Each of you alone, always.

You stop in your movements, lifting the rim of your mug just to your lips before lowering it again, holding his gaze without taking a sip.

Sit with me? You muse to yourself, surveying him up close briefly and for the first time, at least consciously. He shifts on his feet some, heavy black boots – always boots, always layers of dark clothing, always the skull balaclava, no matter the temperature.

However, despite his looks, despite his authoritative and all-consuming aura and your better judgement, you nod once, cursing your intuition and empathy, nudging the empty chair away from the table from beneath it with your foot – a wordless permission, or perhaps an invitation?

And Simon exhales a long breath through his nose, jaw unclenching slightly as he gives a curt nod, sets his tea on the table and takes a seat on the offered chair. Easy.

And that is that.

The next time you're at the café, you breathe a sigh of relief to find it relatively empty for the time, except for some elderly customers and students working in silence on their laptops.

You're delighted to find your favourite table empty again and you order your usual matcha latte with coconut milk before eagerly sinking into the chair at 'your' table with a contented sigh and a good view on the people and life outside the cosy café.

Then your peace is once again disturbed by the soft clink of a tea cup being placed on the table, followed by the empty chair across from you scraping over the old hardwood floor, before he slips into the seat with a quiet huff.

"Your table is free," you tell him immediately, leaning to the side to look past his massive frame at the unoccupied table behind him.

"Aye, I know," he responds gruffly, folding his forearms on the table while he looks outside the window, "Figured we can ah safe space by sitting together." He suggests with a nonchalant shrug, though internally, Simon's stomach is clenching with nerves and anxiety. He despises feeling awkward and being in situations he cannot control.

Yes, it does feel incredibly awkward, but deep down you're too nice to tell him to fuck off, because he hasn't given you a reason to do so. When you were forced to share a table last time, you sat in somewhat comfortable silence, though you'd definitely finished your drink faster than usual back then before uttering a polite goodbye and slipping away.

"I guess so," you mutter in return because he's already sat down anyway.

Silence ensues, but you can't ignore the sudden tension of unasked questions and the pressure of social interactions. Then, it's too quiet in the establishment, and you both suddenly and silently hate it.

"Ye enjoy observin' people?"

His question catches you off guard because he sounds genuinely interested in you answer, and it's unnerving.

"Yeah, you could say that," you answer curtly, crossing your legs at your ankles under the table and leaning back into the cheap chair to feign nonchalance, even though you're currently anything but, "I find it relaxing."

"That's...strange," Simon retorts, quirking an eyebrow behind the safety of his balaclava, because he does that, too, and he never thought you'd blatantly admit that. Is people watching a thing among civvies? Then you shoot him an offended look and he can't help but cringe internally.

"Didn't mean it like that, lass." He assures you in a mumble, eyes flickering down to his steaming cup of Earl Grey tea.

Your first instinct is to mock him for his silly mask, ask him if he's a thug or cosplaying as one or some hooligan, but you bite your tongue, because you know better, and you feel like he could make you regret your sass. Especially if one of those assumptions proofs true.

"And what do you always do around here, hm? Never see you read a book or newspaper, let alone play with your phone," you ask instead, not even hiding the accusatory undertone as you turn your upper body towards the window. You're involuntarily dismissive, because it's been a while since you talked to a stranger like that, let alone a man.

"Same as ye, lass," he grumbles, "Thinkin', observin'...enjoyin' the peace." As if internal peace could ever be achieved in his case.

There's another moment of awkward silence and your mind is racing, riddled with anxiety, though unbeknownst to you, so is his. Simon is so out of his element and yet he forces himself to stay, unless you blatantly tell him to fuck off – which, deep down, he hopes you will.

"You're not some creep are you? 'Cause I swear, I'll clock you if you try anything or follow me home after this," you tell him with an edge to your voice, like you mean it. You're not opposed or afraid of violence. You grew up with older brothers and cousins.

Simon snorts at your threat, genuinely. He's taken off guard by your fierceness and he's absolutely sure you're serious about this, and he hates to know that he's capable of taking you down if he wanted to, even if you'd fight tooth and nail. It makes him feel guilty, makes his gut twist and churn because of those dark thoughts coming up in his brain like some black pest, even though he'd never ever do anything to hurt you.

"'m not," he assures you, eyes flickering over to study your face, your expression. You look tense and standoffish, and he can't help but admire that; to know that you're not afraid, that you can take care of yourself if push comes to shove.

"Name's Simon." He offers it like an oblation, a small yet important piece of himself, putting his given name and some trust into the hands of a stranger, and asking nothing in return.

You're once again dumbfounded and yet your mistrust and suspicious nature get triggered; squinting your eyes as him, your heart and brain are in utter turmoil.

"Didn't ask," you eventually retort coolly, like a proper arsehole, even though, deep down, it hurts yourself, hurts you to be rude like that, especially as you see something flicker in his dark eyes. Surprise? Hurt? Anger? You can't tell, but he leans back in his seat, gives a curt nod, accepting your snappish response just like that, and you think he'll leave, but he stays seated.

"I'm...sorry," you utter suddenly, fidgeting with the hem of your grey oversized hoodie, "That was...unnecessarily rude." You admit with a deep sigh. But was it, though? He's a stranger, some bloke with a mask, who just randomly decided to sit with you and introduce himself–

"It's fine, lass," he says, pulling you from your spiralling thoughts with his deep gravelly voice, "A reasonable reaction, really."

It is, Simon thinks. He might have questioned you about your thoughts on self-preservation and your survival instinct, if you wouldn't have reacted the way you just did.

He contemplates lifting his mask to finally take as sip of his tea, but like always, it costs him every ounce of courage to do so while you're looking at him so shamelessly with your alert eyes and that slight frown on your face, and Simon rubs his gloved palms over his thighs below the table to soothe himself as you keep scrutinizing him.

But then you utter your name in return, albeit hesitantly, and his eyes flicker up to meet your gaze, noticing the hint of curiosity in your eyes.

You don't see him, Simon, for several weeks after that and after some contemplation, you decide that he must've found a new café to hang out at or perhaps he got arrested eventually. You don't care either way.

But then, why do your eyes keep flickering around the shop whenever you drink your matcha latte? Why do you stare at the empty chair at his 'favourite table'? Why do you keep wondering what happened to him?

You don't want to accept it, don't want to acknowledge it, but deep down, you actually enjoyed having a proper chat with him the last time you saw him. When he so randomly decide to sit with you and introduce himself. You swiftly fix the slight purse of your lips as your mind keeps pondering about this stranger and you force yourself to enjoy your hot beverage until you can get back home and feel accomplished for actually having spent time outside your comfort zones, namely your flat and workspace.

