#tis the season for starting new journeys after all

[venusinmyrrh]

Literary Witches tarot deck?

Your cards are Elixir and María Sabina.

There is something in you that needs healing. If it’s physical, go to a doctor; if it’s mental, see a therapist; if it’s spiritual, consult a mentor, religious leader, or spiritual practitioner. The medicine you need, you cannot get on your own.

readings are closed (for now!)

[thewriteadviceforwriters]

Creating Compelling Character Arcs: A Guide for Fiction Writers

As writers, one of our most important jobs is to craft characters that feel fully realized and three-dimensional. Great characters aren't just names on a page — they're complex beings with arcs that take them on profound journeys of change and growth. A compelling character arc can make the difference between a forgettable story and one that sticks with readers long after they've turned the final page.

Today, I'm going to walk you through the art of crafting character arcs that are as rich and multi-layered as the people you encounter in real life. Whether you're a first-time novelist or a seasoned storyteller, this guide will give you the tools to create character journeys that are equal parts meaningful and unforgettable.

What Is a Character Arc?

Before we go any further, let's make sure we're all on the same page about what a character arc actually is. In the most basic sense, a character arc refers to the internal journey a character undergoes over the course of a story. It's the path they travel, the obstacles they face, and the ways in which their beliefs, mindsets, and core selves evolve through the events of the narrative.

A character arc isn't just about what happens to a character on the outside. Sure, external conflict and plot developments play a major role — but the real meat of a character arc lies in how those external forces shape the character's internal landscape. Do their ideals get shattered? Is their worldview permanently altered? Do they have to confront harsh truths about themselves in order to grow?

The most resonant character arcs dig deep into these universal human experiences of struggle, self-discovery, and change. They mirror the journeys we all go through in our own lives, making characters feel powerfully relatable even in the most imaginative settings.

The Anatomy of an Effective Character Arc

Now that we understand what character arcs are, how do we actually construct one that feels authentic and impactful? Let's break down the key components:

The Inciting Incident

Every great character arc begins with a spark — something that disrupts the status quo of the character's life and sets them on an unexpected path. This inciting incident can take countless forms, be it the death of a loved one, a sudden loss of power or status, an epic betrayal, or a long-held dream finally becoming attainable.

Whatever shape it takes, the inciting incident needs to really shake the character's foundations and push them in a direction they wouldn't have gone otherwise. It opens up new struggles, questions, and internal conflicts that they'll have to grapple with over the course of the story.

Lies They Believe

Tied closely to the inciting incident are the core lies or limiting beliefs that have been holding your character back. Perhaps they've internalized society's body image expectations and believe they're unlovable. Maybe they grew up in poverty and are convinced that they'll never be able to escape that cyclical struggle.

Whatever these lies are, they'll inform how your character reacts and responds to the inciting incident. Their ingrained perceptions about themselves and the world will directly color their choices and emotional journeys — and the more visceral and specific these lies feel, the more compelling opportunities for growth your character will have.

The Struggle

With the stage set by the inciting incident and their deeply-held lies exposed, your character will then have to navigate a profound inner struggle that stems from this setup. This is where the real meat of the character arc takes place as they encounter obstacles, crises of faith, moral dilemmas, and other pivotal moments that start to reshape their core sense of self.

Importantly, this struggle shouldn't be a straight line from Point A to Point B. Just like in real life, people tend to take a messy, non-linear path when it comes to overcoming their limiting mindsets. They'll make progress, backslide into old habits, gain new awareness, then repeat the cycle. Mirroring this meandering but ever-deepening evolution is what makes a character arc feel authentic and relatable.

Moments of Truth

As your character wrestles with their internal demons and existential questions, you'll want to include potent Moments of Truth that shake them to their core. These are the climactic instances where they're forced to finally confront the lies they believe head-on. It could be a painful conversation that shatters their perception of someone they trusted. Or perhaps they realize the fatal flaw in their own logic after hitting a point of no return.

These Moments of Truth pack a visceral punch that catalyzes profound realizations within your character. They're the litmus tests where your protagonist either rises to the occasion and starts radically changing their mindset — or they fail, downing further into delusion or avoiding the insights they need to undergo a full transformation.

The Resolution

After enduring the long, tangled journey of their character arc, your protagonist will ideally arrive at a resolution that feels deeply cathartic and well-earned. This is where all of their struggle pays off and we see them evolve into a fundamentally different version of themselves, leaving their old limiting beliefs behind.

A successfully crafted resolution in a character arc shouldn't just arrive out of nowhere — it should feel completely organic based on everything they've experienced over the course of their thematic journey. We should be able to look back and see how all of the challenges they surmounted ultimately reshaped their perspective and led them to this new awakening. And while not every character needs to find total fulfillment, for an arc to feel truly complete, there needs to be a definitive sense that their internal struggle has reached a meaningful culmination.

Tips for Crafting Resonant Character Arcs

I know that was a lot of ground to cover, so let's recap a few key pointers to keep in mind as you start mapping out your own character's trajectories:

Get Specific With Backstory

To build a robust character arc, a deep understanding of your protagonist's backstory and psychology is indispensable. What childhood wounds do they carry? What belief systems were instilled in them from a young age? The more thoroughly you flesh out their history and inner workings, the more natural their arc will feel.

Strive For Nuance

One of the biggest pitfalls to avoid with character arcs is resorting to oversimplified clichés or unrealistic "redemption" stories. People are endlessly complex — your character's evolution should reflect that intricate messiness and nuance to feel grounded. Embrace moral grays, contradictions, and partial awakenings that upend expectations.

Make the External Match the Internal

While a character arc hinges on interior experiences, it's also crucial that the external plot events actively play a role in driving this inner journey. The inciting incident, the obstacles they face, the climactic Moments of Truth — all of these exterior occurrences should serve as narrative engines that force your character to continually reckon with themselves.

Dig Into Your Own Experiences

Finally, the best way to instill true authenticity into your character arcs is to draw deeply from the personal transformations you've gone through yourself. We all carry with us the scars, growth, and shattered illusions of our real-life arcs — use that raw honesty as fertile soil to birth characters whose journeys will resonate on a soulful level.

Happy Writing!

[daycourtofficial]

Gingerfucker - Eris x Rhys’s Sister!reader Masterlist

Banner by @milswrites | Note: these are in chronological order by content, not by posting date. This is an ongoing series and will be updated.

Summary: no one is more surprised than Eris Vanserra to find that he is capable of much more than just political ambition

Some art of the babies: (Nyx and Atlas) (All the gingersnaps) (Atlas and Leif) (Atlas) (the family)

Art by @dawneternal: Eris during the events of Cold was the steel of my axe to grind, portraits of the gingersnaps, art of Eris and Atlas

Gingerfucker week 2024 blurbs

Moodboard

It’s just to satiate the bond - an agreement to have sex just to satiate a mating bond neither party wants is a great idea. Surely no one will get hurt, right?

One single thread of gold tied me to you* - Eris accepts the mating bond and is incredibly touched by the effort you put into cooking him the meal from scratch

All’s well that ends well to end up with you - fears and doubts cause you and Eris to do your first irrational act together: a secret mating bond ceremony

I am ash from your fire - Surprising Eris one evening, you’ve turned up in the dead of night to let him know that your brother had figured out your secret relationship, offering you an ultimatum.

Cold was the steel of my axe to grind - centuries of plotting and scheming come to a head when his mate unexpectedly arrives in Autumn and Eris is desperate to set his plans in motion, least she become a piece for Beron to use against him

Chains around my demons, wool to brave the seasons - Eris leaves his mate alone in the Forest House, telling her to trust no one but his mother. The two women are ill-equipped to provide frontline fighting, but surely they can help Eris in their own way. *companion piece to ‘Cold was the steel of my axe to grind’

Hell was the journey but it brought me Heaven - in the immediate aftermath of Beron’s death and the thrum of power in his veins, Eris’s mate forces him to, at the bare minimum, bathe

Secret exchanges - a few weeks after the aftermath of Rhys’s banishment, your mate, the new High Lord of the Autumn Court, has a secret meeting with someone from your family.

Blood moon in Autumn - fae cycles are no joke, but your mate is always there to provide you comfort in the best way possible: by being your personal heating pad

Have I found you, flightless bird? - a reflection of a life of secrets and expectations and how, despite it all, a flightless bird found home in an unlikely place

Ferocious beasts with soft bellies - Eris’s hounds know you’re pregnant before either of you do, driving the two of you wild with their newfound devotion to you.

Starfall in Autumn - based on the prompt for Starfall week “characters a and b realize they won’t make it to Starfall. They make the most of what they have to celebrate”

Laborious anxieties - Eris is riddled with anxiety leading up to your labor, but what happens when some of his worst fears come to fruition?

Cursing my name, wishing I stayed - your relationship with Rhysand had been icy at best, but your attempts to reconcile are quick to be shot down. A rash decision leads you to endangering your life - can Eris find you in time? Can he save your infant son?

Amber eyes, looking into mine - Eris finds something in his study that triggers him into a frozen state of panic. Who better suited to pulling Eris from his past than his future?

We started alone, in the end we’re okay - on a rare night alone, Eris reflects on his long life and the lonely nights that haunted his youth. And how he’s a long way from the person he was and the person he had to be.

Fireling - every father’s dream is to be there the day his son first uses his powers. Luckily for Eris, he gets just that.

How the kingdom lights shine just for me and you - Eris tells his sons a story, letting them know how a strong knight defeated an evil dragon and saved the kingdom.

Loving parents, harmless fun - Modern!Gingerfucker - slice of life where Eris takes his family on a roadtrip and is only slightly annoyed at his son’s choice of car game

* = smut

[willthewiz]

Will's Arc Ties the Whole Series Together

"Will really takes center stage again in [season] 5," Ross Duffer told Variety. "This emotional arc for him is what we feel is going to hopefully tie the whole series together. Will is used to being the young one, the introverted one, the one that’s being protected. So part of his journey, it’s not just sexuality – it’s Will coming into his own as a young man."

So in other words...

Will Byers will receive more attention in season 5 due to his importance in the story. His goals, motivations, conflicts, and decisions will make Will’s story an emotional arc. Instead of Will keeping his thoughts and feelings to himself, he’ll become more open and honest not just to others but also himself. Instead of needing protection and being treated like a child, he will stand up to fight to protect others and make his own decisions instead of doing what others want him to do. To come into his own, Will must face challenges such as going against numerous enemies and trials along the way (internal and external conflicts), and emerge stronger and wiser at the end. Once Will overcomes these challenges, he’ll be able to:

Utilize his strengths and unique qualities to his fullest extent.

Become more self-assured and comfortable in his own skin, no longer needing to defer to others or hold himself back.

Establish a strong, independent sense of self, rather than relying on others' perceptions or definitions of who he is.

Fully showcase his talents, skills, and perspectives, without feeling the need to conform or blend in.

Reach new heights in his career, personal life, or other endeavors where his true abilities can shine.

