#the person she's most vulnerable with. but even then. she's still protective of mira and i bet even peony if she had trouble

[moe-broey]

Some. Sort of spectrum. From most likely to least likely.

And by kitten-pile I mean This

I'll put a transcript under cut for easier reading! 🫡

How Likely Are They to Kitten Pile?

__

Mirabilis: "are you tired..? do you need a break...? ohh we could take one together..."

If she likes/trusts you even a little, she wants to cuddle about it!!!

-

Sharena and Peony: "Okay! 💖 Yay! 💖"

Shari: The only thing stopping her is social conventions -- making her MORE likely to jump at the opportunity!

Peony: Learning social awareness as she goes, and is surprisingly good at it?

-

Triandra: "Aren't we a bit old for that...? But... even so..."

Embarrassed, conflicted, but feels strangely nostalgic at the notion...

-

Plumeria: "I'm not so petal-soft that I'd resort to such INDECENCY, I mean even if your intentions are Pure USE YOUR HEADS YOU FOOLS!! Girl, the IMPLICATIONS!!!"

Desperately wants to join the kitten-pile, but her Issues and Pride gets in the way.

-

Moe: "aw, so cutes!"

Generally touch adverse, extremely picky even with the people it likes/loves -- everything is entirely on its terms.

[fairybond]

HEADCANON: Lisanna - Reputation

Part 1 bc i got carried away

When the name ‘Lisanna Strauss’ is mentioned, it’s most common for people to either think ‘who? Oh, Mira’s little sister’ or ‘didn’t she die?‘. Sometimes it’s ‘I think she’s in Blue Pegasus now’.

She is known predominantly for being part of the Strauss Siblings / Takeover Siblings  – more specifically as Mirajane’s little sister. People have always seen Lisanna as sweet and cute, a light-hearted and kind girl, the quintessential younger sister. This is the ‘box’ that she fits into, and while yes, these traits do reflect a large part of her personality, there are few people that try to see or think of the other sides to her. Even during her time at Fairy Tail, there were many within the guild that could only think of her in relation to her sister and not as her own person. This is in part due to how little Lisanna stayed close to her siblings and how everyone was always aware of Mira watching over her.

Most people inherently view her as an accessory of sorts to Mira, an afterthought with not much of an impression aside from seeming ‘nice’. (side note, Lisanna loves her sister and does not feel any animosity towards her for the way other people view them)

When people give more thought to Lisanna, they tend to remember the story of nearly 10 years ago, where she was believed to have died while on a mission with her siblings. With the true story having been hushed, it’s believed Lisanna was attacked and suffered from a memory loss spell, and that she led a new life away from her family for a couple of years. The unfortunate incident gave many the impression that she was not skilled enough and/or was too young for the job (which is true) and that she will always be someone who needs protection. There is a perception that she is particularly vulnerable and helpless, easily lost and manipulated.

People then also remember her miraculous return. Strange events and afflictions are commonplace for mages, and so such a story as hers was not too out of place and hardly given much deeper thought other than that it was heartwarming that she was able to reunite with her siblings again. Due to the incident happening when she was younger, and people not having a very good concept of time, there are many who still think of Lisanna as being a young teen and they are always surprised that she is older than they thought. Then there are others who believe she ran away and made up the memory loss story for attention…

The idea that she might be bad luck or secretly malicious has been further aided by the fact that she was among the members of Fairy Tail who were on Tenrou and missing for 7 years. The Strauss family reuniting only to vanish within a couple of months was a notable tragedy, and one that sparked a degree of suspicion in some people.

In some ways, joining Blue Pegasus was a fresh start for Lisanna’s reputation. The people of Dahlia had not watched her grow up the way that those of Magnolia had done, they had not seen her in constant company of her siblings. To them, she was just Lisanna, a friendly face and a mage of their town’s guild, not Mira’s sister. With her skills and power growing, she has earnt the respect of many of her new guildmates in her own right  (that is not to say it’s all roses however) and is beginning to have a reputation of being very capable.

All in all, most people think of Lisanna as sweet and young, and if they remember her connection to Fairy Tail, they inevitably think of Mira and of the unfortunate happenings of that fateful mission in X782. They might also recall the disappearance and return of Fairy Tail. They generally believe Lisanna to be a victim, a damsel. Those who are unfamiliar with Fairy Tail and stories of their mages, who have perhaps instead spent some time in Dahlia or enlisted Lisanna for a mission in the recent year…they would likely view her as a bright, efficient, resourceful, and competent mage. Her skill with her Takeover magic, her ability to ‘chain’ many forms, is becoming more known in the guild circles as well.

As a side note, her reputation among her friends and family is that she is a sweetheart and a menace all at once. Her playful side is reserved for her favourite people after all. She is also known to be incredibly understanding and wise, a comforting presence and someone who is always willing to help.

[oflur]

What do you consider the most important event of your life so far? The most impactful memory is the week of Christmas when Mirana lost both her parents (or who she believes to be, at least) in a house fire. 

Who has had the most influence on you? Amara Diaz née Pérez - her mother. Mira inherited many of her favorite hobbies from Amara, such as reading, mythology, and stargazing. Amara was incredibly caring, and while Mira does a poor job of showing it, she is very protective over anyone she cares for. 

What do you consider your greatest achievement? Mira once managed a page 2 story in the San Francisco Chronicle, but it was written under the name Isabel Perez. 

What is your greatest regret? Her greatest regret is triggering her pyrokinesis. 

What is the most evil thing you have ever done? From her perspective, murdering her parents. 

Do you have a criminal record of any kind? Nothing listed other than a speeding ticket, but she has committed arson and numerous counts of trespassing. 

When was the time you were the most frightened? Waking up in the ashes of her childhood home. 

What is the most embarrassing thing ever to happen to you? She once got caught staring at a bartender, and when asked why, she fumbled and said she was wanting to ask for a job application. This is how she met her current roommate Logan and ended up working at Neon Nights. This may not be the most embarrassing memory, but a recent one. Also, drunk texts. 

If you could change one thing from your past, what would it be, and why? She would easily change Amara not being alive. 

Is your character an optimist or a pessimist? Mirana was never an overly positive person/dreamer, but she generally considered the glass half-full. In recent years, she is very much a pessimist. 

What is your most treasured possession? Her most treasured possession was a bracelet from her mother that Mirana had engraved in remembrance of Amara. This was recently lost, leaving her current treasured possession a house plant from her roommate, Ilana. 

What is their favorite fairy tale? She has always enjoyed the story of Robin Hood. 

Do they believe in happy endings? For herself ? No. 

Do they believe in love at first sight? Absolutely not. 

How would your character court the person of their dreams? Mirana is entirely action-oriented and present-focused, and is very unlikely to plan out courting someone. Instead of romantic confessions, sappy poetry, expressing romantic intent, etc. she is much more likely to react in the moment with little to no advance thought for her actions. 

What makes your character embarrassed? Not much can embarrass Mirana. 

Have they ever been bullied or teased? While often teased, she has rarely ever been bullied. When growing up, she spent her time mostly around other Seraphs, where she was seen as a prestigious legacy of the Diaz family. 

How do they display affection? Her love languages involve acts of service, sharing food, banter, and physical touch (this last one she currently has banned herself from). 

What do they consider beautiful in others personality-wise? Mirana admires others who openly show they care for others or are unafraid to be vulnerable, perhaps because she can’t manage to do so herself. 

What do they consider ugly in others personality-wise? She despises people like her father, who use people for personal gain or have no regard for harming their loved ones. 

What is their idea of perfect happiness? Being able to be human instead of a witch (as she thinks she is), never being able to harm someone ever again, starting life over again in a place where no one has ever heard of Seraphs or Witches or Vampires, living somewhere warm where she can lie in the grass and watch the stars, with a large library to read from, and a bustling nightlife where she can dance the night away unnoticed. 

Is your character religious? She grew up in a Roman Catholic family and attended church every weekend for nearly eighteen years, but has not attended Mass except for on occasions on her mother’s birthday. She considers herself Agnostic. If there is a power above, she believes they’ve done a horrible job and looking out for her.

How would your character describe themself in one word? Spontaneous. 

How would your character describe themself in three words? Spontaneous, curious, hilarious. 

Is your character quiet or loud? When she does speak, she can easily be loud, especially when laughing or in a boisterous mood. 

How vocally expressive is your character? Highly. Mira has difficulty keeping her opinions to herself. 

How bodily expressive is your character? Highly. Her facial expressions, despite her efforts, often give her away, and she is always moving unless cozy on the apartment couch. 

What type of music does your character like? Indie, occasionally Salsa, some Pop, anything to get her out of her head. 

What emotion does your character evoke in others? Probably anger, humor, annoyance. 

What is your character’s goal in life? To pay penance. 

Are you a virgin? If not, when and with whom did you lose your virginity? No. She lost her virginity at 16 to her childhood best friend and boyfriend at the time. 

What are your views on sex? She views sex as a fun activity, whether with a serious romantic partner or one night stand with a stranger, but is no longer sexually active as to not wanting to accidentally set anyone on fire. 

Do you believe in the existence of soul mates and/or true love? She’s never witnessed anyone actually in love, other than possibly with her best friend, but even then she considered love in general to be mostly bullshit. 

In general, how do you treat others (politely, rudely, by keeping them at a distance, etc.)? Does your treatment of them change depending on how well you know them, and if so, how? Mirana generally keeps everyone at a distance by attempting to not share any personal details or seem particularly interested in them. She often tries to push people she finds herself caring for away with sarcasm/lies. Those who don’t fall for her bullshit that she grows attached to will find she is still just as snarky, but can also be goofy and enthusiastic. 

