#we also find out that Peril manipulated into staying by the Queen who says she needs to eat these black rocks or she’ll get sick

[the-starlight-papers]

Shoutout to my friend for letting me monologue about the plot of wings of fire for two hours while I highlighted all of the war crimes and otherwise messed up things that happen in those books

[mudwingpropaganda]

“Sky” and Peril

I don’t have a picture to show for it but after being told what happens in Dragonslayer (which I am refusing to read), I’ve been considering how “Sky” (who I’m going to call Ember because the fandom has done much more for that character than Tui ever has) could have survived and what that means for his character and dynamic between Peril and him.

Ember also canonically makes Peril a trans woman! Good for her!

I imagine that this confrontation between Kestrel and Queen Scarlet’s guards took place among the hatcheries, too high in the mountain for invading dragons to sneak in to harm the hatchlings or eggs and perfectly met with cliffs to kill off the overpowered "wrong” SkyWing hatchlings, such as animus dragons or firescales. 

Upon Peril and Ember’s hatching, in which Kestrel was invited to since its traditionally the men who watch the eggs (Soar), Kestrel was set up with being forced to kill one of her dragonets, or both of them.

Kestrel was a soldier. She could absolutely have killed Ember if she wanted to. But she steeled her claws and threw Ember off the cliff. And rashly attempted to take Peril and fly away. Which we knew what happened next. Kestrel dropped her after Peril burned her arms and couldn’t return to her hatchlings, assuming one was dead because of gravity and the other was dead by the blades of SkyWing guards. 

But Peril survived, and grew up to be Scarlet’s champion.

But Ember survived as well? A hatchling surviving a fall by landing in a river and being swept away. Ember never gets found by scavengers. No dragon riders story please. Ember instead is spotted by guards who’s immediate assumption is that someone’s dragonet got washed away, in which they bring Ember back and realize that he’s fireless and was meant to be killed.

So Scarlet twists a smile and uses Chameleon to create a spell for Ember to be another creature of manipulation and bargaining, just in case she needed it. She told Peril that her brother was near death due to her absorbing all of his fire and made sure she felt like the monster she wanted her to be. She never confirmed her brother was dead. But she didn’t comfort her that her brother was alive either.

Ember was transformed, with Darkstalker’s scroll and Chameleon’s vendetta, to be nothing more but a room keeper and a general butler. Raised by staff and kitchen chefs, fed scraps and told to stay very very far away from the arena, lest getting swept into being one of the night’s performances. 

And then the Dragonets of Destiny storm in. Scarlet considered using Ember as a bargaining chip to wrench into Kestrel’s heart, but she went down so easily over a couple of dragonets she wasn’t even related to that it was pathetic as it is! 

When Glory spat on Queen Scarlet’s face, and her bloody orange reign was brought to an end, she commanded Chameleon sneak her out of the palace and know where that wretched fireless dragonet is, who would do exactly as she says. Just like Pyrite, they were a total victim of admiration for Scarlet.

Escaping Peril already had extremely high stakes. I’m not quite sure how to properly incorporate “long lost twin brother!!!” into the mix. But my best assumption is that Peril continues to assume her brother is dead, for years to come. Until there’s a canonical “glitch” in the animus magic of Pyrrhia, a wave brought upon by the demise of the most powerful animus dragon in the world, as his magic is expelled throughout the world. 

And the SkyWing guards call Ruby and announce a number of dragons seizing and their faces changing into another’s. But this includes Ruby. Ruby is terrified of the implications of the sheer amount of dragons that Scarlet transformed, but among the victims, after tearing off their jewelry until the “glitch” in the magic ends, she finds a SkyWing who can’t breathe fire. Devoid of an identity, the skills he knew from cleaning the only thing haunting his mind. And a sister, once the “cause” of his death now being the only other dragon that can touch her without dying. Wouldn’t that be interesting, trying to make an entire identity for yourself after years of the kind of torment that Hailstone or Ruby went through?

[courtorderedcake]

Hallow : ch xiv - CSSNS 2019

“The Goblin King was prepared to host the Darkness, stealing Fae women away to their corrupted lands underneath the ground as concubines. The Darkness chose another in his stead, but not before this selected vessel enacted a devastating attack in its vengeance, revealing its hatred & rage. The battle was a lesson the old kings had forgotten; never underestimate an opponent.

Many more lives were lost as they razed over any who dared defy The Goblin King’s will. Only the pure love of our rulers united in matrimony, breaking the Vorpal Dagger, sealed the darkness and the Goblin menace away. The light flourished under their fair rule, and the queen bore a child as pure as moon beams, swan feathers, and starlight. They lived happily ever after, and shall be written in history as Heroes for All Time.”

This is the history Princess Emma memorizes from the day she is born, paraded about and presented only with the highest protection. The palace is a cage she wishes to escape, desperately. Not careful what wishes she made, Emma discovers history is written by the victors - The Dark One has an entirely different version of the events that took place.

Read on AO3 here.

Rated E for explicit themes, Mature situations, and Fae fuckery.

Written for @cssns

Ch / ?? - In which they will always find each other

He woke to Lilly sitting beside Emma, holding her hand in her own. The sight made his stomach lurch. While things were still jumbled in his head, he could distinctly remember her betrayal as she burned the castle they were in to the ground as a Dragon, and her indifference on the beach as Emma was drained. She looked up to see him watching, and he could see she was crying, tears falling over a bitter frown. 

“I know. I don’t have any excuses… Cruella manipulated me as if I was a puppet. I couldn’t see it before, but now it’s like I see everything.” Lilly looked down, lightly smoothing Emma’s hair. “I’m so sorry. I don’t know how - I don’t think I’m a match for her here or there. She’s so much more powerful than I ever could imagine. She fooled us all.”

“Did you see Emma? I couldn’t get to her before I woke. Isaac pulled me into some kind of bubble. She looks even weaker, and last I saw her…”

“Cruella is draining so much more than usual. I don’t understand how or why Cruella keeps taking her magic, but Emma is falling apart. Her dreams are sometimes unstable, her magic is too powerful to be contained within the rites, and it’s not always Isaac in control. I am really frightened for her.” Lilly swallowed hard. “I saw Cruella talking to this… this thing; a big black monster wearing a no face, I mean, a husk mask. It spoke in a thousand voices, and was almost gelatinous, forming limbs as it pleased. Emma swore she saw the same monster in the bath house here, and it told her that it was ‘Hungry’. I didn’t believe her then, but I heard it say the same thing as Cruella soothed it. She promised it that she would free it soon, as soon as she was done fattening it up. Does she mean for it to eat Emma? Why would she befriend that thing?”

Isaac’s words began to return to him. 

“The hungry ghosts. Cruella wants Emma to be a husk. If Emma falls and loses herself, Cruella will be more than powerful, practically unstoppable, with Emma’s magic fueling her own. That creature you saw is what’s left of the husk’s who got lost in those fantasies, tricked by Cruella. Isaac has an idea - Emma has to hang on, has to shock herself awake through nightmare after nightmare, but not lose herself in the process.”

“Cruella is not going to go down without a fight,” Lilly warned, and he nodded, Emma’s pull making him suddenly tired. “I’ll keep watch. Get Emma out of there, and please keep her safe.”

“That’s the plan. I won’t leave her.” He closed his eyes, feeling himself leave the cathedral. 

A noise stopped him and as if he was a ghost, he looked down at Emma, himself, and Lilly struggling against two men. One carried a crowbar while the other brandished a club, swiping at her as she looked back to where they lay. With a pucker of her lips and a deep breath, Lilly blew fire in a circle around them all, the men stalking the perimeter. 

“Now now, Lillykins. That wasn’t very fair, considering. Horace and Jasper just wanted to greet you with a firm salutation.” Cruella stepped across the flames, the orange fire going green as she passed through. She smiled in her spotted dress as Lilly backed up against the dais. 

“What more do you want? You’re killing her!” Lilly yelled, and Cruella laughed. 

“I’ve been doing this for a long time now, luvvie. If I’d do it to my own kin, what makes her anything special? It’s poetry that she’s also an enemy, and so strong, but I’d have manipulated this outcome regardless.” Cruella smiled, approaching where Emma slept. “Now listen, be a darling little beast and move out of the way so I can make sure no one interferes anymore. It’ll only take a minute.”

“No! Why are you doing this? What do you mean your own kind? I don’t understand, I -" 

The man with the club connected it hard to Lilly’s skull, Cruella looking on with a piteous grimace. The Dragon princess crumpled, falling to the floor and twitching, Killian’s view stuttering as she lost consciousness. Cruella tried to push Lilly aside with her foot, but grew annoyed within seconds. 

"Horace! Jasper! Throw her in the crypts. I have work to do.”

The taller of the men picked up Lilly as the Dragon groaned, Killian relieved to see her alive. They stepped out, and his vision of the cathedral grew foggy. The pull was getting too strong to resist as Lilly faded further into his mind, regardless of his grounding anger towards the Kitsune queen. 

“Oh, Princess. You will be the finest of my collection. When my ghosts get a taste of you, oh, how they’ll feast. You’ll all be so angry,” Cruella cackled, her voice far away now. “I cannot wait to see what the full extent of your magic can do.”

*✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:*✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:*✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ

The explanation Killian had given Queen Snow was thorough, but much more like a briefing than the story of what had all gone on. He intentionally skirted around his and Emma’s misunderstandings, both good and bad, and left out as much of Her Grace’s mistakes as possible. If that conversation was to be had, it belonged rightfully to Emma. Telling her that Emma’s determination and belief that he had faith in her was enough to place her in peril would be more than enough of a conversation between him and the queen. It didn’t help that he had to bite his tongue to stop himself from praise, Emma’s unselfish, kind, and courageous attempts to save him from cruelty while he should have been protecting her forefront in his mind now that Cruella preyed on them so openly. 

“So, a sleeping curse cast by none other than Cruella De Villé. I wish I could say I was surprised. I truly had hoped Maleficent’s influence and Regina staying the sword over their necks would have changed their ways.” The queen sighed deeply. “That still begs the question, why did you run to my daughter’s aid?" 

Because I would do anything to save her. I owe her that, a thousand times moreover. Because I… 

"I already destroyed my own family once and that was hard enough.” He kept his tone formal, although his nerves felt like they were fraying as the queen observed him with an owlish glare. His unfinished thought rattled him. Did she know? “But knowing that I destroyed yours, too? I just—I didn’t know how I could live with that." 

"Interesting, but not an answer that relates directly to Emma. From what I have gathered, you have saved my daughter several times now, nearly meeting very unpleasant consequences for doing so. The way you danced with her, your mannerisms and candor, it all belies a sense of familiarity that goes past friendship.” She raised an eyebrow, and he could feel the burn of her eyes on him. “Considering your… track record as it were, I’m wondering what you see of value in Emma that you would risk injury for. How do I know you haven’t just poisoned her into a cursed sleep like you did to me?”

Killian gulped, and her eyes narrowed. 

“I don’t know how to live with myself after I…” The pause was awkwardly long, but the queen nodded in understanding, encouraging him to continue. 

“Knowing fully, being unable to escape it in my cowardice by fleeing to Darkness - I can’t do that with her next to me. Every action I took, the massacre I committed haunts me, and I carry its weight as I should, and as I have to. Most killed weren’t even men; we trained green boys to go to a slaughter. I see their faces over and over without the ability to stop myself. I failed them, and I lost them. So many lost men, lost boys, all of them at my hand but not my will. I will never forget them. I can’t forget that night or so many like it following the dagger’s commands. I am trying to overcome this, to make sure that I am never a danger again, Darkness or not.”

“Lost boys and men come back to haunt anyone with a part in the war, but you have to be first on their list. You say you had no control, and now you do because of my daughter’s presence. Are you sure my Emma is not a crutch for you?” she asked. 

“She isn’t. She asks of me to lay with her -” Her reaction was vicious and instantaneous, the blade to his neck back and closer to spilling his blood than before. 

“You’ve been intimate with my daughter? I should kill you right now for that alone and pray it sticks!" 

"I swear on Liam and his honor, I haven’t touched her other than to lay beside her -” Killian rasped, pressed back into the wall. The queen was smaller than him or even Emma, but she was faster and far stronger than he’d expected. 

The sword jutted up harder, and he tried not to swear. 

“With no intentions more than soothing her from the shock she’s developed.”

The queen lowered her sword, looking surprised. She backed up a step still pointing the blade at him. “Emma has developed…" 

"She is unable to rest at all without having fits of panic in her sleep. It isn’t my place to say, but she has seen more bloodshed than most nobles, even when I have tried to guard her from it.” He rubbed his neck breathing hard, the queen biting her lip and looking aside. “There’s also her fear of Nil, especially considering what he’s said he wants to do to her.”

“My poor… Oh, my Emma,” she whispered. 

“I swear to you that I have no plans to have any sort of relationship with her after this. The Darkness will never allow it and I can’t risk hurting her.” He laid out his hands in a gesture of supplication, the queen sheathing her sword. “I want her to be happy.”

The queen took a moment to smooth her dress and tuck in her sword under a bit of skirt. After the moment of silence, she spoke quietly. 

“You sound as if you have feelings for her, though.”

She was as perceptive as Emma, staring through him like glass. 

Killian shook his head. “Only in a place where I am allowed to have them. I’m not as lucky in the waking world. I’m aware in both of my…” He grimaced, and clasped his hands behind his back. “I know I am far below the mark for who is worthy of her, even without her status, and I am very aware of my limitations regarding my curse. I carry the Darkness, outside of these rites. I can’t be around her, I can’t have feelings for anyone, let alone her. I also know my limitations regarding my history with everyone she holds dear. I would never allow that sort of pain for her. When she wakes, she will have forgotten this, and anything other than undergoing the rites." 

"Hm. Well,” she mused, and pressed her hand to her cheek. “Let’s see how Emma responds to these emotions of yours, knowing that you are under my watchful gaze and in great peril should you be anything less than her standards. You may be poisoning her heart and mind, as you sentenced me to sleep without waking. Although…" 

Her shoulders tightened as she opened the door to let them out of the dim study. He almost did not hear her whisper when it came. 

"Emma is a surprisingly good judge of character, except when it comes to you, apparently." 

He nodded. "That I wholeheartedly agree with, Your Majesty.”

They walked back through the corridor and into the ballroom where Anna, Ingrid, and Emma looked up with surprised delight. 

“There you are! We were just telling the princess about your skill at sailing and the sword. She’s never been on the sea, you know.” Ingrid smiled coyly, pulling a goblet to her lips to drink. Emma blushed, and Anna curtsied at the queen who waved her off. 

“Anna, you never need do all that. Formality went out of our shared window when you brought ducklings into our dormitories and I somehow became their mum. As far as I am concerned, while David is my husband, you were clearly my first partner.” Anna laughed brightly, and the queen gave Killian a nod as she pulled Ingrid and Anna away. 

“I take it my father is sulking somewhere from my mother’s tongue lashing?” Emma asked, wringing her hands. 

