#vi was soooo fine in this act

[karvviie]

i need this butch so bad

[ventrue-in-control]

♡ divorstieeee

-Violette-

●●○○○ | ATTRACTION ●●●○○ | AFFECTION ●○○○○ | INTEREST ●●○○○ | LOYALTY ●●○○○ | TRUST

LOW | ●●●●● | HIGH

[the interest is low mostly due to the horrors that is everything connected to vi. he doesnt know most of it! but hes soooo fine never knowing about it! he does trust her somewhat. but he also trusts her to act with her self interest in mind. he mostly just care. they got a lot to relate with.]

[gayspock]

also ohhh by the way vis a vis black sails i dont thinkive done asilly little check-in post in a while so :3

FIRDTLY i am enjoying it so f- OH GOOD HEAVENS....

TUMBLT DO NOT TURN MY POINTS INTO - oh fine. sniff. ythats sick though. that makes my thoughts look wayyyy too official i only even bop thrm with a dash bc theyre just disjointed silly little things, heavens above!

but firstly: yes well i am enjoying it!! I THINK... hm. it hasnt gripped me! THATS NOT IN A MEAN-MEAN WAY- i think its just you know, not making me obsessseeddddd, which is quite the shame. there's some really good fucking stuff in here, is the thing and some good fucking characters but i think, perhaps, my one issue with the show is... there's some really mediocre connective tissue? which- really isnt a horrific ISSUE its just kind of dragging it down a bit. and it's, like, mostly TOTALLY inconsequential stuff but it accumulates and i think, if there was some polishing and this thing was REALLY TIGHT, then god... god this would fuck so so fucking GOOD. and again thats not to say it doesnt- i am liking it so far, im just like well :3 an episode...

like, for example: there's certain characters i dont care much for. certain plot points i dont care much for. certain executions im very lukewarm on. and lots that i DO care for. i feel as if... if this were tighter somehow, i'd be more into it, but also im not SO sure what it is i would cut out ... like its just like. god if we got to FOCUS more on these specific things, i'd be obsessed- but also i dont know how that would work without compromise of other things i like. so im like hm hmm hmm. like- i called it connective tissue, yeah? bc that's what it is- like all the stuff.. that's fitting ALL the stuff together. ehhh. im like ehhh! youknow? EHH?

like i think flint is, perhaps, like the BEST example of like: i want to be so obsessed with you (ESPECIALLY what they're doing with him in S2!!! moves in the right direction) but still feel like... we don't get enough to bring it, bring it home. perhaps i just need to sit tight a bit longer- bc again this isnt the "oh, death sentence!" its just like a well uhm i would have to liked to have seen it now !

and i think one another issue is, that im having with the show, is sometimes help..... i'll admit: there's random side characters i lose track of. any older white guy? hell- any white guy that isnt one of the MAIN white guys ... he just kinda fades into the bg for me. andTHATS SOOOO a me thing. but also help. i want to be intrigued more by internal politics of nassau - i really do - but i do kind of... lose threads when guys show up and im like wuh huh.

WHICH, sspeaking of: as i said with flint, i like what theyre doing so far with him in s2! I REALLY like it. showing a bit more of his past- but also showing more of him... as a captain? and what it really means to have influence, and to command people and to have that authority over them.

which speaking of, speaking of: is funnily enough... ONE point of disappointment: dufresne. and i know there was some other issues (i saw abt his actor whilst reading up abt him :(... honestly such a fucking shame) so im conscientious of that,and i realise that must have affected SOME ofit... to the extent, i don't know if we know!? as in- dont know what the writers have said about that, and i dont know how much im comfortable speculating on what-ifs there BUT.... YEAH. SAD. i really liked him, i did- but mmmm. there was something so rushed about his "arc" and kind of a shame, you know? hell- i was so fucking into it, into this idea of HIM becoming the captain of all things and i dont say it was OOC but then the actual ... way it was executed and played out. maybe it WAS the replacement actor who dropped the ball with it, i dont know, but it was like... there was a lack of something, you know? because again- i dont think him stepping up could be OOC, that he WOULD act so drastically, that he had the moral compass to act like that and to respond to flint like that in the aftermath of what he went through. makes a hell of a lot of sense. BUT also i dontknow- it feels like.. it wasnt right, in its execution- i feel as if... there was a lack of that conflict within him played out. and it, again, could be actor issues- the new guy not delivering, or hell them intentionally scaling back on him bc they just wanted him to fade out more organically but hm... i dont know. either way the point is it felt... like they put out a good character, gave him a really good scene, and it just sort of flittered out? shame

and i SAY this bc. shite why was i SAYING this... bc it DID sort of set the stage for Flint, and for demonstrating him well, and.... i think THATS what some of the trouble is, sometimees? sometimes? characters used, and introduced solely to demonstrate another character- which is FINE, yknow, and things like that happen aaalllll the timeeee in media yes sireee but sometimes- you know, i dont know. it does have a certain inelegance, a certain clumsiness - because obviously ideally you arent just setting up characters to develop others, etc. butlike... mm. like in general there's, again, one or two one note guys floating about- which again WILL always happen, you know- but they'll get... a LOT of screen time for who they, because theyre obviously advancing the plot along in nature, and then its like oh well ehrm YAH?

the other guy tht comes to mind is uh. that unsavoury cunt from s1- you know... who i mean, i presume... who was unkind towards max. i dont remember his name- truthfully dont FEEL like giving him one. but its like: obviously, freaking god, i dont want him to have a sympathetic angle. when it comes to guys like that- i'd much prefer a one note guy, to some godawful attempt to build depth into him, bc if ur clumsy it just reads as whatever. like fucking hell. but STILL- it does leave him feeling (and i do wince at this word for him- sorry) a bit cartoonish, like... yeah. this dude fucking SUCKS! he walks out and he SUCKS! and he just does BAD SHIT! now he can DIE to cause us PROBLEMS. like that's- again its all well and good, but it does seem to also be happening with the new bloke being introduced THIS season. and so the issue is- you know... characters brought in for, like, purely functional purposes? or being turned into- like dufresne... it feels eh to me.

and again. its like i dont want the shitty guys to have a sympathetic spin on them and i'd rather them be just straight up cunts than them do a clumsy attempt at making them more. but i think- you know, that's why i LOVE what they did with dukat in deep space nine. like fucking hell. he had a lot of depth- but he was the fucking worst guy around. like they showed what shitty people REALLY are like, irl. they arent just guys who do bad shite for the sake of it. but theyre guys who actively choose to be the worst fucking people - and they convince themselves of it all, sooo hard - and there's no "oh, they did this bc THEY had to! no choice! they were raised wrong, etc.!" bc whilst those can be factors its like. at the end of the day? dukat thought himself better than others; dukat was selfish and power hungry and did not want to sacrifice his positions of power; and it lead to some godawful perceptions he had on the bajorans, and he treated them shittily because of that .... and itmakes no apologies about that. but it shows like his thought process, exactly this that and the other, and its fucking horrible. as it should be, bc thats what oppressors ARE irl. theyre not some guys lead down the wrong path... they DO actively choose to be like that, for their own gain, bc they value it more than the livelihoods of others and i think sooo often ppl try to make the worst fucking ppl sympathisable and its like. fucking come on man. idc.

anyways what was i saying. yes. my point is- you can GIVE shitty guys some depth, have them be characters, rather than vague antagonistic forces to work against and to advance issues within a story, yah? its possible! but idk- it feel slike black sails does just... fall into that problem sometimes, mmm. which is a shame! it is! bc like i said- god, i really do like a lot of the other stuff theyre laying out... but when u just. idk. theres a lot of mediocre ppl dumped into this story that idc for that much is all. anyways positivie s tho bc

i like anne a lot. like i do. i said the show doesnt drive me crazy cuckoo bananas- well its true, but when i see anne she does to me. its that moment of mmm. :3 the perfect little sweet spot thats ENTIRELY appealing to some specific personal tastes of mine so hiyyaaaa anne. bestie anne. you and your girlfriend and your.... eyebrow raise boyfriend. your pet little he/they for you to carry around in your purse. LIKE IM LOVING ALL OF THEM- jack, anne, and max... theyre my faves. my ride or dies.

other than them i loved gates so bad. i knew he was sort of doomed from the start- like his character.. YEAH. YOU COULD FUCKING TELL. so i just sort of held on there with him and got shocked nonetheless when he died. i also loved billy. no idea what theyre gonna do with him going forward- but im SO intent with it like ooey ooey... I HOPE they do well with him.