Will’s story is about self-discovery and growth. He will grow into the fullest expression of his authentic self and potential. His emotional arc will tie the whole series together because in order to defeat Vecna and save Hawkins, Will must stop clinging to his childhood and use that support from others as a stepping stone toward finally growing up and becoming a young man.

And we know Will will always need Mike. Mike is part of the key to Will's self-discovery. Mike makes Will feel like he's not a mistake. He feels better for being different because of Mike. He can be himself because of Mike. And that gives him the courage to fight on. The courage to finally defeat Vecna once and for all. That support from others will play a part in Will growing as a person, thus leading to Will becoming a young man and facing against Vecna.

As I said before, Will’s arc is about self-discovery and growth. He has that acceptance from others such as Jonathan and Mike, and that support will help him grow as a person and become fully comfortable in his own skin. However, Mike isn’t the key because of his acceptance, but rather part of the key to Will coming into his own. Becoming his own person. Will having support is important, but that’s not his story. After coming back from the upside down, Will has been clinging to his childhood. Will’s arc is not about acceptance from others, it’s about him growing up and finding out who he is as a young man. That acceptance and support will lead Will in the right direction toward self-discovery and growth.

"I think Mike is trying to be as normal as possible and try to keep on a normal path." —Finn Wolfhard

"How is he (Mike) this clueless right now? With the Will scene in the car, I remember asking the Duffers, why would he not know this? And they're like, don't worry it'll pay off in the end." —Finn Wolfhard

"I can just tell you that I'm very very excited for what's to come. I think they did a great job with Will's character this season, and beautifully addressed everything they needed to. The way they closed the show is just perfect – the story started with Will, and it’ll end with Will."

—Noah Schnapp

"Our show is an anthem for the marginalized and imperfect, precisely because the Duffer brothers know from experience that the popular and easy road is rarely the most interesting one, and that character, grit, connection, and soul are bred in the same moments that challenge us the most." —Shawn Levy

With Mike and Will becoming a team in season 5 and Will taking center stage, it could only mean one thing...

Byler Endgame

[thinkwosolife23]

Reputation, Alexia Putellas

Being a Williamson is great. For the most part. You and Leah had gained quite the reputation both on and off the pitch.

On the pitch, Leah had become one of the best centerbacks in the world. Captaining the Lionesses to winning the Euros and then taken them right through to the World Cup Final. And you had become on of the most well-decorated fowards in the world, top scorer for Arsenal and England. And when you were on the pitch together, well that was a duo that was feared by your opposistion. Leah was able to find you wherever you were on the pitch and 9 times out of 10, you would put the ball in the back of the net. The connection you two held on the pitch was unmatched, it became unstoppable.

But off the pitch, the Williamson name wasn't as appreciated. After the two of you had come out of long-term relationships, Leah with Jordan and you with Katie (McCabe). You had started to become known as, 'players.' The routine of going out, meeting someone, sleeping with them and leaving in the morning became all too familiar for the pair of you. The word commitment no longer exsisted in your world outside of football.

Your teamaties had become well aware of the antics you and your sister shared. This happened because you may have, accidently slept with one of your teamates sisters.

But this season, the Williamson sisters were no longer playing for the same club team.

Arsenal Star, Y/N Williamson leaves childhood club for Champions League Winners.

Barcalona break the current Womens record fee to sign Y/N Williamson from Arsenal.

So, here you were. In Barcalona. Today would be your first day in training, also the day where you would be introduced to your new teamates. Obviously, you had played against some of them in the World Cup Final but we won't talk about that.

Kiera had offered to take you to training, with it being your first day. And for the fact that currently, you don't have a car.

But with the journey to training, you also recieved a lecture.

"You can't mess around here, Y/N. You can't be like how you were in England." Kiera told you firmly just as you had stepped into the training centre.

"Best behaviour. I know, Ke" You replied, almost sarcasticly.

"I'm serious!"

You didn't reply, you just smiled at gave her the thumbs up.

Kiera took you straight out onto the field where all the girls were. They were all quick to come over introducing themselves to you.

But then something else took your attention, rather someone did.

She was beautiful, everything about her was just…. uuhh. She was talking to Lucy about something.

You looked back at Keira who was already giving you a firm look as if she knew what you was thinking, then giving you a strong shake of her head, telling you that your thoughts needed to stop.

Meanwhile, Alexia was just as curious. And Lucy seemed to notice it.

"You can't go there, Ale." Lucy told her, Alexia's eyes staying fixed on you.

"What do you mean?" She questioned, almost confused at Lucy's sudden outburst.

"She's got a bit of reputation for messing people around."

"She's english. You play with her, isn't she your friend." Alexia said, as if she was coming to your defense.

"She is a friend and she's an amazing footballer but that doesn't mean she isn't bad news. You need to be careful." Lucy affirmed before walking off, making her way towards Kiera.

This gave you the perfect chance to go an introduce yourself.

You made your way through the team towards her.

"Hola." You said, holding your hand out for her to shake. (Hey.)

"¿Tú hablas español?" She questioned, gently reaching out to shake your hand. (You speak spanish?)

"¿Qué puedo decir? Me propuse impresionar." (What can I say? I set out to impress.)

"Tienes bastante reputación, ¿no?" (You've got quite the reputation, haven't you.)

"Podría decir lo mismo de ti." You told her, your confidence soon starting to show. (I could say the same thing about you.)

"No creas que nuestras reputaciones son similares." Her confidence almost matching yours, almost… (Don't think that our reputations are similar.)

"Bueno, lo siento, no todas podemos ser tan buenas como Miss Balón de Oro. Pero me ofende un poco que mis habilidades futbolísticas no sean lo que más me conoce." (Well I am sorry, we can't all be as good as Miss Ballon D'or. But I am slightly offended that my footballing abillity isn't what i'm best known for.)

"Me han advertido sobre ti, que me mantenga alejado, aparentemente son tus malas noticias." She told you, her hand still held within yours. (I've been warned about you, to stay away, your bad news, apparently.)

"Entonces claramente debes estar inflado por mí, porque no estás escuchando la advertencia, ¿verdad?" You questioned her, whilst lifting your hands up showing her that she hadn't let go. (You must clearly be infactuated by me then, cause your not listening to the warning, are you?)

"Me gusta pensar que puedo opinar sobre las nuevas jugadoras." (I like to think I can make my own opinion of new players.)

"Mujer independiente. Y no pensé que podrías volverte más hermosa." (Independent woman. And I didn't think that you could get anymore beautiul.)

"Y eres demasiado coqueta." (And your too much of a flirt.)

Over the next few weeks, you and Alexia had become really close. Despite what people were telling both of you.

It was different with her though: something drew you towards her, you didn't just want to sleep with her. She made you feel something. Obviously, she was beautiful - no-one could deny that but she was so many other things. She was funny, she was intelligent, she amazed you everytime she stepped onto the pitch. She was perfect.

Nothing had actually happened between the pair of you, nothing more than the casual flirting on a daily basis. You two had formed an incredible connection on the pitch, similar to yours and Leahs. Alexia always managed to find you on the pitch and you knew that she was either next to you or behind you, words didn't need to be spoken for you two to understand each other.

Tonight, the whole of the Barcalona Femeni team were going out to celebrate a 4-0 win in the El Clasico. You managing to score 2 of them goals, also managing to assist Alexia on another one.

Anyways, you had just got to the bar with Mapi and Ingrid. Since your move to Barcalona, you had formed a really good friendship with the couple. Besides your fellow Lionesses, the two had definatly become two of your closest friends.

Some of your teamates had already arrived at the bar, taking seat in one of the booths in the far corner. Despite the night only just starting, the spanish bar was packed with people and sound.

The three of you made your way over to the group, squeezing through the crowds of people. As soon as you got to the group, everyone was up greeting the three of you before going back to there previous conversations.

After about half an hour, you joined Lucy in getting everyone another round of drinks.

"I'm suprised you haven't already found someone to take home." Lucy casually questioned you.

"Are you being serious?" Your voice raising slightly, clearly irritated.

"What? You can't blame me for thinking that. You and Leah practically bedded most of the girls in London."

"You know what Lucy, it's none of your buissness what I get up to in my own life. I'm done with this." You gestured your hands between you and Lucy, towards the conversations before walking off.

You began making your way outside, wanting to give yourself time to calm down. You went and sat on the kerb just in front of the bar but you weren't outside alone for long.

A few minutes passed before you felt someone's prescence beside you, resting their head on your shoulder.

You didn't even have to look to see who it was. So many things told you that it was her: the way she smelt or the fact that your body instantly relaxed as soon as she was near you.

"Y/N?" Alexia's voice was soft, sensing that something had clearly agitated you.

"Lex, estoy tan harto de todo esto que es como si todos estuvieran esperando que lo arruine todo." You told her, the fustration evident in your voice, complety opposing her soft tone. (Lex, i'm so fed up of it all, it's like everyone is waiting for me to mess everything up.)

"Se preocupan por ti. Sólo quieren lo mejor para ti." (They care about you. They just want what'a best for you.)

"Pero si se preocuparan por mí, verían que he cambiado, que estoy tratando de ser mejor." (But if they cared about me, they would see that i've changed, i'm trying to be better.)

There were a couple of minutes of silence between the pair of you, but knowing that Alexia was next to you brought you more re-assurance that any words could ever do.

"¿Puedo hacerte una pregunta?" She was first to break the silence. Her head head coming off your shoulder, for her boy to turn and face you. (Can I ask you a question?)

You eyes never left the view in front of you but you did nodd so that she knew you were listening. You could feel the intensity of her stare without even lookin in her direction, it felt as if she was almost studying your side profile. Her eyes focused solely on you.

"¿Qué te hizo acostarte con todas esas chicas? ¿Por qué estás tan en contra del compromiso?" (What made you sleep with all them girls, why are you so against commitment?)

"Técnicamente son dos preguntas." (That's technically two questions.)

She let out a slight laugh at your almost sarcastic response before looking back at your face to see that there were tears falling from your eyes. Instinctively, her hand reached for yours; interlocking your fingers before giving your hand a light squeeze. Her way of letting you know that she was there for you.

"Cuando estaba con Katie: pensé que me casaría con ella, tendría hijos con ella, pensé que estaríamos para siempre. Ella era mi todo. Pero obviamente no. Cuando ella rompió conmigo: estaba entumecido, no podía sentir. Después de un par de semanas, el equipo me arrastró con ellos a salir por la noche. Terminé emborrachándome mucho y yendo a casa de una chica. Fue la primera vez que realmente sentí algo. El sexo me hizo sentir, se volvió casi adictivo pero en el mal sentido. Salía, me emborrachaba, traía a alguien a casa, dormía con ellos y luego, a la mañana siguiente, se convertían en extraños y yo me iba." (When I was with Katie: I thought I was going to marry her, have kids with her, I thought we were forever. She was my everything. But obviously not. When she broke up with me: I was numb, I couldn't feel. After a couple of weeks, the team dragged me out with them on a night out, I ended up getting really drunk and going to a girl's house, It was the first time that I actually felt something. Sex made me feel, it became almost addictive but in a bad way. I'd go out, get drunk, take someone home, sleep with them and then the next morning they became a stanger and I left.)

