#they end up making a lovely triangle together but first they must go through hardship lol

[rughydrangea]

2022 drama year in review

Normally I’m very good about getting this in by the new year, but I had a few 2022 dramas to catch up on, so I’m late. I’m glad I took the time to catch up, though, as it’s got me excited about dramas for the first time in a long while. They’re still good! (Even if there should be more sageuks.)

Joining the pantheon of my favorites:

Little Women -- Hands-down the best adaptation of Little Women I have ever seen. The acting, directing, music, plotting were all superb. But there are two aspects of the show that really stood out to me: 1) Little Women is a novel about sisters born into poverty, who have no clear path out of that poverty. They all spend much of the novel learning the difficult lesson that being poor isn’t a state they will someday be liberated from but the noble condition in which they will live their lives. And poverty is explicitly linked with virtue in LMA’s worldview--when Jo starts to write racy stories to earn money, when Meg resents being the wife of a poor man, these are portrayed as moral failings that must be corrected. And though Amy does eventually marry into money, it’s not a road without hardship--she essentially has to salvage the man that Jo threw in the trash and teach him how to be a human again. Bless this drama, then, for refusing to romanticize poverty and ending with the sisters thriving off their stolen money. Living in this painful, heartbreaking, corrupt world as poor girls did not purify them, it merely hurt them. Stealing money from those who made them suffer may not fit LMA’s vision of ethical living, but it’s what In Joo, In Kyung, and In Hye deserved. Long may they enjoy their ill-gotten gains! 2) Finally, a Little Women adaptation willing to make the objectively correct decision and let Jo and Laurie end up together. Every other adaptation and the original novel found dead in a ditch. All hail Jung Seo Kyung.

My Liberation Notes -- Following up My Ajusshi was kind of an impossible task, but damn if Park Hae Young didn’t manage it. A thoughtful, heartfelt, deliberate show that never took the easy away out and somehow found the beauty in the small, painful, confounding details of life. I have like Kim Ji Won since Heirs and adored her since Fight My Way, but this drama showed an entirely different side of her, tamped-down and bitter and wonderful. And though one could argue that the show glamorized alcoholism (I don’t think you can drink that much soju and still look that good), it was all worth it for Mr. Gu. May we all get an alcoholic gangster hottie who worships us on command.

Through the Darkness--This drama was a lot more gruesome than I thought it would be? But it was also smart and deliberate and compassionate. The entire cast was great, but Kim Nam Gil was incredible, doing so much with silence and stillness.

Quite good:

Alchemy of Souls--So stupid. So fun. What is there left to say?

Love Like the Galaxy--It kind of lost me in the middle, but I was back on board for the end. Unexpectedly, my favorite part of the show hands-down, and the only story to make me cry, was the emperor and his doomed love triangle. Is this how I know I’m getting old?

Under the Queen’s Umbrella--Silly and heartbreaking in equal turn. Every time a mother hugged her child I melted. Lots of good, rounded, complicated characters but then there were also a few who were pure, cartoonish evil, which was less fun. The acting saved some of the more confounding writing decisions.

Not bad:

Strange Lawyer Woo Young Woo -- It started out so strong, but really limped to the finish line. I simply have no patience left for heroically idiotic breakups.

WHY??!?!?

*** ***** -- It turns out that when you watch a show that is absolutely not for you, you are not going to like it! I’m glad for the people who loved this show, but every time I saw a novel-length essay explaining how dramatically flawless it was, I truly felt like I was living in an alternate universe. Some of the acting was good, but a lot was aggressively not. The product placement was dizzying. Every single aspect of the premise and a lot of the conflict felt like it was scripted by aliens who hadn’t quite grasped human behavior. Still, I am grateful that it gave me something supremely silly to focus on at a very stressful point in my life, and it’s tough to fault a show that is pretty clearly for a younger age bracket for not appealing to me, an old person. The secondary couple ruled, though.

[raven-of-domain-kwaad]

You are ready for this

Three young adults being told the same thing by their parental figures. And three different reactions from each of them.

Some of my next gen characters, whose lives eventually all come together, just trying to make their way through life.

Bryala

“You are ready for this.”

Bryala looked back as a comforting hand rested on her shoulder.

Her uncle and grandmother were both smiling kindly at her and she could see in their eyes just how proud they were of her. It meant so much to hear that from them and that they had chosen to see her off.

“Thank you, uncle Arcann,” she said before giving him a tight hug.

Her uncle let out an exaggerated huff as if she had just knocked the air out of him before he wrapped his arms around her too. She then felt his chest rumble with light laughter. “If you fight and train half as hard as you hug then the Knights will have gained an excellent new addition.”

“And even if you find that the Knights are not for you, I am certain that you will have much to teach your fellow recruits.”

Bryala released her uncle and turned to give her grandmother a hug of her own.

Senya Tirall let out a small laugh, much like her son, at the hug but did not hesitate to return it. “You have grown into a remarkable young woman, Bryala. Your parents would be very proud of you.”

Pulling away slightly, but still holding onto her grandmother, Bryala managed a small nervous smile. “I hope so… I always wondered if they would have wanted me to study Sith or Jedi philosophy like they did but…” she trailed off as her voice caught in her throat. “But they just never fit me.”

A gentle finger beneath her chin caused Bryala to look up at her grandmother. The expression she wore was one of sympathy, regret, sorrow and more. But most of all, there was love and certainty in her grandmother’s eyes. “Your parents loved you more than anything. They fought so hard so that you could make your own choices in life. And I know that they would have been proud of you no matter what you chose to dedicate yourself to, so long as it was your choice.”

Feeling her chest tighten with emotion, Bryala pulled her grandmother into another tighter hug. “I miss them… I… sometimes I remember their faces or their voices but I… I feel like I’m forgetting them.”

“Oh child.” Senya pulled her even closer and rubbed circles into her back. “I know how difficult it has been for you but know that they will always be with you, in here.” She pulled back gently and placed a finger to Bryala’s chest just above her beating heart.

“Thank you.”

“Of course, my dear.”

Bryala took a step back and wiped away the tears that had gathered in her eyes. She was about to walk to the waiting shuttle when her uncle stopped her.

“Just a moment.” He reached into his white robes and pulled out a small pendant. He turned it about in his hands for a moment before holding it out for Bryala. “We had this made for you. Something to remember where you have come from and where you are going.”

Taking the pendant, Bryala found the tears she had wiped away returning. It was the Kine family crest, her family crest, carved in ornate Zakuulan gold with intricate patterns etched into it. She closed her eyes for a moment and held the pendant to her chest. This meant more to her than she could properly articulate.

As if he understood, Arcann merely smiled and gave her a final hug. “Go on now or you’ll miss your shuttle,” he joked. “And know that we will be here for you when you return.”

With a final grateful smile to her uncle and grandmother, Bryala boarded the shuttle.

She was ready for this. Her family knew it and she knew it. All that was left now was for her to succeed.

Damar

“You are ready for this.”

Damar paused as he stepped off the shuttle’s ramp. The words had been spoken so softly that he thought for a moment that he must have misheard or even imagined the words entirely. But as he turned around and looked into the face of Lady Allval, Darth Siktis, he realized that he had heard her words correctly.

But realizing that the words had actually been spoken only caused further confusion. Lady Dira Allval had never so much as given him the time of day, let alone offered any kind of encouragement or belief in his abilities. He did not even have the Allval name but the name of his mother’s family, Nakash.

His surprise was so great that a tuk’ata could have sunk its fangs into his leg and he would not have noticed. He just stood there, staring into the red eyes of his mother as she gave him a small sad smile.

“You are ready for this,” she repeated, still with that sad almost regretful smile on her face. “Do our name proud.”

With that, she stepped back into the shuttle and the hatch hissed closed behind her.

Damar remained rooted to the spot as the shuttle lifted off.

Do our name proud.

“Our name,” he murmured to himself as he wondered why she had said those words to him. His half siblings had always gotten their mother’s attention, not him. His place in the family had always been clear, a spare that was the product of their mother’s personal desires not her political duties.

Our name.

The Lady Allval had never openly expressed a pride in her birth family’s name, at least not in front of him. She had always used the name of her late husband. So why now of all times would she say such a thing? Was it some kind of trick? A final twist of the knife to show that she could have cared for him as much as his Allval siblings but chose not to? But what good could that possibly do her? Could it have possibly been intended to make him angry? A parting gift to stoke a burning rage that would fuel him through his time on Korriban?

He didn’t understand.

Shaking his head, Damar made his way to the academy. He could ponder his mother’s odd actions later. Assuming he survived of course.

The corner of his mouth twitched upward in a small smirk. He would survive. If his older siblings with their coddled and spoiled upbringing could survive the trials of Korriban then he certainly would. Because unlike them, he had had to fight tooth and nail for every scrap of dignity and recognition that he ever received. Unlike them, he already knew that the only person you could ever truly rely on was yourself.

He was ready for this and he would not fail.

Lee

“You are ready for this.”

Lee was relieved for an excuse to look up and away from the people that were strapping him down to the medical table. It was a process that he had undergone so many times that he had permanent marks on his arms, chest and legs from where the heavy straps had cut into his skin. Yet despite the fact that he had gone through this countless times and now rarely put up any protest, he still feared the process just like he had during his first operation. But after so much time, he no longer hoped that the operations would not happen. Now, he knew that they would always happen, regardless of how he felt about them. Now, he just hoped that the pain afterwards would not be too overwhelming.

Eager to escape the thoughts of the pain he constantly lived with, Lee looked up to the transparisteel observation window where Vinn Atrius stood. Although he knew that it was unlikely, he still had many more procedures to undergo after all, he hoped to see some sort of acknowledgement from the man who had taken him off the streets. But as he looked up, he could see that Atrius had already started speaking with one of the Project Exarch specialists.

His eyes closed upon realizing that he obviously still had to do much more if he wanted to gain Atrius’ approval. Maybe if he managed to get through this procedure without too much trouble then the old Horizon Guard might finally grant Lee some kind of acknowledgment.

It felt like years since Atrius had last given Lee some sense that he was doing what was wanted of him, that he was being good. He knew that all of the painful procedures must be necessary for the Order of Zildrog’s plans. That alone should have been enough for Lee, Atrius had told him as much on many occasions. But at times like these, when he desperately wanted an end to the pain, he could not help but wonder just what the Order needed him to be enhanced for. He hoped that it was important. If it was important then that meant all of this pain was worth it. That was what Atrius always said. The ends justify the means.

“Doctor, are you ready?”

Are they ready? Lee remembered when that question used to be directed at him. But he had been too much trouble during the early procedures, always asking for them to stop. So, the doctors and Atrius had stopped asking him.

“We are sir.”

He was not. He never was.

“Very good. Proceed.”

Please no!

“Beginning phase one injections.”

Lee wanted to sob but knew there was no point. Instead, he tried to keep from screaming once the pain started.

But as always, he was not ready for the pain and as always, he failed to keep from screaming.

[paradigmsofbrittaperry]

⭐️ for whatever fic you’d like!

okay SO gonna use this as an excuse to talk about my pretentious Riverdale soulmate fic!! 

the whole thing was inspired by this post about how Riverdale is a soulmate AU dystopia where characters form genuine connections with one another only to say somewhere down the line that they can’t be together because they aren’t endgame and sadly return to their assigned lovers. it’s a quality of the show that I hadn’t been able to put into words, but had bothered me since somewhere around mid-season 2. like, a big part of Archie Comics is the love triangle between Archie, Betty, and Veronica, but the show doesn’t allow itself to explore different relationships for too long and insists on maintaining Bughead and Varchie as the status quo, presumably only because the amount of hate comments on RAS’s posts spike whenever those two couples aren’t together (insert post that’s been stewing in my brain about social media bringing about the end of organic media since showrunners and directors are letting easily accessible fan opinions directly influence their works more than ever before). there’s multiple scenes in the show proper where characters lament the fact that they can’t date someone because they’re “supposed” to be with someone else (side note, pour one out for my man Reggie, he deserved better than Veronica just casting him aside once Archie came back) so I wanted to take that a step further and push the concept to include cosmic signs of approval. 