(though maybe thats another issue? i dont know- its like... theres a PACING thing going on here ad maybe it relates to the above. im not sure. its like ithink this works as being fast paced- but also it feels like its taking some weird slow moments and its like god i dont know. maybe its the rate im watching it at- or maybe its ME, bc i know i have problems with ehrm. time. in general - but i feel like i havent seen billy in fucking forever... that he's been unresolved for forever. which is weird. its been like half a season. but still eh. you know!??)

and who else. i said i liked flint- but i fucking LOVE thomas even more... nand yep. yep god. okay. god bless those fucking men i can so easily goinsane if we get to see more of them - it has to be said - and if they are going about things well enough of course.

and then eleanor? I THINK ITS ODD- I THINK... characters like her, in general? god i do like them- but i do feel as if my like for them is more of a: upon reflection, yes..... do you know what i mean? shiv and helly from succession are two that come to mind: girlbosses i cannot relate to on any sort of level, but when i step back from the work and get to really appreciate the decisions they made... yeah. loving it.

BUT: i dont know how i feel about her and max? i mean- look, im not a shippy guy in THAT sense you know... just eh. dont know how i feel- i know they were together and loved each other and liked their chemistry well enough, but we're obviously seeing the unfortunate side of their relationship here. so im like lukewarm - potentially turned off a little? which - i dont say that in a... OK. thing is: i dont really care for it, ever, when a character is SO dedicated and lovestruck by another but we dont really get to see A LOT of why that is. and i get why that is some with max and eleanor- we see bits of it! but also again we are seeing a LOT of the unfortunate side and so its like... eh. you know. WHAT they were to each other god thats so sweet- but the story we're getting now is the sadder partofthat.

and . what did i say: OH I SAID TURNED OFF BY IT. YES . WELL. to elaborate more- bc im obviously not like... turned off by two ppl not being together any more its not thatits the. ok we have to bring him up. fuckin charles. mixed feelings on the cunt. bc him and max had a little exchange just now like goddd we're so in love with that girl- and its like with them both im just like . i dontknow. i dont care for it, sometimes? MAYBE ITS IKE- im not... obsessed with romantic plotlines, or at least not ones where the romantic foot is put before the other one. i love stories wherein romance emerges between the characters. but if the driving factor is: oh these guys are in LOVE! we're both so blindly in love with ealanor. full stop it doesnt do much for me. shruggie shrug. and i think theres enough surrounding max and eleanor that its not LIKE that- but itdoes sometimes give me a bit of an ehhh whatever cmon keep it moving girlies....

but yeah. freakin charles. i ahve my finger on him- bc i think he IS the more "antagonisitic" freak with some depth to him, that could have frankly been used this entire time rather than introducing new ones for like the purposes of the story... but its like idk. again with the introducingnew guys- i suppose they did that, in a way to sort of soften his presence which. againjust makes me eh? bc like-i did not like his behaviour towards eleanor to begin with and i certainly did not fucking like what he did to max. bc yes theyre all god damn pirates; yes theyre fucking horrible and yes theyre operating within a system that perpetuates that horrific nature, makes it all feed into each other... but yeah, its p obvious when youre being a bit of a fucking CUNT even within the space you're put in babygirl. m. and its like- i have a cerain OWRRY with him... that they're going to try and sympathise with him more which. im not saying they CANT do- that they cant od redemption arcs with guys that have done what they did- but it does make me nervous a little. i do like his character, though, with some reservations there- like... i do think that he is a guy written well thus far its just. a tipping point thats VERY very delicate and yah. make him go through the fucking ringe.r then we will see.

anyway do i have any other thoughts god i dont know

im just finished s2e4. its odd. i thought there were so many mre episodes- why did i convince myself there was seven fucking seasons of 24 each? thats half the reason why i put it off so long- nutno girl help...

anyways maybe it will send me crazy insane more as i go forward. it DOES have the potential to for suresies! :3 but also idk. im thinking abt what to watch next? yah.... smile.

[zvkos]

The Problem With Bias In S4 of TWDG

I'm sure this topic has been spoken about before, but I need to get this out of my system because my GOODNESS the choices in season 4 (in regards to Louis and Violet) suck ass! There's a clear bias between the two and I'm going to explain how below.

OKAY! SO! Going into TWDG s4, playing it for the VERY first time without learning about any of the new characters, we come from three previous games about survival. In one of them, we play as Lee, trying our best to survive, protecting Clementine, and teaching her about survival. In another, we play as Clementine trying her best to survive. In another, we see Clementine on her own as a hardened survivor. For THREE games, we -- as a player -- are trained to put survival first and foremost.

Then comes season 4.

Clem is new to the boarding school and for the first time, is surrounded by her peers. Very quickly, we learn a little bit about Louis and a little bit about Violet. It's not until Marlon gives Clem the choice to either hunt with Louis & Aasim or fish with Violet & Brody that we have to opportunity to really learn about them.

This is the first instance of bias.

When Marlon is describing the different trips, he says something like: Violet and Brody are going to go fishing, hopefully they get along enough to get some work done. When describing the hunting trip, he says: Louis and Aasim are heading to the hunting grounds. Well, Aasim will, anyway. Louis... I just hope he shows up.

We learn two things about Louis and Violet here -- One, Violet doesn't get along with Brody. Two, Louis slacks off.

Hmmmm. I don't know about you, but to me, one outweighs the other. Especially as a player who has learned to prioritize survival. Violet doesn't get along with Brody? That's fine, Clem has been in groups before where not everyone has gotten along. However, if we go with Aasim and Louis, he might not even show up -- which leaves us short a man, putting us more at risk.

Now you might be thinking: "Wow, you're thinking really hard about this choice. It's not that serious." Except IT IS. For the simple fact that whoever you choose in this decision is the character you learn the most about. If you go with Violet, you learn why she's so closed off and bitter. If you go with Louis, you learn why he goofs off and doesn't take much seriously. This choice is literally the first step down whatever route you decide to do.

I've seen soooooo many people decide to go with Violet due to the fact that Marlon says “Louis might not even show up.” A LOT of people miss the opportunity to learn more about why Louis acts the way he does, therefore leaving him as a one-note, slacker, class clown type. He barely has any depth. He's just the guy that flirts with Clementine. That's it. There's no real reason to appeal to him since you spent the least amount of time with him. (Oh yeah! AND Marlon is his best friend!)

AND THEN COMES EPISODE 2.

A.J shoots Marlon dead, Louis is PISSED at A.J and Clementine. (Rightfully so, I might add.) Violet, however, sticks up for Clem. She's on her side because she's pissed at what Marlon did. (Rightfully so, I will add again.) Once again, I've seen MAJORITY of people write Louis off in this episode. They're pissed that he's pissed at Clem & A.J. They don't want anything to do with him. Meanwhile, Violet is by your side throughout the episode.

In what UNIVERSE does a brand new player see this, and is like: "Well, I still like Louis better." I haven't seen a single one. It doesn't even make any sense to put the romance option in this episode because of the CRAZY imbalance between characters.

Should you romance Violet, the girl who wanted you to stay, who defended you, who (up until this point) likes you the most?

Or should you romance Louis, the guy who is pissed at you and A.J, who voted to kick you out, who demanded A.J give him the gun before you both left for the wilderness, and ignored you for a bit when you were back?

HELLO? In what WORLD are these routes equal?

Yes, Louis apologizes later, but by this point most people have a grudge against him and don't take it seriously. Or worse, they tell him to fuck off.

AND THEN to make matters WORSE, the big branching off decision is in THIS EPISODE. And, wow... Wow, this choice is literally one of the most biased choices I've ever seen in a decision-based game!!!!

You can either: check the defenses with Violet before the big fight, OR, play piano with Louis.

Before the big fight that will get people killed. You can either: CHECK THE DEFENSES WITH VIOLET OR PLAY PIANO WITH LOUIS.

PLAY PIANO? BEFORE A WAR?

WHAT?

Who in their ABSOLUTE RIGHT MIND would chose to play piano with Louis? Hell, I wouldn't choose to go with Louis and he's my favorite character in the game!!!! Once AGAIN, majority of people go with Violet (because it makes the most sense!!) and they lose the opportunity to learn more about Louis and bond with him. At this point, you're on Violet’s path -- whether it's platonic or romantic.