Killian snorted at the truth of the situation, but pulled a chair out, offering her a seat. She sat with a sigh, playing with a leftover bit of cheese on her small tasting plate. 

“Something like that. He was just worried is all. My family doesn’t have the best legacy -" 

"You and Captain Liam have fixed that legacy ten times over, and the Arendelle kingdom sings your house’s praises! What nonsense! Why I -” Emma huffed, crossing her arms. 

“How do you know all that?” he interrupted to ask, looking at her as she opened her mouth to speak, then abruptly closed it. She thought for a moment, then pressed fingers to her temples. 

“I don’t know, actually,” Emma murmured after a long pause. “I know so much about you that I can not figure out how I have learned. Like I said before, it’s like I know you." 

"Tell me something about myself, and if it’s right, I’ll reciprocate. If it’s not, you know that you’re just overwhelmed by your neverending duties to people who you feel don’t care about the real you, but only as some figurehead ideal, and you have created some elaborate, imagined story for me.” Her head shot up as she looked at him in shock. “You may find we know a lot about the other somehow, instinctually. As if you’ve known all along.”

“How…? Alright. Alright then.” Emma straightened, squaring her shoulders and locking her eyes with his. “You hate hot chocolate, even with cinnamon, which is a dreadful shame. You take Chicory instead, black as night, and like all sorts of bitter things. You don’t like thunderstorms, or like things out of your prescribed order, and both make you tense; the former more than the latter. You won’t admit that you enjoy dancing, but you do, and my theory is that it is a way for you to separate your mind from the action that is almost muscle memory. While you are very skilled with a sword, you are better with a cutlass that’s a bit longer, and better still with a pole, trident, or halberd. You know the constellations in the night sky as if they were friends you are describing, and can identify just about any fish or plant.”

Emma paused, thinking hard. “In fact, actually - I think you’re smarter than me, both in ways of the outside world’s workings which is to be understood, but rarer still, better read than me. What I don’t know you do, and the things that have escaped your knowledge, I am well versed on. The only thing we both don’t know is history, but that’s because it’s all based on testimony…”

Her eyes widened, but she stopped, her lip pulled between her teeth as her mind turned over what she’d discovered. 

Smiling, he leaned forward. “That was more than one, love. But, then again, you only pretend to like rules. Truly you find them suffocating. You love hot chocolate but also have a penchant for tarts, cookies, and cinnamon pastries preferably with glaze. You would eat granite rocks if they came with frosting on top, I’m almost positive.” Emma laughed, then covered her mouth with a blush. He continued. 

“You lived - live within a precise and fine tuned schedule, reveling in chaos where you cou - can make it. You have napped in the library shelves to escape nannies, tormented Granny the cook with her own granddaughter just behind, and have played more tricks on visitors than you dare admit to. You don’t like the idea of being trapped anywhere, but have accepted it as your duty. It makes you sad, but the thought of disappointing your family makes you feel even worse.” She let him take her hand, and he could hear her breathing hitch. “You’re a good person, and lovely inside and out. You have an uncanny ability to bring people together and find the silver linings in the world that others can’t see. It may be frustrating sometimes to have to try and dissuade you from your efforts of playing savior, but you come out on top regardless.”

“Captain,” she began, slowly. He interrupted her with a laugh, and she raised an eyebrow. 

“I was never a captain,” he managed to chuckle out, and she gave him a look of confusion. He squeezed her hand lightly. “Please - For you, it is always Killian.”

She nodded. “That’s right. You are - were - a lieutenant, but I don't… I don’t understand any of this.”

“You don’t have to. If you don’t mind, I’d love to see this world with you. You talk about it often and it would be nice to have a visual to go with your stories." 

"So we do know each other then?” He nodded and she smiled wide. “Do we - are we courting?" 

"Not exactly, but for all intents and purposes, here we have the opportunity to if you wish it.” She blushed, but her grin remained. 

“What is 'here’? My home, the palace? Or -" 

He grimaced, trying to figure out any way to summarize. "That gets… It all becomes more difficult to unravel the further you go.”

“Well, the quicker you begin the story of how this all came to be, the quicker you will be out of it.” Emma smirked, rising. “I do so love a challenge.”

“Alright. Then I’ll start at the beginning, aye?" 

"And I shall do the same, come.” Emma took his hand in hers, pulling him with her behind a curtain. Her body seemed to relax, the spring in her step more playful as she ducked into a corridor. “Let me spirit you away to my world.”

She led him to the library while he gave parts of their tale, pointing out to him towering shelves and long ladders leading to hidden alcoves, although her favorites for napping or hiding away were the highlights in her introduction of the grand space. Conspiratorially she showed him the hidden shelf that she hid illicit novels, the descriptions making her blush when he read them aloud. 

“Devoted Acolyte and Priestess, Jeriline Clearbrook, has been devoted to her craft of healing all lost souls who wander through her temple. She serves as a perfect student of the Goddess Wü, her vow to preserve her maidenhood under the teachings sacramount. 

When a non-believer from the barbaric North Kingdom is trapped within the temple walls by the magic of the Goddess, Jeriline fears that a terrible cosmic error has been made. Kadejah is rugged, unrefined, and headstrong in his beliefs - especially his belief that he should be free of his cursed confinement. His interest in Jeriline starts purely to gain his freedom, but slowly morphs into something more, challenging everything they both hold dear and their very identities.”

“It’s not as trite as the description would lead you to believe -” Emma sputtered, but as he read a particularly wicked passage about the priestess’s seduction, she ripped the book away from him. 

“I thought it was illuminating, how despite their differences and the very Gods forbidding it,” Killian teased, trailing a finger over the color that graced her neck, “Kadejah still managed to make her 'scream his name as he filled her to the brim with his massive -’ " 

"I can’t imagine why I don’t remember you at all,” Emma hissed, pushing the book back into its nook. “Such grand and supportive fun you offer.”

His teasing earned him a steely review of their next stops, as Emma tried to regain her calm amid his flustering her. The great hall and grand stairway were beautiful, and as Emma relaxed again, she seemed to remember him further. His comments began to meet her own, their rapport beginning to follow its normal beat. In the tapestry vault, she lingered closer to him, watching him carefully as he smoothed out long banners and throws. When Killian met her gaze, she did not flutter away or panic, but instead studied him closer still, looking for answers he knew she would find. 

They spent time in the menagerie area where the royal collection of animals were kept, talking about everything they could remember about each other. When a topic changed, he brought up twenty questions or silly word games while Emma remembered more by the second. She stroked a bright yellow elephant, feeding it mango as Killian puzzled over guessing what his name might be. 

“Mouse?” he asked, and she shook her head. 

“Smaller, and more colorful, with almost infinite varieties.” Emma stroked behind the beast’s ear, earning a half trumpeted snort. “Think things that fly, but are hardy -" 

"Bird?" 

"No, but closer! Tinier still, although some can be large, I suppose. Same letter, and birds eat them.” Emma shrugged. 

Killian snapped his fingers, sitting up. “Bug?" 

Emma grinned, nodding. She tossed him a mango, and he approached cautiously, Bug lifting his long yellow trunk to grab the ripe fruit. "I ride him every odd occasion, in parades or into meetings if I feel the need to have a dramatic entrance." 

"Well, he does make quite the statement,” Killian laughed. 

Emma motioned her hand, and the elephant lifted him with ease, despite his yelp. After a moment he was seated along with her on its back, Bug carefully trotting down a hallway. 

“This obviously wouldn’t be allowed normally, but I have always wanted to do this. My mother would lose her mind if she even got wind of the idea!” Emma giggled, and he laughed too. “I wonder how dream mom would react -" 

"She’s not a dream, actually. At least I don’t think so. Do you remember everything yet, or…?” Killian asked. Emma shook her head, leaning back into him. 

“Some things,” she whispered. “I am dreaming, and so are you, but you and I have feelings for each other. I can control some aspects, but there is a great evil lurking. I am being drained of my magic, and it hurts terribly." 

"I am sorry. I should never have -" 

"It’s alright. You and Lilly came in after me, but these dreams… They’re remarkable in their realness. It’s easy to get lost within them, and no one but us or a handful of others are cognizant of what is happening. The Other, Cruella and her different disguises, they’re used to this place. It’s giving them an advantage, and she’s using that to try to keep you and Lilly away from me.”

“Yes. You’re under a sleeping curse.” Bug stopped, and Emma hopped down from his back. Killian followed, Emma leading him to a familiar portrait. He took a deep breath, looking up at his brother painted so meticulously and true to life, it almost hurt. 

“I remember sitting here more vividly now than ever,” she whispered, sadly. “I think this was the easiest world yet to let myself get lost in, truly lost in here. I’m a breath away from forgetting everything, especially if it meant having everything back, and you…”

“Your mum - the Queen, she may actually be here, love. She and I spoke,” Killian swallowed, deciding to keep the incident with Cruella to himself, as not to unload too much at once. “She seems to be in here with us somehow.”

Emma cocked her head to the side, looking thoughtful. “My mom was under a sleeping curse before, when…” She looked at him, then at her feet. “When the Goblin King made you…" 

"When I poisoned your mum? And it’s any wonder she let me near you.” He tried to laugh, but it caught in his throat. 

“Killian…” Emma took his hand, and smiled gently. “If she didn’t ram a sword down your throat, it’s a sign that she has a bit of hope for you.”

He chuckled, unable to stop himself. “She tried. I believe that like you discovered, I’m much too much of a hassle to dispose of that way.” Emma laughed, swatting at him. When he caught her hand, she led him away from Liam’s portrait and outdoors. They entered a pretty solarium, partially shaded and hidden by a copse of willows. Stained glass peppered the ceiling and walls in different shapes, casting rainbows on the stonework floor. 

Flowers bloomed everywhere, pots and planters overflowing with blossoms. Emma walked towards the closed exit door, pushing hard to reveal an atrium of some sort, the door itself concealed behind a tall painting. French doors with intricate wood inlay stood partially open on one side of them, a sitting area and entry table in front of them. Another door lay beyond that, in what Killian guessed must be her bedroom. Emma closed the hidden passage behind them with a soft click. 

“This is my chambers, and one of the secret ways in. That solarium is usually fully hidden unless you know the way.” Emma tugged him forward slightly, pointing at the artwork covering the passage. It was a forest scene, light streaming down onto foggy moss and wet leaves, the greens verdant and many colored leaves bright. “I was given this by a Contessa, who offered me so many different treasures. This was the only one that I found worthwhile, and truly beautiful.”

“You have good taste,” said a voice from behind them. They turned to see Emma’s father walking from her room. “Must have gotten it from someone.”

“Daddy! You scared me, what are you -” Emma attempted to take a step forward towards him, but Killian held her back. “What -?" 

"Ask him something only your father would know.” Killian stared down the King, Emma continuing to look perplexed. 

“Um…” she began. “Let me think I guess - uh -" 

The King plunged a dagger through Killian’s chest, Emma screaming in shock at the sudden and unpredicted violence. 

"I hate having to keep doing this, simply because you won’t listen, like a good puppy,” Cruella sneered, twisting the blade before wrenching it out. “Wake up, and stay out.”

The last thing he saw before everything faded to black was Emma’s terrified face. 

*✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:*✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:*✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ

David N'lan was many things, even by Emma’s measure as his daughter. He could have a ferocious temper, as it had been written about in legends of his fierceness in battle or noted in his proud family history as a raging fury passed down from his father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, brutal warriors who made their marks as Kings. Emma had not learned much about them outside of the ballads of their victories or heroics, her father inheriting only some of their battlelust, the majority apparently settling in his twin brother James moreover. Her mother had said that Emma had a calming effect on him, even more so than their marriage had. Unless either of his 'favorite girls’ were threatened, the King was a fair, kind, jovial, and moderate man. 

Emma had seen him truly angry only in a few circumstances, usually after the majority of whatever had vexed him seemed to have dissipated. Graham was terrified of her father after his threats, and the few instances that Emma had been hurt or could have been severely injured by carelessness had drawn his ire. Emma remembered his silliness, laughter, and his love first in any situation, followed by his ability to find humor and be overall lighthearted. 

She had never seen the malice in his eyes, or the ravenous look of greed that curled his lips as Killian crumpled in front of her. Whoever, whatever , stood in front of her was no father of hers, and in no way could be any version of him. 

Feeling panic try and root her to the spot, Emma pushed out an exhale, doing the opposite. The fear of what she believed wore her father’s face still tore a scream from her, but it was better to do so while running than allow it any more time near her. She heard it scrabble behind her, but willed her eyes to not look as she tore through the halls. Killian had said that her mother was potentially here, and Snow N'lan would never have let Killian get far with Emma if there were any threats or she had any possibility of worry - a cursed sleep met both requirements. 

The flash of a reflection on the floor caught her eye, a sun spot bounced off a mirror. Following it with her gaze Emma made the quick turn as Cruella sounded right behind, and saw a great white and black dog creature crash into the wall out of the corner of her eyes. Emma barely kept her own footing, managing to grab her mother’s hand as the giant dog-like thing shook itself and gnashed its jaws. 

Pushing Emma behind her and pulling her bow taut, Snow let arrows fly in rapid succession, Cruella falling dead in the form of a massive, wolf-like fox spirit, so close that their skirt hems ruffled with her last exhale. 

“Sorry I couldn’t get her sooner. I’d hoped the Dark One would be more useful in providing protection for you, but -" 

Emma hugged her mom, wrapping her arms tightly around her and sobbing like a child. The Queen stumbled slightly but as she laid her bow and quiver down, she wrapped her arms around her daughter in turn, soothing her gently. 

"Hey now, hey my little buttercup, it’s alright. I’ve missed you so much Emma, we all do. We’re all so worried about you -" 

"I’m so happy you’re here, Mom. I love you so much. Are you all OK? Please tell me you are all safe and alive - everything is so messed up, I don’t know what to do -" 

"We’re surviving, and everyone is alright. Worse for wear, but alright considering. The Dark One said as much about things being difficult, if he is to be believed. I’m so sorry we didn’t prepare you better, I’m so sorry for sending you here with him. I should have gone with you, or your father…" 

"I’m so glad you are all alive, oh Gods, I’ve been so scared! And yes, he is to be believed, he's… I trust him with my life." 

"So I’ve heard, but I thought it was one-sided, or a falsehood. I suppose that he was telling me the truth.” Snow furrowed her brows. Glancing back at the dead animal, she pinched the bridge of her nose, and ushered Emma away from it. “Come, Emma. Let’s take tea in the drawing room until either that thing comes back, the Dark One returns, or we figure out a way to get you free of this. I feel we may need to talk.”

Emma nodded, watching Cruella fade away completely before standing up. Her mother led her to the sunny drawing room, its elegant doors open to a beautiful courtyard. They sat together while a servant fetched them tea and small cakes, both making small conversation. She found that she couldn’t recall the last time her mother had been free enough to do something as banal as tea between only the two of them, let alone idly chatting. When Emma felt relaxed, her mother struck. 