Who is the most important person in your life, and why? Her childhood friend Max is one person Mirana considers herself to have undying loyalty to, as she was the only person in her previous life, so to speak, to find her again. 

Who is the person you respect the most, and why? Mira respects Ilana highly, despite not showing it well, as Ilana is kind and generous and open and never seems to give up on wanting to be Mira’s friend. 

Who are your friends? Do you have a best friend? Describe these people. Mirana would not list anyone as a friend if asked, as caring about people would only lead to eventually destroying them, but she does have a small handful of people she has met since her return to New York that she regrettably is beginning to care about. She would describe them as chaotic. 

Do you have a spouse or significant other? If so, describe this person. Her last significant other knew her under the alias of Isabel Perez when she lived in California. He met her in journalism school, was a photographer, and asked very few questions about her past, which was ideal. Despite dating him for nearly six months, Mira moved back to New York with nothing more than a one line text.

Have you ever been in love? If so, describe what happened. While not in love with the previously mentioned significant other, she did love her and Max’s childhood best friend. They’d been in her life so long that the transition to a romantic relationship was mostly accidental, but it lasted nearly two years before she ended things abruptly after losing her parents. She has not seen them since. 

What do you look for in a potential lover? Things Mira finds attractive: confidence, witty banter, spontaneity, adrenaline, assertiveness, independence, affection. 

How close are you to your family? To her knowledge, Mira has no biological family remaining. She was incredibly close to her mother, and essentially wished her father dead. 

Have you started your own family? If so, describe them. If not, do you want to? Why or why not? When younger, Mirana liked the idea of one day having two to three kids, always jealous of her friends with siblings and a decent babysitter when she needed to save money over the summer. Currently? She’s terrified to touch another human, much less a child, so no family of any sort is a much better plan. 

Who would you turn to if you were in desperate need of help? This is the existential question. She is in desperate need of help, and hasn’t managed to trust anyone enough to let them decide whether to help her or turn her in. 

Do you trust anyone to protect you? Who, and why? She hasn’t had enough self-preservation to be concerned whether anyone would protect her for a long time. Protectiveness mystifies her, as she of all people doesn’t deserve it. 

If you died or went missing, who would miss you? As this is her third attempt at a new life, other than possibly Max, she would say no one. 

Who is the person you despise the most, and why? Overall? Her father, for being an abusive asshole to her mother. Alive? Herself. 

Do you tend to argue with people, or avoid conflict? She loves arguments. 

Do you tend to take on leadership roles in social situations? While not exactly a follower, Mira rarely shows interest in leadership roles. 

Do you like interacting with large groups of people? Why or why not? Mira enjoys the thrill of a crowd and being nameless, but she would probably not enjoy having to interact with all of them. In a large group, she’s probably narrowed her conversation down to one or two people nearest to her. 

Do you care what others think of you? No, unless they’re someone close to her, Mirana generally does not give a damn. 

Have they ever lost a loved one? What happened to them, and are they the same as they were before they lost them? As mentioned earlier, Mirana lost both her parents when she returned home from Seraph training for Christmas holidays and attempted to defend her mother, but in terror and rage accidentally activated her phoenix abilities. She has not been the same since, living in guilt and self-imposed solitude.

Has your character ever been hurt or betrayed by someone they thought they could depend on? What happened? Not particularly. She tries not to depend on others. 

Does your character have a deep and/or dark secret? If so, what is it? She hasn’t told Logan she sought her out on purpose and got the job at Neon Nights to try and meet the Supreme of NYC and learn how to convince/manipulate her into removing her powers. She hasn’t told anyone that she is to blame for her parents’ death. Only Max knows about her father not being the glorious Seraph the Seraphs believed him to be. Only a few coven members believe she is a witch, but she hasn’t told them she’s unable to do basic spells and is starting to believe she is something else (a demon? cursed? some monstrous mutation?). This may or may not be all of them. 

If you knew you were going to die in 24 hours, name three things you would do in the time you had left. 1. Destroy her father’s headstone 2. Travel to Europe for her mother’s dreams. 3. Somehow manage to recover her mother’s bracelet from the Atlantic. 

What is the one thing for which you would most like to be remembered after your death? For not being a complete and utter monster. 

What three words best describe your personality? Mirana is stubborn, tenacious, and inquisitive. 

What three words would others probably use to describe you? Blunt, hungry, sarcastic. 

[mdelpin]

I Take Pride In What I Am 2019 Prompt: “But I’m sick of hiding my heart” Pairing: Natsu x Gray

First Part

Natsu arrived at the guild early the next morning grabbing the first job he saw that sounded like it would be far away and would give him the biggest chance to fight monsters. He didn’t bother to look at any of the details. His mind was still reeling from the events of the night before. He wanted to get away from any chance of possibly running into Gray for the foreseeable future. At least until he could figure out what the hell was happening.

He showed Mira the request, waiting to be given approval and immediately scowling when it wasn’t forthcoming.

“I can’t let you take this job alone,” Mira protested, “It’s too dangerous, I’d feel more comfortable if you took someone like Gray with you.”

“Hell no!” Natsu crossed his arms in front of his chest, “I don’t need that stripper’s help.”

“Well if not him, then Lucy or Erza.” Mira insisted.

“I’ll go,” Both mages jumped surprised to hear Loke offer to go on a job.

“Loke?” Mira studied the Celestial Spirit carefully, “Doesn’t Lucy need you?”

“She’ll be fine without me for a day or two,” Loke waved away Mira’s protests, “Besides, I’m still a Fairy Tail wizard and I haven’t gone on a job in ages. So how about it, matchstick?”

Natsu couldn’t really understand why Loke would want to come along, they’d never been particularly close but he was a good fighter and if he had an ulterior motive Natsu couldn’t think of what it was. He relaxed and decided he didn’t care as long as he could get out of Magnolia before Gray got to the guild. “Suit yourself.”

“I guess it’s alright as long as Natsu is fine with it,” Mira agreed grudgingly, not entirely sure what Loke might be up to, but seeing no good reason to deny his request.

“Great!” Loke cheered and as they began to walk out of the guild he asked, “Isn’t Happy coming along?”

“No, I’d been hoping to go alone.”

“I see,” Loke smiled internally, having a good idea what was bothering the dragon slayer but knowing better than to bring it up too soon, “Something on your mind?”

“I don’t want to talk about it,” Natsu snapped.

“Where are we going anyway?” Loke asked and Natsu showed him the job request.

They made their way towards the train station, Natsu itching for a fight and Loke being annoyingly agreeable.

Xxx

Gray woke up nursing the worst hangover he’d ever experienced in his life. All he’d done was move his head and now his stomach was rebelling and his mouth felt like it was covered in sand. But that was nothing compared to the feeling that someone was stabbing his head with a knife. He sat up slowly, cradling his head between his hands. He couldn’t stop himself from groaning out loud.

“Not feeling so good, huh?” Cana shoved a glass in his face that smelled surprisingly of the thing that got him there.

“No more vodka,” Gray groaned again as he shoved the glass away from his nose, “How can you be drinking already?”

“The best way to get over a hangover,” Cana shrugged, drinking the contents of the glass when Gray refused it again.

“I need to go find Natsu,” Gray moaned as he got up from his couch where it appeared he had passed out the previous night.

“I wasn’t expecting you to be so eager,” Cana mused, watching him with slight concern.

“I’m not, I just want him to knock me out so I don’t have to feel like this any longer.”

Cana chuckled, “Let’s get you some food and then we can figure out what you should do.”

“I already feel sick, don’t you think it’s cruel to feed me your gruel?”

“Oy! I know I should be insulted but you’re probably right,” Cana mused good-naturedly, “Are you up to going to the guild?”

Gray sighed, “I’m going to have to go there eventually. Let me just take a shower.”

Twenty minutes later Cana and Gray left his apartment and headed for the Fairy Tail Guild.

Xxx

“So Gray kissed you last night, huh?” Loke had waited until the train had already started moving to bring up the topic, knowing Natsu would be at his most vulnerable.

The smirk on his face was enough to make Natsu want to punch him into next week but he was too weak from motion sickness to do so, so he attacked the only way he was able. He emptied the contents of his stomach all over Loke’s impeccable suit, wiping the smirk off the Celestial Spirit’s face and replacing it with a look of disgust.

“You could have just said you didn’t want to talk about it you know,” Loke complained, frustrated when Natsu remained silent, although he could have sworn the fire mage was smiling in between moans.

Xxx

“How are you feeling, Gray?” Mira asked as she watched the ice mage sit on a stool wearing sunglasses.

“I may never drink again,” Gray replied seriously.

“Well here’s some ice water, I’ll go make you some breakfast.”

Gray thanked her and looked around the guild to see who was around. He saw no sign of any of his teammates and as much as he didn’t want to appear desperate he also really needed to know how Natsu was doing so when Mira returned with his food he had to ask.

“So, uhm, by any chance has Natsu been by this morning?” He asked as nonchalantly as he could manage.

“Natsu?” Mira grinned knowingly, “Oh yes, he went off on a job with Loke.”

“That’s a funny way to say Lucy, for a moment there I thought you said Loke,” Gray laughed uncomfortably, hoping against hope that he’d heard Mira wrong.

“That’s because I did say Loke,” Mira smiled up at him, innocence in her smile but a devilish glint shining in her eyes.

“Huh. Hey Mira?” Gray lay his head down on the bar knowing that if things hadn’t been bad before he was now truly and completely fucked, “Can I go ahead and have a drink now?”

Mira tried to stifle a laugh as she and Cana shared a knowing look. She poured Gray a drink and handed it over and he downed it quickly. He was about to order another when he heard the door burst open as Erza walked in screaming his name.

His headache protested but he knew better than to say anything, he just waved at his red-headed friend. She immediately charged in his direction.

