#you will be surprised by the number of characters who say they are bisexual..... not a lot
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Obviously I’ve been queerbaited before, like, a genuinely incalculable number of times, and maybe thinking Buddie might actually go canon is a ‘fool me sixteen times, shame on me’ scenario, but I think one big thing that’s keeping my hope alive is this thought: If you genuinely believe that Buddie isn’t going to go canon, 100% zero possibility and absolutely no intention of trying... Then you also have to believe the people who create the show we’re all fans of are purposefully cruel dicks.
Because we have SEEN what it looks like when the showrunner of 911 knows there is no possibility of it happening, has no plans of it, and is generally trying to avoid accusations of queerbaiting.
It looks like S5 & S6. Little bits here and there, the odd important scene to throw breadcrumbs… but a lot of keeping the two characters apart, being circumspect in interviews, PR shut downs on the actors, etc. The show has proven they are capable and willing to exactly that!
So indulge me, and imagine for a second. They had the conversation with the new network, and the execs told them they wanted to continue with the status quo, to write as if Buddie is never going to go canon, BUT were willing to bend so far as to make one of them queer, to keep the fans happy.
What would that look like?
I don't know, call me foolish.... But I think it would look like keeping the same dynamic from The Drought Seasons. Having them be friends and important to each other but still fairly disconnected, not having as much screen-time, etc, It would look like having Buck’s coming out arc be a SEPARATE, individual narrative. If they just wanted to write Tommy and Buck, and that's it, they could have done things differently.
There are just so many conceivable ways they could have written Buck’s coming out arc, to almost completely separate it from Eddie and have it be made clear, in no uncertain terms, that Buck is bi but that doesn’t mean he cares about Eddie like that, that Eddie is a hetero McHetero.
Buck’s coming out arc could have included him being jealous because he’s suddenly faced with Tommy in the flesh and is insecure about how he was technically ‘Tommy’s replacement’ at the 911, with Eddie not relevant to it at all, or have Maddie and Chimney be the ones to interrupt The Date, or literally any other scenario that didn’t make it all about Eddie.
They could have had one short scene where Eddie and Buck talk about it, and then the rest would be like, Buck talking to Hen about being queer, Buck interacting just with Tommy and getting to know him, Buck doing a research binge about bisexuality and info-dumping at an inappropriate time during a call, etc etc etc.
That’s how you tell that story and only be writing it for the proverbial ‘general audience’.
But they didn't. They purposefully reversed direction. They chose for Buck’s coming out arc to... highlight his nigh-feral jealousy over Eddie forming a homosocial bond with another guy, having said guy repeat with genuine surprise and shock that it was him and not Eddie that Buck was interested in, have Eddie interrupt their date, have Buck be more worried about lying to Eddie than the fact that he’s queer at all, have Maddie say what she did to Buck about telling Eddie in specifically ambiguous terms…
In a season that also included the Fire Extinguisher Incident, and Buck saying he ‘wishes he could help’ with Eddie’s sexual frustration, and a big increase in social media engagement, and having Buck being Eddie’s rock in the last few episodes while he had a bizarrely platonic affair with his dead wife's doppleganger…
If they did that while KNOWING the plan was actually for Buck/Tommy endgame and Eddie riding off in the sunset with a hot female firefighter who has a cool motorcycle or whatever the fuck, or them both dying in a freak car-washing accident, or….
If they GENUINELY planned that? If the entire Buck jealousy plotline was intended to be nothing more than a deliberate queerbait-and-switch? Then they’re fucking assholes, sorry. They would have to know full well exactly what they were doing, how many people’s hopes and emotional investment they were toying with... If they were actually planning to keep dragging it along for seasons more of baiting and dangling things in front of us, while knowing categorically that they had no plans to deliver? That would be genuinely GOD TIER levels of specific, intentional queerbaiting.
Which could be the case! I won't deny that. Shows have done it before, plenty of times. Tim et al could be callous bastards deliberately instructing the actors to wink it up in interviews and share suggestive Tiktoks, and writing Buck’s coming out arc as being entirely focused around Eddie and throwing out hints... All while laughing behind Buddie fans' backs about our gullibility, how we’re keeping the show trending on the force of our delusions, etc. Maybe that's it! Maybe they just genuinely enjoying fucking with people. Or maybe they were just shitty enough writers that they didn't know what they were doing, and it was all a total accident, somehow, the proverbial monkeys pounding at keyboards and accidentally spelling out B U D D I...
But you know what? Call it naive, but I prefer to think they’re not huge assholes, or hugely incompetent.
That there might actually be a point to all this, somewhere down the line.
I guess we'll find out.
#911 abc#buddie#911 show#buck x eddie#help i accidentally word vomited#i didn't mean to get this emotionally invested in#a procedural soap opera on network television#but it's just so fascinating i want to poke it with a stick#i might be wrong but you know what? i think it'll be interesting to see what happens#gonna tag this#anti-bucktommy#just to be on the same side and not upset anyone#but I'm genuinely just looking at the narrative and the PR choices as they exist
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Ren Kaji x Kiryu’s Little Sister
(Minors, Ageless and Blank Blogs DNI)
TW: suggestive, fluff, angst, Kaji is bisexual in this fic (female reader tho)
Completely self indulgent idea that I wrote mainly for myself - thanks for coming along for the ride! (Not super proofread). Any art, music, etc references is this piece is just a reference - I don’t own or have any rights to characters, songs, art, etc.
Ever since Kaji started his second year at Furin, his seconds would catch him smiling down at his phone periodically. Certainly odd behavior for their captain, but they chose not to question it. Over the summer he found an online server where people share playlists. No one really had good taste in his opinion, except you.
He quickly DM’d you a few playlists, and when you reacted favorably and sent him a few personal ones - he asked for your number. Kaji saved you in his phone as your handle on the server: @musicwh0re101, and you saved him under his handle: @RKplaylists.
The rest of the summer was spent exchanging playlists back and forth, so when his seconds caught him smiling at his phone it was only ever because of you. When Enomoto finally asked about it, Kaji explained that he met this really cool guy online who he shares playlists with. Enomoto and Kusumi share knowing looks.
“This guy has been making you smile a lot. Is he a new friend, or…” Enomoto asks as he wriggles his eyebrows at Kaji. His captain turns beet red and begins stuttering. There’s maybe, an eensy, teensy, little chance that Kaji has been crushing on you this whole time and wondering what you look like, sound like, act like in person…
“Sh-shut up,” Kaji hisses. “We need to focus on the patrol,” he adds as he shoves his phone in his pocket and keeps stalking forward. Enomoto and Kusumi shoot each other a look and wriggle their eyebrows at each other. Silently plotting to figure out which boy is making their captain blush so much.
Eventually, it comes out that you actually write music as well, and he immediately asks to hear it. You hem and hah about it, because honestly you aren’t super jazzed about your songs. You like them a lot, and they end up being popular, but people also call them stupid a lot which doesn’t always feel great. Finally, with enough continued pestering - you send Kaji one of the more recent songs you’ve written (I had Loved You Before by Peach PRC in mind).
As Kaji listens to the beats and the lyrics start to come in, it dawns on him. You’re a girl. He’s stunned. Shocked, even. It’s not like it’s a big issue, and surprisingly his heart still sputters when his phone chimes with another message from you. He’s just surprised… He thought you were a guy, and everything he’s imagined about you up until now has been the stereotypical guy he’s attracted to. Honestly, not many girls have caught his attention, so he thought he just wasn’t interested in them… but he was still interested in you.
Finally, he checks his phone for the messages you’ve sent. After your song video, you sent the following.
MusicWh0re101: So? How do you like it?
MusicWh0re101: ?
MusicWh0re101: I thought it was pretty bad, but damn I didn’t think it’d make you stop talking to me :/
Kaji laughs despite himself - you’re always quick to make a joke, even when you’re feeling vulnerable. Heaving a deep sigh, he sends back:
RKplaylists: sorry, sorry.
RKplaylists: tbh I didn’t realize you are a girl
RKplaylists: nbd
RKplaylists: and yeah it isn’t really my taste, but it’s still fun to listen to
Kaji’s phone pings almost immediately:
MusicWh0re101: ?
MusicWh0re101: well yeah?
MusicWh0re101: Wait.
MusicWh0re101: are you not a girl??
Your phone stays silent for long enough that you start to get worried that you won’t get a response, until it finally pings again:
RKplaylists: no
RKplaylists: i’m not
Kaji sits on the edge of his bed, waiting to see what you say back. It’s okay with him - that you’re a girl - but would it be okay for you that he’s not?
MusicWh0re101: oh shit.
MusicWh0re101: Sorry I guess I just assumed cause I am…
MusicWh0re101: I guess we never talked about pronouns or anything lol - sorry!
MusicWh0re101: nbd for me either btw!
Kaji sighs in relief from your words, and chuckles a bit about the general miscommunication.
RKplaylists: true
RKplaylists: we didn’t really ask each other’s pronouns
RKplaylists: I have called you dude, bro, and man a lot though
MusicWh0re101: (text bubble)
MusicWh0re101: oh yeah…
MusicWh0re101: I mean I have a brother and we say those things all the time
MusicWh0re101: It’s more of a term of endearment for me y’know
Your phone stays silent for a long moment, and you wonder if you’ve messed this up, until he sends back:
RKplaylists: lol
RKplaylists: that’s a pretty hilarious misunderstanding
MusicWh0re101: I’m nothing if not situationally funny 🫡
Kaji laugh reacts to your message, which causes a wave of relief to wash over you. The two of you continue sharing playlists, and Kaji eventually pesters you into sending him your artist info on Spotify so he can follow you. He doesn’t say anything to you, but he was a little disappointed that your photo on spotify is some abstract art rendition of you. It was cool, he could admit that, but he wanted to know what you looked like, and was too afraid to ask you.
A few months after Kaji found out your gender, Umemiya held a rooftop party at Furin for the Captains, their seconds, and some choice members from their grade. Of course, Sakura invited Kiryu and Tsueguera as his plus ones (Sugishita is already Umemiya’s shadow, so he’s already there). Kiryu asked if it was alright if his little sister came, since Kotoha will be there and they know each other. Umemiya was quick to agree with the mention of Kotoha.
Kaji heard this information be shared throughout the week leading to the event, but barely registered it. When the day rolled around, he was aware that Kiryu’s little sister would be there, but he didn’t care much - too obsessed with his online friend to really notice her. Unfortunately, it seemed like his friend was busy today so he was forced to participate in the event. As his eyes scanned the party, he watched as Kotoha entered with the first years. Kiryu was last to enter, or so Kaji thought, as a small hand wrapped around the door to the roof and a head brandishing pink hair brighter than Kiryu’s popped out.
All Kaji really took in at that moment was that she is short. Like unbelievably so, if he had to guess he’d say Kiryu’s sister is about 14. Which only made him wonder why she was invited at all - far too young to chill with in his opinion. That should’ve been the extent of his interactions with Kiryu’s sister in Kaji’s opinion, but of course Tsubaki piped up with an idea that grated him to no end.
“Oooooh! Little Mitsuki - you know how to sing right??” He asks excitedly as he pulls the slight girl with flowing pink locks up onto the makeshift stage. Right in front of Kaji. Of course, from where he sat he had a perfect view of her mint green cord overall dress that came down to her mid thigh - revealing quite a lot of exposed flesh for someone so small. Underneath was a white, fitted baby tee. A pair of bright pink platform sandals adorned her feet. Immediately, she’s blushing and shaking her head modestly.
“I sing really bad music, I swear you won’t wanna hear it,” she says bashfully. “We could play the radio, or maybe put on a playlist?” The bubblegum haired girl suggests quickly, but is met with protests all around.
“She’s lying! She literally sings all the time - and well too - don’t let her get away with lying to you!” Kiryu shouted quickly from where he was seated on the floor. She shot her brother a desperate look that could be easily interpreted to say ‘please stop - you’re embarrassing me’.
“Sorry lil ‘Suki! That’s the toll to hang - you gotta sing!” Kotoha chimes in from where she’s standing by Umemiya. Tsubaki takes the time while everyone is shouting encouragement at the timid girl, to center her on the ‘stage’ - toes pointed at Kaji - place a mic in front of her and pull out a laptop to have the lyric video going in the background as he connects the speakers.
“Okay, okay!” She laughed out, finally relenting. “What should I sing though?” She asks, looking at Tsubaki for suggestions.
“The one you’ve been playing on repeat! Something about dinosaurs?” Kiryu suggests, and she immediately deflates and blushes in embarrassment. Letting out one final groan, she leaned over to Tsubaki and whispered the name of the song.
The second the first beat hit, Kaji immediately knew what song this was and bile rose in his throat at the thought of anyone other than Musicwh0re101 singing it. He goes to put on his headphones - trying to hide his disgusted look. Hiragi grabs his arm before he can, and shoots his peer a warning glance as he mouths ‘be nice’. Kaji sighs and leaves the headphones around his neck, pouting slightly.
As the flamboyantly dressed girl begins singing the lyrics, Kaji freezes. She sounds just like his friend who wrote this song. Looking up from his phone, like he’s just now seeing Kiryu’s sister for the first time, Kaji does a double take cause it’s definitely not a cover - she sounds EXACTLY like his friend. That’s when he realizes Y/N Mitsuki - Kiryu's little sister - is his online friend. The one who he’s been not so subtly crushing on, honestly even when he thought you were a guy.
Halfway through your performance, he stands up abruptly on shaky legs - earning a puzzled look from you - and leaves the rooftop with a disgusted look on his face. Later, you casually bring it up to Kiryu who gives you a sympathetic look.
“Don’t take it personally - it probably had nothing to do with you,” he says in a reassuring tone. Sakura, Suo and Nirei nod immediately and offer their praises. Tsuguera praises your virtue for wanting everyone to have a good time during your performance. He was an odd one, you had to admit, but you giggled and thanked him anyway before going back to the party.
Umemiya and Hiragi take a short leave from the roof to find their Second Grade Captain, because honestly they thought he was being pretty rude. They find him slumped against a wall in a hallway, looking worse for wear.
“Hey man, even if you didn’t like her performance - you could’ve hid it a bit better” Umemiya says in a parental tone. Kaji turns around white faced in complete shock, and mouth agape as if he just saw a ghost.
“Y/N is my online friend. The one I’ve been crushing on. I’ve been crushing on Kiryu’s LITTLE sister! Isn’t she like 14?!” His voice raises an octave with each sentence as his hands card through his hair and he tries not to hyperventilate. Hiragi and Umemiya look at each other for a moment before bursting out laughing, Kaji glares at them with questioning eyes.
“Y/N is Kiryu’s little sister by like… 2 minutes - they’re twins! She’s 16 just like him.” Umemiya says quickly, during a pause in his guffawing and wiping tears from his eyes.