But it's lonely. Always lonely.

In those few moments you'd shared with Simon, despite the awkwardness and that uncomfortable feeling of being perceived by someone, you'd realized that something has been missing in your life. Perhaps you should give your parents and siblings a call back; perhaps you should answer all those ignored messages in your phone; messages that have become less and less, because the people closest to you will eventually stop reaching out. You know that spiel already, yet you're having so much trouble actually pulling yourself out of this hole of self-isolation, a hole that's become suffocating, draining the colour from your life while you keep telling yourself that you're fine, that you want it this way.

"Lass?"

His voice cuts through your overthinking mind like a hot knife through butter and your eyes immediately find his gaze, that unwavering, piercing stare of his.

"Simon," you say in return, more like a greeting if it wouldn't be for the shocked pitch lacing your voice. You can faintly see his tired eyes crinkle slightly as he rests one gloved hand on the backrest of the empty chair across from you and you wonder if he's smiling behind his mask.

"Remember me name, aye?" He asks gruffly, almost playfully, the tiniest smirk tugging at the corner of his chapped lips beneath his mask as he pulls out the chair, waiting for your permission.

"Tsk. Obviously," you answer with a scoff and an eye roll before giving him a short nod. "No tea?" You remark as he sits down without it, raising an eyebrow as you sip on your own drink.

"Err, no. Not stayin' for one," he answers, shaking his head, "Was jus' in the area," he lies, "Figured I could drop by and say 'ello." He adds with a shrug, feeling utterly stupid now, because Simon definitely was not in the area.

He came home from a deployment last night and wanted to check on you for some reason, see if you're still coming here, see if you’re doing alright – but of course, you are.

"Mhm," you hum affirmingly, though more suspicious than ever as you survey him. You want to spit out Why?,  the question burning on the tip of your tongue, but you’re somehow too distracted by his overall appearance.

The paint around his eyes has faded, as if rubbed and smudged too many times. He smells an awful lot of tobacco and something else you can't quite pinpoint. Even in his usual attire of some type of black jacket or hoodie, jeans, boots and his balaclava, he looks terribly dishevelled and messy.

"Where have you been?" You find yourself asking before you can stop your mouth from moving. "If you don't mind me asking." You add casually, for good measure.

“Deployed.” Simon answers offhandedly, sounding colder than he intended to, and you do pick up on the shift in attitude; he doesn’t want to elaborate.

“Okay,” you retort with a nod, though your curiosity is sparked, and you click your tongue, pondering, before you confuse him as you let out a little snort.

Of course, he's a fucking soldier, you muse to yourself, should've figured that out myself.

You can practically see him raise his eyebrows in confusion, noticing how the fabric of his bloody mask shifts slightly.

“Ye laughin’ at me for servin’ me country?” He asks and desperately hopes that you pick up on the teasing tone in his voice, though it’s still hoarse from barking orders at his men for days on end.

“No,” you answer uncharacteristically soft, flashing him a rare genuine and sheepish smile, “I always wanted to join the military myself.”

Simon doesn’t know if it’s the smile you shoot him, catching him off guard, because he’s never seen that expression on your face before, let alone that sudden twinkle in your eyes as you admit that you’ve thought about enlisting in your past, but he suddenly feels even more intrigued by you; this secluded, lovely civilian in front of him, and he finds himself asking then,

“Why didn’t ye enlist?”

Perhaps he should get that tea after all.

Part 2 ?

[head---ache]

An info dump about Sage‼️

Here she is, the absolute evil girl in the Live & Learn Au! And I'm only recently realizing how little I've talked about her in the past lol So time to fix that!!!!

@sonic-au-collision

Sage doesn't really have an age??? But she chose to change her looks as time went on with updates to her software just because she felt like it tehehehe

One of these software updates (one of the first ones, actually) was to connect her with other Eggtech, in a way that she can acces it and control it in a similar way to the titans in Frontiers, but in a more direct way. She can fully control them, is the difference.

As time goes on and Eggman becomes older and older, Sage starts helping more in battle rather than just planning and keeping tabs on everything (like she used to). With this comes a growing frustration towards Sonic, because, no matter how many numbers she runs, how many possibilities she considers, he always does the unexpected, and Sage doesn't like surprises.

Now from here there'll be spoilers for the au, so if you haven't read this little one-shot, I recommend reading it before you continue here!! If you care enough, that is bsnxnskxnsx If you don't, proceed freely lol

Sage develops a really strong admiration for Eggman, and this slowly turns into an emotional dependence. She needs him, needs him to be there, to guide her. Sure, she eventually is fully doing his job as he grew old, but it was only temporary. He would get better, he would go back to rule the Eggman Empire.

But as time passed, her hopes became weaker, because Eggman just kept getting weaker, fragile, and old. This only gave her one option, so she began planning.

Sage isn't the best mechanic, but she had seen her father work enough times to get the idea, so she began working. She moved her family (Eggman, Metal Sonic, Orbot and Cubot) to an old facility to hide as she called more and more old badniks over for her to destroy them and use their parts on a support system for her father, to keep him alive long enough for her to come up with a way to transfer his consciousness into an A.I, like her. That way he wouldn't die. It was perfect.

It would've worked out if Metal Sonic had kept quiet. But no, just like the blue hedgehog he had been created after, he was stubborn, and blind to reality. He had shown the fox where they had been hiding, and then helped Sonic find Eggman.

It was his fault, he ruined her plans. It was only fair it were his hands to hurt Sonic the way they had done. As punishment. Really, a leg and a hand were nothing compared to what he had taken from her, so he should be thankful he got away with so little harm.

Her father taken away from her and having her brother betray her like that, Sage was mad. Desperate. She needed to do something to get back at Sonic for taking away the only reason she was alive.

So imagine her surprise when she found out he had a daughter. Oh, how the tables turn.

[thepastisalreadywritten]

Witness to a Tragedy: The Discovery of the Polyxena Sarcophagus

In 1994, during a rescue excavation at the Kızöldün Tumulus near Biga in Çanakkale Province, Türkiye, archaeologists unearthed a remarkable artifact: the Polyxena Sarcophagus.

Dating back to approximately 520–500 BCE, this marble sarcophagus is considered the earliest known example in Anatolia featuring figural reliefs.

The sarcophagus is adorned with intricate carvings depicting scenes from the life and tragic death of Polyxena, the youngest daughter of King Priam and Queen Hecuba of Troy.

