#they are still wonderful supporting characters and that should be utilized!

[rekofan101]

DAY 351: i think one big gripe i have with the newest chapter in regards to reko/alice is the fact they are both so... background and soulless after all of what happened. which i completely understand why they fade into the background-- since their character arcs have been quite wrapped up at that point. i just feel as though they could've at least had a more prominent and inspiring role in a way, which i think a lot of people agree with from what i've seen. its not really that they *shouldnt* fade into the background, but more of the fact that we shouldnt forget that they are there, you know? the only real memorable moments are their deaths in that chapter, or when they are inspiring ranmaru.

i guess reko also has that nao scene, but that's opitional. everything else has them rarely ever mentioned or... very very dumbed down HAHA. i understand the difficulty in keeping a character relevant post-arc, though. so i can't complain too much... especially when you have to bring and develop a whole new cast in one chapter.

they both had their time to shine (haha, reference)-- it just makes them feel a bit empty later on is all!

[kaisturntoshine]

Ranking the Milgram characters based on how much I think their T2 verdict will come back to bite us

Disclaimer (1): Spoilers for the first two trials of the Milgram project.

Disclaimer (2): This is not me necessarilly disagreeing with the verdicts; a lot of things still remain unclear, so it is natural we voted a certain way. Still, the writers have made their intention of screwing us over loud and clear, so I am willing to assume the worst.

10. Shidou: Innocent

I am a little worried that by having us affirm his belief that he should be kept alive for the sake of others we are giving him a saviour complex, but honestly it couldn't be helped. Voting him guilty, taking into consideration the prospect of injury amongst the prisoners, would not be the way to go.

9. Kazui: Innocent

Alright, I am still a bit suspicious of the old man, but similarly to Shidou we need for him not to be constrained... probably. Frankly, I cannot perceive a way in which affirming his beliefs will have a great negative impact on the prison's environment.

8. Mahiru: Innonent

Though the logistics of her crime have remained unclear, it is heavily implied that she was inadvertedly toxic towards her partner, which lead to his suicide. Whilst I do not think she will act out of malice, since she has shown a tendency to be obsessive in her relationships, I have to account for the possibility that she will form a toxic bond with one of the prisoner of even Es (though considering the fact that something simiar already happened between Haruka and Muu, I am wondering how likely it is).

7. Yuno: Innocent

This is probably my most "unbased" judgement, since it mainly has to do with the fact that Yuno hasn't been very involved in the plot and the changes happening in the prison's environment. Therefore, the writers are more likely to utilize her in some (most likely destructive) way.

6. Fuuta: Innocent

The reason I've ranked him relatively low mainly stems from the fact that I don't think his verdict is the main factor contributing to his possible derailment (I am referring to the possibility of him adopting Amane's religious beliefs and practices, supported by the recent timelines). (Perhaps Amane will try to exact her "revenge" on Shidou through Fuuta).

Again, I recognize that I am going with a "worst case scenario". It is possible that this is not the case, since Fuuta has been shown to appreciate Shidou's medical care of him, worry about Mahiru's well-being and, at the end of the day, remains injured.

5. Mikoto: Innocent

(Halfway, huh?) The fact that MIkoto (Boku) is actually the one being judged by Milgram, as well as the implication of there being a third alter, makes me uneasy... However, I doubt that any of the alters will turn on the participants and us voting him innocent might just be our ticket to the truth.

Also I was really having trouble placing him.

4. Haruka: Guilty

He is a highly unstable individual and we are only putting oil in the fire (understandably, though). Yet I don't think he'd go after the other participants, seeing as he thinks of them highly (source: second trial interogattion questions) and has been prown to attack only those he deems weaker for empowerment. He appears to be highly self-destructive though, so maybe being monitored will help protect himself from his reaction to:

3. Muu: Guilty

Soley because of what this might mean for Haruka (disclaimer: I don't think any of the participants will die in the interlude between the two trials, but still) and because she, too, is an unstable individual.

2. Kotoko: Guilty

Hear me out, okay?! I-I just have a feeling this is what the writers wanted us to do, which is never (?) a good thing! My gut is telling me that be restrained won't stop her...

1. Amane: Innocent

I was actually really surprised when I saw this result, even though it's what I probably would have picked. It was really a double-edged sword, I feel as though the vote was only a matter of choosing which way we'd be cut. This girl is definitely going to do something and it's not going to be pretty.

TLDR; We were always doomed.

[thedrarrylibrarian]

Several people have been kind enough to let me publish their thoughts on fandom, community, and queerness to celebrate Pride in the Library. Today's piece comes from @wolfpants.

Dear readers, dreamers, and purveyors of the glittering, gilded aisles of the Drarry Library,

Fandom life began for me at age fifteen. We just got our first family computer, taking pride of place in the utility room between the boiler and my dad’s boxes of tools. I had recently come out as bisexual to my friends at school, who, props to them, had all taken it quite well despite the small town we grew up in (I was very lucky, they were great - everyone else though? Not so much). Still, even with supportive friends offline, I never felt like I could talk to them about what I really enjoyed: watching Buffy, reading Harry Potter and looking for queer subtext (I could never have convinced any of them that Harry’s story screams gay allegory–no matter what JKR has to say on the topic back then or now), scouring bookshops and libraries for any sort of queer content I could get my hands on, desperate as I was to read something that spoke to me, to read about love outside of the heteronormative landscape of the popular media. I wasn’t just tired of boy-meets-girl; I had never identified with it in the first place.

The year we got dial-up internet was the year I discovered Livejournal. The absolute joy I felt, stumbling upon an LJ community specifically dedicated to roleplaying Harry Potter characters in queer pairings. Discovering, beyond that, that people wrote stories about Harry and my other favourite queer-coded character of the series: Draco Malfoy. And then it was Wolfstar (specifically Sirius), then Drarry again, and somewhere along the way my lurking fell off and I stopped reading fic for a while when I moved to London and settled into my first job, my first real relationship, and sitting uncomfortably atop my bisexual identity and not really knowing where that shift happened and why. All the while, I was pursuing a writing career on the more journalistic side: writing for music and film outlets, doing a little bit of secret creative writing on the side, dipping in and out of HP RPGs but never really—connecting. In “real life”, my relationship with my ex was falling apart, and I felt very disconnected from the LGBTQIA+ community because, even though I knew I belonged, I never felt like I could be truly me with anyone—perhaps because I was, unknowingly, still discovering who I really was.

When the pandemic happened, it gave me the breathing space I needed to get to that point. It brought me back to fandom.

It started with reading The Popular Wolfstar Fic Everyone Was Reading, and reopening my ao3 account to re-read some old favourites from over the years. It then unrolled to, hey, I have some free time, why don’t I try writing my own Wolfstar fic for my oldest, dearest friend (who I met RPing on LJ at 15!), which then turned into: you should publish this, and see what happens.

So, I did. And I made a tumblr account, and I lurked for a while, shyly reblogging things and scrolling through author accounts I’d admired from a very young age, astonished and really fucking impressed that they were still in the game. I read their new fics, I was drawn back into Drarry, and from there I discovered what a wonderful community this is, not only for its immensely talented creatives, but for its values as a inclusive, equitable, supportive, uplifting, and joyful group of individuals who genuinely welcome everyone with open arms and love. That, in itself, has made it easy to reach out to like-minded folks here, to make life-long friends, to chat to people who have been through similar experiences in questioning their identities (it is truly thanks to this fandom and the many discussions I’ve had with people here that I’ve been able to realise my identity as a NB lesbian). To write! To share! To not be ashamed of my kinks and to discover fun, delicious rare pairs! To look at breathtaking art and read some of the best goddamn writing I’ve ever set eyes on!

I have spent thirty-seven years on this planet. A good chunk of that time has been spent questioning many parts, pieces, and niggly jiggly bits of my identity. Who am I? What am I? Is there anyone out there who is just like me?

After many years of searching in the dark, of asking these questions over and over, I can joyously say that the answer is: yes. And oh, how thankful I am for that, for all of you, because fandom has really been the community I can categorically point to and say: they did that for me, we did that for we, and I will do anything for you.

Happy pride.

Thank you, Wolf, for joining me in the Library. Your love and joy for fandom have left me feeling quite tender-hearted, in the best way. It's so so good to ask the question "Is there anyone out there who is just like me?" and find over and over that the answer chorusing back is "yes." Thank you for adding your yes to our chorus, and joining me for Pride in the Library.

If you want more @wolfpants be sure to check out their work on AO3! I can't help but recommend the fic that made me fall in love with her writing in the first place, Pages of You, which I've featured previously for Happy Hour. It's got Drarry and Wolfstar, and is one of my favorite comfort rereads.

🏳️‍🌈 Lots of Love and Happy Pride! 🏳️‍🌈

[micia-posts-stuff]

Shadows House raws spoilers

All the new squads seem so interesting!

I want to see Oscar driving Patrick crazy. I want to learn more about Danny, he seems like the tsundere type, it should be fun. And of course Gilbert!!! Regardless of what he did his goals were noble, so I want to see how he interacts with someone like Patrick wich has more peaceful methods of doing things.

Elizabeth and Loretta being in the relief team should be fun, since we'll probably have to explore Evelyn's character a bit more, I hope we get to see the relief team operating.

I want to see Suzie and Suzanna being team leaders. I feel like this is the perfect way for Suzie to break out of brain-washing, by activating her big-sis mode (although I guess not for Candy ahah) and Suzanna is gonna have fun with the new girls crazy soot powers.

