#they must give us fairies in the next EP

[obscurus-noctem]

Elderly fae 🌿

hat & dress / shoes (TSR) / vines / hair / wings (TSR) / eyes

[glorious-sunset]

LBFAD Closing Artwork – Hidden Meanings, Part 1

Like the opening art, the closing artworks in LBFAD (Love Between Fairy and Devil) hold many significant hidden meanings! The images tell a story and are grouped into themes central to the show. Here are my interpretations of these extremely clever works of art! (Images 1-4 discussed here).

Image 1: Orchid’s Sacrifice (image above)

The Heart-hiding hairpin and flower petals slowly fall to the ground next to the Zhengying sword. These are all that remain of Xiao Lanhua (XLH) after her sacrifice on the Xuanxu realm battlefield in ep. 31. Her sacrifice is true to the theme of selfless love, a central theme of LBFAD. Prior to this, DongFang QingCang (DFQC) had (also selflessly) tried his best to break her love for him, to save her life. But nothing could ever break XLH’s love for DFQC, and her only option to save his life was to sacrifice her own life with the Zhengying sword.

But her sacrifice didn’t end there. Because she wished to bring back the 100,000 soldiers of the Moon Tribe and resurrect the fallen on the battlefield, she sacrificed not only her life but also her spirit, meaning she could never reincarnate again - the ultimate sacrifice! (In parallel, DFQC also sacrifices his life and spirit in ep. 36 for her and the three realms). As she floats in the sky, her spirit disperses and revives everyone. It’s lucky that DFQC had a fragment of her spirit within him that could be extracted - this is the only reason he was able to resurrect her.

Side notes: a) This is a parallel to opening image 1, which also portrayed love as a central theme in LBFAD. b) Flower petals are also seen when XLH fades away from DFQC’s dream sequence in ep. 32, and when she returns in ep. 33. c) Although XLH was wearing the Bone Orchid during her sacrifice, it does not appear in this image - this is because DFQC claims it. He is seen holding it in his hand as he falls comatose into his dream world after her sacrifice. On being transported back to Silent Moon Palace he still holds it in his hands (seen in ep. 32). However, the Heart-hiding hairpin and broken Zhengying sword may have been left behind in Xuanxu realm. DFQC continues to keep the Bone Orchid on his person until the very end of his life, and his own sacrifice (at which point it floats back to XLH in its original crescent moon form).

Image 2: Entanglement

Images 2-4 as a group represent the development of the relationship between DFQC and XLH. Image 2 shows the pivotal moment of their first kiss while lightning strikes. At this time, many important things happen that set the stage, the foundation, for their love to blossom (as well as for other important events!)

a) XLH restores DFQC’s body and spirit (which had been separated), freeing him from his imprisonment. Their spirits entangle with each other. In mending his spirit, she gives him a part of her own spirit, which he later uses to resurrect her. Besides his freedom being necessary to their love story, she needs his help to achieve peace between Shuiyuntian and Cangyan Sea. DFQC’s position as Moon Supreme and his actions of sending aid to Shuiyuntian, sacrificing himself to defeat Taisui and earning the Glazed Fire lost since ancient times are vital to realising this difficult goal.

b) XLH resurrects DFQC’s tree of emotions, allowing him to feel love and compassion. Allowing him to love her, empathise with both his people and his enemies, and earn the long-lost Glazed Fire of compassion.

c) XLH casts the one-heart curse on DFQC. Not only does this protect her from his initial attempt to kill her, it ensures he must constantly stay by her side, protect her and keep her happy :D His unwavering protection and attempts to restore her vitality make her fall for him. Meanwhile, being forced to accompany her and understand her enables him to fall for her. He first experiences emotions mainly through her, and this stimulates the growth of his tree of emotions. Their physical connection means he immediately knows when she is in danger and can rush to her aid. Being forced to obey her on rare occasions means he has to treat her with more respect and consideration than he might otherwise.

d) Their spiritual entanglement means that electric kisses cause body swapping! :D This is important in eps. 11-12 as while they are body-swapped, XLH comes to understand DFQC’s responsibilities and DFQC is forced to spend three whole days training her on being DFQC rather than ignoring her (as he had been doing).

Image 3: Quality time together

Building on image 2 as the foundation of their relationship, image 3 shows Arbiter Hall as the central stage for the development of their love through quality time spent together! How important is Arbiter Hall to our OTP? For XLH, it has been the only home she knows (in this life) and is filled with memories of her beloved master Siming. Siming would spend all day with her and was the dearest and most important person to her. Now DFQC has arrived and reminds her of Siming in many ways, as he takes care of her, spends time with her, listens to her attentively, blows on her morning dew to cool it down and makes flower soup for her. DFQC now becomes the dearest and most important person to her! :D

For DFQC, his time with XLH at Arbiter Hall in Shuiyuntian has such a profound impact on him, that he is able to flawlessly recreate every aspect of it in Cangyan Sea for her!! All the structures and every brick and tile are exactly the same as Arbiter Hall in Shuiyuntian, he tells her proudly. XLH can’t believe that it is a replica and not the original! “That’s impossible! This place looks exactly like Shuiyuntian” she exclaims. The days they spent together at Arbiter Hall in Shuiyuntian were the happiest and most precious of DFQC’s life. When he loses XLH, he can’t bear to live and burns his spirit to return there in his dream, this time as her husband :(

In eps. 10-19, XLH and DFQC continue to spend quality time together in the replica Arbiter Hall, where they share flower cakes and tea, and fall more deeply in love :) In fact, the set of Arbiter Hall is used in six different situations. Apart from the two in Shuiyuntian and Cangyan Sea, there is one in the Ruins of Myriad Heavens which Siming created. There are two illusory Arbiter Halls, one in DFQC’s dream and one in the illusion Ronghao created in ep. 15. Finally, DFQC moves one of the Arbiter Halls to Xishan in ep. 33 for XLH. It’s not specified which one but Arbiter Hall in Cangyan Sea is probably the easiest to move for political reasons. No wonder Arbiter Hall is the first location we see in the closing artwork! In terms of significance no other location can beat it :)

Image 4: Commitment

The fruition of their relationship is shown in Image 4. Here DFQC and XLH commit themselves to each other and pledge their love at the Mountain and Moon Festival of Cangyan Sea! This celebration of a rare lunar event occurs only once every thousand years. The full moon is amplified through the lens of the crescent moon-shaped mountain in the distance (the location of Silent Moon palace) and appears as a giant supermoon in the sky!

A new tradition had sprung up during the 30,000 years of DFQC’s absence. Shangque fills them in on the details: “It is said that if couples who are in love carve each other’s name on the Love Lock and hang them on the Bridge of Love on the night of the Mountain and Moon Festival when the mountain and moon meet, then they will be together forever”. Although this is a made-up custom, DFQC and XLH are both charmed by the story and the opportunity to pledge their commitment to each other :D And they both love the idea of spending the rest of eternity together!

As Siming says in ep. 31, “Everything in this world is fated. Ony love is not fated”. Love is a choice, and free choice is an important theme in LBFAD. Despite the whole world being against their union and XLH’s destiny to marry Changheng (twice!), XLH and DFQC choose to love each other and commit to being together.

Both accept steep costs in making this choice. For DFQC, he gives up Lady Chidi’s spirit in the mortal realm and the chance to save his 100,000 soldiers (so he believes) to save XLH. To atone to his people for this and “deserve” to meet XLH at the Moon and Mountain festival, he sentences himself to the cruellest punishment in his kingdom. The nine Bone-devouring spikes he receives cause him unimaginable pain from midnight to dawn every night. For XLH, to be accepted by the Moon Tribe and earn the right to be his wife, she insists on being tortured inside the horrific Fuju cave for three days! (DFQC also chooses to suffer this through the one-heart curse on top of the Bone-devouring spikes D: ) She also gives up Shuiyuntian in favour of Cangyan Sea, accepting that the man she loves cannot give up his responsibility to his people.

To the right of the image are the Love Locks. XLH and DFQC have different criteria in choosing locks (beautiful vs. strong and durable) and independently choose the same lock! Using the Love Locks to pledge their love was clearly meant to be :D As symbolised by these locks, their love is beautiful, strong and durable.

In the artwork they stand on the Bridge of Love at the moment the full moon hits the crescent on the mountain, and pledge their love to each other (as DFQC later describes in ep. 35). DFQC collapses from the torture of the Bone-devouring spikes, the price of his commitment to her, before they can hang the locks. And so the hanging of the Love Locks is delayed, just like their life together is delayed by XLH’s, then DFQC’s sacrifices.

But they do get hung! When DFQC, in a breathtaking scene, hangs both of their locks on the Bridge of Love in ep. 35, XLH is still standing on the bridge. They are both there together, their hearts full of love for each other, and the significance of the locks is realised. They do get the chance to spend the rest of eternity together! :D

Here is a link to my article: LBFAD Opening Artwork – Hidden Meanings

All of my LBFAD articles can be viewed with the tag #lbfad reflections (hyperlinked) and the table of contents to these is here.

[bengiyo]

Love Sea Ep 3 Stray Thoughts

Last week, Tongrak and Mut started to have sex on the beach, but then Rak rushed them back to the hotel so he could write his thoughts out for his novel. Mut was understandably frustrated and went to take a shower, which of course ended in sex (but Fort showed ass!). Rak became possessive of Mut, and once again tried to use his money to lock Mut down. We had a great moment of Rak checking in about how out they can be, and the two shared insights into their histories. We learned that Rak sees his work as an outlet to express himself, and that Mut has worked his ass off to earn his place in this community as a respected leader. We ended on some trauma flashbacks underwater for Rak involving his father who abandoned them, and a friend who may have been pregnant. Meanwhile, Vie had Mook come over to clean up her house and eat with her in a flirting ritual that seemed to work for both of them.

Aya is really pretty.

This weird issue with the italicized subtitles not displaying on the TV apps is driving me insane. Why do I have to pull up the episode in two places now??

It rains a lot in Thailand, so I like when they incorporate it into the shows.

Chapter 3: Where the Sky Touches the Sea

It's nice to see that Rak is able to talk nicely with a friend. He and Vie feel like they've known each other for a while, and know what each is going through. I'm curious how deep we'll get into this tabloid drama Vie is facing.

Is Kwan Rak's sister? What's going on with their dad that they're scared about him showing up around the granddaughter? I thought he was out of the picture?

Wondering what Mut must be feeling after not seeing Rak for a few days now after that incident.

Mm, Rak reverting to be as rude as possible like it'll scare Mut away.

At least he apologized after relaxing for a little bit. I hope he opens up about what's got him so stressed.

Oh fuck yeah give me the lore. Rak's messed up because his mom poured all her money into a man who didn't love her back, and his and his sister's names are messages to him.

Let's bond over family problems.

Oh, I'm kinda into this "Try it while you're on the island" proposal.

Are they trying to mirror that with this fake girlfriend proposal?

I'm not keen on playing in the sea at night, but they do kiss well.

Why is he in that bed with a towel on?

Mut baiting Rak into being the big spoon is sending me.

Unsurprised that Mut is a conservationist.

I like that Mut acknowledged Rak getting up early to see the community meeting.

Oh they have Ja playing an actor who shoves his costar away immediately. How fun.

This joke about the length of novel titles feels like they're alluding to people missing the point of the novel because title is too cumbersome.

"I'm not bi." She and Lom should meet.

Mut seemed real nervous about Rak seeing how modest his home is.

Wow, Mut's dad sounds cruel.

Okay but Rak was even more turned on by the idea that the neighbors would hear them.

The timeline is a bit vague here.

I feel like we got here a little fast, but I kinda like the way Mut is chasing this feeling with Rak he wasn't expecting to feel.

I really like Mook.

I'm looking forward to seeing how both of these guys' issues with their families play out. I feel like.we.mkssed some things this week that didn't translate into the adaptation smoothly, but I like the idea of Mut reaching for something he didn't think he could have, and a cynic like Rak being taken by that earnestness. Also amused by Mook likely having a crush on Vie while missing that Vie has been flirting this whole time. I wonder what our Mut Exposition Fairy will do next week.

[aspoonofsugar]

Acceptance

This week's thoughts are gonna be quick and not as deep because I really think we need next week's ep to properly analyze this (this was basically just set up).

So, this is just a list of things I noticed...

FINAL STAGE OF GRIEF

So, we are at the final stage:

Jaune: I think I get it. This is how we got here. Why the Tree brought us here. Acceptance.

Acceptance is probably going to take 2 episodes. This one is WBYJ reaching acceptance, while the next one it will be Ruby's turn.

For those who missed my previous post, here we go one last time... (skip it if you already know the motif).

This volume is built on the motif of the 5 stages of grief: negation, anger, bargaining, depression, acceptance. In particular, each episode explores a stage. We got through the cycle twice, as Ruby is mostly grieving 2 people: Penny and Summer.

So, Ruby is the protagonist of the volume, so this motif mostly focuses on her.

FIRST CYCLE

Episode 1: Negation > Everyone knows something is wrong, but Weiss refuses to reveal Penny died until the very end. When Ruby discovers it, she closes off and refuses to talk about it.

Episode 2: From Negation to Bargaining > Ruby still refuses to talk with Weiss about Penny, but when they reach the auction, she is drawn to Penny's sword. She has not enough hope to pursue it (meaning she has not enough strength to really start grieving). Still, Little, aka Ruby's inner child and hope, symbolically takes the sword for her and so Ruby can start the process. She bargains the sword to meet the Red Prince. Through this, she is able to express her feelings over Penny in a way she would have never managed, either way. She grieves Penny through a fairy tale (main theme of the volume),

Episode 3: Anger > Ruby's bargain is refused by the Red Prince, so Ruby symbolically grows more and more frustrated and angry. In the end, though, neither her anger nor the Red Prince's lead anywhere and Ruby ends the episode particularly down.

Episode 4: Depression > Ruby meets the Herbalist, who forces her to face her negative feelings in the form of her younger self. Summer gets mentioned for the first time here.

Episode 5: Acceptance > The Curious Cat mentions the theme of acceptance and Ruby meets the Blacksmith/Tree for the first time. In her Tent, she finds Penny's sword again and is told nobody is really lost (they become a part of you, as we are told last volume). There, she also glimpses at Summer's weapon. Still, she is not ready to fully accept her friend and her mother's deaths.

SECOND CYCLE

Episode 5: Bargaining > Ruby bargains her emblem in exchange of the ingredient to help her friends. It is the first time in the volume Ruby mentions Summer. It is also the first time in the series, she mentions a Mother's Promise, hinting at her feelings of abandonement because Summer did not keep her promise.

Episode 6: Negation > Ruby, Jaune and Weiss all negate their feelings of grief and do not open up to each other. This is especially true for Jaune and Ruby... Jaune negates death altogether as a concept, while Ruby doesn't even see her own reflection looks like Summer.

Episode 7: Anger > The negation and repression of her own feelings leads Ruby to explode at everyone. Jaune follows through and Ruby leaves frustrated.

Episode 8: Depression > All of Ruby's negative feelings come out in the form of Neo's illusions and conquer her until she gives in and drinks the tea, in order to disappear. Interestingly, here there is no Summer, but there is Penny instead.

It is as if the first cycle is mostly about Penny, but the Depression stage introduces Summer, while the second is mostly about Summer, but the Depression stage has still Penny in there.

Finally, this week's episode leads to Acceptance... WYJ must all deal with this idea:

Jaune does it through the meeting with the Genial Gems and Weiss's words. He starts to accept his failures in Atlas and in the Ever After.

Weiss does it through helping Jaune. She affirms failures doesn't mean one is not good nor brave. She says this to Jaune, but this works for herself, as well.

Yang must do it when it comes to Ruby, with Blake's help. In her case, the point of acceptance is to accept she can't always be there and protect Ruby. She also has to trust Ruby and the person she will become.

As a whole, WBYJ all must accept Ruby as a person, with all her strong traits and flaws. As you see, the theme of acceptance is rather rich and full of different meanings. We have it in regards to grief, but also in regards to people. Accepting losses, failures and flaws in ourselves and others.

THE 4 GIFTS

This volume has the characters go through the 4 gifts:

Knowledge > Herb

Creation > Jaune/Rusted Knight

Destruction > Neo/Jabberwalker

Choice > The Blacksmith

Symbolically, it is very good Jaune's acre and Neo's acre are literally side by side, just as Creation and Destruction are meant to be. On a more general note, the Tree is really all 4 gifts:

The tree's herbs are what gives people inner knowledge of themselves. This is why Herb is The Herbalist... he probably uses herbs taken from the tree's roots. And this is why when Jaune falls into the tree, we see the same smoke there was in Herb's house:

The tree breaks beings and restores them by giving them the Choice of what they want to become.

MACROCHOSM AND MICROCHOSM

This episode just confirms volume 9 is meant to be a microchosm of RWBY as a story...

Volume 9 > Ruby's story

The series > RWBY's story

This is also why it makes sense the final fight is really about protecting Ruby from the CC. I was thinking it might have been about saving the Ever After, but it being about Ruby specifically is just perfect. After all, RWBY saving the world and Ruby saving herself are both philosopher stones. Ruby is the philosopher stone that needs to be saved and refined this volume:

Look! Little Red Riding Gem! (She even has the little basket <3)

This is also why narratively WBYJ have to go to the Tree... this situation can be read as a metaphor:

Ruby attempted suicide and she is now dealing with her issues with the help of a therapist (The tree). Or if you prefer, on her own because right now she can't be reached.

WBYJ's role is to wait for her and to love her unconditionally when she comes out. Accepting her, no matter what. Narratively this struggle is shown through them having to protect their friend from the CC. This is also an affirmation of the theme of trust and faith explored last volume. Do they know Ruby is going to be safe and sound? No, it is a risk. This is the point, they will keep having faith in her.

I also perfectly understand this metaphor might not work for everyone, given how it deals with a very sensitive topic btw.

The CC keeps being wonderful imo and their Neo/Cat's design has really grown on me this episode. Thematically, they are the negation of the negation: they wanna interrupt the cycle. Just like they kept eating butterflies, they wanna eat Ruby up before she can emerge from her cocoon (Herb's emerging as a butterfly really drives the metaphor home). Still, ironically, this makes them very similar to Ruby, of all people.

WHAT ARE YOU?

Curious Cat: She's still here... Yes! All my work... it's not lost! Deep down, she wants nothing more, but to return to Remnant and play hero. I just need to cut her out and she will take me there!

The Blacksmith: You could put anyone of them on... and leave Ruby Rose behind.

Both the Curious Cat and Ruby want to be someone else. They think their problems would be solved, if only they could leave their old selves behind. If only the Curious Cat could leave the Ever After. If only Ruby could put down her burden.

If the Curious Cat becomes human, they might leave the Ever After and fulfill their purpose

If Ruby becomes Summer, she could finally be enough

And yet, it's not so simple. After all, the Curious Cat becomes Neo, but they still can't leave:

Similarly, wielding Summer's weapon might not solve Ruby's problems.

What could then?

The problem with the Curious Cat and Ruby is that their purposes would be too much for anyone.

There is no-way to know everything

There is no-way to save everyone

These goals are too wide, which forces the Curious Cat and Ruby to spread themselves too thin. They keep on going far and far away (The Ever After > Remnant, Beacon > Mistral > Haven > Atlas > The Ever After) in order to escape who they are. What they should both do is instead to go deeper:

The Curious Cat should know themselves

Ruby should save herself

Not far far away, but rather... inside.

WEISS AND JAUNE

I will be writing more about them and their foiling after the volume is over. As for now...

1 - This scene:

They were still incredibly brave. And good.

Calls back this scene:

Jaune: I'm sorry I... I know I am not okay. I'm... I'm not right.

Jaune tells Weiss and the others he is not right and Weiss re-assures him he is good.

2 - Weiss's whole speech:

Weiss: I think you are asking too much of yourself. We've been telling ourselves failing means we are no good. But I can guarantee even the best Huntsmen in history they've all lost. But they were still incredibly brave. And good.

Resembles this speech:

Red-Haired Woman: She understood that she had a responsibility… to try. I don't think she would regret her choice, because a Huntress would understand that there really wasn't a choice to make. And a Huntress is what she always wanted to be. Jaune: Pyrrha never got the chance to graduate… But she was a Huntress.

In both scenes, Jaune is struggling with grief and self-hate. In the first one, he has just lashed out at Oscar out of anger for Pyrrha's death. In the second one, he has just lashed out at Ruby out of anger for the paper pleasers ascending. Both times, he is doubting himself. He thinks he might not be cut to be a hero. Both times, a woman comes and reassures him. The first time, Pyrrha's mother/ghost/vision encourages him to keep going. The second time, Weiss encourages him to let go. Both scenes end with a family like re-union (team JNR and team RWBY).

Not to count both scenes have mystical symbolic leaves flying around. Someone coming back in the same way, but different (the red-haired woman/ Pyrrha's statue, the Genial Gems/the giant white construction).

Both scenes also put emphasis on the same thing. Even the best of heroes fail. Still, in the first one, there is the necessity to keep going knowing the risk of failure. In the second one, there is the necessity to accept failure. And to forgive one-self.

I would add that by paralleling these 2 scenes you get an additional symbolism when it comes to the Genial Gems:

They foreshadow Ruby coming back

They comment on Jaune's arc and integration with Pyrrha

To make it clear, Jaune is Pyrrha's Genial Gem's form:

Jaune: She should be standing here… Red-Haired Woman: She is.

Pyrrha is standing there not because her ghost is there, but because Jaune is there. He is integrating with and growing more similar to her. So, that in the end he can become a true hero, like Pyrrha. But differently from her, he will not die:

Blake: This is them, isn't it? They're back. Weiss: It's just like they said. They came back from the tree better. Yang: No flood, nor fire would ever hurt them again.

3 - Weiss's words are an inversion of this speech:

Ruby: You did the best you could for Atlas, Weiss. Weiss: But it wasn't enough! We hatched a crazy plan that put a whole kingdom at risk, and we don't even know if we saved the Relics from… Maybe… Jaune and Winter were able to get them out, despite… everything… despite us…

Weiss starts the volume thinking she and the others are no good because they failed Atlas. She also leans on Ruby to grieve. This unwillingly makes Ruby's burden heavier.

Right now, though, she is the one helping Jaune grieve and in this way she starts healing herself. She and the others lost, but it doesn't mean they are no good. They were still brave. They were still Huntsmen.

In short, Weiss here succeeds with Jaune where she failed with Ruby. She does for him what she could not do for her. And I think this is partly because of Ruby's call out:

Ruby: “No time”, right? “Gotta get home!” “Gotta help Jaune!” Gotta find someone who isn’t just going to screw everything up!

