#the last time there was a writer's strike

[make-friends-with-the-rats]

Extry! Here's 'Newsies' by Harry Haun (ca. 1992, New York Daily News)

transcription under the cut

---

Extry! Here's 'Newsies'

by Harry Haun, Daily News Staff Writer

NEWSIES. Cristian Bale, David Moscow. Directed by Kenny Ortega. At the Sutton. Running time 125 minutes. Rated PG.

IF FAGIN HAD BEEN A union man, the results would roughly resemble "Newsies," some diverting Disneyized song-and-dance about the famous New York City newsboys strike of 1899.

Again we have - in a very Oliveresque sort of way - a whole armada of scruffy ragamuffins kicking up their heels and clicking them amid their abounding squalor.

We weren't kidding about the song-and-dance you see. The music is by Alan Menken, who nine days ago picked up two Oscars for "Beauty and The Beast"; the lyrics are by Jack Feldman, and the dancing (not so dirty, this time) is from Kenny Ortega, who concentrates mainly on making his movie-directing debut while getting a choreographic assist from Peggy Holmes and William Holden Jr.

No contest, this. The songs win out. There are eight of 'em, all in Menken's pop-tune vernacular, and Ortega socks them along with exuberance, although it could be argued his sharp, angular movements aren't that appropriate for the situation - even a little laughable when reproduced on a large level (the waifs often seem wired and give every impression of going into a mass spasm).

Ortega is less lucky at moving the nonmusical passages. Scriptwriters Bob Tzudiker and Noni White play fast and loose with the facts of the case, grinding them into formula for easy digestion.

The bad guy is Joseph Pulitzer, more penny-pinching than his prizes suggest; rather than raise the price of his paper and risk losing readers to Hearst, he takes it out of the middle-boy, hitting his teen peddlers with the price hike.

The Fagin figure of these youths is not really older, just taller - but he does hail from a shady, hard-knocks past. Jack Kelly (né Francis Sullivan) tries to play Spartacus for the newskids without getting his picture in the paper, lest he be dragged back to juvenile jail. (Some chap in a black suit and dour disposition keeps popping up like an old-fashioned truant officer, putting a damper on rallies.)

All Jack wants is to be a cowboy, and, in slow moments, he croons longingly of "Santa Fe." To get there, he is forced by Pulitzer to eat crow in public and turn scab, but, when management goons start playing hardball, he returns to the barricades of the rebelling newsboys. The plot is vintage Bowery Boys.

Christian Bale, who has sprouting into a hulking Ethan Hawke clone since "Empire of the Sun," is a thoroughly presentable hero, as is David Moscow, the young Aidan Quinn lookalike who's his second-in-command. Gabriel Damon, leading the Brooklyn contingent into the fray, convinces as their tough-nut accompanist.

The adults are left with little better than bits to play. Robert Duvall is an amazing adversary as the warts-and-all Pulitzer, and Ann-Margaret gives the film a Florodora flourish, girlishly getting off a couple of music-hall turns.

The news about "Newsies," first and last, is that it makes harmony, not history - but that's enough to make an engaging, sprightly entertainment.

[acapelladitty]

Hey Ditty, I have been having thoughts about Query and Echo either taking turns with or simultaneously dicking down the Riddler. If you could write about it I'd be so happy

Also you're an amazing writer and ily

Flattery will get you EVERYWHERE on this blog 👀💦😈

rock and a hard place

Summary: Query and Echo take some time to show Edward just how good their joint partnership can be.

(warnings for: dom/sub dynamics, mff threesome, strap ons, oral sex (f receiving), teasing, drug mention, anal fingering, anal sex (m receiving), praise kink)

Fic Masterlist ☆ Link To AO3

Their veins all thrumming with a delightful mixture of scotch and coke, Query and Echo stared down at their boss as he knelt at their feet with his face pointed towards submissively the ground.

"I don't know, Echo. Do you think he deserves our attention?" Query asked, her blonde hair pushed behind her ears as she balanced her head on Echo's shoulder.

"Oh, I'm sure Edward knows how to be a good boy for us. He always does."

Pulling her foot from the floor, Echo used it to push Edward's chin up and force him to look at the pair of them as his naked frame shivered at the light touch.

"Will you be good for us?" She asked and recieved an immediate nod, pained arousal having robbed Edward of his words as he played the familiar game. "Then go be a good little genius and bring us over our toys." She paused. "Both of them."

Scrambling to his feet, Edward moved with enthusiasm as he shamelessly delved into the lowest drawer of their dresser and pulled free the matching straps - both hosting a matching green dildo which jutted proudly from the material and sat at about six inches long. In an instant, he was back, presenting both straps to the women as they took them with a smile.

"Good boy." Query offered, dropping her strap to the bed as she helped Echo tighten the straps which held her own to her lithe frame. "Maybe if you do as we say, we'll both use them on you at the same time."

Edward dropped his head at the demand, his slack lips wrapping around the smooth end of the dildo as he accepted it into his mouth like a prayer. His tongue set to work rapidly, rolling across the hard plastic as he worked it as he would a real cock.

Spreading her thighs as she sat on the edge of the bed, Echo beckoned Edward forward with a firm finger and grinned at how quickly he moved to kneel before her. She wrapped her hand in his firey hair, messing up his coiffed hairstyle as she gently petted at him like a dog. "Now, suck."

"Nice and wet, Eddie, cause I'm going to fuck you with it while Query decides what she wants to do with the rest of you."

Thrusting into his mouth slightly, Echo sighed as Edward choked on the unexpected inches - his mouth pulling free as he shot her an irritated look which made her smirk.

"If you get to fuck him," Query interrupted, "then I want to put that smart fucking mouth of his to good use."

Tapping Echo on the shoulder, she inclined her to move but not before stealing a filthy kiss as Echo stood to her full height.

"Thanks, baby."

Taking Echo's position as Edward remained on all fours between her thighs, Query tapped his cheek with her pointer finger as she spoke.