I know K*nt said the difference between Violet and Louis is "staying alive vs. feeling alive" but they went about it soooo completely wrong it BOGGLES my mind how they thought their routes were equal. I'd love to go more in depth on how I would've set their paths up, but this post is already super long and I'm rambling. Also, before I get any hate, I want everyone to know I DO NOT hate Violet. I do NOT hate Violentine. I think Vi is a great character, and if you like Violet and Clem over Clem and Louis, hey! That's awesome. I just personally believe the game is tilted towards her and wanted to share my frustrations.

tl;dr -- season 4 of twdg has terrible, biased choices in regards to Violet and Louis, the game is always pushing you to Violet and gives you no reason to choose Louis.

[fleursfairies]

WANDAVISION REVIEW:

WANDAVISION EPISODE 6 SPOILERS!!!!!!!!

IM CURRENTLY SCREAMING RN SO THIS WHOLE THING MIGHT BE IN CAPS IM SORRY

WANDA DARLING ARE YOU OKAY LIKE SERIOUSLY MAYBE THERAPY WILL DO A BIT OF GOOD

ok ok ok i’m fine

NO IM NOT FINE

ok fine, so if you couldn’t tell i just finished the episode about....3 minutes ago.....hold on let me get my breathing back to normal.....ok good

ok this might not be in order bc my head is slightly jumbled rn

so first of all, i love the intro it’s great

billy and tommy are amazing rn, they scared me originally but now i love them

also POWERS!!!! brb screaming

i really want them to age up again so billy can get a boyfriend don’t @ me

pietro? peter? idek i’m just as confused as wanda but he’s great, not a good influence, but great

EXCEPT THE BULLET MARKS LITERALLY GAVE ME A HEART ATTACK

i’ve only seen like 10 minutes of the x-men movie he was in so i don’t really know what happens but why does evan peters pietro have bullets when it was aaron taylor johnson’s pietro was the one who got killed??? or did that happen in both? i don’t think so but idek

I DONT WANT MY PARENTS TO FIGHT!!!

also wanda in that costume was doing things to me

i didn’t really understand the commercial, i didn’t really think about it tbh because i was kinda preoccupied with freaking out. also it was kinda scary

WOO AND MONICA BEATING UP THE GUARD THINGYS I SCREAMED

also i hate hayward soooo much like i didn’t think i was going to hate him THAT much ✋🏻🙄

darcy’s turning into the new daisy johnson with the hacking. love that

all the frozen people???? scary.

maybe agnes is not involved??? maybe it was an act? bc the other people weren’t un freezing. love her witch laugh hated the rest it was creepy ✌🏻

VISION

WHY VISION

I WAS MENTALLY SCREAMING AT THE SCREEN

AND THEN HE WAS LIKE FALLING APART????

and billy’s powers are cool

BUT VIS WHY OMG

AND THEN WANDA WHAT THE HECK

wanda said she didn’t know how it all started and frankly, i believe her but WANDA WHY DID TOU EXPAND THE HEX THAT FAR IT SUCKED UP DARCY AND ALL THE AGENTS (which made scary clowns. not thankful for that one) AND ALMOST WOO AND MONICA AHHHHH

ok so i think that’s it

i’m gonna go watch it again haha

hope you enjoyed my mental breakdown

love herbs costume

ILY WANDA DONT KILL ME THANKS LY AGAIN

[ericsonclan]

A Winter’s Ball

(art by @violetineprompts​ for Pirates AU but works even better here)

Summary: The soldier girls from Clementine's unit enjoy a winter ball where they get to meet some cute fellows.

Read on A03: 

“Whew, finally a well-deserved break!” Sophie exclaimed, walking with her hands crossed behind her head. “I can’t wait to dig into whatever sort of feast they have prepared for tonight!”

“It certainly is a nice change of pace,” Ruby agreed, walking beside Sophie. She looked over at the other three girls, fellow soldiers in their squadron. “What are y’all looking forward to the most? Food or dancing?”

“I guess food,” Brody answered, looking at the ground nervously. “I mean, dancing’s nice and all, but we won’t know anyone there so I’m not sure I’ll get up the courage to ask someone,”

“I’m sure you’ll be able to, Brody,” Clementine encouraged her friend, patting her on the back. “And if you see anybody and you’re too nervous to ask, just let me know and I’ll grab them for you,”

“Thanks, Clem. Are you excited for dancing?”

“I’m not the best at it, but I’m sure I’ll still have a good time,” Clementine glanced over at Prisha who hadn’t said a single word since they headed out. “What about you, Prisha?”

“This whole party is a waste of time,” Prisha grumbled, rolling her eyes. “I’d much rather be having a strategy meeting than dancing with a bunch of coddled city boys or making small talk at a buffet. But decorum demands I attend so here I am,”

“Aaw, Sug, I’m sure it won’t be that bad,”

“Oh, believe me, it will. I’ve attended enough balls in my time to be sure of that,”

Before Ruby could say anything further, Brody let out an excited gasp. “Look, we’re here! The building is so pretty too!”

It really was. Decked out with lights and with lively music drifting out onto the street, the venue of the ball looked plenty inviting. The girls linked arms as they went up the staircase at the front entrance, curious of what the night would hold for each of them.

---

“Excited, Louis?” Marlon asked, offering his best friend a cup of punch. “It’s been a couple months since we’ve seen any girls. Besides your sister, that is. But she doesn’t count,” The two of them glanced over to the side of the room lined with chairs. Violet was hunching angrily in one of them, annoyed that she had to attend this ball in the first place and even more pissed that she was stuck in a dress for the night.

Louis winced sympathetically before taking a sip of his drink. “Yeah, I think Vi would much rather be home with Willy than here right now. And as far as girls go….” His words drifted off as a batch of girls entered the room, laughing amongst themselves. He flinched as an arm was thrown roughly around his shoulder. Looking up, Louis saw Mitch had both him and Marlon in a headlock.

“Dude, check it out!” Mitch exclaimed, a wide grin of his face. “Girls!”

Aasim sighed in annoyance behind them. “Yes, we’ve noticed Mitch. We all have eyes,”

“You got your eye on any in particular?” Mitch asked Marlon, ignoring their friend’s sassy remark.

“Not sure…” Marlon’s eyes scanned the room slowly. There were so many options. His gaze fell on one girl in particular though, a tall redhead with her long hair loosely tied behind her back. She wasn’t that far off, so he could hear the conversation she was having with one of the other guests.

“Y’know, they told us to leave our weapons back at the camp, but what was I supposed to do with these guns?” She dramatically flexed her arm muscles, smiling mischievously.

“Dibs,” Marlon handed his drink over to Louis and began walking toward the girl.

“Wait, what? We’re calling dibs?” Louis asked in disbelief. “Everybody hasn’t even arrived yet!”

Mitch let out an appreciative whistle. “Check her out!” He pointed to a girl with short auburn hair who’d positioned herself beside the punch bowl. “What a babe. I’m going to ask her for a dance.” With that he strode off, making a beeline toward the punch bowl.

“What fools,” Aasim noted, stepping forward beside Louis. “Flirting with girls when there’s a war going on. This ball is held in honor of the troops. We should be honoring our soldiers, not trying to bed them,”

Louis raised an eyebrow at his friend. “So you’re not going to be dancing tonight?”

“I didn’t say that. I’ll be speaking with all the visiting soldiers, but as a dedicated supporter of the revolution, nothing more,”

Louis nodded absent-mindedly. “I’m going to go check on Vi. See you around,” Before Aasim could say anything further, he headed over to speak with his older sister. She was gazing with boredom into the middle distance, a glazed look of apathy on her face. He plopped down beside her, trying to give an encouraging grin. “So… how’s it going?”

“Balls fucking suck,” Violet growled. “They’ve always sucked, but they’re even worse when I’ve got to pretend to be blind the entire goddamn time,”

Louis’ face fell. He knew the need for Violet’s false disability was his fault. He’d panicked when the revolution began, convinced that if Violet went to war she’d be killed in battle. Insisting that she find a way to stay out of the conflict for his and Willy’s sake, Louis had come up with the idea to claim that Violet had been almost entirely blinded after a bout of smallpox. It had worked and she’d been excused from active duty, but now whenever they went out in public Violet had to pretend she was blind, holding her brothers’ hands to go anywhere and not looking at anything directly. It was truly wearying for her, but they couldn’t drop the act now.

“Did you get any food? I could grab you some if you’d like,”

“Nah, I’m good. Just gonna enter a temporary coma for the rest of the party,” Violet let herself momentarily take a glance round the room. “Marlon and Mitch seem to have hit it off with some of the soldiers,”

“Yeah, I can’t believe they made connections so quickly,”

“Poor Lou,” Violet mocked. “Haven’t found anybody you want to talk to yet?”