Weiss has spent this whole volume looking for someone, who can fix things. For someone who is wise and who can guide them all. It turns out that wise one was none other than Weiss herself:

Curious Cat: I am talking about you, Wise Huntress.

4 - As @hamliet explained, this scene:

Is an inversion of this scene:

In both scenes, an enemy takes advantage of Weiss to hurt Jaune. The first time, psychologically. The second time, physically. Both times, Weiss gets hurt, as well. The first time physically, the second time psyhcologically. The first time Weiss gets hurt indirectly because of Jaune. This time, Jaune gets hurt indirectly because of Weiss. Both times, a spear, which calls back to Pyrrha, is the weapon used to impale. Both times, there is fire involved. (And yeah, Jeanne D'arc has been set on fire)

This scene as a whole also clearly shows Jaune has not solved all his issues, as he is symbolically brought down by the 3 girls he wanted to save:

Pyrrha > Beacon > Knowledge

Weiss > Haven > Creation

Penny > Atlas > Destruction

3 gifts, which all bring him toward Choice. What he will probably asked to make next episode.

THE BLACKSMITH AS ALYX?

Personally, I love this theory. If this is the case, then:

Alyx is the Tree, while Lewis is the Writer. This makes both of them similar to the Gods. A pair of opposite siblings that end up creating worlds. We'll see if this is true and what it means.

Alyx's purpose is then to fix everything she broke.

The Curious Cat directly mentions Jaune:

Curious Cat: Know that after talking to the tree, she had a sudden crisis of consciousness. Decided she wanted to fix everything she had broken in the Ever After. Including poor Jaune.

Personally, I think that if there is enough time (not sure, about that) it might turn out Alyx also meant the Curious Cat themselves:

Curious Cat: The same girl I followed because she promised me she would bring me back to Remnant with her. When in truth, she had no intention of taking me.

We don't know the details, but Alyx tricked them and it is possible that by telling them about Remnant, she might have made their purpose so much greater. One thing is to discover everything about the Ever After. Another thing is to discover everything about a whole new universe.

Anyway, Jaune is probably going to be remade somehow, so I wonder if the Curious Cat will ascend as well in the end. I think it would be the best outcome for them, as they need to gain a deeper kind of knowledge aka wisdom to truly be happy.

If this is the case and if the Blacksmith is indeed Alyx, then does it mean she has finished her purpose? And if that is the case, then does someone else need to take Alyx's place? If so, I have a candidate:

Jaune: So, Neo can't go through the door. Curious Cat: No. She has no attachments to your world. Nothing to return to.

Of course, the point might be that Neo will find once again some form of attachment and will choose to go back to Remnant with them. Still, considering what has just happened and Neo's breakdown, I think it would be a little weird if this were to happen right away. I think her staying in the Ever Afer, maybe to fix what she broke and to heal herself in the process would be a more interesting outcome. She doens't even have to like stay there forever, but just until she feels strong enough to return to reality. Once her Overactive Imagination is fulfilled :P

It would also explain Neo transictioning into Alyx in the opening.

Crack theories apart, the revelation The Girl Who Fell Through The World is actually a fairy tale Lewis wrote to grieve his sister and to find closure with her never coming back is beautiful. It is a powerful metaphor of what this volume is really about. How fiction can help dealing with grief. Alyx never came home. Like Penny. Like Summer. So, Lewis wrote her story by making her a hero, a protagonist. He wrote a story, so that she would not be forgotten:

Ruby: Not just a powerful warrior, the most powerful to ever lived. She was touched by magic, and she gave her life for thousands. She took a message of hope to the stars, and she saw the world through better eyes. (looking up) Take us to the royal birthday, and allow us to present this most precious gift.

Like Pyrrha. Like Penny. Like Summer.

Speaking of Summer:

WONDERFUL DESIGN! She has all 4 the colors of our heroines: black, white, yellow and red. She even combines silver (her eyes) with gold (her weapon). Really an impossible ideal to achieve symbolically ;)

[suzannahnatters]

I have a normal amount of feelings about eps 11-15 of MOON LOVERS: SCARLET HEART RYEO

you think these boys are going to fight over our girl but NOPE they're going to take down the villain and clear her name using the power of brotherhood yisss

wait...no...

I ALWAYS KNEW THAT BLIGHTER WOOK WAS NO GOOD

Ohhhh Lady Oh is FLAYING him with a few concise, perfectly judged words

queen yoo this, princess yeon hwa that, who cares about the minor villains? the king is terrible and deserves to lose everything and the whole system is rotten and needs to burn down

can't say how much I love that the iconic rain scene is NOT simply "me big strong man protect frail woman". It's MOSTLY about our girl doing what little she can to protest injustice, and So being the only one with the moral courage to defy his father and join her.

a year goes by. it does nothing for Wook's personality except maybe made it *even worse!*

can't say I'm fond of the decision to make it look like the king is Doing His Best, Really! and that all the Shenanigans are the fault of the scheming women!

My soul longs for an OPHELIA-esque ending where our girl simply opts out of the Nonsense. But I'd settle for a Shakespearean ending where the presiding patriarch is depicted as deeply morally ambiguous and just as terrible as everyone else. We shall see -_-

anyway BAEK AH, DON'T YOU DIE ON ME

ahahaha this show wants you to know that the horrible king gets to be reunited blissfully after death with his one true love, whom he treated like dirt, ignored, got pregnant, and then executed for a crime she didn't commit!!! THANKS I HATE IT

on the other hand there's also a subplot in which a princess wants to kill the king who slaughtered her whole family but this mission is complicated when she accidentally falls in love with one of the princes and I do respect a show that just offhandedly includes such a trope

oh yesss, our girl finally figures out the depths of Wook's duplicity and cuts him off without a shilling, now THAT is satisfying

vale Prince Guyliner, you DIDN'T deserve any better but you died very prettily without anyone trying to make you out to be A Saint, Really

at this stage I'm wondering who bites it next. my money is on Mu or possibly the not-so-awful queen.

I was right. Vale Mu, you died, but not before becoming every bit as terrible as the last king

on the other hand it looks like if you trade in one prince you get another back, nifty!

anyway this episode was full of tragedy, skulduggery and people making awful choices for relatable reasons and all these sweet boys are all at each others' throats and it's the finest vintage pain I've experienced in a long time, I love it so much

the romance is working so! well! for me!

the way So has now happily waited THREE YEARS (I know, give the man an award for Basic Decency shush)

the way our girl steps into Lady Oh's shoes T_T

two adults have a misunderstanding & actually TALK IT OUT?

So apologising? what's this? a kdrama male lead actually APOLOGISING to the female lead? instead of demanding apologies from her???

So apologising for a promise he never made explicitly but only implied? to someone of a lower rank?

SKIN WATERED, CROPS CLEAR

I did NOT expect to feel this positive about a male lead who just got MARRIED to his UNDERAGE NIECE, YIKES

huaaargh I'm a huge fan of how this show started out with a girl in fairy-floss-pink dresses charming 8 cute princes and now it's this suffocatingly bleak steadily-ratching doom-laden Shakespearean tragedy

best family drama I've seen since Shah Jahan's succession crisis. everyone's climbing across each other's dead body to grab the throne or stay alive.

except our girl, who's doing her best with what she's got

Wook, in a rare moment of honesty: "Are you going to become the King's dog and kill Eun? ...You and I are both struggling to survive. That is the fate of a prince who does not become a King. One must submit in order to provide protection."

ajks? our girl has just found out who poisoned the last king...just by ASKING?

And she was told. Because she's powerless. Because she's not a threat. Because who can she ever tell. *faint screaming*

this is just one of my favourite things in fiction--the power of the powerless

the WAY!!! she has taken on this role of a wise woman/prophetess! best use of time travel EVER

"what could have caused the variable that carried the 3rd prince to the throne?" asks the court astrologer and So is like oh heck

so...their love IS changing history? but for the better, or worse?

oh no, Eun and Bear Girl finally (after what, 3 years of marriage) got as far as first base and discovered a mutual appreciation for toy boats, if this leads to their untimely deaths I will be extremely miffed

well, of all the young idiots who were SUPPOSED to run away together and start a toyshop and a dojo...

how am I supposed to stop watching this AUGH

[danbisroom]

Ep. 16 - Did I Say That I Loathe You? Did I Say That I Want To Leave It All Behind?

Hello my beloved fellow souls,

welcome back to Danbi’s Room, your weekly dose of safe space. Go grab a cup of something warm and get yourself cosy.

I hope you had a nice week where you could spare some time to be with yourself, relax and get creative, or have a nice day with loved ones.

I know, today’s letter title is pretty long. It’s that I believe it to be very important to ask those questions - it might be to yourself, to someone else, to what you do, to what you wake up for…to your creations. No matter the object of the question, I’m sure that, alas, your answer must have been “yes”, more than once. Maybe even a million times. It’s because it’s what we’re taught, since infancy, to loathe and to leave it all behind. It takes courage to love and stay. Loads of bravery and strength. It is hard. It really is. It’s natural to crumble, it’s normal to wish for an easier path, it’s completely valid to desire to give up. Sometimes we do give up. Maybe forever or maybe for just a second. Admitting these things is hard, too, coming to terms with the depths of our despair is indescribably frightening. Perhaps we get back on our feet countless times, we rise up stronger, even if more and more exhausted. There, there is the breaking point. We can’t take it anymore, we’re scared and tired of crawling back to standing on our trembling knees. We just want to lay down, feel soil sustaining our abandoned body, the wind whispering love poems in our ears, fairies gently dancing on our stomach until we are covered in soft moss. Until we dissolve in a pond gazing at the stars. We can do that. We have to do that. Oh to be a water lily surrounded by a veil of thin mist, adorned by gems of morning dew. Why can’t we just do that? Why can’t we just dance under the Sun, bathe in the Spring rain and sing to the Gods?

Maybe we could. Actually, we can.

It can also be a sort of state of mind. We don’t have to live trampling on others, nor merely being maneuvered through things we don’t want. Deep awareness takes courage and effort, but, in return, it guarantees total freedom. A kind of freedom nothing else can give us. Rising up from the darkness requires strength and bravery, standing tall is exhausting but enlightening.

It’s where you comprehend that love is not just love.

So, to answer the initial questions, I will love you, and I will stay.

I’m sorry if this was so much shorter that usual, I had a rough weekend, but I’m glad because it ended beautifully!

Today’s song recommendation is The Blower’s Daughter by Damien Rice, for times when you can’t take your eyes off.

I hope you enjoyed this episode and that you have a beautiful week ahead of you!

I’ll see you in the next one, big hug!

With love, yours,

Danbi

[charmixpower]

Rewatching season 1 (and actually paying attention to Sky to figure out what the fuck everyone is talking about): Part 1

EP 1:

Bloom draws both landscapes and figure drawings and prefers working in pencil…Girl knows how smuding works, give me your power

What fucking hair cut it this, it's always bothered me ndejndns

Mike and Vanessa talk about trying to save up enough to get Bloom a scooter ���� 😭 their trying their best y'all

Mitzi…babe…do you not have anything better to do? I stg this girl's only joy in life is being annoying at Bloom

Bloom: growls at Mitzi

Bloom: have :) :) a :) nice :) :) summer :) Mitzi :) :)

Bloom runs like she's never been outside before

The most important bitch in the magical dimension is here!!!!

Bloom seeing Stella incinerate some imps that could very well attack her: :0 wow……

Girl has never heard of a self preservation instinct

Stella calling herself the sun and moon fairy only for the moon part to be completely ignored 🤡🤡

When Knut charges Stella we get a close up of her eyes implying that she's about to do something before she is instantly tossed aside. This show has no clue what it's doing and I love it

Bloom: LET HER GO

Bloom: wait, fuck, I don't have a plan

Bloom is 80% impulsive decisions by volume

OH SHIT, she literally summons the great dragon to attack Knut….

Wait she literally summons the dragon, you can see it. How did no one put this together sooner??? Knut wouldn't bc he's not wearing his glasses…I guess Stella's a little busy being in danger

Stella: are you ok?

Bloom looking up at Stella bathed in sun light: oh no I'm bisexual

Stella says bc she has her scepter she's no longer scared and—Stella is clearly the best fighter of the girls in s1, and as a princess I doubt she has a battle tutor? What I'm saying is that she's self taught and only learned combat with her scepter

Stella's fairy outfit is so fucking cool right up until she's next to other people with far more detailed outfits….Stella first transformed very young and that's why her outfit is so comparatively plain, change my mind…oh I should totally incorporate that idea into the redesign nfjsjejej

Knut can teleport?????????? I thought ogres couldn't use magic?? Is he using an item?

God I love Stella's princess outfit so much

How the fuck did Bloom get Stella to her house??

Did the Trix just have a hunting troll around just in case

You know how Stella's hair thing looks like her scepter??? What if instead of a ring it was a hair piece??

Stella: fuck conversation, I'm going to ruin this man's house phone

"and I was forced to land here" Stella was teleporting yes? Does this mean her teleportation isn't actually teleportation but light speed travel that looks like teleportation??? If so that would be dope as fuck… Darcy must of been the one to attack her while she was trying to get to Magix

"Have you registered for the new program at Alfea castle?"

New?? Also Stella, babe, she just learned she was a fairy. Be nice fjejd

Stella fangirling over Bloom's art then instantly apologizing for being nosey 🥺🥺 Stella I love youuu

Stella final pose in her magic Winx is so cute, so much personality

STELLA FUCKING KICKED THE HUNTING TROLL I LOVE HER

I love how Mike was holding open the window for Vanessa and glaring down Knut when he looked at them!! These two are sweet

Rip the house jfc, also Stella hasn't taken out her scepter despite not 10 min ago her basically saying it helps her fight better

Brandon: WAKE THE FUCK UP ASSHOLES, STELLA JUST TEXTED ME

Timmy: it's two am

Brandon: did I ask???

Riven: I am going to strangle you in your sleep

Brandon: yeah yeah, death and destruction, your very scary Riven. She said theirs a troll to catch~ and an ogre~ who ever caught that would be super cool

Riven: fuck you, asshole. I'll get the ship ready

Brandon: so easy

Apparently Mitzi can hear this fight all the way in her upscale neighborhood, tell me how the cops haven't been called

My favorite part about this is that Riven's introduction is that he's instantly humiliated after being a cockly little bastard, like yes. Don't allow him to be cool for a second

Brandon is just sitting there like -_-

That dynamic has enegry unparalleled

Sky is the only one smart enough to have a shield

I love how Brandon was so busy being bored of how fucking stupid Riven is he forgot to actually fight, how did any of these idiots make it out of preschool

Dude….you fucking broke her parents back yard. Not cool man. Not cool

He's so irritating, I wanna throw s1 Riven into the dryer

"Of course you are, I'm never wrong." STELLA I LOVE YOU

I love how Brandon instantly is already low key flirting, sir, calm it the fuck down

THEY FUCKING TELEPORT AWAY??? WHEN DID THE GUYS EVER HAVE TELEPORTATION GADGETS??? WHAT THE FUCK

Do you think Riven got teased for being a cringe fail idiot when they got back??

Mike is v dedicated to protecting his daughter, love that for him

ALFEA DOES START IN THE SUMMER!!!!! That probably means they have all of winter off, with fall break instead of spring break. Idk how to feel abt this

Stella: they can't kick me out before I'm even back in

SO STELLA DOESN'T TRULY TELEPORT, SHE UTILIZES WORM HOLE LIKE THINGS

EP 2:

Alfea having a magic only barrier opens up so many plot holes. You'd think that the fact that Bloom could still enter Alfea after getting her powers stolen would be enough to tell her she still had them but no one mentions that. It also implies that every single specialist has magic which….ok, I can incorporate that into my belief system—but someone explain how the fucking rabbit can get in??

Why would Faragona want to keep nonmagical creatures out??

I love how Tecna is in the background of these shots :)) like the girlies are just around

Apparently the Princess of Calsito is so camera shy that no one would know that she isn't Bloom…. Help

"Budding young fairies, ugh, it's been so many centuries since I've been one of them." I wonder if her species has an exceptionally long life span or the more powerful a fairy is

"This school will be your home for the next five years" FIVE YEARS?! FIVE YEARS?! THIS SHOW HAS THREE SEASONS BEFORE THEY GRADUATE AND THEY AGE EXACTLY THREE YEARS WHAT THE FUCK KIND OF PLOT HOLE IS THIS

I love how all the background characters are interesting enough that you can just put Musa, Flora, and Tecna in the background and have them not stuck out for being too interesting looking. Though their outfits tend to be brighter

How did they not just instantly fic the potions lab with an undo spell?

…. Alfea is the only school in the whole of Magix….Does she mean the planet, the city, or the dimension?

"be very careful, their are dangers lurking about. Stay away from the witches of cloud tower." This universe is so fucking dumb, their is a school where evil people learn to be evil and attack the other school from. Like the world building is on fire

This show loves zooming in on eyes

The princess of Calsito couldn't get a room to herself?

Flora ma'am I love you…they way she pets her plants

Tecna was standing right behind Bloom just to freak her out. Tecna's enegry is unparalleled. God I love Tecna shoes

OK BUT THEIR INTRODUCED IN THE ORDER OF: Bloom, Stella, Flora, Tecna, Musa, Aisha. WHICH IS BOTH THE BEST FRIENDS ORDER AND SEPARATES THEM BY TRIO

Tecna has a raspy voice…

"By the way, before you blow up your room, give us time to duck and cover" I love how Musa has a sense of humor, bby I love youuuuu

I love how Stella instantly responds with a joke to Tecna, she's so quick on her feet

I love Bloom's s1 pants so much

Bloom: what the fuck, this place doesn't have pizza???

Is Girselda ok??? Why are you stalking your students. I hate the writing of her character so much, I just want a nice teacher in a show ;-;

Ah Tecna was the one covering Bloomy's eyes when she first sees magix, I wonder why Tecna would do this

Musa: you sound disappointed

Bloom who wanted fantasy and got Sci-fi: ;-; bc I am

The fact that parking spaces use magic to work implies that every one has magic. I demand to see Riven cast a spell now

Why did Knut call Icy and not Darcy who's less likely to yell at him?

Bloom: My phone isn't working :((

Tecna: ??? Maybe because you stole it from a museum???

Bloom: :0

Bloom: ;-;

Tecna: oh God oh fuck, I've ruined another soical interaction

I love my autistic baby, she has no clue how a interaction is supposed to go

Bloomy why are you chasing Knut by yourself?? When your friends are right over there?? What are you planning on doing

What is even happening here? Can Darcy intrinsically sense when she's being watched? How does that even work

Bloom: I am a fairy >:(

Icy: your a freshmen

Icy and Darcy are just fucking around but Stormy puts real effort into attacking Bloom.... Girl is unhinged 💗

Icy is so damn dramatic

I love how Tenca is like, yes I so badass and cool, I'm going to do karate moves in my transformation. Please do not think about the fact that I've never thrown a punch in my life

I just realized they all do the two fingers hand over eachother thing.... I think they'd all agree to do that with eachother later but the need to reused animation

Musa's cd 😭😭

I love how Stella is so smart, girl said fuck this let's retreat

Stella is so gentle with Bloom when warming her up.....and she totally forgot about the others

Why didn't Stella teleport them directly back to Alfea?

Girselda be nice to the baby

Bloom instantly decides that their all besties and need a group name

Y'all have only known each other one day and they're already like "yeah, I'll base my whole magical identity on hanging out with you guys" fkjwndwn

Musa is trying to hard to be cool I love her

Winx is an amazing name Bloomy

BLOOM WHEN DID YOU MAKE THAT AND WHY DO YOU NEED A LOGO?!

Stella is so ready to support Bloom I'm in love

EP 3:

I love how the first three episodes are just the first two days

Stella didn't hesitate to check her hair when she got that mirror I love u girl

According to Stella Solaria doesn't have a intense worth ethnic and people tend to be chill. Good for them tbh, I'd imagine depression and anxiety rates are much lower on Solaria

"I want to become a real fairy! Successful! Beautiful! Powerful! And universally admired." Stella, your hpd is showing bestie "....of course I also want to do good things, like making people happy and bring estranged lovers back together. Starting with my parents."

Its my mental illness type and I GET TO PROJECT ON MY FAVORITE CHARACTERS

Amore and Stella would of been so much more interesting if they played on that line of her. Also Stella's parents were already estranged by s1 which probably means they've been divorced for a while

Stella's skirt becomes a pair of shorts at 4:17. They look cute ngl

Flora is here to learn and Stella is such an over familiar dork hitting Flora with a pillow

Bloom: that's the problem, I don't know what I'm doing here

Bloom you just found out magic existed, it's your first year, chill

Bro they just exclude the witches every year that's so rude

Fragonda: and as is tradition! I want free labor. You kids decorate

Out of all the Trix the fact that Darcy wants to crash the party and Stormy doesn't is weird...but I can see Stormy thinking school assigned chaos is boring and Darcy wanting perfectly controlled disaster

My baby was so excited to talk about her music that she ran in front of everyone to tell them about it and they all walked past her 😭😭😭

"and of course I refuse to go unnoticed" *points at Stella* SYMTOM!!! SYMTOM!!!!

MY SECOND FAVORITE STELLA DRESS!!!! (I said dress not outfit) AND MY FAVORITE TECNA DRESS!!!!

LOOK AT THEM!!!

Tecna is SUCH A DIVA and it looks so amazing on her. Tbh Tecna always looks amazing with her headgear, she needs more headgear

I also Love Love Musa's outfit (if me incorporating it into her Charmix constantly wasn't an indicator) she looks so cool. The colors are horrendous, but she really said imma wear pants and a off the shoulders shirt to this and anyone who has a problem can go fuck themselves. The only problems I have with the design of the outfit itself, except the saturation of the purple, is how the fuck that collar thing connects to her shirt. Like I like how the flare looks on her but how does this work??

Tecna: Guys? As if I care about that.

Musa: Then why are you dressed like an absolute diva??

Tenca: That's besides the point. You attend a ceremony, you dress accordingly

Tecna loves fashion for the sake of fashion confirmed

Also

Tecna 🤝 Aisha

Being implied to be wlw or aro before assigned boyfriend comes along

At least Nabu is a fun character without Aisha...can't say the same for someone else tho. Admittedly Nabu's introduction to the show and his plot reason to be around is trash tho

Flora.....girl...why are you stopping Stella from paying? Offend her what?