"Boss or not, you're going to eat me like I was your last meal in this shithole of a city. If you're good enough then maybe I'll even ask Echo to let you come. But if you're being a little bitch about it and moaning about things like needing to breathe then I'll tell her to be mean."

"Understood." Edward huffed, his smug voice breathy with need, but his expression was quick to twist into an open wince as Echo thrust two of her lube-coated fingers into his unprepared ass.

"Manners, boss." Echo demanded, twisting her fingers within his hole as she brought her free hand down on his ass in a solid strike. "Try again."

"Understood, Mistress."

The title was given with a smile, Edward's incorrigible brattiness always quick to make itself know, and Query met him with a smile of her own as her hand wound its way into his red hair.

"Now, eat."

Pulling him forward the few inches that separated him from her cunt, Query sighed as he immediately set to work on pleasing her. Already damp from their set-up, Edward was quick to lap at the arousal which coated her hole as she shuddered at his enthusiasm. His fine nose ground itself against her clit as he delved between her folds, tongue and lips making easy work of her cunt.

Shuddering, Query petted his head. "Good boy, Eddie. Echo, give him some more for trying his best." She purred.

Inserting a third finger into Edward's flexing ass got the desired result as he audibly moaned at the added stretch. His pale back arching as he pushed back greedily into Echo's fingers, Edward's cock bobbed heavily against his stomach with every slight thrust.

"Now," gripping Edward's hair as she widened her legs even further, Query pushed her blonde hair over her shoulder with her other hand, "you're going to keep eating me out like a champ and Echo is going to fuck you until that big brain of yours is mush. Then maybe we'll swap. Or maybe we'll let you fuck one of us. Or maybe we'll both spread you wide and see how much of us you can fit at the same time."

Edward groaned, the sound vibrating delightfully against Query's cunt as Echo pressed the flared head of her strap inside his ass, her fingers having opened him enough to allow for a smooth entry. His back arched high, a follow-up noise somewhere between delight and discomfort slipping free of his slackened lips as she slowly pushed herself forward - allowing him to feel every unyielding inch of the strap until the base pressed flush against his ass.

"Fuck, Echo." Edward hissed out, his mouth glistening in the low light of the room as he licked at his lips. "It's too big."

"No it isn't, you big bitch." Trailing her sharp nails down his back, Echo admired the red lines which immediately welted across his skin. "You've taken bigger with less prep so I want to see you pushing back to take everything I have."

Falling deeper into his role with a muted whimper, Edward could only nod and accept that his girls were going to use him in the way they knew he needed.

[pompomlol]

i’m listening to die with a smile by bruno mars and lady gaga so let me cook rq

thinking of childhood bsf to lovers to exes with jake. you guys dated for a bit but ultimately broke up due to you two going in different directions that didn’t align with each other.

fast forward, you see a global public service announcement saying that a massive meteor shower is going to strike earth and destroy everything, saying that we only have 5 hours left before it starts (cause the government lowkey sucks) and as you think about the impact this would, the things you wanted to do that you’ll never have the chance to do, family members, friends, your mind wonders to jake, all the good times you had to together.

and without much thought, you grab your shoes and just run out the door. not caring that what you’re doing is crazy and irrational, that he might not even be there when you get there, but the small chance that he might keeps you going.

you make it to a run down apartment complex, the one you and jake used to live in as kids, living thing across from each other, spending any nights together, laughing, crying and cuddling on the roof top. you run up the stairs and open the door to see it empty. just as you expected, but that doesn’t stop you from waiting there for almost an hour.

soon you hear footsteps from the roof entrance and low and behold, there he is at the door. the two of you just stare at each other, surprised by the fact that you two had the same idea. you stand there for a moment, before running up and giving a giant hug, tears start to well up in your eyes, and he holds you just as tight as you melt into his touch.

you two spend the next three hours catching up, laughing at your shared (and slightly idiotic) idea to meet on the roof. “it’s almost like fate” he said in that thick australian accent you missed so much. as the first meteor comes in sight, you start to tear up as you realizes this is truly the end. “and i never even got to tell you how i feel”

as he looks at you in confusion, you admit to him that you never truly fell out of love for him romantically, how you wanted to make it work but you just couldn’t, how you wanted to marry him, possibly start a family. “it’s kind of stupid considering how much time has passed” you say through your tears.

jake took your face in his hand, his thumb brushing over your cheekbone. you lean into his palm, feeling the warmth radiate on your skin. and as the meteor begin to crash down around, the loud crashes of buildings being knocked down, all you could see was him, all you could feel was him. he leans in, pressing his lips to yours. the two of you moved against each other, tears running down your faces as you spent your last moments together. he pulls away, a giant smile on his face as he gazes into your eyes, like they’re windows into your soul. a crash nearby breaks you from his gaze, seeing a building had crashed down nearby.

“hey” jake said, gently grabbing your cheek to face him again. “it’s just us, ok” and he leans your forehead against his “it’s just us” you stare at him from the weird angle, a smile growing across your face, that his face mirrors. and you stand there, in each others presence and warmth, until you hear something coming towards you, and everything goes black.

a/n: i started writing this a month ago, and i finally finished it. i originally wrote it for one last time by ariana grande, but i thought die with a smile would fit the concept better. sorry if it sucks, i’m not a writer, just a silly little scenario i had in my head and thought i would share it with you all. hope you enjoy it :)

[diver5ion]

[secondbeatsongs]

the spirit is willing (I really should just chill out for half a second before making purchasing decisions) but the flesh (god I love sharks so much) is so (the Sharknado remaster was only released on blu-ray in germany! america only got the dvd release, which is criminal, but the internet exists and so you can just buy things from germany now, and-) so weak

[sweetshire]

denethor is said to have been greatly affected by finduilas’ death, right. and i know their marriage was a political one but i like to believe that they still loved each other. not in the ‘traditional sense’ i guess but they loved each other’s spirits, their souls. the duty (as they viewed it) to protect their people & the willpower to do it, they both shared. and so i think that more precious than love, they understood each other perfectly. as no one else could, or did. i can’t stop thinking about denethor’s grief at losing her. to love someone, and to have them understand you, but to lose them so abruptly… no wonder denethor became embittered by her death. i think he became sad too. closed-off. built even more walls around him, not wanting to be seen as vulnerable by anyone. but his anger, at what (or whom), exactly? he already broke up with god when he was young. at the universe? at his fate? to have lost her so unfairly.

