#steve larder

[sdpubliclibrary]

As You Were

Issue 1

[lucylyall]

I've got quite into zines and artbooks lately ... Here's the collection I've got so far, some I already had but about half I bought recently. I really love how small and versatile they are, and how they can be on pretty much any subject ... I'm definitely going to have to make at least one myself!

If you've got a zine you make, or have one you like and would recommend I try and get, then drop a comment! (Though note, I'm in the UK, so postage costs from elsewhere are a factor ... )

[spilladabalia]

Bloody Head - There Is No Authority But Yourself… And Everyone Else

[aurumacadicus]

Number 11? For the ask meme?

Cleaning up after a wreckage was always an... experience.

Steve hadn't wanted to be bothered now, after the wars, and had chosen the island he lived on because it was impossible to get to except by flight. Even if, by some fluke of fate, a ship managed to avoid Scylla and Charybdis, the water flowed so quickly past his island that no ship could possibly steer toward it in time to land. Not that they could. Charybdis's swallowing and belching sucked under any ships that came close.

The only downside was that pieces of the wreckage settled on his shores, and a mess could grow into something that ships could land at. Crude docks, Bucky had called them once. So he had to travel the shore of the island and pick up pieces wood, bring them together to burn. It wasn't all bad, though. Sometimes casks of wine or baskets of fruit or meat washed up, and he could add it to his makeshift larder.

This ship hadn't had much on it, Steve figured. Probably a skeleton crew, only enough supplies to get to the next port. That wouldn't have been enough to man the ship through the channel. Either they needed enough crew to sacrifice six to Scylla, or enough supplies that the ship would be heavy enough it wouldn't be buffeted about by Charybdis's belching waters. Steve had seen that desperation sink many ships in his time on the island.

So he got the fright of his life as he lifted a scrap of sailcloth and a body moaned beneath it. "Oh fuck," he gasped, dropping the sailcloth.

It collapsed on top of the body again, and the poor thing whimpered. Steve remembered, belatedly, that sailcloth was heavy to normal people. He dropped the lumber he was holding to the side and reached down, hurriedly dragging the cloth up again. He'd only discovered a body once before, because Charybdis's gaping maw usually sucked down everything, and that body had been decidedly dead.

This one, though, he realized, dropping the sailcloth on top of the wood, was only half dead. He stooped to turn him onto his side, wondering if he was dreaming. Scylla and Charybdis had never left a human alive.

Then he saw the glowing blue pendant hanging from a gold chain around the man's neck, and he understood. He recognized the metalwork--Hephaestus's handiwork was unmistakable, especially to him, having wielded a shield the god had gifted to him personally. The gem took him a moment, but then it struck him, the glow coming from deep inside the blue stone. The Titan Theia herself had blessed it, and its gleam came from the man being worthy of carrying it.

To be blessed by a God and a Titan. Steve had never heard of such a thing. He gathered the man into his arms, unable to help his wings extending from his back, feathers glittering silvery-white as he carefully took the man's face in his hand and tipped it toward the sun. Eos might know him. Barring that, perhaps Helios. Worst case scenario, he could show the man's face to Selene. One of Theia's children must know him.

The man's olive skin nearly glowed in the early morning light, and Steve understood why Theia had blessed him. A child of the skies. Hephaestus didn't have much love for humans though. He wondered what the man had done to earn such a boon as the god's handiwork on a piece of jewelry. Perhaps he should go up and ask.

But that was an idea for later. The man needed his immediate attention. "I'm going to take care of you, okay?" he asked gently, brushing the back of his hand over the man's cheek.

The man's pendant grew brighter for a moment, and Steve couldn't help but feel he'd taken on a task set by a god with his question, but somehow, he couldn't bring himself to regret it.

[soylent-crocodile]

Onerous Aspic (Monster)

(Yule Ooze by Steve Prescott)

(Oozes are real weird to balance. Just as written, they simply lack stuff like saves and AC. I think I did this one well enough though. Anyway, who loves food crimes?)