Bloom.....ask Stella for a dress from her closet 👀👀 ask her to help you tailor it 👀👀 you know you want to

Icy is the most teachers pet out of all the Trix.. what the fuck am I supposed to do with this information

IDIOT DUMBASS MORON SET HER FUCKING BED ON FIRE CUTTING A DRESS

Darcy: aw....enchanted little eggs....

She sounds genuinely enamored

Sky: I'm so happy to see you here

Bloom, seeing still panicked about the Trix: haha me too, have you seen Stella? There she is bye

Tecna has her own mental database

Fucking the guys are always wearing their uniforms this is a crime

I wanna see Brandon in a suit!!! I wanna see Riven stuffed into a suit!!! Sky. Timmy.

Musa: Flora... Bestie, you thinking what Im thinking?

Flora: :3

Flora: >:3

Brandon: um. What the fuck is going on. Can I be filled in?

Musa: don't worry your pretty little head

Bloom is acting like she doesn't know who would be trying to steal the ring

If Flora can see Bloom cornered...why did no one noticed the big ass fight

Musa was singled out to play something like it isn't her first day at school.... Faragonda what the fuck lady

Stormy has called Icy little sister

Ah yes... flying fixes vertigo

Bloom throws out death glares left and right in s1, love her

Why didn't they tell Bloom that the ring was swapped out before she got her ass kicked

Bloom shows up an hour late in a okay outfit and everybody clapped...main characteritius

Did Flora really give a baby animal to a murderous woman?? She's so lucky that this is a kids show

Bro, Sky is so excited to flirt with Bloom and they haven't even had a full conversation yet. The railroading of the relationships in this show is powerful

EP 4:

"Don't use magic!" "Listen to the voice of nature which is a inherently magical trait" I'm going feral

I love how all the girls instantly follow Flora

"Oh yes dear~ all this mud is so very inconvenient." Musa do be making pot shots at Stella, huh?

The Sky/Brandon thing is so weird.... Imagine calling your own name to get your besties attention

They must both turn around whenever either of their names are called

Riven: I am going to be the most annoying person on their air craft

He's having fun flying the ship 🥺 he's lucky I can't smack his idiot self from behind this screen

Flora: You guys ok?

Riven: isn't it rather obvious??

Musa: OMG THAT ONE, I WANT THAT ONE. THE ONE WITH THE EMOTIONAL ISSUES RIGHT THERE, I WANT THAT ONE

Look at her adorable little face, she thinks she can fix him

Someone please get this girl some therepy. Riven too. Then, and only then, can you two kiss

What the fuck does Musa see in him? Ask her collection of bad boy romance novels and her Lana del Rey playlist

WHERE THE FUCK DID THIS CROWD OF EXTRAS COME FROM

Tecna: You guys let the troll fucking escape?!

Brandon: ah yes, the giant hole in the ship was because we let the troll walk out

Riven at all times is overcompensating for both his paranoia, low self-esteem, and compete inability to read a fucking social cue. Which leads him to be the dumbest motherfucker alive

Riven is way too smug for how idiotic he is. You all have already fucked up majorly. Just take the L, it will be less embarrassing

Riven....go take multiple seats before someone sets you on fire with their mind. You do realize your fucking with people who can set people on fire with their minds right?

Riven you defensive little asshole

LMAO Brandon playing translator for their pet idiot

OMG THE FUCKING CROWD OF EXTRAS IS BACK, WHO ARE YOU PEOPLE AND WHY ARE YOU HERE

"we can do this on our own!" Says the fairy in the middle of an assignment where their not allowed to use magic....girl what the fuck do you think I'd going to happen. Just threaten to set Riven on fire like a normal person

Flora bby just goes along with the others 😭

Tecna was the only one who could figure out they were attacked, she is the only bitch here that has a brain

Musa: the silence is erie

Musa, babe, their are near constant bird sound effects being played

I love how Tecna is genuinely getting annoyed by this nature shit

The fact that Bloom is leading everyone with the voice of nature and not Flora is definitely a choice (derogatory)

Timmy you are so fucking stupid, can you not HEAR the bird sounds? Do you think that their are no animals in swamps??? I'm going to attack you

Stella is a fucking idiot on par with the guys, this is amazing

Thank you Flora. Riven needs to live long enough to become a better person and kiss Musa, and Brandon isn't allowed to die under any circumstances

Riven.....Riven.....you are the stupidest motherfucker I've ever had the displeasure of seeing. I stg some of the shit he says makes no damn sense. Like??? Yeah don't stick around the people who know where their going and know the types of evil plants your going to encounter. I'm sure you'll make it very far. How did you make it past preschool

S1 Riven was just an asshole to be an asshole, huh??

I can fix you*

(*make your motives and assholerly more senseical and maybe tone it down a bit in some places so Musa at least has a reason to think your a good person underneath all that)

Riven....one day your going to get punched. But also why is Timmy here?? In a military school?? If he can't do physical things?? Like?? How did he make it into the school??? Bc he's implied to fucking suck at everything physical

(Actually my mom talked about people joining the military when they couldn't do a push up and how she was always paired up with them in basic training because she was the best. She hated thoese people for getting her remedial)

Sky is acting like he's never been around Riven's bitchass before

Thank you for protecting Timmy's honor tho, I'm sure he will appreciate it once Brandon digs him out of the mud

Remember when Brandon called the shots and Sky had to listen to him?????????? Tbh Brandon's ablity to communicate and excellently read soical ques and interpret people would make him a MUCH better leader

LMAO BYE BYE RIVEN 🤣 I love how he doesn't shut up until Brandon tells him to

I love how Tecna decides when something is fact. She, and only she, is the arbiter of Truth

This shows romance is run by the Subway masters with how fucking rigidity it sticks to it's tracks

Tecna did not fucking HESITATE to grab Riven's bitch ass. We Stan (1) logical queen

PFF also Riven falling in after just being the worst at Timmy is fucking hilarious

Sky's season one hair is like

send help, he looks like someone's teenage daugter

Thoese girls are so rude and for what?? You are all students. Riven being a bitch doesn't excuse this kind of nonsense

Bro Riven will just say anything won't he

Sir you have attached too much personal stake in your ego, please go to therepy before it crashes all around you and you have a mental break down

Sky: we're not specialists :(( were a bunch of rookies

Water is wet, fire it hot Sky. Your a freshmen

First opinion gained on Sky: he is a nice dude

Sky: the only thing we do really well together is argue

No that's just Riven

Timmy I appreciate you for yelling at Riven's bitch ass he deserves it

Ok but Riven laughing with Brandon after Timmy yells at them.... finally some good fucking food

Oh god the Tecna/Timmy rail road has begun. None of you people are good enough for Tecna. None of you deserve Tecna

Stormy and Darcy being anxious while Icy is annoyed with them

Dose it count if they got a ride? And who the FUCK fixed the ship

Musa will see Riven being a surly asshole and go "is anyone going to try and fix that?" And not wait for an answer

This teacher was watching them.... which means he saw his students get attacked by the troll..DUDE WHAT THE FUCK

These teachers are all fucked

Timmy: I finally feel like part of a group

Riven is still the fucking worst guys, I don't know if you forget

Brandon: haha, noo. Don't keep calling me prince. It's not like it makes me deeply uncomfortable

Stella's bed is so gorgeous, a bitch needs everything to be perfect

"good night Sky"

GIRL YOU'VE KNOWN HIM FOR LIKE THREE DAYS PLEASE CHILL

EP 5:

Why does Alfea has kitchen duty??? I would never trust these children with a kitchen

Bloom as an only child has never cooked before. As an only child, can confirm. I also can't cook

Their all so mean to Stella but I can't blame them, she fucking ditched

Musa: a guy who knows you and still wants to date you?

Goddamn Musa, I get that you think your not like other girls, but please chill the fuck out

Also Musa says this like she doesn't have a crush on RIVEN

Girl this house is made of really nice glass, will you please stop throwing rocks around

I love how picking out clothes is a group activitie 🥺 yess, their girlies

Flora would wear all black on a date??? Why haven't we seen this?!

Stella: I designed it!

Musa: in the dark

Goddamn

Why the fuck did Bloom ask if Brandon was taking Sky on his date, girlie are you ok?

Bloom getting offended that Stella called "Brandon" "Sky"'s servant. "He's his assistant! Theirs a difference!" He's actually a squire which is closer to protege, bc Winx club has no clue how words work, and his job is more bodyguard. So your wrong on both fronts. Also when did Bloom get this idea? Was Sky so uppy about being seen as a servant that he told her to day this??

Musa fucking STRUGGLING to lift Stella's jewelry box.....Stella has abs confirmed

Tecna: my plot senses are tingling

This is why I wouldn't put a bunch of stupid teenagers, who can't pay attention for shit, in charge of dinner for a whole school. Someone is going to end up with food poisoning

Musa is so fucking grumpy that Stella gets to go on a date

SHES LITERALLY FUCKING POUTING HELP

Imagine after Rivusa gets together Musa is doing this and looking super cute and kissable and Riven kisses her until she forgets why she was mad bc she's so fucking cute in this image and deserves kisses

Tecna: I've not been programed for dating

You have two wolves inside of you

One says Tecna is aromantic

The other has been completely convinced by s2-3 Tecna being adorable that she's allo ace

Your a fucking idiot

Darcy, for being a witch of darkness, mind, disguise, and other related things, your shit at pretending to be people

PHIL?!

Musa favorite part of Alfea was lab class and that's why she's constantly coming for Stella's throat....That and maybe she's a little jealous that Stella can fuck up that bad and stay in school while Musa is on scholarship? I need an explanation for this

Darcy when the fuck did you have time to change into Stella's usual clothes

Bloom, seeing that Stella's magic was a dark purple: Ohhh FUCK, that's not Stella

Musa may go for Stella's throat constantly but she's number one "let's kill 'Sky' for hurting Stella"

RIVEN IS SO DAMN IRRITATING. No one was talking to you sweetie, go somewhere and think about what you've done

Remember when Sky had a dog? Yeah me too

Tecna: this kinda of perseverance isn't good Bloom

Bloom: neither are your electronic gadgets

Bloom is so mad about the idea that Tecna thinks she's smarter than her

The Trix are so fucking dramatic

The girls should easily be able to tell that that isn't Stella. Stella's magic isn't purple

Tecna is so ready to save Bloom and Flora

Why haven't they all transformed?!

"but that's not Stella! She has no powers without her ring"

And yet she didn't use her ring at all in the second fight with Knut. Plot holes abound

Darcy you are so fucking terrible at this

You dramatic ass hoes

STELLA NO!!! YOU FUCKING LET HER GO RIGHT NOW DARCY

Stella bb it's all gonna be ok

"I'm really sorry. The witches tricked me"

I am going to start sobbing, the first thing Stella does is apologize to her friends for being kiddnapped 😭 Stella bb nooo

I love how Tecna and Musa are like "oh FUCK NO. Well kick your ass, save Stella AND keep the ring" when they all got their ass kicked the last time they fought the Trix

STELLA BABY ARE YOU OK?!

Tenca, pissed as fuck: We could of beaten them

She says, like their last altercation wasn't nearly a murder if Stella hadn't teleported them away

She's so fucking angry about Bloom giving the Trix Stella ring, Tecna wanted blood

Tenca: your not the boss >:(

Bloom: I'm Stella's bestie and I had the ring sooo

Flora supporting Bloomy, ty ty

[mindmeltonabun-blog]

Doom At Your Service: Analysis & Theories for EPs 7-8

Welcome back to another edition of analyses and theories time with me! I’m going to try and keep this post as short and as simple as possible. In case I don’t, I apologize in advance! Also, sorry if this post is filled with grammar mistakes and confusing syntax...I'm writing/editing this late at night and my ADHD meds have lost their effectiveness.

Anyways Eps 7-8 was pretty awesome and I’m glad that a bunch of my previous theories had come true! For those who wonder how I come up with some of these theories, I just look at everything whether it be big or small. I also try to look for connections and patterns. At the same time, I try to understand the motivations of characters and what is the big picture the writer is trying to paint. Once you're able to do all of that then you can predict where the story is going. This is how for the most part I was able to predict the events and endings of shows like TOTNT and TKEM. Anyhow, let’s get down to analyzing and theorizing! Turn on those thinking caps!

What the Rock Balancing Structure Represents

Rock balancing is a form of art that involves a person placing a combination of rocks in an arrangement. To achieve balance of the rocks, one must be very patient and compassionate. In its completion, the structure represents that while things may appear impossible, they are actually possible. So what seems impossible, but can actually be possible? Hmmm probably Myul Mang learning what it means to be human and ending up becoming human. Notice that both the rock art is next to the plant and the story of Pinocchio? It's saying saying that the impossible can be possible. It's possible for Myul Mang to be able to learn what it means to be a human so that the impossible can happen...he can "grow" up to becoming a real human.

The whole rock balancing structure could also signify that in order to grow, one must overcome one's deepest fears. I don't know about you all, but stacking rocks is a scary thing especially since at any moment the whole thing could fall over. Anyways, if you remembered, Myul Mang had been searching everywhere for Dong Kyung and feeling like one of his worst fears (Dong Kyung not existing) had came true. It's only when he goes to Dora's hospital room and sees both the Pinocchio book and rock structure that he got Dora's lesson. And that's why afterwards you didn't see Myul Mang going on another search for Dong Kyung somewhere else.

A brief digression. I’ve seen multiple people theorizing that the plant and the butterfly represent Dong Kyung and Myul Mang respectively. To them I say, did you just completely miss the part where Dora says the plant is Myul Mang? Myul Mang is both the butterfly and the plant. For those who still don’t see that, let me break it down.

First, what do butterflies symbolize? They symbolize metamorphosis, death, and rebirth. Myul Mang is not a literal butterfly, but he will eventually be one in a metaphorical sense. If anything, Myul Mang right now is like a caterpillar on the verge of entering the cocoon stage that is followed by a reemergence as a butterfly aka human. You can also look at it this way, Pinocchio is a butterfly too. Why? Well, look at what happens to Pinocchio. He is reborn as a real boy after having gone through metamorphosis (puppet -> real boy).

Now let’s examine the plant symbolism. What do plants represent in DAYS? They represent humans. What is Dora growing? A human Myul Mang..DUH!! Sorry, but I didn’t think it was that hard of a concept to grasp especially since Dora has already explicitly said what she is growing in that one scene. For Myul Mang to grow up to become a "good" human, he needs to learn to think about others, forgive himself, be compassionate (not only towards himself, but others as well), love others, etc. Other things Myul Mang would probably need to learn is how to love his fate or amor fati (loving your fate means loving it all, not just the good parts, but the bad parts too; loving it so much so that you would never want to change anything about it and would gladly relive your life the way it was over and over again for all of eternity).

I don’t think the "plant" will fully "blossom" until Myul Mang sacrifices himself to save Dong Kyung for the sole reason that he loves her (in contrast to sacrificing himself for his own personal gain). Therefore, that's probably the final lesson -- how to be completely selfless.

Dora just wants her son to grow up to be a "good" plant (human) so she doesn't have to end up pulling him out aka end him before he even becomes human! Okay???

Sorry if what I've just said was confusing. What I meant to say is that Myul Mang's personal growth is reflective in the plant's growth. The more he learns of what it means to be a "good" human, the more the plant will grow until it blossoms into a beautiful flower (a real human).

If we want to connect the idea of personal growth to the story of Pinocchio, we see that Pinocchio's growth occurs only after he experiences pain (physical and emotional) and love. From these experiences, he learns what it means to be a "good" boy and is rewarded by the Fairy transforming him into a real boy.

One Wish or Wishes?

In my previous post, I had briefly touched upon how I think Dong Kyung is going to wish for brain cancer to be cured. Though I still think this, I nevertheless want to explore some of the other possibilities of what her wish could be.

Potential Wishes:

1) Myul Mang to Become Human

2) More Wishes

3) Contract to be Voided

4) No One Remembering Her After She Dies

For #1, Dong Kyung wishes Myul Mang to become human, but then she still dies from her untreated brain cancer…so nope. For #2 and #3, are these wishes even allowed? I would like to point out some flaws of the writer. Maybe it’s not so much a flaw, but an annoyance I have with the writer of DAYS. What one can or cannot wish for is not explicitly stated. Due to this, it is somewhat difficult for me to accurately predict what Dong Kyung will wish for. It’s like trying to detect a substance without being given its upper and lower limits or range of detection (sorry for the science related analogy) ! For #4, I guess this one could be probable, but there is just too much evidence pointing to Myul Mang's death. After exploring each of the possibilities, I'm still left thinking that Dong Kyung's one wish will be to cure her cancer.

Anyways, even if Dong Kyung wishes for her brain cancer to be cured, it’s not really a happy ending since Myul Mang still dies. Is there any other way for Dong Kyung to make another wish so that she can save Myul Mang? I think there is and it comes in the form of the “gift” that Dora gave Dong Kyung. In my previous post, I had theorized that the marble may have a larger purpose than just being a symbol of how the fate of the world is Dong Kyung hands. I believe now that the marble’s larger purpose is that it is a type of wish fulfilling stone. Why? Because we know fantasy dramas typically make references to mythology. In this case, the writer of DAYS is probably referencing Hindu mythology.

In Hindu mythology there are 3 main gods:

1) Brahma: The Creator

2) Vishnu: The Preserver

3) Shiva: The Destroyer (Sounds like Myul Mang right? Also, the love story between Shiva and Parvati is somewhat similar to that of Myul Mang and Dong Kyung’s love story.)

Dora is the equivalent to the god Vishnu in Hindu mythology. Vishnu is often depicted wearing a “Cintamani”, a type of wish fulling stone analogous to the Philosopher’s Stone (hint hint…transforms something from one form into another…immortal -> human) in Western mythology. Given this, the marble/Cintamani in Dong Kyung's possession could be the key to Myul Mang’s rebirth.

Some might ask, “Well why can’t Dora just use it to wish for her son to be reborn as a human?”. Well, remember that both Dora and Myul Mang are slaves to the wishes of humans. They themselves cannot fulfil their own wishes or desires. Meaning, even though Dora and Myul Mang can wish for something to happen, they cannot carry it out unless humans wish it too. Also, as I mentioned previously, deities in kdramas never just give humans gift because they’re being nice. Rather, they give gifts to humans so that humans can help them accomplish their overall goals/wishes.

So putting it all together, do you see where I’m going with this? Dora has the same wish as Dong Kyung which is for Myul Mang to live, but Dora is unable to execute her goals/wishes unless Dong Kyung wishes it too. Dora knows that Dong Kyung will probably use her one wish to cure her brain cancer. At the same time, this leaves her son, Myul Mang, to die. Therefore, Dora gives Dong Kyung the wish fulfilling marble with the intention that Dong Kyung will use it to wish for her son, Myul Mang, to be reborn as a human. With Dora/Dong Kyung’s wish, Myul Mang will be free from his cursed life as an immortal and be reborn to be able to live happily with Dong Kyung.

Side note, the rebirth of Myul Mang into a human can either be dependent on Myul Mang's personal growth or it can be dependent on this wish fulfilling stone or both! I'm leaning more towards his personal growth as being the catalyst for his rebirth, but who knows! It very well could be that the marble has a role to play in his rebirth.

Is Dong Kyung Going To Be An Immortal?

No…no…and NO!!

Some might ask why don’t I think this? Well, for a bunch of reasons. I’ll admit I used to think that it would be very romantic for a human to become immortal so that they can be with their immortal lover forever. However, the more I thought about it, I came to the realization the notion of forever is not romantic nor beautiful. At its core, the concept of eternity is quite terrifying and ugly. And if you haven’t realized already, the writer of DAYS has been making multiple arguments against immortality. For anything to have meaning, it must have an end. In this sense, the end is beautiful.

To get my point across, I want you to try and think about some things. What keeps life meaningful? Experiences? People? Well, imagine doing something you love for a year. Now imagine doing it for trillions or zillions of years. Experiences no matter how good they are at first will eventually become tedious if you do it for long enough. For example, eating your favorite dish may be good for a while, but not for zillions of years. At one point or another, you ultimately lose your desire to want to eat it or eat entirely for that matter.

Now surely getting to know people and loving them can keep your life meaningful right? Well, how many times do you think you could handle knowing and loving people who eventually disappear? Eventually, you grow tired of crying and mourning over dead loved ones that you become numb. Now imagine being Dong Kyung. She would have to witness her family, their family, and so forth dying over and over again for all of eternity. Doesn’t that seem tortuous? Sure, one could argue that at least she has Myul Mang with her, but do you really think her love for him could sustain her forever? The relationship between Myul Mang and his mother, Dora, is a prime example of how a loving relationship could turn sour over a great deal of time. The gift of immorality Dora bestowed on Myul Mang became a curse instead of a blessing. So why would Myul Mang want to give Dong Kyung something that was basically a curse for him? As for Dora, she probably wouldn’t want to give Dong Kyung the same gift after seeing what it did to her son.

If you continue to think that Dong Kyung will become an immortal being, did you really smell what the writer of DAYS was cooking or did you just smell what you were cooking?

The Bad Case of the Riddles

From what I have been reading on multiple platforms now, it would seem that a lot of people are rather confused about a lot of things. It’s understandable! Throughout the show, the writer has presented some complex philosophical concepts that may be difficult for some viewers to grasp. To further add to the confusion, the characters at times do speak in what appears to be riddles. This I believe may be one of the major flaws of the writer. She has to consider that her audience are probably people who have never read any philosophical works before. Most viewers aren’t here to decipher cryptic messages or see how they’re connected to some major philosophical concepts such as eternal recurrence, existentialism, nihilism, amor fati, etc. Most are here to shut off their tired brain and enjoy some good fantasy romance! I know I’m totally one of those people!

Needless to say, I did find myself in a debate of whether I should discuss some philosophical concepts referenced in the show as to help you all gain a better sense of understanding. However, I concluded that it would take too much of my time to do so. Additionally, despite my best efforts to use the simplest of words, I found that whatever I had already written may have still been confusing to the everyday reader. Anyways, if there are any particular scenes or dialogue you all want to me go over, please feel free to use the ask button and I’ll do my best to try and answer them!

Whats Going to Happen Next?

Probably more filler type stuff aka more bs. It's common in kdramas for characters to go back and forth on their initial decision of whatever. Dong Kyung is going to break up with Myul Mang because she loves him and doesn't want him to die. And before the breakup, she's going to give him some good memories to remember her by. Following this, she's going to try and love herself so that she's the one that ends up dying and her wish is going to be for everyone to forget her? Okay......Zzzzzzz!! Idk... Dora is probably going to intervene somehow to get Dong Kyung and Myul Mang back together again.