“I’m talking to the prettiest girl in the room right now,”

Violet snorted. “Please. Find someone else to bother so I can wallow in my misery alone,”

“Aw, don’t be like that, Vi,” Louis placed his hand to his heart, feigning insult. Suddenly his eyes were drawn across the room to one particular soldier. She was wearing a lavender gown, her curly hair pulled to the side in a way that drew attention to her amber eyes. She smiled as she talked to another soldier, laughing at something they’d said. Louis felt like the wind had just been knocked out of him. His heart had started a staccato rhythm in his chest and he couldn’t seem to slow it down. He wanted, no, needed to ask her to dance. But now as soon as he needed them, his legs had gone utterly limp, like rubber underneath him. Would he be able to get up the nerve to speak to her before he lost his chance?

---

Sophie had been enjoying the party so far. Her plate was piled sky high with hors dourves skillfully balanced one on top of the other. She’d seen a few of the guests glare at the decadent height of her snack pile, but Sophie didn’t care. They were just jealous that she’d figured out how to work the system. As she chewed away happily, Sophie noticed a young man walking up to her.

“Hi there,” he said, offering her a smile. “I like your guns,”

Sophie took another second or two to chew her food before quickly swallowing. “What?”

The boy’s face fell in embarrassment. “Oh, uh, I mean… I heard you talking to someone else about how there weren’t any weapons allowed at the ball and then-”

Sophie’s eyes widened in understanding. “Oh yeah! These guns!” She lifted her arm that wasn’t holding her food, flexing it dramatically. “Pretty cool, right? Who knew that wartime could make you so ripped! Want to feel?”

The boy paused a moment before obliging, reaching out to feel the muscles in her arm. He whistled. “Damn, that is impressive,” He let go of Sophie’s arm, offering his hand. “I’m Marlon,”

“Sophie,”

“Would you be interested in honoring me with a dance?”

Sophie looked at her plate of food then back to Marlon. “Can we dance one-handed?”

Marlon chuckled at the question. “We can certainly try,”

---

Brody had been standing at the punch bowl for about 20 minutes now. She didn’t particularly like punch, but it gave her something to do with her hands. It was already proving to be a poor choice though, as she could feel the need to pee slowly rise within her. She wouldn’t be able to last the night this way.

“Hey,”

It took Brody a second to realize the voice had been directed at her. Turning, she saw a tall, brown-haired boy standing beside her, a cocky smile on his face. “Would you like me to refill your drink for you?”

Brody felt her cheeks flushing at the attention being directed her way. “Oh, that’s OK. I can do it myself,” Her arm jerked forward to grab the ladle, but instead knocked into the bowl itself, spilling the entire contents directly onto the stranger’s crotch. He swore in surprise, luckily catching the bowl before it crashed on the floor.

“I am soooo sorry!” Brody gasped. Reaching behind her for some napkins, she began to pat down the wet spots on the boy’s pants before realizing where she was patting and dropping the napkins with a startled squeak. “I should let you do that yourself. I’ll get some more napkins!”

“Wait!” the boy exclaimed, snatching Brody’s wrist to keep her from fleeing. “It’s fine. They’re just pants; they’ll dry. Let’s start over,” He placed the punch bowl back on the table, then extended his hand. “My name’s Mitch,”

“Brody,” She tentatively took the hand offered her, flustered as a smile returned to Mitch’s lips.

“Cute. Brody, would you like to dance?”

“I-I’d love to,”

“Then let’s go,” With that Mitch had tugged her onto the dance floor and their dance began.

---

Aasim was disappointed. He looked around the room, searching for any soldiers he hadn’t spoken with yet. He wanted to make sure that he talked to all of them about the ongoing war effort and his attempts to raise funds for the revolution. Perhaps he could find more allies to bolster his efforts and strengthen the revolutionary force’s chances. So far, this ball had proven to be a waste of time though. The soldiers weren’t here to talk politics. All they wanted to do was dance and eat and make small talk. Perhaps it was too much to expect more from soldiers on leave, but Aasim couldn’t help but feel insulted by their apathy towards his endeavors. He tossed his notebook on the table beside him in annoyance.

“What’s that?”

Aasim turned to see a beautiful, buxom lass standing beside him. Her red hair contrasted prettily with her pale skin, a ruddy blush gracing her cheeks. He found himself speechless for a second before clearing his throat to answer.

“These are my notes I keep on fundraising efforts for the revolution. I want to make sure I perform my duties as an active member of the war effort to the best of my abilities,”

“Really?�� From her tone he could tell she was impressed. “That’s wonderful! You know it really warms our hearts to see citizens giving their all to the revolution just like we are. And you’re really going above and beyond!”

“Oh, it’s nothing,” Aasim insisted, blushing happily at her praise. “Just doing my part,” He extended his hand to her graciously, placing a chaste kiss upon her wrist. “Thank you for all your service,”

The girl’s eyes widened at the gesture before a sultry smile crossed her lips. “If it takes fighting a war for us to meet, it’ll have been worth it,”

Damn, she’s smooth. “I’m Aasim,”

“Ruby,”

“Ruby, would you like to accompany me in a dance?”

“I’d like nothing better,”

---

“Lou, you’ve been staring at that girl for over a half hour now.” Violet grumbled. “Are you going to talk to her or just warm that chair with your ass all night?”

“I’m going to! Just give me a minute!” Louis’ eyes returned to the mystery girl on the other side of the ballroom. Some part of him had been hoping that their eyes would lock from across the room, she’d smile and come over his way and they’d strike up a conversation without him having to get up the nerve to start things out. Seeing as that hadn’t happened, he’d have to move on to another plan. “I’m going to get a cup of punch then go talk to her,”

“What the hell do you need punch for?”

“My throat is dry! I don’t need to explain myself to you!” Louis stood up from his chair with a huff, stalking over to the punch table. When he arrived, he was shocked to find it completely empty. What the hell? Who’s been hogging all of the punch? Well, that mission had been a bust. Louis turned round to rejoin his sister, but froze when he didn’t see Violet there anymore. Had she ditched him? He searched the room frantically for her before his eyes landed upon Violet doing what he feared most: talking to the girl.

What the shit, Vi? She knew he’d planned to go over there! Was she putting the moves on the girl herself now that he’d proven himself too much of a coward to do so? Utterly dejected, Louis began to make his way over to the chairs.

“Louis!”

He turned in surprise upon hearing Violet’s voice. His sister was walking over to him, the girl of his dreams following behind her. Violet stood before him, a small smile on her face as she gestured back toward the girl. “Clementine, meet my brother Louis,”

The girl stepped forward, a bright smile on her face. “Pleased to meet you,” she said, giving a quick curtsy.

Louis felt like he could just about die from the euphoria he felt in that moment. “I’m Louis,” he said, bowing awkwardly.

“I just told her that, dumbass,” Violet rolled her eyes in annoyance. “Anyway, you two have fun,” With that she was gone and the two of them were left alone.

“So, Louis,” Clementine said, his name rolling off her tongue like a short melody. “Tell me about yourself,”

“Oh! Uh, well, you met my sister Violet. I have a little brother at home too: Willy. He’s too rambunctious to go to these sort of things yet, otherwise you’d see him here, pigging out at the food tables,”

Clementine’s eyes lit up as his words. “You have a little brother? So do I! His name’s A.J. He’s far too young to go to balls yet, but I think he’d be right at the food table alongside your brother if he was,”

“Sounds like they’d make quite the duo,” Louis chuckled. His eyes strayed to the corner of the room where a piano stood. He wasn’t sure if this was the right move, but he was going to go for it. “Clementine, do you like music?”

Clementine’s brow quirked in curiosity. “Yes? Doesn’t everybody?”

“You’ve got a point,” Louis said, looking down in embarrassment. He was going to see this through though. “Would you like it if I played something for you?”

“I’d love that,” Clementine’s smile was genuine as she offered him her hand. “I assume we’re heading over to the piano?”

“Your guess is right, my lady,” Louis quipped, taking her hand in his and leading the way across the room. Clementine’s hand felt warm in his. Louis couldn’t believe this had worked out. He’d have to thank Violet later.

---

Violet stared out at the dance floor blankly, silently willing the clock to move faster. There was nothing for her here. All her friends were occupied with dancing or flirting. Even Louis had left her now, though she had to admit that was her own doing. That boy never would have gotten up the nerve to ask Clementine for a dance. Seeing the two of them laughing and smiling beside the piano had a smile temporarily tugging at her own lips, but it soon dissipated in the wake of boredom. There were still hours left till this would all be over.

