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jq37 · 5 years ago

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The Report Card – Fantasy High Sophomore Year Ep 7

Moms, Meltdowns, and Mayhem

Hello and welcome back to Fabian’s worst nightmare, already in progress!

We rejoin the Bad Kids who have linked back up the next day and are on their way to the library of the city Leviathan--The Compass Point Library. On the way there, they see the Crow’s Keep burning but Fabian, assuming it has to do with what happened to him, tells everyone to leave it alone.

Adaine questions why Riz hasn’t had any nightmares (Riz: In a way, my life is a nightmare) and the whole group goes into another round of Shadowcat speculation. Is she protecting Riz from nightmares for some reason? Why can Tracker and Garthy suddenly see her in the picture despite not having seen her irl or had any weird dreams? Is she masquerading as someone else?

Anyway, they reach the library which is the cool, cobbled together and largely stolen (to Fig’s delight) pirate-y library of Alexandria type place. They meet an old pirate wizard named Rollins with a book of pirate spells that Fig immediately wants to steal and Adaine wants to borrow (or steal, she’s flexible). They all sign up for Compass Point library cards and go up to the observatory to look for Ayda Aguefort.

In the observatory, they find a huge orange-yellow bird on a perch and this is the part of the recap where I have to inform you that Aguefort had not only banged a phoenix, he somehow managed to procreate with it. Meet Ayda Aguefort, the half-phoenix (shout-out to the anon from last week who called Ayda as Aguefort’s daughter). She’s got wings and arms, bird legs, a plume of red fiery hair, and eyes which are basically just fire.

Fig thinks she’s the creature Aguefort made for her for reasons I cannot begin to fathom. She tries to feed her but Ayda rejects the food, not wishing to be in anyone’s debt. Ayda is kind of intense, abrupt, and anti-social when they meet her. She’s fully is about to fly away instead of helping until Fabian yells that Garthy sent them and Adaine remembers she has the letter from Garthy asking her to help them. After some back and forth, she agrees to give Adaine the spell (which will take 6 hours to learn) for 150 gold. But these are the Bad Kids so, of course, we have several tangents before the plot goes anywhere, during which we learn Ayda is a divination wizard (like Adaine), she asks if her father has talked about her (Fig successfully lies that he has), and Gorgug spouts out some fortune cookie nonsense (“What is a telescope but a spyglass pointed at the stars?”) that convinces Ayda that he could be the greatest wizard of their age (Adaine does a spit take and Fig is loving it).

Adaine hits the books to learn the sending spell with Sandra-Lynn keeping watch while everyone else splits up suchly:

Fabian wants to go out to check on the Hangman but Kristen absolutely vetoes that. Buddy. System. Ragh agrees to go with him and she lays off. He tries to see what the damage on the Hangman is. Nat 1. As far as Fabian can tell, the Hangman is full dead. Not only that, Fabian is poor people sick which he isn’t used to at all. Ragh isn’t doing much better on the emotional front. He just started making progress with processing his emotions and now his mom might be dead. Saddest Hoot Growl ever (seriously, it’s heartbreaking). Cathilda comes in, loving as ever, with food and kind words and an old lullaby, but that’s not enough to stop Fabian from rolling another Nat 1 and gaining 2 levels of exhaustion (which means disadvantage on ability checks and speed halved). Lou, please burn those dice.

Kristen and Riz are researching the Nightmare King. They go into a religious studies section of the library and (on a 20+ check from Riz) find texts about a temple to a forgotten god in Sylvere (the forest of the Nightmare King). The god is never named in any of the texts which Kristen finds weird. Riz decides to steal the book and is able to do it, despite Kristen’s “help”. Later, Kristen cross-refs Riz’s info with her world religions book and, on a dirty 20, she finds with frustration that there’s a lot of information but none of it really matches up. The fairies, treants, and especially the unicorns all had mysterious deities but none of them really match with the forgotten god. [Note: Last time we heard about unicorns was in episode one and we learned that the last time people saw the great unicorn was the last time the NK showed up.] At the same time, it seems like there are elements of the god in all five of the cultures in the forest. Adaine checks and there’s nothing magic with the book so it’s just the contents of the book that are weird, not the book itself. Kristen thinks there might be a connection to her weird dream about not being able to draw the face of her god. Adaine wonders if Kristen might have been worshipping this unnamed god by mistake. Gorgug wonders if the god is erasing themselves (a theory backed up late when they talk to Aguefort).

Fig looks for information on cursed gems and (with a 19) she finds a good amount--no surprise in a pirate library. She finds a book called Breaking the Evil Eye in one of the forbidden sections and learns that it could be possible to planeshift into the gem, dispel magic from the inside and get rid of the trap, before breaking the original curse. She finds all of this out after she steals the book (disguised as Rollins). Planeshift is a level 7 spell though so Adaine has a while to go before she can learn it (she gets her first at level 13).

Gorgug asks the real Rollins for books about cheering up a friend. He’s brought to a small, dusty section of the library. Gorgug rolls a nat 1 on an insight check and thinks that Rollins must be messing with him. Rollins is confused because he super wasn’t. Adaine takes a break and uses this pointless argument borne from misunderstanding to steal his book. Dirty 20. Rollins instantly skelatizes. She hastily puts the book back. He comes back Wrong and in incredible pain. He begs them to take the book out and Gorgug does. Adaine peaces out to finish studying, leaving Gorgug to deal with her mess. Gorgug decides to keep looking at the friendship books. Even on a 5, he finds a secret door into a HUGE friendship library. Guided by his library card, Gorgug finds a book called Cheer Up Me Hearties. When he gets out, Gilear is being accosted for killing Rollins, but Gorgug is able to get them to stand down. Gorgug Thistlespring, winning pirate hearts and minds. They take the book and Rollins’ bones to get him put back together.

Adaine finishes up as Ayda comes to check on her. Ayda is about to make another quick exit but Adaine tries again to make friends with Ayda, this time by directly asking and offering to let her hold Boggy. Ayda is immediately obsessed with Boggy (and Adaine’s backpack terrarium AND the backpack she makes for him at Ayda’s suggestion) and extremely impressed with Adaine’s spellwork in manifesting Boggy. It’s a very cute scene and Adaine has made a useful ally. Ayda can’t believe she met the two greatest wizards of the age in one day. Wild.

Everyone regroups to call Aguefort now that Adaine knows Sending. He sends them back some more powerful magic so he can talk for longer than the 25 word response. Think of it as magic Skype. He very casually tells them that Ragh’s house is a smoking crater and his mom is super dead. He takes far too long to follow up with the information that, a long time ago, he hid Lydia’s real body under the school, made a clone of her, and used the Magic Jar spell to basically hook up her consciousness to the clone body (which held a fake demon shard). The clone body is what got destroyed. Lydia’s real body and consciousness are fine. Way to bury the lede dude! Upon being asked, Arthur says that he used to remember the name of the god of the unicorn but he forgot. Suspicious and troubling. He and Fig also renew discussions on the creature she ordered but never paid for. He says the cheapest option is a pentacorn for 30k gold (which sounds like a unicorn w/ 5 horns and pretty useless but I refuse to get dragged into this insanity, I am just the messenger here).

Aguefort leaves to deal with the situation at home. Meanwhile, Gorgug notices smoke again but he also notices that it’s on the wrong side to be related to what happened to Fabian. After giving Fabian and Ragh oranges to prevent scurvy--a tip from the pirate friendship book--he brings it up to Fabian who thinks it’s probably Captain Wicklaw making a power play and they should probably stay out of it. What? says Adaine. Nah, we should fight him. Yeah, says Fig. You deserve revenge! Fabian just wants to lay low so they can get their C+. Adaine is not here for that C+ and she’s not here for Fabian’s concerning attitude shift. None of the Bad Kids are. However, the cast is very here for absolutely roasting Lou for all of his choices by having their respective characters inadvertently reference every bad thing that happened last episode. When Adaine suggests that Fabian might be cursed, Fabian finally haltingly comes out with the entire story (which Lou has to laugh-cry himself through in one of the best scenes of the episode) and everyone interjects with comments that they (out of character) know will just make Fabian’s storytelling even more uncomfortable. It’s a very wild combination of very emotional (in game) but deeply funny (out of game). Like:

Ally (who knows good and well that Chungledown Bim told Fabian he was gonna shit in his mouth): Did Chungledown Bim help you?

Zac (who also knows good and well that Chungledown Bim told Fabian he was gonna shit in his mouth): Chungledown Bim probably saved you.

Murph (yet another person who knows good and well that ChungledownBim told Fabian he was gonna shit in his mouth) You know what we should do? We should go see Chungledown Bim.

Amazing.

Fabian finishes his recounting of the 20 car pile-up that was last episode by repeating his earlier opinion that they shouldn’t go after Captain Wicklaw because it will just end with all of them dead. Kristen tries to slap him back to normal and tells him to lose the Gilear energy. Led by Gorgug and Adaine, the gang tells Fabian that being Bill Secaster’s son isn’t the only worthwhile thing about him (in fact, it’s pretty annoying). He’s worthwhile all on his own. Tracker chimes in and says that she thinks Fabian might have some issues with depression so maybe their well intentioned efforts to get Fabian to buck up weren’t the best way to handle things. Adaine and Riz are skeptical that Fabian is like, capital D, Depressed but Tracker sticks by her read on the situation. The group eventually decides to at least check out what’s going on with the smoke but before they arrive, an interlude:

As they walk to Crow’s Keep, Cathilda walks with Fabian and Cathilda starts dropping information about herself and about how her own children died before Fabian was born and about how she sees him as a son--though she’s tried to keep the proper professional distance. She comforts Fabian on his bad day and then her eyes go full Terminator and she mentally buts Wicklaw on her “People I Need to Murder Today” list (more on this later).

When they arrive at the place where the smoke is coming from, they find that the Ramble (kind of a pirate meetinghouse/Courthouse) has been burned down. Jemina Joy is there and she lets them know that Wicklaw asked what was necessary to become the new pirate king. He was told that all he needed to do was get the crown from the former pirate king (because respect for/fear of Bill was the only thing keeping there from being a new king). He just burned down the Ramble to be a dick. Adaine damn near gets her ass beat by Jemina by arguing politics with her (her point being that she wants to install Jemina as Pirate Queen while Jemina is like, “I just keep this place from sinking. Lay off.”) but Riz, mindful of the fact that this is a time sensitive situation, takes off to Gibbety Square where the pirate king’s crown is (and where Wicklaw is headed).

They make it to Brennan’s latest battle mechanic: The Row and the Ruction.

This is the crazy, pirate bicameral legislative system. The Row is a huge fistfight (no weapons allowed--or really they are allowed but everyone will gang up on you if you use them) at ground level. It’s always in session and has been for 150-ish years. Above that, is the Ruction which is a fight with full weapon and magic usage alone. The idea is that you need enough support on the ground in the Row so you can use them to get up in the Ruction. It’s a king of the hill situation up there and if you can hold your position up there for long enough, you can make laws. Got all that? Good.

They get there just barely after Wicklaw and his men who haven’t yet entered the Row. Wicklaw starts talking mad trash to Fabian but his friends back him up. They give him back his sword, his eye-patch, and Kristen hits him with a Warding Bond (which means that he gets +1 to AC and saving throws if he stays close to her plus resistance to all damage and, more importantly, she takes all the damage he takes). Fig gives everyone Countercharm. And, to top it off, Cathilda shows up with in an all black, super-badass pirate uniform to say she’s gonna feed him his own freaking brains! Let’s goooooooo!

But, Wicklaw has some new allies as well. Three elves bamf in from Falinel (same people who Kristen felt scrying on them earlier) and they’re there to bring Adaine back, and it doesn’t seem like they’re gonna just ask nicely.

Detention

Adaine for Unnecessary Theft and (Accidentally) Killing a Man

Adaine was kind of on one this episode. Not only did she inadvertently kill* a man while stealing from him, Adaine also ghosted at the first sign of trouble, leaving Gorgug and Gilear to catch all the flak for her attempt at pulling a Fig. Bad form, girl!

*She probably didn’t technically kill him but she turned him into a skeleton and he called the pain upon reconstitution worse than death so let’s not quibble about the details.

Honor Roll

Cathilda for Being a Badass Mom

Oh man, oh man, oh man.

I’ve low-key been waiting for Cathilda to go full pirate since we learned that was an option and especially since Fabian got attacked because it was a pretty safe bet that was going to be her berserk button and boy did she deliver.

When did she have the time for a costume change? Is she that stealthy? Did she magic it on? Or did she just manifest the outfit on the power of her rage alone?

The scene where she says Wicklaw is gonna pay? Chills. Not only pledging to eat your enemy’s brains but also saying you’re going to feed him his own brains and describing exactly how you’ll serve it? So raw.

But I also have to shout out the non-murderous mom stuff she did this ep. The little talk she gave Fabian about no one being defined by their worst day was very sweet and good advice out of game too.

But honorable mention to Gorgug for being an absolute sweetheart all episode. Zac’s improv about pirates giving their friends oranges to prevent scurvy bodied me.

Random Thoughts

Some very useful posts from @jamiebluewind: Character Descriptions, Location Descriptions, Transcripts of Cathilda’s speeches from this ep.

During the initial discussion with Collins, we learn that the transmutation exchange rate is 50 Parrots=10 Bananas=1 Gold. How are bananas more complex than parrots?

Adaine: May we steal books?

Her later actions aside, I think it’s funny that Adaine’s first move is basically always to sweetly ask for what she wants and Fig’s first move is, “Gotta steal that book!” Adaine is like the most polite person in the group but also ready to fight 100% of the time. The role reversal in the Jemina scene where Fig was the one who asked an on point question and Adaine was the one who made it almost spiral into an actual fight was great.

I was just saying this re: Harry Potter in a different context but clearly marked but not blocked off forbidden sections of libraries are more a dare than a deterrent.

Fig as a horned parrot (done by Rollins for trying to steal his book) is adorable. Please somebody draw that.