Since Jhon is now alone in his team with William and Henry, maybe we'll finally get to know more about them, it's crazy that we still know nothing about the teammates of two main characters.

And of course last, but definitely not least team 10! First mix-gender team and super packed with interesting characters! Benjamin as a team leader of both Barbara and Louise??? Absolutely perfect! He seems super attached to Barbara, but he also seem to open up to Louise the most, so he should have a nice development, learn to communicate more etc. Barbara being there is also interesting, we haven't seen her interact with either Louise nor the Belles, so I wonder what it will come from that. And who knows also what will happen to Louise after that happened, especially now that Anthony will pretend to be Christopher and she doesn't exactly have the best experiences about Christopher. Also having in her team Barbara, that supports him unconditionally, is gonna have some consequences I feel. An interesting note: all the characters in team 10, except for Barbara, have a mental soot power, idk what that means, but I'm always hungry for some quality mental soot power content, since it's the the type that is least utilized.

All of this to say ANTHONY PLEASE DON'T RUIN THIS FOR US, GO AWAY PLEASE, LET ME ENJOY THE DIFFERENT DYNAMICS WITHOUT A MORTAL THREAT FOR FIVE MINUTES!!!

Idk what Barbara put in the coffee but I'm worried.

[pearlywritings]

Token of appreciation event

I deeply appreciate all the love and support my followers show me, so this event I decided to dedicate to this feeling. And nothing, in my opinion, could help me better than the amazing manga “Veil”. I highly recommend it for reading and, using some of the citations, do not claim any of its contents - all rights belong to the author.

Masterlist

Rules:

character x fem!reader. Plus please remember that I prefer writing human x human, immortal x immortal etc.

1 character if you want a ~1k words drabble and up to 3 characters if you want snippets.

1-2 prompts per request (2 prompts are only for 1 character cases).

It can be written either in a canon setting or in a modern one

smut, angst, fluff - anything

will be written with the established relationship in mind, so please state specifically if you imply another kind of relationship, or you can specify, if you want the characters to be married or still dating.

you CAN change some words within the prompt. But if you send only a number - I am following the original one.

Characters I can or can try to write about: 

Albedo, Alhaitham, Capitano, Childe, Crepus, Dainsleif, Diluc, Kaeya, Ayato, Kaveh, Lyney, Neuvillette, Pierro, Thoma, Tighnari, Wriothesley, Zhongli; Blade, Gepard, Jing Yuan, Loucha, Sampo.

Your request, if ALL things are considered, will look something like this:

Character’s name(s), prompt(s) in number or in text if it’s altered, canon/modern setting, genre, relationship status (optional) + you can add some details that I am free to both utilize or decline.

But it also can be shorter if you want to give me more freedom!

I hope we all will have fun during this event ^^

Prompts:

1)

- You can’t go a minute without me, can you?

- No, i can’t go a minute without you

2) 

- …Sometimes it's hard to tell whether you're serious or just joking.

- That's actually my special skill.

3) 

- How is it?

- Really good.

- My word, is that the only thing you can say?

- It really is beautiful. Ah… with those rosy cheeks, it's stunning. Madam…

- Puh! Surely, you jest.

4) 

- What will we be doing today?

- I have an idea - sleep in.

5)

- Did we have something planned today?

- No, nothing. In fact… let's think about it in bed.

6) 

- By the way… If I like dressing up so much, it's only your fault!

7)

- Well, well… You shouldn't stay like that, a thousand steps away from me. Stay close to me, alright?

8)

- Your boots make a very strong and imposing sound.

- My boots are honored to be admired, however they also recommend you not to stray too far.

9)

- You don't say "enter!" without at least putting a bathrobe on. Or anything at all!

- I didn't want to keep you waiting.

10)

- Oh… you mean you'll write your name? On me? Oh you!

11)

- Say give me your hand? Hm… I see.

- What's going on?

- Apparently the size of your hand is the same size as your heart.

12)

- You know I like the face you make when you smell something you like.

- I'll start charging an exhibit fee then…

13)

- Are you trying to tell me I should carry you to bed?

- My room is soooo far away, at least twenty steps from here… I'm afraid you won't be able to carry me that far?

- My room is right here.

14)

- I dreamt I was touching your hair.

- How was it?

- Well… I forgot…

- Oh, the thing is… I don't let just anyone touch my hair.

15)

- Helloooooo?

- It's so nice of you to wake me up before my alarm does…

- Your alarm has the right to rest on Sundays. At least I think so…

16)

- You… You are not going to ask me how I think you look?

- What do you think?

- You're oh so handsome.

17)

- I'm often told I have a mean glare…

- Definitely not. Anywho says that has never truly looked at you.

18)

- The razor is sharp. 

- They are made to be dangerous. But I know I don't need anything sharp to make a braid.

- You'd like to braid my hair? I can show you!

19)

- I am wondering what could be so distracting that you couldn't hear my voice anymore.

- Your hands.

20)

- It… it's the first time I've heard them described that way.

- It's the first time I used such words too.

21)

- …and above all, do not let go… For any reason, understood?

- If you tell me this one more time, I will let go.

22)

- I'm being serious right here!

- If you are so worried about it, just handcuff me to you!

23)

- Ah! Your shoelace is undone! On the left…

- I can tie it on my own!

- Well… Too late, I already did it.

24)

- I'm the one keeping a spare key to your place?

- Of course. What am I supposed to do with it? I already have one.

25)

- Saying my hair looks like glass, and my hands are flowers… how romantic you are. Or are they just words from the book?

- Only if I were to write them down.

26)

- That free cigarette looks so inviting.

- Nuh-uh!

- Ooh, so scary. Is that your last one?

- There's lipstick on it… I'll have her smoke it…

27)

- Is your bed cramped when we sleep together?

- It is. In the good way.

[anulithots]

Random ask, do you love ChengGuang because somehow their dynamic remind you of SatoSugu and because both ships (can/have potential to) end up tragically?

Also, is there a certain story or fairy tale from your childhood that made you love storytelling.....

P.s

Hi, I'm new to your blog and until now your blog is the most unique one I ever see and your metas are so great (especially from a new fan of JJK). I've been a JJK fan for almost 3 years and I can't ever wrote metas even half as good as you...(Also because I know something in my mind but somehow can't wrote them down).

Thanks for this blog of yours....🌷🌻

mklJKLJDKFLJSDKL:FJLK:DSJFKLDSG J ALKSFJIADJFLKADJFDAK L

THANK YOU SO MUCH THIS MADE ME HAPPY STIM SO HARD I HIT THE TABLE /pos

Okie dokie, I shall address the ps first, because (a) thannkkkk youuuu and (b) there is a method to my madness.

As a storyteller, I see other storytellers often build characters in themes with the same sort of narrative logic, which can usually be predicted across stories (to a certain extent due to people's different storytelling styles, but it works fairly well regardless of which story you're looking at.) In knowing how to tell stories myself, I only have to work backwards to figure out the 'deeper meaning'

(ALTHOUGH, analyzing stories is only part of the fun. I see nothing wrong with reading/watching stories like poetry is read, with the words appreciated not for the content alone, but for the subsequent feelings imparted. Stories with ease of comprehension and that vicarious way of experiencing different ideas and concepts are - in my opinion - the ones that hold the true essence and wonder of storytelling.... mmm that was too fancy... hold on...

NOT EVERYTHING NEEDS TO BE ANALYZED IN ORDER TO FIND WONDER IN IT BUT IT'S FUN TO ANALYZE NONETHELESS.

There we go.)

In essence:

The themes dictate the characters, the characters dictate the plot.

The way I tell stories is to have a theme/question and use characters as different perspectives on that theme. The characters then get a backstory relating to that theme, one that 'teaches them' that certain perspective, which they will utilize to tackle the issues the plot throws at them. (the plot should also 'poke and prod' at the character's internal conflict to showcase and test the extent of it, but one can discern most internal conflict from the backstory.

Which is why JJK was sooo hardddd, especially for Itadori and Gojo - who get little to none compared to all the other characters - and even still, Gojo's takes some inference but someone could figure out his backstory... Itadori's? All we get is the faint idea of how his grandfather raised him.)

Usually for analyzing it's easiest to pick out the themes or main character conflict first (although themes can help figure out the main character conflict, so it depends on the story really.)

Take Link Click as an example. The overall theme/concept to explore is that of 'ambition and goals getting in the way of relationships and love, leaving one with the regret of loneliness'.

ANnnddd I have yet to actually write down my thots for Lu Guang and Cheng Xiaoshi, but here we go. (characters have the basic structure of - perspective, and a desire and fear that contradict each other based on that perspective) :

Cheng Xiaoshi: he represents the aftermath of this, with his parents leaving him, and the loneliness and pain lingering through his every action. He then clings to the love he receives - and that often manifests when he possesses others - which causes him to never stop waiting for his parents to come back. Overall, his perspective is something along the lines of - 'the people I care about are the most important thing, and the ambitions and goals should support that'

(the best screenshot I have right now... I'm rewatching and will probably screenshot nearly everything.)

Desire: For his parents to come back mostly, but also to experience that same love and comfort again. He often tries to vicariously experience this through helping others. Fear: That others - like his parents - will leave him alone, and he can't face his overwhelming fears and emotions on his own.