“The conversation I had earlier, with the Dark One…” Her mother set her teacup down slowly, sliding the cup so the handle sat just so on the saucer. “You fell for him then, truly?" 

"That’s what you’re focusing on? Seriously Mom?” Emma exploded, exasperated. Her mother eyed her shrewdly, and Emma felt a rage rise in her that roared like a lion. She pushed it down, the uncalled for and frightening urge to smack the calculated calm from her mother’s face too tempting after everything that had happened. “I’m hoping beyond hope that you are real, because yes, I did. He’s helped me navigate through all of your mistakes. He’s different when we’re together, and I -" 

"Your father is going to go mad at this development,” Snow said, using both hands to pick up and sip at her tea. She sighed. “This was not what I meant when I said destroy the Darkness. As for my mistakes, I am aware of my rash judgements in the past but they certainly - ”

“Destroy? It’s not destroyed, it’s still in him. He’s just caging it, he - ”

“Emma. Do you know how we stopped him, and how we broke the Dagger?”

“True Love’s Kiss. It woke you from a sleeping curse. The Dark One poisoned you, his orders to preserve you for execution by the Goblin King. Father woke you as the Goblin King commanded the Dark One to kill you both -" 

"Our kiss shattered the Dagger, and stunned the Darkness. I could feel it when I was filled with that power, when the light hit it. The tiniest smidgen hung on by a thread. That bit of Dark is what is left, and it can be destroyed no matter how loud it declares it cannot. If you love him - truly, unabashedly, love him - and if he can put enough faith in trusting himself to love you with complete denial of the Darkness’ pull, you could have a chance of True Love outside of this place. It’s the smallest chance of happiness, but there is a chance to save him. It means you risk everything: you risk breaking your heart for his benefit, and I don’t want that for you.”

“All love comes with the chance of heartbreak, Mom. All love means risk, and all love is a dangerous gamble. You and Daddy were a gamble; he risked everything for you, and to give you that kiss. You risked everything by agreeing to ascend to the throne, becoming a singular target. You both took chances and ended up making decisions based on faith in each other - I want that. I think Killian and I could have that. I finally feel like I have met someone who understands the walls I didn’t know I had built up. I love what I see when I bring down his own, and who he is.”

“You’ve grown so much, Emma. You almost sound as if you know what heartache this will bring you, as if you can fathom it, or understand the lengths men like him would go to, just to use you.”

“I do understand, Mom! I did grow up! I’ve been torn apart by this world and put myself back together only to get chewed up and spat out. I had to grow. There wasn’t an option, alright? Killian, he has been both the worst and the best, and he is growing too. He’s fighting for control for himself, first and foremost, and because he wants to be better. I wish you could just for one moment realize how much bullshit you’ve made me overcome!” Emma yelled, standing up in anger and knocking her tea cup to the floor. It shattered, and Emma let out a frustrated noise before taking in a deep breath, bending down to pick up the shards. 

Her mother looked appalled, but kept quiet, staring at her as if she was a stranger. 

“I’m sorry, Mom. I miss you so much. I miss all of you, and Father. I have longed for your counsel and tried so hard - I’ve had to undo and learn so much… It’s been a lot. I… I don’t feel like myself anymore. I’m a different Emma than you knew, and I am not sorry for that, just sad you can’t see what made me change and why I am making my decisions.”

Her mother’s face was unreadable, the expression one Emma hadn’t seen before: a cross between pensive anxiety and concerned sadness. Emma swallowed thickly, her mother a stranger before her as she had become a stranger herself. 

“I…” Emma began, and choked down the sudden feeling of intense guilt that flooded her. “I need a moment. I think I’ll wait for Killian in the garden.”

“If you’re sure?” the Queen asked, and Emma nodded, the tone of voice her mother was using confirming her decision. When difficult dignitaries or events took place, her mother used that gentle firmness as an indication she wanted to be done, her tone to excuse herself politely. 

Emma nodded, armor up and engaged, knowing that this truly was her mother in her dreamscape. Only a mother could twist her heart like this, and still wring out only love. “Yes, I’m sure. I’ll find you later.”

Her mother left quickly, and Emma felt relief, which in turn only made her feel even worse. 

*✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:*✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:*✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ

Killian woke up with a start, the feeling of being eaten alive by the malignant Darkness, its sharp teeth leaving him stunned, like his bones were sucked clean of offal. He looked around for Emma and found her still sleeping, her pallor gray. She shivered and let out a tiny noise when he tried to wake her, skin clammy to his touch, Isaac’s thrall still holding tightly. 

He let out a huff of frustration, his jaw muscle tight. 

“Bloody hell." 

He laid his head down beside her own, falling easily back into the curse. The Darkness resisted burning away, the tearing feeling of being flayed as the curse peeled it off of him like drowning in liquid flame. 

You will regret this whence you return. This I promise. 

I may not be able to stop you now, but I can certainly hurt her in this weakened state. 

When it was done, he stumbled into the dreamscape gulping for air. Emma was waiting for him in the garden, looking exhausted but stunningly beautiful. The breeze was cool, flowers swaying, the pink color of their petals dappled with afternoon sunlight. The cloak she wore moved to the side, her white gown showing a long column of neck. Killian took a deep breath, remembering himself, remembering her and Gods was that a mistake when the cloak fell away. It was a wonder that anyone could look at her at all in her court dresses, everything tailored to stun, leaving him in awe even with his bias. 

"You’re back! I swear to you, that wasn’t my father!” She ran to him, and he caught her as she examined him, checking to make sure he was awake. He swallowed hard, no, anything but hard, her hands trailing up the sleeves of his uniform. “I thought you left me alone in this place, I thought you abandoned me, and you weren’t coming back - ”

“Never. I’d never. If you have need of me, I will always come back. Did she hurt you? Do you know where we -" 

"Yes. Yes, we’re in the dream, and I can feel I don’t have much time. It’s getting worse, the forgetting and them taking my magic. She tried, clawed me pretty good, but I ran. She’s getting stronger, Killian." 

"I know, we are trying. We have to go through the nightmares soon -" 

"In case you fail, I have a request,” Emma whispered against his chest. 

“Anything. We’re going to get you out of here, but anything -" 

Killian’s shoulders tensed when her lips pressed against his, the sharp inhale of surprise that he was sure she could feel when she let them press together. His panic left it chaste and awkward, leaving her to pull away in embarrassment. 

With her face reddening, Emma stammered and stepped away. "I’m sorry. I just, I’ve never been kissed properly by you when we both - I mean, we both are aware and I - I thought that we were more than friends or companions or whatever we are. I wanted to remember, and if I was to remember anything it would be that. I shouldn’t have done that, please forgive me.” He caught her by the arm before she could escape, fighting back a well of emotion that ached. 

At least she would forget as she had forgotten him before in these dreams, all the imagined early morning conversations, her kisses and the way he always came so close to wanting her while holding himself back. Even against not realizing what was going on, and understanding this was all fantasy, he had kept his lust for more of her tamped firmly down. He had known on some level what he was unable to remember, that she was more, and that she deserved consent. 

The constants were now Killian finding her, and forgetting until it was too late - but always, always , wishing this was real. 

[quilloftheclouds]

Writeblr Positivity Week!

(Ignore my heckin’ weird handwriting.)

I knooowwww this is super late but Quill got real busy this week with working on schoolwork and Nano so I didn’t have time to finish this up until now but!! Have this!!!

As a part of Writeblr Positivity Week, a lovely event hosted by the wondrous @pens-swords-stuff​, I have put together:

A Selection of Quill’s Favourite WIPs and Writeblrs

(Because there is absolutely No Way I could show all of them, and this is already super long so under the cut we go~)

@lady-redshield-writes​: Not only a wonderfully supportive icon of the writeblr community, who always leaves marvelously inspiring and insightful comments on original content that gives me and undeniably many others so much more motivation to write, but Lady Red is also such a heckin’ inspirationally SKILLED WRITER. IT’S HECKIN’ AMAZING. Her characters! Her description! The amount of personality in her dialogue and just how engaging her worldbuilding and created atmospheres are, but the EMOTION. THE EMOTION. GOOOO read something of hers and you’ll instantly know what I mean---good luck getting through not completely overwhelmed with feeling!

And Miles to Go Before I Sleep: Humans are the size of insects, warriors ride dragonflies into battle, and an eldritch god-ant rules with absolute power. 

Symphony Number Five: Evka Sekerak, composer and musician, directs the Teplirov Symphony, and is commissioned to write her fifth symphony by the military officials who keep her city captive.

@waterfallwritings​: HECK MATE. JASON. DUDE. WHERE DO I START? YOU’VE BEEN TOSSING COMPLIMENTS MY WAY ALL DAY WHAT. But seriously though, this kid is best. Best Friendo of the Quill. Jason is hugely supportive throughout my writing and throughout my real life since I met him, and his own writing is basically the main inspiration behind why OSS even exists in the first place. We’ve had absolutely so much fun reading through each others’ works and joking around, and talking with him has helped me to discover and develop so many things about my own wip. Not only that but!! His writing is marvelous. His characters are all so fun in their own ways, and I’ve loved watching as they’ve developed to such three dimensional personalities in a story full of epic adventure and intrigue!

A Selkie’s Home: After a storm and a shipwreck, a selkie missing her skin, a triton disguised as a human, a morally questionable sea witch, and a hapless lover of the ocean end up on the same island. When the selkie is kidnapped, the remaining three have to form an unlikely alliance to get her back.

@bookenders​: ENDERS IS A REAL DARN NEAT PERSON OKAY. She is the cool 🌵 friend!! She’s a wondrously creative and kind person, and so much fun to talk to! Her STS asks are always so interesting to answer and I just. And I! Just! Love! Her writing oh my stars it’s the best thing ever. Her characters are always so relatable and lovable, with such wonderful personalities and are always so detailed that they feel like real people. She’s also the creator of several of my favourite characters (see: Fred from H2H and Ryan from FF). Her description is astounding, and the way she experiments with different formats and styles is so, SO inspiring, and she always does it in such a skillful way, that reads so nicely!

Heart to Heart: After a series of half-drownings in the lake near the small town of Lindsay, a strange woman appears on the shore, refusing to speak. The local apothecary is sent in to try and help, and now... they’re roommates?

Fish Food: Now assigned to facing the villains of the lowest threat levels after suffering severe losses from his fight against the supervillain Nightmare, Iron Will has to team up with the worst villain he’s ever seen to fend off the threat of a conspiracy that could destroy their world as they know it.

@abalonetea​: OKAY FIRST. Amazingly supportive. Amazingly friendly and creative and an absolute delight to talk to! Katie is marvelous. Her art and her moodboards are so cool and so wonderfully fitting to her characters and stories. And her writing? Oh. Ohhh. Her writing is to die for. Her unique skill of manipulating different text formatting to match the emotion and thoughts of her narrative is just. Stellar, and sets her writing apart from anything I’ve read before. It’s so full of emotion, the way she writes dynamics is INSPIRATIONAL, and her worldbuilding is so wonderfully detailed and engaging. I just. I just LOVE. OKAY. I don’t normally ship characters but Red and Bolte will always be my favourite. And Katie’s message of hope being able to stick it through the worst of it is such a wonderfully motivational theme!

Groundhog Day: Two versions of the same classic rpg video game, one the gritty reboot of the other, glitch together, switching the games of one of the characters with his counterpart—Red and Blue. Now they have to try and find their ways back amidst the formation of friendship and family and the threat of a new war.

As Time Passes On: Two classic pirates form a precarious alliance to set out to find the Eighth Sea, and a device that can turn back time.

@livvywrites​: I’ve only more recently been getting into Livvy’s works but. Wooooooow. WOW. Her writing is fantabulous. Her graphics are gorgeous. I LOVE her characters, so so much. They’re all so distinct in personality and backstory and situation, and the way they’re all involved in the story is marvelously fascinating. SPEAKING OF THE STORY THO. Livvy’s worldbuilding is???? SO IN DEPTH. It is the most deep worldbuilding for a magic type world I think I’ve yet to see on writeblr? I am sooo very excited to see how she integrates it into the plot! But also Livvy is an absolutely magnificent person all around and so supportive and creative and sooo fun to talk to. Love ya, darling~

The Martyr Queen: Alinora Mynerva is visited by one of Death's Reapers, and told she was never meant to exist. She is asked to become his Champion, to stop Fate from destroying the world. Alinora isn't sure she's willing to fight a god... but she is willing to fight the man who took her homeland from her 10 years ago.

Pirate’s Bane: [Quill legitimately can’t summarize this one in so short a space because it’s so delightfully complex, but it’s a brilliant continuation of the previous book above! Go click the link to read the synopsis on the intro post~]

@mvcreates​: I’M SORRY FOR ALL THESE TAGS DEAR MINA BUT YOU DESERVE THEM. Probably just the most interactive person in the writeblr community, Mina’s events and ask games and onwards all are so wonderful, and her engagement with reblogging and commenting on people’s original content is inspirational. AND I’M SAYING IT FOR THE THOUSANDTH TIME BUT THAT DOESN’T DECREASE IT’S MEANING: heckin’ poetic like prose with how much symbolism she fits in there and how lovely it sounds to read aloud, wonderfully clever dialogue and banter and characterization, and characters you love to root for. And her ART. OH MY STARS HER ART. *swoons at majestic colours and shading and textures*

Retrocognition: An investigative journalist with a paranormal gift joins forces with a cantankerous federal agent to expose a Reno-based politician’s (murderous) corruption.

The Vizier’s Apprentice: An alternate universe retelling of a classic Persian love story: One Thousand and One Nights.

@dogwrites​: Venturing into the world of Crime of Mind has only been a very recent endeavour of mine, and I’m only two episodes in at the moment, but gosh golly yarn darn it this story is MARVELOUS. Dog’s ability to write memorable characters with such distinct and identifiable personalities is lovely, their dialogue is wonderful and the body language and description is so heckin’ engaging, and puts you right in the scene with them. And Dog’s also a marvelous artist holy wow. NOT TO MENTION just how awesome Dog is as a person?? Heckin’ ridiculously nice, leaves such insightful and appreciated comments that charge me on. AH. JUST A LOVELY LOVELY THAT I HAD SUCH AN HONOUR OF MEETING. YES.

Crime of Mind:  Dr. Benji Russells, an autistic federal agent, is the youngest member of the Behavioral Analysis Unit, whose knack at viewing individuals and their behavioral chemtrails turned her into a viable asset---but delving into the minds of the country's most insidious leaves none unscathed in the end.

@ardawyn​: OH. MASTER OF DESCRIPTION, HERE. All of Sophie’s writing feels like it could have been written in the world of the story itself despite being very clear and lovely to read, with a vaguely medieval vibe to it all that adds so much to the reading experience. The way she describes environments just puts you right into the scene with the characters, characters that are all written marvelously with beautifully lovable personalities and dialogue and dynamics. And her graphics? Oh, ohhhh. Sophie is probably my greatest inspiration for making graphics and aesthetics for writeblr. Every single one of hers are instantly eye-catching and fit the mood and theme sooo well. Plus, the comments she leaves on my content are just the sweetest thing, and always warm my heart when I read them. <3

The Dawnbringer: A niece of Issarien’s king, Tilda fights against the constricting expectations of her role, making it her mission to find her brother after his disappearance. Rajani is given rooms in the castle of the Prince of Hallrein after being caught stealing, offered a perilous deal she has no choice but to accept. But these two women are connected in an unknown way...

