#why didn't he come back in future redeemed

[bigklingy]

So only this evening did I discover one of the live-action actors from a period-drama murder mystery I used to watch (Grantchester) was AL WEAVER, REX'S VOICE ACTOR FROM XENOBLADE 2. He also had a cameo on Sherlock. My mind is BLOWN.

[miiilowo]

Highlights / Notable info from the second Scott Cawthon Dawko interview for people who don't want to watch it

MISC/START OF INTERVIEW

- scott says the 1 thing he'd wanna go back and change/fix the past 10 years is FNAF world; said a lot of weird/bad decisions were made going into it, that he didn't like the graphics and it Could Have been a good game but he doesn't like it overall & he may consider making an improved sequel

- he was scared to hand FNAF over to steel wool but he thinks he got lucky w/ them

- refuses to play both FNAF VR games because they genuinely scare him too much; didn't want to beta test them (funny)

- he very much knows the fandom prefers pure horror and the supernatural but cant resist leaning into scifi stuff

- doesn't like the names burntrap and glitchtrap and they were supposed to be temporary

SECURITY BREACH

- half blames covid splitting up steel wools workforce for the games lack of quality and delays

- says his "vision of the game" was misaligned with steel wool, that he had a "very specific story in mind" for security breach and it didnt pan out like he wanted

- he takes fault for it, saying he conveyed it in a bad way; "I was trying to tell steel wool to do specific things throughout the game, put specific items in specific places, have specific characters do certain things, meanwhile not TELLING them what the story plot was. Because in my head, I was thinking 'Okay, when people find this, they'll connect this to this to this & it will all be revealed, and I thought I could do that without telling steel wool the story plot. That didn't work out very well because they got all of these pieces, and they thought it was their job to connect them in a way that made sense. And so really what you ended up having were the same pieces telling completely different stories...I don't blame them for that, I blame myself for that, because what I should have done was gone 'hey, heres the story, the pieces are here, here's how theyre supposed to connect'."

- burntrap originally even supposed to move; just supposed to see something you saw in between machinery or in corners, that you werent supposed to know his purpose even though he used to have a very specific one (that the fandom doesnt know)

- he knows it didnt turn out like anyone wanted & thats why they made the RUIN dlc, he hopes it redeemed security breach

- he said hes learned from that mistake with security breach and things should be better in the future

- he cannot share any thoughts on the mimic

- he likes vanny a lot, shes one of his favorites and he thinks that shes underutilized and should get more spotlight in the future

THE BOOKS

- process is 'he has an idea, he proposes it to the writers, they flesh it out'

- he likes bunny call the most, and that it's not entirely made up; he took his family to a summer camp. 2 older kids 2 babies. one of the things you could sign up for was a 'panda call' . a very 'deceiving title', he says. early in the morning, a bunch of the camp counselors dressed as killer clowns would come into your cabin and scare the kids to wake them up early and drag them off to do their daily activities (?????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????) and he knew this was the case, & before it happened he started to sort of feel bad that he signed up his two youngest kids for it so he crept outside in the dark and 'started listening for screams' early in the morning. 'somewhere in the dark in these trees theres clowns and theyre coming for my cabin'

- acknowledges the fazgoo is weird and bad.

- the 'creature on the cover of blackbird is my sleep paralysis demon' (quite literally)

- says his least favorite story is the guy getting pregnant with springtrap's baby and that he Doesnt Know What He Was Thinking, that he swears he 'wasnt trying to pick on matpat'

- he says theres potential for the books to be adapted into shorts goosebumps style, but hes afraid it might be 'too much' and oversaturate the franchise

THE MOVIE

- he says a big issue was that there was material thats difficult to translate to the big screen; the nuance of the antagonists being that the animatronics are possessed by the spirits of innocent children, and he wanted to preserve the innocence of the victims while also having the horror and the kills, and thats a big part of why several screenplays got scrapped; he was more picky/cautious about that than anything else

- says the victims are sort of like 'confused, scared animals backed into a corner, who believe that adults are out to get them' & thats part of why they kill people + the manipulation from william afton

- he likes the movie overall but thinks specific things could be improved and they aim to do that with the second movie, but doesn't want to dwell on those shortcomings too much

- hes perfectly happy with critics hating it but the fanbase loving it & that was his goal for it

- when the movie began showing in theatres he said: 'i told myself i wasnt gonna go online i wasnt gonna read any reviews i had already told everybody at blumhouse and i told my legal team DONT talk to me DONT call me DONT email me DONT send me charts DONT send me facts or figures i dont want hear ANYTHING', saw 1 negative review on accident then started reading all of them immediately before the 2nd showing even happened

- 'for a couple of hours there i was distraught, i thought it was a complete disaster' (based off the initial negative critic reviews, before learning how much the fans loved it)

SECOND MOVIE

- Not giving away many details, but following the same formula; 1st movie based on 1st game, 2nd movie based on 2nd game, etc

- Thinks people will like it, that the setup for the 1st movie was the hardest part but now that they have that launch pad to go off of and hes really fond of what they have planned

- Emma Tammi is also directing the second one

INTO THE PIT GAME

- was originally just supposed to be a short novelty game, but they made something really good and he encouraged them to keep going & its turned into a full-fledged game

- he says its going to be a very 'unique experience' and that everyone will like it a lot

- says working with megacat (studio for the game) has been 'weird but good', that theyll vanish for several months and return with a bunch of info

SPINOFFS, GENERAL FRANCHISE STUFF, FUTURE PLANS

- Would want to work on a game based off of Fetch and that he thinks it'd be really cool

- Says he feels like he's sort of lost touch with the fanbase as things have gotten bigger

- Wants to have a better structure for managing a twitter page, official news feed, etc., wants more management than just Himself because it'd better service the fanbase

- He says theres another game planned with steel wool (not the mimic game) way down the line that hasnt been announced yet

- Making more choose-your-adventure fnaf book stuff

- He's 'very careful' with collaborations because he wants to preserve the fact its fnaf and he doesnt want it to be distorted or tainted, & even if he really really likes a game he won't do a collab if the vibes are mismatched, but he's a little more open to things like that now (but we have FNAF X DBD now! yay)

THE BOX.

- (paraphrased) His process for a lot of the lore in games is that he'll come up with half of a mystery and then come up with an answer as things progress, that he feels something is there and he makes the path for that thing to be revealed

- 'but sometimes when things progress the roads that have been put in place arent the same roads that were there before'

- he had something planned for the box. the progression of the story did not allow for the reveal of whats in the box

- he never pursued whats in the box. and he will never know whats in the box.

[just-kiro]

(!! Httyd Book 11 Spoiler !!)

I finished it.

Or maybe it finished me.

I wish I had a lot to say, but unfortunately function "translate heart to English" is not available because Cressida Cowell thought it was funny to stab me, several times..talk about being rude.

Also I really thought I lost hope of my ability to care about Snotlout but that boat scene kind of reshaped my image about him. And uggh Cressida just decided to throw in some character for him in the LAST two chapters after his redemption?? Let alone kill him 30 minutes later?? notice how he was stressing when he came up with a suicidal plan for both of them "I can't believe I'm doing it..I don't believe this... I don't believe this.." turns out in runs in the family, and wdym he was soothing his dragon, what do you MEAN he rested his head on it and whispered "you're a good dragon" like no FUCK you mister I did not consent for this.

Never in Hiccup Horrendous Haddock the Third's 14 years has he had such an unpleasant terrible day, that it took a whole freaking book to describe the suffering this child had to endure under the title of a future king.. I'm telling you he does not have to endure that.

Look I knew that Snotlout was gonna die, before I even read the first book. It was actually the reason I had started this series, but yeah just beat me with chair would you? that would've been more preferable. If you know something about me it's that I'm a sucker for redeemed bad guys and sacrifices. Which is why you'll find John Marston, Arthur Morgan, King orange and Loki (marvel) at the top of my favourite character list...or maybe I just have a thing for middle aged men (preferably with kids)

I hated how he probably knew he was not coming back, I hated how he actually gave Hiccup the star and not just "borrowed", constantly telling him to take care of it and how important it was to him. I hated how he didn't want to die without having his mark, not like those Alvinsmen. I hated how he didn't get the chance to make up for many of his mistakes. I hated how we'll never see him as a part of the main group. I hated how he died knowing he'll never be able to stand tall and proud in front of his Tribe again, and that the memory of him was treachery and humiliation.

And so, we'll meet in Book 12, See you soon.

And I hated, I hated how Hiccup had to take it all, how he couldn't stop him, and how he didn't allow himself to grief "I'll think about it tomorrow" he said pushing all those feelings that no kid should have to experience.

[adriana-cosmere-journey]

Spoilers!! My thoughts on finishing Words of Radiance

DO NOT READ IF YOU HAVEN'T FINISHED WORDS OF RADIANCE. EVERYTHING BELOW ARE SPOILERS.

I have so many things in my brain right now, but GOD this is such an excellent book. I guess I'll just word-vomit as my thoughts come up, so I may post a few more times later before my brain gets peace. I do need to make up for real-life responsibilities now that I'm done, so I guess I'll take two or three days before I return to the Cosmere.

ANYWAY.

So I began this morning with the Alethi force starting its march towards the center of the Shattered Plain. (Note to future self: once you reach the last 200 or so pages of the Stormlight books, you may not be able to put them down before finishing. Plan accordingly.)

Things on Kaladin's side were kinda depressing because Syl was still gone and he was healing like a normal person. But things of the Plains picked up quickly as Shallan revealed some of her powers to Dalinar. I LOVED this, first because I had feared Shallan would get sucked into everything while trying to hide herself, but also because Dalinar fucking needed this. A sign.

(Nothing surprising about Kaladin ultimately saving the day. Just eternal love for him.)

I loved how quickly leadership and planning started to fall on Shallan as the campaign advanced, and how quickly Dalinar trusted her. Seriously, the girl was suddenly responsible to get EVERYONE to safety, and the way it eventually panned out was so awesome. Ugh, I already want to re-read the last few chapters.

Randon thought: The Parshendi who escaped Eshonai, I guess they are still on the Plains and may become relevant later, right? Hopefully for something more than becoming Voidbringers.