One side illustrates her sacrifice by Neoptolemos, son of Achilles, at the tomb of his father — a poignant moment rooted in Greek mythology.

Another panel portrays Queen Hecuba mourning beneath a barren tree, while additional sides show ceremonial processions with musicians and dancers.

Interestingly, despite the sarcophagus's association with Polyxena, it contained the remains of a 40-year-old man, suggesting it may have served a symbolic or commemorative purpose rather than being her actual tomb.

Today, the Polyxena Sarcophagus is prominently displayed at the Troy Museum in Tevfikiye village, near the ancient city of Troy.

The museum, inaugurated in 2018, houses over 2,000 artifacts that chronicle the rich history of the region.

In a contemporary reflection on the themes depicted, the museum covered the sarcophagus with a black cloth on 25 November 2024 to mark the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women.

This act aimed to highlight the enduring issue of violence against women, connecting ancient narratives to present-day concerns.

[fluff-n-cookies]

Hello :)

Could you please do and platonic Aizawa x daughter reader?

His daughter is in her teen years so she is being like really rebel and all that so they fought a lot, but one day she just breaksdown during one fight and starts crying and apologizing for being a shitty daughter?

I have been avoiding this for so long, and it's all because I have no idea how aizawa would handle something like this. because it goes against everything that Aizawa would try and teach his kid so this may be a little forcefully written, apologies.

TW : unhealthy parenting, mental illness, some suicidal thoughts, probably angsty shit, I dunno, read at your own risk.

We can start this by walking through how this may start in the first place. I think the best place to start is that reader's mom left her and Aizawa when she was very young, and Aizawa, assuming here he didn't understand how to properly tell her why her mother left her, never tells her why.

Now reader is very young so she might blame one of two things.

herself

her father

While both instances would technically work, I think the more favorable option is she blames herself since a young child would probably never blame an adult they look up to and hold dear as the problem.

Up to this point her father has been really kind to her so the only other variable is her, this spirals into social anxiety, low self esteem, and depression. all of which don't help when you have an absent mother and a neglectful father who is both a teacher and a full time hero, which leaves little to no room for children.

(this is also why I think it isn't realistic for Aizawa to keep Eri or a child without another non-hero caretaker. Fight me, I dare you.)

As time goes on, and this child becomes a teenager, she might not know how to properly express her feeling and after being misguided by factors like the internet, other adults, and "friends" she might take out the feeling of being abandoned on her closest caretaker and another source of her problems; Aizawa.

if you purposely yell at him or start arguments it's not going to be very fun because Aizawa has this complex where if his students or other heros represent incompetence or arrogance he expels them or ignores him rather than explaining it to them and helping them improve, this is especially with students.

and since he lacks a true connection with you as his daughter mainly because of his job(s) and past with Oboro which he is still trying to heal from keeping him from bonding with you, he'll treat you as a student like the rest of the teenagers he knows. and even then, you may actually be treated worse than his students because while he interacts with them daily, he interacts with maybe 1 hour every other day.

so from all that he simply ignores you, just stops interacting with you entirely, he's too tired for your bullshit. this action makes the wedge between you two even worse.

if you keep persisting though he will yell back but it's often really short and really loud. something like "SHUT UP" a cold "I don't care." before slamming the door in your face. He knows it's probably not right to do that to your daughter but let's face it. you're just this annoying teenager he legally has to live with if he doesn't want to lose his hero and teaching license.

this is where things actually get very interesting, because let's assume he stops approaching you entirely, you just live in the same house nothing more than that, and while you may act like you hate your father for ruining your family and neglecting you all your life on the outside, remember, you're still that little kid in second grade that blames yourself for your mother leaving and your father not caring for you.

so let's say you realize this and go back to blaming yourself for everything like you did when you where a kid but since your father stopped talking to you entirely explaining your faults to him maybe difficult.

this where my personal experiences come in, I've actually had this happen to me in my own life, and I truely hope that you'll enjoy it. thank you.

---------

why is it that the voices are the loudest in the dead of night?

the moon is gone, the birds are silent, there isn't a single light that shines on your tear streaked face, puffly, swollen, sad, just sad.

years of confusion, neglect, a lack of love in it's purest form.

all because of you.

it's all because of you.

it's sings so prettily, like it's a church choir spreading the word of the lord like it's common knowledge.

it's common knowledge that you are a terrible person!

it cackles.

the urge to strangle yourself to finally feel some relief has never been stronger.

lie awake in the dead of night, in pitch darkness, a proper scenery to match ones broken and cracked soul, be careful, you might hurt yourself, again.

however, one cannot weep in their wallows forever.

the night has to make way for the morning sun.

and a relaxed self pity has to make way to dread.

dread.

dread of him, he who you blame for everything, everything you know is your fault.

it's all your fault.

a click at the door,

the creak of the old wood and the hinges never oiled.

mild thumping footsteps that wander around the apartment that can barely hold your overflowing buckets of tears.

you can mumble out all your pleas.

pleas that this is all a terrible nightmare and your real life is actually one with a kind and loving mother and a supportive and encouraging father.

mumble out the little lies that you made up all these years to make yourself feel worse and other better.

"it's pointless to keep trying."

"I wish I wasn't here."

"why can't I just be happy?"

"it's all my fault,

it's all my fault,

it's all my fault."

the thin walls don't do those in mourning justice though.

for the wind is calm, the branches don't dare to move, the owls, the bats, the sleeping heros in training downstairs don't make a peep.

for the only ones alive, awake, aware, is a man beaten down and broken by society serving as it's protector, ignoring the one in most need of protection all this time. With him is a girl. a girl that's scared, scared of her mirror image that haunts her, a girl who's cried an ocean, screamed a thousand wails of pain, a girl lost in her own heart,

"No wonder no one loves you."

you lie again.

but keen ears trained from years of work with villains hears you, for the first time, he hears you.

not the rebellious teen he's seen yell out strings of pure hatred and fiery insults like he's her own worst enemy.

it's the girl who he saw waiting on the steps to their apartment all those years ago. waiting for her mama to come back home with the promise of cupcakes.

it's the girl who never smiled for the remainder of elementary school.

it's the girl who's heart withered way that autumn evening.

he heard the softest little voice in the dead of night. he heard his daughter cry

"No wonder no one loves you."

.

.

.

"But I love you."

for that whole night, for that whole night.

the peace was disturbed.

for that whole night, it seemed that the moon shone once again.

it may not be the sun. but it'll do for now.