I love that when they see the bird that turns out to be Ayda and Murph is like, “I don’t think that’s a bird,” Zac is like, “Yeah, Gorgug doesn’t know that.” Zac (like Travis as Grog in CritRole) has a real talent for playing dumb while actually being really smart.

“My principal scammed me?”

Brennan truly did not have to follow through on Aguefort saying he slept with a bird. He really, really did not have to but he was like, “Nope! I said it so it’s happening! This is happening!” I really wish you guys could have seen my face as I realized in real time that the madman was actually doing that.

Adaine to Fig who thinks Ayda is her creature: This is a full person.

“I like school.”/“You would.”

Lol at Fig trying to draw parallels between Ayda’s prickliness and her own behavior and getting absolutely shut down. “I think people think you’re really tender.” The running thing of Fig’s perception of herself as this standoffish loner being constantly reality checked by literally everyone she knows being like, “You tell us you love us literally every day,” is one of my favorite group dynamics. It’s even funnier because, besides probably Adaine and Fabian, the rest of the Bad Kids probably knew Fig (or at least had seen her around) before she started going through her emo phase. So they totally remember her in 8th grade wearing preppy clothes and carrying a unicorn backpack and listening to Fantasy Taylor Swift and all that.

All ep they were calling Kalina a cat and I was thinking, “I feel like—in game—that’s gotta be offensive.” And then Aguefort straight said it. Wild for it to come from him since he’s the craziest person ever but I’m glad it came up.

“You seem simple to me.”/“Thank God.”

Aww at Ayda asking if Aguefort ever talks about her. Brennan, you gotta stop putting little emotional traps into otherwise funny scenes. I can only handle so much!

The gang did some experimentation with the photo in this ep with these results: Ayda and Aguefort both couldn’t see Kalina in the picture. They also took a picture of the picture but that picture had the same properties as the original picture. Weeping Angel rules I guess.

There’s speculation in this episode about why Riz isn’t having nightmares. I have another question kinda on that topic. In episode 2/3, we see the lie/mirror/Baron thing that happened with Riz. And that was for sure super nightmarish. But it doesn’t match what happened to Adaine and Fabian. Both of them seem to have had more ephemeral experiences that quickly vanished. And they weren’t borne from lies so much as fears. Riz’s monster came from a direct lie and it didn’t seem to be a nightmare. It came out of the mirror and attacked not only him but his friends later. No one saw Fabian or Adaine’s nightmares besides them (although, that could just be because they got away). And no other lie-monsters have showed up as far as we know. I’m just wondering if there’s maybe something else going on or if it was a different NK follower who did that or just a different power of the same dude. Just something I wanted to note because it’s been bugging me a little and no one’s brought it up yet.

Cool quirk of the sending spell Adaine learned: Because it was modified by pirates, curse words don’t count towards the 25 word limit. What I immediately thought (and what Aguefort actually ended up doing more or less) was that you could easily send very long messages with, say, Morse code. Just designate one curse as a dot, one as a dash, and one as a space, and you’re good to go. It’d be slow, but totally workable.

Also, after watching Laura as Jester absolutely flying by the seat of her pants with every sending spell, it was wild to see the group take the time to carefully craft the perfect message.

I said two recaps ago that I wouldn’t be surprised if Gorgug multiclassed into a casting class soon and boy do I hope this episode means he’s gonna do it for real. Adaine’s total disbelief at Ayda’s interest in Gorgug’s wizarding potential was sending me.

Oh also. Ayda has forbidden Gorgug from reading any wizarding books so he doesn’t lose is totally uncomplicated mind. I guess he’s supposed to learn everything the savant way? Imagine Adaine diligently studying her wizard books, trying to master some complicated spell and Gorgug is like, “I woke up and I guess I can use Mage Hand now? Neat.” Absolutely maddening.

Besides Cathilda, Gorgug was the MVP in this episode. Dude has a knack for making friends that I think will eventually pay dividends.

Also, speaking of, everything Brennan said during the secret shelf section was so good as to sound planned, however, how could you predict that that was a thing a player was going to ask to find? Brennan is just always 7 seconds of prep time away from giving an elaborate and super specifically themed speech about friendship I guess.

Big ups to Kristen for not letting Fabian go off by himself again. Like, for the sake of the party of course but also the, “We almost lost you,” was sweet. She also helped buff him going into the coming fight with Warding Bond that means she takes all the damage he takes. I am SO glad they brought another healer with them because that’s such a risky move. Kristen is a LOT but she’s also very ride or die and all heart. I really love that the last time she used this spell it was on Gilear for a joke and now it’s getting used seriously. It’s a perfect establish existence of power to audience/bring back at plot relevant time setup. Improv storytelling is so inexplicably good.

Technically, to cast Warding Bond, you’re supposed to have matching rings with the person you’re casting it on so imagine Kristen blinged out with a ring for each party member and each of them having a corresponding one in case she needs to cast it on them.

Little bit concerned that Tracker still doesn’t know about Sandra-Lynn/Garthy. The longer it takes for her to find out, the higher the chance it blows up and becomes a Thing.

Fig: *Meandering philosophical question about why Ayda watches the stars*/Ayda: I study it so I can know where this big city is floating.

RIP to the Hangman. I don’t think he’s gone for good but it seems like he is for now. On my first watch, I thought that, on a 1, Fabian just fully thinks that the Hangman is gone but, the second time it seemed more like he’s just dead. Now, I’m not Brennan, but if I was in this situation, you know what I would do? I would have someone save the Hangman’s soul (or whatever he has instead of a soul) and store it in the Hangvan temporarily. Imagine how much he’d hate that. It’s full of potential for “roommate” shenanigans.

Is there anything stopping them from just, ramming the Row with the Hangvan? Like, I know it’ll get them ganged up on, but will they be able to do much against a full van?

Also, if/when they hold the Ruction, I wonder what law they’re going to try and make. They didn’t really go in with a plan (understandable under the time pressure) so they’re really gonna have to improvise something on the fly.

Also, I’m assuming Fabian stabbed the Hangman while he was asleep? I don’t think we were ever shown that scene, but Fabian must have been under some kind of compulsion since he woke up in the river (and the same happened to Ragh).

Aguefort casually mentions that he has many children and this episode proves that Brennan can and will back up every single crazy thing that comes out of his mouth, so I’m excited to see if there is a single Aguefort out there that isn’t crazy.

Oh, also, the acknowledgement that occasionally that phoenix is a child is appreciated because that was def a question I was going to ask. Squicky to say the least but I guess that’s how phoenixes work so what are you gonna do?

Ally needing to roll a 10, rolling, being happy, checking Kristen’s modifier, and realizing it’s a negative 3 for a total of 9 is peak D&D.

Fig as Rollins: Look at how fast I can run!

I love Fig thinking Adaine could plausibly have 7 level spells. She’s like, idk bro. She’s the eleven oracle. She cares about school. She could know this too. Who knows? Certainly not Fig who thought she could buy wizard spells to use as a bard.

“Please speak more enthusiastically on my behalf.”

“It’s my brain guys.”

Fig mind controls Gilear into believing in himself and he fails his save. I wonder if this is could be valid therapy technique in this world.

Aguefort mentions that a Wish spell can destroy a Magic Jar just fyi. That makes 3 pretty high level spells mentioned in this ep. Magic Jar is 6th level. Planeshift is 7th level. And Wish, basically the strongest spell in the game, is 9th level. We’re starting to deal with some serious magical mojo.

The whole thing with people in pictures that not everyone can see and memories that you know you once had but don’t anymore and information that should exist but doesn’t is hitting a very specific storytelling sweet spot for me.

This is a little meta-gamey to be thinking about but I’m kinda wondering, why sideline Gorthalax? Obviously, it’s a good plot hook for Fig and that might be all it is. But I’m lowkey wondering is there something Gorthalax knows or can do that would solve the plot in 30 seconds if he was around? Like, was he roommates with the Nightmare King in hell or something?

Kristen finds it weird that the god’s name isn’t written anywhere but I’m sure that’s gotta be fairly common. Or at least not unheard of. Like, I know in Judaism you’re not supposed to do that. Anyway, watch the great unicorn be the Nightmare King just for the Nightmare/Night Mare pun.

Adaine being on brand no matter the situation: Everybody shut up I have to do my homework!

The, “Do you want a friend?”/“Desperately.” interaction killed me.

“I don’t have any wizard friends.”/“I’m a wizard.”/(beat)/“I don’t have any wizard friends.”

Arthur cloned a woman, forgot to tell her, and then straight forgot. So business as usual from him.

Fabian’s, “Nooooooo,” with the rising intonation every time someone made an assumption during his story and he had to correct him was amazing. Also, “He told me he was going to shit in my mouuuuwth.”

Ragh, Fig, and Adaine all crying about their parental issues at the same time. This has been, like, the longest week ever. I wonder if the 7 Maidens are unpacking this much trauma on their quest.

“Absolutely timbered.”

Lol at Brennan dropping the cool pirate sending spell “curses don’t count” detail and then being told from off camera that he needs to keep it PG-13. But then Cathilda needed to go beast mode so, like, what can you do?

Another cool worldbuilding detail is pirate clerics just keep shrines to every deity they’ve come into contact with to hedge their bets like Beni from The Mummy.

I know Lydia was attacked on orders from Kalina but I wonder if they knew about/had plans for the demon shard too.

When Emily said she disguised herself as Rollins, I fully thought she was going to walk out the door the real Rollins was guarding and not go out the back door like she did. The idea of a back door didn’t even occur to me. I just thought we were in for some classic Axford insanity.

Riz: You’ve gotta get better at talking to kids.

Riz: This is real Gilear energy.

Kristen: We brought one Gilear. We don’t wanna make that mistake twice.

Everything that happened with Fabian was really funny because there’s nothing I love more in D&D than players having a good time dunking on each other but, in game, Fabian is really going through it. Fabian low key has mom friend energy so to almost die and then for all of his friends to jump into the exact fight that almost killed him (including taunting the dude! Adaine!) against his advice must be giving him a level of anxiety and dread that I don’t even have the words to describe. Like, now is not the time for him to digging into that because things are life or death. Gotta save your life before you can fix it. But he def needs to at some point. Too bad Jawbone’s not around for a quick mid-battle therapy sesh like he had with Adaine during prom.

Tracker suggested that Fabian might be depressed. I’m not an expert on depression. He could be depressed and, in any case, he definitely needs to see a therapist for a Lot of reasons. But having a breakdown because you saw 14 people die, almost died yourself, and were told that a man wanted to shit in your mouth less than 24 hours ago seems less like a sign of depression and more like the only rational human reaction.

Adaine calls the above, “a vaguely mediocre day”. Michael Scott Voice: Adaine you ignorant slut.

Also Adaine: You got that bike because you won it fair and square because we killed a lot of people.

This is the second time Adaine has said that Fabian’s lineage is actually the most annoying thing about him and these are the kind of tiny continuity details I live for.

Semi-relatedly, Fabian’s relationship with his parents v. Adaine’s relationship with hers is endlessly fascinating to me. Because they have such similar backgrounds but coming from, like, opposite directions of the same spectrum, you know? Can’t wait for those sweet, sweet parallels as we jump into her trauma! (What is D&D but group therapy interspaced with murder?)

Speaking of Adaine’s trauma, it looks like we’ll be getting to it very soon as those FBI Falinel operatives have shown up to force her (and the plot) back to Falinel. This is Concerning to me for two reasons. First off, remember the Aelwyn fight from season 1? Remember how annoying that was? Now imagine that times three and also 2 separate pirate brawls are happening. That sounds like a Bad Time for our kids. They’ve leveled up some and they’ve been known to make some very clutch battle decisions, but this is gonna be tough any way you slice it. This is like two entirely separate encounters at the same time. A small good point: I looked up the language for teleportation and it can only be used to transport a willing creature. So they can’t just bum rush her and poof out. But they could give her an ultimatum to make her agree. The second reason this Concerns me is that Adaine high key doesn’t want to work with/for Falinel and they know this. The fact that they’ve resorted to kidnapping (fun international law fact: when a government kidnaps someone, it’s called rendition) tells me that they’re done playing nice which opens up two options to them they might not have otherwise used. They could coerce Adaine’s consent to be their oracle by threatening her life/her friends’ lives. Or, more troubling, they could just kill her. I mean, she became the elven oracle when the old one died, right? So, if she died, someone else would get the job. Probably someone less troublesome to deal with. I doubt they’re gonna go straight for that because they seem to want her alive, at least for now. But it is a concern.

Of course, we’re assuming that what’s happening on the face of this is the whole story, but that’s not necessarily true. Iirc, all we heard was that they found the oracle and they were gonna bring her back to Falinel. For all we know, the elves could be working for Adaine’s mom. Of Adaine’s mom could be working with Falinel. Or she could be working with Falinel just as a way to get to her daughter. We really don’t know. The last person on this show that got kidnapped was Fabian and that was a friendly kidnapping. Anything is possible.

Something that struck me as a possibility: This fight seems like it’s gonna suck. There is a world where the ideal move for Adaine is to pull an Evy (from the Mummy--two Mummy refs in one recap, did not plan that, I just love the Mummy) and agree to go with the Falinel elves if they help them instead (or at least stop helping Wicklaw) with the faith that her friends will come rescue her. I doubt they actually care much about what happens in the government of this pirate junk city. I’m curious about how they ended up together anyway. I’m guessing the elves clued into what was going on while scrying on the group and decided an alliance might be useful.

Brennan about both Ally’s Applebees Reference and Fig using a Leviathan phonebook: That is nothing.

Shoutout to Fruzzinoid in the chat who said Ally’s alignment is chaotic-chaotic. Accurate.

I love the laughing-squawk that Brennan does for Ayda as much as I hate the fact that he made the Choice to spell it that way.

Truly, the entire scene where Lou is recapping the fight from last episode and he’s laughing uncontrollably but Fabian is clearly crying and he’s expressing both of those things simultaneously is beautiful.