Random thought 2: Rlain doesn't become a Voidbringer, RIGHT???

(I've spoiled myself enough to know he becomes friends with Renarin. Or something.)

I didn't see the Renarin plot twist coming, although I noticed something was up with him.

I am a little scared about Adolin, with everyone becoming a Radiant around him, but not him. Is it cliché to hope he also gets powers? But maybe his path is to be one that remains strong but doesn't have powers? I refuse to believe he just becomes a bad guy out of it. Like, I would absolutely hate a plot like that.

And to be honest, SADEAS HAD IT COMING AND YOU CANNOT CHANGE MY MIND. I would only hate it if that cockroach became like a 'start of a dark path' for Adolin or something like that. Pleaaase tell me that doesn't happen. Or at least not to a degree that would seriously compromise Adolin.

(But it wouldn't surprise me if Ialai became a new big foe instead. I can respect that.)

And speaking of gray characters.... ugh, I was expecting some big betrayal from Moash, but I actually feel bad for him now. Like, okay, he kinda punched Kaladin harder than he expected and would have probably kinda crippled or killed him if his powers hadn't returned, but Moash is now stuck in a situation that makes him feel so much guilt and embarrassment. Like, he was so proud of being part of Bridge Four and he really looked up to Kaladin.... I'm a little weary of what this plotline may bring. I hope he redeems himself.

Otherwise, I am glad we are changing the setting from the Shattered Plains to Urithiru. The tower-city sounds like such a cool concept. I really look forward to seeing the random lore details of how everyone makes it their home.

What else.... Oh! SHALLAN. Ugh, baby love Shallan. I am guessing Veil will indeed get more 'screen time' in the future, as we unravel all the secrets around that. I felt it was kinda obvious that she had killed her mother and her father had taken the blame, but I didn't know why. Now this opens a lot of new questions, like what Mraize meant when he said her family had always been involved in this? What are the Ghostbloods and what is their purpose? Are they the bad guys, or secretive creepy good guys?

It will be interesting to see Jasnah come back, that is for sure. I didn't believe for a minute she was actually dead. For now, I get an inkling that she may be surprised/uncomfortable at arriving at a reality where she is no longer the smartest and most mysterious person around. I mean, she's still super smart and mysterious, but now there are others who also hold their own...

Do we get to learn what she's been doing all this time?

And finally (for now), DALINAR. Ugh, you need to have some serious cojones to bound the frikin STORMFATHER as your spren. I loved that. For a second there I felt like Kaladin, like it had been too easy for him, but then I realized Dalinar has been working on this forever and he probably has healed himself many times over the years with stormlight. Like literally, if someone deserves this, it's Dalinar. So now I'm just happily curious about how all this manifests.

Ufff.... I'm sure I'll remember more things later, but for now this is enough. I need to go take care of responsibilities 😅😅 but my deadlines are on Thursday, so I should be able to make it, right?

Wish me luck! And do leave your (spoiler-free) comments! Feel free to be mysteriously ambiguous about things to come while avoiding actual spoilers 😙😉

[cloudy-lands]

Angel Dust x Daughter Reader

(prompt: reader is biological child of angel dust. y/n is his (angel dust's) first own child. Valentino somehow impregnated angel dust during a sex section with him. Before y/n was born Angel Dust left Valentino due to the abuse he was enduring to Angel and Angel didn't want his future child to be in a abusive family household.)

It was a few months into his pregnancy and Angel was happy as he could be. The spider demon was a father and was going to raise the baby on his own, but he also knew the dangers of Hell, so he had to make sure the kid was well protected.

"Don't worry kid, I'll get you the best protection." Angel said to his pregnant belly. He was a couple months into his pregnancy and was currently at work. Luckily the owner, Valentino, wasn't bothering him since he was pregnant and Valentino wasn't fond of kids.

"Angel Cakes~" Valentino called out. "Come here."

Angel sighed, walking into his boss's office.

"What is it, Val?" Angel asked.

"Oh nothing." Valentino smirked. "Just came by to say that the kid better not be a brat."

"Why would you think my kid would be a brat?" Angel asked, offended.

"Cause I know you, Angel cakes." Valentino replied. "You can't keep a damn thing clean."

Angel rolled his eyes.

"Well you don't have to worry, Val." Angel responded. "I'm not gonna have my kid in this shithole."

Valentino laughed.

"You're not taking the kid with you, are you?" Valentino asked.

"Yeah. So what if I am?" Angel asked.

"And just where the fuck do you think you'll go?" Valentino questioned.

"I don't know. Somewhere where I won't be forced to have sex with anyone I don't wanna." Angel replied.

"And you think you're gonna be safe there?" Valentino questioned. "Cause your life and that kid's life is in danger as long as you're down here."

“I would be staying at the hazbin hotel, the  place is a rehabilitation for sinners to be able to be redeemed into heaven. " said angel.

"The fuck do you mean by that?" Valentino asked.

"I mean, I'll be leaving soon. " Angel explained.

"So, you're gonna stay at the one place that's the safest from the rest of the fucking Pentagram?" Valentino questioned.

"Yep." Angel responded.

"That place is for sinners who actually have a shot at redemption." Valentino explained.

"I don't have a chance at redemption, but I'll still be staying there. " Angel said.

"I don't understand why the fuck you would do that, especially when you're not gonna have a shot at redemption." Valentino asked.

"Cause it's safer for the baby. " Angel said.

"Oh yeah. Cause the second owner, Alastor, is the safest guy around." Valentino mocked.

"He might be the safest. " Angel said.

"And why the fuck is he the safest?" Valentino asked.

"For one thing, he has a soft spot for children." Angel explained.

"Of course. Cause all psychopaths have a soft spot for kids." Valentino sarcastically stated.

"He's not a psychopath, Val." Angel defended.

"Oh really? That's not what I heard. " Valentino replied.

"Whatever." Angel said. "I'm just making sure my baby is safe."

"Well, you can do that while you're working, not running off to a hotel full of wannabe's." Valentino explained.

"Fuck off, Val. I'm not coming back here. " Angel said.

"You won't be leaving, Angel." Valentino said.

"Try and stop me." Angel dared.

Valentino got up, walked over to Angel and slapped him.

"You're not going anywhere." Valentino said.

Angel looked back at his boss, holding his face.

"Fine, I'm leaving." Angel said.

Valentino chuckled.

"Fine, you wanna leave. Leave." Valentino said.

"Thanks for your permission." Angel sarcastically stated.

"You better not tell anyone you're pregnant or I'll kill the kid." Valentino threatened.

Angel felt anger rising in him. He wanted to hit the moth pimp, but he was too afraid of him to do so.

"Whatever, just let me go." Angel said.

"Go ahead, I'll be waiting." Valentino said.

"You won't get to see the kid." Angel said.

"If they're not born dead, then they will be once I'm done with them." Valentino replied.

Angel walked out of his boss's office and walked down the hall.

"You better hope the kid is born dead." Angel muttered.

Angel left the building, he was heading for the hotel. He didn't know where else to go, and he didn't want his kid getting hurt by Valentino.

"I'm gonna raise this kid myself, whether Val likes it or not." Angel said.

As the days went on, Angel got more and more tired. The stress of the baby growing inside him was too much. He had a feeling that Valentino would actually try and hurt his kid, so he had to do something about it.

One night, Angel was in his room at the hotel, trying to get some sleep. It was hard for him, though, since his baby kept kicking him.

"Can't you be quiet?" Angel asked.

He waited for an answer, but none came.

"Fine, I'll make you quiet." Angel said.

He reached down, and started massaging his belly. It was the only thing he could think of to calm his baby.

"There. Happy now?" Angel asked.

No answer came, which frustrated Angel.

"Why do you have to make me suffer so much?" Angel questioned.

He waited again, but once again, no answer came.

"I can't wait till you're born. Then I won't have to worry about you." Angel said.

No answer came, but a small kick from the baby inside him.

"Oh yeah, that's right." Angel said.

He continued to rub his stomach.

"I can't wait till you're out." Angel said.

No answer came.

"Well, maybe you can't talk yet. That's fine. I'll just have to wait." Angel said.

He tried his best to get some sleep, but he couldn't. His baby kept kicking him, and it was annoying.

"Please, just stop. Let me sleep." Angel said.

No answer came again.

Angel sighed, and continued rubbing his stomach.

"Maybe you'll sleep better if you have a name." Angel said.

"How about..." He trailed off, thinking.

"What's a good name for a girl/boy?" Angel asked himself.

He thought for a minute, then a name came to him.

"How about Y/n?" Angel asked.

He waited, then he heard a kick.

"Okay, okay. I'll call you Y/n." Angel said.

Another kick came.

"You like that?" Angel asked.

A third kick came.

"Okay, that settles it. Your name is Y/n." Angel said.

He patted his stomach.

"Goodnight, Y/n." Angel said.

After some time finally, Angel fell asleep.

A few months later, it was time for Angel to give birth. The labor was hard, but Angel managed to deliver his child safely.

"It's a girl." The doctor said.

"She's beautiful." Angel said.

Angel looked down at his newborn daughter. She was a beautiful sight to behold.

"What's her name?" The doctor asked.

"Her name is Y/n." Angel told the doctor.

"What a lovely name." The doctor replied.

Angel took his daughter in his arms. She was the most precious thing he had ever seen.

"I'm gonna take care of you. I promise." Angel said.

After a few weeks, Angel brought his daughter back to the hotel. He told everyone that he had been staying at, that he had a daughter, and that they could come see her if they wanted to and for his child sake he told them a woman durring a shot for valentino have, had a child which she couldnt care for.

Charlie, Vaggie, and the rest of the staff came to visit Angel and his new daughter.

"Oh, she's beautiful!" Charlie exclaimed.

"What's her name?" Husk asked.

"Her name is Y/n." Angel replied.

"Y/n, huh?" Husk questioned.

"Yeah. I think it suits her." Angel replied.

"I think it's a great name." Charlie said.

"Me too." Vaggie agreed.

"Thanks." Angel replied.

Everyone took turns holding the baby. She was a little fussy, but not too much.

"I'm gonna raise you on my own. And everyone is gonna love you. You'll have a great life." Angel whispered to his daughter.

After a while, Angel decided to get some rest. He put his daughter down in her crib, and laid down in his bed.