Aizawa walked away shortly after that.

leaving a little girls and her mirror image to ponder.

ponder.

---------

Afterwards I don't think he'd talk about it too much, he's proabably approach you after breakfast the next morning and tell you "you can talk to him about it if you want." but not much more than that

he definitely would change his practices though. like getting you a therapist, taking the weekends off in favor of being around the house more.

he'll let you get used to his presence first like one would with a cat, and one day. maybe years later, or tomorrow, you'll talk to him.

you'll tell him you love him too.

and maybe.

just maybe.

the world will stop,

and everything will be okay.

[copper-16]

She Feels Safe With You

Ingrid comes to a realization about her wife as a mother after a particularly hard day with a fussy, upset baby.

(a/n: this was requested by someone on ao3! It's honestly half coherent but life I am riding the struggle bus a tad bit ust wanted to write something soft and sweet about these three, hence this!)

Mapi never really considered herself a crier, not just as a general rule. 

She did not cry when she got hurt, or when she was frustrated, or when she watched a sad movie. 

She cried occasionally, sure, but it wasn’t a daily, or weekly, or even monthly occurrence. 

The Spaniard had cried when Ingrid had walked down the aisle, when she had resigned from the national team. She had cried when she got the notification that Spain had won the World Cup, an event she was not present for. 

When they found out they were pregnant, Mapi cried. Ingrid had been in too much disbelief to cry at first, not truly believing that it had worked, not after two failed transfers. 

But the center back had cried instantly, fat, bumble bee like tears rolling down her cheeks as she thought about the fact that they were actually going to be having a baby. 

It probably should have been a sign of what was to come, in the future. 

Mapi cried at nearly every ultrasound, tears springing to her eyes whenever they simply wheeled the doppler in, practically. Ingrid had begun to joke that her wife had turned into Pavlov’s dog, except it was listening to their baby's heartbeat at the appointments. It earns her a withering glance, as Mapi roughly shoved her tears away. 

“Are you going to cry every time you hold her? What is going to happen when you hear her heartbeat when she is no longer inside of me?” Ingrid sassed, though Mapi does not dignify her with a response. 

The Norwegian has a relatively easy pregnancy, thank god. She keeps waiting for the wild emotional highs and lows, or the cravings, but neither really come. She had her moments, sure, but in the large percentage of the time, she felt normal. 

What had been more fun, honestly, was to watch her wife turn into a complete and utter pile of mush, emotionally. 

She had never seen Mapi cry as much as she did in the lead up to Elena’s birth. Sometimes she would walk out of their bedroom to see Mapi sitting on the couch, tears running down her face as she looked straight ahead, not even really looking at anything in particular. 

“What are you crying about?” Ingrid had asked, her head cocked to the side in confusion. The Spaniard looked back toward her, her brows furrowed in confusion as she shook her head. 

“I’m not really…I’m not really sure?” Mapi asked, her words a question rather than a statement. She took Ingrid in for a second, the swell of her stomach, and couldn’t help the fresh wave of tears that overtook her once more. 

“We’re having a daughter,” she breathed out, her words slightly gasping over the wavering of emotion in her voice. Ingrid made her way over to the couch, settling next to her wife as she curled into her. 

Mapi moved to wrap her arms around Ingrid, as she usually did, but the dark haired woman stopped her, softly. Instead, she took her wife's hands gently in her own, pressing a kiss to each of her palms before she placed them over her belly. 

Ingrid relished in the way that her wife let out the tiniest little sigh of relief, even as more tears dripped down her face. 

“That’s your daughter in there,” Ingrid insisted, her voice soft. A tiny kick pressed against the center back’s hand, as if to punctuate the defender’s point. Mapi closed her eyes, even more tears leaking out of her eyes as she nodded. 

The Spaniard was terrified that she wouldn’t be connected to Elena, because she wasn’t the one who carried her. She was terrified that she wouldn’t love her daughter, or be a good parent, that she wouldn’t do or say the right things. 

It was easy for Ingrid to know that Mapi was going to be a good parent. Because the reality of the matter was that her wife cared, deeply, and that already made her a hell of a better parent than a lot of people out there. 

But Mapi still struggled to see that, no matter how much she was reminded. 

————

Mapi cried when Elena was born. She cried as she held her little baby, as she pressed the pad of her pointer finger to her little nose. Elena stayed firmly asleep when she was in Mapi’s arms, never once fussing until she was passed around. 

It became a bit of a theme, their daughter sleeping on Mapi. 

Ingrid didn’t notice it at first, not when she was a baby. She was so little after all, all she did was sleep, practically. 

But still, Ingrid snapped a million photos of her daughter, and so she got a fair bit of Elena sleeping against Mapi. It was where her daughter always seemed happiest, and as much as the Spaniard panicked and turned to Ingrid when the baby was fussing, it was her who was the best at calming Elena. 

It was only when Elena got a little bit older, that Ingrid finally pieced it together. 

The baby was a little bit older, a little bit more alert. She was nearly a year old when she began to resist sleeping, not as easy to put down, waking up early, becoming fussy. 

Ingrid had been at her wits end all morning. The baby wouldn’t stop crying, and her head hurt, and she was tired. 

She wanted nothing more than to go into her bedroom, curl up with her wife, and sleep for more than two hours at a time. But she couldn’t do that, not with her baby here, not when Elena needed her. 

When the doorbell rang, the Norwegian honestly wanted to scream. Elena looked as though she was just about to fall asleep, but the baby jerked awake as soon as the doorbell rang, her nap forgotten. 

The crying was back, and Ingrid held the baby to her chest as she ripped the door open, lashing out at whatever was closest. 

The culprit just happened to be Frido. 

“Fridolina Rolfö I swear to GOD–” Ingrid started, only to be cut off before she could say something she truly regretted. 

“Ingrid.” 

The voice was soft, and probably shouldn’t have been audible over the crying of their daughter, but Ingrid would never not hear her wife. The defender turned around, finding Mapi standing behind her with a sympathetic look on her face. 

The Spaniard had just gotten off the phone from a brand meeting, just a few minutes prior. But she had called Frido before the meeting started, telling the Swede that she needed to come steal Ingrid for a bit. Feed her, let her nap in peace, get away from the house for a bit. 

The Norwegian looked back at her wife with confusion. She hadn’t made plans with Frido, and she knew that she couldn’t leave Elena like this. 

But the Spaniard reached for the baby regardless, taking her from Ingrid. The dark haired woman looked over her wifes face. There was exhaustion present, lines written into her face, bags under her eyes. 