CR7 TN Huge Ooze

Long thought to be a joke, an edible ooze, the onerous aspic is unfortunately all too real. Rumored to be created by a mad cannibal-alchemist, or even the archfiend Gorgaleth himself, the onerous aspic devours all animals in its path, paralyzing those too big and preserving their bodies perfectly in a process that turns themselves into a perfect treat for a massive dragon or a wealthy cannibal feast. Onerous aspics are often made by such creatures with the intent of doing just that- letting them collect prey for eventual slaughter. A few crafty necromancers, however, have learned to use them as walking larders, as any animal contained within the aspic is perfectly preserved.

In combat, onerous aspics particularly tend towards the largest and meatiest animal they can, otherwise simply wandering forward into battle.

This brown-yellow jelly slithers forward, small animals and unfortunate adventurers perfectly preserved within it, their faces frozen in fear.

Misc- CR7 TN Huge Ooze HD10 Init:-4 Perception:-5, Blindsight 100ft Stats- Str:22(+6) Dex:2(-4) Con:26(+8) Int:-(-5) Wis:1(-5) Cha:1(-5) BAB:+7/+2 Space:15ft Reach:5ft Defense- HP:125 (10d8+70) AC:14 (-4 Dex, -2 Size, +10 Deflection) Fort:+11 Ref:-1 Will:-2 CMD:21 Immune: Ooze traits, mind-affecting effects, cold Special Defenses: DR 10/Slashing or Bludgeoning, Preservatives Offense- Slam +12(2d6+6 plus distraction) CMB:+15 Speed:40ft Engulf (DC17, 3d6 bludgeoning) Distraction (DC22) Special Qualities- Mindless, Cooking Ecology- Environment- Urban, Underground Languages- None Organization- Solitary Treasure- None Special Abilities- Preservatives (Su)- An onerous aspic gets a +10 magical deflection bonus to AC. Additionally, all organisms killed by its engulf ability are perfectly preserved as long as they remain in the ooze. Cooking (Ex)- Fire damage that would be dealt to an onerous aspic is instead dealt to any creatures inside it. Dead bodies within the aspic that take more than 10 fire damage are no longer perfectly preserved for the purposes of necromancy or reviving, but are fully cooked.

[breakfromwork]

August 8th-September 2nd, Washington

I ran across Hatch chiles at Safeway for 1.50/lb, so I roasted and peeled several pounds for use in my favorite pork green chili dish this coming winter.

Gae tweeked her back picking up Scrappy on the last day of July, and has been down and out for the whole month. Chiropractor, Doctor, Physical Therapy and Massage Therapy has her able to be up and about in a limited way... what a painful and slow recovery! The dogs don't seem to mind, though.

Gae got a chance to visit with our neighbor Carol and her cats on the 14th.

I tried to harvest some potatoes from our patch, but was stung and had to run away. These ground bees, or wasps, got Gae and Raina as well, so I took the Rainbow vacuum cleaner to them several times. Little bastards!

I took a bike ride on the 10th with my friend Jim, down to Ediz Hook and then up through some cliff-side neighborhoods to check out an Eagles nest Jim had spotted.

My high school buddies Dennis and Steve came out to visit on the 21st, and we hiked to the coast from Lake Ozette for an overnight trip on the 22nd.

We got a little wet on the way out, but the clouds cleared and we enjoyed most of the day at our Wedding Rock campsite. A local toad hopped by us on the rocky shore.

It felt good to take off the boots after the 4.5 mile hike out.

The sun broke out and provided a beautiful sunset.

It stayed cool enough to call for a campfire... a must for any camping trip!

We checked out the petroglyphs on the way out... Orcas!

It stayed dry to Sandpoint, but we got pretty soaked on the hike back to Ozette.

Gae and I took the dogs to our favorite section of the Discovery Trail on the 27th, so they could run themselves to exhaustion. I found this cool clump of Birds Nest Mushrooms along the trail.