"Goodnight, Y/n." Angel said.

With the love of a father, Angel knew he'd do whatever he had to, to make sure his daughter had a good life.

"You're a daddy's girl, you know that, kid?" Angel said.

He looked over his little girl, and closed his eyes.

"Love you." He whispered.

He fell asleep, a smile on his face.

A few years passed, and Angel had been taking care of his daughter. She was a happy, healthy little girl.

One day, Angel was sitting in the lobby of the hotel. He had brought his daughter along with him.

"Daddy, can we go outside?" Y/n asked.

"Sure. Just be careful, okay?" Angel replied.

"I will." Y/n replied.

She ran outside. Angel followed after her.

"Wait up!" Angel called.

"Hurry up, Daddy!" Y/n called.

"Hold on, kiddo." Angel replied.

He caught up to his daughter.

"There. Now, where do you want to go?" Angel asked.

"Can we go to the park?" Y/n asked.

"Okay. But we can't be gone long." Angel replied.

"Yay!" Y/n cheered.

They went to the park. Y/n played on the swings, while Angel pushed the swing once and turned away to watch her in case she fell.

"*giggles* Look, Daddy! I'm going high!" Y/n called.

"Careful, honey." Angel replied.

Y/n jumped off the swing, and ran towards Angel.

"I did it, Daddy! Did you see me?" Y/n asked.

"I did sweetheart." Angel replied.

"Now can I ride the monkey bars?" Y/n asked.

"Of course." Angel replied.

"Thanks!" Y/n said.

She ran off, and climbed onto the monkey bars.

"Watch what I can do, Daddy!" Y/n said.

She climbed across the monkey bars, and jumped down.

"That was great, honey." Angel said.

"Thanks, Daddy." Y/n replied.

They continued playing at the park.

After a while, they decided to go back to the hotel.

"Thank you for playing with me, Daddy." Y/n said.

"Anything for my little girl." Angel replied.

"You're the best daddy ever." Y/n replied.

"Oh, Thank you." Angel replied.

When they arrived back at the hotel, they were greeted by Charlie.

"Hello, Angel. And hello to you, too, Y/n." Charlie said.

"Hi, Auntie Charlie!" Y/n said.

"What'd you two do today?" Charlie asked.

"We went to the park." Y/n said.

"Was it fun?" Charlie asked.

"Yep. Daddy pushed me on the swing." Y/n said.

"Did you have a good time, too, Daddy?" Charlie teasingly asked chuckling.

"Yeah. It was nice." Angel sighed looking to the side with a distant expression.

"Daddy, are you okay?" Y/n asked.

"Y/n, why don't you go play in your room?" Angel suggested.

"Okay." Y/n replied.

She ran into her room, leaving Angel and Charlie alone.

"So, how'd the day go?" Charlie asked.

"Great." Angel sighed.

"Really?" Charlie asked.

"Yeah." Angel replied.

"Then, what's wrong?" Charlie asked.

"Nothing's wrong. Everything is fine." Angel replied.

"Angel, I've known you long enough to know when something's bothering you." Charlie said.

"It's just... Y/n's getting older. She's growing up, and soon, she won't need me anymore." Angel replied.

"Don't say that, Angel.She'll always need you. You're her father." Charlie replied.

"Yeah, but she'll start making her own decisions. She won't need me to help her." Angel explained.

"You'll still be there for her, Angel. She'll always need her dad." Charlie assured him.

[ryuzakemo128]

Grim Reaper Part Six

Pairings: Poly 141 x female reader / female reader x her mental health x König

Content Warnings: Hint of future darker content?, Kidnapping, mention of miscarriage, possessive & obsessed Austrian man, the affair partner comes in, domestic abuse mentioned, controlling behaviour mentioned, many other possible topics you may or may not find disturbing. Reader discrestion is advised.

Words: 2574

Masterlist - Prequel - Part One - Part Two - Part Three - Part Four - Part Five - Part Six - Part Seven - Part Eight - Part Nine

Supernatural AU - Poem

Credit for Dividers: @cafekitsune + @strangergraphics

Summary:

You felt peaceful at home in Alaska.

Austria keeps you on tenterhooks.

A month into your kidnapping, you were never in the main house for longer than a maximum of three days of the week. König wouldn’t risk the task force finding you so quickly, he finally managed to get you back Mäuschen. Don’t you understand? He wanted to keep you for a little longer. How much longer you ask? Why do you need to know Mäuschen? You don’t have a choice in the matter.

Sit there, look pretty for him. Don’t you fucking move a muscle as a painter etches your new look into an oil painting. Into another canvas he would later neglect much like anything your relationship fostered between the two of you. You were too tired to protest or argue with him. The jet lag getting to you faster than a snail escaping a squirrel.

König’s cooing in your ear didn’t help the matter any more if you weren’t tired and fighting the urge to punch him in the face. He seemed too keen on making sure you had this child in his presence inside of his home.

You felt peaceful at home in Alaska.

Austria keeps you on tenterhooks.

Here screamed danger. Betrayal. Heartbreak. Nothing good for you.

That's a diet level not to recommend; a morgue visit seems more apt.

The cottage's redeeming feature is the panoramic countryside view from every angle.

Things kept inside of it? They were a little too perfect, perfected and placed in a ‘aesthetically’ pleasing view. If someone wasn’t paying too close attention to it. Someone with a keen eye would point out it was purposefully styled this way to get you to stay longer.

From Monday to Thursday, you focused on crafting an escape plan while in a different Austrian region. Upon returning, you had no intention of taking chances. Staring at the harp in one of the rooms. In another life you would be playing it still. In another life you would still be married. You wouldn’t have lost your child the first time. Things would have been…...better?

It didn’t matter. It is what it is and thinking about what ifs wouldn’t change a damn thing about it either. Your mind like a stonewall remained steadfast in your choices leading up to your divorce. There was nothing he would or could say to prove otherwise.

On a Friday morning, you were drinking your green tea while someone waltzed into your room. A smug grin plastered on her face. Painted on her face like a well-rehearsed lyric, line in a play and a notable quote from a novel you liked to read.

You finally saw the woman he was seeing behind your back, your face carefully posed neutrally. If looks could have killed, she would have died the moment she walked through the door. “Do I know you?” You asked raising an eyebrow at her.

Her tactics didn't amuse you at all. In fact, it was a mere joke in a failing comical script by a piss poor comedian. Raised by failing artists who thought they could raise a success amongst two failures. You would have pitied her if you didn’t already want to immediately want to melt her face off.

"You don't remember? I figured you would." She jeered.

“You are no longer an integral part of my life. Therefore, your presence in my mind does not exist. Your name is lost in my history, forever a number in a line of cowards I have met in my life.”

“Fancy words for someone locked away in her old bedroom.” She rolled eyes. “I suppose that’s what happens when you run to a group of men instead of remaining loyal to the one guy who could have given you everything you could have wanted.”

“Oh. You sweet summer child. He told you that or did you concoct inside that head of yours all by yourself?” you snorted as you rolled your eyes at her naivety. You just created a job opening sweetheart. He’s serial cheater. You did yourself no favours by staying with him. I have no pity for you. None for a woman who took the life of my first born child from me. You dug your hole here. Lie in it and stay there.

You didn’t dare speak those words aloud. Not yet. You wouldn’t give this woman the satisfaction of her seeing you emotionally react to her. Once in a blue moon you will find your soul here. A version of yourself untainted by the future hurt you would feel soon after. A piece of yourself forever lying inside of the walls of this place no matter how many coats of paint he will put upon these walls.

No matter how much he denies it. You were first and foremost the one who might end up killing him by the end of it all. As you promised you would have if you ever found him cheating on you. Not one to take back your promise as it would go against your morals, your personal code of ethics. A promise is a promise after all.

Like a mythic fox, you're crafty, sharp-witted, and never succumb to trivial vanity. While König laid the game's foundation, you held more hidden cards. You weren’t going to lay around all day helpless like a damsel in distress this time around.

You had an Italian phrase etched into your forearm the month after your divorce, ‘Fino alla morte ogni coglione ci arriva.’ Meaning ‘Until we die anything and everything can happen.’

The phrase slowly becoming your mantra, your personal hymn and prayer you would say yourself over and over. It became your saving grace. Something you cling onto with vehemently. Close to your chest long enough to burn into your soul.

Yet this woman seemed to be so keen on getting right into your face about your pregnancy. You snapped, ordering her back onto König's cock, claiming he'd already fucked her senseless. Best she returns to her sole expertise before you consider doing it for him. Maybe not the optimal phrasing, but it seemed the sole means to make her retreat into a room that felt like a cave.

“Apart from your girlfriend's foolishness, you've done well,” you said calmly. “Well enough for a man of stature.”

König had never seen your temper rise this much. To this level before, it was pointed, angled at him and somehow, he felt his skin fluster. A bundle of nerves aroused by the thought of you losing your temper at her or him. He wanted more. No, he needed more of it. Aimed at him more than anything. Even when you threatened to fuck his girlfriend for him, which to anyone else, it would be odd to hear about right?

König didn't disagree. It was in fact odd to hear the first time she told him. He felt the need to hear repeat inside of his mind. Like a small voice in the back of his skull. Thoughts lingering around. He didn’t know he could think of you in that way. He only saw you as pure. Delicate. A flower.

Upon hearing this now. He desired you to sleep with her from the get-go. A desire which grew from the depths of his soul straight to his cock. Upon hearing, he was even angrier, you didn't. He wanted you to, solely to prove a point. The point where you weren’t the same woman he met years ago. Yet you sent her away. Slamming his fists against the table, sending a few pens rolling off the other side.

A few papers on his desk jumped from the top of his desk. Grunting at the thought of you taking his girlfriend in such an aggressive manner made his cock rock hard in a way he couldn’t hope to describe. Tempting like fudge he wasn’t allowed to eat. Irresistible like the last slice of pizza he hadn’t eaten in years. An apple from a tree, God had forbade Adam and Eve from picking and eating. Lucious, delicious, irresistible.