Night Crystals: Amaria was raised an assassin at the orphanage The Obsidian to serve the king of Calastari. But after discovering a secret, she must make the choice whether to stay and swallow lies, or seal her death sentence trying to leave.

@radley-writes​: Although I haven’t interacted much yet with Radley, I’ve fallen completely in love with their writing and ideas. Their art is so lovely and professional and clean, and the body language and personality it portrays is marvelous. But their writing? Outrageously good, and brilliantly hilarious. I’ve mainly only been following His Majesty’s Starship so far, but the way that Radley is able to match the vocabulary and narrative to the time period of the story is so skillful and inspiring, and is absolutely wonderfully engaging by placing you right into the setting like it’s real. The integration of worldbuilding is done extraordinarily well and I am in love with all of the distinct personalities and dialogue of their wondrous cast of idiots.

His Majesty’s Starship: The Eurasian powers expand their empires to the furthest-flung reaches of the solar system – as well as their endless wars. As nations and companies vie for control of the Off-World Colonies , a trio of utter imbeciles come into possession of a secret that many would kill for. A secret that changes everything…

Anywayssss there are sooo, so many more wips that I consider favourites of mine, and so many more writeblrs that I think are the absolute bomb, but Quill’s energy isn’t limitless! 

That said, maybe I’ll make up a simpler post of a bunch of recommendations later... hm..........

ANYWAYS YEAH GO CHECK THESE LOVELIES OUT

[wheremytwinwatches]

[Where My Twin Watches]: Full Metal Alchemist Brotherhood Episode 34

Last time: Detective Kimblee got curbstomped, nobody wears hats in freezing weather, and the contents of The Mighty Armstrong’s letter shall forever remain a mystery. Onwards!

Inside Fort Briggs, Ed is shocked to learn that having a metal limb attached to your flesh in subzero weather can be hazardous to your health, he’s being treated for exposure. A spiky-haired blonde doctor’s talking about how the cold freezes flesh and unoiled automail will stiffen.

So do all automail Briggs soldiers carry around oil cans, then? Like Buccaneer, who just came into the med room complaining about Al’s head being stuck in his chainsaw-arm. Apparently northern automail- Hold up, is it just me or does this new guy in a labcoat who’s working on Buccy’s arm look like Havoc? Eh, maybe it’s just the cigarette. -northern automail is flexible, lightweight, and resistant to the cold, so they worked out an alloy. And here Ed was just trying to transmute iron, makes sense a blend of metals he’s not consciously trying to manipulate would resist him. Aw, Buccy has an actual automail arm while his chainsaw is getting worked on. I was hoping for shoe-tying shenanigans. After the obligatory “wait this kid’s equivalent to an officer?” moment the Doc recommends he call for Winry to make a cold-weather arm. If he wants to live, that is. Also, that’ll be a hundred cens for the coffee thank you. Hmmm, maybe Ed should do some research on the place he’s going next time? I get that he’s used to Central military life, but the North seems to run on different rules. Still doesn’t keep him from being irritated. [Major-General Armstrong]: “Hello, little red runt.” Major-General Armstrong; so intimidating that when she nicknames our height-sensitive protagonist after a fairy tale he’s too frozen with fear to respond. And then the mechanic returns Al’s head with his “hair” left a scraggly stump? This day is not going the Elric Brothers’ way. Episode 34 - “Ice Queen” ...as much as I like Major-General Armstrong so far and you lot seem to worship her, I have a lot of favorite characters who have taken the title “Ice Queen”. Let’s see how she stacks up against them. Taking a seat at a small desk (I thought it was hers to show off an austere lifestyle or whatever until that picture of North Doc’s family, guess she commandeered the office for a bit), Major-General Armstrong asks how her brother Alex is doing. Aw, she cares! Except for snarling after the brothers say the big strong guy they know and love is doing great? (Please tell me she has a height complex with her little brother, please tell me she has a height complex with her little brother…) Anyways, time to explain why they came north. They can’t say much though, while they want to eventually deal with Uncle if they talk about the Goths it could reach the Fuhrer, and then Winry (and Riza) are in trouble. The brothers decide to just talk about the quest to recover their bodies, tracking down May to the north. Major-General Armstrong… calls them Trouble Magnets and tells them to GTFO of her fort. Except that’s what she’d “like” to say but her interest in Alkahestry trumps her irritation with the protagonists. Knowledge is power, and knowing a skill that’s little understood in her home country could be useful in defending its borders. Another weapon for the arsenal… Hoo boy. Al protests that Alkahestry is specialized for medical healing, Major-General Armstrong snaps that- [Major-General Armstrong]: “My job is far more perilous than yours. I will make use of any knowledge that I can get my hands on.” Ok then. I’m getting that people like her attitude and all… but I’m kinda concerned about that line. If her immediate reaction to Alkahestry is “how can I weaponize this”, I’m worried what Major-General Armstrong’s opinion on Philosophers Stones would be. Major-General Armstrong declares that she’ll track down May while the Brothers stay inside the fort, telling Major Miles (is that Sideburns-Guy who’s been by her side all this time?) to put them to work. No work, no food, capiche? Then down the corridor she goes with Buccy, talking about how they’re still “soft and weak”, and that they haven’t told her everything. Major Miles/Sideburns is leading the Brothers somewhere, Ed tries to engage him in conversation but he stays silent. Ed gripes that they keep getting asked questions but don’t get any answers, when Sideburns stops and- Ishvalan! Sideburns is Ishvalan! Ok then! While it’s common knowledge that Ishvalans were purged (yeesh) from the army before the War of Extermination, Sideburns is half-Ishvalan so apparently got to stay in the military as Ed’s country destroyed that of his grandfather. Ed lets out a shaky breath and says Sideburns’ people destroyed the countryside, and one of them murdered his friend’s parents. The two stare eachother down… until Sideburns chuckles? A test? Ed didn’t give him the response he’s used to (shame and pity), but it’s understandable given his complicated relationship with Scar. Wait, attempted kidnapping? When did Scar try to kidnap you, as far as I can remember all your interactions were either trying to kill each other or you using him as Goth Bait. Sideburns seems pleased with Ed’s views, ushers him on while explaining that yes he was active duty during the War, being outside the military purge requirements he stayed while his relatives died in the East. He understandably resented the military’s actions, and was confused as to why Major-General Armstrong would keep him around as a ranking officer given the racial tensions. Eventually he asked her. [Major-General Armstrong]: “This is Briggs. No matter what happens, this territory must not fall. Every soldier here must be both strong and flexible. You must move as one cohesive unit, following me your leader in all things and at all times. In short, we do not have the luxury of discrimination here. The blood of several races flows within you, and with that comes varying strengths and values. You can see this country in a way that others cannot. I was born and raised in Amestris; in order to lead I need someone with your eyes. Now shut up and follow me, Miles! Understood?!” Damn! Sorry, had to include that entire quote. Still worried about the desire to weaponize Alkahestry (and possibly Philosopher’s Stones), but I’ve gotta respect that speech. Pfft! And in addition to that awesome quote, when Sideburns asked if he can’t get over his resentment about the Extermination? [Major-General Armstrong]: *sword drawn* “Fine then, bring it! On behalf of the military I will accept your challenge any time!” Badass in Command for sure. And when Ed speculates that she said that because she had all those troops at her back Sideburns is quick to nope that idea right out. Scary lady is scary. They’re outside now, Sideburns expounding on the Survival of the Fittest culture of Briggs. You don’t have power? Dead. You have it? You might survive. Private or general, all are equal to that rule. And apparently they respect various forms of power, Sideburns notes Ed’s high luck when he trips and dodges a falling icicle. Ok, have to admit my first thought was Sideburns would say “we leave these icicles up because if you get killed from falling ice you’ve got no business at Briggs” to expand on the Survival of the Fittest, but they’ve got more common sense than that. The Brothers are assigned to scrape off the falling threats, after that they’ll get a room. Aw, poor vertically-challenged Ed can’t reach the ice while his little brother knocks them down with ease, when someone who recognizes them walks up. Oh hey, Falman! That’s right, you did get reassigned to the north. Or actually, wasn’t it the Northern Command Center? Apparently he was for a bit, but then promotion and shuffling over to Briggs. Unfortunately despite the shoulder bling the Brothers pick up that doing grunt work like this means he’s off the career track? Come on kiddos, show some tact when noting the middle-aged guy is off the advancement list! I’d run away crying too! After Falman gets it out of his system, he takes Ed and Al to the Research and Development Center, where there are a bunch of guys working on tanks. Seems Major-General Armstrong’s interest in keeping a weapon advantage extends to taking the latest Amestrian technologies and turning them into weapons. So it does extend beyond Alkahestry, then. Hmmm. Now they’re being shown a massive mechanical room, giant red pipes and fans everywhere. Falman says this is the lowest level of Fort Briggs, since Ed comments that it’s warm I’m assuming this is the engineering room that keeps all the toilets in the fort from freezing, as well as several less-important functions. [Falman]: “Even if the fort’s attacked, this area will remain safe.” ...now why did you have to say that, Falman? You know the Irony Gods can’t resist a line like that. Looking around, Ed’s pushed aside by a mechanic who’s inspecting a pipe for an odd noise, then puts his head to the ground when the Ominous Piano starts up. Digging? Spies from Drachma? Uh, the screens starting to shake and the sound is getting louder, if these are spies they are the least subtle spies I have ever seen/heard. Wait. Not Drachma! NOT DRACHMA! WE HAVE GOTH SIGN! Way, way back in the show we saw the Goth Sloth digging somewhere. I guess we know where that is now! But why? Sloth seems to have a deep voice, saying that it’s annoying to do all this digging, but it’d be a pain to die so whatever. Huh, so this Goth’s being interpreted as apathetic? Guess we’ll find out now, there goes the floor! Mid-ep pictures of Major Miles and yup, that’s Sloth. Major-General Armstrong’s getting a report on Kimblee, seems he’s been checked into a hospital after the train battle. She’s upset to hear that he’s free, especially by the Fuhrer’s orders, but that’ll have to wait because alarm! Intruder in the base!

Sloth sloooowly crawls out of the ground, a big hulking brute facing down the engineers and Elric Brothers. Sloth stares… Ed stares… Sloth stares… Ed stares… Sloth falls asleep wait what? Ooookay then. After the Brothers’s outburst Sloth wakes up and they claim they’re just there to research a way to recover their bodies. But Sloth doesn’t care? Doesn’t know them? What, did Sloth just get told to dig a tunnel to Briggs way back when and hasn’t been updated since? Why? Oh for- Buccy! They aren’t Drachman spies! Yes it looks suspicious that they were talking with the Goth, but that’s because they can’t engage it directly! So now that Sloth has finished his tunnel he seems at a loss for what to do, just stumbles forward and tosses aside a pipe segment (that nearly crushes Ed) because it was in his way. So what I’m getting is that Sloth is even more the dumb muscle of the group than Gluttony was. And durable too, the other Goths had to heal from bullet wounds but they’re just bouncing off him. Sloth shambles onto an elevator and bumps into the lever to rise, seems he’s heading to Development. Ooh, do we get to see the tanks in action? Everyone runs upstairs where troops are running around with rifles, and some hapless mechanics are stacking boxes and arming themselves with pipes. Yeah, don’t bother guys. Sloth arrives and they get ready to- [Major-General Armstrong]: “Don’t move!” *Rocket Launcher* Damn! Someone find me a good picture of her pose after that shot. Unfortunately it’s about as effective as the small rounds were, she tosses the useless rocket launcher to a hapless trooper and orders the alarm turned off. Don’t want the Drachmans to catch wind of an opportunity. Drachma this, Drachma that… part of me is imagining that this is a one-sided rivalry. [Imaginary!Drachman #1]: “Hey, do you hear that? Sounds like an alarm going off at the Amestrian fort.” [I!D #2]: “Wait, they’re still staffing that place? We decommissioned our own fort years ago, ever since we found the Light of Leto. I hope they’re ok.” [I!D #1]: “Perhaps we should send someone over to check on them. Ooh, and deliver some pamphlets!” yessss. We’ve got working tanks! Major-General Armstrong orders the fuses removed from the shells, and reassumes the title of Tank Lady as she boards the vehicle, swings her sword, and gives the command. Fire! Headshot, byotch! Sadly, these are Goths we’re talking about, who all raise a massive middle finger at any non-Alchemy means of attack. A shot from a tank shell just scraped Sloth’s cheek away, and it regrew in a matter of seconds. Sloth just gripes that pain is a pain, and stomps forward. Another shot lodges in his gut but is tossed aside and healed even faster, and further shots just bounce off. Damn, he has Adaptive Ability? Sloth’s “back to work” smashing stuff now, sends some boxes and lockers flying which Ed stops with a Transmuted stone hand. Major-General Armstrong notes his protecting her minions, and then Ed runs up to say stop wasting ammo. She demands answers, but Ed can’t answer without explaining about the Goths and violating the Fuhrer’s deal. In the end it boils down to one question: “Are you on our side or are you in league with that thing?” Ed just doesn’t want to see anyone get hurt, so the Major-General sets that aside and orders Buccy to get some tank fuel. I suppose burning did work on Lust, but that was Alchemy. Hmmm, Major-General Armstrong says they can’t stop it, just delay. And they need something stronger than fire? What are you planning? [Major-General Armstrong, smirking]: “Now you get to see the Briggs way, kid.” Oh my Leto don’t you dare aaaaargh. End of episode. Stop cutting me off, damn it! Alright! We’ve gotten some more info on Major-General Armstrong, who I’m still reserving a nickname for until I’ve got some more info on her character. I am really, really liking a lot of what I’ve seen so far, but after her immediate jump on weaponizing Alkahestry and the drive to research and develop new weapons I worry about her response to Philosopher Stones. Hopefully my fears will be unfounded and she can earn a nickname, it’s a real pain to type out Major-General Armstrong all the time. Sloth! Interesting that they went with the apathy aspect of his Sin, seems to be a guy that prefers to follow orders because thinking for himself takes more effort. Definitely got a chuckle when he up and fell asleep facing the Elrics, good humor potential there. And impressively strong, too! Should be a good battle next episode. With him I believe we’ve only got one Goth left unseen, Pride, who’s hanging out in Central with the other Goths and Uncle.