But there was also understanding there. Some nerves, but understanding nonetheless. 

“I called Frido to come take you back to her house for a bit, to have a little bit of a break. Eat a proper meal. Get some sleep without a crying baby around. Rest for a while, princesa. We will be here when you return,” Mapi promised, leaning forward to kiss Ingrid’s cheek. The Norwegian panicked, looking from Frido to her wife. 

“But–” Ingrid started, knowing how nervous it made Mapi to be left alone with the baby. 

Still, even all these months later, she worried that she was struggling to connect with her daughter. All of Ingrid’s movements seemed so natural, so perfected. And somehow still, hers felt awkward and stinted, never quite right, never as maternal or as easy as she wanted them to be. 

She wanted to do better, though, for her daughter and her wife, who was clearly exhausted. Not that the center back wasn’t equally as tired, she just couldn’t very well do anything about it right this very second. But she could do something about Ingrid’s exhaustion. 

“No, we will be fine, Ingrid. Take a few hours, amor, you are exhausted,” Mapi soothed, gently pressing the Norwegian out of the door with a soft hand, allowing Frido to lead her away. 

It turned out, Ingrid needed it more than she thought humanly possible. When she got back to the Swede’s house, there was Sodd waiting for her on the table, and she practically collapsed into the bowl she ate so quickly. 

She napped in Frido’s guest bedroom, sleeping for four straight hours. 

When she awoke, she felt like a new woman. She emerged from the bedroom with a small, sheepish smile. 

“I am SO sorry for snapping at you this morning,” Ingrid apologized, even as Frido held up her hand. 

“Ingrid, you were exhausted and carrying a screaming baby, if I had been you I would have been roundhouse kicking someone,” Frido admitted, and the defender couldn’t help the tiny laugh that she released at the thought. As she came back to herself, she couldn’t help but straighten, a thought racing through her mind. 

“Oh my god, Mapi is still home with the baby…can you take me back?” Ingrid asked in a slight panic, and her Swedish teammate quickly sprung into action to grab her car keys. 

“She is still so worried that she is not doing a good job with Elena,” the Norwegian admitted as they drove, her heart punctuated with worry. 

“Still?” Frido asked, well aware of the struggles that the center back had during the first few months of Elena’s life. 

“Not as much now, but still. It does not come as naturally to her as she wants it to be, but she still does such a good job, somehow. I do not know how she doesn’t see it, really,” Ingrid revealed, and Frido let out a small, sad sigh. 

“She is so hard on herself,” the Swede commented, and Ingrid could only cringe as she nodded, her agreement weighing on the car heavily. 

Frido parked the car in the car park of their apartment building, coming up with Ingrid to check on Mapi and Elena. They were both expecting to still hear crying as they unlocked the door, but the house was…quiet. 

Ingrid looked toward her teammate in confusion before they walked into the house, both of them searching for the Spaniard. 

“Mapi?” Frido called out softly as she checked the kitchen, only to hear the Norwegian call out to her in the living room. 

When the blonde walked into the room, she stopped next to Ingrid, surprise coating her expression. 

Mapi was fast asleep on the couch, with Elena curled into her chest. Mapi was only in a sports bra, her shirt discarded on the floor. The baby was stripped down to her diaper, pressed into her Mami’s chest comfortably, completely asleep as well. 

Frido looked from the Spaniard to the Norwegian, her eyebrow raised. 

“I don’t know, looks pretty natural to me,” she shrugged, and Ingrid softened as she nodded, unable to tear her eyes away from the sight. She pulled her phone out, snapping a photo and placing it in an album on her phone that she was well acquainted with. 

Ingrid left the two of them, seeing Frido out before she returned to the living room. She sat on the floor, simply staring up at the two of them as they slept. Elena was completely safe, engulfed by Mapi’s arms. 

How Mapi could keep her daughter so safe and secure, and still question whether she was a good parent, Ingrid sometimes did not know. It seemed so blatantly obvious to the dark haired woman, that her wife was an amazing parent. 

She only wished that the brunette could see it herself. 

It was only another half hour before Elena began to fuss, and Ingrid quickly plucked the baby from her wife’s arms, going to feed and change her. The Spaniard was dead to the world, and Ingrid decided to simply let her sleep. 

Lord knows the woman could use it, just as she had needed it. 

But even after Elena was fed and changed, she continued to fuss. She cried softly, not very loudly or in a grumpy way, but as though she was not completely happy. 

Ingrid tried everything. She bounced the baby, she walked her around, she made faces at her, she covered her in blankets, she laid her down. 

Nothing seemed to appease her daughter. Not even when Ingrid stripped her own shirt off, wondering if maybe she just enjoyed the skin to skin contact. 

But still Elena kicked her little legs, letting out a weak, tired cry. The defender held her baby out in front of her, her eyebrows furrowed. 

“What do you need?” Ingrid asked aloud, though she wasn’t really expecting an answer. Still Elena let out a frustrated cry, wriggling slightly. The Norwegian paused for a moment, before turning around and heading for the living room to test a theory that was beginning to form. 

And sure enough, as soon as the baby was laid on her Mami’s chest, she quieted instantly. 

The brunette shifted in her sleep, wrapping her arms protectively around Elena, mumbling incoherently as she snuggled into her. Ingrid sat down on the couch next to her, cuddling into her wife as she slept, and helping to keep their daughter held securely as she slept. 

Mapi awoke when Elena started fussing again, waking gently as she wrapped her arms around her daughter, her attention completely on Elena even as she woke up. 

“Shh shh mi sol, esta bien, esta bien,” Mapi murmured, picking Elena up and going to sit up, at which point she registered Ingrid next to her. 

“Oh, hello princesa,” the Spaniard murmured, settling their daughter in her arms before she leaned over to deposit a kiss on her wife’s cheek. She paused though, when she found Ingrid crying, her phone in hand. 

“Ingrid? Is everything okay?” Mapi asked softly, her voice thick with sleep but still filled with concern. The Norwegian nodded easily, running her hand over Elena’s back as she set her phone down on the couch. 

“You are the best Mami,” she replied simply, watching as a flicker of doubt overtook the Spaniard’s face before she nodded, trying her hardest to look encouraged. The Norwegian looked at her wife for a moment before she reached for their daughter. 

“Here, give me Elena,” Ingrid said gently, taking the baby and going to put her down for an actual nap. 

When Ingrid returned, she found the center back sitting on the couch, her knees pulled up to her chest. 