He'll confine you another weekday henceforth, leveraging your fiery nature for his gain. The potential is immense and endless, ready for his consumption, much like savouring shreds of slow-roasted pork. Can't you see, Maus? Don't you see his longing? Are you truly oblivious? He wants you face first into the white pillows mewling, begging for his thick cock to be shoved deep inside of you until your legs were weak, wobbly like a fawn learning to walk for the first time.

The deep thought of the mockery you would bring for the name branded things he had bought his girlfriend gave him the urge to jerk off inside of a condom pretending it was your tight pussy instead. Tricking his mind into believing he was cock deep inside of you.

Its your fault you look hotter while you are angry, tears streaming down your face and chest heaving as the sobbing wracked through you. Body and soul. Things he took for granted the first time. Yet if only he could take you like he did recently. Over and over without the fear of you ‘remembering’ somehow or in some way in the future. It was far too tempting to not play with that thought right?

You should understand what he’s capable Maus. You fucked with the wrong man this time. I mean it would always wind up to be your fault right Mäuschen? You get a sniff, a lick, a taste and a bite of freedom. And you act up like this Mäuschen?

You must be punished.

You need to be shown who’s really in charge.

And do you really think it’s you? Really?

Need a wake-up call? König is more than prepared to give you one. Or two.

“Taking her away from me? Laughable excuse among many. Pathetic.” He grumbled. Brow creasing into a frown.

Your mantra from ‘I don’t need you. Just as you don't need me’ to the more comforting ‘Until we die anything and everything can happen.’ Though the process was tough, she felt relief at escaping someone cold and uncaring. Her past often surprised her when she least anticipated it. Finding her miss parts of it more than she felt like she should have.

The same platinum blonde and light brown ombre coloured hair tied with pink hair ties in two piggy tails. The pastel pink headband matching the hair ties. The corseted, A-line pink and white dress. It screamed ‘try hard’ to a desperate degree. You just hoped she liked dressing this way before he met her.

She batted her eyelashes as stepped closer to you, you stepped away from her, yet with each step further away. She matched it with two tiny ones of hers. One step back and two steps forward. Pressing your back against the wall. Her light grey eyes looking into yours like you had something inside you worth keeping for herself.

Thief and liar. Two typically dreadful things combined. Evoking a distinctive atmosphere of neglect akin to that found in a Lovecraft or King horror novel. Commonly appealing to horror fans over partygoers.

Odd. She’s silent this time.

Good. She learnt her fucking lesson.

I wish she would stay out of my face though.

Not my problem for much longer.

Her gaze delved deep, as if manually reorganising your insides, all without a trace of physical contact. As you mustered the courage to ask her to go away, the door suddenly opened, and a maid brought in your breakfast. You moved to the table, the young woman gazing in your wake.

What the fuck is her problem? Doesn’t she have something better to do? Did Konig put her up to this? That stupid sick fucker. Probably getting off to the thought of sending her here.

It's likely he has three to four cameras here now.

I located one above the bathroom door and another right above the showerhead, closer to the shower. The third was likely behind the bathroom mirror.

I wouldn’t put it past him. Even with an affair, he remained controlling. Subtly controlling, unnoticed until my departure. Cameras were just one of the few things I remember. I am sure the meals were just as restrictive as they were back then. Can’t gain weight when your husband controls what you eat right? In this case ex-husband.

It felt odd to be watched in this manner. You expected it to come from a stonewall mute who only spoke in sign language or morse code. Not whatever this was.

His mind has flown the coop. It would have to be long gone by now.

He creates chaos and expects me to fix it, accepting the blame for his actions to ease his conscience. Not anymore. As I told him the first day.

I don’t need him anymore. He’s no longer the first thing on my mind. Yet it’s like he’s not listening to the words I’m telling him through my actions. Deliberately misreading them to a dangerous degree.

I can’t find the words to describe how pathetic he seems to me now. Knowing what kind of person, he has shown himself to be.

To think I’m the monster in your eyes. Especially considering the lengths you go to get what you think is yours. Pathetic. Utterly pathetic.

You are far luckier you’re not in front of me now. No matter. If I need to bide my time. I will bide my time. Inch by inch. Centimetre by Centimetre. You will not get away with ruining my life.

Another strange thing you picked up on. There were no clocks inside the entire place. Not even digital ones. Not a single clock anywhere. No calendars kept anywhere to let you know what day or month of the year it was.

There is no ceramic dishes or glasses. Replaced by plastic plates, cups and cutlery. As if he tried to baby wrap and baby proof every aspect of your time here. You are sure the rest of the furniture has the same theme of ‘safety’. As if he didn’t think you were capable of caring for yourself properly.

Insulting as well as utterly demeaning.

He even cleared the books.

None of the erotic tales he'd suspect you of reading behind his back. He called it cheating to read them. Said you were reading them to get back at him on an emotional level of some kind.

Made him doubt your marital fidelity compared to his.

Stated it was your responsibility for his initial infidelity.

Ludicrous. Absurd and utterly false.

He yelled, calling it the ultimate betrayal for writing it on your own terms. He'd have remained unaware if he'd ignored the mail that day. You sold the manuscript a few months into his deployment for extra cash. You'd typically use this while earning, when he's usually away.

He’d be home. While you were deployed. It was an opposite of each other.

He didn’t know you. Not in the way you hoped.

He'd bring gold jewellery, but you liked silver more.

He’d bring you plain green tea. You preferred hibiscus and strawberry hibiscus.

Purposefully getting things wrong to the point where it felt like he just didn’t care. On purpose to a deeper degree, you couldn’t understand at the time. You couldn’t put your finger on the reason for it.

You guess you ought to be glad you got out of there in one piece the first time.

[diamondkat]

Valentino fans and Alastor fans

I accidentally went on r/hazbinhotel after some time spent deliberately avoiding that subreddit, and now I have a few rants to get off my chest. This is the first rant of three or so.

r/hazbinhotel is a subreddit that is currently dominated by Alastor haters. It is so hostile to Alastor fans that over time, Alastor fans have mostly left and being on that subreddit would give you the impression that Alastor is the most hated character on the show. I mostly blame Valentino fans for this. I know that Valentino fans get harassed, and there has even been harassment towards the VA. I know that even as recently as the last Pride merch, people were demanding that Valentino be removed from merch. Valentino fans have in the past tended to respond to this by bringing up Alastor. Why is it okay to love Alastor but not Valentino? In the early days, they would constantly make posts comparing the two, trying to paint Alastor in the worst light. I had to read so many arguments that went as far as to make up things about Alastor to make him look worse than Valentino. The subreddit slowly got more hostile towards Alastor fans, with people not being able to post a nice thing about Alastor without having people come in to remind them that Alastor was the worst/most evil character on the show with zero redeeming traits.

Alastor already had haters looking for an excuse. Alastor was already considered a villain and a potential future antagonist. We didn't need you helping the haters against us. I think that subreddit is currently relatively friendly towards Valentino fans while being mostly hostile towards Alastor fans. Most Alastor fans had your back when you were under attack, but you threw us under the bus to uplift your character. Meanwhile, Vox was right there. He was in every merch that they wanted to remove Valentino from. The character who is literally part of the same group as Valentino, enables all his actions, and likely participates as well. A character far more similar to Valentino than Alastor, who is also still loved. A character that you could have used without having to play the game of who is more evil, because their type of evil is similar. A comparison that wouldn't have led to me having to read about how Alastor would totally be a rapist if he wasn't asexual. Instead, you all let people continue to act like Vox was a better person than Valentino and Alastor.

Now, I understand that this was likely the haters taking advantage of Valentino fans just wanting people to stop hating on them for their choice of favourite character. However, I can't help but feel that Valentino fans strongly contributed to what happened.

[vibraniumqueen]

Ok, reading back on it. It does come off as way more passive aggressive than I wanted it too, I apologize.

I know John had shit moments in fatws. I'm in no way saying he wasn't an asshole. I just thought that being reminded that Alexei was at the very least compliant with child trafficking that John wouldn't seem worst.

You are right, we don't know enough about Alexei's background to really say much. We don't know what he knew exactly about The Red Room. But you kinda got to admit, having wishful thinking that he doesn't know anything is kinda like "He was on the plane but he didn't go to the island" He knew something horrible was going on.

What we do know that he greeted Dreykov as an old friend, asked him for more missions, talked Natasha down from trying to escape, looked her dead in her teary eyes as she said "I don't want to go back there. You can't take her[Yelena], she's only six" and straight up said "You were younger." Then watched her get drugged and taken away.

But you do have a point that, the writing makes John as asshole while Alexei is buffoon.

Anyway, I know my initial ask seemed like it was meant to be an argument, sorry about that again. Neither this one or the last one were meant to be! but mostly, long story short it was just a "Alexei not as bad? He helped The Red Room!"

Thank you for your response! In the future, you might want to use tone tags to indicate which emotion you are trying to convey. For instance, you could use /gen to indicate it's a genuine question/statement, or /lh as shorthand for light hearted, so people know you're not putting so much weight into your message. If you dont know what tone tags are, you can look them up on Google or even here on Tumblr.

Anyway, back to Alexei and John. I think they're both terrible people. I do think Alexei has come farther in trying to make up for his past than John has. I asked my fiance (also a huge Marvel fan) for his opinion on the MCU versions of the characters, and he agreed with me that he thinks John is worse. But that part of that is him trying to do better/being removed from the situations where he was doing bad work/things.

I also want to make sure I'm clear that I think both of these characters are bad. I don't think either one have redeemed themselves (at least not completely) and I am interested to see what the MCU has in store for these characters and if they will try to redeem them, or bring them back to their low points/villain eras.

I know assuming Alexei doesn't know is not a super strong argument. But at the end of the day, it's the studios job to show us and give us context for these characters, and they omitted that from the Black Widow film. I think maybe the purposely left his character vague, so that they could leave open different options for future appearances of the character. (Which is kind of lame, but whatever. Ig it's a smart money-making decision to wait and see how audiences receive the character).

Part of why I bring up Alexei being a buffoon, is that I don't think he's super street smart. I think there's a good chance his character is too blinded by his love for Russia that he does not infer what is going on in the widow program, other than depriving children of a childhood, and training them to be killers. (Which is still pretty terrible that he's okay with that). I don't necessarily like that they chose to make him somewhat of an idiot, but that's how I interpret his character. Of course, being ignorant doesn't absolve someone from all wrongdoing. They should do their due diligence. But I think Alexei not completely understanding what's going on isn't as bad as him potentially knowing what's going on. I hope that if we see a lot more of his character, that they explore his background some to give us much needed context.