i came here to talk about their love & somewhere in the middle lost myself in his grief lol. never mind, bc what is grief if not love persevering????? they loved each other. i can’t. i CAN’T get over this simple truth. the love was there. it wouldn’t have been this tragic if there’s wasn’t. the love was there. and isn’t that enough (it isn’t. but it is. IT IS). the love was there. THE LOVE WAS. THERE. sobbing. truly sobbing DON’T TOUCH ME

[sophfandoms53]

No BB season until August… getting BB22 flashbacks i am afraid

[artemisdesari-blog]

Final exam today. I am not ready. I want to write this one shot and the next chapter for Careless To Let It Fall. I want to write about my idiots being in love and trying to save the galaxy and each other, not spend four hours doing the maths I've been studying for five years. Typical that the day I have an exam is the day I feel massively inspired to write all the things

[sodrippy]

so glad we all held out during the wga/sag strikes bc they got all their terms fully delivered and no other departments are seeing probably the biggest layoffs in the industry right now! yay!

[perhaps-in-anotherdream]

[CN] Victor x MC – S2 CH 39 (Eng Translation)

“If the person speaking is you, I don’t need any other explanation.”

“Stop time for me, Victor.”

Do remember to read S2 CH 38 prior to this: Here!

⌚ This post contains detailed spoilers for a chapter that is yet to be released in the global server. ⌚

•─────⋅◍♡◍⋅─────•

—

✧ [Context before the split routes] ✧

With the help of a little girl, MC is currently in a time-loop, allowing her to use the extra time the loop grants to her advantage -- i.e., trying to break the rules of the world using the power of the QUEEN, Evol energy, and the dark matter of the universe.

Each spilt route allows MC to obtain the information she needs to do her final showdown.

—

•─────⋅◍♡◍⋅─────•

—

✧ [Victor Split CH 39 - 1.1] ✧

Regarding the current situation, “time” is a factor of vital importance that must be identified.

According to the clues at hand right now, at the moment when the countdown ends, the two space-times should completely overlap, thus reaching the so-called “point of destruction.”

Even if I have sufficient energy, I still need to correspond to that particular time––

That critical point in time is clearly the key. Perhaps, I can begin with that.

Immersed in thoughts, I breathe out heavily. Looking at the high-rise buildings in the distance as they gradually bathe in the twilight, I suddenly think about Victor.

He pulled a gun on me before on the skywalk, transferring me to the BS Hall;

And then he gave me the black box through Zehn, handing me the prerequisite to enter the Black Cabin according to my will.

Although he hasn’t explained to me the motives for all these arrangements, through an ineffable feeling, I firmly believe that Victor is changing something in his own way.

If our purposes coincide, then Victor must need the information I know. Likewise, his power will help me as well.

With this thought in mind, I subconsciously take out my phone and dial Victor’s number.

But after a long time, there’s still no answer on the other end of the phone.

MC: Where could he be…?

As I mutter to myself in distress, I suddenly think of something and lift my feet in the direction of the BS Headquarters.

The last time we parted on the rooftop, Victor was carrying out an operation with the people of BS.

Right now, the BS Headquarters is most likely where I’ll be able to find him.

As I think about this, I can’t help accelerating my pace. Very soon, the towering BS Building enters my line of sight.

Preparing myself to face several cross-examinations, I draw a deep breath and lift my feet onto the steps.

But unexpectedly, the building, which has always been heavily guarded, is now empty, and no one is in sight. The only sound in the huge space is the echo of my disarrayed footsteps.

MC: What’s going on here…

Somewhat at a loss, I scan the surrounding. At this moment, I hear what seems to be voices coming from the depths of the hall.

My heart shudders. I cautiously forge ahead following the voices, faintly hearing a few vague words, “...still not connected yet…,” reaching my ears.

The light is obscure, and the corridor is a bit gloomy. As I prudently walk forward, I suddenly see a beam of light reflecting at the end of the hallway.

I advance cautiously, and through the daylight cast by the dome, I can see the dark red curtains hanging down and the seat in the center of the hall.

–– Once again, I’ve returned to the place where I had once been crowned as QUEEN.

It’s only that compared to when I left not long ago, there are a lot more figures in the hall right now. Although the sound of conversations can be heard from time to time, the atmosphere is somewhat solemn.

And those gloomy eyes land on me instantaneously the moment I show up. The immense sense of coercion causes me to hold my breath subconsciously.

I can already spot a few unfamiliar faces in the crowd.

Thinking back to the last time we met and how Victor said he would weed out the rotten parts of BLACK SWAN, a vague conjecture emerges in my heart as I look at those figures in the shadows.

It seems that he has indeed made BS go through rebirth, forming it into a new force in his hands.

Amidst the stares, I calmly straighten my shoulders and surpassing through the cracks between the shadows, I find Victor’s figure.

His head is slightly lifted, and he seems to be gazing over the hall.

Following his gaze, I find a faint golden arc floating in mid-air underneath the dome.

…isn’t that arc of light from the gate of the Black Cabin? How did it suddenly appear here?

Seemingly having already made a judgment in his mind, Victor slowly, very slowly glances in my direction, his gaze revealing a faint sense of oppression.

The instant he sees that it’s me, a trace of surprise plays across his slender eyebrows, and then it’s cast off by a moment of realization.

He doesn’t seem surprised that I’m here.

Taking a deep breath, I lift my foot and walk towards Victor under the attentive gazes of everyone.

As I draw closer to him, his stern eyebrows become increasingly clear on my horizon. In those serene eyes, which are as deep as a pool, I seem to detect a hint of deeply hidden exhaustion.

My heart tightens involuntarily. I suddenly can’t resist the urge to step forward, stroke away that tired complexion, and ask him about what on earth has happened.