“Greetings,” A tall girl with a long-plaited braid stood before her. Violet glanced up at her for a second, then immediately looked away. Shit, she had to remember to keep up the blind act.

“Hi,” she said simply. Hopefully the girl would go away soon. Violet wouldn’t be able to convince her of her blindness for long.

Instead the girl sat down beside her, causing Violet’s mind to devolve into a series of panicked swears. What did she want? “You look awfully bored,” the girl commented casually. “I’m glad to see I’m not the only one who finds balls tiresome,”

“Yeah, they suck,”

“Have you danced with anyone tonight?”

“No. Nobody worth dancing with. Besides…” Violet vaguely gestured towards her eyes before dropping her hand.

“Oh,” The girl seemed to understand the gesture, but not be bothered by Violet’s apparent disability. A beat of silence passed between them before she spoke again. “Would you care to dance with me?”

What the fuck? Violet wanted to look over at her but was afraid to do so. She wanted to dance with her? Why? “Umm, I mean, we’re both girls so that might look a little… odd,”

“I know,” The girl’s hand drifted down beside Violet’s, brushing against her and sending a thrill up her spine. “My name’s Prisha. What’s yours?”

“Violet,”

Prisha hummed quietly in approval. Violet felt like she could melt from the sound. “Tell me, Violet, would you like to get out of here?”

“And go where?”

“Anywhere,” Prisha’s pinky finger crept out, slowly encircling hers.

“I… I’d have to get back before my brother got worried,”

“That’s fair. And Violet?”

“Yeah?”

“You can drop the act. I’d quite like to look you in the eyes if it’s alright with you,”

Violet’s eyes shot over to Prisha’s. She knew?

Prisha smiled knowingly, happy in her victory. “You have lovely eyes, Violet,”

She did too. Violet found herself getting lost in their rich brown depths.

“So…” Prisha gestured towards one of the side exits to the room. “Shall we?”

Violet nodded mutely. The pair got to their feet, walking briskly towards the doors. Within moments they had left the ballroom, off on an adventure all their own.

The night hadn’t gone quite like anyone had expected. In the end however, all five couples finished the night much happier than they had started. It truly was a wonderful winter’s ball.

[kimsgoeun]

♫ - veronica/logan

♫  five times my muse swears it’s not a date, and the one time it maybe is. @kaceyrps​

i.  They end up bumping into each other coincidentally at some show downtown. They seem to do that a lot, but that’s somehow supposed to be a part of Neptune’s charm.  “Didn’t realize this was your kind of thing,” Logan casually says. She pulls a face. “And what’s supposed to be my kind of thing?” It’s out of jest that she says this though. They don’t know each other well enough to know what the other likes anyway. “Well, I guess I’ll see you in there then,” he nods. “Or,” she interjects, “we can just go in together. Unless you’re meeting someone else.” She isn’t sure what compels her to suggest it, but she tries not to think about it, nor does she linger on the satisfaction she feels in knowing he is here on his own. 

ii. Technically it’s his sister who invites her over to some family soiree, but it’s Logan who insists she comes after Veronica offers to decline if it’s weird. It’s weirder to see him in that famous Echoll lifestyle when he clearly isn’t comfortable. But it doesn’t take long for her to put the pieces together that maybe he wants her here for that very reason. They end up chatting most of the evening on the sidelines with Logan feeding her tidbits of information about the people in the room. She adds some colorful commentary of her own making him laugh and helping him forget why it is exactly he doesn’t like being around his family’s people. She forgets why she she was so hesitant on attending. Or she does until Trina saunters over to them after having one too many drinks. “Aww, well aren’t you two lovebirds adorable. If I didn’t know any better, I’d think the two of you were on some kind of a date.” Logan rolls his eyes but its Veronica who says something. “Oh, no, this definitely isn’t a date.” Both eyes fall on her, Trina’s moving between her and her brother. “Oh-kay. Well I think that’s my cue. Have fun you two!” she says before taking off. Veronica watches her go but finds Logan still staring at her. “What?”

iii. Her father’s visiting Neptune when they run into Logan on the pier. She tries to act indifferent about her father meeting him, but it’s a little weird. Even her dad knows something’s up when he waggles his brows at her when he isn’t looking. It doesn’t help when he tells Logan that Veronica has mentioned him once or twice. Betrayed by my own father, she thought. Attempting to end this little slice of hell she found herself in she interjects, “Well we were just on the way to the store, so we should probably-- “ Only to have her dad interrupt and conveniently say he’s actually feeling tired and might head back to her place and oh, wouldn’t it just be swell if Logan went with her instead? She glares at him when he waves his goodbyes to the pair and quickly hides it when Logan asks if they should head out. An awkward air hangs over her head now that they’re walking together to the store. That awkward silence makes her want to bolt. They both begin speaking at the same time and she presses her lips together into a frown. “Go ahead,” he offers. Now she feels bad about trying to find a reason to leave. It’s not as if they’re doing anything weird. Friends can walk around and do some shopping together. She shakes her head, “It’s nothing. What were you going to say.” A more serious look flashes over his face and for a second she’s concerned. And then he ruins it by saying, “So you talk about me with your dad, huh?” and laughing at the annoyed reaction on her face after hearing it. “You know what. I really don’t think I need another set of hands to help me pick up some groceries, so you can go,” she deadpans and picks up her pace. It’s even more annoying that it doesn’t take much for him to catch up with her. Damn his tallness.

iv. She tries not to grimace when Dick Casablancas comes barging in. The blond stares at the scene in front of them - Veronica and Logan eating Chinese take-out with some show playing on the TV - before some idiotic, smug smile spreads across his face. “Soooo am I interrupting something? Because if I am I don’t want to be a co--” Logan cuts him off. “--Did you need something?” She mutters under her breath, “A brain for instance...” It takes all of her will power and control not to throw her food at him when he goes on some winded story about some girl he met and her friend and how he needs Logan to be his wing man. “...But since you’re on some “not” date with Veronica, I can bring in someone else.” She hears him sigh and suspects he’s going to tell him to leave (or tell him good luck) but she’s already standing up. The idea of being on some “not-date” date ruins her already appetite. “It’s fine. I think I’m going to head out anyway,” she says, trying to make a quick getaway. “Have fun helping Dick get laid.” She sidesteps past the other man and pretends not to notice Logan attempting to stop her from leaving. 

v. Veronica asks for another favor with the promise of dinner being involved. The place is fancier than she prefers and she knows she’ll stick out like a sore thumb if she goes alone, so that’s where Logan comes in. The nicest thing she owns still doesn’t seem like enough--whoever said a little black dress would always be timeless and classy clearly never went to Neptune--as she takes in the other patrons once they’re seated. Her focus is busy on searching the room as the waiter begins chatting to them. She probably looks like some lousy date to the waiter as Logan does all the talking and she’s staring off in every direction, but she can’t waste a breath on caring about the opinion of what some stranger thinks of her. Nothing. Veronica deflates in her seat. Crap, did I get the wrong information? “Something not going according to plan?” he asks. For a second she’s caught off guard by the question before remembering how often she asks him for these kind of favors. She sighs, “Yeah, but that’s okay. I’ll figure something else out.” She frowns apologetically. “Sorry. Guess we can split. I don’t know if it’s worth spending this much on food we can easily get elsewhere for less.” She’s collecting her purse when Logan stops her. “Well we’re already here and you did promise me dinner...” She purses her lips as he holds her promise to him over her head. Without staking out someone while they’re here it almost feels like they’re on a date and Veronica stares at him quizzically to make sure he doesn’t think that’s the case. But Logan raises a brow at her in question and goes back to looking over the menu, not at all bothered the way she seems to be under the surface. As long as he wasn’t reading into it then she wouldn’t either. This definitely wasn’t a date.

vi. She offers to buy him a drink after obtaining the evidence she needs to prove her client was innocent. He’s the one that says he wants to buy to help her celebrate the win. Not wanting  to be rude, she happily agrees. They meet up at some bar in town after seven. She hates to admit it but she’s put in the slightest bit of effort into how she looks -- hates it even more that she notes how nice Logan looks after splitting ways earlier in the day. There are a few times she catches him staring at her, but then again, she’s staring right back. One drink turns to two, two turns to three, and by the fourth, it almost seems like they’re waiting for the other to call an end to their night. One of them suggests dancing at some point, but she can’t recall who. The alcohol makes her feel light and happy and less concerned that her hand lingers in his or the space between them inches closer and closer between songs. There’s a good chance she won’t remember half of what happens tonight, but through the hazy bar lights, she could almost consider this a date. 