[funkymbtifiction]

Elizabeth I / The Golden Age: Elizabeth I [ISFP]

OFFICIAL TYPING by Charity / The Mod

Functional Order: Fi-Se-Ni-Te

Judging Functional Axis:

Introverted Feeling (Fi) / Extroverted Thinking (Te)

Elizabeth has a difficult time stepping away from her sense of autonomy and self; even when her life is on the line, she chooses to mislead and deflect with her words by arguing moral semantics (“I have no desire to make windows into men’s souls”) rather than agree to anything she doesn’t like. With her sister, Mary, she refuses to promise to keep England Catholic, even to please her; rather she says she promises to rule according to her “conscience.” When her cabinet pressures her to get married, she resists them by deflecting all her suitors, and dancing publically with her favorite, Robert Dudley, instead. Her need to stay queen and be held back by her status constantly frustrates her, as she asserts to Sir Walter Raleigh that she would follow him anywhere, even across the sea, if it were allowed. She does not like to force others to embrace her religion, and instead seeks “uniformity, through a common prayer book.” Elizabeth is quick to reassure others on an emotional level (“Do not think we do not care for your children”) and to embolden them in public speeches (her fiery, emotional speech to her troops) and seeks love from the men she encounters, often, as Walsingham says, “ruling with her heart, not her head.” In conflict, she becomes authoritative and commanding – lashing out and attempting to control her underlings, laying out her ambitions, shouting at the Spanish ambassador, and making detailed war plans against the Armada. But left to her own devices, she would choose the path of lenience rather than come down hard on her enemies (sparing the traitor Sir Robert, to “remind me of how close I came to danger,” and wanting to spare her cousin, Mary Queen of Scots).

Perceiving Functional Axis:

Extroverted Sensing (Se) / Introverted Intuition (Ni)

Elizabeth is torn between her desires and interests in the present, and her more philosophical musings about the future. She loves to dance, and spend time with her ladies, but also to sit in solitude and contemplate. She shows an adventurous spirit in her confession that she would love to become a ship’s captain and sail away across the sea. She tends to react in the moment, finding it easy to adapt, even when confronted with the sight of a cross-dressing duke. Elizabeth has enough wisdom and foresight to use trickery and verbal manipulations to keep her head off the chopping block when she’s interrogated in the Tower. But she pays little attention to court gossip and is shocked to discover her lover’s trysts with Sir Robert might threaten her hold on the throne. Later, she decides to become a symbol of England, by modeling herself after the Virgin Mary – a tactic to unite England behind her, and make her seem “divine.” She thinks ahead but also frets and trusts others’ intuitions more than her own – turning to an astrologer to foretell her future and that of her country.

Hogwarts House: Gryffindor

House Traits: daring, nerve, and chivalry.

More than anything, Elizabeth would love to live a life unfettered by public duty or fear. She has the heart of an explorer, bound to care for England rather than pursue her desires. She can be courageous even in the face of almost certain defeat, choosing to release the prisoners of England (“This is their country too”) and stand up to the Spanish Armada, at the time the most powerful fleet on earth. She shows courage in smaller ways also – facing down her “enemies” the Catholic priests in re-framing England’s prayer book, and in learning to forgive Bess and Sir Walter for their misbehavior.

Enneagram: 6w7 so/sp

Tritype: 649 The Seeker [6w7 4w3 9w8]

Elizabeth admits to Sir Walter, “I am always afraid.” It has made her cautious – in the first film, she deals with her sister’s accusations and those of the priests with anxious pessimism but also cunning, cleverly thinking her way around their questions and answering with subtle defiance. Elizabeth knows how to win people over to her side, appealing to the hostile bishops with humor to deflect their anger and bring them to peace; she uses similar tactics at court, and even handles the shock of the duke’s sexual proclivities with politeness. She can aggressively seek others under stressful situations, finding it frustrating when told to make instant decisions, and instead polling her council to decide on a course of action. She can also be reactive, paranoid, and suspicious, while trusting a few people (like Sir Robert) too much. Her 7 wing shows in her volatile nature, as well as her enjoyment of pleasures and fun. She has a witty side that does not like to dwell too much on pain. Her 4 is very strong in that she considers herself the exception to every rule – a queen who does not have to play the game other queens play, who choose to remain a virgin and unmarried even when others pressure her to it, and in how she focuses on what she does not have (what all other women have – a life with a husband, without peril, and with children). Her 9w8 brings out the tendency to “numb” herself to things and feeling further anguished about conflict, but also being aggressive and controlling at times (and then distraught when it creates trouble with those she loves, such as Sir Walter or Robert).

[lilacmoon83]

Dreaming Out Loud

Also on Fanfiction.net and A03

Chapter 52: Manhattan

“Red...we don’t know that it was you,” Snow pleaded.

“She’s right...we know you didn’t do this,” David agreed.

“I appreciate your confidence, but we all know that I did!” she insisted, as she stood in the cell.

“His body was ripped in half. What else could cause that kind of carnage?” she questioned.

“Plenty of things...you’re not a killer,” David admonished.

“I am David...I’ve killed dozens, including my own boyfriend,” Red retorted.

“But that was before you learned to control it,” Snow reminded.

“But I haven’t turned in twenty-eight years and I have no memory of last night. That tells me that I don’t have control! Now close the cell door!” Red pleaded. David sighed.

“Okay…” he agreed.

“David!” Snow admonished.

“No...maybe this good, because after I conduct my investigation today, I’ll find out who the real killer is and then release you in the morning,” he said. Snow smiled at him, as George stormed into the station.

“Get out…” David growled.

“Well...I see you’ve actually done your job and locked that thing up,” the former King spat.

“She is not a thing!” Snow replied hotly. But she was ignored.

“Whatever issues you have with me...they don’t extend to her. We have no proof that Red had anything to do with what happened,” David stated. George shook his head.

“As usual, Shepherd, you’re allowing your emotions to cloud your judgement,” George hissed.

“Leave him alone,” Snow snapped.

“You two are really something...protecting your friend at the peril of everyone else. I shouldn’t be surprised. I am talking to the pair that spared the Evil Queen from execution and then got us all cursed,” he spat.

“Why the hell are you here? What do you want?” David demanded to know.

“Justice. Hand that over to me and let the town decide her fate,” George answered.

“Like hell...never, because I know exactly what kind of justice you have in mind,” David refused.

“This town is bigger than you think. I start telling people that you’re putting their lives in danger to protect your own interests? You’ll have a mutiny on your hands,” George warned.

“Yeah, we’ll see. You want her, you have to go through us,” David hissed back. George smirked.

“I look forward to that,” he replied, as he stormed out. Snow put her hand on her husband’s arm.

“David...what are we going to do? If he rallies enough people, they might try to kill her,” Snow feared. He put his hands on her shoulders and looked at them both.

“I’m not going to let that happen,” he promised, as he unlocked the cell.

“What are you doing?” Red exclaimed.

“The station isn’t safe, but Belle left me the keys to the library while she’s gone. We can hide you there until we figure this out,” David suggested. Snow smiled and kissed his cheek.

~*~

That morning, after breakfast, they pulled up to the third apartment building in the SoHo district. At the last two buildings, they turned up empty, but they pressed on, even as impatient as Gold was getting. So when he hesitated to enter the building, again for the third time, Emma called him on it.

“What’s wrong?” she asked.

“Nothing,” he lied.

“This could be the place, you know,” she reminded. He nodded curtly.

“Yes…” he agreed.

“He’s not expecting you I’m guessing,” she stated. He remained silent and Belle squeezed his hand.

“All right...well, who doesn’t like a surprise?” Emma said, as she entered the building with Henry. Belle and Gold followed hesitantly.

~*~

Outside the Sheriff’s station that afternoon was quite a scene, as George rallied an angry mob.

“We won’t cower in fear to this creature any long! We know who she is...we know where she’s hiding! So why is she still alive?!” he shouted, as the mob cheered. It was sickening, as Persephone watched the former King manipulate these people and she had words for ever single one of them that was willing to follow this evil man and so quick condemn a possibly innocent woman for something she couldn’t control.

“She’s being harbored by two people. Snow White and Prince David. How many more people have to die, before our Prince and Princess decide to act?” he called. Persephone glared daggers at him and was ready to zap him to dust. But she refrained from that, while they waited to hear from Bashful on the forensics from the crime scene. She was worried though. She wondered how long it would be before they found out where Red really was and she didn’t like this unruly mob. She was afraid that they wouldn’t let anyone stand in their way and would be more apt to go through her daughter and son-in-law to get to Red rather than around them.  

“If they won’t protect you...then I will!” George claimed. She had heard enough and disappeared in a puff of lavender smoke.

~*~

“These should work,” Red stated, as she held up a set of iron shackles.

“I hate this,” Snow protested.

“I know...but you have to chain me up,” she insisted.

“Thanks for letting us hide her here, Belle. The station isn’t safe,” David said into his phone.

“Of course...keep us informed of the situation,” she said from the other end.

“We will,” David agreed, as he hung up the phone.

“Okay...let’s get you settled for the night. Bashful should have forensics back on the scene soon and then I’m going to find the real killer,” David said. Red was about to protest, but then just sighed in defeat.

“You two really have to start thinking about what happens if I am the real killer,” Red warned.

“You’re not,” Snow insisted.

“The crowd is about six blocks from here,” Granny informed them with her wolf hearing, just as Persephone appeared.

“George has rallied a huge mob,” Persephone warned.

“The only way we’re going to get the mob to stand down, is if we prove Red had nothing to do with Billy’s death. Can you stay with her? Because we need to go out there and find the real killer,” David asked. Persephone nodded.

“They aren’t getting in here,” she agreed. David took Snow’s hand and led her out the back way, with Granny trailing them, as they set off, determined to prove Red’s innocence. As they rounded the corner, David’s phone rang.

“What you have, Bashful?” he asked, as he answered.

“There’s a hair on the body that doesn’t belong to Red or Billy. But I need a little more time to run it against everyone in town,” he reported.

“Okay...that’s something anyway. Let me know when you have an ID,” David said, as he hung up the phone.

“There was a hair on Billy’s body that doesn’t belong to him or Red. He needs more time to get an identification though,” David explained, as Granny stopped for a moment.

“What is it?” Snow asked.

“I...I think I’ve got a scent on something...blood,” she said. Snow and David turned and followed Granny.

~*~

Emma looked around the small lobby and approached the switchboard. Henry stood next to her, as they tried to decipher which apartment might be a good bet.

“No Baelfire again,” Henry chimed in.

“Yeah, that wouldn’t fly as an alias,” Emma replied.

“Do any of these names mean anything to you?” Henry asked Mr. Gold.

“Well, names are what I traffic in, but sadly, no,” Gold responded. Emma pointed to apartment 407 and it was the only apartment with no name.

“Here’s you boy,” she said.

“Or it could be vacant like in the last building where there was an apartment with no name,” Gold refuted.

“Except those buildings were advertising apartments for rent. This one isn’t, which means it’s full,” Emma reasoned. He looked at her skeptically.

“You may traffic in names and magic, but I traffic in finding people that don’t want to be found. And those sort of people don’t advertise their whereabouts,” she added, as she pressed the button.

“UPS package for 407,” she stated. The line disconnected immediately.

“Maybe you should have said FedEx,” Henry quipped, as they heard a crash from somewhere above.

“He’s running,” Emma said, as the four of them hurried out into the streets. A man in a gray hoodie was climbing down the fire escape and took off running the moment his feet hit the ground.

“That favor you owe me. This is it. Get him to talk to me...I can’t run,” he pleaded.

“Stay with Belle and Mr. Gold,” she told her son, as she began chasing the man trying to evade them through the streets. Thanks to years of running, though her boots didn’t help, Emma was fast and quickly gained on him. Finally after running almost six blocks, she caught up and tackled him near an alleyway. They crashed to the ground and both started to get up. For the first time, she finally got a look at his face and her heart dropped into her stomach.

“No...Neal?” she asked in disbelief. He smiled.

“Emma?” he asked in surprise. Her mouth still hung ajar and she repeated his name.

“Neal?” she asked again, as they got to their feet.

“I don’t understand...what are you doing here?” he asked.

“What am I doing here?” she asked in return.

“Yeah,” he said.

“I’m not answering anything until you tell me the truth. Are you Gold’s son?” she questioned.

“What are you talking about? Who’s Gold?” he asked.

“You played me...you’re from there…” she realized.

“Whoa Emma, slow down! What are you talking about? Who’s Gold?” he repeated.

“Your father! Rumpelstiltskin!” she cried.

“He’s here?” Neal asked wearily.

“Why else would I be in New York?” she shouted.

“You brought him to me? Why the hell would you do that?!” he cried.

“Hey! I am the only one allowed to be angry here! Did you know who I was? Where I was from the whole time? August said you didn’t know until he told you, but why the hell should I believe that?” she screamed.

“Emma…” he started to say.

“Tell me the truth! Because Gods knows August is really bad at it!” she snapped.

“Fine! We...we just need to get off the street. We can’t talk about this stuff in the open. There’s a bar down the street,” he suggested.

“I’m not getting a drink with you! Tell me now!” she demanded.

“The bar is better...we can’t talk about there in the open. Don’t worry, you can keep yelling at me when we get there,” Neal replied. Reluctantly, Emma followed him. As much as she hated it, he was right. The street was no place for this discussion.

~*~

“You need to leave. The moon’s going to be up soon,” Red warned.

“I’ll be fine, Red. You forget I have magic. I’m the best person you could be around right now,” Persephone replied. But Red’s expression was forlorn.

“What’s wrong?” Persephone asked.

“I know Snow and David want to believe the best in me, but I’ve killed before and I’ll do it again. Everyone in this town is right to be afraid of me,” she replied.

“Well, I’m not...and I’m as convinced as they are that you didn’t do anything. Trust me, George is up to something,” Persephone refuted.

“You should be afraid,” Red warned.

“The past does not define us if we do not let it. Snow and David see the good in you and that tells me one thing,” Persephone said.

“What?” Red asked.

“That it’s in there. So if we can see it, why can’t you?” Persephone questioned.

“You really think so?” Red asked.

“Trust me...I’m the Queen of the Underworld. I know good and I know bad when I see it. And you Red...are good,” Persephone answered.

“Maybe. Maybe you’re right. But the town’s right too. I am a monster. And that’s why I need to make sure I don’t ever hurt anyone again,” Red replied, as she surprised the other woman and put the chains on her.

“What?” Persephone asked, as she tried to magic her way out of them, but found she couldn’t.

“They’re magic proof...I’m sorry, but I have to do this,” Red told her, as she started toward the door.

“Red...don’t do this!” Persephone cried.

“I can’t let you stop me. The mob wants a wolf and I’m going to give them one. I need to pay for all I’ve done,” Red responded.

“And they’ll kill you!” Persephone cried.

“Isn’t that what I deserve?” Red asked, as she ran out, leaving Persephone chained up.

~*~

“This way,” Granny called, as they approached a parked car.

“The trunk,” Granny instructed, as she followed the scent. David popped the trunk and they looked inside, finding an ax and Red’s cloak.

“The wolf didn’t kill Billy,” David stated.

“Red’s hood,” Granny said, as she picked it up.

“If someone had her cloak, then she’d be forced to change into a wolf,” Snow realized.