But the constantly dwindling countdown above my head is reminiscent of a hanging sword that will fall at any moment, silently alerting me.

I clench my fists, trying hard to calm my emotions.

…Victor led these people to gather here, so that means he must be working out a strategy. In any case, now is not the time to pour out my heart.

I exhale softly, meet Victor’s indifferent gaze, and open my mouth in a steady tone.

MC: Knowing how precious everyone’s time is right now, I’ll get straight to the point.

MC: BOSS, I came looking for you to do a negotiation.

The atmosphere in the room suddenly becomes heavy. Out of the corner of my eyes, I even see someone’s Evol brewing white light.

It seems that so long as Victor gives the order, they will launch attacks on me at any time.

The arc of light from the door of Black Cabin hovers silently in the middle of the hall, and I can almost hear the sound of restrained breathing.

A while later, Victor taps his fingertips on the armrest, not gently but not heavily either.

Victor: Go on.

I tighten my fists a little, speaking every word after measuring them.

MC: I have some information about the overlapping worlds which I can share with all of you.

MC: In all likelihood, this will be a great help to what BS is planning now.

MC: Of course, if we reach a partnership, you guys can also use the power of CORE within me. 

Several people next to Victor lift their eyes imperceptibly. Evidently, these words have hit right on the sore point.

A little more confidence suddenly brews in my heart, and then, I hear Victor speak.

Victor: In the situation at present, even if I refuse to do the so-called negotiation, you won’t be able to retreat from BS in one piece.

Victor: I don’t seem to have the need to do things that are unnecessary.

MC: Since I dared to come, I naturally have the means to escape.

MC: You and I are both very pressed for time. So, we don’t need to waste our breaths on this, am I right?

I look at Victor in neither servile nor overbearing manner, my tone not wavering in the slightest.

Victor raises his eyebrows, the corners of his lips faintly arching up into a curve. Then, he opens his mouth unhurriedly.

Victor: What’s your condition?

MC: I don’t have any conditions. BOSS can give me whatever he wants.

MC: After all, I also need as much information as possible to find the answers I want.

Victor gazes at me with an expression that’s hard to decipher, his tone carrying with it a vague sense of oppression.

Victor: The power of BS is not to be used so easily by outsiders.

Victor: The clues you have are not sufficient to be treated as a bargaining chip with BS.

This rejection seems to appear out of the blue. I open my lips, speaking subconsciously.

MC: I still––

Victor: I don’t need the power of CORE either.

Victor: I made that point very clear on the skywalk.

MC: …

Along with these words, Victor’s eyes look away from me coldly and seem to inadvertently and rather suggestively skim over the hall.

I subconsciously follow his line of sight. The moment I see the arc of light, my heart suddenly stirs.

MC: Even if BOSS doesn’t need CORE, I have the power to help you guys.

MC: There are some things that only I can do, isn’t that right?

I straighten up slightly and lock eyes with Victor meaningfully.

Although he still doesn’t say anything, the light in those eyes seems to be a little more affirmative.

The air lapses into a stalemate. I hold my breath, waiting with clenched palms. Victor shoots me a glance and finally nods.

Victor: In that case, tell us. What’s the information you’ve got?

—

•─────⋅◍♡◍⋅─────•

—

✧ [Victor Split CH 39 - 1.2] ✧

MC: The sky over this world is now covered with a massive string of countdowns.

MC: As all of you can see, there is now a static “special Loveland City” that is overlapping with ours.

MC: Even though the world is now static in a relative sense, just like the overlapping zones at the beginning, the time hasn’t stopped.

MC: Right now, it’s like we are all sitting on a fast-moving train.

MC: Though entirely unaware of it, it’s incessantly running toward the abyss. The train will collapse at the boundary point, and time––

MC: The moment when the countdown ends, the entire world will be completely overwritten, and the static space-time will start afresh.

MC: The hovering comet in the sky will then resume its motion, falling downwards.

The air of oppression is a little suffocating. I pause before continuing to speak.

MC: According to the stimulation-based calculation, this is how the world is originally set to end.

MC: Everything will come to an end at 19:17.

The room lapses into silence, and one can almost hear the sound of restrained breathing. After a while, Victor speaks.

Victor: And how long do we have before the countdown ends.

I speedily look up at the sky overhead. Against the obscure light and shadow backdrop of the hall, the digits are beating coldly and in a regular pattern.

MC: ...it’s now -43:13:10.

Victor’s figure freezes slightly, but his expression doesn’t give away any surprise.

While I’m a little puzzled, a rustling noise suddenly comes from before me.

A tall, short-haired youth stares into the for a moment with a tight frown on their face before stepping forward and opening their mouth.

??: It seems that the situation is indeed about the same as what we deduced.

From the side, another woman wearing glasses also turns around soon after and walks over to the door in a swift and decisive manner.

??: That being the case, there’s no point in wasting time.

??: We’ll leave first.

As soon as her voice falls, several figures of different sizes start walking out of the hall in tacit agreement. The short-haired youth also nods to Victor and leaves at a brisk pace.

Startled, I watch as less than half of the figures in the hall disappear in an instant. Victor doesn’t intend to stop them and indifferently turns his gaze to me.

Victor: Go on. What’s the solution you have in mind?

I hesitate to withdraw my gaze and open my mouth in a measured tone.

MC: …I have obtained some information.

MC: At the moment of overlap, I will need to use power far beyond the ordinary to change the already fixed course of the world.

MC: Only CORE won’t do. I will need to draw support from a lot of other forces as well.

MC: I will need to make them act simultaneously at that point in time to enable the world to break away from its original trajectory.

MC: Although it may necessarily not be successful, it’s a gamble I must take.

My restless trailing note disappears quietly into the air. Victor’s eyes flicker slightly, and after a while, he suddenly speaks.

Victor: All right. BS has received your message.

Victor: The door of the Black Cabin will be opened now.

With these words, Victor unhurriedly walks beneath the arc of light. Then, he turns sideways and looks at me.