"¿Y qué te hizo querer cambiar? ¿Por qué quieres mejorar?" (And what made you want to change, why do you want to get better?)

For the first time, you head turned to look at her. Her hands came up to wipe there tears from under your eyes, before giving you a smile.

"Lo hiciste." (You did.)

Her smile grew slightly and that mad you break out into a small smile. Before you knew it, your were both leaninig in. Her hands still resting on your cheeks as yours reached to each side of her neck. And then, her lips hit yours, giving you a spark you had never felt before, not even with Katie. The both of you pulled away, resting your forehead on hers.

"Es diferente contigo, Lex. Me haces sentir, me haces sentir tantas cosas diferentes. En realidad me asusta, pero quiero intentarlo contigo." (It's different with you, Lex. You make me feel, you make me feel so many different things. It actually scares me, but I want to try with you.)

[follows-the-bees]

Stede's journey wasn't centered on finding (romantic) love at the beginning. He set out to find himself, to find a community. (And it's beautiful that he gets that.)

But along the way he finds not only a best friend, but the love of his life: in that same person. Stede's journey is a blatant queer allegory: a man who has never fit into society, who is treated poorly for not fitting into *pick your societal norm*, who finds himself through community, fixing some of his past relations, but also discovering his sexuality: gay and demisexual.

Ed's journey is also about finding himself. About leaving a life that doesn't make him happy anymore and he too along the ways finds the love of his life.

Their journey together is about finding that person who gets them down to their neurons, first as a friends, then as a lover. Their journey is of being in love for the first time and all that that entails.

I mentioned above that Stede's sexuality can be read as demisexual; there are many beats along the way in canon that I think make this a strong read.

But I want to talk about the read of Ed as demiromantic. And this is just an interpretation, not canon fact.

We see that sex on the ship is casual. "Non-stop knocking ship." And we see that Ed is no stranger to sex. The marks on his skin during the stabbing skin alluding to past "stabbings."

But there's also an underlying touch-starved intimacy; he wants to be held by Stede so badly, that he gets him to stab him.

We see in the next season, stabbing as sexual again between Mary and Anne. But we also see that underlying loving affection between them later. The stabbing is also tied to emotion with these two couples.

We see more of the emotional intimacy between Ed and Stede, their friendship leading to a more emotional connection with the bathtub scene. Ed opens up to someone for the first time and then gets intimate physical touch, even getting more of it by placing his forehead on Stede's hand.

In the gravy basket Ed asks for the most basic of things to survive. And it's honestly sad when you remember that he is fighting to live, he wants to live, but he only gives himself the basics of it. Warmth, good food, and intercourse — with orgasms. This qualifier makes it clear that Ed has had unsatisfying sex. Him looking for emotional connections fits into the reason, especially since his entire journey is about emotional intimacy.

This episode with Anne and Mary is what really started to cement the Ed is demiromantic reading for me (again not canon, just an interpretation.) Ed and Stede are very private about their romantic/sexual lives. (Can I also take a sidenote to talk about how it's a breath of fresh air that their relationship is based on friendship!)

I know it's prevalent to say that Ed fell at the on-start but I don't think that's quite true. He was fascinated by Stede. Someone new and interesting and they connected emotionally right away, two sides of the same coin. Their friendship is what truly ties them together before their romantic relationships and certainly before sexual.

They both push back when anyone tries to bring up the sexual side of their relationship. Ed states "our private lives are our private lives" to his old friends Anne and Mary, which yes is funny, but is also very telling that Ed doesn't want to talk about those things. Stede is special, Ed is older, this thing between them is more than just idle gossip about sex lives between friends. When Spanish Jackie brings up the Swede as a "jackhammer," Ed also has an opportunity to bring up Stede if he wanted to chat, but he doesn't cause "our private lives our private lives."

This happens a third time when Izzy unceremoniously opens the curtains the morning after. Stede responds as he normally does to Izzy: offended, Ed looks annoyed but not surprised, since this has been established — Izzy getting into personally spaces — from the beginning.

After Ed and Stede are reunited, under the moonlight, the biggest time in season one we really see Ed looking at Stede with pure emotional vulnerability on his face, they kiss again. And Ed stops it, wanting to take it slow. I think this moment also adds to demiromantic Ed! He gets to hold hands, cuddle, talk about his day, both their days with each other. Cuddles and talks, romance and intimacy over sexual at this stage in their relationship.

Overall, Ed and Stede's relationship is built on their friendship. They like each other. They love each other. And I think both can be read as ace: Stede as demisexual and Ed as demiromantic.

Ed wanting emotional connection, romance his entire life, but just like the fine things, not thinking it's for him, that he gets that, only to find out he does! He gets to have romance! He gets to hold hands just to hold hands. He gets to take it slow without judgement! He gets to have sex with romance! And that man is going to be romanced! Good for him!

Their connection and journeys about being emotionally vulnerable with each other, being able to grow close with one another is beautiful.

If you disagree with this reading, cool. The amazing thing about this show is that sexuality is left open. Is Ed gay or bi? You decide! Is Frenchie ace? That's my reading! It's all up to interpretation.

[kitkatopinions]

The thing about RWBY volume 10 is... I don't even want it anymore.

Like, when it was first announced that Rooster Teeth was shutting down, I admit that although I was very happy that the company could no longer abuse its employees, I was still kind of disappointed that we might not get more RWBY. Yes, I kind of hate RWBY (I hate and love it,) but I personally never was out to 'destroy the show' or something, and I legit wanted to see where they were going with it and to see what I could get from it.

But it's been a while since then, and I feel like every time I even get a hint that RWBY might be coming back for season 10, my reaction is:

Because the thing is, I know - I just know - that whatever they decide to do is going to be bad and near incomprehensible. But even if they somehow sort of manage to make the next volume somewhat good... There's literally no way to salvage the show without an entire reboot with all new writers, and I truly believe that at this point. I watched all of volumes 1-5 for the first time practically in one setting, and boy the whole thing had some rough parts, but I thought they had a chance to come back stronger and try to fix things, and then every season since, I've thought the same and have come up with tons of things they could do and all the good directions they could take characters and events. But it's been nine seasons, and season nine was the worst written season yet and really just gave the writers a whole host of new problems they have to address and new corners they've backed themselves into and at a certain point and after V9, there's just no fixing it because after nine seasons, it would feel weird to backtrack and there's nothing they could do going forward that would fix this bad show.

To bring up a minor example, if they made a new season where they acknowledged that Blake and Ruby have barely talked since the first season, it would retroactively make the 'you inspire me' 'meaningful moment' in volume eight feel really weird, and it would be really weird that they were only starting to be friends in the tenth volume after more than a decade. But if the writers continue to write the occasional 'meaningful moment' between Blake and Ruby without actually trying to establish a friendship and bond between them, it'll continue to feel forced and unearned, and if they're written to just ignore each other completely instead, it'll continue to feel like they don't even really know each other and aren't at all friends, and therefore the show constantly being like 'Ruby's friends love her, they have the power of friendship, I'll defeat you with the power of friendship and this gun I found' will ring hollow when what's being marketed as a team of four feels like two people dating and then also two other people who walk near them that are friends with each other.

They're literally in lose-lose conditions of their own making.

And last season, I remember repeatedly saying that there were some good concepts and moments here and there, but by the last episode, anything that had been good had pretty much been ruined. Neo? Ruined. Ruby's season 9 journey? Ruined. The Curious Cat as a concept? Ruined. All the theories I had about how the Ever After could have tied back into the plot somehow? Completely untrue. The lessons I thought there was the slightest chance of the characters coming away with? Wiped out entirely. The somewhat interesting ramifications we could get from what had happened to Jaune? Removed. The possibility of changes to character design even? It came to nothing. I have no faith that the new season will be able to fix things especially because the writers don't seem to want to fix anything, or even pay that much attention to what they're writing, so even minor good things can easily stop mattering or turn terrible just like with the entirety of volume nine. I was full on invested in Ruby's journey, only for it to be essentially brushed aside with no real consequences and seemingly no impact for the characters.

If there's a new season of RWBY that eventually comes along - a very big if - I'll probably still watch it. But honestly at this point, I hope they just leave it unfinished or reboot completely. Because I'm sure that everything I'm coming up with as a 'where from here' concept that isn't even good because I don't think a good story can be salvaged after V9... Whatever I do come up with is going to be better than what we'd actually get, and I'm actually sure that's true most of us and even megastans.

I feel like I would rather have an unfinished badly made work that I can imagine might have at least some semblance of a halfway satisfying conclusion then wind up following this project to the end on a hope and a prayer despite knowing I'd wind up even more frustrated and disappointed, because at this point I know I'm just gonna be disappointed. I literally feel like the best thing the current writers attached to RWBY could do is let the RWBY fans imagine up their own ends.

[grifff17]

Audiodrama Sunday 12/8/2024

Happy AD Sunday! I caught up on a lot of shows this week, after falling behind last week.

NEW SHOW ALERT @goodmorningevildoers - HR broadcasts from a cartoonishly evil organization. This is a really funny show. Starting the show with a joke about LED highlights being the product of pure evil was a very strong start.

@brimstonevalleymall - I can never get over how good this show is at writing heart-to-hearts for a silly comedy. The conversation between Zaphan and Belzagor and then Zaphan talking to Nisroch during the lunch rush in the next episode were both so good. Unrelated, the terrible kissing sfx at the end of the scene where Zaphan asked Azormias for advice was so funny, comedy purely in sfx is so hard to do well.

@worldgonewrongpod- This season is written by Gabriel Urbena! I noticed the empty man reference and checked the credits. Jamie is really losing it in this episode, this has to be the most she's lost it since the apocalypse started. Are we every going to find out what Leonard is? I would guess not.

@asbestos4president - you can tell the writer for this episode was having so much fun with the terrible space opera audiobook writing. I love how everyone in this show is completely insane.

@midstpodcast - And now they descend into the fold. I wonder if they'll find something similar all the way down. Sucking out your soul is some Mothers shit for sure. Its interesting that only Dot remembers clearly, probably because of their Mother training.

Skyjacks: Couriers Call - The “doom of returning” that June experienced felt very personal for me. I totally understand the sense of impending doom about the end of something. It ties in to how the "return to the mundane" step of the Hero's Journey always feels tragic to me. Also, how is it that literally every Luminary they draw is perfect for the story.

@kingmakerpod - This was a great episode, I see why people were talking about it. Holtzmann's plan's are finally coming to pass, and that rich guy totally wants to fuck a horse.

@innbetween - Season 3 finished. I had theorized that Castor was a warlock but now they confirmed it. This show loves its "academics on the run from their dark past" huh?

@lostterminalpod - A very dramatic ending to this episode. Sealed in a room with an old battery on the verge of exploding is very bad. One more episode in the season.

Case Study: IREC-A59 - This episode was really neat, I love a good creation myth, and this is a really cool one. The act of living is to participate in a conversation between Life and Death, and you are obliged to tell Death stories of your life when you meet them, so they can remember their love.