A Fabian line that really hit but that I haven’t mentioned yet: “I probably have one follower running around. Never mind he’s my father’s just like everything else I have.” Ow. Such a deep cut but so off the cuff from Lou. As a writer, this show makes me so mad because that’s such a good line of dialogue that Lou just dropped out of his mouth like it was nothing. How dare he?

Another good line I didn’t mention before, this tie from Riz: “We all draw strength from each other. You went in without your crew. What’s a pirate without his crew?” Ugh, Murph. Who gave you the right?

This episode has made me extremely curious about what Cathilda thinks about Hilariel. Because she sees herself as Fabian’s mom--which she essentially has been in a lot of the ways that count since Hilariel has been mentally out to lunch for the past however many years. To be clear, I do think Hilariel loves Fabian. She just hasn’t really been present even though she’s been literally present. The way Cathilda phrased some of the things she said and the way she seems to talk about Fabian’s dad so much more than his mom makes me wonder if she doesn’t...resent isn’t the right word exactly. Maybe, disapprove? It makes me wonder if she doesn’t disapprove of Hilariel’s parenting choices more than she lets on.

Kristen’s, “Do you listen to music?” in the middle of actually useful questions for Ayda.

Rich people sicknesses include having eaten too much caviar or smoked a cigar for too long in case you’re wondering.

“You want an orange, pal?”

On a practical note, we have two more episodes to go until the show breaks for the year so prepare yourselves from now people!

Riz, Adaine, and Gorgug each rolled one Nat 20 apiece. Fig, Gorgug, and Adaine each rolled a Nat 1 (but Adaine presumably cancelled out hers rolling with advantage because of Boggy). Fabian, who is still living his worst life, rolled three Nat 1s. Tragic.

#fantasy high #fantasy high spoilers #dimension 20 #dimension 20 spoilers #report card

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mysterylover123 · 5 years ago

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BNHA Rewatch: Episode 41 “Kota”

mysterylover123

OK so just a few comments about my last post before we get into it!

First of all, like I predicted, it did get flagged, but quickly restored. Secondly, an ask pointed out that the scene with Bakugo reprimanding Deku about Tomura is not, actually, in the episode. I’m not sure why I thought it was, but oh well. I’ll try and double check next time before I post the recap. Anyway, off to recap-ville. Episode 41 time!

Quirk training! The anime seriously elaborated on this from the manga, where it was just a few pages.

WOOF. At this point Todoroki has spent more screen time in season 3 without clothes than with.

wow that looks like good cake. They did not skimp on the desserts here.

FULL VERSION! Gotta say, Ragdoll and Tiger really round it out; it just looks kinda silly when it’s just Mandalay and Pixie Bob. They have a really impressive clatch of quirks too, ngl.

I wish they’d given Deku more than basic boot camp training. I’m kinda split on how they handled Tiger being trans; on the one hand, he’s a cool hero who kicks serious ass and has respect, on the other the characters make a slightly disparaging remark about him...but that could be what a transgender person would deal with in reality, and this series isn’t exactly presenting a utopia...I don’t know, it’s the same way I feel about Pixie Bob’s age thing. I’d like to give it the benefit of the doubt and it could be a lot worse, but it could be a lot better, too.

Oh my. Breathless, finding-his-resolve Deku is giving me rather impure thoughts.

I’m not sure what purpose making them cook for themselves serves, honestly. Iida tries to come up with one, but it kinda comes across like the WWP are just being lazy. The kids are training hard all day, wtf is wrong with having food pre-prepared for them?

Maybe it was just for another excuse to humiliate Bakugo. At this point, he hasn’t even done anything. Karma just hates him.

Or to give us this shot of Momo and her main love interests. Momo standing up for Shoto’s rights, cute TDDMM moment!

Aw poor Kacchan!

Feels overload! Also, kinda low-key ship Todo/Ochaco sometimes. I dunno, they seem like they’d have a good repertoire.

Wow Momo’s getting a lot of moments this episode ain’t she!

Deku is inexplicably drawn to pissed off, antisocial spiky-haired punks who seem like they need saving from their own temper, ain’t he? (Good god Kota looks like a BKDK lovechild in this scene, doesn’t he? Same Kacchan eyes).

BEHOLD, THE SINGLE SADDEST IMAGE SET COMMITTED TO SCREEN! OMG THE FEELS. (Someone give me a firebending Deku au fanfic, please!)

Toga’s complaining about how not-cute her outfit is. I think the fanbase would disagree.

Dabi sure loves monologuing, doesn’t he? Maybe he isn’t Toya after all; the other Todoroki’s don’t like to talk this much. Anyway, cute sleeping babies!

OMG Bakugo’s shirt. It’s like he wanted to remind us that he’s cut too, ya’ll. Deku isn’t the only one with abs of steel. (I think Kaminari’s the one under the pillows).

Poor remedial course babies! I feel them. I’ve been having bouts of insomnia lately, like, 4 hours of sleep type, and I can’t imagine that schedule they’re on. Honestly, I know they’re trying to make ‘em stronger, but depriving them of good food and sleep is not going to help with that. I’m pretty sure most workout advisors advocate keeping your basic needs provided for for maximum performance.

Aizawa is telling Ochaco and Aoyama that they nearly failed. I think this is an important point that all the people who try and excuse the Uraraka/Aoyama v 13 fight need to remember. Even Aizawa called them out on their mess up. It was a fluke, and there’s something deeper getting in the way of their success. Everyone else either passed by changing, or failed by refusing to change. These two need to be challenged in the same way, or they’ll never change for the better.

The dream 3some is finishing each other’s thoughts! Wow, that used to just be a BKDK thing, but Shoto has effectively nudged his way in there. Also, I love the symbolism of Kacchan looking at his own reflection here. Visual metaphors!

“Is All Might - I mean, the other teachers, coming?” Haha Deku don’t even pretend like you care about any of the other teachers.

Oh I see that’s why we had to have them cook their food! So we could prove who secret best girl really is. And tease Kacchako a little. At this point I’m not sure who most wants a threesome with the Wonder Duo, Uraraka or Todoroki.

Ooh, Shoto’s gaining on her!

Honestly, this is one of my favorite Tododeku moments. I kinda like their smaller moments even more than the “big” moments with these two, where they’re having dramatic stuff. The little stuff like Shoto giving Deku such emotionally intelligent advice. It’s very strong.

Expectations vs reality

Team Animal Bromance Solidarity

Team Just F*ck Already

Team Maximum Cuteness

Team Saved Bakugo and Tokoyami’s Asses

Team Femslash Initiative

Team Poor Ojiro

Team Polar Opposites

Oh no my bbs all alone! I’ll be your teammate Deku!

Everyone on Team Ojiro is unsatisfied.

Tsuchaco begins!

OMG THEY’RE SO CUTE! (THE TODOBAKU ARC!)

NGL, Yui Kodai is really pretty and has a legit awesome quirk. Underrated Best Girl of Class 1B.

Holy Shit that Music tho! The League of Villains is In the Building! (Metaphorically, anyway)

This is the arc where I stopped thinking of the LOV as boring obstacles and started seeing them as kinda awesome.

“Kota” really picks up the momentum of Season 3, throwing us straight into a “holy crap” plotsplosion with little adieu. There’s a little more setup to go before we just jump straight into the chaotic, violent and transformative Training Camp Arc in the upcoming episodes. I pretty much binge-watched the whole first 12 episodes of Season 3 in one sitting the first time I watched it, so I don’t know what it would be like to watch these week to week. Next up: BEST BOY DEKU’S ARMS WILL NEVER BE THE SAME.

BKDK CORNER:

Nothing really in the actual episode, but I wanna acknowledge Best OP’s heartbreaking BKDK nod:

“don’t come deku” OMG episode 45 is gonna break my heart all over again in’t it?

Also the ED:

“Cause I LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE this place” (Todoroki’s sitting with them too for some bonus TDBKDK points.) Subtle, Bones. We know which way your bread is buttered.

BEST GIRL OF THE EP: Mandalay!

RANKER: The Test of Courage Teams

8. Ojiro and Mineta (poor Ojiro!)

7. Iida and Koda (normally Iida’d be pretty cool, but this team does basically nothing)

6. Jiro and Tooru (get knocked out pretty quickly.

5. Momo and Aoyama (they seriously saved everyone)

4. Solo Deku (who is better than most on his own and also saved Kota)

3. Tokoyami and Shoji (who are seriously metal)

2. Uraraka and Asui (another seriously awesome duo)

1. Todoroki and Bakugo (just add Deku for maximum perfection)

#my hero academia #season 3 episode 3 #kota #midoriya izuku #shoto todoroki #katsuki bakugou #himiko toga #kota izumi #katsudeku #bakudeku #this episode is heavy on the slash ships #they're all over it #femslash #ot3 slash #just slashiness all over #that kickass ending theme tho #pretty much overpowers everything don't it?

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smolbeandrabbles · 6 years ago

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Sway Pt.8 - Danny Rayburn x Reader (Bloodline)

Part 1 / Part 2 / Part 3 / Part 4 / Part 5 / Part 6 / Part 7 / Here / Part 9 / Part 10

Author’s Note: I wrote some of this way back in January. When this series was going to be 3 or 5 parts... Which is why it took so long to edit, because ‘Sway’ is not that story anymore... And after you read this there’s two left. And I... I just... I’m going to cry so hard when I write that final line, and post that final part...! Disclaimer: I stretched the timeline a little to have Danny down in the Keys a little while longer before Robert dies... None of the Bloodline characters are mine. But she is. And I love her so much. Stole all the dialogue from Danny/Nolan at the bus station from S.2 Ep.10 Also, quote above from S.1 Ep.4 Premise: In the aftermath of the restaurant Danny makes the decision to head back to the Keys.... You follow him down to attend Robert’s funeral, but not for the reasons you might think...

Words: 9133

Warnings: Swearing /

I just gotta see him with the sun shining on him in the water Chrome aviators on his eyes I wanna hear those waves come crashing in I wanna feel that sand and that wind I wanna go everywhere he's been, hold him again

---

She said I know, I know, it don't seem real, She closed her eyes, but the tears flowed through, She said don't hate me, for lovin' you

Oh I could not reassure her, I couldn't say what I had planned, Couldn't put three words together, So I just, took her hand

--- God, I'm down here on my knees, Cause it's the last place left to fall, Beggin' for another chance, If there's any chance at all, That you might still be listenin', Lovin' and forgivin' guys like me I've spent my whole life gettin' it all wrong, And I sure could use your help cause from now on...

Cause' it going to take a miracle, After all I've done to really make her see, That I wanna be a stay man, I wanna be a great man, I wanna be the kind of man that she sees in her dreams, God, I wanna be your man, And I wanna be her man God, I only hope she still believes, In the man I wanna be --- Miami, AM

You had tried everything to keep him here. Even getting angry; following him around your apartment as he packed his things. He was too good for his family, which is why you never understood why he wanted so badly to run back to the Keys. “What are you looking for? Their respect? Their admiration? Danny, their love? They will NEVER give you that. And I don’t know why you can’t see that you are too damn good for your family and they don’t deserve your tryin’!!” You regretted it almost immediately at the hurt look on his face. “They are my family...” He was as right as he was wrong. The only one who even remotely treated him like family was John. You liked John, but he was one man... Danny had a network of ‘family’ here. “...You HAVE a family.” You touched a hand to your forehead “I’m sorry I shouldn’t have said that... I just... I don’t want you to leave... to go back to them!” He placed his hands on your shoulders, firm but gentle; “Y/N. I can’t stay.”

You drove Danny over to his apartment that morning in order for him to pick up a few things. He offered to let you help him, but you couldn’t face that without crying again. Nothing you said worked; he was determined about going and even more determined about staying. Instead, you had picked up Nolan to also say goodbye, and you were now standing outside Bayfront Park metro and bus station waiting for him. You were quiet, because you weren’t sure exactly what to say. Nolan wasn’t too keen on seeing his father leave for the Keys either. It wouldn’t be too bad, perhaps, if you were heading to the party yourself. You couldn’t for two reasons; one was work, and that wasn’t just an excuse you were making, you were about to close a huge deal and Rich only trusted you with it. You couldn’t just walk away for a long weekend; and for the Rayburns?!

The second was if you left, if you went to the Keys... If Danny was really adamant about staying until his life got back on track, then you weren’t so sure even your parents would be able to drag you away from him and back to Miami. They would just have to represent you for a little while. At least you knew they would help see Danny settled.

He arrived, backpack slung over his shoulder, and crossed to you both. Slipping his hands into yours he kissed your cheek in greeting. You put on a brave face and in that moment, you never wanted to let his hands go. “So, this is it, you’re just running away?” You weren’t sure that was particularly helpful, and your look let Nolan know it. Danny clearly didn’t know how to react, searching around as if anyone in Miami had the answer he himself wanted “…Going back home?” To stop you from joining the 2v1 argument Danny at least found something to say; “The guys that I owe money too… They’re not gonna stop ‘til I pay them back.” He could tell by the way you held his hand tighter that you were dying to say it, all over again. “…Didn’t… uh… Didn’t you get insurance money?” “Nah…” This was only followed by another silence “The cops said it was arson. So, you don’t get paid for that.” Nolan got quiet and looked to the ground. Danny sighed, and for a second rummaged in his pocket; before holding out a key “The key to my apartment… When I get myself set up, and I get on my feet I’m gonna start sending you money, okay? Take it.” It was strange for Nolan to look reluctant to do even that, but you thought it was sweet. It still gave Nolan somewhere to go – not that your place would ever not be an option for him. Money for Nolan… That’s what this was really about… You knew that now, every decision Danny made, it was for Nolan. “Okay… Well…” He turned to the bus, “This is me… Rayburn Express…” with your hand still in his he turned back to you; “…You’ll be coming down right? Your parents will be at the party...?” You hated to bite your lip and shake your head but you had to, “Not this weekend... they will, I can’t... Of course, when everything is settled down. I’ll make a weekend or week of it...” He nodded, noticing the way you weren’t quite meeting his eyes, he was surprised your mascara wasn’t already running... “Good luck with the deal, you’ll get it. 100%!” Your smile was sad, and your lip quivered “Yeah.”