(putting the rest under a cut because this got LONG)

I think a quote from the fic that really hits the core of all my feelings on soulmate AU’s is this one:

Besides, people settled down with people who weren’t their soulmates all the time. The universe could be cruel, and sometimes, it simply wasn’t practical to spend your whole life searching for someone you may never find.

one of the first things I always think about when it comes to soulmate AU’s or just a universe with soulmates in general is how impractical it would be in practice. what if your soulmate is on the other side of the world and you never get the chance to meet because you’re never in the same place at the same time? would the universe make accommodations for that? what if you meet your soulmate after you’ve already fallen in love with someone else? the last concept is one I enjoyed playing with quite a lot in this fic, using Betty’s love for Archie as the basis to discuss what happens when the person you’re in love with finds their soulmate and it’s not you. 

aside from the tumblr post, the texts I read this semester in my English class (particularly Notes From Underground and The Secret History) really kicked my brain into high gear. with both of those texts, my class had been talking a lot about the realities of a deterministic universe, which is what a universe with soulmates would be. one of the concepts we discussed at length was how if you’re given all the right answers on how to live a perfect life, then the only way you can make an impactful choice is to make the wrong choice (this was connected to a discussion on how choice making defines us as human, and that without choice, we have nothing to set us apart from machinery). we also discussed how for something to be beautiful, you have to be able to lose it, or it must be something that can’t be undone. in this case, I used the Barchie car kiss and how Betty fell for Veronica over the summer to link the two ideas.

Now this, this was terrifying. They had teetered on the edge of a ravine and dove right in with no reservations. It was beautiful, really. The ultimate act of free will in a world of predetermined outcomes and correct answers.

choosing to express love for someone other than your soulmate once you are aware of them would be the ultimate wrong choice in this world, so it would also be the most beautiful act in the world since it would be irreversible and could destroy the universe-approved relationships that those involved were a part of.

one thing that I was lowkey proud of was the imagery I associated with each of the characters; Jughead as the ocean, Archie as a fire, and Veronica as a field of lavender. honestly I don’t have precise explanations for why I chose what I chose to represent them, I just went with what my gut said Betty would associate them all with. if I was pressed to give explanations, I think that it’s because Jughead seems calm and predictable, but is prone to fits of rage and random bouts of unrest that can throw everyone else off course; Archie is the most passionate of the core four and is often expected by others to blaze trails and lead them through the dark; Veronica appears gentle and smells sweet, but could be concealing any number of snakes and other dangerous creatures. (I know it’s gonna seem like I actually *did* think of these previously and lied earlier in the paragraph but I swear, these just came to me. this is why I analyze my own work, even if it’s silly little soulmate AU fanfiction.)

another concept I LOVED working with was that of one knowing that they love someone else more than their soulmate, but deciding to go back to their soulmate because it’s safer. I think this next passage is my favorite exchange in the whole fic:

“Did she love you?”

“I don’t know,” Betty answered truthfully. “I hope she didn’t.”

“Because if she did-”

“That would mean she gave up love for fate.”

“Comfort and certainty over the terrifying unknown.”

like...we all like to think we’d be strong enough to choose our own path in a world that explicitly deterministic. but would we really? would we be willing to risk not only our own happiness and safety, but also that of our soulmate’s? would abandoning your soulmate for another love be seen as the most selfish of actions? would there be any situations where soulmates who knew each other would mutually agree not to be together? would they question the decision for the rest of their life and come to regret it? hence this passage from the end:

“I think we’re going to be just fine,” Archie said. “Who knows what might happen next.”

Betty knew. She knew that this was a temporary lapse on his part and that he’d go right back to believing in fate and the universe. He’d remember that she wasn’t his soulmate and that he couldn’t love her. Veronica would be convinced of the same and fall right back into him. That would leave her and Jughead, unmoored, searching for a sign. Something else would bring them back together; whether it be a case or the paper or simple boredom. They’d live out the rest of their days in comfort, forgetting free will and falling into what was always meant to be. They’d tuck away all of their questions and live in willful ignorance until the day they died, when all of the questions would come spilling out and they’d have regrets again.

in this universe, you can’t win, no matter what you do. you either settle down with your soulmate, give up your humanity via giving up your ability to make meaningful choice, and regret not taking chances OR you create your own future for yourself through choice, deal with the hardships and guilt associated with blazing your own path, and regret not settling down and living what could have been the perfect predetermined life. 

this was A LOT of words about the CW’s Riverdale of all things. what can I say, I’m a sucker for the accidental moral quandaries and dilemmas that incompetent showrunners put in their work. fluffy soulmate AU’s are out, soulmate AU’s that examine the horrifying implications of the universes they take place in are in.

[pastelbatfandoms]

Tarot Readings- Peter Hale and Marianna Mccall

Deck used- Throne of Glass playing cards (OwlCrate) Web of Connection Spread ......6....... 4...........5 ......3....... 1...........2

1. Why did you meet? King of Swords 2. What were/are you suppose to learn from the relationship? King of Wands (How to be a leader,strong,authoritative,to be bold and even competitive. How to grow and mature but still be fearless. ) 3. Why are you connected to them? Knight of Cups (Aside from them having a Soul Bond...Out of love an affection,strong emotional connection) 4. What did/do you gain from being connected to them? King of Pentacles (Hard work,dedication,Financial security (which is very prevalent in the next reading I do with Peter) a loyal,protective partner.) 5. What will you loose if you remove the connection? Knight of Pentacles R (Money,Ambition,start to feel a lack of motivation and missed opportunities in a sense you've lost your good luck charm. An obvious disconnection from nature,becoming bored and unadventurous.) 6. General Advice/outcome- Page of Cups ♥ (Emotionally immature to begin with the knights indicate that Peter will help Marianna mature and become more grounded. This card also indicates engagement and or pregnancy,both that do happen down the road! They must follow their instincts and sixth sense and not let others make up their minds for them. Also yes it's obvious when Peter started liking her as it was pretty obsessive but page of Cups says to be open to his advances,but be aware that once she's committed Peter will be highly sensitive to her needs,and vice versa,therefore easily upset (comes with being a territorial Werewolf...)which will end up in moodiness,but lots of compassion and cuddles on both their parts can remedy that.)

Soulmate Past life/present spread (Using My Dragon Deck) --3------6 1--2---4--5 -----7 ----8--9 -13-15--14 --10--11 ----12 You= Peter SM=Marianna Past Life 1.aspect of you- Three of Wands (Traveler,possibly somewhere hot and sunny I’m thinking a desert to India,an exciting new adventure and letting go of the past (Which ironically he needed to do in this life as well),possibly met Marianna well traveling and immigrating to India,I view him as a Seer in that life as well.) 2.aspect of sm (soulmate)-6 of Swords (breaking away from her family,maybe she was indian royalty and wanted to get away from the turbulence and restrictions,traveled overseas,possibly where she met Peter on the way,he became her spiritual guide through these dark times and taught her how to meditate.) 3.outcome- Ace of Pentacles (Wealth,abundance,happiness,I’m thinking Peter married into her family as a Seer/advisor,where Marianna inherited a palace.) Present 4.aspect of you- King of Swords (Fearless Leader,logical,intelligent and formidable but not above coercion or bribery,an avid reader,Though there was a time when he did not think so clearly and had a troubled past (more then likely indicates the fire)  5.aspect of sm- Four of Wands (Stability,Family,protection,may indicate marriage or the soul bond) 6. Outcome (influenced by past life experience)-Ten of Wands and (Clarifier) Ten of Cups R (Connects to 6 of Swords) (The hardships they’ve both faced on their own,especially family wise,Marianna’s family left her and she was adopted,The Mccalls divorced which Mari could partially put the blame on herself by thinking she was a burden.)  Meeting 7.path to meeting (what you need to do) 5 of Swords and (Clarifier) Six of Wands (Through alot of hardships that will eventually lead to success and happiness.) 8.condition of upon meeting- Two of Pentacles and (Clairfier) The Lovers (Well I feel like Peter was going through financial hardships even though he was hoarding it...then got it stolen out from under him. Maybe The Mccalls are going through the same,I mean there’s only one parent supporting them. Love at first sight,attraction,they did meet when they were teenagers.) 9.time frame (pay attention to card number; mentions of cycles...etc...)- The Hanging Man,Number is 3,looks to be Midday,Symbol is a Triangle,Sign of Neptune and a Crescent moon. (Marianna did seem to think that love was evading her and,even though she didn’t know it att,the Peter that she saw was a spirit of sorts. It was midday when they officially met,the number 3 indicates how they should embrace their destiny instead of fight it.)  Relationship 10.potential problems- Three of Cups ( too much group socializing and partying or the group itself could affect the relationship) 11.solution- Eight of Swords with The Tower and (Clairfier) High Priestess  12.influences- The Moon (Clairfier) The Hierophant (Pretty obvious now that one of Marianna’s powers is prophetic dreams.This may also be when Peter turns her into a Were which definitely has an influence over her. Definitely Peter or even Derek or Scott,as Alpha’s or Omega’s really as Were Packs are all about control,territory and leading as well as listening to your Alpha (Which in Mari’s case would be Peter. Also Peter’s past life as Mari’s guide could influence this life as well.)  Results & Guidance 13.message from angel/spirit- The Star (A Message to both of them that after The Tower and Moon comes the calm after the storm. A release from the past,a time to be true to themselves and for others to just accept them as themselves and a couple,A great freedom and real love for each other,a karmic link.) 14.message from Goddess/God- Eight of Cups (Soul searching,leaving behind what once she or he thought they needed,for Mari I feel like this is about any lingering feelings over Stiles or in finding her biological family,In Peter I feel like this is his family from no longer trying to be accepted,of them both leaving home together and moving on.They can find what they once needed,a family,together.) 15.final outcome- Five of Wands (This is so about them leaving for The Desert,leading their own pack,living in peace for a time and then having to deal with hierarchy issues as well as The Hunters coming for them again,trying to bend them to their will or killing them,wanting Marianna’s unborn child and them standing up and not allowing this.Fighting for their freedom and supernatural justice.) 

Mother Daughter spread for Mari and Malia ..5...9...6.... <--rid of condition 1...2...3...4... <--impact ..8...10..7..... <--views 1. 1 and 2 are positive impacts. 1 is the 'what I know'- The Empress (Mari) 2. 1 and 2 are positive impacts. 2 is the 'what I don't know'- 9 of wands 3. 3 and 4 are negative impacts. 3 is the 'what I don't know'- 8 of pentacles (Malia) 4. 3 and 4 are negative impacts. 4 is the 'what I know'- 10 of pentacles 5. What to do to rid of past conditioning- 9 of cups (Mari) 6. What to do to rid of past conditioning- 3 of swords (Malia) 7. How you view entire situation- The Sun (Mari) 8. How she views entire situation- King of cups (Malia) 9. Solution/resultant of 'ridding past conditioning'. Can also be advice.- 5 of swords 10. Solution/resultant of combining views and coming to understanding. Can also be advice.- 2 of pentacles and The Tower.

Personal Destiny Spread

Card #1 describes the “present” environment or personal reality that is ripe for change. Card #2 shows the “heart of the matter,” or what the querent feels about the situation. Card #3 shows “state of mind,” or what the querent thinks about the situation. Card #4 shows “desire,” or what the querent wants from the situation. Card #5 suggests motivating challenges or opportunities that may appear in the situation. Card #6 shows how likely “getting clear of the past” is for the querent. Card #7 summarizes the outcome of the querent's efforts in creating a new personal reality. The two numerically derived “quint” cards show the influence of a higher order of understanding.

Card #1- (Marianna) The Hierophant with The Knight of Cups (Ego) (Marriage,as well as Tradition and rite of passage which makes me think of either Derek’s pack or Her and Peter’s. The Knight only confirms the marriage part as well as love and romance but also unpredictability and negotiation. Maybe the pack mentality needs to change.) Card #2- (Both) Five of Swords and The Magician (This reminds me of what happened when Alison died so this could represent the past or because I haven’t written that part yet,the future. Or since Peter wasn’t really involved in that fight,it could represent Derek and Scott setting him on fire and almost killing him.The Magician has Peter all over it!) Card #3- (Peter) The High Priestess R With Strength (Spirit) (Less aloof,seeking a relationship,more social,still vengeful but biding his time,which very much describes Peter in S2. Inner strength,needs to temper his anger,difficult for a wolf,may be facing off against an old enemy (The Argents),prideful,brave and bold on the outside,fearful on the inside,strong relationship that has weathered many storms.)  Card #4- (Peter) The Fool R With Strength (Desires Freedom from convention and responsibility. Don’t we all...But Strength indicates he may very well do something foolish to get it and not let fear hold him back.) Card #5- (Marianna) Seven of Wands with The Knight of Cups (Indicates her becoming Pack leader in Arizona along with Peter which may cause conflict between them and the group but The Knight of cups indicates that Mari’s more loving and romantic nature will come out and soften things with Peter and therefore the pack.) Card #6- Ten of Cups (Family,the birth of Malia)  Card #7- Four of Wands R and King of Wands (Going it alone,lack of stability,wanderer,seems likely this is after what happens with the hunters but it is only temporary. Both Peter and Mari take on leadership roles and are independent and assertive,once they come back together,and Peter forgives her for stealing his memories,they will enjoy a dynamic relationship once again.)