“So whoever killed Billy could pin the murder on her,” David finished.

“Who would want to hurt my Red?” Granny asked.

“This isn’t about Red...it’s about me. It’s George,” David said, as he went to the front of the car and searched the glove box. He pulled out the registration.

“This car is registered to Albert Spencer,” he confirmed.

“I bet he’s the hair Bashful found on Billy,” Snow deduced.

“He needed a reason to wrestle power away from us, so he created one,” David said, as they heard a howling in the distance.

“The mob…” Snow fretted.

“They’re going to kill her,” David said, as he took her hand and they started running.

~*~

Belle smiled, as she watched Rumple interact with Henry and buy him a hot dog.

“Don’t worry, Emma’s really good at catching people. I think she gets it from Gramps...cause he found and caught Grams a bunch of times,” Henry chattered.

“Yes...but my son has been running away for a very long time now, much longer than your grandmother was running. And I have a feeling he is very adept at it,” Rumple replied, as Belle put a gentle hand on his arm.

“But we did find him. That’s something, right?” the boy asked. Belle smiled.

“That is definitely something,” she agreed.

“Oh and uh, thanks for the hot dog. I forgot to say that,” Henry replied.

“You are quite welcome and thank you, my boy,” Gold replied, as they strolled away from the stand and found a bench.

“For what?” Henry chirped.

“Well, if it wasn’t for you finding Emma and bringing her to Storybrooke, none of this would have come to pass. You...are a remarkable young man,” he said.

“You know...I forgave her. Emma...for giving me up. She thought it was best for me then. That’s why she did it. I’m sure your son will get it too,” Henry said innocently.

“Alas, the circumstances surrounding our separation weren’t quite so noble,” Gold replied.

“But you’re here now and you want him back, right?” Henry asked.

“More than anything,” Gold confirmed.

“Then that’s all that matters,” Henry said. Gold didn’t look so sure, but Belle squeezed the boy’s shoulder.

“You are quite the miniature Charming, aren’t you?” she teased. He beamed.

“Gramps says that love is all that matters and family is really important. Maybe I can tell your son all the stuff Gramps tells me about love and family,” Henry suggested. Belle smiled.

“It definitely couldn’t hurt,” she said, glancing warmly at Rumple.

“Love is definitely special, especially when it comes to family and who better to teach that than a little boy that comes from such a loving family,” she agreed. She could tell he wanted to believe it too, but couldn’t quite. She hoped with all her heart that things would work out in their favor.  

~*~

“She’s close!” George called, as he and the mob entered an alley. The wolf growled from behind a dumpster.

“There you are,” George growled, as he drew his gun and prepared to fire. But suddenly, the weapon was shot out of his hand by an arrow from Granny’s crossbow.

“The next one goes between your eyes!” the old woman threatened.

“Red!” Snow called, as the mob grew angrier.

“Why are you protecting her?”

“You’re supposed to be our Mayor!”

“We’re not sheep, David. We don’t need to led by a Shepherd and a runaway Princess!”

The people shouted angrily at them.

“Listen to me! Red did not kill Billy and I can prove it!” David shouted, as he pointed to George.

“He did. He stole Red’s cloak and killed Billy in cold blood to make it look like the wolf; to get you to think we weren’t leading his town as we should,” David revealed. The wolf growled and the mob started to move toward her, even as his wife still cautiously approached her.

“Hold on! Someone already died because of what this man did. Let’s not spill more blood. She won’t hurt anyone. She’s just scared,” David said, as he followed his wife with Red’s cloak.

“Red? I know you’re in there, so listen to me. George did it...not you,” Snow pleaded.

“She’s right, so don’t let him trick you into thinking you’re a monster,” David added and she growled at that. Snow gave him a look. Honestly, she loved him more than her own life, but he really needed some tact sometimes.

“All right, all right, poor choice of words,” he admonished.

“Please Red, we know you...the real you. We know you can control the wolf,” Snow whispered.

“Red...it’s us…Snow and David,” he added. She stopped growling and sat back on her haunches, allowing David to throw her cloak over her. Red transformed back into her human form and looked at them in grateful awe.

“You saved me,” she uttered.

“No...you saved yourself. We just reminded you of what you already knew,” David replied. Snow nodded and hugged her friend fiercely then. David turned and didn’t see George anywhere.

“Where is he?” he asked.

“He’s gone. Go…” Granny urged, as David took off running after the cold blooded killer.

“David! Be careful!” she called, fearing what George might do to her husband.

“Let’s go...I don’t trust George,” Red called. Snow nodded, as they took off after him.

~*~

The bar was quiet, being that it was the middle of the day and Emma sat across from him, glaring daggers.

“Well, what do you want to know, Emma? You want the truth? Ask away,” Neal said.

“Did you know who I was when we met? August said no, but he’s a liar,” Emma replied. He took a breath.

“So...you’ve met August. No, I didn’t know, Emma. He was telling the truth about that. Wonders never cease, right?” Neal joked, but her glare remained and he looked down at his hands again.

“If I had, I wouldn’t have gone near you,” he offered.

“Really?” she asked skeptically.

“Yeah really...I was in hiding. I came here to get away from...all that crap!” he spat.

“So if you didn’t know...then you were just using me? You just needed someone to take the fall for all the watches you stole,” she deduced.

“I wasn’t using you! When we met, that was all real. I didn’t know…” he implored.

“Then August found you and told you,” she deduced. He nodded.

“He said that I was going to keep you from getting home,” Neal replied. Emma’s anger nearly boiled over at that.

“So you left me...let me go to prison, because Pinocchio told you to!” she hissed.

“Emma…” he started to say.

“I loved you,” she confessed and his heart nearly broke at that.

“I love you too...you have to believe that. I loved you enough to let you go,” he pleaded.

“That’s crap! If you had been honest with me about who you really were, then things would have been so different!” she cried.

“How? Are you really going to sit there and tell me that you would have believed me if I told you I was the son of Rumpelstiltskin and was from a magical Enchanted Forest?” he hissed quietly. She looked him straight in the eye and he was shocked to see absolute belief behind them.

“Yes…” she responded.

“I...I don’t understand,” he stammered. She took a stifled breath.

“What August didn’t know was that I already knew everything...I’ve known my whole life,” she confessed. His eyes widened slightly.

“You mean...you knew you were from there too?” he asked in disbelief.

“I knew my parents too…” she murmured.

“How is that possible? August told me they were cursed with everyone else,” he stated in disbelief.

“They were...but what he nor anyone else, including your father, didn’t know was that every night when I went to sleep, I visited a dreamscape where my parents joined me. My mother appeared there at night too and my father was there all the time, since he spent most of the curse in a coma,” she revealed. His mouth was ajar in shock.

“My mother’s biological mother is Persephone. She gave her daughter up to keep Hades from killing her. That’s why my mother was raised by King Leopold and Queen Eva, though my mother’s biological father was mortal,” Emma continued.

“Your grandmother is the Queen of the Underworld?” he hissed. She nodded.

“Persephone couldn’t stop the curse, so she asked Morpheus to create the dreamscape for us. She wanted me to know my parents, even if it was only in my dreams. And it made all the difference in my life,” she explained.

“But when you met me you...you were just as angry as I was. Hell, that’s how we bonded! Over our crappy childhoods and parents that weren’t there!” he exclaimed.

“I know!” she snapped.

“I was angry at them in my teens years! They were there...but not there. It wasn’t their fault, but at that point in my life, I didn’t give a damn. For like two years, I did nothing but scream at them and tell them that I hated them!” she said, still ashamed of her behavior during that time.

“Wow…” he mumbled.

“When I met you, I told them that I didn’t need them anymore and that I didn’t care if I ever found them. I decided that the curse wasn’t my problem and wanted nothing to do with them. They tried to remain strong in front of me, but I’ll never forget the sound of my mom crying. Dad never let me see or hear him cry, but I know he did,” she confessed. Neal swallowed thickly.

“Why didn’t you tell me?” he asked. She scoffed.

“For the same reason you didn’t tell me!” she countered.

“When I was a little girl, I use to tell people that every night, I visited a magical dream world where my real parents were. And that they were Snow White and Prince Charming,” she drawled and he nodded.

“They thought it was cute when I was five...but not so cute when I was eight. And then by the time I was twelve, they thought I was downright delusional. If I hadn’t started keeping it to myself, I probably would have ended up institutionalized,” she added.

“Damn...I guess me letting you go was for the best though,” he said. She looked at him sharply.

“Sending me to prison was for the best?” she growled.

“No!” he cried.

“Not that part...but you obviously found your parents and things are better between you, right?” he asked. She softened.

“Yeah...really good actually. But still doesn’t change the fact that what you and August did to me sucked,” she spat. He nodded.

“I know...I’m sorry, really I am. He said it was the only way to get you to break the curse and if I stayed with you...then I’d have to face my father. I wasn’t ready for that...still not,” he replied.

“Do you really think us meeting was coincidence? That this wasn’t somehow part of your father’s plan?” she asked.

“As many sucky things as he’s done, actually no,” Neal replied. She looked at him skeptically.

“Really?” she questioned.

“Think about it...he wanted the curse broken. Us meeting and staying together could have jeopardized that,” he reasoned and she realized he was right. If Gold really didn’t know, then he was in for one hell of a surprise. And then there was Henry...God, she had to tell him about Henry. There was the option of not telling him, but she could already hear her mother in her head. Not telling him would be a mistake if the secret came out later.

“Yeah...you know I’d like to give a big fuck you to fate right about now,” she mentioned and he chuckled.

“Yeah...it can be a bitch,” he agreed, as he noticed her wearing the swan key chain he had gotten her years ago.

“You still have it…” he mentioned. She glared at him

“To remind myself to never trust anyone again...outside my parents,” she retorted. He frowned, as she stood up.

“So, I promised your father that I’d get you to talk to him, so let’s go. I made a deal with him,” she urged. His eyes widened.

“You made a deal with him?” Neal hissed.

“Yeah and I’m upholding my end. Let’s go,” she insisted.

“No...you don’t have to. Just tell him you lost me,” Neal replied.

“Yeah...except there’s one more thing you need to know and I think seeing it is the only way to do it justice,” she said.

“Emma…” he protested, but she slapped her hand down on the table.

“You sent me to jail…” she hissed.

“You owe me this much...now let’s go. Trust me...you won’t regret it, at least, I don’t think you will,” she added. He looked at her curiously, wondering what she could possibly mean by that. But he realized suddenly that he had to know, so with great reluctance...he followed her.  

[theonceoverthinker]

OUAT Rewatch: 1X05 - That Still Small Voice

...Well this ended up being more of a mixed bag than I bargained for. 

Want to see what I mean? Head down below the cut!