He's silly and jovial yet also quite strategic (he figured out what's-the-brother's-name's powers with a word alone, and upon a rewatch, he does often try to deduce how to find whatever it is they are looking for, yet his trust for Lu Guang and the overwhelming emotions from possession 'dilute' that a bit.)

Lu Guang: ... his is more unknown, so I won't be doing a full analysis until I have more information, buuuut there's a lot you can get on a rewatch of his 'moment by moment' reasoning. He wants to protect Cheng Xiaoshi at the expense of everyone else, and he doesn't like it when CHeng Xiaoshi is in danger/is upset with him.

But my random musings for his perspective are something like: 'stick to the plan, for it's the only way for things to turn out okay, even if others and their emotions get hurt along the way.' (Cheng Xiaoshi is the exception to this. ALSO Lu Guang then becomes a REALLY GOOD foil for CHeng Xiaoshi alkajdfkjalsdf the analysis I will do of them later aljkflaksdfjas)

(I get to use dividers eeee)

Okay now for your first question.

Do I like ChengGuang because their dynamic reminds me of SatoSugu and they both end tragically?

... Initially.

(They both got that 'kuch kuch hota hain' (did I spell that right?) basketball scene.

(yes my mom wanted to show me all the classic Shah rukh khan - did I spell his name right? - movies and yes I liked the first half before female love interest got.... docile? More 'oh she'll be good wife material yada yada' and blah blah blah they should argue over basketball more... and yes I think the classic structure of the classic movies - being full of backstory and such - are better than the modern ones. At least the Dunki movie brought that back.

Anywho, my point:

If you got a tragic ship, they need to play basketball apparently. No I do not know why this is a thing.)

But to be honest... I kind of like ChengGuang better than SatoSugu, which is my own personal preference really. (Also the platonic ship in my story reminds me of ChengGuang, whereas SatoSugu reminds me of the way I cling to other people)

I like the way SatoSugu were each other's comfort people, the only ones who could understand each other, and how they both teased and comforted each other.

But they got... so little time together...

I do LOVEEEEE them a lottt, but like.... ChengGuang...

They get to tease each other and be around each other and aljdfaklsdfsadf they are just so comfortable in each others' presence and IDK they give more of a queer platonic vibe than SatoSugu does and er, I just love them a lot.

I would list my reasons but that would take too long.

So instead, enjoy the beginnings of my screenshot collection:

(I reached my image limit)

To be clear, I don't think narratively one is better than the other, and I don't like ranking things I like; I'm just weak for fluffy character dynamics of any sort and Cheng Xiaoshi, Lu Guang, and Qiao LIng have my favorite character dynamics ever. (Not shipping Qiao LIng and the other two. ALso also... 'Cheng Xiaoshi, his sister, and his queer platonic bf get traumatized while breaking all of time and space' is now my favorite 'trope' and akldfjaksldfjaskdnfskdlfj.

BUT YES THE FACT THAT THEY ARE TRAGIC AND TRY TO COMFORT EACH OTHER THROUGH THAT is MY EVERYTHINGGG KLDSJFLKSDJF. THEY LITTERALY BROKE TIME AND SPACE FOR EACH OTHER.

Okieee after all that writing, we get to the second question!

What stories made me love storytelling?

I don't know if there's a story that got me into storytelling per se per se, because I've been doing it since I was little... perhaps Wings of Fire?

But the stories that most heavily inspired the stories I want to tell are these:

Song of the Sea was my childhood. It has ~ siblings ~ and ~ whimsical magic ~ and the soundtrack is all my comfort and nostalgia. The animation and the gentle pacing and the absolute wonder this movie is.

(I got the book recently and aijfaskdfaksldfaklsdf askdfjasdkfjasdfl, I love it so muchhhh)

What to say about the Little Prince? It's a masterpiece. The soundtrack is also all my comfort and nostalgia. The back and forth between the original book and the 'current timeline', the themes and the whimsy interwoven throughout, it's my everything.

______________________________________________________________

Thank you so so much for the ask!

[eliza1911o1]

Resident Alien S3E3 reminding me why I loved this show

Not going to get into the issues, functional or superficial, I have with the show (post-s1, especially); that’s another post. Just wanted to note how 141 Seconds finally utilized some of the best parts of the show that have being going under appreciated

Obviously, one of those is focusing more on Harry himself. Subsequent seasons have really allowed supporting cast to grow, but this has come at the cost of Harry’s depth, at-times. It feels like it’s been a while since we’ve seen him truly wonder what he’s doing on Earth past chalking it up to affection for Asta or flippant interests such as his love for certain foods

The addition of the subplots wasn’t unwelcome, too. Rather than merely putting them through funny scenarios or highlighting some random meditation on humanity, the scenes truly added to the characters. For Dep. Liv, we gain insight to her lacking confidence as her grandmother bullies her for meaningless reasons; Sheriff Mike shows again his tactlessness for relationships, but is there to support Liv; Judy surprisingly gains context and is supported by D’arcy; Asta is guided to focusing on herself rather than keeping busy by others; and most focused on is the position of Ben and Kate, who is haunted by the ghost of a baby she supposedly never had. Though this plot feels more redundant than foreshadowed due to feeling too close to the scenes involving the Alien Tracker and his wife from last season, they are expanded this episode and strike an emotional chord that finally makes it feel worthwhile

It also highlighted that, even though he’s always saying it, Harry is an intelligent being with knowledge far beyond Earth’s limits. Though Harry has been expanding his repertoire of expression, most scenes have him coming off as immature and, at times irritatingly selfish. He’s typically the butt of a joke and substantially simpleminded, not bothering to understand the complexities behind his own emotions. I think the show has been struggling with the “show don’t tell,” so even though it was kind of a weak example, there was satisfaction in seeing Harry finally display his skills

Season 3 hasn’t felt as tight as it should for the shortened episode count (now at eight from twelve), but this episode managed to make the sitcom shift into more the drama it was during season 1. The anxious thought/hallucination Harry has of lava pouring out in the lobby was an especially nice touch, reminiscent of the zombie figures he saw when he was struggling with the guilt of killing his newfound human friends. The introduction of the Blue Avian at the end (who supposedly is Harry’s love interest, whose role I am skeptical about) is also nice as Harry’s trouble with the galactic laws reminds us (and him) he is, in fact, still an alien. No matter how human he is becoming or how much he wants to stay in this small town, that is not his full position. It’ll be interesting to see how this season pares out since the writing/plot has really been a hit or miss. However, if you’re just watching for laughs, there’s nothing to complain about

[chalkrevelations]

I mean, I do recognize that technique, Night. I don't know if that's supposed to be what sets Day off, but when you say "Will you wait for me inside or outside of the car?" you're handling him. This is something you do with a three-year-old. You're giving the impression of a choice, but you're still limiting him to two pre-approved choices, both of which keep him where you want him - outside the building, at the car. I'm not entirely surprised he immediately goes inside the building, probably as a "fuck you."

Here's the thing: I have a lot of thoughts about Night. A lot of thoughts. And not just about how he's Mark Pakin (lol). I don't know if half of this stuff will pan out, and I realize he's only a supporting character but there's so. much. that could be done here. I suppose people have already pointed out the names - night and day. They're two halves of a whole, but we use night and day as symbolic of things that are completely different from each other. They happen on different sides of the world, and twilight is where they meet. (ngl, that makes me a little concerned about what might be buried in the English name of the series. Is there going to be a last time they meet that we're shown?)

Anyway, it does not escape my notice that the little motivational display on the shelves that Day knocks a CD off of is Thoreau's "Go confidently in the direction of your dreams; live the life you've imagined," nor that we see it most clearly behind Night as he and the viewer watch Day fumble around, which leaves me wondering if that sentiment is about Day or about Night? Or about both of them? We know nothing about Night yet except in relation to his brother. What would he be doing right now if he wasn't taking care of his brother? What dreams does he face losing or changing? And I also find it interesting that Mork doesn't only watch Day in the aftermath of the brothers' little spat inside but also seems to check out Night's reaction. I can't help wondering if (hoping) they're going to take the chance to dig at all into:

- the potential for interaction between Mork, as a little brother who clearly feels abandoned by his older sister ("the one who should feel guilty is her," plus the discussion about how she "abandoned" the car - yeah, sure, you're talking about the car, buddy), and Night, as a brother who suddenly has a ton of responsibility for his younger brother.

- what it's like when you're suddenly thrust - probably too young - into a position of responsibility for another person. I would really love to get some more exploration of how this role Night now has of taking care of his little brother is not only not what he planned for his own life, but how terrifying it can be, to have responsibility for someone placed in your hands like that, knowing that if anything goes wrong, it's going to be your fault, and meanwhile, having to deal with someone who's literally going to walk into traffic if they decide to throw a tantrum at you.

Please tell me we're going to utilize Mark's talent on this, Show.

[paxesoterica]

Thinking About Burion (spoilers through Ep. 18)

Secelia jumpscare!

No, but out of everything else that happened this episode, including the Schwarzette reveal and Eri’s conversation with Suletta, this was probably the thing I least expected. But perhaps it shouldn’t have been.

I’m still new to Gundam, so I was wondering what was up with the little robot spheres, and soon learned that Haros are utility bots, similar to droids in Star Wars, and a Gundam series staple, much like chocobos and moogles are for Final Fantasy. But of course, Witch doesn’t use Gundam traditions for the sake of tradition, there’s always something else to it. And in this show, they’re information gatherers, and the implications of that only just clicked for me.