Stunned, I sweep my gaze across the crowd standing in the hall and speak with some uncertainty.

MC: Right now?

Victor: What else? Or do you need me to give you time to mentally prepare yourself?

MC: …

I draw a deep breath and catch up with his footsteps despite so.

Although I’m not clear on what Victor’s intention is for asking me to do this, after all, he is the one who gave me the key to Black Cabin.

And since the negotiation has been reached, my next call is to use the power of BS.

With this thought in mind, I carefully take out the black box and grasp it in my palm with rapt attention, holding my breath.

With previous experience, the process of mobilizing the power is much smoother. Soon, a familiar warm current circulates around my body, and a vague feeling of strength leaps into my chest.

The field of view in front of me suddenly brightens a little, as if there are specs of light constantly converging.

I lift my eyes and see the faint arc of light gradually magnifying into a bright radiance, and the outline of a door of light slowly emerges in the air.

Victor raises his head, gazes quietly at the door of light for a moment, and then turns to look at me.

Victor: BS will honor its commitment, as promised.

MC: …I’ve got the words of BOSS. I’m relieved.

Victor seems to chuckle softly, his gaze sweeping over the fluorescent colors surging behind the door of light. I hastily open my mouth.

MC: So, BOSS, tell me what you think about this information.

Victor releases a “Mm,” lifting his chin lightly in the direction of the corridor.

Victor: [voice finally drops to the “Victor-softness”]  Let’s go for a walk outside.

I freeze for a moment, realizing the next second that he seems to want to speak to me alone.

I shoot a glance across the entire hall and nod, taking the lead in walking toward the corridor and organizing the words in my mind.

But what I haven’t noticed is that Victor seemed to slow down his pace inadvertently.

The sound of footsteps in the corridor gradually fades away. Only at this moment does Victor lifts his eyes and catches up with the girl’s pace.

The moment before leaving the corridor, he glances behind him and opens his mouth in a quiet voice.

Victor: [even softer]  You can continue.

—

They are walking on the street. Seeing people stopping to take photos of the static comet and resuming their strides, MC is musing about how people naturally start to accept the anomalies after a certain period.

At this moment––

??: Mom–– this is delicious. It’s so delicious!

A young and tender voice suddenly drifts from behind me. I turn my head and see a mother with her young daughter in her arms, coming towards us.

She strokes her daughter’s head tenderly, seemingly not noticing us. The child smiles and tries to lift the cake to her mouth, and as she is brushing past us, the kid’s hand suddenly tilts.

The identical scene took place in Souvenir before the comet descended, and I can’t help but be shaken to my soul.

–

[Tidbits]: MC is referring to S1 CH 37 Victor’s route btw~

–

Just as it appears that I’m about to be rubbed by the cake, my arm is suddenly pulled, and I’m brought to the side by Victor.

MC: …!

The young mother pauses in her footsteps uneasily, asking apologetically how I’m doing. I hurriedly wave my hand.

MC: It’s all right. I’m fine.

Victor sweeps his eyes over me up and down, speaking lightly.

Victor: [to the mother]  Watch the road.

The young mother nods her head, apologizes, and leaves with her child in her arms.

Looking at their carefree and untroubled figures from behind, I sigh unconsciously, only to hear Victor suddenly speak.

Victor: [more like a whisper]  I seem to have seen this scene before.

I freeze for a moment, turning my head around vigorously to look at Victor.

Shifting from the figures of the mother and child, he is gazing thoughtfully at the stars in the sky, but his expression shows a trace of certainty.

…could it be that the overlapping phenomenon, which exacerbates fluctuations, also has an impact on memories?

Or is he simply stating a point of view on the overlapping of worlds?

However, at this moment, I’m still incapable of saying anything. After a moment’s hesitation, I only purse my lips.

The noise of traffic drifts faintly from a distance. Feeling how silent I am, Victor glances at me.

Victor: If you can’t destroy the box, there will be nothing else left to be done.

Victor: Regardless of what form the cat in the box takes, it won’t matter at that point.

–

[Tidbits]: To clarify, Victor’s whisper earlier was about his memories, which he states later too. And here, he is talking about Schrödinger’s cat theory.

–

He makes this statement speciously, and I purse my lips in bewilderment.

MC: …box? Cat? What does it mean? Is it related to the plan you’re working on now?

Victor doesn’t answer my question.

He turns his head and simply looks at the comet in the sky again, changing the thread of discussion.

Victor: According to your reasoning, to prevent the overlap between the two worlds, it would take an extreme amount of energy.

Victor: This is something even beyond the scope of the Space-Time Bureau to resolve.

Victor: So, whatever you plan to do, there is one thing I can tell you with certainty.

The giant comet hangs in the sky as if it’s ready to come down at any moment. But the reflection it casts on Victor’s back is unable to cut down his drive for even a little bit.

Victor: The moment the countdown ends, that one instant is not enough for you to solve the problem.

My heart can’t help but sink a few notches along with these words.

MC: It means there is no possibility of solving this…

The air seems to sink into silence. Following this, Victor gazes at me for a long, long time, and then he smiles abruptly.

This smile is wrapped in an explicable depth of meaning, as if it depicts the faith and pride of simply putting one’s all into a fight when faced with desperate straits.

Victor: But I can elongate that instant.

—

•─────⋅◍♡◍⋅─────•

—

✧ [Victor Split CH 39 - 1.4] ✧

MC: …!

My eyes widen slightly, and I’m just about to speak. But Victor reduces his pace and stops in front of a building.

I subconsciously follow his gaze. A gray, towering church stands against the backdrop of the night, as though overlooking the turmoil of everything.

Victor stares at it quietly for a moment. Soon after, he lifts his feet to mount the steps.

Victor: Let’s go inside and have a look.

Victor raises his hand as he speaks, pushing open the closed door.

–

I follow his steps. As we draw nearer, we find that the solemn church is now completely empty.

There are only a few black crows perched on the dust-covered benches, combing their feathers peacefully. I glance around and sigh softly.

MC: …it seems that everyone is a bit apathetic to the crisis. No one is coming to pray.