Other Random Thoughts

What I think would be interesting to learn about is the connection between Dong Kyung's parents death and Dora past self's death. It wasn't just all a coincidence that they both died on the same day. Who knows... maybe Dong Kyung was meant to be in the car that day with her parents, but Dora's past self sacrificed herself to change Dong Kyung's fate.

Also, I still don't think Dong Kyung is going to die, I mean you got her brother praying to the deities that she lives!

Okay, I'm done. I wrote this in Microsoft Word and it was 5 pages long. My brain is dead. There's probably something I should've gone over or elaborated more about, but oh well. Thanks for reading this disjointed post!

[badjokesbyjeff]

Two boys in Egypt free a crocodile...

In a small village in Egypt lived two orphan boys, Set and Amenhotep. They always watched out for each other, well past their years of childhood and into their time as young adults.

One day, the two were walking outside the village when they saw a crocodile trapped in a poacher’s snare. The two young men, sympathetic to a creature in need, approached the crocodile and released it from the trap.

Once freed, the crocodile transformed into a wispy, glowing fairy! “Thank you, young men” said the fairy, “Your hearts are truly selfless, and I will grant each of you one wish. What are your names?”

“This is my friend Set, and you can call me ‘Ep’”, said Amenhotep.

“Very well, Ep” said the fairy “What is the desire of your heart?”

“I wish I was the strongest man in the world!” Amenhotep wished.

“Very well”, said the fairy, “but you must always use your strength to help others.” Smoke gathered around Amenhotep, and when the smoke cleared Ep was 7 foot six and rippling with muscles.

The fairy turned to Set “And what is your wish, Set?” Set responded “I never want to be poor again! I wish for money!”

“Very well,” said the fairy. Smoke gathered in front of the two of them, and when the smoke cleared a small elf remained, bowing to the two boys. “Greetings, sirs! My name is Elmon, and I am here to serve!”

“Elmon is an expert in all things money,” said the fairy, “He will help you make wise decisions and turn any business profitable, but will only help you so long as he is only asked to do good for your fellow man.”

Amenhotep and Set were inseparable. True to his word, Amenhotep used his great strength to build many houses for people in need. Set helped, as well, but his comparatively small size next to the now massive Amenhotep earned him the nickname “Imp”. With Elmon’s financial savvy, the two started a non-profit dedicated to building houses for the less fortunate, and Elmon kept all their paperwork in perfect order.

Years passed, and the two lived very fulfilling lives helping the homeless. Amenhotep met a girl while building houses and the two got married and had a beautiful baby boy, Josep.

Ep and Set’s business expanded globally. 15 years passed and Amenhotep grew kinder and more generous, giving to people in need at any of the places he went to build houses. Set built a campus in Cairo for the headquarters of their business, and directed global efforts. Over the years, Set lost touch with the people he was helping, and became more focused on business expansion and money of the business.

As all fathers do, Amenhotep wanted his son to eventually take over the business and help the next generation of needful people find purpose in their lives. He sent Josep to the the HQ in Cairo to learn business from Set. Once there, Josep was surprised to find that much of the financial success was due in large part to the financial savvy of Elmon, the elf.

Josep spent months at HQ learning how to run the business. While there, Set decided that it was time to expand the company into a more profitable venture. Instead of building houses for the needy, he drafted up a plan to buy up land around urban areas and construct rental properties at expensive prices while preventing construction of new, affordable housing. He sent Josep with the proposal to Elmon to determine the financial logistics.

Upon reading the proposal and its ill-nature’s effect on Set’s fellow man, Elmon keeled over and died, instantly.

Josep was shocked, and ran to alert Set right away, who wailed in dismay at the loss of his financial mastermind. In a rage, he accused Josep of killing Elmon, and sent the teenager to jail.

Amenhotep, hearing of the distress, caught the first flight back to Cairo to find himself neck-deep in a legal battle between him and his old friend.

Without the financial and legal savvy of Elmon, Set’s case was a mess. Amenhotep, distraught, tried to reason with his childhood friend. “Come, Imp, release my boy and call off the lawsuit. Let’s use our energy to help those in need and not further what we both know is a fruitless path.”

Set refused, furiously gathering circumstantial evidence to bring to the court to frame Josep for Elmon’s murder.

The case was brought before the court, but Set’s claims were weak and unsupported. The judge, thoroughly disgusted with the lack of evidence from the prosecution, dismissed the case outright.

Obviously, Ep’s teen didn’t kill Imp’s elf.

[papers4me]

Fruits Basket Manga Review , ch 102- 106

I thought abt skipping those chapters cuz the difference from the anime are’nt big & there’s hardly any tohru in them which I know where the great difference between anime & manga is. However, I like yuki & I was delighted to see the difference between manga yuki & anime yuki! Really, furuba anime makes so much focus on him & all, yet manages to miss the mark when it comes to his character. Yuki is such a prince “from a fairy tale but with trauma” in the anime which contradicts his vision of himself in canon as he said it IS fake, but in the manga he’s a real character with layers. 

A-Chapters 102 & 103/ se03, ep 3 ( A dynamic Yuki vs a prince):

Not much change in the plot from the anime, se03, ep 3, except few things I’ll highlight here:

MACHI: ch.102 is basically machi’s story that we saw in se03 ep 3 first half before the motoko part. but it’s fascinating how the anime handled it greatly & how the manga had its unique touch. The anime gave machi’s part its own color, mood & focus, while the manga excelled in the facial expressions.

YUKI: In ch. 102 & 103, Yuki in particular had many facial expressions in such a refreshing way different from the anime. In the anime, yuki emoted exclusively with kyo & kakeru in ways that you don’t need to hear his monologue to understand his thoughts, he was also allowed expressiveness with machi in the anime but with maintaining big doses of his princely aesthetics & mannerism cuz we see him from achi’s perspective. Ironic cuz she calls him imperfect but the anime gives him lots of shojo bubbles from her pov. In the manga, yuki is way more expressive with lots of characters!!! Even with the fanclub girls, he had funny expressions, & we see a cute scene of machi trying to cheer him up!

in the manga, yuki & machi both are given expressive features. Machi isn’t silent with her head down 95% of the time & yuki is is not living in his own head & is very dynamic with other characters as well, which makes him feel real.

Also, in the manga, yuki isn’t super skinny like the anime! I love how he fills his school uniform without it looking so baggy. In the manga, yuki looks like a grown teenager boy reaching his 17!!! In the anime, yuki looks the same all seasons.

In the anime, the clear body growth was exclusive to kyo in se02, during beach arc mainly cuz the plot required it as tohru kept commenting on kyo growing up physically & told Kazuma. So, the anime made huge effort to make kyo look grown physically. Also, in the anime, yuki is given a princely aura from se01 to 3 as his physical appearance & aesthetics remained the same minus his interaction with kakeru where you see glimpses of a more firm & free character. A peek into his soul perhaps?

B-Ch 104 -106, Anime, se3, ep 4. (Isuzu’s Arc closed, Akito’s begins!): 

I love the way the page transitioned from Isuzu’s hair at kureno’s feet to Haru’s entering akito’s room!

I love akito in this chapter/ep, not love her as in support her, no. lol. but love how this chapter/ep sheds light into her twisted mind. Great writing! The way Akito was shocked at kureno’s betrayal of saving Isuzu is why Akito’s growth from abuser to feeling guilt & repent is not satisfactory in the anime ( I’m yet to reach this part in the manga, so I’ll wait to see if it was handled differently). Akito was way more self-centered & concerned with her delusions to stop a bit & entertain the thought that isuzu was on the verge of death. This is a huge red flag. This is sth you can’t brush under tohru’s healing words of feeling similar to akito & akito finding “ true friendship” as a healthy replacement to her delusional “ together forever”.

-The core characters that the entire show/ story/ manga is built upon their views are tohru & akito. You can’t spend 2 seasons & a half faintly touching these characters’ pov & trauma, then give quick hasty focus, then hit them with “ healing growth”. Both tohru & akito needed more screen time/ spotlight to dwell into them cuz they’re fascinating characters!

This chapter the focus is on haru & isuzu, however, these two characters arc would pretty much be wrapped after this chapter/ep minus few cleaning here & there. Akito’s descending into darkness truly begins here. This is what should be followed & given much care!

I love how this line connects what seems like a sub-plot story to the main story of the original zodiacs!!! In the original story, the cat refused to be by the Ruler’s side & it was percieved as the cat betraying him & the others. All the rest of the animals must ALWAYS be on the Ruler/Akito side & not copy the Monster/Cat behavior. Excellent foreshadowing & a twist to kyo’s/ akito’s / kureno’s story! The cat was right all along, but it’s not abt right or wrong. It’s abt choosing sides. With us or against us. If you are not with us, you are the barbaric enemy/ monster. ( kinda similar to our real world issues & politics)

Side Notes:

I have nothing to say abt motoko except in a 13 ep core & major final season with thematic & plot focus, she really got her share. Out of all the content to cut. what logic? I can never understand..... Not hating, but truly bewildered & confused. Fan service? Gotta be. Wasting valuable screen time for a character with no effect on plot or characters or anything.. I mean if it was a 26 ep season, then okay... but the nope! lets chop chop core plot & give motoko an epic send off!

Maybe Motoko got pity love from the anime team? She wasnt given yuki’s love, so the decision maker whoever they are, gave her better emotional focus than the actual love interest (machi) has got! XD (again not hating, but amused! XD)

I love how furuba’s writing don’t need over-exaggerated drama at all. All the pain is in the writing. in the characters themselves. The anime only needed to focus on them & get rid of the theatrical display of emotions & forced fast paced & unrealistic timeline. sigh~

Still, I love how ep 4 was directed in the anime starting the 2nd part, it was given its own mood & colors.

I love that Haru didnt just find Isuzu in the streets right wawy but waited few days to meet her. It hammers the importance of pacing time in the manga, but I also understands why the anime needed to go directly to it seeing that as I said haru & isuzu are reaching the end of their arc here & they want to close the door behind their issues once & for all. lol.

Everthing else abt Machi story, haru & isuzu, akito & kureni, I have already said before in my weekly anime reviews when se03 was airing.

I peeked into ch. 107 first two pages!!!!! Tohru’s focus???? Is this the beginning of the weakly directed ep 6? YESS!!! I cant wait to read it next weekend! <3

[murtaghsbeard]

Season 5 Ep 11 - Journey cake

Claire is so excited about peanut butter. It’s meant to be cute and silly, but I GET IT. I feel that peanut butter has some power where you could choose not to eat it for months or years, but if it becomes suddenly unavailable to you, you just go crazy over it. I missed peanut butter like crazy when I lived in Japan and the only place you could get American style peanut butter was Japanese Costco and I would beg my coworker to buy 2lb jars of peanut better for me and I would eat it from a spoon every morning like a lunatic. Enough about me. While I’m reminiscing about peanut butter, the gang finds a burned cabin with lots of murder victims and one horribly burned girl who they must put out of her misery. 😬

Claire loses some Saran Wrap in the 1700s. Cant wait to discover the butterfly effect of that. Just kidding. That doesn’t exist in this show.

It’s bee time! The otter tooth man’s stone suddenly gets very hot and noisy for anyone from the future and little Jemmy. Conclusion: Jemmy can time travel but Jamie still can’t.

But.... Claire used to wear this stone like a necklace and it never burned her, so why now???

No time to work through this. Lots of riders are coming. The dudes we don’t like want more men to patrol for the cabin burning scourge. Jamie says no thanks, though it seems like something he should be interested in....

Hold the phone! Ian. has. some. questions! Thanks for holding on to these questions for several years! Is Claire a fairy, yes or no? Great question! Let’s go in this room to discuss. Wait, don’t close the door on us viewers, Jamie. I want to hear every dumb, insane and brilliant question that Ian’s brain can formulate about being a woman from the future. That is the entertainment I am here for! I would watch that for an entire 50 minutes.

Why must Ulysses live in the Murtagh-Jocasta sex stick palace? Why doesn’t Ulysses get freed for saving the life of his master? Somehow I think they allow that even if the deceased is white.

Oh snap! Ulysses was free this whole time

Roger and Brianna plan their exit strategy.

....Perhaps it’s worth planning a re-entry to 1970s strategy too? You’ve gotta assume property forfeiture, death certificates by now, no assets, perhaps even an unsolved mysteries episode. Roger, how are you going to explain this 3 year gap in your CV? You left your post at Oxford and did fuckall. Not a single publication.

John Grey! He sure loves to drop in.

Ian delights in his new status as secret keeper. He gets to talk about time travel by the river with the ladies now. What a dream! Ian wants to be a time traveler. Something about the lady shaped hole in his heart. The Fraser ladies tell him no. They have worked out some sort of theory about a genetic predisposition to time travel, which excludes Ian, based on really no evidence at all. Sorry, Ian!

John Grey must go back to England. He brings an updated portrait of William. He always brings really good gifts.

Claire has a special perfume she only puts on for sex. Perhaps an open second story window is not the best spot to perch for this sort of activity. The next morning, She makes Jamie look at his own sperm through a microscope. This confrontation with his own sperm inspires him evidently to tell Brianna about the other fruit of his loins-her half brother. They have a little heart to heart. He very sweetly hopes she will look him up in her history books.

Brianna makes her rounds saying her goodbyes. Lizzy is not taking it well. “I was with you in your darkest hour [glossing over when I had your husband beaten and sold into slavery] and your wedding” she cries.

Another sad story about bad man and abused wife.

Roger Mac gives Ian his land

Ulysses will pal around with John Grey until Ulysses decides to do something different. I like that for them. Though John extols that Brianna is impossible not to like, which is ehhh.... let’s leave it for now. John Grey has a love for all things Jamie and the rule is absolute.

They enjoy a family meal of pb&j

Bee time! Ian escorts Roger, Brianna, and Jemmy to the beehive stones of time travel. Ian is so sad to be left behind. My heart flutters a bit when they ask the small toddler to hold a near microscopic ruby in his baby sausage fingers and not to drop it. If you drop it you might be separated from mommy and daddy by 200 years! That is a lot of responsibility for someone with minimal dexterity. I would have put that ruby in the kid’s mitten.

Something goes wrong with the time travel. We don’t know what exactly, except it’s not the case that the magic stones are now housed in a Motel 6, which is what I expected. What do they think this part of New York looks like in the 20th Century? It’s got to be all built over.

Claire gets kidnapped by the bad men. Terrible. Claire is somewhat accustomed to this by now, but those bastards struck Marsali.

[averytinyelephant]

damn the heavens

Author’s note: This is my gift for @tog-secret-santa​! (This is my first time participating in an event for a fandom, and it’s been really fun, so thank you to the mods!!!) This gift is for @pi-a-ia​ (who’s art is amazing, go check it out!!). I tried incorporating all of your wishes in this fic, so I hope you like it! [Contains spoilers for the anime and anyone who hasn’t caught up to chapter 193 (Season 2, Ep. 113) of the manhwa.] Fandom: Tower of God (Read the Webtoon here!) Pairing: Khun Aguero Agnis/The Twenty-Fifth Baam

Summary: After the end of the Workshop Battle, Baam stares at the sky. Khun may not have the courage to chase the stars, but maybe he can carve Baam a path of light to reach them.

Gif credits to @edo-taichou​.

THE WINNING TEAM OF THE WORKSHOP BATTLE IS: TEAM SWEET & SOUR

There’s silence for one short moment. Then, an explosion of cheers.

Khun breathes a sigh of relief.

Finally, everything’s back as it should be.

—

There’s celebrations. Drinking, yelling, partying— Khun doesn’t really care for any of it. And from the looks of how he can hardly keep his eyes open, Baam doesn’t either.

“Baam, let’s go get some rest.” Baam blinks a few times at the proposal, likely not used to being called by that name again yet, but gives Khun a soft, grateful smile. “Okay,” he agrees simply, “please ask Rak-ssi too. He must be tired too.”

Khun clicks his tongue and rolls his eyes exaggeratedly at the mention of the gator, and it’s worth it for the bright peal of laughter it pulls from Baam. He agrees with a nod as Baam makes his way to their room.

They spread out a few blankets on the floor and gather three pillows to rest their heads. It’s makeshift and shabby, nothing like FUG’s luxury beds and the expensive bedsheets Khun can afford, and everyone’s still celebrating loudly in the other room.

All three of them are fast asleep in minutes.

—

When Baam wakes up, it’s to loud snoring and a heavy weight on his chest.

He blinks at the ceiling a few times before sitting up, gently sliding the still-snoring Rak off of his chest.

I… made it back.

He steals a glance at Khun wrapped up in his blanket. The way they both sleep suits them: Rak is splayed out and snoring open and carefree, Khun is turned away and closed into his blanket. Both of his hands are hidden under it as he holds the pillow under his head— does he still sleep with a knife in hand? His hair doesn’t look as disheveled as it should after sleeping for so long, so he must not have moved very much, which makes it possible that he does.

That... Baam feels a little twinge in his chest at that. What had Khun’s life been, before they met and these years they’d been apart, to make him so afraid? Suddenly, he wants to... Baam can’t really tell, but reach out, maybe, make Khun feel safe and happy— and wow, when did Khun get so close? Baam jerks his head back, pulling his hand from where it was about to land in Khun’s soft blue hair. Khun needs his rest, Baam decides, and he doesn’t want to wake him up.

He steps outside softly, checking his Pocket as he leans on the balcony and looks up at the false sky. He has a message from Endorsi that reads: Meet me at the gate by 2 PM. If you don’t, I’ll kill you.

Baam just laughs.

—

Shibisu and Wangnan drag everyone into the main room to play drinking games. Khun’s about to make his escape like the last time, but is dragged into it anyway when Baam asks him to stay, since it’s the last night before Shibisu’s team leaves for the next floor. That bastard knows what he’s doing right now, Khun realizes quickly: his eyes are shining with mirth after intentionally making a show of asking him to stay and play with them.

Khun sighs in defeat, sitting next to Baam on the floor in the crooked circle everyone’s formed. Baam gives him a bright, guileless smile and Khun suddenly has a very personal understanding of how much his own snark must irritate people (this, however, does nothing to curb how much he’ll be using it in the future). Khun’s not a fan of alcohol or getting drunk in general, and if he remembers right, Baam is a terrible lightweight. It doesn’t take much sleight of hand to swap the nearest bottle for a non-alcoholic substitute from Khun’s lighthouse.

Baam takes a sip and gives Khun a curious look, and Khun leans into him and whispers, “If I’m going to get dragged into this, I might as well get some good blackmail.” 

Baam giggles and nods at him in agreement when Wangnan interrupts loudly, “Viole! Khun! You want to share what’s so funny with the rest of us?”

Baam blushes down to his neck and violently shakes his head, and Khun takes the bottle from him to take a swig from it before answering, “I don’t know, have you managed to pick a game for us to play or did you gather us all here just to watch you argue until we all get drunk?” Wangnan deflates quickly and Baam has to quickly hide a snicker (“Seriously, Viole?!”) before Shibisu snarks back, “Do you have one to suggest then?” “Unlike you, I spend my time doing useful things, not drinking myself silly.” “He totally just can’t think of one,” Prince interjects with a sneer. Hatz adds, “Earrings is just too much of a coward to admit that he doesn’t have any friends to drink with.” “You want to say that to me again, Hara-kiri?” “Do your stupid earrings keep you from hearing me properly?” “If you want me to kick your ass that badly, you can just ask.” “Can’t you two just drop this for one night?”

They eventually agree on Truth or Dare, and while Khun does get the blackmail he was looking for, he (along with Goseng and Baam) gets stuck with the job of ferrying people back to their rooms for the night so that they don’t just stay passed out on the floor of the main room (at Baam’s request). Baam laughs at Khun grumbling as he’s stuffing a snoozing Endorsi in his lighthouse, and Khun delights in Baam’s yelp as he hops onto the side of his Blue Shield without warning, causing him to almost drop Prince and Ehwa. 

Khun has to admit, this was a lot of fun.

—

Baam asks Khun to help him cut his hair. Khun agrees. 

As Khun takes his long hair in hand, Baam sheepishly apologizes for not following Khun’s advice for talking proper care of his hair. It pulls a shocked laugh from Khun; he hadn’t remembered giving him that lecture at all until now, and he waves away the apology. 

“I’m sure you have plenty of good excuses,” he reassures, “but I’ll be holding you to it from now on.”

Baam smiles brightly, nodding so vigorously that Khun has to remind him to keep his head still and then stifle a laugh at his embarrassment. Baam’s hair smells like blood and screams and tears and loneliness, eight years too much of it to ever be washed out, and when Khun cuts off everything below his neck all in one go, Baam heaves a sigh of relief, one Khun guesses is the first in years.

After it’s done, Baam looks up at the false sky.

—

A month. It’s been a month since the workshop battle ended.

Baam came back to the us. We passed the test without any problems, and earned the right to go up to the next floor. Everything seems to have worked out well, but in fact, this is only the beginning. Emily disappeared from the Archimedes. Where could she be now and what is Cassano planning to do with her? And most importantly… where is FUG? They tried to set me up.

Apple, Micheal,… …and Rachel.

“I want to hear more stories about… what the Outside of the Tower is like.”

I won’t let them get away with this. Even if Baam tries to stop me, I will get her.

—

Baam’s late to the meeting Hwaryun scheduled. Khun teases him lightly about it, but Ehwa tells him later that she found him looking up at the false sky, some nonsense about a fairy tale someone told him about the sky.

“You must be glad,” Hwaryun taunts him, “Now, you have more time to find Rachel.” Khun only turns his head enough to meet her eyes.

“Did you think I wouldn’t know that you’re making a team to find Rachel, behind Viole’s back? The reason why you calmly accepted my suggestion was that you thought it would be a burden to go up the Tower with Viole right now, right?”

“You are trying to kill the girl who used to be your best friend’s everything. If Viole finds out, how will he act towards you?”

He makes an agreement to meet in a year at Train City, a smile plastered on his face. He hides his teeth, because the backs of them taste like lies. That’s to be expected: he’s been cut and carved from lies— he learned how to make and break trust before learning how to keep it, to hide the truth with locks and traps and smoke and screens until it damn well doesn’t exist anymore.

When he offers his hand to shake, it’s a calculated risk: he may be made of lies, but people trust you more if you seem non threatening and vulnerable. As Khun shakes his hand, he keeps his other hand in his pocket to keep the decks of cards he has hidden up his sleeve from slipping.

They fall anyway, because of course they do.