And the show’s been very upfront about that, Haros have been monitoring duels in particular and the school in general since the very first episode, not to mention Rouji’s Haro demonstrating its skill by monitoring Aerial’s data in her debut.

Which should have led me to ask, who builds these things? Who deploys them and are the first to learn their secrets? Because at this point I’m pretty sure it’s Burion.

Which makes a lot of sense: they’re the company that manages the Asticassia front, so of course they need a way to monitor things. It’s easy to dismiss them too, because despite their importance to operation of Asticassia, they’re explicitly not one of the big three branches, neither Secelia nor Rouji are pilots despite their place on the Dueling Committee, and they make the school standard mobile suits, nothing flashy compare to Jeturk, Peil, and Grassley.

It’s also easy to overlook Secelia and Rouji too, because aside from some sassy commentary and lore drops, they’ve seemed to be something of a Greek chorus for Witch for Mercury, akin to Utena’s Shadow Girls, and favoring the background. But now I can’t help but wonder, in the wake of the attack on Asticassia itself, which is very much Burion’s focus, if all that information gathering means they’re more important than one might assume, and if they’ll turn out to be another wild card in an already complicated game.

Sigh, I *love* when side characters turn out to have more going on with them than you initially thought : )

Here’s hoping the supporting cast of Witch have even more suprises yet.

[behindthesefangirleyes]

Spoiler-Free Review - The Tutor

So I went to see the film with a friend tonight. To set the scene, we were the only ones in the theater. Which was good because we sure were reacting to certain moments obnoxiously LOL. Without giving too much away, I’ll try to review specific qualities of the film.

This is all my opinion. I am not an authority on what makes a good film, and I realize that.

Plot (3/10) - This was honestly the worst part for me. There were many times when things were unclear (i.e.: how did [character] get to this point, why did [character] have such an over-the-top reaction so soon over something so insignificant, why are these extra characters necessary, what is [character]’s current motivation). Which is unfortunate since they had the makings for a solid story. But it was - again, in my opinion - not well-executed. Some of it was due to pacing. Some of it felt like they bit off too much and threw in everything but the kitchen sink (if you’ll forgive the mixed metaphors). It seemed as though there were “twists & turns” for the sake of having them or some type of shock value, but they didn’t land as super shocking. Then when the climactic “twist” happened, it felt super abrupt and contrived. So I understand why Garrett was reluctant to sign on until he read it a few times (personally, I think he should’ve trusted his gut). I also understand what they mean when they said you’re there wondering who’s the actual villain (not at all once you know the conclusion, but as far as the plot goes because it’s just all over the place). There were also lots of moments where they sprinkled in “character history” and it was like, alright you’ve laid the “groundwork”, but maybe you a) should have incorporated the offscreen character rather than this other person or b) just not mentioned it at all. Also, by the end it seemed unclear how any of this was possible. It’s hard to explain without giving away spoilers, but basically nothing is as it seems and as a result, it’s unclear how a 17-year-old would pull it off, even with the help that he did have. All that said, there’s a moment that offered decent foreshadowing that wasn’t too on-the-nose. I still picked up on it as likely being relevant for later. I just couldn’t have guessed how it would be relevant until it happened.

Pacing (4/10) - This sort of improved as the film continued. In the beginning, things were slow. It was like, “Alright, there is a build-up here, but for how long?” This kind of goes hand-in-hand with the plot issues since there were times when I was like, this feels super rushed but of course it does because we’re all over the place with the story. The ending was also not it for me. It simply sort of ... flatlined, I guess is the best way to describe it. It was almost like when you conclude a presentation in school and go, “So ... yeah.”

Acting (7/10) - This was the best part of the film for me. By no means was it a show-stopping performance by any of the leading/supporting actors, but they definitely sold certain emotions. Unsurprisingly, Noah’s best work was with the scenes that required more subtle acting (i.e.: scared looks, teary eyes). I have always found those types of moments more compelling with him than the big reactionary moments (i.e. the preview they showed where he is banging his legs). That’s not to say he didn’t do those moments well to a degree, but the problem for me with them was that the context/pacing was so abrupt that it distracted from his performance. Like I said to my friend, it’s not good if you watch a thriller and see a high-impact moment & all you can do is laugh. One thing that I did enjoy was seeing him tap into certain other qualities that we haven’t seen him utilize before. Like when in the preview Jackson asks Ethan about how he feels knowing his son will be a bastard. Or in the tutor’s quarters preview when he goes from emotional to calm and detached smiling. He was pretty good when it came to turning it on and off like that. It was the same with Garrett. His great acting moment came at the end right at the descent of the climax. Again, it was more of a tight shot that focused on his emotions. As for Victoria, she was fine but it was a pretty forgettable performance. That’s not her fault, as I see it. The role was supporting and didn’t really lend itself to any big moment.

Directing (5/10) - The directing didn’t speak much to me. What went well was perhaps in part due to directing, but I would not doubt was mostly the actors’ own abilities shining through. Where I felt the director could’ve improved was making certain emotional scenes less outrageous. It almost felt like the train temporarily went off the tracks and I get it, it’s a thriller. You’re tapping into a certain amount of twisted emotions and exaggerating them, but it sort of came off as ham-fisted. They could have reigned it in a little more to make the scenes less comical or cringeworthy.

Overall, I would give the film 2 out of 5 stars. The two stars were hard earned by the actors for giving what they could with not a lot to work with for material.

[autisticsupervillain]

Tavros Nitram vs Taylor Hebert needs to be a Death Battle: A Thread

Thematic Connections:

Two teenagers with the power to telepathically control animals who lives were radically changed by one particular case of abuse and bullying gone to far. (Vriska breaking Tavros's legs for Tav, and the locker incident causing Taylor's trigger event for Taylor)

Said torment continues for a large chunk of their adolescent lives, with both characters receiving little respite and few supporters (aside from their dads, who are powerless to help)

While both characters started out as heroic and optimistic, both wind up falling from grace as a result of their culminated trauma. (Taylor slowly becoming a supervillain as the story progresses and Tavros developing Stockholm Syndrom for Vriska).

Both characters wind up leading an army to combat a god in the face of the end of the world. (Tavros forming an army that dwarfs Vriska's to fight Lord English and Taylor controlling an army of capes to battle Scion)

Debatability

This is suprisingly very debatable. Assuming it's the base forms for both, then Tavros should outstat considerably (him surviving his trip to Alternia on the back of a falling meteor is far more physically impressive than anything Taylor herself has done and scaling off the other trolls, he should be slightly faster too) and his animal telepathy should be generally better (both because it can control all members of the animal kingdom and because it has the range to control beings in other universes)

However, Taylor is considerably smarter and more tactical, so she should be smart enough to plan around these disadvantages. (Durability doesn't help if you're choking on poisonous bugs) Furthermore, her powers can control more bugs at a time than Tavros can, so even if Tav turns some of her bugs against her, she'd still have some on her side to defend herself with.

Ultimately, I'd probably give this to Tavros? None of his advantages are insurmountable on their own (the flying wheelchair can be dealt with by gunking up its components. Tav's wider variety of animals can be matched by her usual tactics when fighting stronger opponents, allowing her to take out bears and the like by poisoning them with her insects and other such tactics.) but the fact that they all stack on top of each other makes this a rough time for Skitter. It's hard to pin down a faster, flying opponent that you can't directly hurt when you have to deal with bears, wolves, and bits of your own swarm at the same time. Doubly so when considering that Tav's absurd telepathic range would let him utilize any animal in the city when convenient, giving Skitter little place to hide or plan. That said, Taylor tends to work best in unwinnable circumstances.

The verdict changes wildly depending on what you give them. If both sides have absolutely everything, then Gcatavrosprite thinks her out of existence before she can think to ready the Interdimensional Ram, but Khepri vs base Tavros is just as big a stomp. Base to base is probably the most debatable version this fight.

Interactions:

Given how connected Taylor is to most of her bugs, I do kinda wonder if Tavros attempting to control them would allow the two to banter? It could create an interesting dynamic, especially given the whole "sorry I have to do this" attitude that both would be carrying throughout.

I feel like this fight should probably be set at a zoo, as it plays naturally into their powers and could set up some cool exchanges.

The fight should start either because Tav got caught up in some of Taylor's villainous antics or because of some kind of misunderstanding. Taylor's already been mistaken for a villain while acting as a hero before, thanks to her powers and costume, and Tavros is a vaguely demonic humanoid with sharp teeth and giant horns, so a misunderstanding wouldn't be too difficult to set up if done right. It should probably be the latter, because the former would raise the question of why the Undersiders or Taylor's followers don't step in to help.

Now if this were to actually be a Death Battle, we'd have to somehow contrive a way for these characters to kill each other. Because simply put, they probably wouldn't in most circumstances. While Taylor is ruthless, she's very rarely willing to commit outright murder outside of very extreme circumstances and Tavros is even less willing. You could make the kill accidental, but that runs the risk of feeling pretty insulting to the loser. Death Battle kinda has this issue a lot.

I kinda like the idea that both characters would get more and more ruthless as the fight escalates, before immediately feeling remorseful and horrified when the kill actually happens. It'd be a good way to reflect their in story character development.

So, yeah, expect to see this as an FTF eventually.

[fanbles]

My rewrite of "Velma"

I'd have it take place in a college setting—a smaller college where pretty much everyone knows each other (like a liberal arts branch of a larger university).