“Bu-but are you sure? She’s so… little.” Kaji says slowly as he holds his hand up to about where the top of your head lands on him (just below his armpit). At that, both of his seniors exchange another amused look before roaring with laughter once more. After they get their laughs in and settle down a bit, Hiragi fixes Kaji with a pointed look.
“Seriously though man - if you like her you gotta make up for how you acted up there. She said you looked ‘disgusted’ by her performance. She looked pretty hurt too.” Hiragi said in a more serious tone.
Later that week, after school has let out, but before Furin after hours patrols started - Kaji is laying on his bed staring at his phone. Finally, he gets up the courage to message you.
RKplaylists: wyd?
MusicWh0re101: nothing much, what’s up?
RKplaylists: I wanted to ask you - and I know this sounds weird - but are you Kiryu Mitsuki’s little sister?
RKplaylists: Y/N Mitsuki?
About 5 minutes pass as Kaji just stares at the text bubble light up over and over again with you typing on the other end. Then, finally you respond:
MusicWh0re101: …yeah. Why do you ask?
RKplaylists: well because I realized a little while ago that I know you irl as well as online.
RKplaylists: I’m Ren Kaji
You drop your phone, which causes it to clatter to the floor and somehow slide under your bed towards the back by the wall. You scramble under your bed to retrieve it - braving the 50 gazillion spiders and cobwebs. After several minutes of silence Kaji sighs and swallows whatever hope he had that you didn’t hate him for how he acted earlier in the week. He sends the following messages:
RKplaylists: I wanted to apologize about how I looked during your performance
RKplaylists: I’m sorry
RKplaylists: That’s when I realized it was you.
RKplaylists: I freaked out a little bit cause I thought you were younger than you are…
You’ve finally retrieved your phone which has been pinging repeatedly. Looking over the messages your eyes widen at the last one. You respond immediately:
MusicWh0re101: how young??
RKplaylists: …14 😬
MusicWh0re101: SERIOUSLY?! 🤬
RKplaylists: Not because of how you act or anything!!
RKplaylists: You’re just…
MusicWh0re101: I’m what?!
RKplaylists: little. 🤦🏼♂️
MusicWh0re101: you’re such an ass lol
RKplaylists: settle down pipsqueak
RKplaylists: what’re you gonna do about it anyway? 🙄
MusicWh0re101: probably write a really bad song about how you’re an ass that inevitably becomes popular and everyone starts singing it around you 🫢
RKplaylists: oh no! A white girl is gonna write a diss track about me!!
RKplaylists: Anything but that please! 🙏🏻
You throw your head back with a loud squeal and start giggling and kicking your feet off the edge of the bed. Kiryu calls from down stairs.
“You good?” He calls up the stairs.
“I’m fine! Sorry bout that!” You quickly call back before returning to your phone.
MusicWh0re101: Okay fucker - you’re getting a whole album!
RKplaylists: Wow
RKplaylists: That obsessed with me, huh?
MusicWh0re101: I can’t stand you lol
RKplaylists: Yet you’re pretty quick to respond
RKplaylists: Seems like you can stand me just fine
Your face heats up as the nature of the conversation changes from normal razzing on each other, to what definitely seems like flirting. You wonder when Kaji got to be so smooth as you plot out the next thing to say. Unbeknownst to you though, Kaji is sitting on the edge of his bed having a full blown panic attack while chanting to himself, ‘be cool, be cool, be cool,’ until you respond again. Taking a pause from the conversation as the two of you collect your thoughts, you change Kaji’s contact in your phone and he changes yours too.
Y/N Mitsuki: Well now that you know that I’m 16
Y/N Mitsuki: Are we still friends?
RenKplaylists: of course
RenKplaylists: your songs need work, but your taste in music is better than most people I know
RenKplaylists: who else would I send all of my playlists to?
Eyes skimming over his messages, you do a little double take as your breath hitches. Your fingers strike the keys faster than you thought possible.
Y/N Mitsuki: Wait, you’re not being literal right?
RenKplaylists: What do you mean?
Y/N Mitsuki: You don’t send me all of your playlists right?
RenKplaylists: well, yeah
RenKplaylists: ofc I do
Sitting on your bed, phone in hand, and not breathing - paralyzed. How can he be so nonchalant saying things like that?? You wonder to yourself. Half of you wants to shriek from his bluntness, and the other half wants to bury your head in the pillows to hide your blush even from yourself. Swiftly recovering, you turn back to your phone - trying to play it cool.
Y/N Mitsuki: I guess I should start sending you more of mine to make it even 🙂
RenKplaylists: Please do - I’m not sure how many times I can say that I love your taste in music
RenKplaylists: Oh, hey - I have to head out for patrol
RenKplaylists: ttyl?
Y/N Mitsuki: ofc!
Y/N Mitsuki: Have a good patrol! 😊
RenKplaylists: RenKplaylists loved your message.
You stare at the final notification. Kaji heart reacted to your message, and in that same moment yours began to stutter. Heat rushes to your face as you are reminded of all of the playlists he’s sent you. All of them.
Switching from your messaging app to your music one, you begin scouring the playlists he’s sent. You try to analyze the name’s he’s chosen along with the song line up and choices for each list - trying to see if he’s subconsciously or slyly given you any hints that he likes you. Unfortunately, you can’t find anything.
If you knew Kaji well enough at the time outside of music, then you would know that the “S4U” playlist he sent you halfway through the summer that was filled with a slew of songs from different genres about nonsensical things like candy, summer days and good vibes was created with you in mind. “S4U” stands for “Sucker For You” and each song he chose is one that reminds him of you in some way. Funnily enough you mostly remind him of sweets, long, carefree days, and music. This isn’t something you find out about until many years later when Kaji reveals it to you and all of your loved ones while reciting his vows.
Bonus: Kaji Asks about Your Handle
“So, Y/N, I’ve been wanting to ask…” Kaji starts, peering down from where he’s sitting on the edge of his bed - you on the floor leaning with your back against the bed next to him. Looking up at him, you nod for him to continue. “What made you… Why did you choose “Musicwh0re101” for your handle? I mean I’m not judging. It just doesn’t seem to fit you, I guess?” He asks cautiously, obviously nervous since he was rambling - and he never rambles. A notch forms in your brow, and Kaji knows he messed up.
“What are you talking about? My handle is “Musicl0re101”...” you say with an incredulous look on your face, and an adorable tilt of your head. Kaji’s eyebrows shoot up, because he doesn’t know how to tell you.
“Did you make it on your phone?” He asks, starting with the most obvious reason.
“Well, yeah…” you say slowly - not getting it just yet.
“Y/N. I’m pretty sure it autocorrected to ‘whore’.” He said flatly, staring at your shocked face and trying his best not to break into laughter. “Which is understandable, but how have you just not noticed this whole time?” He asks - a disbelieving grin formed across his face.
“I honestly… I don’t know!” You cry out - embarrassed beyond belief - as you hide your face in your hands and shake your head back and forth. Kaji is fully laughing at you now.
“When was the last time you had an eye exam?” He asks between chuckles.
“I’ve never had one…” you say slowly as you lift your face to meet his mocking gaze.
“Well you certainly need one!” He laughed while pointing directly at your nose, and you pouted dramatically at him. “Good to know your eyes suck. We’ll have to remember that - we may want to get our kids’ eyes checked earlier than usual,” Kaji muses. He didn’t even seem to register what his unfiltered words implied. After a moment of you staring at him wide eyed, the realization came crashing into him. Kaji folds in half to hide his face as the embarrassment washes over him - you’re rolling on the floor laughing at his feet. Once you’ve both calmed down a bit, and Kaji has a sucker securely between his lips, you fix him with a curious look.
“Wha?” He asks around the lollipop, cocking one brow at you. The blush from earlier had only just started to dissipate from his fair skin.
“Do you think my handle is why I kept getting all those unsolicited photos?” You ask innocently. Kaji’s heart stutters and he closes his eyes momentarily as you patiently wait for his answer - you’re so pure.
“Definitely.” Kaji confirms with a look that says - ‘I love you so much, but God you are dumb sometimes’. “Want me to help you change it?” He offers with a softer look this time, and you quickly hand him your phone with an eager nod.
“Yes please! Thank you Kaji!” You chirp, looking at him with moon eyes. As he takes your phone and starts navigating to your account settings, you lean your cheek onto his thigh and watch him through thick lashes with those impossibly big eyes. Maybe you aren’t as dumb or pure as you let others believe. He thinks as he meets your gaze out of the corner of his eye before quickly returning his focus to changing your handle to the desired name. A blush blooming across his skin again as his pants grow uncomfortably tight.
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IN BUGS AND SNAX
I've recently been seeing more Bugsnax friendos get into In Stars and Time. Like, five different people I met via Bugsnax are now doing fanart and fanfics for it (if you know you know).
And I think it's a shame. Because that number should be SO MUCH HIGHER
So Bugsnax fans who are unaware of this lovely RPG, here's my pitch to you as to why I think you'd like In Stars and Time and would really enjoy it.
For ISAT fans who never heard of Bugsnax, read along if you wanna. This post is primarily for the opposite, but you may find something else to dip your toes into as well 0w0
Extremely cute / lovable cast that holds so much depth and complexity than meets the eye
Look at these goobers. Look at all of them having fun. They all seem like the kind of squishy chibi type OCs you would find on tumblr, right? Wholesome uwu babies?
Hahahaha
WRONG
Well, kind of yes but still WRONG
These characters have so much emotional complexity that it can be genuinely hard sometimes to pick a favorite character between them all. Odile isn't just the "mom of the group," she has her own reasons for being on this grand quest that stem all the way back to her family lineage, her relationship with her parents. And it all gets explored for every last character, just enough where you can fill in the gaps yourself, but you can still feel that there's so much more under the surface.
You know that bit at the end of Beffica's sidequests where she reveals that, despite her bitchiness, her reason for being like that is because she has a MOUNTAIN of trust issues? And that she never tells lies, but wants to unearth truths before she gets hurt? Remember how you felt when realizing that fact? That's there with ALL of the main cast here. Hope you've got your snorkel because there's so much for you to dive into.
2. Gameplay that adds to the narrative and puts you within that world/the player's shoes
This is my personal headcanon and I don't know if it's intentional on Young Horses' part, but I always felt that running around and catching all of the Bugsnax for the grumps in Snaxburg was intentionally designed to make you feel like Lizbert. You replace her role as town "therapist," you solve everyone's problems in a kind of regressive way that ends up hurting a lot of people. Despite the gameplay being fairly simple, it still added a lot to the plot, to give you that sense in the endgame of "oh. oh god, i really fucked up." You are forced into the shoes of that world/character through the gameplay and it hits much harder as a result.
That intentional and thoughtful game design is present from the moment you start up the game, all the way to the end. In Stars and Time has the best "ludonarrative harmony" I have ever seen. Ever.
The way that the game and story is paced makes you fully understand what Siffrin is going through, the constant slog through the castle (without it ever feeling grindy by the way!), zoning out through the same bits of dialogue. At any given point, no matter how dramatically Siffrin acts, you understand emotionally why he is at that point. You feel his exhaustion, his surprise, his desperate hope, his "i'm going to try fucking anything at this point" attitude. The entire way from start to finish, you feel it.
I refuse to say any more because doing so would spoil the game. But trust me when I say, if you noticed what Bugsnax was doing there with player/Lizbert parallels? You'd love this game.
3. "What is Straight?"
So you know how we all collectively agreed that Gramble is trans? and that Wambus/Triffany are the most bisexual straight couple?
How would you like those types of characters.... but have those conversations out loud?
Listen, I love this fandom as much as the next person, and I am a Transble believer at heart. But it's easy to forget that those are all just talked about in fanon, you know? (Despite gramble literally being trans flag colors listen i KNOW). We get certain bits of characters being introspective about their genders and gender roles, like Wambus being really stubborn with his farm and wanting to maintain a sustainable way of living, being "the breadwinner," for him and his wife. And Floofty feeling like an outcast for behaving in a way that is not "socially acceptable" while being nonbinary. But we never talk about those specific subjects directly, about sexuality, gender identity and the like. Not that Bugsnax NEEDS that, it's just something the writers never really thought to include.
But In Stars and Time... it scratched an itch I never knew needed scratched. Take the thirteen different pieces of character complexity and condense it into five. The discussions that the main party have in relation to their identities, both sexual and gender, are some of the most phenomenal pieces of writing I've ever seen. I've talked with asexual people who played this game who were like "finally, FINALLY SOMEONE GETS IT." Finally getting some characters that resonated with them so, so well. And there is a discussion about halfway through the game with a transgender character that absolutely floored me, because so many post-transition character arcs that I see are related to dealing with transphobes and accepting your slay self queen/king/my liege. And that's good. It's cool. But I feel I've seen that so many times now I know the basic plot beats. And ISAT throws in a unique twist to it that I rarely see and the influence that their past combined with cultural pressure it's just, it's SO GOOD. You gotta see it to believe it man, I'm leaving out so much shit here you need to check it out yourself.
4. It will reach into your chest and strangle your heart with its claws
Despite how cute both games can be, they can bash the back of your head with a steel chair of emotion.
You know that feeling you get when you complete a lot of bugsnax sidequests? When you realize Triffany will never get the closure she wanted; when you've helped Wiggle chase this dream of a muse that doesn't exist, and that it was (at least partially) your fault? Well how about if that was the entire game?
This game has some of the highest highs and lowest lows, emotionally speaking. A lot of ISAT also has that same sort of emotional ambiguity Bugsnax has; certain plot points will never be resolved, because that's just life. And you're forced to sit with it, sit in that guilt and resentment because this isn't a problem that can be solved so quickly but you still tried and that arguably made things worse.
Yes, an argument could be made that because Siffrin is not a self insert like The Journalist, then there's a layer of disconnect. But remember what I said in point two: you understand every step Siffrin takes the whole way through because you play it. You sit in it. And no matter how dramatically Siffrin acts, it will be hard to deny that you wouldn't do the same in their place.
5. A big mysterious twist that will emotionally gut you and leave you to dry
Obviously I can't put much here. It'd spoil Bugsnax for ISAT fans and spoil ISAT for Bugsnax fans, more than I already have. But for the fans of each respective games, you KNOW what I'm talking about. And there is an equivalent in the other as well.
If the image of Siffrin making that face intrigues you in any way, especially compared to what I've already shown you. Then go in the game blind. The scene this is from blindsides so many people and once you hit That Face, you know the true game has begun.
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That's about the best pitch I can give for Bugsnax fans to play ISAT. I really do feel there's a lot of emotional overlap between these two, even if they're completely different games by nature. There's a lot to love and sink your teeth into.
If this is your first time hearing about either of these games and any of this sounds intriguing to you? Trust me. GO IN BLIND. The gameplay/story blend may not click for everyone right away, but if you let yourself sink into this game, if you let yourself connect with it, boy oh boy does it connect. There is truly nothing like In Stars and Time and/or Bugsnax, and the more people experience this game, the better. Trust the process, slink into it.