At the end of the day though, these are all just opinions and we can all have our own opinions.

Trigger Warning: mentions of real world csa (child sexual abuse) and discussions of the immorality of murder. Brief suicidal ideation

Getting into a really deep topic here, I am a CSA survivor, and my personal opinion is that when you murder someone in cold blood, not in self defense, that is worse than SA (purely in MY opinion. Everyone is entitled to their own opnion on this matter). With murder, you end a life. With SA, you ruin a life, but you don't end it, and it is possible to heal from, despite it being a long journey and there being spots along the way where it doesn't feel like it's worth it.

So to me, John Walker's crime is worse, especially since he committed it himself. Alexei may have known about what was going on and didn't do anything to stop it, (which is super horrible if that is the case), but he didn't perpetrate the crime itself. Which while being horrific, isn't as horrific as actually committing the act yourself. The only counter argument i could see to this that I would agree with, is that John Walker only did that to one person (that we know of). While Dreykov committed his crimes en masse.

Ok, sorry about getting really dark and serious there 😭

I hope none of this came across as passive aggressive, because I don't mean it as such. I mean it as a serious discussion between two fans (and whoever else chooses to interact with this post). If there's any more you'd like to discuss (on this or anything else Marvel related) feel free to shoot me another ask! (This goes for everyone reading this as well)

<I didn't proof read this, so sorry if anything is glaringly wrong or tone deaf 😭 >

[meanderingstream]

So I saw a poll a few days ago about whether your blorbo would survive if the person they loved the most died and they couldn’t save them. And so I was thinking about the leverage OT3, but specifically if both of the other 2 died and they couldn’t save them, how would each of them go on.

I think Hardison would survive. He would obviously be devastated and especially if he was trying to save them from his computer or something while they were in the field and he failed, he would never get over it. However, he has a support network both deep and wide in his nana, his foster siblings, and to some extent his online friends, as well as Breanna, Sophie, Harry, and other people he knows through Leverage. I think the loss of Parker and Eliot together would fundamentally change him, but eventually, he would be able to move on and find happiness and connection with others again both because he has that support network to hold him up and because connecting with people is such a fundamental part of who Hardison is.

I think Parker is a survivor. She has had to be a survivor for her whole life. She is used to surviving even when everything falls apart. I think she would try and use some of the coping mechanisms we see her use in the show of trying to attribute her emotions to other people or to past or future Parker, but those would be woefully insufficient to this devastation. I could see her for a time running away from people and trying to lose herself in jumping off high buildings and stealing things, but it would end in an utter breakdown. She might even regret becoming the person who had opened her heart and changed together with them and tried to do the right thing. She might almost wish she had stayed alone with her emotions locked away to avoid this current pain. Except she couldn’t ever regret knowing them. She would either come back or Sophie would eventually find her, and they would commiserate about losing their person(s). If Parker had failed to save the boys, she might feel a lot of guilt around Breanna, but Breanna would likely feel guilt about why she wasn't there / couldn't save them either. They would eventually talk it out and then be able to support each other. Parker would survive, but she might lose some of her progress in opening up to people. Someone else would almost certainly have to take over Leverage International for a while. I think Parker would make it through and recover, but would never be as open as she managed to get while she was with Hardison and Eliot. 

I think Eliot is the toughest call. On the one hand, he has survived so much that others didn't. From the army, to the PMCs, to working for Moreau and others like him, to (probably the biggest challenge) facing the guilt and shame of who he had become. Eliot got through it all. But now, after swearing to watch over them until his dying day, if he failed to save them, then he would prefer to die with them. Eliot is the most likely of the three to not survive the loss of the other two, but I think it would come down to whether he felt he was still needed. If Sophie, Breanna, Harry, and others that he cares about needed him to protect them, then he might just make it through for them. Eliot, of course, believes he is already damned, and he is not looking for redemption because he doesn't believe it's possible after the things he’s done, but he appreciates the opportunity to be useful. To his mind, he needs to be useful to the people who are redeemed and to doing good in the world, because it’s already too late for him. If losing his partners happened while it was just the 3 of them, I think he would go after those that did it and not intend to survive the process. But if he has the rest of the team, I think he would stay alive to continue protecting them. Especially because of Breanna. If he failed Hardison, he can at least protect his baby sister. Eliot would stay alive for exactly as long as he felt useful, but he would likely never be able to really try retiring from the physical parts of his job and would probably plan on going out swinging when he got too old to be a hitter. Depending on a lot of variables, the rest of the team might eventually be able to convince him that there were other ways to take care of them like cooking and advising and being there for people, but it would be a long shot and, either way, he would never forgive himself for failing to protect Parker and Hardison or for not being the first to go.

[laroserie]

— characters : Alastor, + the hotels residents (vague mention - expect for Charlie)

— content : x gender neutral reader - reader is a baker, reader is naive (for a sinner), Alastor manipulate reader into coming to the hotel, Alastor is Alastor but he's also OOC (kinda but uh who write canon Alastor anyways)

— author note : this is the second part of an (potentially yandere!) alastor x baker reader - the first part is here (also the words count is : 1.7k ) (saying that because i outdid myself lol) (also yes i know Alastor canonically do not like tea idc this mf is gonna drink tea) ++ honestly considering doing a third part because I have so much more to say and write about this

After Alastor came back from his seven years hiatus and he came for at your bakery again, he could come so often, like once every two days.

But it could take him a while to make a 'move', try to get closer to you or talk to you about the hotel but one day, he comes to your bakery and asks for an unusual amount of pastries. You don't comment on it as it's not your place - you are just a simple baker ! But you can't help but raise an eyebrow.

Alastor meant to talk to you about the hotel, not because he wanted you to reedem yourself or because he wanted to do it for Charlie - well maybe a little but he won't admit it - but more or less to keep an eye on you. By then, he isn't sure as to why he wants to keep an eye on you - his assumption is that he feels the same way toward you as he does toward Rosie. He sees you as a friend but not quite - you are the sweet baker who makes quite good pastries and you are by far one of the less annoying sinners he ever spoke to. But he feels some kind of protectiveness over you - probably because he sees you as quite meek and weak.

So obvious what could be better than inviting you to stay at the hotel ? A place where he can both protect and keep on eye on you at -nearly- all time.

Alastor took this opportunity, 'These aren't all for me, dear. They are for ... my friends ?' he started while you were wrapping up what he purchased, 'You see ... Have you heard of the Hazbin Hotel ?' he asks.

'Uhm ... The hotel run by the princess ? Yeah I've seen a bit of talk about it, why ?'

'Well ! I am the facility manager of that, hotel ! And the ... pastries are for my fellows workers and residents.' He stopped for a second to gauge your reaction to that information - which was a simple nod and a 'ohh' - he continued. 'Hm, the goal of the hotel is to help sinners redeem themselves ... could you be by chance interested ?'

This question probably takes you by surprise. By then you already finished packing Alastor order - you push it toward him on the counter. You respond hesitantly 'Ha, well ... Is it possible ? To even redeem yourself ... ?' Your smile falter a bit and you look in the void for a bit. 'I don't think redemption is for me ... If I'm here it mean I deserve it and that it's already too late ...' Alastor didn't fully expect you to react like this - he did expect that you could say 'no' at first but not that.

'But ! Anyways, there is your order, enjoy !' You said trying to end the conversation there. But alas Alastor was not the type to give up so easily.

He took his order but continued on, 'If you couldn't mind dear, please just come and visit once, to be truthful, we haven't had a whole lot of sinners coming, you just simply visiting could be wonderful, and you could help bring Charlie mood up, oh and you both could get along so well !' As he finished his sentence he turned and walked toward the door and threw you a 'Goodbye!'.

Alastor knew you enough to know that he could pull at your heart strings to get what he wanted - you were always the sensitive type, the type to care even about strangers. He was sure that he could see you 'visit' in the near future.

And well he was right ! A mere three days after you found yourself at the doorstep of the hotel. You had been waiting for a few minutes already - you were still debating on entering or just turning on your hells and going back home.

But before you could do anything the hotel door in front of you opened in a big 'slam'. And once again before you could do anything, you were dragged into the hotel in a very enthusiastic manner.

'Hello !! Are you interested in the hotel ?' A cheerful voice asked you, as she dragged you into the hall, you recognised quite easily who is was - the owner of the hotel - Charlie Morningstar. It wasn't your first time seeing her, but it was your first time seeing her up close. You had to restrain a laugh at her over-enthusiasm, you didn't want be irrespectful toward the princess of hell.

'Good morning, I am simply visiting as it was recommended by ... a friend of mine.' You saw her be a bit disappointed hearing that. 'Oh. Is there anyways you could I don't know change your mind ? Maaaaybe ?' She asked.

You a small smile appeared on your face 'Maybe. If your convincing is good enough.'

Charlie took it as a challenge, she started by showing you around the hotel, and then made you meet the residents - you spoke a bit with everyone - at the exception of Alastor how was visiting his friend in Cannibal Town. To say you were surprised knowing that the two sole residents of the hotel were one of the biggest pornstar of hell and somekind of mad inventor could be an understatement. The staff of the hotel was also something - you knew already Niffty and Husk having heard about them from Alastor and you saw and spoke with Husk a few times when he picked up orders at your bakery for Alastor. And then there was Vaggie, she seemed to be quite suspicious of you and it feel like she could gut you out as soon as you do something wrong.

By the end of the day, Charlie asked you once again if you wanted to join the hotel - you struggled to answer her - a part of you seriously started to consider joining the hotel and trying to get redeem but the other one was still wary of the idea.

But you asked her if you could come every once in a while to visit and she was overjoyed by it - you didn't join the hotel but it was still an advances to have someone visit the hotel.

You did end up visiting the hotel a lot - at some point you could come once a week - you ended up befriending most people from the hotel.

One of those day, most of the hotel residents were out - only Alastor and Niffty were at the hotel. Niffty was running around chasing cockroachs - you were having tea with Alastor.