[killeret-and-the-void]

Former Sidestep, Riley Arcade

Now, super villain: Collateral Damage.

Appearance: His suit is ambiguous by design, easily lost in shadow and relying heavily on reflecting his opponents back at themselves. The visor itself acts as a one-way mirror, shaped like a triangle resting on one of its points. On the sides of the helmet toward the back there are two other shaped protrusions that make him resemble a chastised or otherwise scared animal or dog with their ears pinned back and down - this is for two reasons. One, the ‘frightened animal’ look in of itself could give him the edge of others underestimating him, and two, when paired with the mirror, his opponent will see themselves as the animal with their ears pinned so sadly back. It’s a form of soundless mocking. The are other shapes and elongations on other places of the armor as well, such as from the elbows, all to make him look more alien than human. Being human never did him any good in the past, so why make this new second skin of his anything but extraordinary? As for extra features, he requested the extra resistance to damage, and the telepathy boosters, because sometimes the best offense is a bit of defense... or at least that’s what he tells himself. Also there’s no cape (have we learned nothing from The Incredibles?).

The Name: Playing the role of a hero, he was eventually marked as dead, and easily forgotten; a victim. And for what? An organization where only one person took him seriously? He knew he was just collateral damage for the Rangers. And now he’s putting a positive connotation to the phrase because others get to feel the same way he has now for years.

Despite the name, however, he doesn’t go out of his way to put civilians in danger. He won’t go out of his way to ensure their safety, though, either. As such, his assault on the museum’s opening gala resulted in many injuries, but no casualties.

Goals: Ultimately, he wants to make a name for himself. He wants revenge against the people he feels betrayed him and made him feel unimportant. He wants to be loud, but strategic. But most importantly he wants to expel the truth of what playing the hero did to him; leaving him with irreparable scars and a tanked self esteem all for what feel like nothing.

But what about Riley himself? (Well he’s hiding under a read more. He’s safer there.)

Riley’s a bitter, bitter individual. Years of slowly working on his plan to recreate himself as the newest fearsome villain on the scene, all the while keeping completely to himself and being a nameless face in the crowd, truly did nothing to help his growing isolationism. It made him curt, socially unaware, and lonely. 

But it did help him hone in his telepathy, finding it to be his biggest ally in such a dilapidated state. It became so much easier to step out of his own hated body and adapt to the strengths and weaknesses of others, no matter their state or occupation. And along with his skills of the mind, he kept up with the latest tech and imagined what he could do and the life he could live if he just had unlimited resources.

With his mind frequently stuck in the past, he relives his trauma nearly every night and it exhausts him. But it also gives him a hell of a push to better himself. To be the person that ‘Sidestep’ couldn’t.

To be ambitious, to be meaningful, to have an achievable goal that wasn’t ‘Let’s see what civilian needs protection today’. Someone who wasn’t caught in the shadow cast by people who wouldn’t think twice about him.

But even all the most well thought out plans can have a roadblock, and Riley’s roadblock had a name: Ricardo Ortega.

Ortega, the hero, the perfect one, the former.... well, boyfriend probably wouldn’t be the word, but something close. The one he wanted to direct the brunt of his anger against but found that he couldn’t. Especially when he accidentally waltzed back into Riley’s life. With his annoyingly caring attitude.

As Collateral Damage, he treats ‘Charge’ like any other hero: an obstacle. But without the suit, Riley just becomes a conflicted mess, trapped between the parts of his past that weren’t horrible, and the knowledge that if Ortega knew what he’d become, he’d probably be disgusted. And he wants to think that it’d be a good thing, to see him as just another former friend and betrayer, but if that were the case, then why would the thought fill him with dread as it does?

So he’s stuck in a middle ground of simultaneously keeping him at an arm’s length, while also craving their old banter and the way they used to look at each other. He’d just as soon get into a yelling match with him as well as hug him mere minutes later.

And when one relationship is that complicated, it’s a no-brainer that all others must stay simple, or perhaps one might, quite frankly, implode. And that’s where Riley’s pawns come in.

Jane is the definition of Jane Doe, seen by Riley as merely a chess piece on a big board of moving pieces. Her purpose was never to be an extension of himself, and therefore any relation she has is primarily just for Riley’s eventual gain. A curious close, but strictly-business connection with Dr. Mortum, flirting with Ortega purely as a means for easy access to the gala, etc.

That being said, Jane is far from expendable, and Riley takes great caution with her safety. To keep an essential part of his plan, of course, but also (unadmittedly) because he loves the freedom of being anyone else. It’s a rush to be this attractive, charismatic woman and the play the part of someone much more assured of herself.

Unfortunately, with this new self esteemed granted by playing the part of Jane, he stumbled onto caring about another associate, who proved herself worthy of earning the title of his first henchman.

Rosie was an obvious first choice. Working together with her against the Psychopathor proved her worth, and her kindness towards Jane only bolstered her competence in Riley’s eyes. He would go as far as to say she was his first friend he’d had since his life turned to Hell - even if she’s totally unaware of his existence or the fact that they’ve met in more ways than one. But despite this, he has a strict plan to keep her, like many others, at an arm’s length away.

Of course, all plans have a habit of going to shit, but it won’t stop him from trying.

Any other interactions he’s had are more regrettable. Seeing Steel again opened up old wounds and a feeling of worthlessness, as he blames a lot of his lacking self-worth on the fact that the current marshal never even once pretended to trust him or believe in him; Herald is loved for the most obnoxious and enraging reasons (Riley loved pulling him down out of the clouds, where he seems to like to keep his head); and Lady Argent has proved to be a major thorn in his side - a fascinating and exciting one to goad, but a thorn nonetheless.

And that leaves him all with what, exactly?

The thrill of being Collateral Damage, a villain with a score to settle against the Rangers. It makes him a telepath who uses his powers to embezzle the rich and steal from their flashy, sad excuses for a ‘charity’ in which they merely show off their wealth. It makes him, himself, wealthy, and willing to use these resources to pay his growing villain circle handsomely and tinker with new advanced tech. 

It made him determined to never be a victim ever again. Not like Sidestep was.

The journey to get to that point had its hardships, however, as evidenced in the scars across his back and down his left arm, courtesy of a foolhardy one-man scuffle against a re-gene, and the dark bags under his eyes from sleepless nights.

But underneath all of that, and no many how many personas he creates, he’s still Riley. Androgynous, with a preference for lazy, baggy clothes, and a perfect unassuming face to blend into a sea of people. His earliest feeble attempt to separate himself from Sidestep and the trauma at the Farm (the half-assed dying of his hair from his natural blond to black) remained a constant, still never quite following through with dying his eyebrows, leaving them a couple shades lighter. He still has feelings for an old flame, no matter how much of a conflict of interest it is. And maybe he has a long way to go before he can balance his own identity with that of his puppet, and his public villain face....

But as far as he’s concerned? The sky isn’t even the limit anymore.

Bonus:

I figured this ‘profile’ of sorts would be naked without the Stats™. A snapshot of where he’s at at the end of Rebirth. 

(Why are those so big, Tumblr? Why?)

But fun fact, his blue vs. orange stats were more or less swapped before he made his debut as a villain. I’d like to think he was way more careless and destructive as he felt he had nothing to lose! But now he could lose everything he’s worked for so he’s toned down. At least a little.

[acoolemocucumber]

s6 relationship analysis (lance's character, angst, and faith in lgbt rep)

okay, so here's my take on s6.

i feel really odd? after watching it, i felt unbelievably sad and heartbroken, but not in a satisfying way. usually i love dramatic seasons that make me feel, but this was more of a... unfinished, prolonged grief that i felt.

i can say that this season was alright. it definitely has a lot of things i disliked and wish would improve, but overall animation and plot was... good/okay...

i'm going to skip over plot details and nitpicky little problems. i'm going to talk about relationships, because i'm definitely smarter in that area than analyzing the plot.

okay, first, allura and lotor.

in the first episode, you really can tell that they've gotten closer.

as the season progresses, they really find solace in each other and honestly, i think lotor really did love allura. but... not in the right way, not the way anybody should if they want to do it correctly. he didn't love her and put her over his morals and plan. he put his ambition over her. and as you know, he tried to kill her and the rest of her team.

but you can tell that she was dear to him for a while. unless i'm wrong and it was all an act.

i feel bad for allura. but i also feel bad for lotor. he had a rough childhood which made it tragic to see him follow his father's footsteps. that's all i have to say about it.

keith and shiro.

their relationship was a main part of this season and it'd be silly to ignore it. the fight scene between them almost got me crying. when keith said "you're my brother, i love you," it really made me feel for him. all of the flashbacks for keith were well-done.

although, i didn't expect there to be so many fake shiros in those cloning pods. it almost felt like it was too much of a fantasy, too much of a reach? it's a kids' show, i get it, but it seemed too unrealistic.

and just like pidge in s4, keith went by himself and after his long battle there weren't any questions about what happened. it felt,, unseen. it felt like it should've been touched on at least a little bit.

it was quite a big point for the plot, so to not even talk about it?

that was probably one of the biggest issues this season.

there were so many dramatic moments in this season, but once they were over, they weren't brought up again by the characters. not just this season, but really the whole show

let me give some examples:

lance sacrificing himself for coran. pidge finding matt's grave. shiro and sendak; shiro's ptsd (rarely spoken about to anyone). keith and shiro at the bom base.

now this season:

keith's battle between him and shiro. lance sacrificing himself for allura. lance being upset over allura. lance being made fun of by hunk and pidge. lance crying over shiro.

okay, you see why i'm centering around lance?

well, that's who i'm talking about next. and honestly, i'm not just going to choose a relationship between him and another character, for one reason.

whenever he's with another character, their problems are always put first. (there are exceptions, which only go back to s3, with lance seeking out keith.)

whenever he's with another character, their emotional distress is almost always put above his own.

this might be so for two reasons.

one, lazy writing. could be true.

two, that's just who lance is. we all know he's a very empathetic person, he naturally puts others' lives above his own. this is shown when he sacrifices himself to save coran and allura.

or, it's a mix of both, which is what i'm expecting honestly.

okay, well, establishing that...

lance this season was heartbroken.

if the voltron directors wanted to make me feel utterly sad and hopeless, then they did it.

not in a good way though. normally i love when characters are put through hardships, and they grow from it, but this... this was so much different.

for the ENTIRE SHOW, lance's self esteem has been lowering. i went back to watch some of the earlier episodes, and you can go back to season 2 to see where it really begins, but you can see how it keeps getting worse as time goes on.

it was so hard to watch as i continued on with each season. since lance is my favorite character, it made it even harder.

he loses a bit of his enthusiasm, and although he doesn't become a lifeless shell of a human, he is not the same.

the hardest thing about this isn't that his self esteem is low and he's depressed, it's the lack of concern from most of the team. it's the lack of addressing his issues in a healthy way.

as we watch the show, we are the only ones who know the extent of lance's insecurities. he always deals with it when he's away from the team, and i assume this is so because he's afraid the team will dislike him, and he will break his shell of bravado and confidence he's made.