This was a really good week for audiodramas. Tons of great new stuff, though some of it was backlog from last week. Can't wait for Stories from Ylelmore to end its hiatus soon!

[theblueprincess590]

To Endure the Endless Winter-An Analysis of Kingdom Hearts 3

Arendelle marks a turning point in the narrative of Kingdom Hearts 3, when the looming darkness truly begins to infect Sora’s journey, and when the Second Keyblade War becomes inevitable. The signs were always there of course, from Thebes’s destruction, To more powerful heartless like the Demon Tide showing up in Twilight town, and of course the Organization's more active presence in the Disney worlds. And yet they never got in the way of Sora’s fun. After all, Sora was able to save Buzz from darkness, play games with Rapunzel, and Keep Boo Smiling in spite of the Unversed. But with Arendelle things are different, for the first time Sora’s fairy tale whimsy is challenged by the influence of Xehanort and is forced to endure. For you see Winter is the season where the nights become longer and the darkness grows all the more stronger

This growing sense of strife and danger can be first found in the aesthetics and gameplay of Arendelle. It is a cold harsh world in the mitts of an eternal winter. Every level is covered in snow and ice with Sora even remarking on how cold it is at the beginning, begging Donald to give him a Coat. Much of the world is spent on top of a mountain that the player must climb up. It pushes them to use all their movement abilities throughout the world from using flowmotion to run up the sides of the mountain to using Air Step to grab on the icicles for leverage. The mountain even becomes more dangerous and complicated the closer Sora gets to the top . The path becomes covered in spikes of ice or harsh vortexes of frost that the player must manipulate in order to move forward. Even the very act of having to climb the mountain again ties into this struggle 

Enemies are also more dangerous. Large Bodies are replaced with their more powerful brother’s the Helmed Bodies who are far more aggressive, almost always opening with an enraged body attack in order to mow down sora. Parasol Beauties and Satyrs, the most dangerous enemies of previous worlds, now fight side by side. The Rock Troll even shows up at the beginning of the world no longer being just a mid boss but a starting enemies. And let us not forget the new enemies this world has to spare. The Frost serpents are for more than just standard enemies, they are a trial in their own right. When the Frost serpents first appear they take over the game. Unleashing an avalanche of death upon The Half Pint Trio they force the 3 musketeers on to the defense as they have no choice but to flee from the cruelty of nature on Goofy’s makeshift sled of a shield. Control is taken away from the player as they have no choice but follow the rules of the Frost Serpents who act more like dragons as they breathe flames of frostbite down on the heroes in what is perhaps the most difficult challenge in the whole game. Lastly there are the ninja nobodies. The Nobody enemies have always been presented as a more daunting challenge than the heartless. Though their numbers are smaller they make up for it with greater power. Posing abilities akin to that of fantasy heroes, as if to mock Sora and his allies. They give the player a taste of what's to come from the True Organization XIII . And the Ninjas are no different. Mirroring their master the Ninja Nobodies fight with a flurry of cruelty. They move as fast as lighting and hitting as hard as thunder bringing Sora, Donald, and Goofy to their knees with their own DM move, Reverse Thunder 

The Most daunting challenge of Arendelle though would have to be the Labyrinth of ice. Created by Larxene this monstrosity exists solely to be a prison of sadism. Unlike Elsa’s castle it does not reflect the beauty of a winter paradise but instead the terrors of the season. It is a cold and lifeless maze with no real exit, designed to trap its victims until they become food for the Forces of Darkness or give in to their own madness. Even bearing the Nobody’s and the Larxene’s symbols to remind its vitamins of who really controls this world. The Only way The Half Pint Trio can escape is if they fight back. They must break the chains of helplessness and destroy the maze from within, melting the walls that keep them trapped and manipulate the very pillars of the maze to create their own freedom.    

Things don’t let up in the story either. Throughout their visit to Arendelle Sora constantly tries to befriend Elsa and Anna but he is constantly impeded by Larxene.  She does not wish for Sora to connect with Elsa. Instead Larxene wants to test the blooming princess of heart, to see if she is truly worthy of possessing one of the 7 pure lights. So she allows Elsa to descend into loneliness, letting her fear consume her in hopes of seeing the queen fall to darkness. And thus Sora is not allowed to act as the hero. He is constantly kept apart from Elsa, to keep him from showing her the beauty of her world and save her from her own doubts. Even Sora’s time spent with Anna, Kristoff, and Olaff is cut short by the heartless. Through Xehanort’s ever growing will the fairy tale whimsy that defines Sora’s journey begins to melt away    

And yet Sora and The player are still able to endure. They overcome every challenge laid throughout their path by Larxene. And it is through these acts of endurance and defiance that both the player and Sora are able to reclaim the joy of this world. Upon conquering Larxene’s cruelty and escaping the Labyrinth The Half Pint Trio is greeted with a beautiful sight, the northern lights that illuminated the chilling winter sky. For the first time they are able to indulge in the wonder of winter. And this is where Sora begins to fall in love with the snow as he learns to play with the snowball. Using them as an instrument of his will, Sora takes the simple and joyous act of creating a giant snowball and uses it against the heartless, one shooting them as he rolls them into his snowball. Creating not only the perfect strategy against Heartless like the Helmed bodies, but a new reward for sora since the bigger the snowball the greater the synthesis item it drops. Even the player gets to join in on the winter fun with the sledding mini game. After the bone chilling chase with the Frost Serpents ends the player is rewarded with a delightful sled ride down the rest of the mountain where they not only get to have fun but are given tons of free HP Orbs and Munney. 

Even though Sora’s time spent with Anna, Kristoff, and Olaf is cut short he still manages to make the moment worth it. He connects with Anna learning not only more about Elsa but manages to cement a bond between himself and Anna by relating his experiences with Riku to the relationship of Anna and Elsa. Then of course there is the time spent Fixing Olaf. Helping establish a bond with not only Kristoff and Olaf But allowing Sora to partake in the most beloved of winter traditions, Building a snowman.

Though perhaps the greatest boom Sora receives for his willingness to hold on to his ideals in the face of a looming darkness would be none other than the party member of this world, Marshmallow. Marshmallow started off as another obstacle for Sora to overcome. Born from the guilt and fear forced upon her by Larxene’s actions, Marshmallow represented all Elsa saw herself as, a monster that only pushes people away. And yet not only were the Half Pint Trio able to defeat him with their special brand of slap stick fighting BUT they grew to befriend him. By not giving up on Elsa and keeping faith in her even in her darkest moments they were able to reveal who Marshmallow and by an extension, Elsa truly were. Not monsters that hurt those close to them, but a guardian who protects others. Marshmallow becomes one of Sora’s most powerful allies possessing the raw strength equal to Beast and magical fire power on par with Jack Skeleton as he quietly literally endures the full force of a blizzard in order to forge a path for Sora,Donald, and Goofy.

Larxene acting as Xehanort’s hands works to poison the fairy tale beauty of Arendelle. She isolates Elsa for her own self interest, fills the worlds with heartless and Nobodies to spread fear, mocks Elsa’s powers through the creation of the Ice Labrinth, and most importantly of all She tries all she can to keep sora from making friends with the people of Arendelle. And yet all her attempts at roadblocking Sora fail as he endures the pain and keeps moving forward, spreading Disney joy to Anna And Elsa in spite of her actions. And it’s plain to see why Larxene fails despite being the one with all the power. Larxene and Xehanort by an extent are not willing to accept pain. They are cowards who hide in the back and let others do all the work for them. Xehanort has always manipulated people to get what he wants, makes his allies do all the dirty work while he reaps the rewards. Where As Larxene loves to lord over other people. Using whatever authority she can get her hand on to torment the weak, to make herself feel better without ever having to work on improving. And this unwillingness to bear the hardships of life is reflected in the Heartless and Nobodies they employ. 

The ninja nobodies may present themselves as strong but once they begin to lose they panic. Their Desperation Move of Reverse Thunder is not like that of the nobodies Sora fought before. The previous Desperation Moves were a strong act of resolve and defiance as they used all they had to try and strike down Sora whereas the Ninja’s just sliver into themselves and create a bubble of electricity to avoid anymore pain. They’re unwilling to risk it all and fight back, choosing instead to only prolong their fate. The Ice Serpents masquerade as mighty monsters using their wings and  chilly breath to present themselves as something kin to the Proud Dragons of Old but once they lose their wings they reveal their true nature. No longer fighting with pride, these frozen wretches start to live up to their namesake of serpents as they slither into the ground, attempting to attack their prey from behind like a coward. For there is no nobility in those that can not stand strong when the going gets tough. And lastly there is the Beast of the Blizzard, Skoll. The Heartless Skoll was spawned from the Darkness of a man named Han. Born the 13th son of a Royal Family, Hans was the runt of the litter. The one who was always picked on and the one without an inheritage. Since birth his life has been met with obstacles but he did not have the resolve to face it. Rather than face the hardships of life like a man he chose to cheat by stealing the two sister's kingdom from them using manipulation and force. And so his pathetic nature was reflected in his Heartless. Just like the Ninjas and Ice Sepernats beforehand Skoll gives off the impression of strength through his large body, great speed, and sharp claws. And just like the other 2 monsters from before Skoll’s strength is revealed to be nothing more than an illusion. Throughout the fight Skoll summons weaker pups, depending on others to fight for him while spends most of the battle running away, acting more like a frightened dog than a hardened hunter. Even Skoll’s design reflects his deception. Skoll does not have the complete body of a wolf instead his is nothing more than a head, a pair of claws and a tail. He has all it takes to cast the shadow of a wolf but nothing more. Most importantly of all there is Skoll’s Desperation Move, Dark Sun. When Skoll uses Dark Sun he chooses to give up. He no longer wishes to fight for himself, to pursue life in the face of pain. No he just wishes to end it all, Transforming his very body into a pale imitation of the sun. He becomes a celestial body of darkness raining down his tears of Dark Firaga and Pups upon the battlefield, buying time until he can unless a catastrophic collision, killing everyone. Of course such a cowardly attack like that would never work against those who choose to endure. Marshmallow puts his life on the line using just his bare hands to keep the Dark Sun from crashing down while Sora pushes past his limits to break it.

Despite all of Sora’s victories over Larxene in Arrendale the world ultimately ends on a bittersweet note. Anna, Elsa, and The Kingdom are saved but said safety is only temporary as Sora now knows that they are still a target for the Thirteen Seekers of Darkness. If he wishes to protect their happily ever after then Sora has no choice but to face Xehanort himself. And worst of all Sora is forced to accept a heartbreaking truth, The Keyblade war is unavoidable, The True Organization is on the verge of getting their final member and he can not stop it. For this battle is the will of destiny. And it is fitting that a world about enduring would end on such a note because truthfully nobody ever has to stop enduring hardships. The universe will always have more to throw at you, life is never going to get easy, but that doesn't mean you should give up. You need to hold on to your ideals no matter what and stand up to cruelty. And that is why Sora accepts his fate and chooses to fight Master Xehanort.   