I promise you won't regret it.
Thanks for making it to the end have some silly little guys
#in stars and time#bugsnax#isat#young horses#insertdisc5#bugsnax beffica#filbo fiddlepie#beffica winklesnoot#triffany lottablog#wambus troubleham#chandlo funkbun#snorpington fizzlebean#floofty fizzlebean#shellsy woolbag#gramblegigglefunny#wiggle wigglebottom#eggabell batternugget#elizabert megafig#cromdo face#isat bonnie#isat loop#isat siffrin#isat odile#isat mirabelle#isat isabeau#((oh also they have cool old women too#odile and shelda rule))
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Fic #4
Title: Let Beauty Come Out Of Ashes
Fandom: Supernatural
Characters: Castiel, Dean, Sam, Bobby
Pairings: Castiel/Dean
Status: Complete
Sam heard raised voices coming from Dean's room. He went to check, but when he tried the door, it was locked.
He heard Dean's voice saying "Cas, I already told you, I'm not gay! So stop trying to kiss me!"
And Castiel's reply- "And I told you, you don't have to be gay to kiss someone or be with someone of the same sex!"
Sam sighed. Evidently Cas was trying to help Dean get through his internalized homophobia and it wasn't going so well.
"Just shut up and kiss already!" he shouted through the closed door, before shutting himself in his own room.
Dean rolled his eyes. But whatever he was about to retort was cut off as the angel kissed him. It was a brief and gentle kiss, but it left Dean flustered and confused.
He pushed Castiel away from him. "What the hell, man?"
Cas frowned. "I'm trying to prove to you what I said! Sexuality isn't black and white, straight or gay. Crowley, and Sam, are both pansexual. That means they like whoever they like, regardless of gender. I'm gay. Meg might be a lesbian. You're probably bisexual."
Dean stared at Cas, processing his words.
Dean snorted. "I'm not bisexual," he protested. "I'm straight! And you, cannot kiss someone, even just to prove a point, without consent!"
He opened the door and stalked angrily out of his room.
Cas followed, keeping pace. "I'm sorry, Dean. Look, could we try this again? Sit down, hear each other out, and go from there?"
"You've made your point, as have I. Now leave me alone, Castiel."
Cas inwardly flinched at Dean's use of his full name. "Fine, if that's what you want." He turned and disappeared, giving the hunter his space.
The days passed, turning into weeks, then months, with no sign of Cas.
Dean hadn't prayed to him since before the day Cas kissed him. Sam tried, but he was ignored, as usual.
Sam and Dean were on a hunt with Bobby, and it was going badly.
"I think you need to call your angel friend, Dean," Bobby said.
Dean grimaced. "Do I have to?"
"Well our other option is probably death. And I'd prefer not dying. So yes, you have to."
Dean frowned, but dialed the number. "You're talking to him," he told Bobby, before putting it on speaker.
Cas sighed when he saw who was calling. "What do you want?" He was not expecting to hear Bobby requesting his help.
"Fine, but as soon as it's resolved, I'm leaving." He hung up and materialized where they were, helping them sort out their problem.
Before Sam could talk to him, or get him to talk to Dean, he was gone.
Dean stared at where the angel was, a wistful expression on his face.
"...Dean. Dean!" Dean turned, to see Bobby calling to him. "Boys, we have to clean what we can, let's get to it.
After, we're going to get dinner and you're going to tell me what is going on between you and Castiel.
Your reluctance to call him could've put us in danger, and if this continues, it will again." Bobby wasn't angry, not yet.
But his tone was stern and left no room for argument.
After they ate dinner, Bobby ordered them some pie, then pointed his fork at Dean. "Talk," he commanded.
Dean sighed, and explained what happened.
"And this was 2.5 months ago?? Sheesh, you'd have thought something worse happened from the way you were acting."
Dean looked at him in surprise.
"Castiel shouldn't have kissed you. However I also understand his point of view.
You need to pull your head out of your ass, stop being an idjit, and realize that you do, in fact, love that angel.
And no, I don't mean platonically. We all can somehow see it, except you. Even he can, and we all know how bad he is picking up cues."
Dean just stared in shock at Bobby, a forkful of pie halfway to his mouth.
"So here's what's going to happen," Bobby continued. "When you get home, you're going to call Cas, and talk this through with him.
Sam will tell me if you have or haven't. And I'll know if you try and pull a fast one. Understood?"
Dean blinked, then nodded. "Yes, sir."
That evening, Dean called Castiel for the second time.
"What?" the angel snapped, irritated to see Dean's name on his phone again, and because Chuck got pissy with him again.
"Cas?" came Dean's voice. "Is everything okay?"
"You ignore me for two and half months, you don't get to pretend to care now. What do you want?"
Dean frowned at his angry tone. "Could we talk, please? About us?"
"What more is there to say? You more than made your point. Now leave me be," he glowered, even though Dean couldn't see. Cas hung up, even more irritated.
Dean's frown deepened, and a tear trailed down his cheek. Cas was being harsh, but he probably deserved it, didn't he?
He went and told Sam what happened, more tears sliding down his cheeks. From Dean's pained expression, Sam realized he was telling the truth.
He got up from the couch and hugged his brother tightly. "I'm sorry, Dean. You did not deserve to be spoken to like that.
I'll call Bobby in the morning, and we'll work this out, alright?"
He hugged Dean again. "For now, let's get some sleep."
Dean nodded and dried his tears. "Thanks Sammy."
"Any time, Dean."
He watched Dean retreat to his room before following suit.
Dean lay awake, mind churning despite how exhausted he was from the day's events. Eventually, he drifted off to sleep.
From a dark corner, Cas watched over him, soothing him whenever he had a nightmare.
By the time Dean woke up the next morning, Castiel was gone. His mind of that night was hazy.
He remembered having nightmares that faded quickly, but he didn't know who stopped them. Though he was pretty sure it wasn't Sam.
And it couldn't have been Cas, because they were currently on unfriendly terms.
He brought it up to Sam over breakfast, but the younger Winchester was equally as uncertain. Another thing to tell Bobby about, he supposed.
In the meantime, he turned his attention to his rapidly sogging bowl of cereal.
Sam called Bobby and told him what happened.
"Right. Give me the number for Castiel. I'll call him and give him a talking to.
At this point he's being unnecessarily mean. I'll talk to him and figure out what the heck is going on."
Sam gave him the phone number and hung up, before dragging Dean to the couch to watch TV while they had some relative peace and quiet.
Dean was just stirring his cereal and staring at nothing, and Sam decided to keep an eye on him in case he decided to be stupid.
All Bobby told Cas on the phone was to meet him in his living room. He then sat the angel down for a talk.
Cas explained everything from his side, and talked with the older hunter. Bobby took everything into consideration before reaching a decision.
"C'mon, we're going to the Winchesters. You and Dean are going to talk. I don't care how long it takes."
Cas nodded, and followed Bobby to his car. He fidgeted, nervous about how things would go.
Sam and Bobby sat in the living room, while Cas and Dean talked in Dean's room.
The two talked a while, about things not only about the attraction between them. Cas also apologized for kissing Dean.
When they talked about that, Dean still insisted he didn't feel that way.
Castiel sighed in frustration, but kept his face neutral. "Then I think it's best I stayed away for a while.
We both need time apart from each other, clearly, or things will go south between us."
Dean nodded, but was still unsure.
With that, Cas disappeared. As soon as he was gone, he let his tears fall freely. He cursed at himself, for falling so hard for Dean.
After Cas left, Dean sat heavily on his bed, wondering why he suddenly felt so empty, like something was missing now.
Dean slid to the floor, talking, praying to Cas immediately. "Cas, come back- Please- I think we made a big mistake.
Come back, please-" He was begging, crying, for the angel to come back.
Cas heard, but he didn't answer.
"Castiel! Please..." Dean begged him.
At that, Cas paused. If Dean was calling him Castiel-
He decided to go back. "Dean?" he said, voice gentle. "Dean, what's wrong? What do you mean by a mistake?"
Dean didn't answer, he just jumped up and wrapped his arms around Cas, burying his face in the angel's shoulder.
His sobs faded, tears absorbing into Castiel's coat.
Cas just held him, rubbing his shoulder gently. He risked pressing a couple of kisses to Dean's hair.
"I'm here, Dean. I'll stay, if that's what you want."
Dean nodded. "Please stay-" He didn't let go of Cas, staying like that for a while, the angel comforting him.
Cas wrapped his wings around them both, to comfort Dean.
"I'll stay."
#fanfiction#writers on tumblr#writing#supernatural#spn#destiel#dean winchester#castiel#sam winchester#bobby singer#funny how I can kinda write Destiel and Sam but fuck if I haven't nailed Bobby
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WIP Wednesday
That's another WIP Wednesday done and dusted! Thank you all for sending in asks and hope to see you all next week.
Next week is going to be a blast! It's going to be a little bit like Halloween, but even MORE chaotic.
In addition to my main Christmas fic (once "The Good Elf" and now "A Love For Christmas") I will be writing Christmas ficlets, too. The goal is to write 400-1500 words in one of the many AUs I have in my portfolio. Twelve in total.
But you won't know which ones I'm doing until I post them one a day like an advent calandar from the 12th-24th. Mainly because I won't be doing WIP Wednesday on the 25th. So because I'm keeping them secret as to not spoil the surprise, when you send in your usual asks, instead of getting a snippet, you'll get a headcanon for a specific character attached to the AU.
The headcanon will be for in general and not specific to the AU so you can't guess. So I will have snippets for the 12 AU numbered 1-12 and a character will be assigned to each snippet AU.
You'll send in an ask for a number between 1-12 and then I will have two wheels of randomness: one for naughty/nice and one for the different AUs I'm going to be writing Christmas ficlets for. A nice will get you a fun headcanon but if you get a naughty, it'll be a spicy headcanon (so don't expect the adults like Joyce or Hopper or the younger teenagers for this). Once a ficlet is finished but there are still asks for it, I will spin the second wheel so that I can keep working.
For example: someone puts in an ask, say for number 11; then I spin the wheel and if it lands on nice I write for the snippet and then I give a regular headcanon like: Jeff sings in the shower and has a great voice, but put him in front of an audience and he croaks, or if it's naughty: I write a snippet and then post something naughty about Jeff, say that he's a chaotic bisexual who enjoys threesomes A LOT. But if someone asks for 11 and I've finished it, I would spin the wheel and get a different snippet to write about, say 4 then instead of it being about Jeff it would be about Eddie.
Does that make sense? If you have questions let me know and I'll try to answer them the best I can!
See you next week!
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I keep seeing people say the live action show is going to be bad only because Bryke is no longer involved. Now, I’m not particularly interested in the show because live action remakes just don’t do anything for me, personally. But I think y’all are giving Bryke way more credit than they deserve. Let’s discuss.
First, I think we should acknowledge the more problematic aspect of them creating the show in the first place. While I love Avatar, Bryke are two white men who took the aesthetics of many different Asian cultures to create their world. And most of the voice cast were also white. If there were Asian voice actors, they were either a background character or a villain (besides Iroh and Zuko, of course). Now, I know that some of you may have read that and thought about how the actor playing Sokka is not only white but lied about his ethnicity. Don’t worry, I’m mad at that as well and I’m beyond frustrated that Sokka has been whitewashed not once, but twice in the name of a live action interpretation.
And speaking of live action interpretations, let us not forget Bryke’s role in the 2010 movie. They announced their decision to leave this new show due to it not matching their vision. But they had no problem with the film that casted almost exclusively white actors to play characters of color. Again, if there were POC in the movie they were either background actors or villains (again, besides Iroh and Zuko). When people bring up the movie, they blame Shamalan for every aspect of it. Yes, he did not direct a good movie. But, at the end of the day, Bryke wanted this movie to happen. Everyone else, including Shamalan, wanted a season four but they were dead set on the live action movie that whitewashed most of the characters. And they were fine with that. That didn’t clash with their vision despite relying very heavily on non-white cultures to make their show.
Outside of the whitewashed movie, their creative choices are… interesting, to say the least. And we didn’t get to see those because the writers pulled their weight and tweaked the original concepts. Toph? Bryke wanted her to be a boy and be in a love triangle with Aang and Katara. It was the writers who made her a girl. Azula? Again, Bryke wanted her to be a boy and, again, the writers made her a girl. Katara fighting sexism in the Northern Water Tribe? They wanted her to be fighting for Aang, not herself. It was the writers decision to add in Katara fighting against a patriarchal system. Many of the episodes that people point to as their favorites (Zuko Alone, The Puppetmaster, The Southern Raiders) were not written by them. Yet, they get the pats on the backs from casual viewers and even some dedicated fans.
Do you know what happens when they do have creative control? At best, it’s mediocre, at worst, it’s bad. Let’s first take a look at their continuation of this universe by looking at Legend of Korra. The writers that made those iconic and beautiful episodes in ATLA? For the most part, they’re no where to be found. And it shows. LoK was a mess from the very beginning and never quite got its footing. Yes, I will acknowledge that Nickelodeon fucked them over. Yes, I do have respect for them for sticking to their guns and making Korrasami an item and giving us not one but two bisexual women of color. But besides that? It’s just a very mediocre show with mediocre writing.
But we see how truly bad things can get with the ATLA comics. Now, I do need to acknowledge that they didn’t work on that comic alone. So, like the movie, there are others to blame for the mess. But Bryke signed off on everything and wrote some of it themselves. And, boy, are they bad. A large number of the ATLA fandom do not like these comics and there’s definitely a reason why. Including out of character moments, prominent sexism with how the women are written, and just downright bizarre discussions, it’s not that much of a surprise that we don’t like to acknowledge it. In my opinion, no one got screwed over more in those comics than Katara. They make her a trophy girlfriend. A shadow to Aang rather than being her own character. That girl we watched in the show, the one who was vibrant, layered, complex, was gone. In her place, a hollow shell. And they would continue to show disrespect for their own character in LoK where she has been upgraded from trophy girlfriend to trophy wife. They didn’t even care enough about her, besides her being the wife of Aang and the mother of his children, to give her a statue! All the feminism we see in the original show? It definitely wasn’t Bryke.
I don’t know how this new live action show is going to pan out. It could be great, it could be bad. It could just be meh. But none of those outcomes have anything to do with whether or not Bryke was involved. Because they may have created ATLA, but they weren’t the ones who truly breathed life into it.
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*waves hand in the air like a beauty queen* Just Hello.*
Welcome to my professional tumblr. I’m Lincoln, and I’m a fantasy/science fiction author. I’m fond of murder mysteries, powers that come with a price, and mythology.
Most of you will probably know me already, actually, as tumblr user @letmetellyouaboutmyfeels. *jazz hands* Surprise, ‘tis I!