I also picked a fair bit of Chanterelles and one Lobster mushroom for the larder.

Jim and I hiked to Mink Lake, west of Solduc Hot springs, where we picked some wild blueberries and a few more mushrooms for me:-)

I ran across a fresh King Bolete, my all-time favorite wild edible.

I joined Roy, Nancy and Joel with Streamkeepers on the the 29th, to measure water flow and stream characteristics on Lee's and Morse Creeks.

We enjoyed our friends Daniel and Melissa over Labor Day, and the dogs enjoyed Poco and Nina as well.

[cheekysmagic]

Steddie and Uncle Wayne Headcanons

- His uncle Wayne has always been good to Eddie. He might not understand his interests like D&D and Metal music but he’ll be damned if he doesn’t encourage Eddie to follow his passions.

- Eddie having a bad day at school so his uncle cooks him up some homely grub and they’ll sit and watch Westerns together. They don’t need to say anything to each other for Eddie to know he’s cared about.

- Wayne will come into Eddie’s room and ask what he’s up to, letting Eddie talk about his plans for his latest campaign or a new band he’s into. He totally looks through Eddie’s drawings and lets him play whatever song he’s practicing on his guitar and always tells him it’s good.

- Uncle Wayne makes Eddie a hot cocoa every single night before he goes off to the plant. He keeps a larder full of cocoa powder and marshmallows and always buys heavy cream because that’s the way Eddie likes it. It’s become a ritual at this point and Eddie can’t go to sleep without a cup of cocoa.

- Initially, Wayne was apprehensive when Eddie told him he was dating Steve Harrington. Not because he was a boy, but because he knows of Steve’s family and how Steve was in high school to him.

- Eddie was pissed that his uncle didn’t approve of Steve at first, so he usually locked himself and Steve in his room the entire time his uncle was there.

- But Steve comes around to the trailer early one day while Eddie is at Hellfire Club. Wayne is watching a Western and it just so happens that Steve has a soft spot for Westerns. They end up watching it together and talking about their favourite Wild West movies.

- Eddie comes home and finds Steve and Wayne eating grilled cheeses and watching The Good, The Bad and The Ugly and honestly he can’t be mad because at least they’re bonding.

- Then when they’re in Eddie’s room, Wayne comes in with TWO cups of cocoa and puts them down, smiling at Steve who is super confused because this is a thing? And holy shit why is it so good?!

- There’s one night where Wayne brings over the cocoas but he can hear Eddie playing the guitar and singing for Steve and it makes him stop at the door. He smiles because Eddie sounds so happy, he can hear them laughing and Wayne decides maybe that Harrington kid isn’t so bad after all.

That’s all I have for now. Just want to think of Wayne being a good uncle to Eddie and supporting his queer nephew and his boyfriend💕

[thehardgroove]

Illustrations for "Astral Fortress" by Steve Larder

[wiypt-writes]

Stark Spangled Forever Masterlist

One shots and drabbles posted chronologically

Please pay attention to the warnings at the start of each chapter.

Contain MAJOR SPOILERS for Stark Spangled Banner 

O/S- I Don’t Like Bullies: Emmy encounters someone from her past.

O/S- How To Dismantle Bucky Barnes: Bucky’s acting out, and Katie has just the solution...

O/S- Snack: Katie’s hungry, and there’s only one thing she wants...

Drabble: Pretty As A Picture: Steve learns that hard way the two year olds and paints do not mix O/S- One More: How much meaning can two words hold?

O/S- More Cushin’ For The Pushin’: Steve’s starting to see the effects of the serum depleting...

O/S- Out Of My League: There’s something bothering Katie, and Steve makes it his mission to find out what...

O/S- There Were Six In The Bed, And The Little One Said...: It’s Steve’s Birthday, and he spends the morning with his favourites.

O/S- Man’s Best Friend: The Rogers bid goodbye to their faithful, family friend.