“I realized something, when I came back from Frido’s,” the defender began as she sat back down, reaching for her phone once more. Mapi turned to look at her, quiet and more than a little curious. 

“Ever since Elena was born, I’ve kept an album on my phone that is just pictures of her sleeping on you. And whenever I feel sad, or upset, or I just need a little pick me up, I always look at it. It’s my two favorite people in the world, after all,” Ingrid explained, and her words are so gentle that Mapi can’t help but smile shyly, even after all these years. 

“She’s always loved sleeping on you, María. You are the best at calming her down, you are the first to get her to sleep. She feels safe sleeping on you, amor,” Ingrid argued softly, though Mapi looked immediately posed to disagree. 

“Look,” Ingrid insisted, pressing her phone into the hands of her wife. The album is already pulled up, simply waiting for the Spaniard. 

Hundreds of pictures. 

Thousands of pictures, even. 

All of Elena snuggled into her Mami, fast asleep. They started when she was a newborn, so tiny that Mapi had struggled to even hold her without feeling fear. 

As the little girl grew, so did the Spaniard’s resolve to be there for her daughter. Her confidence grew as well, her worry subsided a little bit. 

But more than anything, over the last year, her love for the little girl grew immensely. Tears slid down her cheeks as she scrolled through the album, through the actual, physical proof that just served to show how much she had come to care for their daughter. 

The brunette still had no clue how she could hold so much love for someone so incredibly small, but she did.

The Spaniard stood suddenly, handing Ingrid’s phone back to her before she walked back into their apartment. It was the number one rule, not to move a sleeping baby, but Mapi did not care, not right now. 

She picked Elena up from her crib, tucking her daughter into her arms tightly, praying that she could always protect her from the world as much as she could right now. 

The baby stayed fast asleep, little hot puffs of air hitting her in the chest, where Elena was positioned. Mapi bowed her head downward, her tears dripping from her nose and onto her daughter's perfect little head as she pressed kiss after kiss to the crown of her head. 

“Te amo mucho,” Mapi murmured, as she wondered if finally, finally, she was enough. 

“She feels safe with you,” Ingrid commented from her spot leaning against the doorway of the nursery. The center back looked up for a moment, her eyes thick with tears. “She is always falling asleep with you, always soothed by you. She feels safe with you, amor. She feels safe with her Mami, and that is enough, you are enough,” Ingrid emphasized, and Mapi struggles to keep her composure as her lungs spasm, burning from the effort of keeping her cries quiet. 

Elena opens her eyes carefully, blinking up at Mapi with sleep ridden eyes. 

“Mami,” she rasps, reaching out for the Spaniard. Mapi cradles her daughter close to her, pressing her face into Elena’s skin as the little girl giggles lightly, reaching out to pull at a lock of brunette hair. 

The Spaniard cannot bring herself to care as she pulls the little girl back, looking her firmly in the eyes. Elena smiles back at her, content and happy, safe and secure. 

“Te amo tanto. No puedo vivir sin ti,” Mapi murmured to her daughter, as she felt a part of her heart settle. 

Maybe it hadn’t always been the most natural thing to her, to hold a child or change a diaper or play with a baby. 

But what she made up for in lack of skill in the beginning, she had made up for with an entirely overwhelming amount of love. Because no matter what she did not know, there was absolutely nothing that Mapi would not do for her little girl. 

And maybe, at its core, that had always been enough. 

Maybe all they needed for everything to make sense was a little love, and a very long nap. 

[fantastic-nonsense]

okay, I think I've cracked the code. I think I understand what Tate Brombal is doing with Shiva's new backstory.

Brombal has said that he loves Denny O'Neil's work, has read Richard Dragon and The Question, and "could write the Kung-Fu Fighter trio forever." He's also very notably a Cass lore geek, as evidenced by the opening "Mother" arc, and has also clearly read several of Shiva's newer appearances as well. So like all of his nods to Cass's existing history while introducing new elements, he's not just inventing stuff out of thin air for Shiva's backstory. He's picking and choosing the elements that have already been introduced for Shiva and using that to create something new.

I think Brombal's goals with Shiva's new backstory are threefold: dealing with all of the contradictions in Shiva's history that have popped up over the years, properly tying Shiva and Cass's stories together (in a better way than Gabrych's frankly sloppy execution), and creating an actual relationship between Sandra and Carolyn that showcases why her murder created Shiva. He also clearly has as secondary priorities making Carolyn a real, breathing character (rather than a living MacGuffin with no personality) and explaining all of the odd stuff that Shiva's been able to do over the years, particularly her rather supernatural healing abilities.

So! Predictions for how this is all going to shake out once we finish the Shiva backstory arc and start moving into the Jade Tiger arc:

Ming-Yue and Mei-Xing's parents were a Romeo and Juliet forbidden romance from rival clans, the Blood and if not the Unburied themselves, whatever larger clan the Unburied are from. They had the girls and lived as nomads in China, including time in a village named Duoyishu (as seen in Outsiders 2019 and Urban Legends), until they were killed by Wu Feng, the leader of The Blood and their father's brother, in the Tibetan Himalayas (as shown in Batgirl #7).

I think Akhu (the monk who knew Mei and Yue's parents, took them in and raised them for a decade, and called them "daughters") will be revealed to be O-Sensei (notably a title and not a name), finally connecting Shiva back with the original lore drop way back in Richard Dragon #2 that Carolyn was O-Sensei's goddaughter.

Sin Lance is canon again as of BOP 2023, so the Dinah-Shiva "life experience swap" arc is also canon again. Theory 1: the Himalayan village Shiva lived in for that decade with Akhu is the same "southeast Asian village" from Simone's BOP run where Dinah "relives Shiva's hidden, early life." After the Blood attacked, Akhu fled to Japan to become O-Sensei and Mother took over as the village's primary protector. Theory 2: the "southeast Asian village" is Duoyishu, and Mother was always the person in charge there.

Either way, Akhu goes to Japan and we have coin flip odds on whether or not Mother will be revealed as the person who actually trained Sandra to be Shiva post-Detroit. Additionally, regardless of outcome she will not be Shiva's literal mother.

After leaving the village post-Blood attack, Mei and Yue travel the world for a bit and land in Detroit, where they take the American names Carolyn and Sandra. We then get the Batgirl-era backstory of them continuing to dance, fight, and perform for crowds (which Brombal already had them doing in the Himalayan village) and being seen by Cain.

IF Brombal brings Shiruto (the girls' weapons developer uncle, killed in Richard Dragon) back, he'll probably be revamped as an ex-Unburied member and their mother's brother trying protect them from the Blood. That might actually explain why they end up living in Detroit's Chinatown of all places? We'll see.