“Did you defile Natsu in the guild last night?” Erza demanded loudly.

“What?! Of course not!” Gray yelled out in indignation, quickly looking to make sure no one was around before whimpering as his head throbbed, “Who the hell told you that?”

“It’s all over Fairy Hills.” Erza explained, “Juvia won’t leave her room, I left Lucy with her to try to calm her down.”

Oh yes, this day was just getting better and better.

“Well, then what did happen?” Erza stood over him, the intensity of her glare not even remotely dimmed through his sunglasses, her fingers twitched, itching to requip a weapon but attempting to exert self-control.

Gray looked down at the floor and mumbled nervously, ”I may have kissed him, and told him I was in love with him while incredibly drunk.”

Now Gray knew how protective Erza was of Natsu. She had taught him to read and write and since then she’d proclaimed herself his big sister much like Natsu had done to Wendy. Gray was fully expecting Erza to come at him when she learned he’d touched Natsu in any way that was not part of a fight, so he was surprised when she didn’t immediately attack him after his confession.

He waited as she studied him seriously before suddenly and quite unexpectedly erupting into loud guffaws quite unlike anything he’d heard from her before. After a few minutes spent holding her belly and wiping away tears, she finally calmed down.

“Are you done?” Gray, who had not found her reaction amusing in any way, groused at his friend.

“I’m sorry,” Erza replied not looking remorseful at all. “Well, how did he take it?”

“He turned away and ran out of the guild.”

“Well, you didn’t pick a great day for it, did you?,” Erza pointed out while ordering a slice of strawberry cake and motioning for Gray to follow her to their team’s table.

“I wasn’t exactly planning on it,” Gray snapped before softening his tone as he remembered who he was talking to, “It just sort of happened.”

“Take off those ridiculous glasses, it’s not that bright in here,” Erza grabbed the sunglasses off the bridge of his nose and placed them on the table before smiling at him. “That’s better.”

Mira came by with Erza’s cake and sat down next to Gray, while Cana sat on his other side, wine glass in hand. Gray found himself surrounded by three of the most terrifying women in the guild who seemed intent to either make fun of him or help him with his fledgling love life, he couldn’t quite make out which.

“Now tell us all about it,” Erza demanded, her tone bossy.

“You wouldn’t understand,” Gray muttered under his breath.

Mira put her hand over his and said kindly, “Try us, when did this start?”

“I don’t know, a while ago, but after Galuna I was sure.” Gray rubbed his temple trying to will his headache away. It was hard to have a serious conversation with the constant pounding in his head.

Erza smiled, “I guess I can see that, it was a very emotional time for the two of you. What are you planning to do about Juvia?”

“I can only handle one headache at a time, Erza.”

Cana snorted, “I think the more important question is what are you going to do now? Natsu is not exactly the easiest person to talk to about anything serious.”

Gray groaned, “Based on what Mira said he’s avoiding me, which means he doesn’t feel the same way.”

“You don’t know that for a fact,” Erza reminded him, “Natsu has a hard time with feelings, and July 7th is a hard day for him. You literally couldn’t have picked a worse day to hit him with this.”

“I’ve already told you,” Cana reminded him, “Give him time to figure it out, he might surprise you.”

“And Loke is probably trying to help your case as we speak,” Mira giggled into her hand.

“Loke?” Erza asked with interest.

“He went out on a job with Natsu,” Mira informed her girlfriend.

Erza tried her best not to laugh, not wanting to make Gray feel any worse, but Cana had no such qualms. Her laughter rang out next to Gray’s ear making him so annoyed you could see a vein bulging in his forehead.

“You know what? Fuck it,” Gray decided, “I’m glad I told him, whatever happens, happens but I’m sick of hiding my heart from him.”

“That’s the Gray I know,” Erza encouraged him proudly, “You’ll have a fight and you’ll sort it out.”

“I’m surprised you’re taking this so well,” Gray puzzled, “I was sort of expecting you to be mad.”

“Oh, we’re not done by a long shot,” Erza assured him, her aura once again turning dark, “If you start dating Natsu, we’re going to have a talk.”

Gray gulped, okay at least things were normal there. They spent the rest of the afternoon trying to help him come up with ways to talk to Natsu once he was ready. He was feeling a bit better when the door burst open and Loke entered carrying Natsu in his arms.

Both were bickering and Gray was able to see that Natsu was bleeding severely.

He and Erza both got up and rushed over to their teammate although they quickly moved back when they got a good whiff of Loke’s clothes.

“What happened?” Erza barked at Loke who looked decidedly nervous.

“N-nothing,” He stuttered, having been on the receiving end of Erza’s anger several times before.

“Nothing, my ass,” Natsu hollered, “He wouldn’t stop talking about the Ice Prick, we got ambushed by the mages that were controlling the monsters we were sent to destroy.”

Loke tried to meet Gray’s eyes but the ice mage only looked away, angry that he’d been responsible for Natsu getting hurt unnecessarily.

Meanwhile, Natsu was trying to avoid his gaze which was not exactly giving him the warm fuzzies, even though he understood.

Gray figured it was best if he found an excuse to leave the guild so Natsu could be more comfortable. “Loke, take Natsu to the infirmary, I’ll go find Wendy. And for Mavis sake, change your clothes, you reek.”

Loke looked miserable but he did as he was told, carrying Natsu up the stairs with Mira and Erza following.

Gray walked over to Fairy Hills, looking for the youngest dragon slayer. He knocked on the door and waited for the dorm mother to answer, but to his chagrin, it was opened by none other than Juvia and Lucy, who were apparently on their way to the guild.

“Gray-sama,” Juvia wailed, holding on to his arm and begging him to tell her that the rumors weren’t true.

Fuck! He managed to ask Lucy to go find Wendy so she could take a look at Natsu before being forced to calm down Juvia.

This just wasn’t his day.

To be continued… 

A/N: It should finish up tomorrow. Spoiler, I lied! 

[kallypsowrites]

Game of Thrones, The Lowest Point, and what it means for Season 8

Hello everyone. I’m here to talk to you today about ‘the lowest point’. The lowest point, for those of you who aren’t familiar, is the darkest place in the story. The moment where everything seems hopeless because a character has failed or gone through tremendous loss or died. The lowest point is one of the most important moments in any character arc because it tests our characters. Sometimes they rise stronger than ever and sometimes they succumb to their struggles. This is often what sets apart a tragedy from a drama.

In a three act structure, the lowest point typically is placed at the 2/3 or 3/4 mark of the story. You’ve probably noticed this if you’ve watched a film. With 20-30 minutes left to go the characters are often crying/moping/suffering. But then it’s more satisfying when we see them rise up to face the conflict in the final moments!

Now in a long ass TV show like Game of thrones, lowest points do work a bit differently. There are many lowest points throughout the season. But we can still identify each character’s LOWEST lowest point and see where it is in the narrative. And the show is eight seasons, with a total of 73 episodes. So we can kiiiiinda see where the lowest point fits in by using math (*gag*)In this way, we can predict what that says for each character in their final season of Game of Thrones.

So, the remaining Starks (Jon, Sansa, Arya and Bran) actually all have their lowest point at around the same place, which is thematically satisfying. Obviously the Starks have had MANY low moments, but we’re looking for the LOWEST of the low.

Sansa, for instance, is a character with many rough moments. But while Joffery is awful, her marriage to Ramsay is unquestionably her lowest point. She has been constantly losing her identity as a Stark to marriage but this is the very worst instance. This happens in season five and culminates with her being willing to throw herself off the wall of Winterfell on the off chance she might survive. Her lowest point happens roughly 2/3 of the way through the show because of that.

Arya also is a character of many bad moments from witnessing her father’s death to the red wedding! But her lowest point is when she begins to lose her very identity as a Stark in season five and six. Her loss of vision is what kick starts that lowest point at the end of season five. Roughly 2/3 of the way through the story. 

Jon lost his lover Ygritte which was sad, but his lowest point is when he DIES at, you guessed it, the end of season five. 2/3 of the way through the story. Worse than that he is BETRAYED for doing something he thought was right!

Bran is the only Stark who’s lowest point occurs in season six instead, when he surrenders himself to beoming the three eyed raven and the old Bran seems to “die”. But Bran wasn’t in season five at all, so if we just take the seasons he IS in, then his lowest point occurs around the 3/4 point of his story, so not too far off.

It’s not just the Starks who have a lowest point at the end of season five! So does Cersei! Her walk of shame marks her most emotionally vulnerable and awful moment and therefore occurs 2/3 of the way through the story. Losing her son was of course, awful, but this attacks her very sense of self. Again, often times the lowest point is not someone you love dying but when you start to lose all sense of who you are.

Tyrion’s lowest point is when he kills Shae and then his father. It occurs about half way through the story, so he’s set apart from the other five we’ve discussed here. He has tried so hard to be accepted by his family, so hard to prove his innocence, so hard to get his father’s approval. And this is the moment when he says FUCK it. He becomes a Kinslayer and he leaves King’s Landing in a box. He, at the time, seems to have forfeited the game. It’s no coincidence that the next time we see him he is drinking like its the end of the world. A lowest point at the half way mark is unconventional, but sort of makes sense in a TV show. There is Tyrion BEFORE he killed his father and there is Tyrion AFTER he killed his father. He is forever changed now.

But some characters have a lowest point that’s even FURTHER back. Let’s check out Jaime and Theon. They both have their lowest point in season three and...man...could it have to do with a loss of self? Hell yeah it does!

Jaime loses his hand in episode three of season three, about 1/3 of the way through the story. It is stated many times that his LIFE was in that hand. His sword hand. That has always been the one thing he KNEW he could do better than anyone. With that gone he has nothing. He doesn’t know who he is so he must figure it out again from scratch. And he takes a kind of long time to figure it out but we’ll circle back to Jaime in a sec.