For a long time I resisted the idea of self-publishing. I didn’t want to start from the ground-up in building an audience because I’m not great at this whole social media thing and I hated that idea. However, I finally grew too frustrated with how the traditional publishing world treats its authors and said screw it. We’re gonna try doing this on my own.
And, uh, I’ve come to realize, I actually do have an audience. My lovely fanfiction readers.
My hope is that, since you all enjoy my fanfiction, you’ll want to check out my original writing, too. I will say up front that there are some differences such as a darker tone, heavier subjects, romance is not the main plot, etc. But, if you like my more plot-centric and serious fanfics, then I think you’ll like these original works of mine. I like to play around with themes and worlds similar to the ones found in those stories.
*vibrates with excitement* Which is why I'm launching my Patreon!!!
I have also, shocker of shockers to myself more than anyone, written a poetry collection. It's titled Manifesto of a Blossoming Supervillain and you can purchase it here on my website (I have a website!!!) in e-book with paperback coming in the next few days.
But my Patreon is where I'll be posting, chapter by chapter, my fantasy murder mystery novel A Masque of Shadows.
When the controversial regent of the city-state of Serenissima is murdered on the first night of Masquerade, Captain Matthias has to sort through spurned lovers, murderous family members, and scheming nobles to prevent war from breaking out. It's Murder on the Orient Express meets Game of Thrones starring a very tired autistic bisexual who's just trying to get through the holiday season.
What can I say, I want to see if you all can solve the mystery in real time. ;)
My Patreon is also where you'll get lots of sneak peak info about my other novels such as character art and playlists, worldbuilding info, deleted and bonus scenes, character backstory, and director's commentary.
The first novel that I plan to release in full is Pestilence, the first in my Horsemen Quartet:
When four women raised in a dead world come back to life, they find they're no longer entirely human... and the undead are no longer the worst threat they have to face in the wasteland.
It's currently with my sensitivity and beta readers, and the hope is to publish it in September (because I'm a masochist, I guess).
You also get pictures of my cats, Mr. Fluffernutter and Cuddlebug!
(They like to sit in the window and judge people.)
The audience I’ve built up with my fanfiction was rather like falling asleep. It happened slowly, and then all at once. I’m still blown away every day by the number of people who’ve read and enjoyed my stories on Ao3. I hope, if you are one of those people, that you will consider supporting me and join my Patreon to support my original work. These stories are near and dear to my heart, and I deeply love the characters in them. I hope that you all will, too.
*no I could not resist a MsScribe reference, sorry not sorry
#indie publishing#indie author#lincoln writes#lincoln's novels#manifesto of a blossoming supervillain#horsemen quartet#a masque of shadows
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A Narrative Defense of Eden Culprit Theory
Hello everyone!
As I’m sure many of you know, I, among others (notably @accirax, @1moreff-creator and @thebadjoe) believe Eden to be the culprit of the Chapter 2 murder case. I’ve seen a fair number of people say they aren’t convinced for one reason or another. While I fully understand people who don’t buy all the evidence/the insane contraptions we’ve come up with or people who are in denial, I was a little surprised at how many people I saw say that it would be bad writing for Eden to be the killer here.
While others are fully entitled to their opinions on who the killer is, I want to address this claim. Personally, whenever I’m reading a fangan, I always believe that I shouldn’t consider any killer to be “bad writing” until I see how it’s actually written. After all, there can always be a key twist you’re not expecting to make it actually make sense. Plus, in Eden’s case, I actually fully believe that all the building blocks of a narratively successful killer are already put into place. So, in this post, I’m going to attempt to back up my claim that Eden being the second killer actually makes narrative sense, and it isn’t bad writing either.
Because fangan writing is subjective and what any given author believes is the right move varies, I’ll be doing my best to support my claims with similar content from the canon game trilogy (given that that’s a pretty standard baseline) and from what we’ve already seen of DRDT thus far. That should (hopefully) give us some fair perspective into the sorts of narrative decisions the creator would want to make.
I’ll be going through various points at which I think something could or could not be bad writing, so hopefully that’ll provide some much needed structure to this theory.
Topic 1: Motive
I want to say this early: I do not think Eden is secretly evil. I think that in the context of killing games, “good” people can end up being killers, and I think that’s where Eden’s headed. I understand why, if some people have only seen Eden killer theories in the context of her being evil, they don’t like it. I don't like it either. I think it completely misinterprets her character.
For now, though, I want to talk about what motive she does have. There’s the fact that Arturo is threatening her, obviously. If she feels there’s a genuine threat to her safety, it would be decently reasonable to decide that, if her priority is her life, she’d rather try to get away with a murder than let herself be taken out by Arturo.
There’s another potential motive out there for Eden that might be enough to push her over the edge. That being, we know she cares a lot about her friends and relationships outside of the killing game too.
A lot of people, I think, have seen the theory floating around that goes “Eden is trying to leave to get back to the girl she kissed.” I’ve also seen it mentioned that this could be problematic, given that it could be saying “being gay = becoming a killer,” but I think there are several reasons why that doesn’t hold up.
First of all, we have a lot of canonically LGBT cast members. Nico is nonbinary, Whit is bisexual, and in the most recent Q&A, other characters such as Ace, Veronika and Eden herself were also all confirmed to be LGBT+. Given that Eden isn’t the “token gay character,” I think it’s a lot safer to make her a killer without sending the message “if you’re gay you’re a killer.”
Secondly, I think that there’s more to Eden’s motive than just whoever that girl is. I think the girl will likely be part of it and be relevant, given that it’s Eden’s motive secret. Because it’s the Chapter 2 motive, the motive secrets should play into things in general. But, it’s not like that girl is the only one from Eden’s past that she cares about, right?
Eden cares about her family, as we see in the scene where she talks to Levi. We know that Eden cares about her friends, as we clearly see within the killing game. We know that Eden cares about this girl. I think it’s safe to say that, for gay reasons or not, Eden has a lot of people she’d fight to get back to.
Rather than using her motive secret as the only way of justifying the “Eden wants to return to her previous life” motive, why don’t we look at other secret Eden content?
I’m talking about the secret quotes. I assume most people have heard about them by now, but basically, if you go to the characters’ profile pages on the main tumblr account and inspect elements, each character has a secret quote that you can find. Eden’s secret quote is “You can’t go back, no matter how hard you try.”
We haven’t really seen much of Eden trying to go back yet. I guess you could say that when she makes breakfast with Levi, she talks a lot about trying to get the group back together and back to normal, and that isn’t unrelated. Still, I think it makes a lot of sense if Eden is someone who’s focused on the past. After all, Eden’s talent is clockmaking. To the extent her talent influenced her personality/character themes, it seems like time is an important thing with her. Trying to turn back the clock and return to her life before the killing game would make a lot of sense thematically.
I suspect that Eden’s secret quote relates to the fact that she tries to go back to her previous life by escaping the killing game. “No matter how hard you try” definitely sounds like she goes to pretty extreme lengths, but she still fails in the end. That would be when she’s caught as the blackened and executed; she never gets to go back. It’s precedented for secret quotes to directly relate to how characters died; both Min’s “I wanted to save you” and Arei’s “Because that’s what friends do” tie into the way in which they arrived at their death. I could definitely see it being the same for Eden.
Interestingly, there’s another reason to consider that Eden might be extra-motivated to leave the killing game. That point is that Eden has been shown to be the main person fighting against the killing game. For example, she and Hu brainstormed ways to deal with the Chapter 2 motive.
That doesn’t really tell us anything though, right? It’s just trying to manage the killing game from within. That’s not it, though. It’s actually a repeated thing that Eden is constantly looking for ways to obstruct the killing game.
Even the plan to bore out the killing game, the one Veronika tells us couldn’t work because she’d get too horribly bored, originally came from Eden. I fully believe that there’s a reason we’re being told every other scene that Eden is working towards ending the killing game is that Eden has extra incentive to want the killing game to end, and that’s to try to return to the life and loved ones she left behind.
I also think it’s worth mentioning that, in the canon games, every single second killer commits their crime due to previous attachments that go beyond the killing game. Mondo kills because of the promise he made to his now-dead brother Daiya, Peko kills because of her allegiance to Fuyuhiko, who wants Mahiru dead due to the death of his sister Natsumi, and Kirumi kills because she’s actually the Prime Minister and needs to get back to her duties. Hell, Ryoma is even Kirumi’s victim because he doesn’t have previous outside attachments, which makes him feel like a more understandable victim for her crime. If you throw in “Eden has a lot of meaningful relationships back home and, here in the killing game, she misses them so badly that she’d kill to go back,” I don’t think it feels out of place.
This is pretty niche, but there’s also something I want to look at in relation to Xander and Min. Notably, the pinned comments by the official account in their bonus episodes.
Xander’s is “Someone who wants to hold onto the past.” Min’s is “Someone who wants to move on from the past.” While this trend doesn’t have to keep up, I think it would be interesting if every killer/victim pair had one of each. Arei pretty clearly wants to move on from the past where her sisters and classmates ruthlessly bullied her. Eden wants to hold onto it, hoping to return, but she can’t go back, no matter how hard she tries. Just an interesting thing to point out.
But Eden’s motive isn’t the only thing stopping people from believing she’d be a reasonable killer, right? There are other things to consider, too.
Topic 2: Story Arc
To be clear here, “Story Arc” refers to how Eden fits into the larger narrative and story of DRDT. I’ll be talking about her individual story and growth later on in the section labeled “Character Arc.”
For the most part, the larger narrative, at present, seems to be relating to Teruko and how she navigates her trust and relationships with everyone else. Eden is certainly a key factor in that, given that Teruko has basically acknowledged that outright.
Teruko actively tries to avoid being friends with Eden, given the fact that she’s very nice and it’d be easy for Teruko to be friends with her. To Teruko, that means she’d be opening up the door to get hurt to easily when Eden inevitably dies and/or betrays her. Wouldn’t it only be proving Teruko right if Eden were to become a killer?
Yeah. It would. And that’s the point at the story we’re at.
I don’t think it would make any sense for Teruko’s beliefs to be strongly challenged in Chapter 2. Like, at some point, I’m sure Teruko will figure out why it’s a problem to not trust anyone. After all, her secret quote is “It is an equal failing to trust everybody, and to trust no one at all.” However, at this point in the story, things are going as she expects.
Think about it this way. Teruko believes that trusting people is opening yourself up for betrayal, and those who she gets close to will betray her and die. Let’s go through the people who have died so far, one by one, and see how they match up against that.
Xander: Was Teruko’s closest friend. Betrayed her by trying to kill her, then died. Check. Min: Was Teruko’s biggest supporter after she got stabbed. Betrayed her by actually being the killer, then died. Check. Arei: Previously shared Teruko’s worldview that being nice will just screw you over. Opened up and became friends. Had that friendship used against her to kill her. Check.
It definitely seems like, thus far, we’re validating Teruko’s worldview, basically as much as possible. No killer would validate her worldview more than Eden. That would make Arei an even closer parallel to Teruko (the person who she most tried to befriend was the one who tried to kill her in the end), and it would introduce another would-be friend as a killer.
Eden: Was Teruko’s biggest supporter after the first class trial. Betrayed her by being the second killer, then died.
It looks an awful lot like Min’s, right?
In a more predictive sense, there’s also the popular theory that Charles will be one of the Chapter 3 victims. If that holds true, it’ll be another example in the same wavelength.
Charles: Was more like Teruko and didn’t trust people, avoiding them to stay safe. After rejoining the group and beginning to trust people, he died.
If that prediction is right, it’d mean that the trend continues past the point of the second victim to the point of a third victim, which would mean that the second killer would likely fit into the pattern.
But that’s a whole lot of my opinion, right? After all, maybe Levi or someone who isn’t particularly related to Teruko is the killer, so Teruko stays mostly the same, too.
I do want to take a moment to acknowledge a bigger critique of this. It’s possible that some people might say that Eden killing here would be too repetitive in regards to Min and Xander. There are some key differences, though.
Eden was Teruko’s friend after she started being mean and closed off to everyone. Min and Xander never really got the chance to react too much to Teruko’s antagonistic antics because they died before she was really pushing people away. That means it would carry more significance. Teruko has also spent more time with Eden, so their relationship is a little bit more developed. Eden is also someone that Teruko actively tried not to get close to before she killed, which wasn’t true of Xander or Min.
Plus, I’d argue that it’s also supposed to feel a bit repetitive. This is what happens to Teruko, all the time. This is her life. It makes it feel more real and understandable how she reacts to Xander and Min if we as the audience begin to see and understand, oh, it really is like this every single time.
Besides all of that, though, there are a few more thoughts that lead me to believe that someone closer to Teruko might be the killer this time around.
One of the biggest points in favor of this interpretation is the MonoCredits.
MonoCredits are introduced in the scene where MonoTV asks Teruko to caulk the bathrooms. Then, she immediately uses one in the next scene where Charles is confronting her about her more antagonistic ways. At first glance, it seems like MonoCredits may have been introduced solely for that Charles interaction, and as a reason to plausibly get Teruko to help MonoTV out so that she could talk to it, too. However…
MonoTV gave Teruko two MonoCredits. That means she still has one. I wouldn’t blame you at all if you forgot this small detail– and that’s part of why I think the killer will be closer to Teruko.
MonoCredits, and the fact that Teruko received two instead of one, are a pretty unimportant detail. I wouldn’t expect the creator to necessarily expect the audience to remember that Teruko still has one once we get to, like, the Chapter 4 daily life. I think that, because of that, Teruko will probably end up using this second one sometime soon, so that the audience will have that “oh yeah!” moment when it comes up, rather than an “oh… I kind of remember that…?” moment.
There’s a very specific scenario in which I think Teruko might use it, too.
It’s pretty specific, but it’s already happened once, right? I think the most plausible situation for Teruko to use the second MonoCredit, if I’m right about it being this chapter, would be if she ends up in a similar situation before the execution again.
I can totally imagine Eden hugging Teruko and apologizing for betraying her trust, and Teruko, in the middle of freaking out, tells MonoTV she’s using a MonoCredit to get Eden away from her, which would then immediately launch into Eden being executed.
I think that could also be the right kind of push on Teruko’s character arc; her desire to get away from Eden led to Eden dying that much faster. It’d be something that could haunt Teruko a little bit and make her start thinking about how she pushes people away and what the potential failings of that are.
The final reason I have is just, like… overall despair. Chapter 2 is usually a pretty emotionally devastating case for the cast. Taka loses Mondo and Chihiro meets a pretty tragic end; Peko dying launches Fuyuhiko into his grief → survivor arc while Hiyoko mourns Mahiru; Kirumi leaves the group feeling guilty about killing the Prime Minister, plus Ryoma’s death as a result of him loving no one and no one loving him is pretty sad. Chapter 2 is typically a chapter in the canon Danganronpa games where things get worse, not better.