Alastor had finally decided to move to the next steps of his plan - to have you under his grip. He started by asking you a few questions about how you felt about the hotel.

'I told you, you could get along with Charlie !' You nodded as you sipped on a cup of tea. 'Are you thinking of joining the hotel officially ?' You sighed and shake your head, 'Alastor, you already know my answer ...'

'Are you sure dear ? I truly think it could be beneficial for you to join.' He persisted. 'But, I have a bakery to run, I, I have responsibility.'

'You can continue to run your bakery while being a resident here darling ! Honestly, why don't you want to ? Please don't tell me you seriously believe you cannot be redeem, we all know that it's not true. You by far one of the most ... redeemable sinner there is' Alastor tone of voice was serious - the atmosphere shifted and suddenly the way you were sitting became uncomfortable. 'Alastor please ... Don't.' You managed to utter, your looked down at the cup between your hands.

'What, I am simply saying the truth. I am just asking you to enlighten me as to why you don't think you should at least try to redeem yourself and join heaven.' You looked up to see Alastor with his usual smile plastered on his face - it felt wrong, you felt yourself crack. 'There is no real reasons to be frank, I just know that it's not possible, that it's not right ...'

Alastor shacks his head, 'If you don't do it for yourself please do it for Charlie, you both are dear friends now right ? Couldn't you like to make her happy by becoming a resident and attempting to cleanse yourself of your sins ? Ah, it could even make me happy ...' He pulled out the last card in his deck - once again he knew that playing with your feelings could be the easiest way to get you to stay - and so he did.

He could see you hesitate a bit, 'Are you sure ...? What if she learn that I don't believe in it truly ? I do not wish to be hypocritical ... isn't that a sin itself ?' Alastor laughed a little hearing you, 'You shouldn't worry about that darling. The important thing is the end result - not how you got it. Who cares if you aren't honest ? And if it's stay between the two of us, Charlie will never know.' You took a few minutes to think - weighting the pros and cons.

You sighed and nodded your head, 'Sure, I mean what could go wrong ... ha.'. Alastor smiles 'Exactly dear !', he took a sip of tea, 'Now, shall we do the paperwork now ?', he didn't wait for an answer and just pulled out a stack of papers and a pen out of Satan know here and slided them toward you.

You didn't brother to question him and just took the pen in hand, 'Do I really need to read all of that ?' you said pointing to the small toward of papers in front of you, 'Oh of course no, it's just good 'ol paperwork, you don't need to read anything ! Just sign the bottom of each pages and ... we should be good.' you probably didn't notice the way his smiles twisted as he uttered those words or if you did you just preferred to not question it.

Looking back you probably should have - it could have saved you from the collar and leash attached to your neck and the overall pain that was having your soul being owned by Alastor - with the added layer of being a full time resident of the hotel.

[dittomander]

Steven Universe I know but what are EoA fans doing now??

hhhh okay. so.

to be totally fair up front, there's nothing nearly as virulent as the absolute insanity that comes out of SU spaces (to my knowledge, no one has accused Craig Gerber of being a fascist). The EoA fandom doesn't have the kind of headcount necessary to sustain drama for very long, and most of the people in it are pretty chill and normal. So what we have instead is the world's slowest conga line of bad takes, where every 1-3 months or so we get someone popping up to talk about how bad or how wild a certain writing decision was for reasons that completely ignore elements like target audience, genre conventions, and theme.

I'm not sure of your personal level of familiarity with EoA, so to set the stage here: the central message of EoA is that it's never too late to change your future. You can't undo the past, but you can always take accountability and learn from your mistakes going forward, and it's important to give others the opportunity to do so, as well. This theme is stated out loud in varying ways throughout the show, including via an entire musical number in the finale literally titled 'Never Too Late'. It's all pretty unsubtle - while this show delves into some surprisingly heavy topics for Disney Jr., it is still a Disney Jr. show, and the messaging is very direct. They do everything short of looking into the camera at the end Veggie Tales-style and asking "so kids, what did we learn today?"

So with how heavy handed the messaging can be, it's genuinely surprising to me how many people seemed to miss the point. An incomplete list of takes I've seen the last few years, in no particular order:

Victor and Carla were never really bad/were just misunderstood/etc. and the reason they got redeemed is because they never really needed redemption in the first place. (ignores sizable amounts of their textual actions and misses the point of the show - if it's never too late to change, then it shouldn't matter how bad or deserving of 'redemption' they ever were)

Actually, Victor didn't do enough to be forgiven and doesn't deserve it. (okay, and? your point? He outright acknowledges that he may never earn forgiveness in the text of the show! His personal ability to change is the important part, and is unaffected by whether others forgive him!)

Esteban did too many horrible things and should have had to die as a consequence. (to what end? what would that accomplish? how is that better than him living to actually make amends? what would this satisfy except your own punitive sense of vengeance?)

Actually, the show is victim blaming Esteban by expecting him to be accountable for his actions because he was always being influenced by Shuriki/Ash/Cahu/etc. (Ok look he's a complicated guy and his motives certainly range in sympathy but like. he is still in control of his own actions. he still needs to change. owning up to his mistakes is a part of that, or else he'll continue to make the same ones over and over again. which Cahu actually comments on. In the text.)

Elena is evil/crazy/too violent/etc. and can't possibly come back morally from her behavior. (even if I give the benefit of the doubt and assume that misogyny isn't a driver on this one, it still misses the point of the show and an awful lot of the text. her pursuit of vengeance is treated as a character flaw to overcome! it causes problems for her! and she overcomes it! and if you can give leeway to the others to change, why is Elena where you draw the line?)

Actually, Elena wasn't evil/crazy/violent enough after everything she went through! She was trapped in an amulet for 41 years she should be completely insane! (ok this isn't even a thematic thing this is just you don't understand the genre conventions of a children's fantasy. cool fanfic, still not a sensible critique of the show)

Like. This sort of stuff just keeps. Popping. Up. These types of takes have made it into YouTube videos with hundreds of thousands of views. People have made money off of saying this kind of stuff, among all kinds of other misinterpretations of more granular parts of the text. Genuinely, when I see long analysis text posts in the tags or new retrospective videos, my stomach just sinks in dread at this point. And right when I think that's all been left behind I'm blindsided by something else. If bad Steven Universe takes are floodwaters, overwhelming and everywhere, then bad Elena of Avalor takes are the endless drips of a broken sink - infrequent and largely just obnoxious as individuals, but the sound will still slowly drive you mad, and it's still a problem that needs to be fixed.

I'd be more understanding if the show was more obtuse, but none of the themes are even subtextual. It's literally just the text. They say it all out loud. How do we still have people in the year 2025 saying Esteban should have died? I'm baffled and tired.

[andromeda049]

After finally getting around to watching Kill The Moon I was very much surprised, pleasantly in fact.

While the abortion metaphor is 100% a valid reading you can make of the story, I don't buy it being the true conflict and message of the episode. Knowing that apparently Peter Harness didn't intend this to be an abortion metaphor, I can let it pass as what is probably a writer's political views subconsciously leaking into the script.

Judging the story literally and not metaphorically. It's about choosing if it's right/worth to kill an innocent being to save the lives of many.

This is literally the trolley problem.

Then you remember that this episode works as a sort of prelude for Mummy On The Orient Express and the true intentions of this episode come to light.

This is a story about having no "good choices", about taking risks when you aren't sure what's going to happen.

Clara is put way more in a bad light than what most people say. Clara is left speechless and with no counter arguments to what Lundwik argues and concedes to letting earth decide. When she finally pushes the button it was clearly a sudden and irrational move.

Clara outright says she didn't know what was going to happen, that she wasn't planning to press the button. Clara didn't make this choice because of knowing what was for the best, she did it because she couldn't bear the weight of intentionally killing an innocent being. She gambled, she took a leap of faith and it paid off.

Beyond the choice itself. Another big aspect of the episode is why The Doctor put Clara in this situation.

The Doctor is lonely. Everybody knows that. But even when companions are close to him, he still feels alone because there's nobody in the universe like him.

He can relate to some, but there's always a thing or two getting in the way (for example Time Lords being dead). So he craves, he strongly craves for someone like him. When The Doctor is asked why he wants to rehabilitate Missy a big reason he gives is the fact she is the only person somewhat similar to him.

The Doctor desires someone he can relate to so badly it makes him want to redeem the person who destroyed 1/4 of the universe.

And now in an adventure with her he finds a situation in which they have to decide if they are willing to stop the birth of a living being to save the lives of many? That sounds familiar.

Just like Nine brought Rose to the future so she could also experience what it's like seeing your planet explode and be the last member of your species, Twelve put Clara in this situation so she could experience what it's like to be the one who makes the big choices.

The Doctor all the time makes decisions that affect the lives of many. Decisions that most of the time he isn't sure if they will work. He risks it all every day. It brings him a lot of pain but he feels forced to do it because he thinks no one else can. He always has to save humanity because he thinks none of them could do what he does.

This... Sadly brings out the uncomfortable truth. Which is that The Doctor does look down upon humans. Don't get me wrong, he adores them, he would give it all to be like them. But he is aware that he considers himself superior to humanity, which is a side of him he (usually) tries to keep in check.

Humanity is for The Doctor what animals are for humanity. We love animals, we admire what they can do and even envy them in some areas, but we still don't consider them as capable, as intelligent as us.

This side of The Doctor can be seen as far back as the first episode of the revival. Calling humans stupid apes, and describing them as a species on it's first baby steps. Because of it, he wants them to be better, he knows how amazing they can and will be and wants them to achieve their potential.

What I'm getting at is that he feels like he is the only one who has to make the big choices, he feels alone taking that burden. But at the same time, he likes it, he enjoys taking these decisions, and he would be more than pleased to have someone right by his side taking them as well.

This is about nurturing Clara into becoming something greater. In his eyes, this means stop being a little human and grow to be the tiniest little bit similar to him.

All of this makes me remember that one moment in The End Of Time Part 2.

The Doctor said humans look like giants, he never said they look bigger than him.

[tubasmiracle]

Pick Up~ Shut Up! | Choi Yeonjun

Pairing: Yeonjun x afab!y/n

Genre: Fluff, cute couple banter

Word count: 1.5k (approx.)