MC: If people learn that the world is about to perish, I’m afraid they won’t have the heart to come here even more.

Victor shakes his head. By the time he opens his mouth, his voice has regained his characteristic forever calmness.

Victor: On the contrary, this place will be packed with people at the time.

Victor: When despair reaches the pinnacle, and powerlessness becomes apparent, one can only hope and pray.

Victor: Churches, temples… they will desperately long for a pair of hands that can pull them out of the abyss.

Victor: Whether it comes from the gods, or some other unknown forces.

The intense colors of the night filter in through the glass windows, silently projecting into this spacious and empty space. The fine specks of dust quietly float in the air.

I close my eyes, and I can almost see the scene of this place being flooded with prayers and the sound of cries. My heart suddenly indescribably feels a little sour.

If there really is a god in this world who can save all this, perhaps I will also fall to my knees in despair, praying for a stable tomorrow for myself and my loved ones;

But the unceasingly approaching countdown above my head doesn’t allow me to immerse myself in this delusion.

There is nowhere else to place my hopes but in myself. The only thing I can do right now is to grab hold of the only opportunity I have.

I breathe out softly, and after a moment, I incline my head to look at Victor’s side profile.

MC: The thing you said just earlier… what did you mean?

Victor gazes fixedly into my eyes and speaks in a profound tone.

Victor: I meant it literally.

Victor: At the moment when the countdown ends, you need to use the power to change the ending of the world’s destruction. But a split second of time may not be sufficient to sustain you to get it done.

Victor: I don’t precisely know the basis of your action, but I trust your judgment.

Victor: I can pause that instant for you and elongate your time.

Victor: Make good use of it and strive for more possibilities.

MC: …!

My eyes widen slightly. Just as I’m about to speak, I’m interrupted.

Victor: I know you’re looking for the power to change the course of the world.

Victor: But that’s the extent of what I can do for you now.

Victor’s voice seems a little softer than in the past. Realizing something, I shake my head.

MC: That’s enough. After all, the responsibility of finding that power falls upon the CORE.

I pause as I speak, looking into the deep colors of his eyes, and speak one word at a time.

MC: Victor, actually… I’ve already begun my actions to this end. We’re in a time loop right now.

MC: I used someone else’s Evol to extend 48 hours before the countdown ends.

MC: This will buy me as much time as I need to prepare for the requirements.

Victor listens to me quietly, and after a while, he perks up the corners of his lips.

Victor: Reasonable and good response.

Blinking, I gaze at him with a bit of playfulness.

MC: That’s all? And here I was, hoping you could give me some guidance.

Victor: [even softer than before]  Dummy.

Along with this word, a large, warm, and powerful hand gently lands on my head.

Victor: [sighs helplessly]  You’re already doing very well.

Victor: I have a far less clear grasp of the truth than you do, and I will not be able to respond to it any better than you.

Victor: Over the years, I have heard my own voices in my head, but I don’t have any memories related to them.

Victor: I have also faced many situations that cannot be explained by common sense.

Victor: I had already put together the approximate picture in my mind. And now, as the overlap constantly intensifies, the complete image is gradually becoming clear.

MC: …!

I can’t help but freeze for a moment, suddenly thinking of something.

Regardless of whether it was the first time I met Victor in this restarted world or the time I ran into danger in the hospital, I indeed heard Victor’s voice in my mind.

–

[Tidbits]: Refreshing the callbacks – Victor is referring to his flashbacks throughout S2 (both in the story and R&S), and specifically S2 CH 4, CH 25, CH 31~ And MC here is specifically referring to their reunion 4 years ahead of time– “Meeting in the past date” and S2 CH 4.

– 

It turns out he has detected something is amiss with this world since such a long time ago?

I purse my lips, but feel Victor running his fingers through my hair, as though giving me a kind of reassurance.

Victor: All the existence that worries you now, I will make it end with that ending.

Victor: Don’t worry about it. Just go do what you want to do.

Victor: You can do it.

Victor’s tone is calm, and it reveals a certainty.

Beginning from the moment we met, even though he’s been vaguely aware that I’m shouldering some secrets, he still chose to trust me.

He chose to be part of my strength and my confidence.

A slight sourness surges into the rims of my eyes. I look into his eyes and nod slowly.

MC: [tears in eyes]  …Mm, I will do it.

–

[Anika’s Notes]: dropping it bc why not–– the music for this part is his 5th birthday BGM, so you can imagine how deeply this hits~ ;-;

–

As if in response to my words, the church bells ring out suddenly, reverberating loudly in the spacious and empty hall.

Given a scare, the crows resting on the benches suddenly fly up, their pitch-black feathers slowly floating down along with the long, coarse cry.

The crisscrossing light and shadow of the glass windows shine on Victor’s body, and the tender colors also reflect in that pair of serene eyes, reminiscent of a beautiful dream.

Although this moment is brief, it’s enough to give me the encouragement to move forward.

I look up at the time above my head–– it’s already time for this cycle to end.

I withdraw my gaze and speak softly to Victor.

MC: Victor, I’m going to restart this period of time.

MC: There are still some things waiting for me to figure out.

Victor doesn’t say anything more. Like the countless goodbyes before, he only looks at me gently and nods.

Victor: [gentlest of the voices to exist]  Go.

I answer a soft “Mm.” But suddenly thinking of something, I open my mouth with hesitation.

MC: But when time reinstates, you won’t remember anything that happened now.

MC: [pouty]  The promise you made to elongate time for me, will it still be valid at that time?

Victor seems to curl the corners of his lips into a smile. He takes a step closer in my direction and lifts his hands, bringing me into his arms.

Victor: [gentlest of the voices to exist]  On this matter, you don’t ever need to harbor doubts.

Victor: [gentlest of the voices to exist x2]  As long as you find me before that moment arrives, I will honor my promise.

His reassuring scent seeps into every breath I take. I hug the person in front of me back and speak in a muffled voice.

MC: [still pouty]  So when that moment comes, do I have to explain the situation to you from scratch again?