O/S- Wings: Because one tattoo is never enough.

Drabble: Chorus Girl: Once again, Rori steals the show...

D/S: Stendhal Syndrome Part 1: Brat-  It’s Rori’s 5th Birthday and Katie manages to rile Steve a little bit too much.. Part 2: Daddy-  Steve feels the wrath of his wife. Rogers by name, Stark by Nature

Drabble: The Crapbook- Rori’s cutting and sticking antics wind Jamie and Steve up for very different reasons.

Drabble: Star Spangled Diva- It’s Boy’s night and there’s a gate crasher...

O/s: Changes- Some news rocks the Rogers household..

O/S: Finding Rori- Rori gets a pet, and chaos ensues... Drabble: Pine O’Lantern Guest writer @sweater-daddiesdumbdork​ Rori has a pineapple and Steve is flummoxed.  O/S: Hairy And Scary!- There’s something lurking in Harry’s toy box...

O/S: Capsicle- Memories of Tony are stirred in the Rogers household

O/S: Bump In The Road- What should be a normal sexing scan for their latest baby throws up something a little more worrying.

O/S: She Is Worthy- The latest Rogers addition makes a dramatic entry.

Mini Series: Stark Spangled Destiny-  Katie struggles to cope following the birth of Flossie and reaches breaking point.

Date Night- Guest Writer @onetwo3000​- Following the events of Stark Spangled Destiny, Emmy arranges for her mom and dad to take some alone time out in the City.. 

O/S: Picking Up A Storm - Guest writer @icanfeelastormbrewing​ Katie takes the kids shopping…and bumps into a familiar face. FLAME ON!

O/S: Bumps In The Night- Guest writer @sweater-daddiesdumbdork​ The Rogers Clan is busy getting ready for Halloween. Steve and Katie find themselves alone…what could possibly go wrong?

O/S: The Devil Wears Nada- Steve’s fed up of getting cock blocked and makes a deal with the Devil herself…

Drabble: Happy BirthBae-  It’s Emmy’s birthday, and Uncle Bucky has a special gift…

Three Parter: A Very Rogers Christmas- Join the Rogers clan for A Christmas Special! Part 1- The Best Things In Life Are Tree Part 2- You Gotta Be Kitten Me Part 3- From Head To Mistletoe

O/S: Of Small Boys And Big Men- Steve isn’t the only male in the Rogers household that’s protective of Katie

O/S- Biker Princess- It’s Rori’s birthday...and EVERYONE knows about it!

O/S- America’s Ass-  Steve’s birthday is here, and Katie celebrates one of his best assets...

O/S- Code Red- Three Kids, The Winter Soldier, Captain America and a Museum. What could possibly go wrong?

O/S- Trouble Tin Paradise- Rori is on a rampage in the larder…

[vestigesofperversion]

Random ND/disability rant but I hate when someone takes an opportunity in your brief moment of self-doubt to act like a know-it-all because they realize that if they speak with more confidence than you were no one will question them, even though you were 98% sure of what you said and they are like 37% sure. Makes me feel like I’m being tutored by someone I never vetted nor payed… Real-life example:

Me, as a DM, to my players: “You hear something… it sounds like it’s coming from below the kitchen, in the larder — the larder? — the larder.”

One of my (cishet male) players: “Mmhm, yes, the larder. Larder is correct.”

Me, in my mind: [How would you even know since you don’t know what I’m describing?? But thank you for the unnecessary validation, Steve…]

I would bet money that Steve either 1) has heard that word one time before and doesn’t really remember what it means, but is seizing upon the opportunity to seem like he knows because what confidence I did have in saying it tells him it’s probably correct therefore the stakes are low and by “confirming” it will make him seem smart, possibly even smarter than me, or 2) definitely does know that word and what it means because he’s obsessed with accruing obscure medieval knowledge, and will not only take every opportunity to make me aware of that, but is silently judging me for “trying” to use words he thinks I don’t know or have any right knowing even though the only reason I spoke with any doubt in the first place is not due to my lack of vocabulary but my disability and a general lack of self-confidence that he’s actually actively contributing to by acting like this.