They always have, whenever Baam’s involved.

—

Khun feels his skin crawl restlessly like a billion tiny sweetfish swimming through all of his cells, only getting more intense with each step he takes towards his room. He looks out of the open hallway at the false sky, Hwaryun’s taunts coming to mind, and he’s filled with rage so white-hot and primal that it almost surprises him.

Baam’s still chasing after Rachel, he’s known that — he didn’t even need Baam to tell him to know that because he understands, he understands that Baam’s doing what he never did. Hwaryun’s probably allowing it because it gives her an excuse to force him to grow stronger for whatever purpose FUG needs Baam to fulfill, and she was right, he needed the extra time in order to—

She’d called him Viole, she’d called Baam her god. Khun’s almost as disgusted at her as he is at himself, but he’s never claimed not to be a hypocritical asshole.  

Khun knows that there’s forces much greater than him at play here; he’s made that mistake once: he’d believed that any floor test was simple enough to plan and slash his way through, he’d believed the Tower and all of its gods were small enough to contain in his hands.

He doesn’t care. He’d like to not ever have to hear that shit again.

False kings, false gods, false stars lighting up false skies — Khun’s sick of all of it.

—

Before they leave the Wolhaiksong resort that night, Baam checks his inventory to make sure he has everything he needs. He finds three large books he’s never seen before. They have similar fancy leather covers with elegantly minimalistic yet intricate engraving. They look like they’re very old, older than he can even imagine, he realizes on a closer look, since they look like that after being preserved with Shinsu. Out of curiosity, he opens one to a random page.

He’s faced with charts and diagrams of great clouds of light, explanations too dense for him to make sense of at the moment, but there’s lots of blue annotations in a handwriting that looks very familiar for one he’s never seen before. He opens the others to other random pages and finds that they’re all the same way, filled with the same familiar annotations in all kinds of colors, contrasting the old black print of the books. Baam realizes in awe that the books are about stars, pages and pages full of skies and stars, and they’re real.

”Stars are just a legend. Even if you go up, the only thing you’ll reach is this floor’s roof. That blue sky is created by shinsu, and the bright thing at night is just a light ball. I heard there are stars in the Outside world, but they don’t exist, at least, not here in the Tower.”

He can feel shock pricking at his eyes, and looks again at the covers of the book for a title, a name, anything—

and feels tears run down his face.

FROM THE LIBRARY OF KHUN EDUAN.

[magicalgirlsandcerulean]

Ep. 10's blog post

This blog post, with Hori's second entrance, is dated 15th June 2021. Spoilers below, as always!

Notes before we begin:

For those of you who didn't check out ep. 9's blog post, see tweet 2 on that for more info about one of the characters of the day.

Due to the unintended delay on this post, I've tried to translate more completely than usual and that caused the release of this post to be postponed by another day...Sorry. Even still, consult the actual post for proper placement of emojis, coloured text etc.

This time, just for efficiency's sake, I skipped a lot of the honorifics because Hori refers to Takara, Tina and Tsumahara as -san. I've only left it in for "Balle-san" (a one-off) and when other people refer to Hori as "Hori-san" (as opposed to when Hori calls himself "Hori" with no honorific).

Also, an advance note that you'll probably want to cry when Hori pulls out the crying kaomoji. (I wanted to cry at two points when he did, at least.)

CR translations were used where I could chase them up.

Post title: バリバリのバリの禁忌其の拾！

The Very Vigorous Taboo No. Ten! [T/N: バリバリのバリ (baribari no bari) has some obvious repetition in Japanese, so I had to try convey that in English as well, even though small!Takara is more "working hard" than "vigorous". The final "bari" is a Hakata dialect thing - we already know Hori is from Fukuoka, so that fits. I had to translate the title because this phrase appears later on.]

皆様、お世話になっております。

Everyone, thank you for taking care of me. Fairy蘭丸〜あなたの心お助けします〜で雅楽代 寶 を演じております、堀 曜宏と申します。

I am called Akihiro Hori, who voices Takara Utashiro in Fairy Ranmaru ~We Will Help Your Heart~. 又の名をジャガイモ堀堀です、本日は何卒よろしくお願いします。

Also known as "Potato Digging Hori", please kindly take care of me today. [T/N: "Potato digging" = jagaimo hori, so "potato digging Hori" = jagaimo hori Hori. It also makes reference to the ep. where the kids dug up potatoes.] 禁忌其の拾『快楽』熱かったですね！！！

Episode 10, "Hedonism", was passionate, wasn't it?!!! 今回は寶さんの二回目のお当番回ということで、本編を見返しながら楽しめるような感想を主観ですが、勢いと共に書かせて頂きたいと思います。

This time was Takara's second focus episode. Although we see [elements] that recur from the original story [ep. 5], the impressions we are able to enjoy are subjective and so I will write with fervour. 開幕は女王チームとの密談からSTART!!

We START by opening the curtain on the queen team's private talk!! [T/N: "Queen team" = Queen + Houjou (+ sloth).] シリウスについて女王からせっつかれている寶さん。

The Queen is pestering Takara about Sirius. 座長…誰の台詞が麩菓子じゃい！！！！

Leader...whose lines are fugashi!!!! [T/N: Fugashi are a type of Japanese sweet. There are sweet potato fugashi, so I assume this is either a typo or a pun on a similar word. If it's a pun, the word is likely to be おかしい (strange, suspicious, unbecoming).] [T/N 2: The line below suggests "leader" (zachou) = Ranmaru, so this sentence would be referring to Sakata.] でも生配信で話している時の堀からは想像できないと思いますが…実は普段の堀は、どうやら寶さんの女王様に対する話し方くらいのらりくらりでみんなと通話しているらしく、このシーンをみんなで見てる時、ざちょ「堀さんだ」草「堀さんだねぇ」なんて言われながらみんなに笑われておりました。

However, while the stream was happening, I couldn't imagine this, but...to tell the truth, the way I usually speak to everyone is like Takara's non-committal way of speaking to the Queen, so when everyone saw this scene, the leader [Sakata] went, "That's Hori-san," and Kusano went, "That's Hori-san, isn't it?" without saying anything and so everyone laughed. 電話が切れた後の豊穣さんと女王の会話から、寶さんのお父上が夭聖界にとって如何に大事な存在だったかがわかります。

After the call was cut, we learn how important Takara's father is in the fairy world from Houjou and the Queen's conversation. そんな豊穣さんからの厚い信頼に応えるように、どこかのお姉さんへお誘いをかける寶さん…

While proving worthy of Houjou's kind confidence, Takara is asking a girl out somewhere... お相手の名前、ayakoさんって面白い名前だなぁと思ってたら、堀気づいちゃいました。[T/N: The source text, as you can see when you pause the ep. at the right time, is meant to say "[at sign]yako", but the at sign was tripping the "mention a user" function in Tumblr, so I had to swap it out with a lowercase A where it appears in this post.]

His partner's name is "ayako", which I thought was an amusing name. これ、あやこって読むんですね！！！（アハ体験）

This is read "Ayako", isn't it?!!! (a-ha moment) そしてはい、きました、 バリバリのバリのショタカラさん！！！！（人間体）

Also, we got to see him, the very vigorous sho-Takara!!!! (human form) [T/N: Literally "we got to see him" was "[he] came", LOL.] [T/N 2: Sho-Takara = shota (prepubescent boy) + Takara.] あまりの可愛さにコメントも騒然としましたね。

There was an uproar in the comments that he's excessively cute. 回想シーンでは以前も登場した、弁護士さんと寶さんの関係も明らかになりました。

The relationship between the lawyer, who's appeared before this flashback scene, and Takara is also made clear. 弁護士さんも元夭聖、しかも寶さんのお父上とただならぬ関係だったみたいです。

The lawyer was also from the fairy world and had a strong relationship with Takara's father. 幼い寶さんは弁護士さんからどんな風に人間界の生き方を仕込まれたんでしょうか…

What sort of way of living in the human world did the very young Takara learn from the lawyer...? 半裸シーツで肌に傷をおった姿のショタカラさんが、窓の外を見上げながら「いつかきっと��� 」と呟く様子にその壮絶さを感じます。

The half-naked and wounded sho-Takara, looking out the window and whispering, "Someday, surely..." [gives off a] heroic feeling. [T/N: I couldn't use the CR quote for this because that's translated more in context, as just "someday".] 寶さんのエセ関西弁は、この弁護士さんに仕込まれた影響だったんですね。

Takara's fake Kansai accent is acquired from the lawyer's. そして現代に戻ったと思ったら、 飛んで火にいる子猫ちゅわん！

Also, when we think we've returned to the present, a kitten jumps into the flame! [T/N: This translation builds off the CR version of the line, "Like a kitten to the flame!"] 今回の依頼人、ティナさんの登場です！！

This time's client, Tina, appears!! 「ちょっと何言ってるかわからないんだけど！」

"Oh, please! That's the stupidest thing I've ever heard!" 寶さんこの時のっけから飛ばしまくっていたので、堀はこの台詞がツボに入って笑いを堪えるのが大変でした。

Takara, at that time, couldn't help but send her flying from the beginning and it was difficult for me because I was trying not to laugh - there was "tsubo" in my lines. あいも変わらずスマートに名刺を渡すも、「世界で一番惚れてる男のところに連れてって！」とピシャリ。

Even after [Takara was] as smooth as ever and [handed] over the business card, she refused with "Take me to the man I love most!" [T/N: The word for "smooth" here is literally "smart", but "smart" doesn't seem to have the right connotations.] …どうやら今回の依頼人も、一筋縄ではいかないみたいです。

...apparently, this time's client seems very straightforward. 『快楽』ﾁﾘﾘﾘﾝ

"Hedonism" *ring ring ring* 寶さんはティナさんをお子さんのお迎えに連れて行き、そのまま2人を仕事場へと送り届けます。

Takara brought Tina to her child and, without a pause, brought those two to [Tina's] workplace. 仕事場ではみんなでティナさんのお子さんをあやしていたり、同僚の方のティナさんのダンスへの信頼に、思わずいい職場だなぁと感心する堀でしたが。。。

At the workplace, everyone comforted Tina's child and Tina's colleagues had confidence in her dance, so I admired, without thinking, how good of a workplace it was... そこに現れる父親、妻原さんですよ！！！！！（ﾌﾝﾇｰ‼︎）

Then the husband, Tsumahara, appeared!!!!! (Barbarian!!) [T/N: There is no confirmed reading of this name, so it might be "Tsumabara".] 前回のうるう回の久二さんも相当でしたが…勝るとも劣らない圧倒的なそれ…っ！！

He's equivalent to last time's (Uruu's episode's) Kyuji...but [Kyuji] overwhelmingly compares favourably to that guy...!! お子さんの顔も見ずにお金をせびるのみならず、ティナさんの一張羅のコートまで…！！

Not only does he demand money without seeing his child's face, but he also goes as far as taking Tina's one good coat...!! ちょっと申し訳なさそうにして受け取るのがまた、なんかもう…っ！！

The fact he looks a little apologetic as he receives it is just...!! だのにティナさんは、頑張って稼がなきゃって…″家族″のためにって(′つω；｀)

Despite this, Tina must try her hardest to make money...for her "family". (′つω；｀) その言葉は、お子さんに対してだけじゃなくて…うわぁああああ！！！

Those word aren't just for her family...uwaaaaa!!! 次のカットで妻原さんは貰ったそのお金をギャンブルに突っ込んでました（遠い目）

In the next cut, Tsumahara pushes the money he received into gambling. (distant eyes) この時の寶さんのモテポイント、 「姉さん、そろそろ出番でっせ」は何も見なかったように落ち着いて投げ��あげて、 それでも見られたくない所を見られちゃった、というニュアンスが返ってきたら 「こういうことする俺、格好ええやろ？」と冗談まじりに茶化しながら優しさを渡す。

This is the time Takara is popular. He says, "Dearie? I think you're on." He calms down and gives up as if he never saw anything, but even still, after he returned [from seeing her exchange with Tsumahara] with a nuance of "he saw what he did not want to see", he would joke gently, "Aren't I cool for doing this sort of thing?" and poke fun at himself. この機微がモテる大人のテクニックなんですよ…！！

This subtlety is a technique popular with adults...!! 見てくださってる男性の皆さんにも是非取り入れていただきたい…なぁみんな！！？

Any men watching should certainly take in this [advice]...yeah, everyone?!! 堀は後十年は修行させてください(′・ω・｀)

Please train me [in the art of love] for another 10 years. (′・ω・｀) はい、一方BAR Fは今日もカレーです。

Yes, at the same time, there's curry at Bar F today too. 前回のラストが熱い…！展開だっただけに、皆さんあれからどうなったのか、眠れない夜を過ごされていたと思います。

The conclusion last time was intense...! I'm sure everyone had a sleepless night wondering what happened after that development. 何気なく水をうるうくんに渡す焔くん 、 何気なく焔くんを気遣ううるうくん、 照れながらも返事をする焔くん、 嬉しそうな蘭丸樹果バックン。

Homura, who's casually giving water to Uruu,

Uruu, who worries about Homura,

Homura, who blushes while responding,

Ranmaru, Juka and Bakkun, who seem happy. てぇてぇが過ぎてぇ堀は平身低頭（てぇとう）ですありがてぇ…ありがてぇてぇ！！！！

They're excessively precious and I was prostrating myself, thanking them...thanks, precious!!!! [T/N: Hori slurs several of his words in this sentence, typically てぇてぇ = toutoi (precious/noble), 平身低頭 = heishin teitou (prostrating oneself) and ありがてぇ = arigatou (thank you). He then combines てぇてぇ and ありがてぇ, hence "precious".] それから所変わってお出掛け中の寶さん、 いつも通りキスのおねだりを茶化しながら交わしていきます。

Then, in the meantime, Takara was out, as always, begging for kisses and teasing a woman. 聞こえないくらいの声で憂うように、「わいが欲しいのは、なんやろなぁ」とポツリ。

In a voice that can barely be heard, he mumbles, "I don't know what I want..." この台詞は後の展開にも効いてくる凄く大事な台詞なんですが…。

This line is very important in terms of later developments... コメントで「（カレーには）ナンやろなぁ…」って書いた人怒らないから正直に言いなさい（ﾋﾟｷﾋﾟｷ）

In the comments, there was a person who wrote, "I don't know what (curry) I want..." - please say who you are, I won't be mad *veins snap* Aパートおしまい！

That's the end of the A part! ブログでもCM入ります！情報いっぱいだよ！

This is a blog, but I'll still insert ads! There's a lot of info! ・山野ホールでライブします！（9/18だよ！）

- The live show at Noyama Hall! (On the 18th of September!) ・特典盛り沢山のBD、DVD発売します！（第1巻は６/16発売！）

- The BD/DVD is being sold, with lots of bonuses! (1st BD/DVD sold on the 16th of June!) ・キャラソンアルバムHEAVENS DOOR発売します！（同じく6/16、遂に艶歌が全部聞けるよ！）

- The character song album HEAVEN'S DOOR is being sold! (On the same day [as the BD/DVD], the 16th of June, so you can finally hear the whole enka!) てつえーさん「Nice Pole Dance…ﾀﾞﾝｽﾀﾞﾝｽ」（ええ声エコー）

Tetsuei [Sumiya]: "Nice pole dance...(dance dance)" (nice voice echo) Bパートいきます！！

To the B part!! 開幕ティナさんのキラキラポールダンスからスタート！！

The curtain opens on Tina, who starts with a sparkling pole dance!! お子さんを膝に乗せて馴染んでいる寶さん。

The child, who's on the lap of and [now] accustomed to Takara. お子さんのママ～！の声、可愛いですねぇ(´,,･Д･,,`)

The child's cry of "Mama~!" was cute, wasn't it? (´,,･Д･,,`) やはり彼のためにも、家族の為にも頑張るというティナさん。

Of course, Tina will try hard for his sake, for the family's sake. 自身の生い立ちから、家族という存在をいかに大事にしているかが伺えます。

From his own background, we can see how much he values the existence of his family. 5話の寶回の時の依頼人の恵夢さんもやはり家族のために身を粉にして働いていましたし、今回のティナさんも…。

From episode 5's Takara episode, the client, Emu, also worked assiduously for her family, so this time's Tina also... 寶さんにも金鋼族の復興のため、寶さんのため、痩せ細った体で自分の食べるものすら譲ってくれたお母さんという存在がいたからこそ、家族のために自分を犠牲にして頑張る方に複雑な思いを抱いてしまうのでは無いでしょうか。

In order for Takara to revive the Metallum Clan, for Takara's sake, Takara's mother even gave over her own food and it is precisely because of that that she became a victim of trying hard for the sake of her family and that's why Takara has such complicated emotions, is it not? しかも今回はその″家族″が不義を行っているなんて…。

Moreover, this time, this time's "family" is unjust... そしてそして！！！！！

Also, also!!!!! お待たせしました！銭湯ノルマ達成ですありがとうございます！！

Thanks for waiting! Thanks for fulfilling the bath quota!! この時流れてきた「みんなストローは持ったかァ！！」ってコメント、爆笑しました。

At this time, the comment that came about was "Everyone's holding straws!!" and so there was uproarious laughter. [T/N: It's not clear if there's just one person laughing or many, hence the intentional vagueness.] ですが今回の銭湯の中身はすっごくシリウス…じゃなかったシリアス。

However, this time's bath [scene] is amazingly serious...not (Sirius). [T/N: Hori inserts Sirius's name at the end of the sentence as a pun on "serious", so if it seemed like the translation said "serious, not serious", I did my job.] みんなの顔を眺めながら、豊穣さんと交わした特命の話を回想していきます。

After we gaze at everyone's faces, we go to a flashback scene where [Takara is] given his directive from Houjou. その中には女王に内密の話まで…そんな重たいものを背負いながら、寶さんはみんなに毎日カレーを作っていたんですね。

In that it's to the point it's kept a secret from the Queen...Takara makes curry for everyone everyday while burdened with those heavy things, huh? でも、これまで毎日みんなでカレーを食べて、銭湯に入って、愛著を集めて、日々を過ごして。

However, until now, every day everyone's eaten their curry, gone to the bath, gathered attachment and spent their days [together].

家族として一緒に過ごしてきたみんなの顔を見回した時の寶さんの顔は、優しさに満ち溢れた顔でした。

As family, when spending time together and looking around at everyone's faces, Takara's face is full of affection. この時の「楽しい時間は長く続きまへんな」という台詞。

At this time, there is the line: "The fun times never last, do they?" 寶さんのみならず、堀自身もF蘭の最終回の近さを意識しておりましたので、言葉にした時に込み上げるものがありました。

Not only Takara, but I personally realised F-Ran's final episode is near and so, while I'm bad at putting this into words, [emotions] welled up inside me. そして明らかになる妻原さんの別の家族の存在。

Then, it becomes clear Tsumahara has a different family. ティナさんと妻原さんの会話が始まります。

Tina starts a conversation with Tsumahara. もうここの妻原さんのクズっぷりが真骨頂！！！

Already, the Tsumahara from this [point in] time's true worth is basically scum!!! ティナさんがあまりにもあまりにも可哀想で…

Tina is really, really unfortunate... 「お前も俺を見捨てるんだな！！」

"So, you're abandoning me too!!" あんた、別のところでも同じようなことしとったんか…？

Aren't you the same, even though it's from a different perspective...? 絶望のあまり、倒���れたゴミ���の上で笑うしかなくなってしまうティナさん。

Without much remorse, Tina has no choice as she's left collapsed on the rubbish bags and Tsumahara laughs. そこに夭聖は現れるんです…！！

Then, the fairies appear...!! 「美人さん、お持ち帰りしてええか？」

"Lovely lady, might I walk you home?" ほんと、全人類言ってみたい台詞トップ5にランクインする台詞です…！！

Really, that's going to rank in the top 5 lines that all of humanity wants to be said to them...!! チャイルドシートを携えたいつもの車でティナさんの話を聞く寶さん。

Takara listens to the story of Tina, who's always carrying a child seat around with her. 「わかってた、利用されてるだけって」

"I knew...some part of me knew he was just using me." 「なのに、あいつがポケットに手を入れた時にさ、指輪かなって思ったんだよね」

"But when he reached into his pocket, I honestly thought it might be a ring." 「笑顔で溢れるあったかい家庭、作りたかったの」

"I wanted to create a happy family, full of smiles..." この台詞が悲痛過ぎて…。

These lines are too sorrowful... 堀は最初、思わず拳を握りしめて返す台詞をかけてしまいました。

I, at first, clenched my fists without thinking at these lines. ですがこの時、製作陣から、何より真摯に優しさを向けてあげて。

However, this time, I felt sincerely affectionate for this cobbled-together group. 頑張っている人は報われるんだよ。ってティナに伝えて欲しい、というディレクションを頂いて。

I received the direction that I should convey to Tina, "Hard work will be rewarded!" このシーンの台詞は寶さん自身の言葉で、その思いが乗らなきゃダメなんだと何度もトライさせていただきました。

This scene's dialogue is in Takara's own words and I had to try repeatedly to convey his thoughts on it. 「あなたの心、頂けますか？」 から大自然の流れでジャ…変身の時間だぁーーー！！！！！

After "Could I take your heart?", the scene changes and...it's transformation time---!!!!! 思わずナイスバルク！と声をかけたくなる惚れ惚れする筋肉。

Without thinking, I was charmed by [Takara's] muscles and wanted to call out, "Nice bulk!" 画面いっぱいに広がる肉体美と拳、地面をぶっ壊しながらあげる名乗り。

The physical beauty of his body and fists filled the screen, he broke the ground and called out his name. 格好よさが臨界点突破して美しいに昇華しとるんですよ！！！！！！！

His coolness has broken through the critical point and sublimated itself into beauty!!!!!!! 妻原さんはティナさんとあんな会話をした後だというのに、 魂が昂りながら「夢も愛もどうでもいい」なんて曰いながらギャンブルに興じていらっしゃいますねぇ…。

Tsumahara, even after he had that conversation with Tina, happily spends his days gambling, arousing his spirit as he says, "What do dreams and love matter?" バレさん、技を借りるぜ…！！

Balle-san, I'll borrow a technique of yours...!! ふざけんにょ！！！！！

Stop screwing around!!!!! [T/N: reference to Balle-san's ep. 9 post] そして始まる艶歌、五話もそうでしたが、歌詞が今回の話とのリンクして、絵の美しさも合間って没入してしまいます。