Danny was decisive, he didn’t want to drag out how much this was hurting you any longer. Pulling you into his arms he rubbed your back; “It’s gonna be okay... I’ll be back before you realise I’m gone...” at your choked breath he realised it was a bad choice of words “We’ve made it through worse... Darlin’ it’ll be okay...” he took your face in his hands and made you look back into his eyes. “I love you...” He kissed your forehead “Don’t ever forget that...” then your lips. However long that goodbye kiss was, it didn’t last nearly long enough. He let you go and turned to Nolan. “Listen…” The silence was back. He was struggling… you were struggling… Nolan was struggling. “What?” “…. Just… Just take good care of yourself, okay?” He reached out and took Nolan’s cigarette from him, as if to make a point, then looked back to you “And take care of her... she’s pretty tough. But she’ll need it...” “Yeah.” Nolan nodded, and Danny realised he was just as sad as you “I will...” Mercifully his bus was called... Danny’s hand left yours only when he could stretch his arm any further. He continued to walk backwards a few paces. And it was the first time you thought Danny might cry about this. “I love you. Both of you!” You felt that was harder for him to say than anything else ever hand been. And he turned to board the bus, gave one last look and wave back and then he was gone. And you couldn’t take it. You turned away, leaning on Nolan’s shoulder for support, your eyes stung with tears you had been desperately holding back. Nolan watched Danny walk up the bus to take his seat and placed his hand over yours. The bus revved into life, making you turn back. Danny took a deep breath and turned to wave to you both waving him off, with possibly the saddest smile you’d ever seen anyone give. He knew he’d be crying too before he hit Miami’s outskirts. As the bus rolled off you dropped your hand and really began crying. It felt like your heart was breaking all over again, and you weren’t sure if it was because of Danny or for him. Nolan pulled you close and enveloped you in his arms. And you realised that he was crying too.

“I’m gonna miss him... Y/N... I’m gonna miss him too...”

***

Islamorada, Rayburn House, AM

You weren’t sure how you felt about the context of the situation you were seeing Danny again in. Seeing him was going to be the best thing that had happened in months... but at his father’s funeral? With what you knew? Your parents weren’t sure you’d want to go, but you’d skipped out the first weekend on pretences of work. And that if he stayed… you would stay. This time it would be different... You hoped. Your black dress was appropriately modest for the situation, yet airy enough for the hot summer sunshine. Your parents hadn’t said you were coming, but were staying at Rayburn House. It would only be one night, but you knew how much it would hurt. Even driving down the driveway was enough to have tears sting at your eyes. At least you could pretend it was about the funeral, you supposed. The gathering was larger than you had anticipated, but allowed you to blend for a minute and take in being back here. You stuck close to your parents as they made the rounds, people you’d recognised from trips up here during the past 3 years… You’d already seen John spot you and try to inconspicuously point your presence out. From what you had heard from your parents (amidst howling with laughter) they had every reason to believe you and Danny had split. WRONG! You smirked into your glass, and then you spotted him. Not in black, no less. His off-white shirt and black jeans marked him out against everyone… That was just like him… Danny was talking with two people you didn’t really recognise, had he ever actually made an attempt to introduce you to anyone here? If he had you’d probably have thought about relocating to the Keys... But as he circulated you couldn’t help but steal glances at him, until finally he looked at you. He blinked hard and then you saw that smile, and he successfully stole your heart again. You smiled back, but remained with your parents... Outwardly Danny always oozed confidence, but you knew this wasn’t easy for him... At one point you found yourself sitting alone trying to take it in. Trying to process what you were here for… Tapping your foot lazily against the porch and liking to be lost in your own thoughts. You didn’t expect any of the Rayburns to come to you – that’s what your parents were here for… "Y/N!!" You were almost surprised to see the call come from John's daughter. "Janey! Hey!!" You embraced her tight as she sat with you "What's goin' on!!" "Oh, the usual...! I'm glad you're here!" "... Oh, really?" "Yeah, for Danny... Unless... Did you guys really...?" "Really what?" You wanted someone to confirm your suspicions "Did you really break up...?? I thought you were good together... I really liked you together." You couldn’t help but feel glad she said it, but you laughed "Nooo... We did not, in fact, break up. The party I heard about. Thought it was hilarious, typically Danny..." you giggled to yourself "Seems like everyone else wanted it to happen..." you looked across at her "You good at keeping secrets?" "Awww...! I can't tell anyone!?" but she grinned, happy to hear the news "Well. Okay, maybe your DAD can know. Is he any good at keeping secrets!?" She snorted "No. He's a detective." "Eh. True..." "Are you staying...?" Her tone was hopeful. You had to disappoint her by shaking your head, "I can't. Or I would sweetie... Obviously I would..." You nodded forwards, both of you watching Danny do more rounds with people. The two friends you had spotted him with before never far away. You were glad he had more than just his family here... Heck, whoever they were were probably more family than his family... "... Will he go back to Miami?" Now she sounded disappointed "I don't know... I guess it depends how long it takes him to decide he's back on his feet..." you sat back "I want him back in Miami. You don't sound like you do." "I think he's really cool." That statement almost surprised you "If he goes back you have to promise to visit more often!!" You sighed "Oh, no! That means coming down here to this awful view!!" She laughed at your obvious sarcasm, but you tapped her "You're an adult. You'll have to visit us in Miami too, okay? That's my condition to your condition!" She beamed at your offer "Okay. That sounds great to me!" “Do me another favour too…” You smiled across to her “Tell him he’s cool. Tell him often, he’ll like that!” She was called back to her parents, but took your hands in hers “I will! Don’t be a stranger!!! Stay longer!!” “Next time! I promise!” * The service was appropriate... You held your moms’ hand tight and respected John’s speech. You’d always respected John, in three years you hadn’t been back frequently, but he always made time to see you when you did; John respected you. Other members of his family were less than accepting and you just wanted to steer clear of that. You weren’t here for negativity, after all. After the ceremony was over your parents went back to their rounds, but you shook your head as you watched Danny walk off alone. It was more important you speak to him... They let you go, understanding, and you slowly wandered after him, this time with a glass of water... You waited patiently for someone else you didn’t recognise to finish their conversation with him before you cut into his thoughts; He looked up as he walked over, conversation with Danny finished, upon seeing you he looked back to Danny and then to you; “Oh my goodness! I’m sorry dear!” “No, no!” You laughed as the older man apologised for taking Danny’s time “You go on!” “Oh no!” He smiled “I’m sure he’d much rather talk to you!” You shook your head “Oh, I dunno...” you walked slowly towards Danny, watching his body language closely. Perhaps now wasn’t the time to tell him what you had really come here for. “Hey...” He was smiling before he turned to the sound of your voice “It’s been a while, baby girl!” You nearly rolled your eyes “I’d say sorry but... I don’t think I’d mean it...” “Naw, it’s okay... You staying?” He looked back to the waves lapping at the shoreline, taking a sip of beer. “Just tonight...” “Just tonight??” “I have to go back… One car...” you sighed gently “I miss you.” “I know. I miss you too. You should come visit properly...” You laughed, clearly asking him to come back and stay was still off the table, “You could come back to Miami and visit too, you know.” “Nah, I work here now... I can’t just leave...” “Can’t blame me for trying...” You walked forward until you were in the water, staring out at the vast ocean... “No but I mean it, come down! I’ll take you out... Hey, we could even go down to the other islands for a few days. It’d be good!” You turned back to him “Okay. Sure.” “Soon-ish! Don’t use ALL your holiday up on me...” He joined you “Or you can. I’m not gonna complain...” “Bet not!” You folded your arms “How are you doing?” “Fine...” You took comfort in the fact he met your eyes and it was genuine. “Yeah! I mean, it’s a job, a house and money... I guess that’s important...” “Is it a life?” “It’s... living?” He searches for the word “I mean, I’m living?” Danny wouldn’t count this as a life until he had what he had in Miami, but even you weren’t sure he could replicate that here. Without you didn’t really matter... Without Nolan, though...? That’s what the money was really about. And you’d checked with the bank. Zero activity. Danny sending cash made you uneasy, but if he banked any checks it would only get swallowed up by all the loans he owed. That damn restaurant... The only problem with pouring his heart and soul into the one thing he was really good at was that it went up in literal flames and then his life went up with it. You had tried nearly everything to keep that man in Miami. But he wouldn’t let you help him, and he refused to stay. You couldn’t help but laugh, “I guess I would rather you were alive...!” “Huh! That’s good to know! I’ll keep that in mind!” He reached for his shoulder instinctively and you had to look away. It made you think back; how you thought it was just a tick, because he did it all the time. When you learned the truth about what it really was... Well, what kind of person got angry at someone at their own funeral? You took a breath, wanting nothing more than to take his hand to stop him. It wasn’t easy for you to think of even now. He got quiet after that, both of you standing staring out at the ocean. The silence was comfortable, for once, but it wasn’t Danny... "You know..." he almost laughed "He tried to pay me to leave..." You opened your mouth, well it shouldn't surprise you that Robert would do such a thing. You let your question of "why didn't you!?" go. Deciding the answer Danny would give couldn't possibly be satisfactory. Opting instead for; "Could I pay you to come back!?" You received a half smile. "I don't want your money... I'm getting paid well enough here..." "yeah... It’s how you're getting paid..." "so, Nolan’s getting it?" "uh huh." you nodded, but if he wasn't, you wouldn't see Nolan suffering and Danny knew that too. "Alright..." he was satisfied with that, perching himself back on the edge of the boat. Eventually you had to turn back to him; “I’m Sorry...” “Hmm??” “I’m so sorry...” You pulled him into an embrace “I’m so, so, so sorry...” He wound his arms around you and you were finally with him once more. It’s been months since you had this... “I miss you...” Was all you heard him mumble into your shoulder “I wish you were here...”

When you left him to go back to his thoughts, as clearly Danny had many, you wandered back to the gathering only to be caught by John. Who by the looks of him had just been watching you; "How long are you really prepared to wait for him...? Are you gonna wait forever...?" You smiled, looking out to the Ocean "John, you're implying that I am waiting for something. I'm not." He mulled your answer over with interest "Really." it wasn't a question, but you nodded anyway "I’ll wait for him however long it takes... All I want is him to come home." "... People here want the same thing for different reasons..." "Do you?" John inclined his head "I've already put him on a bus once... I'm trying to do what's best for everyone..." "Is it best for Danny, though?" you looked across at him "... He didn't leave Miami and come here because it was his only option. It wasn't. He came here for help - from his family. Hell, he came here FOR a family... Why are you the only person who treats him like... A person?" "Mom treats him well... Meg’s not bad..." you looked like you didn't believe him. So he sighed "We were always extremely close... Danny always came to me for help... It’s what he does..." "So you really are the big brother. I always thought that." "Yeah. I guess... But listen, Y/N... You don't have to worry about Danny, alright. You don't even have to think about it anymore." He waved a hand "and I understand ending it… I do." You laughed "I didn't end it!" He tilted his head “HE ended it?!” You raised an eyebrow to John, because you knew he knew better than to even ask that “I’ll let you think what you think. Just don’t make it the talk of the town.” He gave you a knowing smile, letting you know he’d caught on “Alright. I won’t.”

“Danny...” He turned to face your father. A little confused as, when looking around, he realised you weren’t there. What could this be about? He hoped Jack wasn’t also about to try to tempt him back to Miami. “Jack!” He gave a smile “It’s good to see you!” He stepped forward, clasping Danny’s hand and giving him an pat on the back “Likewise, Mr.Rayburn. It’s always my honour!” Jack nodded to the old black Chevy truck “Is she yours?” “Oh! Yes Sir. Well, she was dad’s... I fixed her up.” Well. He wouldn’t give Kevin any credit, at least. “Amazing! Looks nearly brand new... ’57 Chevy pickup…” Jack whistled “You don’t see many in working condition! Well done!” Danny nodded in thanks, “of course! The classic ones always run the best, and longest...” Jack began to walk around the truck, studying it thoroughly “Guess it’s the same for classic relationships...” His eyes flicked to Danny’s and Danny wasn’t sure if there was supposed to be hidden meaning in that... “Guess so...” He trod carefully, walking around the car too; “I’ll have to remember that if I ever get to be in a classic relationship.” “Aren’t you? Maybe it’s a little modern classic...” This was odd. They both began circling the car, slow steps... cautious. Danny could feel his heart beat quicken; was this a test?? “How did you get the car running again...?” “Oh! I changed the carb, changed the battery, ignition, cap, rotor… Name it I probably did it!” Jack nodded along, taking it in; “So you made a modern classic...?” Danny stopped for a second letting his visible confusion show on his face; was Jack Ervin using the car as an analogy? “... She could run forever on that...” He had to be. “I’d hope so... It’d mean... never getting a new... car?” Her father gave a different kind of nod, like he was glad Danny was finally catching on. He put his hands on the hood “What are your intentions Mr. Rayburn?” That wasn’t about a car; “Do you intend to go the distance?” Danny stared at his reflection in the hood and bit his lip; “I... am not sure she’s ready to run that many miles... yet....” He tipped his head, not raising his eyes “... I’m not sure I will be driving forever either. Or, if I am the kind of person to take that trip. And for her... I would have to be...” He looked up slowly as Jack folded his arms, but the smile on his face couldn’t be bigger; “I think you underestimate yourself.” Danny put his hands in his pockets and almost guiltily mumbled “So does she...” Jack nearly laughed; “I like you Danny. A lot. And it would be my honour to give you that. So... just... think on it... I think she’d take a drive anywhere, as long as it was with you...” He grinned “I think it’d be a long trip...” he patted the hood again; “Just maybe not in this... not enough seats!” With that Jack gave a mysterious smile and walked back towards the house. Danny didn’t have the chance to give sincere thanks at Jack’s faith in him because the situation became even more confusing. He scrunched his face What?? Then his eyes widened and he looked back at Jack’s disappearing frame oh...! OH!