[ghosty-goos-asks]

so does laura know about vi's 'kittenspace' or?? cause last i saw she was confused about her wanting pets soooo??

Didn't explain it to her fully, mostly just said Virgil was being silly and wanting attention so he was acting like a kitten and she was fine with that explanation - 🤖👻

[aceofwands]

Ria hateblogs Discovery Episode 8  “Si Vis Pacem, Para Bellum”

short recap straight into the intro again, so clearly got a lot going on this ep :P

we finally see a bit of the actual war! random Federation ship being attacked by 6 Klingon vessels (which look nothing like Klingon ships it's so frustrating)

Discovery come in to save them

Lorca is yelling at this weapons officer so much and he's just suuuuuuch a jerk

the bridge crew looks so cool that it annoys me we know 0 about them!

the battle sounds ... like a video game ... and it annoys me so much

they had a chance to show a random captain who was a) an alien, b) a woman, c) not white - but no, the captain of the other ship is another white guy

lol they failed to stop the other ship from blowing up ... and now are getting out of there ... Lorca is gonna be pissed - oh yeah, he's giving a little speech about how it's not time to grieve

it just seems SO silly that the Discovery is the solitary saviour of Federation ships, like it just contributes to feeling like there isn't really a war going on??? it feels so isolated to just the Discovery ...

oh lol Stamets just stumbled out of the chamber after using the spore drive and Tilly asked if he was alright, and he said 'what are you doing down here Captain?'

like ... these characters are so one-dimensional??????

her defining characteristic is that she's gonna be a captain

and it's just soooo boring?

Stamets is now yelling at Tilly because she was confused at him calling her captain LOL

Lorca is talking to a vulcan admiral and asking why they were the only ship in the sector and the only ones able to render aid

YES TELL US

apparently the 2 other ships were also simultaneously ambushed ... 

the klingons are sharing stealth technology

NO

THEY DO NOT HAVE CLOAKING TECHNOLOGY YET

I don't CARE if you're gonna call it 'stealth technology' that is a fucking COPOUT

Michael, Tyler and Saru are on a mission to some planet to find something to help with this stealth tech

... the natural formations of this planet (trees, rocks, etc) vibrate with a specific tone ... okay Michael's explaining this stupid biological technology ... and how they're going to use it like a sonar to detect the Klingons

why is this science so dumb?

they're now talking about how fast Saru can run. as a prey species. and how acute his senses are compared to theirs

glowly clouds just floated down in front of them. some sort of lifeform that Saru is now talking to. they're now surrounded by like 5 of them

aaand we're cutting back to the Klingons

great

I love seeing people not able to act

they just have no emotion, it's real sad

it's also hilarious how they have to add things like Kol's red striped face paint to distinguish them ... if only there was some way to make their forehead ridges individual LOL

already back to Saru and co

this story has jumped around a LOT in 10 mins

Saru getting to make first contact with the glowy alien. lol it zapped him. Michael's explaining that they now have to follow first contact protocol and can't use their transmitter without them agreeing

so like, actual Star Trek morals for a change, yay!

oh lol, L'Rell has come to torture the admiral who was kidnapped!

ahahahahahaha, L'Rell tried to intimidate her by yelling but the Admiral just screamed back. I wish we'd gotten a chance to know her better, but I suspect she'll be dead by the end of the ep

uuuugh already back to Saru WHY DO THEY SWITCH SO OFTEN IT'S DISORIENTING?

like ... it's not like they're leaving at dramatic moments???? gotta say something for commercial breaks when they give you a proper scene! this just jumps around at random moments after like a few mins have gone by

the glowy clouds have some sort of hut made of natural fibres ... which seems odd for a gaseous species ....Tyler is talking about how he wants to go fishing and camping when the war is over. but Michael's like lol, I'm going back to prison after this. and Tyler is like fine let's keep the war going then. their flirting is kinda cute and awww they're kissing

I am still 100% convinced he's going to be Voq. because this show doesn't DO subtle or nuanced!

cut back to Tilly who's come to ask Stamets wtf is up with this mood changes. he is not pleased at her asking. but he's explaining how jumbled he is

aaaaaaaaaaand he's now explaining that he HASN'T TOLD THE DOC ABOUT THESE SIDE EFFECTS

because he doesn't wanna be sent to some Federation lab. right because potentially compromising the safety of your crew by ignoring this is a GREAT solution!

Tilly is now saying they'll monitor the episodes and hopefully they'll pass. riiiiight cause this stuff usually gets better instead of worse!

how dumb are these people

back to L'Rell again. who's chatting with the Admiral about what the Federation does to prisoners. when she found out they don't have a death penalty, L'Rell claims she wants to defect .... because she's all alone ... and they have a ship waiting to escape

LOL she thinks the Discovery is the Admiral's ship and she'll take her back there! if the Admiral falls for this she's even dumber than she seems

aaaand back to Saru. lol he hasn't got far in first contact. the aliens ARE the planet apparently ... pretty cool actually

they're all having a snooze with no blankets apparently, but Saru is being effected by these aliens or something ... whoooo are now like surrounding him / going into him ... they're making him relive flashbacks from the first two eps lol. and now they flew away ...

idk this episode is less terrible than the others so far, but it's still somehow really boring ????

Saru is now acting suss. he just crushed their communicators lol! he says they're going to stay here on the planet .... cause the people on this planet are at peace .... .... he's now awkwardly stroking both their faces???

and Michael and Tyler are like well shit wtf do we do? Tyler says that as senior officer, they have to complete their mission.

back to L'Rell, who is leading the Admiral out of the ship ... they're about to get caught, so they're fighting each other to make it look like they don't get along. L'Rell just knocked out the Admiral ... unclear if she's dead or not

back to Saru again!!

Tyler's getting him to explain what changed for Saru (who was bothered by the frequency before) to distract from where Michael's gone

idk I can't even be bothered explaining some of the story stuff, cause it's so meh?

Tyler says he doesn't want the war to end cause he wants the Klingons to suffer - now Saru is trying to make him feel the peace and harmony of the planet with a rock .... but it just like zapped Tyler cause his intentions are false, he realised Tyler is distracting him lol 

Michael has been running for the transmitter ... too bad they established how fast Saru can run earlier lol

the dramatic music is playing and Saru is running and she's setting up whatever they're doing .... and it's like ... .... who CARES

all the episodes where dumb stuff isn't happening, are still just amazingly dull?

this one has SO MUCH stuff going on that it just feels like stuff is ... happening

gotta say I much prefer the ol 5 act structure where shit actually happens - like this is not the kind of seriality I like? where episodes just contain like 3 different threads of stuff happening and it's like, who. cares.

back to L'Rell dragging the Admiral back - discovering a bunch of people she knows whose bodies have been eaten ... now swearing revenge on Kol blah blah blah

so it's unclear if the Admiral is dead - I'm now actually thinking she's alive??? but we'll see if that lasts next episode lol

back to Saru attacking Michael, destroying the equipment ... he's apparently super strong? ... Michael is shooting him .... she's giving him a little pep talk about how staying here won't fix anything, they can end the conflict of the war, blah blah

the cloud alien just teleported Tyler there so he can conveniently join this scene

Saru is now apologising, he was trying to protect the aliens ... but of course, Michael has to say the dramatic speech about how they need their help ... the transmitter is now activating ....

it's just ... so predictable .... 

the dramatic music and looks of awe on their faces do not match what is happening on screen lol

they were beamed back to Discovery and Saru is upset ... just leave him there, he'll be much happier! 

they're having ANOTHER conversation about their emotions (Saru and Michael)

back to the Klingon ship yet again!

L'Rell tried to leave Kol, but he isn't letting her lol. he's making her swear allegiance to his house and work as his interrogator. lol but doesn't believe her! 

apparently the alien planet sent an invitation to the Klingons and Federation to meet up .... and Michael is explaining that the aliens wanted to make peace for them .... of course, setting it all up for the final ep next week

wooooooooooow that was boring

like wow

the teaser is all about the dramatic battle - Kol fighting Michael, the ship blipping around, Stamets being effected by the drive

massive yawn 

[cranberrybogmummy]

Excerpt of Drifting part II, Chapter II

In a little while Stan had dressed and down in the kitchen, it was neat like nothing of the debauchery of last night happened. Mrs. Patterson smiled when she saw him. She was washing dishes in the sink.