Then the enka begins - it was in ep. 5 as well but the lyrics are linked to this episode and I was immersed in the beauty of the visuals for a moment. 早くフルで聴いてほしい！！！皆様、是非HEAVENS DOORを！「愛の勘定」も勿論ですが、みんなの艶歌をフルで聴けばストーリーとのリンクが増して、よりグッと来るはずです！！！

I want you to hurry and listen to the full version!!!! Everyone, please listen to HEAVEN'S DOOR! There's "Payment of Love" of course, but if you listen to everyone's full enka, you'll [be able to make] links with the story and it will hit you in the feels!!! 艶歌が終わり、ドアが開けば今回のヘブンズ空間はまるで屏風の中に入ったかのような和風の世界。

After the enka ends, the door opens to this time's Heaven's Room, which is a Japanese-style world quite like that on a folding screen. そこに雷神と雷神を模したかのような敵が現れます。

Then, enemies that look like the well-known thunder god and a thunder god's imitation appear. [T/N: referring to Raijin] 毎回のことですが、ヘブンズ空間も本当に趣向を凝らしてあって…ど緊張のバトルシーンのはずなのに、思わず堀の魂も昂ってしまいます…！！！

It happens every time, but these Heaven's Rooms are really ingenious...there should've been a hugely nerve-wracking battle scene, but without thinking, my spirit was unintentionally aroused...!!! なんと今回の鍵穴にはティナさんとお子さんの2人が！

What? This time Tina and her child are both behind the keyhole! なぜわかったノルマに愛らしい声が混ざる日が来るとは。

I never thought I'd see the day where a charming voice would be mixed in with the "What? I got it!" quota. そしてもう一方の鍵穴からは妻原さんの極悪な声が…

Also, in the other keyhole is Tsumahara's heinous voice... 「人はなあ！快楽には勝てねぇんだよ！」 「酒！タバコ！セッッッ！！薬物！！特にギャンブルはなぁ！！」

"A person can't conquer their hedonistic tendencies! The pleasures of drinking! Smoking! Sex! Drugs! And gambling especially!!" [T/N: Hori censors the word "sex" by "stuttering" over the final syllable but CR doesn't, so I've sided with the latter.] 座長が現場で ハッキリ言ったぁーーー！！！ってツッコんでたのを覚えていますw

"The leader put it clearly at the time--!!!" I remember joking. ですが、言葉のパワーはもうネタの領域を超えた、狂気の世界のそれです。

However, that is a mad world where the power of words is beyond the realm of stories. その言葉に促されるように敵から酒の玉攻撃が、 そしてもう一方の敵からはヤニの煙の攻撃が。

With those urging words, the enemies send bubbles of alcohol and then from the other side comes a tobacco smoke attack. この時のうめき声のディレクションは、堀くん今○○kgの重りが乗ってるよ！！ と言われながら、体にそれに合わせた負荷をかけるように声を出していました。次の日筋肉痛になりました。

At this time, when the direction, "Groan and pretend you have a __ kg weight on you!!" was given, as I shouted, it was like a corresponding load was being added. The next day my muscles hurt. なんとか持ち堪えた寶さんですが、 「なら、これならどうかしら…」 その言葉と共に現れる寶さんのお母さんの幻想。

Takara's able to hold out somehow, but then an illusion of Takara's mother appears with the words, "Well, what will you do?" 前回もうるうくんのお母さんと焔くんのお父さんが現れましたが、まさか今回は寶さんのお母さんが…。

Last time, Uruu's mother and Homura's father appeared, so surely this time Takara's mother... しかもこんな形で痩せ細っていないお母さんの姿を見ることになるなんて…！

Furthermore, to see his not-so-skinny mother in this form...! あの優しかった声で、こちらに攻撃をかけてきます。

This is the attack that's given with that gentle voice. 押し倒されて首をしめられる寶さん。

Takara is being held down and strangled [by his mother's illusion]. この時の台詞の色気も相まって、まるで2人が繋がっているような…

Coupled with the sexiness of the dialogue at this point, it's as if the two are connected... 更に畳み掛けるようにチェリーの入ったグラスから液体を口に含み、そのマッマ寶さんの口に流し込みます。

Furthermore, as if pressing for answers, Takara's mother uses her mouth to pour liquid into Takara's mouth, from a glass with a cherry in it. 苦しさのあまり悶絶絶叫する寶さん、これは先の妻原さんの「酒、タバコ、セッッッッ、そして薬物」それらの快楽を暗喩しているのでしょうか。

Is Takara, who's about to scream and faint in agony, [being subjected to] metaphors for hedonism Tsumahara was mentioning earlier? そしてシリウスの登場です。

Also, Sirius appears. す○ざんまいのポーズって言うのやめーや！！！

Stop doing the Su___zanmai pose!!! [T/N: referring to the dude who stands with his hands outstretched from Sushizanmai] しかし今回の句には堀は思わず確かに…と頷いてしまいました。

However, this time I couldn't help but nod and say, "Indeed..." 人は何故ほんの刹那の快楽のために沢山のものを犠牲にしてしまうのか…

Why do we sacrifice so much for a fleeting moment of pleasure? むしろ刹那だからこそ、それを追い求めてしまうのかもしれませんね（哲学）

Rather, it's because it's momentary that we chase it and seek it out? (philosophising) 苦しみながらも、「俺が欲しいものはこんなんじゃない」と懸命に耐える寶。

Even in agony, Takara eagerly bears it [and says], "This isn't what I want." しかしそれも、「あなたが欲しいのは、母親からの豊満な愛情でしょう？」と、肥大化した幻想に押しつぶされる寶さん。

However, in addition to that, the illusion becomes fat [with the words], "What you want is the full-bodied love of your mother!" ニコニコのタグにもありましたが、確かに快楽要素全部乗せプレスは重い、重すぎます。

As the tag on Nico Nico said, it is true that all the hedonistic elements being pressed are heavy, far too heavy, イきかける寶さんですがなんとか力を振り絞り、幻想を押しのけます。

Takara is about to have the life choked out of him, but he comes to his senses and pushes the illusion away. しかしそれが最後の力だったのか、体が動かず追撃をかわせそうにありません…！

However, that was the last of his strength and so he's not able to move...! これで終わりか…と思ったその瞬間ですよ！！！！！

This was the moment...I thought it was the end!!!!! 最高に勇ましい掛け声と共に焔が敵の攻撃から寶を守ります！！

With a shout, Homura, who's the best and heroic, comes and protects Takara from attack!! そのまま蘭丸とうるうが雷神と風神を倒し、樹果が 「オン・アユス・ヴァルタ！」の掛け声とともにペロキャンを振って寶さんを回復してくれます。

Similarly, Ranmaru and Uruu bring down the thunder gods and, with his tongue stuck out and his lollipop, Juka yells, "On ayus valta!" to heal Takara. ここ、さいっっっっっこうに熱かったです！！！！！

This was the most intensssssssssssssse [moment]!!!!! 寶のピンチに駆けつけるファミリー達、初めての全員集合、初めての共闘！！！

This is the first time they've [run to Takara's aid and] fought as a family when Takara was in a pinch!!! 台本を読ませてもらった時は、遂にきたか…！くらいの興奮だったんですが、 現場でこのシーンを録った時、こーすけの「はぁあああああ！！」って勇ましい声が聞こえてきた瞬間、鳥肌がブワァーって！体がカァーッて！熱くなったことを強く覚えています。

When reading the script, I was exhilarated to the point of going, "Finally, they came!" and now that this scene is recorded, I strongly remember the moment Kohsuke [Tanabe] valiantly can be heard going, "Haaaaaaaaaaa!!" I got goosebumps from the passion. 蘭丸とうるうの声も頼もしくて、樹果のたからぁ～！って呼び声に癒されて。

Trustworthy Ranmaru and Uruu, and Juka healing Takara by calling out his name. こんなに頼もしい仲間達が揃って、負けるわけがないですよ！！！！

With trustworthy friends like these, you won't lose!!!! この後の飛び上がるシーンも、月を殴りつけるシーンも、高まったボルテージを思いっきりぶつけさせて頂きました！

After this is the flying scene, the moon-breaking scene and I was able to use my heightened [emotions] to the fullest! [T/N: Hori calls his heightened emotions "voltage".] そしてGO TO HEAVEN!!!!!

Then, GO TO HEAVEN!!!!! 「またすっからかんかよぉ～！���なんて言いながら、トドメを刺された時の勢いで手持ちをオールインしてしまう妻原さん。

Tsumahara, for some reason, said, "I'm broke again?!" as he's finished off while playing everything he has with an all-in due to his leftover momentum. [T/N: the all-in in poker] ティナさんの「寶さん、あなたと結ばれたかった…」

Tina: "Takara...I wish we could've been together." 依頼人からこんなに純粋に好意を向けられるなんて…寶さんも罪な人ね。

The client has this kind of pure affection [for him]...Takara's also a wrongdoer, isn't he? ですがそれは叶わない、ティナさんもわかっているからこその過去形なのでしょうか…。

However, that can't be granted, since Tina understanding him is now past tense, isn't it...? こんなにも切ないワンシーンなのに、もう1人の堀が「あなたと結バレッタ裕…」って囁いてきてもうダメです（現在朝4時）

In this one heartrending scene, too, another Hori whispers to me, "You and Yutaka Balletta ..." but it's already no good (currently 4 in the morning)

全てが片付き、夭聖体のみんなが寶さんに声をかけてきます。

Everything's wrapped up so everyone calls out to Takara. なんだよお前ら、ちくしょー、まじで、お前ら…(′つω；｀)

What the hell, everyone, damn, really, you guys... (′つω；｀) しかもうるうくん、「僕たちは、ファミリーなのだから」それってさ、焔くんのことも、みんなのことも引っくるめて″ファミリー″なんだよね…？

Yet, Uruu goes, "We're family, in case you've forgotten." That means Homura and everyone are 'family', huh...? 万感の思いを込めて「サンキュ」と一言だけ返す寶さん。

Takara returns that with a single word full of emotions: "Thank you." 寶さん、あなたの欲しかったものって、きっと…

Takara, what you really want is certainly... そして後方家族面の蘭丸、その視線の先には様子を見ていたチルカが…。

Then, from behind Ranmaru, Chilka, who was watching him out of the corner of his eye... かつて愛していると言っていた蘭丸に対して、「Go to Hell!!地獄に落としてやる！」と言い残してその場を去ります。

As opposed to [when] he said he loved Ranmaru in the past, he leaves as he [yells], "Go to hell!!" …何故和訳してくれたんだ…。そこに不穏な空気が残ります。

Why did this Japanese translation come up? This left a disquieting atmosphere. [T/N: Hori translates "Go to hell!" (ENG) as "Fall into hell!" (JPN).] 豊穣さんの「いいファミリーになりましたな」

Houjou: "They've become a fine family indeed." この一言、嬉しかったなぁ。

I was happy with this one brief comment.

第一話の時、「君たちは今からファミリーだ」 なんて言われて戸惑っていた5人ですが、今では声を大にしてファミリー蘭丸って叫べます。

In episode 1, he says, "From now on, you are family," leaving the 5 of them bewildered, but now they can yell about how they're "family Ranmaru". いや、ファミリー蘭丸ではないけどね！？山本さんのプリティミス（伏線）だけどね！？笑

No, not "family Ranmaru"?! Is this a pretty mistake from Yamamoto (foreshadowing)?! (LOL) [T/N: This is referring to Bakkun's VA Kazutomi Yamamoto. Also, yes, it does say "pretty mistake", but it's likely to be "printing mistake".] そんな中改めて十訓を厳守させよと戒める女王。

In that [part], the Queen once again demands rigid adherence of the 10 Laws. あのような過ちとは…過去の因縁はまだ根が深そうです。

A mistake like that... it seems that past fates are still deep-rooted. そしてここからが怒涛の展開ですよ皆さん。

Then, everyone, the surge in developments [happens] from here. なんとあのシルク・ドゥ・マーズから合格通知が届いたティナさん！

Tina's somehow received a notification of acceptance into Cirque de Mars! 相当頑張ってきた努力が遂に実って、ニューヨークから熱いラブコールをかけられています。

The hard work she put in has finally pulled off and she's receiving passionate calls from New York. 喜んでいたのも束の間、そこに現れたのはなんと妻原さん！！？

It was a short moment that she could be happy, and then, who would arrive but Tsumahara?!! あんたって人は、懲りずにまだティナさんに…と持ったらなんと勝ちすぎちまったから命を狙われている！？

He's still trying to teach Tina a lesson, but...he won too much and they're gonna kill him?!

それもしかして、GO TO HEAVENされた時のオールインで…！？

On top of that, what about the all-in from the GO TO HEAVEN...?! すっからかんかよォー！！じゃなかったのかよォー！！

He's not broke anymore?!! 費用も全て持つから連れて行ってくれ、なんて、うーん、ティナさんとしては助かるけど…。

He'll come along, pay for everything and, yeah, sorta help Tina out...? まぁ、イケメンだからいっか……よくないわい！！！！

Well, he's handsome...but no!!!! [T/N: reference to ep. 5] 改心して今度こそ家族になるのか、それともニューヨークでまた悶着を起こすのかはわかりませんが、なんにせよティナさんとお子さんの先行きが明るくて良かったです。

I don't know if the family has reformed properly or if they're going to New York to quarrel again, but Tina and her child's future is bright. その様子を微笑ましく見ていた寶さんの元に、一本の電話が。

After seeing the smiling child's face, he receives a call. シリウスの事を伝えていた弁護士さんから、大変なことがわかったぞ、と。

The lawyer uncovered some [information] about Sirius and it's something unbelievable. 女王の過去や！と言いながら見せた一枚の写真には…、 あ、あ、あ、あ、あアイドルユニットぉ！！？

"...the Queen's past!" he says as we're shown a photo of an...i-i-i-i-i-idol unit?!! かつて一大ブームを巻き起こした、ウィンタートライアングル。

Winter Tri-angels, who created a sensational big boom in the past. シリウス！？ベテルギウス！！？プロキオン…？

Sirius?! Betelgeuse?!! Procyon...? シリウスとベテルギウスは恐らく…でも姿が…！？

Sirius and Betelgeuse are probably...but that form is...?! そして女王の過去というのは、この写真とどう関係してくるのでしょうか…。

Also, what does the Queen's past have to do with this picture...? 女王の過去や、チルカと蘭丸の確執、夭聖界のことや、寶さんの言っていたもう一山、更にここに来てまた新しい謎が…！！！

The Queen's past, Chilka and Ranmaru's antagonism, the fairy world, all the stuff Takara said - on top of that, another mystery...!!! 本編もいよいよクライマックスに向けて、盛り上がりが止まるところを知りません。

At last, we're approaching the climax of the main story and I don't know if [the tension] will stop rising.

いよいよあと二話ですが、最後までみんなで大騒ぎしていきましょう！

Finally, there's two episodes to go, so let's get really excited until the end! Fairy蘭丸～あなたの心お助けします～ 次回『憎悪』もお見逃しなく！！というわけで、禁忌其の拾『快楽』堀の感想ここまでとなります。

Don't miss the next episode of Fairy Ranmaru ~We Will Help Your Heart~, "Hatred"!! That's it for my impressions on Taboo No. 10, "Hedonism". ここまで長い文章に付き合って頂き、ありがとうございました！！

Thanks for keeping me company [as I write] these long sentences!! 余談なんですが、大体メインキャストは一緒に録るんですが、この回の収録は実は堀が1人ブースに籠って先に録られた皆様の声を聴きながら台詞を当てておりました。

As a side note, usually the main cast would record together, but this time, I was alone in the booth, listening to the voices of those who recorded before as I added my lines. 収録が終わってからブースのドアを開けて、 誰もいないだろうなぁ、と思ってフッと休憩スペースを見たら、 なんと5 to HEAVENのみんなが残ってくれてて、映像が流れるディスプレイをずっと見守ってくれてて、 こっちを向いて堀さんお疲れ！とか、メッチャ汗だくじゃん！とか笑いながら言ってくれて。

When I finished recording and opened the booth, I looked at the rest area, thinking no one was there. Surprisingly, everyone from 5 to HEAVEN was there, watching over a video display. They turned to me and said things like, "Good work, Hori-san!" and "You're so sweaty!" so I laughed while I talked. その瞬間、堀の頭の中に寶さんのサンキュ。のシーンがリフレインして、 なんかしどろもどろになるくらい嬉しかったです。きっとあの瞬間は忘れられないです。

In that moment, the scene where Takara says, "Thank you," played again in my head and although I was [in a state of] confusion, I was happy. I will surely not forget that moment. はい、余談終わり！笑

Yes, I'm done with my side note! (LOL) 話が進むにつれて、SNSで#F蘭丸であげてくださってる実況や感想、ファンアートや、写真など、盛り上がっているのを実感しております。

To continue the conversation, use #F蘭丸 on your real-time impressions, fanart, photos etc., which will give a real feeling to your excitement. そしてそれを見ている時、堀はスマホを握りしめるくらい嬉しくなります。

Also, when I see those, I become so happy, I grasp my phone tightly. いつもF蘭を応援して下さり本当にありがとうございます。皆さんの声が僕らの力になります！

As always, really, thank you for supporting F-Ran. Everyone's voices will be my strength! 引き続きFairy蘭丸を応援の程、何卒よろしくお願いいたします！！！

Please kindly take care of me as you continue to support Fairy Ranmaru!!! このブログ書くの頑張ったからな！

I tried my best with this blog [post]! 読んでくれてメチャクチャ嬉しかったからな！

Thanks a lot for reading! 雅楽代 た～から！役の堀曜宏でした！

This has been Akihiro Hori! who plays the role of Ta~kara Utashiro! スネークバァーイ！🐍

Snake-bye!🐍 [T/N: "Snakebite Hori" joke.] ワイの魅力、皆にも伝わったかな～？

Takara: Did I convey my appeal to everyone~?

Update: Fixed the note regarding "Yamamoto". Thanks, @blankie-greenie-anon.

Update 2: Missed a sentence, improved a sentence and fixed some pronouns and other minor things.

Update 3: Improved a sentence.

[jq37]

The Royal Report– A Crown of Candy Ep 1

There Is Strength in Sweetness 

Much like the years, the seasons of D20 start coming and they don’t stop coming. Fantasy High: Sophomore Year is barely in the record books and we’re already jumping into our new season--the Game of Thrones/Candyland mashup: A Crown of Candy!

If y’all have been with me since Sophomore Year then you know that I did very in depth recaps of every episode with a very specific format but I’m gonna try something new for this season.

The format might change a little between episodes as I figure out what works best so bear with me but the plan is to do more highlights and opinions than a blow by blow. But, like, we’ll see what happens.

So, anyway, saddle up your Meep and let’s visit Candia--one of the six kingdoms of the land of Calorum (aka: a fridge. We see you Brennan, it’s a fridge). Twenty years ago, the Ravening Wars wreaked havoc but they’re currently in a time of peace which (mostly) everybody is psyched about.

Meet the Family

This is not a new observation but, while most seasons of Fantasy High focus on found family, this season is all about family-family, specifically, the royal family of Candia and their associates. 

We’re first introduced to Murph’s character--Sir Theobald Gumbar (Level 3 Eldritch Knight)--who is the a huge, golden-armored, gummy bear, leader of the Tartguard, protector of the royal family, and the logical endpoint of Murph’s lawful good predilections. Sir Theo is, of course, on time with bells on for the big Saint’s Day/Coming of Age birthday party for the twin princesses of House Rocks. Unfortunately, he’s clearly never seen The Little Mermaid because when the heralds announce the princesses, they don’t show up. Frustrated, he goes to try and find them.

The first place he checks is with Zac’s character, Chancellor Lapin Cadbury (Level 3 Celestial Warlock). He is (in no particular order) the royal tutor, a chocolate bunny, an official of the main state sanctioned church of Calorum (the Bulbian Church), and a pompous ass. Oh, one more thing? He and Theobald can’t stand each other. There is nothing funnier than two very proper grown men who hate each other's guts. Sir Theo shows up to his classroom where the princesses are having a lesson--or at least they’re supposed to be. Further inspection shows that they’ve just left two straw dummies in their place. Classic.

So, we pan out to the city to meet my favorite characters so far (I absolutely play favorites but I also disclose when I’m doing it so I think I’m in the clear) the twin princesses/chaos gremlins--Jet and Ruby Rocks (both level 1 Rogues) played by Emily and Siobhan. Theo may not have seen The Little Mermaid but the twins have def seen Aladdin, because their number one pastime seems to be escaping the palace to roam the city--hilariously illustrated when they chuck a gem into a peasant's bag and his reaction is a super nonplussed, “Guess the princesses escaped again.” They’re got the Disney Princess-itis really bad because both of them feel stifled by palace life and want more--specifically, Jet wants to be a warrior and resents having been born in peacetime (especially since she’s slightly older and in line for the throne) and Ruby wants to run off and join the circus as an acrobat. They are total twin BFFs to the point that their Thieves Cant has been reskinned to Twinspeak which is a detail I love so much (and that will become unspeakably tragic if something happens to one of them Brennan). 

Jet gets a letter from her secret crush Thad, an Avocado from Fructera (these are the sentences I am being forced to write this season folks) and schemes with Ruby about how they can get to Comida (the capital city) to meet him--possibly by sweet talking Theobald which is easy because he’s so thirsty for respect. Sure enough, Theobald and Lapin soon find them, following their path of destruction and the princesses are brought back to the castle.

Back at the castle, we’re introduced to Lou’s character--King Amethar Rocks (Level 3 Storm Herald Barbarian)--who is having a somber moment, surrounded by the statues of his four older sisters who died in the Ravening Wars, leading his reluctant taking of the throne. He’s interrupted by Lord Calroy (his right hand guy and a full ass talking slice of cake because Brennan is trying to break me this season but I refuse to give him the satisfaction) who lets him know that his daughters have escaped and his delighted reaction immediately lets us know which side of the family they take after.

Finally (at least wrt PCs), we meet Ally’s character--Liam Wilhelmina of House Jawbreaker (Level 2 Ranger) who is a political prisoner/ward of House Rocks and a soft, outdoorsy, mountain kid who is perpetually followed around by his pet pig--Peppermint Preston whose death will absolutely force to me to Google “Best Denny’s Parking Lots for Fistfights.” He misses his dad but not his dick brothers because Ally isn’t allowed to have a fully happy family in any season. Liam is from the disgraced House Jawbreaker and his brothers seem to expect him to try and off the King while he’s in their orbit. While he’s in the woods, looking for seeds (as one does) he finds and accidentally breaks an important looking teacup, which we’ll get back to.