You had been studying the photographs for a while when Danny came back inside. And he approached you slowly as you looked from one to the other, not wanting to startle you. “God. Don’t look at those!” You laughed “You were blonde! I just can’t believe that!” “Why!?” “Nolan. His hair is dark…” You tapped the photo, “God, he looks JUST like you… That’s adorable…” Though, Meg and John both had dark hair. It wasn’t an exclusively blonde family… “Yeah… He gets that from his mom.” “What!? Eve’s hair is blonde too!” “Not naturally.” “Coulda fooled me.” You tilted your head “And baby John? My goodness… What a cutiepie! You were two good looking young men. Bet you got ALL the girls.” He rolled his eyes “Aw, nah! Not John, not you too!” You laughed “Danny – Calm down! There’s only room for one Rayburn brother in my life…” You shuffled through some of the other photos on the table and paused. “Yeah…” Danny looked over your shoulder “…That’s Sarah…” You picked it up, you could have guessed from the necklace… Then just as quick you put it back and shuffled it under the others, looking back to him; “Why put it out?” “She WAS his favourite.” “…But for you?” He leant on the table next to you, brushing his fingers against yours; “Seeing her doesn’t bother me. She was probably my favourite too… Which is why I took her out in the first place…” He sighed “He bothered me… I still get like…” he waved a hand over his head “…Flashbacks- God, No… Let’s…. Let’s not talk about this…” “I’m sorry…” “What?” “I brought it up. I shouldn’t have… My fault…” You looked back to the photos “It’s not your fault. He did what he did. No ‘you’ about it…” He ran his fingers over your arm; “I mean, I’m ok now, right?” Far from it. You thought, but didn’t say it aloud. “No good worryin’ about things you can’t change, Darlin’…”

* Islamorada, Beach, PM-Late "Meet me up the beach a little way later..." "Why are we being all hush-hush about this..." it amused you to say the least "You know my family..." "Eh. John keeps asking me dumb questions." "That's because you keep answering them!!" “Well I had to put him straight.” “AWWW-! And I was starting to have fun!” He smiled; “So, you up for it? Wait until it gets dark, mm’kay?” “Wow. You make me feel like I’m about 15 sneaking out of my parents house!” He gave a shrug “Well that’s what I’m gonna do. Everyone is going for drinks downtown, though, if you wanna do that!” “No!” You shook you head “That does not sound like my idea of a good time.” “Great!” He watched the way his family were currently watching the two of you, you were just trying to ignore it “…After dark! See you then…” He nudged your shoulder gently as he left you, making you shake your head after him. Honestly!

You sat on the steps of your cabin until you saw him appear a little way down the beach. It was dark, but the porchlights illuminated a silhouette that could only be Danny. Three years was a long time to look at the same person; and you knew exactly how he walked. You turned back to tell your parents that you would be back later; because Danny was taking you on a date. Which, you guessed it would be, and collected your things, walking quickly across the beach to him. “And I thought you’d be here before me…?” He took your hand in his before you’d even had a chance to say hello. “Well, I wanted to make sure it was worth sneaking out!” You gave a wink “Where are we going?” He gave a mysterious smile; “Just up here, Darlin’…! It’ll be great. The sky is clear – it’ll be perfect!” “…Why? What are you planning?” “Mmm! You’ll see…!” He pulled you closer so that he could drape his arm around your shoulders, letting you link your fingers with his. "Janey likes you. Like, really likes you." "Oh! Is there a problem with that!" "No...! It's good to see somebody around here likes you!! She doesn't want you to leave!" That had him laughing. "No! Don't laugh this is serious!" He was making you laugh too, "She even had me making conditions about us visiting the Keys more if you come back to Miami." "And what did you say to that?" "Yeah sure, if she comes to see us!!" "Fair trade." "…Really is conditional on you coming back..!" You tilted your head "Also, you didn't get this from me. But she thinks you're cool." "What's wrong with that!? That's sweet! Have I ever been cool before!?" "Exactly!" You snorted, "Wait until I tell Nolan someone thinks you're cool." "He's not gonna believe you!" "I dunno... I think he thinks you’re cool, he's just too cool to say it..." You squeezed him tighter as you cuddled him "I think you're pretty cool too..." He pushed your arm "Aw, stop it! I'm gonna go as red as you usually do!" "Danny! That is not helping!" You could already feel the heat in your cheeks... He laughed "Ah, I don't say it to help...!" Eventually you came upon his truck. And you realised he’d set it up to provide you with a romantic interlude. He could tell by the look on your face that was at least OK; “Look, I didn’t have much time – I just… I wanted some time alone…” You looked to him, your smile as brilliant as ever “It’s perfect!” He sat you down in the truck bed that he’d tried to make as comfortable as possible and pointed back to the sky. As he’d parked his car on the beach and there was very little artificial lighting around, the stars shone brightly allowing him to pick out several constellations. Star gazing. Danny had brought you here to star gaze. He was truly worth more than words. He uncapped a bottle and held it out to you, but you politely declined; “Oh no, I…” “WAIT. You’re not drinking!? What the hell!?” “Uh, did you know that-!” You had some baffling facts up your sleeve from your mom… “God! Stop!” He covered his ears “Drinking is the only thing that gets me through being here!” He was joking, maybe. But, what other excuses did he have to give for you to tell him to get back to Miami? You laughed, but he picked up another bottle; “Drinking alone… Now THAT’S just sad…” “You’re not alone…” You pulled his body closer to yours, laying your head on his shoulder and running a hand over his chest. He hummed, taking a sip and putting an arm around your shoulders, laying you both back amongst the blankets; “Can’t you just pretend?” “You’re gonna waste a bottle on me?” “…I’ll drink it, you just gotta toast with me…” He tapped the other bottle against your shoulder… You took it; “Well, if you insist…” You studied the bottle, shame, it was a good beer. “I do…” He kissed your forehead gently as you clinked your bottles “Cheers!” “Here’s to us!” You said both in unison. Neither of you expecting to say the other thing. Leaving you both laughing awkwardly. But you smiled, more than glad to accept his phrasing over yours. “Here’s to us…”

*** Your parents had packed the car and were saying goodbye to the family when you made your way outside. It was harder to leave him than to watch him leave you. You reluctantly placed your bag in the car, when you realised that Danny wasn’t even among them. Scanning the group twice to make certain, John detached himself and approached you; “He’s out back...” “Oh. Well then, I better go say goodbye.” “You know you don’t have to do that...” “No, John, that’s the problem. I do.” You hugged him tight; “I hope to see you around Y/N...” “If he stays, you will....” You let him go with a sad smile, “If you’ll excuse me...” Skipping past him and walking back through the house, you opened the back door, finding Danny lost in thought raking the beach. You stood at the top of the steps leaning against the rail to watch him for a minute; “Danny!” He turned instantly at the sound of your voice and dropped everything to run across the sand to you. “Uh Uh! Cigarette out!!” He raised an eyebrow, you’d never had a problem with him smoking before. But, he did as you asked, glancing you up and down as he ascended the steps slowly; “You’re... Really leavin’?” “Afraid so...” “Aw, c’mon, stay...!” “No...I...” “I have a room, you don’t even need to rent a place, I got a car... I’ll drive you to the airport!” “Dan-” “A week! Take a week! Just a week!” “DANNY!” You cut in “I can’t. And you know how bad I want to stay. But I just can’t...” “You’ll come back? Right? And soon? Sooner than it’s taken you to come here now?” “As soon as I get back, I’ll look into it... but I’ve gotta be careful about how often I’m away... remember.” “Why?” “Well, Nolan ought to see one of us.” He groaned just a little “When do you next see him?” “Friday?” Usually he insisted you tutor him in Spanish. He placed a hand to his forehead; “God I’m such a fucking bad father...” That hurt you, hurt way more than it should; “Danny! No! Don’t say that!” “God, Y/N, but it’s true!” “Nolan wouldn’t want to hear you say that either!” “You know sometimes I think that kid would have had it easier if I’d have stayed out of his life...” You gasped and put a hand to your mouth; “Danny...” You felt a sharp pain in your heart and your eyes started to well up... “Sorry I just... it’s so hard... being here when you’re both up there... and if I ever got you... I just... I don’t know what I’d do...” Then you sobbed and it startled him, and you did it again. “Y/N? Hey...! Baby... Hey... Shhh... Baby girl what’s wrong?!” “I’m sorry...” “What? No, no! It’s all me! Baby I’m sorry..!” “I’m sorry!!” You repeated as he took your hands. You were scared about him leaving you before, now you felt it was almost certain... “I’m sorry!” You sobbed harder, and it was tearing him apart. He’d been the one saying all that stupid shit, what were you sorry for...? “D-Danny...” Your voice wavered “I’m pregnant.” It took him a minute to register if he’d heard you right. And when he realised you were looking back at him, defeated and waiting for him to say something, he realised that he had. He opened his mouth, but his thoughts went blank and nothing came out... and he felt himself go weak, his hands left yours as he slumped to his knees. “No... N-No...” Danny closed his eyes... He could barely provide enough money to support one kid let alone two, what the hell had he gotten you into?! You took a shaky breath, you couldn’t look at him, you couldn’t let him go... Your hands clasped gently around his wrists. Your tears were still running as you stared out to sea, wishing it would come and swallow you up. “I’m keeping it. Whatever you decide to do... and you can leave... if you want to leave, you can...” You trailed off. Because you were not the only one crying. “...Danny...” You whispered it. He still wasn’t looking at you, but his shoulders were shaking, and you could hear him trying to hold the tears in. You let his wrists go gently and tried to remember when last, if ever, you had seen Danny cry... As you let him go, he knelt up. Winding his arms around you and pulling you into him, he placed his head gently against your stomach but didn’t stop crying. You ran your hands through his hair gently. “Danny, I’m sorry...” He shook his head “Stop it...” He pulled you tighter to him “Don’t ever be sorry....” He took a deep breath and let out a groan; “You’re sure...?” “Yes...” You reached into your pocket. You’d had your mom persuade someone to take a scan for you, but you wanted to prove it to him none the less. You held out the tiny ultrasound scan and let him take it. He laughed, almost shakily, running his fingers over it. He took your hand again, before he stood, looking back at you and placing his hands gently on your stomach; “How long?” “Have I known...? About a month...” You brushed the tears from your eyes “I thought maybe before you went, but I wasn’t sure...” “How far are you?” “Two, two and a half? I’ll start showing soon... But I didn’t want to tell you over the phone or... I had to tell YOU.” He nodded, looking back to the picture “Can I keep this?” “Do you want to?” “Baby, of course I....” He thought about what he’d just said “...God, I really just...” he sighed “Screwed up. Again… And I… I’m never gonna leave you. Please don’t think that I-” he shook his head “look, this time, THIS time I might actually get this right!” “Woah, woah… don’t worry about money! I don’t need you worrying about anything more than Nolan right now!” You stopped his train of thought right there, he was going to do something stupid if he thought about trying to get money together to raise two kids. You could do this one just fine yourself... not alone... just, yourself. “You’re still going to stay?” You we’re hopeful this could change his mind... “I have to...” His voice was soft, “maybe I can take some time off and come back. You know you can always come relocate here too... don’t you?” Maybe you could, but, anything to get him home... He studied the scan again. “Do you know what it is yet?” “No!” You laughed “Danny it’s waaay too early for that!” “Aw, c’mon! How am I meant to help you! I can’t even come up with a name yet?” “... Oh! You’ll be lucky if I let you name my child Mr.Rayburn!” You turned at the sound of your dad calling you though the house; “Already?!?” You sighed, “Coming dad!” You looked back to Danny, who pocketed the scan carefully and took your hand again “Don’t be gone too long. I don’t think I can take being away from you again...” “Well, will you at least walk me to the car?” “What kind of gentleman would I be if I didn’t?” He held out his arm for you to loop yours through “Let’s take the long way ‘round, so I can keep you to myself just a little longer...” You were only too happy to oblige a long slow walk around the back of the house. But even now smart-mouthed quick-witted Danny was quiet ... thoughtful. Content to be in your presence but with his own thoughts, until the glint of gold around your neck caught his eye... He reached out, catching the fine gold chain between his fingers. He pulled until the tiny “D” at the end revealed itself from under your clothing. “You’re still wearing this?!” “Still?” You had to pull yourself closer to him as he inspected the charm, “I don’t think I’ve ever taken it off.” It might not have cost him a lot, heck it might even have been a joke, but it’s sentimental value to you could not have been understated. Beyond the initial, everything from the weight, to length of the chain meant he knew you and the jewellery you wore. He’d thought about it. Yes, Danny had... You’d never been willing to buy into anything the Rayburn’s had ever told you about him and you knew you never would. From the second you’d walked into his apartment you felt you’d known this man better than they ever would. Danny all but let you go as you rounded the front of the house. Noticing how ‘protective big brother’ John studied you both carefully as he walked you to the car your parents were now in. You were surprised your dad wasn’t jokingly tapping his watch from inside. You turned back to Danny as you got to the door. “Promise me, you’ll come back.” “If you promise me you’ll stay here longer than ONE NIGHT I will promise you anything...” “Okay, well, I’ll look into it when I get home... and I promise...” “Call me. When you get back, I want to know everything. Tell Nolan, he’ll like it.” You weren’t convinced how Nolan would react to having a much younger half-sibling... but you trusted Danny’s judgement, Nolan was a good kid. “I will. Tell him...” you opened the door “And, call you. I’ll call you.” “Yeah well, there was a time I had to be VERY persuasive about that!” “What like 3 years ago? Danny c’mon!” “Oh, I’m not saying I’m not glad!” You laughed “Whatever you say! I’ll call, I promise. Take care, okay? You know I worry!” “Hell, I know...” You hopped into the car, allowing your parents to shout their goodbyes back at him; “See you around Danny!” “Have a good trip back Jack! Maria!” you rolled your eyes and belted yourself in; “I’ll see you soon.” “Sure! We’ll figure it out...” “Yeah... Goodbye Danny!” He closed the door for you “I miss you already.” And he was quite serious, backing away from the car with a sad smile and a wave as your dad started the engine. Your dad put the car in drive and wound down all the windows so you could wave and say goodbye as you accelerated down the drive way. “You okay?” He watched you through the mirror. For a moment you had a smile on your face, but then you shook your head and you felt yourself well up again, you bit your lip... Damn, you thought you missed him before... The Rayburn clan headed inside, but not Danny. His mind was racing as he watched your parents car roll away. He wanted to watch until he couldn’t see it anymore. But he was thinking a million different things about the baby. How could he not see you through all of that? The next 8 or so months were crucial and he was all but stuck here, but he couldn’t tell you that. He couldn’t head back to Miami, he had too much going on here that he needed to do... He took a deep breath again... And then he started running. “Dios Mio!” Your father slowed the car and you wondered what he was doing until you heard it over the sound of the slowing engine “Hey!! Heyyy!! Wait a minute!!!” Your mom started laughing and you turned around in your seat. “Stop the car!! Wait!!!” You knew if you were still crying it was happy tears, as you unbelted yourself and couldn’t scramble to open the door fast enough. You were just about out as he caught up, slowing his sprint he grabbed you into a hug, tight to him, he lifted you from the ground and spun you gently, you were once again lost in his embrace. One arm strong and protective around you he stooped just a little and kissed you. And you realised that it was your first kiss in months as you wound your arms around his neck. It was a long kiss, worth it, but not nearly long enough. When he finally let your lips go, he breathed out; “Devan.” “Devan?” “Our baby. Devan... with an a.” “Devan?” You repeated, happier; “I like that...”