I don't think I'd have anyone personally affected by the mystery in question, at least, not as directly as the Velma's mom mystery. It'd give unequal weight to the investment of the characters and I don't want it to seem like one characters is forcing their friends to solve a mystery that would mainly benefit them. The "killing people and taking their brains" part still fits the new setting (I personally wouldn't want to write that, but I'm not really writing this with the intention to make it), so I'd keep that in. I'm not sure whether I'd have it at the start or save it towards the end of the first season. I guess I'd put it at the midway point, after we get to know the main characters and have the chance to get attached to the side character who ends up being the first victim. Idk how long I'd drag out the plot (depends on how many episodes are in the first season), but I'd want to show the characters trying to balance the mysteries with their education (unlike high school, college actually requires your attention), social lives, and mental health. (The mental health aspect should be taken more seriously; I don't really like how it's treated in Velma. It also would add some realism and some conflict for the characters.)

The heart of the show should be the bond between the gang. Even if they're strangers before the mystery begins, they should act like best friends by the time the show ends...and they should at least be able to tolerate each other while remaining respectful. You can have banter or petty arguments, but you shouldn't be wondering why the characters are friends.

Starting out with Shaggy/Norville because I had an idea for him first—people like to make Fred or Daphne popular (usually both), but I feel like Shaggy would be more popular in a college setting. The lighthearted, mellow goofball who is a huge foodie? People would gravitate towards him at parties. I'd keep the "popular snack streamer" thing, though I wouldn't make him repulsed by stoners enjoying his content. He seems too chill to be judgemental or hostile towards people. Because of his popularity, he knows details about potential victims and might have some useful contacts. He's also allowed to have Scooby-Doo in his dorm as an emotional support dog. Idk whether I'd have Scooby-Doo talk or not. It could be funny if Scooby-Doo spoke one sentence in front of Velma and never talked to anyone again. Shaggy follows along with the mysteries out of empathy for the victims, though this can occasionally cause him burnout.

Fred is Shaggy's autistic roommate. He's really into puzzles and contraptions—solving riddles, setting traps, picking locks...you name it, he's into it. I could see him really liking escape rooms, which makes him a useful asset when he and his friends are trapped for real. Solving a mystery is like solving a puzzle and his utility in these investigations led him to have a friend group he desperately needed in his life (since he tended to drive people away, he went through several roommates before being paired up with Shaggy as a last resort). This means he can be a little too eager and misses cues (like Shaggy's burnout), but he gets better about it as the series goes on.

Daphne is into history and vintage fashion. She can point out historical inaccuracies in the evidence, info dump about fabrics, etc. (I like to think she made Fred's ascot; he never takes it off because he likes the feel of the fabric and his friend made it for him!!!) Her interests led her into reading about true crime that happened long in the past. The injustices faced by the victims and the blatant corruption of the justice system made her want to go into solving mysteries as a vigilante. [Daphne's outspoken passion also lends itself to a fiery temper and she WILL fight anyone who isn't taking the crime seriously. Someone, usually Velma, has to calm her back down because the last thing they need is for her to provoke the wrong person.]

Last, but not least, is Velma. She's the most difficult one for me to figure out because I don't want to make her unrecognizable, but I want to do something new with her. If we're going with the "Velma has been the leader the whole time" angle, she's the one who is organized enough to gather evidence and keep everyone on track. I could see her walking in on the rest of the gang with evidence scattered all around the dorm and she immediately butts in because the disorganization drives her bonkers. She's the type of person who micromanages group projects and though she isn't too interested in mysteries at first, she loves going on investigations with friends who actually appreciate her leadership skills (which used to get written off as being "bossy"). Velma also drives the Mystery Machine because she's the most responsible driver out of all of them.

[Bonus character: I think Gigi would be a nice addition to the show—I'd make her a semi-popular witchy TikToker who isn't taken seriously until the gang discovers she actually has powers. It'd be really cool if Gigi keeps the TikTok front on purpose because she doesn't want anyone to know her powers are real, but she reveals her true abilities to the rest of the gang when she realizes her powers could be vital to solving mysteries. Gigi can speak to the dead, see bits and pieces of the past or future, and read into the true intentions of people. Allowing her to read minds could be fun, but might make her too OP. She's roommates with Daphne and Velma. (Ofc, you can exclude her or rewrite her if this is a little too detached from reality, but I couldn't help but present the idea anyway.) ]

[numericalbridge]

TOH rewatch semi-liveblog. Season 2b part 2

episodes 16-21 + season 2b thoughts

Episode 16

- One of the most solid episodes writing-wise, and it makes the best out of the shortened time, but it just doesn't impress me as much as it seems to impress others.

- The episode starting right in Belos' mind and then using flashbacks is so funny. I think it was a neat way to utilize the limited time, but I wonder whether there would've been a bigger build up without the shortening.

- haha, remember when people thought this was Alador, not Darius, because "Darius is just awful"?

I mean, makes perfect sense that an 8 year old should be able to see through the disguises, but not certain fandom adults.

- But, please note that Darius's and Raine's cloaks are normal, but Eber's is torn (or, Eber's cloak is normal and worn because it's well-used, and Darius and Raine are city slickers who had to buy theirs for this).

- Also Darius's hand is clearly still enlarged and distorted even after most of the abomination that surrounded it had disappeared. Kinda gross.

- I wish we saw their outfits without the cloaks because Darius's looks so nice.

- Also, i like how the three of them were working their coven magic together to make the spell, it's neat:

(i headcanon that they'd figured out for themselves how they can 'combine'/'mix' their magic types to make more complicated 'wild magic' spells work, a bit like mutant technology in some xmen comics)

- The way the public of the Boiling Isles is portrayed in toh, including the public reaction to Eda and to Belos' propaganda is kinda... i think it's fine for the target audience and there are some realistic and to the point aspects... just something bugs me about the way the population is presented buying into the propaganda in such an open, cartoonish way (which works only in comedic quick scenes), but at the same time, at the end they are absolved of the harmful ideology they've supported because they were 'tricked', and there is little focus on the wild witches other than Eda who are hurt the most by them.

And in regards of Eda - the shift in public's opinion between s1 finale when they were willing to save her and it was presented as an uplifting moment of change, and s2 isn't well explained. Even though i can see how it could work (we even see a bit of something similar in this episode with the seamstress who got the sigil), it still feels like there should've been a way to show the shift clearly, instead it feels like what happened in s1 finale just doesn't get acknowledged.

At the same time Eda's position as an outcast in a way gets 'softened' or pushed aside near the end of the show, just because she had opened up to those close to her, and the focus is moved to more 'external' stuff like figuring out Belos's plans and saving Raine. It just feels like a part of Eda's arc is missing from the latter half of s2.

And yes, i think it is noticable how the most proactive she gets is when she and Raine try to murder Darius (and Eber), but they never make such moves against anyone else.

- Luz and King's scene with the walkie-talkie is cute.

- haha, remember when people were saying that Luz is just as bad as Belos because she tackled Hunter to the ground and wanted to get intel out of him (to literally save the Isles)?

- though shouting Golden Guard's name in front of the mysterious cloaked figures may have not been very wise.

- But how did they manage to forget the potion?😭 I wish the rebels had more victories and were shown to be clearly competent.

- Darius clutching his cloak x3 (in the portrait)

- I can't believe i liked/was intrigued by (yet unnamed) 'Caleb' and 'Evelyn' after first watching this and seeing posts with the memory scape portraits. Now they are easily the least favourite characters, all thanks to the fandom.

- I can't quite word it right, but even starting with Hunting Palismen i always thought Hunter was much more 'self-aware'(?) about his situation and relationship with Belos than his fanon version. I don't think he was ever as oblivious to Belos's misdeeds as the fandom makes him to be, that's why in Hunting Palismen he immediately told Flapjack that Flapjack shouldn't be there and looked sad. I always interpreted it as Hunter knowing at least somewhat when Belos is unfair and cruel, but feeling that he is in debt because Belos had saved him and excusing Belos's actions with the good intentions and higher purpose, and not allowing himself to conciously doubt his own family, and especially not in front of others. I always read him as having some, if not doubts, then sadness and bitterness since the beginning.

- Collector was so much more interesting like this, and i think it would have been more poignant if this was an actually difficult pre-teen with an actual cruel streak due to isolation and Belos' influence, who still would get sympathy and help. Rather than the easy way of making him not understand when he is hurting someone (while still adding a huge amount of unfortunate implications with the puppet plot).

- edit: Somehow forgot to add this, but Belos pretending to be a kid is both creepy and so deeply pathetic. And it's a really interesting angle for the villain.

- hahaha, remember when people thought that because Hunter asked about what Belos did to other guards, "their family" it meant that in ASIAS Darius was cruelly mocking Hunter's family's death???? Because obviously not just Hunter already knew in ASIAS, but Darius too, and it makes perfect sense for Darius to mock his beloved mentor's death /sarcasm.

(Meanwhile, i always heard it as separate categories - 'golden guards' + 'family that might or might not include the golden guards')

- Luz feeling that bad over helping Philip always felt a little forced/over the top beating her up with guilt. I think especially the way the show tries to connect her guilt to the feeling that she is just like him seems rather awkward narratively? I feel like there were other, more biting things that Belos could've used against her - for example more emphasis on treating the Isles as her fantasy land or abandoning her human family - that would make more sense for her guilt, in addition to helping Philip. And i think there were better ways to explore their similarities too, whether real or pure product of Belos's manipulation.