The Batgirl #8 teaser indicates Brombal is doing some timeline mix-and-matching, making Sandra and Carolyn crimefighters prior to meeting Richard Dragon, adding Carolyn to the Kung-Fu Fighter team, and moving Richard and Ben's Kung-Fu Fighter era martial arts school to Detroit (rather than NYC).

That's cool. I'm a huge fan of this Kung Fu Fighters era reinvention, actually. It solves a lot of timeline issues, fixes Richard and Ben's histories in the process, and also means that Carolyn's 'I could have loved you' statement to Richard (who, pre-Crisis, she'd literally known for ONE DAY) before she died will make actual sense.

Anyway, Cain enters the picture and kills Carolyn to 'inspire Shiva' to stop holding herself back at some point. Exactly how this happens and how it ties into the Kung Fu Fighters reinvention, I don't know.

So Sandra goes after Cain for revenge, loses, Cain's proposal and the forced conception of Cass happens, and he trains her during that time. She leaves after Cass is born and continues to travel the world to perfect her skills, becoming a mercenary and eventually "Lady Shiva." This would neatly tie together Shiva's retconned history with Cain we got in Batgirl (2000) #73 with the reiterated justification Shiva gave for leaving Cass with Cain in Batgirl (2024) #4.

Another theory: the Blood's bloodbending magic and the Unburied's blue poppy magic will be used to at least partially explain Shiva's longstanding odd healing abilities, including her punch resurrection of Cass way back in Batgirl (2000) #25 and her healing of Katana in the much more recent Urban Legends #16.

I also think that Shiva went looking for the Unburied not because she "ran out of challenges above and started looking below," as she told Cass in Batgirl #6, but because she was trying to learn about her mother's heritage and seeking knowledge of who she might have been in a different life. The training and healing abilities were an unexpected bonus.

So that's Shiva's backstory predictions. What about the upcoming Batgirl arcs after Batgirl #8? Well, let's see:

I think Wu Lin, the guy Brombal introduced in Batgirl #4, will be a member of The Blood from "the bloodline of Wu," hence the upcoming 'shocking family revelations' teased for Batgirl #9 (he's possibly the son of Wu Feng, which would make him Shiva's nephew and Cass's cousin). This would also explain why he's scared enough about the Unburied coming after him to join Shiva.

And finally, Shiva told Cass in Batgirl #6 to find Ben Turner and ask him about "Jade Tiger." Jade Tiger, from the cover and teaser of Batgirl #10, is obviously connected to Ben in some way. He might also be connected to Richard, holder of the Jade Dragon Claw, as well.

My theory? Jade Tiger is either Ben Turner II (Ben's nephew, who hasn't been seen since the pre-Crisis era) or a new character that will be revealed to be Ben's son (probably with Jane Lewis, Ben's pre-Crisis girlfriend who was killed on the day Ben wanted to propose).

.....there's probably more I'm forgetting, tbh. But I'm really fascinated to see where Brombal goes with this, to put it lightly.

[artdnldsn]

thinking about 2019 art finally becoming too fed up with his diet. all these strange-colored liquids that taste like shit, the protein shakes that make him sick and stay on his tongue no matter how many times he tries brushing his teeth, because it feels like it’s in his dna after years of doing this shit. the sight of his meals makes him want to barf because they all look so bland, so lifeless—the chicken breast so disgustingly white he actually finds himself wanting to cry a few times because he’s thinking of all the poor bastards that had to die to end up on his plate only for them to taste like shit and for him to not even enjoy eating them.

and you just know he’s had to slip up a few times. they’re staying at another hotel, tashi is sleeping by his side peacefully, the room is completely dark, and he’s just lying there on his back, his eyes open wide as he stares into the ceiling, images of all the shit he’s eaten in his life passing behind his mental gaze, like those shitty burgers from the college cafeteria, or the ice cream he would sneak from his childhood home fridge because he liked the thrill of it and he knew it was forbidden to eat so much of it but he just couldn’t help himself, and those delicious cookies his grandma used to bake that tasted like love. and he can almost taste it on his tongue, but it’s not enough. it’s like, in his head, him actually enjoying food is connected to the simpler times, to the happier times, and he misses the food, but at the same time he misses his youth, and his hopes, and his dreams, and most of them have come true—hell, tashi is still by his side, his beautiful daughter is sleeping in her own room, he has a tournament tomorrow morning—but he just knows he won’t be able to fall asleep tonight because he just wants to revert to his younger self for a fleeting second.

so, he crawls out of bed, careful not to wake tashi up, slides a hoodie on, and he feels like a fucking criminal as he calls an uber to the closest subway. he feels like he’s pulling a bank heist or some shit, but he’s not really thinking for himself at this point. and as he sits down into the car, he knows he’s being stupid because there were lily’s snacks back at their hotel room, but he would feel guilty for eating them because what if she woke up craving them and found out they were gone, and she would be sad, and he wouldn’t be able to handle it, and what if then tashi would question him about where they went—no, he can’t risk that. and he’s so far gone in his thoughts and anxieties that he’s sure everyone at the hotel is in on it, too, that everyone will find out if he walks down into the lobby and orders a quesadilla, and they will deny him, like, “sorry, mr. donaldson, this dish is off the menu, and this one, too, and that one, and actually everything is off, here is some water for your worries,” and he already feels embarrassed even though none of it has happened and all of it is in his head.

he would rather tashi thinks he’s off cheating on her or something in the middle of the night than her knowing the truth, that he’s just so desperate for some empty calories, for something so sugared-up it makes his brain feel fuzzy, that he’s driving through the night city’s empty streets, already anticipating absolutely devouring that shit. and when he finally gets there, the fluorescent lighting of the subway hits him like a deer in the headlights, making him feel like he’s being questioned as he makes his way to the counter, feeling the only other person’s gaze on him, sure that he knows him, sure that he judges him. he sees the girl who works there smile at him, and he doesn’t even look her in the eye as he places his order, and it would be enough for lily to last a week or to feed a group of five or something, and he actually ponders eating it all in the parking lot like a stray dog just not to stay under these fucking lights for any second longer—

“would you like cookies or some ice cream with your sandwich?” the worker’s soft voice snaps him out of his whirlwind of shame, and he looks up at her, his lips pressed tightly together, it taking him a few seconds to process the question, and then he nods once, the corners of his lips pulling up slightly to mirror the girl’s polite smile.