EVEN SO, when the team IS around him, they never say anything. this fucking pisses me off.

as someone who has experienced similar things, being ignored and feelings made out to be less important than others, i really, really sympathize with lance. he's had signs that the team didn't pick up on, unlike other characters.

allura feeling sad? SOMEBODY is going to comfort her. pidge feeling sad? count on someone comforting her. shiro? keith?

they all had somebody to go to.

and even when lance is obviously hurting, right in front of the team, nobody goes to him. this is mostly after keith leaves.

hunk, his BEST FRIEND, and pidge, a close friend as well, only made him feel worse by mocking and making light of his pain.

his feelings are thrown under a rug, and then stepped on.

hell, even the mice made him sad by not listening to him. what the fuck?

and then there's allura and lotor.

i'm really not one to get super emotional during romances, but when lance was in the picture, or rather, excluded from the picture, i started to lose it.

he called himself a third wheel, and that he's "just a boy from cuba," and jesus christ, guys, he called himself PATHETIC.

and after all of the heartache he was put through, HE COMFORTS ALLURA.

after being essentially ignored by lotor and allura, sacrificing himself for allura and it never being brought up again, he comforts the person who was giving him the most sadness. lance literally DIED and was brought back to life.

i'm not bashing allura, but i wish she'd go to lance about his problems, rather than focusing on her own and hoping lance would reassure her.

lance didn't deserve that. he didn't fucking deserve that. he'd been heartbroken, ignored, depressed, and excluded and yet...

christ, after allura went to lance, the exact thought i had when watching her hug him and seeing his sad expression was "he's her second choice." he was made to feel like he was below lotor, like if lotor was still there, allura wouldn't have ever given him a chance. that must really fucking hurt to realize.

allura knew, after 6 seasons. finally SOMEONE knew about his low self-worth issues, and yet she ran into his arms crying about her insecurities. she knew but still ended up being the one comforted.

she should've at least talked about it to him, mentioned it, gotten it into the air that she wasn't in love with him, instead of giving him this... hope, only to be disappointed and heartbroken in the end. that's a really distressing situation, that i've also experienced, to keep getting your hopes up and having someone do it over and over until you're really tired.

i'm positive allura only sees lance as a close friend. the writers, if they aren't pulling our legs, set up their relationship so that it wouldn't make sense to put them together romantically. and right after lotor's betrayl, allura wouldn't naturally want another lover. that doesn't happen unless someone wants to distract themselves from an emotional issue, and usually it just,, doesn't happen at all. it doesn't make any sense to choose that in the story.

most of yall probably know what i'm leading up to.

yeah, lance and keith's relationship.

keith has gotten so much development, and lance has,, much less. they both have grown so much, but i really just want an episode with lance as the "main character." like keith. like keith and shiro battling, and keith and krolia having flashbacks.

this isn't to say lance hasn't gotten a lot of screentime, it's more noting that every time he really has a serious episode, he's sad and depressed. it's not healthy, it's just him being isolated and lonely. it's not as much of him growing, it's more of him becoming more and more insecure and excluded.

i just want him to be happy.

hopefully when they go back to earth, lance will be the one to step into the spotlight for a much longer time. i want him to resolve his issues, and i really just,, want lance to fall in love. i think he deserves to fall in love, after everything.

if you think lance and keith are endgame, i agree with you. there's so much evidence for it, which is a totally different post for a different time.

i really just want somebody to treat lance right for once? i want keith to give him a break, let him relax, reassure him, HUG HIM, let him talk about his feelings so he doesn't bottle them up, and just love him,,?

maybe i'm being dramatic but i see so much realism in lance as a character, his emotions, his distress; he's so realistic in that his feelings really seem the most relatable out of all of the characters in the show.

i just feel so bad for him,,? he said, while allura hugged him, that he was a person who "made a million mistakes." he is way harder on himself than most of the paladins, i think. lance isn't a bad person, but he thinks he could do better, when he's already kind to others. he cried over shiro because he BLAMED HIMSELF. imagine having someone's death on your shoulders, and just breaking down.

if yall know korra, then you know that this show is most likely going to do something similar to how korra's relationships in the love triangle went. although it is way more different because allura doesn't reciprocate lance's feelings unlike korra and her first boyfriend. i think lance is going to find something he loves more in keith than in allura. i think they're going to keep progressing in that keith really listens to lance, unlike the other members of the team.

i think in the last season of voltron, lance and keith are going to be together. seriously, there's wayyy too much evidence for it not to happen. if they say no queerbait, then klance is the only slowburn romance we can count on. lance is going to fall in love, that is confirmed, but if you look at allura... she doesn't see him romantically, although they do share a very close bond now. allura and lance's relationship is not slowburn. it's a crush that was already established at the beginning of the series. that isn't how slowburns normally start. lance and keith went from rivals, to friends, to... a rather hard to determine admiration. lance was visibly happy when keith was on screen. it was also hinted that lance's sexuality arc is an undertone to s6, and it might be a reach but, the scene with hunk saying something about lance and allura... lance blushed when he mixed up hunk and allura. he seems very distraught about it, and has been repressing it for a while. after moving on from allura, he's going to realize his feelings.

as a bi person, my experiences have been similar. i dated the opposite sex, and it took me a long time to get over, but afterwards i realized my sexuality. it's almost like the person i dated, since they were straight, was blocking out my growth as a person and me realizing my orientation.

i'm sure this is what is happening for lance. i was in denial for a while when thinking about the same sex, and was trying to repress it by being defensive when anything "gay" was rolled my way. it's common to try to hide it, and to be unsure when you're crushing on the opposite sex. normally, you'd think you're straight until you have a chance to look around and realize who you are.

i have hope that klance is going to happen.

just,, remember that thing lauren montgomery drew with lance holding a lgbt sign. don't doubt it. have faith, guys. i'm positive we're going to get representation. that's like, the one thing i'm sure about this show. yeah, it has a lot of problems that make me upset, but next season is an odd number so if i rely on the theory that all odd seasons are better then I'VE GOT HOPE.

so, this thing is almost over, and the only way to ease my pain is to write it out. if you disagree with some things, cool. just don't attack me. if you agree, cool, suffer and hope along with me.

tl;dr - this season was okay, i have a lot of issues that revolve around lance's mental health. i want him to be happy. lgbt rep is going to happen.

if u read all this, DAMN. good for u.

✌️

[ellanainthetardis]

Enter the in-laws...

[ff] or [ao3]

Chapter 47 : The Dragon’s Lair

“Remind me why I have to go with you again?” Haymitch winced as Effie lined the pink convertible car up the curb. The moment she turned off the ignition he stopped clinging to his seat.

He had never known she could drive before because the Capitol always provided cars and Avox drivers for them during the Games and the Tour. Those privileges had ended when they had left the penthouse though and, unless it was for an official matter when a car would be sent to collect them, they were left either ordering a private car with driver from an obscure company or driving the – very – pink convertible Effie kept secreted away in the underground garage of her apartment building.

He wasn’t exactly a fan of her driving style. She clearly liked speed and abrupt jerking of the car into a line or another.

“Because…” she snapped – for the third time that evening – pulling down the sun visor to check her reflection in the small rectangular mirror. “I cannot avoid Mother anymore and she has expressly ordered me to bring you with me.” She popped the visor back into place and flashed him a confident smile that seemed very fake to him. “You are the Capitol’s darling right now, it should grant you some leeway. Just… Don’t bite when she baits.”

She climbed out of the car before he could object one more time that he really didn’t want to do this. Being officially introduced to her family during a dinner that seemed so formal he had been forced to wear an expensive suit and a tie wasn’t exactly his idea of fun. And with the Tour just around the corner, he really didn’t need any more hardship.

He supposed her parents had a point in wanting to meet him though. Things were different in the Capitol but if they had been in Twelve… It was only natural to want to know the man who was living with their daughter.

Even if it would mean a whole evening of torture – Effie had warned him not to expect any less.

With a sigh, he got out of the car, not forgetting the bottle of wine he had been tasked with carrying, and inspected the huge house while she locked the convertible and made the keychain disappear in her small clutch. It looked… very neat. White walls, gleaming black door with a golden number on top and a door-knocker shaped like a roaring lion.

Effie’s hand slipped into his and squeezed.

“I am sorry for dragging you into this.” she offered. “They won’t be pleased once they understand we are serious about… Well…”

“Being together for better or for worse?” he snorted, brushing his thumb against the iris shaped ring. It was half hidden by a monstrous pear shaped diamond. On purpose, he figured.

She looked a little nervous and it didn’t help making him feel at ease. He knew her family wasn’t exactly all warm and fuzzy but he didn’t like the spark of panic he could see dancing in her eyes. This was something she would really have avoided if given a choice.

“Come on.” he smirked, nudging her shoulder with his and steering her up the small alley that led to the porch stairs. “We faced worse sponsors, yeah?”

“I am not sure, truth be told.” she whispered, clutching her small purse so hard her knuckles went white. “You must understand… I am not in any habit of bringing my boyfriends home. I only did that a couple of times.”

“That bad?” he asked, distracted by how imposing the house was once you stood directly in front of the door. Not that he was impressed but it was clearly meant to make the visitors feel crushed by its greatness. Capitols and their need to establish their position…  

“The ones who didn’t fall in love with Lyssa usually ended up agreeing with my mother just to please her.” she gritted through her teeth. “And my mother loves nothing more than criticizing me.”

He shot her a disbelieving glance, unhappy to notice she seemed to be shrinking on herself. “Yeah, well… At least with me you know you’re safe from that, sweetheart.”

Her smile was small but amused. She lifted her hand to knock and then let it fall, biting down on her bottom lip. “How do I look?”

He gave her a lazy once-over. She had a red dress on, a short little number made out of crisscrossing broad bands of fabric that formed thicker patches in the right areas and showed off some triangles of skin here and there at her waist, shoulders and back. She knew he liked it on her even if he had never really admitted as much aloud. The heels were impossibly high shiny red  things that made her legs look even longer. The wig was a dark blue, almost black, bob trimmed with gemstones - it was also a favorite of his because unlike her colorful numbers this one could have actually looked natural. And the make-up was just over the top as usual, her skin had golden hues, the thick fake eyelashes adorned with smaller gemstones looked heavy and the navy blue lipstick was too dark for his liking. And, of course, there was the open voluminous fur coat he would never run out of jokes about.

“Ugly as ever.” he mocked.

Instead of whacking his shoulder and narrowing her eyes at him though, she looked worried and immediately started fumbling with his tie as if it needed urgent straightening.

“Do not joke about this tonight.” she begged. “I need to know if something is wrong with my appearance before I enter the dragon’s lair because…”

“Nothing’s wrong, sweetheart.” he frowned, gently wrapping his hand around hers and nudging them away from his tie. “It’s gonna be fine.”

“I will consider it fine if there are no murders.” she muttered. “Whatever you do, do try not to antagonize my father before I  have secured the country house.”

Before he could answer that, she used the door-knocker. The door opened so quickly he was sure the man had been standing right there the whole time, ready to make them look like fools who had dawdled in front of the house for no good reason.

The butler – he assumed he was a butler – respectfully bowed at them with a quiet “Good evening, Miss; Good evening, Sir.” that immediately made Haymitch uncomfortable. Avoxes, he knew how to deal with by now, but members of staff… He always felt awkward around them, not sure how to act.

“Thank you, Jenkins.” Effie answered, handing the man her coat as if it was completely natural. Haymitch followed her lead after a small hesitation.

“Euphemia!” a woman exclaimed with obvious theatrics, appearing in the hallway with enough flair that she must have rehearsed her entrance. “At last! I am very crossed with you. One would think you were cutting off your own mother.”

Elindra Trinket looked every bit the stereotypical Capitol he had expected her to be. Puffy turquoise blue hairdo, outrageous make-up, a face and a body so pumped with plastic it was difficult to say what she had originally looked like and an outfit that would have been more appropriate on someone ten years younger.

“What in Panem are you wearing?” the woman hissed, swooping on them only to walk in a wild circle around Effie, apparently horrified by her outfit. “I did say it would be a family dinner but, still, I expected you to make an effort. Lyssa is wearing the most darling evening gown. Do ask her for her stylist’s address.”

“Don’t blame her. I chose her dress.” he cut in with clenched teeth, angry at the way Effie took everything on the chin without even trying to protest, as if she was not only expecting the dressing-down but also somehow thought she deserved it. “I happen to like it.”

Effie looked up at him with wide incredulous – and maybe slightly reproachful – eyes but he kept his attention on her mother. He knew how to recognize a threat and that woman was one. Not a physical danger, maybe, because he could have snapped her neck in record time but she was obviously a menace.