A very soft chuckle drifts to my ears.

Victor: [gentlest of the voices to exist x3]  No need.

Victor: [gentlest of the voices to exist x10]  If the person speaking is you, I don’t need any other explanation.

Apprehension, hesitation, restlessness…

All the haze lingering in my heart dissipates at this moment in the ringing of the church bells, and in the warmth of this man’s arms.

I take a deep breath, look up into his eyes, and make my promise as I utter it word by word.

MC: Victor, the answer you want to know will surely drop at that end.

MC: Even if I’m unable to achieve it this time, I will keep striving until the moment it happens.

Victor: Mm, I believe that.

I lift the corners of my lips and gently let go of my grip on his coat.

MC: Victor, see you later.

—

•─────⋅◍♡◍⋅─────•

—

✧ [CH 39-3] ✧

[Note]: Players have to complete all 5 split routes to reach this stage.

MC thanks the little girl for her help. Then, she contacts the other boys via phone call (Lucien, Helios, Gavin) to let them know about the information she ultimately has, so that they can continue as planned.

Then—

MC runs for the BS Headquarters—

—

The door of light of the Black Cabin still stations there quietly in the center of the hall. Probably Victor is still carrying out his plan.

Time ticks by second by second. There is very little time left in the countdown, but my heart is exceptionally tranquil.

If hard work is said to be the backbone behind any success, then what I’m carrying now on my back is in no way simply my solo effort.

The countless figures who have advanced on different paths, sparing no effort, are what have given me the unbounded motivation to have the courage to face the future.

The next second, Victor walks out of the shadows along with the twelve main gods.

He stands at the head of the crowd with a fully concentrated gaze, the light descending from the dome outlining his solemn and proud expression.

He stares at me. The moment our eyes interlock, I see a trace of pacifying reassurance streaming through his eyes.

I steel my mind and stand on the high platform of the throne, looking at everyone with a calm expression.

MC: I am BLACK SWAN QUEEN.

MC: Stop time for me, Victor.

—

•─────⋅◍♡◍⋅─────•

⏳ Victor’s Split Route (CH 40): Here!

[Heads-up from Anika]: will highly recommend reading / revisiting Victor’s S1 CH 37 split route, and “Meeting in the Past Date” as preparation for the split route ahah—— ಥ⁠‿⁠ಥ

—

[rook-writes]

trying to outline the plot for a longer project for the first time in a very long time. doing a dump doc style outline, though, and it's very wild compared to the "bullet point chap by chap" thing. we're instead doing a paragraphed outline thing.

and uh. wow. it's like 20 pages so far. i think the outline is aaaaalmost done? but wow. this is weird. is this what it feels like to write an actually detailed outline for a thing? instead of just having it in your brain and kind of loosely messing around with it like it's a connect the dots? (we are a plantser; the brain outline generally gets us from point A to Z)

anyways we're branching out with a novel idea that's not part of our series which is kind of exciting but also a little anxiety inducing. it's closer to the sci-fi end of things as opposed to our usual fantasy niche.

-res

[theweirdsenpai]

I don't understand kicking metalocalypse off hbo max to avoid paying residuals...but there's literally a tour, a new album and you're going to be hosting the new movie????

[letmetellyouaboutmyfeels]

That's so weird because my reaction to S4 finale is it was the moment that convinced me Buddie was going to be endgame. Now two seasons later and we could be heading back to that same ending for the season depending on the events of the finale leaves me doubting things ngl. The only things I'm clinging on to are the couch theory, Eddie saying that relationships with people you meet at a rescue never works, and the fact that we're being introduced to these women so late in the season. It just seems like the writers even know they're giving this the most superficial things so that they can fix what they did in early S7.

To put it bluntly it just sucks that you know if this was gonna be the final 2 episodes that instead of going towards a story they've been telling since S2 they decide to put Buck and Eddie with women we don't even know their last name or anything about them. But they got renewed and will be moving to ABC so they can do the story they wanted to tell and I imagine these women will be kicked to the curb early in S7.

Okay, I'm gonna be real honest with you. I've seen that you've sent asks to a few of my friends, all generally saying the same thing. So to see you send me this ask makes me feel like you don't really want to have a discussion and aren't looking for actual support or positivity, you just want to keep being upset and tell people until someone agrees with you and tells you that your opinion that the writers made a shitty choice etc is valid.

So, to repeat a few things my friends have said:

They have not been doing Buddie since season two. I don't know why people persist on claiming this. Buddie was never the original plan. They did not decide to have Eddie get with Buck in season two. In fact in season two they seemed kinda unsure what to do with Eddie since he wouldn't be with Maddie any longer, but they still wanted the character, and Ryan, on the show. For my money, they started exploring the possibility of Buddie and discussing it seriously in season three, and season four was when they locked that in.

Now, I don't know about you, since you're a stranger on the internet, but to me, as a writer, it is a much, much better choice for them to have taken the risk rather than cram Buddie together, for a few reasons.

One: They cannot walk it back once Buddie is together. You're telling me you wanted them to sacrifice their story's integrity to give us a rushed unsatisfying get-together? Get out of my house. Watching television is, inherently, a gamble because it means you might get your stories unfulfilled. If you can't take that risk, then leave the casino. I am willing to risk it because I want a truly satisfying get-together, not something that was rushed and therefore isn't worthy of the delicious slow burn they're building.

Two: How many times do I have to scream at everyone to consider the behind the scenes issues before people start actually listening to me? Oh, forever? Because everyone is operating in bad faith and nobody wants to actually listen? Good to know. This will be the last I say on the matter.

We do not know what behind the scenes was going on in addition to the cancellation. What if certain Fox executives weren't supportive of Buddie? You're telling me that the writers and cast and crew should have, right when they'll need new jobs, guaranteed that their last employers will talk shit about them for disobeying orders and putting two characters together that they were told not to put together?

This is purely conjecture on my part, but I have seen time after time in fandom certain cast members and certain crew members and certain writers want a ship to become canon, and others not, and I have seen the way that back and forth played out, and guess fucking what? NOBODY WANTS TO LOSE THEIR FUCKING JOB. NOBODY WANTS TO BE PREVENTED FROM HAVING ANOTHER JOB.