[If you are the kind of person who does this, I know sometimes the intention is good and you’re just trying to help move things along or validate me, but I really only appreciate it if I’m having a hard time recalling a word entirely and you help by making guesses/suggestions, since my difficulty with word recall is one of the more disheartening aspects of my disability and part of the reason I don’t DM more often, and each word I fail to find (with or without help) just brings me down more. This is why, when I do manage to say the -exact- perfect word I was trying to find, albeit with slight lack of certainty because I’ve surprised myself by finding it, I don’t need you making me feel once again like a special needs kid by “confirming.” In the given example, the one person at the table (not Steve) that I was 100% sure knew that word responded with a gentle and supportive “yeah, that sounds right,” and I appreciated it way more than Steve’s über-confident man-splaininess.

[moon-and-tea]

which debuted on Beverly Blvd. in the Mid City neighborhood last year, recently opened its second location, an elegant, bar-focused shop in Echo Park.

Founded by Steve Hyun and Tommy Kim, Andante’s roasting operation continues to be off-site in Koreatown, while the new bar extends several concepts established by its predecessor, including uncluttered walls, and open seating arrangement with abundant power outlets and Wi-Fi. 

But mostly it’s all about the coffee. Here Andante offers a 10-drink espresso menu that includes some standards as well as unapologetic treats like a caramel latte, while six coffees are brewed manually daily. There is also tea and tea-based lattes, an affogato, and a small selection of baked goods from local Larder Baking Company.

[spilladabalia]

Bloody Head - Occult Bother

[aurumacadicus]

Title: Thin Ice

(can be taken literally or figuratively(

Pairing: Tony x avengers

(and any extra people of your choice!)

Some polyvengers, very nice 🤔 Gonna go with OG6!

Thin Ice

The snow was melting. Soon, the path to Tony's den would be impassible; the mountain roads would clear, travel would open up, and humans would start traversing the area again. The most dangerous thing on the mountains would no longer be icy roads, avalanches, and ice witches. Now it would be Tony, and Tony was too hurt to be able to protect himself properly.

"Until next winter, then," Steve told Wanda as they donned their armor. The probability of bandits was up now that things were beginning to thaw. "If you have true need of us, you know how to call for us."

"As Tony will likely follow you, we will endeavor not to need you," Wanda deadpanned.

The Avengers took it at the dismissal it was, nodded at her, and left.

They were late, this year. The trek to Tony's den was harrowing. Ledges that had once been thick and firm with ice were now thin and treacherous; icicles were snapping free and plunging down into the trench they were edging around; and finally, the sheet of ice that led from the edge of a cliff over to a mostly-hidden niche in the opposite cliff wall was slick with water, so thin that they could see through it to the dark pit below. Normally it was so thick and strong that it was opaque.

"I'm gonna throw up," Bruce said, looking vaguely green, and Natasha and Clint ended up pulling him in their sledge of supplies after Thor blindfolded him so he couldn't see.

"If your brother makes us late again next year, I expect to be allowed to punch him in the face," Steve told Thor mulishly once they'd reached the opposite side of the canyon, waiting to make sure the sled and Bruce got inside safely.

"Of course," Thor agreed solemnly.

Just as Steve and Thor squeezed into the niche leading to the tunnel to Tony's den, there was a high-pitched noise, and then a cracking sound, and they both watched, stone-faced, as the ice crackled and then shattered apart. Usually they heard it from a distance. Thor looked pale, grim, and urged Steve ahead of him. Steve went without another comment.

It took twenty minutes of stumbling along before the tunnel widened enough that they no longer had to walk one-by-one. As soon as they made it into the wider part of the tunnel, there was a whoosh, and then oil lamps on either side lit up. They began moving faster, not just because they could see and had the freedom to now--it meant Tony was close.