Plot: You and Yeonjun are in a new relationship, but that man dared to ghost you 2 months in, and..and not even say the magical word to redeem!!!!

Song:

[Day 1]

“The person you are trying to reach is on another call, please call later. The person you are trying to reach is on another call, please-” the call ended abruptly.

“Ugh why isn't he picking up the call now??” Y/n said as she checked the messages, the two grey ticks with several messages since a day!! made her blood boil.

“Two months into the relationship and he is already ignoring me??” 

“He must be busy, give him some time and check if he later checks back to you or not.” Ren assured Y/n. Ren is Y/n’s best friend, her right hand, the one who helped her get with Yeonjun. 

Y/n didn't know at the time that Yeonjun was equally weak for her.

“Hmm, it's evening, I will get back to my place. Byee Ren ahhh!” Y/n hugged Ren tightly.

Ren hugged back in the same manner and said, “Byee, have a good night and remember! I am just one call away!” waving Y/n goodbye.

“Hmm, I will!!” Y/n said as she waved back her friend.

[Day 2]

“You are my baby, you know that right?”

“Yup! And I missed you so much, you didn't even pick up my calls or anything!! I was worried.” Y/n whined a little.

“So, darling, shall we go to the movies tonight? Can I make up for it then?”

“You can make up for it now Yeonjun”

“Oh, how?” Yeonjun said as he raised his eyebrows a little as he held Y/n’s nape and pulled her face closer.

Y/n closed her eyes slowly, bringing their faces closer and closer when

The alarm rang loudly in the room, waking up any living being.

“UGH” Y/n took her mobile and slammed it back on the drawer after turning off the alarm. “WHY NOW??!! Aghhh” Y/n groaned as she grabbed her hair.

“Oh! Yeonjun!” She quickly remembered her boyfriend and picked up the phone to see if he had messaged her back.

He hadn't.

“Piece of fucking shit” she muttered under breathe.

If it was not for the deep love she shares with her phone, the rectangular object, she would have surely threw it out the window she was glowering at.

Their three month anniversary was coming up, Y/n had started a hobby recently, a hobby Yeonjun introduced her to, that was crocheting. 

She looked sadly at the crocheted flower bouquet here, she searched one for beginners and crocheted it to the best of her abilities.

“But that fucker is missing”.

[Day 3]

“Hmm…is this what moving on feels like?’

“Huh?” Ren’s face snapped in Y/n’s direction.

“I am saying, I feel good right now! This is or “was”,” Y/n quoted with her fingers, “a good one, two months isn't bad, ain’t it Ren?” 

Y/n looked at Ren’s direction, with such a solemn look on her face, you would think she has gotten deep into the philosophical world.

“What are you saying Y/n?” Ren chuckled at her friend’s dramatism.

“No but, I think my move on rate is good! You know in the future when I am ditched or dumped again I will get out of it veryyyy quickly, I am happy hahahahahaha.” Y/n laughed at…. herself…. Or her situation? it was in a maniac fashion either way.

“You do know, you are not ditched or not dumped? Right?”

“Not officially for sure.”

Ren was speechless, her mouth agape, one eyebrow raised, though she understood what it meant.

“I got it!” Y/n suddenly stood and jumped on the bed. “I am losing interest! This is it!”

“Huh??? What now??”

“Yes, Ren, I cracked the code of being ghosted!!!”

“You. Are. Not. Being. Ghosted. And you didn't crack shit.” Ren emphasized each word, now hundred percent sure her friend was losing her mind.

[Day 4]

“I am a strong, independent woman, who does NOT need a man.” Y/n said as she flipped her hair off her shoulders.

“You do know you can be all of that, which you are, AND still have a man?” Ren said.

“Huh, what are you-” Y/n was saying as she heard the familiar *ding*, she opened her phone quickly, not even trying to pretend she didn’t give a shit, she did. 

Ren giggled at her behaviour as she saw her best friend's smile grow tenfold. 

“Ren!!! He messaged back!!” Y/n jumped out of sheer happiness.

“Yayyy!!” Ren cheered for her.

“But! This is not it, how can I just forgive without any explanation?? I won't!” 

________________________________

“Honey!” Yeonjun called Y/n, walking towards her with a bouquet of flowers in the middle of the street where Y/n was buying some supplies.

Y/n looked at his direction, opening her arms a little before closing as quickly as she could and looking away.

“Honey, these are for you!” Yeonjun said,smiling. 

Y/n looked at the bouquet temptingly, she really wanted to take it and hug him and kiss him, but…where was the apology?

“How can you not contact me for THREE days straight??” Y/n said as she put three fingers up emphasizing the time lost.

“Darling I am sorry, I was tied up, locked up even!” Yeonjun said as he put on that look of a child who got caught eating candy.

“So was your phone?”

“Uh,..phone..time! I didn't got the time darl-”

“Shut up?? I don't care I am going!” Y/n stomped her feet before going her way.

Few spectators laughed at the scene, ideally Yeonjun would have felt embarrassed but the only thing he was feeling was determination to get her Y/n back.

______________________________

[Day 5]

It was 2 p.m. Now, Y/n usually goes to the nearby food court to have a hearty lunch……with Yeonjun. 

“Heh, ain't my fault!”

As she got her order, and took it gleefully, she noticed it wasn't only the food tray which had come to her, there was a note and a rose kept on it. Y/n looked at the waiter, who pointed to one corner of the place, there was Yeonjun.

Hands joint and all, asking for forgiveness. Upon seeing the scene, the waiter laughed a little and went back. Y/n’s face was red by now, almost threatening him to throw her food tray at him, but hey! Food is precious (💕).

She looked at the tray and took the note to read it, it was printed, it said:

Y/n’s heart melted at the confession, he also finally said the sorry she was waiting for, maybe her expression was so clear Yeonjun started going near her.

“No use ignoring him anymore, I gotta tell him straight up.” 

“Hey darling~~” Yeonjun sat in front of her seat slyly.

“Now,” Y/n said as she pointed her finger at him. “I gotta eat my lunch Yeonjun, so let me do that, then we will talk, okay?”

“As you say madam!” Yeonjun saluted her.

__________________________________

Yeonjun and Y/n were sitting on a swing set in a park. Slowly swinging and thinking what to say, Yeonjun was determined and Y/n stern. The cold summer breeze flowing through them easing them a lot, fluttering the plants.

“So, don't you think you need to say something?”

“What?? Just tell me! I will say whatever you want to you!”

“Think of it yourself!!” This was Y/n’s turn to whine.

“Is there something I am forgetting??”

“What are the magical words Yeonjun?” Y/n said, almost losing her patience and the wait to be with Yeonjun.

“Huh? What magical words?” Yeonjun trailed off, thinking what it could be, before his mind’s bulb turned on and he sat up straight. “Y/n, I AM SORRY!” 

“Finally.” Y/n said with an exasperated expression.

“Okay, I am sorry love, I should have informed you about my schedule beforehand, I know I messed up, it's all my fault, will you let go of it darling?” Yeonjun said as he got in front of Y/n on his knees.

Y/n wanted to say yes and she was going to! But before she could say anything, Yeonjun started speaking about another thing.

“How does a candlelight dinner sound to you?”

“Huh? What? What did you say?” Y/n surprised but internally screaming out of happiness.

“Our three month anniversary is coming up, let's celebrate it with that!” Yeonjun said, now cheering.

“Oh yes, and I forgive you Junnie!!” Y/n said as she hugged him. “ I have made a gift for you too~” she whispered in his ears.

“Oh?? Really? What is it??” Yeonjun asked with genuine curiosity and anticipation.

Y/n stuck her tongue out and said, “I won't tell you until the day!! This is for you for ignoring me! Hahaha.”

Yeonjun pouted but agreed anyway, excited for what's to come, so was Y/n.

Finally, after what felt like ages, she will go on a date with Yeonjun, gifting him her crocheted bouquet.

Taglist: @tyunderella (If anyone else wants to be tagged in all my upcoming stories please let me know~)

[legitidvleaks]

Margaretha Zelle (Dancer) Birthday Letter

Palette of Hope Brilliant, passionate, dazzling, and luminous—these are the hues she casts upon her future, illuminating every shadowed moment of her past. (Obtainable from the Dancer's Birthday event.)

Margaretha Zelle: Investigation Field Notes I

For Margaretha Zelle, it seemed her beauty was a far more lasting mark of identity than any of her many names. Whether she was called Natasha, Natalie, or Margaretha, those names slipped away—some vanishing into the misty waters of fishing villages, others lost in the roaring flames of fairgrounds. Those who'd met her could rarely say which name was truly hers. When people remembered her, it was almost always, "Ah! Yes, that pretty lady." Mr. Fiennes, proprietor of a certain pawnshop, remembered her just that way. It must be noted that Mr. Fiennes' establishment was hardly your typical pawnshop. Most of his wares were of dubious origin, and their "owners" had little intention of ever reclaiming them. More often than not, Mr. Fiennes served as a discreet intermediary, quietly passing such items along to the auction house. When Margaretha first walked through his door, he figured she was just another client. The item she brought to pawn was a hatpin. "That clearly wasn't hers," Mr. Fiennes remarked, his meaning unmistakable. "It was well-worn, but the craftsmanship and setting were of the highest order. Not the sort of thing a girl fresh from the sea could afford." At this, Mrs. Fiennes, who sat with us during the interview, bristled. "That hatpin was precious to her! Perhaps a family heirloom. She must have been desperate to part with it. What makes you so sure she stole it?" But Mr. Fiennes wouldn't budge. "Then why, when she returned with money, did she purchase that mink coat rather than redeem the hatpin? Not every girl from a fishing village is as innocent as you, my dear." This only served to further infuriate Mrs. Fiennes. "But didn't she come back again to redeem it? And weren't you the one who sold the hatpin before she had the chance?" Their argument grew heated, and at last Mrs. Fiennes stormed out, slamming the door behind her. I found her later by the riverbank, still fuming. That's where our conversation drifted back to Margaretha. From Mrs. Fiennes, I learned Margaretha had visited the shop three times. The first, as Mr. Fiennes mentioned, was when she arrived "smelling of fish." "She was brought in by one of our regulars—a handsome young fellow. You could see she took pride in her appearance. Her clothes were a bit worn, but spotless. She even wore lipstick, and she was lively." As Margaretha was leaving that first time, she noticed a coat hanging by the door—a style all the rage just then. "She asked if she could try it on. I knew she couldn't afford it, but something about her reminded me of myself, years ago, new to the city and full of hope. So I let her," Mrs. Fiennes said, looking out at the fishing boats. "She looked wonderful in it, and the young man told her so. She was thrilled and said once they made their fortune, she'd buy one just like it. He promised her she would."