Press Release As Sheriff Graham deputizes Emma, the ground shakes and a giant sinkhole mysteriously appears at the edge of town. But a curious Henry’s life is placed in danger when he decides to explore the innards of the sinkhole to see if its contents can link the inhabitants of Storybrooke to the fairytale world. Meanwhile, back in the fairytale world, Jiminy Cricket yearns to leave the family business and transform into the person he wants to be. General Thoughts Past Wow, Jiminy’s parents are annoying from their first scene, and not really in a pleasant way actually good annoying characters are. I get that that’s not the case, but I think about Sean’s dad from the last episode in how he was annoying, but not without a touch of depth. Jiminy’s parents are just obnoxious. There are ways of making good characters that are obnoxious and cartoonishly evil (Cruella), but there needs to be a level of pleasantness there for the audience. Hell, we actually get to see that in this same episode with Rumple. Rumple is evil, but creepy. We know that his success is something to be feared, but the way Robert Carlyle portrays him with a degree of subtlety and extra layers to everything he says makes me not want to groan in annoyance as I’m watching him. I had to continuously pause the scenes with Jiminy’s parents because they were too annoying to watch and that’s a problem. To serve this intended conflict, the parents either needed to be charming or manipulative enough that Jiminy would be deluded into thinking that they weren’t entirely wrong or threatening enough that Jiminy couldn’t fight back, but they ended up doing neither. In addition, the conflict is unpleasant. Now, my problem doesn’t lie with Jiminy sticking with his parents. I know guilt well (Jewish guilt is a real and powerful thing, up there with magic and shoeboxes). I guess I just wish that Jiminy’s goodness was shown more overtly. Why couldn’t we see him do something like not steal from families or even put coins in the pockets of people who are old or sick? It would do a much better job of showing that Jiminy is an inherently good person who tries to make the best out of his situation. What we have, however, is him moping about stealing and smiling when something kind is done for him, and it doesn’t really make me feel like his second chance from Blue at the end is earned. This doesn’t happen in the present. But in the past, it’s just bad things happen and happen and happen until he finally makes a change, one he knew how to make from the beginning, but since the episode wasn’t really about him confronting his fears, it falls flat. How is going to the Dark One for a solution that will obviously leave them in a perilous state (Rumple literally says he’s going to collect them afterwards) any better than just saying “fuck off” to them or just run away? It doesn’t paint Jiminy as someone who is trying to get himself out of a bad situation through kind means that go awry, nor does the episode do enough to show his parents deserving of this terrible fate over a simple “fuck off” or just running away. It honestly spits in the face of the reason he stayed with them in the first place (his guilt) because he can’t leave because they’re old, but he can screw them over in the worst way possible. All of this makes the ending of the episode feel more like a Deus Ex Machina than the universe dealing out karma. Jiminy has suffered, but because he’s done nothing to change his situation and the one thing he did do was horrifying, there’s no change between the Jiminy we started out with and the Jiminy the flashback ended with. And I know one would try to bring up the wish, but the problem with wishes is that Jiminy doesn’t have to give up anything - nor is he ever threatened to give up anything - to right his wrong. Hell, he’s talked about liking crickets! If he hated bugs or being small, that would be one thing - cosmic justice that forced him to do the right thing - but it’s not, so it just feels like the universe is giving him a free ride. Present That opening scene with Archie and Henry works really well. I like the question that Archie asks and the way that Henry answers it. The question itself feels real, like something that my therapist would ask me and I find myself recalling conversations we’ve had in the past and seeing similarities between what is asked of both Henry and I to think of. As for Henry’s answer, if feels like something a kid would say. It’s not too deep but it speaks to Henry’s belief. And when it’s brought back later, it really speaks to the growing that both Archie and Henry have done throughout the episode. As if existing solely to contrast my issues with the past segments of the episode is just how spectacularly the present shows a good character who is being bullied into doing bad things. As you see in the present, Archie makes regular strides to help Henry in a way that won’t endanger his psyche or his imagination and when he fucks up, he loses Henry’s trust and that creates a domino effect as to the dangers of going against one’s conscience and that persists until he does things to make things right and that’s how he learns his lesson. Look at Archie’s apology to Henry. He explains himself while not excusing either his nor Henry’s behavior, and actually later acts on the flaws that he himself acknowledges. He clearly internalizes what Henry says to him, and that makes the resolution of this arc stronger. Finally, I want to speak to how great the community of Storybrooke is. From just how the crowds and different emergency service workers interact, you can feel the heart of this town and how it cares for its people. It - of course - comes through the clearest with Emma and Regina and how now that Emma is part of the community, the two of them need to collaborate when those they care about are in harm’s way - especially Henry. It doesn’t last - not even within the confines of this singular episode - but we see those first seeds of collaboration and faith in each other, something that will really blossom soon enough. And the celebration at the end just speaks to all the progress that’s been made, save Regina who chose to not participate. My only exception to the rather brilliant depiction of community in Storybrooke was Graham, who is useless as fuck in this episode. I understand that the police work needed to be headed by Emma, but because Graham wasn’t given some reason to not be there, he just keeps standing around in the background doing nothing and as he’s only in seven episodes (in terms of the present, that is), it just paints him in an underserved light. (I’m really sad about how much I’m disliking Graham in these episodes). Insights Before the episode even begins, in the Netflix loading image for the episode, Ruby is posing like a fucking queen! I find it interesting how Regina immediately respects Emma’s new position as deputy once her appointment is brought to her attention. I mean - she’s not nice about it, but she doesn’t discredit Emma as a deputy, and I find that fascinating. I wonder what that speaks to: Regina’s respect for Graham or just a desire to get on top of the mine collapse? I don’t know if I never realised it before or what, but Henry’s hair looks so long in that scene where he’s talking to both Archie and Emma behind the car. How do Jiminy’s parents make money off of the ticket sales? It’s not a closed section and there’s only three people running it. Sneaking in would be so easy! I startled my puppy when I audibly (And quite loudly) D’awwww’d at Ajax’s photo! Two questions: (1) Why were there no cops guarding those mines and (2) why were Emma and Archie shouting for Henry outside the mines when it’s so clear that he’s inside? I really wish we could’ve seen elves. So many fantasy series have different takes on elves (Harry Potter has them as servants and a great allegory to oppressed people while Lord of the Rings has them as a dignified class of immortal beings highly skilled in weaponry, among other things). I forgot that the glass was the glass coffin! Odd choice really, seeing as Snow, Charming, and the dwarfs played no role in the mine-centric events of the episode. Arcs David’s amnesia - I like that there both is and isn’t improvement to David’s situation and that’s what is improved is physical. It plays into the magical properties of the objects in Storybrooke - something we’ll see in the next episode - and it just feels more real. David and Mary Margaret finding each other - I half liked this portion of the episode. On one hand, the connection between David and Mary Margaret is definitely there and I like the idea of David feeling that all is not right with the world he’s in. However, knowing that their relationship here sets up the cheating subplot (Something that never sits right with me, especially since they both set Kathryn up as a kind person in Storybrooke and we all have the knowledge now that Abigail was someone who was in a period of grieving) makes it really hard to enjoy this. Still, the pacing is good and it feels like a logical step. Emma’s journey of belief - Most of what I wanted to say was touch upon when I spoke of the community of Storybrooke. Also, we get to see Emma doing one of her other duties as a Savior - inspiring people to do better, and that’s shown very well in her conversation with Archie in his office and sets the stage for his conversations with Henry later on. Favorite Dynamic Regina and Archie. I love the way that Regina threatens Archie in their first scene together. I’ve discussed before how Regina’s threat in Season 1 comes down to her influence and here is what I mean. Regina has control over Archie’s job and home and in just a few chilling lines, she reminds him of that, creating a very real threat for someone who until now has been characterized as both easily influenced (Jiminy’s scene with his parents) and secured under the mayor’s thumb (The setup in “The Thing You Love Most”). This scene sits in the back of the audience’s mind throughout the rest of the episode and that makes the moment where Regina is stood up to so satisfying. It’s also very Cora-esque, though is truly Regina through her viciousness as it’s delivered. How much you want to bet at one of Regina’s escape attempts during her childhood, Cora gave her a much more “refined” version of it? Writer This was Jane Espenson’s first episode and I’ve gotta say...it’s a mixed bag. On one hand, her focus is very clearly on theme, but at least in the past, she doesn’t know how to show that effectively without hitting the audience over the head with it with an anvil the size of a clock tower. However, when she attempts to give characters nuance - like she does in the present, it’s really effective. I feel like another read through or two really would’ve helped strengthen the past segments and made it less of a chore to sit through. Let’s just say that I look forward to discussing her future episodes, as she proves she can do much better than this. Rating 6/10. The flashback doesn’t really sell me on the prospect that Jiminy is a good person and after his deal with Rumple, that he could even become a good person. By making no efforts other than moping to stop - if not mitigate - his parent’s thievery, I am completely unsold on the concept of him being anyone’s conscience. In addition, the obnoxious evil of his parents that doesn’t even attempt to find an ounce of charm just made every moment I went back to that flashback agonizing. If I was judging that alone, this episode would have a much lower score. Hell, as I thought of future events with Jiminy (Not Archie) in the timeline, I’ve realized that I might just hate this character. However, it’s not alone and the present events are wonderful. Archie really goes on a journey of trust and principles here and because there was actual effort put towards showing that he was a good person who actually DID good things. He’s allowed to be a voice of reason to Henry and Emma while still learning from them and his story is much more bluntly a story of overcoming cowardice. In addition, the community bits in this episode show what a loving town Storybrooke is. I’m with Robin on this one, Alice (Though you’re still my smol gay witch babu). “Warm hugs and apple pies” indeed.

()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()

That’s it for this time! Thanks again to the fine folks at @watchingfairytales for putting this together and thank you to my new readers for helping me hit 200 followers!!! Woohoo!!! If you want to read the rest of my recaps, here’s the place to be! Season Tally (45/220) Writer Tally for Season 1: A&E (20/70) Liz Tigelaar (10/20) David Goodman (9/50) Jane Espenson (6/60)

[mermaidsirennikita]

April 2018 Book Roundup

In April, I read silly books and I read books that were deadly (literally) serious.  It’s possible that the most well-written book I read was Madeline Miller’s Circe, which I loved and found much more satisfying than Song of Achilles.  But the most enjoyable book?  It was Laura Thalassa’s Pestilence, the romance novel about a girl, an apocalypse, and a sexy horseman who spreads disease.  What more could you want?

Pestilence by Laura Thalassa.  4/5.  When the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse show up, all technology fails, sending the world into chaos.  Then they disappear.  Five years later, Pestilence has reappeared, and wherever he goes a plague kills everyone in his path.  Sara, an ex-firefighter, has been sent to kill him.  When that fails?  She becomes his prisoner--with Pestilence claiming that he’s keeping her alive to make her suffer.  Of course, that’s not what’s really going on, and yes, this is a full-blown romance novel.  It’s also one of the most enjoyable books I’ve read all year thus far.  Sara and Pestilence’s romance is ridiculous, engrossing, hilarious, and yes, pretty sexy.  One thing I loved about this book is that while Pestilence is in his very nature a conqueror and pretty much a living plague--he’s also very boyish and inexperienced and the book makes that inexperience very sexy.  Because Sara’s experienced.  Sara is sarcastic, foul-mouthed, and pretty sexual; and very rarely do you come across a romance novel that lacks a serious alpha male.  Like, yes, Pestilence has his dominant moments, but overall he’s more like... sorta hapless.  I mean, spoiler alert, they have sex, what a shocker, and when Sara is annoyed that he’s not being more chill about it he’s like “I GAVE YOU MY ESSENCE SARA~~~~”.  It’s one of those books.  I loved it.

I Was Anastasia by Ariel Lawhon.  3/5.  Anna Anderson was famous for pretending to be famous--after an attempted suicide, she claimed to be Anastasia Romanov, and was so convincing that people who met and were related to the grand duchess backed her.  “I Was Anastasia” explores Anna’s life--backwards.  Meanwhile, the story of Anastasia Romanov is told moving forward.  Somewhere, they meet in the middle, as does the truth.  In a basic way, this is a good historical fiction novel.  It doesn’t reinvent the wheel.  The thing is that if you know anything about Anastasia, you know about Anna; there aren’t any twists to be had.  What kept this from being a four-star read, aside from the fact that it was a bit expected, was one thing concerning the grand duchesses that is pretty debatable from what I understand, and--I’m not sure it was necessary.  But if you’re into the Romanovs, you may want to check this out.

Lady Killers: Deadly Women Throughout History by Tori Telfer.  4/5.  A collection of write-ups on female serial killers.  What sets this book apart is that, aside from Erszebet Bathory and Nannie Doss (as well as the Benders, vaguely) I really hadn’t heard about most of these women.  Telfer steered clear of discussing extremely obvious women like Aileen Wuornos, instead focusing on cases that largely took place before the second half of the twentieth century, with one murderess dating back to the thirteenth century.  Of course, this means that there was often more speculation and less hard evidence, but for most of these women I think there was a pretty good case to be made that SOMETHING was going on, even if it wasn’t as salacious as some might believe.  And Telfer doesn’t just stick to typical American and European women, either--she touches about the Egyptian sisters Raya and Sakina, famous for killing a remarkable number of women, and Oum El-Hassen, a Moroccan murderess whose motives remain a mystery to this day.  More than a profiling of these individuals, however, I’d call this book an analysis of how we interpret female serial killers culturally.  Why don’t we take them as seriously as we do male serial killers?  Why do paint them, often, as more sexual than truly frightening?  Telfer doesn’t shy away from the gory details and while you might feel some empathy for these women, she doesn’t hesitate to report that some were very likely psychopaths, with no remorse--but then, that doesn’t take away from the fact that some were poor, some were abused, and some didn’t really see any better options for themselves.  The Angel Makers of Nagyrev--not one murderess but a group of Hungarian village women who, over fifteen years, killed around 300 people for a variety of reasons--were particularly interesting and kind of heartbreaking.  Highly recommend.

Tangerine by Christine Mangan.  2/5.  In 1956, Alice goes to Tangiers with her new husband--a man she barely knows--John.  Haunted by an event that happened while she was at school--an event she barely remembers--Alice struggles with anxiety and paranoia, and can’t adjust to the strange world of Morocco.  However, her past catches up to her in the form of Lucy, her old school friend.  This is essentially a 40s/50s film noir/psychological thriller movie a la Hitchcock in book form. Unfortunately, while I feel it would have worked as a movie of that style and era, the writing wasn’t attention-grabbing.  Pretty, but a bit dull.  I couldn’t tell much of a difference between the voices of Lucy and Alice, though they alternated, and the “twist”...  I don’t need a twist in my thrillers--a real one, that is--but if there is going to be one it should be decent.  This was fairly pedestrian.  A missed opportunity, especially painful because the authorb describes Morocco so well.

Indecent by Corrine Sullivan.  3/5.  Imogene has always envied the rich kids who went to elite boarding schools.  Now a grown woman, she becomes a teacher’s assistant of sorts at a fancy prep school for boys--only to find herself attracted to one of the students.  This is not an easy read.  If anyone reads it and believes that Imogene’s victim--because horny seventeen year old boy or not, he is that--was the bad person here, nah.  I don’t think Sullivan intends it that way at all.  Imogene is a study of a predator who became that way through insecurity and arrested development.  She thinks like a teenager.  She constantly critiques herself--her body, her relative lack of sexual experience.  She compares herself to teenage girls, for God’s sake, and is all impressed by a seventeen year old boy’s “experience” and “charisma”.  By being in Imogene’s mind...  You get how a predator becomes a predator.  Some aren’t born that way, and the line between a woman in her early twenties and a boy in his late teens COULD conceivably get blurred--but it’s always the adult’s fault, and this book doesn’t shy away from that.  I wouldn’t say it was a fun read, but it was interesting.

The Day of the Duchess by Sarah MacLean.  3/5.  Malcolm, the Duke of Haven (yes) has a problem.  He needs an heir--but to have an heir, he first needs a wife.  Actually, he has one; but Seraphina, the title-chaser who “trapped” him into marriage left nearly three years ago.  Now she’s shown up asking for a divorce, which isn’t all that easy to get.  Malcolm makes her a deal: if she helps choose his next wife, he’ll grant her the divorce.  Of course, Malcolm would far rather keep Seraphina around than have her select her replacement...  so his real plan is to woo her into staying with him.  This was a pleasant, enjoyable read that varied from the typical romance novel in that the hero has done a genuinely bad thing--not just a mildly upsetting thing--and there are very strong problems in the marriage.  Malcolm and Sera are both pretty wounded by what they’ve done to each other and one major thing neither one of them could have really helped.  The angst was real.  And the sex scenes were good--lots of emphasis on female gratification in this one.  But parts of the story were kind of like... too much comic relief for a novel with the kind of backstory this one has.  I’m not saying it had to be a serious story AT ALL, but Sera has this chorus of sisters and I liked them at first but it become... too much.  However, I’d still call it a solid historical romance.

Circe by Madeline Miller.  5/5.  Known as the witch who turned Odysseus’s men into pigs before capitulating to his charms and will, Circe is a character who was present for or linked to some of the most interesting parts of Greek mythology.  Here she gets her own epic, beginning with her birth as the nymph-goddess daughter of Helios.  Eventually exiled to an island, far from the other gods, Circe encounters everything from sailors to fellow witches and kings, and even monsters.  This is a literary fantasy, the writing as beautiful as it was in Song of Achilles, but dealing with a story much more dynamic and interesting.  Circe is a character who is at times deeply caring while not losing her selfish and destructive streaks.  She has reasons for her behavior, but she isn’t declawed in the least.  Miller tells the more horrifying parts of her story with taste, and at times, humor; but you never lose the sense of the epic in this novel.

The Queens of Innis Lear by Tessa Gratton.  4/5.  As the king of Innis Lear ages, his obsession with the stars and prophecy leave his kingdom in a perilous position.  Drawing together his three daughters--the warlike Gaela, manipulative and child-starved Regan, and the favorite, Elia--Lear promises that he will name his heir.  But no matter who he chooses, the sisters are prepared to go to war for the crown, and for the fate of Innis Lear.  Obviously, this is a retelling of King Lear--Gratton evidently found the initial portrayal of Lear’s daughters lacking, and really takes that to task here.  And to be sure, Gaela, Regan, and Elia have far more depths than the women in the original play.  But the fact is that I could have done with more of them, and less of the perspective of others.  When the story is with the sisters, it’s enthralling.  But often, there’s the perspective of Ban, a pivotal character--an embittered bastard with remarkable power--but perhaps not the most compelling voice.  Then there’s the fool’s daughter Aefa, Ban’s mother Brona, the sisters’ uncle, and more.  Gratton also often delves into the past, revealing plot points but more than that developing the characters.  Which is good.  None of what is in this book is bad, really, but it’s held back from being as good as it could be by too much of the less important stuff.  For example--Gaela and Regan have a very compelling, codependent relationship.  Gaela is driven to be king, and Regan has sworn to support her no matter what and have children that will be Gaela’s heirs.  The problem being, of course, that despite the fact that she’s the only one of the sisters in a loving relationship, Regan seems incapable of bearing a living child.  The differing struggles of Gaela and Regan are amazing, and deserved more pagetime.  With that being said, this is a super compelling story, and worth checking out.