Theon SUPER loses his identity through awful torture until he goes only by the name of Reek. His lowest point kind of lasts awhile, but I’d say the end of season three where he first abandoned his name, marks the true lowest point. A little over 1/3 of the way through the series. And he, like Jaime, takes a long time to rediscover it.

And then there’s Daenerys. Do you know when her lowest point happens? Her LOWEST lowest point?

It’s season one.

Now, Daenerys has had other lowest points of course. Locking away her dragons, being picked up by the Dothraki, losing Viseron. But none of them have been quite so intense as her season one loss. Toward the end of season one, Dany has finaly been coming into power, free from her brother. She has a plan to cross the sea and take back her throne! And she has an army willing to take her there! And, even better, she’s pregnant with a son who she already loves!

But then, in a very short span of time she loses her husband, her son and all of her armies. She is left with only a few scattered followers and she walks into a fire with the dragon eggs. At this point, her surviving or the dragons hatching is not a sure thing. This, for Daenerys, is a sort of desperate act to try to retain SOMETHING of the power she had only a few days previous. Fortunately for her...it results in dragons.

Let’s talk about the results of the lowest point real quick. The lowest point isn’t just there to make a character suffer. It’s there to mold them and push them along their arc. It’s there to make them stronger. So how does the lowest point effect each character? Well, Jon is brought back from the dead, escaping his lowest point. And with that, he is actually able to fight for his family again--the family he always wanted to be a part of. He, as a result, becomes King in the North. But he wouldn’t have been able to do that if not for being knifed through the heart. On a personal level thought...he’s more jaded but also more focused than ever on the true threat. The Night King must be stopped. It is the only way to save everyone.

Sansa, after enduring abuse after abuse, is tired of other people deciding her fate for her. Cersei, Joffrey, Littlefinger, Ramsay. They’ve all used her for their own means. She wants to take back Winterfell, with Jon, so they can be safe. That is Sansa’s main desire at this point. Safety. And she will do anything to ensure it. The reason why its so satisfying to see her face Ramsay and tell him to “sleep well” is because she is no longer letting anyone have control over her. She’s done with that. She as become harder and smarter.

Arya, after having her eyes taken, must of course learn to use her other senses and endure physical abuse from the waif. So she gets stronger. But the real struggle here is for her identity. All throughout the arc, there’s this thread that she can’t let go of Needle. It’s what Jon gave her! Its her last piece of herself! And by the end, instead of letting herself be killed or giving up on Arya Stark, she takes Needle and kills the waif before declaring “a girl is Arya Stark and I am going home”. Perhaps she has lost everything... but she will not give up her name or her family.

Bran, interestingly, is sort of still in his lowest point. He has become the three eyed raven and at this point it is uncertain whether or not he will find himself again or whether, as Mira says, he died in that cave. That question will surely be answered in Season 8.

Cersei, in response to being shamed...fucks up EVERYONE. She blows up the sept with the faith as well as Margaery and becomes queen of the Seven Kingdoms. They brought her low and she climbed higher than ever. But this is also at a tragic cost. She loses her final child and thus becomes colder than ever. Cersei’s story is a tragedy after all, so there is never TRUE triumph for her.

Now, Jaime and Theon are frustrating character, partially because they have to be made, unmade and reborn. And that takes time. In season one and two, they both kind of suck. Jaime sucks most in season one and Theon most in season two. Then, through a dramatic, traumatic event they lose themselves and are left wandering in the dark. Jaime TRIES to return to buisness as usual as a King’s Guard, but finds himself more distant from Cersei as she too is changed. And he fails to protect TWO of his children, which leaves him feeling more lost. But really, he’s stuck with the person who brings out the worst in him, clinging to the past that he had with her until he FINALLY realizes that its over and leaves her at the end of season seven.

Theon spends quite a bit of time as Reek, likewise, and even though he escapes Ramsay at the end of season five, he still is left with the fear of him and the trauma that losing himself inflicted. For THREE WHOLE SEASONS he was with Ramsay, and that has been traumatic. So season six and seven focus on him still not truly being Theon anymore. Now, at the end of season seven, he has finally claimed his name again, bathed himself in water (reborn) and is ready to save his sister.

Jaime and Theon are both frustrating characters because we WANT to see them embrace their new selves but it takes them awhile to do so. The Starks are easier to get behind because their reaction to their lowest point is more immediate whereas Jaime and Theon stall for a bit before finally getting it. It is frustrating but like...it’s also relatable in a way.

And then, back to Daenerys. Daenerys, as I mentioned, comes out of her lowest point with three dragons. By the end of season two, she has money. By the end of season three, she has an army. By the beginning of season four, she has Mereen. By the end of season five she has figured out how to ride her dragon and she has new advisors in Varys and Tyrion. By the end of season six she has the dothraki in addition to her other armies, a bunch of allies, and is ready to sail for Westeros.

There are lowest points interspersed in these developments, but over all, she has continued to gain more and more ever sense her lowest point. As her dragons get bigger so does her power. Now, some of that power has wavered as she lost allies in Westeros and now the threat of the dead is coming...but the fact that we haven’t seen Dany lower than the end of season one? That has implications for season eight. So what are those implications?

Of the remaining major characters, I think Jon, Sansa, Bran and Theon have already hit their LOWEST lowest point.

Arya and Tyrion are a toss up for me.

Cersei, Jaime and Daenerys have yet to hit their true lowest point. 

I’ll explain. For Jon, he has already died, and even if he dies again...that’s not really hitting a lowest point. If anything, the second time he dies, it will be after completeing his mission and therefore less devestating than the first time. He certainly won’t die via betrayal this time. And, best case scenario, he lives! But this is Game of Thrones after all.

For Sansa and Theon...I really don’t think it can get worse than Ramsay. Even if shitty things happen to them, there’s just...no sinking any lower than that.

For Bran, he’s still in the midst of dealing with his other lowest point so his fate in season eight will sort of be...a reaction that that.

Arya and Tyrion are a tossup for me because it kind of depends. If Arya, at any point, chooses vengeance over family, I suspect she will hit a new and tragic lowest point. If not, I think she’s good. For Tyrion, I’m hazy enough on his motives right now, there is a possibility that he will hit a lower point.

But then there’s Cersei, Jaime and Daenerys. Cersei’s whole life has been barrelling toward this self fulfilling prophesy. And if Jaime is indeed going to be her killer, the realization of that will fucking SHATTER her right before she dies as she realizes that she has been so blind.

For Jaime, the lowest point will likely be Cersei’s death. If his hand was part of his identity, she was another part. Now of course, I’m the biggest Jaime x Brienne shipper in the world and I DO THINK at this point he has left Cersei behind. But that doesn’t mean it isn’t going to be a kick in the balls when she dies (especially if he does it).

And then Daenerys. For a long time, its been a journey up for Dany. Ever since season one she has been rising. What’s the saying? The higher you go, the further you fall? I don’t know what form Dany’s lowest point will take, but I am fairly sure this season is going to be ROUGH for her and will probably have something to do with her sense of self as a Targaryen (since many of the true lowest points have looked at personal identity). On a narrative level, its been too long since the LOWEST lowest point, and its probs going to happen here.

Anyway, just a little story analysis I was thinking about this morning. Let me know what you think the season 8 lowest points will be! As always, keep discussion respectful :)

[naturalistprincess]

all hail the underdogs chapter four

hey! so, the queens are still four, and we’re going to check in on our favorite little poisoner

all mistakes are my own

enjoy x

PREV Ch. 3 (P.2) | NEXT Ch. 5 (P.1)

______

Arsinoe sulked as she trudged into the kitchen, shoving her sleeves up in a careless manner, something very unlike her. Alarms immediately rang in the Midwife’s head as she glanced over at the small poisoner washing her hands.

Katharine and Mirabella’s voices could be heard out in the garden.

“You don’t wish to play with your sisters, Queen Arsinoe?” Willa asked, voice light as she continued to knead the dough in her hands.

“No,” came her annoyed response.

“Well, then go grab the chocolate chips for me,” she instructed.

Arsinoe did what she was told before falling into her own routine of helping Willa roll her cookie dough into little balls. The two fell into a comfortable silence for a long time, both focusing on their tasks with the exception of Willa’s soft humming and the background noises of the duo outside.

“Mira!” A shriek suddenly cut through the air, followed by loud peals of laughter.

“What in Fennbirn are they doing out there?” Willa’s humming broke off as she frowned curiously out the window, trying to get a look at her Queens.

Arsinoe’s voice sounded as if she was gritting her teeth. “Mira’s trying to teach Kat how to grow flowers. Stupid. They don’t have the same Gift. How’s that supposed to work?” She sneered.

The woman’s attention was immediately pulled to the young girl she viewed as her own, who was aggressively rolling her dough into lumpy balls as opposed to the near perfect ones she was making previously.

Willa frowned, wiping off her hands and turning to face Arsinoe head on. “My Queen.”

She was ignored.

Willa tried again, “My Queen.”

Arsinoe hunched her shoulders, her jaw tense as she slammed the dough ball onto the pan.

“Queen Arsinoe!”

Finally, finally, the queen turned to face her. Her eyes brimmed with unshed tears, looking furious.

“It’s not fair! It’s not fair, Willa!” The young girl finally exploded. “Why do—why do they get these Gifts and I’m stuck with—?!”

She sniffed, angrily wiping at her eyes, “Mira can make fire appear on her fingers! And make earthquakes! Kat can make ducks float to her! I can’t do anything!”

Willa’s heart broke as she looked at her, sinking down onto her knees in front of Arsinoe who glowered in the direction of her sisters.