Blue eyes identical to Effie inspected him from head to toe in very much the same fashion he had studied the house. Displeasure and loathing flashed on her face but it was so quickly hidden behind a polite curious interested mask Haymitch could have almost believed he had dreamed it.

“There is no accounting for taste, I suppose.” the woman answered after a few seconds, in a controlled voice in which harshness clearly peaked. “I am delighted to meet you, Haymitch. You do not mind if I call you by your first name, do you? After all… You are a special friend of the family now.  It is such an honor to have you over for dinner… Why, the two-times Quarter Quell victor… My friends are quite jealous. I promised them I would organize some sort of get-together soon. I was confident you would not mind.”

“Really, Mother, that’s…” Effie hissed.

“Quiet, Euphemia.” the Capitol interrupted. “Mind your manners.”

Haymitch felt such a wave of fury that he found it wiser to simply hand over the bottle of wine he had selected and carried under Effie’s instructions – despite the fact it had been torture to choose it, but he had walked into the store and he had come back without having touched a drop, leaving the tasting to her, and there was some pride to find there.

“How very thoughtful!” the woman exclaimed, immediately passing the bottle to the butler who was lurking nearby, probably for this exact purpose. “Jenkins, see that this wine is served with the roast. Now, follow me to the living-room. We were having some amuse-bouches.”

He grabbed Effie’s hand and tugged her closer to his side as they walked behind her mother, leaning in to whisper in her ear. “Wouldn’t discount murder, after all.”

“If you try to defend me every time, you will spend the night arguing with her.” she warned. “It is easier to let it go.”

“No, it’s not.” he scowled, squeezing her fingers.

There were more people in the living-room than he had expected. Mrs Trinket graciously waved them in, placing a falsely affectionate hand on Haymitch’s shoulder as he passed. “You are already acquainted with Lyssandra and her husband Rufus Flavershym, I believe?”

“Yeah.” he answered, smiling at Lyssa and nodding a little less genuinely at the man with the slicked back black hair who he had crossed path with once or twice when the guy had been playing Gamemaker. Effie hated his guts and that was good enough for him. He turned to the other man who was currently sitting in a white armchair, his pale blue eyes watching him. “You must be Effie’s dad.”

He knew he was violating every rule of good society but he rejoiced in it. He had listened to Effie rant enough times to know he was supposed to wait after being introduced to call out to someone. It wasn’t because he pretended to be deaf to her lectures that he didn’t remember a few things.

Effie visibly tensed next to him.

“An astute observation.” the man chuckled without any amusement, gracefully standing up from his chair to outstretch a hand. “Tadius Trinket. You may call me Tadius if you wish.”

It wasn’t an open invitation to do so but Haymitch shook the hand and took great pleasure in repeating the man’s name as if he had known him forever. Those people were already irking him and he would delight in pressing their every button.

Lyssa cut through the obvious tension by embracing her sister with genuine warmth and then air kissing Haymitch’s cheeks as if they were long lost friends. Followed a few minutes of chaos when Effie greeted everyone properly only to latch on his hand again as soon as she was able to. He wasn’t sure how they ended up sitting on a couch or how he ended up being forced to eat disgusting slimy things he was quickly informed were snails with garlic.

“So refined.” he deadpanned.

It was unlucky Elindra mistook it for a compliment.

The conversation remained strictly limited to the weather, Lyssa and Rufus’ sons and the new art exhibit that would soon open. Haymitch didn’t speak unless spoken too, slightly taken aback by what appeared to be, for all intent and purposes, a well-rehearsed play in which everyone knew their lines and when best to deliver them. Effie remarked on how cold it was getting, Lyssa observed it had been colder the previous year, Rufus sighed with obvious regret and lamented that the Controlled Weather Center wasn’t better supervised, Elindra agreed with her son-in-law wholeheartedly and asked how his dear – and notably wealthy – parents were doing. At that point, Tadius redirected the conversation on his grandsons’ school success.

Everything seemed so cold and distant… Even the decoration looked that way. Classy – or what Capitols considered classy – but austere, lacking any warmth… The style was so clean and white he understood why Effie was so obsessed with putting colors everywhere. She was such a cheerful positive warm person it was chilling to realize she had been forced to grow up in that kind of environment.

The only real mishap happened when Haymitch refused a flute of champagne and Mrs Trinket seemed to take it as a personal affront. Despite his insistence that he didn’t need a drink, she persisted in having a maid fetch him some liquor-free cocktail, making such a great show of it not being a problem that it was obviously meant to make Haymitch feel like a nuisance.

Effie was embarrassed but he couldn’t quite tell on whose behalf.

It was almost amusing, the way they treated him. He was a victor – not just any victor either but the current one and a two-times Quell winner at that – and it conferred him a certain status they couldn’t just dismiss. He was famous after all and in fashion - two things they revered. However he was also from a District and very much not from their world and yet he was standing with their sister-in-law or daughter as if he was her equal and it clearly riled them up the wrong way. The only one who treated him fairly was Lyssa, something Effie seemed both grateful for and a bit suspicious of.

He was relieved when they were invited to pass into the dining-room but it was short-lived. It seemed they had exhausted all the safe topics and the conversation was now turning to the Games. Elindra and Tadius were presiding and he was sitting between Lyssa and her mother, facing Effie. Although given how wide the table was, she could have been sitting at the other end of the country. He couldn’t touch her, he couldn’t really discreetly talk to her…

They were on their own and he was sure the separation had been on purpose.

“When does the Tour start again?” Rufus asked Effie who didn’t look thrilled to be sitting next to him.

“In two weeks.” she answered evenly, cutting the tomatoes in her salad in small pieces.

“You must be impatient to go back home, Haymitch.” Tadius remarked casually. “You have been away for a long time. You will stay in Twelve at the end of the Tour, I assume?”

“That’s not really the idea, no.” he denied. “I’m coming back with Effie.”

The announcement was followed by a small displeased silence that Effie abruptly put an end to by clearing her throat. “The Tour promises to be grand, this year. Be sure not to miss it.”

Haymitch’s mood darkened even more with that comment. It had been made clear to them that the Tour wouldn’t be like the previous one but would go back to being what it usually was: propaganda. Riots and rebellions must have been subdued for good in the Districts because the schedules and instructions Effie had been given included sightseeing and greet and meet with other victors as well as speeches and the usual dinners with the mayors. He wasn’t looking forward to it. At all.

“You must be so happy to retire on two victories…” Lyssa replied, smiling at her sister. “I am really proud of you, Effie.”

Effie smiled back and Haymitch dared hope that this would be the end of that but as soon as the ballet of maids had taken away the empty plates and replaced them with others full of roast and – admittedly – delicious looking vegetables, Elindra attacked again. “I heard through the grapevine you had taken a job for Lavello Miclay, dear?”

Effie briefly met Haymitch’s eyes and there was a note of warning in there that told him he was supposed to stay out of the conversation. He focused on cutting his meat. He knew she had agreed to go on the catwalk as a guest model for some stylist the following spring… He didn’t quite care. She liked modeling, it made her happy and it wasn’t like it was any of his business.

He also knew what it was she really wanted to do next and he knew why Harwyn invited her to lunches and dinners so often – it was possible the stylist had mentioned it to him and requested he tried to out-stubborn her on the question – but Effie refused any discussion on the matter.

It wasn’t like she could hide her sketches from him. Not when it was something she liked to do on the quiet nights when they were watching TV or when he was reading a book… She had pads full of dresses, suits, outfits and the likes… He wasn’t certain how Harwyn had gotten his hands on them but he knew the man thought she could do something with them. Except she was determined to dismiss them as a mere hobby that didn’t deserve any attention.

“That’s true.” she confirmed. “Although it has not been officially announced yet.”

“Effie…” Elindra sighed with tangible frustration and a touch of disappointment. “You should know better, darling. You are thirty-five now… Who keeps modeling at thirty-five? They will turn you into a joke if you are not careful…”

“What’s her age got to do with anything?” Haymitch growled, irritated on her behalf. “She’s more gorgeous than any of those other chicks.”

Mrs Trinket recoiled a little, clearly not used to being addressed that way.

“Love makes you blind.” Rufus laughed but quickly backtracked when his wife glared at him. “No offence, Effie, you are lovely. But those models… Why, I am always impressed by how many beautiful girls there are in the city…”

“Might be ‘cause your city wouldn’t know beautiful if it knocked it on the head.” he spat.

“Haymitch, enough.” Effie snapped quietly.

He glared at her, not keen on being scolded like a child in public. “Easy, sweetheart.”

She pursed her lips and narrowed her eyes at him before turning her gaze to her mother. “Your concern is touching, Mother, but I know what I am doing. Thank you.”

“You intend to go back into modeling, then?” Tadius clarified with obvious disinterest, as if she had just expressed a wish to take up pottery classes.

“Do not be preposterous.” Elindra objected. “She cannot. She is too old. No… Now she is going to do the sensible thing and settle down with a nice husband.” The woman waved a dismissive hand toward Haymitch. “No offense, Haymitch, but this affair cannot last forever, you surely realize. It is all well and good for now but I am fairly sure you are both aware it will have to end sooner rather than later.”

Haymitch kept his features schooled into a blank sort of detachment.

He had expected an intervention of some kind but maybe not such an open one. It lacked subtlety. They must either be very scared of Effie being reckless enough to intend to make it permanent or very fed up with her ignoring them for so long.

“Mother.” Lyssa winced. “I really do not believe…”

“It is not for you to believe or not.” Elindra scolded. “We are all civilized reasonable people here, after all.”

“Are we?” he scoffed.

“For the most part.” the woman huffed, leaving no doubt as to whom the other part referred to.

“Actually…” Effie hummed, after neatly crossing her fork and her knife in her mostly empty plate. “I do intend to work in the fashion field once more.”

“Not as a stylist.” Elindra begged, her worries suddenly switching course. “You have had that folly in your head for years and I told you times and times again…”

“I lack talent. Yes. I understood you loud and clear.” Effie interrupted her. Haymitch’s hand clenched into a fist but he forced himself to relax, filing that away for later consideration. “Faun Harwyn is looking into someone to replace the current manager of his designer house. He is retired but he keeps a keen eye on his legacy, as you all know. He wants me to take the position.”

There was a long silence. Haymitch figured she had impressed them at last.

He wondered how more impressed they would be if they knew it wasn’t just the managing Harwyn wanted her to take over, but the designing department as well. He wanted her to become the main stylist, something she kept dismissing as a joke to everyone’s growing frustration.

“That is excellent news!” Tadius congratulated her after a few seconds. “Well done, Effie.”

“Thank you, Father.” she beamed and then took such an innocent tone Haymitch immediately became mistrustful. “Oh, this reminds me… I meant to ask you if you still owned the country house?”

“I never got around to sell it.” her father confirmed with a frown. “Although I cannot vouch for the state it is in. It would need repairs, I wager. Did you want to borrow it for a party?”

The Capitol said that in the bored resigned tone of a man used to such requests from his wife and daughters.

“I was actually hoping you would rent it to me. A change of scenery is in order, something quieter but within easy reach of the city for obvious reasons… I would like to move in after the Tour.” she announced cheerfully. And, as if the news hadn’t shocked the others enough, she added with a bright smile: “With Haymitch.”

Haymitch rubbed his mouth to hide his smirk but he couldn’t help his eyes from sparkling with mirth as he met her gaze over the table. You could have heard a pin drop.

“Of course.” Tadius replied in an even voice. “I will have it ready by then.”

“Tadius!” Elindra protested in a shrill squeal.

“Yes, dear, I do believe it is time to bring in the salmon.” the man nodded, gesturing at the staff to proceed to the next course, ignoring his wife.

Lyssa quickly launched a conversation about some movie she had just seen and when Elindra tried to voice her protests, Tadius firmly and politely made her understand it wasn’t welcomed. While Elindra fumed over her untouched plate, Haymitch and Effie exchanged triumphant but amused looks.

Dinner went on like this for the next two courses and dessert – at which point Haymitch was completely full – and he was seeing the light at the end of the tunnel that had been that evening when Tadius stood up and invited him and Rufus to follow him to his study for some digestives while the ladies retreated to the living-room for some tea and light conversation.

Haymitch honestly wondered in what century those people were living in.

Effie’s small wince told him to be wary of the earlier easy compliance of her father.