[ncisfranchise-source]

In the realm of TV longevity, NCIS and Law & Order are in a league of their own.

These shows aren’t just popular — they’re institutions.

While most series struggle to make it past a handful of seasons, these crime dramas remain untouchable.

But what exactly keeps them at the top? Let’s explore why these titans of television refuse to fade away.

A Formula That Stands the Test of Time

The secret to these shows’ success lies in their rock-solid formulas.

You can have great TV Fanatic content delivered right to your inbox. All you need to do is subscribe now!I consent to receiving emails and personalized ads.Subscribe

The formula was so straightforward and effective that it felt timeless from the start. You didn’t need to follow ongoing character arcs or remember what happened last week.

You could dive into any episode and instantly know where you stood. The real star was the justice system, with New York City acting as a gritty, ever-present backdrop.

However, after 20 seasons, Law & Order went off the air in 2010. It seemed that the original series had run its course.

But in 2022, it triumphantly returned, seamlessly blending familiar faces like Jack McCoy with a new generation of characters.

The revival proved the show’s formula’s staying power and ability to adapt to modern audiences while staying true to its roots.

Gibbs’ leadership, Abby’s eccentric brilliance, and the camaraderie among the agents made it more than a crime show — it felt like a family.

Fans didn’t just tune in for the mysteries; they showed up for the humor, the heart, and the sense of belonging that tied the characters together.

What both shows have in common is their consistency.

They deliver satisfying, self-contained stories with a resolution at the end of each hour. There’s comfort in knowing that no matter how chaotic the world might feel, justice will be served on your TV screen.

Characters Who Evolve Without Losing Their Essence

While Law & Order focuses more on the system than the individuals, it has still managed to create some unforgettable characters. There’s a reason Jack McCoy, Olivia Benson, and Elliot Stabler are household names.

The show’s ability to rotate its cast without losing momentum is part of its genius.

There are no overly dramatic exits or long goodbye arcs — it’s all about the cases, which remain the true stars of the show. The characters serve the justice system, not the other way around.

Gibbs, Abby, Ducky, and Tony became more than just investigators — they became part of the audience’s family.

Fans followed their journeys, celebrated their wins, and grieved their losses. The show maintained its heart even as cast members left and new ones joined.

Alden Parker stepping in as team leader brought a fresh perspective.

Reinvention Through Spinoffs

Another reason for these shows’ longevity is their ability to reinvent themselves through spinoffs.

Law & Order led the way with Law & Order: SVU, which took a more emotionally charged approach by focusing on sensitive cases.

At its heart is Olivia Benson, played by Mariska Hargitay, who has become one of TV’s most iconic characters.

Benson isn’t just a detective; she’s a symbol of resilience and justice, a figure who has tackled some of the most challenging storylines on television with empathy and strength.

As creator Dick Wolf said when the show celebrated its 21st season, “She is the spark plug, the leader, the face of the show.”

With SVU now the longest-running primetime live-action series, Benson’s impact on audiences and the genre itself is undeniable.

At the same time, other spinoffs, such as Law & Order: Organized Crime, gave viewers a deep dive into the criminal mind.

Law & Order: Organized Crime, in particular, brought Elliot Stabler back into the fold with a serialized format that explored the interconnected world of organized crime.

Even short-lived series like Law & Order: Trial by Jury and Law & Order: Criminal Intent showcased the franchise’s ability to experiment with format, proving its flexibility as a storytelling powerhouse.

Not every spinoff became a cultural phenomenon, but each one added something unique to the Law & Order legacy.

Meanwhile, NCIS has its own successful slate of spinoffs, each bringing a distinct flavor to the franchise.

From the action-packed cases of NCIS: Los Angeles to the soulful charm of NCIS: New Orleans and the tropical twist of NCIS: Hawai’i, these shows have expanded the world of NCIS while staying true to its roots.

Recent additions like NCIS: Origins have also deepened the franchise’s storytelling.

And the franchise isn’t stopping there — fans are already buzzing about the upcoming NCIS: Tony & Ziva, which promises to revisit two of the show’s most beloved characters as they navigate life after leaving the original series.

Spinoffs don’t just keep these franchises alive — they prove their formulas work in any setting.

Whether it’s the gritty streets of New York or the beaches of Hawai’i, these shows adapt without losing what makes them great.

Familiarity as a Strength

Their predictability makes these shows unstoppable — and yes, that’s a compliment.

You know what to expect: a body will drop, an investigation will unfold, and justice will be served by the end of the hour. That dependable structure is a gift in a world that often feels chaotic.

Amy Reisenbach, CBS Entertainment President, summed it up perfectly in an interview with The New York Times, calling NCIS “comfort food with a side of murder.”

It’s this perfect mix of reliability and intrigue that keeps audiences coming back season after season, proving that sometimes, sticking to a formula really does work.

Both shows manage to stay relevant without straying from their roots.

Whether NCIS addresses topics like cybersecurity or Law & Order takes on headline-inspired cases, they evolve with the times while maintaining the elements that make them so enduring.

They’ve built worlds that feel familiar, characters who feel like family, and stories that keep us engaged week after week.

They prove that sometimes, the best TV isn’t about flashy gimmicks or constant reinvention — it’s about sticking to what works.

[moirindeclermont]

Daily thread about BridgertonS3, and as I type this words, I'm getting a little emotional because never in my mind this need to talk about Bridgerton, would turn out to reach literally thousands of people.

I think it's apt to bring closure to this adventure by talking about two things and how these ties together. Let's talk about the theme of identity and the power of representation.

For me, the theme that stuck the most of the season is identity. We see that with Polin, of course, but we see that with Benedict, with Francesca, with the Mordrich, with Lady Danbury. Literally most of the storylines of this season (if not all) have the theme of identity as a denominator. But there is one more storyline that needs to be considered as well and that's ours.

If we consider us viewers not as simply spectator but as active participate (through fandom, through social media, in whatever way we interact with the source material) than it's possible that the theme of identity underlines also our relationship with the show. I'm sure this is not the experience of the general audience, the ones that consume a product for entertainment and then go on with their life. But even as a general audience, everyone has some media that touches them particularly.

In that sense, everyone knows that it's possible to have a before and after, to have a media touching your identity in a way that's so powerful that stays with you for a while, sometimes forever. For many of us, this season was special exactly for this reason. I'm sure I'm speaking for many people as I say that the reason we felt so connected was that we felt seen.

I can talk only about myself, of course, but I've started this season knowing I'd relate hard with Pen. Through viewing and reading ad engaging, I've discovered that yes, I relate hard with Pen, but I also relate hard with Colin. In discovering these similarities, I've fallen in love with him and connected with parts of my identity I didn't know before.

Representation is so important because it allow us to access a different level of self awareness. Sometimes it's very shallow, but sometimes it's so deep that can heal, at least in part, some part of yourself you didn't even know were still scarred. I've done a lot of work on my body image and acceptance, and yet that mirror scene is imprinted in my mind not because it was necessary the most steamy one I've watched (although it's a strong contender), but because been recognized is powerful.

Furthermore, engaging with the source material allows you to form connections, been exposed to different point of views, it allows you to open yourself a bit more. Parts of yourself rests within the posts you've made, the fic you've written, the people you've met, the communities you've created. Looking back now, I've realized I've bee struggling for years on how to form a community of like minded people...

And in a span of a few weeks not only the comunity was born "but the only thing I've needed to do it was being myself". For this, I must tell all of you thanks, because there wasn't a best motivator that knowing people were interested in my takes. And while I'll still post, comment and engage with Bridgerton for a while (lol, the hyperfixation is not going anywhere anytime soon) it's bittersweet and a little scary to decide to close this little adventure and start a new one.

I do embrace change but change is also scary and the two things can co-exist. But, as both Pen and Colin learnt this season, I've too learned that you must overcome the fear of rejection and abandonment in order to be your true self. In order to own your identity. And this is a lesson that we all know theorically, but it's another thing to truly make it sink within yourself. And if Bridgerton, Colin ad Pen, and everyone of you, helped me in this journey, I'll always be grateful for that.

[7grandmel]

Rip of the week: 28/10/2024

Lagplane

Season 7 Featured on: The Year of Grand Dad Sound Selection [Side A]

Ripped by Blookerstein Visuals by Whatvzz

Requested by Mobbsz! (@mobbsz02)

There's a phenomenon I've observed in recent times online, where internet memes appear to coming in and out of fashion at a far higher speed than they used to. With the relatively small internet populous of the late 2000s and the near complete lack of cynicism, everything from Doge to Trollface were downright undying in popularity; today, a new meme can be outright skip the stage of popularity and become revered ironically before it was ever even liked sincerely. I think you can pinpoint 2015-2016 as the main point when the tides began to shift; the period when internet cynicism was at an all-time high just so coincidentally happening at the same time as complete jibberish nonsense memes like Dat Boi and MLG parodies. I've covered both of those examples back on Koopa Street and we are number one but with outdated memes over it, and this post isn't necessarily about nostalgic reminiscence of memes long gone; but rather, that the intensely rapid circulation of today's meme economy have many jokes, like the one featured today on Lagplane, as feeling forgotten about mere months after their prominence.

It should require no disclaimer to clarify that I do not endorse, support or approve of anything that Andrew Tate — the online world's number one loser — says or does. Unfortunately, for as forgotten as today's meme associated with him has become, the man himself still persists in online spaces like a cockroach. Yet there was a very small timeframe back in late 2022, during the highpoint of his obnoxious presence on platforms like TikTok, where knowing about him would inadvertently also make you aware of one of the funniest bits played in recent memory; The legendary "Bottom G".

It began with various users on the app simply taking notice of people on the street with a striking resemblance to Tate's (rather generic) appearance, whilst coincidentally partaking in less-than-hypermasculine behavior. As Mr. Tate is one to desperately obsess over the state of his own — and others' — sense of masculinity, the inherent comedy in seeing a man look exactly like him yet exude openly queer energy became immediately apparent. Soon, these random sightings would escalate into one downright uncanny look-a-like by the name of Brian Michael Hinds taking it upon himself to don the meme's persona single-handedly. Mere days after the joyous news of Tate's online suspension broke in August 2022, Hinds celebrated by busting it down to the sped-up tune of Bambee's Bumble Bee; and thus, Bottom G was officially cast into stardom.

There was something about it all — the outright mocking of an obnoxious internet personality, the use of nightcore'd up music, the outright rejection of hypermasculine societal norms — that has always made me associate Bottom G with a certain flavor of memes from the early 2010s. The easiest comparison to draw, of course, is to the ever-present hatred of Justin Bieber as covered back on BELIEBERDANSEN - only now, that vitriol was not only directed toward someone far more deserving of ridicule, but was also distilled into an anthem and series of videos that are genuinely entertaining to watch. There's no other way to put it; Brian Michael Hinds absolutely SLAYED in the role of Bottom G across all his various shortform content he'd make to continue mocking the disheveled influencer. All of this, in turn, me oh-so-happy to see that SiIvaGunner team was quick on the straw to start capitalizing on the joke themselves.