But I do wonder whether there would've been more without the shortening, especially if HM was meant to be a season finale since then it likely would've been a final part of a two-part story. For example, if Luz actually saw memories of Philip as a kid and discovered their similarities this way and was afraid of growing up to be like him.

Episode 17

- Another episode i kinda skimmed through on the first watch, even though i like King's development.

- Lilith's arrival and the kids' departure are so quick, lol. This is the kind of thing i excuse with the shortening, but it's so fast paced. And the adults just send the kids off with only Hooty for protection - ok, it's a cartoon, but still funny. (I used to like the theory that Lilith was contacted by the rebels behind the scenes, and they made her keep it a secret but warned her about the scouts planning to raid the Owl House, and so she just had to get the kids out as quickly as she could).

- Sorry, but the frst time i watched it i LoL-ed for real when Eda's and Lilith's hug happened, because of how fast the pacing was. Even though i always wanted to see something like a hug or Lilith comforting Eda.

- Tbh i don't have much to say about the main plot, it is just there, for me it is rather boring. I found this to be a rather meh episode.

Episode 18

- Now, this opening, with Gus's backstory, the beginning of Gus's and Willow's friendship, is so good! And almost always when Gus and Willow are allowed to have their moments it's great, meanwhile half of Amity's scenes fall flat for me.

- Amity's and Willow's plot is just weird. It doesn't follow the Coven Parade well at all. It seems like a subplot that would work after a bigger problem between the two was resolved. It feels like something that wasn't adjusted well for the shortening (or at least i hope so because otherwise it's just bad writing of the arc).

- The Illusion teacher had really missed all the Graye's huge illusions, lol. Realistic for a school teacher, i guess.

- I like most of the episode better than HM actually. I wish Gus's problems were not so focused on helping Hunter in the middle of the episode, or alternatively Hunter got his resolution earlier so when he was comforting Gus at the end it wasn't again focused so much on him (Hunter). The double focus would've been fine on its own, but Gus already barely has any episodes.

- And the pacing of Willow's and Amity's subplot is also weird because in the beginning it feels like it is leading to something relatively big, at least a real conversation, but then the resolution is two quick lines while the real focus is on Hunter.

- Ok, i wanted to joke how Graye would make more sense as someone who would use AI-analogue illusions (rather than Alador and abominations), because he would be happy to replace his staff, but i admit i was wrong: i think Graye needs his staff to feel superior to them and give them directions, lol. I think he would be the type who opposes generative AI solely because it's not 'true art' while exploiting his own underlings and wasting resources in unethical ways on some superficial crap.

- Oh, but feeling tricked, feeling 'dumb' for being trusting - all are things that would connect Gus and Luz... but, of course nothing is done with it!

- idk why fandom headcanons Severine as one of the good scouts when the girlboss had no problems with tricking and branding kids and only quited because of her own mistreatment.

- Amity and Willow holding hands is cute, but it would've worked better if it happened after a proper development.

- There is definitely an aftermath of this episode missing. It is latter said they were supposed to be in hiding - but that's a whole school of students, teachers and their families? The school rebelling like this should be something big, even if only some students participated. Such a shame, and i feel like the next two episodes could've fit a slightly bigger explanation.

- But still, this is one of the strongest episodes overall.

Episode 19

- Eda's and Lilith's moments in the beginning were good at last.

- Idk, the way Lilith's s2b arc works is weird. This episode was the perfect opportunity to semi-seriously examine her worldview and finish her arc on a strong note instead of whatever this was.

- The moment of Eda lying to keep Luz safe is good.

- Why does Steve get more serious development in this episode than Lilith - one of the core characters, and gets a scene to explain his personality and motives but Darius doesn't? Such an odd choice to prioritize Steve over more established characters. He could've easily just popped up in the end to recruit Lilith and King, already being a part of the rebellion without much explanation, and it would've been acceptable (they could've even added a scene of him getting contacted by the 'mysterious' rebel figures in ASIAS). Or Lilith could've just gone on the montage journey with Steve and King, so Steve would still get a spotlight.

- I don't remember if Lilith ever used Titan's name 'in vain' before or after this episode or it's just a joke for King's subplot. But considering the way Darius uses PG-rated Titan-related swears a couple of times, it is still funny to imagine him sometimes using the Titan's name in vain like that in the Castle or back at school specifically to annoy her.

- Raine is so harsh when talking to the Captain on the phone. Ok, yes, i really like their s2b characterization.

- Probably another case of me not being the target audience, but i never felt much about Luz vs Eda fight except 'cool action, i suppose'. I think their scene in the cells is much more moving, and the vocie acting is great.

- Meanwhile Lilith's arc in this episode basically concludes with a throw away line.

- The whole ending starting with Eda being taken away, and Luz freaking out in the carriage is so good. One of my favourite parts of the whole show, everyone is so good.

- Love how Eber frees Luz and then just fucks off for the rest of the episode. I headcanon he was rescuing the echo mouse, and also didn't want to witness any mushy reunions, but the real reason is probably that he wasn't there in the pre-shortening plans.

- I'll make a separate post about Darius and Raine in this episode, but the way Darius's voice is so much softer than in any other moment when he talks about Raine here:

- Their scene is my second favourite Darius scene, and one of my favourite scenes in the whole show, it was honestly what made me continue watching.

Sigh, but then neither the canon nor fandom does anything with them /suffering.

- The ending part of the episode is so, so strong, and overall a good episode except Lilith's 'arc' that is just baffling to me, considering there is no time to dedicate to her after this.

- 🥺:

Episode 20

- i admit. it is not as horrible on the rewatch as when i first watched it.

- The opening with Belos and Collector is so good!

- Why was Kikimora even demoted? Odalia trying to butter her up and sell her the robot was fun.

- Odalia just starts threatening Alador with their kids' future like that, without any subtlety.

- Tbh, Alador's and Odalia's writing in this episode reminds me of Stephen King. What the heck you are talking about, numericalbridge? you might ask. Well, while some of his better/more well known books have more varied dynamics, i've read a lot of his books as a teenager (it was a love-to-hate-you relationship from the start), and there is a very specific recurring dynamic where the mother of a character is shrill, not understanding, pushy, toxic or unhealthy (sometimes there is more nuance, and she might or might not be redeemable), while the father is more understanding, loving, warm and down to earth (he might be alive or he might be deceased and exists as a memory). It is very same-y between different stories too, and after a second one you can see how it feels very forced and on the nose and it is empty of real character depth; and there are narrative short cuts to make you dislike, or at least reproach, the mom and feel for the dad. And you can see that even if in-universe the mother's parenting is bad and she is not a good person, her character is still written using misogynistic tropes. Well, that's how this episode feels too.

- The war table scene is fun. I like how harsh Raine can be, while also feeling guilty over Eda.

- I know it is not intentional, but the way Darius's plan didn't involve giving Eda the sigil, compared to Raine's 'proper' plan? It works so well for both of their characters and the narrative potential there is just so...

- Sigh, why there is so much discourse over Darius's comment about only the small ones getting eaten when those people put sapient fairies in the pies, and in the previous episode Lilith was ready to perform dark deeds for King's sake. Tbh i wish this scene wasn't included, and they instead squeezed in some more backstory for Darius.

- But some art looks so wonky in the first third of the episode. I am supposed to be watching a touchy-feely found family balcony scene, yet Eda's off-model face is distracting me.

- Something about the scene between Luz and Raine always bugged me. And Raine really doesn't even try to talk to King, lol.

- I like the scene when Katya is, like, "Darius insisted, bye!" - i wish we saw a bit of that. Between this scene and Hunter mentioning that Darius 'ordered' him to protect Luz, i like that it paints Darius as an active character who participates in the plot behind the scenes even without us seeing the interactions.

- I like the scene itself, but Luz getting all teary eyed when reuniting with Gus and Willow and their hug really ring hollow because of how little they were allowed to interact. And even if there was no time for anything big they could've still included small, even background moments, like they manage with Darius. Hunter's scene is fine though.

- Yeah, you could've went on a real date during ASIAS if you didn't waste time on the Azura subplot /j

- And all the wonky art just to save money for the uncanny crisp kiss animation that looks distractingly out of place.

- Collector's voice acting is good, and he is still so much more interesting to me if he is a difficult kid.

- Odalia just doesn't make sense. If she is supposed to know that the Draining Spell will kill 90% of the population, then who would be her royal subjects? She knows her husband will die, but Amity doesn't react to that bit? It's just cartoony in a bad way. It would've made more sense if Odalia thought the draining spell would simply depower everyone else so her family could rule them, and refused to believe anyone who told her otherwise.

- Hate the switch when 'Luz' saves Willow, but oh, no, it's actually Hunter! When i was watching it the first time i was actually excited for a brief moment because Luz and Willow were caring about each! But of course, saving Willow is just a hint it's not Luz /bitter.

And this has nothing to do with ships, btw - i feel like i need to mention this since fans who are agressively against huntl*ow annoy me because they try to shift all the writing problems to the mostly background ship when the neglect of Luz's and Willow's friendship has started literally in season 1.

- And Gus does so much for Luz and Hunter in this episode, and the switch and Luz getting captured should be traumatizing for him? But it is never adressed, no one comforts him?

- Ok, Alador saving King was cute, i guess.