This reeked of a trap he had no choice but to willingly enter.

[superdawge]

Oregairu Analysis - Who Is The Finale Girl?

Volume 12 of Oregairu is being called the “the final arc of the series” and it is FAST APPROACHING after nearly two years of waiting. I’m predicting this volume will be the first part of a 2-parter that will complete the series, with a 13th volume acting as the conclusion, and possibly another volume for a side-story or epilogue, perhaps. 

As the story currently stands and where the anime left off, Hachiman’s being in the middle of a love triangle between Yukino and Yui has finally come to a head, and Yukino’s ultimate request for the Service Club to solve is about to be revealed. It seems this final arc will finally confront Yukino’s family issues that have been built up from the very beginning of the series. After such a big set up, I’m excited to see how the three will go about using what they have learned to help Yukino resolve an issue that has pretty much defined her life up till this point. However, what I think most people are excited for is seeing which girl Hachiman ends up with in the finale. I think I know why Watari took so long to dish this volume out.

In the weeks leading up to September 20, I’ve been thinking a lot about who the finale girl should be (perhaps unhealthily so). Everyone has their “best girl” and OTPs, but looking at the journey of Hachiman and the direction and story of Oregairu, what is the most fitting conclusion for this franchise? This is my sort of analysis of the themes and progression of the story, and the possibilities of how one of my all-time favorite tales might end.

1. Yukino Route

I feel like those who are familiar with this genre of anime will be inclined to agree that the Yukino Route is the most obvious choice. Yukino is the first girl Hachiman and we as viewers encounter, and according to Tv Tropes, the First Girl Wins. Yukino is the female who carries the most narrative weight. She is the female who shares the most themes with the protagonist, has grown the most alongside him, and she is the character whose arc will serve as the final conflict of the series. It seems fitting that Yukino is the true love for Hachiman.

Their relationship, which started off rocky, has been nurtured through shared struggle, finding themselves and where they belong in this world together. While they initially had conflicting ideals, they have come to understand and appreciate each other’s sentiments. As a couple, they work. Both are reserved, and have an understanding of the world, having experienced its harshness first-hand. They are intelligent and thoughtful, quiet but honest. Not ones to put up false faces, but also thoughtful enough to be kind when needed. As far as partners go, Yukino is probably the girl who currently suits Hachiman best. Yukino also likes cats, and Hachiman owns a cat, which is a fun little thing to note. Thematically, it is fitting for the two loners, who thought themselves above romance (or perhaps undeserving of it), to fall for each other. 

HOWEVER, there is a problem with Yukino being with Hachiman as she currently is, and that is the fact that Yukino has not yet completed her character arc. As it stands, Yukino is too weak to support Hachiman as an equal. As Haruno has pointed out, Yukino has a habit of putting her feelings second on the things that matter, depriving herself of developing as an individual. Hachiman actually stunts Yukino’s growth further, being a powerful ally Yukino relies too heavily on to save her when she falters. Yukino is too afraid of harming her friends. She is afraid of pursuing Hachiman because Yui will be hurt, and does not trust that their friendship could survive if she allows herself to be selfish. This leaves her with only half-hearted preachings of honesty and changing one’s self, when she cannot even bring herself to do so. Yukino is too weak as she is, and to be with Hachiman, she must be able to defeat this weakness and grow. I believe this final arc will allow Yukino to do just that, but the question still exists... would that make her the one? 

2. Yui Route

If Yukino is Veronica, Yui is Hachiman’s Betty. Yui is the girl next door, the wholesome, sweet dream girl. Yui is Hachiman’s connection to what “normal youth” is like. She is the girl Hachiman has always dreamt of having, but convinced himself he will never deserve.

Yui teaches Hachiman to not be afraid of friendship, that he does not need to be afraid of being hurt, because genuine friendships do exist that can survive hardship. Meanwhile, Hachiman teaches Yui what it means to be a good friend, to stand up for others even when you might lose face - to be selfless and honest. Hachiman is Yui’s best end - she is made all the stronger by Hachiman’s presence. The only bad end that truly exists for Yui is one where Hachiman and Yukino are removed entirely from her life.

Like a cat and a dog, Hachiman and Yui are polar opposites but are able to co-exist. Hachiman should not get along with Yui because she represents the kind of fluffy, popular girl Hachiman used to desire but has been hurt repeatedly by. Thematically, Yui dating Hachiman would show that one can grow beyond their past traumas and create a new future for themselves by looking beyond appearances. Yui’s idealism balances Hachiman’s cynicism, and her energy brings a warmth to the cold solitude Hachiman has resigned himself to.

Thematically, Yui serves as the bond keeping the Service Club together. Her name even includes the kanji for “binding,” appropriately enough. As such, Yui’s ultimate fate heavily impacts the other two members of the club. If Yui succeeds and wins Hachiman, she risks alienating Yukino. I do not believe this will be the same the other way around, because I believe Yui is strong enough and has developed enough to accept Yukino winning. Even if Yukino wins, I believe Yui loves Yukino too much to become alienated, at least not forever. Likewise, if Yui loses and reacts poorly (I do not think she will because she is too strong), she could sour Yukino’s victory and burden her relationship with Hachiman knowing that being together cost them their friend. Basically, for any GOOD ending to occur, Yui must prove she can be strong either way to mitigate the fallout.

3. Loner Route

I’m mixed on whether this is the WORST ending, or BEST ending for Hachiman. It depends on how it’s executed. This ending is where Hachiman chooses neither girl and the series ends with Hachiman without a romance.

I think there is thematic value for this ending that can justify it. Throughout his story, Hachiman’s struggle has not necessarily been about finding love or even friendship, but just finding relationships that are genuine. He has spent years being burnt because how the people act around him have always been insincere, and every time he allows himself to get close to others, they reject him. What Hachiman needs more than anything else are relationships where nothing is hidden, where everyone’s hands are on full display and they can accept each other for their ups and their downs. This ending requires Hachiman to reject both Yukino AND Yui and remain friends. For this to work, all three must be satisfied knowing that even if it is just friendship, it is at least genuine, and that is enough. 

This ending will no doubt have repercussions on Hachiman’s relationship with the girls and both will take it very hard, but for this to be a GOOD ending, both girls must be able to be at peace with only being friends with Hachiman. I think it is also entirely possible for both girls to not be ok with Hachiman’s decision and cut ties, but it could still be positive in that at least Hachiman was honest, and the girls were honest and did not lie or pretend like rejection doesn’t bother them. 

Conclusion

Because of the high stakes for everyone involved, and that one way or another, SOMEONE will walk away hurt, I have no doubt this series will have a bittersweet ending at best. It could even be a downer ending at worst, but after everything that the characters have learned and been through, I don’t think that will happen. A downer ending would be if Hachiman is left in the exact same spot he was at the beginning (alone and unable to trust anyone, and no one caring about him). Anything else, even if someone is left hurt in the end, would at least be slightly positive because it would prove Hachiman has found others he is willing to hurt and be hurt by because he cares about them.

As for how likely each ending is, I think all three have a pretty equal chance of occurring. I can see important lessons learned for all three endings that carry a different message about the journey of Hachiman, Yukino and Yui, and I think any of the three could be a potentially satisfying end. Of course, it’s also entirely possible Watari has something else in mind for the conclusion and I’m totally off, but I think it’s going to come down to one of these three endings. 

I like all three endings equally, but if I HAD to pick one that suits the series best and will bring the most satisfying conclusion, I would choose the Yui Route. Thematically, the Loner Route fits the least because it suggests being honest can mean NO ONE wins, which I think is realistic, but not appropriate for this conclusion. Yukino’s story is about allowing yourself to desire things and being able to make choices for yourself. I think the most profound ending for her would be allowing herself to desire Hachiman, being rejected, but understanding there’s more to life than just winning and losing. I think Yui has already settled her arc of having the courage to be honest even if it might mean being rejected, so there’s nothing too much at stake for her. Hachiman loving Yui, however, would suggest he has overcome the demons of his past and can allow himself to love again, and it would be more profound if he loves a normal girl like Yui, who he has for so long denied based on his past experiences. Yukino’s best ending would be being true to herself, Hachiman’s best ending would be overcoming his past, and Yui’s best ending would simply be getting Hachiman. This opinion of mine, of course, may change depending on how Volume 12 plays out.

Who do you think will end up with Hachiman in the end (if either)? Please do let me know your thoughts, there’s nothing I’m more interested in than how others predict this fantastic series will end.

I am also eager to see if this final arc will warrant a third anime season. Usually one volume comes out to two or so episodes, so at most I would expect maybe 4 OVA episodes to be sold as a special in the future.

I hope you enjoyed reading!

Honorable Mentions

Totsuka Route - Interestingly, of all the characters, Hachiman has shown the most blatant attraction to Totsuka. Hachiman’s attraction is obviously played as a joke, as in “Hachiman hates girls, so obviously a boy will suit him better.” If I were to realistically consider Totsuka as an ending, I don’t think it’s necessarily appropriate because Totsuka has no narrative weight behind him and only acts as a support. If anything, I might even call this a Bad End because it would mean Hachiman has regressed so far into his traumas that instead of coming to terms with his faults, he has simply run off with Totsuka, which I think is the easy way out and doesn’t teach him any lessons. I think he’d certainly be happy, but it’s not a satisfying conclusion.

Iroha Route - Iroha has been pushed as being a “third candidate” for the finale girl, but I don’t think that’s where her story is going. She’s definitely important in showing another perspective of the series’ theme of hiding behind facades to protect one’s self, but I think Iroha’s story has already concluded itself with her confession to Hayama and sticking her neck out and suffering rejection. I think it showed her maturity by being honest, and realizing that her cutesy persona won’t always let her get her way. Her budding attraction for Hachiman is her sign of newfound maturation, but getting with him will not improve her in any way.

[readbookywooks]