The other important character we meet this episode is an NPC--Queen Caramelinda, mother of the princesses, wife of Amethar, and keeper of 100% of the impulse control of House Rocks. She’s the main disciplinarian to Jet and Ruby, the clear decision-maker in the kingdom, and the only literate one out of her and her husband. She also seems to be the only character that respects Lapin’s authority. 

An Inciting Incident

So, with all our characters assembled, all that’s left is the plot hook which Caramelinda provides in the form of a personal letter from Emperor Gustavo--the head honcho of the entire realm and his old friend--to Amethar. He’s not doing well health-wise and he needs to name an heir that’s not related to him at a big tourney that he’s personally inviting Amethar to. Amethar is a little slow on the uptake but Caramelinda eventually connects to dots for him that it seems very likely that Gustavo is going to name him emperor.

Amethar is not vibing with that information at all but Caramelinda basically holds him by the ear until he reluctantly agrees to go--though he insists that Ruby and Jet also come along to keep him company. Caramelinda only agrees on the condition that Lapin goes with. She also invites Liam (who is caught off guard but game) and Sir Theo is basically going by default. Caramelinda is staying home to hold down the fort but the talking slice of cake is going because Brennan hates me and doesn’t want me to be happy. 

The traveling party is chosen, the twins have been gifted with sick, inherited weapons from their aunts: Flickorice--the Twizzing Blade (Jet) and Sourscratch--the Puckering Bow (Ruby). It’s almost time to be off, but there’s still one last thing to get to before we leave the twins’ party. 

Lapin, feeling the pull of something broken (told you we’d get back to it) subtly makes his way outside, but is followed by Jet and Liam. Now, if you remember, I said earlier that Lapin is an official of the Bulbian church. Which is why it’s so surprising for Jet and Liam to see him talking to the Sugarplum Fairy, a deity of the Sweetening Path--a non-sanctioned more animistic religion that really only has sway in Candia. He fixes the teacup and then she appears, telling him that he’ll need to be wary once he leaves her sphere of influence and that boldness will be required in the days to come. Lapin, who seems to be having this conversation very begrudgingly, asks if she’s asking him to do anything in an official capacity and she smiles and says that she’s not asking for her third wish(!). Then what does she want? She wants him to know that there is great risk in what he is doing, but not acting is the greater risk. The coming challenges will be great, but he must protect the royal family or all is lost. She wouldn't have used her second wish to bring him to them if that weren’t the case. They hustle back and spill this to Ruby, obvs.

Anyway, onward! The next day, the caravan is set up and--with a warning about a sugar free chocolate warlock (ominous, as sugar free chocolate always is) they’re on their way to meet their escort out of Candia. Ruby decides to do her acrobat thing and is hanging out on top of the carriage instead of inside it as she and Jet “subtly” (read:not at all) bring up the Sugarplum Fairy to Lapin to see if he cracks.

Suddenly, the caravan stops. There’s a tree felled in the path, which really only means one thing in this kind of story. 

Ambush.

Ruby, outside of the carriage and unprotected, takes 16 points of damage and is fully down with a failed death save due to some unknown effect. The carriage is riddled with arrows. 

Everyone rolls for initiative and that takes us into a new (sure to be recurring) segment I’m calling:

Things I’m Concerned About

I’m concerned about Jet and Ruby (and not just because I’ve been worried about Ruby for a while due to things the cast has said and because she fully *died* this episode). They have their genres so wrong. They think they’re Disney movie protagonists but they’re in Game of Thrones and they don’t know it. Being Wrong Genre Savvy is a BAD position to find yourself in. Carriage surfing shenanigans don’t fly in a world that wants you dead.

OK, Carameinda. I’m inclined to be pro-Caramelinda. Like, she’s the hardass but she needs to be because Amethar isn’t helping run the kingdom. If this was a different story, she wouldn’t give me any pause but I read Macbeth and feel some light Lady Macbeth vibes. Gonna be keeping an eye on her.  

Calroy and Sir Toby (didn’t mention him, he’s a slightly lower ranked Gummi Bear guard and friends with Theo). In a story like this, I’m looking for the possible betrayals before I get blindsided and the only people who can really betray you are people who are supposedly loyal to you. Calroy had a little aside with Amethar about how he shouldn’t be the Emperor if he doesn’t want to be--which isn’t wrong but is also something someone angling to keep him off the throne for other reasons would say--and Sir Toby decided to stay behind to help hold down the fort--again, either an innocuous decision, or angling to be left alone and to his own devices. 

Whatever is going on with the Sugarplum Fairy and Lapin? Do not care for that one bit. I understand that a Warlock pact is mechanically very similar to a Paladin oath and a Celestial Warlock pact is even moreso but guess what? Still don’t trust it. I know Ruby’s Arcana check said that she’s generally a chill spirit but I still don’t trust it. And getting Wishes from your follower? Weird and suspicious. What’s your game, lady?

Emperor Gustavo apparently has a daughter who is barred by law from taking the throne when he dies. That sounds like a very strong motive for *something* at some point down the line. 

I’m a little concerned Jet is being catfished by this Avocado. First of all, not a sentence I thought I’d ever write. Second of all, I’m probably just being paranoid. But that feels like a great way to get a princess alone for kidnapping or shanking or something. 

Update: Brennan did an AMA and, regarding the previous bullet point he said, and I quote, “You are right to be concerned!” so now I’m concerned about that too! Fun!

I’m concerned about the mechanics of how a slice of cake person works. Slice implies a full cake. Where is the rest of the cake Brennan? Where is it? And, like, Brennan said on the post-show stream that we’re making the “what do they eat?” question weirder than it actually is because we’re made of some of the stuff we eat but hey Brennan? If I could pick a flesh toned and textured apple off a tree? That would be weird, OK? And I’m sorry for everyone else who had to picture that but it had to be said since Brennan is insisting on walking us down this garden path.

I’m concerned about whatever the hell is happening with Liam. Disgraced dad, mom is a shaman of the local fringe religion (Sweetening Path, like Lapin), and his brothers want him to shank the king or something? No way this ends in smiles for everyone. 

Brennan said Pyramid of Food so I’m concerned about fruit rollup mummies. 

OK but more than anything, I’m concerned about the death rules of this game. Death in D&D is cheap but, in a campaign like this, it can’t be. I’m not super well versed in GoT but it’s my understanding that resurrection in that series is possible but rare. Brennan said he specifically didn’t let Ally stock certain healing spells and that’s very telling about how things are gonna be handled. I guess we’ll see in the upcoming battle episode how that works but my general thought is, I hope everyone made interesting backup characters.  

Five More Things

So, my thoughts on the new characters. I love Ruby and Jet with my entire heart. Watching Emily and Siobhan roleplay sisters and enable each other and hype each other up is so fun--or it would be if I wasn’t low key bracing to lose one of them sooner rather than later. Zac playing against type and Murph playing to type are both fantastic. I want nothing more than for Theobald and Lapin to continue sniping at each other. I hope that’s the first PvP fight of D20. Amethar is a lot of fun but clearly in over his head and I’m interested to see where he’s pushed. Liam is literally just vibing. Hope he doesn’t have to commit regicide!     

God, the House Rocks PCs are such a disaster family. I love it. The moment when Calroy comes in and is like, “The princesses have escaped,” and Amethar breaks into a grin and is like, “Dude, that’s so dope!” I was like OH, so it’s *all* of them, huh. But, honestly, this should have been on the “Things I’m Concerned About” list because come on. They’ve not all gonna make it. And then we’re gonna have to watch the remaining family members react to that? Oh no. 

Love Ruby’s bow. I have a player in my game who also has a magic bow that produces energy arrows because, truly, who has the time to deal with the logistics of how many arrows you had left after last fight? Magic arrows. Boom, done. Next. 

Getting bagged on by your Patron for not having a spell when she’s the one who gives you your spells is so funny. Also, Mending isn’t a Warlock spell which makes it even funnier. 

**I’ve given myself a 3k word limit on all of these to try to put some boundaries on myself but, Lol, prize to the first who guesses closest to the first episode I break that rule.**

[animethings]

Reasons to Watch Long Anime Series

An original post documenting all the reasons to watch long anime series. A long anime series can depend on your own definition. It can be 50+, 500+, or in my case, 980+. I was inspired to create this post by my frustration of trying to convince a friend to start Detective Conan and failing because he is stubborn with his views. I couldn’t even convince him to watch FMA:B or HxH ):

This list is not in any particular order. Blockquotes represent the excuses for not wanting to watch long anime series. The comment below it represents the reasons to watch long anime series and my response to the excuse.

My comments may be negative, condescending, and cynical. It is only because I love the anime franchises of Detective Conan, Fullmetal Alchemist, Hunter x Hunter, Bleach, etc. And even though I haven’t completed many of the popular long anime series, I respect D. Gray-Man, Gintama, One Piece, Fairy Tail, Pokemon, Dragon Ball, Reborn !, and many others.

If I have offended you, it was never my intention. If I hurt your feelings, I never meant to. If you disagree with my reasons and find fault in them, consider my viewpoints and then send me a response. If I come off as ignorant, politely inform me. If I bashed your favourite anime or character, it was only an example. If I haven’t defended your favourite anime or character, oops. If I repeat myself, it is because the excuses are similar. If you have another excuse / reason, let me know and I’ll add it here.

It’s too long.

Imagine if your favourite seasonal anime went with a perennial episodic structure rather than a seasonal one. Would you still have started it ? A seasonal structure is more profitable and less risky to studios and can be just as many episodes as anime with a perennial episodic structure. It depends on the studio and scriptwriters.

Anime TV series are usually split up into many seasons. Treat the anime like you’re watching the entire series as separately released seasons and not one singular continuous season. Example: Blue Exorcist has 2 seasons and is listed separately on anime databases while D. Gray-Man is listed as a single entry with many episodes even though it has 5 seasons. Why do you insist on watching Blue Exorcist instead of D. Gray-Man when the genres are similar and they are both mainly about exorcists fighting demons to keep the world a safer place ? Maybe you’re more into the plot, or maybe the animation is better, or maybe you’re unwilling to watch an anime that isn’t listed as multiple seasons, or maybe you’re just intimidated by the number of episodes and seasons. Whatever the reason is, don’t judge an anime by the amount of episodes it has. Don’t judge an anime franchise by whether it is of a perennial or a seasonal episodic structure.

I can watch 5 other anime instead of just this one.

True, you could watch multiple 12 ep anime instead of one long anime, but would it be memorable ? If you binge a 12 ep anime, each around 20 min long ( excluding openings and endings ), at 1x speed, that is 240 min, which is 4 hours. After those 4 hours, you would be like wow great anime 10/10 or whatever rating you give. Maybe give a review or recommendation. Then, you’d move on to the next anime. If the anime didn’t leave a lasting impression on you, what was the point ? Just to say that you’ve seen it and vaguely remember the plot and your opinion on it the next time that particular anime is brought up in conversation ?

Although being held emotionally hostage is tough and terrifying, a long anime would leave a greater impression. You can witness character growth / development, plot progression, and many other storytelling elements at a much greater level. Maybe you don’t have all the time in the world to watch 100+ episodes of an anime. But you can also come back time and time again with fresh perspectives instead of force-feeding shorter anime in a day.

Yes, this is a hypothetical, and may not apply to everyone. I am only asking for you to consider that situation and my perspective; you do not have to agree with it.

I’ll get bored

The other fans of the franchise didn’t get bored. If the anime has become increasingly boring, then put it on hold. I acknowledge the fact that sometimes the animators / creators will run out of stories to tell. If it’s not your cup of tea, then by all means, drop it. You can come back whenever you want to give the anime a try again. 

I don’t want to watch a lot then quit.

No one is forcing you to quit the anime entirely. There is no pressure to watch every single episode. You can put it on hold and come back later. An indefinite drop can be reversed.

What if the anime becomes increasingly worst, unwatchable, annoying, etc. over time ?

If it does become that before you hit the latest episode, then put it on hold, drop it, or talk with your friends / the anime community about it and ask if the series gets better later on. If you are already caught up and think that the anime has decreased in quality, put it on hold or drop it.

I’ll watch too much at a time, get burnt out, and not come back to it

No one is forcing you to binge watch every single episode in a certain timeframe. You can always take a break or watch a few and come back later.

What if I don’t like the main cast or find one of them annoying ? I would have to stick with them for the rest of the anime.

Then put it on hold, drop it, or deal with it. As of 06 September 2020, I am on episode 44 of One Piece and I find Usopp absolutely annoying and unlikable. However, I have been told that he gets better. So, I continue the series because I like the other main cast and am invested in the story and the world of One Piece. Additionally, I’ve been reading the Black Clover manga way before the anime released and imagined Asta’s voice differently. I got used to his annoying voice over time and still continue the anime because I love the story and I want to see who eventually becomes the Wizard King. ( His voice also haunts me when I read the manga now )

Too many filler / fluff episodes

Google >> ( Anime ) non-filler episodes >> Watch according to that list

Also, I do not find filler episodes to be boring or straying away from the main plot. Filler episodes provide me with more interactions between the characters that regular anime ( with 12 or 24 episodes ) don’t have. Although it may seem unnecessary to some, filler flashbacks gives the audience a deeper insight into a character’s backstory, childhood, past experiences, traumatic experiences, etc. It can show character growth or development. The adventures to other areas expands the universe of the anime and leads to more world-building. The stories and possibilities are also limitless in comedy anime. Filler episodes can also introduce more aspects of Japanese culture ( or whatever the culture is prevalent ) and introduces new information.

Fillers between arcs are nice since most are slice-of-life types and setting up for the next arc. If you think that each arc is the same where there is a threat / enemy and they must defeat the final boss or everyone will die, yes that’s the basic formula. But keep in mind that it is a story after all. The arc is a larger story with the same characters doing different things to solve their problems. So what ? Some series are known for their consistencies and some for their randomness. Just like how almost every Detective Conan episode ( DC doesn’t have arcs unless it’s about the main plot ) is about solving cases and follows the same basic formula, and almost every episode of The Disastrous Life of Saiki K is random, spontaneous and full of comedy. I don’t watch shoujo anime as often so I won’t comment on that.

There are also many other reasons that fluff episodes are great. You don’t always have to watch them, and the wait may not always be worth it, but you can always skip them and not miss anything. But then again, Detective Conan was my first anime and I’ve learned how to be patient with an extremely slow plot. My patience is especially challenged whenever a new episode releases and it is a TV original Detective Boys episode ((:

While some shows are known to stretch plots into more episodes, those episodes may not be of the same “ quality ” as the rest of the show. This may included tropes, overused jokes, etc. It is still considered additional content, even if the quality suffers. This is usually the case when the anime catches up to the source material. You can always read the manga.

Filler / Fluff episodes are always controversial and I generally don’t mind them.

What if the anime cancels and all of the time I spent watching it has been a waste ?

Long anime series are rarely ever canceled because it’s a popular show. The anime usually tries to catch up with the manga and / or ends when the story ends. If the anime does end at a particular arc, there is always the manga. Also, if you had fun / a good time watching the show, then it wasn’t a waste.

I don’t want to.

Why ? Elaborate. Do you not like the genre ? The plot ? The animation style ? The studio ? The reviews ? The popularity ? The year it was released ? The fandom ? The voice actors ? The over-hype ? The pressure from friends, family, the anime community ? The memes ? What is it ?

It’s a waste of time.

The time investment is usually worth it because there is more to watch. Whenever I watch regular anime with 12 or 24 episodes, I usually end up feeling empty and wanting more. Who doesn’t want more content, scenes and character interactions ? If you enjoy something, then it wasn’t a waste of time.

Too many characters

Google >> ( Anime ) Characters Wiki / Fandom

You don’t have to know and remember every single character, their backstories, their interests / dislikes, their relationships with others, etc. to enjoy the episode. Additionally, if you really do pay attention to the series and is more invested, character deaths / losses will be even more impactful and significant. Characters can die easily ( like in Attack on Titan), but it doesn’t make their death any less important. Lives, fictional or not, have value and meaning. If in a war, 100 lives are lost, those lives are important in itself becau- oh that is probably a post for another time. Anyways, you don’t need to know everyone to understand or enjoy an episode or an anime series. 

Quantity isn’t everything.

True. Sometimes the quality of animation rules over everything else, or maybe the plot pacing, or the character progression ( or the lack of it ), or something else. I’m not saying, WATCH ALL ANIME THAT IS OVER 100+ EPISODES BECAUSE THEY’RE BETTER. I’m saying to give them a chance. They’ve stood against the test of time, the changing audience, popular demand and culture, and other obstacles to get where they are today. Some are classics ( such as Naruto ) and some are beginning to / have hit the 100 episode mark of single entry anime ( like Black Clover ). Quantity isn’t everything is a valid point as well as quality isn’t everything. You enjoy what you enjoy. It’s never a waste to commit to something longer than what you usually watch if you enjoy it.

I want to finish everything I watch, regardless if it’s good or bad.

So you can sit through 12 episodes of a “ bad ” anime but not try out a single episode of a potentially “ good ” anime ?

Other Reasons to Watch:

When a long series ends, I can finally rest in peace.

Soundtracks + More opening and closing themes

Nostalgia once it ends

Seeing an anime from 1996 to 2020+ and the changes it goes through ( when rewatching or watching for the first time ) is astounding and shows how much the industry has changed and developed over time.

Conclusions + Repeated Statements

Main excuse for not watching long anime: It’s too long

Main response: No one is forcing you or pressuring you to binge watch everything. You can always put it on hold or drop it if you don’t like it.

Don’t judge an anime by the number of episodes.

If you had a good time, it wasn’t a waste.

[miguel-manbemel]

Aspects & Fanfics Ep. 52: The Truth Is Revealed - Nico’s Reaction

I thought I wouldn’t have this ready on time, as for some reasons, this week has been kind of a torture for me and I found it really hard to find the motivation to write. Fortunately, I managed to overcome that sentiment and get in a better mood with enough time to finish this episode. We are slowly approaching the ending of season 2 of this fanfic. We’re not there yet, but we’re coming. I hope that the ending is satisfactory for everyone, when it comes. And with this said, I leave you with the episode. Until next time.

SYNOPSIS: Thomas has decided to tell Nico the truth about the existence of the Sanders Sides, as they need his help to save Dillon from the Paladin. However, he doesn’t know how Nico’s going to react and is afraid to lose him if he gets too scared of Thomas’ secret life with the Sides.

WARNINGS: A lot of romance and words of love, mainly from Thomas to Nico.

EPISODE INDEX

[Thomas is nervously looking at the door. Virgil is next to him, both are sitting on the couch]

THOMAS: I’m so scared, Virge… So scared…

VIRGIL: I’m sorry, Thomas, I can’t help it… I know what we’re doing is the right thing to do, but still, I can’t help giving you this nervousness…

THOMAS: Nico could be here any moment… And even though I’ve rehearsed and rehearsed what I’m going to tell him, something tells me that in the critical moment, my mind’s gonna go blank and I’m not gonna know what to say… For starters, I don’t even know if he’s angry at me over the abrupt ending of our date last time. He said he isn’t, but maybe he was just being nice… Maybe I’ve already blew it up and there’s nothing I can do already, so being so nervous would be silly in that case… and if he doesn’t love me anymore, my life is gonna be miserable, ‘cause I know I’ll never find a guy like him again, and I don’t know if…

VIRGIL: Whoa, whoa, Thomas, please! You’re going so fast in your nervousness I can’t even follow your rhythm! Seriously, what is my purpose in this Mind Palace if you already take all the work yourself faster than I do? Gosh!

THOMAS: Sorry, Virge…

[intro sequence]

[someone knocks at the door]

THOMAS: Oh, gosh, he’s here… Okay, don’t panic… It’s only Nico, your boyfriend… but for how long? Sush! Sush… Virge, you’re invisible for him, right?

VIRGIL: Yes, I am, but I’d wish to be invisible in your thoughts right now too… Good luck, Thomas.

[Thomas sighs]

THOMAS: What will be, will be… Let’s go.

[Thomas opens the door. Nico is there, smiling at Thomas]

THOMAS: Hi, Nico… Gosh, your sole presence already makes my day brighter. Come in.

NICO: Thank you, Thomas. I love you too.

[Nico kisses Thomas on the cheek and gets into the living room followed by Thomas. He sits on the couch… right on Virgil]

VIRGIL: What the… whoops!

[however, Nico goes through him as if Virgil was made of air, not feeling his presence at all. Virgil quickly stands up and sits down on another couch. Thomas looks at the scene a little nervous but quickly puts himself together]

NICO: You said you wanted to see me, and something tells me it could be important. What is it? Oh, but most importantly, how are you feeling today? The other day, I left a little worried. I kept thinking I should have stayed in case you got worse so I could take you to the hospital if need be.

THOMAS: Oh, I’m fine, Nico, don’t worry. It was just some feeling of nausea I suddenly had. It left me an hour or so later after I took a chamomile tea. It was a bummer that it ruined our date when everything was going so perfect.

NICO: Yeah, if I could have, I would have stayed all night with you. I was enjoying your company so much, I didn’t want it to end at all…

THOMAS: [silly smile] Me neither… It’s funny how we only met last Christmas, a few weeks ago, and yet it’s like I’ve shared my whole life with you and I couldn’t remember how I used to live before you came into my life. Does it happen the same to you?

NICO: Yes… yes, it does. But for sure you didn’t call me here just to tell me words of love, Thomas. I mean I could hear them and tell them back to you all day long, but you had something to tell me. What is it? Like I said, something in your voice on the phone made me think it was something important. What’s the matter?

THOMAS: [nervous] Yes… okay… Nico, you better sit down because what I’m gonna tell may shock you…

NICO: Thomas… I’m already sitting down. You are so nervous… and you’re making me nervous. Please, calm down. Whatever it is, I can take it.

THOMAS: You’re right, sorry… It’s something to be nervous about, because it’s something I’ve told very few people in this world. Which reminds me to tell you that everything I’m gonna tell you must be kept as a secret. No one must ever know. I count on your discretion.

NICO: Of course, Thomas, you have my word. Whatever it is, no one will know your secret through me, I promise.

THOMAS: Thank you. You see, it’s something that has happened to me since I was a little boy. I have… a gift, you might call it? Even though sometimes I’ve been tempted to call it a curse, I still call it a gift, because it has given to me a group of friends no one could ever be closer to. More than friends, they are a family, a family that has been with me, by my… side… since I was like three years old.

NICO: I don’t understand.