Then, Chapter 3 is used as a processing point where characters that aren’t in it for the long run are usually killed off, and Chapter 4 prompts the characters to start really moving towards the finale (Sakura’s death spurs people to want to fight and makes Byakuya realize why emotions are important, Gundham’s sacrifice sets the tone for Nagito’s insane Chapter 5 play and Gonta’s mercy kill in Chapter 4 directly leads into all the Kokichi “I’m the mastermind” stuff that happens in Chapter 5).
I suspect DRDT will follow a roughly similar pattern. Because of that, it would make sense if the creator wants to pick a very emotionally devastating second killer, frequently due to the relationships that character has with the cast. Eden is the perfect pick for this position.
Eden has also gotten A LOT of focus this chapter. Getting focus doesn’t necessarily mean you’re going to die right then. After all, Charles, for instance, got a lot of focus in Chapter 1, but he’s still alive. It’s difficult to tell when a character is getting content that impacts their character moving forward and when a character is getting focus because their story is about to end.
In DRDT’s case specifically, though, the creator seems to heavily emphasize a character shortly before they die. Excluding Teruko, Xander was the most visible character in the Chapter 1 daily life. They focused on Min heavily during the Chapter 1 investigation to make sure that she got enough content in before her death. Between her fight with MonoTV, her heartfelt conversation with David, and the conversations she had post-death confronting David about his secret and defending Eden from Arturo, Arei got a lot of focus just before dying, too.
Eden is one of the most heavily featured characters, and to me, it feels more like one being set up for immediate payoff rather than long-term.
For example, David’s personality has shifted in a way that’s very interesting. People will want to see how his relationships with other characters are impacted and get to know the “real him” more before any potential death. Because of that, it makes sense that David’s heel turn is being set up for later, rather than being focus on him before he dies in Chapter 2.
Eden, on the other hand, has shown us pretty much everything she can with this perspective. If she’s already spent two chapters being nice, happy and supportive, where does she go from there that’s narratively interesting and different? The only answer I can really come up with is “becoming less nice, happy, and/or supportive.” If that’s where her character is heading anyways, then doesn’t it make sense that being a killer could be a succinct way to do it? We already have enough people running around who don’t trust people, and it would feel odd to add Eden to that contingent.
There’s one more story reason that Eden being the killer would make sense here. Check out the Chapter 2 title screen.
It’s pretty faint, but if you look after the “Glitters,” you can see faint text. It’s easier to see if you crank up the exposure.
You can tell what it is if you squint hard enough. Here’s me tracing it:
“A Good Person.”
The original chapter title is “All That Glitters,” which is pretty clearly a play on the saying “All that glitters is not gold” (RIP to anyone who just heard “all that glitters is gold in All Star by Smashmouth and didn’t question it. I was with you there). That seemingly applies a lot to this chapter, with appearances of success not being what they seem. It relates to the fact that J’s celebrity wasn’t all it was cracked up to be, and David’s persona was too good to be true.
The good person interpretation is interesting, too. If you input “A Good Person” into “All That Glitters,” you get “A good person is not gold.” Now, there’ve been a lot of characters who’ve claimed to be or mentioned wanting to be good people over the course of this chapter. However, I think the person most at the center of that is Eden, who’s been called a good or kind person by a lot of people– at the very least, I know Teruko, Arei and Levi do this.
Eden being the killer would be another way to show that people can’t be infallibly good. Again, I don’t think Eden’s gonna pull a 180 and suddenly become evil, I just think she’ll show a little more nuance. Her being suddenly evil does about the same thing for me as her being undeniably good; it reduces her character down to one trait rather than making her a full human. I don’t want her to be a pure cinnamon roll, I want her to be herself.
Given this chapter title, I honestly think it’d be weirder if Eden didn’t do something notably Not Good this chapter. There could be other options, too, but Eden being the killer seems by far the most likely to me.
Topic 3: Relationships
I want to talk about Eden’s relationships to others in the cast. I’ve already mentioned Teruko a good bit, so I’m not really going to keep going over that. There are two others that I want to touch on.
One, Eden and Hu are known to be friends. They wash dishes together every night, and they generally seem to rely on each other for companionship and mutual help with steering the group in a more positive direction. Hu is someone who hasn’t gotten that much character arc focus, so I think she’ll probably be a bit more of a spotlighted character in the next daily life. Hu has already lost a friend and trusted co-leader in David, but I think it’d be even more interesting for her if she loses both of those people at once. With David in full-on evil theater kid mode and Eden dead as the killer, Hu will be forced to grapple with the fact that both of the people she trusted to help her guide the group not only aren’t helping her anymore, but did so in a way that betrayed her and her trust.
That’s very speculative, though. The main relationship I’m here to analyze is with Arei, the victim of the case in question.
Arei and Eden have a very complicated relationship. At first, they were pretty neutral. Then, after the cake scene, Arei appeared to be jealous of Eden and her friends for, y’know, having friends. Later, when Eden tries to invite Arei, Arei goes off on Eden and Eden runs out of the room crying. Finally, when Arturo threatens Eden into silence over his secret, Arei shows up and promises to defend Eden and do whatever it takes to assure her that her friendship is real.
This is pretty much the entirety of Arei’s character arc. Because we know that Arei is the second victim, I want to examine that in the context of the canon games’ storylines in Chapter 2.
Chapter 2 frequently deals with the concept of bullying. Kirumi’s kinda doing her own thing here, but if you look at Mondo/Chihiro and especially Peko/Mahiru (and all the lore behind that one), it’s pretty standard. Chihiro is someone who I’m pretty sure has been bullied, and Mondo fits the bully role well enough. SDR2 is the big one, though, with Mahiru being bullied by Natsumi, Sato killing Natsumi because of that, then Peko killing Sato under Fuyuhiko’s command in revenge, and THEN Peko killing Mahiru in the killing game as even more revenge. So, let’s look at bullying in DRDT Chapter 2.
The big and obvious one is Ace and Nico. Ace bullied Nico, and eventually they snapped and tried to kill him in revenge. That means that the creator, at least in this case, opted for a situation where the bullied kills the bully, rather than the other way around.
Arei also bullies Eden notably in Chapter 2, and now she’s dead. I’m not saying that it has to be the same thing, but I think it would be interesting to parallel Ace and Arei and Nico and Eden. Ace, with his fear of death, would have to process just how close he came to being a victim, seeing the same thing play out with Arei, who actually did die. Nico, who’s trying to dodge any actual blame for their crime, would see Eden get executed for doing roughly the same thing.
That’s something to address, though. What does this all mean for Eden? After all, Eden and Arei were friends now. It seems uncharacteristic of her to kill Arei for any reason. If I’m going to focus in on Eden’s character relationships, I really have to address that part.
Well, my answer is pretty simple. Eden simply didn’t believe her relationship with Arei actually changed. This might seem like an unfair claim at first, but if you look into it, it’s actually quite supported by the game.
Arei certainly thought Eden didn’t believe Arei’s sudden change of heart. She even goes as far as to call Eden out for it in the moment.
That’s not a very good argument though, is it? It disregards everything that happens afterwards, what with Arei explaining more and Eden hugging her and saying that her promise means “more than she knows.” It’s possible Arei convinced Eden during that second segment, so there’s not really any reason to believe that Eden didn’t believe her anymore.
Except…
Charles gets cut off by Whit here and immediately shuts up, which is played off as a joke. It is a joke, but I’ve noticed the DRDT creator is very good at putting in jokes that actually convey important information moving forwards.
The fact that the creator put in not one, but two references to Eden possibly not believing Arei makes me think there’s more to it than making a joke or moving dialogue along. Whit even phrases it as “you wanna do that later?” which might be a hint that we actually are going to come back to that point of conversation later.
For the record, I do think it’s also possible that Eden sort of half-believed Arei. She might’ve been committed to a murder plan by that point or something, so even if she thought Arei was being genuine, it’s possible she intentionally tried to convince herself Arei wasn’t genuine. That gets more into character interpretation, though.
Topic 4: Character Arc
This is the biggest one, in my opinion. If Eden is going to die here, what does her story say? Ignoring the big plot beats, Eden should get to have her own character arc, and if this is its conclusion, I want to look at where it went.
In the prologue, Eden is noted to stay positive, but she seems to be the most scared of the killing game itself. Here’s her slide from the official Prologue Recap video:
In Chapter 1, we honestly didn’t see too much of Eden. What we did see was mostly her being nice and friendly. It was also established that Arei picked on her. Here’s her slide from the Chapter 1 Recap video:
Notably, the creator paired all the characters up for Chapter 1. We already know Arei is going to be important to Eden’s story, whether she’s the killer or not. They did pair up Xander and Min though, so it’s not like it’s impossible that they paired a victim with their killer.
Anyways, that means that, going into Chapter 2, the things the creator wanted us to remember about Eden are that she’s nice, cheerful, and one of the people who defended Teruko. Through Arei’s slide, we’re also encouraged to remember that Arei picked on Eden specifically for baking. (Arei also manipulated Levi in that scene pretty heavily, but Eden is the one they want us to remember.)
Where does Eden’s character arc go from there? Well, I’d say that she basically doubles down.
Eden basically spends the chapter trying really hard to prevent conflict and stay friends/befriend everyone. She blackmails Teruko for the sole purpose of actually getting to hang out with her, she washes dishes with Hu, she makes breakfast with Levi, and she invites Arei to clockmaking to make sure she isn’t left out again.
That means that Eden’s story in Chapter 2 is that she’s trying to be the one to get everyone through this hard time.
Because of that, killing seems rather counterproductive. After all, Eden’s been trying to end the killing game on her own terms, right?
However, it’s possible that the message the creator wants to send us is that the cast isn’t currently capable of being entirely positive and friendly. While David pretended that the point of revealing all their secrets was so that they could get along, that was a lie. Eden being the killer would fit the messaging: with this cast, in this killing game, friendships aren’t a possibility right now.
Would it be a change in Eden for her to kill now? Yes, of course. That’s how it goes with killers beyond Chapter 1; something changes that prompts them to kill. Like I examined earlier, I believe the motive of getting back to her previous life, in combination with the constant fighting, Arturo's threats against her and her apparent inability to actually make a meaningful change in those around her, would be enough to get her to break and kill in this Chapter 2 position.
I’ve talked about motive, overall narrative, Eden’s relationships and her character arc. That’s pretty much everything, but there’s one more big point I feel I need to touch on.
Topic 5: Eden’s Breakdown
This is what I assume makes people have the biggest problem with Eden culprit theory from a writing standpoint. After all, this is a very emotional moment and feels very important for Eden’s character arc. If she’s the killer, it would all be a lie, and it would invalidate everything we learned about Eden from this moment.
Except, I don’t think that’s fully true. It’s very possible to have a killer have an emotional breakdown moment mid-trial that makes them seem more innocent, but actually very much relates to the fact that they did kill.
Even if she is a killer, I still believe Eden is a good person. Because of that, I think that she is genuinely haunted by Arei’s death, as well as Min’s. In fact, we know she’s haunted by Min’s death, before any of this Arei trial stuff happened.
Given the fact that Eden runs out of the room crying after this, I think it’s fair to say that Arei’s words stuck with Eden. Because of that, pairing it with Eden’s breakdown in the trial, we can conclude that Eden feels guilty for both Min’s death and Arei’s death. Because Min’s death wasn’t Eden’s fault, it’s easy to disregard both as her blaming herself for things out of her control.
It could be genuine this time, though. If Eden is the killer, at least some of that speech has to be fake (ex. When I saw that note, I knew someone must’ve overheard our conversation). However, what’s really interesting to me is what happens after the main part of Eden’s breakdown.
David goes on a little rant about how the victim would have to be incredibly stupid to actually fall for the note– or they’d have to be Arei, who wanted to be friends so desperately that she’d believe anything “Eden” told her. Afterwards, Eden says this:
This is Eden agreeing with David’s rant. The non-killer interpretation of this is that Eden is just repeating the same thing, saying that Arei died because of her and her weakness. But, if you look at it from a different perspective, the phrasing is… a little odd?
In her speech earlier, what Eden said boiled down to “I couldn’t defend myself, and because Arei was nice to me and tried to defend me, she died.” Then, David says, “Because Arei wanted to be your friend, she died.” That’s basically the same information and logic, right?
But Eden asks it as a question. Even though she said “it’s all my fault” earlier, this time she asks, “it really is my fault, isn’t it?” That means that there was something Eden didn’t know in David’s rant.
This could be several things, but I think the most likely thing is that, in my opinion, this is the point at which Eden realized that Arei was genuine about wanting to be her friend. Before this, she still wasn’t sure that Arei was being real, and that allowed her to proceed forward with her plan, keeping it together. However, once David, who got to see Arei in her breakdown, confirms that, yeah, Arei did that because she genuinely wanted to be Eden’s friend, Eden realizes that it was her fault.
Arei wanted to be her friend, but now she’s dead, and it’s all Eden’s fault.
Interestingly, immediately after that last line, Teruko starts talking, bringing us back to mystery-solving mode. However, if you look at Eden while Teruko’s talking, she’s sobbing.
Most of the time when a character is shown to the side, they’re left in whatever pose they were last in. For example, look at MonoTV making the :| face back there despite it having no relevance to the current point of the trial. In fact, MonoTV has that face for the entirety of Chapter 2, Episode 10. The last time MonoTV talked was in Episode 9, where…
Yeah, same face. It doesn’t change from there. My point is that, switching Eden’s sprite from the face-on, holding her wrist sprite to the sobbing and wiping her tears sprite is a conscious decision. They want to make sure we know that Eden is sobbing after that interaction with David. While that could be prolonged guilt from generally feeling at fault for Arei’s death, I think it makes more sense if it’s her coping with the fact that Arei did want to be her friend, and she killed her.
Conclusion
Well, that’s my defense of Eden culprit theory from a writing perspective. Hopefully it was fun to read, whether you agree with it or not. Again, my point here isn’t to shame anyone who disagrees or anything, it’s to provide reasoning for why Eden could be the culprit and to defend the creator’s decision if that is the truth of this case. I’d love to hear about any and all other killer theories as well in order to have the greatest chance of catching the real criminal.
#drdt#danganronpa despair time#drdt spoilers#fanganronpa#theory#thh spoilers#sdr2 spoilers#v3 spoilers#eden tobisa#arei nageishi#long post#drdt theory#thanks for actually reading gang#hopefully this gave some better perspective on why i believe eden could be the killer#and those who believe eden did it bc of evidence but not narratively hopefully this helped#i just feel bad if this is what the creator is doing and people call it bad writing#because it isn't and we haven't seen enough yet to deem it bad writing even if it was#but yeah. eden stuff
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Okay so I'm in hospital for lung surgery and SO mad how many polls I've missed bc of this crap grrr
Anyways - which poll result surprised you the most (positively) and which one shocked you the most (negatively) ?