Tyrion

They have my son," Tywin Lannister said. "They do, my lord." The messenger's voice was dulled by exhaustion. On the breast of his torn surcoat, the brindled boar of Crakehall was half-obscured by dried blood. One of your sons, Tyrion thought. He took a sip of wine and said not a word, thinking of Jaime. When he lifted his arm, pain shot through his elbow, reminding him of his own brief taste of battle. He loved his brother, but he would not have wanted to be with him in the Whispering Wood for all the gold in Casterly Rock. His lord father's assembled captains and bannermen had fallen very quiet as the courier told his tale. The only sound was the crackle and hiss of the log burning in the hearth at the end of the long, drafty common room. After the hardships of the long relentless drive south, the prospect of even a single night in an inn had cheered Tyrion mightily . . . though he rather wished it had not been this inn again, with all its memories. His father had set a grueling pace, and it had taken its toll. Men wounded in the battle kept up as best they could or were abandoned to fend for themselves. Every morning they left a few more by the roadside, men who went to sleep never to wake. Every afternoon a few more collapsed along the way. And every evening a few more deserted, stealing off into the dusk. Tyrion had been half-tempted to go with them. He had been upstairs, enjoying the comfort of a featherbed and the warmth of Shae's body beside him, when his squire had woken him to say that a rider had arrived with dire news of Riverrun. So it had all been for nothing. The rush south, the endless forced marches, the bodies left beside the road . . . all for naught. Robb Stark had reached Riverrun days and days ago. "How could this happen?" Ser Harys Swyft moaned. "How? Even after the Whispering Wood, you had Riverrun ringed in iron, surrounded by a great host . . . what madness made Ser Jaime decide to split his men into three separate camps? Surely he knew how vulnerable that would leave them?" Better than you, you chinless craven, Tyrion thought. Jaime might have lost Riverrun, but it angered him to hear his brother slandered by the likes of Swyft, a shameless lickspittle whose greatest accomplishment was marrying his equally chinless daughter to Ser Kevan, and thereby attaching himself to the Lannisters. "I would have done the same," his uncle responded, a good deal more calmly than Tyrion might have. "You have never seen Riverrun, Ser Harys, or you would know that Jaime had little choice in the matter. The castle is situated at the end of the point of land where the Tumblestone flows into the Red Fork of the Trident. The rivers form two sides of a triangle, and when danger threatens, the Tullys open their sluice gates upstream to create a wide moat on the third side, turning Riverrun into an island. The walls rise sheer from the water, and from their towers the defenders have a commanding view of the opposite shores for many leagues around. To cut off all the approaches, a besieger must needs place one camp north of the Tumblestone, one south of the Red Fork, and a third between the rivers, west of the moat. There is no other way, none." "Ser Kevan speaks truly, my lords," the courier said. "We'd built palisades of sharpened stakes around the camps, yet it was not enough, not with no warning and the rivers cutting us off from each other. They came down on the north camp first. No one was expecting an attack. Marq Piper had been raiding our supply trains, but he had no more than fifty men. Ser Jaime had gone out to deal with them the night before . . . well, with what we thought was them. We were told the Stark host was east of the Green Fork, marching south . . . " "And your outriders?" Ser Gregor Clegane's face might have been hewn from rock. The fire in the hearth gave a somber orange cast to his skin and put deep shadows in the hollows of his eyes. "They saw nothing? They gave you no warning?" The bloodstained messenger shook his head. "Our outriders had been vanishing. Marq Piper's work, we thought. The ones who did come back had seen nothing." "A man who sees nothing has no use for his eyes," the Mountain declared. "Cut them out and give them to your next outrider. Tell him you hope that four eyes might see better than two . . . and if not, the man after him will have six." Lord Tywin Lannister turned his face to study Ser Gregor. Tyrion saw a glimmer of gold as the light shone off his father's pupils, but he could not have said whether the look was one of approval or disgust. Lord Tywin was oft quiet in council, preferring to listen before he spoke, a habit Tyrion himself tried to emulate. Yet this silence was uncharacteristic even for him, and his wine was untouched. "You said they came at night," Ser Kevan prompted. The man gave a weary nod. "The Blackfish led the van, cutting down our sentries and clearing away the palisades for the main assault. By the time our men knew what was happening, riders were pouring over the ditch banks and galloping through the camp with swords and torches in hand. I was sleeping in the west camp, between the rivers. When we heard the fighting and saw the tents being fired, Lord Brax led us to the rafts and we tried to pole across, but the current pushed us downstream and the Tullys started flinging rocks at us with the catapults on their walls. I saw one raft smashed to kindling and three others overturned, men swept into the river and drowned . . . and those who did make it across found the Starks waiting for them on the riverbanks." Ser Flement Brax wore a silver-and-purple tabard and the look of a man who cannot comprehend what he has just heard. "My lord father—" "Sorry, my lord," the messenger said. "Lord Brax was clad in plate-and-mail when his raft overturned. He was very gallant." He was a fool, Tyrion thought, swirling his cup and staring down into the winy depths. Crossing a river at night on a crude raft, wearing armor, with an enemy waiting on the other side—if that was gallantry, he would take cowardice every time. He wondered if Lord Brax had felt especially gallant as the weight of his steel pulled him under the black water. "The camp between the rivers was overrun as well," the messenger was saying. "While we were trying to cross, more Starks swept in from the west, two columns of armored horse. I saw Lord Umber's giant-in-chains and the Mallister eagle, but it was the boy who led them, with a monstrous wolf running at his side. I wasn't there to see, but it's said the beast killed four men and ripped apart a dozen horses. Our spearmen formed up a shieldwall and held against their first charge, but when the Tullys saw them engaged, they opened the gates of Riverrun and Tytos Blackwood led a sortie across the drawbridge and took them in the rear." "Gods save us," Lord Lefford swore. "Greatjon Umber fired the siege towers we were building, and Lord Blackwood found Ser Edmure Tully in chains among the other captives, and made off with them all. Our south camp was under the command of Ser Forley Prester. He retreated in good order when he saw that the other camps were lost, with two thousand spears and as many bowmen, but the Tyroshi sellsword who led his freeriders struck his banners and went over to the foe." "Curse the man." His uncle Kevan sounded more angry than surprised. "I warned Jaime not to trust that one. A man who fights for coin is loyal only to his purse." Lord Tywin wove his fingers together under his chin. Only his eyes moved as he listened. His bristling golden side-whiskers framed a face so still it might have been a mask, but Tyrion could see tiny beads of sweat dappling his father's shaven head. "How could it happen?" Ser Harys Swyft wailed again. "Ser Jaime taken, the siege broken . . . this is a catastrophe!" Ser Addam Marbrand said, "I am sure we are all grateful to you for pointing out the obvious, Ser Harys. The question is, what shall we do about it?" "What can we do? Jaime's host is all slaughtered or taken or put to flight, and the Starks and the Tullys sit squarely across our line of supply. We are cut off from the west! They can march on Casterly Rock if they so choose, and what's to stop them? My lords, we are beaten. We must sue for peace." "Peace?" Tyrion swirled his wine thoughtfully, took a deep draft, and hurled his empty cup to the floor, where it shattered into a thousand pieces. "There's your peace, Ser Harys. My sweet nephew broke it for good and all when he decided to ornament the Red Keep with Lord Eddard's head. You'll have an easier time drinking wine from that cup than you will convincing Robb Stark to make peace now. He's winning . . . or hadn't you noticed?" "Two battles do not make a war," Ser Addam insisted. "We are far from lost. I should welcome the chance to try my own steel against this Stark boy." "Perhaps they would consent to a truce, and allow us to trade our prisoners for theirs," offered Lord Lefford. "Unless they trade three-for-one, we still come out light on those scales," Tyrion said acidly. "And what are we to offer for my brother? Lord Eddard's rotting head?" "I had heard that Queen Cersei has the Hand's daughters," Lefford said hopefully. "If we give the lad his sisters back . . . " Ser Addam snorted disdainfully. "He would have to be an utter ass to trade Jaime Lannister's life for two girls." "Then we must ransom Ser Jaime, whatever it costs," Lord Lefford said. Tyrion rolled his eyes. "If the Starks feel the need for gold, they can melt down Jaime's armor." "if we ask for a truce, they will think us weak," Ser Addarn argued. "We should march on them at once." "Surely our friends at court could be prevailed upon to join us with fresh troops," said Ser Harys. "And someone might return to Casterly Rock to raise a new host." Lord Tywin Lannister rose to his feet. "They have my son," he said once more, in a voice that cut through the babble like a sword through suet. "Leave me. All of you." Ever the soul of obedience, Tyrion rose to depart with the rest, but his father gave him a look. "Not you, Tyrion. Remain. And you as well, Kevan. The rest of you, out." Tyrion eased himself back onto the bench, startled into speechlessness. Ser Kevan crossed the room to the wine casks. "Uncle," Tyrion called, "if you would be so kind—" "Here." His father offered him his cup, the wine untouched. Now Tyrion truly was nonplussed. He drank. Lord Tywin seated himself. "You have the right of it about Stark. Alive, we might have used Lord Eddard to forge a peace with Winterfell and Riverrun, a peace that would have given us the time we need to deal with Robert's brothers. Dead . . . " His hand curled into a fist. "Madness. Rank madness." "Joff's only a boy," Tyrion pointed out. "At his age, I committed a few follies of my own." His father gave him a sharp look. "I suppose we ought to be grateful that he has not yet married a whore." Tyrion sipped at his wine, wondering how Lord Tywin would look if he flung the cup in his face. "Our position is worse than you know," his father went on. "It would seem we have a new king." Ser Kevan looked poleaxed. "A new—who? What have they done to Joffrey?" The faintest flicker of distaste played across Lord Tywin's thin lips. "Nothing . . . yet. My grandson still sits the Iron Throne, but the eunuch has heard whispers from the south. Renly Baratheon wed Margaery Tyrell at Highgarden this fortnight past, and now he has claimed the crown. The bride's father and brothers have bent the knee and sworn him their swords." "Those are grave tidings." When Ser Kevan frowned, the furrows in his brow grew deep as canyons. "My daughter commands us to ride for King's Landing at once, to defend the Red Keep against King Renly and the Knight of Flowers." His mouth tightened. "Commands us, mind you. In the name of the king and council." "How is King Joffrey taking the news?" Tyrion asked with a certain black amusement. "Cersei has not seen fit to tell him yet," Lord Tywin said. "She fears he might insist on marching against Renly himself." "With what army?" Tyrion asked. "You don't plan to give him this one, I hope?" "He talks of leading the City Watch," Lord Tywin said. "If he takes the Watch, he'll leave the city undefended," Ser Kevan said. "And with Lord Stannis on Dragonstone . . . " "Yes." Lord Tywin looked down at his son. "I had thought you were the one made for motley, Tyrion, but it would appear that I was wrong." "Why, Father," said Tyrion, "that almost sounds like praise." He leaned forward intently. "What of Stannis? He's the elder, not Renly. How does he feel about his brother's claim?" His father frowned. "I have felt from the beginning that Stannis was a greater danger than all the others combined. Yet he does nothing. Oh, Varys hears his whispers. Stannis is building ships, Stannis is hiring sellswords, Stannis is bringing a shadowbinder from Asshai. What does it mean? Is any of it true?" He gave an irritated shrug. "Kevan, bring us the map." Ser Kevan did as he was bid. Lord Tywin unrolled the leather, smoothing it flat. "Jaime has left us in a bad way. Roose Bolton and the remnants of his host are north of us. Our enemies hold the Twins and Moat Cailin. Robb Stark sits to the west, so we cannot retreat to Lannisport and the Rock unless we choose to give battle. Jaime is taken, and his army for all purposes has ceased to exist. Thoros of Myr and Beric Dondarrion continue to plague our foraging parties. To our east we have the Arryns, Stannis Baratheon sits on Dragonstone, and in the south Highgarden and Storm's End are calling their banners." Tyrion smiled crookedly. "Take heart, Father. At least Rhaegar Targaryen is still dead." "I had hoped you might have more to offer us than japes, Tyrion," Lord Tywin Lannister said. Ser Kevan frowned over the map, forehead creasing. "Robb Stark will have Edmure Tully and the lords of the Trident with him now. Their combined power may exceed our own. And with Roose Bolton behind us . . . Tywin, if we remain here, I fear we might be caught between three armies." "I have no intention of remaining here. We must finish our business with young Lord Stark before Renly Baratheon can march from Highgarden. Bolton does not concern me. He is a wary man, and we made him warier on the Green Fork. He will be slow to give pursuit. So . . . on the morrow, we make for Harrenhal. Kevan, I want Ser Addam's outriders to screen our movements. Give him as many men as he requires, and send them out in groups of four. I will have no vanishings." "As you say, my lord, but . . . why Harrenhal? That is a grim, unlucky place. Some call it cursed." "Let them," Lord Tywin said. "Unleash Ser Gregor and send him before us with his reavers. Send forth Vargo Hoat and his freeriders as well, and Ser Amory Lorch. Each is to have three hundred horse. Tell them I want to see the riverlands afire from the Gods Eye to the Red Fork." "They will burn, my lord," Ser Kevan said, rising. "I shall give the commands." He bowed and made for the door. When they were alone, Lord Tywin glanced at Tyrion. "Your savages might relish a bit of rapine. Tell them they may ride with Vargo Hoat and plunder as they like—goods, stock, women, they may take what they want and burn the rest." "Telling Shagga and Timett how to pillage is like telling a rooster how to crow," Tyrion commented, "but I should prefer to keep them with me." Uncouth and unruly they might be, yet the wildlings were his, and he trusted them more than any of his father's men. He was not about to hand them over. "Then you had best learn to control them. I will not have the city plundered." "The city?" Tyrion was lost. "What city would that be?" "King's Landing. I am sending you to court." It was the last thing Tyrion Lannister would ever have anticipated. He reached for his wine, and considered for a moment as he sipped. "And what am I to do there?" "Rule," his father said curtly Tyrion hooted with laughter. "My sweet sister might have a word or two to say about that!" "Let her say what she likes. Her son needs to be taken in hand before he ruins us all. I blame those jackanapes on the council—our friend Petyr, the venerable Grand Maester, and that cockless wonder Lord Varys. What sort of counsel are they giving Joffrey when he lurches from one folly to the next? Whose notion was it to make this Janos Slynt a lord? The man's father was a butcher, and they grant him Harrenhal. Harrenhal, that was the seat of kings! Not that he will ever set foot inside it, if I have a say. I am told he took a bloody spear for his sigil. A bloody cleaver would have been my choice." His father had not raised his voice, yet Tyrion could see the anger in the gold of his eyes. "And dismissing Selmy, where was the sense in that? Yes, the man was old, but the name of Barristan the Bold still has meaning in the realm. He lent honor to any man he served. Can anyone say the same of the Hound? You feed your dog bones under the table, you do not seat him beside you on the high bench." He pointed a finger at Tyrion's face. "If Cersei cannot curb the boy, you must. And if these councillors are playing us false . . . " Tyrion knew. "Spikes," he sighed. "Heads. Walls." "I see you have taken a few lessons from me." "More than you know, Father," Tyrion answered quietly. He finished his wine and set the cup aside, thoughtful. A part of him was more pleased than he cared to admit. Another part was remembering the battle upriver, and wondering if he was being sent to hold the left again. "Why me?" he asked, cocking his head to one side. "Why not my uncle? Why not Ser Addam or Ser Flement or Lord Serrett? Why not a . . . bigger man?" Lord Tywin rose abruptly. "You are my son." That was when he knew. You have given him up for lost, he thought. You bloody bastard, you think Jaime's good as dead, so I'm all you have left. Tyrion wanted to slap him, to spit in his face, to draw his dagger and cut the heart out of him and see if it was made of old hard gold, the way the smallfolks said. Yet he sat there, silent and still. The shards of the broken cup crunched beneath his father's heels as Lord Tywin crossed the room. "One last thing," he said at the door. "You will not take the whore to court." Tyrion sat alone in the common room for a long while after his father was gone. Finally he climbed the steps to his cozy garret beneath the bell tower. The ceiling was low, but that was scarcely a drawback for a dwarf. From the window, he could see the gibbet his father had erected in the yard. The innkeep's body turned slowly on its rope whenever the night wind gusted. Her flesh had grown as thin and ragged as Lannister hopes. Shae murmured sleepily and rolled toward him when he sat on the edge of the featherbed. He slid his hand under the blanket and cupped a soft breast, and her eyes opened. "M'lord," she said with a drowsy smile. When he felt her nipple stiffen, Tyrion kissed her. "I have a mind to take you to King's Landing, sweetling," he whispered.