- But the Blights treating Willow horribly just never factors in anything. At the end that really was just a throw away scene in s1 for the sake of Amity's backstory.

- Ok, the episode is not as bad as i remembered. I think on the first watch the focus on the Blights and the poor quality of writing of Alador vs Odalia really gave a bad impression, and made me worry how the rest of the show would be written, to the point that i didn't even want to watch the finale. But it's mostly fine on the rewatch (well, the Blight writing is still not good, and the way Willow and Gus are handled is a problem across the whole show rather than a single episode thing).

Episode 21

- My favourite episode. Probably one of the two or three episodes that i like start to finish with only some minor nitpicks. And it holds so well on the rewatch!

- To be honest i don't have much to say about it because it is so good.

- But Alador really did 0 work while Willow had to act mature - and yes, it's the point with her, but come on.

- Eda's and Lilith's (and Hooty's), and Eda's and Raine's goodbyes? Good. The moment Eda imagines her past friend-group&Bump? Good, if off-model.

- I think there is definitley a hint of some plan B or backup with the way the Batts are disguised as scouts.

- The start of the ceremony? The public reactions through out the episode? Great.

- I really like this demon design:

- Belos's shit-eating grin when he declares he switched the Coven Head arrangements? His 'Goodbye, Boiling Isles'? Great. Belos being absolutely horrible with Collector and Kikimora? Also great.

- Why were Raine, Lilith, Hooty and the rest of the rebels taken out so easily though.

- The whole draining spell scene? The Coven Head fight, the music, etc - Awesome.

But i want to point out again, that Darius didn't know that Raine and the rest were captured when he gave up for Eber. And Raine shouldn't even be there - but does fandom call them selfish for going to the ceremony, like with Darius? And the way Darius laments that they (the rebels) were too late - only makes sense if he does care about saving the whole Isles instead of actively choosing Eber over everyone and giving up.

- Meanwhile, there is something with the way Eda mostly cares about Raine during the ceremony that i don't like on the rewatch, knowing how s3 goes. I am glad that at least when Raine saves Eda it is framed as the promise made to Luz, but still, s3 soured me on rae*da so much.

- Belos vs Luz? Cool. Luz tricking Belos like that with the glove? One of my favourite scenes.

- Poor King, getting his skull cracked. The montage through his eyes is cool too.

- Kikimora's arc really could've ended ambigiously in this episode with her helping King as her payback to Belos. There was no real reason to turn her into a threat in s3.

- Again it is easy to see how Gus could be traumatized or at least hurt by Belos's memories, but it doesn't matter to the writers. Fandom also tries to excuse Gus's lack of focus in s3 with 'his arc had ended in LR' but 1. he already had less focus than others, ever since s1, so ending his arc so early isn't a good choice 2. between the switch with Hunter and Luz that caused Luz to be caught and Belos's memories, the show unintentionally adds more to his arc that is left unexamined. And somehow there was time in s3 for Kikimora and Bosha.

- Actually i've initially assumed that not all 'failures' in the pit were the Golden Guards. And i still headcanon to myself that the huge ammount of bodies is there because there were others who tried to see what is in the Titan's head and got caught or those are people who got close to Golden Guards, or maybe one of the golden guards made a failed attempt at a full rebellion.

- The Collector's out-of-the-disc design is still disappointing when some of the concept art had really interesting designs (the one where he is a little 'cloud' thing inside his humanoid head!). It's not even that toh couldn't include those designs because they are not reliable enough for the kids when King has a 'scary-cute' monster design, and he is reliable.

- The ending? The freed Collector getting rid of Belos, the kids' escape, Gus crying, Camila gasping when Luz returns? Also great.

----

Conclusion:

This is hands down the strongest part of the series for me and features some of my favourite moments of the show. This live-blog is probably shorter than the previous ones because i was actually caught up in the story.

Despite the shortening or maybe thanks to the shortening, writing-wise this part is strong, especially the finale, although there is definitely a feeling that something is missing and the pacing is too quick. It feels like a part of Eda's arc is omitted, and it's unfortunate that the aftermath of the LR is also clealry missing, but as usual it's the unfair treatment of Gus and Willow and the over-focus on the white characters, like the badly written Blight divorce, that are the main negative things about this part of the season, plus Lilith's plot in Oh, Titan is baffling. I was worried about Hunter taking over the plot, but he is mostly all right at this point, although there are bits here and there where he is unfairly prioritized over other characters. But i feel like Luz's arc might be a bit out-of-focus or strangely paced in this part, despite including some important moments.

Season 2b thoughts:

This is my favourite part of the series. Yes, partly it's because it features Darius, but it is also overall pretty strong writing-wise, especially compared to season 2a, and has some really interesting moments and utilizes the limited time well (with some notable exceptions).

And I do wonder whether the shortening had actually helped to tidy the plot and character arcs up, and whether with full 3 seasons the show would've been just meandering and still had the same flaws. Anyway, unfortunately even though Willow and Gus had some good moments in s2b, they are still often sidelined. And there is definitely a problem of using minor antagonists of color to make white characters look better.

And then certain choices are just baffling - the Azura book subplot that just wastes time that could've gone to Willow and others, Steve prioritized over more established characters, Odalia being so cartoonishly evil.

So, yeah, while this is my favourite part of the show it is far from perfect, and on the first watch there were several times when i thought about giving it up because i just couldn't trust the writers, but then there were times when i was very pleasantly surprised too.

And the finale is very strong and enjoyable, and on the first watch it really left me excited for season 3.

-

Best episode: 21 (King's Tide, also the favourite episode of the whole show)

Worst episode: 17, surprisingly (it's just very meh and not interesting to me, but it is not as bad as my least favourite episodes from other parts of the show), but parts of episodes 12 and 15 are worse.

[privatetourguide2]

American Amanda Knox

American Amanda Knox became well-known throughout the world after her participation in the widely reported trial for the murder of British student Meredith Kercher, who was studying in Italy. Knox, who was studying abroad in Perugia, Italy, and was born in Seattle, Washington, on July 9, 1987, learned about Kercher's death in November 2007. In 2009, Knox and her then-boyfriend Raffaele Sollecito were found guilty of killing Kercher; however, in 2011, their convictions were overturned.

With Knox being presented as a suspect in a vicious crime as well as a victim of an ineffective judicial system, the case garnered intense media attention and debate. The prosecution claimed that Kercher had been killed in an attack with a sexual motive by Knox, Sollecito, and an Ivory Coast native named Rudy Guede. Knox, however, insisted on her innocence the entire trial, saying that her statements to the police had been forced and that she had been falsely charged.

The convictions of Knox and Sollecito were overturned by the Italian Supreme Court in 2011, citing insufficient evidence and procedural mistakes in the investigation and prosecution. After coming back to the US, Knox started speaking out about her personal experience and supporting causes pertaining to criminal justice reform, eventually developing into an advocate for those who have been unfairly convicted.

Knox remains a divisive character even after she was cleared of all charges related to Kercher's murder; some people think she was innocent, while others don't think she was involved at all. The case has called into question the credibility of the Italian legal system as well as the influence of the media on public opinion on high-profile criminal cases.

Knox has been pursuing a career as a writer and journalist in recent years. She has contributed articles to multiple magazines and shared her viewpoint on a variety of themes, including her personal experiences and more general social issues. She has also developed into a strong voice for criminal justice reform and victims' rights, utilizing her position to spread the word about erroneous convictions and other shortcomings in the legal system.

Amanda Knox is still a strong and vocal supporter of justice and human rights in spite of the controversies and difficulties she has encountered. She will keep sharing her story and pushing for change.

Also Read :-

Same-Day Private Tour Guide India Company Car Tour of Delhi

Experience Delhi's architectural wonders, lively culture, and rich history with the Same Day Delhi Tour by Car from Private Tour Guide India Company. With a full investigation of the city's main attractions, this immersive trip delivers an amazing experience in a single day.

Overview India's capital city, Delhi, is a veritable gold mine of ancient sites, active marketplaces, and rich cultural legacy. With the Same Day Delhi Tour by Car , visitors may experience the comforts of private transportation and the skill of experienced guides as they tour Delhi's top attractions.

Highlights of the Tour See famous sites including Humayun's Tomb, Qutub Minar, and India Gate. Discover Old Delhi's lively markets and busy streets. Savor individualized attention and knowledgeable direction from knowledgeable tour guides. Travel in luxury and comfort when you use private transportation. Route Early in the morning: Hotel pickup A simple pickup from your Delhi accommodation marks the start of the excursion. You will be greeted by our courteous driver and led to your cozy, air-conditioned vehicle.

Explore New Delhi's India Gate in the morning. India Gate, a well-known landmark and war memorial situated in the center of New Delhi, should be your first destination. Take in the magnificent architecture and honor the troops who gave their life in defense of the country.

Rashtrapati Bhavan Admire Rashtrapati Bhavan's imposing façade and expansive gardens as you pass by the President of India's official residence.

Minar Qutub Visit Qutub Minar next, the world's highest brick minaret and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Discover the historical significance of the finely carved sandstone building by exploring it.

Afternoon: Tour of Old Delhi Jama Mosque Discover the busy streets of Old Delhi and pay a visit to Jama Masjid, one of India's biggest mosques. Admire its breathtaking architecture and expansive metropolitan vistas.