As someone who hasn't seen TF: One yet, I'm fascinated by how hard people simp for that specific Sentinel. Y'all are setting the bar really high for him lol
--- Thunderwave
Shit man, hope your surgery goes well (or went well, whatever state you're in by the time this gets posted)
In terms of positive, Im honestly pretty happy the graham burns post exploded as hard as it did. I still get notes on that fucking thing. Graham Burns is eternal and will never die. I was really happy he got a majority smash vote, I wasn't expecting him to even clear 50% given he's a human character AND he's rendered in that particular artstyle. He's my fucking BOYFRIEMD, my skrunkly, my sweet cheese, my special little guy, my silly rabbit. I am Unwell about that funny little man and I simply hope the vote on him gets more people to watch rescue bots and also get obsessed with his completely swagless cringefail bisexual charm.
In terms of negative, I'm never really THAT miffed when a poll doesnt go the way I expected, but I gotta say I really thought more people were horny for tfa lockdown? Like. He's a dirtbag kinda neutral bad boy with a deep husky voice and a general jerkass demeanor, and I've seen more porn of that guy than I can keep track of. I kind of thought everyone wanted to see him seducing prowl and/or swindle. And then the poll went up and he didn't even hit the 50% mark. Like girl What Happened, how did she flop that hard 😔
Also god yeah, tfone sentinel earned that number for a reason. No spoilers but MAN, he is fun to watch. Incredibly well written character, I want to chuck him against a wall 💖
#not polls#everyone wish a speedy recovery for thunderwave#hate to see an esteemed member of the high council down
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um... hello
i’ve been wondering how did you go about characterizing Nanako and Mimiko?
i’m slowly going through your jujutsu kaisen fanfics, michikatsu has my heart, and I’m surprised how well you wrote nanako and mimiko in exponential growth so far.
were some of it headcannon? or did you come to those characterization conclusions based on what was shown in the manga?
Thank you for your nice words about my fanfics. Nanako and Mimiko were a pretty big reason for why I started wanting to write fanfic of jujutsu kaisen, because number one Geto's family is the most interesting thing about him as a character and how he contrasts with Gojo, and number two they're crimminally underutilized in canon. I also found their deaths unnecessarily gratuitous. It was a start of a long series of Gege wasting female characters.
Which is why I wanted to explore them more in fic, and also just explore the idea of Geto's found family. As for where I came up with the idea for their characters, I'll answer below the cut.
There were enough hints in canon about Nanako and Mimiko's cursed techniques that I was able to extrapolate what each of them did, voodoo dolls that force others to commit suicide and cursed photography. I also took a little inspiration from their character designs, Mimiko is obviously meant to be the dark / gloomy one, whereas Nanako dresses like a Gyaru. The fact that they're always near each other / clutching each other hints to a bit of a codependent relationship as well.
However, the rest of their characterization I basically had to make up. The biggest source of inspiration for them comes from Durara!! which is another urban fantasy series by Ryoga Narita, which deals with a bunch of supernatural creatures like dullahans, and vampires existing in an urban setting. I draw a lot of inspiration from Durarara!! because a big thing that Ryoga Narita writes well is having loads and loads of characters share screen time in a bigger story which is something I want to accomplish for Jujutsu Kaisen and it's huge cast. Especially since the aim of my fanfic series is to focus the spotlight more on the minor characters as opposed to the main trio.
Ryoga Narita is pretty famous for his eccentric characters, all of them are crazy in their own special way. One of the ways he manages to balance so many characters is each of them kind of has a gimmick or central concept they're based around. Mimiko and Nanako take a lot of inspiration from Izaya's little sisters, Mairu and Kurui.
Mairu and Kurui are based around the trop of "twins having opposite personalities", but it's a parody of that trope because they're doing it on purpose. Basically, the story is that when they were younger their older brother Izaya emotionally abused them by saying that if they were twins and the same person one of them should kill themselves because they had an extra. (Izaya is a lovely person by the way). They wanted to please their brother, so they decided to write all their personality traits down on a list and then divide them equally. Their theory is that by balancing out their strengths and weaknesses between each other they create the "ultimate human being."
Kurui decided to be the quiet one who's eccentric at school, like a Rei Ayanami expy, she wears her gym clothes to the middle of class and doesn't socialize with anoyone. Mairu decided to be the loud, attention hungry, eccentric one. She screams to everyone the first day of class that she's bisexual and willing to date multiple partners. When a bunch of girls try to bully her, she literally almost forces them to swallow thumb tacks. Kurui barely talks, and Mairu does all the speaking for her.
The twist is that they're intentionally doing that, it's an act for both of them. When they're texting people, or when they're in an online chatroom Kurui becomes the talkative one and writes in paragraphs, while Mairu gives one word responses. Which suggests that at any time they could just swap personalities. Both of them also consider themselves the same person, they want to date the same guys, and if they disagree on anything they have mental breakdowns.
So Nanako and Mimiko share the same central concept, but the thing is while I love Kurui and Mairu and their character concept is excellent they literally have no character development in the story they are in. They're never challenged over the fact that they are super codependent and can't exist without each other. They never really grow past the trauma of the emotional abuse that their brother inflcited on them. It seems like a subversion of the "twins with the same personalities" trope at first, but then they don't really go anywhere with it. Also, there's a lot of icky twin incest subtext between the two of them. They just legit kiss once because light novels are gross sometimes.
The closest the two of them get to character development is their relationship is the friendship both of them make with Aoba Kuronuma.
Aoba is a first year student introduced in the second half of the story, he's basically a foil for their older brother Izaya. He's like an Izaya who's less of a villain because he's younger and capable of making friends. A lot of his positive character traits come out in his relationship with the twins, because while he's a selfish user of people he tends to be really selfless and protective when it comes to them.
This could have been a jumping board for having the twins have separate identities, because they are both friends with him, but Aoba has romantic feelings for Kurui. However, they do the twin incest thing again because the first time Kurui isses Aoba, Mairu is like "I have to kiss everyone my sister kisses" and then kisses him immediately afterwards and says it's an indirect kiss with Mairu.
There's a sequel to Durarara! called, Durarara! SH!. The trio shows up in that novel, but the original plan for that series was to make Aoba the main character with the Kurui and Mairu as the other parts of the main trio. However, that was scrapped in favor of three new characters which I thought was a pretty big waste of their potential.
A lot of the things I wanted to see in the Aoba / Kurui / Mairu trio, I put into Exponential Growth for the Junpei / Mimiko / Nanako dynamic. Basically the whole idea that after meeting Junpei, Mimiko and Nanako's relationship can't remain the same because it used to be their whole world was just the two of them but there's suddenly this third person their own age they both want to socialize with. Also, the two of them can't both date him so he forces them to actually act like individuals.
My trajectory with Nanako and Mimiko comes from what I wanted from Kurui and Mairu which is this deconstruction of the idea that they're the same person, by separating them and forcing them to learn to be their own people. Also, the sheer amount of distress it would cause a pair of twins this codependent to be forced to separate and live on their own. Because they're at that time in adolescence where they're going through some major changes in personality so the coping mechanism that worked for them as kids is starting to break down.
The other major inspiration for them is Maki and Mai. The basic premise is that they have the opposite relationship that Maki and Mai do, but it's just as unhealthy. Maki and Mai are permanently separated from their childhood closeness, because Maki always pushes Mai away. Maki needs to assert herself as an individual. However, this need is so strong that she doesn't think she can have any kind of relationship because she views it as a chain dragging her down.
Whereas, Mimiko and Nanako have been clinging to each other since childhood. They have the relationship that Mai basically WANTS to have with Maki. However, Maki thinks they're utterly pathetic because they can't survive on their own and are entirely dependent on each other. Which is Maki's unhealthy and toxic ideal of strength. At the same time, Mimiko and Nanako think that Maki just plain hates Mai. They can't imagine a sister ever completely ignoring another sister and pushing her out of her life because they value family more than anything else. As unhealthy as they are, at least Mimiko and Nanako make it clear they both love each other.
There's also another foiling point where they are both equally bad at communication with one another. Mimiko and Nanako claim they're the same person, and share the same thoughts on everything but Mimiko is constantly bullied by Nanako. Nanako's extremely bossy and domineering in the relationship. However, it's enabled by Mimiko who's been depending on Nanako too much over the years to make all the decisions for them. They also talk a lot but rarely talk about their true feelings with one another and when they start to it turns into an argument.
On the other hand, Maki and Mai could probably clear up a lot of tension between them with ONE HONEST CONVERSATION, but neither of them are willing to do that.
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glenn powell, thirty three, he/him │ there they go, THE FIREBRAND, greenhike’s own LINCOLN “LINK” REEVES. they’ve lived around here for 10 YEARS, but i mostly see them frequenting WRAITH’S DEN. if you stop to chat with them, don’t be surprised if they're LION-HEARTED and HOT HEADED, since people often say they remind them of THE TWISTED SENSE OF CHAOS AND CALM YOU GET FROM LOOKING AT A FIRE, A WELL WORN LEATHER JACKET AND THE RUSH OF ADRENALINE FROM BEING ON STAGE. there’s rumors that they’re at greenhike because [redacted] do you think it’s true ? ( PARI/29/SHE/HER/EST )
MORE BELOW THE CUT
BASIC NOTES:
full name: lincoln gregory reeves
nicknames: link
age: 33
dob: march 26
hometown: dallas, texas
current location: greenhike
occupation: musician, part time bartender
voiceclaim: zach bryan
gender: cis-male
pronouns: he/him
sexuality: bisexual
status: single
health status: physically healthy, mentally has general anxiety disorder & ptsd
theme song: american nights - zach bryan
pets: has a labrador retriever named cash
PERSONALITY NOTES:
negative traits: hot headed, chaotic, lost
positive traits: lion-hearted, charismatic, charming
hobbies: writing music, playing guitar, football, baseball, billiards, drinking whiskey, reading (though he'd never admit it)
aesthetic: leather jackets, belt buckles, cowboy hats, toothpicks
PHYSICAL NOTES:
face claim: glen powell
hair color: dusty blonde
eye color: green
height: 6'
build: athletic
CHARACTER NOTES:
former firefighter from 18-23 was forced to stop after a roof cave in during a fire that left him with a crush injuries. afterward he suffered from panic attacks and nightmares about the accident.
came to greenhike after the anxiety and ptsd diagnosis as a way to claim his fresh start, finding that music had always been the one thing that drowned out all the noise.
so, he starting playing his music with a small band at the wraith's den for the bar-goers where he earned himself a steady and paid slot every friday night. it's not a lot of money but it's enough to get by when he's not bartending. plus, he's got everything else he needs at greenhike since he tends to go there daily anyway.
a bit of a local celebrity anyone that comes through wraith's den knows who he is and with that, he's probably flirted or slept with them.
a chaotic mess truly: if you need a villain in your story, he can be it. if you need someone to be your dirty secret, he can be it. if you need someone to fight next to you, he can be it.
WANTED CONNECTIONS
band members: drums, bass, piano, etc. he's the lead singer & guitarist.
exes: though real relationships are few and far between he's certainly been in a few that he's probably done them dirty
hook ups: open to any number of people, he flirts and tries to get with just about anyone
the one that got away: the only person to really give him a run for his money so much so that they're pretty much his perfect match and he regrets it every day
roommate: living on the southside on a musicians budget he needs a roommate to keep a float
ride or die: the only person that gets him for more than just the local flirt, they see the real him
competition: anyone else who performs at wraith's den trying to take away his audience (even if they're not)
anything else is open!
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A03 Wrapped 2023 Edition
This is technically an ask game but I'm just gonna answer some of these here bc 2023 was a super big year for me in terms of how much I wrote!! And I'm just kinda proud of my silly self hehehe <3
How many works did you publish this year? 14! I wrote for four different fandoms! Blue Lock, Persona 3, PKMN Black and White, and PKMN Scarlet and Violet.
What work are you most proud of (regardless of kudos/hits)? I've written so many things I'm proud of this year, but I'm gonna have to say riptide ! rnis in Rin's hometown of Kamakura, but I did sooo much research for it and put so much effort into it and then wrote it all in a three weeks in a massive brainrot streak hahah.
If you use song lyrics, which artist’s songs did you pull from the most? Ohhh god time to embarrass myself again but the Chainsmokers was my top artist of 2023 and I also used so many of their lyrics and songs for inspiration. As evidence above hahaha~
Pairing you wrote the most for this year? In terms of number of fics, it's rnis/rinsagi at 4! But in terms of word count, otkr/tabieita came from the back with the surprise win!
Favorite pairing you wrote for this year? The surprise contender that was tabieita hahah
How many WIP’s do you have in your docs for next year? Haha, haha.... ha. I'm sitting at five fully started/outlined ones already... oh boy XD
What work was the quickest to write? Gold Star for Effort which took me like four hours djfndkj
What work took you the longest to write? Pull in Case of Bisexual Awakening at five and a half months!
Your favorite character to write this year? Otoya Eita, my beloved womanizing green noodle ninja hahah
What’s one pairing you want to explore next year? Bris/ barousagi bug bit me recently so I know that wave of brainrot is coming!
Which work of yours have you reread the most? let's admit, without apology, what we do to each other .... my comfort fic
How many kudos in total did you get this year? 2,096! The most I've ever gotten in a single year and nearly half of what I've gotten altogether!
What do you listen to while writing? I have a bunch of character or ship playlists I made that I like to listen to! I also sometimes just throw rain sounds in the background too pfft.
Favorite work you wrote this year? Once again... Pull in Case of Bisexual Awakening! Literally changed the course of my year both in terms of my real life and my creative one writing that bad boy!
Favorite line/passage you wrote this year? He is rawer, nowadays, somewhat like when Sae first rejected him but also not. ‘Somewhat’ because he still aches all the time, ‘not’ because he embraces it. All wound. No boy. No need for anyone to stem his bleeding because Rin’s at his best when he’s bleeding, when he can be obscene, when he can destroy. - from final boys
Biggest surprise while writing this year? That once I figured out a good process for going from idea-outline-actual writing to finished product, I was so impressed with the amount of writing I was actually capable of! I've always been a notoriously slow writer, which led to me not being able to post super often prior to 2023 But I really hammered out a writing process that works for me and I did the best I could with it I think! I hope to improve upon it this year and hopefully get a better handle of keeping my word counts in check too (chronic over-writer here dkjfndjk).