The second time, Margaretha came alone. By then, the time to reclaim the hatpin had passed; it was now shop property. "But it was still there. Most people never come back for their pawned goods, so I was surprised to see her again." Mrs. Fiennes explained she was alone in the shop that day and not well-versed in the rules for pawning. She and Margaretha waited together for Mr. Fiennes to return. While they waited, Margaretha's eyes went again to the coat. "By then, it was out of fashion and, having been forfeited, much cheaper. I told her she could have it for a modest sum." As it happened, the price was almost the same as what she'd have needed to reclaim the hatpin. After a long pause, Margaretha decided to buy the coat instead of the hatpin. "She wasn't in the best spirits—there were shadows under her eyes. But when she tried on the coat, she lit up, just like she had the first time." The third and last time Margaretha came to the shop, she wore that very coat. Mrs. Fiennes recognized her straight away. "She was thinner and said she'd been very ill, but she seemed in good spirits, almost glowing. She said she finally had enough money to get back the hatpin." Here, Mrs. Fiennes sighed. "But, only a short while before, the hatpin had finally been sold at auction." Mrs. Fiennes was troubled by this, as she'd promised Margaretha earlier that, though the hatpin was forfeited, it hadn't sold and would probably remain unsold for some time. She'd advised Margaretha to buy the coat first and come back for the hatpin when she could. At first, Margaretha was clearly upset. But when Mr. Fiennes mentioned that the buyer was a young man who'd asked after the hatpin several times, something seemed to click for her. Her mood brightened, and she stopped worrying about the lost item. As she left, she offered Mrs. Fiennes a few comforting words. "Perhaps it's a good omen, madam," she said. "Perhaps, like that hatpin, my own life will find a new beginning."

[penguinlife]

Saturday Blog (21 June 2025)

This is just me being bored. If you don't like random theories, please scroll on. This is entirely my opinion.

I think Nicola did only stop in on Jake on her way to another destination with family or friends. Jake has been seen around with some of the cast of his new series, and each time, Nicola is nowhere to be seen. Was she there and declined to be on the photos. For someone who is openly "dating" Jake and has been in similar photos with him and friends before. Why shy away now.

And then she posted that pic in a hotel room with Jake and his ear and thumbs up. I think she stopped in on him again on her way back to the UK. I think she was just looking in on a friend as she was passing through.

Luke, on the other hand, was in Cyprus with his family on his dad's side this time. We know he had a similar trip with his mom earlier this year on one of his breaks.

I am 50/50 on if Antonia was there, too. But something about her posts is again an insinuation. If she was with them, a more direct post would've made sense. Because are they not also dating in public now, even IG official. It is giving Pasta making vid or shelf pic. Her dad might have let her know that Luke was there. Or she might have known about the plans. Or she will dump a carousel of photos on her IG in the next week and prove me wrong. Who knows.

I know some people got really triggered that I said Luke quit Acting/SM. I was half joking. But this is a typical move when something happens in your life. He deleted almost half his posts. Left just enough so that he can still use the account in the future, but he probably deleted the IG app, and it will he a while before coming back. His grid is all brooding.

He deleted his bio. "Actor," but also the warning that it was his only SM account. Either he is back on Tiktok, Facebook, and Twitter, or he is off of IG. To change your bio is a deliberate move.

Now, the Bridgerton S4 wrap announcement. No Luke, but I don't think it means anything. They posted a BTS clip of the S3E3 stunt a few days before with him. They specifically did a bit about wrapping the season. It is very possible that he was not there that day or was filming or that they just missed him. I saw quite a few people commenting that he was snubbed or that Bridgerton hates him.

I don't think it means anything. I do think that after the BAFTA debacle, the Shondaland/Bridgerton/Netflix team took a pause to promote S4 and had a subtle damage control campaign. I predicted that they would start rolling out S4 promos now that all the anniversaries are done, and they did.

I now predict that they we will get another Benophie article. Something about the music for S4 or the outfits or the themes. Then, specifically something about Luke Thompson. They need to redeem him (I mean the character). Then a couple Photoshoot with Yerin and Luke T.

I really hope Luke is kicking off a new project soon.

Oh, and I wanted to comment on Luke's latest pic. I believe it was from last week. When you drink a bit much and spend a lot of time in the heat, it can cause facial puffiness. His head is also tilted a bit backwards, which would make his cheeks more prominent. I know some people believe he and Nic were together somewhere. But the chances of being spotted are too high. They didn't just put a whole adjacent production on just to undo it.

Endgame means endgame.

[miraculouslbcnreactions]

Hey there

What do you think of the show pulling a Philip J Fry on Alix as per Thomas’s Twitter? And how season 5 began with “thanks for saving our lives, now get the fuck out of reality”? Personally, I would have made the duo a trio and try to get all hands on deck

I thought it was super weird and didn't really understand the in-universe logic for why Alix needed to run away. I do get the meta logic, but we'll get to that in a bit. For now, let's focus on how the show tried to justify it. This is the dialogue when Alix gets her mission:

Ladybug: Once we have retrieved the Miraculous of time, you won't return it to me. You'll have to continue wearing it in order to protect it, until Monarch is defeated. Alix: Keep it? That means... Ladybug: (crestfallen) You won’t be able to return to this time right away.

Alix keeping the miraculous makes sense, but her not being able to return to her own time doesn't. What are they worried about that doesn't apply to Ladybug and Chat Noir, too? It's not like Alix's identity was outed at any point. The miraculous would have been perfectly safe in her pocket, so that's a terrible reason to send a 15-year-old girl wandering through time with no support system.

This oddness is not helped by Future Alix's presence in both this episode and Chat Blanc. It shows us that Future Alix can mess with the past for some reason, meaning that there's no reason for her past self to go on a solo mission. If things get too bad, then Future Alix can just come back to the past and fix it.

It would have made way more sense if future Alix wasn't a thing and if the rabbit was the one miraculous Monarch didn't get, leading Ladybug to give the rabbit to Alix for safe keeping. Alix would then offer to go back to the past and change things, but Ladybug would refuse and say, "You can't change your own past! But you can protect our future. Now that Monarch is so close to reaching his goal, I need my hero of last resort to make sure he doesn't win." Then Alix could either go off to monitor the time stream or Fluff could say that it was time to start Alix's training so she knew when a situation was dire enough that it was time to interfere, thereby implying that Alix might help, but wouldn't in most cases.

Of course, those fixes fall flat since Monarch does win, but I guess that's fine since neither version of Alix stopped it? Why the wish was fine, but Chat Blanc wasn't is beyond me.

This is the problem with introducing a time traveler to your show and not giving them clear rules that prevent them from helping. It fills the story with plot holes, which is the meta reason why Alix was shipped off. The writers quickly realized that the villain really couldn't have time travel powers, so they got the miraculous back to Ladybug and then removed it from play because they had no idea how to handle time travel given how badly they've mismanaged it so far.

Almost everything that happens in Evolution is there for a similar reason. Nothing about its plot makes sense and it seems obvious to me that the events of this episode are just a sloppily attempt to fix time-travel plot holes and to make season five's plot work even though it goes against established characterization.

For example, this episode sees Gabriel give up saving Emilie because he's too tempted by the idea of beating Ladybug. This makes no sense because Gabriel has never put defeating Ladybug above saving those he loves. He's actually given up potential victories when the cost to his loved ones was too high. It's not like the writers forgot about this trait either because they bring it back to "redeem" him in the final. If he hated Ladybug more than he loved Emilie, then the season couldn't end with him listening to Ladybug and changing his wish, so him choosing fighting Ladybug over saving Emilie at the start of the season makes no sense since his character supposedly gets worse as the season goes on.

This one-off sloppy change to his character was only there so that the writers could give Nathalie an excuse to no longer support Gabriel, which is really dumb because Nathalie doesn't see Gabriel pick Ladybug over Emilie. Given that Ladybug always wins no matter how clever Gabriel's plans are, it's straight up insane for Nathalie to assume that this time was any different. Just look at this dialogue, she has no idea what happened in the burrow! She just randomly assumes the worst after three seasons of blindly following him to the point where she is actively dying because of her blind faith in Gabriel:

Nathalie: (on-call) Gabriel, did it work? Gabriel: No, Ladybug tricked me! She stole the Time Miraculous from me! (Nathalie coughs from her sickness.) You have to help me! Come up with a new plan! Ladybug can’t get away with this! Nathalie: (on-call) You had the Time Miraculous. You could’ve chosen to save Emilie! You could’ve chosen to save me! (coughs) But instead, you chose your obsession with Ladybug and Cat Noir. You're insane, Gabriel! Gabriel: (stuttering and panicking) I-It’s not my fault! It was Ladybug!!

I'd like to take a moment to remind you that one of the times Gabriel gave up winning for the sake of a loved one was when he chose Nathalie over defeating Ladybug! Why is Nathalie so certain that he acted differently here???

Circling back to your terrific trio idea, while I do like the idea of there being a larger team (but not a team of 18), Alix is the last character I'd chose for that team. It's nothing against her character. I like Alix! The problem is that her power set is broken. If she was there, then we'd be asking why she doesn't just undo the events of the season four finale or use her powers to track down Monarch's identity because canon has failed to explain why those aren't options.

To be perfectly honest, I don't think that the time traveler we see should be one of the modern kids. It just introduces too many plot holes. I think Bunnyx should be someone from the past who is watching their own future and interfering based on very clear rules that leave them almost no room to help. I think it's fine if Alix is the holder who will follow this random person from the past, but we should never see future Alix and current Alix should never mess with current affairs. Which basically means that I'd never use the rabbit for an episode focused on Ladybug and Chat Noir. I'd use it for "filler" episodes that are just about Alix learning to use her powers, which is a pretty huge deviation from the show.