*** Miami, Your Apartment, Early AM

It was late. Extremely late. So late it was also extremely early. Your phone buzzed on the night stand, you were curious enough, and hadn’t been sleeping too well. You picked it up and squinted; Danny??? Then sat bolt upright DANNY!!!

You slid your finger across the screen to answer; “Babe!” Your voice probably couldn’t have sounded happier, which was weird because you were actually worried that he was calling you at this time. “What’s up? What’s wrong?” You decided it would probably be the latter. Danny called you almost every day, but it was always at a reasonable time... “Hey... Y/N... I uh.... This is gonna sound crazy... I’m… about a half hour or so out from Miami... I was just wondering if you could pick me up?” You couldn’t answer him fast enough “Yes! Oh my god! Of course, are you coming home!?” You threw the phone on loud speaker and began pulling clothes out of your dresser. “Kinda. I mean, John has... essentially sent me back...” He didn’t exactly sound happy about it “... But uh... Yeah, I’ll be coming to the bus stop. So, I’ll be home.” You didn’t care, selfishly, if he was happy or not. You couldn’t get ready fast enough. “Okay, okay... Baby, I’ll be there. See you soon! I can’t wait to see you!” His laugh was soft “I can’t wait to see you either...”

You were waiting at the bus stop in loose fitting jeans and a t-shirt, cropped leather jacket around your shoulders to keep the chill off. He stepped off that bus and your heart leapt. He smiled as soon as he saw you and his slow walk turned to a run. He gathered you in his arms; he was back, Danny was finally back where he really belonged. You gathered fistfuls of his shirt as you attempted to pull him closer to you. You needed this, you needed him. Back here. “How are you?” He mumbled into your neck, swaying you gently in his arms. “I’m okay. Things are going well! How are you?” “Yeah. It’s... Good to be back...” You weren’t sure if he was just making it sound genuine, but you would take what you could get. Pulling away from you and holding your shoulders, he studied your face, you couldn’t keep your smile at bay. You had feared you would cry with joy, you were glad to see that hadn’t happened. His hands slid to your stomach; “How’s our baby?” You laughed, loving that he said our, “Devan is fine. All the scans are going well... Healthy... No problems...” you placed your hands over his; “You just need to be here now..!” He smiled at that “Devan, is that what we’re really going for?” “Your idea... Plus it doesn’t have a gender yet, and, I don’t really want to find out...” “Okay...” He knelt down “Devan it is...” He placed his forehead gently to your stomach; “Can you feel anything yet?” “They say 16 to 22 weeks until you can feel the movements, later for kicks... I mean, it’s moving as normal...” “When is your next scan?” You knew he would ask. Danny wanted to model himself as a present father. He wanted to see his second child grow... “You can just go... y’know. I’ll book one tomorrow morning for this week... then you can ‘meet’ Devan for yourself...”

He piled into your car with his bag. He groaned; "Man I hate that bus ride..." "Why didn't you drive back?" "In that Chevy? Yeah I'd be lucky if it could run the full 4 hours..." He wasn't telling you something. You knew that. But you couldn't ask. He stretched and yawned; "No way I could sleep... I need a shower... Damn... It's gonna be good to be home." "Home?" You couldn't help but smile at that; "Yeah, baby, you are home..."

It might have been pretty early, but when Danny pulled you into that shower you couldn't refuse. There wasn't anything sexual about it, he just wanted to feel something. He needed your affection; after everything in the Keys, Danny just needed you... Letting the hot water run over his body he held you so close, nothing could possibly be too close. He ran his fingers gently over every part of you he could reach, committing you to memory, to his heart... savouring every little piece of you. Feeling the beat of your heart on his skin. But it wasn't just you anymore, you were carrying his unborn child. And Danny thought he'd loved you before. He traced your jaw line, your neck and your shoulders with his lips. But he wasn't the only one whose hands were wandering; you traced his chest, lingering over his heart for just a moment. You could fall asleep to that heartbeat, God you'd missed this. You'd missed him... Up over his arms, across his shoulders; your fingers dancing lightly but no less significantly over his left, Up his neck and into his hair, he pushed his face against yours and you claimed his lips. Resting his forehead against yours, he continued to let the water wash over him; "I love you..." You thought you caught it, faintly murmured. You closed your eyes and whispered; "Say it again..." "I love you..." And it was like hearing him say those words for the very first time.

***

He was restless. He'd been here for four hours, and he already wanted to leave. There was no denying it to yourself. Sure, he held you close to him, you tucked safely into the curve he was making with his body. He ran his hands continuously over your stomach and he tried to get comfortable. But that was the problem. He continued to try to get comfortable. There were a million things going on in his head and you could almost hear his mind racing at a million miles an hour.

You must have eventually drifted off in his arms, because when you awoke it was almost daybreak. The sky was pale and watery. Danny was standing by the window, looking out over Miami as the sun bled into the sky and illuminated the glassy high-rises. You hated that you knew. Gathering your hands to your chest you entwined your fingers with the fine gold chain. Your heart ached. Because you knew. You had to let Danny go, again.

You watched him for way too long, letting these feelings roll around until you felt sick. If you forced him to stay here... He would never be happy. Not until he finished whatever he started. If you let him go... Then you didn't know what you would be letting him walk into. And with his baby on the way, that scared you. Eventually you sat up. "You want to leave... don't you..." He took a breath; when he turned back to you his eyes were guilty. "I don't know if I'm not through with the Keys... Or the Keys is not through with me..." You stood, and crossed to him; "You NEED to go back." You took him in your arms... "Danny. You will never be happy here. With me... with Nolan... with our baby... if you don't finish whatever it is that’s weighing on your mind." "...Y/N..." "I don't… WANT… you to leave. But I can't keep you here if you are going to be like this... I can't make you stay..." "John sent me back." His voice almost wavered as he left your eyes, tapping his fingers gently against your arm. "I don't CARE what your little brother did. Danny. I care about you..." You pulled back from him, "I want you back here more than anything... But I want you to want that too..." You walked back to pick up your clothes, and his, before turning back to him; "Get your things... I'll drive you back to the bus station." You smiled, "Maybe then I'll get my Danny back..."

You walked hand in hand towards the bus. Danny almost laughed that the dress you had chosen to wear today was the same one you had worn when you'd first walked into his restaurant a little over 3 years ago. He turned, studying you, looking at how truly beautiful you were in the Miami sunrise. Was he really about to leave you all over again? He said the first thing he could think of; "Thank you."

It was so unbelievably sincere that your breath caught in your throat. You pulled him to you by the collar of his shirt; "You listen to me, Danny Rayburn. You get back to the Keys. You do what you gotta do. And you COME BACK to me. We will make things work up here, but I don't want to hear another excuse for you leavin' ever coming out of your mouth. You hear me?" You pulled him into a kiss, deep, exquisite. Savouring the taste of him on your tongue. "You come back to me." It was his turn to pull you into a kiss, each more passionate than the last. He let you go, breathless. You were always good at that. Taking his breath away. Flawless, no matter what. And that initial around your neck. You had always been his, and Danny realised, you would always be his... You would wait for him forever, and yet he quickly comprehended he didn't want to wait that long.

"I promise you. Darlin'. A few more days, and this will all be over... I'll be back in Miami before you know it." He winked "You're the best thing that’s ever happened to me... And you are never gonna realise how much I love you..." You smiled; "Maybe so. But God, Danny Rayburn... If you loved me half as much as I love you, you never would have left. Which is why you gotta go back..." You took his hands in yours and pushed them to your stomach "We will be waiting for you to get off that bus again." "I know..." He kissed you once more, "Alright Baby Girl..." He addressed your non-existent bump "Devan-! I'll see you real soon..." He smiled this time as he stepped backward towards the bus; "Y/N! Don't you dare ever go changin' on me Darlin'!!" You laughed "I won't. Don't you either...!" That made him laugh; "Unfortunately for you... I think I'm gettin' a little too old to change!" He winked, turning to hand over his ticket he stepped onto the bus, then stopped and ran back, gathering you into his arms he gave you one last kiss. And for the first time in your life you knew what they meant by fireworks, a million sparks went off in your head as he tipped your body, making that kiss last as long as he could "Y/N... I love you!" You smiled, hugging him close "Go! Get that bus! Hurry back... Daniel Rayburn. I can't live without you...!" "I know..." He kissed your forehead, then jogged back to the bus, apologetically. You smiled, walking down the side of the bus to where he decided to take a seat. He settled down in the window and took a deep breath, looking across to you. You kissed the tips of your fingers, and stretched your hand to touch the glass. He smiled, kissing the tips of his own, and pressing them to match yours against it. "I love you..." you mouthed it, as the bus started its engine. He shook his head, laughing; "Love you more..." He winked as you stepped back. You waved him off as it started rolling away, and this time, he looked at least a little happy as he waved back to you. This time, he'd promised to come back. And you held Danny at his word. You smiled, continuing to watch the bus until it rolled out of sight. You brushed the single tear from your cheek. And laughed. What was a few more days now? Compared to what you had been through?

Next time you held Danny in your arms back here in Miami. He would be home. And it would be forever.

---

TELL ME. TELL ME IF YOU SAW THIS COMING OR YOU WERE SURPRISED!?! I NEED TO KNOW. NOW!!!!!

I mean if for any reason you look up the songs / lyrics before you read I suppose ‘It Takes A Man’ by Chris Young told you but...

@stcphstrange - Oh God... Tell me there’s more than 2 parts left...!! I’ma cry! 😭 @happyskywhale

The whole “Devan” thing is not something I can easily explain. I’m sorry if you don’t like it...

Danny’s emotions @ All points in this fic.

#Danny Rayburn #Ben Mendelsohn #danny rayburn x reader #Danny Rayburn x You #Bloodline #Sway #Linzi Writes #so many feelings #Welcome Chris Young to the lyrics I'm using list #Please add your name #I JUST WANT DANNY TO BE HAPPY BUT IVE ONLY GOT TWO PARTS AND NOW I'M IN SHOW TERRITORY #WHY AM I DOING THIS TO MYSELF!??!#26 #Liliana

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whstletomyheart · 6 years ago

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Why YG TREASURE BOX is a complete mess and YG is playing with us. (A rant?)

First, its important to understand what or YGTB is and how it was promoted for this we should understand the events that happened before.

NOTE: YG will be referred to as a they since there are other people besides YHS Making the Decisions.

All of YG’s boy groups were made through survival shows.

BIGBANG=BIGBANG DOC

WINNER=WIN

IKON=WIN/M&M

So it was pretty obvious that they would reuse this concept for their new bg.

Now its safe to assume that the group was set to be made around Bang Yedam, he’s popular in Korea plus that he was the moat famous trainee .

Now this is the general assumption that the original silver boys lineup ot11 were the lineup set up to debut. This is the reason why they were promoted through Mixnine (GonSukKyu) and Stray Kidz (YG vs JYP). But we all know Mixnine failed and that some trainees left making YG To rethink their concept and lineup.

Now we must remember that prior to the show starting YG teased that Yedam, Hyunsuk and Raesung were basically confirmed members.

Raesung, due to personal reasons decided to not participate in the show (the best decisions honestly).

Currently YG as a company is at a point were every fandom in it has problems with the company. This is all due to the amount of mismanagement towards the majority if not all the groups and artists. YG despite being the house of great and unique artists doesn’t know how to mange them which leads to long hiatus, less music and cbs,etc.

Now lets analyze the problems with the shows format. Moat idol survival shows have the same format. Which is simply individual competition. This means that the contestants will be evaluated and the voting will be individual or 1 pick (produce 101).

YGTB showed the beginning to be more a team survival show in other words a group compete with other groups (Win). But around the second and third episode its revealed that the show will be individual, shifting the format. This is first seen strange since a consistent theme in YGs previous groups is their teamwork but this is because since predebut the trainees are grouped into groups.

In the show we are never truly explained about how the show works and if it is its vague and very contrictdactory. Plus a lot of unfair and frankly weird things are shown ( compared to other survival shows)

Examples of this are:

• Number of final lineup is always changing: from 7 to 9 to 7 to 6 to 5 to 7 it would change depending the mood od the ceo.

• YHS changes rules at whim: YHS changes or adds rules

• Missions: the missions to compete against the treasure team were barely explained. Winpink came to the show mostly just for name Dropping cause they didn’t show why they chose who they chose. The ep were winner 2seung was going to examine their performances was cut to almost nothing more than click Bait.

• The rounds or missions made little sense , at the beginning it 1:1 , then 2:2 (duo), then team genre(?)/concept (in my opinion they weren’t that different in my opinion to be a concept eval but oh well)and putting a position battle at the end ……makes little sense

In Produce and other shows its usually a cover, position, concept and then original song evaluation. Showing the growth.