“Poisoners are stupid. Useless,” she spat out, sniffling and angrily wiping at her eyes again. Red marks appeared on her face from rubbing so hard.

“Do you think I’m useless?” Willa’s voice was quiet, reaching out and gently wiping the tears pooling out from the corners of the distraught girl’s eyes. She took Arsinoe’s hands in her, waiting for the girl to meet her eyes. “Or stupid?”

Arsinoe flinched, anger and jealousy fading away to give Willa a confused—shocked—look. “No! Of course not! Why would you—?” She cut herself off, eyes flickering wildly over her guardian’s face.

“I’m a poisoner too, Queen Arsinoe.”

The girl’s eyes bugged out. “But— You’re the most powerful person ever!”

Willa couldn’t help but let out a small chuckle. “You couldn’t be farther from the truth, Arsinoe. You, your sisters, you girls are the most powerful I have ever known.”

“B-but I can’t do anything, Willa!” her lip wobbled, her voice a low whisper.

It was rare for Arsinoe to ever show such vulnerability. She was always so strong, so composed.

The young girl was always quick to comfort her younger sister when she cried, and quick to reassure her. Maybe not as gently as Mirabella, with her warm hugs and soft, kind words, but Arsinoe was always ready to pull her sister away from something upsetting. Distract her, and get her spirits up again.

She was excellent at weaving stories for them to listen to at bed, Willa couldn’t remember telling them other tales asides from past Queens during their lessons since the girls could barely talk. Arsinoe had quite the imagination, always knowing exactly what to say to keep them—Willa included— on the edge of their seats.

And although she wasn’t one for words, ironic as it was, it was clear how much she cherished her sisters. When she would let Kat sleep with her when the young girl fell asleep in her room, frightened by the monsters in her own closet. When she would volunteer to braid Mirabella’s hair before the girl even had the chance to ask. Asking Willa if they could bake one of her sisters’ very treats rather than one of her own.

“You are so strong, my Queen,” Willa spoke seriously, squeezing her small hands. “You don’t need a familiar or a column of fire to protect you. You have your heart, your will, and your wits. Your sisters believe in you. The island believes in you. I believe in you.”

“Do you believe in yourself?”

The Queen sniffed, blinking once, twice. Already her eyes were drying, no more tears falling. She stood straighter, grasping onto Willa’s hands. “Yes,” she mumbled. “Yes,” she repeated again, voice stronger than before.

Arsinoe ripped her hands out of Willa’s, lunging towards the woman and giving her a hug. “Thank you,” she mumbled into the crook of her neck.

“I love you, Arsinoe,” She returned the hug.

“I love you too, Willa.”

A soft smile graced Willa’s lips, pulling away from the hug when she felt Arsinoe let go. “Would you care to continue baking?”

“Yeah,” she bobbed her head.

The two turned back to the balls of dough. As they continued to work, Willa glanced down at Arsinoe.

“You know...”

“Hm?” She was half paying attention, tongue poking out in concentration as she placed some more chocolate chips on top of the cookies. It was almost time to put them in the oven.

“I may have some may wine in my bedroom,” Willa pretended not to notice as Arsinoe’s eyes flickered to her.

“It’s a poisoner tradition. The poison is from a woodruff plant, not very much however, which is why it’s safe for those who’s gift hasn’t fully come in yet to drink it. Such as children,” she explained, meeting Arsinoe’s eyes. “So long as you don’t tell your sisters, you can have some later tonight.” Willa winked, pleased at the laughter that rang past the girl’s laugh.

“I promise!”

“Good, now let’s get these cookies into the oven, shall we?”

[iris-sistibly]

Encantadia 2016-2017: The Final Verdict (Part 2)

Part 1 here: http://iris-sistibly.tumblr.com/post/160857700329/encantadia-2016-2017-the-final-verdict-part-1

Characters and Cast Members

The Dark Horses

These are the characters and cast members who has the best development/biggest improvements in terms of narrative, performance and characterization:

1. Alena (Gabbi Garcia)- her character definitely has the biggest development throughout the entire series. Her development was probably the slowest I must say yet it was so, so worth the wait! I was disappointed at how bad her characterization was in the first book (plus Gabbi’s pabebe acting that time), but like I mentioned earlier, Book one was all about perfect timing. By the time Alena chose to let go I was like, “FINALLY!” at laaast! Encantadia did not stick to the norms of the first love never dies rule of the Filipino romance genre. Her character continued to shine for the rest of the series and I couldn’t be more proud especially at Gabbi who was my least favorite cast member of the first book. Compared to the rest of the cast, Gabbi’s performance isn’t up there, but for a lesser experienced actress like her, it was more than enough to impress me, I have seen her evolve from a pabebe actress to a more mature, serious performer. One of the few things I would rave about the show’s 10-month run is Alena being crowned as queen of Lireo. Her original counterpart’s narrative focused on romance but, I love how they changed Alena’s story in the most drastic yet exciting way possible and they turned her into a strong, independent, confidently beautiful woman with a heart. She is the perfect queen for Lireo, very much like Mine-a I must say. And yes, surprise surprise, despite of me being an Amihan fanatic, Alena is my top pick in this category.

2. Amihan (Kylie Padilla)- if you have been following the 4R’s series I have mentioned so many times before how disappointed I was at Kylie for literally bringing my favorite sang’gre down. But just like Alena, Kylie’s Amihan had her own time to shine. And ever since the Amihan’s fall arc, Kylie has been nailing her character scene after scene after scene. Never in my whole fan girl existence did I imagine that she would nail a character such as Amihan, a mother, a queen, a warrior, a woman. She and Gabbi were clearly the dark horses of the show. What I really love about Amihan’s narrative and Kylie’s portrayal was that, they made me look deeper into Amihan not just as a character but as a woman in general which is why I appreciated Amihan more than ever now. I guess my only disappointment is Kylie leaving the show because of her pregnancy but still, until her last scene, Kylie has proven that even though she can no longer be a part of the show anymore, she is and will always be Amihan 2016.

3. Ybarro/Ybrahim (Ruru Madrid)- when I first saw him, my first impression was: “hm…he’s cute, but he’s too young to play the character.” BUT, I ate every word I said. For me, Ruru and his character has one of the most beautiful transition from being Ybarro, a childish mandirigma to Ybrahim, Rehav and eventually Rama of Sapiro. I must say, his team up with Kylie really helped him become more mature and serious actor (same goes for Kylie). His closeness with Mikee helped him nail his role as a father which again, I never thought he’d nail. And I became more drawn to his character and appreciate Ruru as an actor for being consistently excellent with his performance despite of his ridiculous character narrative in book 2. Sad that his story did not focus more on him being a King of Sapiro and what will he do to rebuild his kingdom, he was ripped into pieces when his daughter died but you know, there was no clear development on how the pain of losing his loved ones turned him into a wiser and stronger persona like Alena. He became too dependent in Lireo and he babied Lira way too much and while I understand that she is his everything, I never saw his development from being an overly protective dad to a more understanding type—understanding enough to realize that Lira is no longer a little girl (pff! As if Lira matured 🙄), I wish they added some sort of conflict between father and daughter that will pave way to the maturity of both characters. Anyhoo, this guy deserves an award, this guy deserves more projects, this guy deserves to be praised. He maybe young, but when I look at Ruru, I always forget that he’s only 19 years old, I see Ybrahim, King of Sapiro, Lira and Kahlil’s dad, and Amihan’s beloved. For that, I already consider him in line with the country’s elite actors like John Lloyd Cruz, Dingdong Dantes, Piolo Pascual and so much more.

Rating: 10 out of 10💎s

The Elites

Characters who has the most complex personality and interesting narrative. Cast Members who were consistently excellent in terms of performance.

1. Pirena (Glaiza de Castro)- it’s no surprise that Glaiza is my top pick in this category, from the moment I saw that promotional photo on the internet, I knew Glaiza was the perfect choice for Pirena. From her very first appearance up to the finale, she was consistent, and that’s extremely important for me when I am rooting for a character and an actress. She nailed every side of Pirena, every aspect of her character. Pirena is one of the most complex character and very difficult to portray, but Glaiza was just so freakin’ effortless, I saw her passion for acting and Pirena’s fiery character beautifully synced in one persona, she was so snappy at shifting from one emotion to another, and for that, kudos to Glaiza for being one of the first few actors to give justice to such an iconic character like Pirena. Narrative-wise, there is a little bit rant about the part of her story with Azulan but I don’t really mind that much because I know that the second book is rushed and AzPiren’s relationship didn’t have the chance to blossom and develop like YbraMihan, but still Glaiza and Marx nailed their team up.

2. Hagorn (John Arcilla)- it was a close fight between him and Glaiza but what made him second is not his performance but his story. I’m so bummed that his character was never redeemed in this version in contrast to his original counterpart, his narrative was so good in the first book but it deteriorated at the second half of the show’s long run. There wasn’t even a closure between him, Pirena and Lila Sari for goodness’ sake! John Arcilla is no doubt a good actor, it’s like every word of compliment I use to describe him is an understatement, he’s beyond excellent and he never failed to wow me every single time he appears on TV.

3. Mira (Kate Valdez)- now this girl is definitely one of the biggest surprise in this show, this Hathorian heiress sure inherited her skills from mommy Piry and grandpa Haggy. Opposite to the original Mira, I am glad that her character played a role during the final war and contributed a lot to the development of the story especially in book 1, although I wish her role was more pivotal in the second book. I still hate the fact that she and Lira didn’t have their moment to shine and will now be forever remembered as Pirena’s baby (just like Lira), there was no transition from being a diwani to a sang’gre level kind of diwata which I am disappointed since they promised character developments for the super twins, and she never had the chance to meet her bio-dad. Still—great job bes!