THOMAS: I know, it’s very hard to understand, so I’ll start from the beginning, although I fear I’m going to confuse you a lot. You see, there are some people in this world whose brain works in some particular pattern of brainwaves, a very rare pattern, that triggers a very special reaction, you could almost call it… magic. These people have the power of summoning the different aspects of their personality that normally reside in their brain as brainwaves and turn them into real people. Then they can sustain conversations with them about whatever is bothering them in their daily life, about any complicated dilemma… anything. Even more than that. These people have the power of creating a whole alternate dimension from these same brainwaves which act as a portal to said dimension, which hold everything that person is, has been or will be, in what regards to their personality, way of thinking and so on.

NICO: You are talking about “some people”, are you trying to tell me that…

THOMAS: Yes, Nico. I am one of said people. I don’t know why, I didn’t choose it or know how it works exactly, but I have that gift, and the aspects of my personality I summon, they are called the Sanders Sides, who live in the Mind Palace, the dimension I talked about.

[there’s a short silence before Nico speaks]

NICO: Thomas… are you drunk?

THOMAS: I’ve never been more sober in my life Nico. I expected you wouldn’t believe me, but I swear, for the love I feel for you, that what I’m saying is true.

NICO: This… I can’t believe all of this and you shouldn’t be surprised at all. All of this just looks like taken from a fairy tale, and I don’t believe in fairy tales. Thomas, please don’t take offense at what I’m going to say, but I think you may have spent so much time alone that perhaps you have started mixing reality and fiction. I have seen your YouTube series, Sanders Sides, and I recognize what you have just described to me as taken from that series. Yes, perhaps it happened to you as it happened to Alonso Quijano, who went crazy over reading to many chivalric books and thought he was Don Quijote de La Mancha and a vulgar woman from the next town a fair maiden named Dulcinea. That… or you’re playing a practical joke on me, I don’t know…

THOMAS: As I said, I didn’t expect you to believe me the first time I told you. No one I ever told this believed me on the first try… until I they saw proof. I anticipated I’d have to prove to you that I’m not insane.

NICO: Prove to me? What do you mean by that?

THOMAS: As I told you, the Sanders Sides are real physical entities surged from my imagination. Usually they live in my head, in the Mind Palace, but when they want, they can get out at will and wander through the real world, or as they call it, the “outer world”. They can make themselves invisible at will or shapeshift into any form, human or not, so as not to attract attention. Believe it or not, one of my Sides is in this room right at this moment.

[Virgil looks at Thomas]

VIRGIL: Should I, Thomas?

THOMAS: In a minute, Virgil, when I give you the sign.

NICO: Who are you talking to? Who is Virgil? You’re scaring me. Perhaps… perhaps I should go…

THOMAS: No, please. Don’t go, at least give me the opportunity to prove you that I’m not crazy.

NICO: [standing up, walking to the middle of the living room] Then what are you waiting for, Thomas? You said they can make themselves visible at will? [spinning around trying to find Virgil’s position to no avail, while Virgil stands up too and slowly walks towards him] Well then, Virgil, whoever you are and wherever you’re standing, why don’t you show up and end this entuerto once and for all. Show yourself!

THOMAS: Go ahead Virgil, show yourself.

[Virgil appears in front of Nico with his face right next to Nico’s face, his creepy music theme sounds]

VIRGIL: [tempest tongue] If you insist, nice to meet you, Nico.

[Nico only lets go a little gasp, then gets completely frozen, looking at the apparition in front of him. He doesn’t move a muscle]

THOMAS: Ni… Nico? Are you okay?

[with the same gesture, Nico collapses and would have fallen to the floor if Virgil hadn’t grabbed him midway]

VIRGIL: Whoa!

THOMAS: Oh, no! Virgil, perhaps you shouldn’t have appeared so close to him all of a sudden. And definitely, you shouldn’t have used your tempest tongue. Do you want to give him a heart attack?

VIRGIL: I’m so sorry, Thomas. You know, when I’m anxious, that voice can appear out of nowhere and I can’t control it. Now, will you help me or…?

THOMAS: Oh, yes, we’ll take him to the couch.

[Thomas and Virgil lay Nico on the couch]

VIRGIL: Well, now what, Thomas?

THOMAS: Perhaps you should step aside a couple of steps so as not to scare him again. I’ll try to wake him up.

VIRGIL: Okay…

THOMAS: Nico… Nico, are you okay? Wake up.

[Nico slowly opens his eyes]

NICO: Oh, Thomas… You wouldn’t believe the dream I just had, I… wait a minute, what am I doing sleeping in your house? Was it…? It was a dream, right? Tell me it was, Thomas.

THOMAS: I… I’m sorry, Nico… but it wasn’t a dream.

[Nico notices Virgil]

VIRGIL: Hello again, sorry about earlier. I didn’t mean to scare you like that.

NICO: [sitting down] Oh, my goodness…

THOMAS: Are you okay, Nico? I really didn’t mean to scare you. It’s just that… I thought we were having something good, something that I, at least, want to last for a lifetime… and I thought that, if we were going to be together, I couldn’t have secrets with you… [scared] because you still want to be with me, right?

NICO: I… I… I’m so confused right now, I don’t even know what to think right now…

[Nico stands up]

NICO: I’m sorry, but I need some fresh air to put my ideas in order. I gotta go, Thomas.

THOMAS: [sighs] As you wish, Nico… I understand.

[Nico leaves the house. Thomas looks at the closed door while a tear falls down his cheek]

VIRGIL: I’m sorry, Thomas. I’m sorry this didn’t go as we wished.

THOMAS: [trembling voice, trying to hide his feelings and pretend he’s okay] It… It’s okay. If this was bound to happen… it’s better that it happened this soon in our relation and not when I was too invested into it and someone got hurt… [bursting into tears] Oh, who am I trying to lie to, I was already invested and it hurts…

[Virgil hugs Thomas]

VIRGIL: If it serves as consolation… he still hasn’t broken up with you, not officially at least. Perhaps it’s true that he just needs some time to think.

THOMAS: [sobbing] I really want to believe that, Virge… but I’m not so sure of it…

VIRGIL: Well, there’s nothing we can do about it right now, so… [sweet voice, petting Thomas’ hair] Oh, hush, my friend, hush. It’s okay… It’s gonna be okay…

[Thomas keeps sobbing for some time, but slowly he calms down]

VIRGIL: That’s better. Now, would you like to play some video games here? It’s been ages since we had a good old game and at least it would help distract you, and me to ease up.

THOMAS: Thank you, Virge, for trying to lift my spirits up even when it is against your nature. You truly are a good friend.

VIRGIL: I’ll always be here for you. So, wanna play?

THOMAS: [sniffing and cleaning the tears with his hands] Of course, Virge, of course.

[Thomas and Virgil start playing video games. After about an hour or so, someone knocks at the door]

VIRGIL: Were you expecting someone, Thomas?

THOMAS: [pausing the game] No… Oh… do you think it could be…?

VIRGIL: There’s only one way to find out, Thomas.

[Thomas rushes to the door and opens it. Nico is there]

THOMAS: Nico!

NICO: Can I… can I come in?

THOMAS: Of course you can, Nico.

[Nico comes in. He notices Virgil]

NICO: Hello, Virgil. How… how are you doing?

VIRGIL: I’m okay, Nico, thanks for asking, and as I said, I’m sorry about earlier, I didn’t mean to scare you.

NICO: It’s okay.

THOMAS: So… you came back…

NICO: Yes, I did… To be honest… I didn’t go too far. I didn’t even leave the neighborhood, nor I got into the car, it was still there at the door. I just walked for a while, then sat down in the park nearby, thinking about everything, reflecting about all of this.

THOMAS: And did you get to a conclusion?

NICO: I did. After some time, when the scare wore off, I reviewed things in my mind more calmly, and I realized something. I… really didn’t see anything bad at all in you having Sides. Like, nothing at all. Of course it’s weird, but that isn’t necessarily bad. And on the other hand, I was certain of something I already knew before. Thomas, I love you. I love you… like I never loved a man before in my life. I don’t care if you have Sides or not. I love you and I don’t want to give you up. There’s one word you mentioned earlier, a word that, without me noticing it, got stuck into my mind and my heart as something I really wanted to have: a lifetime with you. I envisioned a lifetime with you and I couldn’t feel happier. You can bet that, if you let me, I’m gonna fight to make that lifetime with you work and I’m not ever leaving you as long as you love me.

[Thomas, imbued by a sudden passion, hugs and kisses Nico, while Virgil watches the scene with a heartwarming smile and his eyeshadow turns bright purple. After the kiss, Nico notices Virgil’s change]

NICO: Whoa, what’s that?

VIRGIL: What? Oh, this? Please, don’t’ mind me. When Thomas feels butterflies in his stomach, like you’re making him feel right now, I turn into a Glo Worm, it seems. It ruins my aesthetic, but to be honest, I feel so incredibly good when it happens that I don’t mind it happening at all.

NICO: [smiling at Thomas] Aw… that’s so cute.

THOMAS: [nervous giggle] Yes… it is, although I’m not so sure if I want anyone to rat my feelings out so easily…

VIRGIL: Well, sorry, Thomas, but I’m part of you as you know. He asked, I answered. Besides, with that kiss you have just given him, I think you made your emotions quite clear before he saw my purple eyeshadow.

THOMAS: You got me there.

NICO: Speaking about parts of you… how many of you, Sides, are there? I’m intrigued now.

THOMAS: Do you want to know them?

NICO: Yes, I would love to. And I would also love to see what you called the Mind Palace, that place must certainly be something.

THOMAS: If I could, I would take you to the Mind Palace, so that you could meet my Sides in their habitat. You would love it. Alas, that’s not possible yet.

NICO: Why not?

THOMAS: Well, I can only bring in and out of my Mind Palace people who have gone through a certain process. They must synchronize their brainwaves through hypnosis to make them compatible with mine. For that, we need my friend Talyn, but they’re out of town now. I can’t wait for that moment to come, though.

NICO: Gotcha. Still, I want so bad to know your Mind Palace. I imagine it to be such an incredible place. If I close my eyes, I can almost see it…

[Nico closes his eyes and smiles, rejoicing in his thoughts… then, out of a sudden, he sinks down and disappears]

THOMAS: [scared] Wait, what? Nico!

VIRGIL: [in shock, his eyeshadow turns black] Oh, my goodness! What has just happened?

THOMAS: I… I don’t know… Could he have… sank down into the Mind Palace?

VIRGIL: But he hasn’t been synchronized! That’s impossible!

THOMAS: And yet, there’s no other explanation. Come with me, Virge, we need to find him!

[Thomas and Virgil sink down, then they rise up in Logan’s room. Logan and Patton are there, playing Scattergories]

PATTON: Oh, hi, kiddos!

VIRGIL: Hi, dad.

LOGAN: What’s wrong, guys? You look concerned.

THOMAS: Have you seen Nico anywhere?

LOGAN: What? Nico? You have synchronized him without warning us to get into autopilot!? Thomas, how could you…?

THOMAS: That’s the weirdest thing, Logan! We didn’t synchronize him! He just sank down naturally!

LOGAN: Oh… and besides, Patton didn’t fall asleep as it happens to everyone but me when you’re hypnotized… That’s weird. Could it be that he has his own Mind Palace and has sank down there?

THOMAS: I… I hadn’t thought about that… Who knows…? But I don’t think so, otherwise, he wouldn’t have freaked out so much over knowing of the Sides’ existence. No, I don’t know how or why, but he must be somewhere in this Mind Palace. The question is where?

LOGAN: Don’t worry, Thomas, he can’t have gone too far. We’ll help you search.

THOMAS: Thank you, guys. Okay, you guys go to Roman’s room and I’ll go with Virgil to Janus’.

PATTON: Okay, kiddo. Good luck.

[everybody sinks down. Then Thomas and Virgil rise up in Janus’ room. Janus is touching up his snake make up and Remus is doing Remus stuff in the kitchen]

JANUS: Oh, hi, Thomas, hi Virge.

VIRGIL: Hi, Janus. Hi, Remus.

REMUS: Do you want to taste what I’m cooking? I just hunted it behind the counter!

VIRGIL: Uh… no, thanks.

THOMAS: We came here to check if Nico was here. But it seems you didn’t see him.

JANUS: Nico is in the Mind Palace? How?

THOMAS: That’s what I’d wish to know. He must be somewhere, but where?

VIRGIL: Well, we can rule out Sandersia, for sure. Unless you’re the Mind Palace owner, that is you, Thomas, from the outer world, you can only reach directly the rooms, and any other place must be reached once you are in the Mind Palace.

REMUS: And you can also rule out my room. It is protected by a barrier only Roman and I can cross as you remember, and the other door is through Sandersia, which is also ruled out, so.

[Logan and Patton rise up in Janus’ room with Roman and Ian]

ROMAN: They already brought me up to date. Nico isn’t in my room either, Thomas.

IAN: And we can see he’s not here either.

VIRGIL: Then there’s only one place he could have gone to. My room.

THOMAS: Oh, my goodness! Then, that means he must have met the ghouls that are living there! I hope they didn’t cause a shock too bad on him! We must hurry!

[everybody sinks down. Then, they rise up in Virgil’s room. Nico is there playing video games with the ghouls]

NICO: Oh, Thomas! There you are!

THOMAS: Nico! Oh, my goodness, you scared me so bad! Are you okay?

NICO: I’m fine, Thomas. I don’t know what happened I just closed my eyes, and when I opened them, your room had changed, and these guys were on the couch playing video games. They’re very nice, actually.

HEIGHT: Thank you. You’re very nice too, Nico.

THOMAS: Well, thanks guys for taking care of my boyfriend. I don’t know how he got here in my Mind Palace, but he just sank down in here.

NICO: Really? This is your Mind Palace? Wow…

VERTIGO: He just rised up in the middle of the room. We got a little shocked when we saw him, as it was clear he wasn’t one of the Sides, he didn’t look like you. But we just got along instantly. Are all humans so kind and fun to hang out with?

THOMAS: Nah, I just think that Nico is one of a kind, that’s why I love him.

NICO: Same, Thomas.

THOMAS: And now, how could this happen? How could Nico enter my Mind Palace barely without trying without going through the synchronization? Logan, have you got any explanation?

LOGAN: Well, if Nico could enter here, then that means only one thing: his brainwaves are naturally compatible with yours. He was born with the ability of entering your Mind Palace in particular.

PATTON: Awww, that’s so cute!

LOGAN: Why is it cute, Patton?

PATTON: Don’t you see? Thomas and Nico were born for each other! They are soul mates that were destined to be together, bound to meet and to be together sooner or later! So compatible that they read each other’s mind, or in this case enter each other’s mind.

[Thomas and Nico look at each other, then smile]

THOMAS: Do you think so, Patton?

PATTON: Yes!

JANUS: I don’t know if such thing as soul mates does really exist to begin with. To me it looks all a little… commercial, like St. Valentine’s Day.

ROMAN: Oh, shut up, Sulk Scales, I love that thought, it’s so romantic that it bums me I didn’t think of it first!

THOMAS: Roman, nicknames.

ROMAN: Sorry, Janus.

PATTON: Oh, Janus, don’t be like that! You know first hand that love is real. And that explains that huge force I felt the other day, so much so that it overwhelmed me and left me almost out of breath.

THOMAS: Wait, what? Patton, you never told me that! Are you okay?

PATTON: Yes, kiddo. I am now. I got accustomed to it. It’s just that your love for Nico is so strong it fills out the whole Mind Palace with its strength. That’s why the Core told me that Nico was needed to save Virgil and Roman’s son…

NICO: Wait, what?

[Thomas frowns at Patton]

VIRGIL: Great going, dad. Thomas hadn’t told him anything about that yet.

PATTON: [covering his mouth] Oh, I’m so sorry, guys. I thought you had already talked it out.

NICO: What does he mean, Thomas?

THOMAS: Well, I wanted to touch this topic later, when you got accustomed to the existence of my Sides, but as the cat is out of the bag now… You see, Roman and Virgil’s son, Dillon, is trapped by a malicious entity called the Paladin who has taken possession of his body. Patton has discovered that the only way to save him is by you going by my side into the Cave of Doom, where we have him contained, and help me take care of him.

NICO: That sounds dangerous.

THOMAS: It probably is. Inside the Mind Palace, I have power, and I would make sure to protect you from any danger we may face… But I’m sorry that my Mind Palace isn’t all sunshine and rainbows. It has its dark places and its malicious entities too. I’d wish to be, but I’m not perfect as that attests.

NICO: I don’t care if you’re not perfect. Is anyone perfect at all? I’m not perfect either, Thomas, and that’s okay. Don’t beat yourself about it.

THOMAS: Of course, Nico, I would never demand you to help us, especially if there is some kind of risk for you. Heck, I’m totally against you participating in this anyway because I don’t want to endanger you. [to Virgil and Roman] Sorry, guys, but I had to say it.

ROMAN: It’s totally fine, Thomas, we understand. And like we told you, there’s no need for Nico to participate. We’ll try to find another way.

THOMAS: Gosh, but it makes me feel so guilty… Dillon’s life is endangered… but at the same time… gosh, this is tearing me apart.

NICO: Thomas, I’ll do it.

THOMAS: What?

NICO: I know you want to protect me, because you always want to treasure and protect what you love, but I’m my own person to make the choice, and if you say that there’s one life endangered if I don’t help, my own consciousness tells me that I need to do my best to help. I’ll help you, in every way that I can, even if I don’t know what I am supposed to do, but I will. You can count on me.

VIRGIL: Thank you so much, Nico.

ROMAN: We can’t express how thankful we are if you’re willing to help.

THOMAS: Are you sure, Nico? I don’t know to what extent, but this could be dangerous.

NICO: I am sure. And as long as you are by my side, I won’t be afraid.

THOMAS: I love you. I love you so much, you don’t have an idea. Gosh, I know I’m acting so super sweet that I could cause diabetes on anyone passing by, but I can’t help yelling it to the world. I love you, Nicolás Flores.

[Thomas kisses Nico]

[ending card]

[some time later. Thomas has introduced Nico to all of the Sides and talked to him about their adventures]

VIRGIL: … and we also have another son, Chris. Well, his name is Christian Gerard Sanders but we call him Chris for short. He’s now in Sandersia, staying over in Roland’s castle for a few days.

NICO: What is Sandersia?

ROMAN: It’s a land attached to my room where all of Thomas’ characters and creations exist for real. I’m the Royal Prince that rules it, although Roland governs it in my place as regent. Oh, and Roland is my brother, by the way.

NICO: I see… Wow, there’s a lot to memorize here about this world, I hope I don’t get myself into a mess. So many people and places… and it’s all in your head, Thomas. How can you cope?

THOMAS: I’m accustomed already. I’ve been living through it since I was three years old. Don’t worry if you mess up here and there. We understand it’s not easy and it’s all kind of a shock coming all at once so suddenly.

NICO: So, let’s see if I got it right. You, Virgil, are Thomas’ vigilance and anxiety.

VIRGIL: Correct.

NICO: You, Roman, are Thomas’ pure Creativity, his romanticism and his ego.

ROMAN: Perfect.

NICO: Remus, you are Roman’s twin brother and Thomas’ not so pure creativity.

REMUS: Oh, I could kiss you. Can I kiss him, Thomas?

JANUS: [frowning] No, no you can’t, Remus.

NICO: You, Janus, you are Thomas’ deceitful nature and his self-preservation.

JANUS: Not impressed at all that you remembered…

NICO: Patton, you’re Thomas’ morality, his feelings and his inner child.

PATTON: Yes, kiddo, exactly.

NICO: You, Logan, are Thomas’ logical thinking and his acquired knowledge.

LOGAN: A+ for you, Nico.

NICO: You, Ian, you are Janus’ brother and encompass Thomas’ honest thinking. You two used to be kind of Siamese brothers sharing the same body in turns, but now are independent.

IAN: That’s right.

NICO: And then, there’s Chris, who, you said, is Thomas’ angsty creativity, and he’s Roman and Virgil’s son, as well as Dillon’s brother. I still don’t understand well how two people with the same reproductive organs could conceive a child, but the rest I got it right.

THOMAS: That’s easy to understand, though. As Sides are not human, they don’t follow the same biological rules as humans do and the laws of science don’t affect them. We’re talking about entities that can appear and disappear, can shapeshift, stretch their limbs as if they were made of rubber… it was only natural that reproduction didn’t work the same as with humans.

NICO: Gotcha… speaking about their son, there’s one thing I wonder. Each Side has at least one function in Thomas’ psyche. What does Dillon encompass exactly?

ROMAN: Well, to be honest, we don’t truly know.

VIRGIL: Yeah, we guessed that he encompassed Thomas’ hope, that’s why we named him Dillon, which means hope in Irish. You know that Thomas has Irish ancestors, right?

NICO: Yes, he told me. But you guessed he was Thomas’ hope? You’re not sure?

ROMAN: No, because that dang Paladin caught him even before he was born and we couldn’t identify him. Logan used to be able to examine us with an ability he had in his hands, he could have detected the Paladin’s presence inside Dillon’s body as soon as I delivered him. But he lost that ability in some unfortunate event we’ll tell you about some day, and couldn’t do it.

LOGAN: On the subject of my ability… guys, there’s one thing I gotta announce to you.

ROMAN: What is it, Logan?

LOGAN: Remember our latest adventure with the Core, how I had to stretch my arm to catch Patton before he was absorbed by the Core?

NICO: What?

LOGAN: Don’t worry, Nico, we’ll explain to you later. The point is that when my hand got closer to the Core… the Core’s influence touched it and its power imbued me without me even noticing in the turmoil of angst over saving Patton.

ROMAN: Are you going to tell me that the Core got you a gift, just like Patton now can heal us?

LOGAN: It got me a gift, but not a new gift like Patton’s. You guys, the Core has brought my examination ability back. We knew it was a matter of a long time that it was restored, but the Core accelerated that restoration. I can check you guys again.

THOMAS: That’s so great to hear, Logan! I’m happy for you! That ability was always very useful for all of us and it’s good to know that you have it back!

LOGAN: Yes, but not only it has restored it, it has removed the unpleasant side effect of electrification that I felt if I checked someone’s memories or that someone felt if I sent him mine. Now it’s all a more pleasant, totally painless process.

JANUS: Great, because I still remember that electric feeling and it wasn’t pleasant at all.

THOMAS: Okay, guys. Then if we’re all set, we need to start making a plan. There’s a Side in distress in the bottom of a cave that needs our help, a cave we also need to conquer back so that the ghouls can recover their friends and home. It’s time to face the Paladin once and for all.