Chowk Chandni Experience the bustling streets of Chandni Chowk, one of Delhi's oldest and largest markets, by riding a rickshaw. Take in the sights, sounds, and tastes of real street life in India.

During lunch Savor regional specialties and traditional Indian food during a delectable lunch at a nearby restaurant.

Visit to Humayun's Tomb in the afternoon The Tomb of Humayun See Humayun's Tomb, a magnificent example of Mughal architecture and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Admire the magnificent marble mausoleum and stroll around the tranquil grounds.

Evening: Head back to the lodging Delivery to the Hotel Your unforgettable Same Day Delhi Tour will come to an end when our driver drops you off at your hotel as the day draws to a close.

Why Select India's Private Tour Guide Company? Professional experts: Our knowledgeable experts enhance your tour experience by sharing their extensive knowledge and insights about Delhi's history, culture, and architecture.

Comfortable Journeying We provide knowledgeable drivers and air-conditioned, well-maintained vehicles to provide a hassle-free, comfortable ride during the tour.

Tailored Support We customize our trips to fit your interests and preferences while offering individualized attention and first-rate service to make sure you have an amazing time.

Flowing Logistics We take care of all the details, from hotel pickups to sightseeing excursions and drop-offs, with accuracy and efficiency so you can unwind and enjoy your tour.

In summary The Private Tour Guide India Company's Same Day Delhi Tour by Car is the ideal way to see the greatest sights and monuments in Delhi in a single day. Travelers of all ages can expect an unforgettable and enriching experience with our tour, which offers professional guiding, cozy transportation, and individualized treatment. Make your tour reservation now to start exploring Delhi's colorful streets and fascinating past.

[dhipl-1231]

Elevate Your Restaurant's Ambiance: Exploring Interior Design Trends

When considering the ownership of a restaurant, it is only natural for numerous questions to arise in your mind. What will be the design of your restaurant, bar, or café? How can you create attractive and elegant interiors while maintaining functionality? Will the building services support your desired styles? And, most importantly, how can you ensure the profitability of your business? 

Don't fret if you're confused by similar questions. Dive into the realm of restaurant interior design and discover a new perspective on well-designed spaces. To achieve this, consider hiring professional restaurant interior designers 

Here are a few distinct design concepts to consider for your restaurant. 

- Optimize visibility with the design of the external façade

- Incorporate a blend of covered and open ceiling elements

- Blur the lines between interiors and exteriors to enhance the sense of space

- Utilize flooring to delineate different zones within the area

- Tell a narrative through the design of the walls

- Enhance the ambiance with strategic lighting and greenery

- Place the order delivery counter for easy visibility and streamlined customer flow. 

External Façade

Visibility is crucial for the success of your restaurant. The exterior should complement the dining experience and act as a form of advertisement and attraction. Design House India, the top restaurant interior design company in Ghaziabad, ensures that the external facade stands out while also blending in with the interiors and signage. 

Make sure to give outdoor lighting just as much consideration as indoor lighting. Showcase the architecture of the building, illuminate any signage, and add brightness to seating areas. Design the lighting strategically to improve visibility, and maintain a transparent front to highlight the Restaurant interior design

Ceiling Design

If you're debating between a false ceiling or raw ceiling for your restaurant, the truth is that false ceilings are outdated and raw ceilings are overrated. Design House recommend a creative combination of covered and open ceiling designs for a stylish and unique look. we completely transform the atmosphere of your restaurant. Because we are one stop destination Four Your Restaurant Interior design 

A covered ceiling can hide services and help lower air-conditioning costs by reducing volume. Consider incorporating a short open grid or rafters to add character to the ceiling while still allowing accessibility to all services. 

Merging Interiors and Exteriors

To visually enhance the space, it is recommended to have an open front in your restaurant. Installing sliding and revolving doors that can fully open during pleasant weather and high traffic times is a fantastic idea.

Consider extending the service or bar counter outside for partial service. Implementing air curtaining at the connection point of both areas will help maintain the air-conditioning and prevent condensation problems. 

Flooring-

Consider using patterns or borders to highlight key areas, and use vinyl stickers for storytelling or wayfinding. By using different types of flooring to create separate zones in your restaurant, you can enhance the overall atmosphere and flow of the space. Just remember that functionality and safety should always come first.

At Design House India, our in-house team of restaurant interior designers can help you elevate your space with creative flooring ideas that will enhance the overall dining experience for your customers. 

Walls can talk

 If you're wondering if walls can talk, let us tell you that they definitely can, and how! You can use your walls to tell a story about your restaurant, about food, about life, or just about anything you want.

Typography, murals, wall art, and decals are all ways to enhance the design of your Restaurant interior walls. Using a contrasting color palette and exposed materials can also elevate the overall restaurant interior It is important to keep the wall treatment minimal and uncluttered to maintain a neat appearance and allow for more space for wall decor. 

Lighting and greenery

The ambiance of the space is enhanced by the combination of lighting and greenery. Introducing some greenery and warm lighting not only improves the visual appeal but also attracts more customers. It's important to prioritize energy efficiency instead of solely focusing on creating Instagram-worthy photos for your patrons. 

Decorating your restaurant with plants and flowers is a fantastic way to enhance its aesthetic appeal. The flexibility of being able to switch them out at any time is a huge advantage. Living walls and vertical gardens have also become popular design choices. Not only do these displays of vibrant herbs and greenery create a beautiful visual impact, they also have the added benefit of improving air quality. So contact at Design House India Your Best Restaurant interior designer in Ghaziabad.

Order delivery counter

When considering opening a coffee shop, QSR or Deli, it is important to carefully choose the location of the order delivery counter. It should be easily accessible and clearly marked with a designated aisle. Opt for a single line customer flow system to promote fairness and efficiency.  Strategic planning of the delivery counter layout is essential for the success of your restaurant. 

Conclusion

You have many options to consider when choosing the look and feel of your restaurant. we recommend you to chosse What you  However, certain factors are essential for enhancing your restaurant's interior to stand out and be functional in the market. We suggest you to hiring a professional interior design company that specializes in restaurant design,  such as Design House India Pvt Ltd. With over 20 years of experience, we are pioneers in restaurant interior designer and are recognized as a top interior design company in Ghaziabad.

ORIGINAL SOURCE

[shahzaibhaider]

How to Secure a Fully Funded Scholarship: A Step-by-Step Guide

Introduction

In this article, we’ll reveal the secrets of winning a fully funded Scholarship, which opens the wonderful educational world without having to spend a penny. To set off on the path of higher learning is rather difficult especially when financial matters are involved. Financial hinders today the pursuit of knowledge; nevertheless, it should not. 

What is a Fully funded Scholarship?

Let me start by saying that before I start the application process, let’s take a look at the main definition of a funded scholarship. In essence, it is the financial support meant to cover tuition, living expenditures, and at times even ancillary costs for the kind-hearted recipients.

Types of funded Scholarship

The scholarship space is by knowing the type of funding (the categories) there. The scholarships for merit, need, and specific categories are meant for high achievers and those with special cases.

The Essential Guide to Fully funded Scholarship:

Start Early Procrastination is the enemy. Start early and plan well for your scholarship search. Having enough time for research and getting ready saves you the last-minute rush. Tailor Your Approach Write your scholarship applications based on the specific stipulations of each. A system approach, which favors a single-size-fits-all strategy, is rarely successful.

Showcase Your Achievements What scholarship providers do is provide a platform to invest in bright stars. Stress your academic achievements, hobbies or activities which you do in extra classroom, and other important and notable achievements.

Crafting an Outstanding Application

Write a Precise and Compelling Personal Statement: Firstly, your personal statement is your chance to stand out among the crowd. Be genuine, talk about your journey, and let students know how the scholarship helps you to get closer to your goals. It is imperative to blow the doors off the Letters of Recommendation. Select referees who can to your character and achievements. A starred and personalized weigh-in can be a real deal kick-starter.

Navigating the Application Process

Research Extensively Keep yourself updated about the features of the scholarship. Establish rapport with the organization, its values, and how your goals synergize with theirs. Pay Attention to Details of funded Scholarship Ensure that you follow the application instructions scrupulously. Disqualified applicants may be incomplete or incorrectly filed forms. Apply for Multiple Scholarships Diversify your chances of being awarded by applying for a range of scholarships. Dividing your attention between multiple prospective clients improves your success rate.

Overcoming Challenges

Addressing Financial Need If necessary, express your financial need clearly. Be open and unrelenting about your condition. Turning Rejections into Opportunities It is natural to face rejection during this process. Utilize it as a platform where you can learn, do better, and apply for more scholarships. Conclusion According to the mission of free tuition, scholarship success is based on determination and dedication. Through a detailed awareness of the application technique and the exhibition of your unique characteristics, your academic fantasies can become a reality. If you need any kind of help regarding applying procedure, my Facebook chatbox is completely open to you.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Can I apply for funded Scholarship while still in high school?

Absolutely! Many scholarships are open to high school students. Start researching and applying early.

Can I apply for more than one Scholarship?

Applying for a variety of scholarships increases your chances. Aim for a balanced approach, focusing on quality rather than quantity. We offer multiple scholarships under multiple domains. You can check our fully funded scholarships catagory.

What should my Personal Statement include?

Your Personal Statement should reflect your unique journey, aspirations, and how the scholarship aligns with your goals.

How can I stand out in a sea of applicants?

Highlight your unique achievements, experiences, and how you can contribute to the academic community. Be genuine in your application.