2023 was such a big wild year for my writing and I can only hope I keep up the energy in 2024. It was such a blast and I appreciate everyone who supported me through all the ups and downs!! <3
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brother and i finished rewatching zexal- time for the second half thoughts lol
there is a LOT more this time around, so it's under a readmore
right off the bat, Zexal II gives off major sailor moon energy in terms of "haha you FOOLS! the power you used to defeat last season's antag is USELESS now!"
ah yes.......gilag's design.............
brother and i have a long running joke that the barian emperors as a whole are just doing a group project and constantly struggling with the basic shit that people face when DOING group projects (infighting in particular)
also fun fact, my brother DESPISES the sound effect they use for the barian door opening during the chaos xyz summons
i want to say that 85% of shingetsu's shenanigans were planned. he wanted to put yuma through so much hell
furry coach duelist, never forget
TAKASHI TODOROKI MY SWEET BOY
ah rio "i will not be used as a shield to my brother" kamishiro.....we were so hopeful back then
alit remains to be a raging bisexual, we love that for him
though it does raise the question- since gilag couldn't recognize alit initially due to them not seeing human forms until then, could vector tell who they were or did he just hear their names be mentioned and go "wait wtf"
the friendship tournament ep remains to be one of the best one off eps of season 4 i swear to god
remember when the barians were supposed to come and collect haruto? yeah me neither
mizael is peak theater kid. i love that he and kaito fight on equal grounds and then by the end of the series you're hit with "btw mizael is like 15 and kaito's still 18"
rio may have unexplained (at the time) prophecy powers, but shark's got "i can tell yuma is in danger" senses
WE LOVE SHARK BEING A LONGING DUMBASS IN THE HOSPITAL
god i know that like- yuma's already gone through 3 seasons of shark-related emotions, but i wouldn't be surprised at all if it was alit who made yuma first go "wait, do i like guys?"
shingetsu also did a number on yuma with the same emotions, but for much different reasons
"im here to help astral" "yay!" "but don't tell him about me" "ok!" yuma we gotta teach you what a red flag is. though you are 13 and have already gone through a lot of red flags (ex. giving haruto to a stranger)
you think vector had like, a bazillion questions for yuma after seeing no96 for the first time, or did he zip his lip
we establish that kaito has global surveillance and satellites that can just- fire lasers anywhere. tenjos man
takashi and tokunosuke are canonly some of the biggest shippers in the series which is peak hilarity to me, i love that for them
im surprised anna even bothered with the uniform considering she just barged into the tournament regardless. then again, zexal rly loves putting characters in these middle school uniforms
also season 4 is filled way too much with underaged fanservice ugh
SARGASSO DUEL MY BELOVED
mizael refusing to use the lighthouse card cause it was cowardly is hilarious cause durbe is just right there like "hey"
yuma and his very bad no good day
RUIN ARC TIME
my brother was analyzing every second of each ruin tbh
he has.............a lot of thoughts on alit's backstory in particular
why is durbe's ruin in columbia of all places tho
yuma and co skipped so many days of school, you think the rest of the numbers club were just there like "where'd they GO"
we love kazuma desecrating ruins by adding markers and leaving behind coins that future teams will assume to be part of the ruin's treasures (like it did for gilag's)
also they really REALLY never fucking explain WHY kazuma knows all this shit fjdkhdfjkhfd
vector cannot sit still at all
they rly did no96 so dirty in the series. i love that he's a character fandom decided to flesh out beyond what canon gave us, he deserved that much
i rly thought there was more mutinyship moments than there really were jfdkhfdhjdfkhk ah well. they're full of potential
HEHEHEHEHEHEHE YUMA DEPRESSION ARC i know that sounds fucked up to get excited over, but it's also FEARSOME FOUR TIME
ill never understand why they bothered to go be like "heartland took a picture with esper robin" unless they just didnt want us to forget that's a character
"how'd you get your barian crests back?" "with the power of science!" is still SO funny
numbers club trying to be helpful only to get punished is foreshadowing for their fates the rest of the show
you know, you'd think kurage would've realized ryoga was one of the people he killed considering like- he knew his and rio's names. and their faces. but ah well
tokunosuke building a grave for astral is not talked about enough imo, that's like, one of the strongest scenes of the numbers club characters
kaninja you continue to bring me pain, you wouldve won your duel if you didnt say you poisoned kaito
ngl chris, you abusing kaito for a week straight for the sake of "training" was pretty fucked up
i hate the eliphas duel, i hate the eliphas duel, i hate-
"time to be with your REAL allies" durbe plz stfu
they never really do explain how nasch died. we just assumed he did himself in after seeing vector go down which is uh. hm
ahhh toku......the first casualty of the war.........
i wouldve liked more heartland backstory but THATS JUST ME-
jkfkfdhjdkf i love that it rly was just kaninja who was the reason kaito was becoming blind. messed him up even in the afterlife
astral/yuma remains to be so tender
i feel like if you ever want to make vector peak uncomfortable, just stare at him in silence until he breaks
i know that's the point, but once ryoga unlocks "nasch", his drama levels go through the fucking roof
also fun fact, between eps 122 to 143, something like 23 prominent characters die (tokunosuke, heartland, tetsuo, anna, fuuya, droite, gauche, roku, yamikawa, iv, iii, v, alit, gilag, durbe, rio, orbital 7, kaito, vector, mizael, eliphas, don thousand, shark)
"ryoga, my best friend" iv, i rly feel like that's a onesided sort of situation
alit/gilag deserves more attention ffs
GILAG DESERVES BETTER IN GENERAL TBH
i remember being numb by the point of durbe/merag's deaths. that hasnt changed
KAITO'S death tho, that still hits. mainly cause of the music
i love that obomi's affection for orbital only kicked in cause akari....kicked her
akari who was still trying to be in the plot, bless her for trying
haruto is going to need so much therapy tbh
numeron dragon's story is still so sad, love that dragon
it took mizael like 5 eps to get to the moon and another 3 eps to get off it
shark watching vector's performance and just going "........." the whole time is still hilarious. you know that'll always just be their dynamic even post canon
don thousand...........your design is so good but you are still so lackluster......
nasch vs yuma tho- THAT'S a real satisfying boss battle djfkhdfkj love that finale to pieces
aaaaaand now it's just pain and smiles all the way until the end :'3
the growing up storyline of zexal just really, really hits you by those last episodes ugh
there's so much to work with with the finale, and i love it to this day
still the best ygo series, i will not take notes on that fact
if you read all this, thank you
kattobingu <3
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Greetings from Austin
Summary: Jensen and Jared are at odds over a monumental decision that changes their lives in a way they couldn’t have envisioned.
Pairing: Alpha!Jensen Ackles x Alpha!Jared Padalecki x Omega!OFC
Word Count: 2161
Warnings: a/b/o, J2 are married/mated, homophobia, bisexuality, biphobia, outdated beliefs, angst, cursing, jealousy, depression/anxiety, medical stuff, sexual dysfunction, infertility, IVF, surrogacy, subgender inequality
*additional warnings to be added in future parts.
Square filled: Non-traditional Alpha Traits @spnabobingo Maid Au @spnaubingo
A/N: Here we go again with one my weird as hell dreams, series Inspired by this art.
A/N II: There is no intentional hate or malevolence intended towards any of the Ackles or Padalecki families. This is a purely fictional piece containing real and created persons/names/events set in the fictional A/B/O verse. Some dates/events altered to fit story.
A/N III: thank you to everyone for hanging in there since it’s taken me ages to drop a new character, I’ve been doing rewrites/updating on all my series, more to come in future.
*no beta-all mistakes are mine
*divider by @writeyourmindaway
*images found online
Part IV
“WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING HERE?”
“DON'T YA’ BE YELLING AT ME, MR. MAN, EVEN IF THIS IS YOUR FUCKING HOUSE…”
“I gotta go,” tossing his phone on the bedside table, Jared, wearing his blessed socks, runs across the main room and slides on the hardwood floor into the kitchen and saw his husband standing three feet from Quinn as she’s vigorously gesturing with a paring knife while telling him off in her colorful language.
“Put the knife down!” The older Alpha’s voice resonates through the room, making Jared flinch, feeling the command’s power, watching Quinn set it on the counter and Jensen reach over, sliding it towards him.
She stood a bit longer before blinking in confusion, and then her demeanor shifted to madder than a wet hen, her natural lower voice dropped another octave, and the lilt became very pronounced. “Don’t ya’ ever use that fucking voice on me again!”
“You were threatening me with a knife!” Jensen picks up the item, making her laugh, “Holy fucking shit, are ya’ serious? Ya’ could barely use it for a toothpick, let alone...”
Jared stood there, mouth hanging open, have’n seen others take on his mate, wrongfully assuming he’d be the easier of the two to intimidate, but when let off its leash, Jensen's wolf made Dean Winchester look like a pussy cat.
“JARED!”
The younger Alpha's mouth snapped shut, “sorry, what?”
“I asked you what the surrogate is doing here?”
“The surrogate has a name.”
“What is Quinn doing here?”
“So..uh..okay,” Jared slowly starts around the island doing his sometimes awkward, hesitant thing. “A few days ago, I got a call from this number I didn’t recognize. It was about the ultrasound appointment scheduled while you were in LA.”
He paused to see if Jensen remembered, and yep, his mate was wearing his get to the fucking point expression.
“They informed me she’d canceled it because she was leaving town.”
Jensen's attention returned to the O, ”Don’t fucking start on me again, Ackles!”
“You know who I am?”
“Duh, Sherlock!”
Jensen would later try to justify it was jet lag and surprise finding their surrogate in their home, not her smart-ass mouth, for snarling at her.
“Och, save it for the cameras, drama queen. Ya’ put pants on just like the rest of us; the only difference is yours have designer labels.”
Jared interrupted the speeding downhill faster than an Olympic bobsledder situation, “I remembered her saying something about managing Mulroney’s Bookstore, so I called Clif to see if he’d get her to contact me and calls back saying some Alpha...”
“...who’s a flaming jackass!”
“Yeah, that’s what Clif called him. Anyways, he claimed to be the manager and had no idea where she was when another employee said they knew where she was living...”
“... that’s when ya’ boy shows up..”
“…I explained about the mixup...”
“…Padalecki followed me to my room to get the new date, then he caused a scene...”
“...I couldn’t help my wolf freaking out at where my..our pups were living...”
“…told ya’ it was there or the I-35 underpass!”
Jared bristled at the reminder, “The door had three locks, a barely functional heater, and a broken fridge. Cockroaches wouldn’t even live there!”
Quinn raises onto the balls of her feet and loudly reminds him about putting her in the shitter with the manager and getting fired when Jared shouts back in his booming voice, “there was a guy by the ice machine offering to sell me heroin!!”
“ENOUGH!” Jensen's Alpha voice echoes throughout the kitchen, quieting them both.
“She’s right,” Jared opened his mouth to retort, but Jensen countered with, “And so are you. Quinn, couldn’t your family help,” the Alphas wrinkled their noses at her souring scent, so he attempted another approach.
“I want to clear something up. I recall one of the stipulations for surrogates is that they reside in an appropriate domicile. Why were you living in a motel? Could you tell us what happened?”
“The flaming jackass tipped off the landlord I’m an O, and that fucker evicted me even though I never caused any problem or was late with rent.”
“There is a moratorium on evictions..”
“..that moratorium is a fucking joke!”
“What a minute,” Jensen said, and at the same time, Jared remarked, “It protects people...”
“Newsflash, Mr. Wizard, was created by and for the protection of Alphas and Betas! Take a hot minute to read the fine print, and you’ll find loopholes granting landlords, to quote, discretionary privileges pertaining to the eviction of those designated with the sub-gender Omega. In other words, they can boot O’s for any damn reason!” She gave the Alphas a hard stare, “So, enlighten me as to why y’all didn’t know a fucking thing about that bit?”
The kitchen got quiet as the Alphas glanced at each other, trying to find a non-assholey-sounding response. “Yeah, that’s what I thought; since it’s well known you two prefer Betas.” Quinn addressed the older Alpha.
“Padalecki and I have an arrangement. I keep the house and do meals in exchange for temporary boarding. No need to fret that pretty head of yours, Ackles; I’ll do me damnedest to stay outta the way."
🐿️🫎🐿️🫎🐿️🫎🐿️🫎🐿️🫎🐿️🫎🐿️🫎🐿️🫎🐿️🫎
December 23rd Late Afternoon
Quinn heard Jensen’s surprised greeting covering the stewpot of goulash, slid it into the oven to stay warm, and peeked around the wall and saw him in the foyer hugging a small, older O, then a tall, bald Alpha carrying several bags crossed over to them.
“Let me help you with those, sir,” she offered, taking them couldn’t help but overhear his not-subtle sniff, “Jensen, who’s this?”
“Umm,” Jensen scratched the back of his neck, fumbling for a response, “this is the housekeeper, Quinn.” His mother-in-law peered inquisitively at the tall Omega before asking, “What happened to your boys' service?”
“I worked for it.”
Gerald Padalecki dubiously eyed the O up and down as she continued. “They pared down the staff, and Jared offered to retain me in exchange for lodging...”
“You live with them?” Gerald barked, “Jensen, that’s unwise considering...”
“Considering what Gerry,” his mate sharply asks, “the boys wouldn’t let someone stay they couldn’t trust.”
“I normally wouldn’t question their judgment, but she's an unmated O.”
“Whoa,’ Jensen jumped in, “are you suggesting that Jared or I...”
“Mama..daddy..what’re y’all doing here?” Jared couldn’t keep the surprise out of his voice, wrapping his long arms around his mother, “thought you were coming tomorrow.”
“We decided to surprise you but got it instead.” Gerald’s gruff reply made Jared throw his husband a confused look, catching a whiff of his dad and Jensen, “What’s going on?”
“I bet y’all would like to freshen up after your trip.” Quinn blurted out, “Jensen, would you help me with their luggage, please.”
Taking the car keys, he follows her out the door, remarking, “you think fast, coming up with that story.”
“Ya’ were about to lose ya' shit on your father-in-law, and I didn’t precisely fib, just moved a few facts around,” Quinn shoots back, grabbing a bag while Jensen, fuming, retrieves the other, following her to the guest house.
How could the Alpha he considered his father even think, after everything they’d been through, found his dark thoughts distracted by two simultaneous acts; a deflating blow-up bed and his bewildered husband storming in shouting, “What the fuck was that?”
Jensen ticked his head towards the O and made the finger-in-hole gesture.
“I’ve gotten that shit since I presented,” the pair look towards Quinn with confused expressions. “Loads of Alphas still carry antiquated beliefs about unmated O’s, and I’m…pick an adjective to fill in the blank.”
“So much for a peaceful holiday,” Jensen grumbled.
“Yeah, too bad ya’ boy stuck his nose where it didn’t belong, right?” Quinn's tone was caustic. “I don’t want to be a bone of contention with ya' family. I’ll figure somewhere else to stay.”
Jared’s wolf simmers under his skin, “How? You have $636.96 in your account. That won’t cover a security deposit, let alone fir..”
“How the fuck ya’ know what’s in my account?!”
“Your laptop was open...”
“...and ya’ snooped...”
“...I happened to see it...”
“...still not your fucking problem...”
“...you’re carrying my..our pups, that makes it my fucking..”
“...ya’ are the most unfucking...”
“I’m tired of y’alls motherfucking bitching, so shut the fuck up!!”
Jensen wrinkles his nose, “Dude, dial it down; you’re stinking up the joint! And Quinn, Jared screwed up...”