And there he was, ruby red scales glittering in the light of the lamps, blue claws shimmering as he breathed frost onto a rune on the wall.

"Tony!" Steve called out when he saw Bruce and Natasha were carefully packing away the supplies in the larder. "We're here!"

Tony whipped his head around, twisting his long neck so he could see them properly. "You came! It got so late, I thought you weren't coming. I would have held the ice sheet longer if I'd known."

"Loki stole Steve's shield, so we had to chase him down to get it," Thor admitted with a wince when Steve scowled at him.

"What an asshole," Tony said, trying to sound sympathetic and failing, but it wasn't his fault he didn't understand that the magic on Steve's shield was rare and it falling into the wrong hands was dangerous. "I'm going to shift now! Stand back."

They all pressed against the wall so as not to get hit by a wild bolt of magic as Tony breathed in deep, then let his breath out again slowly in a plume of icy mist. His figure disappeared inside it. Bruce and Clint hurried to grab the bundle of clothes they brought for him. He always forgot to take care of the ones they left him with, since he didn’t wear them when he was in his dragon form, so they’d have to clean them before he could wear them again.

The mist cleared, and Tony stood there in all his naked glory, frowning at the patches of scales over his joints. “Hmm. Out of practice. I’ll have to try again.”

“Actually, you’re kind of sexy like this,” Natasha mused, giving him a slow look up and down with a smirk.

Tony looked down at himself again. “You think so?”

“You always look so becoming in red,” Thor agreed when he noticed Steve was just gaping at him like an idiot. He thought about elbowing him, but decided against it. Best to let Steve get that over with at the beginning.

“Well, if you say so. I missed you all!” Tony added as Clint helped him into a shirt. “I’m going to sleep for three days though.”

“Not gonna lie, Tony. The cuddle pile at the beginning is my favorite part of visiting you,” Bruce said, shrugging. “Winters are always so busy for us, since we’re trying to get everything done before we come stay with you. It’s nice to just rest and feel completely safe.”

Tony preened. “Yes, I’m an excellent defender. I expect lots of kisses and snuggles in repayment.”

“Of course,” Steve answered immediately, with more gravity than he probably needed, because Tony was oblivious even on the best of days.

“--and dick. I expect lots of dick too,” Tony mumbled, but his mumble was basically the same volume as his speaking voice, so everyone heard it.

“What about me,” Natasha asked, just to be contrary.

Tony gave her his best bitch face. “I have a mouth? And obviously there will be plenty of dick to go around, I only have two orifices for--”

“Don’t use the word ‘orifice,’” Clint told him sternly.

“...Anyway my tongue still does this,” Tony said, and let it flicker out in a hiss, long and pink and forked.

Natasha had to sit down before she fell over. Luckily, no one could make fun of her, because they also had to sit down before they fell down.

Tony ignored them, fingers fumbling over the buttons of his new shirt. “Goodnight, wish I could have greeted you more but I’m,” he said, and then flopped forward onto the floor on his face, already lax with sleep.

“How much magic does shifting require?” Steve asked Thor as he helped put Tony in the middle of the pile of pillows that served as his bed.

“I mean, he’s an ice dragon, Steve,” Thor sighed, shrugging. “He had a long winter. I’m sure it wasn’t the shifting alone that exhausted him.”

“You and I will have to make Tony some good stew for when he wakes up,” Steve told Bruce, who nodded happily before he crawled onto the pillows beside Tony as well. “Alright, everyone get in. I’ll put the blankets on first.”

The rest of the group scurried around putting things away as quickly as they could, grabbing snacks, going to the bathroom. Finally, though, they all settled, and Steve took his turn pulling several blankets up over them all before he wedged in on the end. Tony didn’t stir at all, even when they all took turns kissing his forehead goodnight.

That was a good sign though, they thought. It meant he felt safe enough to be vulnerable around them, and that had been hard-won.