4. Danaya (Sanya Lopez)- Sanya! How to be you po? Another newbie has proven that she can keep up with the likes of Glaiza and John my ghad! I am glad that the writers made us see Dany’s softer and vulnerable side, I love Sanya’s Danaya, ang chaka nga lang that they did not elaborate the DanQuil love story more, although I am happy that they made us see her struggles as queen, I would have appreciated it more if there was this balance between Danaya’s narrative as Hara and her narrative as a woman. In this version, it was more on Hara Danaya.

5. Cassiopeia (Solenn Heussaff)- She was the perfect choice for the character, I love how Solenn really made it seem like En-Chan is her mother tongue, and it’s really hard to act without talking, for me she has the most difficult role, being the only one who doesn’t talk by mouth most of the time, but I am very proud of Solenn for giving justice to Cassiopeia. BTW, I ship CassRe 😂

6. Gurna (Vaness Del Moral)- One of the most effective villains in the show! I have to say, Vaness will forever be remembered by her acting prowess, I hope she will be given more projects in the future. GMA 7 DO NOT WASTE THIS PRECIOUS GEM! She deserves to be recognized as one of the network’s A-list actresses.

7. Agane (Rochelle Pangilinan)- Ah, another rave-worthy actress! I remember my grade school self watching her dancing with the Sex Bomb girls in my favorite EB segment Laban o Bawi. Look at her now, still shining in her own way, I love how Agane’s not all baddie and also has her own story to tell which was something new. Hands down to Rochelle for being so freakin’ GOOD, her performance as Agane is EVERYTHING.

8. Ether (Janice Hung)- the queen of wushu, I personally don’t like her voice and I would have liked it if she just used her own voice and maybe add some sort of special effects on it to make her sound like a goddess bitch, but wow, just wow. Her martial arts skills is on fire, her portrayal of the character is so good, she’s very effective as a villain, and I hope to see more of her.

Rating: 10 out of 10 💎s

The Saviors

Characters with badly written narratives yet were “saved” by the actors with their impressive performances.

1. Lira (Mikee Quintos)- Disappointed that they did not tell her story in such a way that she will be remembered as Encantadia’s hero/savior, it’s a total bummer how she was reduced from being a highly respected princess to being the captain of the YA and DanQuil ship, now don’t get me wrong, I ship both YA and DQ, it’s just that I believe Lira can give so much more if they just gave her and Mira a chance. And Mikee, kudos to this girl for saving Lira’s character.

2. Avria (Eula Valdes)- Despite of me knowing the story of Avria (based on the original Etheria), I would have appreciated it if they wrote her character the way they wrote Hagorn’s. She was an all out baddie but they never narrated why, remember, a baddie will never be a baddie if they didn’t have some shitty past right? They can’t be just some psycho who wants a diwata overkill for no reason, heck even murderers have their own dark past that triggered them to do such thing.

3. Andora (Rochelle Pangilinan)- Ugh, Rochelle what will Andora do without you? They just turned her into a pawn aka Mashna when she is a Heran, HERAN! She’s supposed to play a pivotal role in this book but…sigh.

4. Emre (Zoren Legaspi)- I just feel so bad that Zoren had to work extra hard to make Emre a loveable character when clearly he’s not, his story just had too many plot holes that I just can’t appreciate it. And although it’s interesting to see a powerless Emre, it was such a failure for me.

5. Aquil (Rocco Nacino)- Man! Mas gusto ko pa ‘yung na tegi nalang si Aquil, it’s another bummer that Rocco didn’t really have the chance to contribute more to the story’s progress despite the fact that he is considered as one of the major characters in the story, he was downgraded into a love sick guy who’s all about Danaya. Dude, what about patriotism? Camaraderie? That is so unlikely of Aquil.

6. Asval (Neil Ryan Sese)- Such a waste character, there was nothing special about him, he is the most stereotype among all the villains. At least the original Asval had the chance to redeem himself in the final war unlike this shit. Thank God Neil Ryan played the character, otherwise, Asval would have been one of my biggest disappointments in the show.

Rating: 8 out of 10💎s

The Underdogs

Underrated characters and actors yet so deserving to be recognized

1. Muros (Carlo Gonzales)- Come on! The dude deserves to be recognized and he deserves to be happy!

2. Hitano (Pancho Magno)- I said this once and I’ll say it again, I love Hitano. He’s the kind of guy who will do anything for his beloved and will remain faithful to you until the end, too bad Alena and Lila Sari failed to see how incredible this guy is. Well maybe he’s just too good for them.

3. Muyak (Klea Pineda)- I am so annoyed that she died just like that, but I think Klea did a really good job at playing Muyak, her story was insipiring, too bad they focused on “plot twists” way too much that there was no character build up for her.

4. Manik (Joross Gamboa)- One of the most promising villains ever! If the Ybriana romance worked, I would have rooted for a duel between Ybrahim and Manik.

5. Wantuk (Buboy Villar)- My happy pill, never failed to make me laugh despite of him being a recurring character instead of being Ybrahim’s confidante and adviser.

Rating: 8 out of 10💎s

The Raspberry Awardees

Characters with the worst narrative and cast members with the face-palming performances.

1. Ariana (Arra San Agustin)- WORST NARRATIVE. WORST PERFORMANCE. She will always be my biggest disappointment and I will forever hate the team for choosing her to play the character. But in all fairness naman, she did pretty well in the finale, I wish she showed more of that in the previous episodes, maybe I won’t be hating on her so much, and people would have appreciated her efforts to continue Amihan’s story. It was because of her that the YA love story fucked up big time.

2. Pao Pao (Phytos Ramirez)- Narrative wise, come on, Pao was Amihan’s protégé and he was turned into a completely useless kid? Dude!

3. Deshna (Inah de Belen)- Her story would have been rave worthy, sigh, why the hell did y’all focused on the sarkosi plot?!

4. Juvila (Jinri Park)- I can’t take her seriously as a villain, she clearly struggles at speaking Tagalog and En-Chan that she always sounded like she’s reading the script. Am I the only one who thinks the baddies all have one emotion and that’s hatred? No variety or play of emotions, no story that would make people understand why they act the way the do, writers seriously!

5. Odessa (Sheree)- “Who the hell is she again?”  that’s how unmemorable she is

6. Haliyah (Valeen Montenegro)- most useless character ever.

7. Memfes (Lance Serrano)- ARC FILLERRRRRRR!

Runner-up for Rasberry Awardee: Kahlil (Avery Paraiso)- was expecting so much from him but like Lira and Mira he wasn't never given a chance (in Book 2)

Rating: Do I even have to rate this? Okay fine, 4 out of 10💎s

-Total: 8 out of 10💎s

[tuxiedjabberwock]

King’s Court - Fairy Tail, two-shot

Natsu x Lucy

3148

Romance

T/M

First part

“You live in the castle?” Lucy gasped, hands clasped over her mouth as she beheld the old stone building. Moss and ivy crept up the edges where mortar met earth (someone wasn't doing their job — oh well) and feebly grasped the bases of the many floor-to-ceiling windows. Elaborate carvings adorned the oak double doors down to the dragon-head knockers and each spire seemed to pierce the heavens themselves, they were so massive. Natsu, on the other hand, appeared entirely bored with it all as he seized the ring of the knocker.

 “Let's see who's on guard today . . .” He slammed the brass into the pedestal with the strength needed to break a neck for whatever reason. Lucy could feel her teeth quivering from his force. A deep rumble growled through the air and both of them gave the doors ample berth as they opened, revealing a sparkling marble entryway, and partly blocking that view was the world's most despised Ice-prick (at least, in Natsu's book he was).

 “Oh,” said Gray, rolling his eyes at the sight of Natsu. Then he caught sight of Lucy, who gave a somewhat tense smile, and blanched. “Oh. I see you screwed up grandly today. You know, I was just wondering what new heights your idiocy could reach.”

 “Cram it, Fullbuster . . . but find your pants when you do,” he added with a pointed look at Gray's blue undergarments. Gray simply rolled his eyes, as unaffected as the both of them to his indecency, instead stepping aside to allow Natsu his walking space.

 “What to do with your guest?” he inquired as Natsu unwound the strings of his cloak. It tumbled to the marble in a downy heap, baring his gold-edged vest and plain canvas shorts.

 “Eh . . . just give her a guest room. And clothes . . . Mira's should fit I guess.”

 “That's all you have to say?” tried Gray, but he had already taken his leave. He grumbled to himself about the “pink-haired moronic dick” while side-eyeing Lucy cautiously, eventually resigning himself with a weary sigh. “Well, what's done is done, I guess,” he decided, raising a shoulder as he turned and stalked purposefully away. Lucy wasn't the brightest street rat, but she took his gesture as a means for following, so she did. Not that she had much of an option, what with being in an unknown setting and all.

 “So,” Lucy began as they moved along corridors of polished marble and elaborate tapestries woven of fire red and polished gold. “Natsu is?”

 “Something of a lord,” Gray responded with the curt tone of one unused to and unwilling for questions. Still, she persisted.

 “Something? What are the caveats?”

 “Look . . . Lucy,” he said, fishing a moment for her name among other superfluous information. “You’re an interest of his. Interests are, by definition, ephemeral. You’ll be here until he finds another interest and then you’ll be back to what you were doing.” She was silent, which he took to be shock without turning to examine her expression. “It’s only the way he is.”

 “You think that’s any skin off my back?” she said flatly, gleaning a semi-amused look from him. “I just go back to doing what I was, making a good living.”

 “If that’s what you call a good living, you need to do some self-evaluation.”

 “You’re one to talk, aren’t you?” Lucy smirked at him. “Working in a nice castle.”