Now, again, that's pure conjecture, but Fox really hasn't treated OG well for a while in terms of renewal, marketing, etc. And I have never, EVER, seen a show snapped up by another network so quickly. It's always "we got cancelled!" and then a few days or weeks later it's "we were saved by another network!" ABC was ON it. This gives me hope for a lot of things, like perhaps a 22 episode season. But given Fox's lack of promotion and appreciation for OG, it wouldn't surprise me if the cast and crew wanted Buddie and some people in the network didn't, and that is why we've been delayed on Buddie going canon. And while YOU may cry viva la revolution, it's much easier to have your principles when you've got a belly full, and while it may suck creatively there is no reason to piss off your bosses right when you need them to write you a recommendation for a new job because your show got cancelled - and while I'm sure they were hopeful, given the cast's social media I do not think anyone knew until it was publicly announced that they had, indeed, been saved and gotten another season.

My point is, this is just one theory I'm pulling out of a hat like a rabbit. We do not know what other BTS stuff is going on that made them choose to delay Buddie until season seven.

Three: To go back to point one, I do not think you've seen the reactions when a ship goes canon poorly. I was there, Gandalf. I was there the day that Booth and Bones got together. I was in the trenches. It soured SO many people, including me, on the show. To quote MBMBAM: YOU DIDN'T STICK THE LANDING! YOU JUST FLIPPED IN THE AIR FOR TWENTY MINUTES!!!

Sticking the landing when getting a ship together is possibly the most important moment in the couple's story. You cannot fuck up that landing. The writers chose to take the chance on it never happening in order to stick the landing the way they wanted. If that pisses you off, FINE. But stop coming into our inboxes to say the same thing over and over again about it, because we do not agree and we are never going to agree. We are at an impasse.

Now, to move onto some other points, WHY IS EVERYONE CONVINCED THAT EDDIE WILL STILL BE WITH SOMEONE WHEN THE SEASON ENDS!? WHEN DID WE DECIDE THIS!? He could be! But holy shit he could just go on one date with her that fizzles out! We have no clue! If someone in this fandom can see into the future and knows for sure this is going to happen then give me the winning lotto numbers right this second!!! Give them to me!!!! I need to fund my world domination campaign!!!

And finally, I feel like you've answered your own concerns, here. Given that you have sent similar asks to my friends, I don't think you're actually interested in allaying those concerns, because you keep answering your own questions and repeating yourself ad naseum. I could be wrong. Again, I don't know you. But this sure seems to be the case given that you're saying to me similar stuff you've said to my friends in asks they've already answered.

But to look at your own ask, you just said why we shouldn't be worried. "It seems like the writers even know..." YES. YES, THEY DO KNOW. I would love to know who the hell decided that television shows are made by the Television Fairy who creeps into the studio at night and waves her magic wand to create all the good stuff we see on our screens while the writers sit around with their thumbs up their asses.

Let's imagine you are a showrunner and you are going into the second half of your season, and you learn that it is extremely likely this season is actually your last. You guys start negotiating quietly with other networks to move the show, while hoping against hope this is not, indeed, the end. But this means you now have, what, nine episodes? To put all your characters in a place that is, if not ideal, at least somewhat positive for your audience?

You can't start any too-major arcs. You can't end on too bad of an emotional cliffhanger. This means some things will wrap up faster. Other things will get pushed forward. And some things have to be delayed, because they might never happen, and you can't give people a third or a half of an arc. Which means that you're going to be throwing in some filler for those characters instead, and doing things differently than how you might have wanted.

I do not know how many times I have to explain this, but television is not fanfiction. When I sit down to write a fic, there's not a damn person in the world who can tell me what to do. I write the story that I want, and if someone doesn't like it, they can hit the bricks.

Television is not like that. Television is one of the biggest group projects there is. Picture the worst group project you had to do in school and then times it by ten. Welcome to the television and film industry. The fact that any film or show, even the truly awful ones, gets made is nothing short of a miracle given all the people involved and all the ways the ball can be dropped. As a show runner, you are answering to multiple executives, to the creators, to the executive producers, to your own writers' room, and to the fans. You are trying to balance what everyone tells you to do, what the fans want you to do, and what you and your (hopefully trusted) writing team want and plan to do. I could never be a show runner and while there are quite a few with whom I've got bones to pick, I cannot deny that they all do a job I would never, ever be capable of pulling off. I'd quit on day three.

So, yeah, they gave Buck a temporary girlfriend as filler, to kinda cap off his current arc if this was the end, or to provide more layers to his full arc if they got another season. If you don't like that, then that's okay. Nobody is telling you to like it. When you come into someone's inbox like this, the assumption is that you're looking to be reassured, and so that's why you're getting the responses that you are. The previous people who've answered you have been trying to reassure you and allay the concerns you seem to have.

But it seems to me like you want a more full conversation, and possibly, that you just want to rant and vent. That's fine, but find a friend for that. Join a discord server. Because when you send the same stuff over and over again to different people, all of whom give you basically the same reply, it just makes you look like a very obstinate stick in the mud who wants everyone else to join them in being upset, and people don't much like having the same conversation multiple times, or being pushed into being upset when they're not.

You might just have to agree to disagree, and move on. Find other ways to get this out of your system, because my inbox, and the inboxes of others, is not the place for your venting in circles.

Now, in spite of my firm tone, I hope you will believe me when I say that I hope you're taking care of yourself, and that you are staying safe in this scary world, and that you have a good rest of your day.

[tenrose]

In case you didn't know, I've finally watched good omens season 2 due to a very favourable planetary alignement allowing my brain to concentrate.

Or so I thought.

It was in fact because the next two days are holidays and that's what I need to recover.

[the-dragonlich]

You ever see just the one worst fucking responses to a show being forced to wrap up early and rush it’s ending because it was cancelled.

[stopthefeeling]

i realised last night i don't actually want robert back