[stevelarder]

My contributor copies of Cryptogram Puzzle Post, issues 2.1 and 2.2 (Spring) are up and available from my Etsy Shop (link in bio). It's come out beautifully thanks to @footprintworkerscoop and I'm chuffed my cover illustrations get to be a part od this project. Details below... Created by @jack_fallows, Cryptogram Puzzle Post is a monthly bundle of interlinking puzzles, codes, ciphers, riddles, spells and illusions inspired by witchcraft and alchemy; designed to conjure an intriguing and meditative reaction in the gamer and art appreciator alike. Each issue stands alone and contains a series of numbered puzzles (i-vii). The solution to the first puzzle will give you a clue about how to solve the second and so on until you reach a final answer. Submit your answer to the e-mail to check its accuracy; or submit it with the other two envelope’s answers from this season to unlock a secret art prize. The envelopes are roughly A5-size and full-colour laser printed and the interior pages are all two-colour risograph prints. All envelopes will be packed in a standard mail envelope when orders are sent. The second of the guest-created mini series 'The Stone Leaves', which will run Mar-June 2019. This extra special season is its own stand-alone micro adventure, taking place in the Cryptogram universe but following a new character - Otto, a reclusive magic user who is coaxed out of retirement. Written and designed by Alexi Conman, the series also features cover illustrations by Steve Larder and, in this particular instalment, internal illustrations by D Newman and cover colours by Jack Fallows. As this is a stand-alone arc, it is perfect for first time readers. But seasoned readers will also be rewarded with backstory relevant to our main storyline. What will this mean for Anna's story when we return to her in June? Read to find out! #cryptogrampuzzlepost #puzzles #ciphers #codes #riddles #spells #witchcraft #alchemy #ritual #magic #folkhorror #folkhorrorrevival #illustration storytelling #mailgame #zines #selfpublishing #tarot #occult #puzzlebox #puzzlesubscription #puzzlestory #smallpress #playbymail #boardgames #escaperoom #chooseyourownadventure #rpg https://www.instagram.com/p/ByiYnQJp-mv/?igshid=10mayhu759md9

[garina]

Um.

Yep.

That was a thing that I watched with my eyeballs.

I am still trying to process episode 8. I may even have to go back and watch it again. It was so so good and fucked up (complimentary). So, this is probably going to be even less coherent than usual. And I am still blaming @kedreeva for the new fictional people living in my head.

Joyce sees RIGHT through Brenner' shit. She knows exactly whose fault this whole thing is, and she is not going to let him brush over that like it's nothing, or join forces with the guy who DUMPED A DUMMY OF HER SON'S BODY IN A QUARRY TO MAKE THEM THINK HE WAS DEAD.

Hopper is pretty badass while being tortured and interrogated, but selling out El was wrong. I mean, I get why he did it, he's trying to save as many people as possible, and Will is the one he's set his sense of self and mental stability on being able to save. And as I know from multiple gif and photo sets that El is in future series, I do wonder if she ever finds out about this betrayal.

Ok Nancy, Jonathan, I apologise. Your plan is only extremely dangerous, not totally suicidal. The scene with them methodically preparing is really cool. And the plan was pretty successful over all, they did far more harm to the demogorgon than anything else up to that point.

Poor Steve. Comes to apologise to Jonathan, finds Nancy there, but that's fine, it's fine... and then he sees she's hurt, and his concern for her plunges him neck deep into the deep shit the others have been wading through. And after a very understandable freak out, hero Steve emerges for the first time. Because while any sensible person would go with the run instinct, he goes back, which I would argue is harder than toughing it out. And he's pretty handy with that bat.

I wonder if it's just the extreme stress and the obvious parallels that are causing Hopper to relive all the trauma with losing his daughter, or whether there's something about the Upside Down that pushes bad memories to the surface.

The gate to the Upside Down remains deeply unpleasant and far too biological. It makes me want to burn it.