 “I did what I had to to get here,” was all he said, clamming up again. He led her to a wooden door unlocked by key, opening her eyes to a neat room with a four-poster bed as large as her apartment and draped in finery better than her own. She stepped inside with the lush cobalt carpeting tickling the spaces between her toes as Gray sidled past her and to a cherry-wood armoire. Ornate dresses bearing the shades of all nature and then some went flying to the sheets without a care, even as Lucy saw them packed with careful precision within the drawers and on hangers, before he finally drew one set over his arm alongside a fistful of lacy undergarments. Haven’t worn those in a while, Lucy thought with a self-satisfied smirk that bordered shame. He set them on the bed, then drew a pair of ballet flats from the lowest shelf and set them on the ground. With a nod in her direction, he left Lucy to it.

Natsu found the affair of being important . . . fairly boring. He had papers to sign, babies to kiss, yadda yadda yadda — he was much more impressed walking the streets of Crocus, drinking in the sights and sounds of his environment, tasting the extortionate vendor food and gulping comparatively cheap beer in alleyway hobbles. It was imprudent, it was mind-numbing, and a hell of a lot more fun than sitting behind a desk being stiff. But then, every once in a while, he met a beauty that broke through the stupor, and he felt as if things were worthwhile. A knock on the door, and that beauty was back.

 Mirajane’s dresses looked . . . better on her. Ah, that was a gross understatement. It appeared Gray had chosen one of silks very similar to her own, all pastel yellows and rose golds and burgundy like wine, and how appropriate too, for he became intoxicated as he drank in the sight of her. The bodice hugged her figure as a mother, bringing up her already abundant cleavage, and the diaphanous sleeves danced about her arms with skill that nearly rivaled hers. The tripartite layers of ruffled velvet and fabric blossomed from her wide hips and came to a halt at her ankles, where her bangles and bell ribbons jangled and tinkled softly against her small feet. They were still bare.

 “The shoes . . . hurt,” she supposed after a moment of careful deliberation, following his eyes. “So I opted out of wearing them.” He smiled a little.

 “That’s fine.” She scowled slightly, crossing her arms.

 “What’s the joke here?”

 “Nothing, really. I’d usually get an apology, but you didn’t, is what I’m smiling about.”

 “Hmm.” She ghosted about the circular office with the same grace that adorned her and dripped from her every extremity like the sweetest honey, tips of her fingers drifting over a bust of a dragon’s head. “You like dragons, do you? The castle reeks of the paraphernalia.”

 “It’s, ah, on the coat of arms.” He indicated said coat of arms with his thumb over his shoulder, pointing out the circular gold-leaf plate inscribed with a dragon’s roaring head. “It’s one of the things Dragneels are known for.”

 “That so?” But she was prevaricating and both of them knew it. “So, what will you do with me?”

 “Nothing, really,” he admitted with a shrug, meeting her dubious glance. “I told you the truth: I thought that this would be a better life for you.”

 “I live the life that I deserve,” she remonstrated. He waved a hand at nothing in particular, expression hard.

 “So you think you deserve a life getting taken up and beaten for a handful of Jewel?” he enquired bluntly. Her cheeks colored to some extent as she bit her lower lip, eyebrows drawn in aggravation. “I don’t think anyone deserves to be like that, honestly.”

 “But you chose me,” she said flatly. It was his turn to flush, and he turned away. “What makes me special, huh? I’m a nobody as far as things go.”

 “What makes you special,” he repeated softly, glancing at her from the corner of his eye. “I wonder . . .”

 “Your guard told me that you have interests,” Lucy said, taking a step closer. “Things that come and go on a whim. When you tire of me, what then?”

 “What? That’s — That’s not how it works,” he said defensively, rising. Her steps quickened until she was nose to nose with him, the fine strands of her hair ticking his throat.

 “Then how does it work? Tell me,” she murmured into the space between them. “I’m a charity case?”

 “No. No way.”

 “Then you wanted a performer of your own?”

 “I told you, no!” he repeated vehemently. She recoiled but recovered quickly.

 “Then why, Natsu? Tell me.” He dropped his head for a moment, then returned her gaze with a look so soft, so vulnerable, it made her flinch for altogether different reasons.

 “I wanted you,” he said quietly. “Your . . . Your heart, okay?”

 “My heart,” she repeated dully. “You’re kidding me.” But his expression was far from jovial. She recoiled as if she had been physically wounded, eyes squinted from the ethereal agony. “. . . You’re pining for a poisoned vessel, you know. One and all that’s been in my heart — Mama, Father, Aqua — they’ve lost themselves, then lost their lives. You’d be better off getting some now and letting me walk away.” He gave a world-weary sigh as he walked from behind the desk, easing past her.

 “My mother died giving birth to me,” he said without turning around. “And my father died protecting me. And when I was younger and an accident crippled me, my brother stressed himself to death taking care of me.” He spun back to face her with a wry smile. “So, I guess we’re both poison, huh?”

 “You—”

 “And either way, it doesn’t matter to me a person’s past. I don’t need to know the circumstances at all. What I know about you is what I’ve seen in your eyes, and that’s more than enough for me.”

 “Your innocence . . . it’s like a child’s,” she remarked, but her eyes were wide. “It’s . . . endearing.”

 “Thanks?”

 “It wasn’t exactly a compliment.” But, despite herself, Lucy began to smile, and then she laughed. He grinned at the sound. “I haven’t believed in good will for a long time now, but I suppose I can give it another try.”

 “Thank you, Lucy.”

 “Natsu.”

 “Yes?”

 “Dance with me.” It was a request spoken softly, but with no room for refusal. He was baffled as she stepped backwards, hiking up her skirts and securing them at her waist with the soft white sashes pinioned about the bodice. She tested her freedom before, satisfied, began to spin unhurried circles, arms up and fingers spread. Paralyzing. Sensual. Diaphanous silk provided just the faintest barrier over her similarly-formed skin, pale as milk and succulent to simply behold. Her eyes met his on her third revolution, and a catty smirk decorated her full lips. “Well?”

 “I don’t . . . I’ve never, uh . . .”

 “Try it.” She stepped closer, and once more, until they were flush together and breathing one another’s breath. Her hands swept over his arms, his neck, his face, and halted at his cheeks. Barely aware of his surroundings any longer, it was a faint thought that his feet had begun to move alongside hers, and his body was twisting with her movements. His focus was on those russet eyes of hers, framed by bountiful golden lashes, and the little curve of her nose and her soft lips. She twirled him, brought him against a wall, and he smiled with bated breath.

 “You’re good,” he commented. “But I already knew that.”

 “You’re good, too,” she responded, and stood up on her toes to press those soft, full lips to his cheek for a mere breath. “And I didn’t know that.”

  “Hnn.” And he laughed again, a jubilant sound. She smiled, but ultimately started laughing too, and they spun around the room that way, a disjointed dance that would last always.

[caterinaprimrose]

💘: how does my muse act/react when they first realize that they had a crush on somebody?💝: what would my muse consider a "perfect gift"?💓: how does my muse feel about physical intimacy?

💘: how does my muse act/react when they first realize that they had a crush on somebody? 

 Caterina hasn’t really had any crushes in a romantic sense. Because she’s very manipulative and self-serving, sometimes when she meets someone of great power and influence, she’ll grow this infatuation with the idea of what she could have with them - Materialistically. She’ll admire the handy work of serial killers never caught, greedy business men, selfish nobles. She enjoys people similar to herself, in the sense that they have no boundaries when it comes to getting what they want. If they’re rich, intelligent, and influential she’ll ‘crush’ on them. Not because she cares about their well being, or likes their personality, or wants to know their soul - but because she wants to wrap them around her pretty finger and basically, in today’s terms, make them her sugar daddy/momma. 

BUUUUUUT recently in a story arch she took to a man named Wylark. Which is incredibly strange because she’s got all of these real, raw, genuine feelings for him. Like entire body ignites when he’s around type of feelings. She doesn’t tell anyone about them, in fear of her life and his own. But, she’s very frightened. 

Not only by what could happen if people found out, but she’s scared he isn’t genuine in his affections back for her. Most men are attracted to her, so she played with that for a little while, for fun. She is fun in her flirtatious - little did she realize she was actually growing attached to him. 

He was some how extremely genuine and tender with her in a way that men hadn’t ever been before. However, he’s also one of Braxton’s oldest friends and that seems very suspicious. 

She thought maybe he was faking it, to test her loyalty to the businessman, like she did with Marric. 

But he isn’t, but it still terrifies her because she’s been so selfish and cruel to people her whole life. She has done everything to benefit her, without a care in the world how it effected anyone else and she thinks these are the stepping stones to her downfall- karma. She’s going to fall in love, and it’s going to destroy her. It makes sense. 

💝: what would my muse consider a “perfect gift”?

Caterina is a very materialistic person. She receives gifts all of the time, and has a ‘never wear the same thing twice’ type of wardrobe. She’s also an actress, and recently a model for local artists - as well as a fashion trend setter. So shopping for Caterina Primrose must be a pain in the ASS. What does she not already own? What is expensive enough? Honestly? Make her something.  While Caterina squeals and claps at the sight of new fur coats and sparkling high heels, she has some deep-seeded emotional pain (who doesn’t) called loneliness. Yes, she’s got tons of people who adore her but when you’re afraid to show someone the real you, it’s exhausting. More than that, when you do and they pull away from you… It makes you never want to be honest about yourself ever again. So when people actually think about her and show real, genuine soulful care it really, really touches her. 

💓: how does my muse feel about physical intimacy?