“Hi there how do you like your eggs and toast?” She said, stepping away from the sink and wiping her hands on a dish towel.

“Uhhh over easy and almost burnt,” Stan said.

“Gotcha.” she replied with a wink.

She moseyed over to the other counter and started making him breakfast. She really was a pretty good cook Stan mused as he ate. Also he was bored.

“Where’s Rick, I mean Rich?” He asked

“Oh he’s in the cellar working his project. He said no one can else can go down there not even to clean,” Mrs. Patterson said.

“Anything I can do around the house?” Stan asked. He normally hated chores, but it beat sitting around watching fuzzy tv.

“Well, I guess the lawn needs mowing, and maybe set out some poison for the mice in the attic.” Ms Patterson said putting her chin in her hand.

“Sure.” Stan nodded.

Stan decided the lawn could wait until it cooled down that evening. For now he’d go to attic with the rat poison, Mrs. Patterson gave him and deal with the vermin and a flash light.  He found the trap door to the attic  on the second floor near the back of the hallway, he pulled a string attached to it and it opened up, a small wooden ladder slid out. He climbed up into the attic,  The air up here was stuffy under the eaves among the pink insulation. He casually sprinkled the poison in  the nooks and  crannies. He wasn’t here to poison vermin, he needed to find out about Rick and his family. He opened the first cardboard box he found, which turned out to be christmas decorations, the second box was winter clothes and mothballs and so on. Was there nothing? Had Rick already been up here and destroyed everything? Then he stumbled on an old accordion file folder in it was a certificate of marriage, in spanish between Viola Ernestine Van der arrt and Hernando Christopher Sanchez. From what Stan could make out it was from San Juan, in Puerto Rico. There was an old black and white photograph of that young woman, heavily pregnant of the dark messy hair, scowling in a wedding dressing next to a  older Tall, thin faced, balding bespectacled man with smiling wearily in a suit. He could see the resemblance to Rick in both of them. There were other photos: Viola holding a dark haired infant. Viola, Hernando, a toddler shirtless Rick and an older woman on a tropical beach. Then nothing, more papers something in legalese Stan and no patience for and photographs of Rick a little older maybe four  heavily tanned, glaring into the camera as he twisted in his mother’s arms, she was paler. They were in heavy winter clothes. A Christmas picture all the Van der aarrts gathered near a decorated tree, Viola looking haggard, Rick  still four  the same age, paler, hair slicked back,  and still  seething with anger. Stan looked back at papers, what he could make out is that Viola Van Der Arrt was getting custody of her four year old son. An old  photo album of Rick’s boyhood followed. There were a few  older images of him his Father, Mother and an old lady labeled as ‘Abuela Sanchez’ in Puerto Rico. In these toddler Rick was shirtless, messy haired and very tan he looked happy. The images of Rick from four and up didn’t look happy,  (expect in one album labeled summer memories. Which showed Rick or ‘Rich’ in this house.  out on the lawn or splashing in a creek). Most the of the pictures Rick was surround by grown ups in suits and his mother who was grinning in a forced way. Rick always looked angry, or exhausted or resigned in these pictures, a few of them had  that psycho Doug Blevins in them. Stan shoved them aside, he explored another box, that was mostly full of spiral ring binders with scribbled mathematical formula, diagrams, and loads of paperwork. And a framed diploma from MIT, saying that Richard Van der arrt was graduating Suma Cum laude. Stan looked at the date, Rick must have been about seven or eight when he received this. Stan found a few other diplomas, same deal. And loads old paperwork, he couldn’t understand it, so he pushed it aside. Maybe it was time to scatter more rat poison. It was hot and stuffy in here after all, maybe going out on the mow might be better, get some fresh air. That’s when he tripped over a box labeled in a scrawling hand: ‘Vi’s diaries (1956 -1970).’ Maybe this would shed some light on whoever Rick was. So Stan carried the heavy box down from the attic and hid it under his bed.

` It was still mid-afternoon, well better mow that lawn. The lawn was huge, wished he had a tractor or something kind of riding mower as the sun beat down, he sweat and reddened under it. Sometime in the middle he took off his shirt.Around three Mrs. Patterson came out with a  ham sandwich and tall cold beer. Yeah it was old Canoe, the worst, cheapest beer, but on a day like this the very fact it was cold, light and beer made it perfect for the sweltering heat.The lawn was done at four. The sun still high in the sky, Stan slunk off to the shower cuz he stunk worse then a goat. Stan knew this because he’d met some goats out on that Peace Ascendant Family commune when he was out in Texas with Carla… under the cold water of the shower, it was okay to cry no one could tell. He’d blocked out the memory after he got out the shower, about an hour later  later. The hi-fi speakers down stairs boomed with rock music, which meant one thing, Mrs. P was gone and Rick was out from the basement.  Stan toweled off and put on a clean pair of shorts and a tank top.  Rick was scarfing down dinner, hardly looking up, a protective arm looped around his dinner. Stan could see the remains of potato salad, baked beans and baked chicken thighs with some kinda herbs on them. The potato salad, wasn’t cold, the beans and chicken weren’t hot but it was food and Stan wasn’t about to complain about a free meal.   He sat down and began to eat

“Find anything good?” Rick said.

Stan choked on his food sputtering, he drank some water and finally swallowed, coming up with a gasp. “What do you mean, Rick?”

“Mrs. P said you were putting down poison for the mice in the attic. So I f-f-figured you dug up a bunch of shit about me.” Rick said, He lent back in his chair, pulled out a zippo and lit a joint.

“Nothing…” Stan Lied. “Just a bunch of junk up there.”

Rick rolled his eyes. “Yeah sure.” Rick oozed sarcasm.

“Fine.. fine  I found out you were some kind of boy genius who graduated all these fancy-ass schools before your balls even dropped.” Stan said. “Can I have a toke?”

Rick passed him the joint. “Look, it wasn’t my idea, my Mom always thought she was soooo smart, despite the fact she was only slightly above average, when she found out about me, she saw her ticket for academic glory.”

Stan took a hit, he was feeling better. “So that’s why she got custody from your Dad.”

“Heh, Naw… that her way of shitting on him. She didn’t even really want me. “ Rick sighed. “Ya know, when your a kid and your really happy? Yeah, that was Puerto Rico for me with my Dad and  my Abuela. I’d just ya know run around, half naked and do kid shit, build my own toys… radios…and blow up stuff, you know I did kid shit, maybe play a game. But she and to come and take it away, cuz she was shitting on my Dad. It was downhill from there…Pines.”

He passed the joint, Stan took a hit. “So you were only really happy when you like four?”

“Yep.” Rick sighed and giggled. He took a hit, passed it

Stan took a hit, passed it back.  “Yeesh.” Stan sighed. “It all ended for me, at 17, I thought me and my brother we’d be together forever, but he decided he wanted nothing to do with a dum-dum like me.”

“I only have two degrees, in case your wondering. I decided if they were gonna try me act like trained monkey, I might as w-w-well fling shit.” Rick said. “School sucks, it;’s a place for smart people Stan.”

They finished the joint. Minutes ticked by of them sitting there stoned, not talking.

“Yeah…. Whadda you wanna do now?”

[survivornavarino]

Episode #5: WE LANA DEL REY TONIGHT FAM -Rebecka

Back from exile so here's the happenings ~Immediately cried to Beckka about Tim leaving and being slaughtered in my arms. ~Messaged Trixie, well she messaged me about what happened our other tribal. ~Messaged all the favs cuz idc if Im at the bottom, im obviously bottom of fans or favs so WHATEVER. ~Talked a lot to Julia cuz we have a lot in common (Witchcraft, being 16 y/o babies, getting lit) ~Told all the favs I have no one in this game which is true. FAVS IF YOU LISTENING TAKE ME IN. PLEASE AND THANKS. ~Messaged Vi cuz at least she was with me.