• Lack of original ygtb songs most survival shows make their own songs fir the concept and final evaluations (example Mixnine). YG is company that prides on self production but not once was this used despite various trainee being able to ( Yedam, Hyunsuk, Byounggon, Asahi, Yoshinori, etc.) . Even if the boys couldn’t yg producers could’ve made songs just like in Mixnine.

• Lack of fan events besides liking a trainees video and channel there weren’t chances for the fans to feel really close to them. With the individual channels they could’ve done random lives but no. Or fanmeetings.

Despite this the show did release a series of interesting content that honestly saved the show.

• Not letting all the trainees participate in the treasure swap and cutting and not airing the performances certain trainees made. Leaving the fans to have to watch fancams.

Now to explain the real mess, throughout the whole show fans were confused on how they could help their faves in terms of voting. YG opens voting till the last 2 episodes and makes it a group voting meaning you have to vote for a group of trainees. According to fans this means that the lineup with most votes will have an advantage to debut. On the last ep its revealed that Isn’t case at all. The trainees only got extra points depending on how many ranks or lineups they were in. In other words again it was individual voting. They didn’t explain this till ep 10 when the voting’s was done. Along with this they added the final nail to the coffin. These online votes were only worth 20% of the final score. With onsite votes at a 30%. But YHS gets 50% of the score, so basically YHS gets to choose at the end od the day so fan votes mean close to nothing. If a trainee did well on votes but isn’t YGs fave they wont pass and vice versa.

On top of all of this YG makes sure fans aren’t in the recording of the ranking to obviously avoid discord and only announces half the lineup for what we can only assume is for drama. Only YG and some staff know the lineup. Instead of releasing it all its adding more anxiety and desperation . Which can be seen in the fighting, the rumors and spamming.

Now that we’ve established that YGTB is a mess of a show that makes Mixnine look good, lets talk about favoritism and screentime. And why I don’t understand YGs intentions and the lineup.

Ok let get this out of the way YG/YHS always plays favorites, this isn’t new at all. We can see in the show that there are trainees YHS likes way more compared to others. In other words he tends to be very biased. On top that he likes to brag. The first ep is basically look at all the visuals I got.

All it takes is to watch the show to know who Yg/YHS like more baaed on screentime and arcs made. Lets Look at the confirmed members most got solid screentime. Yedam is pushed from the get go to being a super star trainee that is basically god where other trainees don’t want to be against him. Junkyu is cute and talented a good future asset, we see how he gets screentime from the start with his confidence arc. Plus its important to note that in Mixnine YHS’s fave was Junkyu . Haruto from the start was the Japanese trainee YG was interested in and he Gets the most screentime from the Japanese trainees. Jeongwoo was promoted through his vocal and how yg likes him, he gets attention. Junghwan On the other hand gets way less screentime then the other member but still way more than other less known trainees.

That being said a lot of the team b, team c and team j trainees get very little to no screentime. Jongseob who won Kpop Star didn’t get much screentime and performance was cut. Mashiho’s screentime is mostly reactions or being a friend.

Silver boys got the most screentime overall they focused a lot on their teamwork and bond giving fans the hope that they would debut. Which is were im frankly confused and would love to understand the why.

Why make silver boys participate in this show and emphasize so much on them for basically nothing?

Why bring Jihoon back?

Why bring Seunghun back?

After hours and hours of thinking and reading opinions. I came to a few theories:

A) YG wants to debut a fresh, young and visual new bg. For whatever reason, so choosing the younger trainees makes sense. Probably modeled around Yedam for a more pop sound in comparison to WinKon Some accounts state that a lot of kfans were pushing yg for a younger and visual group. Basically discarding the older trainees. Also this lineup has YGs faves who were the younger ones. If this is true YG will debut Yoonbin and Masiho or Yoonbin and Jaehyuk (his screentime in the last episodes makes me think so). Basically in this theory YG had an idea from the get go and they only used the silver boys for clout. This is the theory that makes me the saddest tbh. But still it doesn’t explain why yg would care so much about silver boys. Like bringing them back and emphasizing so mucho on how they’re a team. Plus it discards the power Hyunsuk has with one of the most stable fandoms.

B) The theory before the lineup was dropped was that yg Is testing the silver boys for the last time which made sense till the last episode. But SB stans have been very loud and spammed his Instagram, trended a hashtag and are contacting companies. This means they have a strong fandom so this might help.

C) YG will add more members to the lineup I think 9 is more realistic than 11. Based on screentime maybe Hyunsuk + Seunghun.

D) YG will debut all of ot13, doubt this since YG hasn’t have that big of a group and I don’t think YG can handle it. If it was SM yeah but not this. (I like this one tho )

E) YG will debut ot13 but in 2 teams a pop team and hip-hop team. Pop=treasure7 Hip-hop=silver boys +a member (I love this)

F) YG will debut SB but under the black label.

G) YG wont do anything except debuting the og treasure7 . And the sbs will leave the company and split up.

These are all the theories I have.

Tldr: YGTB has a lot of flaws as a survival show being extremely unfair and the situation with the lineup is the most chaotic thing ever. Whatever yg does will make people mad.

The worst part is that it worked as always YG doing the minimal manages to pull us in just to disappoint us. Just that he managed to drag more people this time.

At this point I’m done with the guessing and the rumors, I just really want to know what’s going on and the security that my faves are ok even if they’re in or not in the group. Cause not debuting in the group isn’t the end they can debut with another group or go solo. My point is that it isnt the end for their careers.

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spiritsncrystals · 6 years ago

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Yu-Gi-Oh GX for the fandom thing!

why did i expect this lol

Favorite Male Character: Judai. he’s my kuriboh bby boi and i luv im to bits his growth as a person was also interesting to see but in terms of my favourite favourite there’s 1% competition cuz my bby is my favourite

Favorite Female Character: probably either tania or bursty (burstlady/burstinatrix) Tania is p much the urbosa of Gx a strong cool And beautiful tribe leader. (except she’s also a tiger) and well she’s great.bursty i like cuz she’s a badass lady spirit in ep 20 and welp i just like her

Least Favorite Character thats a hard one. i got a load of characters i have a disliking to (mostly S3 jackasses that got what they sorta deserved)but if i had to pick someone it’d be satou/ professor stein mostly goin by dub logic here because the voice really backs up the point. his voice is just so..monotone and boring that really you cant find any or much interest in him. and he wonders why everyone slept through his classes..

Favorite Ship: my blog name is an anonym for it it’s even in my blog title header it’s spiritship.

Favorite Friendship: another hard one.. there’s a lotta good friendships in Gx although im probably gonna be an odd one out saying i enjoyed the sorta friendship rei had with martin (before the whole yubel possessed martin stuffu) it was nice to see rei fussing over someone who wasn’t ryo or judai. plus it’s someone who looks about her age (whatever her actual official jap age is)

Favorite Quote ooo thats easy. yknow where haou says to judai “to be willing to become evil to defeat evil..” it just has more of a deeper meaning to me sorta questioning the whole can the hero always win in the end? plus it has a nice tone to it.

Worst Character Death: in terms of brutality/darkest id say Cobra’s was the worse. i mean paralyzed into walking off a platform 20feet high and falling to his death…that’s pretty dark. literally

This made me so happy you have no idea Moment: im just gonna mark this as a moment that is never not gonna be funny to me-

where manjoume calls sho and kenzan judai’s lil baby duckies which in it’s context makes 100% humorous sense

Saddest Moment: i still gotta get through a few major angst episodes but i think in 146 where judai’s just wondering round the remains of the villages and that in darkworld after the destruction he caused as haou and keeps flashing back to when he caused it. and then ends up returning to where he dueled brron and keeps seeing images in his mind of the suffering the 4 friends killed 4 super poly and is just really torn about what he’s done and wants to know how does he repent for the sins he’s caused and then that bao guy shows up wanting to beat judai so he can be seen as the new ruler and obviously his whole PTSD has limmited how effectively he can duel and the most sad bit is he sees it as the answer to what to do about his sins and accepts almost in hopes of duelicide (basically a suicide duel) with very little hope of winning and finds it fitting that his life should end where his friends did.

honestly that’s like how he feels at the time and its kinda heart breakin

Favorite Location: Orisis\slifer red dorm. no questions asked.

but thats p much it.

#that took wayy too long to type #but worth the while #yes i class duelicide as a thing #yugioh gx #ygo gx #gx

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dndadspolls · 2 years ago

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#dndads #dndaddies #dungeons and daddies #dndads saddest episode poll #saddest ep round 1

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miraculous-lbcn · 7 years ago

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(Season 2 EP 5) Riposte highlights/summary

OKAY BOI THIS EPISODE WOOOOO WHERE TO BEGIN:

1. Tikki's a D ORABLE LAugH 😭❤️

2. Marinette doing a fencing class(?) joining the fencing club(?) trying out just for that day(?) Either or she's trying and as the class begins she's looking for Adrien who comes up to her(in his helmet so she can't see who came up to her, also can't remember what he says to her with his helmet on) but she replies back with I'm looking for Adrien AND PROCEEDS TO COMPLIMENT HIM AS HER MOUTH JUST KEEPS GOING AND GOING AND B O I WHO DO WE SEE THAT ASKED HER, MR "JUST A FRIEND" AG RESTE WHO ALSO SAYS THANK YOU TO THE COMPLIMENTS

3. Adrien and Marinette talk a bit and then he teaches her how to fence which ofc she's good at bc her Ladybug skills 💯👌🏼(BUT HE TEACHES HER UP CLOSE LIKE HOLDING HER SHOULDERS AND ARMS AND EVERYTHING AAAA)

4. E N T E R KAGAMI, guys she's so badass like holy crap S T E P O N M E P L S

5. She proceeds to fight with Adrien as she wanted to fight the best in the class. And THEY GO OUT HARDCORE. She's so damn on par with him it's insane, it's so cool.

6. Just when they both aim at each other, Marinette the only witness and as it was hard to tell who won,she automatically says Adrien did which Kagami was very upset about (as we learn later on her family(?) are like world champion fencers) this then causes an alums to happen (AGAIN SOMETHING WITH MARI AND AKUMAS, SHE DIDNT DO ANYTHING WRONG BUT JUST WHY MAKE IT THIS WAY?)

7. Before Kagami gets into the car Adrien run after her (asking for a rematch? Possibly feeling bad about who won and such. Idk my French isn't good so I'm just assuming rn) and Kagami finally proceeds to take off the helmet AND B O I DOES ADRIEN FKING AGRESTE HAVE A T Y P E. THE BACKGROUND THEY USED WHEN HIM AND MARI WERE DANCING WAS THE SAME WHEN HE WAS LOOKING AT KAGAMI (cue all the love square fans crying)

7. She goes on to say no or something? And Adrien goes after her in his car as she's going away in her car AND MARI SEES AN AKUMA GOING AFTER THEM AND TRANSFORMS WOOOOO

8. Riposte appears and BOI CAN SHE SLICE AND I MEAN IT WHEN I SAY S L I C E. Poor Adrien caught off guard. (POOR GORILLA TOO I HOPE HES OKAY) AND HAWKMOTH ACTUALLY TRYING TO STEER RIPOSTE AWAY FROM HURTING ADRIEN (GOOD ON YOU SIR BUT STILL DOESNT MAKE UP FOR ALL THE EVIL INSIDE YOU)

9. FINALLY LADYBUG TO THE RESCUEEE AAAAA she fights riposte for a bit and Adrien throws her the sword (Kagami's sword she used to fight earlier with him) And riposte just knocks the sword right off her hand and she's left on the ground with Riposte about to attack her WHEN ADREN SWOOPS IN LIKE THE KNIGHT IN SHINING ARMOUR (literally in fencing gear) AND SAVES LADYBUG BY PUSHING HER OUT THE WAY ONLY FOR HIM TO LAND ON TOP OF HER AND SHES STARING UP AT HIM ( S Q U E A L S - cue LADRIEN AAAAA)

10. In the process of him saving her though HE HURTS HIS ANKLE OH NO MY PRECIOUS BOY. Then Ladybug has to take him to safety and proceeds to grab him by the waist automatically and she blushes after she realizes and proceeds to head away (CARRYING HIM PRINCESS/BRIDAL STYLE, like girl you strong)

11. She talks to Adrien for a bit asking if he's okay and then the battle continues between the two and such AND THANK GOD THE CAT LIVES PLAGG IS ALIVE AND HEATHY I NEED MORE HIM ON THE SCREEN PLEASE

12. Just as Adriens about to transform Ladybug hold riposte off for a bit and gets Adrien out of there before they could be found. They head to the Louvre and she hides him inside the mummy tomb that Alya has been in previously.

13. CUE LADRIEN AGAIN (M Y H E A R T) after she closes the tomb on him LADYBUG PROCEEDS TO KISS THE TOMBSTONE LIKE AAAAAHHHHHHH THE FEELS ARE REAL LADRIEN HAS CLEARED MY PORES AND CLEANSED MY FACE. (Plus she looked like so fond? Happy? EVERYTHING GOOD??! doing that kiss AHHH

14. Battle continues and Adrien transforms really quickly (as now we see confirmation although Astruc confirmed for us too, but now we have physical evidence) and as he transforms his ankle/leg injury is still there and hurts him a lot (poor bb) ALSO LADYBUG NOTICES HIS PAIN AND WORRIES FOR HIM (I wonder if she even remotely thought of Adrien and Chat for a second there too)

15. Battle proceeds and such with the help of Chat AND THEN RIPOSTE AND LADYBUG GET STUCK AT THE MUMMY TOMB SHE HID ADRIEN AND RIPOSTE GOES TO SLICE IT AND YOU HEAR LADYBUG SCREAMING THE SADDEST NOOO (like she did in VOLPINA) GOD IT WAS SUCH A SAD NOO BUT WAS SURPRISED WHEN HE WASN'T INSIDE (thank god)

16. Battle continues, lucky charm happens and with the help of Chat and his belt, they save the day YAS

17. Once Kagami's back to normal Ladybug helps Kagami out and asks if she's okay and such, meanwhile Chat has to go away and detransform and he does nearby so he could explain to Ladybug later what happened.