[wasejou-blog]

A sudden proposal from a Sheik

シークはいきなり求婚中！　「俺の嫁」って私がですかっ？

Story by Iori Mina      Illustrations by Etou Kira

Note: I haven't proofread this......A LOT of it might sound weird.

Prologue

Yasmine looks up to the sky. There, was the sky like a velvet cloth woven across the sky that it was almost scary. There is still a bit of blue at the foot of the mountain but at the top it’s completely dark.

After a while, once her eyes got used to it, in the dark a twinkle started to shine. Millions and billions of stars spread across the dark sky like diamonds collect from her father’s mine.

Above her head, stars gathered together and shone like water flowing down a stream. It’s the milky way.

Yasmine is lying on top of a large floater, floating on the surface of the water. On the floater were rugs and blankets spread all over making it soft like a bed.

The refreshing desert wind whistles across the night water’s surface. The man-made pond in the central area of the palace was at complete silence. Made from blocks of marble cut precisely, the pond was filled with crystal clear water that came from underground. As it was night time, the foundation was not running. The water surface was still.

As if the silence was like a mirror. That silent water surface reflected the palace that surrounded it. The giant chalk-white maze like palace was praised to be the continent’s most beautiful.

As it was late at night, the last trace of human presence disappeared. With that, it is like the illusion of being thrown into a world where everyone disappears while floating on the silent water.

There were campfires burning in the surrounding. That fire occasionally hissed while it flickered.

ーAahh, this feels great, Yasmine thought. The soft feeling was like lying on a cloud. She rolls to her right then to the left, with every move the floater swayed a little. “Hehe…this is fun…”

The water bobbed up and down as Yasmine moved around on the floater, as if like a fat cat’s belly.

“This is so mysterious. Even though this is made out of cloth it doesn't sink. Its like magic.”

“Yasmine…Yasmine!! How is it?”

The voice came from the edge of the pond. Yasmine raises her head a little and looked over to see a man’s figure at the edge of the marble.

He was a really tall and handsome man. A red and white checkered keffiyeh, that was made out of silk and fastened by agal, covered his silky like hair as it flutter in the night wind. On top of that, his well muscled limbs was covered by a pure white kameez that was made from a mixture of linen and silk.

The elegant clothes he wore flutter once again as the wind blew. Underneath the delicate clothes, Yasmine could tell there was a sturdy body. If anything, the clothes emphasised his well built body.

And on those shoulder was a handsome face. Its like a piece of art that was created by a master artist from empire of the ancient times.

It’s marvallous.

The beauty that even now as his wife, Yasmine gazes at without second thought. The gorgeous tanned skin. And its like he's full of life and has strength that can control a horse in the wilderness.

“Oi, I asked how is it?” As Khaled called out impatiently, Yasmine quickly hid the fact that she charmed by him.

“I…..Its….really…good. Its as expected of your Highness Khaled. Did you learn how to make this when you were studying in the West?”

Yasmine rolls around and pats the soft blankets.

“Indeed. In the West, maybe because its always raining in that country…they established the technique of using a special type of oil and applying it on to fabric to make raincoats water repellent. So applying that technique, I made the floater. It’s not for leisure use, if its proven practical it’ll be added to our country’s naval military power.”

“Ah…Why must men always talk about war. How about we line up a few of these floaters and enjoy the calm pond like this? That seems to have much more meaning to it”

“If it weren't for our military protecting us, we wouldn’t be able to do this. To maintain this peaceful lifestyle it requires effort.”

As soon as Khaled finished his sentence he suddenly removes his keffiyeh and throws it aside. The campfires burning along the sides of the palace lit up the outline of his remarkable body.

And the next moment Yasmine heard a big splash. It appeared that Khaled had jumped into the pond, causing the floater to rock.

“Kyaa…”

Yasmine grips on to the edge of the floater. For a while, silently on the water she waited until she gain control again.

“Your Highness Khaled? Your Highness Khaled!”

“Yes?” As he bursts out from the depth of the water. Although it might just be his good reflexes, he easily climbs on to the swaying floater.

Like that, he comes next to Yasmine and lies down with his arms and legs spread open like a starfish.

“Hmm…This does have a good feeling to it. It definitely seems like if we made many of these, everyone would enjoy it. While floating in the calm sea and gather shellfishes….Everyone will be come relaxed and no one will think of war”

“Geez…Your Highness Khaled! Do you know how deep this pond is? Jumping in at this time of the night…. You're the next leader of this country. If something happened, I wouldn’t know what to do”

As Khaled thought she going to lie down next to him, Yasmine hits his chest with her fists.

“I’ve heard stories about people drowning from sudden cramps, even if they’re always swimming in the lake everyday.”

“…I…there’s no if when this is me we’re talking about”

“That’s just over self confident!” and faces the other way.

Khaled hugs Yasmine from behind and mutters.

“Yasmine. My Yasmine. My sweet sweet Yasmine. Please cheer up. Come on look, looking at such a beautiful night sky filled with stars, what does it remind you of?”

“Night sky…….stars…Ah..!” Yasmine turns around to face Khaled.

“I…know this sky…”

“That’s right. It’s that ‘Soukyuu Room’ from when we first met. That room is designed as a sky map of what you can see from the central area of this pond. It was exactly during summer solstice so its around the same time as today.”

“Hmm…is that so? Ah! That’s Sagittarius and next to it is Caph. This and that star makes the summer triangle….”

For some reason Yasmine couldn't find the words to continue the conversation.

“What’s wrong Yasmine? Why are you crying?”

Khaled gently held Yasmine and brought his face closer, like a puppy trying to comfort his master. Doing such a thing so effortlessly is what makes him so great.

“Being able to gaze at the stars so leisurely in such a wonderful place…is something I wouldn't have imagined a year ago. Being surrounded by stars and seeing the summer triangle. It feels like I’ve been on a long journey” Yasmine mutters as she quietly sobs.

“That’s right”

Because Khaled had been holding on Yasmine tightly, it felt as if they were one from the start.

“It’s been a very, very long journey…I’ve finally made it to your embrace. I’ve walked a really long path…”

“Good work, Yasmine. Your journey ends here. I’ve been waiting for you this whole time but we keep missing each other. No matter how much I chased after you, you were like water that slips through my hands”

“For me, I couldn't even imagine things like you”

“Oh? How mean of you”

“But its true! How matter how much of a girl I was, no one would dream about the sheik of Raira coming to get a girl from the slums. That’s unrealistic”

“I’m the legendary genie, Khaled. Be it dreams or reality, they make no difference to me. I’ll even leap through time to reach you”

The far campfires made everything seem dark. But Yasmine could tell he was had his usual serious look on.

“I love you, my Yasmine”

“……”

The words were like an arrow, shooting straight through Yasmine’s heart.

“What’s wrong?” As he watched with his eyes that glistered in gold from the campfire.

“…nnn…..Stupid! Don’t tell me that now. It’s embarrassing…”

Yasmine felt her cheeks flush like some fired up metal. Although it was embarrassing, somewhere in her heart she felt happy. To hide her embarrassment, Yasmine turned her back to Khaled.

That is when Khaled used his strong arms and made Yasmine face him again.

“I’m serious. I’m always thinking about. I love you. I’ll say it however times it takes. My journey started from the point I met you and it hasn’t ended yet.”

“It hasn't ended…?”

Yasmine felt the restlessness in his words. He is the prince of the desert kingdom called Raira and the person who has the facial features the women of this country desire. He might be lacking a bit in expressions but he's definitely a good man.

Yasmine would wonder if Khaled would throw her away like a book he’s finished reading. Yasmine felt sting in her heart. She bites on her lip and hides her face.

‘A boring person like me can only be a stepping stone…’ Yasmine thinks to herself.

“That’s not true. You’re always quick to degrade yourself. My journey involves holding your hand through to the years they turn wrinkly like a dried prune. That’s all I wanted to say.”

“Your highness Khaled…”

“Don’t use ‘Your highness’ with me.  I’m your husband and you’re my wife. Don’t add such boring words between two who love and are loved.”

Khaled holds Yasmine’s face between his hands to face him and plants a kiss on her lips. As his hair was still a bit wet a droplet of water drips down.

“Ahh…Khaled. Khaled…I really like you. I like you so much that I don't know how I survived without you before….”

“It’s the same for me Yasmine. Even a second without you feels like a thousand years.”

Yasmine felt a shudder at a touch on tip of her tongue.

“I wonder why god split us into two? If we were made as one then our hearts wouldn’t have to sway so much.”

“Probably so when we meet again once overcome our difficulties and hardships, we would feel the joy many times stronger.”

“Khaled….”

He lowers his lips to Yasmine’s lips once again and bites it. Then gently pecks on her cute nose and her eyelids.

“It’s wet…This crybaby…you were crying again weren’t you?”

“Ufufufu please excuse me. Whenever I’m with you, my heart sways like the leaves on a tree.”

“Don’t imagine stupid things. There’s no way I would let go of this small hand.”

As he said that, he moves his hand in the dark reaches for Yamine’s hand. As he brings her hand to his chest and gently squeeze it, he plants a kiss on her forehead.

His kisses are always full with kindness and love. At the same time Yasmine felt like she was being penetrated by an impact from head to toe. And once again, Yamine’s eyes started to well up with tears and her chest started to burn.

“Khaled! Khaled…!”

She wrapped her thin arms around his neck and clung to him frantically. Going in and deepening their kiss. He accepts the kiss. Just by that it rapidly sent tingles through her body.

His lips creep down her neck. Just by that her skin all over her body trembled.

“Your body is so hot, I can tell you’re burning up. Every inch of your body is so hot….ah…”

“It’s because it being lit up by your flame.”

Tearing off the thin silk Yasmine was wearing, Khaled lowers his lips to the top of her cleavage.

“Aa…Ha..ah……ha…..ah….n….”

As she’s writhing and pushing her chest out, he starts to sink lower as his tongue reaches further.

“Ah…it’s so beautiful. Underneath your beautiful white breasts is your heart beating away. When I touch them like you breasts like this, your heart pounds. How precious…”

First post. 

So this one is just a sample, I don't think I'll be buying it or translating the rest of it. So if you want to know the rest.....sorry! So this isn't the whole prologue but I don't want to translate the rest of the sex scene when I don't see myself continuing this story....so if you want to know what happens....I can put a break down of their sex.....later.......