I'm aware that a lot of people are a bit mixed on the Tate's Journey rip purely due to just how tied they are to a currently-prominent controversial figure, and it's a viewpoint I can completely understand. Yet almost every rip of the fake game that we received throughout Season 6 and 7 shows just why its such a fun bit to riff on - and rips such as Top G Alert! showed just how fun the actual audio source of Bumble Bee is to boot! It's a high tier SiIvaGunner meme in my eyes for just how varied it ends up being as a result of all that the meme entails, and Lagplane stands as one of the meme's best showings; At once showing the genuine talent to produce great sounding work from its rippers, a great sense of humor in the material used, and a really fun way to spin the "game"'s ongoing presence on the channel. It may well be the last rip the game will ever receive, releasing over 10 months ago as even the SiIvaGunner team themselves have seemingly moved on from the meme, but it's a true highpoint for the meme to go out on.

Lagtrain is a track that's been made explosively iconic in the vocaloid community and one that I feel is just on the precipice to becoming known even far outside of it the same way Bad Apple!! of Appleforce fame is today. It shouldn't be very hard to understand from just the first listen; the lead instrumentation, for one, is incredibly disstinct, almost reminiscent of pan flutes, the employment of which I'm all too sold on as explained back on Last Freight-Train Night, all only helped by the fantastic sound of the synthesized vocals and strikingly intense percussion. These qualities alone make the track prime material for use in high quality ripping; yet above all else, what's kept the track etched into the minds of nerds all over is undoubtedly its music video. The scratchy monochrome visuals of a girl in unamused thought upon a train, soon devolving into jittery motions in time to the music's beat; it's a hypnotic watch and immediately identifiable, and we've already had plenty of rips on SiIvaGunner paying genuine tribute to it. Be it Eva "hawk tuah" Twin's fantastic Coconut Mall (JP Version), its repeated appearance on Season 8's agonizing April Fools day event such as through PsychLantern's lagtrain but i made it funnier, or plenty other fantastic riffs played on it: Lagtrain, four years past its initial release, is here to stay on SiIva.

It's befitting, in a sense, that the grand sendoff to Tate's Journey rips would play off of their one common denominator past the Bottom G jokes: the thumbnail, a shitty stock image of Tate aboard a private plane. Replace Lagtrain's train with the plane, and its girl with Mr. Tate, and the joke speaks for itself: Lagplane's visuals, done by contributor Whatvzz, are simple but incredibly effective at selling the joke before the audio even kicks in, their scratchiness capturing Lagtrain's charm perfectly. From there, the joke speaks quite well for itself! It's the distinct sound of Lagtrain used to arrange the Bottom G anthem of Bumble Bee, a joyous, whimsical pop song not too unlike Caramelldansen of Caramariodansen fame. Much like that rip, though, the choice in track to mix Bumble Bee with ends up creating a pretty notably different mood: the heavy percussion, monotone synthesized vocals and pan flute melody give Lagplane a somewhat melancholic vibe despite the pep-and-step carried over from Bumble Bee's melody. It's a pretty funny contrast to the rest of the Tate's Journey rips which almost all feel gleefully maximalist, rainbows-and-sparkles-and-everything-else in vibe, and yet it shows just how fun a song Bumble Bee is to where it's still this catchy even placed in a completely different environment such as this.

Of course, as is always the case in rearrangement rips, and as I always try to highlight with everything from Super Wonderful World to Plasmaseeker: the listening experience highly relies on the ripper's expertise and ear for rearranging. Ever since I first heard the rips he worked on starting at around Season 5 with The expanse of meme in past was split, A fiendish trap has now been set; Behind a tree the villains sit, Terror of sport, the Robbie's Net., I've known that Blookerstein's talent was the real deal, a track record of pretty much nothing but bangers and a genuinely impeccable attention to detail throughout all his work. Even though his contributions tend to stay on the sincere side with works like Outertale, Lagplane goes to show that he still operates at full capacity in a sillier setting. It's a fantastic arrangement of Bumble Bee, of course — I particularly love that even Bumble Bee's vocals are redone through using the exact same vocaloid as Lagtrain — but extends itself to being a tribute to the Bottom G meme in general; a segment midway through the rip uses Brian Michaal Hinds' own "Bottom G cover" of Tourner dans le vide, while a section quickly therafter sees both the audio and visuals reference a particularly iconic image of Tate shared in the fallout of his internet suspensions in late 2022.

It's this level of both quality and detail that, paired with the rip's status as perhaps the last-ever Tate's Journey rip, make Lagplane feel like such a befitting swansong to the Bottom G meme as a whole. SiIvaGunner itself is a channel that loves to keep jokes in endless circulation, but its undeniable that memes on the internet come and go at ever-increasing speeds; leave the internet for a month, and you'll have missed a half dozen jokes each rise in popularity, become utilized by shitposters of all kinds, spread to a degree that becomes obnoxious, and then fall completely out of favor. It's very easy to see why overexposure would make people sick of memes online; yet SiIvaGunner has always felt like a place where these memes are allowed to flourish, maintained and explored only by the hands of extremely talented rippers who know not to circulate them with low-quality slop (unless, of course, if being low quality slop is part of the joke; I would never imply that Snowball Park - Super Mario 3D World is anything less than pure cinema).

Be it careful rearrangements of historically beloved video game music, or the ever-lasting perpetuation of memes from 2016, or a 6-month fad that even the team themselves eventually grow bored of, SiIvaGunner gives just about every meme you could think of in the online world a space to flourish. Tate's Journey may be gone, but Lagplane stands as one of the shining examples of just why it was such a fun ride to begin with, an absurd blend of crossed-over memes paired with an infectiously catchy anthem, and an asshole on a plane.

[staytinyville]

Yunho

PLEASE REFER TO MASTERLIST TO GET FULL TAROT READING EXPERIENCE

↣ Summary: You are invited to Idol Radio with Yunho and Hongjoong to talk about your new album! Yunho tells you that they’ll support you in everything you do. 

↣ Characters/Pairing: Jeong Yunho x gn!reader ; a touch of ot8

↣ Genre: Fluff

↣ AU/Trope info: idol!au

↣ Word Count: 985

↣ Warnings: None

↣ A/N: Honestly I was close to making you part of a group but thought against it. LOL I have like a fictional girl group that’s signed with KQ. I love them so much. Yunho is such a lovely boy and he deserves the world. WHICH IS WHY HE GOT THIS CARD.

THE WORLD

Completion, Integration, Accomplishment, Travel

The world is a card that tells you the journey you have been traveling has come to an end and you now feel accomplished with what you have done. In whatever journey it is you have been going through—college, marriage, pregnancy, partnership—the adventure you have taken has ended and now you are relishing in the results.

This card is meant to tell you now is the time reflect on the journey and know that what you have gotten in the end was due to the hard work you put into it all. And if you are not at the end quite yet this is your sign to say is coming close! 

The world is always spinning to bring about night and day. Because of this the day is completed. Just like that, so is your journey of hard work ( or it’s going to be). This card can also mean travel!

XXI THE WORLD

You waved with both hands to the camera with a smile on your face. You felt at ease knowing that your label mates were sitting next to you to do the interview. You were invited for season three of Idol Radio with Yunho and Hongjoong as the hosts and were so excited to get the chance to talk freely with them and laugh while the fans listened in. 

“You have come out with your 3rd full length album, which is something you are very passionate about.” Hongjoong grinned at you, pulling your attention back to them. 

“Yes, yes!” You beamed. “It has been a project I started on since the very beginning—I wanted to make sure each song was what I was made of rather than creating music with other people where it's a mixture.” You explained. 

“Don't get me wrong, I love working with you, Maddox, and Eden–but this gave me more satisfaction because it's what I enjoy writing about.” You laughed as Hongjoong grinned. 

You were the second person to become a trainee under KQ. While you had debuted as a solo artist, you worked closely with Hongjoong in creating music that you found a passion for. Each song most of you write usually had each other’s names in the production credits. But with your newest work, you spent a good majority working on it alone.

“There are a lot of emotional songs about different things in your album, for sure.” Yunho told you. “You talk about friendships that last a lifetime, your days that aren't the brightest, the idea of breaking out from normal standards, and of course a lot about love.”

“For you, what made you write those things to experience emotions like that?” A blush overtook your face as Yunho kept his eyes on you. 

You could see the proud look behind his eyes and the kind smile he gave you melted your heart. He knew the story behind every one of the songs on the album–especially the loved ones. They were about him, after all. But he wasn’t exactly able to boast about it. 

“I was a trainee alongside you guys, and it was a bit tough because I didn't feel like I was up to standard when you debuted and I was still trying my hardest.” You answered. “But in the end it really paid off because now as a soloist I'm not tied to creating an image for other people as well. It's a lonely road, I won't doubt it, but I had you all, so it wasn't so bad.”

“We love you too, (Y/N).” Hongjoong laughed, a large smile on his face as he thought about his time spent with someone like you. 

“There is a lot I wish I could say about ATEEZ, but all I'll stick to is that they are the most talented group of performers I know and they make me want to become better for not only my fans but for myself.” You spoke into the microphone, looking out the window and to the fans that were watching. “I am where I am today because of them.”

“(Y/N).” A pout was on the tall boy’s lips as he took in your words. 

“Yunho!” You cried out, giggling as he looked close to tears. “Awe, nooo.” You quickly stood up on instinct, pushing your chair back.

“(Y/N)!” Yunho faked cried, standing up as well to meet you halfway. 

“Yunho!” You laughed, pulling him into a hug.

“(Y/NNNN)!” He fake cried even louder, wrapping his arms around your body as he picked you up, so he didn’t have to bend down. 

“Yunhooooo!” You mocked him, sticking your head into his shoulder as the giggles fell from your lips. 

He swayed you for a moment before finally setting you down as laughs seemed to be heard around the studio. You looked up at Yunho, his large body covering you from the prying eyes of the fans. And that was good for the both of you because the look he gave you made you want to actually cry. 

His eyes were so soft as he kept the words in. He wanted to tell you so much in that moment but knew it had to wait. All of you were trained to not do those kinds of things in public. But you knew with the look he gave you just exactly what it was he meant. 

The rest of the show was spent joking and telling stories about your days as trainees. You also talked a bit about ATEEZ comeback and did some of their challenges, while they did yours. You were sure at one point or another the fans would find out that Yunho and you liked each other somehow with how much you both looked at each other. But that was for another day. 

Once you were all out of the studio and from the prying eyes of the fans, on the other side of the window, Yunho was quick to stop you in your tracks from behind as he wrapped his arms around you.  

“Don't make me cry like that in front of the cameras!” He joked, giving your cheek a wet, sloppy kiss. 

“I'm sorry, Yuyu!” You laughed, rubbing your cheek against his to wipe the spit off. “Kith?” You said silly, pouting your lips as you waited for him. 

He grinned widely, leaning down to give you what you wanted. Instead of pulling away, he placed his forehead against yours, smiling. “You worked hard for this. I'm proud of you.” He told you.