“double chocolate chip, please,” he says quietly, a soft chuckle escaping his lips as he suddenly feels like he is a teenager all over again, doing something he knows is wrong, but it feels better with him feeling like he has an accomplice in the face of her.

when he gets back to the hotel, he’s gonna sleep like a baby through the rest of the night.

[egg-emperor]

The relationship of Eggman and his creations VS the relationship of Eggman's creations with each other

Eggdad and the eggfam has a ton of potential and interesting things to explore in fanon and not in the way people think. People seem to really be into the idea of it being this super unified thing where all the "members" fit perfectly into solid family roles and traditions and get along perfectly and literally just recreate the nuclear family structure. But it's so much more complex, unique, and interesting as a result. Not just to how they all are with Eggman but also with each other too.

Let's look at what we've actually got in the game canon so far. We'll start with-

The relationship of Eggman with his creations:

Metal Sonic has never once been called "son" by Eggman in a game. He has no known attachment to him besides bringing him back for convienience if he finds he can get more use out of him, but he's been more than happy to abandon him if he betrays or fails him.

Orbot and Cubot have also never been seen as sons of Eggman's. He's constantly yelling at them, hitting them, and threatening them. There's no fatherly bond, they're his assistants that he treats terribly.

In fact, as you see at the end of this segment, in the Japanese version of Sonic Colors, Eggman is heavily against the idea of being seen as Cubot's father. (But also Cubot has almost expressed attraction towards Eggman in Team Sonic Racing so it gets weird and complicated lol)

This hasn't changed since I made the above clip as he still treats them cruelly, even in front of Sage in Murder of Sonic

And this is clearly an aspect of their dynamic that's here to stay, as Eggman is even still whacking them around in TailsTube too

Sage is currently the only character where we know the familial aspect exists and is mutual. However, Eggman values her and accepts this dynamic for uniquely selfish and twisted reasons. Specfically for her usefulness and loyalty, how her skill can serve him well, and how he can take the credit for such an impressive skilled life-like creation, especially emphasized if he accepts the title of her father. His reasoning is quite disturbing really lol

It's a huge subversion of the traditional father and daughter dynamic in the way Eggman created Sage to protect him and serve as type of guardian for him rather than the other way around as a parent would typically be,

to the point she gets into danger and sacrifices herself for him and he lets her because it's specifically her function and this doesn't change even after developments

Sage is also still a servant/assistant to her master Eggman, she's mature and reliable and will get work done

(Link to translation here)

and so he promotes her to taking control of the Eggnet, a big responsibility.

She clearly isn't some immature child that needs her hand held and to be protected and coddled. He values her because she's so capable and useful to him and says so himself.

It's to the point that Eggman is the one who can actually be the irrational stubborn manchild throwing tantrums in some situations, while Sage is the more mature level headed rational one in those moments.

Sage is the very first creation he's called himself a father of and it was the best first choice that makes a lot of sense with his already existing character being considered and involved, rather than a complete change of his character and this is why it's great and works.

Not only is it not true that Eggman has ever felt a familial connection to any of his creations pre Sage in the canon games, it would also ruin the whole plot point in Frontiers of him starting to feel that way about a creation for the first time and processing it. This is clearly a first time thing for him.

So now let's talk about-

The relationship of Eggman's creations with each other

Eggman hasn't, and as far as we know, still doesn't see the likes of Metal Sonic or Orbot and Cubot as his sons. However, we do know that some of them seem to feel familial connections/at least desire a familial dynamic amongst each other that we know of.

As I showed above, Cubot did have a voice mode in the Japanese version of Colors where he would call Eggman his father and Eggman absolutely hated it.

In Rise of the Wisps, Orbot and Cubot express a desire to see Metal Sonic as their "big bro". Metal Sonic however, clearly isn't thrilled or into the idea, constantly looking pissed off to be around them.

Metal doesn't want anything to do with them and doesn't react well to the dynamic of seeing them like family, he's just like "whatever I don't have time for this" and focuses on the job that he's created to do, eager to ignore them and take off and get away from them.

Sage however, has expressed interest in Orbot and Cubot as being like brothers to her for being his creations too. Which Eggman half-heartedly went along with in a "I suppose so" shrug kind of way. Likely because he could see it made her happy and kept her loyal and useful.

But of course with all the examples I provided earlier in the post, he hasn't and still very much doesn't see them as his sons and still treats them terribly. Even in front of her, which is really interesting after he tried to entertain her desire to see them as her brothers before. Even that desire of hers doesn't stop him.

And lastly, it has been said that the "let's go dad" shirts Sage and Metal Sonic wore in Murder of Sonic were Sage's idea, so this tells us that Sage also wants to see Metal Sonic as her brother, which makes sense as she does with Orbot and Cubot too.

However, we don't know if this is mutual and if Metal wants to see her as a sister or not (for all we know, he could've been forced into the shirt by Eggman to keep Sage happy as we didn't get to see any enthusiasm from him lol) and this certainly wouldn't suggest how Eggman sees Metal still, especially with how he clearly still doesn't see Orbot and Cubot as his sons despite Sage wanting to see them as her brothers.

So yeah that's the current canon status of Eggman's relationship with his creations and his creations' relationships amongst each other. I think there's a lot of potential and fun ways to explore it without forcing them onto strict family role and tradition boxes because it's clearly much more complex than that.

They don't all see each other as family, Eggman doesn't automatically see and accept the idea of all his other creations being like his children too and some of them are even against the idea of being each other's siblings and don't get along like that. It's interesting to think about the difference in dynamics among each.

Eggman accepts Sage as his daughter but doesn't automatically see all the others as his children, while despite this Sage wants to see Orbot and Cubot and Metal Sonic as her brothers, and Orbot and Cubot want to see Metal as their brother but Metal clearly doesn't like the idea, etc.

There's also the potential complicated feelings and competition they could have against each other, especially when Eggman only sees Sage as his daughter and didn't see the others as his children before and so far it's quite clear he still doesn't see Orbot and Cubot as such even after Sage wants to see them as her brothers.

The ways Eggman could notice and exploit this to make all of them work even harder to please him to outdo each other, or possibly in hopes that he'll see them as family too if they're interested in that also has tons of potential. It's so much more fun than restricting them by putting them all in specific strict boxes.

Especially because not even the one dynamic that has the 100% known mutual familial feelings involved with Eggman and Sage are completely vastly different from the typical traditional expected dynamic canonically! I'd love to see more fanon not just embrace this but also the nuance and complexity between his creations with each other too. :D