I don't know if the demogorgon was making a larder in the Upside Down library, or something worse that I absolutely do not want to know. The thing down Will's throat, the CPR scene, the glimpse of Barb, all of it nightmare fuel forever.

Dustin isn't wrong. Chocolate pudding would probably help with El's exhaustion, food = fuel and all that. Also just on an emotional level.

The whole thing with Mike and El and the Snow Ball conversation... ugh so cute. The way he doesn't doubt for a second that his mother would take her in as family. The way he offers Nancy as her sister like it's the amazing thing it is. The way he then panics and doesn't quite have the words to explain about not wanting to be her -brother-. The awkward kiss and the way El's face just lights up.

Yes! So many arseholes died! While El using her powers to straight up kill so many people is worrying (and accidentally summons the demogorgon)... they all REALLY deserved it. Especially creepy blonde woman. And then the rest of them get Demogorgoned. Hooray.

The scene where El seemingly dies broke me. The boys trying to fight the Demogorgon off with the slingsh... I mean wrist rocket. El finding some strength from somewhere to fucking obliterate it. The fact that the noise it makes is physically painful, Dustin and Lucas close their eyes as well as cover their ears... but Mike won't look away from El. He can't do anything else to help her right now, but he will Not. Look. Away. Because she's not alone, and he never wants her to be alone again.

So much trauma for everyone.

Happy hospital scenes. That include a slightly bemused Steve in the background. I am interested to know at what point he gets filled in on everything. I'm assuming Hopper concocted some kind of explanation for the parents for what the hell had been happening.

The tenderness and gentlesness of Joyce and Jonathan contrasted with the joyful exuberance of the Party. Who realise they need to reassure Will that the Demogorgon is very very dead. Will being happy and smiley and not scared to death.

More government spooks for Hopper. What do they say???

Jonathan picks Will up from the Wheelers rather than Will cycling home. Feels like it's as much to spend more time with Will as being protective (although it's obviously a factor)

Steve totally bought that camera and got Nancy to give it.

Everything was lovely and then Will went to the bathroom and NOPE DO NOT LIKE WTF.

Things I want more of: characters having more amazing realistic relationships and interactions, baby geeks geeking out, El, Joyce being Mom goals, Mr Carver the best teacher ever, El, Steve being an adorable dork and not a jerk, Nancy finding out who she is and what she wants, Hopper's investigative skills, El, El and Mike being cute together. Just more.

Things I don't want: CREEPY SLUG THINGS IN PEOPLE'S MOUTHS. WTF. NO. MAJOR NOPE. WTH. NO. DO NOT WANT.

I really don't do slugs.

At some point I might try to wrap up my feelings about Season 1 as a whole before I start on 2. This has been a ride.

[jackfallows]

Available to pre-order now! Get all three issues (March, April and May) from the 2019 Spring Season. This extra special season is its own stand-alone micro adventure, taking place in the Cryptogram universe but following a character we have yet to meet. Perfect for first timers, The Stone Leaves is a guest-written-and-illustrated* mini series that uses the Crypto formula to tell the story of Otto, a reclusive magic user who is coaxed out of retirement. And seasoned readers will be rewarded with backstory relevant to our main storyline. What will this mean for Anna's story when we return to her in June? Read to find out! *Alexi Conman, Steve Larder and more TBA . . Joining the Patreon is still the best way to get the most out of the project and to support me directly. But if the platform isn’t your jam, subscriptions are still available as usual from the Big Cartel (link in bio). . . . #cryptogrampuzzlepost #cryptograms #puzzles #ciphers #codes #riddles #spells #witchcraft #alchemy #ritual #magic #magick #folkhorror #folkhorrorrevival #witches #wytches #illustration #storytelling #mailgame #selfpublishing #tarot #occult #puzzlebox #puzzlesubscription #puzzlestory #smallpress #playbymail #boardgames #escaperoom #chooseyourownadventure https://www.instagram.com/p/BtyhCrzAtT-/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1nl5k827ei07q