There was so much that led you to this moment. Each one of the boys made you feel content in what you were doing. Just like you helped them to reach this point, they helped you reach yours. You loved what you did. And you were very satisfied with the trip there.

“Thank you.”

Tags : @cultofdionysusnet , @wonderlandnet , @pirateeznet , @k-vanity ,

[jedineedlove]

Spider Queen?!!

I've been rewatching LMK again for more research and I noticed something odd. It started in Season 1 in Noodles or Death.

These are some of the major issues I have with Spider Queen's Story we see in other episodes she debuted, especially in Revenge of the Spider Queen we have lines like.....

"Monkey King tore me from my throne and took everything I owned." She said to LBD in her host form.

"would be queen of spiders." From Bull King as he was tied up mocking her.

"after all I've won and lost and won again." She says as she threatens MK

In other episodes like 72 Transformations

"I was meant to rule, I would have been a good queen," she says more to herself than to MK

These lines all together tell me a story. I am not claiming at all that this is at all true. I am just saying it like I see it.

Her empire in the east doesn't necessarily mean this was her only empire. This could have been a part 2 of her empire of the west. After a defeat from Wukong, she tried to restart in the east. After a probably short rule was defeated again and those or the ruins of that empire.

The story doesn't end there with Bull King's comment of her being a would-be spider queen and her reaction to Wukong calling her princess. The fact that he uses the title princess to get under her skin says something like she wants the queen title but may have been only able to reach the princess statues. Says that perhaps officially she is not THE Spider Queen. In the JTTW she had sisters. Imagen will you, that after living with sisters and one or two of them being seen as more spider queen and you are only being seen as a spider princess. You want more power so you try to prove yourself as the rightful spider queen but as you are in the prime and are at the tip of the world your plans are foiled by the Monkey King. You are dethroned and shamed No longer able to raise your head high you look for a new start to prove others wrong that you can be a "good queen." So you travel far to the east where you hope no one has heard of your defeat. You find a wonderful spot by the coast to set up shop you enact your plane and after reviving your title as Spider Queen you are once again trampled and this time everything you worked for is plummeted into a sinkhole and then buried.

Now the one thing is the time frame of all this as seen in slide one we see modern people and in her lair in slide 2, there is modern or at least sub-modern piping in her lair. With all the webs it has not been touched in ages though and there are parts of modern above-ground plumbing down there like it was above ground when her empire went down as well as during their fight in Noodle or Death the crew fall deeper then Spider Queen's lair into more sewers that lead to the ocean.

That goes into part two of the theory. That her second rain and second defeat happened years ago just not in ancient China ago we see one man in a t-shirt and paint and one person had brown hair not black. That none of them had old hairstyles like we have seen before like in the pilot a hero is born. So the jab at Spider Queen from Bull King was about her first fall not her second because he would have been buried by then and it also means that her second defeat was not by Wukong but by someone else cause one again in A Hero is Born Wukong had not been seen since Bull King was sealed 500 years prior. You must be wondering who could have stopped her well here is a wild card just a major theory what about one of the dragon clan members one of Mei's ancestors not as ancient as Ao Lie or the dragon of the wasn't but her entire family even without the dragon blade have dragon powers that could have defeated her in a more modern aera.

That's that theory please leave your thoughts in the replies. Also, just as a side thought not a real theory, might make one later. LBD coffin and seal were found under the foundry under Megapolis like Spider Queen why was this Journey of the West character defeated state found in the far east. Perhaps after a smaller defeat in the west she came back for revenge and hunted him and the monk after the Journey to the homes both in the east and was stopped by them then. She was then buried and forgotten.

Please leave comments and your thought I would love to hear them. My brain hurts from all this. :)

[doudouneverte]

Don't follow my lead

a/n: i thought about something new...

*not my GIF*

Pairing: Lena Luthor x Daxamite!F!Reader; Mon-El x Sister!Reader; Clark Kent x Female!Reader (platonic); Alex Danvers x Female!Reader(platonic); Lillian Luthor x Female!Reader, mention of Kara Danvers x Female!Reader(platonic)

Summary: you're the sister of Mon-El you leave Daxam when you were little and came on earth before Kara. You met the daughter Luthor who'll become your wife and you two have a daughter. Unfortunaly, she'll be betrayl by a mysterious woman, Rhea, who is your mother.

Types: Angst and Fluff

Note: this fic take place in the season 2 and in this fic Lena already know Kara's secret identity and she's coll wuth that.

Warning: nothing

word count: ~3150

----------

[Daxam after the explosion of Krypton]

Someone woke you up, and you were confused when you saw the fear in the eyes of your maid. "What's happening?" She didn't have the time to reply when you both heard screams and cries. She took your hand and dragged you out of the castle.

"Ms. Y/n, Krypton exploded, and it is falling on Daxam. I need to make sure you can escape." She found a Kryptonian pod and pushed you in.

"No, Abbie, I don't want to leave you." You started to cry, "Come with me, please." You plead, but she shook her head.

"You're the princess of Daxam, miss. You have to go and survive." She hugged you and apologized, "I'm sorry, Y/N." She was crying as well.

"You can't leave me. I need you, and mom, and dad and my brother" she brushed her thumb on your cheek to calm you down, "and I'm only 5, I'll not survive without you. Please Abbie" you plead again.

"I already put data in it; it'll bring you to a planet called Earth," she kissed your forehead before starting the pod. "Don't forget, miss, you're a princess; act like one," she said as she placed her hand on the window, and you reciprocated: "Good luck, miss Y/N."

You were flying into space without saying anything.The journey should have been quick, but your pod collided with an asteroid, sending you to the phantom zone.You are imprisoned for the next 27 years before miraculously escaping.

[Earth, a town near Metropolis]

When you landed on Earth, Clark was already Superman. He found your pod when you lend and helped you, and because of him, you found a new home in this new world. The (y/l/n)s were good parents; they always wanted a new child, so when the Superman asked for their assistance, they couldn't say no.

The first years were difficult, you missed your family and Abbie too. But fortunately, you were glad to have a new big brother who was a jerk but not a Don Juan and a big sister who was always here when you needed her.

After a few years and many late-night conversations with your sister, Jessy, you decide to live a life that makes you proud. Since this moment, you were not the princess of Daxam; you were just Y/n Y/l/n, daughter of James and Kathryn (Y/l/n), and the little sister of Mike and Jessy. It was all you needed, at least before you went to high school. You met her there; she was stunning and beautiful; you couldn't count how many times you were lost in her green eyes, and her black hair, which contrasted nicely with her pale skin, was also quite nice.Her name: Lena Luthor.

After taking some advice from your friends and your siblings, you asked her out, and she accepted. You started dating one month after your first date, and three years later you married her. With her job at Luthor Corp and your job at Daily Planet, you almost have time to spend together, but you decided to have a child, you carried her, and it was the most beautiful thing in your life after Lena.Her name was Lilly; you thought it was a pretty name, and it was the minimum for your pretty princess.

Time flies, Lex has gone insane just after you and Lilly move to National City. Lois found you a job at Catco where you could work less and spend more time with your daughter. Unfortunately, that means you were not here when Lex tied your wife to a chair in his office and threatened to kill you. She was aware of your past and the fact that you were a daxamite, but she didn't mind; all she cared about was the fact that you adored her and Lilly above all else.

[Present]

It's been a while now since Lena came to Central City, and you will not lie; you were pretty glad. Lilly loves you, but she missed her other mom too. Today you decided to have lunch with your wife, and you brought your daughter. It was a little surprise to Lena, but it was a surprise for you when you knocked and opened the door to find an older woman with your wife. She looked familiar, but you couldn't tell where you saw her.

The little girl didn't hesitate and rushed to her mom to greet her with a hug, and the green-eyed woman picked her up. "Hi little princess, I missed you," she cooed, and you smiled at the interaction. She looked at you and seemed to recall something, so she cleared her throat and came to a halt beside you, kissing you and saying, "Rhea, this is my wife, and Lilly is our daughter."She introduced you. "Y/n, this is Rhea. She asked for my help on a new project." She explained, and you nodded.

You offered your hand at Reah, and she shook it. "Nice to meet you, Mrs. Rhea; I hope she'll not bother you too much," you joked, and your wife punched your shoulder. "You know that doesn't hurt me, honey," you said, and Lena rolled her eyes.

"Mommy, I'm hungry." Lilly said.

"Oh, I think it's my clue to leave." The older brunette said,

"No, you can stay and eat with us." You offered.

"Oh no, I don't want to ruin a mother-daughter moment," she said, and she pocked the cheek of the little girl, who giggled,

"You don't ruin anything, Rhea." Lena said this time,

"Don't worry, there is someone who wait for me too," she said before walking to the door. "I'll see you soon, Lena." The three of you waved your hands, and she left.

"I like her," you said. "I just hope this new project will not take all your time."