18. Onc eKagami is outside LADRIEN START TALKING and she asks if he's okay and he explains his side of the story and such and god they're so awkward and cute and adorkable and it felt like Adrien wanted to say more but didn't and UGH CUTE.

19. Ladybug then tells him it's a good idea to give Kagami her sword back so he takes it and she has to go and deteansform. Before she leaves she waves and say bye to Adrien then turns around and goes AND THEN ADRIEN FKING AGRESTE SMILES AND BLOWS A KISS TOWARSS HER DIRECTION (SOMEONE GET A GIF OF THE TWO KISSES SIDE BY SIDE SOON PLEASE) LIKE AHHHHHH LADRIEN FEELS ARE SO STRONG MY GOD.

20. Adrien goes outside and talks to Kagami and idk my French is bad but rematch will happen and a fair one this time too? He explains stuff about Marinette and how it was an accident and such and he tries to defend her bc "just a friend" agreste. Kagami asks him if he likes Marinette AND "JUST A FRIEND" Agreste says QUOTE ON QUOTE "she's just a friend" (meanwhile Marinette is hidden behind listening to all of this and gets sad by the fact she's only considered a friend)

21. Adrien and Kagami shake hands and say bye and he asks her name which she then proceeds to say Kagami. She leaves and Adrien has like a really sweet smile (idk possibly fond?) but it was a smile. (Cue love square fanatics tears)

22. Like said previously Marinette is sad by "just a friend" Agreste AND THANK GOD FOR TIKKI SHE CHEERS HER UP WHAT A CUTIE UGH. We all need a Tikki in our lives. Thankfully she cheered Marinette up and the episode ends as so with a shot of Adrien and Marinette on one side with Kagami in the middle

ALRIGHTY THERE YOU HAVE IT FOLKS. A HUGE ROUND OF APPLAUSE AND A VERY EXTREMLY WARM AND SINCERE THANKS TO ASTRUC AND HIS TEAM YET AGAIN FOR ANOTHER EPISODE OF THRILLS AND EXCITEMENT AND A LITTLE BIT MORE (LOVE) SPICE 👌🏼💯😭 BEST TEAM EVER THANK YOU FOR WORKING SO HARD, IT REALLY SHOWS IN THIS SHOW HOW MUCH EFFORT THEY PUT IN AND I'M SO HAPPY THE WAIT WAS WORTH IT. THANK YOU AGAIN ASTRUC AND HIS TEAM FOR ANOTHER NIGHT OF STAYING UP LATE FOR EXCITING NEW EPISODES! Can't wait for how the rest of the season will play out!!

***ALSO: feel free to add onto anything I missed!! (It's like 2:30 am as I'm writing this so I'm sure I was bound to have missed a detail or more)***

(Side note: I'll probably continue to post these types of things for future episodes)

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ktarsims · 7 years ago

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10 Q’s Meme - Round 3

Round 3 - Tagged by @acquiresimoleons (you amazing and talented and hilarious lady, you...)

1. What Sims games have you played? Only Sims3. Well... I tried out Sims 4 for all of about half an hour, and got frustrated with not being able to figure out how to rotate the camera, quit, and never played it again. So yeah, just Sims3. I actually own Sims2 though (I acquired it because so many people say it’s so awesome), I just haven’t played it yet.

2. What kind of cc do you have the most of? This is a toss up between patterns and hair. I’m not actually sure which one I have more of.

3. Of all your sims, who is most likely to survive the apocalypse? Ninae, absolutely. That gal is calm, collected, practical, and if necessary, deadly.

4. What was your saddest simming moment? You know when you’ve just spent an hour in CAS getting your sim JUST right, and then you go to add a few decorations to their home before you save and the game crashes? Yep, that moment.

5. What is your favorite glitch you’ve had happen in your game? (Bonus points for screenshots!)

The car that was still attached to Kyva and so would displace her, but also be displaced itself... as can be seen above... and Nene posing in mid-air because she walked up invisible steps. Yep. Love it.

6. If you could ask EA any question and be guaranteed an honest answer, what would it be? How much longer are you going to support the Sims 3 Exchange website, and what are the parameters coded in that determine when or if content is deleted?

7. If you could pick out an expansion for the game, what would it be? Hum. This, I’m not good at. I could name specific features I’d like to see, but trying to envision anything as an expansion is difficult. Perhaps a secondary Pets EP, offering more pet options, accessories, skills, and a few pet oriented jobs like Vet, Trainer, Groomer, maybe a part-time job as a dog-walker, etc.

8. Current Sims obsession: Obsession? Me? Uh... *hides the thousands of patterns waiting to be converted* I don’t know what you’re talking about.

9. Who is your favorite sim? Hmmmm. Probably Ninae. I’ve spent more time playing her than anyone else.

10. What’s the longest amount of time you’ve spent simming? Are we talking time with the game actually open? Or time spent doing things for the game? xD Because the former is probably around 12hours, but the latter is probably like 7+ days...

My questions I will post later… because I have at least two more sets of questions to answer. Hee. These are fun! ^-^

#simblr memes #text post

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onestowatch · 8 years ago

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Authenticity is Key: A Q&A With Avalon Young

From the quiet beaches of San Diego to one of the loudest stages in the world, Avalon Young has seen it all. This So Cal singer has a lot going for her right now. Her debut album, SHIFT, debuted at #2 on the Itunes R&B charts. She finished in the top 8 on the final season of American Idol. And most importantly, she can sing her ass off.

Avalon Young isn’t your typical rising star though. Even with all the attention she has received in such a short time, she has stayed true to her image and personality. It may have taken away some opportunities from her but she’s fine with it. She’s in it for the long haul and she’s determined to find success on her own terms.

I caught up with Avalon to talk about her debut album SHIFT, the American Idol experience, being persistent after facing rejection, catering to her new fans, and more. Read the full interview below:

What kind of creative stuff did you grow up around as a kid in San Diego?

Art-wise or music-wise?

In general.

time between the ages of 5 and 6, I told my mom I wanted to be an artist so I started drawing and coloring. And then in middle school I realized I also really liked poetry. After that, I started branching out and seeing what other talents I had. I wanted to know what everything felt like. I started playing guitar too. My dad would always listen to the Eagles and that definitely influenced me a lot. Most people would never guess I grew up on The Eagles but I also listened to a lot of No Doubt, Eric Clapton, and that first Maroon 5 album. My mom put me on to that. The Songs About Jane album was so crazy to me.

‘Sunday Morning’ was a classic.

Yeah! The chord progressions and production elements were so crazy. That’s the kind of music I grew up around.

When did you realize that you were a good singer?

I used to be really shy and couldn’t sing in front of anybody. I would always sing at home. Every once in a while, my mom or dad would say, “Oooo, you sound good!” Then some of my friends would hear me and say, “Whoa, you’re really good, we have to show so and so!” So my friends and family first validated me. Then once I learned to play guitar and sing at the same time, that’s all I started doing. I could feel myself progressing the more I did it. One time in the fourth grade, we had a Mother’s Day thing at school, and my teacher asked who wanted a solo, and all I can remember is really wanting it but being too nervous to ask for it. That’s the first memory I have of thinking I was a good singer.

How did you go from shying away from a solo in fourth grade to auditioning for American Idol?

When I was 16, I auditioned for American Idol. I registered online, went to the Bay, went into the stadium at two in the morning, fell asleep in the stadium, and then got woken up for the audition. We waited in groups of ten and we each got to sing for ten seconds. After my ten seconds, they were like, “Nope” and sent me home. Being 16 and having that be my first experience made me think that I wasn’t a good singer. A few years later when I got into college, I auditioned for The Voice. The same thing happened. I got to the audition, waited, and waited, and then they send me in with another group of ten people. I got ten seconds to sing and then they cut me off and said I was done. At that point I said f*ck reality TV (laughs). I felt I had the talent but not the look they wanted so it was cool with me because I didn’t want to go on TV and pretend to be someone I’m not just to get an executive producer to say, “Oh cool let’s get her on.” I felt that if I was going to be on TV, I needed to be myself. I wanted people to love me for who I was and not who I pretended to be on the show. So a few years later…

Wait. How did you get the courage to try again?

Well, The Voice hit me up two years ago. A casting director hit me up and said they wanted me on the show. I went in for the first audition and I made it through to the second round. Then I made it to the third round. But you have to make it through the fourth or fifth round before you make it to TV. I didn’t make it that far so at that point I officially gave up on TV shows. Fast forward to early 2015 and American Idol hits me up. They invited me to try out for the last season and I was like “No. F*ck that.” Then I told my mom about the situation and she said, “Well you really have nothing to lose if it’s the very last season, what’s the point of not doing it? It’s not like it’s going to go on forever and ever. This is the last season, you have nothing to lose.” After she said that, I decided to do it. I had a Skype audition with the executive producers and I sang a Michael Jackson song with my guitar but the connection was like low-key bad. It was crackling and I thought to myself, “ either they like me or don’t” (laughs). They said they would let me know.

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Wow. What was going through your head at that point?

It’s so hard to read producers so wen you hear the “We’ll let you know,” you really have no idea. The next day was my 21st birthday and I got a call from them right before I went to Vegas saying, “Congrats, you made it through to the next round”, and I lost it! I was supposed to go to an audition city where the judges were for the next round but they called me the week before and told me to skip that round and go right to the judges. It finally felt like things were going in my favor. At that point, all I had to do was make it to Hollywood. So I went in and sang. To this day, every time I watch the audition tape, I think it’s f*cking terrible (laughs). I was so nervous going in there. I was literally shaking. But after I sang a few seconds of a Beyoncé song, they loved it and let me through to the next round. Going to Hollywood was crazy. It was crazy because every time I would leave the stadium crying and thinking I was going home, I made it through to the next round. It taught me to stop telling myself I couldn’t do things and that I needed to push through.

That’s so crazy. Besides the exposure and platform, what was your biggest takeaway from the whole experience?

I got a lot of performance confidence. Now when I step on a stage, as nervous as I am, I can put on a front. Now I know I have to walk onto every stage telling myself that I’m the shit. There’s no other way to do it. I used to have hella stage fright. But I learned from myself, the show choreographers, and everyone else on the show that all you have to do is get up there, shake it off, and kill sh*t. After being on national television once a week, nothing really scares me.

When you came off the show and had a ton of new fans, did you feel the pressure to create more music/content?

Absolutely. I still do every day. I try to make my fans happy without letting social media run my life. There was a time when it was really tough. During and right after American Idol, I realized that people didn’t give a f*ck about my feelings. People either said things like, “Oh my god, loved your performance,” or “Wow she f*cking ruined that song.” After learning how to deal with that kind of attention, I decided to just focus on the positives. My fans are really important to me so of course I feel a need to make more music as soon as possible but I also I don’t want to rush it.

Let’s talk about your debut album SHIFT. It hit number two behind Bryson Tiller’s Trap Soul. Describe the feeling you had when you woke up and saw that?

It was crazy because the night it dropped, we were in my manager’s apartment constantly hitting the refresh button (laughs). The first time we looked it wasn’t even on the charts but the next time we looked it was at #80, then it was #60, and then it was in the 20s so we started losing our sh*t. It was the biggest deal to me since the album didn’t even have a label to help push it. We did everything ourselves so to see it move like that made us feel like everything was worth it. It was worth all the stress. The last week before we finished the album, we cut 5 new songs. We were going crazy to get it all done. So when we saw the album hit #8 all my fans on Twitter started going crazy too. It kept moving and when I fell asleep it was me, The Weeknd, and then Bryson. When I woke up the next morning, I was at #2, ahead of The Weeknd. It was the craziest feeling.

F*ckin Bryson Tiller…

Honestly, I wasn’t even mad at it. Trap Soul was so good; I was fine with it staying at #1. It was still the best feeling ever. Little things like that remind you to keep going. After that, I thought to myself, “okay, I made #2 on the first one, what’s the next album going to do? What will my next single do?”

Let’s go back to how you created the album. You said that you did five songs in the last week. How long ago were the other songs made?

Some of them are old because of my American Idol contract; I wasn’t allowed to release anything until the August after the show was done. But I already had some songs done because I had been working with this producer Midi Jones and this writer Jordyn. I’ve known Jordyn since high school and we’ve been working for a long time before Idol even happened. We already had some songs partially written and beats that I had adlibs on, so when I came off the show, we got right back to work. But in the last week, we didn’t have as many songs as I thought. We had enough for an EP but not enough for an album. So we knocked out four or five more songs.

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What song on the project means the most to you?

They’re all special and when you make an album, every song is like one of your children. To me, the intro probably has the most feeling to it. To me, ‘Favorite’ isn’t the deepest or saddest song but it was the one I had the most fun making. The video was so fun to make too. Every time I perform it, it has such a great vibe to it. That one is my favorite off the album for sure.

At this point of your career, would you have done anything different?

I think about that a lot and I always tell myself that every single thing happens for a reason. Even the most annoying sh*t happens for a reason. Am I where I want to be yet? No. Do I have time? Yeah. Do I wish that I got kicked off in Top 8? No. I would have loved to go to Top 2 but the day I went home, I was asked to go on my first tour and that’s where I met my manager. Every little thing happens for a reason.

Who is on your Ones To Watch list?

Currently I’m a huge fan of Marc E. Bassy. I also love Nao. She’s so tight.

Now that your album’s been out for about five months, what are you focusing on now?

I’m already on some new stuff right now. We have some stuff coming out really soon. I have a song being released through Soulection. It’s a collaboration with a really talented producer/singer named Bowtye. I’m looking forward to dropping that. After that song comes out, I’m going to release a new single and video. I’m just ready to transition into my new wave.

Look out for new music coming soon from Avalon and listen to her debut album SHIFT here.

#Avalon Young #Interview #SHIFT #Feature #American Idol

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