She’s never been loved. Well, okay, Caterina has been loved by men she barely knew, but she has never had that intense, tugging in love relationship that makes her sacrifice her own desires and want that person, forever. She’s never even been in a real relationship. All of her relationships have been the same: The man spoils her, and she looks pretty on his arm. Things like sex aren’t a big deal to her because she’s never experienced the emotional intensity that goes with it. So if these men wanted to fuck, she just saw it as another way to wrap the string around her finger.  It also depends on the relationship. With those men it wasn’t important. I think that physical touch is a major major factor in this character, more than it has been in any other I’ve ever written. She touches people a lot, and she is touched a lot.

With Braxton, when he touches her by cupping her face, running fingers against her back, a hand around her waist, it’s very controlling. She feels like a doll, she’s afraid behind those smiles and flirtatious giggles. She’s intimidated. 

With Wylark, she feels safe, comforted, frighteningly vulnerable, and addicted. She wishes they could be around one another alone for more than five minutes at a time, or they’d get caught. It’s the first hands she’s really felt the warmth and care from. 

With Dantalian, she feels protected and adored. He’ll often hug her or touch her face, as well. 

This also leads into why Caterina touches so much. She has always been touched. It’s always been that way, beyond now, into her backstory, she’s been an object to feel. Not just sexually, but a lot of times it just reaches back to her face. Because she’s this gorgeous, feminine creature that all of these men just like to touch. I think it’s a control thing. And she picked that up, so you’ll often see her touching her girls: Quillys, Susan, Lette, Mira, Vanelle, Narielle, Wilder, etc. Because even though it’s subconscious it comforts her, and makes her feel like she’s not being controlled this time. It’s possessive, but gently so. She has no ill intent with the women in her life, or men - she does it to them too. 

But it helps her feel persuasive, and like she has their undivided attention.

{ @manduhs-things } { @braxtonhudson } { @thewildercard } { @susan-gampre } { @igetwhatiwant } { @taminghellfire } { @quellys } { @diamond-dolls-wra }

[thesecondshiftblog]

Go Girls!

This is the speech written by Jodi Kantor and Megan Twohey, two New York Times reporters, upon winning the Pulitzer Prize for their investigation and reporting about Harvey Weinstein and his history of sexual harassment. It is also an ode to their daughters and what they hope will change for their futures based on the story they uncovered. Below is the full speech and it is worth reading to the end.  Enjoy. 

Jodi Kantor:

This might seem strange to say, but two of the people we’re closest to in the world have no idea who Harvey Weinstein is, and they don’t know a thing about our reporting on him. When our investigation began, Mira Twohey Rutman weighed 12 pounds, had never eaten a bite of solid food, and had a mother who was still home on maternity leave. Violet Kantor Lieber, at a year-and-a-half, was a relative giant. She was just learning to go down the slide at the playground and liked grabbing phones so much that by the end of the summer, she had managed to accidentally Facetime Ashley Judd.

When these girls are much older, and mature enough to understand terrible violations, and humiliation, and pain, we are going to sit them down and tell them the story of our investigation, and our team’s work, and how all of us became part of something much bigger than ourselves. We will attempt to explain how one day we were working on an incredibly tough story, and then just a few days later, we started to see change happening all over the world.

Megan Twohey:

Here is what we’re going to tell them:

The easiest part will be telling them about the women who came forward, because those women will already be inscribed in the history books, their names synonymous not with humiliation or victimhood, but with courage, truth, and optimism that things can change.

We’ll tell them about Ashley Judd and Laura Madden, the first to speak out on Weinstein. One is a movie star from Tennessee. The other is a former Miramax employee who lives in Wales. But their motivations were exactly the same.  As Ashley put it: “Women have been talking about Harvey amongst ourselves for a long time, and it’s simply beyond time to have the conversation publicly.”

Zelda Perkins and Ashley Matthau, both silenced by settlements, spoke out of a common belief that the law should not be twisted to erase abuse or muzzle women who want to help protect other women. In 2015, Lauren O’Connor documented stories from inside the Weinstein Company that sounded exactly like the ones women were telling us from 25 years before. Gwyneth Paltrow went from being known as Harvey Weinstein’s special star to being known as a special voice speaking out about what really happened in those hotel rooms. Rose McGowan, Katherine Kendall,  Hope Exiner d’Amore, Cynthia Burr, Erika Rosenbaum: All of you are so different, and yet your stories about Harvey Weinstein are so similar.

Two distinguished writers named Salma Hayek and Lupita Nyong’o poured their memories into essays for the ages that The Times was so proud to publish.

Jodi Kantor:

What all of us on this team will remember about this year was the stream of constant conversations with women in so many industries who were finally ready to share what they had faced. Tonya Exum, a Ford factory worker in Chicago, endured sexual trauma while serving in the military, only to be groped and threatened on the Ford factory floor. After she reported it, her co-workers told her she was "raping the company." Her colleague Suzette Wright spent 20 years yearning for an apology from Ford, which finally came after Susan and Catrin’s story was published, from Ford's C.E.O..

Dana Min Goodman, Julia Wolov and Rebecca Corry, three of the comedians with stories about Louis CK, kept us laughing on the phone even as they took the risk of describing experiences that shook their careers.

After telling their stories to Katie Benner, the entrepreneurs Lindsay Meyer and Kathryn Minshew took further action, using their influence to fight for changes in the boardrooms and offices of Silicon Valley venture firms. Natalie Saibel, Jamie Seet, and Trish Nelson, employees of the Spotted Pig restaurant, all agreed to be photographed for Times, but only if they could be together in the shot — a symbol of their courage, and also their solidarity.

These women did not do anything to get harassed or assaulted or humiliated. They had every right to preserve their privacy, stay silent. Instead they took a leap of faith, and told us their stories, and as a result, all of our children will benefit.

Once Megan and I understood the essence of the Weinstein allegations, we realized that part of our job was to give the women a mountain of evidence to stand on: documents, internal emails, settlement records, human resources reports. Our goal was to break the he-said-she-said-cycle, and show how much evidence there was for what these women were telling us.

We didn’t want to publish a first story that set off debate about what had really happened. Our aim was to publish a story that would cause debate about how so many allegations had accumulated at all.

We want our daughters to understand that this work is not about celebrity, or even individual predators, but about our team’s discovery of what now seems like an entire system of silencing women and erasing their experiences. Settlements that prevent victims from warning others.

Nondisclosure agreements that intimidate witnesses. A massive failure by human resources departments.

Megan Twohey:

One thing that every child needs to learn is how to confront a bully. We want our daughters to learn from the best: Dean Baquet and Matt Purdy. Working under unimaginable pressure in an astounding news year, Dean and Matt made it clear exactly how we were to deal with Harvey Weinstein: firmly, fairly, and most of all, on the record.

Our two girls, Mira and Violet, know Rebecca Corbett as “Aunt Rebecca,” who has bought them toys and soft dresses since the day they were born. But one day we will explain that Aunt Rebecca is actually a titan of American journalism. She’s the person who pushed and pushed for The Times to publish the original N.S.A. investigation and kept the story alive by encouraging the reporters to just keep learning more. She was so deeply at one with the Weinstein investigation that in the final days she stayed in the newsroom until 3 a.m. to worry about every single choice of word. And even after we broke the first story, she kept pushing us — and Susan Dominus, Jim Rutenberg and Steve Eder — to probe the particular moral horror of the Weinstein story: How could someone have racked up 40 years of these allegations, and instead of stopping him, why did more and more people help him?

Our daughters will also know the heroic role of Rory Tolan, who deserves a medal of his own for high-stakes copy editing — the kind done under legal threat, in which one word out of place can trigger a lawsuit. The kind done at 2 a.m. The kind done just before the moment of publication, with Dean Baquet, Rebecca Corbett and Matt Purdy all leaning over his shoulder and reading off his screen.

Jodi Kantor:

In fact, as our investigation came to a climax, we felt a bit like everyone in this room was leaning over that computer, coming together to confront a bully and protect the vulnerable. David McCraw, the calmest man alive in the face of legal threats. Arthur Sulzberger, who has protected so many reporters from so many angry subjects over the years. Arthur, perhaps it’s fitting that your time as our leader closed with a confrontation with Harvey Weinstein, a first-class threatener, an ardent believer in his own influence, and a man who proved all over again the depth and constancy of your commitment to our journalism.

New York Times readers, New York Times subscribers, if you’re listening out there, we’re all going to tell our children that you did something historic too. Millions of you came together to pay for this work, to sustain not just this investigation, but all the work of this newsroom.

Megan Twohey:

When our daughters are  really  mature, we will show them Ronan Farrow’s articles on Weinstein. Those will be required reading in our households, and in many households beyond, for their sensitive, powerful depictions of physical and emotional pain.

We will tell the girls how their fathers, Ron Lieber and Vadim Rutman, and Violet’s older sister, Talia, poured their own love, faith, patience and sacrifice into this work. Vadim, Ron, Talia: You are the hugs that we come home to, our relief from this work, but also the reason we do it. Talia, you know that Jodi and I are journalists, not activists. But the two of us, and all of the other reporters around the country who worked on these kinds of stories, did so with the hope that girls your age will know nothing but dignity and decency in the workplace and beyond.

Jodi Kantor:

So that’s the way we’ll tell most of the story to Mira and Violet. But we’re still not sure what we — or they — will say about the most important part, which is the ending. Years in the future, when we describe to our daughters the abuses we wrote about, they may say: Oh yeah, that still happens all the time. It happens at my summer job. It happens on my campus.

Or will they be shocked at what will seem like a bygone era, and say: Did people really think that used to be O.K. back then? Mom, how could that have been allowed to go on? And really, you were there when things changed?

The answer to that question is not up to us. It belongs to the rest of the world now. The only thing that the two of us, and this team, can contribute is to keep reporting. And that’s exactly what we intend to do.

Thank you.