Honestly what were they thinking with voting out Tee? I guess that's a challenge threat out of the way, so I won't complain.

https://youtu.be/HepZnpuimhM ________________________________________________________________ https://youtu.be/IJWWj23olkA

HAHAHAHAHAHA I LOVE LANA DEL REY SO MUCH NICE TRY AMIRADOR GET READY PUT ON UR ACRYLIC NAILS AND WINGED EYELINER WE LANA DEL REY TONIGHT FAM 

So the bad news is I found out Drew has been hardcore dropping my name since the game started and I thought we were cool but it's fine snakes will be snakes. I think he's a little shook about my at bat (me having won 1/3 games I've played) cause he's hinted at how crazy that is. And that would explain why he's pulling out fake receipts and conspiracies to get me out. Whew game recognize game https://vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/ryans-reality-network/images/6/61/Awright_alyssa_edwards.gif/revision/latest?cb=20150724035546 The good news is Eddie is a real one, we really are Joe and Desi from HvHvH, and he spilled all the tea. And honestly we have a similar playing style so we're really about to go the distance, especially if I never get reunited with Julia or Rebecka. SO we need to slay this lip sync so we both live but on the off chance we lose, things are gonna kick into high gear. I've only seen one season of Survivor (HvHvH) but Tyler convinced me to watch Kaoh Rong and let me just say that has shed some light on things. Voting Jacob? Will always be there. Sending another fan out? No problem. Voting long-term? Now that's not a bad idea. So when I said, "What if we got Drew out?" Eddie was all ears. Obviously this is super early and under wraps BUT between the two of us we can make it happen. The key is Tyler and Jake so if we can get them we have a guaranteed majority. It all comes down to timing and the pitch. This is our best chance to clock Drew and whoever fails the vetting process will be left out. If Eddie says that whenever someone takes a shot at Drew they can't afford to miss and that has to be a blindside, then this plan has to be airtight. I wonder who could pull something like that off https://media.giphy.com/media/QmeB1Hr5fz7a0/giphy.gif

I volunteered to do the music video since I was a film major and have professional editing software. It puts a good deal of pressure on me because if we lose it looks like I really dropped the ball. However, I’m hoping that my attempts to organize us and edit the entire thing will earn me some respect and points from my tribe. It’s a bit frustrating getting ideas out of everyone. Nobody seems to want to volunteer thoughts or contribute to the brainstorming and we don’t have much time at all to get this done.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=CdgOebQNYEE ________________________________________________________________ https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=cdsZyoPZe5Q

First challenge on a new tribe and we lost. WHOOP DE DOO. Im going to try and find an in with the favs and hopefully stick with them. Saying how I have no allegience in this game. Also I keep forgetting that I can idol hunt so Im just casually at level 4 still I think. Ill probably look in the morning. But what were we thinking with Great Balls of Fire. That song is iconic and now that Tyler won he has chances of getting an in with people, but I want him gone Obviously no can do since I am not on his tribe anymore. Might as well dwindle down his numbers from this side then.

So we lost the lip sync. I had to apply lipstick for the first time so that was fun. Sadly one of us has to go home and my guess is it's either Heather, Trixie or Vi unless me or another favorite is getting targeted secretly. I need Heather and Trixie in the game if i'm being honest, mainly due to Trixie having rumors spread about her on the OG Admirador tribe and I wanna see if I can mess around with that. Then Heather was saying that people on the OG Admirador tribe were being fake to her, and she also told me Tyler got paranoid due to Heather not responding to Tyler's messages. So I hope Tyler makes it past merge, because I can work with paranoia. For those who don't know I'm trying a villainy thing and it's probably gonna fail miserably and I'm gonna look like a dumb fuck but I was the hero on my season and I wanted to try villainy out. I'm not good at long confessionals I apologize I feel like i'm the kid in the class presentation who speaks in a monotone voice and makes everyone fall asleep.

Me to the other tribe if/when i reach merge and we get to talk: https://desmadrechic.tumblr.com/post/171063789210/oh-god Ignore the caption that came with the video ajsjsjdkjd

So the other tribe voted out Tee and I'm a n g e r y The challenge was a music video. Still a n g e r y We won. Still a n g e r y!

So like this is bad for the fans, I feel like the faves will just band together and take the easy vote route, I need to socialise today. I need to just make strong social bonds and make sure people want to keep me around. I wanna act dumb and want them to think I am a free number for them. I like Drew and feel like he will be loyal to me, I am no 100% sure what Mitch and Autumn will do but I feel like they will keep me over Jake and Tyler if we end up going to tribal.

Well look at that I got added to a new alliance chat...! Autumn added me, Tyler, and Eddie to an alliance and we named it "Keyboard Smashers" and um I like everyone in it but I also like Drew...so I'm gonna protec him! If we lose and we're still on the same tribe I think I'd want to vote out Mitch since he hasn't made any efforts to talk to me individually. It's a shame bc I think we'd have a lot in common, but oh well! Tbh I have a feeling that we're gonna swap into 3 tribes of 5 next round...my psyche is telling me this...and I'm always right! But I hope I'm wrong because I feel like I'm in a really good position on this tribe and I'm scared to swap on a tribe with people from the other tribe because I think Heather and Vi wouldn't work with me, neither would the faves on the other side. Anyways...I'm a bad bitch.

We just did THAT and I'm happy for it. I've not gotten the chance to be as much if a social butterfly as I would like because my work situation is still adjusting, so if I can keep staying safe until merge that would be highly appreciated. HeatherAs of right now he vote is Vi. I dont agree with it since she is the only one who has been truthful to me in this game so far. But I dont see any way of saving her right now. My only choice I feel in this game is to team up with the favs and get out the fans, which I don't mind as long as that fan isn't me. Plus the fans (minus my loves Vi and Tim) all left me out of the vote. If they think I am going to crawl right back to them come another swap or merge, they have something coming. HOPEFULLY THIS VOTE ISNT ME OR ILL CRY.

So I'm just like really sad because I love vi and I never wanted to vote her out of this game but I have to and that's really sad.  I don't really have much else to say I just feel super guilty.

du du du..... another fan bites the dust and another fan gone, another fan gone another fan bites the dust

Why is it that each tribal gets messier than the last? Well maybe I should back up. We lost... again. Wow what curse have we brought to this tribe. I call bs since we were nice enough to give an upbeat song. The judges are bias smh. Anyways literally no one talked. What vote who? I dunno. It’s super silent which brings bad news. Probably gonna have to expect to be voted out tonight. Oh well. Hopefully heather doesn’t get voted out but I feel like it’ll be another fan that’s gone. The favs know each other and so they’re banding together I believe. Such sadness. I’ll just have to wait until tribal to know tho

Oh, right, this is a thing I need to do. Anyway, same boring shit as always, I'd put "Drew won an immunity challenge" as my mood message but it could be about anything, really. I think there are only like two tribal challenges I've ever lost in Athena. Bonus points because it was the music video challenge so you know my ass floated by and gave it all of ten minutes of thought, but we had a damn savant on the tribe! I love it when tribe swaps work out well for me. People were expressing all this sadness for Trixie and Vi going to their fifth tribal in a row and I'm just sitting here like listen, any goddamn time someone wants to take my seat at tribal and give me the night off, they're welcome to it. Denise Stapley is a cute look on some people, I guess. I'm just fine over here with my Cirie Fields kickback realness, I don't need tribal council, y'all can wait until FTC to give me a torch as far as I'm concerned.

What's the haps? Stress, angina, and crippling anxiety. Anyway. We won immunity which I'm real happy about because I can nOT go to tribal council. I absolutely refuse to lose and I'm really hoping I just make it to merge without attending a tribal council. For some reason I feel like I will I will either go to like the tribal before merge and leave at the first tribal I attend or I will make it to merge without losing and I will be merge boot. I really am happy because I feel like if we went to tribal council Drew would have targeted Autumn which is something I am SOOOO against. I literally sold my soul to that girl and that's who I'm riding with for the rest of the game. So because I love ha so much I kind spilled the beans to her about Drew targeting her. I feel like really bad about it though cause I do consider Drew a close friend but for some reason I'm really having a hard time trusting him. I just feel like he's only with me until he doesn't need me anymore and then he'll totally see me for the threat that I am and take me out. I feel so bad about it but I just feel like it's what I needed to do to show Autumn that I trust her and have her back. Because of that I think Autumn would've gone after Drew and I feel like I would've had to pick a side and I really just can't vote Drew out yet njvjsdfkdnsjk. I would literally feel terrible about it cause I usually don't turn on my close allies pre-merge but if he goes after Autumn then I have no other choice. As I'm typing this I'm beginning to wonder why I didn't just tell Drew that I didn't want to vote Autumn out. Maybe he would've said ok we can target somebody else. Why don't I trust him enough to say that? Hmm idk I'm just so on edge. So a 4 person alliance was created and I'm soooooo happy. MY first alliance in this game! I finally feel have something I can maybe rely on and trust for a bit. It includes Autumn, Jake, and Tyler all of which I LOVEEEEE. Like omg this is my dream alliance I'm screaming. If we stick together we at least have enough to tie it. But who knows what will happen. I'm watching you JAKE >.>