I’ll Be Gone in the Dark by Michelle McNamara.  4/5.  Michelle McNamara, as many know, died in the middle of writing her exhaustive book on the Golden State Killer--a title she coined.  Obviously, the killer has since been caught, but he wasn’t when Michelle was researching.  The result is a gripping, incredibly well-done book on a monster.  It reminds me somewhat of In Cold Blood, but without the closeness to the killer--less sympathy, more drive to find and punish him.  McNamara was up front about her own flaws, with the book itself highlighting her obsessive nature.  But ultimately, the only thing I can really critique about her work is beyond her control; it is somewhat disjointed, as friends had to piece the book together after she died.  However, it’s a remarkable example of true crime lit.

[shardclan]

The Judge of Clan Aphaster had beautiful legs; slim in shape, smooth in complexion, and a color like fine champagne. And Estevao was very careful to let that thought end there.

Her dress was ankle length, and while it had modest slits–likely to accommodate her limp–both were pleated. Folds of violet and green silk hid her legs even at her widest strides. So there was no real reason either of her legs should have been showing, and he didn’t believe for a second that it was mere coincidence that she was displaying the one with the grotesque surgical scar running down the shin.

The dance of diplomacy was always complex, but never more so than when two skydancers were doing the steps.

“Born a skydancer?” Azricai asked.

Her tone and the way she remained focused on stirring the tea suggested she knew the answer already, but he answered politely: “To two of the same, yes. Were you?”

“No.”

“You would never notice. Your shift has very fine skydancer features.”

“My horns are higher on my head and my ears are elongated.” She handed him the gently steaming cup. “Though my other skydancer features are very fine.”

“I'm sure they’ve satisfied many an eye.” He breathed deeply from the cup. “Jasmine?”

“From the Sea of A Thousand Currents. I thought it might be a familiar flavor given Garigill’s proximity to the Gladeveins.”

“That’s very considerate.”

They sipped from their cups, eyes on each other.

“Tell me about yourself,” said Azricai. “Our leaders exchanged dragons, but why have you specifically come here?”

“Oh, well.” He sat his cup aside. “As it was understood you needed a proper Nature liaison as your stand in is going to be the curator of your museum.”

“You’ve read the Sunbeam Sentinel, then.”

“The most recent edition, yes. We’re all nature dragons of course, and I’m one who wouldn’t be especially bothered by the fact that Plaguelings run 90% of your medical sector.”

“Yes, I understood Garigill to be headed by a pair of both plague and nature persuasion.”

His antennae sagged slightly. “Don’t waste that impressed tone of voice. It’s not as peaceful as it sounds.” He quickly took another sip of tea. “Let’s not dwell on that. I’ll be honest with you, Madam Judge. I’m here to get rich.”

She gave an amused smile. “Oh? Doing what?”

“I’ve noticed all the liaisons of your bordering territories are given some land and a title that allows them quite a bit of freedom. I’ve also taken note that Clan Aphaster’s economic system is centralized. Food, infrastructure, medical services, all handled by the government. And I understand that dragons who do, how shall we say, civil services in the clan are provided for so wholly that on the occasion they actually desire physical coin, they can make a request to Saber to get it.”

“Being a Margrave will not get you a pass to ask for vast sums of money to be frivolous with.” Her smile took a fond softness and she laughed. “Saber is a very old and very tight-fisted treasurer.”

“You misunderstand me. I wish to use my due stipend for industries I know your clan doesn’t have. Amberglass and latex are common in the Viridian Labyrinth. I know your queen was a prodigious alchemist before her ascension, and the clan is ex-Arcane so I’m willing to bet you already have everything you need for a thriving latex industry and you just need to know the steps and get the necessary materials.”

He smiled. “Given the well known richness of the spa owner and the complete economic independence of that little entertainment district over on the shadow border, I can easily live in comfort–luxury, even–by introducing a pithy tax on all latex related trade revenue that will be brought into the clan.”

Azricai stared at him, absently tapping at her cup. “That is incredibly well thought out and not at all malicious.”

He snorted. “I can’t tell if you’re being facetious or not–” He could, and she wasn’t, but that wasn’t the point. “But maliciousness and gross excess is no way to enjoy being rich. You have to worry about people getting angry that you’re sucking them dry. Social unrest and civil disquiet are terrible environments to be rich in.”

He drained the rest of his cup and sat back with a lazy grin. “It’s far better to do favors and call on them later. Whisper in the right ears. Get in bed with the right people. Or get in bed with the wrong ones just so they end up wrapped around your finger. Dragons aren’t hard, just have to give them something so good they find it hard to reproach you even when they probably should.”

“That’s a very ugly way of thinking to put out in the open.”

His eyes dropped down to her still-exposed calf. “I was under the impression we weren’t hiding ugly things about ourselves.”

Her eyes narrowed, and she set her cup aside. The diplomatic game of emotional chicken was over, and Estevao had called her bluff and won.

“Well then,” she huffed. “Since you’ve broken the pretense of this meeting, let’s get right to the point. I think you have good ideas, and there’s nothing wrong with aspiring to be rich. While I find you repugnant, that isn’t grounds to deny you citizenship. Welcome to Clan Aphaster.”

She gestured toward the door. “Please see yourself out. And I’d advise you not to do anything that would land you in my courthouse.”

“Madam Judge, surely you’re not suggesting you’d let personal bias affect your court decision?”

“I don’t recall saying that.”

“I must have misheard you then.” He stood and bowed with an openly smug smile, and excused himself.

If Azricai was their first line of defense, this clan would be easy pickings.

Telos cackled openly, her face streaming with tears. Azricai was bowed over at her side, and even Arcanus had sucked in his lips and was shaking with silent laughter.

“What an asshole,” Telos squealed. “How could he take such obvious bait? Cheese wouldn’t take that even if you doused it in fresh cream!”

Azricai patted her aching stomach. “Oh what I wouldn’t give for you to have felt it as I did! He walked out with the pride of a hatchling who thinks they’ve bested Perilous in an arm wrestle. The innocence of it was more charming than his whole charade!”

Bestealcian’s voice drifted merrily down from some dark corner. “Shall I be keeping an on eye on him then?”

Telos shook her head. “No, no. Gods, I needed that laugh. Stay the course, Umbra Wolf. This man is a buffoon and he’ll find out on his own that Aphaster’s people have survived real manipulative bastards and won’t easily fall prey to some jumped-up novice.”

[justanotheraveragelesbian]

My Thoughts on Supergirl 2x16  with a little Flash 3x17

This is my review of the Supergirl episode Star-Crossed with a few (or maybe more) thoughts on Flash’s Duet since it was afterall a crossover with Supergirl.  As usual this is probably going to be a long post and SPOILER warning for both episodes.

I should also add a warning that this is probably going to be a bit of a rant, but I will try to keep that to a minimum.

I want to start with the things that I liked about both episodes.  Sanvers, of course, was great in Supergirl this week, however briefly they were on the screen.  I smiled when the scene of Maggie sleeping on Alex went by.  I wish there was a lot more of that kind of content in the episode, but alas there wasn’t.  I did like that we got to see a bit more of Maggie being a cop.  Again I’d love to see more of that.  I also really liked the Winn and Lyra stuff this week.  I’m glad that he had a good storyline, even if it was about his new girlfriend lying to and using him.  I really hate that Winn can’t seem to find a girl who is good and likes him.  I also liked that Guardian was there to help Winn, but I have some other thoughts on him as well that I will save for the negative side of this review.  The only real problem I had with this part of the episode is the idea that Kara wouldn’t be trying to help Winn.  He is her best friend and she was too busy with Mon-El to help.  This storyline should have been a separate episode rather than the B plot in an episode with so many other things going on.

For once I was happy about the Mon-El storyline in Supergirl this week.  I’ve been waiting to see Kara’s reaction when she found out he was the prince (which honestly who hadn’t figured that out yet?).  I liked that he was the one to tell her, even if he was pushed into it, and I liked that she reacted negatively and called him out and ultimately broke up with him for lying.  I was not surprised by the love confession even though it is way too soon for something like that, but considering this relationship for him is akin to those that most teenagers have (aka, first time he’s actually had more than a casual fling with a girl) it is not a surprise that he would throw that out there too soon.  It is also a common thing for people on TV and in movies to say “I love you” when they are afraid of losing someone.  It is manipulative and annoying, but that is really nothing new for Mon-El.  I am very glad that Kara didn’t say it back, and that she made it clear that lying was not a sign of love.  I was pissed that Alex was trying to convince Kara to listen to Mon-El and basically acting like she was okay with the fact that Mon-El had been lying to her sister.  Honestly, this whole thing of Alex supporting the relationship between Kara and Mon-El, and encouraging it, has really got me pissed.  Alex loves her sister more than anything in the world and has always been extremely protective of her, even to the point of sacrificing her own happiness on multiple occasions to protect her sister.  But the writers are trying to say that Alex would be okay with her sister dating a guy who has lied, kept secrets, manipulated, called her sister names on multiple occasions, and who ultimately is emotionally abusive.  I don’t think so.  Alex should be trying to talk her sister out of this relationship, not into it.  The only explanation I have is that Alex has been so wrapped up in Maggie that she hasn’t noticed how horrible Mon-El is to her sister.  (Like I said, rant.)

Teri Hatcher and Kevin Sorbo were a nice addition as Mon-El’s parents.  I love the fact that even the queen said that Mon-El wasn’t good enough for Supergirl. Yes, I know she was saying that Kara would think he wasn’t good enough (and by the way Kara didn’t disagree), but the way that scene was played was very straight.  It could really be read either way.  

Okay, let’s talk Guardian before I move on to the Flash.  I do not like James as Guardian, which I think I have made clear in my previous reviews.  However, I do not mind Guardian.  I think if the character had been introduced without it being James I wouldn’t have a problem with it, but the only way that I can enjoy that part of the episode is to forget that it’s supposed to be James under that helmet.  This of course also means that I miss James in just about every episode.  They seriously need to figure out what to do with him, or let Mehcad out of his contract so he can go find a show that will treat him right.  Having said that I loved the fight scene between Guardian and the guys at the trailer park.  The scene with him fighting the aliens later in the episode proved to me that Guardian does not belong in this world.  Supergirl is a show about aliens living on Earth. Those aliens, be them hero or villain, all have a certain level of power.  Guardian has some cool gadgets and fighting skills which make him a decent street level hero.  He can take down the average bank robber or street level villain, but he is no match for the aliens on the show even with his gadgets.  If they want to keep him on they are going to have to make some major changes to the villains of the show or he is just going to be getting beaten up every week.  I personally think they need to end that storyline and send James back to his roots as a photographer, but since they don’t really know what to do with him, I don’t expect them to have anything good up their sleeves for his storyline going forward.

Okay, let’s talk about the musical for a moment.  I love musicals.  I love movie musicals and I usually like it when my favorite TV shows include a musical episode.  The musical episode of Buffy the Vampire Slayer is my second favorite episode of that show ever (Hush is the first, of course).  I even own the soundtrack to that episode and listen to it regularly (Yes, I’m that big of a geek).  I watched most (but not quite all) of Glee.  I liked the musical episode of Grey’s Anatomy.  I love it when they burst into song randomly on How I Met Your Mother.  So it should come as no surprise to you that when I heard that Supergirl and Flash were doing a musical crossover I was practically giddy.  I love both shows and I am very well aware of how talented the casts of both shows, not to mention the extended Berlantiverse shows, are when it comes to singing and dancing.  Having said all of that by about half way through the episode I was underwhelmed and by the end I was disappointed.  Don’t get me wrong, the singing was good.  The songs were okay, although the originals were a little too campy for my taste. But some of the performances were fantastic.  Jesse L Martin and Victor Garber, with John Barrowman coming in later, were a highlight of the episode.  I loved Jesse and Victor playing a married couple with Iris as their daughter (that did make me giddy).  Melissa and Grant both have fantastic voices, and I think Melissa especially was underutilized in that respect.  I know it was technically a Flash episode, but that’s why the two-parter should have been an actual two-parter.  That way we could have gotten more songs.  There just wasn’t enough music in the musical episode.

Beyond the musical standpoint I was also down right pissed off by the story.  I loved the Barry and Iris stuff.  I am definitely a WestAllen shipper, and I’m ready for the two of them to be together and happy, but ultimately their relationship is so different from Kara’s and Mon-El’s.  Forgetting the fact that I’m not a fan of Mon-El, they haven’t even known each other a year (Kara said it was 9 months since he woke up), and they haven’t been dating for very long, so for the writer’s to equate the two relationships was ridiculous.  Also the fact that Kara forgave Mon-El for lying after only one episode (and not even a Supergirl episode) down right pissed me off.  This is a horrible message to send to young girls watching this relationship.  It’s okay if he lies to you about who he is or something else equally as big, as long as he did it because he was afraid of how you were going to react.  Are you kidding me?  

Let’s also talk about who was in the crossover and who should have been in the crossover.  Okay, first of all I get why J’onn was there, and I loved everyone on the Flash team’s reaction to Martian Manhunter, although I’m surprised they didn’t have more question (guess there wasn’t enough time… again two-episode crossover).  I didn’t like that J’onn didn’t sing, since my understanding is that he has a pretty good voice.  But why wasn’t Alex on the mission?  Okay, so I’m guessing she was left in charge of the DEO.  I get that. She’s J’onn’s second in command and so since he was going to Earth-1 she stayed behind, but her sister was unconscious and dying and she didn’t go.  She could have gone and had J’onn stay behind.  Yes, having him there to fight Music Meister when he was all supped up on Supergirl and the Flash’s powers was cool, but Alex is a capable fighter with a really badass gun, and Mon-El is a capable fighter (if not exactly a hero). So why couldn’t Alex have gone? It seems out of character for her to hang back when her sister was in serious trouble.  Again she has always protected her and always fought tooth and nail for her.  She has traveled into Kara’s subconscious dream world when Kara was attacked by the Black Mercy in season 1.  She traveled to another planet at the beginning of season 2 when Kara was lost on Slaver’s Moon without her powers.  Alex would never stay behind when her sister was in serious peril.  I hate what the writer’s have done to the Danvers Sisters dynamic this season.  It was the best thing about Season 1 and should be the central feature of this season as well, but instead we have romantic relationship drama and poor character development.  

I used to be giddy on Monday nights waiting for the new episode to come on.  I never watch live tv, because I have a DVR and hate commercials, but I would always watch Supergirl live so that I wouldn’t get spoiled on the internet.  I have a season pass to get the episodes digitally as well and I used to watch the episodes repeatedly after they aired.  But the last few weeks I haven’t done that.  I am frustrated by the way this season is going and I’m really hoping something changes because I’m not sure how much  more of this I can take before I give up.

Good story for Sanvers coming up, hopefully, so I will hold onto that, and try to be giddy over the fact that Kara is going to punch Mon-El is the face in the next episode.  Until then…