The CEO kissed your cheek this time "I promise. Now let's go to eat."

~~~~~~

After your first meeting with Rhea, the woman was always here when you visited L-Corp. It was not really bothering, she was pretty good with your daughter, and Luly seems to like her too. You were waiting for your wife that night, and you were reading a bedtime story to your little princess when she said something that caught your attention: "Mama, Mrs. Rhea, look like you." You stopped reading the story and looked at her,

"What do you mean, princess?" you asked softly,

"Yeah, she looks like you, and she looks like Mike too." You frowned your brows; you hadn't met Mike, Kara's new friend, yet. Lilly and Lena liked to say you had some common point with him, but you didn't know him. "Do you think she's from Da-Dax..." She searched for the right word, and it was cute to look at.

"Daxam, baby girl. And I don't know; I almost forgot everything about it. It's been a while you know." She nodded, "Now it's time to sleep, little princess. Tomorrow we will go to the carnival with mommy," you said, and she was so excited.

You left her bedroom when you were sure she was sleeping. You looked at the time and noticed it was late, and Lena didn't reply to your texts or your calls. You thought for a moment before calling Alex. "Hey Alex," you said when she answered the phone,

"Hey Y/n, it's late. Aren't you supposed to sleep?" She worriedly asked.

You groan "You're such a mom." And she laughed "do you know where is Lena? I tried to call her, but she didn't reply, and she didn't reply to my texts. I'm starting to worry." You admitted and you heard her sighed

"Y/N, we have a problem," she said, and you started to worry about your wife "We think she has been trapped and kidnapped by Mike's mom. But don't worry, Kara is on it."

"Where are you?" A wave of rage begins to wash over you.Alex told you where she was, you called Jessy, and she took Lilly with her for the night before you almost flew to where your friends was. When you reached the older Danvers, she was in front of a portal. She told you Kara was on the other side, and you didn't hesitate to run after her.

On the ship, you found Kara, Mike, Rhea, and an angry Superman. "What the hell?" you yelled, and every gaze was on you. "why Clark look like he's in front of a bad guy?" you asked, and the black-haired Kryptonian walked to you before he was stopped by Kara. You looked at Rhea and said, "You. Where is my wife?" You asked

"What Lena is your wife?" Mon-el said, and you focused on him.

"I saw you somewhere," you said, and some flashes from your childhood started to run in your mind. "Mon-el?" you asked, and you tilted your head. "But how? You were supposed to be dead when Krypton fell on Daxam." You were more than confused. He was about to reply when Rhea attacked you with a dagger made of lead. Thanks to your training with Clark, you successfully dodged it and attacked her back.

"Who are you?" the man  asked you.

"I'm Y/n, princess of Daxam," you said, and the room froze at your confession.

"Wait, Y/n like--" your brother wanted to say something, but Rhea cut him off,

"It's impossible," she said."My daughter died, Krypton took me my daughter," she explained, and now everything makes sense—the familiar look, the fact that Lena and Lilly always say you look like both of them.

"Mother?" you asked, and you didn't trust what you said. All this time, you thought you were the only one who survived. "But how should you be dead, both of you?" you asked, as tears streamed down your cheeks. "Wait, if you're both alive, that's mean father and Abbie too." At your sentence, Rhea was hit by a wave of guilt. Mon-El looked at her and didn't say anything.

She shook her head, and you cried harder. "I'm sorry," she whispered. "I'm really sorry." She kept repeating it as if it would make you stop, but it didn't. And honestly, neither of them could make you feel better. You wanted to yell at them because they didn't protect Abbie, but an alarm stopped you.

"What is this?" you asked, and a guard ran to where you were before stopping and panting,

"My queen, the humans... They sent lead into the atmosphere." he announced, and the three of you widen your eyes

"What?" You said, but you didn't wait for any response before leaving the ship—thankfully, it was on top of the building. When your feet were definitely on the ground, you started to run. You had to find Lilly; she can't be exposed to the lead. Even if she was half human, she would be affected by the lead.

[North Pole, Fortress of Solitude, a few minutes earlier]

After Lena crossed the portal, Luke closed it. "What are you doing?" the young Luthor asked, but her mom didn't look at her.

"We needed to get away, and we did. Now what happens to them? That's not our problem." Lillian said nonchalantly, "But we have another problem." She said, and her daughter tilted her head with confusion, "ThisRhea sent all her army to conquer us, but we can stop her." Her voice was cold and calm, but she was a little worried, even if she didn't let it show. She is attached to Lilly, and she can't imagine what they could do to her.

"And what are your plan?"Lena asked coldly.

"We know they're weak against lead; it's their kryptonite." She took a little box "Lex had planned to use this to diffuse kryptonite in the atmosphere to kill Superman, but if you change it, it could diffuse lead." She informed her,

"And why would I do that?" The CEO scuffed,

"Because we both know you have a reason who is 4 years old and could be in danger if they found her." Lillian said,

"But my wife is a daxamite too." Lena reminded her,

"Yeah, I know, and I have something that could help her not be affected." She said casually, "So?"

Lena examined her mother and the cyborg beside her "deal."She said it quietly but enough to be heard by her mom, who now had a smile on her face.

Only a few minutes later, your genius wife finished the modification and activated the device.

[National City, present]

You knocked on the door of Jessy's apartment, she opened quickly and inspected you before leading you to her sofa. "What happened to you? Where is Lena?" she asked, afraid of your condition.

"Someone diffuses lead in the—" you coughed, "atmosphere," you finished, coughing.

"Wait who? And why?" Your sister asked,

"I don't know, but I need to contact Lena. Lilly will be affected by the lead, and she's the only one who could help us." You declared, Jess wanted to say something, but her phone rang; it was Lena.

"Lena, where are you?... what? Yeah, she's with me ... Right now? Okay, she's with me too, in my apartment... Yeah see you soon." she hangs on and turned to you "it was Lena she's in her way to come here. She'll be here soon. You should rest. I'll bring you water," she said as she walked to the kitchen.

You walked to Jessy's room and opened the door. You saw Lilly. She was sleeping, but suddenly she started to cough and was now awake. You took her in your arms and made your way back to the living room. Jessy came back and gave you both a glass of water. It's been more than twenty years now since you were on earth, so you knew you could stay a little longer, but you were worried for Lilly. Fortunately, Lena didn't make you wait too long.

You heard a knock on the door, and your big sis opened it. She smiled when she saw Lena, but her smile disappeared when she saw the woman behind her. "Oh Lillian, what a surprise." she said coldly, but let them step inside.

When you saw the familiar green eyes you were relieved and then you saw your mother-in-law, you suppressed a caught "Mother-in-law." you greeted her

"Daughter-in-law" She greeted you back, "You seemed more alive the last time I saw you," she joked, and you chuckled,

"Granny Lillian." Lilly greeted her, and the older Luthor's heart almost dropped when she heard the voice of her granddaughter.

"Hey princess, did you catch a cold?" Lena asked when she noticed her daughter's condition.

"No, someone diffused lead in the atmosphere," you replied, and the youngest Luthor coughed against your chest. "Hey, it's okay, Princess," you ran your hand through her hair. "Mommy is here; she'll find a way to help you." you whispered loudly against her temple.

Lena covered her mouth with her hands. It couldn't be real. Her baby girl shouldn't be affected by the lead, she's human too. Lillian noticed and decided to speak, "We have something that could help her." She informed you.

You didn't have to think too long about it, you understood they couldn't save both of you. "Hey princess, do you want to show the gift uncle Mike gave you to your granny?" You asked softly, and she nodded before getting up and walking to her bedroom. You started to walk to the kitchen and made eye contact with your wife. She got the hint and followed you.

"I'm sorry," she barely said between sobs.

"Hey, darling... *cough*... it's okay. You'll help Lilly, and I'm sure you'll find a solution for me after that." You kissed her forehead gently.

"I was not talking about this," she admitted. You didn't say anything; you just studied her eyes.

"It was you?" You asked her, and she nodded. She was crying harder, and you locked her between your arms. She could hear your heartbeats, but they were so ecstatic she couldn't feel safe, "I know why you did that." You whispered, and you ran a hand through her hair, "I'm not angry or anything, Lena. Just promise me you'll do anything to heal Lilly." She gently drew back and locked her gaze on yours.You only saw sadness and fear in her eyes, and it was killing you.

"I promise. But we have to do something for you." She replied, and you smiled softly.

"It's okay, my queen; I'm sure Superman and Supergirl won't mind if I stay in the fortress for a while." You tried to reassure her, or you. You didn't really know, but you can't let her feel bad for something she couldn't control. "I'm okay, Lena, I promise."

Jessy came in the kitchen, and you looked at her. "Lilly is feeling better now." She informed you, and Lena was relieved. You wanted to rush to your baby girl and take her in your arms, but you fell to the ground.

When you awoke, you were in the fortress. You could feel the lead in your lungs, but the pain slowly went away. You looked around and noticed a floating robot."Good morning, Mrs. Y/l/n-Luthor, I'm Kelex," he said.

"Oh, nice to meet you, Kelex." You looked around. "We are in the fortress, right?" you asked.

"That's right. Supergirl brought you here after you collapsed in your sister's apartment," he explained.

"Oh," was all you could say."Do you know where the others are?" you asked.

"They were back in National City. But you can't see them right now." he said, and you looked confused. "The atmosphere is not totally free of lead. You must stay here, safe," he explained.

"Do you know until when?" you asked, a little saddened by the revelation.

"We don't know, but don't worry, I'll let Mrs. Luthor and Kara know you're awake. They could come to see you during your time here." he said, and you nodded.

"Okay, it'll be fun. At least, I hope," you muttered.

----------END--------

[jeremys-blogs]

If anyone's interested in a 20-plus year after-the-fact story idea for Pokémon, feel free to read below.

So I've been in a bit of a Pokémon mood lately, going back to re-watch the older show, and It occurs to me how great an idea it was that Mewtwo, the antagonist of the first movie, was teased in the Indigo League episodes as some shadowy figure controlled by Team Rocket before going rogue. It really hyped up audiences as to what this thing was for when the film finally released. And I can say that with certainty as an OG Pokémon fan. However, it's something of a disappointment to me that they never seemed to do this sort of thing with later stuff. No hints of Lugia or Entei or the other Legendaries before their respective movies like Mewtwo had.

As such, I've been tinkering in my head about a possible way this could have been done, at least as far as with the Pokémon Lugia and the 2000 movie. I realise I'm a few decades late to propose it, but hey, better late than never, right?

So, here's the idea. Much like in the remake games, Heartgold and Soulsilver, the Kimono Girls of the Johto region are heavily tied to the Legendaries, Lugia in particular in this case. They have been searching for a chosen one in the hopes that one will enable the Legendaries to return. Then, word will reach them of the events of the first Pokémon movie. Ash, a mere human boy, has not only managed to cease the fighting between two Pokémon of godlike power, Mew and Mewtwo, but even came back to life in the process through the mythical power of resurrection tears of the other Pokémon assembled there.

Yes, I realise that memory loss was involved in all who were there at the time, but for the sake of this idea, let's say that word got out about the events on New Island in spite of that. The Kimono Girls hear this and they wonder to themselves, this Ash boy is clearly something different, and maybe, just maybe, he's the one they've been looking for. So, it's decided. One of them will find him and meet with him. To determine if he's indeed the one and, if he is, to prepare him for his role as the chosen human who will bring about Lugia's return.

Of their number, they choose the youngest, Sakura, so find Ash and ingratiate herself with him. The girl goes, but she has her own reasons for going as, much like her brief appearance in the anime, she has hopes of being a Pokémon trainer rather than following the tradition of her family, and so uses this mission as the excuse she's been looking for to get out there in the world. She finds Ash and the gang and joins him, serving as the new companion character for the season. She and Ash become friends (and possibly go down the usual route of Ash's female companions getting a crush on him only for him to be oblivious to the whole thing) and they journey through Johto. Despite her scepticism for the legend, Sakura, seeing Ash and his interactions with Pokémon, starts to get the same inkling about him as her sisters.

Eventually, the season draws to a close and we get into the territory of the Pokémon 2000 movie. Things basically go the same, with the three birds infighting and Lugia needed to keep them in line. But it takes Ash stepping up to his role as the chosen one to bring the Legendary out from the sea, as well as Sakura, who reveals her intentions to him, to do so, much like the player character and Kimono Girls do in the game. Basically, Sakura sort of takes on the role Melody had in the canon movie, a ceremonial maiden whose song/dance was needed to resolve or summon Lugia alongside Ash. The day is saved, Sakura reconciles with her sisters (who are none too pleased that she strayed from her mission to pursue her goal of becoming a trainer, but are happy for her all the same) and that whole family drama is settled. She then parts ways amicably with Ash, with potential for the occasional cameo and re-joining the group later on.

Yeah, this basically mashes timelines of the show and draws a lot from the remake Johto games, but I just thoughts it'd be neat in a sort of retroactive way for some kind of storyline and build-up for Ash's role with the Lugia movie, as well as introducing the very cool (at least to me) idea that there are human characters in the Pokémon world who are aware of the Legendaries and are something of a liaison between them and humanity like Sakura and her sisters. Hope you enjoyed my rambling. I'm no storyteller, but with luck this was a fun what-if for you to read :)