“I never asked...”
“...doesn’t matter! He's trying to make amends, for fuck sake!” Jensen felt the vein in his left temple throbbing again.
“There will be many people dropping in or staying with us this fucking week, and this is how we’re all going to handle our situation.”
🫎🐿🫎🐿🫎🐿🫎🐿🫎🐿🫎🐿🫎🐿🫎🐿🫎🐿
January 15th
“Humph,” Jensen jerked awake, slapping a hand around, and found his phone before cracking an eye open.
7:18 A.M.
Groaning, he dropped face-first into his pillow and wrestled his mates over his head to muffle the noise, but the pearls of his pup's laughter signaled he wouldn’t sleep much longer.
His fuzzy brain's insistence that coffee was more imperative than a shower has Jensen sleepily shuffling around the oversized couches, once again grateful they’d decided to move their bedroom to the main floor, spots the group in the kitchen muttered too damn early.
“That’s a bad word, Daddy,” JJ says, her frown a replica of his, “you owe the swear jar.”
“Your right, Birdie, sorry,” dropping a kiss on top of her and the twins' heads, stepping around them, pouring himself a mug, “remind me to pay it later.”
Hopping up on the counter, Jensen sips his coffee, savoring the black elixir rolling over his taste buds; he feels the caffeine penetrate his system, working its magic to turn his morning grumpyass into a civilized human watching his brood.
JJ and Arrow are busily festooning Quinn’s long, wonky braided hair with ribbons. Zeppelin and Icarus are sitting on the O’s lap, watching something on his iPad that's precariously balanced against her feet; felt his wolf purr in contentment, starting him when his mate materializes and gives him an odd look.
“Alright, y’all,” hopping off the counter, Jensen scoops up his son and flies him around, making airplane sounds, “Uncle Jeff and Aunt H/W/N will be here soon. What do all of you need to do before going?”
“Brush teeth and hair,” Arrow says, then looks at JJ, “grab our snacks from the fridge,” she reminds her, “and put them into our backpacks.”
“And do bath break!” Zep giggles as Jensen hands the pup to his mate and quietly says, “I wanna discuss something with Quinn.”
Jared reaches through their bond and finds a placidity in Jensen he hasn’t had for so long, but before he can deduce the causation, he gets distracted by the twins' squeals and escorts the pups upstairs.
Quinn eyes the older Alpha while securing a hair tie around her long braids, “what the fuck I do this time, Ackles?”
“Jared mentioned something about your leaving..”
“...I know ya' expected me gone before now...”
“...ya’ know what I expect?” Jensen snaps, mimicking her subtle accent, “I expect you to stop interrupting and let me get something out for fucking once! Now, could we please discuss this without fighting?”
Sitting at the dining room table, she says nothing, watching Jensen refill his coffee, grab another mug, and drops in a spoon of honey before pouring the brewed tea from the kettle, “Ya’ know how I take me tea?”
“I’m not a completely unobservant asshole,” Jensen self-deprecates, “you make a damn good cup of coffee,” he said, carrying both mugs over. “And I’m astonished how you balance everything, working at Emmer and Rye while keeping up with our hectic schedules. And what did you do to Jared?” Quinn looked confused, “you got him to put his wet clothes in the laundry instead of leaving them all over the bath. You’re either a witch or a goddamn miracle worker!”
“I gave him two options. Leave’um in the laundry or find itching powder in his clothing.”
“He’d just borrow my stuff...”
“...he did, once.”
“So, you?
“Clif said ya’ boy spent the day denying it was jock itch.”
Jensen was still laughing when the quartet came back downstairs, so Quinn placed both forearms on the table, leaning forward, and spoke softly, “okay, Ackles, the fucks going on with this little tête-à-tête? Cause ya’ been freaked the fuck out the entire time, so,” nodding to her mug, “What’s with the buttering up?”
“It’s about not leaving...”
“Quinns not gonna leave?” Jensen whipped around to find Arrow bouncing excitedly beside him, then she suddenly raced towards the front door, yelling, “Papa Jared, Daddy’s got Quinn to stay with us!”
Jared stood there scrutinizing the seated duo with an indecipherable expression.
“Looks like ya’ the one dropping me in the shitter this time, Ackles.”
tbc
Part V
SPN TAGS: @donnaintx @lyarr24 @flamencodiva @b3autyfuldisast3r @lassie-bird @nancymcl @spnbaby-67 @leigh70
Sam/Jared: @idreamofplaid Dean/Jensen: @thoughts-and-funnies @stoneyggirl2 @akshi8278 @beabutterfly987 @smoothdogsgirl @siospins2
GFA: @babypink224221 @waywardjoy @let-me-luve-you @all-4-wincest @ladysparkles78
#greetings from austin#jensen ackles#alpha!jensen#jared padalecki#alpha!jared#alpha!jensen x ofc x alpha!jared#non traditional a/b/o#j2 au#husbands#sam winchester#dean winchester#walker#soldier boy#a/b/o dynamics#slow burn#a/b/o#supernatural#spn#j2#spnabobingo#spnaubingo
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top 5 doctor who episodes
allowing myself to group 2 parters into one for this bc otherwise the entire list would be just the S9 finale. also it's 10 not 5 because I have too many opinions
1. face the raven/heaven sent/hell bent. to the surprise of no one it's the twelveclara episodes at my number one 💖 heaven sent the best timeloop episode ever. he spent four and a half BILLION years dying over and over and over for a chance at bringing clara back to life. and then he was gonna do to her what he did to donna but she reversed the polarity (doctorification of clara oswald. hello. can you hear me) and he lost his memory of her!!!!!! and the diner scene!!! references to impossible astronaut!!! "I think it's called Clara"!!!!!! Every single thing ever!!!!! claras third insane immortal lesbian situationship!!!! Rigsy!!!! It's the best written episodes ever I'll never recover
2. the empty child/the doctor dances she's got everything! christopher eccleston being excellent as always I miss him. dancing as a metaphor for bisexuality and polyamory! captain jack!! no monster!! just this once everyone lives!! a beautifully hopeful ending!! genuinely scary at times!! great minor characters!! rewatching this last november is what got me back into dw it's That Good
3. flatline CLARAAAA CLARA CLARA ITS A CLARA EPISODE. the doctor is her little purse dog. rigsy being great. scary ass monsters. clara being everything. this kickstarting my favorite plotline. beginning of claras doctorification. "goodness had nothing to do with it." clara lying to her boyfriend because she's fucking insane and still dedicated to maintaining her actively failing relationship with a guy she never loved. The ending scene. Clara.
4. mummy on the orient express twelveclaraisms 💖 this episode has everything the drama the intrigue the murder mystery the orient express IN SPACE! MAISIE!!!!! one of my fav side characters! such incredible lines "everything would be easier if we liked the people we're meant to like, but then there'd be no fairy tales" twelve getting clara to lie to maisie that she can be saved!!! more doctorification!!! THE I LOVE YOU SCENE. CLARA OSWALD. SHAKES YOU. god it's everything. have I mentioned Maisie. I love Maisie. claras hair and outfit
5. deep breath more twelveclaraisms idk what you expected from me. claras perfect outfits. the beginning of the best dynamic ever. peter capaldis first episode! a dinosaur! jenny and vastra!!! moral questions!! missys first appearance!! and of course the final scene!! the final scene of this episode is THE best twelveclara scene perhaps the best dw scene in general
6. world enough and time/the doctor falls I have never cried so much 👍👍👍👍👍 canonical selfcest which is not addressed enough that was insane. awesome premise the cybermen returning in tandem with the master to once again reflect their relationship with the doctor in a twisted version of humanity! Missy!!! Everything about missy!!! goodness without hope without witness without reward!! her death as the perfect scene that her whole arc has built up to!! everything about bill!!! at least she got a happy ending god bless immortal lesbianisms. I feel sick.
7. amys choice amy centric episode 💖💖💖💖💖 really really good what else can I say. It was one of the first dw episodes I watched several years ago and its still a banger. can we talk about how she killed herself rather than live in a world without rory. "this can't be reality because rory isn't here and if it is reality I don't want it" perfect episode no notes
8. the waters of mars it's so fucking good there's nothing else to say. really good standalone episode even if you've never seen any other dw.
9. silence in the library/forest of the dead beginning of the river arc!!! impeccable doctordonna chemistry as always they work so well together it's astounding. really compelling and interesting!!!!! it's so good!!!!! another one that's worth watching even if you haven't seen any other dw
10. the angels take manhattan okay listen. hear me out. it's objectively kind of bad because of the awful awful massacre of the angels lore BUT I will ignore that because every single amy and rory scene is pure perfection. another contender for best dw scene. the last scene with amy makes no sense because eleven and river were looking at the angel so it shouldn't have been able to move but ill ignore that because its sooooo good. I love amy I love rory. worst part of the episode is that she changes her name to amelia williams tho she would not fucking do that. it's rory pond not amy williams.
honourable mentions: smith & jones, utopia, every single episode in S4, the eleventh hour, vincent and the doctor, the girl who waited, the god complex, the lodger, listen, thin ice, oxygen, twice upon a time. ANYWAY!!!!
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hii 🩷 do you have any ideas about who could’ve leaked the girls’s phone numbers? or maybe that storyline isn’t as important as i think.
and i agree, if shawn isn’t bad in any way and they’ve just had noa go through this infidelity (bisexual stereotype) storyline with jen, that’s really rough and would turn me off of noa honestly 😅 i seem to be in the minority on that though.
at first i was so not into the church storyline but it definitely seems like some cult weirdness is going to happen so i’m looking forward to that. for once i agree with greg lmao. i will say, it still surprises me that no one calls out how weird it is that greg was saying karen and is now dating kelly. why does no one care? lol
who do you think would be the most surprising person connected to bloody rose? i think ash or henry. but it is weird how little screen time shawn is getting. but on the other hand, chip had a a good amount of screen time early on. the only knew character i would be surprised by is christian, just bc it seems too obvious and recycled from chip.
Hi Nonny! So happy you brought this up, because I’ve definitely been thinking about it and now you’ve prompted me to put down those thoughts in words.
First of all, I do think the numbers thing matters. If there weren’t some sort of personal betrayal going on here, why would they bother to bring it up so much? I don’t think audiences would question how the antagonists got the girl’s numbers if they just didn’t explain/mention it all. A (and in this case, Bloody Rose) has always had somewhat inexplicable access to the Liars. So it does feel relevant. But I wonder if it’s not more likely that the leak came from an established character (Henry, Ash, Shawn, Kelly, etc.) than any of the new characters who got the numbers on camera. Those established characters are the people who I would expect to have ALL of the girl’s numbers, and not just one. On the other hand, it could just be someone got access to one of the girl’s phones, or that “Rose” got that info from multiple sources. Idk, but I think you’re right not to have forgotten about it.
I’m with you on Christian atm. He just seems so obvious and I feel like they’re intentionally making him look suspicious immediately. Maybe they’re trying to make us overthink it (that would be me), but right now he’s low on my list.
Honestly, no clue about the Greg/Kelly thing. I remember thinking how weird it was in season 1, but then so much stuff happened and it just kind of got lost in the background. It IS weird, but I’m not sure if we’re supposed to feel weird about it at this point. It just feels like they didn’t want to waste time trying to explain it, I think?
Yeah, on the Shawn/Noa/Jen sort of love triangle- I’m REALLY not a fan of infidelity plot lines, and I also am not comfortable with the way it reinforces negative stereotypes of bisexuality. Luckily, I’m not particularly invested in Noa/Shawn as a relationship (Mouse/Ash is by far my favorite canon ship), but so far he’s been a very good boyfriend, so it does make me feel bad for him and like that I wish Noa would just break up with him ASAP, if that’s where all this is going.
Speaking of Shawn. His presence/absence is really nagging at me this season. He was in quite a few scenes the first 2 eps, then basically vanished in this one. But they’ve bothered to give him a job with Faran, Greg, and Ash, and why do that (why not just pay another extra?) if they’re phasing the character out? And then him not being at the party… Was the sole reason he wasn’t at Mouse’s birthday because the show wanted Noa/Jen scenes and they weren’t sure how to make it happen if Shawn were there? Because I guess it COULD be that. Maybe they (the writers) just didn’t want him there so we suspect him? I just don’t get why Noa said it wasn’t his scene. Like… Shawn seems to enjoy all the parties in season one and he’s the one who wanted to go to the dance in season one. So does Noa just mean rollerskating? Shawn has always been a very social character. He’s working at the pool and seems to hang out with Ash and Greg. So… you’re telling me that Noa’s long term boyfriend just isn’t going to go? His girlfriend will be there. The guys we see him hang out with the most are there. Faran, who he works with, will be there. Mouse, whose birthday it is, is the girlfriend of one of Shawn’s guy friends AND one of the best friends of Shawn’s girlfriend. Why would he not be there??? I’m just really conflicted on if I think Shawn’s inconsistent presence is plot relevant, or just a casualty of not being very important. Is it just a result of the production making some odd choices? (Okay, you can see my overthinking tendencies in full force here.) My gut says that all of this may point to Shawn being an antagonist, but I think I need to see a little more.
Then about Jen and the money - I brought this thought up in my original post, and after rewatching the scene, Jen specifically says that she and her mom need the money. Mothers & daughters and what they are willing to do for each other is literally the foundation of this show, and so that does seem significant to me. Like I said in my previous post, if Jen is in desperate need of money, is it possible that she’s being paid to get close to Noa again and give someone info? OR are they (the writers) telling us about her financial issues because she WILL do something like this later in the season?
The other two major missing characters during the rollerskating party (Henry and Ash) at least have good reasons that make sense. Henry bails on the party because he’s still upset with Faran for lying to him, so it’s not a surprise he’s not there. Ash is supposed to pick Mouse up, so it makes sense that he wouldn’t already be at the party. (I also did notice Johnny kind of vanishes for a while at the party).
I think Ash would be a really shocking character to be a bad guy. He’s never felt personally connected to the murder/revenge plots. I also think production is probably aware of the negative response in the original show of having the only trans rep end up “evil” (and since they backtracked on Ezra this season, I don’t think they would want to repeat that), but you never know. If there were more trans rep in the show, I would be more suspicious of Ash. Selfishly, I really love Ash and want him around for any possible future seasons, so I don’t want him to be a villain.
I think THE most shocking villain reveal for me, would be if one of Liars’ Moms were involved. I don’t think that’s at all likely (since all their roles seem greatly reduced this season), but it would definitely be completely shocking. But considering their minimal role this season, it would also be disappointing. I think I’m naturally overly suspicious, because everyone I think of, I’m like… “hhhmmm, I could see it.” It would surprise me if Greg were the mastermind behind things.
#ask#answered#anon#pll spoilers#pll summer school#pll original sin#pll summer school spoilers#pll os#pll os summer school#pll original sin summer school#pll original sin spoilers#long post
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